An Amazing Kid

From Gretchen's blog I linked to this kid. Zander has an amazing story, and it is still going. Please pray for him and his family during this time. Read this link first, and then continue throught the present.

Zander, Grace and Peace.

An Important Message

Thank you Sen. Byrd

Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2003 16:30:20 -0500
Statement

by US Senator Robert Byrd

Senate Floor Speech

We Stand Passively Mute

Wednesday 12 February 2003



"To contemplate war is to think about the most horrible of human experiences. On this February day, as this nation stands at the brink of battle, every American on some level must be contemplating the horrors of war.

Yet, this Chamber is, for the most part, silent -- ominously, dreadfully silent. There is no debate, no discussion, no attempt to lay out for the nation the pros and cons of this particular war. There is nothing.



We stand passively mute in the United States Senate, paralyzed by our own uncertainty, seemingly stunned by the sheer turmoil of events. Only on the editorial pages of our newspapers is there much substantive discussion of the prudence or imprudence of engaging in this particular war.



And this is no small conflagration we contemplate. This is no simple attempt to defang a villain. No. This coming battle, if it materializes, represents a turning point in U.S. foreign policy and possibly a turning point in the recent history of the world.

This nation is about to embark upon the first test of a revolutionary doctrine applied in an extraordinary way at an unfortunate time. The doctrine of preemption -- the idea that the United States or any other nation can legitimately attack a nation that is not imminently threatening but may be threatening in the future -- is a radical new twist on the traditional idea of self defense. It appears to be in contravention of international law and the UN Charter. And it is being tested at a time of world-wide terrorism, making many countries around the globe wonder if they will soon be on our -- or some other nation's -- hit list. High level Administration figures recently refused to take nuclear weapons off of the table when discussing a possible attack against Iraq. What could be more destabilizing and unwise than this type of uncertainty, particularly in a world where globalism has tied the vital economic and security interests of many nations so closely together? There are huge cracks emerging in our time-honored alliances, and U.S. intentions are suddenly subject to damaging worldwide speculation. Anti-Americanism based on mistrust, misinformation, suspicion, and alarming rhetoric from U.S. leaders is fracturing the once solid alliance against global terrorism which existed after September 11.



Here at home, people are warned of imminent terrorist attacks with little guidance as to when or where such attacks might occur. Family members are being called to active military duty, with no idea of the duration of their stay or what horrors they may face. Communities are being left with less than adequate police and fire protection. Other essential services are also short-staffed. The mood of the nation is grim. The economy is stumbling. Fuel prices are rising and may soon spike higher.

This Administration, now in power for a little over two years, must be judged on its record. I believe that that record is dismal.

In that scant two years, this Administration has squandered a large projected surplus of some $5.6 trillion over the next decade and taken us to projected deficits as far as the eye can see. This Administration's domestic policy has put many of our states in dire financial condition, under funding scores of essential programs for our people. This Administration has fostered policies which have slowed economic growth. This Administration has ignored urgent matters such as the crisis in health care for our elderly. This Administration has been slow to provide adequate funding for homeland security. This Administration has been reluctant to better protect our long and porous borders.



In foreign policy, this Administration has failed to find Osama bin Laden. In fact, just yesterday we heard from him again marshaling his forces and urging them to kill. This Administration has split traditional alliances, possibly crippling, for all time, International order-keeping entities like the United Nations and NATO. This Administration has called into question the traditional worldwide perception of the United States as well-intentioned, peacekeeper. This Administration has turned the patient art of diplomacy into threats, labeling, and name calling of the sort that reflects quite poorly on the intelligence and sensitivity of our leaders, and which will have consequences for years to come.



Calling heads of state pygmies, labeling whole countries as evil, denigrating powerful European allies as irrelevant -- these types of crude insensitivities can do our great nation no good. We may have massive military might, but we cannot fight a global war on terrorism alone. We need the cooperation and friendship of our time-honored allies as well as the newer found friends whom we can attract with our wealth. Our awesome military machine will do us little good if we suffer another devastating attack on our homeland which severely damages our economy. Our military manpower is already stretched thin and we will need the augmenting support of those nations who can supply troop strength, not just sign letters cheering us on.

The war in Afghanistan has cost us $37 billion so far, yet there is evidence that terrorism may already be starting to regain its hold in that region. We have not found bin Laden, and unless we secure the peace in Afghanistan, the dark dens of terrorism may yet again flourish in that remote and devastated land.



Pakistan as well is at risk of destabilizing forces. This Administration has not finished the first war against terrorism and yet it is eager to embark on another conflict with perils much greater than those in Afghanistan. Is our attention span that short? Have we not learned that after winning the war one must always secure the peace?

And yet we hear little about the aftermath of war in Iraq. In the absence of plans, speculation abroad is rife. Will we seize Iraq's oil fields, becoming an occupying power which controls the price and supply of that nation's oil for the foreseeable future? To whom do we propose to hand the reigns of power after Saddam Hussein?

Will our war inflame the Muslim world resulting in devastating attacks on Israel? Will Israel retaliate with its own nuclear arsenal? Will the Jordanian and Saudi Arabian governments be toppled by radicals, bolstered by Iran which has much closer ties to terrorism than Iraq?



Could a disruption of the world's oil supply lead to a world-wide recession? Has our senselessly bellicose language and our callous disregard of the interests and opinions of other nations increased the global race to join the nuclear club and made proliferation an even more lucrative practice for nations which need the income?

In only the space of two short years this reckless and arrogant Administration has initiated policies which may reap disastrous consequences for years.

One can understand the anger and shock of any President after the savage attacks of September 11. One can appreciate the frustration of having only a shadow to chase and an amorphous, fleeting enemy on which it is nearly impossible to exact retribution.



But to turn one's frustration and anger into the kind of extremely destabilizing and dangerous foreign policy debacle that the world is currently witnessing is inexcusable from any Administration charged with the awesome power and responsibility of guiding the destiny of the greatest superpower on the planet. Frankly many of the pronouncements made by this Administration are outrageous. There is no other word.



Yet this chamber is hauntingly silent. On what is possibly the eve of horrific infliction of death and destruction on the population of the nation of Iraq -- a population, I might add, of which over 50% is under age 15 -- this chamber is silent. On what is possibly only days before we send thousands of our own citizens to face unimagined horrors of chemical and biological warfare -- this chamber is silent. On the eve of what could possibly be a vicious terrorist attack in retaliation for our attack on Iraq, it is business as usual in the United States Senate.

We are truly "sleepwalking through history." In my heart of hearts I pray that this great nation and its good and trusting citizens are not in for a rudest of awakenings.



To engage in war is always to pick a wild card. And war must always be a last resort, not a first choice. I truly must question the judgment of any President who can say that a massive unprovoked military attack on a nation which is over 50% children is "in the highest moral traditions of our country". This war is not necessary at this time. Pressure appears to be having a good result in Iraq. Our mistake was to put ourselves in a corner so quickly. Our challenge is to now find a graceful way out of a box of our own making. Perhaps there is still a way if we allow more time.

Big Black Marker...$3.60

Posterboard...$0.89

Millions Coming Together...Priceless

I pray that the leaders of the world feel and hear the spirit of peace that is making itself know.

Peace

The Axis

The Axis of Goofiness: USA, UK, Latvia?

OK

So I thought I made up the story below. Maybe I know more than I thought!

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

Asssociatied PressóWashington D.C. ñ In the shadow of in impending war with Iraq, and weighed down by a bleak economic forecast; the Bush administration bumps terror alert up to orange.

ìFearing that citizens of the United States were becoming complacent,î a Bush insider told this reported, ìwe thought it essential to upgrade.

ìYou see, we figured, with the economy stalled and the scepter [ed. yes he said scepter] of war we had the perfect marketing ploy. We tell the people that, ëWe have overwhelming evidence that a terrorist attack will happen, at sometime, in someplace. We feel it necessary move the terror alert to orange; due to this very specific threat.í Boo-ya!!! We single handedly can pass the bossís budget because, with us advising people to buy plastic sheets and duct tape, the economy is going to pick up. Consumer spending, baby! And thus, the tax cuts work.î

###

What ever works for you?

Once again, or should I say, still, the fire rages at Tripp's blog. The debate seems to be whether or not personal experience is important to finding salvation. (Although the blog deals with the identiy of scriptureÖthat is the way I describe it [Tripp. I agree with you assertions]).

Tripp and I seem to be getting raked over the coals, and I am not sure why. First of all, a lot of what I am reading is over my head, but I will still try to throw my 2 cents in.

I think the hang up is some confusion over what I meant in my comment (#12). What I stating was with in the frame that people in the discussion were coming from a common placeÖwe are all Christian.

I have been thinking about how to (yes this is very stream of consciousnessÖtake it or leave it that is how I work) continue with this, and I guess I need to ask a questionÖ.What happens to the tribes in the heart of Africa who have never heard the Gospel? What made the Jews the chosen? What about everyone else? I know these questions seem off topic, but I can not believe that they would be punished for not believing in Christ.

Ok I have talked in circles, and am working things out still. But I guess I donít see the hang up. My prayer is that all experience the Grace of Christ. Be it through church, community, or some way that I can not comprehend.

Obvious

If you can not tell, my html skills are nill...uggg. need to fix this

Tag Board

Hey, I put a tag board on my page. The only place I could put it with out screwing everyting up was at the bottom. I could use some help.

Peace

beYond thAt news

So, I am going to post this and knock on wood at the same time.

Last night at out fundraiser, I found out that we may have a good lead on getting a permanent space. I can't go into details, but I will say it used to be a funeral home, and before that an old Vaudville house.

Please pray that things will work out. Mike is meeting with the person on thursday.

Peace

Food for Thought

From the Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs web site:

Differing visions invoked
on Religious Freedom Day

President Bush marked national Religious Freedom Day by proclaiming his vision of religious liberty from the White House. Meanwhile, from the steps of the nearby Jefferson Memorial, church-state separationists accused Bush and his ideological allies of endangering that very liberty.


Religious Freedom Day commemorates the adoption of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom on Jan. 16, 1786. The statute, authored by Thomas Jefferson, later became the model for the religion clauses of the First Amendment.


ìOur Founding Fathers recognized that religious freedom is a right we must protect with great vigilance,î Bush said in a Jan. 16 statement. ìWe must continue our efforts to uphold justice and tolerance and to oppose prejudice; and we must be resolved to countering any means that infringe on religious freedom.î


But several groups that advocate separation of church and state chided Bush ó as well as congressional and judicial leaders ó for some of their recent actions. Participating in a joint Jan. 16 press conference at the Jefferson Memorial were leaders of The Interfaith Alliance, Baptist Joint Committee, American Jewish Committee, National Council of Churches and Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism.


Interfaith Alliance President Welton Gaddy, a Baptist minister, said that Bush and other government leaders are forgetting Jeffersonís devotion to religious freedom. ìThomas Jeffersonís vision of the necessity of religious liberty is as important today as it was in 1786,î Gaddy asserted. ìBut our national memory is short and this precious principle is in trouble.î


Gaddy and some other religious leaders say that Jeffersonís idea of church-state separation is necessary to preserve the First Amendmentís stated goals. The Supreme Court has tended to agree, although recent decisions have placed that interpretation somewhat in doubt.


In a Jan. 12 speech commemorating the historic Virginia statute, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia attacked the courtís interpretation of church-state separation, claiming that the Constitutionís original meaning did not create government neutrality toward religion but government equality among all religious faiths.


Scalia said government endorsements of ìgenericî religious sentiment such as the motto ìIn God We Trustî should be perfectly allowable under the Constitution. He also asserted that if courts wanted to ban government endorsement of such generalized religious faith, they should first wait for voters to authorize such an interpretation explicitly.


Gaddy criticized that stance, asking, ìIs Justice Scalia suggesting that we put religion on the ballot of our national elections and determine by a majority vote what religious language should prevail, which name for God should be used in public ó if, indeed, any divine name at all?î


J. Brent Walker, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee, criticized Bushís executive order implementing parts of his ìfaith-based initiative,î which stalled in Congress last year. The initiative expands the ability of governments to give money to churches and other religious organizations to perform social services.


ìBy taking such an aggressive approach, the administration seems to be telling religious organizations to take the money now and worry about the consequences later,î Walker said. ìThis far-reaching action shows a lack of concern for constitutional safeguards that have served us well.î


Besides asserting that government funding always increases the risk of government regulation, Walker also said governments should not fund faith-intensive programs because of something that the Virginia religious-freedom law itself asserted: ìThat to compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical.î


In his statement, however, Bush said the faith-based initiative would actually expand religious freedom because it ends ìdiscriminationî against heavily religious groups in distribution of government funding. ìIn America today, people of faith continue to wage a determined campaign to meet needs and fight suffering,î Bush said. ìMy administration has been working to ensure that faith-inspired organizations do not face discrimination [in receipt of government funds] simply because of their religious orientation.î


Other speakers at the press conference criticized a recently proposed constitutional amendment, sponsored by Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo., that would permit government-organized prayers in public schools, as well as a bill offered by Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., that would allow churches to engage in partisan politics without losing their tax-exempt status. Jonesí Houses of Worship Political Speech Protection Act failed by a wide margin in the House last year, but he has introduced it again.


In addition to the criticisms of proposed legislation, one speaker offered an endorsement of a bill that he said would expand religious liberty. Rich Foltin, legislative director for the American Jewish Committee, urged passage of the Workplace Religious Freedom Act, co-sponsored by Sens. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., and Rick Santorum, R-Pa.


ìThe Workplace Religious Freedom Act promotes a fundamental principle -- that no employee should arbitrarily be forced to choose between obedience to his or her faith and keeping a job,î Foltin said. The bill would make it easier for employees to express religious beliefs or ideas on the job in ways that do not burden their employers heavily.


ó Robert Marus
Associated Baptist Press


RFTC: January 22, 2003

free enneagram test

Tripp's response, "suprise, suprise."

Responsibility

I thought I would share just a few organizations I belong to:

Jubilee USA

Amnesty International

Greenpeace

I figured with the last post I probably put myself on some sort of watch list, so to paraphrase Huck Finn (from the musical Big River...his reasoning for stealing Jim out of Slavery), "All right, I'll go to Hell, and as long as I am goin, and goin for good, I might as well go Whole Hog!!" Makes sense to me.

Peace

Hail to the Chief
A co-worker and I have been batting these things around all day. I though I would share.

From BushCartoons.com:

"HU'S ON FIRST"
Playwright jim sherman wrote this after hearing that hu jintao was named chief of the communist party in china.

(we take you now to the oval office.)
george: condi! nice to see you. what's happening?
condi: sir, i have the report here about the new leader of china.
george: great. lay it on me.
condi: hu is the new leader of china.
george: that's what i want to know.
condi: that's what i'm telling you.
george: that's what i'm asking you. who is the new leader of china?
condi: yes.
george: i mean the fellow's name.
condi: hu.
george: the guy in china.
condi: hu.
george: the new leader of china.
condi: hu.
george: the chinaman!
condi: hu is leading china.
george: now whaddya' asking me for?
condi: i'm telling you hu is leading china.
george: well, i'm asking you. who is leading china?
condi: that's the man's name.
george: that's who's name?
condi: yes.
george: will you or will you not tell me the name of the new leader ofchina?
condi: yes, sir.
george: yassir? yassir arafat is in china? i thought he was in the middle east.
condi: that's correct.
george: then who is in china?
condi: yes, sir.
george: yassir is in china?
condi: no, sir.
george: then who is?
condi: yes, sir.
george: yassir?
condi: no, sir.
george: look, condi. i need to know the name of the new leader of china. get me the secretary general
of the u.n. on the phone.
condi: kofi?
george: no, thanks.
condi: you want kofi?
george: no.
condi: you don't want kofi.
george: no. but now that you mention it, i could use a glass of milk.and then get me the u.n.
condi: yes, sir.
george: not yassir! the guy at the u.n.
condi: kofi?
george: milk! will you please make the call?
condi: and call who?
george: who is the guy at the u.n?
condi: hu is the guy in china.
george: will you stay out of china?!
condi: yes, sir.
george: and stay out of the middle east! just get me the guy at the u.n.
condi: kofi.
george: all right! with cream and two sugars. now get on the phone.
(condi picks up the phone.)
condi: rice, here.
george: rice? good idea. and a couple of egg rolls, too

Some other sites for your edimification.

Read this First
Madness!!!
Dancing Time
Toon Time

Yes, I do poke fun of and at the President, but, eventhough I don't think I agree with him on a damn thing, I respect all he must do in that job. And I respect the Presidency.

Peace

Look Ma, I made it!!!

Well, it is here. I have stepped through the threshold. I am now, officially, in my late 20ís. I have enjoyed the ride thus far, but I there is still more to do:

Next 26 years to do list:

1. Spend more that 10 days in a foreign country
2. Jump off/out of bridge, cliff, plane
3. Paint a mural
4. Quit an office jobÖas in never have to spend more than one hour in an office at a time
5. Actually try to get writing published
6. Be in a rock band (if it doesnít leave the garage, fine)
7. Learn to fly
8. Participate in a pro-wrestling match
9. Have a family
10. Build a house
11. Make a living doing theatre

&
much much more

peace

P.S. I had to get my licence renewed yesterday...only took 25 minutes (and that is because they suprised me...I had to take the damn test...bleaugh)

17 Years and 4 Days

there is an open doorway
a place full of possibility
wonder
action
beauty

there is an open window
a place from which to watch
life
freedom
happiness

the children in the park
the parents at the beach
the friends on the couch

things that make this life worth living
enjoying

then there is the unexpected
the painful
tears
awareness
hurt

questions come
answers are far away

dreams
those which make us step foot outside
and look at the tree

curiosity
that gets us in trouble with mom and dad

hope

sometimes these things lead us
sometimes they get in the way of what is rational
but always they are there waiting wanting

a few actually keep these things close as they grow
mature
rationalize

a few dare to keep looking

and even fewer give their lives for them


May God Bless those heroes

Peace

Hey Kids!!!!

Do you know what time it is?
.
.
.
.
.
Seriously...wasn't that cool!

Peace

Still Here?

I thought TAB Cola was no longer around. I saw some this morning at the convienient store. I did not check the top to see if it had the old school throw away tab. Now, to get the comment board fired up, I have a question. What else is still around that we thought was gone??

3:58 p.m.

Juneau, Alaska -- 33 degrees F
Chicago, Illinois -- 13 degrees F

brrrrr

8:50 a.m.

Juneau, Alaska -- 21 degrees F
Chicago, Illinois -- 10 degrees F

Living in Chicago -- priceless

Figured out
I figured out who did the origional version of Hurt...the video in my previous blog. None other that Nine Inch Nails...Johnny Cash rules.

In other news
Chicago is the largest city in the country to oppose a possible war with Iraq. This is from an e-mail I received:

For Immediate Release

Chicago Passes Anti-War Resolution

46-1 Vote Follows Extensive and Personal
Debate (Chicago, Jan. 16, 2003)

After one of the most mesmerizing, impassioned and personal debates ever to occur in Chicago's City Council Chamber, Chicago has become the largest and most prominent city in the nation to formally oppose a unilateral pre-emptive strike on Iraq.

One by one, black and white, Latino and Jewish, men and women, the Aldermen stood to draw attention to their own particular concerns with the current path of the Bush Administration. Many pointed out that the real dangers this nation faces today are the rising rates of unemployment and economic stagnation. Others were concerned about the double standard the administration is showing with respect to North Korea. And some drew attention to the prospect of young sons and daughters
coming home in body bags from an ill-conceived war.

The Committee of Human Relations of the Chicago City Council sent the "Resolution Opposing Pre-emptive U.S. Military Strikes
on Iraq" to the full council today after a vote yesterday.

"It is our sons and daughters who will be recruited--perhaps even conscripted--to fight in this war," said Ald. Joseph Moore (49th), chief sponsor of the resolution. Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th) was concerned that the "cost of the war will dry up federal funding
for domestic programs for a war that has yet to be justified."

Judith Kossy of Chicagoans Against the War on Iraq said she and her organization were deeply moved by the leadership of Ald. Joe Moore, Ald. Helen Shiller, Ald. Ricardo Munoz, Ald. Leslie Hairston and by the action taken today the City Council. "Two out of three people in the nation oppose a unilateral war. It's important for local leaders to articulate their constituent's feelings to President Bush and to the world," Kossy said.

The full resolution follows: RESOLUTION OPPOSING A PRE- EMPTIVE U.S.
MILITARY ATTACK ON IRAQ

WHEREAS, the issues between Iraq and the world
community have not proven to be irresoluble by
traditional diplomatic efforts; and

WHEREAS, while Saddam Hussein is a tyrant who should be removed from
power, both for the good of the Iraqi people and for the security of
Iraq's neighboring countries, it is not at all clear that a unilateral
U.S. military action would result in the installation
of a free and democratic Iraqi government; and

WHEREAS, U.S. military actions would risk the deaths of thousands of
Iraqi civilians without guaranteeing the safety and security of U.S.
citizens; and

WHEREAS, a pre-emptive and unilateral U.S. military
attack would violate international law and our
commitments under the U.N. Charter and further isolate
the U.S. from the rest of the world; and

WHEREAS, the Congressional Budget Office estimates a
military action against Iraq will cost our nation
between $9 and $13 billion a month, likely resulting in further cuts in
federally funded projects and programs that benefit our city and its
residents; and

WHEREAS, a U.S.-led war in Iraq would compromise our
current action in Afghanistan, and require years of nation-building
activities in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, the Bush administration has failed to
articulate a clear strategic objective or outcome of a military attack
against Iraq, and such an attack fails to enjoy the support of many of
our important allies; and

WHEREAS, we give our unconditional support to U.S.
military personnel serving at home and abroad in their tireless battle
against global terrorism, and should our military forces be sent to
Iraq, we give our unyielding support to our young men and women serving
in our nation's military, even if we oppose the policy
that sent them there;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the members of
the City Council of the City of Chicago, oppose a pre-
emptive U.S. military attack on Iraq unless it is
demonstrated that Iraq poses a real and imminent threat
to the security and safety of the United States; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we support a return of
U.N. weapons inspectors to Iraq, enhanced by sufficient
police support to guarantee unfettered access to all
targeted sites; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we urge the U.S. to work
through the U.N. Security Council and reaffirm our
nation's commitment to the rule of law in all
international relationships; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution
be forwarded to the Illinois congressional delegation
and the President of the United States.

--from www.aaiusa.org/news/must_read01_16c_03.htm

And now for something completely different

I took an on line version of the Meyers Brigs (sp) test and found out I am an INFP...ask anyone, that explains a lot. Upon further researching this type here and here...I am almost scared with how accurate this thing is. Tripp....something about us aquariuses, huh?

Peace

Beautifully Sad

I found this at Mouse's blog. It is a Johnny Cash video. A beautiul piece. It is a cover of a song calle Hurt, I am not sure who did the origional.


Peace

Am I crazy or just plain goofy

I enjoy the cold weather we have been experiencing. I enjoy the heat in the summer. I enjoy the struggle of living paycheck to paycheck. I like to push farther that what can be handled. I get some sort of perverse joy from laborious tasks.

I am not sure why, but I do.

The more I think about it, the more I begin to consider the performance and artistic nature of these things. Huh? I never thought of it that way until I spent a semester assisting a professor with a 4 month long performance piece. It centered on tasksÖmenial and major. For three weeks he carried a cinder block everywhere he went. For one hour he sliced onions. For 2 minute he stood on one foot. Other examples are the artist up in Madison who sat in an outdoor kiosk for 24 hours; or the artist who paced a field for a month; or the piece I participated in, in which we spent 8 hours filling a tub full of water with eye droppers.

You see, I think the idea of work has been misconstrued by our society. Work is something to be enjoyed. Enjoy the fact that because it is cold you must struggle to go outside. Look at it this way. Work is not just going to an office and sitting on your bum typing a blog. No, work is a process in which our bodies and minds should be stimulated and pushed in ways that are not considered normal. I consider the extreme things I do as work.

Does this come form my pride as the son and grandson and great grandson of blue collar workers? I donít know. I do know the pride they had in their work. I know the pride I have in my work.

Or is this just an example of me being goofy?

Peace

Yo!!

Happy Birthday Apollo!!

A matter of the Heart

O.k. This whole discussion about what is the "true church" or not has gotten to the point where i am utterly confused and befuddled by all of the big words and huge concepts. If I am to understand what is going on right now; Cliff and Tripp are debating how one is to go about creating the church on earth. Cliff is like...coming form a pre-schimatic (ha...big word), and Tripp is coming a Baptist point of view. But what I am seeing is the one common thing ... they both say Christ is what the church is built on. Right Oh! So, that being agreed upon...what are the arguing? It looks to me to be more of a debate on what is the right way to worship. Cliff (and this is just myinterpration of what has been written) is saying the only "true" way to worship is by going the more orthodox (eastern) way; and Trip is saying how are we to say what is the right way, and how can we compel others to do it the right way...if there is even a right way.

Now, bieng a Baptist for my entire life, I believe there is no "right" way to worship (worship as your soul determinse...that is not to say the physical church is not important because I beiieve the fellowship of other believers is very important), but rather we need to take a look at the common thing we all share and live in that. We agree the the Church is built with Christ as the center. Well if we look at the description that C\hrist gives us of the body and all of its parts ... maybe we can makesome sense out of this.

this is my interpretattion of that passage. Ok. We all agree that Christ is the centre of the church and lets just say that would make Him the heart of this body. It also seems that we all agree and believe in the trinity...So, with that agreement, that makes God the Father the brain and the Holy Spirit the breath. So, now we have the heart, brain, and breath...excellent, but we have no house of these organs. Amd that is where the church on earth comes in. I really believe that each part of the body is important. That is why I believe that each way of worshiping is important to the full mission of the church...to help establish God's kingdom on earth. Sometimes all of the incense and creeds and ritual do not work. Sometimes the lack of stucture I personally love doesnt work. All of us agree that Christ is the center of the church and that it is up to us to try to make God's kingdom on earth.

This is kind of why this whole debate has saddened me. If we want to bring the Kingdom to earth...why are we spending this time arguing abouout what is the right way to do it instead of working on makig it happen?

peace

A Historical Perspective
I am still trying to figure out this whole debate thing, but I found this artilce at the Baptist Join Committee's web page. I think it gives an interresting historical perspective to the issue.

Reflections
Freedom-loving Baptists should remember Clarkeís contributions
By J. Brent Walker


We freedom-loving Baptists hold up Roger Williams as our all-time all-star. And properly so. But we should not forget the contributions of others, such as John Clarke. True, Williams coined the phrase, ìwall of separationî and founded the First Baptist Church in America. But he did not stay a Baptist very long. His contemporary, John Clarke, a physician and lay minister, remained a lifelong Baptist. In 1639 Clarke founded the town of Newport, R.I., and be-came the pastor of the local Baptist congregation. Clarke traveled with Williams to London to secure a new charter for Rhode Island colony in 1663, which granted permission to continue a ìlively experimentî of religious liberty.


Clarke also penned what might be the first Baptist confession in New England. In 1651 Clarke, along with two other Baptists, John Crandall and Obadiah Holmes, traveled to Lynn, Mass., to conduct a worship service (including the Lordís Supper and baptism) in the private home of a blind Baptist named William Witter. That ìillegalî act earned them arrest and imprisonment. Their sentence? A fine or public flogging. Clarke managed to pay his fine, but Holmes was ìwell-whippedî with 30 lashes. So outraged was Clarke by what he called this ìtragicall storyî he published an account of the Lynn persecutions titled ìIll Newes from New-England: Or a Narrative of New-Englandís Persecution.î


In that powerful treatise, Clarke articulated four ìconclusionsî which summarized the pith of his Baptist convictions. Slightly paraphrased for modern readers, Clarke wrote:


I. Jesus is the Christ, the Anointed Priest, Prophet and King of Saints. Christ is also the Lord of his Church in point of ruling and ordering them with respect to the worship of God (The Lordship of Jesus Christ).


II. Baptism is one of the commandments of Christ and will continue until he comes again. Believers are the proper subjects of baptism. They are to wait for the promise of the Spirit, as with the presence of Christ (Believersí Baptism and the Gathered Church).


III. Every believer ought to improve his talent both in and out of the Congregation (The Ministry of Laity and the Priesthood of Every Believer).


IV. No servant of Jesus has any authority from him to force upon others either the faith or the order of the Gospel of Christ (Religious Freedom and the Rights of Conscience).


Clarke went on to elaborate this final point concerning the rights of conscience: no such believer, or servant of Christ Jesus, has any liberty, much less authority from his Lord, to smite his fellow servant, nor yet with outward force, or arm of flesh, to constrain or restrain his Conscience, no nor yet his outward man for Conscience sake, or worship of his God, where injury is not offered to the person, name, or estate of others ... .


The astute reader will see in these words about the liberty of conscience the seeds of the modern First Amendment doctrine that government is permitted to burden the exercise of religion only where it has a ìcompelling state interest.î Although no one is permitted, according to Clarke, to ìconstrain or restrain conscience,î regulation of religious conduct (i.e. ìhis outward man for conscience sakeî) can be justified only in cases where injury is ìoffered to the person, name, or estate of others.î Clarke understood a principle that five members of the U.S. Supreme Court abjured in their 1990 decision Employment Division vs. Smith: government should restrict religious exercise only when such practices threaten the life, safety, or welfare of others and only if it adopts the least restrictive means available to ensure those ends.


Modern Baptists would do well to read and heed their history, including writings such as ìIll Newes.î We must also take responsibility for reminding our culture and Supreme Court of these precious principles. If we fail to do so, the signal achievement of John Clarke and the ìlively experimentî will not long survive.

Another reason

Just look.

peace

Urffff

I am so tired right now. For some reason I had the damndest time going to sleep last night. I went to bed at the reasonable hour of 11, every hour there after my eyes opened and I saw the clock had only advanced and hour...finally...i think the last time I looked it was 4:45, and i had to be up a 6:30.

I have no idea why i had trouble sleeping. I feel rightly that I hav That 70's Show to blame. You see, what I do know is that during the inbetween times, I kept writng episodes in my head. Except I was in Eric's place and I was Ross (It just occured to me that Ross Foreman is a wrestling journalist...why that name I have no idea.) It was just plain weird.

Anyway. Tripp and Cliffare having an interesing discussion at the conjectural navel gazers site. They are debating the ideas of the Baptist idea of soul freedom v. the Orthodox doctrine (? is that what it is called Cliff?). In my exhausted state I would like to contribute, but I can not stay focused long enough. I will try tomorrow.

Peace

I need to post something. There i did.

I had a nice Christmas...hope you all did, too.

I really like Christmas time.

That is all
Peace.

Stump Speech of Sorts

I just read an editorial on msnbc.com about what democrats need to do to win the white house in 2004. I know...this is starting already. I agree with this article, mostly.

The thing I think the democrats must do is not, and has not been mentioned yet. Think about this for a minute...if you were talking to the average person on the street (not the activist or the union man), but the avreage joe or jane, and asked them what the difference between the 2 parties is...i don't think they could tell you. Maybe I am being arrogant me here (or aa know it all), but I believe that is true. Outside of the "big" issues...that I don't think are that big, not many people know the difference. The "big" issues are important, but it is the small things that make parties different.

Anyway, bnack to what needs to happen. The democrat party must sepearate itself from the center. There are enough progressives out there that i think this is a valuable and necessary move. You see, as I stated above, we need to disginuish the differences between the 2 parties.

Ok. I am rambling...I know what i want to say, but need to sit down and focus on it. I will be more cohearant later.
Peace

Yeah!!

Which David Bowie are you?

More Santa News

Here is Santa's blog.

The Mis-Adventure of a LifeÖwell, a Weekend

Friday, 13 December, 2002 ñ 10:30 p.m.
I arrive at The Note in the Wicker Park neighbor hood of Chicago. The purpose for this journey is to partake in an evening of live music performed by 4 bands, all of whom are amazing. The bands were (in order of appearance): Pearly Sweets & The Platonics, The Detholz, 40 Piece Choir, and oh my god. I arrive in time to catch the last half of The Platonics set. I buy a $6 Fosters and begin to enjoy the evening.

Saturday, 14 December, 2002 ñ 2:02 a.m.
oh my god has finished their set, and the night was beautiful. All of a sudden, a DJ appears and begins to spin. I havenít partaken in an evening of dancing for a whileÖso it begins.

Saturday, 14 December, 2002 ñ 4:07 a.m.
With pain shooting through my body, I make the walk back to my car and drive home.

Saturday, 14 December, 2002 ñ 12:30 p.m.
I arise and shower, for the next 24 hours I will be on the road (2 gigs in Flint, MI) with oh my god.

Saturday, 14 December, 2002 ñ 1:30 ñ 2:00 p.m.
I arrive at Iguanaís house and we pack the van. From there we go and pick up Jason. Billy and Brandon will be going up to Flint separately.

Saturday, 14 December, 2002 ñ 5:30 p.m. (Eastern Time)
We stop at the Trans-America Truck Stop about 20 miles inside Michigan. Jason and I meander our way inside to the BK and order food while Iguana fills the van. Jason buys 2 of the Simpsonís talking watches. Out of nowhere Iguana arrives in the restaurant on the phone and eyes blazing.

ìMy backpack is NOT in the van.î (IG)
ìWhat? I though I saw Brandon carry it out last night.î (Jason)
ìI looked and it is not there. I canít do the show without it. It has my Leslie cable and piano moduleî (I)
ìShit.î(J)
ìI think it is still at the club.î(I)
ìCall Fabian, maybe he can get in.î (J)
ìI called Nord and he is trying to get a hold of Fabian.î(I)
ìShould we head back and see if the club is open?î (J)

Saturday, 14 December, 2002 ñ 2:30 p.m.
Head back to Chicago. 88 miles away. 90 minutes.

ìWe canít do this. It will add 166 miles and 3 hours to the trip. No way.î (I)
ìWhat should we do?î(J)
ìFuck. Maybe we Ö they have a piano at the Local right?î (I)
ìI think so.î
(phone rings)
ì(I is on the phone) Damn it. Ok. What do you think we should do?.... Ok. Can you give Alexia a call and seeÖno. Nevermind. If somebody can get in and drive the 4 Ω hours to Flint maybe we can make it. But they would need to leave by 6 Chicago time. Ok. Give me a call.î
ìWhatís up?î (J)
ìThe club doesnít open until 8. We are screwed. I guess we could just head to Flint and try something.î

Saturday, 14 December, 2002 ñ 2:45 p.m.
Head back to Flint.

Saturday, 14 December, 2002 ñ 5:00 p.m.
Outside Kalamazoo, MI. We pull over to a gas station because Iguanaís phone is beginning to die (the poor guy had been on it almost constatnly since the discovery). The purpose of this stop is 2 fold.
1. To try to find a car charger to the phone
2. Nord gave Iguana the number of a guy in Detroit who might be able to help.

Iguana calls the guy in Detroit and is then given the number to a guy who actually lives and work in Flint. A few tense minutes laterÖThe guy thinks he can help.

Saturday, 14 December, 2002 ñ 8:30 p.m.
We arrive in Flint. Stop by a convenient store and pick up sandwiches and drinks.

Saturday, 14 December, 2002 ñ 8:45 p.m.
We arrive and load into The Flint Local 432, and all ages venue (a very cool placeÖwish we had one when I was growing up.)

Saturday, 14 December, 2002 ñ 9:15 p.m.
Matt shows up and has the 2 necessary cords. Sweet Lord, weís gonna have us a show!!!!

Saturday, 14 December, 2002, 10:30 p.m.
oh my god rocks the house for the next hour and a half.

Sunday, 15 December, 2002 ñ 12:00 a.m.
Strike the rigÖmove every thing literally next door to Kellyís Pub.

Sunday, 15 December, 2002 ñ 12:20 a.m.
oh my god does the 2nd show for the night.

Sunday, 15 December, 2002 ñ 1:45 a.m.
Strike the rig and load the van.

Sunday, 15 December, 2002 ñ 2:30 a.m.
Arrive at Wadeís house. Party. Sleep soon takes over the room.

Sunday, 15 December, 2002 ñ 8:30 a.m.
Iguanaís alarm clock goes off. He looks at meÖI look at him. Pushes a button.

Sunday, 15 December, 2002 ñ 11:00 a.m.
On the road again. This time Billy is with us.

Sunday, 15 December, 2002 ñ 2:30 (Central Time)
Back at Iguanaís place. Unload the van and head home.

The tale of the show that almost wasnít

Peace

Piece of Shit?...oooo Shocking

Cliff has a question on his blog about Art and the Avant Garde, in which he questions ìDo we really need more art whose sole purpose is to "shock"? Whose truth is that "life is ugly," or that "religion is oppression"? It's all so hip, trendy and cool. Which means it's all so bourgeois.î

I struggle with the question of what is the purpose of art on a daily basis.

ìDo we really need more art whose sole purpose is to ëshockí?îówell, yes and noÖhow is that for being vague. I believe the purpose of art is to cause controversy and ìshockîÖto make the outside observe stand back and take a look at a different point of view. Art should be a refection of what the particular Artist sees, and thus, creating a mirror of their world. What they see is not necessarily what the average person would see. The debate comes about over what is perceived and what is meant. That is the fun of Art. It is the Artist whose truth is saying ìlife is uglyî, or that ìreligion is oppression.î

The problem with art is that what was once considered ground breaking because of its shock value has since become so commonplace and ìacceptedîÖcommercialized. Why did the Artist spread feces on the Madonna? I am not sure, and I would have thought that since there was all the controversy over that particular piece that he would have come forward to give his insight, but no. Now, I do not think an Artist has to explain a thing, but on the other hand it rubs me the wrong way.

(You see, I deal with this issue when I talk to my mom about the shows I am producing or performing in. She asks if there is swearing, and of course yes there isÖand usually violence, drug use, smoking (everything she does not approve of). She asks if I have forgotten how I was raised, and no I have not. But, it is my job to reflect the world as it is and these things are a part of it, if I offend someoneÖgoodÖwhy are they offended? What is it that gives them an uneasy feeling? Maybe it is because they are force to see something for the fist time and now have to deal with the reality that maybe, just maybe, things are not as they seem, and their little bubble has burst. My hope is that when this happens they may actually act upon what disturbs them and do a positive thing.)

Back to the point. I think the ìshock valueî of art has since lost most of its meaning because of the discussion about these shocking pieces has changed from trying to digest meaning to complaing about the media of the piece. So, since and Artist can get press by putting a Cross in jar of piss and thus it is talked about and everyone wants to see it it becomes hip and cool to do that. And in agreement with Cliff bourgeois.

Ah, the tumultuous part of living in this post-modern ageÖthat is a whole ënother discussion for another time.

Good Lord that is a long and rambling blogÖand it makes complete sense to me.

Peace

Stand Back

Map to Santa's New Digs

A couple of posting ago I showed how Santa left the North Pole to move to Colorado, well here is a link to a map of where he now lives. Very close to Aspen.

Hmmmm

Peace

2 of my favorite things

Baz Luhrman and La Boheme. Yippee!!!!

Santa Moved

According to FedEx, Santa is in Colorado?

2:55 on Friday

Goodness Gracious...I had some left over Pad Thai for lunch...not so sure that was a good idea.

Request

I just found out from my brother that a girl I used to babysit, in fact the first person, ended her life yesterday. This is not the way I would like to start off my day. Bad news. Please keep Sarah's family in prayer and thoughts.

When something like this happens...God, I haven't seen her in years...but I am just numb and nauseaus. Man, I don't know what else to say...It hurts. I don't know the circumstances but that does not matter, I just pray that her spirit is well and that her family will be ok.

Oh God of healing and Peace.
Comfort those who are need at this time.
Be with those who are suffering
Let us not forget You in our grief
Be the Center of our lives
And Bless us
Oh merciful God

Peace

Hoppy Skippy, Hoppy Skippy tru d woodsk

Cliff and Anna are having a baby...Cliff and Anna are having a baby. Huzzah!!!!

Walk On!

Yesterday was World AIDS Day. I can not believe I forgot about it. Prayers and love to those suffering.

Peace

First Things First

The Good Guys are getting some main stream attention (from the front page of msnbc.com .

My Turkey Day

Thanksgiving was a good time. nothing like 5 guys trying to cook turkeyday meal...looked like the 3 stooges at times. but it turned out well, and fun.

the cast of characters was:

Mike -- the oldest son
John (mike's real life brother) -- the musician...wooden spoons..enough said
Jason -- the perpetual napper...
Chris -- the perpetual pooper ... although his biscuts turned out well...hmmmm?
Me -- the lost boy... not really but we havent had one of those yet
Terry (Mikes mom) -- the retired VA nurse...and turkey guru (and home made irish cream...mmm)
Jimmy ( Mikes dad) -- 11 months until he retires (Viet Nam Vet/Postal Worker) and that is not a joke...perpetual story teller...a good ole boy from the south side of chicago in the 50/60's ...have a feeling he mad LeRoy Brown look like a saint in the day,

Now if that does not seem like the cast from a shakpearean comedy...it isnt. More like the love child of the Marx Brothers and the 3 Stooges.

HMMM... I see $$$ in this

Peace

Smart Guy

I just added Cliff the Philosopher to places to wander.

Thanks-giving

I went down to Springfield to visit my mom this past weekend. As usual, I went to church with her. Reg, the pastor, told a story that has stuck with me the past week. I will attempt to paraphrase it here:

A letter from a daughter at college to her mother.

Dear Mom,

Sorry it has been a while since I have written you. Things are ok here...that is after the fire at the dorm. You see, I jumped out the window and broke my arm and leg, and after the staph infection at the hospital, I finally made it back to class. Tom across the street saw the fire and called the fire department. Anyway, I since the dorm is no longer there, I have moved into Tom's place. That is going well. You see, he recently got fired and I am using my loan money to help pay rent. But he says as soon as he gets a new job he will pay me back...that was 6 weeks ago. He got fired because after he called the fire department he came to the dorm to help and ended up getting arrested for interferring with a potential crime scene...he also punched a cop. Oh yeah, I am pregnant and Tom and I plan on getting married at the end of the semester. I will write again soon since I am taking 6 weeks off to have the baby.

Love,
your Daughter

P.S. None of that is true, I just thought it would help put the D that I got in Chemistry in perspective.

Perspective. Sometimes I don't think about giving thanks for the little things. I think that is true with us as a specie. We want someting, and then we get it. What about the little thing that we don't think of...the pilot light went out and the apartment was freezing last night, thanks for the apartment...the mango is bad, but I have a mango...Gas prices are high, thank you for the job that lets me afford to have a car.

The small things are what life is about. I know I fret about about the grand scheme of things and ofter forget the small things that lead up to the big thing. Thank you for those. Thank you for the fact that I have a shoelace that broke. Thank you for the friends I have. Friends, thank you for just being.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Peace

Good Lord II

Everything is fine...I have no idea what I wrote yesterday. I feel much better now.

weird.

be back later

peace

Good Lord

I am out of it. i think i have been staring at this monitor for the past 5 hours and nothing is registering. head is spinning. thoughts, thought, thoughts going round and round and round.

once you think you have found something figured it our something happens and you are not so sure anymore. things just start to make circles and and webs swimming .... moving hmmm

not sure what to do about certain things...private things...public things?

answers...too many questions...writing...making sense only to me

peace

Oh Me Oh My

It has been a while, but alas I have returned. Insanity is running rampant in wanderville. Is that a bad thing? Nah. I dont think so. Lugged a total of about 2500 lbs today. I think I reagravated my sciatica, but oh well.

going home tonight to visit ma.

will try to write more tonight...boss just walked by and gave me a look.

Peace

"Hamlet"

A poem by Boris Pasternak (translated by Burton Raffel)

They're quiet. I mount the stage
Leaning on an open door
I strain at an echo, far off,
Hunting at what the future is for.

The rim of night shines back at me
From a thousand peering glassses.
If you can, Abba, Father,
Let this cup be passed

Away from me. I adore your stubborn plan,
I will smile and read the lines.
But tonight it's a different script
So excuse me, please, this time.

Yet scene must follow scene, the road
Goes where it goes. I'm alone, everything
Drowns in a pious show:
Life is no casual stroll.

1st quiz in a while

I found this at Julie's blog. An unusal quiz...Which Theologian Are You? I have never heard of this guy, but it sticks!

"It is the chiefest point of happiness that a man is willing to be what he is."

You are Desiderius Erasmus! You have great love for others and will do just about anything to show it to them. You are tolerant and avoid confrontations, so people generally are drawn to you. You are more quiet and reserved in front of strangers, but around some people you open up. When things get tough, you like to meditate alone. Unfortunately you often get things like "what a pansy," or "you're such a liberal."

What theologian are you?

A creation of Henderson

...

Julie is taking her tests today. You are going to rock, girl.

Things are well. Hard to tell. What the hell?

Had a good weekend. I went to see oh my godplay at Schuba's on Thursday. It was an awesome show. It is always inspiring to hear them play. There is something almost organic about their shows. Passion, rage, love, you go through all kinds of emotions during one of their shows. If you have not yet seen them, I highly recomend it.

Mono a band from Japan opened for them. All I have to say is WOW! Talk about music you can feel...litterally. Very Loud...Very Intense...Very Beautiful.

That is about it.

Peace

Links

I just added two of my friends to my Good Ole Rock N Roll list. Punsapaya is a great local band, Dezi Luv is Mike's, their guitarist, girlfriend. She is a truly amazing performer.

Peace

I remember

I remember what I was going to say yesterday. Ok, I am an old softy. Yestedsay morning, after exiting the train I saw this little kid...not more that 3...holding his pa's hand and all of a sudden he started waving bye bye to everyone still on the train. And he kept going waving and saying bye bye until the train had zoomed through the tunnel.

Just the pureness of that act was inspiring.

Peace

A sequal to a great song

Like to read it...here it goes.

THE FATHER OF THE BOY NAMED SUE
[Silverstein's speaking voice:] îOkayÖ now years ago, I wrote a song named ìA Boy Named Sueî, and that was okay and everything, except then I started to think about it, and I thought, ìIt is unfair. I am looking at the whole thing from the poor kidís point of view. And as I get more older and more fatherly, I begin to look at things from an old manís point of view. SoÖ I decided to give the old man equal time. Okay. Here we go.î

Yeah, I lefí home when the kid was three.
It sure felt good to be fancy free
Tho I knew it wasnít quite the fatherly thing to do.
But that kid kept screaminí and throwiní up
And pissiní in his pants til I had enough
So just for revenge I went and named him Sue.
It was Gatlinberg in mid July
I was gettin' drunk but gettin' by
Gettin' old and going from bad to worse
When thru the door with an awful scream
Comes the ugliest queen Iíve ever seen
He says my name is Sue. How do you do?
Then he hits me with his purse.
Now this ainít the way he tells the tale
But he scratched my face with his fingernails
And then he bit my thumb
and kicked me with his high-heeled shoe.
So I hit him in the nose, and he started to cry
And he threw some perfume in my eye
And it sure ainít easy fightin with a boy named Sue.
So I hit him in the head with a caned-back chair
And he screamed, ìHey Dad, you mussed my hair!î
And he hit me in the navel and knocked out a piece of my lint.
He was spittin' blood. I was spittin teeth.
And we crashed through the wall and out into the street
A-kickin and gougin' in the mud and the blood and the crËme de menth.
Then out of his garter he pulls a gun.
Iím about to get shot by my very own son.
Heís screamin' about Sigmond Freud and lookin' grim.
So I thought fast and I told him some stuff
How I named him Sue just to make him tough.
And I guess he bought it, cuz now Iím livin' with him.
Yeah, he cooks and sews and cleans up the place.
He cuts my hair and shaves my face.
And irons my shirts better than a daughter could do.
And on the nights that I canít score,
Well, I canít tell you anymore.
Sure is a joy to have a boy named Sue.
Yeah, a son is fun,
But itís a joy to have a boy named Sue.

--Shel Silverstein

Missing

...........lost my train of though. I was going to writes something, but, alas, it is gone.

I hung out with my friend Melissa last night and got to meet her building mates(?). You see she lives in a building that is very unique...well not the building itself, but something neat goes on there. It is the fact that everyone knows everyone and all of them have become friends. There is a beautiful sense of community there. In fact, Melissa's neighbor...Anne, i think, was hungry, we were planning on ordering food, suddenly Anne comes back into the room with 5 plates of pasta and a yummy home made sauce...portabello, sun dried tomatoes, pine nuts, and cheese...mmmmm. Very graciously provided a meal for all of us.

well, that is not what I intended on saying...i don't think, but there you have it.

Peace

A Swift Kick in the Balls

I just called New York and was informed that the rights for The Tooth of Crime are not available. I am naeusous. How am I going to tell the band that has been working their asses off for the last month and a half that it is for nothing? The performance space has been so accomodaitng. We need to do something. Damn it. This shit sucks.

At least I found out before I sent out an audition announcement. If anyone knows how to get a hold of Sam Shepard let me know, because right now i want to puke.

Peace

A Swift Kick in the Balls

I just called New York and was informed that the rights for The Tooth of Crime are not available. I am naeusous. How am I going to tell the band that has been working their asses off for the last month and a half that it is for nothing? The performance space has been so accomodaitng. We need to do something. Damn it. This shit sucks.

At least I found out before I sent out an audition announcement. If anyone knows how to get a hold of Sam Shepard let me know, because right now i want to puke.

Peace

short short

Just a quick blog to remind people to vote today...yeah, yeah, i know it is a little late.

peace

Things are happening

And in a good way. beYond thAt has opened our business checking account. It makes me feel so grown up. Actually running a business is hard work...I really admire the mom & pop places. We are such a small thing right now, and learning all the work that goes into doing this, really makes me wonder how those kind of places with a lot of business do it. Wow!

Friday I went to a very fun bar called Howl at the Moon. It is a dueling piano bar. My friends Ziggy and Melissa work their and Ziggy's fiance is one of the piano players. It is a very audience participation kind of place, but in a fun way.

We 99.9% sure on signing a space for Tooth of Crime...finally.

Let's see. That is it I guess.

Peace to all!

Say Something

I have been really lax in my blogging as of late. Mainly because I have nothing to say. But then I get to thinking am I doing this for me or for you. This is my blog. So from now on I will try to post daily, as is it a good exercise, and just ramble a bit if I have to. I will continue rant like normaly, but I want to havefun doing this thing. Ok that is my post for today!

Peace

Yummy

I found this new recipe...looks good.

Peace

Slow Friday

Though Iíd share some of the happenings going on with the show I (and my theatre company, beYond thAt) am working on. It is called The Tooth of Crime and it is by Sam Shepard. For anyone who is unfamiliar with the show; in a nutshell, it is about an aging rock star, by the name of Hoss, who is at the top of the ìgameî, and his longing to get out of the ìgameî and actually create. This is spurred on by the arrival of a ìgypsyî killer named Crow. A gypsy is a person who plays the game, but does not follow the rules. Through their confrontations, we discover that Hoss wants the freedom of the gypsy, while Crow want the glamour of Hoss (and doesnít care how he gets it). In the world of these men, battles are fought with words and music, and may the best man win.

This has been an interesting process, as we have had to write original music for this show. The script comes with the lyrics, but, in order to keep each production fresh, it is recommended that each show write their own music. We are blessed to have a group of very talented musicians working on this project. I have been attending their rehearsals for the last couple of weeks and thing are really beginning to come together. Absolutely amazing!

We hope to be having auditions shortlyÖwe are waiting to nail down a space (hopefully The Viaduct ñ for any of you Chicago people), and we are shooting for a January go.

I will keep you all informed.

Peace

Random Silliness

I found this at #1/usr/bin/girl's blog. The greatest error message ever!

Peace

Happy Happy Joy Joy

I have realized the last several of my blogs have been whine fests...yes, karma buswhacked my ass, but, hey, I am right now typing this at work...I have a job and that is good. I have a house and that is good. I have friends and that is good. I have food and that is good. So yes, it hit the fan when I wrote the last several blogs, but not as bad as it could have, or as bad as others have it.

Julie, I hope things are going well!

Peace

I was in a good mood

That is until I read this. Our supreme court, has decided not to hear a case debating the use of the death penalty on minors...as if it wasn't bad enough we still have the damn thing. 16 out of the 38 who allow the death penalty have it applicable to minors, too. That is plain bullshit if you ask me.

Peace

I'm Back

Damn! It sure has been a while. Over the last seven days I have been to 4 states. Last week consited of going to KC, MO for a work related trip. It was very enlightening. While there I met several very cool people. One of whom (?) works for a magazine out in Seattle called Yes! Magazine, which is a very cool magazine. I found this article there about how Iraqi's feel about the impending war. It is very sad.

I went to a new undergroung blues club called Blaney's (I think), and to thre riverboats...yes, I lost $20 ;-(

This weekend, I went to a very special wedding up in Wisconsin. My friends Billy and Meghan got married. These two are among the most joyful and truly whole people I know. Everything is a new experience. Family is important, and though I only knew about a dozen people, I felt as though I was part of the family. For those wondering, Billy is the lead singer for oh my god and Meghan is an emergency room nurse at a West Side Chicago hospital. It was a truly beautiful experience.

Peace and Love

Another Happy Blog

I don't know what I did, but my karma must be all screwed up. After witnessing the events of past Friday, having the President give one of the worst speeches EVER on Monday, and Tuseday my apartement was broken into. Hmmmm.

Peace

Paradise Lost

Standing, reading, looking I saw
I saw a man with his hand in a bag his hand unzipping a bag
A girl standing, reading, waiting, looking
A train coming

Looking up, hey what are you doing
Put that back
Eyes piercing
That how people die boy

Silence, hey put that back
Miss your bag he just took your wallet
Hey the train door closes; I get the bird from a little seedy man whose hand was in a bag
Tears

Push the button call the guard
Wait
Assistance is needed on the Washington platform
A lady shake A man pissed off that he couldnít do more

Here she comes walking looking
Hon, here she comes
This ladyís wallet was taken from the bag by some little seedy man whose hand was in a bag
Letís go upstairs and call the police

I canít I need to go to school says the lady whose wallet was gone
My teacher will be mad
I need to be at my desk by eight
My teacher will be mad

That is what hit me hardest about the girl whose wallet was gone
By a little seedy man whose hand was in a bag
The girl was 14
14

We filled out the reports
I gave her what was left of my old fare card
The girl whose wallet is gone now is going to school

I hurt
Angry
What the fuck was the purpose
The gift certificate she had for lunch
You little seedy man whose hand was in a bag
You did not take money
You can not get high from what you did
You took a girlís innocence
What use is that to you
You mother fucking asshole

Donít ever let me see you again
You little seedy man whose hand was in a bag

Little girl whose wallet is gone
You now have a guardian angel
If we never meet again you still have a guardian angel

One More

Read this...Alice Cooper. Awesome!

Research

In doing some research for The Tooth of Crime I dicovered the T-Bone Burnett wrote music for the 1997 revival. I know he and Sam Shepard have done quite a bit of work together. In fact, last year they did a show for the Steppenwolf's Traffic Series. We are writing our own music for the show and it is coming along very nicely. We have a very talented band. My friend Dave is writing the music and letting the band in on the skeleton and theyr are all writing their own parts...it is awesome. Any way, I found this artice online about T-Bone and his faith, thought I would share it.

Peace

A weird experience

I am not one who usually gets emotional while reading books, but I just finished chapter 3 of Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo. And the last half of the chapter is Joe leaving for the war...Wow! I have never read something so powerfully moving. If you get a chance, pick up the book.

What else?

Not much actually. I went, with my ma and some of her friends, to the Cubs game on Sunday...You go, Sammy!

I will start plugging now.

beYond thAt is going to have a fund raiser on Monday, October 14, at Louie's Pub on the corner of North and Paulina in Wicker Park. For a $5 cover you get $4.50 pitchers of beer and $2.50 well drinks. There will be free pool and karaoke. Also, we will be having a raffle for CDs, t-shirts, tickets to our Jan-Feb production of The Tooth of Crime by Sam Shepard, and a 50/50 raffle.

All the proceeds will be going to help us meet our $4,000 goal for The Tooth of Crime. Please feel free to e-mail or leave a comment if you have any questions.

Peace!

Bro

Josh. my e-mails to you keep getting bounced back. Wad up wid dat?!

All I got to say

is
Ben Stiller...Owen Wilson...Starsky & Hutch.

Oh hell, yeah!

Peace

At Long Last

On my first day of a new commuter route to work I noticed something very interesting. First, let me begin by saying that my old route consisted of taking the Red Line ìLî from Sheridan to Grand (southbound), and my new route consists of taking the Blue Line ìLî from Logan Square to Washington (southeast) and transferring to the Red Line and taking it to Grand (northbound). The directions are important, because I am beginning to believe that the whole spirituality aspect is related to this via the drastic class difference.

--A brief explanation of the classes. When I was taking the Red Line south to work we traveled through the Lakeview and Lincoln Park neighborhoods. For those not from around Chicago, here is an example of these neighborhoods: Last night I was looking through Chicago Magazine, and the average single family home was going for $1.2 million, condos -- $350,000. My new neighbor hood, (Logan Square) House ñ $400,000, condos ñ 190-250,000. I went from a very white collar, almost elitist neighborhood to a blue collar warm neighborhood. (I did live in Uptown, and it is a very cool mixÖbut alas, this essay is about the train.) Now with the transfer I, also, take the Red Line north. The northbound Red Line I saw the following stats in the magazine about one the neighborhoods service by the northbound Red Line ñ rent is down 175% since 1994, average house is $35,000. Quite a difference!

My observation is this, and any of you theologians out there please feel free to comment, the ìlowerî class people have a certain ease and peacefulness that the ìupperî class is missing. This is evidence by:

A. General disposition. The people of the Blue Line just seem more laid back, and calm. I have yet so see any one get upset because the train is full, or is running behind schedule. While on the southbound Red Line people were pushy and didnít seem to acknowledge anyone outside of their own little world ÖI say hi to people nowÖweird.

B. Tempo. This is the biggest difference, and this may just by my own goofed up interpretation (but it is my blog, so there!), but it is the use of the escalator. Now a day, everyone is relaxed and enjoys the ride, but if I were to go the old school escalator, people were running up it bumping into folks.

These are the two major differences between each commute, but, what, you are asking, is the point? Well, it is a personal feeling of spirituality that I feel on this new commute. The working class people I now commute with somehow are forcing me to reevaluate the world. I see families on the train who, as a family, make less money than I do, and are laughing and smiling. I have seen more hugs of this new commute than I did in the 2 years of the old route. I see tired eyes in the hotel maids and exhaustion in the construction workers eyes. I see pain and hurt, but I also see love. I am getting awakened to a new feeling. I have always been one to love, but I donít know, I feel Christís love. The people I am commuting with now are the ones he was speaking to, and I feel that. And they are the ones who listen to what he said. They are not distracted by their earthly woes, thrilled to be here today and to have people to share it with.

That is it. I am actually feeling community. Wow! That just occurred to me.

Peace!

Sorry

No subway spirituality today. I need to get something off my chest.

Our warmonger president doesn't get it. Listen up Mr. President.

Yes, I am fully confident that we can beat Sadam in a war (note: notice how this seems to be an issue between Sadam and 43?)
But get this 43...Sadam is an egomainiac. He would rather keep control of his country than face annialation from war. You see. He is a coward, and we have a chance for peace...albeit an unsteady one, but peace none the less. Why do you think all of our allies are against war...hmm?

One more point to ponder...we wanted access for arms inspectors. We got it. Now, if you decided to bomb him, well, there goes that. AND knowing that he probobably won't survive, dontcha think he will let all of what he does have go. Now how good will that turn our.

With all due respect Mr. President, Take a minute to think about all the repprecussions here. If we want to overthrow Sadam, I don't think war is the way, how can a steady new government be created out of chaos. Work from the inside. Collateral damage is not acceptable.

Peace

Coming Monday

I am posting this so I remember to post something I have wanted to talk about for a while now...Spirituality and the Subway

Turn the Other Cheek
Am I a coward because I believe this? I have never though so and now I have proof. A very good thing about the book I am now reading is Walter Wink has a great understanding of ancient Palestine. He explains how that phrase was interpreted. Here is a paraphrase.

ìIf anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also (Matt. 5:39b). Look at it like this. In ancient Palestine (especially the Jewish faith) using your left hand made you unclean. So, the only way to strike someone on their right cheek is to back hand them. The backhand was not intended to injure, but rather humiliate and insult. Jesus is obviously talking to the common peopleÖnotice strikes you! OkÖtime to physically try thisÖyou have just been backhanded, now turn your cheek. You can not be back handed again. Your nose is in the way! Thus, mocking, you couldnít do it right once let alone twice. Of course now your left cheek is wide open for a punch from the right handÖoh yeah, but I forgot to mentionÖYou only strike an equal with a fist. Now, a master would not want to establish equality with a slave, would he? ìBy turning the other cheek, the, the ëinferiorí is saying: ëIím a human being, just like you. I refuse to be humiliated any longer. I am your EQUAL. I am a child of God. I wonít take it anymore.îí

Well, Iíll be! Turning the other cheek is not to be a timid, cowardly act, but an act of defiance and power.

This begs to question, then, how do we go about turning the other cheek today, when the power is not master and slave like Jesusí example. I have been thinking about that, an example I have come up with is to use what you have as non-violent refusal to be humiliated. Wink gives a great example in the book:

[Again a paraphrase]
There was a boy who was constantly being bullied on the bus. This kid was a small skinny kid with few friends. The bully was, well, a bully. Anyway, the kid had constant sinusitis. (You know where I am going with this). Well, one day the bully was going approaching, and the sinusitis started acting us and the kid sneezed into his hand (after all he was polite). When the bully got there the kid stuck out his hand and said, ìI want to shake the hand of a true bully.î Needless to say, he didnít get his handshake, but he kept his lunch money.

That is all for today.

Peace.

untitled

I cry
Listening to the stories
I cry
Wondering if they are ok
I cry
For the missed anniversary brunch
I cry

I cry
Praying for peace
I cry
Praying for consolation
I cry
Praying for forgivness
I cry

I cry
wondering why
I cry
Knowing why
I cry
Saying we must forgive
I cry

Those who lost cried
Those who lost pray

105th floor
coughing
gasping
Dear one, I love you
fell, then...please?

Mommy where have you gone
Mommy go to the roof
Mommy POUND
Mommy

alone
nearby
others by my side?
alone

You were off duty
You were off at 7
You were to meet me
my love
I love you
I cry
still

Shopping for the ring
My baby boy
My one true love

I think it is time to go
I wish to be with you
my love
Camelot

9:59
Stunned
Silence
Frozen
Collapse
Tears
I Cry

Hold my hand
you can
Please
Pray
You survive
oh my
God
I cry
You Save

Fireball
Window
glass...get out
#2 secure
boom boom
falling apart

10 seconds
stop
frozen
down the stairs
Burying
Buried
help

Eye contact
Scream
Under the desk
...a knock on the wood
do you hear
help

Guardian Angels
Brian and Stanley
Bro

9:59 Gone

God
Thank yuo
Praise your name
Through all the difficulty
No matter what, You are there

Dear God
Peace
Peace
Let us learn
Know your will

Dear God
You cry
I Cry
with You

More on Peace

Check this article out. Very good.

What Drink Are You?

Trish has updated!!!!

Yes I know I am a jerk, but go and read the tragic tale of Danniella.

A lot to say

Still reading Walter Winkís The Powers that Be, and let me say what a great book.

The stuff I am now reading is so topical to our current situation, and has opened my eyesÖa lotÖ to the nature of violence. Rich is having a lively discussion about the anniversary of September 11. I have my own feelings about the matter, but that is a later discussion. What I am intending to do today (jeeze, this is sounding a lot like I actually know what I am talking about) is discuss the spiral of violence (many ideas come from my recent reading of Wink, but also have just been stewing in my head for a long while).

364 days ago unspeakable violence happened here on our nation in the form of a terrorist attack, killing about 3200 people. Leaving parents without children, children without parents, brothers from sisters, friends, loversÖall gone from this terrestrial sphere forever.

362 days ago, ìWar has been waged against us by stealth and deceit and murder.
This nation is peaceful, but fierce when stirred to anger. This conflict was begun on the timing and terms of others; it will end in a way and at an hour of our choosing.î

340 days ago the strongest military power in the world begins dropping bombs on a country already ravaged from 20 years of civil war.

The spiral of violence is something that I, as a Christian, have to try eradicate. We live in a society in which we are constantly looking for scapegoats (the Taliban, militias, Bobby wearing the wrong color shirt). But God is beyond finding scapegoat. God is a God of love and forgiveness. One of the interesting things I have read in this book has to do with the way we perceive Godís love for us. There is a constant human need for sacrifice (blood atonement), if you will, and through Jesusí death on the cross we have had our sins atoned for. But Wink goes on by paraphrasing Raymund Schwager, thus:

ìJesus ëhimself bore our sins in his body on the crossí (1 Pet. 2:24), not to reconcile God to us, as the blood atonement theory has it, but to reconcile us to God (2 Cor. 5:18). God has renounced any account of sins; no repayment is required or even possible. God is not a stern and inflexible magistrate but a loving parent. Why, then, was a redemptive act necessary? Because our resentment toward God and our will to kill leave us unable to turn to God. ëGod needs no reparation, but human beings must be extracted from their own prison if they are to be capable of accepting the pure gift of freely offered loveÖIt is not God who must be appeased, but humans who must be delivered from their hatredí of God.î

Ok. So what? Well, I believe that with God as the ultimate authority, it may be a good idea to follow his lead here. For eons, wars have been waged in the name of God. These wars have primarily been over interpretation of God, even though in many instances the God is the sameÖgo figure.

I am ramblingÖget to the point. Ok.

We do not need to propagate the spiral of violence. Instead we need to look at the causes, and see what is the truly Holy way to go about these issues. Do I have a suggestion on how to do this? No, all I can do is pray for peace and wisdom and patience amongst those who are making the decisions.

Side Bar

I witnessed the end part of what looked like a very serious accident this morning on the way to work. It was on Kedzie in between Logan and Albany. A convertible and a school bus. Please keep those involved in prayer. Also, thank God for the selfless souls who immediately ran to, and without worry for themselves pulled the drive of the convertible out of his car, because it was beginning to smoke.

Peace on the Earth

Wednesday Night

I just got this information from Tripp. Please try to make it.

September 11 Memorial Concert
Mozart's Requiem
Wednesday, September 11, 2002 8:00 p.m.
St Luke's Lutheran
1500 W. Belmont, Chicago

Saint Luke Festival Orchestra and Choir
Frank Stoldt, director

Generous patrons allow Saint Luke to offer
this concert to the public at no charge.
free parking - wheelchair access

Offered in memory of those who died
in thanksgiving for those who survived
in honor of those who served in the rescue and recovery

Peace

I am a Mis-information Maniac

I found this at Juliet's Blog:

"Mojosdailygrind has done a little research on the ol' Shakespeare quote below, and it seems that there might be an interesting hypermedia myth circulating about it's origin. I started looking around because a mystery man Bill left a message on my blog asking me where it came from. I looked at the play Julius Caesar, and I couldn't put my finger on this particular quote. Other sites attribute the quote directly to Caesar, however Mojo doesn't find the quote in any standard quotation books or databases.


"Mojo states that the quote 'appeared on the net sometime in October of last year. Perhaps a sign of the times and one more reason to be on guard for misinformation.'"

How fun to be a part of the mis-information highway!

Peace

A lot of Thoughts

"Beware the leader who bangs the drums of war
in order to whip the citizenry into a patriotic
fervor, for patriotism is indeed a double-edged
sword. It both emboldens the blood, just as it
narrows the mind.... And when the drums of war have
reached a fever pitch and the blood boils with hate
and the mind has closed, the leader will have no
need in seizing the rights of the citizenry.
Rather, the citizenry, infused with fear and blinded
with patriotism, will offer up all of their rights
unto the leader, and gladly so. How do I know?
For this is what I have done. And I am Caesar."
- William Shakespeare

I am not sure what this is from, but if anyone knowsÖplease share. Thanks Tripp for letting me steal this from you blog.

This fits along so perfectly with the book I am reading now, The Powers that Be by Walter Wink. I have just started it, but I think it is providence that I am reading it right now, as just in the first 2 chapters Mr. Wink has discussed stuff that has been on my mind a lot; Namely, my thought on pacifism.

I am come from a very hawkish family. My father was on his way to becoming career Navy before becoming ill. He served 2 tours in Viet-Nam. I have an enormous amount of respect for our Service People, both present and past.

But, I also, have a problem with violence. Mr. Wink discusses a myth of redemptive violence that permeates our culture, and he traces this back to the Babylonian creation story (very similar to the Egyptian storyÖa god looses a battle with another god and his corpse is spread on the Earth and is the seed of life). The basic gist of the redemptive violence myth is the old story of the good guy getting beat up and finally through the use his/her brute force kicks the bad guys butt. Well, what is wrong with this is pointed in the Genesis creation story. God, unlike the Babylonian gods, created the world, especially humans out of love, from the Earth. According to the Babylonian myth we are spawned of violence, and the Genesis story we are created from love.

Re-reading what I wrote it is pretty incoherent, but bear with meÖ.I am a very stream of consciousness writer, and this is how I think.

Oh boy! Lost my train of thoughÖlets move on shall weÖreason number 412 I have not gone back to school.

Mr. Wink quotes a theologian who also commentates on NPRÖhere is a paraphrase (I donít have the book in front of me), Thank God we didnít loose more people than we did [in the Gulf War]. Well, yes, I agree, but what about the 100,000 + Iraqis who died. If our God is a sovereign and all knowing and all powerful and LOVING God, wouldnít God grieve the loss of these children. If we truly are a Christian nation, shouldnít we show Godís love and leave the judgment to God.

Ok. Enough for today, my brain hurts.

Peace.

It is Finished

I am ofiicially moved.

More to come tomorrow, sorry, but I am actually busy at work.

New Art

This new picture is by my friend Robin's sister. A great singer/songwriter/artist named Heather Eatman.