Bad Ass Conversation

I got to sit in the Bad Ass Coffee Shop this evening with one of my best pals in the whole entire world and have tons of great conversation. This is one of the statements that stands out though:

"Lord, give me what I NEED, not what I WANT."

AJ was telling me that Matt Chandler said this statement as he was preaching through the Lord's prayer in one of his sermons - in reference to "give us this day our daily bread...." and I thought it was a pretty fantastic reminder.

Quite an 'anchor prayer.'

AMAZING CONCERT

Last Saturday some great friends (seen in the pictures) and I went to the Ray Lamontagne and Tristan Prettyman concert at the Tabernacle in Atlanta. It was INCREDIBLE. Seriously - the show:
a.) fit the venue perfectly
b.) was FULL of musical greatness
c.) sounded like you were listening to Ray's CD - only way better because you could see him in all his glory as he sang/played
d.) was precursored by a really really great buffalo chicken sandwhich from the Fox Sports Grill, eaten while surrounded by great company.
e.) was followed by a really fun Dunkin' Doughnuts experience and a new to the country Russian teenager who worked there.

Moral of the story: Ray Lamontagne has won a place in my heart, and I have an even greater respect for him as a musician than I did before the show - because he was seriously just THAT great. It was incredible to sit there and listen to him - he is so soft spoken, yet so powerful. I dunno....but I do know this - if you ever have a chance to see him in concert - go. You won't be disappointed. It was absolutely incredible (and I didn't even know a good number of the songs he sang).

Thank you Stacy, for the wonderful birthday gift!!! (she got me the ticket)

(oh, and no, Marie isn't drunk in the picture above - she just had a hard time holding her eyes open when the flash went off - and it was seriously hillarious.)

boy baptism....haha

'tis the season...

Andy P.

Andrew Peterson is THE MAN. He has an album called "Behold the Lamb of God" - and if you've never heard it, go out and buy it, and listen - it is amazing. He is such an incredible lyricist. You won't be disappointed, I promise. Here is a little documentary about the album (thank you to Matt Ables):

Mindy Smith.

She is all over my world right now....

"Peace of Mind"

"I need peace of mind
and a hopeful heart
to lose this rage
and move out in the dark
I ain't looking for rainbows and shooting stars
just some peace of mind
and a hopeful heart...

I need peace of mind
and a lullabye
cuz there's an angry voice in my head tonight
telling me to do things that can't be right
I need peace of mind
and a lullabye....

and a miracle
for this broken soul
a little miracle
for this broken soul...

I need peace of mind
and a gentle hand
as I try to change the way I am
and hope God forgives me when I can't
I need peace of mind
and a gentle hand...

or a miracle
for this broken soul
a little miracle
for this broken soul

I need peace of mind
and a hopeful heart."


amazing.

da' Saturday night run...with some new kicks

Mark and I got some new kicks this weekend (see left). Then we went for a 4.5-ish mile run downtown last night and didn't even really get all that tired. Those "sneakers" musta been magical. Or it was just really good company and good conversation that distracted us from the fact that we ran for 45 minutes. I'm going to go with the latter. It was fantastic...and to top it all off...we got to watch some really great fireworks over the water at the end of the run as we finished. It was perfect timing...a fantastic run....and a splendid time for some really great conversation. I'm kinda diggin' this running thing these days....11 weeks til race day....and counting. Tomorrow the "official" training begins...and I've got some stylin' new shoes to begin it in.

amazing song.

"The blood is dried
and the wounds I hide,
the scars are settling in
so I keep the light low
and they still show
I sit and count every stitch...

What it means,
what it really means...
it's time I let everything go
that is killing me
and turning me
spinning me so out of control.

I don't wanna let go.
Let go...
I don't wanna let go.

I don't know what for
but these open doors
keep slamming in on me
and if life's a joke then it's getting old
and I hope God's looking out for me

What it means
what it really means
it's time I let everything go
that's killing me
and turning me
spinning me so out of control

I don't wanna let go.
Let go...
I don't wanna let go.

What it means
what it really means
it's time I let everything go
that's killing me
and turning me
spinning me so out of control

I don't wanna let go...
I don't wanna let go...

The blood is dried
and the wounds I hide
the scars are settled in...."

-M. Smith

Curve.

So, this post may seem really girly, or make some of you want to throw up, or I dunno....but I'm gonna say it anyway.

Mark came to visit this weekend, and we both left this morning around 10 o'clock or so...he left to go home to Columbia and I left to go study. I just got back (about 6:30 or so) and walked into my room....

and it totally still smells like him....and totally makes me miss him like crazy and wish he was here.

yea. throw up if you will....but man...it's crazy...Curve is amazing....and so is my boyfriend.

the end.

my inspiration

Well folks, I think I have figured it out. As I lay in the bed last night watching David the Gnome on my computer, I realized that David is perhaps the reason I am in the medical profession. Seriously, David has been a doctor for 300 years, and saved creatures all over the world (despite being a mere 6 inches tall). Swift, his fox, would take him anywhere he wanted to go, but it was "pleasant riding a feasant" and if he had to go a long way he'd ride a goose, or if it was a quick visit, he'd sometimes ride on a rabbit...but regardless of how he got to the scene, he would always save the day with his surgical and doctor skills.

This was one of my very favorite shows growing up, if not my favorite, and I really do think it could have had a huge impact on my life. Going back and rewatching it I realized that it is also a very "issue conscious" cartoon. It talked about polution, and being friendly to the environment, and to animals, and being nice to your friends, and all sorts of great things.

I'm going to buy the season on DVD (yes, it is on DVD that you can buy online) when I have kids, and make them watch it. It's pretty incredible.

As the show was coming on, the song came on, and man it felt like I was a kid sitting in front of the tv just yesterday - as I started humming the tune, and smiling when the rabbits dance, and David picks up his wife and swings her around. Oh man...good times.

Gotta love David the Gnome. And if you've never experienced this 80's cartoon...you totally should - it may even change your world.

"Look around you...
There are many things to see...
That some would say could never be...
These things i know...
its true and i will tell you so...
they are there to see if you believe...

Trolls and Wizards
And Fairy Kings
Birds That talk and Fish that sing...
and if your heart is true....
then you will find them too....

In every wish and dream and happy home...
You will find the kingdom of....
The Gnomes."

David the Gnome Theme Song Introduction