Month: July 2009

James HoganLeave a comment

A bit mildly depressing to notice that my last entry here had me wake up at 4:30 in the morning…and that’s when I woke up this morning too! I don’t really MIND waking up that early – it just means I have to go to bed quite early! And no, I am not going to reveal my bedtime last night.

Anyway, just thought I’d write a short update(it will be short – I PROMISE!) and say how awesome my past few days have been!! I have to say, as different and crazy as Houston is, I’m starting to enjoy it here. Starting with last Friday, I had a sweet dinner party-thing at my place…my apartment finally got broken in! Had a few people from church(Clay, Engle, Adam and Marci) and Julie from UF! It was much times of awesomeness. I made pork chops(sorry you missed it, Galan!) and we played games and hung out and talked…such sweet times. I have to say that one of my favorite things was the fascination everyone had with my bookshelf! I quite like my books and it makes me oh-so-happy when others do too!! Anyways, that was a beautiful night, even though I was quite exhausted by the time everyone went home! The rest of the weekend was mega relaxing and involved more hanging out with people and enjoying the delightful rest of the LORD!

And then Monday night was another amazing night – me and Rob(from church, not RobG!) went to the house of another couple in our church. Their house was way out in the country(he’d built the whole thing from the foundation up!) and driving out in the country was such a refreshing experience…finally I got to see some real Texas! I must admit, I wouldn’t mind living in the country some day. Such beauty. I think sometimes we lose that…living in cities of concrete and steel may be efficient, but it sure isn’t as soothing as soaking in the untainted air and brighter sun of the country…alas, these caves of steel we’ve constructed for ourselves seem to have become an integral part of our society.

And however did I get so off topic? Well anyways, we went to their house and it was such a sweet night of fellowship! We had a delicious dinner, but better by far was our conversations…where it went from discussing our backgrounds to the mysteries of the Bible..indeed, I felt so blessed to be in their house and to be encouraged thus! And driving home and seeing bright pinpoints of stars in the clear night above…amazing.

And oh no. This entry has gotten long! Oops. Just know that I’ve had such an awesome last few days. Oh, and God is good. Actually, that’s always true! Well, it’s about time for me to make my dinner(chicken caesar salad, yeah!) so farewell! Time to dominate up the rest of the night!

James HoganLeave a comment

I’ve just had the most lovely day. And to think it all started at 4:30…yes, in the morning! You may wonder why I was so insane to wake up at such a dreary hour…and yes, there is a very good reason! But first of all, I must enlighten you all on the beauty that is early morning…for some reason, there’s nothing quite like being awake and knowing that most people around you are drifting through sleep and yet I’m enjoying the beauty of the night while looking towards the coming of the sun! Ahh, I love it.

Anyways, where was I? Ah, yes. The reason I was up so early! Well, Deanna was in town! For about…an hour. But of course, could I pass up the chance to see her one last time before she goes off to the far away country of Hungary? Of course not. So me and Julie met up with her at Starbucks(after random adventures getting lost in the massive airport!) and had coffee(mmm, mocha goodness..) and enjoyed just being together, even if it was for a mere hour. And then…she left us. I don’t think it’s really hit me that I won’t even be able to see her for a whole YEAR. Ridiculous. And…sad. So I will not talk about this anymore.

SO. CHANGING SUBJECTS. After that, I left the airport(changing clothes in my car before I left!) and drove straight to church! Which was very sweet, I must say. Again, it makes me realize how much I need to worship and fellowship with other followers of Christ! I so miss Gainesville, where I could do that basically every day! Galan, Andrew, Rob…we had a sweet apartment. I miss y’all.

Ah, but how good is my Father to give me an awesome church here in Houston! I really don’t know why I fear and why I get anxious about my future. I’m so silly! So, yeah, today was pretty sweet. And I’ve had an awesome afternoon after church just relaxing. I do so appreciate the rest that God gives us! How sweet is His pasture!

And now, farewell! May all of you be blessed as much as I!

James HoganLeave a comment

Ok, I’ve been wanting to do this for a while but just now getting around to it…and what is this mysterious thing? Well, my top five music albums…of all time!! That’s a very lofty statement to make, and really it’s going to probably end up being my top five albums right now. It’s gonna be fun. I know some people who listen to much more music than me…*coughcoughKadycough* have named their top thirty albums, but I seriously don’t know if I can think of that many that I love! Anyways, yes, this format and idea is all stolez from Kady. So props for the sweet idea…and now, how shall I do this?

5. Rhapsody of Fire: Legendary Tales
Favorite Tracks:  Warriors of Ice, Rage of the Winter, Flames of Revenge
Alright, now that is a seriously epic album cover.  Just saying.  I had the hardest time deciding which Rhapsody album to choose, but this one made the cut just because of its all around awesomeness.  A couple of their other albums have some of my fav Rhapsody songs, but listening to this album straight through is just a treat!!  For those of you that haven’t heard Rhapsody(of Fire), they’re a fusion of power metal and orchestral rock and epicness.  Yes, epic in the Tolkien sense of the word…all of their albums are fantasy themed, with heroes and dragons and demons and…well, you get the idea.  This album is one of my favorite music standbys because I can play it and rock out…no matter what mood I’m in.  That’s rare for me…I very much choose my music by my mood.  So hey, give ’em a listen.


4. Coldplay: Viva La Vida
Favorite Tracks: Violet Hill, Life in Technicolor, Cemeteries of London
I have a feeling this is probably going to be the album you all have heard of!  This is a very recent favorite of mine…dating back to when I discovered it listening to someone else’s shared iTunes music in the Christian Study Center!  It helped me dominate writing a paper…and well, I’ve loved it ever since.  Coldplay has such amazing chill music.  So relaxing.  And at the same time…passionate.  Violet Hill is one of my favorite songs of all time and the rest is simply top-notch.  This is an album I can’t really listen to only part of it…I have to go through the whole thing – it’s just that good!!  If you ever need to get some serious homework/paper-writing done…use this album.

3. Nightwish: Dark Passion Play
Favorite Tracks: Poet and the Pendulum, The Islander, Amaranth
It’s going to be hard to explain this album…it’s just amazing.  Nightwish is a sweet power metal band…and I don’t know how else to describe them!  This wasn’t the first album of theirs I heard, but it always touches me the most.  The emotions shown by the songs here is just too real to push away.  One of the first songs of this album I heard was the Islander(on youtube) and it has remained one of my fav Nightwish songs ever.  Just too beautiful.  And even if you don’t like metal, give this album a chance…it’s too gorgeous to ignore!!


2. Muse: Absolution
Favorite Tracks: Apocalypse Please, Butterflies and Hurricanes, Tsp
I didn’t originally think this album would be top five, but as I was listening to it recently, I thought there was NO WAY I could not have this album on my top five.  I originally didn’t know how good this album was until someone(Betsy!) mentioned how it was her favorite Muse album…I promptly went home and listened to it straight through and was blown away.  As I was trying to figure out of my favorite tracks, I started smiling because I realized I wanted to choose all of them.  Seriously, this is good stuff.

And now.

1. Muse: Black Holes and Revelations
Favorite Tracks: Starlight, Supermassive Black Hole, Knights of Cydonia
Was there any doubt?  I actually wasn’t sure how most of the top five would turn out, but this spot was always going to Black Holes.  I still remember the first time I heard it(in Chris’ car on one of our journeys to Tampa/Gainesville!) and I remember being blown away.  For some reason, I didn’t listen to it again for some time…but when I did, I remember it vividly.  Sophmore year, staying up late to finish a project.  I played this album straight through.  Three or four times.  Starlight has been one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE SONGS for a good long time and I really can’t think of any other song that shares the honors.  And listening to this album all the way through is like riding through a an ocean of emotions…sorrowful, powerful, passionate…it has it all.

And there you go.  I know I probably shouldn’t have two Muse albums taking up the top two spots…but I couldn’t help it – they deserved it.  And I feel a little bad I didn’t have any Relient K or Jars of Clay albums up there!  Their problem is that they have great songs, but their albums aren’t meant to flow together…ah well, I still love ’em.

Now, time to get my laundry and then get ready for bed!  Tomorrow’s a work day but the next day is SATURDAY!

Rock and roll, y’all!

James HoganLeave a comment

The wind blows as the wind wills
and the call of the gulls rises
and the waves roar in a temper
and the clouds darken at sunset.

And as the crimson glare abates,
the chill of night soft approaches
and the wisps of shadow appear
and the mast quails and shivers.

I stand at the bow, my heart beats.
I stand on the waves,
my hands clenched.
I stand below
the horizon.
I
stand
alone.
Oh so alone.

Will I be found
will I be saved
will I be called
will I be named
will I be?

And as I fall
and as I cry
and as I kneel
and as I die,
I hear a voice rise on the wind:
Fear not the fey eyes of shadow!
Fear not the cold hands of the dark!
Fear not the cruel teeth of terror!
Fear not!
And see!
The dawn!

I stand in the embrace of the wind
and
I stand in the kiss of the starlight
and
I stand in the dance of the breakers
and
I stand.

The wind blows as the wind will
and the cry of the gulls rises
and the waves roar in an anthem
and the clouds proclaim the sun.

Very untechnical, very not literary, very random. But…very real. Take it for what you will.