Blank Page, an original poem

Blank  Page

What do I write?

I wonder here,

staring at a page completely bare.

The possibilities that one can do,

Ideas and joys and all things new.

But in my mind I'm overwhelmed,

So many thought I should dispel.

Focus on one and make a start.

Stick to the point,

stay true to my heart.

There's so many ways that I can go,

These rambling words seem to know

That as I write I avoid a choice,

Meandering through I've lost my voice.

But these are words I'm writing here,

And now this page is not so bare,

Though I feel as if I've gone nowhere,

Writing these words without a care.

So now I'll go,

I'm done for now,

There's more blank pages,

 and I do vow,

That what I write next will be worth your time,

(I don't even know what to do with this line),

And I know I'm writing too many rhymes,

Yet somehow I know we'll all be fine.

THE END

~ Sarah Stufflebeam

(My first poem in over a year. :P)

New Year's Fresh Starts and Things To Accomplish Before I'm 40

I remember remarking a year or so back that New Year's resolutions are silly and that resolutions should be made all year long.  Though I do agree with this sentiment, partially, there is something nice about a complete fresh start.  The last week in December I've been figuring out how I want to deal with New Year's resolutions for 2018.  Weight loss?  Ah, yes.  Learning new languages? Kinda sidestepped last year, will be better focused this year.  Music goals? Still a ton.

Also during Christmas and News Years I binged the last 2 seasons of Fuller House on Netflix.  Grew up on the show and it's been fun seeing what the Full House gang is up to.  The character DJ pulls out a vision picture board of all the things she wanted to accomplish by 40.  What a cool idea!  And then I realized I'm going to be 40 in 4 1/2 years . . . 0_0

Also a while back I once did a 101 goals in 1001 days.  It was fun, but I accomplished about 15%.  15% is better than 0%!!  Just throwing that out there.  My 40th B-day is a little over 1500 days from now in 2022. 

So now I'm coming up with some goals, my by 40 bucket list.  And every New Years I'll reevaluate and base New Year's goals on where I am each year with my bucket list.

One thing I do want to do this year is write a poem every week starting this week till the end of the year.  I haven't written a poem in over a year!  A poem that's not tied to songs I'm working on.  That part of me needs to come out more.  It wants to; I keep stifling it.

Other things I want to do this year is start tapping again.  As in Tap dancing.  Get a portable tap dance board and follow along with lessons on YouTube.  Highland dance is another thing I need to start taking seriously.  Goal: get a dancing kilt and full outfit by the end of the year.  Then there's learning French, Japanese, and Irish.  I've got Duolingo and book goals with these languages.  Start uploading music on YouTube again.  Haven't done that in a REALLY long time.  And get comfortable composing game songs and jazz songs.

The last major goal, or goals, is to get virtual reality games uploaded on Steam with my siblings.  We're finishing up a game next week, and it takes a few weeks approval from Steam.  (I don't really know what that all means; that's what my brothers have told me.)

Oh!  And I did sign up to do a 1000 mile challenge this year from I Love To Run along with my Gryffindor team at Hogwarts Running Club and Companion Team on Whovian Running Club.  Multiple accountability.  I did 27 miles last week.  And this week I'm aiming for 30.

But mostly I want these goals to be a good variety.  Some easily attainable.  Some beyond my wildest dreams.  Self improvement.  Adventures.  New Skills.  Health.  Etc.

A lot can be done by 2022.

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, mini movie review

 

Rating: B+

In 1995 we were treated to Jumanji, starring the amazing Robin Williams, a movie about a board game that comes to life.  If you don't win you die, for real, and each turn a player takes can have dire consequences.  This movie was fun and innovative.  My middle-school self loved it, but was freaked out at the same time.  Thank goodness board games aren't really like that!

Fast forward to 2017 (the movie came out over Christmas; I finally saw it), and the game has changed, literally.  Who plays board games these days??!!  (A point the movie makes, but we all know board games are still very cool.  Go check out same of the indie/international games that have come out in the last couple decade.  Awesome stuff).  Anywho, who plays board games . . . ?  Video games are where it's at, and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, to remain devilishly relevant, must reinvent itself.  Gone is the board game with a game cartridge in its place, old school style.

A group of four High Schoolers find themselves in detention.  These aren't your run-of-the-mill trouble makers--that's too cliché--these kids have potential, they just have a little something to learn.  While in detention Jumanji, the video game, is discovered, and to avoid work they decide to play while picking avatars.  Suddenly they're zapped into the game where they become the avatars they've chosen, bringing about opportunities and laughs.

And that's where the spoilers end.

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is great fun.  It really is.  I laughed so much throughout.

I love how this movie is a stand-alone extension of the original movie.  You don't need to see the first movie to enjoy this new film, though the 1995 version is still great, but this new movie is its own entity.

In the middle of the movie my Dad leaned over to me and said, "This is dumb enough to be good."  I agree, though not so much dumb as just silly and fun.  Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle doesn't take itself seriously, yet it's still a solid film.  The action is great, the pacing good, with a lot of humorous moments.

If you want a fun movie that's a true escape film go see Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.

MPAA: Rated PG-13 for adventure action, suggestive content and some language.

The Passing of a Prophet, Thomas S. Monson

This morning I woke to text messages from family and friends about the passing of President Thomas S. Monson last night.  I was saddened by the news, but not surprised, as he's been suffering from health issues as of late.  Now he is with his beloved wife and at peace.

Early this afternoon, as I've been nursing a migraine, I decided to open up the BYUtv app on my Kindle to find shows to stream.  (Wonderful app, btw, and entirely free.)

I saw the category "Devotionals."  It's been such a longtime since I've watched one, and decided to find a devotional from when I attended BYU.  Newest to oldest first I went right to 2006, and there I found "Three Gates to Open" by Thomas S. Monson.

This speech, talking about the three gates (preparation, performance, and service) is beautiful.  Everything I love and miss about President Monson is there: His love of storytelling, wit, ability to tie lessons to life experiences, etc.  His talks are always wonderful, and thanks to technology we will always have them to watch over and over.

Honestly, I have no idea if I was there in person watching this devotional.  Wish I could remember!  I'd be surprised if I wasn't, just can't remember.  Ah!  But back in middle/high school sometime president Monson came to Central California to speak at regional conference.  I was in a small choir that practiced in Visalia, and on the Sunday he came we all drove up to Fresno to sing and hear him speak.

This was such a special experience.  He spoke in a sports arena of some sort, and in the back there was a banner hung up that read, "Be a Good Sport."  He saw that and based his entire talk on being a good sport.  And then before leaving he turned to us choir members and gave a wave.

I will always love President Monson.  What a wonderful, beautiful life he's lived.  He will always be missed.  But time is sort, and though parting is such sweet sorrow, this life is but a moment.  When this moment has passed we will once again be with those we love.