Just finished...

I just finished reading Donald Miller's latest book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years today. He is coming to town on Thursday and Corinne and I are going to go hear him speak so we both wanted to make sure we finished this book ahead of time. We're not sure what exactly it is we are going to hear him talk about, but we have enjoyed his other books so much that we are excited to see him in person. I actually did hear him speak at a National Youth Leaders Convention a few years ago in Cincinnati, but was disappointed that he gave more of a traditional sermon rather than use his giftedness of story-telling to shed light on the Bible Scripture he was discussing that day. There are some people in the world that are able to express thoughts and ideas in ways that you never considered, yet make so much sense. I have joked at times that if money was indispensible to me that I would hire some of these people to live in one of my spare bedrooms (because my house would have many of them) and I would spend many evenings listening and learning from them. I should probably get started on that roster for when the day comes. I have some musicians who will also be staying over.

As for the book...

I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. As was the case with Miller's other books, I was unable to put it down. It took 3 days to read. And only that long because I had to work and fit some sleep in somewhere. It's one of those books that you get to a point where you think, "only one more chapter, and then I'm going to sleep." And then you get to the end of the chapter and start the process over again until you realize you have to stop reading because you're so tired you have read the last sentence 6 times and still have no idea what it says.

The book was all about our story. Miller is in the process of turning one of his book "Blue Like Jazz" into a screenplay, and over the course of adapting it to the big screen is confronted with having to change everything about his real life because it would be too boring for a real movie. The two writers that are hired to write the screenplay teach him about the structure and essential parts of every good story- none of which are present in the life that he is living. Miller does a great job of drawing you in with such a relevant dilemma. I'm guessing the majority of us can relate to not living out the next box office hit.

I think it is impossible to read this book and not do some introspection. What kind of life am I living? Am I really living, or just surviving and going through the motions? Where do I even find meaning if I wanted to? Miller was very helpful with his thoughts of how God fits in to our story. Or really, how we fit into God's story. I guess after reading this book, I am left with more questions than answers. Which is a good thing. These questions demand answers, and the answers demand action. I guess the hardest part is figuring out what that action is.

What I mean is- Miller comes to the realization that he hasn't really been creating a good story. He is involved in a story- we all are. But he's not happy with it. And he realizes that it's not going to get any better by sitting on a couch. So he decides to go about making his story better. He looks up his father who left when he was very young. He goes to Peru to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. He chases a girl. He rides his bike across the country. He starts a Mentoring Program. He does things. Big things. And that was all nice and made for good stories. I guess at first I was not convinced that they were making his overall story meaningful. By the end, Miller says he now knows what he will talk to God about when he sees him. That he will talk to God about all of these experiences and God will reply, "Well done."

I guess my point is... when do we get to that point where we feel like our lives have been complete? I guess Miller is right- it's in the individual experiences that we find our meaning. It's in the painful times that we find our character. One line that stuck out was something a friend of Miller's said to him. He said that when painful things happen you either "get bitter or get better." I have found that to be true. I have experience what I would consider some painful life events. I actually had a conversation with a guy today that is experiencing a painful life event where he is being faced with how to handle what is in front of him. It's never easy. But life isn't about being easy. It's about living in the now and deciding that today I am choosing to be better. The crap that has happened before this moment is in the past, and what's the point of being bitter? No one wants to watch a bitter story. I don't think God intended for us to live a bitter life.

I do know that Jesus said he came that we might have life, and have it to the full. God created us so that we can live a story. I don't want to miss out on that. I don't want to just live my own story. I want to be a part of the story he is writing. I think the hardest part is finding out what that means in days that are full of 9-5 jobs, traffic, bills, tv, etc. But I will continue to try and find out. I will continue to choose to get better.

Thoughts?

I'll eat you up, I love you so.

I took Peyton, my four year old son, to see Where the Wild Things Are tonight. He had already seen it and loved it. This was surprising to me in some ways. When I first read that a movie was being made out of the book, I was excited for Peyton. He loves books, and especially this book. He could recite the book word for word when he was 3- without missing a single word. So when this movie was on the way, I couldn't wait for Peyton to see it.

Then as the movie was set to open, I started reading reviews that revealed this may not be your ideal children's movie. I read that it might be too scary for younger children. This did not bode well as Peyton isn't always the bravest soul when it comes to movies. So I was relieved and a bit surprised when his mom told me that he had loved it. And not only did he love it, but the next morning he was still affected by the scene towards the end where Max has to say goodbye to the Wild Things and includes an especially emotional goodbye with Carol- his seemingly Wild Thing counterpart.

So after reading multiple stories reporting parents up in arms over the film being too dark, joyless, violent, and scary to adults complaining the movie was so boring they fell asleep, I had the chance to see it tonight.

I thought the movie was pure genius.

I loved it. I think this movie is groundbreaking on how a movie can relate to kids. Spike Jonze was able to transcend age and tell a story that is relevant to everyone. The film doesn't appeal to any certain socio-economic audience. It appeals to us as people. As humans. This is a movie about something. I think too often we go to a movie expecting and wanting to be taken away from reality and not wanting to deconstruct our makeup and how our fears and insecurities are manifested. Maybe this is where the criticism of the movie being boring comes from by some adults. Maybe they were not happy that the Wild Things were so... human. Even though Max got on a boat and sailed across the sea to get away from his feelings of lonliness and sadness, he arrived a place that was full of the same. In Carol, Max could see from the outside how his acting out and fits of rage are experienced by others. He experienced the failure of trying to "make everybody be ok." Even Max's fairy tale world was broken.

The cinematography and scenery were great. The Wild Things were perfect. The audience was visually stimulated at all times- very important when appealing to young children as well. The music could not have been better. If there was ever a soundtrack that captured the feelings of a child, this was it. The music and camera work when one of the characters would get upset and act out allowed you to understand excactly how they were feeling at that time.

But best of all, the film was real. It was about real feelings that kids have. We are so used to dumbing everything down and putting on a tv "kids" show that is full of happy music and smiling characters that experience disappointment at times, but rarely true sadness and fear. I love that this movie doesn't sugarcoat anything. Max is feeling real emotions. He is a kid. He does kid things. He overreacts. He has fits of rage and is destructive. He is vengeful with those he loves most. He is scared when new people are introduced in his life that he will be forgotten. He seeks freedom and when he finds it, longs for order again. He feels the struggle between lonliness and vulnerability. He struggles with trying to be something he's not and the realization of who he is. He understands what we and our kids understand no matter how much we try to convince them otherwise- the world is not perfect. But young and old, we share the same vision: We just want everyone to be ok.

Where the Wild Things Are was not what I was expecting. I was expecting a kids movie based off of a kids book. Instead I found a story about Max, about people, about Peyton, and about myself. Hopefully we can learn from this movie and the daily expressions of our kids. Maybe they're more sensitive and aware of the world than we know. Maybe the older we get doesn't necessarily make us more mature. Maybe it just makes us older.

Get in the boat and sail for a bit. Your dinner will still be warm when you get back.

Great Urban Race!

Yesterday (for Corinne's birthday), we participated in the 1st annual Great Urban Race held in Normal, IL. You can read more about the organization at http://www.greaturbanrace.com/ It is held in big cities all over the country such as Phoenix, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Washington DC, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, New York City, etc. So for Normal to make the tour was great! I believe one of the founders of the GUR team is an Illinois State alumni.

Basically, the GUR is a one day Amazing Race. Teams of two are given 12 clues that they must complete and then get to the finish line as quickly as possible. Teams can only travel by foot or public transportation such as bus, subway, or train. Bikes, taxis, private cars, etc are off limits.

So at 11 a.m. yesterday, Corinne and I and our friends Kelly and Chelsie took off with our 12 clues, our cameras, and our hopes of keeping our self respect! After 2 hours and 40 minutes of walking and running around 7 miles through drizzle, sunshine, drizzle, hail, and cold wind, we finished the race 27th overall (unoffically). Full standings will be posted on Tuesday. If any top 25 teams were accessed a penalty for not completing a clue correctly, we could qualify for nationals in New Orleans (not that we can go).
**UPDATE** We did indeed finish 25th, officially. So we qualified for the National Championship in New Orleans! We aren't going, but we received medals! That's right, I am now the proud owner of a medal.

I will put more info on the clues, etc in the near future. Seriously, make sure you give this a try next year in the city closest to you. It was so much fun! Hopefully next years race will be held during a warmer time of year in Normal!

My Deep Thoughts

Remember in the 90's when Saturday Night Live showed 2 or 3 Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey each week? That was my favorite part of the show. At one point in my life, I decided that writing some Deep Thoughts of my own was needed.

Most of the people who read them have the same reaction. The reaction isn't so much verbal as it is that facial expression that says, "This is really odd. Like... creepy odd. I don't really get it." It's ok. I've seen that look a few times. But to me, it is validation that I have succeeded. Deep Thoughts are weird. The best ones are the ones that are so off the wall that you end up laughing and asking "What??" simultaneously. That, my friends, is funny.

Here are some of mine. Perhaps I will post more at a later date. I hope you enjoy them. And by enjoy, I mean I hope you leave feeling confused and with an urge to lay down for a few minutes.

My Deep Thoughts:

I bet at least part of the reason for the inevitable destruction of all our major cities by aliens lies in their need to overcompensate for their small stature and disproportionate large eyes.

Of all horror movies, I think Snow White was the most frightening. Who were those little men with the pick axes???

If giants ever invade the land, we shouldn’t be quick to judge them or fear they’ll eat us. They’re people too, you know. And probably really uneducated.

When body builders get old, they’ll always have their ribbons and awards to remind them of what they accomplished over the years. Oh, and saggy boobs.

If all dogs go to heaven, I hope they all get really nice homes when they’re there. I also hope that there are cats there that poop in their yard.

I bet if the North and South would have used the same strategy in negotiating slavery as they did with who would wear what color in battle, the Civil War could have been avoided.

There is nothing more fragile than the human heart. Except a human heart made of glass.

They Might Be Giants at the Pageant

Two months ago, my beautiful girlfriend bought tickets to see They Might Be Giants in St. Louis for our 6 month anniversary. The concert was last Friday and was a great time! There was one man in the balcony that I am convinced was having the time of his life. Corinne thought he was drunk. I have never seen a drunk man be able to dance, or more accurately- flail around, like he did. I think he was just high. Perhaps both.

It was a special Flood show, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the album. As usual, there was a very eclectic demographic present. From teenagers with their fathers to adults in their mid-forties (and probably older) and everyone inbetween- They Might Be Giants has figured out how to appeal to all ages. They even did a few songs from their new Children's album and sang a couple of songs with hand puppets... at an adult show.

As best as I can remember, the set list (not in order) was:

FLOOD SONGS:

Theme From Flood
Birdhouse in Your Soul
Lucky Ball and Chain
Istanbul
Dead
Your Racist Friend
Particle Man
Twisting
We Want a Rock
Someone Keeps Moving My Chair
Hearing Aid
Minimum Wage
Letterbox
Whistling in the Dark
Hot Cha
Women & Men
Sapphire Bullets of Pure Love
They Might Be Giants
Road Movie To Berlin


NON-FLOOD SET:
Meet the Elements
What is a Shooting Star?
Why Does the Sun Shine?
Clap Your Hands
Fingertips
The Mesopotamians
James K Polk
New York City
Shoehorn With Teeth
Damn Good Times
Drink
Cowtown

TMBG always puts on a great show. Their blend of melodic tunes, clever lyrics, humorous dialogue, unique instruments, and creativity always is entertaining. They seemed a little off on this particular night, though. On a couple occasions, they skipped over a song from Flood and had to go back as they had originally set out to play the album from beginning to end. They also forgot to play one altogether until towards the end of the show. Linnel even had to re-start a song at one point as it sounded like he may have started in the wrong key.

Overall, still a great show. The crowd was into it and TMBG ended with two encores. I don't know if it was because we were in the balcony or not, but the vocals were not loud enough. The instruments, guitar especially- overpowered the vocals. Which is too bad because the vocals and lyrics are really what makes TMBG unique. Perhaps the mix was much better for those on the main floor. We had seen Ben Folds the week before at the Pageant and the sound mix was perfect- but it was just Ben and the piano.

The best part by far was spending the evening with Corinne. She was a trooper. We drove down for a concert where she really only knew one song and then drove all the way back, getting home at 2 am knowing we both had to be at work at 8 am the next morning. We had a nice dinner together at Blueberry Hill as well. A perfect night!

That's a loser!

I'm not going to jump all over Cardinal fans too much after being swept by the Dodgers in the first round of the playoffs. It's just fitting that after having to hear about the Cubs being swept in the opening round for the past 2 years, it happens to the Cardinals. And not only did they get beat, they self-destructed. It's only fair after winning the World Series a few years ago thanks to Detroit forfeiting. Watching Carpenter get roughed up in Game 1, Holliday trying to become the first player to catch a fly ball with his crotch, Franklin imploding, Pujols yelling at umpires, Piniero dropping underhand tosses, and Molina being thrown out at 3rd on a ground ball in front of him just felt good.

So Cardinal fans, this is a small snapshot of how it feels to be a Cubs fan. Sure you weren't five outs from your 1st World Series appearance in almost 60 years at the time. But it still stings, doesn't it? And remember the last two years when the Cubs got swept and your mantra was "The Cardinals have won just as many playoff games as the Cubs this year." Let that sink in a bit. I don't have to say anything.

The Cardinals did better than expected this year and will have an MVP and 2 pitchers finish in the Top 3 in Cy Young voting. Be thankful Carpenter didn't have to pitch Game 4 on short rest and have his arm fall off.

Look at the bright side. The Cardinals now have the next 5 months to figure out their facial hair issues.

Looks like someone just realized how ridiculous his moustache has looked all year.

Disclaimer

As I attempt to start keeping a regularly updated blog, I would like to start with a disclaimer. I really don’t want to keep a blog. In fact, I’ve always thought the idea that I have thoughts that other people want to read was a bit pretentious. I always thought it would be cool to write a book. But again, I can’t get away from wondering why I would think I was so special that someone would want to sit down and read my thoughts.

The other day a co-worker asked me why I didn’t become a writer. That question seemed to have come from out of the blue. I asked what he meant and he said that I have a lot of opinions and I was a good writer. The fact is, I have always wanted to write. I just don’t even know where to start. I didn’t take any writing classes except for the generic Written Comp freshman level class in college. I don’t really know how one “becomes” a writer short of making a declaration to family and friends. To me, the definitions of a writer are either 1) someone way smarter and more gifted with words who has lived a far more interesting life than I or 2) someone who is unemployed, but has enough of a financial cushion to jot down some thoughts for awhile.

The point is, this blog is more for me than you. I feel like I have a lot of ideas and thoughts that I would like to spend some time exploring, but I am way too lazy to write them on paper. I trust the internet to keep these ideas way more than my computer which will, without a doubt, crash within the next year. It smells like B.O. I don’t even know how that is possible. So, you’re welcome to read along if you wish. I just don’t expect you to. That would be… pretentious of me.

8 Months.

Corinne and I's first 8 months together accoring to wordle.net