Happy violet

 

 

Fascination with Celebrities

I was recently listening to a Mars Hill Audio Magazine, and one of the topics had to do with America's over-focus on celebrities.

It made a few really good points ... wish I'd taken notes!

We find "meaning" in following the lives of these people in order to fill a void of meaning in our own lives.

The celebrities have taken the roll of a religious idol in our culture. It gives a common language and set of stories. They worship a common "god" and have a shared mythology around these Entertainment Tonight figures.

The writer interviewed a number of junior high girls, and asked them their preference of careers when they grew up

congress woman
CEO
assistant to a famous person
(maybe some others)

Something like 80% chose to be an ASSISTANT to a famous person, rather than pursue a career that actually contributed something to society. Fame was that important to them, that they'd dedicate their whole lives to just being NEAR it.

The mourning for the famous puzzles me, and this article answered a lot of my questions. Obviously it's a tragedy any time someone dies, particularly someone who isn't sure where their eternal destiny lies ... but this over-the-top mourning for (essentially) complete strangers is a puzzle ...

Ideas?

Link to a summary of the article (unfortunately no transcript posted).

things we're not good at

I was thinking about music today.

Whatever the music gene is, I missed out on it. I don't hear the intricacies that other people hear, or the relationships.

I tried combating this problem with education (as I try to combat MOST problems!) I took piano lessons and voice lessons. I bought a guitar and tutorial material. I read beginner theory books. I actually know a good deal about music, except for the fundamental "something" that most people seem born with.

When I explained this to a musical person, he took it to mean "Trinka doesn't like music."

Actually I do like it. Sometimes I think I enjoy it MORE than musical folks, or at least in a different way, because many imperfections just don't register with me.

I remember reading an article once that said Americans don't dabble well. We either excel at something, or (more commonly), we sit on the couch like a lump. I'm quite good at the lumpish-sitting actually, so I might qualify at excellence with that, but that's not the point.

Just thinking tonight about how thankful I am for the opportunity to TRY things, to be bad at them, and enjoy them anyway.

Not sure I've captured this thought, but ... it's worth what you paid for it, I suppose. :) (another thing done badly ... but at least done!)

This is why I hate home-improvement projects

subtitled: how I missed prayer meeting tonight

Original cost estimate of project: $3
Original time estimate of project: 10 minutes

Actual cost of project $34
Actual time of project: 1 1/2 hours

All I wanted to do was put a blind up on the outside edge of my balcony. I've had one there every year. I end up having to replace them every couple years or so, because the weather is hard on them.

Last year's got thrown out, so when I saw one at a garage sale, I was delighted.

Bought it - $3

Got it home, went to put it up, and discovered the cord was unstrung from the innards, and the hanging hooks had pulled off. Set it aside in hopes of re-stringing it. (15 minutes)

Bought new blind, and discovered they had some (more expensive) for outdoor use. ($21, 20 minutes)

Went to put blind up, and discovered that I couldn't hold it up, while maneuvering the fasteners into place, while standing on tiptoes on step stool. (5 minutes)

go inside ... make dinner ... think ....

Pry open eyehooks wider, fasten them to the blind on the ground, lift blind into place ... discover that none of the FIVE already-installed rings are spaced properly to attach the 3 blind fasteners. Take blind down again. (10 minutes)

go inside ... think ...

Decide that I'm not interested in drilling more holes and putting in still more rings. There HAS to be a way to fasten it to the existing rings, yes? (10 minutes)

sit ... think ...

Go to hardware store, and buy a length of chain and carabiners. ($11, 15 minutes)

Use carabiners to hang chain from existing rings, then another set of carabiners to hang blind from chain. (10 minutes)

Result:

Expensive and ugly ... but at least it will shade my balcony until I can figure out how to fix it. (which, no doubt, will consume enormous amounts MORE time and money!)

rhymes that set your teeth on edge

Does anyone else have them?

There are some words that seem to always be rhymed in songs and poetry, and when I hear them, it makes me cringe.


sorrow & tomorrow (the worst one, by virtue of just how OFTEN it's used)

angels or choirs singing & bells ringing

one notable, not by how common it is, but rather how UNcommon, and yet how annoying
amnesia and anesthesia (an otherwise pleasant song, ruined when that rhyme pops up and assaults the listener)

There are others too ... where you hear the first word, and you can almost write the next line, because you just KNOW what they're going to rhyme with it.

I was in a store yesterday, and heard the "angels singing" blah blah blah "bells ringing" one, and it got me thinking of just how distracting it is from the actual song or poem ... all you hear is that repetitive combination.

Anyhow ... these English comp. musings brought to you by "boring her readers to death" Trinka

moon
june
croon
tune

yikes!

the post where my tendancy to obsess becomes obvious

First, the picture:



"Why" you may ask," does a piece of contact paper indicate obsession?"

(or, even if you don't ask ... you're going to hear the answer anyway ... unless you're bored, and drift away to read about John Deere tractors, or check the weather, or look for posts on your Facebook page.)

ANYWAY

The reason the contact paper is significant is because, you may note, it comes very close to matching the fabric on my sofa.

I found this contact paper in a sale bin at Meijers. There were 3 rolls left, and I bought all they had.

I've gotten my kitchen cupboards almost lined, and still have the bathroom to go.

I went back to buy more of the magical-matching paper, and there was none there.

I visited all other Meijers in the area ... no luck.

I tried Walmart and Target.

Nothing.

Most people would have given up at this point, and settled for another paper. This WOULD be the reasonable response.

However this, for some reason, hit my "unreasonable" button.

So I started searching online. No luck.

Those who DIDN'T give up earlier would certainly have given up by now.

But my Grandpa-Smith-obsession-gene had been activated.

I actually wrote to Kittrich (the company that makes contact paper). They said the only store that carries this particular pattern is "Jensen". I've never heard of them, nor do I know where they are. Couldn't find them on the web either.

Yes, we're in high obsession mode now, aren't we?

Kittrich said they could sell me the magical-matching paper, but I'd have to buy a case.

A case. 12 rolls.

I agreed.

I'm going to have more things covered with this stuff than you could possibly imagine. :) (fortunately, buying it wholesale, it's MUCH cheaper - I'm getting a dozen rolls for what I would have spent on just enough to finish my project.)

So ... Grandpa Smith lives on in me. We used to tease that when he would get an idea in his head, he held onto it like a bulldog with a bone. Apparently I have similar characteristics at times. :)

my birthday present finally arrived

I got a call Wednesday that the gun I ordered back in November was here. I went and picked it up today, and spent some time on the range.

I'm inordinately proud of how I did. :) The first target is at 7.5 yards, the second at 10, and the last at 15. (I'm choosing to pretend that I INTENDED to shoot a picture of the big dipper on the last piece of paper.)

My two goals:

1. Gain enough strength that my arm and wrist don't feel like over-stretched rubber bands when I'm done.

2. Learn NOT to close my eyes tight shut when I'm pulling the trigger. I'm just sure this is not proper procedure. :)

By the way, just a plug for Silver Bullet Firearms on South Division. It's the place where I've taken my classes, and also where I ordered this gun. They have been very helpful, and today the fellow I spoke with took over an hour with me, teaching me how to clean the gun, looking at holsters, etc. Great folks!

notes from the land of dubious sanity ...

Vacation Bible School is happening.

In what I think was a kind attempt to keep me sane, the committee is trying not to use the door in front of my office.

This means that they've left it locked.

So ... every person who wants to get in that door, stands there and rattles it.

I'm ignoring the rattling, figuring that if the VBS folks don't want them using the door, then I won't go out of my way to circumvent the plan. But the rattling is driving me even more around the bend than the in-and-out would!

UGH!

a delightful day

I am in Kentucky for my oldest niece's birthday party. The funny story I have to share is of the adults playing with the birthday present I brought for my niece.

It's an "eyeclops" ... essentially a microscope on a stick, that hooks up to a TV or computer. You can hold it up to whatever, and watch the display.

We started looking at skin ... and moles ... and hair follicles.

When have you ever had a group of adults calling out ... "warts ... who has a wart?"

I'm thinking we're all going to be lining up for dermatologist appointments next week. :)

a delightful video

This old couple were at the Mayo Clinic for check-ups, and there was a piano in the atrium inviting people to play it. Have a look at their little "concert"!

out by the mailbox this morning

was this sweet little killdeer chick. His poor mama was doing her "bird with a broken wing!" dance, but I had to pick him up and look at him. Seeing those beautiful markings in miniature was just amazing. :)

My Father's Secret War

I'm reading My Father's Secret War (or rather, listening to it in the car).

It's written by a lady who discovered that her dad was a spy in World War II, and it tells not only about his experiences during the war, but also how she got him to talk about it.

His stories are fascinating. But I can't get over the irritation that she's badgering this old man to reveal things he's promised to keep secret. She seems to take such pride in tricking him into talking about this stuff. I keep wanting to slap her!

I'm going to finish it (hopefully this weekend, before the library police come after me), because I am enjoying hearing about him. But she and I? We would NOT get along well.

Every time she asks him about it (and she does it a LOT), he tells her he promised not to talk about it. Then she begins to badger, wheedle and trick. It's happened several times per chapter. (When she's not snooping through his stuff.)

I'm as curious as anybody (and probably a lot more than most), but there's something to be said for honoring and supporting others' commitments.

My sister-in-law posted the most precious account of my nieces' thoughts on memorial day. Have a look - it was a blessing.

the spring purge ...

Our teenagers at church have been having a garage sale every year to raise money for a mission trip they go on over the summer.

I use it as an opportunity to go through my house, and clean out all the extraneous stuff that's accumulated over the year.

It's amazing how much STUFF creeps into my house. It feels so good to send it on its way.

I've gone through my office and living room tonight. Hope to finish up this weekend, and this year, not allow so much stuff back in!

One of those fun get-to-know others emails

Please leave your answers in the comments!

First Job:
Cleaning the church when the regular janitor went on vacation

First Real Job:
Pet-store pooper-scooper ... also, coincidentally, a very early-morning job. I guess that preference started early!

First Favorite Politician:
I remember liking Jimmy Carter's smile ... he seemed friendly. Obviously I wasn't very sensitive to political issues yet!

First Car:
1984 (I think) Ford Escort. It burned up in my driveway less than a year after I bought it. Oddly enough, while in flames, it started itself and drove into the side of the house. That was a very exciting evening.

First Record/CD:
My dad sent me two records that were my first - A collection of Irish Rovers' childrens' songs, and music from Carousel

First Sport Played:
ALMA (Athens Little Miss America) Softball. It was quickly determined that I had no aptitude for athletics. :)

First Concert:
Petra in the early 80's

First Foreign Country Visited:
Israel

First Favorite TV Show:
Waltons

First Favorite Actor:
Greg Evigan (or however you spell it) on BJ & the Bear (my, but the late 70's had a lot of embarrassing television!)

First Favorite Actress:
Kate Somebody on Charlie's Angels (see comment above about embarrassing tv shows!)

First Girlfriend/Boyfriend:
Still looking for one!

First Encounter with a Famous Person:
Still waiting for this one too ... though not really concerned about seeing it happen. :)

First Brush With Death:
Not really a direct answer to the question, because my worrying-mother would read it and freak out ... but here's my first brush with not worrying about brushes with death: Mom always used to warn us, when we were going over to our grandparents', "stay away from the power take-off on tractors." We would dutifully nod, and assure her that we would. Neither one of us knew what a power take-off was, nor did we ask. :)

First House/Condo Owned:
The one I'm in now - moved in 6 years ago in July.

First Film Seen:
Charlotte's Web, at the theater in Bronson

First Favorite Recording Artist:
Shawn Cassidy (there's that 70's embarrassment again)

First Favorite Radio Station:
Christian station from Elkhart we could get if the wind was blowing just right.

First Book I Remember Reading:
The Black Stallion series. I scoured every available library for them.

Well, THAT was an invitation to greater self-discipline

Just woke up from the most horrid dream ...

I dreamed my life had fallen apart, and I was waking up after a drunken binge, lying on a stranger's kitchen floor.

Well ... time to get some work done around this place ... now that I've seen where slothfulness can lead! Yikes!!!!

Had a really interesting evening last night (before the drunken-binge-dream). Some missionaries from our church who serve in Thailand gave a presentation on how Buddhism affects the Thai culture and thinking. It was fascinating, and sad too in some ways. For instance, Buddha forbids people to think about three areas: Where they came from, what happens after death, and one more I can't remember. These are the big questions of life, and the thought of people being forbidden to ponder them saddens me. There was a ton more, but I'd better get busy developing self-discipline now ... lest bad things happen. :)

Do you think this is clear? :)

so SO tempted to be passive-agressive about this ...

Last night, someone in my building was up after midnight yelling about something.

And it wasn't constant yelling ... it was every 20 minutes or so ... just as you'd had a chance to ALMOST get to sleep ... and he'd holler again. Maybe some kind of sports-thing on Tv? Who knows.

So I couldn't really call the police, because who knows if they'd hear the guy.
I was so, SO tempted to go down and lean on his doorbell at 4:30 this morning when I got up.

I know I was sure having trouble waking up after four hours sleep, so I was thinking maybe he would need a little help also?

What SHOULD stop me is a mature, righteous thought like, "this kind of behavior doesn't solve anything, and only escalates the situation." But in reality the only thing that stopped me was that I wasn't 100% sure I was suspecting the right apartment.

May 11

My chicks have flown the coop. They were in the nest this morning, and gone this evening. The adults are still trying to feed chicks that aren't there. They obviously haven't figured out the babies are gone yet. Very small brains. :)

May 10 Robins

The Lighting Corner in Grandville

This is why I do business on the internet ...

I was looking for a lampshade for an oddly-sized lamp, and having no luck finding one.

So I went into a local lighting store. I knew I'd be paying a lot for a shade, but I had hopes of finding one the right size.

The salesman did help me find one, though it had to be ordered.

I paid ... well I'm embarrassed to say what I paid. Let's just say, it was more than the lamp itself, and about ten times what a lampshade should cost.

At the time I ordered it, the salesman said, "if it doesn't sit right, just bring in your harp, and we'll swap it out" and gestured to a bunch of out-of-package harps hanging on the wall by the shades.

"well," think I, "there is the advantage to dealing with a local business instead of buying online."

So, after waiting six weeks, I picked up ridiculously-expensive-lampshade last Friday, and it doesn't sit quite right on the lamp.

Today, I go in, and ask for a smaller harp.

The same salesman has absolutely no memory of the previous conversation. Nope ... he never would have done that. Couldn't happen.

I chose NOT to buy the smaller harp from them. In fact, I think I will choose to never buy anything from them.

I am miffed.