Pretty hands do pretty things when pretty times arrive.

Monday, April 30, 2007

"What I am to you."

Well, my Genetics paper convinced me to stay up late. I may as well make good use of the time.

What a weekend! Fireworks at City Island on Friday night--which were surprisingly awesome. My friends and I wrapped up the night with a quick game of Disney Scene-it. Apparently, everyone on my team had "seen it" because we pretty much won way faster than anyone else i can remember. True story.

Saturday evening brought a four car caravan and a half hour drive out to Gettysburg for some good old-fashioned ghost tours. The tour was pretty awesome. We didn't get any quality shots of orbs, though (ghost tour talk for ghosts). Afterwards, it was a diner on Route 15 and a patty melt in my mouth.

Sunday saw me watching Gattaca with Joy and then making the trip to meet her family. And I'm talking family: Parents, aunts, sisters, brothers-in-law, nephews, and nieces. Most time was spent playing "Who Can Build the Coolest Lego?" with the nephews which was awesome. They even gave me a new moniker: Uncle Persy.

And I just finished my Genetics paper.

Gettysburg was fun. Joy and I are going to go back, I think.

--Brandon

"The disasters that God ordains are not aimed at paralyzing his people with indifference, but mobilizing them with compassion."

Thursday, April 26, 2007

"And I'm not ready for this sort of thing."

Fun night out with the future roommates. A nice glass of Sam Adams. Also, Freddy apparently plays pool well. Go figure.

And I have a set of keys that aren't mine.

--Brandon

"Your choice took far too long."

Monday, April 23, 2007

That's quite the abrev.

So far this week has opened with an extra Dave Matthews ticket, a new Brian Regan ticket, and a pretty ghastly grade on a Stats test.

In my defense, it was poorly formatted and I studied too hard on the wrong things. But, eh well, I learn from my mistakes. I just wish i could have Saturday and the Breeches back for a few minutes...or hours.

No Reston Community Church for me this weekend. I asked, but my Chemistry essay, my Genetics position paper, my "Stem Cell" position paper, my last chem lab, and my Corporate Social Responsibility paper, and at least 6 hours of sleep a night said "No." Stang. I'm counting on fingers the days until i'm back in good ol' NOVA hanging out with my favorite church plant crew.

Enjoy the sun. It's a cool 84 degrees in Grantham right now. I'm planning a nap and then i just might get my essay on in the afternoon sun. How will you enjoy your day?

--Brandon

"It's 11 pm. Do you know where you're Brad is?"

Thursday, April 19, 2007

"We don't want the monster taking over."

What a week.

I am so blessed. Blessed with a family that supports me, blessed with great friends who never let me get too serious (I try to keep myself that way too), and blessed by a gracious and powerful and loving God.

It's funny how you can live for a bit in some circle of light and, even when taking a giant (and potentially catastrophic) leap into the darkness at the edge, everything can fall into place and it's just astounding. So now that that's off my chest...

Today, Messiah College was closed...for the Special Olympics. These Olympics were part of "Service Day", an all-day event in which Messiah students participate in service projects from refurbishing low-income housing in Harrisburg, to working at local food banks, to...well, the Special Olympics. And what a Special Olympics it was.

The kid that I was a "Buddy" for was named Taz. He was a 6-grader from a local elementary and he was pretty shy at first. But when we met up with some of his friends before the 50-meter dash, this kid just lit up. They were running around and talking about who could run the fastest and they even thought it was just great and dandy to put "bunny-ears" behind peoples' heads with their two fingers...despite there not being a single camera in sight! And then, Taz's step-dad met up with us, and he and I cheered Taz on during his heat. I gotta tell you, it's a great and refreshing and humbling sight to see a father (well, step-father) who loves his son so dearly and is just totally satisfied and excited to watch his kid get 6th place in a local Special Olympics race.

And now I have three papers and some studying to do. But it's been a good week. To borrow from Nacho:

"Really good!"

Pray for the families and kids affected by the VT tragedy.

--Brandon

"Go and tell the king that the sky is falling in. But it's not."

Sunday, April 15, 2007

"I'm grateful that you threw away my old shoes."

Line dancing.

Makes for good night of fun. Also, contrary to Brandon's belief, not all set to country music. Now, I'm not going to start advertising for CMA, but it was a swell time for all. Friendly's with Cameron and Brad also put the finishing touches on a great evening.

Props to the chaps at Reston Community Church...for just being a huge blessing to me. I truly do not think that I have seen such a committed and genuine and humbling and encouraging display of the body of Christ at work. There's just people there who would sacrifice and be there for their friends and fellow churchgoers in a second and there is so much passion for God to change the hearts and minds of the people in Reston, VA. It's a blessing to share time with you guys (and gals...we are an equal opportunity church).

Also, everyone should check out Anathallo. Christians can make good music.

--Brandon

"'Forward!' he cried from the rear, and the front lines died."

Saturday, April 14, 2007

"Kase No Hana"

Wow. I'm more amazed than ever at God's blessings. Tonight was radical and unforgettable. More on the later though.

I just wanted to share a verse about God's goodness.

"Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me; O LORD, be my help.
You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever."


--Brandon

Friday, April 13, 2007

"I've got a feelin' that keeps me on my toes, oh yeah."

I think I may just spontaneously combust from the excitement roaring through my veins. The shirts are pressed and so are the trousers and the jacket...now I just need some fine women and some dashing chaps to complete the ensemble.

I also have a Sunday gig at History church and a road trip with Matt to bring me there. All signs point to "awesome" for this weekend. Thankfully, the Lord has cleared my schedule and given me time to do all of this this weekend.

Also, I can't forget to mention paintball at Bshade's tomorrow. I can smell the facepaint already.

--Brandon

"A great wind, more ash."

Friday, April 06, 2007

"This is the story of your red right ankle."

So I guess I have a little bone to pick with myself today.

I think that I've been a bit inconsiderate over the last few days. Eh, maybe it's because I'm a little worn out from the first three days of my week because I had massive amounts of studying and schoolwork. Or not. I just think that I messed up in some really easy things this week.

Like the unintentional act of making it look like I was leaving people out on purpose. Or the convincing my mom to pick me up at school when she already had more driving to do later that day. I just think it is kind of easy to think, "Gee, this could be really inconvenient for this other person." I wish I'd thought that.

Maybe this isn't so big of a deal, but I just really hate when I think that I am hung up on myself too much. I don't think I should be at all. That's not what I believe I am called to as a Christian.

I guess I can be overidealistic...well a lot of the time actually. But thanks for listening.

--Brandon

"Dinken flicka."

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

The best excuse to eat junk food.

If you pay attention to my post titles, then you know that tonight's can only mean one thing: donating blood.

Yes, after answering questions about my sexual orientation and habits, getting stuck in the finger, and watching 450 mL of my own O+ blood flow out of my body, I was rewarded with all the free juice and cookies I wanted.

Because every other day of the year, I have to eat healthy veggies and fruities and turkey meats so that I don't just, you know, keel over and die. But, what? I just voluntarily lost blood! Sure as shootin' I'm getting OJ and cookies from the Magic Tree Oven!

No, in all seriousness, donate blood if you can. The reserves are needed and (maybe this is a little too dramatic) it could mean someone's life. And on that note, I'll end with my favorite quote of the day, from the 35 year old woman that checked my blood's iron level:

"Man, like we need another song from these Nickelback-copy bands."


There is hope!

--Brandon

"A well-dressed man in the crosshairs."