Why I Enjoy Take Away Shows

Here are a few of the reasons why I enjoy the Take Away Shows.

Bloc Party - This Modern Love



Jens Lekman - F-Word

The National - Start A War

Sufjan Stevens - The Lakes of Canada

The Seventh Seal

Those who know me well know that I have a passion for cinema. It's a point of tension in my life, because I love it so much that I'm able to enjoy some of the more painstaking films that drive many people nuts, and I always accept the burden of embarrassment for enjoying such films. I can remember a time in high school when I felt so much shame because I invited my youth group friends over and we watched 'Waking Life'. I cringed during the entire thing because I knew I was enjoying it - but everyone else was going nutty because there were no explosions, chase scenes, or frivolous romances. Still goes down in memory as one of the more awkward and embarrassing moments of my youth. So I often have to resort to watching films I would enjoy in private. It's not a preferred way of watching, but I've made it work over the years.

I say this because my experience with the realm of cinema has had two similarly remarkable occasions in the last two and a half year, and one of them happened today. Years ago I came to know of a film called 'Wings of Desire'. I can't explain why, but I knew that one day I would have to see this film, and that when I did it would take the top spot on my list of all-time favourite films. So two and a half years ago I managed to get a copy of it. I wasn't feeling good when I started watching, and fell asleep part way through. Then I watched it again, and it was as if I had a knowledge of the future because the film had stolen the top place in my list of favourite films. I was moved, enthralled, and able to thoroughly enjoy.

Today, this same phenomenon occured. I finally was able to get a hold of a copy of 'The Seventh Seal' yesterday, so this afternoon I watched it. The concept was interesting to me - Death and a retired crusader play chess. That was all I knew of it. There was no other knowledge, and I wanted it to remain that way so that I could enjoy the act of discovery when given the chance. While I usually believe that films need repeated viewing before they can take a place on a list of favourites, upon viewing, this film has easily placed itself in a tie for the top spot on my list. It was beyond what I thought it would be, and I found the narrative speaking into depths I hadn't expected. This film could not have come at a greater time, for it has resonated on a level that will inevitably shape the writing I'm hoping to do this fall.

Pies! Pies! Pies!

Next week I'm going to be making homemade pies from scratch and selling them to help make ends meet until I start officially working with IVCF at Mac. If you're interested in helping me out, and having a delicious pie, it'll only cost you 10 buckaroos. That's basically the price of a generic store bought pie, but throwing in a toonie extra to "help a brother out". I'll be doing this a couple of times this fall, with different pie options each time.

This time around the options are:
1. Lemon Meringue Pie
2. (the infamous!) Lemon-Lime Meringue Pie
3. Key Lime Pie

If you're interested, comment here or email me at daveyvonstone - gmail - com. I'll be doing the bulk of the baking on Wednesday the 29th, fyi.

In exile...

I will not whine and complain about the election results last night. I’m convinced that politics are not as divisive as one’s faith in, and reaction to, political processes. I consider many people from different political perspectives to be close family and friends, and know that our politics don’t divide us, but when one person complains and one person gloats, a rift appears, only to grow and grow and grow. That being said, here are my thoughts on last night’s election.

I am ever reminded of the need to be dependant on God, and how the kingdoms of this world pale in comparison to the Kingdom of God. So often people put their faith in the politics of humans, and not the politics of God. I remember hearing someone say a couple of weeks ago that each time we vote for a leader, regardless of their affiliation, we are making the same choice that Israel made thousands of years ago – choosing a human to lead rather than God.

So what to do when an election doesn’t go the way one hoped? The same thing one does when an election does go the way one wants – keep a healthy perspective on what kingdom one is serving. Electing a woman or man of any political preference does not mean we can shirk the responsibilities we have to serve a kingdom that speaks freedom to the oppressed, life to the dying, inclusion to the marginalized, and demands stewardship from the neglecting. If anything we’re invited into a process of taking on more responsibilities.

Regardless of who we voted for last night, in some sense we have chosen exile. I’m trying to figure out what it looks like to be faithful in a time of exile. Perhaps I’ll be reading more of the prophets in the near future.

Why I weep for Canada and the CBC

Tough election. I wasn't passionate about many of the options this time around. I was very dispassionate about certain options. Peter Mansbridge just told me this was probably the lowest voter turn out yet. Seriously folks! This is a sad evening.

I was told to try and be unbiased in my musings on tonight. I'm trying. But what I will say is this:

The CBC needs to pay more attention to Rex Murphy. He's in the background, watching Pete struggle through the night, and being ignored. Same goes for Rick Mercer. I've been watching for a couple of hours now, and neither has gotten the chance to speak.

Why I love Canada and the CBC

I was catching up on some missed Vinyl Cafe podcasts the other day when I came across Stuart's essay entitled Dangerous World. It's pretty much one of the greatest things I've heard from both the cafe and the CBC in general. Please take the time to read his essay, or listen to it here. This is, quite simply, a timeless piece - poignant in our current political climate and relevant far beyond. Please. Enjoy, and take to heart.

a labourer amongst the harvest

Standing between rows of cornstalks
I witnessed the knowledge of being.
The stalks do not sulk-
they are rooted firm
though the wind whips of violence
and the sun scorches its tips.
The scent of autumn is abundant,
and all is what it is.

As I walk through,
the dead leaves brush my cheeks
and I pause to cherish its caress.

I turn to the cob beside me
and know that it is the fruit of being.
This field is what it is,
and in so being, is fruitful
for those beyond the field.

It is harvest,
and I see the life and I see the death.
I tear a piece of stalk off
and taste its crackling sinews.
What is fruitful in life
is fruitful in death - they are one stalk.

In the middle of a cornfield I hear the sea.
The wind is my empty shell pressed to the ear.
And I find no shame in
what has been
and what is being.

Fear and Awe

The new Oasis album came out this week. Hearing it has reminded me of my high school days when I first started listening to them, and all the ludicrous reasons why I thought they were awesome then. I still think they are awesome for all the same reasons - but here's where they've stepped it up a notch these days.

A couple of songs talk about the rapture on the new album, and interestingly enough these Man-City-loving-lads have a better understanding of the concept than, say, our culture's founts of rapture theology - LaHaye, Jenkins, Hagee, and the sort.

It scares me somewhat to know that the brothers Gallagher have a deeper insight on eschatology than many bible believers.

I also think it's awesome.

Fall Update

Before I forget, here's a copy of my fall newsletter. Hope you enjoy the read.