Pilgrim Notes

Reflections along the way.

Month: July 2006 (page 3 of 3)

My Movie Muse

July 11, 2006 / / 3 Comments

An interesting announcement from Hollywood indicates the customer experience may help guide future developments. The MPAA announced today the formation of an online panel called My Movie Muse.

The online panel, dubbed My Movie Muse, asks customers of the movie industry to periodically participate in online surveys about all things related to the movies – from theater attendance to home video rental and advertisements to piracy. These individuals will act as unofficial advisors on matters of interest to the motion picture industry.

I would be interested to see if consumers have the opportunity to critique more than just the films but theatre, ticket costs, etc. If they listen to the online commuity they are creating, this might have an interesting impact on the future development fo movie going.

If you want to be considered for the movie panel, visit My Movie Muse.

Update: Some folks had trouble trying to access the panel. Look at the bottom of the page on the orange bar.  It says, Not a Member? Click here to join the panel>>

Bar Brain

July 10, 2006 / / 0 Comments

Jeremy’s been studying so hard. He is seeing things. Or people that is. Not dead ones, but karate kicking rangers!

Kidney Update

July 10, 2006 / / 3 Comments

Some folks have been asking about the new kidney, so I thought I might give a few updates. This Wednesday will be four weeks after the surgery. I’m still home recovering but I’m feeling great. The scar is still a little sore, but I am feeling stronger each day.

I try to walk at least 20 to 30 minutes a day to try and build up my stamina.

I currently go for checkups once a week. So far everything has been going well. One medication keeps my blood sugar elevated but hopefully when they reduce that things will go back to normal. My blood pressure has also been running a little higher than normal but once again I am on so many medications that hopefully as things come down the bp will also go down.

While I feel like doing more, I’ve been trying to stay home and rest, letting my body fully recover. They originally told me to wait at least six weeks to recover. I can go out in public but I’ve avoided large crowds. So I spend most of my day reading, writing and a little arithmatic.

When I first talked to the doctors last summer about transplant options, they explained all the medications and the effects. I wondered if transplant would really be that much better than dialysis. No comparison. This is so much easier on my body. Plus, I have been blessed in that the medications have not caused me to have some of the more uncomfortable side effects.

I am grateful for this new lease on life and am feeling better and better. Izaak went for a checkup, so I’ll post on that later.

Thanks for all the notes, emails and encouraging words.

Nylon Magazine

July 10, 2006 / / 0 Comments

Nylon magazine recently started a MySpace page. Now you can here interviews from the mag on the MySpace page. This is a fascinating blend of social networking and new media. Thanks to PSFK for the tip.

He got the house!

July 10, 2006 / / 0 Comments

For those who’ve been keep up with barter master Kyle MacDonald, you’ll be happy to know he got the house! He started bartering with one red paper clip and hoped to barter his way up to a house. 14 trades later, he suceeded!

And now a word from the Rabbi

July 6, 2006 / / 0 Comments

When our news is fixated on doom, death and misery, I thought I might include a few inspiring thoughts from one of the Rabbis that has touched my life, Abraham Joshua Heschel. I encourage you to read him, soak in him. Soon all the latest bits of news may fade as virtually insignificant compared to the deep well life flowing out from him.

In reference to my post on the Inconvenient Truth, I agree with Ryan’s comment that regardless of the accuracy of global warming reports shouldn’t we all take care of the environment. Amen to that. For me, when science is reduced to data, we are in danger of losing the wonder. And it is the wonder that inspires me to care for this stunning, glorious creation. And now a word from the Rabbi…

Awe is the intuition for the dignity of all things, a realization that things not only are what they are but also stand , however remotely, for something supreme.

Awe is the sense for the transcendence, for the reference everywhere to mystery beyond all things. It enables us to perceive in the world intimations of the divine…to sense the ultimate in the common and the simple; to feel in the rush of the passing the stillness of the eternal what we cannot comprehend by analysis, we become aware of in awe.

……………..

In the confinement of our study rooms our knowledge seems to us a pillar of light. But when we stand at the door which opens out to the infinite, we realize that all concepts are but glittering motes that populate a sunbeam.

…………….

We can never sneer at the stars, mock the dawn or scoff at the totality of being. Sublime granduer evokes unhesitating, unflinching awe. Away from the immense, cloistered in our own concepts, we may scorn and revile everything.

But standing between earth and sky, we are silenced by the sight…

…………..

To pray is to regain a sense of mystery that animates all beings, the divine margin in all attainments. Prayer is our humble answer to the inconceivable surprise of living. It is all we can offer in return for the mystery by which we live. Who is worthy to be present at the constant unfolding of time? Amidst the meditation of mountains, the humility of flowers–wiser that all alphabets–clouds that die constantly for the sake of His glory, we are hating, hunting, hurting. Suddenly we feel ashamed of our clashes and complaints in the face of the tacit glory in nature. It so embarrassing to live! How strange we are in the world, and how presumptuous our doings! Only one response can maintain us: gratefulness for witnessing the wonder, for the gift of our unearned right to serve, to adore, and to fulfill. It is gratefulness which makes the soul great.

What's a common jo to think?

July 3, 2006 / / 4 Comments

So Al Gore tells me that the earth is in dire straits because of human interference causing the disasters of global warming. Then I keep running across articles like this from scientists who dispute any notion of consensus on the causes and/or reality of global warming. I recycle and try to live green, but I am not a scientist and rely on what the “experts” say. Unfortunately when I listen to the news or read articles everything seems so politicized, I’m not really sure who to believe.

Everyday I’m bombarded with issues from the Iraq war to civil unions to the environment. I read the various positions, but I don’t always know what to think.

George Stephanopoulos tells me that we’re a nation divided and increasing in polarization over these and other issues. But sometimes I wonder how folks are out there like me. We read the headlines, we try to be thoughtful, we wrestle with the issues, but we’re not really sure how to respond on some of these issues. Take the Iraq war for instance. I’ve actually talked to some national security advisers trying to understand, and I still could not say whether I am for or against the war.

One of my friends is writng a book on the problems with the war and our whole approach to the Middle East. He makes some good points. But I’m still unclear.

I usually steer clear of arguing some of these topics because I’m not a “true believer” for either side, and I feel pulled in both directions. I wonder if I’m simply crazy or if there are others who feel the same confusion.

A lonely boy in a lonely world

July 2, 2006 / / 1 Comment

Larry Norman once sang,

I’m a lonely boy in a lonely world
There’s no place left for me

Just as Paul Simon responded to Donne’s essay, For Whom the Bell Tolls by singing,

I am a rock,
I am an island

And of course, Bob Dylan expressed the sense of communal loss by singing,

How does it feel
How does it feel
To be without a home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolliing stone?

Well, the press continues to talk about the increasing sense of loneliness in our world. New York Times today returns to the recent study on the growing loneliness in our culture. The Western World and America is continuing along a path of loneliness, isolation, and unrestrained individualism.

I’m not sure articles are enough to respond to the increasing trend. And in a world that loves techniques and methods, I don’t think there is a technique to address this. Although I’m sure publishers are already excited about the possibility of publishing a new slate of books on how to combat loneliness.

The reality is unrestrained individualism cannot help but lead to loneliness and isolation. Short term, self focused relationships cannot stem a growing sense of personal loss. The Internet may open channels for sustaining long term relationships but by and large most of them are short. Most online communities do not have long life spans.

It take time, a long time, to build deep trust. And we live in a world that knows the latest technology, can argue and polarize over politics, but fails to build enduring. Deep trust gives the soul room to risk and love and even sacrifice. But it will cost more than the latest iPod. It will cost time, and ultimately it will cost our lives.

Most people may still fear investing what a deep trusting relationship requires and would prefer some technique that can start working tomorrow. But those who chose to risk it all and let go of today for tomorrow, may discover an intimacy most never even realized was possible.


Thank You!

July 1, 2006 / / 1 Comment

Jeremy’s wondering the appropriate way to respond to a thank you. Thanks for the blog Jer.

Newer posts »

© 2024 Pilgrim Notes

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑