I'll still be on media where I know people, so blogs, twitter, and facebook are all good, but I am taking a break from videos and mindless websites in the hope that "old media" will change me in some positive ways.

So, starting Wednesday, limited internet, no tv, and no partisan talk radio. Until Easter (but maybe longer if it is as good for me as I think it will be)

For design nerds with iPhones:



found via Buffalo Feed.

my house. "The Ordinary Radicals."

This is the story of a peculiar people,
with no King but God,
practicing a revolution of love,
and making the world anew.

Their isn't the old-time religion of saving up for going to heaven;
this is bringing heaven to the world.



7pm.

The old words of churches are incapable of being
saving words anymore.
The old words fail and fall silent,
and our Christian life consists only
of prayer and trying to do the right thing.
It is not for us to foretell the day,
but the day will come
when some are called
to utter the word
of God
in such a way
that the world is changed and renewed.
There will be a new language,
perhaps quite unreligious,
but liberating and saving,
like the language of Jesus,
so that people are horrified by it,
and yet conquered by its power,
the language of a new truth,
the language that foretells the peace
of God
and the coming
of the Kingdom.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Letters and Papers from Prison

The power of our brains blows me away. Here's what I was thinking this morning.

At the end of a night, we tend to be tired and think less clearly, so we go to sleep.

And then, when we are asleep, our brains don't really stop--it re-charges by working!

And it does things that we rarely do when we are awake. What really blew me away last night is that in my dream, other people were telling jokes, and they surprised me and made me laugh.

Which means that part of my brain is writing comedy material, but hiding it from the other part of my brain that is going to hear it in the dream.

Or (more likely, actually) it is spontaneously creating it for one character of the dream, and then experiencing it in the first person.

Either way, to have creative thought like that is great in and of itself, but to actually hide it from my own mind until the right moment really blows me away.

If I were an intelligent design guy, I would spend a lot of time talking about dreams. I haven't kept up with the latest research, but when I did, neuroscientists didn't have a clue what was happening.

Do not click to watch the video if you are offended by swears.

Party this Sunday at my house. All estrippers are invited.

1. I almost never do these things. This is different because I've enjoyed reading other peoples and I like to talk about myself.

2. Remember the birds that would just stand on perches in pet stores? They freaked me out. Birds outside are fine. Inside cages are fine. But I get nervous when they are free outside.

3. I don't shave on vacation.

4. I would wear sandals every day if it weren't for cold and/or social pressure.

5. I enjoy high quality beer more, but even the crappiest stuff is good to me.

6. I had to go cold turkey on Kraft Mac and Cheese.

7. The skills that serve me the most I learned from my parents, summer camp, and improv. I loved school, but it's been far less helpful.

8. Nonetheless, I still think it would be fun to get an MBA in marketing.

9. I only act on a small fraction of the ideas that I have.

10. I hate to exercise, but I love playing sports.

11. I've been affiliated with Roman Catholics, two brands of Presbyterians, Methodists, Pentecostals, Lutherans, Mennonites and Baptists. I've learned from all of them, but haven't fit in with any of them.

12. I could easily drink a gallon of Orange Juice in one sitting, and still want more.

13. I already have plans for my retirement.

14. Peppermint makes me sneeze, but I like it anyway.

15. I want to shave my head and get glasses.

16. I love preaching and teaching, even though I thought I wouldn't when I started seminary.

17. I hardly do any counseling, even thought I thought that would be a focus.

18. I can't walk past a Ms Pacman machine without checking to see if I have quarters.

19. My pinky toes are not in proportion with the rest of them.

20. Ever year, I truly believe that the Steelers will in the Superbowl. Every March, I think Pitt basketball will win it all. Every spring, I used to think the Pirates will have a winning season, but that optimism has finally been killed.

21. Buffalo has become my adopted hometown. It will never be Pittsburgh, but I love living here.

22. I would love to be on the Supreme Court, and think I would do a good job.

23. I look extra stupid in a turtle neck, or a tank top.

24. I've got a dead guy's ligament in my knee.

25. I've never voted for a president that has won. Said losing votes were in 4 elections, for 4 different parties.

I hate this song. One reason that I am glad I am not in Pittsburgh is that I no longer hear this song. Seriously, if you call a random 412 area code number, you will hear this song in the background when they answer, and then again if they put you on hold. It will be the opening hymn in churches.

There are lots of other good Steeler songs, which makes me wonder why this one won't die. Anyway, without further ado: "Here we go"