Christmas time is here...

"Christmas time is here Happiness and cheer Fun for all that children call Their favorite time of the year Christmas time is here We'll be drawing near Oh, that we could always see Such spirit through the year" - Vince Guaraldi

Kevin over at Massivetruth has a good series of articles going on various Christmas traditions, specifically the tree, the ornaments, and candy canes. They're pretty good reads. While you are there, add it to your RSS reader of choice, as you don't want to miss "Fantastic Fridays".

And in the spirit of the writers strike, I'm offering up a couple re-runs.
First, last year I did a write up of "Secret Santa", the now late philanthropist Larry Stewart. He was the embodiment of the Christmas spirit for 20 years. His story moved me deeply, and I hope it continues to spread despite his passing.
And here is a run down of my favorite Christmas Songs. Just a note on #1. I am not suggesting Bing Crosby and Bob Seeger did a duet. I'm referring to to different recordings. And incidentally, I HATE David Bowie's singing over Bing on their Drummer boy/Peace on Earth "duet".

------

And that's enough for now.

Brian Norwood

Platypi Online: The Platypus Portal

Boo doo doot doot doot, Another one writes, discuss...

(Sad and strained Queen reference in the title)
Well, I used to list my favorite blogs every so often, but I have forgotten my numbering, and I'm too lazy to go look. So, a guy I've had the privledge of playing some music and worshiping with, Nate Brown done all growed up and got himself off of MySpace. His blog has the "I wish I'd thought of it" title of Annotated Nathanography. There aren't too many posts there yet, but I find in conversing with him he's fairly insightful and interesting. I'm watching to see him apply that to a blog. (no pressure).
And no, it's not just returning the "link love", or I could have quietly added him to the link box and said nothing. Not to mention how it'd screw up that whole "authenticity" discussion that flew around the our microcosm of the Christian Blogosphere a few months back.

By the way, proud dad video over at Growing Up Dad.
------

And that's enough for now.

Brian Norwood

Platypi Online: The Platypus Portal

Back in the game..

Well, my little Katie is a month old. So, I figured my blogging vacation is over. I put up some pics of the munchkin over at Growing Up Dad. She's a doll.
And...
so... here. A young man who has over come tremendous obstacles to put out a rap album. The obstacles? Down's Syndrome. I've said enough.
------

And that's enough for now.

Brian Norwood

Platypi Online: The Platypus Portal

2007, and My Favorite Blogs #'s 6, 7, 8 & 9

Happy New Year. Brand new year, same ole' crap. 'Nuff said.

I've been reading a few new blogs and an older one that I'd like to mention.

• #6 A New Beginning. This is my friend West's blog. Something that tends to get lost when we talk to people in the world is just how hard this life we've chosen is. A New Beginning is very honest. Uncomfortably so at times. That's what makes it a good read. He updates it semi-regularly, so I check in every few days.


• #7 My friends tend to have two blogs. One personal, and one topical about something we are passionate about. My second blog is Growing up Dad, my blog about becoming a new father. West's second blog is about a subject near and dear to my fat gut. Food.
  #7 has the odd title of The Caddywampus Cafe, and the premise is this. What REAL FOOD can you make with the stuff in your fridge and cupboards, without necessarily having to make a special trip to the store. That has to be one of the most handy subjects, and thus most handy blogs I can think of.


• #8 is the second blog of my friend Tony. Fingerpainting 101 is literally a must read if you are at all interested in participating in a Modern Church Worship Band. And, the debate that goes on is as good as any blog I read, and that's not just because I participate. This one is more like a small but growing community


• #9 is new. My pal Tony's wife Kim has a wonderful breath of fresh air over at Random Series of Events. I always enjoy a clever turn of a phrase, from high language to low brow humor. Kim is actually really good at turning a phrase. She has a great since of humor and see everyday life through a lens I find hysterical. When I once was asked to play bass for a pick up gig with no practice or charts, she quipped that I was something like Kreskin the bass player. If you get that and think it's funny, or you are into that Christopher Guest style humor, you'll love her blog.

Well, my goal for 2007 is more posts than 2006. This is not a lofty goal. See you there.
------

And that's enough for now.

Brian Norwood

Platypi Online: The Platypus Portal

Blogs I like #5 Donny's Ramblings

#5 Donny's Ramblings: Diary of a FORMER Pornographer This is a recent find for me, and the epitome of what I think blogging is about. This is a real guy with a real issue and a real life struggle. And he puts it out there. I like a blog with a log of real life in it. I'm currently in a mood (mode?) where I am bored and irritated with consuming traditional (antique?) media. I read blogs and and listen to and watch podcasts. A little news to see who's blowing up who, the comics, and that's about it right now. It may change, but with a new blog to voraciously read, it may not have to. Good luck Donny.
------

And that's enough for now.

Brian Norwood

Platypi Online: The Platypus Portal

Blogs That I like #4, Ragamuffin Soul

#4 Ragamuffin Soul. Los Whittaker is a little too young and too hip to be completely relevant to me, but he's certainly entertaining and he does brighten up the blogosphere quite a bit. He also has the Ragamuffin Soul podcast. I subscribe, but I think it will be less appealing to those of you not interested in modern worship music. His blog, however, is almost universally appealing. Infinitely more popular than me, he seems to have a large and ever growing readership. Time for you to jump on.
------

And that's enough for now.

Brian Norwood

Platypi Online: The Platypus Portal

Blogs I like #3 Mildly Interesting Writing About Things

#3 Mildly Interesting Writing About Things The Blog of long time friend Tony Green. This blog, scarily enough, was started to disseminate information about his battle with melanoma. Face it, we are all scared of cancer. Tony faced it as well as anyone I have seen so far. And, he's now clean. He then documented his move from California to Ohio, along with guest blogger Roger Green (his dad). Now he has settled in and comes up with the most interesting content of any "amateur" blogger I've read. It's good stuff. He posts at least every few days. I'm glad he's kept it up, and you can encourage him by reading and commenting.
------

And that's enough for now.

Brian Norwood

Platypi Online: The Platypus Portal

Blogs I like #2 Neil Gaiman

#2 Neil Gaiman's Journal. Let's be honest, some people have been reading Neil's blog for years, and I haven't. I'm a recent reader, and hit and miss at that. But it's fascinating to look so closely at a real creative person. I'm pretty creative, but I am all but crippled by my ADD and I flit from interest to interest like a butterfly. Neil is a writer, and a writer's writer to boot. He's disciplined enough to put out several thousand words a day, where as I have not done an oil painting since I graduated, which was 2001. Sad for a guy who used to identify himself as a painter.

And of course, how I first came across Neil... He writes comics! He wrote The Sandman, which is one of those transcendent comics like The Watchmen and Kingdom Come that have achieved art status on ANYBODY's list. I really encourage you to read Neil's blog for a period of time. It is real insight into the creative mind... kinda how I wish my blog was.
------

And that's enough for now.

Brian Norwood

Platypi Online: The Platypus Portal

Blogs I like #1 Dvorak Uncensored

I thought I should maybe give some props to some folks around the blogosphere who's content I enjoy pretty regularly. In no particulary order, here's some of what I read.

#1 John Dvorak: Dvorak Uncensored TWiT's cranky curmudgeon, I read John mostly to get ticked off. He's a godless bast**d, and I stay away from anything he posts having to do with faith of anykind. He is, however, a great writer and stays relevant with technology, which is what he's known for. I've been a fan of John since he pissed me off bad mouthing Apple on "Silicone Spin" on the old ZDTV which begat Tech TV which begat G4TEch TV which begat RIP.

John publishes several posts a day (having a team helps) so there is plenty of content. I also recommend the TWiT "netcast" (that word does NOT work for me) and Cranky Geeks, a DL.TV production production.

----------------------

That's enough for now.

Brian Norwood

Platypi Online