I've got a BA in English...

...and I often find myself thinking about language. The ways we use it. The ways we don't. I often think about how our word choice reflects our world view, and how each person, coming from a different place, articulates how they view things or how they do things or whatever. For example, I've recently started going to Bible study at the church I've been going to. (I'm not going to rant about religion. Promise.) We were looking at a passage from Philippians last night, and had several different translations of the Bible. We noticed that in each translation, the word choices that each version had, was significantly different, whether through implication or different words. One of the passages said something like, "All words are inspired by God". I do not recall how the other was phrased, but it implied that all passages in the Bible might not be inspired by the deity.

This in turn led me to start thinking, as well, about how languages generally change over time. Look at Chaucer or Shakespeare for example. Really, how many people could read and understand Chaucer without a "modern translation" next to it? Even words that look similar to words used today might have had a completely different context "back in the day."

Anyway, back to the "the ways we do(n't) use words" bit. Even within the United States, do words have a different meaning. If I say, in Montana, "Hey, where's the bubbler?" I often get strange looks. In some circles, it might mean, "Where's the bong?". Most of the time, I try to explain that a "bubbler" is something one drinks from, and a "water fountain" is something at a park, usually made of stone, that spits out water and looks pretty in the summer time. People here also use the word, "sack" to mean "bag", like in the grocery store. "Do you need a sack?" When I initially heard this, my first thoughts were, "No, I don't want to be punched in the stomach," or "I haven't even started working yet. Who are you to fire me?"

Then I try to consider the "people" aspect of language. Here's where my sociology major pops it's head out. While trying to remember that people use different words based on their life experiences or the region they were brought up in, I'm often curious about how certain groups of people (or individuals, I suppose) develop the language patterns they use.

These are the things I find myself thinking about. Maybe I think too much. Maybe I'm just curious. Or, maybe, I've got too much time on my hands. Got any interesting insights? Let me know.

So it's been a while, I imagine, since I've offered any insight into the thing that has somehow managed to become my Montana life. I've recently applied to a graduate program at the University of Montana, and had an interview today. My confidence in this department isn't high, but the possibilities are endless, I suppose. I've also recently fallen in love with a guy who has a kid. This, too, is a challenge, that I am still working through. Hopefully, I will live. If I do not wind up getting into the graduate program, I don't know where I'll be. But a new plan will stick it's head out as it did last time I graduated from college. I am not, however, entirely certain I'm up for another year of Ameri*Corps. Sure, the experience has been worthwhile, and I've met some pretty cool people that I would not have otherwise met. I've come to a small town in eastern Montana, a place that I would not have come to had it not been for this. I want to find permanance. It's been great exploring, though.

...One more thing.

I feel like ranting again about my love for the Beats. Instead of ranting, I'll show instead of tell. Above: Diane di Prima. Below: a cover of Ferlinghetti's "A Coney Island of the Mind."



King of the Beats, Kerouac, with friends.

New friends from all over the place

So in a half hearted attempt to kill some time, I've decided to describe some of the new characters I've encountered over roughly the last week. Bear in mind that my descriptions might be kind of biased. But, it's kind of okay.

TJ: A guy from Baker. Dark haired and relatively funny. Went to school with Tyson, and works at a coal plant.
Beau: Funny coal miner from Wyo.
Karl: Worker for the census and apparent part hippie. Relatively funny. He too has a passion for Kerouac. He seems to be a recovering hipster. Lived in Washington (me thinks) and has friends that visit from France. He seems kind of neat.

Nothing too terribly new has happened. I've gotten to help people move, managed to adopt a roommate, and apply for both a grown up job and a grad program. While I have not heard back from either (yet), I am anticipating an acceptance letter from Missoula any time this month. (My self- faith is limited... this might not be a good first step.) I'm sure something good is bound to happen. Or so I keep telling myself.

There has also been some progress on my fundraiser. A date has been set, though I still need to hear back from the caterer and find a speaker. And some entertainment. And a band, and get some donations. The gathering donations part should be easy- Everet left a good plan laid out. I kind of like going to bother people, as well. It's a nice feeling, I guess, making new friends in the community. Despite the fact that I'm regularly confused for a young man, Montana is growing on me.

Two posts, one week. Impressive? Maybe. I've finally gotten my applications in, and I am waiting for a rebirth of wonder.... No, I'm waiting for word to start coming back about where I am going to be next year. At this point, it's more of a "Hey, I did what I could, and now it's a waiting game."

This, however, makes me impatient. So, things besides the applying for crap stuff is going relatively smoothly. Tyson is still amazing, and unfortunately, the baby's still sick. Hopefully, she'll recover quickly. Surprisingly, I miss her.

Also, I'd like to suggest that you check out this poem: I am Waiting by L. Ferlinghetti.

This is the new year?

So, small town life is really eating on me. The uncertainties that lie ahead are equally as wearing. While I recognize that the possibilities are endless, I feel as though the number of possibilities keep decreasing on a daily basis. Mostly because I a) don't think I'm good enough or b) don't feel up to writing a thousand essays. Also, c) I'm really hoping the grad school thing will work out, though I'm not entirely confident it will. I hate my lack of confidence. Any pointers on how to recover this?

At any rate, work goes. I'm doing what I can, but I can't wait to move forward. I know that I need to focus on this stage, and get stuff done (which I will), but I also feel like I'm ready to move on. There are several things I can do, but the key is bullshitting. Or something.