Today's post is brought to you by the letter...

U!

A little explanation... My friend Simon, over at Stuck in a Book (and also a contributor at Shiny New Books, which you should all check out), posed this little idea.  Basically, people were to come up with their favourite book, author, song, movie, and object beginning with a letter assigned by Simon via a random generator.  I got the letter U and, while it proved a bit challenging, it was a bit fun. 

Favourite book...  Unbroken

I just finished this book, so that may bias me, but it was truly incredible.  Even one story from Louis Zamperini's life is unbelievable - but the fact that all of those stories happened to one man???  I cannot even fathom...

Read the book because the movie's coming out.
Read the book because Louis Zamperini just passed away.
Read the book because it is positively remarkable.
Read the book because all of the above!

Favourite author... Unknown

I haven't read Updike or Umberto Eco or anyone who's first or last name began with "U."  But... sorting through my goodreads, there was one anonymous but particular "Unknown Author" that wins my favourite:  the Unknown Author of Beowulf.  Though the Anglo-Saxon epic undoubtedly evolved orally, one person penned down the beautiful lyrics of the hero's tale in Old English.  And I am in that person's great debt.

Favourite song...  "Ulysses" by Josh Garrels

 

As the title suggests, this is a song about Ulysses's (or Odysseus if, like me, you prefer the Greek) journey home after the Trojan War.  Full of both the literary allusions and Garrels own journeys, the song is, for me, the perfect blend of melancholy and hope.  Some of my favorite lines are:

Trouble has beset my ways, and wicked winds have blown
Sirens call my name, they say they’ll ease my pain, then break me on the stones
But true love is the burden that will carry me back home
Carry me with the, memories of the, beauty I have known 

Favourite film...  Up

How could it be anything else, really?  This is such a beautiful tale of love and friendship and the truth that the adventure never really ends.  On that topic, nerd-alert: Karen Hallion is putting the finishing touches on her Doctor Who / Up piece, "Come Along, Carl."  Also, I'm excited to say that I'll be going the Seattle Symphony's "Pixar in Concert" this weekend and am most looking forward to "Married Life":

 

Favourite object...  Umbrella

I have one of those clear, dome umbrellas and I rather love it.  Yes, I am one of those umbrella-users that Seattlites call "wimps."  Well, being a bus commuter, the umbrella is quite helpful.  And fun.

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So there you have it for the letter "U."  If you would like to share some of your favorite "U" inspired things or would like a letter of your own, let me know in the comments. 

So... sometimes, you have to just give up control completely.

After hopping on an alternate route to work (also known as taking the wrong bus), I found myself on a nearly broken down 244 =/  Being a schemer, my wheels were nearly spinning off as I tried to figure "this bus goes to the freeway, I could catch this bus, but it might be too late. I could get off and run to catch that route......."

As He does, God interrupted my thought process with a loving, "Chill out!"  Right.  The fact is, there's nothing I can do to make this bus work, and really nothing more I can do to get to work on time.  If I'm late, I'm late.  I work a little longer--no big.  Why did I get so wound up again??  Control is an illusion.  Let go... and breathe!

So rather than continue to freak out, I pulled out my book and delved back into the Mines of Moria and rejected the rising 244-tension.  Within minutes, we were at the freeway flier stop and I was transfering busses.  But, it left me just enough time to look to my right and catch a glimpse of Rainier. 

And we still arrived in Bellevue 10 minutes earlier than my regular bus. 

No control and no problems. 

"My rest is a weapon against the opression

of man's obsession to control things..."

- Josh Garrels, The Resistance

Wishing you all a peaceful and control-free day =)

Announcing "Featured Artists" - Josh Garrels

I've been meaning to do this for a while. As in, over a year now.

I often share these thoughts anyway, but I've decided to add a "Featured Artist" segment to this blog. I often find myself with new obsessions with books or musicians or actors or photographers and I wanted a forum to share what I appreciate about them. These won't be once a week or once a month... just whenever I find a good one. And please feel free to tell me what you think about the featured artist or other artists that you like.

The debut Feature Artist is: Josh Garrels

He just released this new album and all 18 beautiful songs are available here for free =)

My personal favorite is "Ulysses," a gorgeous ballad based, obviously, on The Odyssey.

Lyrics:

I’m holding on to the hope that one day this could be made right.

I’ve been shipwrecked, and left for dead, and I have seen the darkest sights.

Everyone I’ve loved seems like a stranger in the night

But Oh my heart still burns, tells me to return, and search the fading light.

I’m sailing home to you I wont be long

By the light of moon I will press on

Until, I find, my love

Trouble has beset my ways, and wicked winds have blown

Sirens call my name, they say they’ll ease my pain, then break me on the stones

But true love is the burden that will carry me back home

Carry me with the memories of the beauty I have known

I’m sailing home to you I wont be long

By the light of moon I will press on

So tie me to the mast of this old ship and point me home

Before I lose the one I love, before my chance is gone

I want to hold her in my arms

Check out his music and his fan page. Tell me what you think =)