sideshowrahim's Xanga

Your head a splode.

Thu, 18 Jan 2007 00:49:10 GMT

You know what sucks?

Food poisoning, that's what.

And ice.

And snow (this time, anyway.)

You know what doesn't suck?

Most anything else. Among these things are my friends, Todd Snider, theatre, Five Iron Frenzy, having every episode of The Office (U.S.) on my iPod, and homemade bread (even if every last thing I eat has a cage match with my stomach right now.)

To rehearsal!

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 19:46:11 GMT

Hold me Jesus, 'cause I'm shakin' like a leaf.

You have been King of my glory, won't You be my Prince of Peace?

Good Times

Sat, 30 Dec 2006 11:29:20 GMT

"Ain't we lucky we got 'em? *duhn, duhn* Good Tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimes...."

Yeah, that show was cool now and again.

But seriously, here comes a post because there hasn't been one in a while. Go, go gadget bullet point post!

Saw a couple of old friends in the last couple of days. This is a shout out to Zach and Ben, representin' the LV!....What, what. Love those guys. Had some great food with them, and saw a great movie with Ben. Plus, conversations with those guys are the kind of conversations that bring you back to what's important.
The movie I saw with Ben was "Night at the Museum." There's not a man, woman, or child I wouldn't reccomend this movie to. Great story, great action, great thrills, but best of all some great comedy mixed in. Mickey Rooney is now my favorite movie star.
Christmas was good. I stayed here in Mustang, with the folks, and spent a lot of it with my brother's family who also lives here in town. Just a great, relaxing Christmas- something I always look for in a break, and yes, even in a holy day.
I got a 30 GB iPod for Christmas! Woooooo! I'm still in the process of getting my whole CD collection transferred on to it, and it looks like it's gonna fit and have plenty of room left over. So awesome.
Also got a couple of Todd Snyder CD's for Christmas. Attention: Listen to this man's music! GREAT alternative country/folk rock/spiritual/political/humor sort of stuff. You know, the usual.
Speaking of holidays and great music, check out "Happy New Year" and "New Year's Eve" by Todd Snyder and Five Iron Frenzy, respectively. Neither really has anything to do with the holiday in the literal sense, but they're AMAZING songs, and if you listen to them properly, you'll gain the sense of the wonderful new beginnings a new year (like every passing moment) brings.
Since the Grove (the house church I attended) has come to an end and Christams-related services with family have passed, I now have the task of searching for a new church set before me. It's daunting in a way, but exciting at the same time. I think I'll be trying Katherine Fossey's church this Sunday. I have one other church on my list of churches to try (Bridgeway), but I may need to do some research and see what other churches I should experience before "hanging my hat." But who knows, maybe I'll decide one of those first two is the place early on. Here's to finding an active fellowship that will encourage growth!
I am MASSIVELY pumped for what promises to be an epic semester of school. The stress will likely be high, but in mostly positive ways. I do believe I can handle it, but I'm sure it will be a unique experience, what with Regional ACTF, VOW (Valor, Outrage, and Woman), a small student film role, and a grad project that I couldn't possibly be more excited about! What's more is that I'll get to see a few productions I'm very curious about (Outsiders, Children's Hour, APO's Shakespeare Stripped), and a show that...well, I do hate that I won't be able to take part, but if it's half as good as it can be, then I'm gonna love finally watching "Our Town" live (been in it, directed it, read it, seen movies of it, but never seen a production I had nothing to do with.)
Speaking of my grad project, one of the reasons I am massively pumped is because the one and only Diana "Dynomite" Silver (that's probably not on her birth certificate, but it should be) has agreed to stage manage it for me! I'm trying to assemble what I'll call an "A-list" student crew, and even if I don't get anyone else I was hoping for, I'll feel I've accomplished my goal.
AND if any of you OCU students wish to work on my show, you will already be auditioning for it, since the auditions are now being done jointly with the Children's Hour/Our Town auditions. The other two shows will get casting priority (quite understandably), but if you are leaning toward wanting to be in my show (it's a post-modern comedy!), make sure your prepared piece is comedic and shows as many acting choices you can make as possible. And pursue those choices to the hilt! [End of shameless shilling.]

You know who kicks the most butt EVER?

You do. Yes- YOU.

But don't tell the other people who read this. They might get jealous.

In closing, my late Christmas gift to you all. And yes, this is by no means the first time I've posted this- it deserves repeated viewings.

I could use a good laugh...

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 16:30:13 GMT

A man entered the bus with both of his front pockets full of golf balls and sat down next to a beautiful blonde. The puzzled blonde kept looking at him and his bulging pockets. Finally, after many such glances from her, he said, "It's golf balls." Nevertheless, the blonde continued to look at him thoughtfully and finally, not being able to contain her curiosity any longer, asked, "Does it hurt as much as tennis elbow?"

I promise not to do this often.

Mon, 04 Dec 2006 03:51:05 GMT

I recall reading on someone else's xanga not long ago (Katherine? Diana? Can't put my finger on it) that their favorite emotion was laughter through tears.

I suppose I can see why. It's not my favorite (not sure if I have one), but the laughter helps you forget the other. I found myself laughing through tears earlier tonight.

A lot of you know I'm a part of a house church and have been since it started last spring. I've always spoken highly of it, because it has addressed so many of my concerns with the way churches are conducted these days. I loved it because it was simple, authentic, and missional (purposeful)- which is what it set out to be.

Well, tonight, my pastor (also a man I consider a dear friend) let our small gathering know that this particular house church has come to an end. He expressed that he did not regret this church, but he and his wife (essentially the leadership) had been praying, talking, and thinking about it and had decided it was the best thing to do. He asked us (the five of us) if we wanted to say anything. The response was unanimous: thank you.

We wanted him to know that we did not regret it either. I personally told him that I didn't want it to end, but saw this coming and knew it really was the right decision. I had the feeling that this was coming for a while, but particularly tonight. Maybe 30 seconds after I arrived, I heard his daughter say, "Did you tell them Dad?" He responded, "I will later." I knew right then.

We spent the service reading through and discussing the Christmas story, as told in Luke, chapter 2. We then sang old, familiar carols. And the whole time I found it difficult to look anyone in the eye. I knew what would happen if I did. The service was a sweet experience and very much needed in my case (as per usual), but that thought hung over me the whole time. Then he told us. And we responded.

And I cried. Man, I cried. It's not something I'm fond of doing in front of other people, but I couldn't help it. This church has meant more than most anyone can imagine, and it really hurts to see it end. Thankfully, the humor I appreciate from several members of my church (along with the post-service birthday party for our pastor's youngest daughter) soon had me laughing through the tears that wouldn't stop.

It's bittersweet, you know? I loved this church, and these people (what more or less makes the church what it is.) I'm still going to see these people (most, if not all. I hope all.) but I'm losing the worship experience I shared with these people. And that's the harsh part.

Hope this isn't too "emo", as the kids say (they say that, right?), but it's one of those rare moments when I need to get some relatively personal thoughts out.

I think losing a good church is about like losing any good love relationship. Sometimes inevitable or necessary, but it hurts all the same. I know I'll find another, but after having such a good one, it's not fun having to find another because I don't know how long it will take.

This doesn't shake my faith, it only makes me appreciate it more. But there's a time for mourning, all the same.

Much love everybody. Thanks for putting up with the long post. I'll try to be more entertaining next time.

Congratulations Terrorists!

Sun, 12 Nov 2006 00:55:49 GMT

- The above was written on a cake that Stephen Colbert presented Tuesday night on the "Midterm Midtacular" that the Daily Show and the Colbert Report put together. He first showed a cake that read "Congratulations Republicans", but then presented the other cake when he announced that the Democrats had officially taken control of the House of Represenatives. Hilarious.

- In related news, I really MUST be turning into a dirty hippie. When I double-checked my choices on Tuesday's ballot, I realized that I had voted entirely for Democrats.

- Last night I watched "The 40 Year Old Virgin." I expected to like it more than I did. There's was some great stuff in it, but it was brought down a lot by the overabundance of unnecessary nudity. Nudity has a place in film (look back at another film I watched recently for a strange- but good- example) but there was just way too much here, to say the least.

- JOHNNY CASH HAS A NEW VIDEO! WOO-HOO! It's for "God's Gonna Cut You Down" and features a wide array of musicians and actors simply paying tribute to Johnny and his message. Watch it. Be filled with goodness.

- Rest in peace, Jack Palance. Not many old grizzled dudes go to the Oscars and do push-ups, but he did.

- The "Submit Your Shorts" One-Act Play Festival happened Thursday and it went off with a big friggin' bang. Awesome attendance. Some fine work presented. Very well put-together by Katherine Fossey, Cassidy Elms, and Alpha Psi Omega in general. "At a Bus Stop", the play I directed, won the Audience Choice award and the Respondents Choice award and I'm very grateful for that, but I'm mostly happy that the show itself just went so well.

- I stand firm in my choice to remain registered as an independent, despite how I voted Tuesday. Donkeys are for canyon rides, and elephants are for circus rides. I don't know what animal represents me politically, but I do know it's non-rideable.

So here's a question: Let's all form a new political party together. What's our animal mascot going to be? (I still say it should be non-rideable, but I'll keep an open mind.)

Supplies!

Sat, 04 Nov 2006 08:14:31 GMT

Every good joke ends that way...except for the ones that end with "vanilla...arrrrgh." Moving on....

How's life been? Busy. Tiring. Sometimes painful. Sometimes exhausting. But constantly and consistently good.

I've been living a lesson in learning the difference between joy and happiness. I truly believe there is a distinct difference. Happiness is quite conditional. Joy is...alarmingly pervasive.

I'm quite thankful for this lesson. Plus, I've been pretty happy lately to boot. So...bonus.

~~~

I saw a good deal of LipSync (or however OCU has chosen to dub that event) tonight. Some scary stuff up there, with a few exceptions. A big tip of the hat to Michael Moore, Tyler Strickland, Larry Elisalde, and all the other fellas in DAX. I'm all for a good German dance party.

I followed that by heading to the picture-show with Andi Dema, a dapper young gentlemen who I share an odd humor-based bond with. We saw "Borat."

WOW. I'll leave it at that. Take it how you like.

~~~

Vote next Tuesday people. But only after you have researched the candidates and issues.

~~~

The week of my graduate project is basically set. The wheels are in motion. Dig it.

~~~

Maturity (and its increase) is a good thing. Be a man fellas (as opposed to a boy.)

~~~

Can't wait to meet my fifth niece/nephew when he/she's here. Maybe we'll go ride go-karts. Everybody likes those.

~~~

Every day I come closer to the realization that I'm an 80 year-old man in a 25 year-old man's body. I mean, c'mon...lactose intolerance? High blood pressure? Gout? I better start looking at some Florida real estate.

~~~

I'm playing with the notion of taking on a mostly vegetarian diet. Registered independent? Check. Longish hair? Check. Active member of a commune/cult-like church? Check. Nearly vegetarian? Check. When I grow up, I apparently wanna be a dirty hippie. However, I insist upon continuing my wacky habit of showering daily. I'm funny that way.

~~~

I've more or less given up pro wrestling as an interest. Feels odd after all these years, yet quite right.

~~~

Come to the "Submit Your Shorts" One Act Play Festival at OCU on Thursday, November 9th @ 7 pm. I directed one of the shows- At a Bus Stop by Quinn Gasaway (an OCU student, just like the other festival playwrights.) Quinn wrote an awesome script, I have a great cast, and they all make it look like I can direct my way out of a paper bag (though we all suspect otherwise, right?). It's in the Black Box of Love (Copyright Katherine Fossey?) at OCU. Tickets are $2 at the door. Word, son.

Also, come see The Odd Couple at Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College on Saturday, December 2nd @ 7 pm. Tickets are $6 at the door, and group rates are available. I directed this as well, and it has the potential to be the best play I've put together at Hillsdale so far. Slap mah fro.

That same weekend, come see My Three Angels at OCU. It runs Thursday, November 30th through Saturday, December 2nd @ 7 pm, and Sunday, December 3rd @ 2 pm. An understudy show will be presented that weekend as well (likely Saturday at 2.) It's in the Burg Theater at OCU and tickets range from $2-6...I think. I Assistant Directed this one. Lop some boogie.

~~~

In closing, here's another thought that's been running through my head:

Risk is good.

Omelettes and eggs, right?

And by the way...

Supplies!

Are You Watching Closely?

Fri, 27 Oct 2006 19:35:56 GMT

I had the good fortune of being able to see a free movie with several friends from OCU last night at the last minute.

We saw The Prestige.

Go see The Prestige.

No, seriously. Go see The Prestige.

For the love of- Why are you still reading this?!

Go see The Prestige!

You're Welcome.

Sat, 14 Oct 2006 06:05:07 GMT

Josh Sleep Now...

Tue, 10 Oct 2006 02:05:06 GMT

Well, Cosí is more or less done. It was a great experience that has pretty much consumed the beginning of my final year as a student. Now, I say "more or less" because there is a chance that it will be performed at least one more time since it was one of three shows nominated to advance to the regional level of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. So that's cool.

And it really has been a positive experience, start to finish. I wouldn't trade that cast, crew, or director for anyone in the world.

So now it's on to directing Quinn Gasaway's At a Bus Stop for OCU's 10 minute play festival. I need to meet with him, as well as Cassidy and the other director's to get my orginazation on, in order to be prepared for festival auditions this weekend. Should be more awesome stuff.

Plus, I gotta polish a monologue for a three-show audition on Tuesday and write a review of Cosí for Wednesday morning's class. I still have no idea how that's gonna turn out. How do you properly review a show you were in?

So now, my body is tired, my mind less so, and my spirit is doing well. Onward and upward.

I've been reading through the book of Numbers in the bible recently, and I'll leave you with a taste of it:

God bless you and keep you,

God smile on you and gift you,

God look you full in the face and make you prosper.

Amen.