29.7.05
27.7.05
Ryan Adams Concert
I started this post months ago and never finished it. Better late than never, I suppose.
It seems like some people are never satisfied. No matter what level of achievement a person attains in his chosen field of operation, he is always setting the stage for a transition into some other field, to try his hand there as well. To see if the fates will bring success in some new arena. Professional atheletes perpetually turn their focus to new mountains. As if winning championships and setting records at the highest levels of competetive sports were not enough, now each Shaq must also rap. Each player, longs to announce. Even the great MJ could not resist stepping into the batter's box for a stint with the White Sox. Of course atheletes are not the only ones. Everyone knows every good waitress in LA longs to act. And every good actor longs to direct. And every good director will eventually produce. Then there's the whole cross over from acting to music, from music to acting, from television to film, to radio. And in each case, all of these people aspire to the highest peak of celebrity our culture affords: public office.
Ryan Adams is no exception. Last evening the North Carolinian rock and roll twangster first took the stage as the drumer for his opening act Rachael Yamagata. With in seconds it was clear that Adams is positioning himself for his next big career move. But unlike the MJ's and the Don Johnson's (remember "Heartbeat"?) Ryan Adams is poised to pull off the transition from Rock Star to his new career: unemployed homeless muppet.
I think he's got a pretty good chance of achieving his dream. The show was great, by the way. And John Stewart of Comedy Central was in the house.
It seems like some people are never satisfied. No matter what level of achievement a person attains in his chosen field of operation, he is always setting the stage for a transition into some other field, to try his hand there as well. To see if the fates will bring success in some new arena. Professional atheletes perpetually turn their focus to new mountains. As if winning championships and setting records at the highest levels of competetive sports were not enough, now each Shaq must also rap. Each player, longs to announce. Even the great MJ could not resist stepping into the batter's box for a stint with the White Sox. Of course atheletes are not the only ones. Everyone knows every good waitress in LA longs to act. And every good actor longs to direct. And every good director will eventually produce. Then there's the whole cross over from acting to music, from music to acting, from television to film, to radio. And in each case, all of these people aspire to the highest peak of celebrity our culture affords: public office.
Ryan Adams is no exception. Last evening the North Carolinian rock and roll twangster first took the stage as the drumer for his opening act Rachael Yamagata. With in seconds it was clear that Adams is positioning himself for his next big career move. But unlike the MJ's and the Don Johnson's (remember "Heartbeat"?) Ryan Adams is poised to pull off the transition from Rock Star to his new career: unemployed homeless muppet.
I think he's got a pretty good chance of achieving his dream. The show was great, by the way. And John Stewart of Comedy Central was in the house.
25.7.05
Church Survey
| You scored as Sacrament model. Your model of the church is Sacrament. The church is the effective sign of the revelation that is the person of Jesus Christ. Christians are transformed by Christ and then become a beacon of Christ wherever they go. This model has a remarkable capacity for integrating other models of the church.
What is your model of the church? [Dulles] created with QuizFarm.com |
22.7.05
Hey Andy Morgan!
I know you read my blog. Are you coming up to the 'bus tonight? Tomorrow? Let me know what's up.
Call me at my home number.
Call me at my home number.
20.7.05
Does al-Qaida have20 suitcase nukes?
This from the article linked above:
"The question isn't whether bin Laden has nuclear weapons, it's when he will try to use them."
Have a nice day.
"The question isn't whether bin Laden has nuclear weapons, it's when he will try to use them."
Have a nice day.
19.7.05
Click here.
Everytime I see a strongbad email I turn into a 12 year old boy. This is freakin' hilarious.
18.7.05
1!
Sam turned one today. He was born at 11:33pm on a Sunday night. Today we had a small party with gifts and cake. It was a good day. And a very good year.
Pronounced 'Soof-yen'
For those of you intrigued by continually awkward relationship between culture and Christianity, I have linked to an article about Sufjan Stevens. I've mentioned him before. It's a good review and worth reading. Use your exegetical skills and see what develops. Plus, the article is titled "Sufjan Stevens: Dutch Mafia Life, or, How Amway Stole the Soul of a Talented Christian Rocker and Tossed His Lifeless Body into Lake Michigan, or, "Jesus Christ! Enough with the Choirs Already!"
How can you not want to read that article?
How can you not want to read that article?
17.7.05
Watch me get down!
This is my favorite photo ever. Jack is totally just going for it on the dance floor. He had been slow dancing with that little cutie until I guess he just decided enough was enough. It was time to show off his moves! And so he did. I love that he is actually pointing with his index fingers like in disco fever or something.
Oh, to be young and carefree.
Oh, to be young and carefree.
14.7.05
New Shoes!
Sammy turns one on Monday and last week we took him to get his first pair of walking shoes. Here he is getting his little feet measured.
Six Good Lines
The following are lines from songs which I've found particulary moving or artful.
1. all the other girls here are stars—you are the Northern Lights
2. every heart is a package tangled up in knots someone else tied
3. They're looking at Nothing and Nothing turns away and yawns.
4. It is the heart that kills us in the end
Just one more old broken bone that cannot mend
As it was now and ever shall be amen
5. I know you have a heavy heart; I can feel it when we kiss
So many men much stronger than me have thrown their backs out trying to lift it
6. We know good enough is a thousand miles from grace
1. all the other girls here are stars—you are the Northern Lights
2. every heart is a package tangled up in knots someone else tied
3. They're looking at Nothing and Nothing turns away and yawns.
4. It is the heart that kills us in the end
Just one more old broken bone that cannot mend
As it was now and ever shall be amen
5. I know you have a heavy heart; I can feel it when we kiss
So many men much stronger than me have thrown their backs out trying to lift it
6. We know good enough is a thousand miles from grace
Top 3 Worst Rock Acts Ever?
So who is it? If you had to choose the top three worst rock acts ever, who would it be? They must not be so obscure that none of us have ever heard of them. That still leaves the field wide open, as most of popular music should certainly qualify for somebody's list. Some of you will also ask "What about rap? Country? R & B?" OK. Whatever. This isn't really rocket science people. If they suck, they qualify. It's your list.
13.7.05
Church Marketing Sucks
The following paragraph is a comment posted on a blog called "Church Marketing Sucks". I read it and liked it a lot. It reminds me of the covert mottos Grace Central adopted early on in her development: " It must be grace because we don't know what heck we're doing", and "Grace Central: Screwing up church in a whole new way!" For the most part they both still hold true.
My favorite example of not acting like your marketing is the now-ubiquitious "purpose statements" and "vision statements." Thanks to some well-marketed books, many churches now have yet another committee meeting to come up with some drivel like, "First Church exists to lovingly win sinners to Christ by living his example in a Spirit-filled way." Nothing wrong with such a statement, but it rarely describes the congregation in any way shape or form: an example of marketing what we wish we were. A more honest statement would be: "At Christ's Church of the Beautiful Bay Valley Community Fellowship, we want to build the biggest building in the county, manage a multi-million dollar budget, have a parking lot bigger than the mall, and get our preacher to publish a book that will make him a household name in evangelical circles." To be honest, I would rather see some truth that would reflect most churches in America: "At First Church of the Denomination, we are a church that is trying to overcome our differences and inadequacies to somehow reach the lost in our community because we are honestly concerned about their eternal destiny, but we're not really sure how to do it and we often fail to show Christ's love... but we really do love Christ and the lost." That would be refreshing.
My favorite example of not acting like your marketing is the now-ubiquitious "purpose statements" and "vision statements." Thanks to some well-marketed books, many churches now have yet another committee meeting to come up with some drivel like, "First Church exists to lovingly win sinners to Christ by living his example in a Spirit-filled way." Nothing wrong with such a statement, but it rarely describes the congregation in any way shape or form: an example of marketing what we wish we were. A more honest statement would be: "At Christ's Church of the Beautiful Bay Valley Community Fellowship, we want to build the biggest building in the county, manage a multi-million dollar budget, have a parking lot bigger than the mall, and get our preacher to publish a book that will make him a household name in evangelical circles." To be honest, I would rather see some truth that would reflect most churches in America: "At First Church of the Denomination, we are a church that is trying to overcome our differences and inadequacies to somehow reach the lost in our community because we are honestly concerned about their eternal destiny, but we're not really sure how to do it and we often fail to show Christ's love... but we really do love Christ and the lost." That would be refreshing.
12.7.05
11.7.05
My Seven Favorite Guitar Solos
As guitar solos seem to be a dying art form as of late, I thought I'd do my part to reinvigorate interest in the craft by enumerating for my readers my six all time favorite guitar solos captured on recording. Now remember, these are my favorites. They are not necessarily the most important or creative or skillfully executed. They are merely my favorties. You'll find no Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai or Eddie Van Halen on this list. Here goes:
7. Song: Just/ Band: Radiohead/ Guitarist: Johnny Greenwood
This is a guitar solo which begins with feedback rather than ends with feedback. A creative little twist. While this solo is not too long, it is perfectly executed and compliments the song. It just rocks, that's all.
6. Song: Umass/ Band: Pixies/ Guitarist: Joey Santiago
This solo sounds like a freightrain full of scrap metal crashing through a garbage truck factory.
5. Song: Voodoo Chile/ Artist: Jimi Hendrix
The Picasso of electric guitar's finest moment?
4. Song: When I Go/ Band: Over The Rhine/ Guitarist: Paul Moak
The solo comes in about 5:20 into this live recording of OTR's "When I Go". Moak is not even really in teh band. he's merely a hired hand, but this solo is one of the greatest I've ever heard. It is visceral and muscular and I love that you can hear the buzz of the amp and the screech of the strings. It ends in a sputtering of feedback. Nearly Perfect in every way.
3. Song: Groaning the Blues/ Artist: Eric Clapton
This solo is on the last track of Clapton's from the cradle. Clapton has always been a minimalist with respect to guitar work and this solo is no exception. He mostly just plays one string. One sustained bending note that can bring you to tears. You must check it out. It makes me want to give him a hug.
2. Song: Sympathy for the Devil/ Band: The Rolling Stones/ Guitarist: Keith Richards
This is what rock and roll is suppose to sound like. Wow.
1. Song: Love is Blindness/ Band: U2/ Guitarist: The Edge
Some guitars gently weep. On this track, the Edge's guitar swallows a bottle full of perscription pills and slides down into the bath tub in despair. This is what a breaking heart sounds like. I challenge you to find another sound as expressive as this one in the entire vocabulary of modern electric guitar work.
If you've got a comment or a favorite or two of your own, be sure to comment here. I'd love to hear what you think.
7. Song: Just/ Band: Radiohead/ Guitarist: Johnny Greenwood
This is a guitar solo which begins with feedback rather than ends with feedback. A creative little twist. While this solo is not too long, it is perfectly executed and compliments the song. It just rocks, that's all.
6. Song: Umass/ Band: Pixies/ Guitarist: Joey Santiago
This solo sounds like a freightrain full of scrap metal crashing through a garbage truck factory.
5. Song: Voodoo Chile/ Artist: Jimi Hendrix
The Picasso of electric guitar's finest moment?
4. Song: When I Go/ Band: Over The Rhine/ Guitarist: Paul Moak
The solo comes in about 5:20 into this live recording of OTR's "When I Go". Moak is not even really in teh band. he's merely a hired hand, but this solo is one of the greatest I've ever heard. It is visceral and muscular and I love that you can hear the buzz of the amp and the screech of the strings. It ends in a sputtering of feedback. Nearly Perfect in every way.
3. Song: Groaning the Blues/ Artist: Eric Clapton
This solo is on the last track of Clapton's from the cradle. Clapton has always been a minimalist with respect to guitar work and this solo is no exception. He mostly just plays one string. One sustained bending note that can bring you to tears. You must check it out. It makes me want to give him a hug.
2. Song: Sympathy for the Devil/ Band: The Rolling Stones/ Guitarist: Keith Richards
This is what rock and roll is suppose to sound like. Wow.
1. Song: Love is Blindness/ Band: U2/ Guitarist: The Edge
Some guitars gently weep. On this track, the Edge's guitar swallows a bottle full of perscription pills and slides down into the bath tub in despair. This is what a breaking heart sounds like. I challenge you to find another sound as expressive as this one in the entire vocabulary of modern electric guitar work.
If you've got a comment or a favorite or two of your own, be sure to comment here. I'd love to hear what you think.
Something I read today...
The initiative of the saint is not towards self-realization, but towards knowing Jesus Christ. The spiritual saint never believes circumstances to be haphazard, or thinks of his life as secular and sacred; he sees everything he is dumped down in as the means of securing the knowledge of Jesus Christ. There is a reckless abandonment about him. The Holy Spirit is determined that we shall realize Jesus Christ in every domain of life, and He will bring us back to the same point again and again until we do. Self-realization leads to the enthronement of work; whereas the saint enthrones Jesus Christ in his work. Whether it be eating or drinking or washing disciples feet, whatever it is, we have to take the initiative of realizing Jesus Christ in it. Every phase of our actual life has its counterpart in the life of Jesus. Our Lord realized His relationship to the Father even in the most menial work. "Jesus knowing . . . that He was come from God, and went to God . . . took a towel . . . and began to wash the disciples' feet."
The aim of the spiritual saint is "that I may know Him." Do I know Him where I am to-day? If not, I am failing Him. I am here not to realize myself, but to know Jesus. In Christian work the initiative is too often the realization that something has to be done and I must do it. That is never the attitude of the spiritual saint, his aim is to secure the realization of Jesus Christ in every set of circumstances he is in.
- Oswald Chambers
The aim of the spiritual saint is "that I may know Him." Do I know Him where I am to-day? If not, I am failing Him. I am here not to realize myself, but to know Jesus. In Christian work the initiative is too often the realization that something has to be done and I must do it. That is never the attitude of the spiritual saint, his aim is to secure the realization of Jesus Christ in every set of circumstances he is in.
- Oswald Chambers
9.7.05
7.7.05
5.7.05
Dancing like hippies.
Zack and Jill, my good friinds and fellow presbyterians with a funkiness all thier own, were recently engaged. Hurrah.
In this photo Jill is spraying Zack with bug repellant. But I think it looks like they are dancing hippies. Jill's really groovin to the beat, while Zack is spinning in circles with that far away look in his eyes.
Come on people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together try to love one another right now!
In this photo Jill is spraying Zack with bug repellant. But I think it looks like they are dancing hippies. Jill's really groovin to the beat, while Zack is spinning in circles with that far away look in his eyes.
Come on people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together try to love one another right now!
3.7.05
Click Here For A New Blog
I thought you may be interested in checking out a new blog I am co-authoring with a very good friend of mine. It should be fun, educational and slightly provacative. He's an agnostic and I'm a Christian. We'll be discussing our beliefs and welcoming your participation. I first met Matt in the summer of 1986 on our little league basball team. I forget the name of the team. He'll remember though. He always remembers that sort of thing. That fall, the first semester of our seventh grade year, our lockers were next to each other right out side of Mr. Trump's classroom. That was nineteen years ago. In between then and now lot's of other stuff happened which you're probably better off not knowing about. Anyway... check out the blog.
2.7.05
Read this Interview with Linford
If you've never listened to Over the Rhine or have listened but know little of the philosophy underlying their art, you'll want to read this brief interview. It is very good stuff. Beauty is important.
1.7.05
The Crazy Ones
I love this commercial. Maybe the greatest commercial ever. I need to watch it a few times a day just to recalibrate. I hope you enjoy it. I hope it makes you want to be crazy.
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