Iconic as a Fifties Diner

I have never before found such an accurate picture of the way I perceive present-day America until tonight. The scene: I was on my way home listening to Jet's Cold Hard Bitch, driving behind a white 80's Cadillac, its license plate with symbolic hands proudly clasped praying, "God Bless America."

Flowers

I won't post any pictures tonight. I've pictures I took yesterday while Grandpa and I planted twelve new rose bushes next to the drive-way, but I'll post them later. I still have dirt under my fingernails from digging. It somehow makes me feel accomplished. Though I probably should have cleaned them before shaking hands at church this morning. Have I ever mentioned how much I dislike shaking hands? It makes me feel like a man. In contrast hugs, I feel, can not be given enough. There have been very few instances in my life where I didn't appreciate a given hug.

Tonight I was reading a Christian mother's blog that a friend had linked to. Typically I really don't like those things due to the poor writing style and general tackiness, but against my better judgement I began to read what she had written. And then I started crying. Not really because of any of her words or pictures, I guess I just didn't realize how much I want children. Not now, just... someday.

During that time of me being a complete sap, I was talking to the Lord. He was saying that just as we want the people we love to be happy, even if it means spending time with other people and not just us, He feels the same way. So (even though I sometimes think I want to and that it would make things easier) I don't need to move to a monastery and be solitary or vow celibacy. He likes when we hang out with the human beings we love.

Familia

Ian is here visiting on break from his military duties and I am so glad. Also, my cousins, Luke and Kailey were here visiting for the weekend from Sacramento, so yesterday we all decided to take an adventure into the city of angels. We caught the metro at Lakewood and after two trains, one bus containing an awkward man with roaming hands, road construction, the tail end of a riot, lots of walking and g.p.s. checking we made it to the shadows of the concrete giants that make up downtown L.A.. By time we got there we had time to grab a quick coffee, then a few i.p.a.s and pizza from Big Mama's and Papa's pizza, home of the 36in pizza! We didn't have much time and I didn't take many pictures, but it was a fun time followed by meeting up with about two-thirds of the rest of the family for dinner at the house and a friend's show benefiting a local ministry to skid row.

 

 he makes funny faces but he's pretty cool.. and I'm twelve years old

 concrete jungles and blue collar riots

kissing cousins

I have internet again. Though soon will have no computer.

I got inspired at one a.m. to cut muh hurr and finally decided it would be a good idea. Here is the result:

Yesterday I watched my little cousins and they were especially cute dressed up in their aprons. The baby is a year old and only just learning about personality and participation so he didn't make it into the picture. I think Hannah was pretending to kneed dough:

 

Hannah took this one of the paper faeries we made flying around:

 

Yesterday I called Gold and 1866.43657(01) (09) & (10).And finally for comic relief, or just a comic really, this is pretty much how I always feel:

Ah gee

Well since I just visited the Huntington again with my dear Texan friend I hadn't seen in three years, I thought I'd post a picture, not of the two of us for there are many on facebook, but instead a picture of quite possibly my favorite painting there. It's awkward and kinda ugly but I love it so much. Also my heart hurts. Recent fails on my part. What's going on in Japan and San Francisco's impending follow of suit. The earth needs the Lord. California needs the Lord. I need the Lord.  I'm going home to pray.

While watching lotr the other day

Watching Lord of the Rings makes me sad. Not so much sad for the story's sake or the characters, rather, selfishly for I am not living such an adventure: such fantastic and dangerous wanderings. My heart longs for so much more than the American dream, more than food enough to waste--so much so that it no longer tastes good--more than clothes and shoes and facebook. Though I do realize that a real-life adventure would not be nearly as glamorous, and the one that we are bound to encounter here sooner-than-later will more-than-likely prove more hellish than I can imagine, I still crave something more than this mundane life.

I'm 27 percent nerd today

Up from 11 percent yesterday. Tuned in to R.E.M.'s listening party on NPR. I unapologetically love them. Second only to Terry Scott Taylor in the line-up of favorite musical personas.