Brandon's Blog

Random Links - A Little Bit o' Serious, A Little Bit o' Fun

• I'm with Shane Claiborne in saying, "ENOUGH!"
• I continue to be impressed with our president-elect . . .
• Arcade Fire have released a film that looks to be a documentary on the recording of their last album, Neon Bible.  I'm looking forward to getting a digital download version of it.

And here are a few links in the "TOTAL waste of time" category that are, nonetheless, rather entertaining.

• If you've always wondered what it would be like to work in cartoon animation, whether you're even very creative or not, GoAnimate has made it really easy. And a TONNE of fun.
• LineRider have done something similar but connected it with videogaming.  
• ElfYourself 2008 has a bit of an upgrade from last year.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

More Opportunity to Lighten Up - AND Get Out to Vote

The following video is not an endorsement of any particular presidential candidate by the author of this blog.  It's merely a good laugh.  I find serious flaws in both candidates and will be proudly casting my vote for Jared Fogle as the next President of the United States of North America.



HT: Phil

A Post to Help Us All Loosen Up During This Election Season

Just a couple of "funnies" I've come across recently.

First of all, I just can't get enough of The Onion.  If you use iTunes, I highly recommend subscribing to The Onion video podcast.  Especially since we (as in, Americans) start to fall into the trap of taking ourselves far too seriously in the run up to a big election.

Harps with Whammy Bars

Very cool interaction between Catholic funny man, Stephen Colbert, and Anglican theologian, N.T. Wright.  I just ordered a few of Wright's books (but not the one on his theology of heaven) and I'm really looking forward to jumping in.  (Never thought I'd put up a blog post that could fall in both the "theology" category AND the "funny" category.)

The Toddler Miracle Diet (something to look forward to)

Kristy has done a great job of finding books and other resources to help us move from 'total parenting ignorance' to 'mostly parenting ignorance.'  Often, these resources do a wonderful job of capturing the comedy that often seems so inherent in the whole parenting sphere.  Once such book spells out 'The Toddler Miracle Diet.'  As Kristy read it to me, I only got parts of it due to the laughter that overtook her and kept her from being very coherent.  I'll just give you a few of the highlights:

Random Links (From Caitlyn Time)

The following are some links that I've come across during those times when I'm holding Caitlyn and have only one hand available to do anything with after she falls asleep in my arms.   

10 Things Christians and Atheists Can - and MUST - Agree On - Very funny.  Very common-sensical.  (Can I say that?)  And methinks Christ-followers could afford to recognize and value the posture of this article.

The Myth of the American Evangelical Crack Up - I resonate with much of what is said in this interesting article about the younger generation of "evangelical" voters in America (though I hesitate to use that label for myself these days). 

Paste's Top Albums of 2007 - This time of year, I always enjoy these kinds of lists to see what albums I have that are in the list and what albums I need to look into that I may have missed.

Brian McLaren Chats with Alan Roxburgh - Some great thoughts here on reactionism, social history, and domination.  Always good to be a fly on the wall for these kinds of great conversations between deep thinkers.  The last 4 or 5 minutes are a little less compelling, but an encouraging dialogue nonetheless.

Cologne Art Collective, Lichtfaktor - Very cool stuff.  Have a look at the video below for a short they did for SkyMovies.

Everybody Must Get Elfed

The Wellcome family is moving into the Christmas season.  CLICK HERE for more!

(HT: Kristen A.)

Dublin School Demolition

Thanks to Becky for this hilarious clip.  There's no way this is an 8 year old girl.  More likely a radio DJ.  As soon as you recover from your laughing fit, let me know what you think.  Could this really be a little girl?

Ricky Gervais Kenya Appeal

I'd call this a "social justice/comedy mashup." Hilarious stuff.  However, you probably have to be British or Irish (or at least live in the UK or Ireland) to really appreciate the celebrity weight behind this little sketch.  (For example, Jamie Oliver is the 3rd bloke who shows up with the onion rings.  Most Americans probably won't know who he is.) American friends, let me know if you need some translation to American English.  And apologies for a few f-bombs from Mr. Geldof.  Can't blame him for staying in character, especially since he plays, well . . . himself.  =)

HT: Devon Whittle

Random Link Dump

• To my American friends and family: Be very afraid of the FCC's love affair with big business (Actually, be afraid any time government is wooed by big business.  I guess that's called "lobbying.")  And CLICK HERE to learn how you can be a part of localizing media.

• Internet Radio has won a small victory in the fight to stay online without debilitating royalties.  CLICK HERE to learn more and take action.

• Bloggers are taking action on behalf of the crisis in Darfur.  Just this week I found THIS BLOG (HT: Stephanie) and The Coalition for Darfur blog.

• Yesterday, Australian church leader, Andrew Hamilton, had some really encouraging things to say about pioneering Kingdom movements.  Sometimes it's rather lonely "outside the saucer."  (CLICK HERE to see what Forge is all about.)

• If you're planning on visiting Dublin sometime in the near future, I've posted a couple of restaurant resources on my "Dublin Expat Experience" blog.  DublinBlog.ie also has a Gourmet Club feature where they review restaurants.

• Next week, Kristy and I have plans to go see funny man David O'Doherty for free at Dublin's famed International bar.  He'll be there every evening from 6.30 to try out new material for Edinburgh's Fringe Festival.  I was first introduced to David when I saw THIS RTE SHOW several weeks back.  I almost wet myself laughing.  Check out the YouTube clip of him below.