today :)

Thursday:
Day off, playing hookie, snowboarded in WV all day.
Wish you were here, shreding the blues and blacks with me/us.
I love living in the mountians.

Hope you are able to embrace life in a day away from work soon.

peace
aho

'Achtung' U2 fans

I subscribe to this journal from Baylor called Christian Refelction: a series in faith and ethics. The beauty of the journal is that it is quality Christian scholarship, and, it is FREE- baby!!
Admittedly, I don't read them cover to cover, but they look good on the book shelf and they are quite timely. The current issue has an article about the faith of U2 from a Baylor grad who teaches at Campbell University (another baptist school, but here in NC). Several of you who might stumble up on this blog might be interested in the piece. I am about halfway through it, but it is quite interesting and will make you a smarter person becuase you can say something like:

"well, the other day I was reading about U2 in this theological journal I was surpised when I found that they....."

go read it for yourself.

peace

In addition to your reading assignement...


My Music Extra


I have been inentionally listening to music the last few days. I realized that some of the albums I bought last fall were great but I only listened to them a few times and then switched to NPR or back to A COLLISION.

So, these are the good things I have been listening to this week: Howie Day, Ray La Montnage, Fiona Apple, A Collision-DCB, Kris Kristofferson, and
Gordon Lightfoot.



Who? yeah, right. Well he is this guy my dad really loves. He had made cassettes from his Gordon Lightfoot LPs and we used to listen to them while he drove us across the country on vacation. But, when he (dad) was here for Christmas, he had the greatest hits cd so I threw it up ins kto my computer. I often listen to it while I am at work, but I totally love it. It kinda, or definitely is, 70's canadian, acoustic,m folk music, but, its pretty good and if you are one of those kids who gets free music from filesharing, you should definitely pull down some of this and listen to it. If you do it legally, then give it a try with a few extra dollars or wait til the ahos come around and we will leave a cd with you to try.

My must list, whats on yours???

These days, everyone has there must list. Oprah, Cold Pizza, and E! is where I get some of my best pop culture info. But this list is my MUST LIST, the ChrisList, if you will. I dont really know where this comes from or why, with all the things to spend time and energy on, I am promoting more consumption, but here is the stuff.

INTERNET STUFF

If you have a job that involves a computer, desk, and can access the internet, you need to check out Relevant TV. It is videos and music from the good folks over at relevant who you should get to know through their books and magazine as well. I usually launch the popup player and use it as background music for the day when working at my desk.


COFFEE ISSUES

I have been a coffee drinker for aobut 6 years now, Grad School has a way of bringing up some strange addictions. But, after I was able to wean myself from the caffinated hot choclate they call 'mocha,' I was just a regular cream and sugar drip coffee guy. I got the ritual down pretty good and even got a cool stainless coffee maker that looks nice on the counter and has an auto shut off.

But, since the discovery of Caffene, the gratest thing to happen to my coffee experience is this little $25 machine called a FRENCH PRESS. Simply put, if you like coffee and don't yet have one, seriously consider going to Starbucks right now and dropping $25+tax. You will also want a bean grinder and some whole beans (right now I am using some Starbucks Christmas blend). There is no need to spend $30 on the Staubucks grinder though. You can pick up a Black and Decker with an auto timer setting thing for about $20 at your local box store.
Now I understand I have just told you to drop everything and spend $50 on your next sup of coffee, but this will definitely be the best $50 cup of coffee you will ever have, and since the first cup was $50, the next 200 will be free.
The French Press makes a great, frothy, thick, and smooth cup of coffee. It is a bit of a mess to clean up, but ask anyone who has used one, it is worth the mess.

Television Obsession

I went to Duke (the Divinity school, which is pretty liberal most of the time) so I know that TV is bad for me. It makes me fat, lazy, and doesnt challenge me like a book would, but they haven't put BOSTON LEGAL in book form yet. If you a fan of the One Hour Drama, this show is worth checking out. The relationship between Shatner and Spader is fantastic and just about every show ends with two friends having a meaningful conversation on the balcony after a long day. The most interesting thing is that Spader's character is a bleeding heart liberal and Denny-Crane, Shatner, is a card, and pistol, carrying NRA member.


Surfing


If you use the internet, which presumably you do since you are here, and are skeptical of 'the man,' then you gotta upgrade from microsoft internet Explorer to Mozilla Firefox. It is easy to use, it prevents spy ware, and has this cool, 'Ctrl T' thing that allows you to open several windows in one browser. I find it useful, some find it redundant. But, we have made the switch and think you should too.


Productivity

Ok, it may be a total farse for me to state the reason I got a Treo 650 is productivity, but it is really productive for those of you who need this type of thing. For me, it is the size of a regular iPod, but will play music from my SD card, hold my calendar, allow me to type memos, play games, search for a phone number in the interet, check my gmail, hotmail or yahoomail, store my complete address book, and OH YEAH make and take phone calls, and shoot short videos and take pics. This is the do it all of electronic devices and there are some great deals on the 650 right now. It is a little bluky, but not as bulky as carrying around your phone, ipod, calendar and digital camera for that quick funny shot. It has been alot of fun and should be the last phone I buy that doesnt have a kitchen sink in it.



Conclusion.
These are some cool things I have come accross lately. Let me know what you think, or what cool stuff I have left off. GO DUKE, 17-0.
peace
aho

my dcb wish list

I have been thinking for a while about some things that I would like for the David Crowder Band to do. I know this will probably have little effect on what they actually do decide to do, and that some of these things (with a little cash up front) I could actually make happen, but for your pondering and enjoyment here is what I am hoping for in 2006.
One brief note. I have not talked to anyone about these things, so if they are in the works, I didnt get the memo, please don't pick on me for it.

1. A real LIVE Concert CD.
For years, the folks at passion have been putting out these compliation cds with 5 matt redmon songs, 5 chris tomlin songs, 3 charlie hall songs, and a token from the david crowder band. What we really need (and lets be honest, it will sell) is one of those Dave Matthews style, 2 disk, live cd concert things. They could even package it with a dvd that louie's nephew (I dont even know if he has one, hopefully this is not a sore spot) shot with a digital-8 camcorder. We would all pony up $22-$26 for it and we wouldnt even hold it against the pre-order crowd if there wasnt some new guitar picks thrown in.

2. Mayberry Weekend
Now this one would have little effect on those of you not here in the appalachian foothills of North Carolina, but it would be great for us folks here in the one of the bluegrass capitals of the east. I am thinking a two night stand here in the quaint town of Mount Airy.
One night the band would rock the amphitheatre to a sold out crowd, filled partly with strange christian kids from the mountains of nearby virginia and WV. The coolest thing about this concert would be that there would definitely be about 100 candidates for the 'mullet of the week' award that often appears connected to the band's site.
The second night, we would bring the show indoors. I am thinking about either 100 people in the local coffee shop or winery, or in the Andy Griffith Theatre for a 'Storytellers' type of evening. Those of us who know Dave at all know of his ability to tell a great story. This would be a classic and possibly a night to film and put on that DVD to go with the CD set.

3. Another CD
I know it takes a while to channel the creative juices and parse everything out to create and album, but we are always ready for a now album. The frustrating thing is that it will probably be Feb. of 2007 til we get one if SIXSTEPS keeps the same pace it has had since Can You Hear Us?.

4. Christmas EP
What would be better than the group release a limited edition EP (shorty dise 6-9 songs) at the end of October to kick off the holiday season right. (iTunes exclusive would also be a legitimate option).
Here are a few of the songs I would suggest. 1. a thanksgiving song of some sort. something with the playfulness of 'Turkish Delight" but with the potential of Adam Sandler's 'Turkey Song.' If anyone can do it, dave, jack, and solley can. 2. a reprise of the 'Christmas Belles' from the website this year. 3. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen- Just update my favorite version that the BareNaked Ladies did a few years ago with Alanis Morrisette (spelling?). 4. This is a must...A version of the Longfellow Hymn, 'I heard the bells on Christmas day.' Every time I hear this and sing it, Dave's voice is what I hear in my head and I cant remember if I have heard him sing it, or it is just perfect for him and the band. 5. The rest of the CD would be up to the band and hopefully their creativity would provide some excellent direction.

5. Rolling Stone Respect
I know I am biased, but this is one of the most innovative bands around. The stuff that DBC does is always a year or two ahead of other people and the music is of a quality far beyond most of the mainstream crap that fills the pages each month. Why does Ashleeeee Simpson (who didnt used to spell it Ashleeee, it was ashley) get more face time that someone who actually has talent? Mysteries of the world I guess. But people need to hear the music and think about the theological and philosophical project that has been undertaken. It is worth thinking about, christian or not.


Conclusion
That there is my DCD wish list. Maybe some of it will come true. I look forward to seeing the band several times this winter-spring and I hope you all get to do the same.


Finally, on a skeptical note:
I noticed Chris Tomlin has a live CD out. I went to church with his bass player Jesse Reeves when we were in High School and I like the band's music alright. But, did anyone else notice the striking resemblence between the cover art of Tomlins cd and Pats Green's Lucky One's Cd?

bloggin

I have just found out that several of my friends are bloggin again. You can check out the musings of ben and tom by clicking on the left.

Me, I have wanted to blog, but I have been watching tv. I have had several ideas for blogs, but, I have not followed through. Last night I could have blogged, but I watched the Carolina Hurricanes play hockey and then I watched Boston Legal. Tonight I could have blogged earlier, but I watched DUKE beat Maryland. Since then I have been flippin channels and surfin sites for a suit becuase I have a gift card to redeem.

Lately I have been getting frustrated as I think about Kyle Lake's death. Before, I was so removed from the situation that I went in to minister mode and thought about things rationally and calmly. Now, I am getting frustrated with it and I am thinking about this scab that wont heal. I know this will look wierd for those of you who lived with Kyle every day and week, but forgive me, I had a tremendous emotional connection to Kyle. He certianly was my friend for a time, but he was also a teacher and a challenger. In Seinfeld terms, I was a protoge for a brief while during 1997, 8 and 9. Hell, the guy even rented a tux and sat people down in the church for my wedding. I know we only talked semi-annually, but it is now frustrating that I can leave him a message and expect to get some veiled, sarcastic, offer to help...if I only could be more concise. You see this is a problem I have.

But I hate knowing that Kyle is not there. I am mad for Jen and the Kids, and frustrated for UBC. I miss the church, and it really is the most home church I have ever had. If we had done altar calls, (which we didnt, so I never considered it before now), it would have been where I committed to the ministry, but then I have to wake up each morning and commit to ministry, most days I actually do.

I miss my weekly friendship with chris Seay, Kyle and Dave. I miss the parting song and hanging out until it is time to lock the door. I miss $.50 shipley donuts (which may not happen any more) and if you weren't there for the morning in 1998 when the band played the Barenaked Ladies, One Week, you missed a fun morning.

Well, this 1am ramble has gone far enough. I have several things to blog about in the days ahead. Maybe I will write them. Maybe you will read them. Maybe someone will laugh. Maybe you will comment, but probably not.

I love lots of the people in my life, most of you actually, even if we are far away. I wish we were closer, but not a day goes by when I dont think about 1995-1999 and waco texas, which includes: baylor, ubc, hippodrome, 12th street and 17th street buildings, kitok, viteks, and the chris seay band singing 'i'll be there for you' during welcome week 1995. Good times.

-aho