One day at a time...

my song of the moment goes something like this...

The ribs of the umbrella
Have fallen apart;
The paper is also torn,
But with bamboo
Tied together.
Do not throw it away.
Though I
Also am torn,
Don't desert me.

this song, Kasa no Hone, by Anathallo is actually sung in Japanese and is a whimsical five minute melody that brings you from life to death through peace and back to joy all at once. It makes me feel like dancing and crying at the same time...what do you think about that? But it has such a strong message of hope and the human condition...and sung fervently by the boys in anathallo just bring it home. there are a few songs in this world that i could listen to over and over hundreds of times and never get tired of them. You wonder what they are? Even if you don't...they are:
"Steps and Numbers" - The Appleseed Cast
"Brennivin" - The Album Leaf
"Untitled #4" - From the () Sigur Ros Album
"Sweet Afton" - Nickelcreek
"Holland" - Sufjan Stevens
"Just Watch the Fireworks" - Jimmy Eat World
"Rooms and Gardens" - The Appleseed Cast
"Caves" - Jack's Mannequin
"He Woke Me Up Again" - Sufjan Stevens
"Poetry and Airplanes" - Teitur
"Coming to Life" - The Normals
"Early in the Morning" - Andrew Osenga
"These Times" - The Normals
"Konstantine" - Something Corporate
"If you don't, don't" - Jimmy Eat World

...and I'm sure the list could go on all night...I wonder what song you could listen to forever?

Life. Has been good lately. As far as the life of an unemployed job seeker looking for a change and worrying constantly that it won't come. I know that I have to rest in the fact that something is coming...but as I search, it seems to get darker...a good man once said that the search into the depths of yourself more often than not turns into utter darkness. Hear me right, not a bad darkness, but a darkness each of us would often rather forget is actually there. All this to say I have been enjoying the time that I've been given...and I'm trying to make the best of it.

I cleaned out the garage today, had a good chat with my neighbors, washed and cleaned the car, emailed a few friends, talked to my Dad who is nearing recovery every day, enjoyed my dog, made some scones, walked around downtown minneapolis, remembered how beautiful my wife was, prayed for strength and clarity, enjoyed the new jack's mannequin cd, watched the sunset and many other harmonious things you can pack into a day.

Currently I have applied for about 5 jobs that I'm actually looking forward to hearing about.
I've applied to be an aid in both the Minneapolis and St. Paul Public school systems, which sounds like a neat way to get in a the classroom and help out...I've applied to be a bike delivery guy for Peace Coffee, which means riding my bike around the Twin Cities with a trailer full of coffee and enduring the excellent conditions of the Minnesota seasons full-time. I've applied for a few non-profit volunteer coordinator positions around the Metro, which would be sweet to actually get to use some of the YouthWorks talents I have. I've also applied to be the program director for a new Minnesota Conservation Corp Youth Outdoors program which just basically promotes service to Twin Cities youth through the public school system. This is probably the one that I am most excited about the opportunities involved. Two observations, I need a new word other than which and it's weird to let the world in on my job prospects.

Is anyone else sick if political ads on TV saying all kinds of different things about our potential presidents Barack Obama and Sarah Pa...crap John McCain. I think advertising and the truth are very important to this election, but could how is the general public to delineate when they are presented as equal. I'm just tired of hearing an ad say something drastic and dramatic only to see the media hype it up and the candidate claim it as an untruth. It makes me hope that no one really gives those ads two cents worth of time...and it makes me hope that the general public would go out and educate themselves and make a conscious choice based on their own minds.

In other news...Siri and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary on Monday. We went up north to Silver Bay and stayed in a friends house...enjoyed some local fare, hiked with our extreme dog Remy, climbed big rocks and played in the rain. We also watched Harry Potter and Baby Mama (actually not a bad movie, better than expected). It rained from about noon on Saturday until Sunday night so a few of our plans were dampened, but all in all an excellent weekend. We also got to celebrate with some of our favorite local Metro foods, like Maria's for a late breakfast (two words: corn pancake)...DQ for an ice cream cake...and Chipotle for a budget-friendly split burrito bowl with three salsa's and excellent company! An excellent culmination of a beautiful and indelible first year. Marriage, not what I expected...but definitely what I signed up for.

A short baking update before I make my exit...I'm sure you're all very interested in this part, but my muse has been my kitchen through these times of unemployment...so, from my kitchen:
-Peach/Blueberry Scones
-Maple Banana Scones
-Banana-Zucchini Bread
-Brownies
-Pillow Bread (kind of a cross between sweet bread and cornbread...wow good with soup)
-Banana Bran Muffins
-Zucchini Bread
-Chocolate Layer Cake

There's probably been more...anyone want to give me capital to start a bakery...thanks.

Questions of the day for you to pine over:
Rome or London?
Running Shoes, Pen, Headphones?
Mac or PC?
Favorite Breakfast item?
Why do mother's wait to get to WalMart to beat their children?

Wow...
Currently reading: "Pagan Christianity" by Frank Viola/George Barna
Currently Spinning: "The Glass Passenger" by Jack's Mannequin