jfin is here…

Watch the judges reaction in this clip. Awesome.

More on the story here:

Potts is an average-looking bloke whose teeth aren’t straight, and he admits to having battled self-confidence issues his whole life. Still, he decided to audition for a television show called “Britain’s Got Talent.”

On his first night, Potts took to the stage and sang that famous aria from “Turnadot,” after telling judge Simon Cowell that he felt he needed to pursue his first love, opera.

You could hear the snickers from the crowd, see Simon’s telltale eye roll, and practically feel the flop sweat rolling down Potts’ brow.

But then he sang.

He went on to win.  It’s enough to cause goosebumps…

Listening to: Nessun Dorma (Turandot)

Mark Driscoll has an interesting post over at Acts29 on the differences between religion and gospel:

“Religion says, if I obey, God will love me. Gospel says, because God loves me, I can obey.

Religion has good people & bad people. Gospel has only repentant and unrepentant people.”

“Religion sees Jesus as the means. Gospel sees Jesus as the end.

Religion ends in pride or despair. Gospel ends in humble joy.”

More here.

Listening to: Eight - J

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=56107

He’s got a great platform. Campaign promises include:

Increase jobs in America by sending ninja teams to sabotage and steal them back from other countries.

Give a tax credit to anyone naming their children Walker or Texas Ranger (excluding Will Farrell).

Give every new military enlistee abroad a copy of my upcoming new book, “The Threat of Justice,” with the words, “Arnold and I will be back to pump you up!” above my autograph.

Ask producer Mark Barnett to film “Survivor – Camp David,” where world leaders will meet annually, for an all-out cage-fighting championship. The winner will take home $1,000,000 in Disney Dollars, good in Europe or America.

Hmm .. maybe we could use him as governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand?

Listening to: Pink Floyd - High Hopes

From Washington Post: “onBeing is a project based on the simple notion that we should get to know one another a little better. What you’ll find here is a series of videos that takes you into the musings, passions, histories and quirks of all sorts of people. The essence of who they are, who we are.” Thought-provoking.

In 2002, as his final hit before his death, Johnny Cash covered the song Hurt, originally by Trent Reznor. Reznor says “I pop the video in, and wow… Tears welling, silence, goose-bumps… Wow. I just lost my girlfriend, because that song isn’t mine anymore. … It really made me think about how powerful music is as a medium and art form.” Watch the video here.

Peter Dunne (New Zealand politician) hits out somewhat strongly against other politicians reacting to the story of Folole Moliaga, a Samoan New Zealander who died after the power at her house was cut off due to unpaid debts. Have the politicians been intruding too much? Maybe. Are conclusions regarding cause and responsibility being jumped to prematurely? I very much think so.

The sermon at church on Sunday was good. Go listen or watch.

Listening to: The Shins - Young Pilgrims

Here in the magical US of A, tramping is something other than walking through the bush / wilderness for one or more days floating from obstacle to obstacle like a heavily-laden swallow due to the hefty pack on your back.

So on Memorial Day weekend I went ‘backpacking’ with Hill, Owen, and Mel up in the Cascades (east of Seattle). Friday night started walking at about 5 pm … sidled up a hill, shot up through snow line at 3000ft, strayed off the trail but got onto the ridge (great views) and made way down to the pass, then down into Pratt Lake with headlamps to arrive about 10.30pm. Tents up, eat, sleep, and wake up to nice fresh air on day two. Break camp, hike, cross river (straddling log suspended above .. they’re pretty full due to snow melt), find and follow the old logging train grade, more hiking, more river crossings. Make camp down by the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River after about 8 hours of travel. Day three was an easy 3 hours out to the road-end, mostly alongside the river.

Very very nice to get out in the wild. Impressive range of terrain and bush types. Saw a young elk (big!), frogs, and a bear print. Rad lakes, huge old trees, impressive little streams and waterfalls. And some great views from up top. Photos here (not all my handiwork .. some by Hill but most by Owen).