Author: Chad
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tension and release…
Intro. The weather is music to my ears. Crescendos and decrescendos, tension and release. Today started out without a cloud in sight. Pianissimo. It was hot, but things were moving along fine. As the day went on, the clouds appeared. Then a few more. Then a bigger batch arrives. The orchestra builds on harmonies and…
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Falwell falls
I’ll admit that I didn’t know much about Jerry Falwell before he died. I grew up in a Christian home and attended a non-denominational church, but I never tried to pretend I knew much about “the Church” or its leaders. Now that I’m a college student, I guess I have to start caring. But caring…
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oh, the world we live
A poem The great outdoors just came out of the washThe birds they sing a song under my close watchMillions and millions of fallen raindropsOh, they make me stop and realize We congregate, we come around to seeThe smallest leaves grow from the biggest treeMillions and millions of colors shiningOh, they open wide my open…
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where were we?
The shooting at Virginia Tech is definitely shocking and saddening, but it’s not new. Every couple of years there seems to be another school shooting and the perpetrators all seem alike. They are loners, malcontents, and victims of an ever-depreciating society. Cho Seung-Hiu, the Virginia Tech killer, was probably deeply disturbed and psychotic, but what…
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apologies all around…
I’ve been going through a season of doubt and general questioning of all that I’m supposed to believe. I’ve been told over and over again in Sunday school and at home that “Jesus died for my sins” and “God created you and loves you very much,” but what does that really mean? How is it…
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Soundtrack of the moment, part II
These are some songs I’m listening to. I think you should too. “Lost in Space” – Aimee Mann – Lost In SpaceSuch a hauntingly beautiful song. Imagine driving through the desert at night with this whole album on repeat and you have an awesome musical experience. “Seize the Day” – Alan Menken – Newsies soundtrackMan,…
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tale of three trees
This is a story from a children’s book I read as a bedtime story to some kids my sister babysits. It rocked my world: Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up. The first little tree looked up at the stars and…
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and the oscar goes to…
Ahhh, the Oscars. Such a glorious time. I guessed 11 correctly which is pretty good for me. Things I’m pumped about: –The Departed winning 4 awards including Best Picture, Best Screenplay, and a much deserved Best Director for Martin Scorsese (finally!) -Alan Arkin blowing everyone away and upsetting Eddie Murphy for Best Supporting Actor –Pan’s…
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lifestyles of the rich and the famous
To fans of music: Rock stars/musicians/bands are in no way better than you. There seems to be a universal acceptance of a rock star’s disrespectful and arrogant attitudes and actions, but I find this unacceptable. My guess is a lot of kids start bands because they want to be famous and have people love them.…
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Switchfoot’s ‘Oh! Gravity’ brings us back to earth
Originally published in the North Central Chronicle on January 26, 2007. Switchfoot has been in the biz for upwards of a decade, so one would hope that they would evolve for the better during that time. Thankfully, this ensemble can still make good rock music. That, however, doesn’t make the band invulnerable to the destined…
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you never give me your money
I love antique shops. There are 3 here in Naperville but only one of them is that good. I just love walking through aisles and aisles of history and nostalgia. Recently I’ve been finding piles upon piles of old records. Because of my love of history and good music, I naturally appreciate a good record.…
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Soundtrack of the moment, part I
No, this isn’t that stupid random listing of songs that supposedly follows your life. These are some songs that have changed me, made me think, made me cry, and want me to become a better person. Enjoy. “Candy Shop” – Andrew Bird – Oh! the Grandeur So nostalgic. The groove makes you want to do…
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I fought you for so long…
Imagine: Darkness, accompanied by golden light from surrounding “Narnia” lamp posts. The snow slowly permeates everything in sight, including your face. The path you’re on shines like diamonds and swivels oh so gracefully alongside a sparkling river. Soft piano music dances into your ear, choreographed perfectly with the falling flakes. Now, tell me that God…
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Brightest
Walking back to my dorm from chapel last night, I saw the coolest image I’ve seen in a long time. A full moon against a dark sky with the slightest shade of the darkest blue you could imagine. Clouds shaped like cotton ball clusters slid by the moon so gracefully. Coincidentally, a Copeland song called…
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you’re coming alive to me (part 2)
Nobody likes 8-hour shifts. Especially me. Especially Peter Gibbons. But since I have to work to get earn some money, I had no choice. But today’s 8-hour shift wasn’t that bad. In fact, I sort of enjoyed it. Not because of the work I have to do or the people I have to do it…
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Souvenirs
A poem It’s fall outside, of orange and redthere’s a chill on the airwinter’s biting at my front doorand I’ve plunged into despair The sun is setting, the wind’s suspendingon the golden horizonthe leaves crunch to my earsthe colors are souvenirsand they’re saying ‘come home son’ This is the lifethis is the listeningof words we…
# poetry -
you’re coming alive to me
I love it when music and movies come alive. Recently I listened to Copeland’s new album, Eat, Sleep, Repeat. That album, as well as Jack’s Mannequin’s Everything In Transit, somehow opened up a new gateway into music and life for me. When I listened to them, everything else I had ever heard before that seemed…