faith and art

some inspiration for my creativity and faith...all fellow artist, friends, and members of the body of christ...

ryan smith

michael boetsch

Faith Evans-Sills

christy hayner

love you!

sometimes i wonder if i really am the older one...thank you kik!

go ahead chad...laugh!

an e-mail from chad...he's the coolest. what can i say?


















This is the site I usually turn to for new music. They used to be an FM broadcast station serving the Cincy/Dayton area. Their headquarters was actually in Oxford. Now, they're an internet only radio station and privately funded. You can access their stream off the website, or through iTunes.

Back when they were an FM station, they'd often be voted in the top 10 independant alternative stations in the country by Rolling Stone. Their slogan was even used by Dustin Hoffman in Rainman "97X, Wham...the future of Rock 'n Roll!"

They just put our their "97 best of 2005" list, and I'm in total agreeance.

wedding dress

this song never gets old...still brings me to my knees
...............................
wedding dress
by: derek webb

If you could love me as a wife
and for my wedding gift, your life
Should that be all I’d ever need
or is there more I’m looking for

and should I read between the lines
and look for blessings in disguise
To make me handsome, rich, and wise
Is that really what you want

I am a whore I do confess
But I put you on just like a wedding dress
and I run down the aisle
and I run down the aisle
I’m a prodigal with no way home
but I put you on just like a ring of gold
and I run down the aisle to you

So could you love this bastard child
Though I don’t trust you to provide
With one hand in a pot of gold
and with the other in your side

I am so easily satisfied
by the call of lovers so less wild
That I would take a little cash
Over your very flesh and blood

Because money cannot buy
a husband’s jealous eye
When you have knowingly deceived his wife

new york times artical on narnia rap...

p.s. you can now download this free on itunes
...........................................
The New York Times
The Arts/Cultural Desk
Nerds in the Hood, Stars on the Web
By DAVE ITZKOFF
27 December 2005

For most aspiring rappers, the fastest route to having material circulated around the World Wide Web is to produce a work that is radical, cutting-edge and, in a word, cool. But now a pair of ''Saturday Night Live'' performers turned unexpected hip-hop icons are discovering that Internet stardom may be more easily achieved by being as nerdy as possible.

In ''Lazy Sunday,'' a music video that had its debut on the Dec. 17 broadcast of ''SNL,'' two cast members, Chris Parnell and Andy Samberg, adopt the brash personas of head-bopping, hand-waving rappers. But as they make their way around Manhattan's West Village, they rhyme with conviction about subjects that are anything but hard-core: they boast about eating cupcakes from the Magnolia Bakery, searching for travel directions on MapQuest and achieving their ultimate goal of attending a matinee of the fantasy movie ''The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.''

It is their obliviousness to their total lack of menace -- or maybe the ostentatious way they pay for convenience-store candy with $10 bills -- that makes the video so funny, but it is the Internet that has made it a hit. Since it was originally broadcast on NBC, ''Lazy Sunday'' has been downloaded more than 1.2 million times from the video-sharing Web site YouTube.com; it has cracked the upper echelons of the video charts at NBC.com and the iTunes Music Store; and it has even inspired a line of T-shirts, available at Teetastic.com.
''I've been recognized more times since the Saturday it aired than since I started on the show,'' said Mr. Samberg, 27, a featured player in his first season on ''SNL.'' ''It definitely felt like something changed overnight.''

But Mr. Samberg is already well aware of the Internet's power to transform relative unknowns into superstars. In 2000, when he and his childhood friends Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone, both 28, who wrote ''Lazy Sunday'' with Mr. Samberg and Mr. Parnell, were still struggling comedy writers living together in Los Angeles, they created a Web site, the Lonely Island, to house their self-produced skits and video experiments.
''Honestly, almost every single one of the films was done at like 4 in the morning, kind of drunk,'' Mr. Taccone said. But the short movies they posted on thelonelyisland.com -- everything from cartoons assembled from clips of old Nintendo video games to satirical rap videos performed in the styles of their favorite hip-hop artists -- also gave the three a place to develop their comic voices without the pressure of having to deliver professionally polished work.

''The Internet allowed us to show people much faster, in a way that you don't embarrass yourself,'' Mr. Taccone said. ''You don't have to hand someone a VHS. It's just on their computer.''

These videos also provided the Lonely Island team with careers: through their Internet work, they landed an agent, pilot deals with Comedy Central and Fox, and writing jobs for the MTV Movie Awards. In 2005, they joined ''SNL,'' Mr. Samberg as a performer and Mr. Taccone and Mr. Schaffer as writers.

At ''SNL'' they found a kind of kindred spirit in Mr. Parnell, who has used the program's ''Weekend Update'' segment to deliver highly inappropriate rap tributes to some of the show's comelier female guest hosts. ''I don't think I ever heard from Britney Spears,'' said Mr. Parnell, 38, who has been with the show since 1998. ''But Kirsten Dunst and Jennifer Garner seemed to really enjoy it, and thankfully not be creeped out by it.''
On the evening of Dec. 12, the four wrote a song about ''two guys rapping about very lame, sensitive stuff,'' as Mr. Samberg described it. They recorded it the following night in the office Mr. Samberg shares with Mr. Schaffer and Mr. Taccone at ''SNL,'' using a laptop computer that Mr. Taccone bought on Craigslist.

Then, while their colleagues were rehearsing and rewriting that Saturday's show, the group spent the morning of Dec. 15 shooting their video with a borrowed camera, using the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in Chelsea to stand in for a multiplex cinema and Mr. Taccone's girlfriend's sister to play a convenience-store clerk. Mr. Schaffer spent the next night -- and morning -- editing the video and working with technicians to bring it up to broadcast standards. Finally, at about 11 p.m. on Dec. 17, the four learned from Lorne Michaels, the executive producer of ''SNL,'' that ''Lazy Sunday'' would be shown on that night's show.

By the next morning, the video had burrowed its way into the nation's cultural consciousness. ''It brought a breath of fresh air to the show,'' Mr. Parnell said, adding that he received a congratulatory phone call soon after ''Lazy Sunday'' was shown from his co-star Maya Rudolph, who is on maternity leave, and her boyfriend, the filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson. ''It's something the likes of which we haven't seen on 'SNL' anytime recently.''

Mr. Schaffer and Mr. Taccone were also contacted by friends who heard the rap played on radio stations and in bars. And Mr. Samberg found himself in the delicate position of having to explain to his mother that the song's chorus is a play on words involving the name ''Chronicles of Narnia'' and the word chronic, a slang term for marijuana. ''She's like, 'So is it actually about weed?' '' Mr. Samberg said. ''It makes you think it's going to be about weed, but then it's actually just about 'Narnia.' She's like, 'Oh, I think I get it.' ''

While Mr. Parnell anticipates that the buzz surrounding ''Lazy Sunday'' will eventually die down, he said the video's success would continue to pay dividends for his young collaborators.

''It will have whatever life people are interested in it having, and then it'll pass out of being the thing of the moment,'' he said. ''But it encourages Lorne and everybody involved with the show to trust them more, and to put their stuff out there.''

Mr. Schaffer, who has written just two live sketches with Mr. Taccone that have survived the Darwinian ''SNL'' dress rehearsal process and made it onto the air, said he appreciated the attention ''Lazy Sunday'' has received. But he also said he expected no special treatment when the show's staff resumes work in January.

''The thing about 'SNL,' '' Mr. Schaffer said, ''is that all of this could happen, and we could still come in on Monday morning with zero ideas. No matter what, that's intimidating. We could use all the help we can get.''

what i want for christmas

Monty Python Rabbit with Big Pointy Teeth Slippers

chronic (what?) cles of narnia rap

i'm in tears!

kdny - this one's for you!!!

annie dillard

"I am a frayed and nibbled survivor in a fallen world, and I am getting along. I am aging and eaten and have done my share of eating too. I am not washed and beautiful, in control of a shining world in which everything fits, but instead am wondering awed about on a splintered wreck I've come to care for, whose gnawed trees breathe a delicate air, whose bloodied and scarred creatures are my dearest companions, and whose beauty bats and shines not in its imperfections but overwhelmingly in spite of them..."

welcome to the jungle!

nyc

MTA strike

for live updates and the latest emergency code of conduct see linked blog...

and it continues...

Jason:

Hi all,
How did you all find a way to go to work today? What are your plans in
the event that MTA strike continues throughout the week? I took a day off
today.
If you believe the union should get a raise, please contact Michael
Bloomberg, George Pataki, Chuck Schumer or Hillary Clinton so that these
officials may give a raise to the union. If not, fight the union. As Keith
mentioned before, this will lead to anarchy and could be a sign of the end
time. Hopefully rapture will happen soon, or Mars may be another option if
all else fails.
.....................................

KDNY:

J Cash,

The last thing on my mind is contacting a politician. As far as I am
concerned, I, Snake Darrell, am the new mayor, senator, president and ruler
of Manhattan. I am strapped to the 9, patrolling the WFC. I am
expecting an escalation in violence and a shortage on food. I predict
that subway rats will be a delicacy by weeks end.

This is the biggest fight on American soil since the American Revolution.
Only this isn't a battle for freedom, emancipation, or our rights. It is a
battle for the existence of mankind. If this continues, I expect the end of
mankind. Mankind will go the way of the Dodo bird.

I hear trouble on the 38th floor. I must go now. Stay in touch. As Jerry
Springer would say, "Take care of yourselves, and each other."

Snake

...................................

KDNY:


Hey Kids,

I rec'd numerous inquiries this a.m. concerning my whereabouts, health and
condition in light of "Armegeddon" striking New York. I want to confirm
that I am a-okay, all my roommates are accounted for, and, despite the
anarchy that has struck New York, we will survive. Fortunately, we have
heard W remind us to "stay vigilant" about 2 million times over the past 4
years, so we are vigilant.

If you want a live look into New York, I have created the Survival of New
York Blog survivalofnewyork.blogspot.com. The mainstream,
establishment media would like to make you think it is just a few million
people having to walk to work, but I can assure you that this is not the
case. It is (gulp, lump in my throat, and fighting back a few tears) quite
possibley the end of New York.

kdny, aka Snake Plissken

.........................................................

beauty

...Once again I saw Him in the latter days
Fraught with a deeper meaning, for He came
To my baptizing, and the infinite air
Blushed on His coming, and the earth was still;
Gental He spake; I answered; God from heaven called,
Called and I hardley heard Him, such a love
Streamed in that orison from man to man.
Then shining from His shoulders either way
Fell the flood Jordan, and his kingly eyes
Looked in the east and the star-like met the sun.
Once in no manner of similitude,
And twice in thunderings and thrice in flames,
The highest ere now hath shown His secretly;
But when from heaven the visable Spirit in air
Came verily, lighted on Him, was alone.
Then knew I, then I said it, then I saw
God in the voice, and glory of a man.

-F.W.H. Meyers

beauty

"Earth is here so kind, that just tickle her with a toe and she laughs with a harvest."

- Douglas William Jerrold, playwrite and humorist (1803-1857)

"happy holidays"

holiday party

will write more later...off to see King Kong before i party with Jack Black tonight!!

ok! i know!!!
i'm getting obnoxious now!!!

later

coolest job in the world!

pierre

I made a new friend this week...Pierre Bernard. Let me just tell you...he has the COOLEST JOB IN THE WORLD. He is the graphic designer for Late Night with Conan Obrien and also for SNL. when i talked to him today he was at work (Sat. afternoon) working on graphics for Weekend UpDate to be used on tonight's show! He also has a re-occurring segment on Conan Obrien called "Pierre Bernard's Recliner of Rage"...

Now if you have seen the segments, you know why they are hysterical. for those who have not seen him on the show, I attached a quicktime clip and also part of a transcript from one of his segments...this guy is a riot! in person, he really is a cool dude!!


............................................................................................................
Pierre Bernard: Gleek the Space Monkey. The new show featured classic D.C. Comics characters like Batman, Wonder Woman, and the Flash, so you could imagine how happy I was when I discovered that Target was selling some of their characters as action figures. There were two sizes, 4 inch and 10 inch figures, and, of course, I wanted to purchase them both. Finding the Flash, Superman, and Aquaman was easy, but finding the other characters has been a considerable challenge.

When I finally found the 10-inch Wonder Woman, she came as a set with Batman. I guess that's because, on the TV series, they're dating, but what am I supposed to do with two 10-inch Batmans?

If that weren't enough, I can't find any 10-inch figures for three other characters, Hawkgirl, Green Lantern, and Martian Manhunter.

I had better luck with the 4-inch figures, but I found that they don't stand up very well on their own. I finally had to glue them down to keep them from falling. That's simply outrageous.

(Pulls up recliner and points at camera.)

Bottom line, America: the new Justice League action figures should be easier to find and collect, and the 4-inch figures should stand up without glue.

(Riotous applause.)

Conan O'Brien: (claps slowly) Thank you, ah, thank you, Pierre, I'm sure there are at least two or three other people in the world who know exactly what you are talking about.

Pierre Bernard: United we stand, amigos.

and it went like this...

let the madness begin...this is how conspiracy theories start!!!!

...................................
FIONA:

Hi all,

Just wondering: what are your plans in the event that MTA workers go
on strike? How are those of you who work in the city getting to work?

Fiona
.......................................
KDNY:

Everything will be shut down - the bus, the subway, the streets, stores,
hospitals, homes, computers, lights, power, gas, and, rumor has it, even
Santa's sleigh, hence Christmas. I advise everyone to immediately sell
their stock, buy water, canned food, a high powered rifle, a clown suit, and
a generator.

If you thought Y2K was bad, wait until the Transit strike.
It will be anarchy: mother against daughter, father against son, & man
against beast. Roving gangs of criminals will take to the streets. The
insane will be set free. John Carpenter's movie will become a reality.

RIP NYC,
KDNY (to be changed upon relocation)
..................................

MOLLY:

ha ha!! That one's going on my blog!!!
I did here that anyone planning to drive into the city may have some trouble parking...do to cabs and car services having priority...any word on that???
molly
...............................

KDNY:

Molly,

It is worse than that: only cars with 4 passengers are allowed below 96th St, so we are SOL re: our cars.
We have to foot it. If you want to walk with me, let me know. I'm definitely going w/ blue
jeans and casual if there is a strike.

Makes the city kind of exciting, huh?

KDNY, aka Snake (that's Kurt Russell's character in "Escape from New York")
........................

KDNY:

Kids,

A friend (yes, Christy, I have friends) sent this to me as a contingency
plan just in case all hell breaks loose at midnight. I'm in touch with my
"contacts" in Chinatown and have secured 5 fake id's to facilitate
expedition from the island and have an escape pod gased and ready at pier
17. I have room for 4 (sorry, boys, women and children first) and plan on
leaving at the first sign of trouble. There will be lights in Trinity
Church indicating which way the trouble is to come - one if by land and two
if by sea.

Don't worry about me, I am well prepared. I still have my 5 w's from my Y2K
prep: water, wheat, weapons, watts, & wood, in case we have to settle in for
a long winter. A nuclear winter? I'm not ruling that out. For those
stranded in Manhattan, I left a stash of cash on the corner of Lex and 42nd
under the S.E. corner garbage can and a weapons cache can be found on the
N.E. corner, although I doubt the fiat money will be worth much in the
chaos, so get the guns first. The only thing that will matter survival of
the fittest, expect barbarianism. Fortunately I am in the best shape of my
life, a well oiled machine, in tip-top condition, and blessed with an Adonis
like figure, so don't cry or worry about me, but please take care of
yourselves.

I now know why my pop was tough on me when I was a boy.
RIP NYC,
kdny, aka Snake

family?

family guy


a friend (and mother of 2 teenage boys) said something tonight worth repeating-

"It's as if all of the jokes assume that people hold nothing sacred anymore."

she was expressing her disbelief of the latest pop-culture cartoon family...on the heals of the Simpsons --> the Family Guy.

i have not seen an episode in it's entirety, but i have seen enough to agree...am i being ridiculous? is she being ridiculous?? any thoughts??

math lesson

nyc crap

time square + saturday night + christmas season = a nightmare


...

take note

jaymay - local coffee shop wonder

joined the local organic co-op!

park slope food co-op

thought i would join in the full experience here... the neighborhood organic food coop. it's one of the largest in the country. you work about 3 1/2 hour a month and in return you have access to local organic heaven!

interesting fact:
"The Park Slope Food Co-op just announced that it be switching to 100% wind-generated electricity from New York and Pennsylvania. The co-op board voted 66-0 in favor of the switch.

This is the largest private purchase of wind power in Brooklyn to date, and the first purchase of wind by a food co-op in the Northeast, according to Community Energy, which markets "NewWind" electricity around the country. General Coordinator Joe Holtz: "We want to do our part to lessen U. S. dependence on foreign oil, reduce our emissions of CO2 and harmful pollutants, and raise people's awareness" which apparently will include encouraging co-op members to make the switch, too. "

read on...

einhorn is finkle...finkle is einhorn!!!!!

gibbard

self

"...in The Little Flowers of St. Francis, a story is told about how francis taught brother leo the meaning of perfect joy. as the two walked together in the rain and bitter cold, francis reminded leo of all the things that the world - believed would bring joy, adding each time 'perfect joy is not in that'. finally in exasperation brother leo asked 'i beg you in god's name tell me where perfect joy is', whereupon francis began enumerating the most humiliating, self-abasing things he could imagine, adding each time "oh brother leo, write that perfect joy is there.'

to explain and conclude the matter he told brother leo, "above all the graces and gifts of the holy spirit, which christ gives to his friends is that of conquering one's self and willingly enduring sufferings , insults, humiliations, and hardships for the love of christ."


things i've learned in the past few weeks
days
minutes...

when i find myself in a place i have no business being,
i'm going to listen to god the first time he tells me to leave.

tough love
true love

self righteousness
humbleness

identity
shame

outspoken
solitude

discipline
freedom

brokenness
peace

forgiveness
mercy

redemption
grace

full bodied

iron and wine with calexico

went to see iron and wine with calexico last night....you know when you see a band perform and then you go home and listen to their album again and you hear it in a whole new light?? i couldn't keep track of all the instruments they had onstage -> 2 accordions, 2 trumpets, , 2 sets of drums, a xylophone, a banjo. the y had a great stage set up with a giant sheet like back drop playing old b/w film clips- mostly western scenes - horses, cowboys, wide open planes.

and so the encore was appropriate -> they performed "wild horse" and the impact of 12 amazing musicians on one small stage was overwhelming!

i linked this post to another blog where you can download the concert mp3 style (via npr). you have several choices - iron and wine, calexico, and both together (totaling 25 songs!!!)

enjoy!

flown free

flown free

it's a wonderful feeling when you find a song that moves you
it's satisfying when it's free
better yet when it's linford writing and karin singing on the other end of the mp3...

this song makes me think of someone i know...someone who knows me...someone who knows more than anyone, why i am here and not there....

10 minute peace

how is it that for 10 minutes a hot shower can make the world seem so perfect?
just for 10 minutes though...

............................................


.

go see this movie!

capote

i saw Capote tonight. and it is one of the best examples of acting and cinematography i have ever seen (a very bold statement to make)! if hoffman doesn't win an oscar...well...there will be a very angry blog written come march!

I read In Cold Blood a few years ago - a very important book in contemporary literature. i whole heartedly recommend reading it (before or after the movie).

so, if you haven't seen the trailer, check out the link...if you have seen the trailer, you have absolutely no excuse!

ps: another beautiful website (amazing photography)

truman

for you

I think this would make wonderful wallpaper for a desktop.

Eliza took the picture...she is from new hampshire.

(yep, those are her feet!)
wallpaper