Reality
Written by Candace   
Friday, 18 July 2008

I have theories about reality television.  It’s unfortunate that I have them, because the fact that I have theories means that I have caught a little of the reality TV bug and know enough about these shows to form theories.  I heard somewhere that reality television is the beginning of the decline of civilization.  Alas, I fear I am supporting this decline.

 

Years ago, my friends and I started a weekly tradition of getting together to watch the ABC’s The Bachelor (or The Bachelorette, as the case may be).   We had a tremendous amount of fun hurling sarcastic remarks at the television, nicknaming all of the contestants, and making bets on who would be sent home or who would end up making out in the pool.  This is the good stuff that spawned all of my theories.

 

Now, years later, those friends and I are all in different places doing different things.  Our evenings with The Bachelor/ette are over.  Truth be told, I haven’t even seen the last three seasons (I heard they weren’t that great anyway).  But, a few months ago, I was channel surfing and stumbled onto The Bachelorette with DeAnna.  I watched…and I became hooked again.  So a few weeks ago, when the finale was on, I rushed home from a dinner that Nate and I had with our family, changed into my most comfortable PJ’s, and climbed into bed to watch DeAnna decide between Jason and Jesse.  And, before I go any further, I must note that, had I not been in such a rush to leave our folks’ place after dinner, we would have been kicked out, because Mom was ready to tune in, too.  And, on another side note, my sister-in-law, Sarah, was there, too, and she predicted Jesse would win.  So, having now been through another Bachelor/ette season, here are my theories:

 

#1:  They never portray reality—at least, not in it’s entirety.  If everything that we saw was everything that had actually happened, DeAnna would have picked Jason.

 

#2:  They keep a weirdo around for flavor and conflict, regardless of whether or not it makes sense.  I guess they figure we need someone who is the human equivalent of the car-accident-you-can’t-look-away-from to keep us glued to the TV.  They are usually booted out when there’s a handful of contestants left—before the main event.  Case and point from this season:  Twilly, then Jeremy (it helped that Jeremy was cute).

 

#3:  They always build up the loser.  If the finale appears to be favoring one of the contestants, they are inevitably the one going home.  I remember watching Jason being portrayed as the golden boy—the man who had surely stolen DeAnna’s heart—and I was thinking to myself, “Dangit!  It’s not going to be him!”

 

#4:  The first person to get out of the limo at the end is the loser.  There’s really no suspense once the first guy (or girl) gets out the limo, because you know the loser is going to be let down before the grand profession of love ends the show.  I remember they tried to do it the other way one season, and it was no good.  So, once Jason got out of the limo, I was growling at my TV.

 

#5:  The bachelor or bachelorette is always painted out to be the bad guy in the end when the rejects get to give doe-eyed looks and say, “You led me on,” and that is total bunk.  I want to look at the rejected contestants and say, “He-llo!  They have to lead you on!  Otherwise, it wouldn’t be must-see TV!”  Despite the fact that I have little pity for someone who is willing to live life in front of TV cameras and pretend it’s realistic, I do feel bad when the firing squad of TV exes is faced. 

 

In the end, after I saw poor Jason get rejected and watched DeAnna go for Mr. Pink Shoelaces, I decided that reality is never reality on TV.  There is so much that we don’t see; and, if we did see it, perhaps we wouldn’t be so surprised when the ending is not what we expected.  But, regardless, I have to admit…it’s horribly addicting.

 
The Mixed Tape
Written by Candace   
Wednesday, 16 July 2008

Ah, I feel it’s time for another music review!  Of course, this one will be a bit unorthodox, as it comes with a piece of FFT (food-for-thought) and a story…

 

First, my FFT:  It’s amazing how, more often than not, the music we listen to can help tell a story about us at any given moment.  A melancholy mood?  The Smashing Pumpkins or The Weepies go there, too.  Feeling contemplative?  Alexi Murdoch is good for staring into the heavens, pondering life’s great questions.  Spending time with the Lord?  Nichole Nordeman and Shawn McDonald are necessary companions.  Music is the perfect partner for all of life’s up and downs.

 

So, my story:  One of the dearest people in the world to me is my college roommate, Margaret.  She and I bonded during our sophomore year over Lucky Charms and road trips through obscure California towns.  We also bonded over the monumental amount of music that was housed in our dorm room.  My music collection was (and still is) something to behold. 

 

Well, during hours of studying one night, Margaret and I began discussing: if we were to create soundtracks for our lives, what songs would be included?  In the years that followed, we began creating these “soundtracks” for each other, sending them to one another in an effort to keep in touch and give each other a glimpse of what was going on our lives.  And, I have to say, they are truly magnificent creations.  Some might say they are inspired collections of the best music ever—the new, the old, and pretty much everything in between.  So, after a decade of friendship, I just finished the thirty-sixth soundtrack in our collection.  Don’t ask me how we’ve actually made that many.  Below, you will find the playlists for two of my most recent collections.  I recommend any of the artists found on these albums, as they are the tunes that have been stuck in my head in recent months.  So, if you’re smart, you’ll jot down a few of these names and get yourself some good music!

 

Playlist #1

Love Like Rockets – Angels and Airwaves

Heartbeats – Jose Gonzales

Why You – Joe Purdy

Always Love – Nada Surf

Here Comes a Regular – Replacements

Colorblind – Counting Crows

Give Me Heart – Susie Suh

Half Acre – Hem

Your Song – Kate Walsh

Laughing Man – Joe Purdy

Much Farther to Go – Rosie Thomas

Have You Ever – Brandi Carlile

Jolly Plough Boys – Kate Rusby

Los Angeles – Peter Bradley Adams

Found What I Was Looking For – Tyler Hilton

 

Playlist #2

Breathe – Sixpence None the Richer

All Creatures of Our God and King – Bethany Dillon and Shawn McDonald

What a Friend We Have in Jesus – Amy Grant

Small – JJ Heller

Life Means so Much – Chris Rice

Needful Hands – Jars of Clay

Where I Land – JJ Heller

All I Ever Have to Be – Amy Grant

Behind Your Eyes – Jon Foreman

Real Life Fairytale – Plumb

Cinderella – Steven Curtis Chapman

How Deep the Father’s Love for Us – Nichole Nordeman

Waiting for Lightning – Steven Curtis Chapman

Winter – Shawn McDonald

 
In a World of My Own
Written by Candace   
Wednesday, 16 July 2008

If you know the right people, the world is yours.  How do I know?  Well, there are a whole lot of examples I could point to as evidence, but the most recent examples (and some of the best examples, I’d say) come from our most recent Disneyland excursion with friends.  This year, ten of us braved the Magic Kingdom (and that other kingdom next to it—the one that’s not as cool, but still worth a look).  We spent two days doing pretty much everything there is to do in both parks, and we left exhausted, but satisfied.  During those two days, we had quite a bit of evidence pointing to the fact that, if you know the right people, the world is yours.

 

Evidence #1: Pat

While standing in line at Peter Pan’s Flight, we were told that the ride was being shut down temporarily.  Rats.  As were about to leave, an older women came out of nowhere and asked how many people were in our party.  We told her, and she handed us fastpasses—glorious golden tickets that can fast forward you through a ride line—for any ride in Disneyland.  Apparently, we looked really bummed and in need of some pity.  Wa-hoo!  Of course, we stayed and talked to her for a bit (hence, we learned her name).  Hoo-ray, Pat!

 

Evidence #2: Guy in the Giant Yellow Coat

You know those guys in the giant yellow coats who have to corral people while preparing for the fireworks?  Well, in an effort to find the best place possible to save seats for the fireworks, I decided to start a conversation with one such individual.  As it turns out, if you’re nice to these guys, they’re extremely helpful!  He told us the perfect place to sit, and I’m not going to say where it was, because I don’t wish to reveal our choice spot.  Needless to say, we had incredible seats.

 

Evidence #3: Mike

Ah, Mike.  He was another one of those poor people in charge of telling people where they can and cannot go during the fireworks.  Thinking back to evidences 1 and 2, I decided to strike up another conversation.  I’m not shy.  I told Mike about our encounter with Pat earlier in the day, and I told him that we would do pretty much anything short of break the law for more of those fastpasses to any ride in the park.  I even shamelessly offered him a Mickey Mouse that I had purchased for Jack (Nate found the whole thing hilarious).  Mike told us to meet him at Space Mountain the next day (where he would be working), and he’d see what he could do.  So, early the next morning, Nate and I and our friend Stacy bought Mike a cup of coffee and tracked him down at Space Mountain, where he gave us a handful of the coveted fastpasses.  Again, I say wa-hoo!

 

Evidence #4: Friends

This last piece of evidence has a very high “aw” factor, but it’s true.  The world seemed to be at our feet because of who we knew—each other.  Our friends made the trip worth it.  Had we been with any other group, it probably would not have been as good.  Aw!

 

Last Updated ( Thursday, 17 July 2008 )
 
A Tale of Three Kings
Written by Candace   
Wednesday, 16 July 2008

I have been reading through Gene Edwards’s book, A Tale of Three Kings, for the second time, and I am still convinced it is one of the best books I have ever read.  It’s not a Nobel Prize-winner, nor is it on Oprah’s must-read list.  It doesn’t need to be.  It’s just that good.  No accolades necessary.

 

Edwards examines the “kingly” journeys of three men in the Bible—Saul, David, and Absalom.  We read about the character of these men, and how each of them served a divine purpose that should serve as examples for us today.  Edwards talks about the value of brokenness in a leader—a concept often lost in the drive to success. 

 

Who are the men and women in this world who are chosen by God to be kings? 

 

How can we tell the difference between those who are the Sauls or Absalosms in our lives, and who are the Davids? 

 

Edwards paints a picture that makes the answers to all of those questions quite clear.  Only God knows…and He’ll never tell. 

 

The entire book is written as a piece of fiction, but the characters, the settings, and the foundation of the entire message is scriptural and based on truth.  Because I am usually very cautious when it comes to books where an author is trying to interpret what the Bible is saying by putting his or her own “spin” on the written words, I was not sure if I would enjoy this read.  But I did.  It’s captivating.  I highly recommend it!

 
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 Next > End >>

Results 1 - 7 of 22
the bot