8.31.2008

screen gem studio.

EUE/Screen Gem Studio, home to the largest sound stage (studio) east of California, in Wilmington, NC.


EUE/Screen Gem has been home to the production of movies A Walk to Remember, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles I & II, 28 Days, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and Muppets from Space, along with TV shows "Matlock," "Dawson's Creek" and "One Tree Hill", along with almost 500 other productions.


We took the tour on Sunday. It's quite impressive how they do what they do. The are currently filming this season of "One Tree Hill," so those are the only sets we could see.

8.28.2008

christian junk of the month award.

ysMarko puts up some good "Jesus Junk" [Jesus Junk refers to items that portray Jesus in a product available in the American marketplace. Because I'm sure products like these lead to meaningful conversations] every now and then. Well, this isn't specifically "Jesus Junk," but it is sure...well, unique.


openMike sent me the link to this new product hitting stores near you real soon:



Guitar Praise


Fun times.

8.25.2008

monday.

the weekend that was: A rainy day in Charleston, SC, and a long, long drive back to VA. And a nice Sunday evening watching the Spider soccer team beat JMU.


where i am at the moment: rVA, but just until Friday.


on my to-do list this week: Find a job? Maybe.


procrastinating about: Reading more. I have all sorts of free time and a nice pile of books. Still can't get motivated too much.


book i’m in the midst of: This Way to Youth Ministry by Duffy Robbins. Still reading. It is 550+ pages, so I can't get too down on myself. Also on the to-read list: Eat This Book (Eugene Peterson) and Thunderstruck (Erik Larson).


music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: Coldplay. I'm always a step behind on the latest music, but the title track from "Viva La Vida" caught my attention last week. I think it's the string section jamming out. And I just plain like Coldplay. Good stuff.


next trip: Charlotte, NC. College football season is here, and the Hokies are opening up against the ECU Pirates at Panther Stadium. (In all fairness to my Spiders, they open up against Elon University, trying to hold onto their Top 10 spot in the FCS Division rankings. Go Spiders!).


how i’m feeling about this week: Pretty excited. Even if nothing exciting happens during the next few days, the anticipation of college football season starting up is enough to push me through the week.

8.11.2008

quote of the week.

Open quoteI think many of our problems as a country would be solved if people had thick passports.Close quote


    Matt Damon, actor
    saying Americans should travel more to better understand global problems; just 20% of Americans have passports

8.07.2008

find your [remedy].

The David Crowder Band has a way with music and worship, a fusion of passionate energy, creative talent and an ever-apparent love for their God. Their work in the Remedy Club Tour Edition CD/DVD is no different.


After the Fall 2007 release of their latest album, Remedy, DC*B hit the road to some of America’s best-known clubs. In the DVD’s bonus material, David Crowder says the band believes God is at work all the time, everywhere, so why not bring people to a worship experience where they might least expect it?


The CD/DVD begins with “Trying To Make you Sing” and "The Glory Of It All," a simple, yet powerful song that draws in the complete power and glory of God, from Creation to the end of time, and drawing on the whole Gospel story. It sets the stage for an experience of awe in worship that is incredibly powerful.


The rest of the CD? It continues on, almost as its own, complete worship experience. The band breaks for Crowder to explain bwack’s (DC*B drummer) technical prowess, including the radical transformation of a Guitar Hero controller into a stand-alone musical instrument. (His latest project built a sampler for the rock band Family Force 5).


Late in the show, Crowder explains the dual-purpose of the show. The evening was not pure entertainment for some faithful followers, but an opportunity to give back to the communities where each show took place. DC*B invited attendees to bring socks and towels to be donated to homeless shelters in each city. In one city, the patrons of the shelter came to pick up the goods and shed tears at the overwhelming generosity.


As usual, DC*B has innovated their use of music, they bring diverse styles to this album and yet remain so simple. The words are powerful, but not complex. They draw the listener in and share a hope for so much more. If you missed the tour, you can host your own concert experience. And while you’re at it, don’t let it be pure entertainment: find a shelter in your town that could use some socks and towels.



Published at HJ