Thoughts on being 24

Freshman year.................................................................. and post-college.

Today is the first day of school at the college I graduated from. Also known as my current place of employment. I've been at SPU for six years now, and that really blows my mind. On the one hand I feel like it was ages and ages ago that I came up here with my parents and my suitcases and moved into Emerson Hall, feeling scared, alone, sad. I feel like such a different person now. Completely different. Sort of. A little less lonely. A little more of a grown-up.

And I also feel like it was just yesterday.... that not many days have passed in between. Skateboarding by the canal was a minute ago. Traveling through Europe happened in a snap. Falling in and out of love, a blur. And now I'm 24--not 18-- and I have no idea what the next six years will hold, and who knows how fast they will go by before my eyes. I'll probably fall in love again... I'll hopefully do a little more traveling, maybe to Nepal or Latin America. Who knows!

I don't know what I'm trying to say with all of this. I usually don't write reflectively anymore. But I felt an urge to, like this is some big milestone that I have to acknowledge. When really, it's just life going on and going by, as always. Right now I'm in this season where I don't really know if what I am doing is what I'm supposed to be doing; am I wasting my time here on earth working in an office, dreaming of some other career? Or is this the way it's supposed to be? Paying my dues in a mediocre job, and sometimes feeling like a very mediocre human being.

Before you think I'm a complete Debbie Downer, I'll say that my life outside of my job is very lovely, and I'm very VERY happy to be able to express my extraordinary-ness through this blog. And I was just chatting with my friend Moorea about how blessed I feel to have truly great friends in my life.

I sense that the big man upstairs is subtly encouraging me, pointing me in the right direction ever-so slightly, and cultivating my passions. I'm realizing that I have a passion for gay rights (civil liberties, what-WHAT!), and desperately want to get involved in something in the city. I'm realizing that I really enjoy painting and need to make time to cultivate that practice. And, I think most importantly, I'm desperately wanting to live beautifully: creating, loving, enjoying. That's what this life is about. It's not about sitting around dully, hating others for stupid reasons, and punishing yourself because you think you're a bad person. You deserve everything!

Thanks, if you read all of this. I came out of my writing shell for a hot minute, and I feel better now.

Let's call it a day

This little clip brings back memories of staying home sick from Kindergarten and watching Shirley Temple movies all day.

Well...

SUCH a romantic song. Gah.

Have a good Thursday nigh!

Femininity according to "Summer Magic"

Last night, Laura, Stacey, and I watched Summer Magic, a favorite childhood movie of mine. It's quite old-fashioned, very Disney, and holds a lot of nostalgia for me.

Our favorite part turned out to be the musical number, "Femininity," which is a detailed instructional on how to attract an alpha male. It's quite laughable, but adorable, and I think you just need to watch it for yourself:




Here too are the lyrics:

You must walk feminine
Talk feminine
Smile and beguile feminine
Utilize your femininity
That's what every girl should know, if she wants to catch a beau

Dance feminine
Glance feminine
Act shy and sigh feminine
Compliment his masculinity
That's what every girl should know, if she wants to catch a beau

Let him do the talking
Men adore good listeners
Laugh, but not loudly (Haha)
If he should choose to tell a joke

Be radiant, but delicate
Memorize the rules of etiquette
Be demure, sweet and pure
Hide the real you

You must look feminine
Dress feminine
You're at your best feminine
Emphasize your femininity
That's what every girl should know
Femininity, femininity
That's the way to catch a beau

2gether 4ever

I have this book called "2gether 4ever" and it's a compilation of notes from this guy's junior high school days. I highly recommend it.

Here's an excerpt (ver batem):

Dear Deno,

Hello.. Do you still like me. I hope you do. Who are you going to ask next to go to the dance with you. I can't go for 3 reasons, no girl, no suit, no permission from my mother. At least I don't have a money problem.

The real problem at the dance will be Animals. You know how much room they need to dance. Wouldn't it be funny if someone was doing the dance called "Kung Fu Fighting" and they gave you a karate chop in the neck. That would be nice. You know why. Because the things you said about me in the note in Mrs. Sadrock's class were disgusting. The bell is about to ring so I'll say so long.

F. Charles

PS: Bye

Captain Hook's Waltz

I just bought the original cast recording of "Peter Pan" and feeling so nostalgic. I played the heck out of the VHS recording my family had of a 1960s version for TV, with Mary Martin (as Peter Pan) and Cyril Ritchard (as Mr. Darling/Captain Hook).

THEN I discovered that youtube.com has most of the recording in installments. Which is good news for me because they haven't released it on DVD yet. Which is a travesty.

Here's a taste: a funny little song by Captain Hook, played beautifully by Sir Cyril Ritchard.

Seriously, people: I feel like I'm four years old when I listen/watch this. It makes me so happy.