The glare comes from his god Obscuring what he cannot fathom And leaving alone what he comprehends No matter how small the latter He stares through the advancing haze An exercise in futility, it seems But he cannot make himself stop This endless cycle of dependence On what he cannot see Or just a glimpse … Continue reading His God
I walked into the break room today to see Craig playing around with little scraps of red construction paper, then Sara came in and saw Craig playing around with little scraps of red construction paper. Apparently the paper was hers, and apparently the scraps weren’t really scraps but pieces she had cut out into actual … Continue reading Water Cooler Musings: On Wieners
Have you ever seen a marching band, where the leader carries a baton and goes, “Left. Left. Left. Right. Left.” and everyone in the band follows along in perfect rhythm, one foot after the other, completely in sync? I used to be a part of one of those marching bands, and I would often repeat the “Left. Right. Left.” in my head along with the leader. It kept me in line with everyone else, especially when I was also playing this huge bass drum pressed against my stomach at the same time. I liked the commands because they helped me to just go with it and not have to think. It’s the same reason people tend to gravitate toward songs that have specific dance moves attached to them, like the Macarena, the Hammer Dance, or even Gangnam Style. They like to let others do the work, and they sit back and enjoy the ride, but without those people who do the work, no marching, or dancing, would get done. It’s the glory of the call and response. Some are callers, and others are responders.
I’m usually a caller. I know, you’re probably shocked at that piece of news. I’m generally the person who starts most conversations, and if there is a lull I like to fill it with something. Some people would call me a leader, and I am that, but a caller is even more than that. A caller is the idea person, not just the one who barks out commands, the one who thinks ahead and knows that something will be needed and when. And it’s an innate sense, too. You can’t be taught to be a caller, and it’s not easy, but it’s fulfilling when a group you’re a part of needs to get something done efficiently and/or creatively. Responders also have a big job, too, though, to follow the instructions of the caller, to put those ideas into action, because without them whatever the grand task is doesn’t get done. With no dancers, there is no dance. Continue reading “Call and Response”
There it sits on the plate. It looks lonely, like it needs a friend to just be there, to appreciate it. And I so want to be that friend. I’ve been staring at it for a while now, my eyes locked in on it, wanting it for my own. Hoping that there has been enough … Continue reading Embracing the Sugar Coma
I had an interesting conversation earlier today with a coworker. When I asked her what type of music she liked, she said she just really didn’t listen to much music at all. After I picked my jaw up off the ground, I realized that not everyone is as caught up in and with music as I am, that it could honestly become an afterthought to others. While I love having music in the background as much as the next person (and I’m listening to Katy Perry’s new album in the background as I write this), I also use it as a focal point for just about everything I do. It helps me focus and concentrate, and it brings me such joy, from a simple pop song to a complex anthem for a generation. It’s been a while since I put this thing on shuffle and let you in on some of the music on my iPod, so here goes…
1. Good Girls Go Bad (Crash Crash Remix) – Cobra Starship
While I prefer the original to this remix, the best thing about the song is its repetition which is everywhere in both versions. Plus it has a guest appearance by my girl, Leighton Meester (Blair from Gossip Girl), so that makes it cool also. “I make them good girls go bad.”
2. Spring – Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman is the soundtrack to my adolescence. Well, her and Nirvana, sort of like a yin and yang. This song reminds me of fall, even though it’s named Spring.
3. Brenda’s Got a Baby – 2Pac
My mother’s name is Brenda, so I imagine 2Pac is rapping about me in this song. I’m not sure my mother would be thrilled to know I think this so please don’t tell her.
4. Never Named – Soundgarden
Out of all the Soundgarden songs I have on my iPod (every one they ever released), this one is probably the one I’ve listened to least. Not because I don’t like it, but because there are just so many good Soundgarden songs out there. “I’ll put my hand in flames.”
5. Rolling in the Deep – Haley Reinhart
Okay, I’ll admit it. I’m a huge American Idol fan, and I have been since season 6. Ms. Reinhart was featured in season 10, and I voted for her many times. This was one of my favorite songs she performed on the show. And no, she doesn’t sound like Adele. Continue reading “Tuesday Shuffle”
NaNoWriMo continues, rolling into Day Four. Did you know that of the hundreds of thousands of people who start NaNo every November, about half of them drop out after the first few days? And they do that for several reasons, not the least of which is that they didn’t realize just how much time and … Continue reading Day Four
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Soprano
A Writer's Journey
At the hub...
Exploring life, love, lifting, and (almost) literally everything else, frequently aided by laughter and libations
Just a small town girl who writes about Christian stuff.
Strategic freelance writer specializing in online content, articles, web copy, & SEO.
Bree Defined
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