Texting

There are a lot of things I love about my Smartphone. It's basically a pocket computer. Awesome!

It's also very easy to zone out of reality and into my phone. A few years ago I decided that whenever I'm out socially, the phone stays in my pocket.

Will I answer if it rings? Yes. Will I check a text? Yes. But I won't respond to a text unless it's an emergency. Call me old fashioned, that's just how I roll.

Really, the truth is, if I'd rather be talking to the person I'm texting than the person I am 4 feet away from... why am I bothering to hang out with that person at all?

If you've ever felt the same, this video should strike a cord with you!

Christianese

I've heard a lot of people in the church make fun of Christianese over the years. What's "Christianese?" It's Christian jargon... or terminology. A word or phrase you wouldn't use anywhere and have it make sense... except the church.

I have to admit, I've been guilty at laughing at it too. I laugh at hip hop slang too... but that's another blog.

Anyway.

While in the middle of thinking about how useless it was I began to play MOBAs. It's a genera of game with a high skill ceiling. I'm not very good at them. However, they keep bringing me back because of the amount of strategy, reflex and timing you need to get good at them. 

One of the things that adds to the difficulty is the language. There are a lot of terms that get thrown around in the heat of a round.

One night, I am seated at my computer when I hear this come out of my mouth -

"My ult is up and I just got a DD  I'll roam to mid to gank SF, if you want to TP in that may help. We can take a tier 1 after and maybe even go to bot to push that back."

Wha? That has to be gibberish! Well, it is... Unless you know MOBAs. If you do then you know that there is a lot of detail and description in the sentence.

So what is the point of this blog?

Everything has it's own version of Christianese. Gaming, sewing, hip hop (seriously though, that one is ridiculous). People say things that make no sense to the uninformed all the time, but, to someone in on the hobby, it makes complete sense. Are all the terms necessary? 

No (I still think we've really messed up the definition of anointed), but because of Christianese we are able to convey vast concepts in only a few words. 

Redemption through the blood, the grace of God, being anointed. 

All of those are subjects that could have blogs of their own. However, we are able to put those thoughts down with just a few short words.

The Ups And Downs of Photography

As I've mentioned multiple times before on this blog - I love film, music and radio. Those levels of love ebb and flow depending on the day, but all of them are things I get joy in doing. Something else I love is photography. Except... it's something that usually causes me more frustration than anything else!

Why? Well, photography is really all about luck. Yes, there is a load of skill involved too. Don't get me wrong. You have to know what ISO setting to use, how much light to let into the sensor... etc etc... But at the same time it's all about the timing.

You could have your focus perfect, settings exact with a great angle and still not get the a shot that is worth talking about. And if it's the last batch of photos I took... focus may be the biggest stumbling block!

Studio photography is different (obviously), but I find it less fun. I'd rather be shooting some video if we're in a studio.

So I guess I'm my own worst enemy... Don't like the controlled environment of studio photography and don't generally have the luck for live photography.

Thankfully Air Raid 24 was a different story. I was incredibly fortunate (BLESSED!) to be in the right place at the right time with the right focus (again... stupid focus)

The last one (one above this line) is one of my favourites. I know... it's dimly lit and there's no context for what's going on... but that's what I love about it. It looks science-fictiony to me. Gotta love that!

Anyway... that's my rant on photography. Glad I was able to get some shots at Air Raid. Here's hoping something good comes out of Heart of Worship this Sunday as well!!!

School Curriculum

As Facebook has no doubt told you over and over and over (and over and over and over) again, there is some new (very controversial) curriculum coming to public schools this Fall.

This isn't a blog about that. There are enough voices on the net talking about the pros (and the infinite number of cons) to the situation.

Instead, I figure if we are adding stuff to the schools this fall, I might as well let my voice be heard. Here's what I think should be added to schools this fall.


Useful Math

Seriously, when was the last time you had to do the math to build a bridge? Or figure out how many apples Kim would have if Dianne ate three and gave David 9 oranges? When was the last time you had to worry about taxes?

That's right. I want basic accounting and taxes in schools! Never again would I have to worry about what on earth a T4 slip is!... or is it a T3... I would know this... if it was part of the curriculum!

Political Science

Really, Evan? You would make kids in Grade 6 learn about politics? Yes. Yes I would. We are constantly hearing about low voter turn out. Why? Well... there are a number of reasons... too many for one blog. However, a basic understanding of Canadian politics may help people get into it when they hit the age they can vote. Also, I just want kids to know the difference between an MP and an MPP...
Bear in mind, Basic Political Science was one of the few subjects I aced in high school... so I may be biased...

Reading

I know that reading is a part of school... I can't remember how much (I was home schooled for most of my life, which meant a LOT of reading), but I know it's there. However, there should be more... 'cause reading is awesome!

Small Engine Repar

O.K... admittedly, I am not really serious about this one. I do sorta wish they did cover that in Elementary School though... Every time I have to pay my mechanic... I kinda wish I was one!

Doctor Phil

I have debated for a couple of days on whether or not to share this.

So I shall share it with a disclaimer. It involves Dr. Phil. You have been warned.

What I love about the internet is it's a great place to create stuff. You can share original works of art, poetry, music and film with literally the world as your audience.

What does that have to do with Dr. Phil?

Some genius decided to try and make the ultimate episode of Dr. Phil... one with just the pauses.

It's awesome.

Again, it's Dr. Phil so the set up is pretty ridiculous  -

 

If this is what every episode of Dr. Phil was like, I wouldn't miss a show!

Brian Williams

I haven't been following the Brian Williams ordeal as closely as I wish I was, however, it's still fascinating.

If this is new to you, here's my basic understanding. He lied about being on a helicopter that was shot down. The weird thing is that it was shot down over 10 years ago... how it's taken this long to come out that he was lying is beyond me.

Now he's on a 3 month suspension from NBC and most of his "personal stories" are being called into question.

It reminds me a lot of Steven Glass. He's a guy that fabricated 27 out of 41 articles he wrote for the news magazine The New Republic. Imagine that... you make up over half of your NEWS articles!

It's crazy. It's also a great reminder to be careful what we say.

Obviously, it takes a lot of trying to get into a situation like Williams or Glass, however we still have to give an account of what we say.

A white lie might not seem as bad as claiming to be on a helicopter that was shot down. It's still a lie though.

Eventually, even the smallest most unnoticeable lie will catch up with you. And that will hurt your reputation. News anchor or not. Once your credibility is smashed, it's pretty hard to put back together too.

For Glass, he had to start writing fiction. Probably what he should have been doing from the start. For Williams, I guess time will tell.

The truth hurts, but lying can be fatal.

Selma

David Oyelowo says that God told him to play Martin Luther King Jr in the film Selma. When someone says something like that, I will hold them too it. In fact, my expectations are doubled.

I had really high expectations going into Selma.

It exceeded them all.

I haven't been moved by a movie to that extent in a long time. It leaves a mark on you. Makes you look at the world a little differently than you did when you went into it.

It did for me at least.

The part that stuck out to me the most, was King. He was a guy that wanted to make a change.
He dedicated his life to a cause that he felt called to. He put his career, reputation and even his life on the line. Selma shows that. What it also shows is the faith that motivated him to do that in the first place.

And David Oyelowo nails the performance.

It may be tricky to find a showing (limited release by the look of it). However if you can find a showing, check it out. It's more than worth the price of admission.

All that praise aside, there is some content that you may want to be in the loop about - http://www.pluggedin.ca/movies/intheaters/selma.aspx