Wow, what an awful week of school. I need to graduate. NOW.

Nothing bad lasts forever, though, and I'm in the clear (in terms of work due) for a while. I've been in Knoxville this weekend visiting Lori, and while she's had a bunch of law school stuff to do, I've been able to not only get a lot of work done on this math competition database, but also on the new Zelda GBA game ("The Minish Cap"). Delicious.

The NFL pool is down to Lori and Steven. Lori has the Patriots winning it all, while Steven picked the Eagles. With $100 on the line, there's a lot at stake. Lori somehow won the pool last year, and now she is in position to win it again...how she does it, I have no idea.

The Nashville job search has also started, with Nashville MBA-related job openings beginning to surface. It will be an interesting process evaluating these different job options vs. continuing to develop the iTest into a financially-sustainable venture. Sometimes I wish I were better at doing work I don't have an active interest in. Life would be easier if I could hide my complete disdain for certain types of jobs!

Speaking of the math competition, it continues to progress. I have some key meetings coming up that could secure the future of the competition. Lets hope they go well.

Many people who know me know that one of my favorite artists is Seal. He got famous for combining his velvet vocals with synth dance beats, most notably in his first big single, "Crazy." Fans of his, though, recognize that he's done far more than simply make dance tracks a bit more interesting. Even outside observers realize that what Seal has managed to do in just 4 albums worth of material is to create such a unique sound that he has almost created a new genre all his own.

"Seal 1995", Seal's second album, is an absolute masterpiece. Drawing upon an image of hope in a world of immense self-doubt and anxiety, this album is one of my absolute most prized musical possessions. I would be hard-pressed to say how I would compare it to either of U2's premiere albums, The Joshua Tree or Achtung Baby. Its right up there.

Seal released "Seal IV" in 2003, and it was viewed as a successful rebound from what was considered to be a lackluster 3rd album (although I disagree, obviously.) In Seal IV, for the most part, Seal doesn't venture nearly as deep into the human psyche as he did in Seal 1995. However, I want to take a moment to recognize one of the most poignant songs on this album.

To hear Seal tell the story of "Love's Divine," a man so wrapped up in his occupation and the trappings of society one day just snaps and realizes he has been missing out on a lot. Below are the lyrics...I encourage you to not just check out this song at some point, but Seal's entire body of work. You'll definitely be glad you did.

Seal - "Love's Divine"

Then the rainstorm came over me,
and I felt my spirit break.
I had lost all of my belief, you see,
and realized my mistake.
But time threw a prayer to me,
and all around me became still.

I need love...love's divine.
Please forgive me, now I see that I've been blind.
Give me love...love is what I need to help me know my name.

Through the rainstorm came sanctuary,
and I felt my spirit fly.
I had found all of my reality.
I realized what it takes.

Cause I need love...love's divine.
Please forgive me, now I see that I've been blind.
Give me love...love is what I need to help me know my name.

Don't bend, and don't break...
Show me how to live, and promise me you won't forsake.
Cause love will help me know my name.

Well, I try to say there's nothing wrong,
but inside I felt me lying all along...
but the message here was plain to see...believe me.

I need love...love's divine.
Please forgive me; now I see that I've been blind.
Give me love...love is what I need to help me know my name.