Duduk

You never know when you might need a new instrument.

That's why I look on Craig's List every once in a while. I like to scan through and see if there's a random great deal on anything. I've almost bought several drum kits, but living in an apartment means that even at a great deal, I won't be playing them.

Today I ran across a duduk (doodook). I had never heard of one before, so I looked it up on YouTube. It's got a very melancholy sound, but I enjoy it. The sad thing is that it was like $90, and I just don't have that.

Do you enjoy the duduk?

Celebrating Sweetest Day

Happy Sweetest Day.

It isn't so bad, really. It's another day for somebody's somebody to get a gift and be appreciated. This was apparently a ploy to sell more candy anyway, so can non-sweetests really be too upset? I think not.

The good news is that those who aren't somebody's somebody, but rather they are nobody's somebody, can still celebrate. It's true!

I am choosing to celebrate Sweetest Day by wearing all of my sweetest clothes! My Canada hat, snap down shirt, "Marriage is worth fighting for" tee, pinstripe blue pants, and grandpa shoes. And the sweetest part? I don't have anyone to tell me none of them match at all.

I only wish there were some sort of catchy lyric for Sweetest Day that echoes the finely crafted sentiment of Chris Hall's "The Real Thing": "I understand what today is, and I'm valenfine."

Any contributors?

Dining Out: An exercise in egocentrism

Is it OK for a server to talk about oneself at a table?

I don't remember what spawned the thought, but I had it. Is it appropriate for me to discuss my own life with my tables?

Typically the answer is no, and the reason is this: People aren't coming out only for food; they are coming out to enjoy an evening that is all about them. They don't have to shop, cook, clean, get more drinks, anything. They are there to be served, hence, servers.

So, because the evening is all about them, it is a profoundly egocentric event.

Now, I can't complain too much about this. Last night, I planned on challenging this theory. I thought that maybe I would try to make it more of a dialogue than them being the conversation holders and I merely the recipient, ready with a smile on my face to field whatever they threw at me.

My first table, however, was a birthday. Melissa was turning 25. I'm a fan of birthdays, so I figured I'd make sure to serve the table as best as I could.

That is when I had my realization: the egocentric table really is okay. Here's why: As much as the dinner focuses on the table, it is an exchange. Their expectation is to have the night be all about them. My expectation is to make bank. And I found that after I spent all my energy on my tables last night, I made enough money to make it all worth it.

So, really, serving is an exercise in egocentrism just as much as dining out is. It's just that mine is displaced. I'm "serving" others, but really, it's for me.

Thoughts?

LOGOS - More than words.

Seminary : reading as surviving : eating.*

I received an email from a friend today which made me take a second look, especially since the subject was "scholarship." Seeing as I am barely making bills right now, I had to check it out.

I was sent to a site that gives the opportunity for winning a seminary scholarship just for watching a video presentation for Logos bible software. I was like, "Great. An ad for something. That's original." So, I turned it on, half-intending to let it run, walk away, and then return after it was over to fill out the scholarship app.

Surprisingly, I watched the whole thing, and wouldn't you know that it's actually a tempting purchase? It's like a billion reference books for super cheap (when compared to individual book pricing). For a student, or any reader, it's hard to pass up books. Especially books I don't have to move every time I change apartments. And it actually looks like it'd save me time doing research. Blasted useful purchases! Seriously, though. I'm not a big fan of going to the library, so it'd be way easier to have my library with me as I sit in a fave cafe.

Considering I need oral surgery some time in the near future, my Logos purchase will be delayed. But maybe I'll win the scholarship, be able to afford the dental work sooner, and then get myself a sweet digital library.

If you're a sem student, or just want some references, I'd say check it out.

*VJ or Lauren G, you'll have to let me know if my analogies are right.

Planning vs. Making too much

I suggest we call "leftovers" by a new name: "alreadymades".

Example: "What are we having for dinner?"
"Oh, some alreadymades. They're in the fridge."