Renaissance Man Set in Motion

Scott and I wearing hats Edward Brought us from Indonesia

Day One. Judging form the above picture, need I really say more? *smiles*

My anticipation over the end of summer, the day just before yesterday, is gone. It has happend and I will not frown because it is over but instead smile because it happend--that is what makes all the difference for me.

So the past is past: my studies at Lone Star and my work at Chick Fil A are complete. Now I am officially moved into campus at Houston Baptist University for my second year of school and third semester at the university where I'll be continuing my undergard studies in Spanish, Christianity, Chemistry, and continuing my specific interest and major field of study in Mass Communications and Film Production.

For any of you who are interested in the specific courses I'll be taking, I have Spanish Proficiency, Christian Doctrine, Intro to Chemistry, and TV Production II.

Along with my studies I'll also be actively working with the Rex Fleming Players, a student organization dedicated to providing a visual arts experience in performance and technical theatre. I am the Players' Historian and am looking very much forward to taking pictures of our activities and writing stories of our adventures.

Speaking of adventures...

I got to go on one just last night but I'll chronicle that a little later...

For now I just want to send a brief update of my life's happenings--I am safe, I am content, and I am deeply blessed.

Though I'll be living on campus, I am very happy to be living so close to home giving me the opportunity to spend great quality time with the family on the weekends.

As for some of my projects and challenges...

The Library is still under construction but has gone through great progress. The shelves and books are very organized though I am yet to archive them into my computer and was recently informed that along with the four some odd boxes stacked in the corner of the room there is also a closet full to sort through.

I do not believe I've taken the time to report on the pleasure of my recent readings of CS Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia. Another challenge I set for myself is to read the entire Chronicles out loud to my siblings. Right now we're nearly finished with Voyage of the Dawn Treader and is turning out to be quite the favorite among Russell and Madylin who are nine and seven years old respectively. Sometimes I have some difficulty getting Madylin to sit still and listen. Russell on the other hand is so intrigued by the readings that sometimes he won't let me tuck him into bed unless I try to read at least one more chapter. Even if I did succumb to his demands, he'd still want to stay up and listen to another so I often must refuse him; however, it's such a wonderful delight to see how much they both are enjoying the stories. Just before tucking them in, I also do a small scripture reading in proverbs and always try to emphasize in our prayers the importance of wisdom before understanding and the fear of the Lord and constant pursuit of Him and His Kingdom--walking with Him always and forever.

We use to be able to read nearly ever night but now that I'm on campus, I'll have to reserve a very special time over the weekend to continue reading to them. I hope to read to them many stories by many authors before the Fall and Winter are through.

Along with that I also hope to do some of my own reading. I've become so intrigued by literature lately that I've decided to really get involved with the classics and catch up on some of the greatest literature, romantics, and even fairy tales. I owe a dept of gratitude to some very special students--who are very special friends--for this new passion of mine. Their interest in traditional art and the amount of knowledge and experiences they have had and shared is far beyond describable and it is difficult to fully express how thankful I am to receiving such a wealth of unsurpassable desire for that which is truly worth pursing--worlds created with words.

With such words I hope to transport to places and experience things I've never even dreamed of or seen in life or movie screens.

Though many of us age physically and may only apear to be a certain age, something I've discovered about learning and reading is the gaining of experience. Though one may look and even feel old physically it is not quite the same as looking and feeling old with experience and thus I believe I've discovered a way to feel more alive with longevity and while also gaining a more satisfied and prudent devotion to God and His wonderful creation.

So this semester's theme and focus:

"Aging with Experience, Experience with Reading, Reading with Passion."

Of course I plan to chronicle and write here daily or as often as I can. For now expect some of my in-depth discoveries from my classes and my readings and even more so with the social happenings here at the school. I also have some pretty amazing friends here on campus that are really more like family whom I also wish to share many great and amazing adventures with.

The curent party and story continues with Myself, Edward, Gabrielle, and John and...

"The Midnight Wal-Mart Raid"

Peace Out! ^_^ \/

~The Renaissance Man aka Rob :)

"My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer."

Fire Eyes

by Rob Oakley

Passion filled desires leaves it's presence on a weary heart

Fire Eyes stare back and scream it's never easy for a start

working night and day on things that never really seem to pay

my head is sweaty, these hands are bloody, and I'm still not listening

dreams seldom put to sleep these visions

all I thought I needed was a little provision

like fire needs air while chocking on it's smoke

Light a flame

watch embers burn

slowly vaporized

Light my eyes

See a soul that's torn

now only tranquilized

For Fire Eyes stare back and scream it's never been easy

can't feel the passion, can't see through my gaze

Fire Eyes fixed betwixt a promise of heaven and this hellish haze

What feels so temporary and worth only something in the end?

Fire Eyes now turned to ash,

blind (so blind)

but can finally see...

this passion filled heart of mine was never meant for me.

"My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer."

A Simple Nothing

Some beginnings start with a simple nothing. A quite sort of nothing, the nothing you might have heard just before opening the cover of a book. Quietly turning a few pages, the eyes close for a moment just before the first chapter seeing nothing but the back of the eye lids and a dark sort of nothing; a familiar yet queer darkness that one rarely sees. The page turns, a slight rubbing of fine paper grains grind together—a sound much like the string of a universe colliding with another. The eyes open wide to gaze upon a title and a descriptive line of entire realms one may have only dreamed. To think it all could be created within a blink. But that is just the start as one begins to read, a world begins to grow! Though as loud as a bang and quick and bright as lightning an adventure then unfolds leading you, dear reader, wherever you want to go.

"My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer."

eltiT

So new post... It's late at night and lately I haven't been sleeping well. In fact, I would diagnose myself with mild insomnia. My last post was exciting and all about challenging myself and accomplishing goals and well I would like to report that these goals are being met that my challenges are being conquered but this is (in reality) a vague truth. Though to a great degree I've accomplished some of the things I've set out to do, I still am always left with a feeling of malcontent... The library bookshelves are very well stocked and in an orderly fashion. Yet, the room is still very disorganized as I am in great need of more shelves to say that this project can be fully complete. *sigh* And yes, this is some of what has kept me up at night lately.

It sounds so ridiculous but it's the truth but yet still vague because there are several other things that keep me up at night--like the horror of my dreams...

Not nightmares for I do not have many nightmares but rather dreams that are so realistic and even so perfect that I fear not the dream... But waking up from the dream...

Time seems to move so quickly now and days and staying up late I guess is one way I try to slow time down but it only makes me extremely tired and drowsy for the coming day rendering me quite useless and even dead to some degree. So I think I shall try to sleep at a regular schedule but oh how I frown upon the coming day, oh how I wish not to face it just yet...

I've come to feel like all the responsibilities I have has only made me into a more irresponsible person that if I cannot 100% dedicate myself to one thing and one thing only I'll go mad! I'm not big into multitasking.... It makes one tend to forget a great deal about well... Details... And I'm a very forgetful sort of person.

Now I feel like I'm just rambling. It's nice to ramble. It's even nicer to have someone listen to it.... I don't know why I feel the need to post this but perhaps someone will find it beneficial in some way though it really is only helping myself.

I feel like such a selfish person and just by admitting it makes me feel all the more selfish.

I just need to sit awhile...

And do...

Nothing...

*laughs softly*

I find that a bit Ironic... Because as I sit and hope not to ponder, I'll still be doing something and it makes no deference stealing so much time from myself by just trying to do nothing.

So that's the end of it. I'll think of nothing more to say... Though as this post is published I'll still be typing away in the far depths of my mind typing untold stories of a hell that torments my soul. Not knowing, not knowing, not knowing, not knowing, not knowing...

Where--that is--to where I am going...

Goodnight, I bid you all ado... Sleep well and do tell me how it is you feel? Tomorrow, let me not know who you are. Today, please say you'll give me just the chance to know that yesterday was truly worth the while; that I can sleep tonight in peace; the next day is but a skip. But now into a dream I go repeating the desire, the fear, and the creation of a world most fare but seldom and wild--beyond my reach-- and out of my control.

"My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer."