eventide shores

It's been a long time...

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 13:52:32 GMT

If you're interested,

All the Cities I've Seen.

Now it's a year (going on six years)

Thu, 10 Aug 2006 07:25:01 GMT

Lately, some friends of mine have been on a trip. They flew up to Seattle, they're driving a rented down the coast to San Diego, and flying back. They're meeting with various church leaders and monastic groups on the way down to get a feel for the spiritual climate there, to see if they feel led to go out there after college--and then, it's of course also just a vacation. I've also had a lot of fun getting in touch with old friends out there that I haven't seen in (in some cases) five or six years, to see if they can put these guys up for the night.

As for me, I haven't been up to much lately. I feel very much like I'm just waiting for school to start. Since last time, I've read a poetry anthology called Staying Alive, the newest Sou'Wester, Death in the Family by James Agee, Arundhati Roy's The God of Small Things, and for breaks I read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and re-read Flight Vol. 2. For some reason it took more than a month to get through The God of Small Things--perhaps because the story is so non-linear that at times she seems repetitive as she's re-hashing some foreshadowed parts of the story. It was nice to then read the Harry Potter book in a day.

I guess it's been awhile since the last post--since then I've been to Knoxville, went on a road trip with my little sister, and went to Charleston (though, all I did in Charleston was sleep for a couple of hours and then leave--long story). I've been listening to a lot of music and I've been writing a decent amount. I helped my friend Bowman move. Mickey and Ben both visited, and we had some sweet times. I saw Anathallo again, which I guess was the fourth time this summer (I saw them three times on their tour early in the summer). The bass player and resident girl both came up and gave me hugs and talked to me like they've known me forever--which is pretty sweet, considering they are one of the most amazing bands ever.

I've had two or three days where I've panicked, but in each situation something has happened that snapped me back to being as proactive as possible. But then, I've just been so bored lately, and at times lonely as well, since everyone either has jobs, or school, or is out of town, and I'm just kind of hanging around.

I realize this was sort of a dull post. Sorry, dudes and dudettes.

I never thought I'd be so excited about school starting back up, but I really can't wait for everyone to get here.

"Don't look back, you can never look back."

Sat, 10 Jun 2006 07:54:40 GMT

Well, we’re still right in the thick of summer. It’s so strange, summer. The way the whole dynamic changes. And honestly, because so many things have been up in the air so much, I’ve been a lot more stressed out this summer than I normally am during school.

But finally, besides the fact that I’m not in my new place yet (it’s just getting fixed up) and I may be back to sleeping on the couch tomorrow, things feel much more settled. I’m on the kitchen staff at a small, family-owned Turkish restaurant, mopping and cooking gyros all day, and when I’m not doing that I’m either reading, getting together work to send out to literary journals, or trying to be as long-distance mobile as possible.

I headed up to Gaffney for a good time with good ol’ boys shooting guns, racing jeeps, and going fishing. I went to Charleston to see a public showing of Potemkin in the park and run around and go to the beach with Rob and Elizabeth, and then I went back to Knoxville for some time at home and to go to my childhood friend’s wedding.

And things are good. I’m very unsure with the way that my life will go in the next year, but things are very good right now.

Also, I made a list of the books that I've read, and the count is at 412, the most recent of which have been (since the last ones I mentioned) Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian, Ha Jin's Waiting, and Kakuzo Okakura's The Book of Tea.

Oh, love (I think) is a no-good thing.

Thu, 18 May 2006 09:25:39 GMT

I suppose, as always, it's been a long time since my last post. I guess life has just been moving so quickly that I haven't had time to pause. I honestly don't really have time now, considering it's after 5:00 in the morning and I need to get some rest.

But I've been doing well. Last semester was my first semester with straight A's, not for any especial effort on my part, but really just because it worked out that way. Just before and then since school's been out, I've been reading a lot -- in the last month or so Murakami's Kafka on the Shore, Calvino's Invisible Cities (a Christmas present from Katy that I finally got the nerve to read), and White Teeth by Zadie Smith.

I am single because I want to be-- if I wanted to be dating, I think I could be. I think dating Katy (and I've told her this) taught me a lot about self-esteem, and it's really changed the way that I view life. All of us seem so young and so powerful... how could we not be happy, if we only choose to be, to step back and view our options laid out before us like sun-soaked valleys?

This summer I'm doing something that Ms. Rosenstein did a while back-- simplifying, trying to cut back. I have still been going to a lot of shows, but then in my days and the other nights, I've mainly been reading or fishing, spending time with those who are already close friends and people I want to know better.

I've been trying to become a better person and draw closer to God, but the process of that isn't always as tangible as we'd like it to be. But things are going well in that area also (I think).

I'm currently living in the living room of some friends of mine until my apartment is ready in June, which has been hecka fun, but at the same time I'm worried I haven't been accomplishing enough. It's true that we're living the dream, as it were. But I still don't have a job, and we're well into summer (though, that's perhaps not for lack of trying-- I've applied to about six jobs so far). One good thing is, a friend of mine and I are each getting paid $200 to do not-an-incredible-amount of driving. So, I'm looking forward to finally having some money to start getting things for the new (unfurnished) apartment.

And later this summer, either east Africa or southeast Asia may be an option. I'll get back to you. Also, hopefully things will settle down soon and I'll be able to catch up with some of you. As always, it's good to know that you guys are on my side. Much love.

Spring Break overview.

Sun, 26 Mar 2006 20:22:32 GMT

There are so many things to say about this trip that it’s probably going to take awhile to give all the details I’d want to. To start out with, I’ll just give an overview. The rest I’ll put in lj-cuts, etc.

I started out in Clemson, SC.
On Friday I went to Atlanta, GA to visit my brother.
On Saturday I came back to Clemson.
On Sunday I went to Knoxville, TN.
On Monday I went to Washington, DC to visit my friend Melanie.
On Wednesday I came back to Clemson to pick up a friend.
Wednesday night we left for Toronto, ON.
Thursday we went to Niagara Falls, NY and then hung out in Toronto and stayed there.
Friday we spent more time in Toronto, then stayed the night in Niagara Falls.
Saturday we went to Pittsburgh, PA and New Brighton, PA, and then came home.

Again, I put more than 3,500 miles on my car this week, and I drove about 3,300 of it myself. It was absurdly fun, there are so many good stories, but it is most definitely good to be home.

Spring Break

Sun, 26 Mar 2006 09:39:24 GMT

I put 3,516 miles on my car this week.

I am currently too tired to update.

Soon!

Brighter around the edges...

Wed, 15 Feb 2006 23:37:13 GMT

Make it happen.

Yesterday wasn't incredible (why does the day always seem so damned dramatic?), but I feel great today. In spite of the fact that I have so much to do, I feel genuinely optimistic, and the world seems a little bit brighter around the edges.

I may go home to Knoxville this weekend-- my parents are leaving for Indonesia next week, and I'm worried about them. Only because they both called me about how they'd met with their attorney about the results of something happening to them, etc. It's really very strange.

Last Saturday, Zach (my roommate) turned 21, and a bunch of us went downtown at midnight on Friday to celebrate. Zach's dad came into town, and the three of us went to Ben's "That 70s Party" (Zach's dad for the sake of authenticity). Over the course of about four hours, I probably wasn't dancing for about fifteen minutes. Good times.

And hopefully we'll be meeting with our construction guy this week about the space we're renting for the coffee shop, and get some estimates to take to the owner so he realizes how much capital improvement we're making on his building. It's possible that we'll have a lease by the end of the month, but the way communication with these people goes (it doesn't), I'd be glad if we were in there by March.

Huddle closer.

Tue, 07 Feb 2006 08:00:10 GMT

I just made a really long entry, and it was deleted as I tried to post it.

In short:

I've been really emotional lately, crying at movies and TV shows and even commercials, but it isn't necessarily a bad thing. I've been able to spend a lot of time with friends and really meet new people and invest more in people I already knew. I spent an hour at Java City coloring in coloring books with Chaz and Austin, drinking chai. I'm in a Christian book club type thing called "Books, Brews, and Brouhaha," where we sit down and share company, intelligent conversation, and beer. Except I don't drink beer-- only hard liquor. Justin proposed to Erin, which was huge and beautiful and just love.

My house church is more and more my family every time I go. And I have been feeling more and more generally fulfilled as I get closer to all my good friends. I've been lonely some, but rarely. I've, ultimately, been happy, and becoming a much better person overall. I've really been learning a lot about who I want to be and how to get there.

I'm producing poetry again, and with good results. I've been really happy with some of the things I've written since the beginning of the semester-- I'm pretty sure I can get them published, I just need to decide where. I may post some if anyone cares to see them.

The other post was much more in-depth, and I'm sorry that it was lost. For now, I have a headache, and I'm going to bed.

21st birthday weekend

Sun, 22 Jan 2006 09:05:29 GMT

So I had the best birthday ever, in spite of the fact that I was on-and-off sick over the past several days.

It started out with, like I said, driving down to Atlanta and going to a nice dinner with my cousin Will, brother Daniel and his girlfriend Suzie. We all dressed up, and I had a jack and coke with my meal: my first alcoholic beverage. I then had a gin and tonic with dessert. Afterwards, we went back to Dan's place and hung out and watched some Ghost Hunters (freaky as hell).

Then, Friday night we rocked the Clemson birthday party. I wanted to get some friends together for drinks and dinner, and my friends Rob and Justin invited like ten people and made the reservations and everything-- and then 25 or 26 people showed up. It really meant a lot to have everyone there. It just really felt complete in a way that I cherish immensely. At dinner, I had another gin and tonic and a tequila sunrise.

And then tonight, I stopped by John Niemann's for awhile to celebrate his birthday party-- he'll be 22 tomorrow, I believe. And that kid is so unbelievably cool. But I had to leave decently soon because I had to get ready for the most amazing 80s dance party ever at Ben/Mickey/Tripp/Joe's place. It was unbelievable-- so much dancing to such good tunes. Zach dressed up as Robert Smith of The Cure with tons of eyeliner, crazy hair, all black (mod) clothing, and even -- not lipstick -- red marker on his lips. My costume was based loosely on the band Toto, and I had eyeliner, gel in my hair, a totally 80s outfit and one of those earrings that's just a short chain. The earring fell out fairly early in the night, though, which was greatly disappointing. But everyone there sang happy birthday to me and Tim Gentry who shares my special day, and I danced the whole time and had some punch and a rum and coke and just overall had a blast.

So, such amazing times with close family and good friends. And tomorrow is a much-needed homework day. Actually, I have lots of those coming up.

Hopefully I'll be able to post pictures of the festivities soon. Until then: stay cool. Stay cool forever.

I am 21 now.

Thu, 19 Jan 2006 05:45:01 GMT

I guess I could start every journal entry with, "Well, it's been awhile," but I'll spare you. Instead I'll start every one with that sentence. Regarding what to tell? It was a good first weekend at school, with some mad poker over at Ben/Mickey/Tripp/Joe's and then movie-renting on Saturday night.

Church was amazing on Sunday. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed it, and it really touched places that have been hurting deep down-- and that happened many times over at house church on Tuesday.

Sunday night there was supposed to be a party at Ben's since we had Monday off, but after calling him and leaving messages several times without any kind of reply, it was about 12:15 at night. So did Zach and I admit defeat? No, sir. Five of us made the haul to Athens to go to Hot Corner Coffee. It was hecka fun-- me, my roommate Zach Ashton, Barry Hutto, Katie Sholler, and Clint Cagle. We got back at 6:15 or so in the morning-- just in time for Barry to go to work.

And I guess that's where we stand, more or less. Things are going overall well. Much better now that I feel tied back into my house church, my family here. And I turn 21 tomorrow-- or, today, I guess, and I am getting a birthday haircut and then going to Atlanta to do what I'd always said I'd do for my 21st birthday-- go to a nice dinner with my brother wearing suits, and having a jack and coke with my meal.

Then Friday I'm going to do something very similar here in Clemson with many friends, and then Saturday Ben/Mickey/Tripp/Joe are having an 80s dance party, which should be ridiculously fun. So, busy week but good, even though I'm already behind in all my classes.

Cheers!
Drew, Now of Legal Age to Drink

EDIT 1: Ben is literally one of my favorite people in the world even though he hardcore ditched us that night.

EDIT 2: I woke up horribly sick on my birthday, but still went to Atlanta and had a blast-- my cousin drove down as well, and it was a big family affair. I had a jack and coke and a gin and tonic, my first two alcoholic drinks ever. I expected more coke and less tonic, but both were good.

Just loosen up.

Tue, 03 Jan 2006 09:38:00 GMT

Well, I'm sorry for leaving that last post up as the only one for so long. I wrote it on a really tough day, and it's probably not the most sunny piece of work. Overall, I've been doing well. The break has been ridiculously busy, trying to see everyone and, more importantly, really getting quality one-on-one time with as many people as possible. There's been a lot of running around town, experiencing suburbia at its finest with a lot of amazing old friends.

Christmas was amazing, and the associated times with family and friends. I have a new album up on facebook... you know, if you guys are into that kind of thing. My sister Claire and I have some especially good ones.

Chris and I drove to Chicago for New Year's with a bunch of his friends, going Knoxville -> Nashville -> Rockford -> Chicago -> Rockford -> Nashville -> Knoxville. We ended up driving about 1700 miles total on the trip. And we had a lot of fun. On the way out there, we almost died, a car spinning towards us across all lanes of the interstate over the inch of snow that was on the road in southern Illinois. Missed us by a foot. And then Chris's friends were all really cool, and we had a blast just bumming around the city, not to mention the holiday festivities. I've still never kissed anyone on New Year's. But, almost as a consolation prize, on New Year's there were a bunch of wasted international students standing next to us watching fireworks at the Navy Pier, and one of them decided that he wanted to be friends. He kept talking to me, continually apologizing for being wasted. After midnight, I finally said, "No worries! We can start over! It's 2006!" He said, "Man, you're right! I f***ing hated you in 2005, but we can be pals in 2006! I love you, man!" And I reciprocated, of course. Nashville was even a great time-- we hung out with Chris's friend Lisa, who is a crazy cool cat.

It's kind of strange-- nowadays, I'm not really sure what I want. I find myself wanting to be around girls because I miss being around a girl all the time, but -- I don't know. I've only been in one relationship, and it lasted a year, and it ended six weeks ago. Way too soon. But I have to admit that I just really wish that I could have a crush on someone, and that they could also show interest in me. It would just be really nice to feel likable in general.

But, even so, I'm doing well. It's been a blast hanging out so much with Chris, because I feel like we've really had a chance to catch up on pretty much everything, and also just goof off a lot together. And it's been good catching up with all the Knox Vegas townies and rocking out to a mix made by quite the incredible penpal. I hope all of you have a wondrous 2006. I'll be around.

Yrs,
Drew

light pollution

Fri, 09 Dec 2005 02:04:02 GMT

I don't really post very often nowadays, but I feel like I need to tonight. I remembered, I guess, why I ever did in the first place. I still live in the dorms, here in my fourth year at Clemson, but they're admittedly the nicest ones. I live with Zach Ashton, one of my favorite people in the world-- I don't think we've ever had an argument (besides theological-- he's a Presbyterian, and we have had many a solid late-night debate). We have a couch, and our desks. My side of the room is terribly messy, but I'm the only one to ever mention how messy it is. We have posters of bands and movies and photographs (one of which I took), and a painting of bamboo that I gave Zach last year, maybe for Christmas, or maybe his birthday. Our room looks directly out on the stadium, and right now the lights are blazing into the fog-- it lights up the sky over the whole campus, light cold rain falling from the glow. It's right at freezing outside.

Honestly, the ethereal look of everything is the only thing holding me back from giving in to the panic and slow spiral I've been feeling over the past few days. I really haven't been doing well at all. I feel like all sorts of things, all kinds of movie scenes and songs, but really ultimately I feel homeless, and sad. Even on my medication, I feel like I'm slipping. I don't want you all to worry-- I'll be fine. And I know all the pieces of advice that shimmer like apothecary bottles in the dark-- every conversation I have, I offer myself more advice than the person I'm talking to does. But it's just hard to know what to grab ahold of right now.

The coffee shop is coming along nicely. We had a cupping with our coffee suppliers on Sunday, and it was a really incredible experience overall. She didn't tell us which coffees we were sampling and we had to rate them blind, and she threw Folger's and Starbucks into the mix. I was surprised at how low everyone rated Starbucks. Last Friday was the Mock Turtle Soup show and Saturday was the Christmas party at Ben's, which was amazing.

I just feel so lonely, I guess. I've just been really lonely, and I've been crying a lot. I know things will get better. I haven't lost hope. I know all the things I should know about the situation. It's just still very strange, and hard, and I've just never been through anything like this before.

I hope you all are taking care, and I hope that the next time I check in, I'll be feeling better. Take care, everyone.

Short post.

Wed, 30 Nov 2005 05:39:55 GMT

Katy and I broke up Saturday before last.

Come on, feel the South Carolinae.

Sun, 25 Sep 2005 08:55:17 GMT

I suppose it's a strange time to be updating, really, especially considering I haven't for a (long) while, there have been many other times when I had crazy cool and/or important things to say and I didn't update, and, for all intensive purposes, I have dropped off the map as far as tons of my friends go. The rest of the summer went quick, but was very good. I got to see Katy a couple of times after I got back, which was excellent--so many simple, good moments with the woman that I love. Nowadays I've been busy. I'm taking a decently tough semester and at the same time starting a business downtown-- a coffee shop. For those of you in Clemson (or just interested), we're going to try and get it opened by the beginning of Spring semester, it'll be open until 2AM on weeknights and all night on weekends above the Student Book Store. We're still toying around with names, but I'll get back to you on that.

That's been most of life, besides (being sick for the past two weekends in a row and) the occasional incredibly fun thing with either Katy or assorted friends (or many times both): a sleepover at Michael and Amy's, trips to far-away cities just for coffee with Katy, living every day in a way that places importance on community and life.

I've been growing in my faith, though not as steadily as I'd have liked. I've been getting distracted at times, and my heart will start to turn away from God sometimes--in a way that speaks more about my wandering heart than anything about Him--and I really have to make an effort at those times to really seek who He is and to realize how much I love Him. Tonight was one of those times, given to me by grace rather than effort. I went to see Sufjan Stevens at the 40 Watt, and... well, it was the first time I've ever cried at a show (hopefully that doesn't make me an official emo kid). But so many of the songs have such strong ties to his faith, either his struggles or joys or just observations. Illinois is so centered around Christianity it's absurd, but it's so much more subtle on most of it than, say, a Seven Swans (of course). It just meant a lot to hear God speak in such a beautiful way, so randomly. And on the way home from things like that, I love driving a car of sleeping friends. It just feels like everyone is so happy and content, and it feels so good to just take them home to continue sleeping in bed. There's something so peaceful and connected about it.

Overall, I guess the easiest thing to say is that I've been doing well. That may just be because I haven't had time to think about how I was doing. Katy and I have gone through some rough spots since we've been back at school, but we're overall doing really well, and we'll have been dating for 11 months on the 11th. I helped her watch her little brothers today, and we have plans to fix pancakes sometime soon. Classes have been so/so, but I'm making it. House church at the Lofts has made my heart so much more alive than it was before. Everyone should read Blue Like Jazz. And I guess that's it for now.

P.S. I have some things for you, Deborah, and I want to get them to you soon. I was sick the past two weekends and basically was just too lazy. I'm sorry!

P.S.S. My address, everyone, is:

Drew Norris
7587 University Station
Clemson, SC 29632

Mon, 15 Aug 2005 16:58:58 GMT

So. I have been back for a bit, actually-- I guess about two weeks. The trip was amazing. We worked with college-age students, teaching English from a conversational English-focused curriculum. Blake got hepatitis, and I may have, and we had all the normal interesting foods (dog, scorpion, duck brain) minus cat eye (sorry Justin).

The night I got sick was really difficult-- I really thought I was going to die. And I prayed desperately that I wouldn't, but ultimately conceded to His will. And then I didn't. Die, that is. I finally even managed to sleep a little, and proceeded to sleep all the next day and every chance I got for several following days (hang-out time in the room, van rides, while lecturing in class, etc.).

There are so many more things that I could say about the trip-- the darkness in some places that almost palpably rages against anyone who stands for light, the way the memories of the students shift and pulse in my mind, simple solitary prayer and worship while perched on a rock with only grass and cattle in sight. We also went four-wheeling on the grasslands.

I guess that really, there's so much more than I'll be able to say on here, so e-mail me, call me, wait to see me, etc., if you want the long version. I'll post about the last couple of weeks very soon (Katy).

Waking up is hard to do.

Mon, 04 Jul 2005 17:26:34 GMT

Firsts

First best friend: David Reece. We hung out together all the time from pre-school until I moved to Knoxville in the 4th grade. He was a great kid, an amazing sidekick for all kinds of imaginations and trouble-making.
First car: Emily, my dark grey Toyota Corolla. When I got her, I made a mix CD in preparation for the event. It was the first CD played in her. As it was going, I drove her around to all the places in Knoxville that are most important to me, and explained what each one was. When I got home, I broke the CD. I got Emily right before I turned 20, and I got my license when I was 19, so the whole driving thing, the freedom, I was just really excited about.
First screen name: Flint105. Flint was kind of an imagined alter-ego I had, who was basically the person I wish I was.
First self-purchased album: Geoff Moore and the Distance - Home Run. Also my first concert.
First funeral: Probably Karen Beam's. Car accident. She was the sister of one of my friends, eighteen years old, who was such a light in our community. She was friends with everyone. The large church was packed and then some, and they read from her notebook where a few days before she'd written that she was willing to die whenever God deemed it best.
First pet(s): Brie, my dog (a mutt, but she had a lot of collie in her). I almost forgot to put her as the first pet, because she was just always there. She was like a mother to the kids, following us around and laying out in the yard of whatever house we were in in the neighborhood. My mother could find out where we were by driving around and looking for Brie.
First piercing: I got my eyebrow pierced on Haight and Ashbury in San Francisco.
First credit card: Merrill Lynch Visa check card.
First enemy: I never really had enemies when I was younger, but I'll say Thornton Lacy, who was sometimes kind of a bully.
First big trip: To Disney World and all that stuff when I was probably about five.
First musician you REMEMBER hearing in your house: The Ames Brothers. I still listen to that record.
First kiss: Katy Giuliani, on the dock in the small park in downtown Clemson last November.

Lasts

Last car ride: Back from TR's house last night, where there was much swimming and firework shooting.
Last good cry: I honestly don't remember my last solid, let-it-all-out tears.
Last movie seen: I watched most of The Game last night with my brother and his girlfriend. I used to be so into that movie, and it's still classic.
Last beverage drank: Water.
Last food consumed: I believe when I got home last night I had some leftovers of a dish I made a couple of days ago. The details are complicated, but it involves chicken baked with rosemary and olive oil, and then doing interesting things with eggs, pasta, etc.
Last phone call: My last call was to Katy. The last call to me was from Blake.
Last time showered: Yesterday before church, around 8am.
Last CD played: Asobi Seksu, s/t.
Last item bought?: I haven't bought anything in a really long time since I'm broke. Oh, but I paid for the movie rental the other night with change from my car. My fourth time renting that movie, All the Real Girls, meaning I need to break down and buy it because I'm wasting money.
Last annoyance: I honestly don't really know. I don't get annoyed very easily.
Last time scolded: Goodness, I have no idea. Probably recently, about how messy my room is.
Last shirt worn: Mm... I believe it was the Abbeville County Academic Competition shirt, a thrift store buy.
Last website visited: Achewood.com, to read my favorite webcomic.
Last kiss: Katy Giuliani, before she was leaving Knoxville. She visited weekend before this one, I guess.

So much has been happening this summer. The visits to and from Katy have been amazing, and the relationship is better than ever. I've been growing a lot in my relationship with Christ, reading about different men of the faith in the Bible, and even now things that are going on in the world that we just never hear about, men of God raising up and claiming the power that is offered them. I leave on Friday, so this will probably be my last post for awhile. I'll be gone for about three weeks, leading a team to teach English overseas. I'm just trying to be the leader that I know I can be. I'm trying to work on myself a lot before we leave, and allow God to change my heart towards Him more and more every day. And it's working. There's way too much to do this week and not enough time to do it, but by the grace of God we'll be ready when Friday comes.

I hope you're all doing well and having an amazing summer. I love you guys.

Cell.

Tue, 14 Jun 2005 23:15:07 GMT

I know I haven't posted in a while. Busy, busy, busy.

Cell's back. Old number. Hit it, at least to give me yours again.

Summer's been going well. Same old same old-- Steak and Shake, parks, downtown.

Too many weddings, but good ones. I was a groomsman for the first time, which was odd, I suppose. Real life is creeping up on us, huh?

More to come. For now, the phone's ringing.

Worn out. With very clean teeth.

Mon, 02 May 2005 10:29:07 GMT

So I returned home this morning at about 5:15 AM, finally worn out from studying (I can't even begin to explain how much all this Chinese homework was getting me down), and started getting ready for bed. And THEN realized that I still had to pit my car/run some errands. Misery. However, these things are done, I'll be waking at 12:30 after a (I think) reasonable six hours of sleep, and then much, much studying for my two Tuesday exams. I have to admit that I'm ridiculously worried, but: I don't know. It'll be okay. I mean, regardless of what happens, the time for the exams will come and pass, and I'll still be alive on Wednesday. One excellent thing: the toothpaste I bought was on sale because it's new, but astronauts have evidently been using this kind of toothpaste in space for years (if the shiny metallic packaging is any indication-- also note the "micro-active foaming action"). If you can't tell, I'm pretty excited about it. So I'm feeling generous, and am willing to do the following, if you are willing to either post this in your journal or write me something back when I do. However, be warned that I'll have to do this at my leisure, considering the busyness of the week.

o1. Reply with your name and I will write something about you.
o2. I will then tell what song/movie remind me of you.
o3. If I were to apply an o'clock to you, it would be...
o4. I will try to name a single word that best describes you.
o5. I'll tell you the most memorable moment I've had with you.
o6. I will tell you what animal you remind me of.
o7. I'll then tell you something that I've always wondered about you.
o8. Put this in your journal

Wed, 27 Apr 2005 06:03:44 GMT

The past few days have just been so comforting and meaningful to me, trying to spend some time with Katy before the break. On Friday, Katy managed to find a bamboo forest that she'd heard about because she thought that I'd love it, and we went there. And it was gorgeous, weaving through the sixty-foot-tall bamboo stalks and broken shafts of sunlight. It was just such a beautiful place, and such a blessing to be able to experience it with the woman that I love.

On Sunday me and Katy had a huge talk about all different kinds of things, hopes and fears and thoughts about us and life in general, relationships and what they necessarily entail. It meant a lot to me, in a way I can't really describe. Just the fact that I can be completely open with her and so I really have nothing to worry about in all this, that we're experiencing and tackling all of life together. We each have our own demons to face alone, but anytime we need encouragement and support from the other, we have it.

And yesterday Katy was talking to her brother online, and he evidently hadn't had a meal in three days. Which is ridiculous, of course. So today we went to Atlanta and bought him some food and then just hung around with him and his girlfriend, getting Starbucks and just spending time with a fellow brother and sister in Christ. It means so much to get closer to these people that already mean so much to Katy, and I jump at every opportunity I get to do so. I'm sick, so I'm worried that I wasn't as talkative (and basically just cool) as I otherwise might have been, but I know that they appreciated how much we wanted to help them.

However, at the moment, I'm absolutely exhausted, and I'm feeling rather miserably sick, so I think I'm going to head to bed.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR EVERYONE: I jumped in the pool with my cell phone in my pocket on Friday night. Anyone who wants me to be able to get in touch with them, either leave your number here or e-mail it to me at dnorris@clemson.edu. And that means everyone, and I will not think it strange if anyone obscure leaves their number.

Fri, 22 Apr 2005 07:57:06 GMT

Everything makes me tired.

Drink your milk, stay in school...

Wed, 20 Apr 2005 05:16:01 GMT

And treat her right, foo'.

(props to Kelly)

Fashion Plate?

Mon, 18 Apr 2005 18:44:48 GMT

You're the Fashion Plate!
Take What sort of Hipster are you? today!
Created with Rum and Monkey's Personality Test Generator.</p>

You know what's "in" and what's "out," and you give those trends the finger! You wear what you want and get damn respect for it. You still own pants you wore in high school. Your hair is five different shades of hip. You make it cool to shop at Goodwill, the Gap, and even Walmart. You hang out in crowded bars and restaurants, but don't care if anyone is even looking at you (though they are). You're swank and friendly and at ease just about anywhere. You're well-liked and talked about. The world wants to be just like you.

Man, you guys want to be just like me? You should've told me sooner, I could've held classes before school let out. Now, there's just no time...

It was a pretty great weekend. Me and Katy had tickets for two concerts and had a third lined up on Saturday, but instead we sold the tickets for the first and ran around Asheville, skipped the second concert to hang out in Atlanta with her brother and his girlfriend, and skipped the third to sit around and watch a movie. Actually, we couldn't find her brother in Atlanta, his phone broke and we couldn't get ahold of him. We went to the mall, some random shops, and then we randomly decided to go to a coffee shop, keep trying to call him, and then go home if we still couldn't. And then, randomly James and Angela walked in-- it was wild that we managed to find each other in Atlanta, completely by chance. And it was awesome getting to see those kids.

Katy was baptized yesterday after church by our excellent friend Amy Forslin (who is soon getting married to Michael Sawyer!), and afterwards a bunch of us hung out at Mellow Mushroom for quite awhile. Then me and Katy hung out on an empty beach for a long time, and then got ice cream at Ben and Jerry's. Basically the weekend was an incredible time of peace with the girl I love.

Then last night I did an M. Ward specialty show for an hour, playing all of his best songs. You guys missed out if you didn't listen. It was probably the best music that has ever been played back-to-back-to-back on the airwaves.

For now, though, I'm out. I love all you crazy kids.

Mon, 11 Apr 2005 19:09:42 GMT

Obviously, just so much has happened since the last time I posted, it was so long ago, so I'll give you a brief overview of the past few weeks. Feel free to read it at your leisure, or not at all.

-The Rosebuds came to Clemson and played a show in the production room of the radio station, and it was incredible. That band is amazing, and they are the sweetest people ever.

-That Sunday, Katy and I went on a picnic and walk in the Botanical Gardens, and there was so much peace, and light filtered through trees, and comfort in each other and the cool of the day.

-That Tuesday I let Katy borrow my car and my phone to head to Athens to see The Rosebuds again (I had a test the next day and couldn't). When she left the concert she was supposed to hit up a coffee shop and IM me that she was leaving, so I made sure that she got on the road okay. Well, the coffee shop was closed, and she couldn't do that, so I was ridiculously worried about her, but she made it home just fine at like 4:00 in the morning.

Spring break was miserable. I worked doing quality control for a data storage company, which basically means that my job involved doing the following.
1. Bring up six pictures of pages of text.
2. If one of the pictures doesn't look like the text is very good quality, click it.
3. If it's not good quality, tag it. If it is, continue.
4. Go to the next six pictures.

I looked at about 40,000 pictures a day. Miseryyyy. And that's supposed to be my summer job, if I can't find anything else. I also got a chance to visit all the old haunts, see all the old crew (including... Paula, from California!), and hit up some coffee shops.

Unfortunately, working didn't give me much leftover time to do schoolwork, and I'm still behind in a significant amount of my classes. And there are only a few weeks left of school. But I can make it, I really think I can.

-Last Friday I went to the WSBF Spin-Out for a little bit, but mainly just sat around my room all night listening to music. On Saturday I hung out with Robert like all evening, which was most excellent-- he is so ridiculously cool, and I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with my ex-intern. We walked around Greenville for a long time in the cold, and then hit up Coffee Underground, which is always excellent. He was too tired to hang out after that, so I took him home and then hung out with Josh and Rob for awhile, which was excellent. I wish I got to see those kids more, they are so dear to my heart.

-Last Tuesday Katy and I went to see M. Ward. She had a bunch of work to do and still came with me and drove while I slept, and was a doll about the whole thing. She even cut up her foot really bad just walking in Athens? I don't know, she just went through a lot to get me to that show and it meant so much to me just to be there, seeing my favorite artist, with Katy there with me.

-This past weekend, I DJed both Friday and Saturday nights at a comedy improv festival, which was a lot of fun, though I had to miss my church's independent film festival (a big dress-up ordeal, it's awesome). On Friday night I watched The Witches afterwards with Katy over much ice cream, and then on Saturday after things fell through with Justin/Erin/Amy/Michael, I managed to find Katy and we had a picnic at like 11:30 at night. Yesterday was church, which was amazing as always, and then Michael and Amy's wedding shower. And it was just so fun hanging out with that whole crew, Corey and Juli, Michael and Amy, Justin, Steve, Andrew, Rachel, Monica, Austin, Dave, and all sorts of other people. We just sat around and talked when it was over, and we probably ended up spending about three hours over there. And last night was the radio show, and a good one (my intern became a DJ, which is exciting).

This week I'm going to see Iron and Wine on Thursday, Elf Power and Olivia Tremor Control on Friday, and either an amazing musician friend of mine that I love or an eight-band concert of pretty darned good bands on Saturday. And Katy's following Christ in baptism on Sunday. So it's going to be another incredibly fun week, but I have a heck of a lot of work to sit down and do as well. It's really hard when there's so much to look forward to, but I'll manage.

I hope all of you are doing well. I've been really ridiculously busy, but I'll try and update again soon, as well as get back in touch with those of you I've been neglecting. I really love you kids. Take care of yourselves.

Auto-Drama

Tue, 22 Mar 2005 04:17:27 GMT

I feel so lethargic! it's so not fair that I have Saturday off but nobody wants to do anything :-(. I'll just sit home alone and write poems about death.

Oh yeah. dad was totally unfair to me yesterday and now I'm grounded :-(.

Oh and everybody has asked why I'm leaving the anime fandom but the answer is simple: Some of you know who you are and why I'm leaving FOREVAR.

This entry automatically generated by the LJ Drama Generator!

Radio, Athens, Botanical Gardens, Oh My!

Sun, 20 Mar 2005 19:37:21 GMT

Ah, there is so much to update about. I may split it up just to spare you guys a long read. In any case, Friday before last the Rosebuds came with Schooner to Clemson and played a show. It was originally going to be at 8:00, then it had to be postponed for some reason to 10:00, and then at 10:00 the school said that we couldn't make that much noise where we were, so we moved everything upstairs and had the concert in the production room of the radio station. It was ridiculously hip-- great bands, and really sweet people. Overall it was a blast.

That Saturday, Katy and I went to Athens to get Olivia Tremor Control tickets and take pictures around town. It's always a lot of fun hanging out in Athens, and always kind of scary, too. The day was no exception. At one point when we were taking pictures, we were walking along some train tracks towards where they went under a bridge, and a man stopped us to warn us. He was middle-aged, a big guy, walking into some random warehouse-looking type place, and he was with his little girl, who wasn't smiling. And it was obvious that she wasn't straight-faced because she was upset, she just never smiled, and the whole thing was terrifying. He said that a lot of junkies live in the cave under the bridge, and we shouldn't go back there.

We did, and it was really scary, with all kinds of trash and women's shoes (women's shoes!) lying around. There was even a makeshift bed put together from lawn chairs. The whole thing was really creepy, and it kind of stayed with us the whole day. We hung out in the coffee shop then, which is always really fun, but I still managed to get into a bad mood somehow. Overall, though, really fun.

On Sunday, Katy and I had a picnic and took a nature walk in the Botanical Gardens. And it was really... just peaceful, I guess. Very meaningful. We just sat on a bench and looked up at the sky through the trees, and it was a beautiful day, and just the feel of the wind-- I don't know. I am so thankful that these are the things that our lives are made of.

I'll put on hold the rest of the post about things in the past, but right now at this very moment, I feel lonely, and sleepy, and restless. I tried calling Katy earlier but she was acting like she didn't want to talk to me (not really talking, short answers when I asked her questions, pausing to talk to people online), so I let her go. I really wanted her to miss me, I guess. I guess it's only been a day and a half. But, I'm going to try and finagle some fun out of the day. Good luck, me.