The start of the holiday weekend

Dinner last night was delicious. Adam made corn on the cob drenched in melted Smart Balance butter, crunchy green squash, and beef ribs. I gave him a black leather wallet to replace his, which was falling apart. We then realized that the traditional gift for the third anniversary was leather. Well... beef is, erm, pre-leather?
Adam has held off on watching the second season of Torchwood until he could download the whole thing. I had not yet seen the last two episodes. We watched those together. It was sad. We joked about Owen, because it was sad and I wanted to laugh at something. But damn, poor Tosh. And okay, so Jack and John? The two sexiest pansexual partners ever. I want John Hart to be a regular cast member next season. Mostly due to my adoration of Spike. And John Hart is what the lovechild of Spike and Jack Harkness would be. So, yes.
The nineteenth season of The Simpsons finished downloading last night, so we watched that season finale (which Adam had missed), and then started with the season premiere. Apparently we had both missed the Halloween episode, so we watched it cuddled up on the couch. I think I shall remember "Treehouse of Horror XVIII" as our "We Watched This Snuggled On The Couch" wedding anniversary Simpsons episode. It was a good one, too. It still doesn't hold a candle to "Treehouse of Horror V" featuring The Shinning, but it's second best in my opinion. And of course I will always hold a special place for the very first "Treehouse of Horror" featuring James Earl Jones narrating "The Raven." Watching that always thrills me because James Earl Jones sounds exactly like that in person. During my 2001 college graduation ceremony (SUNY Purchase), he delivered an amazing commencement speech that had students standing on chairs and roaring. His first words, "ALL RIGHT, THEN," started the cheering, and his last words, "MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU," nearly brought the place down. The speech itself was intense, and focused on the hard reality of life, and James Earl Jones told us that we were grown-up now and to act grown-up and do great things, and I think everyone listened and obeyed with rapt attention mostly because of THE VOICE.

The office is closing early due to the holiday on Monday, so I can close up the library an hour early.

Image Of Me Meme

1. Think of the first word that comes to mind when you think of me.

2. Go to Google Images and search for that word.

3. Reply to this post with one of the pictures on the first page of results. Write the word in the subject header of your comment.

4. Put this in your own journal (if you like, but no obligation) so that I can do the same.

Feeling safety in pure faith

Something Vicki posted today made me think. I realize that I'm basically on the same kind of path she is, exploring and expanding to all these belief systems that feel "right" to me, becoming truly eclectic. There's an inherent beauty and comfort in the security of religion, and there is also an inherent beauty in comfort in the wild expanse of not having a religion. I think it really, truly depends on the individual. We cannot hope to change someone else's mind about these things unless he or she wants it. This is why I don't like any kind of proselytizing, from any belief system.
And interestingly enough, this applies to my earlier entry on how certain books can become phenomenons. Just because I don't like a certain book and someone else loves it, doesn't mean we must fight over it and tear each other apart. It's not the book itself, it's the behavior and attitudes of the people who read the book. It's not the religion itself, it's the behavior and attitudes of the people who follow -- or criticize -- the religion.

Vicki said:
"The thing about any religion (no intention here to offend anyone... just my personal viewpoint) is they *really* are invested in the nice neat little boxes that make everyone feel better and more secure in a basically very *unknowable* mysterious universe. It takes alot of courage to see & accept just What Is right in front of you without interpretation. All religion provides so many security blankets and structures within which to live so you can feel safe ... [snip] ... I think my way is a combination of so many things I've learned and now am unlearning! :) As I allow the ego & identity structures to dissassemble, the greater Truth I've been searching for all my life is clearer than before. All the constructs we work so hard to keep together in a life is all just our own prison in so many ways... anyway, I could go on and on... hahahha life is made for freedom and I know that now in a way didn't before.. It's finally beginning to dawn... whew..."

Listen to my roommate, y'all

Jason played a small show tonight with a bunch of other singers, and he played some of my favorites, including "Wanderer," "Good News" and "Watching Her Sleep." I want to show my friends list how awesome he is, so here:
http://www.garageband.com/song?|pe1|S8LTM0LdsaSkZ1m3YGg
That's the page for "Good News," which lyrically is rather brilliant. You can also click on "Wanderer," "And Watching Her Sleep" (which he played at my wedding).

Also, I absolutely need to promote Rob and Heather, who also played at the show. They're like a fiery thunderstorm on speed. Rob attacks his guitar with a violent passion unlike anything I have ever seen. http://www.ilyaimy.com/