well, it's one o'clock in the morning . . . baby, i just can't treat you right

   One thing I have re-discovered: I really like Eric Clapton's music. Really really. Another thing -- where can I get ringtones? I like indie rock and folk music, and for some strange reason they just don't have too much of what I like on Celltop program. They did have "Gronlandic Edit" by Of Montreal, but I couldn't get the stupid thing bought. I've heard that online ringtones often contain viruses, so I'm a little iffy on whether or not I want to get one from the internet. I'd like to get a little Ben Kweller or maybe some Gomez, Rocky Votolato, The Thrills, Brandtson, Damien Rice, Joe Purdy, or even a little Tom Waits (He isn't indie, but who cares?). I'm sure I could find a good Mat Kearney or Derek Webb song on Celltop, though. Hmm. I was hoping I'd come across that song by Whats-his-face from Train, the guy with a name that sounds like an '80s pop star. Pat Monahan, that's it. (I think his name reminds me of Pat Bennetar.) 

     In other news, I'm back home again in Michigan, missing all my friends from Indiana and longing for things to fill the time. I'm discovering that I don't get much done as far as organizing my room unless my brother's upstairs. Otherwise, it just seems stark and lifeless up there in my chaotic, tired, over-bright, and dusty room. I sent out a couple of applications to nursing homes, and I think that I may end up working for Cody's friend's parents (' great-grandmothers-in-law). I'm just waiting for everything on my application to check out. I put down a family friend as a reference, but I haven't spoken to her for at least a year. I had tried calling her to make sure that this was okay and ask her husband another question, but she never called me back. I had already listed her on the application, though, so I hope things will work out fine. I can't see why they wouldn't. 

     I'm so excited for Colts football to get here. I was on the Colts and NFL Players Association websites today, and I was reading about Dwight Freeney and Bob Sanders's progress with their respective foot and shoulder rehabilitations. I hope things clear up with Marvin Harrison, and I hope Freeney and Sanders continue healing up patiently (although I'm sure they're both itching to get out on a field and really tear it up). I'm SO glad we got Dominic Rhodes back this year. With the little bit of legal trouble Kenton Keith had, I think there may be a slight bitter taste in the mouths of the coaching and managing staff at the Colts franchise with Keith. It will be interesting to see if the Colts utilize Rhodes in a 2-back set-up. I imagine that they will do just that, with Dominic Rhodes (now #38?!) and the indomitable Joseph Addai at first string. I would guess that Keith and the U of M grad, Mike Hart, will end up at second string. I would imagine that Kenton Keith might want to keep a much lower profile off the field now, though, before the Colts lose patience. It's not the Pacers, for Pete's sake. 

     After looking at the photos of Rookie/Veteran minicamp, I can't wait for preseason to start! The veterans and the rookies both looked pretty good, but it's hard to tell what kind of a season we'll have a) from pictures, and b) this early in the season. It was mighty nice to see Peyton looking fresh in his photos, though. Allthe vets looked rested up and ready to go. I am disappointed that the Colts won't be playing the Lions for their second preseason game. The schedule was changed so that they'll be facing the Lions in Indy on December 14th. I had been hoping to see the game in Detroit in person, since tickets are much easier to come by here than in Indiana. Plus, my dad was going to get the tickets, and he won't come down to Indianapolis for a team that he doesn't really root for. (He does root for the Lions, but he's lost hope of their winning along the way.) 

     I was checking out the Colts' employment section, and I'm thinking about trying to get an internship there next year doing sports writing. It would be the best job in the world! I would love to have the opportunity, although I know it's a long shot. I think I'm going to start a new blog just about football, focusing mainly (of course) on the Colts. Even if nothing comes of it, it should be fun. :) And it will easily give me a reason to watch every Colts game and Sportslocker Sunday. Now hopefully my roommates won't mind some loud-mouthed little Michigander yelling and cheering at the tv in the living room every week. (It's all fine and well until a GIRL starts yelling, at least back home with my dad and brother. And yes, I understand that all my screaming and shouting and carrying on does not affect the Colts one way or another, but I hope that my prayers help at least a tiny bit -- although I pray that they can forget the previous bumbled up plays and have confidence, good reads, steady hands, impenetrable teamwork, and positive, focused mindsets. I don't generally pray that they win -- except for that AFC Championship and Super Bowl. I figure that there's always somebody else praying for the other side, and the team who works hardest and thinks clearest wins.) 

     I had been thinking that this summer would be a totally frustrating and boring one. So far, there have been moments to make that case and others to break it. I've decided, though, that I'm going to try to look at this as something positive. I can get organized with my filing system for bills, homework, et cetera, and i can also get back on track spiritually. I want to dig deep into my Bible and draw up some cool, refreshing water that will cleanse all the debris that piles up through the school year -- mixed up priorities, stress, papers, papers, papers, bad attitudes, mixed up priorities. . . . This is an opportunity that I might not have had at SpringHill, even though it's an amazing place where I always have an awesome God experience (and a heck of a fun time). I wouldn't have had as much free time to really spend with God one-on-one, and I wouldn't have had much time at all to spend outdoors in the area I love and call home. On the other hand, I love my crazy family, but I know that they have always been one of my greatest frustrations, a fact that won't likely change this summer. I'm hoping instead to be able to cope and try to stay patient and calm when I start to get upset or a fight or personal attack starts to take shape. (They often do around here.) We'll see. I need something to do, though, so I'm really praying that this nursing home job will pull through. 

     I've realized, sadly, that none of my old friends from Gratiot County are really a big part of my life anymore. We've all sort of gone our own separate ways, across the state and into the surrounding states. I'm hoping that I'll get to see my best friend, Steve, sometime this summer and reconnect with old Gratiot County friends and some of my AU friends as well this summer. Otherwise, this is going to be a long and lonely summer . . . 

     P.S. I saw something in a catalogue today that was hideous, and I could hear Anita saying, "That level of ugliness is almost sort of fascinating in a way." It made me laugh out loud and wish we could share in the hideous boots or purse or whatever it was. It might have been shoes. I don't remember.

MOOD: relaxed