It's been swell...

Oh, I have so much to write about, there is time, but not right now. I am hungry, thirsty and tired from a 12 hour day of finishing homework and the final exam for my math class...I don't think I've ever spent that much time on mathematics in one sitting before...I'm not even sure if I'm still here...I could just be dreaming, or just passed-out somewhere dreaming that I was working on math for this long...my assignments might still be due...only my final grade will tell.

I wasn't a straight-A student in High School (because I didn't apply myself), and I won't be in College (because I've already earned two B's), but I certainly aim to be, in spirit, if not on transcript. If I push myself beyond what I am comfortable with...then I know the growing and learning is continuing...and the calculator tantrums will occur farther and farther apart...yep. I did a good job, though. I actually learned things and pushed myself to try harder than any class I've taken so far...and pushed myself harder than any math class I've ever had before. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but I am so totally awesome, regardless. I only need a positive growth of 0.92% to get an A...but even if I don't, I'm pretty sure I'll still be standing at 89%. It's not great, but it is fantastic. Yes, you read that right. But! Now...the only math I want to see for a very long time is Bach. No more equations and NO MORE story problems!!! Rawr! Save your stories for English; English = Words, Math = Numbers, Art = Happy Little Trees! Okay, I'm getting the evil eye...I better go. Have fun and stay hidden!

Heartless: The Story of the Tin Man

Had to share this! What a great short.

Heartless: The Story of the Tin Man from Brandon McCormick on Vimeo.

LOOK AT YOURSELF AFTER WATCHING THIS.mp4

Quotes!

I often search the net for valuable or meaningful quotes given any situation. Last night I came up with a few of my own. They may not be 'professional' or 'good' or 'funny' or even 'enlightening' but it was a fun process! Here are a few:


"The greatest therapy I have experienced in my life, is arranging and manipulating musical notes together and then playing them in sequence. They tend to form a more coherent understand of one's circumstances. And, they don't have to be 'good', they just have to 'be'."

"Your fingers are sore? The best cure is to keep playing! Remember video game controller thumb? Yeah, neither do I...or, that Captain Crunch chewed up the roof of your mouth...?"
(If you know what I'm talking about on both these references, I want to give you a hug!)

"Oh...it's 3:00 in the morning? Should I stop playing?"

"They made violin cases for three reasons: 1) violins 2) semi-automatic weapons & 3) cat naps."

"I want to say, "Hi", to that violist over there, but, I don't speak Alto clef..."

"One of the greatest gifts from God is music. Even the Devil cannot compete with what is created from His children's souls."

"God gave me a lot of talent. He gave EVERYONE a lot of talent. Personally, I just have to listen to Him and figure out what He wants me to do with mine. What will you do with yours?"

"The violin is a very sexy instrument." (Complete quote below - Not for the faint of heart! You have been warned!)

"The violin is a very sexy instrument. What other instrument can...snapping your G-string, rosining your bow, counting your measures, plucking your strings, tuning your pegs, hitting your octave, staying in tune, never being sharp, never being flat, always being natural, making your chin rest comfortable, adjusting your shoulder rest, playing with the fingerboard, touching the belly, keeping your wrist aligned, strengthening your hand, strengthening your arm, minding your fingering, tightening your bow, playing with vibrato, crossing strings, double-stops, repeats, re-stringing your instrument, holding a fermata, breathing on a rest, feeling the beat, strumming, touching your scroll, adjusting the bridge, turning your fine-tuners, touching the tailpiece, and playing with your f-hole...sound so naughty?"


Where is your mind?


~Kris Van Pelt

What is yours? Mine is mine. Let's share!

I am feeling very philosophical this morning and I've been having a fantastic night talking out my thoughts with the walls and with God. It's a good morning to be alive. Here is just one of my conversations:

Can't figure out what your 'specialty' or 'gift' from God is? You know, the gifts that God has given you; the talent He has possessed in you for His purposes? Neither can I. I just go where I am lead and where I think I should go. And, unfortunately, most of the time, where I want to go. I know that God is leading me there, or, at the very least, waiting for me there. If my specialty is only in a smile to a friend or a stranger, then so be it. If it is only in listening to you when you are in need, then so be it. If it is only in following you to help support you with your desires, then so be it. If it is only in helping to lead you to calmer waters where we can be surrounded with peace, then so be it. If it is only in planting that seed, not sowing it, or even watching it grow, then so be it. It matters not what we want our gifts to be. It matters only what we do with what we already have and what we have already been given.

If you are reading this, then you have been, or are a part of my life (and always will be, truthfully) even if just for a little while. Know that your specialty is greater and grander than you and I will ever know. So is my own. Walk with me, talk with me, sing with me, dance with me, love with me, work with me, play with me, laugh with me, cry with me, pray with me. I love you. And so does He.

What will you do with what you have today? I can't say I know the answer, or that I will even be a good example for anyone to follow. But, I will endure, and I will succeed. I will follow His love and discover, someday soon, His plan for me.