November 16, 2008
Mordred's Lullaby
I found this video at Mir's blog. It is very well done. I haven't seen the movie the clips are from, but I'm intrigued enough that I might seek it out.
What really gets me is the song: "Mordred's Lullaby" (sung by Heather Dale). It's so haunting—sad, dark, but strangely beautiful. (It's also Celtic Rock. Who knew I would like Celtic Rock?!)
I have to admit though that it was a bit inappropriate for me to be humming this song as I walked into church this morning. Seriously, check out this sample lyric. Not really a church-going sentiment.
"Hush, child, the darkness will rise from the deep,
and carry you down into sleep."
Still. The song stays with me.
Posted by Selena at 04:47 PM | Comments (0)
October 11, 2008
Quote of the Day from "If the Buddha Got Stuck"
Today's quote is from If the Buddha Got Stuck by Charlotte Kasl, Ph.D.
"The human mind likes a strange idea as little as the body like a strange protein and resists it with a similar energy."
- W. I. Beveridge, Scientist
It's a cool book so far.
Posted by Selena at 12:33 PM | Comments (0)
September 10, 2008
Quote of the Day
Today's quote is from an old Gary Chapman song called "In His Hand," which sadly is not available on iTunes. (Grrr.)
"There is no cause for fear, here in His hand."
It looks like there used to be a video of the song on YouTube, but sadly it's not there anymore. (Bummer.) I used to have it on video myself, but that was back in the days of VHS and who's got VHS anymore?
So, I guess I'll just have to sing it from memory as best I can to remind myself that in God's hands "there is only safety."
I'm also trying to keep this Bible verse in my head:
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)
Or as I like to say when my life looks hopelessly screwed up: "Relax. God knows what he is doing and he has my best interests at heart."
Posted by Selena at 07:10 AM | Comments (0)
July 30, 2008
Quote of the Day & Casino Royale
I recently saw the latest James Bond movie, Casino Royale. I almost gave up about a quarter of the way in because, well, my experience of the movie thus far was something like this: ...blah, handsome Bond, blah, blah, cool M, blah, blah, long action scene, blah, more action, blah... But then Vesper arrived on the scene and James lit up. Suddenly there was witty banter and sexual tension. And finally the movie had my attention.
I'm so glad I stuck with the movie because the "Vesper and James" thing was fabulous. I've got the movie saved on my DVR and I have already rewatched highlights SEVERAL times.
You can also see highlights at YouTube. In fact, here is one of my favorite scenes and the one that includes today's quote, a line Vesper says to James when he is recuperating from some seriously brutal torture:
"If all that was left of you was your smile and your little finger, you'd still be more of a man than anyone I've ever met."
And Daniel Craig does have one stellar smile! (Oh how rare such a smile is.) Craig is now my all-time favorite James Bond.
Bond's emotional range in this movie is one of the things I love about Casino Royale. But it also makes for some heartbreak when at the end of the movie he is the unflappable, emotionally flat super spy we're more familiar with. Bummer. I already miss the old James.
Posted by Selena at 09:49 PM | Comments (0)
July 12, 2008
Quote of the Day
Today's quote is from Psalms 31:
"Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress."
You can read the whole Psalms here.
Posted by Selena at 04:30 PM | Comments (0)
July 01, 2008
Psalms 139
In getting ready for this week's Sunday School lesson, I came across Psalms 139 and it really spoke to me of how closely God is with us and how we can never get so far away that he isn't right there with us.
Here's my favorite section, verses 1-10:
"O LORD, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts when I'm far away.
You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, LORD.
You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!
I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave, you are there.
If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me."
This verse is perhaps especially comforting to me because I sometimes feel alone, unseen, and far from home. But with God, I am never truly alone, unseen, or far from home. Because ultimately home is where God is, and God is everywhere.
Posted by Selena at 09:42 PM | Comments (2)
June 22, 2008
Quote of the Day
Today's quote is from the TV series "Bones," which I was watching today while taking a treadmill walk.
The situation is this: an FBI agent is complaining to his boss that the FBI made a deal with a criminal he had been after for thirty years and nobody told him about it. Boss-lady listens for a while but finally she says...
"I'm sorry that after forty years as an agent for the FBI you're still a little girl."
I laughed so hard I nearly fell off the treadmill.
Posted by Selena at 04:12 PM | Comments (0)
May 05, 2008
Quote of the Day: "Be the change..."
Today's quote is actually a few lines from last week's Grey's Anatomy:
---
Addison Montgomery: "You're a fighter, Stevens. What happened?"
Izzie Stevens: "I lost a lot of fights."
Addison: "Well... Time to get back up. Go. Be the change you want to see in the world."
Izzie: "Did you just quote Gandhi to me?"
---
What a great scene! I particularly love Izzie's face when she says, "I lost a lot of fights." I can totally relate.
"Be the change..."
I'm trying.
Posted by Selena at 04:34 PM | Comments (0)
March 16, 2008
Quotes of the Day: from "Leap of Faith"
I didn't go to church today. I bugged out after Sunday School. But even before then, I had my own personal worship service going on courtesy of the movie soundtrack from "Leap of Faith."
Today the song I'm feeling most is "Change in My Life." Here is a sample lyric:
"Standing cold and scared on top of blue hill,
There came one moment when I lost my will.
I prayed for mercy, please Lord take me away.
Oh give me sunshine where I only see grey.
My past had a hold on me, it can't be denied,
And the changes don't come easily.
I've been lonely, I've been cheated,
I've been misunderstood
I've been washed up, I've been put down,
And told I'm no good
But with you I belong,
Cause you help me be strong,
There's a change in my life,
Since you came along."
I feel like I'm stuck in the downtrodden part of my life, knowing that God has changed my life, but waiting for that change to be made manifest. I guess God is trying to teach me patience. ;)
P.S. Actually, the next song on the album is a five-minute revival of its own. Who knew a song called "King of Sin Medley" could be so uplifting?
"The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?"
That right there, that feeling—that is what church is supposed to do to you.
Posted by Selena at 01:45 PM | Comments (0)
March 05, 2008
New Fav Song: "Problem Girl"
I have a new favorite song. It's "Problem Girl" by Rob Thomas.
Here is a sample:
"Don't let 'em get where they're going to
You know they're only what they think of you
…
And when the kids on the street say
What's your problem girl
…
When they all make you feel
Like you're a problem girl
Remember
You're no problem at all
You're no problem at all"
It's a sly profession of love. Not obvious like "I adore you." But more real. Because we are never problems to those who love us.
That's good stuff.
Posted by Selena at 09:18 PM | Comments (0)
February 21, 2008
Godspell = Revival
While I was in DC last week, I visited a church I had attended for a few months back when I lived in the area. It was a great experience. It reminded me what it feels like to be in my kind of church, one where I fit in and feel at home.
Although I enjoyed the sermon—especially how the pastor used Facebook to make his point—it was the children's lesson that got to me the most. It was about Godspell and ended with a recitation of this prayer/song from the musical:
"Day by day
Oh Dear Lord
Three things I pray
To see thee more clearly
Love thee more dearly
Follow thee more nearly
Day by day"
Today I happened to find the Godspell CD that I lost track of years ago. I promptly imported it into my iTunes so I wouldn't misplace the music again.
I've spent most of the evening listening to Godspell over and over again. The music does more for me spiritually that most of the church services I have attended. It reminds me and inspires me and prods me ever closer to God. It's like a revival in a CD case.
"Long live God."
----
For more on Godspell visit these sites I found via Google and liked:
I like this one for the full lyrics and the story of a church who performed the musical.
Then this is the official site (I guess). It's got a lot of stuff but I particularly like the history of how Godspell came about. That story was even part of the children's lesson mentioned above.
Posted by Selena at 08:19 PM | Comments (0)
December 12, 2007
Quote of the Day
Today's quote is from a Star Trek Voyager episode:
"Survival is insufficient."
Posted by Selena at 06:16 PM | Comments (0)
November 04, 2007
NaNo Day 4 + a Quote from Psalms
I had the day off from both baby-watching and editing, so I was able to get a lot of NaNo done.
The servers have been down on all the Double-Edged Publishing sites so I literally couldn't get any DEP work done today. I took it as a sign to spend more time on NaNo instead.
Today's Tally = 5428
Cumulative = 15,696
% done = 31.4%
Not bad at all.
Plus, I managed to work part of Psalms 31 into the story today. Here's a snippet from the psalm:
"Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress.
Tears blur my eyes.
My body and soul are withering away.
I am dying from grief;
My years are shortened by sadness.
…
But I am trusting you, O Lord,
Saying 'You are my God!'
My future is in your hands.
Rescue me…
Let your favor shine on your servant.
In your unfailing love, rescue me."
It worked perfectly because my main character is going through a difficult time at this particular part of the book. Things are going to get better though. Don't you worry. I am all about the happy ending. Don't know what it will be yet, but it will be happy.
Posted by Selena at 06:34 PM | Comments (0)
October 22, 2007
Today's Song: "itsalwaysomething"
The song that I keep listening to today is Rick Springfield's "itsalwaysomething."
(Of course, the editor and proofer in me want it to be "It's Always Something.")
Here are some sample lyrics:
"I've been good at snatching defeat from the
jaws of victory
Anytime I stopped to smell the roses they
drew blood from me
Do you know what I mean?
You never ever get away clean
Oh but it's alright,
Yeah, touchdown, turn around, flag on the play
It's always something, you know it is, it's always something
It's always something, everyday, It's always something"
Maybe tomorrow I can catch a break. ;)
Posted by Selena at 07:56 PM | Comments (0)
October 18, 2007
You Can't Always Get What You Want
Today's quote is from a song that has been rattling around in my head. (I finally just had to buy it from iTunes so I can listen to it over and over.)
"You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes
You just might find
You get what you need."
Yeah, well, I'm still waiting for that second part to happen. ;)
Posted by Selena at 08:25 AM | Comments (0)
September 29, 2007
Bad Week & Quote of the Day: Hold Fast
It's been a bad week: I found out that my favorite cat probably has cancer and definitely has a urinary track infection. ('Cause, you know, it's not bad enough that he has an abdominal mass the size of my fist.)
Plus a brother-in-law died after a long struggle with cancer. I know he's in a better place, but it sucks for those of us still here and missing him.
And that's just the big stuff I'm wrestling with this week.
So when this came up on my iTunes, it was like a gift from God:
"Please do no let go
I promise there is hope
Hold fast
Help is on the way
Hold fast
He's come to save the day
What I've learned in my life
One thing greater than my strife
Is His grasp
So hold fast."
- from "Hold Fast" by Mercy Me
(Emphasis mine.)
I'm trying. I'm really trying to feel that assurance. Knowing and believing that God is in control and has my best interests at heart—that is one thing. Feeling it is harder.
Posted by Selena at 10:38 AM | Comments (0)
September 18, 2007
Quote of the Day: from Angel
I have gotten hooked on the Buffy spinoff "Angel." I watched some of season one and wasn't too impressed, but now I've gotten hooked on reruns of a later season. (I found out today it's season four.)
Here's an inspiring little speech from a recent episode:
Fred says:
"Will it make a difference? If we really are just pieces being
moved around a board…"
Gunn says:
"Then we’ll kick it over and start a new game. Look,
monochrome can yap all he wants about no-name’s cosmic
plan but here’s a little something I picked up rubbin’ mojos
these past couple of years: the final score can’t be rigged. I
don’t care how many players you grease, that last shot
always comes up a question mark. But here’s the thing—
you never know when you’re taking it. It could be when
you’re duking it out with the legion of doom or just
crossing the street deciding where to have brunch. So you
just treat it all like it was up to you, the world in the
balance, ’cause you never know when it is."
That last bit is worth repeating:
"…treat it all like it was up to you, the world in the
balance, ’cause you never know when it is."
My favorite source for all things Buffy and Angel:
Buffyverse Dialogue Database
That site led me to the Buffy Vs Angel site, which has transcripts of episodes. Very handy.
Posted by Selena at 08:18 PM | Comments (0)
September 16, 2007
Quote of the Day: Firefly and Faith
My brain must work in strange ways because I was sitting in Sunday School today, the teacher asked something about what belonging to God means to us and my mind immediately went to this scene from "Firefly":
Wacky villagers have decided to burn River at the stake because they think she is a witch. (She isn't. She is just different and has abilities they don't understand.) Mal and Zoe have arrived to save her.
Villager says: "The girl is a witch."
Mal says: "Yeah, but she's our witch. So cut her the hell down!"
Love that.
Being God's means several things:
1) He will always protect us,
2) We owe Him our allegiance and obedience, and
3) He will always come to get us if someone tries to steal us away.
I just love the idea of God saying: "Let her go; she's one of mine."
Posted by Selena at 07:56 PM | Comments (0)
September 14, 2007
New Music, a Writing Revelation, plus Quote of the Day: "Hold On…"
Yesterday I got my birthday present to myself: several CDs I had ordered. I actually let out a whoop of joy as I took it from the mailbox. (I hope none of the neighbors saw that crazy display. Oops.)
The first CD I listened to was kind of a bust. I only liked one song and it was one I already had via iTunes. Bummer.
But it gave me a weird sense of hope. You see, the CD is an early one from a group whose later work I enjoy a lot. And that one song is a true gem. I don't know if it was popular back when this CD was released, but it's wildly popular now. Finding this stroke of genius in an otherwise lame album gave me hope for the sad state of my early work. Maybe, just maybe, years from now people will read the stuff I've published up to this point and think: "Yeah, it's mostly lame, but this one piece – WOW, that's brilliant." And maybe, just maybe, the fact that most of my early work isn't great doesn't preclude my later work from being fantastic. Here's hoping.
Thankfully, the second CD doesn't suffer from any lameness at all! It’s John Mayer's "Continuum" and it's just one great song after another.
My current favorite is "I Don't Trust Myself (With Loving You)."
Here's a sample lyric:
"Hold on to whatever you find, baby
Hold on to whatever will get you through
Hold on to whatever you find, baby
I don't trust myself with loving you"
That's some really good stuff.
Posted by Selena at 01:01 PM | Comments (0)
September 13, 2007
Xanadu on "The View"
A funny thing happened yesterday. I was watching "The View" and caught a performance from the Broadway hit musical "Xanadu." But instead of making me want to see the Broadway show, it made me want to see the movie again AND buy the soundtrack. (I had the album for a long time, but gave it away when I no longer had a turntable to play it on. Do people still have record players, I wonder?)
Maybe I'm a dork, but I really liked the movie "Xanadu." And based on the little bit I saw of the current Broadway musical, I much prefer the original.
Today I am still humming "Suddenly" – the Olivia Newton-John version, not the Broadway version I heard on "The View." I finally had to log into iTunes and buy a few songs from the "Xanadu" soundtrack.
Here's your quote of the day…
"You make it seem I'm so close to my dream
And then suddenly it's all there"
Have a good one and keep trying to create your own Xanadu.
Posted by Selena at 09:25 AM | Comments (0)
September 08, 2007
Quotes of the Day: from Prince
My iTunes shuffled up a Prince song this morning (it was "Scandalous," if you must know), so now I am on a Prince high, listening to all my favorite Prince songs.
Some of my favs are lesser-known ones like:
"I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man"
and
"If I Was Your Girlfriend."
Really, who but Prince could get away with a song about a man imploring his lady love to treat him more like one of her BFFs (i.e. best gal pals or girlfriends), and have it make such good sense?
Sample lyric:
"If I was your girlfriend
Would U remember 2 tell me all the things U forgot
When I was your man?
Hey, when I was your man
If I was your best friend
Would U let me take care of U and do all the things
That only a best friend can
Only best friends can"
Then there is the classic "Let's Go Crazy:"
"And if de-elevator tries 2 bring u down
Go crazy - punch a higher floor"
To me, that line always sounds like a call to action, a reminder that we always have a choice, that we can choose a higher purpose, the higher ground, a higher calling, a higher love.
Posted by Selena at 11:48 AM | Comments (0)
September 05, 2007
Quote of the Day: Love's the Only House…
"She said this world is moving so fast
I just get more behind every day
Every morning when I make my coffee
I can't believe my life's turned out this way
All I could say was
Love's the only house big enough for all the pain in the world
Love's the only house big enough for all the pain"
- "Love's the Only House," sung by Martina McBride
Posted by Selena at 06:30 PM | Comments (0)
September 01, 2007
Quote of the Day: Anybody Out There?
"Come on, come on, is there anybody out there?"
- from "Who Killed Rock N' Roll" by Rick Springfield
Posted by Selena at 07:17 PM | Comments (0)
August 31, 2007
Fascinating Article on the "Spotlight Effect"
I came across this article recently and found it very interesting:
" The Cure for Self-Consciousness"
I particularly like this part:
" Our distorted perceptions mean we not only exaggerate the impact of our errors but also undersell our inspirations and contributions."
And the bit under it about mumbling.
Hmm. My husband often accuses me of mumbling. I had thought maybe he was a little hearing-impaired, but now I wonder if the "spotlight effect" might have something to do with it.
Posted by Selena at 05:04 PM | Comments (0)
August 30, 2007
Quote of the Day: I learned...
"Some dreams weren't meant to come true. I learned that from you."
- from the song "I Learned That From You," by Sara Evans
(Well, I don't know if she wrote it. I just know she sang it.)
That song gets me every time.
Posted by Selena at 08:31 PM | Comments (0)
August 28, 2007
Quote of the Day: Failure
Here they are, from Ten Poems to Change Your Life by Roger Housden:
"Last night as I was sleeping,
I dreamt - marvelous error! -
that I had a beehive
here inside my heart.
And the golden bees
were making white combs
and sweet honey
From my old failures."
- Antonio Machado
Part of his poem “Last Night As I Was Sleeping”
(version by Robert Bly)
"Imagine the possibility that every single turn of events, however dark or disappointing the outcome, can in some circuitous way be the raw material for something that eventually surfaces with the sweetness of honey."
-Roger Housden
So, this is me, waiting for God to make sweet honeycombs out of all my failures.
Posted by Selena at 12:01 PM | Comments (0)
August 27, 2007
Quote of the Day: A Double Dose from Firefly
"This must be what going mad feels like."
- Simon, from "Firefly"
One of these days, I'm going to get that T-shirt from Café Press.
Here's another:
"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."
- Mal, from "Firefly"
I miss "Firefly."
Why isn't there any good scifi on my TV right now?!
Posted by Selena at 08:29 PM | Comments (0)
August 25, 2007
Quote of the Day: Photonic
"All life is photonic."
- from the Star Trek Voyager episode called "Bride of Chaotica."
In this episode, photonic aliens from another dimensional mistake a holodeck game for real life. It's especially fun because the game is old school scifi: ray guns, death rays, evil geniuses, robots. (Actually it reminds me of "Flash Gordon." The original, not the recent remake, which I've only seen one episode of.)
This STV episode is laugh out loud campy fun. The best part is Kate Mulgrew as Captain Janeway playing Arachnia, Queen of the Spider People. She is FABULOUS!
:)
Posted by Selena at 12:43 PM | Comments (0)
August 24, 2007
Quote of the Day: Rev Bem
"I have always believed the divine loves us best at the broken times."
- Rev Bem, in "Andromeda"
I think this was in one of the early seasons, because I don't think Rev Bem was around in the later seasons. He was one of my favorite characters though. A holy man struggling with his "beast" nature.
Posted by Selena at 07:30 PM | Comments (0)