Tim Samoff // Weblog (old)

March 31, 2004

Baby Blog...

I’d like to introduce you to Baby Blog, a new Blog created to journal the birth and early life of the forthcoming Durrett family member.

From Daddy (Brett):

So I thought I would start a blog for the baby. I am not doing this because I believe this is interesting to anybody, I just thought it would be a good way to keep some sort of a journal that the critter could later look at and understand what we were thinking when we screwed up its life.

Brett and Stephanie are friends from way back and I am excited for them. (And it says a lot when the third entry of any Blog — let alone a “Baby Blog” — can gross me out!)

Informatio: Blogging, Digispace, and Email
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Blogger Idol - Week 11: Blogger Pageant ("Pageant Passage Paradigm: A Postmodern Parable")

Update: This is the first Blogger Idol entry that I have written that I feel may need some preliminary explanation — or rather, the first entry that quickly solicited questions about what it meant. All I will say — as I do hate to explain my creativity — is read the conditions of this week’s Blogger Idol theme, look up the word “parable,” and think about the transition between modernity and postmodernity (if that’s something you are at all inclined to think about). Enjoy. (TS, 03/31/04, 2:57pm)
As the spotlight shifted over to me as I tried to walk as gracefully as possible to the podium towards what would be my chance to answer the “big question,” something in the back of my mind was nagging me. I wasn’t wondering what my question would be or even how I should try to calm down a little before I attempted an answer. No, something was wrong. I just didn’t know what it was.

This entire beauty pageant felt a bit odd from the start (and I couldn’t figure it out then), but at this point, I really began to question why I was even there. I mean, I am beautiful — at least, that’s what I have come to believe. I had been preening myself for years in preparation for this moment — I had been entering beauty pageants since I was very young, just with the hope that I would one day be here, hadn’t I?

So what was the problem?

Informatio: Blogger Idol, Stories and Essays
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The Lessig Audiobook update #2...

The Afterword That Wouldn’t End.

Seriously. I have been recording and editing audio for this thing for two nights now and I am still not finished. Of course, I am an obsessive perfectionist about projects like this, but this time — I swear — I am not being as obsessive as I usually am.

But, I am making headway. Check back again tomorrow for a link…hopefully.

In the meantime, read the book for yourself — or listen to it if that’s what you prefer. It is really good.

Informatio: Culture, Life, Theory and Philosophy
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March 30, 2004

The Devil's Dictionary...

blog, verb

To noisily and simultaneously void one’s spleen, stomach, bladder and bowels.
“Get outta my way! I think I’m gonna blog!”

Informatio: Blogging, Digispace, and Email
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The Lessig Audiobook update...

I recorded almost half of the Afterword from Free Culture last night. It was a lot of fun, but it is taking longer than I thought it would; along with the fact that I wasn’t feeling good earlier in the evening. But, I did make progress and I’m hoping to finish it tonight… And upload it tomorrow.

I checked back at the growing list of completed chapters and found that Linda Blake and George had finished a version of the Afterword already. You can download it here (it’s a 59.43 MB mp3 file). I would say that I wished I knew they were doing it, so that I could have chosen another chapter, but I’m having enough fun — and I hold enough stock in the concept of the book and its attempt at defending culture that can be used and “tinkered” with by anyone — that I don’t mind at all. It will be fun to compare the different versions that are being created.

Hopefully, I’ll have a link to my version tomorrow.

Informatio: Culture, Life, Linkage
Posted at 07:38 am | Permalink | Trackback | Comments (1)

March 29, 2004

The Lessig Audiobook project...

Three days ago, inspired by the free-offering of Lawrence Lessig‘s new book Free Culture, AKMA had the idea that those willing should record an audio version for distribution on the internet. This concept is allowed by the Creative Commons license that the book is published under as long as it is not used commercially (for your inforamation, Professor Lessig is one of the creators of the Creative Commons organization).

Well, a weekend and about twenty willing people later, almost the entire book has been recorded (that link will take you to the online archive for the audio files). Everyone involved is completely blown away by this response. Needless to say, so is AKMA, who may have been a bit ill-prepared for the…excitement.

This is incredible and I want to be a part of it too! Tonight, I am going to begin recording the Afterword. I’ll post the link when I’m finished.

Informatio: Blogging, Culture, Life, Linkage
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Blogger Idol - Week 10: Childhood Treasures (My Top 5)

My personal Top 5 picks for Blogger Idol – Week 10: Childhood Treasures (not necessarily in order from first to last place):

• Jan (Shalom’s Weblog): Childhood Treasures
• Amanda (Lypton Village): Childhood Treasures
• Cliff Between the Lines: Coins and Corals and Carved Coconuts
• Chris Wight: The Short List
• IreneQ: Being Me

Informatio: Blogger Idol
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March 23, 2004

grid::blog | Project 365 - Momentary lapse of...

You haven’t been looking have you. Well, that’s ok. I know there are just too many blogs to visit every day. It’s not your fault.

But, in my (less than) humble opinion, you are missing out on an experimentation of the highest degree.

“And what is this grandiose venture,” you might ask.

Well, I’d be happy to answer that question! Beginning on January first of this year, two-thousand four, I have taken photographs every day — afterwards choosing one to post on my Photoblog. This has, in fact accumulated, to this date, eighty-three photographs.

Now, this may not seem like that many pictures; four rolls of film if one were to use every photograph that he had taken.

Rather than argue the point, though, I bid you a challenge: try, yourself, to take photographs for only one week and choose the best of each day as the finalist. Then come back here and let me know how easy or difficult it was. (And just so you know, it has taken me well over seven hundred forty-eight photographs to come up with the mere eighty-three.)

But, I am venturing out far beyond the original intent of this Blog entry…

I must mention something for those of you who do partake of my photographic philanthropy. I am going to be out of town until Sunday evening, so my part in “grid::blog | Project 365“ may look like it has been abandoned.

Oh, rest assured my fine visitors! I will be taking photographs ever morrow hence and I will soon be back to post (back-dated, mind you) the best of my view-finding incursions.

Until then… Farewell.

Informatio: Life, Linkage, Photography
Posted at 8:06 pm | Permalink | Trackback | Comments (1)

Blogger Idol - Week 10: Childhood Treasures ("Life Full Circle")

Tomorrow morning, we’re heading out to Loveland, Colorado. Originally, we were supposed to be going on a ski trip with some people from our church, but the plans fell through. Rather than miss out on an opportunity, Julianna and I decided that we should still go.

It’s funny how we sometimes come to a place in life where pieces of the past come around to confront us — two points that took years to dislocate suddenly and immediately snap back to center with hardly a noticeable vibration. And here I am in the center, shaking my head and asking that age-old question: “Huh?!”

This past year has been full of these moments for Julianna and me (though, it all actually of began a few years ago when she and I began communicating with each other — but that’s altogether another story).

With the passing of Julianna’s father a few months ago, we were, for lack of a better word, forced to relive some old memories; memories of our lives with Julianna’s father, my father-in-law and family friend. It is quite sobering to look back at the time-line of my life and realize how many people had influence and how many situations occurred exactly how they were supposed to in order to deliver me somewhere new — of course, those somewheres being places that, miraculously, ended up shifting me even somewhere else…

Informatio: Blogger Idol, Family and Friends, Trips and Adventures
Posted at 6:06 pm | Permalink | Trackback | Comments (1)

March 19, 2004

Blogger Idol - Week 9: Dear Celebrity (My Top 5)

My personal Top 5 picks for Blogger Idol – Week 9: Dear Celebrity (not necessarily in order from first to last place):

• Bridgier (November 31st): To Whom It May Concern…
• Amanda (Lypton Village): Paddy’s Day Reminder
• Bryan (Spare Change): Why Settle For One Letter When You Can Have 26?
• Codswallop and Flapdoodle: The Celebetter Letter
• Kristy K: From Bleu

Informatio: Blogger Idol
Posted at 09:44 am | Permalink | Trackback | Comments (1)

The Emergent Collector Cards...

This is too great! (Link via Jordon.)

The Emergent Collector Cards

Collect ‘em all!

Informatio: Faith, Humor, Linkage
Posted at 08:04 am | Permalink | Trackback | Comments (1)

March 16, 2004

Blogger Idol - Week 9: Dear Celebrity ("I Wish I Cared")

Dear celebrity
I wish I cared

Dear celebrity
I wish I cared
But my interest waned
When that last pilot aired

Dear celebrity
I wish I cared
But your idea of society
Seems to have lost me somewhere

Dear celebrity
I wish I cared
No, really, I wish I did
And I know it’s not very fair

Dear celebrity
I wish I cared
All of the good times
That I know we shared

Dear celebrity
I wish I cared
But I don’t, and I’m sorry
And I want you to be aware

Dear celebrity
I wish I cared
But I’ve found that entertainment is not a strong bond
And our relationship just isn’t going anywhere

Dear celebrity
I really do wish I cared
Your face on the screen
And my cold, numbed stare

Dear celebrity
I wish I cared
But I don’t have any more to give
And you don’t have any time to spare

Dear celebrity
I wish I cared

Informatio: Blogger Idol
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Blogger Idol - Week 8: I Confess (My Top 5)

My personal Top 5 picks for Blogger Idol – Week 8: I Confess (not necessarily in order from first to last place):

• Matt Place: Little Things
• Uptown Girl: Joy Ride
• IreneQ: Confessions of a Would-Be Adventurer
• Marguerite (Seasons of Violet): I Lost It
• Ian’s Messy Desk: For Glenda

  Informatio: Blogger Idol
  Posted at 07:27 am | Permalink | Trackback | Comments (2)

  March 15, 2004

  The nerve!

  It was such a surprise. One minute I was walking to the bus stop. Then next, I was completely taken over by the most excrutiating pain I think I’ve ever felt. My body arched back. I almost dropped everything I was holding. I hunched forward and waited until I caught my breath.

  What is going on?

  A cramp. It’s just got to be a very bad cramp.

  I continued on, sure that I would start feeling better. I arrived at the bus stop and still no relief.

  The next twenty minutes were almost unbearable. I clutched the hand rail on the bus seat in front of me and stared out the window so that no one could see my contorted face.

  Something is seriously wrong.

  Continue Reading...

  Informatio: Miscellany, Humor, and Reality
  Posted at 9:06 pm | Permalink | Trackback | Comments (7)

  March 10, 2004

  Blogger Idol - Week 8: I Confess ("B.I. Blues")

  
  I’ve got the “B.I. Blues.” I confess. I didn’t think it would happen. In fact, I was pretty confident that the inspiration that I was getting from the weekly Blogger Idol themes would make it very very difficult. But, I confess. I confess that I don’t want to write an entry for Week 8. I feel like I don’t have any real ideas, but I don’t think that’s the case.

  And, my inability to write is not the only thing that’s getting me down. Part of it is the fact that others seem so apt to confessing — I mean, how did people who aren’t even playing this “game” come up with completely appropriate Blog entries this week? First, take a look at my pastor’s Blog: all about our environment and ecology, but wrapped up in an honest yet tidy little confession. Then, of course, there’s the Preacher’s confession. Man, this would be the winner of this week’s Idol competition if it had only been entered. It gives me the chills. I wish I could be this open.

  So, I confess: I can’t confess.

  But, that’s not the whole story, I know. The reality is, I’ve alway had a hard time confessing anything. Why? Pride. I know this. It is more comfortable for me to keep things inside than to suffer humiliation or embarrassment or exposure or any other feeling that comes from opening up. This seems strange, though, being that every time I have ever actually confessed something (to anyone aside from our Creator), it has begun a healing process in which I ended up becoming a better person. So why am I so scared?

  (You’re all smart readers. You surely caught the fact that I just confessed of my pride in the previous paragraph. And that wasn’t so scary was it? But, I’ve confessed of that one before. Pride is nothing new. Especially not to me.)

  So, I began this entry confessing to have no confessions. That moved quickly into an old favorite. And now… Now, I confess of being blue; saddenned by the fact that a subject as simple as “I Confess” can be so utterly complicated for me. Not only am I unable to grab on to the reigns of this God-given gift of spiritual cleansing, but I let it continually frighten me. It looms off in the distance. It hides behind the far corner. It creeps up behind me and breathes it’s warm breath on my neck.

  And I am left with nothing.

  Confession. My nemesis. I confess that I am powerless against you.

  Informatio: Blogger Idol, Faith, Introspection, Linkage
  Posted at 4:23 pm | Permalink | Trackback | Make Comment

  March 09, 2004

  Time for Sacred Space...

  A couple of weeks ago, some friends spoke about “Sacred Spaces” at church. They talked about our various connections with God and how Sacred Space doesn’t have to be a church to be “holy ground” (I am capitalizing “Sacred Space” to express the importance that I give it). This is nothing new to me, though it is always a very welcome subject.

  I have often thought, though rarely talked, about where my Sacred Spaces might be. Throughout my life these spaces have come and gone — and even soetimes returned. Unadulterarted nature always seems to have the power of becoming an instant Sacred Space for me, but it doesn’t always happen (wouldn’t that be a great product of the Modern church: “Instant Sacred Spaces — get yours before they’re all gone!” ).

  Last year, I found my Sacred Space at Matins (and that was in a church). The funny thing is, the sacredness of the space didn’t persist and I felt myself slowly returning to complacency over the course of the year. One day, after trying to fight my feelings, what once felt “holy” to me, now simply felt…forced.

  Since Thursday, I have been riding the bus. Little did I know that the bus was going to become an instant Sacred Space — I definitely didn’t start riding the bus to find holy ground! But, it became sacred nevertheless.

  Normally, this would probably be the end of my story, but surprisingly enough, I found a second Sacred Space on the same day (yesterday) that I realized what my bus rides were becoming to me. As I was walking home from the gym — due to the weather, this was actually the first time I have been able to walk to and from the gym — I was struck by one of the most intimate glimpses of sacredness that I have ever had. I mean, it felt like I was seeing God’s face! As I peered out over the city — the sun making its final decent into the horizon, the blue-black sky expectantly hovering above, lights popping on in every direction, the sounds and smells of the cars and factories floating on the cool breeze, a bell tower ringing a familiar tune — I was almost overcome with joy. This is what my Lord has given to me! I started to sing a favorite worship song to myself and continued on my walk; singing, humming — just loving every second of it.

  But, a question arose. Are my bus rides and evening strolls the actual “spaces” that are sacred, or is there another “space” altogether?

  About ten months ago, I wrote my first “MovableType“ Blog entry. It was about “time.” I had been keeping an online journal, on and off, for about two years already, but this was my first real post in quite a while. It wasn’t the most profound writing by any means, but it kind of relates to what I’ve been feeling over the last couple of days.

  Time. Could time be a Sacred Space?

  I found two Sacred Spaces within the time of one day, but I don’t know if it had anything to do with the actual spaces. Riding the bus, well, that gives me more time than usual. Walking home provides time too. Could “holiness” and “sacredness” come from slowing down? Can holiness be experienced by taking the time to realize that everything our Creator has given us is, in fact, already holy?

  The bus has continued to be a Sacred Space for me. This morning, on my short, one-transfer ride to work, I found myself sitting, listening, looking, thinking, praying… The people around me were a perfect example of God’s diversity. The conversations that made their way to my ears confirmed the fact that I am but a trifling grain of sand in the turmoil that surrounds me. The numerous environments that sped past me as I remained still in my Sacred Space affirmed the speed at which the outside world moves.

  God gave me time and time made me holy.

  And then an instant later, I was popped back out into the desert to wait; hoping that sanctification would return.

  I don’t quite know the ramifications of all of this, but I do know one thing: for now, even if only for a short time, I have found a Sacred Space. Time.

  Informatio: Introspection, Life, Faith
  Posted at 1:23 pm | Permalink | Trackback | Comments (1)

  March 08, 2004

  The postmodern in 1 sentence...

  Seems that I started a few people thinking over at Steve’s E~mergent Kiwi Blog the other day, with a comment about defining postmodernism with brevity…

  My comment from Steve’s post:
  

  ...I think the postmodernist who finally convinces us that he/she is right is the one that can tell us what postmodernism is in less than a book…preferrably less than a few hundred words…optimally in less than ten words…perfectly in three words ( i.e., “Postmodernism is _____” ).

  Anyway, something really profoud (to me) came, by way of another comment, from the author of Maggi Dawn in response to another of Steve’s posts:
  

  “I am not sure I am in the right place.”
  
  Postmodernity in a sentence… ?

  In my opinion, this may not be the final definition of postmodernity, but it sure seems like a valid definition for “Postmodern Christianity”...

  But maybe I’d alter it just a bit:
  “I know I am not in the right place.”

  This is my new definition.

  Informatio: Faith, Linkage, Theory and Philosophy
  Posted at 1:26 pm | Permalink | Trackback | Comments (4)

  March 05, 2004

  Blogger Idol - Week 7: Play (My Top 5)

  
  
  My personal Top 5 picks for Blogger Idol – Week 7: Play (not necessarily in order from first to last place):
  

  • Charlie (Where the Hell Was I?): Play? Play Ball! And Pour Me a Beer While You’re At It
  • Rachel (Life Being Beautiful): A picture paints a thousand words… (No Permalink)
  • Ian’s Messy Desk: Word Play
  • Bridgier (November 31st): Playing Myself
  • Cliff Between the Lines: Playing the Score, Tasting the Music

  Informatio: Blogger Idol
  Posted at 07:57 am | Permalink | Trackback | Comments (3)

  Hometown doofus makes good -- story at 10...

  No, I’ll tell you now.

  You are reading a Weblog entry from the newest member of the PTE — the Public Transit Experts! Yes, that’s right. I have successfully made it to work by using Kansas City’s public transportation service.

  It was fun. It was easy. Definitely a great experience. It almost makes me forget about yesterday. (And, I must say, it is much easier to wait for a bus when it’s not raining.)

  The first bus driver, a man, was super nice. My bus fare wasn’t being accepted by the meter, but he was patient and helped me get that all squared away. And he was happy to tell me where we were going (I wasn’t taking any chances this time).

  Transferring to the second bus was a piece of cake. The bus was already waiting at the stop when the first pulled up right behind it. The second bus driver, a woman, was really nice too. In fact, the people on this bus (mostly African-American women) seemed as if they had been riding public transportation together for years — they were talking and carrying on about a new WalMart… It was great. And the bus driver was even joining in on the conversation.

  All in all, I had a wonderful time. Hopefully my trip home will be equally as enjoyable.

  Informatio: Humor, Life
  Posted at 07:20 am | Permalink | Trackback | Comments (1)

  Baby update...

  Ava Katherine was born yesterday, March 4, 2004, at 4:43pm. She was 7lbs. 4oz. She is healthy and cries a lot and gets to go home Saturday

  Informatio: Family and Friends
  Posted at 07:08 am | Permalink | Trackback | Comments (1)

  March 04, 2004

  A baby is born!

  I just got word that our friend Julie gave birth to her brand new daughter just a few minutes ago. All I know right now is that her name is Ava (and, in fact, I don’t even know if that’s the proper way to spell her name). I post more when I find out!

  So exciting!

  Informatio: Family and Friends
  Posted at 5:19 pm | Permalink | Trackback | Make Comment

  PTD (Public Transit Doofus)...

  Ok, so, imagine this. It is raining, like, hard. Not just a smattering of little drops, but coming down in buckets — the kind of drops that if one hits you square on the forehead, you’ll be mopping up water for the rest of the day.

  And today is the day that I decide to try out Kansas City’s public transportation system for the first time — this being for reasons that may become evident in the next week or so. Now, I am the first to admit that I am not a public transit expert by any means, but I have had some experience getting around cities by using public transportation of some sort.

  Today, I woke up feeling like I hadn’t slept much. In fact, I had probably dreamt four or five different dreams all having to do with busses in some way or another. I guess I was a little nervous. I mean, it is kind of scary to think about leaving my car at home and being wholly dependent on a couple of employees of the city. But, I was ready. I showered, dressed, put my lunch together, got my bus fare all ready, and ate breakfast; in true bus schedule fashion, my timing was impeccable. After saying goodbye to my wife, I was out the door and on my way to my Thursday morning adventure — if I had only known how much of an adventure it was going to be…

  Continue Reading...

  Informatio: Miscellany, Humor, and Reality, Stories and Essays, Trips and Adventures
  Posted at 07:54 am | Permalink | Trackback | Make Comment

  March 03, 2004

  Blogger Idol - Week 7: Play ("Urban Hike")

  
  I have always been the type of person who could take time out to play. I love to play; games, outdoor activities, you name it. Now, that’s not to mean that I forget sometimes — that I don’t get bogged down by work and stress and all of the other things that life brings my way. But, most of the time, I remember to play.

  And what better place to play than in the middle of the city? Julianna and I asked this question and then went on an “urban hike” through Midtown, Kansas City…

  (Click thumbnails for a bigger picture.)

  Informatio: Blogger Idol, Fun, Photography
  Posted at 08:31 am | Permalink | Trackback | Comments (3)