Mr. Josh goes to Washington (obvious) I'm jetting down to Washington today to attend/speak briefly at a conference on Tuesday. Do me a favor and read that sentence again for me, tell me if it makes sense.

But seriously, one has to wonder: are the cherry blossoms still in bloom?  ¶ 4/30/2007 07:41:00 AM 2 comments

  it's a drag

"Far out in the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of the western spiral arm of the Galaxy lies a small unregarded yellow sun.

Orbiting this at a distance of roughly ninety-two million miles is an utterly insignificant little blue green planet whose ape-descended life forms are so amazingly primitive that they still think digital watches are a pretty neat idea.

This planet has — or rather had — a problem, which was this: most of the people on it were unhappy for pretty much of the time. Many solutions were suggested for this problem, but most of these were largely concerned with the movements of small green pieces of paper, which is odd because on the whole it wasn't the small green pieces of paper that were unhappy.

And so the problem remained; lots of the people were mean, and most of them were miserable, even the ones with digital watches.

Many were increasingly of the opinion that they'd all made a big mistake in coming down from the trees in the first place. And some said that even the trees had been a bad move, and that no one should ever have left the oceans."

--Douglas Adams, So Long and Thanks for All the Fish (1985)

  ¶ 4/28/2007 09:09:00 PM 0 comments

  evaporation For the most part my family wouldn't like Providence. My Mom did when she visited. Ben wouldn't, not for more than a day or two. My grandparents wouldn't. They might like Rhode Island, they might like the coast. Dad, too. Sis might get into Providence. But it would be too cold for her. In more ways than one.

My friends wouldn't like Providence, either. Rob wouldn't dig it, neither would Kase. Seaberg might appreciate it, but he's more Boston if anyplace up here. Mike, any of those guys. Nah. Sherry...Sherry's like my sister. It might be too cold for her, too.

Eric likes the city. Nate is a Providence guy. Becky appreciates it, as any girl from the suburbs does. Kristin knows it's no New York City, but it does ok for now. Sarah doesn't like it too much she says. Tom and Jess are looking West. Pastor Scott gets it. Yeah he does.

I had it. For about 5 minutes today, I was really focused at work. Well, maybe 5 minutes is exaggerating a bit. But I'd say at least three.

My new boss reminds me of that episode of Seinfeld, the one where Jerry is having new cabinets installed in his kitchen; George has the guy put in a nap area under his desk at work.

CONRAD: Oh, Jerry are you okay with this hinge?

JERRY: Yeah.

CONRAD: I can get you any kind you want, you know. Four holes, three holes, two holes, bronze, no hinge at all.

JERRY: You know, why don't we just go with the one in your hand?

CONRAD: Oh, these are different.

JERRY: Drop one. . . . left!

--The Nap

But that's ok. It can get worse, but it can get better. You know?

Josh isn't convinced of Providence anymore. But, you know. Things change. Especially when you're young. Yeah, things change daily.

2007.  ¶ 4/25/2007 06:17:00 PM 0 comments

  cultural stereotypes Springtime has finally hit New England, which means that in urban areas such as where I live and work everyone and their dog drives around town with windows down/sunroofs open and music blaring. Usually it's something obvious to the indigenous populations: rap, spanish (I call it tejano but no one up here seems to know that term), rap, reg hop, rap. But this morning some dude (I'm sure he was white and drinking an extra-large ice coffee from DD) drove past my office with 3am by Matchbox 20 blaring--blaring--out of his speakers.

It was, as we say, quite humorous. Ah, Providence.

I'm ready to move.  ¶ 4/23/2007 04:52:00 PM 0 comments

  total eclipse of the heart "...it's ok," sarah says. "i guess all lost puppies find their way home."

"no, no wait no they don't. well maybe they do."
_____________________________________________________________________
I've decided on a name for my new car. I never named the Grand Am, and hadn't put much thought into naming this one. I have a friend who named one of his cars Katrina. This was, you know, before. But tonight around dusk I was driving around town and suddenly it came to me. So in recognition of the best sister a crazy person such as myself could ever ask for, I christen my car to hereby be known as Sarah.

but sis, I guess it's about time we tell you: you're gonna stay that color.
  ¶ 4/21/2007 04:45:00 PM 0 comments

  this isn't a complaint, I guess. but the house next door to me is full of a lot of residents from Central America/Mexico. and it's springtime. so that means every chance they get it is corona and futbol and loud salsa music. so much for a nice, relaxing peaceful spring day.

ah, city life. yea.  ¶ 4/21/2007 03:36:00 PM 1 comments

  simple twist of fate I was saved from boredom tonight by going out for pizza and ice cream with Tom, Jess, and Sarah. It was good times. The pizza place was playing an excellent assortment of 80's and 90's sappy love songs. and, because it shares a dining room with a taco place, the occasional Mexican jam.

we had some laughs. much thanks to 'total eclipse of the heart.' it's so...bad.

then Jessica and Tom and I went back to their place and talked about God. it was...helpful.

it seems like more and more lately the weeks are just getting longer and longer. but times like these are what helps mentally get me through.


but what really helps is having friends that are willing to share home movies from their childhood where they proudly show off their ninja skills for the camcorder.
that's what it's all about. that, and God.  ¶ 4/20/2007 11:59:00 PM 0 comments

  I need a roommate. My friend Nate bailed on me, so starting in June I'll be without a roommate. I want to avoid having a stranger move in, but I'm afraid it's unavoidable. My landlord is trying to fill the room. I don't know who to ask. None of my friends are looking to move. This sucks.  ¶ 4/20/2007 06:29:00 PM 1 comments

  to me, coming from you Dear Mom,

Last night I had two (2) cadbury cream eggs and a cup of green tea for dinner. But it's ok; I had a whole broiled chicken for lunch. With two (2) side dishes containing of green beans and mashed potatoes. Lunch also consisted of two (TwO) plates of pasta and a salad. (They call pasta sauce 'gravy' up here. But I wouldn't put it on my biscuits in the morning!) Lunch also had soup and bread. And several glasses of water to drink.

So I guess I am eating fine, but please send tamales when you can.

Your Son, Josh

ps. I've had that song 'Friend is a Four-Letter Word' by Cake stuck in my head for like a week now. I don't know why I'm telling you this, because you probably don't know Cake. You'd like them though. They did a cover of 'I Will Survive' back in the day. Although they do let the F-Bomb drop in their version. Still, it has a catchy beat. Don't worry though, that song has nothing to do with you. I heard in a store and for other reasons it has been floating around my cavernous minds' ear. I just didn't have anyone else to tell about it. Looking forward to coming home.
--josh

Labels: fall, scooters, vacation

  ¶ 4/19/2007 11:52:00 AM 0 comments

  i went ahead and took the pill i take for my essential tremor twice today. i usually only take it once a day, in the morning. but last night i was shaking a little more than usual, this morning too. and it wasn't just because I was a little cold. this was different. and tonight my right arm feels a little restless also. it's odd.  ¶ 4/18/2007 10:23:00 PM 1 comments

  ISSUE#1--We need more Dunkin Donuts.   ¶ 4/18/2007 07:52:00 AM 0 comments

  Products of the Fall Saturday night at midnight
before it started to rain
there were birds singing in the trees
in the darkness.

they knew what was coming.

Monday morning and the wind &rain has paused
The birds are once again making noise
But their songs are now calls out
to check on those that made it through
and those that didn't.

So...mankind--what is it we do again?
We have created weather radar
We have created long distance communication
We have taken all the necessary precautions
just to survive.

We have purchased living spaces
We take on second jobs
We scrimp and save and sometimes blow it all
just to survive.

That can't be right.
This can't be what God intended.  ¶ 4/16/2007 09:50:00 PM 0 comments

  don't let the sun go down on your grieviances - daniel johnston

Don't let the sun go down on your grievances
Respect love of the heart over lust of the flesh
Do yourself a favor: become your own savior
And don't let the sun go down on your grievances
And when you wake up in the morning
You'll have a brand new feeling
And you'll find yourself healing
So don't let the sun go down on your grievances
And yet if you find yourself in the dark
And you're left holding the bag
Then take care of it right away
And don't let the sun go down on your grievances again
Sometimes you might want to give up
But keep that chin up
Cause you're gonna find
You're gonna find
Sometimes you might be alone
But don't feel lonely
'Cause you're gonna find
You're gonna find
So don't let the sun go down on your grievances
Start each day with a clean slate
You'll feel better if you can shake off all that hate
And don't forget to forgive and forget
And don't let the sun go down on your grievances
Don't let the sun go down on your grievances
Everybody!
Respect love of the heart over lust of the flesh
Sing it!
Do yourself a favor: become your own savior
And don't let the sun go down on your grievances

  ¶ 4/10/2007 09:26:00 PM 0 comments

  hollywoodland In my apartment I have my DVD collection displayed on a bookshelf right in my living room. And I have noticed that when I have guests over it serves as a constant distraction to many people. I guess this is because, as the room is setup now, it is right next to one of our couches and easy to turn your head and look at and get lost in. All in all at one point there were about two and half shelves of DVD's there. And it's kind of made me think about the movies there that everyone sees the movies in my collection, and what it says about me.

I was talking with my friend John the other day about movies
and about negative images we keep around and fill our minds with, because the images are all around us to fill our minds. I think the conversation started when I brought up that I've been reading Jeremiah and it has caused me really to think a lot about the world.

I just sold back some movies, got a little cash for them: The Departed, Road to Perdition, Lost in Translation, Caddyshack, Stripes, Goodfellas, Blazing Saddles, and When Harry Met Sally (don't ask). There's a common thread in those films, but I won't name it. They were just...taking up space.

What's interesting is that I'm pretty poor this week, having only been paid for 3 out of 4 weeks last month. I'm down to under $100 in both checking and savings. But the amount I got back for these movies equals almost exactly (like fifty cents difference) to my tithe amount all last year when serving for Americorps. I'm not saying this is a coincidence, but it was the first thing that came in my mind when I was told the total by the clerk up at Newbury Comics. And you know, I think that's pretty cool. I believe this is happening today for a specific reason, whatever that may be. I originally thought I would buy some CD's I really wanted, but then I felt God bring this to my mind. And it makes so much more sense then picking up some old Dylan albums. So I'm gonna give the cash to God tomorrow. Call it a special Easter offering. Or something like that.

So I've consolidated a little of my DVD collection. It's down to two shelves. That's good for now.  ¶ 4/07/2007 12:02:00 PM 1 comments

  Near the cross of Jesus "argh! argh argh argh!" Josh said all week, except for a few brief moments of enlightenment.

"'You will all fall away,' Jesus told them, 'For it is written:

"I will strike the shepherd,
and all the sheep will be scattered."'" Mark 14: 27


Even now, as the sun begins to fall. Even after wrestling with my mind all day over so many issues, important and not so much. for whatever any of it is worth.

"Then Jesus said, 'Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?'"
John 11:40


and there's so much more.

"'I am in them, and you in me.'" John 17: 23

I don't know what I'm thinking right now. I'm about to head up to church, to worship. To pray, to think. To be open. I'm really looking forward to it.
  ¶ 4/06/2007 06:41:00 PM 0 comments

  sometimes I am so overwhelmed with thoughts about the work that needs to be done that when I am sitting at my desk at work that I cannot focus on anything. I had a very productive morning. and then the exact opposite in the afternoon. and it started raining.

I couldn't even focus on a good daydream!

I bought a typewriter on my lunch break. it's pouring cats and dogs out so I couldn't get it from my car to the house, but hopefully it will work. I have some letters to write.

I almost thought today was my Dad's birthday, but it isn't. he will be 50. but not today.

my apartment is always either too dark and isolated or we have all the lights on and need none of them.

I kinda wanted to work out tonight, but it's raining and I'm tired. had a nice crowd of about 15 over last night for a Passover Seder. it was cool.

motivation is starting to come though. we'll see. I also have some e-mails to send. don't need my typewriter for those.

all my friends get on myspace before they leave the office. I always wait until I get home.

and that's what I got...for now.  ¶ 4/04/2007 04:48:00 PM 1 comments

  every picture... sometimes my Flickr page serves a a better blog for what is going on in my life that anywhere else. unfortunately, I rarely have my camera with me when other people are around.


or maybe I don't hang out with friends as much as I used to.  ¶ 4/01/2007 05:04:00 PM 0 comments