family photo shoot

i changed my profile picture using a recently acquired photo of rhys and me.

back in july, my family got together to have some artistic, professional portraiture done bye the oh-so-talented barry. (thanks darcy for purchasing and setting it up!) the proofs just came in... and since they're back in indiana, i just have some lower quality scans that my mother so graciously sent

i have shared some of my favorites here, enjoy!

spider hunt!!!

I'm always seeing these big, scary spiders in my house... at least once a day. They like to hide under and behind furniture, in closets, and really love to get in my piles of dirty laundry when leave them laying out. I've learned to be very cautious when doing laundry or moving things in a closet.

Today, I decided I would figure out what kinds of spiders we actually have... so I know whether to be afraid. There seem to be two different types, both brown. One is light brown, fat and juicy, probably 3/4 inch body and 2" long overall. The other is darker, skinnier, and a little smaller.

Well, it only took me about 20 minutes to find one! It was the second type, dark and skinny. here are the best pictures I got, they are the same spider, just different lighting:





(click them to see the larger versions)

After about an hour of searching and reading online, it looks very much like a Hobo spider. But according to the online expert at Burke Museum, it is impossible to identify a spider from a picture, and only a trained arachnologist can make a positive id. Then there's the Hobo Spider website (hobospider.org) which has a lot of info and makes me scared!

Who knows what the other type of spider could be. If I ever catch one of those, I'll post the pics.

So what do you think? Should I be scared? I don't think we'd die if we were bitten, but it could be pretty painful!

of the profit of adversity

i picked up a book today that i haven't read for a long time. it's The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a` Kempis. it's one of those great old books that smells like a library and has obviously been thumbed by many hands. the content is also classic and priceless.

here's where i happened to turn and read:

OF THE PROFIT OF ADVERSITY

It is good to us that we have some times grievances and contrarieties: for ofttimes they call a man into himself that he may know himself to be in an exile and that he may put not his trust in any earthly thing.

It is good that some time we suffer gainsaying and that men think of us evil and imperfectly; yea, though we do well and mean well.

Such things help ofttimes to meekness and defend us from vainglory: for then we seek better the inward witness of God, when we be little set by outwardly of men and little credence is given to us.

Therefore a man ought to firm (strengthen) himself in God so that he needeth not to seek any consolations outwardly.

When a man well disposed is troubled and tempted or vexed with evil thoughts then he understandeth God to be more necessary unto him without whom he perceiveth that he may do no good thing; then he mourneth, then he waileth, and then he prayeth because of the miseries that he suffereth. Then also it wearieth him to live any longer: he desireth death that he may be dissolved and be with Christ.

Then also he perceiveth certainly that perfect surety and full peace may not be had in this world.

this struggle to let go of one's reputation really hits home with me lately. there is a certain person i know who tends to live and tell lies, and often begins to believe their own lies. this concerns me that acquaintances or even strangers might be hearing and believing awful and untrue things about me.

i've been reasoning with myself and praying to try to let go of this worry. also to resist the urge to involve myself to try and correct the deception. but like this passage said, it is working for good that i must rely upon and trust God more because of this.

i do also identify with the last part... longing for the day to be free from all of this struggling!

skip the small talk

i've never been a lover of chit-chat, but lately i've been especially annoyed by small talk. we use the same old phrases everytime we see eachother, and they seldom hold true meaning. are we saying these empty things to fill the silence and avoid true connection? it's so not me. i don't have anything else profound to say about it right now... just felt like complaining.

i'm back, with a few movie suggestions

i can't believe it's been 2 and a half months since i posted. believe me, i've had many blogging intentions. i could've sworn i posted something! while i was catching up tonight on blogs that i like, i came across carson's about up and coming movies. it led me to start thinking about movies i like. there are a bunch of movies that, for some reason, aren't good enough to be on a "favorites" list, but have really stuck with me. so here goes a little list of some good flicks that i think you should see. it's not all-encompassing... just whatever pops into my brain right now.

The Station Agent
A fun, introspective character film. Read more here.

Love Liza
Philip Seymour Hoffman (made very famous by his role in "Capote") really makes this one work. Very depressing, I sobbed! Read more here.

Burnt by the Sun
A Russian film, set in the 1930's, during the communist revolution. Read more here.

Fei nu zheng zhuan (It's Now or Never)
Probably my favorite Chinese movie. Haven't seen it in a several years, but I remember loving the characters, plot, cinematography, everything! It is also set around the communist revolution.

Apocolypse Now
This is just a classic that everyone has to see. One time, I saw it in an Imax theatre, it was huge! Read more here.

Sjunde inseglet, Det (The Seventh Seal)
A classic Ingmar Bergman film! If you've never seen an Ingmar Bergman, you must! I have only seen about 6 of his, this one stands out most in my memory. More here.

Bossa Nova
A delightful Brazilian romantic comedy. A Brazilian friend recommended this movie to get a positive look at the country, specifically Rio... most Brazilian movies tend to focus on the poverty. This is a feel-gooder. More here.

That's enough for now.

I realized as listing these that most are not for impatient people who tend to only like high-action hollywood type of films. You know who you are. Everyone else, hope you check some of these out! And if anyone likes these, let me know, because I don't have any friends here who can share these kinds of movies with me :-(.

of health and the third eye

i'm annoyed. why is it that so often, healthy living is synonymous with eastern /fringe religion?

lauren & i are trying out organically grown for you, and i just picked up the box of organic produce this afternoon. included is an issue of "natural awakenings, healthy living" mini-mag. peppered throughout are references to many different spiritual and philosophical belief systems that, in my opinion, have nothing to do with healthy living. discovering your third eye, kabbalah, karma, zen, polarity... unfortunately, i have found this same theme at every health food store and in almost every healthy living magazine i've read.

i think it's okay to include the summaries of scientific studies which show some effect of an alternative treatment or lifestyle like meditation, acupuncture, etc. but there's a rampant assumption that those who strive to be healthy are open to all spiritual experience and must believe in karma. forget the fact that many of the commonly accepted belief systems in this subculture have direct contradictions between them!

just because i try to be good to my body and good to the earth doesn't mean i want to be involved in demonic religion. there's a whole new can of worms right there, because i know there are plenty out there who might take offense at that. but i'm not going there right now.

i'm just going to keep on being a health-concerned christian. how many others are there?? are we just letting ourselves be swept in to the dark side of living well? we of all people should acknowledge the responsibility and sense in caring for God's creation within and around us.

awhile back, i did a Bible search to see what it says directly about health. the proverbs talk a lot about gentle or wise words bringing good health, and harsh words the opposite. i found that quite interesting, and have read about studies that verify that causal relationship. people heal much more slowly when their life includes conflict. here's an article on such a study (click text).

so speak kindly, and live well... i've really gotta work on that.

proverbial winds of change

the wind makes me happy.

the skies are overcast, it may rain, and the air is moving.

makes me feel energized and hopeful. or maybe it was the 32 oz dr. pepper i had with lunch.

still, it feels good.

perfect world

i've been pondering a question: did adam and eve have immune systems?

what do you think? maybe i'll share my thoughts at a later time because i now need to sleep.