Tag: journal

James HoganLeave a comment

I really don’t like being sick, because it’s so…annoying. I feel like I haven’t had energy in so long and I would be most happy if my coughing would go away. And I wanted to write an entry in here tonight about music and its intoxicating effect on our emotions and its mirroring of our deepest pleadings of our heart…and the joys and dangers thereof. BUT. I am sick. And therefore my energy to write is rapidly waning. I am displeased with myself. So, hold me to this promise to write that entry some other time…when my strength matches my will!

And now it’s time for dinner and bed. Hurrah for the simple things of life!

James HoganLeave a comment

Don’t have time for a long entry, but thought I’d just dash off a quick note as I wait for my mac-and-cheese to finish cooking! I think I can even hold this to a paragraph! First of all, I’m looking forward to the next couple months because two of my fav bands(Relient K and Muse) are coming out with new albums within a month of each other this fall!!! And secondly, Dream and David are now married. And that really deserves a whole BOOK to write about the awesomeness of their wedding and the joyous sunlit promise of their lives to come!!!! BUT thirdly, my dinner is ready. Farewell all! Have a sweet evening!!

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

HOUSTON, what!

That’s right, I’m now working full time with Cameron and living in my own apartment and a thousand miles away from most of my friends. Is this what “real life” is all about???

Two things I’ve learned about Houston that I shall kindly pass along:

Number 1: It is hot here. Very very hot. So hot that in the thirty seconds it takes for me to get into my car and drive, I get a lovely sheen of sweat on my face. I used to think Florida was just as hot. I was wrong.

Number 2: There are some sweet(and by sweet I mean insane) road systems in Houston. Driving the beltway in the morning really reminds me that I’m ALIVE, blood pumping through my veins and cars roaring by. You most definitely have to be on your game to drive in Houston!!

And before you all get the wrong idea, I really do enjoy Houston. I’ve already found an awesome church(Baptist Church of the Redeemer!) and I’ve had some good times hanging out with my work people!

But hey, I still miss y’all. A lot.

Oh and one more note…just got my first ever digital camera…arrived today!! I haven’t opened it yet – been whetting my anticipation by waiting all night. So expect for me to have some pictures of H-Town soon!!

Oh and one more random story that was almost tragic but ended up in a rather delicious manner…last night I was making some chicken parmesan (first epic meal in the new place!) when a giant thunderstorm attacked my neighborhood…the lightning and thunder was nonstop and I was just a tad nervous. Still, I was just minding my own business frying chicken when the power went out. Power being out meant that my stove did not work which meant that I could not finish my meal! Thankfully…within about 20 minutes the power came back on and I completed my dinner and ate it…albeit at around 10:30 at night. And it WAS delicious.

And now…I’m off. I think ’tis time to play with my new camera.

James HoganLeave a comment

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. -John 1:1-5

How can you read that and NOT be blown away…well, I was just hammered by the truth and utter awesomeness of those few verses…despite all the lies and craziness and deceit and injustice and selfishness and arrogance and hatred that go on in this world…there is truth – there is the Word. And what a comfort that is!!!!

James HoganLeave a comment

Today was a sweeet day. Celebrated Laura’s 16th(WHAT!?) b-day since I’ll be gone when it’s her actual birthday…we made delicious cinnamon rolls in the morning(with coffee of course!) and finished off the day with chocolate pie and watching Two Towers…oh yes!! Also got to eat lunch at Friday’s with Chris and Liz…good times talking about our fav books(I have so many new book series I now want to read thanks to Liz!) and Muse(I still think Black Holes is the better album, Chris!) and other awesome randomness – man, I realized I’ve known Chris for so long and it was quite…sad…saying goodbye, not knowing when the next time we’ll be together is. Wow, is this what being an adult is like…? So many of my best friends that I’m leaving…but all I can say is, I’m just ever so thankful that I’ve had such sweet friends in the first place. Ah, God is good!! And now it is getting late…so farewell!!

Oh and…

Last night in Tampa.

Tomorrow…Houston bound.

Time to rock and roll, y’all.

James HoganLeave a comment

Time for bed soon(it is getting LATE!) but just wanted to say that the last few days have been pure awesomeness…hanging with the fam, breakfast with David yesterday, lunch with mom yesterday and lunch with Laura today, sweet time at Rays game tonight with whole family(first time Maryanne and Laura had been to a pro baseball game – it was an awesome game, we beat the Angels 11-1, yeah!)…oh yeah and Houston?

I’ll be there in four days. Eek.

I feel like I’m Bilbo the hobbit, saying farewell to all my favorite haunts in Tampa…oh how I will miss Florida.

But now, bedtime!! Goodnight all!!

James HoganLeave a comment

Wow, has it been just…an amazingly awesome last few days. And those words really DO NOT adequately say what I’m feeling. Just because I’m terrible with words and all…getting your emotions onto the printed page? Not easy.

But even though these past few days are worthy of pages of writing(don’t leave – I won’t really write that much!!), I really do need to go to sleep soon because church is in the morning and getting eight hours of sleep would really be quite delightful!

But yeah…let me at least briefly describe what I’ve been doing recently. Went back to Gainesville this past Wednesday…one last hurrah!! On Wednesday night, got in and chilled with Rob for a while…was so good to just hang with him and talk and….have great times. I have to say, I’ve had lots of good friends…but never one quite like him. And I am most exceedingly grateful to my Father for blessing me so!!!!

I will not be derailed too much in this brief recap though…! And so Wednesday night was suitably glorious for my return(me and Rob and Andrew ended up watching a movie that will remain nameless, but started with “Pride” and ended with “Prejudice”. Hey. Don’t judge) and ended with me reading some classic Lord of the Rings as I drifted off to sleep(nothing better than reading about sleepy willow trees to help you go to sleep!).

And Thursday started just as relaxingly…sleeping in late and eating crispy bacon with the dudes…yesss. Later that night, me and Rob headed over to Dan and Betsy’s house for just pretty much the most perfect night…playing horseshoes in the rain…grilling and eating deliciousness…talking for hours on end…and just soaking in the blessings of such sweet fellowship!!! You know those friends who you can just talk to about ANYTHING…and whom you just CONNECT to? Well, my conversations with Rob and Dan and Betsy are just always amazing because they’re those type of friends…a communion of love, indeed. So that night…well…just YES.

And the next day was just as sweet. Wow, looking back on it, I really can’t believe how awesome all these days have been!! And I’m rapidly falling asleep, so I better stop rambling and hurry up! But yeah, did some errands in the pouring down rain in the morning(cut my hair…it is so short now, eeek!) and then in the afternoon went to see Rebekah Hope! She’s been staying at her family’s lake house after her surgery, so a bunch of us went to chill with her…it was a pure delight to see her again!! And that evening, prayer and praise. For one last time! We ate delicious spaghetti and read through 1 Thessalonians and sang and talked about controversial topics and prayed and worshiped God. And that really says enough. Oh, and we ended that night with some delicious coffee(Laurie made it – how I will miss her! And not just for her coffee!)

And this morning(we’re finally to today!) began as all mornings should. At the disc golf course. Me and Rob and Galan and Deanna and Shari and Laurie and David and George and Becca went over to Northside park and hit up the course bright and early(8:30 IS early, I swear!) and it was ever so beautiful…I love doing things early in the morning and watching the wisps of fog melt away as the sun hits them and seeing the sparkling dew on the grass and feeling the very first hints of the sun and watching the clouds form in the sky…and walking through all of this with your very best friends. Truly, I’m going to miss this.

And now, I’m home in Tampa. And while I love my friends OH SO MUCH, I also love my fam and it was so good to be back with them and talk with my dad and mom and chat about random stuff with Laura and Maryanne in my room and just relax on my bed. And speaking of bed. It is time. I think I said this was going to be a short entry. Oops. You all have permission to slap me next time you see me!

And I really want to write a more insightful entry about college and my feelings about leaving it…and yes, that will probably also be a very long entry. Alas, now is not the time. And I feel my heart is too full…as I have said before and will say again, I feel so overwhelmed by the goodness of the Lord. I can never stop thanking Him for his marvelous blessings to me and for the friends and brothers and sisters He has given me in this life…and I can never stop praising Him for His love that extends over the heavens and is greater than the seas…and I can never forget the works He has done in my life with His mighty hand…and all I can do is love Him. Because He loved me first.