now what

I write this most likely for me. Sometimes I post about news, sometimes I post something to provoke thought... But right now, I post about me, for me, and, if the world doesn't end, for me to look back upon years from now.
The reason?

I just took my last college exam.

I keep saying the same thing, but that doesn't make the feeling go away. It hasn't yet sunk in that I will wake up tomorrow, the day after and the day after that without a class to go to, an exam to take, a book to read or a paper to write.
It's an interesting feeling having lived your whole life with a goal in mind, regardless of whether it was the right or wrong goal and regardless of who or what inspired you to yearn for it, one so big and so eminent that it engulfed all your energies whether you knew it or not, to one day realize that it's over.
The goal now has a checkmark next to it, written in permanent ink. I can't go back and do it again because it's over.
There's probably a big lesson on goals, achievements, purpose, direction, etc. in all of this, but, once again, it would be moot to try and theorize on this because, as of 7pm on 12 December 2007, I am the small fish in the big pond once again.
I will let the elders talk and I will do wise by listening.

make all things new

Because it’s so bankrupt, the notion of just living for your own desires and pursuing your every whim and trying to ensure financial security. To store up money so that one day you can retire and have 15 years of relaxing until you die – has that worked for anybody? Has that given anybody eternal peace? Has that given anybody that sense of “I know why I’m here. I know the purpose of my life”? I look around and I see the failed American dream. People that are trying to claw their way to the top of the corporate ladder or some social group, and you realize that there’s no real contentment at the top. Whatever little ways that I’ve tried with the band—like, “Oh, we need to get on this label” —you end up wanting something else. Then you get on this radio station, and you want something else. You get in this magazine, and then you want something else. You get on this television station, and then what else? What else? What else? It’s never enough. Jesus calls us to less and less. He calls us to a simpler and humbler and more broken and emptied out lifestyle of service. To me, the moment that I realized that, it all made sense. It was perfectly clear. Everyone is called to that, and there’s room down there for everybody. But there’s only room at the top for one person. That would be a sad world, if our only purpose was to be the most successful or the world champion or the richest man alive.

How much did you pay?

I'm probably the last to write about this, but British band Radiohead are offering their latest album for a price that you determine via download. The price box is empty and you fill it in yourself, anywhere from zero to infinity. So technically, you could legally acquire it for free (save the 45 pence credit card surcharge, roughly 90 cents). After a couple of difficult years for the "music industry" that has seen a an increase in illegally downloaded material and a decline in CD sales, Radiohead are making an attempt to send a message it seems.
Afraid of people stealing your art? Alleviate yourself by giving it away for free.
Tired of record companies taking your art and selling at a price that you have no control over? Easy... Cut out the middle man and do with your creation as you see fit.
Assuming everyone who reads this blog is a raging fan, let me get personal...

How much did you pay?

take a couple of minutes

Please take your time and read the transcript from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He's in New York for the United Nations general assembly and spoke today at Columbia University. His visit was shrouded in controversy and many called in an abomination that he was invited to "spew his drivel" in an American institution. I even heard that the State of New York was considering pulling funding for the university.

For me, the read was an interesting one. It took awhile to get into what Mahmoud was saying; he started off with a rambling sermon about science full of quotes from the Qu'ran that I'm sure were a yawner for those in attendance. (note to self...)

Even though it was revealed through his answers that his logic isn't sound, I found myself agreeing with the sentiments of some of his responses. He was taken aback at the rude introduction given him by the acting university president, as it is a great disrespect to insult a guest. Ahmadinejad made reference to Iranian culture, but I have a feeling it might be a more general trait of all Islamic culture. Having spent some time in Morocco, I know firsthand that hospitality there is unmatched throughout the world (that is, the parts that I know). The President of Columbia lost some of his clout with, what I deem, an insulting introduction. Additionally, I agree that science is a tool to be used for the good of mankind, but if used as a tool of manipulation, it is detrimental. Pharmaceutical companies that withhold treatment in the name of bigger profits is an example.
"If humanity achieves the highest level of physical and spiritual knowledge but its scholars and scientists are not pure, then this knowledge cannot serve the interests of humanity." I agree.
He also delved into the Palestinian question. While I do not agree with him that violence and terrorism is an adequate response to violence and terrorism (it seems like a childish "he did it first" sort of response), I do agree that the Palestinians should be able to decide their own future instead of having it dictated to them through forceful or manipulative means, either from internal or foreign sources. However, if they choose to wage war or commit violent acts against others as their chosen path, I cannot support that decision.
Either way, please check out the link. It's important to investigate the world around us and understand how we can be involved in it.

missing the point

I'm reading a book right now entitled "Adventures in Missing the Point" by Brian McLaren and Tony Campolo... Having that title in mind,

The people in Jena, Louisiana are missing the point. I've been hearing about the protests and reading the signs they're carrying at the protests. Many are asking for the end of racial profiling in the justice system. While I wholeheartedly agree, that's not the point. The point is a kid was sent to the hospital for a beating he received that some allege was intended to kill him. The point is the attackers were incensed because nooses were hung from a tree in a region of the world where that was common not too long ago. Those nooses were hung as a warning to not sit in the "white" area.

The point is this... You aren't defined by what color your skin is. Those are social constructions that you accept if you so choose. You aren't better or worse than anybody because of your skin or where you come from. You are defined, if you so choose, by the things you do. You pigeonhole yourself for hanging nooses from a tree just to send a message and you stunt your own self-realization by solving your problems by beating others to a pulp. Both actions are reprehensible and both go to show how far we as a people need to go.

awesome

Hillary Clinton recently returned a campaign donation ($850,000) to a man who skipped out on his trial date years ago for fraud. This man is also tied to one of the original Woodstock promoters. Hillary Clinton supports a notion to give $1 million to a Woodstock museum. Round of applause to Mrs. Clinton for returning the money.



Round of applause to Bill for the beard.

let down

Remind me to never google "emergent church" for a long, long time. quoting the bible till you're blue in the face doesn't really convince me, sans one ingredient....

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.
When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.

But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

it makes you wonder...

Would anyone have imagined a photo like this 2 years ago? 5 years ago? 10 years ago? And is it just me, or does David look a little, let's say, ready to go home? My mistake. That award goes to Jada.



Either way, as a soccer fan and as an American, my hopes are supposed to rest upon a certain well dressed Brit to makes the world's most popular sport digestible to a very picky American sporting public. While billions across the world have latched on to a mid 19th century British creation, American sporting culture has preferred to keep to it's own creations. Football (the version with pads and helmets), baseball, basketball and hockey were all created and established in the USA or not too far from it. (Thanks Canada, you've been a real pal.) Football (the version without pads and helmets) has always seemed like some rudimentary foreign sport all to simple for the true American sports fan. The common complaint is that "all they do is run around the field trying to kick a ball into a net." (Side note... How come I've never heard any sports commentators refer to basketball as running around the court bouncing an orange ball and trying to throw it into a hanging basket? Just a thought...)
I digress.
Simply put, David Beckham is here. Once known on this side of the pond as Mr. Posh Spice, he has made waves since February when he signed his record contract. There have been many detractors and a myriad of opinions, mine notwithstanding. I, for one, like the guy. Maybe it's just an act, I don't know. If so, he has me fooled. He comes off as a genuine guy whose true loves are his family and his game. Humble, soft spoken, exemplary work ethic... Say what you will about Real Madrid, but if it wasn't for the mystique that surrounded Beckham when he arrived to join a team already full of international superstars, I probably wouldn't have given the sport a chance, nor would I have grown to love the game as I do now.
It is with this mystique that he arrives to Los Angeles (in addition to his injured ankle...). It is my hope that people who have never set aside 90 minutes to attempt to learn a beautiful game will now do so, that a new culture be born and will produce a competative league that makes waves on an international level. I figure we're far away from it, but one day I'd like to see a little star above the USA's soccer federation logo and a World Cup on display in the trophy case.
You've a tall order, Mr. Spice. Hope you can come through.

i wish i had some pictures to share

just a little news in my world you might want to be aware of...
on july 19th, i asked renata to marry me! some of you who read this know her; some of you do not, so i will give you a little background...

we met back in 2005 while we both were in spain. it was basically my last full week in spain after my two year stay, and i was in the southern city of malaga helping translate for a group of students who had come down from northern europe to do some community outreach in the area. most of the people were from norway, sweden, denmark, germany and the like, so they spoke english rather well, but very little spanish. i noticed one of the leaders from their group, however, speaking spanish, so i asked around where she was from. i was told she was a brazilian that had been raised in miami.

i was stunned! having so little time left in spain, i had been planning for months what i would be doing upon returning to the USA. i decided (some months in advance) to finish my schooling at florida international university in miami. i then debated with myself about approaching her and talking to her about miami, what it was like, about churches and other opportunities in the area... we were both encouraged and exchanged email addresses. she was also in her last week in europe after working and touring with the norway-based organization "jesus revolution." she was going to be on vacation in brazil for a few months after leaving spain, and then would be continuing her collegiate education in miami in january, 2006.

so fate (?) would have it that i arrived to miami the 3rd of january, while she arrived the 2nd. we had exchanged a few emails while i was in tampa and she was in rio, beginning to get to know a little bit about each other. needless to say, after a couple of weeks of hanging out and getting to know each other, we decided to take the plunge and begin a relationship on january 19, 2006.

fast forward a year and a half later, after a nice night in miami beach, we stopped at a lifeguard station and listened to the waves, just as we had done on our very first night together as an "official" item. i pulled out the little box, showing her the ring as i opened it up and asked her to marry me. and of course, she said yes! so now we're very happily engaged, with a wedding and a life together in the works.

a penny saved is a penny earned

i've never been a monetary genius.
i work, earn money, spend some and save some. i don't buy much on credit and pay all my bills on time. i would imagine i'm in the same category as many people when it comes to my money handling skills, only possibly slightly more on the conservative side.
but living here in miami, i've begun to notice something that i don't recall noticing before. it has been about 18 months since i came to reside in the magic city, and starting about 3 months ago, i noticed that not every cashier gives me back my correct change.
example:
place: taco bell
items: cheesy bean and rice burrito and a crunchwrap supreme
total cost: $2.99
paid: $10.00
change owed: $7.01
*here's the kicker*
change received: $7.00
a discrepancy of one cent.
normally, being shorted a penny wouldn't bother me. people make mistakes, , a nickel is mistaken for a penny, incorrect change is handed out, yadda yadda yadda...
but the problem is that it has happened at least four times recently. maybe i wouldn't have ever noticed it if i hadn't had gotten off on the wrong foot with a cashier at the local snack shop at my university. she owed me a penny after i bought some chips, and as i was there waiting for her to give me my receipt and penny, she looked at me with a snide look and said, "do you really want your penny?"
"yes, of course" i calmly replied.
she looked at me as if i had lived in some parallel universe where i had missed the memo that actually wanting the change that was rightly owed to me was some sort of prerequisite for hospitalization.
then a couple of days later it happened again. i was in a local pharmacy getting some supplies when i just happened to have one cent over my total. i handed over the money and was given in return only my reciept. no penny...
second time same as first, only this time no option.
the third and fourth times were at local eating establishments where, in the same way as before, i gave exactly one cent over my total and was given nothing in return. i had the full intention of putting the penny in the ronald mcdonald fund, but even that chance of a small contribution was denied to me.
why all the fuss over four cents? i've thought of at least two lessons i've learned...
1) no matter what the value, one must be respectful of others' belongings. give people what they are owed, in the name of integrity and fairness. faithfulness in the little things is a must before being entrusted with bigger things. which leads me to my second thought...
2) perceptions of importance are not universal. just because a penny is worthless to you doesn't mean that it's worthless to everyone else... i'm sure benjamin franklin would have been more vocal than i was, demanding his four unreturned pennies back under the mantra of "a penny saved is a penny earned."

a couple of things

as some of you may know, i am a fan of good hip-hop. the first addition to my now (in my opinion) extensive musical library was Nu Thang by DC Talk. whether you define that as good or not (if you have even heard it) is irrelevant, because i was (1992-1983=...) 9 years old at the time. it was the first album i had that didnt sound like my parents' music. now i know when we all grow up, we usually go back and realize that some of what our parents listened to was pretty cool, but the first time you listened to something that made your parents go "what is that?" probably planted a little seed of independence in your tender, impressionable heart.
[random thought]
thanks, mom and dad, for the beatles, jackson 5, the supremes, the temptations, elvis, the beach boys, rich mullins and innumerable other artists for their influence on my life.
[/random thought]
back to hip hop. i liked it as a kid, as did many other white suburbanites like myself. there was us3, coolio, skee-lo, ahmad (back in the day... anyone? anyone??) and others that i would watch MTV and wait patiently for. i also owned all of DC Talk's albums at one point (up until jesus freak, that is...) i begged my parents to buy me those yellowish construction boots, and anything with the red, yellow, green and black of cross colours, and a silver chain.
point made...
then dc talk released a "grunge" song, snoop was smoking weed and drinking 40s. tupac was mad, biggie was a pimp... and me? i was alienated. they were writing songs and making videos about a life i could in no way comprehend (especially at 11-12 years old), so i stopped listening. at my 8th grade end of the year school dance, they played the offspring and green day and i was changed forever. soon after, i discovered mxpx, five iron frenzy and blink 182 and the whole world of independent/underground/counter culture/local music. after wading through the waters of operation ivy, squad five o, 90 lb wuss, appleseed cast, weezer, the huntingtons, roadside monument, mineral, gloria record, cap'n jazz, zao, living sacrifice, strongarm and various other local and national acts from various genres, i thought i had left hip hop behind.
but i had a sampler cd that i picked up somewhere from a record label and it had a few hip hop tracks on it. i listened to it and liked it, but didnt think much more about it. then, while shopping for new music, i found a promotional copy of one of those groups in the used bin for $8 at a local music store. they were on a label i had heard of, but mostly in relation to underground rock bands (jackson rubio). i went out on a limb and bought it, and to this day it is one of the cd's i listen to most. the rise and fall of... by brainwash projects is truly a classic cd, but more than that, it resurrected a dead genre to me. hip hop had made its way back into my life and is still a daily part of it. la symphony (and all related artists), beastie boys, deepspace 5 (and all related artists, talib kweli, living legends... they all have a place in my collection.
why did i write all of this? more next time...

--i went to college, then i left. that's when i got my education.
-- how ill would i be with a degree? it could just be a piece of paper to me.

a message to everyone

if youre reading this, i remember you and the times we had. i miss you and i hope all is well. may you live guided by the grace of god and live in his goodness.
--joel