Two really funny comics

I thought these were really funny. Enjoy.

I'm a story teller. I tell stories.

I just realized something the other day: I'm a story teller. If I can relate a story to the topic of conversation, and I can slip my voice in to speak, I make my experience known. Maybe I just like to brag about all the crazy stuff that happened at Central. Maybe I have to tell about all the insane people I've met in my life. I really don't have an explanation for it. I just love to tell stories.

Arynn told me the other day that she had just painted something, and has all this "untapped expression." It was really weird that she said that, because I had just been thinking about writing short stories (and have written one so far) because I was feeling the same thing. It wasn't really well written or anything, but it was loosely based on what I've gone through in the past couple years. I thought about posting it, but... we'll see what comes after it.

You know the American Furniture Warehouse guy, Jake Jabs? If you're not from Colorado, AFW is the biggest furniture store, and the commercials all have the owner, Jake Jabs, in them. The commercials also always have Tigers and their cubs, and other random animals. Anyway, my great grandma, or Grammy, as she's known around these parts, apparently got a great deal from him once like 40 years ago, and he sold the furniture to her directly. She always talks about how one day she's going to go down there and he's going to be like "Ann Scott! I remember you! How's that dining room set?!"

I'm not saying this to make fun of her. The thing is, I think I'm going to do that when I'm her age. Because I'm a story teller, and I think I'd be a decent writer (though I'm nowhere near as good as Amy! ;-) ) I think I'm going to tell stories about how, when I went to Bible College, I had a class with THE Dr. Reese, and we would have lunch together, and he was the funniest guy ever. Or how when I went to CCU, Dr. Ames and I were this -crosses fingers- close.

I was thinking about that, and chuckled to myself. I'm totally going to be a lying old man, and I'm really okay w/ that, because I guess that means I'll be happy w/ my life. :-)

His Heart was full of Love Love Love

So this past semester I took Research Writing. I had already taken other classes similar to it, but for some reason I had to take this one too. Anyway, all in all, it wasn't that bad of a class. The professor, though she seemed she didn't know what she was doing many-a-time, was very nice. And that was the class I met Hallye in.

Anyway, I'm in Subway getting a sandwich, and I see one of the chicks from that class. So we're talking about a chapel that had just happened, focused on abortion. I remember writing a blog about this very encounter... anyway, she mentions that she's pro-choice. And all of a sudden- I am Joe's adrenal gland. I think to myself "flaming lefty!" Not that I really care what political persuasion she happens to be, I just assume that she's super duper liberal.

So later that semester, she's talking about some young politicians meeting or something down at the Denver capital. Then she says it: "it's apart of the Young Republicans Group I'm a part of."

Wha wha what?!!?!

She can't be a Republican; she isn't against abortion!!!

I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but I have a friend who, after learning one of the reasons I didn't vote was because I thought BOTH George W. and Kerry were douche bags, she proceeded to inquire: "But you're a Christian."

Needless to say, I was a little irritated, a little amused, and I really wanted to throw up.

Why is it that Christians have to fit into this neat little box? I know this isn't a new revelation. But it surprises me because usually I hold those assumptions for those ignorant Christians who either haven't experienced life outside their Republican-family bubble, or who are so determined to construct this perfect American-Christian society that God obviously really wants-that they'll just pretend that you're not a Christian unless you go along w/ what the majority of Evangelicals believe.

But when I think about it, I'm totally guilty of these assumptions. I think there are two reasons most people voted for W. 1. because they either feel more comfortable w/ a "Christian"- regardless of who that man or woman is- running the country. 2. Because they feel it's so important to shove their values, anti-abortion, anti-gay marriage, etc in the face of those who have no reason to believe that stuff in the way most Christians do, because... they don't know Jesus.

I know, I just jumped into a huge pit of boiling controversy. I'm just so freaking tired of Christians not showing love. Where is the line between holding firm to your beliefs, yet not forcing those beliefs on others. That sounds a hell of a lot more like Islam than Christianity. Did you know Muhammad tried the whole philosophical reasoning stuff when he first (believes he) encountered the "angel Gabriel" and wrote down all the stuff God wanted him to know? That was a mouthful. Basically, he tried to convince people that way, and basically became an outcast. So then he tried force. And it was effective.

Did Jesus do that when He was trying to save people? Yes, He used what some might call violence to rebuke the corrupt, but when it came to getting people to follow Him, it was done in a loving way that can only be compared to a loving father. "Give up your sin and follow me. I know what you're looking for when you engage in those acts, but I have what you're looking for to quench that thirst that makes you do those things. My way is so much more rewarding, and pure. I am the Way the Truth and the Light."

I know, this is hard to read, and it's totally just a vent, but it irritates me. Why do we have to subscribe to these "givens"? Who the hell decided these were the appropriate steps to take if you're a Christian? What the hell happened to love?

The guys doing what we do best: stand around, smoking pipes

Tim just sent me the pictures from the night before the wedding. They're pretty B.A. These are my favorites.

That trip was definitely the high light of the summer. I'm gonna be hanging w/ hippies in Oregon, thinking "you know, I really wish you guys weren't against smoking a pipe" (I'm assuming they are, because they make a statement similar to "you should try not to smoke if you do, and if you don't smoke, don't ever take up the habit, because smoking is horrible!!!") I think I'm gonna bring my pipe anyway. If it turns out there's someone else who smokes, I can always go to a tobacco shop there. It's pretty relaxing, and one of my favorite social things to do.

Anyway, here ya go.

Concerning Google

Have I mentioned how much I love Google? Seriously, I really love Google. They are everything that is right and creative w/ the internet.

I have two pieces of Google news I want to post about.

1. Go watch this video.

2. There have been rumors that Google is manufacturing a phone. The iPhone is cool, and I'm a huge supporter of Apple, but I didn't want to go out and get one when they came out, and I still wouldn't throw down 600$ for one. But when and if this phone comes out, I'm switching to whatever exclusive provider is carrying it, and picking it up as soon as it comes out. For serious.

New Dark Knight Trailer

I know this is a cam shot, but this is the best trailer I've seen for The Dark Knight, and it looks pretty legit. The only reason I'm posting this is for more evidence that Heath Ledger might be transformed into a good Joker. Near the end is his laugh... PERFECT! I'm still not convinced, and I think if he does pull off a good performance, it'll be solely due to Chris Nolan, the director. But still... The early stages are saying he might pull off the first GOOD live action* performace of the dark Joker.

Here's the Trailer Link

*I say live action because Mark Hamil (Luke Skywalker) did the voice in Batman the Animated Series, and it was the closest thing to perfection man has ever created. And I'm not afraid to say it, Jack Nicholson was a crappy Joker. Or rather, a crappy interpretation of what the Joker is supposed to be.

This is kind of neat

Nhl.com has this thing called the Frozen Moment, where they put up a new picture every day. They must have a huge archive, because every day is a really neat picture. This one is of a Bruins goaltender from 2002 (never heard of him, so he must not have been very good). A lot of goaltenders have their helmets painted with stuff that means something to them. (Those who get called up from the minors usually have a generic paint job that displays the team's logo, and something relating to the mascot). For instance, Peter Budaj, goaltender for the Avs, has a picture of a well-built Ned Flanders waving the Swiss flag, as he is Swiss, and, being a voiced Christian, is compared to Flanders some times.

The Frozen Moment picture looks like one of the old time helmets, before they decided those helmets, better described as masks, weren't protective enough.

Your computer will be a bigass table

Hahaha! This is really funny.
So is this

"Instead of using Google maps and an iPhone, use mapquest. Then realize half way there "crap, I used mapquest, I'm not getting there!"

"You can transfer your music illegally at a friends house, then get home and put it on your iPod, because let's face it, who uses Zune?"

"And the virus-ridden machine takes all your money."

New Blog

So I set up a blog specifically for my experiences in Oregon. I've blogged a couple times, and may a few more before I leave, just noting my thoughts on preparation for accepting the changes in my life I know God will make, and what obstacles (money, etc) that I face.

Here's the link. You should bookmark it.

I'm hoping to blog about once a week, posting pictures, etc. I'll still use this blog, especially before I leave. That one is, and always will be, specifically for my family and friends (separating family from my... sometimes colorful thoughts found on this blog) to hear about my experience in Oregon. So blogspot is still very much alive.

::-Update-::

Okay, for some reason that link isn't working. The site is xanga.com/christophersescape

Also, there have been a couple problems with format (I'm new to Xanga, not sure how it works) so let me know if the text only half shows up on your screen or something.

The Simpsons

When I was growing up, like any other well-functioning American household, I had a couple routines. The obligatory get up every day to go to school, take a shower (at night so I could use as much hot water as I wanted!!!), playing street hockey or power rangers, and of course, from 5pm to 6, my siblings and I were watching two back-to-back episodes of The Simpsons.

I'm not sure what was so appealing about the show. I didn't get half the jokes I do now. Oh wait, now I remember- Homer dismembering himself in every other episode. And the occasional "DAMN IT!" that would pop up.

I'm such a rebel.


I would watch that show every weekday, and of course, every Sunday when they'd have a new episode on. You think you know more than I do? Go ahead. Try me. I can answer any plot question. What's the only time Maggie spoke (that's right, Maggie speaking in the end credits wasn't the first time)? In the episode where Homer is reminiscing about how she was born. At the end of the episode Homer lays her in her crib, says "I hope you never say a word," because Bart and Lisa were arguing, and Maggie, in the sweetest baby voice ever, says "Daddy." Awwww!

I. Know. The. Simpsons.

I'll beat you at The Simpsons trivial persuit.

With all that said, I've been pretty skeptical about the new movie coming out. Don't get me wrong, I'd see it alone if I had to, but I was going to see it opening night. But honestly, I thought it was going to be a dark stain on an amazingly funny, and amazingly groundbreaking, pioneering genre (Simpsons did it!). So I saw it last night, and luckily I didn't have to see it alone. And I eat my words, here and now.

The movie was something like 80 minutes long, and it's a damn good thing, because I laughed for the entire 80 minutes. I would have gone into shock had it been any longer.

Honestly, I can't remember a movie I laughed harder in. It's not that it just had one or two really funny jokes, though it had that. It's not like it just continued it's "edgy" humor, though it did that too. It's not that it just had Homer Simpson going through all kinds of painful, impossible torture... though it had that too.

Seriously. This movie had everything. No recycled jokes (from the series). Amazing animation (for The Simpsons). And it. was. funny.

So bravo Matt Groening. Your series started to dip, but people are going to watch the final seasons. Hell, I might even watch them.

One final thought: Homer flipping people off was one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

I will sleep well knowing that when it comes out on DVD, I'll laugh equally as hard after the 30th time I've watched it.

Oregonian? (What do you call a resident of Oregon?)

So yesterday was officially one month until I leave for Oregon. I've heard so many amazing things about this state. I seriously can't wait.

My life has been in this constant state of readiness ever since I moved out. I'm tired of it. I want to get the hell out of here.

Don't get me wrong, I love Colorado, and I love my friends/ family here even more. But I need a break. I've needed a break for about a year and a half now. There are some amazing people at CCU, and some professors who have changed my theological views for sure, as well as my life views. But more than not it feels like one giant frat that I'm not a part of. I've had little to no community at that school. And while I absolutely plan to graduate from there, and hold w/ pride my degree, I won't miss the community (or lack thereof), when I do eventually graduate.

Anyway, the reason I wanted to post this was to ask anyone who reads this to pray for me. The financial stuff is starting to get close, and while I think I'll be fine, and I definitely know God wants me to go here, prayer would be great.

Linkin Park is McDonalds

I picked up the new Tool CD, 10,000 days. It's. Amazing. There are so few bands out there that make me really rock out, plain and simple. I'm not really into metal (or whatever you'd call them) but their music is so driving. And it got me to thinking about what we call music in this country.

Know who is among the top ten billboard this week? Go ahead, ask me. Let's see. Oh, the Smashing Pumpkins' new album. I heard it was really good. Oh look, number three: Hannah Montana. Hmm, I'll bet that CD has some pretty musically-amazing songs on it. Op, look at this, Kelly Clarkson. That's the American Idol chick, right? Yeah, she's got a great voice. Did she write her own lyrics? Hmm. Here we go: Number seven, Linkin Park. Yeah, they're hardcore.

Seriously. Hannah effing Montana. Linkin Park. Really? Seriously?

Now don't get me wrong here, people can listen to whomever they wish. I understand that people have an ear for different music. If you're down with Linkin Park's amazing struggle w/in because his latest girlfriend broke his heart, or he had another bad day which constituted another pissed off bitch-fest, to each his own. It makes me mad that the true musicians are the dudes on the 16th street mall begging, while Hannah Montana is making millions because she's got a cute face and had voice training in 6th grade, but whatever. No, my beef is with the mere concept that bands/ singers are praised for the same 4 chords over and over again.

I love Tool because they're genuine musicians. Because their baselines are creative. Because their drummer knows what 3/4 or 6/8 time is. Because their songs actually progress. We don't have the formula 1st verse, chorus, 2nd verse, chorus, bridge, chorus, chorus, 1/2 chorus, chorus. No no, they let the their songs develop. It's not fast food, where they give everything right there in front of you. It tastes alright, you know you're going to get something familiar. You know exactly what to expect, when to expect, and it goes down easy. No no, Tool is a 4 course dinner, served one dish at a time, arranged and cooked to be an experience. The chef is an artist, expressing himself, and more importantly, pushing himself.

Linkin Park is McDonalds.

You wanna know what I look for in a band? Creativity. Expression. Something unique. I want to hear something new, both lyrically and musically. I don't want to have a Wal-mart band I can go to a certain section labeled "moody screamo" or "stereotypical black person gloating."

I don't care how you grew up in da hood, and playas been talkin smack bout yo bitches.

I don't want to hear how you roll wit 22s on your Escalade. I think it's pretty dumb you have to find reasons not to like the east side or the west side. I don't care because Tupac said it before you. Dre has been saying it for years. They were artists (not a huge Tupac fan, but he's an icon, so I'm assuming he did something besides get killed) and more important than that, they were pioneers.

I saw a Paris Hilton CD yesterday. I didn't even touch it.

I know you love Jesus. I don't doubt it. But I've heard of "Jesus' faithfulness" so many times I have to wonder if people aren't just speaking of it because someone else said it.

My problem, I guess, is it seems to me artists don't express themselves. I'm sure Linkin Park is pissed off because his girl left him again. But that's all there is to it. They use the exact same 4 chords. They never stray out of 4/4 time.

The+same+formula= Linkin Park= Good Charlette= Most rap artists= most country artists.

Just because you can sing, or play the guitar, doesn't mean you have the gift. It doesn't mean you know how to express yourself musically (not just lyrically).

Sterling wrote this song. I only heard the chord progression and half the first verse, but it wasn't just another Christian song. Him and David were trying to remember how it went, and I could see in both of them the search. I could see the passion. I could see the expression. Ask me if I ever saw that at Evergreen Fellowship. Ask me how many times I saw that in chapel. Go ahead. Ask me.

But, I have accomplished nothing. So, I'm going to listen to Tool's amazing new CD. I'm going to enjoy The David J. Matthews Band, The Mountain Goats, The Streets, Crowder, Damien Rice, Coldplay, Incubus, Jimmy Eat World, Modest Mouse, Radiohead, Rage, The White Stripes and the other bands that offer something that's actually musically stimulating. I'm going to pour a 40 on a sidewalk for those who can't get signed, while Hannah Montana is at the top of the billboard. We live in a fallen world.

Testing out Bogger's New Video Uploading Option

The Irony of it All

So, Colorado is pretty much as full as it gets when it comes to professional sports teams. The Avs, the Broncos, Nuggets, Rockies, Mammoth, Crush, Rapids, Eagles, and Outlaws. Hockey, Football, Baseball, Indoor Lacrosse, Indoor Football, Soccer, Minor league hockey, and Outdoor lacrosse, respectively.

I don't think there's a person in this world who can claim that the major sports stars aren't overpaid. Don't get me wrong, I think the common perception that movie stars and professional athletes don't do anything is completely off-base. One look at a practice, schedule or injury would tell you that about sports, and watching a making-of would tell you that about (many) movie stars. However, they still get grossly overpaid.

To prove my point, David Beckham, considered by many to be the best Soccer player in the world, recently came over to the US (LA) to play for the MLS. His salary for for Galaxy will be earning him 90$ a second. The funny thing is the league made a bunch of changes to make it possible. His salary is double that of the next highest player in the league. The MLS changed some rules (I'm a little fuzzy) to get make it possible, but basically I believe a team couldn't spend over 2 mill on a single player. Most of the good players in the league are pulling down about 200k. Definitely a lot of money, but not for a sports star. He'll do wonders for the league, but I think it's funny just how much power they gave him. How much importance.

Baseball has guys signing 90 million dollar contracts. Football, basketball and hockey now have salary caps, meaning they can only spend a certain amount of money on players' salaries, but baseball doesn't have that yet. So the point here is, I know this'll be a shocker, professional athletes are paid way too much in America and Canada.

I was reading this article the other day about this player in some city in Colorado, who played for the Colorado Ice. Now Colorado has new sports teams popping up all the time lately, and since people keep going to the games, they keep making new ones. But I had never heard of The Ice, so I read the article. It's some joke of a minor league for football. I guess most of the players are so awful a high school team could beat them. Most of them play just to get noticed by a NFL scout. 200$ a game. Bus rides to NE, WY, NM, etc. Most of them hold down day jobs, because 200$ is not that much money earning. It's the hard knock life.

One of my more favorite teams is the Mammoth. Indoor lacrosse. The team moved from some other city, so they were already pretty good by the time they got here. They had a guy who was apparently the Joe Sakic, John Elway, Michael Jordon, etc of the Lacrosse world. Gary Gait. He was extremely well-known... for a lacrosse player. Wanna know what the Michael Jordon of lacrosse did during the day? He was an elementary school teacher. The best of the best couldn't make enough to just play.

Now this could easily go into playing the world's smallest violin for these poor athletes. I don't feel sorry for them, and I doubt they'd want me to. We should all be so lucky to be doing what we want in life. My point here is the contrast. Obviously the reason hockey, basketball, football, etc. sports icons get paid so much is because they are bringing in a ton of money. People throw down 70$ a pop for Avs tickets, and those are the cheap seats. I went to a bunch of games during the 2001 playoffs (the year they won the cup) and the seats were on the glass. Guess how much? 180$ a piece. That's a lot of money.

We worship the Kobes and Peytons. The Forsbergs and A-Rods. They're a beacon of hope that a person can strive to be something great. Just like movie stars, they are what we wish we could be, had we more disciple, or put more effort. Maybe someone chose to get married or go to college, so the decision he or she did make wasn't even a regret. But that doesn't change the fact that we sit down, watch Patrick Roy make 5 insane flipping saves in a row, or Chris Drury fend off 3 opposing players, then fake to the left, and stuff in the puck on the right side of the net. (I really miss the good old days.) and we can't help but wish that was us.

There's so much here. America's lost dreams, our materialism, our completely out-of-whack priorities. Escapism at it's best. Honestly, I don't really know what my point here is. I was thinking about it, and it just blew me away. I almost felt sorry for the dude earning 200$ a game. Being "forced" to ride a BUS of all things, to each city.

It just blows me away. I could have a huge conversation about this, but thought I'd blog. Any thoughts?

Possibly?

I really hate to say this, but maybe Heath Ledger won't be that bad of a Joker after all. WB just released this picture... the first of this new Joker. As much as I hate to admit it, he looks pretty bad ass. Amirite? Here's keeping my fingers crossed.

Anti-theft device

Hahaha!!!

Yet another cool thing I've learned

::Listening to:: The White Stripes- Icky Thump (I think this is my favorite White Stripes album yet. A-ma-za-zing

So I ran the sound board today at Arvada... or more accurately, I trained on the sound board. I have a basic understanding of how the equipment works, and I'm really excited. I've been wanting to learn something cool like that ever since I quit my coffee shop job. And what did I learn?

1. Sound board look really intimidating, but once you understand the method, it's really easy.
2. I really miss stage crew from high school. Don't get me wrong, I don't miss high school at all, but I was head of stage crew three years for the musical, and it was way fun. Being behind the scenes is really fun for me.
3. There are way too many people in this world w/ the name Josh.
4. I'm more outgoing than I thought I was, but when I'm in a room full of people I don't know, I still shut down. I think that's the way it's always going to be.
5. I really missed having a church, and more than that, serving at one.
6. Josh's (the dude in charge of the sound etc) iPod is amazingly well kept. His screen doesn't have a single scratch.
7. Baptism is really cool. I'm really glad I don't have the stigma of debating about baptism (from Central) anymore, because I think while I was there, I was almost against baptism. Stupid theology debates.
8. Jay is a really good speaker, but honestly Dave Terpstra (TNL) is so much better... to me. For serious.
8. I can't wait to go to Oregon... This doesn't have anything to do with today's service, but I was just thinking about it.

4th of July 2007

So I had a really good 4th of July. For some reason, the past 5 years or so have produced very bad: Valentines Days, 4th of Julys, Halloweens (ish) and New Years Eves. I'm really not sure why. However, yesterday was a lot of fun, and broke than damn chain of bad ones.

Also, I've never set off my own fireworks before. Being somewhat of a pyro, I can't believe I've never done it. Way better than watching a display. Here are some pics:

Doctors Scott Hannan and Ryan Smyth

So I haven't posted about hockey in a while, and I know how much everyone is waiting for that. :-)

So the first day of unrestricted free agents was two days ago. Basically what that means is that players whose contracts ran out with their respective teams had the option to sign another contract with their team (if the team made them an offer), and if the team and player didn't come to an agreement, the player is free to sign with another team.

There are really two exciting times in hockey in terms of acquiring new players: the first is after the draft, when the players' contracts end up, and the other is in the middle of February, when the last day that a trade is allowed for that season. Usually teams will make a trade for a player who will help them in the playoffs, if they think they need it.

Anyway, my point with all of this is the Avs did horribly last season, save for the last month or so. So, they picked up Ryan Smyth and Scott Hannan. Both very good players, and both positions we needed. I went to bed that day in a really good mood. Part of it was because I'm finally getting plugged in w/ a church (Jess') and I'm going to be running the video, starting this Sunday. There were a couple other things, but I think one of the biggest things was the fact that we acquired these players. It's kind of like getting a new toy. Like I just got an HDTV or something.

Anyway, this blog isn't really going anywhere, and honestly I'm exhausted. So, happy 4th, and God Bless 'merica!

PS Arynn and I are having a BBQ/ volleyball tournament type thing, and you should come. Call me. It's gonna be off the hiz-ook.

Tenacious D "Rendition"

So for some reason the pictures I uploaded of Tim's wedding were really small. Sorry about that. To make up, here's a video I uploaded to Youtube of my very own honeynipples. It's really dumb, but it cracks me up. Go check it out! I just uploaded it (2:17 MST) so it might take a little while to "process." Should be up quickly though!

::UPDATE::
Yeah so that first link didn't work... this one does though! And now it's working for sure. ;-)

Once again, my elitest tendencies

So, most people who know me know I'm a huge advocate of Google. Their software etc is just intelligently designed. So, I'm on their experimental page, and what do I see? The coolest thing ever! I'm not even going to mention what it is. Seriously, I just programmed this into my phone, because I don't know how many times I've needed this, but didn't want to pay for it. I love Google.

Tim's Wedding

So I had an amazing time this weekend. I really miss Tim and Dude, and honestly, it made me miss Central. Maybe not Central, as much as it made me wish I had gotten to know more people. LB and I got along great, and I knew her face when I met her, but I never said more than a couple words to when I went there. That's really sad. I think I just assumed that all of them were the assholes/ cowards who pushed their theology on everyone, when only about 20% of people there would actually do that.

Anyway, most of the time we all just sat around and smoked pipes (btw, a girl who smokes, pipe or cloves, not cigarettes, is really hot. I discovered quite a few things that I want in a girl while I was there, but I've decided that I really want that.

So I took like 50 pictures while I was there, but here are some of my favorites.

Real Men Wii Standing Up

So as most of you know, I'm kind of a video game nerd. I can't really help it, though. I'm a 21 yr old male. It's a hobby. :-) Anyway, I keep up w/ the industry w/ a couple of blogs, and one of them is totally centered around Wii news. So, this video is really neat. This guy uses the Wiimote to do something pretty... nerdy. Yeah, just scroll down to the video in the link.

LOL

This made me laugh. It's me... only I don't play LOTR Online... though if they had it for Mac I might have picked it up....

The Heart of Worship

I finally have internet back. And I'm all moved into the Evergrizzle. Just a quick thought: I really hate how I feel when I don't have the internet. It's a really helpless feeling. It's not like I was thinking "I NEED TO READ BLOGS!" or anything like that. I have stuff I still need to do for Oregon, and I've blown it off for the past couple weeks because I was moving and such, but when I can't do it, it drives me nuts.

Anyway, I've been meaning to blog on this for a while, but didn't know how, but I got a lot of insight this past Sunday. It's this concept of worship. I've been in pretty much every type of worship you can experience: the oh-so-popular evangelical David Crowder Band and Chris Tomlin worship, which, to me, has always seemed really self-serving. Don't get me wrong, I love Crowder, and Tomlin is okay, but there's this feeling in the air of the average Evangelical church that's either "wooo! I love God and I'm going to celebrate w/ all these people who are also celebrating!" or "God I'm so sorry I'm a sinner just like everyone else in this room -tear-" and everything in between. I guess I just see it as everyone kind of feeding off of each other. Maybe it lacks genuine emotion? But I would never make that assumption, because who can know someone's heart but God?

Then there's the rigid hymnals, which just screams religiosity. It reminds me of King of the Hill. We live no kind of faithful life, but damn it on Sunday God is the most important thing in the world to us, and we are to respectfully worship Him with nice calm hymns.

Then there's the crazy worship services where everyone is speaking in tongues, or shouting "AMEN!" and "YES LORD!" and such. Is there anything more self-serving than pretending to be speaking in tongues just so you feel closer to God?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not attacking these worship styles. There are absolutely people who aren't concerned with how they look while worshiping, or who have a great relationship with God, but feel they must have reverence while worshiping, or are actually being moved by the Spirit to edify or evangelize to people through tongues. But it's this concept of having the ulterior motive while worshiping that bothers me.

I went to Jess' church w/ her this past Sunday. It's in Arvada, and it's pretty small (only like 50 ppl, all young adults (on the sunday night service)) but honestly I don't think I've experienced realism like that in a long time. I do a lot of the same things I just described above. Rarely do I worship completely alone w/ God. I'm always worried about what I look like, or my mind wanders, or whatever. There were the people who stood in the aisles and prayer or whatever, but they didn't draw attention to themselves some how. I don't know how to explain it, they just seemed... honest.

After the sermon, while the second worship was going on (which was one of the best services I think I've ever been in, btw) I went over to talk w/ the pastor who spoke. We talked about a couple things, but mostly about finding this space between being the well-educated Christian and being the super duper spiritual Christian. I think I'm more educated in terms of Theology and Biblical knowledge than most Christians. But I'm not a well-educated Christian. Nor am I really spiritually driven. But I still am feeling empty when it comes to worship. A friend of mine went to an old church of mine once, and during worship, instead of singing, my friend drew. I have another friend who is writing his first worship song, and he's an amazing worship leader. A friend of mine from high school used to read his Bible during worship, and rarely ever sang. And I have quite a few friends who worship with all of themselves in the "conventional" way.

All of these are forms of worship. Still, I don't think I've found mine. I've definitely worshiped God before, and I've cried out to Him, but I've never found that... method. That one way of expression that I can identify w/ whenever I do worship. Maybe I over think this. Maybe those people are all just more expressive than I am, and I express myself in different, more subtle ways. But maybe my heart still hasn't found that... x factor.

One of my favorite professors, Aernie, was talking about Heaven one day in class. I don't remember how we got on the topic, but I remember him saying that Heaven is basically just basking in the presence of God. Basically God is so amazing, and we'll be in such close proximity to Him, that all we'll want to do is worship Him. Feeling His power, and love, and grace, and just knowing Him better than we ever could here on earth will do that to us.

To add onto that, if you look at all the guys whom God spoke to, look at their priorities. None of them were perfect by any means, but David for instance, wrote most of the Psalms, which are the most raw and emotionally driven verses in the Bible. This is a bit of a stretch, but if you take Song of Songs allegorically as the love between God and His bride (the church), you get this incredibly powerful poetry from Solomon, another guy very close to God. I was reading 1 and 2 Kings and Samuel not too long ago, and looking at the good kings, and how they changed the culture... that kind of motivation comes from a love of God.

I guess what I'm getting at is genuine passion for God is so rare. I do have friends who I know do have that passion, and you'd know it after one conversation with them. Other people are less obvious, but still no less passionate. I guess this is once again just another example of me not being patient with my growth and maturity, but it's hard to look at those people who have found their passion, and know that I don't have it. I don't want to be the intellectual, or the super-spiritual guy, I just want passion.

Home Security

So I'm moving out of my place tomorrow. Back up to the Evergrizzle until I go to Oregon.

I was laying in bed the other night, half wanting to unpack my old journal to see what I wrote when I first moved in here. I don't remember specifics, but I remember I was pretty scared, because I had signed this legal document saying I'd come up with a certain amount of money every month. I was entering the "real world" in a few different ways. Responsibility. Sacrifice. Monthly Income. All these terms were relevant to me.

Granted, that's a little melodramatic, but still. It was big, and honestly, I was really overwhelmed and scared.

To be honest, I'm feeling a similar fear moving back now. This has been my home for a year. This was my security. I've gone through two girlfriends, two cars, an ungodly amount of wasted money (not associated w/ the former or the latter ;-)), and more than enough life lessons/ maturity opportunities. I'd change some things I did in this apartment, and others I wouldn't change for anything. This has been my home, and a huge chapter of my life, and now it's over.

Now I'm moving back home with my mom. But it's not a defeat. I've heard stories of people who move out, and then have to move back in w/ their parents because they couldn't make it on their own. That's not the case here. Again, it's another chapter. I'm moving up to Evergreen so I can save money to go to Oregon- the next chapter. And hopefully that chapter is going to be filled with more maturity, and not so much regret. :-)

God is going to take care of me, and more importantly, he's going to help me grow. I've been told cleaning isn't my strong suit. Well suck on this, doubters: I've had three people over since I cleaned this place (my bathroom, and the kitchen thus far), and they were shocked at how well I did. I've grown. I know that's a silly example, but I've been searching for that affirmation that I have grown in the past 4 months, and God has showed me what I've done... and just so we're clear, I'm not talking about my cleaning abilities. :-)

I guess I'm scared because of Oregon. I don't have my safety blanket which affirms I can live in the real world. I pay my bills every month, and damn it I'm an adult! :-) Now I get to go back to the basics. I get to chop wood to make my dinner. I get to read 150 pages of lit. for the next day's class. I get to hike 50 miles across the Oregon wilderness. I get to reveal a side of myself reserved for only my bestest of best friends to a group of 35 students. I get to let my guard down so people can see what I need to change in my life and w/ my priorities.

I don't get to lean on the crutch of technology. I don't get to blow off class. I don't get to blow off God. I don't get to allow this society's "pleasures" to control me anymore.

All that stuff sounds amazing. But it also scares the hell out of me. My apartment has been this symbol of a messed up relationship, no self control, and a lack of any real spiritual life. My life this past year has been a process of pulling myself out of lifestyles I didn't really want to embrace, only to be pulled back down because I wasn't strong enough. It's an easy life. Leaving it means working hard.

I'm going to miss this place a lot. I had a lot of good memories, along w/ the bad. But leaving means I get to take those good memories, and I get to leave the bad. God has pulled me out of so many bad situations lately. And while it wasn't completely bad, this apartment is a part of my history now. We all go on journeys, and the good and bad shape us in different ways. This experience allowed me to see the person I don't want to become.

So while I'll miss the Lakeview Towers, and I'm scared to leave, I guess I have a pretty positive outlook when I think about it. And who knows where I'll be living come next Spring Semester.

More like Nerdular Nerdence

So I've become something of an Elitist in recent years. I joined the V-Dub club (not literally... I just get to be one of those people who talks about how inferior American cars are because I own a VW...), I'm fairly picky when it comes to music, I'm definitely picky when it comes to movies, and, of course, Microsoft is total crap now that I've owned a Mac.

That said, MS is developing this pretty freakin' cool computer called Surface. I'll link the videos below. While most of the technology is already here (live 3D maps from Google, touch screen in everything from Palms and phones to the DS, and wireless data transfer via Bluetooth) combining everything this thing can do has to take massive amounts of RAM. Like 15 GB (note: I'm talking about memory, not hard drive space... don't mean to treat someone who knew what I was talking about like an idiot, but a lot of people get that mixed up...). Anyway, I think this is a pretty cool concept. Seems to me the step taken after this will be holograms. Yeah...

This one is a commercial made by MS.

Supposedly this technology has been around for a year or so. This video was made by a NYU student. The difference is that MS made relevant applications, while the student made more of a concept video. Still cool. (I know it says it's made by Apple, but the poster of that video is wrong. Even disregarding my source that it's not Apple, Apple's name would be all over this, just like MS did.

Concerning random little tidbits about Spirituality (and nerdy Sci-fi)

So first of all, the new Modest Mouse album is amazing!

Also, Virgin records is WAY too expensive. I've wanted the CD for a while, and Arynn and her sister and sister's friend were down at 16th street, so I bought it, but it was 18$!! I know that's kind of standard for a CD, but considering it takes them like 4 dollars to make the CD, that is just too much money.

K, so this is really nerdy, but I have to throw it out: So for a little while now I've gone through 1st and 2nd Sam, and 1st and 2nd Kings. You probably already know this, but the main premise of these books is the kingship of Israel/ Judah/ Egypt/ a bunch of other places. Basically, when a new King is introduced, one of two sentences is written. Either : "He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord" or "He did what was right in the sight of the Lord." Basically, one of these descendants would either walk in the way of the other evil kings and do things like build up an alter to other gods, (the ones whom many of his descendants worshiped) or worship somewhere other than the temple- basically just forget that God delivered them out of Egypt; or he would tear down the alters etc that his descendants built. One of these gods was named Baal.


I also started watching Stargate because my roommate has most of the seasons. In the show the bad guys (Goa'uld) have enslaved all these other planets by posing as gods, and it turns out that a lot of our mythology was influenced by these bad guys. So there's a guy named Ramses who enslaved ancient Egypt. It's kind of neat how they answer these questions... which don't need answering... but still. Anyway, one of the Goa'uld is named Ba'al. I don't know much about Egyptian culture, but there are Goa'uld named Ra and such- guys I do know of, but I didn't know that Ba'al was real. Just a neat/ nerdy little historical fact for ya there. :-)

(I've been dealing with a lot of my replacements for God lately, and I read this verse and it hit me pretty hard. Just thought I'd share.)

How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.
-1Kings 18:21

Knights of Columbus that hurt!!

Arynn and I went canoing today. And fishing. It was a lot of fun. Here are some pictures.




This picture doesn't have anything to do with canoing. That's at Robbie's place (that's the sexy hunk of a man in the back ground there). It's a really cool looking picture because I was throwing my phone in the air and Arynn caught it on "film" if you will. Yeah.