I discovered that aside from a living tree (a tree in a pot), a cut tree is the most sustainable, fair trade option for Christmas-treeing.
So, we purchased a 6 foot tree from Shawn's Christmas Trees on Wilshire and 23rd here in Santa Monica. I really like that we were able to purchase one that was grown in Oregon (not Costa Rica!).
The reason a cut tree is best is because here in Santa Monica, we can take it across the street to the Park and have it mulched for compost!
I would have preferred a potted tree but the closest nursery that was selling them is 15 miles away (anyone in LA knows that means it is 2 hours away!) and you need to have a yard to plant it in after the season is over - which we do not have.
So now P and I are in the process of figuring out what the advent and Christmas season means for us in terms of theology and lifestyle, and in terms of decorating.
The fun and stress of a new marriage lies in needing to find those things that will be part of our traditions and celebration of holidays!
So far, we have come up with symbols like angels, stars, nativity scenes, and music to be used... but we are still coming up with it all.
Monday, November 26
Monday, November 19
BUMMER!!
I am looking for a sustainable Christmas Tree option for this Christmas. Can you believe I can't find a tree in the immediate area that is either Living (in a pot)or made of Recycled material.
Suggestions?
Suggestions?
Wednesday, November 7
Response to Uncle
Recently I posted on a toy that glorifies what I feel are unfortunate gender roles. Uncle respectfully responded, essentially asking (or at least what I heard - and we all know that never gets confused!) if this was worth the worry considering several global devastations that concurrently exist.
It got me thinking about why I care about the former and rarely post on the latter.
After a couple weeks of thought, and being witness to a recent HEATED debate, I have come to the realization that I generally feel quite unable to contribute to the successful solution of "ending the war" (just as an example) while I feel like I CAN be a successful part of the solution in gender role issues and the like.
I enjoy seeing moments of "Ah-ha!" and since I do not get the privilege of seeing those in the context of politics, I usually focus on things like faith, culture, arts and education.
In my current work, I have the joy of seeing "ah-ha" moments in issues like gender roles and embedded theology. So those are the things I talk about. I know it, so I talk about it. Generally, it's best to not talk about things you don't know about - so unless I have already done significant research and can substantiate my claims - I just don't talk about it.
In the wise words of my mother:
Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool, then open it up and remove all doubt.
So while I care about what I perceive as a world wide ridiculous political situation, I don't talk about it much because I just don't know enough about it to have an intelligent conversation.
Perhaps this is sad and unfortunate, but hey, aren't there enough people out there talking about it in all their uninformed glory? I'd hate to take that away from them.
It got me thinking about why I care about the former and rarely post on the latter.
After a couple weeks of thought, and being witness to a recent HEATED debate, I have come to the realization that I generally feel quite unable to contribute to the successful solution of "ending the war" (just as an example) while I feel like I CAN be a successful part of the solution in gender role issues and the like.
I enjoy seeing moments of "Ah-ha!" and since I do not get the privilege of seeing those in the context of politics, I usually focus on things like faith, culture, arts and education.
In my current work, I have the joy of seeing "ah-ha" moments in issues like gender roles and embedded theology. So those are the things I talk about. I know it, so I talk about it. Generally, it's best to not talk about things you don't know about - so unless I have already done significant research and can substantiate my claims - I just don't talk about it.
In the wise words of my mother:
Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool, then open it up and remove all doubt.
So while I care about what I perceive as a world wide ridiculous political situation, I don't talk about it much because I just don't know enough about it to have an intelligent conversation.
Perhaps this is sad and unfortunate, but hey, aren't there enough people out there talking about it in all their uninformed glory? I'd hate to take that away from them.
Tuesday, November 6
Things I Can/Can't Control
Can:
My alarm clock time
My oven
The speed of my car
My mouth
How much TV I watch
The people I let hug me
The people I let hurt me
How fast I type
How slow I walk
The color of my hair today and tomorrow
The smell of my breath after coffee
My pants size
The vegetables I eat
Where I spend my money
Can't:
What time it is
Pizza ovens at Bravo
The speed of the internet
GWB's mouth
What the kids next door watch on TV
The people whom I hug
The people whom I hurt
How fast monkeys type
How slow opposums walk
The color of the lilies of the field
The smell of Paul's breath in the morning
The pants industry
The vegetables our neighbor's kid eats
Where UMCOR spends money
Won't:
What time you wake up
The temp of your oven
The speed of your process
Your mouth
What you watch on TV
The people whom you hug
The people whom you hurt
How fast you type
How slow you walk
The color of your hair - ever
The smell of your breath after chocolate
Your pants size
Your veggie plate
Where you spend your money
Ahhh. Freedom.
My alarm clock time
My oven
The speed of my car
My mouth
How much TV I watch
The people I let hug me
The people I let hurt me
How fast I type
How slow I walk
The color of my hair today and tomorrow
The smell of my breath after coffee
My pants size
The vegetables I eat
Where I spend my money
Can't:
What time it is
Pizza ovens at Bravo
The speed of the internet
GWB's mouth
What the kids next door watch on TV
The people whom I hug
The people whom I hurt
How fast monkeys type
How slow opposums walk
The color of the lilies of the field
The smell of Paul's breath in the morning
The pants industry
The vegetables our neighbor's kid eats
Where UMCOR spends money
Won't:
What time you wake up
The temp of your oven
The speed of your process
Your mouth
What you watch on TV
The people whom you hug
The people whom you hurt
How fast you type
How slow you walk
The color of your hair - ever
The smell of your breath after chocolate
Your pants size
Your veggie plate
Where you spend your money
Ahhh. Freedom.
Tuesday, October 23
Grrrrr......
If you think that our society is become gender aware and equal then check out this.
Dang I hate hate hate our society sometimes.
Why doesn't this product come in BLUE huh?
Dang I hate hate hate our society sometimes.
Why doesn't this product come in BLUE huh?
Monday, October 22
Overhaul
I did it folks. I purchased the domain name faithculturekiss.org
Now all I gotta do is research and decide how to get this thing off the ground.
The same thing is happening to me as usually occurs - I have so many ideas and so many directions to go that I wind up standing frozen in possibility, unable to tap potentiality.
(I don't think potentiality is a word - but I am not getting the red squiggle of death, and it sounds kinda nice in the "reader's internal voice" so I am keeping it in.)
Any thoughts on the subject are greatly welcome by comment or email.
The goal is to eventually have two blogs - personal and professional. toomanycds would stay its wonderful quirky and annoying self, while faithculturekiss would express my academic and consultant side. Which may wind up being just as quirky and annoying - who knows?! But there is the adventure! Huzzah!
I wish we lived in a world where they could mingle, but alas, emotion never seems to be quite as welcome as objectivity.
Completely hilarious to me, considering that most objectivity in culture is highly subjective and presented in overly emotional ways.
Gotta love it! SO ANYWAY -
let me know what you think?! Graphic Designer friends - now is your time to PIPE UP!!!!!
Now all I gotta do is research and decide how to get this thing off the ground.
The same thing is happening to me as usually occurs - I have so many ideas and so many directions to go that I wind up standing frozen in possibility, unable to tap potentiality.
(I don't think potentiality is a word - but I am not getting the red squiggle of death, and it sounds kinda nice in the "reader's internal voice" so I am keeping it in.)
Any thoughts on the subject are greatly welcome by comment or email.
The goal is to eventually have two blogs - personal and professional. toomanycds would stay its wonderful quirky and annoying self, while faithculturekiss would express my academic and consultant side. Which may wind up being just as quirky and annoying - who knows?! But there is the adventure! Huzzah!
I wish we lived in a world where they could mingle, but alas, emotion never seems to be quite as welcome as objectivity.
Completely hilarious to me, considering that most objectivity in culture is highly subjective and presented in overly emotional ways.
Gotta love it! SO ANYWAY -
let me know what you think?! Graphic Designer friends - now is your time to PIPE UP!!!!!
Tuesday, October 16
Lies the pharmacy told me...
DISCLAIMER: This is a harsh post. It has foul language markings. I know it. I considered softening it up, but then I felt like I was lying. I have several good friends who are on/have been on chemical birth control. I love you all. I don't think you are stupid, I am optimistic that you have discussed all issues with your physician.
I am not against birth control - I am against lies the drug companies tell us about what is good for our bodies. My intent here is to pose a question that will GIVE women BACK their sexual freedom, rather than leave them in this current state of pseudo-freedom which I believe chemical birth control enables and maybe even intensifies. Oh yeah, this post is also too long. Thanks a bunch for reading.
Once again, the prescription drug companies have convinced us that we need to put chemicals that could kill us into our bodies all for the sake of convenience. Fabulous.
Up until Vatican II (1964), birth control of any form was frowned upon by the Catholic Church. At the risk of over simplification, people of the Church were asked (told?) not to use birth control of any kind because it was stopping God’s natural intent/order of intercourse into babies from occurring. We (humans) are commanded in the book of Genesis to procreate, and birth control essentially stops that from happening. Which in some cases - is really good.
I think birth control in the form of a condom or FAM (my favorite! which requires you to actually pay attention to your own body) is a damn good idea – the gruesome image of a woman with a coat hanger stuck inside her or a family with one more mouth than paychecks could sustain come to mind and make me reach happily for a pack of Trojans. (latex - remember I am a vegetarian.)
Before I was married, that image just made me keep my pants on. What a concept.
However – there are forms of birth control out there that I think take a couple steps too far. The culprits?
Depo
The Ring
The Pill
Norplant
The Patch
See the pattern? Yup. All chemical drugs that infiltrate your body and basically convince it that you are already pregnant or that something is wrong with you and you should not be pregnant, and therefore, you don’t get pregnant.
I know, I know, these things are so much simpler than those awfully annoying 3 extra seconds it takes to put a condom on.
And don’t give me that “it ruins the mood” bull because finding out you have cancer or a bleeding cystic uterus kinda ruins the mood too. AND if you can't stay in the mood because of a condom interlude, then your idea and of sex and what it is and what it is for or about could use a serious overhaul. Educate yourself on the subject of the sexual revolution and then tell me who you think it was really beneficial to - women or men? (Bunny trail! Quick! Get it!)
I think it really hit me hard today while watching TV and seeing an ad for a new pill, Seasonique. Sounds pretty doesn't it?
This ad (see it here) has two sides of the same woman talking about taking the new pill.
Let’s ignore - for the lack of space - the obviously offensive idea that woman have to be one or the other (logical or emotional) and that decisions are made in such a way.
BUT let us consider the fact that this new pill will give you only 4 periods a year. Hmmmm.
No uh, I mean, that's great, right? Knowing that our lives as sexually active, getting exactly what we want (or what our male counterparts want?) when we (they?) want it women (men?) are totally inconvenienced and horrific because of – wait – here it comes – NATURE.
COME ON WOMEN OF THE U.S. AND EUROPE! (We all know that these special chemicals are not available in those poor, sad, emerging world cultures. Yes, sarcasm.)
GET OVER YOURSELVES! AND SUCK IT UP AND HAVE A &*@)((^% PERIOD! And tell your male-ies to keep their pants on for a week and have a bout of intellectual intercourse.
Don’t we understand? Have we been that misled? The fact that we HAVE periods in the first place means that we are HEALTHY. Cramps, my sisters, are indicators that our bodies are doing what they are supposed to do and cleaning out the system so that we can healthily prepare for – yup – getting pregnant.
The harsh reality is that WOMEN’S BODIES MAKE BABIES.
Another harsh reality: It is a sin against God and humanity that patriarchy and misogyny has turned that truth into venom by turning women into baby-making machinery (with no other ability, talent or skill).
But that is another discussion all together – we can have it when we talk about the stereotypical television female persona idea or my thoughts on the fact that women know little to nothing about the menstrual cycle in general.
Hey, I see the point for *ahem* health - I too get bad cramps. I am usually in bed for a day or hopped up on chamomile tea and, yes, I admit, the occasional ibuprofen. But I think those cramps are worth knowing that my body is doing what it is supposed to do when it is supposed to do it. On top of that, I get to cross these worries off my list:
blood clots
stroke
heart attack
cancer
bleeding cystic ulcers
I am not condemning those who use chemical birth control for the sake of convenience - much. But I am asking what I think is an important question:
Are we lucky to live in a time when sexual freedom is enabled through chemicals, or have we been hoodwinked into thinking that sexual maturity is about spontaneity and immediacy rather than responsibility and patience?
I am not against birth control - I am against lies the drug companies tell us about what is good for our bodies. My intent here is to pose a question that will GIVE women BACK their sexual freedom, rather than leave them in this current state of pseudo-freedom which I believe chemical birth control enables and maybe even intensifies. Oh yeah, this post is also too long. Thanks a bunch for reading.
Once again, the prescription drug companies have convinced us that we need to put chemicals that could kill us into our bodies all for the sake of convenience. Fabulous.
Up until Vatican II (1964), birth control of any form was frowned upon by the Catholic Church. At the risk of over simplification, people of the Church were asked (told?) not to use birth control of any kind because it was stopping God’s natural intent/order of intercourse into babies from occurring. We (humans) are commanded in the book of Genesis to procreate, and birth control essentially stops that from happening. Which in some cases - is really good.
I think birth control in the form of a condom or FAM (my favorite! which requires you to actually pay attention to your own body) is a damn good idea – the gruesome image of a woman with a coat hanger stuck inside her or a family with one more mouth than paychecks could sustain come to mind and make me reach happily for a pack of Trojans. (latex - remember I am a vegetarian.)
Before I was married, that image just made me keep my pants on. What a concept.
However – there are forms of birth control out there that I think take a couple steps too far. The culprits?
Depo
The Ring
The Pill
Norplant
The Patch
See the pattern? Yup. All chemical drugs that infiltrate your body and basically convince it that you are already pregnant or that something is wrong with you and you should not be pregnant, and therefore, you don’t get pregnant.
I know, I know, these things are so much simpler than those awfully annoying 3 extra seconds it takes to put a condom on.
And don’t give me that “it ruins the mood” bull because finding out you have cancer or a bleeding cystic uterus kinda ruins the mood too. AND if you can't stay in the mood because of a condom interlude, then your idea and of sex and what it is and what it is for or about could use a serious overhaul. Educate yourself on the subject of the sexual revolution and then tell me who you think it was really beneficial to - women or men? (Bunny trail! Quick! Get it!)
I think it really hit me hard today while watching TV and seeing an ad for a new pill, Seasonique. Sounds pretty doesn't it?
This ad (see it here) has two sides of the same woman talking about taking the new pill.
Let’s ignore - for the lack of space - the obviously offensive idea that woman have to be one or the other (logical or emotional) and that decisions are made in such a way.
BUT let us consider the fact that this new pill will give you only 4 periods a year. Hmmmm.
No uh, I mean, that's great, right? Knowing that our lives as sexually active, getting exactly what we want (or what our male counterparts want?) when we (they?) want it women (men?) are totally inconvenienced and horrific because of – wait – here it comes – NATURE.
COME ON WOMEN OF THE U.S. AND EUROPE! (We all know that these special chemicals are not available in those poor, sad, emerging world cultures. Yes, sarcasm.)
GET OVER YOURSELVES! AND SUCK IT UP AND HAVE A &*@)((^% PERIOD! And tell your male-ies to keep their pants on for a week and have a bout of intellectual intercourse.
Don’t we understand? Have we been that misled? The fact that we HAVE periods in the first place means that we are HEALTHY. Cramps, my sisters, are indicators that our bodies are doing what they are supposed to do and cleaning out the system so that we can healthily prepare for – yup – getting pregnant.
The harsh reality is that WOMEN’S BODIES MAKE BABIES.
Another harsh reality: It is a sin against God and humanity that patriarchy and misogyny has turned that truth into venom by turning women into baby-making machinery (with no other ability, talent or skill).
But that is another discussion all together – we can have it when we talk about the stereotypical television female persona idea or my thoughts on the fact that women know little to nothing about the menstrual cycle in general.
Hey, I see the point for *ahem* health - I too get bad cramps. I am usually in bed for a day or hopped up on chamomile tea and, yes, I admit, the occasional ibuprofen. But I think those cramps are worth knowing that my body is doing what it is supposed to do when it is supposed to do it. On top of that, I get to cross these worries off my list:
blood clots
stroke
heart attack
cancer
bleeding cystic ulcers
I am not condemning those who use chemical birth control for the sake of convenience - much. But I am asking what I think is an important question:
Are we lucky to live in a time when sexual freedom is enabled through chemicals, or have we been hoodwinked into thinking that sexual maturity is about spontaneity and immediacy rather than responsibility and patience?
Friday, October 5
Tuesday, September 18
A little embarrassing...
Yeah. July 8th. Last post. ummmmm....oops.
I haven't posted in far too long. I don't really wanted to go over the last 2 months in detail. I guess part of the reason I haven't posted is because I feel overwhelmed that I should post the details of the last 2 months and don't really want to.
Wow. I wonder where THAT totally random, has nothing to do with anybody, painful pressure comes from. Can't be MYSELF.
Grrrr.
A couple highlights:
1. So Anny-Bannanny got married on Sept. 7th - to Ray. Such a wonderful day - lots of work though. Anny is now a Mom! And her kids are fabulous.... Paul and I got the pleasure of hanging out with them while festivities were being planned and finished up.
2. Paul and I are going on a retreat with our new friends at SMFUMC this weekend. We will be wine tasting and sharing space and getting to know each other and I like that!
3. Mom and Dad Markwart are hosting a reception for us at the end of the month - so much fun! And we get to go the A's game on Friday and Dad's play (he is John in Arsenic and Old Lace)
4. Going to Mark and Jen's wedding this Friday! Wahoo!
I have learned that post's that are too long are boring and no one will read them, so I am gonna quit while I am ahead.
Oh - pray I get an awesome part time job that pays great and uses my skills and leaves room for theatre!!
I haven't posted in far too long. I don't really wanted to go over the last 2 months in detail. I guess part of the reason I haven't posted is because I feel overwhelmed that I should post the details of the last 2 months and don't really want to.
Wow. I wonder where THAT totally random, has nothing to do with anybody, painful pressure comes from. Can't be MYSELF.
Grrrr.
A couple highlights:
1. So Anny-Bannanny got married on Sept. 7th - to Ray. Such a wonderful day - lots of work though. Anny is now a Mom! And her kids are fabulous.... Paul and I got the pleasure of hanging out with them while festivities were being planned and finished up.
2. Paul and I are going on a retreat with our new friends at SMFUMC this weekend. We will be wine tasting and sharing space and getting to know each other and I like that!
3. Mom and Dad Markwart are hosting a reception for us at the end of the month - so much fun! And we get to go the A's game on Friday and Dad's play (he is John in Arsenic and Old Lace)
4. Going to Mark and Jen's wedding this Friday! Wahoo!
I have learned that post's that are too long are boring and no one will read them, so I am gonna quit while I am ahead.
Oh - pray I get an awesome part time job that pays great and uses my skills and leaves room for theatre!!
Sunday, July 8
WOW! TOOOOOOO LONG!
I can't believe TWO shows have been up and down since my last post! Great Divorce went very very well, except for the usual second night sloppies.
Last Friday - the 6th - Charlotte's Web hit the ground running and the cast did wonderfully. Who knew such small kids could be so awesome. They blew me away!
Tomorrow I start production on two casts of High School Musical Review. I rewrote the script to accommodate the 36 person cast I will have for one of the casts!!!
That show will go up on July 20th.
On July 23rd, I go into production of Aesop's Fable The Lion and the Mouse. That cast will be 5-7 year olds! I can't wait to work with them!
AND since my last post, Paul and I have moved to Santa Monica and P-Dog started his new job at the church.
We are getting to know our area and have a great hang out called The Counter. Come on out and eat there with us!
We are so grateful that we have been lucky enough to pursue our goals - we are not fool enough to think that this is the norm.
Thank you Jesus. Really.
Last Friday - the 6th - Charlotte's Web hit the ground running and the cast did wonderfully. Who knew such small kids could be so awesome. They blew me away!
Tomorrow I start production on two casts of High School Musical Review. I rewrote the script to accommodate the 36 person cast I will have for one of the casts!!!
That show will go up on July 20th.
On July 23rd, I go into production of Aesop's Fable The Lion and the Mouse. That cast will be 5-7 year olds! I can't wait to work with them!
AND since my last post, Paul and I have moved to Santa Monica and P-Dog started his new job at the church.
We are getting to know our area and have a great hang out called The Counter. Come on out and eat there with us!
We are so grateful that we have been lucky enough to pursue our goals - we are not fool enough to think that this is the norm.
Thank you Jesus. Really.
Wednesday, May 23
The Great Divorce
HEY!
This Friday and Saturday night, May 25/26!
I have directed a stage adaptation of The Great Divorce by CS Lewis....
please come out and support the cast and crew - here are the deets:
Friday May 25 and Saturday May 26
Travis Auditorium, Fuller Theological Seminary
180 N Oakland Ave
Pasadena, CA 91182
Doors open 7pm - general seating
Show at 7:30pm
No Charge..... suggested donation $5.
See you there, right?!?!
This Friday and Saturday night, May 25/26!
I have directed a stage adaptation of The Great Divorce by CS Lewis....
please come out and support the cast and crew - here are the deets:
Friday May 25 and Saturday May 26
Travis Auditorium, Fuller Theological Seminary
180 N Oakland Ave
Pasadena, CA 91182
Doors open 7pm - general seating
Show at 7:30pm
No Charge..... suggested donation $5.
See you there, right?!?!
Tuesday, May 1
Bomb Scare. Please.
SO last night Fuller had a bomb scare. Apparently, there was a box in the HR building all day and some person thought it was ticking. Freaked everybody out. The campus and a 2 block radius was shut down to all traffic - foot, car, etc.
Fortunately, or unfortunately - depending on how you look at it - it was nothing. Just a box of papers and clothes. Or so I hear.
Here is what gets me. It is along the same sad lines of the VT thing.
NO ONE IN PASADENA KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT FULLER!!!!
Except of course, those of us who pay money to be here or are married to someone who pays money to be here.
BUT if that really was a bomb and it blew up. Whattya know? Fuller would be the apple of Pasadena's eye... the heart of Pasadena... the life blood of the community.
Oh Please.
I am honestly struggling with these questions:
How does the church properly respond to "community disasters" in distant places?
What is the appropriate response for people who are not in the affected community?
When is national mourning appropriate and when is it a load of crap?
Ideas, anyone? Seriously... this is bugging me pretty deeply.
Fortunately, or unfortunately - depending on how you look at it - it was nothing. Just a box of papers and clothes. Or so I hear.
Here is what gets me. It is along the same sad lines of the VT thing.
NO ONE IN PASADENA KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT FULLER!!!!
Except of course, those of us who pay money to be here or are married to someone who pays money to be here.
BUT if that really was a bomb and it blew up. Whattya know? Fuller would be the apple of Pasadena's eye... the heart of Pasadena... the life blood of the community.
Oh Please.
I am honestly struggling with these questions:
How does the church properly respond to "community disasters" in distant places?
What is the appropriate response for people who are not in the affected community?
When is national mourning appropriate and when is it a load of crap?
Ideas, anyone? Seriously... this is bugging me pretty deeply.
Sunday, April 22
Why Wicked was perfect
Since my post on Wicked, I have been asked to describe why it was "perfect" and "the best show ever".
SO, always up for a challenge, I'll try. But I am going to do it in chunks.
The first chunk being a response to Mr. Ben. Stupid Law my friend: read the liner notes of your CD before you talk about the show. :)
OF COURSE it doesn't sound Wicked!
A couple of reasons why follow:
1. Dramatic/Poetic Irony in the story
2. The entire show is NOT on the CD on purpose because several songs have "spoilers" in them.
(see - that is only a couple of reasons - I know the difference between "a couple" and "a few")
I would like to talk about point 1.
Wicked the musical is based on the theme of Wicked the book, written by Gregory MacGuire. It's a pretty good read. Not great, but definitely worth the time , especially if you like The Wizard of Oz and "why things are the way they are" stories. I am fan of this genre. Go Rudyard Kipling!
Anyway, the whole point of the story is why the Witches of Oz are who they are and how they got that way.
The dramatic irony is - not a spoiler as far as I can tell - is that the people who are "Wicked" are not really the "Wicked" ones, and the "good" are not "good."
The musical is a much more concise version of the book, with some significant changes from the book, but tells the story VERY well. It is actually like they are two different takes on the same story and both wind up being solid and respectable and pleasing in their own right.
The book is darker and more detailed (of course) and has a lot more political/social commentary. There are more dark moments, more sadness, more painful realizations.
The musical is a musical... come on folks.... a musical. 'Nuff said.
Stephen Schwartz wrote the stage show, btw, and really outdid himself musically. I can hear some themes that he tends to use in all his shows. A couple "power ballad" chord progressions... see "Meadowlark" from The Baker's Wife and "Defy Gravity" from Wicked - you will hear similar thematic melodies and changes. Love it.
Overall, however, he brings a fresh spin to the characters and weaves the musical themes between the characters with finesse and musical skill. Not an easy thing to do. Sondheim did it really well, so did Webber - but he is kinda lame in the story area.
Ok I am tired and want to think about other things so I'll get back to this.
SO, always up for a challenge, I'll try. But I am going to do it in chunks.
The first chunk being a response to Mr. Ben. Stupid Law my friend: read the liner notes of your CD before you talk about the show. :)
OF COURSE it doesn't sound Wicked!
A couple of reasons why follow:
1. Dramatic/Poetic Irony in the story
2. The entire show is NOT on the CD on purpose because several songs have "spoilers" in them.
(see - that is only a couple of reasons - I know the difference between "a couple" and "a few")
I would like to talk about point 1.
Wicked the musical is based on the theme of Wicked the book, written by Gregory MacGuire. It's a pretty good read. Not great, but definitely worth the time , especially if you like The Wizard of Oz and "why things are the way they are" stories. I am fan of this genre. Go Rudyard Kipling!
Anyway, the whole point of the story is why the Witches of Oz are who they are and how they got that way.
The dramatic irony is - not a spoiler as far as I can tell - is that the people who are "Wicked" are not really the "Wicked" ones, and the "good" are not "good."
The musical is a much more concise version of the book, with some significant changes from the book, but tells the story VERY well. It is actually like they are two different takes on the same story and both wind up being solid and respectable and pleasing in their own right.
The book is darker and more detailed (of course) and has a lot more political/social commentary. There are more dark moments, more sadness, more painful realizations.
The musical is a musical... come on folks.... a musical. 'Nuff said.
Stephen Schwartz wrote the stage show, btw, and really outdid himself musically. I can hear some themes that he tends to use in all his shows. A couple "power ballad" chord progressions... see "Meadowlark" from The Baker's Wife and "Defy Gravity" from Wicked - you will hear similar thematic melodies and changes. Love it.
Overall, however, he brings a fresh spin to the characters and weaves the musical themes between the characters with finesse and musical skill. Not an easy thing to do. Sondheim did it really well, so did Webber - but he is kinda lame in the story area.
Ok I am tired and want to think about other things so I'll get back to this.
Wednesday, April 18
Something is just not right....
Ok. This is going to be a dangerous post. Its gonna be dangerous because I think I might offend someone - or a lot of someones - so just hang in there.
I think what happened at Virginia Tech last Monday is horrific. If you care for language as much as I do, you will note that it is not tragic. Well, it was tragic for the shooter... Something is tragic when you bring terrible-ness upon yourself. For example - a car accident is only tragic for the person who caused the accident (and it usually involves some irony, too) - not all the other people who died/were hurt.
Anyway - I digress.
I am honestly in a state of confusion about the reaction to Virginia Tech. I want to grieve with the people who have lost their friends, family, loved ones. I want to be sad and mourn. I want to hurt with other hurt people.
But I can't. I never can when crap like this happens. Why? Because I always feel like mourning in the United States is bastardized by people who are removed from the situation.
I feel like this nation is a nation of emotional rubberneckers - we all stand by and point and stare and look and want information and pretend we support but few of us get off our asses and fly ourselves to Blacksburg (did you even know that VT was in Blacksburg?! I didn't!) to actually help clean up the emotional aftermath.
Paul was reading the New York Times website this morning and they have an "interactive walk through the shooting" link where you can follow the path of the shootings.
PEOPLE, I'VE GOT NEWS FOR YOU...THIS IS NOT MOURNING.
THIS IS THE RAPE OF A MUGGING VICTIM.
I am deeply concerned when I see 20 people outside my office scrounging for information about what happened with an air of "I'm training to be a psychologist... I must discuss with all my friends why such a thing has occurred", I am torn when my boss asks me to put CNN on the campus network for the school to watch the same footage over and over again, I am offended when I hear people tsk-tsk-ing about VT, and not once thinking about the reality that 80 people were killed in Iraq yesterday - or the thousands of Americans who died Monday due to drug overdose, cancer, heart disease, fires, old age, more shootings, suicide.
I do not believe it is our place to "jump on the mourning bandwagon." I believe it is our place to actually mourn. To BE torn and shocked and angry. This looks more like silence than gossip. Right now, USA, we look like gossips.
How offensive we must seem to a devastated community when we come in with our TV cameras and our news reporters to "get the story" instead of help them through the story.
You know what this does? It turns young people into marketers of grief - it does not teach them how to cope with the reality of grief.
The same thing happened with 9/11, with Katrina, with Columbine. We stood back and made judgments about who, what, when, where and when we felt we had enough information, we collectively forgot about it. Of course, we didn't forget - we CAN'T forget... and we should not forget. But somehow to continue talking about it as a nationwide community seems passe - seems irrelevant - seems... well... dead.
Virginia Tech - forgive us. We have failed you by caring for you just long enough to get the goods and get out. Forgive us for mourning with fingers pointed and heads shaking.
Forgive us for not truly experiencing your grief, but watching it from afar.
Forgive us for not helping.
I am able to find peace with Virginia Tech through the English professors' poem. Virginia Tech will mourn. Sigh.
Now - can we mourn with them, rather than at them?
God... help us all.
Help.
Help VT.
Help.
Help VT's community.
Help.
Help.
Help!
I think what happened at Virginia Tech last Monday is horrific. If you care for language as much as I do, you will note that it is not tragic. Well, it was tragic for the shooter... Something is tragic when you bring terrible-ness upon yourself. For example - a car accident is only tragic for the person who caused the accident (and it usually involves some irony, too) - not all the other people who died/were hurt.
Anyway - I digress.
I am honestly in a state of confusion about the reaction to Virginia Tech. I want to grieve with the people who have lost their friends, family, loved ones. I want to be sad and mourn. I want to hurt with other hurt people.
But I can't. I never can when crap like this happens. Why? Because I always feel like mourning in the United States is bastardized by people who are removed from the situation.
I feel like this nation is a nation of emotional rubberneckers - we all stand by and point and stare and look and want information and pretend we support but few of us get off our asses and fly ourselves to Blacksburg (did you even know that VT was in Blacksburg?! I didn't!) to actually help clean up the emotional aftermath.
Paul was reading the New York Times website this morning and they have an "interactive walk through the shooting" link where you can follow the path of the shootings.
PEOPLE, I'VE GOT NEWS FOR YOU...THIS IS NOT MOURNING.
THIS IS THE RAPE OF A MUGGING VICTIM.
I am deeply concerned when I see 20 people outside my office scrounging for information about what happened with an air of "I'm training to be a psychologist... I must discuss with all my friends why such a thing has occurred", I am torn when my boss asks me to put CNN on the campus network for the school to watch the same footage over and over again, I am offended when I hear people tsk-tsk-ing about VT, and not once thinking about the reality that 80 people were killed in Iraq yesterday - or the thousands of Americans who died Monday due to drug overdose, cancer, heart disease, fires, old age, more shootings, suicide.
I do not believe it is our place to "jump on the mourning bandwagon." I believe it is our place to actually mourn. To BE torn and shocked and angry. This looks more like silence than gossip. Right now, USA, we look like gossips.
How offensive we must seem to a devastated community when we come in with our TV cameras and our news reporters to "get the story" instead of help them through the story.
You know what this does? It turns young people into marketers of grief - it does not teach them how to cope with the reality of grief.
The same thing happened with 9/11, with Katrina, with Columbine. We stood back and made judgments about who, what, when, where and when we felt we had enough information, we collectively forgot about it. Of course, we didn't forget - we CAN'T forget... and we should not forget. But somehow to continue talking about it as a nationwide community seems passe - seems irrelevant - seems... well... dead.
Virginia Tech - forgive us. We have failed you by caring for you just long enough to get the goods and get out. Forgive us for mourning with fingers pointed and heads shaking.
Forgive us for not truly experiencing your grief, but watching it from afar.
Forgive us for not helping.
I am able to find peace with Virginia Tech through the English professors' poem. Virginia Tech will mourn. Sigh.
Now - can we mourn with them, rather than at them?
God... help us all.
Help.
Help VT.
Help.
Help VT's community.
Help.
Help.
Help!
Tuesday, April 17
WICKED
A group of us saw "Wicked" the musical Sunday night.
I think it was the best show, overall, that I have ever seen.
Anyone who knows me knows that statement says a lot.
I think it is the only show in my life that I can walk away from saying
"It was, literally, perfect."
I stand in solidarity with my friend Ryan who made this simple comments:
"I am still reeling."
This is why I love and praise God. That God makes people who can make stuff like this. That God gifts people to gift others by giving them createdness....
Some people say, "If you don't believe in God, look at the world around you." I say, "If you don't believe in God, go see Wicked and tell me how all that talent - from visual images, to lighting, to sound, to character acting, to singing, to dancing, to set building, to costume design - could combine without an instigator and creator."
The theatre saves my soul.
I think it was the best show, overall, that I have ever seen.
Anyone who knows me knows that statement says a lot.
I think it is the only show in my life that I can walk away from saying
"It was, literally, perfect."
I stand in solidarity with my friend Ryan who made this simple comments:
"I am still reeling."
This is why I love and praise God. That God makes people who can make stuff like this. That God gifts people to gift others by giving them createdness....
Some people say, "If you don't believe in God, look at the world around you." I say, "If you don't believe in God, go see Wicked and tell me how all that talent - from visual images, to lighting, to sound, to character acting, to singing, to dancing, to set building, to costume design - could combine without an instigator and creator."
The theatre saves my soul.
Friday, April 13
Ouch!
Ariel reprimanded me for not having a link to my brother's blog on my link-list.
"What kind of sister are you?" were, I think, her exact words.
Well, if it is any consolation, it's there now.
"What kind of sister are you?" were, I think, her exact words.
Well, if it is any consolation, it's there now.
Wednesday, April 11
Law and Order does it again!
The episode: "Good Faith"
The premise: Churches are getting burned down. Lots of them. Only this most recent one is different. THIS one has a dead body in it too! (Chink-Chink)
The official description of the plot is here:
A church burns and a man is dead. In a series of church burnings, the Detectives Ed Green (Jesse L. Martin) and Nina Cassady (Milena Govich) suspect arson, however this time a victim is found among the charred ruins - the victim is a teacher and basketball coach at a private parochial school. Arson becomes a homicide investigation as the detectives discover the victim was killed prior to the fire. S. Epatha Merkerson, Sam Waterston, Fred Dalton Thompson and Alana De La Garza also star.
So here is the kicker (SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!)
The murdered man (Nash) was a science teacher who taught evolution at a private Christian school. The murderer (Reese) is the widowed father of a young woman (Mary) whom said teacher gave a "F" on a paper about creationism.
The murderer/Dad uses this defense (you're gonna love it):
Defense Lawyer Melnick:
"We are asserting a justification defense."
ADA Rubirosa:
"He's admitting to the murder?"
DL Melnick:
"It's not murder if you are trying to save the life of a third party - In this case, his daughter."
ADA Rubirosa:
"Nash was attacking Mary?"
DL Melnick:
"mmmmhmmm"
ADA Rubirosa:
"We have two witnesses that put Mary at home while Reese was out killing him!"
DL Melnick:
"She doesn't have to be physically present to be in jeopordy.
ADA McCoy:
"Well how could her life possibly be in danger??! What was the threat?!"
Here it is folks:
DL Melnick:
"Divine Retribution."
WOW.
Don't worry, McCoy's response was mine: "Excuse Me?"
And the DL actually said this:
"Like Many Americans, Jacob Reese believes in an all powerful God who punishes non-believers."
YIKES.
Then a well placed Lot's wife reference.
I killed my daughters teacher because I was afraid that my daughter would experience the wrath of God for loosing her faith - because of what she was learning.
I killed the man to defend my daughters life.
Basically, the character thought that his daughter would literally be struck dead for starting to believe evolution might even be remotely possible
(The real reason of course - because when it's only 10:30 and the killer is caught there is always a real reason - is because she had clamitia from having sex with someone at the school, who Dad thought was the teacher dude. It SUCKS when you get wrongly killed!)
Crazy Christians! Crazy Christians!
I was getting irritated again as I watched this episode - one more idiot Christian being represented as the majority. Damn I hate that!!!!
But then I heard it - the money line.
Someone has been reading my blog!
ADA Rubirosa: (while discussing the defense with her colleagues)
"Yeah, but we come off saying he (Reese) is crazy because he literally believes in Biblical retribution - that plays right into Melnicks hands."
District Attorney :
"Does it? I think people of faith would resent the fact that this guy is trying to hide behind religion."
YESSSSSSS!
YES WE DO!!!!!
A sigh of relief washed over me... David Slack, writer of this episode, has heard my plea for some tiny bit of reality when it comes to faith perspective.
My thanks to you Mr. Slack.
Come over for coffee anytime - I can give you more thoughts about the broader less insane viewpoints of Christians.
But that might not make for juicy Law & Order.
More later folks.......
The premise: Churches are getting burned down. Lots of them. Only this most recent one is different. THIS one has a dead body in it too! (Chink-Chink)
The official description of the plot is here:
A church burns and a man is dead. In a series of church burnings, the Detectives Ed Green (Jesse L. Martin) and Nina Cassady (Milena Govich) suspect arson, however this time a victim is found among the charred ruins - the victim is a teacher and basketball coach at a private parochial school. Arson becomes a homicide investigation as the detectives discover the victim was killed prior to the fire. S. Epatha Merkerson, Sam Waterston, Fred Dalton Thompson and Alana De La Garza also star.
So here is the kicker (SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!)
The murdered man (Nash) was a science teacher who taught evolution at a private Christian school. The murderer (Reese) is the widowed father of a young woman (Mary) whom said teacher gave a "F" on a paper about creationism.
The murderer/Dad uses this defense (you're gonna love it):
Defense Lawyer Melnick:
"We are asserting a justification defense."
ADA Rubirosa:
"He's admitting to the murder?"
DL Melnick:
"It's not murder if you are trying to save the life of a third party - In this case, his daughter."
ADA Rubirosa:
"Nash was attacking Mary?"
DL Melnick:
"mmmmhmmm"
ADA Rubirosa:
"We have two witnesses that put Mary at home while Reese was out killing him!"
DL Melnick:
"She doesn't have to be physically present to be in jeopordy.
ADA McCoy:
"Well how could her life possibly be in danger??! What was the threat?!"
Here it is folks:
DL Melnick:
"Divine Retribution."
WOW.
Don't worry, McCoy's response was mine: "Excuse Me?"
And the DL actually said this:
"Like Many Americans, Jacob Reese believes in an all powerful God who punishes non-believers."
YIKES.
Then a well placed Lot's wife reference.
I killed my daughters teacher because I was afraid that my daughter would experience the wrath of God for loosing her faith - because of what she was learning.
I killed the man to defend my daughters life.
Basically, the character thought that his daughter would literally be struck dead for starting to believe evolution might even be remotely possible
(The real reason of course - because when it's only 10:30 and the killer is caught there is always a real reason - is because she had clamitia from having sex with someone at the school, who Dad thought was the teacher dude. It SUCKS when you get wrongly killed!)
Crazy Christians! Crazy Christians!
I was getting irritated again as I watched this episode - one more idiot Christian being represented as the majority. Damn I hate that!!!!
But then I heard it - the money line.
Someone has been reading my blog!
ADA Rubirosa: (while discussing the defense with her colleagues)
"Yeah, but we come off saying he (Reese) is crazy because he literally believes in Biblical retribution - that plays right into Melnicks hands."
District Attorney :
"Does it? I think people of faith would resent the fact that this guy is trying to hide behind religion."
YESSSSSSS!
YES WE DO!!!!!
A sigh of relief washed over me... David Slack, writer of this episode, has heard my plea for some tiny bit of reality when it comes to faith perspective.
My thanks to you Mr. Slack.
Come over for coffee anytime - I can give you more thoughts about the broader less insane viewpoints of Christians.
But that might not make for juicy Law & Order.
More later folks.......
Sunday, April 8
Prophetess?!?!?!?
I would like to point out that my blog about the A's and Holy Weekend was prophetic.
Now THAT is cool.
Maybe the A's should hire me as their official "prayer warrior".
THAT would be WAY cool.
Now THAT is cool.
Maybe the A's should hire me as their official "prayer warrior".
THAT would be WAY cool.
Saturday, April 7
The A's shamed me last night
Ok, the A's lost last night - Paul and I sat behind Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dumb, drunk out of their minds - and next to this kid who obviously didn't really know anything about baseball, yet insisted on making drunken comments throughout the final innings of the game.
So lame.
I am choosing to see this as a perfect opportunity to remember that it was Good Friday yesterday. There must be darkness before the light. The A's, therefore, will probably loose tonight as well, then have a shockingly heroic and beautiful comeback tomorrow in which the devil and his "Angels of Light" will be beaten back into bubble-gum baseball land (aka "Angels Stadium of Anaheim").
And the world will once again be well.
Praise be to God.
So lame.
I am choosing to see this as a perfect opportunity to remember that it was Good Friday yesterday. There must be darkness before the light. The A's, therefore, will probably loose tonight as well, then have a shockingly heroic and beautiful comeback tomorrow in which the devil and his "Angels of Light" will be beaten back into bubble-gum baseball land (aka "Angels Stadium of Anaheim").
And the world will once again be well.
Praise be to God.
Friday, April 6
Everybody is asking.....
Here we are! Paul is so wonderful. Dontcha just love that smile? It is my favorite smile of his; when his cheeks get all squishy and his eyes start to twinkle and his... well, nevermind!
Anyway!
Pretty much everyone I see has asked me the "name" question - so I shall answer it today.
My new name is:
Michelle Kristina Markwart Deveaux.
Heavenly, isn't it? Notice the lack of hyphen, and the ever so gentle twist of the "x".
Now, what this means is that I will be Michelle Kristina Markwart Deveaux on all legal documents, such as my SS card and Drivers License.
I shall be Michelle Markwart Deveaux or Mrs. Markwart Deveaux on things that require my full name but are not as legal, such as syllabi, or invitations to parties (hint hint) or signing my name on a Gordon Beirsch receipt.
To my friends and family, who know me well I am already Mrs. Deveaux and to my husband (tee-hee! I said my husband) I am Michelle. Or Mrs. Markwart Deveaux. Or Mrs. Deveaux. Or whatever he wants; we have that agreement.
If my name does not fit on something then it shall be shortened to: Michelle K M Deveaux.
I know some of you are surprised that I would even change my name at all, being the strong empowering woman that I am. I will always be a Markwart! I am WAY too sassy and witty and neurotic to NOT be!
The Markwart in me is a woman of commitment and flexibility, of loyal skepticism, and of just plain FUN TIMES!!!
I gotta tell you though, the Deveaux name and legacy is one that I am proud to be a part of.
On the vanity side of things, I mean, really, Michelle Deveaux? How Diva is that name?! I finally get to live up to my star personality! ;)
But even better - the Deveaux name is a legacy of decency and respect.
Paul's grandfather chose the name Deveaux as the family name in the Bahamas - sometime in the early 20th century.
Clinton Deveaux chose the Deveaux name when he was getting his birth certificate. Clinton did not know his father - but he did know a respectable man whom he very much admired with the name Deveaux. When it came time to write "father's" name, Clinton wrote Deveaux.
What this means to me is that Paul's family legacy is one of choosing and determining their futures and their associations. (Anyone who has met Paul also knows that he is a man of determining his future and associations! He is his own man FOR SURE! Just one of the many reasons I married him.)
The Markwart is more of a go-with-the-flow type. But I respect deeply the drive and determination that the Deveaux family name carries and want those characteristics to be in my life as well.
I proudly change my name to include the Deveaux name, embracing all that comes with it.
May I be a parent that passes that name/legacy on to my children and grandchildren. (And hopefully great grandchildren - I plan to live to 110.)
Anyway!Pretty much everyone I see has asked me the "name" question - so I shall answer it today.
My new name is:
Michelle Kristina Markwart Deveaux.
Heavenly, isn't it? Notice the lack of hyphen, and the ever so gentle twist of the "x".
Now, what this means is that I will be Michelle Kristina Markwart Deveaux on all legal documents, such as my SS card and Drivers License.
I shall be Michelle Markwart Deveaux or Mrs. Markwart Deveaux on things that require my full name but are not as legal, such as syllabi, or invitations to parties (hint hint) or signing my name on a Gordon Beirsch receipt.
To my friends and family, who know me well I am already Mrs. Deveaux and to my husband (tee-hee! I said my husband) I am Michelle. Or Mrs. Markwart Deveaux. Or Mrs. Deveaux. Or whatever he wants; we have that agreement.
If my name does not fit on something then it shall be shortened to: Michelle K M Deveaux.
I know some of you are surprised that I would even change my name at all, being the strong empowering woman that I am. I will always be a Markwart! I am WAY too sassy and witty and neurotic to NOT be!
The Markwart in me is a woman of commitment and flexibility, of loyal skepticism, and of just plain FUN TIMES!!!
I gotta tell you though, the Deveaux name and legacy is one that I am proud to be a part of.
On the vanity side of things, I mean, really, Michelle Deveaux? How Diva is that name?! I finally get to live up to my star personality! ;)
But even better - the Deveaux name is a legacy of decency and respect.
Paul's grandfather chose the name Deveaux as the family name in the Bahamas - sometime in the early 20th century.
Clinton Deveaux chose the Deveaux name when he was getting his birth certificate. Clinton did not know his father - but he did know a respectable man whom he very much admired with the name Deveaux. When it came time to write "father's" name, Clinton wrote Deveaux.
What this means to me is that Paul's family legacy is one of choosing and determining their futures and their associations. (Anyone who has met Paul also knows that he is a man of determining his future and associations! He is his own man FOR SURE! Just one of the many reasons I married him.)
The Markwart is more of a go-with-the-flow type. But I respect deeply the drive and determination that the Deveaux family name carries and want those characteristics to be in my life as well.
I proudly change my name to include the Deveaux name, embracing all that comes with it.
May I be a parent that passes that name/legacy on to my children and grandchildren. (And hopefully great grandchildren - I plan to live to 110.)
Tuesday, April 3
Just Married!
Wow. I am married.
Last Friday, March 30, 2007 - Paul and I exchanged vows, rings, laughs and love and now we are hitched.
I gotta tell ya - it is a surreal experience. It truly is one of those things that you don't know what it is like until you are there doing it. And even then - I am not sure if you know what it is like because you are in this foggy place of "what am I doing?" and the whole day is just hitting you upside the head.
It's fabulous really.
Some noteworthy moments:
1) When Paul and I entered the chapel during the processional, there was like this huge gasp. I thought a flower arrangement had fallen over. I was thinking, "Uh-Oh. What happened? Stay calm. Don't look around like a fool." We walked forward, and the arrangements looked fine. I had this little moment of epiphany - people gasped AT ME! (I don't think I looked THAT BAD!)
ANYWAY - at the reception, our friend Erin told me it was the first wedding she had been at where people gasped when the bride entered. WOW! That felt great!
2) Paul was SO hot. Oh my gosh - that kinda hotness shouldn't be legal! He is such a wonderful person. We worked so hard together to make this day reflect our theology and philosophy and lifestyle - and it worked out great. All that to say that God was merciful and gracious to us - it was pouring rain 3 days before on Tuesday - and on Friday we took all our pictures outside in 80 degree slightly breezy goodness.
3) Raymond - Anny's Beau - bought me a Diet Coke at the last minute. So cool.
4) The men were so relaxed before service that the guys all played cards in the Groom's Room. Paul has some amazing dudes in his life. Anthony and Mike and their wives are amazing people that I can't wait to get to know better and better. I am so glad the new friends are so accepting and loving and full of vigor and talent!
5) Miss Rachel - photographess extraordinare took some AMAZING shots..... she is truly one of the best photographers I have ever worked with. SHE IS WORTH FLYING OUT TO DO YOUR WEDDING/HEADSHOTS/PREGNANT PICTURES!!!!!!! Seriously - hire this woman - she is wonderful!
Thanks to all who were there in body and in spirit! We look forward to the big blow out in Summer!!!!!!
Last Friday, March 30, 2007 - Paul and I exchanged vows, rings, laughs and love and now we are hitched.
I gotta tell ya - it is a surreal experience. It truly is one of those things that you don't know what it is like until you are there doing it. And even then - I am not sure if you know what it is like because you are in this foggy place of "what am I doing?" and the whole day is just hitting you upside the head.
It's fabulous really.
Some noteworthy moments:
1) When Paul and I entered the chapel during the processional, there was like this huge gasp. I thought a flower arrangement had fallen over. I was thinking, "Uh-Oh. What happened? Stay calm. Don't look around like a fool." We walked forward, and the arrangements looked fine. I had this little moment of epiphany - people gasped AT ME! (I don't think I looked THAT BAD!)
ANYWAY - at the reception, our friend Erin told me it was the first wedding she had been at where people gasped when the bride entered. WOW! That felt great!
2) Paul was SO hot. Oh my gosh - that kinda hotness shouldn't be legal! He is such a wonderful person. We worked so hard together to make this day reflect our theology and philosophy and lifestyle - and it worked out great. All that to say that God was merciful and gracious to us - it was pouring rain 3 days before on Tuesday - and on Friday we took all our pictures outside in 80 degree slightly breezy goodness.
3) Raymond - Anny's Beau - bought me a Diet Coke at the last minute. So cool.
4) The men were so relaxed before service that the guys all played cards in the Groom's Room. Paul has some amazing dudes in his life. Anthony and Mike and their wives are amazing people that I can't wait to get to know better and better. I am so glad the new friends are so accepting and loving and full of vigor and talent!
5) Miss Rachel - photographess extraordinare took some AMAZING shots..... she is truly one of the best photographers I have ever worked with. SHE IS WORTH FLYING OUT TO DO YOUR WEDDING/HEADSHOTS/PREGNANT PICTURES!!!!!!! Seriously - hire this woman - she is wonderful!
Thanks to all who were there in body and in spirit! We look forward to the big blow out in Summer!!!!!!
Saturday, March 24
Sunday, March 4
Law and Order: CI
Most of you know that I am a die hard Law & Order fan. ALL of them. I used to TiVo it, but then we got rid of TiVo, and now I watch it semi-religiously on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Tuesday 9pm being Criminal Intent and 10 pm being Special Victims Unit, Friday 10pm being 'the original".
When I can't watch, I iTunes the episodes and watch later. I even have Paul sucked in and it is part of date night. We just gotta be home by 10. Paul mentioned in his "I love you but I am calling you out on your junk" way that I am dedicated to Law & Order, and supposedly dedicated to the faith/culture dialogue, yet he has yet to see a post on the show and all the theological things that I rant about in relation to it. So here is the first:
Two L&O's in the past month have been using the “preacher gone gay” subject matter as material for screenplays. What is fascinating to me is not the whole "ripped from the headlines" thing (L&O has always done that) but how people of faith are being portrayed in these episodes. I have to applaud and shake my finger at the writer of "Brother's Keeper", Marsha Norman (with story help from Warren Leight) for her/their eerily realistic portrayal of how some Evangelicals act, and her/their lack of seeing the scope of Christianity.
Newsflash to culture: NOT ALL CHRISTIANS THINK THE SAME THINGAll story aside, as I would hate to spoil anything, we see many instances in L&O where the faith people portrayed are Neo-Fundamentalist, not Evangelical, but the label Evangelical is used to describe said Neo-Fundamentalists. This disturbs me greatly – but it also informs me as to why most people who may not be Christ-driven think that Evangelicals are people who believe certain things like, say, anyone who doesn’t believe the Bible is perfect will go to a literal Hell.
People care about the “Godtalk” of TV. People are in culture and they are thinking about this show theologically… Even if they don’t phrase it like that.
Check out this comment from the official website:
“Moving on, I agree in that Stabler is cute... And I know divorce is a sin. My parents got divorced, and it was my mom's fault. My father was a devout Catholic and would never have consented but my mom moved us to Florida from North Carolina because in North Carolina you need the consent of both adults to go through with a divorce but in Florida you only need one. Too bad my father never caught on to her little manipulative game... I feel for him though. I miss my father very much and i hate that Stabler's relationship with his daughters is strained.
sMyRnaBeaCHBabE21
March 4 - 5:07pm PT”
Now to be fair, there was one episode of SVU where we got to see a gentler version; maybe even we could call it a more grace-filled version, of Christianity. Several women who had been raped were searching for their rapist before the statute of limitations ran out. One of the victims knew her rapist, but refused to turn him in. Why? Because she was Brethren. That was the show’s explanation. Her faith prompted her to but action behind the thought that forgiveness outweighs (in this case) New York state law. BTW: the link to the episode no longer exists.
L&O – highly theological, not necessarily highly accurate. So maybe our job is to help explain.
Tuesday 9pm being Criminal Intent and 10 pm being Special Victims Unit, Friday 10pm being 'the original".
When I can't watch, I iTunes the episodes and watch later. I even have Paul sucked in and it is part of date night. We just gotta be home by 10. Paul mentioned in his "I love you but I am calling you out on your junk" way that I am dedicated to Law & Order, and supposedly dedicated to the faith/culture dialogue, yet he has yet to see a post on the show and all the theological things that I rant about in relation to it. So here is the first:
Two L&O's in the past month have been using the “preacher gone gay” subject matter as material for screenplays. What is fascinating to me is not the whole "ripped from the headlines" thing (L&O has always done that) but how people of faith are being portrayed in these episodes. I have to applaud and shake my finger at the writer of "Brother's Keeper", Marsha Norman (with story help from Warren Leight) for her/their eerily realistic portrayal of how some Evangelicals act, and her/their lack of seeing the scope of Christianity.
Newsflash to culture: NOT ALL CHRISTIANS THINK THE SAME THINGAll story aside, as I would hate to spoil anything, we see many instances in L&O where the faith people portrayed are Neo-Fundamentalist, not Evangelical, but the label Evangelical is used to describe said Neo-Fundamentalists. This disturbs me greatly – but it also informs me as to why most people who may not be Christ-driven think that Evangelicals are people who believe certain things like, say, anyone who doesn’t believe the Bible is perfect will go to a literal Hell.
People care about the “Godtalk” of TV. People are in culture and they are thinking about this show theologically… Even if they don’t phrase it like that.
Check out this comment from the official website:
“Moving on, I agree in that Stabler is cute... And I know divorce is a sin. My parents got divorced, and it was my mom's fault. My father was a devout Catholic and would never have consented but my mom moved us to Florida from North Carolina because in North Carolina you need the consent of both adults to go through with a divorce but in Florida you only need one. Too bad my father never caught on to her little manipulative game... I feel for him though. I miss my father very much and i hate that Stabler's relationship with his daughters is strained.
sMyRnaBeaCHBabE21
March 4 - 5:07pm PT”
Now to be fair, there was one episode of SVU where we got to see a gentler version; maybe even we could call it a more grace-filled version, of Christianity. Several women who had been raped were searching for their rapist before the statute of limitations ran out. One of the victims knew her rapist, but refused to turn him in. Why? Because she was Brethren. That was the show’s explanation. Her faith prompted her to but action behind the thought that forgiveness outweighs (in this case) New York state law. BTW: the link to the episode no longer exists.
L&O – highly theological, not necessarily highly accurate. So maybe our job is to help explain.
Monday, February 26
Hollywood in Financial Crisis?
I heard on NPR this morning that Hollywood is making waves in Washington DC. They want the government to stand up against pirates. And Johnny Depp has nothing to do with it. Or maybe he does. At least his films made money. So what that they made some crazy amount like $300,000,000 world-wide on Curse of the Black Pearl - they made it on a projected budget of $140,000,000. We should all know that a film is NEVER made at or below budget. So, they only doubled their money.
Click this and then click the link to "Hollywood Has a Tough Audience in Congree" to hear what KPCC and Dan Glickman has to say about it.
Who is Dan Glickman? An ex-politician turned head of the MPAA and is afraid that people will think that film people are "a bunch of rich people in Hollywood making a lot of money on the movies."
-----But wait?!
-----Aren't they????
Yes and No. It's more like, "a bunch a rich people in Hollywood using other rich people's money to make a lot of money on movies while nickel and diming a lot of the people who put in the most hours." At least that is what I hear.
I also hear that Hollywood is one of the last professional arenas in the USA where hard work, dedication, and persistance will get you where you want to be just as much as a degree from Harvard.
Perhaps because Hollywood is so glamorized in the rest of the nation, we forget that there are people who are in LA on sets and shoots and in production offices that are there because they love it AND get to make money doing it! Isn't that a deep desire in us all anyway?
Your thoughts....
Click this and then click the link to "Hollywood Has a Tough Audience in Congree" to hear what KPCC and Dan Glickman has to say about it.
Who is Dan Glickman? An ex-politician turned head of the MPAA and is afraid that people will think that film people are "a bunch of rich people in Hollywood making a lot of money on the movies."
-----But wait?!
-----Aren't they????
Yes and No. It's more like, "a bunch a rich people in Hollywood using other rich people's money to make a lot of money on movies while nickel and diming a lot of the people who put in the most hours." At least that is what I hear.
I also hear that Hollywood is one of the last professional arenas in the USA where hard work, dedication, and persistance will get you where you want to be just as much as a degree from Harvard.
Perhaps because Hollywood is so glamorized in the rest of the nation, we forget that there are people who are in LA on sets and shoots and in production offices that are there because they love it AND get to make money doing it! Isn't that a deep desire in us all anyway?
Your thoughts....
Thursday, February 22
Might as well have fun with it.
I figured since they made me "upgrade", I might as well play around with the look of things. Take advantage of the new features I have given my email soul up for.
POOP!
So, they no longer let me sign in using the "old blogger" account, so I had to sign up for a Google account, which I never wanted and now I have to remember a new password and a new username because they wouldn't use the old one. On top of that, I can't switch over to any other site without having access to "new blogger".
I guess Google bought blogger and now they are the gatekeepers of the domain, which means they want to know everything about you before they let you do anything of interest. It is like, so, totally Brave New World/1984.
grrrr.
I guess Google bought blogger and now they are the gatekeepers of the domain, which means they want to know everything about you before they let you do anything of interest. It is like, so, totally Brave New World/1984.
grrrr.
Thursday, February 15
FINALLY!!!!
HOLY COW!
It only took me a week to figure out how to log in to my blog and post without having to change up all these fancy new log in account things.
NOTE TO ALL WHO READ THIS!
I am working on a new blog/website/domain thing... so be informed that soon and very soon you may be typing in some new letters to read all about it.
I need to apologize, first of all, for totally flaking on my vow for a post a day. Writing is like scrubbing the toilet to me. I hate actually doing it, but I sure do love the way it looks and smells after. It's like you can sit your little tushie down worry free. And THAT is something to be happy about.
I have come to the realization that wedding planning is a pain in the ass and that if I knew that six months ago, I would have hired a wedding planner, told him or her that the colors are purple, silver and black, and Paul and I will see you on March 30th. Have your way with it.
Now, I am absolutely sure that this would backfire and that this is not REALLY what Paul and I want, but just as Dr. Clay Schmidt's office and two witnesses sounds better everyday - so does the wedding planner.
I guess I am having fun when I am not busy with other stuff, like, ya know, work. I can definitely see that this was a lot of happy good times to young lovelies who had/have nothing else to do but plan their weddings. Today however, we lovelies have lots to do beside plan a wedding, so it can be a bit stressful - especially for those who aren't called to be planners in the first place (pick me! pick me!)
Some good stuff to know:
I am on a mission to facilitate the faith/culture/media dialogue. I thought I would let you know so that it will not surprise you if the tone of the muse changes a bit.
I read this great blog the other day, where the tagline was:
"Blogging is easy, commenting is hard."
Gotta love it.
It only took me a week to figure out how to log in to my blog and post without having to change up all these fancy new log in account things.
NOTE TO ALL WHO READ THIS!
I am working on a new blog/website/domain thing... so be informed that soon and very soon you may be typing in some new letters to read all about it.
I need to apologize, first of all, for totally flaking on my vow for a post a day. Writing is like scrubbing the toilet to me. I hate actually doing it, but I sure do love the way it looks and smells after. It's like you can sit your little tushie down worry free. And THAT is something to be happy about.
I have come to the realization that wedding planning is a pain in the ass and that if I knew that six months ago, I would have hired a wedding planner, told him or her that the colors are purple, silver and black, and Paul and I will see you on March 30th. Have your way with it.
Now, I am absolutely sure that this would backfire and that this is not REALLY what Paul and I want, but just as Dr. Clay Schmidt's office and two witnesses sounds better everyday - so does the wedding planner.
I guess I am having fun when I am not busy with other stuff, like, ya know, work. I can definitely see that this was a lot of happy good times to young lovelies who had/have nothing else to do but plan their weddings. Today however, we lovelies have lots to do beside plan a wedding, so it can be a bit stressful - especially for those who aren't called to be planners in the first place (pick me! pick me!)
Some good stuff to know:
I am on a mission to facilitate the faith/culture/media dialogue. I thought I would let you know so that it will not surprise you if the tone of the muse changes a bit.
I read this great blog the other day, where the tagline was:
"Blogging is easy, commenting is hard."
Gotta love it.
Friday, January 5
Tuesday, January 2
Home from the Holidays
So PDog and I arrived safe and sound from Atlanta via NorCal yesterday. I slept through my alarm and woke up after a 10 hour slumber to be late for work.
Way to go, genius. Start the year off right! Wahoo.
I was so excited and pleased to meet PDog's parents and other members of the fam.
I got to meet his Uncle, several Aunts, some cousins, Grammie, and neighbors of his parents.
It was a wonderfully large Christmas. I will have to get used to that, for sure. I think there were like twenty people there and they were all commenting on different levels about who wasn't there and who is missing and who was missable.
New Year's eve was spent with my fam. There were five of us.
I am gearing up for a conference I am singing at in a couple weeks and for the Sundance Film Festival. Also trying to decide what to get the Mister for his birthday.
February brings Mom down for a D-land trip and several appointments with the seamstress.
Then, March is full of packing and moving and marrying. Everything is happening so fast! I am tired already :)
Way to go, genius. Start the year off right! Wahoo.
I was so excited and pleased to meet PDog's parents and other members of the fam.
I got to meet his Uncle, several Aunts, some cousins, Grammie, and neighbors of his parents.
It was a wonderfully large Christmas. I will have to get used to that, for sure. I think there were like twenty people there and they were all commenting on different levels about who wasn't there and who is missing and who was missable.
New Year's eve was spent with my fam. There were five of us.
I am gearing up for a conference I am singing at in a couple weeks and for the Sundance Film Festival. Also trying to decide what to get the Mister for his birthday.
February brings Mom down for a D-land trip and several appointments with the seamstress.
Then, March is full of packing and moving and marrying. Everything is happening so fast! I am tired already :)
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