So what do you think?

This morning I came across this blog post. I read it and John Cooper's post directly beneath it. I even took the McCain vs. Obama quiz. I am interested to see what you guys think about this post (but primarily what Cooper had to say...), and to see if you quized out with the candidate that you thought you would (because I didn't!).

cheers.

ag

Loyalty to Loyalty, just listen to it a second time and you'll agree too.

I can remember when Cold War Kids put out "Robbers and Cowards." There was a great amount of hype in the music-critic world about the fact that the Kids were self-proclaimed "Christians" (notice I didn't say they were a "Christian Band"). It seemed to me that those critics almost felt like they needed to point out the aforementioned fact as if to say that they couldn't explain why music made my Jesus-followers was still so good. Call it God, Sunday School, or growing up in Orange County (cynical? yes, very), but CWK put out some damn good stuff and I really do think I would have said the same thing even if I didn't know I grew up going to church with them.

Fine, what was said was said, and honestly pitchforkmedia.com obviously speaks for an overly-critical minority (CWK has sold over 160k "Robbers and Cowards" and counting). I say, let the numbers speak for what people actually think.

But why, after PROBABLY only listening to "Loyalty to Loyalty" once, do critics still feel they must write CWK off? This review basically says the same thing that pitchfork's first review said of CWK. Essentially, they are too cliche, too in love with their own hype, and (regarding the story-telling behind certain songs--namely, "Every man I fall for") "as fantasy," their music is, "old hat and as reality, it just doesn't wash." 

Seriously?  It is my biased opinion (because I do feel slightly compelled to stick up for the guys, first because I LOVE their work, and second (maybe) because I am a Christian).  It is simply my assumption (and yes, I am passing a little judgment, but more toward a collection of critics in general and not toward an individual) that because the Kids were apparently "insult[ing]" the "intelligence" of a few overly-sensitive (to story-lyrics possibly about redemption?) critics, they felt they needed to automatically be critical of CWK again. 

I think that every album purchased deserves AT LEAST a second listen.  All kinds of distractions (lack of sleep, lack of food, lack of girlfriend, etc.) can play a part in how you might hear a certain album.  I know that if it wasn't for a second or third listen to Kings of Leon (i hated them at first), Pearl Jam, and Radiohead, I would have forever condemned them to the archives of dislike.  Admittedly, I did not like Loyalty to Loyalty a whole lot after my first sampling.  My thought is that over-worked, overly-feels-like-he-automatically-must-find-something-wrong-with-everything, critic guy working for pitchforkmedia probably did not give the album enough time to actually sink in and have impact (he wrote his article the day the album came out).

(obviously my views are almost fully charged with speculation, but this is a blog, and that's what blogs are for!)

a blog of interest...

I am literally sitting at a computer here at ECCU participating in a "New Employee's Orientation." Everybody is learning how to use phones, emails, and how to make coffee. While I love the thought of getting paid for something I could have done when I was 7, I can't stop thinking about how much money is being wasted right now :( . And I can't opt out of these silly things because they MAKE you sit through them. Whatever...

In other news, you all might find this link interesting.

ag

Yet Another Inspirational Tidbit

  John Steinbeck wrote, "'It's almost impossible to read a fine thing without wanting to do a fine thing.'"  This simple quote has been resonating in my soul over the past two weeks.  I began thinking about all of the fine things I have read since I started to take my faith seriously.  A book called "The Irresistible Revolution" instilled in me a desire to spread God's love to a group of homeless people living under a bridge.  Reading someone else's blog about building homes and helping the people of New Orleans created an urge to follow suit.  Reading books like "Searching For God Knows What" caused myself to write bad poetry about my relationship with God.  Reading "The Pastures of Heaven," the book that the quote above was taken from, bestowed upon me this enormous want to build a freaking house.  I'll be honest, even hearing a kick ass song makes me want to write the next song that every indie kid on this half of the globe will be whistling or singing along with as they walk down the street in their tight pants.  My point being, every time we see or hear someone else's impact on the world, or just us, our heads begin to rise from their standard lowered positions and dream up grandeur-like ways of impacting others.  

Steinbeck also wrote, "No one knows how greatness comes to a man.  It may lie in his blackness, sleeping, or it may lance into him like those driven fiery particles from outer space.  These thing, however are known about greatness:  need gives it life and puts it into action;  it never comes without pain;  it leaves a man changed, chastened and exalted at the same time - he can never return to simplicity."  I've tasted greatness.  I've had the pleasure that comes from a ministry that God has blessed.  I've felt the conviction that I need to rely more upon my savior.  Now that I know these feelings I cannot return to simplicity.  I want to build a house in God's name.  I want to learn an instrument so I can write absurdly indie songs about how God has changed me.  Most of all, I want to be set in a library of great, inspiring works so that I might be inspired.   All with hope that God would instill in me an urge to glorify Him through the want to do fine things.

thoughts on the name

Honestly, I hope this title doesn't come off as arrogantly "way too smarty mcsmarty pants," because its not -- at least that was not the intent behind it.

At my work they have all employees take a "strengths test" so that we can all be placed in the best possible position/atmosphere. Whether or not i actually agree that a 100 question quiz that I answered "3-undecided" (whereas 1 = absolutely not; 5 = absolutely yes) on more than half of the questions can actually determine my "strengths" as an individual is besides the point. What i want to state here is this: one of my strengths is "connectedness" and one of our tasks as busy-bee officees is to read through the description for each strength and decide what we connect/agree with most.

So as I was reading through this particular strength i read this:"...we are individuals, responsible for our own judgments and in possession of our own free will, but nonetheless we are part of something larger. Some may call it the collective unconscious."

(drum roll.......................... AND IT WAS BORN!)

//the collective unconscious//we are individual writers responsible for our own judgments and in possession of our own free will, but nonetheless part of something larger.

But allow me to elaborate on what I think this means. Everybody has thoughts, and everybody knows that. I was talking to a good friend recently who was explaining that he felt community is vital. It is "...so important to our own personal growth as individuals." He went on to say that our thoughts are refined and corrected by what and who we experience. He said, "its a damn good thing we don't know what each other are actually thinking about" (motioning to an invisible bubble above his head). Most of the time my thoughts would be downright incoherent and/or irrational to any other being that is not me. Therefore, within the confines of a group of individuals (mostly among those we trust) our thoughts become molded and formulated into something new and probably more rational. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that we somehow compromise ourselves or our beliefs. Rather, I am sure that our "first thoughts" on something reflect just how "unsure" about things we really are!

So, we are individuals. Good. Next, we are "...responsible for our own judgments and in possession of our own free will." A great man once said, "ideas have consequences." Granted, this quote requires hours of thought and writing and arguing and beer, so I won't really go into it other than to say that when we make decisions (i.e. judgments), inevitably we face opposition (whether it be from people, nature, God, etc.). This is why community is so important. I know people who have said (in their youthful enthusiasm for freedom) that they don't need anybody; that they could live alone somewhere for their whole lives, and that they don't need a church (what ought to be the epitomy of community) to be a Christian. What they are actually talking about is that they resent being confined. Nobody (and this is something I am convinced of) can productively grow, mentally and spiritually, without the influence of others in their life. Argue with me. Do it! (This is one of the only things I will ever be all dogmatically hard-pressed about!)

Our will is a heavy load. What we decide is "right" or "appropriate" or "tolerable" in every instance will inevitably conjure up something/someone that does not agree. It is our decisions, however, that pave the road of our future. My hope is that this blog can be a group of people (yes, I am not opposed to women being included, though we may want to stray away from this just for the purpose being able to say whatever the damn, hell, ass we want) that refine each other; that don't let others go into life believing whack-job things without first thinking about it and relating with others in gathering their perspective too. This blog is for whack-job, ridiculousity (yes, i made that word up, but i hope it adds to my emphasis). This blog is also for sound refinement, if we so choose. At least, that is what I hope comes of it. Again, we can just post screw-ball crap all day long, but at least we'd be in community, which brings me to the final portion: "but nonetheless part of something larger." I don't know how much more I need to elaborate on this because I have probably jumped the literary gun in already talking about community. We (every man in this group) are brothers in Christ, and until we decide (up for debate) to invite those who have not decided to follow Jesus, this is a brotherhood of growth that is part of the larger community and Kingdom of Jesus.

The Collective Unconscious=the group of us who bring together natural, inherent thoughts that aren't necessarily planned and sifted through (what might be called "conscious"), for the purpose of becoming refined thinkers and enlightened people.

whew,
ag

the orator

his hands quivered in the dark, looking for something. what it was did not matter to them, they were cold and tired. aching from the light time. yet for richard, the search was much more than an unfortunate break from rest. he needed her voice, and his hands were the only method he had left to find it. she was no longer with him in the darkness, when the soft sounds of his bed would harmonize with their dual movement. his left hand landed on cool plastic. 

would she answer? of course.

would she listen? he did not know.  

his fingers dialed her number from memory. the contours of the keys substituted for the angular curves of her cheek. 

-hello? a soft voice meant she had been awake. the darkness was with her as well. 

-i love you. 

he paused after he spoke, straining his ears for a hint to her reaction. for the smallest grain of salt to season his imagination. for a whisper from the past to breathe itself out through her pink lungs and into everything he knew and kill and kill and kill her fear. 

then he hung up the phone, his hands scuttled back underneath the sheets, violently digging themselves into each other. 

he couldn't feel how his words entered her body from this distance. the time since last holding her to him had deadened his souls sensitivity. he couldn't see the blue halo surround her as she smiled. it had been three years since last talking to her. three words for three years spent alone, conjuring thoughts of her ghost onto the lonely left side of the bed. he waited for the morning in a thick silence. 

Les' Intentions

For my initial contribution to this forum, I shall be posting chapter installments of my first book, based on the adventures of Aaron Green & myself, as we toured the US on our bicycles in the summer of 2008. I want the book to have the feel of On the Road written in a Donald Miller style. It will convey the adventures and fascinating stories [many of which made their way onto the blog], but will add commentary, emotion, questions, doubts, and important lessons that may or may not have been the direct intentions of the Holy Spirit.

I welcome critique (on style and structure, viz., I want to book to be readable and fun and dramatic) and I welcome input (especially on what you think God may have wanted to teach me...assuming He wanted to teach me anything at all - and assuming it required me writing this book and asking for input in order for me to realize such a lesson. But hey, divinity works in mysterious ways, amen?).

I will probably also dabble in some theological + sociological conversations about life purpose + responsible action.

Awwwww, shit, I'm excited.

JLR

The newest post this blog has ever seen...

This is the first. More than anything, however, this is a test-run to mess with colors, adjust viewing capabilities...blah blah blah.

I truly have great hope that this blog will be to us something quite special. We are all quite unique people and have plenty to say and truly, one grows the most in community (debatable? maybe, but I don't think it is, but then again, feel free to disagree for such is encouraged here!)

Also, for some of your more artsy fools (delani, les - looking in your guys' direction...) spruce this puppy up. My opinion is that this site should look intellectual (yet witty), insightfully intriguing, and just plain sharp.

That's all for now (mostly because ECCU is paying me to be "working" now), so here's to a timeless amount of inspiring conversation!

ag