Saturday, October 22, 2011
Saturday Night Special: Hash Pipe
To review: these posts are for rock songs and this one is a nice little poppy rock song.
This song may be in my top ten riffs that get stuck in my head (#1 in drum rhythm would be "Scentless Apprentice" by Nirvana). Look, the video is a little silly the lyrics are little silly, but it's catchy and fun.
This is definitly a song that takes me back to 2000 and when it debuted in 2001 when it finally was "officially" released. I drove a lot back then (to my various jobs and school) so I remember driving in my truck listening to this album.
mini fragments
BTW - I found a new guilty pleasure - B.o.B's - Magic (of course featuring Rivers) so corny but again, it goes down like Kool-Aide.
Decided to print my first year of blogging - if there is anything more vain than actually having a blog - it's printing the darn thing out. I mean, seriously? But it was 13 bucks and I think it's the only way my wife will get fully updated.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Discerning God's Will
Have you ever been faced with a challenge that left you wondering what you should do? Currently I am struggling with what to do next - what should be my path in the next few years? I am interested in going to seminary part time but I am unsure if it's the right thing to do.
Sometimes I hear people talk about God's will for their life - that God wanted someone to get a job or to move to another city. Some believers will say it was "God's will" that someone died. These ideas make me slightly uncomfortable - I mean how do they know they aren't just fooling themselves? How can they discern God's will without a direct revelation? Gut feeling?
One of the best lines from High Fidelity (just listen to the first 20 seconds)
High Fidelity - Guts & The Fantasy from W. Guy Finley on Vimeo.
Fully aware this quote is out of context but I know through personal experience my guts have led me down some crazy and dark corridors of life. BTW - High Fidelity is a great film.
Usually when I hear people confidently proclaim that know God's will for their life I feel a bit like the older son in the story of the prodigal son - a little jealous with a large helping of cynicism. Whatever God's will might be for anyone-- the only way to come close to understanding it would be through total humbleness and submission before God.
So here I find myself interested in taking seminary courses. But the last few days I have been frozen in indecision. How do I account for my own personal wishes, vanity, ego, academic curiosity, excitement and the balance all of that with discerning God's will? On Monday evening I attending a "prospective student night" at a seminary that was over three hours away. I spent much of the over-six hours driving time (traveling to and from) reflecting on God's purpose and will for my life. But what does it even mean to "discern" God's will?
There a mounds of books on "following God's will" or finding God's purpose in life. As I reflect on my mind set of the past week I realize much of my inner dialogue has been more about me than about God. The fact is I think we have a pretty inflated sense of purpose most of the time - when Jesus was asked what the most important commandment was, it was pretty simple.
'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
I absolutely love how Jesus makes it clear that the second most important commandment is connected to the first - there is no mistake about it - loving God means loving people.
I was once asked several years ago what the meaning in life was and my answer was "to love". I still believe that with my whole heart but I'm still trying to figure out how to do that. The truth is, I can love and serve God from wherever I am and whatever I do. So it appears I already have my answer and the decision in many ways is immaterial. I just have to find out how to love God and others more.
Sometimes I hear people talk about God's will for their life - that God wanted someone to get a job or to move to another city. Some believers will say it was "God's will" that someone died. These ideas make me slightly uncomfortable - I mean how do they know they aren't just fooling themselves? How can they discern God's will without a direct revelation? Gut feeling?
One of the best lines from High Fidelity (just listen to the first 20 seconds)
High Fidelity - Guts & The Fantasy from W. Guy Finley on Vimeo.
Fully aware this quote is out of context but I know through personal experience my guts have led me down some crazy and dark corridors of life. BTW - High Fidelity is a great film.
Usually when I hear people confidently proclaim that know God's will for their life I feel a bit like the older son in the story of the prodigal son - a little jealous with a large helping of cynicism. Whatever God's will might be for anyone-- the only way to come close to understanding it would be through total humbleness and submission before God.
So here I find myself interested in taking seminary courses. But the last few days I have been frozen in indecision. How do I account for my own personal wishes, vanity, ego, academic curiosity, excitement and the balance all of that with discerning God's will? On Monday evening I attending a "prospective student night" at a seminary that was over three hours away. I spent much of the over-six hours driving time (traveling to and from) reflecting on God's purpose and will for my life. But what does it even mean to "discern" God's will?
There a mounds of books on "following God's will" or finding God's purpose in life. As I reflect on my mind set of the past week I realize much of my inner dialogue has been more about me than about God. The fact is I think we have a pretty inflated sense of purpose most of the time - when Jesus was asked what the most important commandment was, it was pretty simple.
'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
I absolutely love how Jesus makes it clear that the second most important commandment is connected to the first - there is no mistake about it - loving God means loving people.
I was once asked several years ago what the meaning in life was and my answer was "to love". I still believe that with my whole heart but I'm still trying to figure out how to do that. The truth is, I can love and serve God from wherever I am and whatever I do. So it appears I already have my answer and the decision in many ways is immaterial. I just have to find out how to love God and others more.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Fragments from Lollapooza 1996
So I went to Lollapooza back in summer of 1996.
Here are some memories.
In 1996 music festivals still mattered. The headliners were Soundgarden, Metallica, Rancid and the Ramones. My music fandom (and snobbery, if a Weezer fan can even say that with remaining straight-faced) came much later in life so out of those three bands I had one album between them. I probably had like 20 CD's total anyway (five of which were Nirvana).
I don't remember which of my friends decided it would be a good idea - it certainly wasn't me-- as I said I wasn't crazy about any of the bands to begin with. But we were pumped about going - just because we were 18 (going on 19) and wanted an excuse to drive far away and have an adventure without adult supervision.
It started out that there would be like 4-5 of us but everyone found excuses not to go like ticket prices, work, etc.
There were two of us left and we had already made a pact to shave our heads, so we did.
This was okay for my friend, but for me (pale and sickly white)....well, I looked like I had cancer. I also weighed about 10-15 pounds heavier than today and I looked like a pudgy, cancer-stricken person. I went from being ignored by girls to repelling them.
On the way up to Dallas we had a huge, crazy heavy rain in Waco and had to pull over on the side of the highway....that rainstorm might still be in my top 5 worst weather I have driven though.
Our first stop was in College Station where my buddy went to school (and where I transferred to the next year) and we got pulled over in the middle of no-where for no reason. The officer said my friend tapped his brakes (as he was coming the opposite way and noticed in his mirror-- but really, who doesn't tap their brakes when they see a police car - ITS INSTINCT BRO). This is where the shaved heads and altra-t-shirts did not come in handy.
We were two white kids used to our white privilege. We were shocked when he asked us to get out of the car so he could search it. We stood next to the police car stunned. I felt like a criminal and cool at the same time. We didn't do drugs but my friend had a "fake" ID in the car (he had tried to amend his birth date on an old ID). It was behind his driver's license in his wallet, so when we first got pulled over, he panicked and asked me what he should do with it. So I told him to put it in the console to hide it. Of course I wasn't counting on him searching the car. As the search went on, my friend started freaking out. The officer comes back and just gives my friend a warning and takes the ID with him.
We get to Dallas in the evening and we head out to the fairgrounds in the early afternoon. The traffic is crazy and it's freaking hot.
We have a good time but didn't and my friend couldn't drink at the event (I didn't touch the stuff at the time). We didn't even talk with anyone else really. We just dreamed of talking with some "freak" girls as we called them. This ensured much regret but was the safest choice as I was afraid of girls back then and had zero confidence.
I actually looked up the band list from 96 and noticed Sponge was there (on a side-stage). I kinda remember seeing them. Boring (I even had their lame CD from the year before too and liked it).
The best part of the entire trip was that we got super close for Rancid and the Ramones. I have to say I enjoyed Rancid and I loved the Ramones.
I was kinda familiar with the Ramones but I really had no idea what to expect. It was in Dallas in July in 100 degree heat and here they were all wearing their leather jackets. Talk about punk. I was about 15 feet away and hopping up and down to "Blitzkrieg Bop" and "I Don't Wanna Grow Up" with the best of them.
What a great pop song. I only relate to it more now than ever. Seriously, sans the performance aspect of the video (which I just tend to not like for any music video) the cartoon is brilliant. Like a Mad Magazine cartoon came to life.
Suddenly, during the Ramones set, a crazy, huge drunk guy comes barreling into the crowd around me as if he was driven mad. He had blood coming down over his head and everyone kinda stopped. Most of us gave him a wide berth and then....he drove back to the front of the stage - the crisis was over and we all started hopping again.
We had been up front for a few hours and were dead tired, hot and very thirsty (but happy they hosed us off). We went to the back for more water and food. We saw Soundgarden and Metallica from like a mile away. We were exhausted and the very thought of trying to even work our way to the front was too daunting.
I was jealous when a huge plastic bottle war went on near the stage during the Soundgarden set...it looked like a huge swarm of insects all around the stage. I got really bored during the Metallica set - I am no metal fan and actually really hated it. I finally talked my friend into leaving a little early to beat the traffic. He was kinda pissy about it but hey, that's what friends are for!
There ya have it folks. My first, only and probably last major music festival. It's not that I'm too old to go - (ACL is so close to us) it's just I'm now too cheap.
Here are some memories.
In 1996 music festivals still mattered. The headliners were Soundgarden, Metallica, Rancid and the Ramones. My music fandom (and snobbery, if a Weezer fan can even say that with remaining straight-faced) came much later in life so out of those three bands I had one album between them. I probably had like 20 CD's total anyway (five of which were Nirvana).
I don't remember which of my friends decided it would be a good idea - it certainly wasn't me-- as I said I wasn't crazy about any of the bands to begin with. But we were pumped about going - just because we were 18 (going on 19) and wanted an excuse to drive far away and have an adventure without adult supervision.
It started out that there would be like 4-5 of us but everyone found excuses not to go like ticket prices, work, etc.
There were two of us left and we had already made a pact to shave our heads, so we did.
This was okay for my friend, but for me (pale and sickly white)....well, I looked like I had cancer. I also weighed about 10-15 pounds heavier than today and I looked like a pudgy, cancer-stricken person. I went from being ignored by girls to repelling them.
I told you so. Honestly, this picture doesn't do my paleness justice. I henceforth dub this time period the "Pat Wilson" era (June 96- Sep 96). That's the drummer for Weezer, for those wondering.
On the way up to Dallas we had a huge, crazy heavy rain in Waco and had to pull over on the side of the highway....that rainstorm might still be in my top 5 worst weather I have driven though.
Our first stop was in College Station where my buddy went to school (and where I transferred to the next year) and we got pulled over in the middle of no-where for no reason. The officer said my friend tapped his brakes (as he was coming the opposite way and noticed in his mirror-- but really, who doesn't tap their brakes when they see a police car - ITS INSTINCT BRO). This is where the shaved heads and altra-t-shirts did not come in handy.
We were two white kids used to our white privilege. We were shocked when he asked us to get out of the car so he could search it. We stood next to the police car stunned. I felt like a criminal and cool at the same time. We didn't do drugs but my friend had a "fake" ID in the car (he had tried to amend his birth date on an old ID). It was behind his driver's license in his wallet, so when we first got pulled over, he panicked and asked me what he should do with it. So I told him to put it in the console to hide it. Of course I wasn't counting on him searching the car. As the search went on, my friend started freaking out. The officer comes back and just gives my friend a warning and takes the ID with him.
We get to Dallas in the evening and we head out to the fairgrounds in the early afternoon. The traffic is crazy and it's freaking hot.
We have a good time but didn't and my friend couldn't drink at the event (I didn't touch the stuff at the time). We didn't even talk with anyone else really. We just dreamed of talking with some "freak" girls as we called them. This ensured much regret but was the safest choice as I was afraid of girls back then and had zero confidence.
I actually looked up the band list from 96 and noticed Sponge was there (on a side-stage). I kinda remember seeing them. Boring (I even had their lame CD from the year before too and liked it).
The best part of the entire trip was that we got super close for Rancid and the Ramones. I have to say I enjoyed Rancid and I loved the Ramones.
I was kinda familiar with the Ramones but I really had no idea what to expect. It was in Dallas in July in 100 degree heat and here they were all wearing their leather jackets. Talk about punk. I was about 15 feet away and hopping up and down to "Blitzkrieg Bop" and "I Don't Wanna Grow Up" with the best of them.
What a great pop song. I only relate to it more now than ever. Seriously, sans the performance aspect of the video (which I just tend to not like for any music video) the cartoon is brilliant. Like a Mad Magazine cartoon came to life.
Suddenly, during the Ramones set, a crazy, huge drunk guy comes barreling into the crowd around me as if he was driven mad. He had blood coming down over his head and everyone kinda stopped. Most of us gave him a wide berth and then....he drove back to the front of the stage - the crisis was over and we all started hopping again.
We had been up front for a few hours and were dead tired, hot and very thirsty (but happy they hosed us off). We went to the back for more water and food. We saw Soundgarden and Metallica from like a mile away. We were exhausted and the very thought of trying to even work our way to the front was too daunting.
I was jealous when a huge plastic bottle war went on near the stage during the Soundgarden set...it looked like a huge swarm of insects all around the stage. I got really bored during the Metallica set - I am no metal fan and actually really hated it. I finally talked my friend into leaving a little early to beat the traffic. He was kinda pissy about it but hey, that's what friends are for!
There ya have it folks. My first, only and probably last major music festival. It's not that I'm too old to go - (ACL is so close to us) it's just I'm now too cheap.
Things I Believe In....
Free food
Hoping in a Loving God
Naps
Getting lost and not planning every step on a trip
That nationalism is a disease
Questioning your assumptions
Driving with the windows down (when applicable)
Walking in the woods for no particular reason other than to walk
Letting go
Non-violence, non-retaliation
That we are made stronger (or weaker) by those people who share our lives with us
Moderation, in most things
Love
It's better to keep people guessing than becoming too predictable
Being average is okay - passion makes up for a lack of talent
All things being equal, I'd rather have a "big" government than a country run down by "big" corporations
Peanut Butter
The Sermon on the Mount
Being silly, even if sometimes it's gets you into trouble from time to time
Thinking
Being flexible, life is too short to get too upset about little annoyances
We all should do something artistic every so often
Dreaming
It's better to be compassionate and be taken advantage of then cynical and mistrustful
Sleeping in late even when you can't
Jesus
Staying up late to read just a little bit more
Turning off the TV to do something creative, even if that means dishes sometimes....
Writing a blog even when you have no motivation to write.
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