Phrases and Billy Joel..."I can't believe I live in this house!"

When Billy Joel was questioned about his most successful song, "Piano Man" he informed interviewers about his surprise at its fame. He also commented on his 'relationship' with the songs he wrote. This is what he said, "I was shocked and embarrassed when it became a hit. But my songs are like my kids and I look at the song and think: 'My kid did pretty well.'"

Well naturally I have kids as well. A type of thing I take pride in and like to see do well. Mine aren't songs by any means. They are things, like songs, that have been criticized and acclaimed and beaten down and spread around. They are my phrases.

My phrases are exactly what they are called, phrases. Phrases that I adopt or create to use in original situations. Some are completely non-sequitur. More often they are relative to a specific scenario. Some phrases I team-up with friends to make them work. It's an art really, knowing when to use them, where to use them, spotting them, inventing them. Not one I profess talent at, but one I genuinely enjoy.

So who's who among my phrases? Which one's have people loved? Hated? Laughed at? Outlawed? What were they for? Where did they come from? let's take a look.

1. "So you admit you betray me"- this one would probably still bring a rise to irate emotions in the souls of my family. This is one of two phrases that became outlawed. I was no longer allowed to say this one, after my repetitive and useless recitement of it. Origin: unknown. Purpose: none. Just one I found comical. A friend of mine really likes it. He says it is funny. He is the only one that has thought anything positive about it. Perhaps if I hadn't used it so much it would have been a successful child. *Sigh* the trials of parenthood.

2. "Keep it Bohemian!"- This is a sort of farewell that Daniel Murray and I collaborated somewhat on during a telephone conversation. It's actually created a sort of legacy for itself only in the fact that it has a derivative. I mean to say it has inspired another phrase by fellow phraseologist Daniel Murray. He goodbyes like this: "Keep it Pink!"

3. "Tango?"- This is one of, my all time favorite phrase. I use it as a synonym for fight most times. It has been used to only a happy medium and is therefore isn't so abominable to my fellow friends. Some like it and some just retort to it with, "I don't dance with men." They don't seem to understand that a Tango is not anything like dancing. More like a rumble or a scuffle, or a battle, conflict, combat, tussle, a brawl, or a quarrel. "Wanna Tango?"

4. "Ya know, back in 1940..."-This is the second phrase that has been more or less outlawed in my home. Just there though, in the outside world most people get a kick out of it. Repetition is my biggest flaw you see? It was created as a parody to the commentators on movies that will discuss the making of a film. There monologues usually go something like, "You know back in so and so when we first began to make this film..." or "You know back in so and so when I first met so and so..." and they'll do it with a little chuckle and sort of stutter a bit. It's the same story. Of course what happened to me in 1940 is never so cliche. This phrase was also very significant in the fact that it inspired my record producing, flirtatious, cigar smoking, alter-ego River Stacy.

5. "Don't talk to me about looovvveee!"- This one really is probably my favorite. It is used in the most unrelative to love times I can manage. It has people stopping there conversations very quickly with quizzical looks on my inane statement. There isn't much to stay about it, I'm not sure how I started it. I just know I looovvveee it.

6. "...I'll eat my sock"- This is one I've never really thought highly of. Not one of my my more mature phrases but one that many people enjoy hearing. It is used like this: "If you can do this I'll eat my sock." Things of that nature. Like a betting term. For all of you who I owe a footwear digestion...sorry it isn't going to happen.

7. "I inspired it"- This is a very vain phrase of mine that has me taking credit for everything. No matter what good someone can claim for themselves I would steal their thunder with, "I inspired it."

8. "I read the newspaper"- This is one I was really proud of. It gave me an excuse for knowing strange things. Random things. I love phrases that give me answers for things. But as most phrases that one likes the best go, it is one that most people never paid much attention to. This phrase is to me as "Till We Have Faces" was to C.S. Lewis. He considered it his most "mature and masterful" novel, but it was never a success.

9. "...is for children"- I like this one a lot. I say it when people ask me why I won't do something. It has a similar purpose to "I read the newspaper" I suppose I'm sort of lazy and don't want to explain 'why' most times. So these two phrases are easy answers.

10. "Friday's a Carnival"- This is sort of like a variation of "Thank God It's Friday (TGIF) I'm not sure if I'd say it was better than that aged axiom of Fridays but I like it. Something sounds appealing about Carnivals. On Fridays when I went to school this past year, there would be all sorts of hullabaloo during the football season in the parking lot in the mornings. You'd have people scooting around on bikes and airhorns blowing and writing on the cars and music jammin' and people runnin' around trading food and dressed up to support the team and it reminded me of a carnival when I walked down through it. That's one thing that inspired this litte phrase and then there is also another thing that brings us back to the introduction of this article. Billy Joel's "Piano Man" says, "...and the Piano it sounds like a carnival." I like it. It's another of my more mature phrases.

These of course aren't all of my phrases. If you have a favorite, let me know in the comment section of this blog please. It would make my day.

Television Shows

I've always said that, for the most part, television shows should depict the type of life we would like to have with all its virtuous joys. While movies and other dramatizations could cover the rest of the world's emotions, both bitter and sweet.

My personal preference of envy in the "happy-ending" utopia world of television is their never-tiring willingness to help one another regardless of the time and effort it took to do. You all will see these things to be true if you take a more careful look your next viewing. You'll see someone's feelings hurt or them befallen into any sort of trouble. A friend. A family member. Even someone that is an enemy, but undeserving still of whatever detriment comes their way. Then you'll see various other members of the cast come together and state the problem to one another, question amongst them what to do, devise a plan, carry out the plan with usually at least one failure (depending on the lengthyness), and come up with another that either works or makes the person feel better due to all the attention and love.

Why can we not take each others problems and feelings as seriously as those who have to make a half hour plot out of it? If we didn't always write it off as a "better them than me" scenario think of the change that would happen. What if we did a whole lot more thinking on how to cheer our neighbor up when they were down in the dumps. What if we went the extra mile in trying to solve an issue in another's walk. What if we had a laugh track everytime someone cracked a joke, or a dramatic score everytime someone lost a job or a friend, what if some unseen audience was heard applauding everytime we entered a room. What if friends were friends. What if everyone was cared about, everyone was noticed, everyone had a role to play, everyone was...loved.

The Unsaid

Sometimes I get this...feeling I guess you could call it. It's amazing. It's a rush, a chill, a refreshment. It's so fragile you are afraid to even address it. You have to concentrate everything on it so it won't go away. It's like the painstaking task of getting a fire started. It's like the feeling of everything coming together. A feeling that has been absent to me for a while. Here it is now, however.

I'm not sure if I could call it something even if I was prepared to try. It's flickering right now. Smoldering. I've no doubt that the flame will come. But right now shhh be very quiet. Don't speak of it. Spare its innocence. Leave it in the mists of mystery and anticipation for now. But don't stop at anything until it is birthed into a beautiful blaze.

"Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come for miles to watch you burn."

John Wesley

Ecuador

Years ago, before I had any knowledge of the significance of the documentation of important dates, I was impressed to waddle my tiny self over to a kiosk, or booth, if you will. I don't remember any of the elements of this booth that was situated near the wall in the back of the sanctuary of my church. I don't remember any personalities that stood nearby if there were any. All I remember is taking a wallet-sized card that depicted a photograph of two young missionaries. On the back it read "Missionaries to the Amazon Jungle of Ecuador." There names, Joil and Leah Marbut. That night, whatever date and time it may have been I was determined to one day set my feet on that countries soil, with my feet of course "shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace" (Eph. 6:15).

A lot has occurred since this time. I remember the day I first saw Joil Marbut in person. I had gone to work with my youth pastor uncle, Steve Robertson. While goofin' off through the halls of the church after having completed the address stickers on hundreds of mail-out cards, there he walked right past me. I hadn't the courage to say anything, I was young and excited to see a hero of mine.

I remember much later when I myself was in the youth group at our church, and he came to speak. Again I was filled with a deep admiration. Once more the yearning for the country of Ecuador began to well up inside of me. I listened as he explained how long he had had the boots he wore and how he had gotten them resoled. I was inspired and on fire. I would go to the country of Ecuador, South America, if it killed me.

One trip came and passed without my attendance. Lives were changed and stories were told. I was envious, angry, sad, happy, inspired. I was saving money like mad. I was going to go. I just had to wait 'til next time.

Then something extraordinary happened. I became affiliated with a young lady named Sarah Jane Murray. All we had in common on our introduction was television comedy "I Love Lucy", but later it became obvious that our similarities went much deeper than a sitcom about a inane redhead. We both had Ecuador on our minds and in our hearts.

The next trip was here, and my departure was again impossible, but lots of luck and love was wished towards the team. This time feelings were different. I wanted to go with all of my heart, but I couldn't. I helped a tiny bit on the fundraisers and I prayed hard for them every night, but all for the sidelines. Well...all things tangible were on the sidelines, but there are other parts of the human creation, and all of that was completely and totally in Ecuador.

The year is now 2009. My best friend gave me a journal, and went on her way to Ecuador to live with my childhood heroes. (Isn't God's hand amazing)? On June 27, 2009, Mitchell Capps is going to get on a plane or so and make his way to a place only dreamed of. There are not words to thank God for how much it is going to mean to me. There is not gratitude so great as to fully appreciate those who made it happen. There are no words, thoughts, or feelings that can touch on explanation of what this is to me. It's really been my biggest goal since then. If you asked me if I could do anything in the world what would it be, I could answer very quickly. I've got a brand new wallet-size in my billfold now with two new members, Drew and Will. Emelia also joins the family, glory to God. The back still reads "Missionaries to the Amazon Jungle of Ecuador" and they're faces still read a high degree of passion for the security of the Ecuadorians' eternal spirits. I wish to share in that passion, with permanent changes in my heart and other's...

I'll leave the rest to God.

Morality and Newspapers

Today my brother Wes, Daniel Murray, and I went to Wal-Mart. We were in front of the building and Wes was purchasing a newspaper out of the machine. When he exchanged three quarters for entrance into the box I questioned my comrades, "What keeps one from taking more than one?" My brother answers with the expected offering, "Morality." Of course he is right, and of course many people do not abide by any such moral code. Yes, many people will take more than one paper for three quarters. At the same time, there was still a stack of papers in there and surely someone had come to the machine before us....Morality is not dead. I watched as my brother continuously slipped quarters in to retrieve more papers as opposed to breaking the honor code. No citizens, morality isn't dead. When the day comes that you see an empty newspaper machine with only three quarters in it, then we are on the brink. But as for right now. It isn't quite the end of the world.

Proverbs...Wise Man I

The book of Proverbs. A wise man once discussed with me the pros of really getting into the book of Proverbs. It tells you how to be a man of integrity. A good son, husband, father, businessman. It teaches you how to be just and the importance of seeking wisdom. Right now it's important that I focus on becoming the man God needs me to be. Chapter one in the book of Proverbs is a great place to start. The forging of one's character begins with obedience. Then, as you become more concrete in your faithfulness, God will begin to take who you are and tear it down, so that He may fashion his own work in your spirit. I have far to go. I need humility, courage, wisdom, painful honesty, productiveness, patience, self-control, and many other virtues. God can certainly instill these traits into me. If I want them. He has made us creatures of free will. I want it bad. The acquisition, I suppose, is just all part of the truly...Classical Ride.

Mom and Dad

The predominant percentage of what kind of character a man or woman will take on is made up of: where they were brought up, under what conditions they were brought up, and most importantly by whom they were brought up. I've had no experience in the field of raising kids, but I believe it must be a very difficult job. Like my math teacher always says, it comes with no owner's manual.

My parent's have done an incredible job and I seek to honor them with this blog. No one has worked harder to make things good for me and no one has looked out for my best interest more. No one has sacrificed as much, given as much, or tried as hard as these two incredible individuals. Furthermore No one has sacrificed as much, given as much, or tried as hard as this incredible team. They've hung in there when I've been selfish and troublesome (to say the least). Always there, always open, and always willing.

So here's to you my two great parents. I love you both. Thanks for playing the key roles in my exciting, eventuful, and always...Classical Ride.

Sarah Jane Murray

On the 27th of May, that is next Wednesday, my very best friend will begin an adventure that will by all means change her life forever. I'll not speak on how much I will miss her right yet. This post isn't about me. It's about her. She is an incredible girl embarking on an incredible journey. She has made this decision without any inhibition of self, the cost has been counted, but disregarded. She has a servants heart, and she will be sharing it with two inspirational missionaries, Joil and Leah Marbut. They are an incredible couple and Sarah Jane is in good, capable, perfect hands that will guide her and keep her safe. I don't refer to Joil and Leah's hands, but to God's. If anyone is along for this ride, remember this extraordinary girl when you pray to the Lord. In the book of Daniel chapter 9 verse 23 it says "The moment you began praying a command was given." In the book of James chapter 5 verse 16 it says "...the prayers of a righteous man are powerful and effective." Your prayers make a difference. God listens. Please pray for her safety and that God would go before her. Pray that as God changes the lives of others through her that He would also begin to further mold her into the girl that He wants her to be. I also encourage everyone to follow her blog closely at

http://mitiocbygrace.blogspot.com/ it's going to be great. Count on it. That's about all I know I guess. I love you Sarah Jane Murray, and I'm right here praying for you.

What is eternal?

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra (rock orchestra who are infamous for there metal/classical renditions of traditional Christmas songs) asks this question in the titles to one of their songs.

"What is eternal?"

It's a good question.

Everything we do is eternal in one way or the other. Even if we do nothing, we are accountable. So our actions are eternal.

The tangible things we have on earth, our possessions that is. They will pass away in time. So our possessions are not eternal.

Having been taught this, and having this infallible knowledge. Why am I yet to publish a post with real and steadfast permanence?

This blog is a waste of time unless it permeates obsessively and blatantly why I live.

Love is the only thing I'm taking with me.

"If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn't love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I knew all the mysteries of the future and knew everything about everything, but didn't love others, what good would I be? And if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, without love I would be no good to anybody. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it, but if I didn't love others, I would be of no value whatsoever.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love will last forever, but prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will all disappear. Now we know only a little, and even the gift of prophecy reveals little! But when the end comes, these special gifts will all disappear. It's like this: When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly as in a poor mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me now.

There are three things that will endure--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love."

1 Corinthians 13

"Love Christ, Love others, Love the world"

Song: http://www.rhapsody.com/-search?query=What%20is%20Eternal&searchtype=RhapTrack

Lyrics: http://www.rhapsody.com/trans-siberian-orchestra/beethovens-last-night/what-is-eternal/lyrics.html

Sunday

On Sunday everything feels exactly as it should be everyday. I'm a big fan of Sundays. Like today, I awoke and took a shower. Then I went downstairs to eat a breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, and cinnamon rolls. Afterwards I read the funny page, whilst drinking a cup of coffee. Then I went back upstairs to check my email and start this blog. It's raining outside as I type, how refreshing. Later I will get dressed and go to church. World Outreach Center. I'll worship the Lord, for surely he deserves it, and study the word. I'll assist in the children's church after the first service. Later, I'll go to my grandmother's to eat lunch. Roast beef this week I believe. Later I'll go back to the church again and hopeful help out in the family night. All in all it's a beautiful day. Sunday is refreshing. Just another landmark day in the always...Classical Ride.

Trials of One Sort

There is a burning sensation in my eyes right now. Only touching on the pain that was charged as consequence to my carelessness in the woods. The allergin is still a mystery to me, but it has returned for the third time without question. The question is whether or not I will have the will power to contain it to my eyes. I fear sleeping, for that is when the toll is taken drastically. That is when the swelling, blistering, itching, tormenting disease takes hold. Curses on the vile rash, wherever it comes from. There's just no relief from it. I would prefer any physical pain known to me thus far in its stead. I can't think of anything that would wear me down more. Is it a big deal? Yes I would say so, to me. You have different trials in your life. Physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional. This was most likely by biggest physically. I would go on to say that of the trials, physical tests are the least character building. However, all of the trials effect one another. A physical trial can easily take a toll on your emotions. Likewise, a mental issue would be a mild catalyst to a small spiritual problem. But for right now, all is well and I am enjoying my day. I'm holding down the fort on the circulation of this hellish infection. Not to mention my demeanor is brightened by the anticipation of a cup of coffee I will be sharing later with my greatest friend. Happiness is....

"Security" and Good Night

Tonight I was impressed (please don't always take that word as a positive thing) by a conversation I was a silent participant to (a.k.a. eavesdropper). It was between my respectably, and unfortunately unrecognized father, and a relative/friend, I don't know. Anyways, they swapped statistics about the amount of years left until they could draw social security and when, perhaps, might be the most strategic time to retire. In the mix I believe they also shared the amount of years they have already spent (yes, spent, like used up; exhausted of active or required components or qualities for a particular purpose; drained of energy or effectiveness [merriam-webster]) in their personal fields. Amidst the dialogue from the over-dramatized modern Andy Griffith Show I swore to myself that would not happen to me. I can't get a grip on the thought that I might graduate from high school with dreams of a memorable and productive journey and end up...well like this: Say I got to college for a solid for years. Enough to get a degree and come out with a good paying job. Then I'll get married and have thirty kids (yes, it is a hyperbole) and get a house that's bigger than I need and a lot of frivolous no account possessions. Things are going great, except I'm ill most times and I can't really do anything, because I'm tied to my self-inflicted duty. I can't put my family at risk. So steadily, steadfastly, and with a whole lot of love for my family I go to work with my imaginary umbrella to block off the all too real drizzling doldrums of the day. Everyday living for retirement, wasting the time in between, wishing the days away. Sort of like the student who wishes the "care-free" school days away and weeps upon his departure. When I finally get there, what then do I live for? I've finally gotten the end I desired. My children are gone along with my youth. My life isn't over, but so many opportunities are. Right now, before everyone I commit my life to whatever God has designed it to be. But unless his sovereign purpose intervenes, I refuse to live for Social Security. I pledge myself to a life of accomplishment and legacy....Ok wait I need to stop. This sounds like a knock on a life that is defined by working and getting paid until retirement. Not at all. There is plenty of room for a life of incredible purpose in the day-to-day itinerary of that lifestyle. I don't believe it is for me. I want to give up things. I want to sacrifice. I want more responsibility than I can handle for the glorification of Who is truly good.

The night has been something beautiful. My brother graduated, I spent...er...excuse me...I had quality time with my most wonderful family. A classy collection of people. I shared precious moments with my more precious friends, and the conversation continues until the night concludes with the commencement of my slumber. Good Night...oh! Good Morning says the clock, I had lost track of the time. Well sleep well, may God's peace be with you and may all your dreams be pleasant and inspiring. I love you all and pray nothing but the best for you. For those of you who cared, thank you. Yes thank you for tagging along on the ever and always...Classical Ride.

Genesis

Genesis. The origin or coming into being of something (merriam-webster). The beginning, the alpha, the start, the dawn. The Prologue, the Introduction, Act I, the preface. The prelude, the preamble, the maiden voyage, the premiere. Thus commences my blog. My periodic reflections on the world, religion, politics, people, the good, the evil, music, literature, the cinema, science, feelings, love, hate, life. A journey. Often too simple, just as often too complicated. It's been taken for granted and wasted, probably just as often as it's been lived to the fullest. Ha, forgive my attempted depth. What can I say, I now have a new place to talk to anyone who will listen. Without a doubt someone will. Before I go further, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Mitchell Capps. Stay with me now, because if you are reading this you are now along for the ride. One great, and adventurous...Classical Ride.