My Periphery

2011-05-24T10:02:00.000-07:00

Summer Music Mix

Had a few hot days already, and memorial day is now behind us, time to make a summer playlist on that iPod.

Lover's Carvings - Bibio

Loro - Pinback

Summertime - DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

Here Comes Your Man - Pixies

Free and Easy (Down the Road I go) - Dierks Bentley

I Want You Back (Z-Trip Remix) - Jackson 5

Fun Fun Fun - The Beach Boys

Break My Stride - Graham BLVD

Summer Wind - Frank Sinatra

Where the Streets Have no Name - U2

One Headlight - The Wallflowers

Fortunate Son - Creedence Clearwater Revival

Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley

House of Cards - Radiohead

Homecoming - Kanye West

Summer of 69' (MTV Unplugged version) - Bryan Adams

New Soul - Yael Naim

Life in Technicolor II - Coldplay

Blue Moon - Billie Holiday

Night Train - James Brown

1901 - Phoenix

Zomer - Andre Hazes

No ones gonna Love you - Band of Horses

Ring the Alarm - Tenor Saw

New York State of Mind - Billy Joel ( from 12 Gardens Live)

Rebel Rebel - David Bowie

Cannonball - Breeders

Brimful of Asha - Cornershop

Rise - Eddie Vedder

Non, Je ne regrette rien - Edith Piaf

Stop this Train - John Mayer (from Where The Light Is-Live)

Nothing but Flowers - Guster

Shelter from the Storm - Bob Dylan

Go Do - Jonsi

Tangerine - Led Zeppelin

Pennies From Heaven - Louis Prima

Every Teardrop is a Waterfall - Coldplay

Pink Moon - Nick Drake

2010-12-31T12:04:00.000-08:00

2010 in MUSIC

Some of the better songs released this year;

Ben Folds/Nick Hornby- Picture Window

Best Coast- Crazy for you

Broken Bells- Citizen, The Mall & Misery, (They sound like the Shins)

The Black Keys- Everlasting Light, Next Girl

Cee Lo Green- Forget You (yes, the clean version)

Coldplay- Christmas Lights (Only song released by them this year)

Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds (Live in Las Vegas) - You & Me, Some Devil

Drake- Karaoke, Fireworks

K’Naan- Waving Flag

Girl Talk- Jump on Stage (mixing ODB with Radiohead, amazing!)

Jack Johnson- You and your heart, No good with faces, What you thought you need

Janelle Monae- Tight Rope

Jonsi- Go Do, Tornado, Sinking friendships, Hengilas

Kanye West- Lost in the world (best intro of 2010)

Mariah Carey- One child

One Republic- All the Right Moves

Train- Hey Soul Sister

Tallest Man on Earth- Thousand ways (most of the album is good, sounds like Dylan allot)

Vampire Weekend- Horchata, Holiday, California English, Taxi Cab

Walkmen- Lisbon (great electric guitar sound on this song)

*A 2010 discovery of a 2009 album was Coeur De Pirate’s debut album by the same name.

And Florence and the Machine-Dog days are over is another one I missed in 09.

2009-12-10T12:27:00.000-08:00

2009 in Music

So 2009 was in my mind not a super great year for music, some good stuff did come out but I can't say that I liked a whole entire album this year. So it's on to a list of songs. Following are some of my favorite songs of 2009 in random order. Listening to these will always remind me of this year.

Artist: Song:

The Avett Brothers: I and Love and You, January Wedding, The perfect space

Phoenix: 1901, Girlfriend

David Bowie: Life on Mars? (from VH1 Story Tellers cd)

U2: Magnificent, I'll go crazy if I don't go crazy tonight

Dave Matthews Band: Baby Blue

John Mayer: Heartbreak warfare, All we do is say goodbye, War of my life

The Decemerists: The hazrds of love 4 (The Drowned)

Eels: In my dreams, No ordinary man

JayZ: Emipre State of Mind (feat. Alicia Keys)

Peter, Bjorn, and John: Nothing to worry about

Andrea Bocelli: What child is this? (feat. Mary J. Blidge)

Ben Folds: Cologne, You don't know me (feat. Regina Spektor), Kylie from Connecticut

Bon Iver: Blood Bank

The Lonely Island: Lazy Sunday (Chronicles of Narnia)

Lisa Hanigan: Ocean and a Rock

Grizzly Bear: Two weeks

The Swell Season: Paper cup

Black Eyed Peas: I gotta feeling

Sufjan Stevens: Movement II: Sleeping invader, Postlude: Critical Mass

Madeleine Peyroux: Everybody's talkin'

Feist: Mushaboom (from the soundtrack for "500 Days of Summer")

N.A.S.A.: Gifted (feat. Kanye West)

Marco Borsato: Dochters

Owl City: Fireflies (popy I know, but closest we'll get to The Postal Service for now...)

Mariah Carey: I want to know what Love is

Regina Spektor: Eet, Man of a thousand faces, Us

Moby: Study War

Ben Folds: Magic (from: Ben Folds presents University A Cappella)

I wanted to add two songs by Alicia Keys from her Unplugged album, even though this did not come out in 2009, I hadn't heard it before this year, which is weird cuz I have most of her stuff. Anyway the songs are; How come you don't call me, and Wild Horses. Wild Horses is a Rolling Stones cover, I think Susan Boyle did her own version of that song this year.

2009-10-21T13:38:00.000-07:00

What else can I say? Its a life! or... a girl changes everything!

My blog was on its way to becoming a cliche, you know the one where you look for a key word using Google and someone's blog from 2002 pops up and their January post was the last one.

Anyway, we're having a girl! Yeah it's crazy but I think I can handle it. Even though I had reasons for wanting either gender, its good to finally know now. (Google: tips for raising girls).

So much preparation, and of course in our society, so little time, but time won't wait and neither will our little girl. I become overwhelmed and excited in small intervals at the thought of being a parent, while looking forward to having the title I've wanted most my life. And I see how marriage takes on yet another purpose.

2009-07-09T11:12:00.000-07:00

New Family Member

2009-07-09T08:40:00.000-07:00

Airport Music

I flew on 8 flights in the past month or so. Walking through busy airports, getting on and off planes all require music. There's something about walking in a maze of people listening to music that makes you feel like you're not participating in it all and provides the continuing soundtrack of life.

I walk and watch as a mother struggles to get her kid to sit down in her stroller, I see a family standing in line to get overpriced food, I watch as Tony Dungy & family get on a plane in Tampa, I watch as my wife tries to finish a 32 oz. smoothie, I observe 70% of the people I see on their cell phones, I flip through a commemorative issue of People magazine, I search for seat 11c all while music accompanies the scenery.

My "flight plan" mix:

All along The Watchtower (Alternate)-Jimmy Hendrix
Fidelity-Regina Spektor
Talk (thin white duke mix)-Coldplay
Landed-Ben Folds
Forever Blue-Little River Band
Big Love-Fleetwood Mac
Baba O'Riley-The Who
God Only Knows-The Beach Boys
Welcome to The Jungle-Guns n' Roses
Virtual Insanity-Jamiroquai
Radio Nowhere-Bruce Springsteen
Magic-Ben Folds
The Payback-James Brown
Begin-Brendan James
Life in Technicolor II-Coldplay

Jimmy Hendrix and James Brown were best for walking through the crowd/deplaning.

2009-05-10T15:28:00.000-07:00

When you have some time to reflect, what do you think about? I mean, is it ever structured? I recently was thinking...

2009-01-12T10:36:00.000-08:00

UNBIBLICAL

When we deem or say that something is unbiblical, what is really meant? Can something be considered unbiblical simply because we feel it's wrong?, or does the term "unbiblical" have to mean that something goes against what the bible clearly states. The fact that we can "derive" from the bible that A, B, and C are wrong can be seen as mere personal interpretation rather than universal truth. So where does one draw the line? What can be agreed on? Should there be a standard? Hopefully there isn't one apart from the word itself. This thought came to me in church on sunday.

2009-01-11T16:43:00.000-08:00

2008 BEST OF LIST (music edition)

Keeping in mind that I have not yet heard all that was dropped in 2008. Here however are my top 5 albums of the year.

1. In Rainbows- by: Radiohead

2. Viva La Vida-by: Coldplay

3. Volume one-by: She & Him

4. Fleet Foxes-by: Fleet Foxes (2008 full length release, Sun Giant was good too)

5. Sleep Through The Static- by: Jack Johnson

Here are some of my favorite songs from 2008 in random order;

Young Folks--Peter, Bjorn, & John

Family Tree--TV On The Radio

Love Lockdown--Kanye West

Warwick Avenue--Duffy

Tiger Mountain Peasant Song--Fleet Foxes

Wit Light--Marco Borsato

Dignity--Bob Dylan (the Bootleg Series Vol.8)

Your the best thing/Meg White--Ray Lamontagne

Les Feulles Mortes/Because we Believe--Andrea Bocelli

Lay your head down--Karen Ann

Littlest Things/Smile--Lilly Allen

Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa/ A-Punk--Vampire Weekend

You appearing/Too Late--M83

Free Fallin'/The Heart of Life--John Mayer (from: Where the Light is, Live in L.A.)

Paper Planes--M.I.A.

Comfy in Nautica/Ponytail--Panda Bear

New Soul--Yael Naim

Fast Car--Wycleff Jean

A new Hallelujah--Michael W. Smith

House of Cards/Weird Fishes--Radiohead

Be ok--Ingrid Michaelson

Appologize--One Republic feat. Timbaland

Same Girl--Jack Johnson

Regalame Esta Noche--The Breeders

You don't know me--Ben Folds feat. Regina Spektor

In Step--Girl Talk

No ones gonna love you/Is there a ghost--Band of Horses

There were more but they elude me at the moment.

2009-01-10T16:16:00.000-08:00

A Grief Observed

Life keeps moving along as it always has and then one faithful afternoon in December it stopped with the news that my youngest brothers' wife suddenly died of carbon-monoxide poisoning. What followed was a whirlwind of intense sorrow, grief and emotion.

I feel like writing all about it and then at the same time I don't.

Helping a sibling grieve the death of their spouse is an experience that quickly gets to the core of who you are. I always felt that it was so cliche' to say that life is fragile and that we should thank God for everyday we have, and I think that when we lose a 22 year old mother and wife it's easy to say those things. But what do you actually do with that information? Does it impact us from day to day? Who has the time to live each day as if it is our last? We continue with our plans and schedules as we always do, and why not right? But this experience makes one question weather more thought should be given to how short we have here and then think about how it affects ones actions.

I want to write about the whole experience, all the characters involved and their perspectives, but that requires more from me than I'm willing to exert at this moment.

We miss you Kelly

It's been a rough Christmas.

2008-10-21T07:35:00.000-07:00

Softly As I Leave You

It's been and incredible ride, it has been educational and at times stressful, but what matters in the end is what I want to remember... the people.

In a sinacle world relationships matter. I tutored kids, helped needy families, single parents, and homeless veterans for 6 years with this organization. I'd like to think that they'll remember me for more than just another agency employee that helped along the way for the time needed, that's why I'll remember the "thank you's" the occasional card, the rare times someone came back not to ask for something, but to give something back in the form of a kind word or an offer to volunteer as repayment.

I leave here with no regrets, and with the feeling that I did make a difference despite the fact that from day-to-day I may not have felt that way, the routine sometimes blends together. And what made this journey better and bearable?...more people, my co-workers. I'll never forget the inside jokes, the bailing each other out with difficult clients, or the times we spent venting to each other about our work and the bureaucracies.

A big part of who I am I leave behind, but look forward to new... people.

2008-08-14T05:59:00.000-07:00

Addicted?

Tired every morning from watching the Olympics late into the night. There is something intriguing about watching sporting events you only get to see once every four years on TV. And yes, were all tired of seeing Phelps so much, but we still like to route for him. Just over a week left.

2008-08-05T11:22:00.000-07:00

Musical Trip

A musical high is truly an experience, and no it was not due to the many many pot smokers around me. To see Radiohead live in concert is truly an amazing experience that has to be had by all music lovers, even if you're not that into them.

The stage they travel with on this tour has light beams that hang from the rafters and create a enhanced experience to the music with light effects, the back of the stage is a screen that creates a sort of running video clip of the performance as it happens.

It really didn't matter to me that they didn't play my most favorite song of theirs, the set was great, and at times they played long intros' that kept you guessing and then when the first beat of for instance Ideoteque dropped, the crowd would go crazy. The crowd which was 40.000+ strong.

The set list:

15 step
Bodysnatchers
There there
All I Need
Pyramid Song
Nude
Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
The Gloaming
Climbing Up The Walls
Faust Arp
Videotape
Morning Bell
Ideoteque
Reckoner
Everything In Its Right Place
Just
How to Disappear Completely
1ST ENCORE
You and Whose Army?
Exit Music (for a film)
Jigsaw Falling Into Pieces
Karma Police
2ND ENCORE
House of Cards
National Anthem
Street Spirit (Fade Out)

2008-07-31T06:17:00.000-07:00

SLEEP THROUGH THE STATIC

Four open windows, the warm hot summer air, sharp turns, and Jack Johnson.

We are the authors of ourselves, of our stories, our adventures and experiences. Some of those are honored to be in each-others' presence, and as we learn, the explanation of those experiences may change.

Selfawareness is a big deal in my profession, you have to be more selfaware as you help others to do so, the whole process of it can be demanding at times.

"An assumption develops that you can not understand life and live life simultaneously. I would say, that life understood is life lived." TSL

2008-07-15T05:34:00.000-07:00

Conscious Collision

Sometimes when someone needs a listening ear, you only become aware of the act of being that ear toward the end of the conversation, and then you become intentional about it. I guess it's weird that way, but at least your doing something that pleases the person who needs it.

I always promote the "This American Life" podcast to anyone that has an IPod, its intellectual and its heaven for those of us that like documentaries and real life, or a distinct narration voice such as Ira Glass.

In the absence of my wife I have become occupied with cleaning our house, "it does keep your mind occupied" someone told me, but for me it doesn't make me miss her less, and why would it?

There is something nostalgic about flying in a plane for me, I think about family a lot and feel as a traveler as if I'm are the only one that is on this wave length of thought in the cabin. After all, everyone else is busy with their best sellers and their portable DVD players. I also love the fact that no matter the weather, once you're above the clouds there is always sun.

Music stimulates the brain. With that in mind (NPI), I wonder how people experience music, I came up with a few ways:
1. The music makes the listener think about external things or life, meaning the music stimulates the listener to think about these things.
2. The listener tries to always think about what the song is about or means and how it relates to the person that is singing it or wrote it, specially famous artists.
3. The listener enjoys the music for what it is, meaning the great beat, moving strings part, the softness or loudness of it, basically how it all comes together.

2008-07-14T13:49:00.000-07:00

Lonely Planet...

2008-06-23T11:54:00.000-07:00

HOLLAND'S EURO 2008

Well on June 21st, 2008 we once again could not make it past the quarter finals, two years ago it was Portugal, this year it was Russia. We took them to overtime but couldn't get past their front d-fence, irronically they have a dutch coach.

We had one of the best starts ever beating Italy 3-0 and France 4-1! and then Romania 2-0. Being on top of your group was a curse this year as 2 other group winners lost in that same round. So now we can route for Spain and if neccesary anyone else playing Russia. We played well overall. Goodbye to Edwin Van Der Sar who gave us so much, see you all in Africa in two years.

2008-06-07T15:56:00.000-07:00

EK 2008

In 1988 we won the Eurocup, 20 years later we're ready for a repeat. Monday is our first game against Italy. Best of luck Oranje!

2008-05-13T08:40:00.000-07:00

Chil-dish

Memories from childhood center around events but also trends and other pop culture bits. The candy we used to buy, the slap wristbands that even boys wore, early mountain bikes that weiged as much as motor cycles. But today I was reminded of a show we used to watch it was called "De Fabeltjeskrant" translated: The fabel (or fairytale) News Paper, it was about Mr. Owl who read the paper and the stories came to life with a host of characters that lived in the fairytale forrest. Sounds like a weird premise for a show right? We loved it.

2008-05-03T20:01:00.000-07:00

Friends and Protagonists

A few good friends of ours have moved out of state in the past few weeks. It seems to welcome forming new friendships, but nothing compares to the old ones. Change is good but not all kinds I guess.

I found that its hard to write a story if there is no plot line and McKee recommends also that a protagonist needs to overcome something and have a conscious or unconscious desire for something. Why does it have to be that way all the time? Why can't a protagonist do something else? Would a reader enjoy such a character? Probably not because they would be used to the later.

2008-04-28T09:56:00.000-07:00

The Eggs

"It reminds me of that old joke, A guy goes to the doctor and says; "Doc, I think my brother is crazy, he thinks he's a chicken", so the doc says; "Why don't you have him comitted?" "I would he says, but I need the eggs".

It's kinda like relationships, they are totally irrational, crazy and obsured, but I guess we keep going through it because most of us need the eggs".

-Alvy Singer-

2008-01-29T06:53:00.000-08:00

IN MEMORANDUM

DAKOTA GODDARD

December 11th, 2007 - January 28th, 2008

2008-01-23T13:39:00.000-08:00

Roll with it

"the part of us that will do best is the part we most want to deny"
a good quote from a hollywood actor that was short with me in New York once.

It has been an interesting year, but let's talk music, 10 good songs from last year (2007) in no particular order;

Grace Kelly-Mika

Analyzer-Radiohead

Hide and Seek-Imogen Heap

The One-Vanessa Carlton

Weird Fishes/Arpeggi-Radiohead

Young People- Peter Bjorn and John

Falling Slowly - Glen Hansard & Marketa Iglóva

The Way I Am - Ingrid Michaelson

Paper Planes - M.I.A.

You Got yr Cherrie Bomb- Spoon

2007-12-18T06:46:00.000-08:00

For next year...

60 Things a Man Should Never Do Past 30

1. Coin his own nickname.
2. Use a wallet that is fastened with Velcro.
3. Rank his friends in order of best, second best, and so on.
4. Hacky sack.
6. Hang art with tape.
7. Hang The Scream, unless he stole it from the Munch museum in Oslo.
8. Ask a policeman, "You ever shoot anybody with that thing?"
10. Skip.
12. Let his father do his taxes.
13. Wait in line to purchase a book or to watch a movie (unless its for or with his kids).
14. Shout out a response to "Are you ready to rock?"
15. Use the word collated on his resume.
16. Hold a weekly house meeting with roommates, or even have roommates.
17. Name pets after Middle Earth characters.
18. Jokingly flash gang signs while posing for wedding photos.
19. Give shout-outs.
20. Use numbers in place of words or locations, such as "the 411" for information, or "the 313" for Detroit.
21. Hug amusement-park characters.
22. Wear Disney-themed neckties.
23. Wake up to a "morning zoo."
24. Compare the trajectory of his life with those of the characters in Billy Joel's "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant."
25. Request extra sprinkles.
26. Air drum.
28. Eat Oreo cookies in stages.
29. Volunteer to be a magician's assistant.
30. Sleep on a bare mattress.
31. End a conversation with "later skater" or add “–ster” to the end of anyone’s name.
32. Hold his lighter up at a concert.
34. Wear Converse All Stars with a tuxedo.
35. Propose via stadium Jumbotron.
36. Decide anything based on the ruminations of Howard Stern.
37. Call "shotgun" before getting in a car.
38. Dispute someone else's call of "shotgun."
39. Whine.
40. Mist up during Aerosmith's "Dream On."
41. Purchase fireworks.
43. Ride a pony.
44. Sport an ironic mustache.
46. Organize a party bus.
47. Say "two points" every time he throws something in the trash.
48. Buy a novelty postcard in another country of topless women on a beach and write, "Wish you were here" on it.
49. Follow any MTV reality show religiously.
50. Purchase home-brewing paraphernalia.
51. The John Travolta point-to-the-ceiling-point-to-the-floor dance move; also that one from Pulp Fiction.
52. Put less than ten dollars' worth of gas in the tank.
55. Watch the Pink Floyd laser light show at a planetarium.
57. Own a vanity plate.
58. Whippits.
59. Say goodbye to anyone by tapping his chest and even so much as whispering, "Peace out."
60. Stop playing video games. It's not cute, it doesn't count as a skill, and we don't believe it when you say it improves your hand-eye coordination.

2007-12-05T06:17:00.000-08:00

December

Looking forward to the nostalgia of old familiar palces and friends. I will get to show my wife the narrow streets of Killarney and Tralee decorated with lights and where every step of the way is covered in Christmas music. Old stores I used to frequent as a kid in Holland and its vast and excellent transit system, the peeing statute in Brussels and my grandmother's belgian hospitality. 1st time I'll be with my parents for Christmas in 11 years. It's a great close to a good year, a year full of small adventures and big graces.

2007-10-08T12:15:00.000-07:00

OK Computer, Gimmie Free Radiohead

I think it's great that Radiohead will offer their next album (In Rainbows) to their fans for whatever price they want, yes that includes $0. The new album drops October 10th, and can be "purchased" on the bands' website. I really hope that when it asks to pay whatever you think it's worth, that people leave a reasonable donation. It's good that they are independent from any label and can do this, and if this makes them a bunch of money or not, it begs the question, are there really any true benefits of being with a label? If you think about the money they take from you for advertising, radio DJ bribing, printing, administrative costs, studio usage costs, packaging and artwork, touring costs. Most bands have to pay these recoupable expenses before they can earn their 10-15% royalty. Anyway, it seems that Radiohead is very fan friendly.

P.S. OK Computer, as of 10/8/07 is still their best album!

2007-10-05T05:32:00.000-07:00

Inteligent Design

Made the trip to the Creation Museum http://www.creationmuseum.org/ two weeks ago. Imagine waiting in line to look at various exhibbits, then being forced through a hamster maze to end up waiting infront of a theater till the show is done to continue walking through the museum. A museum built to host 800 people daily had 3000 the day we went (a saturday). Despite me dissing the poor layout and architectual mishaps there were good parts too, my favorite being a short video that shows how quick the earth was covered in water during the flood, and a 1% replica of the/Noah's Ark.

It doesn't feel like fall yet (90's this weekend!) but I look forward to the real thing.

2007-09-18T12:58:00.000-07:00

Gospels should be in the Old Testament?

Had a discussion about this recently, the claim was that if we take to heart Hebrews 9:15-18 we can then conclude that from the birth to the death of Jesus the old covenant was still in effect, making most of the gospels really part of the old covenant AKA the old testament. Simply because he had not died yet to make the covenant take effect.

2007-08-30T12:35:00.000-07:00

NEW PIANO

Elton John - Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters

2007-08-23T05:26:00.001-07:00

Too hard to do...

"What would be your top 10 songs of all time?" he asked. "You might as well have asked me for my top 10 movies of all time" I replied. "All time" btw is on-going. Even if one attempts to compile a list it cannot be only 10, in my case. Furthermore, favorites can change. For example I currently love Mona Lisa's and Mad Hatters by Elton John, I like it at this moment in time which is subject to change as time goes by. There's always the faithful standby's that can be ratled off at a moments' notice, still not difinitive though.

2007-08-10T10:26:00.000-07:00

FRIEND ROCK
(An Essay by Sufjan Stevens)

I remember Hard Rock, Punk Rock, Emo Rock, Alternative Rock, Classic Rock. I remember going to see Lee Renaldo and Thurston Moore make a lot of noise with a gaggle of guitars and a few props at CBGBs (Experimental Rock). I remember seeing a show in someone’s basement and there was a great deal of pushing and shoving (Mosh Rock). I remember the Moody Blues playing with a string ensemble (Symphonic Rock). I remember a band from Chicago that played jigs and reels (Celtic Rock). I remember seeing Deerhoof play at Luxx and after one very complicated song someone whispered, “Math Rock.” I remember Petra (Christian Rock). I remember seeing one of my songs categorized on iTunes as “Folk Rock.” I remember, recently, playing a whole tour in formal, seated theaters and thinking “Soft Rock.”

There are a lot more terms flying around today: New Rock, Ironic Rock, Situational Rock. But have you heard about Friend Rock? It’s very simple: you are going to a show not so much as a fan of the music, but as a fan of your friend, the musician, on stage. There are various incarnations, of course: you may know the singer, the drummer, or the bass player; you may have dated the keyboardist years ago; you went to high school with the trumpet player; one of them is your housemate, your office mate, your soul mate; or it may be “friendly-professional.” Perhaps you’re booked by the same agent, share the same lawyer, the same label, the same shoe sponsorship; there are various scenarios: your cubicle mate at work starts a band; you want to support her; your dentist is a celebrated tuba player; he gives you free tickets to his show; your brother divorces his wife, leaves the kids, starts a band, is coming through town, playing at Maxwell’s, can you make it to the show? Friend Rock stirs up all kinds of moral conundrums. Do you go out and show your support or stay home and watch The Simpsons? Even worse is Friend of Friend Rock. A close relative is Colleague Rock. Family Rock is usually the worst (unless you are Danielson). For the sake of argument, I lump them all together.

Friend Rock is a nebulous genre, often difficult to define. How does one isolate the variables? The first step to recovery is recognition; self-inquiry is key. Consider carefully your motivations for being at the show in the first place. Are you bringing to the performance an anxious, pathological obligation (by sheer, relational proximity) and an unfaltering, unquenchable desire to chatter, gossip, and talk about said friend onstage, capsizing your ability to enjoy anything about the music at all? If so, you may be in the midst of Friend Rock. But there you are, biting your tongue, with an iron will, the will to love, a stoic cheerleader, a loyal comrade, a cheap listener, you are sticking it out because that person onstage is your Friend.

2007-08-07T06:05:00.000-07:00

Holland back in the day...

I left Holland in 1996 and it's weird that when I think back I always remember it the way I left it. I always remember the trends from then, what music was popular, how the city looked, the bike routes I'd take, the candy I'd buy. I have been back since, and when I do the nostalgia comes back, even though some places have changed, or have been modernized, to me it may always be 1996.

(Picture above is of city hall in the town I lived, Venlo)

2007-07-31T10:07:00.000-07:00

Postmodern Hermeneutics

I had a conversation last week about the emerging/emergent church and some of the new lines of thought associated with it.

"Emergents allow for a plurality of Scriptural interpretations. They exhibit a particular concern for the effect of the modern reader's cultural context on the act of interpretation in contrast to the emphasis of historical orthodoxy on the primacy of the author's intent and cultural context." (source: Wikipedia)

I wonder how important or relevant our current culture is in our interpretation of the bible. We obviously in our personal lives adapt to the times in various ways. God never changes! But if I read the bible with my mind that knows only the 21st century, I may in my mind associate what I read to experiences and/or culture today. But as I read I also know that the meaning of what is written never changes. I don't think that our personal experience should trump a biblical authors intent.

Obviously the bible is timeless in that the core message is applicable to anyone at any time in history. Concepts such as salvation, sin etc. are timeless, they were, will be, and mean the same regardless of our experiences.

2007-07-26T11:46:00.000-07:00

Great Time of Year

You know that feeling you get when your favorite director puts out another movie? I'll have it the last week of September (unless they move it back, cuz I've seen and read about a December 25th release date for this one...Merry Christmas!). I knew about it a while ago when it was yet untitled, but the trailer just came out!! Check it http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/thedarjeelinglimited/trailerb/

2007-07-17T06:10:00.000-07:00

Mr. So and so

There is a homeless man that comes into my office daily to unpack and repack his push/pull cart (with 7 locks) full of his belongings. He is a conspiracy theorist who lives a life of self imposedness. As he uses our bathroom for teeth brushing and shaving I'm amazed at the routine he follows on a daily basis. Yesterday he read me some bible verses about deception and told me it was "the oldest trick in the book." He's a news junkie like me. I don't mind his daily visit, but fear that sometimes I fuel his conspiracy theories with my own.

2007-06-28T11:41:00.000-07:00

Vicky's Graduation, Irish Style

2007-05-25T07:17:00.000-07:00

"Don't use words too big for the subject. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite."
C. S. Lewis

2007-05-24T07:18:00.000-07:00

Cross-the-cultures

In learning more of other cultures by spending time with people from other cultures I've come to learn that we're more similar as in "The Human Experience", but we react differently to what comes along, our manorisms vary, specially in a new experience. But why must we assign certain traits or manorisms to an entire people or culture? We experience things individually. So one may carry their heritage and cultural norms with them where ever they go, yet their personal values/quircks/habbits mix in with any experience. Valuing uniqueness while trying to ignore stereotypes. Fun times either way.

2007-04-14T10:21:00.000-07:00

And these...

2007-04-14T10:11:00.000-07:00

A FEW MORE...(cuz I can only do 8mb's at once)

2007-04-14T09:30:00.000-07:00

TIME IN PICTURES

A few images of elapsed time...

2007-04-13T08:36:00.000-07:00

UP COMING EVENTS/POSTS

"I hate it when I check in on a Blog I like and the last post is from like December 2006!" Yeah, I know me too. I want to post some pictures very soon concerning the past few months which have been very eventful to say the least, but the common theme through it all has been GRACE. I promise to add often, at least this Spring/Summer, perhaps some commentary, new music & movie reviews, writings etc. I'll amaze even myself if I pull this off.

2006-12-26T13:35:00.000-08:00

MY DECEMBER

In December 2006 I;

- turned another year older and caught up with my wife
- went to too many Christmas parties and gatherings
- saw one of the ten worst movies of the year (Lady in the Water)...and it was
- received my diploma in the mail, real unofficial after all the effort put forth by myself
- bought a real christmas tree, and our home smelt of pine
- got a new assistant @ work
- shared Christmas with my wife for the first time, and have an ornament to prove it
- attended a wedding
- had to make a presentation with a half day notice
- received and gave a White Elephant gift
- listened to OK Computer again after a long break
- watched at least one Wes Anderson movie
- worked when everyone had left the office
- organized a office Christmas party (first time ever)
- had a co-worker ask me "you know how Mary went back to the tomb to attend to the body of Jesus after his death, how would she have rolled away the stone by herself?"
- answered the previous question
- learned...

2006-12-01T13:05:00.000-08:00

New Family Pictures

I always enjoy seeing updated pictures of my niece and nephew (Ananda & Nehemiah) these are brand new.

In childhood be modest, in youth temperate, in adulthood just, and in old age prudent.
Author: Socrates

2006-11-29T08:34:00.000-08:00

NOVELLA

Went to see Stranger than Fiction last week, it was very good and suprisingly original, and Dustin Hoffman was great. But while watching the movie I was overcome with the urge to write again. I have taken a almost two year sobatical from my "short" story turned "longer" story and feel it's time to return, however I feel like starting a new project, which I have. Funny how movies can do that to you.."movies inspire us" sounds so cliche though. But I had the same feeling when I watched Wonderboys but not just because they were about writing, it's the whole atmosphere of the movie.

A good novel tells us the truth about its hero; but a bad novel tells us the truth about its author.
G. K. Chesterton

2006-08-11T12:09:00.000-07:00

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED ABOUT DEATH AND GRIEF

As I near the end of my psychology class on this topic I find it hard not to write about all that has entered my mind surrounding this experience.

I feel very strongly that we live in a world that likes to party and have a good time, we don't know much about loss and grief because when we are finally faced with it by the passing of someone close we like to get past it as soon as we can, so we can get on with the party that is life. It's no fun to be all down and grieving right? So society has set up a time-line for grief to help you get back to the party ASAP. "You need a few days off to process what happened? You don't have to come in on Monday, I understand" or "You'll be back in no time". And because of this we never fully deal with our loss and we'll end up truly grieving five days long on a six day vacation to the south of France where you went just to find some solitude from your busy life.

I like the fact that in most countries and cultures the death/burial rituals celebrate the person's life.

Suprisingly, kids are more stronger and mature than we know or give them credit for when it comes to dealing with the passing of a sibling or parent.

Also, the fear of death and fear of dying are two different things. As Christians we can fear dying, but we don't have to fear death.

2006-08-07T20:01:00.000-07:00

And the things on earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory of grace.

In his light these things already do...

2006-07-29T00:15:00.000-07:00

Details of Life

-I think the sun is the best flash for photo taking
-Comfort is easy
-"Music, it chooses you..."
-Darwin was only half right
-Learning is better when you teach yourself
-Employability depends on self, so does motivation
-We're way too spoiled here
-Silly quotes are not profound
-Social and outgoing are not the same thing

2006-07-28T11:45:00.000-07:00

Libertarian Superman

I took a political quiz and then a super-hero quiz and thus these results.

ACCORDING TO YOUR ANSWERS,
The political description that fits you best is...

LIBERTARIAN

LIBERTARIANS support maximum liberty in both personal and
economic matters. They advocate a much smaller government; one
that is limited to protecting individuals from coercion and violence.
Libertarians tend to embrace individual responsibility, oppose
government bureaucracy and taxes, promote private charity, tolerate
diversity, support the free market, and defend civil liberties.

&

Your results:You are Superman

Superman-90%
You are mild-mannered, good, strong and you love to help others.

I wouldn't put too much stock in these things...

2006-07-26T12:34:00.000-07:00

Part of one

I always want to write, but always replace it with other things (aka busy/priorities). So now that I have a sec, I will write down part of one. It has no title yet cuz it's new.

She reached over to turn the oil lamp down a bit more. The light that illuminated her face dimmed just like her voice which was now softer and lower than a minute ago. " I am not affraid now" she said with a shot of determination in her voice. It was a new world indeed, and all she had tried to do was live in it the way she thought to be productive, but for the past three generations that had not worked for her, or at least so she thought from what that world had thrown back at her.
I couldn't offer any advice at this time which parralized me because that's what I did...normaly. My mind went through all the things that could have been done, however, those thoughts seem to quickly be overcome with the thought that it was useless to regret those things in the past we can't change or control. I stood up and walked to the door, I knew I had to say something before leaving, and so in those seven steps I conjured up my exit script;
"When we listen too closeley we tend to forget, but when we hear clearly we know what's right, I'll see you soon" Once it was all out I opened the door and stepped outside without waiting for a reply.
As I made my way out the door and to my car I realized how ridiculous my statement must have sounded to her, but to me it made perfect sense at the time in relation to what happened. My leather shoes got wet and muddy as I unlocked the car door. I found it to be a great night to drive with the windows down and was anticipating the feeling of the evening wind on my face. It's a mistery I thought, how a smell can spark memories and nostalgia, but tonight was such a night and by the smell of the night I was taken back to a summer I spent in Michigan, I recalled evrything from the baseball cards and Root Beer to the window unit in the attic of an old house we stayed at, and the feeling that it would never end.
As I pulled slowly out of the dark gravel drive way I am forced to slam on my breakes as the old lady stood in front of my car. The headlights only illuminated up to her waist and from there up it was a blur. "Hold on" she said. Her frail body slowly made its' way around the front of my car. The years had forced her to be hunched over just a bit, she had grown accustomed to it and never complained about it. She carefuly opened the passanger side door and sat next to me. With the engine running and as a bunch of unidentified flying insects hovered around the front of my car attracted by the headlights, she said "Let's drive"

2006-07-14T13:05:00.000-07:00

VS.

2 Corinthians 4:16-17

"Therefor we do not lose heart, though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."

Don't change your plans (B.F.5)

Sometimes I get the feeling that I won't be on this planet for very long.
I kinda like it here, I'm qute attached to it, I hope I'm wrong.
All I really want to say is, you're the reason I wanna stay.

2006-06-26T14:05:00.000-07:00

Early exit,

Yesterday was a sad day as my team (Holland) was knocked out of their run for the World Cup in Germany. It was perhaps the worst game I have ever seen, not cuz they lost, because of what happened. 16 yellow cards and 4 reds! The ref should loose his FIFA licence to ref. Also the Portugal team should all get oscars for all the faking, kicking near the head, head butting, spitting, hooking, shirt and arm pulling. The dutch weren't nice all game either, but they should have got the win.

I thank my wife for being by my side and supporting my team with me. We can start looking forward to Euro 2008. Hup Holland! Oranje boven!

2006-05-17T16:24:00.000-07:00

PEOPLE

People disappoint, people recover, people make good
People are thankless, people are thankful
People want, people don't always need, then people do need, and need again
People flock, people use, people pretend
People are the best segways and the best examples
This is how I feel at my job sometimes, I know I am imperfect...

2006-05-08T19:31:00.000-07:00

Honesty

Honesty=vulnerability which should equal change. We are the only ones who can stop that change from happening, and we often do...even when we know it's good for us. Sometimes we need to be challanged by others in order to stay on task. We have to get away from; being fired up to do something great only to have that candle blown out as soon as we step out that door called "my busy life", no too cliche, we always fall back on that statement like an old beanbag chair, how about "I know what's right but choose not to do it because I'm lazy, because when I feel obligated to do something I often have lower motivation to do it. James 4:17 fits in with this recent rant, but we need to live it, get out of that rut! Tomorrow I will change what I could not today. But if we keep saying that tomorrow becomes tomorrow etc... Today is the day! Thank God for my bible study group and for those we are real, who are bold, who minister and who spur others to good deeds.

2006-04-24T13:43:00.000-07:00

Commentary

I recomend that you have a conversation today that does not include the price of gas, the weather, your job, how busy you are, Iraq or Iran, sport scores, liberal vs. conservative, or gossip. These things don't define us, but seem to have to appear in many introductory conversations.

2006-04-13T12:41:00.000-07:00

My anniversary will be March 18th 2006

2006-02-03T12:52:00.000-08:00

Hopes and Fears

I've been listening to Keane since monday straight! A good album, I really like "Last time" and "Bedshaped"

2006-02-02T12:36:00.000-08:00

Heartfelt

45 days until my wedding. It's been educational so far. All input from everyone all the time becomes exhausting, it'll come together, it always does. And what will that look like?...beautiful I'm sure of it.

Things about being married to look forward to:
- Accountability
- Cooking for 2
- Not having to leave/go home at the end of a date
- Late night conversation about whatever
- Decorating?
- Going on dates as husband and wife
- Learning/ self-awareness
- Growing together, in many ways
- Experiencing grace more
- Discovery
- Donating our "junk" to GoodWill
- 2 cars
- Chocolate breakfast
- Rediscovering communication
- Sharing our lives
- Doing each other's homework
- Creating our own traditions
- Experiencing life in yet another phase of it
- Serving together, and in turn, knowing each other deeper because of it
-Car trips, air trips, walk trips, run trips, school trips
-Living close to Aldi's

I Love her...

2005-12-22T10:57:00.000-08:00

Wonder Drug

Some more good news before entering into the holiest of unions/matramony, perhaps God's reward for those who keep marriage sacred...

1. Marriage doesn't make you crazy -- it keeps you sane.Forget the popular image of the married couple driving each other nuts. "Studies show that getting married improves mental health and decreases depression," says Linda Waite, Ph.D., a sociologist at the University of Chicago and coauthor of The Case for Marriage. In fact, one study found that people who've never walked down the aisle are more likely to be admitted to a psychiatric facility. "Many women gain a deep satisfaction from the intimacy found in marriage," says Scott Haltzman, M.D., clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at Brown University in Providence. "That sense of belonging bolsters their sense of self-worth and purpose," enhancing their mental stability.

2. Marriage keeps you healthy, too. Saying "I do" isn't just good for your mind. Married people --even those in less-than-perfect unions -- are physically healthier than those people who aren't married. They have stronger immune systems, better resistance to viruses such as colds and flus, fewer long-term illnesses and disabilities, fewer hospitalizations, better survival rates for the illnesses they do get and longer life spans -- by up to eight years! Interestingly, though, when it comes to preventing heart disease and strokes, studies have found that being hitched helps only if your relationship is happy. "Your heart knows whether your marriage is good or not," notes Haltzman.

3. It's better to be hitched than rich.What makes people happiest? Being wealthy helps, but it's a solid marriage that seems to rank highest on the smile scale. According to a Dartmouth study, having a good marriage is equal to the satisfaction gained from earning an extra $100,000 a year. So you really can be rich in love.

2005-12-05T21:20:00.000-08:00

What are we going to do with that which has been given us? Time doesn't heal wounds, but Jesus does. Prudent. Hope.

When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? Matthew 25:38-39

2005-11-23T17:10:00.000-08:00

WITH A GREATFUL HEART,

Tomorrow morning I will not wake up at 7am to start peeling potatoes, I will not thaw out the rolls so they can rise, I will not find Jonathan's jello creation in the fridge, I will not watch "It's a wonderful life" while I stand in the kitchen as has been my tradition for the past 9 years. This is my first year without any of my immediate family around.
HOWEVER, I will be roasting a turkey for a meal tomorrow, I will stand in the kitchen with my wife to be, as she helps me out and makes my season bright, I will be sharing a meal with my "new" family, who are close already. Unending things to be thankful for...

2005-10-28T20:59:00.000-07:00

Before...something

I love the Before Sunrise and Sunset movies, Linklater is a genius! Both movies are rich in good dialogue and we get to know the characters so well that we can sometimes identify with them in small ways as fellow humans. Eventhough I think it's good how the last one ends, at the same time I'm left desiring more good conversation, more witty insights derived from everyday life and wanting true closure from a seemingly open ended, never ending book of the relationship between these two characters. So I have written a scene or two that picks up where we were left hanging last, I will share it with you here:

scene: Jesse is sitting on the couch in Celine's apartment as Nina Simone plays in the background from her stereo system. The song ends and there is a silence before the next song (He was too good to me) starts. Jesse sips his tea and Celine starts talking as he puts it back down on the coffee table.

Celine: "Do you think your driver is still here?"
Jesse: "I don't know, how long do French cabbies ussualy wait? If this was New York, he probally already picked up and dropped off two people".
Celine: "Yeah, so what time is your flight"
Jesse: " I know it's soon"
Celine: "I'll walk you back to your "cabbie" she says in a sacasticly funny tone."
Jesse: "yeah that's probally better" -he walks back to the kitchen and puts his half-ful tea cup on the counter top-Celine goes to open the door as Jesse shuts it with his hand.

Jesse: "O.K. wait, is this how it ends this time? You know, I mean it was so short and it's never how you expect it to go, and since you don't know how it ought to go, you're always wanting more right?"
Celine: "I don't know, what else do you expect to happen?"
Jesse: "It's just that I have waited nine years to meet you again and it's over in one afternoon. I want to know you more, I believe that there's more to you after all this time."
Celine:"It's just like life, it's over before we know it, but we're preparing for it our whole lives like were expecting more than just our day to day living. (she looks away at the window for a short pause and starts talking again) It's sad to think that maybe we're not preparing for some great unknown but we're just preparing for death, no? Or just the afterlife, whatever that means to us."
Jesse: Maybe you're right, but for now I'm caught in that thrill of excitement that there IS more to it.
Celine: "We can't get caught up in all that stuff , at some point today we have to except reality, the reality that you have to leave and I have to keep on living here in Paris with...
Jesse: "Your photographer boy friend you never see?"
Celine:"...my cat. Isn't that easier to except than a scenario you have to make up?"Let's go" she said soft and quick
-as she opens the door her cat runs back out. Jesse and Celine walk back down the stairs of her apartment building. Arriving outside they are greeted by her neighbors who are in the middle of a festive cookout.
Neighbor: (in french)"Celine, why don't you and your friend join us for a while?"
Celine:"I'll be right back, he has to catch a plane"
Jesse: "Merci boquo" he said in his best French accent
-Celine and Jesse walk back to the tunnel where the driver had dropped them off, only to find it empty.
Celine: "Mondjeu"
Jesse: "O.K. this is awkward"
Celine: "I don't think he'll be back"
Jesse: "No, he may have just gone for some coffe and croisants"
Celine: "Come, you can call him from my place, you still have the number?"
-Jesse searches his pockets and retrieves the piece of paper with the number on it
Jesse: "Here it is, it's weird for me not to think this was supossed to go this way"
Celine: "No,no,no, don't give me that fate crap, cuz then I could say that you kept talking to me long enough to make the driver leave, which means that you were actually in charge of orchestrating this whole MEANT TO HAPPEN moment".
JESSE: "C'mon I'm too old for that stuff, why would he just up and leave when he said he'd wait, he seemed sincere enough at the time right?"
-Jesse and Celine walk back to her apartment as the sun starts to set.

That's about it for now, I wish I had more time for writting like this.

2005-10-28T12:42:00.000-07:00

Musical Memories,

Memories often tie to music for me, like a soundtrack of my life. And if I could ever make one, it would be a huge compoloation of songs that people wouldn't expect to see on my list. However here are a few memories that will forever be coupled to music:

Don't look back in anger (Oasis) & Killing me softly (Fugees)- My three month stint in Ireland helping my parents move in the summer of 1996

I've got you under my skin (Frank Sinatra)- Taking up all the floor space at a wedding while dancing with Love, she was a bride's maid, we both were dancing fools

My Father's gun (Elton John)- My flights to and from Denver Colorado this past October

DJ Camillo reggea mix tape- Cleaning office buildings late into the night on a crew of three, good times...always

Right thru you (Allanis Morrisette)-Cruizin' the streets of Beckly, WV

Bullet with butterfly wings (Smashing Pumpkins)- Enjoying "illigal" music in my brothers room in 95'

Right here waiting (Richard Marxx)- being very nervous backstage before going on stage to perform on my guitar with my music school class in front of 600 people in 89' I believe it was

Zij (Marco Borsato)- A trip to Ireland on my own and then on to mainland Europe in 2002

River of Dreams (Billy Joel), Dromen zijn bedrog (Marco Borsato), anything by 2Unlimited & Thunderdome House, Guus Meeuwes, 2Pac, Tokyo Ghetto P, you oughta know(Allanis), Rowen Heze', Simply Red, 2 brothers on the fourth floor, Eros Ramazotti, The Key the secret (Urban Cookie Collective), Mariah Carey(all of Music Box & Daydream), Under the Bridge (Red Hot Chili Peppers),Hootie & the Blowfish, Cake boy (Sir Mix Alot), yesterdays (Guns & Roses), U96, to be with you (Mr. Big), Ugly Kid Joe, Pizza (Andre Van Duijn), Smells like Teen Spirit (Nirvana), Hadaway, Mr. Vain (Culture Beat), Laura Pausini, Rhythm is a Dancer (Snap), 2 prinses (Spin Doctors), Ace of Base, Bush,End of the Road (Boyz II Men) etc -High Scool!

Thank you for loving me (David Crowder Band)- A concertI attended with Lisa before we were dating, we danced, sang and prayed that day.

Tiny Dancer (Elton John)- Susanna!

Barbapappa theme song- My Brothers, I miss them...

African rain (Enya)- Writting a still unfinished "Short" story/ also a sleep aid in college dorm.

Louie Prima (Banan Split for my Baby)- Swing dancing on wednesday nights with the 3 musketeers.

Hard Day's Night (The Beatles)- Watching Hard Day's Night with Joel

The Luckiest (Ben Folds)- 3rd row with Lisa, reaching distance from the Baldwin he was playing.

Brick (Ben Folds Five)- College 1997 1st time I heard them/him

No Alarms, no surprises (Radiohead)- Debating my brother which OK Computer song was the best.

Too many more...

2005-10-18T00:41:00.000-07:00

The Human Side

"I'd like to know where the riverboat sails tonight..." this song (My Father's Gun/Elton John) has been stuck in my head since I saw Elizabethtown on Friday. Crowe has such a good way of putting real human moments/elements in his movies that seem to have identifying value. Also he blends the music well. I thought of all the road trips I've been on, and how music was always a part of them, I recently took a road trip that involved great and intriguing conversation, and just like the movie it was in Kentucky.

There's always something new to discover on a road trip, even if it's the way the cashier at the Exxon hands me the pen to sign on the doted line to pay for my gummy bears and chocolate milk. The way she looks in the quiet of the woods. The feeling you get when you're driving distance away from your home but you're in a different world...escape. Southern cooking (butter pie?) History revisited or created for the 1st time. Getting to know someone better in a way that could have only happened here on this trip.

2005-09-07T23:58:00.000-07:00

Automatic for the people

It seems that in serving others I become increasingly aware of myself as well as where I fit in in relation to those who sometimes expect me to perform miracles.

The good you do will be forgotten tomorrow, do good anyway
-Mother Teresa-

2005-08-26T14:57:00.000-07:00

Be joyful in hope, patient in afliction, faithful in prayer. ROM 12:12

2005-08-17T12:45:00.000-07:00

Christian Growth

All the growth of the Christian is the more and more life he is recieving. At first his religion may hardly be distinguishable from the mere prudent desire to save his soul: but at last he loses that very soul in the glory of love, and so saves itself: self becomes but the cloud on which the white light of God divides into harmonies unspeakable. George MacDonald

2005-08-15T23:49:00.000-07:00

Defend your Gender!

I don't like having to defend my gender at times cuz of stereo types. We all know the general stereo types about men and women, they are as ancient as the blue prints for the pyramids. So when someone throws one out in conversation and you know it's not true of you, and you're not the only exception to the stereo type then you feel like speaking up for a legion of people who have been misrepresented, which in turn has you defending your gender. But we should just let it go cuz the stereo types won't change and some are true for both sides, and new ones are added everyday.

Girls are qualitative, boys are quantitative. R. Mitchum

2005-08-15T08:21:00.000-07:00

Philosophy

I asked my room-mate what he was doing this weekend to which he replied "nothing", he then said, you have posed me with a philosophical question. Why is it that we will answer "nothing" to that question unless we are doing something out of the ordinary, cuz we really are doing something and there's an even bigger chance you'll do something that's not part of your weekend routine.

2005-08-10T12:41:00.000-07:00

Bejaarden

Here's a random/funny phone conversation I had today:

M- "VOA, how may I help you?"
X- "Hi, I'm retired and I'm going nuts just sittin'' here doing nothing! I would like to volunteer somewhere".
M- "Have you tried HelpLink ma'am, they could probally provide you with a list of agencies"
X- "Oh I volunteered at a hospital once and that was so boring just answering phones, see I want to come home tired! Would you mind if I turn my radio down?

2005-08-04T13:39:00.000-07:00

Math and Ireland

My math teacher was happy to share with me that even tough this math will never apply to my future or profession, it will enhance my problem solving skills greatly because "Now you know how to look at a problem, then think of the available resources you have available to you and fix it, math is not about the formulas, and I say this having my master's in math!"
Also I had many reminiscent flashbacks of my summer in Ireland as I saw a few hundred pictures of someone who worked at the same summer camp as I did. I was delighted to see some of the same kids and places. Ireland has always been a layed-back and peaceful getaway for me, it's amazing what a little time there can do when escaping a crazy busy schedule from here. Even more amazing is how one can miss both places.

2005-08-03T16:48:00.000-07:00

Knowledge to impart

We all have some knowledge to impart or dispense, what's fun is that we never know when this may have to occur, what I mean is situations arise where we're the only one in the group who holds the answer due to our previous knowledge, which in turn stems from our experiences, and we never could have dreamed that THAT knowledge would be needed at that time. But we're happy when it's us that gives it.

It helps when you know yourself well I'm finding out. We are predictable to ourselves, but find ourselves courageous when we do something different. Others remind us of this fact at times.

Hey... I don't have all the answers. In life, to be honest, I have failed as much as I have succeeded. But I love my life. I love my wife. And I wish you my kind of success. The late great Dicky Fox

2005-08-02T12:25:00.000-07:00

...are made of this.

I had this clear memory the other day about high school and how fun and easy life was, I may not have always felt that way then but it was, the bus trips, the pranks, so adolescent and yet I can laugh out loud about it even now.
I miss my family, even more so when I hear reports from them or see new photo's of them. It's weird how little things can trigger our memories and some times our emotions.

2005-08-01T08:01:00.000-07:00

80's Bridesmaids

Isn't it odd that we tend to discredit things by attaching titles to them of past faux pas? But those things were infact cool back then or "in" or "hip" right?, so this inevitably will lead to current trends (that we currently like) etc. being named in the future to describe something that's not cool.

"Should you really be hitting the sauce when you've got a bun in the oven? from: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

2005-07-18T13:44:00.000-07:00

Radicalness

The Word of God transforms us more than our experience(s). Or is the living word an experience in itself?

Rom 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

2005-07-13T16:26:00.000-07:00

What can you offer?

There is always something to complain about I thought as I was filling out a planning survey for corporate. It is also the easiest thing. We can come up with more things to complain about than offer some constructive ideas on how to improve a company. So I tried to do the lather today, pointing out our strengths and how to build off of those.
Anyhow, I was reading Luke 14 as we also discussed it in bible study: V26-27 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters-yes, even his own life-he cannot be my disciple."
Sounds harsh, but it has to be put that way I believe because we have to know the cost up front, the cost of denying all for Christ. Does he require us to give these up to follow him? No, but we must be willing to. There is so much more to give up, but by cutting right to the things we hold so dear (our loved ones) he posses the question in the most sober way.
This got me thinking about struggling with certain passages of scripture as most have at one point or another. The one I hear a lot being "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy" but I believe God allows these to be a mind struggle so we know what we believe or even to reveal who He is through it, I wish there was more of this.

2005-07-06T14:55:00.000-07:00

Heavy Heart/Temporary absence, (A poem for LLR)

My heart is heavy in her absence
A fleeting thought that lasts all day
Reliance on the creator for rest and peace
Unsatisfied days without her voice, smile or touch
I press on in faith

A ziplock bag dinner on Wednesday
Third floor academics till late
I Love her, mon cherie
Future plans cascading the canvas
My periphery is sweet

We'll meet again on that faithful eve
When the heaviness my heart will leave
I Love her more and always shall
I Love her now
And her creator to thank for it all.

2005-06-27T11:54:00.000-07:00

YOU'RE IN IT

I am in it, right in the middle of it. The world around us keeps going and eventhough our own lives seem to move slower than the rest, we are usually moving right along with them. We become aware of our aging, of the fact that alas we too are getting older based on events, choices or other external things that tend to define us. We tend to think that we are still young if we don't do this or that yet, but yet we keep moving.

Life is for living, we all know that...CM/CP

2005-06-20T07:22:00.000-07:00

Everybody knows they're guilty

What interests me is the fact that we all do things that we don't admit, I'm not talking about secret things, but things people do everyday, only few are brave enough to admit it. It is those few who then get respected from the ones that don't. A funny cycle of habits forms where no one admits to being human, we're all aliens who are perfect and without fault. Also I had a dream last night about going to acting class with my girlfriend followed by five tornados...Weird right?

Actually, there's only one instant, and it's right now, and it's eternity. And, it's an instant in which God is posing a question, and that question is basically, "Do you wanna be one with eternity, do you want to be in heaven?" And, we're all saying, "Nooo thank you, not just yet." And so time, is actually just this constant saying "No" to God's invitation. I mean, that's what time is. It's no more 50 A.D. than it's 2001. There's just this one instant, and that's what we're always in. And then she tells me that actually, this is the narrative of everyone's life. Behind the phenomenal difference there is but one story, and that's the story of moving from the "No" to the "Yes." All of life is like, "No thank you, No thank you, No thank you." And then, ultimately, it's, "Yes I give in, Yes I accept, Yes I embrace." I mean, that's the journey. Everyone gets to the "Yes" in the end, right? -from Waking Life.

2005-06-15T11:00:00.000-07:00

I was reading something the other day and I got the sense that the writer felt the need to be profound and that feeling along with the wording made all that was written seem insincere or fake to me, kinda sad actually. Anyway this is my first post, after a failed attempt to start a blog a year ago I really felt like writing again etc. I always wondered how personal people get on these things, I've read those that are like personal diaries/journals and then when it's someone you know and you talk to them about a post they're like "how'd ya know that?" well it's out there for all to read. I'm sure there will be "sharing times". I have not been able to take Coldplay's X&Y out of my cd player since it came out over a week ago, songs 4, 11,13 are my current favs.

We grow up in order to give out. It is not enough to keep learning more and more. We must act on what we know and practice what we claim to believe.