Thursday, December 27, 2007

This is the interview where Brian Mclaren and I part ways. I've enjoyed reading Brian's work in the past but he's on a trajectory that I don't really want any part of.

He made this statement quoting a "friend": "The traditional understanding (of the atonement) says that God asks of us something that God is incapable of Himself. God asks us to forgive people. But God is incapable of forgiving. God can’t forgive unless He punishes somebody in place of the person He was going to forgive. God doesn’t say things to you—Forgive your wife, and then go kick the dog to vent your anger. God asks you to actually forgive. And there’s a certain sense that, a common understanding of the atonement presents a God who is incapable of forgiving. Unless He kicks somebody else."

"Unless God kicks somebody else?" God didn't kick somebody else, God took the sin of the world on his shoulders willingly, He wasn't taking it out on "someone else". The only way you can make a statement like that is if you do not believe in the divinity of Jesus nor the trinity. I have disagreed with Brian on things in the past, as I'm sure most of you have, but this isn't something I can ignore or just sweep under the rug. I'm not sure why I should keep reading a guy who not only endorses Marcus Borg and Crossan but rejects the divinity of Jesus in the same interview. Wow.




This may sound bad but....who?

I don't completely feel like an ignorant American most of the time, but did you guys know who this is? Be honest. Do you keep tabs on former Pakastani Prime Ministers?

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Friday, December 21, 2007

Hebrew Pays! Literally.

At the barber shop I go to (which is awesome) every few weeks they have a different trivia question that if you answer correctly you get a dollar off your haircut. This has been quite a challenge and it has continually frustrated me as I have never gotten one right...until today!

The question was..."What does the word Bethlehem literally mean?"

Thankfully we had just translated Ruth 1 in class where those two words are used all the time! Let me just say that getting this question right really made my day. Not only did I get a dollar off my haircut, but when the two barbers asked how I knew the answer I got to say for the first time, "I know Hebrew!" Man, what a day!

So in any case, do you know what Bethlehem literally means? No cheating!

Renewing the Center

I just finished reading Stanley Grenz' Renewing the Center this past week. Grenz traces the roots of Evangelicalism and then shows the trajectory of (neo)evangelicalism since then in two streams. In my own words I would call these theologians in the two different lines:

1. Protectors (of what they believe to be apparent orthodoxy, typically spending time trying to establish boundaries)
1st Generation - Carl F.H. Henry
2nd Generation - Millard Erickson
3rd Generation - Wayne Grudem

2. Pioneers (those who wish to explore the countryside inside the boundaries in following the example of the reformers)
1st Generation - Bernard Ramm
2nd Generation - Clark Pinnock
3rd Generation - John Sanders

I love the fact that Grenz does not polarize or belittle either of the two streams within evangelicalism. He is able to critique and examine both streams thoughtfully engaging with their primary works and shows how all of these men had/have a passion for engaging the times in which they live. Grenz ends with a call for (using Hans Frei's phrase) a generous orthodoxy (which Mclaren picked up and ran with) within evangelicalism instead of constantly trying to define evangelical orthodoxy in fundamentalist terms. Evangelicalism is a broad and diverse group of thinkers and theologians where there is room to think, to change, and to challenge traditional understandings. The boundaries are large and there is plenty of room for diversity theologically. That is why even Clark Pinnock who is an open theist, annihilationist, and an inclusivist can still be a part of the Evangelical Theological Society! I disagree with all three of those things, but he is still a brother in Christ. This was a good reminder that Clark's theology is not what saves him, nor even is his understanding of the atonement what saves him, but it is Jesus Christ who saves him.

I also love the fact that Grenz has such a strong ecclesiology. Theology serves the church.

"...the goal of doctrinal formulation is to facilitate both conversion and the pursuit of the convertive life. In short theology is a second-order conversation that seeks to serve the mission of the church, which is understood as a people who proclaim and live out the biblical narrative of God's saving action in Christ through the Spirit."

Going even further Grenz states, "The goal of reading the text, therefore, is to hear the Spirit's voice and to be formed into that community. Consequently, reading the text is a community event." Then he quotes Walter Klaasen, "The text can be properly understood only when disciples are gathered together to discover what the Word has to say to their needs and concerns."

Quoting James McClendon, "Theology is always theology of the community, not just of the individual Christian."

Do you agree with McClendon's statement?

Thursday, December 20, 2007

It's a tie...

The fight between Hebrew and I is over. As it turns out, we tied.

My final grade in the class: C

I can live with that. I feel like I did well on the quizzes, and did well on the two tests, but my home work grades were pretty bad. I think that and missing five classes brought me down to a C. The good news is, almost everyone I have talked to have told me they received a C the first semester, no joke, but they all got an A- second semester so we'll see if the trend continues.

Alright, off to the doctor (praying to God he can give me some advice for back relief), and then off to help out at the Salvation Army distribution center (I'm hoping I can be security today, although I don't think I get a gun or anything).

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Holy Highway

This is the dumbest thing I've ever seen.

No, seriously. I'm not kidding. This is an embarrassment, not just to Christians, but to humans.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Leadership Buzz




Bob and I recorded a few podcasts as requested by Christianity Today about a month ago that were recently posted on their new project "Leadership Buzz". Click HERE to listen!

While I'm not anywhere to be found on the promo page, I'm the co-host in the Podcast, I promise! Kelli kind of compared it to Dr. Drew and Adam Corolla. And since this podcast is about productivity for pastors, guess who isn't Dr. Drew? I guess that's why I'm not in the promo!

Anyway, it's worth a listen. So far there are just two 15 minute episodes. More will be coming soon. Enjoy!

Monday, December 17, 2007

Rachel Weeping

I'm preaching on Dec. 30th on Matthew 2:13-23 which is not a happy story. I was reading over it a few times yesterday and looking at the Greek (which in a narrative like this helps very little, but it's kind of habit now strangely enough) and I can't think of one thing I could possible say that would be funny about this story. It's not that I'm always looking for jokes in Scripture but this text is especially heavy. Herod killing children (probably around 20 of them), the figurative mother of Israel Rachel weeping for her children, Joseph's escape and return to Nazareth. Strange that this would happen so soon after the joyous event of Jesus' birth.

Fred Craddock, one of the best preachers of our century had a refrain in his sermon on this text that I will never forget, "It's hard to believe good news would have an enemy." Taken alone that is a powerful thought, that Herod would be so threatened by this little baby, but it means even more when you hear Craddock deliver it. The sermon is called "The Hard Side of Epiphany" and is one of those sermons that was really inspirational to me to become a preacher. I remember my friends and I in one of our preaching classes in College listened to this sermon several times and was just blown away by it. I pray that I can tell this story half as compelling as Craddock did.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Must Reads of 2008

Back to lists. Here is a list of must read books for me in 2008. Feel free to add to the list.

Theology:

Orthodoxy - G.K. Chesterton

Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be - Cornelius Plantinga Jr.

The Politics of Jesus - John Howard Yoder

Welcoming but Not Affirming - Stanley Grenz

The Sabbath - Abraham Heschel

Non-Fiction:

The Writing Life - Annie Dillard

Amusing Ourselves to Death - Neil Postman

The Year of Living Biblically - A.J. Jacobs

The Omnivore’s Dilemma - Michael Pollan

Mythology - Edith Hamilton

Fiction:

Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoevsky

The Gum Thief - Douglas Coupland

The Moviegoer - Walker Percy

The Professor’s House - Willa Cather

The Invisible Man - Ralph Elison

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Favorite Beers of 2007

Ok, coming up with a new list everyday is getting harder! By the way, if you don't live in the NW, this list probably doesn't mean a whole lot to you!

C-Note – The New Old Lompoc

-A bunch of us guys from Evergreen changed locations from the Horsebrass Pub to the New Old Lompoc this summer and we found out that they have a pretty nice IPA, and for only 2 dollars on Mondays!





Widmer Pale Ale 07

Could be my favorite beer of the year. Perfect combination of hops and malts. Incredibly enjoyable beer to drink. Plus it's hard to match Widmer's brewery, it's fantastic. I'm hoping that as they expand their facilities and grow they don't become a Budweiser or something.







Full Sail – Wassail

This is a great, spiced winter beer from Full Sail. Great color, thickness, and taste. I dig it.





McMenamins Nut Brown Ale

They don't have this beer often, but it's perfect for the wintertime.









Laurelwood Organic Tree Hugger Porter

Laurelwood is one of my favorite pubs in town. They make good beer, and their new location is sweet, particularly in the summertime when you can sit on the deck. Their location in NW is cool too, it's just an old house that's been turned into a pub.







Now I want to take a second and present a few more awards:

1. Worst Brewery Tour Guide (shown in picture on the left) - Rogue Brewery, Newport, OR

2. Dirtiest Brewery - Rogue Brewery, Newport, OR

3. Worst wages for a brewery (if what the tour guide said was correct) - Rogue Brewery, Newport, OR. To quote her directly, "our president spends NO money on anything, everyone but the head two brewers make minimum wage, we spend NO money on equipment, NO money on marketing, NO money on supplies." Just makes me wonder where the money goes. Oh, that's right, straight to the President.
Congrats on your trifecta Rogue!

Friday, December 14, 2007

I Smited Hebrew!

The big Hebrew final was yesterday. It was seven pages long, took about an hour and 45 minutes, total time studying was around 14 hours.

And I rocked it! That's right, you heard me. The studying paid off.

50 vocab words - knew them all

7 complete verb paradigms in the perfect, imperfect and participle - got almost all of them (this took forever as it meant basically writing out 140 hebrew words from memory!)

Fill in the blank translation - aced

4 pages of translation - ok, there were some parts here that I didn't do so hot, but I actually knew many of the sentences. There was extra credit but it was really hard and I think I was just embarrassing myself by continuing to write down words that probably had nothing to do with the sentence so I just quit and turned the test in to try to save myself some humiliation with the professor.

My prediction - B+ (but i honestly think it's possible that I got an A-)

Could I be completely wrong and have missed way more than I think? Absolutely.

Anyway, the important thing is, first semester Hebrew is in the books and in the next three weeks I won't have to think, look at, or study one single Hebrew word! Praise Elohim......crap.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

This is terrible

Rose Garden's name goes on auction block

by The Oregonian
Wednesday December 12, 2007, 10:40 PM

Portland: Prepare to have your Rose Garden plucked.

Paul Allen's Vulcan Inc., which owns both the Portland Trail Blazers and the Rose Garden Arena, said Wednesday it will sell the rights to name Portland's largest entertainment venue.

That means the Blazers could play their home games in an arena named as blandly as Key Arena in Seattle or as omnipresent as Oracle Arena in Oakland, home to the Golden State Warriors. Or EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, named after a company that disposes of nuclear waste.

It's even possible the name Rose Garden -- reflecting the city's moniker -- will disappear from the side of the building, team president Larry Miller said.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

The Return of Shawn Kemp

Ladies and gentlemen, meet Shawn Kemp Jr. As the link shows, he's a top high school recruit.

For those of you who knew me in high school, you remember the three Shawn Kemp jerseys that I owned and frequently wore. You can guess who my favorite player in college is going to be in 2009!

Monday, December 10, 2007

Favorite Albums of 2007 (#'s 1-5)

Here they are! My top 5 albums of the year!


1.
Arcade Fire – Neon Bible










2. The Avett Brothers – Emotionalism











3. Josh Ritter – The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter











4. Band of Horses – Cease to Begin











5. Okkervil River – Stage Names

Favorite Albums of 2007 (#'s 6-10)

Let us continue...

6. Ryan Adams – Easy Tiger












7. The National - Boxer











8. Turin Brakes – Dark on Fire











9. Andrew Bird – Armchair Apocrypha











10. Spoon - GaGaGaGaGa

Sunday, December 09, 2007

Favorite Albums of 2007 (#'s 11-15)

Finally, on to some important lists! Here is part 1 or 3 of my favorite albums of 2007.

11. Richmond Fontaine – Thirteen Cities











12. Great Lake Swimmers – Ongiara











13. Rogue Wave – Asleep at Heaven’s Door











14. Eluvium – Copia











15. Rocky Votolato – The Brag and Cuss

Saturday, December 08, 2007

Favorite Seinfeld Episodes of All Time


This was very difficult to do with SO many incredible episodes over it's 9 year run. To even get this down to 15 was nearly impossible but these are my favorite episodes. It just didn't seem fair. Here are my top five favorites followed by the next 10.

What are your favorite episodes?


1. The Burning

George devises a new plan to end every conversation on a "high note" and "leave them wanting more". Kramer and Mickey take jobs acting out diseases for medical students. Elaine discovers that Puddy is religious, and becomes angry when she learns he doesn't care about her soul. Meanwhile, Jerry is intrigued when he learns that his current girlfriend has a secret "tractor story" she hasn't told him.

2. The Junior Mint

Jerry has a date with a woman whose name he has forgotten, but it "rhymes with a female body part." Could it be "Mulva"? Elaine visits an old boyfriend who's in the hospital for an operation; he was once fat, thin she's interested again. Kramer gets an opportunity to witness the operation and he drags Jerry along, while watching they have an accident with a "Junior Mint."

3. The Contest

George's mother is forced to hospital after she throws her back out when she falls down after catching him doing "you know." When George says he'll never do it again, Jerry challenges him to a contest of being "master of your domains", when he accepts, Elaine and Kramer want in on the action, or rather the lack of it.

4. The Non-Fat Yogurt

When they begin to gain weight, Jerry and Elaine suspect that Kramer has made a bad investment in a non-fat yogurt shop. Jerry inadvertently uses the "F" word, as a result so does Maryedith's son Matthew, a lot. George meets an old childhood friend whom he is convinced is trying to humiliate him. Elaine begins dating this friend and gives him an idea for his mayoral candidate's campaign. Kramer's date with a lab technician results in strange test results for the future mayor of New York City.

5. The Marine Biologist

Jerry meets an old college classmate who asked about George, whom Jerry says is now a "marine biologist." An infuriated Russian writer tosses an electronic organizer belonging to Elaine out of a limousine that hits a passerby on the head. Kramer struggles with his golf swing and sand. While walking along the beach, George is called on to use his marine biology skills to save a whale.

The Best of the Rest...

The Merv Griffin Show

After Kramer finds the set of the old Merv Griffin Show in a dumpster, he begins to treat his entire life like a talk show. Jerry's new girlfriend has a priceless toy collection that she won't let him play with, with leads him to some questionable behavior. George runs over a squirrel with his car, and he's forced to spend time and money on its recovery. Elaine has to find a way to deal with a new co-worker, whose 'sidling' is both annoying and potentially dangerous to her job.

The Puffy Shirt

George thinks he's made it big when, shortly after moving in with his parents, he gets work as a hand model. Elaine arranges for Jerry to appear on The Today Show to promote a charity benefit. However, when out to dinner with Kramer and his new "low talker" girlfriend, a misunderstanding has Jerry agreeing to wear a ridculous, pirate-style puffy shirt on TV.

The Outing

No thanks to Elaine, Jerry must work hard to prove he is straight when a college reporter mistakenly reports that he and George are gay, "not that there is anything wrong with that." Things really get out of hand when the article is picked up by the New York Post. Jerry ends up dating the college reporter to clear his name, but all does not go well.

The Opposite

George comes to the realization that he should try to do the opposite of everything, so he does, his luck changes and everything begins to go his way including getting a girlfriend, a job with the Yankees and moving out of his parents' house. Things begin to be unlucky for Elaine after she buys a box of "Jujyfruits." Kramer appears on Regis & Kathie Lee to promote his coffee table book. Rachel wants to break up with Jerry and he readily agrees, because his luck has been "even Steven." Elaine's eating of "Jujyfruits" causes Pendant Publishing to go under, and later she realizes that she and George have traded places.

The Race

Through his current girlfriend, Lois, Jerry meets an old rival, who suspects that he cheated in a high school race and he wants a rematch with Jerry to prove he was faster. Elaine is put on a "blacklist" for Chinese food delivery and finds out her boyfriend is a Communist. George responds to a personal ad in a Communist newspaper while at work, when Steinbrenner hears about it, he wants to see George in his office. Through his friend Mickey, Kramer becomes a department store Santa, who later spouts out Communist propaganda.

The Heart Attack

George thinks he's had a heart attack. The doctor tells him otherwise, but he might want to get his tonsils and adenoids removed. Elaine is interested in the doctor and he is interested in her tongue. George not wanting to deal with the cost and the procedure decides to take Kramer's advice of going to see a naturalist, which only makes the situation worse.

The Pen

Elaine regrets accompanying Jerry to visit his parents in Florida, and Jerry comes to regret accepting a gift of a pen that write's upside down from one of his father's friends.

The Library

Jerry is investigated by the library for a book he checked out in 1971 and never returned. Elaine fears for her career when her boss hates her recommendations, and Kramer strikes up a relationship with the librarian. Meanwhile, George believes that a homeless man is his old gym teacher, whom he got fired.

The Nose Job

Jerry's brain and penis play chess against one another to decide whether he should keep dating a vacuous model with whom the "sex is great" but not anything else. George is dating a woman with a big nose, Kramer tells her it like it is and she gets a nose job; however, there is a complication. Kramer gets Elaine to help him retrieve the jacket.

The Boyfriend (1 & 2)

Jerry meets Keith Hernandez and wants to make a good impression. Meanwhile, George is out of time on his unemployment and he works harder than ever on his scheme to get a 13 week extension. He tells the unemployment office he was really close on Vandelay Industries, a company that makes latex products and whose main office is Jerry's apartment. Kramer and Newman hate Hernandez back to a time when they were allegedly spit on by him; however, Jerry supports the "second-spitter theory." Keith asks Jerry about Elaine's status. Keith makes a date with her and breaks a date with Jerry.

The Parking Space

Kramer tells Jerry about something his friend Mike said about Jerry being "a phony." After borrowing Jerry's car, Elaine comes up with a wild story, because the car is now making a strange clanking noise. George gets into a confrontation with Mike about a parking space in front of Jerry's apartment. Everyone one the street debates about parking etiquette.

The Bubble Boy

Jerry's girlfriend, Naomi has a laugh that sounds like "Elmer Fudd sitting on a juicer," and when she hears George's message to Jerry, she breaks up with him. So instead, Jerry asks Elaine to accompany him on a trip to a cabin in the mountain with George and Susan. Kramer isn't invited. Jerry agrees to a side trip to visit a sick fan, a "Bubble Boy." George gets into a fight with the "Bubble Boy" over the correct answer to a Trivial Pursuit question. Kramer and Naomi also make the trip to the cabin and get the fire started.

The Soup Nazi

The gang all loves the soup from a new, temperamental cook unofficially called the "Soup Nazi". Jerry and his girlfriend are beyond affectionate, and their nickname "Schmoopie" drives George crazy. Elaine buys an antique armoire on the street, but it is stolen while being guarded by Kramer.

The Strike

An increase in the minimum wage is enough to finally meet the demands of the striking employees of H&H Bagels, and as such, Kramer announces that after 12 years, he's going back to work. Jerry meets an attractive woman at a party, but when he later tries to date her, she doesn't look nearly as good. Elaine's use of a fake phone number backfires when she loses a card that will entitle her to a free sandwich. George tries to get away with giving away fake donation cards as Christmas gifts at work, and much to his chagrin, his father decides to revive Festivus, a unique holiday he'd invented years earlier.

The Cheever Letters

Jerry and George begin to work on the pilot for the series they pitched to NBC. Jerry says the wrong thing while "messing" around with one of Elaine's co-workers. George & Susan tell her father about the cabin fire, he becomes distraught and letters saved from the fire soon explain why. Kramer goes to the Cuban Embassy in search of cigars and makes a deal. Seinfeld turns his girlfriend off by talking dirty.

Friday, December 07, 2007

Favorite Movies of 2007

A disclaimer before you read the list:

---I know nothing about movies. I am not a big movie watcher, I don't see a lot of movies, and I really don't care that much about movies. I don't even know what makes up a good movie other than I find it entertaining. I know nothing about directing, acting, producing, and do not pretend in any way to know about those things.

What I am saying is that this list has no credibility at all! Read with caution....

1. King of Kong; A Fistful of Quarters
One of the most entertaining and enjoyable films I've seen in a long time! This is a fantastic documentary of a battle of epic proportions: the world record at Donkey Kong. Be prepared to laugh, a lot.








2. Bourne Ultimatum
The "shaky-cam" was even more over the top on this one. I wanted to vomit, but in a good way. Can't go wrong with these movies. Matt Damon's a stud.








3. Hot Fuzz
Hilarious mock-up of police movies from the guys that brought you Shawn of the Dead.









4. Reign Over Me
This is a great movie and Adam Sandler's performance was award worthy. I will agree with Bill on that one. Loved it.









5. Ratotouille
Animation - fantastic
Storyline - fantastic
Characters - fantastic








6. Breach
I feel like this was one of the more overlooked movies this year. This is what The Good Shepherd (which was awful) should have been.









7. 300
Kelli loved the outfits. I didn't care for them so much, but felt like I wanted to fight someone by the time I left. That's a quality I like in a movie.










8. Live Free or Die Hard
Bruce Willis-bloody and beat up in the first 10 minutes. Luckily there's another hour and 50 minutes to go!









Worst Movie of the Year:
Pirates 3 - Hands down the worst movie of the year, if not the decade! One of the only movies that I wanted to actually ask for my money back. I still can't believe how a movie this bad could be released. Terrible, horrific, just straight stupid.

My Wife is Famous!


But not for singing! She's in the newspaper anyway.

Click HERE to read!

Thursday, December 06, 2007

Favorite Fiction Books Read This Year #'s 1-5

Alright, time to finish off the book list.
December 7th - List 7

1. The Brothers K – David James Duncan
I still have yet to meet one person who has not loved this book. The characters are extremely well-developed, the storyline never lulls, every emotion is felt while reading this book. Plus, this is one of the only books that has made me laugh out loud while reading.








2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – J.K. Rowling
Some may think this is heresy to put this book above Lord of the Rings, but come on, it's the year of Harry Potter. It's kind of required.









3. The Lord of the Rings – J.R. Tolkien
Finally read this for the first time and wow! Quite a bit that is left out from the movies, although, unlike Harry Potter (who's movies always disappoint), these movies are actually quite good! Any man who can create his own world complete with a language is brilliant and has accomplished something of obscene proportions. The creatures were awesome. Loved the Ents.







4. The Pastures of Heaven – John Steinbeck
Back to the brilliant John Steinbeck. These are a series of short stories that all tie together. Not quite as good as Travels with Charley, but better than Tortilla Flat and Cannery Row.









5. Wise Blood – Flannery O’Connor
Two Flannery O'Connor books on one list. Who would have thought? One man's deluded attempt to create the "church without Jesus Christ". This is a great book if only for the great cultural significance. You can see people trying to do the same thing today! (Joel Osteen - did I need to mention his name?)







Coming soon:
-Favorite Seinfeld Episodes of All Time
-Favorite Albums of the Year
-Top Five Beers of the Year!
This is the most self-indulgent I think I've ever been and I'm loving every second of it!

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Favorite Fiction Books Read This Year #'s 6-10

December 6 - List 6 (Not running out of steam yet!)

6. The Power and the Glory – Graham Greene
The story of a whiskey priest on the run after Mexico outlaws the Church due to greed and corruption. Like every Greene novel I have read, it is bleak but it is rich.








7. Tortilla Flat/Cannery Row/The Moon is Down – John Steinbeck
I put all of these together because they are all short novels and I read them all at once. Plus Tortilla Flat and Cannery Row are pretty much the same story, so what the heck. Even when Steinbeck's not great, he's still entertaining. His characters in these stories may not be extremely well developed but they're still interesting. Anyway, I'm like Radiohead fans in this respect-Steinbeck could poop on a piece of paper and I would find it interesting. I probably didn't need to say that.



8. The Scarlet Letter – Nathaniel Hawthorne
Hawthorne can be drier than any writer I've ever read, but he can also pack quite a punch with very few words. There are some great moments in The Scarlet Letter, not to mention the huge theological themes of sin and guilt throughout. Not the most exciting book in the world at times, but it's a must read.






9. The Violent Bear it Away – Flannery O’Connor
This was my introduction to Flannery O'Connor and while this is a very strange book that leaves several questions and is open to interpretation, I loved it! I loved the eerie way in which she writes and I am fascinated by her messy characters.







10. Life After GodDouglas Coupland
I think I've said this before on my blog but after reading half of this I thought, "What in the world is this guy talking about? What he is saying is random and incongruent" and then I realized, "oh, that's the point."

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Favorite Songs of 2007

December 5 - List 5 (don't worry, there's no end in sight)

Before we do favorite albums, it would be a good warm-up to do favorite songs.


These are in no particular order:
  • Be Good or Be Gone – Fionn Regan
  • Resurrection Fern – Iron & Wine
  • The Temptation of Adam – Josh Ritter
  • I am John – Loney Dear
  • 4 WallsRichmond Fontaine
  • Silver Trees – Rocky Votolato
  • I Taught Myself to Grow Old – Ryan Adams
  • Don’t Make Me a Target – Spoon
  • Bye PodTurin Brakes
  • Your Rocky Spine – Great Lake Swimmers
  • InterventionArcade Fire
  • Heretics – Andrew Bird
  • Don’t Lose Yourself – Laura Veirs
  • Slow Show - The National
  • Salina - The Avett Brothers
  • John Allyn Smith Sails - Okkervil River
  • The General Specific – Band of Horses
  • White Dove – John Vanderslice
  • Prelude for Time Feelers - Eluvium
  • Old News - Dr. Dog
  • Atlas - Battles
  • Sun in an Empty Room - The Weakerthans
  • Sleeping Lessons - The Shins
  • Am I Only - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
  • Hair Like Spanish Moss - Calexico
  • Oh John - Jeremy Enigk
  • Chicago X12 - Rogue Wave
  • Here Comes the Phantom - The Clientele
  • In the Time We've Got - The One AM Radio
Tomorrow - Favorite Fiction books read this year! Woohoo!

Favorite Christmas Movies of All Time

The Fourth Day of December - The Fourth List. I'm right on track. No explanations needed with these!

1. A Charlie Brown Christmas








2. A Christmas Story











3. National Lampoons Christmas Vacation












4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas









5. Elf












6. Gremlins











7. Die Hard











8. Home Alone