If you wished lyrics and videos were more literally inclined, this is just for you.
Friday, October 10, 2008
But that's Cannibalism... Isn't It?
Here's another funny classroom quote. A student got 100 on a test, and was picking out Dum Dums for the reward. Yes, I reward knowledge with Dum Dums. The irony is, Smarties don't taste so good.
Anyway, here's the quote.
"I'm looking to give to my baby brother. What tastes like baby?"
The funny thing is, when I started laughing, she realized what she just said and started laughing as well.
It underlined my point earlier that day: word order is important.
Anyway, here's the quote.
"I'm looking to give to my baby brother. What tastes like baby?"
The funny thing is, when I started laughing, she realized what she just said and started laughing as well.
It underlined my point earlier that day: word order is important.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Music Review: Perspective
I haven't talked about music in a while, but I still enjoy it when I can. The closest thing to current I heard in a while is probably The Cat Empire. From what I've heard coming from the radio, that's all you really need.
All that to say, it's nice when a band comes along and shares a new CD with you. It helps when you know the band and happen to like them, but I'll do my best to be objective.
I talked to the lead singer of Station2 a while back as we were all wandering around my old hometown. He was singing something and wanted me to guess what it was. I later figured out it was from the newest Coldplay album. This prompted a conversation about what CDs of theirs we like, etc. We liked all of their CDs up to date. I recalled that the critics didn't.
I think about how music that sounds good lyrically and musically gets ripped apart by critics. How can you look objectively at something as subjective as music?
That being said, here's my review of Perspective, the second CD by Station2.
Having gone from two members to four, Station2 has shown some significant changes in their sound. They showed their influences on their sleeves in their first CD, including Coldplay and Radiohead. Those are good influences to have, so it sounded good.
Perspective shows a progression. I can still say they are influenced by the two bands mentioned above, but in a similar way Muse is influenced by Radiohead. They still maintain their own voice. In Perspective their voice emerges. This results in some pleasant surprises, such as faintly bluesy riffs that set the otherwise standard songs apart. It's good jammin'.
I was also impressed lyrically. "Move", the bookend tracks, seem a challenge first to God, then lastly to us, to, well, move. The second track is the most Psalms-like song Ive heard in probably, oh, let's say ever. Silent and Intercession move us from that wondering "Does everyone see You but me" to "Intercession fights for you". "Barrier", not as strong musically, but powerful lyrically, moves us into belief in Christ. Then the real work begins.
The most daring song stylistically would be "Impressions of Beauty". It's a compliment to a song that tackles a tough subject fearlessly.
The only lyrical disappointment is the song "Eyes on Me." The rest of the tracks do a great job of keeping the focus upward and outward, then this last one slips back into introspective. Besides that, this is definitely worth a listen.
All that to say, it's nice when a band comes along and shares a new CD with you. It helps when you know the band and happen to like them, but I'll do my best to be objective.
I talked to the lead singer of Station2 a while back as we were all wandering around my old hometown. He was singing something and wanted me to guess what it was. I later figured out it was from the newest Coldplay album. This prompted a conversation about what CDs of theirs we like, etc. We liked all of their CDs up to date. I recalled that the critics didn't.
I think about how music that sounds good lyrically and musically gets ripped apart by critics. How can you look objectively at something as subjective as music?
That being said, here's my review of Perspective, the second CD by Station2.
Having gone from two members to four, Station2 has shown some significant changes in their sound. They showed their influences on their sleeves in their first CD, including Coldplay and Radiohead. Those are good influences to have, so it sounded good.
Perspective shows a progression. I can still say they are influenced by the two bands mentioned above, but in a similar way Muse is influenced by Radiohead. They still maintain their own voice. In Perspective their voice emerges. This results in some pleasant surprises, such as faintly bluesy riffs that set the otherwise standard songs apart. It's good jammin'.
I was also impressed lyrically. "Move", the bookend tracks, seem a challenge first to God, then lastly to us, to, well, move. The second track is the most Psalms-like song Ive heard in probably, oh, let's say ever. Silent and Intercession move us from that wondering "Does everyone see You but me" to "Intercession fights for you". "Barrier", not as strong musically, but powerful lyrically, moves us into belief in Christ. Then the real work begins.
The most daring song stylistically would be "Impressions of Beauty". It's a compliment to a song that tackles a tough subject fearlessly.
The only lyrical disappointment is the song "Eyes on Me." The rest of the tracks do a great job of keeping the focus upward and outward, then this last one slips back into introspective. Besides that, this is definitely worth a listen.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
We're the Morons
The day after my angry millstone rant (a couple of posts back), I called my folks to say hi. Among other family news, they told me the latest about my sister's new baby. They knew whether they would have a boy or a girl. I was on speaker phone, so my four year old niece told me the news. "I'm having a baby sister!" I could hear my parents grin as they said, "She knew it all along."
A while back, my niece was praying for a sister. She has a brother, and they get along, but she really wanted a sister, too. When she found out mommie was pregnant, she knew she was going to have a baby sister. It was that simple.
The wise and cautious adults that we are, we tried to prepare her for the fact that maybe she would have a brother. She wouldn't hear any of it.
I'm humbled as I stand with other rational (for the most part) adults, corrected by a four-year old. Spiritually speaking, we're the morons.
Don't get me wrong, God gave us brains and experiences and He intends for us to use them. But don't argue with the faith of a child.
A while back, my niece was praying for a sister. She has a brother, and they get along, but she really wanted a sister, too. When she found out mommie was pregnant, she knew she was going to have a baby sister. It was that simple.
The wise and cautious adults that we are, we tried to prepare her for the fact that maybe she would have a brother. She wouldn't hear any of it.
I'm humbled as I stand with other rational (for the most part) adults, corrected by a four-year old. Spiritually speaking, we're the morons.
Don't get me wrong, God gave us brains and experiences and He intends for us to use them. But don't argue with the faith of a child.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Bands, Cabs, and Snide Remarks
The active part of the weekend started Friday, when Beka and I went on base to see Station2. They had been playing music and discussing the problem of evil at our school all week, with a few concerts thrown in for good measure. This would be the last one before their flight back to the US.
We went to the bar where they were playing, bought some cokes and bottles of water, and settled in for the show. Someone from a local pottery shop came to see them play. Beka and I introduced ourselves and promised we'd keep in touch with her.
Station2 sounded great in concert, but of course, that's not the point. They shared the meaning of their songs which all explored the search for meaning and how we find our answers. They were genuine about why they were here, but as far as I could see there were no beatings with Bibles.
A few years back, waaay before Korea, I joined some friends to help set up a Christian concert at someone's home church. A brand new group named Kutless was the opening act for the opening act. We liked their show best, because we had met and talked with Stu, their drummer, earlier. Every time they played, we cheered "Go, Stu!" He was our favorite because he sat, had dinner, and talked with us. He was approachable.
The point of the story is, Station2 is a band full of Stu s.
We hung out until 12ish, said goodbye and went home.
Early-ish the next day, I met six high school students at the subway station to go to a grandma house and visit. One of us was armed with a guitar, and we had a few songs we were prepared to sing. We called a couple of cabs and made our way there.
On arrival, we learned this visit would be a bit different than we had planned. The ladies who ran the place said the residents wouldn't be able to visit until later. We were handed some rags and started cleaning.
We heard some excitement in the middle of the cleaning. A couple of huskies were wandering around the property outside the building. The ladies in charge were trying to get them to move, but they were stubborn. I put my cleaning rag aside and went outside to help.
One lady tried to call the dogs to her. I tried the same in English and Korean, but neither worked. Running didn't work either. Nothing worked. They were content to hang around and trample plants.
Finally, we began to lead one by taking his front paws. The other dog followed his buddy. Before long, we got them through the gate and off the property. After that, they ran off to wherever they had come from. Crisis averted.
We finished cleaning, and we were offered fruit. Declining was not an option. We enjoyed some pears, then took the guitar and sang some songs. The ladies seemed glad to hear us, even if it was too slow for clapping. We added some more upbeat ones which went over better.
It was time for lunch, so we said our goodbyes and offered to help again next time we come. We strolled through the gate and called for a couple of cabs. I thanked the students for being flexible, and soon our cabs arrived. Then, we returned to our respective homes.
One of the students said the ladies were hesitant to ask us for help at first. I hope we made it clear that's why we were there in the first place.
Earlier this week a new movie opened mocking all religion. It's primarily a comedy, and received good reviews for being funny. But at the end the movie's host calls for religion to be banned. This won't happen, but his basis is that faith is ridiculous and does no good. After all, even many religious leaders don't actually believe this stuff.
It's a matter of faith, and scoffers will always fail to understand. But one thing that continues to encourage me is the Stu s who are out there. I pray that we be counted among them.
We went to the bar where they were playing, bought some cokes and bottles of water, and settled in for the show. Someone from a local pottery shop came to see them play. Beka and I introduced ourselves and promised we'd keep in touch with her.
Station2 sounded great in concert, but of course, that's not the point. They shared the meaning of their songs which all explored the search for meaning and how we find our answers. They were genuine about why they were here, but as far as I could see there were no beatings with Bibles.
A few years back, waaay before Korea, I joined some friends to help set up a Christian concert at someone's home church. A brand new group named Kutless was the opening act for the opening act. We liked their show best, because we had met and talked with Stu, their drummer, earlier. Every time they played, we cheered "Go, Stu!" He was our favorite because he sat, had dinner, and talked with us. He was approachable.
The point of the story is, Station2 is a band full of Stu s.
We hung out until 12ish, said goodbye and went home.
Early-ish the next day, I met six high school students at the subway station to go to a grandma house and visit. One of us was armed with a guitar, and we had a few songs we were prepared to sing. We called a couple of cabs and made our way there.
On arrival, we learned this visit would be a bit different than we had planned. The ladies who ran the place said the residents wouldn't be able to visit until later. We were handed some rags and started cleaning.
We heard some excitement in the middle of the cleaning. A couple of huskies were wandering around the property outside the building. The ladies in charge were trying to get them to move, but they were stubborn. I put my cleaning rag aside and went outside to help.
One lady tried to call the dogs to her. I tried the same in English and Korean, but neither worked. Running didn't work either. Nothing worked. They were content to hang around and trample plants.
Finally, we began to lead one by taking his front paws. The other dog followed his buddy. Before long, we got them through the gate and off the property. After that, they ran off to wherever they had come from. Crisis averted.
We finished cleaning, and we were offered fruit. Declining was not an option. We enjoyed some pears, then took the guitar and sang some songs. The ladies seemed glad to hear us, even if it was too slow for clapping. We added some more upbeat ones which went over better.
It was time for lunch, so we said our goodbyes and offered to help again next time we come. We strolled through the gate and called for a couple of cabs. I thanked the students for being flexible, and soon our cabs arrived. Then, we returned to our respective homes.
One of the students said the ladies were hesitant to ask us for help at first. I hope we made it clear that's why we were there in the first place.
Earlier this week a new movie opened mocking all religion. It's primarily a comedy, and received good reviews for being funny. But at the end the movie's host calls for religion to be banned. This won't happen, but his basis is that faith is ridiculous and does no good. After all, even many religious leaders don't actually believe this stuff.
It's a matter of faith, and scoffers will always fail to understand. But one thing that continues to encourage me is the Stu s who are out there. I pray that we be counted among them.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Get out the Millstones
Consider this an open letter to The Church body.
Stop offending the little ones. I'm sick and tired of watching us insult them. They are not blank pieces of paper; they are clay. They have shapes, and positive or negative influence can shape them. But they are people.
They are people. We stress that fact before they are born, but we quickly forget that once they're in the world. We always stress what they will become, as if they are nothing right now. That is a steaming load, and I'm sick of it.
We give them absolutely no credit when we only focus on the great leaders they can be some day. For now, let's just get you saved. I won't dare expect more from you than that until you become a real person.
Don't we realize there are ways for them to serve Him now? They do. Perhaps in that way among others, they are wiser than we.
Stop offending the little ones. I'm sick and tired of watching us insult them. They are not blank pieces of paper; they are clay. They have shapes, and positive or negative influence can shape them. But they are people.
They are people. We stress that fact before they are born, but we quickly forget that once they're in the world. We always stress what they will become, as if they are nothing right now. That is a steaming load, and I'm sick of it.
We give them absolutely no credit when we only focus on the great leaders they can be some day. For now, let's just get you saved. I won't dare expect more from you than that until you become a real person.
Don't we realize there are ways for them to serve Him now? They do. Perhaps in that way among others, they are wiser than we.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Nothing was a Cool Hand
Cool Hand Luke is one of my favorite movies. Paul Newman's character challenged me in ways it's hard to describe. If nothing else, he taught me that sometimes nothing can be a cool hand.
For all the negatives I usually say and feel about celebrities, it felt good to read the article below. I would have respected him a lot more if I'd of known he was the anti-celebrity. That's playing it cool.
http://www.slate.com/id/2201116/
For all the negatives I usually say and feel about celebrities, it felt good to read the article below. I would have respected him a lot more if I'd of known he was the anti-celebrity. That's playing it cool.
http://www.slate.com/id/2201116/
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