freedom’s aporia
My stomach is full and my feet are warm and I just remembered something whilst dining with my compadres. I strummed for all three services yesterday, and after each of the 3 1st sets I stood still and listened to the pre-announcement prayer and then marched off the stage with a feeling of bothered consternation. The prayer was for the freedom and safety of voters in Iraq, and the idea was that we have a God who desires freedom for all people. Of course, the verbal connection between these two themes was not explicit in its equivocation of democracy = God’s intended freedom, but the implication was plain–and quite disturbing. The idea that any specific sort of political system can be labeled as Godly and “right” seems patently ludicrous; no...
Aural Irrelevance
I do enjoy listening to music; in fact, at this very moment Urban Hymns (the Verve) is sitting still in my CD player, and echoes of Frou Frou and The Notwist are still ambient somewhere between my ears. I used to think music was an important medium in today’s culture–after all, young people are completely obsessed with it, and I’ve heard multiple messages from hip preachers espousing the view that musicians are the “prophets” of our era. I’ve even used music during messages I’ve given to emphasize or illustrate a certain point. Certainly music can be used effectively in this way, and there is no denying the power it exerts over those who are addicted to it, however I have come to think that music is largely irrelevant. ...
Icicles
The Icicles are melting; inverted stalagmites of transclucent brilliance drip frigid water on the ground. And all I’m really thinking is that there is a row of crystal daggers awaiting my firm grip; after I wrench them from the gutter I can violently smash them into a wayside tree and rejoice as the cold glass splinters into a thousand pieces. Or else I could pretend they are flavorless popsicles (capable only of producing brainfreeze and acid-snow induced sickness)…
Strawberries
It’s been a busy week; J-Term concludes with a final early tomorrow morning and then I get a few days to flush-out/prepare my mind for the regular semester–my last of undergraduate! I felt like blogging, but had nothing particular I wanted to write; so, here are the highlights of my week to date: - Strawberries were on sale at half-off the regular price. This was a remarkable find and I joyfully snagged several cartons of perfect, deliciously red ones. - My band had its debut at the Grove last night, and it exceeded all of my expectations. I’m actually truly excited now about the band and our potential. My attitude before might have been described as cautiously up-beat. And that’s the way the snow melts...
blood and water
My thin notebook paper was awash in red slashes; each vindictive ink furrow reminiscent of a bitter line of crimson blood. Alas, the beating that produced these stains had nothing to do with sins or slavery, or even vainglorious cruel hatred. These *minacious carvings were instructive in nature and were dolled out by the all-knowing hand of my LSAT tutor. His strategy was one of ridicule mixed with consolation, as if the juxtaposition of expressed condemnation and affirmation would prove (like the Hegelian thesis and antithesis) to bring about a sort of dialectical emotive synergy. Really it just made me feel like a fool. But that was on Monday; humility reinforced (yes indeed, and this time clung to as a shield) I returned again ready for more blood-red...