Plot happens to characters. Plot is forced upon them. Plot is predictable and ultimately boring.
Story unfolds to characters. It happens with them. They impact it.
Plot is when a volcano blows up near the characters, forcing them to react.
Story is when the characters decide out of their own motivations to blow up the volcano.
It's a bit different.
Also, my last example was a poor one.
It's the difference between a Deus Ex Machina (read: unfulfilling) ending and a thrilling, multilayered, conclusion.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
one steP
"Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it." - Greg Anderson
Joy is found not in finishing an activity, but in doing it.
The JOURNEY and not the destination.
Because here's the truth:
You can leave your friends and family behind, pack all of belongings in a decrepit old minivan, and drive 2300 miles accross the country.
You can cross 7 states, and every type of scenery and terrain.
You can stop and admire the mountains, the plains, the deserts, the fields.
You can even arrive.
But the story never ends there.
Because on arrival, you realize there's more. The JOURNEY wasn't just about the trip.
It was only the beginning.
Joy is found not in finishing an activity, but in doing it.
The JOURNEY and not the destination.
Because here's the truth:
You can leave your friends and family behind, pack all of belongings in a decrepit old minivan, and drive 2300 miles accross the country.
You can cross 7 states, and every type of scenery and terrain.
You can stop and admire the mountains, the plains, the deserts, the fields.
You can even arrive.
But the story never ends there.
Because on arrival, you realize there's more. The JOURNEY wasn't just about the trip.
It was only the beginning.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Nerd Files - 2
One of my newer hobbies is tabletop wargaming. Which may be the nerdiest thing I've ever said. Here's how tabletop wargaming works:
You buy expensive and overpriced "miniatures" which resemble detailed army men.
You paint said miniatures in whatever way you would like.
You realize you do not have the correct miniatures for your army. You swear.
You get more expensive and overpriced miniatures.
You play a game which involves rolling dice and pretend shooting other armies.
You swear at the megaskilled 12 year old.
Rinse and repeat.
Right now, I'm playing an Ultramarines army. Comprised of battle-hardened space marines, I'm currently 0-1, having lost to a Chaos Marines army. I had sound tactics, but horrible dice rolling and bad luck in general.
Tune in soon for a philosophical discussion - to repaint or not to repaint...
Friday, September 25, 2009
one stEp
"It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end." Ursula K. LeGuin
The end of the JOURNEY approaches. You can feel it in your soul.
This is the moment, the culmination.
And then your tire blows out.
Thirty miles from the end of the JOURNEY.
It's the most frustrating thing in the history of the western world. At least to you it is.
It seems that the closer we get to the end of the JOURNEY the more we get focused on the end of the JOURNEY. We forget that the JOURNEY is what's important, and not the destination.
So those problems and issues that seemed funny or humorous at one end seem life altering and scary at the other end of the JOURNEY.
We need to relax and realize that the JOURNEY is still worthwhile, even thirty miles from our destination.
There are still things to learn, even when we're only 30 miles away.
The end of the JOURNEY approaches. You can feel it in your soul.
This is the moment, the culmination.
And then your tire blows out.
Thirty miles from the end of the JOURNEY.
It's the most frustrating thing in the history of the western world. At least to you it is.
It seems that the closer we get to the end of the JOURNEY the more we get focused on the end of the JOURNEY. We forget that the JOURNEY is what's important, and not the destination.
So those problems and issues that seemed funny or humorous at one end seem life altering and scary at the other end of the JOURNEY.
We need to relax and realize that the JOURNEY is still worthwhile, even thirty miles from our destination.
There are still things to learn, even when we're only 30 miles away.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Somebody Smarter Said - 18
"If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." - Toni Morrison
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Writing Tips - 7
Concept from Steven King's "On Writing"
Remember that no character sees his or her self as the sidekick, the romantic love interest, the Deus Ex Machina.
Every character sees themselves as the center of the story, the point, and there story is the one that is the grand scheme.
This is a much higher view of the concepts of motivation, something that inevitably frustrates me. I need a villain in my story to create tension for my protagonist. However, that character is always going to be one or two dimensional unless I stop to examine why they're doing what they're doing.
If I can't buy that I would do the same thing in a character's shoes with that particular characters background, then the character rings false - and so does the writing.
Remember that no character sees his or her self as the sidekick, the romantic love interest, the Deus Ex Machina.
Every character sees themselves as the center of the story, the point, and there story is the one that is the grand scheme.
This is a much higher view of the concepts of motivation, something that inevitably frustrates me. I need a villain in my story to create tension for my protagonist. However, that character is always going to be one or two dimensional unless I stop to examine why they're doing what they're doing.
If I can't buy that I would do the same thing in a character's shoes with that particular characters background, then the character rings false - and so does the writing.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Hey Neat-O - 12
I don't really enjoy when people say things I don't understand.
Sometimes I google them, with little or no success. Now, I use:
Phrases
And heck, it even creates a bibliography note for you, in case you want to use it on a research paper.
And if you do do that (use this in a research paper) please let me read your paper!
Sometimes I google them, with little or no success. Now, I use:
Phrases
And heck, it even creates a bibliography note for you, in case you want to use it on a research paper.
And if you do do that (use this in a research paper) please let me read your paper!
Jesus Nation Review
Jesus Nation by Joseph Stowell
Sometimes you have to ask who a book is written for. Frequently, the intended reader is not you.
But what do you do when you absolutely can't figure out who the intended reader is?
Such is the case with Joe Stowell's book, "Jesus Nation."
"Jesus Nation" is, at the heart, a book about belonging. A book about belonging to a nation, living and dying and breathing, with that nation, in much the same way as you follow your favorite sports team. Stowell is outlining what it means to have that same passion about following Jesus; about what life would look like if we looked up to Jesus even more than we look up to a Peyton Manning or a Steve Yzerman.
The main problem I had with this book was this: It didn't incite any sort of passion in me. I wondered if maybe I simply couldn't figure out who should be reading it, but all in all, it failed to make me dream about what the point was.
Please don't get me wrong. Stowell, by all accounts, is a great man, and is doing a wonderful job at Cornerstone University, my alma mater. And Stowell uses a few good analogies and metaphors throughout his book; ideas that were at least a little intrigueing, and deserved to be discussed and fleshed out.
But bottom line - I had to force myself to read it. It never captivated me, and thus I can only give it 2.5/5.
Reviewed for Tyndale House
Sometimes you have to ask who a book is written for. Frequently, the intended reader is not you.
But what do you do when you absolutely can't figure out who the intended reader is?
Such is the case with Joe Stowell's book, "Jesus Nation."
"Jesus Nation" is, at the heart, a book about belonging. A book about belonging to a nation, living and dying and breathing, with that nation, in much the same way as you follow your favorite sports team. Stowell is outlining what it means to have that same passion about following Jesus; about what life would look like if we looked up to Jesus even more than we look up to a Peyton Manning or a Steve Yzerman.
The main problem I had with this book was this: It didn't incite any sort of passion in me. I wondered if maybe I simply couldn't figure out who should be reading it, but all in all, it failed to make me dream about what the point was.
Please don't get me wrong. Stowell, by all accounts, is a great man, and is doing a wonderful job at Cornerstone University, my alma mater. And Stowell uses a few good analogies and metaphors throughout his book; ideas that were at least a little intrigueing, and deserved to be discussed and fleshed out.
But bottom line - I had to force myself to read it. It never captivated me, and thus I can only give it 2.5/5.
Reviewed for Tyndale House
Sunday, September 20, 2009
one sTep
"A journey is like a marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it." - John Steinbeck
One thing that Jess and I swore to each other about our JOURNEY to Seattle would be this - we would let the JOURNEY evolve. We didn't have a set destination each night. We didn't have particular food places to stop at (other than the ones that we had wedding gift cards from). We weren't committed to a certain type or caliber of motel. Most importantly?
We didn't have a time table.
It seems to me that it would be a terrible thing to drive 2300 miles across the country and not stop to see anything interesting. There are so many stops, so many sights, so many people, between Grand Rapids and Seattle. If we had simply rocketed past them, we would have missed so many opportunities we would probably never get again.
It's the same way with our life JOURNEY. I'm sure it's easy to just settle into a forty hour work week and live my life without ever really living it. Without experiencing the sights and sounds and smells of the people and places I'm in. Routine and habit become friends that we're comfortable with. It's so much easier, wherever we go, to order the same meal at that same chain restaurant. I know exactly what I'm getting.
But if you did that, you would miss out on the Corn Palace's of the world. Or the Charleston Cafe's. You would miss entire genre's of life.
So as strange and as hard as it may be sometimes, we need to slay the dragons of routine and habit. And live life experimentally.
One thing that Jess and I swore to each other about our JOURNEY to Seattle would be this - we would let the JOURNEY evolve. We didn't have a set destination each night. We didn't have particular food places to stop at (other than the ones that we had wedding gift cards from). We weren't committed to a certain type or caliber of motel. Most importantly?
We didn't have a time table.
It seems to me that it would be a terrible thing to drive 2300 miles across the country and not stop to see anything interesting. There are so many stops, so many sights, so many people, between Grand Rapids and Seattle. If we had simply rocketed past them, we would have missed so many opportunities we would probably never get again.
It's the same way with our life JOURNEY. I'm sure it's easy to just settle into a forty hour work week and live my life without ever really living it. Without experiencing the sights and sounds and smells of the people and places I'm in. Routine and habit become friends that we're comfortable with. It's so much easier, wherever we go, to order the same meal at that same chain restaurant. I know exactly what I'm getting.
But if you did that, you would miss out on the Corn Palace's of the world. Or the Charleston Cafe's. You would miss entire genre's of life.
So as strange and as hard as it may be sometimes, we need to slay the dragons of routine and habit. And live life experimentally.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
On Writing Review
On Writing by Stephen King
Stephen King is certainly one of, if not the, most famous authors of the current landscape. His works have sold, by estimate, 300-350 million copies.
Holy smokes. So when he has something to say about writing, or at least writing to people, I'll listen anyway.
And indeed, this half-autobiography half-creative writing text is very useful. His toolbox (the middle part of the book, full of writing tools), in particular, is of extreme interest to me.
Kings advice on characters, his advice on plot vs story, his advice on writing in general, is all useful advice. Indeed, his description of writing as telepathy is interesting and probably deserves a post of its own.
I give it 4/5, because I was less interested in the autobiographical first part of the book. Very useful book to pick up on writing though.
Stephen King is certainly one of, if not the, most famous authors of the current landscape. His works have sold, by estimate, 300-350 million copies.
Holy smokes. So when he has something to say about writing, or at least writing to people, I'll listen anyway.
And indeed, this half-autobiography half-creative writing text is very useful. His toolbox (the middle part of the book, full of writing tools), in particular, is of extreme interest to me.
Kings advice on characters, his advice on plot vs story, his advice on writing in general, is all useful advice. Indeed, his description of writing as telepathy is interesting and probably deserves a post of its own.
I give it 4/5, because I was less interested in the autobiographical first part of the book. Very useful book to pick up on writing though.
Friday, September 18, 2009
In Honor Of - 4
To the greatest collection of Men I know:
Suiteness
There is no group I know that embodies community in this way. I am honored to be counted amongst their "Friends and Associates."
May Suiteness live on in your hearts.
Suiteness
There is no group I know that embodies community in this way. I am honored to be counted amongst their "Friends and Associates."
May Suiteness live on in your hearts.
Nerd Files - 1
Welcome to a new series here on Andy's Thoughts. Nerd Files will be a place for me to explore and think about 'nerdy' topics. To define what I mean by 'nerdy' topics, let me quote my wife:
"Boys are stupid. I don't understand why you would.."
So anything that finishes that sentence is ripe for Nerd Files. This will probably focus on two things for awhile - Fantasy Football and Warhammer 40k. So this first week let's talk about Fantasy Football.
This is the first year I've ventured into fantasy football. For the last three years, I've wanted to be in a league, but was too... timid. Last year, I missed entry into the Morgan League by about three minutes. This year? I got into the prestigious Morgan League and was also invited into a league at my wife's graduate school. We're now heading into week 2, so let me talk about week 1.
Morgan League - I got crushed by Dave Morgan himself. All of my receivers sucked, and he had Adrian Peterson, who singlehandedly scored more points than half of my team. Ouch.
MHGS League - I doubled up on my poor opponent. Not much of a game.
So what changes did I make? Well, two big ones, actually. In both leagues, I ended up with Philip Rivers as my QB, with Joe Flacco backing him up. This week, I benched Rivers in both leagues. We'll see how that pays off. I also benched my Eagles Defense in my MHGS league and signed Indianapolis for the week; Eagles play drew Brees, and the Colts play dreadful Miami. I feel good about that.
So we'll see how these gambles pay off.
"Boys are stupid. I don't understand why you would.."
So anything that finishes that sentence is ripe for Nerd Files. This will probably focus on two things for awhile - Fantasy Football and Warhammer 40k. So this first week let's talk about Fantasy Football.
This is the first year I've ventured into fantasy football. For the last three years, I've wanted to be in a league, but was too... timid. Last year, I missed entry into the Morgan League by about three minutes. This year? I got into the prestigious Morgan League and was also invited into a league at my wife's graduate school. We're now heading into week 2, so let me talk about week 1.
Morgan League - I got crushed by Dave Morgan himself. All of my receivers sucked, and he had Adrian Peterson, who singlehandedly scored more points than half of my team. Ouch.
MHGS League - I doubled up on my poor opponent. Not much of a game.
So what changes did I make? Well, two big ones, actually. In both leagues, I ended up with Philip Rivers as my QB, with Joe Flacco backing him up. This week, I benched Rivers in both leagues. We'll see how that pays off. I also benched my Eagles Defense in my MHGS league and signed Indianapolis for the week; Eagles play drew Brees, and the Colts play dreadful Miami. I feel good about that.
So we'll see how these gambles pay off.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
There and Back Again Review
There and Back Again by Sean Astin, with Joe Layden
I'll be honest. I've always enjoyed seeing Sean Astin in films - even though I've never seen Rudy. So I saw this book chilling on a Goodwill shelf, and decided to pick it up. I really went Lord of the Rings Crazy when the trilogy came out, and I've always been interested in the backstory of the making of the film trilogy.
Second honest opinion. I've always enjoyed Sean Astin in films, but out of a film? He seems... like a guy that might annoy me in real life. And I think that's why he works so well as the underdog in his films; he has an earnestness that translates from real life to the screen. And that earnestness can sometimes bite him when he's not acting. Astin details a few of those stories in this book, and it helps make the book quite courageous - it's certainly a lot easier to tell funny anecdotes about Lord of the Rings, and much more difficult to talk about your character flaws.
There are quite a few funny anecdotes in this book. Reading about the hobbits cameraderie, is quite humorous. I walk away wishing I had been the fifth hobbit.
I recommend this book if you're interested in Lord of the Rings, or if you like Sean Astin. As a biography, it's not my favorite; it doesn't quite cover the range that someone like Michael J Fox's does. I give it 3.5/5 stars.
I'll be honest. I've always enjoyed seeing Sean Astin in films - even though I've never seen Rudy. So I saw this book chilling on a Goodwill shelf, and decided to pick it up. I really went Lord of the Rings Crazy when the trilogy came out, and I've always been interested in the backstory of the making of the film trilogy.
Second honest opinion. I've always enjoyed Sean Astin in films, but out of a film? He seems... like a guy that might annoy me in real life. And I think that's why he works so well as the underdog in his films; he has an earnestness that translates from real life to the screen. And that earnestness can sometimes bite him when he's not acting. Astin details a few of those stories in this book, and it helps make the book quite courageous - it's certainly a lot easier to tell funny anecdotes about Lord of the Rings, and much more difficult to talk about your character flaws.
There are quite a few funny anecdotes in this book. Reading about the hobbits cameraderie, is quite humorous. I walk away wishing I had been the fifth hobbit.
I recommend this book if you're interested in Lord of the Rings, or if you like Sean Astin. As a biography, it's not my favorite; it doesn't quite cover the range that someone like Michael J Fox's does. I give it 3.5/5 stars.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Somebody Smarter Said - 17
"Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint." - Mark Twain
flashBANG Review
flashBANG by Mark Steele
Sometimes someone writes a book and you wonder if they were reading your mind.
flashBANG did that for me. In many ways, Mark Steele felt like he was reaching into my mind and giving words to what I already knew. In so many ways, he was definitely writing somethings I needed to hear.
So that was how I reacted. What is the book? What's it about?
Well, the subtitle is "How I got over myself," so that's an interesting place to start. But it's more than that too. It's a journey, from a 'flashbang' (a type of bomb that does exactly what it says -flashes and bangs but leaves no damage behind) to a 'spittake' to 'slaphappy.'
It's told through the lens of stories; from an unfortunate incident with a parakeet and a pot of spaghetti sauce, to a clumsy german missionary, to a doomed attempt to sell cologne door to door.
The book is creative and innovative; I particularly enjoyed reading Mark's humorous, sometimes bizarre, and frequently meaningful arguements with himself.
I give this book a five out of five. It's got a great message and meaning and journey, but it's also just ridiculously funny. I've never laughed so much while reading a book, and I frequently read books that are from the 'humor' section of the bookstore.
Enjoy it.
Sometimes someone writes a book and you wonder if they were reading your mind.
flashBANG did that for me. In many ways, Mark Steele felt like he was reaching into my mind and giving words to what I already knew. In so many ways, he was definitely writing somethings I needed to hear.
So that was how I reacted. What is the book? What's it about?
Well, the subtitle is "How I got over myself," so that's an interesting place to start. But it's more than that too. It's a journey, from a 'flashbang' (a type of bomb that does exactly what it says -flashes and bangs but leaves no damage behind) to a 'spittake' to 'slaphappy.'
It's told through the lens of stories; from an unfortunate incident with a parakeet and a pot of spaghetti sauce, to a clumsy german missionary, to a doomed attempt to sell cologne door to door.
The book is creative and innovative; I particularly enjoyed reading Mark's humorous, sometimes bizarre, and frequently meaningful arguements with himself.
I give this book a five out of five. It's got a great message and meaning and journey, but it's also just ridiculously funny. I've never laughed so much while reading a book, and I frequently read books that are from the 'humor' section of the bookstore.
Enjoy it.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Writing Tips - 6
The difference between editing and revising:
Rough Draft:
"the ball struck bill on the forehed when he wasnt looking."
Editing, Final Draft:
"The ball struck Bill on his forehead when he was not looking."
Revising, Final Draft:
"Bill, looking the other way, turned in time to get smacked in the head by an errant baseball."
Editing takes something you have and refines it to the best it can possibly be. It's like upgrading from a McDonald's plain hamburger to a Big Mac. You're still eating at McDonald's. Revising is like heading to a nice five star restaurant and ordering a mouth-watering T-Bone steak.
Do more revising, and worry less about editing. Most likely, you're not famous, so the people reading your work are actual friends. And if you are famous, you have an editor anyway.
Rough Draft:
"the ball struck bill on the forehed when he wasnt looking."
Editing, Final Draft:
"The ball struck Bill on his forehead when he was not looking."
Revising, Final Draft:
"Bill, looking the other way, turned in time to get smacked in the head by an errant baseball."
Editing takes something you have and refines it to the best it can possibly be. It's like upgrading from a McDonald's plain hamburger to a Big Mac. You're still eating at McDonald's. Revising is like heading to a nice five star restaurant and ordering a mouth-watering T-Bone steak.
Do more revising, and worry less about editing. Most likely, you're not famous, so the people reading your work are actual friends. And if you are famous, you have an editor anyway.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Random Thoughts - 12
First, a disclaimer. These are not my thoughts, but my impressions and ideas from sitting in on one of Jess's grad classes.
On the categories of Faith, Hope, and Love:
Faith is primarily a category of the past; a category of memory. It is remembering the redemptive work that has been done in our past.
Hope is primarily a category of the future and the yin/yang of Faith. It is, in one sense, a memory of the future. Remembering the redemptive work that will be done in our future. (My brain hurts.)
And Love is a category of the present. If God is love, and God has no past nor future, then this makes sense to me. Love is choosing to be in this moment of suffering of heartbreak of loss of joy of peace of LOVE.
On the categories of Faith, Hope, and Love:
Faith is primarily a category of the past; a category of memory. It is remembering the redemptive work that has been done in our past.
Hope is primarily a category of the future and the yin/yang of Faith. It is, in one sense, a memory of the future. Remembering the redemptive work that will be done in our future. (My brain hurts.)
And Love is a category of the present. If God is love, and God has no past nor future, then this makes sense to me. Love is choosing to be in this moment of suffering of heartbreak of loss of joy of peace of LOVE.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Watch This - 3
And there are actually members on the right who wonder why my age group has flocked to U2.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
From Peanuts to the Pressbox Review
From Peanuts to the Pressbox, by Eli Gold and M.B. Roberts
I enjoy sports. I enjoy watching them on TV, but very rarely do I give much thought to the people who are, as Eli Gold would say, putting captions on the pictures. Until now, I never realized how much work and preparation goes into what they are doing. From Peanuts to the Pressbox is a well-written and intriguing book, detailing the literal journey from a young boy selling peanuts and dreaming about sports broadcasting into one of the more famed modern sports broadcasters, with experience in the NHL, NFL, Nascar, AFL, and of course, as the Voice of the Alabama Tide.
I enjoyed reading Eli Gold’s stories and tales. He truly has a tremendous amount of experience and has had the opportunity to meet many people throughout his career; Joe Namath, Dale Earnhardt, and Kenny “the snake” Stabler. Some of the stories he can tell about these sport legends are amazing and heartwarming. In addition, the amount of research that Eli must have done is thrilling – a chance to learn the history behind broadcasting, not just his personal story.
The bottom line is this – if you’re interested in learning a bit about one of the most unnoticed aspects of sports, then From Peanuts to the Pressbox is a great book to pick up. I give it 4/5 stars.
Reviewed for Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Friday, September 11, 2009
one Step
"Journeys end in lovers' meeting; every wise man's son doth know." - William Shakespeare
If the JOURNEY can result in problems, in difficulty, in conflict, then they also present an opportunity.
An opportunity for redemption, for reconciliation, for love.
So the greater the difficulty, the more hope for reconciliation.
Side note - isn't the phrase "hope for reconciliation" great? It sort of rolls off the tongue with meaning and power.
I think this has to do with life. Trials and tribulations stretch us and grow us; this is ancient wisdom, and goes beyond platitudes. Hard work results in strength, which makes the work easier.
This is not simply a physical idea. It's relational.
The more your relationship can bend without breaking, the stronger it is. So when my wife and I have difficulties on the JOURNEY (almost entirely from my own issues), that will make us stronger in the long run. I should still work on my stuff, but the tension and conflict is good for us. I should communicate more and be more sensitive. Not only should I, but I need to. I need to learn from my mistakes - otherwise the hope for reconciliation is wasted. It's a growth opportunity.
This helps to partly explain why some of the best friendships in the world are formed on the JOURNEY. Because they are tried and tested and proven to be true.
If the JOURNEY can result in problems, in difficulty, in conflict, then they also present an opportunity.
An opportunity for redemption, for reconciliation, for love.
So the greater the difficulty, the more hope for reconciliation.
Side note - isn't the phrase "hope for reconciliation" great? It sort of rolls off the tongue with meaning and power.
I think this has to do with life. Trials and tribulations stretch us and grow us; this is ancient wisdom, and goes beyond platitudes. Hard work results in strength, which makes the work easier.
This is not simply a physical idea. It's relational.
The more your relationship can bend without breaking, the stronger it is. So when my wife and I have difficulties on the JOURNEY (almost entirely from my own issues), that will make us stronger in the long run. I should still work on my stuff, but the tension and conflict is good for us. I should communicate more and be more sensitive. Not only should I, but I need to. I need to learn from my mistakes - otherwise the hope for reconciliation is wasted. It's a growth opportunity.
This helps to partly explain why some of the best friendships in the world are formed on the JOURNEY. Because they are tried and tested and proven to be true.
In Honor Of - 3
Quite simply the best captain ever in the NHL, and possibly the best leader in sports.
Steve Yzerman.
As gifted a scorer as he was a leader, Stevie Y (or The Captain) makes this list for so many reasons. He was my introduction to hockey and to the Detroit Red Wings. He set an example on the ice, by being one of the best and one of the fairest. He set an example off the ice, by giving his time and energy to charity organizations.
This is a man who hoisted the Stanley Cup three times, won an Olympic Gold Medal, and took home the Conn Smythe award, as well as numerous others.
This is a man who, in 2002, played through the pain of a mis-aligned knee, to bring his team to their third Stanley Cup.
I will never forget watching him, play after play, whistle after whistle, use his stick as crutch to get up off the ice. So that he could keep playing.
And keep winning.
Steve Yzerman.
As gifted a scorer as he was a leader, Stevie Y (or The Captain) makes this list for so many reasons. He was my introduction to hockey and to the Detroit Red Wings. He set an example on the ice, by being one of the best and one of the fairest. He set an example off the ice, by giving his time and energy to charity organizations.
This is a man who hoisted the Stanley Cup three times, won an Olympic Gold Medal, and took home the Conn Smythe award, as well as numerous others.
This is a man who, in 2002, played through the pain of a mis-aligned knee, to bring his team to their third Stanley Cup.
I will never forget watching him, play after play, whistle after whistle, use his stick as crutch to get up off the ice. So that he could keep playing.
And keep winning.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Somebody Smarter Said - 16
"There is something in every human being that is beyond our wildest comprehension in its capacity for both good and evil. I can do the utterly unexpected because the presence of eternity beats within me." - Dan Allender
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Writing Tips - 5
When I was in college, I started a little comedy website (so little, the only people who saw it were friends I made look at it). Part of the appeal was that I would write a weekly comedy article. After awhile, my (ex)girlfriends family started reading it. And they were appalled. Appalled probably because I laughed at things that were funny, and didn't spend the entire weekly newsletter trying to convert my already-christian friends.
I gave up on the newsletter. Because I wasn't doing what they wanted. I was writing to impress, instead of writing to be a better writer, or to communicate what I was thinking.
Don't write for others. Don't write to impress other people.
It's pretty simple really.
Don't write for an audience, to get published, or to be famous.
When you write for someone else, you have to ignore the inner voice that you have which should be guiding your writing. Writing is about an attempt to put the human soul on paper.
Your soul exists in community with other people. not simply for the benefit of other people.
I gave up on the newsletter. Because I wasn't doing what they wanted. I was writing to impress, instead of writing to be a better writer, or to communicate what I was thinking.
Don't write for others. Don't write to impress other people.
It's pretty simple really.
Don't write for an audience, to get published, or to be famous.
When you write for someone else, you have to ignore the inner voice that you have which should be guiding your writing. Writing is about an attempt to put the human soul on paper.
Your soul exists in community with other people. not simply for the benefit of other people.
Monday, September 7, 2009
onE step
"If all difficulties were known at the outset of a long journey, most of us would never start out at all." - Dan Rather
If a complication arises during a JOURNEY, it tends to fall into one of two categories. (Actually, just about nothing ever truly splits into two categories; these are just helpful ways of thinking).
There are logistical problems. And relational problems. And one problem can lead to an increase in another problem.
Logistical problems are problems with the JOURNEY itself. These are the passport issues, and the vehicle malfunctions, and the inability to remember to pack socks. They are usually fixed with very little long term repercussions.
Relational problems happen with the other people on the JOURNEY with us. These are born out of frustration, miscommunication, and poor expectations.
On the way to Seattle, we had several logistical problems. I'm going to highlight a couple of those, and you will start to see some of the foundation for some of the relational problems we experienced.
In the middle of a windy rainstorm, in the middle of nowhere, South Dakota, the wind caught my windshield wipers and broke them. I was going 75 miles an hour, and suddenly couldn't see. We managed to get to the nearest exit, where we were told that no mechanics in town were available; they would be busy for the next two days. So we put Rain - X on the windows and prayed.
Then, stopping at a scenic overlook, the passenger door broke. It won't close unless you press down hard on the door as you shut it. So we just don't use the door, afraid it will fall off. So Jess has to crawl across each time we get in and out of the van.
Logistically, not a great situation.
If a complication arises during a JOURNEY, it tends to fall into one of two categories. (Actually, just about nothing ever truly splits into two categories; these are just helpful ways of thinking).
There are logistical problems. And relational problems. And one problem can lead to an increase in another problem.
Logistical problems are problems with the JOURNEY itself. These are the passport issues, and the vehicle malfunctions, and the inability to remember to pack socks. They are usually fixed with very little long term repercussions.
Relational problems happen with the other people on the JOURNEY with us. These are born out of frustration, miscommunication, and poor expectations.
On the way to Seattle, we had several logistical problems. I'm going to highlight a couple of those, and you will start to see some of the foundation for some of the relational problems we experienced.
In the middle of a windy rainstorm, in the middle of nowhere, South Dakota, the wind caught my windshield wipers and broke them. I was going 75 miles an hour, and suddenly couldn't see. We managed to get to the nearest exit, where we were told that no mechanics in town were available; they would be busy for the next two days. So we put Rain - X on the windows and prayed.
Then, stopping at a scenic overlook, the passenger door broke. It won't close unless you press down hard on the door as you shut it. So we just don't use the door, afraid it will fall off. So Jess has to crawl across each time we get in and out of the van.
Logistically, not a great situation.
Hey Neat-O - 10
I like books. They are good.
I like free. It is good.
I like free books. They are doubly good.
So what do I say to agreeing to write a review of a book to receive it free?
Heck yes. So shortly, you will start to see more book reviews on this blog. Many thanks to Jean Ballance for pointing this out. She has (and I have as well) attempted to contact other publishers, so I will let you know if I find any.
But also, you can do it yourself - just check out these websites:
Thomas Nelson
Tyndale House
Waterbrook Press
I like free. It is good.
I like free books. They are doubly good.
So what do I say to agreeing to write a review of a book to receive it free?
Heck yes. So shortly, you will start to see more book reviews on this blog. Many thanks to Jean Ballance for pointing this out. She has (and I have as well) attempted to contact other publishers, so I will let you know if I find any.
But also, you can do it yourself - just check out these websites:
Thomas Nelson
Tyndale House
Waterbrook Press
Friday, September 4, 2009
In Honor Of - 2
"cause I'm clumsily dancing away this fear
I'm stumbling closer to you
and I am tumbling over my pride
I will be a fool for you "
"I'm living for the only thing I know
I'm running and not quite sure where to go
And I don't know what I'm diving into
Just hanging by a moment here with you"
"I've seen it all and it's never enough
it keeps leaving me needing you"
It's rare that I like a band for several years. Usually my tastes change/evolve, or the band changes/evolves. It's even more unlikely that music that hits me in my soul at one time will still hit me in the soul years later.
One band has consistently done that. One band has consistently written songs that seem to be where I am.
Lifehouse.
When I was in high school, they hit it big with "Hanging by a Moment," which describes, in my opinion, a search for and yearning for God. I didn't actually discover who the band was until college - I heard it on the radio and loved it, but could never figure out the name of the band. In college, at a worship service, I heard the song "Everything," which was this plea for Jesus to be everything, to show up and be real. After college, the song "Fool," which details how I can try to give Jesus everything and fail miserably. And then, "You and Me" and "First Time" which detail in great fashion the amazingness and novelty of love.
Great stuff all around. I can't wait to see what they have next.
I'm stumbling closer to you
and I am tumbling over my pride
I will be a fool for you "
"I'm living for the only thing I know
I'm running and not quite sure where to go
And I don't know what I'm diving into
Just hanging by a moment here with you"
"I've seen it all and it's never enough
it keeps leaving me needing you"
It's rare that I like a band for several years. Usually my tastes change/evolve, or the band changes/evolves. It's even more unlikely that music that hits me in my soul at one time will still hit me in the soul years later.
One band has consistently done that. One band has consistently written songs that seem to be where I am.
Lifehouse.
When I was in high school, they hit it big with "Hanging by a Moment," which describes, in my opinion, a search for and yearning for God. I didn't actually discover who the band was until college - I heard it on the radio and loved it, but could never figure out the name of the band. In college, at a worship service, I heard the song "Everything," which was this plea for Jesus to be everything, to show up and be real. After college, the song "Fool," which details how I can try to give Jesus everything and fail miserably. And then, "You and Me" and "First Time" which detail in great fashion the amazingness and novelty of love.
Great stuff all around. I can't wait to see what they have next.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Somebody Smarter Said - 15
"Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment, because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived." - Captain Jean Luc Picard
oNe step
"A journey is best measured in friends rather than in miles." - Tim Cahill
JOURNEY is meant to be communal. How do I know this? Because all of life is meant to be communal.
We aren't created to be the Lone Ranger (who, afterall, wasn't 'lone'), Henry David Thoreau, or the Unabomber. These men discovered something about the inner self, something pure.
I'm not using the word pure in a good sense. You can have pure anthrax or pure arsenic. These men discovered, in my opinion, that the pure human soul, by itself, isn't enough. The Lone Ranger needed Tonto; Thoreau needed the beauty of nature (in itself a companion); and the Unabomber was insane.
JOURNEY's do two things to relationships. They cement them, and they try them.
There is nothing like a road trip to create good friends. A friend of mine (our friendship was cemented through a JOURNEY, to India!) spent two years doing amazing spring break road trips. The stories and the language that this friend can use, with his road trip buddies, is on a different level than the ones I use in everyday conversation with him. Those men have a special bond.
My wife and I met through the same trip to India. I would submit that India helped cement our JOURNEY (and tried it). We also did a road trip to South Carolina, which further cemented our relationship.
But JOURNEY's can also try relationships.
JOURNEY is meant to be communal. How do I know this? Because all of life is meant to be communal.
We aren't created to be the Lone Ranger (who, afterall, wasn't 'lone'), Henry David Thoreau, or the Unabomber. These men discovered something about the inner self, something pure.
I'm not using the word pure in a good sense. You can have pure anthrax or pure arsenic. These men discovered, in my opinion, that the pure human soul, by itself, isn't enough. The Lone Ranger needed Tonto; Thoreau needed the beauty of nature (in itself a companion); and the Unabomber was insane.
JOURNEY's do two things to relationships. They cement them, and they try them.
There is nothing like a road trip to create good friends. A friend of mine (our friendship was cemented through a JOURNEY, to India!) spent two years doing amazing spring break road trips. The stories and the language that this friend can use, with his road trip buddies, is on a different level than the ones I use in everyday conversation with him. Those men have a special bond.
My wife and I met through the same trip to India. I would submit that India helped cement our JOURNEY (and tried it). We also did a road trip to South Carolina, which further cemented our relationship.
But JOURNEY's can also try relationships.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Writing Tips - 4
Bird by Bird.
It's a book, by Anne Lamott. The whole book is about writing, and it's a great read. If I manage to purchase a copy anytime soon, I'll make sure to review it in depth, but it's the title that I want to focus on today.
Lamott tells a story about her brother, when he was still in school. He had a project which involved writing about a lot of birds - 50, if my memory serves me correct. Lamott's brother saved the project to the last night, and then broke down because it was too much to do at once.
Lamott's father took him, sat him down on his knee, and told him to take the project and do it bird by bird. One step at a time.
When I sit down and try to write an epic novel (note: I am not doing any such thing) or even a few chapters, it can seem immense. 100,000 words? I can't write that much. I can't even write 100 words right now.
But if I take it bird by bird, it seems much easier.
So take writing, bird by bird. Don't give up.
Also, don't wait until the night before.
It's a book, by Anne Lamott. The whole book is about writing, and it's a great read. If I manage to purchase a copy anytime soon, I'll make sure to review it in depth, but it's the title that I want to focus on today.
Lamott tells a story about her brother, when he was still in school. He had a project which involved writing about a lot of birds - 50, if my memory serves me correct. Lamott's brother saved the project to the last night, and then broke down because it was too much to do at once.
Lamott's father took him, sat him down on his knee, and told him to take the project and do it bird by bird. One step at a time.
When I sit down and try to write an epic novel (note: I am not doing any such thing) or even a few chapters, it can seem immense. 100,000 words? I can't write that much. I can't even write 100 words right now.
But if I take it bird by bird, it seems much easier.
So take writing, bird by bird. Don't give up.
Also, don't wait until the night before.
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