A pious nation? - Opinion - USATODAY.com
Just last night I commented on Jake's blog about another blogger's comments about Obama's comments. (Didja follow that?) It's too long to explain, so if you want to see what we were (sort of) discussing, you'll have to go to jake's blog and read the article and read my comments. The blog entry in question is Obama and Faith
Tonight I read the linked article that my buddy Rustin cited on his blog. Both of these articles are sort of topically related, but you'll have to read them to see for yourself.
There are many ideas in the Opinion article in USATODAY that I agree with. The writer is critical of many of the things I'm critical of in our overly pious society.
5.29.2007
"Are you kidding me?!"
I've realized that when I'm really disgusted, I like to say this with as much disdain and vehemence I can muster.
With enough intensity, it can almost reach the same level of satisfaction as "WTF?"
If you don't know. Don't ask. Stick with "Are you kidding me?!!?"
With enough intensity, it can almost reach the same level of satisfaction as "WTF?"
If you don't know. Don't ask. Stick with "Are you kidding me?!!?"
5.06.2007
Spider-Man 3
Went with H and the Powers on Sunday afternoon. Quick thoughts (warning: I'll try not to be a spoiler, and I don't think there's really a lot to spoil, but read on at your own risk if you're really worried about it.)
-It felt a little long. Lots of characters=little development
-Action satisfied. Spidey kicks butt.
-Black Spidey suit is cool, but not nearly as cool as the black suit in the comic book, therefore black suit in movie is a bit stupid.
-Some parts kind of silly and easily irksome to some comic book fans while crowd-pleasing to movie watchers. Didn't love it, but didn't hate it. (it wasn't as bad as Jar-Jar...)
-I like Topher Grace and thought his sarcastic wit was appealing, but I don't really know the whole story of venom, so in this respect, I'm a movie-watcher instead of comic book fan.
-Felt like history revision of uncle parker's muderer was cheap and pointless. It seems like they could have set up a better vengence/forgiveness storyline pretty easily, but I think they were being lazy. I don't know if this happened in the marvel universe or not but it was still stupid.
-Am mildly intrigued by all the christian symbolism discussion of forgiveness and redemption in this movie. However, with the bloated number of characters and story-lines, the philisophical discussion, while interesting to be found in a summer, comic-book adaptation block-buster, it's also easily lost in the noise.
-Am easily perturbed by the OUTRAGEOUS plot coincidences that are provided (symbiote landing, birth of sand man, harry's "uncle alfred" clears everything up...), but at the same time, all of these things strike me as EXACTLY how they'd happen in a comic book. So, what're ya gonna do?
All in all, it's not as good as Spidey 2, I'm undecided as to if it's better or about as good as Spidey 1, and it definately blows the piece of crap that is X-men 3 out of the water. It's worth seeing for comic book lovers and movie watchers alike.
One final note about one of the trailers: The only thing I can think of in the Marvel Universe more stupid than the Fantastic Four would be a nearly omnipotent being who zips around the universe destroying galaxies/planets riding a silver surfboard!! Are you kidding me? Oh yea, I can think of something more stupid: Idiots in Hollywood making a movie about the Fantastic 4 AND the Silver Surfer.
4.26.2007
my baby turns 1 year old in 3 days!
So, I know there's a link to her blog (much better maintained by her mother) than this one, but I thought I should point it out.
She turns 1 year old on Sunday. I can't believe it.
I know many people who finally have a kid and they're like "oh it's just the most wonderful experience. I don't know why we ever waited..."
I've not have any feelings wishing we'd have done this sooner. I enjoyed our life before Ivy came along. And I think it really did take that long for me to really be ready. But, it is a wonderful experience. She is so awesome and so much fun and I love her more than I could ever imagine.
Words fail. I love her. I'm blessed beyond measure.
She turns 1 year old on Sunday. I can't believe it.
I know many people who finally have a kid and they're like "oh it's just the most wonderful experience. I don't know why we ever waited..."
I've not have any feelings wishing we'd have done this sooner. I enjoyed our life before Ivy came along. And I think it really did take that long for me to really be ready. But, it is a wonderful experience. She is so awesome and so much fun and I love her more than I could ever imagine.
Words fail. I love her. I'm blessed beyond measure.
Infuze
This is a web-site that I visit quite often. They've just done a major rebuild on the site and they're having glitches with the commenting. So, I'm commenting on my own blog. If anybody cares.
First, I shouldn't have read this interview of Casting Crowns. I knew it would just piss me off. The one comment (by the founder of the online magazine, so I guess his commenting works) points out exactly the problem I have and have always had with this band. I wonder why an interview with this particular band is actually on this web-site.
First: Propaganda as art makes for bad art and bad propaganda. period.
Second: The fact that CC exploded when they did and how big they did does not indicate God's providence. When will people learn that God's economy is not the same as man's? It simply indicates that they hit on a perfect formula for a particular time. I guess the church was wanting a hip pop/country/MOR "band" that channeled Steven Curtis Chapman. Are you kidding me? The guy sounds exactly like SCC.
First, I shouldn't have read this interview of Casting Crowns. I knew it would just piss me off. The one comment (by the founder of the online magazine, so I guess his commenting works) points out exactly the problem I have and have always had with this band. I wonder why an interview with this particular band is actually on this web-site.
First: Propaganda as art makes for bad art and bad propaganda. period.
Second: The fact that CC exploded when they did and how big they did does not indicate God's providence. When will people learn that God's economy is not the same as man's? It simply indicates that they hit on a perfect formula for a particular time. I guess the church was wanting a hip pop/country/MOR "band" that channeled Steven Curtis Chapman. Are you kidding me? The guy sounds exactly like SCC.
4.25.2007
?
The strange thing is that I grew up in the church. When I was a sr. in high school, I was pretty much the only "church-going" kid in my whole class. I was a good kid and I didn't really get in trouble.
I ended up going to Bible college. Why? I look back now, and I think I just went because I didn't know what else to do. In some ways, I can see how that experience contributed to my formation; not least of which would be the fact that's where I found Holly. And I will be the first and loudest to say that I am blessed beyond reason for her.
If I had it to do all over again, I might not have gone to college at all and definately not right after graduation and probably not to a Bible college.
I know a lot of people that spend all of their time reading about, discussing, debating, contemplating theology. Theology- The study of the nature of God and religious truth. I don't see the point. I'm getting to the place where the nature of God is simply love and that truth was truth whether it wears a religious tag or not. I mean really, does all this theological debate and study engender "faith like a child"?
There used to be a time when I would argue to death a theological belief that I held strongly with somebody else who thought differently. Now, it seems to me that an argument like that is not only unknowable and completely un-winnable, but completely worthless in terms any thing of real value. If anything, that kind of argument causes outsiders to shake their heads in disgust at the futility and irrelevance of our pursuits.
Just another reason, that if it weren't for New Springs (now) I think I'd be taking a long, complete break from christendom.
Feel free to respond to this, but I reserve the right to not respond to your response.
I ended up going to Bible college. Why? I look back now, and I think I just went because I didn't know what else to do. In some ways, I can see how that experience contributed to my formation; not least of which would be the fact that's where I found Holly. And I will be the first and loudest to say that I am blessed beyond reason for her.
If I had it to do all over again, I might not have gone to college at all and definately not right after graduation and probably not to a Bible college.
I know a lot of people that spend all of their time reading about, discussing, debating, contemplating theology. Theology- The study of the nature of God and religious truth. I don't see the point. I'm getting to the place where the nature of God is simply love and that truth was truth whether it wears a religious tag or not. I mean really, does all this theological debate and study engender "faith like a child"?
There used to be a time when I would argue to death a theological belief that I held strongly with somebody else who thought differently. Now, it seems to me that an argument like that is not only unknowable and completely un-winnable, but completely worthless in terms any thing of real value. If anything, that kind of argument causes outsiders to shake their heads in disgust at the futility and irrelevance of our pursuits.
Just another reason, that if it weren't for New Springs (now) I think I'd be taking a long, complete break from christendom.
Feel free to respond to this, but I reserve the right to not respond to your response.
4.18.2007
grace on late night
Between going to bed a little earlier lately and rabbit ears not providing the entertainment possibilities that it used to, I've not been catching much late night TV for awhile. My friend, Mike, mentioned this on his blog.
This is the 2nd time I've seen Ferguson use his opening monologue to speak grace to the late night viewing audience. The other time, he talked about his father who had just passed away.
This is even more impressive. This guy is a comedian. A "secular" comedian with a late night show and an opening monologue. Britney Spears spent the weekend shaving her head and dealing with rehab. What could anybody expect a late night comedian to talk about?
He spends 12 minutes talking about his own sobriety and how Britney Spears shouldn't be ridiculed and made fun of, but that somebody should help her. She's 25 and has 2 kids and obviously she's having some problems. Why is everybody joking about her and nobody is helping her?
Are you kidding me? The only reason the church folk wouldn't be celebrating this example of grace would be because this late night comedian did a better job than we have.
This is the 2nd time I've seen Ferguson use his opening monologue to speak grace to the late night viewing audience. The other time, he talked about his father who had just passed away.
This is even more impressive. This guy is a comedian. A "secular" comedian with a late night show and an opening monologue. Britney Spears spent the weekend shaving her head and dealing with rehab. What could anybody expect a late night comedian to talk about?
He spends 12 minutes talking about his own sobriety and how Britney Spears shouldn't be ridiculed and made fun of, but that somebody should help her. She's 25 and has 2 kids and obviously she's having some problems. Why is everybody joking about her and nobody is helping her?
Are you kidding me? The only reason the church folk wouldn't be celebrating this example of grace would be because this late night comedian did a better job than we have.
4.11.2007
Piano crash was 'worst nightmare'
My friend, T-Rev, emailed this link to me. I just think it's funny that he sent it to me the day before I'm getting up in the morning to go help move my first piano since last July.
3.17.2007
Rolling Stone : Taking the Long Way : Review
So, I've been sitting on this blog for awhile. I'm not sure why. Maybe I don't want to stir up a hornets' nest of political talk back and forth. Maybe I'm not sure I want people to know just how much I'm impressed with the Dixie Chicks' new CD. Regardless...
To be honest, I first listened to Taking the Long Way when it first came out, and obviously I didn't listen very well. Truth be told, I was a little turned off by "THE COMMENT" fiasco, and all I could hear in the first single was that they were "still mad as hell..." yada yada yada. And I just wanted them to move on.
Well, let me just say: I was completely wrong.
A friend of mine started listening to the CD and wouldn't stop talking about how great it was, so I slowly started listening more and more closely. Then, I started realizing that this is the first CD that they've co-written the whole record, which put a new spin on all those songs. Then, I realized some of the co-writers and the players (tom petty's band members for starters) and Rick Rubin (among other things, producer to the latest Johnny Cash recordings) producing!
So, then I couldn't get enough of it. THEN, I saw the documentary "Shut up and Sing" about the whole comment fiasco.
Now, I wasn't really a fan of the comment. But, even if I think it might have been sort of a dumb thing to say at that particular moment, I think you're pretty much allowed to say as dumb a thing as you want.
The documentary really showed how this dumb little comment blew WAY out of proportion and context. But, what it really did for me was show me even more where these songs were coming from and wow are they great songs.
And finally, I want to celebrate this whole story because it's really a triumph of art over commerce.
This dumb comment, and the dumb way it was exploited, turned their fan base against them. When they realized that they didn't have their fan base or support anymore, they said "screw it. let's make the best record we can make talking about the things that are important to us and take it to whoever will listen." And they did.
5 Grammies later, for once in a lifetime, following your muse and disregarding the almighty green worked out.
To be honest, I first listened to Taking the Long Way when it first came out, and obviously I didn't listen very well. Truth be told, I was a little turned off by "THE COMMENT" fiasco, and all I could hear in the first single was that they were "still mad as hell..." yada yada yada. And I just wanted them to move on.
Well, let me just say: I was completely wrong.
A friend of mine started listening to the CD and wouldn't stop talking about how great it was, so I slowly started listening more and more closely. Then, I started realizing that this is the first CD that they've co-written the whole record, which put a new spin on all those songs. Then, I realized some of the co-writers and the players (tom petty's band members for starters) and Rick Rubin (among other things, producer to the latest Johnny Cash recordings) producing!
So, then I couldn't get enough of it. THEN, I saw the documentary "Shut up and Sing" about the whole comment fiasco.
Now, I wasn't really a fan of the comment. But, even if I think it might have been sort of a dumb thing to say at that particular moment, I think you're pretty much allowed to say as dumb a thing as you want.
The documentary really showed how this dumb little comment blew WAY out of proportion and context. But, what it really did for me was show me even more where these songs were coming from and wow are they great songs.
And finally, I want to celebrate this whole story because it's really a triumph of art over commerce.
This dumb comment, and the dumb way it was exploited, turned their fan base against them. When they realized that they didn't have their fan base or support anymore, they said "screw it. let's make the best record we can make talking about the things that are important to us and take it to whoever will listen." And they did.
5 Grammies later, for once in a lifetime, following your muse and disregarding the almighty green worked out.
NAMA XII- Announcing the Nominees
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...
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.
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