A Blues I Can Whistle

Weekly Discoveries

2012-02-03T17:28:00.002+04:00

// Favorite Music Video -

// Werner Herzog Has Done It All - "Man, relax."

// Favorite Crazy Person -

// Favorite Rare Moment - It's about a minute and thirty seconds in, but totally worth the watch. And the song is fun too.

// Favorite Auto-Tune -

// Favorite Cover - Try not to laugh!

// Favorite Website - "If This, Then That."

// Favorite Song - A new Sleigh Bells track, "Comeback Kid."

// Favorite Onion Desk Calendar Page This Week -

Favorite Songs of 2012

2012-01-27T04:05:00.000+04:00

Here is my list of favorite songs of the year. As I always say every year, this is entirely subjective. These are just songs that caught me by surprise and stayed in my head for a majority of the year.

25. St. Vincent - "Cruel"

This album was consistently great, and tough to pick a favorite. But this just stood out.

24. Danger Mouse and Daniele Lupi - "Black (Feat. Norah Jones)"

Start keeping count -- this is song number one that I first heard on Breaking Bad.

23. Movits! - "Sammy Davis, Jr."

22. Nicki Minaj - "Super Bass"

Yes. I like Nicki Minaj. Shut up.

21. John Mark McMillan - "Seen a Darkness"

20. Over the Rhine - "Infamous Love Songs"

19. Shad - "The One in Front of the Garage"

18. James Vincent McMorrow - "If I Had a Boat"

17. Champion Leader - "Every Head Bowed and Every Eye Closed"

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://championleader.bandcamp.com/track/every-head-bowed-and-every-eye-closed-2"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Every Head Bowed and Every Eye Closed by Champion Leader&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

16. Alexander - "Truth"

Song number two from the past season of Breaking Bad.

15. Beyonce - "Countdown"

14. M83 - "Midnight City"

13. TV On The Radio - "New Cannonball Run"

12. The Decemberists - "Calamity Song"

11. Ryan Adams - "Chains of Love"

10. Switchfoot - "Vice Verses"

9. The Civil Wars - "Barton Hollow"

There are a couple favorites on this album, but this one really stuck with me.

8. Madeon - "Pop Culture"

This probably shouldn't count, since it's just a remix of over 30 songs. But I just love it. It's fun, different, and another one that's been stuck in my head all year.

7. tUnE-YarDs - "Bizness"

Although typing out their name correctly, this band surprised me in many ways -- one of the biggest is that I actually quite enjoyed it.

6. Fleet Foxes - "Helplessness Blues"

5. Slow Club - "Two Cousins"

4. Typhoon - "The Honest Truth"

3. Feist - "The Bad in Each Other"

2. Bon Iver - "Holocene"

1. The National - "Exile Vilify"

Favorite Television Shows of 2011

2012-01-23T23:41:00.000+04:00

Here it goes! My favorite shows of the past year:

10. Parenthood
I'll admit that this show can have it's moments here and there with somewhat silly plotlines, but the payoffs are always perfect. These guys can act,and they're best at it when it counts. Most of the characters are incredibly compelling and very well fleshed out. One question I have -- is there something in the contract about an impromptu family dance scene needing to occur every three or four episodes?
Instant Availability: Netflix and Hulu

9. Raising Hope
Usually I'm turned off to the hick, irreverent approach to life (and in this case, parenting). But there's something about this show -- the quirky, well-defined characters, the common desire to better themselves for this child (but still failing at it), and the occasional guest star Amy Sedaris.
Instant Availability: Netflix and Hulu

8. Modern Family
Although I'm not as swept away by it as I have been in the first and part of the second season, this show continues to keep the sitcom fresh and energetic (although I've been somewhat disappointed by the new season).
Instant Availability: Hulu

7. The Walking Dead
Despite the fact the characters are some of the more frustrating and irritating of the shows on my list (basically, most could die and I wouldn't really care), this still is a very compelling drama. Although only half of season two has aired so far, and major portions of the season were pretty slow, the mid-season finale made amends for everything that had happened before it.
Instant Availability: Netflix (only season 1)

6. 30 Rock
Although still not as funny as it has been in the past, Fey and co. still have what it takes to make a quick and outrageous comedy work well.
Instant Availability: Netflix and Hulu

5. Parks and Recreation
Wow. This show went from something Beth and I never watched earlier in the year to one of our favorites in a span of a few episodes. We were those people that sort of gave up on it after the first season, missing the moment when it really started excelling. Now it's one of my favorite comedies on television.
Instant Availability: Netflilx and Hulu

4. Friday Night Lights
Very few shows feel as real as this one did. Credit is deserved to both the cast and crew, for creating a show that felt at times more like a documentary, like you were actually looking in on these students' lives. It was an impressive feat with such an ensemble cast.
Instant Availability: Netflilx and Hulu

3. Louie
This was, without a doubt, my biggest surprise of the year. Louie is one of the most refreshing shows I've ever seen. Louis C.K. was given the unheard of ability to be in almost complete charge of the television show, and it, well, shows. Although the show typically appears in the "Comedy" genre, Louis takes it in so many directions and a vast range of emotions. You have no idea what's coming with every new sketch. The show is summed up best in an AV Club post:

"In an age when a lot of television seems stultified and hidebound by convention, Louie is a reminder that innovation is still possible, and it’s always best when tempered by humanity."

Instant Availability: Netflix (only season 1), Hulu (both seasons 1 and 2)

2. Community
I can't think of a show that makes itself more vulnerable -- not only is it refreshingly original and innovative, but I can't think of a sitcom that wears its heart on its sleeve more than this one. It's my favorite comedy on television.
Instant Availability: Hulu

1. Breaking Bad
With season 4, Breaking Bad continues to be on of my favorite shows currently on television. The show is gripping with just the right amounts of humor. The characters are incredibly three-dimensional and intriguing. And as gripping and intense as the show is, nothing about it feels forced. As crazy as things get, it still seems believable. It's because they let the characters dictate the story, not the other way around.

I love this show.

Instant Availability: Netflix (seasons 1-3)

So there it is! What were some of your favorites? Anything I missed?

Weekly Discoveries

2012-01-20T18:23:00.002+04:00

// Werner Herzog Has Done It All #1- "It's Not as Significant Bullet"

// Favorite Remix -

// Favorite Nature Video - I thought it was pretty cool to see it go down once. But what blew my mind is when it did it AGAIN. And again. And again.

// Favorite Parody Trailer - "Shark Song"

Book Two - Insurrection

2012-01-16T06:59:00.001+04:00

Insurrection: To Believe is Human, to Doubt Divine by Peter Rollins

I have to admit -- I am immediately skeptical whenever an author calls themselves "controversial" on the back of their book. I know it's wrong, but I go into the book already pre-judging it.

Luckily, Rollins abated all of my initial pessimism. I rather loved most of the first half of the book where it's basically a primer on Christian Existentialism. It's pretty simple and easy to follow, and I rather enjoyed the logical steps that it took. The book begins with the basic idea that as humans, we have this need to believe in something. That there's more out there than what we can just see.

He argues because belief is so natural, a "belief" in God isn't so important. We're told to embrace the struggles, and the doubts- that those are essential Christianity as well.

One aspect of the book that I really enjoyed (ironically it's the part that I completely agree with) was what it meant to "believe" or "worship" God. He tries to replace our set of beliefs with actions -- that how we love people here on earth is precisely how we love God. Our role here on earth is not to just believe in something and convince others to believe too, but to bring Heaven to earth.

I'll stop there, but it was a fascinating book. I'm still turned off by the "controversial" label, but I'll definitely be keeping up with Rollins from time to time.

My Reading Resolution

2012-01-11T07:20:00.000+04:00

This post is inspired from Arleen. Like her, I love reading, but this last year has been a bit disappointing in taking a chunk out of all that's on my list.

I'm hoping to reverse that trend this year.

I'll share the books I'm reading here, and hopefully that will keep me somewhat accountable.

The first book that I've read so far this year (or more accurately, finished, since I spent a couple months of '11 reading it as well) was George R.R. Martin's first book in his "Song of Ice and Fire" series. You probably recognize that it's A Game of Thrones. Not only is it already massively popular (I think it was first released in the mid-nineties), but it's also become a very successful television show on HBO.

I won't give too much detail, but I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Although I'm a fan of the fantasy genre, I don't really care to read too much of it. This book is basically Tolkien minus the fantasy plus a medieval time period. It's also lacking the black and white moral absolutes of Tolkien's masterpiece. While that's not necessarily a good or bad thing, it makes for a very interesting drama involving vast kingdoms who are all vying for power, and all think they're the ones who deserve it (for the most part).

More than that, however, these power struggles are told through several personal narratives, and a majority of them are very interesting and deeply compelling.

I encourage you to check this one out. It's a good 800+ pages, so it's a commitment for sure. I'm not yet going to start on the second of the series, but I plan to soon.

Weekly Discoveries

2012-01-07T00:04:00.000+04:00

// Harrison Ford Watches Indiana Jones for the First Time -

// Favorite Short -

BEARD PUNCH from Zak Stoltz on Vimeo.

// Favorite Late-Night Clip -

// Favorite Time-Lapse -

Москва'2011(Moscow/Russia) from zweizwei |motion timelapse| on Vimeo.

// Favorite Meme Video -

// Favorite Parody Ad -

// Favorite Rube Goldberg -

Weekly Discoveries

2012-01-03T18:06:00.003+04:00

// Favorite Film Trailer - This one comes from the guys who brought you Wallace and Gromit. So yeah, it's probably going to be pretty good.

// Favorite "I Can't Believe I Haven't Seen This Yet" Video -

// Favorite Nature Video -

// Favorite Song - Another Lana Del Rey, this time it's "Off to the Races"

Weekly Discoveries

2011-12-28T17:56:00.000+04:00

// Favorite Sesame Street Clip -

// Favorite Scrubs Nostalgia - watch out, there's a smidge of profanity

// Favorite Tech Story - Digital meets analog (check out the Youtube Channel HERE)

// The Voices of Batman -

Weekly Discoveries

2011-12-19T21:41:00.000+04:00

// Favorite Short - Two words: Jedi Ninjas. Merry Christmas.

// Favorite Bo Staff Skills - Scary kid.

// Favorite Song -

// Favorite Time Lapse -

// Favorite Crazy People -

// Favorite Cat-Like Reflexes - Hey, at least he isn't complaining about the gays!

// Favorite Robyn Interpretation -

Weekly Discoveries

2011-12-14T22:27:00.001+04:00

// Favorite Prank - Jimmy Kimmel is at it again.

// Favorite Video Essay - The Spielberg Face

// Funniest Campagin Video -

// Something I Don't Miss About Russia -

// Favorite Mash-Up - Breaking Bad and The Simpsons

// Favorite Look Back at 2011 -

// Favorite Song - A new one off of the Black Key's album. It's called "Little Black Submarine." You may see it again shortly. We'll see.

Weekly Discoveries

2011-12-05T07:55:00.001+04:00

// Favorite New Blog - My friend Hook is now blogging, and his posts are always interesting! He's an awesome guy, and I encourage you to check it out HERE! (It's also good Russian practice.)

// Favorite Stop Motion Film - This came out over two years ago. I missed it.

The Arctic Circle from Kevin Parry on Vimeo.

// Favorite Video About Russia - Thanks Almost an M!

// Favorite Song/Music Video -

// Favorite Extreme Video (and just the video in general) -

// Favorite Predictions of the Future -

// Favorite 2011 Year in (Film) Review -

Weekly Discoveries

2011-11-22T22:53:00.001+04:00

// I Didn't Know They Could Do This -

// Favorite (Creepy) Nature Video -

// Favorite Original "Nothing Is Original" Video -

Everything Is A Remix: THE MATRIX from robgwilson.com on Vimeo.

// Favorite SNL Sketch of Last Week -

// Favorite Song - Five Iron Frenzy is back!

// Favorite Office Cameo -

Weekly Discoveries

2011-11-11T22:06:00.001+04:00

// Favorite Encouraging Video -

// Favorite Parody -

// Favorite Ad -

// Favorite Song - "A Case of You" by James Blake

Weekly Discoveries

2011-11-10T21:52:00.001+04:00

// Favorite Charity - Charity: Water's WaterForward Campaign:

How WaterForward works. from charity: water on Vimeo.

// Favorite Autotune - This new video from the Symphony of Science:

And this one:

// Favorite "To Catch a Predator" Stunt - (warning, some of the text is nsfw)

// Favorite Informational Video -

// Favorite Song -

// Favorite Son - Beth accidentally left the light on after Liam was put to bed last night. So naturally I took the opportunity to get a photo.

Thirsty?

2011-11-09T23:15:00.000+04:00

Guys, please, please do me a favor RIGHT THIS MOMENT and check out this blog post.

Okay, back?

Good.

Who's in? I've thrown my name in the ring for an invite -- let me know if you want me to pay for an invite for you.

I really like this idea, and I love the charity: water organization. As I'm sure you read, ONE HUNDRED PERCENT of donations go to getting clean water to those in need of it.

Please let me know if you're interested. If you have ten bucks to spare, it'll completely be worth it.

Meditations on 7,000,000,000

2011-11-09T07:04:00.000+04:00

Earlier this week in the Philippines, the (hypothetical, of course) 7 billionth person on the planet was born.

There's a lot of talk--granted, mostly from Ted Turner--about how overpopulation is one of the worst things that can happen to this planet. And they'll usually use these anecdotal pictures of a crowded street:

Honestly I'm trying to wrap my mind around that many people and what it means for the planet. But my initial reaction to the population increase is not so bleak and horrific. I tend to think that the more people on the planet, despite there being more mouths to feed, means more minds to solve the problem.

Although it's easy for me to say that as I shovel starburst candy into my mouth from an evening of children going door to door and receiving food that they do not need, from people they do not know, I tend to be more optimistic. Research shows that less people are dying from disease and starvation--even as the population continues to rise. It's still a staggeringly horrific fact that millions still do die each year from easily preventable causes, but it's encouraging to know that the number is continually dropping each year.

The rising population is already starting to plateau, and the more humanity progresses the more it will continue to do so. Instead of freaking out about the population of the planet, let's do what we can to help those on it. There is a way. And it probably involves all seven billion of us.

For an interesting read, check out this article.

Weekly Discoveries

2011-11-04T18:53:00.005+04:00

// Favorite New Album - A tie between Florence and the Machine's Ceremonials and John Mark McMillan's Economy

// Favorite Song - Johnny Cash's "I See a Darkness"

// "You Should Have Been There" - Will anything as exciting and awe-inspring as this happen again? I sure hope so.

// Favorite Nature Video -

// Favorite Video of My Son - He went trick or treating for the first time. He's definitely got some learning to do.

// Favorite Ryan Adams Video - The strange Halloween absurdist metal-themed talk-show. (Confused? So am I. But it's great.)

// Favorite New Website - The Verge. My new favorite site discussing consumer electronics. I've been looking forward to this for a while.

Night Cheese Podcast

2011-10-28T22:02:00.000+04:00

I know I mentioned it before.... but I wanted to again let you know about a weekly project I've been working on for the last 4 months.

My good friend Stephen and I began the Night Cheese podcast -- a weekly show discussing Netflix recommendations regarding film and television shows. Every week we pick a one or two to recommend, possibly something that has flown under the radar.

We love doing it, and think you might be interested in checking it out. Here are a list of important links:

Click here to subscribe in iTunes!

Click here to subscribe in the Zune Marketplace.

Click here to go to our Facebook page.

Feel free to rate and review in iTunes, and "like" us on Facebook -- add to the discussions going on there!

Weekly Discoveries

2011-10-28T20:12:00.001+04:00

// Some Much Needed Facebook Advice -

// Favorite Infographic -

CNET UK Presents: History of the iPhone, dedicated to the memory of Steve Jobs from Drew Stearne on Vimeo.

// Favorite Song AND Video -

// Favorite Talent -

Weekly Discoveries

2011-10-21T20:36:00.000+04:00

// Favorite Parody -

// Favorite Website - http://teenagemutantninjanoses.tumblr.com/

// Favorite "Sweded" Trailer -

// This Much Closer to Finally Getting our Hoverboards -

// The Mother of All Hot Wheels Tracks -

Cover Me

2011-10-17T18:48:00.000+04:00

Jack White takes on this little band called U2.

Weekly Discoveries

2011-10-14T18:14:00.002+04:00

// Favorite Dub Step -

// Don Draper introduces Facebook's new layout - (watch here)

// Favorite Use of Technology -

// How to Be Remembered Forever -

Wanna Live Forever? Become A Noun from NPR on Vimeo.

// That's Going to Leave a Mark -

Occupy Wall Street

2011-10-03T21:41:00.003+04:00

Wow, love this interview.

Cover Me

2011-09-26T21:19:00.004+04:00

Just this weekend, in honor (or memory) of R.E.M., Coldplay covered one of my favorites of theirs:

Weekly Discoveries

2011-09-23T20:25:00.000+04:00

// Favorite Music Video -

MUTEMATH - Music - More Music Videos

// Favorite "Holy Crap" Video -

// Favorite Song - I don't know what it is, but Coldplay's new single has me hooked:

Weekly Discoveries

2011-09-16T23:17:00.000+04:00

// Favorite Trailer Parody:

// Favorite Late-Night Musical Performance:

// Favorite Song: This new gem from Florence and the Machine

Florence + The Machine - Shake it Out by Artur Cunha

// Favorite TV Show: Louie. I can't believe I'm just getting to this one.

// Favorite "Holy Crap" Video:

Experience Zero Gravity from Betty Wants In on Vimeo.

Cover Me

2011-09-12T21:57:00.002+04:00

Bright Eyes cover Tom Petty.

Weekly Discoveries

2011-09-09T17:08:00.002+04:00

// Favorite Song -

// Concert I'm Most Looking Forward to Tonight - Beth and I are catching the Avett Brothers! We are very very excited.

I'm embarrassed to say, but that's all I got.

Cover Me

2011-09-06T17:18:00.000+04:00

Did you think you'd ever get to hear Willie Nelson covering a Coldplay song? Me neither.

But he did it. And it's good.

Weekly Discoveries

2011-08-26T18:33:00.001+04:00

// Muppets + Ok Go = Another Great Video

// 9-11 Time Lapse

// Favorite Song - This one by Bon Iver and James Blake:

// Second Favorite Song - This new single off of Ryan Adam's upcoming album:

Lucky Now by ryanadams

Our Turn Now

2011-08-16T21:07:00.006+04:00

Beth and I with Nadya, Anya, and Yulya

Tomorrow, something very exciting will be happening in the city of Atlanta. Three very good friends from Moscow will be visiting. for a little under a week. In between trips to NYC and LA, they will make their stop here where we will show them around town and make the long drive to Indiana for another good friend's wedding.

I may have talked about this a little before, but this is something we've been excited about for a while. For many reasons.

While Beth and I were in Moscow, it would be an understatement to say we were spoiled by all of our friends. One of the reasons we became so comfortable so quickly in such an overwhelming city is because of all the help of our friends. From helping us find places, to helping us with the language, to even helping us get Liam's birth certificate (no easy feat in Moscow, especially if you're language skills are lacking), we were so fortunate to have friends that were there for you whenever you needed.

Now it's our turn.

We're so excited to now be able to share our city with some of our best friends. On the weekend we'll head up to the wedding in Indiana, but between then we'll be showing them all that we can in Atlanta.

Our dear friend Andrea is getting married!

Cover Me

2011-08-16T00:10:00.001+04:00

I'm sure you've seen this already. Jimmy Fallon as Neil Young, and Bruce Springsteen guests.

Weekly Discoveries

2011-08-05T22:19:00.005+04:00

// Favorite Album - This one came out (digitally, at least) on my birthday. And it's fantastic. It's Beirut's new album, called The Rip Tide. You can pick it up on iTunes for now. Here's a song from the album.

// Favorite Song - This one also came out on my birthday I think. It's Switchfoot's new single "Dark Horses." While this isn't the best song ever, I've always been a fan and I'm really excited about their new album out on Sept. 27.

// Favorite Show - This one is from BBC, and sadly there's only three episodes at the moment (but the three is the entire first season).

// Favorite Gallery - These chilling photos of the always hidden North Korea

// Favorite Video You Should Actually Be Watching - Live 58:

// Favorite Short Films - Move, Eat Learn.

3 guys, 44 days, 11 countries, 18 flights, 38 thousand miles, an exploding volcano, 2 cameras and almost a terabyte of footage. (thanks to ragamuffinsoul.com for this pick)

Weekly Discoveries

2011-07-30T00:19:00.000+04:00

// Some Film/TV I'm Looking Forward To:

This trailer for an upcoming TV show looks like it may be going in the exact direction I was hoping for.

I'll be the first to say I am disappointed that this is a reboot and not a continuation of what Raimi and Co. were doing, but this does look like it has potential. Except for that POV at the end. I hope the movie has none of that.

// Favorite Prank Backfire : Jack Vale gets punched.

// Favorite Lost Deleted Scene:

// Album I'm Looking Forward To: I'm really hoping this makes up for their sophomore slump.

// Another Album I'm Looking Forward To:

// Favorite Song: You might recognize this from the season 4 premiere of Breaking Bad.

// Favorite Music Video: Ok Go does it again. (Go here for interactive version)

Cover Me

2011-07-26T16:56:00.000+04:00

One of my favorite bands in the world covered Dolly Parton. And it is fantastic.

Weekly Discoveries

2011-07-15T19:35:00.001+04:00

// Favorite Song - I really want to send this to every single person that sends me a forward.

// Favorite Podcast - Okay, this is just shameless promotion. But if you are a film or television enthusiast, check out a podcast a friend of mine and I started, called Night Cheese. Every week we both pick a movie and tv show and recommend it. Visit our website at nightcheesepodcast.blogspot.com or click here to subscribe in iTunes.

// Favorite Barbecue - This is actually a few weeks old, but while Beth and I were at a family reunion in Jackson, GA, we were able to visit Blind Pig BBQ and were beyond impressed.

** I know, I know.... it's not much this week. Sorry about that. **

Cover Me

2011-07-12T05:12:00.000+04:00

This song isn't even released yet. It's only a minute thirty clip, but I'm already loving it.

Trent Reznor and Karen O - "Immigrant Song"

Weekly Discoveries

2011-07-01T22:23:00.002+04:00

// Favorite Rap - First World Problems

// Favorite trailer - Apparently this was the best part of Cars 2.

and this one too:

// Favorite Improv Everywhere Prank - Carousel Horse Race

// Favorite Song - "Farther Along" by Josh Garrels

"Farther Along" - Josh Garrels from Josh Garrels on Vimeo.

Weekly Discoveries

2011-06-24T21:54:00.005+04:00

// Favorite album of the year (so far) - Bon Iver's new self-titled album is a masterpiece. Get it now if you haven't already.

// Favorite live performance(s) - Bon Iver was on the Colbert Report this week:

The Colbert Report
Tags: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive

He was also on Fallon:

// Best show on TV this week - Without a doubt, the Colbert Report. This week he was his first summer music week, and the guests were stellar. Bon Iver (as mentioned above), Florence and the Machine, Talib Kweli, and the Black Belles, AND Jack White. It was phenomenal. Catch all the videos here.

The Colbert Report
Tags: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive

// FINALLY, a real trailer - The Muppets.

Why I Need This

2011-06-22T20:54:00.002+04:00

Yesterday Reluctant Runners went live (created by the great Tripp and Tyler, of trippandtyler.tv), and I can't tell you enough how much I need this site. But here are a few.

// Why I needed to start running anyways: When Beth and I returned to the states, we frequented Chic-Fil-A probably every day. Multiple times. Not only that, but because the spicy biscuits and sandwiches were introduced while we were in Moscow, I was enticed but couldn't choose between it or the original. So I bought both. For nearly two weeks, every morning I devoured an original and spicy chicken biscuit. And an orange juice, to be more healthy.

But I knew I couldn't continue this. I knew that if I wanted to eat every delicious meal at many incredible restaurants that I had missed over the two years, I was going to have to exercise without completely exploding.

// Every single day I think of dozens of reasons not to run. Literally every time I'm supposed to run. For instance, this morning. Here were some of the many thoughts that rushed through my head to prevent me from running:

"My phone's dead-- I should wait until it's charged. I'd probably better not run today"

"It's later than I wanted to wake up, by the time I'm finished half of my morning will be gone."

"It's looking cloudy today-- it might rain. Better not run."

"I'm out of chocolate milk, I won't have anything to drink after my run."

Needless to say these are as mindless as they sound. It's that period when I'm barely awake, so anything I say sounds like lunacy-- but makes a great deal of sense to me at the time.

// Speaking of chocolate milk. One inspiration to actually commit to jogging was this article. This gives me a great excuse to be fully stocked of one of the most amazing beverages in existence. And it gives me great relief while running to know that at the end of the torture there's chocolate milk waiting for me at home.

// No music = no run. This is an absolute. If something's wrong with my iPod or it's not charged, I just don't run. Period. The music is what keeps me going.

If you're a runner who's not the runner type, please do yourself a favor and check out ReluctantRunners.com.

Cover Me

2011-06-21T20:32:00.001+04:00

** I know, I know, it's a day late. Sorry about that.**

Tags: Mumford and Sons Unplugged, Mumford and Sons, Music Videos, Live Performances

Weekly Discoveries

2011-06-17T21:53:00.001+04:00

// Favorite Song - This band and song has just blown me away.

Listener "Wooden Heart" from Nathan Corrona on Vimeo.

// Favorite Album - Josh Garrels' new album just came out this week. It's fantastic and FREE. Get it here!

// Favorite Studio Performance - Arcade Fire stopped by Sound Opinions and recorded a couple performances.

Arcade Fire perform "Sprawl II" on Sound Opinions from WBEZ on Vimeo.

Arcade Fire performs "We Used To Wait" on Sound Opinions from WBEZ on Vimeo.

// Another Parody Trailer of a Movie I'm Looking Forward To:

// Favorite Gregory Brothers Tune:

Cover Me

2011-06-14T06:39:00.003+04:00

*Man, I'm cutting it close here with my attempts to get this posted before the end of Monday. Hopefully in the future it'll be up sooner in the day.*

2011-06-13T03:50:00.001+04:00

"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt." -Bertrand Russell

Weekly Discoveries

2011-06-08T21:03:00.013+04:00

// Favorite song - This new single from Beirut:

// Favorite parody trailer -

// Favorite parody music video -

Cover Me

2011-06-06T18:51:00.000+04:00

**Ever Monday I'm going to post a cover song I've enjoyed lately. Hope you like the first one.**

Admittedly I've never heard of this artist, but her cover of Kid Cudi's "Pursuit of Happiness" is incredible.

Weekly Discoveries

2011-06-03T18:56:00.000+04:00

// Favorite Cover - of Montreal's spot-on, but still great, take of the White Stripes.

Of Montreal covers The White Stripes

// Show I'm most looking forward to - Breaking Bad, hands down, is my favorite show right now.

// Other Favorite Cover - Sufjan Stevens does REM:

// Favorite Sites - LiterallyUnbelievable.org and ThisGuyStoleMyMacbook.tumblr.com

Between a Sacrifice and Vacation

2011-06-02T21:59:00.002+04:00

Upon telling family, friends, and co-workers about our upcoming work in Moscow, we had mostly two basic responses:

WOW! What a sacrifice!
or
Have fun on your vacation!

In reality, of course, it was neither of those things.

Beth and I could never really think of it as a sacrifice. Because, honestly, we wouldn't have done it if we didn't think we would have enjoyed it. We both fell in love with the city years before, and were elated that we would be living there.

And, although this goes without saying, life in Moscow most certainly wasn't a vacation. Anyone who has been to Moscow for more than a couple weeks will know this. Moscow is definitely more European than most of the rest of the country, and pretty international, but getting around and getting by can be difficult at times.

You see, if you're on a short term trip to possibly anywhere (meaning you're only there for a week or two), there's a strong likelihood you're going to get the special treatment. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, just not a good barometer for actually living there. Many times people who host groups in the countries or cities they live in, they tend to go easy on them -- for the most part. They naturally want you to like and enjoy the place. And even if you have difficult work to do, you probably knew what you were getting into.

I digress. Sorry about that. I'm just trying to say that living anywhere that isn't your home culture is probably going to be pretty hard at times. There will be days where it's a blast and you think it couldn't be better, and there will be days where you collapse in the snow and want to give up (there will probably be more of these days, by the way). Either way, as long as you shake off your American sense of entitlement, an adventurous attitude, and have the long term in mind, every day will be worth it.

Some rapture confessions - a week later

2011-05-29T16:12:00.001+04:00

// 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, Iv'e 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

2011-05-27T17:41:00.000+04:00

// 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

2011-05-24T22:02:00.000+04:00

St. Vincent KILLS it on this cover.

Weekly Discoveries

2011-05-20T21:53:00.000+04:00

// 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

2011-05-19T19:02:00.002+04:00

How Was Your Weekend?

2011-05-19T04:02:00.000+04:00

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

2011-05-13T23:16:00.000+04:00

**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

2011-05-06T06:57:00.002+04:00

nu thang!

2011-05-04T01:14:00.001+04:00

Discoveries of This Past Week

2011-05-02T20:24:00.000+04:00

// 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?

Lost in Tra[i]nslation

2011-04-23T02:41:00.000+04:00

About a year ago, Beth had to return to the states to renew her visa. She was gone about three weeks, and during that time I was pretty busy. But for one of those weeks I was able to make a trip to our friends the Friersons and Wilhelms in Izhevsk.

You probably remember posts previously about trips to visit them-- it's a lengthy 18-hour train ride from Moscow. And this particular time I was a little nervous. Not only would I be riding alone, but I purchased the cheapest tickets available, the плацкарт (platskart) -- in which the rooms are open and beds are everywhere.

Here's an image as an example:

I'm not so nervous because of the space issue-- Russia helped me get over my personal bubble a long time ago. I was simply nervous about the language aspect of it and not really having anyone else with me to chat with that I knew.

At the same time I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to really put my language to the test-- we had been living in Moscow for right at a year. Although my skills were far from where I wanted them to be, I figured this would help give me a better picture as to how I was doing.

I'm sure I've mentioned on previous blogs before, but I have this desire-- maybe it's normal, maybe odd-- whenever I'm in another country (in this case of course, living in Moscow), I want to blend in as much as possible. I don't want to appear foreign or American. I don't want anybody to notice me. I am still not sure why I have this strange aspiration.

Finally the day comes. I arrive at the train station and find my bunk. I find myself in a little compartment with a kind elderly couple and a larger man in his 30s. We all greet each other, prepare our beds and change as needed, and the train takes off. It's the moment of no return.

The first 2 hours seemed to go perfect. I was getting pretty impressed with myself. Like most conversations between complete strangers, everything began small. My strong suit. We talked about where we were going, the train, the weather, and so on. Everything appeared completely normal. I could not believe how well things were going.

Finally the elderly lady asked if she lay down on the bed she and I were sitting on. I graciously moved over and crammed on the other side with the man and younger guy. He begins to talk to me, one on one. We were close, and everything was very deliberate. Slowly but surely I was unable to understand a word here, a phrase there. Finally he asked me something, and I have no idea what he said. At all.

I had finally hit that point. I wasn't looking forward to it, but I knew I had to admit to him my true identity. I told him in Russian "I'm sorry, I didn't understand you. I don't speak Russian very well [and then I always say this even though it's completely and utterly unnecessary except to make me seem better] but I am studying the language in Moscow."

The man looked at me as if something had finally clicked in his brain.

He said to me, in Russian and laughing, "It all makes sense now! This whole time I thought you were just stupid!"

And those thoughts of self-satisfaction and success were all gone. This entire time I thought I was mastering the Russian language, I just sounded mentally ill to those that actually spoke it.

The Movits are back

2011-04-21T20:39:00.000+04:00

I'm really liking their new album.

kcohS erutluC

2011-04-16T09:04:00.000+04:00

Reverse Culture Shock is something you hear about (and almost prepare for) while living overseas. It's the basic idea that the difficulty you had adjusting to a new culture (in our case, Moscow) will be somewhat similar when returning and re-acclimating to your native culture.

Surprisingly, we didn't have as much difficulty as we were worried about. It took less than a day to get used to driving again (we didn't have or drive a car the entire duration of our time in Moscow). In fact, things didn't seem that foreign at all. Most of our reverse culture shock experiences could be summed into one-sentence shouts of exclamation:

"This washing machine is HUGE!"

"Wait, you can get another drink with the same cup -- FOR FREE??"

"There's a whole shelf for cereal at the grocery store?!"

"Wait, I can wash my clothes and wear them again in the same day??"

I could go on.

But there is definitely another side to reverse culture shock. It's this feeling of displacement. Not only have we left this incredible group of friends and colleagues back in Moscow, but we are entering back into life in America as if it were two years ago. People have moved on. It's that tightrope feeling that probably feels the strangest. Not belonging to either world.

I know that sounds pretty pathetic, but I don't mean it that way at all. It's life. It happens. The tension will go away eventually.

Liam's Toy Firetruck

2011-03-20T00:44:00.000+03:00

Liam's got this little talking anthropomorphic fire engine (really aren't all children toys anthropomorphic?). It's a cool little toy, but there is something very odd about it.

The toy's name is Boomer. It's got some phrases that it says when you press the flashing red lights. Most of them are pretty normal:

"We put the fire out!"

"Don't worry, help is on the way!"

"Firetruck sirens."

And so on. But every once in a while, when you press to talk, he'll say:

"Can we just put it in park and talk this though?"

New and [hopefully] Improved

2011-03-11T17:21:00.001+03:00

A friend of mine gave me a really kind compliment a few months ago. Ironically it was right after I completely bombed a joke I was telling.

He said, "You know Tim, that's why you're so funny. Because you tell jokes all the time, and even if they end up bad, you still follow through." (I'm probably paraphrasing.)

I don't typically think of myself as funny, although I try really hard to be. Call it a defense mechanism. But his encouragement really meant a lot.

And it got me thinking about this blog and what I write. I remember thinking when I was younger how much bolder and braver I'd be with older age. But I feel the opposite has happened. I'm more scared to write anything now than ever before.

His compliment inspired me to write more-- bad posts and all. We'll see how it goes.

The Civil Wars - "Barton Hollow"

2011-02-25T06:09:00.001+03:00

I have a feeling this is going to appear on my favorites of '11.

The Civil Wars - "Barton Hollow"

2011-02-25T06:06:00.000+03:00

I have a feeling this is going to appear on my favorites of '11.

Oh The Memories #1: Starstruck

2011-02-19T17:54:00.003+03:00

**This post is in honor of Bright Eye's newest (and possibly last) album releasing this week, entitled The People's Key.**

Have I told you about the time I met Conor Oberst?

I don't think of myself as someone who is a fanatic of anything, or someone who thinks highly of a celebrity status. In my narcissistic view of myself, I'd like to imagine me not getting terribly excited when seeing someone famous. I definitely have this "I value their talent, but they're just like you and me" attitude about it. Sadly it's easier said than done.

I've got a really talented step-brother, Clay. He's popular in the Athens music scene-- and he can do just about anything. He's in a country band called the Chasers, in which he sings lead and plays guitar. He drummed in a band called Now It's Overhead off of Saddle Creek Records. I could go on. He recorded with Bright Eyes, and in the Fall of 2007 he also toured with them.

Because of this, Beth and I were able to meet up with him on their stop in Birmingham, Alabama (sadly there were no Atlanta dates on this particular tour). So my wife and I roaddtripped it over one time zone.

Excitement doesn't begin to describe our feelings. Ironically, I had been a fan of Bright Eyes before I knew Clay played with them (imagine my shock reading the liner notes of Lifted and seeing his name in the backing vocals and percussion section). Bright Eyes has had quite the impact on my life, both musically and spiritually. One of the most important albums of my spiritual life is the previously mentioned Lifted, or the Story is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground.

The anticipation was great, but I still had that mental idea that "Conor Oberst is just a person. I'll just chat it up if I see him and tell him I appreciate his work." We met Clay at the theater they were playing, grabbed dinner, and he gave us a little backstage tour. We even met Gillian Welch, who would guest perform on a song with Oberst, along with Dave Rawlins. She was very cordial, but disgusted at the fact that we had just eaten at Arby's.

Eventually we made our way to the tour bus, where we sat towards the front. We talked together while the History Channel ran on a small television in the background. After some time, Conor Oberst made his way onto the bus.

I froze. All those smoothe and cool things I wanted to say were out the window. I was starstruck. Clay introduced us, and I don't really remember what I said. I think it was something along the lines of being a big fan and being excited when I heard Clay would be touring with them.

Oberst sat down, and Beth complimented his cowboy boots. From there they talked for about 15 minutes-- who gave him the boots, clothes, cowboys, rodeos, and so on. He was very courteous and outgoing. Pretty normal.

And I just sat there, frozen.

And after their conversation, he hopped off the bus to do whatever it is musicians do before performing. Leaving me cursing myself under my breath. My opportunity, I thought, was gone. That was it.

After the show we met up with Clay again and actually ended up back on the bus. This time I was determined to be ready for Oberst. I was going to have something planned out-- a compliment about the performance or a high five. But the fatal flaw came in the form of one of my favorite foods. Clay pointed to a pile of pizza boxes on a table on the bus and said, "At the end of every show they bring this up for us. You want some?"

I should have said no. I should have said I wasn't hungry. But I was. And I love pizza.

I dug in. Actually, I just had one slice. But at the worst possible moment, I took a big bite-- one of those bites where the cheese on the rest of the pizza comes along for the ride. The moment I was fighting a bite of pizza larger than my mouth could handle, Conor Oberst stepped onto the bus and walked right past me.

Outraged with myself, I threw the rest of the pizza in the trash. That would be the last time I saw Oberst, and probably will be the last time I ever see him.

But later that night Beth and I walked with Clay to a bar where he performed on his own (both covers and his own songs)-- something he did after every concert. There we sang and laughed, and I remembered why I was there in the first place.

This is the setlist of the night.

Favorite Songs of 2010

2011-02-10T17:13:00.000+03:00

Well, finally. My 25 favorite songs of the past year. I hope you enjoy it.

25. The Dead Weather - "The Distance Between Us"

24. The Black Keys - "Tighten Up"

23. Joe Pug - "Bury Me (Far From My Uniform)"

22. Band of Horses - "Neighbors"

21. April Smith and the Great Picture Machine - "Colors"

20. John Mark McMillan - "Skeleton Bones"

19. Dr. Dog - "Jackie Wants a Black Eye"

18. Lord Huron - "Mighty"

17. Broken Bells - "The High Road"

16. Best Coast - "Boyfriend"

15. Cloud Cult - "You Were Born"

14. Mumford and Sons - "Little Lion Man"

13. LCD Soundsystem - "Dance Yrself Clean"

12. Jonsi - "Go Do"

11. Kanye West - "Runaway"

10. Arcade Fire - "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)"

9. Frightened Rabbit - "Loneliness and the Scream"

8. Sleigh Bells - "Rill, Rill"

7. Shad - "We, Myself, and I"

6. The Tallest Man on Earth - "Kids on the Run"

5. Spoon - "Written in Reverse"

4. Janelle Monae - "Tightrope"

3. Sufjan Stevens - "The Age of Adz"

2. The National - "Bloodbuzz Ohio"

1. Cee-Lo Green - "Forget You"

(But if I can be completely honest, I liked the uncensored version much better.)

What did I get right? What did I get wrong? What did I miss?

Favorite Albums of 2010

2011-02-04T06:01:00.000+03:00

Here are some of my favorite albums of the year.

20. The Dead Weather - Sea of Cowards

Of all Jack White's side-projects this is probably my least favorite. But that's not saying much. Still a great band, still a phenomenal album.

19. Band of Horses - Infinite Arms

Upon first listening I was actually very disappointed. But something happened between now and then-- now I have a much greater appreciation for it.

18. John Mark McMillan - The Medicine

Technically this could be considered an '09 release. But it was pulled and then re-released this year. I'll let it slide.

17. Vampire Weekend - Contra

They took all the things haters complained about in their first album and cranked it up.

16. Horse Feathers - Thistled Spring

Somewhat brighter than their previous albums, and just as good.

15. Cloud Cult - Light Chasers

As I write this I wonder why this isn't higher on the list. Phenomenal album.

14. Best Coast - Crazy Fot You

It's a little hard to sing these songs in public. But they're so catchy it's a little hard not to.

13. Sleigh Bells - Treats

I never thought I'd hear this kind of mash-up of genres. For the most part it's pulled off incredibly.

12. LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening

Another genre that I usually don't gravitate towards, but this album is just amazing.

11. The Black Keys - Brothers

This is the album I wanted their last couple to be.

10. Jonsi - Go

This was the sound of our Spring.

9. Janelle Monae - The Archandroid

One of the most ambitious debut albums I've ever heard.

8. Shad - TSOL

The best hip hop artist you may have never heard of.

7. Frightened Rabbit - The Winter of Mixed Drinks

One of the most consistent albums of the year. Just as good as their previous record.

6. Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Not a lot of beauty on this album, but the ambition and scope is just incredible.

5. Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

Despite being a band that's way too serious for it's own good, I really admire them at the same time.

4. The National - High Violet

I had extremely high expectations with this album, and wasn't let down one bit.

3. Mumford and Sons - Sigh No More

I've heard this band compared to the Avett Brothers and Fleet Foxes, among others. While there are definite similarities, there are just as many distinctions.

2. The Tallest Man on Earth - The Wild Hunt

My surprise album and favorite musical discovery of the year.

1. Sufjan Stevens - The Age of Adz

Sufjan took noise and made it into a beautiful sound. Heartfelt, honest, and introspective.

30 Things I'm Looking Forward to in the States

2011-01-20T10:33:00.002+03:00

With our departure being only 1 week away, I was thinking about things we're excited about that we can't really have or get here. It's a totally vain list (sadly mostly food items are on it), but I hope it shows just some of the small differences between Russia and the US. And don't worry-- next up will be 30 things I'm going to miss about Moscow.

So here it goes-- some things I can't wait to get back to in the US:

Chick-Fil-A (this one is probably a no-brainer)
Pumpkin Spice Lattes
Free Refills
Pedestrians having the right-of-way
Free condiments at fast food joints
Being able to hold random conversations with people in lines at grocery stores
Cheez-its
Being able to eavesdrop
Mellow Mushroom
Driving
Reese's Pieces
Coupons and bargain shopping
Root Beer
Ginger Ale
Dr. Pepper (Although you can buy this here, it's just much much more expensive and rare)
Peanut Butter (You can also buy this here, but it is also more expensive)
Free plastic bags at grocery stores
Cashiers not getting frustrated if you don't have the correct amount of change
Zaxby's
Being able to smile in public
Thrift stores
Air conditioning
Triscuits
Barbeque sauce (more specifically: Sweet Baby Ray's Barbeque Sauce)
Hulu
Netflix
Ordering things online
Traffic laws (or the relative obedience of them)
Urinating in public is frowned upon
A lengthy Autumn (at least as far as Georgia is concerned)

Favorite Movies of 2010

2011-01-19T16:19:00.000+03:00

This is probably the least informed list of the year. You'll be able to tell that by part of the selection I'm sure. It's tougher to catch newer movies here in Moscow.

10. Date Night

While the plot was problematic, I just love the chemistry and power that Steve Carell and Tina Fey possess together.

9. Shutter Island

This film did an incredible job at bringing DiCaprio's confusion to life.

8. How To Train Your Dragon

I was completely surprised at how good this movie was. Totally didn't expect it.

7. The Town

While I thought the big shootout at the end was slightly ridiculous, I really enjoyed the movie overall. Great cast. Affleck can really direct.

6. 127 Hours

James Franco and Danny Boyle both attracted me to this film and it didn't disappoint.

5. Exit Through the Gift Shop

I was completely surprised by this movie. The first quarter or half of this film I had no clue where it was going, but the second half riveted me. Incredible movie. What Grizzly Man should have been.

4. Black Swan

I've noticed many critics complain that this movie was about as subtle as a sledgehammer. They're mostly right, but that really didn't bother me. A powerful movie-- where much like Shutter Island, by the end you're struggling with the line between what's real and what's in her head.

3. The Social Network

You can call this the biggest surprise of the list. When I heard that this movie was being made I was dumbfounded, to be honest (looking back I'm not sure why). I didn't expect this movie to be as good as it was. The modern creation of Facebook is a perfect backdrop for very pre-modern themes: tragedy, greed, betrayal,-- and especially-- the desire and need to belong and be loved.

2. Toy Story 3

An animated "kids" movie that deals with death and (again) belonging. Near perfection. It's Pixar.

1. Inception

Orignal and entertaining. I'm still blown away by almost every aspect of this film. It's definitely imperfect, but its creativity and fantastic performances in so many areas make this my favorite film of 2010.

favorite songs of 2010 teaser

2011-01-07T10:09:00.002+03:00

This just might be on the list:

To: Liam

2011-01-07T09:43:00.002+03:00

(don't pay too much attention to what you're watching.... it's the music I'm interested in)

Favorite Podcasts of 2010

2010-12-31T16:57:00.000+03:00

I am a nut when it comes to podcast. And I kind of mean that in a bad way. I download way too many podcasts-- I know that there's no way I could possibly listen to all of them. Seriously. I'm really embarrassed to admit this, but right now I have 1,687 podcast episodes that I have yet to listen to. That is crazy.

But I've just fallen in love with the format-- and there's an infinite amount of information and entertainment out there. If I'm not reading or listening to music on my commute here and there in Moscow, I'm listening to a podcast. And here are my 20 favorite (and I apologize for the awful descriptions):

20. Sound Opinions

An informative and fun podcast about music. It's probably lower on my list because it's a recent discovery.

19. The Ethicist

NY Times Columnist spends 4 minutes or so answering reader questions dealing with ethical dilemmas. Interesting and thoughtful.

18. Big Ideas

Lectures dealing with all sorts of topics-- politics, religion, culture, arts.

17. To The Best of Our Knowledge

Somewhat similar to Big Ideas, this podcast shifts away from just a single lecture to interview people on multiple sides of the issue.

16. Relevant Podcast

I listen to this mostly for the humor.

15. Filmspotting

If you're a movie buff, you'll love this one.

14. Film Riot

If you're into the production aspect of film, you'll love this one.

13. Fresh Air

I really like Terry Gross. Great interviews dealing with the arts and current issues.

12. All Songs Considered

One of the ways I keep up with what's going on musically. They do a good job of picking out some of the more interesting music.

11. Penn Point

I just really love Penn Jillette. Don't agree with him on everything, but I just really like the guy.

10. Tiny Desk Concert

The title says it all -- a band performs a few songs in an office space behind a tiny desk.

9. The Nerdist

Like Kevin Pollack or Adam Carolla, this podcast has regular interviews that are more casual and less structured. Almost like rambling, but in a good way. I really appreciate it that way. It feels more real.

8. The Moth

Individuals spend 10 to 15 minutes sharing a story from their life. I'm a sucker for this.

7. TED

You probably already know about this one.

6. Engagdet

Funny and informative podcast on the technology of the day.

5. Radiolab

I'll be honest-- I don't know how this is number five. This is one of my all-time favorite podcasts. It's hard to explain, but it's almost a merging of science and philosophy. It takes the facts and then asks why.

4. Slate Culture Gabfest

Highly interesting roundtable discussions about various topics of the day. (My descriptions are ridiculously generic) Very intelligent and the chemistry between the hosts is fantastic. (Yep, still generic) I highly recommend it.

3. This American Life

When I was younger, I wanted to buy a video camera or some kind of audio recording device, and just set it in front of everyone I know one at a time. And I would have them just tell about their life. Whatever they wanted to say. Everything they wanted to say. I know this show isn't that at all, but it kind of embodies that idea that everybody is inherently interesting.

2. The Christian Humanist

This show has as much wit and intelligence that can be crammed into an hour-long podcast. They approach compelling topics thoughtfully and informedly. The hosts fit each other perfectly. Anyone interested in Christianity and the humanities and the intersection of both, this podcast is a no brainer.

1. The History of the World in 100 Objects

Like walking through a museum, this podcast takes one historical object per episode and guides you through its past significance. Brilliant, fun, and educational.

I probably shouldn't ask this.......... but what did I miss? What are your favorites?

Favorite Television Series of 2010

2010-12-30T15:58:00.000+03:00

Here are ten shows that I enjoyed (if not loved) this past year. Please note that I do not consider any of these a "best of" list-- I am only commenting on the shows that I've seen over the year and my favorites from that group.

10. Chuck

I remember chatting around a lunch table about this show while working at FamilyNet. Everyone seemed to love it. I enjoyed the show too, but I expressed my fears about the show to the table. I liked it, but was afraid that looking back in the future, it would be a very, very stupid show. My fear was just that it wouldn't hold up well in the years to come. Randy, a co-worker and friend, simply looked at me and replied "So what?" And he was right in a way (although I'm still debating if that's a reasonable critique of a show-- it's "classic-ness"), and since then I've just plunged in and enjoyed it through and through. There are times where it's corny and times where you can tell they are working with a minuscule budget, but it still pulls everything off well. This season was somewhat lackluster-- to have done so much in the past season finale just to forget about most of it (Chuck hiding he's a spy once again from his sister, and so on), but the recent jumps and developments -- and Timothy Dalton's presence have helped improve things.

Favorite episode: "Chuck Vs. The First Fight"

9. The Office

While I've been a little disappointed in previous seasons, I feel like this one has slightly improved. Whether it's better because it's been tying up Michael Scott's loose ends while at the same time focusing on the supporting cast, or just had better plots overall, something about it has been more enjoyable.

Favorite episode(s): "Christening," "Classy Christmas"

8. The Walking Dead

I know I've said this before, but dystopian and/or apocalyptic themed narratives somehow manage to scare and compel me more than any other genre. There's probably some deep psychological reason for that, but for now I can't really figure out why. I was (and am) particularly intrigued with this show because of the serialized, long-form nature. Because movies are inherently limited to just a couple hours at the most, I feel like it can't really get past the fear aspect of trying to survive to get to some of the deeper emotions-- mourning the loss of loved ones-- or just mourning period, the actual debate over whether survival is worth it, and so on. I know I am excited for the scenes intended to scare, but I'm equally looking forward to downtime as well.

Favorite episode: "Days Gone By"

7. The Daily Show

I have to admit-- because Beth and I are living in Russia, this is my primary source of news. I blame Russia, but I have to say it would be just the same were we still living in the States. I know it's on Comedy Central and can be crass at times, blah blah blah, but Jon is one of the most genuine and honestly concerned [fake] newscasters out there. He cuts through the crap of all the 24 hour news stations (yes, all of them are mostly ridiculous. CNN. Fox News. MSNBC. etc. All of them.).

Favorite episode: too many to count

6. The Colbert Report

While Jon Stewart brings the news and is probably ultimately more valuable, I have never laughed out loud as much as watching Stephen Colbert (and that's saying a lot). Colbert is my hero.

Favorite episode: This one:

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Jesus Is a Liberal Democrat

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor & Satire Blog

March to Keep Fear Alive

5. Dexter

I love Dexter. I'd be the first to say that this season was far from their best. But there's something about the show that I'm just drawn to. This season I found many problems -- one was a slow early half of the season (after an incredible premiere). I wasn't a fan of the villains this year. I felt like they were way too one-dimensional and were some of the absolute worst sort of criminal. You had to side with Dexter. And I was also bugged by the ending-- everything wrapped up way too easily. The show has hit a formula that they've only branched away from really at the end of Season 4.

Despite all of these shortcomings, I'm still wildly impressed by Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter, and the story in general. To make you care about a serial killer is an impressive feat.

Favorite episode: "My Bad"

4. Lost

Lost was an imperfect show-- there were way too many characters, too many story lines, too many questions (that ended up being more interesting than most of the answers). The mythology was too overwhelming and daunting. But the aspect I most appreciated about the show was also what the producers cared most about-- the characters and their relationships to those around them. The redemption that was sought by every character. In that respect it was a beautiful show (although I even enjoyed the problems with the show too). If you went to the final season of the show caring more about the mythology, you were going to be undoubtedly disappointed. But if you went in it caring about the narratives of the characters, that's what the end was ultimately about. The risks that the show took were daring and bold, and because of it Lost is one of the most compelling shows with some of the best characters on television. Lost will go down as one of the best (and one of my favorite) shows of all time.

Favorite episode: "The End"

3. Community

Community is my favorite comedy on television right now. I cannot say enough good things about it. For a show that wears its heart on its sleeve just as much as it makes you laugh until your heart hurts, it pulls it off incredibly.

Favorite episode(s): "Modern Warfare," "Cooperative Calligraphy," "Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas"

2. Mad Men

I didn't actually start watching this show until this year-- but it didn't take long for Beth and I to get caught up. While I think my expectations were too high in the beginning (and thus finding the pilot and part of the first season somewhat underwhelming), the show continued to grow on me and just get better with every new season. This fourth season was among their best.

Favorite episode: "The Suitcase"

1. Breaking Bad

It goes for most of my favorite shows that it takes at least a few episodes for me to really like the show. It was true for Dexter, The Wire, Six Feet Under, Mad Men, and so on. Breaking Bad, however, had me hooked immediately. Never have I seen a more original and intriguing show. The cast and cinematography are phenomenal, and each season just improves on the last. This is the best show on television right now.

Favorite episode(s): "One Minute," "Fly," "Half Measure," "Full Measure"

Any shows I missed?

Favorites of 2010

2010-12-23T15:39:00.000+03:00

Over the coming days (hopefully), I want to share some of my favorite things of this past year. Years ago I kind of had this existential crisis, freaking out over how much had happened over the years that I probably had already forgotten. Although the crises have not stopped, I feel that looking over the past year has helped calm them. Even though I'll be posting favorite music, movies, tv, etc. over the past year, it's all mostly for myself and a means of reflecting on the year. I hope you enjoy it-- and feel free to comment, critique, or post some of your own.

love is all

2010-12-22T00:37:00.000+03:00

Still In Italy

2010-12-15T00:54:00.001+03:00

We were supposed to be back in Moscow today.

We've been touring Italy for just about two weeks now. It's been a fantastic vacation, and it's not ending as soon as we thought. We can't complain-- I mean, it's Italy. But our departure date is being pushed back a little.

One of the things we had to do while on vacation, ironically, was apply for and receive a visa for Liam to get back into Russia. Although we sent in the application immediately when we got here (and hoped it'd arrive by now), it's taking more time than we had imagined. Surprise surprise.

But like I said, we can't complain. We are running a little low on our vacation funds, the trip has been incredible. We've been able to cover Rome, visit Florence, take a quick trip to see Pisa, and spend some time in Naples (where my mother's parents lived before immigrating back in the day). We'll try to post pictures and stories soon!

"how you gonna lift it with your arms folded tight?"

2010-11-21T10:17:00.000+03:00

What a song.

Joel Burns' "It Gets Better" Speech at City Council

2010-10-25T19:53:00.000+04:00

I know this is at least a week old. I'm finally getting around to watching it. It's difficult because of the 12 minute length, but it's such a worthwhile viewing. If you do watch this, please stick with it until the end.

Stephen Fry on Language

2010-10-18T21:06:00.000+04:00

I used to be really prudish when it came to grammar and language. I'm getting over it.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

2010-10-15T11:31:00.000+04:00

I didn't know our military had a "don't ask, don't tell" policy until at least the end of high school or college. I just didn't think something so ridiculous could actually BE a policy.

Let's just end it already.

Dan Choi - Don't Tell, Martha! from The Moth on Vimeo.

Let his dataset change your mindset

2010-10-10T10:33:00.000+04:00

Hans Rosling: Let my dataset change your mindset | Video on TED.com

Alain de Botton on a Kinder Philosophy of Success

2010-10-06T01:31:00.002+04:00

True Grit

2010-10-05T10:46:00.002+04:00

I always get excited when a Coen brothers movie is coming out. This one looks really promising. I can't wait.

Never Say No To Panda

2010-09-23T23:48:00.001+04:00

These REALLY cracked me up.

Thanks to Josh for the link!

"in my enemy, especially, him and I are twins"

2010-09-23T22:03:00.001+04:00

Shad - We, Myself, and I

the dog days are over

2010-09-13T17:45:00.002+04:00

This song has been in my head ever since I heard it a week ago. I even impulse-bought Florence and the Machine's album, Lungs.

My Favorite Benjamin Story

2010-08-27T23:02:00.000+04:00

Two weeks ago, my grandfather Benjamin Rhodes passed away. It was very unexpected on my end, but it sounds like he was ready and it was something he wanted.

I'd like to share one of the funniest, and possibly favorite, stories of our time together.

After Beth and I became engaged in August of 2006, we had a Christmas-themed engagement party in December. We invited family and friends to the event that was held at Beth's parents' house. Many relatives came, including Benjamin.

All throughout the night, Benjamin kept asking when we would play Spin-The-Bottle. We knew it was a joke, and laughed about it, but we had no idea what kind of foreshadowing this would be.

We played a few games during the night, all of which Benjamin refrained from playing along-- he said he wanted to wait until we played Spin-The-Bottle. I continued to laugh at this, completely thinking he was joking. But it was getting a little strange.

Towards the end of the night, we were all sitting in the dining room as a group. We were talking and swapping stories, just having a good time. I went into the kitchen where Benjamin was getting something to drink. He stopped me to talk.

"Tim. That Aunt Lucy..... sure is something."

Lucy, Beth's Aunt, was at the party. And apparently Benjamin, through the course of the three hour or so night, had become fond of her.

"Do you think she would play Spin-The-Bottle with me?"

I know what I should have said. I should have said. "Don't even think about it. That's crazy."

But I really wanted to see this-- whatever it was-- play out.

So I told him. "She might. But don't phrase it 'Will you play Spin-The-Bottle with ME.' Make it sound like more people are involved. She might agree if she knows others are playing as well."

I went back in to the dining room and sat down, (unintentionally) beside Lucy, and resumed conversations. A few minutes later Benjamin walked in. Noticing Lucy beside me, and really wanting to see Benjamin talk to her, I jump up. "How rude of me Benjamin! Here, have my seat."

He sits down beside her, and kind of gives me a little wink. It's like I'm his wingman.

And Benjamin does not waste any time. And, he didn't take any of my advice: "Lucy, would you play Spin-The-Bottle with me?"

Everything got silent. People stopped talking out of shock. But I have a theory that they were also interested in seeing this conversation play out too. Like a car-wreck, or an episode of Jersey Shore, you can't help but watch the disaster through winced eyes.

Lucy, clearly in shock, stammered, not knowing what to say. "Uh...... um......no, I don't think I want to play that game."

This didn't faze Benjamin. "Well, we don't have to play; we can just kiss."

Lucy was still shocked, if not moreso, but tried to play it off with a joke. "Well..... it's been so long since anyone's asked me to do that. I wouldn't know what to do."

"I'll show you."

That's when everyone lost it. And Benjamin, unfortunately, got no further than that. But I did find out that he called Beth's mom many times over the course of the next month, asking for Lucy's phone number.

It Takes a Village

2010-08-27T01:33:00.001+04:00

During our retreat to Saint Petersburg, Beth's brother Brandon came for a week or so to visit. While we only had a few days in St. Pete, we still tried to show him as many sights as possible before making our way back to Moscow.

One of those places was the beautiful Saint Isaac's Cathedral. Because there was a significant admission fee and Beth and I had already visited the church a few times, I decided to stay outside with Liam. Beth had fed him recently, and he had slept a while, so we felt like it was a perfect opportunity to leave him with me. He was in a good mood, and we figured Beth and Brandon would only be about 30 minutes. Everything would be fine.

We were wrong.

I walked Liam across the street to a park, and everything seemed very normal. Liam was in a content mood, and I decided to sit on a bench and park the stroller beside me. For some unknown reason (or a probably very easily known reason; babies are relatively simple to figure out), the instant I sat down, everything changed. Liam began crying-- one of his exceptionally loud, yelling cries. I proceeded to go through my Stop-Liam-From-Crying toolbox. I picked him up. Nothing. I turned him around to have him face in front of me. Nothing. I turned on music. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing.

Literally nothing I did calmed him down. I didn't know what to do. I was (and am) still in that self-conscious stage where I fear everyone around me is judging me for having a crying baby.

After about a minute, I was bombarded. An Orthodox woman sitting on a nearby bench ran over and kept crossing herself and saying a little prayer for Liam. Then the nearby porta-potty attendant (only those who live in Russia will understand this amazing profession) ran over to try to help. At the same time, another woman selling souvenirs quickly put out her cigarette and ran over as well. Another woman just remained on the bench nearby, but did manage to shout a command here and there.

All these women tried their hardest to help quiet Liam. To my surprise and relief, not one woman approached me in harsh or judgmental way, and all wanted to help and support me in my mission to get Liam to stop crying. The questions came at me:

Do you have a pacifier?
Is he hungry?
Is he cold?
Does he need to eat?
Does he have a stomachache?
Does he have a hat?
Where is his mother?
Do you need to call her?

As the women passed Liam amongst themselves, I managed to quickly text Beth: "Hurry."

As I waited for Beth, and as Liam wailed at the top of his lungs, I tried to explain myself. I would say things like:

"He was happy just a few minutes ago."

or,

"This is my first child."

Anything to make it seem like I'm not actually a horrible parent and Liam is either crying because of something that is out of my control or something I don't know about.

Finally Beth came. And the women rejoiced.

After Beth finished feeding Liam, we left the park. But not before going by every woman that helped us to show off a happy child. Our way of saying, "Look, he doesn't cry like that all the time. He really can be quite pleasant."

[Stephen Colbert is the Real Deal]

2010-08-14T10:24:00.000+04:00

I love Stephen Colbert. I've always been a fan and impressed with his show on Comedy Central (and even before when he worked on The Daily Show), but for I started paying much more attention to him last year in June.

In June of 2009, Colbert took his show to Iraq for the troops. It was obvious in everything he did that he was performing for those troops in front of him. It didn't matter that his performance was being televised and aired all over America-- you could tell he was willing to do anything for the audience.

And then he shaved his head.

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Stephen Gets His Hair Cut

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

2010 Election

Fox News

This was one of those moments, as silly as it sounds, where I realized that Colbert really truly cared about those watching him.

And that's not the only reason why I am a fan. I love this guy-- not just because he's hilarious, not just because he's a Sunday school teacher, not just because he got his hair shaved on T.V. Not just because although he plays an arch-conservative character for satire, he's really more complicated than that.

Part of it has to do with this interview clip:

Did you ever go through a period where you lost your faith?

Yeah. It was a college angst thing. But once I graduated from college, some Gideon literally gave me a box of The New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs on the street in Chicago. I took one and opened it right away to Matthew chapter 5, which is the opening of the Sermon on the Mount. The whole chapter is essentially about not worrying. I didn't read it--it spoke to me, and it was an effortless absorption of the idea. Nothing came to me in a thunderbolt, but I thought to myself, "I'd be dumb not to re-examine this."

What caused you to go through that dark period?

Well, I had very sad events in my childhood. The death of my father and my brothers [his father and two brothers died in a plane accident] was an understandably a shattering experience that I hadn't really dealt with in any way. And there comes a time when you're psychologically able to do so. I still don't like talking about it. It still is too fresh.

Do you think experiencing that has helped what you do in any way? Or made it more of a challenge?

Not to get too deep here, but the most valuable thing I can think of is to be grateful for suffering. That is a sublime feeling, and completely and inexplicable and illogical, but no one doesn't suffer. So the degree to which you can be aware of your own humanity is the degree to which you can accept, with open eyes, your suffering. To be grateful for your suffering is to be grateful for your humanity, because what else are you going to do -- say, "No, thanks?" It's there. "Smile and accept," said Mother Teresa. And she was talking to people who had it rough. That's not how you make jokes, though.

Not only is Colbert an incredible comedian, but he genuinely cares about the issues and problems facing the United States and the rest of the world. In his position I feel like he gets a free pass to say almost anything he wants. And he does. But all while still being optimistic and light-hearted. I feel like his authoritarian character makes it easier for him to topple authority and level the playing field.

And who else can say "I TEACH Sunday School, motherf***er!"?

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Philip Zimbardo

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

2010 Election

Fox News

**Disclaimer** -- There a lot of people that I look up to or inspire me, and I'm not quite sure why I chose Colbert. I think he's just been on my mind a lot lately. He and Stewart are really how I get my news while living in Moscow. And he's one of the few people where I consistently laugh out loud all the time. I guess I'm really saying this because I'm afraid people will read this and think "really?? You couldn't think of anyone better??"

"And there was a kid with a head full of doubt"

2010-07-24T09:57:00.000+04:00

[judge not, lest....]

2010-07-20T22:04:00.000+04:00

I was surprised a couple weeks ago when I found out a very good friend of mine did not want to tell me what she was reading because she thought I would judge her. Not only was I surprised, I was also kind of frightened.

I certainly hope I don't have that same effect on other people. If I do, and you're one of those people, please know that I will never judge anything you do. In fact, if you are a close friend, chances are I trust just about everything you say and do. So if you read/watch/listen to/do something, I automatically assume there's something worthwhile to it. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I judge the action based on the person, not the other way around.

For instance, I remember while growing up through middle and high school Stephen King was an author that our youth group at church and friends at school didn't like. But when I found out my Mom enjoyed reading King when she was growing up, I decided that there must be something to King and his books (instead of deciding that my mother was a heathen and going to hell). So I picked up The Stand, read it, and loved it.

And not to sound even more ridiculous, usually if there's something that someone likes and I don't -- I think there's something wrong with me, that I'm missing something. It's never a judgement on someone else.

Unless you like that hack Justin Bieber. (fortunately he's nowhere to be found here in Russia!)

I know this is silly, but just to show you-- I'm going to share some of things I've read/seen/listened to that I'm not particularly boastful about:

I have read (and watched) the Twilight series. I read it mostly to see what the hype was about. And I'm still trying to figure that one out. (what has happened to vampires these days??)
I watch Desperate Housewives with my wife. It's not that bad.
I enjoy listening to the Adam Carolla podcast.
I was completely moved by Brokeback Mountain, but I have to admit in some areas I had mixed emotions (but that's another post for another time).
I think Kanye West is every bit as good as he says he is. It's unfortunate, but I think he's incredibly talented.

These are just a few things that I probably don't mention much about myself-- not because I'm ashamed of them, but because of that fear that I will be judged if someone knows about it. I realize the list is somewhat silly-- but many times people tend to peg you on the little things. What are some things you fear will get you judged?

Moderated Comments #4

2010-07-14T18:49:00.000+04:00

I really don't know how to respond to this. If the takeaway from this memorial is the shock that the holocaust victims are nude, something is seriously wrong.

The nudity works not only as history (the victims weren't paraded to the gas chambers in their Sunday best), but also in an artistic manner-- how can you most strip a person of their dignity? This memorial powerfully portrays that dignity that was robbed of every victim of the despicable acts of the holocaust-- but it also does it truthfully. And the memorial does so in a beautiful yet heartbreaking manner. I haven't been more moved by any holocaust memorial than by this one.

An artifact being nude in and of itself does not make it "unChristian." It's not the subject matter itself that is up for debate, but how the subject matter is treated. We all can agree probably that if the people in the memorial were engaging in erotic sexual behavior, something would be wrong (not that sex is wrong, but broadcasting it would probably be inappropriate). But to show these people in any other light would be historically inaccurate and disrespectful of those who lost their lives to this atrocity.

Besides, there are numerous "Christian" works of art that portray nudity-- the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo's David, etc. Those are all probably far less "appropriate" than this memorial (in a sense of historicity or necessity), but completely worthwhile, valuable, and good. It's not nudity we should fear or judge, but how that nudity is portrayed.

It's fine to not like the memorial or the art portrayed as a matter of taste. But to objectively say it's wrong to create it is just flat out, well, wrong.

"It's a double rainbow all the way!"

2010-07-04T19:32:00.001+04:00

Every time I watch this I laugh more.

Another Montage -- Liam's First Few Weeks

2010-07-01T11:57:00.001+04:00

AT-AT

2010-06-29T22:53:00.000+04:00

I am so impressed with this.

This is crazy.

2010-06-27T11:41:00.000+04:00

Moderated Comments #3

2010-06-26T20:25:00.000+04:00

A closer pronunciation would be "Med-vye-div." It's more of a "vye" sound than a "vwe." The "w" sound that we have in English isn't really present in the Russian language.

We, Myself and I

2010-06-25T13:35:00.000+04:00

One of my favorite songs off of Shad's new album.

Well there’s no ‘I’ in ‘team’, but there’s an ‘I’ in ‘win’
And every guy wanna win so folks is eyeing him
The ‘I’ in ‘pride’
They say pride puts the ‘I’ in ‘sin’ – puts self in the centre
I and I come in
’cause I am imperfect, none of us is iron men
Please be my third eye when the light gets dim
Even my story’s not mine, where do I begin
Not with ‘I’, I’m reminded see the ‘I’ in Him
In my enemy especially
Him and I are twins
Gotta love him as I love I
Him and I are kin
Take the thing outta my own eye
Then see if the word is where the world begin
Then at the end of the word ‘friend’ is where I end
And all men become I, and I them
So who am I then?
Just dust in the wind
With a pen and a grin
I’m goin’ in (you goin’ in?)
I’m goin’ in like, yes

Chorus: We all in agreement/ If you hear the song and you feel it/ put your palms to the ceiling like yes/ yes, everybody/ yes x 2

What can I say for myself?
Where I’m at ain’t where I stationed myself
So I’m grateful I do okay for myself
I wanna do better for y’all
I’m afraid of myself
God said, ‘You trust me,
now have some faith in yourself’
When I made my first record
I would say to myself
I’m glad to share this
I don’t wanna just play for myself
The thing with rappin is
It helps me get away from myself
Go put these thoughts and feelings out
So they don’t stay on the shelf
Stay in my soul
’cause I find the more I stay to myself
The less I find the real me
The more I stray from myself
And can’t relate to no one else
I don’t have to make a way for myself
Just make my thoughts point away from myself
And what else

(Chorus)

We are
Greater than the sum of us
All greater than the some of us
Greater than each piece or part
We are a body, an army
Greater than any single art piece (peace)
And love in our hearts
And we are who we are behind doors in secret
In our deep depths and recesses
We aren’t free yet
We are how we treat our sick folks and widows
The rich with broken hearts
The broke and the crippled
And the soul that’s weak
We are not what we eat
But what comes out of our mouths when we speak
Most of y’all don’t speak truth
Can’t play me, playboy
I’m no kid- I don’t play Wii
We are parents
Cherished
Proud and embarrased
We’ve come a long way, but we’re still not there yet
And we don’t always get along
Me, myself and I
When we do, we in tune like the song
Singing, yes…
(Chorus)