New muzak.... yipee!

After waiting through what seemed like and endlessly long weekend, I was able to listen to the cds I ordered what seemed like years ago. With the aid of commercialism in society today, I seem to become more and more impatient. It actually wasn't that bad and was worth it. Getting two good albums for a mere $3.... I think I'm going to get spoiled.

The MOFRO album is great, encompassing many sounds including blues, soul, and country front porch story telling. It is soon to become my new favorite Florida cd. Listening to the sultry music pulls on my heart strings feeding that longing of Florida, family, and all that makes sense.

The debut album by Etienne de Rocher is good. I must admit,I had high expectations for this artist and they were definitely met. Although the artist has been playing music for awhile now, one can still hear the developing artist nurturing his talents. Perhaps this is because this is new label with which he constructed this album. However, the artists experience is evident within his lyrics, yet he keeps the songs simple and potent with the lingering essence of his message.

Whoo hoo

So, I have to rave about The Herb Goddess. It is a great site for herbs, oils, tea, and tea accessories. In addition to free shipping their orders are processed and mailed quickly. I have received and used a tea strainer I ordered from them and have yet to even get an Amazon order I placed days before this one. Within the package they sent, I received a pen, with their business name logo on it, the tea strainer, double the number of cloth reusable teabags I ordered, and a scratch off coupon for 10% off my next purchase.

Now, somebody knows how to do business... I'm definitely going to be a repeat customer. At least not every business has lost the ability to conduct good business.

The weekend is here, but almost gone.....

This weekend seems different for some reason. Perhaps it's because there are things to do and things to be done. So far, it's been wonderfully productive and very service oriented. Last night the Pitt County Humane Society had their 4th annual Martini Party fundraiser, which I happily helped out at. It was an interesting night and being that I did not know anyone, there were lots of people to talk with. I am not much of a social butterfly and seem to be unable to mingle, but overall I had a nice time and got to try a few martinis, including the Felime, Red Hot Chihuahua, and Pomeranian. It made me think that our next party should be a martini party with science themes.

After getting home later than anticipated, I quickly fell into slumberous sleep to be awoken very early this morning by a loud alarm clock. The weather outside look chilly and I was reluctant to get out of bed, but I was able to make it to the Town Commons area in time to help with the Big Sweep this morning. It is held once a year, where people pick up garbage along the Tar River. There was so much trash to be picked up... it was horrible. Many odd pieces were found: a few tires, a bed mattress, some unknown items, and lots of plastic bags and bottles.

So far the weekend has been nice. The weather seem to have gotten colder as we on the river and it's only October. I'm not looking forward to the winter this year.... but then, I never do. I just keep thinking that before long, this will all be in the past, clumped into a time period when I did my Master's, and hopefully I will be living somewhere warm and coastal.

That is my happy thought for the day.

Sitings

Apparently, a southern Baptist preacher from Georgia has found a large population of 'sinners' amongst the ECU students. Walking back from an unsuccessful free lunch (unsuccessful because it was lacking in vegetarian options) I bore witness to that which is apparently a new thing for students around here. As we walked past, unacknowledged the bible bearing babbler, I noticed that the few people who had paused to take in the spectacle were not reacting nor engaging the emphatic speaker. It seemed to me that he was speaking to hear himself speak. It just seemed to me that such an energetic soul could do so much, but instead he chooses to focuses his energies elsewhere.

It makes me realize how much nrg I waste. If each person was more conscious, it would make a huge impact on society today.

Old new music

So, apparently I am a little slow with the posting possibilities. Apparently posting a video is as simple as posting a pix nowadays. The video below was taken last winter when MOFRO played with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, which I believe they are due to do again soon.

It was at the show that I saw and heard MOFRO for the first time. Almost a year later, I get around to ordering one of their albums.

....better late than never, right

Due to a $25 amazon coupon, I was able to order the latest MOFRO cd, Lachloosa, and another artist on the same label, Etienne de Rocher.

MOFRO concert

MOFRO with the Jaksonville Symphony Orhestra 11.26.05.

Propinquity

A friends blog states the word propinquity. Curiously, I looked it up and found the following definitions:

the tendency for people to work better or bond with those geographically near them

one of the main factors leading to interpersonal attraction. It refers to the physical or psychological proximity between people. For example, two people living in on the same floor of a building have a higher propinquity than those living on different floors.

It surprises me b/c I have noticed it before, but seem to be immuned.

Birthday dinner

Tonight I was fortunate to be treated to a belated birthday dinner at the Curiosity Shoppe, in Washington, located 30 minutes east of Greenville. The meal started out with some delightful bread perfect for dipping into an oil mixture. Then, we ordered martinis, a first for mwah and after tasting the other two ordered, mine by far was the best one. Next was the appetizer. Since there were three of us we ordered an appetizer, dinner size salad, and dinner entree and split all three. For appetizer we delved into the crab cake with flat bread. It was de-lish with fresh blue crab, yup that's right, no k-rab there. Then, there was the organic mixed greens salad with marinated cherries and toasted nuts with a gorgonzola cream dressing. Scrumdiliumptious! However, it was topped by the garlic mashed potatoes and seared yellowfin tuna we had for dessert. Perhaps I'm showing my roots, but those mashed taters make my mouth water just thinking about them. Smooth and creamy with a bit of the potatoe skin in them, I couldn't get enough. For dessert, we had key lime pie, the thin homemade style that is slightly creamy, topped with fresh strawberries and few blueberries.

It was a wonderful evening. I was pleased to get dressed up and go out, something not done often enough. Dinner was followed by a stroll on the boardwalk, but alas we had end the evening and venture back to reality.

Last night, I went and saw the new Zach Braff movie, The Last Kiss. He did not write nor direct this film and the soundtrack was no comparison, but the story was somewhat similar in tone to his previous film Garden State. It was a bit older, hitting on the late 20's approaching 30 years old. Being that my birthday just recently passed, I can say that I can somewhat relate. However, in the film the main character are 'settling' into the family time in their life, a period I cannot relate to presently.

Perhaps this is because I am not in a relationship, but the period of marriage and/or children does not seem near in my future. Truthfully, I am not sure if I want to have children and I am not hard pressed to be married either. Not to say I do not want to make a long term, i.e. infinite, commitment to someone, I just do not think marriage is necessary. I am going to step away from that soap box before I start.

Ah, another year has passed and I have once again survived to see it. Each day time moves more quickly and there seem to be additional tasks to accomplish. Weekends, once reserved for fun and new experiences, are now a time to catch up and perform additional work to get ahead. Keeping busy is a positive thing, but the lack of personal time can be draining.

The passing of another year, leads to thoughts of family, memories of the past, and yearnings to see those one cares about. Sometimes I think keeping busy is merely a distraction, distracting me from the sadness that lingers inside. Then, smiling faces look back and it all doesn't seem that bad.... but is it just a time of making due?

Regardless, things are going well. My day of birth has come and gone, during which I enjoyed laughs and good conversation. Considering the past few birthdays were on the verge of unbearable, this year is a step in the right direction.

It's all a daze

Summer has ended. Although it is only the beginning of September I can feel it... there is a sadness in my heart that aches to see it go. Ernesto, the first tropical storm to impact North Carolina this year, past through last night. It was a mere rain storm to me. However, the college is closed today, the first day of September.

Overcast clouds outside staring back coincide with stagnant emotional lull I feel. Missing things that will never be, saddened by what is, and not having anything to look forward to. What is it all for?

Melancholy retrospective days with urges to create. How does cluttering up the earth with new creations make existence worthwhile?

Cool air, a long sleeved shirt, and curling up watching the daze pass.

Time and stress

The semester is approaching and already I can feel the crunch of time. I am already planning the next six months, including meetings, academic related trips, and trying to figure out when I will have time for myself and to see those I care about. It seems as time passes, these things become more juxtaposed and it takes more nrg to address both.

So, what does this tell me? It triggers questions of present choices and those that will be made upon the conclusion of this transitory time in my life. However, that is too much to deal with at the moment. Instead I hold the happiness of fun weekend plans and tend to the plants.

Morning realization

thine age is told
by the grey hair shown
on thine head
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Translation: Damn! I'm gettin' old......

  

Charting the Neuse

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to help the North Carolina Power Squadron monitor a few areas on the NOAA charts within the Neuse River Estuary. It was quite a nice surprise, being that the area we were checking lies within the study area of my project.

It was really nice to be out on the water cruising around looking at maps. What more could someone want? A friend from Raleigh rang early Saturday morning saying they were driving through Greenville and would I like to go to New Bern and help with the Coop Chart Meeting. Unfortunately, they only have one per year, but perhaps next year I'll be able to go again.

The call of the open road

Every morning when I straddle my bike and start off toward campus, the invigoration starts to run through my veins. Faster, harder, faster harder, the words roll over and over in my head, wanting to go further and within seconds I am on campus.

The loyal and lovely yellow steed I ride carries me well, but I do often ponder about the addition of another higher precision beauty and today I came across a couple beautiful subjects. The Biomega Copenhagen bike is gorgeous in addition to the more natural innovations, like Calfee's Bamboo Bike and the more casual Xylon Bikes.

Passing time

The last few weeks have been trying, to say the least, and through the depths from which I have bottomed out and risen from, I am finding lingering feeling of unwanted nonessential. Generally, in times such as these when something or a series of things brings me down, there is something, a thought, or resulting action that would not have occurred otherwise, but seems essential or necessary for future circumstances. However, the depths to which I sink seem to keep getting deeper, the peaks shallower, and less significance results overall.

Is this a new trend?

I sure as hell hope not. Every time I travel further down, I feel as though I will not be able to overcome it and pull myself out.

Are others dealing with similar circumstances? Sometimes I look around and feel everyone else is dealing with their own personal tragedies fine.

Weight of emotions

The hardest thing about getting older is growing farther apart from those I care about. Yes, there is added stress and responsibility, which are very tasking on one physically and psychologically, but growing apart is and has had more of an impact than all other things. Perhaps it is my ill ability to simply accept that that is the way things are going to occur and be satisfied with it. Accepting that would make things a hell of a lot easier, that is true, but it is something I do not seem to be capable of doing.

It can also be looked upon as though I brought it upon myself by moving away from home to pursue an education and in thinking this, I often ponder if I have made a mistake. It was not an easy decision to make and was very scary, for a variety of reasons. However, it has been an enduring growing experience and although if given the chance I may have passed on the opportunity to have some of these experiences, I hope they were necessary and will be a benefit in the long run.

What it comes down to is this: I should be grateful that I have been fortunate to have such wonderful people be in my life, cherish those memories, and not be sad or disappointed that future moments of time spent together do not occur. Energy in these areas only subtracts from that in the present and what can occur there and in the future.

Perhaps one day I will be able to listen to my own advice.