Reads like a novel

I enjoy and gravitate to well written stories of modern day issues.  With a title that references those who have sought to produce gold out of common tin, Irwin walks the reader through the current financial situation we find ourselves in today as a national and consequently world economy that is intricately intertwined. While explaining enough finance to help the reader understand, I am only a third of the way through and it reads with the gripping excitement of a suspense novel but with the complexity that can only come from real life.

The gripping pit in my stomach came as I recalled where I was, at least in the month, at the beginning of the downturn occurred in Aug of 2007 and because I have friends and family who have been affected by the "market correction" that hasn't shown light at the end of its dark tunnel.

As the story unfolds, unlike any work of fiction, the reader can find themselves within the pages of this book with an involvement that they had not realized before.

The book is enlightening to say the least.

Cello Musings

Even as an inexperienced cellist, it seems like when making music on my cello, I am having a conversation with 4 friends of differing but agreeable personalities. The sanguine and gregarious A string, to the melancholy C string, with the thoughtful G string, and impish D string, all speaking in turn, as it were, around a table over a meal.

A friend and cellist whom I respect for his musicality, and thoughtful conversation, John Howe, described it as "an old friend" one time a while back when the topic came up of his current cello. At the time, I had no idea of the individuality of each, even at the lower price range. I suppose this should have been expected, since each is made from specific kinds of chosen wood. The organic nature of wood is such that even when shaped the same, there are individual differences in appearance, density, response that make each cello unique.

What has surprised me is the meditative nature of the endeavor. Playing, practicing, even tuning. It's almost as if a quiet discussion is being had between the wood and me. And the same way as if meeting an old friend over a relaxed Sunday brunch in a New England summer morning. Talk can flow and move over sundry topics of varying levels of depth and consequence. But more often than not, because of the friend, words are spoken that resonate within and find an expression without. The wood vibrates in response to the string, and a ringing is heard, unmistakable and without imitation. The relaxed but deliberate posture, the movement and motion of the whole organism, cello and human, these contribute to an experience unlike those described in other spiritual exercises.

Many of the movements are foreign, to be sure, but with familiar of anything comes a relaxed confidence with reduced effort. Bow pressure as well as fingers on the ebony fingerboard are coming with less struggle as well. Many hours still to go, but the enjoyment is palpable nonetheless. Not with any other instrument have I enjoyed the effort of learning like this. This may have more to do with the stage in life I am at or deliberate interaction with the instrument, but whatever the reason, it seems able to provide the excitement of immediate gratification as well as the satisfaction that it can only get better. I do not feel like I have to go through a breaking in session before the pleasure begins.

The final idea I want to address in this entry is one that I have considered important in my own life, but has surprised me to the extent in which it reaches. Satisfaction increases in my own mind when I can be of useful service. Music has proved to be more than a passing hobby or light amusement, but has provided a usefulness that I would never have foreseen when I first started piano lessons. Playing cello with some of kids at church not only builds rapport but confidence and enjoyment. Nursing homes and worship services enhanced. I had no idea I could be allowed to give to my community in this way. This has been quite a pleasant surprise.

The Walla Walla Valley

Farm house in the Walla Walla Valley. Behind are the Blue Mountains.

Facing west to the setting sun, the Walla Walla Valley is comprised of farmland and more recently vineyards.

... yet will I trust Him ...

The second remarkable thing one may notice when meeting Caitlin is her concern for others in the middle of her own affliction. Kind of Job-like. Yes, the one in the Bible. I say second because it was some time after I noticed her extremely well-shaped head and figure, with lines that were asking to be photographed, that I asked if she would be willing to sit for a photo shoot. It was then I had a chance to talk to her and in between shutter clicks, her trust in God and concern for others beyond her own condition, quickly eclipsed her comely appearance. Please drop by her blog where several snippets of her story she writes with more eloquence than I can do justice:

http://wisteriamelody.blogspot.com/

Caitlin was kind and gracious in response to my request, and easily pleasant to speak with. Her story she told in a manner that was matter-of-fact, almost as if she was talking about the weather outside on a walk to the mailbox. If you can imagine, her voice in melody is hauntingly wonderful, as any I have ever heard, yes, even those that I have paid large amounts of money for. If you ever get a chance, please sit down and talk with her. Listen to her speak of God and His care for her, her friends, and her life. Your spirits will be encouraged, and your situation will appear simple and little. And if the stars align and you ever get to hear her sing a cappella, you might want to remind yourself to breathe and pick your jaw up off the floor. And when you're done with the visit, you might wonder if you just walked by a south facing window in an otherwise dark tunnel; the light shining from it makes the rest of the tunnel a little easier to see.

Sunset at Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine

Acadia National Park is a remarkable place up in the Northern New England Region. I had the opportunity to bring my parent's there yesterday for Sabbath. They are visiting from Southern California, and drove more than 3200 miles. I was happy we had a good showing. My mom doesn't have the reputation for being a hiker by any stretch of the imagination, but decided it was fine walking around the rocks at the top of Cadillac Mountain. Arguably the highest, Eastern most point in the United States (those who argue say Puerto Rico is ... uh, ok.), it is rumored that if you sit at its peak and await the sunrise, you'll be the first American living in the U.S. to be kissed by the rays of the sun. I'd like to try it some time.

In the mean time, we took the driving tour (we only had a Sabbath afternoon), and my parent's learned the beauty of Vacationland, and "the way life should be." We couldn't watch the sunrise, but they were game enough to sit around during my intervalometric shenanigans (I used a stop-watch and released the shutter on my old 5D every 30 seconds, then put it together on my computer), while I captured the sunset. We closed the Sabbath, then off to home.

Things I learned from shooting Shawn's Promo (Click Title to see on Vimeo).

Last weekend, Shawn Brace, Temple Bragg, and I had a whirlwind of an afternoon coordinating the shooting of this video for Shawn's new book. He's a pastor up in Bangor, Maine, and his Website is : newenglandpastor.blogspot.com in case you didn't make it to the end of the video. Temple is a teacher in Williston, Vermont, originally from North Conway in New Hampshire. Both were not only great sports (and supportive) of my amateur endeavor, but very patient and cooperative. It was a good team. And Shawn used no cue-cards, and performed in a minimal number of takes. I had an inquiry from a friend, whose comment prompted an response I thought would make a good post:

Things I learned (or at least were reinforced, if I had known them before):

1) Planning is 80% of the shoot
2) Planning keeps you on budget
3) A good slider (that tool that allows me to pan smoothly sidewas on the praying, hat, and candle shots) adds the most creativity for your money, dollar for dollar.
4) Just like still photography, post-production is a key element. More so in video, because you have to match the color gradings.
5) A class in still photography composition translates well to video better than people realize, take one if you can (or learn strong photographic composition from independent study).
6) Support is so important, even more than in still photography. Get a good tripod and fluid head. Don't cut corners in this area. Period.
7) Story board it well before you break out the camera. Shawn and I talked for about 6 six weeks prior to the shoot (which lasted all of 5 hrs).
8) Remember to shoot for the cut, allow 3 seconds prior to the take as well as 3 seconds following.
9) Composition in video involves multiple things: form, color, but also motion.
10) Secure your location before the shoot (Temple and I waited outside for some time because I didn't secure the keys to the church.)
11) Longer focal lengths (70mm or longer) produced a more dramatic effect on a short slider. If you can afford only a 24" slider, keep that in mind. We shot all our slider shots on nothing less than 100mm.

So a habit I'm trying to form is to follow up a project (or my day) in a review with the intent to take an honest look at it and seek for ways to make improvements.

Things I can improve on during for my next video:

1) Although Shawn's shot was technically ok, a more dynamic shot might be needed. Maybe some motion pulling back or something.
2) Storyboard, storyboard, storyboard ... oh, and more elaborate shot list.
3) Lighting for color balance.
4) Take more shots than you think you need (see #2)
5) Use a shot-gun, off camera mic., and monitor the ambient sound.

If there are other things you all can think of (to help improve the video) after you watched it, send it in comments.

And please check out Shawn's book (it may be the gift you're looking for to give yourself or someone else).

Manifestion of Truth

cul·ture   /ˈkʌltʃər/ Show Spelled [kuhl-cher] Show IPA noun, verb, -tured, -tur·ing.


noun

1. the quality in a person or society that arises from a concern for what is regarded as excellent in arts, letters, manners, scholarly pursuits, etc.


We come in contact and influence many people. As Adventist, I think we make the mistake of introducing them to the culture of Adventism without introducing them to those Truths that give us distinction. The only thing that some people know of Adventists are that they don't eat meat, and some do, and they go into the medical field, and some don't, and they play Rook on Saturday night, not many own TV's, we make haystacks, and go hiking or sleeping on Saturday afternoon. And sometimes they find out that we are friendly and happy and healthy, always attend Church on the day that the best children's cartoons are on TV.

With that exposure, they seem to love the people, and find a community, and decide they want to become baptized, believing they are 'converting' to the Seventh-day Adventist faith, when in actuality, they are merely seeking to be part of the Adventist culture.

While the true culture of a society stems from the Truths that said society regards as important, if we mistake the reception of Culture for the reception of Truth, then the little trials that come which separate the people from their community will also remove their handle on the Truth.

Our Truths must not only be integrated into and be displayed in our culture, but must be spoken of with a distinction that we respect them, not that we are afraid of those Truths that not only make us free, but give us Strength, Peace and a peculiarity that must be awe-inspiring.

I spoke with a gentleman friend of mine, and in conversation realized that he didn't know why he was vegetarian except for the fact that Ellen White says. I was afraid for him, but realize that many of use have grown up in the culture, which now has become our own Pop Culture, instead of what it should be: an outward manifestation of the Truths that we have been called to uphold with reverence and affection.

With the reception of Adventism merely as a culture and not as a Movement of Truth, then the Bible is reduced to a good book of suggestions instead of our Life. Ellen White is reduced to a prolific writer who some pejoratively declare as their 'favorite author,' instead of the Prophet of the Lord. If that token were applied to Christ's day, would Zecheriah be Ezra and Nehemiah's 'favorite author'? Would John the Baptist be merely a 'controversial speaker' that knows how to strike enthusiasm into a crowd of people craving for Nationalistic identity?

with the reception of Adventism merely as a culture, our choice of food merely becomes a diet, our healthy emphasis merely becomes an activity, our emphasis on mental culture is reduced to IQ and emotional intelligence. A stark reduction from that which we have been called to be: these actions are actions of obedience and repentance from our disobedience in the past. These things that others might simply term as Adventist culture must be what Paul terms a 'manifestation of Truth' in our lives.

But it can't be more than culture to us if we don't know. If we don't know or believe that we read the Bible to direct our steps. That these Truths do a work in our lives that provide a stalwart strength of purpose that is unswayed by popular opinion or novel conjectures.

Because one day we will be reduced to a people where we are removed from our society with those of similar culture. And the only thing we will have remaining to stand on are those Truths that prompted our ancestors in the societal direction that we see today. And if we don't know how that came about, we will have nothing.