Photos: Bookshelves

I'm looking for furniture for my apartment. And I really like bookcases. Would anyone like to build something creative for me, on the cheap? Here's some interesting ones (I didn't save the urls where I found these, sorry):

Microsoft Courier

This is a cool gadget in the line of the iPad.

Blogging From Kenya: Shaun Groves

I've been enjoying reading Shaun Groves' blog lately. He's been posting from his trip to Kenya.

Shaun, known for the music he writes and performs, has been a full time ambassador for Compassion. So far he has led several trips with for Compassion; leading teams comprised of bloggers.

I have two goals with my blog.

#1 Entertain myself.

#2 Go on a trip with Shaun.

Check out Shaun's blog here: http://shaungroves.com/.

Academy Awards 2010

Okay, here are my predictions for this year. Generally I just care about the major categories, but I've gone ahead and made predictions for each award.

Best Picture

Avatar

The Blind Side

District 9

An Education

The Hurt Locker

Inglourious Basterds

Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire

A Serious Man

Up

Up in the Air.

I actually saw everyone of these films. All were really good.

My favorite: Inglourious Basterds

My prediction: The Hurt Locker

Best Actor in a Leading Role

Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart)

George Clooney (Up in the Air)

Colin Firth (A Single Man)

Morgan Freeman (Invictus)

Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker)

I only saw Up in the Air, Invictus and The Hurt Locker. I've heard alot about Jeff Bridges' role and that he's the front runner. The Academy seems to like giving actors their due. Recently I scrolled through Bridges' IMBD page - he is due.

My favorite: George Clooney

My prediction: Jeff Bridges

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side)

Helen Mirren (The Last Station)

Carey Mulligan (An Education)

Gabourey Sidibe (Precious)

Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia)

I saw each of these films except The Last Station. This is a tough category, much more than the men. Bullock had a strong role, Mulligan was really good, and Sidibe broke my heart. But Streep became Julia Childs.

My favorite: Meryl Streep

My prediction: Meryl Streep

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Matt Damon (Invictus)

Woody Harrelson (The Messenger)

Christopher Plummer (The Last Station)

Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones)

Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds)

I only saw Invictus, The Lovely Bones and Inglourious Basterds. Stanley Tucci had an amazing performance and I've heard Woody Harrelson is great in The Messenger, but Christoph Waltz was ridiculous.

My favorite: Christoph Waltz

My prediction: Christoph Waltz

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Penelope Cruz (Nine)

Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air)

Maggie Gyllenhaal (Crazy Heart)

Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air)

Mo'Nique (Precious)

Again, the ladies had some strong roles this year. Definitely the year for the ladies. I didn't see Crazy Heart but I did see the other four performances. Farmiga and Kendrick were great but would split their votes. Cruz is smoking in Nine. However, I'd have to say that Mo'Nique takes this statue. She stirs up both holy anger and breaks your heart.

My favorite: Mo'Nique

My prediction: Mo'Nique

Animated Feature Film

Coraline

Fantastic Mr. Fox

The Princess and the Frog

The Secret of Kells

Up

I only saw Up, so...

My favorite: Up

My prediction: Up

Art Direction

Avatar

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Nine

Sherlock Holmes

The Young Victoria

I only saw Avatar, Nine and Sherlock Holmes.

My favorite: Nine

My prediction: Avatar

Cinematography

Avatar

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

The Hurt Locker

Inglourious Basterds

The White Ribbon (Das Weisse Band)

I saw all except The White Rabbit.

My favorite: Avatar

My prediction: Avatar

Costume Design

Bright Star

Coco Before Chanel

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Nine

The Young Victoria

I only saw Nine, so...

My favorite: Nine

My prediction: Nine

Directing

James Cameron (Avatar)

Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker)

Quentin Tarantino (Inglourious Basterds)

Lee Daniels (Precious)

Jason Reitman (Up in the Air)

I saw all of these. Taking into account that the Oscars like breaking social barriers and no woman has ever won this award and Daniels is the first African American to be nominated - this becomes a difficult category.

My favorite: Quentin Tarantino

My prediction: James Cameron

Documentary Feature

Burma VJ

The Cove

Food, Inc

The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers

Which Way Home

I didn't see any of these, so this is just a guess.

My prediction: Food, Inc

Documentary Short

China's Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province

The Last Campaign of Governor Boooth Gardner

The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant

Music by Prudence

Rabbit a la Berlin

I didn't see any of these, so this is just a guess.

My Prediction: The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant

Film Editing

Avatar

District 9

The Hurt Locker

Inglourious Basterds

Precious

I have a feeling Avatar will clean up in the technical categories.

My prediction: Avatar

Foreign Language Film

Ajami

The Milk of Sorrow (La Teta Asustada)

A Prophet (Un Prophete)

The Secret in Their Eyes (El Secreto de Sus Ojos)

The White Ribbon (Das Weisse Band)

Has anyone seen any of these films? I haven't. So I'm just guessing here.

My prediction: The White Ribbon

Makeup

Il Divo

Star Trek

The Young Victoria

Yay! A reason for Star Trek to win an award.

My prediction: Star Trek

Music (Original Score)

Avatar

Fantastic Mr. Fox

The Hurt Locker

Sherlock Holmes

Up

Can't honestly say that I remember any of these.

My prediction: Avatar

Music (Original Song)

"Almost There" (The Princess and the Frog)

"Down in New Orleans" (The Princess and the Frog)

"Loin de Paname" (Paris 36)

"Take It All" (Nine)

"The Weary Kind" (Crazy Heart)

I only saw Nine. And that movie was stuck in my head for weeks, and not just all the pretty women in it.

My prediction: "Take It All" (Nine)

Short Film (Animated)

French Roast

Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty

The Lady and the Reaper (La Dama y la Muerte)

Logorama

A Matter of Loaf and Death

I have only seen Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty, so that'll be my pick.

My prediction: Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty

Short Film (Live Action)

The Door

Instead of Abracadabra

Kavi

Miracle Fish

The New Tenants

I have no clue. But abracadabra is fun to say, so...

My prediction: Instead of Abracadabra

Sound Editing

Avatar

The Hurt Locker

Inglourious Basterds

Star Trek

Up

My Prediction: Avatar

Sound Mixing

Avatar

The Hurt Locker

Inglourious Basterds

Star Trek

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

My Prediction: Avatar

Visual Effects

Avatar

District 9

Star Trek

My prediction: Avatar

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

District 9

An Education

In the Loop

Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire

Up in the Air

My favorite: Up in the Air

My prediction: Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire

Writing (Original Screenplay)

The Hurt Locker

Inglourious Basterds

The Messenger

A Serious Man

Up

My favorite: Inglourious Basterds

My prediction: Inglourious Basterds

What about you?

2 Vampires, ah ah ah

This is the the vampire movie I want to see; watching The Count beat the crap out of that sappy flash in the pan.
(via)

Photo: Great Advertising

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Video: This To Shall Pass (OK GO)

Great Video. I always love these kind of chain reaction contraptions.

Self Doubt

I preached this past weekend.
I knew the text really well. Really well. I did the study work. Probably too much studying.
But I never felt comfortable with the message. I didn't have any real creativity when framing the message. I didn't have any really strong personal stories, which I love sharing in sermons. I didn't have a great closing line, which I like to have. And worst of all I tried something I normally wouldn't.
It was also my first time preaching in front of this crowd. Which only enhanced my yo-yo like self-esteem. Standing on a stage or in the center of a crowd rattles my nerves, even on a normal day; all those eyes staring at me, judging me, criticizing me.
The end result?
Actually I got some great responses from people.
God can do wonders with our crap. (Suddenly I'm thinking about Ezekiel 4).

Nevertheless, what I the image I had in my head was nowhere close to what I saw on Sunday morning. And I'm my own worst critic, especially when I know I can do better.

So all day Sunday I was feeling really down; like a complete failure.
Even some afternoon frisbee golf or an afternoon nap couldn't pull me out of short depression.
Thankfully I got to hang out with the high school students Sunday evening. That's where I feel comfortable in life.

Lessons learned.
Next time I'll "dominate" the sermon.

Photos: Realistic Paintings

Check out the following pieces of artwork, they're amazing. There is 15 images from 4 different artist. I've included their links in case you want to see some more of their work.

Glennray Tutor
Sarah Graham

Charles Bell

Doug Bloodworth

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Photos: Pencil Drawing

Check out these drawings by an artist named Paul Lung. These are some amazingly realistic pictures created with a 0.5mm techincal pencil. Some of these works can take up to 60 hours to complete.

via

Video: The Karate Kid

I thought they were goint to rename the film The Kung Fu Kid, since Jackie Chan's character teaches him kung fu (in real life Chan knows kung fu not karate). And while I don't think a remake was needed, and the original is still incredible, I hate to admit that this movie looks pretty good. The name change would have probably helped me get over the fact that someone felt a remake was needed.
Watch the preview. Notice at the end when Chan is trying to catch a fly with chopsticks, a la Mr. Miyagi, that Joe Esposito's You're The Best Around is playing in the background...awesome!

Questioning Jesus

True North Church, where I serve, is working through a series entitled Questioning Jesus*. Essentially Jon, the pastor I serve with, was curious one day about how many, and what type of questions Jesus asked in the gospels.
So we took his list and decided to lead the church through some of the questions.
What I've found interesting, is that each question opens up hundreds of questions within me. Questions for Jesus. Questions for the author of the text. Questions for the disciples or the ones who respond to Jesus' question/s.

So, this coming Sunday I will exploring with the church the question Jesus asks the Twelve after the crowds and larger circle of disciples leave in response to the Bread of Life Discourse (John 6); "Are you also going to leave?"

Here are some of my questions as I try to map out the ebb and flow of the message:
- with what tone did Jesus ask this questions? was it a pity-filled, whoa-is-me, everyone left me kinda question? was it an angry how-dare-they-leave-me question daring the final twelve to leave too? or some other tone?
- what does it mean to "eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood" by which Jesus say we have eternal life?
- what does it mean that John's would include this conversation, which the other gospels ignore, yet exclude any Eucharist presentation in the four chapters dedicated to the last supper; & what does it mean that John excludes Peter's great confession, and does the confession to Jesus' question in John 6:67 compare?
- what specifically seperates the Twelve from the disciples that left? both groups saw the feeding of the 5000; i assume only the twelve were on the boat and saw Jesus walk on water and calm the sea. Is that why Peter answers the way he does?
- why does Judas remain with Jesus at this point? surely he could have snuck out at this time.
- how do I interact with this text and this question?

I'd love to hear any of your thoughts and questions.

* I like the tension in this title that suggests maybe we are the ones questioning Jesus, only to realize that Jesus had some questions of us.

Telephone Prophet

A few weeks back I was making all the necessary phone calls that come with moving into a new place. The electric company. The water company. And most importantly the cable company.

A gentleman named Greg answered. What followed is perhaps one of the greatest conversations I have ever had. Here is that conversation*:

Greg: "Time Warner Company, how can I help you?"

Me: "Hi, how are you today?"

Greg: "I'm good thank you, how are you?"

Me: "Great."

Greg: "How can I help you today?"

Me: "I need some internet and cable."

Greg: "Were you interested in the bundle which includes phone, cable and internet?"

Me: "Who has a home phone these days?"

Greg lays out the details and ask for my all my information. While he waits for me to gather my new NC bank account info Greg attempts some small talk.

Greg: "So what do you do in North Carolina?"

Me: "I just joined a church in the Raleigh area as a youth pastor?"

Greg: "Oh that's great. I'm a pastor here in Atlanta at the Almighty God is our Rock and Holy Everlasting Father and Redeemer Church**"

Me: "Outstanding."

This is where the conversations goes askew.

Greg: "Are you married?"

Me: "Nope."

Greg: "Um"

Pause

Greg: "Do you believe in prophecy?"

Pause

Me: "Um."

Pause

Me: "Sure. Uh-h. I don't have that gift, but I certainly wouldn't deny that God uses prophecy."

Greg: "Well Trevor are you ready to be prophesied over?"

I was really ready for some cable, Lost started that week, but who wouldn't want to see where this was going?

Me: "Um. Sure."

Greg: "March 5th.

Me: "March 5th?"

Greg: "March 5th. On March 5th you will know the woman you will marry."

Me: "March 5th"

Greg: "Yes March 5th. Also on March 5th you'll meet the people who will publish your books"

Suddenly I was worried that I had to write a book by March 5th.

Me: "Wow"

Greg: "Do you write? Have you thought about writing books?"

Me: "Um. I've written a few things."

Like school papers, e-mails, and stuff on this blog.

Greg: "Now this may not all happen on March 5th, but you'll know the person that will eventually lead to this end."

Me: "Okay. I better circle that date on my calendar.

In my head I'm wondering how this man is not getting chewed out, or that he was going to get chewed out, because the previous recording informed me that this phone call could be recorded for quality control.

Greg: "And don't just take my word for it. You need to read 1 Corinthians and see that I am approved. Double check with what God's Word says so that you can know what's true."

Me: "Okay".

Greg: "Um. Can you hold on for a minute?"

Me: "Sure."

Then Greg was gone for about a minute. I was certain that some supervisor was reaming him out, because despite the brief dialogue I've shared above it had to be at least 10 minutes of prophesying. The Greg came back on the phone.

Greg: "Did you want the bundle today Mr. Harrison?"

Me: "Um. No, just the cable and internet."

Greg went on to finish the process of getting me my service without once mentioning this prophecy. Nevertheless as we finished up I said thank you to him, and reiterated that I would be circling March 5th on my calendar.

I've been trying to make a list of places to avoid and places to hang out, you know, so that I can influence this prophecy. Because if I can narrow the pool of women I know on March 5th to women who are rich and beautiful, well, good for me.

Avoid: Wal-Mart, daycare schools

Hang Out: country clubs, beauty pageants

What places would you add to these list?

* As best as I can remember the conversation. I'm sure I'm embellishing bits and pieces, but for the most part what you read is the gist of the conversation.

** I can't remember the name of his church, but there was a lot of words in it's title.

Learning to Cope

I don't particularly have any stress right now. But I'm ready for when I do.

Toy Story 3-D

Who else is looking forward to this movie?
Toy Story is still my favorite Pixar movie.

Toy Story 3 Trailer 2 in HD

Trailer Park Movies MySpace Video

Actors & Directors

Vanity Fair published Annie Leibovitz's recent photo shoot with directors and their actors from 11 of this past year's most compelling movies. I really enjoy these type of photo series. Here are the photos:

Pedro Almodovar & Penelope Cruz

Broken Embraces

Kathryn Bigelow & Jeremy Renner
The Hurt Locker
Scott Cooper & Jeff Bridges
Crazy Heart

Lee Daniels, Mo 'Nique & Gabourey Sidibe

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

Nora Ephron & Meryl Streep

Julie & Julia

Tom Ford, Colin Firth & Julianne Moore

A Single Man

Peter Jackson & Saoirse Ronan

The Lovely Bones

James Cameron with his Fusion 3-D camera

Avatar

Todd Philips, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms & Bradley Cooper

The Hangover

Lone Scherfig & Carey Mulligan

An Education

Quentin Tarantino & Christoph Waltz

Inglorious Basterds

Kenya Recap #3

Before leaving for Kenya I tried to intentionally not do much research or investigating of the history, terrain, politics, or culture. I wanted to go without any opinions and try and let Kenya speak for itself.
Having grown up a military brat and had the fortune of traveling to numerous locations outside the United States I've come to appreciate that not everyone lives like me, or looks like me, or thinks like me, or should become like me.
So as we traveled around and saw homes that we wouldn't even consider living in here I didn't think it a horrible thing. It might be altogether easier to maintain and appreciate a home not so large.
Seeing people just sitting on the side of the road, or walking down the road, doing apparently nothing in the middle of the day, although seemingly unproductive, did not really bother me. It might actually be a comfortable pace at life.
Nor did the awful roads, that made almost all travel in Kenya difficult, seem to stir some emotions in me.
Obviously the health care in Kenya needs work.
As well as the school systems; every child should have the right to an education. Knowing that some children's families couldn't afford to send their child to a school or had to keep their children home during certain times of the harvest was kind of a struggle.
Yes, there are some major hurdles in Kenya that need to dealt with as the nation continues to evolve as a developing country. But I understand that takes time. In no way did those challenges make me pity Kenyans.
Only the lack of healthy drinking water frustrated me and angered me.

The two photos above were taken with my arm hanging out the window. The dirt road and small bridge you see in the second photos may be the best stretch of road we experienced through the four/five hour drive through the Kerio Valley.

Several times throughout the drive we would pass a bridge like this, usually though there were several driving obstacles as we crossed over, including rocks, logs, potholes and divets. Sometimes we had to navigate through a herd of cattle or goats. Occasionally we would slow down for the Kenyan walking down the road, or doing their laundry in the water to get out of the way.
Just in case you didn't get that; cattle, laundry and bathing were frequent activites in the same water, that would be gathered by children and women in old buckets, and boiled for the daily water rations.

One of the Kenya missionaries we met was Samuel "Kep" Elolia. Kip, who was born in the valley, is considered a hero among the villages in the valley, largely, because he made it out. Today Kip serves both the churches in the valley with his leadership and at Emmanuel School of Religion in Tennessee.
After a water filtration system was installed at one of the villages, Kip was teaching the people about the importance of clean healthy drinking water. According to Kip's story, one man took a sip and quickly spit back out the water in disgust. He then poured out all the filtered water from the bottle and walked down to the creek, brown from the clay soil, and proceeded to fill the bottle up. Taking a sip again, the man expressed that this was the water he enjoyed.

I understand that even in some countries on our continent it's unwise to drink the water from a facet. But certainly I've never seen someone from our boarding nations pour out clean water and replace it with dirty ditch water. Nobody should live like that.

Even in Nairobi, the capital city and possible the most developed city in Kenya, on occasion we saw Kenya gathering water from the ditch along a main road. That's just not right.

Hopefully this isn't news to anyone in America. It seems lately that the injustice and inequalities in our world are being exposed and addressed, even by common like me and you. And I'm grateful that the church has stepped up to help address this problem, not only in Africa, but where ever we see it.
I'd like to be a part of that solution.

I don't think there should be any place in the world, where the healthiest beverage choice is a Coca-Cola.

That's my biggest concern and frustration. Have you been to Kenya/Africa? What's your greatest concern?