Singer, songwriter, and award-winning poet!

What a week! Last Thursday I went to SCC to pick up the book I was published in and listened to someone read my poem. My campus newspaper article was recently published as well--front page! On top of that, I find out from a flyer in a hallway that CU would be releasing their poetry book as well (which I have 2 poems in). I showed up last night, read both of my poems aloud, signed a couple autographs (seriously), and listened to the others read. If you haven't heard already--I received one of the Critic's Choice Awards for my poem "Lost"! This has been "look at how well Stephen writes" week apparently.
Well, as of now I am done with World Civ, piano, and voice for the semester other than my finals. The piano piece is as good as it can get, the voice one needs tweaking, and I'm currently putting together a study guide for the WC final. After Friday, I'll have 2 juries, a concert, and a written final to do.
Got a call from the campus job people today--I'll get ahold of them tomorrow and have my interview soon. Wish me luck.
I would LOVE prayers for my health, courage, and clear-mindedness for the upcoming week--I'm trying to just take it a day at a time, but it's stressful.
Song of the Day: "Take Me Away" by Avril Lavigne

Keep postin'
Steve

Finals bring stress, thoughts of murder

Long time, no blog. I've been busier than ever (this semester) with finals approaching and everything else that's going on. I have one week of classes left and a few days of exams. I have 3 written exams, a voice jury, piano jury, and a concert to do. I have found someone to accompany me for the voice jury so now we just have to work out practice times. May 4 will be my last day for the semester, ending around noon. I'm playing "Prelude in A Minor" by JC Bach and singing "What Songs Were Sung" for my juries.
Last night SCC (finally) released it's "Illuminations" publication. The parents joined me in attending the reception and reading, at which a girl read my poem aloud for all to hear. Both parents were brought to tears--which means I done good. We picked up 4 copies of the book--one for me, one for dad, one for mom, and one for Grams. I've signed my parents' copies (by request) and will sign and send my grandma's soon. Mine is the 2nd one in the poetry section. Since all my SCC courses were online, I never met my professors or fellow classmates. Last night, some of the readers were classmates of mine and I was able to put faces to names I'd seen over and over again. I also met 2 of my professors, one from African American Lit. and the other from Poetry Writing. Both were very cool and it was again nice to see who had been teaching me all that time. I told my poetry prof. how much his class meant to me and he invited me to join an online group he set up to post and critique poetry. I'll be starting that soon. Afterwards, the 'rents treated me to a great meal at Ruby Tuesdays (I had the turkey BLT club on wheatberry (?) bread and seasoned fries on the side. Dad went for the usual steak and mom had grilled chicken. It was a totally relaxed, positive evening and I REALLY needed that. Thank you God for the times like that--we all can use them. We laughed, talked, and enjoyed the evening, which I was told was "my evening".
Haven't heard about the on campus job yet, but it's a pretty sure thing. I'll also begin mowing the property on our block this weekend. Mom will be gone at a youth retreat she's in charge of, so it's just me and dad here. We're gonna haul off the old washing machine that's been in our backyard by the alley to the ag. pavillion, where they are doing the annual trash pickup for batteries, appliances, tires, oil, etc.
I've gotten my name in for campus housing next school year. It's more expensive than renting with someone, but I don't really know anyone well enough to move in with them, so we'll use fall as a get-to-know-you time. I'll have my own room (again, as always) as per my request. It costs more, but I'm eating meals at home, so it's actually cheaper than living with someone and having campus food.
This past week I had 2 quizzes and my final readings/journals of New Testament to do. I've bit off a few heads of people trying to talk with me when I was needing to get work done. I'm still in a slightly murderous mood, but I've calmed a bit now that I know I have no more homework to do--just studying and practicing.
I've painted the tire in the backyard "Fire Red" and have planted my first flower in it. I chose to start the bed with a Love Rose, which was planted on the day Pope Benedict XVI was elected. I thought that beginning the flower bed with "love" and having a rose that has red and white (papal colors) would be very symbolic and touching. I plan to add at least 3 other rose varieties this summer.
Saw the 2nd set of 1-Acts on Sunday--very funny and entertaining. One about The Odyssey was rather dull, but I give 'em props for the work.

Well, here's to a fun weekend with dad (we pray) and more studying, yardwork, housework, and such to do.

Thanks for reading--I'll keep you in my prayers; please do the same for me.

Steve

Song of the Day (yes, it's back!): "Wrap My Words Around You" from Daniel Bedingfield's "Second First Impression" CD.

Update and original work

Hey people. Finals are approaching and I've got 3 written exams, a concert, and 2 juries for applied music (solo) to do. Today I'm attending a recital for credit and asking one of the performers if they'd accompany me in my voice jury. Next week my article for Sower will be published. I might have another story published in the last paper. This week the SCC publication with my poem "A Warrior's Weapon" will be released. I'm gonna get a couple copies of that.
I saw Michelle P from MMC this week! She went to church in my town the same time I did and caught me after mass. I was floored, not expecting to see her again. We used to hang out in Chad's room a bunch. Her bf goes to CU and I think he's in my World Civ. class. It was great to talk with her.
I've applied for an on-campus job cleaning/mowing/painting---we'll see what they have me do. It's a pretty sure bet that I'll be hired. I've also got the cleaning job and 2 properties to mow for my dad, so I'll have some money for ONCE!
Today a Super WalMart opened here and I went to check it out---very large, very Walmart, very trying to be cool. I'm not against it, not for it, just accepting that this massive sign of corporate America is in my town.
Went to James Arthur Vineyards for my sister's 27th birthday. It's Nebraska's largest winery and it was a great getaway. Very peaceful with excellent wines to test--I tried Vignolles (Vin yole) which had a hint of peach--quite good. We're gonna go back closer to mom's bday when the grapes are on the vines.

Here's my poem from the MMC book "Midstream":

Start Here

I was standing in a dark room
Feeling tired and let down
I could not see to find my way
Though I looked all around

I was waiting for a lantern,
A beam to break the night
All I wanted was a leader
To get me into light

Then all at once a burst of rays
Came flooding right at me
The Lord held His arms out wide
And He said, "Come, walk with me."

"Start here when you are weary
Start here when you're alone
Start here when you are frightened
Start here when you miss home
Just ask for me and I'll be here
Making all of your paths clear
So whenever you need me, start here."


(Not my best work, but it's published)

Another original piece

This is the 2nd poem that was selected for publication in "Potpourri 2005"...enjoy. To my MMC friends, this was written while at SCC, but the image/emotion/thought comes from a moment I had while attending MMC, near Meridian Bridge in Riverside Park.

“Lost”
2004

I stand in front of my
parked car, overlooking
the Missouri River
as I contemplate my purpose.
I feel like the bridge;
holding on to two worlds
and not sure which one I belong to.
At least the water knows which way it’s going.

Ok already, I'll find some original stuff to post

Since I've had this site over a year and a number of people have wondered why I've never posted my songs, I'm going to start posting them. I will also be posting poetry. To protect my material, I will only begin with work that has been published so that there is proof to my ownership. Please do not share the work with anyone without asking me first. Thanks a ton--hope you enjoy!

“A Warrior’s Weapon”
2003

In a land not far away
A land where evil rises
And steals the light of day
With help from its disguises
A force is felt inside
And longs to be let go
A force with truth and pride
A light that yearns to show

And in these darkened times
When fools so strongly rule
A hero in his prime
Hunts the wicked and the cruel
His body like a fortress
His message like a song
A sword his mighty torturess
To the vile and the wrong

A hero with a presence
That none have known before
And faith his very essence
To win at every war
This soldier in the battle
Has a purpose and a will
That no act of hate could rattle
No force of terror thrill

What is this force within
That keeps the warrior going
And brings back light again
The rays that now are showing?
It’s a force he gives to all
Of those who sob and mope
To strengthen spirits small
The force, by name, is hope

More Fun For Ya

Bands // Song Titles
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Choose a band/or artist and answer only in song TITLES by that band:	Tori Amos
Are you female or male:	Northern Lad
Describe yourself:	Gold Dust
How do some people feel about you:	Heart Of Gold
How do you feel about yourself:	Glory Of The 80's
Describe your ex girlfriend/boyfriend:	Silent All These Years
Describe your current girlfriend/boyfriend:	I'm Not In Love
Describe where you want to be:	Ireland
Describe what you want to be:	General Joy
Describe how you live:	A Sorta Fairytale
Describe how you love:	Original Sinsuality
Share a few words of wisdom:	Take To The Sky
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