Music News

If in need of good music look no further than Over the Rhine's Trumpet Child. It is wonderful (the title track is stirring) and can be found here.

An outpouring

6While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, 7a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.
8When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. 9"This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor."
10Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her. Matt. 26:6-13

The notes on my Bible said that the Greek for "beautiful" in v. 10 has an aesthetic meaning to it not just ethical. That made me think about how some things don't have to be deep and profound but can just be beautiful. But perhaps it can't be beauty for it's own sake but rather must be an outpouring of love for God. Take for example the stars, they are beautiful and Psalms 19 even says that

1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
3 There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard. [a]
4 Their voice [b] goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,
5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

So are they not beautiful for their own sake but rather are beautiful because they are pouring out the praises of God?

As a side note look how both passages say that the acts are lasting "There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. [a]4 Their voice [b] goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world." or "Wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."

Thoughts? Gross theological errors?

I Can't Think of a Good Title For This Post so Here is the Post

Thanks to Opus for bringing this piece of art into the open, but Opus found it here first.

Brotherly Love in the Ancient Near East

As for the problems between us, I suggest that the fault may not lie with ourselves but with our messengers; let us bring them to trial, cut off their heads, mutilate their bodies, and live henceforth in perfect friendship.
Excerpt from a letter from king Hattusilis of the Hittites to the King of Ahhiyawa c. 1260 B.C.

Isn't it good to know that is all that it takes to get along?

New stuff from the DOA

Behold! A new video from the Dorks Of America so good it will knock your socks off.

And this is just one in a series of eight films. Now you have something to look forward to in this world.

School

I thought school was supposed to increase your knowledge of things, not make the brain incapable of forming cohesive thoughts and sentences.
I really hope it is just the first couple of weeks that make me feel like this.

Since I've Been Gone (You Can Breathe For The First Time)

Two very talented artists have passed away. (Here and here.)

The locals have been out getting a good rain tan. (Here and here.)

School is becoming more of a reality the closer it gets.

Jeffery Overstreet has released a new book to the world.

I became a paintball master. Or I went for half an hour, I forget.

And since I can't post without one enjoy this video.

Victory

Today, I got to join the problem instead of being part of the solution to the environmental woes of this world:
I now have my driver's license. Also: while pulling out of the DMV after the test I turned wide. Ironic isn't it?

With great power comes great responsibility.

September

I would just like to mention that today is the first day of the best month of the year.

Incoming Good Movie Alert

This next week Pixar's Ratatouille comes out. And if you were a little put off by the plot subject (a rat becoming a chef?) don't be. See, rave reviews here, and here. This naturally means we should all go see it. Of course we would anyway because it is directed by Brad "Incredibles" Bird. And it's a Pixar movie. So go see it.

Farewell Good Friends; For Now

I'm leaving for camp in the morning so unless I am feeling crazy enough to post on the weekends I will be signing out from Blogger until August 28. I'll see you then!

(Camp! Woo-Hoo!)

Questions You Can Only Think Up If You Are A TV Junkie

If you're in a bind who do you call: Jack,
Jack,

Or maybe Jack?
If you can't tell I've been watching more TV than I usually do.

Alphebet You.

A]- ANY FAVORITE MOVIES?: Lord of The Rings, Serenity, Man Without A Past,...
B]- BIRTHDAY: Why yes I do have a birthday. I'm so glad you asked. You can get me presents if you like. I also agree with Foolish Knight's rant: "(By the way, I strongly dislike the dating system used in the United States. Few things about the country of my birth infuriate me more than our month/day/year dating system. Doesn't Europe's day/month/year make so much more sense? Seriously.)"
C] - CRUSHING?: Well I'm sitting on a chair at the moment. So you could say I am crushing the chair.
D] - DRINK YOU LAST HAD: Water.
E] - EASIEST PERSON TO TALK TO: Hm.
F] - FAVORITE MUSIC GROUP: U2; followed closely by The Arcade Fire
G] - GUMMY BEARS OR GUMMY WORMS: Bears all the way.
H]- HOMETOWN: Have you ever asked an MK this question before?
I]- INSTRUMENT(s): Kazoo. (I'm actually pretty good on the kazoo.)
J] - JUICE: Black Currant
K] - KILLED SOMEONE: No. Unless Halo alter egos count. If that is the case then yes.
L] - LONGEST CAR RIDE: Oregon to Georgia via Canada (Look at a map to see how absurd that statement is.)
M] - MIXED FEELINGS ON: Patriotism
N] - NUMBER OF SIBLINGS: Three
O] - ONE WISH: To find a living dinosaur in some jungle somewhere.
P] - PERSON WHO CALLED YOU LAST: My brother.
R] - REASONS TO SMILE: See here.
S] - SONG YOU LAST HEARD: "Discotheque" by U2. (Well, not really. Strains of Divine Discontent were coming from the bathroom after I listened to "Discotheque".)
T] - TIME YOU WOKE UP: 6:45 or so.
U] - UNDERWEAR: The definition is here if you want to know.
V]- VEGETABLE(S): Tomatoes are bad. Most of the time. Spinach is good.
W]- WORST HABIT: Back seat driving.
X] - X-RAYS YOU'VE HAD: My manly chest. (As I say it with a smirk on my face.) But since this question has been changed:
X] - XENOPHOBIC?: I should hope not considering where I live.
Y] - YOUR FAVORITE ANIMAL: The orca, cheetahs, tigers, dinosaurs and kangaroos.
Z] - ZAFFER OR ZAIBATSU?: Zaffer.

100 Movies, 100 Quotes, 100 Numbers

Thanks to Mr. Overstreet at Looking Closer for this amazing video.

On Fairy-Stories

Let us not divide the human race into Eloi and Morlocks: pretty children --"elves" as the eighteenth century often idiotically called them -- with their fairy-tales (carefully pruned), and dark Morlocks tending their machines. If fairy-story as a kind is worth reading at all it is worthy to be written for and read by adults. They will, of course, put more in and get more out than children can. Then, as a branch of genuine art, children may hope to get fairy-stories fit for them to read and yet within their measure; as they may hope to get suitable introductions to poetry, history, and the sciences. Though it may be better for them to read some things, especially fairy-stories, that are beyond their measure rather than short of it. Their books like their clothes should allow for growth, and their books at any rate should encourage it.

J.R.R. Tolkien from his essay "On Fairy-Stories".

Random Musings of The Blogger Why Vol. 2

Honey and grapefruit make a delicious snack.

The short stories Monday and A Brilliant Idea And His Own (by Mark Helprin) are both very satisfying stories.

The change of both weather and feel around here between early March and April is wonderful.

One week of chemistry left. Rejoice!

I just realized that I put up a post in this exact same style three hundred sixty-six days ago.

If you just can't wait for Spider-Man 3 to come out and need a comic book fix check this site out. (Caution: There is violence despite what it may look like on the surface)

That's all folks.

Happy Easter. (Edit)

Easter is here and apart from being a very exciting, important and fun day I don't have anything to say about it that hasn't been said before. But thankfully there are other people with fresh words on the subject. So if you would like to read them they are: here, here and here. O, and here too.
Happy Easter to all and to all a good night for Christ is risen indeed.

Also, see My Old Sketchbook for the Easter series by Eriol.

Chemistry

I'm taking chemistry this year and as such I am drawn to science in conjunction with the news. (Whether by just wanting to know what I am learning about or by genuine interest in the subject can vary from case to case). But nonetheless because of said interest this website grabbed my interest immediately. Seeing the effects that DHMO has on the environment and individuals is mind blowing.
Go check out the site. Be an informed citizen.

Another Cool Internet Video (I should start making these installments)

Neon Bible

The other day I purchased the new Arcade Fire album Neon Bible. Arcade Fire's previous album, Funeral, set a very high standard for their next album and I think they have met that standard. I wont write a review (that is not my strong point) but if you want to see what a professional thinks of Neon Bible you can look here. Also here are some of my favorite tracks from the album:
"Keep The Car Running"
"Intervention"
"The Well And The Lighthouse"
"Windowsill"
"No Cars Go"

Go listen and enjoy.