Labor Day Weekend Most of the excitement and novel business happened on Saturday, during which Meg and I managed to spend 12 waking hours in Chicago, Illinois. I still reel from the liberal expenditure of calories that day. We definitely used our legs and feet a whole lot. One of the first statements that I formed of the windy city was this: "Chicago, like NYC, only tamer..." Compared to the East Coast, there was less hustling and bustling and hurrying, and very noticeably less gum on the floor. Similarly however, skyscrapers still command a sweeping awe from us little ants of people. What else, you ask? Here I compiled a concise list of the day's happenings. 1. We got stood up by my brother who only needed to travel one hour by train to Chicago. 2. I noticed signs overtly outlawing the practice of peddling and haggling in Chinatown. 3. Interior design stores and furniture stores are dime a dozen; even overtaking GR. But how can that be, when Grand Rapids is known as "Furniture City?" 4. We had our first taste of Giordano's Deep Dish Pizza - for free. O Providence! 5. I'm still going to prefer traditional pan pizza; deep-dish is excessively cheesy for my adoring. 6. I still don't know where exactly is the Magnificent Mile. 7. Finally, we witnessed a motorcycle chase from the shooting of the latest Batman movie. I was deeply saddened, however, for not being able to see the one and only Christian Bale. [img:885944]

Another Round of Pictures Something is wrong with my blog. My pictures don't show up as small thumbnails. Being the neat freak that I am, here is a link to the album instead.

Thoughts from Hosea chapter 1 1. God is slow to anger, abounding in love. Speaking through Hosea, God gave sufficient warning to his people concerning their idolatry. For years, God beckoned his people to repentance by His prophet's words and analogical life. Lest we forget, it takes around 9 months for a human baby to hatch. Hosea and Gomer incubated at least three. And they weren't triplets. 2. God will carry out what he has promised. He is for truth; he cannot lie. He must be faithful to his own words. 3. I like hope. I cling to hope. How on earth shall we fare without the element of hope - to ponder that I dare not even. It is too frightful for mine weak heart, too dark for mine teary eyes. How wise of the good Lord to provide, even in that first chapter of Hosea, the blazing light of Hope: "But down the road the population of Israel is going to explode past counting, like sand on the ocean beaches. In the very place where they were once named Nobody, they will be named God's Somebody. Everybody in Judah and everybody in Israel will be assembled as one people. They'll choose a single leader. There'll be no stopping them—a great day in Jezreel!" - Hosea 1:10-11 (The Message)

How UCM celebrated my birthday

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The Big Black Stallion We were standing on one side. On the other was the setting sun, the forested hills, the flat green plains, and "it." The big black stallion. In between us and the stallion lay a pathetic-looking fence. The fence would never have been able to stop that monstrosity, if at that moment he had chosen to eat us, instead of grass. Meg snickered as I whispered a quick thanks to Him who made the beast a herbivore. Next I cursed the farm-owner too cheap to use more than two measly strands of wire and a dozen wooden poles. Behold this beast of a horse! I doubt you've ever seen anything like him! He was close enough to touch (if one did dare to touch!) Personally, however, I don't recommend touching for the wind told me this stallion's true name: Strong Wild Pommeling Hoof. I finally saw him for the true weapon that he was. For thousands of years, the outcome of human wars depended upon his bronzed flanks and hooves. Horses and horsemen tipped the scales of ancient battle. They were trusted. They were feared. Yet God had a plan. His Way, the realities of heaven, the true reality, was altogether different. This was God's plan and promise. We, His beloved, shall no longer place our trust in horses or chariots. We shall not anymore fear weapons, pain, nor even death. Because, by the Lord our God, we shall trust the only One that can be trusted, and fear the only One who commands fear: the Lion of Judah, the Lamb of God. "Yet I will show love to the house of Judah; and I will save them—not by bow, sword or battle, or by horses and horsemen, but by the LORD their God." - Hosea 1:7 (TNIV)

Michael

Today I hung out at Aaron's place like I usually do 2-3 times a week. After having a lunch of barbecued ribs, we watched four episodes of Lost: Season One on his big screen projector. We're currently at around the middle of the season. I never caught on to the series while it was on TV, hence this is the first time I've been exposed to that intricate story. I just wanted to say that scenes of Michael's flashbacks really "affected" me today. He had big dreams: law school, art, work, being a dad, supporting his family. But his luck took a turn for the worse. Poor guy. He couldn't find a steady job, he lost his wife, then his kid Walt, then he got creamed by a car, spent a year in rehab, and finally crashed into an island with a bunch of crazies and a man-eating behemoth. Sigh.

Robbie Seay Band

I like RSB. I liked RSB when no one else liked RSB. Perhaps you might even remember; I had a quote from one of their songs imprinted on my banner above for quite some time. Anyway, their new album is "Give Yourself Away," and I managed to get it (yes, the whole album) for free through a link from RelevantMagazine. You can smack yourself in the back of the trousers now, because the offer has now ended.

I like their music, but some people have told me before that "they just aren't that good musically." Although appalled on the inside by these comments, I usually just shrug it off because who am I to judge music, you know? I'm neither Tchaikov-zart nor Josh Groban. But dude, when words and sounds meshed together would enter your ear and give you the chills, it's something. When it strikes a chord, it strikes a chord. There's no denying it. RSB's songs scream of hope; they say "look up, the day is rising." No matter what wounds you're licking, these songs proclaim confidently as if to say "there's a healer right around the corner." As I've written before, I like hope very much.

A Snapshot from my Online Scrabble Game

Update: I didn't get the bingo after all. And since I revealed my opening, it's only appropriate to reveal the end as well.

 

The following picture is the most recent snapshot of an online scrabble game with a random stranger. Notice that I have yet to make a move; I have willingly and voluntarily skipped my turn THREE times in a row. What a risk to take for the ultimate move: a bingo! Temptation! Impatience! Pride! The longer I wait, the harder it shall be for me to make a come back. I cringe each time I press the "Pass a Turn" button, as yet another opportunity for points vanishes! Would this be worth the wait? Would my unknowing opponent lay down a tile that will stun her for the rest of her scrabulous life?

I am a rock. I wait.

 

p/s: Just in case you didn't know, the letter "U" in red is a blank tile.

A Piece of Childhood This is so crazy. I've been trying to remember this old cartoon that I saw on TV when I was a kid. I had no idea what the cartoon was even called. All I could scrounge up were a few vague images of a little kid cowboy riding on his horse, through spectacular hand-drawn mountains and valleys. Plus I knew there wasn't much dialog at all. There was, however, a very haunting soundtrack. A tune that drew silence and undivided attention from every kid in the house. Maybe this is part of your childhood as well. I am attempting to post this within minutes of finding and watching it. Golly, I could hardly believe that all those great stories amounted to no more than seven minutes. Could've sworn it seemed to four-year-old me at least two hours. In case you couldn't tell, I am very excited. It's not easy for me to pull out memories from my childhood. Would you call me crazy if I said this cartoon could be the foundation of my personhood? How did I come to be so fond of warm, earthy, burnt colors? Where did it come from? A Cowboy Needs a Horse. The source of all that is good and noble for a little kid. What an amazing cartoon.