Wake the kids, call the neighbors. The accolades are beginning to rain down on Flogging, But With a "B" like . . . well, like somewhere that doesn't get much rain. Now I KNOW that this will create a lot of questions for you, and so I'd like to do whatever I can to help you work through these uncertain times.
1) (a) What did you win, and (b) why?
a) Kathy has awarded me (along with Uriah -- that was rough the way that king and your wife did you, bro, condolences for real) the coveted (maybe?) "You Cheer Me Up" award, because (b) I cheer her up (duh!) by listening to, enjoying, and have even occasionally blogging about A Plea for Purging, for which her son contributes loud bang-y noises.
2) What does this mean?
I think it's another evidence that I'm getting WAY to old to listen to metal/hardcore. Seriously, let's look at this -- I'm now relating to and becoming internet "friends" with the parents of band members more than actual band members. Seriously, what's next, the "You make me feel young again" award from Mr. and Mrs. Mick Jagger?
3) Are you parents proud?
Depends -- are they proud about the award? Not particularly. Are they pretty excited that I married someone who makes enough money that I don't have to ask them for cash anymore? Absolutely!
4) Aren't you supposed to pass these things on or something?
I think so. And so, after much deliberation and straw-drawing, I hereby bestow my very first blogging award, the coveted "You Cheer Me Up Award" to Jered. Jered -- you actually write stuff, and plus you came and visited me in South Dakota once. That was pretty cool. But treat her carefully, my friend, because the next thing you know there's money missing off the dresser and your daughter's knocked up, I've seen it a hundred times . . . .
Friday, January 25, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Do You Know Why I Hate Bloggers?
It's MLK Day, and although I'm not a "tribute" kind of guy, it's interesting to think on what the man did and what it must have been like to live in a world where his lot in life was largely determined by race. Hopefully, by 2008, we can all agree that such a situation is/was egregious and indicative of a complete absence of critical thinking skills. In fighting racism, MLK surely provided advancement not only for people of his race, but for the thought processes and cultural advancement of all of America.
Have "we" really come so far, though? Since moving to Kentucky I've been shocked to realize how alive and well racism remains, but even among those who would appear to be ahead of the curve in recognizing people as individuals, ignorance and hatred and bigotry still seem to rear their ugly heads in only superficially different venues. "Enlightened", "tolerant" people who would never EVER be caught dead making any kind of a racist comment -- and would loudly and proudly condemn anybody who may -- are often scratching their itchy trigger finger in firing off against the cause/people group/following/whatever you want to call it to which I've dedicated my life -- Jesus Christ and his Church.
Christianity, the Church as a whole, and Christ-followers in general seem constantly bombarded for a veritable cornucopia of (always old, rehashed) reasons. It's always crap like these:
"Over the centuries Christianity has done so much harm -- look at the Crusades!"
"There's just obviously something wrong with all of the Catholic Priests and little boys and stuff."
"Christians and pastors are just such hypocrites, I would never want to even be associated with something like that."
I'm obviously not going to defend any of the atrocities that have been committed either in the name of Christianity or by Christians -- they're obviously many and often legitimately indefensible. What I would contend, however, is that writing off Jesus based on the actions of certain segments of those who claim to follow him is no more reasonable than racism.
For one thing, although those who profess to follow Christ certainly HAVE committed atrocities of the highest rank, what other religion, philosophy, or anti-everything hasn't had similar pitfalls? It goes without saying that the Muslim religion is no less blemished than Christianity between the eternal violence in the Middle East and the fact that it took two parties to create the Crusades. We don't hear much about it, but apparently the violence against both Christians and Muslims in India is substantial and perpetrated by (some) followers of the Hindu religion. Apparently Southern Thailand is a scene for Buddhist-on-Muslim atrocities. The oft-idealized Native Americans, with their earthy, naturalistic spiritualism, partook their fair share of murderous violence. And to those who conclude that the only avenue left is atheism, we'll just lump you in bed with Stalin and see how that tastes for you.
Obviously (I hope) I'm not trying to accuse or condemn every religion or belief system or whatever as brutal and evil, nor all of their followers. I'm just saying that, to be fair, there's no one system that stands innocent. Even Scientology, as young as it is, couldn't give Tom Cruise the tools to make a marriage to Nicole Kidman work. Seriously, who among us couldn't make it work with NICOLE KIDMAN!!!
Secondly, I'm saying that poisoning the well is easy. Look, this and that and the other thing is all bad because of a, b, c, yada yada yada. Again, it's the exact same thought process that has given us racism, ethnocentrism, and a host of other scourges of society. I expect better than that from you, no matter who you are.
Without beating to death what I hope is clear at this point, let me conclude with this -- it's your choice to either embrace or reject Jesus Christ, the Church, Christianity, whatever word or phrase you want to use. All I'm saying is this -- do it with thought and reason. Go to the real source and get your facts straight before you condemn. And please, at least try to be consistent in your train of thought. We ALL use bad arguments from time to time, but that's no reason to despise logic.
Have "we" really come so far, though? Since moving to Kentucky I've been shocked to realize how alive and well racism remains, but even among those who would appear to be ahead of the curve in recognizing people as individuals, ignorance and hatred and bigotry still seem to rear their ugly heads in only superficially different venues. "Enlightened", "tolerant" people who would never EVER be caught dead making any kind of a racist comment -- and would loudly and proudly condemn anybody who may -- are often scratching their itchy trigger finger in firing off against the cause/people group/following/whatever you want to call it to which I've dedicated my life -- Jesus Christ and his Church.
Christianity, the Church as a whole, and Christ-followers in general seem constantly bombarded for a veritable cornucopia of (always old, rehashed) reasons. It's always crap like these:
"Over the centuries Christianity has done so much harm -- look at the Crusades!"
"There's just obviously something wrong with all of the Catholic Priests and little boys and stuff."
"Christians and pastors are just such hypocrites, I would never want to even be associated with something like that."
I'm obviously not going to defend any of the atrocities that have been committed either in the name of Christianity or by Christians -- they're obviously many and often legitimately indefensible. What I would contend, however, is that writing off Jesus based on the actions of certain segments of those who claim to follow him is no more reasonable than racism.
For one thing, although those who profess to follow Christ certainly HAVE committed atrocities of the highest rank, what other religion, philosophy, or anti-everything hasn't had similar pitfalls? It goes without saying that the Muslim religion is no less blemished than Christianity between the eternal violence in the Middle East and the fact that it took two parties to create the Crusades. We don't hear much about it, but apparently the violence against both Christians and Muslims in India is substantial and perpetrated by (some) followers of the Hindu religion. Apparently Southern Thailand is a scene for Buddhist-on-Muslim atrocities. The oft-idealized Native Americans, with their earthy, naturalistic spiritualism, partook their fair share of murderous violence. And to those who conclude that the only avenue left is atheism, we'll just lump you in bed with Stalin and see how that tastes for you.
Obviously (I hope) I'm not trying to accuse or condemn every religion or belief system or whatever as brutal and evil, nor all of their followers. I'm just saying that, to be fair, there's no one system that stands innocent. Even Scientology, as young as it is, couldn't give Tom Cruise the tools to make a marriage to Nicole Kidman work. Seriously, who among us couldn't make it work with NICOLE KIDMAN!!!
Secondly, I'm saying that poisoning the well is easy. Look, this and that and the other thing is all bad because of a, b, c, yada yada yada. Again, it's the exact same thought process that has given us racism, ethnocentrism, and a host of other scourges of society. I expect better than that from you, no matter who you are.
Without beating to death what I hope is clear at this point, let me conclude with this -- it's your choice to either embrace or reject Jesus Christ, the Church, Christianity, whatever word or phrase you want to use. All I'm saying is this -- do it with thought and reason. Go to the real source and get your facts straight before you condemn. And please, at least try to be consistent in your train of thought. We ALL use bad arguments from time to time, but that's no reason to despise logic.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Fine Then, No More Freaking Riddles!
I'm not saying that I'm superstitious. I'm not going to pretend that Flogging, But With a "B" has any kind of paranormal effect on the world. I really don't believe in mythical beings like unicorns or "basketball gods." All I'm going to do is give you the facts:
On Wednesday, I posted an excited blog about the Celtics, Sooners, and Coyotes. They were, at that time, a combined 55-6. After OU gets finished off by Kansas tonight (as I write they're down 30 with 4:00 to go), they'll be a combined 2-6 since posting. There. Those are the facts.
And do you know what? After being kicked while I was down through the entire 2nd half of the NFL season, I'd almost forgotten what it even felt like to be kicked while I was up. . . .
On Wednesday, I posted an excited blog about the Celtics, Sooners, and Coyotes. They were, at that time, a combined 55-6. After OU gets finished off by Kansas tonight (as I write they're down 30 with 4:00 to go), they'll be a combined 2-6 since posting. There. Those are the facts.
And do you know what? After being kicked while I was down through the entire 2nd half of the NFL season, I'd almost forgotten what it even felt like to be kicked while I was up. . . .
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Riddle Me This . . .
What's even better than Celtic Women? The 2007-08 Celtic men! At a ridiculous 29-3, it's at LEAST time to see some green on this page and celebrate the story of the NBA though the first half of the season. The last few years haven't been easy to be green, but this year (ironically after trading all of the players named Green/Greene) all is right in the world and order is restored. I hope you enjoy the new look as much as I do, then, as I look forward to taking in a C's game in person for the first time in years next month. Happpy Valentine's Day to me!!!
On a similar note, as the Big XII season starts up this Saturday, even my young Sooner hoops team has rebounded extremely well from a disappointing home loss to Stephen F. Austin with five straight, including Arkansas, Gonzaga, and -- as luck would have it -- West Virginia. So a tourney birth is still probably 9 wins away from being a reality, but hopes and spirits are high for the first time in a couple of years. Boomer!!!
Speaking of OU, however, it seems from people's reactions and questions to me that a word about the OU Fiesta Bowl fiasco is in order. Losing ALWAYS hurts -- especially when it's OU football, we're just not used to it -- but I'm not all in tears over this one. No matter what the media or whoever wants to say, West Virginia is a very good team and there's no particular shame in losing to them (as opposed to last year). Besides that, they just played an extremely good football game, whereas "we" played extremely well for about 10 minutes. So we lost the Fiesta Bowl, and that's too bad. BUT we beat Saxet, we crushed little brother, and we hang yet another Big XII Championship. Nice. All the Fiesta Bowl means in post-season ranking and one game. OU's about Championships, and as nice as a Fiesta Bowl trophy would be, they took the B12 and the National Championship wasn't on the line anyway. They're going to be LOADED next year, and so let's go get the big one. For now we can move on.
And the Lions? Sigh. Well Martz got fired, and that's good because SURELY it's the guy with the Super Bowl ring that was holding everybody else back, right? For what it's worth I agree that he needed to go, but I'm pretty tired of people getting fired and hired and fired and hired and fired and nothing ever really changing. Maybe there's another problem, hmmmm. . . .
For now, though, it's hoops season. My South Dakota Coyotes are 14-0, and Boston goes for 10 in a row tonight against Charlotte. Dance, Gino, dance!
On a similar note, as the Big XII season starts up this Saturday, even my young Sooner hoops team has rebounded extremely well from a disappointing home loss to Stephen F. Austin with five straight, including Arkansas, Gonzaga, and -- as luck would have it -- West Virginia. So a tourney birth is still probably 9 wins away from being a reality, but hopes and spirits are high for the first time in a couple of years. Boomer!!!
Speaking of OU, however, it seems from people's reactions and questions to me that a word about the OU Fiesta Bowl fiasco is in order. Losing ALWAYS hurts -- especially when it's OU football, we're just not used to it -- but I'm not all in tears over this one. No matter what the media or whoever wants to say, West Virginia is a very good team and there's no particular shame in losing to them (as opposed to last year). Besides that, they just played an extremely good football game, whereas "we" played extremely well for about 10 minutes. So we lost the Fiesta Bowl, and that's too bad. BUT we beat Saxet, we crushed little brother, and we hang yet another Big XII Championship. Nice. All the Fiesta Bowl means in post-season ranking and one game. OU's about Championships, and as nice as a Fiesta Bowl trophy would be, they took the B12 and the National Championship wasn't on the line anyway. They're going to be LOADED next year, and so let's go get the big one. For now we can move on.
And the Lions? Sigh. Well Martz got fired, and that's good because SURELY it's the guy with the Super Bowl ring that was holding everybody else back, right? For what it's worth I agree that he needed to go, but I'm pretty tired of people getting fired and hired and fired and hired and fired and nothing ever really changing. Maybe there's another problem, hmmmm. . . .
For now, though, it's hoops season. My South Dakota Coyotes are 14-0, and Boston goes for 10 in a row tonight against Charlotte. Dance, Gino, dance!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Metal from Heaven In 2007
Ok, so December was crazy busy and I haven't updated in a while. Sorry Nick! No worries, though, you won't like this one either. Maybe next time . . . .
Anyway, since I have exactly zero readers who listen to or care about metal, I thought I'd make it my business to post my top-ten albums from the past year. Let's face it -- blogs are, by their very nature, pretentious and self-absorbed, so you'll just have to excuse me for this one and chalk it up to PAC-10 refs. And I have good news -- there should be a new Dido record for 2008!
First, the gem from 2006 that I didn't hear until 2007:
Eluveitie -- Spirit: Amazing. Plus, just by listening you'd never guess there were more than six or seven members!
Second, a record that I have no idea what to do with:
War of Ages -- Fire From the Tomb: A re-recording of (mostly) material from 2005 that's marketed as a new album. If it "counts" as 2007, it's probably top 3-ish, but really, how do you figure?
Third, a couple records that surely would have made the list but they evaded my grasp:
August Burns Red -- Messengers: I'd have if if interpunk wasn't lame and out of stock.
Common Yet Forbidden -- The Strugge: I'd have it if The End Records wasn't lame and out of stock.
Fourth, some honorable mention:
And finally, the top 10 records (that I've heard and am sure they count as 2007) of 2007:
10. Remove the Veil – Another Way Home
The whole “southern-fried metal” thing is about one band away from being old already, but I still can’t listen to this and not smile!
Anyway, since I have exactly zero readers who listen to or care about metal, I thought I'd make it my business to post my top-ten albums from the past year. Let's face it -- blogs are, by their very nature, pretentious and self-absorbed, so you'll just have to excuse me for this one and chalk it up to PAC-10 refs. And I have good news -- there should be a new Dido record for 2008!
First, the gem from 2006 that I didn't hear until 2007:
Eluveitie -- Spirit: Amazing. Plus, just by listening you'd never guess there were more than six or seven members!
Second, a record that I have no idea what to do with:
War of Ages -- Fire From the Tomb: A re-recording of (mostly) material from 2005 that's marketed as a new album. If it "counts" as 2007, it's probably top 3-ish, but really, how do you figure?
Third, a couple records that surely would have made the list but they evaded my grasp:
August Burns Red -- Messengers: I'd have if if interpunk wasn't lame and out of stock.
Common Yet Forbidden -- The Strugge: I'd have it if The End Records wasn't lame and out of stock.
Fourth, some honorable mention:
Demon Hunter – Storm the Gates of Hell
Decent, but again unable to fully re-capture the disturbing-ness of Summer of Darkness.
Impending Doom – Nailed. Dead. Risen.
The problem with deathcore? Rather than combine the brutality of death metal with the energy of hardcore, they put the brutality of death metal in the no-creativity box of hardcore. Insanely brutal album but it just doesn’t take me anywhere.
Sleeping Giant – Dread Champions of the Last Days
The most unique record of 2007, but too hit-and-miss to crack the list.
xDeathstarx – We Are the Threat
Very good hardcore, but that won’t break the list this year.
And finally, the top 10 records (that I've heard and am sure they count as 2007) of 2007:
10. Remove the Veil – Another Way Home
The whole “southern-fried metal” thing is about one band away from being old already, but I still can’t listen to this and not smile!
9. Dagon – Paranormal Ichthology
Honestly not quite what I was hoping for after Secrets of the Deep, although I think most of the let-down was in the production (what happened to the drum sound?). Still a fun record that I reach for months later.
8. Seventh Star – The Undisputed Truth
I always expect Seventh Star to be average and uninspired, and then they always punish me for my unbelief. I wish they’d punish me like this again – unfortunately they broke up, but fortunately they gave us this first.
7. Deliverance – As Above – So Below
Honestly I’d lost interest in Deliverance and all things Jimmy Brown, but after the buzz around this one I gave it a chance and was more than repaid. All metal, all heavy, and still progressive but not too much. Nice work fellas, very nice work.
6. Becoming the Archetype – The Physics of Fire
One of the greatest “disappointment” albums ever. It has to be tough to follow up something as beautiful as Terminate Damnation, but although I get lost in the technicality at times there are plenty of moments of brilliance as well.
5. Nodes of Ranvier – Defined by Struggle
Let’s face it – there’s nothing here that we haven’t heard before, but let’s also admit that they make it sound GREAT! Like Seventh Star, it’s too bad they broke up, but so good that they’re ending on an excellent note.
4. My Silent Wake – The Anatomy of Melancholy
Mmmmm, the tastiest doom/death album in years. Sorry, no bonus points for the double mellow acoustic disc, but this kind of metal needs bonus points like Mike Martz needs more passing plays. Brooding, plodding, epic, masterful.
3. Immortal Souls – Winteriech
In a mediocre year this could have been #1, it easily surpasses Ice Upon the Night and is probably their best record yet. Great songs played with an unbeatable fusion of melody and aggression.
2. A Plea for Purging – A Critique of Mind and Thought
Wow did THIS band catch me off-guard. With just a little more memorability this could have topped the list. Freaking amazing debut that either shreds like metalcore has never shredded or breaks-down like metal has never broken-down. Whatever, it slays.
1. As I Lay Dying – An Ocean Between Us
As popular as they’ve become, I’ve always figured them for a middle-of-the-pack metalcore band until now. Heavy, catchy, melodic, thrashy, and by far their most interesting and engaging album, I can’t shake these songs from my head or the cd from my player. Not that I would want to!
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