First of all, only the most malevolent of creatures dislike The Vandals. My deepest gratitude is extended to those witty punkers for writing two songs I scream along with every May 9th (“Bad Birthday Bash” and “Happy Birthday to Me”). Second, my humblest apologies for being born on the same day as Peter Maurin and Daniel Berrigan. I’m inspired, and embarrassed, by that […]
Things are getting rowdy in my lovely home state of North Carolina. May 8th is coming. The date when NC will put into place (if the vote determines it) a law that defines marriage as between one man and one woman, and will ban any other type of “domestic legal union” such as civil unions and […]
The one good thing about teaching (I’ve heard there are others–vicious rumors, I contend) is I get to introduce my students to the work of Wendell Berry. Berry is an academic, but he is also a farmer. He is a cultural critic, yet also an agriculturalist who creates rather than just deconstructs. He is neither […]
We’ve arrived! Or, maybe, I should say, “We’ve come a long way, baby!” Or, maybe, I shouldn’t. I really don’t even care to mention it, but I’m going to anyway (I need some blog filler every once in awhile–like, twice a week). Making an appearance more than a year ago, I initially ignored it. I […]
If this is gospel music, count me in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLlysJ7VCNQ&feature=related The Sound of Sinners. Released on the great triple-LP Sandinista. When I first heard Sandinista, I can’t tell a lie (well, I can, but for now I won’t), I didn’t like it. I was just another one of those ‘Young Punks’ they occasionally referenced and […]
Becky Garrison may very well be Christianity’s most interesting court jester. And yes, that is a compliment. I like to fancy myself quite the juggler (and I have all kinds of funky hats–striped tights, too), but I have nothing on the writings of one Ms. Becky G. She represents well the ever-growing necessity of the theological […]
Bob Larson. The name alone is enough to strike fear in men, women, children, donkeys, demons and even the gods. (Lowercase ‘g’, B.) Bob Larson. The man who claims to have exorcised death. (I couldn’t even get him to walk on a treadmill . . . ahhh.) Bob Larson. He named a book after himself. […]
Living at the beach, which, by the way, I highly recommend, is a bit much when it comes to the holidays. In terms of this nation-state’s liturgical holy days (Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day) I steer clear of the wandering masses that make their way to that mystical place where the water meets […]
Oh, Frankie boy, you have certainly written your fair share of odd little ditties. That’s why you’re such a genius. The particular song in question (the lyrics referenced in the title of this post are from The Pixies song Monkey Gone to Heaven) reminds me of so much that probably has nothing to do with this song. […]