Author: Chad
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weddings and radiance
Ah, weddings. The one event that guarantees complete immunity from all of the stupid, drunken things people do there. The last wedding I went to there was no alcohol, so I got to observe people in their sober states. Naturally, as a quiet observer of people, I picked up on a few things. (As there…
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those three words… part 2
A poem Those words Those three words The end all of every phone call The start of every time apart from you The definition of what we are Together apart, either one is better than before Sitting in neutral, afraid to say more Those words Those three words They flow like a wave away Crashing…
# poetry -
those three words…
A poem Those wordsThose three wordsThe bane of my existenceThe thesis of the paper I’ve never writtenThe end of the date I never went onThe kiss goodbye I never got or gave Those wordsThose three wordsThey end every phone callEvery birthday card, every letter homeExcept mineI can’t send these three little wordsFrom my head to…
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it made sense in my head
The issue of predestination v. free will is inexplicably tied to the issue of evolution v. creationism. Are we here just because we are? Or has our existence been thoroughly planned? A Calvinist would say that we are entirely “on purpose” while an Arminianist would say that we’re completely free from God’s control. In reality,…
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Quinceañera
Our protagonist, Magdalena (newcomer Emily Rios), is on the verge of her own quinceañera, the Latino equivalent of a bar mitzvah/Sweet Sixteen for girls. But she first has to take part in her friend’s quinceañera, which is way more decked out than hers will be, and she knows it. Coveting her friend’s wealth notwithstanding, she…
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tension and release…
Intro. The weather is music to my ears. Crescendos and decrescendos, tension and release. Today started out without a cloud in sight. Pianissimo. It was hot, but things were moving along fine. As the day went on, the clouds appeared. Then a few more. Then a bigger batch arrives. The orchestra builds on harmonies and…
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Falwell falls
I’ll admit that I didn’t know much about Jerry Falwell before he died. I grew up in a Christian home and attended a non-denominational church, but I never tried to pretend I knew much about “the Church” or its leaders. Now that I’m a college student, I guess I have to start caring. But caring…
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oh, the world we live
A poem The great outdoors just came out of the washThe birds they sing a song under my close watchMillions and millions of fallen raindropsOh, they make me stop and realize We congregate, we come around to seeThe smallest leaves grow from the biggest treeMillions and millions of colors shiningOh, they open wide my open…
# poetry -
where were we?
The shooting at Virginia Tech is definitely shocking and saddening, but it’s not new. Every couple of years there seems to be another school shooting and the perpetrators all seem alike. They are loners, malcontents, and victims of an ever-depreciating society. Cho Seung-Hiu, the Virginia Tech killer, was probably deeply disturbed and psychotic, but what…
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apologies all around…
I’ve been going through a season of doubt and general questioning of all that I’m supposed to believe. I’ve been told over and over again in Sunday school and at home that “Jesus died for my sins” and “God created you and loves you very much,” but what does that really mean? How is it…
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Soundtrack of the moment, part II
These are some songs I’m listening to. I think you should too. “Lost in Space” – Aimee Mann – Lost In SpaceSuch a hauntingly beautiful song. Imagine driving through the desert at night with this whole album on repeat and you have an awesome musical experience. “Seize the Day” – Alan Menken – Newsies soundtrackMan,…
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tale of three trees
This is a story from a children’s book I read as a bedtime story to some kids my sister babysits. It rocked my world: Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up. The first little tree looked up at the stars and…
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and the oscar goes to…
Ahhh, the Oscars. Such a glorious time. I guessed 11 correctly which is pretty good for me. Things I’m pumped about: –The Departed winning 4 awards including Best Picture, Best Screenplay, and a much deserved Best Director for Martin Scorsese (finally!) -Alan Arkin blowing everyone away and upsetting Eddie Murphy for Best Supporting Actor –Pan’s…
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lifestyles of the rich and the famous
To fans of music: Rock stars/musicians/bands are in no way better than you. There seems to be a universal acceptance of a rock star’s disrespectful and arrogant attitudes and actions, but I find this unacceptable. My guess is a lot of kids start bands because they want to be famous and have people love them.…
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Switchfoot’s ‘Oh! Gravity’ brings us back to earth
Originally published in the North Central Chronicle on January 26, 2007. Switchfoot has been in the biz for upwards of a decade, so one would hope that they would evolve for the better during that time. Thankfully, this ensemble can still make good rock music. That, however, doesn’t make the band invulnerable to the destined…
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you never give me your money
I love antique shops. There are 3 here in Naperville but only one of them is that good. I just love walking through aisles and aisles of history and nostalgia. Recently I’ve been finding piles upon piles of old records. Because of my love of history and good music, I naturally appreciate a good record.…
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Soundtrack of the moment, part I
No, this isn’t that stupid random listing of songs that supposedly follows your life. These are some songs that have changed me, made me think, made me cry, and want me to become a better person. Enjoy. “Candy Shop” – Andrew Bird – Oh! the Grandeur So nostalgic. The groove makes you want to do…