Can't You Take A Hint?

When we were kids I spent a lot of time with my younger brother Quentin. It is sad to think that I have not seen him in almost 3 years now. We talk occasionally, and I hope to see him this summer. I do not, by any stretch, spend the kind of time with him that is required to find him annoying. Things were different when we were kids. I have plenty of memories from my childhood that involve being annoyed by my little brother. One of those annoying memories has become a life lesson for me.

There was a time, when he was seven or eight years old, that my brother was Prince of the Strong Hint. If you had a treat of any sort he would sidle up alongside you and it would begin. (For our example we will say that I was partaking of a frosty beverage, probably Pepsi.)

"I sure am thirsty" he would start. "I really need a drink of something." Soon, he would get concerned that you were not receiving the message and the hints would get more specific. "I wish I had some Pepsi right now". "Pepsi is sooo good".

I am not now, nor was I when I was twelve, very receptive to manipulation. Most people probably agree that it is awful to feel as though someone is trying to bend you to their benefit. This passive manipulation is perhaps one of the worst types. The manipulator is either too cowardly or too proud to come right out and say/ask for what they want. Instead, they attempt to control your actions through an ugly combination of pity and guilt brought on by overtly heavy hints.

I forgive my eight year old brother for employing such a base and lowly tactic. What is your excuse full grown man/woman who continues to bully the people, in your life, with this same strategy?


- Posted from my iPhone

Taxes

There has been a lot of discussion this week concerning taxes, and government spending. I think for many of us this conversation can not hold our interest. This apathy is an unfortunate byproduct of a government that has lost the trust of it's people. We see a compromise on the scale that we saw last week and both sides assume that their representatives have sold them out. Sadly, for both sides it is largely true. The reality is that the government is not on our team. When I say "our" I truly mean every American citizen who does not work for the government itself.

The real truth is that the government has ceased to be the necessary support apparatus that it was designed to be. We are now dealing with an enormous entity that demands to be recognized as a power unto itself.

Dial down all of the political rhetoric and think about what is truly being said and what is accepted as "truth". A country as rich as America ought to be able to pay for ______(insert well-meaning program here). Take your pick. Health care. Higher education. World aid. Etc. Etc. This is where the water gets muddy for many Americans. We feel a moral obligation to say yes we ought to be able to extend these things, without asking what it all means.

Where does the American government get it's money? From it's citizens. What would happen if those citizens did not surrender the money asked of them? Imprisonment, garnishment, ceasing of property, or any number of other punishments. (see Wesley Snipes) This is key, in my opinion. Every dollar that the federal government spends, on anything, has been forcibly taken from it's citizenry.

As Americans we are all responsible for what our government does. The power that they possess is given them by the people they have sworn to represent, and whether passively, grudgingly, or enthusiastically we have given them the power to exact a toll on those who live within our borders. Whether that power is constitutional or not can be debated, but it may no longer matter. The precedent has been set and accepted that this is what we want our country to do. The majority of the people feel it necessary in order to maintain an orderly society.

The very fact that we are compelling people, by force, to pay federal taxes comes with it a burden to mete out those funds to only those tasks deemed absolutely fundamental to preserving the sovereignty of the U.S.A. and, the protection of it's people and their freedoms.

Herein lies the rub ladies and gentleman; we have a chosen few elected officials making the decisions over what those fundamentals are. They have the constitution, but still the job is not without gray areas.

When you consider some of the things that the government pays for it is not hard to find things that anyone can agree falls outside these guidelines. This is a simple argument. Do we feel that it is right to take money from our neighbors to pay for our own lives/social projects/charitable causes? Before you answer that, remember that we have laws in place that will strip those same neighbors of their right to personal property and possibly imprison them if they refuse to pay for your lives/social projects/charitable causes.

When we hear "A country as rich as America ought to be able to pay for ______(insert well-meaning program here)." The moral imperative that we ought to feel is "Who are we to force our neighbor to pay for ____(insert college, Union contracts, cowboy poetry, etc. here)."

We cannot afford to forget that power corrupts. If you are not a part of the government's team then you are on our team, and we must be diligent to keep the other in check.


- Posted from my iPhone

Rock and Roll (a list)

At the risk of making my blog into list central, I am going to give you yet another list: Top Ten Greatest Rock and Roll Songs of all Time. I have attempted to make lists of this nature before and was crushed by the stress of it all. If you do not know me very well, you should understand that I absolutely love music. My love for music makes me highly opinionated. My love also makes me a bit fickle (if that makes any sense). The idea of taking 60 some odd years of Rock and Roll and limiting my list to ten songs fills me with a fear and stress that is hard to explain. This list should be understood as a snapshot of how I feel right now and I reserve the right to change it at any time.

Before we start here are the ground rules that I gave myself for this list. The parameters designed to help me reign in my, already too long, list of songs. First, I stayed in the middle of the road. If I determined a song to be "too punk" or "too metal" etc. I put it in a different category and therefore you won't see it here. Second, I stuck to the hits. I am not, necessarily, making a list of my favorite songs.
I am attempting to make a list of historically Great songs.





10) Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress by The Hollies
I know this makes me sound older than my years (in a bad way), but I wish rock and roll still sounded this way. <----A sentiment that runs through this entire list. Listen to the build up and the, oh so cool, way he tells the story. The Hollies are very underrated and I bumped a lot of respectable bands to give this song a spot.

9) Jailhouse Rock by Elvis Presley
For years I had forgotten Elvis. He, and this song in particular, have been parodied and made fun of so many times that you forget how great he was. Try to clear your head and hear the energy and fun in this song for the first time. Infectious.

8) Born on the Bayou by Credence Clearwater Revival
CCR continues to remind me of my Dad. We had a couple cassettes kicking around the house when I was a kid, and I used to huddle close to the stereo speakers and listen in awe. John Fogerty's voice comes from an amazing place, not accessible to us mere mortals.

7) Come Together by The Beatles
If you are like me it is easy to get "Beatle Fatigue". No band gets rammed down our throats more often. This song really works for me, though. The nonsensical nature of it's lyrics actually makes it that much easier to have a good time singing along. "One and one and one makes three, got to be good lookin cause he's so hard to see".

6) Foxy Lady by Jimi Hendrix
When I hear this song I think of Dana Carvey as Garth in Wayne's World doing his little fox dance. Guitar heavy and saturated in cool, this song cannot be denied.

5) You Shook Me All Night Long by ACDC
Just in case you forgot this was a Rock and Roll list, I give you ACDC. I apologize if the lyrics make you blush, but this is a great song. The music and melody are very simple, as they should be. Remember, if it's too loud you're too old.

4) You Really Got Me by The Kinks
When I listen to this song I can't believe it was recorded in 1964. It feels so modern. That is because modern rock owes so much to The Kinks and other pioneers like them. Many are familiar with Van Halen's version, but this is where it all began people.

3) My Generation by The Who
Pete Townsend is such a bad-ass! His trademark wheel-wind guitar move is so great. This song has teenage angst in spades. I love the energy and sentiment in this song.

2) Just What I Needed by The Cars
If you get a chance in the near future, sit down and listen to the entire self-titled Cars album that Just What I Needed was released on in 1978. My vinyl copy (in the picture above) has spent a lot of time on my turntable. The entire thing is a work of art, and this song is near perfect.

1) Paint it Black by The Rolling Stones
There are a few early Rolling Stones songs that I absolutely love. There is so much fun and energy packed into them. This song is a little darker. I think it's the dark edge of the song that makes it so great. Mick and Keith and the guys may be burned out old rockers now, but the musicianship and style on exhibit for this track are what makes rock and roll so powerful.

One last note...
For the purposes of this list I linked to YouTube videos for the music. These videos in many cases don't have the best versions of these songs. If you want my advice, go out and buy the albums or at least download the tracks on iTunes. Take a couple minutes and really listen to them again (or for the first time).

- Posted from my iPhone

The Woman in Animal Print

I pushed my cart across the large marble floor in the cold, lofty entry of the Federal Courthouse. I held the cart out in front of me to accommodate the long strides I was making. On my cart were mini scones, coffee and water with all the trimmings, bound for the sixth floor. There was a meeting in the main conference room in the US Attorneys office, and I had to make delivery by 9:45.

As my cart rattled over the wide grout lines in the marble floor, I passed a bench awkwardly placed under a portrait of a dead man. The bench was populated by a couple of middle aged women. The first I forgot as soon as I saw her. The second addressed me and won herself a place in my memory.

She was an interesting looking woman. Her portly figure clothed in some sort of animal print blouse. I think it was leopard, but the skin of that graceful animal seemed ill-suited for the form it now covered. She had the face of someone who had been down a lot of roads and seen a lot of things. Now, those same eyes were seeing me.

Her query was a simple one.
"Can I have a cookie?" she asked.

I slowed my cart, and an easy smile crossed my lips. "Another joker looking for a cookie" was the mean thought that flashed through my brain.

Before I could respond, however, she spoke again. Cutting off whatever witty response my brain was about to spill out.

"Never mind" she said. "I know they are for someone special."

Her statement threw me off. I no longer had a witty response. Instead, I resumed my pace and continued on to the North Elevators.

As I spread my wares I continued thinking about what she had said, and how she had said it. There was something matter-of-fact about the way that she said it. It was truly heartbreaking. I believe she had opened a window into her wounded spirit for just a moment, and I had gotten a glimpse of damage wrought by many who had trodden her under foot in this life. When I finished my delivery I went downstairs and back past the lady. This time I gave her a warm smile.

I can't shake the vision of The Woman in Animal Print. My initial reaction to her was to look at her as another casualty of this world. I wrote her off. I gave up on her before I knew anything about her. What's even sadder, is she had given up on herself.

Everyone we meet, everyone that we have already met, has an intrinsic value in God's eyes. Christ died for them individually. Who are we to judge whether they are valuable?

Matthew 13:45,46

Woman in Animal Print you are God's pearl. He has given his only Son for you, and I am sorry that I didn't remember that the first time we met.


- Posted from my iPhone

App-tastic

I realize that the world doesn't have much need for another "best of" list, especially for iPhone apps, but I am writing this blog anyway. Let's not kid ourselves, you don't read this blog out of need.

I personally know a lot of people who have gotten iPhones in the last year or two, and I find the opinions of people that I know more interesting than random Internet reviewers. Think of this as the start of a conversation that I would like to have about which apps (free or paid for) are worth your time. Feel free to comment at the bottom of this blog, on my Facebook page, or on Twitter with your own additions to or subtractions from this list.

My Top Five iPhone Apps

1. BlogPress




I would be remiss not to include this brilliant blog authoring app. In case you haven't guessed I am writing this blog right now using this tool. In fact, I have never written my blog on a standard computer. Since it's inception, every post on itsacryingshane has been written on my phone using BlogPress. The people behind this app haven't forgotten about it either. It continues to improve. Recently even adding the ability to imbed links on the app removing any necessity for fine-tuning from a desktop. This app is $2.99 in the app store, and worth every penny.

2.Twitterrific




I don't know if you are using Twitter. If you have a smartphone or spend a lot of time in front of your computer you should be. Twitter is an instant source of information from your friends, sports figures, organizations, celebrities, etc., and you won't find a better way to interface with Twitter than Twitterrific. This app gives you a clean and clear timeline with powerful, yet easy, controls. It has it's drawbacks (including the inability to change your profile pic within the app), but I have experimented with numerous Twitter apps and found none better. It is $4.99 to upgrade this app, but I use the free version and find the ads at the top of my timeline minimally invasive.

3. Netflix




Ah, the wonder of Netflix. Streaming TV shows and movies over 3G? Yes, please. This free app does require a Netflix account (most are around $10 bucks a month), but it is ridiculously convenient. Best part in my opinion? This app usually does not get glitchy or freeze when your connection slows down. What will happen is it temporarily degrades the picture quality, making it grainy but watchable, while your information stream plays catch up.

4.IMDb




Most of us "in the know" already use this website to research all things Hollywood. The IMDb app takes that information and makes it that much more accessible. I am a sucker for old or obscure movies, and I find myself cross-referencing directors, actors, and movie titles on an almost daily basis. Remember that movie with Van-Damme where he uncovers a plot to kill prison inmates and sell their organs on the black market? IMDb does, and you can probably even watch the theatrical trailer while you are there.

5. SportsTap




My final entry on this list is a beauty of sheer information. A no-frills, stats-based, sports lovers dream. Up to date stats on most every sport that matters. I lean heavy on this app during Fantasy Football.

Notably missing from my list is the Facebook app which I use regularly. While I enjoy the connections that I have found through Facebook, the app is fraught with programming holes and errors.

Another thing noticeably not on this list are games. Truth is, I rarely play games on my iPhone. When I do it is usually Angry Birds or my newest app Fruit Ninja.

Don't forget to chime in on your favorite apps! I am eager to have my eyes opened to the great ones I have been missing.

- Posted from my iPhone

An Ear For Passion

As I consider all my varied interests, I can not help but see a silver thread running through their center. When it comes to enjoying the things around us, especially the arts, it helps to have a little inspiration.

The list of things that I have pursued because of the passion that I saw in someone else is long. I began listening to Ben Harper because of my brother Quentin. My favorite books,The Lord of the Rings series, came to my attention, through my brother Tyler's interest in The Hobbit. I have a growing interest in classical music that is being fueled by the unbridled passion of my third brother Trevor (and, in fairness, Pastor Nathan). Our families (clearly my brothers) tend to have a big impact on us. The sources for our sorted passions, however, can be as diverse as they are.

If you listen to the people around you in life you can absorb all sorts of bits. My third grade teacher Mrs. Dunn would read Roald Dahl books aloud to us in class, and they remain my favorite children's books. I have worked with various people who speak two languages, and I am convinced that I will learn Spanish and German before I die. Outside of teachers and co-workers, we can brush up against the passionate people that surround us each day. Even an acquaintance, like a man named John from culinary school, can declare that "Fleetwood Mac was almost too good" and thereby raise your awareness. (Go listen to the bass line 3/4 of the way through "The Chain" and you might agree with him). Without the input of these people I may never have found all of these great things. The only thing that is required is that you listen. The people in your life want to tell you, just listen.

We have an independent spirit in us that wants to strike out on it's own. We want to be the first to hear the newest greatest band. I would never have you cease to learn of the world around you. When you consider the ridiculous amount of information in the world it is overwhelming. Here is an idea, let those around you sort some of it out for you. The cream rises to the top, and some passionate fan will be there expounding on it's virtues when it breaks the surface. Just listen and be inspired.

- Posted from my iPhone

Battle over Battleground

Do you love Battleground? Many people do. I am not one of them. I would argue that you are probably not one of them either (even if you think you are).

I have a theory that when someone tells you that they love Battleground, what they mean is that they love a romantic idea of Battleground. The Battleground that they love has ceased to exist. It left long before Fred Meyer came to town.

I have lived in Woodland for 6 and 1/2 years. I love Woodland. We have all the small town appeal that is romanticized by the masses. In many ways, we are more like the "Battleground" that you love than Battleground.

When I was a kid we used to ride our bikes from Hockinson to BG. I loved that Battleground. It was Safeway, Burgerville, a high school, a library, Rocky's Pizza, and Dicks Tire Factory. And, later, it was McDonalds too.

In Woodland we currently have a McDonalds, a Burgerville, a pizza place, a High School, a Library...sound familiar? We even have a burgeoning population of Old Apostolics. We are enjoying the fruits of small town SW Washington longed for by our easterly neighbors.

According to City-data.com Battleground's population has increased 84.8% since 2000. In 2009 the population was over 17,000. Compare this to Woodland's population of 5,300 (again for 2009). All those people... And, trying to use infrastructure that was built to accommodate 7,000. Battleground is a mess. It grew too fast, and spent too little planning for that growth.

The Battleground of today is a frustrating quagmire of strip malls and failing retail. The traffic is fantastically terrible. Ask one of BG's cultish followers about traffic, and even the faithful will bob their heads in agreement over it's barbarous nature.

During my short (second) stint living in BG I was excited to see growth. I was thrilled when we got Albertson's and Hollywood Video. I thought it was what I wanted. It was the beginning of the end for that little hole in the map.

In case my arguments were wholly persuasive, I should add a proviso. I feel we may be on the cusp of the same mistakes in Woodland. I was excited to be getting a drive-thru Starbucks and a Walmart, but I pray that our city planners will be more wise about the coming years than their counterparts in the big BG. I think that either way we are in the twilight of our golden years.

Hey, there is always La Center...



- Posted from my iPhone