Inappropriate Conversations

52: First Person Comedy

Did you hear the one about "V8® Nate"?  No doubt, it's offensive.  Have a happy April Fool's Day! Different Drummer: John S. Hall

51: Drumming Up Racial Unrest

A common stereotype is that athletes and coaches are reactionary "dumb jocks" who only stir up trouble in a school environment.  I have personally experienced the exact opposite, which is not to say that either stereotype is true.  I openly wonder how racism functions within those assumptions and what it says about us if we don't even notice. Different Drummer: Jim Valvano

50: The Most Significant Art Form

Over the past hundred years, film is by far the most significant form of art.  As a new medium, this probably goes without saying.  It is also true when considering artistic achievement within the realm of commerce or entertainment.  Movies re-established a balance that hasn't been true in music since what we call "classical" today was actually "pop" for its time.  Like music, films of all kinds have created a language of cinema that we rely upon more than we really know. Different Drummer: Stanley Kauffmann

49: R.S.V.P.

When I first heard The Electrics' song "Party Goin' On Upstairs" on a bargain bin CD, the expression "RSVP" kept running through my head.  Some Christians, and some non-Christians, imply that Jesus places a large blockade in front of heaven's gate.  For them, the concept of a narrow way means that the path is hidden and the savior's calling is cryptic.  Actually, Jesus is quite clear about the obvious response he expects to his invitation. Different Drummer: The Electrics

48: Four Things I Know

In order to understand everything we experience as humans, I believe there are four distinct types of knowledge.  Two are obvious, and perhaps the other two are controversial.  The fact is that one of the most common questions of all -- "do I exist?" -- is among the most difficult to prove.  This is particularly true if you only give yourself half a chance. Different Drummer: Joan Girardi

47: Hypocrisy and Intensity

I try not to be hypocritical about hypocrisy.  My feelings are too intense, though, to let some stuff go.  The more responsibility you have, whether an elected government official or a lead cashier in a retail store, the more important it is to manage intensity properly while avoiding short-sighted double standards.  For Christians, it has a lot to do with focusing on relationships and understanding what Jesus means by "neighbor." Different Drummer: John Wesley

46: You Are What You Eat

Monogamy is not just a good idea in the sense we often hear about democracy or capitalism, with it being the "best system among many flawed choices."  From a purely sexual perspective, a deeply committed relationship is the best way to explore all that human sexuality has to offer.  The opposite approach is to merely skim the surface, and changing the topography might seem like a reasonable way to overcome familiarity.  It's much better, though, to truly dive in. Different Drummer: Don Ellis