Well, much to the chagrine of a certain some one with the initials of my beloved Star Wars, and to the surprise of myself; I'm up for best singer/songwriter-Male in the Northwest Arkansas Music Awards again.
I still don't know how these nominations work, but I'm very grateful to whoever keeps me in the picture.
I guess I was nominated last year, but didn't even find out about it in time for me to vote, let alone motivate the masses of adoring friends/fans who read this little blog.
Voting isn't open yet, but keep an eye on the link above as I think it'll be open in the next week or two. If you're so inclined, feel free to cast for yours truly...
3.05.2007
Who killed the electric car?
Who Killed the Electric Car?
Just watched this movie. Too pissed off and frustrated to talk about it right now. If you don't want to know who killed the car without watching it, I won't tell you who, but I'll tell you want:
Greed, materialism, stupidity.
Instead of ultra-clean, cheaply run electric cars driving on the road for the last 10 years, what do we have? Hummers.
Just watched this movie. Too pissed off and frustrated to talk about it right now. If you don't want to know who killed the car without watching it, I won't tell you who, but I'll tell you want:
Greed, materialism, stupidity.
Instead of ultra-clean, cheaply run electric cars driving on the road for the last 10 years, what do we have? Hummers.
2.28.2007
blogging
My problem is that whenever I start to write something, it starts getting really long and then I get tired of writing and want to quit, but then I'm frustrated with what actually made it onto the blog.
Random things that I'm going to not write very much about:
-Last night, my best friend from college called me to let me know that he's officially out of full-time ministry and that he's investigating new career paths. We talked some about how we went to Bible college with a pretty tight-knit group of 4 guys who all received degrees in music ministry. All are talented, intelligent, personable, faithful and would profoundly bless ANY church they worked for. And yet, not a single one of them is now working in full time music ministry or any other kind of ministry. My friend and I discussed the possibility that there's something horribly wrong with the whole concept of vocational ministry; particularly music ministry. We discussed the fact working in full-time music ministry caused a moral dilemma that in order to do it as required would entail living dishonestly and actually "selling out."
The interesting thing is that I know many people in full-time music ministry. They seem sincere and passionate in their vocation and ministry, but most also seem pretty shallow in the way they live their life.
From one perspective, I'm pretty proud that the 4 guys I graduated with are no longer in ministry because they're actually too honest to be able to live with the tensions that vocational music ministry requires. Ok, I've broke my rule and written too much on this.
-This morning, while driving to my sub job, I started thinking about what it would be like if my dad were alive and how he would interact with Ivy and how much I would love to see that. It's been 13 years now, and sometimes thinking about how much of my life I am unable to share with my dad hurts so much. I had to turn up the music and start thinking about something else so that the tears in my eyes wouldn't start flowing and make it hard to see.
-I feel like I'm gearing up for job hunting. In the next few months, many school districts will be getting their contracts signed for next year and will start getting ideas for where they're going to need positions. I hate it. I don't want to go out and find a job, I just want somebody to give me one. I often think that one of the reasons I didn't accomplish more as a musician was because I just can't stomach self-promotion enough. And here I am trying to sell myself as a teacher. The fact is that last summer, I suspected that I could/would be a good teacher. Now, after subbing so much since the beginning of the year, (and I truly believe and I think most teachers agree, that subbing is WAY harder than teaching) I'm convinced that I would be one of the better teachers. If somebody would just give me a freaking job...
-I'm reading the Green Mile again. I've needed something to read while I'm baby-sit...I mean subbing. I still think that Stephen King is a great novelist.
Random things that I'm going to not write very much about:
-Last night, my best friend from college called me to let me know that he's officially out of full-time ministry and that he's investigating new career paths. We talked some about how we went to Bible college with a pretty tight-knit group of 4 guys who all received degrees in music ministry. All are talented, intelligent, personable, faithful and would profoundly bless ANY church they worked for. And yet, not a single one of them is now working in full time music ministry or any other kind of ministry. My friend and I discussed the possibility that there's something horribly wrong with the whole concept of vocational ministry; particularly music ministry. We discussed the fact working in full-time music ministry caused a moral dilemma that in order to do it as required would entail living dishonestly and actually "selling out."
The interesting thing is that I know many people in full-time music ministry. They seem sincere and passionate in their vocation and ministry, but most also seem pretty shallow in the way they live their life.
From one perspective, I'm pretty proud that the 4 guys I graduated with are no longer in ministry because they're actually too honest to be able to live with the tensions that vocational music ministry requires. Ok, I've broke my rule and written too much on this.
-This morning, while driving to my sub job, I started thinking about what it would be like if my dad were alive and how he would interact with Ivy and how much I would love to see that. It's been 13 years now, and sometimes thinking about how much of my life I am unable to share with my dad hurts so much. I had to turn up the music and start thinking about something else so that the tears in my eyes wouldn't start flowing and make it hard to see.
-I feel like I'm gearing up for job hunting. In the next few months, many school districts will be getting their contracts signed for next year and will start getting ideas for where they're going to need positions. I hate it. I don't want to go out and find a job, I just want somebody to give me one. I often think that one of the reasons I didn't accomplish more as a musician was because I just can't stomach self-promotion enough. And here I am trying to sell myself as a teacher. The fact is that last summer, I suspected that I could/would be a good teacher. Now, after subbing so much since the beginning of the year, (and I truly believe and I think most teachers agree, that subbing is WAY harder than teaching) I'm convinced that I would be one of the better teachers. If somebody would just give me a freaking job...
-I'm reading the Green Mile again. I've needed something to read while I'm baby-sit...I mean subbing. I still think that Stephen King is a great novelist.
2.25.2007
Bridge to Terabithia
On Friday, while subbing, I found the teacher's multiple copies of The Bridge to Terabithia. Since the students I subbed for had their assignment for the day, and my job was just to make sure that they did it, I was lucky enough read TBTT again.
I think I just read the the made-for-TV movie of TBTT came out in 1985. That means I would have been about 14 when I saw that on PBS with my family and consequently read the book the first time.
The trailers that I've seen for the new movie have really been bugging me simply because the book is not all about the fantastic adventures of the main characters in their imagined land of Terebithia, but about what happens to them in real life. However, from the reviews I've read of the film, it seems like I might be having a lot more problems with the marketing of the movie (and trying to sell it as some kind of Narnian adventure) than I may have if I actually see it.
I really enjoyed reading it again. Along with new movie and renewed interest in the book, I found out that the author, Katherine Patterson, is a Christian. With this new knowledge and hopefully a more mature personal faith discerning the value of this book, I was truly touched, inspired and dare I say blessed by some of the words I found. Particularly in reference to faith and its discussion in the book.
Fast forward to this evening and my reading of a review of the movie by a certain Christian online magazine. I haven't linked to the review and am not going to mention it because the whole thing is worthless drek and I don't want anybody to read it because of me. Why do other Christians provoke more profanity in my head than other people?
While this reviewer gives a relatively positiver review of the movie, can't get over the "careless at best" handling of a discussion in the movie about who's going to end up "damned to hell".
I know that when I read this book when I was young, I had much the same reservations as the reviewer. Of course, now I think that I had those reservations because I was well-versed in the ignorant pride that this teaching flows from. That seems to me one of the most evil.
Ugh. Sometimes my un-practiced writing drives me crazy because i can't seem to get out what I'm trying to say. (Languisher, will you re-teach me how to write?)
I'm trying to say all these things without giving away anything in the movie or the book. All I can say is that if anybody ever tries to say who is going to hell and who is not (other than him/herself), they are wrong. Because they truly don't know. And the utter presumption drives me crazy.
I think I just read the the made-for-TV movie of TBTT came out in 1985. That means I would have been about 14 when I saw that on PBS with my family and consequently read the book the first time.
The trailers that I've seen for the new movie have really been bugging me simply because the book is not all about the fantastic adventures of the main characters in their imagined land of Terebithia, but about what happens to them in real life. However, from the reviews I've read of the film, it seems like I might be having a lot more problems with the marketing of the movie (and trying to sell it as some kind of Narnian adventure) than I may have if I actually see it.
I really enjoyed reading it again. Along with new movie and renewed interest in the book, I found out that the author, Katherine Patterson, is a Christian. With this new knowledge and hopefully a more mature personal faith discerning the value of this book, I was truly touched, inspired and dare I say blessed by some of the words I found. Particularly in reference to faith and its discussion in the book.
Fast forward to this evening and my reading of a review of the movie by a certain Christian online magazine. I haven't linked to the review and am not going to mention it because the whole thing is worthless drek and I don't want anybody to read it because of me. Why do other Christians provoke more profanity in my head than other people?
While this reviewer gives a relatively positiver review of the movie, can't get over the "careless at best" handling of a discussion in the movie about who's going to end up "damned to hell".
I know that when I read this book when I was young, I had much the same reservations as the reviewer. Of course, now I think that I had those reservations because I was well-versed in the ignorant pride that this teaching flows from. That seems to me one of the most evil.
Ugh. Sometimes my un-practiced writing drives me crazy because i can't seem to get out what I'm trying to say. (Languisher, will you re-teach me how to write?)
I'm trying to say all these things without giving away anything in the movie or the book. All I can say is that if anybody ever tries to say who is going to hell and who is not (other than him/herself), they are wrong. Because they truly don't know. And the utter presumption drives me crazy.
Matthew 7: 15-23 A Tree and Its Fruit
15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
2.03.2007
Two crazy things today....
First, I was driving to the library in Fayetteville. Because we just came through an Arkansas blizzard and it's still been horribly cold and they're still saying that side streets can be messy and frankly; Arkansas drivers are either idiots or maniacs when it comes to bad weather conditions, I decided to take the bypass and get off at the 6th street exit.
First, I notice lots of people on foot. Then I think, "Wow, lots of people must have been tired of being cooped up in their houses for the last few days, because this traffic is crazy!" Then it dawns on me and I have to call mr. powers to confirm my suspicion: the Hogs have a basketball game today. This would make obvious indicator #1 of how NOT a sports fan I am.
Obvious indicator #2:
After the library, I go to the cobbler to pick up a purse that Holly was having repaired only to find the cobbler is close on Sat. and Sun. So, I decide to walk across a couple of parking lots to get to the only IGA I know of in NW Ar. to see if they have the Lime tortilla chips way had for my mom's b-day weekend. (They still should not be the main chips...)
So, I'm walking across the parking lot of a Rent-a-Center and I see not 1, not 2, but 3 big screen TVs being loaded into the back of 3 different pickups. What the? Oh ya. Tomorrow's the Super Bowl.
I'm sorry. This is a subject for another blog. But, for the life of me I can't figure out why so much money and so much energy is expended on sports when arts and music programs seem to be in constant jeopardy. Is that what we want our culture to be known for? Our love of sports?
I'll probably go to the party tomorrow. But I'm being completely serious in that I don't even know who's playing. I'm sure I've heard, I just don't care enough to remember. But hopefully there will be some good nachos at the party.
First, I notice lots of people on foot. Then I think, "Wow, lots of people must have been tired of being cooped up in their houses for the last few days, because this traffic is crazy!" Then it dawns on me and I have to call mr. powers to confirm my suspicion: the Hogs have a basketball game today. This would make obvious indicator #1 of how NOT a sports fan I am.
Obvious indicator #2:
After the library, I go to the cobbler to pick up a purse that Holly was having repaired only to find the cobbler is close on Sat. and Sun. So, I decide to walk across a couple of parking lots to get to the only IGA I know of in NW Ar. to see if they have the Lime tortilla chips way had for my mom's b-day weekend. (They still should not be the main chips...)
So, I'm walking across the parking lot of a Rent-a-Center and I see not 1, not 2, but 3 big screen TVs being loaded into the back of 3 different pickups. What the? Oh ya. Tomorrow's the Super Bowl.
I'm sorry. This is a subject for another blog. But, for the life of me I can't figure out why so much money and so much energy is expended on sports when arts and music programs seem to be in constant jeopardy. Is that what we want our culture to be known for? Our love of sports?
I'll probably go to the party tomorrow. But I'm being completely serious in that I don't even know who's playing. I'm sure I've heard, I just don't care enough to remember. But hopefully there will be some good nachos at the party.
something new and blue...
I'll stand by the idea that one of the best things for an independent artist to do to get their music "out there" is to get an account with CDbaby. I held off for a long time. I think just because I didn't like the name and/or logo and mostly because I figured that if I set my mind to it, I could do everything that they could do for me on my own web-site. That may still be true for the most part, the fact is that CDbaby is HUGE and has all kinds of perks and connections and at a whopping $35 to set up a new CD, it's worth it. Having Gypsy Heart selling on itunes in Austria make it worth it all by itself!
Even though I LOVE getting random emails saying "You've made a sale! Your money's on the way!" or even better: "You're getting some money from CDbaby because you've been moving some digital downloads all over the world! Here's some money!", I've been slow to set up any of my older projects on CDbaby. Mostly, because whenever I think to do it, I don't really have $35 to set it up and it would take a few months for that CD to get into the system and show up on itunes and stuff like that. I'm an instant-gratification kind of guy. But, that would sure eliminate the struggle I have with keeping that old stuff available for the few who might be interested without having to order more CDs. So, I'm trying something new.
I just found this software/service that encrypts the audio files and sets it all up so that I am now selling my own files from my very own web-site. So far, I only have Vagabond Dancing available, but I plan to get everything else posted; including the very first recording that was only available on cassette tape!
The only big problem is that I'm having a hard time figuring out how to integrate this into my web-site as it is right now. Really, it's high time that good 'ole shacknotes.com got an overhaul, but I was lucky enough to have a web-design master do it last time, and I don't want to take a step backward...
Anyway, if anybody out there wants some "back catalogue" shack stuff, please let me know how the system worked for you. I'll be getting more stuff up there soon.
Even though I LOVE getting random emails saying "You've made a sale! Your money's on the way!" or even better: "You're getting some money from CDbaby because you've been moving some digital downloads all over the world! Here's some money!", I've been slow to set up any of my older projects on CDbaby. Mostly, because whenever I think to do it, I don't really have $35 to set it up and it would take a few months for that CD to get into the system and show up on itunes and stuff like that. I'm an instant-gratification kind of guy. But, that would sure eliminate the struggle I have with keeping that old stuff available for the few who might be interested without having to order more CDs. So, I'm trying something new.
I just found this software/service that encrypts the audio files and sets it all up so that I am now selling my own files from my very own web-site. So far, I only have Vagabond Dancing available, but I plan to get everything else posted; including the very first recording that was only available on cassette tape!
The only big problem is that I'm having a hard time figuring out how to integrate this into my web-site as it is right now. Really, it's high time that good 'ole shacknotes.com got an overhaul, but I was lucky enough to have a web-design master do it last time, and I don't want to take a step backward...
Anyway, if anybody out there wants some "back catalogue" shack stuff, please let me know how the system worked for you. I'll be getting more stuff up there soon.
2.02.2007
bad hair cut
So, I really like the girl who cuts my hair, and I'm hoping that she doesn't read my blog because my haircut sucks!
What's even more frustrating to me is that I can't figure out why. I told her to just do what we've been doing, I just needed it shorter. Somehow that didn't work. I can't tell if the sides are too short for the top/front or if the sides are too short too high on the side of my head or what. I just can't figure it out. I really hate it if it's too short and looks like military buzz, but this doesn't really look like that because it's too random. Just not random in the cool way that I like. So, now I'm just wishing it would hurry up and grow in some more.
On the subject of hair, I feel fortunate that I'm 35 and still have mine. I often think that since I have it, I should grow it out, get some length. The problem is that my hair is VERY straight. So, if I grow it out all, it's just very flat. Plus, holly hates it long.
What's even more frustrating to me is that I can't figure out why. I told her to just do what we've been doing, I just needed it shorter. Somehow that didn't work. I can't tell if the sides are too short for the top/front or if the sides are too short too high on the side of my head or what. I just can't figure it out. I really hate it if it's too short and looks like military buzz, but this doesn't really look like that because it's too random. Just not random in the cool way that I like. So, now I'm just wishing it would hurry up and grow in some more.
On the subject of hair, I feel fortunate that I'm 35 and still have mine. I often think that since I have it, I should grow it out, get some length. The problem is that my hair is VERY straight. So, if I grow it out all, it's just very flat. Plus, holly hates it long.
1.30.2007
A Prayer for Owen Meany
Owen Meany
When I was a kid, my little sister would annoy me so much when she'd read a book that she really liked to then end and just flip back to the first page and start reading it again. I always thought: If you already read it, no matter how much you enjoyed it, why in the world would read it again? Especially if you just finished it?
I'm going to make my retired-teacher mom and my retired-passed away dad really happy right now: I love to read. I love reading great novels and short-stories and if I'm reading for my own enjoyment (which is why I'm usually reading), I stick with fiction. I kind of have to make myself read the few non-fiction books that I get through.
The problem is that, like many things, I'm pretty picky. I have a hard time finding things that I really like. I've read most novels by Stephen King, a lot of Orson Scott Card, a lot of Steinbeck, some Arthur C. Clarke, I'm a big fan of a fiction trilogy that few people have ever even heard of by Franky Schaeffer, and of course, Lord of the Rings.
I think part of the problem is that I've read some really incredible books and when you finish a great novel, mediocre novels are horribly stifling. One summer a couple of years ago, I read Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden. I couldn't find anything to read for a couple of months after that.
So, I've actually started becoming re-reader. When I found Ender's Game a few years ago, I was blown away. It's an short, easy SciFi novel (IMHO: for people who don't even like SciFi) that I've read at least 3 times now. I read all it's sequals which I didn't find nearly as enjoyable, but earlier this year, I read Ender's Game again and found myself even re-reading two of its sequals.
Anyway, I just finished Stephen King's new novel, Lisey's Story, a couple of weeks ago (and if you want to argue with me about Stephen King being a great american author of our time, I'll be happy to smack you) and have had a hard time finding anything to read since. This week, I've been subbing in a classroom that doesn't require full attention, and I knew that they'd be taking a test today which meant ultimate boredom/fight-to-stay-awake time if I didn't find something good to read.
Finally, I decided that it's been a couple of years since I'd read A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, so I threw it into my bag to go to school today.
My sister gave me a copy of this book for Christmas probably close to 10 years ago saying that she'd had to read it for one of her literature classes and she thought I might like it.
This is my favorite novel that I've ever read. My problem with reading it today while students were taking a test was suppressing laughter as I burned through the first 70 pages!
Now I have to be careful. I suggest this book to people all the time, and I know that I often overblow it so that their expectations are so high, that there's no way it can live up. However, I just have to say this is a GREAT book! It has an incredible story with wildly vivid, amusing, striking characters. The interplay of relationships is so tender and funny and sweet and series of events are startling at times, outrageously comical at other times. And to top it all off, it has the most incredible, cohesive ending of any novel I've read. period.
So, I'm not telling you it's the best novel ever written. I'm just saying that it's my favorite. And I'm just excited about reading it again and I wish that I could find more books to love a fraction of how much I love this one. If anybody ever still reads this blog, feel free to leave me some suggestions. Remember: Novels.
When I was a kid, my little sister would annoy me so much when she'd read a book that she really liked to then end and just flip back to the first page and start reading it again. I always thought: If you already read it, no matter how much you enjoyed it, why in the world would read it again? Especially if you just finished it?
I'm going to make my retired-teacher mom and my retired-passed away dad really happy right now: I love to read. I love reading great novels and short-stories and if I'm reading for my own enjoyment (which is why I'm usually reading), I stick with fiction. I kind of have to make myself read the few non-fiction books that I get through.
The problem is that, like many things, I'm pretty picky. I have a hard time finding things that I really like. I've read most novels by Stephen King, a lot of Orson Scott Card, a lot of Steinbeck, some Arthur C. Clarke, I'm a big fan of a fiction trilogy that few people have ever even heard of by Franky Schaeffer, and of course, Lord of the Rings.
I think part of the problem is that I've read some really incredible books and when you finish a great novel, mediocre novels are horribly stifling. One summer a couple of years ago, I read Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden. I couldn't find anything to read for a couple of months after that.
So, I've actually started becoming re-reader. When I found Ender's Game a few years ago, I was blown away. It's an short, easy SciFi novel (IMHO: for people who don't even like SciFi) that I've read at least 3 times now. I read all it's sequals which I didn't find nearly as enjoyable, but earlier this year, I read Ender's Game again and found myself even re-reading two of its sequals.
Anyway, I just finished Stephen King's new novel, Lisey's Story, a couple of weeks ago (and if you want to argue with me about Stephen King being a great american author of our time, I'll be happy to smack you) and have had a hard time finding anything to read since. This week, I've been subbing in a classroom that doesn't require full attention, and I knew that they'd be taking a test today which meant ultimate boredom/fight-to-stay-awake time if I didn't find something good to read.
Finally, I decided that it's been a couple of years since I'd read A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, so I threw it into my bag to go to school today.
My sister gave me a copy of this book for Christmas probably close to 10 years ago saying that she'd had to read it for one of her literature classes and she thought I might like it.
This is my favorite novel that I've ever read. My problem with reading it today while students were taking a test was suppressing laughter as I burned through the first 70 pages!
Now I have to be careful. I suggest this book to people all the time, and I know that I often overblow it so that their expectations are so high, that there's no way it can live up. However, I just have to say this is a GREAT book! It has an incredible story with wildly vivid, amusing, striking characters. The interplay of relationships is so tender and funny and sweet and series of events are startling at times, outrageously comical at other times. And to top it all off, it has the most incredible, cohesive ending of any novel I've read. period.
So, I'm not telling you it's the best novel ever written. I'm just saying that it's my favorite. And I'm just excited about reading it again and I wish that I could find more books to love a fraction of how much I love this one. If anybody ever still reads this blog, feel free to leave me some suggestions. Remember: Novels.
1.21.2007
my hierarchy of movie needs
Matt Page's review of "Children of Men"
I'm only linking to this review because this movie is what got me thinking about this. I don't necessarily agree with his review, but he might give you a little more to go. In a nutshell, I'm not recommending the movie.
So, this morning in the shower I was thinking of what a movie needs for me to enjoy it. I started coming up with a list, but it's not really hiearchy because there are times when a movie can be stronger in one thing and it covers up a lack of another aspect. Sometimes this turns out acceptable to me and sometimes it doesn't. So here's the first of my list of important aspects for a movie in loose order with the exception of the first...
Movies Need to Have a Good story. This is far and away the most important. I can forgive a lot of bad dialogue, bad acting, bad cinematography, bad casting, bad editing if the story is good. Case in point: Star Wars saga. If you watch the whole sexology top to bottom, there are plenty of cringe-worthy scenes of horrible acting and worse dialogue; and not just in episodes I-III, although probably the worst instances would be found there. In episodes IV-VI, there are tons of cheesy, stupid lines of dialogue and lots of horrible acting. In fact, it's a testament to Harrison Ford as an actor that he's able to deliver some of those lines and NOT sound like a campy, cheese fest. In spite of these flaws, the Star Wars saga is among my favorite movies. Not a certain episode, but the whole thing. Why would I separate them? They're all the same story. And it's a GREAT, epic story.
Children of Men had an interesting premise: In 2027, everybody stopped getting pregnant. And suddenly one woman gets pregnant. That's interesting. But, that's about all that is good about this movie IMHO.
I'm only linking to this review because this movie is what got me thinking about this. I don't necessarily agree with his review, but he might give you a little more to go. In a nutshell, I'm not recommending the movie.
So, this morning in the shower I was thinking of what a movie needs for me to enjoy it. I started coming up with a list, but it's not really hiearchy because there are times when a movie can be stronger in one thing and it covers up a lack of another aspect. Sometimes this turns out acceptable to me and sometimes it doesn't. So here's the first of my list of important aspects for a movie in loose order with the exception of the first...
Movies Need to Have a Good story. This is far and away the most important. I can forgive a lot of bad dialogue, bad acting, bad cinematography, bad casting, bad editing if the story is good. Case in point: Star Wars saga. If you watch the whole sexology top to bottom, there are plenty of cringe-worthy scenes of horrible acting and worse dialogue; and not just in episodes I-III, although probably the worst instances would be found there. In episodes IV-VI, there are tons of cheesy, stupid lines of dialogue and lots of horrible acting. In fact, it's a testament to Harrison Ford as an actor that he's able to deliver some of those lines and NOT sound like a campy, cheese fest. In spite of these flaws, the Star Wars saga is among my favorite movies. Not a certain episode, but the whole thing. Why would I separate them? They're all the same story. And it's a GREAT, epic story.
Children of Men had an interesting premise: In 2027, everybody stopped getting pregnant. And suddenly one woman gets pregnant. That's interesting. But, that's about all that is good about this movie IMHO.
1.18.2007
I missed baby bookworms today. I was up at 6:30 ish REALLY mad. Mommy said it sounded like pain. Now she's wondering if I'm teething. She says if that's the case she doesn't need to keep me from other kids. But she didn't think about that until later this morning. Daddy got up with me but all I wanted was Mommy. So Mommy held me & I got quiet. For a minute. Then she gave me some teething pills that dissolve in my mouth. She gave me some milk. She loved on me. Daddy found a place to work today at a school he's wanted to get into so he went ahead and got ready for work after he gave me some tylenol. I calmed down and Mommy took me into her bed. I sat there for a little while looking around. Slowly my parents turned off all the lights & I got sleepy and laid down with Mommy. We both fell asleep til 9:30. Mommy said it was not a big deal that we missed the library today cuz she's sure they'll do the same songs next week. She's probably right. So, before my Mommy ate breakfast she put me on the floor. She got some short vidoes that she's uploading right now. They're not as good as my performance yesterday but at least you'll be able to see what I can do. It's not really a scoot, it's more like a creep. Mommy says it's kind of funny to put the words "ivy" and "creeping" next to each other. Daddy says my creeping is not graceful...yet. It helps if you breathe hard and grunt a little.
I found some new stuff last night while I was doing this creeping around. I'll show ya later.
1.17.2007
Lisey's Story
Lisey's Story
I've got about about 100 pages left of the newest Stephen King novel that I got from the library. It was due yesterday and I can't recheck it because somebody else put it on hold. They're just going to have to wait.
It's pretty good, classic King. IMHO, anybody who writes of Mr. King as pop/horror writer or for any other reason just haven't given him any notice. His characters are well-rounded and he's got interesting, gripping stories. Sometimes his endings suck, but I find that to be true for most writers most of the time. So, I'll keep reading.
I've got about about 100 pages left of the newest Stephen King novel that I got from the library. It was due yesterday and I can't recheck it because somebody else put it on hold. They're just going to have to wait.
It's pretty good, classic King. IMHO, anybody who writes of Mr. King as pop/horror writer or for any other reason just haven't given him any notice. His characters are well-rounded and he's got interesting, gripping stories. Sometimes his endings suck, but I find that to be true for most writers most of the time. So, I'll keep reading.
Rent (2005)
Rent (2005)
So, let it be known that I realized a couple of years ago that I don't really like musicals. When I finally got to see a touring production of Phantom of the Opera in KC when I was in college, I was royally disappointed. I think that's when I just started to say I don't like musicals. I've mellowed a little because just a couple of years ago, Holly and I saw a touring production of Le Miserables at the Walton in Fayetteville and it was absolutely stunning. Anyway...
I checked out Rent from the library just to see what the hubbub was all about. Holly and I sat down to watch it only lasted about 15 or 20 minutes before we shut it off. Believe me when I say that I really shut off DVDs. I just the the music was kinda crappy and the story/characters were melodramatic and I just didn't foresee it getting any better. I just didn't dig it. Some might. I didn't. But, that's not what this blog is about.
At one point in the short bit that we watched, mom and dad call and leave a msg on the answering machine of one of the main struggling-artist-in-the-big-city characters. I don't remember it exactly and this is a very broad paraphrase but it basically said, "we miss you and we're sad that you're not here at home with us for christmas. we love you and hope you're well. Please call us and let us know how you are sometime..." It didn't even say anything like, "when are you going to get a real job? when are you going to settle down and get married? pregnant? grow up? be responsible?" It was just kind of a dorky msg like parental msgs of that sort seem to be but it still seemed sweet and honestly caring.
As soon as struggling-artist-in-the-big-city character plays back the msg, he deadpans to his room-mate something like, "sometimes this city really gets me down and i start thinking it would be nice to go home and then THEY call and I remember how horrible it is."
huh? Why exactly are they so horrible? It just sounded to me like they cared.
I'm probably not telling this very well to illustrate my confusion.
But a more interesting question was what was the purpose of that clip of dialogue? Because it seemed obvious to Holly and me that the main character was thinking/reacting wrongly. At the same time, it seemed like the writer/director/performers/producers/whoever delivered the dialogue in all earnestness. Could it have been meant to evoke one sentiment and actually it evokes the exact complete opposite.
If you read this whole post, sorry it's been so long since I've posted. And I'm sorry that this is the post you had to read, because I know it doesn't make as much sense as it does in my head.
So, let it be known that I realized a couple of years ago that I don't really like musicals. When I finally got to see a touring production of Phantom of the Opera in KC when I was in college, I was royally disappointed. I think that's when I just started to say I don't like musicals. I've mellowed a little because just a couple of years ago, Holly and I saw a touring production of Le Miserables at the Walton in Fayetteville and it was absolutely stunning. Anyway...
I checked out Rent from the library just to see what the hubbub was all about. Holly and I sat down to watch it only lasted about 15 or 20 minutes before we shut it off. Believe me when I say that I really shut off DVDs. I just the the music was kinda crappy and the story/characters were melodramatic and I just didn't foresee it getting any better. I just didn't dig it. Some might. I didn't. But, that's not what this blog is about.
At one point in the short bit that we watched, mom and dad call and leave a msg on the answering machine of one of the main struggling-artist-in-the-big-city characters. I don't remember it exactly and this is a very broad paraphrase but it basically said, "we miss you and we're sad that you're not here at home with us for christmas. we love you and hope you're well. Please call us and let us know how you are sometime..." It didn't even say anything like, "when are you going to get a real job? when are you going to settle down and get married? pregnant? grow up? be responsible?" It was just kind of a dorky msg like parental msgs of that sort seem to be but it still seemed sweet and honestly caring.
As soon as struggling-artist-in-the-big-city character plays back the msg, he deadpans to his room-mate something like, "sometimes this city really gets me down and i start thinking it would be nice to go home and then THEY call and I remember how horrible it is."
huh? Why exactly are they so horrible? It just sounded to me like they cared.
I'm probably not telling this very well to illustrate my confusion.
But a more interesting question was what was the purpose of that clip of dialogue? Because it seemed obvious to Holly and me that the main character was thinking/reacting wrongly. At the same time, it seemed like the writer/director/performers/producers/whoever delivered the dialogue in all earnestness. Could it have been meant to evoke one sentiment and actually it evokes the exact complete opposite.
If you read this whole post, sorry it's been so long since I've posted. And I'm sorry that this is the post you had to read, because I know it doesn't make as much sense as it does in my head.
12.10.2006
nerdly or not
Just today, James was telling me that I was proving myself to be not so nerdly and then I nerded it up a notch. Here's the test to tell you for sure.
10.31.2006
finally
So, I've finally landed a job...for now. It just became official today, but I'm now the long-term substitute 5th Grade Science Teacher at an elementary school in Springdale at least until Christmas break.
I started subbing for this classroom last Monday and just got the official word that I'm good to go with this position until the teacher, who's recovering from surgery, comes back. This past week has been a good opportunity to get to know the kids, schedules, co-teachers, etc. More than anything, I have to say that the other 5th grade teachers who I'm teaching with, have been incredibly friendly, encouraging, and helpful. I couldn't ask for better support from them. Not only that, but it's mostly because of them wanting me on the team that I got the gig. Teaching in an elementary school was definately not my first choice, but this group of teachers on my team seems like a tremendous environment for me to get my feet wet and gain some experience.
For the most part, I think it's a good group of kids. Of course, some are ornery, some need a little extra, I don't know how they can always lose all their pencils or how they can be constantly forgetting papers/books/assignments, but as I get to know them, I find that I like them more and I think they're sort of getting used to me, too. Sometimes, it's difficult to be all business and disciplinarian with them, because I can see how cool the kids are and how much fun it would be to just have fun with them. As I'm with them more, I'm hoping that they/I can figure out how to communicate that when I mean business, we need to get to work, but I'm all for making the work fun, too.
The really good news is that starting next Monday, I'll get a bump in pay. Two weeks after that, I'll get another bump. This definately helps relieve lots of stress in terms of income/bills/livelihood. At the same time, this means I'm going to start being responsible for a lot of things in the class that I haven't needed to be responsible for yet: grades, lesson plans, etc. So, it's just kind of a new stress.
So, that's it for now. I'll try to post little stories as they come. Today, I got to deal with a student that reared back and punched another kid in the back of the head right in front of me. That was new and different.
I started subbing for this classroom last Monday and just got the official word that I'm good to go with this position until the teacher, who's recovering from surgery, comes back. This past week has been a good opportunity to get to know the kids, schedules, co-teachers, etc. More than anything, I have to say that the other 5th grade teachers who I'm teaching with, have been incredibly friendly, encouraging, and helpful. I couldn't ask for better support from them. Not only that, but it's mostly because of them wanting me on the team that I got the gig. Teaching in an elementary school was definately not my first choice, but this group of teachers on my team seems like a tremendous environment for me to get my feet wet and gain some experience.
For the most part, I think it's a good group of kids. Of course, some are ornery, some need a little extra, I don't know how they can always lose all their pencils or how they can be constantly forgetting papers/books/assignments, but as I get to know them, I find that I like them more and I think they're sort of getting used to me, too. Sometimes, it's difficult to be all business and disciplinarian with them, because I can see how cool the kids are and how much fun it would be to just have fun with them. As I'm with them more, I'm hoping that they/I can figure out how to communicate that when I mean business, we need to get to work, but I'm all for making the work fun, too.
The really good news is that starting next Monday, I'll get a bump in pay. Two weeks after that, I'll get another bump. This definately helps relieve lots of stress in terms of income/bills/livelihood. At the same time, this means I'm going to start being responsible for a lot of things in the class that I haven't needed to be responsible for yet: grades, lesson plans, etc. So, it's just kind of a new stress.
So, that's it for now. I'll try to post little stories as they come. Today, I got to deal with a student that reared back and punched another kid in the back of the head right in front of me. That was new and different.
9.27.2006
little news
So, it looks like I don't have to check the online sub-finder for a couple of weeks. I'm subbing for the long-term sub in a class where the teacher is going to be having a baby in a couple of days and the long-term sub is currently engaged finishing another mini-contract. This is good because I know that the teacher is leaving me great great plans and directions for the whole time I'm there and it's a great school. People are friendly and getting used to seeing me around there and since the teacher's going to be gone on maternity leave, I'm actually going to get to do some teaching.
At the same time, a 5th grade position has opened up and I'm going to pursue it with all I've got. I've already sent out an email and called the school this morning, but the secretary said the principal wouldn't be in all day. I plan to call again on my way to subbbing in the morning. As much as I really love the school that I'm subbing in and I know it will be great experience for me, the fact is that we just can't make ends meet on the pay that subbing brings in.
I know that's not much news, but that's about all that's going on.
At the same time, a 5th grade position has opened up and I'm going to pursue it with all I've got. I've already sent out an email and called the school this morning, but the secretary said the principal wouldn't be in all day. I plan to call again on my way to subbbing in the morning. As much as I really love the school that I'm subbing in and I know it will be great experience for me, the fact is that we just can't make ends meet on the pay that subbing brings in.
I know that's not much news, but that's about all that's going on.
9.20.2006
picky people and peter pan
update first: No. I still don't have a job. Yes. I'm frustrated and grouchy about it. It seems that all the schools within about a 50 mile radius of my house have filled all their positions...EXCEPT the one job at the one school that I've been hoping/praying/pleading for since before school started. They still haven't filled the position. I do know that she's offered it to a few people, who already have jobs, and was turned down because they already have jobs... So, since she's going down the list of settling, if she gets far enough down, she's bound to get to me sooner or later. Let's just hope that I'm at the top of the list of desperate people who still need a job that she doesn't really want but will settle for. Why would I even want to go into a new job situation like that? Finances be getting tight...not does subbing suck, but the pay sucks worse. One final note: I actually nabbed a half-day subbing job at that school. I'm hoping for a slim chance that I might be able to talk to that principal and could have the hope that I might make some better impression on her. Of course, since I don't know what gave her a bad impression in the first place, that's going to be tricky.
Other update: I STILL have a horrible cough and I even went to the doctor last week!
Ok. Peter Pan. I picked up what is supposed to be the 2nd of a trilogy of books recently written as supposed prequals to J.M. Barrie's, Peter Pan. Frankly, I'm shocked, appalled and disgusted. I am honestly having a hard time believing that either of the TWO authors ever read Barrie's book or even watched Walt Disney's animated movie or even Speilberg's extrapolation, Hook! Both of those movies are much more faithful to the characters' personalities and motivations. I know that most anybody reading this probably doesn't care, so I'll just bullet a few points that are incongruent with Barrie's conception that are apparent within the first few pages:
However, on October 7th, a new book is coming out, "Peter Pan in Scarlett" that was commissioned and sanctioned as a true sequal to Barrie's story. They had a contest where something like 200 writers submitted a chapter and story outline and some english writer won the opportunity to write the book. This is all under the direction of the children's hospital own all rights to the book. So I'm interested to read that, because I would think they'd go to great lengths to make sure the writer stayed true to the characters. I'm interested to find out.
Other update: I STILL have a horrible cough and I even went to the doctor last week!
Ok. Peter Pan. I picked up what is supposed to be the 2nd of a trilogy of books recently written as supposed prequals to J.M. Barrie's, Peter Pan. Frankly, I'm shocked, appalled and disgusted. I am honestly having a hard time believing that either of the TWO authors ever read Barrie's book or even watched Walt Disney's animated movie or even Speilberg's extrapolation, Hook! Both of those movies are much more faithful to the characters' personalities and motivations. I know that most anybody reading this probably doesn't care, so I'll just bullet a few points that are incongruent with Barrie's conception that are apparent within the first few pages:
- Peter Pan would have never said that he was "1 year older than the oldest of his group of lost boys" He was proud that he would never grow up. In fact, that was the one rule of the lost boys, if peter thinks you're starting to grow up, you're banished from neverland.
- Peter still had all his baby teeth.
- Peter was completely oblivious to fawning girls' batting eyes.
- Peter was proud and cocky and couldn't tell between real and make believe.
- Neverland was not somewhere out in the ocean, but another plane or world that could only be reached by magic and pixie dust, not "starstuff"
- Captain Hook was the most refined, if sinister villain. He was not dirty and stinky, but clean shaven, smartly dressed and groomed. And his first name was JAMES!!! James wasn't the name of a lost boy!
- The crocodile swallowed a clock. This represents time catching up to all of us. How could you even mention the crocodile without mentioning the clock?
- And what's the name of the indian princess? All together: of course it's Tigerlilly! Who ever heard of "Shining Pearl"?
However, on October 7th, a new book is coming out, "Peter Pan in Scarlett" that was commissioned and sanctioned as a true sequal to Barrie's story. They had a contest where something like 200 writers submitted a chapter and story outline and some english writer won the opportunity to write the book. This is all under the direction of the children's hospital own all rights to the book. So I'm interested to read that, because I would think they'd go to great lengths to make sure the writer stayed true to the characters. I'm interested to find out.
9.14.2006
No news not necessarily good news...
Sorry that I've been slow to update. It's just that I've had no good news worth sharing.
It is not September 14th, I'm officially "on hold" with the NTL program, and chances of me getting a teaching gig for the 06-07 school year shrink with every day.
It seems apparent that there just aren't any open positions within about a 50-mile radius. A couple of schools have offered a glimmer of hope that their enrollments are getting close to over-full at which point they'll need to add positions. I try to keep checking, but nothing has happened with them either.
There is one job still open that I would be qualified for on paper. It's really the job that I want. Unfortunately, I don't think the principal or the person advising the principal have had any sort of chance to get to know me to think that I could do the job and do it well.
By contrast, I've been subbing at another school since September 1st. I truly believe that subbing is more challenging than actually teaching with the exception that you don't carry the weight of the responsibility with teaching. Anyway, I've had 3 or 4 teachers from my hallway ask for my name/# so that they can try to get me to sub for them later. The people that have been around me and have been able to see me in the classroom recognize my ability with students and don't care that have little experience.
So, that's it. I'm still waiting/hoping/praying this principal will take a chance on me. And if that doesn't happen, we've got to figure out some more income because subbing pays squat.
It is not September 14th, I'm officially "on hold" with the NTL program, and chances of me getting a teaching gig for the 06-07 school year shrink with every day.
It seems apparent that there just aren't any open positions within about a 50-mile radius. A couple of schools have offered a glimmer of hope that their enrollments are getting close to over-full at which point they'll need to add positions. I try to keep checking, but nothing has happened with them either.
There is one job still open that I would be qualified for on paper. It's really the job that I want. Unfortunately, I don't think the principal or the person advising the principal have had any sort of chance to get to know me to think that I could do the job and do it well.
By contrast, I've been subbing at another school since September 1st. I truly believe that subbing is more challenging than actually teaching with the exception that you don't carry the weight of the responsibility with teaching. Anyway, I've had 3 or 4 teachers from my hallway ask for my name/# so that they can try to get me to sub for them later. The people that have been around me and have been able to see me in the classroom recognize my ability with students and don't care that have little experience.
So, that's it. I'm still waiting/hoping/praying this principal will take a chance on me. And if that doesn't happen, we've got to figure out some more income because subbing pays squat.
8.16.2006
pins & needles
Still nothing. It's a tricky (and covert) story, but I should be getting word if the decisions are made and I didn't get one of those jobs. So, at this point, no news is still good news. But the suspense is just about to kill me...
8.15.2006
job hunting woes...
So, I'm still not doing very well at keeping this updated. THE job at THE school that I interviewed for obviously didn't happen. I think that Principal ended up interviewing like 15+ people for that job, and I'm still not completely convinced that she wasn't just letting all us NTL people interview to get the practice. I just heard that the person who ended up getting the position was the person that had an aide position at that school all last year. So, it all makes sense.
My first REAL interview went AWESOME! It was with a principal and 2 assistant principal's and I really think we all hit it off. In fact, I knew that they'd called 3 of my references by the next morning and I think I ended up being one of the 3 picks that ended up getting sent to the Superintendent's office. Unfortunately, I never heard from the Supe. I'm not even a teacher yet and I'm already a victim of educational beauracracy!
The Principal even ended up calling me and telling me that they liked me so much and wanted me in the school and she offered me not just one, but potentially 2 long-term subbing contracts for teachers that were having babies. I was really jazzed about this, because I'd be starting the first day of school with that class and it would be such a great experience for me personally and for my resume.
Unfortunately, the NTL certification process and Public School policy conspired to prohibit me from taking that sweet gig from a cash standpoint. Oh, the district could bend their rules enough that they'd let me do the job, but not enough pay me the $146/day they'd normally pay a long-term sub. I could do the job, but they'd only pay me $73/day. Holly and I are good at living cheap, and I've made that much in a day, but that day is usually only about 2-4 hours long and I still have time to go do something else to make some more $$ elsewhere. So, with great frustration and disappointment, I'm holding off of that job even though I really want to work with those folks.
I had another short interview just the other day and I know the principal just got approved for some additional positions. I felt like the interview went ok, but 20 minutes isn't much time for me to REALLY impress the principal with just how great a teacher I'll be.
So, I'm sitting on pins and needles hoping to get a phone call tomorrow. If that doesn't happen, I don't know what's next. School starts on Monday and many people keep telling me that schools end up adding teachers/classes after school starts when they see their enrollment. I'd take that if it comes to it, but I'd sure like to get the call tomorrow so I can 1)Stop obsessing 2) Start preparing to teach a classroom!
That's it for now. I'll let you know.
My first REAL interview went AWESOME! It was with a principal and 2 assistant principal's and I really think we all hit it off. In fact, I knew that they'd called 3 of my references by the next morning and I think I ended up being one of the 3 picks that ended up getting sent to the Superintendent's office. Unfortunately, I never heard from the Supe. I'm not even a teacher yet and I'm already a victim of educational beauracracy!
The Principal even ended up calling me and telling me that they liked me so much and wanted me in the school and she offered me not just one, but potentially 2 long-term subbing contracts for teachers that were having babies. I was really jazzed about this, because I'd be starting the first day of school with that class and it would be such a great experience for me personally and for my resume.
Unfortunately, the NTL certification process and Public School policy conspired to prohibit me from taking that sweet gig from a cash standpoint. Oh, the district could bend their rules enough that they'd let me do the job, but not enough pay me the $146/day they'd normally pay a long-term sub. I could do the job, but they'd only pay me $73/day. Holly and I are good at living cheap, and I've made that much in a day, but that day is usually only about 2-4 hours long and I still have time to go do something else to make some more $$ elsewhere. So, with great frustration and disappointment, I'm holding off of that job even though I really want to work with those folks.
I had another short interview just the other day and I know the principal just got approved for some additional positions. I felt like the interview went ok, but 20 minutes isn't much time for me to REALLY impress the principal with just how great a teacher I'll be.
So, I'm sitting on pins and needles hoping to get a phone call tomorrow. If that doesn't happen, I don't know what's next. School starts on Monday and many people keep telling me that schools end up adding teachers/classes after school starts when they see their enrollment. I'd take that if it comes to it, but I'd sure like to get the call tomorrow so I can 1)Stop obsessing 2) Start preparing to teach a classroom!
That's it for now. I'll let you know.
7.20.2006
Mr. Shacklett?
Ok, I know it's been way too long. I've said before that when I have big things weighing on my mind, it's difficult to share. So, I've had a really big thing and I'm finally free to share.
I'm in the midst of a big career change. I turn 35 in just a little more than a month. That's about the right time for a career change, right?
Anyway, I've been working on the Non-traditional Licensure program for teaching and I'm hoping to get a job teaching in a Middle School this fall. I've been in class everyday from 8am-3:30pm everyday since last Monday (not including weekend) and I'm pretty pooped.
The reason I'm sharing now is that I finally got all my test scores back, (long story for another time), so I'm officially in the program.
I'm also sharing now, because if anybody still reads this, I need all the prayers and good vibes you can send my way tomorrow.
THE job at THE school that I've thought I wanted from the beginning came up and I have an informal interview with Principal tomorrow at about 3pm. This is really the only job that I want and I want it BAD! I know that she's interviewing a lot of other people, but I think I can do it the best. I just hope I get a chance to show her that.
I'll keep you posted.
-shack
I'm in the midst of a big career change. I turn 35 in just a little more than a month. That's about the right time for a career change, right?
Anyway, I've been working on the Non-traditional Licensure program for teaching and I'm hoping to get a job teaching in a Middle School this fall. I've been in class everyday from 8am-3:30pm everyday since last Monday (not including weekend) and I'm pretty pooped.
The reason I'm sharing now is that I finally got all my test scores back, (long story for another time), so I'm officially in the program.
I'm also sharing now, because if anybody still reads this, I need all the prayers and good vibes you can send my way tomorrow.
THE job at THE school that I've thought I wanted from the beginning came up and I have an informal interview with Principal tomorrow at about 3pm. This is really the only job that I want and I want it BAD! I know that she's interviewing a lot of other people, but I think I can do it the best. I just hope I get a chance to show her that.
I'll keep you posted.
-shack
7.14.2006
So, Mclaren really can throw down...
RELEVANT MAGAZINE
I know it's been a long time since I've blogged. And probably most people who still check my blog also read Jake's, which is where I heard about this article. But, the more people who read this short interview, the better.
I've never been much of a fan of Relevant Magazine, and I'm an unabashed fan of McLaren. He's a smart guy and makes me hope.
I know it's been a long time since I've blogged. And probably most people who still check my blog also read Jake's, which is where I heard about this article. But, the more people who read this short interview, the better.
I've never been much of a fan of Relevant Magazine, and I'm an unabashed fan of McLaren. He's a smart guy and makes me hope.
5.04.2006
5.03.2006
My best creation...
The day finally came 9 days sooner than we expected. Our family unit now counts 3 humans, 1 dog. Mom and daughter are healthy. Words fail so miserably as to seem void. God is good and I am blessed beyond comprehension.
joy
joy
4.25.2006
'You can sing about the Light, or you can sing about what you see because of the Light. I prefer the latter'
'You can sing about the Light, or you can sing about what you see because of the Light. I prefer the latter'
To my knowledge, I don't think I've spent any time ever listening to T-Bone Burnetts'own music. I do have the Oh Brother Where Art Though? soundtrack, and every one T-bone produced albums released by his X-wife, Sam Phillips. Coincidentily, I've also been listening to a lot of the Wallflowers' first big CD, Bringing Down the Horse, which catapulted the band to the heights they achieved at T-bone's production hands.
A couple of different web-sites/reviewers are getting really gushy about this new project of his and I'm really curious.
If I had to be referred to as "evangelical" how great to be thought of as a "thoughful evangelical"?
In other news: Seriously, baby-shack is coming any day. I'm kinda scared, but also kinda excited and am kind of sick of waiting around and ready to get this show on the road. At least with Christmas and your birthday, you know what days it's coming and you can countdown to that particular day...
To my knowledge, I don't think I've spent any time ever listening to T-Bone Burnetts'own music. I do have the Oh Brother Where Art Though? soundtrack, and every one T-bone produced albums released by his X-wife, Sam Phillips. Coincidentily, I've also been listening to a lot of the Wallflowers' first big CD, Bringing Down the Horse, which catapulted the band to the heights they achieved at T-bone's production hands.
A couple of different web-sites/reviewers are getting really gushy about this new project of his and I'm really curious.
If I had to be referred to as "evangelical" how great to be thought of as a "thoughful evangelical"?
In other news: Seriously, baby-shack is coming any day. I'm kinda scared, but also kinda excited and am kind of sick of waiting around and ready to get this show on the road. At least with Christmas and your birthday, you know what days it's coming and you can countdown to that particular day...
4.19.2006
changes-expanded
Ok, we've had two checkups where the dr. is like, "ok, everything looks perfect. Whenever she's ready, we're ready to go..." YIKES!
Not to be downplayed, I know that the life-change of having a little baby girl living in our house sometime in the next few weeks will change everything I've ever known. The weird thing, is that I've already felt some of those changes. People have always said, "Oh, your priorities and goals will be completely different..." and I'd think, "Well, I'm not so sure that I want my priorities and goals to be different..." But, here I am and I've already sensed those changes and it's just like they said. Many of the things that drove me and defined the way I see myself don't seem as important anymore. So, little baby-shack, of course is the biggest change #1.
#2-Our home church of the last 4+ years, is saying goodbye to its founder and minister, M. He's accepted a position at a church in San Diego and will be heading out there after this Sunday. I think it's a good move for him. I'm not as close to him right now as I have been in the past, but I've seen how difficult and bruising this church-planting business can be for him and his family. Honestly, I don't know how he and his family could not be tired and after 6 years, I think they deserve this R&R. I think that spending some time in an established church, where he won't have to deal with the struggles of the new church (attendance, financial struggles, facilities, etc) will be very good for him/them. I haven't talked to him in depth about this, so a lot of this is my own speculations.
But, this is about changes in my life...M leaving is obviously going to be a big change for the church. In a church the size and age of NS, the minister leaving is going to have a huge impact. Some people are frustrated, some people are scared. I'm cautiously hopeful. I really see this as an opportunity for NS to become something more and better than any of us really thought.
It seems like the leaders are really taking their roles seriously, and are trying really hard to do the right things. Not that I really know what the "right things" are, but we'll just have to wait and see if NS can get through this particular season.
Change #3- The other "worship gathering", the Portico, that I've been leading worship for, and been involved with for just under two years, is in the process of launching as an independent church. It was started as a "college ministry" of a large baptist church, but quickly became evident that there weren't that many college people around. However, there were many people just out of college who are just starting their careers (usually somehow related to walmart) and families and who were sick-to-death of the typical church bs. So, it's kind of been functioning as a church for many of its attendees for awhile, it's just that we're now separating from the big baptist church, trying to figure out where we're going to meet, taking on our own finances, etc, etc.
I can get pretty fired up about the Portico. It's all kind of scary, and I think I'm a little gun-shy after dealing with some of the "new-church" struggles of NS, but feel a lot more like-mindedness and unity of vision with many of the people at the Portico. I also feel like this is a group of people who know and want many of the same things that I want out of the "faith community" that I am plugged into. The only struggle is that it's a little bit of a drive to get up there, and it's just enough that it's difficult for us to get up there to spend time with people socially.
Life-change #4- This is probably 2nd in magnitude only to Life-change #1 (baby-shack), but I'm just not quite ready to blog about it. Many who read this already know what's cooking, but if you leave comments, please don't mention it. I'm almost ready to let the cat out of the bag, but just not yet. There's one big thing coming up in the next couple of weeks that I want to get past first, then I'll share.
So, it's just weird. If all goes as planned, my life will look completely different as soon as 6 months from now.
Stay tuned... to see if my head actually explodes...
Not to be downplayed, I know that the life-change of having a little baby girl living in our house sometime in the next few weeks will change everything I've ever known. The weird thing, is that I've already felt some of those changes. People have always said, "Oh, your priorities and goals will be completely different..." and I'd think, "Well, I'm not so sure that I want my priorities and goals to be different..." But, here I am and I've already sensed those changes and it's just like they said. Many of the things that drove me and defined the way I see myself don't seem as important anymore. So, little baby-shack, of course is the biggest change #1.
#2-Our home church of the last 4+ years, is saying goodbye to its founder and minister, M. He's accepted a position at a church in San Diego and will be heading out there after this Sunday. I think it's a good move for him. I'm not as close to him right now as I have been in the past, but I've seen how difficult and bruising this church-planting business can be for him and his family. Honestly, I don't know how he and his family could not be tired and after 6 years, I think they deserve this R&R. I think that spending some time in an established church, where he won't have to deal with the struggles of the new church (attendance, financial struggles, facilities, etc) will be very good for him/them. I haven't talked to him in depth about this, so a lot of this is my own speculations.
But, this is about changes in my life...M leaving is obviously going to be a big change for the church. In a church the size and age of NS, the minister leaving is going to have a huge impact. Some people are frustrated, some people are scared. I'm cautiously hopeful. I really see this as an opportunity for NS to become something more and better than any of us really thought.
It seems like the leaders are really taking their roles seriously, and are trying really hard to do the right things. Not that I really know what the "right things" are, but we'll just have to wait and see if NS can get through this particular season.
Change #3- The other "worship gathering", the Portico, that I've been leading worship for, and been involved with for just under two years, is in the process of launching as an independent church. It was started as a "college ministry" of a large baptist church, but quickly became evident that there weren't that many college people around. However, there were many people just out of college who are just starting their careers (usually somehow related to walmart) and families and who were sick-to-death of the typical church bs. So, it's kind of been functioning as a church for many of its attendees for awhile, it's just that we're now separating from the big baptist church, trying to figure out where we're going to meet, taking on our own finances, etc, etc.
I can get pretty fired up about the Portico. It's all kind of scary, and I think I'm a little gun-shy after dealing with some of the "new-church" struggles of NS, but feel a lot more like-mindedness and unity of vision with many of the people at the Portico. I also feel like this is a group of people who know and want many of the same things that I want out of the "faith community" that I am plugged into. The only struggle is that it's a little bit of a drive to get up there, and it's just enough that it's difficult for us to get up there to spend time with people socially.
Life-change #4- This is probably 2nd in magnitude only to Life-change #1 (baby-shack), but I'm just not quite ready to blog about it. Many who read this already know what's cooking, but if you leave comments, please don't mention it. I'm almost ready to let the cat out of the bag, but just not yet. There's one big thing coming up in the next couple of weeks that I want to get past first, then I'll share.
So, it's just weird. If all goes as planned, my life will look completely different as soon as 6 months from now.
Stay tuned... to see if my head actually explodes...
4.16.2006
Diamond-Studded Martini Runs a Cool $3,000 - Yahoo! News
Amy Pollard was talking about something like this on SNL last night. She was talking about some martini you could order at the Kentucky Derby for $1000. In other news, for $800, I'll just sell you a T-shirt that says: "I'm an ass@$#%!"
4.03.2006
changes
I think it's pretty common knowledge that change, even good change, brings stress. For the last couple of days, I've been wondering just how much change could happen in a short amount of time to cause enough stress for somebody to just completely freak out/shut down/implode/explode/whatever.
I don't have enough time to expound upon this right now, but for starters: We are now 34 days away from our due date.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't have enough time to expound upon this right now, but for starters: We are now 34 days away from our due date.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3.18.2006
Escaping the Creative Ghetto
My friend, Jake, blogged about this article. It's pretty great. Here's a quote that I liked alot:
This whole article could also be talking about music and the music industry. I realize it's still difficult for some people to grasp, but I'm encouraged that some one else is talking about it. Not to mention that this article is in Christianity Today. Hopefully, this will help CT's readers to better thinking.
Entertainment is best when it poses compelling questions, when it is not a lesson for the viewer but a dialogue with the viewer. A movie can show the ramifications of a worldview, but it gets in real trouble when it starts articulating worldviews. Christians will never have real success in Hollywood until we accept that simply delivering the Truth will not help the audience. We must allow the audience to wrestle with the Truth. We need to have the simple trust of the sower who casts seeds out on the ground and then moves on, believing that somebody else will come along to till, weed, and harvest.
Why is it that people of faith have so little faith in people?
This whole article could also be talking about music and the music industry. I realize it's still difficult for some people to grasp, but I'm encouraged that some one else is talking about it. Not to mention that this article is in Christianity Today. Hopefully, this will help CT's readers to better thinking.
3.14.2006
"You're Beautiful" but this song still sucks!
"You're Beautiful
You're Beautiful
You're Beautiful, it's true.
I saw your face, in a crowded place
And I don't know what to do;
Cuz I'll never be with you." -James Blunt
These are the profound lyrics of the modern singer/songwriter. (GAG!!!)
I'm sorry, there has got to be SERIOUS payola going on somewhere for this song to be played on the radio so much. The guy looks like a serial killer, his voice is annoying, the melody to this song is amazing in its stupidity only because it is trumped in it's stupidity by those horrid lyrics.
Come on, those lyrics sound like something a sensitive 6th grade boy would write in his first attempts to write a song/poem and realized he could rhyme "face" and "place". (no offense to sensitive 6th grade boys)
The real question is "why this guy"? There are hundreds of great singer/songwriters who have put out their first records this past year and there have got to be artists/songs that are better than this idiot. I mean, I can name half a dozen singer/songwriters with brand new records that make this guy sound like the no-talent loser he is. (off the top of my head, I'm thinking that rhett miller and glenn phillps and bruce springsteen have all put out new solo albums recently, how come none of them are getting played once an hour?)
Holly's radio woke me up this morning and this dumb-ass song was playing. I may need to take some kind of anger management class for when I hear hear it.
You're Beautiful
You're Beautiful, it's true.
I saw your face, in a crowded place
And I don't know what to do;
Cuz I'll never be with you." -James Blunt
These are the profound lyrics of the modern singer/songwriter. (GAG!!!)
I'm sorry, there has got to be SERIOUS payola going on somewhere for this song to be played on the radio so much. The guy looks like a serial killer, his voice is annoying, the melody to this song is amazing in its stupidity only because it is trumped in it's stupidity by those horrid lyrics.
Come on, those lyrics sound like something a sensitive 6th grade boy would write in his first attempts to write a song/poem and realized he could rhyme "face" and "place". (no offense to sensitive 6th grade boys)
The real question is "why this guy"? There are hundreds of great singer/songwriters who have put out their first records this past year and there have got to be artists/songs that are better than this idiot. I mean, I can name half a dozen singer/songwriters with brand new records that make this guy sound like the no-talent loser he is. (off the top of my head, I'm thinking that rhett miller and glenn phillps and bruce springsteen have all put out new solo albums recently, how come none of them are getting played once an hour?)
Holly's radio woke me up this morning and this dumb-ass song was playing. I may need to take some kind of anger management class for when I hear hear it.
3.03.2006
powerplay
Today, I ended up going to a funeral. I debated with myself all morning on whether or not I should go, and ultimately decided that if I thought maybe I should, then I should.
So, I was rushing around to get ready, got stuck in traffic and construction and behind slow people all the way to the church, and running late.
Of course, when I got there, there was no place to park. So, after driving around for a little bit, I parked in a little parking area that's actually across the street from the church. The parking lot was actually for a little law firm that's right across the street from the church, but I'd seen two other cars do it while I was searching. They didn't have any signs posted saying "this parking lot for our customers only" or anything like that, and on top of everything else, there were plenty of open spaces in their lot.
Well, as soon as I parked and got out, a lady came charging out saying that I can't park there and that was going to have to tell those two other cars they can't park there either... Like I know who those cars belong to. right...
Keep in mind, i was already annoyed for being late. I couldn't help but tell the lady, "It's a funeral..." as I got back in my van and pulled it over and parked on the church's lawn.
Now, I don't know who that lady was. I don't know if she's like a receptionist or a legal assistant or one of the lawyers of the firm. I don't know if she decided to walk out into the parking lot on her own or if a boss told her to.
But, I so wanted to go in there after the funeral and say:
"Look...it's not the law. You don't have signs posted. There were still empty parking spots in the lot. Yes, it may have been within your rights to tell people to get off your parking lot. But, are your rights so significant that you couldn't have just a little bit of human compassion? Are your rules so important that you had to intrude upon people as they mourn the passing of a 6 year old boy?"
argh. I'm getting all fired up again just thinking about it.
So, I was rushing around to get ready, got stuck in traffic and construction and behind slow people all the way to the church, and running late.
Of course, when I got there, there was no place to park. So, after driving around for a little bit, I parked in a little parking area that's actually across the street from the church. The parking lot was actually for a little law firm that's right across the street from the church, but I'd seen two other cars do it while I was searching. They didn't have any signs posted saying "this parking lot for our customers only" or anything like that, and on top of everything else, there were plenty of open spaces in their lot.
Well, as soon as I parked and got out, a lady came charging out saying that I can't park there and that was going to have to tell those two other cars they can't park there either... Like I know who those cars belong to. right...
Keep in mind, i was already annoyed for being late. I couldn't help but tell the lady, "It's a funeral..." as I got back in my van and pulled it over and parked on the church's lawn.
Now, I don't know who that lady was. I don't know if she's like a receptionist or a legal assistant or one of the lawyers of the firm. I don't know if she decided to walk out into the parking lot on her own or if a boss told her to.
But, I so wanted to go in there after the funeral and say:
"Look...it's not the law. You don't have signs posted. There were still empty parking spots in the lot. Yes, it may have been within your rights to tell people to get off your parking lot. But, are your rights so significant that you couldn't have just a little bit of human compassion? Are your rules so important that you had to intrude upon people as they mourn the passing of a 6 year old boy?"
argh. I'm getting all fired up again just thinking about it.
2.26.2006
Farewell to Fife, Furley: Don Knotts Dies - Yahoo! News
Well, I don't want to make this a habit. But, Don Knotts seems a part of my childhood, too. I was never really an Andy Griffith Show fan, but I watched many an episode of Three's Company while rolling newspapers before setting off on my route. Mr. Furley cleaned ther Ropers' clocks.
I also remember seeing the Apple Dumpling Gang in the theatre with my family and I watch re-runs of Mr. Limpet and I think I still enjoy the Ghost and Mr. Chicken. I'm surprised that this article didn't mention the movie Knotts made with Tim Conway that I think was called Private Eyes.
Anyway...Thanks for everything, Mr. Knotts.
I also remember seeing the Apple Dumpling Gang in the theatre with my family and I watch re-runs of Mr. Limpet and I think I still enjoy the Ghost and Mr. Chicken. I'm surprised that this article didn't mention the movie Knotts made with Tim Conway that I think was called Private Eyes.
Anyway...Thanks for everything, Mr. Knotts.
2.25.2006
Another too good to pass up
My friend, Jake found this article and linked to it on his blog first. But, it's so good. In case there's anybody reading my blog that doesn't already read Jake's, you need to check this out.
2.23.2006
Amazon.com: Mega Church: Networked Special Edition (PC Game): Computer & Video Games
Amazon.com: Mega Church: Networked Special Edition (PC Game): Computer & Video Games
This was too good not to add a link. Don't worry, it's just a gag...
This was too good not to add a link. Don't worry, it's just a gag...
2.22.2006
step outside yourself
ChatterBoxGameShow.com :: View topic - Church steals XBOX 360 trademark to lure new members
This is kind of interesting. Somebody on this video game bulletin board got a postcard from a church parodying (sp?) the new Xbox ads to try to get people to come to their church.
Most of the resulting comments reflect how non-church people respond and react to these marketing attempts made by churches. Particularly take note of how much hostility is generated at just the sight of this postcard.
A couple other things I found interesting:
-One commentor pointed out the fact that if you turned your "life 360" would be turning your life right back around to where you started. Great marketing, guys!
-I found the blurb quoted from the web-site about the children's ministry particularly distateful and the reaction it received to be very appropriate. More and more, I am appalled at the blatant marketing of church. If it turns my stomach so much, and I am willing to believe that the people putting out this crap are at least sincere in their attempts, I can't imagine how repellant it must be to the potential "consumer".
Personally, I just don't want anything to do with church or Christianity presented like this. Thank God the good news is not the Church or Christianity. How sad is it that the Church and/or Christianity have become such hindrances to the gospel?
This is kind of interesting. Somebody on this video game bulletin board got a postcard from a church parodying (sp?) the new Xbox ads to try to get people to come to their church.
Most of the resulting comments reflect how non-church people respond and react to these marketing attempts made by churches. Particularly take note of how much hostility is generated at just the sight of this postcard.
A couple other things I found interesting:
-One commentor pointed out the fact that if you turned your "life 360" would be turning your life right back around to where you started. Great marketing, guys!
-I found the blurb quoted from the web-site about the children's ministry particularly distateful and the reaction it received to be very appropriate. More and more, I am appalled at the blatant marketing of church. If it turns my stomach so much, and I am willing to believe that the people putting out this crap are at least sincere in their attempts, I can't imagine how repellant it must be to the potential "consumer".
Personally, I just don't want anything to do with church or Christianity presented like this. Thank God the good news is not the Church or Christianity. How sad is it that the Church and/or Christianity have become such hindrances to the gospel?
east win
Not too terribly long ago, Holly and my weekends consisted of regular cycle: -pack up the car-drive somewhere-spend the
night in a host home-get up sunday and sing in a sunday
morning service-eat good, midwest women's cooking and try to
catch a nap on sunday afternoon in said host bed-go back to
church and offer a "sharing time" of my songs for about an
hour for anybody who'd show up and listen- hopefully sell
some CDs and then get to partake in a good ole' "dessert
social"- pack up the van and drive home.
It was a good life. We saw lots of friends and made many new friends out in those churches across the midwest. I know
that southern women are supposed to be the best cooks, but
I'll tell you that some of those midwest church potluck
dinners couldn't be beat. And at the same time, I got to
play my songs for listening, appreciative audiences on a
regular basis.
At the time, the hardest part or true "work" of that
lifestyle was booking the gigs. During the week, I spent
hours on the phone contacting people, sending out promo
materials and building relationships with ministers and music ministers to the point where they would trust me with sharing my songs with their congregations.
Probably 95% of the time, these contacts were not truly cold
calls. I knew lots of people from bible college and we'd
meet other people at camps or conventions or would get
referrals from other ministers. This just helped in building the relationship and letting these people know that I wasn't a cook and and I wasn't a crook and that they could trust me
with my "sharing time".
I tried "cold calling" regularly, and it proved the most
difficult. As I mentioned, since I don't have name that
people recognize from magazines or from christian radio, it
really was a matter of letting the music minister get to know me enough to trust that I had something relevant to share
with their people. It always struck me as odd that I had a
terrible time crossing "denominational lines" and that most
wouldn't even consider me coming a singing if I couldn't
prove to them I was of the correct flavor. However, if that
same person heard somebody on the radio, suddenly that wasn't such a big deal. Anyway...
East Win was one of those rare instances where I found the
church in some directory, called and talked to the music
minister, sent him a CD, and worked it out to go share a
concert the first time. Since then, it's up for debate how
many times we've been back; somewhere between 3 and 5 times.
This church has been so encouraging to Holly and me from the
very beginning. For some reason, my songs and little stories of where they came from just seemed to click.
Two weekends ago, we went back to East Win. It's a pretty
big church. I can't ever imagine that people will actually
remember us and remember the last time we were there, and yet people were actually excited that we cam back! I don't know
how many times people came to our CD table and pointed out
all the CDs they already owned and asked "what's new?"
In the past, my songs fit into the "christian music"
description pretty easily. Now, Gypsy Heart is the newest CD and I had, and I'm the first to point out that these songs
were not designed to spoon-feed anybody my ideas of
Christianity and/or belief to anybody else. I was a little
apprehensive about how this batch of songs might be received
by this faithful audience.
Of course, I'm an idiot for not giving them enough credit.
Even on an especially bad-weather weekend and prepratory
warnings from the Music Minister about how much difficulty he has getting people to come out for concerts, I felt we had a
pretty decent crowd. Not only were they an attentive and
interactive audience, they really seemed to "get" where these songs came from and seemed to accept the fact that their
encouragement and support was encouragement and support for
me to taking these songs outside of those walls.
Obviously, it was nice to get a decent paycheck for my
music/concert/services, and it was also nice to move a few
CDs into the hands of appreciative fans. But more than that,
I hope that East Win knows that how much more their support
and encouragement meant to me.
night in a host home-get up sunday and sing in a sunday
morning service-eat good, midwest women's cooking and try to
catch a nap on sunday afternoon in said host bed-go back to
church and offer a "sharing time" of my songs for about an
hour for anybody who'd show up and listen- hopefully sell
some CDs and then get to partake in a good ole' "dessert
social"- pack up the van and drive home.
It was a good life. We saw lots of friends and made many new friends out in those churches across the midwest. I know
that southern women are supposed to be the best cooks, but
I'll tell you that some of those midwest church potluck
dinners couldn't be beat. And at the same time, I got to
play my songs for listening, appreciative audiences on a
regular basis.
At the time, the hardest part or true "work" of that
lifestyle was booking the gigs. During the week, I spent
hours on the phone contacting people, sending out promo
materials and building relationships with ministers and music ministers to the point where they would trust me with sharing my songs with their congregations.
Probably 95% of the time, these contacts were not truly cold
calls. I knew lots of people from bible college and we'd
meet other people at camps or conventions or would get
referrals from other ministers. This just helped in building the relationship and letting these people know that I wasn't a cook and and I wasn't a crook and that they could trust me
with my "sharing time".
I tried "cold calling" regularly, and it proved the most
difficult. As I mentioned, since I don't have name that
people recognize from magazines or from christian radio, it
really was a matter of letting the music minister get to know me enough to trust that I had something relevant to share
with their people. It always struck me as odd that I had a
terrible time crossing "denominational lines" and that most
wouldn't even consider me coming a singing if I couldn't
prove to them I was of the correct flavor. However, if that
same person heard somebody on the radio, suddenly that wasn't such a big deal. Anyway...
East Win was one of those rare instances where I found the
church in some directory, called and talked to the music
minister, sent him a CD, and worked it out to go share a
concert the first time. Since then, it's up for debate how
many times we've been back; somewhere between 3 and 5 times.
This church has been so encouraging to Holly and me from the
very beginning. For some reason, my songs and little stories of where they came from just seemed to click.
Two weekends ago, we went back to East Win. It's a pretty
big church. I can't ever imagine that people will actually
remember us and remember the last time we were there, and yet people were actually excited that we cam back! I don't know
how many times people came to our CD table and pointed out
all the CDs they already owned and asked "what's new?"
In the past, my songs fit into the "christian music"
description pretty easily. Now, Gypsy Heart is the newest CD and I had, and I'm the first to point out that these songs
were not designed to spoon-feed anybody my ideas of
Christianity and/or belief to anybody else. I was a little
apprehensive about how this batch of songs might be received
by this faithful audience.
Of course, I'm an idiot for not giving them enough credit.
Even on an especially bad-weather weekend and prepratory
warnings from the Music Minister about how much difficulty he has getting people to come out for concerts, I felt we had a
pretty decent crowd. Not only were they an attentive and
interactive audience, they really seemed to "get" where these songs came from and seemed to accept the fact that their
encouragement and support was encouragement and support for
me to taking these songs outside of those walls.
Obviously, it was nice to get a decent paycheck for my
music/concert/services, and it was also nice to move a few
CDs into the hands of appreciative fans. But more than that,
I hope that East Win knows that how much more their support
and encouragement meant to me.
2.20.2006
2.15.2006
Eugene Peterson on U2 and prophets
U2 news article - from @U2
This is an interview with Eugene Peterson, the guy who wrote the popular new paraphrase, The Message. For years, while leading worship at camps or dealing with friends from college who are now in music ministries or youth ministries, a conversation might come up that goes something like this:
me: "dude, have you heard the new U2 CD? It's is awesome!"
Youth Minister: "No, I haven't heard it. I didn't think they were Christians anymore. Have you heard the new 3rd Day? Now that's a great Christian Rock Band!"
me in my head: "did you really just question U2 and then compare them to 3rd day?"
And then we'd talk about something else...
Anyway, I particularly like the section of this interview where Peterson is talking about prophets and asking whether or not U2 is "christian" is really asking the wrong question.
This is an interview with Eugene Peterson, the guy who wrote the popular new paraphrase, The Message. For years, while leading worship at camps or dealing with friends from college who are now in music ministries or youth ministries, a conversation might come up that goes something like this:
me: "dude, have you heard the new U2 CD? It's is awesome!"
Youth Minister: "No, I haven't heard it. I didn't think they were Christians anymore. Have you heard the new 3rd Day? Now that's a great Christian Rock Band!"
me in my head: "did you really just question U2 and then compare them to 3rd day?"
And then we'd talk about something else...
Anyway, I particularly like the section of this interview where Peterson is talking about prophets and asking whether or not U2 is "christian" is really asking the wrong question.
2.05.2006
1.31.2006
CBS | Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
CBS | Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
I've never really watched the Late Late Show. My routine is usually to watch Seinfeld at 11:30 (when LLS is coming on) and go to bed. However, of course I surf during the commercials, and I've caught bits and pieces and thought Craig Freguson was pretty funny. (Way better than Craig Kilborn, I HATED that guy. sorry, bribrow)
Anyway, I was surfing through the very first commercial break and landing on LLS and saw a really amazing, beautiful thing tonight.
Apparently, Craig's father has just died. Instead of his regular monologue, Craig took the whole segment to talk about memories of his dad. It was kind of awkward at first, because I don't think the audience could tell if this was going to have punchlines (it had a few little ones) or if he was actually being serious. Slowly, it became obvious, that he was serious and that he wanted to tell people about his father, who he obviously loved very much.
If you saw it, you know what i'm talking about. If you didn't, i can't explain it. It was very brave, authentic and beautiful. It will probably always surprise me when one can find moments of such profound grace on television.
Well done, Craig. I'm sorry for your loss. If only more people in the world could know the blessing of a father that loves them. I'm thankful that I did.
I've never really watched the Late Late Show. My routine is usually to watch Seinfeld at 11:30 (when LLS is coming on) and go to bed. However, of course I surf during the commercials, and I've caught bits and pieces and thought Craig Freguson was pretty funny. (Way better than Craig Kilborn, I HATED that guy. sorry, bribrow)
Anyway, I was surfing through the very first commercial break and landing on LLS and saw a really amazing, beautiful thing tonight.
Apparently, Craig's father has just died. Instead of his regular monologue, Craig took the whole segment to talk about memories of his dad. It was kind of awkward at first, because I don't think the audience could tell if this was going to have punchlines (it had a few little ones) or if he was actually being serious. Slowly, it became obvious, that he was serious and that he wanted to tell people about his father, who he obviously loved very much.
If you saw it, you know what i'm talking about. If you didn't, i can't explain it. It was very brave, authentic and beautiful. It will probably always surprise me when one can find moments of such profound grace on television.
Well done, Craig. I'm sorry for your loss. If only more people in the world could know the blessing of a father that loves them. I'm thankful that I did.
1.18.2006
...
wow. I don't know why it is the most difficult to blog when I have the most to say.
Blogging is so odd. I realize this and always have. Remember when you were little and could get a diary with an actual lock on it? Then you could keep the key for yourself and nobody could read your secret hopes/dreams/fears.
The whole point of blogging blows that away. The most interesting blogs take those private hopes/dreams/fears and publishes them so that ANYBODY can read/comment/judge.
I wish that I could say that my blog was an outlet for me to share who I really am and what I really think. It's not. In fact, the thoughts/worries/fears/hopes/dreams I struggle with the most have the least chance of being mentioned in a blog.
What pisses me off the most is that by letting myself be hindered in what I write on here, I feel like a certain some-one-who-shall-not-be-named, wins. I wanted this to be an outlet for my thoughts; a way for others to get to know me. Certain-some-one showed me that there are people out there that I don't want to know or be known by at all.
I hope he's pleased with his accomplishment.
Blogging is so odd. I realize this and always have. Remember when you were little and could get a diary with an actual lock on it? Then you could keep the key for yourself and nobody could read your secret hopes/dreams/fears.
The whole point of blogging blows that away. The most interesting blogs take those private hopes/dreams/fears and publishes them so that ANYBODY can read/comment/judge.
I wish that I could say that my blog was an outlet for me to share who I really am and what I really think. It's not. In fact, the thoughts/worries/fears/hopes/dreams I struggle with the most have the least chance of being mentioned in a blog.
What pisses me off the most is that by letting myself be hindered in what I write on here, I feel like a certain some-one-who-shall-not-be-named, wins. I wanted this to be an outlet for my thoughts; a way for others to get to know me. Certain-some-one showed me that there are people out there that I don't want to know or be known by at all.
I hope he's pleased with his accomplishment.
1.02.2006
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!
I know I've been bad about blogging for the last couple of weeks. Things have been pretty hectic around the shacklett home. To find out what's new with momma & babyshack, zip on over to baby-shack.blogspot.com
Holly's been much better at updating then I have. Lots of things things going on that aren't really blog worthy. Will try to start posting more very soon.
Holly's been much better at updating then I have. Lots of things things going on that aren't really blog worthy. Will try to start posting more very soon.
11.28.2005
goodbye, Mr. Miyagi
It's always strange to me when I hear about a celebrity that has passed away that I feel overly sad that they're gone. I never knew Pat Morita, I have no idea if he was a good person or a selfish jerk. But, I liked Mr. Miyagi, and I hope that Pat Morita had some of the characteristics of the character he portrayed.
There are many pithy words of wisdom that could be quoted, but the one that I've always remembered comes from the worst of the Karate Kid movies, ("The Next Karate Kid", with Hilary Swank playing the lead. Believe me when I tell you the movie sucked.)
No matter how bad the movie was, Mr. Miyagi came through with a profound little nugget that we should all ponder:
"Never trust a holy man who doesn't dance."
Amen. Rest in peace, Pat.
There are many pithy words of wisdom that could be quoted, but the one that I've always remembered comes from the worst of the Karate Kid movies, ("The Next Karate Kid", with Hilary Swank playing the lead. Believe me when I tell you the movie sucked.)
No matter how bad the movie was, Mr. Miyagi came through with a profound little nugget that we should all ponder:
"Never trust a holy man who doesn't dance."
Amen. Rest in peace, Pat.
11.18.2005
wal-mart
I know there are a lot of things that I should hate about wal-mart, (well on their way to being the ONLY store which would be the ultimate monopoly, putting all the mom & pop stores out of business, capitalism run amuck, yada yada), but really two things in particular come to mind that I truly despise about wal-mart.
1) This year, they got out the Christmas stuff IN AUGUST!!!! This is annoying like everything about the commercialization of Christmas is annoying, so...whatever...
2) (I really hate this one) Why oh why do I have to listen to constant, LOUD, commercials for wal-mart while I'm in the store? I'm thinkin': I'm already at Wal-mart. I'm shopping here. Do you really need to yell at me the whole time I'm here to tell me to shop here more? What I think is particularly vulgar are these little speakers hanging all the way from the ceiling, but hanging really low over the toy aisles. These little speakers are BLASTING commercials into the kids heads the whole time they're looking at the toys.
Does anybody else see how awful this is? How can this even be legal? How come nobody has thought to think it may not be moral?
1) This year, they got out the Christmas stuff IN AUGUST!!!! This is annoying like everything about the commercialization of Christmas is annoying, so...whatever...
2) (I really hate this one) Why oh why do I have to listen to constant, LOUD, commercials for wal-mart while I'm in the store? I'm thinkin': I'm already at Wal-mart. I'm shopping here. Do you really need to yell at me the whole time I'm here to tell me to shop here more? What I think is particularly vulgar are these little speakers hanging all the way from the ceiling, but hanging really low over the toy aisles. These little speakers are BLASTING commercials into the kids heads the whole time they're looking at the toys.
Does anybody else see how awful this is? How can this even be legal? How come nobody has thought to think it may not be moral?
11.11.2005
Substitute 5th Grade Teacher
Ok, many have asked. Sorry that it's taken me all week.
Of course, I had trouble sleeping the night before and I ended up getting up early, getting ready, and getting to the school even before the secretary. Somebody in the office told me how to get to the room so I went on down there just to try to get my bearings.
When I got to the room, low and behold, the teacher, Mrs. D, was there making sure that all her plans were ready for me. So, she went over everything with me. She was very nice and very encouraging and really helped put me at ease.
I won't give a play by play of the day, but I'll just say it went OK. I was disappointed with the behavior of the students for the most part. They were 5th graders and just intent on trying to get away with stuff all day. For example: The first thing a student said to me all day was: "Oh yea, we have a sub today. The teacher told us that you were supposed to give us an extra recess today..." Yea, right.
So, between my lack of experience, their age, the fact that it was a beautiful friday, made it difficult to keep their attention and keep them on task.
One of the biggest frustrations was the fact that there were reading blocks and math blocks which meant that there were different groups of kids in the room. This happened after we'd only been in there for like 30 minutes. Of course getting kids' named learned in that amount of time was impossible, but after 30 minutes, I couldn't even tell which kids were "homeroom" kids and which were block kids. Between these blocks, some kids going to different "resource" work and testing, I never knew if all the kids who were supposed to be in the class were there or not.
I did manage to make one girl cry for not letting her go to the bathroom just 30 minutes after they were all supposed to have a bathroom break. Which brings up of the the two big things I learned: 1) find out the teacher's bathroom policy 2) find out what should be done with all the papers/work they work on that day. I just had them hand almost everything in.
All in all, it wasn't so bad that I'm not ready to do it again. In fact, now that I've done it once, I'm not nearly as terrified and am wanting to try it some more. However, it was not good enough that I'm rushing to go back to that or any other 5th grade classroom very soon.
Of course, I had trouble sleeping the night before and I ended up getting up early, getting ready, and getting to the school even before the secretary. Somebody in the office told me how to get to the room so I went on down there just to try to get my bearings.
When I got to the room, low and behold, the teacher, Mrs. D, was there making sure that all her plans were ready for me. So, she went over everything with me. She was very nice and very encouraging and really helped put me at ease.
I won't give a play by play of the day, but I'll just say it went OK. I was disappointed with the behavior of the students for the most part. They were 5th graders and just intent on trying to get away with stuff all day. For example: The first thing a student said to me all day was: "Oh yea, we have a sub today. The teacher told us that you were supposed to give us an extra recess today..." Yea, right.
So, between my lack of experience, their age, the fact that it was a beautiful friday, made it difficult to keep their attention and keep them on task.
One of the biggest frustrations was the fact that there were reading blocks and math blocks which meant that there were different groups of kids in the room. This happened after we'd only been in there for like 30 minutes. Of course getting kids' named learned in that amount of time was impossible, but after 30 minutes, I couldn't even tell which kids were "homeroom" kids and which were block kids. Between these blocks, some kids going to different "resource" work and testing, I never knew if all the kids who were supposed to be in the class were there or not.
I did manage to make one girl cry for not letting her go to the bathroom just 30 minutes after they were all supposed to have a bathroom break. Which brings up of the the two big things I learned: 1) find out the teacher's bathroom policy 2) find out what should be done with all the papers/work they work on that day. I just had them hand almost everything in.
All in all, it wasn't so bad that I'm not ready to do it again. In fact, now that I've done it once, I'm not nearly as terrified and am wanting to try it some more. However, it was not good enough that I'm rushing to go back to that or any other 5th grade classroom very soon.
11.06.2005
11.02.2005
busy week
This week is just crazy. wedding on saturday, Halloween, piano moving, trying to finish keyboard parts on a record we're trying to finish at the studio, more piano moving, filling in for T-rev last night at ConC, going to the OMA's tonight to schmooze for the studio, but not before a quick voice over session right before, big piano moving day tomorrow to free up Friday so I can go substitute teach for 5th graders.
yes, you read that right. I'm nervous.
yes, you read that right. I'm nervous.
10.27.2005
Music industry still singing the blues - Yahoo! News
Two headlines popped up on my "yahoo! news" this morning. I linked the first above.
The headline right below it?
"Ashlee [Simpson]:'I Am' No. 1" (the article is about Simpson's new CD being #1 in Billboard sales right now.)
Is it so hard to see the correlation? Nobody wants to buy the perfectly packaged crap [a la Simpson] the music industry has been feeding consumers.
This may seem backwards, I mean her CD is number 1. But, the point is that music sales are way down, and even if her sales are number 1, they're still pitifully low especially considering how much money her label put up to market her. (my guess would be $2 million or more, but that's just a guess)
This may only seem relevant to me, but you can go back to whatever you were doing, now.
The headline right below it?
"Ashlee [Simpson]:'I Am' No. 1" (the article is about Simpson's new CD being #1 in Billboard sales right now.)
Is it so hard to see the correlation? Nobody wants to buy the perfectly packaged crap [a la Simpson] the music industry has been feeding consumers.
This may seem backwards, I mean her CD is number 1. But, the point is that music sales are way down, and even if her sales are number 1, they're still pitifully low especially considering how much money her label put up to market her. (my guess would be $2 million or more, but that's just a guess)
This may only seem relevant to me, but you can go back to whatever you were doing, now.
10.25.2005
something to feel good about
I've recently been spending a lot of time the web-site linked above. If you haven't checked it out yet, do so now.
This guy...he's my kind of guy.
This guy...he's my kind of guy.
10.18.2005
swishswishswishswishswishswishswishswish.........
I don't cry much. My mom does. My wife does. Even my sister has become more and more of a crier as she gets older. I cried uncontrollably when my dad died nearly 12 years ago and it was a pretty sad state of affairs when petey died a few months ago. But, those sort of things are allowed.
When I do find myself tearing up, I fight pretty hard not to let anybody, even holly, know what's happening. We've even got into fights because she'll ask me if I'm crying and I get mad because I'm not. (but, sometimes I am...)
Sometimes, in movies, it's just uncontrollable. 90% of the time it's the actual music in the movie. This irritates me so much, because my mind knows that I'm being manipulated by another musician, but there's no stopping the emotions...
Then I heard this sound. It's just a weird little sound that's almost more mechanical than musical in its rhythm. I've never felt my brain seem so small and useless in trying to come to grips with what this little sound actually means.
This strange little sound made it difficult to keep others from noticing tears in my eyes.
When I do find myself tearing up, I fight pretty hard not to let anybody, even holly, know what's happening. We've even got into fights because she'll ask me if I'm crying and I get mad because I'm not. (but, sometimes I am...)
Sometimes, in movies, it's just uncontrollable. 90% of the time it's the actual music in the movie. This irritates me so much, because my mind knows that I'm being manipulated by another musician, but there's no stopping the emotions...
Then I heard this sound. It's just a weird little sound that's almost more mechanical than musical in its rhythm. I've never felt my brain seem so small and useless in trying to come to grips with what this little sound actually means.
This strange little sound made it difficult to keep others from noticing tears in my eyes.
Jeffrey Overstreet on "Serenity"
1) I watched the TV series of Firefly last week and dug it.
2) Since I dug the show, I decided I wanted to go see the movie, Serenity which is a movie kind of finishing the show that got cancelled after one season. Dug the movie too.
3)I've been spending a lot of time on Jeffrey Overstreet's web-site lately. He's a writer and a critic from Seattle who approaches movies and music and art in the way I think more people (christians) should.
In other news, I have a gig this coming Saturday. I was really hoping to work up some new material for it, but about now, I'm just hoping that I can hammer down this stupid allergy crap enough to make it through. We'll see.
2) Since I dug the show, I decided I wanted to go see the movie, Serenity which is a movie kind of finishing the show that got cancelled after one season. Dug the movie too.
3)I've been spending a lot of time on Jeffrey Overstreet's web-site lately. He's a writer and a critic from Seattle who approaches movies and music and art in the way I think more people (christians) should.
In other news, I have a gig this coming Saturday. I was really hoping to work up some new material for it, but about now, I'm just hoping that I can hammer down this stupid allergy crap enough to make it through. We'll see.
10.13.2005
Librarian Rediscovers Beethoven Score - Yahoo! News
I don't really have anything to say about this, but I think that it's cool. How cool will it be to actually hear this piece of music performed now?
10.11.2005
reading list
I've got so many books going right now that it's getting stupid:
Searching for God Knows What - Don Miller
Through Painted Deserts - Don Miller
The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkein
In Other Words- Artists Talk about Life and Work by Anthony DeCurtis
The Message-I've had this sitting in the bathroom and been reading it while...(ahem)...my daily constitutional...
and today I just got A New Way to Be Human by Charlie Peacock from half.com in the mail.
Today, I spent most of the day riding in the truck to take a piano to Oklahoma City. Instead of making some headway on one of the books listed above, I started re-reading The Story We Find Ourselves In by Brian McLaren. I think I got about 3/4 of the way through it. (it was a long day).
Searching for God Knows What - Don Miller
Through Painted Deserts - Don Miller
The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkein
In Other Words- Artists Talk about Life and Work by Anthony DeCurtis
The Message-I've had this sitting in the bathroom and been reading it while...(ahem)...my daily constitutional...
and today I just got A New Way to Be Human by Charlie Peacock from half.com in the mail.
Today, I spent most of the day riding in the truck to take a piano to Oklahoma City. Instead of making some headway on one of the books listed above, I started re-reading The Story We Find Ourselves In by Brian McLaren. I think I got about 3/4 of the way through it. (it was a long day).
10.06.2005
NO WAY!
So, after chillin' with Joan Jett last weekend, James and I kept talking about the movie she starred in with Michael J. Fox back in the '80s called "The Light of Day". James ended up finding it at the library and so the shacks and powers got together tonight to watch it.
It's really not worth hunting down unless you're really interested, but I remembered liking it when I saw it before and it wasn't that bad.
I particularly liked this part where the band was hanging out at their old regular club and there's this cheezy techno band playing on their stage. In the dialog, the band is called "The Problems". "They used to be called The Sins, now they're just called Problems..." The band was actually a trio: two guys playing keyboards/computers and a lead singer front and center playing a synth-drum pad...AWESOME!
THE CRAZIEST thing about this is that as we're watching the credits at the end of the movie, they list all the members of all the bands in the show & TRENT REZNOR is one of the guys in Problems! If you don't know who Trent Reznor is, he's a pretty hard-core industrial artist producer who, among other things, produced Marilyn Manson and wrote the song "Hurt" that Johnny Cash redid.
If you could see this band "Problems" and knew who Trent Reznor is, you'd know why this is so outrageously crazy.
It's really not worth hunting down unless you're really interested, but I remembered liking it when I saw it before and it wasn't that bad.
I particularly liked this part where the band was hanging out at their old regular club and there's this cheezy techno band playing on their stage. In the dialog, the band is called "The Problems". "They used to be called The Sins, now they're just called Problems..." The band was actually a trio: two guys playing keyboards/computers and a lead singer front and center playing a synth-drum pad...AWESOME!
THE CRAZIEST thing about this is that as we're watching the credits at the end of the movie, they list all the members of all the bands in the show & TRENT REZNOR is one of the guys in Problems! If you don't know who Trent Reznor is, he's a pretty hard-core industrial artist producer who, among other things, produced Marilyn Manson and wrote the song "Hurt" that Johnny Cash redid.
If you could see this band "Problems" and knew who Trent Reznor is, you'd know why this is so outrageously crazy.
hmmm...
A friend sent this to me, and it made me stop to think:
"If you jog in a jogging suit, lounge in lounging pajamas, and smoke in a smoking jacket, WHY would anyone want to wear a windbreaker??" - unknown
"If you jog in a jogging suit, lounge in lounging pajamas, and smoke in a smoking jacket, WHY would anyone want to wear a windbreaker??" - unknown
10.05.2005
C.S. Lewis
"What we want is not more little books about Christianity, but more little books by Christians on other subjects --- with their Christianity latent. You can see this most easily if you look at it the other way round. Our faith is not likely to be shaken by any book on Hinduism. But, if whenever we read an elementary book on geology, botany, politics, or astronomy, we found that its implications were Hindu, that would shake us. It is not the books written in direct defense of materialism that make the modern man a materialist; it is the materialistic assumptions in all the other books. In the same way, it is not books on Christianity that will really trouble him. But he would be troubled if, whenever he wanted a cheap popular introduction to some science, the best work on the market was always by a Christian. The first step to the reconversion of a country is books produced by Christians."(God in the Dock, "Christian Apologetics," C. S. Lewis)
I find little nuggets like this all the time and wonder if Lewis would be nearly as popular with Christians if they had any clue about what he actually said. Lewis' words, written some 40 years ago, speak intelligently in critique of issues that many still can't get figured out today.
It seems telling that there are no voices of reason and intelligence standing out in all of the Christian publishing industry like Lewis or Chesterton did at one time. If there were somebody out there smart enough and reasonable enough to actually have something to say, he/she is constantly feeling pressure to "write more little books about Christianity", which, of course, will never make any impression on anybody outside of the Church's walls.
"A CBA (Christian Booksellers Association) survey released at the Convention shows Christian-product sales by CBA member suppliers through all distribution channels to be just under $4.2 billion for the year 2002..."
Congratulations.
immutable truth
The older I get, the less important it seems to me to hold a great number of "bedrock" beliefs. There are a number of things that I believe strongly and passionately, but I have less and less faith in my own perspective and my ability to completely understand any given topic. Consequently, I think a key to learning and growing would be staying open to possibilities that my own conclusions may need tweaked as new information presents itself.
However, this morning I realized one particular truth that I don't ever believe will be tweaked. If I ever have kids of my own, I look forward to passing this bit of wisdom on to them and hope that it will become a part of their lives as it has mine:
Picky people pick Peter Pan peanut butter. It's the peanut butter picky people pick.
Live it. Love it.
However, this morning I realized one particular truth that I don't ever believe will be tweaked. If I ever have kids of my own, I look forward to passing this bit of wisdom on to them and hope that it will become a part of their lives as it has mine:
Picky people pick Peter Pan peanut butter. It's the peanut butter picky people pick.
Live it. Love it.
10.04.2005
shack & the blackhearts...and joan jett
So, last Friday, I was knocking around the house a little depressed because I kept thinking: "I need to make some money this weekend. How am I going to make some money this weekend? It's already friday, I can't book a gig, I can't book somebody in the studio, and there are no piano moves needed." Then, I get a phone call.
It's this guy, Hal, whom I've met once, who has a limo service. He says that his business is crazy busy this weekend with Bikes, Blues, and BBQ in Fayetteville. They're shuttling people back and forth from Dickson street and all sorts of things. They've also got the contract for shuttling around the for big band performing at the Amp on Friday and Saturday night and they're short one driver. Would I be interested in driving a 15 passenger van down to Fort Smith to pick up Blue Oyster Cult from the airport on Saturday? He can pay me somewhere between $15-$20/hour and he can get me tickets to the shows if I want.
ummm...YES!
So, Holly and I went to see SteppenWolf & Joan Jett and the Blackhearts on Friday night! Steppenwolf were not that great, especially since they didn't have a bass player and the bass was sequenced. But Joan Jett ROCKED!
So, then in the middle of Joan's set, (actually right as she was starting "I Love Rock-n-Roll", Hal comes and finds me and says there's been some scheduling changes and asks if I can take Joan & the Blackhearts to the airport in the morning before heading to Ft. Smith to pick up Blue Oyster Cult.
ummm...YES!!
So, I needed some money and the work I found was to drive around rock stars. It could be much worse.
It's this guy, Hal, whom I've met once, who has a limo service. He says that his business is crazy busy this weekend with Bikes, Blues, and BBQ in Fayetteville. They're shuttling people back and forth from Dickson street and all sorts of things. They've also got the contract for shuttling around the for big band performing at the Amp on Friday and Saturday night and they're short one driver. Would I be interested in driving a 15 passenger van down to Fort Smith to pick up Blue Oyster Cult from the airport on Saturday? He can pay me somewhere between $15-$20/hour and he can get me tickets to the shows if I want.
ummm...YES!
So, Holly and I went to see SteppenWolf & Joan Jett and the Blackhearts on Friday night! Steppenwolf were not that great, especially since they didn't have a bass player and the bass was sequenced. But Joan Jett ROCKED!
So, then in the middle of Joan's set, (actually right as she was starting "I Love Rock-n-Roll", Hal comes and finds me and says there's been some scheduling changes and asks if I can take Joan & the Blackhearts to the airport in the morning before heading to Ft. Smith to pick up Blue Oyster Cult.
ummm...YES!!
So, I needed some money and the work I found was to drive around rock stars. It could be much worse.
9.27.2005
Your Linguistic Profile
So, I've never put anything like this on my blog, but this was kind of interesting to me. Of course, I'm not really too sure about the accuracy of these little surveys...
Your Linguistic Profile: |
80% General American English |
10% Upper Midwestern |
5% Dixie |
5% Midwestern |
0% Yankee |
9.21.2005
Foster dog...no more?
I think that I've mentioned that we've had a new border at our house, and her name is B'Elanna. She's 11 years old, at least mostly dachsund, and a sweety.
Well, her true owner is now in Europe for a year and tonight I gave B'Ellana a bath for the first time. I'm not sure if we should call her foster dog anymore or we should start calling her adopted.
Well, her true owner is now in Europe for a year and tonight I gave B'Ellana a bath for the first time. I'm not sure if we should call her foster dog anymore or we should start calling her adopted.
9.16.2005
9.14.2005
track 8
It is well-documented (by one of my songs) that I am fatter than I want to be.
In attempts to skinny down, I've actually got my mountain bike out and rode around the lake twice this week and it's only Wednesday! And I didn't really come as close to myocardial infarction as I thought. (I just like to say infarction...)
Unfortunately, I don't think I'm any skinnier or lighter yet.
In attempts to skinny down, I've actually got my mountain bike out and rode around the lake twice this week and it's only Wednesday! And I didn't really come as close to myocardial infarction as I thought. (I just like to say infarction...)
Unfortunately, I don't think I'm any skinnier or lighter yet.
this drives me nuts
I guess the local TV station have online polls all the time. Like, recently they asked if people thought the government should intervene with the high price of gasoline. Something like 600 people responded to the poll.
I saw on the news that the station had an online poll asking viewers their opinion of the Razorbacks Football team. More than 1200 people responded. The most responses they've ever had on an online poll.
I understand that I am in the minority by how little I give a rip about any sports, let alone college football. But the position and importance organized sports are given in our society grosses me out.
There...I said it. For all of my friends that are so excited that football season is upon us, please understand that I love you anyway.
I saw on the news that the station had an online poll asking viewers their opinion of the Razorbacks Football team. More than 1200 people responded. The most responses they've ever had on an online poll.
I understand that I am in the minority by how little I give a rip about any sports, let alone college football. But the position and importance organized sports are given in our society grosses me out.
There...I said it. For all of my friends that are so excited that football season is upon us, please understand that I love you anyway.
9.12.2005
8.30.2005
great b-day bonus
Well, my birthday was last Friday, but tonight I got a special bonus that I wasn't expecting and it made my evening.
My best friend and former college room-mate wrote me an ACTUAL email and let me know what is going on in his life!
(Now in all fairness, I am not that great at shooting emails out to him either. And I know that he sends me a note with some fear and trepidation, because invariably, I'm so excited to hear from him that I send him back an email that is way too long to expect anybody to read.)
AO is just a great, talented person that I'm so glad to call him my friend. We were both music majors in college and with very few exceptions had almost the same schedules the whole time we were in school. We were also in the same traveling ensembles and then we decided to be room-mates (can anybody say "recipe for disaster"?) We did have our rocky spots in college, but I think that the fact that we made it through with a friendship still intact strengthens the friendship we have now. Even though we're both kind of flaky when it comes to staying in touch.
I think about this phenomenon quite a bit (and I know I've written at least one song about it); how we must cherish our friendships while we're in the middle of them. Because people come and go, as much as I still love AO, he lives a long ways away and it's hard to keep up with each other. The important thing is to bathe the relationship with grace. So I haven't heard from you in a long time; You haven't heard from me either! Why waste precious time and energy focusing on how we're bad at correspondence when we could just pick up where we left off! That's way more fun!
That's just one of the reasons that I appreciate AO so much. We just pick up where we left off. He's got 4 kids and a great wife and I've just got a great wife. He's a successful, talented music minister at a large church in Arizona. I, among other things, move pianos. So what? I still know what he looks like in bikini underwear...that's got to be worth something, right?
Holly and I have run into old friends where, for whatever reason, they don't feel like they can do that, and it's so sad to me. Believe me when I tell you: Don't be like that. Cherish your friends, especially the ones that you only get to have contact with occasionally.
My best friend and former college room-mate wrote me an ACTUAL email and let me know what is going on in his life!
(Now in all fairness, I am not that great at shooting emails out to him either. And I know that he sends me a note with some fear and trepidation, because invariably, I'm so excited to hear from him that I send him back an email that is way too long to expect anybody to read.)
AO is just a great, talented person that I'm so glad to call him my friend. We were both music majors in college and with very few exceptions had almost the same schedules the whole time we were in school. We were also in the same traveling ensembles and then we decided to be room-mates (can anybody say "recipe for disaster"?) We did have our rocky spots in college, but I think that the fact that we made it through with a friendship still intact strengthens the friendship we have now. Even though we're both kind of flaky when it comes to staying in touch.
I think about this phenomenon quite a bit (and I know I've written at least one song about it); how we must cherish our friendships while we're in the middle of them. Because people come and go, as much as I still love AO, he lives a long ways away and it's hard to keep up with each other. The important thing is to bathe the relationship with grace. So I haven't heard from you in a long time; You haven't heard from me either! Why waste precious time and energy focusing on how we're bad at correspondence when we could just pick up where we left off! That's way more fun!
That's just one of the reasons that I appreciate AO so much. We just pick up where we left off. He's got 4 kids and a great wife and I've just got a great wife. He's a successful, talented music minister at a large church in Arizona. I, among other things, move pianos. So what? I still know what he looks like in bikini underwear...that's got to be worth something, right?
Holly and I have run into old friends where, for whatever reason, they don't feel like they can do that, and it's so sad to me. Believe me when I tell you: Don't be like that. Cherish your friends, especially the ones that you only get to have contact with occasionally.
8.26.2005
8.21.2005
When will it end?
Written on a piece of paper and put in a tip jar of a fellow singer/songwriter/performer and close personal friend of mine:
"Tip: God has given you a wonderful gift. You glorify Satan. The fear nightmares and bondage you sing of can only be broken one way! Give God back His gift."
I've known the person who received this "tip" for nearly a year. I know that he has wrestled with personal demons and addictions and I know how those struggles have been illustrated in his songs and his art. He has also shared with me how he believes that God has had a hand in pulling him through some of those things and brought him to the place he is at right now.
The ignorance, arrogance and presumption inherent to the note he received is unconscionable. How could this "tip-giver" possibly think that leaving this note could/would do any good for anybody? How could they think this note could draw anybody toward Christ?
I hold deep admiration and respect with how this singer/songwriter has approached spiritual matters and faith in his life. Will he ever choose to take the name of "Christian"? I don't know; but could you really expect anybody to want to sign up for a group that perpetuates this kind of idiocy in recruitment?
Seriously, who might be serving Satan's purposes the most? An artist who is honest about the search and struggle in his life or a Christian who happens to be a jackass and/or an idiot?
Do you think this person actually left any money in the tip jar along with this note? Not bloody likely...
"Tip: God has given you a wonderful gift. You glorify Satan. The fear nightmares and bondage you sing of can only be broken one way! Give God back His gift."
I've known the person who received this "tip" for nearly a year. I know that he has wrestled with personal demons and addictions and I know how those struggles have been illustrated in his songs and his art. He has also shared with me how he believes that God has had a hand in pulling him through some of those things and brought him to the place he is at right now.
The ignorance, arrogance and presumption inherent to the note he received is unconscionable. How could this "tip-giver" possibly think that leaving this note could/would do any good for anybody? How could they think this note could draw anybody toward Christ?
I hold deep admiration and respect with how this singer/songwriter has approached spiritual matters and faith in his life. Will he ever choose to take the name of "Christian"? I don't know; but could you really expect anybody to want to sign up for a group that perpetuates this kind of idiocy in recruitment?
Seriously, who might be serving Satan's purposes the most? An artist who is honest about the search and struggle in his life or a Christian who happens to be a jackass and/or an idiot?
Do you think this person actually left any money in the tip jar along with this note? Not bloody likely...
8.18.2005
Sticking Up for Crossover Artists - Commentaries -
And it continues... This helped with the funk I put myself into by reading Pruitt's ignorance.
8.17.2005
Secular, Sacred, or Both? - Commentaries - Christian Music Today
Articles like this give me hope. At the same time, the more I read articles like this where somebody else "gets it", the more disheartening it is to know how many well-intentioned people I know are so completely oblivious.
8.11.2005
busy shack
Moved pianos 8 hours on Monday and another 8 hours on Tuesday. At Easthall, we have Wednesday through Saturday blocked out. My library book, Until I Find You by John Irving, is overdue and somebody has a hold on it and I've got about 200 pages to go. I just can't seem to find a second to get it finished.
Holly and my 12th wedding anniversary is this Sunday. She has a big weekend planned for us and I'm looking forward to getting out of here.
I'm supposed to be at the studio by 10am. Still need to shower.
Holly and my 12th wedding anniversary is this Sunday. She has a big weekend planned for us and I'm looking forward to getting out of here.
I'm supposed to be at the studio by 10am. Still need to shower.
7.28.2005
How an evangelical struggles with a Nicodemus-like encounter by Rogier Bos, founding editor, Next-Wave
yes and yes. If you haven't read the article linked above, this blog won't make much sense to you.
There's something very unsettling about how difficult it was for this evangelical-reared writer (and somebody like me) to process this and come to the conclusions he came to.
So many of these ideas are so deeply ingrained in me, that no matter how much I begin to recognize and rant about the errors, the mode of behavior they dictate is exceedingly difficult to overcome. It's like some kind of "thorn in the flesh"...and I question whether this questionable information ammounts to "sin" as much or even moreso than all those things we are so capable of naming with ease.
There's something very unsettling about how difficult it was for this evangelical-reared writer (and somebody like me) to process this and come to the conclusions he came to.
So many of these ideas are so deeply ingrained in me, that no matter how much I begin to recognize and rant about the errors, the mode of behavior they dictate is exceedingly difficult to overcome. It's like some kind of "thorn in the flesh"...and I question whether this questionable information ammounts to "sin" as much or even moreso than all those things we are so capable of naming with ease.
The Choir- O How The Mighty Have Fallen
Wow. I can't stop listening to this CD. These guys have been in the Christian music biz since the early 80's. They've never been "at the top" like Amy Grant or Steven Curtis Chapman or Michael W. Smith. But, they are real and honest and creative, which is more than I can say for most of the drivel found in Christian music imho. The fact is that I haven't listened to anything out of CCM in quite some time.
(except to find new songs to use at church and the portico and the fact that Ronnie, the guy I help move pianos, always has his radio on the CCM station in the truck. This is easily my biggest complaint about the job...)
Now, (because of moving pianos), I'm getting exposed to this stuff and I honestly think it's worse than I feared. Of course, I don't have to worry about the Choir being played on there, even though they were some of the folks that started the whole thing...
Anyway, I wasn't writing this blog to bitch about CCM. I just wanted to say that the Choir are and remain all of the things that I love about music and songwriting and yet practice their art within the confines of the CCM industry. Thus proving that it can be done. Of course, it also begs the question: Why can't anybody else in CCM figure it out?
(except to find new songs to use at church and the portico and the fact that Ronnie, the guy I help move pianos, always has his radio on the CCM station in the truck. This is easily my biggest complaint about the job...)
Now, (because of moving pianos), I'm getting exposed to this stuff and I honestly think it's worse than I feared. Of course, I don't have to worry about the Choir being played on there, even though they were some of the folks that started the whole thing...
Anyway, I wasn't writing this blog to bitch about CCM. I just wanted to say that the Choir are and remain all of the things that I love about music and songwriting and yet practice their art within the confines of the CCM industry. Thus proving that it can be done. Of course, it also begs the question: Why can't anybody else in CCM figure it out?
7.25.2005
bloggedy blog
I don't know why I've been so lax with blogging lately. I feel like I've been really busy and haven't had time to do anything, but I also feel like I've not been very productive, either. Here's random updates as they come to my mind:
-A week ago yesturday Holly and I opened for Kelly Jones for a concert at her church. She is such a great person and great singer/songwriter. I'm so proud to be her friend and to have produced her first 3 CDs. Her husband, Aaron, is also a great guy. Whenever we see them, we all say that we need to hang out more, but they're busy too. She's saying that she's about ready for a new CD and assures me that I'm producing, so I'm looking forward to that.
-played at US Pizza last Wednesday on the patio. It was too freakin' hot! 3 hour gig on the patio and by the time I was done setting up the sound system I thought I was going to melt. It's amazing how much energy I CANNOT come up with to perform when I'm hot like that. I booked another gig there, but it's not till late September. Hopefully it will be cooler by then.
-last Friday, played at Teatro Scarpino's with 3 other songwriters: Effron White, Sarah Hughes, and Justin Brasher. I was pretty apprehensive about how it was going to turn out because it was $5 to get in the door and I didn't know if anybody would come out. It was AWESOME! We had a GREAT turn out and had lots of fun. Thanks to anybody who might be reading this who came out! I know that everybody involved was really pleased with the evening, so I'm sure that we'll be doing it again sometime.
-Last weekend I got a call from a music minister in KC who was getting ready to go on vacation and whoever he had scheduled as his sub fell through at the last minute. He'd asked my friend, Rustin Smith if he could sub, but Rustin couldn't get out of his sunday am responsibilities and he suggested me. James said that he'd cover for me at NS, so we left for KC Saturday night and led music at this big E. Free Church for two services. People were really friendly, we had a great band, and we sold 17 CDs! Afterwards, the minister invited Holly and I to eat at Chili's with his family and we had a fun.
-I finished the Calvin Becker trilogy while I got Holly to drive on the way to on Saturday. Again, I think they're funny and pointed in illuminating the hypocrisy and absurdity in some christians' thinking. However, I'm a little disappointed and a little disturbed that in the 2nd and the 3rd books, that none of the ridiculous antagonists (basically all of calvin's family) ever come to realization of just how evil their actions are. I don't know how to talk about this without somebody actually reading the novels, so if anybody reads them, email me, I'd like to know what you think.
-I finally got a copy of the new John Irving novel "Until I Find You" (see title link of this blog) from inter-library loan. I'm not far enough into it to really know anything, but I've read some reviews and I LOVE John Irving, so I'm excited about it. I'm also glad to have something right after finishing the calvin trilogy.
-I also got into a 4 day taste test that pays $150 walmart card that starts today! I'm thinking that I might use the $150 to buy an MP3 player, but I haven't decided yet.
-Speaking of music, I received my copy of the newest, independently released CD of the Choir called "O how the Mighty Have Fallen". I got it in the mail right before we left for KC, so I got to listen to it a couple of times on the trip. If you don't know, I've been listening to the Choir since about 8th grade. I've probably mentioned this on this blog before, but shortly after Vagabond Dancing came out, a Nashvegas guy, who at the time ran an independent music web-site and eventually became an a/r guy for word said that Vagabond reminded him of the Choir. He was referring to the music, but I didn't and still don't really agree with that. However, his remark made me start looking at the Choir again and realize that I think my lyric writing may have been influenced by this band more than anybody else. All that to say, along with U2, the Choir are way at the top of my list and this CD delivers like all the rest. Just listening through it the first couple of times, I am so thankful for this band. They inspire and encourage me with their honesty and their artistry. You need to check them out.
Whew! So, I guess I've been gigging and reading. I've been trying to write some lately and have made some very tiny breakthroughs on a couple of songs I've been working on, but sometimes that's just more frustrating. Ok, so that's the update.
-A week ago yesturday Holly and I opened for Kelly Jones for a concert at her church. She is such a great person and great singer/songwriter. I'm so proud to be her friend and to have produced her first 3 CDs. Her husband, Aaron, is also a great guy. Whenever we see them, we all say that we need to hang out more, but they're busy too. She's saying that she's about ready for a new CD and assures me that I'm producing, so I'm looking forward to that.
-played at US Pizza last Wednesday on the patio. It was too freakin' hot! 3 hour gig on the patio and by the time I was done setting up the sound system I thought I was going to melt. It's amazing how much energy I CANNOT come up with to perform when I'm hot like that. I booked another gig there, but it's not till late September. Hopefully it will be cooler by then.
-last Friday, played at Teatro Scarpino's with 3 other songwriters: Effron White, Sarah Hughes, and Justin Brasher. I was pretty apprehensive about how it was going to turn out because it was $5 to get in the door and I didn't know if anybody would come out. It was AWESOME! We had a GREAT turn out and had lots of fun. Thanks to anybody who might be reading this who came out! I know that everybody involved was really pleased with the evening, so I'm sure that we'll be doing it again sometime.
-Last weekend I got a call from a music minister in KC who was getting ready to go on vacation and whoever he had scheduled as his sub fell through at the last minute. He'd asked my friend, Rustin Smith if he could sub, but Rustin couldn't get out of his sunday am responsibilities and he suggested me. James said that he'd cover for me at NS, so we left for KC Saturday night and led music at this big E. Free Church for two services. People were really friendly, we had a great band, and we sold 17 CDs! Afterwards, the minister invited Holly and I to eat at Chili's with his family and we had a fun.
-I finished the Calvin Becker trilogy while I got Holly to drive on the way to on Saturday. Again, I think they're funny and pointed in illuminating the hypocrisy and absurdity in some christians' thinking. However, I'm a little disappointed and a little disturbed that in the 2nd and the 3rd books, that none of the ridiculous antagonists (basically all of calvin's family) ever come to realization of just how evil their actions are. I don't know how to talk about this without somebody actually reading the novels, so if anybody reads them, email me, I'd like to know what you think.
-I finally got a copy of the new John Irving novel "Until I Find You" (see title link of this blog) from inter-library loan. I'm not far enough into it to really know anything, but I've read some reviews and I LOVE John Irving, so I'm excited about it. I'm also glad to have something right after finishing the calvin trilogy.
-I also got into a 4 day taste test that pays $150 walmart card that starts today! I'm thinking that I might use the $150 to buy an MP3 player, but I haven't decided yet.
-Speaking of music, I received my copy of the newest, independently released CD of the Choir called "O how the Mighty Have Fallen". I got it in the mail right before we left for KC, so I got to listen to it a couple of times on the trip. If you don't know, I've been listening to the Choir since about 8th grade. I've probably mentioned this on this blog before, but shortly after Vagabond Dancing came out, a Nashvegas guy, who at the time ran an independent music web-site and eventually became an a/r guy for word said that Vagabond reminded him of the Choir. He was referring to the music, but I didn't and still don't really agree with that. However, his remark made me start looking at the Choir again and realize that I think my lyric writing may have been influenced by this band more than anybody else. All that to say, along with U2, the Choir are way at the top of my list and this CD delivers like all the rest. Just listening through it the first couple of times, I am so thankful for this band. They inspire and encourage me with their honesty and their artistry. You need to check them out.
Whew! So, I guess I've been gigging and reading. I've been trying to write some lately and have made some very tiny breakthroughs on a couple of songs I've been working on, but sometimes that's just more frustrating. Ok, so that's the update.
7.19.2005
trilogy
I know, it's been awhile. I don't know why, but it just seems like I haven't had a chance to breathe lately.
I mentioned Franky Schaeffer in my last blog, and in reading Sham Pearls I got curious about what Frank has been up to. By googling, I found his web-site and was pleasantly surprised to find out that he'd written two sequals to a novel that Holly and I had both read and enjoyed a number of years ago.
Portofino is about a family of missionaries to Switzerland and their yearly vacation to Portofino, Italy. The main protagonist is the youngest son, Calvin. I borrowed the book from the library back when we lived in Manhattan, and enjoyed it so much that I made Holly read it and she liked it to.
Well, when I found out there were two more books, I got on half.com and ordered the complete trilogy right away. Portofino got here first, which was good because I wanted to read it again before I dove into the others.
Wow! I enjoyed it so much the 2nd time. It's funny and touching and honest and completely engaging.
I just finished the 2nd book, Zermatt, and was a little disappointed with some repetition early on, found pure reading gold about 3/4 through and then was horribly disappointed by the ending! As elated as I was with some of the story 3/4 in, the ending really made me angry. Because of all this, I started the 3rd book right away in hopes that it would resolve the some of the things that pissed me off so badly.
Anyway, follow the link above. Great summer reading novels for you.
I mentioned Franky Schaeffer in my last blog, and in reading Sham Pearls I got curious about what Frank has been up to. By googling, I found his web-site and was pleasantly surprised to find out that he'd written two sequals to a novel that Holly and I had both read and enjoyed a number of years ago.
Portofino is about a family of missionaries to Switzerland and their yearly vacation to Portofino, Italy. The main protagonist is the youngest son, Calvin. I borrowed the book from the library back when we lived in Manhattan, and enjoyed it so much that I made Holly read it and she liked it to.
Well, when I found out there were two more books, I got on half.com and ordered the complete trilogy right away. Portofino got here first, which was good because I wanted to read it again before I dove into the others.
Wow! I enjoyed it so much the 2nd time. It's funny and touching and honest and completely engaging.
I just finished the 2nd book, Zermatt, and was a little disappointed with some repetition early on, found pure reading gold about 3/4 through and then was horribly disappointed by the ending! As elated as I was with some of the story 3/4 in, the ending really made me angry. Because of all this, I started the 3rd book right away in hopes that it would resolve the some of the things that pissed me off so badly.
Anyway, follow the link above. Great summer reading novels for you.
7.04.2005
Brian McLaren and realizing how Franky Shaeffer has influenced my life.
I found another article about McLaren. Believe it or not, I still think he's got good things to say.
Saturday night I was so tired that I couldn't keep my eyes open as I was reading Faulkner in bed. As soon as I turned out the light, I was wide awake. This happens to me sometimes when I've got something weighing on my mind. The weird thing is that the other night, I really didn't have anything tumbling around, I just couldn't fall asleep. It was so frustrating. So, I rolled around for a couple hours, and then I thought that I could go read something like C. S. Lewis (which makes my brain hurt which makes me sleepy) and I could fall asleep.
That may have worked, but when I went to get some Lewis, I picked up a book by Franky (son of Francis) Schaeffer, instead. I know that I read his previous book, Addicted to Mediocrity, for a class in college. I also remember that I liked it so much, I read Sham Pearls before Real Swine, but the could have been 10 years ago or more. Anyway, I picked up Sham Pearls and read for like 3 hours.
I so needed to read that. I hadn't realized how much Franky had influenced my personal philosophy of the relationships between art, christianity, and commerce. It was like reading my own manifesto.
At the time, Franky was a film maker trying to do good work, build up his resume and hoping for the opportunities to work on bigger and better projects. His frustrations with small-minded, ignorant christians, cherishing of small successes, and struggles to make some kind of living with his art uncannily mirrors my life.
Obviously, when I read that book 10-some years ago, I picked up lots of his philosophy. When I read the other night, I received some needed encouragement and some tools to deal.
Now, if I would have just got some sleep...
Saturday night I was so tired that I couldn't keep my eyes open as I was reading Faulkner in bed. As soon as I turned out the light, I was wide awake. This happens to me sometimes when I've got something weighing on my mind. The weird thing is that the other night, I really didn't have anything tumbling around, I just couldn't fall asleep. It was so frustrating. So, I rolled around for a couple hours, and then I thought that I could go read something like C. S. Lewis (which makes my brain hurt which makes me sleepy) and I could fall asleep.
That may have worked, but when I went to get some Lewis, I picked up a book by Franky (son of Francis) Schaeffer, instead. I know that I read his previous book, Addicted to Mediocrity, for a class in college. I also remember that I liked it so much, I read Sham Pearls before Real Swine, but the could have been 10 years ago or more. Anyway, I picked up Sham Pearls and read for like 3 hours.
I so needed to read that. I hadn't realized how much Franky had influenced my personal philosophy of the relationships between art, christianity, and commerce. It was like reading my own manifesto.
At the time, Franky was a film maker trying to do good work, build up his resume and hoping for the opportunities to work on bigger and better projects. His frustrations with small-minded, ignorant christians, cherishing of small successes, and struggles to make some kind of living with his art uncannily mirrors my life.
Obviously, when I read that book 10-some years ago, I picked up lots of his philosophy. When I read the other night, I received some needed encouragement and some tools to deal.
Now, if I would have just got some sleep...
7.01.2005
Over the Rhine trip to St. Louis
I don't know what it is, but as I get older, sleep doesn't seem to be as easy as it used to be. Last night, I was really tired, but when i went to bed, I just couldn't fall asleep. That happens once in awhile and it's incredibly frustrating.
Last friday, two of my friends, Jess and Kendra and I loaded into Kendra's cool Santa Fe and drove to St. Louis. My biggest reason for going was to get to hang out with my sister a little bit, but the whole idea for going came from Jessica wanting to go see this band, Over the Rhine. I'd heard of OTR and listened to their music a little bit, but I can't say I was a big fan. However, I thought it would be fun to go see my sister, C, and check out this group.
The show as at this REALLy cool club called the Duck Room which is in the basement of a bar/grill. We were lucky in that we got into the concert, got seats and a table and were able to eat our dinner while waiting for the show to start.
OTR were really great. They're a married couple that write together and he plays predominantly piano and she plays some acoustic. They also had a lead player, drummer, and another girl who sang some bgvs. Their music is pretty mellow, very folky and a little jazzy at times. But mostly, I'd describe it as piano-based folk.
What struck me the most and what has been itching in my brain since seeing them boils down to 2 things: 1) How did they get themselves and their charming, thoughtful, spiritual music heard by this group of people in St. Louis who obviously love it? 2)How do they get away with being so open and honest about the obvious emphasis they put on their christian faith they hold onto?
The first question has to do with marketing, luck, providence and a whole slew of things that I ponder all the time and still can't figure out, so for the time being, I'm not going to let that leak out of my brain onto this blog. However, the 2nd question could be pertinent here.
Unfortunately, their ability to be honest with their faith with their audience, of which I am sure was made up of some Christians and some not, frankly made me a little jealous. It makes me wonder how much they have had to deal with their own "SWs".
I know that nobody wants to talk about him and some who read here will be disappointed that I'm bringing him up. It's obvious from SW's own blog and the most recent comments he's left here (that I deleted as fast as I could) that he really has no care with being helpful or constructive and that trying to deal with him directly just feeds his cravings for attention and controversy. Because of this, I will try not to respond to SW's previous or future statements in hopes that the lack of attention will simply keep him away. However, SW's rants toward and about me bring into focus personal struggle for me that I still can't figure out how to resolve.
I've never been concerned with the thought that SW just doesn't like me. Believe me, I've known plenty of people who don't like me and don't like my music. That comes with the territory. I'm used to it.
But, I think at the bottom of his problems with me is the belief that as an artist, I'm just not being Christian enough for him to see any validity in what I'm trying to do with my music. More than anything, as an artist, I want to be understood, and this judgement that I sense shows SW's lack in understanding. And my dealing with him has been because I want him (and any number of others who might have the same types of questions/concerns) to understand, even if he may not agree. (I will add that in this particular medium, I don't believe that SW specifically, is capable of understanding. That's why it's not worth trying to get him to understand him while he continues to feel it necessary to maintain the charade of his anonymity.)
It is interesting that in my experiences of sharing my songs and music the most honestly and transperantly, it is usually the non-christians that have responded with most enthusiasm and support even of music expressing a belief system that that they may not share. If/when dissenting voices are heard, they have invariably come from the "christian" likes of SW. And I'm still not sure how to deal with this.
Disclaimer: Words cannot express the awareness and gratitude I feel for the support of the majority of the people that happen to read this blog. I know that you "get it" and I'm so glad you're my friends and I don't want to make light of the emotional support you've sent my way. Unfortunately, the attitudes by the likes of SW "stick in my craw" and I'm still trying to figure out how to get people like him to "get it" like you all. Thanks for putting up with my struggle.
Last friday, two of my friends, Jess and Kendra and I loaded into Kendra's cool Santa Fe and drove to St. Louis. My biggest reason for going was to get to hang out with my sister a little bit, but the whole idea for going came from Jessica wanting to go see this band, Over the Rhine. I'd heard of OTR and listened to their music a little bit, but I can't say I was a big fan. However, I thought it would be fun to go see my sister, C, and check out this group.
The show as at this REALLy cool club called the Duck Room which is in the basement of a bar/grill. We were lucky in that we got into the concert, got seats and a table and were able to eat our dinner while waiting for the show to start.
OTR were really great. They're a married couple that write together and he plays predominantly piano and she plays some acoustic. They also had a lead player, drummer, and another girl who sang some bgvs. Their music is pretty mellow, very folky and a little jazzy at times. But mostly, I'd describe it as piano-based folk.
What struck me the most and what has been itching in my brain since seeing them boils down to 2 things: 1) How did they get themselves and their charming, thoughtful, spiritual music heard by this group of people in St. Louis who obviously love it? 2)How do they get away with being so open and honest about the obvious emphasis they put on their christian faith they hold onto?
The first question has to do with marketing, luck, providence and a whole slew of things that I ponder all the time and still can't figure out, so for the time being, I'm not going to let that leak out of my brain onto this blog. However, the 2nd question could be pertinent here.
Unfortunately, their ability to be honest with their faith with their audience, of which I am sure was made up of some Christians and some not, frankly made me a little jealous. It makes me wonder how much they have had to deal with their own "SWs".
I know that nobody wants to talk about him and some who read here will be disappointed that I'm bringing him up. It's obvious from SW's own blog and the most recent comments he's left here (that I deleted as fast as I could) that he really has no care with being helpful or constructive and that trying to deal with him directly just feeds his cravings for attention and controversy. Because of this, I will try not to respond to SW's previous or future statements in hopes that the lack of attention will simply keep him away. However, SW's rants toward and about me bring into focus personal struggle for me that I still can't figure out how to resolve.
I've never been concerned with the thought that SW just doesn't like me. Believe me, I've known plenty of people who don't like me and don't like my music. That comes with the territory. I'm used to it.
But, I think at the bottom of his problems with me is the belief that as an artist, I'm just not being Christian enough for him to see any validity in what I'm trying to do with my music. More than anything, as an artist, I want to be understood, and this judgement that I sense shows SW's lack in understanding. And my dealing with him has been because I want him (and any number of others who might have the same types of questions/concerns) to understand, even if he may not agree. (I will add that in this particular medium, I don't believe that SW specifically, is capable of understanding. That's why it's not worth trying to get him to understand him while he continues to feel it necessary to maintain the charade of his anonymity.)
It is interesting that in my experiences of sharing my songs and music the most honestly and transperantly, it is usually the non-christians that have responded with most enthusiasm and support even of music expressing a belief system that that they may not share. If/when dissenting voices are heard, they have invariably come from the "christian" likes of SW. And I'm still not sure how to deal with this.
Disclaimer: Words cannot express the awareness and gratitude I feel for the support of the majority of the people that happen to read this blog. I know that you "get it" and I'm so glad you're my friends and I don't want to make light of the emotional support you've sent my way. Unfortunately, the attitudes by the likes of SW "stick in my craw" and I'm still trying to figure out how to get people like him to "get it" like you all. Thanks for putting up with my struggle.
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