"You stubborn, faithless people," Jesus said, "how long must I be with you and put up with you?"
Luke 9:41 (New Living Translation)Sunday, October 01, 2006
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Christian accompaniment pros and cons
I want to talk about something that, for me as a Christian singer and overall fan of Christian music/karaoke, really bothers me.
Anyone who's into singing Christian music may have noticed that there are often only small handfuls of tracks available to songs by favorite Christian artists. In most cases, the "big hit" songs on the charts are available from one or more companies as accompaniment, and selected songs from artist albums and/or compilations are available as well.
One of the best things about the accompaniment tracks to these songs is that they're made in 2 or 3 keys, making it easier for you to sing to them - something you hardly ever see in secular "karaoke."
But that's about it on the "pros" side.
There are, IMO, many "cons" with Christian accompaniment tracks:
1. THEY ARE OFTEN DISCONTINUED WITHIN ONE OR TWO YEARS.
This is my biggest complaint, and a serious problem. Many times people hear a song released several years ago on Christian radio, like it so much they want to sing it in church, then go to purchase the track only to find out, "oopsy, it's out of print." It's almost like accompaniment companies are saying "too bad" to the consumers. There is only ONE company, Christian World, that releases tracks and keeps them in print, but of course they can't produce tracks to every popular Christian song.
The biggest offenders when it comes to discontinuing tracks are often the labels, but with the exception noted, all of the accompaniment sources do this. While I don't claim to understand exactly why they do this, I believe it's to save money. It costs a lot to produce these tracks on CD or cassette, and it means having to keep certain resources on hand. Plus some titles don't sell as much after a year or so because demand has diminshed, or simply didn't sell well, so they're pulled. This is all understandable, but with today's new technologies, there ARE ways to keep titles in circulation. For instance, one label has taken advantage of the digital downloading revolution and offers some (but not all) of their tracks at popular pay sites such as Napster and iTunes. For a small price you can obtain the tracks you want, and often for much less than the full retail price. You're happy, the labels make some money, and all seems right with the world.
2. MANY DO NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OFFERING TRACKS FOR DIGITAL PAID DOWNLOAD.
I know of at least 2 major labels that would benefit greatly from such a service. They already offer singles and songs from their artists' albums...you'd think offering accompaniment tracks would be a natural extension of that. But they do not, and instead expect consumers to pay $8 to $10 for a track to ONE song. (See #3 for a possible reason why.)
3. THEY BELIEVE THERE ISN'T A LARGE MARKET IN CHRISTIAN ACCOMPANIMENT.
I've heard managers, customer service reps, and others tell me that Christian accompaniment tracks "just don't sell." Really? Then don't tell that to Getfreecds.com, whose sales are mostly derived from = guess what = accompaniment tracks. According to their manager, accompaniment tracks are a huge business for them. One look at their selection and prices, and it's easy to see why. Getfreecds offers some of the best prices on tracks - 20% off and a buy 6 get 1 free deal with no gimmicks. For me, they have become my primary source for obtaining titles unavailable via digital download.
There are other sites who also will tell you that accompaniment tracks make up a large portion of their profits. For them, to not sell them, or to offer only limited selections, would be tantamount to not offering a large selection of books.
4. SOME COMPANIES MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR BOOKSTORES TO STOCK THEIR TITLES.
Bookstores often try to do the right thing by offering a vast selection of titles. Since they don't know what will truly sell well and what won't, they are sometimes forced to purchase titles that are not popular with their customers. For instance, it wouldn't make sense for a bookstore in the Northeast to fill their shelves with a large selection of Southern Gospel tracks, yet some companies will insist that they must buy them, along with a portion of Contemporary titles, when placing an order. In most cases, the titles that sell will probably be the Contemporary tracks - southern gospel isn't as popular in that area. As a result, the bookstores end up marking down the titles and taking a loss, which causes them to re-think offering accompaniment tracks in the future. The good news is that this is the exception and not the rule, but it is a problem which should be corrected.
5. VERY FEW "CHRISTIAN KARAOKE" SETS AVAILABLE.
While there are naturally more secular karaoke albums available everywhere you look, there are few Christian karaoke albums. There have been the attempts by secular karaoke companies to release on CD (or cassette in the past) "hits" by a certain artist or a compilation of hits from the Christian charts for a particular month, but these predictably don't sell as well as their secular titles. One reason is lack of exposure - many Christian singers may not realize these exist. Another is that the titles are in the original key only. I believe the main reason these titles don't sell is because they offer titles already available from Christian labels and track companies.
Two Christian companies, Daywind and Chordant, have offered karaoke sets but they too have had limited success, perhaps due to the same reasons listed above.
That's all for now, but I may write more in the days to come.
Anyone who's into singing Christian music may have noticed that there are often only small handfuls of tracks available to songs by favorite Christian artists. In most cases, the "big hit" songs on the charts are available from one or more companies as accompaniment, and selected songs from artist albums and/or compilations are available as well.
One of the best things about the accompaniment tracks to these songs is that they're made in 2 or 3 keys, making it easier for you to sing to them - something you hardly ever see in secular "karaoke."
But that's about it on the "pros" side.
There are, IMO, many "cons" with Christian accompaniment tracks:
1. THEY ARE OFTEN DISCONTINUED WITHIN ONE OR TWO YEARS.
This is my biggest complaint, and a serious problem. Many times people hear a song released several years ago on Christian radio, like it so much they want to sing it in church, then go to purchase the track only to find out, "oopsy, it's out of print." It's almost like accompaniment companies are saying "too bad" to the consumers. There is only ONE company, Christian World, that releases tracks and keeps them in print, but of course they can't produce tracks to every popular Christian song.
The biggest offenders when it comes to discontinuing tracks are often the labels, but with the exception noted, all of the accompaniment sources do this. While I don't claim to understand exactly why they do this, I believe it's to save money. It costs a lot to produce these tracks on CD or cassette, and it means having to keep certain resources on hand. Plus some titles don't sell as much after a year or so because demand has diminshed, or simply didn't sell well, so they're pulled. This is all understandable, but with today's new technologies, there ARE ways to keep titles in circulation. For instance, one label has taken advantage of the digital downloading revolution and offers some (but not all) of their tracks at popular pay sites such as Napster and iTunes. For a small price you can obtain the tracks you want, and often for much less than the full retail price. You're happy, the labels make some money, and all seems right with the world.
2. MANY DO NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OFFERING TRACKS FOR DIGITAL PAID DOWNLOAD.
I know of at least 2 major labels that would benefit greatly from such a service. They already offer singles and songs from their artists' albums...you'd think offering accompaniment tracks would be a natural extension of that. But they do not, and instead expect consumers to pay $8 to $10 for a track to ONE song. (See #3 for a possible reason why.)
3. THEY BELIEVE THERE ISN'T A LARGE MARKET IN CHRISTIAN ACCOMPANIMENT.
I've heard managers, customer service reps, and others tell me that Christian accompaniment tracks "just don't sell." Really? Then don't tell that to Getfreecds.com, whose sales are mostly derived from = guess what = accompaniment tracks. According to their manager, accompaniment tracks are a huge business for them. One look at their selection and prices, and it's easy to see why. Getfreecds offers some of the best prices on tracks - 20% off and a buy 6 get 1 free deal with no gimmicks. For me, they have become my primary source for obtaining titles unavailable via digital download.
There are other sites who also will tell you that accompaniment tracks make up a large portion of their profits. For them, to not sell them, or to offer only limited selections, would be tantamount to not offering a large selection of books.
4. SOME COMPANIES MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR BOOKSTORES TO STOCK THEIR TITLES.
Bookstores often try to do the right thing by offering a vast selection of titles. Since they don't know what will truly sell well and what won't, they are sometimes forced to purchase titles that are not popular with their customers. For instance, it wouldn't make sense for a bookstore in the Northeast to fill their shelves with a large selection of Southern Gospel tracks, yet some companies will insist that they must buy them, along with a portion of Contemporary titles, when placing an order. In most cases, the titles that sell will probably be the Contemporary tracks - southern gospel isn't as popular in that area. As a result, the bookstores end up marking down the titles and taking a loss, which causes them to re-think offering accompaniment tracks in the future. The good news is that this is the exception and not the rule, but it is a problem which should be corrected.
5. VERY FEW "CHRISTIAN KARAOKE" SETS AVAILABLE.
While there are naturally more secular karaoke albums available everywhere you look, there are few Christian karaoke albums. There have been the attempts by secular karaoke companies to release on CD (or cassette in the past) "hits" by a certain artist or a compilation of hits from the Christian charts for a particular month, but these predictably don't sell as well as their secular titles. One reason is lack of exposure - many Christian singers may not realize these exist. Another is that the titles are in the original key only. I believe the main reason these titles don't sell is because they offer titles already available from Christian labels and track companies.
Two Christian companies, Daywind and Chordant, have offered karaoke sets but they too have had limited success, perhaps due to the same reasons listed above.
That's all for now, but I may write more in the days to come.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Easter week
This is "holy week". It is special to many Christians, and also to me, as we remember the events that occurred over 2,000 years ago: the Last Supper, Jesus' betrayal, crucifixion, and resurrection. It is a sad yet glorious time.
A few years ago, I sang a solo for Good Friday at church, called "Watch The Lamb" by Ray Boltz. It's a song that talks of a person who was in the Holy Land back in the day when Jesus was being crucified. The person talks of watching Jesus carry the cross up to the hill (Golgotha) and seeing how badly beaten and whipped He'd been. I'd rehearsed the song prior to service and was confident I would do a good job.
When I sang the song during service, the power of the Holy Spirit fell on me and the emotion of Jesus' beatings, torture, and horrendous treatment completely overtook me. I was literally weeping as I sang. It was both moving and touching. I tried to imagine how He must have looked as He struggled to carry that cross to the hill where He would hang and die....for ALL of our sins, yours and mine.
(I really had no intention of getting that emotional when I sang the song, but I let God have His way.)
Then on Easter Sunday, I sang the classic "He's Alive" by Don Francisco and was again moved by the Holy Spirit. I just love the message it brings, and how it makes Jesus' triumph over the grave really come to life! The stone's been rolled away, and now Jesus is alive!!
And He still is alive!
PRAISE THE LORD! :)
A few years ago, I sang a solo for Good Friday at church, called "Watch The Lamb" by Ray Boltz. It's a song that talks of a person who was in the Holy Land back in the day when Jesus was being crucified. The person talks of watching Jesus carry the cross up to the hill (Golgotha) and seeing how badly beaten and whipped He'd been. I'd rehearsed the song prior to service and was confident I would do a good job.
When I sang the song during service, the power of the Holy Spirit fell on me and the emotion of Jesus' beatings, torture, and horrendous treatment completely overtook me. I was literally weeping as I sang. It was both moving and touching. I tried to imagine how He must have looked as He struggled to carry that cross to the hill where He would hang and die....for ALL of our sins, yours and mine.
(I really had no intention of getting that emotional when I sang the song, but I let God have His way.)
Then on Easter Sunday, I sang the classic "He's Alive" by Don Francisco and was again moved by the Holy Spirit. I just love the message it brings, and how it makes Jesus' triumph over the grave really come to life! The stone's been rolled away, and now Jesus is alive!!
And He still is alive!
PRAISE THE LORD! :)
Thursday, March 09, 2006
attitudes
I think this week should be "bad attitude week".
Everyone I've come in contact with, stranger, co-worker, family, or friend, have all been grouchy and had bad attitudes.
And the weather has been nice!
What gives?
Everyone I've come in contact with, stranger, co-worker, family, or friend, have all been grouchy and had bad attitudes.
And the weather has been nice!
What gives?
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
blessings
The Lord today blessed me abundantly! When I received my paycheck, there was an additional $80 included. Turns out it was a payment for non-use of leave. Still, I was not expecting it so I give all thanks and credit to JESUS for it.
Thank you Lord! :)
Thank you Lord! :)
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Insomnia and prayer
It's a warm night. The temp is still in the 50s, and it's well after 9pm. And it's the middle of winter!
At times like this, I often have bouts with insomnia. Sometimes it's not as bad as others.
Some nights, when I can't sleep, one thing I do is check sites like eBay for bargains on things like dolls, women's clothes, etc. Sometimes it pays off - one night several years ago I found a great deal on a pretty short flip Francie. Her pics were blurry in the listing, but I took a chance and when she arrived, she was in pristine mint condition. What a wonderful surprise that was.
Another thing I do when I can't sleep is pray. I find those times are among the best for spending "quiet time" with the Lord, sharing the needs of others and myself.
I use the "JOY" system when I pray: I first begin with J which stands for Jesus, giving Him, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit thanks, praise and worship; then O which stands for others, lifting up their needs and agreeing with them; and lastly Y, which stands for you, addressing my own needs, concerns, and anything else that comes to mind.
During this time I do my best to be open to hearing from the Lord as to what He wants me to do. I also continually praise Him and thank Him for not just the opportunity to pray, but hearing and answering prayer.
I believe by using this system this not only gives God glory, but also keeps us humble by placing others' needs ahead of our own. I find that if I try to address my needs first when praying, I sometimes forget the needs of others whom I've promised to pray for, or those I normally pray for regularly - and I never want to do that.
I also try to make a habit of regularly talking with the Lord daily, not just on the job, but also to and from work, at home, and anywhere else I go. Sometimes we might think "prayer" means setting aside a specific time every day to pray, but prayer should be a lifestyle. I couldn't go a day without talking to the Lord, about whatever's on my mind. I find that the more I talk with Him, and also share my every need with Him, no matter how big or small, it keeps the lines of communication open and clear between He and I.
And you know what?
The more I talk with Him, the more I want to be like Him and do His will.
That's the power of prayer.
At times like this, I often have bouts with insomnia. Sometimes it's not as bad as others.
Some nights, when I can't sleep, one thing I do is check sites like eBay for bargains on things like dolls, women's clothes, etc. Sometimes it pays off - one night several years ago I found a great deal on a pretty short flip Francie. Her pics were blurry in the listing, but I took a chance and when she arrived, she was in pristine mint condition. What a wonderful surprise that was.
Another thing I do when I can't sleep is pray. I find those times are among the best for spending "quiet time" with the Lord, sharing the needs of others and myself.
I use the "JOY" system when I pray: I first begin with J which stands for Jesus, giving Him, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit thanks, praise and worship; then O which stands for others, lifting up their needs and agreeing with them; and lastly Y, which stands for you, addressing my own needs, concerns, and anything else that comes to mind.
During this time I do my best to be open to hearing from the Lord as to what He wants me to do. I also continually praise Him and thank Him for not just the opportunity to pray, but hearing and answering prayer.
I believe by using this system this not only gives God glory, but also keeps us humble by placing others' needs ahead of our own. I find that if I try to address my needs first when praying, I sometimes forget the needs of others whom I've promised to pray for, or those I normally pray for regularly - and I never want to do that.
I also try to make a habit of regularly talking with the Lord daily, not just on the job, but also to and from work, at home, and anywhere else I go. Sometimes we might think "prayer" means setting aside a specific time every day to pray, but prayer should be a lifestyle. I couldn't go a day without talking to the Lord, about whatever's on my mind. I find that the more I talk with Him, and also share my every need with Him, no matter how big or small, it keeps the lines of communication open and clear between He and I.
And you know what?
The more I talk with Him, the more I want to be like Him and do His will.
That's the power of prayer.
Friday, February 10, 2006
those of you who are doll collectors, you'll understand
This is actually more of a rant toward the manufacturers of certain playline dolls than anything.
Someone asked me recently if there was any doll I'd ever seen and then passed up, only to end up kicking myself for it later. I answered with a loud YES!
About 20 years ago, while the Strawberry Shortcake dolls were waning in popularity, in a last ditch effort to save the line, Kenner introduced the berrykins line of dolls. These were smaller dolls but non-poseable, who were sort of like "buddies" to go with certain dolls. I don't know much else about them because they didn't particularly interest me, and the dolls that they were included with had been previously released under different playlines (Strawberry Shortcake, etc.) However there was one "new" doll in the line - a doll named Banana Twirl. She came with a berrykin, which was a little plastic figurine of some sort.
Anyway, to make a long story short, Banana Twirl was seen once at a toy store in 1985 or 1986 ( I forget what year). Stupid me did not snag her immediately, thinking that she would still be around for a while and not realizing that she would become so hard to find and expensive in the future. Ever since then, I have kicked myself many times over.
When toy manufacturers release playlines of certain dolls, there is always at least one character who is harder to find than the others. Why they do this I don't know. But as someone who likes to have a complete set of certain doll collections, I think this is a stupid practice.
I could probably find the elusive Banana Twirl on eBay, and if I truly wanted her that badly, I might even be tempted to pay the $300 and up pricetag she now commands. But the toy companies, I believe, knowingly make less of certain dolls in a playline, making them much harder to find and obtain than others, which probably has frustrated many a mom and dad when they go to buy them for their kids.
One other complaint I have is why some companies feel the need to release more and more "new" characters in a playline every year. The Bratz line is a good example of this. Last year alone, not one but two new sets of "twin" dolls were introduced. Then a set of "triplets" was released, but they turned out to be a rehash of one of the "twins" sets only with an extra sibling. The year before only one set of twins was released. There's a good likelihood at least 3 more sets of twins will be released, for little girls to want and beg for.
Then the companies tout on their boxes, "collect them all!" Many times the number of character dolls in such playlines or collections is over 50. Example: at least 80 different Star Wars figures were released in the late 70s & early 80s, and the chances of accumulating all of them was pretty slim. Did they really think kids, let alone collectors, were going to be able to easily "collect them all?" At some points the "thrill of the hunt" for these dolls/figures turns more into the agony of the hunt.
Someone asked me recently if there was any doll I'd ever seen and then passed up, only to end up kicking myself for it later. I answered with a loud YES!
About 20 years ago, while the Strawberry Shortcake dolls were waning in popularity, in a last ditch effort to save the line, Kenner introduced the berrykins line of dolls. These were smaller dolls but non-poseable, who were sort of like "buddies" to go with certain dolls. I don't know much else about them because they didn't particularly interest me, and the dolls that they were included with had been previously released under different playlines (Strawberry Shortcake, etc.) However there was one "new" doll in the line - a doll named Banana Twirl. She came with a berrykin, which was a little plastic figurine of some sort.
Anyway, to make a long story short, Banana Twirl was seen once at a toy store in 1985 or 1986 ( I forget what year). Stupid me did not snag her immediately, thinking that she would still be around for a while and not realizing that she would become so hard to find and expensive in the future. Ever since then, I have kicked myself many times over.
When toy manufacturers release playlines of certain dolls, there is always at least one character who is harder to find than the others. Why they do this I don't know. But as someone who likes to have a complete set of certain doll collections, I think this is a stupid practice.
I could probably find the elusive Banana Twirl on eBay, and if I truly wanted her that badly, I might even be tempted to pay the $300 and up pricetag she now commands. But the toy companies, I believe, knowingly make less of certain dolls in a playline, making them much harder to find and obtain than others, which probably has frustrated many a mom and dad when they go to buy them for their kids.
One other complaint I have is why some companies feel the need to release more and more "new" characters in a playline every year. The Bratz line is a good example of this. Last year alone, not one but two new sets of "twin" dolls were introduced. Then a set of "triplets" was released, but they turned out to be a rehash of one of the "twins" sets only with an extra sibling. The year before only one set of twins was released. There's a good likelihood at least 3 more sets of twins will be released, for little girls to want and beg for.
Then the companies tout on their boxes, "collect them all!" Many times the number of character dolls in such playlines or collections is over 50. Example: at least 80 different Star Wars figures were released in the late 70s & early 80s, and the chances of accumulating all of them was pretty slim. Did they really think kids, let alone collectors, were going to be able to easily "collect them all?" At some points the "thrill of the hunt" for these dolls/figures turns more into the agony of the hunt.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Nice trade
The tapes sold for about $8, which wasn’t too bad.
I also sold some others, which went for about $6.
I ended up putting the money toward some other “lots” of tracks that had a few titles I wanted.
I’ll probably sell the ones I don’t need online. There’s no point in my keeping them, when I can bless someone else who might be wanting them.
I also find myself anxiously awaiting new releases from Praise Hymn to be made available at Songtouch.com - it's a much cheaper alternative than buying the CDs or cassettes, especially when someone like me tends to buy several titles at once.
I also sold some others, which went for about $6.
I ended up putting the money toward some other “lots” of tracks that had a few titles I wanted.
I’ll probably sell the ones I don’t need online. There’s no point in my keeping them, when I can bless someone else who might be wanting them.
I also find myself anxiously awaiting new releases from Praise Hymn to be made available at Songtouch.com - it's a much cheaper alternative than buying the CDs or cassettes, especially when someone like me tends to buy several titles at once.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
classic Contemporary Christian music pt. 3
I finally decided to sell the tapes I mentioned on eBay.
As much as I enjoy them, I would rather try to offer them there, to someone who might be better able to use them, than hold on to them.
As much as I enjoy them, I would rather try to offer them there, to someone who might be better able to use them, than hold on to them.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Weird words
Two days ago I found what I thought was a great forum for the discussion of different types of dolls. (For the sake of the people there, and myself, I won't mention the board's names or member names.) I excitedly joined in.
Last night though, I received a comment which really bothered me. One of my hobbies is creating modified versions of some dolls, combining different head and body combinations.
One of my favorite combinations is putting a doll with a large head but small body on a better-proportioned body. Another is putting shoes meant for one type of doll, on another, to see how they'll look and fit. It's created some interesting results.
Apparently, however, I'm the only one in the whole world who thinks that way. When I showed my combinations to the members of the board, I was told it "looked weird" and "in some way, disturbing."
That's all it took for me to leave.
Maybe I'm being too sensitive, but when you're a new member of a board, and someone immediately tramples upon your creative ideas and interests, it leaves the wrong kind of impression. There was no way I was going to stay there after that ordeal.
I'm not going to stop collecting dolls, or trying new things because of it. I know it would do no good to try and explain or rationalize myself to the people there. My experience has been that once the "weird" label has been applied, it's stuck and nearly impossible to remove.
I hate the word "weird".
I believe people use the term "weird" too much in today's society. If someone does or says things that others haven't seen before, that might be a little different, or that is beyond their understanding, why is it they're labelled "weird," "crazy," "nuts", "kooky", or some other derogatory term?
I'm not referring to the truly insane, such as murderers who kill for pleasure, those who go to extremes with their oddities, or people who break the law in other ways. I'm referring to people you see every day on the street, at work, or in your community who mostly act and behave "normally", but think outside the box. Even some of my disabled friends and neighbors are called weird!
Some of the best inventors of our time were called weird back in the day!
For instance, I know a doll collecting friend who does what some might consider "weird" things with their dolls: creates minotaurs using doll parts and parts from a plastic toy cow or horse.
I know someone on my job who views the world in a slightly different way than most. Actually she's one of my best friends, although she is defined by many as "weird." I find her ideas, insights, and views intriguing and refreshing.
Just because we know lots of people who act the way we do (for the most part), and might even like the same things we do, does not give us the right to call someone who acts just a little differently, or might put a different spin on something we like, "weird."
We all have different ideas. We are each unique, and we all have different ways of seeing the world and living in it.
In my opinion, all of us are probably a little bit "weird" to someone else.
As my mom likes to quote, there's a saying that goes "We're all weird except for me and you....and I'm not too sure about you."
Last night though, I received a comment which really bothered me. One of my hobbies is creating modified versions of some dolls, combining different head and body combinations.
One of my favorite combinations is putting a doll with a large head but small body on a better-proportioned body. Another is putting shoes meant for one type of doll, on another, to see how they'll look and fit. It's created some interesting results.
Apparently, however, I'm the only one in the whole world who thinks that way. When I showed my combinations to the members of the board, I was told it "looked weird" and "in some way, disturbing."
That's all it took for me to leave.
Maybe I'm being too sensitive, but when you're a new member of a board, and someone immediately tramples upon your creative ideas and interests, it leaves the wrong kind of impression. There was no way I was going to stay there after that ordeal.
I'm not going to stop collecting dolls, or trying new things because of it. I know it would do no good to try and explain or rationalize myself to the people there. My experience has been that once the "weird" label has been applied, it's stuck and nearly impossible to remove.
I hate the word "weird".
I believe people use the term "weird" too much in today's society. If someone does or says things that others haven't seen before, that might be a little different, or that is beyond their understanding, why is it they're labelled "weird," "crazy," "nuts", "kooky", or some other derogatory term?
I'm not referring to the truly insane, such as murderers who kill for pleasure, those who go to extremes with their oddities, or people who break the law in other ways. I'm referring to people you see every day on the street, at work, or in your community who mostly act and behave "normally", but think outside the box. Even some of my disabled friends and neighbors are called weird!
Some of the best inventors of our time were called weird back in the day!
For instance, I know a doll collecting friend who does what some might consider "weird" things with their dolls: creates minotaurs using doll parts and parts from a plastic toy cow or horse.
I know someone on my job who views the world in a slightly different way than most. Actually she's one of my best friends, although she is defined by many as "weird." I find her ideas, insights, and views intriguing and refreshing.
Just because we know lots of people who act the way we do (for the most part), and might even like the same things we do, does not give us the right to call someone who acts just a little differently, or might put a different spin on something we like, "weird."
We all have different ideas. We are each unique, and we all have different ways of seeing the world and living in it.
In my opinion, all of us are probably a little bit "weird" to someone else.
As my mom likes to quote, there's a saying that goes "We're all weird except for me and you....and I'm not too sure about you."
Jenny and Leslie
Here's 2 of my favorite dolls, Jenny and Leslie.
The Jenny is actually from a few years ago and is called "Jenny 15." She shows what Jenny looked like at age 15. (Jenny is about 17 years old and a popular fashion doll in Japan.)
Leslie, the name I gave to the doll on the right, is actually a clone doll head on a Takara Jenny body. I found her skin tone matched it perfectly.
I like the Jenny 15 better than some of the more current versions of Jenny! :)
Saturday, January 21, 2006
classic Contemporary Christian music pt.1
I found a large set of older ('classic') as some folks call it Contemporary Christian music tapes tonight. Actually, they're accompaniment tracks, but they are tapes nonetheless, and feature trax to songs by then-popular artists like the Archers, Steve Fry, Scott Wesley Brown, and Connie Scott.
One of my favorites in the set is "Spirit Mover" by Connie Scott. It's definitely an 80s tune, complete with synthesized rhythms, instruments and even synthesized voice. I really like the chorus:
Spirit Mover, I know I'm a part of Your plan
Spirit Mover, 'cause You're molding my heart with Your hands
Connie sings about how she can feel the power of God working in her, and how when he strengthens her to do His work she feels like she could soar.
I like that! Even now, it encourages me to lay down all I have at His feet and let Him fill me to overflowing!
My friend Kim, who is also a strong yet tenderhearted sister in Christ, said years ago she was healed (I forget from what) and she could literally "feel" God's hand working in her, healing her of the illness. I have not felt God working in me in this way, but I desire it!
I want to be able to feel His hands molding my heart, the way Kim felt Him working in her body.
I want to be able to feel Him working on my back pain, as a surgeon would.
I want to be able to feel the Holy Spirit moving through me, consuming me and burning up all the dross in me.
One of my favorites in the set is "Spirit Mover" by Connie Scott. It's definitely an 80s tune, complete with synthesized rhythms, instruments and even synthesized voice. I really like the chorus:
Spirit Mover, I know I'm a part of Your plan
Spirit Mover, 'cause You're molding my heart with Your hands
Connie sings about how she can feel the power of God working in her, and how when he strengthens her to do His work she feels like she could soar.
I like that! Even now, it encourages me to lay down all I have at His feet and let Him fill me to overflowing!
My friend Kim, who is also a strong yet tenderhearted sister in Christ, said years ago she was healed (I forget from what) and she could literally "feel" God's hand working in her, healing her of the illness. I have not felt God working in me in this way, but I desire it!
I want to be able to feel His hands molding my heart, the way Kim felt Him working in her body.
I want to be able to feel Him working on my back pain, as a surgeon would.
I want to be able to feel the Holy Spirit moving through me, consuming me and burning up all the dross in me.
the devil and his ways
I haven't been to church in several weeks.
It's starting to really take effect on my spiritual health, and I don't like that.
At the time, I'm unable to sit for long periods of time on hard surfaces like old wooden benches, which is what my church has, because of back problems. We sit on those benches for hours at a time. A good 4 to 6 hours is spent every Sunday in church, sitting and only occasionally getting up. Even standing can be a problem too, on account of my back.
If I were to go and bring a cushion, I know that I would most likely be told that I can't have one. I find my church has some unusual doctrinal "rules," some of which I can't find any scriptural basis.
I also find myself acting in ways that I know are NOT pleasing with God. The devil of course loves this, and is really trying to get me to slip up. He's even used my Christian friends against me, and their "baditude" as one friend calls it.
But I will not give in.
I also worry, and that is also a sin, because it means I am not trusting the Lord for my needs. (Matthew 6:27)
I also have found myself becoming too comfortable with using foul language, and also harboring bitterness and resentment toward my old church and their congregation and Pastor. The very things I do not wish to do I find myself doing!
I end up worrying that, because I've done so many sinful things, that I have "lost" my salvation and that I will surely end up in hell.
But I know that's a lie. For I am saved by HIS grace, and not of my works. Praise the Lord!!!
Ephesians 2:8-10
It's starting to really take effect on my spiritual health, and I don't like that.
At the time, I'm unable to sit for long periods of time on hard surfaces like old wooden benches, which is what my church has, because of back problems. We sit on those benches for hours at a time. A good 4 to 6 hours is spent every Sunday in church, sitting and only occasionally getting up. Even standing can be a problem too, on account of my back.
If I were to go and bring a cushion, I know that I would most likely be told that I can't have one. I find my church has some unusual doctrinal "rules," some of which I can't find any scriptural basis.
I also find myself acting in ways that I know are NOT pleasing with God. The devil of course loves this, and is really trying to get me to slip up. He's even used my Christian friends against me, and their "baditude" as one friend calls it.
But I will not give in.
I also worry, and that is also a sin, because it means I am not trusting the Lord for my needs. (Matthew 6:27)
I also have found myself becoming too comfortable with using foul language, and also harboring bitterness and resentment toward my old church and their congregation and Pastor. The very things I do not wish to do I find myself doing!
I end up worrying that, because I've done so many sinful things, that I have "lost" my salvation and that I will surely end up in hell.
But I know that's a lie. For I am saved by HIS grace, and not of my works. Praise the Lord!!!
Ephesians 2:8-10
cleaning up
I love the "cleaning" reality shows on TV. I used to watch "Clean Sweep" faithfully but then it got cancelled.
I find myself really hooked, tho, on "The Life Laundry" on BBC America.
I originally started watching them because I am a packrat (born and raised this way) and trying to be more of a neatnik. But now I find it fascinating to see how some people can hoard things for the wildest reasons!
On Life Laundry, many of the folks who are hoarding and have tons of stuff, have it because of either a traumatic event (death in the family, divorce, etc.) or an abusive past. Some even borderline on squallor.
I have to wonder if some of my hoarding is from an abusive past.
I find myself really hooked, tho, on "The Life Laundry" on BBC America.
I originally started watching them because I am a packrat (born and raised this way) and trying to be more of a neatnik. But now I find it fascinating to see how some people can hoard things for the wildest reasons!
On Life Laundry, many of the folks who are hoarding and have tons of stuff, have it because of either a traumatic event (death in the family, divorce, etc.) or an abusive past. Some even borderline on squallor.
I have to wonder if some of my hoarding is from an abusive past.
first post
Well, here it is 4:39a.m. on a Saturday, and this is my first post on my blog site.
I don't know what I'll put on here, but as the title implies, it'll most likely be a little bit of this and that.
I have so many interests and hobbies, I don't know how I keep up sometimes! HA!
I especially love to listen to music. I mainly listen to Christian music but I also am a big Christmas music addict. I really love to sing as well, and I am called into a music ministry, so I get the chance to share. I've sung in prisons, at church events, for funerals, etc. It's hard work but I consider it a "labor of love."
Recently I began selling some of my accompaniment tapes on Ebay.
One of my other fave types of music is game show music. I have all kinds of themes from past and present shows.
I'm also a serious doll collector. I only collect sixth scale fashion dolls from the 60s to today, but I have over 500 different dolls, mostly Barbie, Dawn, and some other favorites. I'm thinking of thinning out the collection, as I'm sure I have duplicates of dolls that could use a good home. And of course I still have my childhood dolls.
Hopefully I'll try to keep this updated.
I don't know what I'll put on here, but as the title implies, it'll most likely be a little bit of this and that.
I have so many interests and hobbies, I don't know how I keep up sometimes! HA!
I especially love to listen to music. I mainly listen to Christian music but I also am a big Christmas music addict. I really love to sing as well, and I am called into a music ministry, so I get the chance to share. I've sung in prisons, at church events, for funerals, etc. It's hard work but I consider it a "labor of love."
Recently I began selling some of my accompaniment tapes on Ebay.
One of my other fave types of music is game show music. I have all kinds of themes from past and present shows.
I'm also a serious doll collector. I only collect sixth scale fashion dolls from the 60s to today, but I have over 500 different dolls, mostly Barbie, Dawn, and some other favorites. I'm thinking of thinning out the collection, as I'm sure I have duplicates of dolls that could use a good home. And of course I still have my childhood dolls.
Hopefully I'll try to keep this updated.
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