Entries from May 2008

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Losing An Understanding of the International World

How much do we really know about the world that lives outside of our nation?
I like this quick presentation by Alisa Miller, who serves as the head of Public Radio International. In the video clip below, she speaks to why Americans know less than we used to about the international community. Miller comes off a little snotty and I don’t care for [...]

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

This Can Get You Fired: Questioning Bill O’ Reilly

Bill ‘O Reilly has been chosen to receive the Governor’s Award at this year’s Emmys. Did you know that? I had no idea. This award is the highest honor given out by the committee. One journalist found a more subtle way to share his dissent with others in his field. He then got fired for it.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

If Life is a Tightrope, Are You Feeling Off-Balance?

I am not stating anything original when I say that Americans usually have too much to do, and not enough time to do it.  It’s a struggle for me to balance the contents of my life. So I use a calender, and load it up with work, errands, time with my wife, writing time, family time, some [...]

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Now Hear This: Rob Dickinson’s ‘Fresh Wine for the Horses’

Rob Dickinson was the lead singer of Catherine Wheel. You remember- that four-piece alternative rock act who received an honorary “favorite band ever” trophy during an imaginary ceremony in my head. The guys from Great Yarmouth, England released what is likely the greatest album of all time- ‘Chrome,’ and played a show in Vancouver, BC in support of their [...]

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Faith and Mysticism PART II: Let’s Get High

 
“What does mysticism really mean? It means the way to attain knowledge. It’s close to philosophy, except in philosophy you go horizontally while in mysticism you go vertically.” - Elie Wiesel 
Why do we search for ways to leave the ground, and what do we find once we arrive “up there”?
During times of extended channel surfing, [...]

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Is This Patriotism: Tough Talk?

Many of our nation’s political figures have become fire-breathing opportunists. They condescendingly point fingers during town hall meetings, or threaten other nations and then smile. 
This country used to elect imperfect people who, despite personal flaws and often failed policy- still practiced restraint and favored diplomacy, especially in regards to matters of foreign policy. 
Not anymore. In this post 9/11 era, we hear threats far more [...]

Friday, May 9, 2008

To Indiana Jones fans: a spoiler-free warning

After watching the first trailer for ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,’ my excitement quickly turned on me. Everything about this installment seems to be a bit limp, from the action sequences that have a very “stunt show” vibe to them, to the look of it all- which juggles phony CG with overstuffed sound stages. 
The film has just screened [...]

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Faith and Mysticism PART I: This Sounds Creepy.

Should we welcome, and even search for episodes of elevated spirituality?
Last night I went to Seattle Pacific University to watch two friends of mine- host Dick Staub and pastor Earl Palmer, as they spoke with other experts about author C.S. Lewis and his views on faith and mysticism. 
I can’t help but think of levitating spheres, prisms with [...]