YouTube (Thing #8)

As part of the "Web2.0" initiative, we've been asked to look at YouTube, and find a favorite video. I have been using YouTube for quite some time for all kinds of things - finding concert videos for favorite musicians, finding old Muppet Show routines, as well as other old T.V. shows.

But I think for my favorite, I have to go with the Hammer Juggler. While I initially was e-mailed this video, I was able to find it on YouTube, and thus I could send it to others without the bandwidth overhead. Each time I watch this video, I try to see if I can find any scars on this guy's face from previous practice sessions. Do not attempt at home.

One of the interesting things about YouTube is that it seemed to prompt the whole online "video on demand" concept that lead to studios releasing their own videos, and subsequently, the writer's strike. While it would be unfair to blame the writer's strike directly on YouTube, you can see how these events fall into sequence. In the future, you may see more creativity from common citizens using YouTube, and networks left to unscripted entertainment, like news, true crime and sports.

On the embedded player: I see the embedded player for YouTube turn up quite a few places. It's a cool little widget, but any secured web browser would not allow it to run, since it uses the same technique as a common cross-site scripting attack. A cool widget is not worth the security risk.

A favorite pic (Thing #5)

At my workplace, they've asked the entire technology group to look at "web 2.0", and try some of the features that are being built into web sites and web browsers. This week's lesson was to find a favorite pic.

After looking at my favorite spot for photos - Wikimedia Commons - I decided to choose one of the ones I took instead. I was just too overwhelmed with great pics!

The picture above is of a hidden lake north of Bemidjigamog (or just "Bemidji") in the State Park. There was a trail that lead from the campground through a "bog walk" - a boardwalk allowing visitors to walk into the bog without destroying it. Through the bog, and through thick woods, you come out at this small hidden lake - perfectly quiet and tranquil.

Pitcher Plants in the bog!

Attend the Tale ...

For my birthday this year, Kitty purchased tickets to the Broadway revival of "Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street". As a teenager, I stumbled upon the very end of Sweeney Todd on PBS (probably waiting for Doctor Who to come on), and thought "That looked really interesting". I soon rented the video from that performance, and became a big fan.

The week prior to seeing the show, I heard a story on MPR that this revival used a minimal set, and had a minimal cast, with the actors also playing instruments (no orchestra!). This did worry me a bit, knowing that there is one version of the musical that is not acted out, but merely sung while standing in place.

The production was incredibly brave, with the actors constantly acting their part, playing their instruments or moving set pieces. The music was wonderful, and amazing to watch the actors deftly handle their increased musical responsibilities. But sometimes the additional work of the actors became a distraction from the story itself; other times, the instruments and staging interfered with natural, direct interaction between the characters, leaving the audience wondering who is supposed to be a talking with who.

Also, by having the complete cast on stage at all times, it was not always clear when a scene transitioned from place to place, or even who was actually in the scene. Especially the opening scene in Act II, it's hard to tell that the pie shop is now crowded, as it is filled with as many people as before.

Sadly, one of the most important "characters" was missing from this production - Sweeney's barber chair. This prop was important enough that you can hear it in use on the Original Broadway Cast recording. I think some of the black comedy was lost without the chair. Not only did it change the timing with the way each murder was symbolically staged, but I think the quick exit of the body in the original staging made it easier to laugh at the situation. Maybe it's not as polite to laugh at a murder victim if they're still in the room (and playing an instrument).

That being said, I fully understand how the chair would be a logistical nightmare for a ten-person ensemble.

Again, it was a very brave production, and incredibly well performed by the cast. I would gladly see it again if it were to come back through town.

Now, if only they'd do "A Little Night Music" ...

Redux!

Seems kinda familiar, huh?

I think as of last night, I lost all interest in Football until late August. Good luck getting your ring, Randy - but I can't stand to watch another Gnats football game.

Football's over, Basketball may as well be over ... must be time for fishing again!

Maybe next season

The week after my last post, Vikings running back "All Day" Peterson drew the national spotlight back on the Vikings following a record-setting day. Suddenly, the mediocre Vikings are looking at a potential play-off spot ... I decided I better not jinx anything with another post!

But we struggled with Oakland! We only beat the Chargers because they paid no heed to our "unstoppable" running back ... but then, the next three games we struggled to do anything on offense - our one-trick pony had met it's match. We barely beat a struggling Chicago team (what a great day for Urlacher, though!), and that was pretty much all she wrote for any post season hopes.

Two things kill us - penalties on the defense, and a lack of coordination on the offense. While I would have preferred starting the season with a veteran QB, Jackson is showing signs of improvement - at this stage, I think it would be a huge mistake to back away from Jackson. He's there, he's capable - let's start building a solid offense around him. Wade and Ferguson seem pretty solid. Allison might not be bad, but why is he in number 84?!? That number is WAY to big for him! And speaking of numbers, what happened to #40 this year? I know Childress has his own game plans on offense, but hey - Kleinsasser gets yards and points! Granted, he's a good blocker, especially when running the ball, but he needs to have the ball in his hands more often.

Lastly, there were a lot of comments from the announcers about Jackson "telegraphing the ball". I saw that too - but can that be fully blamed on Jackson, or the less-than-accurate receiving staff? You can read where he's looking - but I swear you can read his eyes, too: "Are you going to catch this damn ball, or make me look foolish again?!?".

Missing Professional Football in Minnesota

Inviting Trouble

Last Saturday, Kitty & I went to the Humane Society to look at a cockatiel they had listed on their web site. He was very reserved and quiet (he'd only been at the shelter one day). Behind us, however, was a very social, very noisy young cockatiel ... and right now he's in my living room going through his different sound effects and whistles.

Meet "Phready McLovin". (I just call him "bud", like all small animals).

Harry Plopper?

Finally made it to The Simpsons Movie. Very, very funny - and I never saw the end coming! But what happened to Spider-Pig, aka Harry Plopper? I JUST NEED CLOSURE!!!

Yeah, Lisa - me too!

Yeah, it was a bit colder near Tofte than in S.C. (which should explain the slippers and sweat pants), but it was a good day for pictures of feet all around. (see my sister's blog ...)

A sad day

Today, our cockatiel "Elvis" was euthanized. This loud, pesky, inquisitive, daring, fool-hardy member of our family finally engaged in one risky behavior too many, and all the warnings in the past finally landed home. It's funny how such a small creature can have such a big effect on our lives. It will be too quiet around here without him.

A matter of perspective

Just over a week ago, I totaled my car. I was driving though an intersection when someone ran a red light making a right turn, putting them directly in my path. That would have been no problem for me to avoid, but as soon as they were in my path, they hit their brakes and came to a complete stop. Part of their bumper cracked & broke off, and the whole front end of my car was smashed in (as well as both air bags going off). The other driver was a foreign adult, and told both the police officer and my insurance agent that they did not know you had to stop on red when making a right turn.

I was relieved to find that my insurance would not hold the accident against me, however, the car now totaled has one major problem: it's owned by a bank. How much of it is owned by the bank versus myself is an interesting question, because it depends on whether the car is running or not. Long and short of it is, since the bank is on the title, they get to keep however much of the money they so choose. All of it, of course.

So, the accident's not my fault, my car's totaled ... and I'm just out a vehicle with no compensation. The bank, which I am choosing not to name, gets several extra thousands of dollars. Their consolation to me is that they would give me another auto loan. Ha!

I'll never trust another bank again. In fact, you know their job is to make every cent they possibly can ... and if that means taking it from you, they can and will. And then they'll ask to bleed you some more, and too often, we're desperate to let them do it! I told Kitty if we take out another auto loan, that car should sit safely in the garage until it's paid off!

But there's good news. From the accident, I jammed my thumb pretty good, but otherwise no ill effects. Our truck, which had been failing to start during the cold snap, started up immediately when I got home after the accident, and has been running fine since. We now have no car loans, and our insurance has significantly dropped, which will make it a lot easier to save up for a replacement vehicle. Also, because I've been in the habit of taking the bus to work, the loss of a vehicle is not nearly as insurmountable as it would be for many. Unfortunately, "public" transportation in the suburbs requires driving to meet the bus, but I've been able to work around Met Council's shortcomings, thanks to the help of my family & a flexible schedule.

Some people struggle through life every day. My life is generally pretty easy, with the occasional WHOMP!!! that can momentarily make things seem hopeless. It's just a matter of keeping that clear perspective ...

Living Christ - MLK

One of the most impressive things about MLK to me was how in his public life, he lived Christ. To return violence with violence is the norm, and certainly feels a natural reaction. Throughout the history of Man, the oppressed stand up and fight back with violence, and that violence is eventually repaid. But Christ shows us a different way - a way that very few public leaders seem to understand. It is a shame that men who live Christ seem to come to such a violent end (Ghandi is another example, although a Buddhist, certainly followed from Christ's example). Perhaps that is just the way of this broken world. MLK reminds us with his life, and his example, the importance of following Christ, no matter what this world may do to us.

Oh yeah, I have a blog!

Actually, it's not that I forgot it was here ... it's just ... well, many excuses why I haven't posted a blog since May 2005 ....

I actually told myself that I'd start blogging again with the new year. Not quite two weeks behind schedule, I guess. So many things to talk about, I've started many blogs in the 20 months since my last post. But each time, I've later "abandoned my post" as it were.

NOT THIS TIME!!!

Great Egrets in Lebanon Hills

Great egrets in Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Dakota County, Minnesota. This is on a trail between Jensen Lake and Holland Lake.

I've really gotten back-logged in my picture publishing! Hopefully, I'll have new updates for my photo pages very soon.

Funamentals of Faith

There are many words in the American vocabulary that spark different ideas (good or bad) depending on your point of view. During the saturation bombing ad campaign Bush launched against us last election, the word "liberal" was used with as much venom as the word "terrorist" or even "communist". Quickly, a word that had meant "tolerance" and "open-mindedness" began to take on a new meaning.

There is another word, or more of a label, that has also become misused in America: Christian. The word itself came from Antioch, Syria, to refer to those who followed the "Christ", which in Greek means "Annointed One". To some, a christian is someone born into a christian-practicing home. To others, a christian is a person who follows (or tries their best to follow) a long list of rules - a few selected from obscure passages in the Old Testiment of the Bible, and a laundry list of others made by the leaders of the denomination. Still others believe to be a christian, you simply try your best to live a life like Jesus - be kind to others, don't lie, don't steal, etc.

Read more!

In order for these different views of christianity to remain distinct from one another, additional labels are affixed to the term. On one side is that favorite panic word of Karl Rove - "liberal", and on the other, the equally frightening "fundamentalist". I myself was raised under the shadow of the later, in one of the most powerful "fundamentalist" churches in America.

I searched for the definition of the word "fundamentalist" online (courtesy of Google). Oddly enough, the definitions that came back seemed rather biased - "anti-modern", "rabid Islamist" (?), "refers to Mormons who believe ..." - but none of the online definitions pointed to christianity. It's hard to believe that these "fundamental" christians would want to be associated with Mormons or "rabid" Muslims (no disrespect is intended on my part, I only use the word "rabid" to point out the irrational fear, and non-tolerant behavior of some).

Fundamentalism hold very tightly to a select few of the laws in the Old Testament book of Leviticus (those laws that apply to others, not themselves), and then wraps itself in the tight blanket of Capitalism/Conservatism. "God helps those who help themselves" is the unwritten golden rule which is applied to the American poor. Since there is so much opportunity in this county, if someone's poor, it must be their own fault, right?

Please keep in mind, I am not referring to any particular fundamentalist christian, nor am I saying that every fundamentalist christian hates the American poor. I believe strongly that God can work any situation for good, and strong and faithful Christians can come from either the fundamentalist or liberal side of the street.

On the other side of the Christian spectrum are the liberal christians. Liberal christians tend to focus on the actions of the Christ, especially his attitude towards the poor and downcast, and try to live their lives to emulate Jesus. I've heard of the distinction between these two extremes as "the church of law" (fundamentalism) and "the church of love".

Yet for me, there is one sticking point for me with the liberal church - most of the liberal churches I have found do not believe in the Bible, or the divinity of the Christ. For me, the whole concept of Christianity falls apart without the Bible, or the divinity of Jesus. Where is the foundation of faith?

For me, I have chosen to believe that the Bible is the word of God, and that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God, by which all men must be saved. These two points are the fundamentals of my faith. Does that make me a "fundamentalist" in the general sense of the term? I sincerely hope not. I'd prefer the label "Biblical Christian". I would much rather the world consider me a member of the "church of love", than the "church of law".

Caz in Duluth

Duluth Harbor from Skyline Drive

My Buddy Caz sent this to me, bringing back memories of Duluth. One of the coolest things in the spring is all the ice that typically piles up on the shore.

Goodbye, Ice!

Ice on Jensen Lake in Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Taken Sunday, April 3rd, 2005

More photos from Jensen Lake

Pete's New Blog

This is my new blog!

I've seen them, I've read them, but I've never published one before.

So, what will be here?

Most likely, I'll use this spot to talk about my interests:

• Java / Web Development
• Hiking / Camping
• Politics (uh-oh!)
• Faith