As told by a white man who can dance.
Dec 31, 2006
Dec 29, 2006
What is the Art of It?
Jelani posted this on his blog recently. I managed to convince him to let me borrow it.
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WHAT IS THE ART OF IT?
What is the sign of the end
The time of unperil
The time to descend and rise
The time of acting and..
The art of living and letting
At least I have my homie
What else do I need to live?
I hope the Lord Hears me!
Can you Hear me?
Or is it just a vain imagination
Or is it just plain concentration
The Free will of choice
To do evil or do good
What is the art of living this life?
Is it a formula or a ritual?
Rituals brings religion
Religion brings legalism
Legalism bring death
What is this relationship that I choose to be a part of ?
Is it hopeless for me as a slave
Or am I a friend?
Can you answer that
I hope I hear from you soon
I know I have drifted away a little
Well maybe alot like I alwayz do.
What about everyone else?
I am not seeking man approval but yours
But maybe you can't see that
I hope you do and all I want is to please you
But in my demise I fail
Unspeakable thing which are told
Am I worthy to speak of those things?
You tell Me ?
------------------------------
WHAT IS THE ART OF IT?
What is the sign of the end
The time of unperil
The time to descend and rise
The time of acting and..
The art of living and letting
At least I have my homie
What else do I need to live?
I hope the Lord Hears me!
Can you Hear me?
Or is it just a vain imagination
Or is it just plain concentration
The Free will of choice
To do evil or do good
What is the art of living this life?
Is it a formula or a ritual?
Rituals brings religion
Religion brings legalism
Legalism bring death
What is this relationship that I choose to be a part of ?
Is it hopeless for me as a slave
Or am I a friend?
Can you answer that
I hope I hear from you soon
I know I have drifted away a little
Well maybe alot like I alwayz do.
What about everyone else?
I am not seeking man approval but yours
But maybe you can't see that
I hope you do and all I want is to please you
But in my demise I fail
Unspeakable thing which are told
Am I worthy to speak of those things?
You tell Me ?
Dec 24, 2006
Another Window In the Skies video!
Two videos in two weeks. Pretty good for the guys.
This one is also pretty unique. Essentially, they took a bunch of old photographs, and did this quasi 3D thing to them were you are zooming through the photos, so close you can almost touch them!
The song never gets old, and you get a look at the biggest rock band in the world when they were in their early 20's just getting started. Worth checking out!
This one is also pretty unique. Essentially, they took a bunch of old photographs, and did this quasi 3D thing to them were you are zooming through the photos, so close you can almost touch them!
The song never gets old, and you get a look at the biggest rock band in the world when they were in their early 20's just getting started. Worth checking out!
Dec 19, 2006
Blogs must be evil
Found this on Cruel.com. Thought it was kinda funny...in a sad way. Reminds me of some people's comment I've heard regarding copyright laws.
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Bloggers are going to hell one entry at a time, according to Kevin D. Denee of the Restored Church of God's Ambassador Youth magazine:
Should teenagers and others in the Church express themselves to the world through blogs? Because of the obvious dangers; the clear biblical principles that apply; the fact that it gives one a voice; that it is almost always idle words; that teens often do not think before they do; that it is acting out of boredom; and it is filled with appearances of evil -- blogging is simply not to be done in the Church. It should be clear that it is unnecessary and in fact dangerous on many levels.
Let me emphasize that no one -- including adults -- should have a blog or personal website (unless it is for legitimate business purposes).
Photo sharing is acceptable to the Restored Lord in some circumstances:
Some questions naturally arise: "Can I have a photo gallery?" For example, maybe you visited an exotic country and want to share your photos with close friends. This can be done, but certain guidelines apply. Of course, there should never be any inappropriate pictures (again, be careful of the appearance of evil); it should be private and password protected, and only shown to family and closest friends.
------------------------
Bloggers are going to hell one entry at a time, according to Kevin D. Denee of the Restored Church of God's Ambassador Youth magazine:
Should teenagers and others in the Church express themselves to the world through blogs? Because of the obvious dangers; the clear biblical principles that apply; the fact that it gives one a voice; that it is almost always idle words; that teens often do not think before they do; that it is acting out of boredom; and it is filled with appearances of evil -- blogging is simply not to be done in the Church. It should be clear that it is unnecessary and in fact dangerous on many levels.
Let me emphasize that no one -- including adults -- should have a blog or personal website (unless it is for legitimate business purposes).
Photo sharing is acceptable to the Restored Lord in some circumstances:
Some questions naturally arise: "Can I have a photo gallery?" For example, maybe you visited an exotic country and want to share your photos with close friends. This can be done, but certain guidelines apply. Of course, there should never be any inappropriate pictures (again, be careful of the appearance of evil); it should be private and password protected, and only shown to family and closest friends.
Dec 16, 2006
Official video for Window in the Skies
Interesting video. The band only make cameo appearances...the rest of it is carefully editted footage of old singers "singing" the new U2 song. Clever.
Dec 11, 2006
Creepy PS3 ad
Does this make anyone actually want to buy a PS3? All it makes me want to do is go find a shotgun...
Dec 6, 2006
A key to being a good leader
I've been having some problems with my current supervisor at work recently. I say current, because up until a few days ago, he wasn't the only supervisor; our head manager is now gone for a few months following her knee surgery. And honestly, I do not know how long I can last with this guy fully in charge.
Then I ran across this quote, and it basically explains perfectly the problem I have with him and some managers from my past.
"You don't get to be a leader until you learn how to get people to trust you enough to follow you. And the way you do that is by learning to get along with other people, understand them, learn their needs: cooperate. Effective leaders are people who can build communities, not people who defeat all rivals." -Orson Scott Card
My managers are the exact opposite of this. It's them against everything else, and it is their sovereign duty to make sure that the universe runs according to their plan and schedule. If you don't fit, then you get booted or forced to fit.
So now my problem is having to live and continue to work with them. The Bible talks about treating them with respect, heaping "burning coals", doing the work unto God, etc. All great things to have in mind.
But how do they help in the practical every day occurences? Especially when you get so frustrated and full of anger that after you count to 10 you are looking for a bat to hit something with...
Then I ran across this quote, and it basically explains perfectly the problem I have with him and some managers from my past.
"You don't get to be a leader until you learn how to get people to trust you enough to follow you. And the way you do that is by learning to get along with other people, understand them, learn their needs: cooperate. Effective leaders are people who can build communities, not people who defeat all rivals." -Orson Scott Card
My managers are the exact opposite of this. It's them against everything else, and it is their sovereign duty to make sure that the universe runs according to their plan and schedule. If you don't fit, then you get booted or forced to fit.
So now my problem is having to live and continue to work with them. The Bible talks about treating them with respect, heaping "burning coals", doing the work unto God, etc. All great things to have in mind.
But how do they help in the practical every day occurences? Especially when you get so frustrated and full of anger that after you count to 10 you are looking for a bat to hit something with...
Nov 23, 2006
ThanksgivWiing.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
For some reason, I feel the need to blog. Not really in a sentimental way...no, I'll let others do that. And not in a need to list a bunch of things; that'd be too cliche. I really don't know...just need to blog.
Well, I suppose I can get sentimental on one little thing. There are quite a few coworkers of mine who have no place to go for Thanksgiving. A box of pizza, some cocoa, and a dvd are all they have to look forward to, for whatever reason. I'm not really in the best of positions to invite them over; it's not my house, not my food, and my parents had already invited another family over (the Forteza's). Still, I wish I could do a little something for them. I know that if I had a place of my own, and one with a little bit of space, I'd have just invited them over; probably have even gone to all the trouble to cook and everything.
--------------------
I know I should be thankful (here we go...) about my job. Well, some days I am, other days I am not. It's a little disappointing, but with my job, the bad days outweigh the good days. That's not to say that the majority of days I work are really bad days; they're not. Most days are just work days; blah days. But the really bad days definitely outweigh the really good days.
As I'm writing this, I'm very conscious of the fact that today has been my only day off in quite a while, and that in less than 12 hours, I need to be back at work. I'm one of the "lucky" few who get to go in an extra hour early tomorrow. So while the rest of my family enjoys a halfday and two days off, all I really feel like doing is just sitting back and resting and trying to overcome all the physical pain that has developed in the last week or so. Mainly in my arms and ankles.
Although too much tylenol makes me feel the veins in my arms...which is creepy...
------------------------
So I said I'd blog about it, so I might as well right now. Made two major purchases recently. The first one being an HDTV. The second one being the Nintendo Wii. (Yes, I'm one of the chosen elect.) I might post pictures later if I decide to take some.
Ok, first...the tv. Samsung 27" Slimfit HD. Slimfit meaning that it's not plasma or lcd, but it's about 17" deep. Very small, very light. On just regular rabbit-ears, I'm already picking up most of the HighDef channels for free around town (although for some reason WCCO seems to be having issues with theirs...). I even get several bonus channels, like a weather channel, and The Tube, which is the coolest music television channel I've ever seen. Not only does TheTube play new videos, but I've seen stuff going as far back as The Doors, seen lots of live concert footage, and even videos that feature mashup songs! So far I've only seen U2 once on there (Vertigo live from Chicago), but they did play the Frank Sinatra/Bono video (I've Got You Under My Skin).
The tv has been working great. There is one little problem with it though. On the left hand side, about halfway down, the picture starts to curve. It wasn't too noticeable watching or playing games when I first got it; but now that I have the Wii, it has become more pronounced.
The Wii is awesome. Serious. It comes with Wii Sports (baseball, tennis, bowling, boxing, and golf), and the package deal from Costco that I got also included Zelda: Twilight Princess and ExciteTruck (which sucks, so I sold it and got Call of Duty 3). The Wii also plays Gamecube games, can use the old GameCube controllers and memory cards, and eventually, I will be able to connect it to the internet and download old Nintendo and Sega games (for a small fee, of course).
You know, the Wii needs it's own blog in a while. Besides, it's starting to hurt to type.
Upcoming on STU2's blog: a look at why I can't seem to, for the life of me, raise my hands in praise during service. Is it fear, lack of praise, or too much exercise? And as a special bonus, I might finally reveal my "test" that tells me which dating couples I know will stay together or not. Stay tuned...
Oh...one final thought for now. I've been meaning to get my hands on a copy of the New Living Translation for a while now, mainly sense it's what we use in church. Well, I was going to just go to one of those Christian bookstores and pick one up for WAAAAAY too much, but I decided to check out Half-Price Books instead. Managed to find one fairly cheap there, and ironically, it happens to be the Spirit-Filled Believer's version. Coincidence or divine proof?
Hmm...ok, a coda thought/bit o wisdom. If you have wisdom to offer someone, don't just give it freely; wait until someone asks or is ready to hear it before you speak up. Til then, keep your mouth shut.
For some reason, I feel the need to blog. Not really in a sentimental way...no, I'll let others do that. And not in a need to list a bunch of things; that'd be too cliche. I really don't know...just need to blog.
Well, I suppose I can get sentimental on one little thing. There are quite a few coworkers of mine who have no place to go for Thanksgiving. A box of pizza, some cocoa, and a dvd are all they have to look forward to, for whatever reason. I'm not really in the best of positions to invite them over; it's not my house, not my food, and my parents had already invited another family over (the Forteza's). Still, I wish I could do a little something for them. I know that if I had a place of my own, and one with a little bit of space, I'd have just invited them over; probably have even gone to all the trouble to cook and everything.
--------------------
I know I should be thankful (here we go...) about my job. Well, some days I am, other days I am not. It's a little disappointing, but with my job, the bad days outweigh the good days. That's not to say that the majority of days I work are really bad days; they're not. Most days are just work days; blah days. But the really bad days definitely outweigh the really good days.
As I'm writing this, I'm very conscious of the fact that today has been my only day off in quite a while, and that in less than 12 hours, I need to be back at work. I'm one of the "lucky" few who get to go in an extra hour early tomorrow. So while the rest of my family enjoys a halfday and two days off, all I really feel like doing is just sitting back and resting and trying to overcome all the physical pain that has developed in the last week or so. Mainly in my arms and ankles.
Although too much tylenol makes me feel the veins in my arms...which is creepy...
------------------------
So I said I'd blog about it, so I might as well right now. Made two major purchases recently. The first one being an HDTV. The second one being the Nintendo Wii. (Yes, I'm one of the chosen elect.) I might post pictures later if I decide to take some.
Ok, first...the tv. Samsung 27" Slimfit HD. Slimfit meaning that it's not plasma or lcd, but it's about 17" deep. Very small, very light. On just regular rabbit-ears, I'm already picking up most of the HighDef channels for free around town (although for some reason WCCO seems to be having issues with theirs...). I even get several bonus channels, like a weather channel, and The Tube, which is the coolest music television channel I've ever seen. Not only does TheTube play new videos, but I've seen stuff going as far back as The Doors, seen lots of live concert footage, and even videos that feature mashup songs! So far I've only seen U2 once on there (Vertigo live from Chicago), but they did play the Frank Sinatra/Bono video (I've Got You Under My Skin).
The tv has been working great. There is one little problem with it though. On the left hand side, about halfway down, the picture starts to curve. It wasn't too noticeable watching or playing games when I first got it; but now that I have the Wii, it has become more pronounced.
The Wii is awesome. Serious. It comes with Wii Sports (baseball, tennis, bowling, boxing, and golf), and the package deal from Costco that I got also included Zelda: Twilight Princess and ExciteTruck (which sucks, so I sold it and got Call of Duty 3). The Wii also plays Gamecube games, can use the old GameCube controllers and memory cards, and eventually, I will be able to connect it to the internet and download old Nintendo and Sega games (for a small fee, of course).
You know, the Wii needs it's own blog in a while. Besides, it's starting to hurt to type.
Upcoming on STU2's blog: a look at why I can't seem to, for the life of me, raise my hands in praise during service. Is it fear, lack of praise, or too much exercise? And as a special bonus, I might finally reveal my "test" that tells me which dating couples I know will stay together or not. Stay tuned...
Oh...one final thought for now. I've been meaning to get my hands on a copy of the New Living Translation for a while now, mainly sense it's what we use in church. Well, I was going to just go to one of those Christian bookstores and pick one up for WAAAAAY too much, but I decided to check out Half-Price Books instead. Managed to find one fairly cheap there, and ironically, it happens to be the Spirit-Filled Believer's version. Coincidence or divine proof?
Hmm...ok, a coda thought/bit o wisdom. If you have wisdom to offer someone, don't just give it freely; wait until someone asks or is ready to hear it before you speak up. Til then, keep your mouth shut.
Nov 14, 2006
Ok Go - Here It Goes Again
Have any of you seen this video? I caught it on tv the other day; simply amazing; "brilliant!"
I actually got to see OkGo perform over a year ago. They opened for Kaiser Chiefs at First Ave. At the time I had no idea who OkGo was...but they almost stole the show. They were amazing. They did a dance routine for the song "A Million Ways To Be Cruel," and it was one of the more hilarious things I have ever seen.
OkGo was actually back in town at FirstAve last Wednesday night. I would have gone to see them again, except I hadn't heard they were going to be in town until about 30 minutes before the doors opened. Plus by that point I had already committed myself to going to church. (Although, in hindsight, and with no disrespect to the Nuttings, I had already seen those slides and heard that lecture, so the concert would probably have been a better choice.)
OkGo will be in town in a few more months again, opening for I believe Snow Patrol. Eh, I'd just rather see OkGo...Tickets for that concert go on sale this Saturday.
I'm not sure what it is, but I just really like the bald guy in the group. He's incredibly entertaining while they are performing. He's actually the bass player too...
Nov 7, 2006
U2-Window In The Sky
The new U2 song, Window In the Sky, is now online.
All I can say is wow...
And kudos to Bono for the line "the stone has been removed"...
Ok, I'm told the old link I had on here is invalid now. Need to update that, so here are a variety of locations you can find the song.
iTunes, obviously...
AOL is streaming the song:
Here is another site where you can find it... U218.com
Here's another one...didn't check to see if it works though. Right here...
I unfortunately cannot find the link where I originally downloaded the song (it's been removed), but if you want to hear it, you can go to
www.myspace.com/stu2
I have it in my mp3 player on my page.
FINALLY! I figured out hyperlinks!!
All I can say is wow...
And kudos to Bono for the line "the stone has been removed"...
Ok, I'm told the old link I had on here is invalid now. Need to update that, so here are a variety of locations you can find the song.
iTunes, obviously...
AOL is streaming the song:
Here is another site where you can find it... U218.com
Here's another one...didn't check to see if it works though. Right here...
I unfortunately cannot find the link where I originally downloaded the song (it's been removed), but if you want to hear it, you can go to
www.myspace.com/stu2
I have it in my mp3 player on my page.
FINALLY! I figured out hyperlinks!!
Oct 29, 2006
The Saints Are Coming music video
Well, the new music video for the U2/Green Day collarboration "The Saints Are Coming" has been released.
Interesting video, and yet I'm torn about it. The footage of the two bands playing is amazing. The sight of all those jets dropping relief supplies is also amazing...and saddening.
But aren't they rewriting history here a little? Yes, the "Bush Administration" was a little slow helping out. But then again, this was a big catastrophe. Even if relief had been sitting around waiting BEFORE Katrina hit, I doubt it would have made a difference in people's minds. Bush caused Katrina to come hit New Orleans, same as he caused 9/11 and AIDS and other things.
But let's ignore the Bush thing for a second. Featured pretty prominently in the video are mockups of the troops redeploying from Iraq to New Orleans. Obviously this is something that did not happen, as the video says at the end (in a nice way too). Of this I really am of two minds...perhaps even three or four.
As a US citizen, the idea of all those troops coming home to help and bring relief is a great idea. But is this the ideal thing? The way the video is set up, it implies that ALL the troops must come home to help. As a US citizen, I say "Great!" But as a US citizen who values freedom, I cannot help but think that it was a good thing that all the troops did not come home.
Despite the image the "drive-bye" media has been painting, we really have done some great and amazing things in Iraq. And some terrible things too. Mistakes have been made, and Bush has said as much. Maybe not in exactly the words everyone seems to want to hear ("I f*cked up, impeach me."), but he has said it; on national tv too, if I remember correctly. But overall, I'd say the "US occupation" of Iraq has been a great thing to many people. So in that sense, I disagree with the idea that ALL the troops should have come home.
But my third mind is also in conflict. The spiritual, Biblical mind that is. I know Christians should definitely be invested in politics, and we need more serving in politics, helping to create and mandate policy, etc. But are the majority of us too invested in politics? The "rightwing Christian conservative" group, or whatever we have been called. Politics seems to take our mind and eyes away from things that are more important; spiritual matters and the like. Plus if we aren't capable, politics can instill hatred in us, or bigotry or prejudice or any number of nasty personality tics.
How do I view the Katrina disaster and the War in Iraq through spiritual eyes? Well..."blessed are the peacemakers" is one way. Helping the poor and needy in general is another way; but that can go for either Katrina or Iraq. Then there is always the option to ignore the physical and just focus on the spiritual (witness only); 1 Peter (or was it James?) warns us against this, but it seems the angle that many Christians seem to take. And it's a view I obviously disagree with.
So I don't know. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. I wonder though how this video/collaboration will affect Bono's relationship with President Bush. I know they aren't exactly buddy-buddy, but Bush has been very instrumental in helping Bono with debt relief and AIDS supplies to Africa.
Still, there is one thing I am 100% in agreement about:
The song rocks!!
THE SAINTS...ARE COMING!
Interesting video, and yet I'm torn about it. The footage of the two bands playing is amazing. The sight of all those jets dropping relief supplies is also amazing...and saddening.
But aren't they rewriting history here a little? Yes, the "Bush Administration" was a little slow helping out. But then again, this was a big catastrophe. Even if relief had been sitting around waiting BEFORE Katrina hit, I doubt it would have made a difference in people's minds. Bush caused Katrina to come hit New Orleans, same as he caused 9/11 and AIDS and other things.
But let's ignore the Bush thing for a second. Featured pretty prominently in the video are mockups of the troops redeploying from Iraq to New Orleans. Obviously this is something that did not happen, as the video says at the end (in a nice way too). Of this I really am of two minds...perhaps even three or four.
As a US citizen, the idea of all those troops coming home to help and bring relief is a great idea. But is this the ideal thing? The way the video is set up, it implies that ALL the troops must come home to help. As a US citizen, I say "Great!" But as a US citizen who values freedom, I cannot help but think that it was a good thing that all the troops did not come home.
Despite the image the "drive-bye" media has been painting, we really have done some great and amazing things in Iraq. And some terrible things too. Mistakes have been made, and Bush has said as much. Maybe not in exactly the words everyone seems to want to hear ("I f*cked up, impeach me."), but he has said it; on national tv too, if I remember correctly. But overall, I'd say the "US occupation" of Iraq has been a great thing to many people. So in that sense, I disagree with the idea that ALL the troops should have come home.
But my third mind is also in conflict. The spiritual, Biblical mind that is. I know Christians should definitely be invested in politics, and we need more serving in politics, helping to create and mandate policy, etc. But are the majority of us too invested in politics? The "rightwing Christian conservative" group, or whatever we have been called. Politics seems to take our mind and eyes away from things that are more important; spiritual matters and the like. Plus if we aren't capable, politics can instill hatred in us, or bigotry or prejudice or any number of nasty personality tics.
How do I view the Katrina disaster and the War in Iraq through spiritual eyes? Well..."blessed are the peacemakers" is one way. Helping the poor and needy in general is another way; but that can go for either Katrina or Iraq. Then there is always the option to ignore the physical and just focus on the spiritual (witness only); 1 Peter (or was it James?) warns us against this, but it seems the angle that many Christians seem to take. And it's a view I obviously disagree with.
So I don't know. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. I wonder though how this video/collaboration will affect Bono's relationship with President Bush. I know they aren't exactly buddy-buddy, but Bush has been very instrumental in helping Bono with debt relief and AIDS supplies to Africa.
Still, there is one thing I am 100% in agreement about:
The song rocks!!
THE SAINTS...ARE COMING!
Oct 25, 2006
A genuine post...about Star Wars
I wrote this way back on Nov 4 of 2005. I feel I've been neglecting blogging recently, mainly due to my work schedule, so thought I'd repost this.
Judge me kindly now.
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If any of you bought the soundtrack for Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith, it came with a bonus dvd, The Musical Journey. Basically, each of the major Star Wars songs with scenes and audio clips from the movies. Really amazing quality...even has introductions/story telling by Ian McDiarmid (Palpatine). So I have that playing in the background right now, and while I can't actually see it, the music is enough for me.
Star Wars is an amazing entity, and a very important part of my life. I have so many thoughts on it right now that putting it all down would take time and an editor, and possibly even an monetary advance, but lets see what I can do right now...
I don't know why people hate on Star Wars. I don't know why people call people who like it "nerds." I just don't get it. But heck, I'm a nerd, maybe I'm not suppose to. I even know people who have never seen any of the movies, and don't know a single thing about them. Then again, these same people also don't know who Nixon was...sad.
One of my earliest memories was watching Star Wars. The first one, not any of the sequels or prequels; the one commonly called "Star Wars." I remember the scene vividly, but to this day I can not find it. There was a scene where Darth Vader was walking down the corridor at the beginning, and he was stopped by some officer, and they stuck a chip or something into those slots on his vest. Now, I might be getting the chip scene mixed up with when Leia stuck that chip into Artoo, but I really don't think so. I know for a fact that there are multiple copies with multiple scenes out there; it wasn't until the VHS copies that Lucas nailed one down as the "official" version.
My mom also likes to say that as a kid I would run and hide in the other room whenever Darth Vader would come on the screen. That might be true, but by the time I was 8 or so, I was acting out the movies. There was a wallswitch in our basement at the time that I would pretend was the controls for the wall where Han was stuck in carbonite (Return of the Jedi). I'd even run around with sticks; lightsaber battling, of course.
Once I had a fairly massive collection of Star Wars action figures...the old ones. The ones that cost a fortune now. And I got them all for relatively cheap...few bucks for a pair, or so. However, since I had been having recurring nightmares back then, my mom decided Star Wars was to blame, even though we never owned the movies, and sold them all to some guy during a garage sale for maybe a tenth of what their actual value was. She only kept a landspeeder vehicle; it's still in her dresser drawer, I should go and take that sometime. But yeah, we never even owned them. When I wanted to see them, I had to go to the local library to rent Star Wars, and to the only video store in town we would go to to rent Return of the Jedi (believe it or not, it was a Hardware Hank, eventually to become an Ace Hardware. We use to get tons of movies and video games from them). Empire Strikes Back, which I now consider the best of the Originals, was at a store we would go to once in a few years, so it was always a treat to be able to actually see that one.
One of the very first cds I ever bought was the Special Edition collection of Return of the Jedi; still have them, still listen to them fairly regularly. I remember when Hollywood Video first started carrying the Special Editions on VHS. I was just amazed that an entire wall was devoted to Star Wars. Never did get to see the Special Editions in the theatres, to my regret. I remember seeing, by chance, an Entertainment Tonight special on the making of Episode 1 (they were covering a sandstorm that had destroyed all the sets, and Lucas claimed it a good omen cause it had happened on the first movie too!). One of the first novels I ever read was The Last Command, book three in what can be called the book trilogy by Timothy Zahn that really kickstarted Star Wars up again, waaaay back in '92. Still haven't read books one and two of that trilogy, but I heard the audio books millions of times.
Perhaps one of the reasons I don't hate on the Special Editions is because I was so in awe of them when they came out. I remember us renting them one by one and sitting down as a family in our basement to watch them. And I loved it. So while now I might dislike little aspects of them (Han shot first, dangit!) , at the time, I was like "cool! they made it better!!"
Taking a little side detour from the memories - if you ever want to really experience Star Wars, find the Radio Dramas, preferably on cd or mp3, although they are out of print and cost a bundle when you do find them, but most libraries have copies. These are Star Wars at its best. I own the first set, A New Hope, if anyone wants me to burn them a copy. But with expanded storylines, Mark Hamill doing his own voice work, newly recorded scores by John Williams, they are simply amazing. I use to lie in bed at night with a pair of headphones on and just blast them. If you ever want to actually get transported to a galaxy far far away, this is the best way to do. Hands down, still my favorite Star Wars anything. Radio dramas; nothing can touch them.
Let's see...I saw Episode 1 in theatres, with my family, the same day my friends Jon and Jim had their highschool graduation party. It had rained all day. Afterwards, the parents took us to see it. Once again...blew me away...although I had cheated and read the comics so I knew the basic story. On the way home, we stopped at Taco Bell, picked up the original Bell Grande (u know...when it had those 10 tacos/burritos plus the pizza PLUS the nachos, all for $10), watched some tv while eating that, and then my parents went out and bought a new tv! Still have it too, it's sitting unused to the right of me.
Episode 2 was an amazing experience. I had been at church, knowing it was having a midnight showing. This is at Fourth, 2002, so not too long ago. I was planning on going to see it on the weekend probably. Jason Webster, friend and youth leader at the time, came up to me, and was like "my friend has an extra ticket...want to come?" I hit the roof, literally. Jumped and touched it.
I cannot begin to describe that experience. I was, what...16 maybe at that time. A bunch of 30 somethings, a group I always tended to get along with better than people my own age, invited me to go to a MIDNIGHT SCREENING of STAR WARS!!! I was going insane! Met some really cool guys (2 of them owned gaming stores in the Mpls area, and one of them worked for Bioware, a highly respected video game company), stood outside for two hours with a bunch of people dressed up, just having a great time, and then running inside to get good seats. Saw the Matrix Reloaded trailer for the first time (loads of cheers!), couple cool other trailers, and then the movie started. LOTS OF CHEERING! This screening, luckily enough, had mainly older people at it, no stupid pre-teens running around to ruin it. Throughout the entire movie there were cheers (Yoda coming to lay the smack down on Dooku!), some jeers (jar-jar...), and some great oneliners (the fireplace scene- "Time to make some Luke and Leia!"). As a side note, I found out two years later that Kevin Brick, one of my Davanni's friends, was at the same screening! I walked out of that theatre on Cloud 9.
Now Episode 3, just last summer, was a little different. As opposed to the first two movies, I said "what the heck" to knowing anything, so I learned it all. I kept checking the sites every day for any new info. I was pumped for this movie. So let's give the sequence of events leading up to it:
-maybe 3 weeks before it opened, I bought tickets for the only digital theatre in Minnesota, at Eden Praire Mall. 4 tickets, for me, david, joe, and jelani. Two of the three still owe me. Guess which ones...
-wednesday, one week before it opened, i had my final biology test at school. within two hours, i was on the road for chicago.
-thursday, six days to go. U2 UNITED CENTER!!! my first U2 show, a story in itself.
-friday, five days. within an hour of coming back to town, went out with a girl to see a movie, then went to dena's party, dead tired.
-few days of nothing.
-wednesday, Episode 3. Stupid, stupid highschoolers running around being loud. While it was a midnight showing, it had nowhere near the energy or excitement that Episode 2 had. my only regret that night. But once again, I was blown away. The movie was amazing. And now I have the dvd.
To this day, Star Wars has had a continual impact on me. I've read almost all the novels and comics, own most of the cds, own nearly all the home video releases (including those crappy, crappy dvds from last year...ugh, horrible job on those, they did). There are very few things that effect me really deeply, but Star Wars is one of them. If I let my guard down, if I just sit back and think and reflect, Star Wars can make me cry. Especially the music that plays while Luke is burning Vader's body at the funeral. That music is so bittersweet, and just thinking of all it implies, I could easily just break down and lose it.
As for which is the best Star Wars song, hands down, I have to go with Across the Stars, the love theme from Episode 2: Attack of the Clones. It wasn't until I really, really listened to that song did I understand exactly what George Lucas was trying to do with Anakin and Padme. But I got it, and I appreciated it. If there is one song that I might fight to have on a cd at my wedding, it would be that one, even above anything by U2. The song is their relationship; it IS Star Wars. This mighty and powerful love that has such a sad ending to it, like it was doomed from the start, but burned oh so brightly while it was alive. And when the harps chime in...magic.
Second best, The Imperial March. Gets the blood flowing, that it does.
I know one thing; when I get married...I want them to understand. They don't have to like Star Wars, but they need to understand. It is very important to me, it is precious (without the creepiness), and it is a huge part of who I am. It embodies some of the best things of my childhood, and it's continuing into my adult years. No one can take away from me what it all means to me, and no one should even try. You'll be fighting a losing battle. It remains a source of wonder and amazement and innocence, even if all the rest of my life is spiralling down the drain.
Just a few of my thoughts...
Anyways, thanks to you who actually do read blogs on Stu Station, and thanks for going through this one. I appreciate it. And at the risk of sounding like a nerd,
May the Force be with you.
---------------
One final thought from nowadays...The Prequel Trilogy (1,2,and 3) is brilliant. While it has some problems in the directing, acting, production, and ESPECIALLY THE EDITTING (Lucas!!), it is otherwise better than the Original Trilogy. I realize that is heresy, but I believe it to be true. They are different movies ultimately, graded on different scales. But if you delve beneath the surface of the movies, into the books, comics, cartoons, etc...Brilliance.
Aight. I'm done with the Star Wars love for now.
I'll think of something genuinely serious to write about next time.
Judge me kindly now.
------------
If any of you bought the soundtrack for Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith, it came with a bonus dvd, The Musical Journey. Basically, each of the major Star Wars songs with scenes and audio clips from the movies. Really amazing quality...even has introductions/story telling by Ian McDiarmid (Palpatine). So I have that playing in the background right now, and while I can't actually see it, the music is enough for me.
Star Wars is an amazing entity, and a very important part of my life. I have so many thoughts on it right now that putting it all down would take time and an editor, and possibly even an monetary advance, but lets see what I can do right now...
I don't know why people hate on Star Wars. I don't know why people call people who like it "nerds." I just don't get it. But heck, I'm a nerd, maybe I'm not suppose to. I even know people who have never seen any of the movies, and don't know a single thing about them. Then again, these same people also don't know who Nixon was...sad.
One of my earliest memories was watching Star Wars. The first one, not any of the sequels or prequels; the one commonly called "Star Wars." I remember the scene vividly, but to this day I can not find it. There was a scene where Darth Vader was walking down the corridor at the beginning, and he was stopped by some officer, and they stuck a chip or something into those slots on his vest. Now, I might be getting the chip scene mixed up with when Leia stuck that chip into Artoo, but I really don't think so. I know for a fact that there are multiple copies with multiple scenes out there; it wasn't until the VHS copies that Lucas nailed one down as the "official" version.
My mom also likes to say that as a kid I would run and hide in the other room whenever Darth Vader would come on the screen. That might be true, but by the time I was 8 or so, I was acting out the movies. There was a wallswitch in our basement at the time that I would pretend was the controls for the wall where Han was stuck in carbonite (Return of the Jedi). I'd even run around with sticks; lightsaber battling, of course.
Once I had a fairly massive collection of Star Wars action figures...the old ones. The ones that cost a fortune now. And I got them all for relatively cheap...few bucks for a pair, or so. However, since I had been having recurring nightmares back then, my mom decided Star Wars was to blame, even though we never owned the movies, and sold them all to some guy during a garage sale for maybe a tenth of what their actual value was. She only kept a landspeeder vehicle; it's still in her dresser drawer, I should go and take that sometime. But yeah, we never even owned them. When I wanted to see them, I had to go to the local library to rent Star Wars, and to the only video store in town we would go to to rent Return of the Jedi (believe it or not, it was a Hardware Hank, eventually to become an Ace Hardware. We use to get tons of movies and video games from them). Empire Strikes Back, which I now consider the best of the Originals, was at a store we would go to once in a few years, so it was always a treat to be able to actually see that one.
One of the very first cds I ever bought was the Special Edition collection of Return of the Jedi; still have them, still listen to them fairly regularly. I remember when Hollywood Video first started carrying the Special Editions on VHS. I was just amazed that an entire wall was devoted to Star Wars. Never did get to see the Special Editions in the theatres, to my regret. I remember seeing, by chance, an Entertainment Tonight special on the making of Episode 1 (they were covering a sandstorm that had destroyed all the sets, and Lucas claimed it a good omen cause it had happened on the first movie too!). One of the first novels I ever read was The Last Command, book three in what can be called the book trilogy by Timothy Zahn that really kickstarted Star Wars up again, waaaay back in '92. Still haven't read books one and two of that trilogy, but I heard the audio books millions of times.
Perhaps one of the reasons I don't hate on the Special Editions is because I was so in awe of them when they came out. I remember us renting them one by one and sitting down as a family in our basement to watch them. And I loved it. So while now I might dislike little aspects of them (Han shot first, dangit!) , at the time, I was like "cool! they made it better!!"
Taking a little side detour from the memories - if you ever want to really experience Star Wars, find the Radio Dramas, preferably on cd or mp3, although they are out of print and cost a bundle when you do find them, but most libraries have copies. These are Star Wars at its best. I own the first set, A New Hope, if anyone wants me to burn them a copy. But with expanded storylines, Mark Hamill doing his own voice work, newly recorded scores by John Williams, they are simply amazing. I use to lie in bed at night with a pair of headphones on and just blast them. If you ever want to actually get transported to a galaxy far far away, this is the best way to do. Hands down, still my favorite Star Wars anything. Radio dramas; nothing can touch them.
Let's see...I saw Episode 1 in theatres, with my family, the same day my friends Jon and Jim had their highschool graduation party. It had rained all day. Afterwards, the parents took us to see it. Once again...blew me away...although I had cheated and read the comics so I knew the basic story. On the way home, we stopped at Taco Bell, picked up the original Bell Grande (u know...when it had those 10 tacos/burritos plus the pizza PLUS the nachos, all for $10), watched some tv while eating that, and then my parents went out and bought a new tv! Still have it too, it's sitting unused to the right of me.
Episode 2 was an amazing experience. I had been at church, knowing it was having a midnight showing. This is at Fourth, 2002, so not too long ago. I was planning on going to see it on the weekend probably. Jason Webster, friend and youth leader at the time, came up to me, and was like "my friend has an extra ticket...want to come?" I hit the roof, literally. Jumped and touched it.
I cannot begin to describe that experience. I was, what...16 maybe at that time. A bunch of 30 somethings, a group I always tended to get along with better than people my own age, invited me to go to a MIDNIGHT SCREENING of STAR WARS!!! I was going insane! Met some really cool guys (2 of them owned gaming stores in the Mpls area, and one of them worked for Bioware, a highly respected video game company), stood outside for two hours with a bunch of people dressed up, just having a great time, and then running inside to get good seats. Saw the Matrix Reloaded trailer for the first time (loads of cheers!), couple cool other trailers, and then the movie started. LOTS OF CHEERING! This screening, luckily enough, had mainly older people at it, no stupid pre-teens running around to ruin it. Throughout the entire movie there were cheers (Yoda coming to lay the smack down on Dooku!), some jeers (jar-jar...), and some great oneliners (the fireplace scene- "Time to make some Luke and Leia!"). As a side note, I found out two years later that Kevin Brick, one of my Davanni's friends, was at the same screening! I walked out of that theatre on Cloud 9.
Now Episode 3, just last summer, was a little different. As opposed to the first two movies, I said "what the heck" to knowing anything, so I learned it all. I kept checking the sites every day for any new info. I was pumped for this movie. So let's give the sequence of events leading up to it:
-maybe 3 weeks before it opened, I bought tickets for the only digital theatre in Minnesota, at Eden Praire Mall. 4 tickets, for me, david, joe, and jelani. Two of the three still owe me. Guess which ones...
-wednesday, one week before it opened, i had my final biology test at school. within two hours, i was on the road for chicago.
-thursday, six days to go. U2 UNITED CENTER!!! my first U2 show, a story in itself.
-friday, five days. within an hour of coming back to town, went out with a girl to see a movie, then went to dena's party, dead tired.
-few days of nothing.
-wednesday, Episode 3. Stupid, stupid highschoolers running around being loud. While it was a midnight showing, it had nowhere near the energy or excitement that Episode 2 had. my only regret that night. But once again, I was blown away. The movie was amazing. And now I have the dvd.
To this day, Star Wars has had a continual impact on me. I've read almost all the novels and comics, own most of the cds, own nearly all the home video releases (including those crappy, crappy dvds from last year...ugh, horrible job on those, they did). There are very few things that effect me really deeply, but Star Wars is one of them. If I let my guard down, if I just sit back and think and reflect, Star Wars can make me cry. Especially the music that plays while Luke is burning Vader's body at the funeral. That music is so bittersweet, and just thinking of all it implies, I could easily just break down and lose it.
As for which is the best Star Wars song, hands down, I have to go with Across the Stars, the love theme from Episode 2: Attack of the Clones. It wasn't until I really, really listened to that song did I understand exactly what George Lucas was trying to do with Anakin and Padme. But I got it, and I appreciated it. If there is one song that I might fight to have on a cd at my wedding, it would be that one, even above anything by U2. The song is their relationship; it IS Star Wars. This mighty and powerful love that has such a sad ending to it, like it was doomed from the start, but burned oh so brightly while it was alive. And when the harps chime in...magic.
Second best, The Imperial March. Gets the blood flowing, that it does.
I know one thing; when I get married...I want them to understand. They don't have to like Star Wars, but they need to understand. It is very important to me, it is precious (without the creepiness), and it is a huge part of who I am. It embodies some of the best things of my childhood, and it's continuing into my adult years. No one can take away from me what it all means to me, and no one should even try. You'll be fighting a losing battle. It remains a source of wonder and amazement and innocence, even if all the rest of my life is spiralling down the drain.
Just a few of my thoughts...
Anyways, thanks to you who actually do read blogs on Stu Station, and thanks for going through this one. I appreciate it. And at the risk of sounding like a nerd,
May the Force be with you.
---------------
One final thought from nowadays...The Prequel Trilogy (1,2,and 3) is brilliant. While it has some problems in the directing, acting, production, and ESPECIALLY THE EDITTING (Lucas!!), it is otherwise better than the Original Trilogy. I realize that is heresy, but I believe it to be true. They are different movies ultimately, graded on different scales. But if you delve beneath the surface of the movies, into the books, comics, cartoons, etc...Brilliance.
Aight. I'm done with the Star Wars love for now.
I'll think of something genuinely serious to write about next time.
Wow but I LOVE Star Wars
Seriously, I really do. The last track on the soundtrack for Attack of the Clones gets me every time...
(Yes, this is a stupid blog post, but it's what I'm thinking and feeling right now).
May the Force be with you.
(Yes, this is a stupid blog post, but it's what I'm thinking and feeling right now).
May the Force be with you.
Oct 17, 2006
Working and Reggie
For some reason, I've been thinking about Reggie White recently. Might have something to do with the fact that I've joined a Facebook group or two dedicated to him. Anyways, decided to do a Wikipedia search on him, just to see what was there. Turns out his son Jeremy wrote a book about growing up with him.
Most of you probably don't know this, but I went to school with Jeremy and his sister. And I don't mean your typical "student body of hundreds" type of thing. I'm saying, a small classroom of 20 for a couple of years. I want to say 3 years, but I could be wrong. Anyways, I knew the kids and Sara, Reggie's wife. Didn't actually know Reggie himself, which I regret.
I remember Jeremy and I didn't quite get along all the time, although we had our moments. I'm not even sure what it was about, but we got into a fight once on the playground. This had to be around fifth, sixth grade. We just started punching and wrestling around on the ground; I remember winning, but it's irrelevant. I don't even know what the fight was about. The funny thing was the instructor watching us didn't seem to care; he just watched us fight. I didn't even get in trouble or anything.
So I guess he's written a book about having Reggie as a dad. I'm thinking I might pick up a copy sometime, and try to track down a copy of the movie Reggie made, "Reggie's Prayer." What's unfortunate is that it is only available on VHS...I saw it once a long time ago, and while I know it's a really crappy movie, I still want a copy.
We lost a great man with Reggie.
Ok, moving on. At work Sunday, one of my coworkers, we'll call her B since I can't spell her name (and shouldn't), told me about a bunch of guys trying to get her to come to their church yesterday. She didn't know what church they went to, but after I asked a few questions (JW? Suits and ties? A huge wooden cross carried by some weirdly dressed people? etc), found out that they were Mormons. Then she dropped the question on me: "What do they believe?"
Sheesh. What a loaded question. I tried explaining to B the big thing first, the entire "Jesus was not God but only a man" issue. Well, she sided with the Mormons; doesn't believe that Jesus was God, and for some reason, kept on repeating that "dying on the cross proves he wasn't God!" Oh, and she denied the resurrection too, when I asked her about that. B says she based these opinions of hers on the Koran. I know she grew up around Islam, but she tells me she got away from all of that.
For some reason we started talking about Moses...and how Jesus was Moses or some such nonsense...and how when Moses saw God he was struck blind...whatever...and then I tried explaining to her the concept of the Trinity, trying to get off the rabbit trail and back to her original question about the differences between Mormons and, well, me.
She didn't understand it. Three in one and one in three. The Beatles is one band but four musicians...ok, maybe five if you count Yoko. She claimed that God is "unknowable", and cannot be male, first of all, so he can't be a father. And there can't be a father, a son, and a holy spirit! After a while of me just trying to explain the concept to her, she got a little frustrated and pretty much ended the conversation, citing that "logically" I could not be right.
I went up to her later and apologized, told her I wasn't trying to attack her beliefs or her "logic", but only just trying to explain myself/Christianity to her. She told me she reads a lot, so I'm probably gonna give her a book or two to read later, but I wonder where even to begin!
Still, this shows promise. It was refreshing actually to just talk about stuff like that with someone. I hope it happens again. While I'm not exactly wide-open with my faith at work (I don't go telling everyone that Jesus loves them, or preaching at them), I've never shied (shyed?) away from denying anything, and I'm quite honest about going to church and stuff like that.
Already I can imagine several people at my church spiritually "tsk-ing" me for not being more open or evangelistic...but then I remember Scripture and who I'm accountable to.
I'm thinking of giving B a copy of The Case For Christ first. It's been several years since I read it, but I remember it gave a strong argument, as well as being written for normal people. Any other suggestions? Maybe a copy of the Message too...
Most of you probably don't know this, but I went to school with Jeremy and his sister. And I don't mean your typical "student body of hundreds" type of thing. I'm saying, a small classroom of 20 for a couple of years. I want to say 3 years, but I could be wrong. Anyways, I knew the kids and Sara, Reggie's wife. Didn't actually know Reggie himself, which I regret.
I remember Jeremy and I didn't quite get along all the time, although we had our moments. I'm not even sure what it was about, but we got into a fight once on the playground. This had to be around fifth, sixth grade. We just started punching and wrestling around on the ground; I remember winning, but it's irrelevant. I don't even know what the fight was about. The funny thing was the instructor watching us didn't seem to care; he just watched us fight. I didn't even get in trouble or anything.
So I guess he's written a book about having Reggie as a dad. I'm thinking I might pick up a copy sometime, and try to track down a copy of the movie Reggie made, "Reggie's Prayer." What's unfortunate is that it is only available on VHS...I saw it once a long time ago, and while I know it's a really crappy movie, I still want a copy.
We lost a great man with Reggie.
Ok, moving on. At work Sunday, one of my coworkers, we'll call her B since I can't spell her name (and shouldn't), told me about a bunch of guys trying to get her to come to their church yesterday. She didn't know what church they went to, but after I asked a few questions (JW? Suits and ties? A huge wooden cross carried by some weirdly dressed people? etc), found out that they were Mormons. Then she dropped the question on me: "What do they believe?"
Sheesh. What a loaded question. I tried explaining to B the big thing first, the entire "Jesus was not God but only a man" issue. Well, she sided with the Mormons; doesn't believe that Jesus was God, and for some reason, kept on repeating that "dying on the cross proves he wasn't God!" Oh, and she denied the resurrection too, when I asked her about that. B says she based these opinions of hers on the Koran. I know she grew up around Islam, but she tells me she got away from all of that.
For some reason we started talking about Moses...and how Jesus was Moses or some such nonsense...and how when Moses saw God he was struck blind...whatever...and then I tried explaining to her the concept of the Trinity, trying to get off the rabbit trail and back to her original question about the differences between Mormons and, well, me.
She didn't understand it. Three in one and one in three. The Beatles is one band but four musicians...ok, maybe five if you count Yoko. She claimed that God is "unknowable", and cannot be male, first of all, so he can't be a father. And there can't be a father, a son, and a holy spirit! After a while of me just trying to explain the concept to her, she got a little frustrated and pretty much ended the conversation, citing that "logically" I could not be right.
I went up to her later and apologized, told her I wasn't trying to attack her beliefs or her "logic", but only just trying to explain myself/Christianity to her. She told me she reads a lot, so I'm probably gonna give her a book or two to read later, but I wonder where even to begin!
Still, this shows promise. It was refreshing actually to just talk about stuff like that with someone. I hope it happens again. While I'm not exactly wide-open with my faith at work (I don't go telling everyone that Jesus loves them, or preaching at them), I've never shied (shyed?) away from denying anything, and I'm quite honest about going to church and stuff like that.
Already I can imagine several people at my church spiritually "tsk-ing" me for not being more open or evangelistic...but then I remember Scripture and who I'm accountable to.
I'm thinking of giving B a copy of The Case For Christ first. It's been several years since I read it, but I remember it gave a strong argument, as well as being written for normal people. Any other suggestions? Maybe a copy of the Message too...
Sep 22, 2006
White and Nerdy
I believe Weird Al has redeemed himself for Poodle Hat with this new song and video.
Sep 13, 2006
Yes, I'm still alive
Zoo Station is no more. Long live Stu Station.
Sorry that I haven't been posting in a while. Life has been getting pretty busy, which I guess is a good thing. Been working more at the bakery, learning new "skills" (although "new" should really be in quotes), watching Lost Season Two on dvd (such an amazing show), and slowly destroying my social life by going to bed early afternoon and waking up mid early morning.
Life ain't fun at times, is it? While I'm glad I'm keeping busy, and definitely glad I'm earning some money now...I've been on such a "me" schedule for over a year that I'm definitely feeling the withdrawals now. I miss having time for doing things. I miss being able to be up late at night and spend time with friends. I miss being able to set my own schedule and not really have to be anywhere at a set time. I miss sleeping.
This past summer has been an eye opener in many different respects. Summit was the kickoff, of course. Lots of things happened there, friends were made, ideas were planted, and inspirations were...inspired. Then came reality and the return to Minnesota. I've definitely gone through some different things in the past few months; many good, a few, not so. I'd count the surgery as a good/bad thing, since it all depends on your point of view on it (don't ask).
This summer has also marked my first experience, first real experience at least, with the local party scene. (I'm going to be fairly open on this blog, since most of the people I know who are my age don't know how to read yet...or like tomatoes) I could make a living just by being a designated driver, I've figured out. It saddens me to see people my own age just slowly poisoning and destroying their lives, all in the pursuit of fun. I've made several "friends" (friends in a familiar sense) at these parties, and I alternately pity them and pray for them.
I found myself driving home from one of these parties late one night feeling very heavy in the soul. Driving on the freeway, I just started praying for each and every one of them that I had just been with that night. Praying for not only their souls/salvation, but also just for their safety getting home that night. I also had this feeling that I needed to be there for them, either physically or just in spirit.
The Bible says we are in this world but not of this world. Is it even possible to be in this party scene, walk through it, shakes hands with people, maybe play some pool, share a drink, and still be a witness or a positive impact in their lives? To truly make a difference in someone's life? The easy way out is to avoid the parties; the easy way out is to sit in judgement and condemnation on them.
I'm not that easy it seems.
The saddest event was when, at one party, we (our heroes in this story) came across a mutual friend of all of ours. Someone we had poured our life into, and thought we were getting a beneficial return from. Seeing this person in their original, native environment was hard for me. I still love my friend, and will do anything whenever for them. But it still hurt, and the hurt will continue in my prayers.
Ask you can see, despite my work schedule and busyness...my mind is still everywhere.
---------------------
One moment of fun that I've had recently came two weekends ago when my friend David and I went to Green Bay to see the Packers game. While something this monumental probably deserves its own blog post, what you see is what you will get. Maybe some pictures later, once I sneak off to NorthHenn and "borrow" the computers to do some cropping and resizing of said pics. Heck, they owe ME money...I think the least they can do is let me use the PCs free of charge.
Trip went smoothly. Surprisingly, we got down there in about 4 to 4.5 hours. I don't think thats a new landspeed record or anything, but with just one stop for gas and
"refreshment," it felt like we had just left by the time we arrived. And despite the accusations that we "sped all the way down," I was driving, and I purposedly kept the speedometer a mere 5 mph over the speed limit. Minnesota plates in Wisconsin - I Ain't Stupid.
Events up to the game were few yet memorable. Got to stop at Take 2, the greatest store on the earth. Basically, Take 2 is the ideal for places like Disc Go Round, EB Games, GameStop, etc. A store where you do not get ripped off for selling things to them ($2 for a $35 game? No Thank You!!). Take 2 - a haven of used VHS, DVD, video games, computer games, tv shows, electronic parts, strategy guides, CDs, you name it! I love that store, but it's lost a little bit of its awesomeness since I moved away from GB: they no longer carry racks and racks of used computer games. Bummer.
Decided to go into Lambeau early and get some lunch. We stopped at the Lambeau Grill or something inside. $15 for buffet. BEST FOOD EVER. Grab one of the ribs by the bone, and you could pull it out, the meat was that tender. Oh, we were dying. Awesome stone baked pizza too.
The game was fun too. I saw Favre. I love Favre. I hate Favre. See Favre score touchdown. Favre a big man. Rest of team suck. Backup quarterback suck. Third String better than Second String. Beer and popcorn: official food of Lambeau. My writing is getting worse and worse.
The oddest thing about Lambeau Field was the size of it. While I know there was close to 80,000 people inside (with probably as many people walking around outside), I just got the sense that it was really small. And this is the improved and renovated Lambeau. I just got this sense that places like the Target Center or the United Center in Chicago were bigger. Lambeau was just spread out more.
It was nice to see that Reggie White's number had been retired up on the boards. I never really knew the guy, although I did know his family. I hadn't heard that they had retired his number, but it still was a little sad to see the great 92 hung up there.
The game itself kinda sucked. Very little excitement. And Favre only played 2 plays, scoring a touchdown, before he sat down.
The rest of the night was uneventful. Swimming in the pool at the hotel, ordering some local pizza, watching Stargate SG-1 on tv (an episode I've seen like 12 times, and still love, Seasons 4's "Window of Opportunity"), 12 hours of sleep almost, and the eventual drive back home to Minnesota, but only after an hour or two of Guitar Hero at the local Best Buy.
The most important lesson learned from the trip though was: What Happens At Lambeau...Stays At Lambeau.
Sorry that I haven't been posting in a while. Life has been getting pretty busy, which I guess is a good thing. Been working more at the bakery, learning new "skills" (although "new" should really be in quotes), watching Lost Season Two on dvd (such an amazing show), and slowly destroying my social life by going to bed early afternoon and waking up mid early morning.
Life ain't fun at times, is it? While I'm glad I'm keeping busy, and definitely glad I'm earning some money now...I've been on such a "me" schedule for over a year that I'm definitely feeling the withdrawals now. I miss having time for doing things. I miss being able to be up late at night and spend time with friends. I miss being able to set my own schedule and not really have to be anywhere at a set time. I miss sleeping.
This past summer has been an eye opener in many different respects. Summit was the kickoff, of course. Lots of things happened there, friends were made, ideas were planted, and inspirations were...inspired. Then came reality and the return to Minnesota. I've definitely gone through some different things in the past few months; many good, a few, not so. I'd count the surgery as a good/bad thing, since it all depends on your point of view on it (don't ask).
This summer has also marked my first experience, first real experience at least, with the local party scene. (I'm going to be fairly open on this blog, since most of the people I know who are my age don't know how to read yet...or like tomatoes) I could make a living just by being a designated driver, I've figured out. It saddens me to see people my own age just slowly poisoning and destroying their lives, all in the pursuit of fun. I've made several "friends" (friends in a familiar sense) at these parties, and I alternately pity them and pray for them.
I found myself driving home from one of these parties late one night feeling very heavy in the soul. Driving on the freeway, I just started praying for each and every one of them that I had just been with that night. Praying for not only their souls/salvation, but also just for their safety getting home that night. I also had this feeling that I needed to be there for them, either physically or just in spirit.
The Bible says we are in this world but not of this world. Is it even possible to be in this party scene, walk through it, shakes hands with people, maybe play some pool, share a drink, and still be a witness or a positive impact in their lives? To truly make a difference in someone's life? The easy way out is to avoid the parties; the easy way out is to sit in judgement and condemnation on them.
I'm not that easy it seems.
The saddest event was when, at one party, we (our heroes in this story) came across a mutual friend of all of ours. Someone we had poured our life into, and thought we were getting a beneficial return from. Seeing this person in their original, native environment was hard for me. I still love my friend, and will do anything whenever for them. But it still hurt, and the hurt will continue in my prayers.
Ask you can see, despite my work schedule and busyness...my mind is still everywhere.
---------------------
One moment of fun that I've had recently came two weekends ago when my friend David and I went to Green Bay to see the Packers game. While something this monumental probably deserves its own blog post, what you see is what you will get. Maybe some pictures later, once I sneak off to NorthHenn and "borrow" the computers to do some cropping and resizing of said pics. Heck, they owe ME money...I think the least they can do is let me use the PCs free of charge.
Trip went smoothly. Surprisingly, we got down there in about 4 to 4.5 hours. I don't think thats a new landspeed record or anything, but with just one stop for gas and
"refreshment," it felt like we had just left by the time we arrived. And despite the accusations that we "sped all the way down," I was driving, and I purposedly kept the speedometer a mere 5 mph over the speed limit. Minnesota plates in Wisconsin - I Ain't Stupid.
Events up to the game were few yet memorable. Got to stop at Take 2, the greatest store on the earth. Basically, Take 2 is the ideal for places like Disc Go Round, EB Games, GameStop, etc. A store where you do not get ripped off for selling things to them ($2 for a $35 game? No Thank You!!). Take 2 - a haven of used VHS, DVD, video games, computer games, tv shows, electronic parts, strategy guides, CDs, you name it! I love that store, but it's lost a little bit of its awesomeness since I moved away from GB: they no longer carry racks and racks of used computer games. Bummer.
Decided to go into Lambeau early and get some lunch. We stopped at the Lambeau Grill or something inside. $15 for buffet. BEST FOOD EVER. Grab one of the ribs by the bone, and you could pull it out, the meat was that tender. Oh, we were dying. Awesome stone baked pizza too.
The game was fun too. I saw Favre. I love Favre. I hate Favre. See Favre score touchdown. Favre a big man. Rest of team suck. Backup quarterback suck. Third String better than Second String. Beer and popcorn: official food of Lambeau. My writing is getting worse and worse.
The oddest thing about Lambeau Field was the size of it. While I know there was close to 80,000 people inside (with probably as many people walking around outside), I just got the sense that it was really small. And this is the improved and renovated Lambeau. I just got this sense that places like the Target Center or the United Center in Chicago were bigger. Lambeau was just spread out more.
It was nice to see that Reggie White's number had been retired up on the boards. I never really knew the guy, although I did know his family. I hadn't heard that they had retired his number, but it still was a little sad to see the great 92 hung up there.
The game itself kinda sucked. Very little excitement. And Favre only played 2 plays, scoring a touchdown, before he sat down.
The rest of the night was uneventful. Swimming in the pool at the hotel, ordering some local pizza, watching Stargate SG-1 on tv (an episode I've seen like 12 times, and still love, Seasons 4's "Window of Opportunity"), 12 hours of sleep almost, and the eventual drive back home to Minnesota, but only after an hour or two of Guitar Hero at the local Best Buy.
The most important lesson learned from the trip though was: What Happens At Lambeau...Stays At Lambeau.
Aug 29, 2006
Aug 24, 2006
My thoughts, others words
One more thing before I retire for today...
"He that can apprehend and consider vice with all her baits and seeming pleasures, and yet abstain, and yet distinguish, and yet prefer that which is truly better, he is the true warfaring Christian. I cannot praise a fugitive and cloistered virtue, unexercised and unbreathed, that never sallies out and sees her adversary, but slinks out of the race where that immortal garland is to be run for, not without dust and heat. Assuredly we bring not innocence into the world, we bring impurity much rather: that which purifies us is trial, and trial is by what is contrary."
"I am also concerned that our honorable desire to protect ourselves from the world's evils too easily and too often leads to spiritual weakness rather than immunity. To protect children from secular entertainment's harms by reading and watching alongside, teaching them to sift stories for truth and falsehood, trains to grow from digesting simple work to more complex work—to borrow a Scriptural phrase, "from milk to meat." This, I believe, is more fruitful than blinding them to the true complexities of the world. Learning to grapple with the world's sinfulness—and their own—prepares them to resist temptation rather than merely hide from it. Jesus did not wear blinders to save him from being tempted; neither did the Apostles. Remember, the full armor of God is for folks on the battlefield. Of course, parents should be vigilant in protecting children; they should also teach train them up to "renew their minds" and become aggressive thinkers so they can stare temptation in the face and, with God's grace, remain unpolluted."
-----------------------
I am not sure if this is Jeffrey Overstreets', Beth Rambo's, or John Milton's, but whoever wrote this, I agree with them completely!
"He that can apprehend and consider vice with all her baits and seeming pleasures, and yet abstain, and yet distinguish, and yet prefer that which is truly better, he is the true warfaring Christian. I cannot praise a fugitive and cloistered virtue, unexercised and unbreathed, that never sallies out and sees her adversary, but slinks out of the race where that immortal garland is to be run for, not without dust and heat. Assuredly we bring not innocence into the world, we bring impurity much rather: that which purifies us is trial, and trial is by what is contrary."
"I am also concerned that our honorable desire to protect ourselves from the world's evils too easily and too often leads to spiritual weakness rather than immunity. To protect children from secular entertainment's harms by reading and watching alongside, teaching them to sift stories for truth and falsehood, trains to grow from digesting simple work to more complex work—to borrow a Scriptural phrase, "from milk to meat." This, I believe, is more fruitful than blinding them to the true complexities of the world. Learning to grapple with the world's sinfulness—and their own—prepares them to resist temptation rather than merely hide from it. Jesus did not wear blinders to save him from being tempted; neither did the Apostles. Remember, the full armor of God is for folks on the battlefield. Of course, parents should be vigilant in protecting children; they should also teach train them up to "renew their minds" and become aggressive thinkers so they can stare temptation in the face and, with God's grace, remain unpolluted."
-----------------------
I am not sure if this is Jeffrey Overstreets', Beth Rambo's, or John Milton's, but whoever wrote this, I agree with them completely!
The Da Vinci Code - my take
So I just finished reading "The Da Vinci Code." I know, I know...I'm a few months, even a few years, late. Still haven't even seen the movie, and from what I've heard, it's not very good anyways, although it does have Jean Reno in it, one of my favorite actors.
I first heard about "The Da Vinci Code" from a girl I used to work with back at Davanni's, one of my original trainers actually. Knowing I was a Christian, and her quasi-Jewish (or whatever), she wanted me to read this book and tell her what I thought. I never got a chance to read it because she promised to lend me her copy, she forgot, and a few months later she left the company. But I've always been meaning to read it.
I've had a copy of the book for several months now. Was going to read it during the school year, and then during the Summit trip, but life and other books got in the way. Still, a few days ago when I realized I didn't own a copy of the book I wanted to be reading next, I decided to just pick up Da Vinci and give it a try.
And you know what? I feel like I just read a 450 page Goosebumps book. Meaning it was a light, quick read, with a lot of fluff, and a passable plot.
This is the book that was supposed to turn people en mass away from Christianity?? This book?? Couldn't it have been something of better literary quality?
The book was entertaining. I'll give Dan Brown that. But it was boring up until roughly page 240, which is when they start going into the "true" history of the Holy Grail and the early church. Up until that point, the book was just one event after another, with each event lasting maybe 15 minutes real time, and yet taking 8 chapters to tell! Look at his writing style. Do you really need to start a new chapter after each new sentence from a main character? While it makes the book much more easily readable, especially in bite sized chunks, it is really annoying also. You just never get anywhere, and if you want to advance the story, you have to read another 50 or more pages!
Dan Brown's theories he presents in the book are interesting. I did a quick search a few minutes ago for any of those readily available articles that prove him wrong. Its interesting to me at least that every single one I looked at, they all chose to prove Brown wrong in the same areas: that Jesus was really the Son of God, that the church believed that without question, and that the Bible wasn't debated over as much as he claims. All good stuff, all worth pointing out to most people.
But none of these articles decided to call into question the whole idea of Jesus getting married and/or having children. Granted, I only looked through a handful of websites for information, and once again, this is a really old "theory," but I was still surprised it wasn't addressed.
While the Bible never specifically says Jesus married, it never says otherwise either. I don't think most Christians personal faith would be challeneged if it was revealed that Jesus Christ had a wife. Now, some will point out that Jesus does indeed have a wife, which is the Church; but lets keep it grounded in physical reality set during His earthly ministry. Is the idea preposterous? I don't think so. I personally do not believe He was married, but I won't discount the fact that He possibly could have been either. It's really a non-issue to me.
There have been a few things bugging me though while I read throught the book. One was that Dan Brown goes to such lengths to discredit Christianity, but bears hardly any mention to Judaism. Christianity came out of that religion, and yet he doesn't really try to prove it wrong at all. Aren't the two linked somehow? Seems like an odd thing to do...
There were other thoughts, but I'll post those later, if I remember them...
I had a conversation at church a while back with someone about the Da Vinci Code. After sitting through the usual (at the time) public condemnings of the book, the movie, and their author, I remember one person saying that they would not endorse anything that tried to prove Christianity wrong. They then went on to make the claim that they wished the book had never been written and that no good would come out of it.
I don't think I agree with that position. If anything, this book/movie has caused many Christians to actually learn church history and more about their faith. I use the term "faith" to mean a more concrete thing than simply "belief." As much as archaelogy evidence can help strengthen your belief, trust, and "faith" in the Bible, so can a movie/book like this that raises questions and causes you to seek the truth. I agree there is a danger to nonbelievers, and especially to people who just seem to hate all things Christ, but as believers, isn't it our responsibility to be equipped to defend our faith?
In conclusion, a question for all you people older and hopefully wiser than I am:
Was there this much church fervor over those Indiana Jones movies?
"come along now, junior!..."
I first heard about "The Da Vinci Code" from a girl I used to work with back at Davanni's, one of my original trainers actually. Knowing I was a Christian, and her quasi-Jewish (or whatever), she wanted me to read this book and tell her what I thought. I never got a chance to read it because she promised to lend me her copy, she forgot, and a few months later she left the company. But I've always been meaning to read it.
I've had a copy of the book for several months now. Was going to read it during the school year, and then during the Summit trip, but life and other books got in the way. Still, a few days ago when I realized I didn't own a copy of the book I wanted to be reading next, I decided to just pick up Da Vinci and give it a try.
And you know what? I feel like I just read a 450 page Goosebumps book. Meaning it was a light, quick read, with a lot of fluff, and a passable plot.
This is the book that was supposed to turn people en mass away from Christianity?? This book?? Couldn't it have been something of better literary quality?
The book was entertaining. I'll give Dan Brown that. But it was boring up until roughly page 240, which is when they start going into the "true" history of the Holy Grail and the early church. Up until that point, the book was just one event after another, with each event lasting maybe 15 minutes real time, and yet taking 8 chapters to tell! Look at his writing style. Do you really need to start a new chapter after each new sentence from a main character? While it makes the book much more easily readable, especially in bite sized chunks, it is really annoying also. You just never get anywhere, and if you want to advance the story, you have to read another 50 or more pages!
Dan Brown's theories he presents in the book are interesting. I did a quick search a few minutes ago for any of those readily available articles that prove him wrong. Its interesting to me at least that every single one I looked at, they all chose to prove Brown wrong in the same areas: that Jesus was really the Son of God, that the church believed that without question, and that the Bible wasn't debated over as much as he claims. All good stuff, all worth pointing out to most people.
But none of these articles decided to call into question the whole idea of Jesus getting married and/or having children. Granted, I only looked through a handful of websites for information, and once again, this is a really old "theory," but I was still surprised it wasn't addressed.
While the Bible never specifically says Jesus married, it never says otherwise either. I don't think most Christians personal faith would be challeneged if it was revealed that Jesus Christ had a wife. Now, some will point out that Jesus does indeed have a wife, which is the Church; but lets keep it grounded in physical reality set during His earthly ministry. Is the idea preposterous? I don't think so. I personally do not believe He was married, but I won't discount the fact that He possibly could have been either. It's really a non-issue to me.
There have been a few things bugging me though while I read throught the book. One was that Dan Brown goes to such lengths to discredit Christianity, but bears hardly any mention to Judaism. Christianity came out of that religion, and yet he doesn't really try to prove it wrong at all. Aren't the two linked somehow? Seems like an odd thing to do...
There were other thoughts, but I'll post those later, if I remember them...
I had a conversation at church a while back with someone about the Da Vinci Code. After sitting through the usual (at the time) public condemnings of the book, the movie, and their author, I remember one person saying that they would not endorse anything that tried to prove Christianity wrong. They then went on to make the claim that they wished the book had never been written and that no good would come out of it.
I don't think I agree with that position. If anything, this book/movie has caused many Christians to actually learn church history and more about their faith. I use the term "faith" to mean a more concrete thing than simply "belief." As much as archaelogy evidence can help strengthen your belief, trust, and "faith" in the Bible, so can a movie/book like this that raises questions and causes you to seek the truth. I agree there is a danger to nonbelievers, and especially to people who just seem to hate all things Christ, but as believers, isn't it our responsibility to be equipped to defend our faith?
In conclusion, a question for all you people older and hopefully wiser than I am:
Was there this much church fervor over those Indiana Jones movies?
"come along now, junior!..."
Aug 15, 2006
The best way to enjoy work; and KQRS!
Currently, the best way to tell if I am having a good or bad day at work depends almost entirely on music. We have a radio in the back at the Costco bakery, and despite some people's attempts to tune it to 102.9 ("Slowest FM"), since I tend to get there before anyone else, I can set it to whatever I want, as long as it is music (so no KQ morning show for me).
Today was an especially good day at work! We kicked things off with a little "Sunday Bloody Sunday" by U2. Shortly afterwards, Drive105 played the one new song I am most excited about: "Knights of Cydonia" by Muse. Needless to say, since there was only two of us in the bakery, I cranked that boombox up as loud as it could go.
This Muse song took me completely by surprise one morning around 4 am. I have one of the previous Muse albums on my computer, but haven't really listened to it too much. This new song is just amazing. It is a type of songwriting and style that I haven't heard in a long time, and is definitely a breath of fresh air. Plus it just rocks.
Right around 7:15 am, once again on Drive105, the radio dj played the song "Stars" by Fastest Turbo Fire Engine, one of the local bands I help out with!! I guess the version he played was taken from the LP or some other master copy, because it sounded amazing! I knew the band finished the album a while back and released it, but I haven't been able to grab a copy yet. The DJ announced simply the title of the song, said it was one of his favorites, and hoped we would all like it. Well, most definitely; I haven't heard that song in a long time!
To round off the morning, JackFM played "Mysterious Ways" by U2, after an abnormally long commericial break. Easily one of U2's best songs live, I was ecstatic when they played it at my Chicago show. The simple little detail of looking around a packed arena and seeing all the many swirling colors made it a sight to behold. As an added treat Bono tends to just go off on a tangent ("speaking in tongues") during the end of the song while the band is juts grooving, and it's always one of those moments that just pulls me completely in the presence of God. You become just completely overwhelmed with emotion, your arms start rising, and your voice just starts shouting and singing things aloud that you have no control over. Definitely one of my all time favorite U2 songs.
---------------------------
In other news, since this will be of some interest (and chagrin) to various people, yesterday I went down to the KQRS studios for an interview. It went very well, and I guess I'm technically going to become a "promotional staff intern" or somesuch. The position in and of itself is not paid; however, various events you go to to promote will pay you. I was not looking for a job there solely for monetary purposes anyway. It is my foot in the door I'm looking at, and with both 92KQ, Drive105, and 93X all under one roof, I'd say that's a very, very good door for me to get through.
Plus, if I can use the job to plug my friends' bands or other things, that's a definite plus.
However, this opportunity also raises some issues. A good, older, wiser friend of mine, Jason, asked me recently if I as a Christian could in good conscious work at KQ. He also asked if I as a Christian could recommend, to other Christians or even to unsaved people, if they should listen to KQ.
Well...as a Christian, I have no problem working for any of the stations under the ABC roof. Would I recommend someone listen to KQ or to the KQ Morning Show? Depends a great deal on the person. Musical hangups? Probably not. Politically vulernable? Maybe not. Easily offended? Definitely not. Well rounded and wise and mature in Christ? EASILY, no question about it.
Still, it's a good question to ask and think about. Certain places have a stigma to them in Christian circles, and anything to do with rock and roll is one of the worse. Jason has had to deal with this himself, being heavily involved in youth groups and church, and yet owning multiple Magic the Gathering/Dungeons and Dragons/and computer gaming stores. The D&D stigma is not as strong as it was in the 80's (no thanks to Jack Chick...), but it's still pretty big.
Of more pressing concern is the question of if my working at KQ gets me "let go" from WCTS. Being fundamentally opposed and all that wonderful stuff. It really shouldn't matter in the least, because they are not direct competitors at all, but I somehow doubt that will be the case. While I know my time at WCTS is most definitely numbered, I'd rather not go out in this manner.
One more thing- I'm guessing it's some kind of omen how freakingly close the KQ studios are to Marantha's frat house. I'm not sure what kind of omen it is, but it's an omen.
I wonder if the Omen was a good movie...
Today was an especially good day at work! We kicked things off with a little "Sunday Bloody Sunday" by U2. Shortly afterwards, Drive105 played the one new song I am most excited about: "Knights of Cydonia" by Muse. Needless to say, since there was only two of us in the bakery, I cranked that boombox up as loud as it could go.
This Muse song took me completely by surprise one morning around 4 am. I have one of the previous Muse albums on my computer, but haven't really listened to it too much. This new song is just amazing. It is a type of songwriting and style that I haven't heard in a long time, and is definitely a breath of fresh air. Plus it just rocks.
Right around 7:15 am, once again on Drive105, the radio dj played the song "Stars" by Fastest Turbo Fire Engine, one of the local bands I help out with!! I guess the version he played was taken from the LP or some other master copy, because it sounded amazing! I knew the band finished the album a while back and released it, but I haven't been able to grab a copy yet. The DJ announced simply the title of the song, said it was one of his favorites, and hoped we would all like it. Well, most definitely; I haven't heard that song in a long time!
To round off the morning, JackFM played "Mysterious Ways" by U2, after an abnormally long commericial break. Easily one of U2's best songs live, I was ecstatic when they played it at my Chicago show. The simple little detail of looking around a packed arena and seeing all the many swirling colors made it a sight to behold. As an added treat Bono tends to just go off on a tangent ("speaking in tongues") during the end of the song while the band is juts grooving, and it's always one of those moments that just pulls me completely in the presence of God. You become just completely overwhelmed with emotion, your arms start rising, and your voice just starts shouting and singing things aloud that you have no control over. Definitely one of my all time favorite U2 songs.
---------------------------
In other news, since this will be of some interest (and chagrin) to various people, yesterday I went down to the KQRS studios for an interview. It went very well, and I guess I'm technically going to become a "promotional staff intern" or somesuch. The position in and of itself is not paid; however, various events you go to to promote will pay you. I was not looking for a job there solely for monetary purposes anyway. It is my foot in the door I'm looking at, and with both 92KQ, Drive105, and 93X all under one roof, I'd say that's a very, very good door for me to get through.
Plus, if I can use the job to plug my friends' bands or other things, that's a definite plus.
However, this opportunity also raises some issues. A good, older, wiser friend of mine, Jason, asked me recently if I as a Christian could in good conscious work at KQ. He also asked if I as a Christian could recommend, to other Christians or even to unsaved people, if they should listen to KQ.
Well...as a Christian, I have no problem working for any of the stations under the ABC roof. Would I recommend someone listen to KQ or to the KQ Morning Show? Depends a great deal on the person. Musical hangups? Probably not. Politically vulernable? Maybe not. Easily offended? Definitely not. Well rounded and wise and mature in Christ? EASILY, no question about it.
Still, it's a good question to ask and think about. Certain places have a stigma to them in Christian circles, and anything to do with rock and roll is one of the worse. Jason has had to deal with this himself, being heavily involved in youth groups and church, and yet owning multiple Magic the Gathering/Dungeons and Dragons/and computer gaming stores. The D&D stigma is not as strong as it was in the 80's (no thanks to Jack Chick...), but it's still pretty big.
Of more pressing concern is the question of if my working at KQ gets me "let go" from WCTS. Being fundamentally opposed and all that wonderful stuff. It really shouldn't matter in the least, because they are not direct competitors at all, but I somehow doubt that will be the case. While I know my time at WCTS is most definitely numbered, I'd rather not go out in this manner.
One more thing- I'm guessing it's some kind of omen how freakingly close the KQ studios are to Marantha's frat house. I'm not sure what kind of omen it is, but it's an omen.
I wonder if the Omen was a good movie...
Aug 13, 2006
Jul 31, 2006
Am I angry enough? Are WE angry enough?
One small thing I want to address first...JP, you have my prayers. I hope he has a speedy and smooth recovery from the accident, and that through this whole process a valuable lesson will be learned. Heal, man. Sit back and watch some Simpsons and heal.
Now on to to true purpose of this blog...
You all know I work at a radio station, primarily dubbing old reel to reel tapes of sermons and lectures from the seminary and church. Boring stuff, I always have my own headphones handy, because really, who wants to listen to some theologian from the 70's prattle on about something theological that is half based on Biblical proof and half based on what he wants the Bible to say. A prime example of this is popular culture, music, and end times theories. No, Russia is not the Anti-Christ...get yourselfs up to speed.
Anyways, I don't actively listen, but at times little thoughts and sentences come to me from the speakers. I have no clue who said it, what the context was, or even when it was said. But a thought stuck with me...which I will try my best to remember and paraphrase:
"How mad are you about today's youth? How mad are you at how they are slowly turning from God and becoming like they are? How mad are you at how people have corrupted this generation, teaching them to hate their parents and despise each other, and just fend for themselves?
"How mad are you to do something about it?"
That's a powerful thought. And it's been coming back to me over and over again. And yet, I'm going to turn it on it's head.
How mad am I at how today's youth are turning from God...who are already Christians and in church? The answer, surprisingly, is for the most part, very mad.
I've lost track of the number of my peers who have rejected God. I'm sure it's just coincidence that most of these people came from highly judgemental and legalistic backgrouds. And yet, it's like there are two major paths my generation, coming from a Christian background, tends to walk. One- they accept the indoctrination (negative), or God in general (positive), completely. Or two- they turn their back on God and church and the Christian life completely. (negative, of course)
The stories I've heard are heartbreaking...
A leader in the youth group growing up goes to college, meets a man, has a baby, and runs crying to their parents for support.
Another girl spends her time jumping from boyfriend to boyfriend, constantly looking to herself, struggling to find any meaning in her life beyond the next fun attraction who will help pay her bills.
A guy graduates from college, starts experiencing the party lifestyle, hooks onto drugs, near impregnates his girlfriend, and contemplates suicide.
Then there are the people who actually do commit suicide. I am related to at least two of them, that I know of. Suicide and abortion are probably the two most touchiest subjects I know, and I am familiar with people who have gone through or known someone who has experienced them.
So what am I trying to say here? I don't think I'm saying that I need to become a youth pastor or anything. I have my doubts about many people who claim that they are destined for the ministry in one form or another. I am always curious how they just know "God is calling them" to such and such.
But...am I mad at what is becoming of Christians my own age...and people my own age in general?
Emphatically, expletively...YES.
And it all grates on me, and I feel powerless to do anything about it.
Now on to to true purpose of this blog...
You all know I work at a radio station, primarily dubbing old reel to reel tapes of sermons and lectures from the seminary and church. Boring stuff, I always have my own headphones handy, because really, who wants to listen to some theologian from the 70's prattle on about something theological that is half based on Biblical proof and half based on what he wants the Bible to say. A prime example of this is popular culture, music, and end times theories. No, Russia is not the Anti-Christ...get yourselfs up to speed.
Anyways, I don't actively listen, but at times little thoughts and sentences come to me from the speakers. I have no clue who said it, what the context was, or even when it was said. But a thought stuck with me...which I will try my best to remember and paraphrase:
"How mad are you about today's youth? How mad are you at how they are slowly turning from God and becoming like they are? How mad are you at how people have corrupted this generation, teaching them to hate their parents and despise each other, and just fend for themselves?
"How mad are you to do something about it?"
That's a powerful thought. And it's been coming back to me over and over again. And yet, I'm going to turn it on it's head.
How mad am I at how today's youth are turning from God...who are already Christians and in church? The answer, surprisingly, is for the most part, very mad.
I've lost track of the number of my peers who have rejected God. I'm sure it's just coincidence that most of these people came from highly judgemental and legalistic backgrouds. And yet, it's like there are two major paths my generation, coming from a Christian background, tends to walk. One- they accept the indoctrination (negative), or God in general (positive), completely. Or two- they turn their back on God and church and the Christian life completely. (negative, of course)
The stories I've heard are heartbreaking...
A leader in the youth group growing up goes to college, meets a man, has a baby, and runs crying to their parents for support.
Another girl spends her time jumping from boyfriend to boyfriend, constantly looking to herself, struggling to find any meaning in her life beyond the next fun attraction who will help pay her bills.
A guy graduates from college, starts experiencing the party lifestyle, hooks onto drugs, near impregnates his girlfriend, and contemplates suicide.
Then there are the people who actually do commit suicide. I am related to at least two of them, that I know of. Suicide and abortion are probably the two most touchiest subjects I know, and I am familiar with people who have gone through or known someone who has experienced them.
So what am I trying to say here? I don't think I'm saying that I need to become a youth pastor or anything. I have my doubts about many people who claim that they are destined for the ministry in one form or another. I am always curious how they just know "God is calling them" to such and such.
But...am I mad at what is becoming of Christians my own age...and people my own age in general?
Emphatically, expletively...YES.
And it all grates on me, and I feel powerless to do anything about it.
Jul 27, 2006
For Audra/JP and Amber/Pete and others expecting
Been meaning to post this for a while, and since I got some down time, no surprise, at the radio station, thought I'd share it.
Yes, my humor is..."different"...
Yes, my humor is..."different"...
Jul 26, 2006
Some quick quotes
"Humor is a prelude to faith, and laughter is the beginning of prayer." - Reinhold Niebuhr
"If humor without faith is in danger of dissolving into cynicism and despair, faith without humor is in danger of turning in arrogance and intolerance." - Conrad Hyers
"If humor without faith is in danger of dissolving into cynicism and despair, faith without humor is in danger of turning in arrogance and intolerance." - Conrad Hyers
Jul 16, 2006
Fox 9 News: Bringing You the "Summer Rain"
I have to give props out to Fox9 News tonight. During their 9 pm slot, they showed a brief clip of various rain and water images following a story on the fires at the Boundary Waters.
During the clip, they played the U2 song "Summer Rain." Now, this isn't a regular U2 song; this was a B-side on the single for "Beautiful Day." It's never been played live, never shown up on an album (except the limited edition U2:7 available at Target), so obviously a true U2 fan got to choose the music for that clip tonight.
...The other local affiliates are going to have to step it up now...
During the clip, they played the U2 song "Summer Rain." Now, this isn't a regular U2 song; this was a B-side on the single for "Beautiful Day." It's never been played live, never shown up on an album (except the limited edition U2:7 available at Target), so obviously a true U2 fan got to choose the music for that clip tonight.
...The other local affiliates are going to have to step it up now...
Jul 11, 2006
Sanitized movies is a violation of copyright law!!
http://movies.yahoo.com/mv/news/ap/20060708/115241712000.html
I consider this great news. It has always annoyed me that people are willing to just cut out any "objectionable" material in a movie or book. Reminds me of a girl I knew back in junior high who would cut out whole portions of her Bible because she didn't like them.
This reminds me of those annoying commercials you see in theatres or on dvd. "You wouldn't steal a car...You shouldn't steal a movie!" Now it's "You wouldn't cut out the Mona Lisa's smile...You shouldn't sanitize a movie!"
Word of advice- if you find something objectionable, choose not to see or rent that movie! But don't start santizing movies so that you can enjoy them better...movies such as Saving Private Ryan or Shindler's List wouldn't be as good or as historically accurate if you cut out the blood or profanity!
I consider this great news. It has always annoyed me that people are willing to just cut out any "objectionable" material in a movie or book. Reminds me of a girl I knew back in junior high who would cut out whole portions of her Bible because she didn't like them.
This reminds me of those annoying commercials you see in theatres or on dvd. "You wouldn't steal a car...You shouldn't steal a movie!" Now it's "You wouldn't cut out the Mona Lisa's smile...You shouldn't sanitize a movie!"
Word of advice- if you find something objectionable, choose not to see or rent that movie! But don't start santizing movies so that you can enjoy them better...movies such as Saving Private Ryan or Shindler's List wouldn't be as good or as historically accurate if you cut out the blood or profanity!
Jul 10, 2006
Speed Running
As most of you know, I enjoy videogames. I don't sit and play them all the time, I don't give up sleep or social interaction for them, I don't have a Level 40 War Dwarf or whatever in an online game, and in fact I've never played any online games (No Everquest, Ever!), and I don't any game memorized except for Tetris.
Yet I still play them and enjoy them, primarily because I grew up playing them. Bought a Gameboy with my own money waaaaay back in the late 80's, played it to death for years until it finally broke, and eventually bought my next videogame system, a Nintendo 64, in 98/99 (bought it used from a friend for only one game...The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time).
I'm sure I could devote a whole blog toward videogaming...pros and cons...the Christian argument...health issues, etc. However, I wish to bring to your attention something eles at this time.
http://speeddemosarchive.com/
SpeedDemosArchive is a site that hosts speed runs of videogames. A speed run is where someone tries to play through a game as quickly or as correctly as they can.
Good examples of this would be someone beating the original Super Mario Bros. game in 5 minutes; the original Legend of Zelda game in 33 minutes; getting a 100% completion rating in Metroid in under 20 minutes; beating a certain race in a racing game in the fastest time possible; etc etc.
If you have ever played a videogame, either recently or way back when your were a child (aka, younger), you should go check this site out. Look up the list of games, see if one that you remember playing is there, then find out what special thing someone did with the game. The videos are all easily downloadable and enjoyable.
Recommended vids from me include: that first Super Mario Bros run, the Mario 3 run, the Goldeneye run, and the Prince of Persia: the Sands of Time run (because it's one of my favorite games from recent years, and you can experience the whole game in about 2 and a half hours).
Enjoy.
EDIT- No matter what I do, I can't get hyperlinks in blogs...and I can't even edit those "links" things to the side of the blogs! Grr...
Yet I still play them and enjoy them, primarily because I grew up playing them. Bought a Gameboy with my own money waaaaay back in the late 80's, played it to death for years until it finally broke, and eventually bought my next videogame system, a Nintendo 64, in 98/99 (bought it used from a friend for only one game...The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time).
I'm sure I could devote a whole blog toward videogaming...pros and cons...the Christian argument...health issues, etc. However, I wish to bring to your attention something eles at this time.
http://speeddemosarchive.com/
SpeedDemosArchive is a site that hosts speed runs of videogames. A speed run is where someone tries to play through a game as quickly or as correctly as they can.
Good examples of this would be someone beating the original Super Mario Bros. game in 5 minutes; the original Legend of Zelda game in 33 minutes; getting a 100% completion rating in Metroid in under 20 minutes; beating a certain race in a racing game in the fastest time possible; etc etc.
If you have ever played a videogame, either recently or way back when your were a child (aka, younger), you should go check this site out. Look up the list of games, see if one that you remember playing is there, then find out what special thing someone did with the game. The videos are all easily downloadable and enjoyable.
Recommended vids from me include: that first Super Mario Bros run, the Mario 3 run, the Goldeneye run, and the Prince of Persia: the Sands of Time run (because it's one of my favorite games from recent years, and you can experience the whole game in about 2 and a half hours).
Enjoy.
EDIT- No matter what I do, I can't get hyperlinks in blogs...and I can't even edit those "links" things to the side of the blogs! Grr...
Jul 6, 2006
On U2, Christian music, and I
From a Christian music conference U2 attended in 1981...
"I would like to think that in U2, we are a very aggressive band, we are an emotional band, we are a live band. I think that's good, I think it's good in the Lord, because...John the Baptist and Jeremiah were very loud and quite aggressive, and yet glory-full," Bono says. "I think we have a love, an emotion, without the sort of flowers in our hair. And I think we have this sort of aggression without the safety pins in our noses."
Bono mentions Isaiah 40:3 -- "this is the Scripture that the Lord has basically shown us with regards to the band" -- and then reads it to the audience: "A voice is calling, 'Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness; make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. Let every valley be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; and let the rough ground become a plain.'"
Isaiah 40:3 is a verse of instruction for Bono, he says, and for the band's future. "I see our position as Christians as to make way, make straight a path for the Lord for a second time. In that sense we have to make the rough smooth and get involved in making the rough smooth. But before the Lord can use the band...He has to sort of make our rough ends smooth and that's what the Lord had to do," Bono says.
Bono explains on the CD that some musicians are gifted to make praise songs to God and others are gifted to make music about God for reaching out to others.
"It is very important that people don't see themselves as outreach in the music world if they are playing the Christian circuit," Bono says. "What we've got to do in the music business is destroy the image that has got through...which has [given] God almighty and Jesus Christ...an image of a weakling. A slightly effeminate image. A sort of Sunday image. A religious image. This is not the case...this is something we're trying in U2 to do something about."
About 100 people were at the retreat and heard presentations from other musicians during the day, Mellor said. But it was Bono's talk that Mellor thinks is worth releasing now.
"Bono's incredible energy and passion communicated to the seminar delegates. A number of us had a real excitement in our spirit," Mellor said. He wants a new generation of Christian musicians to capture the excitement felt in the 1981 audience.
"I now feel that the time is right for the CD to be listened to by Christians for its sheer inspirational value," Mellor said. "I feel that what they had to say in 1981 is as fresh and relevant now as it was then."
Original source material-
http://www.atu2.com/news/article.src?ID=4320
------------------------------
Amazing stuff.
A long time ago, I was bitten by the "music bug," as it were. Going to church before my teenage years, the only part of the service I enjoyed was the music/worship part. I learned many hymns during this time, and to this day I still like hymns to a certain extent. At home, I was subjected to the musical rhymes of The Beatles and other classic "oldies" groups. I saw nothing at all wrong with either group of music.
My musical desire only intensified when I was introduced to U2, and eventually the current "secular" musical landscape: rap, hiphop, rock, hard rock, soft rock, arena rock, alternative rock, jazz, etc. I distinctively remember the first few times I saw or hung out with a local band of musicians; in this case, it was the quasi-hard rock act Fastest Turbo Fire Engines.
I was introduced to FTFE by their then bass player, Mike. Mike and I worked together at Davanni's and developed a friendship. One day he invited me to come with him and the band to a gig and "tech" for them, aka carry and help set up equipment, since I couldn't tune an instrument or anything. It was my first experience seeing a live rock band in a small setting.
And I was blown away, and I still am...by them, U2, and other local and national acts. There is just something about music that is incredibly compelling. I love live music. Even if the person playing was my best friend, I would probably just sit there and stare at the guitar, bass, or drumset that they are using, and watch them go. I am sucked in to it in a way that is hard to explain.
There is this huge desire in me to work, somehow, in the music industry. I don't have to be the lead singer or backup, I don't have to play an instrument, or even be a manager; I just want to be there, in some way, helping and experiencing.
One of the ways I've considered accomplishing this is by learning how to run a soundboard. Right now, I know a lot, but not enough. My brother wants me to come and run the soundboard for some praise and worship band that he knows one of the players for. I know I'm probably not gonna get paid at all for doing this, but frankly I don't care. I just want to do it for the love of it.
Bono's comments from back in '81 put some of my thoughts into focus. Christianity and I have a hard time getting along, especially when it comes to the CCM music scene. Frankly, most of the Christian music being written today is utter crap. I have no problem working in the so-called "secular" music industry. Being a person of Christian faith in that type of environment would work wonders for the Lord and for others. Salt is not as salty when it is surrounded by salt. Salt works best on it's own where it's been placed by the person who used it.
So I'm still trying to figure life out. This blog seems to be focused mainly on music and on school/jobs. Recently I've been feeling more and more a leaning toward an audio education, as opposed to a literary or English one.
I am a good writer. I know this. And yet I am not able to just sit down and write a story, go out and find a lead, or do any reporting. Partly due to laziness, partly due to my own lack of ability. Writing is something I'm good at.
But music and audio is what I love and want to do.
Is the decision really that simple?
In the meantime, I'm still relatively unemployed, and need a job and income desperately. So...pray that God either A- provides my needs, B- gets me a job so I can pay for things, C- sends me to school this fall, or D- gets me a really good job in audio/music that also pays good enough to pay for insurance/stuff and more schooling.
I pick D. Let's see what God does...
"I would like to think that in U2, we are a very aggressive band, we are an emotional band, we are a live band. I think that's good, I think it's good in the Lord, because...John the Baptist and Jeremiah were very loud and quite aggressive, and yet glory-full," Bono says. "I think we have a love, an emotion, without the sort of flowers in our hair. And I think we have this sort of aggression without the safety pins in our noses."
Bono mentions Isaiah 40:3 -- "this is the Scripture that the Lord has basically shown us with regards to the band" -- and then reads it to the audience: "A voice is calling, 'Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness; make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. Let every valley be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; and let the rough ground become a plain.'"
Isaiah 40:3 is a verse of instruction for Bono, he says, and for the band's future. "I see our position as Christians as to make way, make straight a path for the Lord for a second time. In that sense we have to make the rough smooth and get involved in making the rough smooth. But before the Lord can use the band...He has to sort of make our rough ends smooth and that's what the Lord had to do," Bono says.
Bono explains on the CD that some musicians are gifted to make praise songs to God and others are gifted to make music about God for reaching out to others.
"It is very important that people don't see themselves as outreach in the music world if they are playing the Christian circuit," Bono says. "What we've got to do in the music business is destroy the image that has got through...which has [given] God almighty and Jesus Christ...an image of a weakling. A slightly effeminate image. A sort of Sunday image. A religious image. This is not the case...this is something we're trying in U2 to do something about."
About 100 people were at the retreat and heard presentations from other musicians during the day, Mellor said. But it was Bono's talk that Mellor thinks is worth releasing now.
"Bono's incredible energy and passion communicated to the seminar delegates. A number of us had a real excitement in our spirit," Mellor said. He wants a new generation of Christian musicians to capture the excitement felt in the 1981 audience.
"I now feel that the time is right for the CD to be listened to by Christians for its sheer inspirational value," Mellor said. "I feel that what they had to say in 1981 is as fresh and relevant now as it was then."
Original source material-
http://www.atu2.com/news/article.src?ID=4320
------------------------------
Amazing stuff.
A long time ago, I was bitten by the "music bug," as it were. Going to church before my teenage years, the only part of the service I enjoyed was the music/worship part. I learned many hymns during this time, and to this day I still like hymns to a certain extent. At home, I was subjected to the musical rhymes of The Beatles and other classic "oldies" groups. I saw nothing at all wrong with either group of music.
My musical desire only intensified when I was introduced to U2, and eventually the current "secular" musical landscape: rap, hiphop, rock, hard rock, soft rock, arena rock, alternative rock, jazz, etc. I distinctively remember the first few times I saw or hung out with a local band of musicians; in this case, it was the quasi-hard rock act Fastest Turbo Fire Engines.
I was introduced to FTFE by their then bass player, Mike. Mike and I worked together at Davanni's and developed a friendship. One day he invited me to come with him and the band to a gig and "tech" for them, aka carry and help set up equipment, since I couldn't tune an instrument or anything. It was my first experience seeing a live rock band in a small setting.
And I was blown away, and I still am...by them, U2, and other local and national acts. There is just something about music that is incredibly compelling. I love live music. Even if the person playing was my best friend, I would probably just sit there and stare at the guitar, bass, or drumset that they are using, and watch them go. I am sucked in to it in a way that is hard to explain.
There is this huge desire in me to work, somehow, in the music industry. I don't have to be the lead singer or backup, I don't have to play an instrument, or even be a manager; I just want to be there, in some way, helping and experiencing.
One of the ways I've considered accomplishing this is by learning how to run a soundboard. Right now, I know a lot, but not enough. My brother wants me to come and run the soundboard for some praise and worship band that he knows one of the players for. I know I'm probably not gonna get paid at all for doing this, but frankly I don't care. I just want to do it for the love of it.
Bono's comments from back in '81 put some of my thoughts into focus. Christianity and I have a hard time getting along, especially when it comes to the CCM music scene. Frankly, most of the Christian music being written today is utter crap. I have no problem working in the so-called "secular" music industry. Being a person of Christian faith in that type of environment would work wonders for the Lord and for others. Salt is not as salty when it is surrounded by salt. Salt works best on it's own where it's been placed by the person who used it.
So I'm still trying to figure life out. This blog seems to be focused mainly on music and on school/jobs. Recently I've been feeling more and more a leaning toward an audio education, as opposed to a literary or English one.
I am a good writer. I know this. And yet I am not able to just sit down and write a story, go out and find a lead, or do any reporting. Partly due to laziness, partly due to my own lack of ability. Writing is something I'm good at.
But music and audio is what I love and want to do.
Is the decision really that simple?
In the meantime, I'm still relatively unemployed, and need a job and income desperately. So...pray that God either A- provides my needs, B- gets me a job so I can pay for things, C- sends me to school this fall, or D- gets me a really good job in audio/music that also pays good enough to pay for insurance/stuff and more schooling.
I pick D. Let's see what God does...
Jul 3, 2006
I demand more Honor!!
It's a weird feeling you get when you finish a book. It's hard to describe, but it depends a lot on the type of book.
A few hours ago I just finished the 700 page novel "Echoes of Honor" by David Weber. This book took me literally months to read. I started it back in the school year, brought it along with me to Colorado, where I was about 200 pages into it, and then read about 300-400 pages just the last weekend.
It's tough when a book doesn't grab you. You want to read it, especially cause there is so much else you need to read too, so you just want to get this first book done with. But if the book doesn't grab you, you won't choose to read it over doing pretty much anything else.
But when things get moving past whatever slow dialogue or bad pacing exists (a good example is the Council of Elrond scene in "Fellowship of the Ring"), you get hooked. The small problem I had with "Echoes of Honor" was that they'd focus on the hero, Honor Harrington, for a few chapters, then jump around to another group of people, The Peeps (bad guys), and focus on them, then jump to the other good guys (RMN), and then finally back to Honor. I had a tough time reading through the Peep stuff because I wanted more Honor! And yet when you get hooked, you plow through and realize just how important each part of the book is.
David Weber's Honor Harrington series has been a mainstay for me for a while, although they are getting steadily tougher to read. I discovered the series I believe during the summer before my senior year of high school (first book, "Honor Harrington at Basilisk Station"); some of my classmates might remember me bringing one of the books on senior trip. I remember getting some weird looks from people because I was reading a book with a woman on the cover who was holding a pistol.
Essentially, the series is Tom Clancy in outer space. Basically, it follows the military career of the young woman Honor Harrington, dealing with her trials and tests as well as ongoing political issues and war between the Manticoran Star nation and the People's Republic (bad guys). And this is no heroine who escapes unscathed at the end of the book! So far in the series, she's been nearly raped (although chronologically, it took place before the first book), had her boyfriend/fiance brutally murdered, has been shot multiple times, got her arm blown off, lost half of her face when she got shot at close range, been the pawn of a politican and set up for a fall, and most recently been captured and beaten by her enemies and sent to the worse prison camp in the universe.
It's nice to have a hero who gets abused as well as gives abuse. Makes it more realistic.
I've finished seven books in the series (out of I believe 10 published so far), and while I need to take a break before reading another book that is just so long, the way the "Echoes of Honor" ended, I need to read at least the first few chapters of the next book, "Ashes of Victory." But no more! I need a break from long war novels.
Last week in one sitting I read through "Blue Like Jazz." I found it amusing that it had been waiting for me in my room when I got back from Colorado, because a number of people had been reading and commenting on it. It's a great book I discovered. Lots of little bits of wisdom (and fluff) for a Christian.
I'm in a little bit of debate as to what book I should read through next. Before the last Star Wars movie came out, I was trying to read all the books that bridged the gap, The Clone Wars, between Episodes 2 and 3. Well, school got in the way. I have the next book I need to read, but it doesn't even deal directly with Anakin or Obi-Wan or anyone else of any importance. I know I need to read it, but part of me doesn't want to.
There are a few other Star Wars novels I've been putting off reading. I could always pick up one of those, especially if it's a single book and not part of a series or trilogy. Or I could read something that's not sci-fi at all. Maybe another Anne Rice novel or an Enders novel; could also read the next Anita Blake book. I have options.
Reading is good and helps me, but it's hard to focus solely on reading when video games, dvds, tv, movies, and literally any other form of entertainment calls to you also. Discipline I guess.
And on a side note- until I read it in The Message, I had no clue what the book of Acts was really about, besides that it was boring and full of history. Thank God for Eugene Petterson and The Message; without it, most of the Bible would still remain boring dry literature to me. Now, I actually a clue what the early church and Paul went through.
Yet am I really reading the Bible, or is it just Peterson's understanding of the Bible?
A few hours ago I just finished the 700 page novel "Echoes of Honor" by David Weber. This book took me literally months to read. I started it back in the school year, brought it along with me to Colorado, where I was about 200 pages into it, and then read about 300-400 pages just the last weekend.
It's tough when a book doesn't grab you. You want to read it, especially cause there is so much else you need to read too, so you just want to get this first book done with. But if the book doesn't grab you, you won't choose to read it over doing pretty much anything else.
But when things get moving past whatever slow dialogue or bad pacing exists (a good example is the Council of Elrond scene in "Fellowship of the Ring"), you get hooked. The small problem I had with "Echoes of Honor" was that they'd focus on the hero, Honor Harrington, for a few chapters, then jump around to another group of people, The Peeps (bad guys), and focus on them, then jump to the other good guys (RMN), and then finally back to Honor. I had a tough time reading through the Peep stuff because I wanted more Honor! And yet when you get hooked, you plow through and realize just how important each part of the book is.
David Weber's Honor Harrington series has been a mainstay for me for a while, although they are getting steadily tougher to read. I discovered the series I believe during the summer before my senior year of high school (first book, "Honor Harrington at Basilisk Station"); some of my classmates might remember me bringing one of the books on senior trip. I remember getting some weird looks from people because I was reading a book with a woman on the cover who was holding a pistol.
Essentially, the series is Tom Clancy in outer space. Basically, it follows the military career of the young woman Honor Harrington, dealing with her trials and tests as well as ongoing political issues and war between the Manticoran Star nation and the People's Republic (bad guys). And this is no heroine who escapes unscathed at the end of the book! So far in the series, she's been nearly raped (although chronologically, it took place before the first book), had her boyfriend/fiance brutally murdered, has been shot multiple times, got her arm blown off, lost half of her face when she got shot at close range, been the pawn of a politican and set up for a fall, and most recently been captured and beaten by her enemies and sent to the worse prison camp in the universe.
It's nice to have a hero who gets abused as well as gives abuse. Makes it more realistic.
I've finished seven books in the series (out of I believe 10 published so far), and while I need to take a break before reading another book that is just so long, the way the "Echoes of Honor" ended, I need to read at least the first few chapters of the next book, "Ashes of Victory." But no more! I need a break from long war novels.
Last week in one sitting I read through "Blue Like Jazz." I found it amusing that it had been waiting for me in my room when I got back from Colorado, because a number of people had been reading and commenting on it. It's a great book I discovered. Lots of little bits of wisdom (and fluff) for a Christian.
I'm in a little bit of debate as to what book I should read through next. Before the last Star Wars movie came out, I was trying to read all the books that bridged the gap, The Clone Wars, between Episodes 2 and 3. Well, school got in the way. I have the next book I need to read, but it doesn't even deal directly with Anakin or Obi-Wan or anyone else of any importance. I know I need to read it, but part of me doesn't want to.
There are a few other Star Wars novels I've been putting off reading. I could always pick up one of those, especially if it's a single book and not part of a series or trilogy. Or I could read something that's not sci-fi at all. Maybe another Anne Rice novel or an Enders novel; could also read the next Anita Blake book. I have options.
Reading is good and helps me, but it's hard to focus solely on reading when video games, dvds, tv, movies, and literally any other form of entertainment calls to you also. Discipline I guess.
And on a side note- until I read it in The Message, I had no clue what the book of Acts was really about, besides that it was boring and full of history. Thank God for Eugene Petterson and The Message; without it, most of the Bible would still remain boring dry literature to me. Now, I actually a clue what the early church and Paul went through.
Yet am I really reading the Bible, or is it just Peterson's understanding of the Bible?
Jun 30, 2006
On spiders, mutants, and supermen
This is a rant about the film franchises of Spider-Man, Superman, and X-Men. These are my opinions and views at this present time, and I don't mean to attack any actor or director personally. Just my thoughts, nothing more. We can talk.
Worth noting- I read comic books. I know these franchises well.
Spoilers if you've never even heard of these films or characters.
------------------------------
Well, just got done with watching Superman Returns with my brother. SR is directed by Bryan Singer, who previously helmed Xmen and Xmen2 (X2). I personally consider X2 one of the best superhero films ever made. He was slated to direct the third X-Men movie, but when the chance to direct a new Superman movie came up, he switched over and brought all his writing and directing staff with him.
When the opening credits are one of the most exciting parts of the whole movie, you have got problems.
Simply put...Superman Returns kinda sucks. For a bunch of different reasons. To start, there is the obligatory cheese factor; the "wink" to the audience the film keeps on giving. The acting also comes in question, although before acting comes casting, and this certainly was NOT the best of Lois Lanes. Kate Bosworth is an excellent actor, but she is not Lois Lane. Perhaps Kate Beckinsale would have been a better choice.
Kevin Spacey is an excellent Lex Luthor though; not as good or as evil as Michael Rosembaum on Smallville, but still excellent. The problem is he's basing his character on Gene Hackman's Lex from the original movies. He's almost comic side relief, with a touch of "twirling mustache" villain thrown in. This is NOT Lex Luthor.
Brandon Routh is simply a clone of Christopher Reeves. Now, if you liked the original movies, that's a good thing. If you thought the original movies were comedies, not to be taken seriously, and were poor attempts at adapting one of the most well versed characters in history, well, you won't like Brandon Routh. Routh is the new Hayden Christensen; give him three movies, he will be a great actor. Just don't expect alot the first time through.
If Singer can get away from the original movies for the next installment, we might have an excellent trilogy coming. Do away with all the Krypton nonsense, bad Lex Luthor schemes...in fact, get a new villain. Lex is classic and all, but he's been done, ad hoc. Something new is needed, new locations, new scenarious, new plots, and new "rescues"; helicopters, people, cars, kittens...it's all been done before. Bring us something new.
In fact, bring us Superman Vs Batman. Routh vs Bale. Now that would be an excellent movie.
-------------------------------
The strangest thing has happened though. I liked Xmen3 better than Superman Returns. X2 has long been one of my favorite movies, X1 was "meh," and I had high hopes (and some fear due to the new director) about X3. I've noticed a lot of hate on the internet towards X3, most of it unwarranted.
X3 delivered something Singer never gave us. Superpowers. We finally got to see Wolvie, Storm, Colossus, and others just unleash and let fly. And not "unleash, stop, think and cry about something, converse, unleash, fade to black." No, we finally got to see a great and amazing X-MEN movie. Not simply Beverly Hills Mutants.
While I do love Singer's movies, I'm glad he didn't direct the third film, because we finally got to see what we hadn't before. And there was still plenty of character plot and development.
And Rogue still was a whiny little girl, hardly anything like her comic book character. But I'll let that slide, cause that started in the first film.
-----------------------
Since the teaser trailer for Spider-man 3 has finally hit the internet (the best thing quicktime.com is good for, hosting movie trailers), I decided to go and rent Spidey2.
Now, I hated Spidey1. It took me a while to get use to Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man. Scratch that, he was a great Spidey. He was a horrible Peter Parker. I also felt that Kirsten Dunst was not in any way Mary Jane (kinda ugly too), and a Power Ranger villain was just a disappointment, however amazing Willem Dafoe is.
I'll just ignore the whole thing about following comic book continuity...forget about Gwen Stacy...forget about Goblin...forget about Parker meeting Mary Jane in college...forget about the in-grown web shooters...forget about it all. It's a movie, comics just don't work too well on the big screen...unless it's Sin City.
Spidey2 comes around and is a much better movie. Better villian, it doesnt' look CG when Spidey is swinging around, the subplot with Mary Jane was better, and it set up recurring characters for the third movie. Plus, the subway/skytrain scene is amazing.
But I had a major gripe with Spidey2. The love triangle. I'm all for love triangles in movies, it's worked before and can work again; it makes some compelling drama. But Spidey2 crossed a line.
If you've seen the movie, Mary Jane decides at the very last second to run away from her wedding and fiance in order to "devote" herself to Peter Parker/Spidey.
When I saw this movie, I was furious. And very saddened.
The scenes are filmed in such a way that we are supposed to feel like this is the right thing for her to do. Sunlight is streaming, she's running in slow motion, music is playing (Hallelujah chorus)...this is a good thing, right? She's finally getting together with Spider-Man, who's always loved her and is THE HERO.
What about her fiance? Who loves her, desires her, is devoted to her, and was hers up til Peter grew a pair?
Let me write the subplot to the movie you won't see filmed or probably even remotely addressed. Scene 1- The next morning. John Jameson, the heroic astronaut pilot, wakes up in bed, drunk from the previous night's failed wedding. He starts crying, staring at her picture, and the engagement ring sitting on his nightstand. He reaches over, opens a drawer, pulls out a .45,
And blows his brains out.
Scene. Fade to black, roll credits.
I have no sympathy or joy for Mary Jane/Peter Parker. He's a loser who just happens to have "great powers with great responsibilty," and she's an emotional wreck who's been used by nearly everyone and yet is cold and calculating enough to destroy her fiance.
And yet still, Spidey2 is one of the better superhero movies. And I'll be there opening day to see Spidey3 cause I enjoy watching them.
But the values these movies are teaching leave much to be desired. Unless it truly is ok to play with people's emotions and leave the one who loves you for the one you desire (um, adultery?), as long as it was "meant to be."
Am I making any sense?
------------------------------
Still, go watch them. They are great movies.
Worth noting- I read comic books. I know these franchises well.
Spoilers if you've never even heard of these films or characters.
------------------------------
Well, just got done with watching Superman Returns with my brother. SR is directed by Bryan Singer, who previously helmed Xmen and Xmen2 (X2). I personally consider X2 one of the best superhero films ever made. He was slated to direct the third X-Men movie, but when the chance to direct a new Superman movie came up, he switched over and brought all his writing and directing staff with him.
When the opening credits are one of the most exciting parts of the whole movie, you have got problems.
Simply put...Superman Returns kinda sucks. For a bunch of different reasons. To start, there is the obligatory cheese factor; the "wink" to the audience the film keeps on giving. The acting also comes in question, although before acting comes casting, and this certainly was NOT the best of Lois Lanes. Kate Bosworth is an excellent actor, but she is not Lois Lane. Perhaps Kate Beckinsale would have been a better choice.
Kevin Spacey is an excellent Lex Luthor though; not as good or as evil as Michael Rosembaum on Smallville, but still excellent. The problem is he's basing his character on Gene Hackman's Lex from the original movies. He's almost comic side relief, with a touch of "twirling mustache" villain thrown in. This is NOT Lex Luthor.
Brandon Routh is simply a clone of Christopher Reeves. Now, if you liked the original movies, that's a good thing. If you thought the original movies were comedies, not to be taken seriously, and were poor attempts at adapting one of the most well versed characters in history, well, you won't like Brandon Routh. Routh is the new Hayden Christensen; give him three movies, he will be a great actor. Just don't expect alot the first time through.
If Singer can get away from the original movies for the next installment, we might have an excellent trilogy coming. Do away with all the Krypton nonsense, bad Lex Luthor schemes...in fact, get a new villain. Lex is classic and all, but he's been done, ad hoc. Something new is needed, new locations, new scenarious, new plots, and new "rescues"; helicopters, people, cars, kittens...it's all been done before. Bring us something new.
In fact, bring us Superman Vs Batman. Routh vs Bale. Now that would be an excellent movie.
-------------------------------
The strangest thing has happened though. I liked Xmen3 better than Superman Returns. X2 has long been one of my favorite movies, X1 was "meh," and I had high hopes (and some fear due to the new director) about X3. I've noticed a lot of hate on the internet towards X3, most of it unwarranted.
X3 delivered something Singer never gave us. Superpowers. We finally got to see Wolvie, Storm, Colossus, and others just unleash and let fly. And not "unleash, stop, think and cry about something, converse, unleash, fade to black." No, we finally got to see a great and amazing X-MEN movie. Not simply Beverly Hills Mutants.
While I do love Singer's movies, I'm glad he didn't direct the third film, because we finally got to see what we hadn't before. And there was still plenty of character plot and development.
And Rogue still was a whiny little girl, hardly anything like her comic book character. But I'll let that slide, cause that started in the first film.
-----------------------
Since the teaser trailer for Spider-man 3 has finally hit the internet (the best thing quicktime.com is good for, hosting movie trailers), I decided to go and rent Spidey2.
Now, I hated Spidey1. It took me a while to get use to Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man. Scratch that, he was a great Spidey. He was a horrible Peter Parker. I also felt that Kirsten Dunst was not in any way Mary Jane (kinda ugly too), and a Power Ranger villain was just a disappointment, however amazing Willem Dafoe is.
I'll just ignore the whole thing about following comic book continuity...forget about Gwen Stacy...forget about Goblin...forget about Parker meeting Mary Jane in college...forget about the in-grown web shooters...forget about it all. It's a movie, comics just don't work too well on the big screen...unless it's Sin City.
Spidey2 comes around and is a much better movie. Better villian, it doesnt' look CG when Spidey is swinging around, the subplot with Mary Jane was better, and it set up recurring characters for the third movie. Plus, the subway/skytrain scene is amazing.
But I had a major gripe with Spidey2. The love triangle. I'm all for love triangles in movies, it's worked before and can work again; it makes some compelling drama. But Spidey2 crossed a line.
If you've seen the movie, Mary Jane decides at the very last second to run away from her wedding and fiance in order to "devote" herself to Peter Parker/Spidey.
When I saw this movie, I was furious. And very saddened.
The scenes are filmed in such a way that we are supposed to feel like this is the right thing for her to do. Sunlight is streaming, she's running in slow motion, music is playing (Hallelujah chorus)...this is a good thing, right? She's finally getting together with Spider-Man, who's always loved her and is THE HERO.
What about her fiance? Who loves her, desires her, is devoted to her, and was hers up til Peter grew a pair?
Let me write the subplot to the movie you won't see filmed or probably even remotely addressed. Scene 1- The next morning. John Jameson, the heroic astronaut pilot, wakes up in bed, drunk from the previous night's failed wedding. He starts crying, staring at her picture, and the engagement ring sitting on his nightstand. He reaches over, opens a drawer, pulls out a .45,
And blows his brains out.
Scene. Fade to black, roll credits.
I have no sympathy or joy for Mary Jane/Peter Parker. He's a loser who just happens to have "great powers with great responsibilty," and she's an emotional wreck who's been used by nearly everyone and yet is cold and calculating enough to destroy her fiance.
And yet still, Spidey2 is one of the better superhero movies. And I'll be there opening day to see Spidey3 cause I enjoy watching them.
But the values these movies are teaching leave much to be desired. Unless it truly is ok to play with people's emotions and leave the one who loves you for the one you desire (um, adultery?), as long as it was "meant to be."
Am I making any sense?
------------------------------
Still, go watch them. They are great movies.
Jun 26, 2006
Power Blog #2
Thoughts are flowing right now, so I'm just gonna write...
---------------------
As much as I love the newer Prince of Persia games, there is one little aspect that annoys me. Aggravates me. Causes me to lose sleep at night.
The wall-jumping. Not, jumping from wall to wall; swinging on a pole and then jumping to the wall, and then kicking off that wall to another pole or ledge. I cannot seem to do the kickoff! It must be my timing, but it plagued me in the first game (I would have beaten it far faster) and it's still plaguing me in the second game!
It seems I'm not the only one who has this problem though, as a google search shows...
-----------------------------
With the release of the new slim sets, I have finally gotten hooked on Stargate SG-1. The movie has long been a favorite of mine; good actors, great premise, attractive love interest, memorable moments...a great movie. The series was just something I could never get into. Any episodes I saw were from later seasons, so nothing made sense or was familiar.
When they announced this past spring they were going to be re-releasing all the seasons in new slimmer packaging, and probably for a cheaper price, I knew I had to get at least the first season just to see if I liked it. Well, I loved it, and now I want more. Plus I'm pissed at the poor quality of Star Trek and other sci-fi shows compared to it.
I need to scrounge together another $35 for season 3...paypal donations are accepted.
----------------------
And the 4400 still continues to be one of the best shows I've ever seen...and I really love the music on the show. The opening credits song is especially amazing.
----------------------
As some of you have probably heard, they are releasing the Star Wars Trilogy on dvd, again, this coming fall. What they are releasing this time is the 04 and 05 dvds, but as a bonus feature, the complete "unaltered, uncut" theatrical originals. Basically, the newer versions are the Special Editions and the theatricals are before Lucas started digitally tinkering with the movies.
However, in a slap of the face to the many fans who wrote in requesting dvds of the Original originals...the theatricals...LucasFilm is only releasing them in a horrible condition. They call them the originals, but only because they are available in the most basic Stereo sound (the way they originally were), the worse picture condition possible (the way they originally were), and without the Episode numbers (the way they...yeah).
Now, I'm glad I'll finally have dvds of the movies without all the changes. But the least Lucas could do would be to fix them up to optimal picture AND sound quality, as well as leaving in the Episodes IV, Episodes V, etc, that he put in when he first released them on VHS.
Plus, these aren't even mastered from the originals...they are a copy of a copy of a copy, on top of that! Lazy, slap in the face...
However, I will give them some props. The new covers they came up with are gorgeous, especially the one for Empire Strikes Back.
------------------------
One more Star Wars note...I'm finally at long lasting going to be getting my hands on the infamous MagnoliaFan edits of the Prequel Trilogy. Supposedly these make the movies ten times better, so I'm really looking forward to them.
-------------------------
It's of some amusement to me that I'm getting paid more doing menial work now than I ever did when I was actually working an on-air shift...
--------------------------
More and more I'm reminded of just how crappy The Unforgettable Fire the album is compared to the rest of U2's body of work. Some good songs, but a horrible album. It's their worse, in my mind. Even October was a better album...
I like how myspace says the album was released in 1990...hardly, it came out back in 84/85. Myspace needs to be fixed in some places...
-------------------------
There are a few people in this life that I do not ever want to see again if I had the choice. The reasons for this remain complicated.
I've noticed within circles that it is very, very unpopular to talk about such things as church discipline. I have gotten into several heated arguments with people about it. No matter how many scripture verses I throw at them, they refuse to believe that such a thing exists. People tend to believe in the concept of "grace" so much that any discipline or punishment is almost a sin.
The Bible has laid some very clear boundaries for church discipline. One to three people need to confront someone, and if that person ignores them or worse, they can be kicked out of the church until they've dealt with whatever sin or issue is their problem. Plus a pastor has a responsibilty to protect the church, and can ask people to leave who are harmful to the church.
It's pretty obvious that this power and responsibility can be abused. One of the questions I have regarding this is what happens when the person who is being kicked out, the "sinner," is in fact Biblically innocent of any wrongdoing. How does one respond when they are innocent but are being kicked out because of purely political reasons, or worse, some power play happening within the church?
I would argue that this same concept can be applied to your own personal life. There are a small number of people I know who, despite numerous attempts to point things out to them, have steadfastedly "hardened their hearts" or just chosen to listen and ignore. They make a huge pretense at being totally and completely holy, and yet drop their "guard" whenever it suits them and are revealed to be completely the opposite. Should we "throw these people out" of our circle of friends?
I've noticed that a lot of what I blog about could at face value be seen as exalting myself over others. Can I stress enough that that is hardly the case? I'm well aware of my faults, my sins, my flaws and shortcomings. At times there seems to be a line I walk between both sides of my nature and personality. It's more complicated than just a Christian side and a sinner side; redeemed vs unredeemed personalities. It's more than that. At times I can appear crude and to certain Christian eyes "backslidden" or even "heretical," and yet if you ask any of my Christian friends, they will tell you I am very grounded and have some pretty decent advise and wise worldviews to share. Many have come to me when they have questions about certain things.
I don't say these things to artificially puff me up or make me appear holier than thou; I say these things so that I don't have to bend over backwards in a pretense of humility when challenged by others. Plus I'm really tired of the attitude that I'm worthless and aren't studied enough to have valued opinions.
But onto the main matter. I have had several people call me various things to my face, including heretical and ungodly. As a Christian, it would seem to be my duty to listen to these complaints or observations against me, weigh them against Scripture, consult God/Spirit, and then act when needed. If they are proven wrong, what then?
When someone wrongs you, you forgive them. Simple as that. But does that mean you must have continual fellowship with this person? If someone wrongs you enough times, even if you forgive them, are you still expected to hang out with them or commune with them? I know several people who it seems cannot be in my presence without wronging me or slighting me in some sense. Either a spiritual attack, Biblical attack, personal attack, or indirect attack. I won't get into specifics.
So I try and pray to forgive. But must I still continue to see this person? To the people who the details are known to, it has been suggested on numerous times that I pack up and move away, either by finding a job in another state or going to a school elsewhere. Perhaps this would be a wise thing for me to do anyway. Life has gotten way too easy and comfty here.
Moving might be one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I look at people like Terry Lange and my friend Josh who have successfully moved crosscountry and are doing well because of it. Heck, Terry is married with a kid now and Josh is even engaged!
The solution does not seem to be to move into the frathouse. While I support Jelani in his decision to do so...something within me screams "NO!" whenever I think about it myself. The frathouse appears to be a deadend to me, or maybe better yet a funnel; you know whats gonna happen to you and where you will be when you come out of it. And I really don't think I can live with a bunch of Christians who I don't know well.
As far as living options, there seems to only be a few choices for me: 1- live alone, 2- live with a spouse and future kids, 3- live with old friends, and 4- live with people I have nothing in common with (although that's an extreme).
So maybe moving would be the ideal. A new place, new state, new people, new friends, new life. All the job opportunities I'd really like to pursue seem to be in either California or New York or Seattle anyway. Moving would also allow me to get away from certain people and in truth much of Christianity in general. I wouldn't turn my back on Christianity, but certain aspects of it.
So I really don't know, ultimately. It's something I'm going to have to pray about, and I'd like it if you can remember me too once in a while.
----------------------
I've written enough, and I'm tired of staring at this screen.
Oh, once last thing. I've been thinking way too much again, and it's come to my attention that perhaps buying myself a laptop would be one of the smartest and wisest buying decisions I could make. It'd give me a portable computer, a place to store any writing I'd like to do, a place to put all my music, and even give me an excuse to start playing my collection of CRPGs I've been stockpiling.
I figure a P4 with at least a 120 gig harddrive, dvd player, and internal networking card would be the minimum specs...maybe a decent soundcard and graphics card too...for under $600. Work and play and the future in one box...
---------------------
As much as I love the newer Prince of Persia games, there is one little aspect that annoys me. Aggravates me. Causes me to lose sleep at night.
The wall-jumping. Not, jumping from wall to wall; swinging on a pole and then jumping to the wall, and then kicking off that wall to another pole or ledge. I cannot seem to do the kickoff! It must be my timing, but it plagued me in the first game (I would have beaten it far faster) and it's still plaguing me in the second game!
It seems I'm not the only one who has this problem though, as a google search shows...
-----------------------------
With the release of the new slim sets, I have finally gotten hooked on Stargate SG-1. The movie has long been a favorite of mine; good actors, great premise, attractive love interest, memorable moments...a great movie. The series was just something I could never get into. Any episodes I saw were from later seasons, so nothing made sense or was familiar.
When they announced this past spring they were going to be re-releasing all the seasons in new slimmer packaging, and probably for a cheaper price, I knew I had to get at least the first season just to see if I liked it. Well, I loved it, and now I want more. Plus I'm pissed at the poor quality of Star Trek and other sci-fi shows compared to it.
I need to scrounge together another $35 for season 3...paypal donations are accepted.
----------------------
And the 4400 still continues to be one of the best shows I've ever seen...and I really love the music on the show. The opening credits song is especially amazing.
----------------------
As some of you have probably heard, they are releasing the Star Wars Trilogy on dvd, again, this coming fall. What they are releasing this time is the 04 and 05 dvds, but as a bonus feature, the complete "unaltered, uncut" theatrical originals. Basically, the newer versions are the Special Editions and the theatricals are before Lucas started digitally tinkering with the movies.
However, in a slap of the face to the many fans who wrote in requesting dvds of the Original originals...the theatricals...LucasFilm is only releasing them in a horrible condition. They call them the originals, but only because they are available in the most basic Stereo sound (the way they originally were), the worse picture condition possible (the way they originally were), and without the Episode numbers (the way they...yeah).
Now, I'm glad I'll finally have dvds of the movies without all the changes. But the least Lucas could do would be to fix them up to optimal picture AND sound quality, as well as leaving in the Episodes IV, Episodes V, etc, that he put in when he first released them on VHS.
Plus, these aren't even mastered from the originals...they are a copy of a copy of a copy, on top of that! Lazy, slap in the face...
However, I will give them some props. The new covers they came up with are gorgeous, especially the one for Empire Strikes Back.
------------------------
One more Star Wars note...I'm finally at long lasting going to be getting my hands on the infamous MagnoliaFan edits of the Prequel Trilogy. Supposedly these make the movies ten times better, so I'm really looking forward to them.
-------------------------
It's of some amusement to me that I'm getting paid more doing menial work now than I ever did when I was actually working an on-air shift...
--------------------------
More and more I'm reminded of just how crappy The Unforgettable Fire the album is compared to the rest of U2's body of work. Some good songs, but a horrible album. It's their worse, in my mind. Even October was a better album...
I like how myspace says the album was released in 1990...hardly, it came out back in 84/85. Myspace needs to be fixed in some places...
-------------------------
There are a few people in this life that I do not ever want to see again if I had the choice. The reasons for this remain complicated.
I've noticed within circles that it is very, very unpopular to talk about such things as church discipline. I have gotten into several heated arguments with people about it. No matter how many scripture verses I throw at them, they refuse to believe that such a thing exists. People tend to believe in the concept of "grace" so much that any discipline or punishment is almost a sin.
The Bible has laid some very clear boundaries for church discipline. One to three people need to confront someone, and if that person ignores them or worse, they can be kicked out of the church until they've dealt with whatever sin or issue is their problem. Plus a pastor has a responsibilty to protect the church, and can ask people to leave who are harmful to the church.
It's pretty obvious that this power and responsibility can be abused. One of the questions I have regarding this is what happens when the person who is being kicked out, the "sinner," is in fact Biblically innocent of any wrongdoing. How does one respond when they are innocent but are being kicked out because of purely political reasons, or worse, some power play happening within the church?
I would argue that this same concept can be applied to your own personal life. There are a small number of people I know who, despite numerous attempts to point things out to them, have steadfastedly "hardened their hearts" or just chosen to listen and ignore. They make a huge pretense at being totally and completely holy, and yet drop their "guard" whenever it suits them and are revealed to be completely the opposite. Should we "throw these people out" of our circle of friends?
I've noticed that a lot of what I blog about could at face value be seen as exalting myself over others. Can I stress enough that that is hardly the case? I'm well aware of my faults, my sins, my flaws and shortcomings. At times there seems to be a line I walk between both sides of my nature and personality. It's more complicated than just a Christian side and a sinner side; redeemed vs unredeemed personalities. It's more than that. At times I can appear crude and to certain Christian eyes "backslidden" or even "heretical," and yet if you ask any of my Christian friends, they will tell you I am very grounded and have some pretty decent advise and wise worldviews to share. Many have come to me when they have questions about certain things.
I don't say these things to artificially puff me up or make me appear holier than thou; I say these things so that I don't have to bend over backwards in a pretense of humility when challenged by others. Plus I'm really tired of the attitude that I'm worthless and aren't studied enough to have valued opinions.
But onto the main matter. I have had several people call me various things to my face, including heretical and ungodly. As a Christian, it would seem to be my duty to listen to these complaints or observations against me, weigh them against Scripture, consult God/Spirit, and then act when needed. If they are proven wrong, what then?
When someone wrongs you, you forgive them. Simple as that. But does that mean you must have continual fellowship with this person? If someone wrongs you enough times, even if you forgive them, are you still expected to hang out with them or commune with them? I know several people who it seems cannot be in my presence without wronging me or slighting me in some sense. Either a spiritual attack, Biblical attack, personal attack, or indirect attack. I won't get into specifics.
So I try and pray to forgive. But must I still continue to see this person? To the people who the details are known to, it has been suggested on numerous times that I pack up and move away, either by finding a job in another state or going to a school elsewhere. Perhaps this would be a wise thing for me to do anyway. Life has gotten way too easy and comfty here.
Moving might be one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I look at people like Terry Lange and my friend Josh who have successfully moved crosscountry and are doing well because of it. Heck, Terry is married with a kid now and Josh is even engaged!
The solution does not seem to be to move into the frathouse. While I support Jelani in his decision to do so...something within me screams "NO!" whenever I think about it myself. The frathouse appears to be a deadend to me, or maybe better yet a funnel; you know whats gonna happen to you and where you will be when you come out of it. And I really don't think I can live with a bunch of Christians who I don't know well.
As far as living options, there seems to only be a few choices for me: 1- live alone, 2- live with a spouse and future kids, 3- live with old friends, and 4- live with people I have nothing in common with (although that's an extreme).
So maybe moving would be the ideal. A new place, new state, new people, new friends, new life. All the job opportunities I'd really like to pursue seem to be in either California or New York or Seattle anyway. Moving would also allow me to get away from certain people and in truth much of Christianity in general. I wouldn't turn my back on Christianity, but certain aspects of it.
So I really don't know, ultimately. It's something I'm going to have to pray about, and I'd like it if you can remember me too once in a while.
----------------------
I've written enough, and I'm tired of staring at this screen.
Oh, once last thing. I've been thinking way too much again, and it's come to my attention that perhaps buying myself a laptop would be one of the smartest and wisest buying decisions I could make. It'd give me a portable computer, a place to store any writing I'd like to do, a place to put all my music, and even give me an excuse to start playing my collection of CRPGs I've been stockpiling.
I figure a P4 with at least a 120 gig harddrive, dvd player, and internal networking card would be the minimum specs...maybe a decent soundcard and graphics card too...for under $600. Work and play and the future in one box...
Jun 19, 2006
Summit Coda
So now I can say I've been to Summit. Been there, done that, chose not to buy the t-shirt (and ran out of time to get my autograph on it, too!). Didn't buy the dvd either, although if anyone has a copy, pass it around.
Summit was a great experience. I'm very glad I went, even with the high elevation and the obnoxious roommates...whom I still love. While my zeal and determination has kinda wained in the face of real normal life, I'm still determined to get my brother to go to Summit before he goes off to college, no matter which college he goes to. I might not push for my old youth group to go, although I should probably still swing everything by Josh.
I did not go to Summit to learn worldviews or anything else. I went mainly because I thought I could better understand a lot of what I'm being taught at church. I feel at times that I'm simply holding up a Bible and shouting "WHY DOES IT ALL NOT MAKE SENSE??"...while still trying to live a semi-normal life that does not live and breathe the Bible 24/7.
I'll be honest here; the idea of me sitting around and reading my Bible during every idle second of the day does not sound appealing to me at all. If that's the highest standard Christians should aspire to, well, I don't. And if I should, I better pray God changes me from the inside out.
But I have learned many things. I even have several books, a dvd, and a few sheets of paper that I need to find time to go over in detail and in prayer. And the Spirit is still knocking on my heart, asking me to let down all these Biblical and religious strongholds I have in my life and let Him in for a drink. And from what I've heard, when you and the Spirit get together for drinks, He will drink you under the table.
-----------------------------------
I should note that I've been having fewer "demon" dreams or whatever they were. When we went to Summit, everything just started to get more vivid and hyper-realistic. I don't know if it was just being there that gave me the dreams, or if it was a more clear and uncluttered focus on God, or a lack of music (the dreams did diminish after I started partaking before going to bed) and media...I'm not really sure. I've had a few weird dreams since coming back, but things seem to be getting closer to normal. Nothing super terrifying at least (watch me jinx myself now...).
-----------------------------
I feel the need to write more about "The Girl." The amount of crap/comments I've been receiving from people about her is amazing. People who I didn't even know could read are asking me whatever happened to her!!
Well, there's really not much to say. I saw an attractive girl at the Flying W, and kept on running into her throughout the night. Throughout the night I noticed her performing certain tasks with a certain type of Spirit behind them, and it spoke to me. Said some things, some that still sting, some that just remind.
As attractive as the girl was, she personally is really nothing (especially if she just graduated from highschool); she is more of an idea that anything else. Her actions and testimony remind of certain traits that I myself use to have. I use to always be the courteous one, the one who will always open the door, move the chair, volunteer, help out, or whatever. I did it partly because I wanted to and partly because it was needed.
Sadly, I've changed. I got way too tired of being stepped on, abused, counted on, demanded on, etc. It's part of the reason why I finally left Fourth Baptist and got so fed up with Davanni's. I was there every single day of the week helping out and doing something "for the Lord." "Storing up treasures in heaven." "Making the store run smooth." Etc. When you've held the door for 300-500 people, end up being the last in line, not had a place left waiting for you with your group of friends, or missed out on something important yet trivial....you get really tired of it really quick.
The Girl's actions kinda stung me a little. Still does, if I think about it too hard. I saw something in her that's missing in me, and not only did it convict me of what I need to be more like, but it made me realize that that was a character trait I want to see in others, or more importantly, the mythical "future wife."
And yes, I know the last will be first, etc. Still.
Another important fact that came out of The Girl is a strong sense or belief that a decent single Christian woman is out there somewhere in the world. For the longest time I've wanted nothing to do with Christian women, cause I find their "testimony" or life rather repulsive. I've seen too many Christian girls who are the worse lot of humanity.
Not that I am a saint by any means, far from it, but when Christians are commanded to marry other Christians, I plan on upholding my end of the bargain and be a decent person. The way you act is FAR more important than if you have a "born again" experience; it's only through actions that we can impact people. Actions shout louder than words, etc etc.
But while I don't know if The Girl in question is saved or not, she made me realize something. Somewhere out there is a person that God has put aside for me at a certain time that I will be 1- attracted to, 2- can respect, 3- will be a Christian, 4- will be a decent person, and 5- some unknown quality I can't put into words (yet).
AKA- She gave me hope, without saying a single word or pointing out a single verse. And that's precious.
The Girl is an ideal. Nothing more. While I wouldn't mind meeting her again, learning her name, if she's saved, etc...I don't have to. God can do that for me.
-------------------------------
Summit is probably going to be an ongoing experience. I'll probably blog when new things strike me or inspire. While this might be the bookend to all official Summit blogs, more will come.
Did I have fun? Fun is a hard thing for me to describe. I enjoyed my time at Summit; not all of it, but most of it. Could have done without some of the drama and people, and especially that stupid mandatory sports time (SOME OF US NEED TO SLEEP!!!).
So if "fun" is a ratio, amount of enjoyment to amount of misery, then yes, I definitely had fun, and would gladly do it again.
I give Summit a 70-75% fun experience on a 100% scale. However, add another 10 points if I'd actually allowed myself to become super interested in anyone (or inquire about anyone who was interested in me...I got some unwelcome hints). Add another 10 points if I had gotten to go eat at Popeyes...
In Summary- Summit was fun, inspirational, educational, edutainmental, tiring, and one of the better "camp" experiences I've ever been on. And a great place to meet some new friends.
Dave, you still owe me a cd, and Joe, you owe me like $22 or something...and Beau/Garrett, give me a call, we gotta hang out sometime.
That is all.
"Dear Prudence..."
Summit was a great experience. I'm very glad I went, even with the high elevation and the obnoxious roommates...whom I still love. While my zeal and determination has kinda wained in the face of real normal life, I'm still determined to get my brother to go to Summit before he goes off to college, no matter which college he goes to. I might not push for my old youth group to go, although I should probably still swing everything by Josh.
I did not go to Summit to learn worldviews or anything else. I went mainly because I thought I could better understand a lot of what I'm being taught at church. I feel at times that I'm simply holding up a Bible and shouting "WHY DOES IT ALL NOT MAKE SENSE??"...while still trying to live a semi-normal life that does not live and breathe the Bible 24/7.
I'll be honest here; the idea of me sitting around and reading my Bible during every idle second of the day does not sound appealing to me at all. If that's the highest standard Christians should aspire to, well, I don't. And if I should, I better pray God changes me from the inside out.
But I have learned many things. I even have several books, a dvd, and a few sheets of paper that I need to find time to go over in detail and in prayer. And the Spirit is still knocking on my heart, asking me to let down all these Biblical and religious strongholds I have in my life and let Him in for a drink. And from what I've heard, when you and the Spirit get together for drinks, He will drink you under the table.
-----------------------------------
I should note that I've been having fewer "demon" dreams or whatever they were. When we went to Summit, everything just started to get more vivid and hyper-realistic. I don't know if it was just being there that gave me the dreams, or if it was a more clear and uncluttered focus on God, or a lack of music (the dreams did diminish after I started partaking before going to bed) and media...I'm not really sure. I've had a few weird dreams since coming back, but things seem to be getting closer to normal. Nothing super terrifying at least (watch me jinx myself now...).
-----------------------------
I feel the need to write more about "The Girl." The amount of crap/comments I've been receiving from people about her is amazing. People who I didn't even know could read are asking me whatever happened to her!!
Well, there's really not much to say. I saw an attractive girl at the Flying W, and kept on running into her throughout the night. Throughout the night I noticed her performing certain tasks with a certain type of Spirit behind them, and it spoke to me. Said some things, some that still sting, some that just remind.
As attractive as the girl was, she personally is really nothing (especially if she just graduated from highschool); she is more of an idea that anything else. Her actions and testimony remind of certain traits that I myself use to have. I use to always be the courteous one, the one who will always open the door, move the chair, volunteer, help out, or whatever. I did it partly because I wanted to and partly because it was needed.
Sadly, I've changed. I got way too tired of being stepped on, abused, counted on, demanded on, etc. It's part of the reason why I finally left Fourth Baptist and got so fed up with Davanni's. I was there every single day of the week helping out and doing something "for the Lord." "Storing up treasures in heaven." "Making the store run smooth." Etc. When you've held the door for 300-500 people, end up being the last in line, not had a place left waiting for you with your group of friends, or missed out on something important yet trivial....you get really tired of it really quick.
The Girl's actions kinda stung me a little. Still does, if I think about it too hard. I saw something in her that's missing in me, and not only did it convict me of what I need to be more like, but it made me realize that that was a character trait I want to see in others, or more importantly, the mythical "future wife."
And yes, I know the last will be first, etc. Still.
Another important fact that came out of The Girl is a strong sense or belief that a decent single Christian woman is out there somewhere in the world. For the longest time I've wanted nothing to do with Christian women, cause I find their "testimony" or life rather repulsive. I've seen too many Christian girls who are the worse lot of humanity.
Not that I am a saint by any means, far from it, but when Christians are commanded to marry other Christians, I plan on upholding my end of the bargain and be a decent person. The way you act is FAR more important than if you have a "born again" experience; it's only through actions that we can impact people. Actions shout louder than words, etc etc.
But while I don't know if The Girl in question is saved or not, she made me realize something. Somewhere out there is a person that God has put aside for me at a certain time that I will be 1- attracted to, 2- can respect, 3- will be a Christian, 4- will be a decent person, and 5- some unknown quality I can't put into words (yet).
AKA- She gave me hope, without saying a single word or pointing out a single verse. And that's precious.
The Girl is an ideal. Nothing more. While I wouldn't mind meeting her again, learning her name, if she's saved, etc...I don't have to. God can do that for me.
-------------------------------
Summit is probably going to be an ongoing experience. I'll probably blog when new things strike me or inspire. While this might be the bookend to all official Summit blogs, more will come.
Did I have fun? Fun is a hard thing for me to describe. I enjoyed my time at Summit; not all of it, but most of it. Could have done without some of the drama and people, and especially that stupid mandatory sports time (SOME OF US NEED TO SLEEP!!!).
So if "fun" is a ratio, amount of enjoyment to amount of misery, then yes, I definitely had fun, and would gladly do it again.
I give Summit a 70-75% fun experience on a 100% scale. However, add another 10 points if I'd actually allowed myself to become super interested in anyone (or inquire about anyone who was interested in me...I got some unwelcome hints). Add another 10 points if I had gotten to go eat at Popeyes...
In Summary- Summit was fun, inspirational, educational, edutainmental, tiring, and one of the better "camp" experiences I've ever been on. And a great place to meet some new friends.
Dave, you still owe me a cd, and Joe, you owe me like $22 or something...and Beau/Garrett, give me a call, we gotta hang out sometime.
That is all.
"Dear Prudence..."
Jun 15, 2006
On being on stage and playing with U2
I'm sorry I haven't written the "Summit Coda" yet. I've been busy dealing with some minor health issues and other things, and just haven't sat down and typed it out yet. I really wanted all Summit stuff to be in one group, but alas, that can't be. I feel the need to post this in as many places as I can online.
Jelani had a dream a while back, maybe a week, where he was at the U2 concert with all of us. I know this because he told me. Not sure who the us is, really, but odds are, when U2 swings back into town, I'm going to be bringing maybe 4 or 5 people depending on cost, and I know Joe and David are probably gonna convince other people to go.
So from me bringing 2 other people to see U2 back in September, the next time we might have a group numbering 15 or more!
But back to Jelani's dream...of which I am really, really hoping it is prophetic in some small way. Jelani dreamed that I was on stage singing with Bono.
Now, that'd be awesome. If I were up to it, and I'd need some practice in order to even come close to singing some of their songs. But what would be even cooler is if I was singing AND playing with U2 on stage!
I figure I really have two shots at that. The first, would be to play handbell accompaniment on "Electrical Storm." That would require me to meet the band, talk it out with them, work out the song arrangment, and practice like crazy. And then rock the casbah, and with that song, preferably in an open-air stadium at night (obviously not the Metrodome). Check out the song to see what I mean.
The second shot I have would first require me to learn how to play acoustic guitar. And while there are many, many different acoustic songs U2 has played with fans over the years (they've always been famous for pulling an audience member on stage to play guitar with them), the song I'd really like to play with them (or rather, Bono on vocals and Adam on bass) would be "Flower Child," a song that was not on an album (strike one against it) but was on the Essential U2 ipod exclusive collection (strike two). And I guarantee that Bono forgot the lyrics (strike three).
Anyways, its an easy song to play on acoustic guitar, one I could easily learn and probably should, after I learn how to play first.
I figure I'll bring a big poster to the concert that says (Bono and I can make a "Flower Child") and in small letters (i brought lyrics).
Stranger things have happened at U2 shows, believe me.
I have a whole "Open Letter to U2" I've been planning on writing and posting online soon...but for now, enjoy the lyrics to "Flower Child."
If you want a copy of the song, let me know, I can upload it to you somehow.
"Flower Child"
On the fifth day of May
She was breaking away
When the moon came and sat on your shoulder
She was still young
Not yet high-strung
Which you need to be when you get older
George was the street
When you first faced defeat
You put money on the colour of her sky
Well the cold of her voice
Left you there with no choice
But to drink the liffy dry
The seeds that you sew
You want to watch them grow
Wild, you grow wild
You grow wild in my heart
Wild, you grow wild
You grow wild in my heart
Here comes Holy Joe
Now, how would he know
How laughter can make a man cruel
Theres fire on fire
When lovers conspire
To either a duet or duel
When its fire on fire
The flames just get higher
The harder you work to put them out
Well, you know that youre similar
Sugar and weak
In a boat heading north facing south
The seeds that you sew
You want to watch them grow
Wild, you grow wild
You grow wild in my heart
Wild, you grow wild
You grow wild in my heart
Wild
Whats on your breath
Is it fear of death
That makes such a man promiscuous
Your mouth was dry
Like when youre about to lie
And her lips are so lucous
Youve seen it before
Youre hurled at her door
Like a dog when she needed a man
Now she aches and she breaks
And she takes all the weight
Of your world, she almost can
The seeds that you sew
Well, you want to watch them growing
The wind, where will it blow
My flower child
Wild, you grow wild
You grow wild in my heart
Wild, you grow wild
You grow wild in my heart
Wild
The sky was still gray
Up on Albion way
As the yellow hats took up the road
Didnt hear what she said
As the lights turned red
On a love that should have stayed gold
Gold
Wild, you grow wild
You grow wild in my heart
Wild, you grow wild
You grow wild in my heart
Wild, you grow wild
You grow wild in my heart
Wild, you grow wild
You grow wild in my heart
Jelani had a dream a while back, maybe a week, where he was at the U2 concert with all of us. I know this because he told me. Not sure who the us is, really, but odds are, when U2 swings back into town, I'm going to be bringing maybe 4 or 5 people depending on cost, and I know Joe and David are probably gonna convince other people to go.
So from me bringing 2 other people to see U2 back in September, the next time we might have a group numbering 15 or more!
But back to Jelani's dream...of which I am really, really hoping it is prophetic in some small way. Jelani dreamed that I was on stage singing with Bono.
Now, that'd be awesome. If I were up to it, and I'd need some practice in order to even come close to singing some of their songs. But what would be even cooler is if I was singing AND playing with U2 on stage!
I figure I really have two shots at that. The first, would be to play handbell accompaniment on "Electrical Storm." That would require me to meet the band, talk it out with them, work out the song arrangment, and practice like crazy. And then rock the casbah, and with that song, preferably in an open-air stadium at night (obviously not the Metrodome). Check out the song to see what I mean.
The second shot I have would first require me to learn how to play acoustic guitar. And while there are many, many different acoustic songs U2 has played with fans over the years (they've always been famous for pulling an audience member on stage to play guitar with them), the song I'd really like to play with them (or rather, Bono on vocals and Adam on bass) would be "Flower Child," a song that was not on an album (strike one against it) but was on the Essential U2 ipod exclusive collection (strike two). And I guarantee that Bono forgot the lyrics (strike three).
Anyways, its an easy song to play on acoustic guitar, one I could easily learn and probably should, after I learn how to play first.
I figure I'll bring a big poster to the concert that says (Bono and I can make a "Flower Child") and in small letters (i brought lyrics).
Stranger things have happened at U2 shows, believe me.
I have a whole "Open Letter to U2" I've been planning on writing and posting online soon...but for now, enjoy the lyrics to "Flower Child."
If you want a copy of the song, let me know, I can upload it to you somehow.
"Flower Child"
On the fifth day of May
She was breaking away
When the moon came and sat on your shoulder
She was still young
Not yet high-strung
Which you need to be when you get older
George was the street
When you first faced defeat
You put money on the colour of her sky
Well the cold of her voice
Left you there with no choice
But to drink the liffy dry
The seeds that you sew
You want to watch them grow
Wild, you grow wild
You grow wild in my heart
Wild, you grow wild
You grow wild in my heart
Here comes Holy Joe
Now, how would he know
How laughter can make a man cruel
Theres fire on fire
When lovers conspire
To either a duet or duel
When its fire on fire
The flames just get higher
The harder you work to put them out
Well, you know that youre similar
Sugar and weak
In a boat heading north facing south
The seeds that you sew
You want to watch them grow
Wild, you grow wild
You grow wild in my heart
Wild, you grow wild
You grow wild in my heart
Wild
Whats on your breath
Is it fear of death
That makes such a man promiscuous
Your mouth was dry
Like when youre about to lie
And her lips are so lucous
Youve seen it before
Youre hurled at her door
Like a dog when she needed a man
Now she aches and she breaks
And she takes all the weight
Of your world, she almost can
The seeds that you sew
Well, you want to watch them growing
The wind, where will it blow
My flower child
Wild, you grow wild
You grow wild in my heart
Wild, you grow wild
You grow wild in my heart
Wild
The sky was still gray
Up on Albion way
As the yellow hats took up the road
Didnt hear what she said
As the lights turned red
On a love that should have stayed gold
Gold
Wild, you grow wild
You grow wild in my heart
Wild, you grow wild
You grow wild in my heart
Wild, you grow wild
You grow wild in my heart
Wild, you grow wild
You grow wild in my heart
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