Such Random Things (Inspirations)

As I write this, I'm listening to Brooke Fraser's "Flags," a gorgeous song about the suffering we all experience but how there is still hope in this world. As I become more acquainted with her music and often Christian-themed song writing, there is a sense of peace. Now, I'm not one to listen to overtly religious music. I just can't. I'm sorry.  But I'm a sucker for a tender song about hope and redemption, and this song brings to mind several friends I know who are "going through things" at the moment - maybe even you - and that we all can serve as that listening ear and provide a bit of inspiration.

So, with that - and with the celebration of Thanksgiving still lingering - I thought I would share some inspiring stories:

• Just over a year ago, a very good friend of mine was in a horrible accident. It wasn't certain this person would survive, and if so, it wasn't certain what quality of life she would have.  It's been a long, painful road over the last year for her and her family...and all of her friends who continued to pray for her.  I saw her just a few weeks ago and she has made tremendous progress.  I don't think it necessary to go into details, but let me tell you - to be able to be with my friend and talk like old times, to witness her strength and ever-present optimism and faith...she amazes me so much. Say what you want, but I truly believe Someone was listening to those prayers.
• This past weekend, my wonderful grandparents celebrated 73 years of marriage.  73. I struggle to think what 20 or 30 years might look like, but 73?  They have experienced war, death, caring for elders, illnesses, and so much more - things that would tear any couple today apart - and there is still so much love there.  I think about how many people I know who have divorced or are in unhappy marriages and how easily people give up.  It ain't easy, and my grandparents would be the first to tell you so. But it is a partnership, and it takes compromise from time to time.  I continue to learn so much from them.
• A couple I know recently gave birth to a beautiful baby...who was born with Downs Syndrome. It's one of those genetic disorders that, unfortunately, is not discussed much and is often at the center of gross misunderstanding. Public insensitivity and ignorance abound. Still, from day one, my friend and his wife fell in love with this bundle of joy and the love grows stronger every day. And from their corner of the world, they are trying to educate people a little more about this disorder. Their story is such an inspiration to me.
• A few weeks ago was the famed New York Marathon. Being as how I haven't run any sort of distance since my cross country days about 17 years ago, I am always impressed by people who train and run marathons, half-marathons, Tough Mudders and such. I always feel a little bit...how shall we say...fat and lazy? These races are no joke, and neither is training, and when a friend of mine trained and ran the marathon for the first time - mind you, a person I did not know was physically fit in any way - I was inspired.  No, I'm not preparing for a marathon. But it got me thinking that nothing is worth anything without a little pain and hard work. And although I push myself everyday to do the most I can do, do I really? Is it enough? It's time to step up.

These are just some of the stories from recent weeks that serve as inspiration to me.

What inspires you?

Such Random Things (Strange Brew Edition)

• Wikipedia is 10 years old already. That "free encyclopedia that anyone can edit" gained momentum over the years, and although I'm not sure it has earned respect as a legitimate resource, most people online have probably referred to it at least once over the last decade. And sometimes found reason to scratch our heads or laugh in the process.
  
  
• The Book of Mormon - coming to a Broadway theatre near you! From the creators of "South Park"...so, yeah...it's probably exactly what you expect. Not sure how folks would feel if it was called "The Bible" or "The Qur'an." On second thought, I know exactly how folks would feel.
  
  
• What lavishness will Kate and Wills plan for their wedding? I'm sure it will be lovely, but maybe they should avoid all that stress and just get hitched in Dunkin' Donuts like this couple. I wonder if the bride had wedding jitters {ba da bum}.
  
  
• Romania is proposing a tax on witches, astrologers, and fortunetellers.And the response of those to be taxed? Why, casting spells, of course. Naturally. I wonder what would have happened if that tactic had been used in Boston Harbor in 1773...
  

Such Random Things (Music Edition)

• Barenaked Ladies and Guster? Together? On a cruise to warm, sunny locales in cold, cold February? Wow. If only it weren't for the thousands of other people who will be on board (and as a second part of this - has anyone gone on one of these music cruises? Worth it?)
  
  
• I am addicted to Passion Pit's "Sleepyhead" and am quite amused that the sampled track is none other than Gaelic favorite "Óró Mo Bháidín" by Mary O'Hara. And you thought sampling the Ricki Lee Jones interview on The Orb's "Little Fluffy Clouds" was random!
  
  
• How cute are these kids, even if they don't know what Lisztomania is? (thank you to Graham Linehan's awesome blog Why, That's Delightful! for posting it first)
  
  Songs on my summer playlist? MANY, but here's a random mix:
  
• Corinne Bailey Rae: Paris Nights/NewYork Mornings
• Bent: Beautiful Otherness
  
• The Raveonettes: Dead Sound
• Billie Holiday: Speak Low (Bent Remix)
• Gorillaz: Empire Ants
• Rusted Root: Laugh as the Sun
  
• Pet Shop Boys: I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing
• Underworld: Two Months Off

What tunes are spinning your summer?

Such Random Things (NJ edition)

• It's official - Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014 will be held at the New Meadowlands Stadium...in NEW JERSEY, thank you very much! Not New York. Even the so-called New York teams play in New Jersey. Just admit it, New York. You wish you were us.


• Is it the end of an era? The end of times? The end of the innocence? No. It's just the end of fictional TV shows, people. Life will carry on. Except if networks resort to more trashy reality shows (especially about NJ!) to fill the empty time slots. Then, I would share your tears.


• Just watched the original "Karate Kid", for the umpteenth time. Classic '80s. You can't remake a classic and still think it will be as good as the original. "Karate Kid" (2010) may or (more likely) may not live up to the hype. Either way, it just can't compare to the story of Jersey transplant Daniel LaRusso learning the ways of the master, Mr. Miyagi, and getting the girl in the end (played by real-life Jersey native Elisabeth Shue)


• It's almost Memorial Day weekend and around these parts, that means alot of good things - most notably, the start of beach season! Think you know the Jersey Shore by watching those orange kids punch each other out? Sorry, friend. This is the real Jersey Shore. And this. And I'll be there. Maybe you'll be, too.

Such Random Things (2nd edition)

• Let Donna Martin Graduate? No - something more important. Let Constance Go to the Prom! With her classmates. Even though her backwoods school decided to cancel the fun for everyone because this teenage girl wanted to attend in a tux with her girlfriend. This is still a hot topic, and the comments posted to this article on CNN.com range from total support to total bigotry. Is it really that big of a deal, Mississippi? Hey ya'll - it's 2010. Get yourself educated and learn to not be so hateful.
  
  
• NaPoWriMo approaches next Thursday. Am I ready for that kind of discipline?
  

• Wow - the Barenaked Ladies are back! sans Steven Page. This band was staple listening in my college years. I still listen to Rock Spectacle all the time and think "Brian Wilson" is one of the best songs ever and would have been my American Idol audition song if I wasn't way past the age limit (but I digress). When Page was charged with drug possession, and then later left the band, my heart sank. So, will the rest of the band continue like nothing happened and make happy tunes again? All in Good Time.

• Oh, Glastonbury and your super-awesome line-up! You mock my Stateside being every year.
  

• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played with Fire from the late, great Stieg Larsson are two of the most shocking, violent, complex, dark, mysterious and extraordinary works of fiction I've ever read, and I'm so psyched that the first book has been released as a movie (by a Swedish director who now lives in NJ, thank you). The only other book that got me so excited was Dennis Lehane's violent and mysterious Shutter Island (no, I haven't seen the movie yet. Please, no spoilers!) So, with all this violent, mysterious reading going on...what does that say about me?
  
  
• V returns next week! Finally!
  

[If you're curious: Such Random Things (1st edition)]

Such Random Things

Nothing extraordinary to write about today, so I'll just post a few things swimming around in my head at this moment:

• My prayers go out to the families of those on Air France Flight 447. What a terrible tragedy.
• How does Air France Flight 447 have a Wikipedia page already?
• Susan Boyle will be just fine. After a bit of rest, she'll have the fantastic singing career that she deserves, and hopefully she'll get used to the fame that comes with it. Diversity reminds me of those super choreographed cheerleading routines...but maybe they'll get a job as backup dancers to Britney Spears? What else could they do?
  
• Why can't "America's Got Talent" be more like "Britain's Got Talent" rather than a weird carny show?
• The Pope is getting techy on us: http://www.pope2you.net. (Replacing former Website PopeisDope.com)*
• My husband's 20-year college reunion is this weekend, and although I'll only know a handful of people, I have to wonder if it will be like Romy and Michelle....or I Remember Andrea (yes, so they were both about high school reunions...you get my point). I guess in the end, not my reunion - not my problem.
• Speaking of 20 year anniversaries and reunions...The Stone Roses should reunite. The former band members say no dice, but there's always wishful thinking. Pleeeeeease?
• This is one of the best songs ever and I've loved it since the 80s. (Pretty Please???):

* This was never a real Website...but it should have been!