musings on life, love and the Phantom of the Opera....

So I am writing this bone tired, just returned from Greenhouse and I want to process a lot of stuff that happens, but it seems like I never have time to get it all. I need to write more. I need to pursue the revolution with my pen and pick up notebook to spin again, these bard-songs of infinite God-perpetuity....

But I wax poetic. I have a lot of things going on in my mind right now, so this might not be as orgainized as some may prefer. I watched the Phantom of the Opera last night and I am not sure what I think about it. I typically don't go to musicals unless I have a friend in them. People breaking into song at odd moments just doesn't do it for me. However, Phantom (the movie) was exceptionally done. Everything about it was just lush. The music (even though my music school chums would say differently) rocked. The Costumes and period stuff was awesome, and the acting was absolutely spectacular.

What gave me pause, however, was the girl who played Christine Daae, the love interest in the opera (of both the Phantom and another man). She was innocent and virginal, yet weirdly sensual in her portrayal of the opera singer who thinks the Phantom is the ghost of her dead father. You will have see the movie to understand fully I think. But the fact is, she, in addition to being and sounding absolutely stunning, had this weird quality about her that made me want to fall in love with her character. I might give my friends and family cause for alarm when I say this, but I felt as though I, myself, could propose my undying love to this 'angel of music'.

It makes me wonder if my 'shopping list' of ideal qualities for a girl isn't based on unrealistic expectations like this. Or maybe my standards are too low and I should wait for my beautiful Christine, ready for me to sweep me off my feet? Do girls real live and love (and, yes, look) like that? Is my idea of the Great Romance totally caricatured around the physical beauty of some Christine I hold out for, a Christine that doesn't really exist? Do I think of the Great Romance solely in terms of physical beauty and sensuality ("Christine-ness") and forget that it is the heart that matters?

I don't know. I can't help but think a girl like that does exist and does wait for me. I sure hope so. But at the same time, physical beauty fades and the Great Romance is so much deeper than that.

It's late and I will post more phantom reflections and GH stuff tomorrow.....

Daniel

back again....

I dunno, it seems like too much time has elapsed since my last redpool entry. It's been pretty much same ole same ole. I mean, I'm still longing for the Great Romance. I'm still longing to seek God still in a deeper revelation of that paradigm, even in those new and different ways that I feel I am being taught. It's just it feels like nothing new has been happening. I dunno. I guess that's a bad sign. Is a breather in order? I'd rather it be a breather in God then a breather in.... well.... nothing.

I guess I just want to hang out with God this summer. I want to get closer to Him. I want to know Him more in all my various adventures. I don't want my relationship with God to suffer because I don't have the crucible of school to spur me onwards. I have MORE time during the summer, my life should be, consequently, or MORE eternal value. How is it always the other way around? The less time I have, the more 'into' God I feel. Yet the more time I have, the more distracted I get. Maybe the trials of school develop something in me that cannot be replicated by my own will. Maybe the fact I am working more this summer will spur me on towards that focus, without making me forgo a well needed season of rest. That is something I think I will pray more in the future, and I will always ask for your prayers in the matter, dear reader.

I would also ask for more prayers in another area, dear ones. Friday night, some of the staff at visions set up a prophecy booth to encourage and minister to the students. Now it wasn't exactly the kind of prophecy one would expect (the kind that tells you where you live, like God is reading your mail or something), it was more encouragement, stuff God felt we needed for the journey. Personally, I got more out of it than 'mail-reading' prophecy, anyway.

Anyway, They told me (among other things that I will post as soon as I find the paper again) that now is the time to fufill my vision from God. They said it wouldn't look like the time, because a lot of stuff still needs to happen. The thing is, I have like 8,000 trips I want to take, books I want to write, and exploits I want to embark upon. I plan adventures every month. What I want to know, however, is which of these is my vision? I know it has something to do with overseas travel, other languages, culture and people. I just don't know what I have to do to live within this calling which is apparently quite imminent. I mean, I'm not worried about it, but at the same time, I don't want to drop the ball. Any ideas? I enjoy testing things like this in community because there are parts others see about me that I am totally blind to (and parts I see that others are blind to). It helps us cover each others back. Your prayers on this matter are always appreciated.

enrapt in the Great Romance.....

Daniel

by the way....

Pray for a friends of mine. He's having trouble with depression and I am concerned about him.....

Thanks!

Daniel

I'm back!!!!

I am done with school!!! Praise almighty ELYON!!!! I am ready for adventures. I am ready for action, and maybe (dare I hope), the Great Romance! I CANNOT WAIT!

I don't have a lot of time, but I just wanted to post and let the Red Pool know I am ready for summer to start!

Daniel