The Banj.

Cool people shorten words to make them more awesome. Thus, this post on the Banjo is titled "The Banj"

I've posted on the banjo before. I have referenced the banjo before. And likely, sometime in the future I will once more discuss the banjo.

I really like the banjo. I always found it intriguing and cool but until I picked it up and realized just how subtle it is as an instrument and as I spend more time listening to the world of banjo the more I want to get better.

Here is a tour of great songs on the banjo:

Dueling Banjos
The most popular culture reference to the banjo known to man. It is a scene from the movie "Deliverance." Deliverance is a movie that has very little to do with bluegrass or the banjo but will forever be known for it.

Steve Martin
Steve Martin plays the banjo. He actually plays it well. In my last post there is a link to a great video of him. Here I will post a clip of him playing with Earl Scruggs (one of the best banjo players of all time, to the extent that there is a method of playing the banjo named after him called Scruggs).


Sufjan Stevens
This was the place where my love of banjo began. I'll admit I would have never touched a banjo if I didn't hear it in this context. It brought something that seemed... well... hokie... and disguised it within the college music scene. The following song is "the transfiguration." I like it.


Bela Fleck
Perhaps the best banjo player ever. Be amazed. Be intrigued. I present Bela Fleck.



Yes that is right the last clip was classical music. It just blows my mind. The banjo is not just for bluegrass anymore. It is cool.

Patman the Hick-ish

Its almost November...

...and now I'm playing Christmas music.

Technically I am playing Sufjan's christmas albums which are, in my opinion and others, universal music.

I wanted to share with you the wonderful world of Sufjan because his music often hits the spot. "What spot?" you may ask. The ear. So listen to Sufjan. He taught me to love the banjo so that has to tell you something.


Patman the Signing off

Cop-out

...


Patman the intentionally wasting internet space.

Residential

When I was a university student at Tyndale I lived in residence. For two years I was fortunate enough to be involved in Student Leadership as an RA or Residence adviser. It has been about two more years since I was last serving in this position. However, today I had the opportunity to sit down with the current guy RAs and discuss what my experience was like and what theirs has been like as well.

I have to admit I was a little nervous at first because I didn't really know who was going to be there, I remember what it was like to have to go to various meetings and I thought that I had very little to say. But as we began I found myself reminiscing the good old days and even missing the job.

I was most fortunate to be asked a question about the challenges of working in a diverse team that deals with intimate details of male and female life. It was presented that sometimes its hard because some of the things that we may experience as guys are hard to share with our female teamates. I agreed that the challenges were there and it is difficult sometimes to balance both the desire to be transparent with the importantance of boundaries. I was reminded of one of my favorite stories as an RA so I thought I would share it with you, dear reader.

It came to pass in my early days as an RA that events transpired that caused hurt amidst our community. This hurt happened within the male dorm and it was decided that it was appropriate to discuss the event without the female RAs being a part of that discussion. They knew something had happened but were asked to leave for our conversation. They left and we began discussing the issue. When we had finished our conversation we left to go our separate ways and as we looked out the window, into the courtyard, we saw our dear females RAs praying for our community, for us and for the event that transpired. It was beautiful and so we joined in.

That was a special event in my Tyndale experience. One which will likely form my understanding of community, prayer and compassion for much of my life.

It was a pleasure to talk with the RA guys today. It was neat to see people, much like myself four years ago, passionate for serving Tyndale and working their way through what that means. Tyndale is certainly blessed by them.

I read a book instead.

I was going to blog but I read a book instead. The book I read was "Soul Searching the Millennials" by Dave Overholt and James Penner. No coincidence I have a test on that book tomorrow. Sorry Blog-o-sphere.

Patman the well read.

Heroic Blog Patterns Part 2

For this segment of my blogging on blogging I would like to focus on the least creative aspects of blogging. They take it upon themselves to post what others have already posted I call this category of blogging: Re-posting... yup... re-posting.

#1: Re-posting:Video

In this category rather than writing something new you spent your time watching videos on YouTube, suddenly felt guilty remembering your abandon blog and thought "If I just post a video I enjoy from YouTube then its like I did something of value"

Elements of Re-posting:Video

1- Post a video from somewhere else

Variations:
Post the video and comment
Comment and post the video

Examples from my blog: Lewis Feels it
Examples on others blogs: Nyssa Clements, Mark Smith

#-2 Re-posting: Audio

In this category you do the exact same as above but use an audio file instead of video. This format is less popular than video (mainly because video killed the radio star)

Example from others: Mark Smith

#-3 Re-posting: Quote

This category is very common in the blogging world. You see people enjoy the prospect of having their own internet space by which people will 'tune in' to their space and read something clever. However, people are often very boring (myself included), very shy (that is to say that they don't think they are interesting) or very lazy (that is to say me). Because of this people get worked up about the idea of their blog failing because they don't post or can't write well. Somewhere in the history of blogging someone came up with the premise that saves every blog: If you post someones words, that aren't yours, on your blog they become a reflection of you. Great News!

The Elements of re-posting:quotes are identical to audio and video.

Example on my blog: To the best of my knowledge I only ever did this once... but it was a joke
Example elsewhere: Janet Nicholson

#4- Re-post: Image.

I wasn't going to name this category but as I glanced through some blogs I know I noticed that people do just post images with little comment. Often you may find people post images with no words just to show you their lives. But occasionally I found people just posting images.

Examples: Chris Clements, Will K

I imagine you can re-post just about anything if you put your mind to it so I will leave this category open for interpretation.

Well that completes this segment I cannot wait til next time.

Patman the Bloged

Bad Driving Day

Another digression from my blog about blogging.

I definitely made my car's side mirror kiss the side mirror of another car today. Both freaky and ok.

They were nice and exchanged numbers. I think we'll go out for a date... not really.

Patman the Relieved

Now we interrupt with something completely different.

A side bar from my account of blogging. Let me take you into the fantastical world of Patman the Pat: A hero in cardboard.

My recent exploits have led me to seek ministry opportunity. And I think, even though cliche, opportunity is knocking. About a month ago I went looking for work in the Youth and Family field (considering that is my area of study). I was lead to a specific church (which I won't name because I have yet to take up work there) and I am very excited.

They are looking for someone to come in and work with the already in existence children's program and to help develop the developing youth program. So I hope to soon embark on my first institutional church experience (at least working at one).

Patman Away!

Heroic Blog Patterns Part 1

Today I am going to talk about Blogging, a subject which I occasionally comment on within my blog. Specifically I am going to run you through the basic types of blogs in existence or atleast the most popular types. This is part one in a series of blogs on types of blogs. Today's subcategory: Introduction Blogs.

Type #1: The I'm Blogging Post

This post is created to allow any person entering a blog to know why the person is blogging.
The basic elements of this post are:

1. Welcome
2. Who am I?
3. What am I doing here?
4. What are you doing here?
5. Welcome
   

It is always important to welcome people twice... This is commonly the first post on a blog but occasional culture breakers will let this overly common blog fall to a short second or third.

Example on my blog: Organized people are just too lazy to look for things
Example on other blogs: Chris Clements, Chris Lewis

Type #2: The I'm Blogging Post 2

This post is identical to "The I'm Blogging Post" but there is a subtle difference. In this post the person has taken a hiatus from blogging or has ran out of things to say. For this reason they forge new ground by starting all over again with perhaps a new look or a new title in efforts to re-inspire both readers and writers.

The Basic Elements of this post are:

1. Welcome back (this often has the explanation of the new changes)
   
2. Who have I become?
3. What am I now going to do here in light of #2?
4. Why are going to be here in light of #3?
5. Welcome back

Example on my blog: Patman: the Dark Knight Returns, I yai yai, The "I"s have it
Examples from Others: Will Kinchlea, Will K.

Well thats enough for now tomorrow we start the sub-category: Re-posting... yup re-posting

Pmtp

Patman: The Dark Kight Returns.

Although probably lost on most people my title is a play on a comic book title... (I'll give you one guess which) But it is true The Patman* has returned. After a brief hiatus I have come back to the blogging world and hopefully I'll be blogging up a storm.

I have concluded, as per my new title, that:
a) all heroes wear cardboard armor.
b) I am a hero

I came to the conclusion that I am a hero as I stared into eyes of passion located on my head in the picture of me in a robot costume above. Now mind you I am not a robot and as a hero I don't intend to execute justice (or whatever) in a robotic way.

Some may say it is cocky to say you are a hero but I'm just going to go for it. In fact I invite you all to start calling yourself a hero it makes your life seem that much more interesting.

So here's the deal: I am going to try and capture my exploits as a hero, the mundane made fun-dane through the magic of writing.

Here is hoping for success!
Up, up and to bed.

Pmtp

*My new favorite thing is, rather than refer to myself as Patman, refer to myself as "The Patman." Batman does it so can I .

No Post Tonight

I sat here for like an hour.
Sorry folks.
No Post Tonight

Patman the Pat

Lewis Feels it...

Ok misleading title.

But if you read Chris Lewis' blog then you know that this was posted on his blog first. However, I love this too and the more who get to enjoy it the better. Let's face it it may be the best commercial ever. I think so.

Just watch it and fall in love.



Patman the heartfelt