This month, I turn 30. That feels old. But I will go and see some older people that still rock, and it will make me feel better. I will journey into the suburbs (Williamsville) where there is a 3D concert film of the greatest band in the history of earth. I am going on the 25th (after my birthday, but my sister will be in town), and anybody who wants to join (and maybe hang out afterward) is welcome.
No presents are expected--just come and join the fun!
Drew's Journal
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02/02/2008 16:11 #43148
30 years old. u2 in 3d.Category: birthday
01/28/2008 10:50 #43058
"Teach your children well . . ."Category: religion
Wow.
Paul, you clearly showed how religion can be a key ingredient to a whole host of problems. Sadly, this is not the first time I have heard a story like this. I have a friend who basically shared my values, but would never go to church with me because it caused her to have panic attacks. Another friend avoids church because during a bi-polar break she talked to God in a way that was not healthy at all.
Enknot, I would love to hear more of your story--maybe over coffee instead of through the internets, that way we don't have to worry about what other people might read. At the very least, maybe I can help you find the Bible stories that you wish to find. Probably the best story to teach honesty is the story of Annias and Saphira, who lied to the apostles and were struck dead, but that's not exactly the kind of thing we want to share with kids.
One of my favorite theologians once said, "You know we've gone and messed up Christianity when we started thinking it's someihing good for our kids."
I think what he meant by that is that the Bible isn't really the best way to get kids to grow up in the way that the American dream teaches people to grow up. To "succeed" in the the US, you have to go along with the ways and values of our empire. But Christ taught a way of life that values entirely different things. So Christians are called to love justice, and to find it, not through violence, but through love. When we seek justice instead of power and accolades and stuff, the ways of the empire seem insignificant. But the whole world lives according to the ways of the empire--this is why Jesus and so many of the first Christians were killed.
Do you want to raise a kid to believe something so radical and dangerous? I think it is a fair question, and because of it, it is important that parents think twice before they baptize their kid.
On the other hand, if this new way of living is good and better (and I obviously believe that it is) then it is worth sharing with your kids. And while I appreciate the sentiment of waiting until they are old enough to choose, remember that not everyone else will wait. If your kid watches tv, they are going to be hit with thousands of images that tell them that stuff will make them happy. If they grow up in the U.S., the news will show them that the way to peace and security is through violence (or the threat of it). If they play video games, they will learn that consequences aren't real--a simple reset button will let them start over easily (and while I love video games, I have found that this is not the case in real life. For all the cops I might shoot in Grand Theft Auto, I would only get the chance to shoot one in real life--note: I have not and will not shoot cops, this is just an example :) )
I guess what I am saying is that if you want if you want your kids to be different than the average kid (and I think the average kid is messed up), than you have to work on him/her from the start. Yes, it can have bad effects (see Paul's post), but so can doing nothing.
I wish I had more time these upcoming days to explore this further. I think I will be away from a computer until Wednesday night, but if I can get a hold of a laptop, I will check in. Until then, please forgive any lack of further response.
And I promise I will never quote Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young again.
Paul, you clearly showed how religion can be a key ingredient to a whole host of problems. Sadly, this is not the first time I have heard a story like this. I have a friend who basically shared my values, but would never go to church with me because it caused her to have panic attacks. Another friend avoids church because during a bi-polar break she talked to God in a way that was not healthy at all.
Enknot, I would love to hear more of your story--maybe over coffee instead of through the internets, that way we don't have to worry about what other people might read. At the very least, maybe I can help you find the Bible stories that you wish to find. Probably the best story to teach honesty is the story of Annias and Saphira, who lied to the apostles and were struck dead, but that's not exactly the kind of thing we want to share with kids.
One of my favorite theologians once said, "You know we've gone and messed up Christianity when we started thinking it's someihing good for our kids."
I think what he meant by that is that the Bible isn't really the best way to get kids to grow up in the way that the American dream teaches people to grow up. To "succeed" in the the US, you have to go along with the ways and values of our empire. But Christ taught a way of life that values entirely different things. So Christians are called to love justice, and to find it, not through violence, but through love. When we seek justice instead of power and accolades and stuff, the ways of the empire seem insignificant. But the whole world lives according to the ways of the empire--this is why Jesus and so many of the first Christians were killed.
Do you want to raise a kid to believe something so radical and dangerous? I think it is a fair question, and because of it, it is important that parents think twice before they baptize their kid.
On the other hand, if this new way of living is good and better (and I obviously believe that it is) then it is worth sharing with your kids. And while I appreciate the sentiment of waiting until they are old enough to choose, remember that not everyone else will wait. If your kid watches tv, they are going to be hit with thousands of images that tell them that stuff will make them happy. If they grow up in the U.S., the news will show them that the way to peace and security is through violence (or the threat of it). If they play video games, they will learn that consequences aren't real--a simple reset button will let them start over easily (and while I love video games, I have found that this is not the case in real life. For all the cops I might shoot in Grand Theft Auto, I would only get the chance to shoot one in real life--note: I have not and will not shoot cops, this is just an example :) )
I guess what I am saying is that if you want if you want your kids to be different than the average kid (and I think the average kid is messed up), than you have to work on him/her from the start. Yes, it can have bad effects (see Paul's post), but so can doing nothing.
I wish I had more time these upcoming days to explore this further. I think I will be away from a computer until Wednesday night, but if I can get a hold of a laptop, I will check in. Until then, please forgive any lack of further response.
And I promise I will never quote Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young again.
jason - 01/28/08 16:07
Oh man, I love that song!
Oh man, I love that song!
carolinian - 01/28/08 13:24
My rabbi used to say "pray as if everything depended upon g-d, act as if everything depended upon you." The litmus test of healthy faithful vs. religious headcase is usually the ability to comprehend the "act as if everything" part.
My rabbi used to say "pray as if everything depended upon g-d, act as if everything depended upon you." The litmus test of healthy faithful vs. religious headcase is usually the ability to comprehend the "act as if everything" part.
mrdeadlier - 01/28/08 12:42
Well said, dude. Well said.
Well said, dude. Well said.
01/23/2008 13:31 #43000
Should I?I guess I have not been a good peep. Maybe I am depressed because I was so severely thrashed at Balderdash by (e:Jim). Really, that's my game and I am not used to losing, let alone being dominated.
Seriously, I think it has just been a lot of stuff happening at the church. I thought that this was going to be my week to catch up, but it only takes one memorial service to change that.
Anyway, on to the question at hand. I have been invited to apply to be on the board of a certain village association. I am leaning towards doing this (pending a talk with (e:Janelle)), but have not decided yet. Frankly, I like much of what they do, but not all of it. The way I see it, is it is better to get involved than to complain, but really, not getting involved is so much easier.
What say the peeps?
Seriously, I think it has just been a lot of stuff happening at the church. I thought that this was going to be my week to catch up, but it only takes one memorial service to change that.
Anyway, on to the question at hand. I have been invited to apply to be on the board of a certain village association. I am leaning towards doing this (pending a talk with (e:Janelle)), but have not decided yet. Frankly, I like much of what they do, but not all of it. The way I see it, is it is better to get involved than to complain, but really, not getting involved is so much easier.
What say the peeps?
drew - 01/23/08 16:24
Just to clarify, the association isn't invite only, but they have to recruit people for the board.
Just to clarify, the association isn't invite only, but they have to recruit people for the board.
jason - 01/23/08 16:22
Why not give it a shot? Like Gandhi said, Be the change you want to see in the world.
Why not give it a shot? Like Gandhi said, Be the change you want to see in the world.
joshua - 01/23/08 16:05
Is this some sort of invite-only association? No community group worth a damn would do so. The thing that (e:janelle) mentioned really frosts me - it epitomizes what I hate about living here but then again you cannot have it all. EV residents are waaaaaay up their own asses sometimes.
From my perspective (and I have reservations w/respect to the ev association as well) you should do it, if anything to simply infiltrate them and inject a bit of sense.
Also keep in mind that this sort of organization is virtually invisible except for a handful of occasions a year... or unless you need something that they have. Ultimately I question their relevance to the prosperity of the neighborhood, but if you do join I hope that you inject some good ideas that will ultimately benefit the neighborhood for the sake of the people who live here, rather than the greedy business owners who tend to populate these sorts of hifalutin organizations.
Good luck man - I'm a cynic so take what I say with a little dash of salt, but I think you are the perfect person to be involved in this sort of thing. Maybe what we don't like about these orgs can be changed for the better with a guy like you being involved.
Is this some sort of invite-only association? No community group worth a damn would do so. The thing that (e:janelle) mentioned really frosts me - it epitomizes what I hate about living here but then again you cannot have it all. EV residents are waaaaaay up their own asses sometimes.
From my perspective (and I have reservations w/respect to the ev association as well) you should do it, if anything to simply infiltrate them and inject a bit of sense.
Also keep in mind that this sort of organization is virtually invisible except for a handful of occasions a year... or unless you need something that they have. Ultimately I question their relevance to the prosperity of the neighborhood, but if you do join I hope that you inject some good ideas that will ultimately benefit the neighborhood for the sake of the people who live here, rather than the greedy business owners who tend to populate these sorts of hifalutin organizations.
Good luck man - I'm a cynic so take what I say with a little dash of salt, but I think you are the perfect person to be involved in this sort of thing. Maybe what we don't like about these orgs can be changed for the better with a guy like you being involved.
janelle - 01/23/08 15:21
You know my opinion on said association. I'm no fan of an association that will chase away a non profit rather than allow it to become a permanent tenant of a vacant retail space. Blech.
You know my opinion on said association. I'm no fan of an association that will chase away a non profit rather than allow it to become a permanent tenant of a vacant retail space. Blech.
mrdeadlier - 01/23/08 14:13
yeah, do it.
yeah, do it.
jim - 01/23/08 14:10
Congrats on the invitation to join by the way - and sorry for being too awesome at balderdash for you to handle ^_^
Congrats on the invitation to join by the way - and sorry for being too awesome at balderdash for you to handle ^_^
jim - 01/23/08 14:09
The put up or shut up theory says that joining is the way to go!
The put up or shut up theory says that joining is the way to go!
mrmike - 01/23/08 14:00
If it is a certain association I'm thinking of, I'm sitting on their marketing committee. Give it a go. If it goes down in flames, at least we know people.
If it is a certain association I'm thinking of, I'm sitting on their marketing committee. Give it a go. If it goes down in flames, at least we know people.
01/15/2008 15:44 #42893
Happy Birthday, Rev. KingCategory: religion
Every white Christian should read "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" regularly. It still makes me shiver. This quote seems to have been downright prophetic:
So often the contemporary church is a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. So often it is an archdefender of the status quo. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the church's silent and often even vocal sanction of things as they are.
But the judgment of God is upon the church as never before. If today's church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century. Every day I meet young people whose disappointment with the church has turned into outright disgust.
mrdeadlier - 01/17/08 11:30
That scary quote was enough to entice me. I'm going to go check it out.
That scary quote was enough to entice me. I'm going to go check it out.
janelle - 01/15/08 16:02
I think every Christian should probably read this. It applies to a number of social situations.
I think every Christian should probably read this. It applies to a number of social situations.
01/14/2008 10:54 #42877
Eating in NOLACategory: nola
Ok, everything about the trip was great. I did some good work, met some good people, and had some good thoughts. But another thing sticks in my mind, too. The Red Fish Grill.
Everybody told me to eat there, which, in normally means that I would not eat there. But we were walking through the French Quarter with Vic (I should post about him, too) and he suggested it, and I was not in a mood to suggest something else. I am glad I did not.
I have not eaten a better meal in a LONG time. Fortunately, the recipe for what I ate is available on their website, so I can hopefully eat it again without spending big bucks. Here it is:
I honestly have not had seafood so good. Kook can back me up on this. It didn't taste fishy, but instead it was smokey-rich-spicy-sweet. Amazing.
Everybody told me to eat there, which, in normally means that I would not eat there. But we were walking through the French Quarter with Vic (I should post about him, too) and he suggested it, and I was not in a mood to suggest something else. I am glad I did not.
I have not eaten a better meal in a LONG time. Fortunately, the recipe for what I ate is available on their website, so I can hopefully eat it again without spending big bucks. Here it is:
I honestly have not had seafood so good. Kook can back me up on this. It didn't taste fishy, but instead it was smokey-rich-spicy-sweet. Amazing.
kookcity2000 - 01/14/08 22:51
oh man that was a fucking great dinner.
Between that, the medley we sharted waiting at the airport, and the PoBoy I got for lunch Friday, that was the only local faire we ate down there.
Everything else was dinners made at the camp.
The camp dinners were actually very good, all things considered.
oh man that was a fucking great dinner.
Between that, the medley we sharted waiting at the airport, and the PoBoy I got for lunch Friday, that was the only local faire we ate down there.
Everything else was dinners made at the camp.
The camp dinners were actually very good, all things considered.
mrdt - 01/14/08 19:40
If you're eating in restaurants or buying fish that tastes fishy it's really important for you to stay away from those places and find/develop a relationship with a reputible fish monger like Hayes Seafood. Being on the coast NO has exceptional fish quality because it goes from the boats and the farms to the plate faster. I would have recommended shrimp or crawfish as this is harvest time and it may have been an opportunity to eat fresh as opposed to frozen which, unless in Europe, is the way we eat shrimp in 98% of the country. There is no taste comparison like that of fresh sweet shrimp!!!
If you're eating in restaurants or buying fish that tastes fishy it's really important for you to stay away from those places and find/develop a relationship with a reputible fish monger like Hayes Seafood. Being on the coast NO has exceptional fish quality because it goes from the boats and the farms to the plate faster. I would have recommended shrimp or crawfish as this is harvest time and it may have been an opportunity to eat fresh as opposed to frozen which, unless in Europe, is the way we eat shrimp in 98% of the country. There is no taste comparison like that of fresh sweet shrimp!!!
jbeatty - 01/14/08 16:24
Looks like a tasty recipe. Glad you had a good time.
Looks like a tasty recipe. Glad you had a good time.
mrmike - 01/14/08 11:01
I know you had a full schedule, but it is pretty easy to eat well there. Hope you were able to try Cafe Du Monde and their fine beignets. Those are worth investigation as well.
I know you had a full schedule, but it is pretty easy to eat well there. Hope you were able to try Cafe Du Monde and their fine beignets. Those are worth investigation as well.
Metallica is coming out with A new Movie that is Awesome. Seriously I did here about this it is the first live action movie shot in 3D or something like that. In terms of U2 I like them and they can be mentioned with The Doors, The Rollin Stones, The Beatles and other epic rock bands. That being said they get a lot of flack for (like the goo goo dolls and a lot of other bands) for changing there sound. A lot of people like there music but Hate bono cause all he does is talk and think he is a big shot and only his causes matter and that he uses he Celeberity to much when he should just shut the fuck up and sing. I personaly like his bands music and think they are pretty good. With the cost it is to go see them live you could maybe see the movie like 12 times I'm guessing so go with a bunch of people stand up and rip it up in the movie place. In any event I hope you have fun and enjoy your self.
U2 on the Imax? I can't believe my wife hasn't assaulted me with this knowledge yet.
And i will be 39 this month. February people rock. :O)
And, as a birthday present to both you and (e:Mrmike), i will refrain from saying that i think U2 is actually the suckiest band on the planet...
oops....
And 30 old? hah!
This month I turn 44 (and am an older person who still rocks). I'm so glad the movie is coming to the IMAX starting on feb 15th. Due be careful, It may not stay very long.