Closer

There is this song called closer by Travis that will make you belch butterflys and daisys after you watch the video. There are other good songs, too, but you know I can't just write about songs all day.

I have my presentation for Vegas ready to go. I was going to see if I could catch any shows while I was there, but it seems like most of the ticket prices start around $100, so I think I'll pass. I'd much rather pay the $150 for the admirals package at the Star Trek Experience (you get a TOS Communicator included *SWEET*). I'm sure there will be lots of free things to do, including the wave pool at the hotel I'm staying at (The Monte Carlo). The conference *ahem* however will be the pinnacle of my academic career, being able to present my work to professional researchers and academia. I've spent about 21 years in school, and what better way to end the experience? I still can't believe how I'm continually blessed.

I'm probably not going to post again until I get back which will be almost a week, just in time for a wedding!

Dan: "will you stand up with me"
Ketchup: "no, I'm just ketchup"

OH NO THE SQUIRRELS

The theme for the week? Squirrels are evil.
Not only does David Crowder not like squirrels, but so do other people it seems. I've always, however, enjoyed these big-tailed rats as well as others accross the net. Is this going to be a future cause for conflict? I hope not so. We should all bury an acorn of peace with one anther before things go nuts.

I had a good weekend, and enjoyed my Moon Burger. Wedding plans are coming along smoothly and preparations for next week's trip to Sinland, or Las Vegas, are underway. I get to stay at the Monte Carlo Resort and give a presentation on wireless device hacking. After that I'm going to Quark's bar and not order a warp core breach.

goin home

Going home this weekend. Making more wedding plans and hopefully have a moon burger. I've included a youtube video for your enjoyment. Something some of us may probably know, but not quite in the same way.



Ben found it, and it's german.

So we saw this guy...

Hey this is the first post for my new blog, so say yippee to your neighbor.

I have been doing a lot of things this summer already, and it really hasn't had a chance to really start. Moving is hard work. Especially if you're moving more than one person. Cat and I had so much fun moving, not. I'm looking for a job up and down and all around in Springfield, and she's doing the internship thing.

I know in the past I usually talk about all the cool books I've been reading and the music I have been listening to. None of that has changed, although there is a lesson to be learned. If all you do is go from one trendy book to the next, you're really not going to learn. I read through Blue Like Jazz again recently. That book reminded me what made me feel alive in the beginning. After keeping up with trendy Christian scene for so long, it was a real breath of air to reread the first piece of trendy I have ever seen. It brought everything back into perspective to what it's really all about. What is the underlying message? Maybe you should (re)read the book and think about it. It certainly does change your perspective on things...

We saw my favorite Christian worship musician last Tuesday in Quincy, IL. He even came out to meet the audience and everything. It was a great time to be had by all of us jumping people.

Cat thought he was cute, but I sent her to bed with no supper.

But back to trendy Christian-dom. What it means to me is a way for 20 somethings and below to feel accepted and hip in the wide variety of God's people (in a safe way). The old addage is to be in the world but not of the world. The world was made by God, and He has given us instructions on how to use it. He allows some to not use it purely to their benefit and others to suffer for reasons too complex to discuss here, but there are still those who love people and how they express that love comes in different packages. As 20-something Americans, we like being trendy and well there's a venue for that, if nothing else but to get us to that higher plane of knowledge on what it's really all about (it's better than you can realize).

While I'm thinking of this subject, now would probably be a good time to give you a taste of trendy Christian-dom. I can be kind've snobby about my music, and my tastes change from time to time, but I've found some streaming music from Relevant's website is perfect for work and other music-less situations. When you're away from your music collection, but on your computer, try it out for a while. I can't get some of these songs out of my head. Just look up relevant tv under media on their website. it's kind've like a streaming MTVu only all the music is positive and not about being an angsty playa (refreshing). They even have Christian gangsta rap... well not really. Most of the music will not implant subconscious notions to vote republican or wear Jesus parody T-shirts, it's just music. Most of the bands you've never heard of and wonder where they've been in your life.

yeah that guy we saw was pretty cool, when everyone was rushing him after the show I couldn't help but notice all of the Jesus parody t's. His of course proudly displayed his love of Pennzoil. What is love? love is such a large word, is it the same to say you love Jesus and you love a burrito...

Jesus>love>burrito