From the Cobwebs: Loralee and Burton, sitting in a tree...K-I-S-S-I-N-G!!

 (This blog was originally written in May of 2007)

Well, my four year streak was broken last week. You're probably asking, "What streak, Loralee?" Well, it's the "Loralee hadn't been kissed in more than four years" streak. I know, I know. You're all surprised because you hadn't heard I have been dating, yeah? That's right. It's been about the same amount of time since I've had a date. Y'all know I'm not some casual kisser, so there has to be a story behind this recent kiss, yeah? Here's what happened...

I volunteered a Friday ago to take tickets for the South Austin Wind Symphony concert. My friend, Sarah, plays flute with that group. That night they were playing songs from Western movies and T.V. series from since forever ago. There was even going to be a famous movie star there to be the emcee the concert.
I had a better time than I thought I would, to be honest. I made two friends whilst taking tickets. One was a very tall, very tall young man named Cory (I think) and the other was a pretty short, but very nice gal named Bonnie. We chatted while waiting for the concert goers to walk up needing our services (Those services were tearing their tickets in half and handing the pretty side back to them.)
We were almost done and the concert looked like it is just about to start when a man about 65-ish and all dressed up in cowboy gear came hurrying up to the doors we were "guarding" and began exclaiming "Are they already starting? Oh Boy!!" He scurried into the concert hall and rushed up to the podium and the microphone. Turns out, he was the movie star EMCEE. He was none other than Burton Gilliam from western movie fame. Finally, we volunteers were allowed to join everyone else. We sat down and listened to the beautiful music and the funny comments by the emcee, Burton.
After it was all over, I thought I'd go over and get a picture with him and an autograph for my Daddy for Christmas. I stayed in line for awhile and then finally got to spend a few minutes with him. He signed the autograph, even putting the name "Paul" on it for Daddy, and we took our picture together. Then he looked at me, grinned, and pointed to his cheek with his forefinger. I, of course, being the physically affectionate person that I am, hesitated not one moment before leaning over to kiss his cheek. Imagine my surprise when he turned his head right quick and pecked me on the lips!! Turns out this maneuver was a regular in his bag of tricks. I'm somewhat glad that they took the picture before he worked his little magic trick...cuz they would have taken a picture of me with a bright red face!!

From the Cobwebs: Ego Sum a perficio Parvulus

 

For my Mom, who helped me to see the truth and who is the only one I know who MIGHT understand the Latin.

I was hungry and in tears, but the other person fed me instead of her.

I was alone and scared, but the other person comforted me instead of her.

I was filthy and uncomfortable, but the other person cleaned me instead of her.

_______________________________________________________________

She was sad and I comforted her.

She was dirty and I cleaned her hair.

She left me and I mourn her still.

_______________________________________________________________

I am the other person.

_______________________________________________________________

I am not a monster.

I am not unworthy.

I am not unlovable.

_______________________________________________________________

For I am the perfect child of my Daddy.

And I am the perfect child of my Mother.

And I am the perfect child of my Mom.

And I am the perfect child of my FATHER.

_______________________________________________________________

I am a perfect child.

From the cobwebs: Authority (a mini-article from 2009 or so)

Authority

There is a man from a website of which I am a member. He started a message

board war regarding biblical authority. He feels that a certain activity is acceptable

behavior in the sight of God and many others disagree with him and have written

responses to his posts trying to show him scriptures which prove their point.

He finally got to the point where he was tired of hearing the phrase "it is not

authorized in the Bible" so he began a new thread about the word "authorized".

What follows is his original post and then my response to it.

He says on 5/12/07 at 6:50 p.m.: "I hear people using the word Authorized on

the site alot and no where do I see it found in the new testament in alot of

different versions and specially not the way alot use it."
I said:
The idea of AUTHORITY is replete in the Bible. It has been this way since the

beginning of time. After all, God spoke the very world into existence. That is

the ultimate authority! Early on, it is clearly illustrated (Deut. 11: 26-28) that

God's word is something which we ought to follow AND that there are

consequences if we do not follow it. That is authority. Later on, authority is

shown to belong to Christ (Matthew 17:5; 28:18-20.) As I said, authority is

EVERYWHERE in the Bible.

Every Christian understands the concept of authority. If they don't understand it,

they would never have obeyed the Gospel. Why would anyone ever bother to

be baptized and make efforts to be obedient if he didn't believe in an Authority

who says that, without obedience, spiritual death is assured? You cannot continue

in Christianity without a commitment to submitting to the authority of God and

His word (the Bible.)

Here is my main point. You are allowed to believe (because of free will) whatever

you want about the acceptability of using musical instruments in worship,

whether you are right or wrong. However, you should know (before you try to

use this argument anymore) that the word authority is a NOUN and the word

authorized is an ADJECTIVE. But they are basically the SAME word. Therefore,

you will not be able to support (logically, anyway) your theology with the

argument that the word "authorized" is not present in the King James version of

the Bible. It may be true that the word is not physically printed in the pages of

your Bible, however, the concept of "authorized" is painted on every single page

of the 66 books of the Bible...and with bright colors that anyone can recognize.

Just some food for thought, y'all.

From the Cobowe

 patting myself on the back a bit...

I know this will seem like bragging to some, but I was so pleased and gratified

with the comments that my acting professor wrote on my final that I really want

to share them. (and keep them someplace that I can remember them in the

future.) :)

Loralee,
-Both monologues were outstanding!
-Your work is some of the best I've ever seen.
-I HOPE you will continue as an actress--in some way--either professional

or amateur--because you have that raw talent necessary.
Anyway, you have been a tremendous JOY in class!

Final: 100

From the Cobwebs: J. Andrew Hobdy

This came up on my facebook memories today.

I am packing up to take my stuff to storage until the duplex opens up on

01JUN09. and I was looking for some photos to scan to make Mom a

present and I found this album with stuff from my one and only fiancee

from way back in '96-'97. I found a poem he wrote me which was just

so super good I had to share it. :)

For Loralee

J. Andrew Hobdy

She dances upon my eyelids
as I close them for slumber.
I can feel her beside me
like a phantom itch.
Her voice lingering on my ear
as the echo of a tympani in an empty room
As a yell on the barren plain.
Her love is the spring
renewing all life,
bringing rain to my dry and thirsty soul.
peace
She is the lighthouse amid the tempest
filling the black void with a brilliant light
her love is as constant as the tide
often low and ebbing
lying in wait
but sometimes raging.
I long for that rage.

Shigoto ganai

 I read a book once by a Western man. I cannot remember his name or the title of his book. However, he was discussing his time working in a big name company in Japan.  During the course of the book, he talked about the phrase 'Shikata ga nai' which means "It couldn't be helped."  This was the only thing I really remembered about the book.  Subsequently, I was in college and met--through my friend, Collin McCormick, a Japanese student.  We were talking about the Japanese language and I was repeating phrases I knew like "Domo arigato" and "Dōitashimashite" which mean, "Thank you" and "You're welcome." My mother, Pattalee, taught me 'You're welcome" many years ago. I remembered it cos she said, "It sounds like 'Don't touch the mustard.' LOL.

Anyway, back to my Japanese friend, I was trying to repeat the phrase for "It couldn't be helped" when my friend burst out laughing. He told me what I had just said in Japanese. I had interposed some letters and instead of a 'K' and an "A" I had said "Shigoto ganai" which means "I do not have a job." LOL

Anyway, I told you all of that for a reason, really. I've been watching Korean films on Prime (cos I have a free month). This particular series is telling a story about a Korean actress starring in a Japanese film. I have to watch them with the subtitles on, but sometimes, I'm distracted and am not watching carefully. But, the COOLEST thing! I heard a character say "Doitashimashite" and UNDERSTOOD it. That is happening more and more when I'm hearing Mandarin in shows and--now--in Korean, too. It is gratifying to know that my studying (however slowly it is happening) is paying off. Hopefully, sooner rather than later, I'll be understanding spoken Korean when I'm hearing it after I move to Korea (again hopefully) in August!