Recommended Podcasts 1 - Cyber Dating & Second Life

Here are a couple podcasts I enjoyed over the last two weeks. They have a common thread which (I think) has to do with wanting to be heard, wanting to be cared about, and wanting to be unique/special.

Talking to Machines - Radiolab

http://www.radiolab.org/2011/may/31

Life 2.0 - NPR: On the Media

http://www.onthemedia.org/episodes/2011/06/10/segments/159314

New Bon Iver album - Streaming at NPR

I've listened to the new Bon Iver album a few times over the last week. It comes out on June 21st, but you can stream it on the NPR website. The voice blends so perfectly into mood of the music that it's basically an instrumental album in my mind. I find it soothing, relaxing, and full of other adjectives that you'd find on the various lotions my wife displays around the house.

http://www.npr.org/2011/06/09/136855313/first-listen-bon-iver-bon-iver

Helvetica vs. the World

The documentary Helvetica is about the typeface (a.k.a. font). I think it's also about culture, design, art, sticking it to the man, marketing, and social networking. I hope to watch it again sometime.

Favorite Song of the Week 5: "Wonderful (The Way I Feel)" by My Morning Jacket

"Wonderful (The Way I Feel)" by My Morning Jacket...off the new album 'Circuital'...which is excellent. And, of which you can get a free download of not-my-favorite song at their website. Go to www.mymorningjacket.com/circuital

(As of 6/3, Circuital is $5 at Amazon)

In regards to Wonderful, I picture a guy who has been a little beat up by life coming to a nice peaceful patch of time. And, he's not taking anything for granted. In fact, as the backdrop of where he's been lingers in his mind...maybe he's a little surprised, or maybe he's too exhausted from the ride to have anything but an honest appreciation of his current situation. Listen. Your life will never be the same.

Danger Mouse - Rome

The album that I haven't been able to get enough of this week is Danger Mouse's Rome. Rome is like listening to a familiar melody (Sketches of Spain) or watching a familiar movie (a spaghetti western). It's a nice feeling.

- Coming soon...U2 and Danger Mouse

Two articles: 1) Eddie Vedder, 2) Reformed Pastor on Super-heros

Two articles I enjoyed today...

1. Here's an NPR article on the new Eddie Vedder ukulele album coming out.
   http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2011/05/26/136625347/eddie-vedder-giving-a-modest-instrument-a-turn-in-the-spotlight
   
   
2. And, here's another one from a pastor in the Grand Cayman Islands about why the recent comic book movies are no good. I think he's on to something:
   http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/thabitianyabwile/2011/05/31/fallen-super-heroes
   
   "...honestly, I’d have to say they’ve all thus far been colossal flops (I haven’t seen Captain America yet).
   
   There’s one reason really. All the heroes are essentially adolescent, irresponsible, and immoral. There’s no “hero” in them. They barely manage to be courageous, and out of costume most are essentially over-sexed mysogynists.
   
   I realize that good literature refuses to keep everything nice and tidy, good kept to one side and evil to the other. In great literature, tragic realities and horrific pasts give sometimes dark motivations to the noble hero. And occasionally, even the villain has a streak of good running through them.
   
   But to a one, these films have all disappointed me in their failure to depict any significant virtue."
   

Best albums of 2011 - so far

I offer you a break from the surprisingly consistent 'favorite song of the week' posts. This week I'm imposing on you - 'favorite albums of the year - so far'. (Somehow this blog has turned into a 'favorites' blog...the music-only blog...and, the sell-out/overly-linked-to-Amazon blog. Things could be worse.)

Tier One of Favorites

1. The Decemberists: The King is Dead - Easily my favorite album of the year. "Easily" means you might want to spend your hard earned money on it.


2. The Head and the Heart: The Head and the Heart - This album came out last year. I'm breaking the 2011-only rules. I'm ready for the chaos. This has been the most highly played album in the our home over the last month (of course, it's hard to say how much Muse my wife listens to when I'm gone, ignorance is bliss).


3. Paul Simon: So Beautiful or So What - I've listened to this one 5 or 6 times and have highly enjoyed it each time. He's clever. He's telling nerdy, Paul Simon, lyrical jokes...and, he's processing life through stories. That's a hard combination to beat. ($5 is added bonus - 5/28)


4. Wanda Jackson: The Party Ain't Over - This is a honky-tonk, rockabilly, horn-filled house-party in the Caribbean. I think Loretta Lynn is jealous (Jack White produced an album for both of them...this one is better, in my opinion).

Tier Two


5. Brett Dennen: Loverboy - I can't stop listening to Sydney (I'll Come Running)...it has a catchy melody and a cougar reference. What else do you need? It's one of many good songs, though.


6. Shawn Mullins: Light You Up - The Ghost of Johnny Cash...you can't beat this creepy, awesome song about Shawn and the man in black. For what it's worth, I think Shawn Mullins is a great song writer...his down-side is that his albums can feel more like a bunch of songs thrown together than a cohesive album. This album feels that way.


7. Peter Bjorn and John: Gimme Some - It's a good album, and yet...missing something. I would give it one thumbs up, instead of the three that it arrogantly gives to itself.


8. Bob Dylan: Brandeis University 1963 - Masters of War is the stand out song to me. I like the show as Dylan history...it's 'interesting'. ...Not my favorite assembly of 7 Dylan songs, though. ($5 - 5/28)

Eight albums is all you get...let me know what I should add to the list...

Favorite Song of the Week 4: "Dust Bowl Dance" by Mumford and Sons

Favorite Song of the Week = Dust Bowl Dance

Apparently I hadn't listened to Mumford's lyrics close enough on this one. Inspired by the Currently Prophetic podcast, I gave it a closer listen. This time it came through my earphones as a song about the repercussions of misplaced trust...which rejuvenated its lifespan on my MP3 player.

"I placed all my trust at the foot of...this hill." When your trust ends up in the wrong spot, you end up feeling alienated, hateful, spiteful, angry at whatever let you down. I guess it's good to make sure your trust is at the foot of something stable.

(I thought this make-shift way of sharing the song would be preferable to making you watch a YouTube video.)

- For those interested, the runner-up this week was Everybody Needs Love by The Drive-By Truckers. A nice little ditty about how everybody needs love.

Seeking Discomfort?

This blog post is good.

http://sashadichter.wordpress.com/2011/05/12/tune-in-for-mindless-affirmation/

Favorite Song of the Week 3: "Lost In My Mind" by The Head and the Heart

Favorite Song of the Week - Lost In My Mind.



Other stuff:
- The Head and the Heart. In my mind, they are good...good like Mumford & Sons - 2010. You can download two of their songs for free on their website. The price is likely cheaper than anything at the Mumford & Sons website.
- If I ever need a music video made I will find Christian Sorensen Hansen and ask him to do it. Here is his website: http://www.internationalfilingsystems.com/
- 50% of the music I listen to was discovered at http://www.fuelfriendsblog.com/. This is no exception.
- Runner up for Favorite Song = My Maria by B.W. Stevenson. A long-lost love song from the 70s.

Favorite Song of the Week - "June Hymn" by The Decemberists

Favorite song of the week = "June Hymn" by The Decemberists

It's a good song for Spring & (bonus) it uses the word panoply. If you like the Spring and panoplies, you are in for a real treat this week.

Other items of interest:

- Runner up favorite of the week "Devil's In The Jukebox" - Ray LeMontagne.

- All time favorite song with a bonnet reference - Return Of The Grievous Angel's "calico bonnet" (June Hymn references yellow bonnets)

- Number of words in favorite song of the week I needed to look up in the dictionary: 5-10

Favorite Song of the Week: The Tallest Man on Earth - King of Spain

New feature on my blog. You get my favorite song of the week.

If the new feature would have been in affect last week you would have been graced with "Sydney (I'll Come Running)" - Brett Dennen.

Odds of this lasting more than 3 consecutive weeks 1:8.

Enjoy...



"...an ode to the transformative powers of love..." - Stephen M. Deusner

The Johnny Cash Project

Click on this link, then another link, wait a long time for the video to load - and you will be happy.

http://www.thejohnnycashproject.com/

10 Favorite Albums of 2010

1. Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More

I'd be very embarrassed if you knew how many times I listened to the first half of this album this year. "Sigh No More" wins the favorite song of the year award. Mumford is getting bigger. Someday they may rule the world.

2. The Black Keys - Brothers

Blues, rock, brotherhood, coolness...all of my favorite things triple-coated through the whole album. It will make you happy while you listen to it.

3. Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

I feel as though I was able to enjoy this album more now that my address has Milwaukee in it. I can now credibly pity the poor folks in the 'burbs, so do the Arcade Fire (...I think, I'm still not sure I follow the whole storyline of this album).

4. The National - High Violet

A little dark/depressing...but, repeated listens shot this album way up the list. ("Sorrow found me when I was young / Sorrow waited, Sorrow won". ...It sounds better than it reads.)

5. Josh Ritter - So Runs the World Away

Probably the coolest song of the year is "The Curse"...you should listen to it.

6. Neil Young - Le Noise

The whole album has a good dose of awesomeness, but I especially like the first half...it is noisier.

7. Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can

Also worth checking out is the EP she did with Mumford & Sons in India.

8. Ray Lamontagne - God Willing' & the Creek Don't Rise

No one does sad and depressing much better than Ray...someday I will figure out how to say his last name.

9. Matt Pond PA - The Dark Leaves

Best song = "Remains".

10. Mavis Staple - You Are Not Alone

Staples Singers...Produced by Jeff Tweedy...it had to be on the list, I even listened to it a couple times.

I like you. Thanks for reading my list.

Snow Globe

Every year I get some sort of strange enjoyment out of this online snow globe. I thought I'd pass it along.

http://www.funflashgames.com/newwin-Holiday-Snow-Globe.html

Tauntaun Sleeping Bag

I break my regularly scheduled lack of blog posts to present you with the Tauntaun Sleeping Bag. Christmas is coming...I know some of you have kids.

The Arts & Faith Top 100 Films

If you are interested in a bunch of slow-moving, art-fartsy, non-commercial movies with spiritual themes, you might not find a better list of 100 movies than this one.

http://artsandfaith.com/t100

(Click here for some background on the list.)

David Masciotra's Top 15 Springsteen Songs of the Decade

Here's a decent list of the 15 best Springsteen songs of the last ten years. Even better...his implications of how much better the young fans are than the old rockers.

http://trueslant.com/davidmasciotra/2010/07/12/not-a-jukebox-springsteens-top-15-of-the-decade-and-the-growth-of-an-artistic-voice

And, for what it's worth, here is my (superior) list of the top 15 Springsteen songs of the last decade:

1. The Rising
2. Devils and Dust
3. Lonesome Day
4. My City of Ruins
5. Jesus Was An Only Son
6. Long Walk Home
7. How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times
8. The Wrestler
9. Into the Fire
10. The Last Carnival
11. Waiting On A Sunny Day
12. You're Missing
13. Terry's Song
14. My Lucky Day
15. American Land

Christopher Hitchens - Article on his cancer

Here's a pretty good article from CNN's Belief Blog called: "Why Christians should pray for Christopher Hitchens".

Also, if you haven't seen this documentary...it's worth adding to your Netflix queue.

www.collisionmovie.com

Christian Romance Part 11

I did a guest post at my Mom's blog. Here is the link, in case you are interested. The topic is sequel-writing in the world of Christian Romance.

http://judyg54.blogspot.com/2010/05/art-of-sequels-in-christian-romance.html

It's my Mom's blog, so be on your best behavior. I know many of you are saying, "Of course it's your Mom's blog, who else would have you?". A valid point, which may be true...post a comment and I'll send you an autographed picture someday when this blog makes me famous.

Happy Earth Day

Be good to the earth - God made it.

This Too Shall Pass - OKGO

Two of the coolest music videos in YouTube history are by OKGO ("Here It Goes Again" and "A Million Ways"). Here are a couple newer videos by OKGO for the song "This Too Shall Pass". The second video you can't embed, but you should watch it anyway.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJKythlXAIY

Once in your life, maybe tonight...?

To my buddy Brett and his new fiancee....

Congratulations.

Maddy Curtis

Here's a good blog post...with a nice little YouTube video about an American Idol contestant.

http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2010/01/maddy-curtis-a-bright-light-in-the-bright-lights

Death-opoly

"I pity satirists who might be tempted to try to tweak these segments of the evangelical world. Theirs is a mission impossible. It can no longer be done. No matter how indelicately they might exaggerate, no matter how much they might embellish to make a point, no matter how many descriptions they might offer of the tasteless things that are happening, it will most likely be met with only a yawn and a bored question: 'So...?' Nothing seems improbable. None of it, in fact, ever seems exaggerated and none of it seems improper. It has now become impossible to insult some evangelicals." (David Wells, The Courage to Be Protestant, p 24)

I know I've posted this quote before...but, it seemed appropriate in response to the mailing (pictured above) that I received from World Vision today. I've never seen the words "all-new, fun-packed Famine game" strung together until this evening...

Responsible theologians

This very seminary-ish quote hit me in the right spot tonight:

"Responsible theologians ought to order their teaching by the gospel, and also to ensure that whatever else their theologies may contain, the reader can see what the essence of the gospel is. The failure to make the subject of the gospel explicit in some theologies means that the reader may not know in the end what the heart of the Christian message is. It is by an exposition of the gospel that the theologian earns the right to proceed, since the gospel is the most significant revelation of all."
- Peter Jensen, The Revelation of God

My 10 Favorite Things of the Decade

"10 Favorite Things of the Decade" doesn't come around every year...so, I thought I'd better take advantage of something as cool as the best of the decade. I couldn't really figure out a semi-meaningful 1 to 10 list...so, in no particular order, I present 10 of my favorite things of 2000 - 2010.

Brazil: My wife and I spent 3 months the country of Brazil early in the decade. Most of this time was in an apartment across the street from three bars in a relatively-poor section of the city of Maceio. The prolonged exposure to another culture helped us realize that we are not better than everyone in the world, we are only better than rich Americans. ...this seems to be an improvement.

Barilla: Somehow I ended up working at the best pasta company in the world. It's provided alot of free food, some reminders that rich Americans aren't so bad, and some good opportunities to stretch myself. However, it is my job, so, I'd prefer not to spend too much off-the-clock time writing about it. Next item...

Bruce Springsteen: You don't understand...I'm used to it.

Conferences: During the last 3-4 years, good things have happened as I've gone to different conferences. My top 3: Together for the Gospel, The Gospel Coalition, and the Leadership Summit. ...I know it appears to be a which-one-doesn't-belong multiple choice question, but it's not.

Rhapsody: My one acknowledged splurge every month. Nine bucks a months and I can listen to whatever music I want to. It's worth every penny.***

Church: Grace Bible Church (Stilwell, KS), CrossWay Community Church (Kenosha, WI), CrossWay Community Church (Milwaukee, WI). Everything else (except family) is not comparable to the good that has come from these three churches.

Books: Books are probably my favorite way to learn things. And...(while acknowledging that reading books is actually more beneficial) I'm pretty sure that buying them, putting them on the shelf, and not reading them helps make me smarter.

Documentaries: Over the last decade, I've grown to love documentaries. Once you've seen some good documentaries, you'll never go back to boring, made-up, action-adventure movies. Some of my favorite: Spellbound, The Fog of War, Man on Wire, Genghis Blues, Born into Brothels...there are many more.

Warkens: If Andy or Emily stumble across this, don't let this go to your head (especially Emily, who I will continue to treat with the same respect that I always have). Nothing else on this list is so specific, but, when I thought over all the hard things that my wife and I have gone through in the last 10 years...every time something difficult occurs the Gliddens turn their heads and the Warkens are right there next to them. I'd list some of them, but they are too personal for a blog post. In addition to the above, I laugh alot when I'm with them.

Family: Things got off to a good start early in the decade when my hot wife said that she'd marry me. ...because of her, I now have in-laws which means double the Christmas presents and birthday presents. In addition to presents, I was lucky, because they are all pretty awesome people.

Then, I finished up the decade with a daughter. She's only been around for about 1/10 of the decade...but, I think, because of her, it's been my favorite 1/10.

Also, in regards to family...once or twice a year the extended Glidden family reunites for the greater good of society. Sometimes I feel like these moments are the only time everything in the world is pretty much perfect. It's sort of like I have to keep putting my favorite movie on pause to go do a bunch of household chores...but, every time I get to watch another 5 minutes of the movie, it makes me glad I did the chores. In addition...I laugh alot when I'm with them.

Well...that's all I've got for you. I haven't used the word Decade this much since second grade when we learned the difference between a decade and a score (a rarely used word, probably because of the rising popularity of sports over the last few decades). Hopefully in 10 years I'll have something better to do than blog about my favorite things.

Joshua

______________

***As if a "My 10 Favorite..." list wasn't self-indulgent enough. Here are some of the songs that tousled my brain around over the last 10 years and said "music is a good thing" (not necessarily released in the decade...but, they frequently brought my finger to the "repeat" button for one reason or another). No Surrender, Cadillac Ranch, Lonesome Day - Bruce Springsteen, Miles Davis and the Cool - The Gaslight Anthem, Breakdown - Jack Johnson, Mercy Mercy Mercy - Cannonball Adderley, Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way - Waylon Jennings, I'm A Rocker - The Raspberries, Shame - The Avett Brothers, Sunshine - Matt Costa, Stuck Between Stations - The Hold Steady, The Temporary Blues - The Features, Vincent O'Brien - M. Ward, Reach For the Sun - The Polyphonic Spree

Best Albums of 2009

I have no business making any concrete arguments for the "best-ness" of any of these albums. I really don't listen to enough music to elevate my thoughts to any status that includes the word "credibility". I'm not even 100% positive that all of these albums came out in 2009...which, I think, sums things up. But, still, I'd like to be clear...if the top five albums on my list aren't on yours, then your list is probably full of pretentious indie-rock that nobody listens to except awkwardly shaven music snobs. With these thoughts in mind, please take note of the 10 Best Albums of 2009...

10. The Show - Yonder Mountain String Band
9. Joy - Phish
8. Wilco - Wilco
7. Raditude - Weezer
6. Be Set Free - Langhorne Slim
5. Hazards of Love - The Decemberists
4. Working on a Dream - Bruce Springsteen
3. Some Kind of Salvation - The Features
2. Elvis Perkins in Dearland - Elvis Perkins
1. I and Love and You - The Avett Brothers

(I also kind-of liked the albums by Monsters of Folk, U2, Regina Spector, and Muse...and, to get it off my chest, I just put the Wilco album at number 8 because I didn't want you to know that I actually listened to Phish and a bluegrass band more than the much hipper Wilco.)

Evangelism and Felt Frailties

"Everybody's life includes things which cause dissatisfaction and shame. Everyone has a bad conscience about some things in his past, matters in which he has fallen short of the standard which he set for himself, or which was expected of him by others. The danger is that in our evangelism we should content ourselves with evoking thoughts of these things and making people feel uncomfortable about them, and then depicting Christ as the One who saves us from these elements of ourselves, without even raising the question of our relationship with God. But this is just the question that has to be raised when we speak about sin...

"To preach sin means not to make capital out of people's felt frailties (the brainwasher's trick), but to measure their lives by the holy law of God."
- J. I. Packer (Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God)

Must Be Santa

There's just something about Bob Dylan...especially when he's singing a Christmas polka at a house party with a wig on...

New Avett Brothers album

Probably the most highly anticipated album of the decade. The Avetts with Mr. Rick Rubin himself. My first listen was a very fine experience. You can hear it here for $0.00...

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112973444&sc=emaf

Rodney Smith's New(ish) Blog

http://rodneysmith.com/blog

I thought I'd point my half dozen readers to the blog that photographer Rodney Smith started last month. My knowledge of what makes a good photo is very limited...but, I like Rodney Smith because, to my tastes, he's a perfect blend of not-taking-yourself-to-seriously, while still helping you see the world a little differently.

The great thing about his blog is that his subtle glimpses of profundity (first use of the word profundity on this blog) come through in his writing as they do in his photography. You have a simple story about how a picture was taken or what he likes about the picture...and, inside of the story is a very thought provoking idea about creating art.

If nothing else, take a couple minutes to look at some of his photography...hopefully, you will be impressed.

http://www.rodneysmith.com/portfolio.php

15 Essential Johnny Cash Songs

Here's a good list of "essential" Johnny Cash songs:

http://www.the9513.com/the-best-of-johnny-cash-the-man-in-blacks-15-most-essential-songs

Trivial Art

I don't 100% agree with these two quotes. Actually, I think I probably only agree about 45-55% what they are saying. But, I think the sentiments are interesting. If we're properly involved in the world and staying appropriately busy in things that are important, will the need for the art house movies and certain types of more philosophical literature still be important? Or, will our breaks in ministering to those around us cause us to desire lighter fair? Does an acquired taste for higher quality art come from too much wasted time? ...I think there's some interesting thoughts floating around that neighborhood (and some unhelpful dichotomizing).

"Anyone who is currently constructing “a nine-hour exploration of ‘personality’”, it seems to me, has completely forgotten about his audience, or at least the conventional notion of an audience, full of people with jobs and worries and dependants, people who are tired after a hard working day or week. My suspicion is that the policeman and the teacher and the nurse who works in a hospice does not feel infantilised in the least by someone’s desire to keep them entertained and diverted; rather, they are grateful for it. The job of providing these diversions, however, can occasionally seem less than adult: writers sit around in jeans and old T-shirts for large parts of the average working day, eating biscuits and watching some of the funnier acts from ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ on YouTube, while their friends and contemporaries don suits, rush off to meetings, save lives, keep entire transport systems running. Perhaps inevitably, there is a desire to compensate for the lifestyle, produce plays and books and films that are no fun whatsoever in an attempt to convince the world outside our offices that a day in front of the word-processor is the equivalent of eight hours down a Siberian salt-mine."
- Nick Hornby

Doug Wilson on Fireproof:
"If I set myself to think of couples in marriages that I think would be greatly helped by watching this movie, I would run out of fingers inside of a minute. I can also think of Christians who would be offended by the schlock, but many of them would be those who know more about how a movie ought to be made than about how a woman ought to be treated. And they would rather watch a movie about a woman being abused so long as the movie was made right than to have the woman treated right in a movie that offended their refined sensibilities. So which is the altar and which is the sacrifice?"

Joe Pug - Hymn 101

Here's the coolest song of the week...

He's giving away his EP at: www.joepugmusic.com

and i've come to meet the legendary takers
i've only come to ask them for a lot
oh they say i come with less
than i should rightfully possess
i say the more i buy the more i'm bought
and the more i'm bought the less i cost

If I Only Had 4 Sentences to Describe Twilight (the movie)

Twilight is a 122 minute lusty sex scene without nudity so that no one realizes that they are actually watching an 122 minute epic on lust.  

I wasn't sure I'd be able to control my dry heaves after Belle spoke breathlessly for the 265th time. 

There's a 100 year old vampire in love with a teenager...it doesn't get much creepier than that.

Other than that it's gripping.

Things to Like About Slumdog Millionaire

Slumdog Millionaire…

      …contrasts the results of living for yourself vs. living for others.

      …honestly presents the evils of the world in a disturbing but discrete way.

      …shows that the qualities of your youth amplify themselves as you become an adult.

      …commends unconditional love.  If you’re feeling generous, it commends grace-filled love.

      …can easily be interpreted as alluding to a God who has ‘written’ history.

25 Perfect Songs

The last couple weeks I've been making a list of perfect songs. In my opinion, they don't make music any better than what is listed below...all these songs come pretty close to tie-ing for the number one spot.

Against my better judgement, I've also included YouTube links for all the songs. This is especially bad news if you haven't heard the song before because: A) Seeing the people singing these songs on your first listen can be distracting, and B) Some of the versions aren't as good as the album versions.

But, you have to give the people what they want...I'd I knew you'd be too lazy to do your own research for these songs. So, enjoy...argue with me...suggest other perfect songs...I love all of you...

Love in Vain - Robert Johnson

Thunder Road - Bruce Springsteen

Tiny Dancer - Elton John

Signed, Sealed, Delivered - Stevie Wonder

Shame - The Avett Brothers

Return of the Grievous Angel - Gram Parsons

Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry

Can't Get Next to You - The Temptations

How Blue Can You Get - B. B. King

Pancho & Lefty - Townes Van Zandt

American Girl - Tom Petty

Piece of My Heart - Janis Joplin

Redemption Song - Bob Marley

Blow it Out - The Features

Stand By Me - Ben E. King

Ol' '55 - Tom Waits

Float On - Modest Mouse

I Want You Back - The Jackson Five

I'm A Rocker - The Raspberries

You Are the Best Thing - Ray LaMontague

Scenes From An Italian Restaurant - Billy Joel

Folson Prison Blues - Johnny Cash

Tangled Up in Blue - Bob Dylan

Caravan - Van Morrison

What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong

"Two Smiles"

Nothing's better than two smiles from my daughter's lips...

...one giggle at bedtime might come close.

And, not to be picky, but smiles are better in close proximity to sleep...waking or falling...

...giggles are best on laps and changing tables.

And, if you're lucky, a kiss isn't bad...

but still...

...nothing's better than two smiles from my daughter's lips. 

Bella

I finally broke my bad-movie streak. It's hard to tell for sure, but I think I had seen about 104 PG-13 romantic comedies in a row...all of them required the brain power of a green pea to get the nice moral message that when you really love someone you should make out, take off the man's shirt and then fall into a bed that is off camera...I'm assuming not much happens after that.

...but, then Bella came along. And, it reminded me that movies can feel almost perfect at times. It submits it's pro-life message artistically without preaching at people or letting the message overpower the emotions of the movie, although I would argue that the entire movie is about life (and in some ways, it's sanctity). I'm not sure how Christians decide which movies they are going to turn into sleeper hits...but, in my perfect world, I wish Bella would have drawn the lucky straw...

So, if you haven't seen it already, give it a shot. It reminds me alot of life...everywhere you look, there's sadness...but, between the sad stories there's usually some optimism in the air and redemption waiting around the corner.

The 10 most "Christian" U2 Songs

U2.  How cool is it that one of the longest-lasting, stadium-shaking, bastions of rock-and-roll greatness happens to be Christian?  Or, at least religious…or, spiritual…or, something.  Their new album, No Line On the Horizon, is freshly upon us and ready to provide more doses of potentially Biblical lyrics.  There’s almost 30 years of U2 history floating around.  In this small mound of Bono lyrics, we find religious analogies piled up on top of each other.  What rises to the top?  Where does Bono shine through at his most Christian…at his most “I’m spiritual, but don’t organize me”?  Provided below are the ten best U2’s songs where Bono’s spiritual side comes charging through, both guns blazing, with songs that seem so heartfelt that everyone who “gets it” wholeheartedly believes that every song in the U2 catalog is about “it”.  These next 10 songs should offer a glimpse of what’s so special about U2. 

1. I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (The Joshua Tree)
2. Grace (All You Can’t Leave Behind)
3. Yahweh (How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb)
4. The First Time (Zooropa)
5. The Wanderer (Zooropa)
6. 40 (War)
7. When Loves Comes to Town (Rattle & Hum)
8. North & South of the River (B-Sides; 80s-90s)
9. Until the End of the World (Achtung Baby)
10. Drowning Man (War)

Fame, Celebrity, and Accomplishment

Our church has hit the big time with a full-fledged blog post by Mr. Andy Naselli himself. I was quite flattered...and enjoyed seeing it in my Google Reader this morning.

http://andynaselli.com/theology/crossway-milwaukee

It's not Jason's first moment of being in the spotlight...here is our church's other moment of acclaim:

Young, Restless, Reformed

...I'll finish up here...my mildly cynical tone can only hide my unhealthy pride for so long...

www.crosswaymilwaukee.org

Fireproof

Fireproof is a bad movie. But, it has such good intentions that I can't say anything bad about it without feeling like a nasty step-father who couldn't find anything good to say about his 7th grader's school play.

At the least, I'll cut and paste a relevant quote:

"Where films are concerned, if you set out to convey some special message or thesis you will become narrow and rigid..." -Akira Kurosawa

...something similar is going on with Fireproof.

Happy Valentines Day!

Super Bowl Journal

...don't miss Springsteen's "Super Bowl Journal"

http://www.brucespringsteen.net/news/superbowljournal.html

The Emperor's New Clothes

I like these guys. The way they observe society/culture with a dab of cynicism reminds me a little of Jerry Seinfeld. A couple of my favorites:

Working on a Dream

Wow...it's perfect.

Click here to listen to it...
Working on a Dream: "
1. Outlaw Pete - Bruce Springsteen
2. My Lucky Day - Bruce Springsteen
3. Working On A Dream - Bruce Springsteen
4. Queen of the Supermarket - Bruce Springsteen
5. What Love Can Do - Bruce Springsteen
6. This Life - Bruce Springsteen
7. Good Eye - Bruce Springsteen
8. Tomorrow Never Knows - Bruce Springsteen
9. Life Itself - Bruce Springsteen
10. Kingdom Of Days - Bruce Springsteen
11. Suprise, Suprise - Bruce Springsteen
12. The Last Carnival - Bruce Springsteen
13. The Wrestler (Bonus Track) - Bruce Springsteen"

Teddy

I was going through some papers today and found these two quotes that I used to have taped to something...I think my computer. I did a search to see where they came from and found out that the first quote is one of the "three most requested quotes" from theodoreroosevelt.org. So, I guess I'm not unique in enjoying it...

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."

- Theodore Roosevelt
"Citizenship in a Republic,"
Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910

---

Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat."

- Theodore Roosevelt
"The Strenuous Life"

Christmas Without the Incarnation

"Nothing's changed...nothing is right..."



On the Incarnation

The Avett Brothers - Emotionalism

Here's a video that make me want to pack thing up, buy a bus, and head out on tour with all my friends...



Move Avett Brothers videos

theavettbrothers.com

Roger Ebert on our celebrity driven culture....

If you are interested in hearing Roger Ebert rant and rave about our celebrity culture, read this blog post, "Death to film critics! Hail to the CelebCult!". I enjoyed it. A couple exerpts:

"The CelebCult virus is eating our culture alive, and newspapers voluntarily expose themselves to it. It teaches shabby values to young people, festers unwholesome curiosity, violates privacy, and is indifferent to meaningful achievement. One of the TV celeb shows has announced it will cover the Obama family as "a Hollywood story." I want to smash something against a wall."

"The celebrity culture is infantilizing us. We are being trained not to think. It is not about the disappearance of film critics. We are the canaries. It is about the death of an intelligent and curious, readership, interested in significant things and able to think critically. It is about the failure of our educational system. It is not about dumbing-down. It is about snuffing out."

"Death to film critics! Hail to the CelebCult!"

Free Dr. Pepper - Today

Dr. Pepper...Guns-n-Roses...2008? ...it means a free Dr. Pepper.

http://www.drpepper.com/freeDrPepper

UPDATE:
I've tried about 5 times today to get my free Dr. Pepper with no luck...I guess there's lots of cheapos like me out there. Or, it's a strategic Dr. Pepper move so that they don't have to give out free drinks...conspiracy theorists, beware.

Also, you can download the new Springsteen song today for free. You can get it at iTunes or brucespringsteen.net

UPDATE II:
I'm officially registered for a free Dr. Pepper. Thank you Dr. Pepper and thank you Guns-n-Roses for releasing an album in 2008. 4 minutes and 23 seconds to spare.

Coldplay - Viva La Vida

This is everything I love about music...and everything I hate about music videos. Press play and minimize your screen.



Same song...better video...



...which is a spoof/tribute of/to this Depeche Mode video.

The song (not Depeche Mode) has an interesting spiritual side to it. I like what it has to say about pride. ...I could be interpreting things too straight-forward-ly, though. There may be a touch of cynicism hiding out (Wikipedia, BBC, Q Daily).

Star Wars by John Williams

(FilmChat)

Politics & the Abortion Trump Card

I've always been frustrated that I've never been able to jump into the "fun" part of the political playing field. I feel like there's a fence around the field called abortion that keeps me from the more interesting discussions of big government vs. small government, tax cuts, etc. I know I fall into that stereotypical right-wing group that doesn't get it...that people are dying overseas, that we aren't taking care of our sick and our poor, that we don't care about our environment...wouldn't it be better to be part of a party that (arguably) handles these issues better?

I've flirted with this thought before...for a couple minutes I even thought Donald Miller had a pretty good argument in his post which said: "The continuation of rhetoric about being pro-life but not having a realistic plan has tired me of the Republican Party". The idea that the Democratic party (supporting a Pro-Choice ideal) will lower abortions by promoting safe-sex type of concepts makes sense and is interesting, but I don't buy it. For me it is just as "rhetorical" as what some may accuse the Republican party of in their attempts to overturn Roe vs. Wade.

In regards to this, I found Justin Taylor's blog post on the Freedom Of Choice Act helpful...he references this chart from the Guttmacher Institute that shows that the number of abortions in Maryland has increased since 1991 while the national numbers have gone down.

The significance of this is that Obama has stated that "the first thing I’d do as President is sign the Freedom of Choice Act"...which is disturbing because I think Maryland is representative of where we'd be if Obama were able to impliment his pro-choice policy. I say this because Maryland is a very Pro-Choice state. NARAL Pro-Choice America gives them a grade "A", which means the state is extremely Pro-Choice friendly. I think the rise of abortions in Maryland is due to the fact that they are quite liberal in their abortion views...which is where our country would head federally with something like the Freedom of Choice Act in place. (You can look at the chart above and this NY Times article and possibly draw some conclusions from the bill they passed in 1991.)

The above paragraph is only a brief example...and, perhaps too wordy for the simple point I'm making...but, with all that said...I really don't think we are going to lower the number of abortions while at the some time condoning abortion and making it easier to get abortions. I don't understand how we can tell people that abortion is not a big deal (in some ways easier than buying beer or a pack of cigarettes)...and, yet, you should be careful in your sex life because you don't want to get pregnant...? ...it doesn't make sense to me.

...so, my vote comes down to the fact that I believe abortions will increase under Obama.

Maybe I could be convinced that the Democratic party could answer some of the other problems of the world that are also offensive and moral. But, I firmly believe that there is no difference in killing a week old infant and a 40 week old "fetus" in the womb. Philosophically, if you are consistent, this is the only option. If we rewind the tape from there, I know of no term in the pregnancy where you can draw a line in the sand and state it's okay to end this life now. Simply stated...human life is on the line, the burden of proof is on the person who says life (human rights...personhood...whatever) does not begin at conception. I've never heard anything to convince me otherwise.

Woman's Rights throws an emotional difficulty into the equation, especially, when something like rape is involved. But, I still feel as though the killing a living being is of greater importance than the inconvenience of a pregnancy. I don't feel as though this emotional concept should be unfamiliar to a Pro-Choice advocate, because many of them would emotionally feel the reverse...i.e. it's a horrible thing to end the potential for life, but a woman should have these rights over her body. I think it can be a difficult (I can't quite bring myself to write "horrible") thing to carry a baby that you don't want, but the baby should have the right to live.

So, for what it's worth...I'm the guy who's tempted to consider some of Barack's promises to America...but, I just can't get past the abortion trump card. Abortion is different than slavery, anti-semitism, sexism, etc...I acknowledge that, but in my mind...in my conscience...it's of a similar caliber. No matter what a leader offers in their public policies, if slavery, anti-semitism, or sexism were part of their agenda, by conscience I would refuse to vote for them. For myself, it's the same thing when it comes to abortion.

_____

Also See:

Witherspoon Institute 1
http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/viewarticle.php?selectedarticle=2008.10.14_George_Robert_Obama

Witherspoon Institute 2 (Infanticide)
http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/viewarticle.php?selectedarticle=2008.10.16_George_Robert_Obama%20and%20Infanticide_.xml

One More From Witherspoon
http://thepublicdiscourse.com/viewarticle.php?selectedarticle=2008.10.24_New_Michael%20J._Pro-Life%20Politicians%20Have%20Made%20a%20Difference,%20Pro-Life%20Laws%20Work_.xml

Randy Alcorn on Donald Miller
http://randyalcorn.blogspot.com/2008/10/not-cool-obamas-pro-abortion-stance.html

Akira Kurosawa Interviews

I briefly read through the Akira Kurosawa Interviews tonight (edited by Bert Cardullo). Here were some of my favorite parts.

1963 - "Nothing could be more difficult for me than to define my own style. I simply make a picture as I wish it to be or as nearly as it is within my power to do so. I have never thought of defining my style. If I tried such a thing, I would be caught within my own trap." (25)

1966 - "There are so many things which portray violence and so many films show this. Somehow, I feel tired of it. It is easy to be happy. If it is necessary to show violence in a film, it is good to avoid ugliness...There are already too many films that show sex. I do not want my films to be another vehicle for it. Besides, I do not think it should be a purpose for entertainment. Children would not be able to understand it; it will only complicate their minds, and they will not be entertained." (32)

1975 - "Where films are concerned, if you set out to convey some special message or thesis you will become narrow and rigid. I think it is true for any other creative work as well." (58)

.

1980 - "...there's a tradition in Western films that deal with cavalry battles, whereby one almost invariably fires to hit the rider. In terms of real battle strategy, however, this is entirely unrealistic because the horse is a much bigger target and if you wanted to disable the whole cavalry, you'd get rid of the horses first. But nobody has ever made a film that way. The convention is to shoot the rider and see him fall off and the response to the film comes from that. I felt that this tradition has already worn out and wanted to try something different, more effective, for the sophisticated film audiences of today--to show the final effect of the battle rather than those shootings themselves. Besides, when you have a stuntman on a horse who knows he's going to be shot, this is apparent in his whole physical attitude. The audience also knows it's going to happen, so why show them what they already know?" (72-73)

1986 - "Ideally, a film should be spherical. This is physically impossible; however, it is possible to approach such a shape. A film should appeal to sophisticated, profound-thinking people, while at the same time entertaining simplistic people. Even if a small circle of people enjoy a film, it will not do. A film should satisfy a wide range of people, all the people." (141)

1986 - "CINEASTE: Once you said that the most important thing for young people aspiring to become directors was to read world classics. Do you still believe so?

.

KUROSAWA: Definitely. To read everything is almost impossible, so you must find writers that you like. Then, to find favorite works of these writers, and read them again and again. Therefore, your understanding of the characters in these works is deepened. One's level of understanding after reading a work once, and after reading it ten times, is naturally different." (143)

.

...if I ever complain about not having any free time, feel free to slap me.

Paul Newman

A couple good articles on Paul Newman...

Roger Ebert

Robert Redford

"Theirs is a mission impossible..."

(...from Justin Taylor's blog)

"I pity satirists who might be tempted to try to tweak these segments of the evangelical world.  Theirs is a mission impossible.  It can no longer be done.  No matter how indelicately they might exaggerate, no matter how much they might embellish to make a point, no matter how many descriptions they might offer of the tasteless things that are happening, it will most likely be met with only a yawn and a bored question: 'So...?'  Nothing seems improbable.  None of it, in fact, ever seems exaggerated and none of it seems improper.  It has now become impossible to insult some evangelicals."  (David Wells, The Courage to Be Protestant, p 24)

Bob Dylan Links

Don't miss the free download ("Dreamin' of You") at bobdylan.com

The video is freshly posted at amazon.com

Also, finally, here is my liberal friend John Mellencamp covering "The Times They are A-Changin'" (We are both native Hoosiers, you know.)

Ben's Brother, John Mayer, and videos that I can't embed

Here's a good video that I can't embed: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5Ctt4fIo1w

...it's Ben's Brother singing Carry On. 

Also, here's John Mayer singing Free Fallin...also, I can't embed it...also, it's not funny like the Ben's Brother video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wJ-VPqFzy0

...it's the internet, isn't all this stuff supposed to be steal-able? 

Gossip in the Grain - Ray LaMontagne

The first two tracks off Ray LaMontagne's new album, Gossip in the Grain.
Release Date: October 14, 2008

http://www.raylamontagne.com/home.php

You Are The Best Thing


Let It Be Me


Tracklisting:
1. You Are The Best Thing
2. Let It Be Me
3. Sarah
4. I Still Care For You
5. Winter Birds
6. Meg White
7. Hey Me, Hey Mama
8. Henry Nearly Killed Me (It’s A Shame)
9. A Falling Through
10. Gossip In The Grain

Evil in the Movies

I'm still thinking about the evil-in-the-movies concept I brought up a few posts ago (The Dark Knight). At the risk of implying a tidiness that I don't think exists...

Which says more about our attitude toward evil...1) an explicit rendering of what is evil, or 2) a discomfort that prevents us from visualising it?

Which paints a better picture of evil...1) an explicit rendering of evil acts, or 2) an explicit rendering of the consequences of evil acts?

Superman vs. Batman

How To Reboot the Superman Movie Franchise -- Comic Writers Chime In

"Superman was created not because America is the greatest country on earth, not because Moses came to save us from Krypton, but because a little boy lost his father,” Meltzer said. “In his first appearances, he couldn’t fly. He didn’t have X-ray vision. He was only bulletproof. So Superman’s not a character built out of strength, but out of loss.”

“When you hear that, it puts on a whole new spin on Superman and his origins,” Waid said. “The understanding was that Batman was born out of tragedy and Superman out of hope and aspiration, and it turns out that it’s about not wanting to lose your loved ones. That’s critical, and it means that we can connect with him. He’s not an untouchable character. Bad things still happen to him. His father passes away, and his powers can’t save him.”

Mike Bullmore

Thoughts on The Dark Knight

I think it happened again last week. Further desensitization. I remember the first time I saw Saving Private Ryan and The Passion of the Christ and soon realizing that I don’t want to see them again because they are built on the shock of their violence. If I keep watching them, they lose their punch. The first time I saw The Fellowship of the Ring I went away distressed at the clear way in which evil was visually portrayed in the orcs.

And, last week I saw The Dark Knight and again left the theater wondering about evil depicted in the movies. It seems like we might be part of an un-winnable battle. We can become more and more explicit in our depictions of what is wrong…but will a generation ever hit the evil threshold and say “okay, now we’ve finally got a handle on the darkest depths of evil…we can no longer top ourselves”. Or, will we continue an infinite trip down the dark layers of our hearts?

My mind gets fuzzy every time I think about it because there are two sides of the argument. On the one hand…are we actually telling the greatest of lies when we portray evil as anything but the disturbing, pit of darkness that it is? When we pretty it up, so that it is not difficult to look at, are we actually insulting all those who have been touched by its pain?

But, then, when does the game go from artistic to pornographic? If we take The Dark Knight for example, so many times the camera takes us up to the second before death and then turns away. There’s only so much we need to see and then we are indulging in things that don’t need to be seen. A slasher movie takes you on the full ride. It takes you to the point of death and then presses forward allowing the pleasure of the removal of all curiosities.

So, we have somewhat of a dividing line. Show all the evil except for the final act of hatred. But, maybe we aren’t dealing with a very good dividing line? Maybe the mystery should begin earlier? Maybe the line of indulgement exists sooner than we think? …we might be reveling in unprofitable areas because the camera doesn’t turn away when it should.

There are no easy answers…but, if nothing else, I think it’s good to be aware of our slow slide into further realism and explicitness. There has to be consequences here, perhaps of a moral nature, so it would seem wise to be alert to the desensitizing effects surrounding us.