Just returned from a improv show with Brad Sherwood and Colin Mochrie. I have never laughed so hard for so long. What amazing brains these guys have.
My favorite bit was the game called "sound effects" where the actors respond to sound effects from chosen audience participants.
There is some improv in Dallas and in KC and I hope to check out more of this live comedy. It takes brains, courage and probably a fair amount of booze.
Saturday, November 27, 2004
Winter Garden Tour
Browns and greys dominate the garden this time year, except for a firestorm of color from the burning bush. Along with the swollen reds from rose hips and a few stubborn heritage rosesthe garden gives the appearance of being dead.
But I like this time of year because it allows me to see the lines of the garden that are normally his among brush and leaves. It allows me to plan and to dream about what can be created next year. Already my mind is working on ideas for lengthening this bed and enlarging that bed. Although the chaos of color is now sleeping for next year's party, the garden is awake with possibilities.
There are always plants that I want to move or even get rid of altogether. I don't have much patience for high-maintainance plants and if they don't perform the first year, then usually out they go.
I poured some pecan hulls around some perennials today and will clean out fountains this week so that they can be ready to go in the spring. All supplies, tools are being rounded up from their various hiding spots (did I really put the shovel there?) to be cleaned and put away.
The big project still remains the giant gaping hole that started to be a pond but became, instead, a family swimming pool. Only, we haven't begun the pool yet. Last year it rained every week and neighbors who started pools didn't get them completed until late in the fall. So, we hope to start on ours in the wet spring with hopes of having a pool by Memorial day. This has been a long awaited project for our family. I want to have it so the kids can have parties there with their older friends.
We've cleaned out the garage, too, and Nathan has decided he wants to try an e-bay business and is getting some things cleaned up, photographed and put on the computer for extra money. I'm really proud of him for this idea...sure beats flipping burgers or some other part time job. He has an eye for style so this might be a great outlet for him. If I start noticing dinnerware and other family heirlooms missing, I might re-think this.
Ellen and I finished our decorating, with Ellen firmly in the lead. She has more passion for decorating this time of year, but once she gets me going, I'm in completely. She loves the season and I am enjoying making new memories with her and I decorating the trees together. She is such a gift, I am so fortunate to have her.
Tonight, Dan and I have our own little party planned with a show with Colin Mocherie and Brad Sherwood, two comics that we love watching. We're going to dinner just the two of us, where he will make goo goo eyes at the steak and be in hog heaven.
But I like this time of year because it allows me to see the lines of the garden that are normally his among brush and leaves. It allows me to plan and to dream about what can be created next year. Already my mind is working on ideas for lengthening this bed and enlarging that bed. Although the chaos of color is now sleeping for next year's party, the garden is awake with possibilities.
There are always plants that I want to move or even get rid of altogether. I don't have much patience for high-maintainance plants and if they don't perform the first year, then usually out they go.
I poured some pecan hulls around some perennials today and will clean out fountains this week so that they can be ready to go in the spring. All supplies, tools are being rounded up from their various hiding spots (did I really put the shovel there?) to be cleaned and put away.
The big project still remains the giant gaping hole that started to be a pond but became, instead, a family swimming pool. Only, we haven't begun the pool yet. Last year it rained every week and neighbors who started pools didn't get them completed until late in the fall. So, we hope to start on ours in the wet spring with hopes of having a pool by Memorial day. This has been a long awaited project for our family. I want to have it so the kids can have parties there with their older friends.
We've cleaned out the garage, too, and Nathan has decided he wants to try an e-bay business and is getting some things cleaned up, photographed and put on the computer for extra money. I'm really proud of him for this idea...sure beats flipping burgers or some other part time job. He has an eye for style so this might be a great outlet for him. If I start noticing dinnerware and other family heirlooms missing, I might re-think this.
Ellen and I finished our decorating, with Ellen firmly in the lead. She has more passion for decorating this time of year, but once she gets me going, I'm in completely. She loves the season and I am enjoying making new memories with her and I decorating the trees together. She is such a gift, I am so fortunate to have her.
Tonight, Dan and I have our own little party planned with a show with Colin Mocherie and Brad Sherwood, two comics that we love watching. We're going to dinner just the two of us, where he will make goo goo eyes at the steak and be in hog heaven.
Friday, November 26, 2004
Movie "The Alamo"
I watched the Alamo on DVD this weekend and thought it was excellent. I heard terrible reviews on it but found it to be a good story about plain men who extraordinary passion.
http://video.movies.go.com/alamo/flash.html
One of the aspects of the movie that I really appreciated is that it has several "sub stories" working well along with the main conflict. That is how I believe real life is...lots going on around a central conflict, which makes it more difficult for the characters to find their way through the challenges.
Billy Bob Thornton performance is penetrating. Whatever demons he has personally makes for superb acting.
http://video.movies.go.com/alamo/flash.html
One of the aspects of the movie that I really appreciated is that it has several "sub stories" working well along with the main conflict. That is how I believe real life is...lots going on around a central conflict, which makes it more difficult for the characters to find their way through the challenges.
Billy Bob Thornton performance is penetrating. Whatever demons he has personally makes for superb acting.
Thursday, November 25, 2004
Too sick to party
I awakened this morning with a flu virus of some sort. I tried to pretend that I felt OK, got dressed and met my family for dinner. We went out (which is why I was so insistent on going!). I started with hot tea and then moved onto to more festive foods. I was able to enjoy the meal but spent the biggest part of the day in bed, emerging late today to read and do a few things around the house. Still feeling a little "raw" and hope I feel better tomorrow.
50,000 words in a month
I missed the November Novel Writing Month, but I've already begun writing at least 6 - 7 pages a day in my "other" journal. I am announcing it here so that those reading might keep me accountable. I think the www.Nanowrimo.org is a great web site with lots of info for those that write in dribbles and drab. So, here's to Decnowrimo...which doesn't have quite the same ring to it but may it be nonetheless helpful in keeping one's writing focused. Hey, it beats after holiday shopping, no?
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Salon Days
I've just spent $100 bucks and 3 longs hours trying to accomplish one thing: NOT looking like my mother.
At the urging of my hairstylist I have allowed my usually short hair to grow longer and now, I've even succombed to the dreaded mid-age perm. I haven't had a perm in -- uh, have I ever had a perm? It's been several years since I've even had enough hair to actually perm.
Next week, hair color, to cover the gray...so I, won't look like an older version of my mom.
At the urging of my hairstylist I have allowed my usually short hair to grow longer and now, I've even succombed to the dreaded mid-age perm. I haven't had a perm in -- uh, have I ever had a perm? It's been several years since I've even had enough hair to actually perm.
Next week, hair color, to cover the gray...so I, won't look like an older version of my mom.
Movies and other things to be thankful for
In an earlier post, I recounted all the movies for the holiday season, giving my predictions of for the good, bad and ugly. I will be seeing a fair amount of movies over the next several days...part of a yearly tradition for me. This weekend, I have a lot from which to choose, so I'll be posting some thoughts. Stay tuned.
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Contemplative Bible Reading
Most of my life, I have been given directives to "mediate upon scriputure". Yet, I can think of not one class, not one sermon that I've ever heard about the "how to" of mediating upon scripture. As with so many other aspects of what some might call a "faith walk" the part of my life that intersects with institutional religion is such a supreme disappointment. It really has discussed nothing of relevance relating to spiritual matters at all. I recently picked up a book on the topic and so far it has been quite helpful. It talks about bible reading both individually and in a group. I can't think of anyone from my church that I would want to share such an experience, but I can think of many friends/acquaintances that I could explore this idea. Most likely I will learn this discipline on my own...the book "Contemplative Bible Reading" by Richard Peace will be my personal reading for the next few days. I hope to journal/blog regarding what I learn.
NOTE: Since writing this post, I have been thoroughly enjoying my journey into this new discipline. It is perhaps one of the highlights of my spiritual journey in the past 10 years.
NOTE: Since writing this post, I have been thoroughly enjoying my journey into this new discipline. It is perhaps one of the highlights of my spiritual journey in the past 10 years.
Getting to Know Cosby
I found this information about Cosby very interesting...
In the Second World War he was to hammer out a concept of leadership that would change the direction of his ministry. As chaplain of the 327th Glider Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, he saw the church from a new vantage point--outside it. It would never have happened if the circumstances of war had not forcibly placed him there.
For the first time he was an observer of the church in the world; he was in the position of receiving people who presumably had been trained by the church for a ministry to the world--to be light in the midst of darkness.
Yet these men, who had been in all the training units of the church, were no more ready for a deadly mission than the unchurched. What he observed was "Christian" men who could not stand up under pressure, not even moral pressure. "If they just didn't go to pieces morally, you could feel grateful for that kind of survival." What he had thought was character, he began to know was the structure of family, society, law enforcement agencies. When this was taken away life did not hold together because internally it was not held together. ...The demands of wartime were shaping the ministry of Gordon Cosby because they were letting him see himself against the back-drop of eternity.
A few days after the Normandy invasion they were to make the first serious assault into enemy lines. It was to take place at two o'clock in the morning. They were to cross a little river and take a hill. The assignment was dangerous enough for them to realize that half their number would die. Gordon decided that the best thing for him to do was to visit with as many of the men as he could in the moments before the assault. It was a cold, drizzly night, though it was June, and he could not see the faces of the men with whom he talked. Crawling into one of the foxholes, he started, "I'm the Chaplain. Just wanted to talk to you a bit." "I'm glad you're here," returned the soldier. "I wanted to talk to you. I have a premonition that I am going to die tonight--that I will meet God before the night is over, and I don't know Him. I want you to talk to me about Him." And then he added, "Don't give me any stuff about philosophy or theology. I just want you to talk to me about God."
In that moment the young chaplain discovered that he did not know nearly so much about God as he had five minutes before. He did not know what to say. Uneasiness filled him, but within a few seconds he found himself saying, "I would like to talk to you about a verse of Scripture which means a lot to me: ?For God so loved the world . . . ?" He talked to the soldier as simply as he knew about those words of Scripture.
The next morning he checked the casualty list. The man was dead. "I wondered about him," Gordon recalls. "He had been so close to me, and I wondered how those last words had hindered or helped him now that he was in the presence of God. Then it occurred to me that this man was every person. What difference does it make whether it is two hours, or two years, or twenty years. Everyone is going to be in the presence of God one day, and everyone is crying out, ?Speak to me of things which are eternal. Speak to me of God.'"
In moments like these he knew that he would be the minister of a congregation at home with the great words of the faith--God, Christ, Holy Spirit, grace, forgiveness. ...The church he dreamed of would be ecumenical: It would work and pray for the healing of the divisions between all churches. ...The church Gordon envisioned would know that its mission was to take a world for Christ. In this alone there would be unity."
In the Second World War he was to hammer out a concept of leadership that would change the direction of his ministry. As chaplain of the 327th Glider Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, he saw the church from a new vantage point--outside it. It would never have happened if the circumstances of war had not forcibly placed him there.
For the first time he was an observer of the church in the world; he was in the position of receiving people who presumably had been trained by the church for a ministry to the world--to be light in the midst of darkness.
Yet these men, who had been in all the training units of the church, were no more ready for a deadly mission than the unchurched. What he observed was "Christian" men who could not stand up under pressure, not even moral pressure. "If they just didn't go to pieces morally, you could feel grateful for that kind of survival." What he had thought was character, he began to know was the structure of family, society, law enforcement agencies. When this was taken away life did not hold together because internally it was not held together. ...The demands of wartime were shaping the ministry of Gordon Cosby because they were letting him see himself against the back-drop of eternity.
A few days after the Normandy invasion they were to make the first serious assault into enemy lines. It was to take place at two o'clock in the morning. They were to cross a little river and take a hill. The assignment was dangerous enough for them to realize that half their number would die. Gordon decided that the best thing for him to do was to visit with as many of the men as he could in the moments before the assault. It was a cold, drizzly night, though it was June, and he could not see the faces of the men with whom he talked. Crawling into one of the foxholes, he started, "I'm the Chaplain. Just wanted to talk to you a bit." "I'm glad you're here," returned the soldier. "I wanted to talk to you. I have a premonition that I am going to die tonight--that I will meet God before the night is over, and I don't know Him. I want you to talk to me about Him." And then he added, "Don't give me any stuff about philosophy or theology. I just want you to talk to me about God."
In that moment the young chaplain discovered that he did not know nearly so much about God as he had five minutes before. He did not know what to say. Uneasiness filled him, but within a few seconds he found himself saying, "I would like to talk to you about a verse of Scripture which means a lot to me: ?For God so loved the world . . . ?" He talked to the soldier as simply as he knew about those words of Scripture.
The next morning he checked the casualty list. The man was dead. "I wondered about him," Gordon recalls. "He had been so close to me, and I wondered how those last words had hindered or helped him now that he was in the presence of God. Then it occurred to me that this man was every person. What difference does it make whether it is two hours, or two years, or twenty years. Everyone is going to be in the presence of God one day, and everyone is crying out, ?Speak to me of things which are eternal. Speak to me of God.'"
In moments like these he knew that he would be the minister of a congregation at home with the great words of the faith--God, Christ, Holy Spirit, grace, forgiveness. ...The church he dreamed of would be ecumenical: It would work and pray for the healing of the divisions between all churches. ...The church Gordon envisioned would know that its mission was to take a world for Christ. In this alone there would be unity."
Thoughts on Touching Lives
I emerged from bed this morning wracked with pain. My shoulders, my neck were all stiff and sore. "Ahhh, " I remembered. "Massage yesterday".
Throughout the day I was reminded in sometimes painful way about the massage. When I moved, I felt it. When I sat, I felt it. I felt it, I felt it, I felt it. And it made my consider something. In a business -- in a world -- where so much of the energy appears to be on "touching lives" there might be something to stop and think about.
As with my massage, the intentions were good. Even helpful. Once, when the presure was too deep, I called out, "ouch...can you lighten up a bit?"
His response is critical here.
He didn't say, "what? you're being ridiculous? Get tough."
Nor did he say, "Hey, this is my massage and I'll do it as I want." Instead, he just agreed to soften his approach and continue on.
Is there something here for me to learn? When working with people, there will be times when we massage the sore, raw muscles of old pain. The response might be as varied as the people. Some will cry. Some might call out. Some might be a bit more foreceful and to the point. Either way it is THEIR response, theirs to own, theirs to experience.
I can choose my response to that respone...I can lighten up and understand or I can barrel on. I think there is a real danger is deciding that a certain response is "inappropriate" or "unchristian".
I don't see Habakkuk in his fist raised to God in defiance worrying too much about offending God. Nor do I see Job wringing His hands concered about how God might take his questions. We serve a big enough God to handle whatever responses we have...painful, joyful, confusion, wrath.
It's we who try to establish boundaries of appropriateness. It's we who try to say, "Hey if I pinch here, you can only cry..." or "Hey, if I squeeze here, you can't be angry." God doesn't limit our expressions or try to negate them...He simply allows them.
Are there appropriate places, ways to express oneself? Surely. However, if we -- if I -- truly want to mirror God to others, I simply have to allow others to wriggle and strive under their own pain at times. After all, we may never know how those muscles have been damaged from past pain.
Throughout the day I was reminded in sometimes painful way about the massage. When I moved, I felt it. When I sat, I felt it. I felt it, I felt it, I felt it. And it made my consider something. In a business -- in a world -- where so much of the energy appears to be on "touching lives" there might be something to stop and think about.
As with my massage, the intentions were good. Even helpful. Once, when the presure was too deep, I called out, "ouch...can you lighten up a bit?"
His response is critical here.
He didn't say, "what? you're being ridiculous? Get tough."
Nor did he say, "Hey, this is my massage and I'll do it as I want." Instead, he just agreed to soften his approach and continue on.
Is there something here for me to learn? When working with people, there will be times when we massage the sore, raw muscles of old pain. The response might be as varied as the people. Some will cry. Some might call out. Some might be a bit more foreceful and to the point. Either way it is THEIR response, theirs to own, theirs to experience.
I can choose my response to that respone...I can lighten up and understand or I can barrel on. I think there is a real danger is deciding that a certain response is "inappropriate" or "unchristian".
I don't see Habakkuk in his fist raised to God in defiance worrying too much about offending God. Nor do I see Job wringing His hands concered about how God might take his questions. We serve a big enough God to handle whatever responses we have...painful, joyful, confusion, wrath.
It's we who try to establish boundaries of appropriateness. It's we who try to say, "Hey if I pinch here, you can only cry..." or "Hey, if I squeeze here, you can't be angry." God doesn't limit our expressions or try to negate them...He simply allows them.
Are there appropriate places, ways to express oneself? Surely. However, if we -- if I -- truly want to mirror God to others, I simply have to allow others to wriggle and strive under their own pain at times. After all, we may never know how those muscles have been damaged from past pain.
Nordstrom's has it right
Today in NYT, Nordstrom's takes out a full page ad that reads:
There's plenty of time to decorate after Thanksgiving..
At Nordstrom, you won't find any holiday decorations in our stores until after Thanksgiving Day. Why?
We just like the idea of celebrating one holiday at a time. With that in mind, we hope you have the opportunity to share the day with those near and dear. From our family to yours, a truly Happy Thanksgiving!
All-righty-then! Nordstrom, you have just won yourself a new loyal client. I will be going to your web site and doing as much of my holiday shopping as I can. Thank you for this...may it catch on all over the retail world!
There's plenty of time to decorate after Thanksgiving..
At Nordstrom, you won't find any holiday decorations in our stores until after Thanksgiving Day. Why?
We just like the idea of celebrating one holiday at a time. With that in mind, we hope you have the opportunity to share the day with those near and dear. From our family to yours, a truly Happy Thanksgiving!
All-righty-then! Nordstrom, you have just won yourself a new loyal client. I will be going to your web site and doing as much of my holiday shopping as I can. Thank you for this...may it catch on all over the retail world!
For Scrooges Like Me
A Survival Guide for Scrooges (from NYT, Sunday, November 21)
www.buynothingchristmas.org
www.altgifts.org
www.adbusters.org
"The season of joy is upon us, which basically means it's dark most of the time and that Christmas is coming. Again.
"Now don't get the wrong idea. Joy is a fine thing. Let's hear it for joy. It's when joy becomes mandatory that the trouble starts. And some people, heretical as it may seem, would just as soon sit out on all this joy, or at least the gift-giving part -- if others would only let them."
(Hubert Herring, for the NYT)
www.buynothingchristmas.org
www.altgifts.org
www.adbusters.org
"The season of joy is upon us, which basically means it's dark most of the time and that Christmas is coming. Again.
"Now don't get the wrong idea. Joy is a fine thing. Let's hear it for joy. It's when joy becomes mandatory that the trouble starts. And some people, heretical as it may seem, would just as soon sit out on all this joy, or at least the gift-giving part -- if others would only let them."
(Hubert Herring, for the NYT)
Woman at the Well Revisited
Woman at the Well - Revisited
I wonder if we haven't got the woman at the well story all wrong. Most of the time when I hear the story, the woman is pictured as a victim both culturally and socially. And its true that she certainly had obstacles to overcome. However, I wonder if she is a bit more "attititudinal" than what we originally picture.
Here's how I see her:
He says, "Give me a drink." She puts down her cigarette, stomps on it with the toe of her boot. She flips her hair back and says with some edge, "How is that YOU, being a JEW, ask a drink from ME, a SAMARITAN woman?"
He answers her, "You don't know who you are talking to. I have water that you know nothing about."
Her arms are crossed. She's hot, she's tired from a night of partying, she's not in the mood for any of his games. And she's got work to do. She watches him for a moment, tilts her head. She'll go with it. "OK, so you don't have anything to draw the water with, so what's up with this LIVING WATER thing, anyway?"
He smiles, expecting her response and says, "You'll get thirsty again with this water, but I have water that will quench you forever."
"Yeah, well, whatever. She picks up her stuff and starts to leave. "I think you've been out in the sun too long, mister. I gotta go. You find that water you're looking for, be sure and look me up." She starts to leave.
He calls after her, "Go get your husband, I'll show you."
She stops in her tracks. She knew it. They are all the same. She whips around, eyeing him with narrowed eyes. "Look, I don't have a husband, so what is it you want?" The noonday heat is hot, she wants desperately to go home. She wants desperately to sleep, to rest.
"Yeah, I know" he says.
"So, you're some kind of witch doctor, prophet?" She is tiring of this crazy rabbi, here out in the middle of the sun. Every bone in her body aches to go, but something holds her.
He shrugs. As he talks, she listens, but hears only snippets. What IS he talking about, she wonders. Finally she catches a familar phrase. She stops him in mid-sentence. "I know about that." she hears herself saying. "I know the story about the coming King."
"Well, nice to meet you. I'm him."
"He actually initiates the conversation with her ina time most teachers would not talk to a strange woman. He treats her with respect. He calls her "woman" a term of respect and affection. Further, he treats her as an equal, as an independent adult created in God's image. He teaches her. He dialogues with her. He reveals to her who he is." (Richard Peace, "Contemplative Bible Study, p 84).
As usual this passage is not about the woman -- it is about Jesus. And how he treats a cold, damaged person who is angry, surly and looking for a fight. And I am again amazed at how he reaches deep into her soul and draws out what is good and builds upon it. I think this woman is at the mercy, so to speak, of cultural dynamics, but I don't see her as this pitiful image. I see her as brittle, strong in a sense that she's had to be (she's had 5 husbands!) and I see her dry and disappointed and yearning.
I wonder if we haven't got the woman at the well story all wrong. Most of the time when I hear the story, the woman is pictured as a victim both culturally and socially. And its true that she certainly had obstacles to overcome. However, I wonder if she is a bit more "attititudinal" than what we originally picture.
Here's how I see her:
He says, "Give me a drink." She puts down her cigarette, stomps on it with the toe of her boot. She flips her hair back and says with some edge, "How is that YOU, being a JEW, ask a drink from ME, a SAMARITAN woman?"
He answers her, "You don't know who you are talking to. I have water that you know nothing about."
Her arms are crossed. She's hot, she's tired from a night of partying, she's not in the mood for any of his games. And she's got work to do. She watches him for a moment, tilts her head. She'll go with it. "OK, so you don't have anything to draw the water with, so what's up with this LIVING WATER thing, anyway?"
He smiles, expecting her response and says, "You'll get thirsty again with this water, but I have water that will quench you forever."
"Yeah, well, whatever. She picks up her stuff and starts to leave. "I think you've been out in the sun too long, mister. I gotta go. You find that water you're looking for, be sure and look me up." She starts to leave.
He calls after her, "Go get your husband, I'll show you."
She stops in her tracks. She knew it. They are all the same. She whips around, eyeing him with narrowed eyes. "Look, I don't have a husband, so what is it you want?" The noonday heat is hot, she wants desperately to go home. She wants desperately to sleep, to rest.
"Yeah, I know" he says.
"So, you're some kind of witch doctor, prophet?" She is tiring of this crazy rabbi, here out in the middle of the sun. Every bone in her body aches to go, but something holds her.
He shrugs. As he talks, she listens, but hears only snippets. What IS he talking about, she wonders. Finally she catches a familar phrase. She stops him in mid-sentence. "I know about that." she hears herself saying. "I know the story about the coming King."
"Well, nice to meet you. I'm him."
"He actually initiates the conversation with her ina time most teachers would not talk to a strange woman. He treats her with respect. He calls her "woman" a term of respect and affection. Further, he treats her as an equal, as an independent adult created in God's image. He teaches her. He dialogues with her. He reveals to her who he is." (Richard Peace, "Contemplative Bible Study, p 84).
As usual this passage is not about the woman -- it is about Jesus. And how he treats a cold, damaged person who is angry, surly and looking for a fight. And I am again amazed at how he reaches deep into her soul and draws out what is good and builds upon it. I think this woman is at the mercy, so to speak, of cultural dynamics, but I don't see her as this pitiful image. I see her as brittle, strong in a sense that she's had to be (she's had 5 husbands!) and I see her dry and disappointed and yearning.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)