Superfluous Hullabaloo
The world according to Feffie.Sunday, November 24, 2002
Frida
On Friday night I went and saw Frida with one of my roommates, Kristin. Incredible movie. It's about a female artist in early 20th century Mexico dealing with issues such as being crippled, a philandering husband, and volatile politics. Salma Hayek plays the lead, and her acting as well as that of her co-stars is very powerful. There is so much unspoken emotion that is conveyed. I don't know who does the artwork for the film, but it's really great. Somewhat surreal in nature, and very evocative.
As a side note, I was somewhat amused when I was asked for ID to see the movie. I can't even remember the last time I was carded for an R-rated film! I suppose I look very young? Kristin got carded too, and she was amused that she hardly ever gets carded for alcohol or cigarettes, and now for a movie she does. I suppose they wouldn't want us to see tits or hear swear words! Ha!
Thursday, November 21, 2002Matisse and Picasso
I was surfing around online, and I found a little slideshow with an interesting comparison of Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso. I admire both artists, and I find the comparisons fascinating. The online slideshow is a sampling of a traveling exhibit on the two artists.
A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but a person with a certain set of attitudes. Hugh Downs
Tuesday, November 19, 2002Prayer
Last night I attended a performance of Bach organ works on organ. It was awesome. J.S. Bach is so amazing. After the Toccata and Fugue in d (you know, the one organ piece that everyone knows), I heard JD's voice in my head say, "That was pretty pimp, yo." One of my professors, Anthony Newman (I have a harmony & counterpoint class with him) was performing. It was at this big, old church (St. Bart's) in the city. It was really neat - I had never been in a church like that before.
During intermission, I was looking around in the church lobby, just to kill time and walk around a bit, and a book that was for sale caught my eye. It's called Too Busy NOT To Pray by Bill Hybels. I started flipping through it, and I liked a lot of the suggestions and ideas that he has, and there are a lot of examples straight out of the Bible. It seemed really relevant to my life, being so busy, and letting my faith slide and my relationship with God take a backseat at times. It looked interesting, so I bought it.
I began to read it last night, and I couldn't put it down! It's so honest, real, and relevant to my life. I am so thankful that I was (seemingly) randomly drawn to that book, because it is exactly what I need right now. For anyone who leads a busy life and wants to strengthen your relationship with God, I highly recommend it.
I've been thinking a lot lately about the state of the world today, particularly being on the brink of a possible war. There was a war protest here on campus yesterday, and it made me think a lot. A lot of things, I just can't figure out, but I do know one thing: our world needs a whole lot of prayer! I have updated my Special Prayer page, so please take a minute to pray with me.
Friday, November 08, 2002Long Time, No Blog
So yeah, I haven't posted in a while. I haven't had a whole lot to say, at least nothing positive. I've been busy and stressed. I am much relieved that the opera (The Merry Widow) is over, because that took up a ridiculous amount of my time. Rehearsals were often unbearable because the opera conductor was rude, degrading, swore a lot, and frankly I didn't care much for his conducting. The performance turned out to be a success (the audience loved it, although I could not see anything at all from the deep, dark, cavelike pit), but the conductor is not someone I would like to work with again in the future. Now that that's over, I have this big ugly research paper to battle with. I'm behind where I should be at this point, and I am truly dreading it because A) I hate writing papers and B) the professor who is grading is one of those people who is just never pleased. To be quite frank, he is a pain in the butt, his class is a pain in the butt, and this paper is a pain in the butt.
I hate the weather here. The leaves are completely off the trees, and the sky is gray and/or raining more often than not. It's cold, windy and miserable. 25 more days until I am back in Florida. But who's counting??? I just hope the weather is nice next week. The damn greedy airlines jack up the prices ridiculously high for the holiday, so this will be the first Thanksgiving I won't spend with my family. I plan on driving to see Chris in North Carolina, so please pray for good weather.
This school is fun by idiotic monkeys on crack, and due to an error on THEIR part, which I thought had been taken care of weeks ago, I have a "flag" on my account and am unable to register for next semester (registration was last week). I have been in an ongoing battle with Student Accounts. I spend more time running around between the various offices at the school than I do in class. It's ridiculous.
The only good thing that's happened lately is Chris coming to visit. He always brightens up my life. I don't know what I would do without him... and I don't want to find out! I hope you are all doing well, and those of you in school I hope aren't getting dicked around like I am.
This Is Amusing
Celine Dion covering ACDC "You Shook Me All Night Long." Celine even plays air guitar. I've never seen anything quite like it. You won't believe it until you see it.
Thursday, November 07, 2002The Friday Five
The Friday Five on time this week!
1. Did you vote in your last elections? Yes, by absentee ballot. And yes, I understood the ballot.
2. Do you know who your elected representatives are? Of course! Do you think I am some sort of nitwit with my head buried in the sand?? Hey, I heard that!
3. Have you ever contacted an elected representative? If so, what was it about? Yes. I have contacted them about education (specifically the FRAG - Florida Resident Access Grant) and about going to war with Iraq.
4. Have you ever participated in a demonstration? No. I had planned on attending the anti-war protest in Central Park in October, but I was sick that day and couldn't make it. Nicole and Laura still went, and they told me all about it.
5. Have you ever volunteered in an election? What was the result? Nope.
The Friday Five
Last Week's Friday Five
1. Were you raised in a particular religious faith? Yes, I was raised Roman Catholic.
2. Do you still practice that faith? Why or why not? No, I really don't fully practice the Catholic faith. I believe in God and Jesus as my savior, and I pray regularly, but I believe the Catholic church is too corrupt. I don't feel a sense of genuine spirituality in a Catholic church. I am a Christian, but I am not attached to any particular organized religion.
3. What do you think happens after death? I am going to heaven!
4. What is your favorite religious ritual (participating in or just observing)? I don't know. I'll have to think about that.
5. Do you believe people are basically good? Yeah, people are basically good. That's what I want to believe anyway. I don't really trust most people, though!
