Two of My Favorite Things...

...are coming together on February 22...

Harry Potter, At Last!

I finished the Deathly Hallows this morning at 1:00 am. That means that in 25 days, I have accomplished the reading of the entire Harry Potter series, all 7 books.

What an enjoyable adventure it has been! I've been mesmerized, from the first description of the home on Privet Drive, to the crucial moment when Harry finally understands (and even beyond that), my imagination has soared, my heart has been gladdened, and I have been caught up in a world of honor, nobility, friendship and self-sacrifice.

I've been asked which volume is my favorite, but in all honesty, since I sped through them, I could not choose one over the other; the story all blends together, as a whole. However, I did discover something to become a favorite, although you may find it quite odd to get this from the books: I have come to a deeper appreciation and greater admiration for Gary Oldman as an actor. Sirius Black easily became a favorite character, and since I'd already seen the movie, his being came alive in my mind with the semblance my eyes had already taken in. (And to have done such a superb job in Batman simply added to my gratitude to him as an actor, having portrayed those characters so vividly.)

But this detracts from my main point; the books were well-written, enthralling and worth every last minute dedicated to them over the last 25 days.

It's Summer...!

I've been melancholic all day. Maybe all week. And while this is my usual temperament, it doesn't always hit me like this.

Today I've been wanting to listen to Christmas music, specifically Relient K's "Let it snow, baby, let it reindeer."

Something about certain Christmas songs, especially original songs, stir something in me. (For those of you who aren't aware, I absolutely do NOT like Christmas music, at least not the same 30 carols that everyone with a record deal seems to record. Write your own stuff, don't just regurgitate the same crap with a personal little "twist".)

Christmas in the middle of summer? Yeah. For the first 18 years of my life, that's when I celebrated it.

I miss Mom.

A Silver Teapot

A woman just walked into the church office, asking if she could buy one of the decorations we have in the café. When I told her I was pretty sure it wasn’t for sale, she insisted that I find out for sure. I told her no, it wasn’t for sale, and she acted like I was trying to cheat her.

Since when did we become a thrift store?

Pregnant Jesus?

Well, yesterday I went to the Crystal Cathedral for the first time with my History of Architecture class, and was struck by this:

Is it just me, or does Jesus look like he might be entering his fifth month?
;)

No Country for an Old Man

I pushed open the heavy wooden door and heard the familiar bell chime overhead. Even after all these years, the print shop smelled the same, of machinery, paper, ink and days long past.

“Any new business?” Papa asked.

“Nope. Sent Don home ‘bout an hour ago, told him to take the rest of the day off,” replied his 85-year old assistant. What Helen lacks in hair and teeth, she more than makes up for with her spunky personality. She’s worked for my grandpa almost since he opened the Bartlesville Print Shop in 1980, and still uses a hand-cranked adding machine.
Before Mamaw had her first fall two years ago, she had been grandpa’s bookkeeper, and had even begun keeping records and payroll organized on her home computer. When Papa recently suggested to Helen that he could bring the computer down to the shop, she almost had a fit. “What would I do with one of those? I never used one before in my life!”

The walls of the shop are still plastered with family pictures, community awards, and assorted signs yellowed by age, like the one stating, “This is a respectable establishment. Please act accordingly.” Or “No Smoking. We’d like to die of Natural Causes.” (My favorite sign says, “If you act cross, irritable, or just plain grumpy, there will be a $10 fee for putting up with you.”)

Peering past that wall, I look into the actual printing room. I remember having gone in when I was little, barely tall enough to see over the tall tables, clamping my hands over my ears to shut out the sounds of three or four massive machines running simultaneously. Today the dark interior lay quiet, with one machine left against the right wall. Five small printing orders lay on a table next to the doorway, with their handwritten invoices indicating they are waiting to be picked up. One of them is dated December 2007.

In many ways, the print shop is a picture of it’s owner—a symbol of the American dream, boasting of a time that was much less complex, and proud to remain unchanged, despite being a bit rundown.

As we drive through town, I see several abandoned downtown shops, as well as residences which will soon be bulldozed to make way for a parking lot. What had once been a booming oil town with two tall office buildings (one a decidedly functional modern style and the other postmodern, with superbly understated ornamentation), has now become a place for old-timers to sit in a diner and reminisce over endless cups of black coffee.

Like Papa. He often comments on how this driver shouldn’t have pulled out in that way, nor does he understand the hesitancy of other drivers to go ahead at a 4-way stop when he was still creeping forward. And he points out each time we saw a car with a license plate declaring the driver to be part of the Cherokee Nation. Times have changed since his family moved to town from Kentucky when he was a young boy. His parents’ store and home have long since been leveled, and his bride of 39 years has just died, leaving him to fend for himself in this strange new world.

But my grandpa has changed, too. The shirts he wears now have stains. He goes out to eat, whether in someone’s home or at a restaurant for nearly every meal, because he never had to learn to cook when Mamaw was around. His voice is softer, more melancholic, and while he still teases his grandchildren, the usual twinkle in his eye is now missing.

And I have no idea how life in this brave new world could be so foreign, leaving one feeling cast off, ignored and forgotten.

“Hey, sugar, you know? Growing old ain’t all it’s cracked up to be.”
I know, Papa; I know.

Isn't Sunday supposed to be a day of rest?

I just finished washing dishes after our celebration potluck, which wrapped up this year's mission trip to Mexico. We built homes for two families (one was a brand new house, and the other, an addition) and had a total of 29 people go.



Here are a few pictures, because I'm tired (I've been at church for 10 1/2 hours today) and don't want to try to think of anything clever to say.


Except this:
Greg Burkhardt is the stuff legends are made of. I'm talking Ryan Morrison/Jason Yost material.
One day I accidentally called him Jason. His response? "I'm honored."
:)

And I'm headed to Mexico...

My grandma passed away this morning. In Oklahoma.

Speaking of Wood, Hay and Straw

The Oscars are tomorrow.

And you are invited to come hang out and watch them with me. Bring something to munch on, though.

Red carpet starts at 3 pm; the actual awards ceremony starts at 5 pm. Come & go, as you like.

Due to a rather small pool of resources and friends, I didn't make it to see all the movies I really wanted to this past month. However, here's a list of the nominees I did manage to see, and why they were nominated:

Across the Universe--Costume Design/ Not quite the hallucinogenic trip I thought it would be, and while I enjoyed it, since I really don't know many songs by the Beatles, I was kind of lost most of the movie.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford--Supporting Actor, Casey Affleck; Cinematography/ Casey did an amazing job; also, check out his stunning performance in Gone Baby Gone. The despair in this movie was accurately portrayed by shots of bleak countrysides.

Atonement--Supporting Actress, Saoirse Ronan; Art Direction; Cinematography; Costume Design; Original Score; Best Picture; Adapted Screenplay/ Visually stunning movie--the way they framed shots was beautiful! Also, I'm surprised this movie wasn't nominated for Sound Editing/Mixing; the way they mixed the sound of a typewriter throughout, and highlighted sounds like a bee at the window served to draw you in to an already intriguing story.

Away From Her--Leading Actress, Julie Christie; Adapted Screenplay/ When I read that this was the story of a wife beginning to develop Alzheimer's, I thought it would be depressing, but instead I discovered the beautiful ache of an aging couple discovering that there was something before death that could rip them apart. It made me cry--in a good way!

The Bourne Ultimatum--Film Editing; Sound Editing; Sound Mixing/ The rooftop scene where Bourne then jumps from balcony to balcony was especially memorable.

Eastern Promises--Leading Actor, Viggo Mortensen/ A lot of "escenas fuertes" in this one--that is, very impactful images, and certainly not for the faint of heart. But Viggo pulls off this unlikely member of the Russian mafia, even with a hint of comedic genius.

Enchanted--3 Original Songs/ Fun movie, but I couldn't tell you which songs they should/shouldn't have nominated--they all ran together by the end.

The Golden Compass--Art Direction; Visual Effects/ Here's one for controversy! I'll just say this: interesting story, and yes, visually stunning.

Gone Baby Gone--Supporting Actress, Amy Ryan/ Solid performance by Amy Ryan, but I think Casey Affleck stood out more. VERY well made movie, though. Lots to think about.

Michael Clayton--Leading Actor, George Clooney; Supporting Actor, Tom Wilkinson; Supporting Actress, Tilda Swinton; Directing; Original Score; Best Picture; Original Screenplay/ It was odd to see Clooney as a dad, and definitely not a ladies' man; so believable as this new kind of character! And both Wilkinson (Cornwallis from The Patriot) and Swinton (the icy and intimidating White Witch from The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe) swept me away with their lucid, yet somewhat erratic characters.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End--Makeup; Visual Effects/ My favorite makeup/visual effect? Bill Nighy as Davy Jones. Still couldn't disguise the curl of his lip, though. Also, I'd like to know: what kind of eyeliner does Jack Sparrow use? It stays on hell or high water and doesn't even seem to smudge!

Ratatouille--Animated Picture; Original Score; Sound Mixing; Sound Editing; Original Screenplay/ Saw this one in Costa Rica... ;)

3:10 to Yuma--Original Score; Sound Mixing/ For me, the most notable elements of this movie where performances by Christian Bale and Ben Foster; when are they going to get nominated? Bale caught my eye in 1987 with Empire of the Sun, and Foster creeped me out in Hostage. Where's their recognition?

Transformers--Sound Mixing; Sound Editing; Visual Effects/ I grew up watching their cartoon every morning before heading off to kindergarten (at least for the fall semester of 1985, when we were living in the US). I was fascinated then, and I am fascinated now.

Here's the nominated movies I wish I'd seen beforehand, and might still pick up in the near future:

Elizabeth (Cate Blanchett)

I'm Not There (Again, Cate Blanchett!)

Into the Wild

Juno

The Kite Runner

Lars and the Real Girl (Ryan Gosling!)

No Country For Old Men

Sicko

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

There Will Be Blood (Daniel Day Lewis)

[Until just a moment ago, when I finished these lists, I didn't realize how many nominated films I'd seen! Maybe I'm better prepared than I thought for tomorrow's ceremony.]

Perhaps I should be studying for my first History of Architecture test this semester, for Monday morning, instead of watching the Oscars... :)

I'm Not...

...a [ ] secretary.

Get it through your heads!

Save Me From Myself!

Have you ever felt like God's been trying to get your attention for a while, and one day you finally catch on?

I've slowly been making my way through a book (Inside Out by Larry Crabb. One of the most honest books I have read about life as a Christ-follower. Read it.) which talks about the brokenness of us, as humans, and how we try to make up for it by demanding our own way, when what we need is to learn how desperately dependent on God we are.

I'm working through a study on the tabernacle. This morning I opened the book and read about how God took 40 years to engrain in his people their dependency on him.

Yesterday I literally sat and listened at the feet of one of my favorite singer/songwriters. He sang of being wistful, broken, and seemingly bent on his own self-destruction. But he also sang words of hope, of perfect love, of discovering a peaceful dependency on the one who is actually able to suffice.

And it hit me--my own fierce independence is what keeps me from God, from having the kind of relationship with him that I want, from having the quality of life for which I long.

I cannot live in my own strength or trust my own resourcefulness, and it's high time I realize my inability to do so.

Road Trip

Yesterday Paddy and I sat 8 feet from Jon Foreman.

He asked for our help to write the set list, and we happily complied.

Paddy kept trying to get a good picture, but something or someone kept getting in the way, as you can see by the pictures.

We got there three hours early, and it was a good thing, too, because we got front row seats--although "seats" isn't actualy the correct term. We got the front curb, as he was playing in the parking lot of Lou's Records, a music store he grew up going to.

It was just Jon on guitar and his friend Keith on cello. And for those of you who went to the Switchfoot/Relient K concert in Irvine, it was the same guy they brought out to help play the acoustic version of "Only Hope".

After sound check, Jon and Keith put their instruments away and charged us with their care while they went to get some coffee. They must have sensed the presence of a responsible Eagle in their midst.

Afterwards, we stood in line for about an hour, waiting to get autographs and to get to talk to both musicians. What reminded me to be patient was that if they were taking their time with each person, they would take their time with us. And they did! We got to get several pictures and actually talk to them. Both were gracious and appreciative of what we had to say! (Plus, Jon really liked Paddy's shirt.)

So went our short road trip--and one of the best days of my life, because I got to share it with Paddy!

Encinitas

Today

I am going with Paddy

to see

Jon Foreman

live

for free.

WOOHOO!

From jonforeman.com:

Jon Foreman – acoustic instore at Lou’s – Saturday Feb 9th

Please join Jon as he performs songs in support of his Fall/Winter EP at Lou’s in Encinitas on Saturday Feb 9th at 2pm. Jon will also be signing copies of the Fall/Winter EP. Get there early!

Saturday February 9th 2pm

Lou’s Records

434 North Coast Highway 101

Encinitas, CA 92024

Speaking of random thoughts which flit...

Why is it that we have to justify crappy things that happen to us with an equally crappy explanation?
"Everything happens for a reason!" Um, no it doesn't. People make dumb choices because we live in a messed up world. And then we have to live with the consequences of those choices, whether they were ours or not, even though God forgives us--it's called cause and effect.
But even our idiocy doesn't keep our powerful God from redeeming those situations, from creating beauty out of flawed or even horrendous elements.
So does God cause the ugliness and pain? I am thoroughly convinced that he does not. But he loves to take those very circumstances and turn them upside down; just take a look at Mark.

I'm currently working through a study which starts out each day with meditating on a short pericope, while asking God to speak to me through his word.
What?! Ask the author to help me understand what he's trying to say? What a novel idea!

Philip Yancey is speaking at Point Loma this Friday, and since I waited too long to get my ducks in a row, the tickets sold out before I could procure one. But on Saturday I'm going to Encinitas with Paddy to hear Jon Foreman! Woohoo!
Gudymente better memorize everything Yancey says, so he can give me a word-for-word account.

My business class got canceled. But I love my architecture class. We've been looking at how each major civilization pours their time into creating structures which portray what matters most in their culture. Sumerian ziggurats, Egyptian pyramids, Grecian acropolises, US skyscrapers--all with practical uses, yet also symbolic of where the power lies.
And somehow it is odd to my professor that almost all civilizations before the modern era tied that power to some sort of religious practice. More on this in Eclipse of Heaven. (Read it.)

It's Time

Today I realized I'm ill-suited for my job.

I became extremely frustrated at my tendency to get angry when interrupted and my inability to accomplish anything.

A friend told me to make sure that when I run, I'm running to something rather than away from.

I looked online for apartments/prices/salaries in Northwestern Arkansas and Houston.

I'm comparing the University of Houston and the University of Arkansas/Fayetteville.

I bought this book.

Tho'ts

Today I listened to a message about Peter and John going to the temple and healing the lame man (Acts 3), and was soon lost in my thoughts about the man they healed. He had probably given up praying for healing; he'd been that way since birth. But he did spend every day begging for money, for his needs to be met. And this day, instead of giving him what he wanted, God gave him what he really needed. He begged for money; God gave him legs that worked.

Yes, it seems like it would be better, but for the man, it would have sucked. His life was comfortable. He had his routine, he knew what he needed to do to get through the day; but when he was healed, everything changed.

He now had to provide for himself; he no longer had a reason to beg.
He'd have to find work, but his only skills lay in begging.
He'd have to learn a new skill, but he was 40 years old--hardly in the position for such a thing to come easy!

I wonder if, at the end of the day, after having spent hours dancing for joy, this man sat down and said, "Oh, crap. What the heck am I supposed to do tomorrow? Why didn't God give me a job along with the use of my legs? Couldn't he have just left me alone?"

How sad it would have been if he couldn't rejoice and look forward to a more full life, just because this change would demand more from him, more responsibility, more faith that God would lead him down the better--although more difficult--path.

And this is where I find myself. I was comfortable. My faith was getting me by in the place I was. I knew what I could expect from God and others, and God knew what he could expect from me.

But God has given me what I needed rather than what I asked for--and oh, how I had been begging for what I wanted! Now I've reached the end of my day of rejoicing, and looking forward, I'm terrified to see a long road ahead, a road marked with learning hard lessons, hard work, hard change; a hard life. And I'm tempted to say, "What the heck, God? If you've brought me here, why didn't you make the way forward a bit easier?"

However, what am I supposed to do? Sit back down and continue begging? No, I've been changed in order to forge forward, along the difficult path, to discover strength I never thought I had and blessings I never would have imagined could come so intertwined with the pain.

Fall & Winter

Today I hit 100 plays for "The Moon is a Magnet".

If you haven't checked Jon Foreman out yet, you have a new opportunity. He just released his new ep "Winter", and it's worth every penny. You can listen to all 6 songs at myspace.com/jonforeman. As of today, each one has played more than 8,000 times--and that's since the release on Tuesday (4 days!)

I'm sure most of you think I'm crazy to even keep track, but here's the thing--these arrangements of strings, bass clarinet and harmonica have helped me keep my sanity in the last 7 weeks.

Listen in. You won't be sorry. And if you want to buy this introspective, melancholic collection, head over to jonforeman.com, where you can purchase one or both ep's at a discounted price of $5 each.

Quarter Life Crisis

I've decided I'm not really an intellectual. For a long time I'd defined myself as such, and even had begun to amass large quantities of weighty books, which I then never read; I liked the look of them on my bookshelves. But I'm too lazy. I just like for people to think that I'm smart.

I've decided I own too much stuff. Going along with the amassing of books I've never read, and never really had plans to read, I've realized that I don't like owning a lot of things. I feel too stuck, too attached to where I physically am. My new resolve is to start getting rid of things, yes, even my books.

I've decided to become more mobile. Going along with getting rid of things, I hate the fact that I'm so attached to the physical place I am. I want to be able to pack everything I own in my car, and take off. I want to get rid of my debt so I can be free to go wherever and do whatever God has for me.

I've decided to learn a trade. I want to have a marketable skill (sorry Ozark), so I'm back in school. I don't want to be dependent on others' generosity to be able to live. Hence, I'm pursuing architecture, and then maybe I'll move to Chile and help my homeland move towards new urbanism.

help...?

so...i'm told to vote for indian gaming expansion, to benefit my state without having to raise taxes.

then, i'm told to vote against the same expansion, because it's a front for other political causes, blah, blah, blah.

any insights by those who actually know what is going on (namely, the charlton brothers, although other not-so-informed voters within my circle of acquaintences are welcome to comment)? and, i need to know soon, because of the early deadline of voting by mail.

thanks!

On the use of my iPod

fall

jon foreman's first ep of four

the cure for pain--55 plays

southbound train--59 plays
lord, save me from myself--57 plays

equally skilled--60 plays

the moon is a magnet--69 plays

my love goes free--54 plays

and counting.

all within the last 44 days (since acquiring the songs on november 28).

Caffeine to Inhibit my Sleep Receptors

I just returned from class...my first in 4 1/2 years. Wow.

Every week, we'll be studying the history of a certain period and then its effects on structures. I'm so excited! Today we looked at how good architecture must have function, strength and grace or aesthetic beauty.

We looked at Notre Dame in Paris...the cathedral didn't need its roof to be 140 feet above the ground, but by building it that way, its designer caused the eye of most every observer to rise to the heavens, and thus, to feel closer to God. (Not to mention the awesome use of arches throughout the building!)

So what have I to look forward to? Only the amazingness of:
The Ancient World
Egypt
Classical Greece
The Roman Empire
Early Christian & Byzantine Era
Early Medieval
Gothic (of which Notre Dame is an example)
Renaissance
Baroque & Rococo
Age of Enlightenment
And all the diversity of the 19th & 20th centuries
Crystal Cathedral Field Trip

I think the only drawback is that my first exam (20% of my grade) is the day after the Oscars, and my second exam & midterm (40% of my grade) is the week after our Amor trip, so I'll miss the review.

I can't wait to receive my textbook in the mail.

Homesick

I just finished watching "Diarios de Motocicleta". Why I waited so long, or what I thought it would be, I don't know, but the story so beautifully portrayed, has moved me.

For about 40 minutes, I was able to see the landscape of the land where I grew up which haunts me to this day--the towering, snowcapped Andes; the lush rainforest of the south, dotted with lakes and quaint towns of familiar architecture; the desolate yet majestic desert of the north; the weary gaze of the women in the market, and the youthful curiosity of a blooming generation. And I was taken back to a time and place not quite so hectic, much less muddled, and as much a part of my soul as my genetic code.

Why can't I go back to that place, if not that time? Why not simply take off as Ernesto Guevara did, to discover a world that is broken, and my place in it? Why do the depths of my being fear facing my past and the failures of who I've not yet become and the goals I've not yet accomplished?

¿Cómo es posible sentir nostalgia por algo que nunca conocí?

(min. 1:06)

What is there to look forward to after Christmas?

It is officially awards season, which means that the Oscars aren't too far off! And this year Jon Stewart is hosting (although I'd still rather see Billy Crystal).

So mark your calendars for February 24--you're all invited to hang out with me! (And maybe this year, more than 3 people will show up.) The red carpet starts at 3 pm; the show starts at 5 pm. Bring a snack, and we'll make a day of it!

Movies to see before the show:

Gone, Baby, Gone--For Ben Affleck's directing, and Casey Affleck's acting

Michael Clayton--Performances by Tilda Swinton and George Clooney

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford--Performances by Casey Affleck and Brad Pitt

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead--Directing by Sidney Lumet and performance by Philip Seymour Hoffman

I'm Not There--Cate Blanchett's portrayal of Bob Dylan

Juno--Indie possibility for best picture; performance by Ellen Page

Atonement--Performances by James McAvoy (Tumnus the Faun and the young doctor in the Last King of Scotland) and Keira Knightley; also possibility for best picture

Lars and the Real Girl--Performance by Ryan Gosling

The Kite Runner--Possibility for best picture

A Mighty Heart--Performance by Angelina Jolie

Eastern Promises--Performance by Viggo Mortensen

Hit the Books!

I am officially enrolled in two classes at Cerritos College.



Fundamentals of Supervision
Thursday Evenings
This is a business class that I hope will help me as I learn to better administrate the business side of church. I look forward to being better equipped to do my job even better!

History of Architecture

Monday Mornings

I've been interested in architecture since I was in high school. So I'm excited to get to actually explore this option, and see if it's a path I'd like to follow!

So many possibilities! I wonder where I'll end up.

'It's a dangerous thing, Frodo, going out your door. You step out onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you'll be swept off to.'

Auld Lang Syne

Palmier cookies hurriedly made at the last minute: Check.










Hair & makeup: Check.













French/Mexican hosts, who together are amazing chefs, bar tenders, and all-around lovely people: Check.












Beautiful newly redecorated house with a pool and hot tub: Check.













One adorable baby who seems determined to make it all the way to midnight: Check.









One cheese plate that definitely includes a wheel of brie: Check.











One DJ with a laptop and excellent taste in music: Check.












A pair of Mexican men who love singing boleros and rancheras, even while the DJ is playing something else: Check.







Twelve grapes for good luck in the new year, to cram in my mouth during the 12 strokes of midnight: Check.











An assortment of noisemakers: Check.












An especially noisy Chilean who isn't afraid to use them, despite death glares from his wife: Check.









And the results are a particularly agreeable evening spent ringing in the new year.