Beijing Olympics - Most artistic ever?

  Is it just me or has this Olympics brought out the artistic and creative soul of culture more than any other Olympics? I have really enjoyed NBC's spotlight pieces on Chinese artists and the culture in China as it has influenced the games. I look forward to those pieces sometimes more than the games themselves (except when Phelps is in the pool). The hardships of this culture have strengthened and purified their art in ways we cannot understand in a free society. Some of their artists who have played key roles in the artistic design of the Olympics have at one time been imprisoned by their own country for their art.  What does art do that makes regimes fear it? Tell me what you think.

Daughters

I have 2 younger sisters and we have 6 kids between us -  all between the ages of 6 and 18 months. We have gathered for the 1st time with all 6 at my younger sisters house in Jupiter, FL for a few days before the kids go back to school next week. We keep looking at each other and saying, "Where did all these kids come from?" We each have a first born daughter and they are now at that age where we can do mom/daughter trips. So, we ventured to the Magic Kingdom with just the girls (the boys stayed with Grandma and Grandpa).  It was an enchanting day that could not have been more delightful (in spite of the 90 degree heat!).  I kept watching our daughters interact and I was so overwhelmed with gratitude for God blessing me and my sisters with a daughter each. My sisters and I are close and it is so thrilling to see how much our daughters love each other. I just wanted to put it in a bottle and keep it forever (so I took pictures and video like crazy!) There are so many times in life that we don't capture the moment and make time to smell the roses.  I'm so glad I did this week.

"We may look old and wise to the outside world.  But to each other, we are still in junior school."  ~Charlotte Gray

Admit it and move on

Being the Sorkin fan I am, I was very disappointed when Studio 60 got canceled last year. I had so many engaging conversations about Christianity and Hollywood BECAUSE of that show when I lived in NYC with people who respected the writing and were intrigued with the storyline.  When Sorkin was asked about it, he just came out and said "Our show failed in a big way."  Here's an excerpt...

"I don't know how to emphasize this enough that I'm not disappointed or upset with anyone but myself. There are only two possible reasons for 'Studio 60' failing -- it was either my fault or it was just one of those things. On some shows, you can make mistakes and still survive. But with this one, I made too many mistakes for it to survive." CLICK HERE to read more...

Am I willing to look the world in they eye and say, "I messed up!" ? I believe when I am able to admit my creative shortcomings and move on to new creative ideas, I truly "get" the creative process.

Is this hard for you or is it just me?

My Mac is sick

She is going to the hospital.  We don't know what is wrong, but hopefully she will feel better soon (Mac people know how I am feeling right now). I did lyrics for our service in POWERPOINT (is this 1998?). Our video computer for church is my Mac right now - I use ProPresenter. Good thing a black background and white text looks cool.  Todd is trying to convince me how cool is Windows Vista PC Notebook is to my MacBook Pro...what do you think?

Opening Ceremonies

There were moments I was in awe and really without words, and then the next minute I was so intimidated, almost fearful.  There was so much to take in that I'm leaving it on my DVR for awhile to watch again. My favorite artistic nuance of Director Zhang Yimou was the power of thousands in contrast to the 1. Maybe it stemmed from his own life...

"One of his[Zhang Yimou] favourite stories is how, at the age of 23 at the end of the Cultural Revolution, he donated his own blood in return for money to raise the $20 needed to buy his first camera. He insists that the experience of his early life and memories of the country's recent turbulent history remain a defining characteristic in his work." CLICK HERE to read more.

The largest LCD screen in the world? I know some Programming Director somewhere in some church is pricing that out right now:)

LCC-HHI Creatives - Joel Patrick

I love my team. Our church campus is 11 months old and I have already discovered the most AMAZING group of creatives to journey with me here on the Island. In the next few months, I will be spotlighting my teammates and and their creativity.

Joel Patrick has been playing Lumiere in the Main Street Youth Theater's Production of "Beauty and the Beast" for the last month.  He was awesome!  I think I laughed aloud more than I was supposed to. He just bought a green screen for his video company (he is in high school) and we are using it to film some pieces for our upcoming MIssion Message Series. He is a video editor, director, photographer, runs video for our services, and his entire family is artistic...well, I don't know about Andy (old yeller?). Joe brings a young and energetic flare to our team and I cannot wait to see how his creative energy will change the world.

Blog Tweaking - #2

I'm leaving comments everywhere...I'll be honest, so many of you have commented from time to time over the last 2 years on my blog, and I am a moron...I would not respond. That is changing. It is not that I didn't appreciate your thoughts, I just would not keep the conversation going. I've already had more conversation this week than I have ever had and I hate that I have missed out so much. But, it's a new day here at cheval glass...let's talk.

Artists Rasing artists

This post is a part of Watercooler Wednesday.

I recently read an interview with Angelina Jolie in the July 08 issue of Vanity Fair where she was asked several questions specifically about how she is raising her kids. I really resonated with this specific response to the statement that actors raise actors.  Here's what she said...“Artists raise their kids differently,” she said. “We communicate to the point where we probably annoy our children. We have art around the house, we have books, we go to plays, we talk. Our focus is art and painting and dress-up and singing. It’s what we love. So I think you can see how artists in some way raise other artists.” I totally agree!  From the time Sydney was born, I have intentionally given her an environment where she can express herself.  We paint, color, read, watch movies and discuss them, go to shows, play dress-up, sing, dance, make music. and have music playing ALL the time.  I started giving Sydney piano lessons this summer and she loves for me to play for her while she sings.  I'm not making her be an artist, it is just a way of life for us.

How do the arts invade your parenting?

CLICK HERE to read the entire interview.

Hackery

I learn so much from Aaron Sorkin.  I love the way he writes on leadership, relationships, and religion. Granted, I do not agree with his view on everything, but the way in which he speaks through his characters in these three areas has taught me more in some ways than reading books on these subjects. He also makes me uncomfortable because he's right sometimes and I don't like it.

I love this scene from "The West Wing" Season 3 because President Bartlet says what unfortunately we do from time to time as worship leaders and pastors - We butcher it. Here is Sorkin's opportunity to let us know how he feels about it. I wonder how many people leave services that I design and feel the way that he felt. Have you ever been the "Hack" or the one that heard "the hackery?"

Disclaimer: After President Bartlet gives a Sinatra rendition, you can stop the clip. If you don't want to, I do not take responsibility for the one bad word he says very shortly after that...you were warned.

 

Making the band

I have shared my learning-the-acoustic-guitar journey with you all since March and yesterday was a another milestone for me.  Up to this point, I have to honestly say if "I" showed up to audition for my band, "I" would not let "me" play (just let that sink in). But today, I officially made the band. To put it into perspective, my FOH guy Rich said "Hey, is that a different acoustic guitar?" He was being serious. I told him, no, just an acoustic player who practiced A LOT and isn't making as much of a mess! Now, I am no great, unbelievable, out-of-the-park player, but I have a FABULOUS guitar player, Andy, who does it all. So, all I have to do is just stay out of his way and play rhythm and all will be well with the world.  I'm sharing just a minute of audio from straight off the board from our service Sunday with you...these are clips of 2 amazing songs that we used during our A.K.A. God series -  "Your Name" by Paul Baloche and "Jesus Messiah" by Chris Tomlin. Our worship was so active...I love it when our people just forget we are up there and worship God.