So I mentioned in a previous post that I wanted to start chronicling what I've read over the month to pass on good books, keep my own personal log of every book I've conquered, and keep myself accountable to read at least one book a month. Also, it's the Monday after Thanksgiving and while I have to write somewhere between 16-22 pages by Thursday, I thought a little warm-up exercise such as this would help.
This has been by far the craziest month of my year. Between moving my brother, me, AND my mom (all FROM different places TO different places) and putting too much on my plate for school and the fact that I work in ministry which is, to say the least, demanding...I'm a little spent. There was a moment where I thought I would have nothing to give but I reclined last night and read for a while, finishing a couple of books. That's what sports announcers call, "clutch."
Here's what I read this month:
1) The Evolution of God by Robert Wright (Little, Brown; 568 pages) - This one got me thinking. At almost 600 words, Wright took up most of my time in November. And because it took up most of my time, I will certainly post a longer response to it when I have more time. I took about 6 pages of notes during my reading and have tons of thoughts. The book essentially argues that people create religions based off of other broad and ancient conceptions of God and adapt/specify their view of him based on the social/political happenings of the time in which they live. He explores the three basic monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) and critiques each with this lens, arguing that there is enough in common and enough unoriginality or accuracy for any of them to be completely true. But he doesn't rule out an existence of a "god," but rather takes a sort of agnostic approach that we're really at the tip of the iceberg. His "Afterward" is most interesting to me, as you see a man struggling in the tension of philosophy and science. While I cannot comment greatly on his critique of Islam/Judaism, I can extensively speak to his Christian criticism of which, I will do later. The book was illuminating and I'm very glad I read it. Wright is cogent and succinct. I'm excited to write more about it.
2) Eat This Book by Eugene Peterson (Eerdmans; 186 pages)- Graduate of Seattle Pacific University, translator of the WHOLE FREAKING BIBLE, and all around stud, Eugene Peterson is a guy who I'm beginning to discover. His knowledge of God is biblical and not surprising, but his articulation is incredible. This is perhaps his most famous book and is a look at what he calls "spiritual reading." His argument, which is valid, is that you can't read scripture like you read anything else. And in fact, you can't read one genre like you read another. He believes that words are dangerous, and that the reader must be very careful as to how he/she takes them in, ingesting as much truth as possible. He tackles scripture, and does a great job with it. I'm even more inspired to be a Christian and excited to read more Peterson.
Look forward to a December edition that will be PACKED OUT. I read a lot in December and have about 10 hours of flying ahead of me. We'll see what happens. Off to write about things I could care less about!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Sometimes, I Think This is Fake
The Portland bus rider's etiquette is not unlike that of a man's urinal etiquette: upon entering, exist as far away from another person. I have no idea why we do this, but we just do. So when I got on the 10 in Ladd's Addition to go downtown, I saw the seat that was most alone, and I went for it, just as I would in any public restroom.
My ride is short so I never open a book or anything, I just sit and watch Portland. This is calming and centering. I pray sometimes, or I'll just think and think and think.
Until somebody messes with my brain parts. Like her.
"You will not treat me like a steak! You will not treat me like a steak!" she said it as if her odd simile needed to be heard twice (which I'm pretty sure it did).
The whole bus turned around to see if she was a real person. She was.
"I ain't no piece of meat, Dwayne!" she was yelling quite loudly now. It is about now when I either start to stifle my laughter or sweat. This time, both happened. I stifle laughter because it's freaking hilarious, but I sweat because I despise tension. What do I do? I'm a problem solver so I began running scenarios when she spoke up again.
"Dwayne, I'm not another one of your hos. I am your lady! You tell me that every day, but it ain't true! It ain't true!"
Plausible problem solving scenarios:
I scream, "FIRE!!!" and demand the bus lets everyone off
In order to take the attention off of her and to me, I just dance (very well).
Run to the back of the bus, sit next to her and pat her back saying, "C'mon
now, there there."
None of these seem to play out well in the end for me or for my dear sister. During this time, she's not taking anything from Dwayne, nor should she from as much as I can understand.
"No-no-no. NO. NO! Listen to me: NO!"
The ragged man in front of me begins to fall asleep. At a time like this, you fall asleep? How?
Then suddenly, the drama ends when she restates her claim: "Dwayne, I will tell you again, I AM NO STEAK!"
Silence.
And it's as if nothing happened. More accurately, it's as if nothing had been going on. As if a large black woman had not been screaming at Dwayne over her cellular. This is how staunch the Tri Met riders are. And if we bring this full circle, it's as if the man all the way down the urinal line just began using the floor for his target and for me to say NOTHING.
O, what isolation we live in.
My ride is short so I never open a book or anything, I just sit and watch Portland. This is calming and centering. I pray sometimes, or I'll just think and think and think.
Until somebody messes with my brain parts. Like her.
"You will not treat me like a steak! You will not treat me like a steak!" she said it as if her odd simile needed to be heard twice (which I'm pretty sure it did).
The whole bus turned around to see if she was a real person. She was.
"I ain't no piece of meat, Dwayne!" she was yelling quite loudly now. It is about now when I either start to stifle my laughter or sweat. This time, both happened. I stifle laughter because it's freaking hilarious, but I sweat because I despise tension. What do I do? I'm a problem solver so I began running scenarios when she spoke up again.
"Dwayne, I'm not another one of your hos. I am your lady! You tell me that every day, but it ain't true! It ain't true!"
Plausible problem solving scenarios:
I scream, "FIRE!!!" and demand the bus lets everyone off
In order to take the attention off of her and to me, I just dance (very well).
Run to the back of the bus, sit next to her and pat her back saying, "C'mon
now, there there."
None of these seem to play out well in the end for me or for my dear sister. During this time, she's not taking anything from Dwayne, nor should she from as much as I can understand.
"No-no-no. NO. NO! Listen to me: NO!"
The ragged man in front of me begins to fall asleep. At a time like this, you fall asleep? How?
Then suddenly, the drama ends when she restates her claim: "Dwayne, I will tell you again, I AM NO STEAK!"
Silence.
And it's as if nothing happened. More accurately, it's as if nothing had been going on. As if a large black woman had not been screaming at Dwayne over her cellular. This is how staunch the Tri Met riders are. And if we bring this full circle, it's as if the man all the way down the urinal line just began using the floor for his target and for me to say NOTHING.
O, what isolation we live in.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Oxford's 2009 Word of the Year
Hey guys! Totally!
As if Oxford could be bigger sell outs they go for "unfriend" to be 2009's Word of the Year. What were the runner ups? No, not any real English words...why would they do that? The runner ups were "sexting" and "hashtag." I don't have the energy to comment.
BTW my blog is on a font-size revolt and it's GETTING AWKWARD. IT WON'T GET SMALLER!!
As if Oxford could be bigger sell outs they go for "unfriend" to be 2009's Word of the Year. What were the runner ups? No, not any real English words...why would they do that? The runner ups were "sexting" and "hashtag." I don't have the energy to comment.
BTW my blog is on a font-size revolt and it's GETTING AWKWARD. IT WON'T GET SMALLER!!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Pinker on Gladwell
I wish I was as articulate as Harvard professors sometimes. But I'm OK with my lack of clarity if it means I don't have to be pretentious.
Still, I couldn't agree more with Steven Pinker's criticism of Malcolm Gladwell in today's New York Times Book Review:
Still, I couldn't agree more with Steven Pinker's criticism of Malcolm Gladwell in today's New York Times Book Review:
The reasoning in “Outliers,” which consists of cherry-picked anecdotes, post-hoc sophistry and false dichotomies, had me gnawing on my Kindle. Fortunately for “What the Dog Saw,” the essay format is a better showcase for Gladwell’s talents, because the constraints of length and editors yield a higher ratio of fact to fancy. Readers have much to learn from Gladwell the journalist and essayist. But when it comes to Gladwell the social scientist, they should watch out for those igon values.I've always said that Gladwell's books are weak due to the obvious conclusions he derives off of some great generalizations. His new book, What the Dog Saw, which Pinker reviewed in today's Times is the type of work I think he should stick to. I love his essays and articles, especially the work he does for The New Yorker. He needs to most rigorous fact checkers and academics editing his work, not just a publishing company quick to make the next Gladwell dollar.
This Should Break It Up a Bit
In reviewing my past couple of blog posts, I realize I've been incredibly introspective and serious.
Let's end that.
I HAVE A FREAKING ANNOUNCEMENT TO MAKE.
The other week, me and the boys were talking about what we could do to celebrate our parting ways. John and I are moving out of Alex's house because Alex's dad (the owner of the house) wants to move back in, plus our lease has run out. So it's time for the great year to come to an end. Upon our reflections and plans for how to end this all, we weren't coming up with the greatest idea.
Until John and Alex remembered an old dream we all had: record an album on the landing of our upstairs. So we did it. Thursday morning, in one hour, we put together a mostly cover album that should debut on the web very soon.
I am posting here the liner notes as an incentive for you to keep checking up. This was the best way to say goodbye to the year we all had together.
The Landing Sessions - The Nandertys
"Two of Us" (Lennon/McCartney, c1970)
Chris Nye, ag
John Finnerty, vox, kz
Alex Landers, vox, dr
"Don't Let Go" (Cuomo, c2001)
Chris Nye, vox, ag
John Finnerty, vox, kz
Alex Landers, dr
"Where Did Our Love Go?" (Holland/Dozier/Holland, c1964)
Chris Nye, vox, ag
John Finnerty, vox, kz
Alex Landers, dr
"Victoria" (Davies, c1969)
Chris Nye, ag
John Finnerty, vox
Alex Landers, dr
"Another Saturday Night" (Cooke, c1963)
Alex Landers, vox, ag
John Finnerty, vox, kz
Chris Nye, vox, dr
"Harvest Moon" (Young, c1992)
John Finnerty, vox
Chris Nye, ag
Alex Landers, vox, viola
"Doxology" (traditional, by Thomas Ken, 1674)
John Finnerty, vox
Chris Nye, vox
Alex Landers, vox
"Super Bowl" (Nye/Landers/Finnerty, c2009)
Chris Nye, vox, ag
John Finnerty, vox, kz
Alex Landers, perc, vox
The Murderers
If you have been paying any attention to Portland area news, and even national news, you're familiar with what happened in Tualatin on Tuesday. Robert Beiser entered a hospital office in Tualatin and shot and killed his wife, Teresa, along with himself.
These stories are always sad and for the most part disturbing when you get in to the core of it. Not only did Beiser kill his wife, but he injured multiple people and created quite the scare in a normally somewhat safe neighborhood. The shooting happened not more than a mile away from my work and home church, Rolling Hills Community Church. Many of the area schools were shut down, and in my talks with the people in the community over this last week, it seems as though people have been shaken up quite a bit.
This shooting had a motive, there's no doubt. Beiser's friends and neighbors described him as a "Jekyll and Hyde" who kept to himself sometimes but lashed out when the couple started their legal separation. He was on edge, and in seemingly unearthly hurt. Abuse began at the separation and Teresa explained to friends that she felt trapped. He even told her he was going to buy and gun and kill her. The ultimate tragedy became a reality on Tuesday morning right before noon.
But as a minister to that community, I think about the root issues of the events in the community. Whether it is a new shopping mall that storms in, or a horrific shooting, I am constantly looking past the physicality of everything that happens. It is something you learn as you hear from your people.
The fact that a guy can get a gun is not that big of a deal, but his mental and in my opinion, spiritual state, is what concerns me deeply.
I couldn't stop thinking about it.
This man was existing, hurting, and living in our own community. I would say that about once every other month, I get this experience. I realize who is really in our community, who is really walking through our doors. As a large church, we get plenty of church shoppers and visitors who just drop in and drop out. It is a sobering reminder of the seriousness of our work.
I have such strong faith in Jesus Christ, such assurance in His power, that I am certain that this city can see violence and abuse disintegrate by the furthering of the transforming gospel of Jesus Christ.
I don't want you to think about if your children are safe or not, or about gun control laws, I want you to think about Robert Beiser. This is a rare case where one of these gunmen showed signs of hostility. Last week, when a 39-year-old Army psychiatrist opened fire in Fort Hood, Texas, his neighbors hailed him as one of the nicest men you would ever meet. Caring and loving, they said. Beiser, before the separation with his wife, was just a quiet guy, and was said to just be "gliding along."
These people are real, created in the image of God to be renewed by Christ for the glory of the Creator. 1 Thessalonians tells us that humanity was not made for wrath, but for salvation. However, this doesn't happen for everyone due to the war that wages in your heart that you yourself feel.
Countless times, I fail to realize the gravity that God places in my life. Far too often, people become background characters to my story. I, personally, fail and have failed in massive ways regarding this very topic.
I'm not naive enough to say we could have prevented anything. Stuff happens. Bad things happen. But you have to wonder. When things like this happen you have to stop and think about your own life and those in it. Or maybe I just do. I know I need this.
I think that a huge failure amongst Christians is to let serious things like this just pass them by. They happen, and we just continue on in our Bible study, keep praying for us instead of those who knew Beiser and those affected by the shooting. We don't discuss the theological implications or what the Bible would say about this type of thing. It's easier to just buy something and forget about it.
God help us.
These stories are always sad and for the most part disturbing when you get in to the core of it. Not only did Beiser kill his wife, but he injured multiple people and created quite the scare in a normally somewhat safe neighborhood. The shooting happened not more than a mile away from my work and home church, Rolling Hills Community Church. Many of the area schools were shut down, and in my talks with the people in the community over this last week, it seems as though people have been shaken up quite a bit.
This shooting had a motive, there's no doubt. Beiser's friends and neighbors described him as a "Jekyll and Hyde" who kept to himself sometimes but lashed out when the couple started their legal separation. He was on edge, and in seemingly unearthly hurt. Abuse began at the separation and Teresa explained to friends that she felt trapped. He even told her he was going to buy and gun and kill her. The ultimate tragedy became a reality on Tuesday morning right before noon.
But as a minister to that community, I think about the root issues of the events in the community. Whether it is a new shopping mall that storms in, or a horrific shooting, I am constantly looking past the physicality of everything that happens. It is something you learn as you hear from your people.
The fact that a guy can get a gun is not that big of a deal, but his mental and in my opinion, spiritual state, is what concerns me deeply.
I couldn't stop thinking about it.
This man was existing, hurting, and living in our own community. I would say that about once every other month, I get this experience. I realize who is really in our community, who is really walking through our doors. As a large church, we get plenty of church shoppers and visitors who just drop in and drop out. It is a sobering reminder of the seriousness of our work.
I have such strong faith in Jesus Christ, such assurance in His power, that I am certain that this city can see violence and abuse disintegrate by the furthering of the transforming gospel of Jesus Christ.
I don't want you to think about if your children are safe or not, or about gun control laws, I want you to think about Robert Beiser. This is a rare case where one of these gunmen showed signs of hostility. Last week, when a 39-year-old Army psychiatrist opened fire in Fort Hood, Texas, his neighbors hailed him as one of the nicest men you would ever meet. Caring and loving, they said. Beiser, before the separation with his wife, was just a quiet guy, and was said to just be "gliding along."
These people are real, created in the image of God to be renewed by Christ for the glory of the Creator. 1 Thessalonians tells us that humanity was not made for wrath, but for salvation. However, this doesn't happen for everyone due to the war that wages in your heart that you yourself feel.
Countless times, I fail to realize the gravity that God places in my life. Far too often, people become background characters to my story. I, personally, fail and have failed in massive ways regarding this very topic.
I'm not naive enough to say we could have prevented anything. Stuff happens. Bad things happen. But you have to wonder. When things like this happen you have to stop and think about your own life and those in it. Or maybe I just do. I know I need this.
I think that a huge failure amongst Christians is to let serious things like this just pass them by. They happen, and we just continue on in our Bible study, keep praying for us instead of those who knew Beiser and those affected by the shooting. We don't discuss the theological implications or what the Bible would say about this type of thing. It's easier to just buy something and forget about it.
God help us.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
A Great Debate
While he may get a good amount of hate mail...or I guess it's hate-tweets now, but Matt Davis posted a bold blog over at the Mercury about the future of Journalism in Portland and the weekly papers. He's an ace and has a great pulse on the city. Not sure exactly how I feel about all of it, but certainly worth reading if you live the weekly papers and the journalism that's coming out of Portland. I haven't read the Jaquiss article he critiques, but plan to tomorrow morning. I'm a tad busy moving.
Ultimately though, with all the huff and puff over journalism in the future, I'm excited to be in Portland specifically during this time. I'm not sure why, but I just like what's happening in this city right now between the transportation issues, population growth, and the ever-exciting music scene which seems to always be in "the good times."
Rose City 'till I die.
Ultimately though, with all the huff and puff over journalism in the future, I'm excited to be in Portland specifically during this time. I'm not sure why, but I just like what's happening in this city right now between the transportation issues, population growth, and the ever-exciting music scene which seems to always be in "the good times."
Rose City 'till I die.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
And Then It Hit Me
I start every Tuesday morning at 6:30am. I normally do not stop working on one thing or another until about 9:30 that night. It tends to be a very long day. And at the center of that extended day is a class called, "Postmodern Thought," which is technically an English class but primarily deals with philosophy and culture studies. This class meets in the basement of one of Portland State's older buildings. There is no cell phone service and no windows. Every week, our lanky old professor plays movies or clips of television shows to point to an aspect of postmodernism. Needless to say, there are some days where it is too hard to keep my eyes open.
But yesterday we watched a very interesting clip that made my brain and eyes open a little bit.
It was a debate that was filmed in the 1980s between the makers of the Monty Python film, The Life of Brian, and some Christian clergymen/teachers. The Christian clergymen were older and the Monty Python guys were younger. The debate was essentially focused on the very concept of the MP film. Was this film worth while? It is good? Will it last? Is it blasphemy?
During the debate, one of the old Christian men said, "You've taken the most sacred life any human has lived and made a joke of it. That is unthinkable and blasphemous to the most essential thing we know of."
But there is a problem here, and it gets to the heart of postmodernism. When I heard him say this I realized that this man was not defending Jesus, nor was he even defending his faith in Christ. What he was defending was the image and picture we have created of Christ. He was defending our sign or symbol for Jesus and not Jesus himself. If he really knew Christ, I think he would realize that he doesn't need defending.
The image we have made of Christ (long haired and bearded white man in a gentle, white robe) has been defended since its inception. So people began to (and still do now) care more about Christ's representation than the real, living, Christ himself.
AND THEN it hit me that what I'm really talking about is fundamentalism.
See, postmodern thought has everything to do with signs or symbols. The postmodernist loves to take a sign we have ascribed meaning to, and put it in a context totally separate from the signs original place. They will play with the sign and look for a reaction from the audience. Postmodernists test the limits of our cultural signs.
"South Park" is the best example of this. Jesus lives in the town South Park, speaks simple English, and occasionally does things far outside of the Christ we read about in the Bible, have seen in movies, etc. This upsets many Christians.
But why does it upset Christians? And why did that old man get so upset with Monty Python? These postmodern artists, filmmakers, and writers are not really using Jesus, because Jesus is not a white man in a robe, but rather they're using the symbol and sign we have used for Jesus and putting it in a different context to see the audience react.
Therefore, when Christians and the old man defend Jesus, they're really practicing fundamentalism, as they are not defending Christ and the essence of the gospel, but they're really defending the sign we have used for Jesus.
Fundamentalism appeared in full force right when postmodern thought made its first steps. Where there is postmodernism, there is fundamentalism.
So then, since I am a Christian minister, I'll end with a question for you to think about if you claim to know God: Are you defending Christ (as if he needed it) or are you defending the image we have made for Christ? God does not need you to protect him. He didn't ask you to be a defendant for his reputation, he asked you to be a witness to his reality. Jesus is not a local rabbi with good carpentry skills. That's who he was while he was with us on this earth. And sadly, that's a lot of who people think he is.
Now, on the contrary, He's King of the earth. He is supreme, with all authority on heaven and earth. The thing he desires for you to do, is to get others off of the image and in to the essence.
But yesterday we watched a very interesting clip that made my brain and eyes open a little bit.
It was a debate that was filmed in the 1980s between the makers of the Monty Python film, The Life of Brian, and some Christian clergymen/teachers. The Christian clergymen were older and the Monty Python guys were younger. The debate was essentially focused on the very concept of the MP film. Was this film worth while? It is good? Will it last? Is it blasphemy?
During the debate, one of the old Christian men said, "You've taken the most sacred life any human has lived and made a joke of it. That is unthinkable and blasphemous to the most essential thing we know of."
But there is a problem here, and it gets to the heart of postmodernism. When I heard him say this I realized that this man was not defending Jesus, nor was he even defending his faith in Christ. What he was defending was the image and picture we have created of Christ. He was defending our sign or symbol for Jesus and not Jesus himself. If he really knew Christ, I think he would realize that he doesn't need defending.
The image we have made of Christ (long haired and bearded white man in a gentle, white robe) has been defended since its inception. So people began to (and still do now) care more about Christ's representation than the real, living, Christ himself.
AND THEN it hit me that what I'm really talking about is fundamentalism.
See, postmodern thought has everything to do with signs or symbols. The postmodernist loves to take a sign we have ascribed meaning to, and put it in a context totally separate from the signs original place. They will play with the sign and look for a reaction from the audience. Postmodernists test the limits of our cultural signs.
"South Park" is the best example of this. Jesus lives in the town South Park, speaks simple English, and occasionally does things far outside of the Christ we read about in the Bible, have seen in movies, etc. This upsets many Christians.
But why does it upset Christians? And why did that old man get so upset with Monty Python? These postmodern artists, filmmakers, and writers are not really using Jesus, because Jesus is not a white man in a robe, but rather they're using the symbol and sign we have used for Jesus and putting it in a different context to see the audience react.
Therefore, when Christians and the old man defend Jesus, they're really practicing fundamentalism, as they are not defending Christ and the essence of the gospel, but they're really defending the sign we have used for Jesus.
Fundamentalism appeared in full force right when postmodern thought made its first steps. Where there is postmodernism, there is fundamentalism.
So then, since I am a Christian minister, I'll end with a question for you to think about if you claim to know God: Are you defending Christ (as if he needed it) or are you defending the image we have made for Christ? God does not need you to protect him. He didn't ask you to be a defendant for his reputation, he asked you to be a witness to his reality. Jesus is not a local rabbi with good carpentry skills. That's who he was while he was with us on this earth. And sadly, that's a lot of who people think he is.
Now, on the contrary, He's King of the earth. He is supreme, with all authority on heaven and earth. The thing he desires for you to do, is to get others off of the image and in to the essence.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Yes, It's My Birthday, but There are More Important Things
Like,
you know, stuff.
Ever since last year when I began reading Nick Hornby's "What I've Been Reading" column from The Believer, I have wanted to keep track for myself. I think I've mentioned here and there what I've been reading on this blog, but I'd like to try it more formally.
So, it's been done, I've put a little reminder in my phone at the end of every month to post what I've been reading to the blog. It's sort of an accountability thing for me, to make sure I'm reading, but also to let you know of some stuff you should read.
I'll tell you quickly what I read in October, because I read some great stuff.
1) Zeitoun by Dave Eggers. Simply great. I'm not sure if I connected with solely because of my passion and connection to New Orleans, or just because of the studly journalism that went in to the last section of the book...I dunno. This is the true story of one man. Just a man. But his personal narrative, as told by Eggers, is worth reading if you're a human. If you don't know anything about the events that followed the Katrina disaster, it's best to either speak with residents of New Orleans who were there during the catastrophe, or to read an all-encompassing account of the Katrina events. This book, however, is yet another eye opening look at one of the greatest tragedies our nation has seen.
2) Forgotten God by Francis Chan. I read this in one night. Very easy to read, and very accessible to tons of types of people. It's a book about the Holy Spirit, and Chan brings some great things to the table. I'll say it: better than Crazy Love. Truth.
3) Overqualified by Joey Comeau. Just freaking funny. A small book of cover letters that Comeau actually sent to real job openings. He got tired of writing the same stuff, and decided to get creative. What comes out of it, is pure comic genius. Watch out for the Canadians, because I think they're beginning to take over.
4) The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer. This book is tiny. TINY. It took me two months to really read it. Tozer places every word right where it needs to go, and it takes a normal person a very long time to actually comprehend and take in. If you think you know God, or if you want to know God, or if you know nothing about God, read Tozer. He knows Him and he'll be able to articulate as much as he can. He admits he can't write about everything, but he comes pretty dang close I would say.
Other than that it was all stuff from school. (Curse you school for slowing me down!)
Hey! This will be fun! yay! Fun! Hurray!
you know, stuff.Ever since last year when I began reading Nick Hornby's "What I've Been Reading" column from The Believer, I have wanted to keep track for myself. I think I've mentioned here and there what I've been reading on this blog, but I'd like to try it more formally.
So, it's been done, I've put a little reminder in my phone at the end of every month to post what I've been reading to the blog. It's sort of an accountability thing for me, to make sure I'm reading, but also to let you know of some stuff you should read.
I'll tell you quickly what I read in October, because I read some great stuff.
1) Zeitoun by Dave Eggers. Simply great. I'm not sure if I connected with solely because of my passion and connection to New Orleans, or just because of the studly journalism that went in to the last section of the book...I dunno. This is the true story of one man. Just a man. But his personal narrative, as told by Eggers, is worth reading if you're a human. If you don't know anything about the events that followed the Katrina disaster, it's best to either speak with residents of New Orleans who were there during the catastrophe, or to read an all-encompassing account of the Katrina events. This book, however, is yet another eye opening look at one of the greatest tragedies our nation has seen.
2) Forgotten God by Francis Chan. I read this in one night. Very easy to read, and very accessible to tons of types of people. It's a book about the Holy Spirit, and Chan brings some great things to the table. I'll say it: better than Crazy Love. Truth.
3) Overqualified by Joey Comeau. Just freaking funny. A small book of cover letters that Comeau actually sent to real job openings. He got tired of writing the same stuff, and decided to get creative. What comes out of it, is pure comic genius. Watch out for the Canadians, because I think they're beginning to take over.
4) The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer. This book is tiny. TINY. It took me two months to really read it. Tozer places every word right where it needs to go, and it takes a normal person a very long time to actually comprehend and take in. If you think you know God, or if you want to know God, or if you know nothing about God, read Tozer. He knows Him and he'll be able to articulate as much as he can. He admits he can't write about everything, but he comes pretty dang close I would say.
Other than that it was all stuff from school. (Curse you school for slowing me down!)
Hey! This will be fun! yay! Fun! Hurray!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
A Method to the Madness
This is an old picture (click on it for the full view) from Time magazine of Al Gore in his home office. I saw it years ago and then rediscovered it when I was looking around at his blog, which is called (in all creativity) "Al's Journal." I'd like to think I'm more organized, but then again, who really cares when you win a Nobel? Do what you like.
Just the Tweet and Potatoes
Got my own twitter account. It's already helping me generate some ideas for articles (medical marijuana bars in Portland? Thanks Twitter!) follow me @chrisnye if you like.
If you want to read my last 3 tweets, they're over on the right of this page under "The 140," or click on "Follow" to get to my profile.
from my Palm.
If you want to read my last 3 tweets, they're over on the right of this page under "The 140," or click on "Follow" to get to my profile.
from my Palm.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Hey, Look Alive!
Right before my dad would throw something really heavy at me, he would always yell, "Look alive!" really quickly. Often it would be a large tool like a wrench or a hammer, but other times it would be a surprising object of large size and/or volume like a gallon of milk or a computer monitor.
I now say this to you because I'm throwing this at you:
www.therearguard.org
That'll link you to the monthly alternative paper that is produced independently but on the campus of Portland State University. Just a couple of weeks ago I landed a job as a staff writer, about two or three articles a month. They publish online, but it would be better if you are on campus to pick up a hard copy and feel that newspaper in your hand while it lasts.
Needless to say, I'm excited to finally be getting published in some format, but more so, am excited to be on a staff that forces me to be involved with what they heck's happening in Portland and around the world. The people are awesome.
Be looking forward to my first two articles: one of my experience in China, and a feature regarding teen homelessness in the Portland area.
I'll still be blogging, but maybe less. I won't post any articles here, but maybe just links to the Rearguard site when my pieces are up.
Look alive!
I now say this to you because I'm throwing this at you:
www.therearguard.org
That'll link you to the monthly alternative paper that is produced independently but on the campus of Portland State University. Just a couple of weeks ago I landed a job as a staff writer, about two or three articles a month. They publish online, but it would be better if you are on campus to pick up a hard copy and feel that newspaper in your hand while it lasts.
Needless to say, I'm excited to finally be getting published in some format, but more so, am excited to be on a staff that forces me to be involved with what they heck's happening in Portland and around the world. The people are awesome.
Be looking forward to my first two articles: one of my experience in China, and a feature regarding teen homelessness in the Portland area.
I'll still be blogging, but maybe less. I won't post any articles here, but maybe just links to the Rearguard site when my pieces are up.
Look alive!
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