28 March 2010

film it, it's historical.

My friends, it has been far too long, and I’ve really missed talking with you. Anyhow, just to set the scene, it is currently 2:43 in the pm, and I was sort of watching a show that was all about the promiscuity of the Egyptians. Don’t worry. It’s on the History Channel, so it’s completely legit. And I find it kind of funny, the way these intelligent-sounding British people are scrutinizing over clues into the intimate-lives of ancient people. It’s pretty weird the way we treat people of those civilizations like everything they did was some huge, thought-out plan to become these great people and pillars of excellence.

We always hold them in the highest of regards and never-ever think that they were just people in a different time. I mean really, they couldn’t have been all that different from the current people kickin’ it here on earth today.

Which got me to thinking about History. And I think I’m going to keep-on capitalizing it. Yes, I think that works out well.

First, I’d like to share with you a story:

There’s this girl and she’s in about three of my classes and I don’t want to sound mean, but I feel like I can be real with you and you’ll know that when I say that she sort of ticks me off, you’ll know that I really mean it. I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t.

Anyhow, she was in my Philosophy class, which is confusing in-and-of-itself, because the class is called, “Values and Society,” but our teacher told us that it’s an ethics course, and then she said it was an ethics course from the viewpoint of Philosophy. So, I call it a Philosophy class, and I think that’s a fair-enough title. And, so far, I’ve learned a lot, and I feel like it’s important stuff to be learning, but it’s a little frustrating because we just sort of get introduced to these incredible minds and then we move onto the next. So, naturally, I take it upon myself to come home and really get to know the people that I’m learning about.

Anyway, the girl I was talking about [and don’t worry, I’m pretty sure she’ll never make her way to the blog. Mainly because she’s not cool enough] well, she says that she’s real-into History. And she often refers to herself as a “History Nerd,” whatever the hell that is.

At any rate, when I heard her say that and then I heard her say that she hated her Philosophy class, I felt a little confused. And I said that “Philosophy is History.” And she said, “not really.”

Let me tell you something, girl-that’s-starting-to-really-wear-on-me, History didn’t kick-off in 1776. And, anyway, she never has her facts straight. When she was talking all about Hitler, she was wrong, but I didn’t correct her too much because I didn’t want to seem like a know-it-all. I think that’s a bad thing for a person to be, but don’t refer to yourself as someone who really knows their shit when you don’t.

Yes, that’s some of the advice of today’s post, and it’s my hope that it’s advice that you’ll heed. Anyhow, I just really felt like sharing that with you. Also, I think she’s dropped the class. That’s okay. She didn’t really add anything to it anyway, other than raising her hand and asking “is this going to be on the test?” Therefore, ruining a perfectly good discussion.


And, she was talking a little smack about the English teacher she has and it was the same one I had. She says he’s incompetent because he doesn’t like her style of writing. He gave me As because I’m boss. Really. I wrote a lot of good stuff in that class. I’ll let you read some of my work sometime.

Well, guys, I hope that doesn’t put me into a bitter light in your mind, because I’m really going to give her the benefit of the doubt, and maybe we’ll become friends. I doubt it. She calls me “sweetie” a lot and it freaks me out. I don’t mind being called that. No, I really don’t, but it’s weird, the way she says it. And it’s weird because she’s really short. For some reason, that makes it weird. And I’m 5.gay4, so that means she’s pretty short. I guess I just feel like I’m being called “sweetie” by a kid.

And I don’t know if she’s older or younger than me. I think we might be the same age, but gees, I feel like I’m light-years ahead of her in age. Really. If that’s how all nineteen year-olds talked and acted, the future of this world would really be screwed. Thankfully, not all of us are like that.

Also, on the great topic of History, it’s important for you and me both to remember that the main reason why History is so cool is because everything that just happened is History.

And even though it’s only been about a week since we last spoke, here on the blog, I feel the need to update you on my current History.

Last weekend, I got to hang out with my cousins, Clayton, Elli, and Ethan. And I really got to hang out with them. And let me tell you something: those kids are pretty-alright. First, we all went to Warriors Path State Park and we immediately took ourselves to that awesome playground they have. Elli and I brought along my deck of cards that I always have with me, for just-in-cases, and headed over to a table to play Speed. And we pretended like we were from different countries and I think people really believed that she was British and that I was from New Zealand. Elli, Ethan, and myself really got to have some fun later on with one of those great balls that they sell at the grocery store and they keep them in those big nets. Anyway, we invented ridiculous amounts of games and we played hardcore. It was great.

Second, I made a 95 on my paper about gay marriage. And I was really proud because I think it’s really important and if it meant that gay marriage was going to legalized, I would honestly lay down in front of a moving train, cause it’s that important. I hope you think so, too.

Unfortunately, a member of my incredible family was in a really awful car accident later in the week. It was the sort of situation where the people who are hired and trained to immediately rush to the scene were shocked that he was even alive. And what’s really incredible is that he didn’t receive hardly any injuries. I know that I often question it all, and I think that’s okay, but stuff like that makes me really think that there’s got to be something bigger going on here. There just has to be.

And, on the lighter side of things, I found my strawberry Chapstick, which had been missing for a little while, and it has taken back its rightful place on my nightstand. Also, I planted, (with the guidance of my mom, who has an eternally green-thumb) some flowers around the tree in the front yard, and they’re starting to really show progress. It’s a pretty neat thing. And I know that you want to hear about Nelson, and he’s still doing really well. Especially now, since we’re starting to get to use the sunroof more and more each day.

And, I have been working diligently with my Academic Work Scholarship. Actually, not hardly. I pretty much sit in front of a computer for a good long while, but it’s okay. It gives me a chance to learn new things about the lives of friends, via Facebook, it forces me to study a little more, and it really gives me great lighting for reading my latest editions of The New Yorker. Which I am really into. I get way too excited when a new one comes in the mail. Especially the poetry. You should really look it up and read some of them. They feature some pretty incredible people like my new literary friend W.S. Merwin. He is beyond any sort of tangible greatness.

Also, I made a new friend, as a direct result. She has the same scholarship and she’s really quite nice. We discuss future career plans, which is cool, because I’m nineteen and she’s somewhere around forty. I really respect that about her.

What’s more, I had a really interesting conversation with my speech teacher and a fellow classmate about the current state of our country. It was nice to hear that not all hope has been lost. I’m glad to know that there are still some people out there who are as fervently optimistic as I am. And I’m not going to get too political here, because I think there’s a family that doesn’t really like me because I did get a little political, which I didn’t mind. I like standing up for the things I support, cause if I didn’t, I would be a phony, and that’s not something I want to be.

Also, I got to meet a really cool dog named wall-e. And then, some time was spent with the equally cool people who get to live with him. I feel safe in saying that a good time was had by all.

And today, I learned that my new Columbia rain jacket was well-worth the trip to Dick’s and well-worth the money. Mainly because it has this really-secret hood that you can zip up so it looks like a collar. Then, like a mighty rain ninja, you can unzip it and you have a hood and, therefore, ultimate protection from the rain.

Last, I just realized how much I say “really” while writing these posts, but I don’t think it’s an overabundance.

Well, guys, those may or may not seem like great or impressive accomplishments in a week’s time, but they sure did mean a lot to me. I hope you’ll take the time to assess what’s happened to you in a week. I think you’ll be impressed with your ability to be impressed with big things and little things alike, in your very own History.

I sure do hope that all is well with you and your life. And, as always, I sure do appreciate you taking the time to read what I have to say. It really does mean more than you could imagine.

And also, I am now going to settle-in and learn about the lost city of Atlantis, which, by the way, was first referenced in the works of Plato, a Philosopher. And it’s on the History Channel. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it, cause that's genuine History.


Yours this week and the next and the rest after that,
katie beth






20 March 2010

working title.

Well, it’s time for the second installment into the works of verse. So, let’s just get right to it. It’s my hope that you find them pretty-alright:

::


Sugar Tongues.

If it does not happen now, it is not going to.
If you do not get up now, you are not going to.
Well, I don’t want to.
I do not want to promise myself away to the
years-years-years-years
Of meaninglessness.

“What are you going to be? What are you going to be? What are you going to be?”

I want and need nothing of your counterfeit inquiries. You don’t care and it’s too much to believe that you ever really will. And it’s painfully obvious. So, spare me of them. Spare me of them and pull them out of your mouth and off of your tongue and teeth and throw them in the garbage with the rest of the peels of the things you’ve cut on.

I only wish to worry the “who.”


Now leave me the hell alone.

::














The Verse.

Quote The Verse. Over-and-over-and-over-and-over.
Pretend like you know what you’re saying. Say it again-and-again-and-again.
Promise to believe it. Promise to believe it. Promise to believe it.
I can’t.
But it will set you free! The Gospel will hang! It will love! It will endure!
I can’t.
He knows you! He knows me!
I can’t.
You must. You must. You must.
I should.
You should. You should. You should.
I did.
Why ever would you now denounce the He?
I didn’t. You did.
Damn you for such falsity! You heathen, you child, you fool! Believe it now!
I used to. I want to again. In fact, I do. Yes, I do, but what we believe, it is not the same. My He is a Love. It is a version of the He that you cannot possibly understand. I wish you could roll away your stone. I wish you could come out of your Cave. I wish you could lay down that leather-bound weapon you keep in your back-pocket.
I have no weapon!
(he thuds on the Gospel)
That is your weapon. That Book is nothing more than a means for you to fight. It is not your Faith. It is not your Love. It is your firearm, and it tickles and delights you inside to pull the trigger. Does it make you feel important? Does it make you feel Nearer-My-God-To-Thee?
You denounce in this House-Of-The-Lord!
I have not denounced. We both know I am speaking The Truth. The Love. The Love. The Love. That is all there is. That is all He would have wanted.
(he nods his head)
So, tell me, Brother, does it make you feel safe?
Yes.
Me, too.

::

Rime.

Cold was the War. And your heart was already frozen-like-ice.
Yes, the ice already hung in your chamber and turned itself into a winding shaft and stabbed you.
And it stabbed you over-and-over.
Every time you took a deep breath.
Every time you bent over to tie-your-laces.
Every time you rolled over in your sleep.
It stabbed you.
And you knew it.

And you asked for someone to melt it.
Yes, we tried to melt the icicle, born of your youth, born of the War, born of the time.
We were too late.
The Sun was going down and the Winter was coming up around The Bend.

But why did you go so long?
Why didn’t you try and melt it sooner?

We would never know, but we asked it over and over as we laid down our shovels,
And the rain dripped itself into the fresh soil over his grave.
And we stood there, staring, asking, wondering.

And the children in the field, somewhere over The Bend,
Started laughing and dancing as the rain turned to snow.

We gathered them, took them into the houses and watched through the thick glass of our windows as the snow turned into ice.

The ground froze that night. And we couldn’t plant a crop. We couldn’t get our shovels to do their work.

And the icicles hung around our awnings. And they threatened to stab as the sun rose again and melted them like honey dripping through the curves of the comb. And they dropped. And they dropped loud. And they shattered.

We had never seen a Winter so cold.

::

Flora’s Wind-Up.

The Wind started whipping, whooping, hurling itself into the moon.
The Sirens started blaring, blurring our judgement.

They grabbed their bags and ran into the ground.
But we weren’t prepared,
So we blocked-it-all-out.
And we started to dance.
And we held each other,

The night the world was coming to an end.

And they shouted at us from their burrows,
But we weren’t listening,
So we kept-on holding one another.
And we talked about the first time we met, and how it rained.
And we talked about the Summer,
The night the world was coming to an end.

They gave up on us. They called us fools.
So, we called out to the Wind and we told him to give up.
And we called out to the Sirens and we told all of them to shut-the-hell-up.

And they both listened.
The wind died down.
The sirens stopped.

They came out of their burrows and joined in the dance,
The night the world was coming to an end.

And we all met up around the fire the next night and we danced again.
And that’s all we did for the rest of our nights and we-tried-our-best to forget

The night the world was coming to an end.






::



Lunar + Solar.

Night pushes up Day.
He lifts Her into our reality and He shrouds Her from the darkness on the other-side-of-the-world.

Day pulls down Night.
And She tells Him to wait for Her on the other-side-of-the-world.

And that’s all they do. They push-and-pull-and-push-and-pull.
Sweetly dancing up-and-down.

And they go on-and-on playing hide-and-seek with each other from the other-side-of-the-world.



::



Veracity: DCT.

If the Forms are God,
And the Concepts are Wisdom,
And the Things are Knowledge,
And the Images are Sensation,

And if I exist only because my parents existed,
And back-back-back into the eons,
They all existed,

And if Anselm says, “That Than Which Nothing Greater Can Be Thought,”
Well, I can define things, too.
Is that The Proof?

And if Aquinas says, “MOTION!”
And if I have The Potential to Move,
Well, who will start The Movement?

And whose digit was it that first flicked that first domino with great fervor and hope...

And that effect led it down-down-down and we all fell,

Well, was it The-Hand-of-God?
Was there only Void before?

And if I am a Necessary Being,

But there was a time when I was not necessary, a
nd there will come a time when I will no longer be necessary to anyone or to anyone’s memory.

Oh, I do need Order. I need a More-Intelligent-Being to give me direction to move me towards My End.

Yes, I need it like the way the archer needs to direct his arrow to the bull’s-eye.

And if He only requires, or, rather, commands the Morally Right Actions, then I suppose I’ll just sit-and-wait.

I hate to question The Verse. I hate it. And I hate to question The Minds. I hate it.

Lead me to The Truth and I will follow you with my whole life,
Because it all makes me pretty tired.

::


I sure do hope that you liked this post and my second attempt at saying something important through literary works of verse. Because, it is important for you to remember that this is important stuff we’re doing here.

Yours,
katie be
th













16 March 2010

saint patty told me so.

hey there, friends. let me tell you something: I have been waiting for what’s felt like an eternity to bring this post to you. When the blog was just getting up and going, I sat down at my laptop and, as the cursor flashed, all I wanted to do was write about Saint Patty’s Day. I didn’t realize how far away it was. Really, it’s only been about a month since I wrote this, but gees, it’s felt like forever. And it’s finally here and you’re finally getting to read it. So, here goes. Settle in and get excited.

I hope that intro doesn’t leave you feeling under-whelmed once you’re done reading. I don’t think it will:

In case you didn’t know it already, March 17th is, in fact, today, and it is, in fact, Saint Patrick’s Day (this was actually posted on Saint Patty's Eve, but let's just pretend like it wasn't) In honor o’ this green stitch in time, I’ve decided to give you a top ten list o’ the things I’d like for you to try and get done sometime between now and midnight on this (or tomorrow), the day o’ the Irish.

10. watch “The Boondock Saints.” my brother brought that movie home one day and watched it while I was supposed to be writing a paper. that paper never got written. Really, you could watch it anytime because those guys are sorta like 7-Eleven: they’re not always doing business, but they’re always open.

9. pinch the hell out o’ people who don’t wear green.

8. SLAP the hell out o’ people who don’t wear green and tell you that you can’t pinch them because their eyes are green. THAT DOESN’T COUNT.

7. eat three bowls o’ Lucky Charms. Actually, it would be a-okay to do that everyday. But, since this is a special holiday, I give you permission to only eat the marshmallows. And really, we both know that’s the only reason why you’d eat that cereal anyway.

6. I don’t care if it’s morning, noon, or night. Greet everyone, in your best Irish accent, with the popular phrase, “top o’ the mornin’ to ya.”

5. this is a holiday, and therefore, it’s no time for political-correctness. if you should see a little person, point while shouting out “LEPRECHAUN!,” and then ask to see their pot o’ gold. And don’t be surprised if they get a little ticked-off. Pots o’ gold aren’t worth that much after taxes.

4. feel free to not wear any green clothing. instead, go out and buy a green sharpie and/or nail polish and color the nail o’ you middle finger. then, when someone comes up to pinch you, well, you’ll know what to do. Confused? FLIP ‘EM A BIRD! And tell them that it’s compliments o’ the Irish.

3. DO NOT use the word “of.” [you’ll notice that it’s been omitted from this post. well, hopefully] Instead, replace all occurrences in both your conversations and your notes in class, or notes on life with: o’. like, “The Allegory O’ the Divided Line,” or “The Theory O’ Relativity.” also, know that any last name can become instantly-Irish with this same idea. Let me give you a for-instance: katie beth o’byerley or Oprah O’winfrey. Hm, that one may be a little hard to believe.

2. enjoy an Irish coffee. later on, figure out why it’s an Irish coffee.

1. go out and buy any album by “Celtic Woman.” and then, listen the hell out o’ it. Cause let me tell you something: when that stuff gets played on PBS, I literally drop EVERYTHING to listen-in. Strangely, I’ve never understood the singular name for a group with many members. I guess that’s just the way-o’-the-Irish. And, therefore, it’s something that I’m not going to question.

Alright, go ahead and print this epically life-changing list off and tack it to your wall and be sure to get these things done: they’re o’ great importance. And I hope that you liked this list as much as I did. In fact, I’d say it’s some o’ my best work. Oh, there’s one more: stand up right now and do a river dance.

[this is where I have inserted some time for you to click that video that I posted somewhere over on that line-up o‘ videos. With the wonder that is Youtube, I found this cool guy named Conor Macarthy and he's flat-out, full-on gettin' Irish on that bass. The song is called "Maid at the Well," and man, it makes for some great river dancin’ and it’s super-slick. PLUS this song is the perfect length o' time that we need for you to do that dance. PLUS-EVEN-MORE, I think it really sets the mood for this holiday. What the hell more could you possibly want? So, click it now and get your Irish on]

…are you done? man, that was awesome. you should really consider taking that talent all the way to the Festival O’ Nations, up there at Dollywood.

Really, guys, in all seriousness: Irish people are completely boss. The other day, I once again found myself tuning into that legend o’ a channel the Food Network. It’s pretty much my favorite place to hang out. Anyhow, it was a special show called “Tasting Ireland,” and Bobby Flay was the host. Did you miss it? Well, don’t worry: the blog is here for you when you don’t get to witness revolutionary television. And let me tell you something: I would do a lot o’ things to see that totally awesome grass in person. It is so green. I mean really. It’s pretty incredible.

[SIDENOTE: the other day, there was a really cool seminar at the Kingsport Public Library and it was all about composting. Anyhow, this relates to this post because Ireland has really green grass (which I just referenced) and I learned why Kentucky’s grass is so green. It’s because that state is sitting on a big stretch of magnesium. Which, apparently, makes for green grass. I wonder if that’s the case in Ireland. Anyhow, I guess you could say that Kentucky is the Ireland o’ America. Yes, I think it would be safe to say that. And, probably, in more-ways-than-one]

Also, I learned so many new things about Ireland, thanks to the wonder that is Bobby Flay. I won’t tell you all that I learned here, because we would be talking for a while, and you have to go out and get to work on that list up there, but if you want to know all that I have to tell, we should meet up later, because you’re really good people and I really like your style.

Anyway, I did learn the six steps to properly serving a pint o’ Guinness. That’s a talent that you should always keep in your back pocket, for just-in-cases. Again, I’m not going to recite them here, but just know that I will teach you anytime you want to learn. Also, did you know that there are like, ten thousand pubs in Ireland? That’s so noble, considering that the country is practically the same size as West Virginia. I think it’s safe to say that Ireland would be more fun than West Virginia because Irish people really know how to have a good time. I don’t know about West Virginia people, but again, I’d say Ireland beats West Virginia any day.

And, speaking of those pubs: Bobby Flay told how the pubs in Ireland were pretty much a writer’s direct line to getting published. So, basically, just when you thought that W.B. Yeats couldn’t get any cooler, you find out that he was totally chill and spent lots o’ time hanging with, undoubtedly, equally cool people just havin’ a pint. And here’s what else: you can sign up to take a tour called the Pub Crawl where your fearless Irish guide tells you all about the poets, journalists, etc. that spent their time at that particular pub, back-in-the-day. Wouldn’t that be awesome? I think so, too. Let’s pack our bags, set out for Ireland, and embark on what promises to be the best tour o’ our lives.

And I also now know at least five new ways o’ fixing potatoes. Wow. I mean, it truly is groundbreaking the way you can learn so much in just an hour o'
television. Also, to the good people over at Food Network: how does one become a “Food Historian,” and where can I sign up?

Alright, my friends. It’s been hard scanning back over this just to make sure that I only used “o’” when referencing that forbidden word. Anyhow, go out and get-to-it on that list and spread your new knowledge about Ireland. Because, even if you’re not cool like me and have some sort o’ ancestry that you can trace back to Ireland, it’s okay. Because you have the blog, and here at the blog, we’re committed to making everyone feel included in all holidays. So, check those things off that list and you, too will be borderline-Irish. Congratulations.

And remember: if you really should see a leprechaun, try not to stare or point-and-laugh. Because, really, I imagine it’s pretty hard to hold your whiskey when you’re built like a four-year old and, as a direct result, they might get a little temperamental. Wait, do leprechauns drink? Well, they sure would have a good reason to. Also, my Mumford & Sons CD finally arrived and I'm super into it, so I posted a new video, just for your enjoyment and I think it really follows suit with the theme o' this post. (shout-out to J. Hurd for recommending the song).

Alright, guys. It's been real, but this post is now over, but don't shed a tear. I'll be back soon, I promise. Happy Saint Patrick's Day. And I hope this post did, in fact, change your life. Now go get your Irish on.

Yours this day and forever more,
katie beth













12 March 2010

biding time.

Readers: how the hell are you? I hope your answer to that question is something of a positive. I really hope you're not having a bad day, but if you are, I sure do hope that the blog will brighten it, if only for a moment. Also, know that I am writing this post merely as a way to distract myself from what’s certain to follow. Coming up, you better get beyond pumped because I have the most incredible post saved on this here laptop about Saint Patty’s Day. It really is going to change your life. And it will be a change for the greener, the Irish, and the better. I feel safe in saying that you’re going to love it.

But I can’t put it on here yet. I really thought about doing it because The Office was already celebrating over on NBC last night. Did you see it? Andy had on a kilt. It was great. Scottish, but great. but I just can’t post it yet. It’s best if I can hold out until March 17th. Gees, that feels like it’s going to be light-years away, but I hope we can both hold on. I mean really. It’s that good.

So, what can we talk about to keep our minds off of what promises to be the most amazing post yet?

*know that I sat here for a while and couldn’t come up with anything good*

Here’s what we’re gonna do: I’m going to give a quick update on the past posts. I can see how you may want to immediately leave the blog. I mean, that doesn’t sound like it’s going to be super-interesting, but I don’t have that option. I have to keep on typing because it’s necessary and because I can’t stop thinking about that post that’s going to be all about the Irish.

So, let’s start back at the beginning. Have you read all of the posts, thus far? I hope you’re nodding your head in a “yes” motion. That first post about Valentine’s Day “Valentine: Revisited” was, really, a stupid title. You can’t revisit something that you’ve never visited. So, that was a negative. Sorry about that.

Anyhow, Valentine’s Day 2010 ended up being really awesome. My dad had to go to Atlanta (that wasn’t awesome) and it was the first time that he hadn’t spent that holiday with my mom in something ridiculous, like, since he was sixteen. So, I decided that the rest of the family was going out and my dad thought that was a good idea.

I called up my grandparents, whom I call “the kids,” and we all, in fact, went out. Even my brother, who wouldn’t have had any trouble getting a girl to go out with him on that holiday. He usually has a legion of admirers, but if you’re one of those girls and you come after my brother with googly-eyes. Well, remember that post with the Power Rangers picture on it? I really will do what I said because he is one of my people, just like you (the person currently reading)

Anyway, it takes a lot for me to approve one of those lasses (sorry, I‘m still in Irish-mode), cause we’re tight. And if I’m going to give up my time hangin’ with my broski to some girl, she had better prove to be nothing short of what my expectations are.

Also, if you’re a guy, I’ll share with you the advice that I often give my brother: never trust a girl who has a tan year-round. (upon reading that back, it sounds slightly racist. That’s not how I meant it. I’m just talking tanning beds, here. Those make for sketchy people)

At any rate, we went out and it was fun. Except for this one guy who was sitting at a table and he had a date. Anyhow, she left before that sweet tea ever even hit the table. Yeah. She totally ditched him. It was so uncalled for. If you’re that girl, and you’re reading this, I have one message for you: well, I can’t put it in here, because it isn’t nice. I don’t want you to think that I’m a mean person.

Moving on. Okay, let’s make this short-and-sweet. The following is a follow-up on past posts. Of course, they’re in order:


*Yes, times is still hard. Although, I think the blog really must be catching on because I’ve noticed a slight 23% increase in the niceness of the common stranger.

*It’s not cold anymore, but I still want to meet up and build that campfire. I know where we can get some gravel. Also, my Les Miserables sweatshirt has been found. Tony the klepto-ghost is still on-the-loose. Send help and bring marshmallows.

*I still don’t like Taylor Swift at all. However, that picture of Kermit just keeps getting better and better. And I’m waiting for one of you to cover that song with my new lyrics. I have a feeling we’ll be famous together.

*I’m not going to Bonnaroo, but man, that line-up is still super-impressive. I’m thinking about putting up the tent or popping up the camper in the backyard and bumpin’ some of the tunes that those attending the actual festival will get to hear. Let me know if you want to make a reservation. It will be completely free if you bring an instrument and/or sleeping bag. And rightfully so.

*My i-pod shuffle was never found. My dad was nice enough to lend me his. It basically has the same stuff on it. I thought the other day about buying a Nano. I decided that I don’t need it. Instead, I bought a TMNT t-shirt. I think that was the smarter purchase.

*I don’t have the strength to talk about those poems.

*That “Johnson City Honda, Johnson City” commercial is still annoying and “that’s what she said” has never sounded better.

*I read the first ten pages of “Common Sense” by Glenn Beck. Then, I threw up. No, really, it wasn’t that bad, but I got a little freaked out. My dad wants to read it. He also records Glenn Beck’s show everyday at five. On Fox News. Again, send help, but this time, bring sanity.

*Again: those poems were a product of a moment of a bizarre place. But I kind of liked being there. I hope you did, too. I’m not going to disclose any more information on those things.

*WHOA. I have thought of so many songs that should have been on that Top 50 List, but I knew that was going to happen. Also, John Clayton Mayer and I are still pretty tight. Even if he does act like a jerk on the news-circuit because I’m a loyal fan. Really. I’m super-loyal.

*Avatar still blows my mind. I still haven’t gotten over it. At all. I love talking about it. I hope you do, too. Also, Hurt Locker WAS NOT better. I know at least one person who thinks that it was, but he was just talkin’ crazy. I mean, he couldn’t have really meant it. Actually, I think he did, but I’m not going to hold it against him. And if you agree with that crazy logic, well I won’t hold it against it you either. But just know that I’m going to have my own awards show and Avatar is literally going to win EVERYTHING. Because that’s how it should be.

*Really, I will be there the second you need me. Cause we’re tight like that.

*Nelson is still doing well. I really did buy a TMNT t-shirt. Nelson’s never been more proud of me. Also, no update on J. Murray's car, Barack Obama, but Nelson and I sent him a fruit-basket, for just-in-cases.

Well, that catches you up on things. Hope all is well. Let’s make plans to meet back here on March 17th for that awesome post that is currently ready and waitin'. I've said it before, and I'll say it all night: you’re going to love it. Feel free to wear green between now and then. I know I will.

Seriously, as an update on things in my life that are really-really important, at least in the traditional sense, I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up, but man, that day is quickly approaching. And know that I am somewhere having a panic attack. Also, as far as Kingsport, TN goes, what in the hell are they doing to those roads? I mean really. It's kind of a cry for help out there. "Grooved Pavement?" hell's bells, more like: "Good Luck Making It Out Alive."

Yours,
katie beth












...let's touch gloves again. you know, for old time's sake.

10 March 2010

the secret wish of a saab.

Man, this blog is on a roll*sidenote: alright, sometimes I read back over these while I listen to some of those videos that I have posted and I saw where I had said "man, this blog is on a 'role.' " isn't that just the saddest? Homophones and I have a love/hate relationship. Actually, it's mostly hate. I hope there aren't any more major grammatical errors. I don't want to lose my credibility, but if there are and you notice, just try and overlook them.

Anyhow,
we’re wearin’ it out and tearin’ it up. It’s bloggy-goodness. And it’s all for your entertainment. But, this one isn’t for entertainment, per se. This is a serious topic: the other day, there was a bit of a scare. Upon leaving the appropriately named Food City Gas N’ Go, my car had a serious leak. And I had just put forty dollars in it. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: times is hard.

It may be asking too much, but it seems like they could have offered some sort of refund. Don't you agree? Or that lady behind the counter could have at least offered a solo cup so I could try and catch some of it. Cause I would have. Gas for your auto-mo-bile is worth more than its weight in gold, whatever that means.


Anyhow, it’s important that I go ahead and tell you that my car is a green Saab. I come from a long-line of Saab lovers. It’s in my genetic code to appreciate Saabs for all that they are and trust me, I do. My Saab’s name is Nelson Mandela. I decided that the car really looked like a “Nelson,” and so, naturally, the line of succession towards coming up with a last name led me right-straight to “Mandela.”

And what better way to honor the guy? I feel like if Nelson really were a person, he would be a lot like Nelson Mandela and someday Morgan Freeman would play him in a movie. Anyway, when you lose something, even if it is only for a day, you really do start to realize how much you love it.

And so, there I was, sitting around and I could see Nelson out of practically every window in my house. And he looked so helpless. And that damn gas just kept on leaking. And I started thinking about that one Saturday a few weekends ago when it was really nice and warm here in east-tennessee…

I decided that I would go out in the front yard and wash the car. It was pretty fun and we really got to know each other on an even deeper level because once I was done, I opened up the door of the passenger’s side, got in, laid back the seat, and took a nap. Cause, really, what’s the point of having your own car if you can’t go out in your driveway and take a nap in it?

Anyhow, I was out there for a while and I had a dream:


*FIRST: it is requested that you click that video somewhere on here of the song "The Sound of Silence," to get the full effect of what is about to follow. You'll probably have to scroll down for it. And know that this song should have been on that Top 50 List. Was it on there? I don't think it was and I don't think I have the strength to go back and look. Reading some of these things will make you go cross-eyed. Sorry about that.


Anyway, has it loaded yet? I'm stretching for time because you need to wait until it starts playing. Trust me. It's worth it. It really gives the effect of bringing you into the importance of this story.


So, I'll go somewhere else while we're waiting for you to get through those people cheering. I also posted a new video at the top of the list of really good songs. It's the one called "Lenny/Man on the Side" and it really is the greatest thing by John Clayton Mayer. I know I said it was "Hummingbird," but this song is where we really fell in love. And I can tell you the background story behind that guitar he's playing. I sure do hope that you would want to hear it. Anyway, when you're done reading this post, feel free to stick around and listen to that song, but not yet. We have to finish this first:


Okay, now you can keep on reading about the dream I had in the driveway:

Nelson was real. And he was, in fact, talking to me. Do you know what he said? He told me that if he could do it all over again, he would want to come back as one thing and that one thing would be very green, just like him.

He said he wanted to come back as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. Yes, that’s exactly what he said. And my dreams are often accompanied by mood music: in this dream, it was "The Sound of Silence" by Paul & Art. I can call them that because we're on a first-name-basis. And it was so apropos. And we just sat there, looking at each other. I felt like I was witnessing the most incredible monologue of my life. Macbeth: you and your tale of tragedy only pales in comparison.

Then, I woke up.

So, naturally, when Nelson wasn’t feeling too well the other day, that’s all I could think about. Nelson and his wish of becoming a lean-green-fighting-machine (should there have been a "mean" in that? I can't remember)and I thought about that song. And that song really set the tone and the tone was heavy...


But don't worry because it's okay now. Thankfully, my dad fixed the car. And you should know that Nelson is well, he is here with me. His problems have indeed been fixed. And now I feel like he really looks like himself again. And really, he looks a lot like what he wanted to in my dream. I guess that means that his wish is kind of coming true. Maybe I'll buy him a bandanna.

Yes, my mind is a bizarre place to be, but it’s in the best-sort-of-way. That's what I think, anyhow.

I hope that, if you have a car, you really take the time to get to know it. Does that sound slightly crazy? Well, I don't care. I feel like you now know enough about me to understand where I'm coming from because they can really change your life and they’re better for more than just getting you from point A to point B. And if you don’t have one yet, I hope you'll really consider putting a Saab in your life. There’s not too many that could even compare.


PLUS, they make for awesome dreams.

So, here’s to Nelson. Let’s consider this his welcome back party. He really likes cool man Miles, just like me. That’s why we’re so tight. So, once that one by S+G is over, or when ever you grow tired of it, be it the song or those weird faces that Art has been making this whole time, feel free to go ahead and bump that last video over there by Miles Davis, in honor of Nelson. And turn-it-up-real-loud.


And like I said before, my mind is, in fact, a truly bizarre place to come and visit, but I sure do hope that you like hearing what it has to say.


In conclusion, I imagine that I'll fall asleep tonight and I'll dream again. And Nelson will tell me how much he appreciates his story and his wish being told.


Also, if your name is J. Murray and you're reading this, I hope your car, whose name is Barack Obama, doesn't have cancer. I don't think they've developed chemo therapy for automobiles yet. But, hey. With the way things are going over at Apple, anything is possible. i-pad? seriously. who needs that?


Yours,
katie beth
…& nelson (honorary member of the TMNT)













08 March 2010

touch gloves.

I realize that I just had a new post up, but it’s hard for me to contain myself once I get an idea of what a new post is going to be. And, at this point, I feel like if you click the links to this that I put on facebook, you know what you’re getting yourself into. And, hopefully, that means you like what you’ve been reading and you look forward to coming back for more. Also, apparently, the members of the Academy didn’t get a chance to read the blog. hello? Avatar? I guess they just missed it. I mean, I saw The Hurt Locker and it was really good, but it was nowhere near Avatar. I get it. I think they wanted to root for the underdog, but I’m still not over it.

Anyway, that’s enough about Avatar, I think we exhausted that topic already:

I feel like I should let you know that I’d never do anything just to spite you. In fact, I’d do just the opposite. It’s my goal in life to avoid overly dramatic situations. Often times, I find myself acting as the mediator between the protagonist and the antagonist, but you should know that - when it comes to my people - I would fight a thousand beasts a thousand times greater than myself and not for one single second think that I was overreacting.

Guess what? Because you’re one of the good people out there reading the blog, I’m going to give you a well deserved shout-out and you can sleep easy tonight. Because you now know that I consider you one of my people and if someone’s giving you a bunch of shit, you can call me - because I’ve got your back.

And I really mean it. If you need my help, you just call me. And if you don’t have my number, well, we’ll have to change that. You just ask, my friend.

I wish I could put names of the people on here that read this revolutionary blog, but, obviously, I can’t really just say your name on here cause I don’t really know who all is reading, but if I could know all of the names, rest assured that I would put them on here. And I would be super proud and beyond honored.

Anyway, I sure am glad that the blog is really taking off. It makes me feel like I really am doing important stuff, even if it really isn’t. And I decided to jazz up my profile on here (turns out, I'm a bull and a horse! ch-yeah!) cause I know you want to know all that you can about the author of this blog. Ha.

Thanks again, guys. Let’s make plans to grow old together.


Yours,
katie beth









07 March 2010

fake empire.

This blog is super fun for me. I hope it’s super fun for you. And I hope you start saying things like “super fun” when you’re done reading. And I sure do hope that you’ve been enjoying those great songs over there to your right. It’s kind of like the blog is this super incredible hybrid of a mix-tape and a good read. It’s like the library you’ve never had. Cause guess what? You don’t have to keep quiet here.

I guess what I most want to talk about with you in this post is Avatar. Now, I’m not going to underline it or italicize it or anything ridiculous like that because proper grammar is aside the point. Aside or beside? I guess it can go either way. Grammar’s pretty bisexual when it wants to be.

Anyhow, let’s talk Avatar. Have you seen it? Obviously, I can’t hear your answer, even though I sure would like to, but if you haven’t, I suppose you should go out and do it. I mean, I don’t suppose it, I highly recommend it. In fact, you can adopt it as your sole duty in this lifetime.

Yeah, it was that important.

I could go on a tangent about how those effects really did blow my mind and made me feel like I was witnessing that one level from Unreal Tournament circa 2003, but I don’t like to think of them as effects. It’s sort of the same feeling I got during the Opening Ceremony for the Olympics in Vancouver. Bob Costas kept going on and on telling me about how everything was working. He was getting all technical. Here’s what, Bob: I don’t wanna know. That sort of ruins everything. Cause that part when those whales swam across my screen was epic. Yeah, Bob. I know they’re not real, but shhh! you’re ruining it. I can still get all Disney and imagine that yes, whales really did just swim across the floor of that place. Yes, yes they did.

Especially with Avatar. In my mind: yes, Pandora exists.

[SIDENOTE: One negative: why “Pandora?” I mean, I know the story. Hell, I took and thoroughly enjoyed “Greek Mythology” with Ms. Lacy back at the old stompin’ grounds of high school. Hm. Anyhow, I just sort of felt like - in a movie that was in production for what? something crazy like, a whole bunch of years and where you hired someone to create a language that was indigenous to this place alone, why couldn’t you be a little bit more original with the name of the planet. Was it a planet? I guess it was.]

Anyway, back to it: the reason why Avatar was so incredible had nothing to do with the effects and everything to do with that big metaphor hanging around the sticky floors and questionable stains of the theater chairs.

Let me just pull a jump-ahead and tell you that I cried. But, it wasn’t that sort of cry that I adopted during Marley and Me (which was, by the way, probably the most intense cry of my life. Because here‘s what: if you‘re gonna get a pet, get a dog. And if you’re gonna get a dog, get a golden retriever; there is absolutely nothing in this world that could ever compare) And, again, I’m growing tired of punctuation, so please forgive that that wasn’t properly done. I don’t come here to show off any sort of grammar skills. Those are only for special occasions.

At any rate, back to the tears:

I was mad. And I was frustrated. I have never been so angry at a life-size model of that character from Small Soldiers demolishing a huge-and-very-important tree.

And they were so upset. About a tree. It was incredible. And the kind of people, or, well, beings that I would totally want to hang with.

James Cameron: you are so great at what you do. I can’t imagine possessing that amount of talent. Again, you are so great at what you do. Let’s meet up later and shop-talk about you and your mind. Better yet, write a movie where I can come into your mind. It seems like it would be an awesome place to chill.

Anyway, guys, this could go on and on and there may be at least two of you out there that would keep on reading, but I think that, for the majority, I probably need to be winding it on down.

[but if you’re one of those two that would, in fact keep on going for as long as I could talk about this movie: let’s meet up. You just name the place and time. And let’s talk into the wee hours of the morning and see where it takes us.]

I don’t want to get too into it because maybe you haven’t seen it or maybe you’re rolling your eyes at the idea that a movie about big blue avatars with tails and glitter on their noses should be a metaphor for our world. But it really is. And I know that, if you’ve seen it, you had to have noticed.

And what really got me was that one line when he’s telling them that the sky people are coming to kill their mother. And he tells them that they’ve already killed theirs.

Let that sink in for a cool second. Cause, that’s some pretty heavy stuff. You can guarantee that I’ll be thinking a lot about how I hope that we’re not a complete lost cause, but it’s pretty true of who we are, or rather, who’s in charge.

And, really, who is in charge?

I’ll let you ponder that while I share with you a poem I just read by W.S. Merwin. It’s so apropos:

A MESSAGE TO PO CHU-I
In that tenth winter of your circle
The cold never letting go of you
And your hunger aching inside you
Old ones and infants and animals
Those curtains of bones swaying on stilts
And you heard the faint cries of the birds
Searching in the frozen mud for something
To swallow and you watched the migrants
Trapped in the cold the great geese growing
Weaker by the day until their wings
Could barely lift them above the ground
So that a gang of boys could catch one
In a net and drag him to market
To be cooked and it was then that you
Saw him in his exile and you
Paid for him and kept him until he
Could fly again and you let him go
But then where could he go in the world
Of your time with its wars everywhere
And the soldiers hungry the fires lit
The knives out twelve hundred years ago

I have been wanting to let you know
The goose is well he is here with me
You would recognize the old migrant
He has been with me for a long time
And is in no hurry to leave here
The wars are bigger now than ever
Greed has reached numbers that you would not
Believe and I will not tell you what
Is done to geese before they kill them
Now we are melting the very poles
Of the earth but I have never known
Where he would go after he leaves me

[“A Message to Po Chu-I.” W.S. Merwin. The New Yorker: taken from the 8 March 2010 ed.]

^ I realize that was a sad interpretation of what would be on a works cited page. And I don’t care. Four years of Honors English and look where it’s taken me.

Well, I think that pretty much says it. I don’t think I have to sit here and draw the correlations between Avatar and that poem. I think you should try and do it yourself. And if you can’t find any, well, what a pity that must be for you because I sure did.

Here’s the bottom line: Avatar did not feel like a movie. I have never had that sort of a feeling while sitting in a movie theater. Ever. It could have had something to do with the fact that I sat there for, like, three hours and my legs were numb and I think I got a little shaky because my blood sugar was getting to be low. It’s not like I didn’t have any candy. I just couldn’t eat it. I would have felt a little guilty eating sugary delights while an entire race of nature-loving and appreciating beings were getting completely wiped out by obnoxiously buff marines.

And that’s another thing. It may not seem like a big metaphor to compare to Avatar, but son-of-a- b. I paid $6.50 for cokes. And it kind of ticked me off. And it also ticked me off that there I was, just coming down from my Avatar high, the credits were just barely rolling and BAM in walks two dudes with a trash receptor. And just like that, I had to come to terms with the reality that it was time to leave and that no recycling would be allowed.

I hope that you understand the importance of it all. I mean, it’s not really for me to be telling you, it’s not my place, and I sure don’t have any real authority, but it sure did seem super important. And if there’s anything I love in this world, it’s a good tree.

I don’t want to get all psycho-Liberal here because that’s not the point. The point is that we’re really good at screwing things up that never even needed the screw. The Regime sleeps, all snug in their beds while visions of themselves making it rain dance through their corporate heads. And all we can do is sit and wait. Wait for the next line of bull we’ll be fed in order to go on being screwed. One day, we’re gonna have to rise up and I don’t care if it’s on bicycles or giant bird-like-Jurassic-Park-lookin’ creatures that we connect to with little neuron synapses at the ends of our braids. We can’t keep getting rid of what was already here. And we can’t go knockin’ on doors to houses that we cannot understand and expect them to let us in. But, at the same time, we can’t help ourselves: it’s the American Way.

gees. I sure hope not.

Oh, and I also loved how they didn’t show the title of the movie until the very end. Something about that gave me chills. Avatar: high five. Or, I guess high four. Since, on each hand, they only had three fingers and one very large, very blue, opposable thumb.

Now that you’re done reading, I’d like to go on making use of those videos over there. Click that one by The National. For some reason, it was stuck in my head at the end of the movie. I’m pretty sure I know the reason why and I sure hope that you do, too. Otherwise, this may have been a total waste. Go outside and plant a tree.

Yours,
katie beth



















04 March 2010

life in technicolor.

So, let's kick this off with an important question: have you ever had the pleasure of listening to the song “life in technicolor,” by those giants Coldplay? You’ve gotta check it out. It doesn’t matter how many times I listen to it, I still can’t get over it. I love music like that. So much so, that I’m going to dedicate this post to the songs that I just simply can’t get over.

[SPOILER ALERT: as a direct result of the list at the end, (no, don't scroll down yet. it's not the time and you'll be seeing it too soon) this is an awfully long post. If you’re not in it to win it, go ahead and venture somewhere else. This is for true fans of the blog, and therefore, the people that I will endlessly love]

…decided to stay? well, it's official: I really like you.

When I say that I can’t get over these songs, I mean that I can’t wrap my head around their awesomeness. You know, they're the ones that you hear and you find yourself talking in all capitals about them and if people tell you to "calm down" or "be quiet" you just move onto the next person, anyone, who's willing to listen. And you get them to sit down in front of the nearest computer and you frantically pull up a video and wait for their expression to change because you've brought them to something so incredible.


With these certain songs, I can come close to fully understanding all that they are, but then, I just never get there; and that’s the best part.

The best things (or in this case, songs) in our lives are those that we can’t completely understand. Lyrically speaking, you can hear a song and feel like you’ve understood the meaning, but you can turn around five years later, hear the same thing and have a totally different understanding. Music’s pretty incredible that way.

That’s a great feeling. You know when you hear a song and it finally hits you; you never really got it until this very moment? Well, I love that. And I sure do hope that you do, too.

I also love sitting down and thinking about how music can come full circle. One of the best things is to see what I first started listening to and then seeing what I listen to now, or rather, hear. No matter how many people I hear that I think I could love more than I love John Mayer, I still give him credit.

I give lots of credit to JM’s songs because they were my first musical loves. I know that sounds sort of ridiculous, but I really mean it. When I was about twelve or thirteen, I woke up and turned on my TV. The channel locked in was VH1 and it was once again time for some sort of countdown. Anyway, I saw the video for “No Such Thing,” and that was pretty much it.

At that point in my life I could have easily been swallowed into the succubus of giggly pop, but instead, I heard my main man JM and thought he was pretty alright.

Now, I listen to new people. And I feel like, in some sort of way, that I owe John Clayton Mayer a whole-hell-of-a-lot of credit. I wouldn’t appreciate the people that I just can’t enough of now if I hadn’t first heard him.

I posted a video of the best thing he’s ever done. Keep with it, even through the whistling. It’s not that I don’t like the sound of the whistle, I just get jealous cause I can’t do it. Anyhow, I hope it changes your life. It sure did for me. And I really like it because it was back when JM wasn’t all that well-known. He was still just keeping it real.

Anyhow, I know that got a little tough to follow, but I sure hope you got it. I’ve listed some of the songs by people that I want - nay - need you to check out and if you've already heard them, go back and bump them again because they certainly deserve it.

Also, here’s to never forgetting our first musical loves. May we be proudly belting out their lyrics years from now during their farewell tours.

Yours,
katie beth

In no particular order: these are the songs that, upon first hearing, really did something for me. I hope they continue to do something for you:

1. “No Such Thing” John Clayton Mayer

2. “I Will" Alison Krauss + Union Station

3. “It Never Entered My Mind” Miles Davis

4. “Smoothie Song” Nickel Creek

5. “Broadway" Alison Krauss + Union Station

6. “Skinny Love” Bon Iver

7. “Moth’s Wings” Passion Pit

8. “The Guy that Says Goodbye” Griffin House

9. “Closing Time” Semisonic

10. “Bittersweet Symphony" The Verve

11. “Little Secrets” Passion Pit

12. “Things an Old Man Keeps” Ghosts in the Woods

13. “Island, IS” Volcano Choir

14. “Help I’m Alive” Metric

15. “Man on the Side” John Clayton Mayer

16. “Out of the Woods” Nickel Creek

17. “Forty Mile Town” Eric Johnson

18. “Fix It” Ryan Adams

19. “Little Lion Man” Mumford & Sons

20. “Blackie’s Dead” Pete Yorn + Scarlett Johansson

21. “Lump Sum" Bon Iver

22. “She Is” The Fray

23. “The Cape” Eric Bibb

24. “First Day of My Life” Bright Eyes

25. “Vultures” John Mayer Trio

26. “Crazy Faith” Alison Krauss + Union Station

27. “Cannonball” Ghosts in the Woods

28. “Stick With Me Baby” Robert Plant + Alison Krauss

29. “Fake Empire” The National

30. “The Cave” Mumford & Sons

31.“Fast Car” Tracy Chapman

32. “Angels” Flight of the Conchords

33. “I’ve Seen All Good People” Yes

34. “Sex On Fire” Kings of Leon

35. “Still” Volcano Choir

36. “Re: Stacks” Bon Iver

37. “Over My Head” Martin Sexton

38. “Get Me Through December” Alison Krauss

39. “Let Your Love Grow Tall” Passion Pit

40. “Born” Over the Rhine

41. “Hometown Glory” Adele

42. “Happy” Brandi Carlile

43. “Drunkard’s Prayer” Over the Rhine

44. “Red Light” Jonny Lang

45. “In Your Atmosphere” John Clayton Mayer

46. “Hummingbird” John Clayton Mayer

47. “This I Know” Sam + Ruby

48. “Keep it Loose, Keep It Tight" Amos Lee

49. “Let My Love Open The Door" Pete Townshend + Raphael Rudd

50. “Life in Technicolor” Coldplay

Well, friends, sorry it got to be so long, but I just couldn’t stop myself. And I posted a few videos by some of the very-very favorites that found their way onto this ground-breaking list. I probably could have kept going, but it’s getting to be a little much. And I feel like I’m going to go the rest of the day and night just thinking of songs that should have been on this list, but I digress.

Consider it a top 50, but also consider that I have a new favorite song every day. Make yourself a date with this list and look these songs up and look hard. And really do it, people. These are epic songs that will, no doubt, change your life. yes, even the one by Flight of the Conchords.

to whoever is still reading this: “thanks for sticking around.”
to John Clayton Mayer: “thanks for being the first.”













01 March 2010

it’s about to get nostalgic.

whoa! it's the first post of a new month they call March. And, as of the time that this was posted, that blog hit counter has been steadily working hard to reach 279. and my favorite price is $2.79, as a direct result of Flight of the Conchords. I promise that post about Bret and Jemaine will be here soon.

Anyway, you should know that I had full intentions of making this blog about things that are nostalgic and slightly sentimental. So, that was a good choice of title for this post. However, I usually divert the subject and instead choose to reference things like “that’s what she said.”

Unfortunately, or fortunately (depending on how you feel about acoustic interpretations), I am once again listening-in to The Coffee House on XM…or Sirius.

Aren’t they just one-in-the-same? They should just create a hybrid name of the two, like, Siri-X, or something along those lines. Calling it Sirius-XM radio is starting to get a little obnoxious.

Anyhow, that’s what I’m currently listening to and once again they’re bumping tons of that sentimental stuff. And you know what? I really like the stuff. Right now, it’s a song called “Two of the Lucky Ones” by Pete Droge & Elaine Summers. Feel free to look it up. I’m sure they’d appreciate it.

It’s a great song, but these sorts of tunes put me into a sort of mood that is all kinds of nostalgic and slightly sentimental.

*now playing: “Sing for You” by the wonder that is Tracy Chapman*

And it got me thinking, and I hope you’ll choose to read on, but if you’re not into things that are all kinds of nostalgic and slightly sentimental, that’s alright. But if you are, feel free to read on and know that I will forever love you for doing so, cause it’s about to get real up in this piece:

When I wrote that one post, that one called “doors,” I was in a real trick of a mind state. And I started to really get into this incredible band called Over the Rhine.

And if you do nothing else, take the time to look up some of their lyrics. They will change your life, I promise.

Here’s the one that got me: “You’re my water, you’re my wine / You’re my whiskey from time to time”

And I read it, and then I heard it. It was kind of awful. It was the point where you really want something, and I mean really want it.

And I read over those little poems that I wrote the other day. And I started thinking about how I have never-ever-ever written any sort of poetry. And I got a sick feeling because I realized I had never wanted to before.

Do you think it’s because I had to get that awful feeling of want? I think we both know the answer, friend. I had it bad. And it’s kind of silly, but it’s a kind of silly that I don’t mind, but I don’t think it’s one that I can go back to.

I mean, that’s the thing about having something in your mind seem so clear, but it’s really not. You think that you’re well on your way to having it, but you really weren’t ever even close.

It sucks, but it’s life. And life is pretty obnoxious that way.

I feel like I should stop for a quick second and tell you to look up “Honey Don’t Think” by someone named Grant Lee Buffalo. Awesome name and an awesome song.

Anyway, if you’re still reading this, I have total respect and admiration for your ability to keep with it.

I guess I should be winding up this post, but I don’t really know how to end it.

I mean, I think those poems kind of did the trick. They kind of washed it out of my system. I feel like I can focus again. Or maybe that nagging feeling of wanting something, or a certain someone, has just sort of become common-place, and I’m kind of numb to the whole thing.

As awful as that may seem, I kind of hope that’s what it is.

And I kind of hope that’s how it stays. Cause even though having a little crush on someone makes us feel sort of silly and all ridiculous-and-such, it would be pretty boring without them.

I mean, I’d actually have to pay attention to lectures all of the time.

And, really, that’s one of my favorite places to go: somewhere in my head that is completely different then where I am (like sitting in a boring class) without ever having to leave where I am.

It’s kind of like I star in my own secret show. And let me tell you something, it’s great. I wish you could visit my thoughts like you can visit the movie theater. And I wish you could just hang out for a minute and watch my daydreams. They’re really great.

I hope that it’s the same for you and I hope that, even if you do have a crush that seems completely intangible, it’s still a nice place for you to go.

And it makes for some pretty awesome poetry.

Thanks for sticking it out and reading through my nostalgic and slightly sentimental post. It means the world, wherever you may be.

Yours,
katie beth

this is the best one that I heard while writing this post (over on what is now to be known as Siri-X) and I think it suits this post just-fine. especially that part about the cabin door. and there's something pleasantly jack black-ish about that video up there.


“Over My Head” by Martin Sexton.

(scoll on up and find the video back up there, somewhere. no, to the right. yeah, your right. yep. click it.)