March 7, 2008
An Online Art Exhibit and Talk - My Famous Flatmates - In catapult
The latest issue of catapult magazine is up and it is a good one. Well, that is somewhat of a self serving assertion, but not entirely.
I do have an article in the issue which presents an online version of my first photography exhibit and the transcript of the talk I gave at its opening. When viewing the first slide show, pause a second or two when each picture comes up if you would like to see its title.
I also have a photographic piece taken on a whim on Ash Wednesday as two of my flatmates came home from service. After getting their permisssion to use the photos, I told them they were going to be famous. Jonathan said, please, he has already appeared in a picture in Time magazine. Nice. Still, I think it is pretty cool.
Amidst other pieces in the issue, I specifically recommend to you a piece on Holy Week services which makes me hungry to participate this year.
And a piece on creative church bulletins, which is fascinating. Make sure to check out the slide show linked at the bottom of the article. There are some amazingly cool images. What an idea.
Finally, there is a fascinating article/interview with the Christian worship band Aradhna which fuses classical Indian worship music with western styles.
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December 29, 2007
A Christmas Reflection on an Extraordinary Life & Murree's First Christmas
My most recent article in Catapult is an important one to me as it is about my mother.
If you have read my blog or other essays, you may recognize bits and pieces of this article from those sources in this synthesis and retelling of a story that is central to me. This piece may not be my final work on this subject, but it is a significant one nonetheless.
Also in this issue is a picture of my brother and sister-in-law's new puppy, who is named after the town where I went to boarding school:
And, though I have not gotten a chance to read it, I commend the rest of the issue to you as well.
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December 14, 2007
Not So
New photo in Catapult. The new issue.
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November 30, 2007
New in Catapult
On Such a Winter's Day. And another beautiful image by someone else.
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November 4, 2007
New Photo in Catapult...
...here.
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October 19, 2007
New Catapult - Dressing Up
A new issue of Catapult magazine is out, bursting at the seams (Pun Entirely Intented) with interesting articles. Can I just tell you how much I wanted to write an article for this issue on "Dressing Up?" In fact, two Sundays ago, I had a collection of lines and concepts I wanted to write about all jostling for attention. Sadly, I knew that I really could not choose to become "with article," as generally when I am writing one I will work on little else until it is done. Sigh.
At any rate, I am rather comforted by the fine selection of articles that the issue has, some covering some of the same ground I would have done. First, Kirstin Vander Giessen-Reitsma's editiorial, thoughtfully well written as always, considers the gains and losses of our culture of casualness.
If it’s merely brand snobbery that we’re abandoning in a more casual culture, that’s no great loss. But I don’t feel a sense of sadness on account of missed opportunities to show off expensive clothing or flaunt beauty competitively. In fact, I think part of the problem is that people in the U.S. and Canada are generally too wealthy; we’ve lost our sense of dressing up for a special occasion. Why take the time to make an elegant dress for summer weddings when one can just throw on one of several dresses from the Old Navy clearance rack? We’re so overwhelmed with stuff that we can’t conceptualize bringing out the same special outfit year after year for Christmas Eve. Instant pop cultural Halloween costumes are widely available and so inexpensive that it’s not worth the time to create something from scratch. And suits and ties have come to represent tailored prisons, as opposed to a gesture of respect and celebration.
In the communal article "Dressed Up Memories," Jeremy Huggins and Dennis Haack have wonderful reflections. I also enjoyed "Dressing Up" and "The secret lives of dresses, Vol. 1," a story told by a dress.
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October 5, 2007
Catapult Magazine - New City Edition
Not really, but kind of. Well, it has been a while since I posted a Catapult notice. That has something to do with the busy-ness of starting a Masters of Divintiy program and something to do with being in a bit of a creative lull, particularly when it comes to writing non-fiction pieces. Nonetheless, I am very excited about the current issue of Catapult as it has three pieces by folks from my church with contributions from 5 separate authors.
Be sure to check out Jill Blanche's lovely reflection on football and fall in small town Iowa.
I share a haiku piece with three of my friends from church which arose from the haiku contest held on on this blog. Heidi Harbin provided a lovely illustration for the piece.
I have a photo in the issue of which I am particularly proud, even though it is a bit macabre, and simply involved being at the right place at the right time.
I have not read all the articles in the issue, but there is a good article on funerals in Egypt, which reminded me about how Pakistani's grieve (some of which I find more helpful and some less helpful than American practice) and a simple but poignant reflection on the death of a pet and another on buying apples and caring for a neighbor.
Finally, I have had some photographs in Catapult which I have not consistently highlighted on the blog as many of them appeared here first. Check out the second part of my contributor page if interested.
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June 29, 2007
Suffering and Love
I highly recommend to you the article and photos of my friend Courtney, which are in the the latest edition of Catapult. Courtney is an amazing photographer, a fact which combined with her compassionate heart for the destitute and suffering makes for a powerful combination that illustrates the brokeness of the world and the manifestation God's love. Courney writes:
"Mother Theresa said that "we can do no great things, only small things with great love" and that is so much of what my experience in Calcutta was. I didn't do anything great. I simply loved as best as I could, and hope that God used that and will continue to use me in the future. Isn't that what he wants of us all? To love Him with all of our hearts, and to love our neighbors as ourselves."
Be sure to check out the rest of Courtney's article as well as the slide show of her pictures.
Indeed, I commend to you all the articles in this issue on sickness, especially Dr. Stan's, which is a thoughtful reflection on the Eucharist and Psalm 103; Ryan's, which reminds me a great deal of the surgeries and struggles my own niece has had to undergo; and Allison's, which is a beautifully written piece, full of wisdom, which is surprising from someone who has just graduated college. Here is an excerpt:
"This is the other part of the story. We suffer, and the world suffers, and we hear its groaning along with our own groaning: the beeps of IV machines, the smell of the cancer ward, the slow fracture of friendships, the reports of famine, the suffering that marks our living in the not-yetness of the Kingdom of God. Suffering marks our identities, and it also marks our calling as disciples. It is in weeping with those who weep, mourning with those who mourn, that we hear the brokenness of the Gospel, the brokenness of Christ's own body, the brokenness that brings us life. It is in the taking up the suffering of others that we know ourselves to be the people of God, called to minister to our neighbors lying in the ditch, unheard, unnoticed, silenced. Before we can speak and act, we have to listen to the groaning, we have to recognize that suffering exists, we have to encounter suffering for what it is in order to hope, to heal, to rejoice and return home. Let us take up that rejoicing in the not-yetness of the kingdom. Let us speak the truth about the world around us. Let us allow ourselves to speak the truth about our suffering world, our suffering selves, our suffering-and-ascended Lord. Let us tell the whole story, and in that telling, may we yearn for the true freedom of the children of God—freedom to tell the truth, freedom to listen, freedom to embrace shalom."
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June 15, 2007
Something There is That Doesn't Love a Wall-A Photo in Catapult
Part of me wanted to not create my customary post about having a photo published in Catapult. However, that would rather have gone against the spirit of the issue [Deleted for Inappropriate Subject Matter]. Indeed, I believe the subject matter of the three main articles, sexuality, should not be deleted, but rather needs to be discussed more. I appreciate many of the questions that Barbara Zielinski brings up in her feature article and even some of her framing of the topic, yet I must add that I do not agree with her central premise. I do commend to you Kirstin Vander Giessen-Reitsma's fine editorial on our cultural poverty in the area of conversing with strangers and overcoming the taboo of breaking the silence in public.
I do also have a picture in the issue, picturing a word that, coincidently, pretty well captures the issue's theme.
You are invited to discuss these issues on the Catapult web site, and we can certainly have a smaller discussion here as well, if you like.
Here is my previous work in the magazine.
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May 18, 2007
Behold, the Lowly Dandelion!
The current issue of Catapult is entitled "Your Own Back Yard" and has articles and pictures and music about that little piece of ground that has the potential to connect us back to Eden.
Here is my contribution to the issue. Here are my past contributions to Catapult.
I also recommend Kirstin Vander Giessen-Reitsma's wonderfully evocative article and photos of time spent in various different types of yard thoroughout her life. And, though I have not read it as yet, there is also an article on composting.
Finally, there is a quirky, Joy Electric style musical piece about imagination set free in the back yard. I like the song, but, like the big donut thingy I got from Quik Trip this morning, I only like this style of music in fairly small doses, or I am liable to get a Sugar Rush.
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March 23, 2007
Reason #47,228 why we wear pastels on Easter
I have several photos in the latest issue of Catapult which celebrate some symbols of Easter. They are under the Gallery section.
Along with the entire issue, I also recommend to you Kirstin Vander Giessen-Reitsma's reflection on the goodness of the body and matter.
and Nathan Birma's reflections on the role of the Psalms in Holy Week.
and Katie Houston's reflection on a spouse's suicide.
And, stay tuned on Monday for further pictures from this last roll of digital film which has more flowers and buds.
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March 9, 2007
Returning to the Why of Music-An Article in Catapult
Well, this is my first article in Catapult for 2007. It was a bit of an intimidating one to write as I am neither an expert on music in general or Contemporary Christian Music specifically. However, couching something as a personal reflection covers a multitude of sins.
Having somewhat grown up in and somewhat chosen a fairly restrictive cultural environment whilst growing up, I find I am often catching up with with "conversations" that have been going on for long periods of time, whether this be in literature or music or art. This article details my catching up in the area of music. Re-reading it myself, half of me wishes I would have name-dropped some more of the musicians I am currently listening to, so as not to give the appearance of still being quite so parochial and unsophisticated. Ah, but I suppose it is just as well to stay out of the hipness game, because there will always be someone who is hipper than thou.
For at least one decidedly more sophisticated take on music and faith (check out Grant Elgersma article on rock) and some exciting new music being featured at Calvin College's Festival of Faith and Music this year, check out the entire current issue.
If you happen to be here from there, take off your shoes and stay a while.
Oh, and here are Youtube videos for the two songs that bookend my article:
S.O.S
Yellow
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December 15, 2006
Book Review of The Children of Men and a Poem and Photo--In catapult
This issue of catapult is related to the incarnation and the importance of our bodies.
It includes an article describing some truly postmodern, yet not irreverend, takes on manger scenes.
And a wonderful article on learning the value and uses of touch.
My article is a book review of The Children of Men which is soon to be made into a movie. I would encourage you to read the book, though, as the movie looks to be reconfigured quite a bit and I am unsure as to how much of the Christian worldview expressed in the book will survive in the movie. Still, watch the movie too as it looks to be a good one. For a good review of that, check Jeffrey Overstreet's blog some time after Christmas. Check it now if you want to get in on a thoughtful Christian examining the movies.
I also have an advent poem in this issue which is older and a bit archaic, but which I still like. And there is a photo from the previous issue of catapult taken on a wet and windy night, which first appeared on this blog.
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November 17, 2006
A Joy-filled Article to Write About Desserts and Fruitcake-Yes I Said Fruitcake!
This is my first full-fledged article in Catapult since the one that was difficult to write and publish. This one was a joy to write, after intitially thinking that I really did not have anything to write about for the Just Desserts issue. Yes, it discusses fruitcake, which admitting that you like is a little like telling people that you are a librarian. They smile and think of their favorite joke. This article is about more than that, however, and I think you may like it.
My roomate, Lloyd, and I also conspired to take a photo entitled Apple Pie Without the Cheese is Like a Kiss Without a Squeeze a phrase my mother would say. After the experience of taking this picture, I am considering a career change to become a tie model. That was "tie model," not "pie model," though that might be good work if one could get it.
There are also other fine articles in this issue, including a eye opening one about the horrors of white sugar and flour, both health-wise and historically speaking.
Finally, if you have missed my earlier work in Catapult, it can be found here.
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October 20, 2006
Article in Catapult and a Walkabout Pit Stop
This is what I consider to be my best poem. It is coupled with a reflection and an image in Catapult.
__________________________
And let me use this Walkabout pit stop simply to reverberate ESPN.com's headline from late last night and say "Hell Yadier!"
*I'm not a big proponent of using this phrase in real life, though beyond my upbringing I am not sure why, unless it is this. I sure do like making puns using it, though, visual or otherwise.
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October 6, 2006
A Photograph in Catapult-The Trifecta is Complete! -There's That Word Again
I began publishing articles in Catapult last December, which I have thoroughly enjoyed, both writing them and dialoging about them with some of you. In the spring I achieved the goal of having my first poem published in Catapult. And now a photograph. The only thing that remains, to "hit for the cycle" so to speak, is to write a review. Stay tuned. Hopefully there will be one by year's end. And, then, my delightfully surprising literary year will have a nice bow on it.
*Here is the link to my photo in the Death, Dying, the Dead issue.
*Here is the link to my previous submissions.
*Also, my friend Rachel has published a beautiful reflection of her grandparents role in her life:
*Finally, many of the articles in this issue are very fine, including the editorial about the recent shootings in the Amish community, "Deep, Dark Hope," and the graffiti modification piece "Guns to Flowers.":
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