misc

Welcome to the catch-all page! I can't believe you were interested enough to actually click "Misc", but I'm happy you're here, so how about I show you some pictures for starters?

• Andrew's Flickr Photos
• Bridget's Flickr Photos

Opinions & Rants

Below are some subjects that have come up in conversations that I find I have a strong enough opinion about to state my position to the world once-and-for-all. Enjoy.

Topics:

• Church
• Comedy
• Pop Music
• Video Games
• Web Entertainment

Church
The way to "do church" is in a small group, preferrably meeting in a private house, not a gigantic cathedral with hundreds of people. Not only is this the Biblical model, but it's also the only way to REALLY get your questions answered, and, if the doctrine and theology teaching is sound, your soul fed. The only thing a big, corporate conglomerate church is good for is entertainment and anonymity, so if that's what you want, hit the biggest megadome church in your area.

However, God doesn't need big, rich churches. A hundred tiny churches in an area is better than one huge church. In fact, when I see hundreds of people at a big, "successful" church, it tells me that the message is likely so watered down that it appeals to a wide range of people, and watered-down Christianity is no Christianity at all. When you're ready for "solid food", or what I've heard called ADVANCED CHRISTIANITY, find a small group that teaches the true gospel of Jesus Christ. I suggest Grace Christian Assembly. Not only is it a beacon of Truth in this world, but you can listen in and participate from anywhere in the world 24x7!

Remember, Jesus didn't focus on appealing to EVERYONE and having a big audience. Neither, then, should we. The Gospels are about Jesus hand-choosing and saving HIS OWN. We are called to preach the Gospel to every living creature, but not everyone GETS the Holy Spirit, because God (being in absolute control over everything) is SELECTIVE about whom He chooses. If you can just understand and ACCEPT this Truth (which makes most people angry, because they love the idea of their "free will"), the Gospel truly becomes GOOD NEWS, and the entire Bible makes sense, as well as your own life.

Pop Music
There were two great decades for pop music in the 20th century. Both were marked by an explosion of recording technology and experimentation, creating whole new aural experiences. They were the 60s and the 80s. Personally, I'm partial to the 80s, the greatest decade in the history of pop music. In the 80s, it was cool to be technologically savvy. Reagan was in the white house, Alex P. Keaton was on TV, and the soundtrack of the future was being made with digital synthesizers. Top 40 radio was worth listening to, and MTV actually stood for Music Television. Click here for a list of some of my musical influences.

Web Entertainment
Homestar Runner is, hands down, the funniest web cartoon and most entertaining web site on the planet. Suitable for all ages.

YouTube is the coolest place to find video footage of just about anything you can think of.

Video Games
#1) The classics are the best. The arcade-style games are still popular today on home consoles, web sites and cell phones because they were better games than 99% of what passes for "gameplay" today. The simpler, the better. That's what putting quarters in those machines was all about - a quick, fun experience that was easy to learn, but hard to master. Here are the greatest ones:

Before Super Target and Super Wal-Mart, there was one special strip mall department store in town: Zayre. I would go with my parents to Zayre when I was a very small child, and it was the biggest store I'd ever seen, other than Treasure Island. I was always fascinated by the huge flashing sign letters on top of the building, so I made the animation above as a tribute. Oh, and Zayre was the first place I ever saw a Pac-Man machine.

#2) Nintendo (creators of Mario, Zelda, Donkey Kong, Metroid, the Game Boy, the DS, the Wii, etc.) has always made the best home products. Neither Microsoft nor Sony can hold a candle to Nintendo, the only company who has been solely dedicated to gaming perfection for over a century. Microsoft and Sony have a broad range of products, and tend to go for quantity over quality when it comes to games, which is why you always see scores of PlayStation and Xbox games in the bargain bin, and precious few Gamecube titles. The fact is PS and XB games don't measure up, Sony and Microsoft routinely underestimate the demands of the gamer and the importance of a good gaming experience. Sure, they've had their diamonds in the rough, but they are few and far between. They cater to the college male only, which is boring. The target audience for Nintendo, on the other hand, is ageless. Nine or ninety, Super Mario Bros (for example) will ALWAYS be a fun game.

At some point, I may have to purchase some sort of PlayStation just to play a couple of choice titles ... maybe, but I will NEVER own an Xbox.

Comedy
The funniest television shows ever are: Monty Python's Flying Circus, Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Office, Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist and The Young Ones.

The funniest living comedian is Brian Regan.

Jerry Clower was a funny, funny man. Sure, he became somewhat derivative in the 80s and 90s, but when I met him in the 70s, he was at the top of his game.

The funniest radio personalities are Rick and Bubba.

The funniest man in British television, and the host of the number one podcast in the world (also the funniest) is Ricky Gervais.