imradyoureradletshug's Xanga

No, se habla ingles

Sun, 16 Sep 2007 14:27:41 GMT

I've been in Venezuela for a week now, and it's treated me reasonably well, all things considered. Besides the missing/stolen camera that must have happened between being asked to check in my carry-on at the gate and picking it up in Maiquetia (and also the face wash I bought from Wal-Mart before I left!), I've eaten well, felt reasonably safe, and gotten lots of work done. I'm also learning lots of Spanish... but my vocabulary mainly covers food, and buying food, or maybe getting food to go.

That's all I really need to know, right?

As far as the camera's being gone is concerned, the main reason I am upset is because I never got to upload the pictures on the memory card from my time in Atlanta (and probably some random ones taken recently as well). It's pretty disappointing. There was karaoke involved during my weekend in ATL. Videos were taken of amazing versions of (mostly 80s) songs, and a great rendition of Electric Six's "Gay Bar", as well as the theme song from Aladdin, "A Whole New World".

:(

Other than that, I watched the GT/BC game. We were slaughtered. I think Matt Ryan is going to be an amazing NFL quarterback when he gets there. Our defense was picked apart.

Beyond that, I read this snippet from an article about LOVE being the new apologetic (though honestly it shouldn't be anything new at all). It was something Howard Dean said on The Daily Show:

[Conservatives] talk about morals, but they don't do anything to help the poor. Last time I saw, helping the poor was something that was mentioned three thousand times in the Bible. I have yet to find a reference to gay marriage in the Bible. These people are obsessed with things that are not about basic core American values, and I'm sick of it and so is [sic] a lot of other people, and I am happy to stand up for them.

I wish every Christian, especially those with political motivations, would take that to heart. Maybe one day, yeah?

[motion.city.soundtrack]this.is.for.real

Ohs Nos: Identity Crisis Alert?

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 01:56:40 GMT

Who am I?

haha... is it too early in my life to be asking that question?

It's a little open-ended, but... it opens up a world of self-analysis, introspection and, honestly, fear. It's not the proverbial "mid-mid-life crisis", but I feel like the helplessness I feel of being... helpless has gotten a hold of me. Furthermore, the worst part about it is that the helplessness I feel is seemingly losing the ability to truly feel like I have surrendered my life to God.

Concurrently I have a strange feeling of truly knowing my everyday purpose... it's weird, to have a relaxedness on a micro level -- where I really feel like God dictates my (seemingly menial) actions of "love", but in the macrocosm of my life maybe I'm too ignorant to garner a legitimate assessment.

It's kind of a scary thing. It's confidence and fear at the same time. I think essentially, I just want to love. Is that too much to ask, God?

Who are you?

I'm the enchanted wizard of rhythm.

Why did you come here?

I came here to tell you of the rhythms of the universe...

--

I'm not high.

[...]

No, really.

We carry on.

Tue, 08 May 2007 00:21:51 GMT

Within the past few weeks, I have been floored with the grief and pain people must endure: the helplessness of lives lost to senseless acts of violence; the senselessness of turning away from a nation's (and continent's) plight to simply survive; the mourning of loved ones to disease; the hardships of divorce on families and people.

In all of these things, beyond the grief and pain and often the despair... people have exhibited so much hope, so much peace, despite the trials and sadness that this world brings. We carry on. Though loathed and misunderstood, though ignored and lambasted, maybe confused, perplexed...

be still, and know that He is God.

There is a song I listen to when death knocks on a door close by. Bebo Norman wrote a song for a dear friend of his, "Rita". When I grieve, I think I don't grieve for long. Oftentimes I realize I am grieving for me, and mostly I grieve for things that, all things considered, don't truly matter.

I pray that they all find peace, and comfort, in their Maker, as we live in a harsh, mad world.

[this.too.shall.be.made.right]derek.webb
people love you the most for the things you hate
and hate you for loving the things that you cannot keep straight
people judge you on a curve
and tell you you’re getting what you deserve
this too shall be made right

children cannot learn when children cannot eat
stack them like lumber when children cannot sleep
children dream of wishing wells
whose waters quench all the fires of Hell
this too shall be made right

the earth and the sky and the sea are all holding their breath
wars and abuses have nature groaning with death
we say we’re just trying to stay alive
but it looks so much more like a way to die
this too shall be made right

there’s a time for peace and there is a time for war
a time to forgive and a time to settle the score
a time for babies to lose their lives
a time for hunger and genocide
this too shall be made right

I don’t know the suffering of people outside my front door
I join the oppressors of those who i choose to ignore
I’m trading comfort for human life
and that’s not just murder it’s suicide
this too shall be made right

oh, ignorance.

Sun, 22 Apr 2007 23:49:46 GMT

So Nickel Creek was amazing Friday night. I'll post some pictures and videos later, or something.

In other news (but still from the Nickel Creek show), I have a scenario from going to get a drink from the bar while I waited for the show to start.

Guy [to bartender]: I'd like a bottle of water, please.
Bartender [to me]: What would you like?
Me: Bourbon & Coke.
Bartender: I know you have a wristband on, but could you please show me your ID again?
Me: Uh... sure.
Guy [to me, either dead serious or dead pan]: You're not carrying any firearms, are you?
Me [hesitating, caught off guard, looking at him, then the bartender, then back at him]: haha, Wait, this wristband doesn't cover drinks and guns?
Bartender [laughing]: Actually, we don't allow them on the premises.
Guy [looking at me seriously, turning to leave]: OK.
Bartender [almost whispering]: What was up with that firearm question?!
Me [epiphany!]: Ohhhhh... what the heck.

I proceeded to hunt down this ridiculously ignorant man to tell him off. I'm pretty sure Cho Sung-Hui was set off by people like him who assume things (i.e. kids telling Cho to "go back to China", though he was South Korean) and offend people in such a way as to suggest psychotic behavior in ALL Asians.

What the deuce? I just wanted to enjoy some sweet melodies and sick mandolin and guitar riffs, not have my (apparent) feathers ruffled by an asinine, ignorant fool.

To be fair, I wondered as I walked up the stairs of the Meridian, whether or not there would be other non-white people there (there were after the show started), and whether people would think of me in the same regard as a psychotic, unstable loner, since I decided to go to the show alone.

In other news, I made some key lime bars tonight and they're cooling off right now. I am a fan of Alton Brown and the dude from America's Test Kitchen.

philip is a thespian

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 00:13:13 GMT

When I was in 9th grade, Windows 3.1 was what Windows XP is today. Back then my computer had this golf game that was just... well. It was fantastic.

Anyway, much like many (annoying) weblogs whose owners put on a little (annoying) pop-up javascript module that asks for the peruser's name, the golf game asks for one so it can greet you and link your name to your amazingly high (or low) score. Best of all, it saves your name for the next time you "sign in". I usually just put "philip" in the text box, but one day I was not-so-pleasantly surprised to see the name "philip is a thespian" there.

What is a thespian? And why is that in there? Is it like "lesbian"? I looked it up in the dictionary and was somewhat relieved that it was "a tragedian; an actor". Then I was puzzled. Why did someone say that I was an actor? Or a tragedian? I don't complain that much, do I? Were they calling me out on my (many) secret sins? Not such a great Christian now, yeah? You've been found out!

I was really worried. I couldn't think of what I had done wrong (that's a lie). Fine. At least... one that people would know about?

In a very perverse (yet apparently masterly-planned) way, looking back, I was convicted. Convicted of, indeed, "playing Christian". Convicted of keeping up appearances (remember Mdm. Bucket -- pronounced, nasally, "Bouquet"?).

It was a hard truth back then, that I will remember until my mind grows weary enough to go blind. It is something that sometimes creeps up on me. Am I who I say I am? Am I striving to be who God wants me to be? Do I even know who that is? Or am I content with where I stand: satisfied, but contentiously restraining my desire for something bigger or better?

Hm.

practice what you preach

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 22:14:00 GMT

So there are these two youth pastors. They talk about loving God, loving people, and somehow be 'missional'. Maybe, somehow get their youth to serve. Apparently an unfathomable chasm stretches between "loving people" and missions. "Love people." Sounds simple and can be expounded upon, and most likely involves being missional, right? Apparently they're two different things. I won't go too much into it, but if they're going to make themes like that, then they should actively engage their students and get them personally involved. Simply donating money to a cause and then putting up a map to display all the wonderful things you're doing just by giving money doesn't count. Patting yourself on the back for your own job well done doesn't count. If it does, it shouldn't. Unbelievers can just give money; teach your proselytes how to carry out the Great Commission in love.

You know how there are those kids who just want their Dad's time, but on any given occasion, Dad just throws money at them and says, "I love you - go buy something nice for yourself"? Well this isn't exactly that - they need the money, but they also want to know that outside of money people actually care about them and embrace their lives and grieve their pain.

Wha-wha-wha-whatttttttt? You mean to tell me that money != care?

Indeed.

Wait, wait, wait... you mean to tell me that there's a chance MY youth minister could be selfish, and maybe by hanging out with high school and middle school students too much, the kids' selfishness and immaturity might rub off on them instead, thereby creating terrible adolescents in adult bodies?

Well... I didn't say that; you did.

Not that you know who I'm talking about, anyway.

chef, which is sometimes mistaken for 'chief'...

Wed, 04 Apr 2007 01:19:50 GMT

On a very sporadic basis, I have taken up the (not-so-) culinary art of baking. I say "not-so" because so far the process is simply following directions from a recipe. I made a couple of key lime bundt cakes (as seen on the Food Network and mentioned as one of Oprah's "Favorite Things"). It was pretty scrumpdiddlyumptious.

I haven't baked or cooked (consistently) in years, so I hope that once I get better and more comfortable with it, I'll be bold enough to experiment and try out creativity for a change - something I never did venture out and try.

I like food. My friends who understand me like food. Mealtime tends to be the easiest and most natural way for me to get to know people or, as people say (grammatically incorrectly), "conversate" with them.

In other news, I catch myself longing for things (people, situations, circumstances, talents) that I can't have. Lord, save me from my self-centeredness and help me focus on You and others, especially during this Holy Week.

"land of ahh's pools and spas"

Wed, 28 Mar 2007 21:50:49 GMT

Traveling for work wasn't THAT fun, but it wasn't bad.

And it was full of cutesy references to the Wizard of Oz, pictures included.

Kansas has Braum's, but Houston has Lupe Tortilla.

I think the best part was driving from Amarillo to Liberal (not to be confused with Conservative, KS) and getting to listen to High Plains Public Radio without it skipping a beat... for over 3 hours. Ah, the beauty of the plains: nothing to interfere with the LOS for the towers.

Admittedly, the second best part was Braum's, food I hadn't eaten since I was 10.

ok.

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 01:21:43 GMT

i understand her struggle to forgive them
the plans will unfold, amazingly enough, close to how i thought
yes, he should marry her
good eats (with alton brown)
invisible children, april 27-28, austin, tx
invisible children screening, TBA @ Copperfield Church, 03/22 - 7pm @ Ecclesia
house of guitars doesn't do good setups
i wish...
i hate apathy, gossip, and whining - especially when i am guilty of it
i think this is really it
hobbies have been on the list for awhile, and not enough time will still be devoted to them
sadly, i did take the time to change the scheme
just 6 more months...
lists rule.

all about me.

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 22:02:31 GMT

I'm sure you may have heard people ask this of themselves, but I am doing the same: do I own my things -- the things I know and love, or do my things own me?

We live in a very wealthy nation, and I'm not an activist and I can't say that I am a humanitarian (both which I think are great things to be), nor am I a communist. I just think that it is true that poverty is the grave result of oppression.

When we look for
an easier gospel;
a lighter cross;
a less demanding Savior:

Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

[robbie.seay]shine.your.light