004 | Loco Motion

For some time now, I've been eager to voice my opinion on the topic of motion controls. And I have to say... I really don't think it's going anywhere, at least not as far as hardcore gaming is concerned. Yes, it's been a big hit with the casual market, but we have to face it --- that's not what keeps the industry alive. People who play games in spits and spurts just aren't as willing to shell out the big bucks the same way people who perceive their hobby as a way of life are.

And the fact of the matter is... hardcore gamers just aren't digging it. Everytime I talk to someone who plays as much as I do, I get the same response: motion controls don't get the job done. In the words of Andy McNamara (editor-in-chief at Game Informer Magazine): "You move like a Frankenstein monster, not the master ninja gamers want to become".

It's not that motion controls can't be fun. On the contrary, I've had many a good time playing well-developed games for the Wii. But if I had to choose between that and the experience I have with a good old 360 controller --- well, no competition.

And frankly, the fact that both Microsoft and Sony are both about to release their own spin on the Wii Remote is a little unnerving. I suppose it's understandable... After all, this is the period of experimentation. We're all aching to find out what can be done with this new form of technology. Many of us believe that these are the first steps toward creating a completely immersive game experience (virtual reality, anyone?). And hopefully, Microsoft and Sony have the same vision. Because if they're primary goal is to make this means-to-an-end their next big thing... well, I just hope I'm not underneath it when the bottom falls out.

003 | Can I Say...?

As most of my friends already know, I've had an extremely difficult time finding a church where I really feel comfortable being myself. The last two years have seen me hop from service to service, looking for a place in which I can connect with God, others, myself, and creation without sensing that I might be unwelcome due to my progressive outlook on the Christian faith (or worse, due to my sexuality).

And I'm not alone in my search. That's why from Fall of 2008 to Fall of 2009, a close-knit group of friends and I conducted a series of gatherings that gave all who decided to join us a chance to ask the questions they had always wanted to ask but felt they couldn't and to be accepted, no matter who they were. In short, we created the environment we had been longing for but that the churches in our area didn't seem to be offering.

Unfortunately, it wasn't long before things like school and work began to get in the way for those of us who ran the meetings. So the group dispersed and I continued the pursuit of a faith community I could eventually call my own. And the good news is, I think I've found one. Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan is over 2200 miles away from where I live and was therefore an unlikely candidate. But over the past few months, it's come to feel like my home away from home. Every week (or most weeks, anyway) I download the podcast of their Sunday sermon and listen to either Rob Bell or Shane Hipps (Mars Hill's teaching pastors and two of my favorite authors/speakers) talk about what it means to bring heaven to earth.

But the reason I feel so drawn to this community isn't just because I respect its leaders. Unlike many churches (at least in my experience), Mars Hill is defined by those who make up it's congregation. I'm talking about over 10,000 people (more than that if you count online followers) who have committed their lives to "Living out the way of Jesus in missional communities, announcing the arrival of his kingdom, and working for measurable change among the oppressed" (this, by the way, is the official Mars Hill Mission Statement). And even though I'm unable to attend the actual services, I can still connect with these people via Mars Hill's Website. For every podcast, the administrators post discussion questions that allow listeners to engage with one another as they delve deeper into the topic at hand.

Of course, there is a downside to this type of long-distance relationship. For instance, I'm unable to participate in a lot of the things that in-person attendees can, such as worship, classes, volunteer work, retreats, and mission trips. And sadly, that's where most community building occurs. However, I still feel that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. And a dynamic like this is definitely better than nothing, at least until I can find something a little bit closer to home.

For those of you who know where I'm coming from in terms of feeling rejected, I suggest you give Mars Hill a try. Check out the summary of their beliefs (what they refer to as Narrative Theology). And if you'd like to learn even more about them, you can read up on their values (or Directions). Last but not least, don't forgot about the podcast, which you can download from iTunes for free.

002 | A Wise Move

So I finally got up the courage to have my wisdom teeth removed and to be honest, it wasn't that bad. The worst part was probably the anxiety prior to the surgery. I began panicking two days before my appointment, which made the time leading up to it seem to drag on forever. It wasn't the pain I was afraid of --- more than anything, it was having to be put under (I'm kind of a control freak). So when I first arrived at the office, my heart was pounding in my chest. But once they got me on the table and gave me the laughing gas, I was (in the words of Tyler Durden) as calm as a hindu cow. Then they put the IV in (which left me with the bruise shown above) and the next thing I remember is being in the passenger seat of my dad's car as he's pulling into my apartment complex's parking lot. Apparently I had been awake since we left the office, but I can't recall anything before getting home. I didn't seem to mind being disoriented, though... and I felt virtually no pain at all. My family got me upstairs and into bed, where I remained for a few hours watching South Park and drinking Jamba Juice. By the early evening, I was walking around like nothing had happened.

The second day was probably worse than any other. I woke up with chipmunk cheeks and my jaw felt like it had been injected with Botox. This was when the meds and ice packs really came in handy. On the third day, the swelling had subsided a bit... but by that point the only thing I was thinking about was the big juicy cheeseburger I still couldn't eat. I'm now on the fourth day and my cheeks have pretty much gone back to normal (although the Botox feeling hasn't completely gone away yet) and I'm beginning to eat solid foods again. I hope to be fully recovered within a few more days.

My advice to people having this procedure is to not make it into a bigger deal than it really is. I know, I know... easier said than done, right? But seriously... freaking out about it is as bad as it gets. I suggest trying to focus your attention on something else in the days leading up to your surgery. Hanging out with friends kept me from thinking about it too much.

Until next time!

001 | Setting Out

While Facebook and Twitter are great places to connect with people and stay up to date with what they're doing, lately I've begun to feel the limitations both sites impose on how much information you can provide your friends/followers with. So I thought a blog might be a good way to resolve that problem.

In addition, it will serve as a means by which I will continue to work out how to live the life that Jesus had in mind. I've got a long way to go, but in the words of Jim Adkins:

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"If there's something left to lose, then don't let me

wear out my shoes."

- Dizzy (Jimmy Eat World)

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