Commercial Break

Tomorrow, I’ll continue my interaction with the Transforming Culture symposium, specifically with Eugene Peterson’s talk (yes, the translator of The Message).

In the meantime, some random thoughts.

Politics in a Waiting Room

While waiting for my oil to be changed, I watched news loop on the TV. Some interesting observations. During the transportation of the Olympic torch, there’s been protests to free Tibet. People climb the Eiffel Tower and the Golden Gate bridge. While I agree with their cause, I don’t see how climbing dangerous edifaces makes the point. Hillary Clinton encouraged Bush to boycott the Olympics (or at least the opening ceremony) which I find ironic considering her husband’s history with China.

The guy next to me, a very large man with a wife beater, a beard, a redneck, and numerous piercings, said the only thing he cares about is gas prices. If a candidate–it doesn’t matter which one–promises to lower prices and keep them down, that’s who he’s voting for.

This is why America has a bad name.

The news showed the reconciliation of a released hostage with his family–the whole thing right there for us to view.

This is why media has a bad name.

In Japan, women can hire host boys to entertain them at dinner. It’s sort of like geisha girls, I guess (in some ways, the host boys, who are in their twenties, looked like geisha girls). They said this is a huge step toward equality.

Yes, now we are equally taking advantage of the opposite sex.

New Blog

My dad has begun a blog. I never thought I’d see the day. His latest entry’s about encouragement and how Christianity needs more encouragers.

Good job, Dad!

The Yellow Brick Road

I found out yesterday that I’m a finalist for Genesis! Wahoo! (Everyone, do the dance of joy.) Wait, maybe I’m not supposed to announce it. Oh well. Pretend you don’t know. Here’s how the conversation went (complete with my inner monologue):

"Is Heather Goodman available?"

Great. Sales rep. Like I have time for this. How rude is it to just hang up? Barely tempering my annoyed voice, I answer, "This is she."

"This is so-and-so–" (She didn’t actually call herself so-and-so but gave her actual name, but I’ve since forgotten it, and who needs names at a time like this?) "–from ACFW. I have good news."

Did I apply for the scholarship? I don’t remember applying. How cool would it be if they randomly chose my name from a hat and decided to give me a scholarship so I can go to the conference in September?

"You’re a finalist for Genesis."

Silence. It’s either that or screaming. She probably won’t appreciate screaming.

Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.

Transforming Culture Explained

If you want to see what a random sampling of mall critters have to say about the role of art in the church, go here.

I’ll leave you with David Taylor’s explaination of a successful artist. What I love about this is the fact that being grounded in God and Church makes for a better artist. Novel idea.