Tuesday, July 22, 2008
I'm a Potbelly Live Performer
Now just so you know, Potbelly is a trendy sandwich place here in DC and has nothing to do with the size of my gut. I went down to audition last week thinking I would just be playing for the manager. Instead, he put me on the mic in front of the dining area! I guess he liked what he heard. I played my first set on July 18 during the lunch hour. A few people from my church dropped by which was great. I played a variety of rock, alternative and one Christian piece. I got a good response from the crowd. A couple of people even tipped me in the sandwich box display sitting in front of me – classic!! My set list has about 11 songs, and I’m hoping to expand it out by next Friday. I’m taking this as an opportunity to get to know more people in our community. Columbia Heights is just exploding right now with new growth. If you’re in the area, come see me at the Potbelly’s in Columbia Heights right across from the metro station. I’ll be playing a few Fridays a month from 12-2pm. No tips necessary :)
21 Week Ultrasound
After haggling with the insurance company over this second sonogram, we finally had it on July 21. Before the test, we posted a sign in our house that listed our gender guess – Kristie said girl…I said boy. Both grandmothers said a boy.
After 30 seconds the technician announced that it was a girl! My response: “How can you tell?” After showing me the relevant indicators, I was somewhat convinced she knew what she was doing. Everything looks really healthy. Her heart, head, organs, and bones all look perfect. She was all legs. One of her legs was practically wrapped around her head. The technician kept nudging her to wake up and move, but she was a sleepy little baby. Every new piece of info just helps us to realize how real this is. We are amazed at God’s gift of life. Kristie is doing great as well. We went shopping last week for maternity clothes for her, so she is starting to look like an expectant mommy.
After 30 seconds the technician announced that it was a girl! My response: “How can you tell?” After showing me the relevant indicators, I was somewhat convinced she knew what she was doing. Everything looks really healthy. Her heart, head, organs, and bones all look perfect. She was all legs. One of her legs was practically wrapped around her head. The technician kept nudging her to wake up and move, but she was a sleepy little baby. Every new piece of info just helps us to realize how real this is. We are amazed at God’s gift of life. Kristie is doing great as well. We went shopping last week for maternity clothes for her, so she is starting to look like an expectant mommy.
Movies I've Seen in a Theatre this Summer
Okay, we subscribe to Netflix so I have to really want to see a movie to spend $10 in a theatre. That’s why this list is quite small.
Ironman
I thought this movie was well done and presented a very realistic type of Superhero. I love the fact that Tony Stark uses his new hero status to try and redeem the work he did out of greed.
Indiana Jones – Crystal Skull
We actually went to see this while on vacation in Ocean City for our anniversary but the projector died and we had to get our money back! I went expecting another lame follow-up, but I actually thought it was a decent attempt. Kristie thought it was pretty lame.
Hancock
The whole concept of an out of control superhero was entertaining. The major plot twist half-way through really threw me for a loop.
Dark Knight
They weren’t kidding that this movie is “dark.” The underlying theme of the whole movie concerned whether humankind had any speck of kindness or was wholly selfish in its actions. Even Batman was not exempted from this question and the movie left a cloud over his motivations. Heath Ledger’s Joker was very disturbing. He did a good job in personifying evil. At one point, he acknowledged that there was no plan, no concern for money…he was only after complete chaos. That would be an adequate definition of evil. Although this movie was compelling, it was a little too dark for my tastes.
Ironman
I thought this movie was well done and presented a very realistic type of Superhero. I love the fact that Tony Stark uses his new hero status to try and redeem the work he did out of greed.
Indiana Jones – Crystal Skull
We actually went to see this while on vacation in Ocean City for our anniversary but the projector died and we had to get our money back! I went expecting another lame follow-up, but I actually thought it was a decent attempt. Kristie thought it was pretty lame.
Hancock
The whole concept of an out of control superhero was entertaining. The major plot twist half-way through really threw me for a loop.
Dark Knight
They weren’t kidding that this movie is “dark.” The underlying theme of the whole movie concerned whether humankind had any speck of kindness or was wholly selfish in its actions. Even Batman was not exempted from this question and the movie left a cloud over his motivations. Heath Ledger’s Joker was very disturbing. He did a good job in personifying evil. At one point, he acknowledged that there was no plan, no concern for money…he was only after complete chaos. That would be an adequate definition of evil. Although this movie was compelling, it was a little too dark for my tastes.
Summer Reading
I've read some interesting books over the Summer I thought I would share with you. For pleasure, I've read a couple of Dean Koontz books. I was excited that he came out with a new installment of the "Odd Thomas" series, which I read in June. I also picked up his book "Life Expectancy" at a thrift store... I never dreamed the words "look out for the clown" would be so prophetic. I also read his new book "The Good Guy" on a trip back from OH earlier this Summer.
I've been reading the CS Lewis Space Trilogy this Summer as well. Although it is fiction, Lewis weaves a strong thread of theology throughout. The whole premise of the series is that the characters visit planets in various stages of their development in relation to God. Planet Earth is known as the "bent planet" because of the disobedience and fall of humankind. In the first book set on Mars (Out of the Silent Planet), the characters encounter a world that is old but uncorrupted by sin. The main character is constantly expecting the worst from the creatures (because of his earth conditioning) but they are nothing but kind to him. All of the ways we have been corrupted begin to come into focus in the light of this untainted society. In the second book, the main character discovers Creation in full bloom on the planet Venus. He finds the Queen of the planet in a struggle with whether she should disobey the one rule of her planet that God has given her. Ultimately, she makes the right decision. I just began the third book called "That Hideous Strength."
This Summer I am leading a book club with the book "The Shack." Although fiction, the book deals with the age old question of where is God in the face of suffering. The book has been incredibly popular this year and has even topped the NY Time bestseller list. I love the line in the book where God says He doesn't fix things...He redeems them.
I've been reading the CS Lewis Space Trilogy this Summer as well. Although it is fiction, Lewis weaves a strong thread of theology throughout. The whole premise of the series is that the characters visit planets in various stages of their development in relation to God. Planet Earth is known as the "bent planet" because of the disobedience and fall of humankind. In the first book set on Mars (Out of the Silent Planet), the characters encounter a world that is old but uncorrupted by sin. The main character is constantly expecting the worst from the creatures (because of his earth conditioning) but they are nothing but kind to him. All of the ways we have been corrupted begin to come into focus in the light of this untainted society. In the second book, the main character discovers Creation in full bloom on the planet Venus. He finds the Queen of the planet in a struggle with whether she should disobey the one rule of her planet that God has given her. Ultimately, she makes the right decision. I just began the third book called "That Hideous Strength."
This Summer I am leading a book club with the book "The Shack." Although fiction, the book deals with the age old question of where is God in the face of suffering. The book has been incredibly popular this year and has even topped the NY Time bestseller list. I love the line in the book where God says He doesn't fix things...He redeems them.
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