Just A Reminder To...

Goo Goo

Ok, I have something to admit. I like Lady Gaga. I think she's good for pop music. And on Saturday I cleaned the upstairs bathroom for an hour, fueled by her infectious pop rhythms.

Up until a few months ago she was a very tiny blip on my radar. To the best of my knowledge I hadn't even heard the entirety of one of her songs (which is what happens when you don't spend much time with top 20 radio). But then, while engaging in one of my favourite activities - reading in the bathroom, she got up in the face of my cultural radar. Through one 3 page spread in Macleans I came to respect her and what she is doing with her art. Yup, I called it art. Lianne George of Macleans says in the spread, "Instead of engaging the idea of 'realness,' she's created an absurdist alternate reality - identifying David Bowie, Freddie Mercury and Warhol as her inspirations - where music, fashion, performance art and sex collide to create a commercial art supernova."

Gaga is bringing pop back. She says in interviews that you won't catch her blogging about her feelings or pumping gas in a t-shirt and flip flops. She's living her art and I feel like I need to applaud her for it. In my mind she's leading a renaissance to the days of true performers. Pop performers don't get to be human, nor do I think we want them to be. In this time of recession and transition, I don't want to know about pop star's regular everyday problems. I want to be transported, distracted and entertained. Lady Gaga is training hard in this trade

On Sunday night I happened to catch her performance at the MTV Video Music Awards. I have to say that I was actually moved by the intensity of her performance. Thus far I haven't located a posting of it that I can embed here. But, you can you find it on MTV's site here (chose the 15th clip) or this lesser quality youtube post here.

Uh, concluding sentence...shake ure kitty.

Life Lessons From The Laptop

Yesterday evening I was surfing the interwebs on my lappy. I went to look at the time and noticed the little battery icon was telling me that I had little charge left. 90% of the time when the battery drops to 15% charge it say "Hey, plug me in or I'll die!" This was one of the times within that 10% when it didn't. If I had not have looked over at the time, I would not have seen the icon and the lappy would have died right in the middle of the things I was doing.

Being one who is cursed/blessed to see every (expletive) thing as a life lesson or sermon analogy, this little idiosyncrasy of life didn't seem be any exception. Two lessons came to mind as I plugged my computer in...

The first is that we're a lot like the laptop; we can run for a good amount of time, doing all kinds of things, but if we don't plug in, we'll die. Coming from my Christian way of looking at things, I would extrapolate that into meaning that we need to plug into Christ (and really the whole rest of the Trinity). We can plug into Christ by a very wide variety of ways (just like the many outlets we find in our homes). We must plug in by prayer and through the Word. We also need to plug into Christian community.

The second thing I thought about was the warning pop-up that tells me I should plug the computer in. This actually took me in two directions. One, was that as community we need to sometimes be that warning pop-up that says plug in (via the ways above). Sometimes we don't want to be the annoying pop-up that urges action. But if we don't want people to die (spiritually, emotionally, physically, mentally, etc) then we have to do that urging to plug into what is good and what is needed to recharge and be able to continue functioning. The second was that we often want to ignore the little warning. I often push the limits of my computer's (and my personal) battery life, thinking that I can look at a few more things, or complete a few more tasks before I have to plug in. But often I end up so very close to the finish and then ending up with no battery life and a forced shut down.

I know that's a lot of thought on a laptop battery. But it was just what was going through my head. Feel free to pilfer these and use them for any uses you may have. Grin.

Really?

How come we can make Christmas lights that will flash to specific music, but we can't find a way to wrap the average stick of butter so that you don't have to open both ends to get a clear slice of the butter?

Rex De Milo Looks Back At Life Lived And What He Must Do Now

To see the rest of Rex's pensings.

Or Something Like That

This went through my head the other day:

Television was to radio as lighters were to matches.

(yup video killed the radio star and lighters killed the... match stick boy?)

Chalk It Up

Here are some more pictures of the He Is Risen sidewalk chalk piece I did in Saturday's sunset.

Inspiration came from having mulled some things over in my head while out for a walk. I had thought about the (unbeeeaaaaarable) tension of the time between the crucifixion and the resurrection, but how we are all children of the resurrection, so what does that tension mean to us? To me it was reconciling the state of the sinful world we live in with the undeserving gift we receive in the resurrection of Christ at Easter. I had also found myself trying to place myself in the narratives of holy week and simply not being able to fully comprehend what that would have been like - to be around a crucifixion or to be killed so brutally for so many thankless people. So this piece for me, was an attempt to express some of my (unbeeeeaaarrrable) tension at the joy that is always there/here, the confusion and hurt that was there, and the pain and distortion that is here.

Birth Control

You know how they have Take Your Kids To Work day? Well I was thinking about another day/night they should have for high school aged people (or really anyone considering bringing spawn into the world) - a sort of birth control, abstinence, safe sex over night trip. The trip would involve staying with a family that had children while the children were puking or having bad colds in the middle of the night. The victim/teenager/adult would be on bucket brigade and mop duty (or carpet stain removal). I don't know, but dealing with multiple puking little ones at 3am doesn't make me horny.

I tried to come up with some pithy slogans for this initiative. This was the best I could come up with - feel free to add your own...

• Other people's kids: making you less horny since they started puking at 3am.
• Think you're ready to be a Daddy, tough guy? Explain to your 18 month old why he can't breath.
• Does puke make you puke? Then keep your pants on!
• The 100% successful birth control - a combination of other people's kids and abstinence.
• Don't be a chump. Before you hump, think about a night of runny stuff coming out of their rump. (too far?)
• Abstinence; it-snot the worst thing that ever happened to you.
• Cough, cough, cough, cough, what? Keep it in your drawers.
• Nothin' spells lovin' like vomit chunk covered laundry in the middle of the night!
  

One Of Life's Little Annoyances

Don't you just love waking up ravenously hungry?

HEY! Stomach! Do I not get to you every morning? Ok, then chill, your time will come.

Bah.

Until Now

I saw two goose tongues on the weekend. Until now I had never given any thought to birds having tongues. Had you?

Loads Of Truth

I use iGoogle and one of my gadgets there is the quote of the day. There are three of them in a little box all together.

The other day these three were together and I loved them all:

I base my fashion taste on what doesn't itch.
- Gilda Radner

The purpose of life is to fight maturity.
- Dick Werthimer

A committee is a cul-de-sac down which ideas are lured and then quietly strangled.
- Sir Barnett Cocks

What Path Are You On?

Today Was Kind Of Hard

There was a woman named Betty who had been in Chorus London for over 20 years. She 'retired' from the choir a few years ago. She passed away a couple of weeks ago after a battle with cancer. One of her wishes was that the choir would sing at her memorial.

The memorial was this morning. We were to sing Rutter's "The Lord Bless You And Keep You" and do parts on the 2 hymns that were sung. Easy right?

Wrong.

It may have been a little soon for me to do another funeral - and this one contained one of the hymns that we sang at Grandma Stewart's funeral and 2 of the Psalms, including the one I read. So I had all of that hitting me. The service was also in a funeral home chapel and the last time I was in one of those was after my friend Crystal was killed. So I had bits of that swirling around too.

I started to cry during one of the prayers and I'm sure there were a few people wondering how exactly I had been so touched at a memorial service for someone I had never met. But yeah, it put me in a bit of a funk for the rest of the day and really emphasized to me how much I miss my Grandma.

Are You Speaking My Language?

The subject of love languages came on my radar around 10 years ago, shortly after the time I became a Christian. I had not(and still haven't) read Gary Chapman's book(s), The Five Love Languages. Since the understanding of the concept of love languages came into my existence I have often used it a much more specific way than I have been told Chapman does. I guess I kind of create some sub categories. For instance, I would say that one of my Mother's love languages is food - she loves with the food she makes. I would say that one of mine is punching - I love with the punches I give to your face. That kind of thing.

It wasn't until church this morning that I actually got to hear what Chapman's 5 languages actually are (imagine my shock and awe when punching and food where not on the list!). They actually really resonated with me both as things that for the most part I think I successfully do, but also as things I very much crave in relationship. As a part of a sermon encouraging us to speak out our faith we were encouraged to listen, watch and learn what other people's love languages are (in A.Z. language - felt needs) and speak them (real deeds).

Chapman's languages are:

1. Words of affirmation - aka encouragement
2. Quality time - aka spending time with someone and making them the focus of that time
3. Gifts - the giving, the recieving, the treasuring
4. Acts of service - allieviating the burdens, meeting the needs
5. Physical touch - we need this to survive and grow

I was really encouraged to hear these 'cause well, I think they are something I do pretty well. Relationships are something that for the most part I do well (I will admit to having made abominations of some relationships). Obviously there is more I can be looking for, more language to learn and to speak.

So as you're going through your life - take some time to think about those who are surrounding you; coworkers; family; friends; neighbours; housemates; community and see if you can listen for those languages. If you can't hear them, pray and ask that you would. It can't hurt to have a little more love in the world.

Girls In the Infield

I've been playing some form of baseball for 16 or 17 years now. And like most people I started playing with other little girls and boys playing tee-ball. Things progressed and the other little girls slowly stopped coming until it was just me and my friend Lisa. I was on an OASA traveling team with a group of guys that I grew up with until I got scouted by a PWSA team from the closest city. At that point it was bye, bye boys and I started to play with only girls until I graduated from high school. Then I had a 5ish year break until I made my return to the diamond 3 summers ago in Reachforth Slo-Pitch.

Now that I'm playing again, I'm back in mixed company. I am a 2nd baseman. Or at least that is what my PWSA coach trained me to be. Its where I feel the most comfortable. But well, playing with guys again, I have to question if having me at 2nd base is the best thing for the team. Traditionally men are bigger, stronger, faster and in adult mixed leagues, they both make up most of the team and most of the key positions on the field.

In our league you have to have 2 women on the field at all times and usually there is one returning the lob ball pitches, right field is popular (as we play with 4 outfielders - using a 'rover') and sometimes 2nd base. So then I question, am I one of those chicks who has been placed at 2nd because I'm loud and said I could play there and there is a shortstop to back me up, or is it because I can play?

Because I question this, I tend to think that I have something to prove. That every time I walk on to the field and take my position that I have to show the guys that I can play that position. I think I do pretty well and although my stomach hurts with nerves as I get ready for every game, I have settled in.

Every once in a while another "baseball" girl plays with me, whether its for a tournament that I've been asked to play in or in league play when we've been short players and had to bring in friends of teammates. By baseball girl, I mean another female who says she can play. And, well, not to sound conceited, but often these other women come with a mouth larger than their skill set. They say they are infielders, but then fail to deliver the goods. This does two things - 1) makes boys question having girls in their infield 2) usually makes me look good if I play a solid game.

All of this to say that I recognize that I have a great opportunity to be playing in the infield with a great bunch of guys. Because of this I try to push myself to play at their level or better. And sometimes that makes my stomach hurt before games.

(We have two games this morning to make up rainouts)

Kentucky Waterfall

I decided that my car is a mullet. Yup, a mullet - business in the front, party in the back.

I drive a silver Civic. It is a pretty boring car. When you stand at the front of it you see silver and you the grey interior. The most exciting thing you see in the front is a tiny gymbe hanging from my rear view mirror.

Once you move to the back you get the party. The two rear passenger seat windows have static clings on them, the rear windshield has 2 clings on it. Then you get to the bumper which boasts 5 bumper stickers. The party is in the back.

Mullets are back in Europe. Give me 3 years and my car will be so very cool here.

I'm Just Sayin' Is All

Matt Stairs is not an attractive man.

Lou Pinella doesn't look right in a Cubs uniform.

Thought

The world needs more clothes lines and hammocks.

Thoughts, Goals, Time, Space and Bicycles

Fact: I am unemployed
Fact: I am very tired

After a visit to a treasured friend last week I had a thought. The thought was that maybe I didn't get the job I had really hoped for because God was giving me a gift of time. The past 7 years here in Hamilton have been great, but they have been hard. I was saying to a friend last night that this post graduation feeling is like I'm standing on a peak of a mountain - its not the tallest peak, but the view is still breathtaking. But standing on this peak, I am not unscathed. I have scars, I am bruised, I am bleeding, in spots I am broken. None of this detracts from the view, in fact it makes it sweeter.

So I think that this summer, unless God tells/shows me different I am going to try and just get enough work to pay the bills. This will leave me with time to sleep more and let my body heal, time to pray and soak in the word, time to do lots of core strengthening ball exercises, and whatever else comes my way. This of course is all up to discipline, finding the right amount of part time work (I have ideas) and a few other things. If full time work that doesn't kill me comes along and I'm supposed to take it, then I will. But I think this is the plan of action for now.

Creation, Fall, Redemption

Sometimes it makes me sad that I have to spend time in thought and prayer about who is safe to submit to/be submissive with. It sucks that I've been wrong.