]]> http://epluribusgeenum.wordpress.com/2010/09/10/kris-lewis/feed/ 0 epluribusgeenum with the wind by kris lewis cory by kris lewis rose zephyr by kris lewis http://epluribusgeenum.wordpress.com/2010/06/07/1162/ http://epluribusgeenum.wordpress.com/2010/06/07/1162/#comments Tue, 08 Jun 2010 05:10:11 +0000 epluribusgeenum http://epluribusgeenum.wordpress.com/?p=1162 ]]> This past weekend I went to Wal-Mart to fatten up my ever-expanding leggings and tights collection (the collection expands — not the hosiery). While I did not find their selection in that department to be satisfactory, I did find this:

It was on the banner display thingy that was in-store, but you know what was not in-store? The actual ding dang shirt! So I looked up at that image of the shirt and I said, “Shirt! I will find you. I have to have you. It is destiny.” While I do not like animal print fashion, I do like actual animal images on shirts. I feel like maybe some of their spirit is included in the overall purchase. Sort of like modern-day Native American wear, you know?

No?

… Well, I think so.

And if you asked me whether or not I make my destiny happen by going to Wal-mart.com and buying that shirt, my answer would be a resounding, unabashed, YES.

To put a thematic cap on things, I have this to say: Wal-mart is stepping it’s game up! I’m impressed. If you are in need of cute things that are not mom shorts with a crotch too low, they now have them! (They also still have mom shorts with a crotch too low).

Check out some Wal-mart’s other stuff by Ocean Pacific, a brand that seems to have a semi-permanent installment nowadays:

All items under $10. Really!

I’ll be back with more ways for you AND your wallet to look cute.

When it comes to free education, I know it’s a hard thing to fathom ever happening. Maybe even illogical. It’s about on the same caliber as ending world poverty. But that doesn’t mean it’s worthless to try or that there are valid reasons against it. Someone could convince me to be for it, but not against it. The conversation became almost meta, and had certainly taken a wishy-washy turn on someone’s part. SPPC believes that free education doesn’t jive with capitalism, it doesn’t jive with the established hierarchy of poor versus rich, haves versus have-nots. Ignorant versus intelligent. FSFES, the other girl, and I are blinking in disbelief. There’s so much I could say about this but I don’t have the time. I’ll take a note from SPPC and quote a book that I hold dear.

And I feel that a man is a very important thing—maybe more important than a star. This is not theology. I have no bent toward gods. But I have a new love for that glittering instrument, the human soul. It is a lovely and unique thing in the universe. It is always attacked and never destroyed— because ‘Thou mayest.’”

- John Steinbeck,

East of Eden

Read the rest of the excerpt at http://timshel.org if you’re confused as to what I’m trying to say. My main point is that SPPC is illustrating the very fact that he can believe whatever he wants, regardless of why — but if he can’t back up what he says, then I’m in big favor of him learning the value of paying to learn what he will learn in his coming years at university about getting along with people, understanding other people’s views, changing the world around him and growing. I want to say more, but I want to play off of what other people have to say. I just had to jot some thoughts down.

Why this video?  Because it wraps up nicely several thoughts that have been roaming through my mind the last year.  Thoughts on life, love, continuation, living forever, new generations, the earth, deadly missions, goals, useless wars, fruitless ambition, and obsessions.  Yep.  All of that.

Plus, it’s Portishead.  Doy.

A new year is here, friends!  I said “Sayonara, 2009, to the books with you!” with friends, one lover, and one foe, who will remain unnamed.  My next move?  I’ll face it with the moxie typical of a woman on a mission….

… as well as the shortcomings and drawbacks typical of a Geena.

Wish this Take Away Concert with Phoenix could have happened when I was in Paris.

Some screenshots of them playing at Trocadero Square with a serendipitous surprise for I’m sure both parties:

The other videos feature them on a tour bus (imagine seeing Paris in the open air of a double decker with Phoenix playing live in your ears!  What’s so remarkable about La Blogotheque in my opinion is how the artists usually succeed at captivating an audience but in the end it is still the city that captures the furtive attention of anyone involved… even the band, whoa are native Frenchmen.

From a roadtrip a loooong time ago with Gloria, using her ol’ point-and-shoot.

I gotta get on the ball with uploading pictures.  I have upwards from 300 pictures since I’ve gotten back from Paris.  It’s a worthless habit, taking pictures and never sharing them.  

Speaking of which — the Leonid meteor shower is coming and North America is getting the benefit of the beauty.  Prepare your cameras, people.  You can end up wih a shot like this:

Leonid meteor shower of 2007.

A thousand words.  Two haikus.

A hidden stress ball.

I love learning tongues;

I should bite mine more.  Haikus

are plenty practice.

First off, Jools Holland’s production and lights know what they are DOING.  What a gorgeous recording.

Secondly, The XX goes good with: a glass of wine, moments when you feel psuedo-sinister.   If you are a fan of Cocteau Twins or The Cure’s quieter stuff, or shoe-gazey music in general, you will probably eat The XX right up.  They combine hushed vocals, reverb-y drumbeats, and guitar/bass effects that sound like a quiet moonlit adventure?  See, I’m not very good at describing things, but that’s the point of music.  As much as I lack in describing the music, it really does the job for itself.

“Hot off the press!  It’s good, isn’t it?”  He understands.

So, within the first few hours, a client representing a company called “The Word Station” came in to print out several educational booklets.  Peering at what was on the computer screen, I commented on how interesting that approach to teaching was, using knowledge of Latin and Greek roots to better comprehend vocabulary in any subject be it scientific, arts-based, or mathematical.  That sort of thinking gets me so buck.  Do you know how fun it is to be able to figure out another language simply by breaking it apart using etymological skills?  It feels like I’m solving a riddle or a deciphering a puzzle.  It makes me feel smart, and no doubt it helps kids expand their learning processes.

One question led to several more, and then he asked for my resume.  I lowered my voice and said, “Sir, I work here.  This is my job.  I don’t know how appropriate that would be…”

He gave me his card and asked me to e-mail him my resume.

Well!  I don’t think there’s anything wrong with getting a second job… especially when I know I could be good at it and continually hone my linguistic skills.  Maybe just not in the presence of my new employer… but.  You know.  Mama’s gotta make money.