It’s Christmas around these parts, and this season in particular is different for Jen, me and our community at Jacobs Well. Things are changing at the church we love so much. New people bring new ideas and new perspective. That isn’t always bad. Sometimes it is.

One thing Jacobs Well hasn’t employed this Christmas (yet…wait for it) are the phenomenal skills of one Welsh lad named Andy Michael. Last year Andy created three short films for Advent that correlated with the sermon each week. As I recall, the sermons revolved around the theme of liberation.

I took some time to go back and watch those films, and they still give me chills. You should do the same. You can find them here. If you have the time listen to the sermons that go along with each film. And I dare you to not be moved. If you don’t have the time for all three right-a-way, at least check out the film from week three.

I caught Andy on IM today to tell him how much I missed his work this year and he hinted that I should be happy this Sunday (12/16/2007). I do believe I will. Jeremy Collins (who in high school was every dude’s worst nightmare: talented, sensitive, athletic & good looking), created a piece that showed last week at Jacobs Well featuring the Madonna and child surrounded by all the major brands of our time. I am told this theme will continue. I can’t wait.

Also, if you know Andy, perhaps you can convince him to incorporate this song somehow. If Mike King can say “shit” while giving a sermon, Andy can use any part of this song.

This morning I woke up and jumped in the shower (Side Note: it was deluxe day in the shower, which means i wash/condition my mane, and trim my face). When I came downstairs Jen was a tad bit more than her cheery self.

As I walked into the kitchen to pour my coffee she says to me, “Hey, good morning,” with a cheerfulness that was almost scary. Then I found out why, “Two things,” she said, “Good morning, and this Thanksgiving let’s be sensible eaters.” What?!

I immediately knew what had happened during deluxe day in the shower: Jen had been watching The Today Show. If only I could count the things the Today Show has ruined for me in my life. Why couldn’t their writers have gone on strike?

Happy Thanksgiving

It’s no secret I’m an Obama supporter (see the badge in the top right corner). Nonetheless, I like to think that I am approaching this election with as much of an open mind as possible. With that preface I ask, “Why does Hillary Clinton want to be the next President of the United States?”

I honestly don’t think it is because she believes she is the best candidate for the job. Furthermore, I don’t think it is solely for the historical clout of being the first female President (although she is clearly motivated by this fact).

No, when I hear statements like the one she made at her former college about her time there preparing her for the “all boys club of Presidential politics,” and statements made last night in Nevada about aiming for the “highest, hardest glass ceiling” I am led to believe the Presidency is merely the next step in her life’s goal. I don’t want that kind of President.

When I look at the lot of Presidential candidate hopefuls I see less than a handfull that truly exhibit a passion for the service of the Presidency: Obama & Kucinich on the left, and Ron Paul on the right. Last nights debate did nothing to change these feelings.

Last night I thought Obama started weak and ended quite strong. I thought it was more of the same from Hillary, nothing impressive or convincing in any way; although the talking heads couldn’t stop gushing over her, it was pathetic. I throw up in mouth a little every time I think of her as the President of this country. I thought Kucinich looked angry and glum the entire time, and when he spoke was more accusatory than helpful. And though he get’s a bad rap, I thought Biden was the best of the lot last night. He’s straightforward, knowledgeable when it comes to foreign affairs, and probably the most experienced of the current group. Still, I think he makes a better advisor or VP than Pres.

If you didn’t get to watch the debate, this is the Internet Age, it’s out there. If you just prefer your highlights dictated to you here is a summary, here is the complete transcript (linked to page 18 above).

It is true when you hear that this coming election will be historic; aren’t they all? This one, however, seems to hold much more in terms of our country in a global perspective and seems to be shaping up as the election that will mark a shift in the majority mindset of America. We are starting to see wedge issues such as gay marriage, and even abortion rights become less of hot topics – abortion rights came up once in last nights debate, and though I’m sure it did, I don’t recall it coming up at all in the last debate.

That’s not to say that there aren’t other wedge issues creeping in. The notion of drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants comes to mind; a clearly non-sensical and ridiculous debate for this Presidential campaign. However, even when Wolf Blitzer tried to make this an issue last night the candidates seemed to scoff at his determination. Kucinich went as far to say he took issue with his framing of the question. Obama called him out for assuming that we can not successfully reform immigration laws and admonished him to not be so pessimistic.

If you are not registered to vote, get registered. I am one of those unregistered at the moment, having just moved to a new state. If you are not paying attention to the candidates yet, you need to be. If you are like me, this will be the most important election you have ever voted in. Finally, don’t elect someone just because the Presidency is the next step for them. Elect someone who truly cares about this country, has new ideas you buy in to, and who will truly not be a devisive President. It is no secret that George W. Bush has swung the country to the extreme left. I believe Hillary Clinton would have the exact effect in the opposite direction as President, and then we run the risk of electing another embarassment after her. Put mildly, this election is important. Pay attention.

Granted, this is from Fox News, but the tape don’t lie. This woman cannot be the next President of the United States.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyC7loMop58[/youtube]

what you are about to view is … well … it’s just … hmmm …

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTLj_3R0-2g[/youtube]

amazon.com announced their new music download site today, and it is pretty dang good. in fact, it’s good enough to win out over iTunes for me.

‘almost internet famous’ blogger, scott mcnulty, posted a pretty well balanced review of amazonmp3 as well as a contrast/comparison of both services on TUAW. scott’s conclusion puts it perfectly, so skip ahead if you want the nutshell.

either way, iTunes finally has a legit competitor.plus, amazonmp3 carries the last Telecas record (which iTunes don’t… and, i loves me some Telecast).

from a chat with !jon today.

don’t call it a comeback. i’ve received a few email as of late (like within the last month) from people asking where they could get my triple concrete selling records.

truth is, i stopped touring because it was such a drag. when i stopped touring, people stopped buying records. for a while i kept the records on the site for sale, but they were purchased so infrequently that when i got an order, i’d forget or think it was a joke. that just made people mad, and made me look like a jerk.

i’ve been kicking around the idea of putting at least one of my records up on iTunes and the aforementioned email were just the ticket. starting today you can purchase goodbye, welcome, thankyou, the last record i recorded, on iTunes.

you might see the button in the top right hand corner of the sidebar. just click that link and it will take you straight to my record on iTunes. what’s more, if you buy it, i get a little extra taste cause you clicked through from my site ; )

if’n you don’t want to drag your mouse that far you can click here.

if nothing else, check it out. the record could use a review or two thousand. jen and i just bought a house, so i need the cash!

actually, i’m hoping this goes well enough to warrant putting ben franklin must be proud, my other full length, and the footprint ep on iTunes. we shall see.

finally, don’t hold me to it, but i’ve been writing again. not a lot, but enough. and i’m getting the bug to record. if i do, you’ll be able to get those recordings on my iTunes page.

enjoy.

Well played, FakeSteve. Well played, indeed!

I haven’t written much lately, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot on my mind. Following posts will include thus:

• I know for a fact this blog has at least one more reader: Samuel. I work with this guy, and he’s an all around great person. Me & him are on the fast track to world domination.
• There is one specific record that is burning a hole in my brain and ears. I can’t wait to share lyrics and music snippets with you dear reader.
• Steve got shafted at the Doves.
• I finally get to go to a live production of A Prairie Home Companion!
• Barack Obama is making a visit to KC on May 12. I may or may not get to go.

So, there you go. Stick close. I promise to write full entries as soon as I can.

In the mean time, feel free to check my Twitter ticker to the right. I update that sometimes several times a day.

One last thing: the Contact page has gone bye-bye until I can find something new that doesn’t send me so much spam. Suggestions?