becoming bugs bunny

Buy Nothing Day

2007-11-22T20:26:00.001-08:00

Yes!

Sent to you by matthew l via Google Reader:

Buy Nothing Day

via Walk Slowly, Live Wildly by Sara on 11/22/07

It's that time again! That's right. Friday is Buy Nothing Day. Check it out.

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A grown-up sort of Christmas.

2006-12-15T12:42:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you write a whole paragraph only to delete it, but somehow this paragraph provides the foundation for the one that follows.

I sat down to write about Christmas and how I'm finally getting it. I wanted to say that I've had an epiphany that has somehow made the whole consumer culture thing foreign to me. So, I pretended for one paragraph, deleted, and now I'm starting over because the truth is that I've had no such epiphany.

I'm only less of a consumer this year because my pockets are typically twenty-something - shallow and holey.
I want to find a new place of contentment. As it is, I'm in a cylce of chasing the fulfillment of wants and created needs. I'm on the hunt for the next thing before I've taken the last out of its packaging. I need to be happy with what I have. I need to be a better steward of what I've been given. Today, I'm not even happy with my life because it's all out of order. It's not that the things I need aren't there; they're just out of order.

If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
- Jesus, Matthew 6:30-33

Preoccupied: ding ding ding! It's okay, I guess, for a five-year-old to lose sleep for curiosity of what's under the tree, but for me, at twenty-two, I will respond to God's giving this year by acknowledging that every good gift comes from His hand. I will be content with what I have. I will respond to God's giving by giving what I have out to those who have less than me.

Maybe I should of thought about that when I was cheating.

2006-12-14T10:30:00.000-08:00

I cheated.

Already.

Last night: a Life Group Christmas Party with all the eats to satisfy a room full of sweet teeth. I thought "Oh, come on! It's Christmas!" and didn't enjoy one bite. (Okay, I really did. Whatever.)

But not to the extent that I enjoyed the rest of my lean, cleansing, day of greens and carrot juice and brown rice.

Lesson learned: it's really never worth it. In fact, the appeal of cheating was purely social - a desire to be a part of the Christmas festivities, which traditionally include gluttony. This "party-only policy" would work if I could contain splurges to these one-or-two-hour get-togethers, but I'm so all-or-nothing; my cheating cycle extended to today's lunch. If I had abstained from the cookies, the hot cocoa, the candy last night, I would still be riding the tide of a successful yesterday. As it is, I feel defeat and the sense of procrastination that follows. (Why do today what you can do tomorrow?)

Solution: keep going. Learn the lesson. Start over.

btw: I wasn't the fatty I would have been if I had gone to the party without any goals. So, really, isn't this a success story?

Mourning the loss.

2006-12-13T11:21:00.000-08:00

This plan has many challenges, to which I have risen with more courage than qualms. No more carbs, no anything processed, no meat, no butter.

But the most difficult of all? No coffee.

I've heard it takes three weeks to break your system of coffee/caffeine-dependency. I've also heard the benefits of Hallelujah are better than coffee: freeing up the energy your body uses to digest food. (Doesn't anorexia do the same thing?)

But I'm not breaking. I know coffee would slow the process of detoxification - which, ultimately is a process that will rid me of the need for caffeine's energy. What I'm going for here is nutrient energy, not chemical.

I've had two cups of green tea with honey (Stash loose leaf tea steeped in a French Press).

Lunch today was a bit of a cheat: Pei Wei Spicy Korean Vegetables and Tofu over brown rice.

Two hours into this venture:

2006-12-13T08:31:00.001-08:00

My stomach is screaming for something to fill it. Hunger is such a foreign feeling to me. Anne Lamott writes of her own discovery of hunger in her book, Traveling Mercies. Unlike her, I'm not bulimic. Well, I am. I just don't purge. Like her, I eat when it's time - three or more times a day with a few bites in between. (It's so convenient that few is such a vague term right now!) It's like I have a fear of being empty - "always hungry or stuffed, but never full" (Lamott, paraphrased). I compulsively fill myself with whatever numbs me to my hunger. Hmm... revelation.

Becoming Bugs Bunny.

2006-12-13T06:23:00.000-08:00

I'm doing it. I'm going on this vegan, granola, carrot juice thing that's supposed to make my number one look like fruit punch. The Hallelujah Diet was written by Reverend George Malkmus, and it's going to make me look fabulous. Here's the deal:

Breakfast

Upon rising, take one serving of BarleyMax®, either in capsule or powder form. (Take the powder dry, dissolving it in the mouth, or mix it in a few ounces of distilled water at room temperature or carrot/vegetable juice.) Do not have any cooked food or foods containing fiber at this meal as these hinder the cleansing process while the body eliminates accumulated toxins.

Mid-Morning

Drink an eight-ounce glass of fresh carrot/vegetable juice. If fresh juice is not available, a serving of CarrotJuiceMax™ or BeetMax, or a piece of juicy, fresh fruit is second best.

Lunch

Before lunch, have another serving of BarleyMax®. Thirty minutes later, eat either a raw vegetable salad or raw fruit lunch. Limit your fruit consumption to 15% or less of total daily food intake. Lunch is also an all-raw meal, as cooked food is typically limited to the evening meal on The Hallelujah Diet®. (If you have cooked food at lunch, make sure dinner is an all-raw meal to maintain the benefits of The Hallelujah Diet®.)

Mid-Afternoon

Drink an eight-ounce glass of fresh carrot/vegetable juice. If fresh juice is not available, a serving of CarrotJuiceMax™ or BeetMax, or some carrot or celery sticks are second best.
Supper Before supper, have another serving of BarleyMax®. Thirty minutes later, eat a LARGE green salad comprised of leaf lettuce along with a variety of vegetables. (Do not use head lettuce as it has very little nutritional value.) After the salad comes the only cooked food of the day – the 15% cooked food portion that is allowed on The Hallelujah Diet®. This can be a baked potato, brown rice, legumes, steamed veggies, whole grain pasta, a veggie sandwich on whole grain bread, baked sweet potato, squash, or any other type of whole grain or vegetable. (If desired, Lunch and Supper can be switched, but only one meal should contain cooked food on any given day.)

Evening

If desired, a piece of juicy, fresh fruit or a glass of freshly extracted apple or pear juice may be consumed.

It will be much easier for you to adopt The Hallelujah Diet® once you see that the 85% raw and 15% cooked foods actually consist of an amazing array of delicious and healthy things that you may already be eating! Read The Hallelujah Diet® Explained and see the long lists of all the good-for-you foods.

- From A Hallelujah Day, available at hallelujahacres.com.

When I grew up.

2006-12-08T13:51:00.000-08:00

I'm twenty-two years old, and, let me tell you, it's been the longest twenty-two years of my life. Caught in the revolving door of adulthood, I'm just happy to have found the building.

Back in July I signed on with Romano's Macaroni Grill (my second affair with Mama Romano). My goal was to wait on tables and writing on the wall: something that said "leave" or "stop that" or maybe even "she's over there."

Days later, I entered the corporate world of flying briefcases and fluorescent-fed ficus - temping by day, waiting tables by night.

A close friend of mine, Blake Mulkey, is always so quick to remind me of two things:

1. I over-introduce. "Have you met Blake?" "Why, yes. I'm Blake's mentor." "Oh."
2. My excuse for everything is "I have two jobs."

Yes, sixty hour work-weeks are such a convenient excuse. I can't do it, I can't be there, I can't... have two jobs anymore.

My friend, Priscilla Machado, who may have been quoting someone, once said: "Life is not about finding yourself. It's about creating yourself." True, this statement sounds like mantra of an Amway Convention, but I find so much truth in it. I'm not going to find Myself by stubbing my toe on whoever that is en route to becoming I'm clearly not created to be. God has spoken things over my life - about my identity, my destiny - and I must choose to agree with Him. (He's got the market cornered on these sorts of things.)

People who are out to find themselves are usually running from the reality of who they really are.

I'm done with chasing Myself. He runs really fast, and likes to duck under things as to cause me to bang my head on them. I'm ready to be myself - content, comfortable, calm.

All that to say: Myself doesn't like sixty-hour work weeks. I hear the call of a simpler life. I feel the fatigue, the exhaustion of living a complicated one. My treasure is shape-shifting - from things into people.

I really should get back to work. I'm writing on the job.

You don't have to make us love you, Bonnie.

2006-10-04T11:05:00.000-07:00

Bonnie Raitt, originally uploaded by KBlood.

We took my mother to see my musical mother, Bonnie Raitt, at the Grand Ole Opry on Sunday, October 1. We were so determined to not miss this show that we purchased last-minute tickets in a column, not a row. The four of us sat in a line on the floor. It was worth it.

She performed a few numbers from her most recent studio release, Souls Alike peppered with a few classics (Something to Talk About, I Can't Make You Love Me, Angel from Montgomery).

My favorite moment of the evening was I Will Not Be Broken, perhaps the most spiritual secular song ever - pretty much my anthem.

iTunes inspires changes in music industry.

2006-08-30T13:40:00.000-07:00

Imagine a world where Musicians keep the copyright to their music and make $5 or $6 per album sold instead the current $1 or $2. This is a model being proposed by Terry McBride, CEO of Nettwerk Music Group.

read more | digg story

Messing with telemarketers.

2006-08-30T13:36:00.000-07:00

Check this out.

read more | digg story

Has the time finally come to stop using Google?

2006-08-17T08:04:00.000-07:00

Maybe it has, if you care about your privacy. There's no doubt that Google does care about your privacy, and aims to protect it. Earlier this year, for example, it refused to release anonymous search data demanded by the US government for a study, even though other search engines meekly handed it over.

read more | digg story

Provence barista is no coffee connoisseur.

2006-04-05T15:42:00.000-07:00

Barista: "Would you like an extra shot of expresso in that Americano?"

(My inner dialogue: "It's espresso... with an s, not an x. Would you say exspecially? No! Then it's essssspresso. Give it a try: espresso. There you go.")

Actual audible response: "Yes, please."

(Continued inner dialogue as I search for cream and sugar: "That woman probably drinks Folgers off the clock.")

June's call.

2005-06-05T13:51:00.000-07:00

You've been summoned to the table
But you dine on kitchen floors
He who raises kings from stables
Throws a feast you can't afford

The trappings you are hoarding
Are a garnish on His dish
His finery He's pouring
Into empty fists

You're so stuck on spreading wings
And spanning seas abroad
You fail to see your feet
And the snakes on which they trod

Rice milk ice cream.

2005-05-04T15:45:00.000-07:00

I was taking a Social Influence final exam yesterday afternoon when I noticed, to my great horror, that I was using a forbidden number three pencil. My fear subsided when I remembered the pencil was supplied by my professor. This was my first encounter with this specimen of pencil. The number threes are out there. Don't let it happen to you.

I took the last of my exams this morning. Summer has arrived.

Time to roll down the windows, buy a cheap pair of sandals, and devote endless hours to doing as little as possible. Not the case this year, but doesn't that sound nice? I will be working, studying and squeezing every last drop of productivity out of this summer.

And that recording project I have been "planning" for ages is somewhere out there on the horizon. Details to follow.

And let me just say that if you're like me and you can't eat or drink dairy products, don't eat rice milk ice cream.

Refuge.

2005-04-30T14:11:00.000-07:00

I have found a place where I can thrive - New Song Christian Fellowship. New Song hosts a weekly college gathering, Refuge. The vision of Refuge is to create "a place of restoration, recovery, and release." And that is just what I have found there within the walls of this place.

I have grown tired of cute church culture. New Song is counter culture - inspiring the fiercest faith I have found in my days as a believer.

Last night Refuge hosted its first annual Writers Night. The evening started with a time of worship. As this time was coming to a close, we were led into a song entitled No Sacrifice.

The lyrics (pardon the paraphrasing) went something like this:

How could I hoard a treasure

That You designed for free?

I give to You my future

as long as it may last.

I give to You my present.

I give to You my past.

For Your thoughts are higher than mine.

Your words are deeper than mine.

Your love is stronger than mine.

This is no sacrifice.

Here's my life.

No need for embellishment here. What could anything I have to say actually add to those few lines?

I left that time of worship clinging to a little less stuff. A lot less stuff. I now know the value of empty hands - hands that hoard no treasure.

God uses the empty hands.

A glimpse into the life that keeps me from you.

2005-04-29T14:32:00.000-07:00

Here is just a little slice of the fruits of my student government labor. This is a postcard I designed for Trevecca's upcoming End of School Bash.

A novel.

2005-04-17T20:34:00.000-07:00

Hello, public. Our separation expired many days ago, and I have returned from the confines of introspection. There is so much to be written. But first, a history lesson.

Two weeks ago I joined my fellow Executive Council officers for a leadership conference in Mount Vernon, Ohio.

I have since assumed my role with an e as Associated Student Body Director of Communications.

My friend, Chance Perdue, has asked me to open for his CD release party. I will perform five songs in Trevecca's Hub. There will be about eighty-four babies present for the occasion, along with a few new-found friends of mine.

I could write a full-on novel on life's recent happenings, but I'm hearing the quiet calls of my General Psychology syllabus.

The Word of the Day for April 17 is: abecedarian \ay-bee-see-DAIR-ee-un\ adjective 1 *a : of or relating to the alphabet b : alphabetically arranged 2 : rudimentary.

Trevecca Nazarene High School.

2005-04-03T08:05:00.000-07:00

About last week's post (yes, the one in which I claimed I would soon be assuming my roll as a member of ASB Executive Committee), let's just not make something of the fact that I spelled roll without the e. Funny how things can just slip past the spell checker. Hey, I did assume a roll in Trevecca's Apple Dining Room last week. That counts.

The Top Nazarene Talented have breached our walls, polluted our sidewalks and exhausted our food supply. Trevecca hosts a talent competition for Nazarene youth this week. The ratio of high school to college students now rests at 3:1.

I purchased The Best of Sixpence None the Richer, a record most worthy of its going price, on my way out of Monroe, North Carolina. You need to get this record, Sixpence's farewell project, even if only for the pleasure of hearing Leigh Nash sing Kiss Me in Japanese.

I was at work this afternoon distributing coupons for the new Pledge Multi Surface cleaner when a middle-aged woman started distributing samples of the Publix meal of the week. She was a sampling enthusiast, and her energy was contagious as she proclaimed the wonders of her product. Her sales pitch was simple: "I have something good over here! You should try it!" At times this phrase was delivered in musical form, complete with vibrato. Her shouts were accompanied by Motown music, provided by a small stereo that was probably her own. How could you not try it? She lacked dignity and professionalism, but her enthusiasm attracted droves of Publix shoppers to her booth, leaving me with little sales and a lesson learned. Enthusiasm covers that proverbial multitude of sins.

Spring.

2005-03-23T07:21:00.000-08:00

I'm doing all of those things people do to welcome Spring's first week - washing the car, starting seeds, eating sushi, reviving the blog.

I am told the pink chalet has lost some of its most treasured residents. If you are one of those residents and you are now living on my continent, I anticipate your arrival in Nashville soon.

I will assume my roll (spell check: see post entitled Assume that roll.) as Associated Student Body Director of Communications in just a few days.

Mary Cate turns one this weekend. Josh is in California. Have a most happy Easter, everyone.

Obstructing justice. It's a good thing.

2005-03-07T19:40:00.000-08:00

I met Martha Stewart last night. She was dreamy - a trait likely attributed to the fact that I met her in my dreams. She invited us Lovells to a coming home celebration of sorts.

The dinner party was set on the grounds of her Westport, Connecticut estate, where she had constructed a course to show off her shiny, new found means of transportation: an amphibious all terrain vehicle that resembled a small child's Batmobile.

After making her entrance in the vehicle, Martha dodged a few guests and plunged into a shallow pool - part of her well-constructed course. She removed her helmet, flailed her cotton-clad arms in the air and tactfully exited the Batmobile.

After witnessing this drama, I entered Martha's home - where I found an unkempt, mid-century ranch in the place of her famed farmhouse.

During Saturday's sleep, I met Norah Jones, who was not nearly as much fun as Martha.

New car fragrance without the bottle.

2005-03-01T11:11:00.000-08:00

Having acquired means of transportation and communication, Matthew Lovell is keeping up with the seventh graders. I am the proud owner of a Focus ZX3. It's a hatchback. It's silver. It's class on tires. I'm happy.

Elections for Trevecca Student Government 2005 commence this morning. I gave a brief speech in chapel. I am running for the office of Director of Communications. This office entails the following duties:

Overseeing communication to and from student government.
Maintaining the website.
Contributing to the new campus television network.
Distributing information on campus events, employing various methods (i.e. posters, mailings) to generate involvement in Trevecca student life.

I also hope to initiate a video presentation program here on campus. The program, called The Purple, will deliver announcements to the student body in a format that will vary from week to week.

I'm thrilled. Details on the campaign, etcetera to follow.

See me after class.

2005-02-23T08:20:00.000-08:00

Step inside Greathouse Science Building, ascend one flight of stairs, enter the first door on the right and you will find yourself in room 215. Do the above on Monday or Wednesday morning at 11:40 and you will find me soaking up one hour of Financial Stewardship with Dr. Agee.

Room 215 is composed of a series of tired lab tables. If these tables could talk, well, they wouldn't need to. Twenty years of student vandals have done all of the talking. "John was here." "I love Susan." "Class of 1987." Mingled with such etchings is the maiden name of my aunt, Kelly Ross Benton. Aunt Kelly, see me after class.

I spent Wednesday afternoon tracking vocals for a cover of Guster's Amsterdam - part of a Recording Techniques project organized by a friend of mine.

The Word of the Day for February 23 is: alameda \al-uh-MEE-duh\ noun : a public promenade bordered with trees.

Cookies rejected.

2005-02-14T11:02:00.000-08:00

The Lovell family desktop computer is on its deathbed, and mom has tried to remedy its illness with a strict regimen of anti-virus, anti-spyware and anti-pretty-much-everything software. So intense is this rehabilitation program that I am unable to achieve common, daily tasks on this machine. Just a few days ago, I attempted to check my Yahoo! inbox. I was greeted with this message.

The browser you're using refuses to sign in. (cookies rejected)

New to Yahoo!? Sign up now to enjoy Yahoo! We need to use "cookies" to identify you on our system. Try these steps:

Just try signing again. If your browser asks you to accept cookies, choose "accept" each time.
Perhaps your browser is not set to allow cookies. Consult "Help" on your browser to find out how to change this setting.
Check the copyright date on your browser (Go to "Help... About.."). Users of old browsers may want to try the latest version from Opera, Microsoft, or Netscape.

What is a cookie? A cookie is a small amount of data sent to your browser by our servers. Read more about cookies and Yahoo!'s policy on their use.

http://privacy.yahoo.com/privacy/us/cookies/details.html

Prove the rumors true.

2005-02-11T18:30:00.000-08:00

“You might be a student at Trevecca Nazarene University if you reach for your student ID every time you leave a sanctuary.”

- Someone at Friday Night Live, paraphrased

Chapel here on campus is, in a word, cute. I frequent these twice-weekly assemblies - because I have to. Admittedly, my only motivation for showing up is to swipe my student identification card at the close of the service in an effort to avoid the absence fee.

I have heard rumors of this institution's former glory, and I'm not inclined to classify these reports as urban legend. Let's prove the rumors true. Let's tap into this thing's life-giving potential.

God is so attractive, and I am bold enough to think that this Tuesday, Wednesday and sometimes Thursday gathering should be, too.

No hate to The Doctors Green. The woes of my Tuesday and Wednesday ten o’clock block cannot be wholly attributed to any one individual - or, in this case, any three.

Live from Trevecca, it's Friday night.

2005-02-08T17:00:00.000-08:00

Thursday's Songwriters' Night was a smash, comprising twenty original songs performed by seven writers. The format was VH1 Storytellers-esque. I met the writers at eight o'clock on the floor of Benson Auditorium to perform Eigthy-Four Babies, The One and Song Minus Title. A confession to the Writers' Guild: I omitted a few of the babies, bringing the grand total to Sixty-Eight Babies.

I joined the cast of Friday Night Live, Trevecca's answer to the famed Saturday Night Live, to assist with the show's finale, a parody public relations group. We were the Trevedores reborn - a comic rendition of the late Trevecca ensemble.

After marching clumsily onto the platform, each member of the group gave a brief introduction. "Hello, I'm ________ and I am a ________ major. We're the Trevedores."

As the others said their respective pieces, I belted a few riffs - rhythm and blues style. I then introduced myself, saying, "I'm Matthew Lovell and my musical influences are Point of Grace and Jay-Z."

The highlight of the evening was the performance of The Circle of Life by a dance company that, for political reasons, will remain nameless.

I joined K-Law for a matinee showing of Hotel Rwanda on Friday afternoon. See it.

Monday evening, my brother and I stepped inside the local Super Walmart. After dropping twelve rolls of film at the photo booth, we were off to the pharmacy, located at the front of the store.

But wait. You can't do that. We're closing down the better half of this twenty-four hour store so that Cledus T. Judd's camera crew can film girls dressed in Village People attire for Cledus' latest music video.

Goodbye. Sam would be shamed.

How 'bout those Titans?

2005-02-01T12:34:00.000-08:00

"Please accept a free sample of the new Hershey's Take 5. Five layers of wow: pretzels, caramel, peanuts, peanut butter and milk chocolate."

Or something like that was the line I fed to Tennessee Titans coach, Jeff Fischer*.

His wife was just spitting the nonverbals through her half-frowning smile. "Don't you know who we are?"

Well, no, I don't. Oh, that's right. You're a coach - or he is. What's your name?

Two hours later: Jeff Fischer* or something like that. How 'bout those Titans?

Does anyone else not care to hear Senator John Kerry's comments on Sunday's Iraqi election? Yes, elections - he's just a pro at those.

*Does Fischer, as in Jeff Fischer, have a c in it? Probably not.

Would you like a sample?

2005-01-26T16:44:00.000-08:00

Matthew Lovell is coming to a Publix near you (no autographs, please). I will illuminate the fruit of tired aisles. I am to be a demonstrator of the delicacies found on Nashville's shelves of edibles. In simpler terms: would you like a sample? These meatballs can be found in the freezer section and the mustard is Publix brand.

This post is coming to you from Fido, "Nashville's finest blend of organic, exotic and junk foods" located in Hillsboro Village. Many notable Nashvillians sip the art of Fido's baristas, including Ben Folds, Butterfly Boucher's boyfriend and Chris Thile, Sean and Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek.

I have clothed the walls of my Benson bomb shelter in gift paper, designed by London-based Neisha Crosland. Bringing home to campus has not been the tall order I anticipated. Admittedly, I find myself referring to Benson Hall as home, a fitting term for my new-found nest.

Attention all New Yorkers and Nutmegs, please note Trevecca Nazarene University will dismiss all students for Spring Break on March 4, and I am coming to your house.

Will you join me for a glass of orange juice?

2005-01-20T13:47:00.000-08:00

“I love the commercials for Prozak and Zoloft. I am not depressed, and I feel like I’m missing out on something when I watch them.”

Dr. Terry Pruitt on antidepressant ad campaigns

I have assumed my role as a citizen of this, the hill of purple*. On the first day of "four more years," I am a one-man parade, marching to life's new rhythm through the streets, the halls and the lunch lines of the microcosm that is Trevecca Nazarene University.

Years ago, my father, Joseph, asked Deidra Ross to join him for a glass of orange juice in Trevecca's campus café, The Hub. Six weeks later, they were engaged. More than two decades later, their firstborn is writing you from that very room. A fresh coat of paint has been applied to the walls that once witnessed my parents' first date.

*Purple is the Trevecca Trojan's hue of preference.

Laundered legacy.

2005-01-18T20:30:00.000-08:00

Suite 206, room three once resembled a bomb shelter (circa long before my father was enrolled). Though still a bomb shelter, it now screams, “Paige Davis was here.” Such a shout is echoed through Benson’s cinderblock halls. The room is clad in coffee brown and robin’s egg blue. Stitched pleather drapes and a pinstripe duvet. A black bamboo lamp and a pumpkin pie candle.

I just placed the wardrobe in three of Benson’s eight Maytag washers. The laundered legacy lives on. As I turned each pair of factory-stained jeans inside out, I pondered the irony of what I was doing – putting my jeans in the washer to remove stains… but not the good stains. You know, the ones that look like dirt but aren’t really dirt. Faux dirt, if you will.

I am busier than stripes and polka dots on the same pair of pants.

In other news, we humans eat an average of 30 million animals per year, that is, twenty animals per person. Go munch on your menagerie and try not to miss me too much.

I'm from these parts.

2005-01-17T16:31:00.000-08:00

I now sit in my new-found perch, room 212 of Waggoner Library. From this vantage point, I can take in one of Nashville’s finest views. The group study room is located on the top floor of the library; thus, one’s view of the nearby ghetto is obstructed (just don’t look down).

A lengthy task list has relegated me to the confines of introspection. It is during such confinement that I have found this “blog” to be a beneficial outlet for all kinds of inner things - an effective vent for life’s little oddities.

Oddly enough, campus life has, thus far, been a throwback to the halls of my private, college-preparatory high school, Donelson Christian Academy. God has afforded me a nice package of experiences in my post-high school years. Please understand - I do not live by the “been there done that” mentality, though I did buy the t-shirt. What I am saying is this: I have gone from foreign to familiar, migrating from Australia to Asia to Europe to… home. (Sarah Lanier, I know foreign to familiar is your phrase. Please understand my plagiarism.)

Familiarity looks to be promising. Yes, I like it. I feel, in my post-high school years, foreign has become familiar. Indeed, the campus hill I thought to be familiar was foreign all along. (History lesson: I have attended church on campus since the eighth grade.)

This hill is my hill. I anticipate “four more years” of good stuff as I embark on this new adventure.

I am writing you from a new set of keys. Boys and girls, meet my new Apple iBook G4.

You might be an ex-ywamer if:

2005-01-13T20:19:00.000-08:00

You read "organization" and think, "Umm, hello! It's 'organisation' with an s."
Everything sounds like a jet engine. The hum of your personal computer. Your home's air conditioning unit. An actual jet engine.
You find yourself relating everything to your extra-domestic experiences.
You vomit at the sight of rice.
Your friends roll their eyes every time they hear you speak the following words: This one time in Switzerland...
STA (Student Travel Association) is your best friend.
So is your Nalgene.
You used to be a ywamer.
Mozzarella is just not the same as Babybel.
You bite your lips as they almost greet the grocer with the word bonjour.

Your mom goes to college.

2005-01-11T18:19:00.000-08:00

Reader, I have landed in my past and present home: Nashville, Tennessee. There's not a plane in my sky - or a cloud for that matter. I am now enrolled in Trevecca Nazarene University, located just outside of downtown Nashville.

The campus hill reeks of nostalgia, as it is the alma mater of two very key players in my life's drama: Joseph and Deidra Lovell. I find myself filtering my expectations of campus life through the 1980s lens provided by the parental alumni. Stop that, Matthew.

I am pursuing a Bachelor's in Communication. I have aspirations, as do we all. Details to follow.

The Nashville home is unclad - nude in the absence of its beaded garlands. Clearly, another yuletide season has joined the ranks of Christmases past.

To my Lausanne family: I envision each one of you in your home, whether it be your home or an Ethiopian shanty. Once, we completed the daily tasks of email, blogging and solitaire within the walls of our pink chalet. In recent days, each one of us has been allotted a corner of the globe. India. Uganda. Egypt. Greece. Kenya. The United States. South Korea. Rwanda. Canada. Iraq. I pray our globe-trotting tendencies will unite us once more - okay, more than once.

Tuesday.

2005-01-04T08:49:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Nashville, the land of ceaseless climatic variances. Today's forecast: Cloudy, periods of rain, winds south 5-10, high of 66, low of 52. Winter's fury has been tamed.

The next big thing is slowly emerging from its tentative cocoon. Don't touch that dial.

My brother eats Cheetos with tongs, and graham crackers are more than palatable when buried beneath a layer of whipped cream cheese and glazed with honey.

A sink of squalor sits and awaits the aid of my skillful hands (it's my turn to load the dishwasher).

The Word of the Day for January 4 is: emote \ih-MOHT\ verb : to give expression to emotion especially in acting.

Rethinking resolutions.

2004-12-30T23:50:00.000-08:00

"Gonna read more books
Gonna keep up with the news
Gonna learn how to cook
And spend less money on shoes"
Selection from Jamie Cullum's Next Year, Baby

Admittedly, I am among the masses who seek the ideal self on this, the eve of the coming year; however, this year, I have devised a new plan for self-improvement, one that is realistically attainable.

The plan: make superficial goals that have nothing to do with anything that has any deep reward whatsoever. Such goals must not intimidate the weary resoluter. Such goals must never detract from the fulfillment of higher doings (i.e. anything that pays or yields a grade point average).

The following goals comprise such a list of new year's resolutions: Take a photography class. Learn to paint. Write a memoir entitled Double-Decade Dissertation with accompanying photographic journal. Employ new methods of songwriting. Write letters (paper and ink). Create something and market it. Cook one meal per month. Read National Geographic cover to cover for each month of the coming year. Plan one weekend getaway per month. Learn the significance of 11:11. Grow something from seed.

On a deeper, more vulnerable level: Become well-acquainted with the pages of my Thompson Chain Reference Bible and the soles of my Saucony Stabil runners.

Home.

2004-12-29T11:31:00.000-08:00

My journey from the Alps to the Appalachians entailed a trans-Atlantic obstacle course, complete with a nearly-fatal escalator scare. I utilized distant memories of Christmas in the south, an effective coping mechanism, as I dealt with the delays of yuletide travel. After braving the woes of Paris trains, Detroit terminals and airline edibles, I was greeted by my uncle, Ernie Benton, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Upon my arrival, we were off to Monroe's finest breakfast eatery, Knife & Fork.

Following my arrival, I indulged in yuletide gluttony. My rice rehab regimen included: candy-topped sweet potatoes, banana pudding, canned cranberry sauce and real whipped potatoes with real butter.

I inherited a menagerie of bling from the Carolinian lineage in the form of green paper and magnetic plastic. In keeping with nature's order, monetary bling evolves into tangible trappings (i.e. Kenneth Cole footwear).

My Carolina Christmas was topped with a day on the slopes of Boone, just west of Charlotte. The first annual Ross family ski expedition was a wild success, comprising few falls and even fewer fatalities.

Nashville. Need I elaborate on the glory of this city? Home's innumerable pleasures and the anxieties associated with my Schweiz-States transition have fostered a lack of concern for the blog. I am sitting on a bed of post-old, pre-new unrest.

Here I sit, attempting to wrap the left side of my brain around the logistics of the next big thing. This thing will remain undisclosed until it emerges from its present tentative status.

"Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday, and all is well." - Corrie Ten Boom

All is well, my friends. 2005 holds the promises of progress and productivity. Though concealed, the coming three-hundred sixty-five days of my life have the potential to plunge me into life's purpose with record speed.

Hebrews.

2004-12-14T10:28:00.000-08:00

Santa Lucia ante meridiem.

2004-12-14T07:38:00.000-08:00

This morning, I was awakened by the company of singing Scandinavians dressed in white robes and candlelit crowns of evergreen. They entered my bedroom (no knocking here, folks) at 5:30 (in the morning) singing the supposedly soothing melodies of a traditional Scandinavian Santa Lucia carol. Unfortunately for the well-meaning group of cold-climate carolers, my cultural sensitivity doesn't kick in until seven o'clock ante meridiem.

In order to avoid infringing upon the holiday spirit so loudly proclaimed by Santa's helpers, I feigned the appearance of one who is deep in sleep. This strategy was effective until the ring-leader of this pre-dawn circus propelled a basket of ginger bread cookies into my nearly scowling face. "Oh how cute," I exclaimed before resuming my pseudo sleep.

A brief history of the holiday that inspired this act of yuletide hilarity:

"The holiday season in many parts of Scandinavia begins on December 13 with the celebration of Santa Lucia's Day. According to legend, Lucia was burned at the stake because she refused to deny her Christian faith and marry a pagan. In her honor, young girls dress in white robes and red sashes, and wear crowns of greenery and glowing candles. In some communities, these girls lead processions of carolers through the streets. Scandinavians also celebrate Christmas by decorating evergreen trees and preparing such special foods as lutefisk (preserved cod); pickled herring; and krummkake, a delicate, cone-shaped cookie. Scandinavians give farm animals extra feed at Christmastime, in memory of the animals that were present when Jesus was born, and leave grain outdoors for birds. According to ancient legends, elves play mischievous tricks during the midwinter season, but they also help Santa Claus bring gifts to children. In Sweden, children hope to receive gifts from Santa Claus, known as Jultomten; in Denmark, he is Nisse; and in Norway, Julenisse. Many children simply know him as Santa Claus and believe that he lives in Greenland."

The Louis Vuitton dialogues.

2004-12-13T02:03:00.000-08:00

Visit eluxury.com, and you will find a plethora of high-dollar luxury goods. From Dior to Donna Karan. From Versace to Vuitton. Late last night, I joined a few friends in a brief online window-shopping spree. Destination: eluxury.com. We immediately gravitated to the Louis Vuitton live customer service chat. Read on for noteworthy excerpts from our chat with the Louis girls, Maritza and Laurie (read with a Union County accent).

Please wait for a Customer Service Professional to respond.

You are now chatting with Maritza. To better serve you, please give us your name.

Maritza: How may I assist you today?

you: Is this Louis?

you: I need to speak with him.

you: I have a bone to pick with him.

Maritza: Are there any questions I can answer regarding the products and services our web site offers? I would be happy to discuss such topics with you.

you: Why is he so conceited as to put his initials on all of his bags?

you: Are your responses scripted?

you: How much does Louis pay you?

Maritza: It appears as though we are unable to meet your service needs over Live Chat. Kindly call the following number, and a Customer Service Professional would be delighted to assist you further over the phone.

Maritza: 1.877.890.7171

Chat session has been terminated by the Customer Service Professional. You are not currently in a chat session.

Please wait for a Customer Service Professional to respond. You are now chatting with Laurie. To better serve you, please give us your name.

you: Hola.

you: Como estas?

you: I thought I would speak French since Louis is French.

you: Hello?

you: Does Louis advocate child labor?

you: Are you a child?

Laurie: Hello. How may I help you?

you: I own a fake Louis Vuitton boutique.

you: Please forgive me.

you: I love you, and I wouldn't ever want to hurt Louis

you: How much for a dog collar?

Laurie: Are there any questions I can answer regarding the products and services our web site offers? I would be happy to discuss such topics with you.

you: About that...

you: I was wondering if you could replace my faulty luggage.

you: It's faded,

you: and the LV changed to CV.

Chat session has been terminated by the Customer Service Professional.

Please wait for a Customer Service Professional to respond. You are now chatting with Maritza. To better serve you, please give us your name.

Maritza: How may I assist you today?

you: Does Louis use stem-cell research in designing his handbags?

you: What about his shoes?

you: Would you consider opening a Louis Vuitton in the Super Walmart in Monroe, North Carolina?

Chat session has been terminated by the Customer Service Professional.

Dead to the depthless.

2004-12-12T09:34:00.000-08:00

This afternoon, I massacred my aesthetic inclinations in order to avoid any violation of intellectual property law. The thought of modifying the art of another via Adobe Photoshop nearly killed my anti-piracy soapbox. I came across an overabundance of holiday clip art on the Microsoft Office online image gallery, and I refashioned my clip art finds using a few Photoshop bells and whistles. The plan: to decorate the blog for the Christmas season.

But no. I put myself in the shoes of a recording/digital artist and realized the massive chunk I was taking out of such an artist's paycheck by counterfeiting his or her intellectual property. Upon this revelation, I opted out of such acts of piracy.

This week's lack of posting is certainly not due to a lack of newsworthy happenings. In truth, I am unable to pinpoint the reason for the recent lapse. Perhaps I have turned my focus to weightier matters. My thoughts have been substantially deeper than the usual blog-worthy material. I have avoided posting due to a mild case of performance anxiety. While I wanted to record the recent depth of my daily life, I feared I would compose such a record using highly cliché religious jargon.

A post composed of such jargon has been sitting on draft status for about ten days. Though the contents of this post seem trite to the reader, they are true in every sense.

About the weightier matters, God has been challenging me on a variety of levels. I feel he is bringing me into a deeper understanding of identity.

Last week, we completed a study of Genesis. In studying this book, something clicked. Suddenly, I saw the underlying theme of the Bible in its entirety. I then understood what I had been studying for twelve weeks.

The Bible is about God's effort to restore humankind to post-fall status. Shortly after Adam and Eve were banished from Eden, God initiated a "restoration strategy" through Abraham to bring mankind back into the God-man relationship found in the Garden of Eden.

This covenant failed many years later; Jesus Christ was sent as a secondary strategy for restoration.

In the Bible, we have been given a record of God's pursuit of man. In studying Genesis, I feel I have obtained deeper insight into the heart of God. He has been so persistent in this pursuit. When one plan failed, he devised another, and another.

In review, this week's cake:

Ingredients: one (1) introspective cake, two (2) packages of Depthless Doing Icing.

Last Sunday, I joined the School of Biblical Studies student body for a bonfire. We toasted dough topped with Nutella.

Saturday morning, I met my friend Jen, a Knoxville native, for a buttery bowl of Jim Dandy Quick Grits. We then did a bit of shopping (online). We composed Banana Republic wish lists for one another.

Saturday night, I endured four hours of Return of the King just to see if Frodo got the girl.

This afternoon, I woke at twelve o'clock from a ten-hour sleep. I then stumbled down the stairs in my Old Navy sweatpants and ankle-socks to enjoy my morning bowl of granola and yogurt.

After indulging in my new favorite breakfast, I scaled the three flights of stairs leading to my bedroom door and plopped back into bed. I did not officially meet my Sunday morning until two o'clock this afternoon.

I then did a bit of laundry. My favorite pair of jeans is now confined to washer number one due to a faulty door. Horror.

After my efforts to free my jeans from washer number one failed, I curled up on one of two Pleather sofas set amid the paneled pine of our Internet Café and plunged into 172 pages of Martha Stewart Living.

Note the holiday poem on the right-hand side of your moniter's display (stage left).

Daisy.

2004-12-08T02:03:00.000-08:00

The moms have arrived.

2004-12-06T04:58:00.000-08:00

The weekend was one of much enjoyment and minimal sleep. Everyone and their mother is here (literally). Multiple moms have graced the base with a strong maternal presence (sans the home-baked goodness of mom's buttermilk pancakes). My weekend objective: to spend as much time with the moms as possible.

On Saturday evening, I plopped into one of two Pleather sofas set amid the paneled pine of our Internet Café and partook in a generous helping of bottomless external processing. Our conversation was much like a game of twenty questions (minus the superficiality). Each person was given a brief series of questions to answer. "Who do you want to be at fifty?" "What qualities do you seek in a mate?" "What are your side dreams?" It was a most enjoyable approach to getting to know the people who live just a few doors down.

Our group of nine tarried in the café until five o'clock Sunday morning; I attended Bedside Baptist later that day (duh). Sunday afternoon, I hopped into a van for a mother-daughter excursion. Destination: Montreux. We strolled down the lakeside streets and browsed through the endless booths of Christmas wares.

This week, we are plunging into an in-depth study of the following Old Testament books: 1 Kings, 2 Kings and Genesis.

Fire up the Citrus Spice candle, fluff the high-threadcount sheets, pre-heat the oven and update the iTunes playlist; I'm coming home for Christmas.

The Word of the Day for December 6 is: circumvent \ser-kum-VENT\ verb 1 : to hem in 2 : to make a circuit around *3 : to manage to get around especially by ingenuity or stratagem.

Cindy Jones is a rock star.

2004-12-01T12:21:00.000-08:00

Cindy Jones is officially the most amazing woman in the northern hemisphere. Last week, Cindy sealed up a Philips Senseo Coffee Machine in a massive United States Postal Service box and affixed a label bearing the name and address of the lucky recipient: me.

The Senseo is a sleek, chic and deliciously convenient alternative to the traditional scoop-and-brew coffee machine.

I have been left speechless by this act of generosity. Perhaps it is best to allow Charlotte's witty queen of words, Molly Nicholson, to express my gratitude.

"The curvy little single-serve coffee brewer that looks like it should be starring in its own Disney movie. Gone are the days of grinding the coffee beans and scooping them by heaping spoonfuls into a filter. With this modern marvel all one needs do is place the pre-measured coffee pod (self-contained in its own filter) in the pod receptacle, press go, or brew, or start, or whatever, and out pours this perfectly creamy foamy coffee."

Molly Nicholson, Y not WAM? (mollynicholson.blogspot.com)

Thanks, Cindy. You have secured my position as "most popular student." The halls of our pink chalet were filled with rejoicing upon the arrival of the newly-beloved Senseo.

In other news, the staff of Merriam-Webster Online released a list of the top-ten words for 2004. The list includes the most-searched words of the year, including incumbent, insurgent and cicada.

The Word of the Year for 2004 is: Blog \BLOG\ noun [short for Weblog] (1999) : a Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer.

Raspberry White Chocolate Mocha.

2004-11-29T16:45:00.000-08:00

This weekend, I hopped on a double-decker train and traveled to Bern for a Sunday afternoon getaway. My motivation for this one-hour, one-hundred kilometer journey was fueled by one objective: Starbucks.

Lausanne boasts a plethora of modish cafés, but none have satisfied the longings of this coffee connoisseur for a cup of nameless, faceless cup of institutionalized goodness. I must question the priorities of a city that boasts a Louis Vuitton boutique yet lacks a Starbucks Coffee.

I arrived in Bern at about three o'clock in the afternoon. Upon my arrival, I walked with purpose down the antiquated, cobblestone streets of Switzerland's capital city. I came upon a Christmas market. Though tempted to stop and enjoy this scene, I continued to search for my nine-Franc cup of "legally addictive stimulants."

Starbucks at last. My eyes responded to the call of the glowing, green letters and my feet were quick to walk through the glistening glass doors. I felt I was entering an American Embassy, a small portion of this foreign land where I could taste a slice of home (or just a slice of Raspberry White Chocolate Mocha Cheesecake). I greeted the ambassador (barista) and placed my order: one Raspberry White Chocolate Mocha, one slice of Raspberry White Chocolate Mocha Cheesecake and one tin of After Coffee Mints. Total price for an afternoon of Starbucks bliss: seventeen Francs. It's true; you get more star for your buck back in the States.

On Monday, my brain fell asleep on the melatonin button. Seriously, I spent the day thinking about my pillow-top queen mattress and my high-threadcount bed sheets (these elements live in Nashville).

I went to use the restroom last night (read on). The restroom, located on the dining room level of the chalet, is comprised of two small rooms. Each room has a full-length door, complete with handle and lock. When I was ready to leave the restroom, I proceeded to unlock the door and open it by its sleek, polished chrome handle (okay, so the handle is not really that chic). As I turned the handle, it flew off the door and (you guessed it) landed in the toilet bowl. I then attempted to open the door using the small knob that at one time connected the handle to the door. As I turned it, it went further into the door. So, I did what any educated young man would do; I yelled for help. Finally, someone rescued me from this sorry predicament.

This week, we are studying the canon of the Bible. More later. Also, we will be completing an in-depth study of Daniel.

The sound of cow bells that once filled the air surrounding the chalet has been replaced by the gleam of white Christmas lights and the aroma of chimney smoke.

I just made my weekly run to the market. I purchased a plethora of goods from Migros, including a five-Franc, twenty-bulb set of white Christmas lights (no color).

My grandmother sent a package my way via post. The package was comprised of the following elements: three bags of Reese's peanut butter cups, two pairs of Kenneth Cole shoes and one Amy Grant Christmas record. Thanks, Nanny.

A week without wit.

2004-11-27T11:40:00.001-08:00

Joey: (entering, wearing Phoebe's maternity pants) All right where's that turkey?
Phoebe: Joey! Those are my maternity pants!
Joey: Not now! These are my Thanksgiving pants!

My apologies for the recent lack of posting. The week has been one of much work and little wit. I am now attempting to glue my fingers to the keyboard (in a figurative sense); this is the most productive means of actually writing something (isn't that just a novel idea).

I spoke on generosity to a small panel of students and staff on Friday evening. I concluded my study of Hebrews just a few moments ago.

Last night, students and staff gathered for a belated Thanksgiving dinner. It was an evening of pure authentic American deliciousness (no rice here, folks) set to the backdrop of festive, candlelit décor.

I'll be home for Christmas (not only in my dreams). It has been two years since this southern boy has seen a Tender Tennessee Christmas. Bring on the eats.

The Word of the Day for November 27 is: boilerplate \BOY-ler-playt\ noun 1: syndicated material supplied especially to weekly newspapers in matrix or plate form *2: standardized, formulaic, or hackneyed language.

Fighting For It All.

2004-11-24T11:38:00.000-08:00

Mindy Smith and I went for a quick sprint this evening. I don't really know Miss Smith; I'm certain we would be married by now if heaven had ordained the crossing of our paths. You may have heard the New Grass melodies of this Vanguard Records artist. For those whose ears have not been so privileged, I highly suggest you blow a small percentage of your next paycheck and purchase her debut record, One Moment More.

Read the lyrics to Fighting For It All, written by the songstress herself, and you're sure to understand why I have adopted this song as my anthem. Though the use of lyrics to convey a deeply personal message is somewhat trite, I feel these lyrics are a fitting depiction of my current state.

Fighting For It All

Mindy Smith

You can try to keep me down/You can try to keep me under/But you'll never get my will, /You'll never take my will to fight/'Cause I was born at the bottom of this mountain/I am scaling and I'll probably climb it,/Climb it till the day I die

All the things I know I needed/Just keeps me going/All the things I never had/Just keeps me wanting it more/Fighting for it all

I know I'm not that pretty/I'm only avid smart/With an overwhelming uncanny need just to need to survive/But you can dig a grave six feet under/But you'll have to take me up/'Cause you know I won't be going alive

All the things I know I've needed/Just keeps me searching/All the things I never had/Just keeps me wanting it more/Fighting for it all

I never had a hero/Never met a saint/And there's nothing on this earth I can take with me/Anyway

All the things I know I've needed/Just keeps me going/All the things I never had/Just keeps me wanting it more/Fighting for it all

So, you can try to keep me down/You can try to keep me under/But you'll never get my will, /You'll never take my will to fight

So here is the picture I am painting: Me (Matthew Lovell) jogging into town, endorphins pumping and Saucony runners hitting the pavement to the driving rhythm of Mindy's masterful band, a steady pace evolving in this sequence: run, sprint, skip, break-dance (run-on sentences are fun).

Would you like rice with that?

2004-11-22T12:30:00.000-08:00

Upon my arrival, I was a fan of rice. Rice with chicken. Rice with Thai sauce. Rice with thousand island. As time has progressed, I have developed an utter distaste for this eastern staple.

The rice opera reached a climax this evening when I arrived for Monday night dinner. Menu: French toast and rice. What? Sure, variety is the spice of life (especially when you can't tell the difference between the soy sauce and the pure maple syrup); however, I believe our love of culinary juxtaposition has become a bit of a rice-eating monster.

French toast with rice. I suspect this menu may have been created by Lisa Douglas (played by Eva Gabor) of the hit series Green Acres.

I feel I am reaping the consequences of a formerly Y2k-obsessed meal planner. Our campus pantry holds enough rice to feed the five-thousand.

Food can be shipped via post to the following address:

Matthew Lovell, SBSCC 04 4, University of the Nations, Chemin de Praz d'Eau , 1000 Lausanne 25, Switzerland.

The change will do you good.

2004-11-21T06:22:00.000-08:00

I have a long history with change. I hear the sound of jet engines coming from the strangest places. Muffled music reminds me of that played in an airport lounge. Many avoid change; I have been known to embrace it, and I can't help but think that this is a trait placed in me to assist me in completing the task God has planned for me. I often find myself attempting to suppress this love of change, as I fear it is a weakness that will distract me from "settling down" and "committing to the long term."

I understand this is somewhat deeper and more introspective than the majority of my posts. Tomorrow I may wake up thinking, "Yes, that 'change speech' was definitely the product of a lazy Sunday afternoon," but this is where I am today. After all, this blog is entitled Everything Matthew Lovell. Except the Fluffy Nonsense.

Have a great summer.

My favorite things.

2004-11-21T01:11:00.000-08:00

Matthew Lovell's menu plan for holiday break (December 23, 2004 - January 9, 2005):

December 23: Northwest airline food. Chili's in the Detroit airport.

December 24: Home-baked goodness. A Duke's burger (all the way).

December 25: Pancakes, eggs, bacon and grits. Christmas dinner.

December 26: Christmas dinner leftovers. Sip a Starbucks Caramel Apple Cider while hitting the after-Christmas sales at South Park Mall.

December 27: Steak Bryan and Rosemary Potatoes.

December 28: Fido Salmon Scramble and a Dalmatian (white hot chocolate).

December 29: La Paz La Poppers and Caesar Taco Salad.

December 30: Mom's chicken, mashed potatoes and Eiffel Tower Spinach.

December 31: Hors d'oeuvres.

January 1: Carrot juice. Leftover hors d'oeuvres.

January 2: Carrot/pineapple juice. Amerigo's Goat Cheese and Walnut Salad with Grilled Chicken.

January 3: Grits with butter and cheese, eggs, bacon and buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup.

January 4: Mom's layered candy.

January 5: Nanny's homemade biscuits with mom's homemade grape jam.

January 6: Carrot juice. Carrot juice. Carrot juice.

January 7: Satsuma Tea Room Cream Cheese and Olive Sandwich with Tea Punch.

January 8: Demo's Browned Butter with Garlic Pasta.

January 9: Airline food.

Six feet of Caucasian North American male.

2004-11-19T04:25:00.000-08:00

Picture this: six feet, two inches of white North American male leading a conga line wearing completely inappropriate footwear. I caught the attention of a few friends and started to parade through the isles of our community room. We were gathered for One Voice, an international worship service. During this service, we used Genesis video-conferencing technology to link Worcester (South Africa), Jeju (Korea), Los Angeles, Nashville and Denver together for two hours of worship.

This morning, I presented a speech on the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:19-23) to my class. Once I conquered the initial jitters, I felt like a total pro standing behind my makeshift podium. Like my father always says, "the stage is the best teacher."

The Word of the Day for November 19 is: extremophile \ik-STREE-muh-fyle\ noun : an organism that lives under extreme environmental conditions (as in a hot spring or ice cap).

My people.

2004-11-17T12:26:00.000-08:00

The silent period.

2004-11-17T11:38:00.000-08:00

The past four days may have felt like the four hundred years of the silent period for those of you on the other side of my computer screen.

My mom informed me of her plans to decorate the house for Christmas. This will be the second year I have not been in Nashville to help prepare the house for the holidays (put in the sappy violin track).

Speaking of tracks, I miss the original Amy Grant Christmas, Tender Tennessee Christmas. The quintessential Lovell family Christmas involves this timeless record, A Muppet Christmas Carol and layered candy (oh look! all of these elements fit conveniently in a package).

Genesis and the Ancient Chinese Classics. What?

2004-11-12T05:46:00.000-08:00

Canadian creationist Laurence Tisdall spoke on the relationship between the book of Genesis and the the ancient Chinese classics (sounds like a Coffee Talk topic) for last night's campus community meeting. Seriously, I sat down for his lecture anticipating two hours of dry, drudging intellectual jargon, and I left the lecture wanting to read every piece of literature he referenced during his lecture. His presentation was chock-full of (nuts) intellectual (and spiritual) meat. Thank you, Laurence Tisdall.

The Word of the Day for November 12 is: encomium \en-KOH-mee-um\ noun : glowing and warmly enthusiastic praise; also : an expression of this

A photo from the Writers' Guild.

2004-11-11T06:12:00.000-08:00

Winter's first snow.

2004-11-11T04:57:00.001-08:00

I woke up this morning to the sound of the South African outreach team playing in the snow on the front lawn. Winter's first snow has fallen (boo-yah, Nashville). Unfortunately, the layer of white is expected to melt by mid-afternoon.

Grab the camera; I'm wearing sweatpants and Saucony runners this morning (the perfect ensemble for the Bible bookworm).

The Word of the Day for November 11 is: accolade \AK-uh-layd\ noun 1 a : a ceremonial embrace b : a ceremony or saluteconferring knighthood 2 a : a mark of acknowledgment : award *b : an expressionof praise 3 : a brace or a line used in music to join two or more staffs carrying simultaneous parts.

A gondola.

2004-11-10T02:49:00.000-08:00

A dialogue from last night's sleep:

Unidentified person in dream: "If you could play any song, what would you play?"

Matthew Lovell (in an audible voice): "I don't know. What instrument would you play?"

Roommate (in an audible voice): "A French horn. What would you play?"

Matthew Lovell: "A gondola."

The Word of the Day for November 10 is: inveterate \in-VET-uh-rut\ adjective 1 : firmly established by long persistence *2 : confirmed in a habit : habitual.

Four floors of my two favorite letters.

2004-11-06T11:33:00.000-08:00

Earlier this week, a Discipleship Training School outreach team from Worcester, South Africa invaded our base. The people of this team hosted our Thursday night Community Meeting. Friends, we had church. I don't believe I have the ability to pour my heart through my fingers and into the keyboard this time.

Saturday was splendiferous. Molly and I went to town at 9:45 this morning for a brief Saturday morning escape. I spent the morning wandering blissfully through four floors of my two favorite letters, H&M. Molly and I agree we both loathe the word incredible.

I have fallen in love with Babybel cheese, a highly toothsome mozzarella-esque cheese. Babybel is packaged in a layer of soft, red wax and sealed in a thin layer of red cellophane. This wax has provided cheap thrills for the oh-so-inventive students of YWAM Lausanne. We have created a "Babybel wax village" in one of the window sills in our beloved Internet Café. The village includes an Americana home, a picket fence, a windmill, townspeople (including a freestyle rap artist and a fisherman) and a Bollywood sign.

I feel as though my sense of humor has been reduced to a fourth-grade level. A witty comment might restore my sense of humor to its former brilliance.

The Word of the Day for November 6 is: diffident \DIF-uh-dunt\ adjective 1 : hesitant in acting or speaking through lack of self-confidence *2 : reserved, unassertive.

The Writers' Guild.

2004-11-04T01:16:00.000-08:00

A new tradition has been initiated among the staff and students here on base. I have written a small collection of light-hearted, witty (yes, Genevieve, you might say the songs have a whimsical feel) pieces with the assistance of a few friends.

On a semi-occasional basis, this "writer's guild" gathers in the Internet Café to lounge on the sleek, pleather IKEA sofas. We tend to gravitate towards our beloved one-hit-wonder, Eighty-four Babies. On occasion, we will sing a Christmas song (definitely appropriate regardless of season).

Last night, we produced to songs, dedicated to two Discipleship Training School students, Molly and Cheramie.

The night came to a glorious conclusion with an "International Over the Top Competition," a highly entertaining arm-wrestling competition (speak to your muscles).

This morning, a Village-esque fog has descended upon the grounds surrounding our mountainside chalet. This morning, I enjoyed a delicious bowl of buttery grits. My friend Jennifer, a Knoxville native, was so kind in sharing her box of Jim Dandy Quick Grits.

The Word of the Day for November 4 is: acumen \uh-KYOO-mun\ noun : keenness and depth of perception, discernment, or discrimination especially in practical matters.

Play on Webster.

2004-11-03T06:45:00.001-08:00

The Word of the Day for November 3 is:tergiversation \ter-jiv-er-SAY-shun\ noun *1 : evasion of straightforward action or clear-cutstatement : equivocation 2 : desertion of a cause, position, party, or faith.

I have subscribed to a new service, Webster's Word of the Day. Each morning, I am greeted by a new word in my inbox. I then attempt to incorporate this word into my daily life. I call it my "venture from vernacular."

You have no idea how much fun it is to type a word even your spell-check tool cannot recognize.

Visit www.webster.com to register for Webster's Word of the Day. It's good stuff.

P.C. from my PC to yours.

2004-11-02T13:14:00.000-08:00

You may recall a previous post entitled Vote for _______. In writing this post, I chose to express my political bias via the words of those much wiser than I. In doing this, I felt I would express my passion for government minus the drama.

I have decided to make a bit of a retraction, for I, the author, have failed to live up to my standard of dutiful citizenship. Prior to my departure, I registered to vote. In the chaos of my final days at home, making arrangements to vote via absentee ballot kind of dropped to the bottom of my list. My apologies to my public (all five of you).

If, in the words of Billy Graham, "Bad politicians are elected by good people who don't vote," have I, in neglecting my duty, voted for John Kerry?

It's still my birthday.

2004-10-31T13:17:00.000-08:00

I just returned from my birthday dinner party at the fabulously swanky Café Luna. The night was all about casual discourse inspired by taste bud-friendly bruschetta (spell check) and coffee.

I pulled my camera out of my bag to snap a few photos, blowing my "I'm not really a tourist" cover. I captured the Kodak moment with pride among sophisticated "I'm too good for your photographs" European café dwellers (boo-yah). I have reached the point where I am comfortably confident in my American-ness.

Thanks to the lovely Grace, Laura and Lauren (co-writers of the chart-topping hit Eighty-four Babies) for the too-trendy H&M scarf. You're rock stars.

Two decades.

2004-10-31T09:22:00.000-08:00

It is official. Matthew Lovell has lived to see two decades come and go.

I have had a glorious twentieth birthday. Today I rolled out of bed at 10 o'clock and prepared for my day of twenty-year-old bliss. I wore an amazing J. Crew rollneck sweater (courtesy of my grandmother).

I was blessed with enough chocolate to last a year (or maybe just a day) by my friends Rae Hyun, Da Som and Kendra. Thanks, ladies.

This evening, I'm off to Café Luna, my new favorite dive in downtown Lausanne.

On a different note (la-la-la), I have a new found fascination with Velcro shoes. I have spotted multiple Euro fashionistas sporting the oh-so-sleek take on the classic Velcro motif. I'm determined to find a pair of my own.

Happy birthday to me.

Châtel.

2004-10-30T19:33:00.000-07:00

After returning to my (I just love the fact that I cannot find the y key on a French keyboard) home from the hospital, my ER drama evolved into a series of lesser evils.

I was so proud of myself (pride goeth before the homework) for crawling out of bed the morning after my little health scare. Little did I know I was just about to have a head-on collision with a truckload of homework.

This weekend I escaped to the mountains with my class. We loaded the vans Thursday morning and ventured over the mountains and through the woods to Châtel, a lovely town situated high above Lake Geneva.

Châtel was everything I thought Switzerland would be. During our weekend retreat, we read Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Judges and Ruth.

This morning, after finishing the first reading session, I went to meet my class for morning tea. I was welcomed with a loud "Surprise!" upon entering the dining room. I was honored by my class with a lovely morning tea twentieth birthday party.

The weekend has been about deep breathing, long walks, beautiful scenery and food (especially food).

My day of fun at the hospital allowed me to slow down enough to think about the last month and evaluate my progress. I realize that for the last three weeks my focus has been on achieving academic perfection. I believe this approach to learning fosters a superficial, effort-based form of growth.

God has reminded me to seek excellence, not perfection. I am learning (baby steps, people) to be a "big picture person." I have discovered that in striving to make all the minute details fall in to place I tend to lose sight of the big picture.

Am I rambling?

ER adventure.

2004-10-27T06:15:00.000-07:00

I do believe that, in writing this post, I may offend those readers who are etiquette-conscious. I intend to document the daily happenings of my life with the use of this "blog." Considering my intentions (and considering the fact that the past three days of my life have been a total medical emergency), I feel I am justified in writing about the most recent events of my life.

In all honesty, I have a bit of an infection (yes, I said it) due to the combination of the following three evils: coffee, lack of water and stress. Friends, I have been a full-on basket case for the last forty-eight hours; however, this drama has taught me a lesson in stress-management.

Illness is never a fun experience (especially when the Atlantic Ocean lies between you and your bed), but I thrive on adventure (okay, maybe not so much this time).

Thanks to all who have prayed, et cetera.

I will be leaving town with my class this weekend (destination: unknown). I have heard rumors of some sort of "Matthew Lovell twentieth birthday celebration" from a very reliable source.

Sunday = Funday.

2004-10-24T11:25:00.000-07:00

My "minimum sleep requirement" is definitely increasing exponentially. Folks, I crawled out of bed at 11:00am.

Kendra and I ventured into town this evening. We had a lovely time at Café Luna, a too trendy coffee shop located in the heart of Lausanne.

Upon our arrival, the café was begging for company. We wandered to the back end of the building, where we found a lovely sitting area composed of two small-scale chairs and a settee, covered tastefully in a leopard-print fabric. The chairs flanked a sleek, metal-faced fire place, which was later lit by our waiter.

While sipping coffee and absorbing the "coolness" of our environment, we agreed to return to Café Luna for my twentieth birthday, which is one week from today (I like packages).

A pair of photos for your photo fancy.

2004-10-24T11:23:00.000-07:00

Colors: black and blue.

2004-10-23T04:07:00.000-07:00

In the words of the talented and witty Dave Barnes, "If this page was a diaper, it would be stinking. Why? Cause I don't change it enough."

I have been told by my roommate, Stephen, that I am a sleep-speaker.

Earlier this week, I said in an intense tone, "Will we be studying the the seven signs listed in the book of John tomorrow?"

My roommate Jonathan, who was also asleep during our conversation, replied, "No, but I think we will be tested in the morning."

The next night, I spoke out in my sleep, "I read a commentary on the book of John... and some other fellow (I never say the word fellow when I am awake)... oh wait... I lost my train of thought." I then laughed, rolled over and fell into a deep and speechless sleep.

The rumors have been proven true! I work in my sleep. Unfortunately, my "sleep-work" is not entirely productive (okay, it's not productive in the least).

This morning, I passed my first exam with flying colors (colors: black and blue).

I will be two-decades old in one week.

American Ketchup.

2004-10-21T09:00:00.001-07:00

I believe I have learned life's new rhythm. In other words, I have come to terms with the fact that I basically work, drink coffee, run, and eat during every waking moment of my life in Switzerland. Oh, and yes... I work in my sleep as well. Now that I have grown accustomed to this new lifestyle, I thrive on it.

Today is my "catch-up" day (mmm... I miss American ketchup).

Come visit me.

Decaf Addict.

2004-10-20T13:02:00.000-07:00

I was pouring (or mixing) a cup of instant coffee just a few moments ago as I was gearing up for a late night of studying. I am writing a topical study on the word believe. I also hope to complete a report on the historical context of this Gospel before I assume a horizontal position.

I was so confident in this cup of coffee. I trusted it keep me focused during my late hours of studying. My delusions were shattered when a friend of mine pointed out the fact that I was mixing a cup of decaffeinated coffee. I then realized that I had been making my coffee from this same canister for days. Could it be that I have been living on decaf? Two words: placebo effect.

If this is the case, I'm switching to tea.

This evening we were privileged to have Sarah Lanier, author of Foreign to Familiar, as a guest speaker. She spoke on cultural sensitivity. It was enlightening to hear her practical approach to this often overlooked topic. I now feel I have a better understanding of all things foreign (or at least a better understanding of how to understand all things foreign).

Note: Anything I write in parenthesis is not subject to grammatical analysis.

Thew offers few words on Thuesday.

2004-10-19T06:37:00.000-07:00

I am snowed in (with work) and drowning in coffee. Seriously, it is only 3:39pm and I'm already anticipating an all-nighter. My to-do list is longer than the line to the candy machine at a fat camp.

Which leads me to my next point: Why am I even writing this post?

I do believe this "blog" has become my escape from reality.

Really, I'm a diligent student (just not during the five minutes it takes to type this post).

Has anyone else noticed that I never write about work? I just took a quick look at my previous posts, and noticed this pattern. This is quite shocking, as my life is 112% work and .7% play.

Please don't take anything I write as an accurate representation of my daily life. Everything I write is fluff. If you want the good stuff, give me a ring at + 41 21 784 1398.

Good night, Chicago.

A little snapshot from my day in Geneva.

2004-10-18T04:25:00.000-07:00

This is Thew reporting live from Geneva (really, I'm in Lausanne... just pretend). This is a photo of me being absolutely amazing in front of a "garden-clock-sculpture."

By the way, the scarf I am wearing was made by my grandmother (thanks, Nanny).

여보세요 나의 이름은 매튜 이다.

2004-10-18T04:15:00.000-07:00

As you may know, I am enrolled in a bilingual school. My courses are conducted in English and Korean, and about one-third of my fellow students speak Korean.

I have been given a Korean name, Jung Woosung, by my friend Eun Hae. I'm told this is the name of a Korean celebrity.

I had my first lesson in Korean 101 this afternoon over lunch. So far I have been taught to say the following basic conversational statements/questions in Korean:

Hello, my name is Jung Woosung. How are you today?
Pleased to meet you.
I want food (this one is of special importance).
You can do it.

Eighty-Four Babies

2004-10-17T09:53:00.001-07:00

Before I begin, let me just share with you the most exciting revelation. I was looking at the mountains from my bedroom window this morning. As I was doing this, I said to myself, "Self, these snow-capped mountains look just like the photo on the Evian bottled water label."

I later discovered that, indeed, the view from my window is the view captured on this ever-so-popular label. Evian, France is just a short ferry-ride from Lausanne, located on the opposite shore of Lake Geneva. Good stuff.

Now on to the feature presentation. This morning, I experienced the luxury of laziness. Free time is gold to students of the School of Biblical Studies, and I definitely spent my portion today. This morning, I sat in the sun room overlooking the Alps and played (guitar, not Legos) with Elias. We were discussing the woes of "writer's block." My solution to this common illness was to write a song composed of clichés. I discovered this relaxed approach to writing was the absolute most efficient (there's a creative word) way to write. As I attempted to write a song of clichés, I found I was writing the the exact opposite (sort of).

This afternoon, I sat in the internet cafe here on campus and sang some Christmas songs with a few friends (yes, Christmas songs are definitely appropriate in October). I then finished my little cliché ditty with the help of, well, just about everyone in the room. Below are the lyrics of my (our) little ditty, Eighty-four Babies:

I try to be profound, but profound is not allowed when your head is in the clouds.

I try time after time to add meaning to my rhymes, but I can't.

Baby, baby, baby, honey, sugar, pumpkin pie,

Baby, baby, baby, baby, don't you know that I

Want to be with you until the day I die.

If you were in the dictionary, you would be fine print read with excitement, and I, the beneficiary of this fineness, sealed with a fine kiss.

I hope we are a possibility, or at least a probability.

My infatuation for you, my God's creation, has birthed this proclamation.

Geneva.

2004-10-16T11:45:00.000-07:00

This morning, I slept until 9:00 (it's a record, ladies and gentlemen). I had been told we would be going to Le Mont, a nearby city to read Luke that afternoon. At our scheduled time of departure, our staff spilled the beans and let us know we would be going to Geneva for the day.

The events of the day were most enjoyable. After taking a quick tour of the city, we arrived at St. Peter's Cathedral to read the gospel of Luke. The cathedral was built just before the Protestant Reformation, when it was commandeered by John Calvin.

After our time at St. Peter's, we were off to shop (priorities, people). I had to see what all the fuss about H&M was about.

We then walked to the edge of Lake Geneva. The view of the Alps was beautiful from this end of the lake.

Then, we ventured back to the cathedral to climb to the top of the north tower. At only three francs, the tour of the north tower offers the most incredible view of Geneva. Good stuff.

This has been an all-around glorious (yes, glorious) Saturday.

Debbie Hicks is my hero.

2004-10-15T11:21:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was our final day with our first speaker, Debbie Hicks, an amazing teacher and an even more amazing woman of God. Her love for the word and her desire to know it has inspired me to dig deep and seek the word like I am seeking (something else that is valuable).

My love of coffee has grown into a full-on addiction in the last two days. I am considering entering rehab as soon as I complete the School of Biblical Studies.

I have applied for the second phase of the School of Biblical Studies in Restenäs, Sweden. The course is set to begin in early January.

It has been a glorious cold, rainy day in Lausanne. This morning I saw my first snow-capped mountains from my bedroom window.

I have been given a nickname by a friend of mine here on campus. Thew's the name (think Matthew without the... well, you get it).

Meet my friend, Philemon.

2004-10-13T08:14:00.000-07:00

"16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Paul in 2 Timothy 3:16-17

This week, we have been studying Paul's letter to Philemon. Initially, I assumed we would be studying this letter for the purpose of learning the methods of inductive study.

Upon reading this letter for the first time, I did not find any "timeless truth" or principle which would be relevant in modern times. I have since been reminded that everything in the word was written for a purpose, and is relevant regardless of time and circumstances. In Paul's letter to Philemon, I have found so much spiritual "meat." I have learned so much about repentance, restitution and reconciliation during our study of Philemon, a letter composed of only twenty-five verses.

Tourism is an aerobic exercise.

2004-10-09T12:15:00.000-07:00

This morning, I ventured down the mountain with a few friends. Once in Lausanne, we boarded the train to Montreux, a small lakeside town situated between Lausanne and Geneva.

Somehow, our group of four became two groups of two, and were later reunited once both groups had reached Montreux.

Montreux was lovely. We took a brief tour of the town, visiting Chalet du Chillon, a small castle on Lake Geneva. We then walked to a cathedral built in the early 1800's. I have learned that tourism in Switzerland is an aerobic exercise. Did I mention that Montreux is the home (or one of the homes) of Shania Twain?

When in Montreux, I attempted to speak with a few of the locals in their mother tongue, French. Before I continue, let me just say that my French is very poor (way below the poverty level). I noticed that when I was attempting to speak with these people, I compulsively said the word "Bonjour." If, by chance, your French is worse than mine, "Bonjour" is French for "Hello." After many failed attempts at speaking basic French, I realized what these people must have thought of me when, after asking them a question such as "How much is this postcard," I randomly said, "Hello... Hello."

Fond are you of fondue?

2004-10-07T04:41:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week, students and staff gathered for Swiss Night, a University of the Nations Lausanne tradition. The focus of this night was on Swiss history, culture and food.

The evening included a brief lesson on the history of Switzerland, and was then followed by a video and reception.

During the reception, we sampled Swiss chocolates, cheeses and fondue. I prefer to call it "fon-don't," as the fondue here in Switzerland is quite strong. Though this dish was a little much for my sheltered taste-buds, I thoroughly enjoyed the delicious variety of chocolates available. Oh and yes, the history was fun too.

Our study of Acts is nearing an end. I have enjoyed getting to know our instructor, Debbie Hicks. She will be speaking on the School of Biblical Studies Core Course until the end of next week. She has an amazing love and hunger for the Word. It is a blessing to be led by people, such as Ms. Hicks, who have such a passion for the Word of God.

Monday.

2004-10-04T12:04:00.000-07:00

Today was the first full day of lectures for the School of Biblical Studies Core Course (SBSCC). We are currently in the middle of our study of Acts. This morning, we were introduced to our first speaker, Debbie Hicks. Ms. Hicks has been involved in the University of the Nations (U of N) SBS program for many years. She has such an amazing understanding of the word. This morning, she discussed the basic processes of inductive Biblical studies.

This evening, we read through Galatians and 1 and 2 Thessalonians.

There are no cats in America.

2004-10-03T11:11:00.000-07:00

I now have so much empathy for Fievel, a character from one of my childhood movies, An American Tale. In the movie, Fievel, a young mouse, and his family (they are mice as well) migrate from Europe to America to escape the vicious European cats. Before their journey begins, all of the mice sing with confidence, "There are no cats in America, and the streets are paved with cheese."

Yesterday evening, I was walking to the campus laundry room, which is just across the way from the building I am living in. The sun had set, and the path to the laundry room was not very well-lit. If I had been outdoors in Tennessee or Australia I would have been careful not to run into any spiders hiding in the shadows. But, in my ignorance, I thought, "Surely there aren't any spiders in Switzerland." With boldness, I approached the laundry room door and started to look for a light switch. Just as I was entering the room, I spotted a large spider hanging in the window just above one of the washers.

I was shocked to see such a sight in Switzerland, the land of snow and other cold things. I then remembered the scene in American Tale when Feivel, who had been assured by his fellow mice that there were "no cats in America," saw his very first American cat.

Seriously, I have been singing this song ever since. By the way - I waited until this morning to transfer my laundry to the drier.

Last night, we started our study of Acts by reading each of its twenty-eight chapters. I am loving life in Lausanne. Have I said this before?

I have taken a number of photographs since I have been in Lausanne. I will post them as soon as possible, or just whenever I feel like it.

Lausanne at last.

2004-10-01T09:15:00.000-07:00

I am now in Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland.

Getting here was quite an adventure. I traveled by plane, train, bus, foot and car (yes, I definitely hitchhiked). Basically, I arrived in Lausanne and realized I would be unable to withdraw money using my ATM card, due to the fact that my card had not been activated at that time (Thank you, Bank of Nashville). The local banks were closed, so I was not able to exchange my US Dollars for Swiss Francs. Yikes!

The rest of the story includes a nice European who purchased a bus ticket for the American student, who then gets off at the wrong bus stop and has no choice but to venture up the mountain by foot while toting 100 pounds of luggage. Oh and yes, the evening came to a very happy ending when a local offered a free ride to the campus.

I learn the best lessons while traveling. I always seem to come into situations in which I have no choice but to trust God.

Today is the first day of the School of Biblical Studies Core Course. I have enjoyed getting to know everyone and I am growing accustomed to my new home.

I am living in a pink, four-story chalet just outside of Lausanne on the campus of the University of the Nations.

Having completed my first day of orientation, I can already tell that this is going to be three months of good stuff.

I need to find me some fashion.

2004-09-25T17:30:00.000-07:00

The coat saga has come to a very happy ending. Let me fill you in.

I will be living in Switzerland this semester, and I have been shopping for a coat suitable for the winter weather.

I have not been successful in finding such a coat. It has been difficult to find a coat in Nashville as it is only the end of September.

Ding-ding-ding! Folks, I believe I have found a winner.

I was packing my things for Switzerland just last night, and I came across a green trench coat belonging to my father. He wore it during high school. It has a 1970's vibe to it which I really like.

Thanks, Dad.

Saturday.

2004-09-25T07:27:00.000-07:00

Everything is coming together so nicely. My fake smile has turned authentic.

Today I am making those final preparations. Tomorrow morning I will be off to Charlotte, North Carolina to visit with family until Wednesday, when I will leave for Paris.

Seriously, a few days ago I was not completely sure how things were going to unfold; I was confident God would provide, and I knew He had called me to complete this school.

Yesterday morning, I still wasn't sure how things were going to come together. Later that afternoon, everything just started falling into place. It's not a me thing, it's a God thing.

Though it has not been the easiest process, I am so glad I decided to put everything in God's hands. He has provided and caused everything to run smoothly, and I have learned an important lesson in trusting Him.

This is a fake smile.

2004-09-23T07:10:00.000-07:00

Kids, I scored a speeding ticket this morning for going 51 miles per hour in a 40 zone (I was sure the speed limit was 45). The policeman was nice.

I didn't have my driver's license with me at the time (I wasn't planning on getting pulled over). I was on my way home from the dry cleaner (my former place of employment) listening to Kelly Clarkson.

I heard a very interesting (sarcastic) comment on the radio this morning. I don't normally listen to top 40 radio, but I tuned into the local hit radio station just to see what was happening on the pop scene these days.

One of the hosts was reading through the latest celebrity gossip, and he followed his little gossip segment by saying something to the tune of, "I can assure you these little tidbits of celebrity gossip are legitimate and come from reliable sources. We didn't get our gossip from Dan Rather on CBS. No, we get our news from trustworthy sources such as US Weekly."

I laughed hysterically, he played Kelly Clarkson, and I got pulled over.

I have discovered a pattern in my life. I tend to write mainly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Does this mean that Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays are the most interesting days of my life?

Talk amongst yourselves.

Leaving Nashvegas.

2004-09-21T14:28:00.000-07:00

In four days, I will no longer be a Nashvillain. I will depart for Charlotte, North Carolina this Saturday to spend the week with family. On Wednesday, September 29, I will fly to Paris and take the train to Lausanne.

Below are a few links which may be helpful to those of you who are thinking, "What is this Matt Lovell character doing this fall?"

For information on the University of the Nations, visit www.uofn.edu.

For information on the U of N campus in Lausanne, visit www.ywamlausanne.com.

For information regarding Lausanne, visit www.lausanne-tourisme.ch.

Go Us. It's our birthday (sort of).

2004-09-18T14:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday evening, my friend Kristen and I celebrated our upcoming birthdays. She will be twenty-one in November, and I will be turning twenty on Sunday, October 31. Since I will be in Switzerland for both of those very special days, we decided to celebrate together before my departure.
We started our evening with a bit of shopping and later went to Ru Sans, a Sushi bar here in town.

Kristen gave me a very nice custom coffee mug, which she designed. Thanks, Kristen.

I'll have the Greasy Turkey with a side of Swiss Cheese.

2004-09-15T23:44:00.000-07:00

Listen to me. I have just received word that the upcoming School of Biblical Studies leaders are proposing an optional field assignment to Greece and Turkey. Just a little food for thought (and prayer).

I am at about a 12.5 on the I'm so stinking excited. Get me on a plane and let's go-ometer.

You have great taste in music, and then you like JoJo.

2004-09-14T21:06:00.000-07:00

Earlier this afternoon, my brother and I were on our way home from my place of employment (yes, I work at a dry cleaner), and I started to sing "Get Out," recorded by the pre-teen pop princess JoJo.

I explained to my brother how this "catchy yet cliché" song was stuck in my head due to the fact that it had just been played on the radio at work. I then admitted (somewhat shamefully) that I had downloaded one of JoJo's songs from iTunes.

He responded by saying, "Matt, you have great taste in music, and then you like JoJo."

It's true, when it comes to music, there are two sides of Matt Lovell. One side is pop, the other is tasteful, acoustic, independent and, well, boring to most people.

I said, "That's a great quote, Josh. I'm going to have to put that one on my blog."

We both agreed that when you get to the point where every event in your life becomes a blog post, you've gone just a bit overboard. Just a smidge.

So, this evening I basically hit up the the Green Hills Hecht's. The Green Hills location is expanding and remodeling. In order to make way for such expansion, everything in the store was discounted forty-percent. I picked up a few needed items, including a very classic LaCoste shirt. Yes, it was twenty dollars.

My new home, Lausanne.

2004-09-14T09:28:00.000-07:00

Old Town
© LT / Marcel Imsand

Saint Francis Cathedral in Lausanne
© LT / Rémy Gindroz

For more information on Lausanne, visit www.lausanne-tourisme.ch.

Matt Lovell, Switzerman.

2004-09-11T21:26:00.000-07:00

It is official. I will depart for Charlotte, North Carolina in one week to visit with family before flying to Paris on Wednesday, September 29. I am set to arrive in Paris on September 30. I will then take the train to Lausanne, Switzerland, where I will enroll in the University of the Nations.

I will be completing a School of Biblical Studies Core Course, which involves an in-depth inductive study of selected books of the Bible.

I will be a Switzerman in just a few days. In the meantime, only four days of Oakwood the Greener Cleaner remain, and my smile is growing wider with the passing of each one of those days.

Harper Valley PTA.

2004-09-09T19:27:00.000-07:00

"...And when you have the nerve to tell me you think that as a mother I'm not fit. Well, this is just a little Peyton Place and you're all Harper Valley hypocrites."
Selected lyrics from Harper Valley PTA
Written by Tom T. Hall
Originally recorded by Jeannie C. Riley

Why is this my new favorite song? Probably because I am coming to terms with the southern side of Matt Lovell. The lyrics of this song are "white-trash witty." So thank you, Tom T. Hall and Jeannie C. Riley, for proving that you can speak with a southern accent and think like an educated citizen.

Vote for _______.

2004-09-08T20:24:00.000-07:00

"Bad politicians are elected by good people who don't vote."
Billy Graham, Evangelist

"The only thing needed for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
Edmund Burke, British Statesman

"No arsenal or no weapon in the arsenals of the world is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women."
Ronald Reagan, U.S. President

"To vote is like the payment of a debt--a duty never to be neglected, if its performance is possible."
Rutherford B. Hayes, U.S. President

"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost."
John Quincy Adams, U.S. President

"The ballot is stronger than the bullet."
Abraham Lincoln, U.S. President

Chic Shoes and Shweet Shows.

2004-09-05T23:25:00.000-07:00

K. Law and I hit the town this evening for coffee and a show. Silers Bald and Jars of Clay were playing at 3rd and Lindsley, a local venue and a personal favorite of mine.

During the show, I couldn't help but wonder where Steve Mason, guitarist and vocalist for Jars of Clay, purchased his shoes. Let me tell you: they were quite spiffy. I couldn't conjure up the courage to ask him where he purchased the shoes after the show, but let's just say I am now on a quest to find a pair just like them.

I am quite excited to say that I have plans to attend the local "Australian Festival" in Centennial Park next weekend. Maybe I'll even find Tim-Tams for sale.

This is M. Love live from Nashville signing off.

Ben Folds his hands to pray for his dinner at Fido.

2004-09-05T13:16:00.001-07:00

My cousin Kristen knows Ben Folds. Yes, it's true. Well, sort of. Okay, she has only met Ben Folds and we are not really cousins. But we sort of are, just like everyone else in Tennessee.

Kristen is working at Fido, a coffee shop located in Hillsboro Village. By the way, I recommend the Salmon Scramble and the Dalmatian. We have all heard of Ben Folds, right (I'm speaking to the cool people)? Well, he has been known to visit Fido on a regular basis.

No word yet on what Mr. Folds likes to order, but I will be sure to try it as soon as I find out.

Are hue interested?

2004-09-04T16:50:00.000-07:00

My intentions for this blog were to avoid informing you of shallow information such as my favorite color, my favorite band or my favorite food (that would be Greek food, by the way). But since I am so in love with my favorite color, I just can't keep it in any longer.

Brown. Is there anything unlikable about brown? Brown goes with just about any other color, and will offer a completely different look when combined with other colors. And yes, contrary to popular belief, brown goes with black. So, next time you are on the hunt for that certain something to wear, go with brown. Next time you need to give those faded walls a fresh coat, go with brown. Next time you blah blah blah, you get the idea, go with brown.

Brown. Because it matches my hair, my eyes, and other brown things.

Meet my wife, Butterfly Boucher.

2004-09-04T09:28:00.000-07:00

You really must hear Butterfly Boucher, a truly incredible Aussie phenomenon. I predict the golden melodies of this songstress will grace your CD player or, for you trendy types, your iPod in the near future. Her latest project, Flutterby, showcases her writing abilities, and listen to this: she played every instrument on the record. I know. It really is unbelievable. So, I had the privilege of sitting in on her recent show here in Nashville. And, yes, I actually sat just a few feet away from the stage.

2004-09-04T09:26:00.000-07:00

Butterfly Boucher

Save Martha Stewart.

2004-09-04T09:10:00.000-07:00

The verdict is in and the time is soon to be served, but do you really want to see Martha Stewart go to prison?

You could say that saving Martha is my celebrity cause (minus the celebrity part... for now). I've even been known to wear a shirt with iron-on letters which read "Save Martha." I made it myself, of course.

Save Martha. Because no one wants to live in a world where OJ roams the streets and Martha knits in prison.

Buy me things.

2004-09-03T16:30:00.001-07:00

Twenty years is only a few weeks away. Will twenty feel different? Probably not, but it's fun to think about being two decades old.

Preparations for Switzerland are trucking along. Two more weeks of Oakwood. My garden is wilted, but, not to worry, the season's end is fast approaching.