In addition to my normal playlist at the bottom of the page, I have added a Glen Phillips show (embedded from archive.org, which, by the way, has thousands and thousands of free live shows). This show is my favorite by far and is my usual listening choice while traveling, walking, mowing the lawn, etc. Basically, it gets a lot of play on my ipod.
Just thought I would share it. There is genius in every one of these songs in various forms, and it makes for a great couple hours of acoustic music.
shanti,
mjh
Monday, April 28, 2008
free textbooks?
Anyone who knows me knows that I am fascinated these days with two things: publishing and how the industry will fit into our new web-based, instant global community. My interest is more in the realm of consumer publishing than in academic, but I am very interested in what is going on over at Flat World Knowledge. I'll hopefully have time to research this more soon, and will let you know what I think...
shanti,
mjh
shanti,
mjh
Sunday, April 27, 2008
creepy on so many levels...
Let it be known that I find it totally creepy that new advertisements have Wendy (you know, from Wendy's) and van Gogh's self-portrait in motion. It's not enough that I (and the collective "we") have been creeped out for years by advertisers constant need to make animals ("real" animals, not cartoon representations) talk to us, but bringing still-life cultural artifacts to "life"...it's just creepy and against better judgment (not saying that I have said better judgment, but that's beside the current point). I would just rather not have the Wendy's girl eating a wrap or van Gogh needing allergy medication. Just one more reason I should be watching less TV.
Wait, did I just blog? Like the way I used to make fun of other bloggers? Like complaining about a societal issue that is of relative (or actual) insignificance? Like feeling that I need to add to some imaginary cultural discourse? Like "hey, listen to me; i have something important to say to 'the man' " (read: advertisers). Woh, that's weird. I think I need some rest and a resetting of the brain/priorities/identity.
Let's pretend that this post never happened (though, I still find them creepy and am personally demanding that they stop; if they don't, I might just have to keep blogging about it.).
shanti,
mjh
Wait, did I just blog? Like the way I used to make fun of other bloggers? Like complaining about a societal issue that is of relative (or actual) insignificance? Like feeling that I need to add to some imaginary cultural discourse? Like "hey, listen to me; i have something important to say to 'the man' " (read: advertisers). Woh, that's weird. I think I need some rest and a resetting of the brain/priorities/identity.
Let's pretend that this post never happened (though, I still find them creepy and am personally demanding that they stop; if they don't, I might just have to keep blogging about it.).
shanti,
mjh
Hey you
I have been a Pink Floyd fan for many years. Nothing special; there are many of us. I have also been a fan of language/lyrics for many years; again, nothing special. However, listening through "Hey you" last night, I was struck (as I am every time I hear this song) by a particular lyric that strikes me on some very deep level, and I am not exactly sure why.
Simply, "Hey you, would you help me to carry the stone".
I generally find myself living in the world of complex, deep-meaning (or just deep sounding) lyrics. So, I am struck by the simplicity and wonder this Roger Waters lyric. I think it has to have something to do with the intangibility of our current society. 99% of my chosen career deals with the intangible. Though I get advances of the books that I help edit/publish, everything else that I do is electronic, bits/bytes of information and keystrokes, and I am definitely in the majority. The few years that I taught were very tangible: students, books, chalkboards, etc., but I am quite sure that even that level of realism has certainly shifted over the past few years.
Perhaps this lyric is my Siren call, back to a time where life was not more simple (in fact, quite the opposite), but to a time when the manual and physical arose with the sun. A time when I didn't get my skin color by the light of my computer at midnight, but instead chose a career whose lyric was not "hey you, would you email me the specs for our new WYP4P/POD TOCas that is due tomorrow..."
Of course, it is more likely that I have ignored the obvious allusion to Sisyphus, but who's counting...
shanti,
mjh
"now that I know that I'm breaking to pieces, I'll pull out my heart and I'll feed it to anyone..."--"Disintegration", the Cure.
Simply, "Hey you, would you help me to carry the stone".
I generally find myself living in the world of complex, deep-meaning (or just deep sounding) lyrics. So, I am struck by the simplicity and wonder this Roger Waters lyric. I think it has to have something to do with the intangibility of our current society. 99% of my chosen career deals with the intangible. Though I get advances of the books that I help edit/publish, everything else that I do is electronic, bits/bytes of information and keystrokes, and I am definitely in the majority. The few years that I taught were very tangible: students, books, chalkboards, etc., but I am quite sure that even that level of realism has certainly shifted over the past few years.
Perhaps this lyric is my Siren call, back to a time where life was not more simple (in fact, quite the opposite), but to a time when the manual and physical arose with the sun. A time when I didn't get my skin color by the light of my computer at midnight, but instead chose a career whose lyric was not "hey you, would you email me the specs for our new WYP4P/POD TOCas that is due tomorrow..."
Of course, it is more likely that I have ignored the obvious allusion to Sisyphus, but who's counting...
shanti,
mjh
"now that I know that I'm breaking to pieces, I'll pull out my heart and I'll feed it to anyone..."--"Disintegration", the Cure.
Friday, April 25, 2008
how old am i?
I'm back at home, back at work, and generally back to normal. However, when did 2 days of traveling = 2 days of recovery? Guess I am just getting old...
shanti,
mjh
shanti,
mjh
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Dear second day of my trip:
Dear hotel check-out guy:
Thanks for complimenting my oh-so-professional looking briefcase. Now you know that it is actually my wife’s, and so does my meeting organizer (that guy I need to impress), since he was sitting right behind me when I told you. Quite a way to make an impression...
Dear waitress at the Nook:
Yes, I was talking to myself throughout breakfast. Well, actually I was talking to an invisible group of people, all who would be real audience members about three hours later. Thanks for filling my coffee without a smirk. And if you are interested in my P4P/POD project, let me know, and I’ll hook you up.
Dear meeting participants:
Truly, it was great. Thanks for the nods of agreement, laughter, and looks of “aha” at the correct moments. Totally worth travelling for, being nervous about, and spending way too much personal time on. It was nice to meet you all, and I sincerely hope that our ideas/presentation leads to a more realized, cross-departmental, cross-platform partnership, not only with each other but with “them”.
Dear newly-opened curry restaurant:
Great idea, great food, great location.
Dear August, Sophia, and Aurora:
Thanks for being my stand-in kids for an hour or so. Double thanks to 11-month-old August, who finally let me hold him. You and Lily should totally meet. I think you would have lots to talk about: “dra-gon”, “bir-die”, “dra-gon” “quack, quack.” Y’all would totally hit it off. Aurora: you are a princess. Sophia, I actually think black olives are yucky, too; I just forgot to tell your dad.
Thank you for recording “Whisky Lullaby.” It is 10:30 at night, I am somewhere in between Charlotte and Nashville, I have only slept 3 hours in the last two days, and, for some sappy reason, I am very happy that this song decided to shuffle itself on deck.
Dear Rob Zombie:
You and Brad should totally go on tour. Under normal circumstances, I would not have paired the mellow-country-reclination with the (un)dead-assaultive-aggrerock, but tonight it totally works.
Dear Matt:
Look: you’re tired, your brain is on a downward spike, and you were about to suggest that Gordon Lightfoot join the "Paisley Zombie" tour (imagine the cool blacklight posters!). Just sit back, let Gordon take you on the final voyage of the Edmund Fitzgerald, and leave these poor readers alone. Looks like the Dead are on deck next; it might be a good night, afterall…
shanti,
mjh
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Dear first day of my trip:
Dear lady who sat next to me on my first flight:
I am sincerely glad that fate brought us together. Though we never even exchanged names, I enjoyed our conversation. Sorry about your legal troubles, and sorry you missed your flight yesterday because you decided smoking was more important. Be good to your kids and remember how we both acknowledged our blessings.
Dear lady screaming on her phone:
We all know that you are upset that our C’ville flight is delayed. And, yes, everyone knows that this is your third attempt at getting home today. You should know that we are all ignoring you not because we don’t understand or care; we are all ignoring you because you are being a jerk.
Dear flight attendant:
I asked for Ginger Ale and you gave me Diet Coke. I didn’t correct you…not because I am a nice guy, but because I don’t like conflict (read: I have no guts). I would sooner have gone to the airline bathroom and poured the Diet Coke out than point out your mistake. However, I foresee conflict between me and the tiny airline bathroom, too.
Dear US Airways:
It was quite rude of you to begin boarding the late flight to C’ville while those of us booked on the delayed early flight were only one gate away..waiting on our “mechanical problems” to be solved. I don’t expect you to punish the late folks, and I don’t expect you to take their seats away and give them to us (as some were suggesting), but use some common sense people. I don’t need to hear that my just-arrived-at-their-gate brothers and sisters are boarding their plane to C’ville, while those of us who have been waiting over two hours are told to just sit tight and are expected to ignore what is going on. Let’s not push me and see where my conflict threshold is today. Let’s just get Matt to C’ville.
Dear Manchu Wok:
Does the fact that the lady in front of me ordered in Chinese worry you? I mean, the food is fine to my doesn’t-know-Chinese-food palate…but she’s the real deal.
Dear business man:
Yes, I saw you walk into the ladies restroom. Enough said.
Dear cab driver:
Wow, that was fast. Thanks for getting me to my hotel in once piece and for not trying to talk to me too much. It’s been a long day, and I actually liked the silence.
Dear drunk people:
Come on, it’s 3 a.m. I can’t sleep, not because of your loud screaming but because I have my own sleeping issues tonight. However, your cackling is definitely not helping (and I’m sure whatever just happened cannot possibly be that funny).
Dear blog:
Tomorrow (well...today) is a big day. I'll talk to you then.
shanti,
mjh
I am sincerely glad that fate brought us together. Though we never even exchanged names, I enjoyed our conversation. Sorry about your legal troubles, and sorry you missed your flight yesterday because you decided smoking was more important. Be good to your kids and remember how we both acknowledged our blessings.
Dear lady screaming on her phone:
We all know that you are upset that our C’ville flight is delayed. And, yes, everyone knows that this is your third attempt at getting home today. You should know that we are all ignoring you not because we don’t understand or care; we are all ignoring you because you are being a jerk.
Dear flight attendant:
I asked for Ginger Ale and you gave me Diet Coke. I didn’t correct you…not because I am a nice guy, but because I don’t like conflict (read: I have no guts). I would sooner have gone to the airline bathroom and poured the Diet Coke out than point out your mistake. However, I foresee conflict between me and the tiny airline bathroom, too.
Dear US Airways:
It was quite rude of you to begin boarding the late flight to C’ville while those of us booked on the delayed early flight were only one gate away..waiting on our “mechanical problems” to be solved. I don’t expect you to punish the late folks, and I don’t expect you to take their seats away and give them to us (as some were suggesting), but use some common sense people. I don’t need to hear that my just-arrived-at-their-gate brothers and sisters are boarding their plane to C’ville, while those of us who have been waiting over two hours are told to just sit tight and are expected to ignore what is going on. Let’s not push me and see where my conflict threshold is today. Let’s just get Matt to C’ville.
Dear Manchu Wok:
Does the fact that the lady in front of me ordered in Chinese worry you? I mean, the food is fine to my doesn’t-know-Chinese-food palate…but she’s the real deal.
Dear business man:
Yes, I saw you walk into the ladies restroom. Enough said.
Dear cab driver:
Wow, that was fast. Thanks for getting me to my hotel in once piece and for not trying to talk to me too much. It’s been a long day, and I actually liked the silence.
Dear drunk people:
Come on, it’s 3 a.m. I can’t sleep, not because of your loud screaming but because I have my own sleeping issues tonight. However, your cackling is definitely not helping (and I’m sure whatever just happened cannot possibly be that funny).
Monday, April 21, 2008
leaving on a jet plane
I am going on my first official business trip tomorrow, and I am going back to C'ville for the first time since we left 9 months ago. Yippee!
That's it; gotta prepare/pack.
shanti,
mjh
That's it; gotta prepare/pack.
shanti,
mjh
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
WHY?
why, oh why, am i watching the season premiere of the new Real World? oh yah, because I am taping Top Chef. obviously, i am not striving to make myself a better person today. Maybe tomorrow.
shanti,
mjh
shanti,
mjh
my friends and their hundreds
Many of my friends have posted their 100 things, either on my blog or on their own. I find these utterly fascinating and am speaking to some of my personal highlights:
Melissa:
18. i'm jealous of siblings
--I think of this statement often when considering whether to have another child or not.
27. i love fireworks more than anything in the world
--this, I did not know. I have always wanted to look down on them from a plane. We should do this sometime.
54. i still sing puppet songs in my head
--it's a disease, and we all have it.
65. i like to get into a good stare
--This is brilliant
81. i have a story for every thing and every situation
--and it makes you a great friend.
Don:
9) I have played on the same stages as The Ramones, Motorhead, GWAR and many other famous musicians.
--and Kevn Kinney! One of the best nights ever.
14) I’ve been w/ the same woman (the love of my life) for over 10 years.
--and I miss you both terribly...
23) Saw Matt cheat at LIFE once.
--unfortunately, that is true. I don't think I even won.
25) I can name a heavy metal band for every letter in the alphabet.
--you ever written this down? I would love to see it.
87) I love long conversations with friends about music, religion and politics.
--nothing like discussing life, love, and the meaning of the universe at the Huddle House right after a killer Poison show.
Wallace:
10. I’m still impressed/touched that so many of my old high school friends came down for my wedding.
--that was a really great weekend.
47. I would go back and re-do high school. Mainly because I would do a lot of things differently…
--I'd be intrigued to see the "other" high-school Wallace. I think you did pretty well the first time around.
49. My hair has never been as long as it is right now… I can’t decide if I want to cut it or just let it go really long.
--let it grow. I miss the long-hair Wallace I knew in middle school.
65. I desire to really read… but I rarely have/make the time to.
--You, me, and Melissa should try one of those virtual book clubs. Maybe peer pressure would help us make time.
67. I’ve kept fish ever since I worked in the pet department of Wal-mart when I was in high school.
--I miss being able to go to the Mart and hang out with you.
Jaime:
5. I will always have a special place in my heart for Edwin McCain, even though his career makes me sad.
--We will always have our goofy picture by the car
12. I love looking back on my life and wondering whether God was using some of it to make other parts make more sense.
--I like this exercise
29. It freaks me out when I agree with Rick and Bubba.
--Me, too, but I listen to them every morning...
35. I used to make up dreams when I was falling asleep.
--I had forgotten this; I love this about you.
59. I never really wonder whether I'll be a good mom.
--There is no wondering; you will be a wonderful mother.
Alison
75. People don't forget me...
--absolutely true
...I choose to believe it is because of the hair, but I'm probably fooling myself.
--and it's not the hair
84. In high school I was on the flag corp.
--I really miss those days. "Dippity do" anyone?
90. I am going to be a rocker in heaven and I'm going to be good.
--I'll be in the front row, but I want to be on the comp list; I don't know if I'll have much $$ up there.
93. I played Volleyball in Middle School. I was not good at it.
--weren't you the statistician? :o)
99. My favorite show is Amazing Race. I wish Garet and I could be on there!
--ok, you/Garet, Wallace/Dee, and Minal/I need to sign up. We could have a secret alliance...up until the final three, of course.
shanti,
mjh
Melissa:
18. i'm jealous of siblings
--I think of this statement often when considering whether to have another child or not.
27. i love fireworks more than anything in the world
--this, I did not know. I have always wanted to look down on them from a plane. We should do this sometime.
54. i still sing puppet songs in my head
--it's a disease, and we all have it.
65. i like to get into a good stare
--This is brilliant
81. i have a story for every thing and every situation
--and it makes you a great friend.
Don:
9) I have played on the same stages as The Ramones, Motorhead, GWAR and many other famous musicians.
--and Kevn Kinney! One of the best nights ever.
14) I’ve been w/ the same woman (the love of my life) for over 10 years.
--and I miss you both terribly...
23) Saw Matt cheat at LIFE once.
--unfortunately, that is true. I don't think I even won.
25) I can name a heavy metal band for every letter in the alphabet.
--you ever written this down? I would love to see it.
87) I love long conversations with friends about music, religion and politics.
--nothing like discussing life, love, and the meaning of the universe at the Huddle House right after a killer Poison show.
Wallace:
10. I’m still impressed/touched that so many of my old high school friends came down for my wedding.
--that was a really great weekend.
47. I would go back and re-do high school. Mainly because I would do a lot of things differently…
--I'd be intrigued to see the "other" high-school Wallace. I think you did pretty well the first time around.
49. My hair has never been as long as it is right now… I can’t decide if I want to cut it or just let it go really long.
--let it grow. I miss the long-hair Wallace I knew in middle school.
65. I desire to really read… but I rarely have/make the time to.
--You, me, and Melissa should try one of those virtual book clubs. Maybe peer pressure would help us make time.
67. I’ve kept fish ever since I worked in the pet department of Wal-mart when I was in high school.
--I miss being able to go to the Mart and hang out with you.
Jaime:
5. I will always have a special place in my heart for Edwin McCain, even though his career makes me sad.
--We will always have our goofy picture by the car
12. I love looking back on my life and wondering whether God was using some of it to make other parts make more sense.
--I like this exercise
29. It freaks me out when I agree with Rick and Bubba.
--Me, too, but I listen to them every morning...
35. I used to make up dreams when I was falling asleep.
--I had forgotten this; I love this about you.
59. I never really wonder whether I'll be a good mom.
--There is no wondering; you will be a wonderful mother.
Alison
75. People don't forget me...
--absolutely true
...I choose to believe it is because of the hair, but I'm probably fooling myself.
--and it's not the hair
84. In high school I was on the flag corp.
--I really miss those days. "Dippity do" anyone?
90. I am going to be a rocker in heaven and I'm going to be good.
--I'll be in the front row, but I want to be on the comp list; I don't know if I'll have much $$ up there.
93. I played Volleyball in Middle School. I was not good at it.
--weren't you the statistician? :o)
99. My favorite show is Amazing Race. I wish Garet and I could be on there!
--ok, you/Garet, Wallace/Dee, and Minal/I need to sign up. We could have a secret alliance...up until the final three, of course.
shanti,
mjh
Monday, April 14, 2008
death song
my best friend J emailed me this weekend with this question: "Have you ever thought of songs that you'd like to hear while you're dying?" Morbid, yes, but we all have these friendships, right? Where the morbid and extreme live right next to the boring and mundane. Anyhow, i have been thinking about for the past day or so.
My immediate thought was "The Same Deep Water As You" by the Cure. Of course because I love the Cure but also because this song has an amazing drifting away quality about it. Unless I am drowning, though, I don't know if this would be it.
My second thought was to rock out; perhaps "Happiness in Slavery" by NIN or "More Human than Human" by White Zombie. Why not face death with fury, listening to "Detharmonic" by Dethklok?
Not sure this is the way to go, either. Perhaps "Let Him Fly" by Patty Griffin. Actually, there are many Patty songs that could make the list.
J chose "Hallelujah" (J Buckley's version), which is actually a great choice. Might be my pick if it wasn't already taken. Though I am not sure I want to spend my last moment still trying to figure the lyrics out.
After all of the thought, I am going to have to go with a classic. If any of you are around and have access to my ipod, hook me up with "Silent Lucidity" by Queensryche. An oldie but a goodie.
shanti,
mjh
p.s.--"Hallelujah", "Silent Lucidity", "More Human than Human", "Detharmonic", and "Let Him Fly" are on my playlist (see music player at the bottom of the page), if you want to check 'em out.
My immediate thought was "The Same Deep Water As You" by the Cure. Of course because I love the Cure but also because this song has an amazing drifting away quality about it. Unless I am drowning, though, I don't know if this would be it.
My second thought was to rock out; perhaps "Happiness in Slavery" by NIN or "More Human than Human" by White Zombie. Why not face death with fury, listening to "Detharmonic" by Dethklok?
Not sure this is the way to go, either. Perhaps "Let Him Fly" by Patty Griffin. Actually, there are many Patty songs that could make the list.
J chose "Hallelujah" (J Buckley's version), which is actually a great choice. Might be my pick if it wasn't already taken. Though I am not sure I want to spend my last moment still trying to figure the lyrics out.
After all of the thought, I am going to have to go with a classic. If any of you are around and have access to my ipod, hook me up with "Silent Lucidity" by Queensryche. An oldie but a goodie.
shanti,
mjh
p.s.--"Hallelujah", "Silent Lucidity", "More Human than Human", "Detharmonic", and "Let Him Fly" are on my playlist (see music player at the bottom of the page), if you want to check 'em out.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Thanks for the memories and the unknown
Just want to say a big thank you to Melissa and Don for posting their 100+ things about themselves: see them here. And to Wallace for not only posting his but also commenting on those already posted. Y'all are awesome and have made me smile all day. If anyone else wants to contribute, it really is a great exercise. I am trying to find a way to comment back on some of those little tidbits listed and will probably do so in a future post.
Until then, thanks for stopping by and playing along.
shanti,
mjh
Until then, thanks for stopping by and playing along.
shanti,
mjh
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Project Runway
Why oh why are you leaving Bravo, Project Runway? All this drama. Don't worry, I will follow you to Lifetime (it's a love affair I can't walk away from), but I will miss our Wednesday-night Bravo date.
shanti,
mjh
shanti,
mjh
Monday, April 7, 2008
hi, blog
I feel like I need to say hello to my blog and apologize for the silence. Sorry Subsided...been busy. Hope you understand.
shanti,
mjh
shanti,
mjh
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
counting my blessings...
I realize going into this post that I am treading dangerous ground. I miss my friends a lot, and I have been thinking lately about why. Obviously, the connection, be it deep and soul-touching or casual and social, is what begins/sustains any relationship. However, I have been discovering pieces of folks that I truly wish were still a part of my puzzle. Call it a realization and longing for "characteristics" over "character". So why boil an entire human being down to a few words? I admit it is unfair and a gross undervaluation of you all, but it would be impossible to focus otherwise. I truly miss the physical touch, sight, sound, and presence of so many people, but what I intend to do is define the most vivid piece of each person that is missing from my life. First, I have not pre-thought this out (it is a blog, you know), so if you are reading this and are not on the list, it simply means that I have not pre-thought this out, not that you mean zilch to me. I apologize in advance for the many people I will inadvertently leave out (and to the many females whose maiden names will be used). Second, if you don't like what is listed, sorry; I also miss that about you.
I miss (of course, in no particular order):
Wallace J's wisdom
Alison C's whole-heartedness
Melissa C's aura of empathy, humility, and craziness
Dacia F's wonderfully carefree whimsy
Jamie G's love for my friends
Carla S's intense sense of humor
Amy H's watchful inner eye
Amy R's steadfastness
Jamie W's ability to be positive and uplifting with witty, sarcastic realism
Rob R's mature ability to belong and not belong concurrently
Ed B's soft-spoken, wise understanding
Rob B's wit ("hot apple thighs"; still makes me laugh)
Jaime C's complete ability to "get" me
Don D's rock-and-roll, life-changing friendship
Lizzie T's beautiful compassion
Susan T's boundless pursuits
Jonathan H's deep, deep soul
Rick Z's always-looked-stoned casualness
Rachel D's passion and grace
Angie O's survival instincts
David B's charisma
Donna C's bubbly love of life and you
Henry C's ability to unite
Sally P's laughter
Tracy G's intensity
Allyson W's never-say-die, drama-filled, beautiful friendship
Brett H's unconditional love
Rachna R's ability to see the truth in things
Supriti P's ability to change the rules
Howard H's hugs and simple complexity
Kate B's gentle confrontations
Katie B's wonderful intenseness
Sima's G's strength
Julie W's inspired/inspiring art
Clay F's smart conversation
Yara A's comfortability
Harry P's "Harry"-ness
Jonathan D's shock value
Lindsey K's constant ambition
Erin H's tenacity
Jeff S's vision
Sharon D's ability to care just enough
Cyndi B's correct valuation of importance
Pam H's honesty
Christine's gentleness
Mike's New-York-style attitude
Vicki M's nervous confidence
*disclaimer* For the most part, I have left family out.
Point is: I miss you, and these are the primary reasons. Maybe tomorrow, I will list the second-most thing I miss about you. :o)
Consider me blessed to have known you all, and I am grateful for the qualities you shared with me.
shanti,
mjh
I miss (of course, in no particular order):
Wallace J's wisdom
Alison C's whole-heartedness
Melissa C's aura of empathy, humility, and craziness
Dacia F's wonderfully carefree whimsy
Jamie G's love for my friends
Carla S's intense sense of humor
Amy H's watchful inner eye
Amy R's steadfastness
Jamie W's ability to be positive and uplifting with witty, sarcastic realism
Rob R's mature ability to belong and not belong concurrently
Ed B's soft-spoken, wise understanding
Rob B's wit ("hot apple thighs"; still makes me laugh)
Jaime C's complete ability to "get" me
Don D's rock-and-roll, life-changing friendship
Lizzie T's beautiful compassion
Susan T's boundless pursuits
Jonathan H's deep, deep soul
Rick Z's always-looked-stoned casualness
Rachel D's passion and grace
Angie O's survival instincts
David B's charisma
Donna C's bubbly love of life and you
Henry C's ability to unite
Sally P's laughter
Tracy G's intensity
Allyson W's never-say-die, drama-filled, beautiful friendship
Brett H's unconditional love
Rachna R's ability to see the truth in things
Supriti P's ability to change the rules
Howard H's hugs and simple complexity
Kate B's gentle confrontations
Katie B's wonderful intenseness
Sima's G's strength
Julie W's inspired/inspiring art
Clay F's smart conversation
Yara A's comfortability
Harry P's "Harry"-ness
Jonathan D's shock value
Lindsey K's constant ambition
Erin H's tenacity
Jeff S's vision
Sharon D's ability to care just enough
Cyndi B's correct valuation of importance
Pam H's honesty
Christine's gentleness
Mike's New-York-style attitude
Vicki M's nervous confidence
*disclaimer* For the most part, I have left family out.
Point is: I miss you, and these are the primary reasons. Maybe tomorrow, I will list the second-most thing I miss about you. :o)
Consider me blessed to have known you all, and I am grateful for the qualities you shared with me.
shanti,
mjh
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Just in case you want to know...
....here's 100 things about me. I was not tagged by Alison (though she was tagged by Ashley who was tagged by Darby), but I don't hold it against her. Still got love for ya and that curly hair. Admittedly, I probably am not the best candidate to be tagged but am feeling self-centered tonight, so here goes.
I think the idea is simply to list 100 things, interesting or boring (you can label at will). Kudos to anyone who makes is past the first few:
1) Name: Matt Hollowell
2) Hometown: Huntsville, AL
3) I have lived in 5 states and currently reside in Brentwood, TN
4) Virgil I. Grissom High
5) I was part of the Marching Tiiiiiiiiiiiger Band (didn't appreciate it then, miss it terribly now)
6) I attended UAB (undergrad--B.A. English)
7) twice (grad--M.A. English)
8) I was an Americorps volunteer post undergrad (Habitat for Humanity Cabarrus County)
9) I have worked as a grant writer,
10) newspaper photographer (Independent Tribune),
11) newspage designer (the Birmingham News),
12) graphic designer (freelance),
13) coordinating Editor for LexisNexis,
14) teacher (UAB, PVCC)
15) I play a bit of music, but mostly just for my daughter
16) My favorite song has always been "Nightswimming" by REM
17) My favorite band has always been The Cure
18) My favorite poets are Galway Kinnell and Ted Hughes
19) I have read the Gita several times but realize that I still don't understand it the way it should be understood/internalized
20) I would like to read the entire Mahabharata some day (I best get started; it clocks in at 1.8 million words; that's three times the length of the Bible)
21) I could be Hindu some day
22) Fave TV shows: Amazing Race, Project Runway, ATHF, live concerts on MHD
23) I have always been totally fascinated by cults/communes
24) I have just never had the guts to go beyond fascination
25) I have never been very good with women beyond friendship
26) I love dachshunds
27) I desperately want to go ice fishing
28) I understand some people's obsession with all things Disney
29) I have never really been to NYC, but I love Art Garfunkel's "A Heart in New York"
30) I live down the street from Dolly Parton
40) I saw Paul Reubens (aka Pee Wee Herman) at a bar last Tuesday
41) One of my mental happy places is the Pink Floyd laser light show circa 1999
41) I wish Don and I would have started our folk-metal band HolloDon
42) I love to play poker
43) I have only been to the casino twice, but I talk about it so much you would think I live there
44) I might be going to Vegas next month
45) I know a lot about the law, though I am no lawyer. It happens when you work for Lexis
46) I wish I could have spent one late-night hour with Johnny Cash
47) Some days, I don't regret a thing; some days, I regret it all
48) I say that purple is my favorite color, though I think it's really pink
49) For some terrible reason, I was completely hooked on the most recent season of the Real World
50) I desperately miss my high school friends
51) I work from home, so I spend about 23 hours a day in my house (some days, even more)
52) My closest friend lives 100 miles away (hence, the blogging)
53) I wish the winner of Top Chef would face off against the winner of Hell's Kitchen
54) I have always had many man-crushes and have always been quite vocal about them
55) My favorite movie is Being Human
56) Every day I listen to Opie and Anthony and Ron and Fez on XM 202
57) One of my favorite days ever was spent at Discovery Cove
58) I once had a rock band stay at my house the night before a job interview. smart.
59) I don't curse, but I don't believe words can be "bad"
60) You can often find me on Triplejack
61) I ruthlessly made fun of bloggers as recently as 6 months ago
62) For some reason, Jaime's blog inspired me to give it a try
63) I am very happy that my friends have begun to have babies
64) I eat gummy bears/worms at least three times a week
65) I love UAB basketball
66) I am constantly growing my hair out, then chopping it off, then growing it out again
67) I don't feel much anymore
68) I live in the past too much: proof
69) Every time I hear Bon Jovi (the old, not the new), I retreat into fond memories of the skating rink
70) I dig piercings and tattoos
71) I have very little faith but spend lots of my life thinking about religion/spirituality
72) I have never done anything very illegal
73) I am deeply afraid and strongly drawn to very deep water
74) I never want the ball in my hand with time running out and my team down by 2
75) I'm very good with deadlines and am very time-driven
76) I will play the Bluebird Cafe before I expire
77) I am not scared of dying, but I am petrified of dying without realizing it happened
78) I generally have very vivid dreams and can still remember lots of them
79) I have died several times in my dreams
80) I check my work email from the moment I wake up until I go to bed (product of working at home)
81) I am taking my first business trip next month
82) I wish I cared more for people (and for more people)
83) I believe my friends to be irreplaceable and I cannot love/appreciate them enough
84) I really hope there is an afterlife, but I don't know what version I would choose
85) I believe the best shower is an outdoor shower
86) If you have made it this far, chances are I love and miss you. Call me sometime and we'll do coffee
87) My favorite quotes: "it's easier for me to get closer to heaven than ever feel whole again", "I never said I would stay to the end", "now that i know that i'm breaking to pieces i'll pull out my heart and i'll feed it to anyone" -- all from "Disintegration"
88) I really wish I could paint
89) I thought this would be easier
90) I am eternally grateful to Henry Choi for pushing me to pick up a guitar
91) I have very good memories (but not a very good memory)
92) I hate opossums and love sea lions
93) In my next life, I would like to be a whale or one of those creatures that live at the bottom of the ocean
94) I think Tupac and I would have been a great secret friends
95) I will always wish I had pursued a PhD in Modern Brit Lit/poetry
96) I think a lot of people look like mashed potatoes
97) I wouldn't change my youth for anything, though I wouldn't recommend it for everyone
98) I secretly wish I could design/construct clothing
99) I am not sure the 100 things I have listed really mean anything or represent me all that well
100) I have not mentioned my wife or daughter (save #15), which, for those who know me, was very difficult to do. But I didn't really want to list the 100 most cutest thing Lily has done in her 14 months of life. Though, now I think that might have been more interesting reading...just being a realist, not self-deprecating.
The folks I would like to tag don't have blogs. However, Jaime C., Melissa, Don, Lizzie, Brett, etc. feel free to give me 100 back and post as a comment.
Disclaimer: There is no way I am going to proof this post, so any misspellings, bad grammar, etc. is just that.
shanti,
mjh
I think the idea is simply to list 100 things, interesting or boring (you can label at will). Kudos to anyone who makes is past the first few:
1) Name: Matt Hollowell
2) Hometown: Huntsville, AL
3) I have lived in 5 states and currently reside in Brentwood, TN
4) Virgil I. Grissom High
5) I was part of the Marching Tiiiiiiiiiiiger Band (didn't appreciate it then, miss it terribly now)
6) I attended UAB (undergrad--B.A. English)
7) twice (grad--M.A. English)
8) I was an Americorps volunteer post undergrad (Habitat for Humanity Cabarrus County)
9) I have worked as a grant writer,
10) newspaper photographer (Independent Tribune),
11) newspage designer (the Birmingham News),
12) graphic designer (freelance),
13) coordinating Editor for LexisNexis,
14) teacher (UAB, PVCC)
15) I play a bit of music, but mostly just for my daughter
16) My favorite song has always been "Nightswimming" by REM
17) My favorite band has always been The Cure
18) My favorite poets are Galway Kinnell and Ted Hughes
19) I have read the Gita several times but realize that I still don't understand it the way it should be understood/internalized
20) I would like to read the entire Mahabharata some day (I best get started; it clocks in at 1.8 million words; that's three times the length of the Bible)
21) I could be Hindu some day
22) Fave TV shows: Amazing Race, Project Runway, ATHF, live concerts on MHD
23) I have always been totally fascinated by cults/communes
24) I have just never had the guts to go beyond fascination
25) I have never been very good with women beyond friendship
26) I love dachshunds
27) I desperately want to go ice fishing
28) I understand some people's obsession with all things Disney
29) I have never really been to NYC, but I love Art Garfunkel's "A Heart in New York"
30) I live down the street from Dolly Parton
40) I saw Paul Reubens (aka Pee Wee Herman) at a bar last Tuesday
41) One of my mental happy places is the Pink Floyd laser light show circa 1999
41) I wish Don and I would have started our folk-metal band HolloDon
42) I love to play poker
43) I have only been to the casino twice, but I talk about it so much you would think I live there
44) I might be going to Vegas next month
45) I know a lot about the law, though I am no lawyer. It happens when you work for Lexis
46) I wish I could have spent one late-night hour with Johnny Cash
47) Some days, I don't regret a thing; some days, I regret it all
48) I say that purple is my favorite color, though I think it's really pink
49) For some terrible reason, I was completely hooked on the most recent season of the Real World
50) I desperately miss my high school friends
51) I work from home, so I spend about 23 hours a day in my house (some days, even more)
52) My closest friend lives 100 miles away (hence, the blogging)
53) I wish the winner of Top Chef would face off against the winner of Hell's Kitchen
54) I have always had many man-crushes and have always been quite vocal about them
55) My favorite movie is Being Human
56) Every day I listen to Opie and Anthony and Ron and Fez on XM 202
57) One of my favorite days ever was spent at Discovery Cove
58) I once had a rock band stay at my house the night before a job interview. smart.
59) I don't curse, but I don't believe words can be "bad"
60) You can often find me on Triplejack
61) I ruthlessly made fun of bloggers as recently as 6 months ago
62) For some reason, Jaime's blog inspired me to give it a try
63) I am very happy that my friends have begun to have babies
64) I eat gummy bears/worms at least three times a week
65) I love UAB basketball
66) I am constantly growing my hair out, then chopping it off, then growing it out again
67) I don't feel much anymore
68) I live in the past too much: proof
69) Every time I hear Bon Jovi (the old, not the new), I retreat into fond memories of the skating rink
70) I dig piercings and tattoos
71) I have very little faith but spend lots of my life thinking about religion/spirituality
72) I have never done anything very illegal
73) I am deeply afraid and strongly drawn to very deep water
74) I never want the ball in my hand with time running out and my team down by 2
75) I'm very good with deadlines and am very time-driven
76) I will play the Bluebird Cafe before I expire
77) I am not scared of dying, but I am petrified of dying without realizing it happened
78) I generally have very vivid dreams and can still remember lots of them
79) I have died several times in my dreams
80) I check my work email from the moment I wake up until I go to bed (product of working at home)
81) I am taking my first business trip next month
82) I wish I cared more for people (and for more people)
83) I believe my friends to be irreplaceable and I cannot love/appreciate them enough
84) I really hope there is an afterlife, but I don't know what version I would choose
85) I believe the best shower is an outdoor shower
86) If you have made it this far, chances are I love and miss you. Call me sometime and we'll do coffee
87) My favorite quotes: "it's easier for me to get closer to heaven than ever feel whole again", "I never said I would stay to the end", "now that i know that i'm breaking to pieces i'll pull out my heart and i'll feed it to anyone" -- all from "Disintegration"
88) I really wish I could paint
89) I thought this would be easier
90) I am eternally grateful to Henry Choi for pushing me to pick up a guitar
91) I have very good memories (but not a very good memory)
92) I hate opossums and love sea lions
93) In my next life, I would like to be a whale or one of those creatures that live at the bottom of the ocean
94) I think Tupac and I would have been a great secret friends
95) I will always wish I had pursued a PhD in Modern Brit Lit/poetry
96) I think a lot of people look like mashed potatoes
97) I wouldn't change my youth for anything, though I wouldn't recommend it for everyone
98) I secretly wish I could design/construct clothing
99) I am not sure the 100 things I have listed really mean anything or represent me all that well
100) I have not mentioned my wife or daughter (save #15), which, for those who know me, was very difficult to do. But I didn't really want to list the 100 most cutest thing Lily has done in her 14 months of life. Though, now I think that might have been more interesting reading...just being a realist, not self-deprecating.
The folks I would like to tag don't have blogs. However, Jaime C., Melissa, Don, Lizzie, Brett, etc. feel free to give me 100 back and post as a comment.
Disclaimer: There is no way I am going to proof this post, so any misspellings, bad grammar, etc. is just that.
shanti,
mjh
Jesus Christ
Does it really matter if He really is who he says He is? (Yes, I capitalize references to Jesus and God, but I don't believe it matters to Them.) I have been trying to answer this question for myself for a long time, and I doubt I will ever truly come to a peaceful conclusion (partly b/c I like questions rumbling in my head for those rainy days). However, today and most days, I don't truly believe that it matters.
Do I believe that Jesus and his authors laid down a positive life-path? Yes. I might even declare that he laid down the best example/instruction for how to live a peaceful, fulfilling life: selfless, loving, generous, remorse without hate, empathy with action, etc. Do I believe that living like Christ or being a "little Christ" (as I have been told this is what "Christian" actually means) would make my world better? Yes. Do I believe it matters whether Jesus really was the son of God, dying, resurrecting, reappearing, sitting at the right hand? No. Why would it? Would America cease to be America if we learned that George Washington never existed, that he was just a Johnny Appleseed story that made the middle school history books (I do realize that this is a terrible analogy, but I have become distracted)? (Yes, I was one of those grad students who did not care whether Shakespeare was one man or many.)
I bring this up b/c the church I have been attending (I have no clue where my "membership" is these days--church membership...that's another topic for another day) has really been pushing the "Jesus Matters" angle. I understand why and I understand the timing. We have been in a time of reconciliation of sorts (more like synthesis) of world religions (at least as they pertain to the Christian Church). I hear lots of talk about "many paths to God"; full disclosure: 1/2 of my family is Hindu and I am currently reading The Third Jesus by Deepak Chopra, so maybe my ears are simply pointed East. Still, however, it seems that the Church stands to lose a lot of power if Jesus becomes less superman and more idea.
Other point: I don't (and will never) know if Jesus really was God incarnate and neither do you. In fact, I don't know if there is an afterlife and neither do you. Not to sound harsh, but that is the truth on the table. If you are interested in what happens when a pastor starts preaching that Hell doesn't exist, please check the story out here. It is definitely worth your time.
Well, I don't remember where I started or why I started writing this morning, as real life has crept in (meaning my work Inbox is filling up), so I am hesitant to post this random entry at all, but, in the spirit of blogging, it will stand up and be counted.
Hopefully, I will pick this theme up again soon and try to make sense or a circle out of it. For now, however, work calls...oh, and I do realize that it's all about faith and I have never really had much. Hence, the problem.
shanti,
mjh
Do I believe that Jesus and his authors laid down a positive life-path? Yes. I might even declare that he laid down the best example/instruction for how to live a peaceful, fulfilling life: selfless, loving, generous, remorse without hate, empathy with action, etc. Do I believe that living like Christ or being a "little Christ" (as I have been told this is what "Christian" actually means) would make my world better? Yes. Do I believe it matters whether Jesus really was the son of God, dying, resurrecting, reappearing, sitting at the right hand? No. Why would it? Would America cease to be America if we learned that George Washington never existed, that he was just a Johnny Appleseed story that made the middle school history books (I do realize that this is a terrible analogy, but I have become distracted)? (Yes, I was one of those grad students who did not care whether Shakespeare was one man or many.)
I bring this up b/c the church I have been attending (I have no clue where my "membership" is these days--church membership...that's another topic for another day) has really been pushing the "Jesus Matters" angle. I understand why and I understand the timing. We have been in a time of reconciliation of sorts (more like synthesis) of world religions (at least as they pertain to the Christian Church). I hear lots of talk about "many paths to God"; full disclosure: 1/2 of my family is Hindu and I am currently reading The Third Jesus by Deepak Chopra, so maybe my ears are simply pointed East. Still, however, it seems that the Church stands to lose a lot of power if Jesus becomes less superman and more idea.
Other point: I don't (and will never) know if Jesus really was God incarnate and neither do you. In fact, I don't know if there is an afterlife and neither do you. Not to sound harsh, but that is the truth on the table. If you are interested in what happens when a pastor starts preaching that Hell doesn't exist, please check the story out here. It is definitely worth your time.
Well, I don't remember where I started or why I started writing this morning, as real life has crept in (meaning my work Inbox is filling up), so I am hesitant to post this random entry at all, but, in the spirit of blogging, it will stand up and be counted.
Hopefully, I will pick this theme up again soon and try to make sense or a circle out of it. For now, however, work calls...oh, and I do realize that it's all about faith and I have never really had much. Hence, the problem.
shanti,
mjh
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