Not physically, just my blog. I am now over at wordpress. It's not you it's me. I need something different and I like their layouts better. This is consumerism. I am a part of it. If you are one of the three people who read this blog, please link me over at
ronpai2.wordpress.com
See ya on the darkside,
ron
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
It's a Wonderful Life...So I've Heard
I saw "It's a Wonderful Life" for the first time the other day. I can honestly say that it was an okay movie. Is it me, or did it take forever to get to the point? Hailed as THE Christmas classic, I saw a little blurb about it in the special features, which made me laugh a little.
Did you know that when it was released, It's a Wonderful Life was seen as "okay". It was actually forgetten quite quickly. The reason that it became so popular is that in the 1970's the copyright ran out and somebody forgot to renew it. When this happened, television stations caught wind of it and began showing the movie because they did not have to pay any royalties. This is why it was on so many times a year. This is also what contributed to its popularity, because now a whole new generation had discovered this movie, thus thrusting it into becoming a Christmas Classic.
Just more crap to occupy your brain.
what's your favorite christmas movie?
ron
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Snow Madness
Could it be? Could it really happen? Well they are calling for it, but when I took this picture the sun was coming up (@ 8:30!).
I love when there is a threat for snow here in Whatcom County. People get crazy around here. Walmart and Target are filled with a few more people than usual, and all everybody can talk about is the snow. It is exciting for us. The thing that I hate about the snow is driving in it. I don't mind it, but I get a little freaked out by the other people on the road. I'm the guy who is going fairly slow (5-10 under the speed limit) and doesn't care when he gets home. Then there is the other guy who "grew up driving in the snow" and is in his SUV and speeds around me going about 45 MPH. Those are the guys who freak me out. Those are the guys who get a little crazier when it snows.
It is snow madness. Whatcom County suffers from it. We all love it and hate it at the same time. Snow madness is why I want to move to hawaii and only visit washington during the winter.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Flight of the Conchords
These guys are my latest obsession. I think that they are really funny. Think Tenacious D meets Beck's song Debra on his "midnight vultures" CD. enjoy.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Merry Christmas
If you want to see a Christmas movie that will instantly jump into your top 3 Christmas movies (if you are human and have a heart, I guarantee it will), than you need to see this movie. It is called Joyeux Noel (Merry Christmas). Here is the write up for it on Netflix:
Inspired by a true story, this heartwarming tale unfolds on Christmas Eve, 1914, in the midst of World War I. As the French, Scottish and German soldiers prepare to open their presents, a momentous event occurs that changes the destinies of four people: an Anglican priest, a French lieutenant, a world-class tenor and his soprano lover.
I saw this movie last year and just remembered it. It is a beautiful story of war coming to a halt for one night, truly peace on earth, while men truly realize that they all have more in common than they know. If you work in a church, this will be the movie that you will show for a "movie clip" sometime during your christmas.
Netflick it now.
You're Welcome,
ron
Got Our Christmas Tree...
For the past five years, Cynthia and I have had a tradition with our friends Rob and Willow Weston to get our Christmas Tree the day after Thanksgiving. We do this to avoid the mall and the madness and just hang out together. We usually go to Stoney Ridge Farm, but his year we went to Lowe's. I know, I know. I thought that it was lame also, but Stoney Ridge was closed the day after Thanksgiving this year. Here are some pics from our tree expedition down the street from us.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving
I am thankful for my wife, Cynthia. She puts up with a lot from me. For the past 4-5 years she has been supporting me in going to school. I've been working various part time jobs during this time, but she has always encouraged me with music and how I can improve my skills. She also has encouraged me for better health and never settling for less than I am able to achieve. For my wife, lover, and friend, I am thankful.
I am thankful for my school debt. Though it is a lot of money that Cynthia and I owe, I know that this is a small price to pay for the education I've recieved. I feel as though I have been given a masters degree in a bachelor's degree because a lot of the books, philosophies, and ideas that I have been exposed to are ones that my friends who have masters degrees are constantly surprised to see in a bachelor's degree program. I have been exposed to many different things that have encouraged me and also made me question my own faith and worship of God. For this challenge, I am thankful.
I am thankful for my family. My mom who showed me the idea of love and respect toward other people who are different than me. My sister and brother in law who can talk with me about various and strange b movies from the 80's and still love them even though we realize that they are wonderfully horrible movies. My brother who has helped me believe that it is still possible to be a good father even though we grew up without one. And I am thankful for my little sister who is just starting her life as she turned 18 this year. For my family, I am thankful.
I am thankful for my church, Roosevelt Community Church, for letting me lead them in worship each week and being open to new and different ideas of what worship could look like. They have supported me, both financially and professionally, since Easter and continue to spur me on with their stories of God being shown to them in new and different lights. For their love, community, and support, I am thankful.
I am thankful for my friends. I remember becoming a christian about eight years ago, and one of my main worries was that I would have no friends. It's petty, I know, but God has blessed me with an abundance of people who I am proud to call my friends. Rob and Willow Weston continue to spur me on with challenging thoughts and discussions that last well into the night (and sometimes into the morning). Rob and Nicole Mathey and Chris Croft show me what being a friend without expecting something in return truly looks like. They are so giving of their time, money, and friendship it amazes me. Matt Martinson has shown me courage in facing life, the importance of education, and laughing in the face of life when it gets him down (really is there anything else we can do?). Baron Miller believed in me and gave me a Worship Directors job at Roosevelt Community Church, encouraged me when I needed it most, and introduced me to the shows Arrested Development, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and the British Version of The Office. Kelly Huckaby, my secret source to odd music that everyone always asks, "How did you hear about these guys". Ben Pries who plays and loves violent video games and Jesus...I kind of feel responsible for both of these. And Tim Ross, whose life that semi parallels my own at times (which is scary), gave me conversations over beers that ooze with sarcasm and makes me laugh. For these friends, I am thankful.
I am thankful for music and musicians. Music inspires me, encourages me, soothes me, welcomes me, and takes me to different worlds sometimes. A lot of memories I have are triggered by music. Music is my release, and for this I am thankful.
Finally, but it should be first, I am thankful for The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All of them sustain me and give me hope when I feel hopeless, strength when I feel weak, and remind me that I am loved when I feel lonely. They remind me that they are all I need to feel sustained and that material things and social status does not matter in light of God's Kingdom. For their gift of true life, salvation, and inspiration I am thankful.
For my God, wife, family, friends, and hobbies, I am thankful.
Happy Thanksgiving.Ron
I am thankful for my school debt. Though it is a lot of money that Cynthia and I owe, I know that this is a small price to pay for the education I've recieved. I feel as though I have been given a masters degree in a bachelor's degree because a lot of the books, philosophies, and ideas that I have been exposed to are ones that my friends who have masters degrees are constantly surprised to see in a bachelor's degree program. I have been exposed to many different things that have encouraged me and also made me question my own faith and worship of God. For this challenge, I am thankful.
I am thankful for my family. My mom who showed me the idea of love and respect toward other people who are different than me. My sister and brother in law who can talk with me about various and strange b movies from the 80's and still love them even though we realize that they are wonderfully horrible movies. My brother who has helped me believe that it is still possible to be a good father even though we grew up without one. And I am thankful for my little sister who is just starting her life as she turned 18 this year. For my family, I am thankful.
I am thankful for my church, Roosevelt Community Church, for letting me lead them in worship each week and being open to new and different ideas of what worship could look like. They have supported me, both financially and professionally, since Easter and continue to spur me on with their stories of God being shown to them in new and different lights. For their love, community, and support, I am thankful.
I am thankful for my friends. I remember becoming a christian about eight years ago, and one of my main worries was that I would have no friends. It's petty, I know, but God has blessed me with an abundance of people who I am proud to call my friends. Rob and Willow Weston continue to spur me on with challenging thoughts and discussions that last well into the night (and sometimes into the morning). Rob and Nicole Mathey and Chris Croft show me what being a friend without expecting something in return truly looks like. They are so giving of their time, money, and friendship it amazes me. Matt Martinson has shown me courage in facing life, the importance of education, and laughing in the face of life when it gets him down (really is there anything else we can do?). Baron Miller believed in me and gave me a Worship Directors job at Roosevelt Community Church, encouraged me when I needed it most, and introduced me to the shows Arrested Development, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and the British Version of The Office. Kelly Huckaby, my secret source to odd music that everyone always asks, "How did you hear about these guys". Ben Pries who plays and loves violent video games and Jesus...I kind of feel responsible for both of these. And Tim Ross, whose life that semi parallels my own at times (which is scary), gave me conversations over beers that ooze with sarcasm and makes me laugh. For these friends, I am thankful.
I am thankful for music and musicians. Music inspires me, encourages me, soothes me, welcomes me, and takes me to different worlds sometimes. A lot of memories I have are triggered by music. Music is my release, and for this I am thankful.
Finally, but it should be first, I am thankful for The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All of them sustain me and give me hope when I feel hopeless, strength when I feel weak, and remind me that I am loved when I feel lonely. They remind me that they are all I need to feel sustained and that material things and social status does not matter in light of God's Kingdom. For their gift of true life, salvation, and inspiration I am thankful.
For my God, wife, family, friends, and hobbies, I am thankful.
Happy Thanksgiving.Ron
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
I've Always Wanted To Do This...
I've compiled a list of CD's that I've listened to over the past year that I think are some of the best music I've run acrossed in the past year. Here, in no particular order, are those CD's. (Keep in mind that these CD's didn't come out this year, in fact a lot of them came out a while ago, I've only just discovered them.)
Amos Lee – Amos Lee
A mix of Tracy Chapman’s story telling and Norah Jones’ Blues, Amos Lee’s album will easily become one that you will listen to over and over. Amos Lee is also the master of getting to the point. Ten songs all around three and a half minutes long. Perfect.
Highlights: Keep it Loose, Keep it Tight; Arms of a Woman; Love in the Lies.
Sufjan Stevens – Come on Feel the Illinois!
I can’t remember when I got this album, but all I know is that it continues to inspire me to write music and appreciate great song writing every time I listen to it. A couple of my favorite lyrics: “Tuesday night at the bible study, we lift our hands and pray over your body but nothing ever happens…” and “But in my best behavior, I am really just like him…”
Highlights: Decatur or Round of Applause for Your Step Mother!; Concerning the UFO Sighting…; Casimir Pulaski Day; John Wayne Gacy Jr.
Justin Timberlake – FutureLove/SexSounds
Don’t hate, participate! This CD was an incredibly amazing step into something different. Seriously. This is a good CD…although all of Timbalands stuff sounds the same.
Highlights: My Love; What Goes Around; Damn Girl.
Amy Winehouse – Back to Black
I am a sucker for R & B music. Not Keith Sweat or D’Angelo (though I do love them also), but the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, etc. Amy Winehouse brings back rhythm and blues and adds her own twist to it. Though the content isn’t really great, at times it is hilarious and sad at the same time. Think Lauryn Hill with a major drug and alcohol problem that she brags about constantly.
Highlights: Rehab; Me and Mr. Jones; Addicted.
Robin Thicke – The Evolution of Robin Thicke
Yes, the son of Alan Thicke. This album was one of the smoothest albums I heard all year. He sings in his falsetto a lot showing that Robin Thicke was an obvious Prince fan. With the likes of Faith Evans, Lil Wayne, and Pharell showing up as some of the highlights how can one go wrong with these guests?
Highlights: Lost Without You, Would That Make You Love Me?; Wanna Love You Girl.
Ben Harper – Diamonds on the Inside
Folk Rock/Gospel/Funk. Could it get any better? I stayed away from this album for a while. I regret it now.
Highlights: When Its Good; Picture of Jesus; She’s Only Happy In The Sun
Death Cab for Cutie – Plans
Another band I tried to avoid, I tried to avoid DCFC simply to deter the hype of the Northwest, but I came to find out that I actually liked them. Great lyrics + Catchy melodies = unavoidably likeable. I tried not to conform. I really did!
Highlights: Marching Bands of Manhattan; Soul Meets Body; I Will Follow You Into the Dark.
Eva Cassidy – Song Bird, Live @ Blues Alley, Time after Time, and American Tune
All four albums are incredible. Eva died in 1996 of melanoma. She has one of the purest voices you will ever hear.
Highlights: Fields of Gold; Song Bird; Time after Time, and Aint No Sunshine
Copeland – In Motion
These guys made me believe in the magic of the hook again.
Highlight: Pin Your Wings
Jay-Z – Unplugged
Jay–Z + The Roots = awesome. If you are a fan of the Jigga Man and the roots this is a must listen. If you are a fan of just one of the two, it is still a must listen. If you are not a fan, this will turn you into one.
Highlights: Izzo (H.O.V.A.); Big Pimpin’; Jigga What, Jigga Who; Song Cry; I Just Wanna Love You.
Xavier Rudd – Solace
Literally a one man band, Xavier uses a Didgeridoo, Djembe, Lap Steel Guitar amongst his many instruments. A native Australian, Xavier is also an advocate for the Aborigines and who speaks and sings about the importance of their history and teachings in showing us how to preserve the land and the ocean.
Highlights: Let Me Be; Yirra Curl; No Woman, No Cry.
Jonny Lang – Turn Around
Liked him in the 90’s, but I liked Kenny Wayne Shepherd better. Where did Kenny Wayne Go? This album is full of Gospel, Funk and R & B. Great Album.
Highlights: The Other Side of the Fence; Thankful; That Great Day
Damian Marley – Welcome to Jamrock
Taking reggae to a different level. I think that his uncle would have been proud of this.
Highlights: The Master Has Come Back; All Night; Pimpa’s Paradise
The Roots – Game Theory
I LOVE THE ROOTS! I have loved them ever since I saw them open for Rage Against the Machine when Wu Tang got kicked off the tour. This album is a strange step away from their usual music but well worth a listen.
Did I forget any? What were some of your favorites?
ron
Amos Lee – Amos Lee
A mix of Tracy Chapman’s story telling and Norah Jones’ Blues, Amos Lee’s album will easily become one that you will listen to over and over. Amos Lee is also the master of getting to the point. Ten songs all around three and a half minutes long. Perfect.
Highlights: Keep it Loose, Keep it Tight; Arms of a Woman; Love in the Lies.
Sufjan Stevens – Come on Feel the Illinois!
I can’t remember when I got this album, but all I know is that it continues to inspire me to write music and appreciate great song writing every time I listen to it. A couple of my favorite lyrics: “Tuesday night at the bible study, we lift our hands and pray over your body but nothing ever happens…” and “But in my best behavior, I am really just like him…”
Highlights: Decatur or Round of Applause for Your Step Mother!; Concerning the UFO Sighting…; Casimir Pulaski Day; John Wayne Gacy Jr.
Justin Timberlake – FutureLove/SexSounds
Don’t hate, participate! This CD was an incredibly amazing step into something different. Seriously. This is a good CD…although all of Timbalands stuff sounds the same.
Highlights: My Love; What Goes Around; Damn Girl.
Amy Winehouse – Back to Black
I am a sucker for R & B music. Not Keith Sweat or D’Angelo (though I do love them also), but the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, etc. Amy Winehouse brings back rhythm and blues and adds her own twist to it. Though the content isn’t really great, at times it is hilarious and sad at the same time. Think Lauryn Hill with a major drug and alcohol problem that she brags about constantly.
Highlights: Rehab; Me and Mr. Jones; Addicted.
Robin Thicke – The Evolution of Robin Thicke
Yes, the son of Alan Thicke. This album was one of the smoothest albums I heard all year. He sings in his falsetto a lot showing that Robin Thicke was an obvious Prince fan. With the likes of Faith Evans, Lil Wayne, and Pharell showing up as some of the highlights how can one go wrong with these guests?
Highlights: Lost Without You, Would That Make You Love Me?; Wanna Love You Girl.
Ben Harper – Diamonds on the Inside
Folk Rock/Gospel/Funk. Could it get any better? I stayed away from this album for a while. I regret it now.
Highlights: When Its Good; Picture of Jesus; She’s Only Happy In The Sun
Death Cab for Cutie – Plans
Another band I tried to avoid, I tried to avoid DCFC simply to deter the hype of the Northwest, but I came to find out that I actually liked them. Great lyrics + Catchy melodies = unavoidably likeable. I tried not to conform. I really did!
Highlights: Marching Bands of Manhattan; Soul Meets Body; I Will Follow You Into the Dark.
Eva Cassidy – Song Bird, Live @ Blues Alley, Time after Time, and American Tune
All four albums are incredible. Eva died in 1996 of melanoma. She has one of the purest voices you will ever hear.
Highlights: Fields of Gold; Song Bird; Time after Time, and Aint No Sunshine
Copeland – In Motion
These guys made me believe in the magic of the hook again.
Highlight: Pin Your Wings
Jay-Z – Unplugged
Jay–Z + The Roots = awesome. If you are a fan of the Jigga Man and the roots this is a must listen. If you are a fan of just one of the two, it is still a must listen. If you are not a fan, this will turn you into one.
Highlights: Izzo (H.O.V.A.); Big Pimpin’; Jigga What, Jigga Who; Song Cry; I Just Wanna Love You.
Xavier Rudd – Solace
Literally a one man band, Xavier uses a Didgeridoo, Djembe, Lap Steel Guitar amongst his many instruments. A native Australian, Xavier is also an advocate for the Aborigines and who speaks and sings about the importance of their history and teachings in showing us how to preserve the land and the ocean.
Highlights: Let Me Be; Yirra Curl; No Woman, No Cry.
Jonny Lang – Turn Around
Liked him in the 90’s, but I liked Kenny Wayne Shepherd better. Where did Kenny Wayne Go? This album is full of Gospel, Funk and R & B. Great Album.
Highlights: The Other Side of the Fence; Thankful; That Great Day
Damian Marley – Welcome to Jamrock
Taking reggae to a different level. I think that his uncle would have been proud of this.
Highlights: The Master Has Come Back; All Night; Pimpa’s Paradise
The Roots – Game Theory
I LOVE THE ROOTS! I have loved them ever since I saw them open for Rage Against the Machine when Wu Tang got kicked off the tour. This album is a strange step away from their usual music but well worth a listen.
Did I forget any? What were some of your favorites?
ron
Friday, November 09, 2007
Community
Just finished a book called "The Transforming Vision: Shaping a Christian Worldview". It was overall a great read and good insight into looking outside of ourselves and opening up to the world with the love of Christ. Here was a comment that really stuck to me about community:
The Community is God's means of empowering people. THe Christian community...should work for justice in political life. The church should be a place where the elderly and disbled contribute meaningfully. As a multidimenshional community, it should be a place where the arts are encouraged and aestetic life flourishes.
...the christian community should foster a responsible economic lifestyle which radically breaks with the narcissistic consumerism that surrounds it.
...when married people feel pressure to give up on their marriages as conflicts arise, the Christian community should provide a supportive and healing environment, perhaps even offering profesional assistance.
What makes the christian community Christian is its worship. A radical community, it subverts the dominant culture because it worships, serves and prays to a different God. It's worship sets teh pattern for its whold life. Rather than being conformed to the world, it is a community being trasformed by the renewing of its communal mind - its world view. Consequently its worship is not relegated to just liturgical activities, but it gives its whole life to God as a Sacrificial offering (Romans 12:1-2). Herin is the essence of a Christian cultural witness in a society in decline.
Worship beyond the church walls? Helping peopel inside and outside of your congregation? A place where everybody is welcome? Sarcasm aside, this book brought up many thoughts that I thought that I would share.
peace,
ron
The Community is God's means of empowering people. THe Christian community...should work for justice in political life. The church should be a place where the elderly and disbled contribute meaningfully. As a multidimenshional community, it should be a place where the arts are encouraged and aestetic life flourishes.
...the christian community should foster a responsible economic lifestyle which radically breaks with the narcissistic consumerism that surrounds it.
...when married people feel pressure to give up on their marriages as conflicts arise, the Christian community should provide a supportive and healing environment, perhaps even offering profesional assistance.
What makes the christian community Christian is its worship. A radical community, it subverts the dominant culture because it worships, serves and prays to a different God. It's worship sets teh pattern for its whold life. Rather than being conformed to the world, it is a community being trasformed by the renewing of its communal mind - its world view. Consequently its worship is not relegated to just liturgical activities, but it gives its whole life to God as a Sacrificial offering (Romans 12:1-2). Herin is the essence of a Christian cultural witness in a society in decline.
Worship beyond the church walls? Helping peopel inside and outside of your congregation? A place where everybody is welcome? Sarcasm aside, this book brought up many thoughts that I thought that I would share.
peace,
ron
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