So someone asked me for some links that I like. Fine -- here ya go.
Angelo Inc. -- The best web comic out there. Ever. Go read it. Right now. NOW, I said!
Dracula's Full Lament -- The praise and worship song, done by a secular Muppet. Better than some things out there today.
Sham Rock - "Tell Me Ma" -- a great Irish techno song. Just kinda stumbled across it accidentally and fell for it.
Kongregate -- Whenever I need a good break, I head over and play a few rounds of whatever I feel like. All kinds of timewasters on this place.
Google -- More powerful than anybody realizes. My homepage.
Facebook -- My social networking drug of choice. I used to have a MySpace page, but then I turned thirty, and decided to take it down.
Hulu -- One of several online video services. My personal favorite for recent domestic television.
AMV Cake -- For those of you who don't know, AMV stands for Anime Music Video. This is a good example of it.
Common People AMV -- One of my favorite versions of this song, being done in a slightly more grown up style. It's a grown-up song, though, so it's all ok.
That's eight, and that's enough for right now. Comment me your favorites, and we'll do lunch or something.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
40th Confession
So tonight, I'm gonna take a quick look at Contemporary Christian Music. Only a quick look, because much more than that and I get sick to my stomach.
Most CCM has fallen into the sameness trap: it all sounds the same. It tries to be "fresh" and "pure" and "holy", when all it comes across as is sweet and ineffectual.
QUICK DISCLAIMER -- THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO ALL CCM. NOT ALL CCM GROUPS ARE SYRUPY SWEET SUBSTITUTES FOR "SECULAR" MUSIC. THERE ARE A FEW - VERY FEW - DECENT GROUPS OUT THERE.
When I look around for decent music, I look for a group that knows its sound and works it to the best of their abilities. U2 has anthem rock down pat and they play around with it in creative ways. Delirious has a similar sound, but they put it to use not to rock stadiums, but to challenge believers. Queen's songs changed the way that it meant to rock the world; Third Day has done something similar to the CCM world, without the extra makeup or the leotards. Although, I think Mac Powell would look lovely in the harlquinn...never mind. No I don't.
When I look at both the CCM and the "secular" world of music, all I hear and see is static. The local alternative station plays some decent stuff, but all of it sounds like the 80's or earlier. With a couple notable exceptions (Mumford & Sons and Cake), all the new, fresh, alternative sounds all are played out and tired, too.
Which means it's time for a new sound to come out of somewhere. I just hope that we recognize it when it happens.
Most CCM has fallen into the sameness trap: it all sounds the same. It tries to be "fresh" and "pure" and "holy", when all it comes across as is sweet and ineffectual.
QUICK DISCLAIMER -- THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO ALL CCM. NOT ALL CCM GROUPS ARE SYRUPY SWEET SUBSTITUTES FOR "SECULAR" MUSIC. THERE ARE A FEW - VERY FEW - DECENT GROUPS OUT THERE.
When I look around for decent music, I look for a group that knows its sound and works it to the best of their abilities. U2 has anthem rock down pat and they play around with it in creative ways. Delirious has a similar sound, but they put it to use not to rock stadiums, but to challenge believers. Queen's songs changed the way that it meant to rock the world; Third Day has done something similar to the CCM world, without the extra makeup or the leotards. Although, I think Mac Powell would look lovely in the harlquinn...never mind. No I don't.
When I look at both the CCM and the "secular" world of music, all I hear and see is static. The local alternative station plays some decent stuff, but all of it sounds like the 80's or earlier. With a couple notable exceptions (Mumford & Sons and Cake), all the new, fresh, alternative sounds all are played out and tired, too.
Which means it's time for a new sound to come out of somewhere. I just hope that we recognize it when it happens.
39th Confession
Here's hoping your new year is brilliant and fantastic, as well as completely wonderful!
As some of you know, I used to work at a call center. It wasn't the best job in the world, but then again, I'm not entirely qualified to say that, because what didn't work for me might work for someone else. I also have had my share of fun with people on the phone, both before I worked at the call center, and afterwards. Let's revisit some of that today, shall we?
First, most telemarketers/advertisers/people who cold call and annoy you have a script that they have to read. This is abasing, detracting from basic human dignity by attempting to analyze and measure something that ought not have been measured probably in the first place. Second, the person reading the script is usually being forced to work long hours for peanuts, not generally adding to their general good cheer. Third, most of them have just gotten off of a call where they've either been verbally abused, degraded, or cussed out - and they're dreading talking to you because they think you'll do the same thing.
So what should you do? My suggestion is one of three things, depending on how much time and love you have. Well, on how much love you have: if you have the love, you'll make the time. For people who don't have the time or the love, just thank them for calling and hang up. Say no more than that - it's the kindest way to deny them what they're shoving on you, and they're used to it by this time anyway. For people who have a little time, listen to their script, kindly thank them and tell them of your disinterest in a polite, courteous way. Of course, they're going to try again a couple of times - it's in their script. Listen, thank, and dismiss politely again, repeating as often as you wish.
The third option is to actually interact with them as though they were actual genuine human beings. Gently coax them out of their scripts by complimenting their accent. Answer their question with something totally outrageous. If you get them off their script, you give them a chance to breathe and be a human being in a dehumanizing position. At worst, you've just wasted their company's time (which means nothing to you, but a bigger paycheck for the agent); at best, it gives them something to talk about at the soda machine. "Hey, you'll never believe this call I had with this guy who calls his fish long distance. No, really!"
As some of you know, I used to work at a call center. It wasn't the best job in the world, but then again, I'm not entirely qualified to say that, because what didn't work for me might work for someone else. I also have had my share of fun with people on the phone, both before I worked at the call center, and afterwards. Let's revisit some of that today, shall we?
First, most telemarketers/advertisers/people who cold call and annoy you have a script that they have to read. This is abasing, detracting from basic human dignity by attempting to analyze and measure something that ought not have been measured probably in the first place. Second, the person reading the script is usually being forced to work long hours for peanuts, not generally adding to their general good cheer. Third, most of them have just gotten off of a call where they've either been verbally abused, degraded, or cussed out - and they're dreading talking to you because they think you'll do the same thing.
So what should you do? My suggestion is one of three things, depending on how much time and love you have. Well, on how much love you have: if you have the love, you'll make the time. For people who don't have the time or the love, just thank them for calling and hang up. Say no more than that - it's the kindest way to deny them what they're shoving on you, and they're used to it by this time anyway. For people who have a little time, listen to their script, kindly thank them and tell them of your disinterest in a polite, courteous way. Of course, they're going to try again a couple of times - it's in their script. Listen, thank, and dismiss politely again, repeating as often as you wish.
The third option is to actually interact with them as though they were actual genuine human beings. Gently coax them out of their scripts by complimenting their accent. Answer their question with something totally outrageous. If you get them off their script, you give them a chance to breathe and be a human being in a dehumanizing position. At worst, you've just wasted their company's time (which means nothing to you, but a bigger paycheck for the agent); at best, it gives them something to talk about at the soda machine. "Hey, you'll never believe this call I had with this guy who calls his fish long distance. No, really!"
Friday, December 17, 2010
38th Confession
Just a few random thoughts thrown out there this time around. Comment on what you want me to discuss more in depth; next post, though, is about how to talk to telemarketers. ;)
---The age of institutions is dying; no one, least of all the institutions, is happy about it. This is deep, pervasive, and far reaching. The beginnings of this death was the anti-establishment movement of the sixties, and the seventies and eighties saw the decline of power of the institution. By the time the OJ Trial (first) and Rodney King came up, people weren't AS shocked to see justice running amok, but after the Towers fell, nothing but nothing became safe. Consider the birth of the TSA, one of the least efficient and most invasive institutions from the rapidly failing institution of American government. Consider the fact that the population of the institution of churches has decreased in size. Consider.
---My darling wife quite correctly pointed out to me that the local soft rock stations are playing a higher quality of Christian Christmas music than the local Contemporary Christian station. I think that's a sad commentary on the state of affairs: that the "unsaved" are praising the root of Christmas better than the "saved."
---I'm thinking about shaking up the graphics on the website; e-mail me on Facebook with suggestions and comments on what you'd like to see on the page.
---I've been listening to the local Alternative station (CD 101 at 102.5 FM - plug plug), and I've noticed that the music hearkens back to the 80's new-wave movement. It seems as though the music industry is stuck; either that, or we've reached the point of media saturation. When tied in with the concept that the institution of "big business" or the "music industry" is dying, it seems to me to be pointing the way toward a static society.
---Tomorrow, I'm going to an 80's Cartoon viewing at a friend's house in my pajamas. I say "in my pajamas", but what I really mean is "in a set of pajamas." I might stick a smoking jacket on over the entire ensemble, just to make it a little more surreal.
---I kinda like the freedom of throwing out a few lines here and there, not really having to make an entire composition for each post. But I think there's room and place for both in this blog.
---The age of institutions is dying; no one, least of all the institutions, is happy about it. This is deep, pervasive, and far reaching. The beginnings of this death was the anti-establishment movement of the sixties, and the seventies and eighties saw the decline of power of the institution. By the time the OJ Trial (first) and Rodney King came up, people weren't AS shocked to see justice running amok, but after the Towers fell, nothing but nothing became safe. Consider the birth of the TSA, one of the least efficient and most invasive institutions from the rapidly failing institution of American government. Consider the fact that the population of the institution of churches has decreased in size. Consider.
---My darling wife quite correctly pointed out to me that the local soft rock stations are playing a higher quality of Christian Christmas music than the local Contemporary Christian station. I think that's a sad commentary on the state of affairs: that the "unsaved" are praising the root of Christmas better than the "saved."
---I'm thinking about shaking up the graphics on the website; e-mail me on Facebook with suggestions and comments on what you'd like to see on the page.
---I've been listening to the local Alternative station (CD 101 at 102.5 FM - plug plug), and I've noticed that the music hearkens back to the 80's new-wave movement. It seems as though the music industry is stuck; either that, or we've reached the point of media saturation. When tied in with the concept that the institution of "big business" or the "music industry" is dying, it seems to me to be pointing the way toward a static society.
---Tomorrow, I'm going to an 80's Cartoon viewing at a friend's house in my pajamas. I say "in my pajamas", but what I really mean is "in a set of pajamas." I might stick a smoking jacket on over the entire ensemble, just to make it a little more surreal.
---I kinda like the freedom of throwing out a few lines here and there, not really having to make an entire composition for each post. But I think there's room and place for both in this blog.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
37th Confession
The Top 5 Ways to tell Bigfoot you're just not that into him:
5) Shriek, scream "OHMYGOD PLEASE DON'T EAT ME!" and then run off a cliff.
4) Calmly sit him down in a public place and explain that you're seeing someone whose diet is a lot less vegan.
3) Distract Padmasambhava and destroy the spherical equipment around the lair. GRATUITOUS DOCTOR WHO REFERENCE
2) Offer to shave him.
1) Tell him that the truism about feet doesn't apply in his case.
5) Shriek, scream "OHMYGOD PLEASE DON'T EAT ME!" and then run off a cliff.
4) Calmly sit him down in a public place and explain that you're seeing someone whose diet is a lot less vegan.
3) Distract Padmasambhava and destroy the spherical equipment around the lair. GRATUITOUS DOCTOR WHO REFERENCE
2) Offer to shave him.
1) Tell him that the truism about feet doesn't apply in his case.
Friday, December 10, 2010
36th Confession
I write this tonight with a heavy heart; another family has lost an infant daughter. Pray for the Myers family of Ellwood City; their dear Gabriella dances in fields of grace tonight, in a land where there is no pain. May the Comforter who stands closer than a brother wrap His arms around them as they face the next days of pain and darkness.
Hug your kids a little closer tomorrow for me, 'kay?
Hug your kids a little closer tomorrow for me, 'kay?
35th Confession
So there's talk about this new asteroid with a life form on it that can survive on arsenic, blah blah blah. It led a couple of people to ask the famous question that science asks of religion every time it learns something new: "Where is your God now?" Sadly, most institutional Christians aren't conversant in basic science, let alone their own faith, to point out that one has no bearing on the other.
I mean, let's face it: most Christians aren't cut out to be scientists. Most people overall aren't, either; if it were easy, everyone would be doing it! But my concern is that scientists have lost sight of what science can and cannot do.
Science can measure things that are able to be measured empirically. Length? Check. Weight? Check. Time? Check. Quality of life? Not a chance. Beauty? No scale exists. Amount of love between humans? Not happening.
See, empiricism can start to make definitions up about things like this: 95% of people surveyed found that a monkfish is uglier than Megan Fox, therefore one could safely say that Megan Fox is more attractive to a monkfish. For example. Although, honestly? That monkfish has got a purdy mouth...
But can it create a scale of how poigniant van Gogh's Starry Night is compared to Munch's The Scream? I mean, one would have to factor in emotional subtexts, cultural and personal memories, number of times seen, and a plethora of other factors to determine a value, which in the end is arbitrary.
To attempt to use reason to evaluate something that is not easily measurable is futile. At best, you end up with a useless set of data and a half-baked scale. At worst, you end up with something entirely wrong.
And that brings me to a set of secular humanist billboards I saw while driving past Philadelphia. Secular humanism is an offshoot of atheism, rejecting religious dogma as a basis for ethical behavior and justice. Fair enough for fair warning, however: your cultural mindset is so entrenched in Biblical principles, you'd need at least four generations of dogmatic brainwashing to completely rinse the Bible out of your mind. We're currently on generation three of secular humanism, and you're still basing your ethical code out of the Bible.
The problem with any ethical code is determining "right" and "wrong." Some things are "wrong" implicitly: murder, rape, torture, etc., because they undermine the other individuals human liberties. However, is something "more wrong" than something else? Stealing is "wrong", but is it better or worse than murder? Murder is "wrong", but is killing someone who had been intent on killing you worse than the original murderous intent? And thus, a scale is born: a penal code based on something that is measured in values that cannot be set in concrete.
And any scale that has no absolutes is no scale that I would want to ever be near.
I mean, let's face it: most Christians aren't cut out to be scientists. Most people overall aren't, either; if it were easy, everyone would be doing it! But my concern is that scientists have lost sight of what science can and cannot do.
Science can measure things that are able to be measured empirically. Length? Check. Weight? Check. Time? Check. Quality of life? Not a chance. Beauty? No scale exists. Amount of love between humans? Not happening.
See, empiricism can start to make definitions up about things like this: 95% of people surveyed found that a monkfish is uglier than Megan Fox, therefore one could safely say that Megan Fox is more attractive to a monkfish. For example. Although, honestly? That monkfish has got a purdy mouth...
But can it create a scale of how poigniant van Gogh's Starry Night is compared to Munch's The Scream? I mean, one would have to factor in emotional subtexts, cultural and personal memories, number of times seen, and a plethora of other factors to determine a value, which in the end is arbitrary.
To attempt to use reason to evaluate something that is not easily measurable is futile. At best, you end up with a useless set of data and a half-baked scale. At worst, you end up with something entirely wrong.
And that brings me to a set of secular humanist billboards I saw while driving past Philadelphia. Secular humanism is an offshoot of atheism, rejecting religious dogma as a basis for ethical behavior and justice. Fair enough for fair warning, however: your cultural mindset is so entrenched in Biblical principles, you'd need at least four generations of dogmatic brainwashing to completely rinse the Bible out of your mind. We're currently on generation three of secular humanism, and you're still basing your ethical code out of the Bible.
The problem with any ethical code is determining "right" and "wrong." Some things are "wrong" implicitly: murder, rape, torture, etc., because they undermine the other individuals human liberties. However, is something "more wrong" than something else? Stealing is "wrong", but is it better or worse than murder? Murder is "wrong", but is killing someone who had been intent on killing you worse than the original murderous intent? And thus, a scale is born: a penal code based on something that is measured in values that cannot be set in concrete.
And any scale that has no absolutes is no scale that I would want to ever be near.
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