Diamond In The Rough.

I have always thought of our ministry like digging through the Mud, metaphorically speaking.

We are doing so in order to try and find the Diamonds we know are hidden in there.

When one is found much rejoicing is had. Our hearts skip as if they were in love. Our demeanor improves, and the joy of our work is hightened.

I found a diamond recently. He is younger than me, and i met him through a job I used to have.
A close friend of mine also works there, so we would both talk to him about the deep things of scripture.

Notice I said the 'deep things'. This guy is bright, smart, and when we would explain scripture to him, things would just make sense to him. I remember once he told me that with one scripture i seemed to be able to overturn mounds of contrary evidence.

It felt good.

Until, During the process of cutting and cleaning the Diamond, a flaw was discovered.

Suddenly what we said didn't matter, and offended him. He started putting words in my mouth and accusing me of saying things i did not.

All in the name of science.

While he trusted us with scripture, he would not trust us with science. Would not even give us a chance to back up our claims that evolution wasn't fact.

All I can really hope is that Jehovah will be able to fix the flaw with time, because he really was a diamond in the rough.

And more so because I miss him, He was a friend, and now he likely doesn't even want to speak to me.

Fortunately for me, I have a Decon in a pentacostal church that I met recently, who seeks first biblical truth.

So onward the march goes.

And yes I did say i wasn't going to use this blog for anything but the Random threats project.
I take it back.

Random Threats.

If any of you noticed I wrote the words "Random Threats" in the title section of the Paper that had the song list on the "Strange Place" CDs.

Well, That is what I have decide to Title this Project.
So from here on out it shall be referred to as such. :)

But If any of you are in expectation of the next theme, You will have to wait no longer, for today is the 1st.

Now, I know I haven't sent out the Arson CD's yet, but I should get them out this week, hopefully.
Life has a way of delaying things sometimes.

Well, On to the theme.

We have already burnt something. Something the law says we cannot burn.
So, now the law is after us.
They know we did it, and they know where we are, they are on their way to our house as we speak.

Our only option?
Run.

"Resisting Arrest"

That's right, As I said, these will be in progression. The cops are after us and the songs we pick to inspire us to get away might just save our lives.

These are not only songs of being chased. They can be if you wish, but also songs that we might hear if we had to actually exert physical force to keep from being subdued.

Songs that would give us that extra push to do what is necessary. Full of energy, and Inspiration.

So get to it! And prepare yourself, because the next 2 themes are likely going to be a bit more difficult to pick for.......

Growing Up.

I have never considered Myself as An Adult.
I do consider myself responsible, and more mature than a lot of my peers, especially people of similar age who are in the world.
But I saw a news story on the Today Show, recently that talked about a theory that the technology of today's world, which connects us to the rest of the world more than ever, might actually be slowing down the maturing of this generation.

I Find it kind of Ironic that the ability to reach anyone anywhere would actually slow down how fast we grow up. Yet I agree whole heartedly with this theory.

I have always thought that I had more difficulty growing up than the previous generation. Because my childhood involved vegging in front of the TV/Computer/Videogames, instead of learning to do work around the house, take care of the family, and provide for myself and others.



It seems to only make sense that technology is the cause of this. My parents had no TV when they were little. They had no cel-phones, or Internet, or any of the myriad of distractions we have now.

I remember once my dad telling me about how him and his brother used to Listen to "The Shadow" on the radio. One night their parents went out and left them at home, and told them not to listen to it, because they always got worked up and afraid when they listened to it, and my grandparents didn't want them doing something they wouldn't do with mom and dad around.

Somehow they set the couch on fire in their panic to protect themselves from that weeks villain.....


Yet even though they got so immensely absorbed in this radio show as a child, they only had one thing to be absorbed in. Growing Up I couldn't choose what to be absorbed in because there were too many options. And sometimes responsibility was one of the options I didn't choose.

That being said, when I finally Realized, years ago, that what my mother had being trying to teach me about the bible all my life was true; I finally started to learn what it means to grow up.

Only because of Jehovah's guidance to stay away from the distractions of this world did I ever learn what it means to be a man, instead of a boy..

Sometimes though I feel like I am behind. I see some of my friends who are just as young as I physically, going to international conventions in Poland, Giving Public Talks, Going up the 'Congregational Ladder' so fast that they will likely be elders before they get back from Poland....

All hyperbole aside, though, I realize I have only had coming up on 5 years of Baptized Service under my belt, while they have many many more. Even so I have the Urge to be right there beside them, and it stinks to not yet have the ability to be so.

Sometimes It makes me want to defenestrate my computer.

Stupid Technology, giving us more ability than ever in history, yet limiting us from what is important.

(Defenestrate is my Favorite Word Ever, By The Way.)

Also, It seems odd that a lot of people on here have started Calling me "Dusty".
Not that I have a problem with it, but My whole life, the only people who called me Dusty are people who have known me since I was little. My mother even tells me that she when she named me, she thought "We can call him Dusty when he is Little, and Dustin when he grows up."
So to have people I have never met outside the internet call me Dusty just seems odd...

But continue to call me whatever you want, because deep down I really don't care. :)

For Everyone.

I know the post has got kinda pushed down the page, but don't forget to pick your songs for the new "Resisting Arrest" theme.

-----------------------------------

These Lyrics are dedicated to anyone who reads them.

"I like you" by Morrissey.

Something in you caused me to take a new tact with you.
You were going through something I had just about scraped through.

Why do you think I let you get away With the things you say to me?
Could it be I like you? It's so shameful of me.
I like you.

No one I ever knew or have spoken to resembles you.
This is good or bad, all depending on my general mood.

Why do you think I let you get away with all the things you say to me?
Could it be I like you? It's so shameful of me.
I like you.

Magistrates who spend their lives hiding their mistakes;
They look at you and I, and Envy makes them cry.
Envy makes them cry.

Forces of containment; They shove their fat faces into mine.
You and I just smile, because we're thinking the same lines.

Why do you think I let you get away with all the things you say to me?
Could it be I like you? It's so shameful of me.
I like you.

You're not right in the head, and nor am I, and this why...
You're not right in the head, and nor am I, and this why..

This is why I like you.
I like you.
I like you.

Confusion.....

Is it stupid for me to want something I most likely cannot have? 
If I do nothing, I will never know.
Yet, if I do something I may end up being considered a fool and looked down upon...
Either outcome is.....
Unpleasant.

Jehovah: Provider of Escape.

My distric Convetntion is this weekend. (something I didn't factor in when stated I would get the CDs done this week) And today was the first day.

For those of you who have already had your convention, which is likely everyone, You just might understand when I say that the last talk, Entitled "No Opposing Weapon or Tongue Will Succeed", brought tears of joy to my eyes.

Anything bringing tears to my eyes of any kind happens rarely. Not because I think it's dumb or unmasculine to cry, but because this world has a way of desensitizing you. And I had a lot of desensitizing when I was younger. So things just usually don't affect me emotionally as much as others. I didn't cry when my brother or father died, I didn't cry when either of my sisters got DFed. And the only tears of joy were usually because of uncontrollable laughter.

But that talk took decades of evidence that what we have is the truth and condensed them into 30 minutes. It was really something to be in awe of. The discussion of poland especially got me, They were so oppressed they had to piggy back on special occasions like weddings and such to have miniature assemblies. I think he said "the following year", but i cant remember what year, they had 3 international conventions.

Understand the weight of these words. Not only was their oppression removed, and they weren't just finally able to have a single convention, they were able to have 3, and they were international conventions.

That is just insane. I shook my head in what must have looked like disbelief, but was really a shake of bewilderment at how well Jehovah Cares for his people.

There is no doubt in my mind, This is the truth.

In Review.

So, Now that most of you have recieve and had time to listen to
your copy of the "Waking Up In A Strange Place" CD....

What are your thoughts? Opinions? Songs you liked but never heard, songs you hated,
And songs you might have heard before, but never really had given a good listen?

Let me know what you thought.

Winsome.

One thing I desire is to become a better writer. Hopefully good enough one day to make a living out of it.

Unfortunately the only time I ever truly am in the mood to write anything worthwhile is late at night, when I can't sleep. There is something about the darkness that makes my mind start whirling. It's a wonder I ever get any sleep. I wish I had more friends who liked to stay up late.

Writing really is just the symptom though. There are so many things I wish to do with my life. Yet it always seems I am never going to be able to do them. It's that which usually inspires me to write, and the night time is the only time when my mind isn't so distracted by the happenings of the day that it has some time to contemplate itself. And as such, usually, any serious effort towards putting words onto page results in something I don't like, because it is too self-centered and self-pitying.

Which seems to be the Direction this is going too.

The internet is an odd thing. It allows us to connect to others more so than any other time in history. And yet somehow removes all ability to see someone as they really are. It takes the person out of personal. Everything becomes information, text, Ones and Zeros, and the humanity is removed. Unless of course you are one of the few who know how to truly transfer your emotions to page. Which is one reason I wish to write well, to be able to jump the hurdle that text puts in front of our social interaction.

It's that same reason that I have never liked Poetry that is written for the purpose of being poetry. With the exception of a few. And all of the Psalms.

Most of it isn't real.... isn't unadulterated.
Most of it is made with the effort to sound or poetic, and with that effort the reasons behind the expression often times get lost in the text. The best poetry is the kind that just happens. The kind that in the middle of a conversation someone expresses something heartfelt that is worded in a way that no one else has ever worded it, and it hits you right in the middle of the your chest. The same applies to non-prose literature. I feel it's the best form of poetry, because it isn't altered by the desire to be poetry.

It is pure.

I feel so lost in translation. And not the movie.

What is the meaning of all this rambling? I'm not entirely sure. But metaphorically speaking, my desire to write, but not yet being able to, as effective as I wish I could, is really just a parallel. Everything I do in life ends up being sub-par. I have become a Jack-of-all-trades. Decent at many things, but not really good at any. Lots of Knowledge and Understanding about many subjects, but never being able to effectively put it to use, to effectively put it down to page. Always striving, always Desiring, but never achieving.

You would think My broad interests, and my time spent trying to understand Human expression in all it's forms would benefit me somehow, to give me some kind of key wisdom of how to obtain what I desire. It doesn't.

I have always, as far back as I can remember, wanted to travel. Yet I have only been to 5 states, and never out of the country. Never have seen the sea, or the coast. Never have seen a foreign culture first hand.

I want to be a musician. Yet while I have played a few instruments in my past, I have never mastered one. I have never written my own songs. I have never sang my own words.

I have always wanted to be the kind of person other people could lean upon. But with the pathetic self control one learns from having a father who was an alcoholic and a drug addict, I can barely lean upon myself.

Someone once said I write winsome words. The definition for winsome is "Charming, Often in a Childlike or Naive way".

And the word's History is this:
Winsome people easily win friends, so it is not surprising that winsome and win have a common root. Their shared element win- comes from the Indo-European root *wen-, meaning ‚“to desire, strive for,” and has a number of descendants in the Germanic languages. One was the prehistoric Germanic noun *wini- meaning ‚“friend‚” (literally, ‚“one who desires or loves‚” someone else), which became wine in Old English and is preserved in such names as Winfred, ‚“friend of peace,‚” and Edwin, ‚“friend of (family) possessions.‚” A different form of the root with a different suffix became Old English wynn, ‚“pleasure, joy,‚” preserved in winsome. Finally, the verb win itself is from this root; its meaning is an extension of the sense ‚“to strive for,‚” namely, ‚“to strive for with success, be victorious.‚” Outside of the Germanic branch of Indo-European, we see the root, for example, in Latin venus or Venus ‚“love, the goddess of love,‚” and the verb venerre, ‚“to worship,‚” the source of English venerate.

The words in bold describe the roots of Win. We all know what it means to win. Yet, this word, Winsome, is coupled with naivety, childishness. Basically inexperience. Is that what is holding me back? Not being exprienced enough, not mature enough, to accomplish the things I desire? If that's the case, why does My mind seem to think more maturely than most people I know my age? Am I just arrogant?

It's interesting the link this paints with my writing. The Irony that the one monetary Career I would want to do in this world more than any other, within it's own structure, describes why I will likely never have it.

Oh well, at least being Winsome can, as it's history shows, easily win me friends. And apparently, according to the definiton, I've got charming going for me.

Too bad it doesn't say anything about easily winning Love.

Sorry to bore all of you with this. That is another thing about the internet. It makes us feel safe in our expressions, and so things we might not go on about in regular conversation, come out here. Because who is here to judge us but our computers?

Short Update:

I got the CDs for the "Waking Up In A Strange Place" theme mailed out Yesterday.
So expect them in your mailbox soon, unless you live in the DR (Liz) because I have no idea how long it takes to ship there.

Current list of songs:
Linkage

Technically I should start making CD's tommorow, but I am a procrastinator (that means you still have a few days to pick a song Liz), so I can't guarantee anything. But I will definately have them mailed out this month. I hope to actually make some booklets this time instead of just a Piece of paper with a song list on it.

It's That Time of Year: Part 2

Well, I have started burning the CD's today, I planned on having them mailed out this week, but I gotta wait until next Friday when that paycheck comes in.


But Today I start the part I have really been excited about. Today, I tell you the first of 4 themes that I think will take us all on an interesting musical Journey.

With that said, the next Theme is going to be:

"Arsonist Songs"

I have told a couple close friends about this theme, and I seem to get feedback that these songs would be angry ones. But I must let all of you know that the motivation for starting the fire doesn't matter. Sure, it could be for something angry, like revenge, or it could just be to watch the thing burn. Maybe it is to right a wrong, to destroy a blasphemy against god, or maybe it's a symbol of the undying fire inside you, or something else entirely cliche like that.........

Anywho, the Idea is that these songs would be songs you would set fires to. Songs that would inspire you to burn something, or to enhance the experience of said thing burning. These aren't small fires like a camp fire, or I would have named it "Campfire Songs". No, these are fires worthy of being considered a "crime" by "the man".

"Where could he possibly be going with this?" you might be thinking to yourself. Well You will find out later, but I promise it will be interesting. And so far the reaction to this theme has been excitement, so I think even if it was to stand alone it would work well.

While I said I would allow a week for picks to be made, I think due to the fact that I am just now burning last themes CDs, and likely won't get them in the mail for a week, that 2 weeks would be better, so that the two CDs aren't arriving in your mailbox right next to eachother.

Take your time, Think about what your pick will be, make sure it is worthy of the arsonist in all of us.

CD Project: Update Two

First up a Couple Reminders:

My Email:
musicconnoisseur@gmail.com
The Current Selection of Songs:
Link.
Instructions, In case anyone else decides to jump in before the 1st of July:
Link.

Now that that is out of the way I have a couple of names for the project that I want to ask all of your opinions on.

1. "Guiness Is Irish For Awesome." I found it a funny and true phrase, and Giles suggested that I used it as a name. I was wary how well it might go over seeing as how random it is, but I figured I would pass it by all of you anyways.

2. "Pansonicon" I heard the word 'Panopticon' in a Joanna Newsom song and wondered what it was. So I looked it up and basically it is a circular prison design where someone on guard duty can sit in a tower in the center and is able to see every prisoner's cell simultaneously. It just hit me that a 'sound' version of this word would work well because we can, in a sense, hear everyone else's "cell". Ok it might be a bit contrived, but I liked it.

If you don't like either that is cool too, I will just go back to the drawing board.

Everything that has been picked so far for the CD has fit the theme very well, and a lot of it is new to me, and very enjoyable. I am especially enjoying the band "Bellafea". (thanks Lila.) Yet, while every track fits well, altogether the album is an entirely different beast. I think you will understand when you hear it.

When you all look at the page with the list that has everything that has been picked so far, keep in mind that I downloaded some music editing software, and this CD is going to have a Hidden track! I won't say what it is so it will remain a surprise, but it's pure genius. Such genius in fact that I couldn't even begin to try and place it normally within the playlist. So, it had to be a hidden bonus. It was picked by Tom's 11 year old brother, and I think you will love it.

I must say I have been having entirely too much fun playing "DJ". I have come up with many themes, and the next 4 themes are all related in a storytelling way. The first theme will involve an action and the 3 subsequent themes will happen in chronological order as a kind of telling of what happens next.

Can you tell I have put way to much thought into this?

Well, since I have been enjoying this so much, I temporarily entertained the idea of making these bi-weekly, but then thought the cost of CDs and shipping would get high, and you all would be bombarded with entirely too many CDs. So I dismissed that idea, except for this first time.

I don't want to have to wait a month and a half (august 1st) to announce the next theme because I am overly excited about what I have planned. So, on July 1st I will start making this batch of CDs like originally planned, but I will also announce the next theme.

I really need a life....

Bier.

It's that time of year.

Remember to send me your adresses! Unless you of course live locally, i need to know where I am sending the CDs.

If you have any questions, read the post i put before this one.  If you still have any questions, email me.

 Ok!  It's time for the first annual..... err monthly..... um... Group art Project?

I might need to work on that introduction. (which reminds me if any of you have any suggestions for a title of this project, please let me know)

*Drumroll*
*Trumpet fanfare*
*Confetti*
*Elephants on Unicycles while spinning plates*

The first theme I have finally Decided Will be "Waking up in a Strange Place."

I got this idea from a Tweaker album actually, but basically, pick a song You would hear if you woke up somwhere that you didn't know where you were or how you got there, or that would go along with any ensueing creepy things to follow.  Song should remind you of confusion, erie settings and event, and the like.

Well, what are you waiting for?  Get to it!  And when you pick a song post it below.

If you have any questions read the previous post, if i don't cover it there, then comment on the previous post with your question.

Happy Choosing!

EDIT:  You can still pick 2 songs if you want, but i am going to have to make a double disc because we have gone from 6 partcipants to 10.

Group Art Project: Update

Ok well I sat down and wrote out some theme ideas for CD themes. I actually have enough now to last through until March of next year. Which is only 9, but still, I find I am having a bit of trouble deciding which to go with first. So, while I ponder I figured I would outline how this is going to work.

First I will give you My email address. MusicConnoisseur@gmail.com
I will need all of your mailing addresses so that I know where I am sending the CDs to, so email them to me.

Next I will list a few guidlines fow how I will run this thing.

1. With the exception of this first time, when I announce a theme there will be a one week period to get submissions in. Once the week is over I will begin work on making the CDs. (If you need an extra day or something, just let me know, maybe we can work something out.)

2. All entries will be posted On this blog under the post containing the current theme. That way everyone can see what has been submitted so far and will prevent any people from picking the same song. We don't want any repeats.

3. If you have any suggestions for Themes to use, explanations for why you picked a certain song, or just any info that you wish to report to me, than email it to me and I will include it in the project.

4. I am considering Making booklets for these CDs. So if you have a picture, poem, quote, story, or whatever to go along with your song then email it to me or something, and If It seems inexpensive and possible, then I will make a little homeade CD booklet to go along with the CDs themselves. I think this will provide more room for artistic expression for all participants.

5. After this initial run, if all goes well, then on the 1st of every following month I will post a new theme and we will start the process all over again.

6. If you feel your submission is rare and hard to find, then feel free to attach it to your email, as I have unlimited space in my gmail account. Or if you have it handy, just attach it anyways to save me work. hehe.

7. You do not have to submit a song to recieve a CD. Though i would prefer you would just to make the experience richer. If you can't think of a song, or just don't want to submit one, and i have your adress then I will still send you a copy. If you wish to be removed from the mailing list at any time, just email me and let me know and I will stop sending you CDs. So, if you wish to recieve CDs from this project simply send me your address.

That is all I have for now. I suppose later today I will be posting the first theme, along with great fanfare. Hope you are all as excited about this as I am.

Group Art Project.

EDIT:  We have six people so far, I could wait til the 1st of next month and see who else comes on board.  Or I could post the first subject now, and instead of waiting a week for submissions,  I could wait til the first of next month.   OOOORRRR,  I could just start now and say whatever the day i start is, is the day each new topic will come out on each month.

Hope that isn't too confusing.  Your opinion matters!

-------------------


So, I don't know if any of you have noticed that Mr. Flux has been talking of making a "Selfish" CD. In which we all submit songs we wouldn't normally share with just anyone, and do just that, share it with anyone.

Anywho, this concept has got me thinking. Thinking about a project I could undertake that might prove rather interesting.

Here is what I propose.

On the first day of each month I would announce a theme. Something along the lines of say "Unconventional Dance Songs." Or in other words, Songs that make you move, but wouldn't by any legitimate means be considered 'dance songs'.

You all then have a week to submit a song, a single song, and at the end of the week I will compile said list, make up some CDs and send them out to everyone participating!

I pitch this idea instead of just doing it because only if I think there is enough interest will I do it, so if it sounds good to you then let me know, because It wouldn't be very hard to get the ball rolling.

Think about it, All you have to do is submit information! I do all the work!

If this works, and there becomes a lot of people involved I may have to back off to every other month instead of every month. It all depends on how much I will have to spend on shipping for the CDs.

I think it will be fun!  Tell your friends!

Midnight Ramblings.

Hmmmm. Can't Sleep.

You would think I would be exhausted after the long two days I had helping abominable snowman move to cinci. Not only did we move all of his stuff just the two of us, the U-haul broke down not once, not twice, but FIVE TIMES. The last four times were in immediate succession and in the middle of downtown Cincinnati rush hour traffic.

According to my cohort, what I experienced in the way of rudeness among the pedestrians, is nothing compared to what I would get in NY. But somehow that didn't help me to forgive the trouble that it caused me that day as I ran around trying to find a way to jump the U-haul, getting yelled at by people who were trying to tell me I was turning down a one-way street which I had to explain numerous times that I knew that and needed to give my friend a jump, trying to get out of the one way street without causing a wreck after we found out it wasn't going to stay running, trying to find a place to park, and a place to get the U-haul off the street, while JoFo locked in some help in the way of a mechanic over his cel-phone. Which, by the way, took 45 mins to get there.

Regardless the U-haul was empty and we were within a mile of the U-haul place. So the mechanic jerry rigged a temporary fix and got us the mile down the road we needed and then was on his way, as were we.

It must be because that I was well fed both days that I am not exhausted now. I was treated to W.G. Grinders for lunch the day we left by J-Fo's mother, gorged myself on steak that the upstairs landlords/tenants provided for grilling in the back yard for dinner that evening, and had an amazing lunch at Claddagh's Irish pub the next day, paid for by JonJon's father, while I drooled over the fine selection of brews they had on tap. I didn't order any, not that I have any qualms about drinking at lunch time, but it just wasn't the right time. I also had a nap on the trip home.

Regardless of the reason, I sit here unable to sleep now, with no real inspiration for writing this except for the fact that I felt like writing something. I gotta find some way to turn writing into a living.

Just be glad I didn't get all mushy with what is really going through my head about a certain someone. Because that would have been cheesy and cliche. Unless of course you somehow would have found that more entertaining. Which if you would, you are likely the minority, and majority rules here.

Or at least my saving myself from embarrassment rules here.....

Ahh, Pop Music.

 I don't know how many of you enoyed, or for that matter even looked at, my and Giles' last 'conversation' about electronica music over at Palm-Muting. But if you did, or you want to read this one, we are finishing up a discussion about pop music.  What it is, and what modern music is because of it.  So if that sounds interesting to you, go share your thoughts in a sort of comment like form.

Human Rights.

 It is your fundamental human right to have super powers.


Clickage.

Pandora.

EDIT: Just so all of you know... Lila discovered pandora first.

I would guess most of you have seen my favorite song list, and my pandora stations in my sidebars.

If you havn't, or if you have just kinda ignored it I would suggest you check it out. All you have to do is go to www.pandora.com and type in the name of your favorite band, or favorite song, or just any band or song that you would like to find similar stuff.

The program then takes what you have put in and plays songs that are similar to it. And it works really well. My favorites list on the side is all the songs i have heard either from bands i have never heard of, or from albums I didn't know the band had. Kind of a reminder list of what I should be looking for when I go to the local record shop. You can even combine multiple songs, or multiple artists on one station for some really interesting results. Combine things that you wouldn't think would go together and out some odd things.

You can also tweak the stations to get closer and closer to your tastes, because you can tell it whether or not you like the song it chose to play and in doing so it will adjust what it choses next to fit what you have told it you like.

I know this sounds like a big ad, but the best part of this program is it's absolutely free! And runs right in your interenet browser, so there is nothing needed to download or install. I really can't speak well enough if this thing. And I share it with you all because regardless of your musical tastes, It's almost garanteed you will love it.

Beauty.

This brought tears to my eyes.