springtime,

Whatever headache or pain I expressed toward being stuck in New York City has passed with the winter's cold weather. Springtime is gorgeous and the masses are frolicking in the parks. I disregard the fact that every flower I see was planted within the past three weeks. I've been sleeping with my window open, enjoying the breeze. I don't mind the noise of the city, so much as the delivery truck that shows up every night from 1 a.m. to 2 a.m. It's not that it is deliverying food, it's that it keeps its noisy engine running the entire time. On a greener note, I'm riding my bicycle so much my calves twitch. fyi, muscles twitch when they are tired and sore. It forces one to stretch or get injured. I've even become pretty darn good at stopping at lights and such and not dismounting. I can be stopped at a red light, not moving, and not have my feet stabilizing myself on the ground. It's a great feeling.

I was in Philadelphia this past weekend, which was another remarkable experience. For a Friday, Saturday, Sunday recap: Art show, fishtown, photographing scary abandoned warehouses, thrift shopping, a psalters concert, visiting friends, unexpectedly seeing friends from brooklyn, visiting R.E.Load, riding around on a borrowed bicycle, and don't forget - good coffee and conversation. Just like the Joni Mitchell song. I'll be back in a matter of weeks, although suddenly, I stopped counting down the days until my return. It's too enjoyable. The coffee, the tea, the weather.

On a final note, I registered for classes last night. I'm pretty anxious for next Fall:
16 credits total, with: Contemporary Democracies, the Political Quest, a Theology of Poverty, Two-Dimensional Design, and Introductory Spanish. Both Contemporary Democracies and Theology of Poverty, I'm super excited for. After completing those, I'll have 86 credits. Taking 36 credits during my interim 08, spring 08, fall 08 and interim 09, that should be at exactly the 122 credits I need to graduate a semester early. Why a semester early? I reply, why spend 15,000 dollars on that extra semester.

recent news for the taking,

I've noticed a similarity between tourists in New York and prospective students at Bethel. They're curious. They eyeball the locals with interest. They see and hear of only the best, most-attractive parts of the city/campus. The list continues. Now, there is a difference. I don't despise prospective students. I despise tourists. I never want the term "tourist" attached to me. Other news, I'm going back to Philadelphia next weekend, not to be a tourist. I've decided to start a portrait series of all the people I stay with, in every city that I visit. This project, however, will take years to finish. Likely, it may never be finished. I've decided that this weekend is the perfect opportunity because #1 it's the small lull before a ridiculous amount of work for the end of the semester. (All due the same week, 3 page paper, 4 page paper, 10 page paper, photography project, art show). The #2 reason, I'm tired of New York. I was talking with Wayne Roosa on Friday night, who is out with here with the NYCAMS advisory board for the weekend. I was speaking with him about how far my photography has come since arriving late January. The photo I sold this past summer, I opened up its file on my computer, along with many previous images that I had liked quite well. I don't like them anymore. Regardless of how far my photography has come, I need a break from this city, and that is what Philadelphia is for.

I've been having adventures though. That is what New York City is for. Last week, I saw Rosie Thomas and friends in concert. The headliner was "Rosie Thomas and friends," which meant: Denison Witmer and Sufjan Stevens. The show was brilliant, dare say I, better than the Regina Spektor show.