For $30 a month you can sponsor a child through World Vision. Your contribution will provide a child with the nutritional, medical and educational supplies needed for him to be healthy and happy. Click the title of this post to go to the World Vision Website. They're legit. If you decide to sponsor a child, let us know. Then tell someone else about it.
A few months ago we signed Jack up to sponsor a little boy from Kenya named Flinton. He is Jack's new pen pal. They were born the same month, same year, but worlds apart in nearly every other way. Below is a letter Jack recently wrote to Flinton.
Dear Flinton,
Do you know the true God? I know him, but I don't remember how I got to know the true God. Church is where you find out about him and the sing songs about him. And there is also a childrens' church. They tell stories that happened a long time ago when Jesus was around. The stories are about Jesus and some other guys. Church for babies is called nursery, but they don't tell them about Jesus. But they have toys in the room. Jesus is so powerful, he can stop anything if it's something somebody is afraid of. He can even make somebody come back alive. He can do anything, but he never sins. He just does good stuff. He loves us more than anyone and theres no end of it! (When there's an exclamation point you don't have to put a period there). Jesus made everything. We can pray to him. Jesus can do all kinds of stuff.
I like to play a game called t-ball. Before, I played t-ball I played a game called gymnastics. In gymnastics you have to do these fun things, but i do not like the uneven bars. T-ball has stuff called T's and it's not the letter . It's something else called T. You put a ball on it and then you get a bat and then you swing the ball off of it. Then you run to first base and when the person who is coach says I run to second base, and then I run to third base and then I run back to the T which is called homebase. Homebase is like zero base. The mail will take this letter to your house.
Bye,
Jack
5.4.05
Artist of the Week: Max Beckmann
I've decided to add another feature to the 'ol blog. Artist of the Week. (Boy, you guys sure are getting your money's worth). So here it is: A painting by Max Beckmann. Beckmann was a German born painter who worked during the first half of the 20th century. He moved to the states and taught in St Louis for a while before moving to NYC where he died in 1950. His work is usually bold and colorful. He did many self-portraits, but my favorites are the narratives (like this one). Let me know what you think and you can check the web for more about his life and his art.
The Edge & Funky Presbyterian Not On Speaking Terms
I paid some Irish millionaires $40 for the opportunity to order tickets to their concert before sales were opened to the general public. Ordered tickets. They were $100 a piece. The seats aren't all that great. Sold the tickets to some friends at face value. $100 for tickets is just getting out of control. Tell Mr. The Edge I'm not speaking to him until the tour is over.
Sprung?
Finally, spring seems to have arrived for real. Let's all keep our fingers crossed and hope we don't get doused with another flurry of snow like we did last week! The sunshine and warmer weather has allowed me to spend a little time outside with Jack in the yard, at the park, and on the front steps where this photo was snapped. Hooray for sunshine!
What's Rockin' the Reverend?
I really enjoy posting about artists that many of you may not be familiar with. In fact, one of my greatest joys in life is unearthing some new or obscure musical delight from the far reaches of the cd rack at one of the local, independant rock and roll record stores here in the city. So it is with great inner conflict that I make this post. I've recently acquired Beck's new album Guero (it's a B+) as well as Over the Rhine's Drunkard's Prayer (A-). The Frames' record Burn the Maps came highly recommended as well, but I haven't yet fully embraced it. On the floor of my car there are albums by Richard Buckner, the Firey Furnaces, Iron and Wine, Arcade Fire, and Franz Ferdinand. These are on the floor, while the cd player is occupied by a quite different tenant. I've got M. Ward, I've got Anthony and the Johnsons, Blonde Redhead, and Earlimart. I could write about Kevin Thista's Red Terror and their Beatlesque pop rock masterpiece Wake Up Captain or Bright Eyes' simultaneously pensive and explosive post modern piece of folk artistry entitled "I'm Wide Awake and it's Morning". Perhaps next week I will. Alas, I cannot tell a lie. This week I have been rocked by Kanye West and his hip hop offering "College Drop Out". It is not new or obscure. Heck... It's not even rock and roll. And yet the frequency and magnitude of the rocking it has delivered to the funky presbyterian over the last several days must be acknowledged. Of course I address this record with some ambivalence. While about half of the album I heartily endorse and even recommend to the discerning listener (there is a "clean" version available for those who would prefer), the other half of the album is filled with content I simply cannot endorse. (I'm not referring to particular vocabulary which is most likely the reason for the parental advisory label). Those of you who know me, know I am not prudish as relates to my interaction with the broader culture. And still the misogony strikes me as particularly unhealthy, offensive, and inconsistent with the bulk of Kanye's weltenshaung. (Google that). Of course the possibility always remains that the objectional content is parody. I have a hunch some of it is, but I am not sure. Probably I am too presbyterian and not nearly funky enough to detect the subtleties of hip-hop parody.
Those parts of the album that are good and uplifting are very good and very uplifting to me personally. This album makes me wanna boogy. Pure and simple. Plus there is a considerable amount of incisive cultural critique, and spiritual insight. the likes of which we Christians should hope to hear in our churches and seminaries! Consider these excerpts from Mr. West's "flow" :(wow, I even sound white just typing that sentence).
"Obscene, we living the american dream, the people highest up got the lowest self esteem, the prettiest people do the ugliest things for the road to riches and diamond rings"
"We buy our way out of jail, but we can't buy freedom, we buy a lot of clothes but we don't really need 'em, the things we buy to cover up what's inside, cause they made us hate ourself and love their wealth... I wanna act ballerific, like it's all terrific, I got a couple past due bills, I won't get specific, I got a problem with spending before I get it, we're all self conscious, I'm just the first to admit it"
"And I don't think there's nothing I can do now to right my wrong (jesus walk with me) I wanna talk to God but I'm afraid cause we ain't spoke in so long"
"I ain't here to argue about his facial features, but here to convert atheists into believers, I'm just trying to say the way school need teachers, the way Kathy Lee needed Regis, that's the way I need Jesus"
And one last note, there's some guy named J. Ivy who raps near the middle of the song Never Let Me Down. His portion of the song is the most powerful piece of poetry I've heard since Bob Dylan's Last Thoughts on Woody Guthrie. Every time I hear it I am bowled over by it's power and profundity. I could reprint it here, but you must hear it to appreciate it rightly.
"Take 'em to Church".
Those parts of the album that are good and uplifting are very good and very uplifting to me personally. This album makes me wanna boogy. Pure and simple. Plus there is a considerable amount of incisive cultural critique, and spiritual insight. the likes of which we Christians should hope to hear in our churches and seminaries! Consider these excerpts from Mr. West's "flow" :(wow, I even sound white just typing that sentence).
"Obscene, we living the american dream, the people highest up got the lowest self esteem, the prettiest people do the ugliest things for the road to riches and diamond rings"
"We buy our way out of jail, but we can't buy freedom, we buy a lot of clothes but we don't really need 'em, the things we buy to cover up what's inside, cause they made us hate ourself and love their wealth... I wanna act ballerific, like it's all terrific, I got a couple past due bills, I won't get specific, I got a problem with spending before I get it, we're all self conscious, I'm just the first to admit it"
"And I don't think there's nothing I can do now to right my wrong (jesus walk with me) I wanna talk to God but I'm afraid cause we ain't spoke in so long"
"I ain't here to argue about his facial features, but here to convert atheists into believers, I'm just trying to say the way school need teachers, the way Kathy Lee needed Regis, that's the way I need Jesus"
And one last note, there's some guy named J. Ivy who raps near the middle of the song Never Let Me Down. His portion of the song is the most powerful piece of poetry I've heard since Bob Dylan's Last Thoughts on Woody Guthrie. Every time I hear it I am bowled over by it's power and profundity. I could reprint it here, but you must hear it to appreciate it rightly.
"Take 'em to Church".
1.4.05
Be This Guy
We at funky presbyterian declare ourselves to be the winner of the last "Be This Guy" competition. Come on, readers. Put some effort into it for petesake! Let's see what you've got. Our research staff has been hard at work scouring the digital domains of the world wide web in search of the perfect photo for this week's contest. A very special thanks to those of you who have been participating. You've done a great job. And to the rest of you... we're not angry. We're just disappointed.
World's Oldest Sport- Nation's Newest League
This past week a new professional sports league made it's national debut on television. Real Pro Wrestling (RPW) can be seen on the PAX network in most areas on Sundays at 4pm and on Fox Sports Net on Wednesdays at 3pm. The survival of wrestling as a competetive sport in this country could depend on the success of this new league. You can visit the RPW website for an explanation of rules, team rosters, and quicktime clips of the action. Click the title of this post to check it out.
27.3.05
Happy Easter! (Pass the tartar sauce).
Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. - Luke 24:5-6
Jesus was dead and then came back to life. And then he ate some fish. I like that part. Seems very nonchalant. Jesus was tried, murdered, dead and burried. He came back to life after three days. Jesus just saved the world from certain damnation... and then he ate a broiled fish. That makes me happy. Jesus is alive and seafood is good.
May your day be filled with joy. And enjoy your lunch.
Jesus was dead and then came back to life. And then he ate some fish. I like that part. Seems very nonchalant. Jesus was tried, murdered, dead and burried. He came back to life after three days. Jesus just saved the world from certain damnation... and then he ate a broiled fish. That makes me happy. Jesus is alive and seafood is good.
May your day be filled with joy. And enjoy your lunch.
23.3.05
Homeless Problem Solved!
The homeless problem in my neighborhood was recently "solved" with the installation of an iron gate at the opening of the alcove in the vacant building across the street from my office. Now you may ask "where will the homeless sleep"? And I will answer "not my problem". See? Homeless problem solved. That was easy.
22.3.05
New OTR Released in One Week
Over the Rhine is a perhaps the single most under rated musical act in the world. (With the exception of "Gored by Buffalo", a little known power pop outfit that rocked the St Louis divinity school houseparty circuit for a few short years near the turn of the millenium- but I digress). Anywho, OTR is due out with a new album in just seven days. "Drunkard's Prayer" is the follow up to 2003's "Ohio", a stunningly resplendant double disc album of some of the best songsmithing (is that a word?) you'll ever come across. Simply put, no one does what they do better. Be sure to purchase this album and pick up something from their back catalog while you're at it. They write songs that are sad and happy at the same time. It's a lot like real life in that way.
Here's my top five all time favorite OTR songs as the list currently stands (it changes a lot):
5. And Can It Be (until we have faces)
4. Sleep Baby Jane (eve)
3. Circle of Quiet (patience)
2. Ohio - (ohio)
1. Latter Days - (good dog bad dog)
Here's my top five all time favorite OTR songs as the list currently stands (it changes a lot):
5. And Can It Be (until we have faces)
4. Sleep Baby Jane (eve)
3. Circle of Quiet (patience)
2. Ohio - (ohio)
1. Latter Days - (good dog bad dog)
16.3.05
Obligatory "Cute Kid" Picture
Charity took the boys to a book store recently to see Curious George in person. I love this picture of Sam. It really captures the essence of his personality. He is so inquisitive and observant. You can almost see him thinking, "Who the heck is this clown?"
Freaks & Geeks
Recently, the good people over at birty.us posted an entry about the show freaks and geeks, a little watched, mostly unknown television show from the late 90's that just happens to be one of the greatest pieces of programming in broadcast history. It made me nostalgic. Then, last week on NPR I heard an interview with the author and co-executive director of the show talking about his experience and pushing some new book he's written. So Charity and I ordered the complete Freaks and Geeks 6 disc dvd box set (now get off my back Columbia House!). Unfortunately this brilliant show was cancelled after just one season by some network executive who said "none of my friends were like that". Of course not! All your friends were named Thurston and wore ascots. Freaks and Geeks is a show for people who had ordinary childhoods. This show is the exact opposite of (and perfect antidote for) shows like 90210, Dawson's Creek, and especially the OC. Every actor in the show gives a stellar performance. You will swear you went to high school with some of these people.
Here's a quote from a 2000 review of the show, while it was still on air: "Freaks and Geeks' finest attribute (and the reason it may not fare well in the "outrageous" world of network television) is its refusal to resort to the easy laugh or the life-shattering moment. If anything, Freaks and Geeks seems at first blush to be uncommonly ordinary, entirely devoid of sarcastic zingers or Kramer-esque pratfalls. But don't stop watching. Repeated exposure breeds a deep appreciation for its low-key charm and, I suspect, for all who survived high school, a shudder of recognition when they see a bit of themselves reflected on screen."
Charity and I are thinking about throwing a "Freaks and Geeks Party" in order to share the joy with our friends and create converts to the Freaks and Geeks army. Look for your invitation in the mail.
Here's a quote from a 2000 review of the show, while it was still on air: "Freaks and Geeks' finest attribute (and the reason it may not fare well in the "outrageous" world of network television) is its refusal to resort to the easy laugh or the life-shattering moment. If anything, Freaks and Geeks seems at first blush to be uncommonly ordinary, entirely devoid of sarcastic zingers or Kramer-esque pratfalls. But don't stop watching. Repeated exposure breeds a deep appreciation for its low-key charm and, I suspect, for all who survived high school, a shudder of recognition when they see a bit of themselves reflected on screen."
Charity and I are thinking about throwing a "Freaks and Geeks Party" in order to share the joy with our friends and create converts to the Freaks and Geeks army. Look for your invitation in the mail.
15.3.05
What's Rockin' the Reverend?
The reverend has been rocked by a new itunes mix he made for his wife. Look people, I've been a ittle busy lately to bring you the quality you deserve in a blog, so please forgive me. Really I have no time to review each of these songs. You can check out my mix (and even purchase it) at itunes. Search under imixes. It's called "a mix for funky pastor's wife". Listen to samples and judge for yourselves. I think it is tasty! Let me know what you think.
1. We Will Become Silhouettes 3:01 Such Great Heights - EP The Shins
2. Snow Day 3:31 Winter Songs Matt Pond PA
3. Staring At the Sun 3:59 1 Simple Kid
4. First Day of My Life 3:08 I'm Wide Awake It's Morning Bright Eyes
5. Here Comes the Sun Again 2:21 Transistor Radio M. Ward
6. You Wouldn't Like Me 2:56 So Jealous Tegan and Sara
7. Evangeline 4:47 Girlfriend Matthew Sweet
8. Love Is an Arrow 2:30 Young Forever Aberfeldy
9. Finally 4:53 Burn the Maps The Frames
10. Such Great Heights 4:10 Such Great Heights - EP Iron & Wine
11. Amanda's Dream (iTunes Version) 4:17 Modern Troubadours - In the Roun... Teitur
12. Starlight, No. 1 4:55 Spoon and Rafter Mojave 3
13. Fake Palindromes 2:52 The Mysterious Production of Eggs Andrew Bird
14. Coin-Operated Boy (Edit Version) 3:37 War Pigs - EP The Dresden Dolls
15. Dig the Lightning 2:50 Tree City Robbers on High Street
16. Break so Easy 4:03 Extended Player 24:26 - EP Johnathan Rice
17. Mary 3:10 Emoh Lou Barlow
18. True Religion 4:16 The Duhks The Duhks
19. All My Life 3:19 Only With Laughter Can You Win Rosie Thomas
20. Brimful of Asha 5:17 When I Was Born for the 7th Time Cornershop
1. We Will Become Silhouettes 3:01 Such Great Heights - EP The Shins
2. Snow Day 3:31 Winter Songs Matt Pond PA
3. Staring At the Sun 3:59 1 Simple Kid
4. First Day of My Life 3:08 I'm Wide Awake It's Morning Bright Eyes
5. Here Comes the Sun Again 2:21 Transistor Radio M. Ward
6. You Wouldn't Like Me 2:56 So Jealous Tegan and Sara
7. Evangeline 4:47 Girlfriend Matthew Sweet
8. Love Is an Arrow 2:30 Young Forever Aberfeldy
9. Finally 4:53 Burn the Maps The Frames
10. Such Great Heights 4:10 Such Great Heights - EP Iron & Wine
11. Amanda's Dream (iTunes Version) 4:17 Modern Troubadours - In the Roun... Teitur
12. Starlight, No. 1 4:55 Spoon and Rafter Mojave 3
13. Fake Palindromes 2:52 The Mysterious Production of Eggs Andrew Bird
14. Coin-Operated Boy (Edit Version) 3:37 War Pigs - EP The Dresden Dolls
15. Dig the Lightning 2:50 Tree City Robbers on High Street
16. Break so Easy 4:03 Extended Player 24:26 - EP Johnathan Rice
17. Mary 3:10 Emoh Lou Barlow
18. True Religion 4:16 The Duhks The Duhks
19. All My Life 3:19 Only With Laughter Can You Win Rosie Thomas
20. Brimful of Asha 5:17 When I Was Born for the 7th Time Cornershop
I chipped a tooth.
Eating cashews. Went to the dentist and he said it needs a cap. The estimate is $1,060. Most expensive cashews I ever ate. By the way, does that dentist look like Ray Romano to you?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)