Easter weekend 2007
An amazing Easter weekend...
I spent Friday afternoon doing final packing work, and ended up staying awake until 4am out of excitement for the next day. The still-faulty Reign of Fire disc allowed me two more free movies, 'The Island of Dr. Moreau' and 'Equilibrium'. Island wasn't as great as I remembered it to be, but it was still entertaining--particularly since it has one of my favorite actors. Equilibrium was good as always, but skipped around a ton making it hard to watch. I also picked up 'Charlotte's Web' just out of curiousity. Charlotte and Wilbour were cute of course, but it was still a kid's-type movie. But I grew up with the animated version, so I had to check out the new edition.
Since Equilibrium was faulty, I brought it back the next day for another two movies: 'Gettysburg' and 'Gattaca'. Gettysburg skipped around a lot too, but I dealt with it. May even watch it again tonight, just for something to have on. It put a new light on the Confederates, who in many northerner's eyes were a lot less civil. Gattaca wasn't as shocking as I thought it would be. Maybe this is a horrific sign of how society has changed this past decade, and how usual suspicion is nowadays...that maybe we're just used to it, that this movie just wasn't a surprise to me.
Anyway, early morning my dad and Laurie arrived in Macomb. We dropped off her mice at the new house, and they humored me on the Chandler Park street corner for a half hour for the peace rally. I enjoyed watching my dad boggle peoples' minds with his knowledge of global politics and history...some people protesting, I notice, only protest to protest something and have relatively little idea why. You can tell them apart when their eyes glaze over when you start talking technical. One woman asked me the usual question: "What's that flag stand for?" and, once I told her, she has that 'so you're a murderer/terrorist/etc look' and goes "That's more like what this society is right now, anarchy!" I wanted to snap and call her clueless about social theories and history and the like, but I simply said that no, this society could only hope for the relief that a true anarchist society brings, and offered to explain to her what the theory really entails. She wasn't interested...let me guess, democrat?
We hopped over to the Jackson Street Pub which was a lot cozier than I'd imagine. Great grilled cheese and fries! Kim and Adam met us here and we all had drinks for a little while. And then the fun really began when we paraded all my things out to the truck and I left that West Murray hellhole for good. No more stomach aches coming home. No more barking all hours of the day. No more scummy dishes piled up in the sink. No more filthy, slobbish house. No more tapestries on all the windows, no more smoke, no more crappy old repetitive music, no more stolen property, no more distrust, no more pointless anger, no more depression, no more of that ever again.
This new place is amazing. I almost wish I could stay longer--this is the most stunning room I've ever stayed in. It's enormous and uniquely shaped, and still covered in plywood to create this warm wood feeling with part of the chimney poking up through one side. I hope they never finish this room--it's best as is. All the trim is unfinished wood, and no carpet on the ground means no suspect barf spots or other spills. You get the feeling like nothing bad has ever happened in this room. With all my stuff in it, it's still nearly bare. The kitchen is clean and open too, even has an ancient electric stove. The lower level is mostly wood floors and has a bar in the living room where Laurie's mice are staying now. There's a table in the living room and one in the kitchen. I pretty much ignore the other 8 or so bedrooms in the house and basement because...yea, I don't need them, haha. Central air system...this is a college student's dream home. Or anyone's dream home, really. It's amazing. Pictures to follow...
Move in went well. I don't have much to deal with so organizing everything took very little time. We all went to Adams Street Coffee after. I had a 'Nutty Irishman Latte' without the espresso. I've gotta go there more now--free drink after I buy five more. Kim and Adam parted ways while I dragged my dad and Laurie to the Lock Shop to drop off my old key and to get the new movies. Said goodbye--Laurie's going to San Fran tomorrow for a month (how ironic, 'California' just came on the radio) but I'll see my dad again in a week.
I got up today in time for church. I almost set the alarm back and slept more, but I knew that I'd be mad at myself for missing so I pulled myself up. The water heater must be set too low; the shower this morning was like dumping ice cubes over my head. I actually prepared breakfast this morning (ok ok, french toast sticks still count!), and biked to the church down the road. It took a little adjustment to remember about the psalms and hymns and the ritual of it all (it's been a long time since I last went to church). Although I believe living in the here and now instead of fretting over the past or looking too much into the future, the rector talked about not letting the problems of this life get to us too much since it IS only temporary, and the when we pass on, those problems don't affect us anymore. Well...I like to think that what I learn in this life is important for the next in some way or other, but I agree that we shouldn't take life 'too seriously'. I also believe that since this life is a gift, looking only in the future is a mistake. Knowing what the future holds is what's important. Recieved Communion, and that was it. I was shocked how fast it went, remembering how eager I was when I was little for it to be over. Since it was such a comfort, I'll probably try to make it a tradition for the remaining time left, minus next week of course). As we filed out, there was a version of my favorite painting, ever, in stained glass over the entrance of the church--I'll save the name for my privacy's sake, but it was moving. There was their patron saint, slaying the figurative dragon.
And then I napped for five hours and am still tired :P My Easter meal was cheesy breadsticks and rice/carrots/teriaki sauce. Actually quite delicious but obviously unusual. I miss my family...
I spent Friday afternoon doing final packing work, and ended up staying awake until 4am out of excitement for the next day. The still-faulty Reign of Fire disc allowed me two more free movies, 'The Island of Dr. Moreau' and 'Equilibrium'. Island wasn't as great as I remembered it to be, but it was still entertaining--particularly since it has one of my favorite actors. Equilibrium was good as always, but skipped around a ton making it hard to watch. I also picked up 'Charlotte's Web' just out of curiousity. Charlotte and Wilbour were cute of course, but it was still a kid's-type movie. But I grew up with the animated version, so I had to check out the new edition.
Since Equilibrium was faulty, I brought it back the next day for another two movies: 'Gettysburg' and 'Gattaca'. Gettysburg skipped around a lot too, but I dealt with it. May even watch it again tonight, just for something to have on. It put a new light on the Confederates, who in many northerner's eyes were a lot less civil. Gattaca wasn't as shocking as I thought it would be. Maybe this is a horrific sign of how society has changed this past decade, and how usual suspicion is nowadays...that maybe we're just used to it, that this movie just wasn't a surprise to me.
Anyway, early morning my dad and Laurie arrived in Macomb. We dropped off her mice at the new house, and they humored me on the Chandler Park street corner for a half hour for the peace rally. I enjoyed watching my dad boggle peoples' minds with his knowledge of global politics and history...some people protesting, I notice, only protest to protest something and have relatively little idea why. You can tell them apart when their eyes glaze over when you start talking technical. One woman asked me the usual question: "What's that flag stand for?" and, once I told her, she has that 'so you're a murderer/terrorist/etc look' and goes "That's more like what this society is right now, anarchy!" I wanted to snap and call her clueless about social theories and history and the like, but I simply said that no, this society could only hope for the relief that a true anarchist society brings, and offered to explain to her what the theory really entails. She wasn't interested...let me guess, democrat?
We hopped over to the Jackson Street Pub which was a lot cozier than I'd imagine. Great grilled cheese and fries! Kim and Adam met us here and we all had drinks for a little while. And then the fun really began when we paraded all my things out to the truck and I left that West Murray hellhole for good. No more stomach aches coming home. No more barking all hours of the day. No more scummy dishes piled up in the sink. No more filthy, slobbish house. No more tapestries on all the windows, no more smoke, no more crappy old repetitive music, no more stolen property, no more distrust, no more pointless anger, no more depression, no more of that ever again.
This new place is amazing. I almost wish I could stay longer--this is the most stunning room I've ever stayed in. It's enormous and uniquely shaped, and still covered in plywood to create this warm wood feeling with part of the chimney poking up through one side. I hope they never finish this room--it's best as is. All the trim is unfinished wood, and no carpet on the ground means no suspect barf spots or other spills. You get the feeling like nothing bad has ever happened in this room. With all my stuff in it, it's still nearly bare. The kitchen is clean and open too, even has an ancient electric stove. The lower level is mostly wood floors and has a bar in the living room where Laurie's mice are staying now. There's a table in the living room and one in the kitchen. I pretty much ignore the other 8 or so bedrooms in the house and basement because...yea, I don't need them, haha. Central air system...this is a college student's dream home. Or anyone's dream home, really. It's amazing. Pictures to follow...
Move in went well. I don't have much to deal with so organizing everything took very little time. We all went to Adams Street Coffee after. I had a 'Nutty Irishman Latte' without the espresso. I've gotta go there more now--free drink after I buy five more. Kim and Adam parted ways while I dragged my dad and Laurie to the Lock Shop to drop off my old key and to get the new movies. Said goodbye--Laurie's going to San Fran tomorrow for a month (how ironic, 'California' just came on the radio) but I'll see my dad again in a week.
I got up today in time for church. I almost set the alarm back and slept more, but I knew that I'd be mad at myself for missing so I pulled myself up. The water heater must be set too low; the shower this morning was like dumping ice cubes over my head. I actually prepared breakfast this morning (ok ok, french toast sticks still count!), and biked to the church down the road. It took a little adjustment to remember about the psalms and hymns and the ritual of it all (it's been a long time since I last went to church). Although I believe living in the here and now instead of fretting over the past or looking too much into the future, the rector talked about not letting the problems of this life get to us too much since it IS only temporary, and the when we pass on, those problems don't affect us anymore. Well...I like to think that what I learn in this life is important for the next in some way or other, but I agree that we shouldn't take life 'too seriously'. I also believe that since this life is a gift, looking only in the future is a mistake. Knowing what the future holds is what's important. Recieved Communion, and that was it. I was shocked how fast it went, remembering how eager I was when I was little for it to be over. Since it was such a comfort, I'll probably try to make it a tradition for the remaining time left, minus next week of course). As we filed out, there was a version of my favorite painting, ever, in stained glass over the entrance of the church--I'll save the name for my privacy's sake, but it was moving. There was their patron saint, slaying the figurative dragon.
And then I napped for five hours and am still tired :P My Easter meal was cheesy breadsticks and rice/carrots/teriaki sauce. Actually quite delicious but obviously unusual. I miss my family...