Every memory of lookin’ out the back door, I got the photo album spread out on my bedroom floor

So, most people know about St. Paul Connections. Since I'm going full IB the next two years, I have to get all of my art & tech credits as well as most of my elective credits outside of school. Last week and this week I'm taking a photography class at Concordia. I had never really thought about photography before this class, besides of course taking random photos with friends or of nature....or my cats. However, I'm really enjoying the class and am learning all types of stuff. I've even started planning/staging photos that I see clearly in my head. I'm thinking of writing poetry to correspond with some of the pictures I take. Hopefully I'll add some of my work soon, but I don't know. Anyway, I just wanted to say hey, and maybe someday soon I'll find enough time to write a decent length blog post. ;)
TTFN,
Bridget

Poetic Irony

So, today I was paging through my favorite volume of Emily Dickinson after taking a final, losing myself in her simple artistry. Anyway, as I was reading, I noticed myself sub-consciously looking for the meaning of the poem and the purpose for which it was written. In the very back of my mind, the part that hasn't quite shut down for the summer yet, I was composing outlines for mini-commentaries. Now, I dislike commentaries mostly because there were so many of them this year; although poetry commentaries are almost always easier because they have much more symbolism and double meanings and such. I just find it rather ironic that no matter how much I dislike actually sitting down to piece them together, apparently my brain has taken the process and made it a reflexive reaction to the trickle of verse across an eager palette. So, I guess I'd have to say "Kudos, Ms. Peifer" for drilling this skill into our stubborn, unwilling membranes; I'm pretty sure that I'm not going to lose it anytime soon.
Slanche!
Bridget

You Raise Me Up So I Can Stand On Mountains

Dealing with death is hard enough, but waiting as someone labors through their last days is so much more excruciating. As the long days draw onward, you simply wish that their suffering end and that they be ushered into the ethreal embrace of the angels. The unknown is terrinble; not knowing whether they're going to last the night,  or whether the next time you check their CaringBridge you're going to find a post that starts out "It is with heavy heart.....".
One of my mentors and dear friends is breathing in her last sunsets, whispering her last words to the beckoning stars. I can't believe that she's actually going to leave this world, even though I haven't seen her in two years. When I was in elementary school and junior high, she was one of the brightest of my guiding lights. She helped me through the lingering depression after my grandma died, encouraged me to accept my grandpa's new wife, and comforted me when life just seemed to hard to go on. One of the kindest, wisest women I know, she never let me be pitiful and childesh; when I was being a baby, she let me know, but then laughed and suggested we play UNO. She helped me in so many ways, I know I'll never be able to repay her. All I can hope to do is to share the kindeness, love, and understanding that she bestowed on me with the rest of the world.
♥ u MG!!
Slán go fóill,
Bridget

Blah blah blah...Al Bailar!

Well, I fell rather neglectful of this blog since I haven't written in like a month, even though I never wrote regularly before.☺ Anyway, I really have no idea what to write about, I just felt like writng something. I'm really happy because I have finally mostly unblocked my stagnant creative juices. I finally got around to putting all my Enya albums back on my iPod the other night. Today after a test I had a chunk of free time and so I pulled out my ragged notebook to see if I could form a few lines, and plugged my ipod into my ears. The minute the first haunting strains of "Smaointe" began to wind thorugh my ear canal, the words began to flow. I think I wrote five pages today; an amount that is seemingly small, but it's the best I've done in months!
I was thinking today, we never know how far our families go, or who we could be related to. I mean, the farhter out you track (4th, 5th, 6th cousins etc) the higher chance you have of being related to someone famous...or infamous. I learned two years ago that Mike Farrell, the guy who plays B.J. Hunnicut on the tv show M*A*SH is actually like my fourth cousin on my dad's side. It's so awesome! I even got to meet him a two summers ago when he was here for a book signing, that was amazing. The scariest thing though, is that you can really see the resemblence between him and my dad. They even make the same expressions! I was watching M*A*S*H the other day, and one of the expressions that B.J. was one that I've seen so many times when my dad's really pissed...it kind of freaked me out a little bit. :)
Then last summer I learned that my mom's first cousin is Robbie Rasta, the lead singer and bass guitarist for the reggae group Militia of Love. Granted they're not totally famous, but they still have a fan base that I can laugh at and say "haha, he's my cousin" xD.
I also know that I'm related to about half of the city....including a few of my gradeschool adn junior high classmates.....but we try to keep that part a secret and pretend that we have know idea. :P
So I have absolutely no idea why I'm posting this, becuase I don't think anyone actually reads this ;) (which could be a good thing in the long run.....) but here you go world, here's what I gotta say.


Al bailar!
Adios y buenas noches
♥ B

Healthy War; Is Not This an Oxymoron?

So, I guess this is a little late considering the health care bill was passed sunday night, but the time lapse has not dulled my feelings on the subject. Virtually ever since he took office, President Obama has been pushing this Bill; to reform the healthcare of America. Apparently heathcare has been a problem for decades which is why he's pushing so hard, and I completely understand his reasoning. However, I think he needs to sort out his priorities a little bit. Why is this bill so important when there are still two pointless wars being faught in the Middle East? Every day, any number of people are losing their lives under the orders of a government whose first priority isn't to bring them home. Yes, the govenrment has been working on bringing soldiers home, but sooner or later, they're sent back. Some people are on their 2nd or 3rd tour! There are children who have both parents taken from them. We have had troops deployed in Afghanistan for 9 years and in Iraq for 7. All that's left is senseless violence. Why is the government still supporting a war that was started under false pretenses by a president who's mindless idiocy has cost this country thousands of lives, families oceans of tears, and so many broken hearts? This war needs to end! The government needs to get its head on straight and BRING THE TROOPS HOME!!!!!!!!

☮

Cliff Claven Killed Duncan!

Haha, okay this is totally random, but I was watching Cheers and there was a reference to Macbeth. It was an insignificant detail that would be unknown to those who do not know the play well. But in probably the last show you'd expect to see a refernce to classic literature, there it was. Due to some suspicious events, the regulars at the bar became convinved that Cliffy had killed his mother and chopped her into little pieces. Anyway, there was one scene where he told Fraiser that he tried to wash his hands but they just wouldn't come clean.
It was hilarious because it was Cliffy.

Ostara

March 20 is the 2010 Spring Equinox. On this day there will be equal hours of light and dark, day and night. It is a changing of the seasons, the cold, bland days of winter are over and life is being renewed before our eyes. In ancient times, this day was known as Ostara, named after the pagan goddess Eostre. This holiday is a celebration of rebirth and new life. Wiccans and Pagans today still celebrate and revere this day with rituals and offerings to the Mother Goddess and their patron diety. Life begins again, and the light grows stronger and reaches toward Litha (Summer Solstice) with fervent ardor. Happy Ostara! Blessed be.