That's all I can stands....

I can't stands no more.

I'm sitting here looking at the Rolling Stone Top 40 albums. I've got two strong words for the people who buy these albums: Come on!

The first three, I think, are alright. Beyonce, Audioslave, Bob Dylan. Bob Dylan should be number one, but still a top three spot is ok. Then I continue on down the list.

Number four is Danity Kane, who I don't really know who it, although I think it's the group of girls that Puffy Diddy Daddy put together on MTV. So, while its abhorable, it's understandable. But, then at number 5...staring up at the shadow of The Poet Dylan is Cheetah Girls 2, a lovely little modern day tween Monkees. By that, of course, I mean a fake band put together for a TV show. And, just as fascinating as the Monkees success, the FAKE, FICTIONAL "BAND" IS NUMBER FIVE!!!!!!!!!!

Let's continue. Christina and Jessica are number 6 and 7, and while I don't like it, there's always been room for pop music on the charts, and let's face it, those girls can sing.

And then there's number 8. I can't even begin to explain how terrified I am at what this says about our culture. Nickelback. The WNBA of hardrock...it's the same game, but not as fun to watch.

Let's get a big hell yes for Iron Maiden coming in at 9. Let's hit the high spots all at once and cut this short. Outkast, Panic at the Disco, Gnarls Barkley, Chili Peppers, The Roots, and Snow Patrol.

Now, for those of you who do quick math, that's not even half of the top forty. The rest...all crap. Some highlights: Now 22, the compilation of crappy pop music put out by record companies for the sole purpose of making more money and taking more money from the artists. Rascall Flatts, Pussycat Dolls (a vegas strip show act, with less talent), High School Musical (another gift from the Disney corp.), James Blunt, Carrie Underwood (an American Idol demon), Kidz Bop (another absolutely-for-profit project of the record companies), LeToya (who was actually NOT good enough for Destiny's Child) and Tim McGraw (who only still has a carreer because he married the hottest woman on earth).

I repeat, COME ON. Anybody remember when music used to mean something. Remember when it used to say something, to be the soundtrack of a generation, to speak out against the government, to be an exhibit of virtuoso musical talent, to NOT be about the money.

Functionless Art is Tolerated Vandalism.

B

Prayers Please

Friends,
My first Greek test is tomorrow at noon. Please pray for me and my stack of 350 note cards tonight, and peace and clarity of mind tomorrow. From everyone I've talked to, this test is going to be Hell on Earth, or, in Greek, straight KAKA (evil). I'm also told that the red marks on your first test do not reflect the grade you get in the book. He knows it's hard, and he grades accordingly. But, please pray for me.

doku-oh gar aymee, I think therefore I am,
Brad

Myspace Identity

Hat tip to Mustoe.


Had a good talk with my good friend Mustoe last night and part of the conversation revolved around the personal/friends sharing online networks myspace and facebook. If been thinking about it ever since and what the popularity of these websites says about the state of mind and self-esteem of the young people in modern culture.

I don't have a myspace or facebook page. I should say that first off. I am speaking on a topic without experienceing it. But, here's why I haven't experienced it: I don't believe that who I am, my identity, can be known on paper, or on an online profile. So, there we go. There are two things that these websites say about their users.

1. People today think that a personality CAN be described and understood through a simple list of profile questions. Identity has been so lost, and self-esteem so lowered that people think they can sum up who they are by filling in the blanks.

2. People want relationships but they want to be in complete control of the information they share in relationships. What does this say about the state of community, and trust, and security in our world today? When we participate in anything online that requires personal info, we can add and subtract and multiply anything we want. Why do you think child molestor's target kids through these websites? 'Cause they can get in and out easily. They can be whoever they want to be.


I have great friends in the myspace and facebook networks. I do not mean to imply that all people who are a part of them are shoe-gazing, insecure people. I simply want to talk about the dangers of some of the implications of these sites.

I want everyone who uses facebook and myspace, and everyone that doesn't, that who they are cannot be edited and cannot fit into a nicely uniform profile. We are all special, unique, beautiful, cherished creations of a God who is pure Love. Be yourself in every moment of everyday, in cyberspace and in real life, at church and at the Royals game.

Be your own specially, wonderfully, beautifully created child of God,
B

Knock Knock

Who's there?

Interrupting Randy Moss.

Interrupting Randy Mo--

STRAIGHT CASH HOMEY!!

Alright, sorry about that. I'm trying to keep up the blogs a little bit more. They are a big part of what keeps me sane right now. My life's kinda getting quietly crazy with school and work.

Lynz and I were talking last night about my favorite topic, other than music, in the world...television. And since I'm blogging more often, the topics are getting more abstract. So, here's some sociological discussion on our, mine and Vee's, favorite shows.

First, The Office. Not much to say here, it's a comedy and supposed to be silly (by the way, if you're still not watching The Office you need to get with the program--he--tv program--hehe).
However, one observation I've seen revolves around the love triangle of Pam, Jim, and Roy. Pam and Roy are engaged but Jim and Pam are best friends and Jim loves Pam and last year's finale was Jim TELLING Pam he loved her and they kissed and the screen went blank. OK, got it? Alright, point number 1: This girl just cheated on her fiancee. And we've never wanted adultery to work out as much as Jim and Pam. We've been brainwashed over two season to wanted with every stolen glance and every joking conversation that Jim and Pam are perfect for each other....but she's WITH ROY! So, what's the lesson? You should go after what you want no matter what you do to other people? Or, you should stick to your committments no matter how misrable they make you? Take your pick. (Kinda like Bush or Gore isn't it?) POINT TWO: Roy is a warehouse worker, Jim a top salesman with upward movement potential. Roy is a big, dumb, idiotic jerk who lives and dies for sports and treats Pam like a cavewench. Jim is a smart, sweet, funny, nice guy who would do anything for Pam in the spirit of friendship. Ya know, that Geiko commercial with the cavemen. If I were a warehouse worker, I'd be pissed.

Alright, show number two, Grey's Anatomy. Another show with a beloved adultress at the center. This show completely revolves around adultery, almost every plotline is about someone cheating on someone else. AND I CAN'T GET ENOUGH!! So, recap. Meredith gets with a guy who turns out to be her boss. The continue to see each other and then she finds out he's married( to a woman who cheated on him, of course). Two years and many tears later, we're left with the cliffhanger of will she choose available hunk vet, Chris O'donnel, or leave with McDreamy, WHO'S STILL MARRIED!!!! And I know some of you out there, I'm lookin' at you Caldwell's, dirty bunch, are rooting for her to leave with The Hair. Oh, yeah, and Meredith cried when she seduced her best friend who's hopelessly in love with her, broke his heart, leaving him a shell of a man, until he hooks up with plus size hottie who rocks his world, Christina hooks up and moves in with her boss. Izzy sleeps with the biggest overplayed, overwritten, overacted, character in tv history (the jerk intern with the heart of gold) , he of course cheats on her with a nurse who he gave the clap to earlier so Izzy turns to the feeble arms of a handsome mystery patient who dies on her and The Jerk with a Heart of Gold carries her out of the room and she quits. Oh yeah, and the Chief had an affair with Meredith's mom who still thinks its 1973. Alright, deep breath. Anyway, my point is, on paper this show is HORRIBLE in what it says about human nature or what it's trying to teach about human nature. Aparently, we are all hedonistic narssicists who don't care about anything but our on pleasures and desires no matter who we hurt and leave bleeding along the way. But, come tomorrow night, I'll be watching.

I could go on, but I ranted longer than I thought.

here's the question: Do we watch TV to escape from our own lives, knowing that these characters are far away from us and with a sort of "it's fun to watch rich people be naughty" mentality, or do we watch these shows because they speak to something deep inside about who we are as humans, because we know these characters because they ARE us, or do we watch these show because they are entertaining and fun to watch?

I'm gonna go make sure Lynz's dvr's set to record Grey's, I don't wanna miss a thing.
B

Random Notes-Brothers Boast

I don't really have anything to say, but I wonder what will happen if I just start typing and we'll see what comes out.

I have to tell my brother that he did a very "Jimmy" thing on Saturday. There we were, Jeff, mom, Steph, Andy, and me, having lunch while moving Steph into her new apartment. Andy goes walking off without a word. About 5 minutes later, I see Andy running down the gang plank to Steph's place with a 27" TV in his hands. "Holy Crackers", I said and ran to open the door. As it turns out, Andy pulls a muscle in his pectoral area and can't really help the rest of the day. I see really no difference in this and my father sledding down the tree-lined back yard or my uncle lifting mattresses weeks after his quad-by-pass.

That got me thinking (Andy, I hope you don't mind my psychoanalyzing you on the world wide web, feel free to return the favor). Everytime I see my brother, I try to impress him by playing a song on the piano or attempting to start some intellectual conversation that's way out of my league. I wonder if my brother carried a 27 inch TV up three flights of steps with no help to impress me. I do what he does, be smart-he does what I do, lift heavy things. Nothing unhealthy here, I think two brothers who want the respect of the other is a good thing, just a weird pattern I noticed on Saturday.

My big screen TV is awesome, although I now have to get cable. Watching a 52in TV with anntena squiggles is a horrible, terrible, no good, very bad thing. But, the good news...October marks the last payment on my car and only half of the car payment can get me cable and wireless for 15 mos, so I can do it.

I suck at fantasy football. I picked players I like, not that are any good and some that aren't even playing. Big Ben you freakin' wuss, it's an appendectomy. This isn't cricket, this is football, suck it up..

Did I mention the Tool show was awesome?

Alright, I think i'm taking Fiona to the dog park.
Peace out, B

Matt Lauer Corners Bush on Torture

Our president's not only kinda stupid, he's also pretty mean.

I SAW TOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You know how Simeon sees the baby Jesus and tells God he can die happy now...well, the same thing goes for me except all I have left is to see Pearl Jam and I can die a happy man.

Friday night I saw the best heavy metal in the world right now, Tool: four guys who hate playing in four four time, love playing in drop d, c, or b tuning, and have nothing but contempt for the frat boys who think their music is about aggression.

Adding to the amazing experience was sharing it with Jeff Green, a great friend of mine that I had not seen in I think four years. (My relationship with Jeff can best be summed up like this, he introduced my to heavy metal by playing my first Pantera, and I got him baptized at our church) Jeff and I, drummers the both of us, waited in the smokey Kemper arena for Tool to take the stage. Four guys, dressed in white lab coats, came out and pulled away the carpet on the stage. They revealed an all white stage with an all white backdrop. We were puzzled, it looked like a Strokes concert, or the Killers.

The arena went black, the crowd erupted in cries of anticipation, and in the dark we could see four guys ascend to the stage and take their instruments. Tool opened the show with thunderous unison drop d riffing and low and behold, that white stage was a GIANT VIDEO SCREEN!! Adam Jones played guitar on a lake of lava, Danny Carey's drums floated in some waters from a lake in hell, over Maynard James Kennan's sholder as he belted out lyrics in his amazingly strong tenor growlscreech came a flying demon skull who opened his mouth to reveal another flying demon skull. Then the lasers started.

It was unbelievable, Jeff and I were speechless, and exhausted from non-stop air drumming for 1 hour 45 minutes;we just sat there after the show waiting for the crowd to disperse, laughing histerically. It was all we could do.

Danny Carey, the drummer, is too good to be human. And, being in Tool, it's quite possible that he's not ALL human. With his towering 6'6" frame behind an expansive double bass drum set (which may or may not double as the band's space ship they use to get from show to show), he played all the beats I wanted him to play. Two impossible high hat/bass drum patterns from two seperate albums and an even more impossible triplet pattern on the double bass.

Well, I could go on like this forever. Needless to say, the show was good.
Now I return to my normal life, going to work, going to school, doing homework, knowing that somewhere out there, something amazing is happening to someone at a rock show.

So, until next time, never stop looking for new music...go to as many shows as you can (you too, mom and dad, whatever your style, get out there and see it happening)...don't steal music...support local radio...shop at local record stores...join e-mail fan clubs...Rock and roll is not dead, it's just a little harder to find these days.

B

New Numa - The Return of Gary Brolsma!

He's Baaaaack!

To My Boys

Donutman, Mustoe, Lee, The Janitor, Wolfedawg, Bubbles,

Sometimes, late at night, I put in Halo and run around the Slayer maps by myself.....just for the memories.

Good times, BB

God Talk

OK, so I'm not really a part of the Methoblogosphere like my brother. People don't have long theological discussion on my comment page. I'm usually the one who uses my blog for more personal reasons, to rant about stupidity, to recommend music or movies that come along that I actually enjoy, stuff like that.

However, with the start of a new school year and an article in the new Newsweek about modern atheism, I'm in kind of a theological mood.

So, the question, which is in no way a new one: How do we prove God? Or, perhaps a better question, do you we really need to?

First, it's important to know that I think the atheist quoted in the article aren't very current in their understanding of mainstream theology. Their opponents are the Christians that everybody knows about, the Christians in the media and high-profile positions. Which are, of course, the ultra-conservatives. (I'm sorry I can't give a link like other people, i'm not as blog savvy) In one quote, they say, "It seems you can tell a Christian that pudding turns people invisible, they will need the same evidence that everyone else does. But tell them that the book on their nightstand was written by an all-knowing deity that will send them to an eternal pit of fire if they don't believe every word of it, they accept that without trial."

ok, good start, guys. But, I don't believe the Bible was WRITTEN by God, but inspired. And, of course, I don't believe that I'm going to burn in the pit of fire if I don't accept every word the Bible says. (how did he get all those animals on one boat?) The atheists here are rejecting a very particular kind of belief in God, and I've got to say that I tend to agree with most of those sentiments.

The next point is eons old, how can anyone believe in a god who sends tsunamis and hurricanes and allows roofs to collapse on people while they worship? The answer is simple, I don't believe in that god. I believe in God, who comes to us in the midst of the hardest moments in our lives, to put a God arm around us and cry. God gives us the courage and strength to move on, to live on, to get back up, to rebuild.

Atheists are wrong. I will defend my rights to believe how I choose, as I defend theirs, but the one thing that I am 100% sure of is that there is a God. There is something beyond our understanding that is the ultimate source of benevolence and love and life and beauty.

Atheists are people who look at children as biological combinations of chromozones, sunsets as rays of light reflecting off our atmosphere and music as patterns of pitches, volumes and tempos.
When I look into the face of a child, I know that there is something more than science. When I look at the sun setting over the Lake of the Ozarks, I know there is some entity out there that I will never fully comprehend, some energy completely apart from everything we know that still yearns to have contact with us. And, especially, I need simply to listen to a Bach violin concerto, a John Coltrane sax solo, or Stevie Ray Vaughen play lenny with tears in his eyes to know that God is.

The authors discussed in the article hold fast to the claim that atheism is the smarter choice, that any rational mind can look at the world and know we are on our own.

Fine. I'll give you smarter. I'll give you the brain. Knowing that God is real is about heart. It's not about smarter, it's about truer, about deeper.

Atheists of the world, I respect your views and stand up for your rights to have them and speak them. But, I believe that you are wrong. Look your child in the eye, visit Banff National Park in Canada, listen to the guitar solo on Comfortably Numb, then try and tell me there's nothing more to this life than what we know.

B