Every Minute

Even though I announced it here in March, I finally put up a post at the BBAW site about ending BBAW (Book Blogger Appreciation Week).

It's so weird because even though I really made this decision a long time ago, and I KNOW it's the right decision, both times I've written these posts I've felt so sad and nostalgic.

I think part of it has to do with how much blogging has changed. When Ana and I hosted a Halloween swap this past fall, we were both surprised by the relatively small turnout. And that's a consistent pattern for any community type event or meme I've tried to host in the past year. It's just not the same place or my place in it has changed.

When trying to figure out if Film Club was still something we could do, Sheila mentioned that it comes down to FOMO in a lot of ways. That's Fear of Missing Out for those who don't know. She says she sees it online and also in real life. People are just very very hesitant to commit to anything nowadays because they don't want to end up missing out on a better offer later.

This makes me so sad. And also it's kind of insulting to anyone who plans things in advance out of consideration!

It also made me think of one of my favorite Sara Groves songs and since someone recently said they wished I'd talk more about music, I decided to write about this song. (this person will probably be sorry)

I don't listen to much new music at all, unfortunately, I listen to like the same stuff over and over. When I was writing about The Americans, I wanted to use some of Sara Groves lyrics and that like opened a floodgate to listening to her stuff all over again like it was brand new--I'm not even kidding! (it's not. Brand new. And it's certainly not brand new to me!) But there are few lyricists who I really admire and feel like...I don't know see the world as I do and are able to capture it in words that are both revelatory and familiar. Words that feel like they came from deep inside of me even though I didn't write them.

This song, "Every Minute", is from Sara Groves 2002 album All Right Here. Hahaha yes it is that old. Still one of my favorite songs.

It's a song about spending time with someone, really spending time with them. It's a song that both mourns the loss of the way relationships used to be and talks about the dangers in really letting yourself be with someone.

When I was junior high/early high school I did this thing called Bible Quizzing. Yeah no sports for me, just Bible quizzing! Which was basically a (surprisingly really competitive) program where we learned a book of the Bible and then once a month we'd drive to a church in our district and have a meet. The questions were super specific and by the time the finals rolled around, you'd know from one or two words out of the quiz master's mouth what question they were going to ask. I only went all in one year, and was so crushed in the finals (which were basically what determined who went on to the nationwide competition) that I can still feel the pain of that defeat in my heart!

Anyway, the group from my church was pretty close and we had a Christmas party/slumber party at our coach's house. We went Christmas caroling in her neighborhood and came to this elderly ladies house. She was delighted to have us and told us it meant so much to her, she'd been so lonely and worried about Christmas this year. She couldn't even get her decorations down, she explained, they were up in the attic and she couldn't manage it. She was kind to us and I think we all really felt for her. We went home, baked some cookies for her, and the next day went back to offer to help her decorate her home for Christmas.

When we returned, though, she seemed quite different. She thanked us for the cookies, but insisted everything was fine, and she was fine. The return visit was short, and we left confused. I was still young and I hadn't learned this really important thing about life yet, that my quiz coach offered up. "Sometimes," she explained. "When people allow themselves to be really vulnerable, they feel embarrassed about it afterwards. She was protecting herself."

It's so hard to really get to know one another in our time. We put up so many walls and by the time we reach adulthood we've learned to play games in our relationships with others. At some point in our lives, we're rejected and that rejection is going to be painful enough to alter the way we interact with people in the future. (being stingy with our love as Ana recently put it) It's maybe even part of the reason that we get busy and worry about the latest and greatest thing we might be missing out on..filling our lives with activities rather than each other. And also....well we're human and it's our natural tendency to get what we can out of things, including people. I mean I know this all works together.

But anyway, that's what I love about this song.

"At the risk of wearing out my welcome," Sara Groves sings, "At the risk of self-discovery."

I love these lyrics because I think they capture my feelings exactly. I do worry, of course, that people will eventually tire of me, that I'll end up being too demanding, too needy, too much. Too much me, lol. But also, the very best friends and relationships are the ones where I feel like I discover myself more and more, who I really am. And it's not always pretty. There's a lot of ugliness in me, I realize it all the time. But the right relationships are the ones where you don't feel any less loved once you realize this. When someone sees this in you, and loves you anyway. (and yes they are RARE)

This song specifically reminds me of my old church. We had meetings on Friday nights at our leader's apartment and I'd often stay for hours afterwards sometimes until 2 or 3 am. And we talked about everything, mundane and deep and I felt so loved and accepted. (and I loved so much in return)

"I couldn't think of one thing I'd rather waste my time on than sitting here with you."

Aw I love this because it speaks to being fully present with the people we are with and not worrying about missing out on other things.

But my favorite part is of course the bridge which I have up there in that rudimentary graphic. Because YES. The longer you live and move around and the more people you know, the more people you love--your life becomes fragmented. Parts of you are everywhere and there's just this longing to connect those pieces..and to connect all the wonderful people you know and love together. I hate camping, lol, but nothing in the world sounds better to me than having all the people I have ever deeply loved together and telling stories and loving each other well. I think this is what heaven is like...a place where the fragmented pieces get sewn together into something whole.

Anyway, this is one of my favorite songs in the world and just writing this has made me really teary. It's a song about the whole acceptance and joy of another person's company..."always know that you're invited my friend."

Anyway, I've embedded the video for anyone who wants to give it a listen...the style might not be to your taste, tbh, but ugh I love her so much.


(Bookish note!I sort of associate this song with Life As We Knew It. The reason is that I was listening to it a lot at the time (not surprising--there's a reason I DO NOT connect my spotify account!) There's this part where Miranda says she never knew she could love so deeply, and the forced "time together" in that book makes me think of this song!)

The Sunday Salon: Catching up on Stuff, Like Everything

You guys!

We made it through another BBAW! And this one was awesome if I do say so myself, like I didn't get a chance to read the closing posts on Friday so today when I settled down to read them, I became downright teary. They were just lovely. You guys are lovely and it's amazing to know BBAW still means something to the community. If BBAW was any good this year, it was because you guys are awesome. End of Story. (and you are, so)

In other news, I finally caught up to the rest of the world and read Gone Girl this past week! I do have thoughts on this book. I actually read another book I have thoughts on but expressing my thoughts on both of these books is going to require major spoilers. I don't feel as bad about it with Gone Girl but the other book hasn't been released quite yet. But I don't how to talk about what I think is most essential without spoilers so...if you see some reviews with big white spaces soon, that's why!

Also, I'm having another of those woe is me I'm mortal and will never be able to read all the books in the world life crises. I try to will myself into oblivion as often as possible on this front, but alas it always catches up to me.

Music

Thanks to the wonder of tumblr (that's the only time you'll ever hear me say that) I learned that the band that played in the first seven episodes of the second season of The L.A. Complex is The Rural Alberta Advantage. And oh my gosh, I love themmmm. I don't know it's just the right kind of music for me. But also, The L.A. Complex had a cool band on it, I mean WHY AREN'T YOU WATCHING? The show isn't perfect at all, but it is such a solid soap with interesting and...even groundbreaking storylines.

TV

Fall TV kicks into gear this week for real! I mean Bones is back tomorrow (not sure if I'll be able to watch this season tbh), and Parks and Recreation is back as well this week! (I'm still not caught up on S4 but not too worried). Revolution premieres tomorrow as well (watched the pilot and sigh. Despite the fact that I love Elizabeth Mitchell I already sat through V for her I don't think I can do another terrible show) This is exciting everyone! Oh and Downton Abbey starts in the UK. I have managed to muster up a little interest in that finally, let's hope Season 3 returns the show to a fun soap with a bit less Mr. Bates.

The L.A. Complex is still on, though! AND!

I don't think this show is a brilliant masterpiece of layers and themes or whatever but I do think I find more care in Connor's storyline. It could be because I tend to pay a bit more attention, but I thought there was a lot of ~symbolism in the episode where he convinced Eric to stay. And I realized as I was getting ready to write this that they foreshadowed what I suspect will be his upcoming story line about scientology in the season 2 premiere. I don't read episode blurbs or anything for story lines coming up and I don't even always watch the previews, but if they do indeed explore scientology in Connor's storyline, I think it's a really smart direction for the show to go, because it makes so much sense for Connor's character. It won't be coming in randomly, you know? All the character work has been laid.

Anyway do you remember how Connor and Raquel were taking that walk down Hollywood Blvd or whatever in the Season 2 premiere and that girl randomly stopped him and tried to sell him on Dianetics? Well as it turns out, dianetics was the precursor to scientology! In fact, on wikipedia, the world's most reliable source of information, it says that Scientologists practice dianetics. I think this was a particularly good piece of foreshadowing because it worked fully in the episode as its own incident, it revealed more of Connor's character (i.e. his desperation to find healing), and it gave us a glimmer of what's to come.

I thought the Nick storyline was so stupid. Like, first of all, can't they do a drug test or something? Also, how could Nick EVER think it was a good idea to take responsibility for that? Even so he made me laugh a lot this episode for some reason and Sabrina giving him a pep talk was adorable.

Ugh Raquel. WHY didn't she embrace the image of bitch? It's who she is, it would have made her whole life easier, and she would be working as a bartender. That guy in the restaurant was way too nice to her, but I actually think he was right that she belongs behind a bar, lol.

Beth, ew.

Kal inviting Abby to sing back-up vocals was..I don't know it was so sad. Like he wanted to do this thing for her, Tariq's friend, but he was in no position to do it. The end scene, the way it was silent, was great. And accepting her rage...I think Kal kind of wanted it.

I kind of disliked Switched at Birth this week. Partly because they showed that preview of the whole season so I felt like I was just waiting for that other stuff to happen. Partly because the resolution to the marriage storyline was pretty bad. If the problem is surprise inspections or whatever, I think they'd be able to tell Angelo is not living with Regina and Daphne. I don't know I feel like the story telling with Angelo has always been a bit poorly paced. I did like seeing Tania Raymonde show up, though, I really like her. I'm excited to see a Bay storyline that doesn't have to do with Emmett? And...Daphne's upcoming romance better have a point. I can sort of guess what they might attempt to do with it, but we'll see!

IMPORTANT STUFF

The Faith and Fiction roundtable discussion of Gilead will take place on September 29th. And our film club discussion of Japanese Story will take place on the 25th. I hope you will all join for both!

2011 -- The Year in Music

So the truth is that while I love music, I tend to listen to the same stuff OVER AND OVER again. I don't necessarily discover a lot of new music in any given year, because I listen to the same old stuff I've always been listening to. I will buy some new music, but honestly, I spent weeks at a time listening to old CDs like they were new ones. So only a few new albums every year join the collection of music that I anticipate continuing to listen to for years in the future or that I have some sort of insane love affair with for a period of time. This year more than any other seemed like there wasn't a lot of new music that I truly loved. I mean I loved Florence + The Machine's Ceremonials (which was later tainted by the racist video) and The Decemberists The King is Dead but they felt very much like in the moment albums I don't know how much staying power they will have for me. On top of that, there's a small stack of CDs that while I've listened to them, I haven't had the time to really sit with them. (Sara Groves, Shaun Groves, Ginny Owens, Jason Gray)

So after that rather ridiculous explanation/excuse here's what I heard this year that I loved, that I think I will still be listening to in 2012 and beyond.

The Civil Wars Barton Hollow is probably my favorite CD of the whole year. I love it, I love everything about it. When I first heard The Civil Wars, it had that familiar feeling that always accompanies falling in love with something...like you're finding something you've been looking for all along. Maybe it's the style of the music..a sort of pop/folk vibe, or the raw longing some of the songs convey, I don't exactly know. All I know is that some of the songs have a beauty that pierces me right in the heart. I was so addicted to this album for SO LONG and even now it's a pure joy to listen to it.

I've heard of Over the Rhine for awhile and just ignored them, but I finally gave in to buying this album when people were raving about it and I am so glad I did. Over the Rhine's The Long Surrender is a very beautiful very different sort of album for me. I really love it, though, and I hope to have the time to discover more of their music in the future. (I did download Snow Angels for Christmas) "Oh Yeah by the Way" is one of my favorite songs brimming over with sadness and...a kind of familiarity even if I don't share the exact same circumstances as the songwriters. "All my Favorite People" is probably my other favorite on the album, for some reason it feels like a church song.

I'm starting to sense a theme. I like melancholy stuff. And Feist's Metals is certainly that, it's very melancholy. And yet I listened to it for days on end. If there's sadness here, it's wrapped in a very beautiful package, the kind I can listen to again and again.

I was so pleasantly surprised the day this live CD of Andrew Peterson's was released. I figured we'd have to wait ages to get anything at all. I can never have enough of Andrew Peterson's music so this live recording was a great treat. It's mostly songs from Counting Stars but it also includes a cover of a Rich Mullins song which is fantastic and beautiful and "High Noon" which is like, my favorite Easter song ever. If you like deep, thoughtful, poetic, beautiful, Christian music than you should be listening to Andrew Peterson.

And...that's it. Like I said, there's still some music from the year that I feel like I haven't really spent enough time with and there's plenty that I have yet to buy and listen to. Oh, I also really liked David Bazan's Strange Negotiations but for some reason, I haven't really connected with it like Curse Your Branches--I mean, I had a very intense experience with Curse Your Brances I guess there was no way that could be replicated, I just expected to like it more somehow? But even so, I do really like it. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS MAKES SENSE.

So that's me and my year in significant music. What did you listen to and fall in love with this year?

2010: The Year in Music

Art accompanies on the journey of life and fills in the cracks of time. Stories comfort, soothe and cause mini-revolutions in our hearts. Music weaves in and out of our celebrations and record our silent moments of reflection. We invite our artists to write the words of our hearts, and give us music to express what we cannot say with words. A calendar year is no way for me to measure the art that has defined me in a year, so my best of lists are instead the art, the stories, and the music that I discovered during the year, and that are threaded through my days of 2010.

The way I listen to music is this: I find an album, I find a song and then I listen to that song about a million times. Slowly I branch out and discover each song in that way. So in the end, I don't actually listen to that much different music and I spend a lot of time with what I like. Again, this is the music I loved this year, not necessarily released this year.

Mumford and Sons
Sigh No More

I cannot remember the last time listening to an album made my heart want to explode and my feet want to dance, in the way the folksy energetic Mumford and Sons do. Lyrics heavy with literary influence and spiritual openness create a point of connection for me even if the writer and myself are coming from completely different places. Sigh No More feels dramatic in the way I love drama...no land of in-between an all or nothing place. It's absolutely no wonder I love them. Many a day listening to Mumford and Sons has just made me a little bit happier and brought me outside of myself.


Arcade Fire
The Suburbs

Listening to Arcade Fire is like listening to the perfect kind of music that I love. It evokes all of the exact right feelings, nostalgia, longing, wistfulness, restlessness. I love this album, love it. I've seen more than one person refer to it's dystopic nature. Well that explains a lot. I haven't had as much time to think about the lyrics as I'd like, but I can say wholeheartedly that I love this album, and I've probably listened to Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) at least 450,000 times.


Jeremy Casella
Recovery

A friend recommended this shortly after I lost my job at the beginning of this year and wow. What resulted was pure and utter obsession for days. There's a quality to this music I can't explain, a sort of beauty that reaches me in a very unique way. In fact, I remember tweeting one morning while listening that some songs are so beautiful that I wish I could crawl inside and live there. And the title probably speaks a lot to just how perfect these songs were for me when I was feeling utterly down and uncertain (a feeling that has persisted to varying degrees throughout the year) Jeremy Casella is an artist of faith and his very honest approach to life and faith has been exactly what I've needed many times throughout this year.


Andrew Peterson
Counting Stars

I know you all knew this would be on here. Counting Stars is the latest release from Andrew Peterson. I may have mentioned him a time or two. Love this album. Counting Stars is beautiful, hopeful, and rich. Listening to an Andrew Peterson album is always like being reminded of what matters in this life, his music is gentle and inspiring without ever being saccharine or trite. His lyrics are infused with the stories of everyday life, laced with literary allusions, and beautifully point to deeper reality. I think out of all of his albums Counting Stars has the most commercial appeal and while not my favorite of his albums (that will probably always be The Far Country), I love it very much. A definite highlight of this year was the album release party that kicked off Hutchmoot this past summer.


David Bazan
Curse Your Branches

Talk about obsession! I was completely obsessed with this CD for one very intense week this year. I know that sounds strange, but the sort of emotional journey listening to this album took me on I'm not sure I've ever experienced with music before. Curse Your Branches has been described as breaking-up with God and I can't really think of a description more accurate. This is one of the most powerful and raw pieces of writing I know. And I'm not sure I know of a better chronicle of life after faith than this CD. As someone who probably has a similar family background to David Bazan, I thought his descriptions of what his leaving the faith did to his family to feel very true. ("I swung my tassle to the left side of my cap/knowing after graduation there would be no going back/and no congratulations from my faithful family/some of whom are already fasting to intercede for me") Top it all of with an obvious alcohol problem ("I need no other memory/Of the bits of me I left/When all this lethal drinking/Is to hopefully forget about you") In fact, the song "In Stitches" brilliantly characterizes why I doubt I'll ever fully lose faith in this stanza,
"I might as well admit it
Like I even have a choice
The crew have killed the captain
But they still can hear his voice
A shadow on the water
A whisper in the wind
On long walks with my daughter
Who is lately full of questions about you"
I just think that God will always be in my life, I've said before I don't know how not to believe, even when I believe, I am still, deep down, believing. I can only imagine how painful this CD was to Bazan's family. It's unflinching and the music is very catchy as well.


Let Me In Soundtrack
Michael Giacchino

Responsible for the gorgeous musical landscape of LOST, I love almost everything Giacchino composes (and was thrilled to see him this past spring at a LOST concert and later at Comic-Con talking about music and story. <3) What I love about this soundtrack is just how haunting it is. It is the perfect fall music, I kid you not. I listened to it non-stop for a month. Also, I think it added quite a bit to the movie, casting just the right emotional tone and atmosphere. Recommended! (along with all of the LOST soundtracks)



A gorgeous two CD set, a love letter to poetry is exactly that..poems set to music. It's absolutely delightful--different poetry styles and different musical styles are represented here. While focused on motherhood or childhood, this collection is really for everyone.

So...that's the music that was significant to me this year. What music saw you through 2010?

Thoughts on Andrew Peterson's Counting Stars

There are certain artists who create art we find ourselves turning to again and again throughout our lives. There is no author or songwriter who doesn't have certain themes that define their work. When we find someone whose creative expressions resonate with us, we often feel we've found a friend who has peeked into our souls and given us a gift...even if we never lay eyes on them.

There is no one like this for me quite like Andrew Peterson. From the moment I first discovered his music I have followed with great interest what he does. He writes beautiful music, fun books, and stirring essays on his collaborative blog, The Rabbit Room. And in everything he shares with the world, we find the same themes layered within, the same characteristics displayed. Faith that gives us a rich heritage, wonder in the ordinary, a longing for home, the audacity to live with hope, the treasure of family. His words and music communicate with something deep within me that cries out to know, that yes, there is more.

My anticipation for Counting Stars, Peterson's newest album, was high as it is with every new release. I have not been disappointed. Not at all. The more I have listened to this new collection of music, the more I've been moved and the more I love it.

The early track "Planting Trees" speaks to choosing the eternal investment over the temporal. Consider these beautiful words that have been making me tear up these past few days:

"So sit down and write that letter
Sign up and join the fight
Sink into all that matters
Step out into the light
Let go of all that's passing
Lift up the least of these
Lean into something lasting;
Planting trees"

"The Magic Hour" is another stunning song about the beauty and mystery to be found right at home. It's the kind of song I can listen to a million times in a row, it's just so achingly beautiful.

From a lyrics standpoint, "World Traveler" excels and I found this part so romantic!
"She opened the gate and took my hand
And led me into the mystic land
Where her galaxies swirl
So many mysteries I never will unravel
I want to travel the world."

My favorite song is probably "The Last Frontier" which is labeled a lament in the CD booklet. And it surely is, but it's one that ends with the hope that sustains those of us who believe. I have not been able to listen to this song without getting all misty eyed, and then wrapping up the album with "The Reckoning" is pitch perfect.

Andrew Peterson has given us another gift of music that is deeply personal and yet universal, another collection of songs that tell us a story--the story of the beautiful bright mystery of life and love and faith. If you appreciate thoughtful faith driven music I just can't recommend Andrew Peterson enough. Please go buy the CD today!

Celebrate National Poetry Month with Natalie Merchant

Natalie Merchant is one of my absolute favorite singers. I especially cherish the music of the 10,000 Maniacs, but have also loved her solo projects. I was fairly certain she had fallen off the face of the earth, so long had it been since there was anything new from her. But the other day I was reading a message board (remember those?) and happened to stumble onto the news that she had a new project.

And what a project! As soon as I read the details, I fell in love with the concept. Her new album is called Leave Your Sleep and is poetry to put to music. She has adapted several poems and put them to song. The result is a double disc collection, that is, in my own estimation, stunning. It is at times playful and sweet, at others it hints just a bit of something more.

Upon reading of the new album I had to have it immediately. I was surprised by how hard it was to find, (I wanted a physical copy and not just a download). I eventually was able to find the full collection at Barnes and Noble. (if you don't want to fork over the money, there's a one disc version as well.

I recommend the full collection, though, because it contains 26 poems put to song. Even more than that, there's a lovely gift book inside. It contains her thoughts on the project as well as short biographies of the many poets whose work is featured. I can't help but think that Natalie has given us a huge gift, that this ambitious 5 year project born out of teaching her daughter language and life through poetry has rescued for us, just a little bit, the lives and words and beauty of poetry.

Tears really came to my eyes when I read the following thoughts she has on poetry.

In spite of the fact that I have written song lyrics for thirty years, I'd never considered myself a poet or gave much of my time to reading poetry. I'm a late convert to the art form but now I understand that poets are our soft-spoken clairvoyants. They tell us about the things that have made us and kept us human. Poets are keepers of the sacred language that describes our holy language--unknown and unknowable. The poet holds the mirror that reflects the true shape and touch and taste and sound of all of the things that bind us together and keep us apart. The poet's language is putting silence around everything worth remembering.

I can't think of a more beautiful call to read poetry this month and always, to remember and treasure this art form and celebrate the gift that it is.

A special thanks to Natalie Merchant, for this reminder and for the pure joy of the music.

Music: Through Songs I Was First Undone --Justin McRoberts (thoughts)

The moments I’ve had with the artists whose music makes up this new project have been sacred… undoubtedly. It is key to note that these sacred moments have, for the most part, taken place outside of the boundaries of the christian marketplace and the ‘area’ generally reserved for the the activity of God. These artists and their songs have been central to the necessary undoing of the expectations and limitations I habitually place on God; expectations of how, where and through whom God is revealed. I recognize God in their art and I believe it is a duty, as an artist and a christian, to point Him out where He is and celebrate Him there. from Justin McRoberts' Blog.

Christian music didn't really have a place in my life until I was in college. I don't mean that I didn't listen to it, I went to my share of Petra concerts at Six Flags and the like when I was young, but the music I was passionate about, the music I loved and obsessed over was not a part of the Christian music scene at all. I went to a small Christian college in the south fully armed with my Cure, Depeche Mode, The Smiths, Sarah McLachlan cds, etc. That was the music I loved. During my first few weeks at college I remember getting into a very intense conversation with a new friend about Christian music. I didn't really see why I should listen to it. I think I probably made the standard complaints. I don't like it. The lyrics don't feel anything like my life. It's boring. (with a few exceptions. I liked Jars of Clay, I think and maybe a few others) She, of course, argued for it, how good it was, etc.

It was this very friend who eventually introduced me to the music of Justin McRoberts. I can remember resisting at first and then suddenly--listening. Really listening. And that was that. I haven't missed a single album of his since.

Now we live in a very interactive age where it's much easier to keep up with an indie artist with wonderful things like Twitter! So when I saw that Justin was getting ready to release a covers album, I got excited. When I saw the songs, I thought...of course. It just made sense in a way I can't explain that so many of these songs that are so much a part of the fabric of my own musical life would be on a covers album by one of the artists that makes faith influenced music I enjoy.

Let me make two things clear from the start.
1) You do not need to be a Christian to appreciate how awesome this album is.
2) If you are a Christian you will appreciate how awesome this album is even though these aren't songs you'll find on the Christian radio station.

Covers of much beloved songs are always tough. Will they sound different enough? Will they bring new interpretations to the music and meaning of the song? I think there's a lot of value in it, you can often hear something new in a song presented in a slightly different way. And that's what you'll find here.

You will find fresh, beautiful, inspiring versions of songs you may be very familiar with. "Head Like a Hole" is a shot of pure genius, transforming the hard edged Nine Inch Nails song into a haunting song. My favorite track is number 4, "Fly From Heaven" The original Toad the Wet Sprocket song is lovely, but Justin has transformed it into this achingly gorgeous number I just can't seem to stop listening to. And naturally I love "Stripped" and "Please, please, please let me get what I want" I think these are the two I would be harder on than any other, and they pass.

In short, I think this one is worth your time. It's a work that I appreciate on many levels. I appreciate it for its sheer enjoyability, but also for what it means. For the meaning it has in the life of one my favorite artists and for the meaning he wishes to convey. If we would but listen to the world around us, I think we see God has no limits in how He chooses to reveal Himself.

Please visit Justin McRoberts' website to learn how you can order this CD and all of his other music, too.

Some Other Pop Culture Fun--Dollhouse, Shopaholic, The Fray

I have had a very stressful couple of weeks at work. The thing is, for three years the most stress I had was in dealing with difficult students. I didn't have things like deadlines and dealing with trying to design and implement my own training while launching a program that has nothing to do with what I've been doing, meanwhile still working with all the employees I was working with before.

I have an extremely low tolerance for stress so I'm adjusting. The thing is, yes, I know I'm so incredibly blessed to still have a job. We had another series of lay-offs this week. But I'm worried all of our bosses are going to take advantage of that mentality, friends. They definitely have the upper hand in this economy.

All that to say...I am so happy it's Friday! I feel that I have every single minute scheduled but at least I'll be able to do things that are.....fun! Kind of.

TV
And one thing I'm looking forward to is Dollhouse. Loyal readers (my favorite kind. ;) know that I love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. Dollhouse is created by the same Joss Whedon and stars Eliza Dushku (Faith from Buffy) I think Amy Acker is also in it (Fred from Angel). I'm kind of bummed, though, because early reviews aren't so good.

One of the problems I'm reading is that for a show of this nature to succeed it needs to be serialized. Networks don't really like serialized shows, though. They want shows like CSI or Criminal Minds....where you can tune in at any time without having missed anything. This is why the networks and I aren't best friends. My favorite shows at the moment? LOST. 24. Damages. Shows that demand loyalty and pay off in big dividends. Shows that by their very nature have smaller viewerships. (I'm just so thankful that LOST still has decent numbers!)

Something I'm unsure about is Eliza Dushku. I was never actually crazy about Faith. I know that puts me in a minority, but she kind of drove me crazy. So it will be interesting to see how all of that works out.

I'll be watching and hoping, but the fact that the show has been shoved to Fridays and that even the most loyal Whedon fans are in doubt..well...

Music
The other thing is....does anyone else like The Fray? I've been listening to the new CD and while I like it, I can't say it's really....captivated me yet. Not the way their other album did....

Movies
And lastly...Confessions of a Shopaholic opens this weekend. I'm pretty convinced that I'm not going to like it. But maybe if I totally forget that I ever read the book and loved the heck out of it, well I might.

What are you plans for the weekend? Will you watch Dollhouse? Have a hot date for Valentine's Day? Going to see Shopaholic? Tell me everything!

I Saw Andrew Peterson Tonight! Win a Signed CD!

A couple weeks ago, I found out that Andrew Peterson was planning a trip to the West Coast and I could not have been more hopeful. Living in California, we rarely get Christian artists come out here. Most Christian artists are based in Nashville and it's an expensive trip. So we'll get the big names and that's about it. Having said that, this is the second time I've been blessed to see Andrew in California. I truly know that is a blessing.

The West Coast of course covers a lot of territory so I could only hope that a Southern California location would be included. I'm willing do drive quite far, so as long as it was somewhere that made sense...

I truly felt it was a gift from God that a church in Rancho Cucamonga had opened its doors. So I planned to go all week and was looking forward to it. But today, well, it was raining. And I felt yucky and I started to think maybe I wouldn't go. (by the way I've seen Andrew Peterson four times and three of those times have been by myself. The other time I dragged someone. Does anyone else have the problem of no one enjoying the same music?) But I went anyone, because well, it's Andrew Peterson. And if you've read this blog for any length of time, you know what that means. There are certain artists, creators, thinkers, writers who speak into our lives in just the right way that we can hear it. Andrew Peterson, Julie Lessman, Ravi Zacharias are some that come immediately to mind...that I think, when they write something (or sing something) that I read or hear I come away a better person.

So I do think it was the devil and his evil forces trying to keep me away tonight because it was an absolute feast for my soul. I just really felt that taking the time to sit and savor the songs from Resurrection Letters Volume II and the stories behind them was exactly what I needed. I was moved and encouraged and edified. I can't even remember the last time I felt so edified...which isn't saying much about the recent sermons I've heard. I'm just so thankful that in this big vast world, God gives us artists...people who take the mysteries of life and faith and the love of God and wrestle them into words, to give voice to the things we feel but cannot articulate, to affirm us and remind us that we are not alone on this journey of life.

In any case, I bought a couple of CDs...I actually already own the album, but wanted to get one signed (which he signed to my friend Amy...is that not the coolest or what?) and one signed to give away here. (because yes, I'm always thinking about the blog...guilty as charged)

If you'd like to check out the music of Andrew Peterson in the form of a signed CD!!! Please leave me a comment and tell me about an artist/writer/thinker/creator who speaks into your life. This is open to everyone everywhere, I just want to be sure that you understand this is Christian music.

Best of 2008--Music

I don't feel like I paid a lot of attention to music this year. In fact, I am probably a pretty casual music consumer. I love music, but I haven't spent a lot of time exploring new artists this year. So most of my favorite albums are ones released by the artists I already have history with...the ones I already love.

Andrew Peterson's Resurrection Letters, Volume 2
This is surely no surprise to my long time readers. I love this album. I never had a chance to write my more fully developed thoughts on it, but I love it. I await the one day release of volume 1. :)

Counting Crows Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings
I know a lot of people were disappointed in this album, but not I. I love it.

Justin McRoberts Deconstruction
I have always loved McRoberts thought-provoking and honest lyrics. I really enjoyed this one as well.

Ben Shive The Ill-Tempered Klavier
I actually just finally bought this the other day, but I am really enjoying it so far, just as I knew I would.

I am really open to suggestions and recommendations in the music department. Most of these are indie Christian artists that I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who loves singer/songwriters. And the Counting Crows are the biggie (and not Christian). So feel free to recommend anything in the same vein you think I might enjoy. :) Be sure to share your favorite music of 2008 in comments as well!

Blog Advent Tour--Christmas Music I Love!

Hello and welcome to my humble little spot of the blogosphere for the Blog Advent Tour 2008. Christmas is my favorite time of year so I absolutely had to sign up to be a part of this. A huge thanks to Marg at Reading Adventures and Kailana at The Written World for organizing this tour.

There are many things that are important to me about Christmas, but I love the music! I love all Christmas music from the festive fun tunes to the more somber church music. I buy lots of new Christmas albums each year and am always in search of the best versions of each song. Today I wanted to share some of the Christmas music that I love.

Church Music

O Come O Come Emmanuel as heard on Casting Crown's Peace on Earth.
This is unbelievably gorgeous and if you listen to only one of these songs I hope it will be this one!

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence is perhaps the epitome of the somber sound, but I love this beautiful hymn with it's poetic words.

Other favorites of the classic church songs are: O Holy Night, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, and Hark the Herald Angels Sing. But I'm still looking for satisfactory versions of those!

Now for original Christian Christmas Music:

Labor of Love by Andrew Peterson is a classic for me now. I love Jill Phillip's voice as she sings and always seem to get goosebumps. :)


Welcome to Our World is another modern Christmas song that I love. It's the kind of song I wish I could have written! :)


Bethlehem Town from the City on a Hill album is another of my favorite modern Christmas songs. Such a great sound and words that make me think about how it really was for Mary and Joseph.

Other Christmas Songs:

I absolutely adore River as performed by Sarah McLachlan. I don't know why, this has to be one of the most depressing Christmas songs ever. :) But as much as I love the joy of Christmas, there is a part of Christmas that is sad...full of reflection and longing, and I think Sarah McLachlan captures that beautifully on her Wintersong album.

Of course, I love Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is You. I have really happy memories of this whole album as well.

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) as performed by U2 is another favorite. (I seem to like songs that have some variation of please come home. :)

I have always felt chilled by 7 O'clock news--Silent Night by Simon and Garfunkel

But to wrap things up on a high note, there is really nothing more fun than Relient K's Nuttin for Christmas.

The truth is I could go on and on, but this is a good representation of some of the Christmas music I love. Now, I'd love to share this complete playlist with someone! So I will! To enter to win this customized playlist from iTunes, just leave me a comment and tell me which of these songs you like the best! Please also absolutely be sure to leave your email address so I can send it to you. I'll close comments tomorrow at 5 p.m. PST and choose a winner so that someone can enjoy this music for Christmas Eve!

Merry Christmas everyone and I hope you enjoy the tunes of the season! Be sure to visit the other blogs touring today!
Think Pink Dana
Linus's Blanket

Oh the Christmas Music

I've had a major new assignment given to me at work and I haven't been feeling well all week. So this space should be occupied by a book review, but it hasn't happened. In its place I offer a discussion question. What is your favorite version of your favorite Christmas song?

Andrew Peterson's Resurrection Letters Volume II--Don't forget!

Just in case I hadn't made you aware enough, Andrew Peterson's Resurrection Letters Volume II releases this week.

And just in case you didn't know, I heart Andrew Peterson's music. For many reasons, including the fact that he writes in such a way that disarms me and pierces my heart, his words contain reality mixed with hope, and they are often so beautifully phrased that I'm filled with envy at his command of the language. The music, oh yes, I like that, too!

And while his music is what he's best known for, he is also a writer having published his first book this year, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness. And he's a sometime blogger at Rabbit Room.

So get thee out to the stores or your favorite online vendor and make sure you get this CD.

In celebration of the release, I wanted to do something huge like giveaway a complete library of his CDs, but I'm so broke it isn't even funny. So instead, I'll share a review tomorrow and then some of my favorite AP quotes on Wednesday. And if you leave a comment on any of these three posts, I'll draw a name to win your choice of The Far Country, Love and Thunder, Clear to Venus, or Carried Along, along with a gently read copy of On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness.

Music Monday: No Air

I have a confession to make.

I like this song, "No Air" by Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown.

I'm not exactly sure what I like about it. I guess I think it's kind of catchy. And that's about it, because seriously folks.

I'm usually a lyric person. I like pretty words, new ways of expressing things, hearing my soul in someone else's thoughts.

And this song? Maybe the dumbest words ever. Not only are the words just stupid, but they are totally unhealthy. They are the prime of example of the love addicted disease our society throws at us.

I guess it starts out okay, but the part that really gets me and makes me think, man is this song lame is when she breaks out, "No breathing no breathing"

Yet, I still listen to it. It's a great driving song. Ha.

Are there any songs you like even though the lyrics leave, um, something to be desired?

(check out what everyone else is saying about music at The Secret Life of Kat!)

The Burning of Uncertainty

Friday was the last day for almost one hundred people at my work. They were part of what is expected to be a first wave of lay-offs. They were given (in what my opinion was very generous) two months notice, so for the past two months we've all been walking around very carefully so as not to say the wrong thing. I've been diving into hiding to avoid the many hostile glares because I managed to keep my job. I am thankful the company values what's happening in my little room. That's all I can say.

The same week the lay-offs were announced, the house I rented in got notice of foreclosure. I suddenly felt like all the problems with the economy were coming to visit me. I started to worry about my job, about finding a good place to live, all of it.

So far it's worked out for me. But I know that next week begins a very uncertain time for some of my former students.

I feel like everyone is a bit uncertain at the moment. Brewing underneath the surface of acting like we are going on with life as normal, business as usual fear and worry and uncertainty have taken up residence in our lives. The news is never good, the presidential candidates are not offering any particular hope, hunger continues to sweep through the world, and violence seems to escalate with every passing second. It's the very best time to believe in God.

The title of this post comes from a Sarah McLachlan song. I love the phrase because it's such an unusual way of putting those words together and yet so true. Uncertainty does burn and is terribly uncomfortable. And slowly, if we are not careful, it can erode our faith in God, and feed the fire of our doubts and insecurities until we use fear as our motivator, neglecting faith and forgetting to trust.

The whole song is beautiful and so even though it doesn't exactly have anything to do with this post, I've attached it for your enjoyment.

Preparing for the 40 Day Fast

I'm not as big of a fan of Brooke Fraser as Kat is, (is anyone?) but I do think this song is brilliant. Something about the combination of beautiful sad music and the words...even today, I found tears streaming down my face while listening to it. (this also tends to happen during "Oh my God" by Jars of Clay and "I Saw What I Saw" by Sara Groves)

The line that got to me today was this: "And I am on a stage, a thousand eyes on me. I will tell them Albertine"

Not all of us have the chance to be on a stage with so many people watching, but this week over 60 bloggers are going to use their platform-their blogs-to tell the world about what is on their hearts. Instead of blogging about how cute their kids are, or their struggles with modern Christian life, or their latest read (blush) they are going to take one day to turn the spotlight on something that is breaking their heart in the world and they are going to tell us all how we can choose love. Won't you follow along?

Cindy Morgan's Beautiful Bird

When it comes to Christian music, few compare to Cindy Morgan. I have many fond memories of her music, after all she was the free concert my college had when I went there for campus preview in high school. I met her briefly at the time and she was pure graciousness.

Her album, The Loving Kind, is one of my most beloved themed CDs. I love the song about The Lord's Supper especially, as it communicates a bit of what the mood must have been like so beautifully. I have all of her cds and her book.

So, when the opportunity to be a part of the blog tour for her new album came up, I jumped at the chance. Please note that I am no music expert. So this is completely the review of a fan and lover of music who knows very little if anything about the technical aspects of it.
The stand-out tracks for me are "Lay Me Down" which has a spiritual sound. I absolutely believe that I'll be listening to this about a million times in a row once I own it. It has such a great feel to it. LOVE.

I also really like the beautiful "The Sun Shines Through" which is a song about having hope during the difficult times in life. It's got a really gorgeous sound and I imagine will be a true comfort to many.

I also really loved the songs "In These Rooms" and "Most of All"

There are also some songs with a pleasant pop sound to them, like "Fine" and "I Wish" that I imagine will be good fun listening to with the windows rolled down on a sunny day when I'm out for a drive. :)

"Lion and the Lamb" is an interesting song with a sort of ethereal feel that seems to be about a renewed earth.

Overall, I actually probably like this album better than the last few Cindy Morgan albums. I think I will be listening to quite a bit.

These are my initial thoughts. But CD reviews are different for me than book reviews because I need time to let the songs seep in and become a part of my life. I have no doubt that will happen with this album.

This album will be available on iTunes Monday May 20 or at cindymorganmusic.com

Ten CDs I Love: #1--Sarah Brightman

Time for a new music series! I thought about calling this ten CDs in my permanent collection but that was too long. But that's what these are..in this day and age of iTunes and stealing music..I own the hard copies of all of these fair and square. These are in no certain order. I'm hoping to tie this into Music Monday when possible so as not to bore you to death with music posts.

I really love Sarah Brightman, but my favorite of all of her cds is the Classics cd. It combines the more classical recordings she has done...not so much the pop stuff. So much gorgeous music. I've been listening to it a lot lately and I think I'm getting smarter as a result! Okay, maybe not, but one can only hope.

I've had the good fortune of seeing Sarah perform the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber live and that's where I first heard this song. I think it's so beautiful...sad and sweet. So for your listening enjoyment...Pie Jesu.

Wow! (Keith Green)

Growing up, we listened to a lot of Keith Green in our house. A lot. Both sets of grandparents lived far away, and we only ever took road trips for our vacations and we listened to a lot of Keith Green on those trips. So I sort of associate this music with being a bit carsick.

But it influenced me greatly, and I still enjoy listening to it. I have to admit when I looked for my favorite song on youtube, listening to the words again, I realized...this is still what's inside of my heart, and it brought tears to my eyes. That's got to be the sign of great music/lyrics. It's probably been five years since I've heard it!

Anyway, I saw this video and really got a kick out of it! How crazy! And after you watch this 11 year old version of Keith Green, I've included a couple of other videos of songs of his that I love.

I know that a lot of you probably love Keith Green, too, so please share your stories in comments, your favorite songs, whatever you want! It will be fun!



My favorite Keith Green song:



This song....well I loved it as a kid. I used to always giggle at the hamburger and Coke bit. Listening to it again, I can't believe how relevant it is...and terribly convicting. Some of the images in this video might be offensive or shocking, but it's pretty good. Also, I love the way his voice capture so much emotion...this really is a great song for telling a story.



(HT: Think Christian)

A Little Weekend American Idol Fun

This week on American Idol is Andrew Lloyd Weber week. I know, I'm scared, too. But I was worried about Mariah Carey week and it turned out fine.

I heard that Kristy Lee Cook had been planning to sing "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" and I'm very relieved she is no longer on the show. The last thing I need to hear is a country-fied version of that beautiful song.

So what do you think everyone should attempt? Or what do you think they will sing?

Will someone sing "Memory"? "The Music of the Night?" "The Point of No Return?" "Another Suitcase in Another Hall?" There are so many great songs!

Do you like Andrew Lloyd Weber's music? What's your favorite?