Pastor David Maier - Forward in Hope

A Comment on Hollywood and the Oscars

Ever since I had one of the widows of our congregation mid-December of  last year (2005) ask to speak to me and then “confess” that she had gone to see Brokeback Mountain thinking it was going to be “a nice Western” (WOW, was she shocked) … I wondered what new depths Hollywood would stoup to in the Oscars.

Although I didn’t watch the entire extravaganza I was as pleasantly surprised by what didn’t happen at the Oscars, or who didn’t win “as predicted” … as I was deeply disturbed, in that world-watching spectacle, by what wasn’t said and who wasn’t acknowledged. 

I would comment further, but I was so impressed with an article – a commentary – by Ben Stein (actor, writer and political commentator), that was emailed to me, that I elected to just pass on his article entitled “Missed Tributes” instead.

I hope you enjoy reading it below.  I’m not completely sure, yet, as to how Stein’s thoughts will impact what I do and what I see, and what I will support, but I know it has already … and will in the future.  I’ll look forward to your comments on the article as well.

Pandora

I've been blessed with the opportunity of working with, and knowing, people who not only see the potential of the www (World Wide Web) and are very involved in how the web works, how it needs to work, and crafting how indeed it will work in the future.  They is so much great stuff out there on the web ...

So I was reading Justin Thorp's Blog ... and noticed that he had written about a music engine / music discovery radio type "station" -- that was available to anybody on the web.  It's name - Pandora  .  When I read Justin's recommendation, and saw the comments some had left about his entry and about Pandora, it really peaked my interst. 

So in going there this is what I discovered:  I could type in the name of a group that I like (or even type a style that I like) and Pandora would not only pull up a song from that group -- like Third Day ... but GET READY FOR THIS ... it would find other groups with a similar sound.  Most of the other groups it pulled up I had never heard of, but truly enjoyed their music.  This is phenominal.

And, or yeah, it's FREE.

Give it a shot and tell me what you think.  Pick the kind of music you like ... and while you're working or playing at your computer listen to some great music that you've loved in the past ... or will come to love in the present.

Carmel Marvel & Friends - Marvelous

This morning I've had the opportunity to meeting with a friend, a student home from college -- in this case The Rochester Institute of Technology.   I've met regularly at at coffee shop in Lansing -- Beaners --  with his father, to discuss the web, its use, and in particular blogging.

What I've Learned (NOT in order of importance)

A tall, skinny, Carmel Marvel (the name of the coffee drink) is just about a perfect drink.

Coffee shops provide an incredible and comfortable atmosphere to discuss just about everything and anything ... with just about anybody ... in a relaxed and very real way.

Taking time for friendship and new friends is crucial to life, and I believe, especially to the life of a child of God.

If a blog is a way of allowing people to know ... me, what's important to me, what's on my mind, more about Jesus, how Jesus influences my wolrd and life on a daily basis ... then I need to do this.

I can't be worried about msitakes in writing but recognize that this is meant to be an extension of who I am ... and I am not perfect.

Finally, I wonder if Jesus would have enjoyed and ordered a Latte ... or if He would just gone for strong and black.  I don't know ... but I'm glad He was present this morning and a part of our conversation.