I meant to write this earlier today

Well, day 2 of lent (i promise I won't give a count each time). I kind of liked the idea of filling my FB time with blogging time. I had something on my mind all day that I wanted to write about, but I got home and realized that my crock pot had been on all day (That is the point of crock pots) but for some reason whatever I was cooking just did not smell very good. As soon as I walked in the door I completely forgot everything I wanted to write about and became fixated on how I can get the smell of burned peas out of my house. I was really excited for this stew because it smelled so good while it was beginning to cook, but I got home and it now just grosses me out. What is more embarrassing is that I somehow managed to mess up a crock pot recipe. WHO DOES THAT? apart from a toaster oven it is the most hassle free kitchen appliance EVER. Lest you think that I'm a terrible cook, let me note that I made chicken curry the other day, from scratch. It was really good. Also I make an amazing grilled chicken breast sandwich with bacon, avocado, tomato, spinach, and pesto. It is probably one of my favorite meals. ugghhh I seriously can only smell the burned stew. it is making me seriously sick to my stomach. Well I better go to bed. hopefully with the windows open things will just air out.

Lent and other stuff

For the past few years I've observed Lent. It certainly isn't a required practice in my denomination, but I've had several catholic friends who've talked to me about it. I know very little about the ins and outs, but I love the fact that it is 40 days of sacrificing something in an attempt to draw closer to Christ. I'm at no loss of things to give up, in fact the hard part might be narrowing my "sin" down to just 1 or 2 manageable things. The last few years I've given up facebook for lent. I've actually really enjoyed this because I realize just how dependent my life is on social media--which I hate. I think I'm going to try that again. I wish i were in a position to completely give up media, but I'm so dependent on the internet for school, and work, and with my phone barely getting cell phone coverage the internet is the only way I have to stay in touch with friends and family. I think, as a way to fill my time with other activities I'm going to rededicate myself to my blog. I haven't written as often as i'd like, and I've had some great experiences which I haven't shared with anyone. So here comes my rant for Lent. Mark Twain once said something to the effect of, any library without a copy is Jane Austen is still a complete library. I don't know why he hated her so much. I'm sure she would look at his literature and say, "well that is just a bunch of crap, and what irresponsible children. WHERE ARE THEIR PARENTS!!" I know that I actually use that line all the time, "What is with all these children? where are their parents?" This is quickly getting off topic--I have the attention span of an ADHD kid on crack. I don't know what his problem with her was, but I actually like her. I even miss having classes that required me to read her stuff. More than anything i lament the loss of her society. say what you will about her writing style, or her characters, or anything else, but please leave her culture alone. I LOVE the civility which her novels attempt to capture. We live in a world that has lost all notion of civility and decorum. I walked to the grocery store yesterday, and greeted everyone with whom I crossed paths with a hello, or a how are you. no one responded. In fact, no one even looked me in the eye. it was actually really pathetic. Civility isn't just lost on random strangers. I've even noticed it among acquaintances. There are a lot of people that I would like to smack in the teeth because they just don't seem to get it. Where were/are their parents? How is it that parents have completely given up on raising their children to be respectful. it makes me sad. On a positive note, I have discovered Spotify. this is a music streaming program like Pandora. I personally feel it is superior. if you don't have it I recommend it. Look up a few songs; Girls just wanna have fun by Emile Autumn, Holocaust of Giants by Rasputina, and just generally enjoy the exploration.

the sound of silence

There is a sign posted at the door of the library which reads thus, Silence is expected To maintain this tranquil place of learning, I--long ago--decided that I would conduct all phone conversations out in the lobby where I can't possible disturb anyone. The general populace here at Creighton is fairly polite when it comes to library etiquette. However there are a few who don't seem to understand what constitutes a breach of the library's expectations. 1. The gamer. Lets start here because it is happening behind me as we speak. we might be so accustomed to this noise that we forget it even exists, but the clicking of a mouse is actually a noticeable thing. While it is generally not a big deal the kid behind me is about ten seconds away from being punched in the mouth. Lets try an experiment. go to your mouse and click the buttons as often as you can, this will be synonymous with a woodpecker chiseling into your brain. Now, keep doing it. don't stop, no. Keep going. you've probably made it about twenty or thirty seconds before your finger gets slightly exhausted--or quanked as i learned today. Now imagine that noise continuing for 20 MINUTES. unbelievable. I don't think I would mind except that this noise is managing to pierce through my Beethoven Sonata, and the Mozart Requiem before that, and the Strauss waltz before that. Furthermore, sweats and a t-shirt do not an ensemble make. They also do not cover up to the fact that you haven't showered yet, as evidenced by your hair which is matted to one side of your head while looking like you just got in a fight with an egg beater on the other. Please don't use my library for your gaming exploits. if you need to level up, do that on your own bandwidth, and not while I'm trying to research theology and Renaissance art. 2. the phone talkers. Please relegate your conversations to the same lobby I use. No one wants to hear about how you got so drunk you passed out in the frat house and don't care how many people you might have done things with. Syphilis--like sweats and t-shirts--does not an ensemble make. lets not brag about what things you might have contracted during the weekends kegger. As an added note can we talk about obnoxious cell phone rings. This is why I don't think children should be given cell phones. They don't get it, and they don't know how to be polite with it. 3. the gormandizers. This is one that I'm totally guilty of right now, but I figure that since I'm not offending on the other two, that I'm safe. Also I'm not chewing gum. Could there be anything more repellent than gum? The constant smacking, and clicking, and bubble popping, it is just all too much. To my recent memory I can think of no one that I felt it was okay for them to chew gum. A lot of people bring food to the library. I totally get that, in fact I have a medley of carrots green beans and mushrooms with a vegetable dip at my kiosk right now. When one spends an entire day in the library one must be prepared in order to maximize ones time. Also I don't want to give up my killer kiosk to go and grab food. Well I think this is a good starting point for the blog posts. sorry i haven't posted very much this semester. I'll try and be more observant.