numb

I'll be upfront. This isn't going to be the most "uplifting" blog. Everything within my being would like to talk about all the amazing things that are going on in the world - because there ARE amazing things going on the world. However, be it the media or the negative creatures around us, I (as well as the rest of the world) seems to be conditioned towards all the horrendous events going on the world. With that being said, I believe that I have become numb. The news saddens me. It's hard to have meaningful conversations with those I consider "friends like family" because I know so many people who are struggling. However, my recent "emotion" with everything has just been a certain numbness.

How did I come to notice this? Well, to be honest, the whole thing with the tsunami is what is making me think about this. I'm really overwhelmed with the number of people that have perished, and that the number is still climbing. I'm overwhelmed with what they as a people must be going through. However, I feel like I don't have enough compassion. I feel like, my thoughts go along this pattern. "Wow. That's insane. I feel bad for them." How uncompassionate is that? However, I think that with the war stuff, all the violence and crime that happens on a daily basis, not to mention all the ficticious violence that we expose ourselves to frequently, I have let myself become numb to what is really going on in the world, and what crisis really exists.

Here's an example of what I mean. I saw the movie "The Day After Tomorrow" not that long ago. Here I am, watching a movie about the world being destroyed by these forces of nature. We see these kinds of movies all the time - where people are perishing left and right. And it's all fake, right? You aren't necessarily emotionally invested because you know the actors and actresses involved, you know that it's taking place in some studio or being digitally created, and it creates this line of seperation in one's head that "It's ok. They're not really hurt." Now, I don't want to make this sound like a little kid who doesn't know that Santa Claus isn't real, however, is it possible that these kinds of movies, and the oversaturation in the media is causing a possible numbness? I know I sure feel it... And maybe it was self created. It doesn't matter. It exists. And it makes me sick to my stomach...

So how do I become a more culturally sensitive person? How do I show more compassion? How do I live a life that's worth living - loving people like they've never been loved before? I'm not entirely sure... There are so many people and situations in the world that need a tremendous amount of passion and love. World Aids Day was not that long ago. During Christmas, there are always telethons for this disease or that disease. There were so many people being fed at the homeless shelters here in Milwaukee on Christmas even, it was insane. All these situations, all these people... Compassion and love. Christ set up an amazing example for us, but it's a hard act to follow, you know?

I pray for a life like that, that can be lived full of compassion and love...

window sessions

hello my friends. it's that time once again to post a new playlist... I know, you can hardly contain your excitement.
some of the songs on my playlist are old. some are new. but let me say, I have never enjoyed a playlist as much as this one. I'm not entirely sure why, but I absolutely love listening to it.
so, here goes... the window sessions

The District Sleeps Alone Tonight - Postal Service
My December - Linkin Park
Work - Jimmy Eat World
Beautiful Ways - Pat McGee Band
The Boy's Gone - Jason Mraz
In Other Words - Ben Kweller
A Lack of Color - Death Cab for Cutie
Breakaway - Kelly Clarkson
True - Ryan Cabrera
Grace - Nicole Nordman covering U2
Elevator Beat - Nancy Wilson
Flyin High - Jem
Such Great Heights - Iron & Wine covering Postal Service
Life Can't Grow - Zoppi
Lucky - Seven Mary Three
Fair - Remy Zero
Carry On - Kadence
Streamside - The Album Leaf
Bedshaped - Keane
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own - U2
Last Thing - Diana Anaid
Reason Why - Rachel Yamagata
Close Your Eyes - Jump Little Children
Rain City - Turin Brakes

don't make fun for the few pop artists that are on there... I dig.

stay tuned for CD reviews on the new Jimmy Eat World "Futures" and Keane... And also a movie review on "Coffee and Cigaretttes" and hopefully by the next time I write I will have seen "The Life Aquatic".

night all. drink sprite, and you'll be ok.

GSCOODD!

HAPPY GARDEN-STATE-COMING-OUT-ON-DVD-DAY!

sight or sound

I had a conversation with a friend of mine a while back. We were discussing which would be worse - to lose your sense of sight or your sense of hearing? We duked it out a while, debating which would be worse, both of creating pretty strong arguments. I believe that I tended to lean towards sight. I would not want to lose my sight. Reason being, I would not get to experience so many things that move me deeply. I would not get to see another sunset. I would not get to see the ocean again. If I am blessed to have kids, I wouldn't get to see what they look like, and I wouldn't be able to see the wonder on their faces. I would never be able to see beautiful artwork again - a beautiful panting, an amazing photograph... I would have such a large void not getting to see these things ever again.

However, as I sat at my parents church on Christmas Eve, I was listening to orchestra music. Now granted, this is not some major symphony or amazing musical ensemble, but they were pretty good. However, as I sat and listened to this music, I had such emotion stirred within me. There is something about music that is so amazing. I have loved it as far back as I can remember, and even now, I crave new music all the time. I was just thinking to myself that my iTunes collection is the most odd mixture of music. I have hip/hop & rap in there, I have hard rock and old school metal in there, I have total pop music, I think Enya is in there somewhere, I have big band music, I have instrumental soundtrack music in there, and I even have weird Viggo Mortensen music that makes absolutely NO sense. But music has always been a huge part of my life. I played piano for 8 years. I currently play the djembe, and like to goof around on guitar. I'm hooked on playing with Garage Band and can play for hours. And there would be no more "Name that Tune" while driving along in the car. What would I do if I couldn't hear? There are many more reasons to think about, but this one hit me kind of hard as I left my conversation with my friend, and as I was sitting listening to all these random instruments the other night, making the most beautiful sounds.

I know, I know... I haven't lost either of these senses yet. But it was definitely something I thought about as I left that conversation. I realize, it's kind of a depressing thought process. However, it makes you think what sorts of things are most important to you too. I have yet to come down on one side or the other, but it definitely made me more grateful for the fact that I have fully functioning senses.

thoughts of the far off

Today, I sat and listened to a man named Marajin talk about the company I work for... I heard what he was saying, but the whole time I was thinking about "Where is his accent from?" I analyzed all the European countries I could think he MIGHT be from, only to find out he was from one I hadn't thought of - the Netherlands. What are the Netherlands like, anyway? And who would have thought he was from there - I mean, how often do you hear someone do a "Netherlands" accent? Not very recognizable... Anyway, a few weeks ago, my professor was talking about a trip to Spain that he's leading this summer - SPAIN! Could you imagine? In a few weeks he's also taking a group of people to England and Ireland. Just today I learned about a friend of mine from high school who taught in China and is now going BACK to China to teach. The other day I was listening to Sigur Ros - a band from Iceland - wondering what Iceland would be like? There is so much out there... And I've seen so little of it. I have been realizing lately that not only do I own a desire to move out of the house, I also desire to live in a different country. Call it a huge desire to travel, but I can't stand the fact that there is so much of the world to see, and I've only seen a mere fraction of it. And I don't want to just see it for a week. Or two weeks. Part of me had a moment of panic... "God, does this mean I need to become a missionary?" I'm not sure though that if that WERE the case that I'd be a missionary in the traditional sense. Who's to say I couldn't move to New Zealand, pursue some sort of "career" (whatever that may be), get to know people and start a house church that way. Or move to Ireland (ha, that'd be a challenge) or Thailand. Who knows... I don't even have a specific place in mind. I've just had my mind in places that are not here. I'm not even sure where God would lead me. But it's kind of cool to think that once I graduate from school, anything is fair game... Cool thought. Who knows. Maybe one year from today, from this exact post, I'll be telling you I'm moving to Austrailia. Or Iceland. Or Beliz. Good to think about. Fun times.

nes quest

ok folks.

I'm on a quest. An NES quest. What exactly is NES? Nintendo Entertainment System. Yes, that's right. Nintendo. I have had a few conversations with people recently about Nintendo, and I've realized as of late how unbelievably fun it would be to have one. So I'm on a quest. I bid on one on Ebay - it even had 2 of the three games I wanted! I'm looking to own Mario 3, Castlevania, and Maniac Mansion. But I was outbid. I have a bid in on another one, so we'll see what happens.

So keep your eyes and ears open kiddies, and let me know if you know anything, or have any good NES connectiosn.