Tackling the Issues

These kinds of things are very good to know:

I could survive for 41 seconds chained to a bunk bed with a velociraptor

Created by Bunk Beds Pedia

Changes

If you visit my blog regularly, you might notice the changes I've made around here. The most obvious of those changes is the title: "Alas! Evening Lurks" has no big significance, other than the fact that it's an anagram of my name. :) I've been blogging for over a year now--it's time to ditch the old place-holder title I've always hated.

As for when the title change might show up in Google Reader, that's anyone's guess. If it does, then consider this a notice that it's still me.

Probably about as political as this blog will get

Sarah Palin rocks. Tina Fey: also a pretty fun lady. I'm sure Tina Fey probably doesn't think Sarah Palin is very awesome, but she does do a darn fine impersonation of her:

It's about time

I'm a church musician and an organist. I'm all for traditional liturgy and styles in the church.

But I'm SICK and TIRED of all this BASHING of contemporary Christian music. I mean, I need music that speaks to ME in MY generation, or I just don't GET it. God's word isn't enough, and that's why it needs to be put into a context that I can understand. C'mon, I'm in the generation of the Millenials. If you don't meet my personal needs WHILE making me feel completely good about myself, I'm just going to move right along. YouTube is chock full of other theologies that would meet my needs.

What I need is a friend. A friend named Jesus. A friend named Jesus that I can learn all about in an upbeat, uplifting ska song.



See, I never knew Jesus was like a mountie. That really just helped contextualize the whole bible for me. Thanks, Sonseed!

H/T: Putting Out the Fire via Issues, etc.

In Memoriam

1. Seven years and one day ago, the world changed. Most everyone I talk to remembers where they were and what they were doing when they received news of the tragedy in New York. Many people were already watching the news and saw the second plane hit the tower in real time.

I was eighteen years old. I had just started college and was just getting used to the college life. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I didn't have class until 11:50am, so I took those opportunities to sleep in. 9/11 was no different. At about 8:30 am, I heard talking outside my dorm room door. It was the tone of the voices that roused me. I heard snippets like, "Did you hear...?" and "Oh my gosh..." I got up and read an email from my mom telling me to turn on the news. And there it was. Then, as now, I could not put into words what I felt. The defining world event to usher me into adulthood was undefinable. The only thing I and my classmates could figure out was that the world would never be the same.

Yesterday, I had three piano students, two eleven-year-olds and one who was ten. The older ones kind of remember September 11, 2001, the younger one not so much. I'm growing to hate the cliché "I feel old," but it did make me feel old to see these kids, learning and growing in a world in which most of their lives have been post-9/11. I wish I could articulate what this all really means to me. Though it was seven years ago, it still feels like it's too soon. I'll get back to you in 20 years on that one.

Lastly, I can't begin to imagine how the family and friends of the victims felt then or now. They share their personal tragedies with each other and the rest of the world. I have no more words.

2. You might say Erin's grandmother lived a long life, but many people who make it to age 73 continue to live another 10-20 years. Her sudden death from a massive heart attack is so sad, tragic, and inconceivable. How is it fair? Why her, why now? No one can answer these questions.

3. It was a long, long drive back from the doctor's office after I found out the baby in my womb no longer lived. I pass that doctor's office several times per week on my way to and from my church, where I work and teach. And every single time I've driven past it since February 13th of this year, I remember that day. Despite the amount of time that's passed and the fact that I have healed physically and, much more importantly, emotionally, the memories are getting stronger.

I remember the crushing feelings of sadness and injustice that descended upon me like a violent rain storm. I threw an angry fit as soon as I got home, pleading with God that there might be something I could do or think to bring my baby back to life. But there was nothing. All I could do was grieve, and wait. Time has given me perspective, but I still can't explain why. There's never an answer.



The only thing that keeps me from becoming a total pessimist is the knowledge that death and tragedy are not supposed to make sense. We plan for and hope for good. It makes sense, we understand why, when good things happen. Tragedy is chaos and sin in the world messing up our best efforts. It's not worth trying to figure it out. I believe God does not cause evil, but He works good through it. Though my feeble human understanding still craves to know "Why???," I continually hope and pray for the understanding that the question is irrelevant. Time gives the perspective to see the good that comes after bad, and patience is our greatest virtue in a world that doesn't make sense.

Hawai'i, Part 7: Out on the Town

We got home from Hawai'i just under a year ago. My last post about it was over nine months ago. Yikes! But, as the title of this blog suggests, I can do whatever I want with MY blog. I've been thinking about Hawai'i a lot these days since we were getting ready for it a year ago, so here's another installment, long overdue:

In addition to the lu'au at the Polynesian Cultural Center, we had a few memorable nights out to get the full Hawai'ian experience.

One place we went early on was La Mariana Sailing Club in Honolulu. We liked it so much, we went back when we got back from the Big Island. Our guide book had described as a place right out of the fifties, and it did not disappoint.

We sat inside, but we may as well have been on the lana'i. We could feel the breeze and watch the sunset from our cozy table, sipping our mai tais with the mini-umbrellas.

Some blind musicians serenaded the few guests. The building had the feel of a cross between some kind of hut and a garden party. The setting was so fun yet relaxing...

This picture just says it all. The pint of beer with the "hang loose" hand sign on the glass, the look of utter serenity on my new husband's face. This was ultimate "wedding recovery." We never wanted to leave.

I caught a picture of this little bugger crawling around the walls and ceiling.

The sun sets beyond the sailboats.

Unfortunately, I didn't take a picture of any of the food we had at La Mariana. And actually, our entrées weren't anything to write home about--or blog about. But the poke! Have I mentioned poke (pronounced po'-kee) yet? It was our favorite Hawai'ian dish, and we had it for the first time as a pupu (appetizer) at La Mariana. Sesame oil-marinated raw ahi tuna with seaweed and green onions on a bed of shredded cabbage... we were in heaven. When we went back a week later, it was for the poke and mai tais.

Our other big Hawai'ian night out was on our last night in Hawai'i. We went to Germaine's Lu'au, which was not quite as culturally accurate as the PCC's lu'au, but at least they served adult beverages. Most of the Germaine's guests came on a bus from Waikiki, but since Erich and I had a car and the lu'au was closer to our part of O'ahu anyway, we drove.

We got their early enough to get a pretty decent spot. Interesting tidbit: the outfit I'm wearing in this picture is the outfit I bought for and wore on Erich's and my first date!

Another great thing about Germaine's was how close it was to the ocean. This beach was far too rocky to be safe for walking or swimming, but it was nice to look at and photograph:



I can't decide which of the next two photos I like better. What do you think?

One thing is certain: Pacific sunsets are the best.

Last but not least, Germaine's put on a good show. Enjoy this clip and please excuse my shaky camerawork:

September

I love September. That would be why I chose to get married in September. Now that it's here again, I've been thinking a lot about where I was and what I was doing this time last year.

When I remember last year, I always thank God that my life is so much more stable now. Late August was almost too much to bear last year. We were coming down to the wire with wedding plans, I was starting the school year as a teacher in the church's school for the first time, and people were calling me for piano lessons left and right. And my piano schedule was like a jigsaw puzzle where the picture on the box was constantly changing. I had moved out of my old place, so I had to teach at a combination of church and people's homes until Erich and I got a piano for our place, where I did not yet officially live. On top of that, I was preparing all of my students for my name change, which I was barely getting used to myself.

Again, I love September and could not have asked for a better wedding, but in retrospect, it might have been much better for my mental health to have gotten married in the spring.

Life is a bit crazy again this year. I'm not teaching a school choir, but I do have about 18 piano students and I'm directing the handbell choir at church, which is just getting started. But compared to last year with the wedding plans, this is total cake. So with the extra time I have left I've been doing what I love best: reminiscing!

We really did have an awesome wedding. And we had a great band who played at the reception! The drummer of the band, the Endless Knights, cuts my dad's hair and keeps him informed of the band's upcoming gigs. My dad, wisely, has never promised to be there. (I'm sure the wedding gig made up for my dad's lack of attendance at other gigs.) But ever since the wedding we have tried to go out to see them, Erich and me and my parents, and we could never make it work until this past Friday, when we went out to see them play at a local pub.

They surpassed even my best memory of them. In my opinion, they embody everything that's good about secular music. The band consists of five people: drummer, keyboardist extraordinaire, bassist, female vocalist, and guitarist/lead vocalist. They're not much to look at: they're all 50-somethings with day jobs, but they are all skilled musicians who obviously love to play. Their style is what I consider to be just perfect for a wedding: they play mostly classic rock but a little bit of everything and they're very easy to dance to. After their first set break, they started rifling through music and found a tango to try to entice Erich and I to get up and dance. So how could we say no, especially with a little "liquid confidence" in our systems?

Remember our wedding tango? Remember??? Here it is again, in case you forgot:



Our tango on Friday night was not nearly so good. But it was fun! And they played a few swing numbers later, to which we also danced.

I really enjoyed the chance to enjoy listening to the band and dancing. I had hoped to do more of that at my wedding, but there were just too many great people to talk to. This felt like a perfect way to remember and supplement our wedding festivities. And we'll definitely get out to see the Endless Knights again sometime.

Oh, Memories

Remember this post from almost exactly a year ago? I was so young and unmarried then. *sigh*...

Anyway, I thought about that post yesterday when I had a sudden realization that The Office Season 4 DVD set had come out on Monday, and if I wanted a good deal with any kind of extra goody, I needed to go right away.

So after I checked out the buying guide at officetally.com, I decided on Circuit City. And now, I'm the proud owner of the very overpriced ($33 for only 13 episodes?!?) four-disc set and cute little stapler in "gelatin" keychain.


My life is now a little more complete than it was 24 hours ago. :)