She Shoots, She Scores! (plus, religious plagiarism)

Tonight was our final in the Bill Bolton Women's Hockey League, and we won! If Bolton were the Olympics, we'd be flaunting the bronze. But it's not, it's the Annex, so we got free beer and pizza. Personally, I'd rather that than some mantel object I'd just have to dust... And I ain't one to turn down free beer. Yeehaw!

At my co-ed game on Friday night, I had a rare tantrum in the change room, immaturely throwing elbow pads about, out of frustration and self-doubt. Well, it happens. I had a shitty week, full of disappointment and frustration unrelated to hockey, and my multitude of missed passes just exacerbated my angst. Tonight, I feel vindicated. I managed to score the go-ahead goal in our second period - Sarah shot it to Georgina, who made the most perfect pass to me, and since I beat the opposition's defense to the net, no one was in my way, and I was able to make a composed hard shot right between the goalie's feet. Yeah!! In true wannabe-NHL fashion, I skated, arms raised, on one foot, back toward the bench in glee. Fortunately this time, I did not fall down. (pure joy, once again)

I wanted to post some photos, but that function of Blogger does not seem to be working tonight, so you'll just have to wait. Stop, I can hear your sobs from here!

In writing news, I've settled on some structural decisions for the novel, which makes me happy. More strangely, however, I've uncovered a teenage plagiarist of the Jehovah's Witnesses. Now that shit is fucked up!

I've been doing some research into the lyrics of a couple of the Jehovah's Witnesses' songs (they don't call them hymns, much like they don't call their building a "church"; it's a "Kingdom Hall") and I'm very happy because I finally found the lyrics to "We Must Watch How We Walk". I've got a few of the JW texts like "The Truth that Leads to Eternal Life" and "Your Youth - Getting the Best Out of It" - which contains such gems as "masturbation can lead to homosexuality" and "...marriage is not just about being a bride. It also means being a housekeeper, a cook, and a clothes-washer..." Yes, I'm serious, and yes, these texts are still studied by millions today.

But I don't have any of those old 1966 purple songbooks, and I've been looking on Ebay for a while, given that the title of my novel-in-progress is based on one of their songs. But on Friday I found the lyrics to that particular song on the internet, though in a highly unlikely place.

It was on a New Zealand website for writing by teenagers - for original writing. Original writing. As soon as I read the kid's "poem" (merci, Google), I remembered the song, the melody, and all the lyrics. After all, I had to sing it a lot as a kid! But I couldn't believe that someone known only as "Anonymous; American; Age 19" had passed this evangelical propaganda off as his poem! Why? It's not even remotely well-written! I'm surprised the moderator published my comment (in the name of my main character, as she is more outraged than me) that cites the song's original life as a dogmatic ditty about preaching to and spying on your neighbours! (I only mentioned the songbook's title and year of publication on their website; I saved my opinion for this blog).

Strange world, no? (and without even commenting on the recent discovery of the bodies of eight murdered biker Bandidos...)

Cheers.

Song is
We Must Watch How We Walk - Anonymous