Nearly Home...

Hey all,

Well, tomorrow we will be returning from the NRB. It's been a fun and interesting time, and I'll have to tell more about it when I return tomorrow.

Then it will be time to start on a 15-30 page paper for Senior Seminar, due Friday.

Yeah, I'm screwed.

February 14

I've said it before...but


Beware the Ides of February. It's good practice.

The Nature and the Wreck

Yesterday, while driving on 985, about 50 yards in front of me, a car pulled out in front of another that was driving about 65 mph. In a split second, an explosion of dust and glass erupted in front of me, and two cars wheeled around in the middle of the road.

The wreck was horrible, which surprised me to find out that most everyone in the cars were relatively okay--most were in shock, while one girl was freaking out and claiming that she couldn't breathe; it seemed she was just shocked. I pulled over beside the wreck and got out to see if everyone was okay. I helped open doors, etc. After about a minute, a dozen or so people had congregated around the area, helping out, calling authorities, etc.

It amazed me how many people flocked to the wreck to help. At first it gave me hope for mankind. But then I realized something else: it's sexy to look like a hero. It's another story for people to tell to others, showing their selflessness and generosity.

Maybe that's why I left. Maybe that's why I'm telling you this story now. I did want to help!--I wanted to make sure everyone was okay. But just think how cool it is to tell Beth about how heroic I was at the scene of the accident. If I wasn't abstinence man, she probably would want to have sex with me! She'd be calling me "my hero."


But a real hero would have prevented the wreck from ever happening I guess.

Over Two Years Ago....

It's been so crazy, listening to music that reminds you of when you first started listening to it. Two years ago, to this time period, was when I first started listening to bands like Bright Eyes and Modest Mouse. I remember being very lonely, and life suddenly getting more interesting. Hanging out with friends more often. Bright Eyes and Modest Mouse, to me, signify the death of some things and beginning of others. At the time, the two blatantly anti-God (but not so much with Oberst) bands, among others, gave me more spirituality and gave me more insights and depth to God than much of what I had been getting on the other side. To feel, and understand Oberst screaming, pleading: "Could you please start explaining? You know I want to understand".... my heart still aches every time I hear it.

And it's not even really about the specific music, just the fact that I'm reminded of things from it. At that time a relationship was ending, and a new relationship was beginning. I was spending less time worrying about things, and more time just living.

Sometimes I wish things were like they were back then. The smell of Beth and Nicole's apartment, their little el gato, being a pal, Falls Park apartments, etc. But then that would would just nullify everything I've gained. I like right now, no matter how tired and worn out I am from just about everything.

I wouldn't trade anything for the world.

School's In, Continued

Well, I've got a schedule for school, thank God. It took all week, but things worked out.


And I'm scared shitless.


Here's my schedule

MWF:
History of Theology, 8:00 a.m.
Senior Seminar, 9:00 a.m.
Poetry and Prophecy, 11:00 a.m.
Cross-Cultural Communications, 1:00 p.m.

TR:
Macroeconomics, 2:00 p.m.
Critical Thinking, 3:30 p.m.

Outside of Class:
Internship
Student ministries



History of Theology--
Pros: Interesting class, great professor, friends in class.
Cons: This is a senior level class, and might be the tough one.

Senior Seminar--
Pros: Culmination of everything I learned, construction of portfolios, etc.
Cons: This is the one where my ass is handed to me by Jerry Fliger.

Poetry and Prophecy--
Pros: Mark and Jackie there to keep me company.
Cons: Everything else.

Cross-Cultural Communications--
Pros: Communications, Beth said this was a cool class.
Cons: Another 400?? When I could take a 100 level elective???

Macroeconomics--
Pros: Interesting topic, and it looks like it shouldn't be hard.
Cons: Unkown

Critical Thinking--
Pros: Class with Dr. Elkins, a class I've been wanting to take for a long time and finally can.
Cons: I'm going to realize that I'm not as smart or clever as I'd like to think I am--and I'd like you to think I am.

School's In, Sucka

Well, school's back. It kind of never left. I took Winterum for the first time. The class was actually great though. It was Eastern Orthodoxy with Dr. Brian Shelton. I had a blast in the class, partially because of the subject matter, partially because the size of the class and the students attending, and also because of the professor. It was worth two credit hours, and for a third I got to make a video on the class that I just may post here.

Getting up was the hard part. Unfortunately, during Winterum, my workload was so much more than normal. This was my schedule:

8:00 a.m. - noon: Eastern Orthodoxy
noon - 5:00 p.m.: Work at Harris Communications
6:00 p.m. - Midnight: Work at WRAF
Repeat.


Currently, I'm also attempting to take 21 hours this semester (don't worry, including an internship--which will be my job at the time), and right now my schedule includes

MWF:
8:00 - History of Theology
9:00 -Senior Seminar
11:00- Poetry and Prophecy (threes a charm!)

TR
2:00 - Macroeconomics
3:30 - Critical Thinking

Internship - Video Production at Harris Communications

I need one more class...


Also, this semester, I'm going to be taking a practicum and two student ministries.




I know this all seems like a lot, and it kind of is. But for some reason when I know something *HAS* to get done, absolutely, period, I have a much easier time accomplishing it. I don't know what it is, but as much as I want to be done, I'm very motivated to finish things out.

Faust, Midas, Sandler, and Myself

I have to be honest. I don't usually get this feeling that "God's trying to teach me something," but as of recently, I really think he has.

And it's a simple thing. But it's one of those things we pass up, only because we get so used to our lives.

It all started (kind of) with a Switchfoot song from their new CD, "Faust, Midas, and Myself." It's another one of his philosophical songs, reminiscent of "Something More (Augustine's Confession)," "Under the Floor," "Home," etc. I like this one a whole whole lot.


Here are the lyrics:

This one’s about a dream

I had last night

How an old man tracked me home

And stepped inside

He put his foot inside the door

And gave a crooked smile

Something in his eyes

Something in his laugh

Something in his voice

That made my skin crawl off

He said, “I’ve seen you here before

I know your name.

You could have your pick

Of pretty things.

You could have it all

Everything at once.

Everything you’ve seen,

Everything you’ll need,

Everything you’ve ever had in fantasies.”

“You’ve one life,

You’ve one life.

You’ve one life left to lead.”

I woke up from my dream

As a golden man

With a girl I’ve never seen

With golden skin

I jumped up to my feet

She asked me what was wrong

I began to scream

I don’t think this is me

Is this just a dream

Or really happening?

What direction?

I’m splitting up!

This is my personal disaffection

What direction? What direction?

What direction now?

I looked outside the glass

At golden shores

Golden ships and masts

With golden cords

As my reflection passed

I hated what I saw

My golden eyes were dead

And a thought passed through my head

A heart that is made of gold can’t really beat at all

I wanted to wake up again

Without a touch of gold

What direction?

Death or action!

Life begins at the intersection.

I woke up as before

But the gold was gone

My wife was at the door

With her night robe on

My heart beat once or twice

And life flooded my veins

Everything had changed

My lungs had found their voice

And what was once routine

was now the perfect joy

You’ve one life

One life left to lead

----------------------------------------

We all know the story of Faust. This guy sells his soul to the devil (Mephistopheles) to have all that he wants in order to attain complete happiness.

This song just reminded me how truly blessed I am. I really don't have it bad at all. I complain about having no money, this and that, but in reality, I don't have anything to whine about. The bad and negative that does happen, I only define as "bad" and "negative" because of all the good I see surrounding it. And I know that I say all of this while nothing "bad" is really happening, and my tune will probably change when I do get crapped on, but I don't think life is like that--the idea that it's good one moment and then bad the next. I think it's a fair mix all the time, some moments having more good than bad, and some moments more bad than good.

And then I watched Click. While I wasn't a huge fan of the movie by any means, I did like what it was trying to say. We tend to live our lives in fast forward at times, skipping the slow parts, the commercials, the formulas we already have memorized by heart. In the "nearly literal" sense, there will be times where I'm driving, and I cannot remember the last 5-10 minutes. But we tend to take things for granted, count it as given, and never think twice about it.

I'm trying to slow things down. Breathe easier. Appreciate even the seemingly mundane. I'm trying.

Have You Ever Noticed...

Have you ever noticed how people will recognize some trait about them only in attempts to diminish the veracity and actuality of that negative characteristic? For instance, I say stuff like, "I'm so rude" or "I'm this or that," not to recognize the fact that I am rude, but to say I'm not that rude, because it seems to be less negative when I know that I'm rude. And knowing is somehow progress to not being that way.

Meet One of the Greatets Men Alive

Have you heard of this man?

For over a half century, the scientific and humanitarian achievements of Dr. Norman Borlaug (Nobel Peace Prize winner, Medal Of Freedom Winner and recipient of over 35 honorary Doctorate Degrees) has kept starvation at bay for millions of people in third world countries. Dr. Borlaug, " Father of the Green Revolution" continues his battle against starvation in Africa.

"Though barely known in the country of his birth, elsewhere in the world Norman Borlaug is widely considered to be among the leading Americans of our age." Greg Easterbrook


When he won the Nobel Peace prize in 1970, he had already saved over ONE BILLION lives thanks to his hybrid genetically engineered plants that he introduced to Mexico and India, as well as other countries.

My 20 Favorite Songs of 2006

This is a list of my 20 favorite songs of the year. I kind of cheated, because two are actually from different years, but has had a significant presence this year. So, yeah.

20. TV on The Radio "Province" - I like this band. It's one of those where I don't know why. But this song is probably my favorite on their record. Lush layers, some help from David Bowie, just an incredible song.

19. Jay-Z "Oh My God" - Yeah yeah, I was excited when Jay-z came out of retirement. Although his newest album was just decent, this song just sticks with you. One review called this song a new form of hip hop called 'stadium rap.' And that sounds about right. This one is my favorite song on the record.

18. Johnny Cash "God's Gonna Cut You Down" - Man oh man. And I thought the late Cash had a very fine ending with "We'll Meet Again." He admonishes from experience. I don't think I'd trust anyone else more.

17. Jars of Clay "Work" - Every album by these guys is different, and on this one they go the pop-rock route. It's not quite as uniquely them as their other albums, but provides this pretty awesome song. Just don't watch the music video--it's okay, but Haseltine's jolts inbetween his singing is just odd looking.

16. Built To Spill - "Goin' Against Your Mind" - This band sounds oddly like They Sang As They Slew. The intro, from the simplest drum beat to this soaring 8+ minute rock piece doesn't seem to end--and you don't want it to.

15. Regina Spektor "Samson" - When Spektor isn't her upbeat quirky self, she's this masterfully intense singer. This is the perfect example. I'm really sorry I missed the two times she was in Atlanta (and the first time for free!).

14. Fair "Unglued" - Other than Mute Math, and maybe Mat Kearney, I can't think of any good (or even decent!) new bands to come out of the "Christian" music industry. Partially because there aren't any, and partially because I don't pay that much attention to that industry any more. Fair, however, has been able to stand above the rest--mostly because of veteran producer and now frontman for the band, Aaron Sprinkle. Not only has he been producing about every other Christian artist's music (seriously, get your Christian music in a pile, pick one at random, and there's a 70% chance he produced some or all of it), but he's had some pretty stellar records on his own (Lackluster is amazing). Although I haven't heard all of his album, this particular song is great. The rock sound, Sprinkle's lyrics and voice, and some help from the ladies from Eisley, it's got it all.

13. T.I. "What You Know" - Yeah, I feel yah T.I. Represent the ATL. I'm thinking of becoming a hip-hop artist, but calling myself "T.I.M." Maybe. Okay, just kidding. Anyways, this is probably my favorite hip-hop song of the year.

12. Bright Eyes “Trees Get Wheeled Away” - This song is off of Noise Floor, a collection of rarities from 1998-2005. Although most of the songs show you why they weren’t put in albums, this one shines over the rest. It sounds most like his Lifted material.

11. Cold War Kids "Saint John" - I don't know much about this band. For a while I didn't want to like them because they have a song that's the same title as one of my poems. But this prison tune, featuring ragged percussion and a bass riff, stands out. I hate to compare it to the White Stripes like everyone else, but that's what it kind of reminds me of.

10. Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos “Quiet As A Mouse” - Not only is this the album of the year, but almost all of their songs could fit on this list. You can hear just about every member of this 8 person band. This is the hardest song on the album, defying it’s title, but it is absolutely gorgeous. “Wake up, the sun is rising without you.”

9. Now It’s Overhead “Let Up” - Now, naturally I’m a little biased. But this stripped down, acoustic and light percussion/hand claps is one of their best on their new CD, Dark Light Daybreak (although most of them are pretty close).

8. The Flaming Lips “The W.A.N.D.” - Although their new album is nothing compared to their previous Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, this catchy tune makes up for it.

7. Yeah Yeah Yeahs “Gold Lion” - First of all, this album Show Your Bones is everything I wished their previous album would have been. This first single of the CD is great. Karen O’s vocal performance is quirky but not chaotic. It’s just great.

6. Sufjan Stevens “Dumb I Sound” - Yeah yeah, this is an old song. I think it was recorded in 2000. But I heard it for the first time this year. This one makes me want to cry.

5. The Black Keys “thickfreakness” - The Black Keys… the yin to The White Stripes’ yang, this band I swore was some ‘60s blues-rock band. But I later found out they are relatively new. Although this song was recorded in 2004, this is the epitome of their amazing sound. One of my favorite new artists of the year

4. Beck “Strange Apparition” - On an album made up of all whizzes and beats imaginable, the standout instrument of this track is a piano. It’s Beck meets gospel, and all of God’s people said “AMEN!”

3. Margot and The Nuclear So and Sos “Talking In Code” - Their best track on the album Dust of Retreat and SO close to song of the year. Similarly to “Quiet As a Mouse,” this song is layered and layered with harmonies and melodies. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.

2. The Format “Dog Problems” - Their new album of the same title is amazing. Their first was decent, but their entire sophmore album is BRILLIANT--and this song is the best.. Soft at some points, and others it’s a blaring big band piece. “When I said I hate what I’ve become, I lied—I hated who I was.”

1. Mute Math “Typical” - So what if fourteen year old girls like this band. THEY’RE GOOD. I mean, really good. This is probably my favorite song on the album. It's the typical existential song, akin to Switchfoot's "Meant To Live." It works well. I just haven’t been able to get this song out of my head all year long. And that's what makes it my favorite of the year.