12/11/07 05:19 - 35ºF - ID#42476

10 Things I like about u2.

1. The edge's guitar playing. Effects heavy, rhythmically, and with simple, but beautiful melodies.

2. Bono's lyrics. Many are simulataneously personal, political, and religious.

3. The way every album sounds different with every album, but consistent with itself, and always distinctively u2.

4. Their generosity/activism that goes beyond just about any rock star, all while they still admit to being hypocritical.

5. They've been friends/band mates since high school. For at least 3 of them, this is their first job.

6. They're not just from Ireland, they are from Dublin. They're not just from Dublin, they are from cool neighborhood in Dublin.

7. They were on the Simpsons, and made fun of themselves.

8. Amazingly big live shows that feel amazingly intimate, and surprisingly like church (the way it should feel).

9. I can play (scaled down) versions of their songs on guitar, and even with my weak skills, they sound good.

10. I've never met a u2 fan I didn't like--and there are millions of us.

Permalink: 10_Things_I_like_about_u2_.html
Words: 160
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: war

12/10/07 05:32 - 33ºF - ID#42459

folllow the money

[link=http://blog.beliefnet.com/godspolitics/2007/12/man-bites-dog-of-war-by-jim-wa.html]
A story about priorities.[/link]

How much do we spend on the military vs. some other important stuff.

Permalink: folllow_the_money.html
Words: 26
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: christmas

12/09/07 04:04 - 28ºF - ID#42446

Christmas Pictures

Christmas pics.

(e:Janelle) and I had a great fun time at Lafayette Church (another shameless link), including a potluck lunch/carol sing. Then we came home and decorated our house. Check it out:

This is the tree at church.

And the nativity scene on our mantle.

I also put a string of lights on our porch. Here's hoping a drunk doesn't steal our extension cord to pay for a quick buzz. Maybe I will take a picture of the lights after it gets dark. (actually, you can see some of them out the window in the pic taken with the flash. I am amazed at the power of my camera sometimes.

And in case you were wondering, yes, that is a sombrero on top of the tree, and those are chili pepper lights. They are happy memories from our "South of the Border" wedding reception. Any ugly and/or tasteless ornaments, however, are courtesy of (e:janelle).

Permalink: Christmas_Pictures.html
Words: 164
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: tour

12/08/07 10:11 - 33ºF - ID#42432

Tour "Essex Corners"

Ok, short notice, I know. But from 1-4 there is a tour of homes (and businesses, I think) in the area that now wants to be called "Essex Corners" (at least it's not becoming a village, right Paul?") It begins at Prime 490, in the heart of Essex corners.

This is a short walk from my house, and I really do think things are going to get better and better in that part of our neighborhood.

Janelle doesn't want to give up too much of her Saturday, but I'm going, with or without her (I can't believe I haven't done a U2 post yet--that will come soon). If you would like to join, drop a comment and/or show up at 1.

Permalink: Tour_quot_Essex_Corners_quot_.html
Words: 120
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: 10 things

12/07/07 09:05 - 24ºF - ID#42423

10 Things I like about Hines Ward

1. He always smiles when he plays football. Even when its hard. He loves football that much.

2. As of this Sunday, he has caught more touchdowns than anybody else.

3. He's bi-racial (black and Korean) and proud of it. This has made a HUGE difference in Korea, where anybody that wasn't 100% Korean was outcaste.

4. He loves to block. Wide receivers are typically smaller, and avoid contact, but Hines seeks it out. He enrages/embarrasses bigger defensive players by putting a hurt on them.

5. He plays through pain (again, still smiling)

6. He plays well in bad weather (see the last two games)

7. He can throw (he was a QB before he became a wideout).

8. He doesn't complain about being on the run-heavy Steelers (it gives him more chances to block!).

9. He's generous in Korea, Georgia, and Pittsburgh.

10. He's going to be instrumental in the Steelers defeat of New England.

Permalink: 10_Things_I_like_about_Hines_Ward.html
Words: 146
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: birthday

12/06/07 07:57 - 19ºF - ID#42412

Birthday

Send (e:Janelle) birthday wishes. She was born today (cough, cough) years ago.

Permalink: Birthday.html
Words: 13
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: 10 things

12/05/07 07:47 - 22ºF - ID#42399

10 Things I like about Buffalo Rising

They were nice to me, so I am giving some love back. You all know that (e:strip) is my first love (and I've already made a list proclaiming it!)

1. It's updated every day (unlike my blog)

2. There's lots of discussion (and sometimes a smart comment, too)

3. News pops up there quickly.

4. Rumor pops up there quickly (I'm not sure if this is good, but I like it).

5. They cheaply, quickly, and effectively promote Buffalo events.

6. It looks nice.

7. It's driven people to elmwoodjesus.org

8. It turned me into a rockstar.

9. Newell is a nice guy and an agent of change for the better in the neighborhood.

10. It points to good places to eat.

More/better posts soon, I promise. Hannukah is here. Light a candle! Throw out that occupying army!

Permalink: 10_Things_I_like_about_Buffalo_Rising.html
Words: 131
Location: Buffalo, NY

12/03/07 04:36 - 33ºF - ID#42382

Look at me!

I am a Buffalo Rock star :)

Janelle told me not to let the story go to my head.

Good press is always nice.

lauren writes at 10:47:00 12/06/07 - Comment #28931: i know im a little late, but congratulations Drew! I really do think you are the coolest of the cool and obviously others do as well :)

fellyconnelly writes at 10:23:29 12/04/07 - Comment #28863: sure do!
1. drew

thats it so far...

jbeatty writes at 09:44:21 12/04/07 - Comment #28858: Felly you have a list?

changeisgood writes at 09:57:33 12/04/07 - Comment #28837: drew - you better be careful. I heard this morning some famous 'pastors' are being investigated for acting outside of the church's tax-exempt status. With you starting to live so large - you just better watch out!!

fellyconnelly writes at 09:55:47 12/04/07 - Comment #28836: yet another rockstar that i can say i know!

museumchick writes at 09:37:55 12/03/07 - Comment #28824: That's awesome! Congratulations, rockstar pastor:).

james writes at 09:12:13 12/03/07 - Comment #28822: If you get five new parishioners, and they each get five new parishioners, and THEY each get five new parishioners....

paul writes at 09:09:50 12/03/07 - Comment #28820: Congrats! Don't forget us when you are too famous for estrip and have to move on to myspace.

jim writes at 09:07:50 12/03/07 - Comment #28818: Congrats, Drew!

Just think, if membership keeps doubling every year, in 10 years you'll have a million members.

mike writes at 08:44:13 12/03/07 - Comment #28816: congrats! that is cool that the membership has doubled. Congrats!

james writes at 06:47:31 12/03/07 - Comment #28809: First Buffalo Rising
Then Tiger Beat Magazine!

metalpeter writes at 05:49:25 12/03/07 - Comment #28806: Very interesting, I am a member of that website but like never go there. I have a little booklet from them to I'll have to go see who made it in there. Congratulations on the article and I hope you are able to expand the congregation.

janelle writes at 05:14:27 12/03/07 - Comment #28802: Oh, my. I have a rock star pastor for a husband. *Blush*

mrmike writes at 04:40:53 12/03/07 - Comment #28796: Go on wif your bad self

Permalink: Look_at_me_.html
Words: 23
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: religion

11/28/07 04:45 - 35ºF - ID#42321

Hilarious Bible Commentary

This is my second post today, so read the one below this.

But I had to share this link:

I have not laughed that hard in a long time

Permalink: Hilarious_Bible_Commentary.html
Words: 36
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: christmas

11/28/07 10:50 - 29ºF - ID#42316

Tree lighting

Friday night, at 7pm, the Elmwood Village Association is having its tree lighting at Lafayette Church. We will fire up the lights, drink some hot chocolate, and sing some carols together. It costs nothing, and should be fun times.

If you really want to get into the holiday spirit, then come out Thursday night, when we will be decorating Lafayette's tree, starting with a Chili dinner at 6pm.