Fine Art & Science Fiction

Today I rewatched an episode of Doctor Who that is one of the best ones made. It is called "Vincent and the Doctor" and it is about Vincent Van Gogh. Now I love the visual arts and I love sci-fi, but rarely do the two intersect in such a way as in this episode. If you haven't seen it, I won't ruin it for you with overly specific details, but rather just give you an impression of the show's mood and theme. About 3/4ths of the show is a standard Doctor Who ep in which something otherworldly happens and luckily, the Doctor is there to set things aright. The other 25% is a bittersweet look at the life of a man whose passion clearly drove him to accomplish great things, yet whom failed to receive any recognition for his genius in his lifetime. The Doctor's compassion and affection for Vincent lead him to take him on a trip in the Tardis to the future where he can see for himself how his life impacted the world of the arts. The actor who played Vincent does a wonderful job and really brings in an emotional performance that moved me both times that I watched the show. Bill Nighy also makes a guest star appearance and I really enjoy his work, including this example. The final act, as I said, allows Vincent to glimpse how his paintings finally found their audience and he is overjoyed by the revelation. Now, allow me to say something that could be totally taken the wrong way. I sometimes feel like Vincent, which to say unappreciated. I am just being honest folks. I don't mean to say that I think I have the greatness of Van Gogh, far from it. I am only like him (this Doctor Who version of Vincent) in that there are very few people who "get" me. I am misunderstood and thought to be strange by others, even some of my own family. This is one reason I have begun to write here; maybe I will find readers who will discover a kindred spirit to their own and we can enjoy each other's fellowship. The scene in the show where Vincent is weeping at the site of a crowd of people admiring his paintings moves me because, frankly, I want people to show appreciation for my work. Of course, I only want genuine appreciation and am not looking for charity or pity. If I put my work out there for the world to see and no one likes it, that just means I have to keep working to improve myself.

Wonderfully Different Christmas Music

The first time I heard "Christmas Wrapping" by The Waitresses I was shopping in the grocery store. The song was playing over the PA and I found myself caught up in the song. My first thought was "This song is shit" but I realized that was just my generational brainwashing manifesting. As I gave the song a real chance I began to see how it's quirkiness was not a sign of poor quality, as many would perceive it, but that quirkiness was the song's brilliance. Now the song is one that I return to each year to enjoy as part of the Christmas season. Check it out and see if you don't agree with me.

Where do I belong?

I suppose most of us want to fit in somewhere. We want to belong to a group of like-minded people and be cared for and loved by those people. For many years now I have felt out of place in the world. As with everyone else, I have many different labels which may be applied to me. Labels which help explain who I am, how I think, and what I believe. For example, probably the most important thing you could know about me is that I am a Christian. For many people that label automatically brings up a whole host of negative feelings or thoughts. Thing is, I don't feel like a typical Christian. In some ways I am extremely conservative. Like piss of the liberals really bad conservative. In other ways, I am very liberal, at least compared to other Christians. And again, I think I would really piss off some Christians if I shared some of my viewpoints. For example, regarding homosexuality, I don't believe that it is okay or natural in any respect (conservative) but I really don't see much point in denying people the freedom to marry or do whatever they want. I mean, the reality is people are going to do what they want no matter what anyway. I think Christians fighting tooth and nail against gay rights and gay marriage are just making things worse rather than serving God in an efficient and effective way. Anyway, that was just an example; this post isn't really about discussing gay marriage. The point is that I feel as though I have one foot in one world and one foot in the other. I don't feel like I fit into either very well. I have so many thoughts and ideas that no one else seems to see any merit in. I could probably write a dozen posts on my unconventional ideas (maybe I will write some). I feel like I am just rambling now. I am tempted to delete this and just forget it. I guess I will post it anyway because I doubt anyone will ever read this anyway.

Win a Nintendo Wii! Hurry, Contest Over Soon!

There is this blog I read called The Penny Hoarder. The blog shows you how to make money in unconventional and interesting ways. I have been reading it for a while and have even made a little bit of money following advice from the blog. They are running a contest for a Nintendo Wii, so go check out the blog and enter!

http://www.thepennyhoarder.com/2011/10/the-penny-hoarders-hallowiin-giveaway?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ThePennyHoarder+%28The+Penny+Hoarder%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

Like we need another blog...

So, I have decided that I am going to start a blog. Do you get annoyed when someone describes themselves as "eclectic", "eccentric", or "unconventional"? Well, dang it, that's how I would have to describe myself. I don't fit neatly into anyone's preconceptions and while I do sometimes actually kinda like that about myself, it often is a source of sadness for me. This is not going to turn into a pity party with me as the only attendee, I am just saying I am not going to serve up to you, the reader, a blog that is likely to fit neatly into your preconceptions about a Christian, a preacher, a white man, an artist, a conservative, or a husband. I am all of those things (and others). As of now, I have no specific agenda or point to this blog. It will simply be whatever I feel like writing about. At various times that will be religion, movies, video games, marriage, church, or work. Ain't no tellin'. Perhaps someone will actually read this too. We will see.