I'm a really thankful girl, and feel in light of thanksgiving I should share. Most days I think if I deserve anything based on my character or actions, it's a slap in the face. Yet somehow I'm consistently provided for, and forgiven, and loved beyond reason.

Of course I'm thankful for nighttime bike rides, and tube lights, and getting caught in the rain, and new music, and chocolate, and colorful earrings, and puzzles. But even more so, I'm thankful for the people in my life. How wonderful to not only have a family that supports me and cares for me and loves me across the ocean, but to also have a family here. Notably, I remember two years ago and continue to be thankful for Joe's life, and also remember 21 years ago when I prayed for a sister and am so thankful for Sola. I really could go on and on.

I've been feeling especially thankful lately that I am always learning and growing. I'm thankful that I'm given the opportunity to be challenged, to risk, to fail, to change. Also I think of Orwell's words that "People with empty bellies never despair of the universe, nor even think about the universe, for that matter" and am grateful to be provided for so well physically that I can spend time learning about and processing issues of the world. Or even process the issues of my heart and my dreams.

So, thankfulness abounds! I wish I could go on, but I'm off to bake pies.

So, is there anything better than surfy, lo-fi music paired with a dance scene from a 1960s film? Brilliant.

I love this movie poster. And this movie. And sometimes I feel very much like Charlotte. Where is Bill Murray when you need him?

And remember how great this song is in the movie? Well, this is a demo actually...but still amazing.

I'm joining in the fun.

Here's the idea:

1. Write down sensory memories from childhood/life. smell, touch, sight, hearing, taste 2. Think about sayings you heard often/ lyrics from songs, like... "don't let the bed bugs bite" "safely in his bosom gather" 3. Think about things you smelled, food, mom's perfume, or the feeling of a family blanket 4. Write the senses down, don't explain them, but be detailed. Don't just say, "I am from dad saying " I love you more than the stars" say instead "I am from "I love you more than the stars." 5. Put "I am from" before your memories. List some together.

I am from...

I am from tummy rubs and sweetheart of Sigma Chi

I am from bear country and scotch soaked ice cubes

I am from Grant Boulevard, bases loaded, and who can be the quietest

I am from Allie-booly and blue floral dresses

I am from tractors in the snow and thriller on tape

I am from nowIlaymes and goodnight light and the red balloon

I am from superman ice cream, indian vests, and shrimp coming out of my ears

I am from a single with cheese and the first avenue pool

I am from well water, swingsets, and corn on the cob

I am from deer hunts and when the lights go down in the city

I am from root beer floats and shuffle ball changes

I am from dance magic dance and pigs in a blanket

I am from Michigan rummy, cherry bombs, and everyone makes mistakes

I am from homemade dress up and breakfast for dinner

I am from little hugs and emory adams

I am from pedal to the metal, cover girl, and Chrissy MacGyver

I am from TGIF and TCBY

I am from spearmint gum and soap foam beards

I am from air guitar, knives, and three little fishies in an itty bitty pool

I'm reading Profit Over People by Noam Chomsky right now. He's so controversial, right? I really don't have a strong opinion about him either way. I had a friend in college that really loved him, and even dressed up like him on Halloween once. But I don't feel that way. I do however think learning as much about neo-liberalism as possible is an excellent idea at such a time like this. I don't believe humans are going to find the solutions to the problems of the world, but shouldn't we, in the name of love, help prevent suffering as much as possible?

So, anyways, I'm reading Profit Over People and both love it and hate it. I love that I'm learning so much and have an insight into politics and social change from a perspective not held by many. But I hate that it exposes the misdeeds and greed of people I want to be able to trust. Remember when you didn't know anything about politics, when you were say 8 years old? I remember it well. Because I cried when George H.W. Bush left the White House. He had been President my whole life and I was sad it was no more. I was so ignorant and innocent, and loved him deeply for no reason but that he was my President and I thought it was really special. Oh, and I loved Barbara and her amazing white hair too. Seriously, ignorance is bliss sometimes.

I have no real life application or anything, only noting that learning is wonderful, but sometimes I just want to pretend I don't know anything at all.

Slowly the evening changes into the clothes

held for it by a row of ancient trees;

you look: and two worlds grow separate from you,

one ascending to heaven, another, that falls;

and leave you, belonging not wholly to either one,

not quite as dark as the house that remains silent,

not quite as certainly sworn to eternity

as that which becomes star each night and rises--

and leave you (unsayably to disentangle) your life

with all its immensity and fear and great ripening,

so that, all but bounded, all but understood,

it is by turns stone in you and star.

-"Evening" by Rainer Maria Rilke.

I have found amazing new music in some of the most brilliant pairings.

For the new Twilight soundtrack Bon Iver and St. Vincent teamed up for a little something.Seriously, this is a dream come true. And the music they make together is beautiful. Perhapsthis will spark some sort of future collaboration? May it be so.

Bon Iver & St. Vincent - Roslyn

And then Grizzly Bear joined the London Symphony Orchestra (or did the LSO join Grizzly Bear?) for a Halloween performance. The individuals that sacrificed possible expulsion from the show and awkward confrontations with security guards in order to post something on youtube, you have my gratitude today.