sunburned: creativity takes courage

Coldplay.

2008-07-04T18:37:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I've left Coldplay off the list of my favorite bands! They always hit the ball out of the ballpark. I just bought Viva La Vida today and it's simply awesome.

I've only listened to the album a few times, but so far my favorite song is Lost! (no relation to the tv show, heh). Just because I'm losing doesn't mean I'm lost. Deep! I also like songs with clapping in it. :)

And check out how young Chris Martin looks in the Yellow video back in the day. The concept of the video is really daring considering it's just Chris walking on the beach in the rain - very Everyday is Like Sunday-esque.

Dish it, but can't take it.

2008-06-29T18:29:00.000-07:00

{I wrote this a few months ago, but thought it was a worthy thought, so I'm publishing it for posterity}

Veering into the personal, I have to confess that I have been shocked in the last several weeks in my encounters with people that love to "dish it." They are people who are very comfortable in disagreeing with me, almost with every thing I say, like to contradict me, or be condescending in treating me like I don't know what I'm talking about. I, on the other hand, don't really enjoying pointing out people's faults or when they are wrong about something. Maybe it was the time I spent in Asia because I am very conscious of not wanting someone to "lose face." Because I am this way, many people seem to doubt my intelligence or experience, and pretty much underestimate my strength or personality. So, lately, with those people who seemingly ALWAYS disagreeing with me, instead of being accepting and truly listen to what they are saying, I disagree back. I question them, instead of agreeing. When I feel they belittle me, I respond with strength instead of letting it go.

And I'm in shock because these people that dish it SO MUCH, can't seem to take it. It surprises me because I assume that if you can be so forceful with me, sometimes out right hurting my feelings, then you should be able to accept the same level of force. With one person, I didn't even disagree, I just didn't agree, and I could see in their eyes that they felt I was attacking them because I wasn't responding in my usual, "Yes, you're right. I know!" I think it's good that I listen and am accepting, but I'm no longer going to apologize or always backpeddle, especially with those I call a friend. If they can't handle me not agreeing, then, that's too bad.

Bike riding to raise money to cure cancer is creative.

2008-06-27T05:55:00.000-07:00

My good friend Laura is participating in Cool Breeze Century Bike Ride in Ventura. She'll ride 100 miles in one day to raise money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Would you consider making a donation so that she can reach her fundraising goal?

Laura shares:

"This event is personally meaningful to me in a number of ways. Most of you know that I had my own battle with cancer in 2002-2003. For me this meant removing a tumor from the bone in my knee, losing a large section of bone, having it replaced with a metal implant, and spending months in physical therapy, learning to walk again. It also meant the loss of many of the activities I had previously loved, like volleyball and snowboarding. But I am grateful that medical technology was at a place where I was able to keep not just my life, but my leg, and to live to discover and participate in new activities and adventures. I am so excited to have this opportunity to train and participate in an event that will allow me to raise money to help and support those who are going through a similar battle to mine, as well as being able to push myself physically and celebrate the healing that has occurred within my own body."

Check out her page to make a donation: http://pages.teamintraining.org/los/coolbrz08/ldepp

Wallpaper.

2008-06-24T05:48:00.001-07:00

My brother and I always argue about whether one person can make a difference. He's a pessimist and I think maybe a Calvinist. I'm an optimist.

Brad Ruggles has a few free and very cool wallpapers for your downloading and enjoyment! I picked this one:

In process.

2008-06-23T11:42:00.001-07:00

This is a video I made from the National Art Gallery in DC. It's still in process....I feel like there's a part missing.

My constant.

2008-06-16T09:00:00.001-07:00

Starbucks is my constant.

Seriously, whenever I find myself in a new city and feel overwhelmed by change, I go to Starbucks where I know what to expect. It gives me focus and centers my soul.

Gone Fishin'

2008-06-13T19:09:00.001-07:00

Theology is creative.

2008-06-04T21:11:00.001-07:00

I'm flushing out what I believe in a series called "Belief."

Belief- Part 1

Belief - Part 2

Biblical note cards.

2008-06-04T16:01:00.000-07:00

At a local thrift store I found a super retro book of Bible stories for children made in the '70s (I think I even owned a copy as a child). With blank note cards and mod-podge I put together a few "Biblical Note Cards" to give to friends or keep for myself!

Free Books

2008-06-02T18:28:00.000-07:00

Hi friends!

While I consider my books my most valuable possessions, I also move way too often to maintain a library. Sigh. In another world where I lived in the same house for many years I would be able to keep my books, but not in this world.

I'm trying to raise some money and lighten my load, so if you want to help a sister out, I'm selling books on Amazon here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/shops/index.html?ie=UTF8&sellerID=A1LB8FI5JRBC2X

Otherwise, I'm giving away BOOKS for FREE and you only have to pay $3 media mail postage. Sweet deal, I think.

Books on the Holy Spirit:

What The Bible Says About the Holy Spirit, Stanley Horton
Awakened by the Spirit, Ron Phillips
Charismatic Theology of St Luke, Roger Stronstad

Bible Studies:

Becoming a Woman of Prayer, Cynthia Herald
Becoming a Woman of Excellence, Cynthia Herald

Personal Growth:

A Passion for Holiness in a Believer's Life, Charles Spurgeon
Healing for Damaged Emotions, David Seamands
Lady in Waiting, Jones and Kendall
Deceived by Shame, Desired by God
God's Guidance, Elisabeth Elliot

Theology:

The Problem of Pain, CS Lewis
Virtual Faith, Beaudoin
St. Paul at the Movies, Robert Jewett
Run With The Vision, Sjogern and Stearns

Biography/Memoir:

Plan B: More Thoughts on Faith, Anne Lamott
Narrative of the Life of Federick Douglass, O'Meally
Girl Meets God, Lauren Winner
Reading Lolita in Tehran, Nafisi

Misc:

u2 into the heart, Niall Stokes

Let me know which ones you want and send $3 to my paypal account: xiaosevere@yahoo.com (If you want more than one book, shipping will be slightly more, but not much).

Also, feel free to pass this along to friends or family!

Thanks!

Thanks!

Confessions: Washington, DC

2008-05-31T17:31:00.000-07:00

The latest edition to my Confessions series:

Can you spot the celebrity?!

You can watch other episodes:

Week 1

Fall 2007

Unit gr8 Confessions

Division 8

Conversation that makes me feel like a geek.

2008-05-31T07:54:00.000-07:00

Guy: So do you blog?

Me: Yeah, I have a wordpress, but I also had a blogger blog for 6 years.

Guy: Do you have a xanga?

Me: Yeah, but only to comment on friends' xangas.

Guy: A livejournal?

Me: Yeah. But, only to read friends' livejournals.

Guy: Do you have a vox blog?

Me: Yeah.

Guy: Facebook, Myspace?

Me: Yep, yep.

Guy: Twitter?

Me: Yeah.

Guy: Flickr?

Me: Of course.

Guy: What email service do you use?

Me: Well, I have gmail, yahoo, and hotmail.

Guy: Wow.

Electronic Superhighway.

2008-05-29T09:06:00.000-07:00

On Monday I went to the Smithsonian American Art Gallery and was blown at away at the exhibit called "Electronic Superhighway" by Korean-born artist Nam June Paik.

From the website:

"To design this monumental map of the United States, the artist Nam June Paik arranged 336 televisions on a scaffold and overlaid it with almost 600 feet of neon. Fifty DVD players send multimedia simultaneously to screens populating each state. Often classic Hollywood films are the source, as clips from the Wizard of Oz, Oklahoma, and Showboat transport viewers to Kansas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana respectively."

To learn more about it check out Exploring the Electronic Superhighway on NPR.

Photo at the MOMA.

2008-05-25T17:21:00.000-07:00

I took this photo in November of 2006 at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC. It wasn't a time lapse or anything, there was a glass door and I caught the reflection of fellow museum goers, as well as the Empire State building.

Double-Dutch Bus.

2008-05-21T08:06:00.000-07:00

Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs

2008-05-18T20:26:00.000-07:00

You can listen to the new Death Cab for Cutie album "Narrow Stairs" for FREE here.

The bass line in "I Will Possess Your Heart" makes me want to play the bass.

Follow me and I'll follow you.

2008-05-18T19:53:00.000-07:00

I've joined the Twitter bandwagon:

http://www.twitter.com/sunburned

So follow me and I'll follow you. Unless, I don't like you. Then, I won't.

No one ever text messages me these days, so it was awesome to discover you can get twitter messages sent to your phone. I feel loved because I'm getting texts and I feel in touch because I'm getting updates on people's lives.

I mean, Tall Skinny Kiwi had bbq and smores for dinner tonight! And last night Dave's friends were late and wondered why people can't be on time, you know?

I would have never known all that, except for delightful Twitter.

Videography.

2008-05-18T19:48:00.000-07:00

A little over a year ago I started making videos. It's been such a fun, creative outlet for me. I haven't decided whether I want to get "serious" about it, but in the mean time, I've enjoyed trying out different things and ideas.

In the sidebar, on the left, I've categorized the videos I've made, so check them out!

Decorative Plate Wall.

2008-05-16T20:34:00.000-07:00

Sarah did this in her kitchen and I thought it was really cool and creative.

She was inspired by Rena and Lisa who created a decorative plate wall in their kitchen:

I'm totally doing this, should I ever get a kitchen.

Dave Matthews - Grace Is Gone - Live from Radio City Music Hall

2008-05-16T20:29:00.000-07:00

Dave Matthews is a phenomenal songwriter and musician. I was listening to this in my iTunes tonight and it always resonates with me.

iPhone.

2008-05-10T09:34:00.000-07:00