"I'm no farther forward... just farther along..."

Things I appreciate and am thankful for right now:

* Hokey Pokey by Matthew Paul Turner. He's giving out .pdf's for bloggers willing to review and plug before it releases April 1. In only 2 chapters read so far, it's already turning out to be something I needed to hear. (He's a pretty awesome and funny writer too... check out his blog.)
* Wiping the dust off my guitar for the first time in a couple years or so. I have very little skill, but making music -- stilted and amateurish as it is -- just feels good.
* The awesome sunny-but-not-hot weather today. Days like this make living in Florida worthwhile.
* The cat falling asleep on my foot. (well, until I have to eventually stand up and move him anyway...)
* Old-school Bebo Norman. Ten Thousand Days has been my wake-up call and soundtrack for today. It's just beautiful and soothing and depressing and hopeful. All at the same time.

And because everyone loves a lyric post...

I don't know why I always run
is it fear of the fall or fear of the touch
And I don't know where the angels sleep

And I don't know how to really love
I've never stood still long enough
And I don't know where the angels sleep

But I am alive and standing strong
I'm no farther forward, just farther along
I hold on to my pride and dig in deep
It's pulling me down, and I am no closer to release
And I don't know where the angels sleep

I don't know how to see you now
The friend from before is different somehow
And I don't know where the angels sleep

And I don't know when I'll love again
But I don't trust myself to just let you in
And I don't know where the angels sleep

It's taken ten thousand days
To get stuck in my ways
And it offers no grace
I cannot stand this place
With love in my face
I walk away slowly

I don't know where the angels sleep
No, I don't know where the angels sleep
-- Bebo Norman, "Where the Angels Sleep"

People are funny. * More free music * happySAD

(or: Random ranting on hybrids and haters, Fono lives(!), and a public service announcement)

People really are brought together by the things they hate. And they are usually pretty funny about it too.

All I wanted was to find a Facebook group for hybrid car drivers. You know, to share mutual appreciation for our cars and have a potential source of information if Godspeed starts acting weird. That sort of thing.

There were a few. Mostly of the "the planet is doomed buy a hybrid omg rite now!" variety. But I think I found more groups for people who hate hybrids... ranging from legitimate concerns (I honestly never considered that such a quiet engine might be a problem for pedestrians who don't see it coming...) to basically "Hybrids suck! I <3 to burn oil! Real men get 5 mpg!!!"

Um, okay.

I'm not a psycho tree-hugging flower child. I like to think I'm a fairly normal tree-hugger that recycles plastic bottles and carries a reusable Target bag (when I remember). But really, my motive for driving a hybrid is, well, pretty self-serving. I have a long commute with lots of red lights, and I like to save gas because gas = money.

And besides... pathetic acceleration aside, my little Honda is long gone while your ginormous Hummer is still sitting under the red light. So there. :P

(wow, that was bitter. This annoys me way more than it should. Ranting done. :))

***

Anyway... for those who listened to Christian alternative back in the day (like... circa 2000. Is that considered "back in the day" yet?) Remember Fono? "Collide," "Now She's 24," English guy, put out one album, dropped off the planet, lost a bunch of almost-finished second project stuff in a studio fire?

Well, they finally finished that album, and... they're giving it away on their website. Yes, giving it away.

So, if you remember them and ever wondered what happened, or if you've never heard of them but just like some good ol' straightforward rock/alternative, drop by fono.net and have a listen. All you do is put in your e-mail (and a few other friends' e-mails if you choose, though fortunately that's totally optional) and Too Broken to Break is yours.



I've only given it one listen so far, so it's too soon for a verdict... but first impression is not bad. It's worth checking out, and you got nothing to lose...

***

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, or better yet, as I heard it described today... Singles Awareness Day. :)

And so a friendly reminder... do something nice for your special someone and have fun, but don't forget to be nice to your single friends! Remember, be aware, and share the love. Maybe hug a single person too and make them feel special. (But ask first. It's less creepy that way. :D)

It's all about love anyway, right? Of course.