I used to think much like the writers of the "West Wing" that education is the silver bullet. Education could keep people out of jail. Education ends violence. Education would even help to eradicate disease. Now I've come to the realization that meetings, not education, are the silver bullet to all of the world's problems. The only problem with that is, most meetings are really dull, boring, and unproductive.
I just read on John C. Maxwell's Twitter that he thinks "When a meeting is good, it's never long enough. When bad, it can't end soon enough." We've all sat through countless meetings. We were sitting in meetings even before we knew what meetings were. We had parent/teacher meetings, or an appointment to meet with a doctor. We've been meeting our whole lives and didn't even know it. You meet your soulmate. You meet your enemies. You meet new people and reaquaint yourself with old friends by meeting them on Facebook.
Of course, the meetings mentioned above are on your terms and are, presumably, of your own will. Meetings in the business world aren't of your own will. We are all forced to sit in droll meetings that seem to go on and on and on and on. The Energizer Bunny has nothing on these meetings.
An article published December 5, 2007 in The Onion tried to poke fun of meetings. The article stated, "Our meetings have become disorganized and sprawling, and far too much time is lost to non- actionable items." The article, being from The Onion, had a funny spin to it. The writer proposed having more meetings to solve the meeting problem. This seems to be what we all do.
I've been to almost 100 meetings in my time at this church (only a year). That's one meeting every 3 1/2 days. Not that I'm counting! But I can't relate to you how many minutes and hours I've spent having my time wasted by people being late to the meetings. Or people bringing "non-actionable" items to meetings. Or people just rambling on about something that doesn't pertain to the meeting or the people in the meeting.
Sometimes I sit across from the clock in our meetings. It's interesting to see who uses the most time in meetings talking. It's just as interesting to see who interrupts the most in those same meetings. Do you think that the people talking the most and interrupting the most are the same? You bet they are!
I have read many times a book called "Death By Meeting" by Patrick Lencioni. The book is subtitled "A Leadership Fable About Solving the Most Painful Problem in Business." That says it all...and includes all of our thoughts about meetings.
The book is a fiction story about a man who runs his own business but has terrible meetings, which is hurting his business and morale. Until a young business-minded new guy comes in and changes all that. Without a doubt the book ends happy and everyone is successful again. The book also outlines the proper way to have meetings.
One point the book makes is about meeting times and different kinds of meetings. Staff meetings are weekly and therefore should be strictly kept to an hour. Staff retreats are all day-long events. Planning meetings are once a month and can be three to four hours. Then there are the daily check-ins, where whoever is there gets together to let everyone else know what they've been doing. The daily check-ins only last five minutes! I can't imagine having a meeting for five minutes...but how refreshing!
Another point the book makes is the one minute briefing in the weekly staff meeting. Each person has one minute to say what they want to talk about at the meeting. The leader then makes an agenda. Then you follow the agenda. You don't necessarily go around in a circle, in the same direction every week. And everyone doesn't necessarily get to say everything they need to.
BUT...and this is a big one...BUUUUUUUUUUUUT the leader can choose topics that will engage the whole group. The leader is able to mine for conflict. Because conflict creates results. You don't get results from everyone just by letting the topics pass them by.
I'll admit, I'm a very passive person in our weekly staff meetings. I don't usually pipe up for any reason until it's my turn. And even then I keep my comments to the bare minimun. Ocassionally, I will leave out topics that I would like to cover just because I don't want to hear what people have to say about them. But, that's part of not being engaged and not wanting to stretch out an already overly-long meeting.
How dare me. So hypocritical. But you can see that although I know the secrets to having a good meeting, I don't live by them, becuase living by them is difficult. But if we were to get past the difficulty, then we could solve all our problems...or at least the one's the leader has chosen for us.
There is no "i" in team...unless you spell it phonetically: [tim]. No, I'm kidding, but only because I'm reminded of something from John C. Maxwell's book "The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork." The first law is the law of significance and states, "One is too small a number to achieve greatness."
This to me says what the old Chinese proverb says, "Behind an able man there are always other able men." But...again, another but...I take the second part of that proverb seriously. There has to be those people behind the first that are willing and able. During meetings we've all been up against negativity and skepticism. Those people aren't able or willing, but what if they were engaged during the meeting? Would they then be more willing to look at your idea instead of stifle it?
I can't help but look again at "West Wing." Such a great show, but during the show there were so many meetings held. I can only think that perhaps the real White House runs with so much energy and forward flowing movement. Meetings were the place where problems were solved. Each person had the opportunity to weigh in. People disagreed, but were on each other's side in the end.
One instance I remember is a meeting with the President playing chess with his head of communications, who had just made a huge public blunder. I don't remember exactly what was said, but words were exchanged and yelling happened, but in the end all was forgiven and the problem was fixed.
Now, I know that we can't all live in a television show. Sometimes problems are just big and harry and ugly. But I would implore anyone reading to engage yourself in your meetings and to cause that conflict with positive results. I would like everyone to bring only actionable items to their next meeting and challenge yourself to keep your personal agenda and needless goings on to a minimum.
I'm willing to give it a shot, even if we don't play chess during it and even if we don't meet for the five minute check in. It's hard to do, but I'm sure we can solve this "meeting problem" when we meet next time here on my blog.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Movie Marathon
I know...two posts in one day. What will the blogosphere think of this? Especially from someone who has missed blogging for almost two weeks. Never fear, this is just a quick, drive by review of some of the movies I've seen lately.
We'll start about three weeks back when my wife and I went to the theater to see "Adventureland." First off, let me say GREAT movie. I thought it was smart and very very funny. Kristen Wiig from Saturday Night Live is hilarious, although her part is quite small.
The story is about a recent college grad named James. His parents were loaded and now they aren't and can't afford to help him go to grad school. James has to find a summer job. After the family moves, that seems darn near impossible, but lucky for James - and the movie goers - he finds a job at a local theme park called...you guessed it, Adventureland.
Relationships with the not-so-hot, but interesting and elusive, girl ensue. I'd like to interject here that it seems that movies "like this" (and by like this I'm thinking of Juno and Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist...movies where it seems that more drugs were done that you care to think about while filming) seem to be casting a different kind of leading girl. She's not quite pretty, but she's quick and funny. She isn't the Hollywood norm. I don't mind this casting choice for any of these movies. I would rather watch someone who's funny and interesting that someone who isn't.
Anyway, I digress. There is a lot of on screen drug use in the film. A lot of swearing, of course. You can't have a coming of age story without it. What I really liked about the film was the subtlety. There were a lot of penis jokes, whether being kicked/punched in said penis or hiding something that just "came up." But they were subtle and not so Euro Trip or Harold and Kumar. The humor was dry and I would guess that not everyone would get it.
For example, we were sitting behind a row of guys who I would consider unsavory and rather douchy. Guys who probably would have beaten me up in high school if I wouldn't have had a protective older sister and been abnormally tall. You could tell they liked to party like they were in college and probably drank at the Hooters down the street every Wednesday. I feel quite certain that these people didn't get the movie. They didn't get the humor.
I can't say this fact with complete certainty. It's not like I was holding some sort of scientific experiment and these are my findings, but they didn't laugh at the "funny" parts. They laughed more at the crotch jokes and the pot smoking.
Well, to make a long story short...too late...Iwould recommend this movie. It's funny and sweet and will make you wish you had this experience coming straight out of college.
The next movie my wife and I saw we rented from the RedBox. Rachel Getting Married is another indy film that we thought would be good. In the past, we've had great luck with indy films. One of our favorites is Y tu Mama Tambien. But this was recommended by a friend on Facebook and I thought, "I like that person, so I'm probably going to like this movie."
Boy, was I wrong. I suppose you could talk about the fact that it was very "real." You could talk about the toasting scene at the wedding rehearsal dinner. The real time shots of people giving toasts and the awkwardness of waiting for the dysfunction to come out. I suppose you could talk just about the dysfunction. I think my family puts the fun in dysfunction, but not like this. NOT like this.
Maybe the movie was too "real" for me. It could have hit too close to home, dealing with addicts at family gatherings and ignoring the pink elephant in the room, but behind their back holding your nose because the booze are just too strong. Maybe.
I don't know...perhaps you would like this film. It's a little depressing and maybe in the right mood you would enjoy it, but as for my opinion, I did not.
The next movie we saw was also from the RedBox...and at the recommendation of my sister: Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist. Also, a cute movie. I would agree with what's been said that the plot is about the journey, not the destination.
I thought the acting was great and I really enjoyed all the twists and turns that you were taken on as the night progressed. I will admit, though, that getting gum and phone out of a puky toilet was not my cup of tea. If that ruins the movie for you, just deal with it. You'll be glad you had fair warning.
The movie follows two teens around New York City as they search for a band that they both like. Along they way they meet up with ex's and lose a friend (which is where the puky toilet comes in). There are those supporting characters that don't really have any back story, but are helpful to the plot...like fairy godmothers.
All-in-all, I would recommend this movie, but you don't have to take my word for it! Take it away Lavar Burton.
The final movie I've recently seen is Religulous. This definitely isn't a movie for everyone. Bill Maher takes a film crew around the world to find what people think about religion, whether that be good, bad, funny at the person's expense, or whatever.
I enjoyed this movie. I thought it was really funny. There were three parts of the movie I'd like to point out: first, in the Truckstop Chapel, after a man had been so overcome with anger at Maher asking questions about faith, he leaves. I'm not pointing out the leaving man, but the men who stayed to talk to Maher. They weren't evangelizing, but just answering, what I thought were respectable questions about faith. At the end of this segment, Maher asked the men to pray for him, which they did, as he observed them praying. He was just asking questions, without the intent of making people mad, but yet tempers were flaired.
The second segment is one that has been talked about at my church as well as on movie review shows...the old man in St. Peter's basilica. The man is the highest priest at the Vatican, second to the Pope. He spoke quite openly that the Bible is just a book. A good book that should be taken seriously, but still just a book. The church is trying to work internally at getting people to see that there is more to religion that killing in the name of God, or using God's name for ill.
The final point I'd like to show light on is the good Dr. segment. Bill Maher sat down with a man that is named Rev. Dr. something. As he was being seated, Maher asked if he should call the man Reverend, but he said, "You can just call me doctor." Across the bottom of the screen was flashed..."He isn't a doctor." Then, "He has no degree whatsoever." And, his first name wasn't doctor either. So, don't try that one on me. The conversation turned to the man's fine clothing that had been funded by his congregation and the discussion that Jesus fought FOR the poor, not taking money from them. The good doctor couldn't understand that his clothes were paid for by the poor.
There are many memorable segments, I'm sure edited from many bad ones. There is Bill talking to Jesus at Bibleland, being kicked off of the Mormon Temple's lawn, being taken on an illegal tour of the highest Mosque in Jerusalem, or sitting down with Jesus Miranda...you know, the second coming of Christ.
Again, I thought this was a funny movie. Would I recommend it...eh...not sure. It depends on who you are. Do you want to be mad about religion? Then, sure. Rent it and laugh. Are you up for defending your religion to a movie and a person (Bill Maher) who can't hear you through the tv? This is the movie for you. If you aren't any of these things...I wouldn't waste the money.
We'll start about three weeks back when my wife and I went to the theater to see "Adventureland." First off, let me say GREAT movie. I thought it was smart and very very funny. Kristen Wiig from Saturday Night Live is hilarious, although her part is quite small.
The story is about a recent college grad named James. His parents were loaded and now they aren't and can't afford to help him go to grad school. James has to find a summer job. After the family moves, that seems darn near impossible, but lucky for James - and the movie goers - he finds a job at a local theme park called...you guessed it, Adventureland.
Relationships with the not-so-hot, but interesting and elusive, girl ensue. I'd like to interject here that it seems that movies "like this" (and by like this I'm thinking of Juno and Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist...movies where it seems that more drugs were done that you care to think about while filming) seem to be casting a different kind of leading girl. She's not quite pretty, but she's quick and funny. She isn't the Hollywood norm. I don't mind this casting choice for any of these movies. I would rather watch someone who's funny and interesting that someone who isn't.
Anyway, I digress. There is a lot of on screen drug use in the film. A lot of swearing, of course. You can't have a coming of age story without it. What I really liked about the film was the subtlety. There were a lot of penis jokes, whether being kicked/punched in said penis or hiding something that just "came up." But they were subtle and not so Euro Trip or Harold and Kumar. The humor was dry and I would guess that not everyone would get it.
For example, we were sitting behind a row of guys who I would consider unsavory and rather douchy. Guys who probably would have beaten me up in high school if I wouldn't have had a protective older sister and been abnormally tall. You could tell they liked to party like they were in college and probably drank at the Hooters down the street every Wednesday. I feel quite certain that these people didn't get the movie. They didn't get the humor.
I can't say this fact with complete certainty. It's not like I was holding some sort of scientific experiment and these are my findings, but they didn't laugh at the "funny" parts. They laughed more at the crotch jokes and the pot smoking.
Well, to make a long story short...too late...Iwould recommend this movie. It's funny and sweet and will make you wish you had this experience coming straight out of college.
The next movie my wife and I saw we rented from the RedBox. Rachel Getting Married is another indy film that we thought would be good. In the past, we've had great luck with indy films. One of our favorites is Y tu Mama Tambien. But this was recommended by a friend on Facebook and I thought, "I like that person, so I'm probably going to like this movie."
Boy, was I wrong. I suppose you could talk about the fact that it was very "real." You could talk about the toasting scene at the wedding rehearsal dinner. The real time shots of people giving toasts and the awkwardness of waiting for the dysfunction to come out. I suppose you could talk just about the dysfunction. I think my family puts the fun in dysfunction, but not like this. NOT like this.
Maybe the movie was too "real" for me. It could have hit too close to home, dealing with addicts at family gatherings and ignoring the pink elephant in the room, but behind their back holding your nose because the booze are just too strong. Maybe.
I don't know...perhaps you would like this film. It's a little depressing and maybe in the right mood you would enjoy it, but as for my opinion, I did not.
The next movie we saw was also from the RedBox...and at the recommendation of my sister: Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist. Also, a cute movie. I would agree with what's been said that the plot is about the journey, not the destination.
I thought the acting was great and I really enjoyed all the twists and turns that you were taken on as the night progressed. I will admit, though, that getting gum and phone out of a puky toilet was not my cup of tea. If that ruins the movie for you, just deal with it. You'll be glad you had fair warning.
The movie follows two teens around New York City as they search for a band that they both like. Along they way they meet up with ex's and lose a friend (which is where the puky toilet comes in). There are those supporting characters that don't really have any back story, but are helpful to the plot...like fairy godmothers.
All-in-all, I would recommend this movie, but you don't have to take my word for it! Take it away Lavar Burton.
The final movie I've recently seen is Religulous. This definitely isn't a movie for everyone. Bill Maher takes a film crew around the world to find what people think about religion, whether that be good, bad, funny at the person's expense, or whatever.
I enjoyed this movie. I thought it was really funny. There were three parts of the movie I'd like to point out: first, in the Truckstop Chapel, after a man had been so overcome with anger at Maher asking questions about faith, he leaves. I'm not pointing out the leaving man, but the men who stayed to talk to Maher. They weren't evangelizing, but just answering, what I thought were respectable questions about faith. At the end of this segment, Maher asked the men to pray for him, which they did, as he observed them praying. He was just asking questions, without the intent of making people mad, but yet tempers were flaired.
The second segment is one that has been talked about at my church as well as on movie review shows...the old man in St. Peter's basilica. The man is the highest priest at the Vatican, second to the Pope. He spoke quite openly that the Bible is just a book. A good book that should be taken seriously, but still just a book. The church is trying to work internally at getting people to see that there is more to religion that killing in the name of God, or using God's name for ill.
The final point I'd like to show light on is the good Dr. segment. Bill Maher sat down with a man that is named Rev. Dr. something. As he was being seated, Maher asked if he should call the man Reverend, but he said, "You can just call me doctor." Across the bottom of the screen was flashed..."He isn't a doctor." Then, "He has no degree whatsoever." And, his first name wasn't doctor either. So, don't try that one on me. The conversation turned to the man's fine clothing that had been funded by his congregation and the discussion that Jesus fought FOR the poor, not taking money from them. The good doctor couldn't understand that his clothes were paid for by the poor.
There are many memorable segments, I'm sure edited from many bad ones. There is Bill talking to Jesus at Bibleland, being kicked off of the Mormon Temple's lawn, being taken on an illegal tour of the highest Mosque in Jerusalem, or sitting down with Jesus Miranda...you know, the second coming of Christ.
Again, I thought this was a funny movie. Would I recommend it...eh...not sure. It depends on who you are. Do you want to be mad about religion? Then, sure. Rent it and laugh. Are you up for defending your religion to a movie and a person (Bill Maher) who can't hear you through the tv? This is the movie for you. If you aren't any of these things...I wouldn't waste the money.
Sopapillas
I haven't blogged in so long, and I apologize for that. After the Easter cantata was over I just crashed, including my brain and indeed, my computer.
My computer at church had always been a bit slow, but I attributed that fact to the large music writing program Finale being loaded onto my very tiny hard drive. I'm not even sure my hard drive had MB after it's number. It may not have. I came into work on the Tuesday after the cantata, even though Tuesdays are my day off, and turned on the computer. After about an hour it just died. No power, no warning that it was going to commit computer suicide...it just died.
Anyway, it's been a little turbulant since then. I don't have my contacts for my emails. I don't have people's correct addresses from my paper version of the church directory, so even if I wanted to take the address from there, I couldn't. I feel lost or detached or behind...perhaps all of the above.
On the up side, choir is winding down. We perform once more. A really touching song called "I Carry You in My Heart" based on the writings of Paul and the e.e. cummings poem. It's a tear jerker, but what do you expect on Mother's Day and Senior Sunday (not for old people, but for the graduating people). I've also ended children's programming with not much success throughout the year. And I'm starting the Youth Choir this summer, so that should be interesting.
I've already started Christmas music for the choir. I have everything (adult-wise) picked out. The adult program is going to be HUGE! I have yet to get to the youth/children's program. That's right: I'm doing two Christmas programs. I had so many complain that the children weren't involved last year that I feel obligated to try and do something just for them. Of course, the people complaining weren't volunteering to help, but that's the way the church works...or at least this one.
Sorry for the rant. I don't know what came over me. Perhaps Christmas is already putting me in a slightly more "on edge" mood. It always does. And now, working in a church, it's one of the biggest holidays we "do." But that's a blog for another time...maybe later in the year, like around Halloween when all the Christmas decor starts to appear.
Turning again to another happy thing: my wife and I went out for Mexican food to celebrate that great American holiday Cinqo de Mayo. We talked of one of her friends who is in Mexico at the moment and his comment that we invented Cinqo de Mayo just to have another holiday to drink.
At dinner, living up the tradition, we both got a blended strawberry margarita. Mmm...it was tasty. We ate at On the Border, about as non-Mexican as you can get. Not that it was bad. They have a new menu with many new items. Good stuff.
One new item on the new menu were sopapillas. Most people outside of my immediate family don't know what sopapillas are...and you are, in fact, lesser because of your lack of knowledge. Yes, that's completely snobby, but at least I admit it and accept it.
Sopapillas are puffy pastries that are fried and then doused with cinnamon and sugar. At On the Border, they served them with honey (yuck) and melted chocolate. I had never had a sopapilla with melted chocolate. Let me tell you, as a professional sopapilla taster, this only improved my dining experience. The chocolate was bitter compared to the cinnamon and sugar, but still divine in every way.
Sopapillas, I can say with great certainty, made my day yesterday. If you'd like more information about sopapillas and why I extol their magical, tasty powers, please reference my sister's blog: givinguponperfect.com. My sister will tell you that we have been going to a divy place called Don Chilito's since before I was born. It's a terribly unsanitary looking place, but the food is delicious. Including a giant tub...yes, I mean big, metal lined, you could be baptized in it if it held water sort of tub...full of sopapillas.
I hope that one day you all have the great joy of knowing the puffy sopapilla in a completely infatuated and religious way. They are definitely worth it.
My computer at church had always been a bit slow, but I attributed that fact to the large music writing program Finale being loaded onto my very tiny hard drive. I'm not even sure my hard drive had MB after it's number. It may not have. I came into work on the Tuesday after the cantata, even though Tuesdays are my day off, and turned on the computer. After about an hour it just died. No power, no warning that it was going to commit computer suicide...it just died.
Anyway, it's been a little turbulant since then. I don't have my contacts for my emails. I don't have people's correct addresses from my paper version of the church directory, so even if I wanted to take the address from there, I couldn't. I feel lost or detached or behind...perhaps all of the above.
On the up side, choir is winding down. We perform once more. A really touching song called "I Carry You in My Heart" based on the writings of Paul and the e.e. cummings poem. It's a tear jerker, but what do you expect on Mother's Day and Senior Sunday (not for old people, but for the graduating people). I've also ended children's programming with not much success throughout the year. And I'm starting the Youth Choir this summer, so that should be interesting.
I've already started Christmas music for the choir. I have everything (adult-wise) picked out. The adult program is going to be HUGE! I have yet to get to the youth/children's program. That's right: I'm doing two Christmas programs. I had so many complain that the children weren't involved last year that I feel obligated to try and do something just for them. Of course, the people complaining weren't volunteering to help, but that's the way the church works...or at least this one.
Sorry for the rant. I don't know what came over me. Perhaps Christmas is already putting me in a slightly more "on edge" mood. It always does. And now, working in a church, it's one of the biggest holidays we "do." But that's a blog for another time...maybe later in the year, like around Halloween when all the Christmas decor starts to appear.
Turning again to another happy thing: my wife and I went out for Mexican food to celebrate that great American holiday Cinqo de Mayo. We talked of one of her friends who is in Mexico at the moment and his comment that we invented Cinqo de Mayo just to have another holiday to drink.
At dinner, living up the tradition, we both got a blended strawberry margarita. Mmm...it was tasty. We ate at On the Border, about as non-Mexican as you can get. Not that it was bad. They have a new menu with many new items. Good stuff.
One new item on the new menu were sopapillas. Most people outside of my immediate family don't know what sopapillas are...and you are, in fact, lesser because of your lack of knowledge. Yes, that's completely snobby, but at least I admit it and accept it.
Sopapillas are puffy pastries that are fried and then doused with cinnamon and sugar. At On the Border, they served them with honey (yuck) and melted chocolate. I had never had a sopapilla with melted chocolate. Let me tell you, as a professional sopapilla taster, this only improved my dining experience. The chocolate was bitter compared to the cinnamon and sugar, but still divine in every way.
Sopapillas, I can say with great certainty, made my day yesterday. If you'd like more information about sopapillas and why I extol their magical, tasty powers, please reference my sister's blog: givinguponperfect.com. My sister will tell you that we have been going to a divy place called Don Chilito's since before I was born. It's a terribly unsanitary looking place, but the food is delicious. Including a giant tub...yes, I mean big, metal lined, you could be baptized in it if it held water sort of tub...full of sopapillas.
I hope that one day you all have the great joy of knowing the puffy sopapilla in a completely infatuated and religious way. They are definitely worth it.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Not wearing shorts
Have you ever noticed that there are always more people outside when it's warm? You're saying to yourself..."Duh! It's warm, so they want to be outside." This may seem like a stupid observation, but I really don't think we notice how MANY people are outside when it's warm.
I only point this out because today I almost ran into two people on bikes! They weren't anywhere near each other, they were separate incidences. I was on my way to my "other" job, which is playing at a school, and out of nowhere a bicyclist nearly became one with my car hood.
Driving along a little after that, and closer to the school, another person - dressed in their tightest clothes and wearing those fingerless gloves that are all so attractive, as well as bomber sunglasses and a very sleek and pointy helmet - nearly ran into my car as well. I only mention this second person's attire, because unlike the first person, this moving target looked like they should know what they are doing.
Maybe they didn't know what they were doing and just wanted to look cool. There's nothing wrong with that...unless you are planning on getting your self smashed on the roadside!! I shouldn't complain. I should be thankful I didn't hit either person.
I can't help think that both close encounters were perhaps my fault. I wasn't day dreaming, as one can so easily do when driving a familiar course. I was looking ahead of me, but of course both riders came up from the side. I am a bit tired, but that's nothing unusual. I'm tired most days and don't nearly hit random bikers.
Perhaps it wasn't my fault. Perhaps they were day dreaming or not looking ahead. Perhaps they were more tired than me. Although, I will say that streamlined biker seemed to have plenty o' energy. Hmmm... well, like I said, I'm thankful for not hurting anyone and for everyone being alright.
I only point this out because today I almost ran into two people on bikes! They weren't anywhere near each other, they were separate incidences. I was on my way to my "other" job, which is playing at a school, and out of nowhere a bicyclist nearly became one with my car hood.
Driving along a little after that, and closer to the school, another person - dressed in their tightest clothes and wearing those fingerless gloves that are all so attractive, as well as bomber sunglasses and a very sleek and pointy helmet - nearly ran into my car as well. I only mention this second person's attire, because unlike the first person, this moving target looked like they should know what they are doing.
Maybe they didn't know what they were doing and just wanted to look cool. There's nothing wrong with that...unless you are planning on getting your self smashed on the roadside!! I shouldn't complain. I should be thankful I didn't hit either person.
I can't help think that both close encounters were perhaps my fault. I wasn't day dreaming, as one can so easily do when driving a familiar course. I was looking ahead of me, but of course both riders came up from the side. I am a bit tired, but that's nothing unusual. I'm tired most days and don't nearly hit random bikers.
Perhaps it wasn't my fault. Perhaps they were day dreaming or not looking ahead. Perhaps they were more tired than me. Although, I will say that streamlined biker seemed to have plenty o' energy. Hmmm... well, like I said, I'm thankful for not hurting anyone and for everyone being alright.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Well, I don't mind agreeing to disagree. It's how the world works and goes on. Unless you are one of those people who disagrees even with your agreeing...maybe that's how we end up with worldwide wars. I don't know.
I don't mean to brag, but Lauren and I were at church last night setting up for the week's activities and watched American Idol on the big screen with the projector and huge surround sound. It's a completely different show at that level!
We were a little stunned that the show was only an hour. I guess I didn't read my TV guide close enough to see that it was supposed to get done at 8:00. We watched Adam, but I don't know...I like him and think he will win, but I didn't think last night was my favorite. I like it when he does crazy stuff, like "The Ring of Fire." I know that everyone knew that was funny and kind of a blow off performance, but I like to look at the arrangements. I think it's great when the singers do them themselves (even tho I know Ring of Fire wasn't Adam's arrangement).
We like Kris Allen too. He is just too nice to get past Adam though. Not that Adam doesn't seem likeable, but Kris is more like someone I would talk to, rather than someone who is already a pop star like Adam.
Allison is growing on me. I don't think she'll go much further, but I really didn't like her at the beginning, but last night's performance was really good...the Bonnie Rait song. We missed Danny Gokey (who's wife died) but his recap clip didn't sound too impressive. And Lauren and I both are ready for Blind Scott to be gone! Sheesh!! He's made it too far already.
That's all I remember from last night. Are you coming up for my Easter cantata? I had the first orchestra rehearsal last week. I'm super stressed about the whole thing, but the rehearsal was really good so that makes it a little bit easier to tolerate.
I'm not really sure if I would do such a big production again (even though in the grand scheme of things, this really isn't THAT big of a production, but since I do everything myself, it seems a little bigger than normal).
I don't mean to brag, but Lauren and I were at church last night setting up for the week's activities and watched American Idol on the big screen with the projector and huge surround sound. It's a completely different show at that level!
We were a little stunned that the show was only an hour. I guess I didn't read my TV guide close enough to see that it was supposed to get done at 8:00. We watched Adam, but I don't know...I like him and think he will win, but I didn't think last night was my favorite. I like it when he does crazy stuff, like "The Ring of Fire." I know that everyone knew that was funny and kind of a blow off performance, but I like to look at the arrangements. I think it's great when the singers do them themselves (even tho I know Ring of Fire wasn't Adam's arrangement).
We like Kris Allen too. He is just too nice to get past Adam though. Not that Adam doesn't seem likeable, but Kris is more like someone I would talk to, rather than someone who is already a pop star like Adam.
Allison is growing on me. I don't think she'll go much further, but I really didn't like her at the beginning, but last night's performance was really good...the Bonnie Rait song. We missed Danny Gokey (who's wife died) but his recap clip didn't sound too impressive. And Lauren and I both are ready for Blind Scott to be gone! Sheesh!! He's made it too far already.
That's all I remember from last night. Are you coming up for my Easter cantata? I had the first orchestra rehearsal last week. I'm super stressed about the whole thing, but the rehearsal was really good so that makes it a little bit easier to tolerate.
I'm not really sure if I would do such a big production again (even though in the grand scheme of things, this really isn't THAT big of a production, but since I do everything myself, it seems a little bigger than normal).
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
I appreciate your comments. That's why I write. I like to see what other people are thinking, but, not to toot my own horn, because it's not a huge following, I do have people on Facebook comment about my blog, they just aren't "Followers." I was surprised by that, since they didn't "follow" me so I didn't know who was reading it, but apparently some people are. Mostly church people.
I guess the biggest thing that I want to say, is that, no, this wasn't directed at you personally. I commented on the book because I'm reading it. If I wanted to direct it at you, then I would have said it. I try not to be underhanded, although I know that the underhandedness is another one of those "ingrained" things.
I'm, in fact, glad that you recommended this book. Like I said, that one paragraph threw me off a little because the rest of it is pretty good. I agree with most of it and I'm glad I'm reading it.
What I say about being saved I still stick by. I had been questioning that for a while. I'm sure that's nothing new. I've learned here at this church - whether called a cult or delusional groups of people led by our free-wheelin' liberal pastor - I do believe that the Bible, although a beautifully written tool isn't something to be taken completely literally.
If I say that I'm divinely inspired to write another chapter to the Bible, could that be taken literally? That may be blasphemy to some as I say that, but that's exactly why we believe it...people that lived who knows when were "divinely inspired."
This is a lot of what the book "The Heart of Christianity" by Marcus Borg talks about. No, you won't agree with a lot of it (or most of it), and there are parts I don't agree with, nor understand. Such as the season coming up: Easter.
If we aren't to take the Bible literally, then how are we to believe that our religion, which is founded on the sole belief that Christ rose again from the dead to "save" us all, then how are supposed to believe in the religion at all?
That's one of the questions that I'm willing to ask, and maybe it was my bad writing skills and possibly confusing wording that led you to think that I was saying NOT to question. I think we should question. Like you said, it leads you deeper into your faith, whatever that may be.
And as for the Muslims, and, yes, I'll include the Jews too, I don't get why we are to demonize them. They believe in the same God as we do. Perhaps they don't believe in Jesus as the Christ, but they believe in God through a different path and are on a different journey. Why is that wrong?
The Bible may say that the only way to get to God is through Jesus, and if they don't believe in Jesus, then they can't get to God, but that's exactly why I agree with the Borg book and the theology taught here at this church that the Bible isn't to be taken literally. Are we to demonized Hindus and Buddhists and Taoists and Wickens and any other religion that doesn't agree with us? I think that's why there are "extremists" and holy wars. Where has that gotten us?
And the Moromons...I really don't know anything about them, only that I remember one thing from my friend Chris Gillett at Truman, while trying to defend Mormonism said that they too believe in Jesus and God, but as I understand it, again, through a different path and on a different journey.
Finally, you can't lecture me for assuming such things about what you think or believe in if you are going to assume such things of me. I try not to assume, but I know what I've lived with for 26 years: you and Mom. Although you probably don't see it this way, but I feel that "religion" was crammed down my throat. I don't feel guilty about not attending church for most of my college career, unless I was taking a pay check. I needed a break to question and look inside myself to find whatever it is I'm supposed to find. Maybe it's Jesus...maybe it's God. Maybe it's Buddha or whats-his-name Smith looking into a hat. But whatever I'm supposed to find is for me to find.
And no, I know we don't talk about faith or religion ever because it's "hot button" but I do enjoy talking about this. Like questioning, I think it can make a deep impact on your's and my faiths. (that is a terribly, grammatically wrong sentence, but I'm sure you get the gist.)
I guess the biggest thing that I want to say, is that, no, this wasn't directed at you personally. I commented on the book because I'm reading it. If I wanted to direct it at you, then I would have said it. I try not to be underhanded, although I know that the underhandedness is another one of those "ingrained" things.
I'm, in fact, glad that you recommended this book. Like I said, that one paragraph threw me off a little because the rest of it is pretty good. I agree with most of it and I'm glad I'm reading it.
What I say about being saved I still stick by. I had been questioning that for a while. I'm sure that's nothing new. I've learned here at this church - whether called a cult or delusional groups of people led by our free-wheelin' liberal pastor - I do believe that the Bible, although a beautifully written tool isn't something to be taken completely literally.
If I say that I'm divinely inspired to write another chapter to the Bible, could that be taken literally? That may be blasphemy to some as I say that, but that's exactly why we believe it...people that lived who knows when were "divinely inspired."
This is a lot of what the book "The Heart of Christianity" by Marcus Borg talks about. No, you won't agree with a lot of it (or most of it), and there are parts I don't agree with, nor understand. Such as the season coming up: Easter.
If we aren't to take the Bible literally, then how are we to believe that our religion, which is founded on the sole belief that Christ rose again from the dead to "save" us all, then how are supposed to believe in the religion at all?
That's one of the questions that I'm willing to ask, and maybe it was my bad writing skills and possibly confusing wording that led you to think that I was saying NOT to question. I think we should question. Like you said, it leads you deeper into your faith, whatever that may be.
And as for the Muslims, and, yes, I'll include the Jews too, I don't get why we are to demonize them. They believe in the same God as we do. Perhaps they don't believe in Jesus as the Christ, but they believe in God through a different path and are on a different journey. Why is that wrong?
The Bible may say that the only way to get to God is through Jesus, and if they don't believe in Jesus, then they can't get to God, but that's exactly why I agree with the Borg book and the theology taught here at this church that the Bible isn't to be taken literally. Are we to demonized Hindus and Buddhists and Taoists and Wickens and any other religion that doesn't agree with us? I think that's why there are "extremists" and holy wars. Where has that gotten us?
And the Moromons...I really don't know anything about them, only that I remember one thing from my friend Chris Gillett at Truman, while trying to defend Mormonism said that they too believe in Jesus and God, but as I understand it, again, through a different path and on a different journey.
Finally, you can't lecture me for assuming such things about what you think or believe in if you are going to assume such things of me. I try not to assume, but I know what I've lived with for 26 years: you and Mom. Although you probably don't see it this way, but I feel that "religion" was crammed down my throat. I don't feel guilty about not attending church for most of my college career, unless I was taking a pay check. I needed a break to question and look inside myself to find whatever it is I'm supposed to find. Maybe it's Jesus...maybe it's God. Maybe it's Buddha or whats-his-name Smith looking into a hat. But whatever I'm supposed to find is for me to find.
And no, I know we don't talk about faith or religion ever because it's "hot button" but I do enjoy talking about this. Like questioning, I think it can make a deep impact on your's and my faiths. (that is a terribly, grammatically wrong sentence, but I'm sure you get the gist.)
Monday, April 6, 2009
Renewal
I don't know what makes a person sleep better one night and then not the next. I will be the first to admit that I'm not smart enough to know anything about the brain. I guess you could say that you wouldn't want me to be wielding a knife as you slip into a drug induced sleep as you prepare for brain surgery. But, I still wonder why this is.
Yesterday, after church and after snarfing down a quick lunch from Arby's and after setting up the Celebration Center and after getting mad at my wife, then getting over it, then directing an hour and a half orchestra rehearsal, then after striking all of the stuff that I had just set up, then wielding questions from the orchestra members, then going home, then eating dinner, then watching TV I had a good night's sleep. Maybe I was just exhausted.
My wife had a migraine, which she says she hasn't had one like this since she was in middle school, so we went to bed at 9:00. I read for a bit, of course. I am reading "The Kingdom Focused Church." I'm not sure about the book. It was recommended to me. I read a paragraph that I can only paraphrase because I don't have the book in front of me. It said: we have to tell people that Christ died for them so that they don't get sucked into New Age religion or Islam or Mormonism or other false religions. What?!
First of all, how do you define "false religion?" Although I do believe in Christianity, I also believe that there is merit in questioning your faith. After all, if you don't question, how do you learn? Secondly, who ever said that Mormonism and Islam are two "false" religions. I don't know much about either, but I do believe that Mormons still believe in God and Jesus, just through a different pathway. How is that false?
Second...well, as I sit and think, I don't have a second point. I was taken off guard by this statement in the book. Can't people believe in what they want? I know that part of the Christian faith is evangelizing. I think it says that many times in the Bible...in Acts and the letters of Paul. But when did it ever come to the point that we should evangelize because we believe that all other people who aren't Christians will "fall away from the the fold" if we don't strike them over the head with holy water and pronounce them "saved?"
I don't believe in being saved. What are you being saved from? The big, black, dark pit of despair that God will send you to after you've done wrong? I don't believe that God created such a pit, since God is all about love and compassion. God IS love. God is good. Plus, how is that supposed to change you? Poof...now you believe in a God, so life is great and peachy. Here's your certificate of savedness.
A history (not a philosophy or religion) teacher I had in college said, "God is wanting you to love him. God is wanting you to follow the 11th commandment that Jesus laid down at the last supper: Love one another." I'm not sure, but I don't think it says anywhere that we are supposed to toil and, because of working for God, hit rock bottom just to get into Heaven.
I digress, of course, because I'm talking about renewal. The pastor at my church has been doing a sermon series all through Lent using the word "new:" New Name when speaking about Abraham and Sarah (Abram and Sarai), New Covenant when talking about the promises God has made through Noah and the flood, etc. He has been saying that Lent is a time of renewal...a time to quiet our "insides" and be with God. A time to follow the journey of Lent and end up with Jesus on the cross, being killed by Rome so that he could rise again and we can have renewed life.
Iowa, yes the state, is entering a period of renewal. The Supreme Court just passed a law stating that same sex couples can be married in Iowa. I read about it on the internet since I wasn't around a TV to watch it. I did watch the news when I got home. There were people crying because they had waited a long time to get married and have the same rights as straight people and there were people crying because it is against the laws of God to have same sex couples.
This makes me ill, to watch people use the name of God to say that others are bad for living the lives that they were born to live. Disagree with me if you must, but I don't understand how a pastor, on the television, on the news, where thousands of people can see him can say that God will strike the people down responsible for this travesty. I don't understand.
But it seems that in this state, we are renewing our laws and definitions of what marriage is. I applaud the state for being so bold. I applaud the state for giving same sex couples who love each other the option to have the same rights as straight couples. I think it's a renewed day in the state of Iowa.
I like having a period of renewal, whether it's because of a good night's sleep or because of the decisions of other people affecting your life. Renewal refreshes us and leads us to clearer thinking and working. I hope that you all find renewal soon.
Yesterday, after church and after snarfing down a quick lunch from Arby's and after setting up the Celebration Center and after getting mad at my wife, then getting over it, then directing an hour and a half orchestra rehearsal, then after striking all of the stuff that I had just set up, then wielding questions from the orchestra members, then going home, then eating dinner, then watching TV I had a good night's sleep. Maybe I was just exhausted.
My wife had a migraine, which she says she hasn't had one like this since she was in middle school, so we went to bed at 9:00. I read for a bit, of course. I am reading "The Kingdom Focused Church." I'm not sure about the book. It was recommended to me. I read a paragraph that I can only paraphrase because I don't have the book in front of me. It said: we have to tell people that Christ died for them so that they don't get sucked into New Age religion or Islam or Mormonism or other false religions. What?!
First of all, how do you define "false religion?" Although I do believe in Christianity, I also believe that there is merit in questioning your faith. After all, if you don't question, how do you learn? Secondly, who ever said that Mormonism and Islam are two "false" religions. I don't know much about either, but I do believe that Mormons still believe in God and Jesus, just through a different pathway. How is that false?
Second...well, as I sit and think, I don't have a second point. I was taken off guard by this statement in the book. Can't people believe in what they want? I know that part of the Christian faith is evangelizing. I think it says that many times in the Bible...in Acts and the letters of Paul. But when did it ever come to the point that we should evangelize because we believe that all other people who aren't Christians will "fall away from the the fold" if we don't strike them over the head with holy water and pronounce them "saved?"
I don't believe in being saved. What are you being saved from? The big, black, dark pit of despair that God will send you to after you've done wrong? I don't believe that God created such a pit, since God is all about love and compassion. God IS love. God is good. Plus, how is that supposed to change you? Poof...now you believe in a God, so life is great and peachy. Here's your certificate of savedness.
A history (not a philosophy or religion) teacher I had in college said, "God is wanting you to love him. God is wanting you to follow the 11th commandment that Jesus laid down at the last supper: Love one another." I'm not sure, but I don't think it says anywhere that we are supposed to toil and, because of working for God, hit rock bottom just to get into Heaven.
I digress, of course, because I'm talking about renewal. The pastor at my church has been doing a sermon series all through Lent using the word "new:" New Name when speaking about Abraham and Sarah (Abram and Sarai), New Covenant when talking about the promises God has made through Noah and the flood, etc. He has been saying that Lent is a time of renewal...a time to quiet our "insides" and be with God. A time to follow the journey of Lent and end up with Jesus on the cross, being killed by Rome so that he could rise again and we can have renewed life.
Iowa, yes the state, is entering a period of renewal. The Supreme Court just passed a law stating that same sex couples can be married in Iowa. I read about it on the internet since I wasn't around a TV to watch it. I did watch the news when I got home. There were people crying because they had waited a long time to get married and have the same rights as straight people and there were people crying because it is against the laws of God to have same sex couples.
This makes me ill, to watch people use the name of God to say that others are bad for living the lives that they were born to live. Disagree with me if you must, but I don't understand how a pastor, on the television, on the news, where thousands of people can see him can say that God will strike the people down responsible for this travesty. I don't understand.
But it seems that in this state, we are renewing our laws and definitions of what marriage is. I applaud the state for being so bold. I applaud the state for giving same sex couples who love each other the option to have the same rights as straight couples. I think it's a renewed day in the state of Iowa.
I like having a period of renewal, whether it's because of a good night's sleep or because of the decisions of other people affecting your life. Renewal refreshes us and leads us to clearer thinking and working. I hope that you all find renewal soon.
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