So, if you’ve been watching Office season 4, it’s pretty easy to tell that, well…season 4 sucks. It started out kind of strong and quickly went downhill, sort of dwindling between halfway decent episodes and really crappy episodes. I understand the writers have wanted to explore new territory, but come one. The dinner party? Really? The Michael and Jan awkward show? BUT. I must say that the past few episodes have tickled me shades of chartreuse, and last night’s season finale was the icing on the cake. I was cracking up through most of it, but if you want my highlights (and I know you do.)
They FINALLY opened with a Dwight prank!!! They have strayed so far from the reasons we tune in, and they finally got back to the basics. “Pam! That is not Dwight you’re talking to! Pam! I’m over here!”
“Oh, and I forwarded his desk phone over here, too.”
Michael’s “shoe money.” Come on.
Dwight telling Holly that Kevin is mentally challenged. Because after careful observance, he pretty much is. “I do the numbers. Do you want a M&M? I keep them over here so that everybody can’t get them.”
Jim tells Ryan off over the phone. Finally Jim isn’t just our lovable homeboy. He’s a man.
Pam. Pam, Pam, Pam.
Of course, it had its low moments. I’m not sure I buy Jim calling Ryan to rub in his “misfortune.” And WTH happened to Tobe? Dude is crazy. But funny crazy. “Does anyone here have a camera?!?! No…nobody here has one.” But I think that the jury could return with favorable news for Holly, who would be an interesting tension as both Michael’s crush and arch-nemesis. I won’t give spoilers for those who DVR or watch online, but I think the finale packed a wallop.
Today, following some inspiration from Stuff Christians Like, I scrounged up some change and trudged up to Albertson’s for some Apple Jacks. Lets face it: Apple Jacks are amazing. More amazing, even, than getting to use the words “scrounge” and “trudge” in the same sentence. I’ve been pretty down on my writing lately, feeling like there’s no point and like I’m forcing everything. So getting outside and walking helped tremendously. I at least feel somewhat creative again, though I’m still not sure what I’m supposed to do with it. What do you do when your strongest desire is to be creative but you feel like you’re missing an outlet?
Posted in Uncategorized at 10:00 am by seanmichaelbrage
Last night saw the first “official” meeting of our new society (blog will be up shortly.) We got to watch one of my all-time favorite movies and proved that our group is one to be reckoned with. Now, at the end of said meeting, we all took a trip to indulge in one of the wonders of the modern world: the Vanilla Frosty. Yes, I called it a Frosty. I must disagree very highly with Shelley’s feelings and comments about this wondrous delight. The Vanilla Frosty is smooth and delectable. And while I appreciate and respect the original Frosty as the patriarch of the fast-food dessert family,the Vanilla Frosty is to me a welcome addition. It is like finding out we’ve had a long-lost twin brother all these years, only he’s rich, creamy, and delicious. And also white. But so what? Have we forgotten a little piece of our world’s history? Have we forgotten the black-and-white cookie? Or worse, have we forgotten about this:
That’s right. We’ve got Classic Frosty on the left, embodied by our beloved Stevie Wonder. And to the right, his brother and friend Paul McCartney: the Vanilla Frosty of music. Happy to be together, healing wounds and filling spoons. I think this pretty well sums up the relationship between our 2 Frosty varieties, as well as encapsulates my emotions for said Frosty.
Posted in Uncategorized at 12:17 am by seanmichaelbrage
Yesterday was mother’s day. Just so you all know, my mom is amazing. She has a sweet blog. And I would say that she:
Is the reason I’m so musically inclined. (She’s an awesome singer and piano player.)
Is the reason I’m a good writer and the reason I love to write. (She is a fabulous writer and it is her passion.)
Is the reason my brain is a razor-sharp beartrap ready to clamp down and lay waste. (She is brilliant, sharp, quick, and at times wonderfully ferocious.)
Has probably prayed me into and out of everywhere I’ve ever been.
Has gotten me to where I am.
Has made my life extremely fun, full, and adventurous. Happy mother’s day.
I want to do the robot in heaven and ride dirt bikes and have firework fights with CS Lewis. What, you’ve never thought it would be cool to shoot a Roman Candle at CS Lewis?
I love this blog.
Here is my awesome day: Work a full shift for once. Be incredible at my job. Find a ride home (anybody?) Clean my house for Midnight Society meeting tonight. Engage in said meeting. Have tons of fun, be really, really nerdy. Square-frames and Heineken nerdy. Scary movies and over-analysis nerdy. Which season of Futurama was the superior nerdy. Awesome.
Wow. That’s the first post title to not have a song lyric in months. I feel a little discarded, like a pity prom date or Gary Coleman.
Last night we had band practice for Elevate. Kind of. The band was really coming together, but then for some reason as soon as the singers showed up we took a collective poop and basically hacked our way through the rest of rehearsal. Maybe it was the lack of PA to guide us (the lack of a link here is intentional) but we were on a collaborative brain fart for most of practice. Here’s the part I love, however. The “point,” if you will: practice was awesome. I don’t feel like we wasted any time or beat any dead horses, I feel like not having PA (linkless) there challenged us to get things done without needing someone to wipe our hieneys , plus having Mark run rehearsals is always a blast (partly because he’s a genius, partly because he’s a fun guy.) And most of all, I had a great time being there. It was fun. Playing on the same team as Mark and Josh = good times + a whole lot of good-natured ribbing (that’s church-speak for mercilessly mocking someone for playing a bad chord. It’s fantastic.) It reminded me that worship isn’t just something I do out of obligation, nor is it this solemn religious undertaking. It is the thing that, to quote from Hoshi, “makes me pound my fist on the table.” It is the calling on my life, and it’s also my passion. I love doing it. I love being a part of it. It’s my favorite, favorite thing in the world. To answer Judi, it’s the thing I couldn’t go a week without. I’m a worship junkie. Now, I imagine this post could bring about lots of negativity: “Why do you need the band/music to worship?” Well, I suppose to a narrow mind that would ask such questions, I don’t. But God has given us the gift of music and commanded us to worship Him with it, so call it my obedient response. “I think you take worship far too lightly, what with all your joshing (seaning?) around and horseplay.” Nowhere in the bible does it tell us to worship with fallen heads gazing at our sad shoes, or that having fun and worship are to be kept at all times separate. To me, joy and worship are mutually inclusive. When the presence of God meets our humanity like a sloppy wet kiss, joy can be the only genuine response. I take worship more seriously than anything in my life, probably to a fault at times (case in point: my bedroom.) But getting to sing songs and have God himself come and dance with us in our midst? Why wouldn’t that make me feel and act happier than any human before me? All this to say that band practice was awesome. Thanks for your time.
What a great day! I woke up to rainy streets, and that glorious rain-smell through the whole city. Beautiful. I am so in love when it comes to rain, let me tell you. Last night I stayed up setting the bridge on my Tele, and I’m extremely proud of myself. It still needs tweaking, but I was able to get the saddles lowered and set, so the guitar plays easier and tunes a whole lot better. It’s still a bit buzzy in a few areas, but I’d really rather not bore you all talking about the bridge saddles on my guitar. So lets talk rainy day music. For me, rainy weather means one thing: Rocky Votolato. I love this man and his guitar. I think his “Makers” album is one of the best albums to turn on and just listen to while the rain is falling outside. Give it a listen, but give me your responses: What is your rainy day music?
A brief note before we begin (tech/snobbery alert Is it just me, or do Christians use AutoTune more than real musicians? Why is every freaking worship leader now drenched in AT? Why can’t we figure it out that we don’t need to “sound perfect,” and that AT’d vocals ALWAYS ALWAYS sound AT’d and ridiculous.
Alas, forsooth, and anyhoo. Today was a gorgeous day to be alive, and I feel quite pleased with my accomplishments. I got my support letters for El Salvador written and ready to give out, I had a great interview at a really cool coffee shop nearby (heavens to betsy I miss pulling shots and steaming milk,) and I started work on a very near-and-dear personal project: The Midnight Society. Allow me.
For the past few weeks, a select few representatives have gathered in my living room following small group to watch a scary movie. It began with Halloween (the real movie, 1978, not Rob Zombie’s retarded attempt at the medium of film,) and was an instant success. Soon came Identity, the bizarre and unexpected John Cusack number which proved a rousing hit; we were also blessed to welcome new members who were jumping at shadows and covering their eyes in a delightful and entertaining manner. We jump, we talk about the twists and turns afterwards, and we have a great time. I realized last night during the great debacle of Saw that what we had was a great group of people having an awesome time. So late last night I began drafting a charter and refining by-laws pertaining to our selection of films, discussions, and membership. Today I started cooking up a blog (no link just yet,) and will try this week to secure a night when we can gather regularly without disturbing my roommates. (Non-members, you see.) This is by far one of the geekiest undertakings I’ve ever sojourned, and I’ve never felt more alive.
Folks, JD Raab has hit the blogosphere. This is a good time to be alive. JD is a long, long, longtime friend, ally, 007 rival, punchline, Cameron At Bay co-conspirator, and little ball of sunshine. To make matters even better, he’s already got a killer blog for these reasons:
His blogroll already contains myself, Mark, and Hoshi. This man understands priorities in life.
His first post was about faith being re-ignited. His second is about cigars. This man understands the things that make life beautiful.
His posts are full of links. I love links. I love seeing what you’re talking about.
Blogroll this man. Comment for him. Love him. Enjoy.
Is it just me, or do Christians use AutoTune more than real musicians? Why is every freaking worship leader now drenched in AT? Why can’t we figure it out that we don’t need to “sound perfect,” and that AT’d vocals ALWAYS ALWAYS sound AT’d and ridiculous.
