Avant L'amour rien

Miss Jean Louise, Mr. Arthur Radley. I believe he already knows you.

noreply@blogger.com (Leah) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:04:00 +0000

I've been rereading 'To Kill a Mockingbird', good grief I love that book.
It's really interesting approaching it being a little older, I really don't remember alot of it.
Not sure if it's fading memory or maybe initial glazing over the book.
But anyway, Atticus Finch is a hero of mine.
Minus the whole being made up thing, he's such an awesome person.
The mental picture of Gregory Peck who played him in the movie doesn't hurt, but I just find myself awed by his view of things.
He's so principled and steady, ready to give whatever is asked of him.
Seeing all men as equal before God, realizing that some ARE smarter and some are uglier, some richer and some beautiful.
But seeing that equality is to judge every man for his actions, and the content of his heart rather then his situation in life, his outward appearance, or as in the case of this book...the color of his skin.
He's unwilling to raise the gun to his eye unless it's really necessary, but he doesn't condemn those who do.
He doesn't hate, he just recognizes evil for what it is and addresses it squarely, full of compassion and gentleness.
He's honest and forthright, the same no matter where he is.
A protector and a real gentleman, the type you don't see any more.
Being a gentleman doesn't mean not addressing issues or calling things for what they are.
Lies for lies, evil for evil.
It means saying it, but not relishing it. Hating the way it has to be, for if you don't call evil, evil...then what does good mean anymore?

I love Atticus Finch.
And I absolutely love that book.
The fact that it's from a child's perspective makes it so surreal and familiar.
At the same time comforting and scary, the way you view it as a child.
Amazing.
Everyone has to read it at least once before they die.

Love bug

noreply@blogger.com (Leah) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 03:03:00 +0000

Wedding photography is hard.
In case anyone told you it was easy.
But I think it must be a little like child birth, afterwords you're so tired and pained you don't want to ever do it again.
Then a little time passes and you have another opportunity and 'oh!yay!'
If you want to hear anymore deep allusions...just ask.

Also, I think google wants me to die.
More specifically, google maps.
Never trust them.
They will take you the long way through freaky ghettos unnecessarily.
Real classy guys....real classy.

Oh, new music I'm currently loving...Lenka.
She's fun.
Also, I'm not sure I can live in a world where Kanye West's new album can be number one.
I just don't know.

noreply@blogger.com (Leah) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 20:02:00 +0000

For the first time in all of ever there is poll here on my page.
I eagerly anticipate you joining me as we ingest too much caffeine and begin questioning all of the past hundred years.

If you want to elaborate on your answer or tell me why you think so, comment here.
Conspiracy theory fun, kids!

Your Love is Strong

noreply@blogger.com (Leah) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 21:54:00 +0000

Heavenly Father
You always amaze me
Let your kingdom come
In my world and in my life
You give me the food I need
To live through the day
And forgive me as I forgive
The people that wronged me
Lead me far from temptation
Deliver me from the evil one

I look out the window
The birds are composing
Not a note is out of tune
Or out of place
I look at the meadow
And stare at the flowers
Better dressed than any girl
On her wedding day

So why do I worry?
Why do I freak out?
God knows what I need
You know what I need

Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong

The kingdom of the heavens
Is now advancing
Invade my heart
Invade this broken town
The kingdom of the heavens
Is buried treasure
Will you sell yourself
To buy the one you've found?

Two things you told me
That you are strong
And you love me
Yes, you love me

Our God in heaven
Hallowed be
Thy name above all names
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us weary sinners
Lead us far away from our vices
And deliver us from these prisons

Surrounded by Lydias

noreply@blogger.com (Leah) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 04:48:00 +0000

One of my favorite magazines had a really interesting article about who Jane Austen was and who Hollywood says she is.
I thought it was really interesting, so I thought I'd share.

By the way, Touchstone is a really awesome magazine that has contributors from all different parts of the Church.
I enjoy reading it muchly.

Dream a little dream...

noreply@blogger.com (Leah) — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:21:00 +0000

A few things

I've kind of got a crush on the new firefox. It's way cool and spiffy looking. Crush, crush.
I just found out that Copeland is coming to a town near me. NEAR ME?! COPELAND?! I'm psyched. Because I love Copeland. And Copeland loves me. Or...well...at least I love Copeland. I haven't seen them in FOREVER. Also, they are coming out with a new cd, 'You Are My Sunshine'. Seriously? Yes. I less then three them like whoa.
I registered to vote the other day. Yay 18! Okay...sorry, my homeschooled is showing. Not really. Being homeschooled is the new black.
I like rainy days. But one thing that's less fun about it is when it's for days and days, so it's darker than usual in the morning and makes you feel like someone has drugged you and knocked you out with a sledgehammer. Not fun.
I had a weird dream the other night, it was like an Episode of Hogan's Heroes. I was trying to convince Klink that he was invited to something, so that our (the good guys) secret plan would work. We had like tampered with this invitation and made it say something it didn't. He was suspicious. He was at my grandmothers house. It was strange.
I have Microsoft Word open on my laptop. On it, is one thing. The number 23. This may seem weird to some people, but if you've ever tried knitting or crocheting, you will understand perfectly.
I got one of the new sharpie pens...ah-maze-ing. I think I'm in love with that too.
Nicole Atkins released a cd of cover songs called Nicole Atkins 'Digs Other People's Songs'. On it is a cover of Cass Elliot's 'Dream A Little Dream of Me'. Aaaah-maaaze-iiing. Very good. It gets my seal of approval.
I want to be a better photographer. Unfortunately that just comes with time. Or maybe it's fortunately? Who knows.
I started watching Lost. I had resisted so far but...now I think I have to know what happens next. I'm still on the first season so don't TELL ME ANYTHING. If you love cute puppy dogs, please...don't. Not that I would hurt said puppy dogs if you did, I'm just making up my own terms for my own amusement. Don't mind me. Oh and speaking of dogs...
I thought for a while that I really wanted one, but after having spent alot of time over at someone's house who has a dog, I don't think it would work out. I didn't grow up with an inside dog so, it makes me feel dirty mainly because I'm not used to it. Also, I can't stand the sound of them licking themselves. It was really disturbing. So I'm now more or less out of my 'I want a dog' phase.
I've decided once again that I should marry someone British. Or French. It's not because I don't love America, it just goes to show what a diverse person I am.
This is turning into more than a few things, I should stop.

Oldie but goody

noreply@blogger.com (Leah) — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 02:23:00 +0000

You don't have to read this if you don't want to...it might be irritating....

noreply@blogger.com (Leah) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:47:00 +0000

I don't really talk politics outside of my close friends and family very often.
Mainly because I know how sensitive people can be about it and I shouldn't create unnecessary divides between myself and others.
Agreed?
I think so.
Anyway, but there's been a few things I've been itching to talk about.
I haven't been a big fan of McCain, it really irritated me what he tried to do concerning immigration, so I was kind of just adjusted to the idea of not really being able to vote for anyone I was really excited about.
So when I heard about Gov. Palin I got really excited mainly because I wasn't expecting to be given the chance.
It was a brilliant move on his part and makes me feel a little more open to him, definitely.
Gov. Palin is obviously not perfect and she's no more of a savior then Barack Obama is.
But I think it's an awesome opportunity and I'm excited about the prospects.
Anyway, so...that's just to say that everything I'm saying is not necessarily Woo hoo McCain is my man! or anything like that.
It's more about the countless times that I have heard him referred to as equal to Obama or just as bad.
I see where people get this, but I have to disagree and I think that alot of these thoughts are mainly based on emotion and not really on sound Biblical principle, and here's why.
Obviously, most people know that Obama is pro-abortion. What alot of people don't know is that he is also in favor of, in case of a botched abortion where the baby survives, killing the baby or allowing it to die (go without medical assistance)...outside of the womb where it is obviously not just a 'bunch of tissue' but a living breathing soul.
That is one of the more soul-less and utterly disturbing things, in my mind, a man who claims to be a Christian could say.
God has alot to say about people killing their children. The Children of Israel passed their babies 'through the fire' to sacrifice to one of the heathen gods, Molech.
God said, those children are mine. The blood was on their hands.
Now, McCain is pro-life (and he's got a Vice President who not only talks the talk but walks the walk) but he is pro-war.
The whole term 'pro-war' bugs me, honestly, because I think it's kind of sick for anyone to be 'for' war.
It's obviously a sign of the sin and depravity of man and it involves death so...we shouldn't be for it.
But, I don't think we should be against it.
I've seen growing in the Church more and more pacifism...and I believe it has its place. There are some people who are not made to be fighters and there are some who are. You have your Davids and you have your Solomons.
Now, God does not say about war what He says about the slaughtering of His Children.
As politically uncorrect and unpopular as it is to say it...He doesn't say that about the death of His enemies.
In fact David, one who was a 'Man after God's own heart' and a forbearer of Our Savior, was a great warrior. There are people who say Bombing for peace is like having sex for virginity. David obviously didn't think this way and God said that the only way the Israelites COULD have peace was to completely wipe out their enemies.
Okay, I'm not saying that's what we're supposed to do now. I'm just saying that I believe God has a very different view of War then Murdering Children/Abortion.
Now as long as there is a way for peace...we have to take it.
Christians should not be war mongering we should seek peace and ensue it.
But there is a time for war and a time for peace.
Now I think we, as Americans and as Christians, have become very cushy in our lives and it's easy to be anti-war.
It's tempting even, because it's a popular position and allows you to be a cynical dissenter...which, let's admit it is very popular in today's society.
But I think it has more to do with the overwhelming message in the Bible of protecting the fatherless and the widow.
We shouldn't be invading for oil. We shouldn't be invading for power.
We should be invading where there is a cruel and heartless dictator who is testing Chemical weapons on his own people, ruling over the people with torture and rape rooms.
No one else will help, and it seems very meddling of the United States to 'get involved in another country's business'.
But if you're being honest with yourself, which is the stronger message of the Bible 'defend those who need help' or 'take care of yourself first and don't get involved in other peoples lives'?
If we were to take this and make it into an everyday situation the answer would be very clear.
It only seems worse because we have a hatred of the word 'war'.
We are not going in there to kill babies and innocents.
We are going in there to give those same babies and innocents a chance to live and be free.
I think it's easy for us to be dissenters when it's so far removed from us.
By the way, if things don't change I think it's going to be quite a rude awakening for some people in the next few generations. Non-Muslims are having fewer and fewer children and, the Radical Muslims (as in Non-Muslims should die, Muslims) are having more and more. You can already see a huge demographic switch.
We would rather 'mind our own business' but by the time we can see it as a present, right- outside-your-door, danger...it'll be too late.
I think back about Adolf Hitler, and I think about what should have been done.
Someone should have stepped in and nipped it in the bud, but they didn't...they underestimated him and he came very close to succeeding in his goals. We didn't find out until later that he had mercilessly slaughtered millions of people, with such cruel inhumanity that it turns your stomach.
Someone should have seen it and done something about it, even if he did look 'paranoid' or it made him 'unpopular'.
That is what I see in John McCain.
He sees evil, he has seen evil, and he doesn't underestimate it.
That is why I see John McCain and Barack Obama in two drastically different lights.
One is trying to suppress evil before it suppresses us, and one is trying to keep an innocent baby from having a chance to live.
There will be perfection, one day. And when that day comes we can have peace and no war.
Until then...there will always be evil and it will always need to be dealt with.
And there will always be the poor and helpless, who need to be defended.

Nobody told you how to unfold your love

noreply@blogger.com (Leah) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 04:58:00 +0000

"I look at the world and I notice it's turning While my guitar gently weeps With every mistake we must surely be learning Still my guitar gently weeps..."

Good grief, I just remembered today how I love that song.

Girl in a jar...

noreply@blogger.com (Leah) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 19:05:00 +0000

This one was fun.
It's inspired by a book I finished reading a month or so ago.
You get points if you know what it is.
Maybe even snaps.
But mainly points.

Yes

noreply@blogger.com (Leah) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 04:33:00 +0000

I recently discovered (though I had noticed it somewhat before) that there is absolutely no chance of Jack White ever making me his bff.
I will give you a moment to regain your composure as you recover from this shocking news.
Okay, I'll now tell you why.
Listening to the song 'There's No Home For You Here', I realized as he reels off all the reasons he doesn't like this girl...that it's basically me.
"Waking up for breakfast (okay, maybe not that one), Burning matches (i don't know why, I just do...as I type this, there are three spent matches laying on my desk), Talking quickly (i'm infamous), Breaking baubles, Throwing garbage (I don't really do that), Drinking soda (soda junkie), Looking happy (I've been accused of appearing too happy), Taking pictures (uh...yeah), So completely stupid. Just go away."

So it has taken me a while to recover from that horrible blow but...time heals all wounds.
Or at least that's what I hear.

In other news I've started re-reading The Lord of the Rings.
It was kind of weird that I could no longer think of some parts, other then what happens in the movie so...
I also thought it would be fun to read it as an older person.
It's enjoyable and therapeutic, it's kind of...familiar.
Which is somewhat geeky and maybe even pathetic but there you have it.
It's probably yet another reason why Jack White and I will never be pals.

I had a dream last night where I ballroom danced with William Shatner.
He was the age he is now...so it wasn't like in a weird way.
It was just like the most obviously fun thing to do.
I've got a few people who I think it would be fun to dance with.
I'm not sure my waking self would have chosen William Shatner but hey...
I don't think there are many people who would turn down THAT opportunity.
Maybe Jack White...yet another reason.

So I should probably go.

el-oh-el

noreply@blogger.com (Leah) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:23:00 +0000

Adoption and The Gift of Children

noreply@blogger.com (Leah) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 01:15:00 +0000

I'm feeling listless so I thought maybe I'd scribble a few things on the topic of adoption and the gift of Children.
I was just looking at the website of a lady who runs an orphanage in Africa.
It really pulls on my heartstrings, and it makes me really wish there were something I could do now for kids in dire situations, here in America or overseas. But God hasn't given the money, means, or situation. I just hope someday He will, because if I do get married I would definitely like to adopt at some point. I kind of can't think of many clearer pictures of how God uses us, then in adoption. Foster parenting is obviously cheaper, but I can't imagine how difficult, especially as a Christian, that would be. Maybe it's shying away of how hard it would be? Or maybe it's just so horrible because it's unnatural in the same way death is. We weren't made to love a child who has been harmed only to possibly have to give them back to the one who was harming them. I guess it's self sacrificing of your heart though, to give them even a little bit of good, showing them God for even a small period of their life. One thing that frustrates me is the kind of people that end up with children. When a man and a woman bear a child, that child trusts them and depends on them and that dependence and trust is violated all the time because of selfishness or perversion or what have you. It would be awesome to see the Church step up to the plate even more to the needs of orphans. A good recent example being a Congregation in Memphis starting an adoption fund in the memory of a friend of mine who had adopted two children with her husband before her death last January.
The fund is to help couples who would like to adopt children, because it's such an obviously expensive thing. The Bible speaks so much about the orphan and the widow, I think generally we put too much money into family life centers and not enough into helping those in need.
How do you think Our Heavenly Father sees that?
I think I first thought about the topic of adoption seriously when I saw about a year ago on the news a little girl who had been brutally murdered by her mom and her mom's boyfriend. They showed a picture of the girl and it reminded me of a little girl I knew.
It turned my stomach and I wished more then anything that there could have been some way to protect that child. The next day I was talking to my mom about it and she mentioned this couple we used to know who were foster parents. They had one child who had been neglected and every time they would cook food, he would start crying because he was afraid he wouldn't get any. It broke my heart! But I couldn't think of anything much more fulfilling then turning the course of a child's life, and providing them spiritual and physical healing and nourishment. I'm a selfish person, and I know it would be hard but...children are a gift, and they are little immortal souls and I don't know how we can in good conscience not try to help in any way we are able.

"Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy." Psalm 82:3
"A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation." Psalm 68:5
"And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me." Matthew 18:5

But it's interesting because people all the time abuse the gift of Children , physically and spiritually. Physically, maybe even by being given the gift and ability to have Children ('Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward' Psalm 127:3) and choosing not to (kind of makes me think of the parable of the talents). Obviously there are reasons why some people choose not to have children (biologically or through adoption) but I tend to think we should be very careful in making sure they are good reasons, not just us doing what we do best.
Then Spiritually, not teaching, instructing and catechizing children in the ways of our Heavenly Father...not teaching them their Story (the story of God's work through time, the Church, and what they belong to...Christ culture) and where they belong in God's Story ( "We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:" Psalm 78:4-5) . Instead, it's way to easy for even Christians to get caught up in pursuits that get out of line. Not encouraging children to be pillars and rocks in the Kingdom, but giving more attention to making sure our child is the smartest, fastest or the prettiest so they can be societally successful, not really what God calls success.
The Bible calls that offending them...
"But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." Matthew 18:6 (sidenote, Jesus, who clearly refers several times to Children believing, says "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved" and St. Peter says "baptism that now saves you"...something that should give us pause if we're unwilling to accept the fact that our babies should be baptized, emphasis mine in all of these)
I have never raised a child and alot of times the prospect scares me, and I think it should, because it's not a small thing.
But really, they are a gift of God, biological or adopted.
I just wish people would take it more seriously, because God obviously does.

A stunning moment of brilliance...

noreply@blogger.com (Leah) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 02:23:00 +0000

I learned something today.
I was feeling so stressed and crummy, I just wanted to lay down and sleep my headache away.
So I took some lunch over to where my mom was working;
and I stressed some more, my vessel of angst not disembarking.
She told me I just needed to go ahead and make the phone calls I needed to make in preparation for Saturday night,
when I have an engagement shoot, which stresses me quite.
I didn't want to, I said, I felt bad and icky.
But I partly felt bad and icky because I wasn't making the phonecalls (not a bright little chicky).
So I finally listened to her and did it and I felt all better, even my headache went away.
This goes to prove that people should listen to their moms.
Word.

Oh, and if you feel like being slaughtered by niece-cuteness, watch this.

noreply@blogger.com (Leah) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 03:09:00 +0000

God is good.
It's really a simple statement that's really easy to over look.
I think it's one I've been overlooking.
Infinitely good, infinitely faithful, infinitely trustworthy.
It's time to not be afraid about the future.
He's good.

A question, a Priscilla, inspiration and flowers

noreply@blogger.com (Leah) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:43:00 +0000

'If you could have dinner with anyone at all, dead or alive, famous or not, who would you go with? Out of anywhere in the world, where would you eat?'

I just saw this question and I liked it so I thought I'd answer it.
I would eat at Serendipity like all day, and have breakfast with Anne Boleyn, lunch with Paul McCartney, and dinner with C.S. Lewis. Oh and dessert with Charlotte Bronte.
It's my educated answer.
What about you?

On another note (*rimshot*) I just did something I really don't do.
I saw an artist on Itunes and I liked her name so I clicked on it, within 2.7 minutes I bought the cd.
As I was telling Abi, it's guitar, ukulele, piano, harpsichord, harmonica, autoharp love.
Priscilla Ahn 'A Good Day'
Tres bien.
You can listen to a few of her songs here on my July Playlist.

Speaking of harmonica, I've started learning how to play it.
I can't believe it, but I actually really love it.
It makes me happy and I'm looking forward to getting better.
I've also been back at my guitar and...playing music just makes me so happy.
I'm glad I'm doing it.

I've also been feeling more inspired photographically speaking.
I think music inspires me more then alot of things.
Seeing other peoples work sort of inspires, but it mostly just depresses me.
Music makes me feel creative and...not depressed.
So I think it's a better means of inspiration, don't you concur?

God has blessed me.
I should really be more thankful.

Okay, I've got to go water my gardenia, Wilhelm.
I mentioned to Dottie, and older lady in our Church, how I named my gardenia 'Wilhelm' and she loved it so she wants me to name her rose bush.
I'm still pondering on that one.

His goal in life was to be an echo...

noreply@blogger.com (Leah) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 05:26:00 +0000

It's strange to me how you can think your life is going in a certain direction and then suddenly things change. Weird. I'm excited about the future though, I have no clue what's in store...generally speaking.But I actually feel kind of relieved to have a few things off my back.
In other news I started a book today and I read like...a buttload of it. It's pretty interesting, I'll have to finish it before I can say entirely what I think of it. But initially, for those who know my fascination with Faerie Tale Theatre (holla!),...it's like Faerie Tale Theatre on steroids and possibly acid too. But more serious. and scarier. Yeah. But I'm enjoying it, when it's not freaking me out. Note: little red riding hood is NOT who you think she is...don't trust her.
I got a Pink Honeysuckle reed diffuser at Pier 1 Imports and...daaaang giiiirl. I love it, it's fresher then fresh is fresh. Everytime I come in it's like...a wave of bliss hits my nostrils.
We FINALLY watched the new Masterpiece Theatre's version of Sense and Sensibility. *sniffle* I love you too, Edward. At any rate, i liked it...I liked Elinor better in this version. I liked this version better in general even though I reeeeally had trouble liking a few of the characters. But I guess that means it was well made, right? Okay...
The word folk makes me happy. It implies good things to me. Sort of like 'bohemian' and 'bazaar' and 'foreign' and 'psychedelic'. the commonality? Vowels. Also...interesting music and scarves.
I've recently discovered, after watching Hogan's Heroes, that I'm basically the LeBeau of our family. Seriously. He and I both sew for the others, cut others hair, cook for others, are horizontally challenged, and have a passion for french art. Okay, I made the last part up but...we're basically twins. I think we were separated at birth. Only...like 60 years apart. And he's not real.Yeeeep. BTW, they randomly inserted a scene with Newkirk knitting. I choke on my proverbial cornflakes. I think my DNA contains this show.
I'm staying up late when I'm going to regret it sorely in the morning. Hehe. It's actually kind of funny that I do this. Not really, it's sad and depressing.
I've started enjoying shopping at Kohls more since they started carrying Elle and Vera Wang. Not that I can afford either one but i CAN afford it when it goes on clearance. This makes us smile. This makes us smile and nod knowingly. This makes us smile, nod knowingly, and laugh heartily. If you haven't checked it out already, you should. Only don't buy the same stuff I buy cause then we might show up for our mutual admiration society meeting with the same outfit and, well, that'd just be embarrassing.
I've decided that all my jokes would be better if i had an English accent. Plus I could say 'nosey parker' and not sound waaaay weird. I decided recently that I should marry someone with an English accent. Mom says we might have to move if that's the aim. She's probably right.

Thoughts on Heroes and Heroship and Heroshipness

noreply@blogger.com (Leah) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:20:00 +0000

People are never heroes, except for when they're doing what's right.
People always disappoint, except for when they choose to do the right thing even though it's hard to do.
People will always let you down, except for when they cling to Christ and He shines through them.
So that means that Christ is the only one who will never disappoint and never let us down.
And it's only through Him, that other people have those good qualities.
When they stray from Him, those good qualities disappear.
It's sort of a weird realization, even though it's really obvious.
The part of these people that you find so inspiring, so admirable, and lovable is all that Christ is and not even close to who He is entirely.
The more I see of man and his heart the better I understand the mystery and majesty of God, who will never ever let me down.
Who loves perfectly.
Who knows perfectly.
Who speaks perfectly.
Does what needs to be done when it needs to be done.
Unable to fail us.
Saves us from that which would harm us...perfectly
Deep unfathomable love and devotion.
When we feel that need for someone to count on, to trust...a true hero, isn't it really God that we're looking for?

Viva la Vida

noreply@blogger.com (Leah) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:42:00 +0000

Okay, so the new Coldplay cd.
Here are my initial thoughts.
Sweet artistic goodness batman!
It also brings to mind my often practiced tenses...
'Coldplay was awesome, Coldplay is awesome and Coldplay will be awesome.'
The cd plays more like a play or a story of some sort.
There are only a couple songs on the cd that I feel could be just turned on and listened to, without missing something in the order and transition.
'Life in Technicolor' is an instrumental entry into the story...sort of like the part where they show credits and you can get a little more antsy in anticipation to see what you came to see.
So I found myself waiting to hear the opening lines.
Then when you finally do, after it transitions to the second song, the tone has already changed grabbing your attention even MORE with it's haunted beginning.
Cemeteries..London...oooooo.
'Lost!' has some interesting lyrics and it continues the kind of odd beat that carries through the cd. It all just goes down so smoothly...that seems to be one of the main things I noticed at first.
Now '42' got my ears attention, it begins as a ballad and....it's just beautiful. Chris Martin's voice....man, seriously. Then it speeds up and, begins what turns out to be very common in the cd, what seems almost like another song but...it's not.
As I said, it feels alot like a story of some sort, so smooth and intentionally approaching each subject with a couple different takes.
I found my attention grabbed by an unusual un-Coldplay sound in 'Yes'.
Chris Martin is definitely taking a departure from his famous falsetto with a couple of songs on here, including this one. The sound and lyrics are intriguing to me...Another favorite.
'Viva la vida'....come on, seriously. I don't even need to talk about that one cause it's just incredible. Your ears will think they have been enchanted by some magical....um...singing...leprechaun. But, no seriously, it's awesome.
'Violet Hill' is another unusual un-Coldplayish song but...again, it's successful in achieving awesomeness. But basically any song that has the line 'It was a long and dark December...' has me at Hello, so I guess I'm biased.
'Strawberry Hill' also unusual, but insanely sweet. It's like the best purest romance with an out of focus lens at twilight... mixed with Coldplay and baked at awesome for 47 minues.
'Death And All His Friends' is an awesome ending...like Coldplay concentrate for a few minutes.
Then something awesome happens. The instrumental entry is repeated at the end of the song....almost like exit music or something.
Awesome.

noreply@blogger.com (Leah) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:50:00 +0000

So I'm sitting here, with a glass bottle of something sparkly and juicy

and I wonder wonders and ponder the ponderable.
So I guess I'll just spout off a few randomables

My eyebrows went up just a quarter of a half of an inch when I saw the name of the guy who played Caspian, Ben Barnes. Ben Barnes? Ben Barnes? That's just strange...don't ask me why. Maybe it's the alliteration or the odd mixture of b's and n's or maybe it's just the fact that it's so...like...simple and American. Like a block of non European cheese. It's just surprising to me because he doesn't necessarily look like a b and n type of guy.
I have a beautiful niece. She's beautiful. And she's my niece. It's going to be a fairly lethal combination to my heart valves for the next 18 years.
I've been watching Hogan's Heroes and Star Trek lately. Sheesh, I have serious 60s tv show issues. SERIOUS ones, my friends.
My hair is getting longish. Longerish. It's finally getting sort of past that awkward length and now it just needs a haircut. But haircuts are espeeeensive.
Speaking of espeeeeensive, I love Nacho Libre. I love Jared Hess. Dang.
I've been feeling weird lately. Maybe I'll figure out why in a few years.

Oh, is that so?

noreply@blogger.com (Leah) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:44:00 +0000

As some of you may or may not know I'm like...a big Coldplay fan.
I liked them okay for a few years, owned their cds but didn't listen too much.
Then...something happened.
Maybe I ate too many cookies.
Anyways, they are coming out with a new CD called 'Viva la Vida' and they've already released their new single.
DANG.
Just when you think they can't get any better, they DO.
I had heard somebody say it was Spanish inspired and that it was like 'Ricky Martin meets Coldplay' which, doubtless, confused me in a non positive way.
So to actually hear the new single....is amazing on a number of levels.
It doesn't sound like Ricky Martin (not that I noticed anyway) and it sounds so good on a ground-breakingly Coldplay level.
I love that the lyrics and context of the song is historical.
I mean, I thought Coldplay wrote awesome songs just about a color but...this is even better.
It's like a slice of something full of dark chocolate and espresso.
And....Coldplay.
And....history.
Hah.
Anyway, I'm psyched.
And I have the song here on my June Playlist so you can listen to it and get full of Coldplay Happiness.
Oh and I'm officially no longer in high school.
How weird is that?

For Rebeccah

noreply@blogger.com (Leah) — Sun, 18 May 2008 03:05:00 +0000

Things We Couldn't Say

noreply@blogger.com (Leah) — Sun, 11 May 2008 03:14:00 +0000

There is a book that I have to tell you about.
I finished reading 'Things We Couldn't Say' by Diet Eman just recently and...it was an awesome, awesome book.
I haven't read much on the subject of World War II.
To be honest, my interest wasn't THAT high.
But when I was handed this book it seemed interesting so I started reading, and kept reading and kept reading.
It's the story of a young Christian woman who was a member of the Dutch Resistance during World War II.
She has an amazing story, and it's put together with some of her diary entries and letters between her and her fiance, who was also a member of the resistance.
It's an incredible book and I would highly recommend it.

That is all.

Afraid of our emotions...

noreply@blogger.com (Leah) — Mon, 05 May 2008 23:49:00 +0000

So...tiiired.
Unreasonably tired.
Weirdly tired.
I have no idea why I'm tired, tired.
Heeeeee.
My birthday is coming up in a few days,
so you can rip ONE more paper strip off of your spiffy paper chain that I know you have hanging in your closet, counting down till my birthday.
Which meeeans I get to get my license renewed, which meeeeans I get to get a new picture, which meeeeans I will FINALLY not have a picture with me having a ticked off look on my face.
I'm not even sure how that happened...I was just trying to not smile really big because you know...
anyway...
I might not be happy about this picture either but I won't have people remarking on how angry I look so...I think it evens out.
Speaking of which, I took the SAT last Saturday, and yeah...I took it about a year late.
I don't know why I didn't take it last year, I just didn't.
But now I have and I'm supposed to find out May 22nd what I made on it.
Although, I probably won't be sharing the results...cause that'd be just like....kind of weird.
Right?
Of course right.
Anyhoo,
It was a very long test.
That's all I'm authorized to say because...you know, they make you sign some thing saying you won't share and
*whispers* I don't want the SAT police to come after me.
I'd be sitting in my room and all of the sudden I'd hear the loud megaphone "Banana is to fruit as A. Wheel is to Bicycle, B. Seed is to Apple, or C. Busted is to Leah, WE KNOW YOU'RE IN THERE YOU SAT TRAITOR!"
cause you know... they take these things seriously.
They let me into their circle of trust and I'm not sure how happy they'd be if I broke that.
Don't you love how it's basically escalated to a sort of SAT Mafia.
Just...be careful, okay?

Anyway, I've been really really really bad about my Project 365 this year.
Not only have I not posted in..hmmm, almost a month, but I have forgotten to take pictures a few times.
So it's turning into something more like Project 359.
I've been really distracto-busy lately so...I apologize.

Alot of things people say that sound really cliche, are actually true...I'm learning.
It's an odd world, but it's a gift.
I should appreciate it more then I do.

It's like if Paul McCartney were a cute little Korean kid! awwww

noreply@blogger.com (Leah) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 01:14:00 +0000