The Sun Shines Bright on My Old Kentucky Home...

Well, this week has been one of ups and downs for me. Last Sunday was very fulfilling, as my friend Mary and I went to a U2charist in Framingham. Being a huge fan of U2 and an Episcopalian, well, sometimes, this service was quite perfect for me. And for any U2 fan! U2's music is often very spiritual and could ambigiously be about God and religion. I believe that their earlier music was very religious, but I'm not positive about some of their later stuff, especially the whole Zoo TV/Popmart Era in the 1990's. So, Rev. Paige Blair from York, Maine, and some of her congregation go to different Episcopal churches and hold these U2charists, complete with U2 music and a message about what we as individuals can do to change the world. The service left me absolutely elated, and I believe it had the same effect on Mary. Here is a list of the songs that were played during the service:

Beautiful Day
Pride (In the Name of Love)
MLK
One
40 (Psalm 40)
When Love Comes to Town
Sunday Bloody Sunday
One Step Closer
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Window in the Skies (by the way, this is my new favorite song)
Peace on Earth
Walk On

All I have to say is that it was a wonderful service and I would be delighted to go to another U2charist!

On Monday, my back was still hurting at work, so I decided to call the medical office where I go for "other" appointments to actually acquire a primary care physician. I went to an appointment, however, not with my official doctor, that afternoon. She really couldn't find anything wrong with me and I had to get some x-rays, which was somewhat unpleasant because the woman was aggressive and pushed me around on the table. They did discover some digestive problems (I won't get into it) and I was told to get some meds myself. However, they didn't give me a prescription. I went home and got sick bascially Monday and Tuesday night. On Thursday, I decided I needed some kind of pain killer prescription, so I went back to another doctor at the same office and was successful in getting Naproxin. Although I have been feeling well for most of the weekend, I woke up this morning with a back pain again. It stills hurts now.

During the middle of all of this, Brian and I went to dinner at the Wildwood Steakhouse for our two-year anniversary. We had an excellent dinner, but I feel things are weird between us. Maybe we're just too comfortable with each other. Also, Brian's thirtieth birthday is in two weeks and I really don't know what I can get him. Perhaps I can get him Red Sox tickets, but those seem impossible to get these days. However, I did get Paw Sox tickets (the Red Sox's AAA affiliate) for a July game when they play Louisville!

Anyway, I love my Brian but I often feel like he is not serious about me, which is a problem I've been faced with in the past.

On Tuesday, I got my very cool Razor phone. Well, now I'm hip, only a year too late. I have two great ringtones-- U2's "Where the Streets Have no Name" and the Outfield's "Your Love."

Yesterday was Derby Day and I was quite nostalgic for home. This was the year to be at the Derby because Queen Elizabeth II was present! Of course, both of my brothers were there because they have connections and all that. Eliot even won $1750 on one race (although it wasn't the Derby itself). One misconception I find that people have about the Derby is that they think there is just the one race the entire day, but there are actually about ten races. The Derby just has the biggest purse to win. I made two bets yesterday for $5 apiece on Curlin and Scat Daddy to Win and Place respectively but Street Sense won. Curlin ended up being third and Scat Daddy was like eighteenth. Anyway, Brian and I were over at Keith and Sarah's house, where we watched the race on their big screen projector. I made eggplant parm and derby pie; it was a lovely meal.

I miss my home so much when I see the Derby. Next year (if I am still here), then I am going to take a few days off and go home for Derby week. Mom is going to attempt to get tickets to the Oaks, which is the day before the Derby and features the race for the fillies.

Summer is almost here and the weather has been nice. It's going to be very warm next week, too. So, I have two weeks until my Arizona trip, for which I am so excited. We made reservations for a campsite at Cape Cod in June and then I will be home in August for a few days.