So, some stirrings in the blogosphere (whose url's will remain unidentified) have led me to put some thoughts down in reflection on the goodness of the cartoon known as SpongeBob Squarepants.
I still remember the day when I strolled down the halls of the department of molecular biology and biochemistry at UC Irvine, when the departmental chair stopped to ask me if I was a fan of this show. He knew I was somewhat quirky, and thought we could share a moment of common affection for what I now hold to be a television great. However, in standard elitist tone, I gruffly said "No. I'm too cool for such childishness." Of course that comment was half tongue in cheek, half serious. As the years passed and free cable graced the face of our student housing complex, I saw some of the show as my wife and son were watching. Admittedly, there were moments of great music, as this undersea alternate universe played it out in ways that were comical and true to our world.
One instance would have to be SpongeBob's pet Gary, the snail who is indubitably the show's equivalent of a cat. When Gary left, this song accompanied SpongeBob's seach for reconciliation with his pet. The R&B sensibilities are just great.
But overall, there was a period of time where I knew that my family enjoyed the show, but I had no serious interest in watching it.
Perhaps the weight of the three letters, P, h, and D, have led me to seek more levity. Whatever the cause, at some point the genius of SpongeBob Squarepants got through to my hardened heart.
Just as the great heroes are not mere molecules who accidentally arrive on scene and unwittingly save the day, the adventures of SpongeBob do not come about in a haphazard way. The genius, however, is that this show presents itself as pure whimsy. The plots unfold like any standard story, and our protagonist carries himself as no hero at all-if anything, he is the opposite of a hero. If you watch him explain his stance on the matter of fun in the following video, you will see what I mean.
A cursory observation of this clip (and most complete episodes) would lead one to think of this as harmless children's entertainment where having a fun time is all that matters in life. A more twisted view may lead to conclusions of superficiality on the part of our 21st century undersea Ulysses (or Odysseus, if you're really cool), or even some sort of underlying immorality on his part.
On the contrary, the true beauty of SpongeBob Squarepants is in the fact that he exists as a light shining out in darkness. His light, masked in a nerdy awkwardness, is a light of innocence. He exists in a world of cynical narcissism, megalomania, and godless materialism, as exemplified and personified by the most commonly occurring adult characters of Squidward, Plankton, and Mr. Crabs, respectively.
Going back to the F.U.N. video, we see two different views of what matters in life, and as silly as SpongeBob is, he is right about what matters more. Power and bombs, or friendship?
Zooming out to consider this show in toto, all of the interactions that our child hero undergoes show the glaring incongruity between the mind of a child who wants to engage in the simpler things of life and the adults who are contrasted with him. Sure, some of the funniest moments are when this innocence leads him to make conclusions that are fallacious, but the texture of the show is a consistently innocent one.
And so I would say that not only is this show funny because of the silliness, but behind the silliness is a tapestry of wisdom. There is wisdom in innocence. It is not self-aware in the young ones on our planet, and self-awareness is sometimes the strongest way to quench that light, but childlike simplicity has the power to overcome that darkness. We see this, oddly enough, in a cartoon as unassuming as SpongeBob.
Showing posts with label express lane. Show all posts
Showing posts with label express lane. Show all posts
Monday, March 10, 2008
Saturday, March 1, 2008
the man who was thursday
As mentioned in my latest post, The Man Who Was Thursday was dramatized by Orson Welles' Mercury Theatre. If you will never read the book, you can at least listen here. I assure you, if you are foolish enough now to say you won't read it, if you listen you will change your mind.
Such eloquence in Chesterton's writing is marvelously portrayed by my chief dramatic hero, Orson Welles.
Such eloquence in Chesterton's writing is marvelously portrayed by my chief dramatic hero, Orson Welles.
Friday, February 29, 2008
February's Farewell to Feckless Furrowed Foreheads
February of 2008 was longer by one day than is typical for this the shortest month. I doubt that's the reason, but for whatever reason, I was able to enjoy quite a few great books this month.
Grendel-John Gardner
This retelling of Beowulf from the monster's perspective is something that I had read about 10 years ago. Yes, it was because I had read an interview with Jeremy Enigk where it was stated that this book was the inspiration for the eponymous song title. No, that does not mean it wasn't worth reading. It was great. The more I grasp our connection to the classics the more I can see how one's attempt to interact with them by considering them in light of our modern society can produce harmony and dissonance at the same time.
Leepike Ridge- N.D. Wilson
N.D. Wilson first captivated my heart with his wonderful smashing of the fictitious heresy that is fictionalized in the drivel referred to as "Left Behind". His book, "Right Behind", is definitely a funny read. I had heard that this man, who was born in the same year as me, has now moved on to work that is less derivative and parody-based, and now more fantasy-focused. To analyze things from a "worldly" perspective, his publisher is Random House! This definitely piqued my interest, so I bought Leepike Ridge. It is a rich, imaginative book that is good for arousing awe and terror in a young child. Jonathan Xavier enjoyed it, and I did too!
100 Cupboards-N.D. Wilson
This second book by N.D. Wilson was released around Christmas of 2007, and is the first of a series. This first novel set an exciting stage for a somewhat confusing and terrifying world of parallel worlds. Also great for parents and children to read together. I can only hope that this series blossoms into something special--it definitely seems like that may happen. We'll have to wait for the second installment due out in 2008.
The Man Who Was Thursday-G.K. Chesterton
This is one of my hero Gilbert Keith's most famous novels. I enjoyed it quite a bit. It tells the tale of an anarchist society that wants to stand for nothing and yet realizes its own dogma that is the basis for its opposition to dogma. The conflict that occurs as the members of the society realize that there are moles who have infiltrated is fascinating, and as always with Chesterton, true to this day. I must listen to Orson Welles' rendition of it.
Heretics-GK Chesterton
This book, which was written prior to Orthodoxy, is a great collection of thoughts on people and notions common in Chesterton's day. I found myself stopping to reread or e-mail or call people, for his ideas should be relished by all. There are so many great thoughts that resonate with my own, whether it be in the realm of science, family, government, theology, or beer. I will definitely read this one again, as I have vowed with practically everything of his that I have read.
Manalive-G.K. Chesterton
I put this novel last on the list of books by Chesterton that I read this month, though I read it prior to reading Heretics. I do so because this book is the cream of the crop. The paradox of serious whimsy is breathed to life by Chesterton's pen, as a man named Innocent Smith flies into the lives of prosaic people. The change that ensues shows the often violent truth that we live in a stagnation which must be stirred, and ended for good. I want to be like the man portrayed in that book. Make sure I am on the road to such greatness, will you please?
Science and Grace-Tim Morris and Don Petcher
This last book was one that I'd blogged about quite some time ago. I wanted to read it, so I checked it out from a library and found the general idea of how as a Christian in science one should feel great awe to discover the secrets of the universe. It is true to form in that it doesn't look at things from the standard question of "Oh golly, what should I do about a professor who is not a believer?" and "In how many minutes did God create each individual species?" But at the same time the book is more for those who are contemplating a life in science, for those who haven't yet thought about the philosophy of science. Where they wrote to me, I read closely and agreed mostly. Where they were laying down the basics, I was a bit bored. But that's probably because the sources they were citing were often ones that I had read on a primary level.
So February is gone and I am fearful about March. I don't think I'll be able to beat this month, but we'll see!
Grendel-John Gardner
This retelling of Beowulf from the monster's perspective is something that I had read about 10 years ago. Yes, it was because I had read an interview with Jeremy Enigk where it was stated that this book was the inspiration for the eponymous song title. No, that does not mean it wasn't worth reading. It was great. The more I grasp our connection to the classics the more I can see how one's attempt to interact with them by considering them in light of our modern society can produce harmony and dissonance at the same time.
Leepike Ridge- N.D. Wilson
N.D. Wilson first captivated my heart with his wonderful smashing of the fictitious heresy that is fictionalized in the drivel referred to as "Left Behind". His book, "Right Behind", is definitely a funny read. I had heard that this man, who was born in the same year as me, has now moved on to work that is less derivative and parody-based, and now more fantasy-focused. To analyze things from a "worldly" perspective, his publisher is Random House! This definitely piqued my interest, so I bought Leepike Ridge. It is a rich, imaginative book that is good for arousing awe and terror in a young child. Jonathan Xavier enjoyed it, and I did too!
100 Cupboards-N.D. Wilson
This second book by N.D. Wilson was released around Christmas of 2007, and is the first of a series. This first novel set an exciting stage for a somewhat confusing and terrifying world of parallel worlds. Also great for parents and children to read together. I can only hope that this series blossoms into something special--it definitely seems like that may happen. We'll have to wait for the second installment due out in 2008.
The Man Who Was Thursday-G.K. Chesterton
This is one of my hero Gilbert Keith's most famous novels. I enjoyed it quite a bit. It tells the tale of an anarchist society that wants to stand for nothing and yet realizes its own dogma that is the basis for its opposition to dogma. The conflict that occurs as the members of the society realize that there are moles who have infiltrated is fascinating, and as always with Chesterton, true to this day. I must listen to Orson Welles' rendition of it.
Heretics-GK Chesterton
This book, which was written prior to Orthodoxy, is a great collection of thoughts on people and notions common in Chesterton's day. I found myself stopping to reread or e-mail or call people, for his ideas should be relished by all. There are so many great thoughts that resonate with my own, whether it be in the realm of science, family, government, theology, or beer. I will definitely read this one again, as I have vowed with practically everything of his that I have read.
Manalive-G.K. Chesterton
I put this novel last on the list of books by Chesterton that I read this month, though I read it prior to reading Heretics. I do so because this book is the cream of the crop. The paradox of serious whimsy is breathed to life by Chesterton's pen, as a man named Innocent Smith flies into the lives of prosaic people. The change that ensues shows the often violent truth that we live in a stagnation which must be stirred, and ended for good. I want to be like the man portrayed in that book. Make sure I am on the road to such greatness, will you please?
Science and Grace-Tim Morris and Don Petcher
This last book was one that I'd blogged about quite some time ago. I wanted to read it, so I checked it out from a library and found the general idea of how as a Christian in science one should feel great awe to discover the secrets of the universe. It is true to form in that it doesn't look at things from the standard question of "Oh golly, what should I do about a professor who is not a believer?" and "In how many minutes did God create each individual species?" But at the same time the book is more for those who are contemplating a life in science, for those who haven't yet thought about the philosophy of science. Where they wrote to me, I read closely and agreed mostly. Where they were laying down the basics, I was a bit bored. But that's probably because the sources they were citing were often ones that I had read on a primary level.
So February is gone and I am fearful about March. I don't think I'll be able to beat this month, but we'll see!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
A Language Mystery Solved
For roughly four months, I have lived under the shadow of ignorance. My younger son Andrew is not quite 2 years of age, and most moments his presence in my life is a ray of sunshine that warms my heart.
However, a chief source of consternation is dealing with what I regard to be the most important element that produces the difficulty known as "terrible twos", and that would have to be the fact that toddlers are incapable of expressing themselves appropriately. Nowhere was this clearer in the case of my son Andrew than with regard to one phrase that he used to make.
He would exclaim, sometimes repetitively, "eeekah!", where the eee sound was accentuated. We tried to guess what it meant for several weeks, and it was clear that he knew we were clueless as to what he meant. That was, of course, probably just as frustrating for the poor lad as it was for his aging parents.
At any rate, we had all but given up hope on deciphering his declaration, when yesterday the epiphany struck us in a forceful way. He had picked up the DVD case for Toy Story, and he said "Yeehaw!" while pointing at Woody. I should have seen it all along. After all, his other phrase of excitement would be written something like this: "Doo di dee..... da DON!", which we had already interpreted to be "to infinity and beyond!"
That one was slightly easier to determine, as those cheers usually were accompanied with some dangerous act of climbing up whatever can be climbed, and a stance that would challenge the most formidable Space Ranger.
So, eeekah is yeehaw. When I asked him if that was eeekah, he got so excited, and our mutual frustration over the inevitable issue of language acquisition was abated, at least for this little hill to climb. But there will be more, doubtless.
And I should also say, now that I know what he was saying for all of those weeks, I'll look back fondly when I think of his attempt to say yeehaw.
However, a chief source of consternation is dealing with what I regard to be the most important element that produces the difficulty known as "terrible twos", and that would have to be the fact that toddlers are incapable of expressing themselves appropriately. Nowhere was this clearer in the case of my son Andrew than with regard to one phrase that he used to make.
He would exclaim, sometimes repetitively, "eeekah!", where the eee sound was accentuated. We tried to guess what it meant for several weeks, and it was clear that he knew we were clueless as to what he meant. That was, of course, probably just as frustrating for the poor lad as it was for his aging parents.
At any rate, we had all but given up hope on deciphering his declaration, when yesterday the epiphany struck us in a forceful way. He had picked up the DVD case for Toy Story, and he said "Yeehaw!" while pointing at Woody. I should have seen it all along. After all, his other phrase of excitement would be written something like this: "Doo di dee..... da DON!", which we had already interpreted to be "to infinity and beyond!"
That one was slightly easier to determine, as those cheers usually were accompanied with some dangerous act of climbing up whatever can be climbed, and a stance that would challenge the most formidable Space Ranger.
So, eeekah is yeehaw. When I asked him if that was eeekah, he got so excited, and our mutual frustration over the inevitable issue of language acquisition was abated, at least for this little hill to climb. But there will be more, doubtless.
And I should also say, now that I know what he was saying for all of those weeks, I'll look back fondly when I think of his attempt to say yeehaw.
Monday, February 4, 2008
January's Bookworm Feastings
Now that February is upon us, I'm going to make good on my promise and reflect upon my literary lunches on a monthly basis.
I am America (and so can you) – Stephen Colbert
After all of the traumatic events this country endures, I find settling down to an episode of the Colbert Report to be a soothing and hilarious opiate. To see that this great work is in book form made me want to sip the same nectar while away from the TV. And so I did. This book is overall as good as the TV show at its best moments. I highly recommend it to everyone, but make sure you don't get the Chinese counterfeit (ha ha!). My personal favorite section is the chart that helps one determine one's class in society.
Beowulf
In an effort to cultivate my care for the classics, I bought this book several years ago. I wanted to read this work, as its importance to those such as Tolkien has weighed heavily on my mind. I found it much better than my 9th grade memory of it, which was only happy about the fact that hearing Old English was a hauntingly beautiful experience. The notion of national identity is smashed to pieces in some senses, as stories of certain kingdoms which have come, gone, been squeezed together, and the like, leave me realizing that there are permanent concepts that show themselves in a fleeting fashion. The way that pagan mythology is interwoven with a Christian theme is also quite fascinating. I plan on reading Gardner's Grendel for this month, so that particular motif will be especially interest when placed in a contrast where the story focuses on the monster as opposed to the hero.
Cautionary Tales for Children-Hilaire Belloc
While Hilaire Belloc is hotly on my mind, this book is actually the first of his that I have read. I found the poem about the disobedient child who was eaten by a lion to be strikingly apropos, as the tragedy in San Francisco has been rumored to have been caused by similar rebellion. Overall this set of poems is exciting and still amusing today.
Old Thunder A Life of Hilaire Belloc-Joseph Pearce
This biography of Hilaire Belloc was the straw that broke this camel's back. I am now sure that I need to read as much of this man's work as possible. Enough said.
The Twits-Roald Dahl
This quick read by Roald Dahl tells a great story of the way one's morality alters one's appearance, and how judgment comes to such people. As an agnostic, his remedy to the problem strikes me as a bit too harsh, but it's too enjoyable to complain too much.
George’s Marvelous Medicine-Roald Dahl
This story by Dahl has a similar judgment on those that do not appreciate youth and goodness, with a similar shortcoming. Not as enjoyable as the Twits, but fun to read nonetheless.
The Ball and The Cross-G.K. Chesterton
I have read Orthodoxy, and now I have read The Ball and The Cross. This book was captivating from start to finish. I would love to make a movie out of this story some day, but something tells me that that's unlikely. Like Orthodoxy, it's one that I want to read again and again (and again).
I am America (and so can you) – Stephen Colbert
After all of the traumatic events this country endures, I find settling down to an episode of the Colbert Report to be a soothing and hilarious opiate. To see that this great work is in book form made me want to sip the same nectar while away from the TV. And so I did. This book is overall as good as the TV show at its best moments. I highly recommend it to everyone, but make sure you don't get the Chinese counterfeit (ha ha!). My personal favorite section is the chart that helps one determine one's class in society.
Beowulf
In an effort to cultivate my care for the classics, I bought this book several years ago. I wanted to read this work, as its importance to those such as Tolkien has weighed heavily on my mind. I found it much better than my 9th grade memory of it, which was only happy about the fact that hearing Old English was a hauntingly beautiful experience. The notion of national identity is smashed to pieces in some senses, as stories of certain kingdoms which have come, gone, been squeezed together, and the like, leave me realizing that there are permanent concepts that show themselves in a fleeting fashion. The way that pagan mythology is interwoven with a Christian theme is also quite fascinating. I plan on reading Gardner's Grendel for this month, so that particular motif will be especially interest when placed in a contrast where the story focuses on the monster as opposed to the hero.
Cautionary Tales for Children-Hilaire Belloc
While Hilaire Belloc is hotly on my mind, this book is actually the first of his that I have read. I found the poem about the disobedient child who was eaten by a lion to be strikingly apropos, as the tragedy in San Francisco has been rumored to have been caused by similar rebellion. Overall this set of poems is exciting and still amusing today.
Old Thunder A Life of Hilaire Belloc-Joseph Pearce
This biography of Hilaire Belloc was the straw that broke this camel's back. I am now sure that I need to read as much of this man's work as possible. Enough said.
The Twits-Roald Dahl
This quick read by Roald Dahl tells a great story of the way one's morality alters one's appearance, and how judgment comes to such people. As an agnostic, his remedy to the problem strikes me as a bit too harsh, but it's too enjoyable to complain too much.
George’s Marvelous Medicine-Roald Dahl
This story by Dahl has a similar judgment on those that do not appreciate youth and goodness, with a similar shortcoming. Not as enjoyable as the Twits, but fun to read nonetheless.
The Ball and The Cross-G.K. Chesterton
I have read Orthodoxy, and now I have read The Ball and The Cross. This book was captivating from start to finish. I would love to make a movie out of this story some day, but something tells me that that's unlikely. Like Orthodoxy, it's one that I want to read again and again (and again).
Thursday, January 31, 2008
on san francisco
the tenor of this town
is in step with my swing
but i can't help but wonder
is that such a good thing?
is in step with my swing
but i can't help but wonder
is that such a good thing?
Sunday, January 13, 2008
On Dancing
The twirls and spins delight the mind
by binding, sealing, shutting fears
and as I twist to wind and wind
We leave the world with wines and beers
Oh thanks to God for days of fun
and rest from work that crushes mind
instead let's hope for brighter suns
and in peace see we can unwind.
by binding, sealing, shutting fears
and as I twist to wind and wind
We leave the world with wines and beers
Oh thanks to God for days of fun
and rest from work that crushes mind
instead let's hope for brighter suns
and in peace see we can unwind.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
2007-The Year in Books
Because a good friend of mine has posted his reading list of 2007, I thought it would also be appropriate to step back and list the various books that I was able to get through before the ball fell down in Times Square. As I look at the list I am happy to have read or reread these various books (and I realize how much time I spent studying Roman Catholicism!) but wish I would have had the time to have finished others which occupy a huge pile throughout my home.
I'm not sure if this ordering is the best, but it is what it is. There are also some other books that I checked out from libraries, and since they're not around I can't rouse my memory to be sure that I read them in 2007. Combine that with the size of this list, and I chose to omit them. Maybe in 2008, I'll be more systematic and write
book reviews as I go.
Out of the Silent Planet - C.S. Lewis
This introductory book from Lewis' trilogy is great on so many levels-he sets the stage for a crazy dystopic future seen in That Hideous Strength. Due to time constraints and my own worries over this country's direction, I abstained from going past the next book.
Perelandra - C.S. Lewis
The world of spirits and planets is explained on a deeper level as Ransom travels to a second planet. I love the reflection on how different planets have different modes of expression. Is it sexist? Methinks not.
Till we have Faces - C.S. Lewis
My favorite book of all of Lewis, perhaps because in this Greek myth retold he comes closest to using his knowledge of the classics and applying it to his own writing, which is something that makes me love Tolkien so dearly.
The Four Loves - C.S. Lewis
This book which is also on audio is something I listened to as a young teenager, and now that I've experienced love and the lack thereof on deeper levels I find his insights all the more witty and telling of the human condition.
The Gambler - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
I'm glad to say that I've read the gambler--here Dostoyevsky deals with the trivialities of society and the way in which those things can enslave people and ruin families.
Notes from the Underground- Fyodor Dostoyevsky
This could be my new favorite by my Russian friend. He doesn't develop characters in this story the way that he does in the Brothers K, etc., but the depth of the emotion that is conveyed by the writer as he shares his frustrations and near insanity is beautifully done.
The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien
I mentioned above that taking legend and retelling it in a new light is beautiful to me--so I had to go through old faithful and read this with my son (again). Always a delight to read his work, and I'm looking forward to the movies in 2010 and 2011.
The Fellowship of the Ring - J.R.R. Tolkien
Every time I read these books, the little side stories grow in my mind for they can come into closer focus as the rest of the book is almost memorized by me. Just thinking about Barrow Wights was enough to make me so happy to reread this book.
The Two Towers - J.R.R. Tolkien
Ditto on this one-thinking about Kreeft's analysis of this book was also on my mind as I read this, in just thinking that this book is ultimately about Sauron, who is the Lord of the Rings may sound like an obvious thing to you, but hey, I miss obvious points all of the time!
Christianity for Modern Pagans - Peter Kreeft
Speaking of Kreeft, I had seen this book at my church's book table which is purchased via the honor system. Then when I saw it at the library I got to check it out. It reminded me that I wanted to read Pascal, and brought a lot of important thoughts to mind about what it means to believe, and what should be said in sharing this faith with others. In this book he quotes portions of Pascal's Pensees and reorganizes them based on topics that he thinks, while he provides his commentary on the Pensees.
Pensees - Blaise Pascal
Wanting to get the words straight from the horse's mouth, I went to read the Pensees as Pascal wrote them, and I didn't skip the chapters that Kreeft skipped for the sake of clarity and brevity. At times I thought this concoction was a mad mess, and at other moments I saw how he would present the world from both the view of one who believes in God and from the view of the skeptic. The madness that exists in the text is merely the natural consequence of these different perspectives colliding, and when I looked at it that way, I saw the grandeur of the Pensees.
The Winter of Our Discontent - John Steinbeck
Steinbeck has been on my "to read" list, beyond Of Mice and Men, that is. Winter of Our Discontent was a great story about what it means to be a successful American, which is something near and dear to me as I pursue a career that seems to be both very successful and hopelessly underappreciated in terms of work vs. pay.
The Trial - Franz Kafka
I will admit that I do not like Metamorphosis, which is supposed to be his best. But this book was turned into a movie by Orson Welles, and while that one is a bit hard to follow, I had to read the book since my hero had made a movie of it. This was no Metamorphosis--I really enjoyed the paranoia and despair of a world beset in self-contradicting laws. The threat of a government that is so big that we can't be sure of what we are charged (habeas corpus, anyone?) is portrayed in a gripping way, and I have to say that the changes Welles made did not improve this great book. Definitely a must read.
Stonewall Jackson : The Black Man's Friend - Richard G. Williams Jr. and James. I. Robertson Jr.
Living in Maryland has put the War of Northern Aggression on my mind, and this analysis of how a religious man like Jackson could still support the South was a great read. Instead of casting things in light of national policy, in this book we see the world of Jackson and the local blacks in his town, as he sought to teach them to read in violation of laws, so that they would develop a heart and mind for the truth. The mere fact that there is a stained glass window dedicated to Stonewall Jackson in the local church that the freed slaves attended was enough for me to see that underneath the oppression of slavery, the goodness of humanity persisted and prevailed. That it would have prevailed without a war costing 600,000 lives is, of course, a matter on which we could debate, but it is a position that I maintain.
At The Helm - Kathy Barker
This book is a divergence from the others--it's almost a manual on what it means to be the boss of a lab. I enjoyed the stories on what it takes, but at the same time my fear and uncertainty on this career path grew.
Nothing Feels Good - Andy Greenwald
I was mailed this book by a friend who instructed me to burn it upon reading it. This analysis of "emo" as a genre and a state of mind had some interesting vignettes but was overall a silly analysis of culture where the blog as a medium was the apex of being "emo". Ending a few years ago he wrote as though there would be no new "emo" as personalization found its true expression on the internet. The point is--the book is well emoted (ha!) but not thought out well. Maybe he was truly being emo in so doing.......
Orson Welles:Hello Americans - Simon Callow
Callow's second book on Welles did not let down from his first great work on the earlier phase of Welles' life. Here the pace slows down dramatically and we spend about 400 pages reading about what transpired in 6 or 7 years or so. As you can guess, a lot of detail is put into this story, but it is done in a way that is exciting. As both a comment on one man's life and the overall culture of the world in which he lived, I commend this book to all. It also gave me ideas as to what movies of his to track down next. Having seen MacBeth and Jane Eyre since, I can say that I've not been let down by Callow's descriptions!
Orson Welles Remembered - Peter Prescott Tonguette
This book is a straightforward collection of interview quotes from people who knew Welles. It sounds boring but the subject is not, and so this makes for a great read.
The Spirit and Forms of Protestantism - Louis Bouyer
After Francis Beckwith's reversion to Catholicism, I began focusing on this matter with more seriousness. This book was bought for me by a friend in the summer of 2005, but I didn't touch it until the spring of 2007. This book is a very thought-provoking work, where Protestantism as an idea is described as in agreement with Roman Catholicism. Bouyer lays the charge that the things that are actually unique about us as Protestants are the very areas where the Spirit of Protestantism is choked out by varying forces such as nominalistic philosophy. A must read, in my opinion.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church - The U.S. Catholic Church (I guess that's the author, if you trust amazon.com)
This book was hard to read all the way through, but I thought that if I wanted to be "fair and balanced" that it was necessary to do. It was an interesting endeavour.
The Roman Catholic Controversy - James White
This book was one by the author of a book that I formerly loved, and now I think may have been based on the fervor of angst towards an idea. I looked to see what his strongest points were, but am now convinced that any criticism of Rome must not come from this way of argumentation. That's all I'll say on this thread, at least.
Roman Catholics and Evangelicals: Agreements and Differences - Norman L. Geisler and Ralph E. MacKenzie
This assessment of the differences between Catholics and Evangelicals varies in terms the view of how much Protestants and Catholics have in common. I suppose that's why it was worth reading. Other than that it gets a bit tiring to read, though I suppose showing how many ways you can skin this cat of ecumenism is a worthwhile pursuit.
Called to Communion - Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (the theologian now known as the Pope)
Many people have told me that the current Pope is a great writer, so I sat down and read one where the issue of unity from the Catholic view would be a good way to start. The book is a very deep read that I think I'll reread in 2008.
Rome Sweet Home - Scott and Kimberly Hahn
This is a personal narrative by a former Presbyterian minister gone Catholic and his wife. It describes why he was interested in Rome, which helped me understand (I think) why many have done so through the years. No matter what they said, I still don't see the beauty of the Rosary, at least as it is expressed by most people who don't even know what the mysteries are about.
Hail, Holy Queen - Scott Hahn
Speaking of the Rosary, this book by Hahn is a defense of the Roman Catholic view of Mary. He presents her as a new Eve and the ark of the new covenant, which was an interesting concept. I have heard from some that elements of this book are not standard among Catholics, so I don't know what to think about this issue.
Triumph: The Power and the Glory of the Catholic Church - H. W. Crocker III
This popularized narrative of the history of the Catholic Church presents a defense of Roman Catholicism as it was followed by kings and princes and paupers throughout its inception up to the present day. I wanted to read this to have a grasp of how a Catholic looks at things like the Inquisition, and reading this was a good way to learn about it. He seems to come across as harsh to the Eastern Orthodox, but overall his defense is couched in asking whether a particular injustice was coming from the church or its followers--that's an important question to ask.
How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization - Thomas E. Woods Jr
Much like the previous book, this book analyzes history from the Catholic perspective. Its focus is more on concepts such as art, architecture, science, etc. I probably enjoyed each page of this book more, but it feels piecemeal at the end, whereas the Crocker book feels more systematic. Overall, these books written in defense of Catholicism remind me that as Protestants we have only been around in our form since the 1500's. 500/2000 means that roughly 3/4 of the Church's existence was lacking our presence, so understanding the good of Rome is I think a must for all Christians, despite our assessment of any of their wrongs-doctrinal, philosophical, or structural (or anything else).
Simply Christian - N.T. Wright
This is N.T. Wright's version of Lewis' Mere Christianity. I liked it but kept wondering what it means--where should I go to church in his opinion? Is he a relativist on the matter of Anglican vs. Catholic vs. Protestant vs. Eastern Orthodox, etc.? That's the big problem I have with ecumenism based on determining what our faith's lowest common denominator is.
The Shape of Sola Scriptura - Keith Mathison
Because of my readings on the Catholic view of Scripture, I gave this book a read. I was disturbed by what seems to me like an arbitrary distinction between Sola Scriptura and what he terms as Solo Scriptura. Ultimately, the importance of creeds comes to mind, as Mathison and others have attacked heterodox views such as hyperpreterism by appealing to the Apostle's Creed. If the Scripture alone is our rule of faith, why seek to find historical precedent outside of Scripture? Either we are not consistent, or our true rule is bigger than Scripture.
Orthodoxy - G.K. Chesterton
I grew in my love for British wit as I read this Catholic luminary's view of the Apostle's Creed and faith in general. 2008 will be full of this man's work, as I loved the way he could turn a phrase and cast things in a new light as his argument developed. A MUST READ!
The Language of God - Francis Collins
This book, by the director of one of the NIH's Institutes, presents the case for a version of theistic evolution that gives evidence of God via a principle that he terms as Biologos. Overall, I think it strange that the same sort of design arguments that are used by Paley and his modern associates seen in the Intelligent Design Movement are not palatable, whereas cosmological arguments for design that have the same logical construction are all well and good. I'd like to talk to him about the differences between biological evolution and cosmological evolution, and why one points to design while the other doesn't.
Darwin Strikes Back - Thomas Woodward
This book details the way in which mainstream scientists have responded by and large to intelligent design proponents. The main question I have after reading it is, so what are the ID proponents going to do to show that they practice science? I have heard a lot of rhetoric and discussion of ID's foundations, but "publish or perish" must drive that movement if it wants to gain credibility.
The Edge of Evolution - Michael Behe
Speaking of gaining credibility, Behe did make a good stride in defending his position with this book. He discusses exactly what has been observed in experimental analyses of evolution, especially with the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum. The results of such reflection leads one quite underwhelmed by what has been seen. His argument that evolution fills in the gaps of the structure of life in a manner similar to the spandrels of a cathedral is especially interesting. Sure to bother creationists and Dawkins-style evolutionists alike, it was an interesting read.
WHEW!!!! So that was 2007 in books for me. 2008 is already off to a good start!
I'm not sure if this ordering is the best, but it is what it is. There are also some other books that I checked out from libraries, and since they're not around I can't rouse my memory to be sure that I read them in 2007. Combine that with the size of this list, and I chose to omit them. Maybe in 2008, I'll be more systematic and write
book reviews as I go.
Out of the Silent Planet - C.S. Lewis
This introductory book from Lewis' trilogy is great on so many levels-he sets the stage for a crazy dystopic future seen in That Hideous Strength. Due to time constraints and my own worries over this country's direction, I abstained from going past the next book.
Perelandra - C.S. Lewis
The world of spirits and planets is explained on a deeper level as Ransom travels to a second planet. I love the reflection on how different planets have different modes of expression. Is it sexist? Methinks not.
Till we have Faces - C.S. Lewis
My favorite book of all of Lewis, perhaps because in this Greek myth retold he comes closest to using his knowledge of the classics and applying it to his own writing, which is something that makes me love Tolkien so dearly.
The Four Loves - C.S. Lewis
This book which is also on audio is something I listened to as a young teenager, and now that I've experienced love and the lack thereof on deeper levels I find his insights all the more witty and telling of the human condition.
The Gambler - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
I'm glad to say that I've read the gambler--here Dostoyevsky deals with the trivialities of society and the way in which those things can enslave people and ruin families.
Notes from the Underground- Fyodor Dostoyevsky
This could be my new favorite by my Russian friend. He doesn't develop characters in this story the way that he does in the Brothers K, etc., but the depth of the emotion that is conveyed by the writer as he shares his frustrations and near insanity is beautifully done.
The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien
I mentioned above that taking legend and retelling it in a new light is beautiful to me--so I had to go through old faithful and read this with my son (again). Always a delight to read his work, and I'm looking forward to the movies in 2010 and 2011.
The Fellowship of the Ring - J.R.R. Tolkien
Every time I read these books, the little side stories grow in my mind for they can come into closer focus as the rest of the book is almost memorized by me. Just thinking about Barrow Wights was enough to make me so happy to reread this book.
The Two Towers - J.R.R. Tolkien
Ditto on this one-thinking about Kreeft's analysis of this book was also on my mind as I read this, in just thinking that this book is ultimately about Sauron, who is the Lord of the Rings may sound like an obvious thing to you, but hey, I miss obvious points all of the time!
Christianity for Modern Pagans - Peter Kreeft
Speaking of Kreeft, I had seen this book at my church's book table which is purchased via the honor system. Then when I saw it at the library I got to check it out. It reminded me that I wanted to read Pascal, and brought a lot of important thoughts to mind about what it means to believe, and what should be said in sharing this faith with others. In this book he quotes portions of Pascal's Pensees and reorganizes them based on topics that he thinks, while he provides his commentary on the Pensees.
Pensees - Blaise Pascal
Wanting to get the words straight from the horse's mouth, I went to read the Pensees as Pascal wrote them, and I didn't skip the chapters that Kreeft skipped for the sake of clarity and brevity. At times I thought this concoction was a mad mess, and at other moments I saw how he would present the world from both the view of one who believes in God and from the view of the skeptic. The madness that exists in the text is merely the natural consequence of these different perspectives colliding, and when I looked at it that way, I saw the grandeur of the Pensees.
The Winter of Our Discontent - John Steinbeck
Steinbeck has been on my "to read" list, beyond Of Mice and Men, that is. Winter of Our Discontent was a great story about what it means to be a successful American, which is something near and dear to me as I pursue a career that seems to be both very successful and hopelessly underappreciated in terms of work vs. pay.
The Trial - Franz Kafka
I will admit that I do not like Metamorphosis, which is supposed to be his best. But this book was turned into a movie by Orson Welles, and while that one is a bit hard to follow, I had to read the book since my hero had made a movie of it. This was no Metamorphosis--I really enjoyed the paranoia and despair of a world beset in self-contradicting laws. The threat of a government that is so big that we can't be sure of what we are charged (habeas corpus, anyone?) is portrayed in a gripping way, and I have to say that the changes Welles made did not improve this great book. Definitely a must read.
Stonewall Jackson : The Black Man's Friend - Richard G. Williams Jr. and James. I. Robertson Jr.
Living in Maryland has put the War of Northern Aggression on my mind, and this analysis of how a religious man like Jackson could still support the South was a great read. Instead of casting things in light of national policy, in this book we see the world of Jackson and the local blacks in his town, as he sought to teach them to read in violation of laws, so that they would develop a heart and mind for the truth. The mere fact that there is a stained glass window dedicated to Stonewall Jackson in the local church that the freed slaves attended was enough for me to see that underneath the oppression of slavery, the goodness of humanity persisted and prevailed. That it would have prevailed without a war costing 600,000 lives is, of course, a matter on which we could debate, but it is a position that I maintain.
At The Helm - Kathy Barker
This book is a divergence from the others--it's almost a manual on what it means to be the boss of a lab. I enjoyed the stories on what it takes, but at the same time my fear and uncertainty on this career path grew.
Nothing Feels Good - Andy Greenwald
I was mailed this book by a friend who instructed me to burn it upon reading it. This analysis of "emo" as a genre and a state of mind had some interesting vignettes but was overall a silly analysis of culture where the blog as a medium was the apex of being "emo". Ending a few years ago he wrote as though there would be no new "emo" as personalization found its true expression on the internet. The point is--the book is well emoted (ha!) but not thought out well. Maybe he was truly being emo in so doing.......
Orson Welles:Hello Americans - Simon Callow
Callow's second book on Welles did not let down from his first great work on the earlier phase of Welles' life. Here the pace slows down dramatically and we spend about 400 pages reading about what transpired in 6 or 7 years or so. As you can guess, a lot of detail is put into this story, but it is done in a way that is exciting. As both a comment on one man's life and the overall culture of the world in which he lived, I commend this book to all. It also gave me ideas as to what movies of his to track down next. Having seen MacBeth and Jane Eyre since, I can say that I've not been let down by Callow's descriptions!
Orson Welles Remembered - Peter Prescott Tonguette
This book is a straightforward collection of interview quotes from people who knew Welles. It sounds boring but the subject is not, and so this makes for a great read.
The Spirit and Forms of Protestantism - Louis Bouyer
After Francis Beckwith's reversion to Catholicism, I began focusing on this matter with more seriousness. This book was bought for me by a friend in the summer of 2005, but I didn't touch it until the spring of 2007. This book is a very thought-provoking work, where Protestantism as an idea is described as in agreement with Roman Catholicism. Bouyer lays the charge that the things that are actually unique about us as Protestants are the very areas where the Spirit of Protestantism is choked out by varying forces such as nominalistic philosophy. A must read, in my opinion.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church - The U.S. Catholic Church (I guess that's the author, if you trust amazon.com)
This book was hard to read all the way through, but I thought that if I wanted to be "fair and balanced" that it was necessary to do. It was an interesting endeavour.
The Roman Catholic Controversy - James White
This book was one by the author of a book that I formerly loved, and now I think may have been based on the fervor of angst towards an idea. I looked to see what his strongest points were, but am now convinced that any criticism of Rome must not come from this way of argumentation. That's all I'll say on this thread, at least.
Roman Catholics and Evangelicals: Agreements and Differences - Norman L. Geisler and Ralph E. MacKenzie
This assessment of the differences between Catholics and Evangelicals varies in terms the view of how much Protestants and Catholics have in common. I suppose that's why it was worth reading. Other than that it gets a bit tiring to read, though I suppose showing how many ways you can skin this cat of ecumenism is a worthwhile pursuit.
Called to Communion - Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (the theologian now known as the Pope)
Many people have told me that the current Pope is a great writer, so I sat down and read one where the issue of unity from the Catholic view would be a good way to start. The book is a very deep read that I think I'll reread in 2008.
Rome Sweet Home - Scott and Kimberly Hahn
This is a personal narrative by a former Presbyterian minister gone Catholic and his wife. It describes why he was interested in Rome, which helped me understand (I think) why many have done so through the years. No matter what they said, I still don't see the beauty of the Rosary, at least as it is expressed by most people who don't even know what the mysteries are about.
Hail, Holy Queen - Scott Hahn
Speaking of the Rosary, this book by Hahn is a defense of the Roman Catholic view of Mary. He presents her as a new Eve and the ark of the new covenant, which was an interesting concept. I have heard from some that elements of this book are not standard among Catholics, so I don't know what to think about this issue.
Triumph: The Power and the Glory of the Catholic Church - H. W. Crocker III
This popularized narrative of the history of the Catholic Church presents a defense of Roman Catholicism as it was followed by kings and princes and paupers throughout its inception up to the present day. I wanted to read this to have a grasp of how a Catholic looks at things like the Inquisition, and reading this was a good way to learn about it. He seems to come across as harsh to the Eastern Orthodox, but overall his defense is couched in asking whether a particular injustice was coming from the church or its followers--that's an important question to ask.
How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization - Thomas E. Woods Jr
Much like the previous book, this book analyzes history from the Catholic perspective. Its focus is more on concepts such as art, architecture, science, etc. I probably enjoyed each page of this book more, but it feels piecemeal at the end, whereas the Crocker book feels more systematic. Overall, these books written in defense of Catholicism remind me that as Protestants we have only been around in our form since the 1500's. 500/2000 means that roughly 3/4 of the Church's existence was lacking our presence, so understanding the good of Rome is I think a must for all Christians, despite our assessment of any of their wrongs-doctrinal, philosophical, or structural (or anything else).
Simply Christian - N.T. Wright
This is N.T. Wright's version of Lewis' Mere Christianity. I liked it but kept wondering what it means--where should I go to church in his opinion? Is he a relativist on the matter of Anglican vs. Catholic vs. Protestant vs. Eastern Orthodox, etc.? That's the big problem I have with ecumenism based on determining what our faith's lowest common denominator is.
The Shape of Sola Scriptura - Keith Mathison
Because of my readings on the Catholic view of Scripture, I gave this book a read. I was disturbed by what seems to me like an arbitrary distinction between Sola Scriptura and what he terms as Solo Scriptura. Ultimately, the importance of creeds comes to mind, as Mathison and others have attacked heterodox views such as hyperpreterism by appealing to the Apostle's Creed. If the Scripture alone is our rule of faith, why seek to find historical precedent outside of Scripture? Either we are not consistent, or our true rule is bigger than Scripture.
Orthodoxy - G.K. Chesterton
I grew in my love for British wit as I read this Catholic luminary's view of the Apostle's Creed and faith in general. 2008 will be full of this man's work, as I loved the way he could turn a phrase and cast things in a new light as his argument developed. A MUST READ!
The Language of God - Francis Collins
This book, by the director of one of the NIH's Institutes, presents the case for a version of theistic evolution that gives evidence of God via a principle that he terms as Biologos. Overall, I think it strange that the same sort of design arguments that are used by Paley and his modern associates seen in the Intelligent Design Movement are not palatable, whereas cosmological arguments for design that have the same logical construction are all well and good. I'd like to talk to him about the differences between biological evolution and cosmological evolution, and why one points to design while the other doesn't.
Darwin Strikes Back - Thomas Woodward
This book details the way in which mainstream scientists have responded by and large to intelligent design proponents. The main question I have after reading it is, so what are the ID proponents going to do to show that they practice science? I have heard a lot of rhetoric and discussion of ID's foundations, but "publish or perish" must drive that movement if it wants to gain credibility.
The Edge of Evolution - Michael Behe
Speaking of gaining credibility, Behe did make a good stride in defending his position with this book. He discusses exactly what has been observed in experimental analyses of evolution, especially with the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum. The results of such reflection leads one quite underwhelmed by what has been seen. His argument that evolution fills in the gaps of the structure of life in a manner similar to the spandrels of a cathedral is especially interesting. Sure to bother creationists and Dawkins-style evolutionists alike, it was an interesting read.
WHEW!!!! So that was 2007 in books for me. 2008 is already off to a good start!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Learning to write by reading a writer writing to readers
I recently checked this book out from a library. Yes, I confess that I skipped the first two volumes, as this third tome is a compilation of letters written by Clive Staples Lewis in the years of his prominence as a writer (namely, from 1950-1963).
It has an amazingly thorough index, which allows the purveyor to consider particular themes, books, concepts, people, or almost anything that you can imagine, as written about by Lewis to a variety of different people including children, literary peers, friends, and other luminaries of his day.
Several things strike me about Lewis' writing, in its most personal form of expression.
One is that his letters, even when brief, are written with care. How idly do my fingers type on an IM or e-mail, or yes, even a blog. This must change, and change it must.
Second, his love of reading permeates his writing. So many letters are full of spontaneous quotes of Shakespeare, Greek and Latin writers, and even when writing to Tolkien, he uses a quote from The Fellowship of the Ring.
Third, he has the view of the world that I am hoping to consistently apply to my life. From writing about morality in general to the particulars of a decision on divorce made by Anglican bishops to writing a letter completely in Latin to a Roman Catholic Dom, Lewis sought communication with all of God's people. Which makes me wonder, what would he have thought about the latest doings in Canterbury and the rest of the world? But I suppose that is a subject more fittingly addressed on Contrarian Presbyterian.
Friday, December 7, 2007
I accuse you all of abhoring all accusatives
I recently discussed ways in which our modern English is neglecting the nominative.
At the same time, we also take the accusative and almost always assign it to some abject address.
After all, when was the last time you heard someone say "To whom are you referring?" I will wager that for every time you heard that you heard at least twenty sentences that went something like this: "Who are you talking about?"
The latter is grammatically grotesque, whereas the former is fine.
I realized this clearly because of my current employment, which has me surrounded by people whose second language is English. At first I wanted to correct some of their usages of the word "whom", when I realized that I had been the one in error.
So be careful, kids, and be sure to use "whom" whenever your interrogatory pronoun is the object of the sentence!
At the same time, we also take the accusative and almost always assign it to some abject address.
After all, when was the last time you heard someone say "To whom are you referring?" I will wager that for every time you heard that you heard at least twenty sentences that went something like this: "Who are you talking about?"
The latter is grammatically grotesque, whereas the former is fine.
I realized this clearly because of my current employment, which has me surrounded by people whose second language is English. At first I wanted to correct some of their usages of the word "whom", when I realized that I had been the one in error.
So be careful, kids, and be sure to use "whom" whenever your interrogatory pronoun is the object of the sentence!
Friday, November 23, 2007
High Koo's --------- j
how soft your embrace
so anxious to meet anew
and stay in your sight
how soft your embrace
the treasure that changed my life
by ending my life
it has been too long
so anxious to meet anew
each second endless
i'll do all i can
to make you smile, never turn
and stay in your sight
so anxious to meet anew
and stay in your sight
how soft your embrace
the treasure that changed my life
by ending my life
it has been too long
so anxious to meet anew
each second endless
i'll do all i can
to make you smile, never turn
and stay in your sight
High Koo's -------- i
measure resentment
pound by pound it buries you
and spits on your grave
measure resentment
in the way you won't reveal
the hollow inside
the weight has a toll
pound by pound it buries you
suffocates your breath
eulogy of shame
he tells your life as it's not
and spits on your grave
pound by pound it buries you
and spits on your grave
measure resentment
in the way you won't reveal
the hollow inside
the weight has a toll
pound by pound it buries you
suffocates your breath
eulogy of shame
he tells your life as it's not
and spits on your grave
High Koo's ------- h
cold distance between
the span of my fingers and
your lonely gazes
cold distance between
a heart might not see at all
but sense what is lost
i'd call your face close
the span of my fingers and
the fear that lingers
i remember how
we looked away and turned to
your lonely gazes
the span of my fingers and
your lonely gazes
cold distance between
a heart might not see at all
but sense what is lost
i'd call your face close
the span of my fingers and
the fear that lingers
i remember how
we looked away and turned to
your lonely gazes
High Koo's ------ g
pour out a prayer
screaming silent in your arms
yes, your soft reply
pour out a prayer
and wait for what he answers
hope no matter what
trials of my patience
screaming silent in your arms
i can't wait anymore
why do they suffer?
is justice merely unseen?
yes, your soft reply
screaming silent in your arms
yes, your soft reply
pour out a prayer
and wait for what he answers
hope no matter what
trials of my patience
screaming silent in your arms
i can't wait anymore
why do they suffer?
is justice merely unseen?
yes, your soft reply
High Koo's ----- f
a trace of your care
will not sustain this poor child
you left while i cried
a trace of your care
leaves my heart waiting for you
i need your return
the feigned harmony
will not sustain this poor child
he craves a real hope
you won't stay i know
i can't stand to say goodbye
you left while i cried
will not sustain this poor child
you left while i cried
a trace of your care
leaves my heart waiting for you
i need your return
the feigned harmony
will not sustain this poor child
he craves a real hope
you won't stay i know
i can't stand to say goodbye
you left while i cried
High Koo's ---- e
vices do not halt
as selfish plots will thicken
and his schemes unfold
vices do not halt
affairs rise as the soul dies
he has sold his self
the mire tastes so good
as selfish plots will thicken
the day grows darker
nightfall hides his hate
the lies are told to gain lust
and his schemes unfold
as selfish plots will thicken
and his schemes unfold
vices do not halt
affairs rise as the soul dies
he has sold his self
the mire tastes so good
as selfish plots will thicken
the day grows darker
nightfall hides his hate
the lies are told to gain lust
and his schemes unfold
High Koo's --- d
her smile is enough
to melt me when i'm frozen
awaken this heart
her smile is enough
soothing the deepest anguish
bringing this sweet joy
dawn, come to bring life
to melt me when i'm frozen
crush my last goodbye
stuck in this late eve
with no strength i am drowning
awaken this heart
to melt me when i'm frozen
awaken this heart
her smile is enough
soothing the deepest anguish
bringing this sweet joy
dawn, come to bring life
to melt me when i'm frozen
crush my last goodbye
stuck in this late eve
with no strength i am drowning
awaken this heart
High Koo's -- c
anchor it fast child
you never can let it slip
then will peril flee
anchor it fast child
before the times grow hard
don't lose hope again
the cycle turns on
you can never let it slip
await the day of strength
growing to full strength
the youth prevails to flourish
then will peril flee
you never can let it slip
then will peril flee
anchor it fast child
before the times grow hard
don't lose hope again
the cycle turns on
you can never let it slip
await the day of strength
growing to full strength
the youth prevails to flourish
then will peril flee
High Koo's-a
soft you swindle me
grasping for the one to come
homesick i leave home
soft you swindle me
the flatters crush my sight
as pride ends this life
broke the iron gates
grasping for the one to come
this fire won't be stopped
the porch light was cold
speaking pages in silence
homesick i leave home
grasping for the one to come
homesick i leave home
soft you swindle me
the flatters crush my sight
as pride ends this life
broke the iron gates
grasping for the one to come
this fire won't be stopped
the porch light was cold
speaking pages in silence
homesick i leave home
High Koo's - b
my tears have all dried
waiting for the night to come
you could not answer
my tears have all dried
and left the stain to smoulder
i hid them, each one
i bundle my hopes
waiting for the night to come
but dawn seems so far
i will always knock
pleading reason for your heart
you could not answer
waiting for the night to come
you could not answer
my tears have all dried
and left the stain to smoulder
i hid them, each one
i bundle my hopes
waiting for the night to come
but dawn seems so far
i will always knock
pleading reason for your heart
you could not answer
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