21 July 2009

Ride to Pilsen

Four young men gathered for an afternoon ride.

Turner

Rorick

Pan

Loza('s hand)

observations 7.17.09, Pt. 4

We were ripe for inspiration. If ever I believed in the muse of literature and imagination, I would say she visited us this day.

observations 7.17.09, Pt. 2

There is something about rust that I find most fascinating. Perhaps there is some connection that I find between the youthful vibrancy that an object once had and the beauty unique in its aging.

After applying for our marriage license, Jessica and I paid a visit to M. Schettl Sales, a flea market housing selections of the most charming to the most bizarre. This place is the Jewel of the Fox Valley. (Apparently, the one we visited was their smaller location.) Enjoy our finds.

17 July 2009

ruminations and illuminations

This is my current reading list:

Unfortunately, I cannot say that I've been consistent in picking them up this summer. Between Netflix and 24, there simply isn't enough time to allow the mind to expand. Nevertheless, my time here in Milwaukee has been a drawing board of sorts and these two books have been my medium for thought.

Now on the horizon of my wedding day (seven days), I find these books to be a fascinating combination. As an artist, I am encouraged to CREATE and CULTIVATE! As a man entering into marriage, I am encouraged to SERVE and BE HOLY! By way of mediocre analogy, I feel as if I've been presented with large whitewashed canvas called "married life" and given Scripture and the ability to serve as my medium. In what ways can this marriage be presented as an original work of art? What brushstrokes or chalk marks or sculpting might need to take place order for our life together to be seen as beautiful?

............................

I recently watched a documentary called Man On Wire, about Philippe Petit and his experience tightrope walking across the World Trade Center Towers. His girlfriend at the time described that he loved to live life in such a way that everyday was a work of art. Petit later shared rather exuberantly, "The only way to become an artist is by having no choice."

13 July 2009

the grandeur of things bigger

Taal Volcano, Luzon. Taken 20 January 2008

To say that I thought about what kind of man I would be by the time I was nine days away from being married would be a lie. Maybe that thought crossed my mind when I was in seventh grade that by this time I would hold my head higher then I do, say things that were full of deep wisdom and have the ability to grow a thick beard if I wanted to. If I had a conversation with who I see in the mirror, we’d come the agreement that my facial hair still comes in patches, that I have gotten used to the taste of my foot in my mouth and that I slouch.

Lately, I’ve been considering a quote that was recited by a dear friend: “Ultimately, the security of affirmation comes from within.” This has been for me like a dry piece of steak that I simply cannot get down my throat no matter how much I chew. But that’s okay, I guess.

Somewhere in Luke’s account of Jesus the Christ, he writes, “They left everything.” When he wrote this, he was referring to two fishermen that the Lord called to follow him and this was their response. They left everything. Whether they had homes, vibrant social lives, or that girl they’ve been meaning to court, they decided that following this rabbi was a good enough reason to leave all that they’ve known behind. They knew the situation well enough that there was nothing more important to follow than this man. I wonder... if they had a plan. I wonder if they knew what they wanted in life and knew where to go to get it. The text does not give us anymore information. One thing is for sure, whatever it was they wanted, if they wanted anything at all, they didn’t want it anymore.

I am constantly learning and relearning to make decisions because they are mine to make. I’ve often wondered who decided that love was something that we fall into. I cannot say that anything I’ve done up to this point has been an accident. Love for me has been a decision to make. It is one that I choose to make on a regular basis, daily, if not hourly. Sometimes I forget that the decision is mine to make or become weary in this process. Nevertheless, love has not been a haphazard manhole in my opinion. Whatever I wanted before I decided to love and be in love, I’ve made and continually make the decision that I don’t want it anymore. And I’ve left everything in order to love.