New Job & Seasons Greetings

For those of you who may not know, I have left the Big Bullseye (aka Target) in favor of government. I work for the State of Florida for the Department of Health in the Safe Drinking Water program. Living in Tampa, I help regulate the public water systems for Hillsborough County. I work with five other individuals and together with our team of engineers, we inspect/monitor all 800+ water systems in the county (this does not include private residential wells). We are number two in the state for the most systems. The weather down here is great in the winter time and I really don't miss the snow and cold. Summers can be quite hot but that's the price you pay.

Hope everyone is well and have a great holiday season!

Bengtson

Nooma: Burrito

This is a Rob Bell parody that we put together for youth group.

Stars and Iron and Wine and AMAZING

Hey guys... I just got home from a STARS concert. They inspired me to write this post. I hope this post inspires you to check out their new album- In Our Bedroom After the War. It's very good. Their show was amazing!...check them out if they come to your town.

Also ... a plug for Iron and Win's newest release-- The Shepherd's Dog. Sometimes their songs bleed into one another for me... aka they all sound the same. Not the case for this album. Each song has its particular feel. It's an instant classic.

Flight of the Conchords

In case you haven't heard, Flight of the Conchords is the funniest show on TV other than the Office. It's on HBO, and features two guys from New Zealand in a digi-folk band struggling to make it in NYC. They break into song frequently. The first season is on sale on Amazon right now for $20. I highly recommend it. Sorry if the adult situations offended anyones sensibilities, I figured we're all adults here. It's Business Time.

just war post clarification

Thanks to Mary for clarifying the lack of Blackwater connection to Calvin in terms of direct giving.

I've taken off the second paragraph of the original post given this new information.

Blackwater and Calvin

Daniel, my old ministry colleague over at the Old First blog has posted some good insights about Blackwater and its connection to Calvin College.

Worth reading and reflecting upon.

Check it out.

Back during my days as a Calvin student I wrestled with the questions of Just War and the right to protest as Student Senate tried to send a letter of protest to President Bush. The student body voted to rescind the protest, but that experience taught me a lot about the community and our struggle to live our theology and convictions.

Perhaps the post will spark some interesting dialogue on this fair blog.

Indie Rock Showdown

Who needs Kanye vs. 50?

October 9th may mark the biggest indie rock release date showdown of the year.

Band of Horses' Cease to Begin vs. Beirut's The Flying Cup Club vs. Sunset Rubdown's Random Spirit Lover

No one has made any claims of retirement based on sales numbers, but go ahead and state your picks. All three had stellar debut's last year, but who will fall victim to the sophomore slump? I'm not sure about sales figures, but I'm putting my money on Sunset Rubdown for the best of the three. What I've heard of the new Band of Horses has not impressed me. Beirut's first album blew me away and it's hard to imagine that happening more than once. Sunset Rubdown has increasingly found itself on my ipod playlist (overtaking fellow bands, Wolf Parade, Swan Lake, and Frog Eyes) and the two new tracks I've heard were nothing short of exciting. I will probably only allow myself to buy or maybe two of these albums so if you give them a listen, let me know.

But what's this...A latecomer just entered the competition.

I'm sure others of you may have seen this, but Radiohead's new album, In Rainbows, will be officially "leaked" for free on Oct 10. Pitchfork has a summary of all the news (including where it will be available for download) that was was kept under wraps so well. Those crafty boys...shaking up the record industry once again.
http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/page/news/46028-radiohead-album-coming-out-as-regular-cd-too

Also in life changing music news, a few short weeks ago I had the opportunity to witness what I've almost conclusively ranked as the second best concert experience of my life (behind seeing Radiohead at Red Rocks)...Arcade Fire at Red Rocks!
Sitting just five measly rows from Win and Co., it was an incredible display of musicianship, energy, and presentation set in the picturesque Red Rocks. LCD Soundsystem blew me away live after enjoying, but not being too impressed by their recordings. For the sake of time and quality, I'll let this article from the local free paper speak to the experience, instead of trying to write it myself.
http://blogs.westword.com/backbeat/2007/09/last_night_arcade_fire_red_roc.php
Also, if you want to get a glimpse of what it was like, check out this youtube video that I found. It took a minute or two to figure out the two bouncing heads at the bottom of the frame were friends who I attended the concert with.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho8xAM1o1LE

Finally, Missi and I saw Over the Rhine last Saturday. Again an amazing show (no it's not in my top 5). They played for almost two hours. A lot of tracks came from their new album but they played a mix of other songs. If you haven't heard me repent before, I am ashamed of my lambasting of Over the Rhine in the past. In my immature elitism I overlooked the fact that I should listen to a band before I mock it with such clever names as "Over their Prime". The only other band for which my stubbornness has cost me was Modest Mouse whom I based my early hatred on the song "Tiny Cities Made of Ashes" instead of listening to a better representative of their catalog. Fortunately, I've grown wiser and more thoughtful so I'm sure such a arrogant mistake will never happen again.

Rockin' the Home Church

Hello all...

Since we're on a somewhat of a video kick, I thought I'd share a little performance a co-worker/friend/bandmate and I did at the Milford United Methodist Church. Mike and I did this as a little warm up for the annual Pamoja talent show that Stevo so graciously invited us to. Which was grreat fun, by the way (it was this past weekend). We did this song, a few instrumentals of our own, and "Remember the Mountain Bed" from the Mermaid Avenue (Billy Bragg/Wilco/Woody Guthrie) sessions.

I was also excited to see several other unique and enjoyable performances there, including a rendition of "Hey Jude" done in the voice of a chipmunk, three beautiful classical guitar pieces, a little jig on the violin, a short piece on the guitar which sonically represented a "fly hitting a barn", and three carefully crafted songs by a folky/fingerpicker songwriter named Dean (wow). It was so refreshing to be in that kind of atmosphere again. Don't get me wrong, I love the guys in the factory, but yea.

Anywho...I found out about this traditional (spiritual) song through the Uncle Tupelo album "March 16-20, 1992". I love that album. The song is interesting to me, through the lens of how I've listened to Tweedy grapple with religious stuff, and how he's evolved as a songwriter. It's also interesting historically, and the attitude it conveys. Tweedy has said that he hears a lot of fear in it. So, this is the stuff I think about a lot and get obsessed with.

From the dusty Archives.

I know the quality of this kind of sucks, but all I had was an old vhs copy. Please enjoy Let's Get these Bullets.

AIDS in Africa

I picked up a Vanity Fair in a doctors office and read an interesting story on AIDS in Africa. The scope of the problem is overwhelming, but it appears that there is some good news. The author, Alex Shoumatoff, explores the efforts to raise money and the impact of anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) on the AIDs epidemic. In 2002, only 1% of the 5 million in Africa with AIDS were being treated with life saving ARVs. Only five years later, 28% are getting ARV treatment and the number is rapidly increasing. Shoumatoff gives little credit to the pharmaceutical companies supplying the medicine for a fraction of their average cost ($125 for a year's supply that would cost $10,000 here) or the companies selling "Red" products (4o% of the profits from "Red" Apple, GAP, Nike, etc. products go to fighting AIDs) and the extra $15 billion President Bush has authorized barely gets a mention. Instead, most of the praise is reserved for Bono. Certainly we can do better at helping the poor around the world, not just those with AIDs, but the greater numbers who are starving to death , but what is often missing from the discussion is how to help Africa become self-sufficient. Jennifer Brea argues in The American that aid often has the unfortunate effect of stifling entrepreneurship and incentivizes laziness in African government. Maybe some of the aid money would be better spent on investment or infrastructure. Given the opportunity, who can doubt the potential of Africans? Check out the homemade windmill. I think World Vision strikes a good balance between meeting basic needs and promoting self-sufficiency by addressing the causes and results of poverty (in the interests of full disclosure, my uncle works for World Vision). Give here, if you're interested.

Benjamin Michael Bannister

Born: 08/17/07 12:01pm. 7lbs 3oz. 21 inches.

Jaime and I went to the hospital today at 3 am. Around 5 they gave her an epideral which helped with the pain considerably. by 10:30 she was fully dilated. She pushed for an hour and a half and Benjamin was born at 12:01. Jaime and the baby are both doing great and hopefully will be able to go home Sunday afternoon.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

 

I finished this book last week and really enjoyed it. To me it was the perfect ending. I thought it was masterfully done. I think it was her best work so far. The description and style are similar to the others, but I think the the story telling is better. If anyone would like to discuss it we can in the comments section. If you havent read it and want to do not click on the comments because it will contain spoilers.

Best Albums of 2007 So Far...

Bobby was on to something when he posted on the best albums of 2006. But why wait until the end of the year? Let's hear everybody's favorites so far. Here's my proposed top five:

1. Because of the Times - Kings of Leon

2. Neon Bible - Arcade Fire

3. Icky Thump - White Stripes

4. Sky Blue Sky - Wilco

5. We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank - Modest Mouse.

Three movie recommendations from the land where celebrities grow on trees and Lindsay Lohan's drug problems are covered in 'local' news.

1. The Waitress: Jenna is a pregnant, unhappily married waitress in the deep south. She meets a newcomer to her town and falls into an unlikely relationship as a last attempt at happiness.

Comment: The trailer didn't interest me at all... but I'm glad I gave it a shot. It's quirky, it's got style, and Keri Russel is terrific. Here's something sad..the film is directed by and stars Adrienne Shelly who, before the film's release, was brutally murdered in her NY apt.

2. Once: A modern-day musical about a busker and an immigrant and their eventful week, as they write, rehearse and record songs that tell their love story.

Comment: I wouldn't consider this film a "musical"... just a story about musicians. All that to say, you'll want to dl the soundtrack as soon as you see the flick. This is a quiet film..the acting to incredibly subtle and moving. I loved it.

3. Paris, Je T'aime: Through the neighborhoods of Paris, love is veiled, revealed, imitated, sucked dry, reinvented and awakened.

Comment: Perfect if you're ADD. This film is literally 18 short films, by 18 directors...all stories deal with love (all types) and are set in Paris. Once you get used to the short story-telling style, it's really a good time.

Begin the countdown

The trailer has been released for Wes Anderson's new film The Darjeeling Limited. I know many of you know my less-than-enthusiastic view on The Life Aquatic. I must say that based on this trailer, I won't be disappointed again.

http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/thedarjeelinglimited/trailerb/

Beerhorst Relocation

Hey everybody, I'm moving to Fort Collins, Colorado! It was a difficult decision whether to go to Atlanta or Fort Collins, since both companies that I interviewed at were great. However, Fort Collins is more affordable, I know people that live there and I will get to learn new software on the company's dime. Bobby and Missy, are you ready? I'll be arriving in Colorado at the very beginning of August. I invite everybody else on this list to follow promptly.

P.S. Colorado has the biggest dinosaur tracksite in North America (in the Picketwire Canyonlands) and there is a music festival at Red Rocks called Monolith that is worth looking into.

P.S.S. Bobby, notify the single librarians of my pending arrival ASAP. Yowza!

Never Enough Media.

Hello everyone. I thought I'd make a benign post on the music buying frenzy I've been on lately. I get bored on Saturdays and it usually leads me to the record store. If I can't find anything else, I'll go to Best Buy. I live in the suburbs of Detroit (near Novi), so I must go to Dearborn, Ann Arbor, or Southfield to find any decent record stores. I was trying to find one in Southfield today and ended up at 8 mile and Dequindre (yikes). It's fun getting lost, though. Unfortunately, it got late, so I had to settle for Worst Buy.

I've been walking by the new one from The Detroit Cobras for a while. I decided to pick it up this time, and boy, it is great. Especially if you're a Detroit area native, you can feel it. It bleeds Motown. It has that strong female vocal ala Martha and the Vandellas, with a hard rock edge. Aquarius Records says it nicely... "exuding barrels of '60s girl group charm and sass coverin' old Stax and Motown gems in their own tight yet loose rock'n'roll fashion". I eat that stuff up.

Ah! And here's another great group "straight outta" Michigan. They're all originally from Ann Arbor. They're a foot stomping, accordion playing, beer drinking troupe that sings about a kind of mystical history of Michigan. The soul of the great lakes, if you will. They sing about taking their cars "across the bridge" (Mackinac). Sentimental, poppy, but in a good way. Some of their influences are ELO, David Bowie, the Beach Boys and even Iron Maiden (ahaha...I guess that ties into singing about mythical history). I saw these guys downtown Detroit at a nice, gritty venue called "The Lager House". The letters B, A, and R are spelled out in the neon on the front. There was a rockin' accordion solo! What else can I say? Oh, and a violin, too.

Jackson

So jackson I finally watched your movie "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". And as much as I hate to admit it it was pretty good:) You and I have had many conversations about democratic governments and chavez and it was nice to share in your passion and experience. So to all of you that havent seen the movie it is only an hour and fifteen minutes and well worth the time. I cannot pretend to be very knowlageable on chavez or his tenure in Venezuela although I did go with my dad to venezuela in high school and it was beautiful.

I know that things are very murky in Latin America and South America due to US involvement in various coups and uprisings to usurp Communist movements. When you watch Chavez he is inspiring and it seems that he is a man of the people and acting on their behalf, but I couldnt help thinking that he reminds me of the Charasmatic Leader that gets everyone worked into a frenzy especially the lower class and then does something crazy. Like the movie last king of Scottland or hotel Rawanda. I think that is why some people are leary of him. That is just a minor point or reflection.

The thing that got me thinking the most about the movie was the role media plays in shaping culture and history. For instance that scene in the movie where the Chavez supporters are shown shooting into the streets and the private tv stations showed that as them shooting at inocent protestors. Then the documentary showed that same scene from a different angle and it showed that the street was really empty and the chavez supporters were shooting at snipers. People are extremely succeptable to be manipulated by the media. For an entertaining movie watch "Wag The Dog". It's one of my favorites where a president starts a fake war in a studio to distract from a sex scandel. Its very funny and very thought provoking.

It is almost like the media has become a form of entertainment. They try to beat each other to the most gruseme stories. They use trailers and teasers, its sickening. But where are we to go to find information. I dont think it is too bold to say that all media outlets have some objective other than to simply inform, whether it is liberal or conservative or just to shock and sell advertising time. I want to find out more about the situation in Venezuela but i think both the american and venezuelan outlets are tainted. Thanks Jackson for the movie I appreciated it and if anyone else wants to watch it there is a link to it from Jackson's post.

300+ Raining Men

For all you fans of 300, check out this YouTube video

The Great American Soap Opera

In keeping with our political theme, I'd like to draw your attention to an article in Slate magazine (written by a Republican) regarding Cheney's recent - and past- political crimes. Along the same lines, if you are not keeping tabs on the wiretapping subpoena issued to the White House, you might want to. Talk about an attack on our personal freedoms and civil liberties (not to mention the Constitution)!

Freedom is not free - you actually have to pay attention.

sorry

Sorry I haven't been involved but those days are over, because Micah helped me sign up for the blog.

Kings of Leon

The third album from the Kings of Leon - Because of the Times is, in my opinion, the best album of the year so far. I saw them play in Chicago at the Riv last month - one of the best shows I've ever been to. KOL are three brothers and a cousin from the south. They are hard to pigeonhole, people started calling them the "Strokes of the South," which is not a good description. I guess you could say they play southern/indie rock/blues. Because of the Times isn't a drastic departure from their first two albums (also excellent) Youth and Young Manhood and Aha Shake Heartbreak, but I think it's definitely better (I'm not real good at writing about music, if you want a real review, go to Rolling Stone). Anyway, it's the best album I've heard since the White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan (I'm still digesting their new one, Icky Thump, definitely different, definitely brilliant).

Synod 2007: Cloud of Witnesses

I think a few of you are or were affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church at one point. If you're in the Grand Rapids area, I encourage you to check out Synod 2007. It's a historic Synod...

1. the CRC is entering it's 150th year.
2. women in office are up for debate and a vote (again. this has been on and off the docket since the 70's)
3. two female candidates need to be approved to teach at Calvin Theological Seminary
4. the theological and practical issue of allowing children to the communion table will be debated.

I'm personally interested in all of these issues. Particularly 2 and 3 as they relate to my own vocational journey and 4 because it's truly Reformed to welcome all baptized members to the table.

If you're passionate about equality, justice, and stopping the abuse of women as equal image bearers of God, I encourage you to check out the Cloud of Witnesses web site and events surrounding Synod.

Short history off the top of my head. The CRC has been theologically and Biblically examining the full inclusion of women to serve as Elders, Deacons, Evangelists, and Ministers of Word and Sacrament since the 70's. By the early 90's the offices of Elder, Deacon, and Minister were opened to women by an exception clause. Some folks left the denomination. A few women like Rev. Mary Hulst were ordained during this time, but only able to serve in a few churches as many were not in support of women in office. The debate came up a few more times and Synod went back and forth. Fast forward to last summer. Women in office was on the Synod docket again. This time changing the polity i.e. constitution of the denomination. It's a big deal to take the word Male out of church order...it means that the entire denomination is on board with women in ordained ministry. As the committee discussed the overtures they came up with a compromise. Take the world male out of church order, keep the ability for local classes to vote and local congregations to call or not to call women, and take a seven year sabbath from the debate. oh, and the issue of women serving as delegates to Synod (the voting body of the denomination that sets agendas etc.), put that on hold for seven more years.

I listened to the debate on podcast and heard echoes of the 3/5 compromise. But, I digress.

So, this summer Synod 2007 has to ratify the seven year sabbath compromise. I hope they don't. I hope they keep the polity change and challenge the delegates to call the dozens of women who went through Calvin Seminary and are still looking for church jobs. I hope they stop silencing women. It's abusive. I hope the men who have power, voice, and authority speak up for those that have no voice. It is this arrogance, this mentality that is driving folks from the CRC, that will kill this denomination. I hope it doesn't. The CRC has a lot to offer the world and to the current American religious crisis...

Stepping off the soap box.

Also, if you want to read up on the agenda check it out here.

I'll be there on June 9 and 12.

The revolution will not be televised

In light of the current situation in Venezuela, I figured it would be a fun idea to share with everyone an interesting documentary. It is about the attempted Coup against Hugo Chavez in 2002, which has played a significant role in the recent turn of events on the private television station in Venezuela. The media within the United States and Venezuela was strikingly familiar then to what is being portrayed these days. What I find most interesting is that the media in the US and throughout Europe label Chavez as a growing dictator, however, they fail to mention that Venezuela currently practices a much more democratic system than even the United States. One example being the Venezuelan people can remove Hugo at any given point through a vote. This is the kind of democracy Washington finds appalling. Imagine what Americans would do to the current administration if given the same opportunity. So if interested give it a look.

THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED

Benjamin Bannister

 

So Jaime and I had a 3D Ultrasound taken. Isn't it crazy? He's a pretty good looking kid don't you think? He's due August 20 and right now he weighs 2 pounds 8 ounces.

A Little One Act - Best Of

Attention readers: the contributors of "A Little One Act" are currently on hiatus. Please enjoy this rerun, originally posted by Micah Bannister:

When I am in a pinch for information. I like to use www.google.com you should check it out.

Campus Fever

For the Calvin Alumni out there, check out my brother Nate's very funny video about life inside the Calvin bubble. Nate is a junior at Calvin and entered the video in a contest where contestants were given a theme, a required prop, and a required line of dialogue. Oh, and the video had to be completed in 24 hours. Here's the link in case it's not playing properly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1z6MZO9Ufps

I'm Going to Fight You Steve

I saw this video on collegehumor.com. Stop action fighting, what's not to like?

white ninja

Some of you might already be familiar with this web comic, but for those who aren't, I can't stress how funny it is. I used to check it all the time, but now, when I need a guaranteed laugh I visit. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. (Sorry it's a bit small, but if I expand it, the resolution sucks. Go to the website for the original.)

white ninja comics

The Best Game Ever Played!

No, I'm not talking about golf. My friends (mostly from Charlotte) and I have invented The MUSIC GAME. And I think it would really interest you music fans. Here's an explanation of the current version:

the Music Game v3.0 is a competition. It's a game where 9 contestants, living all across the country, compete to make the best mix of the group. There's a 12 song limit and while it's an unwritten rule, mixes featuring good never-before-heard music are generally favored. All mixes are created, duplicated 9 times, and anonymously shipped to a central location by April 1, 2007. And once they're numerically tagged, these mixes are then divided up and sent to each participant, who has approximately 1 month to listen to and evaluate each mix before voting on the best of the best. The prize for winning is bragging rights as well as a much enhanced music collection. Superlatives are also awarded based on categories that are thus far undetermined.

Check out our BLOG (www.musicgamev3.blogspot.com) we have going about it. The track lists for all the mixes are in the bottom post. OH, and we often hide our identity by using character names from "The Office"

Handouts for the Homeless

Last night in downtown Kalamazoo, a young man accused me of being "un-heartless" for not giving him money. Was he right? Is refusing to give a handout to a (presumably) homeless person "un-heartless?" I think reasonable people can disagree on this, but while I want to help out the homeless, I think it's probably better to give to shelters. In my limited understanding of the homeless experience, I think that some people don't want to go to shelters because they can't do drugs or drink there. If they are sustained by handouts, they stay out on the street. But if they went to a shelter they would be warm and well fed. They could also get cleaned up, learn that crack is wack and maybe find a job. But when I see them, I feel a little guilty all the same. The Onion offers this point/counterpoint on the issue. Any thoughts?

i thought this was pretty funny: Bannstein

And if you couldnt tell this is my brother. If you liked this they have some other videos at:

http://www.myspace.com/bannstein

The Language of God

The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief by Francis Collins is the best book I have read on the intersection of faith and science. Collins, a former agnostic who converted, heads the Human Genome Project. Collins sees no reason that faith and science must continually butt heads. My thoughts prior to reading: God created the earth and used evolution to some extent, although I have trouble with the idea that we are descended from apes. I also found the ideas of Intelligent Design appealing (such as how evolution has trouble explaining the development of the eye). Collins seeks to convince atheists and agnostics that there is a God and he appeals to Christians to stop rejecting science as threatening to their worldview. He uses his knowledge of biology and genetics to challenge young earth creationists and Intelligent Design in a respectful way. Collins argues that the theory of evolution has been validated by genetics in ways Darwin never imagined and that unless we think God is trying to trick us, we should embrace what creation tells us about how life developed. Macroevolution has largely been rejected by Christians, but I am beginning to be convinced that this is akin to insisting on a 10,000 year old planet (which I believe requires the belief that God is trying to trick us). The appeal of Intelligent Design is the idea that evolution can't fully explain life, so there must be a God taking care of these discrepancies. However, promoting this "God of the gaps" theory leaves believers with smaller and smaller places to stand as science fills in the gaps. I am still thinking these issues through, but I highly recommend this book.

It's a boy!

Jaime and I have been waiting to tell people just to make sure everything was ok, but now is as good a time as any to tell you that we are having a baby and its a boy. She is due the end of August. The two pictures on the right are when she was about two and a half months pregnant. The bottom left is a picture of the baby's face (the right half of the picture you can make out the eyes and nose and forehead and the left half of the picture is his belly). The top left picture is his leg and then the little bump above that is his pee pee. Hope everyone is doing well and we are very excited.

Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

I bought the new album from these Montreal rockers last week, hoping that it would be at least in the same league as their masterpiece, Funeral. It is a great album that you will like if you were into Funeral. However, it does pale in comparison to their debut. The songs don't build up to the same intensity as on Funeral and in general, just aren't as good. Win Butler's voice fails to rise above the orchestra, strings, and rumbles on much of the album, in contrast to Funeral. Neon Bible definitely has a more muddled sound to it than their debut. The album grew on me over the weekend, but I didn't have the same emotional reaction to it as Funeral. However, comparisons to Funeral aside (which is one of my favorite albums in the last ten years), this is indie-rock at its finest. The wall of sound created by the 7-8 piece band and Win Butler's lyrics create an album that is interesting, dark, and beautiful. Just don't go into it expecting anthems and you'll enjoy it more.

Lenten Journey

Lent began for me with a lovely ecumenical Taize service at our church. The imposition of ashes took on a new meaning for me this year. As previous posts on my blog indicate, I'm facing death on a more regular basis via Clinical Pastoral Education (internship as a hospital chaplain). A tangible reminder of my mortality, of our bodies is always powerful. Ashes, accidents, illness, losses, and births are all reminders of our mortality.

I've been thinking a lot about the influence Greek thought has had on my own perception of the body...of embodiment. I'm struggling to accept the premise that we are body, mind, and spirit/soul. How can you parse those out? I prefer the Hebrew understanding,of us as nephesh...interconnected, breath, life. soul and body. That's why death is so powerful...death ends all of us...body, mind, and spirit. you can't separate them.

This impacts my soteriology. Our souls are not only saved...no, our bodies, our minds, all of us. For, it is our bodies that are an integral part of who we are. This also impacts eschatology...remember that part in the Creed where we say we believe in the resurrection of the body? Yup, all of us will be raised.

Now, that does raise a lot of questions about death and the "afterlife". Questions that I'm thinking about now during Lent. What does it mean to be saved, what does it mean to be joined to Christ? What does that mean when we die, and when creation is finally restored?

Just as you can't parse out the body, mind, and spirit of Jesus Christ. I think Christology and atonement theory have something to add to this wondering.

So, that's what I'm thinking about this Lent. What does it mean for Christ, who was fully man...fully embodied to live, suffer, die, and rise again? How does the Easter journey impact our own perception of life and death?

I'm curious, what are you all experiencing this Lent? If you're a Christian, what's going in in your spiritual or church life this season?

Mix tape

When I worked in California I would often make the boys mixed cd's to listen too. It kept them occupied and it gave us something to listen to in the vans and I thought it was fun. So I thought I would make one for the blog. The inspiration for the song choices has been a bit illusive but for whatever reason I thought I might share a few songs, some your probably familiar with and others you might not be. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I did making it.

Ghetto Gospel - Tupac & Elton John

Stary Eyed Surprise - Paul Oakenfold

Catform - Rogue Wave

Barnacles - Ugly Casanova

Defending the Paint - The Soft Drugs

Conventional Wisdom - Built to Spill

Twighlight Creeps - Crooked Fingers

24 turned 25 - Denison Witmer

Denton, TX - Damien Jurado

Amen, Omen - Ben Harper

Jack Bauer interrogates Chunk

I'm a sucker for these video mashups, or whatever the kids are calling them these days.

Arcade Fire on NPR

Arcade Fire is one of those bands that even if their popularity explodes beyond its already expanded state, I'd still sing their praises. My music elitism (although less now than when many of you knew me) can't withstand the sheer pleasure I get from putting Arcade Fire on the old headphones and lounging on the couch.

The point of this post, however, is to make any fellow fans aware of a decent quality, legal, live concert recording from the band's final night of a recent 5 night gig at the Judson Memorial Church in NYC. NPR recorded it as part of a sporadic concert series and have put it up in downloadable form. It includes both old stuff and songs from their forthcoming Neon Bible to be released next week I think. Try to ignore the "reporter". I think he gets a little too excited to be there. Since I don't quite understand how to upload music onto this blog yet, here's the link.

Enjoy!

My fellow thrill-seekers

If I recall correctly, some of us in this group were also, at one time in our danger-defying youthful pasts, dabbling in something known today as "urban exploring". If you don't know what that is or to whose past I'm referring to, then I'll give you a hint: it involves flashlights, dark clothing, manhole-covers, and dodging Campus Safety (or maybe the police).
Some of us just crave a little adventure. The thrill of exploring off-limit places. The excitement of finding secret spaces unseen by the average joe (sorry, Joe). There are not too many un-explored natural areas anymore, so what do we have left? Rotting underground urban tunnels and abandoned decaying old buildings. Urban Exploring is a fairly new phenomenon found in most large cities of the world, and one of the most well-documented groups is Action Squad in the Twin Cities. I spent an entire weekend paging through their facsinating and extensive website.

My new-found interest in urban exploring was compounded when I heard there is a new documentary on that very subject premiring at the Walker Art Center. The film follows several members of Action Squad who were arrested as suspected terrorists because they were found in tunnels under the city. Can't wait to check it out. I may not be interested in getting arrested for breaking into old buildings (as kick-ass as it sounds), but I can at least watch other people do it!

Did anyone see American Idol.

Matt Jensens long lost brother was on last night. Dont worry Matt I like you better than this guy. It made me miss you. Hope your doing well.

recommendation

I need a recommendation. Anyone who is familiar with Sufjan Stevens....what is your favorite album and why? (Besides the Christmas album) I'll need a 100 word essay. (or just a few words will work as well.) And Micah...I very much enjoyed your Jeremy Enigk selection. Thanks for sharing.

I've noticed that quite a few of you are not on Facebook. When I looked for Bobby, I found a guy who looks like the StarWars Kid.

P.S. There is a job opening in Denver, Bobby. Tell me about the city, on this site or at alexbeerhorst@yahoo.com if you will, please. There is another opening in Boston. Micah, your thoughts? What about Phoenix, Fort Collins, Ames (Iowa), Richmond (Virginia)? Anybody?

If you don't tell him what he needs to know....he will probably shoot you in the knee caps....

He's Still My Brady
I realize this would be more appropriate if the Patriots were playing the Bears today, but check out this YouTube video anyway. Tom Brady: #1 QB of all time and #1 in our hearts.

I'm no elitist

I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Bobby Erskine. I think you've got some great facilities, and I'm really looking forward to making the best of it here at "a little one act".

One footnote. I notice you don't have a discussion regarding best music of 2006. Well, I'm going to start one because it's an easy, non-creative way to begin posting on this blog. In summation, let's rock Exposito! I repeat, let's rock!

Honorable Mentions:
Final Fantasy - He Poos Clouds
Sparklehorse - Dreamt fo Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain
Yo La Tengo - I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass
Sunset Rubdown - Shut Up Am I Dreaming
Built to Spill - You In Reverse

Numbers 4 - 7 (In No Particular Order)
Cat Power - The Greatest
Bonnie "Prince" Billy - The Letting Go
Band of Horses - Everything All the Time
TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain
Danielson - Ships
Thom Yorke - Eraser
Midlake - Trails of Van Occupanther

Top Three
3. Damien Jurado - Now That I'm In Your Shadow
2. Beirut - Gulag Orkestar
1. Joanna Newsom - Ys

God's Gonna Cut You Down

Maybe you have already seen this : Video

In an attempt to entice our California Constituancy

Here are some of my favorite tracks from my favorite Californina band. I heard that the song safety is about this guy that worked at a group home which is cool because I did that too. I saw these guys at the Roosevelt Hotel in hollywood and Nicole Richie was there. I hope you enjoy.

Safety

Tonight I'll Settle

Wanderlust

Memoirs

I started a page on the google group for sharing memories and pictures. I also included some songs from Buckminsters. Please contribute and collaborate. Here is the link: Memoirs

Our Computer Broke Down...

just before Christmas and we just got it back so i have so much to share. I got the Jeremy Enigk Album for Christmas and I really like it so I put some mp3s over in the right hand column down a little bit. It is really good you should give it a listen.

Meghan thanks for the heads up. I thought I might put some mp3s up from The Format I hope that's ok. Here are the songs you mention The First Single, Tune Out, and On Your Porch.

Alex and Matt I really like that Zombie's album also. Here are the songs you guys mentioned. Although Matt I don't have that version of This Will Be Our Year in my itunes. I hope this version meets your approval. Care of Cell 44 and This Will Be Our Year.

American Recordings

Recently, well over the past three years I have been falling in love with Johnny Cash. It kind of reminds me of the Onion article about the teenage boy that "discovered" led zeplin in 1999. The thing is the first time I heard hurt I realized there was something that I was missing out on. That there was a voice I had been ignoring. Since then I have been on a journey reading Cash by Johnny Cash. Watching documentaries and reading websites. Most importantly I have been listening to the stories. I love all things Cash including the old classics, but it is the new classics that intrigue me the most. Cash helped to shape the american musical landscape; His is the classic story of rise and fall and then fading into oblivion during the 80's. And then like a spirit ressurected He broke onto the scene again to a new generation with a something new but familiar to say and all the street cred he needed to sing whatever he wanted and together he and Rick Rubin put together the American Recordings. They are unbelievable. There is something so powerful and simple in his presentation that it is inevitably captivating. Jaime got me A Hundred Highways for Christmas it was the last album he ever worked on. He recorded the vocals right before he died and Rick Rubin got his musicians together and they put a final stamp on his musical career. It is like hearing a message from beyond the grave listening to his last thoughts on death and heaven after he had passed. It was really powerful. Here are a few songs from the 5 American Recording Albums.

God's Gonna Cut You Down
One
Won't Back Down
Solitary Man
Further on (up the road)
Unchained
Help Me

Body World

Jaime and I recently saw this exhibit at the Museum of Science in Boston. It was absolutely amazing. The exhibit shows perfectly preserved human bodies and organs in lifelike poses of motion. The technique used is called plastination. They drain the body of all of its fluids and then pose it and submerge it in different polymers until they absorb and the body is almost ruberized. The teqnique allows the organs to be viewed in motion rather than in stagnant lying positions. The exhibit shows all of the major organ systems and how they relate to each other. It was incredible. In addition to the entire bodies there were cutaways and slices of bodies and preserved organs as well. The exhibit also included a section on fetuses and pregnant mothers. It was not morbid or gross and I would recomend that anyone who has the chance go see it while it is still in North America. The exhibit is currently in Chicago until April 29 and in Dallas until May 28. It will also be in Phoenix Jan 26-May 28. For more information check out this website.
www.bodyworlds.com/en/exhibitions/current_exhibitions.html

Cafeapolis

I know none of you are Minneapolitans, but I know you can all appreciate the joy of spending time in a quaint neighborhood coffee shop. I have just started a new blog reviewing coffee shops in the Twin Cities and I think you should check it out (because this is what this blog is all about - networking, sharing, and exploring).
www.cafeapolis.com is also an exploration of what makes neighborhoods liveable, how we interact with our environment, and how coffee shops are woven into a city's fabric.
Enjoy and then go out and find your own neighborhood cafe!

On the Horns of a Late-Nite Moneychanger Dilemna

This past semester at school I watched a pathetic amount of television before going to bed. Not just Aqua Teen Hunger Force episodes and Girls Gone Wild infomercials either; for there is something on the Comcast cablewaves much more sinister: Rev. Peter Popoff.

Popoff is one of the many televangelists out there preaching a prosperity gospel, and seeing him "heal" individuals and extract money from poor folk made me uneasy. I regretted this sentiment and decided to give him a fair shake. So when the toll-free number came on the screen, I figured I'd give it a try (I can risk getting on some irritating mailing list, since I'll be moving out in a semester) and see if he asked for money. "When does he ask for a credit card number", I wondered cynically, but all the automated recording wanted was my address and prayer requests. After a moments thought, I submitted it.

Within a few weeks, I received my first packet, a hefty missive full of misconstrued bible passages, fake handwritten sections and a promise that I was being prayed for "continuously". Also enclosed was a container of Holy Land Anointed Oil and a request for a check, that once written, would blossom into blessings($) for me.

I didn't respond to the first letter, but that didn't stop ol' Popoff. I have received two letters since, and there is probably one waiting for me in Georgia when I get back. New gifts arrive in each envelope, like a “Barak” wallet or a plastic hand cut-out. I'm not going to describe here the proposed way to use these things, that's a special little surprise I'm saving for all the readers here who want to participate. Call 1-800-208-1201 and experience the magic for yourself.

If you're wondering about Prophet Peter Popoff, I did a little research on the net about the guy. At one of his services in the '80s, he was recalling personal information about attendees that seemed impossible to know, given they were strangers. He was later exposed when it was discovered that people who had interviewed the attendees were feeding him the info via a well-hidden ear piece. Shortly thereafter, after this was reported by news sources, he was bankrupt. Apparently this was a temporary setback, as now he is back on my television and preachier than ever. Information about his non-profit organization's earnings are not available on the Better Business Bureau's website, withheld for unspecified reasons. In addition, he owns a 90,000 dollar Porsche. I guess those prayers work.

What I'm asking from you folks is this: Help me take down Popoff for good.

I don't mean cutting his Porsche's brake lines or something, I mean making sure he ends up working in a car wash the rest of his life, or has a Saul/Paul-like conversion and gives up his church building for a homeless shelter, etc. Does anybody have any additional information on this guy or have any suggestions? What do you think?

Music to Drive By

As you toy with how to redeem that itunes gift card from your hip grandma...consider this:

THE FORMAT albulm "Interventions and Lullabies"

If you're a 'buy a track or two to see' kind of person, may I suggest:

"The First Single (You know me)"--amazing beat/guitar--must be played in a car/very loudly.
"Give It Up"
"Tune Out" --this is the song that made me love them. perfect stuck-in-Traffic song.
"On Your Porch" --- I'll go ahead and share, it could make me cry if I listen hard enough.

So take a listen and let me know what you think. Definitely worth your time and itunes dollars.