Tag: coffeeshop

Tales from 2AM

James HoganLeave a comment

Chilling at Starbucks.  Yup.  Not going to write long, but figured may as well since I’m here!!  My day has been relatively(slightly) productive thus far…had a deacons meeting at 730 this morning, then I made my way over here where I’ve been working like a madman…trying to get music playlists in order.  Yes, very important business.  I admit, it is somewhat hilarious how much I enjoy this.  Right now, though I’m struggling mightily as I have four different playlists I’m working on nigh simultaneously.  A bit over-ambitious that.  A dance mix(sourced from Robbie on our trip last weekend), *another* dance mix(more chill/trance really), a musical mix(Les Mis, Wicked, Rent &…Hamilton!?) and then a more “normal” mix that is a mess and I’ve sort of abandoned for the moment.  Anyways – the struggle.  And then one of the hardest parts is to come up with a properly epic and just-pretentious-enough album title.  OH the joys.

Enough of that though!  Planning on seeing Peter pretty soon – going to meet for lunch…somewhere?  And then going to hang out with Earnie tonight.  It shall be fantastic, that I declare.  Last night was beautifully quiet…didn’t really get reading done(well – did read a bit of Owen at EQ – less than 80 pages to go!) but I enjoyed watching Rocky II with my dinner.  Forgot how awesome that movie is.  Stayed up a bit too late.  Alas. 

Now though…time to roll.  And continue my weird music playlist obsession.  I just realised I actually have FIVE playlists I’m working on.  Forgot my Anberlin/Owl City/Panic! one I’ve just started.  Again – yes, I’m a mess.

Peace, y’all.  Peace and love.

Perseverance of the Saints

James HoganLeave a comment

Morning, friends!!  I shan’t stay long on the computer now…but I sit here at Starbucks after having enjoyed my espresso and I realised that I’m a bit behind in sharing my music mixes!  So figured I’d catch up (a little bit – still 2 more after this to record!) and share one I made back before Christmas last year.  This morning though…it was simply fantastic to sleep in!  Then enjoyed my breakfast of coffee and sausages as I watched the French Open final…Simona Halep of Romania won…very deservedly so and I was quite happy to see her win her first Slam!!  Tomorrow won’t be able to watch the men’s final since I’ll be at church….but go Rafa!  King of Clay.  Shooting for French Open title..11 I think?  Ridiculous.  My fav men’s tennis player of all time, simply for his determination and craft and fiery passion for the game!!

Now…I did mean to share this music mix did I not??  This mix is a bit weird…reflective of me, of course.  I’ve long been wanting to do another dance CD – and I’ve been extremely happy with how this one turned out.  It’s actually been in my car music rotation ever since I burned it, which is very much indicative of my love for this music.  Is it weird crazy discotheque-esqe music?  Absolutely yes.  And sometimes…it’s fun to just enjoy the beat of some quality dance tunes, despite the quality(or lack thereof!) of the lyrics!!  So don’t take this mix as a thing of pure light and purer beauty….but just for the silly fun club music it is.  With these many disclaimers aside….let me present…Club West:

1.  A+ Superstar – Basslovers United
2.  Gonna Paint the Town – Camera X
3.  I’m All Yours – Cruise Controllerz
4.  I Wanna Dance with Somebody – The Cube Guys, Barbara Tucker
5.  No Cover Song – Deep Spirit feat. Kathy
6.  The Promiseland – DJ Gollum feat. DJ Cap
7.  We Like to Party – Dj Roxx
8.  Lost in the Discotheque – Empyre One
9.  21st Century Digital Girl – Groove Coverage
10.  Let Me Be Your Girl – Kompulsor
11.  Masterpiece – Manuel Lauren
12.  Touch the Stars – RaveBass
13.  We Got the Beat – Sonictunez
14.  Keys in Tokyo – Stepa K
15.  Tonight – Tomtrax & Orca
16.  Takin’ Me High – Withard & Juve Presents Sonera
17.  Gonna Be So Happy – Megastylez
18.  Shooting Stars – Tribune
19.  You – Special D.
20.  Forever – Sunray & Phillerz

Classic.  Let’s dance it up, y’all.  Such a fun mix, already have two more playlists similar to it that I’m currently building!!

Now…time to step out into the sunshine and further enjoy the lovingkindnesses of the Lord this day that He has made.

Peace and love, dear friends.

Shudder Before the Beautiful

James HoganLeave a comment

About time for dinner, yo! But briefly…as busy as today was, so the last hour has been wonderful. Walked down to EQ as the thunder gently rumbled and the sun shone down upon the earth. Enjoyed a beautiful time of reading on the porch. How wonderful is it to read Owen’s work on the Holy Spirit and be encouraged in learning more about sanctification and my progress toward holiness. It is not constant, nay. But it is certain. Oh how beautiful is it to be reminded of the fact that all that is good in me and of me is from Christ Jesus alone. Nothing good have I. And how wonderful is it to be reminded of the sovereignty of God. When I know not my future or even my present…I can rest in the arms of my Father and be assured that I am loved and that my future is written in the book that matters most. Remember this, my friends – if you know the love of God, nothing else matters. True joy comes from God and naught else. There are many lovely things in this world. But their loveliness is meaningless in the absence of the knowledge of the Creator. I think on that and bow in bliss that this Creator knows my name.

To Sleep,

James HoganLeave a comment

I sit at Starbucks right now with my mocha americano and I ponder the lovingkindesses of the Lord.

I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all Your doings;
I muse on the work of Your hands.
I stretch out my hands to You;
my soul longs for You, as a parched land.

Answer me quickly, O Lord, my spirit fails;
do not hide Your face from me,
or I will become like those who go down to the pit.

Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning;
for I trust in You;
teach me the way in which I should walk;
for to You I lift up my soul.
-Psalm 143:5-8

Lovely words which I read this morning.  I do still mean to read Hebrews at some point today, but my time flees, my time trickles away as sand in an hourglass.  I’m excited to start reading Hebrews soon though, since in my OT reading I am going through Exodus(and soon Leviticus) so will be so intriguing to be reading the ceremonial and moral law of the Hebrews compared to the work and glories of the gospel as revealed in Christ by the author of the book of Hebrews!  And seeing the faint glories of God that are proclaimed by the shadows of the past…praise be to God for the mysteries of the gospel that have been revealed through Jesus Christ our Lord and His tragic death and most shocking resurrection!!!

Now further – what shall I say?  I did mean to write this entry to chronicle a bit of the past day and I suppose I can do that (but quickly!).  Indeed yesterday was a marvelous day that was given to me by my Lord in which I was reminded of the love that is mine, both from my God and from my many dear friends with whom I have been blessed abundantly!  And while it mostly consisted of work(but at least it was Friday, so duties were not overly onerous!), it was delightful to come back to my place at the end of the day and relish a weekend ahead.  After my workout, I walked down to EQ and enjoyed an hour on the porch there, reading my new book(about mitochondria and their origins and function in the cell…yes I’m a nerd and yes I’m far too excited by the subject matter!!  …still waiting for them to mention farandolae…) and then I walked home.  Didn’t have any more free time then, for it was about time for Earnie and Peter to come over!  I really meant not to plan anything last night, but both of them made mention of the fact that we should get together so I acquiesced and a delightful evening was had.  Earnie brought drinks and Peter brought a cake(chocolate and vanilla with strawberries on top!!) and I picked up some Pizza Hut…and so we talked and ate and shared the highs and lows of our past year…and reminded ourselves of the goodness of the Lord in each other’s lives and it was beautiful.  And so did I get the quiet night I had anticipated?  No.  Did I get the early night’s sleep I expected?  A thousand times no, since I think I didn’t get to bed until after one!  Was I blessed muchly by the events of the evening?  A thousand times yes.

And then this morning, after a few hours sleep, I woke up and had a cup of coffee and a scant few minutes’ reading time…and then off to breakfast with Jake and Julian and Earnie…hours spent around a food-laden table, discussing our lives and our loves and the passion that fills our hearts to know Christ and to make Him known.  To have such godly and loving friends as I do…I hesitate to say I deserve any of this, for I truly don’t.  I only know that I treasure such moments, quiet morning talks with far too much coffee and an abundance of encouraging, uplifting and fruitful conversation.

Now I sit here at Starbucks.  And as my mocha americano lingers on the tongue, memories of wistful eyes and dark brown curls linger in the mind.  Yes yes, I shall not think over-long on this, but as Jake mentioned today about Katie being in his current bible study…she crossed my mind yet again.  But hey – she is not for me and all is well with my soul.

About time to go do some shopping and errands…and then looking forward to a brunch with Jules – I know not what we will talk about, but I do know that our time will be lovely, as it always is.  And tonight…Jared is coming over to hang out and watch the Lightning game together.  Game 5 of Eastern Finals…go Tampa Bay!!!  (Beat the Caps!  – words I almost never say!!)

I must fly, but as is noted in the many words above, I have been given far too much.  I am unworthy and unholy in oh so many ways.  But in the way that matters most, I am holy for I am forgiven.  I know a God who is far too beautiful for my mind to truly comprehend.  But I do strive to know Him yet more and more.  And I am known by a God who is far too beautiful to me.  It is a wonderous thing that I would be called a child of God.  And such I am.

Deepest peace and truest love.

To Dream

James HoganLeave a comment

Just had a beautiful hour walking down to EQ in the (now slightly too warm) afternoon sunlight and reading on the porch.  Finally finished:

13.  Lamentation by Ken Scholes.  This is a book that I discovered via an online article some time back…found the book itself in Half-Price Books not that long ago and now have completed it.  It’s…an interesting book with interesting ideas and I want to say I liked it.  The idea of it intrigued me(mix of fantasy and ancient technology and whispers of Earth) and indeed the ideas and the plot is the best thing about the book.  The writing itself is a bit rough, and as I started reading it, I was very much not impressed.  Figured I’d finish it for the sake of it but not read any more of the series.  Half-way through, I found it getting slightly better, but still doubted I’d want to read any further books.  Then somehow today, as I finished the book…realized I actually do want to read more of this series now.  Good job, Scholes – you’ve hooked me!!  Why didn’t I like it at first?  Well, I suppose I can say that I’m not a fan of the way the author handled the characters.  As some of you may know, my very favourite books feature characters so rich and deep that they seem almost real.  This book…does not have characters like that.  They all seemed a bit one-dimensional.  A few chapters in, you instantly understand who the heroes are, who the villains are…and…that’s not necessarily a bad thing, but the characters themselves just seemed flat.  No layers, no growth.  The prose was also a bit dull and predictable at times, but I suppose I can’t complain too much, as my own writing is far worse!  Nonetheless, not impressed.  But…the world itself, and the evident detail that has gone into the world-building and plotting gave the story a richness that saved it from the lacklustre characters and mediocre writing.  Very much have to give the author props for creating some seriously fascinating history and backstory!  And at the end of the day, I am curious to see where he takes the story from here and I’m hoping(as this was his debut novel) that the second book improves and grips me even further.

Now as I don’t have the aforementioned second book yet…I need to decide which book I’ll read next.  It’s going to either be a scientific work or a biography or a sci-fi novel…hmm what shall it be I wonder….??

I suppose now it’s time to shower and then get ready for dinner.  And thank God yet again for all that He has made.  Reading Exodus today and Moses’ relationship to God filled my heart with a desire to know God more.  My heart burns for this.

Peace and love.

Shards of Honor

James HoganLeave a comment

Good afternoon friends!!  It is a most fine Sunday afternoon here.  And I have not long to write, as soon I will be off to Julien and Kelsey’s for a fine roast dinner.  Most looking forward to that, as delightful conversation and encouraging times await.  But for now, I can only sit and thank the Lord for the beautiful day He has granted me.  A wonderful morning at church with my dear brothers and sisters.  A relaxing few hours at home in which to eat lunch and do other various domestic chores.  And then…a lovely walk down to EQ and a few hours on the porch there, soaking up the sunlight and reading a lovely book.  Oh what a gift was granted me by my Lord, that few hours of reading in the glorious sunshine.  Few things are better than that.  But…one of those things better came soon after…as I walked home, called home and talked to mom and dad…enjoying sweet chat with them…of Lightning victorious and other sundry things.  Again.  Few things are bettter than that.

And now…I really don’t think I can say much else without resorting to poetic anthem, and I feel it is not time for that this day.  Some other day, perhaps.  For now, I will sign off and think of the gratitude and love that fills my heart this day.  I still feel the touch of the sun on my skin and the touch of that song on my soul.

Peace and love, one and all.

Hard Love

James HoganLeave a comment

Good morning, friends!! And…happy Friday!!! For indeed, it is finally Friday here, and although I am quite tired(it’s been a long week!), I’m psyched for a glorious day ahead. Sipping on my (still slightly warm) peppermint mocha now and enjoying that – was fun seeing and chatting briefly with Tony & Chi at Starbucks today! I still miss Katie, but I suppose I may(at some point possibly?) see her again – she is now finishing up her first semester of nursing school yay! Anyways – enough Starbucks people updates! Today shall be a good day, that I declare. I’ve been thinking lately about how easily I get distracted and fret over either things I don’t control or things that don’t really matter. And really how…at the end of the day, I need to rest in the sovereignty and love of Christ Jesus my Lord and rejoice and enjoy the beauty all around me, courtesy of my God. True? May I remember that much more than I usually do. Peace, my friends. Peace and love.

The Last Hurrah

James HoganLeave a comment

So I was going to write a much longer post (and maybe even a poem!) but alas (not really) I actually talked to Dad on phone instead, which was very worth it!  And so now my minutes to write are few.  But quickly…

It is still wonderfully cold here – sub-50s temperature when I walked out to my car this morning!!  One last time I shall say – long may it continue!!  Even though…I know that no, it most certainly will not continue long.  But I shall enjoy it much.  Oh shall I enjoy it!  Yesterday was sublime.  After church and various errands, came home and quickly made and ate lunch(chicken & curry-spiced cauliflower & red peppers!) then fled to the glorious outdoors.  Walked down White Oak enjoying the strains of live music that were being played at every other bar and restaurant…then went to Red for a quick espresso (because why not, yeah?) then got to talk to Maryanne for a bit to wish her happy birthday as she is now 27 years old, what!!!  Happy happy birthday, Maryanne, dearest sister!!!  Then I realised I’d missed a call from Daniel…so once I walked down to EQ and settled in my usual spot on the porch, called him back and we had a beautiful time chatting.  Oh how I miss him.  But it was a great talk and I must remind myself to pray for him more, that God continues to bless him and grant him peace in all things.  After that…well, no more phone chatting, so I instead settled in my chair on the porch and soaked in the sunshine.  Brilliant blue sky.  Scents of springtime abounded.  And as I read my book (The Dragon Reborn, of course) and enjoyed the sounds of people talking all around me…I could not help but lift my eyes to the heavens and thank God for all that He has made.  Glory hallelujah.

That was yesterday and it was beautiful.  Briefly before I fly – must also mention how great Saturday night was!  Earnie and Mandy had both finally taken their PE exam on Friday and they were deliriously happy at being done with that!  Earnie feels most confident, Mandy slightly less so but I am still sure they both passed.  Anyways – since they finally now have time to have a social life again, I had them over for dinner.  I made burritos and avocado/tomato salad and we ate and talked and laughed…and many many hours later we realised it was almost 12:30 in the morning and probably a good time to part since church was indeed coming up the next (same!) day.  I just want to say though – their friendship is oh so precious to me and I am very grateful for them and the encouragement they are to me.  It even made me happy that I got to lend them a couple of my books – Revival and Revivalism by Murray and a Douglas MacArthur biography.  I love lending books to friends – it gladdens my heart!

Right.  I have now written far more than I thought I would, but I’m glad I could chronicle this wonderful past weekend.  Now, my friends, farewell.  Peace and love.

Springtime

James HoganLeave a comment

It is still…just…so…lovely outside!!  Yet again a perfect blue sky bright sunshine luscious jasmine kind of day here.  And so yes once again after work, I walked down Heights and had my (as is now tradition!) reading time on the porch there.  I keep thinking summer is here, but not yet.  Not yet.  The walk to the coffeeshop was framed in brilliantly blossoming green and flowers and all kinds of growing things…and it was all so beautiful.  It is good to consider the loving creative grandeur of our God.  And now I am back inside, about to have a relaxing sushi dinner…but thought I could at least express(faintly – oh so faintly!) the joy of my heart and the love that I feel washing over my soul.  Because, truly regardless of all the external wonders that surround, I think on the fact that I am loved by God and I realise I need no other gift than this.  The love of my Saviour.  The love of my God.

Be at peace and be at rest, all you, my dearest friends.

Gleeman

James HoganLeave a comment

So today I am…once again…but for the first time in a while…sitting at Starbucks here in Houston.  And as I let my mocha americano slightly cool so I can drink it without burning myself, I’m pondering on what to write here and as I think, I believe this will be a bit of a musical entry.  I realize I haven’t posted any of my most recent mixes(the horror!), and so I shall at least chronicle one of them this day(will save others for later on).  This is one of the mixes I did pre-Christmas, both for myself and to give a copy to Laura and Caisson!  I quite enjoy this one even though it’s quite an odd mix of alt and folk and…pop?  It makes me happy, even though it is maybe one of my most melancholy mixes yet.  If you listen to it, you’ll notice the “turn” or the “upward, boundless gaze of the heart” doesn’t come until…the last minute of the last song?  That is a rather late turn by my standards, but oh is it beautiful.  In my mind, this is a beautiful mix to play when it is grey and wet and dreary outside…bare branches waving in the wind and heart swooping to follow.  I should stop trying to describe it but merely post the tracklist.  Do be aware – it is named after one of the Ainur from the Silmarillion – the angelic being who weeps for grief and cries for mercy, even for the very foulest evildoers.  Enough dawdling pretense.  Allow me to present…The Tears of Nienna:

1. Kitchen Door – Wolf Larsen
2. Hunnie Pie – Zella Day
3. Forget About Life – Alvvays
4. Grazed Knees – Snow Patrol
5. Soon – Big Little Lions
6. Where Did You Come From – Andrew & Veda
7. Top of the Stairs – Scott Mulvahill
8. Modern Nature – Sondre Lerche
9. I Don’t Know – Benjamin Gibbard
10. Vito’s Ordination Song – Sufjan Stevens
11. Promise – Ben Howard
12. If I Go, I’m Goin’ – Gregory Alan Isakov
13. Upward Over the Mountain – Iron & Wine
14. This is What Makes Us Girls – Lana Del Rey
15. New Year’s Day – Taylor Swift
16. Day Breaks – Norah Jones
17. Liability – Lorde
18. Go Home – Julien Baker

And there you go.  Random eh?  I’m actually quite happy with it.

Now you may think I’m done with my musical talk for today but it is not to be.  I’ve spent the last hour(!!) or so updating my music metrics spreadsheet(by the way, this is my engineering side coming out…yes, I’ve made a spreadsheet to compile my music taste.  Delightfully nerdy, I know!!).  It took me a lot longer to update the artist/album counts…mostly because I didn’t realize how many mixes I’d made in 2017.  Seven!  Shockingly high count by my standards but it makes me happy too since I do like doing it.  At some point when I have more time, I may detail out some interesting(maybe) facts about my music listening…but for now, I’ll give the top nine artists on my list(for period 2015-2017, inclusive).  We have:

1. Green Day (12 tracks!)
2. Lorde (10)
3. Oh Hello’s (9)
4. The Postal Service (8)
5. Needtobreathe (7)
6. Seryn (7)
7. Switchfoot (7)
8. The Dø (7)
9. Zella Day (7)

I feel that Green Day is cheating just a bit, since I had one playlist last year(Lost and Not Yet Found) that had nine of their songs, which is practically a best-of and thus shouldn’t count…but hey, I’ll count them anyway. I do (somewhat guiltily!) love Green Day, so it’s not misleading.  The rest of the list makes sense…no big surprises.  I still have somewhat random taste, per usual.

My newest mix, which is still in my car – Never Again Sighs the Dawn – I’m still not totally sure if it’s going to be the final mix or not.  I like it…but wow, the flow is quite quirky.  (Even by my standards!!)  And it breaks some new ground in regards to country music…which may surprise a few people here and there.  Anyways, once I do finalize it I’ll eventually post tracklist here.  Eventually.  Next one I post here will be my dance CD from Christmas last year – one which Laura at least said she much enjoyed – yay!!

Ok – now I have sat here at Starbucks far too long and I really should probably get moving.  I have only talked about music today…shocking!!!  Ah well – ’tis fun to write about.  Now must get on to the rest of my day…be well my friends – go in the grace of our Lord!!!