Some rapture confessions - a week later

// I don't want the rapture to happen. I feel like a bad Christian when I say this, but I really want to live life right now. I know as believers we're supposed to desire Heaven and have this excitement about it (and that's fine, I've got nothing against that), but I really don't at the moment. There are many reasons for this. Firstly, Liam. Secondly, the scores of people that will possibly be condemned to hell. A desire for Heaven for me just feels like selfishness.

// I don't think the world is any more worse off (or any "closer" to a rapture).  If you know me at all, you've probably heard a rant about the "good 'ol days." It bothers me when people talk about how much things were better in the previous generation. Because it's just not true. There has always been atrocities, there has always been sin. No period of time is worse than the one before it. In fact in several areas things are kind of improving. But I'll shut up about it. You've probably heard it all already from me.

// I don't even know what I think about a rapture. I did the whole Bible college thing. Took enough courses (as required by the school) to earn a minor in Biblical Studies. And I still don't know what I think about the "end times." I just can't figure it out, and I don't think anyone really can. Even in the Bible, Paul and other spoke as if Christ was going to return then - during their lifetimes. Not that that changes anything, it just goes to show no one has a clue.

// I just don't like the whole "100% certainty" attitude. The fact that this guy claims to be absolutely right yet comes up with reasons why he won't give away everything he has, you know he's full of it. It's okay to say "I think I'm right but can't really know for sure because that's what faith is all about." Still won't believe him, but I might like him more.

// And why are we even listening to this guy?? Why is this even a news story? Why am I writing a blog post about it? He was wrong in the '90s. It's clear this guy doesn't know what he's talking about. Stuff like this you shouldn't really get a second chance. Why do people still believe him? And doesn't he know the track record of other peoples' predictions of end times throughout the thousands of years? They've all been wrong 100% of the time. Horrible odds. I'd just stick to something safer-- "That earthquake was because God was angry! The end times are coming soon*!"



*The end times are a lot like my viewpoint of global climate change-- although I believe it's happening, I feel like ANYTHING that happens is used as proof of it. Anything. I just wish something would happen where they would say, "Well, maybe things aren't as bad as we thought." or "Well, maybe Christ isn't coming back as soon as we were thinking."

Weekly Discoveries

// Favorite song and video - This song had me hooked already, but the video itself is awesome too.


Goldfish - We Come Together (OFFICIAL) from Goldfish live on Vimeo.


// Favorite Diet Coke + Mentos video - I know, I know. If you've seen one you've probably seen them all. But this one is a little different.




// Favorite Darth Vader video - This is just priceless.




// Favorite Outtakes - Kristen Shaal pimping a Sony Xperia Play. I think that's what it's called.




// Movie I'm really, really, looking forward to - Watch the whole thing.




// Creative Youtube product that would have never existed without Youtube - Brilliant. So cool I had to show two.






// Article that made me tear up - This one by Christopher Hitchens.



What did you discover this week?

lived here my whole life

St. Vincent KILLS it on this cover.

Weekly Discoveries

// Favorite Band - Although this release is a few weeks old, Panda Bear's album Tomboy has been on repeat all this week. Check out one of my favorite tracks, "Slow Motion:"





// Favorite Song - Bon Iver's new single "Calgary." His next album is out June 21st, and I can't wait.




// Favorite Video - This insanely cool marriage proposal that you've probably already seen. Stuff like this makes me feel like I've let my wife down.




// Favorite Restaurant - This one's in Decatur (where most of my favorite restaurants exist), and it's called Farm Burger. The food is incredible-- they have some of the best sweet potato fries and onion rings. And they have Abita Root Beer on tap!

// Documentary I Really Want to See - Werner Herzog's new film Cave of Forgotten Dreams.

anytime will do

How Was Your Weekend?

This weekend we travelled up to Mountain City, Georgia with friends to run in the Warrior Dash. This was the first race I've ever competed in, and was the necessary motivation to keep running these last few months.

My time was 41:19-- not great, but not horrible for a first race. Here's some helmet cam footage someone recorded. They skipped the boring stuff.




Before:

and After:

Weekly Discoveries

**Okay, so I guess I'm making this an every Friday thing. We'll see how it goes.**




// Favorite Band - I've been a fan for a few years so this isn't really a discovery, but the new Fleet Foxes album is really great. It was the AmazonMP3 Daily Deal, but now it's back to the normal price. You can get it here. Here's a sampling:





// Favorite Song - Thanks to my friend Mark for showing me this one. It's the National and their song from the new Portal 2 game. It's called "Exile Vilify" and it's fantastic.





// Favorite Video - The new digital short from SNL had me cracking up. It's off the Lonely Island's new album Turtleneck and Chain. So far I'm loving the album and think it's a slight step up from their previous.





// Something I Want to Build - The Most Useless Machine Ever

// Favorite Photos - 25 Abandoned Yugoslavia Monuments That Look Like They're From the Future

// Restaurant Find - Beth and I (along with our friend Michael) found a Russian restaurant called Lana's Express. For many reasons we were nervous and our expectations were low, but it turned out to be really great.

my thoughts were so loud i couldn't hear my mouth

nu thang!

Discoveries of This Past Week

// Music Discovery - a band called the Heartless Bastards. I have actually heard of them for a few years now, but was always weary of listening to them based solely on their name. Thanks to Friday Night Lights I fell in love with them. Here's one of my favorite songs - "All This Time":





// Favorite Trailer - Beth and I got sucked in to the Harry Potter series while in Moscow. This trailer is just fantastic.





// Favorite Interview - Tina Fey at Google. Need I say more?