Instamatic X-15

Is anyone else confused?

2006-10-30T22:37:00.000+01:00

So, I haven't really done this yet here, on this blog, what it is I'm about to do... and that is basically just hash out something that perplexes me. Context is so key in every situation. No rational human being would condemn another person for shooting an animal that was rabid and attacking them. But if you were to just randomly shoot someone's dog, you would cause quite an uproar. I think it's illegal... gotta look into that... I may have to avoid Iowa if that's the case... Just kidding, nobody freak out... Anyhow, so back to context. What is motivation? And is it possible to determine motivation without discussing said motivation with the person/group/etc in question? The police seem to think so. That being said, what is the motivation of individuals that play music? Is it solely, "for the music" or "to glorify God" or "sex, drugs, rock and roll"? Is it possible to delineate the motivations of any one group based only on their music? And what if you listen to their music thinking their motivation is one way, and then you see a concert, or meet them in person, and it becomes apparent their motivation is the polar opposite of your previous assessment. What then? And this brings me to my current connundrum: Is it possible to make a living off music and declare that you are a musician to "glorify God"? I thought we were supposed to sell all we have, give it to the poor, and follow Him? Any takers?

On the road... again?

2006-10-26T16:30:00.000+02:00

A man once wrote something he heard before and made a lot of money off it for being "original" and this is what he said: "Life is what happens while we're making plans." I've never felt that statement to be more true until now. As I write this, I have 3 days before I head out on the road for 6 weeks, taking me away from my family and friends, birthdays, weddings, and a major holiday. And the question I have been mulling over is the "Worth it?" question. I know the answer, but sometimes, even when you know things, it is good to throw a second glance; mistakes happen when you least expect it. And I do not want to make any mistakes, especially when family is involved. I do not have any delusions about this job... Bob Seeger would lead you to believe that being on the road just plain ain't no fun. But I think this opportunity will be waaaaay cool, and I think it will open up some doors for me to continue "following that dream" as the man in blue suede shoes crooned so long ago...

Once there was a way...

2006-08-09T00:08:00.000+02:00

I have often wondered if great people who do great things are aware of the gravity of their deeds while doing them. And then as a sub-question to that initial inquiry, when something life changing is occurring, are the players aware of the action unfolding around them? Or is it only in retrospect that we truly grasp the importance of events, places, and people? I am not sure that I will ever know the answer to those questions, and to be honest, maybe the answer is not important. Maybe it is right under my nose, and all I have to do is open my eyes and see what is happening right now, because who knows? It could change my life...

Marty! There's no time!

2006-07-26T03:01:00.000+02:00

I definitely feel like Doc Brown in Back to the Future... time is running short and it feels like there is so much left to do and see. I took the last test of my undergraduate college career... yeah. At least it's over, that's my only commentary. There are three days left of class, and I have five days left in Paris. It is so hard to believe that my life as a student is drawing to an end, at least on a formal level. I hope I will always learn regardless of where I am or what I am doing in this world, but it seems that the scholarly road is coming to an end. And I don't know how I feel about that thought... on the one hand, bien sur, it is a relief. But on the other hand, there is a deep seeded melancholy that I think is going to take some time to figure out and understand. Regardless of my conclusions, however, I will always seek to know more about this life, and I will explore my world with every available resource, and I will seek to affect it for the better, in the event that it becomes apparent that it needs affecting...

Alright, enough philophosizing. Paris. Went to this very hip and cool museum today, the Palais de Tokyo. Modern and experimental art, as well as a great bookstore. I really enjoy cutting edge work, and that was probably the most enjoyable thing about my college career was creating and partaking in artistic expression.

After the Palais, we went to le Tour Eiffel, had some French slushy slurpee concoctions that weren't half bad, and then metro'd back to the Foyer. Tomorrow I'm going back to Pere la Chaise, the catacombs, and potentially and EXTREMELY AWSOME WAY TO SEE THE ENTIRE CITY OF FRANCE... I'm giving a little mini Eiffel Tower to the first person to guess what the "WAY TO SEE..." is...

OBEY is everywhere

2006-07-21T03:33:00.000+02:00

Superman is Jesus, mec. Well, he's at least modeled after Jesus, that's for sure, and the new movie currently in theatres takes full advantage of the obvious comparison. But regardless of your religious affinity or affiliation, go see the movie, it's a good time. Better yet, see it in Paris where you'll be the only person who "gets it" and you can be the only person to laugh really loudly at the funny American jokes. It's a blast.

I can't believe that I am halfway around the globe for my first sold out show (for those of you interested, the show is Rob Bell, an author on a book tour... go figure). Karma has a cruel sense of humor. Here I am for the past six years trying to attain the ever elusive "COMPLET" (as the French would call it) and it sneaks up on me, WHILE I'M IN FRANCE!!!!

Oh well... like Mick said, you can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need.

The French need to brush up on their slang, that's all I'm saying...

Mom, Dad... I've decided to become a Bull Fighter

2006-07-18T01:49:00.000+02:00

Yeah, so I'm sick of not having a cell phone. Plans have to be so much more precise and articulated BEFORE embarking on any excursions. The long and the short of it: don't travel alone, and make sure you know where you're going. The Paris Subway system is the most ridiculous contrivance I have ever encountered. I have no idea how it was constructed because it is an incomprehensible labyrinth. And I know I said this already, but MAN does it reak of BO. It's otherworldly. Quel que facon, in it's defense, it gets me where I want to go, and I lose a little bit of water weight on the way there.

Classes are great. Well, horrible time, 9am, but I have a great teacher. Probably the best French teacher I have ever had. Her name is Yvette, and she is hilarious. The walk to school in the morning is always a little hurried, if you get my drift (I am my mother's son...), but it is nice, as I cut through Le Jardin du Luxembourg. I still need to challenge the little Frenchy boys to a boat race... one day soon...

Allez les Blues and a pinecone in Paris...

2006-07-16T19:38:00.000+02:00

On the tail end of a 3 day weekend, courtesy of Bastille Day this past Friday, I find myself relaxing in our warmish room, me on my device of modern contrivance and my roomate on his. "Allez les Bleus!" means "Let's go, Blue!" or basically, "Go, team!" for the French national Football (the real kind...) team. However, my usage refers to the blues group that I have had the distinct privilege in hearing two nights in a row now near a frequent haunt of mine, Cafe le Buci. Best White Russians ever... they're like a milkshake, and the service isn't half bad itself. If you ever find yourself in Paris, look it up, it's near Odeon and the intersection of St. Michel and St. Germain. You won't be disappointed.

I must apologize for not keeping this better updated... it can get difficult when you are go, go, going all the time, and the Internet connection can be dodgy as well. So, that's why this hasn't been a daily thing. I also need to figure a way to post more than one photo at a time, but I'm limited to 50kb a post... Lisa had mentioned something about "Photobucket.com" and I have yet to look into that option.

I have seen a TON of beautiful places, and taken some great shots, and had lots of laughs. And a pinch of studying, just to be on the safe side...

The Blur of City life in a Ville that never sleeps

2006-07-11T12:44:00.000+02:00

So... yeah, it's been almost a week since I last wrote my thought and experiences... and it's been non-stop action, let me tell you! As all of you are aware, France lost the World Cup, and to be honest, I'm almost relieved. The city would have ERUPTED... it could have been bad. But as it stands, everyone was just really bummed and went home. Some Italian sympathisers honked and yelled, but other than that, it was relatively tame. Nothing compared to the scene after they won the semi-final game against Portugal. It was sheer insanity. People flooded the streets, screaming and yelling, popping flares, climbing into fountains, stopping traffic... it was rad, but it was crazy. So, other than missing out on a rowdy party, no harm done and live goes on. Classes have been cool. It can be easy to let your mind drift when you're in class and your native language is not the native language of the class. It requires a lot more diligence to learn. You can't just sit in there and soak it up... you have to actively LEARN and that can be a challenge when you're not accustomed to having to strain at the language as oppossed to a concept: the language IS the concept! But all that to say, I am enjoying the classes. My teacher is the best French teacher I have ever had. She is extremely good at communicating the meaning of a word and the correct way to say and write it, etc.

Paris is becoming more and more a temporary "home" for me... I like that ability to adapt to a new environment rather quickly... Anyhow, at the time that I type this, most of you are still sleeping, waiting to get up and start a new day. Hope it's a great one. Just realize, you probably aren't going to stand in the middle of the Champs Elysees in front of the Arc de Triomphe and have your picture taken... ;)

Opulence killed the empire

2006-07-05T01:37:00.000+02:00

Versailles... a long standing tribute to overindulgence at the sake of the people. It is a sweet spread though, I will admit. The heat broke today... nothing like an overcast day in Paris to only mildly sweat. The RER was nice in the morning; it even felt moderately air conditioned. I have never walked so much in my life. Amazing how the things I take for granted, like a vehicle, a cell phone, air conditioning... these are all things that millions of people go without or have never used in their lives. Mindboggling... Class starts tomorrow, Germany is no longer in the World Cup, and it's 1:34 and I haven't heard a single firework... I suppose the Parisians will make up for that tomorrow night, and on Bastille Day. Until then...

An American nightowl in Paris

2006-07-03T23:21:00.000+02:00

The streets of Paris don't strike me as all that different from any major North American city, save for the fact that they are older and dirtier. It is insanely hot here. Excruciatingly hot. You wake up and you're sweating, so you take a cold shower, and walk back to your room, and your sweating again. You go for a walk and sweat some more, so you decide to take the train. The station platform is coolish, but you get on the train, and now you're in a sauna, but this sauna reaks of BO instead of Cedar and you don't feel "purged" when you get off, rather "violated" is the verb that comes to mind. IRREGARDLESS, Paris is beautiful and endlessly interesting. Just don't walk on their grass.