Ain't No Michael Jackson

We had an event tonight where we introduce incoming Freshman to the High School Ministry. It works like a progressive dinner with each class being represented at a different house. I was manning the Junior house. The new Freshman came, we beat on some pinatas, and then they took off for the next house and left us to clean up the paper mache entrails. Then we went inside and played Super Smash Bros. Brawl until nearly 11pm.

Here's the question: When does it get weird? I am a decade older than these guys. Under normal circumstances, if a 26 year old man was hanging out until late into the night playing video games with High Schoolers... most definitely sketchy. But due to my work and relationship with these guys, it makes it acceptable. But for how long? I have always thought this comparing my age to the students, but thinking about it now it seems better to compare my age to the parents. I guess when you start creeping up on the same age as the parents, you're treading on some fairly weird ground.

Do Work!

I know I was feeling down last night when I wrote my blog. I definitely didn't feel like I did my best work yesterday. Nights like that make me question what the heck I'm doing. As I was thinking about it today, I believe I have fallen into a trap. For some reason, I have this idea that it all should come easy. One small set-back and I'm doubting everything I've been preparing for the last 8 years. Is that lame or what?

I want my work to be challenging and fulfilling. I don't care if that means it might not be easy. So, today I pondered the words of a modern day philosopher: Big Black.

If you know Big Black you know one of his favorite phrases is: "Do work". I have been inspired by these words. Inspired by how no matter how wacky the work that needs to be done is, he still finds a way to make it happen. I want to do whatever it takes to get it done and do my best. Yea, it won't always be the greatest thing ever but I'm going to give it a shot. Next Wednesday is coming soon...

DO WORK SON!!!

Still Looking For The Square Hole

I have grown to respect pastors who preach week in and week out. I have had to preach the last 10 weeks in a row and it has solidified in my mind how it is not for me. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy teaching and I have become much better over the last 4 years. Rather it is the knowledge that next week is quickly approaching and whether or not I feel like what I have to say will be the least bit edifying, I must preach nonetheless. This is what I feel like my soul cannot abide. A sneaking feeling that I have and will produce mediocre work because I'm really not feeling what I am supposed to be teaching on. If I don't feel like it is going to make much of a difference in my students lives, or that the material is particularly relevant at the time, then I feel like my heart is not in it. And when my heart is not in it, I see a marked difference in my teaching. So what do I do? Fake it? Even if I could, which I can't, I wouldn't want to.

I have to say, I am really disheartened by the whole thing. Even though I knew this about myself before I began; that preaching every week or being a senior pastor was something I never aspired to do. I'm not a preacher, I never have been. It's more something that has been placed on me because of my position and education. While I don't mind doing it every once in a while, it will always be another man's shoes on my feet. I guess the question is: What is it that I ought to be doing?

"Jack of all trades, master of none, though ofttimes better than master of one." This quote, in it's entirety, is pretty much how I feel all of the time. I feel like the devotion of myself to one, and only one thing, is a waste of time. The problem is that I have yet to find a position anywhere for: teacher, preacher, chaplain, graphic artist, zookeeper, writer, and all the other things I want to learn. I know what the square peg feels like as the world tries to hammer it into the round hole.

Kanpai!

God bless the people of Japan. I just got done talking about how I dislike tv shows, but the Japanese never cease to impress. A staple of Japanese TV are the "prank shows". Thanks to Chad for inspiring me.


I nearly died laughing watching this one.


Never trust your friend that unexpectedly stick you in a taxi and tell you to wear a helmet.


To quote The Simpsons: "Our game shows are a little different from yours. Yours reward knowledge we punish ignorance! Our categories are: Ow That Hurts, Why Are You Doing This To Me, Please Let Me Die."

A Foul Creation

People who know me, know that I watch very little television. I really hate tv shows. I don't know of anything that has had more of a debilitating effect on humanity than our devout worship of the people in the box. We wake up with with the perky morning show people. The only thing worse are the people who stand outside their studios with signs for a chance to be caught on tape. Follow that up with the never ending estrogen power hour of celebrity chick interviewers. Dozens of shows, each with five of their own spin-offs. No more names anymore, just initials. It's all just bad. TV Guide has a list of the 50 worst tv shows of all time. The worst part is that the number 1, The Jerry Springer Show, is still on the air!

Having said all that, there remains a few gems that keep me from canceling my Direct TV subscription. In no particular order:

The Venture Brothers
Funny, clever, great characters and great voice talent. It's really the only show I look forward to the new season starting. I give you the first episode of the 2nd season with the best opening of all time care of Aquagen's "Everybody's Free".


Ninja Warrior
Ok yes I do love all things Japanese and their tv shows are no different. I love how contestants and audience get so into it. Ninja Warrior isn't just a reason to be on tv, it's a way of life for many of the people who frequent the show.


Flight Of The Concords
Their music videos are really where it's at.


Metalocalypse
The show follows death metal band Dethklok and their search for all things brutal. In this first episode, the boys make a metal coffee jingle and then spend most of the episode at the grocery store and try to figure out how to cook.


Rob & Big
Becky kept telling me that I needed to check this show out. It's on MTV, which automatically made me set off my "crap meter", but I thought I would give it a shot. It really is funny. It's just the skater Rob Dyrdek and his bodyguard/best friend Big Black hanging out and having fun.