Writing Workshop

Tuesday evening I'm opening up a couple doors and turning on a few lights for folks to come have a quasi-organized creative outlet. I'm "hosting" a writing workshop and I would love it if you came. It'll be fun and laid back, perfect for non-writers and closet-novelists alike. I don't profess to know a whole lot, but I do know that for whatever reason it's fun to get together with some people and be creative for an hour and a half. Bring your laptop and/or journal + pen. For ages 16-103. I promise you'll be glad you came.

Meet me at the Student Union @ VCC, this Tuesday from 7-8:30pm.

Sneak Peak

I don't want to get everyone too excited but here's a few screenshots of wiseday productions' debut music video. Coming soon to flash players near you. Oprah get ready.

Is this real life?

Oh yeah...one more thing.

In a couple weeks almost 50 churches in Cincinnati are going on a spiritual journey. Part of said journey is to join a small group of folks and meet weekly (think book/wine club). So I woke up yesterday feeling extravertish. I was inspired by a friend over at Crossroads who joined a group of strangers in hopes of meeting some people. So I looked into the guys groups listed on Crossroads' website. The whole thing felt very strange, like a dating service or something. I wanted to quit numerous times. Basically, you read a description of the group and if you like what you read you email them and say, "hey, i like you. do you like me?"

One of the groups that sounded intriguing was one that said they were into sports. Me. They meet in Mt. Adams. I have neighborhood envy of Mt. Adams. We're off to a good start. Then they said, "we're looking to reach out to dudes in our city." Something about that didn't fit my style. I use the word, "dudes" in the same way I use, "bros." So I passed on that group. I found another that seemed more my style and sent them a cyber-note and asked them to check yes or no.

Woke up today feeling self-conscious about the whole thing. I went back to the site and looked at the groups again. The Mt. Adams sports fans updated their listing. They added this sentence: "This group is for gay / bi men who view church as an important part of their life." Fairly important sentence I think.

I'm not writing this to make judgements or anything weird like that. I LOVE that this group exists. My point is that I just don't meet that criteria and it seems like pretty important criteria to mention from the get go. It would be like if these sports fans in Mt. Adams forgot to mention that Star Trek is a huge part of their life. I don't have any problem with Star Trek. Some of my really good friends are huge into the Star Trek. It's just not my thing. So if I showed up to a group that forgot to tell me they go to the conventions, have the dolls, etc. there would be a disconnect between us from the start.

Or let's say that it doesn't come up the first meeting. We talk about the weather in Mt. Adams and the Bengals. But, they would probably assume that I too love Star Trek, right? Why else would I be there? So, things go well and they invite me over to watch movies. So I assume they're going to pop in Jerry Maguire, Tin Cup, Major League. They're the sports fans from Mt. Adams. I may even wear my Bearcats hat to show them my sports fandom. So I roll in and instead of rocking Ocho Cinco jerseys they're all wearing Spok shirts and watching The Wrath of Khan. Not that there's anything wrong with Khan. I was just expecting Dorn.

Balloon Brainstorm

I have such a strange job. I recently bought a few weather balloons and today inflated one (at the end of the video you'll see a yet-to-be-inflated 16ft monster). My original use for them isn't going to work out. But I want to use them in a video or in a celebration here at the vineyard. How cool would it be to bounce it around beach ball style in church? So, I need your help in brainstorming ideas / metaphors / analogies that would justify using these ginormous beauties either in a video or live. Whatchu got?

Pairings

I spend a lot of time at work pairing things together that don't seem (at first glance) to be natural pairs. Metaphors to illustrate points. Songs that can take on new meanings in videos. Words that can be used to brand things in a new way. This translates to food as well. Often times I combine flavors that Leah initially scoffs at and later scarfs up. So tonight's pairings are for your digital delight. Each photo has a song that compliments it in its own, unique way. I humbly ask that you sample each one. You may find the pairings pleasurable. You may find them positively pointless. Either way, eat up.






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Proof that music can make a video

Strangely Rad

If there were a button that could make everything strangely rad, you would press it wouldn't you? I would. And I bet mounty cops would instantly be mounted on zebras instead of boring old brown steeds. I also bet that everyone who didn't already have their collar popped would get popped. Everyone who owned Corollas would own El Caminos. The rascal-driving elderly would get blessed with ground effects and murdered out rims. Bears would develop meat allergies and adhere to a strict honey diet that their friend Pooh has been pushing for years. Christopher Robin could finally go to Pooh's family reunions and not worry about death. Accordion sales would skyrocket and save our economy. Kids everywhere could polka outside of their closets. We'd see more moose around our neighborhoods. They'd give a friendly nod whenever we pointed at them. You'd learn to BMX if you always wanted to as a kid but were too busy delivering newspapers and selling lemonade to even think about hobbies. I bet those people exist. And I can't say for sure, but I'd bet a nickel the Frito Kid would become everyone's mailman. He'd hand you your bills and a pouch of corn chips and you'd share a laugh about this crazy mixed-up world.


(my blood sugar might be low)

Dude....

I now know that I've done nothing with my life...


wingsuit base jumping from Ali on Vimeo.

City Iron

One of my favorite human beings on the earthplanet has started a weblog. I would like it if all y'all consistently frequented said blog, linked to said blog and told all your friends who could purchase ornamental iron masterpieces to go to said blog. This blacksmith artisan promises to share tales of a world many of us will never enter due to our lack of manliness.


Steve, I just sent you like 3 million readers. Don't be surprised if you become insanely rich and the most powerful iron man in the world.