Concerts Galore!

The Black Keys in Seattle
Originally uploaded by kiki5253

I saw The Black Keys this weekend at the Paramount. It was a great experience. Not only am I partially deaf, but I was blinded by all the lights! I love the music and I had a blast. It was also good to catch up with a friend who recently moved to the Boise, ID area. I was sad to see him go when he did, but I think the move has definitely been a good one for him.

On a side note, I have gone to see many a concert this year. I had the chance to see Arcade Fire on Wednesday. I didn't know the music going into the show, so it was a little more challenging for me to get into the same mood as the rest of the crowd. That show, was not just a band. It was an experience! It was artistic and creative and different. I loved that the band members switched instruments during the show. The imagry they used during the concert I probably would've understood better if I knew the songs, but it was still well done. It was all beautiful.

The week before I went to see Vampire Weekend at the Paramount. That band is also a great one to see live. I have to admit, I don't always understand what their songs are about, but I get a kick out of how eccentric the music is. I love all the rhythm changes and Ezra's voice.

What a great experience. I've never been so close to the performers before. I'm glad the person I went with has a penchant for standing extremely close to the front of the stage whenever given the opporunity. It makes for a great time....plus the company wasn't half bad. ;)

I'll hopefully, get some video up on my flickr account soon...till then...

-Cheers!

Stressful Season

Lord, help me to accept the good and the bad. Help me welcome this year's challenges with a thankful heart. Help me to love fully and to give freely of my time to those around me; so that through me your work may be accomplished and yoru presence be made known.

I've been fairly stressed lately. Stress happens and it's a regular part of life. There have been many events I haven't been prepared for or didn't plan on happening. When my stress levels are like this it's hard to keep an open mind and a grateful heart for all of the events and outcomes, good or bad. I just want to stay on top of things...to just get by; I am in survival mode.

I want out of survival mode. I want to stop and enjoy all the wonderul things that have been happening. I want to be able to savor every moment with my boyfriend and each and every accomplishment. Instead I feel rushed. Like I need to be moving onto the next thing and am always thinking about things I still need to take care of at work or important things I need to do around the apartment. I have become very forgetful this past month and that's also been a source of frustration for me.

Normally, I am not that bad...I usually remember to pay my bills at the first of the month, remember my computer passwords, remember things I tell people or am able to quickly recall different situations and pull up resolutions at the snap of my fingers. That has not been happening lately and I've been struggling to keep up. I am ready for this 'season' to end and to start a new one...maybe one of rest. ;)

Pondering - Pain (Heaven vs. Hell and Poverty)

"We know much more about heaven than hell, for heaven is the home of humanity and therefore contains all that is implied in a glorified human life: but hell was not made ofr men. It is in no sense parallel to heavin: it is the 'darkness outside,' the outer rim where being fades away into nonentity."

- Dr. Edwyn Bevan (quoted in The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis)

I finished reading The Problem of Pain today. What a difficult book to read. I will probably need to re-read this book a few times to really understand everything C.S. Lewis wrote. Some of the stuff I had already come in contact with through my courses at Seattle Pacific University. Reading this book was like chewing on tough meat. You don't really finish it or feel full without taking multiple bites.

There were two things that stood out to me the most in the book. His discussion about Heaven and Hell and secondly, how poverty is related to pain.

"Of poverty - the affliction which actually or potentially includes all other afflictions - I would not dare to speak as from myself; and those who reject Christianity will not be moved by Christ's statement that poverty is blessed. But here a rather remarkable fact comes to my aid. Those who would most scornfully repudiate Christianity as a mere 'opiate of the people' have a contempt for the rich, that is, for all mankind excep tthe poor. They regard the poor as the only people worth preserving from 'liquidation,' and place in them the only hope of the human race. But this is not compatible with a belief that the effects of poverty on those who suffer it are wholly evil; it even implies that they are good. The Marxist thus finds himself in real agreement with the Christian in those two beliefs which Christianity paradoxically demands - that poverty is blessed and yet ought to be removed."

- The Problem of Pain pg. 109

These two things stood out the most to me while I was reading. Perhaps it's because there is so much poverty and suffering due to poverty that Lewis' statement stuck out to me. Perhaps, it's the hope of heaven that makes me think about how wonderful that 'pie in the sky' will truly be. Whatever the case may be, these are the things I am thinking about and contemplating how that affects the actions and choices I make each day.

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Goofing Off

Goofing Off
Originally uploaded by kiki5253

A great weekend in Spokane was had by all. Silverwood was so much fun...though that Gravity Drop ride was sheer terror. I'm not so sure I could ever ride one of those and really enjoy it.

It was a cold day at Silverwood. Probably not the best day to ride the Thunder Canyon ride. Then again...when is it ever a good time to ride something that you'll get soaked in when you're wearing regular clothes. My jeans didn't dry for at least a day and a half. It was so much fun though!!

Enjoy the new pics!

-Cheers