Lyrics to Life: "Lady is a Tramp"

First, let me start by pointing out that several of you submitted these lyrics and by stating that I love this song. I've loved it since I was in junior high and first understood the ironic import of lady verses tramp. And, I am highly flattered by this choice. Trust me (this makes even more sense for those who knew my in high school and watched me face the dragons of rumors and jealous girlfriends as the lone female trombone player in an all male low brass line). Fact is, this song is about marching to the beat of one's own drum regardless of the mudslinging that may be associated with such confidence or regardless of one's own lack of confidence in facing such mudslinging, whichever the case my be. So let's dissect the song, shall we...

According to Webster's dictionary*, a Lady is: a woman having proprietary rights or authority; a woman receiving the homage or devotion of a knight or lover; a woman of refinement and gentle manners. A Tramp is: a woman of loose morals; a vagrant; someone having no fixed abode, destination, or connection.

This title in and of itself is an ironic contradiction. How can a person of refinement and gentle manners be of loose morals…? By definition of manner and morality, it is highly improbable. Especially when combined with authority and devotion, for women of loose morality are rarely respected as authorities once such morality is disclosed and they are hardly the objects of a lover's homage and devotion. Such devoted homage would require a reason for its existence and cheating hearts are not generally the type to inspire it.

So, if it is highly unlikely that one is both, I'm curious in which category are you all placing me?

"I get too hungry, for dinner at eight
Yeah, I really do, I'm such a dinner by 6 type person, unless I can have an afternoon snack beforehand. I think my work schedule has messed with me. I never bought that excuse for my Dad's unique eating schedule, but now, I'm finding that it really is true.
I like the theater, but never come late
Don't want to miss the overture; besides, what's the point of tickets if you miss the opening lines?
I never bother, with people I hate
Okay, so I can't say that there is anyone that I hate, I may disagree with people, I may even annoy people, but I don't hate any person that I can recall.
That's why the lady is a tramp
By this count I'm 2 for 3, but are they really bad things...?

I don't like crap games, with barons and earls
Never was into gambling...It seems like a poor allocation of resources in the grand scheme of things; and who cares what their titles are if they are wasting limited resources. Honestly, such positions only make the waste worse as they are possibly wasting the monetary supply of their people. To quote Uncle Ben, "with great privilege comes great responsibility..."
Won't go to Harlem, in ermine and pearls
That's because 1) flaunting wealth is ridiculous 2) I don't own any ermine to match my pearls, and 3) why should I?
Won't dish the dirt, with the rest of the girls
What's the point?
That's why the lady is a tramp
If these are the works of 'ladies' I'd rather hang out with the 'tramps'...

I like the free, fresh wind in my hair
YES!
Life without care
On this, I strongly disagree. While I try not to worry, there is way too much going on the world to live in blissful ignorance and carelessness. After all, if love is a strong care for someone's well being and hoping the best for them no matter what, well, I want a lot of care in my life. Who wants a loveless life?
I'm broke, it's oke'
Not completely, but close enough to true...let's just say this is yet another reason I'm not gambling with barons and earls and I'm perfectly alright with that.
Hate California, it's cold and it's damp
I've never been so I can't really give a fair opinion.
That's why the lady is a tramp
I like fresh air and fiscal responsibility, does that really equal a life of vagrancy?

I go to Coney, the beach is divine
NO WAY! The hotdogs are divine. I really strongly dislike the beach. Give me mountains and lakes and rivers and trees and greenness any day.
I go to ballgames, the bleachers are fine
Totally true, I mean, if it's a baseball game can there really be any bad seats. Other ballgames, well, I'm probably going with someone and having a blast no matter where we sit, so there.
I follow Winchell, and read every line
Ummm…Walter? No. I will admit that People magazine was my brain candy during college midterms when I just needed to zone out, but gossip columns are really not for me. So, I don’t read any line of such things.
However, if we’re talking about Paul Winchell, that’s another story entirely. I wish I could say that I have read every line of the man who wrote extensively on theology, became the voice of Tigger AND invented the artificial heart. That’s just awesome.
That's why the lady is a tramp
Once again split, but that Paul Winchell, man, he’s pretty awesome.

I like a prizefight, that isn't a fake
I can appreciate the work and discipline that goes into pugilism; I won’t say that it would be my preferred form of entertainment. Though, if I have to watch it for some reason, I don't think that I would understand the point of falseness and dives.
I love the rowing, on Central Park lake
Once again, I’ve never actually done this, but it sounds like fun. I will say, if I have to be in New York, a carriage ride through and around the park would be definitively the best option. That would trump the rowing any day.
I go to Opera and stay wide awake
So, yes, I occasionally enjoy the Opera. I prefer musical theater, but I enjoy the Opera, and once again, why waste a ticket? If I paid for a ticket, I certainly want to be cognizant to enjoy the show. There seems to be an emerging pattern of wasting money as part of being a lady. What kind of sense does that make? What’s wrong with fiscal responsibility and sound economic reasoning?
That's why the lady is a tramp

I like the green grass under my shoes
Yes and no, Green grass is preferable to brown and green grass under bare feet is generally preferable to shoes.
What can I lose, I'm flat, that's that
My dignity; my self-respect; my family and friends; I have a lot to lose and not necessarily in that order. Oh, and I consider myself to be multi-dimensional, but I am comfortable with who I am; if that’s flat, well, then I guess that is that.
I'm alone when I lower my lamp
Yes. Yes I am, and that's alright with me right now.
That's why the lady is a tramp" ~Ella Fitzgerald, Lady is a Tramp

So what this tells me is that there are tramp-like qualities to being a lady and lady-like qualities to being a tramp. I’m just going to continue to be myself; that’s so much easier.

*Editor's notes: For those purists who believe that Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is the only source to be used for finding definitions of English coinage, I challenge you to consider that the OED is a British dictionary maintained using historical reference and denotations while Webster's is an American dictionary maintaining definitions which combine denotation with connotation and common usage to provide a more rounded view of verbal implication of words in American English. This song is a jazz standard, thus making it American poetry in musical form. Therefore, Webster's is the best choice for clarifying the iconic significance of the work.

Baseball's Oldest Old-Timer

This is so cool!

Baseball memories rock!

WHY?

Why Not?

Lyrics to Life:"September"

"Do you remember the 21st night of September?
Love was changing the minds of pretenders
while chasing the clouds away.

Our hearts were ringing in the key that our souls were singing,
as we danced in the night.
Remember how the stars stole the night away"

~Earth, Wind, and Fire, September

A friend told last evening that every time she hears this song, she thinks of me. Its funny because I hadn't heard the song until today, but I love the lyrics. Granted, I may not have had such a romantic experience yet in life, but still, the sentimentality of such poetry is beautiful. Maybe that's why I'm such a hopeful romantic and a sanguine dreamer, I was born on the 21st of September entering life's dance while the stars decorated the darkness in stealing the night...

In other news, my heart and soul still sing each year on this day because I was baptized on this day 9 years ago....WooHoooooooooooooo!

*Editor's note: Just One Violin, by Hamish Blakely is the painting pictured above.

I call him Icepick...

...cause he's one COOL bug.

Lyrics to Life: "Broken Wing"

"And with a broken wing, she still sings.
She keeps an eye on the sky.
With a broken wing, she carries her dreams.
Man, you ought to see her fly."
~With a Broken Wing, Martina McBride


This lyric came to me accompanied by one of the greatest compliments I've ever received:

"in all our conversations and time together, no matter how serious or trivial there is always a feeling of great majesty beneath the surface of you... a big soul in a world too broken and small, and unlike the rest of us, who bury and shrink our big souls to more comfortably fit inside our small selves, you seem to prefer the pain of not fitting than diminishing yourself... like a trapped bird, but not one that rages against the bars to prove itself or a sullen desolate one who sees no point in trying, but the small wren who knows that its an eagle in the wrong body and someday it will be put right"

Now, I'm not trying to blow my own horn here, but this truly warmed my heart and soul. This kind of strength is something I greatly admire and know that I often fall short of, but I keep trying. I often push myself to be real and to maintain who I am despite the pressure of others. This means admitting when wrong, being patient, and even changing my mind and not being afraid of growth. Unfortunately, my stubborn nature and pride too often dictate that I refuse to change when I should or acknowledge when I cannot change things around me and therefore must seek new avenues of action. Despite personal weaknesses and mistakes, I'm highly honored that a good friend saw this heart in me.

You see, Christ was the greatest of big spirits in a small world, and he faced one of the worst possible forms of breaking. Though I've faced pain and difficult situations, I've never faced anything even close to crucifixion or 40 lonely days of desolation in a desert. This is not to belittle my own trials as for me they were battles; but it is to say that God is greater than any battle we may face, and that no matter how bad things seem, He is there. He is the one that encourages us each to be more than the world dictates that we are, to become the great wonders that he created us to be. We are called to encourage one another toward the goal of escaping our chains and personal prisons through reminding each other of our strengths, gifts, and of course, our Champion.

It is my hope and prayer that this could be said of every Christian, because we all have been given a gift of something much greater than ourselves that can and will strengthen us, push us, grow us, and even carry us when our own heart and wings are broken. The Spirit wants us to push onward in the world but not buckle under the pressure of this world, to sing praise through the darkening sky and to soar through storm clouds knowing that we have a greater destiny. We are trapped in this worldly realm when our home is somewhere much greater, a perfect and passionate home where we will fly on the wings of eagles.

Ballston Greenhouse

Damascus to Rome...what a long and winding road.

First small group meeting of the semester tonight. We're going to look at Act 9:1-31. Saul's experience on the road to Damascus.

Better Late than Never

So, I'm just now getting the chance to post some photos from a great trip to Kristy's beach house in Lewes, DE. It is such a cute, little town and we had a great time.

The lovely ladies bringing it back. Not bad for having already put in over half of our biking expedition.

The Atlantic coast view toward Cape Henlopen and the Breakwater Jetty. That's the Breakwater Lighthouse in the background. (Oh, and Rachelle took this one by the way.)

A World War II munitions bunker. Did you know that Cape Henlopen State Park lies on the location of a key WWII fort responsible for monitoring the Atlantic Coast and Delaware Bay due to its strategic maritime location? Observation towers at Cape Henlopen and the information gathered there were responsible for the sinking of a German submarine off this coast during the war. Now you know.

To quote the infamous Yogi Berra, "If you come to a fork in the road..."

And finally, no beach trip is truly complete without a lighthouse shot. It took a little work, but this view across the Delaware Bay from the fishing pier is well worth it.

Tranquility

I'm excited! Can you tell?

Just giving a shout out to all you AU XA alumni. Especially you awesome gals out there.

I'm so looking forward to a weekend catching up with some of you in Lewes.

S'mores, biking, Sonics, Road Trip!!!! It's all good.

WOOHOO!

Lyrics to Life: "Breakaway"

"Grew up in a small town
And when the rain would fall down
I'd just stare out my window
Dreaming of what could be
And if I'd end up happy
I would pray (I would pray)

Trying hard to reach out
But when I tried to speak out
Felt like no one could hear me
Wanted to belong here
But something felt so wrong here
So I prayed I could break away

I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly
I'll do what it takes til' I touch the sky
And I'll make a wish; Take a chance
Make a change; and breakaway
Out of the darkness and into the sun
But I won't forget all the ones that I love
I'll take a risk; Take a chance
Make a change; and breakaway"

~Kelly Clarkson, Breakaway


It is interesting to me that this song was chosen by someone who didn't meet me until I was in college, because it describes the way I felt about my high school career. I was involved in tons of community service, youth clubs, church activities, academic groups, and musical groups, but I was constantly looking for more. I think I drove my parents insane, and I know that my sister thought I was certifiable because of the amount of time I spent throwing myself into various activities. Truth be told, I spent most of my time from sixth grade on, knowing that I was going to leave home and that there was something amazing out there waiting for me. I still know that there is something amazing out there for me, and that God has it planned perfectly, but He's also given me and shown me so much already. To be honest, there are definitely times when i have more of a "Who says you can't go home?" type feeling than one of breaking away. I think the key lines are "I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly...but I won't forget all the ones that I've loved." I never would have left the area I grew up in without the support of family and friends, and even now, I know that they are my most loyal fans in life. The ones that say its alright and that I always have a place, a listening ear, and a ton of love (not to mention plenty of chores to help with). So whereas once I wanted to Breakaway, now I'm making sure I stay grounded as I soar wherever God takes me.

Squirrel in Spokes Floors Cycling Opera Singer

And you thought that you had a rough day at the office.

It must have been related to the kamikaze squirrels at AU.

Lyrics to Life:"The Facts of Life"

"You take the good, You take the bad
You take them both and there you have
The facts of life ...

There's a time you gotta go and show you know
and now you know, the facts of life...

When the world never seems to be livin' up to your dreams
Suddenly you find out the facts of life are all about you

It takes a lot to get it right
When your learning the facts of life "

Its funny, I didn't watch this show growing up, but Chandler recently introduced me to it via the wonderful world of DVD's. It's awesome! And she's totally right on the theme song.

One of my favorite expressions is "Life goes on and so must I." I'm not exactly sure where I got the quote from, if from anywhere, but the concept definitely came from my family. I was never allowed to complain to my PapPap without a reminder that I was the eldest daughter and with that came specific responsibilities. I could never whine about how horrible something was without my Pappy pointing out that I should be thankful for how much we had as he could remember his mother crying over bread that didn't rise during the depression. And my Dad was the worst, because his classic response to, "But Daddy that's not fair, " was "Who told you that life is fair?"

See in my family it was an accepted fact that you are no better than anyone else, nor are you more or less prone to pain, hurt, and problems than anyone else. There is good and bad for everyone in varying degrees and forms. That doesn't mean that you don't sympathize and empathize with people who are hurting, but it sure as heck means that you had better learn to work through things without expecting pity from others.

It took me quite a while to understand that concept fully. But, when I did, it came with the healthy realization that my outlook on life and how I saw things could only be controlled by me. There are plenty of things in life that people have absolutely no control over, such as disease, pestilence, death, other people; however, they can control how they respond and treat other people when facing those situations. So, I'm not always the best example of this, but it's true. Its okay to feel discouragement, anger, guilt, hurt, pain, and embarrassment. Its also okay to be happy, to laugh, and to be thankful. We have thousands of choices to make everyday and ultimately no one can make them for us. That's just one of those facts of life.