Book Review: The Cure by Harry Kraus

I know some of you people just can't get enough books, that you're bibliophiles, to the extent that you have wooden doors propped up on piles of books in your homes, serving as tables. That's why I thought I should mention that I reviewed The Cure by Harry Kraus over at arieljvan.com. 

Asher tells us his immediate goal is to grow into size 7s AndOne kicks

Apparently he thinks that will enhance his dunking ability.

Asher has this habit of diving into photos at the last second

This was at the sweet nature center in Jefferson City.

x-posted.

Aidan & I like our joe

He tells me it's the only reason he gets up at 5 in the morning. Personally, I have my doubts. Uh, what about the fish crackers?

Go Vote for the International Medical Corps

Did you know that nonprofits now compete head-to-head online for funding? The International Medical Corps is currently taking part in one such showdown, and I'm impressed with what they do: save malnourished children around the world.

Here's a quick explanation of why your vote matters:

Chosen out of 1,190 projects, “Saving the Lives of Malnourished Children” is now eligible to receive up to $1.5 million in funding. The project with the most votes receives $1.5 million, 2nd receives $500,000, 3rd $300,000, and 4th and 5th $100,000. The funding – made possible by your votes – would bring a vital lifeline to hungry and malnourished children around the world.

So, take a minute and vote. I did. You have about 72 hours.

Sigur Rós for $5

It's been a frenetic, crazy week, thus the lack of posts. However, I just saw something that gave me such a large rush of adrenalin that I have to mention it. (And, uh, no, it's not this album's cover art.) You can download the latest album from Sigur Rós for $5.

If you're not tracking, Sigur Rós is the Icelandic "slow-motion," post-rock group that has earned accolades from critics while impressing fans with passionate, brilliant live performances. If you're looking for some kind of comparison, Radiohead is probably the closest you'll come...but in Icelandic. Although the latest album does include a song in English.

Med sud I eyrum vid spilum endalaust may not be the top album from Sigur Rós (it's still being debated, OF COURSE) but for $5, you can't go wrong. Deal good through Monday.

Yankee Hotel Foxtrot for $5

This will be old news for some of you, but through today you can download Wilco's indie classic, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, for $5.

Lindsay and I were out of town over the weekend getting some church planting training, so I was unable to rush to the computer and mention the Wilco sale on Friday when it began. 

Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is a quintessential Wilco album, which makes it a must-have for people who love indie rock, in my opinion. Look for the unexpected, quirky lyrics, sampling, and some flat-out addictive tunes. 

There's something about YHF that makes it a great fall disc. Maybe the notes of regret, accompanied by strong intent, and some moments that I simple describe as beautiful. We were playing it yesterday on the drive out into the countryside to pick (and, uh, throw at random people) apples with Aidan and Asher.

Kansas Jayhawks Basketball in Canada: Recap

I have to think Canada had one of the more exciting moments in its history when the Kansas Jayhawks visited to play 3 games back in August. Seth Davis recaps the trip and gives us an idea of who the major players on KU's young 2008-2009 team will be.

I was probably one of the few die-hards who watched these games via streaming video online. The match against Carleton actually had a big-time atmosphere. This Jayhawk squad is inexperienced, but they have the talent to do some damage. I think they'll emerge as contenders a little ways into the season and play a couple tournament games at least.

Incidentally, I kind of want these Jayhawk T-Mac kicks.

When you enter our home, here's who will greet you

Awhile ago we had some friends of ours over and went all out to make them feel at home. I pulled out my pro-grade burr grinder and espresso machine and made some killer cappuccinos.

Lindsay brought out a shockingly tasty dessert. Then we regaled our guests with scintillating conversation, the kind Dale Carnegie can only dream about (we do this ever so often--you know, when the mood takes us).

After the evening was over, my friend was like, "Dude, you guys are great hosts." And I was all, "Hey, anytime, I love making espresso and talking..." And then he said, "Actually, it's your kids. They're so much fun."

So there you go. We give Aidan and Asher most of the credit for successful hospitality in the Vanderhorst home.

"The Seldom Seen Kid" for $2

I just read Pitchfork's favorable review, then grabbed this part-Radiohead, part-Coldplay album from Elbow. For $2, I'll gamble on a Brit band that's sure to be better than Snow Patrol. (24 hours only.)

Anybody else playing this one?

We stenciled this killer bunny onto the side of our Corolla last week.

On Lindsay's door, to be precise.

Just when we were about to throw him out, Aidan agreed to start pulling his weight around the place.

Death Cab MP3 Album for $2

Amazon is selling the classic Death Cab for Cutie album, We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes, for $1.99. We've had this one for years and it still gets play-time (had it on last week). The deal is good for 24 hours. Vintage DCFC.

Promising New Culture Site: Culture11

I just came across a brand new site that looks promising, and seems to have a pretty decent stable of writers. The current line-up is highlighted by a great article, "Superhero Nation." Do you agree with this?

Entertainment Weekly’s Chris Nashawaty complained that superheroes have ruined summer movies, blaming Spider-Man’s success and Hollywood’s propensity to exploit same with more of the same. “No superhero was too minor or crappy to be pulled out of the mothballs, tarted up, slapped on the ass, and turned into a bloated summer movie,” he wrote.

Culture11 writer Frank Pine doesn't. Another bit:

More people will likely be moved and affected by Batman’s moral hand wringing than will be swayed by the overt didacticism of a movie like Lions for Lambs. In part, that’s because the politics of superhero movies, rather than being preachy and partisan, emerge in plot points that drive narrative rather than as windy dialogue in artsy films easily dismissed by moviegoers with dissenting views, critics and couch potatoes alike.

Yeah, you could accuse me of being a sucker for superhero movies, and I wouldn't argue too vehemently.

Possible one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen

The Central Truth of Spiderman 1

Since I know this is something you all wonder about frequently, here is the secret biblical basis behind the first Spiderman movie. I read it this morning:

The servant who knows what his master wants and ignores it, or insolently does whatever he pleases, will be thoroughly thrashed. But if he does a poor job through ignorance, he'll get off with a slap on the hand. Great gifts mean great responsibilities; greater gifts, greater responsibilities! - Luke 12:47, The Message

Not a difficult to tease out as The Dark Knight, but we can appreciate obvious truths too, right?

From XKCD to Memento

This comic from xkcd is undoubtedly a gateway drug for Memento, one of impressive early films from the director of The Dark Knight, Chris Nolan. Think stream of consciousness, first person narration, bursts of violence and short term memory loss (no IHOP though). It's actually a great movie.

Church Planting Update

For those of you interested in the theology/church planting aspect of our lives, I have a September update posted.

It had been a long morning, and Mom hadn't been on her best behavior. Nevertheless, Asher thought about accepting the peace offering.

Death Knell for 24?

This from /film:

Not so great news for 24 fans. EW is reporting that production of the new season of 24 will shut down for more than two weeks so that the series writers can “reshape the upcoming season’s creative direction”. Howard Gordon admits that they “just couldn’t get this direction to work,” so they “found another one” and “wound up retooling it.” Last season was lackluster by every account, and a production shutdown is never a good sign, especially considering this season was already postponed an entire year (partly due to the writers strike). You would think that with all the extra time, they would have figured everything out…

And if that doesn’t sound bad enough, Michael Ausiello reports that Elisha Cuthbert has signed on to reprise her role as Jack Bauer’s incredibly stupid and annoying daughter.

In my opinion, the first three seasons of 24 were stellar, edge-of-your-seat tv, but it was downhill from there. Lindsay and I borrowed season 5, and we've been watching it for about six months now (sorry, Brad and Christine). Which should tell you everything you need to know.

As well, /film is right on about Jack's daughter. We wince whenever she comes onscreen, and her role has been totally extraneous since season 2. With "untouchable" passes so hard to come by on this show, why Kim has been awarded one is absolutely mind-boggling.

Book Review: On Church Leadership by Mark Driscoll

I tend to write book reviews in bursts. Yesterday you had The Yellow Leaves, today you can find my review of On Church Leadership by Mark Driscoll over at arieljvan.com.

The Yellow Leaves by Frederick Buechner (Book Review)

I've long been a fan of Frederick Buechner (Godric, Whistling in the Dark, Book of Bebb, etc.), who I consider one of America's greatest living authors, and a guy who could have been mentioned in the same breath as Jack Kerouac and Norman Mailer if things had gone a little differently.

The Yellow Leaves is a different kind of book for Buechner, who writes fantastic novels and vivid, imaginative theology. Rather than a full-length work, this one is a collection of short pieces and poems--and may well be the last book Buechner publishes, as he's pretty advanced in years.

As I read the intro, where Buechner explains that he hasn't had the wherewithal to put a longer volume together for some time, I wondered if The Yellow Leaves would convey the same weight, the same gritty lyricism, as earlier works. The short answer is yes.

I imagine that when one writes as prolifically and for as many years as Frederick Buechner, the job becomes increasingly autobiographical, and that's certainly the case here, as he puts down recollections of old friends, early adventures, and extended family--but with color, wisdom, and sympathy that gradually erase any idea of The Yellow Leaves being an afterthought.

The book is sometimes wistful, as Buechner gently probes the "what ifs" of his journey, but the primary note he strikes is one of well-aged love. The Yellow Leaves is a memoir through a camera lens, portraits captured by a man who carefully observed and kindly engaged the various lives that brushed against his, regardless of whether they were cripples or sophisticates, warm or austere.

**1/2 out of *** Well worth your time.

The Christian Story

I'd never try to tell you that the Christian faith isn't strange. We are flesh-and-blood people made by an invisible God. We worship a murdered immortal. We're guided today by a very wise Ghost. But the alien qualities of this faith is an argument for its divine origins, not weird human inventiveness.

The story Jesus wrote is stranger and more beautiful than anything in Tolkien, Wells, or any of a hundred genre-breaking authors.