Averaging out my usual vacation-time (or non-vacation, for that matter) reading, I don't think I read much this summer. I'll mention a few, which on this occasion happen to be all of them. Wow, it almost looks like I have a life or something.
First, I read Fahrenheit 451. It instantly became one of my favorites, and was worth losing sleep on the plane for the hour or so it took to finish it.
Later, I found John Grisham's new book, The Appeal. He effectively depresses the reader by ensuring us the bad guy losing a trial means squat. It's got a message, and it expresses it well. And it has some great storytelling. Not one of my favorites, but it's good.
I also read a book called Stuff White People Like. It's worth a laugh or two. I took the quiz at the back and realized I'm not very white. Just a little bit.
In finding out I'm not very white, I felt free to read Jazz, by Toni Morrison (White people only like books by Nick Hornby, not that there's anything wrong with that). I liked the idea of a book written like jazz music, and I wasn't disappointed. It's hard to follow at times (it's written like jazz, duh) but it comes together in a good way. I wasn't expecting it to end the way it did, so it made me appreciate it more.
One reoccurring theme in Jazz stated we can never understand people just by observing them. You mean, like, reading a book about them? No, I'm sure that still works fine.
P.S. This has nothing to do with books, but I'm enjoying the crap out of The Clash CD I bought this summer. It's got Lost in the Supermarket and Rudy Can't Fail, two of my new favorite songs. Why didn't you old people tell us there was good music back then? Oh wait, I think you did. Never mind.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Meanwhile, in the Real World
We just got back from the States, and it's good to be home. I don't know why, but understanding everything people are saying starts to creep me out after a while. One or two words per sentence is comfortable.
While in the States, I learned there are many things we need to be afraid of. Like Obama taking over with Muslims. And immigrants. And gay rights. I'm not sure why, but we need to be afraid of them. So I think ultimately we should be prepared for an invasion by Muslim immigrant interior designers and hairdressers. At least we have our priorities straight.
Regardless of the fear issue, we had a nice, brief visit with family and friends. I'll leave the connection between nice and brief up to interpretation.
Once we arrived in Korea, we were in for a few surprises. First, the cab drivers refused to take us back to our place from the bus terminal with our luggage. Since it was raining, we decided walking wasn't a great option. So we called our school's director and graciously woke him up to ask him for a ride. He drove over, and we loaded his van, then we made our way home.
After he dropped us off and we unloaded the van, we noticed the door wouldn't open. The top lock was missing, and the other one was thoroughly warped. Beka chased down the van, and we loaded up the van to go to a hotel.
Until the following afternoon, we were tourists. We enjoyed the comfort of the hotel, and wandered around our familiar surroundings without a real home. Unfortunately, we didn't take any pictures. We're not very good tourists.
In the meantime, people at work were getting a hold of our landlord. After he received a few circular answers, our boss prepared us for the possibility of staying another night. We had air conditioning, so we weren't too distressed.
Thankfully, the locksmith showed up around noon. Soon we were able to open the door and discover how unsuccessful the intended thieves were. Everything was as we had left it.
I'm still not quite sure what I have learned from this experience. All I've got so far is "tourist hotels make killer omelets." Prove me wrong. I dare you.
While in the States, I learned there are many things we need to be afraid of. Like Obama taking over with Muslims. And immigrants. And gay rights. I'm not sure why, but we need to be afraid of them. So I think ultimately we should be prepared for an invasion by Muslim immigrant interior designers and hairdressers. At least we have our priorities straight.
Regardless of the fear issue, we had a nice, brief visit with family and friends. I'll leave the connection between nice and brief up to interpretation.
Once we arrived in Korea, we were in for a few surprises. First, the cab drivers refused to take us back to our place from the bus terminal with our luggage. Since it was raining, we decided walking wasn't a great option. So we called our school's director and graciously woke him up to ask him for a ride. He drove over, and we loaded his van, then we made our way home.
After he dropped us off and we unloaded the van, we noticed the door wouldn't open. The top lock was missing, and the other one was thoroughly warped. Beka chased down the van, and we loaded up the van to go to a hotel.
Until the following afternoon, we were tourists. We enjoyed the comfort of the hotel, and wandered around our familiar surroundings without a real home. Unfortunately, we didn't take any pictures. We're not very good tourists.
In the meantime, people at work were getting a hold of our landlord. After he received a few circular answers, our boss prepared us for the possibility of staying another night. We had air conditioning, so we weren't too distressed.
Thankfully, the locksmith showed up around noon. Soon we were able to open the door and discover how unsuccessful the intended thieves were. Everything was as we had left it.
I'm still not quite sure what I have learned from this experience. All I've got so far is "tourist hotels make killer omelets." Prove me wrong. I dare you.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Movie Review: The Dark Knight
Since we left Korea for the summer, we didn't see many movies in the theater. We did plan on seeing one movie this summer, The Dark Knight. Once and a while you have to support the arts.
I saw about 5 movies by Christopher Nolan. Five of them were at least good. That's the best record I've known a director to have. (Shymalan had three before he starting flushing them down the crapper.)
I'll do the disclaimer first. If you thought Batman in Batman Begins was even a little scary, you won't like this. The Joker is the antithesis of Batman, and is therefore quite frightening. No wonder he gave Heath nightmares.
That being said, Heath Ledger knew what he was doing. He brought depth to a character we are meant to know nothing about. His Joker is even funny at times, in a sociopathic kind of way.
Some loudmouth on the radio said Ledger's Joker is the most memorable villain since Hannibal Lector. Loudmouth was right.
A lot of the focus is on the Joker and his view on society. He's a true sociopath, which makes him the most frightening villain of all. At one point he taunts someone, "What are you going to threaten me with?" The worst villain can't be bribed or threatened.
This contrasts well with Batman as someone doing the right thing, yet refusing to see himself as a hero.
I'll stop talking about the plot now because spoilers are the devil.
If you don't enjoy comic book movies that much, you can at least enjoy the performances. Even Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman and Michael Caine continue to kick butt in their supporting roles.
I won't use the "If you see just one movie this summer, see this one" line. I will say I'm glad we made that choice and weren't disappointed. It was worth the $13. Of course, that wasn't counting gas, but you can't be too picky.
I saw about 5 movies by Christopher Nolan. Five of them were at least good. That's the best record I've known a director to have. (Shymalan had three before he starting flushing them down the crapper.)
I'll do the disclaimer first. If you thought Batman in Batman Begins was even a little scary, you won't like this. The Joker is the antithesis of Batman, and is therefore quite frightening. No wonder he gave Heath nightmares.
That being said, Heath Ledger knew what he was doing. He brought depth to a character we are meant to know nothing about. His Joker is even funny at times, in a sociopathic kind of way.
Some loudmouth on the radio said Ledger's Joker is the most memorable villain since Hannibal Lector. Loudmouth was right.
A lot of the focus is on the Joker and his view on society. He's a true sociopath, which makes him the most frightening villain of all. At one point he taunts someone, "What are you going to threaten me with?" The worst villain can't be bribed or threatened.
This contrasts well with Batman as someone doing the right thing, yet refusing to see himself as a hero.
I'll stop talking about the plot now because spoilers are the devil.
If you don't enjoy comic book movies that much, you can at least enjoy the performances. Even Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman and Michael Caine continue to kick butt in their supporting roles.
I won't use the "If you see just one movie this summer, see this one" line. I will say I'm glad we made that choice and weren't disappointed. It was worth the $13. Of course, that wasn't counting gas, but you can't be too picky.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Music Review
I recently got Audio Adrenaline's farewell tour CD. It's late, I know, but I don't follow the CCM scene that, well, religiously. Bad pun, I know, but it seemed the best way to put it.
A few months ago I lamented the lack of resemblance to praise we see in the Bible and most praise we see and hear regularly. Something stood out to me in this CD that set it apart.
The lead singer of AA is to blame for the band breaking up. His voice was giving out after years of touring. When we put the CD on, we could tell. He was hoarse most of the time, and he frequently changed keys while singing so he could hit the notes. If these guys weren't already well-known, this CD never would have made it to the shelves.
His intro to "Hands and Feet" was what got me. A guy with no voice pleaded with his audience to say "I will go" in obedience to God's leading. This is praise: singing till your voice is gone and then singing some more.
It may not be the best Christian album ever, but it's definitely one of my favorites.
A few months ago I lamented the lack of resemblance to praise we see in the Bible and most praise we see and hear regularly. Something stood out to me in this CD that set it apart.
The lead singer of AA is to blame for the band breaking up. His voice was giving out after years of touring. When we put the CD on, we could tell. He was hoarse most of the time, and he frequently changed keys while singing so he could hit the notes. If these guys weren't already well-known, this CD never would have made it to the shelves.
His intro to "Hands and Feet" was what got me. A guy with no voice pleaded with his audience to say "I will go" in obedience to God's leading. This is praise: singing till your voice is gone and then singing some more.
It may not be the best Christian album ever, but it's definitely one of my favorites.
A Dangerous Philosophy
I don't recall hearing this expression a lot, but I'm sure it's a cliche by now. I'm not all that creative. Still, it's a philosophy I developed recently.
"Don't whine about it unless you're willing to do something to change it."
It's kept me quiet, or at times (I hope) active.
"Don't whine about it unless you're willing to do something to change it."
It's kept me quiet, or at times (I hope) active.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Jesus for Sale
The preacher was talking about materialism in church the other day. I think he was against it, but I'm not sure. I was too busy texting my friends about the latest ipod on my cellphone.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Shameless Plug
An article I wrote a while back was recently published online. if you are interested, it's on burnsidewriterscollective.com. The title is "Why I Hate Sermons."
There. The shameless plug is done. That was short and almost painless.
There. The shameless plug is done. That was short and almost painless.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Give them a cookie
Here's a shout-out to Parade magazine for featuring articles written by Obama and McCain. No commentary or editorial on the part of the magazine, jut both individuals' opinions on the topic of patriotism.
Good job, Parade. Raise that bar.
Good job, Parade. Raise that bar.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)