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isaac . the blog
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eat my RSS/XML.
see myspace
I want to...
G E T O U T O F T H E U S A.Everyone talks to me about nice places:
1. My dad is in Mexico for the fourth or fifth time in a few months...
2. Diego is going to have breakfast in Sanborns ... (so jealous)
3. Flavie is enjoying a four day weekend in Paris - I love Paris in May.
4. etc
5. etc
I'm in class at 8am... It's raining in Denver
Broken Fountain
I just found this picture my mum took last year at our old home, Vista Hermosa, in Mexico City. When I was little, the fountain rarely worked, but it was much more useful to my sister and me when it wasn't full of water. Once we put the yellow ducklings my mum bought us at the Tianguis market inside the dry fountain. We thought this would help protect them from the dogs. It worked for a while, but eventually the dogs caught and ate the ducklings. On other occasions, the dry fountain served other purposes. It was pirate ship! Hannah and I would take the fountain to the high seas of our imagination and capture treasure. It was a beautiful garden, now it's overgrown with weeds.
In background, you can see the ruins of old house. The property was almost half a hectare, and the garden was terraced. From the house - located on the top terrace, you could see downtown Mexico City. That's why it it was called "Vista Hermosa" - the beautiful view" ... Today the property is being developed. In the picture above, you can still see the ruins of our house, but there are also four or five expensive condos on the property with BMW's and Ashton Martins guarded by private security. The only things that are still the same are the view and security guard hut ... and the fountain is still there.
A Quiet Breakfast
I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I today is the first time that I've visited Le Trompeau - a French bakery down the street. It's not quite seven on February 5th, and I've just enjoyed a truly délicieux walnut croissant. I made some stove-top espresso for my Limoges coffee cup and put on a bit of Nouvelle Vague music. Life seems so sweet.The 5th of February - I'll be twenty one in less than forty eight hours. Time flies... It seems like it was only yesterday that the quarter was starting, but now I'm midterms. It seems like last week I was enjoying Arab-made croissants in Belleville with Pierre-Nicolas.
I went up to the mountains this weekend with Chase. We went to Keystone to do some skiing, but since Chase forgot his jacket, we ended up in the pub after only a few runs. Over a few Blue Moons, we discussed tax mitigation and politics. After a few more (very cold) runs, I went back to my parents house.
Joel and Jenn are preparing to leave for Mexico City this week, so we had a "send-off Sunday" at Immanuel on Sunday morning. Check out his blog for pictures. The whole event went very well. The church has come behind the team in an unprecedented way. A few weeks ago, the finances were extremely concerning, but generosity and a heart for missions overcame, and they're only a few thousand dollars behind. Thanks, God. ;)
My nephew, Caleb, is now three - the age I was when our family moved to Mexico in 1990, and my niece, Keira will be going into the first grade in a private Mexican school. Pray for them as they begin a new life in the largest city in the world. Pray for protection, and that they will grow to love Mexican culture just like me and my siblings did 18 years ago.
anyway ..... I have a midterm later today, so I'd best do some studying.
( ( Listening to I Just Can't Get Enough - Nouvelle Vague ) )
( ( ( Check out Theology Network - a site Dan Hames is running. Excellent content ) ) )
Labels: muse
Resolutions
- Blog more... (whups. I seem to have forgotten this blog lately)
- Read more. I'd like to read some biographies, some culture stuff, and
- Learn another language: I would like to learn Arabic, but I'm thinking that Italian or Portuguese would be much easier. Any thoughts?
- Read the Bible more
- Play music again
- Wake up earlier
- Be more disciplined
I help but notice that most of these resolutions involve activities that I used to do more. I used to play more music, I used to blog more, I used to read the Bible more, etc... But as my life has become more busy other things have replaced or partially replaced them. I guess I need to stay more focused and disciplined. Which brings me to this:
(listening to St Patrick's Day .. John Mayer)
Labels: muse
The Best Music of 2007
Here is what I have been listening to this year... Though a lot of it wasn't released this year, it represents what I have enjoyed listening and playing of the last twelve months. I've done this for the last few years, and as always, I think I forget about the songs I listened to at the beginning of the year... Oh well, here it goes. (For earlier lists: 2004, 2005, and 2006.)Neverland (Minor Piano Variation) - Jan A.P. Kaczmarek
This song from the Finding Neverland soundtrack has been a favourite of mine for the last several years, but this year it made my top five played songs. I listen to it a lot when I'm pensive or a bit down.
Djobi, Djoba - The Gypsy Kings
I developed a greater interest in the Gypsy Kings this spring when I went to their homeland with BR to see the bullfights. Djobi, Djoba is classic, and I intend to name my next dog Djoba - at the suggestion of my friend Jonathan Cassoni. Then when I call my dogs, I'll sing: Joby, Djoba! hehe... Classic. It's also the best music for a party. "Nothing gets these people going not even Gypsy Kings." - Gogol Bordello
Stronger - Kanye West
The first single from Kanye's new album is the best song on the album. The Daft Punk sample is excellent, and Kanye's lyrics are clever. Despite his overbearing pride, he talks about his weaknesses in this song.
Como te extraño - La Revolución de Emiliano Zapata
I discovered this old Mexican group who was popular in the 70's on some old soundtrack. I like their sound, and this one is their best. They also sang in English, and became popular in Europe through their song "Nasty Sex".
I Need Your Love - Tom Slinger & Dan Hames
Tom and Dan performed this song several times when they were here in September... It's the only recording I have of them playing together, and I love the song. Excellent composition, boys.
El Ultimo Beso - Vicente Fernandez
I have decided that I love Rancheras, and no one plays it better than Vicente, fondly called "Chente" by many Mexicans. This song is one of the best, with a nice tempo, some nice pizzicato, and fun pauses...
Zahadim - Neset Ertas
Ertas is a folk singer from central Turkey and is often considered one of the best bağlama players in the world. Zahadim is full of the emotion and dynamics that I love in near and middle eastern music. This song is just the bağlama and Ertas' powerful voice... Truly classic.
Inside of Love - Nada Surf
This band is a bit older, but I found myself listening to this song a lot this summer. Dan Hames introduced me to the band a few years ago, but I started listening to them a lot more in France, and this year I listened to this album on repeat for a few months. Great song, and as always for Nada Surf, great though somewhat introspective lyrics.
That Was a Crazy Game of Poker - Of A Revolution
"Johnny doubled up with a royal flush, I had three jacks and a pair of nines..." O.A.R.'s poker theme: it was played a lot at my house over many international poker games this autumn. Along with the movie "Rounders", this song has probably become somewhat of an classic for Texas Hold 'Em players... Good song.
D.A.N.C.E. - Justice
I've talked about this song before, and it was definitely one of the favourites this year... I heard it a lot in Barcelona, Paris, and even in the United States... This has got to be one of the best dancing songs of the year... The beats, the lyrics, and the feel of the song feel more uplifting than other dance songs.
Sensuelle et Sans Suite - Serge Gainsbourg
This is one of my favourite Gainsbourg songs ... The catchy piano riff, the simple bass line, and Serge's mellow voice mixed with the repetitive onomatopoeias. I love it...
Laisser Tomber Les Filles - France Gall
This song is actually by Gainsbourg as well, but the feel is completely different. It feels like a French, new wave film to me, and the attitude is much more defiant and prideful. It is more of a playful party song in my opinion.
Anilar - Coskun Sabah
Coskun Sabah is a Suriani singer from south eastern Turkey. I didn't really know that the Suriani arts were popular in mainstream Turkey, but Ozgun informs that he is very well known.
Si Mi Delito es Rockear - Moderatto
Moderatto is a Mexican pop/rock start known for his strange dress and 80's style falsetto. Though too much of his music annoys me, I've listened to this song a lot, and I can see it all the way thru.
Aisha - Cheb Khaled
This Algerian song has become one of the most famous North African songs ... Though this song mostly in French, it still has a distinctly Maghrebian sound. Ozgun and I listened to this song, and it became 'our song' after many, many listens. Elle est passé à coté de moi!!!
The Way I Are - Timbaland
Timbaland's album was one of the best hip-hop albums of the year, and I felt like it really changed the way the genre was heading. His producing talent mixes traditional styles and makes a fresh sound. This one if probably one of the best of the year.
Save Tonight - Eagle Eye Cherry
I think that Justine was the first person to introduce me to Swedish singer Eagle Eye Cherry. She said that I sounded like him, which I found quite offensive after listening to him. After a few more listens, I've discovered I quite like his style and his realist lyrics. Oddly, though he sings in English, I've never heard an Anglophone talk about him.
Love Will Tear Us Apart Again - José González
I liked this artist before I knew that he was actually Swedish - yes two Swedish singers in a row. José González is of an Argentinian background, but he has lived in Sweden his whole life... This song is full of the opposite emotions of the New Order cover of the song, and I think it restores some of the desperation that Joy Division intended for the song.
Scattered Around the World
Rob Foxell and I had a discussion recently about the advantages and disadvantages making friends around the world. Rob is English, and like me, he has done several programs abroad where he has made many good friends. Sometimes it makes me sad: I develop deep friendships with people, and then after separation, I wonder if we'll ever see each other again.
Fifty years ago, people often lived in the same place for most of their lives, and a move was a defining event. Thus the people who attended your graduation went to your marriage, and possibly your funeral! Today, our relationships are scattered around the world, and we are forced to communicate with our friends with skype, messenger, and facebook. This bothers me a lot, and sometimes I hunger for deeper relationships with more permanence. Yet Rob reminded me that as travel becomes cheaper and more common, this we will see each other often. Also, he brought up that using technology, we can support more relationships. It is said that we can only have 12 deep friends, and around 100 other acquaintances. Today, I think that is changing. I keep in touch with hundreds of acquaintances, and I have more than 12 close friends. Applications like facebook allow us to know what's happening with our friends no matter where they are. Skype allows us to talk with them for free wherever there is an internet connection.
Here's an example: last week I went to Monterrey, Mexico for a few days with a group from my church. Though I've never spent time there before, I already had good friends there. Above is Luly Uribe, a student at the Tech in Monterrey. We studied together in Paris at the Alliance Française. We became quite close over after-class coffees and weekend excursions around Paris. Though I haven't seen her since May 2006, I have kept in touch with her via occasional phone calls and messages on facebook. Further more, I have spent time with Christopher, a friend of Luly's from Monterrey. Christopher is studying in Boulder, and we've spent a few weekends together in Denver and up in mountains.
Despite its disadvantages, I'd rather have my friends scattered around the world. Though we don't get to see each other as often as I'd like, our relationships are deepened through cross-cultural experiences. Technology helps us maintain these friendships, and cheaper travel lets us spend time together - despite the distance.
(i can't believe I just wrote something cheesy!)
Labels: mexico, muse, technology
Muse and Life
I'm sitting in my living room listening to a bit of Serge Gainsbourg... The last month has flown by, and it's hard to believe that my first quarter in Denver is almost over. Ozgun, my Turkish roommate will leave in fifteen days. I have made some amazing friends since I've been here, but unfortunately a lot of them will be leaving in the next month since they're transfer students. Why do my best friends always end up scattered around the world?I've been thinking a lot about balance. How do I balance between my church life and my social/school life. Unfortunately, there's seems to be a great disparity between these two lives. I don't think that's the way it should be: I firmly believe that shouldn't be a separation from our secular lives and from our 'spiritual lives'. How do I reconcile these two lives?
Most Christians seem content to live their 'Christian world' - a safe place with few confrontations and no risk. They listen to soft, kind music and seem to stay within their secure group of friends who all believe the same as they do. While I acknowledge that we all need strong, Christian friends, I think that Jesus lived outside the safety of the religious community. He wasn't afraid to associate with different kinds of people.
I try to bridge these two lives, but it is nothing heroic. I unfortunately get pulled down and become hypocritical. I make bad mistakes that I regret. Should I give up - running back to the false safety of the 'church culture' or should I keep trying to live a godly life in the world? I think a lot about Daniel Bourguet's teaching about the world being our sanctuary and battlefield. He teaches that our place of worship is in the world that so many Christians stay away from, but when I try to practice this, I find myself alone and vulnerable.
Occasionally, I find Christians who manage godly lives in the world. But they always live far away from me ... they prefer to live in other countries and across the oceans. I pray that God would give me good friends who would encourage me to live godly lives, and who would be willing to engage in a conversation with the world, and not just with safe 'Christian' environment.
Sorry for the rambling... I haven't posted much lately, and tonight - a sick boy in my living room, I was in the mood to write and rant about some of my frustrations. The last few weeks have been crazy: church retreat, the Prats in Frisco. I took a group of seven exchange students to Frisco a few weeks ago - which was fun. I quite like Denver, I have met a lot of good people. To be honest, I don't like most of the kids at Denver University - but I have found the most amazing group of friends. An average night at my house can involve Indians, Koreans, Chinese, French people, Italians, English, Venezuelans, Turks, and sometimes some hipped Americans.
Anyway .. I'm sick. So i'm going to bed. Let me know if you're looking for a roommate in Denver.
((une histoire sensuelle et sans suite))
My Brother
Yesterday I walked into the gas station across the street from my house in Denver. As I approached the counter, the mid-oriental man at the cashier looked at me a strangely. I asked for twenty dollars of gas, and he agreed, and then he asked me if I was from Norway or Sweden.I was a bit surprised, and I thought that maybe he was Scandinavian, so I threw a few phrases at him with a horrible accent ... He realized I wasn't Norwegian or Swedish and proceeded to ask me where I was from. I responded saying I was born in the US, and responded politely by asking him the same. He was from Palestine. The University of Denver has a large Arab population, so I wasn't too surprised ... We chatted for a few minutes, and then as I was about to leave, he asked what my name was.
"My Name is Isaac. It was very nice to meet you."
"Isaac? My name is Ishmael."
Labels: muse
A Quotefor the Evening
I am somehow less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein’s brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops.-Stephen Jay Gould, 1980
Labels: muse
Strange and Funny Dream
I just found this old video that my brother and I made back in high school. Weird, no? lol.
Labels: muse
Participant in Postmodern Society?
In Art History II, one of the final essay questions was as follows:How does Post-Modern theory relate to the creation of art in the Post Modern period? Do you find any examples of this art in your life?
The question is really quite difficult, since postmodernism is almost an antithesis of definition, and is somewhat of a reactionary movement.
I got a ten out of ten on the assignment, and my teacher said, "You have well voiced your status as a participant of Post Modernist society."
What does that mean? lol... I don't know whether to be insulted or complimented.
Latino Power
I was looking through the recent Oscar nominations, and I was (pleasantly) surprised to see all the Latinos nominated this year. Spanish is less and less of foreign language in mainstream culture, and in the US, it's becoming more and more the other main language.In English class, my professor said that 'foreign' words are italicized. This rather offended me. What is foreign? Spanish isn't a foreign language in the US, and since half the babies born today, it may well be the first language of the half the student population in twenty year.
The fact that Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Guillermo del Toro, Alfonso Cuaron, Adriana Barraza and Guillermo Arriaga (all Mexican) were nominated for main awards shows that in the arts, Latino culture is gaining influence. Plus there's Almodóvar and Penelope Cruz (Spanish) who also have a film that received a nomination.
Last year, I started to notice how important Latino arts in the world. Gasolina was played at every party in Paris, and everyone seemed to have mastered reggaeton grinding. La Camisa Negra was constantly on the radio, and every girl wearing a black shirt loved to dance to the song. ;)
Here in the US, a girl from Chihuahua recently told me that in the middle school 'Ahora a los gringos le gusta RBD'. Even preppy Mexican pop music is gaining popularity.
Anyway ... Just a muse on Latino culture.
Quote of the Day
I was surfing myspace, and found the blog of Travis Randall, a guy I met in Azerbiajan a long time ago.quote of the day from Travis Randall ...
On Americans:
a people who spend the whole week shopping but don’t care how they dress.
A Lonely Generation
After celebration yesterday, we went to eat pizza at Old Chicago for Becka's birthday. I was the first person to arrive. Though I don't frequent the restaurant, I do know several people employed there. I said hi to Lexy, the hostess, and then I wandered over the bar where I talked to the bartender, Lance, for a few minutes. I spotted a couple of police who I've translated for before at a table across the restaurant, so I went over and exchanged jokes with them a few minutes ...This is the advantage of living in a small mountain community: wherever you go, you run into people you know. Amazingly, as I wrote about in my last post, this doesn't just happen in on a local level, but I even run into people on a global level. I tend to meet a lot of people, and so I may have an advantage over some people ... but I seem to be acquainted with a lot of people. I have two hundred phone numbers in my phone and over two hundred fifty contacts on my msn ... Yet despite all the text messages, im, and acquaintances, I still feel lonely a lot.
Loneliness. Last night at housechurch we talked about Psalm 26:
Turn to me and be gracious to me,Someone said that we are probably the loneliest generation in history. Though it would be hard to prove, I believe it. It's odd to think that with almost seven billion people alive, we are a lonely generation. Urbanization and globalization have connected us with billions of individuals ... But we're lonely.
For I am lonely and afflicted.
I have a theory that the easier technology makes communication, the harder it is to build intimacy. I have gmail, AIM, msn, italk, myspace, a blog, a thousand text messages monthly, and two mobile phone numbers ... But I still feel alone. Sometimes I wonder what it would have been like to live in a small village in the American West a century ago. I would have a few neighbours, and maybe a small town within an hour's ride by horse. Though I wouldn't have friends and acquaintances around the world, maybe I would have a few deep friendships and know a people at a really deep level.
I don't mean to complain. The grass is always greener on the other side ... But I think that our generation is lonely. We hide it well with masks of 'friends' and through messages sent thru every medium ... But we're still lonely. Turn to us, and be gracious, God.
Ancient Churches
I haven't written for a few days. Between the overload of homework and the underload of interest in my life, there's been good reason for the lack of blogging.I've been reading the journal of William Dalrymple from the mid-nineties. As he travels the Middle-East he writes about his encounters with the ancient, dying Christian civilizations. The journal is called From the Holy Mountain, and I've found it interesting. I read another personal account of living in the Middle East this summer called From Beirut to Jerusalem by Thomas Friedman. Darymple takes the religious perspective of a pilgrim. His writing reflects the fact he is a historian. Friedman, an acclaimed journalist, takes a more political approach. Though they are different, both books are fascinating.
I'd love to spend a few years traveling a region like the Middle East. I would learn Arabic, and try to speak with the diverse groups of people that live there. The region is inhabited by luxocrats and aristocrats, but also by many people who still live in undeveloped poverty. The contrast, the classes, the cultures, and the many religions fill the region with mystery.
Dalrymple's book is relevant to the current situation in Lebanon. The Maronites, one of the largest 'Christian' communities in existence, is exiting Lebanon as I type. By the time my children visit the Middle East, will their history be erased along with the Coptics and the Syrian Orthodox? Will there only be a few remnant villages in the mountains in what was once a Maronite state?
Labels: culture, muse, the middle east
French Jetset in the 1830's and Mexican Mariachi Classics
It's 0h01, and I still have to write two papers and read a play by Shakespeare before 8h00 when I have class in Brokenridge. I'm listening to Mujeres Divinas and Amor Eterno by Vicente Fernández. As I listen to my Mexican mariachi music, I'm writing a paper in French about Honoré de Balzac's Père Goriot - an story about Parisian high society in the 1830's.It stuck me as an odd combination ...
That Feeling of Disappointment
I'm sitting comfortably in my comfortable chair, quietly writing about 'the basic emotions expressed by infants during the first days and months'. As I write, I sip my coffee and indulge in a few conversation on msn. I reach over for my coffee cup, thinking of the warm feeling it will bring to me and the pleasant citrusy aroma that I will soon enjoy. I look outside at the cold snow and shiver a little bit. But only a little bit, because I know that my coffee is about to warm me up. But then as the the cup approaches me (or as I my hand makes it approach - it doesn't approach by itself), realization sets in: I've drank all my coffee. There are only a few drops left. In hope and desperation (at the same time!!!) I tip the cup a hundred and eighty degrees to enjoy the last few drops of the pungent liquid ... But alas, all is lost. The last few drops are cold and grainy.
Labels: muse
Confession
Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son. the Prodigal Son
I don't know what inspired Rembrandt to paint "Return of the Prodigal Son". Since he painted it only months before his death, I wonder if he was thinking about his own return home. Maybe he was pondering over his own life journey. In any case, I think it's probably his greatest work.
I love how he captures the humility of the son, and the compassion of the Father. The father's expression is so tender. We can't see the son's face very well. But the two words that come to me are tiredness and brokenness.
The son's confession must have indeed been poignant, and it was certainly full of emotion. That's probably why Rembrandt picked that particular moment - it's the pinnacle of the story.
Therefore, confess your sins to one another ... James
Confession is powerful. It seems to be something that God has built into human nature, a basic need. Why else would sites like Group Hug and Daily Confession are anonymous online confessionals that make for some not-so-light reading. Even the last Prison Break episode focussed on confession when Alexander Mahone tries to use guilt and force Tweener to confess.
Confession ... How come we don't talk about it much in the non-Catholic church. Even the world recognizes it's power, yet we rarely discuss it. Confessing our failures and sins allows others to hold us accountable. It also reminds of our reliance on God's grace and keeps us humble before God and one another.
Any thoughts?
