Well, the Facebook Fast has come and gone without much fanfare. In a move that has apparently become pretty popular, I gave up Facebook for Lent, lasting 40 days and culminating on Easter this past Sunday. Basically, I was spending too much time on the site doing nothing productive (looking around at pictures and checking statuses) so it was time to cut back.
Disconnection
To be honest, I did not miss the program much. I was wasting a lot of time on the site and wasn't really even using it to connect with people except new friends and to accept event invitations. My blog readership certainly went down because most people were clicking the link I'd put on Facebook before I quit. Aside from those things I really did not notice my life changing much.
In fact, I'd say it improved quite a bit! My feeling of needing to keep in touch with people was cut off immediately on Ash Wednesday when the fast started. I enjoyed being "off the map" as far as the Internet was concerned and preferred that people could not reach me as easily as they once could. It gave me a sense of freedom.
Connection
While the point of Facebook is to bring people together, I felt more connected with people once Facebook was removed from the equation. If I wanted to see someone, I had to call or email them. If I didn't have something to do, I'd have to text a few friends to see what their plans were. If an event was coming up that I didn't know about, I'd have to rely on friends to tell me or go out and find it. As a result, I started dispersing the duties of Facebook to other things like Twitter and simple word-of-mouth.
When Death Cab for Cutie announced their Pittsburgh date yesterday, I heard about it on Twitter because that is the site that is giving me my breaking news now. My friend's going away party that was advertised on Facebook? Other friends told me.
Did I miss stuff? Probably. You know, like all those concerts and open mics that I am invited to and never attend. And all those people who had babies that I was not aware were even pregnant. Something's telling me it won't matter much if I missed that some girl and some guy from high school that I haven't seen in 7 years are now engaged or dating or complicated or moving to Kansas or back in town or starting a new communist state in the south of Nova Scotia. If it's important, someone will tell me.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Music for Music's Sake
When do you listen to music? In the car on the way to work? On your computer at work? While you're making dinner? When was the last time you sat down and just plain listened to music with no other distractions?
For being such a lover of music, I realized recently that I rarely listen to music for the sake of listening to music. Music is always something added to a another activity as filler. My attention span is bad, so I need to have at least two stimuli to keep me from losing my mind. Sometimes, though, music needs to be fully experienced on its own to get the full effect.
Saturday was Record Store Day across America. Music stores had some rare merchandise and performances to celebrate the record. I sifted through the vinyls when I stopped in at The Exchange in Squirrel Hill and came across a lot of great records. But they were records I already had on CD or on my computer, so why would I need a vinyl copy? I can't even put those tunes on my iPod! I saw Come on Feel the Illinoise! by Sufjan Stevens in this selection and decided that someone needed to own it, so I got it for my roommate, Andy Redfield. Once I got it, though, I thought about how great it would be to just invite some friends over to listen to the album. Where have the days gone when we just got together to listen to music and talk about it. We rarely sit back and think about what the music makes us feel.
This realization was reinforced by the broadcasting of the Coachella festival in California this past weekend. Many of the biggest acts were broadcast, such as The Black Keys, Bright Eyes, and The National. On Saturday I watched the Friday performances while working on a paper. Saturday night I did the same, but we set aside time to watch Mumford and Sons plugged into Andy's TV late that evening. I even stayed up until about 3am to watch the beginning of Arcade Fire's set.
Sunday night I was really hit with an overwhelming appreciation for music. The Strokes performed at 12am EST and I sat up at my parents' house all night watching. The Strokes aren't a particularly entertaining live band and generally rely on their incredible music to speak for itself. The camera work on the broadcast was intriguing because it was all in black-and-white and stayed zoomed in on certain members of the band the entire time, unlike the other performances. The music was encapsulating and I loved every riff and scream. After a while, I just laid in bed watching and enjoying. No other time have I ever just watched a concert so intently.
I've been babbling quite a bit, but here's my challenge for you. Pick your favorite album and just listen to it. Listen to it a few times. Listen to the intricacies and the lyrics and the details that made you fall in love with it. I've been experiencing Funeral and The Suburbs by Arcade Fire over and over again and they keep getting better and better. There is nothing more invigorating than beautiful music.
For being such a lover of music, I realized recently that I rarely listen to music for the sake of listening to music. Music is always something added to a another activity as filler. My attention span is bad, so I need to have at least two stimuli to keep me from losing my mind. Sometimes, though, music needs to be fully experienced on its own to get the full effect.
Saturday was Record Store Day across America. Music stores had some rare merchandise and performances to celebrate the record. I sifted through the vinyls when I stopped in at The Exchange in Squirrel Hill and came across a lot of great records. But they were records I already had on CD or on my computer, so why would I need a vinyl copy? I can't even put those tunes on my iPod! I saw Come on Feel the Illinoise! by Sufjan Stevens in this selection and decided that someone needed to own it, so I got it for my roommate, Andy Redfield. Once I got it, though, I thought about how great it would be to just invite some friends over to listen to the album. Where have the days gone when we just got together to listen to music and talk about it. We rarely sit back and think about what the music makes us feel.
This realization was reinforced by the broadcasting of the Coachella festival in California this past weekend. Many of the biggest acts were broadcast, such as The Black Keys, Bright Eyes, and The National. On Saturday I watched the Friday performances while working on a paper. Saturday night I did the same, but we set aside time to watch Mumford and Sons plugged into Andy's TV late that evening. I even stayed up until about 3am to watch the beginning of Arcade Fire's set.
Sunday night I was really hit with an overwhelming appreciation for music. The Strokes performed at 12am EST and I sat up at my parents' house all night watching. The Strokes aren't a particularly entertaining live band and generally rely on their incredible music to speak for itself. The camera work on the broadcast was intriguing because it was all in black-and-white and stayed zoomed in on certain members of the band the entire time, unlike the other performances. The music was encapsulating and I loved every riff and scream. After a while, I just laid in bed watching and enjoying. No other time have I ever just watched a concert so intently.
I've been babbling quite a bit, but here's my challenge for you. Pick your favorite album and just listen to it. Listen to it a few times. Listen to the intricacies and the lyrics and the details that made you fall in love with it. I've been experiencing Funeral and The Suburbs by Arcade Fire over and over again and they keep getting better and better. There is nothing more invigorating than beautiful music.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
A Walk Down Memory Lane
Hopefully I'll be coming up with a real post soon, but for this Thursday morning I'd like to take a walk down memory lane for some of my favorite posts:
My first post. I don't know how much I love it, but this post came at a big turning point in my life after I had left my youth ministry job in Mars with intentions of moving back to the city and eventually starting graduate school. A lot has changed since then (like, umm, graduation in 17 days), but I still definitely prefer an urban atmosphere like I did then.
My post-Seattle remarks. Visiting anywhere out west will definitely make you want to go sometimes. Who knows if I'll ever end up in Seattle, or anywhere west of the Mississippi, but if I do it will be a result of this trip.
A letter to my friends and family. This was written in remembrance of a great friend, Caleb Altmire. We miss you, brother.
Have a great Thursday! I hope to bring you some new, original thoughts soon. In the meantime, follow me on Twitter!
My first post. I don't know how much I love it, but this post came at a big turning point in my life after I had left my youth ministry job in Mars with intentions of moving back to the city and eventually starting graduate school. A lot has changed since then (like, umm, graduation in 17 days), but I still definitely prefer an urban atmosphere like I did then.
My post-Seattle remarks. Visiting anywhere out west will definitely make you want to go sometimes. Who knows if I'll ever end up in Seattle, or anywhere west of the Mississippi, but if I do it will be a result of this trip.
A letter to my friends and family. This was written in remembrance of a great friend, Caleb Altmire. We miss you, brother.
Have a great Thursday! I hope to bring you some new, original thoughts soon. In the meantime, follow me on Twitter!
Friday, April 8, 2011
Scattered Thoughts
I am feeling a little under-the-weather today, so that warrants some random thoughts that are basically unrelated.
1. I don't really want to share any details about the job search in a public forum because I have a few different exciting positions I'm in the process of interviewing for. No favoritism that the Internet needs to know about!
2. That being said, it's hard to keep up with the ever-growing world of social media, as described in a recent blog post for my job at CMU. You have to keep a clean-sheet on the Internet, keeping an eye on everything you said and do that will represent who you are. Make sure to Google yourself and see what comes up!
3. My friend Abby made a cool blog post about the 5 Love Languages yesterday, which I really enjoyed exploring again. The 5 Love Languages explores how we show affection and how we prefer to be shown affection. Contrary to what some believe, Physical Touch tends to be my strongest LL. Quality Time and Words of Affirmation aren't far behind. So let's go get coffee, greet me with a hug, and tell me how cool my shoes are. Check the survey out for yourself here!
4. Schoolwork and the job search are piling up in April, so I'm sorry if I don't see you before then! I look forward to graduation on May 1st and East End Brewery's Keg Ride on May 7th; a great way to kick of summer in Pittsburgh!
5. Check out my friend Monica's blog that she just started the other day. We share a lot of the same thoughts about social networking.
6. I love "Maps" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Check it:
1. I don't really want to share any details about the job search in a public forum because I have a few different exciting positions I'm in the process of interviewing for. No favoritism that the Internet needs to know about!
2. That being said, it's hard to keep up with the ever-growing world of social media, as described in a recent blog post for my job at CMU. You have to keep a clean-sheet on the Internet, keeping an eye on everything you said and do that will represent who you are. Make sure to Google yourself and see what comes up!
3. My friend Abby made a cool blog post about the 5 Love Languages yesterday, which I really enjoyed exploring again. The 5 Love Languages explores how we show affection and how we prefer to be shown affection. Contrary to what some believe, Physical Touch tends to be my strongest LL. Quality Time and Words of Affirmation aren't far behind. So let's go get coffee, greet me with a hug, and tell me how cool my shoes are. Check the survey out for yourself here!
4. Schoolwork and the job search are piling up in April, so I'm sorry if I don't see you before then! I look forward to graduation on May 1st and East End Brewery's Keg Ride on May 7th; a great way to kick of summer in Pittsburgh!
5. Check out my friend Monica's blog that she just started the other day. We share a lot of the same thoughts about social networking.
6. I love "Maps" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Check it:
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Risk in Faith
My friend Jesse Struck said something very interesting today when we were having coffee. "If there weren't risk in faith, it wouldn't be faith." Currently in the middle of my job search, this statement is ringing truer now than ever before.
I had a few interviews for positions this past week at the ACPA Conference for college professionals. The positions are in different areas within Student Affairs and in different areas of the country; sometimes areas that I hadn't considered before. Aside from the conference, I have been applying to positions all over the country over the past few weeks. I really don't know where I want to end up, to be honest. So many positions sound exciting and every location I've applied to is of interest to me for different reasons. I love Pittsburgh, but must be open to the possibility that I will not have the option to stay.
There is certainly risk in making any of these decisions, though. Going to a new place is a risk because I'd have to start fresh. Staying put is a risk because I don't know what lies ahead for my life in Pittsburgh. What I do know is that I must have faith that God will lead me to the right position in the right location at the right time. Like many other decisions in my life, it is extremely difficult to have this sort of faith, but also extremely calming and reassuring that I believe in a God who has my best interest in mind.
I had a few interviews for positions this past week at the ACPA Conference for college professionals. The positions are in different areas within Student Affairs and in different areas of the country; sometimes areas that I hadn't considered before. Aside from the conference, I have been applying to positions all over the country over the past few weeks. I really don't know where I want to end up, to be honest. So many positions sound exciting and every location I've applied to is of interest to me for different reasons. I love Pittsburgh, but must be open to the possibility that I will not have the option to stay.
There is certainly risk in making any of these decisions, though. Going to a new place is a risk because I'd have to start fresh. Staying put is a risk because I don't know what lies ahead for my life in Pittsburgh. What I do know is that I must have faith that God will lead me to the right position in the right location at the right time. Like many other decisions in my life, it is extremely difficult to have this sort of faith, but also extremely calming and reassuring that I believe in a God who has my best interest in mind.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Album Anticipation
A few exciting things happened this week, including receiving invitations for interviews for jobs at CMU (Student Activities position that I mentioned last week) and at Pitt. The nerves are running wild as I get prepared to interview for two awesome positions, but they may have been outshined by the anticipation I had built for the new album from The Strokes that came out on Tuesday, Angles. Below you can hear the first killer single, "Under Cover of Darkness".
Technology has changed the way we experience new music. Albums leak, bands put tracks on their Myspace page, or we can see the bands playing tunes on late night shows, all before the album is released. This has basically eliminated the anticipation we can feel for buying that album the day it comes out, except for the rare occurrences like Sufjan Stevens and Radiohead who keep their release under wraps until a few days before it happens.
Tuesday I went to The Exchange in Oakland and picked up Angles, paying more than I'd like. It was worth it, though, with the first uber-80s blast that comes from the album's first track, "Machu Picchu" and the soothing calm that overcame me with the second track, "Under Cover of Darkness". I had been feeling nostalgic (surprise, surprise) about the days when buying CDs was the way to go and there was no way to hear the album before its release. I can still remember the day I bought Blindside's About a Burning Fire in 2004. The explosion in my ears from the opening track, "Eye of the Storm", sent chills of excitement up my spine.
I wanted to recapture this feeling, so I do not plan on listening to any album before its release if I plan to buy that album without hearing it anyway. I'll allow myself one song, just to get that excitement rolling. Taking Back Sunday, Death Cab for Cutie, Bon Iver, this means you! You can hear a track from the new TBS here and a live performance of a new DCFC track here.
Job Search
In other news...the ACPA Conference is this coming week, so I'll be in Baltimore trying to make some connections for possible job opportunities. Most importantly this week, I'll begin the interview process for the aforementioned Student Activities job at CMU, which is a top pick at this point. I'd love the opportunity to stay in Pittsburgh longer and get my feet wet with some students with whom I can easily relate in a position that will be busy and far from monotonous. My love for college radio and student activities at-large are getting me very excited for this interview!
On the other hand, I do have opportunities elsewhere, including a meeting about a career counseling position at Virginia Tech. I'm broadening my horizons to see what other cities, schools, and jobs are out there, so pray for me during this process!
Sports
Also, did anyone see the Arizona-Duke game last night? Derrick Williams is a monster. I am getting stoked for their match-up with Kemba Walker and UConn on Saturday night. These are the types of players Pitt needs to recruit in order to get to the next level. UConn is not a better team than Pitt this year, but Kemba Walker is the type of game-changer that Pitt has never had, which is why they're still playing in this tournament.
Technology has changed the way we experience new music. Albums leak, bands put tracks on their Myspace page, or we can see the bands playing tunes on late night shows, all before the album is released. This has basically eliminated the anticipation we can feel for buying that album the day it comes out, except for the rare occurrences like Sufjan Stevens and Radiohead who keep their release under wraps until a few days before it happens.
Tuesday I went to The Exchange in Oakland and picked up Angles, paying more than I'd like. It was worth it, though, with the first uber-80s blast that comes from the album's first track, "Machu Picchu" and the soothing calm that overcame me with the second track, "Under Cover of Darkness". I had been feeling nostalgic (surprise, surprise) about the days when buying CDs was the way to go and there was no way to hear the album before its release. I can still remember the day I bought Blindside's About a Burning Fire in 2004. The explosion in my ears from the opening track, "Eye of the Storm", sent chills of excitement up my spine.
I wanted to recapture this feeling, so I do not plan on listening to any album before its release if I plan to buy that album without hearing it anyway. I'll allow myself one song, just to get that excitement rolling. Taking Back Sunday, Death Cab for Cutie, Bon Iver, this means you! You can hear a track from the new TBS here and a live performance of a new DCFC track here.
Job Search
In other news...the ACPA Conference is this coming week, so I'll be in Baltimore trying to make some connections for possible job opportunities. Most importantly this week, I'll begin the interview process for the aforementioned Student Activities job at CMU, which is a top pick at this point. I'd love the opportunity to stay in Pittsburgh longer and get my feet wet with some students with whom I can easily relate in a position that will be busy and far from monotonous. My love for college radio and student activities at-large are getting me very excited for this interview!
On the other hand, I do have opportunities elsewhere, including a meeting about a career counseling position at Virginia Tech. I'm broadening my horizons to see what other cities, schools, and jobs are out there, so pray for me during this process!
Sports
Also, did anyone see the Arizona-Duke game last night? Derrick Williams is a monster. I am getting stoked for their match-up with Kemba Walker and UConn on Saturday night. These are the types of players Pitt needs to recruit in order to get to the next level. UConn is not a better team than Pitt this year, but Kemba Walker is the type of game-changer that Pitt has never had, which is why they're still playing in this tournament.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
A post by Donald Miller
It's been a little longer than usual since my last blog, I think, and that's not really going to change yet. I'm pretty bogged down with applying for jobs, keeping up with school, and trying to relax enough to recharge my battery.
So instead, here's a link to today's post from Donald Miller's blog. It's a brief, insightful look into a subject I've considered many times: the reality of death. Like many of my posts about it before, Don talks about the drive death gives him to live life to the fullest. Check it out and check back soon for a new post!
So instead, here's a link to today's post from Donald Miller's blog. It's a brief, insightful look into a subject I've considered many times: the reality of death. Like many of my posts about it before, Don talks about the drive death gives him to live life to the fullest. Check it out and check back soon for a new post!
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