Sunday, January 31, 2010

How High the Moon

Friday, January 22, 2010

Eu gosto de voce

Music Friday - Karen's Picks

Tonight: Franz Ferdinand
I dig this two disc album...it's got a little dance...a little acoustic...good beats...

Vampire Weekend - both Self Titled and Contra
Unique sound - always peppy. I like it - different from other stuff I've heard recently. The band is from New York and they look like hipsters.

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix - Phoenix
I just discovered this recently through Herrman and I like it. He has good taste.

This is War - 30 Seconds to Mars
Favorite song so far on this album is Kings and Queens...not sure about the entire album yet, but I got it today. I saw them perform on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien and I liked what I heard.

Saints and Liars - Noah Gundersen
Love this album. It's short and I wish there was more. They lyrics are incredible...emotional...raw and pure. Yeah...there's an explicit track, but when you hear the song it's not that big of a deal. I've seen him at The Round 2x...once was the Christmas Special at the Triple Door.

We Sing the Body Electric! - The Lonely Forest
Local Band...somewhere on the peninsula I think. I heard the lead singer perform one of these songs at The Triple Door. Good stuff!

The Fall - Norah Jones
Love Norah. Love her voice...love what she writes. This is a really popped up album compared to some of her other things, but it's good. I enjoy the song Young Blood the most.

Yes, I'm eclectic when it comes to my taste in music. :)

Monday, January 18, 2010

Bear Claws


Bear Claws
Originally uploaded by kharms5253

Manning Park was a great place to visit this weekend. I enjoyed playing with the dogs. I was able to spend time with family and relax. A good way to end the week.

On a funny note, there are always memorable quotes when my family gets together:

"But I have a 15 gallon Tank" in response to only putting 3 gallons in the car - clearly not enough to fill the tank

"Remember, don't go till the light is Green" - we were stopped behind another car...

Good times! Enjoy the new pictures. I took a lot of the park and the surrounding area.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Schmapped!

I've been Schmapped. Yes, it's just a link into my flickr account, but it also means one of my pictures was good enough to make it to a legitimate publication! Booyah!The letter I received:

I am delighted to let you know that your submitted photo has been selected for inclusion in the newly released tenth edition of our Schmap Seattle Guide.

Good enough for me!

-Cheers!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

New Property Owner?

Apparently I own the property SPU sits on...or at least part of it according to someone's bad records:
Dear KH,
Housing program for property 3307 3rd Ave. W MS 2046 Seattle, WA 98119.
K, you are now eligible for 4.43%.

Sincerely,
Client Services

I always wanted to be a landlord and own/run a University...not.

Hear my plea...

Hear my prayer, O LORD, listen to my cry for help; be not deaf to my weeping. For I dwell with you as an alien, a stranger, as all my fathers were.(NIV)

or as it's translated in The Message Remix:


Ah, God, listen to my prayer, my cry - open your ears. Don't be callous; just look at these tears of mine. I'm a stranger here. I don't know my way - a migrant like my whole family. Give me a break, cut me some slack, before it's too late and I'm out of here.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Genesis 2

The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Genesis 2:18


Today in church we talked about Genesis, Chapter 2...about how we're not only created to be in relationship with God, but how important it is to have relationship and community with one another.

I went to Quest this Sunday instead of where I've been attending for the past 5 years tonight and I must say, I did enjoy tonight's sermon. "It's okay to be lonely." I've never thought that it was okay to have this longing to be known by someone else. I always thought it was a failure on my part that there wasn't and hasn't been someone who knows all my intimate thoughts on this planet. It's okay to have that longing. It's okay to desire that kind of community.

It doesn't mean that this type of relationship or that being known comes in the form of dating a particular person or getting married. Certainly, those types of relationships can, but Community Groups and friends are there too. It's just difficult sometimes to see that. A lot of us think that if I was only dating that feeling would go away...or if I was married that the feeling would go away. I know that I've thought that before. I am content being single, but that doesn't mean I don't long for someone or a group of close friends to know me. I always thought that the longing I had was for the other half...the half that would be with me til death do us part. But now I realize that while that may be part of the longing...it's more of a longing in general to be known and to know someone else and to love them unconditionally.

What a challenge then...to love someone unconditionally and to let someone love you just as you are. Yes, we have flaws and we should work on them to become better people, but people make mistakes. We do things that hurt other people or we get hurt by other people. It's hard to love when that happens. It's hard to want the best for someone when we're hurting and in pain. It's always easy to love when there's no cost to ourselves. It's a new challenge...to love others even when it's not "convenient" or easy. Donating money to a cause verses giving my time and hands to a cause. That costs something. I have to sacrifice. What am I willing to sacrifice? Who will I love and what will I do to show them...even if I get hurt.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Sunday, January 3, 2010

80th Birthday


Carrot Cake
Originally uploaded by kharms5253

Today is the day of my Grandpa's 80th birthday. Actually, both of my grandpas are now 80 and fought in the Korean War. One was in the Army while the other was in the Navy. (The Navy gets the gravy and the Army gets the beans...)

It's strange to think that my Grandpas are getting old...I guess I see the changes, but at the same time I don't want to think of them as old. They're both very active and involved. One has an incredible garden that he takes care of and the other is very much involved in some of the bowling leagues in the area.

Last night I got to hear all about the aircraft carriers my grandpa spent time on as well as many other stories and adventures. He's been through the Panama Canal twice! I think he's done more traveling than me thanks to the Navy. He was originally stationed at a now defunct Naval Airbase out of Oakland (or near) and then was put on the U.S.S. Antietam during the Korean War. After their time over in the Pacific, the ship returned to San Diego and then went south through the Panama Canal and over to the East Coast for repairs. He then returned on the U.S.S. Shangri-La through the Panama Canal to Bremerton where it was to undergo repairs.

I learned so much about planes and aircraft carries. I guess he was one of the persons on deck who would help slingshot the plane as it was taking off.

What a different time that was....almost like a different world. I'm lucky to have these firsthand accounts. I don't think I'll ever forget this weekend.

Lighthouse on Alcatraz


Lighthouse on Alcatraz
Originally uploaded by kharms5253

I just returned from San Francisco on Saturday. This was my first trip to the bay area. I had a blast! I love the buildings/architecture and the sights.

My friend and I went to the Piers (of course), Alcatraz Island, Coit Tower, Downtown, walked through Chinatown and the Mission District, toured Mission Dolores, walked a million miles through Golden Gate Park and of course made a pit stop at the lookout for the Golden Gate Bridge.

Overall, I'd have to say my Winter Break was fairly well spent. :)

-Cheers