Viking Restaurant

First Indy IV Photo

I do have to admit, this is pretty dang cool. Welcome back Indy.

Smashing Pumpkins- 1979

In honor of the fact that there is a new Smashing Pumpkins album out this week, I thought I would post up of this little gem of my high school years nostalgia. I think Ive always had a special place in my heart for "1979," perhaps because it was my first full year of life on earth (I was born in November 1978).

I got to see the Pumpkins (all four members) on a small club tour the year before they broke up for good. It was in Pittsburgh and I waited outside all day on a rainy day in order to get up to the front row. I spent the entire concert gazing up at Corgan, Iha, D'Arcy and Chamberlain from about five feet away while getting crushed up against a railing by about ten tons of crowd pressure. I was able to get my picture taken with D'Arcy at the end of the night which made the whole experience worth it for sure.

You can make your arguments for best band of the nineties, but Im positive beyond any shadow of a doubt that there is no better album of the nineties than the Pumpkins' Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. Its hands down the epochal record of that decade.

Well, here's the video:

Once Upon a Time There Was An Ocean

Ive been listening to this song lately in my car and Im always struck by the lyrics. I think its a safe bet that the "letter from home" is something like the Bible, the Koran, etc. I think thats a fair enough interpretation, and it makes the song make a lot more sense.

Once Upon a Time There Was an Ocean
By: Paul Simon

Once upon a time there was an ocean
But now it's a mountain range
Something unstoppable set into motion
Nothing is different, but everything's changed

It's a dead end job, and you gets tired of sittin'
And it's like a nicotine habit you're always thinking about quittin'
I think about quittin' every day of the week
When I look out my window it's brown and it's bleak

Outta here
How am I gonna get outta here?
I'm thinking outta here
When am I gonna get outta here?
And when will I cash in my lottery ticket
And bury my past with my burdens and strife?
I want to shake every limb in the garden of Eden
And make every love the love of my life

I figure that once upon a time I was an ocean
But now I'm a mountain range
Something unstoppable set into motion
Nothing is different, but everything's changed

Found a room in the heart of the city, down by the bridge
Hot plate and TV and beer in the fridge
But I'm easy, I'm open, that's my gift
I can flow with the traffic, I can drift with the drift
Home again?
Naw, never going home again
Think about home again?
I never think about home

But then comes a letter from home
The handwriting's fragile and strange
Something unstoppable set into motion
Nothing is different, but everything's changed

The light through the stained glass was cobalt and red
And the frayed cuffs and collars were mended by haloes of golden thread
The choir sang, "Once Upon A Time There Was An Ocean"
And all the old hymns and family names came fluttering down as leaves of emotion

As nothing is different, but everything's changed

Pictures from New York

These were taken by my uncle as we walked around NYC on Fathers Day.

My Big Apple Weekend

Well I just arrived in Boston today and Im in bed getting ready to sleep for my first night on campus at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. Nothing really to report about Boston yet, but I did spend the whole weekend in NYC, so I thought I should definitely blog about that.

I spent the whole weekend running around the Big Apple with my friends Matt, Julian, and Stephanie and I got to see some other people there as well, including my Uncle Paul who lives right there in the city near Grand Central Station. I managed to make it to four of the five boroughs (all except Statin Island) during my stay.

Matt and I first arrived in the Bronx (after a really long and slow drive across the George Washington Bridge) to meet up with Julian and Steph who were watching the Met. Opera in an outdoor park. Then we drove back to the place we were staying which is in Queens (beautiful spot right on the river with an amazing view of the city from a patio up top). We then spent most of Saturday in Manhattan, covering all kinds of ground, from Greenwich Village through Washington Park and into the East Village for a huge outdoor Farmers Market. Matt and I then met up with some other friends, Luke and A-Rod, in a pub near Times Square. We walked through Times Square and Central Park and then we caught a train to Brooklyn to eat African food and see Luke and A-Rod's apartment. Matt and I then went back to Queens to drink wine with Julian on the patio till 3 in the morning. It was a long eventful day for sure.

Today I woke up and met up with my uncle at his apartment and we walked all over the city together, once again by Times Square and through more of Central Park, and by a bunch of other stuff as well. Walking around the city talking to my uncle sort of made me feel like the younger male character in a Woody Allen movie who walks around the city with Woody and listens to all of his theories on life, love, and politics. Pretty interesting stuff.

Then I hopped in my car at about five o'clock and drove up to Boston where I now lay my head. I wake up tomorrow morning and head to my first Greek class. Things are moving kind of quickly. I should have more to update in no time.

Karate Kid: The New Edit

My friend Greg showed this to me and I find it absolutely hilarious. This is the Karate Kid they should have made!

Philadelphia Days

Ive been in Philadelphia since Monday. One of the highlights has been getting to bike around the city a couple times with my friend Matt. Pretty exhilarating stuff. Makes me want to get a bike in Boston.

On Monday I just got into town, hung out with Matt a bit, and went out for wing night at a bar with Matt and some of his friends.

On Tuesday I was pretty dang sick all day so I stayed in Matt's apartment all afternoon and only went out briefly at night to a pub called "The Pope" which has what Matt believes to be the best french fries in the city. But I was told by another friend there that the real pub to try in Philly is "Monk's" so I hope I make it there before I leave.

I spent a good amount of time in South Philly yesterday reading at a coffee shop (The Moviegoer by Walker Pearcy) and picking up a Philly Cheese Steak at Pat's for lunch. Went to Atlantic City of all places last night with a friend, completely on a whim. I had a good time, and Im really glad I got to see the ocean for the first time in over two years, but Atlantic City is a depressing place ultimately. I'll never understand the casino culture. Its the pits.

Tonight Im apparently going dancing with Matt and Brae at a place called "The 700 Club" which just makes me think of Pat Robertson so its hard to imagine it as a dance club.

Im loving Philly. Sometimes I wish I was moving here. Its got a really small, connected feel to it. The urban planning here, at least in the actual city, is really great for things like biking and walking around. The people just seem really normal and down to earth. Its a beautiful place really. And did you know the Philadelphia Phillies have the worst record of any professional sports team in history? They are about fourteen games away from having lost 10,000 games. There is something kind of romantic about that to me. Im the kind of guy who would want to live in a city with an underdog team like that and become their #1 fan. I just like rooting for the losers.

Tomorrow I will be in NYC. Sunday night: Boston.

Boom Goes the Dynamite

Saw this for the first time tonight. Could not stop laughing.

The Weight of Lies

One of the things I really liked about the Avett Brothers was their lyrics. Really solid the whole way through. This song stuck out to me particularly:

The Weight of Lies

Disappear from your hometown
Go and find the people that you know
Show them all your good parts
Leave town when bad ones start to show
Go and wed a woman
A pretty girl that you’ve never met
Make sure she knows you love her well
But don’t make any other promises

The weight of lies will bring you down
And follow you to every town
Cause nothing happens here that doesn’t happen there
So when you run make sure you run
To something and not away from
Cause lies don’t need an aeroplane to chase you anywhere

I once heard the worst thing
A man could do is draw a hungry crowd
Tell everyone his name, pride, and confidence
But leaving out his doubt
I’m not sure I bought those words
When I was young I knew most everything
These words have never meant so much to anyone
As they now mean to me

The weight of lies will bring you down
And follow you to every town
Cause nothing happens here that doesn’t happen there
So when you run make sure you run
To something and not away from
Cause lies don’t need an aeroplane to chase you down

The Avett Brothers

I heard the Avett Brothers at Riverbend last night, and I thought they were amazing. Check them out:

Chattanooga Is My Hometown

Im supposed to leave my hometown of Chattanooga this Sunday. Today was my last day at work. Tomorrow I pack my bags and see friends, and then Sunday I get in my car and drive away. And you know what? Today, I came pretty dang close to changing my mind. I was actually meeting with my pastor and an elder from my church today and about halfway through our conversation I was ready to say, "Thats it guys! Im staying!" The thing is, I truly do love this town. I love it more than any other place Ive ever lived. I have spent the majority of the past seven years living here, and the relationships I have formed here are the most important I have ever known. This town and the people in it have changed me and shaped me into who I am today. There is no doubt about it.

Its funny how discontent I can be here at times, how completely restless, yearning for that greener grass in some other city. But you know how it is. There is something about the fact that when you know you are finally going to leave a place, you love it more than ever. I have certainly been experiencing this.

For the past few weeks, my life here has seemed sweeter and I am finding that I really am thankful, so incredibly thankful, for my family, my friends, my job, my church and all of the other little things that make up my life here. I have really been enjoying these things more, and Im kicking myself because "Why couldnt I have enjoyed these things more in the past?" Why is it always right before I leave that I start to see how great Ive really got it?

A big part of me is starting to panic. Do I really want to leave this place? I have more friends here, and quality friends at that, than I might ever have again in one place. My whole family is here. I go to a church where I have the kind of relationship with my pastor and elders that is greater than what I might reasonably dream of anywhere else. I have a sweet life here! I really do. I just dont see it most of the time because I get too blinded my anxieties. But something tells me, that until the new heavens and new earth hit, Im not going to find a better home than Chattanooga. I am absolutely overwhelmed with gratitude that the Lord gave me the years that he has given me here. I look forward to the time I might still have here in the future.

But life demands that we move on sometimes and take some risks. And Boston is a risk that I want and think I should take. But Im not in Boston yet. And so while Im still here, I think Im going to post this, a song about how no matter how hard things get, your hometown is still your hometown. Its in honor of my favorite, most beloved city in the world:

Strange Weirdos and The Else

I received "Strange Weirdos," Loudon Wainwright III's new album with music from and inspired by the film "Knocked Up," in the mail this week from Amazon. I am really loving the album, because it truly is one of the best and most consistent Loudon albums I know of. See, I really like Loudon, but his albums can be a bit inconsistent. I tend to REALLY like about 3-4 songs, and then the rest are just kind of "nice." But I like "Strange Weirdos" all the way through, which is saying something. A great album inspired by a great movie.

Also, Im very excited about this (Its the cover for the new They Might Be Giants record, The Else):

Im a shameless They Might Be Giants geek. Always have been. Ive religiously followed them since about the sixth grade. The guys are geniuses. On that note, if youve never seen "Gigantic: A Tale of Two Johns," a humorous documentary about their career, then you really should. Ive heard some of the new album on the radio lately and it sounds really good. Cant wait to hear more.

Bearded Me

I wanted those who havent already to see what I look like with a beard, because its the first time Ive ever really grown one out. I actually just trimmed it down a lot the other day, but I might grow it right back out. These were taken when my Slovak friend Jana Laukova was visiting in town last weekend. She's the girl in the third picture.

Comic Book Movie Humor

You have to know something about comic book movies and all their different stages of development to find these funny, but I dont know, maybe you'll find them funny anyway. I think they are hysterical.

New Loudon Wainwright III/ReReleased Traveling Wilburys

There are two reasons to rejoice in the music world this week and they both have something to do with that movie "Knocked Up" that I have been raving about.

First, I was wondering if "Knocked Up" had a soundtrack because I am a fan of Loudon Wainwright III who composed music and contributed new songs for the film. Well, today I found out even better news than that of a soundtrack. I found out that LWIII has indeed released a new album "Strange Weirdos" with music from and inspired by "Knocked Up." Doesnt get much better than that. Here's the cover:

Second, after seeing the trailer for "Knocked Up" I was happy to hear the Traveling Wilbury's favorite "End of the Line" in there, but I was saddened by my rememberance that Traveling Wilburys albums havent been available for years and I dont own one. But then what do you know? They are actually rereleasing both Traveling Wilburys albums, Volume I and Volume III, next week! For those who dont know, the Traveling Wilburys was a supergroup consisting of Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, and Roy Orbison. Although they didnt go by those names. Check them out here:

(chorus 1)
Well its all right, riding around in the breeze
Well its all right, if you live the life you please
Well its all right, doing the best you can
Well its all right, as long as you lend a hand

You can sit around and wait for the phone to ring
Waiting for someone to tell you everything
Sit around and wonder what tomorrow will bring
Maybe a diamond ring

(chorus 2)
Well its all right, even if they say youre wrong
Well its all right, sometimes you gotta be strong
Well its all right, as long as you got somewhere to lay
Well its all right, everyday is judgement day

Maybe somewhere down the road aways
Youll think of me, and wonder where I am these days
Maybe somewhere down the road when somebody plays
Purple haze

(chorus 3)
Well its all right, even when push comes to shove
Well its all right, if you got someone to love
Well its all right, everythingll work out fine
Well its all right, were going to the end of the line

Dont have to be ashamed of the car I drive
Im just glad to be here, happy to be alive
It dont matter if youre by my side
Im satisfied

(chorus 4)
Well its all right, even if youre old and grey
Well its all right, you still got something to say
Well its all right, remember to live and let live
Well its all right, the best you can do is forgive

(chorus 5)
Well its all right, riding around in the breeze
Well its all right, if you live the life you please
Well its all right, even if the sun dont shine
Well its all right, were going to the end of the line

Meet Judd Apatow

He's the creator of what is perhaps my favorite television show ever "Freaks and Geeks," and he is the writer and director of quite possibly the two funniest movies of the past five years, "The 40 Year-Old Virgin" and the newly released "Knocked Up." I wont hesitate to declare that he is the best comedic writer in films today and that the burgeoning success of him and his posse of collaborators is the most exciting thing to happen to movies in recent memory. There are really no new praises I could heap on him since every film critic in the country has already said as many nice things as could be said. But I did just want to take a second and blog about why this guy and his new film have inspired me so much this weekend.

"Knocked Up" is ultimately a movie about how things work out when they dont work out like you planned. This is the first movie that Apatow has written and directed solely by himself (40 Year-Old Virgin was co-written by Steve Carrell) and Apatow has admitted in interviews that he chose to go this route because of how "personal" the project was. Now I dont know much about Apatow's personal life, but all you have to do is look at his career to see why a movie about things not working out as planned might relate to his life. The guy is a brilliant writer, one of the most brilliant I have ever come across in movies, but he is just now, at 39 years of age, beginning to experience what can be called unqualified success. Seven years ago he almost tasted this kind of success when his TV series "Freaks and Geeks" was picked up by a major network, but the show was cancelled after one season containing a mere 18 episodes. Then he was given another chance to create another show "Undeclared" but that was cancelled after 17 episodes. Why were these shows cancelled? Literally, they were just too good. I was introduced to "Freaks and Geeks" almost three years ago and I guarantee you that you wont find a better season of television anywhere. If I could go back in time and change things I would make sure that "Freaks and Geeks" lasted another 15 seasons like "The Simpsons" because its just that good.

But you cant go back in time and change things, and sometimes thats a good thing, as Apatow so truthfully points out by the end of "Knocked Up." There is even some beautiful banter around a dinner table discussing the possibility of going back in time with Doc Brown in the Delorian much to the chagrin of the females at the table who have never even heard of Doc Brown, but Apatow makes his message clear by the credits that going back and changing even the worst of our mistakes could turn out to be the dumbest thing we could ever do. I needed to hear this message this weekend, and Im thankful to have heard it from a movie so hilarious that it made my sides hurt.

Just as the characters in Apatow's new film end up grateful that things didnt work out as planned, Im guessing that Apatow must be feeling the same way at least to a certain degree. His TV shows flopped even though they were strokes of pure genius, but as a result he and some of the people he has picked up along the way (including his wife and two young daughters who all appear in prominent, immensely enjoyable roles in his new film) all seem to be catapulting to levels of success I bet they never anticipated. The best example of this is "Knocked Up's" star Seth Rogen who was discovered as a teenager by Apatow and was cast in a supporting role in "Freaks and Geeks." By the age of 25, Rogen is now writing and starring in his own films, and he is considered to be a major up and coming comedic male lead. Who wouldve thunk it? And Apatow himself could probably get any idea he wants greenlit by a major studio. And all I have to say to that is more power to them all. Im watching these careers with great interest, because I know that Apatow, Rogen, and everyboy else in that crew have a lot more genius to throw our way.

So long story short....go see "Knocked Up" and then go out and buy "Freaks and Geeks" and watch the whole season....and if you still have money get a hold of "Undeclared" and "The 40 Year-Old Virgin" and anything else with Apatow's name on it. You wont be disappointed.

Go See Knocked Up

This is absolutely the BEST comedy I have seen in a LONG time.

I might write more on this later.

Shipping Off To Boston

Its hard not to get excited about this song lately: