Documenting the World, Wk 27 & 28, Ole!

Plugging IN

It's been some time and I can definitely tell you I've come across a number of interesting sites and articles. So sit back and be ready to click!

**Blogs

--Amos Lanka has been thinking lately; his latest blog encompasses a number of philosophical ideas but mostly commentates on a quote from C.S. Lewis' book, The Great Divorce, "That's what we all find when we reach this country, that we've all been wrong. That's the great joke. There's no need to go on pretending one was right. After that, we begin living." Definitely worth the read.

--Apparently Norfolk, England has created a mock Afghanistan...Aid worker, Harry Rud had a few words to say about it.

--Tyler from Man of Depravity recently had an interesting muse on Church leadership in the Web 2.0 world . The elder and the younger should be learning from each other rather than competing for the top spot in a world of growing technology and even skepticism. 

--Friend and Pastor, Joseph Thompson, talks about similar ideas in the technological world. Ultimately, he says, the message of Cross is timeless despite the method.

**News & Blues

--Fashion is taking a turn...electronically that is. THESE people are adding a little creativity to the idea of strutting your stuff on the runway. 

--Para-gliding through Afghanistan can be challenging, but for some young men, it is a way to find a sense of peace in their war torn country. With a parachute and some gear, THIS group can fly .

--Roland Martin is known to lean to the left in his politics. What I like most about this interview is he's one of the few in the Media sticking up for Miss California's first amendment right, as a journalist, which is REALLY what the whole controversy is about.

**About the Web

-- I'm sure many of you have seen the film that has circled the web with street musicians around the world playing/singing Stand By Me . But if you haven't check it out. I guarantee you, you'll tear up by how amazing the creativity of the video is and how you connect with musicians.

**Film

--I saw the movie Star Trek last week. Proud of me? For not growing up around Sci-Fi, I've certainly grown and appreciation for some of it in the last two. The film made me appreciate the story that much more, which I wasn't as well versed in. The actors made the Trek characters their own rather than being mirror images of the original...I love the fresh spin, the fight scenes and  heroic essence of the story itself. GO see IT!

--I begin filming my first short film documentary this week. I will update how it goes over the weekend. It's going to be interesting for sure. But be ready to see the stories of people's lives who've risen above what was expected of them. 

Documenting the World, Special Ed. Milestone

is. 53.5 "...by his stripes, we are healed..."
prayers and thoughts with you, friend

Documenting the World, Wk 25, The Scene I Saw

Stickin' It Out for Slimy

waking up at 7am was a bit of stretch for me. but i was awake anyway...and hungry, so i sat straight up, ran my fingers through my hair and picked up my lap top. i'd catch the latest blogs and emails over a cup of coffee and still be able to take my time before meeting new friends.

as i started down the stairs, i could see harrison crying. his face was so sad, and in a state of concern and in the language of "yawn"- i asked what was wrong.

the frog is stuck in the chair, he told me, and i have to go to school. that meant ...he couldn't help the little bugger himself.

i felt bad. i couldn't ignore his tender heart or those crocodile tears. i set my lap-top on the steps and walked out side. sure enough- there was the frog who seemed to have brilliantly gotten his leg intertwined in the grate holes of the porch chair. i started by trying to push his foot through and then his leg. but the frog kept clinging and ultimately, making it worse.

sarah came outside to try and help. she toyed with his leg and then decided it was i who would have to pick him up while she struggled to untangle his leg. i made a sour face at her. i wasn't exactly sure how i felt about holding the amphibian - but i picked his body up anyway- and it was....slimy. even worse- squishy. i thought i might actually squeeze his little guts out...on accident of course, but guts nonetheless. i held on firmly until sarah decided to switch. once she pulled the frog's leg out of the holes in the chair; she carried him to the yard. and i....well i darted for the kitchen sink to wash my hands. what can i say? the frog gave me the "willies."

either it had been too long since i'd caught one or this one was special, i couldn't tell- even so- we freed the frog. now i think i can only, really, chalk it up to a bit of compassion for harrison b/c God knows i wouldn't have peeled the polliwog on my own volition.

happy days...

Documenting the World, Wk 24, Picture Perfect

i absoluetely loved taking pictures of these two. gary and melinda are photographers from "saved in his image photography." they captured the thorn this year in south carolina. spending time with them, learning from them and shooting outside with them made for an amazing afternoon. what's more, is the shot of sheer beauty in the roaring clouds above and the lapping waves below. truly magnificant. 

-ution

what is it?

a shift, 

a violent overtaking

the tearing down of one system

implementing another

how it rallies

people, hearts and minds

from one social system,

school of thought

to another 

by the people,

for the people

in place of another power

this is revolution.

Calling for Creative Earthlings

The celebration of Earth Day was commemorated on Wednesday, but the entire month of April is often overwhelmingly focused on "going green." Sure, it fits, it's Spring. Nevertheless, in my way of contribution, I will spend a few moments on a couple of "green" ideas that might be worth exploring in the world today. 

I do believe it's important for the human race to care for the Earth that we've been put charge over. But I think that it is in our best interest to do so creatively and with proper research. Ironically, what I observe is that many Americans in particular take up a cause without ever really bothering to look into what it is that they say they are for or against when it comes to the environment. Rather they take what they are handed and live with a perception that may not be entirely correct or perhaps it is acceptance out of fear. That leads me to my first "green" idea: 

**I want to knock out nuclear, b/c the more I learn about it, the more I'm convinced it is a viable solution for any immediate problems or needs concerning the "energy crisis."- Nuclear energy is not as dangerous as some think. One of the things that I've come to learn is that you can take medals, coal, stone or other substances and refine and refine them to the point where they become toxic or threatening- just as much as you can with nuclear power. But the truth is all substances come from the ground, and all of them give off radiation- even you- and of course nuclear power- which means fueling our economy on it- while it may have risks like any other method, isn't such a bad idea. Some of you may remember in a previous blog, I mentioned that 76% of energy in France comes from nuclear plants.The nuclear energy can not only be reused/recycled, but once it is no longer useful- buried into the ground, right back where it came from. Too Risky? So is the sun you stand in everyday. So are mines, coal plants etc. But with the proper precautions and a REALISTIC standards in relation to exposure, nuclear plants would be safer than driving by a coal one on the way to work everyday. I recommend you read THIS article from JUNK Science for continued thoughts. I am definitely NOT opposed to continuing research on Solar energy or water for that matter, however, I do think that this might be a good solution in more immediate days.

**On a lighter note: part of going green this year is also about saving money. We could always use a few extra bucks and there are certainly ways to do both. One of the ones I keep coming across is the use of tap water. We all grew up on it and did just fine. So there's no harm in eliminating water bottles. While it's great that companies will take recycled bottles and other products in order to turn them into other useful products...(such a carpets or t shirts), the waste itself is unnecessary. If you're worried about the taste, but a filter for the faucet or even a Brita water jug that you slip into the fridge. I have one at home and it makes getting my water for the day much more convenient. Not only that- but if you need to take water to work, but a reusable water bottle at Walmart or other local store and put it in your dishwasher when you're through. This is certainly and idea worth spending a little time on b/c it's amazing how much garbage we might improve on by one simple switch to tap water. 

While I've only discussed two ideas today- one on the heavier side of the issue, one on the easier/lighter side of the issues, I think it's important to maintain the simple fact that small, simple and creative ideas are the way to go. Ranting about it without facts or knowledge of the "green" earth doesn't get anyone anywhere- I'm not a fan of events like "Live Earth" concerts, or paying thousands for earthy conferences or even going "all organic"- mostly b/c I think they are unnecessary, but also because they don't actually accomplish anything. I came across this TED talk and I think it's worth listening to . The gentleman giving the three and half minute speech calls for creativity - and even shows how he's done it on his site: Doing the Green Thing . 

Happy Earth week or something like that, they say....

Documenting the World, wk 22 & 23, Relax on the Weekend

These were a couple of the objects right in front of me on the beach, too bad they make for great photography. It was a perfect day, a little wind, warm sun....perfect.

While the color scheme of the picture doesn't accent the first, I found it rather picturesque. These chairs over looked the ocean from our balcony...they made it inviting. 

War of the Masses

"It is important to emphasize the guerrilla warfare is a war of the masses, a war of the people...why does the guerrilla fighter fight? we must come to the inevitable conclusion that the guerrilla is a social reformer, that he takes up arms responding to the angry protest of the people...he fights in order to change the social system." -Che

For each community and in each generation, certainly there are social changes that must take place for the improvement of the people. I am almost certain- despite the controversy that surrounded Che- that he had a belief in his people, and in those who shared frustrated sentiments against tyrannical rule, or at least, what he and bandits considered so. It makes me wonder; in today's generation- what is it that we hope to change? And will we take the steps to revolt against the expectation to change it? Lofty ideals? Perhaps, but I wonder if the generation of the 1960s wasn't onto something when they made this man an icon (or at the very least his ideas).

I have been reading Guerrilla Warfare by Ernesto "Che" Guevara at a steady pace and I'm intrigued. Granted, this particular work focuses on the tactics of warfare and how a "band" must prepare and conduct themselves in order to win their war. BUT- he seems to tackle the smallest details, even down to how much weight each man should carry, what guns are good or bad, and even discusses that each community must decide what is the age minimum or maximum- as if he cares rather than a generic mandate. His writing is simplistic- and it definitely interests me to look into his other works in the future.

However, in getting back to the initial idea of revolution itself- social change, and warfare: is it really the war of the masses- or in representation of the masses- and what is consider "mass?" There are countries and people groups now that often rally behind protests and posters to shout their demands at their government. Certainly many of those, such as human rights or economic mishaps are worth the protest. But are they worth a fight- with weapons and force? If so- who would do it- you?

Nevertheless, negotiation seems to be on the mind of the U.S. President Obama, but I often wonder if it takes more than a few "proposed" resolutions or amendments to make the necessary changes- political, social, etc. Today's generation wants something more. But the cost, too, is something of consideration. No no, I don't mean we should all run off and join the military to find something worth fighting for or pick up pitchforks and storm the castle or even just sit by or contend with posters and messages. But then again- all these things are worth doing, investigating and change will come when we take action toward it.

The book is an interesting study and certainly has my mind on the revolutionary generation of today....thoughts?