The Difference of Fifteen Years
Wait… Those people on the screen, who are they?
Are they the same people that were going to nuke us 15 years ago?
I thought they were our enemies, what are they doing on our overhead screen in church?
Why is our worship leader there with them?
Are they praising the same Jesus we are?
The Power of Music
On Sunday, the power of music once again became apparent to me. There are numerous posts on my website about the power of music over my emotions, feelings, and actions, yet I often forget just how important music and sounds are to my daily life. Read on to find out the full story.
iPods
About a year ago I bought a 30GB iPod. Some friends of mine had purchased iPods in the past and the iPod had revolutionized their lives. I wouldn’t say that my life has drastically changed, but it is nice to walk around campus listening to music in between classes.
So I bought the iPod a year ago, why am I posting about it now? Over the course of a year, I’ve managed to break the remote that came with the iPod. Unlike most music devices, the iPod can not be listened to unless the remote is in tact. The price of a new iPod remote? $40, the same price of a new CD player.
Despite this set back, I’m still happy with my purchase of an iPod. It’s definitely pricier than other music alternatives, but at the same time I also feel that it’s nicer. I don’t feel that any part of the iPod contained shoddy workmanship; I think that I managed to break the remote by winding the cord too tightly on a consistent daily basis. All said and done, I like the iPod, but be aware that the actual iPod isn’t the only thing that can drain your wallet.
Musicalness
It all started two days ago when I set out to burn some mix CDs to listen to in my car. My initial goal was to compile all the albums I have that only contain one good song into burned CDs of only good songs. However, this goal soon transitioned into an attempt to create what would be my ultimate radio station on CD format. Unfortunately, I soon realized that this would take over 30 CDs. My goal then subsided into the first again, but I developed a new desire to create a playlist for my i-Pod that would contain “my ultimate radio station.”
Yesterday and today I’ve been going through my music collection updating all my files: making sure they have the right artists/names. I’ve also ventured to go as far as to try that newfangled rating system that the players have now; I have yet to see if they transfer between players though. And while I’ve been doing all this, I’ve been racking my brain deciding which playlists the various songs should go into, if they should go into any at all.
Sadly, when one has over 3,500 MP3s (all legal), this process takes a very long, wearisome time. So, for better or for worse, I’m spending the last few days before I begin working at Disney dabbling in my hoard of MP3s when what I really wanted to do was read the rest of the Lord of the Rings or write poems, or just do something that seems a little more worthy of my time.
Music to My Ears
The contralto’s notes soar amongst the vaulted ceilings, bouncing off with magnified intensity as the choir knits the Requiem together. My sister and I sit in the cheap seats, only seven Euros, but what does it matter? Is this heaven?
Traveling the streets of Nice, it was a seemingly dismal day. Despite the French Riviera, it was cold, worsened only by interruptions of rain as my traveling companions and I toured the sites of the opulent European class. By such meanderings, I discovered that there was to be a performance of Mozart’s Requiem in the cathedral that evening. Enthralled at the opportunity, I grabbed the clothes I’d packed away just in case and made my way to the cathedral that night. My sister, though not having complementary clothes, but having a like appreciation of music, accompanied me.
As we entered the lighted cathedral, seeing the luminous stained glass windows, my anticipation only grew. The performance began. From start to finish, it captivated my very being. I remember closing my eyes and letting the music’s reverberations cascade in my soul. Solo after solo, choral number after choral number let loose their laud, and before I knew it, the performance was over.
With surround sound in my room, I’m probably one of few college students that has his windows open, blaring operas, concertos, or requiems out to the world. There’s no colored glass, no statues dotting my room; vaulted ceiling? At around 10 feet, it’s nothing special. I just think back to that one time, with those prolific notes, and the music carries me away to its choral plane once again. It’s music to my ears.
Super Cheap Music
All I’ve got to say is wow. I got three CDs for $15.50, that’s after shipping and handling. If you’re into Christian music, check it out, you may find some stuff you like. I’ll let you know how good they are with delivery.
Rain Sonata
At 7:40 this morning, the music had already begun, I noticed its liquid melody as I was reading my devotions. It’s funny, people buy CDs with the sound of rain on them to help them relax, and then when it actually rains, they complain. The music has stopped for now, but I’m sure it will be back later today; we are indeed having wet weather. Oh, and speaking of music, I’m still listening to Unwed Sailor, in fact, I’m listening to it right now.
Unwed Sailor
Probably extremely similar to Jordan’s post, but as I’m sitting here listening to Unwed Sailor, I had to drop the shameless promotion for their group. Unwed Sailor is also my first real experience with “experimental” music and I really like what I hear. Their album tells a story through the combination of illustration, in the from of artwork in the album book, and then their songs actually make you feel like you’re there, ie you look in the booklet and you see a windmill, then you listen to the song, and you can hear, almost feel, the windmill. Check them out, they’re Unwed Sailor.
