Almost November

This year is really flying by. I cannot believe that I have lived in two diverse, and almost opposite cities, had two completely different jobs, and two very different incomes. I went from having a room to myself, to sharing it with three other guys. Crazy. Change is a funny thing. I like change. The only thing I remember from my disappointing psychology degree is that "change causes anxiety." It's certainly true, it does. But, sometimes, change can be good. This new month, November, will be good. I wish I would look at every month like that. Really, I will wish I would look at every new day like that.

Until December.

An Evening With David Bazan

Dave Bazan (of Pedro The Lion) came to New Orleans last Tuesday night and shared his music and life with the audience.









Although the crowd wasn't large, a group of us got close to the stage, and sang along to his story-telling of faith, love, murder, deceit, lust, rage, and hatred.








Having been an avid fan of Dave's music for many years, I was worried that some of the magic would be lost by not having a full band back him on the tunes. However, I was wrong.








Mr. Bazan played through classics on each of the Pedro releases, as well as nearly playing through every song off his recently released EP Fewer Moving Parts (except for "How I Remember," which is my favorite of the disc).








Dave also answered many questions from the audience. In my opinion, some took this time to inquire his opinion; others took it to be ridiculous and annoying.









After ninety minutes of a guy and his guitar, I felt inspired. It was an amazing experience. I met Dave for the second time in my life that night. And he remembered me and the conversation we had about a book from three years prior. Rad, no?








Rock stardom isn't dead. It's just not really applicable when people are real with themselves and the people who appreciate their art.

David Bazan - "Slow and Steady Win The Race"

Pictures Embeded With Memories

This is a slideshow with pictures from my trip. You North Florida locals will recognize some.

Leaving, Staying, Living, Dying

So, I wasn't sure how long I would be here, but I'm pretty sure that I'm going to stay all weekend or longer. Maybe I'll stay some during the week. I haven't missed too many classes, so I could afford the skip. I just miss this dreadful place. It's funny, I never thought I would care, but I do. I do care. I do. I care.

"Tiny Vessels" by Death Cab For Cutie from the album Transatlanticism

"All I see are dark gray clouds in the distance moving closer with every hour.
So when you'd ask, 'Is something wrong?'
I'd think, 'You're damn right there is, but we can't talk about it now.
No we can't talk about it now.'"

I'm Going Away For A While

Tomorrow I am leaving in my Altima and heading back to Graceville (my college town and home from August 1999 - January 2005) to see Chase and Donna, who will also be there. (Really, I guess, I'm seeing everyone I know who is still serving time in that small town.) Anyway, before I go, I wanted to make mention of some books I found at my school's annual book sale. I spent a total of fifteen bucks and found some amazing things. Some I bought for personal use (current or future), and some I bought mainly to sell on Amazon.com (none of which is listed here). So, without further ado:

1. A 1927 hardcover edition of The Philosophy of Spinoza
2. Four Volume set of Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (Retails $100)
3. A 1966 hardcover edition of The Jerusalem Bible
4. Holman Illustrated Pocket Bible Handbook
5. A Tapestry of Faiths: The Common Threads Between Christianity & World Religions by Winfried Corduan
6. New Testament Greek: An Introductory Grammar by Eric G. Jay
7. A 1970 hardcover edition of Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (Hebrew Bible) (Retails $50)
8. The Normal Christian Life by Watchman Nee
9. A 1925 hardcover edition of The Philosophy of Religion by George Galloway
10. Four Volume set of Wuest's Word Studies In The Greek New Testament (Retails $60)
11. A first edition (1912) hardcover of The Meaning of God In Human Experience by William E. Hocking
12. A Harmony of the Gospels by A.T. Robertson
13. 1916 hardcover edition - Vols. 17 & 18 of The Summa Theologica by Thomas Aquinas

Pre-chewed Food

Hi, my name is Jeff. I wait until the day before assignments are due to write them. I don't know why I do this. I want to change. I've tried to change. I have changed. I have a 2-3 page (single-spaced) hermeneutical paper on Genesis 22:1-14 due tomorrow. I started this thing on Saturday. I have been doing research since then. Everyday, I read for two or three hours and I still cannot formulate enough words to write the paper. Due later this month, I have a key word study due on the Hebrew word 'ola ([whole] burnt offering). But, first, I have to do this background study on human sacrifice, as related to Abraham offering Isaac to Yahweh. So, instead of writing a paper, I post a blog. And that is why I am here, still writing. Bye.