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Introduction To The House of Carr
Introduction To The House of Carr

Ciudad Loco

I love our fair city, but dumb things happen here. I don't like to pile on, pointing things out, but I'm a realist. I still think Cincinnati is the best city in the world in which to live, but utopia, it ain't. Why we're crazy:

Example 1: Apparently our local officials think it wise to install traffic light cameras in order to fill the coffers protect the general public. Just another reason for scared suburbanites to avoid visiting downtown.

Example 2: The same town that arrested Larry Flynt and shut down a p0rn0 art exhibit decided to name a sex toy company as one of their businesses of the year.

At least there's never a dull moment in the 'Nati . . .

Mudville

No joy here, especially when it comes to college basketball. UC is bad, and since ratings can't compete with American Idol the local Fox affiliate is dropping the telecasts. I'm already looking forward to the season after next.

UK is probably not as bad as Cincinnati, but compared to their expectations, it's a lot worse. They'll lose to their second consecutive Conference USA team tonight. Coach Billie Clyde is probably wishing the season was over.

A little over 100 days until Opening Day . . .

The Best At Beit [Tunes]

Finished my paper tonight so I'm feeling good. So in a mini-celebration, I played my favorite song of 2007. What is that, you ask? I'll let you know. But why stop at one? Here at the home office, we don't do elevator music. We do not discriminate between musical genres. If a song is good, we'll support it. So here is the Beit Carr top 16 list [just because] of songs from 2007.

16. Regina Spektor- Fidelity 

Kaelyn likes it. Kelly likes it. She's Russian. It makes the list

15. Girlfriend- Avril Lavigne

She's crazy, but I like her music. Total bubble-gum, but who doesn't like gum? 

14. Hey There Delilah- Plain White T's 

We were into this before it over-saturated the world. Apparently the guy wrote the song for a girl who didn't even like, who already had a boyfriend. Wonder what it's like to hear a song on the radio about you . . .  

13. Umbrella- Rihanna

Kaelyn's song of the year. The best part is listening to her sing "'ela, ela, A! A! A!" 

12. 1,2,3,4- Feist

Blame it on the iPod commercial.  

11. This Is Why I Rock- Mims featuring Purple Popcorn

The rock version of this redundant rap song is actually rather good. 

10. Stolen- Dashboard Confessional

Emo, but likeable. 

9. The End of History- Fionn Regan 

More emo, but a great accoustic guitar. All his stuff is awesome. 

8. How Far We've Come- Matchbox Twenty

Late to the party, but a Matchbox song worth the download. 

7. Grace Kelly- Mika

Freddie Mecury back from the dead? Sounds like it. 

6. Lip Gloss- Little Mama

"Whatchu know 'bout me?" High school rap is awesome.

5. Boston- Augustana

The piano: Coldplay invented it, Augustana carries the torch. 

4. Cupid's Chokehold- Gym Class Heroes

I'm just sayin', this song does not get old. 

3. Stronger- Kanye West

Kanye is good for one hit song an album. This is it.

2. Icky Thump- The White Stripes

Jack White is masterful. This song is proof. 

1. The Pretender- Foo Fighters 

Mr T might want to go fight some foo's, but it's this song the bears all the competition. The Foo Fighters know how to make albums and this one does not disappoint. Get . . . This . . . Song.

This Is How You Do It

I know he probably killed a lot of fantasy football folk by doing this, but Brian Westbrook was the man yesterday. Heeding the advice of an offensive lineman, he stopped at the one yard line, gave up a touchdown and helped the Eagles run out the clock to win the game. Think about how professional athletes get paid: they get a contract based upon their stats. So theoretically, Westbrook helping the team win could've cost him money.

And that's why he's the man. Team players go far.

Stop Me If You've Heard This Before . . .

. . . but I love our church. God has definitely blessed us with some wonderful people to partner with at Echo. Tonight I had a great time teaching from Samuel, trying a different approach to get things going, and everyone stuck with me. Throughout the message people were really into the text we were breaking down. Additionally, the stage was full of gifts for our adopted family. We asked for more than twice as much this year and the church responded generously.

Plus, we have some incredibly faithful people who do all of our tear down so that I can have some pastoral time. I never have to worry about everything getting put away.

I've had a great couple of days really appreciating what God has done with Echo so far. And I'm feeling really great about 2008. This was almost like a getaway weekend, as many in our church are transient and won't be back until after Christmas and . . . honestly, I'm going to miss people.

[insert smile emoticon here]

Busy

That's how I would describe life right now. Kelly's recovery is going well but it's taken me all week to get back on track. In addition to regular duties, I'm finishing up my Xavier classes which has me scrambling. I finished up my Buddhism class already and am working on a major term paper for my Christian history class. I'll talk more about this paper in the weeks ahead to reveal my inner geek, suffice to say, it's consuming my thoughts right now.

Case in point: yesterday at 4:30 I found a book online that would really help me out. Scanning the internet I saw that it was available at the Athenauem [the Catholic priest school here in town]. I called their library and they pulled the book but they closed at 5pm. I was in the car by 4:40 and made it to the Mount Washington area [weaving through rush-hour traffic] only to find the library doors locked. I found an open door and wandered through the building, eventually finding the library. It was a crazy trip, but I got the book I needed.

So I have a ton on my mind so I thought I'd dump it out for fun:

  • The Bengals lost and I'm somewhat happy. Another 8-8 season wasn't going to help. More losses means a better draft pick and we need all the help we can get.
  • In a related note, Bryant Gumble is the worst play-by-play man ever. He referred to the 49ers running back as "Al Gore."
  • Continuing the football talk, apparently I'm still alive in my fantasy football league. It's a two week, cumulative points match-up. Still, the guy I'm playing has both Randy Moss and Tom Brady, so it's a long shot.
  • Kaelyn is awesome. She's moving all over the house now, up and down stairs.
  • Playing indoor soccer again and am having a good time. Last night some young punk, instead of passing the ball,  wanted to show me up and beat me one-on-one. I just stuck with him for thirty seconds and picked his pocket. He proceded to cleat me in the ankle. I just laughed because I might not be as fast as I used to be on the soccer field, but I'm smarter and more patient.
  • Despite the impending white death we'll have church tomorrow night. It might be just me, Kelly and Kaelyn but unless there's a certifiable blizzard, we're open.
  • Plus, I find it funny that if there's snow a'comin' the local media sends someone out to Camp Washington where they load the salt on the trucks. Why do people care where the salt comes from? And I always laugh when they remind you, "if you don't need to be out on the roads, stay home." How many people get in their car and say to themselves, "I don't need to go anywhere, but I'm going to drive around for a few hours anyway"?
  • I still need to break down more about the Mitchell support, but I love that neither Major League Baseball nor the Players' Union took responsibility for the steroid problem. After all is said and done, it's no one's fault.

That's enough for now.

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Mitchell Report

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Talkin' baseball in December. The steroid verdict is out and here's what it looks like. Took a quick glance at the PDF of the Mitchell Report. Beyond Barry Bonds [did anyone doubt he'd be there?] there were Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, and Miguel Tejada. I find the Tejada inclusion so interesting because he was just dealt in a blockbuster trade yesterday to the Astros. And keeping it in Cincinnati's division, the Brewers new acquisition of Eric Gagne seems to lack luster now that he's on the user list.

Looking for Reds, the most disappointing is former Red Hal Morris. He always struggled to hit for power at his first place position, so it's not too surprising. Former pitcher Ron Villone was on the list, but I'm wondering if he did so after he left Cincy.

The best news in Reds land is that Mike Stanton is on the list. He's a reliever that has drawn the ire of many fans and perhaps this will give the Reds the chance to get rid of him.

Overall, I'm not sure this investigation was as big as people were anticipating. Except for a few instances, I think it will be all forgotten come this spring.

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Head To Head

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With Kelly on the DL, it's been difficult for me to get back to writing. Today makes it a little easier. Tonight is the Crosstown Shootout, the rivalry game between the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University. I'm not sure that they are bitter rivals [they have been playing since 1928], but this match-up divides the city like nothing else. Whether it's the "Xavier Girls Are Ugly" shirts, or the "Convicts verses Catholics" reply, you're supposed to chose a side and stick with it. I've always been a Cincinnati fan [perhaps because I'm not Catholic?] but have rooted for Xavier from the sidelines . . . except of course, during the Crosstown Shootout.

It was never a big deal to me until last spring when I enrolled in grad school at Xavier. I finally bought some Xavier gear and have been seen wearing it around town. I've become more familiar with the school, the campus, and even talked to Coach Sean Miller as he was walking across campus one day. One might suspect that this would cause me to back Xavier tonight, especially since we're now writing checks to Xavier.

But it's not happening.

More than ever, I'm following what Xavier is doing [enhanced by the fact that my neighbor is their beat writer and knows everything about the team]. In a midwestern city like ours, I think you can pay attention to both programs and hope that they perform at a high level. It's not like hating the Pittsburgh Steelers or the University of Michigan. Tomorrow morning we'll wake up and both Xavier and UC will be located in the city of Cincinnati. That's why I attest that it's not truly a bitter rivalry. Sure, they'll be some hatred tonight, but by the weekend, no one will care.

I will admit that I wore my Xavier sweatshirt this morning as I went out earlier to play basketball, but after coming home and showering I'm wearing a UC shirt the rest of the day. Fortunately I don't have class tonight, as I would've had to wear it there. First and foremost, UC is my team, no matter where I'm going to school.

This would be the year, however, if I was going to switch sides to do so. I've never witnessed UC fans being so low key about a match-up, obviously realizing that the Bearcats are going to be out-gunned. But before you empty the bank account and drop it all on X to win tonight, I'd encourage you to sit this one out.

The only consistent thing about this rivalry records can be thrown out the window. Last year Xavier was the favorite and lost. Twice during the 1990's UC was ranked #1 in the nation and lost this game. The players on both these teams usually play in the summer league together, so there's a familiarity between them; they know the other's tendencies and aren't intimidated. So even though this year looks like it sets up for a Musketeer romp, watch for the Bearcats to keep it close.

Regardless, it's a good time. And I'm looking forward to it.

Kelly Update

So far, so good . . . well, mostly. I think the combination of antibiotics and painkillers have messed with Kelly, so while she's feeling/breathing better, the effects of the drugs are making her sick. She's sleeping a lot and getting some good rest. Looks like she'll be at the hospital through the weekend. Her spirits are good.

Many of you have asked about helping out and seeing Kelly. Kaelyn and I are fine, and eating healthy believe it or not. And if you're thinking of visiting the hospital, please don't show up unannounced; the phone in her room isn't on so you'd have to reach her on the cell.

You can always drop her an email here. She'd love to hear from you.

Life Interrupted

This morning Kelly awoke complaining about some discomfort in her back. This is her office day so she popped a few Advil and decided to anyway [it should be noted that I encouraged her not to go]. She called around noon saying she was still feeling pain so I told her to call her doctor to get checked out. Her doctor sent her to Pro-Scan Imaging who told her that she would have to go to the hospital. She had a partially collapsed lung.

Spontaneous Pnuemothorax, to be exact. It's when air develops in the space between the lung and the rib, causing the lung to collapse. Kelly's was about 35% collapsed.

Sheryl stopped by to watch Kaelyn and I headed over to Christ Hospital's ER to be with Kelly. I wasn't too bothered until I walked into her room where about six medical personnel were getting things ready to do a procedure; that's when I got a little nervous. The doctor was excellent, explaining that he would insert a chest tube and it would relieve that air. They basically knocked her out for the procedure and it only lasted about 30 minutes. When I came back in, Kelly was pretty spacey but everything went fine. The tube will remain in her for five days until they take it out and evaluate its success.

Another extended hospital stay for Kel.

As of 10:20 tonight they have yet to get her into a room, but they were planning on getting her on the new cardiovascular wing of the hospital.

Life might be crazy for a couple of days, so please keep us in your prayers.

UPDATE: Read Kelly's perspective here. She had a pretty good night.

Where I Live

From the biography of Harriet Beecher Stowe [pg 72], taken from a letter to a friend.

"How I wish you could see Walnut Hills. It is about two miles from the city, and the road to it is as picturesque as you can imagine a road to be without 'springs that run among the hills.' Every possible variety of hill and vale of beautiful slope, and undulations of land set off by velvet richness of turf and broken up by groves and forests of every outline of foliage, make the scene Arcadian. You might ride over the same road a dozen times a day untired, for the constant variation of view caused by ascending and descending hills relieves you from all tedium."

Through The Cracks

Things I didn't get to mention this week:

  • I actually went to the Bengals game with Aaron last Sunday. The Bengals are so bad I really contemplated whether or not to take a free ticket. I did and it was a great decision. As bad as the Bengals are right now, the Titans looked much worse.
  • I had a connection to the officer that got injured this past week in the car chase on 1-75. I kept seeing his picture in the paper and knew he looked familiar. I worked with his wife Toni when I was on staff at Cincinnati Christian University. Word is that he's doing better but prayers would always help.
  • The funny thing about the picture book awards thing last night was the discrepancy in people. There were some totally serious amatuer photographers there along with hacks like me. One guy there was a meat-eating, red-blooded American dude from Kentucky; he was wearing a Reds jersey so I  struck up a conversation with him. I honestly thought he was there with his wife. Later his picture won first place in the animal category. It was a beautiful picture of a butterfly. I guess you can't tell a book by its cover.
  • Speaking of baseball, this is an early call but I'm going to go with it: the Reds will make the playoffs this year. Getting Francisco Cordero changes the entire look of this team. I still think someone will be moved here soon to get another quality starter. As much as some people want to keep them, I can see Ryan Freel and Josh Hamilton not wearing Reds uniforms next year. Of course, if Boston gets Johan Santana, they automatically get the World Series trophy without having to play the game.
  • If you live in Cincinnati you've probably noticed those annoying CincyAutos commercials with the chick holding the sign. I'm just not sure what to do about that. Even on a pornographic level it doesn't make sense. You could argue that it's memorable but the only thing it's done for me is insure that I'll never buy a car from them.
  • Mike Huckabee is coming on strong in the Republican race. I didn't think he had a chance but while Giuliani, Thompson, and Romney are all finding new ways to insert their feet into their mouths, Huckabee is appealing to the unsatisfied conservative base. He had a good debate the other night and I'm really starting to think he has a legitimate shot at this. The Dems are still neck and neck as Hillary is watching her lead evaporate.
  • If you aren't busy tomorrow afternoon, take a tour of OTR with Dan. You have no idea how amazing our city is. I'd be going but Nate and Julie are getting married then. More on that later.
  • I'm about ready to delete my Myspace account. I just can't stand looking at it anymore.
  • Tonight, a church planter I know in North Carolina will be featured in a story on NBC Nightly News. I met Tadd on the interwebs and, despite him being a North Carolina fan, have found him to be a great guy. I've already DVR'd it and you should check it out too.
  • Scott and Robyn Duebber are some of the most amazing people I know. If we were all like them, this world would be a much better place.
  • For some reason, this news article makes me laugh. Not because the guy was hunting on a golf course, but also because he's studying to be a mortician. I keep thinking that this is the kind of guy Kaelyn will bring home one day.

There. That's enough to chew on for now.

It's A Major Award

So I won something tonight. Kelly suggested that I enter some of my pictures in the Capture Cincinnati contest. It was a amateur photo book project and one of my photos made the book. Additionally, I also won a prize because people voted for the pic. Here's the online announcement. I got a gift card to Joseph Beth Bookstore which is pretty cool. You can purchase a copy at Joseph Beth or here. The line was long and Kaelyn was tired so we left without getting the book.

In case you're curious, the picture was one I took of Kaelyn up in Mount Adams. She's a cutie.

So thanks for voting, and thanks Martha Hill for watching Kaelyn for a few minutes tonight.

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Announcements

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Yes, a terrible way to die. I've had a couple busy days but I wanted to note:

1) I've had some email issues, so if I haven't gotten back to you, it might be because of that.

2) I have some new photos up at Flickr, including a Kaelyn Christmas shoot, shots from Balluminaria [you'll have to see for yourself], as well as a couple of pics of my newest nephew Jack. Wild, wacky stuff.

3) I should have another announcement later tonight [no, Kelly isn't pregnant] that could be cool. You'll have to check back to find out if the suspense was worth it.

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The Times, They Are A-Changing

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Oral Roberts University is reeling from the mess made by President Richard Roberts [son of Oral] who resigned this past weekend. It's interesting that the President was done in by his own faculty and staff who could no longer ignore his misuse of school resources. It was a big step for these people to stand up to Roberts, especially considering his name, as well as his role as a spiritual leader. Throughout the past years of American evangelical scandal [especially those within the Pentecostal realm] you would usually see these leaders protected by his underlings. Perhaps the Ted Haggard situation taught people that institutions could survive these scandals if they were handled quickly and truthfully.

The real reason I note this situation is an interesting quote in this article concerning the way the ORU situation was handled by those within. To me it says a lot about the current state of American Christianity:

"'There was a time when the wagons would circle and we'd protect our own,' said the Rev. Carlton Pearson, a former member of the ORU board of regents who is now a United Church of Christ minister. 'But we don't know what our own is anymore. People are asking questions and questioning answers, and we're not used to it.'"

I guess it's true: we don't know what 'our own' is anymore. So maybe this reinforces the idea that we have entered an age where it no longer matters what your family lineage is, or what kind of title you wear, or what denominational name is attached to your church as those are no longer acceptable litmus tests for one's beliefs. We can no longer place our trust in the words themselves. 'Christian' is now an incredibly broad term that a few billion people claim, let alone all the other ones that have now become indecipherable [and I'm not convinced that substituting "Christ follower" for "Christian" really makes any difference]. This is one of the many reasons I abhor vision statements: just because I name it doesn't make it true.

In the end, it comes down to what you embody as an individual or an organization; i.e, you are what you are. Words will only get you so far.

Thr33

I didn't write a Thankgiving post yesterday. It seemed everyone was doing it and we were busy doing nothing anyway. We're in Lexington today for Thanksgiving Part Deux and I brought no belt with me in anticipation of the gluttony to come. By far, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday: family, feast and football. Quoting the immortal Brett Michaels [now linked to Thanksgiving time, in my mind at least]: ". . . and it don't get better than this. "

Anyway, it was three years ago today that I started Beit Carr. So on the threshold of my senior year of blogging, I thought I'd reevaluate my initial reluctancy to start the blog:

1. "I lack the passion to be a successful blogger." Apparently I was wrong about this. I've been able to sustain the blog, with 1,118 posts in 1,095 days. They say the key to a good blog is consistent posting and, so far, I've been able to keep it up.

2. "I don't type well." Honestly, I would say that this has been one of the biggest benefits of blogging. I type much better now than I did three years ago. I've been able to notice it as I work on papers for classes. I still tend to favor my right hand, but for someone who never took a typing class, I can put out a good amount of words in a respectable amount of time.

3. "I obsess over the words I use when I write." Again, I really think blogging has helped my usage of words. I'll still make the occasional error when I don't edit well but I have Kelly [and now Melissa] to let me know when I screwed up. With the blog and my sermons and my papers, I now produce a voluminous amount of words every week. This encourages me to expand my vocabulary and continually strive for creativity in what I write.

4. "My job constrains what I can say." I would say this is very much different as well. Echo has been the perfect church for me. I'm liberated to say what needs to be said, with a leadership that understands me and my motivation. About two to three times as many people read this blog than actually are a part of our church. So Beit Carr extends my influence. I still understand the responsibility that accompanies this medium but I no longer fret how something will be received.

So those of you who keep up on my life here on the blog: thanks. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I do writing it. I love my little corner of the interwebs and look forward to maintaining it for the years to come.