Bagpipes play Amazing Grace.
The pipers' steps punctuate the beat as they march forward
and leave a body behind.
They breathe and don't as the bag twinges and echoes,
This haunting tune of hope and loss.
A lone bugler stands erect and proud, hidden behind mourners,
sounding Taps aloud.
His call resonates that all is well,
There are others standing watch, where some have fell.
A flag that no longer waves will be tear stained forever.
Unwashed but cherished; forgotten never.
My service won’t be enough.
My efforts can never bring them back.
My life is their legacy.
God bless you, my grandfather, my uncle, cousin and friend,
My brothers, sisters in arms; the unnamed cannot rend.
May the wings of angels be your shield and the whisper of God be in your ear.
Watch over us now as we walk free. Be my guide, so that I cannot mislead.
I look to the ones who’ve suffered before,
They trudged all the paths across sea and shore.
Follow me, I'll yell as we march towards battle,
Not a hero, just a Louie who's knees and teeth still clatter.
My teachers are soldiers, subordinate not friend,
It is me, on whom they will eventually depend.
They've surrendered their time and hope it wasn’t wasted.
On something too many have dreamed but not tasted.
Dusk and dawn are nothing but colors.
Help me remain vigilant every moment ours.
Their bodies have failed them, their hearts stopped beating.
But in the wind and the silence I can just hear them screaming.
“Remember the patch that's on my right shoulder.
It's folded now, and my body may molder.
A soldier doesn't ask for much more than this,
To be known as a servant who volunteered for the risk.”
I’ll bring them home, and let them sleep through the night.
Their lives are more precious than mine, am I right?
God grant me… God give me… God, take care of my family,
The private, the specialist, the sergeant; I prithee.
Serenity, strength, and wisdom above all,
I’m ready to stand, I’ll answer the call.
Wednesday, May 5
Do you like Apples?
WELL I got her number. How do you like them apples?
Good Will Hunting is definantly on my top ten list of movies, and I'm pretty sure if I watch all the movies ever made it will still be in the top ten percent.
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are a great team of pals in this story of life with a touch of surreality. Robin Williams, let me just say, is awesome. Comedy, tragedy, drama, irony, you name it this guy can embody it. I don't think I've seen a sub-par performance from him yet. He is one of the reasons I wanted to be on stage. To see if I could find the aspects of the character I was to become, and really make it believable. Maybe he got type-cast {{shakes head}} but that's not an excuse.
Matt Damon, now there's a poster boy. Stolid silence, fierce retorts and a killer smile to boot. I've read in articles that the smart aleck Will Hunting, is similar to the depths of Damon's true intelligence. I'd love to sit back and watch him talk through ideas with other strong minded people. I'd feel like a student watching Aristotle and Socrates discuss ...anything.
When Sean and Will have their second session I loved the inscription Sean gives about intimacy and ...Well if you haven't seen it I don't want to spoil it. And if you have seen it... you know.
Anywho, I very much recommend this movie. I learn something new about myself every time I watch this movie.
Good Will Hunting is definantly on my top ten list of movies, and I'm pretty sure if I watch all the movies ever made it will still be in the top ten percent.
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are a great team of pals in this story of life with a touch of surreality. Robin Williams, let me just say, is awesome. Comedy, tragedy, drama, irony, you name it this guy can embody it. I don't think I've seen a sub-par performance from him yet. He is one of the reasons I wanted to be on stage. To see if I could find the aspects of the character I was to become, and really make it believable. Maybe he got type-cast {{shakes head}} but that's not an excuse.
Matt Damon, now there's a poster boy. Stolid silence, fierce retorts and a killer smile to boot. I've read in articles that the smart aleck Will Hunting, is similar to the depths of Damon's true intelligence. I'd love to sit back and watch him talk through ideas with other strong minded people. I'd feel like a student watching Aristotle and Socrates discuss ...anything.When Sean and Will have their second session I loved the inscription Sean gives about intimacy and ...Well if you haven't seen it I don't want to spoil it. And if you have seen it... you know.
Anywho, I very much recommend this movie. I learn something new about myself every time I watch this movie.
Tuesday, May 4
Do you remember?
I ment to re write this and post it EONS ago, so instead i'll just add to the end.
I wrote previously under the title "Where were you?" about people defining days through others experiences.
What I don't think I conveyed was my frustration with the appropriation of others emotions onto your own life. (I'll explain what I mean by that in a minute) I was saying that it frustrates me when people live their lives in the backseat of society. Some prefer to remember days only in relation to what is on their TV guide or favorite facebook page.
"appropriation"- the taking of something that belongs to or is associated with somebody else, especially without permission.
I lived outside of the USA in high-school. When the World Trade Center was hit by a plane on September 11th 2001, I was not in America to experience the confusion, terror, and other emotions that ran wild because of a massive terrorist attack. (no matter who you think did it or didn't do it, the reaction of the populace was mass terror, therefor it was an act of terrorism)
That didn't stop my class mates from asking me questions like: "Did you know anyone in the towers?" "Are you okay?"
Yes I was shocked. At first I thought it must be a prank like "War of the Worlds" in 1938. Everyone knew that Nothing attacks America. Even though most Hollywood apocalyptic movies are set in America, nothing happens on an epic scale.
I felt numb. I wanted to empathize for the people. I tried to imagine what i would do if i had known someone. But I have never experienced the gut-wrenching feeling of having someones life snuffed out without a warning.
I understand that people's emotions are valid and I empathize. But that doesn't mean that I take a day off work because "baby Diego dies" (Children of Men).
Remember Me.
I watched this movie with my sister, cousin, and a girl friend. We were having a girls movie night and were semi fans of the male lead.
It was a movie I'll watch again. Twice.
It's about loss and love and most important to me, family.
I got a hint of retrospection and insight while discussing the actors acting skills and lack of fashion sense in different scenes and "real life"
I recommend watching it. Netflik it if you can, Redbox it (while it's still out there). Don't watch previews about it, don't anticipate.
Watch it like you would watch something you want to enjoy but are slightly undereducated about. Think about how you can relate to the characters (not the actors). And then suspend your disbelief about the little world that is being created.
Plus the little girl is adorable! Reminds me of a young young young Jena Malone. (Stepmom). Or as my friend said, the twin sister of young Haley Joel Osment (circa A.I.).
I wrote previously under the title "Where were you?" about people defining days through others experiences.
What I don't think I conveyed was my frustration with the appropriation of others emotions onto your own life. (I'll explain what I mean by that in a minute) I was saying that it frustrates me when people live their lives in the backseat of society. Some prefer to remember days only in relation to what is on their TV guide or favorite facebook page.
"appropriation"- the taking of something that belongs to or is associated with somebody else, especially without permission.
I lived outside of the USA in high-school. When the World Trade Center was hit by a plane on September 11th 2001, I was not in America to experience the confusion, terror, and other emotions that ran wild because of a massive terrorist attack. (no matter who you think did it or didn't do it, the reaction of the populace was mass terror, therefor it was an act of terrorism)
That didn't stop my class mates from asking me questions like: "Did you know anyone in the towers?" "Are you okay?"
Yes I was shocked. At first I thought it must be a prank like "War of the Worlds" in 1938. Everyone knew that Nothing attacks America. Even though most Hollywood apocalyptic movies are set in America, nothing happens on an epic scale.
I felt numb. I wanted to empathize for the people. I tried to imagine what i would do if i had known someone. But I have never experienced the gut-wrenching feeling of having someones life snuffed out without a warning.
I understand that people's emotions are valid and I empathize. But that doesn't mean that I take a day off work because "baby Diego dies" (Children of Men).
Remember Me.
I watched this movie with my sister, cousin, and a girl friend. We were having a girls movie night and were semi fans of the male lead.
It was a movie I'll watch again. Twice.
It's about loss and love and most important to me, family.
I got a hint of retrospection and insight while discussing the actors acting skills and lack of fashion sense in different scenes and "real life"
I recommend watching it. Netflik it if you can, Redbox it (while it's still out there). Don't watch previews about it, don't anticipate.
Watch it like you would watch something you want to enjoy but are slightly undereducated about. Think about how you can relate to the characters (not the actors). And then suspend your disbelief about the little world that is being created.
Plus the little girl is adorable! Reminds me of a young young young Jena Malone. (Stepmom). Or as my friend said, the twin sister of young Haley Joel Osment (circa A.I.).
Monday, May 3
Means to an end
For my graduation, that might not be occurring, I invited the President. Not of my university, but of the United States of America.
If that won't give me the kick in the butt to actually do my work what could?
My father, god love him for putting up with me, says that these next few days are a "means to an end". The last time I heard that term it was people arguing over just war principles.
A means to an end. What end?
Not getting a degree. From this little college in the middle of nowhere. Ha!
Not for the right to walk across the stage. Although I will be beating my older brother at something academically for the first time since 7th grade. That end isn't a fulfillment of my goals, I didn't want to come to college in the first place. I've learned so few things from the books or classes I've had to sit through. I'd bet that of all my friends, I attended more classes in my four years than they might in their extended years.
Means to an end.
What do I get when I graduate?
I walk across the stage in-front of hundreds of people and join a small percentage of society that have degrees. The president of the university might actually remember me as one of the first two cadets to perform their officers oath at graduation (considering that we've been introduced more than 4 times in the last year, he should know my face at least).
I'll have my parents pride. I haven't heard the three words in a long time "You disappointed me".
I won't have to go back to classes. But I'm trading one routine for another, with my Army job waiting for me. One year from now I'll have a place of my own, most likely a car, a 30-50k salary, and more independence a 22year old probably should have.
And what do I have to do to get this?
What could possibly be keeping me from the new American Dream???
Homework; 5 papers, 3 exams, one presentation and the good favor of four professors, and assistant professors. Work that could have been done during the semester.
It's all my own doing.
I've been given the chance to succeed. If I fail, I can only blame myself.
Self depreciation and blame shifting won't change the fact that I'm scared out of my wits to have these "dreams come true". Why should I get what I want? Do I deserve it? Others have worked harder. Some of my peers do so much more, and with less help. Why do they get marginalized while I get center stage?
In my letter to the President, I told him that I welcome the chance and pray for the abilities necessary to be a leader in the Armed Forces. Don't I sound confident!?
That's not how I feel, sitting on my couch in my yoga outfit at 1am.
And flipping though my computer files I realize that:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Marianne Williamson
If that won't give me the kick in the butt to actually do my work what could?
My father, god love him for putting up with me, says that these next few days are a "means to an end". The last time I heard that term it was people arguing over just war principles.
A means to an end. What end?
Not getting a degree. From this little college in the middle of nowhere. Ha!
Not for the right to walk across the stage. Although I will be beating my older brother at something academically for the first time since 7th grade. That end isn't a fulfillment of my goals, I didn't want to come to college in the first place. I've learned so few things from the books or classes I've had to sit through. I'd bet that of all my friends, I attended more classes in my four years than they might in their extended years.
Means to an end.
What do I get when I graduate?
I walk across the stage in-front of hundreds of people and join a small percentage of society that have degrees. The president of the university might actually remember me as one of the first two cadets to perform their officers oath at graduation (considering that we've been introduced more than 4 times in the last year, he should know my face at least).
I'll have my parents pride. I haven't heard the three words in a long time "You disappointed me".
I won't have to go back to classes. But I'm trading one routine for another, with my Army job waiting for me. One year from now I'll have a place of my own, most likely a car, a 30-50k salary, and more independence a 22year old probably should have.
And what do I have to do to get this?
What could possibly be keeping me from the new American Dream???
Homework; 5 papers, 3 exams, one presentation and the good favor of four professors, and assistant professors. Work that could have been done during the semester.
It's all my own doing.
I've been given the chance to succeed. If I fail, I can only blame myself.
Self depreciation and blame shifting won't change the fact that I'm scared out of my wits to have these "dreams come true". Why should I get what I want? Do I deserve it? Others have worked harder. Some of my peers do so much more, and with less help. Why do they get marginalized while I get center stage?
In my letter to the President, I told him that I welcome the chance and pray for the abilities necessary to be a leader in the Armed Forces. Don't I sound confident!?
That's not how I feel, sitting on my couch in my yoga outfit at 1am.
And flipping though my computer files I realize that:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Marianne Williamson
Sunday, May 2
First movie
In theaters "The Lion King"
In Imax:
In 3D: Last Airbender
First "R": Lake Placid or the Matrix
First movie alone in Theater: Lilo & Stitch
First movie in subtitles I didn't realize i was reading the subtitles: The Passion of the Christ.
First movie I loved as much as the book: Narina, Lion Witch and the Wardrobe
First movie I made-out through and didn't watch the movie (it was crap anyway): Ghost Rider
hereHs a sampling of some movies you might have seen and a few you may not have heard of.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3hth9_rvfg&feature=related
In Imax:
In 3D: Last Airbender
First "R": Lake Placid or the Matrix
First movie alone in Theater: Lilo & Stitch
First movie in subtitles I didn't realize i was reading the subtitles: The Passion of the Christ.
First movie I loved as much as the book: Narina, Lion Witch and the Wardrobe
First movie I made-out through and didn't watch the movie (it was crap anyway): Ghost Rider
hereHs a sampling of some movies you might have seen and a few you may not have heard of.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3hth9_rvfg&feature=related
damion walters 2010
He's just awesome.
gotta love an athlete that knows how to use their body.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNvJy0zoXOY&feature=topvideos
gotta love an athlete that knows how to use their body.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNvJy0zoXOY&feature=topvideos
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