Winston-Salem, NC Part 1

Highlights from Winston-Salem so far:

• Seeing Uncle Mark and Aunt Susie, Derek, Charlotte, Emily, Janie, Jacob, Trisha, Curtis, Colton, and Cannon.
• Going to Wake Forest- Air Force Basketball game
• Playing Nintendo Wii for the first time
• A nice dinner with ham and pineapple.
• Wrestling with the boys.
• Playing Mafia with everyone, with some really funky rules. Additional rules include Little Girl, Fortune Teller, Wolf (Mafia), Savior, Witch Doctor, Flute Player. If you are interested in more explanations of these, let me know.
  
• Going for walks. Should be headed out soon on a hike in the 55 degree weather.
  
• Continuing to read books, and in Courtney's case, Trisha's copies of Real Simple.
  

Chapel Hill, NC

We enjoyed 70 degree weather yesterday in Chapel Hill. Every other day has been full of precipitation, since it is currently raining here in Durham.

We did go to Trader Joe's, and bought a few things there. We went to a shop called Ten Thousand Villages, which sells artisan crafts for non-profit, while paying the artisans fairly. And we went to SouthPointe Mall, which is a mall such as Oak Park connected to outdoor shopping, similar to the Legends or Town Center. It was really busy, and we almost couldn't find a parking spot. It was nice to see stores that we don't have in our area.

Then we went to the Butterfly Museum, so that I can begin usher duties. BJ was quite nervous, and James Beecher took charge and became our head usher. The guys decided that I was the most computer literate, so my main responsibilty was to set up a laptop with music and slideshows, and an additional laptop with the slideshow. It went pretty well. One of the laptops was set up near the tarantula. It was also an insect museum, so there were displays for ants, cochroaches, stick bugs, and a bunch of other stuff.

The butterfly museum itself is a tropical environment, so I was wearing a T-shirt, and Courtney wore the new Hawaiian dress that her parents got her in Hawaii. Courtney got some good pictures of butterflies. We also had a good view of the ceremony. The ceremony was about 15 minutes, and BJ couldn't wait to kiss Natosha, who looked beautiful. I got to hang out with old college friends Eric Nally, Brandon Lowden, Mark Grapengator, and James and Emily, and of course BJ himself.

Jake is going to pick us up soon to take us to his home in Winston-Salem.

Durham, NC

We're in Durham, and will be headed to Chapel Hill in a few minutes to visit Trader Joe's. I wonder if they know that they are a tourist location.

We got here just in time for the rehearsal. We followed a local guy through the forest to the dinner. It was really scary, because he didn't go a normal way, and I thought we were going to be stuck in a forest, and I wondered if we were following the wrong car. But it worked out. I played one game of pool last night. Then our luggage arrived at 1 AM, right after I went to bed. the wedding is at 7 at a butterfly museum.

The Next Great American Band

Probably few people have watched the FOX show "The Great American Band", so I'll summarize it for you. Even though it is hidden in an 8 PM Friday slot, I have really come to appreciate the show.

The finale featured 3 great bands. The winners are decided by phone vote.

Denver and the Mile High Orchestra (already a nationally known Christian band)

Six Wire - a talented country rock band

The Clark Brothers - grew up playing at evangelistic tent meetings. They don't have a drummer.

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I was rooting for Denver, but the Clark Brothers were my 2nd choice. Denver was awkwardly told that they did not win. Then the Clark Brothers won the show, and you'll probably hear more from them over the air waves.

The finale also featured a 10 minute Christmas medley from the top 6 bands. It was really entertaining. Also notable was that they didn't shy away from using the term Christmas, and it was nice.

The best thing was that 2 of the 3 bands are practicing Christians, and glorified God the entire show.

Movie Review: The King and I

I think gramatically, this could also be called "The King and Me", depending on the context. But I'm open for any corrections on that. Anyway...

This was another great color movie! It was a nominee but not a winner for an Oscar Best Picture in 1956.

It featured an old-fashioned and pretty teacher, who went to Siam by the invitation of the King, to teach the children Western ideas. The King is quite steeped in his traditions, and resents the teaching at first, but he warms up. The movie hints at romance, but it was not tenable, because the King had like 200 kids or something from all his wives.

It featured some Buddha worship, which was unusual. There was a beautifully choreographed play within the play about the Siamese interpretation of Uncle Tom's cabin. This tied into the idea that one of the King's wives is a slave in his palace, and she wants her freedom.

There are some good tunes and some bad ones. Yul Brynner was well-deserving of his Best Actor award. The costumes were incredible throughout.

Presidential Pick Dec 07

I'll stick with Rudy, until another nominee proves to me that they should be President.

Of course, I'll be stuck with whoever people of Iowa, New Hampshire, and Michigan pick. And that is ok. I think they are all great nominees. And I think the Democrat nominees are all horrible.

Train Intersection Open, but Closed

Our closest intersection with I-35 is 67th Street, and it has been closed for 20 days for much needed repairs. This intersection also includes a train crossing, before you can get anywhere important. I headed that way this morning to finally take advantage of it being open.

A train was crossing. Really good luck.

Then the train slowed down and came to a complete stop, and everyone had to find alternate routes. It may as well not have been open!

First Council Meeting and Pastor Tom farewell

We went to St. Andrew's golf course for a dinner and the first Church Council meeting. This is an exclusive club of Committee Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen. (The golf course is also an exclusive club.) Courtney was recently elected to a 2-year term as Youth Committee Chairman.

We were probably an average of 25 years younger than everyone else. That is the by-product of not really being a young church anyway, but add to that fact that people our age are not usually Committee Chairs.

The dinner was very nice, and was almost all gluten-free. It actually tasted really good. My best restaurant dinner since Houston's. We had several friends that we ate with.

Some Council business was taken care of, and we got a bunch of paperwork. Then at the end, Pastor Tom and Sandie read cards that they received out loud. (Gras family,we wrote a thank you on behalf of all of us.)

We'll probably see Pastor Tom 2 more times, on Dec 23rd and Dec 24, and then we'll be gone the next Sunday, and then Pastor Tom and Sandie will be gone from CCC.

Ice Storm pictures Chez Gras

Here are some pictures Courtney took of our surroundings after and during the ice storm

View from my office window

This picture was taken by my cube neighbor Dan Guinn as the ice started to melt from the trees. I believe he put a slight effect on it. Click on the picture to see the big version. I should be posting some of Courtney's pictures later.

Pete Eye Trio

We just saw the Pete Eye Trio at church, of all places. It felt different, and somewhat refreshing to hear secular music on the sanctuary stage. Secular in the sense that they played music that had nothing to do with Christianity. But that is not at all the purpose of my post.

Pete Eye is also my parents' piano tuner. It is rumored that he once played a rendition of "Sweet Georgia Brown" at my dad's request, and you can imagine all the hollerin' and jumpin' around.

If Pete Eye had any trace of web presence, I'd post a picture.

The concert was also a benefit for a church friend who was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer. He is being a major witness with his attitude and his willingness to talk about his faith in a frank and honest way during this trying time.

I couldn't decide which one of the trio I liked the most. The pianist and bassist really impressed me. The drummer was good too, and if I knew anything about drums, I'd probably be more impressed.

Book Review: The Crucified God, by Jurgen Moltmann

I have been reading this book for months and months, and I finally finished it! It is by far the most challenging book I have ever read. The reason I read it is that my Mike King, who is bald, recommended it in response to my post about baldness here.

I don't regret reading it. I feel that I have gotten about 15% smarter. And every other book I read now feels dumbed down. I learned many new words such as theodicy, iconoclast, stoical, and many more.

The most lasting spiritual application that this book had on me was that it focused on how Christ was crucified as a rebel, blasphemer, and he was forsaken by his Father. He was crucified as an outsider, and not an accepted person. He did not come and take away all of our suffering in this present life. But he gave dignity and purpose to all who suffer now.

After all, God himself was crucified, and he is sympathetic and feels pain for us. Early religion beleived that God had no feelings, that the actions of men do not affect him, and that is the model that Islam is currently in. But the cross shows that he does indeed suffer. The Father suffered to spare his Son, and the Son suffered separation from the Father.

Anyway, that is a small and probably slightly errant way that I can explain the extensiveness of this book - 330 pages of theology.

my ongoing baby list

Yes, we are that age when this happens.


Jake & Trisha: due August
Hayley & Arlen: due July
Laura & Levi: due March 13
James & Emily: due sometime
Erik & Rachel: due in February
Kerry & Adam: Kade born Dec 12
Matt & Michele: Lilian Ruth born Dec 9
David &Catie: Ethan Paul born Oct 28
Amanda & Scott: Emma Grace born Oct 11
Mary & Steven: Maya born Oct 9
Vince & Jay: Isaac Dean born Sept 10
Melody & James: Harrison born August 23
Eric & Sarah: Lucas born August 12
Lynn & Devin: Claire born July 7

What we did the day Lilian was born

Sunday provided some excitement, as my 4th niece was born. Lilian Ruth was born to Michele and Matt. For pics see Michele's post here.

Also, I played bass in church, and left Courtney's cell phone there. I know that's not as exciting as a niece being born. She gave it to me because she thought I needed it more in the inclement weather because my car is smaller. But I'm not used to carrying one, so I left it there.

Courtney had attended mass while I played bass. Then I went to Courtney's 2nd cousin's infant baptism, and lunch at Ike and Linnie's. And we watched a K-State Basketball win there.

Then at night, there were a few lights on unnecessarily, and I told Courtney mockingly, "why don't you turn all the lights on?". And she proceeded to turn on every light connected to our house. I turned them all off, and there were 20 in all. Not counting the oven light. She can be feisty. So there, Lilian, that's what we did the day you were born.

Movie Review: Around the World in 80 Days

This movie was unique, not only in fact that it was British, but it was part comedy and part adventure. Most of the Oscar Winners we've seen have been boring character pieces. Plus, this one was in color again. (Yay).

A British gentleman bets that he can traverse the world in 80 days. And he and his new servant (Paspartou?) go ahead and do it. Spoiler::: There is some drama at the end when they think they lost, but they really gained a day by traveling around the world.

There are some strange moments, such as when they show boring bullfighting for a serious 5 minutes. Overall it was really interesting, but not that great by today's standards. It looks like the movie was redone in 2001, so maybe we'll take a look.

Movie Review: Marty

Whew. This started out well. It is the story of a single 34 year old man, who is discouraged about his failure at relationships with the opposite sex, especially since everyone bothers him about it. He is a nice, sensitive man. He happens to meet another girl at a club who was just rejected. they like each other, and are good for each other. That is where the movie has its charm.

Then his friends call her a "dog", and his family says she's not Italian enough. And he almost rejects her. Then he calls her about 6 hours late. The movie ends with him closing the phone booth.

It was the most abrupt ending of any movie we've ever seen. Nothing was resolved. So who knows where it will end up in my Oscar Winner movie rankings.

Ruth Bell Graham TV Special

The writer's strike provided the opportunity for the new TV special to air about Ruth Bell Graham on secular TV stations. We watched it Wednesday night on CBS.

It told the story about her faith, her relationship to Billy Graham, and all about her life. It also had a few musical selections, the best of which was Avalon singing "In Christ Alone". (which I am singing in Elissa's wedding in January)

It was refreshing to hear all about a woman that was behind the scenes. It was a honoring to all of those people behind the scenes who love Christ. It was inspiring how she sacrificed and never complained. It was a very good production. It also featured a gospel message, along with a phone number that people could call. It wasn't fake like some might imagine, but it was genuine.

(Mich, it's on in your town on 12/8 on NBC 7 PM, if you're interested. I wouldn't organize my life around it.)

Like a Tattoo

American Idol hit one of their low spots, when their newest winner, Jordin Sparks, came out with her debut single. It's a low, because the song is called "Like a Tattoo." But I'm not willing to call it their lowest moment, because I'm sure some singles from earlier winners were so bad that they didn't get any radio play.

The chorus:

You're still a part of everything I do
You're on my heart just like a tattoo

Just like a tattoo,

I'll always have you (I'll always have you)

Best of November

Best Movie That I Saw for the First Time: Amazing Grace
Best Life Happening: Thanksgiving 2007
Best Book I Read: Movers & Shakers, Deaf People Who Changed the World

Movie Review: On the Waterfront

This movie was dogged by an annoying soundtrack that played at odd times. It is annoying even if it was orchestrated by a famous person - Leonard Bernstein.

The Oscar winning performance by Marlon Brando was the most unique acting we've seen in old movies. His style was very relaxed, and refreshing.

Basically he is loosely part of a mob or gang that controls the waterfront and longshoremen union. His brother is higher up in the mob, so that's his biggest connection to it. He was unknowingly part of a murder, and the whole movie, it's on his conscience, and he has to decide whether to testify against them or not. There is a famous cab scene with his brother. Watch it below:




Oscar Best Picture 1954