I always feel a sense of peace and calm (along with other emotions I can't encapsulate) when I relay this story. My dad, as a kid, remembers overhearing a conversation at church among older ladies. (Names made up to add to story interest).
Mabel asks Myrtle how Mary is doing in the hospital after _____ (something serious). Myrtle shakes her head with a smile, with a look of hope in her eyes. "Well, Mary is doing just fine.Her earthsuit isn't doing so great though." Mabel responds with a knowing nod.
Earthsuit. That's all our bodies are. These women had come to recognize and understand that the person is the soul. As C.S. Lewis once said, "You don't have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body." So true, and so encouraging. Our lives are transient, temporary, but a vapor, but the God-given soul has no end.
Paul talks about this too, referring to the body as a "tent":
2 Corinthians 5
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
Our Heavenly Dwelling
"5 Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 We live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."
God has appointed a time for us to live in the tent, or earthsuit, on this planet He created to serve Him and bring Him glory even through our feeble human bodies.
Peter also refers to the body as a tent:
2 Peter 1
"13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me."
Peter knows his earthsuit is wearing out and his stay on this planet is coming to a close, but he is confident, for he knows to set it aside is to take on something greater and more real and permanent than the natural body.
So what does this mean? Well, if we are ambassadors and aliens on earth as Christ once was, then it's as if we're astronauts sent from another planet with a divine mission. Our mission has a certain allotted time, but that is not for us to know. In the meantime, we must do good and serve and love as if each day is the end of our earthsuit and the planet we are visiting. But we have nothing to fear, for the earthsuit is only for traveling through this planet. Why would we want to stay confined in our earthsuit, when shedding our earthsuit means being with our Lover in a world more real and alive and tangible than anything imaginable. And, if your earthsuit is fading, there is hope! All disease, illness, pain, heartache, regret, sorrow, guilt, sin, any sadness, leaves with the earthsuit when one day we stay before our Maker, cast off our earthsuit, and He says "Well done, my good and faithful servant."
Learning how to live in this earthsuit,
Jane
Friday, December 28, 2012
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Day 21!: I hope I don't offend you but...MERRY CHRISTMAS anyways!
Retail is so fascinating, looking back on your day (not always while you're in it, working and thinking and being nice when you don't feel nice at all). This Christmas season, we've been instructed to say over the paging system,"Happy holidays, ________ you have a call on Line _____." Etc. And when someone calls in, "Happy holidays, thank you for calling ______. This is _____...." I don't really like the Happy Holidays. I wouldn't mind it if people were happy about the holidays and Christmas and such, but we are told to say Happy Holidays because it is politically correct. And I am not happy. Therefore, I have been saying Merry Christmas to just about every one of my customers the past week (except for one woman today buying Hanukkah candles who was a self-professed Jewish rabbi).
And, the results have been interesting. Some people just want to get in and out and haven't noticed. Some people have said Merry Christmas in return out of politeness. But others have been thoroughly pleased and quite elated. I've had a few who've said things like "You're the second person who's said that today!", assuming people at the stores who had served them were the first. And they were joyful! They, like me, notice this depressing lack of Merry Christmas and want to spread the Christ in the season, or so I am thinking. And guess what... NO ONE has said, "ma'am, I'm offended." Not my managers, not my co-workers, and not my customers. So, Merry Christmas, MERRY Christmas, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Emphasizing the reason for the season,
Jane
And, the results have been interesting. Some people just want to get in and out and haven't noticed. Some people have said Merry Christmas in return out of politeness. But others have been thoroughly pleased and quite elated. I've had a few who've said things like "You're the second person who's said that today!", assuming people at the stores who had served them were the first. And they were joyful! They, like me, notice this depressing lack of Merry Christmas and want to spread the Christ in the season, or so I am thinking. And guess what... NO ONE has said, "ma'am, I'm offended." Not my managers, not my co-workers, and not my customers. So, Merry Christmas, MERRY Christmas, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Emphasizing the reason for the season,
Jane
Friday, December 21, 2012
Day 20!: Christmas in 2 Acronyms
I'm sitting here in my room with all my lovely candles flickering, my colored Christmas lights on, and my cute little Christmas tree aglow, and so, I want to bring to you tonight two different approaches to Christmas, both in acronym form.
I call this the "retail- shopping craze- money spending - un fun yet sadly normal" Christmas acronym:
C- Can you give me any extra coupons? (No ma'am. We don't give out coupons in the store)
H- Hurry up! Get in the car asap before all the ______ are all bought up!
R- Really tacky Christmas sweaters, and earrings, and shirts, and...yeah
I- Is my shift over yet? (how I often feel this time of year at work)
S- Shop til you drop, or until your credit card company freezes your account from "suspicion"
T- Tarzan-yells: what I really think would help me relieve stress while I'm working retail
M- Miserable: the look on many people's faces, especially men drug into the shopping craze
A- Angsty: my customers, and consequentially me (Yes, I know, I'm better than stooping to that)
S- Starbucks: the fuel of the Christmas shoppers
What the Christmas acronym should be:
C- Caring for others. Help your neighbor next door; surprise them with a gift or kind act.
H- His birth- As in Jesus, the Savior of the world :)
R- Reflecting on the ultimate gift, resulting in gratitude and giving on your part
I- Incredibly blessed: how we should all feel this year
S- St. Nicholas, not Santa Claus. Research who this man was and what he did for others.
T- Thankfulness- Replace angst with thanks!
M- My family and loved ones- the people I want to spend the season with, and spend life with
A- Adoration- rejoicing in God's provision, singing Christmas songs, praying
S- Seek to put others first.
Reflecting on the miraculous birth,
Jane
I call this the "retail- shopping craze- money spending - un fun yet sadly normal" Christmas acronym:
C- Can you give me any extra coupons? (No ma'am. We don't give out coupons in the store)
H- Hurry up! Get in the car asap before all the ______ are all bought up!
R- Really tacky Christmas sweaters, and earrings, and shirts, and...yeah
I- Is my shift over yet? (how I often feel this time of year at work)
S- Shop til you drop, or until your credit card company freezes your account from "suspicion"
T- Tarzan-yells: what I really think would help me relieve stress while I'm working retail
M- Miserable: the look on many people's faces, especially men drug into the shopping craze
A- Angsty: my customers, and consequentially me (Yes, I know, I'm better than stooping to that)
S- Starbucks: the fuel of the Christmas shoppers
What the Christmas acronym should be:
C- Caring for others. Help your neighbor next door; surprise them with a gift or kind act.
H- His birth- As in Jesus, the Savior of the world :)
R- Reflecting on the ultimate gift, resulting in gratitude and giving on your part
I- Incredibly blessed: how we should all feel this year
S- St. Nicholas, not Santa Claus. Research who this man was and what he did for others.
T- Thankfulness- Replace angst with thanks!
M- My family and loved ones- the people I want to spend the season with, and spend life with
A- Adoration- rejoicing in God's provision, singing Christmas songs, praying
S- Seek to put others first.
Reflecting on the miraculous birth,
Jane
Day 19! Being an Island: A Look at Isolationism
One perk (of many) with my new smart phone is the awesome Bible app I downloaded. It makes it super easy to read the Bible conveniently and on the go. Generally, when I don't have a set plan for my Bible reading, I'll read the Proverb that corresponds with the day of the month. So, I had my phone reading Proverbs 18 out-loud to me, and verse 1 grabbed me: "Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment." Hmph, I thought. I've never heard this verse, or at least this verse put quite this way. Turns out, I was reading the ESV translation, which I rarely do. I switched to the NIV version, my default, and it had this to say: "An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies all sound judgment." Is it just me, or do these verses seem to emphasize different things? (This puzzled me, and may lead to a discussion on Bible translations later). The second clause agrees, that it goes against sound judgment. But the first part of the ESV states clearly isolation is not good and goes against the desires of God, for man "seeks his own desire" in being a hermit. The NIV uses the word "unfriendly." Now I'm thinking of a mean and grouchy man when that word is used, perhaps a grouchy man that is selfish, naturally. That makes total sense. But the ESV version really made me reflect. If I isolate myself, I pursue my own selfish desires, and therefore, it is not good, for any emphasis on self detracts from God's command to love Him and others.
I'll admit. I espoused George Washington's international policy of isolationism but in my social life, summed up like this: meddling in others' affairs or making yourself known or making a scene or being assertive was not for me. The books were safe and predictable. And so, I passed through high school with perfect grades, a few close friends, and no social life. And then college happened. SOCIAL LIFE!!!! WOOHOOOO!!!!! It was like a drug. Where have you been all my life? I said to myself, regarding social interaction. I do believe I went a little over the top my freshman year, always trying to be involved in all the dorm activities, always trying to get that boy's attention (does he like me? do I like him?), finally living the "wild" (in a very clean way) life I never had. It was like I was on fire. I can't say that was healthy, but, there is a balance. Man, should not isolate himself.
"No man is an island." How many times have you heard that? Did you know it's a quote from John Donne's poem? Here's the rest of it:
No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thine own
Or of thine friend's were.
Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.
Donne points out that our lives are all intertwined. When one man passes, a part of someone else dies. A life touches another, ignites a soul, makes someone else come alive. It's powerful.
You know what else is also powerful? The Trinity. God loves relationship, and He Himself is involved in the most loving, giving, and sacrificial relationship of all with the Son and the Holy Spirit, all three in perfect communion. In the beginning, He said, "Let us create..." Who is us? The Trinity. He created man and said it was not good for him to be alone, and once he had a companion and creation was completed after mankind, he said it was VERY good. Not just good.
I realized in this verse, that I am depriving others by isolating myself. Many times I have told myself and others that basically I'm doing myself a favor by not getting close to them. By not opening up my heart and who I really am. But in actuality, this is usually a cover up for my own selfish fears of being hurt. But, I am hurting other people if I do not interact with them. God commands us to love others through actions and words, to grieve with others, to confess our sins, to basically be transparent and forgiving and joyful in others' successes.
What do I have to give? you may ask. YOURSELF. You're one of a kind. Why would God make people so different if He didn't take joy in that? If he didn't find you and your individual identity important? Share a smile, kinds words, a hug. These are simple gestures that can mean so much. Once I risked deeper friendships, I learned to risk being vulnerable, and in return, people were vulnerable with me, and together, we could encourage one another in Christ. And we then had a deeper friendship. Sometimes you may feel like you're the only one giving, but don't grow weary of doing what's right. God loved to the point of death. You, then, can love others past your comfort zone.
I didn't understand true friendship til college. My parents loved me and cared and cried with me. But to have friends like this is priceless. I remember when I went through a painful break-up I hid myself in my room, very distraught, and would not come out until my roommate came back. I wouldn't talk to anyone else in the quad area we shared, I only wanted my roomie. When she came to the door, I greeted her like a blubbering leaking faucet as I garbled out the bad news. I went to hug her, then realized, she was crying! I was confused, and asked why she was crying. I don't remember her exact words, but she let me sit on her lap and bawl my eyes out. I am so blessed to call her my friend. I didn't need words then, or explanations or analysis of the scenario, just empathy. Her tears and comfort were more than enough.
Now that I'm out on my own, livin' large after college, I've grown to realize the great important of anti-isolationism. I don't have family here. My friends are my family. I am there for them, so that in turn, they are there for me. I'm always so grateful when a friend is willing to do a favor for me or when a friend truly wants to spend time with me because they honestly miss me. I love when one of my girl pals texts me and says "I miss you!" or "We need to catch up!" I love girl talk :) I love honest and open heart to heart conversations. By not having them all these years, I didn't just hurt myself, but I deprived others of the joy and love God could have conveyed through me to them in their time of need.
Remember: Islands may seem lovely, but only if they're vacation spots like Hawaii. Risk being vulnerable. Risk being yourself.
Learning to love,
Jane
I'll admit. I espoused George Washington's international policy of isolationism but in my social life, summed up like this: meddling in others' affairs or making yourself known or making a scene or being assertive was not for me. The books were safe and predictable. And so, I passed through high school with perfect grades, a few close friends, and no social life. And then college happened. SOCIAL LIFE!!!! WOOHOOOO!!!!! It was like a drug. Where have you been all my life? I said to myself, regarding social interaction. I do believe I went a little over the top my freshman year, always trying to be involved in all the dorm activities, always trying to get that boy's attention (does he like me? do I like him?), finally living the "wild" (in a very clean way) life I never had. It was like I was on fire. I can't say that was healthy, but, there is a balance. Man, should not isolate himself.
"No man is an island." How many times have you heard that? Did you know it's a quote from John Donne's poem? Here's the rest of it:
No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thine own
Or of thine friend's were.
Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.
Donne points out that our lives are all intertwined. When one man passes, a part of someone else dies. A life touches another, ignites a soul, makes someone else come alive. It's powerful.
You know what else is also powerful? The Trinity. God loves relationship, and He Himself is involved in the most loving, giving, and sacrificial relationship of all with the Son and the Holy Spirit, all three in perfect communion. In the beginning, He said, "Let us create..." Who is us? The Trinity. He created man and said it was not good for him to be alone, and once he had a companion and creation was completed after mankind, he said it was VERY good. Not just good.
I realized in this verse, that I am depriving others by isolating myself. Many times I have told myself and others that basically I'm doing myself a favor by not getting close to them. By not opening up my heart and who I really am. But in actuality, this is usually a cover up for my own selfish fears of being hurt. But, I am hurting other people if I do not interact with them. God commands us to love others through actions and words, to grieve with others, to confess our sins, to basically be transparent and forgiving and joyful in others' successes.
What do I have to give? you may ask. YOURSELF. You're one of a kind. Why would God make people so different if He didn't take joy in that? If he didn't find you and your individual identity important? Share a smile, kinds words, a hug. These are simple gestures that can mean so much. Once I risked deeper friendships, I learned to risk being vulnerable, and in return, people were vulnerable with me, and together, we could encourage one another in Christ. And we then had a deeper friendship. Sometimes you may feel like you're the only one giving, but don't grow weary of doing what's right. God loved to the point of death. You, then, can love others past your comfort zone.
I didn't understand true friendship til college. My parents loved me and cared and cried with me. But to have friends like this is priceless. I remember when I went through a painful break-up I hid myself in my room, very distraught, and would not come out until my roommate came back. I wouldn't talk to anyone else in the quad area we shared, I only wanted my roomie. When she came to the door, I greeted her like a blubbering leaking faucet as I garbled out the bad news. I went to hug her, then realized, she was crying! I was confused, and asked why she was crying. I don't remember her exact words, but she let me sit on her lap and bawl my eyes out. I am so blessed to call her my friend. I didn't need words then, or explanations or analysis of the scenario, just empathy. Her tears and comfort were more than enough.
Now that I'm out on my own, livin' large after college, I've grown to realize the great important of anti-isolationism. I don't have family here. My friends are my family. I am there for them, so that in turn, they are there for me. I'm always so grateful when a friend is willing to do a favor for me or when a friend truly wants to spend time with me because they honestly miss me. I love when one of my girl pals texts me and says "I miss you!" or "We need to catch up!" I love girl talk :) I love honest and open heart to heart conversations. By not having them all these years, I didn't just hurt myself, but I deprived others of the joy and love God could have conveyed through me to them in their time of need.
Remember: Islands may seem lovely, but only if they're vacation spots like Hawaii. Risk being vulnerable. Risk being yourself.
Learning to love,
Jane
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Day 18!: A Whimsical Look at Music Genres (from my perspective)
The music world explodes with an insane amount of variety. Each category has a subcategory, and some categories can't be explained. I personally enjoy pop, dance, techno/trance, some folk, some New Age, and some Rock. And rap, too, if it's tasteful and especially if it's Lecrae (if that name means nothing to you, youtube him asap; he's only the best Christian rapper to breathe on this earth). So, here are some genres I've thought of, and the kind of mood they envelope, the environment they can usually be heard, and/or the type of people I associate them with. DISCLAIMER: These are all my humorous opinions, and are not to be taken seriously, unless you find them seriously funny.
POP- "Oh baby, baby, how was I supposed to know..." If you listened to Britney, N'Sync, Backstreet Boys, 98 degrees, you liked 90's pop. How to describe it today, besides whatever is popular? The pop fan: usually listens to that "hit" station, knows all the lyrics by heart, sings his/her heart out in the car with his/her pals or alone, blares their music, ridin' cool with their windows down, and likes fiestas. Party where? Party here! he or she may exclaim. (I'm guilty of being a pop fan)
ROCK- Umm, use of guitars and such. Often wailing electric guitars. Can vary: country rock, hard rock, indie rock... so many options. The rock fan: your grandpa who remembers Woodstock with a fond yet fuzzy memory (he lost his hearing at that event), or your Dad who fondly listens to the 60's and 70's (reliving those higschool years), or your neighbor attempting to jam the next house over. HUSHHHH! No rockin' out after quiet hours! ;)
ELECTRONIC- This genre can be broken down into so many genres, but, overall, I love it, and as you can see, have devoted most of my research to it :)
Dance- Something that makes you want to move, example Cascada, you know, "Cuz everytime we touch I get this feeling..." Generally has a strong bass and awesome beat (yes, I'm biased) and a catchy and often cliche melody line. Think clubs and girls like Kesha jamming out.
-Techno- a "form of electronic dance music," usually has less vocals, more synthesizers, etc.
-House- "Early house music was generally dance-based music characterized by repetitive 4/4 beats, rhythms centered around drum machines,[2] off-beat hi-hat cymbals, and synthesized basslines. While house displayed several characteristics similar to disco music, it was more electronic and minimalistic,[2] and the structured music's focus around a repetitive rhythm was more important than the song itself."
"It proved to be a commercially successful genre and a more mainstream pop-based variation grew increasingly popular. Artists and groups such as Madonna,[2] Janet Jackson,[3] Björk, and C+C Music Factory[2] incorporated the genre into their work. Today, house music remains popular in both clubs and in the mainstream pop scene while still maintaining a strong foothold on underground scenes across the globe." Perhaps this is the REAL club music...hmmm, interesting.
-Trance- perhaps one of my favorite genres/subgenres, "Trance is a genre of electronic dance music that developed in the 1990s in Germany.[5] It is characterized by a tempo of between 110 and 150 beats per minute,[5] repeating melodic phrases,[5] and a musical form that builds up and down throughout a track.[5] It is a combination of many styles of electronic music such as techno,[3] house,[1] pop,[3] chill-out,[3] classical music,[3]:16[4] and film music.[4]" <---now wasn't that fascinating? Also interestingly, much of the dance/techno/trance music comes out of Europe. Sweet stuff. And unlike club music, this is more an acquired taste I believe. Think German raves and discotheques. "Trance employs aural dynamics to a great degree: A characteristic of virtually all trance songs is the soft mid-song breakdown,[3][5] beginning with and occurring after the orchestration is broken down and the rhythm tracks fade out rapidly, leaving the melody and/or atmospherics to stand alone for anywhere from seconds to a few minutes. When vocals are present in trance, they are generally sung by a female with a soaring, operatic voice ranging from mezzo-soprano to soprano, best described as "ethereal female leads floating amongst the synths".[8]" COUNTRY- "take your cat and leave my sweater..." Well, in a nutshell, he's drunk, she's broke, the dog's gone, she left, someone died, and also God bless America. I can only really appreciate this genre in the summer time, or if its combined like country-pop (aka Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood) or country-rock.
INDIE-Indian? Individual? Indescribable? Does anyone even know what this means??? Oh wait...wiki says, "Independent music (often shortened to indie music or indie) is produced independently from major commercial record labels or their subsidiaries, a process that may include an autonomous, Do-It-Yourself approach to recording and publishing. The term indie is sometimes also used to describe a genre (such as indie rock or indie pop); most independent music artists do not fall into a single, defined musical style or genre and usually create music that can be categorized into other genres." That was not very helpful in putting a finger on it, but the fan usually looks like this: Hipster dude listens to obscure band called Saving Tomatoes (probably actually exists), follows his band on twitter and facebook and goes to all their events if possible with his hipster pals, is all proud when he says they're his fave band and no one knows who they are, balls his eyes out when it hits mainstream radio. Examples of "indie" artists:
FOLK- banjos, singing about real life, bands like Iron and Wine/Flogging Molly...not sure if I like them.
CLASSICAL- Mozart, Bach, Beethoven...usually anything really old that instrumental and "boring" though in actuality, quite complex and good for the brain. The fan: Usually older, a music major, or a mobster (they always play loud wailing opera in the poignant scenes)
SCREAMO-GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!
what?!?! Is this music? I've been told this takes talent, that there's an art to screaming without hurting your vocal chords, but I can't hear a thing that you're saying and it's not that you're whispering either!!!!
METAL- I have no background in this, so here's wiki: "Heavy metal (often referred to simply as metal) is a genre of rock music[1] that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the United Kingdom and in the United States.[2] With roots in blues rock and psychedelic rock, the bands that created heavy metal developed a thick, massive sound, characterized by highly amplified distortion, extended guitar solos, emphatic beats, and overall loudness. Heavy metal lyrics and performance styles are generally associated with masculinity and machismo.[3]" Hmmm, machismo? Interesting. Bands like Black Sabbath, Metallica, etc. Not my cup of tea.
RAP- Not much singing...lots of words. Awesome beats :) Not so awesome when it's always about "makin' paper," "chasin' da life," or "hookin' up" with "shawty." Also not cool when it's degrading to women by making them purely objects and play things.
REGGAE- "Don't worry, about a ting...cuz every little ting, gonna be alright..." That's all I know about this genre. Bob Marley. That's it quintessentially.
Well, that's all I've got for now. My knowledge is limited, but my opinions not so much :)
Goodnight all!
Dreaming of attending an awesome European trance/techno/house concert one day,
Jane
POP- "Oh baby, baby, how was I supposed to know..." If you listened to Britney, N'Sync, Backstreet Boys, 98 degrees, you liked 90's pop. How to describe it today, besides whatever is popular? The pop fan: usually listens to that "hit" station, knows all the lyrics by heart, sings his/her heart out in the car with his/her pals or alone, blares their music, ridin' cool with their windows down, and likes fiestas. Party where? Party here! he or she may exclaim. (I'm guilty of being a pop fan)
ROCK- Umm, use of guitars and such. Often wailing electric guitars. Can vary: country rock, hard rock, indie rock... so many options. The rock fan: your grandpa who remembers Woodstock with a fond yet fuzzy memory (he lost his hearing at that event), or your Dad who fondly listens to the 60's and 70's (reliving those higschool years), or your neighbor attempting to jam the next house over. HUSHHHH! No rockin' out after quiet hours! ;)
ELECTRONIC- This genre can be broken down into so many genres, but, overall, I love it, and as you can see, have devoted most of my research to it :)
Dance- Something that makes you want to move, example Cascada, you know, "Cuz everytime we touch I get this feeling..." Generally has a strong bass and awesome beat (yes, I'm biased) and a catchy and often cliche melody line. Think clubs and girls like Kesha jamming out.
-Techno- a "form of electronic dance music," usually has less vocals, more synthesizers, etc.
-House- "Early house music was generally dance-based music characterized by repetitive 4/4 beats, rhythms centered around drum machines,[2] off-beat hi-hat cymbals, and synthesized basslines. While house displayed several characteristics similar to disco music, it was more electronic and minimalistic,[2] and the structured music's focus around a repetitive rhythm was more important than the song itself."
"It proved to be a commercially successful genre and a more mainstream pop-based variation grew increasingly popular. Artists and groups such as Madonna,[2] Janet Jackson,[3] Björk, and C+C Music Factory[2] incorporated the genre into their work. Today, house music remains popular in both clubs and in the mainstream pop scene while still maintaining a strong foothold on underground scenes across the globe." Perhaps this is the REAL club music...hmmm, interesting.
-Trance- perhaps one of my favorite genres/subgenres, "Trance is a genre of electronic dance music that developed in the 1990s in Germany.[5] It is characterized by a tempo of between 110 and 150 beats per minute,[5] repeating melodic phrases,[5] and a musical form that builds up and down throughout a track.[5] It is a combination of many styles of electronic music such as techno,[3] house,[1] pop,[3] chill-out,[3] classical music,[3]:16[4] and film music.[4]" <---now wasn't that fascinating? Also interestingly, much of the dance/techno/trance music comes out of Europe. Sweet stuff. And unlike club music, this is more an acquired taste I believe. Think German raves and discotheques. "Trance employs aural dynamics to a great degree: A characteristic of virtually all trance songs is the soft mid-song breakdown,[3][5] beginning with and occurring after the orchestration is broken down and the rhythm tracks fade out rapidly, leaving the melody and/or atmospherics to stand alone for anywhere from seconds to a few minutes. When vocals are present in trance, they are generally sung by a female with a soaring, operatic voice ranging from mezzo-soprano to soprano, best described as "ethereal female leads floating amongst the synths".[8]" COUNTRY- "take your cat and leave my sweater..." Well, in a nutshell, he's drunk, she's broke, the dog's gone, she left, someone died, and also God bless America. I can only really appreciate this genre in the summer time, or if its combined like country-pop (aka Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood) or country-rock.
INDIE-Indian? Individual? Indescribable? Does anyone even know what this means??? Oh wait...wiki says, "Independent music (often shortened to indie music or indie) is produced independently from major commercial record labels or their subsidiaries, a process that may include an autonomous, Do-It-Yourself approach to recording and publishing. The term indie is sometimes also used to describe a genre (such as indie rock or indie pop); most independent music artists do not fall into a single, defined musical style or genre and usually create music that can be categorized into other genres." That was not very helpful in putting a finger on it, but the fan usually looks like this: Hipster dude listens to obscure band called Saving Tomatoes (probably actually exists), follows his band on twitter and facebook and goes to all their events if possible with his hipster pals, is all proud when he says they're his fave band and no one knows who they are, balls his eyes out when it hits mainstream radio. Examples of "indie" artists:
FOLK- banjos, singing about real life, bands like Iron and Wine/Flogging Molly...not sure if I like them.
CLASSICAL- Mozart, Bach, Beethoven...usually anything really old that instrumental and "boring" though in actuality, quite complex and good for the brain. The fan: Usually older, a music major, or a mobster (they always play loud wailing opera in the poignant scenes)
SCREAMO-GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!
what?!?! Is this music? I've been told this takes talent, that there's an art to screaming without hurting your vocal chords, but I can't hear a thing that you're saying and it's not that you're whispering either!!!!
METAL- I have no background in this, so here's wiki: "Heavy metal (often referred to simply as metal) is a genre of rock music[1] that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the United Kingdom and in the United States.[2] With roots in blues rock and psychedelic rock, the bands that created heavy metal developed a thick, massive sound, characterized by highly amplified distortion, extended guitar solos, emphatic beats, and overall loudness. Heavy metal lyrics and performance styles are generally associated with masculinity and machismo.[3]" Hmmm, machismo? Interesting. Bands like Black Sabbath, Metallica, etc. Not my cup of tea.
RAP- Not much singing...lots of words. Awesome beats :) Not so awesome when it's always about "makin' paper," "chasin' da life," or "hookin' up" with "shawty." Also not cool when it's degrading to women by making them purely objects and play things.
REGGAE- "Don't worry, about a ting...cuz every little ting, gonna be alright..." That's all I know about this genre. Bob Marley. That's it quintessentially.
Well, that's all I've got for now. My knowledge is limited, but my opinions not so much :)
Goodnight all!
Dreaming of attending an awesome European trance/techno/house concert one day,
Jane
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Day 17!: Raising Kids...Abnormally
Ha, I love that title. I thought it might grab some attention. ;) This article is brought to you today mainly because of my retail-working experience and watching the interaction and behavior of certain children out with their parents.
First and foremost, let me define "abnormally." By abnormally, I mean counter-culturally, counter-societal expectations, and counter-my own parental (future) tendencies. I witnessed kids in line in tears over not getting a trinket they wanted, whining that their sibling got this and they didn't, wanting silly things and then watching their mother cave and buy it for them. There is nothing more unappealing than a bratty child, and I hope to goodness my children end up far from that.
I realize it will be a battle: I will be fighting against the culture, society, worldviews, my own tendencies and desires, and my children's own desires. But, there are certain things I don't want them to have/do, and certain things they will do, if I have any say in it (note: some of these things are a higher priority than others).
What TO DO:
-Pray with your kids over meals, at bedtime, while your're out, when you see someone in need, and throughout the day. Let them see prayer as a lifestyle, not a chore.
-Read the Bible to my kids daily.
-Encourage their imaginations
-Get them excited about reading early: Read to them when they're little, and take them on library "field trips" when they're still young. Get them to start loving books :)
-Think of others through sharing without an attitude
-Get them involved in the arts as a form of self-expression (drama, music, writing, etc)
-Make them play outside (the outdoor world is an endless playground :) )
-Get them involved with activities that THEY want to do. Don't force them to do something they dislike (generally) but expose them to a variety of hobbies and activities.
-Teach them wise money-skills early (money doesn't grow on trees and will not be given out freely)
-Teach them that newer does not equal better, and re-making, re-doing, and re-constructing can lead to a whole new perspective
-Tell them consistently that they are always loved, both by you the parent and by their Heavenly Father
-Love them, excessively
What NOT to do:
-Yell or discipline out of anger
-Stifle their individual talents or desires
-Buy them lots of stuff
-Let them play lots of video games (actually, I think my kids just don't need video games :) )
-Let them watch much TV, at all
-Cater to their whims (mom is not a goody dispenser)
-Not follow through on your word (be there for them when you say you will, discipline them when you say you will)
-Be swayed by tearful faces into getting things they don't need
-Let them be hermits
-Force your beliefs on them (some should be taught along the way so they can make their own decisions, and some of what you believe is not absolute truth for them)
-Expect them to act like adults
-Force them to grow up before they have to (aka, preserve their innocence and imagination as long as possible)
-See them as a burden, and not a blessing.
Ok, that it for now. Obviously these are not taken from personal experience, except that I was once raised as a child. Many of them I extracted from my experience and experiences I've witnessed. I know raising children is harder when you're doing it, and I'll probably want to spoil my kids, but I hope with God's help that my future children will turn out alright despite my inevitable failed attempts at "raising them correctly" ;)
Venting about bratty kids and how to prevent it,
Jane
First and foremost, let me define "abnormally." By abnormally, I mean counter-culturally, counter-societal expectations, and counter-my own parental (future) tendencies. I witnessed kids in line in tears over not getting a trinket they wanted, whining that their sibling got this and they didn't, wanting silly things and then watching their mother cave and buy it for them. There is nothing more unappealing than a bratty child, and I hope to goodness my children end up far from that.
I realize it will be a battle: I will be fighting against the culture, society, worldviews, my own tendencies and desires, and my children's own desires. But, there are certain things I don't want them to have/do, and certain things they will do, if I have any say in it (note: some of these things are a higher priority than others).
What TO DO:
-Pray with your kids over meals, at bedtime, while your're out, when you see someone in need, and throughout the day. Let them see prayer as a lifestyle, not a chore.
-Read the Bible to my kids daily.
-Encourage their imaginations
-Get them excited about reading early: Read to them when they're little, and take them on library "field trips" when they're still young. Get them to start loving books :)
-Think of others through sharing without an attitude
-Get them involved in the arts as a form of self-expression (drama, music, writing, etc)
-Make them play outside (the outdoor world is an endless playground :) )
-Get them involved with activities that THEY want to do. Don't force them to do something they dislike (generally) but expose them to a variety of hobbies and activities.
-Teach them wise money-skills early (money doesn't grow on trees and will not be given out freely)
-Teach them that newer does not equal better, and re-making, re-doing, and re-constructing can lead to a whole new perspective
-Tell them consistently that they are always loved, both by you the parent and by their Heavenly Father
-Love them, excessively
What NOT to do:
-Yell or discipline out of anger
-Stifle their individual talents or desires
-Buy them lots of stuff
-Let them play lots of video games (actually, I think my kids just don't need video games :) )
-Let them watch much TV, at all
-Cater to their whims (mom is not a goody dispenser)
-Not follow through on your word (be there for them when you say you will, discipline them when you say you will)
-Be swayed by tearful faces into getting things they don't need
-Let them be hermits
-Force your beliefs on them (some should be taught along the way so they can make their own decisions, and some of what you believe is not absolute truth for them)
-Expect them to act like adults
-Force them to grow up before they have to (aka, preserve their innocence and imagination as long as possible)
-See them as a burden, and not a blessing.
Ok, that it for now. Obviously these are not taken from personal experience, except that I was once raised as a child. Many of them I extracted from my experience and experiences I've witnessed. I know raising children is harder when you're doing it, and I'll probably want to spoil my kids, but I hope with God's help that my future children will turn out alright despite my inevitable failed attempts at "raising them correctly" ;)
Venting about bratty kids and how to prevent it,
Jane
Friday, December 14, 2012
Day 16!: Paper or Digital? (How do you prefer your books?)
Yay! Day 16! I've been pretty bad lately about making this a thirty-day consecutive blogging event, but, I've been much more consistent than I have been with my blogging in the past. Kudos to me! :) So this isn't very in depth, but I wanted to take a look at e-book readers (aka Kindles or Nooks) vs. the "old-fashioned" paper/hard back. Here's some pros and cons, just for starters.
Kindle/Nook:
Pros:
+Portable
+Slim
+Can carry multiple books at once
+Can read it one-handed
+Can read it without a light (if it has a back-light)
+Technologically trendy
+Could save money on textbooks (not the initial reader, then buy the downloads for less than the books cost)
+Turning the page is simply a click
+Classic books are free
+(and other things I don't know)
Cons:
-Pricey
-Must be recharged (esp. more often if it's back-lit)
-impersonal
-Giving/receiving books as gifts is less of an option (bummer)
-No one knows what you're reading out in public. Is it War and Peace? No one will know to be impressed! Is it a trashy "paperback novel"? Well, you're in luck, 'cause no one knows either
-Your physical book library will naturally diminish, making you appear less nerdy and book-wormish (assuming that these are good things, which, they are)
-Highlighting and taking notes is not the same (I've been told you can do these things, but still not as cool)
-Sharing books is not as personal and interesting (They can't tell if the book being lent is warn and loved, the places your tear drops fell, the coffee spill on page 867 that happened at 2 am, the sloppy handwritten notes you took in the margin, etc...)
Alright, time for the old-fashioned, good ole' printed book:
Pros:
+Cheap (Goodwill books are a dollar each if paperback)
+Personal (used books are like a living legend...mmm...love that old-lady's-house smell)
+Books as gift-giving! And you won't have to worry if they have it for free on their kindle because it's a "classic." Also, you can write a nice note in the front ;)
+EVERYONE can see what you're reading in public, for better or worse. This can also encourage enlightening book conversations among strangers who are also bibliophiles.
+Your physical library will be large and impressive, and people can gawk at your collection and beg to borrow one, two, or more
+Sharing books is once again like sharing part of the journey in your life with someone else
+Still portable (well, maybe not War and Peace)
+You exercise your hand muscles! Turn those pages! Yes!
and most importantly...
+You don't contribute to the possible future demise of bookstores around the world and preserve the beauty of the physical, tangible page.
Ok, some cons:
-You have to turn the page
-If you're going on a long trip, you probably can't bring as many books with you
-Not free classics
-They fall apart... (well, of course they do, like all living organic beings worth preserving ;) )
-Ummm....
-Huh....
Yep, can't think of any others.
Obviously, my stance is pretty obvious. I don't condemn you if you own an e-book reader, but, I personally do NOT want one, and as an English major, will always treasure my physical books.
Forever a bibliophile,
Jane
PS: Please share your thoughts on this subject!
Kindle/Nook:
Pros:
+Portable
+Slim
+Can carry multiple books at once
+Can read it one-handed
+Can read it without a light (if it has a back-light)
+Technologically trendy
+Could save money on textbooks (not the initial reader, then buy the downloads for less than the books cost)
+Turning the page is simply a click
+Classic books are free
+(and other things I don't know)
Cons:
-Pricey
-Must be recharged (esp. more often if it's back-lit)
-impersonal
-Giving/receiving books as gifts is less of an option (bummer)
-No one knows what you're reading out in public. Is it War and Peace? No one will know to be impressed! Is it a trashy "paperback novel"? Well, you're in luck, 'cause no one knows either
-Your physical book library will naturally diminish, making you appear less nerdy and book-wormish (assuming that these are good things, which, they are)
-Highlighting and taking notes is not the same (I've been told you can do these things, but still not as cool)
-Sharing books is not as personal and interesting (They can't tell if the book being lent is warn and loved, the places your tear drops fell, the coffee spill on page 867 that happened at 2 am, the sloppy handwritten notes you took in the margin, etc...)
Alright, time for the old-fashioned, good ole' printed book:
Pros:
+Cheap (Goodwill books are a dollar each if paperback)
+Personal (used books are like a living legend...mmm...love that old-lady's-house smell)
+Books as gift-giving! And you won't have to worry if they have it for free on their kindle because it's a "classic." Also, you can write a nice note in the front ;)
+EVERYONE can see what you're reading in public, for better or worse. This can also encourage enlightening book conversations among strangers who are also bibliophiles.
+Your physical library will be large and impressive, and people can gawk at your collection and beg to borrow one, two, or more
+Sharing books is once again like sharing part of the journey in your life with someone else
+Still portable (well, maybe not War and Peace)
+You exercise your hand muscles! Turn those pages! Yes!
and most importantly...
+You don't contribute to the possible future demise of bookstores around the world and preserve the beauty of the physical, tangible page.
Ok, some cons:
-You have to turn the page
-If you're going on a long trip, you probably can't bring as many books with you
-Not free classics
-They fall apart... (well, of course they do, like all living organic beings worth preserving ;) )
-Ummm....
-Huh....
Yep, can't think of any others.
Obviously, my stance is pretty obvious. I don't condemn you if you own an e-book reader, but, I personally do NOT want one, and as an English major, will always treasure my physical books.
Forever a bibliophile,
Jane
PS: Please share your thoughts on this subject!
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