NorCalUrban

Another homicide in EPA this weekend. Another young life cut short. This one was closer to home, since it was the son of one of the other tenants in our building. I'm tired of the violence. You can read the news report here. Pastor Bains knew this young man well. I found strength in the U2 song 'Drowning Man' this morning. I'll take it as words from God and a prayer for the family. Take my hand You know I'll be there If you can I'll cross the sky for your love For I have promised Oh, to be with you tonight And for the time that will come Take my hand You know I'll be there If you can I'll cross the sky for your love And I understand These winds and tides This change of times Won't drag you away Hold on, and hold on tightly Hold on, and don't let go Of my love The storms will pass...the storm will pass... It won't be long now...it won't be long now... His love will last His love will last...forever Take my hand You know I'll be there...

OK - I know I haven't been posting much lately. After the  CCDA conference, then a week of vacation I came back to a whirlwind. I hope I still have some readers! Here's a few things that has been going on to catch you up on the randomness of my life: - Andy Hartwell, founder and former Executive Director of my former employer Bayshore Christian Ministries attended Max Torres' funeral. Here's some of Andy's reflections "I went to Max' funeral. It was pretty amazing. We got there a little before 10 and still ended up sitting in the gymnasium. The sanctuary and overflow room were already packed. Later, the little passageway between the 2 got packed out as well. I think there were 1000 people there, certainly 800+. Lots of bikers. The speakers were great. They really knew Max and reflected well on his personality and his legacy. It was really positive without being at all shallow. It wasn't happy-happy; it was really moving. His oldest son got up to thank...

OK - so I might be the only one in the world but I was rather uninterested in the Super Bowl. I know... it was the greatest one ever. But I've decided I really have room only for one sport in my life - and that would be baseball. Instead, Melissa, Sam and I went to see U2-3D. It's actually Jeremy's Del Rio's fault. He and JJ went to see it and texted me when they came out of the theatre. But - when he heard I ditched the super bowl for this I recieved stereo-typical New York ridicule from a Giants fan. However, I'm thrilled that the New York team got revenge for the Yankees recent troubles with the Red Sox. But, oh man, go see this IMAX flick. We had the privledge to see U2 live on the Vertigo tour, so we remember the concert well. But I have never seen anything like this. The 3D effect was stunning. It made us feel like we were right on top of the band. VERY worth the money. If it's showing in a theatre near you, go... However, at times I think Bono is a Chri...

Man, do I love YouTube! Here's a very cool thing I found. See- If I'm blogging about music it's either Ryan Adams or U2!

Melissa and I are going to see Ryan (not Brian) Adams tonight in Berkeley. Ryan has been one of my favorite musicians since his Whiskeytown days in the 90's. We had a long but fruitful weekend - and I'm looking forward to spending some time with my bride and hearing some great music, perhaps also eating some great Indian food in Berkeley. If I'm blogging about music - it's usually about either U2 or Ryan Adams... Ryan is a brilliant singer / songwriter but has had a up and down career. He's recently embraced sobriety, kicking a pretty nasty drug habit. He's trying to avoid becoming a stereotype. Earlier this year the New York Times did a good article on Ryan and his journey. In the article it states "ONE afternoon, as Ryan Adams was recording his new album, “Easy Tiger” (Lost Highway), at Electric Lady Studios in Greenwich Village, the singer-songwriter Steve Earle dropped by to visit. Jimi Hendrix had built Electric Lady in the late 1960s, and Mr. Earle...

Bono and Luciano, Soul brothers for sure. Rest in peace, Maestro... What an amazing video!

Thanks Jeremy. Make sure you listen to the end. Bono preaches about the role of the church with the poor and encourages the African American church to play a role in stopping world poverty.

Very creative and cool. Love the pictures of the classic artists...

Great Lyrics... The shackles are undone The bullets quit the gun The heat that’s in the sun Will keep us when there’s none The rule has been disproved The stone it has been moved The grave is now a groove All debts are removed Oh can’t you see what love has done? Oh can’t you see what love has done... what it's doing to me?