The Red Hot Chili Peppers New Album "Stadium Arcadium"

This is easily one of my top 25 albums ever I think. When I bought it, the audiophile at the record store said something like, "It's like a 'Greatest Hits album' of new songs." I was a bit skeptical, and was expecting something between a one trick pony and the standard mediocrity of bands in their middle age. I was proven most delightfully wrong. As usually happens with me and the Chili Peppers, it's not the track that gets the most radio play that I like the most, (though 'Dani California' is a good song) it's the entire album as it fits together. I don't know if RHCP built Stadium Arcadium as a concept album or an 'art' piece, but both discs and all 20+ songs on them really do flow together musically and lyrically. I recommend it highly.

Top 5 Pubs within Stumbling Distance of Gordon-Conwell

1. The Wildhorse tied w/ The Black Cow (Best nachos EVER/Great Beer Selection)
2. The Weathervane (delightfully cheap Guinness, and nice staff)
3. Garden City Pub (Where everyone knows your name...because you work with them)
4. The Pickled Onion (Where everyone screams your name the din...)
5. Kitty O'Sheas (good Reuben Sandwiches)

Right now...

This ship is slowing. Its engines are silent, and there is no wind. I am looking over the side at perfectly smooth water, impossibly smooth water, disturbed only by the ships bow wave. Ladies and gentlemen, we have now arrived at a full stop. The air is warm and still, the stars cold and I wish they would move. As I lean farther over the rail, the water looks like the gently swaying surface of oil, dark blue and deep beyond imagining. I absent-mindedly roll over the rail, as if I might just have easily done it as not. The wind whips my clothes, and the circular yellow flashes of a few decks worth of portholes go by. The water doesn't hurt, though my awkward impact should have. The music plays on as the ship and I drift away from each other. Only slightly worried, I say, "I think this is going to ruin my suit." The ship is now a distant outline on the farther edges of my vision, lit only by a rising or a setting sun, I can't really tell which. There is silence in heaven for about half an hour. A few wayward strains (souls) of music still make their way back to me. In the end, I don't know if I threw myself over or if I was thrown. I await judgment.

Eerie as it is now, I wasn't afraid then. It was all quite nice, actually

End of another Semester at the Ole' Seminary, and it's my birthday tomorrow!

Well, I recommend the Hasidic Jewish Reggae artist 'Matisyahu.' His music sings like some of the richest and most devoted Christian music I've ever heard. He truly is waiting and hoping for the coming of Messiah. If only Christians had so much zeal for Christ. It would be very nice to have Christ return and see this guy's hopes truly fulfilled. Anyway, if you like reggae, and thoughtful lyrics that are actually composed of more than just the same old drivel of sex and drugs, check him out.
Hmm, what else is going on? The past couple days have been some of the most stressful ever. Today was the last day of written work for my school, and I had 15 page paper due today. I worked both Saturday and Sunday for a full 8 hours each at the 'Bucks. So it went something like this: Saturday I read all my collected research and made notes and an outline. After work on Sunday (started at 0630am off at 3pm) I wrote till midnight. Got up at 6am-ish this morning, and wrote till about 2pm. Turned it in and drove to my other class at Boston College (which doesn't end till May 10th or so...) There has been much drama with our registration office, trying to get an extension, trying to get a class reinstated that I dropped. At this point, I need a lot of extra time to play catch up for the class I actually attended today (for the first time in month, since I am going to actually finish it rather than drop it!) So, until they get back to me, I don't know if I will have a week to do the work or a month! The time constraints have been absolutely incredible. Right now is some of the first free time I've had in a couple months. Haha! The semester isn't really over either, but I am taking a Sabbath tomorrow anyway, just so I don't have a nervous breakdown. It's my birthday too, so maybe I have it coming. I dunno. Hmm, what else...I really have nothing incredible to say. I am too exhausted to be either pretentious or witty. I am becoming Anglican, but a very Charismatic sort of Anglican. C.S. Lewis was an Anglican...so please don't freak out people. I still love Jesus. Very much so. I may end up being a priest as well a professor (Don't worry, being Anglican basically means its the kind that can still get married thankfully! Oh yes, I am still a big fan of the ladies my friends. HAHA!) I miss home. Sailing in a fresh pacific breeze, the mountains in summertime, EVERYTHING about Seattle and life there,(I can't wait to minister there, actually...big surprise to some of you, I know!) big open spaces, normal people, good food, my family, and my old friends. Mom, Pam, Phyllis, Dad, all three brothers, Arthur and Josh. Living Way peeps. Well I am about to pass out, I am totally spent in every way, and only by the grace of our loving and amazing God have I come this far. Sola Deo gloria.