Back at it!

So school is one day away from beginning. Vermillion has been invaded once again by college students. It is a time of anticipation and excitement. Coffeeloft.org has launched a new Worship Service and it is going well. Now that the students are back we will see what the turnout will be.

Coffeeloft.org also started tailgating. That had a few snags: no tongs or spatula to flip burgers until they magically appeared at just the right time and no hotdog buns. More preperation is in order next time. I'm looking forward to Fantasy Football as well. We are starting a league. It will be the firtst fantasy football league I'll have been a part of.

Last night we took the church Van up to Lifelight and gave a couple of international students an experience they'll not soon forget. It was a good time. We saw Day of Fire, Natalie Grant, and Casting Crowns. Good show, no regrets. It was a rather late night, but thanks to having a couple of tricks up my sleave, we were out of there in no time. Back to Verm and ready to start the school year.

It was nice to meet up with an old friend as well.

Ok Ok...I'm a little behind

It has been a crazy couple of months. I've been relatively busy needless to say. After my stint in Kalamazoo Michigan I ventured out to the Black Hills Playhouse to design the set for Urinetown. This was the first musical this season and it worked out well. I was as impressed with the design and the show overall as I was with the show in Vermillion. The first time I designed it for the University of South Dakota and it was extraordinarily different. I posted some pictures on my webpage if you're interested www.capndesigns.com. I ended up sticking around out there to work on the webpage for the BHP and it's in good shape but I do need to do some final touches to it before it is up and running.

Now I'm back in Vermillion and working with the church. I have a feeling many of my blogs, from this point on, will be about my experiences with that. I got put to work right away. I have been painting a mural for Vacation Bible School and tomorrow I'm going to start looking at the classes I'll be teaching. I get to be the storyteller for week...I guess a theater background will come in handy at this new career after all. I'm going to keep this shortish...I'm on a friends computer since I am yet again in transition...but not for much longer.

And to the Baptist minister who commented...good luck to you and your ministry. I'm not sure what the movement is in the Baptist church but the movement in the Methodist church is Reconciling Ministries Network and they have resources if you need them. Good luck and God Bless.

Usually I'm proud of being Methodist...not today.

I'm appalled by the church I belong to. I am hurt and continue to hurt for my friends that are discriminated against by my church. They have once again been denied the ability to be ordained in the United Methodist Church. I have felt a calling for years and have recently taken steps to act on that. I am still disturbed to the point of not accepting the calling, however, and now I believe I know why. I will not accept the calling until ALL of my brothers and sisters can join me in their calling. It is not enough for a congregation to allow for them to be a part of the church. Our General Conference needs to recognize them as well. In my book this is a blatant act of discrimination.

I couldn't believe what I heard tonight on the broadcast from the general conference. A gentleman from Mississippi stood up to oppose the amendment that would allow homosexuals to become ordained by referring to the "misinterpretation" of the bible that allowed for slavery. How is it different than what was on the table this evening. I believe that we are misinterpreting the bible on homosexuality and I hope and pray that some day we as a church can recognize that. Isn't it possible. I know I have doubts. I believe all people are of sacred worth and I do not want to discriminate against anybody if it means them coming closer to God. That is our goal as Christians, isn't it?

The World

What is this world coming to? Honestly.

A boy dressed as the Panchen Lama sits in a cage during a protest in India demanding information on his whereabouts. Tibetan Buddhism's second most revered figure has not been seen in public since 1995.

Taken from BBC News-Day in pictures.

Broken foot

So I went to Assassins on Friday night with a few lady friends of mine. It was a good show. It was low budget...and I liked it. I like low budget as long as I'm not designing. I was a little nervous with the guns they were pointing at me and shooting. I only jumped once because the lady on stage shot twice and I think she was as scared as I was about that fact. Then after consulting Morten's list(A book of adventure) we headed out for the evening to try and get into some trouble.

It didn't take me long. As we were walking I decided it would be fun to do some extreme walking. I jumped up on a retaining wall and ran around up there for a while. Jumped back down to bridge a gap in the wall. Jumped back up on the wall of the other side of the gap and my foot slipped out from under me and I landed on my foot just right. I broke my fourth metatarsal and I find out soon whether it will be in a cast or not. I'm on crutches right now.

In other news I am getting new glasses as well. I decided it is time for a new pair because the ones I have are all scratched up. So I'm going all out and getting Armani frames. I did pretty well. Thank God for insurance. That has been the theme for this week.

I'm out.

My mother always said I sleep soundly.

So it's official, I can sleep through an Earthquake. That's right, at 5:30 am there was an Earthquake, 5.4 on the Richter scale, and I slept soundly through it. I have been getting up randomly at 5:30 for the last few weeks and last night I slept like a baby until 7:30. I must have just gotten that rocking at 5:30 and my body felt like it was being rocked back to sleep. Awesome!

My House

So I got a little bored today and thought I'd post where I live. It's kinda funny, especially when you look at it from satellite. I live in an ally essentially. It's funny that when you put in my actual address it points to the house at the end of my block. Just something fun I did to entertain myself.

And here people were fretting about there houses being accessed online. I don't have a problem if people look at my roof I guess. so enjoy. Notice the lack of yard...but I'm the only one on the block with a driveway that is an actual driveway. Every one else has a little spot they squeeze a car into. Oh well time to go for a walk.

Later.

Updated webpage

Yeah, I finally took care of some house cleaning. So those of you who are curious what my life has been for the last year-ish. I have updated my web page with some production photos and they are pretty self explanatory. I thought I'd do it now cause who knows what the future will hold.

www.capndesigns.com

The updates are for Holes, The Foursome, Shakespeare in Hollywood, and Golden Pond. I will soon be adding more to scene painting but not today! It's getting late and I'm tired!

Addiction

I confess I think I'm an addict.

I spent 10-12 years of my life as a smoker. This may surprise some readers but it is true. I had been smoking off and on since I was about 16 or so. This doesn't of course count when I tried smoking the first time when I was 9 or again when I was 11 or even when I found out I could buy cigarettes from a vending machine at a hotel on the way home from school at 14. No those were mere experiments. I officially started smoking pretty much the same day the football season ended for me my junior year. I had decided not to play football the next year and if I did I could stop, right?

We'll I smoked and hid it from many people for many years. I did this through high school when I went to college decided I would embrace being a smoker and do it whenever and almost where ever I could. Almost every year I toyed with the idea of quitting but always had an excuse not to; papers to write, a show to do, a long drive ahead of me, etc. It only got worse after school, one of the easiest ways to take a break from work was to say, "I'm going for a smoke," and it was easily excepted. I went to graduate school and managed to quit for about a semester. Started again and quit the next semester then started again in the summer. I finally decided when I graduated that I was really going to bear down and do it.

I am happy to say that I've been pretty much smoke free since I graduated. Although once in a while if I go out for a drink I will smoke and I usually only smoke a cigarette like a cigar and I, of course, regret it the next day. Eventually that will change too.

So that's that, I am a non smoker.

I use to also bite my nails, I gave that up too. Although, it usually relapses when I watch an intense movie...but that's not too bad of a habit or addiction.

To get to my point.

I have become an addict of yet another vice.

Podcasts.

I can't help it. Right now I have 26-27 subscriptions to podcasts. They are free thank god. Ever since I decided to go without cable for financial reasons, I have loaded up on the podcasts. Is this a problem...I even tried a learn Spanish podcast...I don't know if I'll keep that one.

I think there is something to be said about someone with an addictive personality. This takes the cake, but at least most of the programs I listen to are educational. I even listen to a sermon podcast of Mars Hill Bible Church.

Ya know, it really passes the time.

So like I said I admit it, I'm an addict. I'm just waiting for Podcast anonymous before I fully embrace this addiction.

So Called Christians

I wake up every morning to the sounds of "Doug and Vincy in the Morning."http://wfrn.com/ They are based out of Elkhart, IN. That's right, "Christian" talk radio. Today especially peeked my interest because I found out that students are leading a movement across Indiana and Michigan. This is what the news portion of the web said:

"A number of high schools this month will be observing what's called a "Day of Silence" to promote the homosexual lifestyle. 16 Indiana high schools and dozens in Michigan are on a list supporting the "Day of Silence" on April 25th when some students are expected to stay quiet all day while passing out gay rights literature to classmates. Penn, Warsaw and South Bend Riley High Schools are on that list, but there could be more. Micah Clark of the American Family Association of Indiana says in many cases, student groups are running this in the schools. Clark says if you have a child in high school, you should call your school to see if it's supporting the "Day of Silence," and if so, ask if you child can get an excused absence on the 25th to stay home." WFRN

This is what I heard this morning. Of course I know what you are thinking, "If you don't like it change the station." Well sometimes there is only one "Christian" music station to listen to. I like the music and I get a laugh out of the message. What I found most appealing today was the callers response to what was being broadcast. All of the callers mysteriously agree with what Doug, Vincy, and WFRN have to say. But what I heard was even better. I heard about 4 calls before I headed off to work. All of them stated that their children would be attending school that day because they are secure in knowing the truth..(i.e. that homosexuality in there eyes was a sin). I however saw it as an opportunity and thought to myself...maybe these poorly informed children of these poorly informed parents will somehow see the light this day. So I ask that all who are reading this, which probably isn't very many people. If you are the praying type, which I've become more so recently, say a little prayer on this day to hopefully open these peoples eyes.

One of the callers I really felt like sitting down and finding out more of what they believed and where the were coming from. She said that we need to care for these people because they are hurting and need us to show them the way. Well she's was half right. They are hurting...but we certainly don't need to show them the way. Except for showing them that true Christian except them for who they are and how God created them. And we need to do what Jesus taught us.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself." Luke 10:27

Regardless of what people think about what is right and wrong. Most importantly we need to love. If the "right" think it's a sin then they still need to listen to what we are taught in Mathew 7:1-2.

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

I thought this was fitting...it has a new meaning for our time. Especially when you look at the similarities between what the people of color have struggled through and the GLBT community are struggling through. Martin Luther King Jr., if he were alive today, would be fighting for the GLBT community. In honor and memory of Martin Luther King I've included this snippet of his famous I have a dream speech.

"I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together."

It has new meaning when you look at it in today's terms and circumstances. Much like the bible. It has a whole new meaning when we do what the bible was meant for and discuss how it relates to our world today. This has been done for centuries. Since the beginning of the bible. How can anyone say now that the bible is literal? The bible is supposed to be discussed and wrestled with. It is suppose to be translated/interpreted; and thank God it has been. I don't know how to read Greek or Hebrew. I myself choose to study and ask questions rather than be spoon fed my religion. I just hope and pray that more people will do the same. So I chose to be a follower of Christ, not a Christian; there are too many negative connotations that go along with that label.

The Adventure

So the trip.

I felt like it was non-stop go-go-go. I left at 6:30 in the morning on Sat. Was taken and dropped off at O'Hare about 9-9:30. I absolutely love self check in. As a matter of fact I enjoy self check out too. However, it does make me ask the question, "If we didn't have self checkout or check-in, wouldn't there be more jobs?" Food for thought.

So I waited at the airport for a little while before boarding. I got a little reading done, Velvet Elvis-Rob Bell and Me Talk Pretty One Day-David Sedaris. Both really good books and nothing alike. I highly recommend Velvet Elvis. My sister picked it up this weekend because of my recommendation. My next read will be Sex God by Rob Bell.

I flew out on a regional jet...aka a Lear Jet. This was the first time on one and it was awesome. Both to and from Omaha I got the single seat on the left side of the plane. No worries about who they're going to cram in beside you. Although, sometimes those conversations can be interesting.

Anyway, I had the most exciting experience. We were flying at the same level as the air force. I got to watch a F-18 Hornet fly past in the opposite direction at the same level about 500 yards away from us. I was really excited. I've wanted to be a fighter pilot since I can remember. Being that close was awesome.

I got to Omaha at 12:35 and quickly exited the plane. I got to the baggage claim in record time only to discover that I left my hat on the plane. Went back to security only to find that I couldn't just go and get my hat, I needed a boarding pass. I tried to show him the one I had from my original flight and he just said, "Sorry, you have to go back to the ticket counter." So I ran back to the ticket counter, then ran all the way back to the gate, through security again, and got my hat. I got back to baggage claim to wait for my bag. After a few minutes I watched the last of the luggage being taken from the conveyor belt. "Great!" I thought. Now my bag has been stolen or taken to the lost and found or confiscated by the police. And then I turned around to see my bag sitting on the floor next to the American Airlines customer service. I felt like an idiot. Went to grab my bag and the lady in the office ask, "Are you Aaron?"

I said, "Yes."

She asked, "Did you get your hat?" Now mind you I was wearing my hat at the time. I made no comment, just thanked her and was on my way.

On to vermin-town. Went to the Pow-Wow, great dancing and awesome outfits. Took some great photos. They may end up on websites and advertising for years to come.

I had an excellent meal with one of my adopted families in town and watched a great movie with them. I will be adding Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium to my collection of movies. Who could not like the combination of Dustin Hoffman and Natalie Portman.

On to visiting other friends. Let's just say good times were had by all. And even though I was staying at the church and could easily walk home, I decided to ride the "drunk bus" because I had never taken the opportunity while in school. I thought I was due the experience and adventure. He took us to the wrong location and once we got home my friend just drove me home.

Church the next day was a good time. I love seeing familiar faces and even a few new ones. It's nice to come home. I especially enjoyed the pastor's ensemble, all black, for an after easter message. I just had to chuckle.

We went to a baby shower that afternoon. I interview that afternoon for what will hopefully be a life-changing career for me. And then headed to my cousins for the evening.

Did I mention how done with winter I am.

The next day we woke to fresh slush. Had breakfast with my Mom and cousin and headed on to Pierre for the original purpose of this adventure, to get my braces tightened. It took about 10-15 min. I laughed. Went to the Chiropractor and back on the road.

We ended up at the school of ministry to promote Coffee Loft/campus ministry and possibly land a job for this summer. Then back to Vermillion for a wonderful conversation with my Mormon friend. After talking with him on the phone I received an offer to design Urinetown, the musical for the Black Hills Playhouse. Next we went on to the theater to check out the set for Midsummer Night's Dream. Looks like it'll be a fun show.

After that I called it a night.

Headed back to Kazoo the next day. It was a fairly uneventful trip back. I finished both books I was reading and started another. The most exciting part was getting to ride the train from Chicago to Kalamazoo. It was very relaxing and enjoyable. I hope to do it again before I leave.
I got back to town a few minutes early because there was a child on board that needed to get to a hospital. I'm still not quite sure about those circumstances. But I got back to Kazoo early and walked home from the train station. All in all, good trip. A little busy for my liking and I'm still not quite recovered from it.

It was an adventure. A much needed escape.

Now I need a vacation.

Ready for the weekend!!

I need to get away. I've got so much on my mind and so many possibilities right around the corner.

I was approached by my boss yesterday about sticking around for another year. I didn't know what to tell him. I think I have a job next year, but nothing is concrete yet. I'm really excited about the possible job and am really looking forward to it now. It's funny that three weeks ago I was all about finding the next theatre gig. Now I can't wait to get out...that should say something.

Well I better get to work.

If you ever get a chance I highly recommend a book by Rob Bell called Velvet Elvis. It has some interesting stuff about faith, religion, Christ, etc. And it doesn't feel real preachy. Gotta go

I'm so done with winter!

So I was actually thinking about wearing a jacket this morning to work. Then on the radio it said snow...

I was a little confused because yesterday it was about 40 or so and almost all the snow had melted from the long winter. So I walked to work in my Columbia jacket and I'm glad I did cause it was cold. I got to work and when I took a break I finally saw daylight again. Much to my chagrin it had already snowed over an inch.

It is still coming down I think there's about 6 in. out there now. I'm so done with winter. I hope this is gone by next weekend.

That's going to be an awesome, busy weekend. I'm calling it my Planes, Trains, and Automobiles trip.

That's right.

I'll lay it all out for you. I'm excited. mainly because I've never taken a train, but because I can call it that for good reason. Here goes...

I'm being driven to Chicago on Sat the 29th. I'll fly to Omaha and be picked up and taken to Vermillion. I get to go to church on Sunday and in the afternoon it's off to mom's or grandma's...we'll see. Then on Monday I have an orthodontist appointment in the morning then it'll be back to probably verm-town. On Tues. I get taken back to Omaha where I'll fly out to Chicago. I'll take the el to Union Station...or maybe some other adventure...then I'll take the train back to Kalamazoo. I still haven't figured out how to get back to my house. I might just walk.

So that's it. My adventure for next weekend.

I meant to post this yesterday, but I left work and left this in a half done state and I'm finishing it today. We just got done with dry tech for foursome. I think it's going to be a great show. I'm sticking around for opening night and then I'm off on my adventure.

Question of the day...

So if you had a choice between your career or your passion, which would you choose?

I know it's a tough one but think about it. If you had one job offer in your field and it was decent money and another job offer in your passion area-not the greatest money and but you were super excited about it and just to add interest to the mix you felt called to do it, what would you do?

I have a feeling that this might happen to me in the near future and I'm getting somewhat scared about the whole situation.

I know that this is somewhat ongoing, but it is still ongoing because no one is giving me final answers....and it's somewhat frustrating.

I'm getting a massage now so I gotta go. More later...hopefully soon.

The Job Search

So it continues. . .


Now I've been contacted by MIT-that's right THE MIT--as well to inform me that I'm still in the running for a position with them. They informed me that I would be contact by the end of this month or the beginning of next month. I was contacted on Sunday by Colorado State University with a similar statement. I wish these institutions would be a little more decisive so I can be. I'm still of the opinion that I'm not going to be offered any of them, which is for the better I feel. I'd like to be...for obvious reasons. But I really am starting to believe that there is a greater purpose for me being in Kalamazoo, MI. I'm not sure exactly what it is; I just feel like it is there, somewhere beneath the surface. I am (im)patiently waiting for answers. I feel like there will be a storm of some kind within the next couple of weeks. I can/can't wait. I have been participating in a Sunday school class that is called Experiencing God. It has been somewhat productive...more reaffirming things I already know and frustrating me slightly. I just got done with a lesson on patience. And it mentioned my favorite bible verse Isaiah 40:31


I get it. I can take a hint. I'm suppose to wait. Much of my time in prayer has been just that; asking for patience and giving me the fortitude to withstand the next few weeks. Of course I may end up on the street next year due to indecision. My belief is that God is a provider and I will come through this as long as I can WAIT and let him do his will so that I can join him. Any suggestions on how to pass the time?

If you ask God a question and he doesn't respond...

It should be so simple. Ask a question...receive an answer. Sometimes I feel that it is not so easy. I feel like more often than not. God says, "'ang on a minute, I'm busy righ' now." I don't know why I just gave got a God a cockney accent, but I'll role with it. I'm OK with being put on hold, but man I could sure use a little more guidance sometimes.

Right now I'm in a Sunday school class that is telling me to watch for signs listen to the world around you. I don't know why I can accept some things and not others. I tend to play this battle in my head and heart between my career and my hobbies. I wish I could receive a clear message.

I fell like I get a mixed message, as in, one situation is good but another could be even better. I don't know what to think anymore. I want to stay, where I'm at for good reasons, but at the same time I want to move on for other reasons.

Frustration...

Discernment-What to do with a life? Mine specifically.

I've come to somewhat of a crossroads. I have been struggling with something for a while. Some people know the struggle others may not. I have felt called into ministry for a while now. However, I haven't been able to figure out all the terms yet.

I know, I know, you shouldn't put terms or conditions on God. I have and I know I shouldn't have. He/She'll forgive me I'm sure. I was once asked by a great speaker and pastor,"What are you running from?"

I replied, "I'm not so much running from as I am running towards in a round about sort of way."

You see I've felt called for a while now. I've never seen myself as the typical pastor though. I think there is a movement going on right now that needs to be fostered. I see more and more contemporary churches/services springing up all over the place. I think it should be taken to the next level.

Why can't Church be just as entertaining as going to a rock concert?
That's the type of church I want to be a part of. That is the type of Pastor I could see myself as. Not that I want to be a rock star...of course I think everybody does a little bit. I just don't think church needs to be a time when you sit in a pew and read your bible and pray. It should be a celebration an awesome display to glorify God. Whether I am the leader behind the scenes or the guy on stage...I'd love to start or be a part of this movement.

Which brings me to my current position. I want to find this position, I think that's pretty clear. I am a little nervous about it because I have been looking for jobs not of this nature. I have been interviewed by Ohio State University at Lima and am in the second round of candidates for a position in New Orleans. I will more than likely take the position if I am offered one of them.

I have been praying for discernment for a while now, at least since last year, on what to do with my life that will glorify God and serve his will for my life. Recently I felt a push again towards ministry and the first thought came early in the morning. I got this feeling that I am suppose to put together a Christian concert. I have the skills. I have the desire. But I also felt like there was more to it than just putting on a concert. I thought maybe it should be "THE" Christian rock concert. But, then it sort of hit me; it should be a Christian rock concert church. A worship service done every week that felt much like a rock concert. I feel that there is something out there of this nature and am terrified that I will find it and then be offered a position at one of those two schools and I'll have to make a decision.

I think I've already made my decision. I just need the offers now. To be perfectly honest I would choose to follow this ministry idea provided it is feasible and won't put me further into the poor house. I would gladly choose it over a university position. I don't think I can do both. I could be a part of something of this nature as a university professor, but do I want it to be part time?

So now I'm praying that the University positions fall through and an offer comes from the Lord. That statement would have scared me before, it doesn't now. I'm not afraid. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

So whoever reads this-why I'm blogging about this I have no idea-if you're a believer and feel comfortable, say a prayer for me, please. I can use all the help I can get. I need to go back to my job now. I'm designing lights for a children's theatre production of Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. I have about half the show cued and I have until tonight to get it done...I think I've procrastinated enough now. Thanks for listening....or whatever you want to call this.

Look I'm posting!!

So I finally got around to it. I've been relatively busy lately. I've already had two shows that I've designed the set for up. On Golden Pond and Shakespeare in Hollywood both got wonderful comments.

On Golden Pond opened shortly after I got back from Christmas and Shakespeare opened the end of January. Shakespeare will close this weekend so if you're in the area of Kalamazoo and want to catch a really good show stop on by the Civic.

If you don't believe me check out the review. http://blog.mlive.com/kalamazoo_gazette_extra/2008/02/director_and_cast_deliver_load.html

This week I'm designing the lights and painting Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. I have a feeling it will be a no sleep week for me.

In other news I had an interview with Ohio State University at Lima and I need to go because I have a designer presentation I'm late for. More Later