With or Without You

We had a difficult time making the decision whether or not to go ahead with the U2charist after the snow and ice came. Some said that if the band could get there, we ought to do it for those who would come, even though we knew attendees would be small in number. Others said that we ought to postpone in the interest of safety and the interest of making a big splash and receiving a larger donation for our causes. I could see the points of both groups, and I was torn. In the end, the decision was left up to the band. One was indifferent (in a good way), one didn't want to do it (and didn't come), three wanted to go ahead. I wanted to go ahead with it but was okay if we didn't (especially as I had our Minnesota visitor covered).

So we went ahead, ready to play for a handful--wives and husbands and so on. While the actual turnout wasn't what it might have been in good weather, we still ended up with 50 or so enthusiastic folks and had a great time. You know the scripture about where two or three are gathered--well, the spirit was great!

U2charist

Well, the set list is prepared and rehearsed. We've been planning this event on the 30th (tomorrow) for several months now. And here we are . . . with snow . . . a winter storm predicted to last until three and a half hours before the event, although the snow is predicted to continue beyond that and into Sunday morning.

The set list:

MLK
New Year's Day
With or Without You
Mysterious Ways
Moment of Surrender
Beautiful Day
Pride (In the Name of Love)
Yahweh
Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Magnificent
One
40
Where the Streets Have No Name

This service is to take place at Dick Nelson's art gallery downtown in Johnson City, and donations are to go to Nothing But Nets and to Haiti (via UMCOR). Hopefully we can do a little to help.

(Ruth, if this thing gets snowed out, I'll come to Dennis and Marie's and play all these songs for you unplugged. It won't be the same, but it'll be something.)

Your Best Life Now?

One of my past professors often sends me the "Fwd" emails that go around (and around and around). These emails vary from funny to silly to moving to cautionary to beautiful (the pictures some people capture!). Here's an excerpt from one received this morning. It begins with a silly part about a Chinese doctor (represented by grammar that is racially stereotyped) responding to health and fitness questions and generally poking fun at fitness and diet obsessions. (Example: Q. Is swimming good for your figure? A. If swimming good for your figure, explain whale to me; Q. Is getting in shape important for my lifestyle? A. Hey! "Round" a shape!)

The concluding portion has something interesting in it, something that suggests a little deeper meaning:

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, screaming "WOO-HOO, what a  ride!!" - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up,  totally worn out.

It continues:

For  those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health.  It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional  studies.  

1. The Japanese eat very little fat
      and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat
      and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine
      and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine
      and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.  

5. The Germans drink a lot of beer and eat a lot of  sausages and fats  
       and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

CONCLUSION:

Eat and drink what you like.
Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

Something to all this? I think so, even though the notion of balance and moderation is absent. When I'm in the gym, I can't help but wonder if the people around me (students and others) devote the kind of energy and conscious effort to their studies and their lives as they do their bodies.

2010

Happy New Year to one and all!



The first 24 hours:

• watched the ball drop in Times Square; while I'm glad Dick Clark is still around, I don't necessarily think he ought to show up on TV
• a decent night's sleep
• a quiet morning as the family slept in, breakfast, exercise
• two movies in the afternoon: A Christmas Carol and 2012
• evening at home watching a couple episodes of Lost
• discovering that the home computer has screwed up