Well, the results are in. At least, some of the results are in. I've been working out 4 days a week, using mainly weight-training stuff I learned from my own personal strength coach, who also happens to be my best friend. I've been progressing nicely, moving up in the weight i lift each week and already seeing results in my arms and chest. I'm not quite as jiggly as I was when I started this whole thing! and, mom you'll be glad to know, I'm getting those scary trap. muscles back.
I've also been trying really hard to eat better. Lots of eggs, whole grain cereal, salad when I can. One Mountain Dew a day. Ice Cream has been replaced by 100% real fruit frozen yogurt bars.
And what does this all mean? I've lost 5 pounds in three weeks...Ta Da! Ok, not huge results. But, it's something. and since I have been focused mainly on weight training and muscle growth, not cardio and weight loss (cardio work is probably my second least favorite thing in the world to do, next only to changing guitar strings) I HAVE been building muscle, which weighs a lot more than fat. So, in the end, I don't know how much weight I'll lose or if I'll meet my 215 goal. But, if i'm bigger, stronger and more solid, I won't care.
Here's the problem. I love eating. It's not just something I do, it's something I love doing. Also, I'm addicted to Mountain Dew, which is just empty unusable calories. So, I do cheat. Not a lot, but it happens.
But the good news: I see results in muscle growth already and I'm down to 233 from 238. Now the danger becomes plateau-ing, where your body catches up to the breaking down of muscles your doing and the results stop. So, that's the next challenge...
Not so jiggly, B
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Monday, April 09, 2007
Next General Conference
Here's an interesting question: Why the HELL are America the Beautiful and My Country tis of Thee is our United Methodist Hymnal? Just a thought...
B
B
Listen all Ya'll it's a Sabatoge
Psychological post for you today, stemming from a convo we had in Pastoral Care...
What kind of self-sabatoging powers does our ego, or super-ego, have over our id?
Case study: A person is so used to being pesimistic, negative, glass-half-empty. This person's comfort zone is the meloncholy (sp?). Can happiness frighten that person so much that some part of that person tries to remedy the situation with self-sabatoge, subconsciously attacking the cause of said happiness? And how, as care-givers (pastoral or otherwise), can we get a person like this to accept happiness, embrace happiness, to know that being happy is ok, is actually preferrable? Especially if the sabatoge is coming from somewhere deep underneath the surface, and, many times, the person is unaware until its too late.
One of my more intellectual questions here on The Bustle. Let me know what you think.
BB
What kind of self-sabatoging powers does our ego, or super-ego, have over our id?
Case study: A person is so used to being pesimistic, negative, glass-half-empty. This person's comfort zone is the meloncholy (sp?). Can happiness frighten that person so much that some part of that person tries to remedy the situation with self-sabatoge, subconsciously attacking the cause of said happiness? And how, as care-givers (pastoral or otherwise), can we get a person like this to accept happiness, embrace happiness, to know that being happy is ok, is actually preferrable? Especially if the sabatoge is coming from somewhere deep underneath the surface, and, many times, the person is unaware until its too late.
One of my more intellectual questions here on The Bustle. Let me know what you think.
BB
Monday, April 02, 2007
Clapton is a god!!!
I have just returned from MY BEST CONCERT EVER!! Eric Clapton is simply breath-taking, awe-striking, dumbfounding, flabbergasting. Just listen: Running on Faith, Layla, Wonderful Tonight, Cocaine, Crossroads and much much much more. The dude played for three hours!!! It's difficult to put into words. Seeing someone who is not only the BEST person alive at what he does, but also loves doing the thing your watching him do more than anything else in the world, it is absolutely transcendental. It takes you to a whole other place.
I've seen Metallica from the front row. I've seen the original Black Sabbath. I've seen Tool, Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson I've been to awesome, intimate shows and watched Martin Sexton, Trevor Hall, Robert Randolph, and Splitlip Rayfield from inches away. Nothing compares. NOTHING.
Nothing anyone can ever say is ever going to top this. Watch:
Oh, you went on a cruise? I just saw Eric Clapton play Wonderful Tonight...
You got a promotion, that's great!! I just heard Eric Clapton play Layla...
Wow, you just ran a marathon, impressive. I just saw Eric freakin' Clapton play Cocaine...
You just flew around the world in a hot air balloon, no way..I was there when Eric Clapton and Robert Cray played Crossroads!!!!
I SAW ERIC CLAPTON PLAY LITTLE WING!! Probably one of the top five songs ever written (not to mention Layla, Wonderful Tonight, etc.) played by one of top five guitar players ever...LITTLE WING PEOPLE!
But, I have to say it wasn't all good. As is known to happen from time to time, something pissed me off. No one stood up! I know. I stood up as soon as Slowhand took the stage and was prepared to stand the entire time. But, Lindsey and I were the only ones in our section that were standing. So, to be "polite" we had to sit down. Then I looked around. No one in the upper deck was standing. No one I could see in the lower deck was standing. A few full torsos were visible from the floor seats, but-listen to this-there were people sitting down IN THE FRONT ROW! I wanted to scream but no one would've heard me. That's Eric Clapton up there people; he doesn't have to earn our ovations. He's Eric Clapton, he's a living legend, he's probably the greatest guitar player living in the world today, and he's playing for US...Oh, you don't know this song? You really want to hear Tears in Heaven? Get off your lazy ass and get on your feet, that's ERIC CLAPTON!! Eric Clapton, from the Yardbirds, Cream, Blind Faith, Derek and the Dominos, THAT Eric Clapton.
I finally couldn't contain myself anymore and I stood. I stood from Little Wing, the sixth song, to Crossroads, the last. I turned to my fellow concert goers and said something like that's Eric F~~~ing CLAPTON! Five or six people stood, but no more. I just don't understand it, Kansas City. I am ashamed, tonight, to call myself a Kansas Citian.
WE SAW ERIC CLAPTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BB
I've seen Metallica from the front row. I've seen the original Black Sabbath. I've seen Tool, Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson I've been to awesome, intimate shows and watched Martin Sexton, Trevor Hall, Robert Randolph, and Splitlip Rayfield from inches away. Nothing compares. NOTHING.
Nothing anyone can ever say is ever going to top this. Watch:
Oh, you went on a cruise? I just saw Eric Clapton play Wonderful Tonight...
You got a promotion, that's great!! I just heard Eric Clapton play Layla...
Wow, you just ran a marathon, impressive. I just saw Eric freakin' Clapton play Cocaine...
You just flew around the world in a hot air balloon, no way..I was there when Eric Clapton and Robert Cray played Crossroads!!!!
I SAW ERIC CLAPTON PLAY LITTLE WING!! Probably one of the top five songs ever written (not to mention Layla, Wonderful Tonight, etc.) played by one of top five guitar players ever...LITTLE WING PEOPLE!
But, I have to say it wasn't all good. As is known to happen from time to time, something pissed me off. No one stood up! I know. I stood up as soon as Slowhand took the stage and was prepared to stand the entire time. But, Lindsey and I were the only ones in our section that were standing. So, to be "polite" we had to sit down. Then I looked around. No one in the upper deck was standing. No one I could see in the lower deck was standing. A few full torsos were visible from the floor seats, but-listen to this-there were people sitting down IN THE FRONT ROW! I wanted to scream but no one would've heard me. That's Eric Clapton up there people; he doesn't have to earn our ovations. He's Eric Clapton, he's a living legend, he's probably the greatest guitar player living in the world today, and he's playing for US...Oh, you don't know this song? You really want to hear Tears in Heaven? Get off your lazy ass and get on your feet, that's ERIC CLAPTON!! Eric Clapton, from the Yardbirds, Cream, Blind Faith, Derek and the Dominos, THAT Eric Clapton.
I finally couldn't contain myself anymore and I stood. I stood from Little Wing, the sixth song, to Crossroads, the last. I turned to my fellow concert goers and said something like that's Eric F~~~ing CLAPTON! Five or six people stood, but no more. I just don't understand it, Kansas City. I am ashamed, tonight, to call myself a Kansas Citian.
WE SAW ERIC CLAPTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BB
hahahahahahahahaha!!!!
Tonight, my faithful friends and neighbors, I'm going to see Eric Freakin' Clapton!!! Just wanted any body that drops by the Bustle this evening to know how much cooler I am than you....
Expect a detailed and flabbergasted description of the show tomorrow.
I Shot the Sheriff, B
Expect a detailed and flabbergasted description of the show tomorrow.
I Shot the Sheriff, B
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Ol' Nanny Wood
Hey guys,
My brother and I are working on a song for our Grandma's (Nanny) 90th birthday this year. I just came up with a sweet verse I wanted to share. It's to the tune of Old Dan Tucker, a traditional song on Bruce Springsteen's new album.
Ol Nanny Wood is a kind old soul
Broke a spoon in a cookie bowl
She ain't too tall and she can't really hear
Cause she's been old for thirty years
That's all, just wanted to get that out there.
B
My brother and I are working on a song for our Grandma's (Nanny) 90th birthday this year. I just came up with a sweet verse I wanted to share. It's to the tune of Old Dan Tucker, a traditional song on Bruce Springsteen's new album.
Ol Nanny Wood is a kind old soul
Broke a spoon in a cookie bowl
She ain't too tall and she can't really hear
Cause she's been old for thirty years
That's all, just wanted to get that out there.
B
Friday, March 30, 2007
Jimi Thing
What's happening everybody? Got a message for ya!
Dave Matthews' has a song called Jimi Thing, in which he sings "Sometimes it takes a jimi thing, just to keep me floating." Now, I'm not a Dave expert like some...but I'm pretty sure a "jimi thing" is what the kids call a marajewana cigarette. But, that's not really what the songs about. It's about those little things, the quiet moments that get us through the day.
Last night, I spent a couple of hours sitting on the back porch, drinking some rolling rock, listening to the rain and playing through my very extensive list of songs I can play on the guitar. I can't tell you how much better my whole week felt. A week of papers and New Testament translations and taxes and bills, floated away as if the rain itself was washing it away. The only way it could've been any better is if Lindsey was with me. Or my boys were playing the song with me, or my family was all singing together, or I was playing a song for someone who really needed to hear it.
Apparently, playing guitar in the rain and having a few beers is my thing. I hope you all have a thing too.
I want you to think about those times in your life that you were happiest, most secure, most content, most yourself. I would be willing to bet that those times have nothing to do with budgets, taxes, deadlines. I bet there's not one bureaucratic form involved in any of those times.
I pray that you can find your thing. My brother goes hiking in the nature areas around KC. My dad lives for opening day of the Royals and being on the river with his friend Rueban. It doesn't need to be difficult, it doesn't need to be expensive. But look for that one thing that makes everything else seem a little less important, a little less pressing. Like James says, "Shower the people you love with love". Surround yourself with your friends and family. Play in the park, watch the sunset, sing in the rain. And...STOP WORRYING SO MUCH!
The next time the District Council of Ordained Ministry asks me why I don't take the process more seriously, I'll try not to laugh.
Woke up this morning,
Smile with the rising sun,
Three little birds,
Sit on my doorstep,
Singing sweet songs,
Of melodies pure and true,
Saying this is my message to you-ou-ou
Don't worry, 'bout a thing,
'Cause every little thing
Is gonna be alright!
-Bob Marley, Three Little Birds
Chill Out everybody, B
Dave Matthews' has a song called Jimi Thing, in which he sings "Sometimes it takes a jimi thing, just to keep me floating." Now, I'm not a Dave expert like some...but I'm pretty sure a "jimi thing" is what the kids call a marajewana cigarette. But, that's not really what the songs about. It's about those little things, the quiet moments that get us through the day.
Last night, I spent a couple of hours sitting on the back porch, drinking some rolling rock, listening to the rain and playing through my very extensive list of songs I can play on the guitar. I can't tell you how much better my whole week felt. A week of papers and New Testament translations and taxes and bills, floated away as if the rain itself was washing it away. The only way it could've been any better is if Lindsey was with me. Or my boys were playing the song with me, or my family was all singing together, or I was playing a song for someone who really needed to hear it.
Apparently, playing guitar in the rain and having a few beers is my thing. I hope you all have a thing too.
I want you to think about those times in your life that you were happiest, most secure, most content, most yourself. I would be willing to bet that those times have nothing to do with budgets, taxes, deadlines. I bet there's not one bureaucratic form involved in any of those times.
I pray that you can find your thing. My brother goes hiking in the nature areas around KC. My dad lives for opening day of the Royals and being on the river with his friend Rueban. It doesn't need to be difficult, it doesn't need to be expensive. But look for that one thing that makes everything else seem a little less important, a little less pressing. Like James says, "Shower the people you love with love". Surround yourself with your friends and family. Play in the park, watch the sunset, sing in the rain. And...STOP WORRYING SO MUCH!
The next time the District Council of Ordained Ministry asks me why I don't take the process more seriously, I'll try not to laugh.
Woke up this morning,
Smile with the rising sun,
Three little birds,
Sit on my doorstep,
Singing sweet songs,
Of melodies pure and true,
Saying this is my message to you-ou-ou
Don't worry, 'bout a thing,
'Cause every little thing
Is gonna be alright!
-Bob Marley, Three Little Birds
Chill Out everybody, B
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Good Grief
Happy Hump Day, everybody. I want to talk a little more about things that "Reign Over Me" got me thinking about. it's a movie about grief, plain and simple. But, also, it shows how much we as people need each other.
Grief is a funny thing because noone ever knows how a person is going to react to it. In the movie, part of it's appeal to me, Adam Sandler's character surrounds himself, engulfs himself, protects himself with music. He buys records, THOUSANDS OF THEM, buys guitars and drums and is only comfortable with his headphones on. Oh yeah, and he also never mentions or lets anyone else in his life mention that he had a family once. You just never know what people are going to do when faced with loss.
The common response by any person of faith is that loss somehow happens for a reason or is part of God's plan. This response, personally, makes me sick. To think that there's a reason for a child's death, for violent death, for preventable death, or even to think that these deaths somehow work into God's plans for us, is absurdity in my eyes. But, that's the trick. What I think doesn't matter, doesn't mean a thing, to the person actually doing the grieving. What we as friends of the grieving must do is help the person find that thing that helps them. And if knowing that their loved ones death has a reason, a purpose, helps someone then we can have no complaint.
Grief sucks. Loss sucks. Death sucks. But we HAVE to experience it. It's one of those things that makes us human. Now, I've been pretty lucky in that I've only lost two grandparents. And I was young when it happened. But I've been through the loss of long term relationships, the loss of a secure job, things like that.
Here's what I've learned. Until we face the fact of our loss, confront it, embrace it, we will not learn from it, grow from it, or be stronger for it. We have two choices when faced with grief. Deny it and lose ourselves in the undertow too powerful for anyone to fight alone. Or face it, embrace it, sit in the dark and cry for three hours-and I mean the gasping for breath, snot running down the face kind of crying, the crying that makes you forget where you are or what you did-and become stronger, a more complete person.
A friend recently told me of a plaque she once saw that read: When God closes a door, He opens a window...but the hallway between the two can be hell.
I put it this way: Behind every cloud there IS silver lining, but there's still one big badass storm on the way.
Go see the movie. I'm interested in hearing your reactions to it, and any personal reflections on grief that you may offer.
Don't run away, don't hide, don't deny. Embrace it. That's the only way.
B
Grief is a funny thing because noone ever knows how a person is going to react to it. In the movie, part of it's appeal to me, Adam Sandler's character surrounds himself, engulfs himself, protects himself with music. He buys records, THOUSANDS OF THEM, buys guitars and drums and is only comfortable with his headphones on. Oh yeah, and he also never mentions or lets anyone else in his life mention that he had a family once. You just never know what people are going to do when faced with loss.
The common response by any person of faith is that loss somehow happens for a reason or is part of God's plan. This response, personally, makes me sick. To think that there's a reason for a child's death, for violent death, for preventable death, or even to think that these deaths somehow work into God's plans for us, is absurdity in my eyes. But, that's the trick. What I think doesn't matter, doesn't mean a thing, to the person actually doing the grieving. What we as friends of the grieving must do is help the person find that thing that helps them. And if knowing that their loved ones death has a reason, a purpose, helps someone then we can have no complaint.
Grief sucks. Loss sucks. Death sucks. But we HAVE to experience it. It's one of those things that makes us human. Now, I've been pretty lucky in that I've only lost two grandparents. And I was young when it happened. But I've been through the loss of long term relationships, the loss of a secure job, things like that.
Here's what I've learned. Until we face the fact of our loss, confront it, embrace it, we will not learn from it, grow from it, or be stronger for it. We have two choices when faced with grief. Deny it and lose ourselves in the undertow too powerful for anyone to fight alone. Or face it, embrace it, sit in the dark and cry for three hours-and I mean the gasping for breath, snot running down the face kind of crying, the crying that makes you forget where you are or what you did-and become stronger, a more complete person.
A friend recently told me of a plaque she once saw that read: When God closes a door, He opens a window...but the hallway between the two can be hell.
I put it this way: Behind every cloud there IS silver lining, but there's still one big badass storm on the way.
Go see the movie. I'm interested in hearing your reactions to it, and any personal reflections on grief that you may offer.
Don't run away, don't hide, don't deny. Embrace it. That's the only way.
B
Monday, March 26, 2007
Must See Movie
Not much to talk about today, just wanted everybody to know that YOU MUST SEE "REIGN OVER ME". If Adam Sandler doesn't get an Oscar, I'm giving up on the awards altogether. Trust me, go see it. Tonight!
More to come, B
More to come, B
Monday, March 12, 2007
Weight vol. 2
I tried. I really tried on more time. However, I have to finally come down to it and say it...I can't run. Or walk. Now, before you call me lazy, there's a medical explanation for this. I have some condition of the foot that starts with o. I call it Osiris because I can't pronouce the actual term. Basically, my feet roll to the outside with every step. This should come as no surprise to anyone who's been on the basketball court with me. With my feet rolling out with every step, whether walking or running, I don't know if its a tendon or a muscle but the THING that runs down the outer side of my shin bone is tight the whole time and never relaxes. This leads to cramps, shin splints and big ol' ping pong ball swellings right above my ankle. And a lot of pain.
So, the question becomes, how does one lose 15 pounds in what is quickly becoming two months' time, without running or walking on a daily basis and without starving oneself?
1. Biking-I need a new bike
2. Swimming-I need access to a pool-I don't know if the community center I'm looking at joining has one
3. Racketball-again, access-and I need a partner
4. Weight-training-I might start looking better, but I won't loss any weight
Any ideas?
233 and holding, BB
3.
So, the question becomes, how does one lose 15 pounds in what is quickly becoming two months' time, without running or walking on a daily basis and without starving oneself?
1. Biking-I need a new bike
2. Swimming-I need access to a pool-I don't know if the community center I'm looking at joining has one
3. Racketball-again, access-and I need a partner
4. Weight-training-I might start looking better, but I won't loss any weight
Any ideas?
233 and holding, BB
3.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
I Think I'm a Marxist
Now that I have your attention, and have been red-flagged by Homeland Security, I'm serious. When you actually read Marx's words, independent of communism, they sound pretty much right on the money. Capitalism is set up to help the rich get richer and keep the poor in their place. There's no doubt that in American culture we have boo-shwa-zee and proletariet, the owner class and the working class. Those who make the products and those who own the people who make the products. We've moved away from use-value, the value of something being measured by its usefulness, and are INFECTED with surplus-value, the difference between making a pair of jeans for 3 dollars and selling them for 50. Even all the things we count as necessities, like computers, pale in use-value compared to things like milk.
The main problem I have with capitalism is the same as Marx: accumulation. In today's capitalism, someone's wealth has nothing to do with what they're worth. It's how much capital they have accumulated, usually by exploiting anyone who doesn't have as much.
Reading Marx, and use-value, exchange-value, surplus-value, I think about how rediculous money is. Think about it. There's not even any gold to back it up anymore. IT'S PAPER! Apparently, this computer I'm using right now is worth 1,000 pieces of worthless green paper, while the milk I drank this morning is worth 2 pieces of worthless green paper a gallon. How crazy does that sound?? And checks and credit cards are just stupid. I don't have any actual pieces of green paper but I have this piece of paper with puppies on it, I wrote on this piece of paper, and if you contact these people, they tell you that I can get the right amount of green paper.
By the way, agreeing with Marx doesn't make me a communist. Communism is a form of government and easily corrupted. Marxism is a SOCIAL THEORY, and in my opinion, a pretty accurate account of how things are done these days in the good ol' US of A.
You are not the contents of walet. You are not the car you drive or the job you have. You are not your frackin' khakis.
Vive la Revolution, B
The main problem I have with capitalism is the same as Marx: accumulation. In today's capitalism, someone's wealth has nothing to do with what they're worth. It's how much capital they have accumulated, usually by exploiting anyone who doesn't have as much.
Reading Marx, and use-value, exchange-value, surplus-value, I think about how rediculous money is. Think about it. There's not even any gold to back it up anymore. IT'S PAPER! Apparently, this computer I'm using right now is worth 1,000 pieces of worthless green paper, while the milk I drank this morning is worth 2 pieces of worthless green paper a gallon. How crazy does that sound?? And checks and credit cards are just stupid. I don't have any actual pieces of green paper but I have this piece of paper with puppies on it, I wrote on this piece of paper, and if you contact these people, they tell you that I can get the right amount of green paper.
By the way, agreeing with Marx doesn't make me a communist. Communism is a form of government and easily corrupted. Marxism is a SOCIAL THEORY, and in my opinion, a pretty accurate account of how things are done these days in the good ol' US of A.
You are not the contents of walet. You are not the car you drive or the job you have. You are not your frackin' khakis.
Vive la Revolution, B
Monday, March 05, 2007
Oprah
For the first, and hopefully last, time, I'm going to take some advice I heard on Oprah. I need to lose some weight and get into some sort of shape, other than round (Knyuck, Knyuck). So, Oprah says you should blog it off!
As of right now, March 5th, I weigh 233 lbs. I want to weigh 215 by my birthday. I will keep updating Bustle with my progress...
Keep reading....Brad's Top 5's are below..
BB
As of right now, March 5th, I weigh 233 lbs. I want to weigh 215 by my birthday. I will keep updating Bustle with my progress...
Keep reading....Brad's Top 5's are below..
BB
My Lists
You all are in for a treat this week. We talk a lot about what I don't like on the Bustle, but today I've decided to give you a glimpse into my favorite things. Here's a list of my top five things in my favorite category-Music.
Now, music lists are always hard because of a tricky thing called genre. When comparing musicians its hard to rate them trans-genre. These lists are genre-free. These are the best of the best, in my humble opinion, regardless of what genre they play in.
Top 5 guitarists:
1. Jimi Hendrix
2. Stevie Ray Vaughen
3. Jimmy Paige-Led Zeppelin
4. Eric Clapton
5. John Petrucci-Dream Theater: an odd choice maybe. Most of you have never heard of this
guy. But, there is no one, NO ONE, faster.
Top 5 drummers:
1. Buddy Rich-leagues above anyone else
2. John Henry Bonham-Led Zeppelin
3. Neil Peart-Rush
4. Virgil Donati-independent: check him out at http://www.virgildonati.com
5. David Garibaldi-Tower of Power: funkiest drummer ever!!
Top 5 frontmen (we can discuss the difference b/t frontmen and singers, if anyone wants)
1. Robert Plant-Led Zeppelin
2. Jim Morrison-The Doors
3. David Lee Roth-Van Halen
4. Bono-U2
5. Freddie Mercury-Queen
Top 5 BEST bands
1. The Beatles
2. Zepp
3. U2
4. The Stones
5. Pink Floyd
Top 5 FAVORITE bands (BB's personal best)
1. Zepp
2. Pantera
3. Pearl Jam
4. Clutch
5.Metallica
Best Guitar Tone
Brian May of Queen and David Gilmore of Pink Floyd
Best Album Ever
Led Zeppelin IV
Best Song Intro's
Since I've Been Loving You-Led Zepp
Dead and Bloated-Stone Temple Pilots
Voodoo Chile-Stevie Ray Vaughen
Best Guitar Solos
Voodoo Chile-Stevie Ray Vaughen
Comfortably Numb-Pink Floyd
Paradise City-Guns and Roses(the end of this song is reDUNKulous)
Best Single Note (that's right, the best one notes of rock history)
Voodoo Chile intro-third time through the lick-Stevie Ray Vaughen
I Feel Good-bridge-James Brown sings "When I hold you, in my AAAAAAARMS!"
And finally, Best Drum Grooves
When the Levee Breaks-John Bonham-Led Zepp
Hot for Teacher-Alex Van Halen-Van Halen
Lateralus-Danny Carey-Tool
Knock Yourself Out-David Garibaldi-Tower of Power
Roxanne-Stewart Copeland-The Police
Rolling Stone, eat your heart out!! Feel free to make additions, corrections and other comments. Except, Andy, why I didn't include "Best Keyboardists"!!
Later peeps, B
Now, music lists are always hard because of a tricky thing called genre. When comparing musicians its hard to rate them trans-genre. These lists are genre-free. These are the best of the best, in my humble opinion, regardless of what genre they play in.
Top 5 guitarists:
1. Jimi Hendrix
2. Stevie Ray Vaughen
3. Jimmy Paige-Led Zeppelin
4. Eric Clapton
5. John Petrucci-Dream Theater: an odd choice maybe. Most of you have never heard of this
guy. But, there is no one, NO ONE, faster.
Top 5 drummers:
1. Buddy Rich-leagues above anyone else
2. John Henry Bonham-Led Zeppelin
3. Neil Peart-Rush
4. Virgil Donati-independent: check him out at http://www.virgildonati.com
5. David Garibaldi-Tower of Power: funkiest drummer ever!!
Top 5 frontmen (we can discuss the difference b/t frontmen and singers, if anyone wants)
1. Robert Plant-Led Zeppelin
2. Jim Morrison-The Doors
3. David Lee Roth-Van Halen
4. Bono-U2
5. Freddie Mercury-Queen
Top 5 BEST bands
1. The Beatles
2. Zepp
3. U2
4. The Stones
5. Pink Floyd
Top 5 FAVORITE bands (BB's personal best)
1. Zepp
2. Pantera
3. Pearl Jam
4. Clutch
5.Metallica
Best Guitar Tone
Brian May of Queen and David Gilmore of Pink Floyd
Best Album Ever
Led Zeppelin IV
Best Song Intro's
Since I've Been Loving You-Led Zepp
Dead and Bloated-Stone Temple Pilots
Voodoo Chile-Stevie Ray Vaughen
Best Guitar Solos
Voodoo Chile-Stevie Ray Vaughen
Comfortably Numb-Pink Floyd
Paradise City-Guns and Roses(the end of this song is reDUNKulous)
Best Single Note (that's right, the best one notes of rock history)
Voodoo Chile intro-third time through the lick-Stevie Ray Vaughen
I Feel Good-bridge-James Brown sings "When I hold you, in my AAAAAAARMS!"
And finally, Best Drum Grooves
When the Levee Breaks-John Bonham-Led Zepp
Hot for Teacher-Alex Van Halen-Van Halen
Lateralus-Danny Carey-Tool
Knock Yourself Out-David Garibaldi-Tower of Power
Roxanne-Stewart Copeland-The Police
Rolling Stone, eat your heart out!! Feel free to make additions, corrections and other comments. Except, Andy, why I didn't include "Best Keyboardists"!!
Later peeps, B
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Class pt. 2
Thanks for the answers, Andy and Mark.
Class is a socioeconomic distinction between people. Literally, it's a classification. Now, I always thought that I was middle class and then upper middle class because of how much money my parents made. But, I've recently read something that opened my eyes a little wider. I, and most of my friends, are in the upper class. I am upper class because, first of all, I'm white. I am educated-college degree and graduate school. All these things, not just money, go into my class. The next time you're worrying about your own money troubles, DON'T? You are rich, you are wealthy, you are upper class...You have access to the internet don't you? Well, guess what, your technological awareness and access helps define your class.
In an ideal world, Andy, pastors are in the servant class or classless, somehow exsisting outside of class distinctions. But in the real world, that isn't quite so. Pastors are upper class. We are in positions of power, we are trained to speak well and act appropriately in social situations, we are highly educated compared to most. But, why does it matter that pastors are in the upper class? We have to take this knowledge into every pastoral care situation with which we are faced. We have to know that our position carries with it explicit and implicit power, BILATERAL, one-sided power. One person in the room is a pastor, the other is not. We have to fight against that power and create an atmosphere of mutuality and empowerment. But, recognize and accept our place among the upper class of our world.
Just something that came up in (school) class that actually made me think.
Peace in the Middle East, BB
Class is a socioeconomic distinction between people. Literally, it's a classification. Now, I always thought that I was middle class and then upper middle class because of how much money my parents made. But, I've recently read something that opened my eyes a little wider. I, and most of my friends, are in the upper class. I am upper class because, first of all, I'm white. I am educated-college degree and graduate school. All these things, not just money, go into my class. The next time you're worrying about your own money troubles, DON'T? You are rich, you are wealthy, you are upper class...You have access to the internet don't you? Well, guess what, your technological awareness and access helps define your class.
In an ideal world, Andy, pastors are in the servant class or classless, somehow exsisting outside of class distinctions. But in the real world, that isn't quite so. Pastors are upper class. We are in positions of power, we are trained to speak well and act appropriately in social situations, we are highly educated compared to most. But, why does it matter that pastors are in the upper class? We have to take this knowledge into every pastoral care situation with which we are faced. We have to know that our position carries with it explicit and implicit power, BILATERAL, one-sided power. One person in the room is a pastor, the other is not. We have to fight against that power and create an atmosphere of mutuality and empowerment. But, recognize and accept our place among the upper class of our world.
Just something that came up in (school) class that actually made me think.
Peace in the Middle East, BB
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Class
How do you define class? And what class do you put pastors in?
My answers after your comments! B
My answers after your comments! B
Monday, February 19, 2007
Movie Reviews
This weekend, Lynz had a big party for a friend, so I was all alone in St. Joe. I rented some movie to pass the time in the evenings and here are some recommendations:
A History of Violence, for adults only, but worth it. A great story and Viggo is great.
I don't see what the big deal was about MI:3. It's good, real good. A great action movie.
Idiocracy, the story of an average man, the MOST average man, accidentally frozen for 500 years and awakens as the smartest man in the world. It's a renter and a one timer. Mike Judge creates a future that is filled with stupid people. The smart people find it illogical to procreate while the less-than-average, due to unprotected sex and adultery, reproduce like rabbits. Everything is sponsored, including the presidency. CostCo is the size of NYC. And the most-watched show on the Violence Channel is "Ouch, My Balls." It's good.
My top three picks are true GUY movies. First, Crank. The story, the actor, the camera work, the soundtrack, the actress. Everything about this movie screams Testosterone. Chev Chelios, yes really, is injected with a poison that will kill him if he doesn't keep his adrenaline high. And then, it's an hour and a half of him keeping his, and our, adrenaline as high as it goes. If your in the mood, a great action flick.
The Proposition is an Aussie western with Guy Pierce and it's classic. Probably one of the top three Western's I've seen. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Tombstone...this holds its own with both.
And, if anybody hasn't checked out Tony Jaa yet, go rent The Protector and Ong-Bak, The Thai Warrior. NO ropes, NO computers, NO stunt men. Unbelievable matial arts. Check it out.
My little contribution to the movie world...more important posts on the way.
B
A History of Violence, for adults only, but worth it. A great story and Viggo is great.
I don't see what the big deal was about MI:3. It's good, real good. A great action movie.
Idiocracy, the story of an average man, the MOST average man, accidentally frozen for 500 years and awakens as the smartest man in the world. It's a renter and a one timer. Mike Judge creates a future that is filled with stupid people. The smart people find it illogical to procreate while the less-than-average, due to unprotected sex and adultery, reproduce like rabbits. Everything is sponsored, including the presidency. CostCo is the size of NYC. And the most-watched show on the Violence Channel is "Ouch, My Balls." It's good.
My top three picks are true GUY movies. First, Crank. The story, the actor, the camera work, the soundtrack, the actress. Everything about this movie screams Testosterone. Chev Chelios, yes really, is injected with a poison that will kill him if he doesn't keep his adrenaline high. And then, it's an hour and a half of him keeping his, and our, adrenaline as high as it goes. If your in the mood, a great action flick.
The Proposition is an Aussie western with Guy Pierce and it's classic. Probably one of the top three Western's I've seen. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Tombstone...this holds its own with both.
And, if anybody hasn't checked out Tony Jaa yet, go rent The Protector and Ong-Bak, The Thai Warrior. NO ropes, NO computers, NO stunt men. Unbelievable matial arts. Check it out.
My little contribution to the movie world...more important posts on the way.
B
Monday, February 12, 2007
You've Got to be Kidding!
Hey everybody,
It's been a good few days for cynical bloggers like myself. My rather bleek view of American culture has come to fruition.
Thursday, Anna Nicole Smith passed away. I'm not taking anything away from the tragedy of a human life coming to an end. But, here's how I found out about it. I turned to CNN to catch the daily reports from Iraq and Congress, etc. However, instead of keeping up with the daily events in this complicated time we live in, I was watching all-day coverage of Anna Nicole's death. Now, Anna Nicole Smith lived a hard life and I'm sure she wasn't a bad person. But, CNN? You've got to be kidding!! This person is only famous for being in Playboy, marrying a dying billionaire, getting fat, starring in her own drug-induced reality show, getting hot again and dying. Meanwhile, thousands of children are dying everyday because they don't have enough food. As I watched CNN newsreporters talk about who out of four men is the father of Anna Nicole's baby, American and Iraqi casualties for the week went scrolling across the bottom of the screen so fast I blinked and missed them. Seeing Wolf Blizter talking about Anna Nicole led to my sermon for this week..."Don't You Have More Important Things to Do?" Matt. 25, the parable of the sheep and goats...the answer is yes, there are many, many more important things to do.
The biggest night in music was last night. While I missed the reunion of the Police going to dinner with my family (a much more important and rewarding thing to do, by the way), Lynz, my sister and I saw most of the end of the show. The Dixie Chicks??? You've got to be kidding? First of all, who the hell knows the difference between Album and Record of the year. Second of all, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Tool, Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Mayer, John Legend, Gnarls Barkley and countless others made exponentially better albums this year than those twangy sisters and that loud-mouth psycho lead singer. Now, I haven't given much regard to the Grammy's since Jethro Tull beat Metallica's Black Album for the first best metal album. But, come on. It's supposed to be based on music, not on taking a stand against a president and standing up for yourself. Neil Young, Pearl Jam, the Boss, Green Day, etc. all have SONGS dissing the president, not just a few words said on stage during some European concert. Awful, just awful. That's bushleague, Grammy acadamy, that's bush.
That's all folks,
B
It's been a good few days for cynical bloggers like myself. My rather bleek view of American culture has come to fruition.
Thursday, Anna Nicole Smith passed away. I'm not taking anything away from the tragedy of a human life coming to an end. But, here's how I found out about it. I turned to CNN to catch the daily reports from Iraq and Congress, etc. However, instead of keeping up with the daily events in this complicated time we live in, I was watching all-day coverage of Anna Nicole's death. Now, Anna Nicole Smith lived a hard life and I'm sure she wasn't a bad person. But, CNN? You've got to be kidding!! This person is only famous for being in Playboy, marrying a dying billionaire, getting fat, starring in her own drug-induced reality show, getting hot again and dying. Meanwhile, thousands of children are dying everyday because they don't have enough food. As I watched CNN newsreporters talk about who out of four men is the father of Anna Nicole's baby, American and Iraqi casualties for the week went scrolling across the bottom of the screen so fast I blinked and missed them. Seeing Wolf Blizter talking about Anna Nicole led to my sermon for this week..."Don't You Have More Important Things to Do?" Matt. 25, the parable of the sheep and goats...the answer is yes, there are many, many more important things to do.
The biggest night in music was last night. While I missed the reunion of the Police going to dinner with my family (a much more important and rewarding thing to do, by the way), Lynz, my sister and I saw most of the end of the show. The Dixie Chicks??? You've got to be kidding? First of all, who the hell knows the difference between Album and Record of the year. Second of all, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Tool, Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Mayer, John Legend, Gnarls Barkley and countless others made exponentially better albums this year than those twangy sisters and that loud-mouth psycho lead singer. Now, I haven't given much regard to the Grammy's since Jethro Tull beat Metallica's Black Album for the first best metal album. But, come on. It's supposed to be based on music, not on taking a stand against a president and standing up for yourself. Neil Young, Pearl Jam, the Boss, Green Day, etc. all have SONGS dissing the president, not just a few words said on stage during some European concert. Awful, just awful. That's bushleague, Grammy acadamy, that's bush.
That's all folks,
B
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Super Bowl Reflections
One more biggest game of the year is behind us and here's some reflections:
Rex Grossman wasn't ready. Peyton Manning was. It was a good game, but the Colts cleaned house. Clearly the better team. But here's what I really want to talk about.
I counted four times when Marvin Harrison ran out of bounds instead of lowering his head and plowing forward for another three yards. It's been slowly happening and I noticed it a lot last season. TO, Harrison, Kennison. They all would rather run out of bounds and not get a first down than take a hit. When receivers are sliding to avoid hits like QBs do, it's not the NFL anymore. So, in the grand tradition of guys who couldn't do what pro athletes do on XBOX let alone in real life, I want all the pro athletes out there reading Bustle to listen up...........MAN UP!!! We pay you millions of dollars to get hit, to get that first down no matter what it takes, no matter if you leg breaks and three guys have your facemask, get the first down!! For the love of Ditka...lower you sholder, bite your lip, and power through.
And how superbad was Prince? Awesome, totally awesome. That little transexual can play a guitar. Prince covering the Foo Fighters...Awesome.
Next year, if I hear Super Monday, once...I might punch someone. And, ESPN? It's time to stop talking about it. It happened. The Colts were on fire. Move on.
Just some random rantings on the biggest week in football. Gotta go do homework.
Peace, B
Rex Grossman wasn't ready. Peyton Manning was. It was a good game, but the Colts cleaned house. Clearly the better team. But here's what I really want to talk about.
I counted four times when Marvin Harrison ran out of bounds instead of lowering his head and plowing forward for another three yards. It's been slowly happening and I noticed it a lot last season. TO, Harrison, Kennison. They all would rather run out of bounds and not get a first down than take a hit. When receivers are sliding to avoid hits like QBs do, it's not the NFL anymore. So, in the grand tradition of guys who couldn't do what pro athletes do on XBOX let alone in real life, I want all the pro athletes out there reading Bustle to listen up...........MAN UP!!! We pay you millions of dollars to get hit, to get that first down no matter what it takes, no matter if you leg breaks and three guys have your facemask, get the first down!! For the love of Ditka...lower you sholder, bite your lip, and power through.
And how superbad was Prince? Awesome, totally awesome. That little transexual can play a guitar. Prince covering the Foo Fighters...Awesome.
Next year, if I hear Super Monday, once...I might punch someone. And, ESPN? It's time to stop talking about it. It happened. The Colts were on fire. Move on.
Just some random rantings on the biggest week in football. Gotta go do homework.
Peace, B
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Brotherly Love
I've been trying for over a month to somehow put the experience of the birth of Braeden James Bryan into words. And, I've decided that I can't.
The uncle/nephew relationship has been a big deal in my family my whole life. My uncles have uncle names! Sam, Bob, Phil, Jerry, Jack. They have uncle jobs...a salesman, a moneyman, a trainman, a musicman, and a mathman. And they are a big part of why I am the man I am.
So, when my sister asked is I would help her with pregnancy and birth, I said yes, without really considering what I was getting myself into. I went to birthing class (as it turned out, my best friend Bates was in the same class), I watched THE VIDEO, I practiced the positions and the massages-nothing below the waist! It was 4:30 Sunday Christmas Eve morning when my sister called me. I answered the second time she called and she said the magical words, "I think we should go to the hospital." So, at 5:30 we got to the hospital and I thought we would be headed home within hours. I just knew that this was a false alarm. But, then the doctor came in and said, Let's have a baby.....
Holy Crap! It's actually happening. We're gonna have a baby. I'll spare you the details of what happens next. I didn't see anything. I whispered in her ear, held her hand, carried her puke bucket. And, about 40 minutes after she went in, I was the first non-medical person to hold Braeden James Bryan on this earth.
I've never felt closer to my sister, closer to myself, closer to God, than the moment they handed me this screaming, writhing, breathing, living, perfect little boy.
Brotherly Love, Unclely Love, It's a Beautiful Thing.
I love you, sister, little nephew. I'll do anything for you for as long as I can.
Peace, B
The uncle/nephew relationship has been a big deal in my family my whole life. My uncles have uncle names! Sam, Bob, Phil, Jerry, Jack. They have uncle jobs...a salesman, a moneyman, a trainman, a musicman, and a mathman. And they are a big part of why I am the man I am.
So, when my sister asked is I would help her with pregnancy and birth, I said yes, without really considering what I was getting myself into. I went to birthing class (as it turned out, my best friend Bates was in the same class), I watched THE VIDEO, I practiced the positions and the massages-nothing below the waist! It was 4:30 Sunday Christmas Eve morning when my sister called me. I answered the second time she called and she said the magical words, "I think we should go to the hospital." So, at 5:30 we got to the hospital and I thought we would be headed home within hours. I just knew that this was a false alarm. But, then the doctor came in and said, Let's have a baby.....
Holy Crap! It's actually happening. We're gonna have a baby. I'll spare you the details of what happens next. I didn't see anything. I whispered in her ear, held her hand, carried her puke bucket. And, about 40 minutes after she went in, I was the first non-medical person to hold Braeden James Bryan on this earth.
I've never felt closer to my sister, closer to myself, closer to God, than the moment they handed me this screaming, writhing, breathing, living, perfect little boy.
Brotherly Love, Unclely Love, It's a Beautiful Thing.
I love you, sister, little nephew. I'll do anything for you for as long as I can.
Peace, B
The Bustle is Back
Wow, over a month since my last post. And a crazy one it has been. I helped my sister give birth to a beautiful baby boy, Braeden James, and I moved to St. Joseph, MO. I'm working on getting online at home, so I don't have to wait until a particularly boring class period to blog. You've been very patient with me and trust me, there's much more rantings and ravings in me and I'll be back more often.
Peace, B
Peace, B
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