...hasn't stopped raining for days or a hard rains gonna fall.

Since I am now in seminary I have realized that I live in two worlds. You can see the evidence of this by the title of this particular blog. It is a line from a Jars of Clay song as well as a Bob Dylan song. This so I can appeal to the mass audience that this reaches.

So, apparently California is confused by what is falling from the sky. They refer to it is as, "a chemical reaction when 2 parts hydrogen and 1 part oxygen are united."

Also known as rain.

I was in a coffee shop the other day, reading, and I overheard this conversation between two fellow patrons of the shop. For contexts sake it was light sprinkle. Annoying but that's about it.

Man: It sure is raining.
Woman: Yea, it's coming down.
M: I brought my umbrella today, I couldn't find it anywhere.
W: I know, I almost didn't want to come out today.
M: The school canceled after school tutoring in preparation for the rain.

It's funny to me, listening to a conversation like that. The way people deal with this weather reminds me of how people from the south react to the snow. Schools cancel, stores close, governments shutdown. It begins to look like a post-apocalyptic world.


Lets get to the point of this particular post. I am over the rain. Yes, mudslides are bad and people have to be evacuated. That does concern me. But, the most annoying thing is that my feet are constantly wet. Water seeps through my shoes, my socks get wet and my toes are cold. That is it. Am I that shallow? Not to shallow to make than pun, Hey-Yo!

I hope this finds you well and dry.

Drug induced coma

Do you remember that medicine commercial that says that their medicine won't make you feel groggy? They give an example of a a guy looking exhausted and tired and then his head flies away like a balloon? This is how I have felt since I have returned to California.

Another question: How long is someone supposed to experience Jet Lag? I may or may not have the longest documented case. I'll keep you updated.

I am about to finish my second week of classes. I am taking Systematic Theology 1: Theology and Anthropology, Church History 1: Early Church, and Politics and Policy.

I have become a lot more accustomed to Los Angeles. It is a rad town. So much to do. I had the opportunity to go and see slam poetry live. If you are not familiar with Slam poetry then google Def Poetry Jam and watch some. It is impressive.

Also, I just saw Avatar. I realize that I am behind the ball. But, lets talk about this movie. Absolutely stunning to watch. I have never been more enraptured by a movie cinematic-ally. But, that wore off about an hour into the movie and then I was immediately bored. The story is a mix of Ferngully, meets Dances with wolves with a little bit of Schwarzenegger's Commando. Terrible character development and I did not care about the story. They did a terrible job of getting me connected with the story.

Here's my biggest problem. It was written and directed by James Cameron. He has written and directed such films as Terminator 1&2, the Alien series and Titanic. He has the capacity to create incredibly engaging stories and memorable characters but fell short in this film.

Sorry, I just wanted to get that off my chest.

There is really no other news to report other than school. Oh! Any Gilmore girl fans out there? I was in Borders the other day and I saw Michelle. Remember the french black guy who helped run the Inn and the Dragon fly? Yea that guy. He ordered some Hot Tea. It may or may not have been awake tea. I will keep you updated on and any and all star sightings.

In Review...

That pleasure which is at once the most pure, the most elevating and the most intense, is derived, I maintain, from the contemplation of the beautiful. -Edgar Allan Poe


I thought this was appropriate when thinking about 2009 in music and movies. I always think of this quote when I hear or see something that impresses me. It is probably over the top in this context but whatev.

There is something special about these art forms. It is always bizarre to me when people rarely see movies or don't really care about music. I'm not sure what I would do without these things.

I listed my top 5 albums of the year and my top 10 movies. I only listed 5 albums for two reasons.

1. I did not really keep up
2. It was a mediocre year

Here you go in no particular order:

Music:
Avett Bros- I and Love and You
David Bazan- Curse your Branches
Fun.- Aim and Ignite
Jay-Z- The Blueprint 3
Weezer- Raditude

Movies:
Inglorious basterds
Public Enemies
District 9
Up in the air
An Education
A Serious Man
Watchmen
Away we go
Zombieland

Whew...super bored.

I've been on the east coast for about 2 weeks now and I have found the cure for insomnia. It is the town of Myrtle Beach. I have done a lot of sleeping in the last 2 weeks. A LOT. That's really about it. The first couple of days it was necessary. Apparently, I had the Jet Lag.

Who knew that existed?

After I caught up with the rest of the "Atlantics", (that's what I call people on the east coast, because of their proximity to the Atlantic ocean) I could not keep my eyes open. All I wanted, needed, desired, longed for was sweet, sweet sleep. But, like a woman, it kept it self hidden from my grasp.

I have a little brother, Johnathan, he is 9. In his entire existence he has arisen between the hours of 5 and 6 a.m. on Xmas day ready to meet Santa and help him with his obviously large load presents with his name on it. When he enters our bedrooms (Which for me now is an air mattress in the upstairs den) we all yell at him and he waits for us to roll out at 7:30, when our mom makes us feel guilty for making him wait.

This year something, weird, odd, even bizarre happened. I rolled over on the air mattress, looked at my cell phone and it read 10:30. I peed all over myself immediately. Why, you ask. Because obviously my brother has been killed in his sleep. I get up in a panic, searching every possible place for a dead 9 year old body. Outside under the car, in the trash, in the bath tub filled with ice, with a letter saying that his organs had been stolen and sold on the black market.

Finally, in desperation, I ended my search in his bedroom, to find him sleeping soundly. I promptly woke him up and reminded him that it was Christmas. He responded;
"Huh?"
"Buddy, its 10;30, you've missed Santa, Christmas is ruined. "
"Matthew, Santa doesn't exist, it is logically impossible for him to exist. I watched the discovery channel and they sent scientists to the north pole and they showed that no one can survive there."
"Oh...do you still want your presents?"
"Of course, but they'll be there when I get up"
"Sure, well I'll be down stairs with some coffee and a copy of the Times for you"
"Thanks, I'll be down shortly"

Anyway, I got way off track there. Back to the point of this blog. I can't stop sleeping. I wake up at 10:30 and I am in bed no later than 11:00. Because I have no interest in anything after that time. Not for safety's sake but because I cannot keep my eyes open. I blame my mom and the absurd amount of food she makes me consume on a daily basis.

But, in other news; Christmas was great. It's good to see everyone. 3 of 5 kids live in different states so its fun to be under the same roof.

California, I will return soon. Don't worry and stop calling me, it just makes you look needy.

The Mood of Christmas

This year I forgot Christmas was happening. I completed my quarter. My sister visited me in California. We flew home together. I drove to Columbia for 4 days. I return to Myrtle on the 22nd. I walked into my house to see presents under the tree and this overwhelming thought came over me, "Holy Crap I have to buy stuff!!" There is no time!

I arrived home early one morning to see my mom's Christmas lights and decorations. It is important that she put them up every year. She spends hours and sometimes sacrifices health, safety and other family relationships. Growing up I hated putting them up. It didn't make sense to me to do all of this work for a month. But, like a good son, I cooperated.

This year was a little different. I feel as though I stumbled upon Christmas. Like I walked in on a movie everyone else was watching. I was playing catch up. Asking questions like;

"Who's that?"
"Why is he important?"
"Why is he wearing a red suit?"
"I have to spend how much?"

It's funny to me how people completely embrace the Christmas narrative. Adults walk around with "Santa" hats, they wear terrible sweaters with Rudolph and his blinking nose. We buy Christmas themed candies shaped as Christmas trees and we are convinced they taste better shaped that way.

Christmas time is a bizarre time.

People from all walks of life, different levels of scholarship and class systems start spouting stories about a man in a red suit coming down your chimney and leaving you presents.

Why is it the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year"?

My theory is this, people want to be apart of something that is larger than themselves. A story. Something that has fantasy and fun attached to it. What other story allows for these interactions?

There is snow.
An attractive person of the opposite sex bundled up, promising a "Christmas Cuddle".
At the end of your story everything works out.

This sounds great. This is a story I want to be apart of. Especially the cuddle.

In closing I do enjoy Christmas. Here's what I enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khSml43oKJQ

Watch this. I watched this episode from "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" and that is what put me in the "mood". I hope your time with your families is blessed time and 2010 is going to be a party.

December, you illusive mistress.

Let it snow
First Noel
Little Drummer Boy

I have come to the conclusion that there are 3 Christmas songs. I hear these over and over again. Radio stations think they are clever by playing Sinatra's version, then Michael Jackson's version and then cap it all off with Harry Connic Jr's version (sp?). I'm on to you Christmas.

The quarter is over and I did well. A's in all of my classes. I'm writing this from MB. My life has been a whirlwind this last 3 weeks and this the first time I have to write. I missed it. It's nice to write for my mom and any other random people who accidentally googled "Mediocre Writing" and this blog came up.

I thought you guys might be wondering what I want for Christmas, well here you go:
-A Fixed Gear Bike
-Nike Air Max 90's
-Anything from J-crew

Also, I would accept a gift card from pretty much anywhere. Also, cash is always appreciated.

In other news, everyone should see Up in the Air with George Clooney, super good. Also, there is a new band that I can't get enough of Fun. Everything is in the name. Check them out.

I want to write and update more but something has to happen to me worth telling you.

I plan on getting into shenanigans starting now...

Thanksgiving?

What is Thanksgiving really?

Food? Check.
Nap? Check.
Defeating the Death Star? Check.
Beer? Check
Nazis? Check

This was my first thanksgiving away from home. I had one of two emotions.

1. I spent my day swimming in my own tears.
2. I hate my family. No tears were shed over them.

Which statement is true? We may never know.
It's weird to not be with your family for a major holiday. I've heard people talk about it in some bohemian, enlightening way. I have seen movies with this premise but it always leads to some sweet adventure. I was hoping to stumble on some doubloons or meet the president.

Here is my schedule of the days events:
9:30am Feed the Homeless
11:30 IHOP for a garden omelet and whole wheat pancakes
1:15-3:30 Nap
3:45 Bathroom
4:00 Starwars- A New Hope
6:30 Barney's Beanery for T-dinner and Beer
9-1:30 A knights Tale and Swing Kids

I know what your thinking, it looks a lot like your family's thanksgiving. As I was having maybe the most un-traditional thanksgiving in my personal history, I thought about t-day.( I hate it when people call it that) Who says you have to eat turkey and stuffing? Who says your day cannot contain a garden omelet and destroying the death star? I think the Indians would hate the empire. In a way they did, the white man, but we know how that fight turned out.

All day I couldn't help but think back on growing up and the epic thanksgivings I had. At least they seemed big to a 12 year old. We would eat, and I mean eat, and nap and then see a movie. Sometimes Christmas themed movies other times violent themed. I think the key to a good holiday is an element of selfishness. Selfishness that can only truly exist in the company of your family.

Why else are people stressed during the holidays? Selfishness. It's the only time you can truly be yourself without being concerned with anyone else. I know, you love your family but not enough for them to have the last of the cranberry sauce. That's yours, you saw it first. But, that is your favorite part. Being with parents and siblings and reverting back to old habits.

That's what was missing. My dad wanting to eat ham, turkey, everything at 10:30 am. My mom not being ready until 1:30 or 2:00. The kids complaining about being hungry. When we would finally sit down and eat, all of us yelling over one another trying to get the other to laugh.

As much fun as having thanksgiving in a bar, I missed the chaos.

Thanksgiving, you elusive bastard.