Blagojevich's silence

Well, it's finally over: Rod Blagojevich is now a plain old citizen.

If you want to see the full video of his closing argument, you can watch it here. (Be warned: he talks for about 46 minutes.)

The part I want to focus on is the last minute. Watch it if you can.

If you're too lazy to, I'll spoil it for you and reveal what happens: silence.

It occurred to me that sometimes the best way to appreciate what I have is to see what happens to those who do not.

There are so many people who spend their entire lives defending themselves and in the end it will mean absolutely nothing. All of their resistance to acknowledge the truth, their refusal to admit to their standing with it, will be met with a deafening silence.

When I bear down on the thought of being met with infinite silence at the end of my life, I realize how that is just a scratch on the unfathomed surface of what hell really is.

I am grateful to be one who has someone to defend me, in my stead - whose testimony and pleas demand a ruling in my favor and secure an eventual greeting that will put all the applause that President Barack Obama has ever heard to shame.

Now my struggle is to go beyond this whisper of heaven and to genuinely desire this privilege to be extended to many more.

I found it again

I'll be honest.

I rarely read posts that are composed of just lyrics to some song I've never heard of. So, I understand if you don't read this.

If you do, know that this song resonates with something in me these days, for reasons I'm not sure of. All apologies for not writing much lately. I'll try to update this thing more often.




Watashi Wa - "Something to Say"

today, the things familiar to me are gone
and i'm here in some strange place
with nothing to say
and all of my life
i've had someplace to go
some purpose to serve
and something to say

if i sing at the top of my lungs
it won't say a thing if i haven't loved
the things i realize here
the plans that i make they fail miserably
i feel alone and i feel empty
but i feel alive with something to say
if i sing at the top of my lungs
it won't say a thing

i found it again
so i'll sing it loud
the plan was all that i knew
and all i could say
i feel alive and i feel alone
to sing at the top of my lungs

I need you right now

David Crowder.

If you're somehow still unaware, here is his Xanga.

I am Legend, or "Why-why-why won't the world revolve around me?"

You can bow and pretend
That you don't-don't know you're a legend
- "America's Suitehearts" by Fall Out Boy

I saw "The Tale of Despereaux" last week with my mom. While the visuals were splendid, the story was flimsy.

A theme that runs through the movie is how mice are afraid of exhibiting the virtues of bravery and courage, and instead hold dear the display of cowardice and timidity. Frankly, it reminded me of Christians. Many of us are almost too good at humility, meekness and patience, and we unknowingly denounce brazen, naked moxie because it reeks of "pride" and everything else unsavory to our spiritual tongues.

Well, it's time to wake up. I could be wrong here, but I don't think there is a single significant Bible character who was just humble, meek and patient. There is always another side filled with unbridled passion, whether for better or worse.

It seems that God cherishes those children of his who exhibit this duality, even if they do fall too often on the side of error.

As for me, in 2009 I hope to be a bit more like Despereaux - except, at least three times bigger.

I want to live a life that angels chatter about, with envy.


Fall Out Boy - America's Suitehearts (Acoustic)