Hello, friends. Well, this was Day Two of working here at Medina Children's Home, and it was pretty rough. We cut down some trees and dragged some trees and we're pretty much tired of seeing trees. But we'll be back at it again tomorrow. And I am extremely proud of everyone. Parents, you would be proud of your kids. They are not complaining. They are working hard. They are playing hard. And they are representing Jesus, your family and Bammel Teen Ministry beautifully. We've had a lot of fun and still had time to get plenty of sleep. We are probably going to drive you nuts talking about "tators" when we get back. But the group has been great. We are definitely sore and tired, but we're hanging in there and I am glad each of these kids are on this trip. We are blessed to be here. And the kids are talking about how we can be more involved with Medina throughout the year.
Tomorrow is our last day of working. We are going to be back out there dragging cedar and throwing it off a trailer and such. It's going to be hard work, but everyone is doing great. We are even cooking dinner for everyone tomorrow night, so maybe when you pray, you could send one up to everyone here and ask that they don't get sick.
I know I should update you all, but let me tell you this. I can't get cell service out here, so I am using the wifi when we get back to the main building. I'm trying to update on Twitter and stuff. Not easy though. If you're friends with me on Facebook, you've probably seen some updates. Hope you all have a good rest of the week. We will be home closer to 3:00 on Thursday. I'm sure we'll be plenty sore and ready to relax. And probably hungry for tators. Because we love tators
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Monday, December 27, 2010
I will try to fix you
Well, the Dolphins are in their all too familiar late season slump, which actually started in Week 3 this year. I am perplexed with their inability to win at home this year, and I really had high hopes. After last year, it looked like they were going to be a team on the rise. It looked like Henne was going to be a pretty solid starter. At least it looked like we could win some games with him. Then he took a huge few hundred steps backward as the season went along. More than anything, I just don't like his body language. He looks too often like someone shot his dog when he makes a mistake. And he's made plenty of mistakes this year. I am resigned to believe that he will never reach the level of consistency to be a leader. This bothers me even more when I see QBs like Matt Ryan and Aaron Rodgers playing at a Pro Bowl level (these are just two of the QBs we have passed on in recent years).
So even though I know that Stephen Ross will never read this, I'm going to offer my help. Things were easier when H. Wayne Huizenga was the owner. He made his share of mistakes, but he always tried to put a winner on the field. Wayne made a ton of blunders along the way. He hired Saban and gave him full control. Then he hired Cam Cameron, which I still don't understand. He also hired Parcells, which I thought would be a great move for us. But, even after The Tuna is leaving the team, we aren't a playoff caliber team. Meanwhile, the Jets have improved and the Patriots just keep on reloading. And we're nowhere near those teams right now.
But I can't handle bellyaching about anything with no offer of a solution. So here, Mr. Ross, is my solution for solving the Dolphins' problems and moving us forward to put a better team on the field, if there is football in 2011.
1. Find a quarterback. Chad Henne is not it. He looked like he might get it figured out, and I defended him relentlessly at the first of the season. But he’s regressed as quickly as anyone I’ve ever seen. I say you draft a guy this year and see what happens. Make him your day one starter and let’s see what he’s made of. Ryan Mallett will be available. So will Jake Locker. I’m particularly interested in Locker. Last year, I thought he was it. This year he has been terrible. So maybe you don’t have to trade up to get him. I have watched this team pass on QBs like Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan. In that time, we have selected QBs like Henne, John Beck and Pat White. Ridiculous. Embarrassing. This is a QB driven league. Look at the teams in the playoffs. Except for the Jets, they all have QBs who are either established or on their way. Also, let me say this. I am right about QBs more often than the experts. My exact words on Henne when we drafted him? “I really wasn’t impressed with him in college. But I trust The Tuna.” Yeah. So I’m smarter than Parcells apparently, because I prayed for Matt Ryan. Gotta have a QB. And it doesn’t help when Steve Young calls Ryan “The Next Generation’s Tom Brady.” I love Jake Long, but he’s not the next Tom Brady.
Let me say this about Henne. I know he’s only been a starter for two seasons. And I know he’s going to make some mistakes as a young players. I knew he wasn’t an NFL QB when he came in after Pennington got hurt, after being benched for Pennington. He walked into the game like someone had just shot his dog. I don’t like his body language. And I don’t like his demeanor. He may be the most competitive guy in the world, but I want to see it. I want to see some emotion. Besides depression.
2. Keep Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano. I think Ireland is a pretty good GM. And I really believe that Sparano is a pretty good coach. He's getting better at managing games on Sunday. And I think he's good with his players. I don't feel like it makes a lot of sense to go after a big name coach right now. Let's see how those guys do without Parcells making the final call. May I remind you that Henne was Parcells' guy?
3. Forget about defense. You have played good enough defense this year to win 12 games. But we can't score. In fact, the Dolphins haven't even scored 30 points in any game this year. They're 31st in scoring, and have no scary players on offense. We have no speed on offense.
4. Speaking of speed on offense, I’m afraid that this might have been the last year for the Ricky and Ronnie show. I would love to keep Ronnie. And I think we should. But he is going to have to take less money. Ricky is gone. So is Dan Henning. We had the most boring offense in the league this year. And he wouldn’t give up on the Wildcat, even when it brought drives to a screeching halt. Get a new O-coordinator. Maybe even promote QB coach David Lee to the job, if you want consistency. Get a fast RB and a TE that can take advantage of the middle of the field. You need a speed WR as well, preferably someone who can actually catch.
5. Also, get an ILB that isn’t Channing Crowder. He’s slower than me.
6. Keep Mike Nolan. He turned our defense around this year.
7. Hire me as a scout. I can find you a QB. QBs I said would be good that I have been right about? Try Ryan, Brees, McNabb, Roethlisberger and Rivers, just to name a few. QBs I said couldn't do it at the pro level and I have been wrong about? Looks like Sam Bradford is going to be pretty good after all, which I didn't see. But in my defense, he didn't even play last season. Vick has become a good NFL starter, and I could end up missing on Tebow. But I guarantee Jimmy Clausen isn't getting any better. The Panthers better hope Andrew Luck comes out. And if they have to hire Jim Harbaugh to make that happen, then there you go.
These are just a few thoughts that I had after watching us lay an egg against the Lions this weekend. I’m sure I could come up with more. But to sit back and watch the Patriots win another Super Bowl is going to be hard, knowing we’re not even close to challenging them, and they got younger and better this year. Gah.
So even though I know that Stephen Ross will never read this, I'm going to offer my help. Things were easier when H. Wayne Huizenga was the owner. He made his share of mistakes, but he always tried to put a winner on the field. Wayne made a ton of blunders along the way. He hired Saban and gave him full control. Then he hired Cam Cameron, which I still don't understand. He also hired Parcells, which I thought would be a great move for us. But, even after The Tuna is leaving the team, we aren't a playoff caliber team. Meanwhile, the Jets have improved and the Patriots just keep on reloading. And we're nowhere near those teams right now.
But I can't handle bellyaching about anything with no offer of a solution. So here, Mr. Ross, is my solution for solving the Dolphins' problems and moving us forward to put a better team on the field, if there is football in 2011.
1. Find a quarterback. Chad Henne is not it. He looked like he might get it figured out, and I defended him relentlessly at the first of the season. But he’s regressed as quickly as anyone I’ve ever seen. I say you draft a guy this year and see what happens. Make him your day one starter and let’s see what he’s made of. Ryan Mallett will be available. So will Jake Locker. I’m particularly interested in Locker. Last year, I thought he was it. This year he has been terrible. So maybe you don’t have to trade up to get him. I have watched this team pass on QBs like Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan. In that time, we have selected QBs like Henne, John Beck and Pat White. Ridiculous. Embarrassing. This is a QB driven league. Look at the teams in the playoffs. Except for the Jets, they all have QBs who are either established or on their way. Also, let me say this. I am right about QBs more often than the experts. My exact words on Henne when we drafted him? “I really wasn’t impressed with him in college. But I trust The Tuna.” Yeah. So I’m smarter than Parcells apparently, because I prayed for Matt Ryan. Gotta have a QB. And it doesn’t help when Steve Young calls Ryan “The Next Generation’s Tom Brady.” I love Jake Long, but he’s not the next Tom Brady.
Let me say this about Henne. I know he’s only been a starter for two seasons. And I know he’s going to make some mistakes as a young players. I knew he wasn’t an NFL QB when he came in after Pennington got hurt, after being benched for Pennington. He walked into the game like someone had just shot his dog. I don’t like his body language. And I don’t like his demeanor. He may be the most competitive guy in the world, but I want to see it. I want to see some emotion. Besides depression.
2. Keep Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano. I think Ireland is a pretty good GM. And I really believe that Sparano is a pretty good coach. He's getting better at managing games on Sunday. And I think he's good with his players. I don't feel like it makes a lot of sense to go after a big name coach right now. Let's see how those guys do without Parcells making the final call. May I remind you that Henne was Parcells' guy?
3. Forget about defense. You have played good enough defense this year to win 12 games. But we can't score. In fact, the Dolphins haven't even scored 30 points in any game this year. They're 31st in scoring, and have no scary players on offense. We have no speed on offense.
4. Speaking of speed on offense, I’m afraid that this might have been the last year for the Ricky and Ronnie show. I would love to keep Ronnie. And I think we should. But he is going to have to take less money. Ricky is gone. So is Dan Henning. We had the most boring offense in the league this year. And he wouldn’t give up on the Wildcat, even when it brought drives to a screeching halt. Get a new O-coordinator. Maybe even promote QB coach David Lee to the job, if you want consistency. Get a fast RB and a TE that can take advantage of the middle of the field. You need a speed WR as well, preferably someone who can actually catch.
5. Also, get an ILB that isn’t Channing Crowder. He’s slower than me.
6. Keep Mike Nolan. He turned our defense around this year.
7. Hire me as a scout. I can find you a QB. QBs I said would be good that I have been right about? Try Ryan, Brees, McNabb, Roethlisberger and Rivers, just to name a few. QBs I said couldn't do it at the pro level and I have been wrong about? Looks like Sam Bradford is going to be pretty good after all, which I didn't see. But in my defense, he didn't even play last season. Vick has become a good NFL starter, and I could end up missing on Tebow. But I guarantee Jimmy Clausen isn't getting any better. The Panthers better hope Andrew Luck comes out. And if they have to hire Jim Harbaugh to make that happen, then there you go.
These are just a few thoughts that I had after watching us lay an egg against the Lions this weekend. I’m sure I could come up with more. But to sit back and watch the Patriots win another Super Bowl is going to be hard, knowing we’re not even close to challenging them, and they got younger and better this year. Gah.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Now seems like a pretty good time for an end of the year rant (Part 1)
I got a bee in my bonnet about something today (probably sports-related, for those of you who want to stop reading now), and I decided that I really haven't lately used this blog for the main reason I originally started it -- ranting. So, since the year is almost over anyway, I may as well make up for lost time. So here it is, my big rant for the year. If you don't want to hear me gripe or don't care about my opinions, turn back before it's too late. It's my rant. You don't have to agree with it, but it's still mine. Make your own. OK, so really, here we go.
For the umpteen-thousandth time, I care about two sports: football and basketball. To say I care is to say that I am only passionate about those two sports. And the only teams I care about are the Miami Dolphins (football, kinda) and the University of North Carolina Tar Heels (college basketball/football). I care about these two teams and that is all. I am not invested otherwise.
If we are talking about favorite college teams and I ask you who your favorite team is and your reply starts with, "Well, in football . . . ", the conversation is over. Pick a school and root for their athletics. It makes you look less bandwagony and also saves you a lot of money in T-shirts.
Speaking of sports, if you haven't said two words to me in five years and you decide to end your silence by talking smack about my team just because yours finally made it past the second round, just don't.
Note: I don't talk smack because I can't take it. Yes, there was a time when I enjoyed arguing about everything. Just ask anyone within earshot of me in the FHU cafeteria circa 1993-97. But those days are gone now. I do like to have conversations with knowledgeable fans of all teams, who support their teams without the need to belittle someone else. I have even had grown-up conversations with Duke fans. Jets fans? Different story.
Oh, that reminds me. I hate Duke. I hate the Jets. I don't hate their fans or players. I use the word hate a lot in sports, only because the words "loathe" and "disdain" do not hit the same chord.
Here's the deal. If you are a Duke fan, then you hate Carolina. And if you are a Jets fan . . . well, pretty much you hate the world. I have softened a lot on rivalries. I have had some Duke fans in my youth group over the years, so I have softened a little. I still love when they lose, but it doesn't bother me as much when they win. And I don't talk smack . . . ever. Did I mention that?
When I say I don't talk smack, I mean I don't initiate it. I can still bring it.
Why do you stop liking a band after they get big? Do you want them to live in a van and go broke so they can't make any more records? If you stop liking a band because others started liking them, you never liked them anyway. Some people just want to say they knew them when . . . I hate that.
Did I mention I used to be one of those people?
I'm not talking about people who like listening to stuff that no one else listens to. I don't like pop music either. At least I don't think I do. I don't put labels on stuff anymore. Don asked me the other day what kind of music I listened to, and I didn't know what to say. Do people still use the word "alternative"?
Everything I listen to sounds like it came out in the 60s or 80s anyway.
Speaking of music, I like the Jonas Brothers. There. I said it. Don't care.
In fact, let me just say that the music my girls like isn't bad. It's not written for me, but it's not painful to listen to. Regarding that ilk, I include: The Jo-Bros, Allstar Weekend and, yes . . . Justin Bieber. Is it Mozart? Heck no. But I'd rather listen to Justin Bieber for 12 hours than anything by the cast of Glee for twenty seconds. And yes, I said that too.
Look, I'm not a music scholar. Don't start telling me how juvenile something is. Music is supposed to induce an emotional response. And if it's fun, it's just fun. I'm not a music critic or music snob. Like what you like and don't listen to what other people listen to just to seem cooler. Don't degrade what someone else listens to either. Disney Channel doesn't write music targeting 30 year olds. My kids don't like The Pixies. I don't tell them they're stupid. I just turn it up.
Not too long ago, I was driving and turning left. I waited at the light until I obviously received the green arrow. Only thing is, there was someone on the opposite side of the road from me that was trying to turn right into the lane I was turning left into. I had the light. I had the right of way. And this guy throws his arms up at me like I had no idea what I was doing. Reason #74 I do not need to get a gun permit.
I heard Apple is coming out with the iPad 2 by April of next year. Can't wait to see the line for that one. I admit I am an Apple enthusiast. Love the products and the ease and style they offer. However, I do not consider myself an Apple snob. And if you don't know what I'm talking about, you're probably an Apple snob.
Q. How do you know if someone has an iPhone?
A. They tell you.
"Steve Jobs is the man." - Apple Enthusiast
"In the beginning, Steve Jobs created . . . " - Apple Snob
I'm making fun of Apple snobs while typing on a MacBook. Yes, I am the worst kind of hypocrite.
I'm not the most patriotic person you'll ever meet, but when did the American Flag become an embarrassment in this country? I don't mind you waving your home country's flag wherever, even in this country, but when kids get sent home from school for showing pride in America? Something's wrong with that.
I don't get into politics. But I do wish our next president would be so much like Ronald Reagan they'd have to do a DNA test to make sure he wasn't.
I realize that makes me sound old. Don't care.
Well, I have to go pick up the kids from school. I'll try to do part 2 tonight. I can't be finished ranting yet. I haven't even started talking movies yet.
For the umpteen-thousandth time, I care about two sports: football and basketball. To say I care is to say that I am only passionate about those two sports. And the only teams I care about are the Miami Dolphins (football, kinda) and the University of North Carolina Tar Heels (college basketball/football). I care about these two teams and that is all. I am not invested otherwise.
If we are talking about favorite college teams and I ask you who your favorite team is and your reply starts with, "Well, in football . . . ", the conversation is over. Pick a school and root for their athletics. It makes you look less bandwagony and also saves you a lot of money in T-shirts.
Speaking of sports, if you haven't said two words to me in five years and you decide to end your silence by talking smack about my team just because yours finally made it past the second round, just don't.
Note: I don't talk smack because I can't take it. Yes, there was a time when I enjoyed arguing about everything. Just ask anyone within earshot of me in the FHU cafeteria circa 1993-97. But those days are gone now. I do like to have conversations with knowledgeable fans of all teams, who support their teams without the need to belittle someone else. I have even had grown-up conversations with Duke fans. Jets fans? Different story.
Oh, that reminds me. I hate Duke. I hate the Jets. I don't hate their fans or players. I use the word hate a lot in sports, only because the words "loathe" and "disdain" do not hit the same chord.
Here's the deal. If you are a Duke fan, then you hate Carolina. And if you are a Jets fan . . . well, pretty much you hate the world. I have softened a lot on rivalries. I have had some Duke fans in my youth group over the years, so I have softened a little. I still love when they lose, but it doesn't bother me as much when they win. And I don't talk smack . . . ever. Did I mention that?
When I say I don't talk smack, I mean I don't initiate it. I can still bring it.
Why do you stop liking a band after they get big? Do you want them to live in a van and go broke so they can't make any more records? If you stop liking a band because others started liking them, you never liked them anyway. Some people just want to say they knew them when . . . I hate that.
Did I mention I used to be one of those people?
I'm not talking about people who like listening to stuff that no one else listens to. I don't like pop music either. At least I don't think I do. I don't put labels on stuff anymore. Don asked me the other day what kind of music I listened to, and I didn't know what to say. Do people still use the word "alternative"?
Everything I listen to sounds like it came out in the 60s or 80s anyway.
Speaking of music, I like the Jonas Brothers. There. I said it. Don't care.
In fact, let me just say that the music my girls like isn't bad. It's not written for me, but it's not painful to listen to. Regarding that ilk, I include: The Jo-Bros, Allstar Weekend and, yes . . . Justin Bieber. Is it Mozart? Heck no. But I'd rather listen to Justin Bieber for 12 hours than anything by the cast of Glee for twenty seconds. And yes, I said that too.
Look, I'm not a music scholar. Don't start telling me how juvenile something is. Music is supposed to induce an emotional response. And if it's fun, it's just fun. I'm not a music critic or music snob. Like what you like and don't listen to what other people listen to just to seem cooler. Don't degrade what someone else listens to either. Disney Channel doesn't write music targeting 30 year olds. My kids don't like The Pixies. I don't tell them they're stupid. I just turn it up.
Not too long ago, I was driving and turning left. I waited at the light until I obviously received the green arrow. Only thing is, there was someone on the opposite side of the road from me that was trying to turn right into the lane I was turning left into. I had the light. I had the right of way. And this guy throws his arms up at me like I had no idea what I was doing. Reason #74 I do not need to get a gun permit.
I heard Apple is coming out with the iPad 2 by April of next year. Can't wait to see the line for that one. I admit I am an Apple enthusiast. Love the products and the ease and style they offer. However, I do not consider myself an Apple snob. And if you don't know what I'm talking about, you're probably an Apple snob.
Q. How do you know if someone has an iPhone?
A. They tell you.
"Steve Jobs is the man." - Apple Enthusiast
"In the beginning, Steve Jobs created . . . " - Apple Snob
I'm making fun of Apple snobs while typing on a MacBook. Yes, I am the worst kind of hypocrite.
I'm not the most patriotic person you'll ever meet, but when did the American Flag become an embarrassment in this country? I don't mind you waving your home country's flag wherever, even in this country, but when kids get sent home from school for showing pride in America? Something's wrong with that.
I don't get into politics. But I do wish our next president would be so much like Ronald Reagan they'd have to do a DNA test to make sure he wasn't.
I realize that makes me sound old. Don't care.
Well, I have to go pick up the kids from school. I'll try to do part 2 tonight. I can't be finished ranting yet. I haven't even started talking movies yet.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Everyone knows Kobe loves to shoot
Just for the record, I don't like Kobe Bryant.
That said, I may as well weigh in on this Kobe thing. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, click on this link:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/commentary/news/story?page=keown/101116
Let me first say I've never had anyone close to me killed with a gun. I don't know what it feels like to lose someone close to me in a violent fashion. And I don't know what it's like to be in a gang or live around gangs or whatever. I don't know a lot of things about the culture of violence, but I do know this: Kobe Bryant being in a commercial for Call of Duty isn't going to make me want to buy a gun and go on a killing spree.
OK, I get that the video game is violent. And I do agree that we have, to a great degree, become desensitized to violence through media. I get that part. What I don't get is how people continue to blame video games and rock bands and movies for young people being violent. To me, it sounds like the same people who blame McDonald's for making people fat. I know I'm old, but I remember a time when you took some personal responsibility for your actions. And parents used to take responsibility for raising their kids. But it's easier to blame someone else. It's easier to blame fast food for being overweight. It's easier to blame TV for your kids' rotten behavior. It's easier to blame the internet for your addiction to porn. It's easier to blame the bartender for your DUI. It's easier to blame your frustrations at work for the bruises on your wife's face. And it's easier to blame Kobe for failing society than to take responsibility to sit down with my kids and talk with them about the violent content of these games. Hey, I'm not letting the media off the hook. I hate some of the stuff they put on TV. But if I don't pay attention to what my kids watch, play and pick up at school, then I'm failing as a parent.
I heard something the other day on the radio as the hosts of a show were talking about Columbine, and the horrific events of that day. And, of course, Marilyn Manson was responsible for that. But when Manson was interviewed in the movie "Bowling For Columbine" about the shooting and how the kids who did it idolized him, they asked him what he would have said to the two teens who did this. Manson replied, "I wouldn't say a single word to them. I would listen to what they have to say, and that's what no one did."
And just for the record, I don't like Marilyn Manson either.
That said, I may as well weigh in on this Kobe thing. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, click on this link:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/commentary/news/story?page=keown/101116
Let me first say I've never had anyone close to me killed with a gun. I don't know what it feels like to lose someone close to me in a violent fashion. And I don't know what it's like to be in a gang or live around gangs or whatever. I don't know a lot of things about the culture of violence, but I do know this: Kobe Bryant being in a commercial for Call of Duty isn't going to make me want to buy a gun and go on a killing spree.
OK, I get that the video game is violent. And I do agree that we have, to a great degree, become desensitized to violence through media. I get that part. What I don't get is how people continue to blame video games and rock bands and movies for young people being violent. To me, it sounds like the same people who blame McDonald's for making people fat. I know I'm old, but I remember a time when you took some personal responsibility for your actions. And parents used to take responsibility for raising their kids. But it's easier to blame someone else. It's easier to blame fast food for being overweight. It's easier to blame TV for your kids' rotten behavior. It's easier to blame the internet for your addiction to porn. It's easier to blame the bartender for your DUI. It's easier to blame your frustrations at work for the bruises on your wife's face. And it's easier to blame Kobe for failing society than to take responsibility to sit down with my kids and talk with them about the violent content of these games. Hey, I'm not letting the media off the hook. I hate some of the stuff they put on TV. But if I don't pay attention to what my kids watch, play and pick up at school, then I'm failing as a parent.
I heard something the other day on the radio as the hosts of a show were talking about Columbine, and the horrific events of that day. And, of course, Marilyn Manson was responsible for that. But when Manson was interviewed in the movie "Bowling For Columbine" about the shooting and how the kids who did it idolized him, they asked him what he would have said to the two teens who did this. Manson replied, "I wouldn't say a single word to them. I would listen to what they have to say, and that's what no one did."
And just for the record, I don't like Marilyn Manson either.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
ACL!
OK, so I’m sitting here in the Atlanta airport, and I have an hour before my plane boards. So the good news is that I made it on time. The bad news is . . . it’s the Atlanta airport. So I’m going to try to find some way to pass the time. And how better to pass the time than to talk about this weekend. And what’s going on this weekend? OK . . . enough drama. I’m ending it. This weekend is Austin City Limits Music Festival, and I am going. I’m only going Friday and Saturday, but I am very excited about the 12 bands that I will be seeing.
You see, live music is kind of cathartic for me. I would rather go to a concert than a football game. Of course, if you saw the Dolphins play this past Monday, you probably thinks that has a whole lot to do with it. Well, it doesn’t. I would rather go see a good live show than any sporting event I can think of. I like music and I am very excited to see these bands this weekend, some more than others. I’m actually going to rank the bands from 1-12 (in order of my excitedness), because I also like ranking stuff. But I am going to start by going back through some of the bands I’ve seen and ranking the top ten live songs I have seen. These are going to be according to me, but you’re welcome to comment and let me know what you like. You see, when you’re at a concert, there’s always one song that blows you away. I have a lot to do in the next hour, so I had better get started.
First, the top ten live songs I have seen (according to me):
10. Father of Mine - Everclear (Memphis)
9. Sincerely, Me - Better Than Ezra (Somewhere in Mississippi)
8. Beautiful Day - U2 (Houston)
7. Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa - Vampire Weekend (ACL)
6. Aurora - Foo Fighters (ACL)
5. Everlong - Foo Fighters (Pensacola)
4. Sweetness - Jimmy Eat World (Pensacola)
3. Starlight - Muse (Houston)
2. When You Were Young - The Killers (Miami)
1. It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) - REM (St. Louis)
So there you go. Those are some great songs, made even better by seeing them live. I’ve said it before and I will say it again -- there’s nothing better than live music. You can’t see the passion on a record. Anyway, it’s great. I can’t wait for this weekend. Here are the bands in the order that I want to see them. Gosh, I just really feel like making lists today.
12. Phish - Don’t know one song. But it is Phish.
11. LCD Soundsystem - Just started listening to them, and I think they’re breaking up. Great timing.
10. Manchester Orchestra - Just started listening. I think I will like them more after seeing them live.
9. Broken Bells - Love the album. We’ll see how they are live.
8. Hockey - Originally one of the two bands I was most excited about seeing.
7. Temper Trap - The other one.
6. Vampire Weekend - They’d be higher if I hadn’t seen them already.
5. Miike Snow - Just started listening to them a few months ago.
4. Silversun Pickups - Already seen them. They’ve quickly become one of my top ten favorite bands.
3. The Gaslight Anthem - I hear they are amazing live.
2. Muse - This will be my third time to see them, and they bring it. Never gets old.
1. Spoon - I know. I’m surprised too. But when I didn’t think I was going to get to go, I immediately thought about not getting to see Spoon. I’ve never seen them. But that will change this weekend.
So I guess that’s it. I’m on the airplane right now and I’m landing in Houston in about 45 minutes. This is going to be a great weekend. I’m going to make sure to take a chair this year.
You see, live music is kind of cathartic for me. I would rather go to a concert than a football game. Of course, if you saw the Dolphins play this past Monday, you probably thinks that has a whole lot to do with it. Well, it doesn’t. I would rather go see a good live show than any sporting event I can think of. I like music and I am very excited to see these bands this weekend, some more than others. I’m actually going to rank the bands from 1-12 (in order of my excitedness), because I also like ranking stuff. But I am going to start by going back through some of the bands I’ve seen and ranking the top ten live songs I have seen. These are going to be according to me, but you’re welcome to comment and let me know what you like. You see, when you’re at a concert, there’s always one song that blows you away. I have a lot to do in the next hour, so I had better get started.
First, the top ten live songs I have seen (according to me):
10. Father of Mine - Everclear (Memphis)
9. Sincerely, Me - Better Than Ezra (Somewhere in Mississippi)
8. Beautiful Day - U2 (Houston)
7. Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa - Vampire Weekend (ACL)
6. Aurora - Foo Fighters (ACL)
5. Everlong - Foo Fighters (Pensacola)
4. Sweetness - Jimmy Eat World (Pensacola)
3. Starlight - Muse (Houston)
2. When You Were Young - The Killers (Miami)
1. It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) - REM (St. Louis)
So there you go. Those are some great songs, made even better by seeing them live. I’ve said it before and I will say it again -- there’s nothing better than live music. You can’t see the passion on a record. Anyway, it’s great. I can’t wait for this weekend. Here are the bands in the order that I want to see them. Gosh, I just really feel like making lists today.
12. Phish - Don’t know one song. But it is Phish.
11. LCD Soundsystem - Just started listening to them, and I think they’re breaking up. Great timing.
10. Manchester Orchestra - Just started listening. I think I will like them more after seeing them live.
9. Broken Bells - Love the album. We’ll see how they are live.
8. Hockey - Originally one of the two bands I was most excited about seeing.
7. Temper Trap - The other one.
6. Vampire Weekend - They’d be higher if I hadn’t seen them already.
5. Miike Snow - Just started listening to them a few months ago.
4. Silversun Pickups - Already seen them. They’ve quickly become one of my top ten favorite bands.
3. The Gaslight Anthem - I hear they are amazing live.
2. Muse - This will be my third time to see them, and they bring it. Never gets old.
1. Spoon - I know. I’m surprised too. But when I didn’t think I was going to get to go, I immediately thought about not getting to see Spoon. I’ve never seen them. But that will change this weekend.
So I guess that’s it. I’m on the airplane right now and I’m landing in Houston in about 45 minutes. This is going to be a great weekend. I’m going to make sure to take a chair this year.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Tooth and Nail
OK, I haven't blogged in a while. Been kinda busy of late. It was a fantastic summer, but it was still busy. I have a great youth group, but again, it keeps me busy. And my partner, Matthew, has moved to another area of ministry at Bammel. I'm happy for the little guy, but I'm still in the process of trying to figure out how to do this on my own. So there is a transition. During this transition, one thing I've really started doing is praying more. Admittedly, sometimes for me praying at all is an achievement. And it's not that I don't have things to pray about. But after the summer was over, you'd think since I had spent so much time around these kids and talked about God that I would be closer to him than ever. Not the case. In fact, I actually felt like I was farther away from him than before. I don't know how that could be possible, but I just wasn't feeling him daily. I started to question so many things. And then I fell across a passage that I have heard a million times, but I needed to hear it that million and . . . oneth.
James 4:8 "Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world." (NLT)
I've read and heard that passage so many times, but this time was different. This time I needed to hear it more than any other time in my life. I was moving away from God and my loyalty was divided so much, that God was barely getting a sliver of my time. So I started praying. And pretty soon, I was enjoying it. Pretty soon, I was dying to pray for others. Heck, I was just making lists of people to pray over. We have started talking on Sunday morning about loving God with all of our prayer (read Mark 12:30 from The Message). So I'm trying to figure out what that looks like. So far, it's done wonders for me as I seek God more clearly.
But something else happened to. This past Sunday, Rick and Matt talked from the pulpit about two plans for your life -- God's and Satan's. And it makes sense. If God has a plan for your life, you'd think Satan would come up with something completely opposite from that. And so the more I started praying, the more I started feeling a battle going on. Now that I am seeking God more on a daily basis, I can feel Satan almost being threatened by that. Kind of feels like I'm under attack. Of course, when we aren't seeking God, it's not like Satan has to do a whole lot. But when we get off our rumps and start moving toward God, I guess Satan's radar goes off and he starts moving in closer maybe. I don't know. But it's got me to thinking about the battle over my soul. And I know there is one going on. And that led me to an idea for our high school retreat. I got this image of fighting for your life and what that looks like. And in the animal kingdom, it really is a battle for survival. So you see them go at it completely, with every tooth and every nail (claw). And that's how I imagine us fighting Satan. We are in a battle every day for our souls. The question is "how hard will you fight to save yourself?"
I'm excited about our retreat now, and I hope God blesses it as we really get deep in our discussion over how hard we're willing to fight. In the meantime, I just kind of make myself laugh a little when I feel a little temptation creep into my head. When your eyes are open and you can see Satan's tricks, it's really quite funny to see how desperate he's willing to get. So I'll keep praying, and I'll keep seeking God. And Satan will keep fighting and he'll keep after me with his little tricks. And he might win a few battles. But I can tell you this, he's going to have a fight on his hands. And I'm already on the winning team.
James 4:8 "Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world." (NLT)
I've read and heard that passage so many times, but this time was different. This time I needed to hear it more than any other time in my life. I was moving away from God and my loyalty was divided so much, that God was barely getting a sliver of my time. So I started praying. And pretty soon, I was enjoying it. Pretty soon, I was dying to pray for others. Heck, I was just making lists of people to pray over. We have started talking on Sunday morning about loving God with all of our prayer (read Mark 12:30 from The Message). So I'm trying to figure out what that looks like. So far, it's done wonders for me as I seek God more clearly.
But something else happened to. This past Sunday, Rick and Matt talked from the pulpit about two plans for your life -- God's and Satan's. And it makes sense. If God has a plan for your life, you'd think Satan would come up with something completely opposite from that. And so the more I started praying, the more I started feeling a battle going on. Now that I am seeking God more on a daily basis, I can feel Satan almost being threatened by that. Kind of feels like I'm under attack. Of course, when we aren't seeking God, it's not like Satan has to do a whole lot. But when we get off our rumps and start moving toward God, I guess Satan's radar goes off and he starts moving in closer maybe. I don't know. But it's got me to thinking about the battle over my soul. And I know there is one going on. And that led me to an idea for our high school retreat. I got this image of fighting for your life and what that looks like. And in the animal kingdom, it really is a battle for survival. So you see them go at it completely, with every tooth and every nail (claw). And that's how I imagine us fighting Satan. We are in a battle every day for our souls. The question is "how hard will you fight to save yourself?"
I'm excited about our retreat now, and I hope God blesses it as we really get deep in our discussion over how hard we're willing to fight. In the meantime, I just kind of make myself laugh a little when I feel a little temptation creep into my head. When your eyes are open and you can see Satan's tricks, it's really quite funny to see how desperate he's willing to get. So I'll keep praying, and I'll keep seeking God. And Satan will keep fighting and he'll keep after me with his little tricks. And he might win a few battles. But I can tell you this, he's going to have a fight on his hands. And I'm already on the winning team.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Movies I've Been Looking At
OK, so I saw Inception for the second time a week or so ago, and I have to say that I liked it much better. And in the days following, now that I've had time to digest it fully, I really really like it. The more I think about it, the more I like it. It's like that album by one of your favorite bands that you don't really like the first time you listen through it (see: Futures by Jimmy Eat World). But once you listen to it a few times, you realize how brilliant it is (see: Futures by Jimmy Eat World). The thing about it is that the movie is a mind-bender. So this has gotten me in the mood to see some mind-bending movies. Add to that the fact that I read an article in some magazine that ranked the top ten most confusing movies of all-time. So I decided to go through them.
So far, I've gone through Vanilla Sky and Memento (again). I rented Donnie Darko last night, but I couldn't stay up to watch it because I was tired. I really wanted to watch Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind anyway. I have to say, even though I risk ruining the whole movie for everyone, that I don't get why Vanilla Sky is the most confusing movie of all-time. They spend the last fifteen minutes of the movie sewing it up nice and tight. It almost explains itself too well for my taste. It takes all the debate out of what really happened. The thing I like about movies is the same thing I like about songs. I love it when you can take your own interpretation away and it can mean whatever you want it to mean. That's the beauty of art. If someone spells it out for you, I call that "Pop" art. And I don't like "Pop" anything, except "Corn." Huzzah!
Memento is brilliant. I think more people know about Inception, but Chris Nolan is just the man. Memento, in my opinion, is still a better movie to me than Inception. I'm a little concerned about Nolan at this point. My fear is that he's going to start drinking his own Kool-Aid and begin to believe the "genius" stuff. Then he's going to try to out-think himself and end up ruining his rep (see: M. Night Shyamalan, Bill Belichick). But until then, I'm going to enjoy his films, because he is the best filmmaker around. And I'm sorry, but it's not even close. I like his movies. I am anxious to give my friend M. Night another shot, though. Seems he has a new movie he wrote coming out sometime. I'll probably see that. Probably won't be seeing Green Hornet or Yogi Bear. Seriously, Hollywood, how much money do you have to lose on stupid films before you realize some movies don't need to be made? Yogi Bear? Is anyone really going to see this? My fear is that they're going to feel the need to "adult it up." So not only will I not be seeing it, my kids won't either. My prediction for both these films is disaster.
Summer 2011, on the other hand, holds some pretty good films that I'm probably going to be catching. I'm very upbeat for Captain America and Green Lantern. But I have to admit that, again, some movies don't need to be made. And just because it was a comic book, that doesn't mean it would make a good movie. Ugh. When will they learn? Oh, and I'm really hoping to see an Aquaman movie. I think that might be the worst idea in the history of comic book movies. Right up there with Ghost Rider.
So far, I've gone through Vanilla Sky and Memento (again). I rented Donnie Darko last night, but I couldn't stay up to watch it because I was tired. I really wanted to watch Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind anyway. I have to say, even though I risk ruining the whole movie for everyone, that I don't get why Vanilla Sky is the most confusing movie of all-time. They spend the last fifteen minutes of the movie sewing it up nice and tight. It almost explains itself too well for my taste. It takes all the debate out of what really happened. The thing I like about movies is the same thing I like about songs. I love it when you can take your own interpretation away and it can mean whatever you want it to mean. That's the beauty of art. If someone spells it out for you, I call that "Pop" art. And I don't like "Pop" anything, except "Corn." Huzzah!
Memento is brilliant. I think more people know about Inception, but Chris Nolan is just the man. Memento, in my opinion, is still a better movie to me than Inception. I'm a little concerned about Nolan at this point. My fear is that he's going to start drinking his own Kool-Aid and begin to believe the "genius" stuff. Then he's going to try to out-think himself and end up ruining his rep (see: M. Night Shyamalan, Bill Belichick). But until then, I'm going to enjoy his films, because he is the best filmmaker around. And I'm sorry, but it's not even close. I like his movies. I am anxious to give my friend M. Night another shot, though. Seems he has a new movie he wrote coming out sometime. I'll probably see that. Probably won't be seeing Green Hornet or Yogi Bear. Seriously, Hollywood, how much money do you have to lose on stupid films before you realize some movies don't need to be made? Yogi Bear? Is anyone really going to see this? My fear is that they're going to feel the need to "adult it up." So not only will I not be seeing it, my kids won't either. My prediction for both these films is disaster.
Summer 2011, on the other hand, holds some pretty good films that I'm probably going to be catching. I'm very upbeat for Captain America and Green Lantern. But I have to admit that, again, some movies don't need to be made. And just because it was a comic book, that doesn't mean it would make a good movie. Ugh. When will they learn? Oh, and I'm really hoping to see an Aquaman movie. I think that might be the worst idea in the history of comic book movies. Right up there with Ghost Rider.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
