The new literary project is unveiled!

"Chantez-moi" by Julia Dianne Ham

'Moonlight Sonata'

When you ask me to sing my favorite song, I shall tell you that I can't, because my favorite song has no words. Several years ago at a friends of the library book sale, my mom and I were digging through some records. I found a set of Beethoven records and at the time I was in love with his fifth symphony. So I begged mom to let me have the set. The first time I heard 'Moonlight' I knew I had to learn to play it. I memorized the 1st movement - yes memorize - I blame it all on four years of marching band. No matter what mood I'm in, I can hear it somewhere in the song. If you make my sister Cheryl mad, she can play the 1st and 2nd movements flawlessly. One of these days I plan to royally piss her off so she'll learn the 3rd movement, ha ha! I've had many dreams to this song. Sometimes it's water ripples, snow flurries, a funeral procession, or a thunderstorm. I've seen it all. (4/21/05)

The countdown is on...

...25 days until Episode III...

...may the force be with us...

The countdown is on...

...28 days until Episode III...

...may the force be with us...

My new pet peeve...

...is women going through menopause. Let me re-phrase that -- the women I work with who are going through menopause. Oh I know in due time it'll be me constantly bitching, griping, adjusting the thermostat 24/7 (hopefully in 20-30 years or so).

Okay I'm off the soapbox now. Due to a response to a previous post I am currently pondering a new writing project (sorry Jesse, no poems). I hope it turns out okay. Cheryl you had better like it, since it was pretty much your idea.

In other news I finally found a website with Eminem tickets. Sorry my dear Marshall but you ain't worth that kind of money.

Anywho, take a looksie at the new pics of Joe and Tristan at play if you haven't been to Michelle's blog. And if you have, then go look again!

It's later...

I'm sitting here at work, utterly miserable as usual. I'm trying to finish up my work, write this post, and plan my next trip to Dallas all at the same time. Honey, it ain't working.

I know it seems I always go to Dallas whenever I have the urge to go on a road trip; but this time it's mandatory that I go. The trip is tentatively scheduled for July 28 and will consist of the same old routine -- go to the Hard Rock, go to Dealey Plaza and write some more poetry, take more pics of the grassy knoll (it's a big concrete wall I hope you know), go to the Eminem and D12 concert, go over to Grapevine Mall, and let's not forget the obligatory tattoo. Oh wait, did I mention Eminem? I've been to every ticket agent on-line and they don't have anything available. My fear is that the show is already sold out (damn Texans).

Moving on -- After living in downtown OKC for almost 18 months, I finally went down to the library and got my card (hooray). The new library is huge. I was in there approx. 90 minutes and the lady at the check out said "did you make it upstairs?" Whoa, I didn't know there was an upstairs. I was just cruising through the fantasy/sci-fi looking for Tolkien supplements and then made my way over to the videos. Upstairs -- holy cow. I guess the library will be my new Saturday routine. Anywho I found a couple of older movies that I've been dying to see. I borrowed Catch 22 (I'm in love with Yossarian) and Fahrenheit 451 (Mr. Bradbury - why didn't you sue that bastard Michael Moore).

Super condensed version - the character Montag flees the city and finds the refuge of 'the book people.' They've formed this commune in the middle of the forest and everyone introduces themselves as a book they've memorized (I like how the movie goes into a little more description with this than the book did). So I've spent the last week trying to figure out which book I am. Some of my fave books are Gone with the Wind, Piercing the Darkness, Pride and Prejudice, Fahrenheit 451, Catcher in the Rye. But then I remembered that the people are the book that they memorized. So here's my introduction "Hello, I'm One Fish, Two Fish." Oh Lord how depressing. To think of all the reading that I've ever done, I have the most words memorized from a Dr. Seuss book. Hey! There's good motivation for more daily reading of my Bible. Then I can say "Hello, I'm Proverbs chapter 31."

Not much else is going on. Here's the non-Jerry-Springer final thought:

"If you love your freedoms, thank a veteran." Donald, many thanks. Joe, special thanks and glad you're home safe with your little one. And Daddy, I've thanked you before but am most glad to say so again. So aim high, semper fi, and be all you can be. Love you...

Hello - Hello ---HOLA!

Here is a quick quote from the song of the day:

"I'd rather have a bottle in front of me, than have to have a frontal lobotomy. I might be drunk but at least I'm not insane."

That sums up my life since my last blog. It's not down the crapper or anything - it's kind of just sitting there, stagnating, with really obnoxious fumes rising up out it. (Can you tell my English comp professor liked my writing style?).

Oops, here comes the boss. I'll be back later.

Brother dear I hope you're not reading this...

...because it's about to get ugly.

My hockey team won tonight! Woo-hoo! So I snuck into work to do a quick blog. Everyone should know that giving the refs crap during any type of sporting event is just another part of the game. So that's what I did tonight with the CHL's official worst referee. I yelled my official, "Hey ref you are so full of shit!" (incidentally that's the only word I said all night). This lady in front of me turns around and tells me that I need to watch my mouth. (whatever). Of course in the very next period SHE is telling someone to go fuck themselves. But I got her back. One of the players was mouthing one of those phrases that everybody can read lips to. So I yelled at him "You'd better watch your mouth or the language police will be coming after you."

The last home game is tomorrow night against Memphis. (Hey Michelle & Tristan -- fly home I've got some free vouchers -- ha ha!) This lady better not try and say anything to me. If anyone hears any strange noises tomorrow night, it's the sound of someone's face being ripped off. I'd better get home now. I hear security coming down the hall...

Have I told you lately....

a) that I hate my job
b) that I love you
c) that I hate working on Sundays
d) that I love men in hockey uniforms
e) that I love Marines in their dress blues
f) that I totally love this stuff called blog
g) all of the above


*hint* the answer is all of the above. If you didn't know that, then log off immediately -- JOKE!

I just wanted to give everyone a job update - I had an interview on Friday. The only current opening the company had was radiology related, and I have no experience in coding that stuff. Despite that the interview did go well. I felt over-dressed though. I put on my nice black pants and a nice shirt. I walk in the building and it's jeans day. But that's okay, you're supposed to look nice for an interview, right?

Here's Cameron again. 

This is Cameron Breitkreuz. This is the reason I've been driving to Tulsa when the Blazers aren't playing at home. 

Bird's eye view of the Blazers bench. Damn I love buying tickets from scalpers!!! 

Where have I been?

I've been in a state of oblivion...it's kind of lonely here. I mean there are plenty of others here, too, but being oblivion they're...you know. Anywho....

So my hockey team has been out of town for the past couple of weekends. So fellow hockey nut Meredith and I have been driving to Tulsa to see our friend play for the Oilers. We've had fun going up there and cheering for the enemy. Actually Meredith cheers for our pal, and me being the person that I am, totally consumed by this sport, I just cheer and yell and scream. And even though it is Tulsa's ice, I feel it would be rude not to cheer for them (unless of course they're playing the Blazers).

Last Friday the Oilers played the Ft. Worth Brahmas and won in overtime (my boy got the game winning goal -- hell yeah!) Meredith and I went downstairs as usual to congratulate the team, coach, zamboni driver, etc. Security doesn't exactly monitor the locker area so as we were waiting for our friend to come out, we got to see a couple of Ft. Worth boys wearing nothing but towels and smiles (this definitely falls into the category of what mama don't know don't hurt her). I would have thought that couldn't be topped. But Saturday night was a riot. Oilers played the Wichita Thunder. The Oilers won, of course. With about 30 seconds left in the 3rd period, two guys just start beating the shit out of each other. They're taken off the ice but not escorted to their respective locker rooms. So they continue the fight. Which of course leads to a bench clearing brawl. Ahh, I could have died happy at that moment. The guys get back to their benches and the fans near the Wichita bench are laying into the coach. He starts attacking those nearest the glass, attempting to throw things, gesturing, etc. The last 30 seconds of play commence and all ends well, more or less. I happened to be sitting near the visiting team tunnel (bird's eye view of the Oiler bench - hell yeah!) and as the Wichita coach walks by I say "Hey Coach I know where your team gets their good sportsman like conduct from." He's standing with the team trainer and the trainer says, "Why don't you just kiss my ass?" My wonderful, lady-like reply, "Why don't you drop your pants and I will." They just picked their jaws off the floor and proceeded to the locker room. The moral of the story is this: If you're going to drop the gauntlet, be prepared for an ass-kicking. Because I'm going to pick up the gauntlet and beat you to a bloody pulp.

Now post game activities almost didn't happen. I met up with a Oiler girlfriend and we got downstairs for our congratulations, etc. I met up with my always appreciative hockey playing friend. He seemed quite gloomy...he said the coach didn't give him alot of shifts...but the amount of time he did play went well. He just rolled his eyes and said 'whatever.' What else can I say to encourage him? I've almost run out of things to say. I suppose a high-five, a pat on the back, or hug is always good...I mean they work for me.

I guess that gets us caught up for the moment. I'll try to post again later this week.

This one's for Cpl Joe...

...actually it's for me, but it's dedicated to Joe. I found this one last night and the 7th line had me puzzled. Of course I had it figured out at 3:00 this morning...that's when all my epiphanies happen (whatever). Anywho here goes...and PS to Michelle - you better be the first one to figure out the 7th line!!!

Finite and fickle
These words describe
Me well
I think of
Seven others
Just ask
Mr. Spacey
Now in this
Relatively humble
Mind setting
I can make
A covenant
With you
One that
Shall never
Be broken
Because we
Are a cord
Of four strands
The strongest of bonds
These words
Are sincere
The meaning
Is deep and true
I will not
Take them back
The devil can't
Make me don that
By your power
I have overcome
Him
And I can
Teach others
To take arms
For my covenant
Is
Semper Fidelis
To be forever faithful
And I will
Fight this
Spiritual battle
In faith
In word
In deed

9/8/01 jdh
For Charles Joseph Canning, USMC

My gut hurts from laughing, and here's why...

Let's set the scene...me the football hater extraordinaire was visiting Cheryl and David last night and yes, I watched the super bowl (Live and Let Die was the best part!!!!). My brother calls from the outback hills of Missouri. When he finds out that I'm there, he sends me a little message via Cheryl, "there is language on your blog that is unbecoming of a lady." Now please keep in mind this is slightly paraphrased from what he actually said, because every time I recall this memory I start to bust a gut again. And now in response to my brother, "WHATEVER!"

More poetry is forthcoming. I say that because it's stuck in my brain somewhere. Later.....

I wrote this in honor (or whatever) of black history month.

"My Reply"
2/6/97 jdh

I too have a dream
Not of liberty or equality
But one of eternity
Impossible as it may seem

I too have a vision
I too have seen the promised land
Where my Father & I walk hand in hand
No more division

I too will be free at last
I'll thank God Almighty personally
And He'll say gracefully, "Well done"
And all will have passed

More thoughtful words for Jesse :-)

Well thank you Lord, I finally found it. I've been searching for this poem for weeks. Enjoy!

This pen
that paints a picture
tells a story
stains a shirt...
Is it really a tool?
Can it convey
and comprehend?
Does it really know
when the answer marked
is wrong?
Does it become enraged
and jealous when
another utensil is used?
Can it sense when its
life force is near empty?
Can it feel the embrace
of fat fingers?
And when it lays
down, is it
at peace with its
surroundings?
When a task is done,
does it yearn
for more?
How much can it give?
How long can it last?
How long until it
realizes that its
parameters are
defined by...
CLICK

"artist's tool"
6/21/01 jdh

1/29/05 - the good, bad, and the regretful

WOW! Let me first say that I was given a ticket to the OKC vs Tulsa hockey game and the seat was in a great locale...where the team comes out of the locker room and onto the ice (sure it was near the Tulsa locker room, but who cares?!?). It was also my niece Sammy's 18th birthday (cringe, here comes another grey hair). There was a group consisting of 3 guys, 2 chicks sitting in the row in front of us. They were a neat bunch, and one of them was the kind you want to take home to momma (hell yeah). They turned around during the third period of the game and said to me, "Do you realize how bad you're making us look? Not only do you know the Blazers on a first name basis, but you know the Oilers as well. But you are really knowledgeable of the sport and it's been crazy listening to the two of you get into the game." What a neat compliment. Sammy and I chuckled and said thanks.

Then the bomb dropped. And it was one of those "dirty" bombs with all the bits of metal in them. Kevlar (spelling?) and body armor would not have helped. The game was over...Tulsa beaten on their home ice by the Blazers (hell yeah). So Mr. Take-Me-Home-To-Momma asks his pals what the game plan was. They couldn't agree on anything, so he turns around and says, "Let's ask these fine ladies. Would you like to go out drinking with us?" Oh Lord, I was about to start crying. I wanted so badly to say yes, but I turned them down because I was not about to take my niece out clubbing, pubbing, or whatever. I turned to Sammy and asked her if she was going to be pouty face all the way home, and of course she said yes. I just shrugged and told her that I was not going to go out and drink in front of someone who doesn't drink, whether by age limits or by choice. So to try and make up for it, I took her downstairs at the Tulsa Convention Center and we waited for the guys to come out of the locker rooms. Then we followed the team bus to Wendy's and ate a late supper with the guys. So I guess the night ended up on a good note for her, but not for me. I'm torn apart by the whole affair. I enjoy taking my friends & family to hockey games and doing silly stuff every-so-often, but I can't shake this feeling: that I wish I had gone to Tulsa by myself so I could have gone out after the game. In the end, I know I made the right decision, but why do I feel so much regret about it?

1/26/05 part two

Congratulations are in order. It is January the 26th and I have only broken one of my three new year's resolutions. Here they are: 1) stop drinking all carbonated beverages. 2) start keeping a better check register. 3) decrease usage of my favorite word, you know the one, it rhymes with duck. So guess which one I have broken. Come on, isn't it just completely fucking obvious? Ha-ha!

Seriously though...I've not been saying it everyday. But last night in the span of approximately two minutes I used it at least three times, maybe four (damn stupid pathetic hockey refs).

By the way...have I told you lately that I hate my job and despise my boss? Of course I do love it when she leaves, then I just sit around, goof off, and blog.

I hate having to make up a title...

...which is precisely why half of what I write is marked "untitled." But that's a title though, right? I mean it's the same thing as Logan County putting up a sign on no-name-road that actually says "no-name road." It defeats the whole purpose! Now I shall step off my soap box and give you this to ponder...

If you are truly
America's favorite,
then why are you
sitting at a table
by yourself?
Why is your
face so red
with fury?
Have your people
spurned you?
If you could
be seen now,
the laughter would
echo eternally.

"heinz ketchup bottle"
4/22/96 jdh

They Just Keep Getting Younger

Holy cow! For the first time ever I think I'm part of a fad when the fad is still in full swing! (If anyone understands that, please read further).

So my hockey team went 0/3 this weekend, but who cares, I still love the sport. Two back-up goalies were brought into the lineup because of injuries and family things. These two guys are so baby-faced, but I get the feeling that it's all a front and they're really pushing 30 (like me - HA). Now my current fave player is approx. 22 or 23. Not too bad for a 29-year-old. Well one of the new goalies, who just happens to be the new fave player, turns out to be 20. Holy crap I'm completely robbing the cradle with this one. But I complemented him on his game, told him I liked what I saw (in the hockey sense). Then I asked him for a picture and told him that he had a great smile (and yes I was being sincere). Then my pal Meredith told me "He's only 20!" This thing is giving me a complex.

Well, I'm sorry for this mindless insane babble. Stay tuned for tomorrow and insane poetry. HA!