Laba diena, world!
It is sunny today. A delightful thing in any part of the world, no doubt, but it is especially so here, where the sun is seldom seen during remarkably gray winter months. But the sun shines brilliantly, and it has for almost a week straight. Clearly God's favour shines on Klaipeda lately.
I mentioned last time an upcoming trip to Stockholm. Well, said trip came quickly and went wonderfully. I was absolutely enthralled by the 14-island city, by it's staggeringly beautiful and balanced blend of ancient history and the ultra modern. Not that I've been that many places, but it really was unlike any place I'd ever been. Some notable highlights: wandering through the medieval streets and palace grounds of the old town, cheering for Sweden at Europe's largest hockey arena in a friendly Sweden-Russia game, shopping in the city's sprawling (and remarkably trendy) shopping district (which is almost a whole island to itself), sipping hot drinks at coffeeshops that put every Starbucks to shame, and on and on. Even the hours of bus and plane travel on either end of the trip was a great way to see more of this part of the world in which I now reside. As an added bonus, I know all the ins-and-outs of the Riga International Airport now too.That may come in handy again someday.
Since then, I've resumed my LCC life. But even that is anything but boring and predictable, though. I'm still working at the Klaipeda Special School. I normally go in 3 or 4 mornings a week. It's hard to describe exactly what I do, but this past week, in celebration of Valentine's Day, I assisted the school psychologist and social worker in putting on a little Valentine's card-making bash. Lots of tracing, cutting, colouring, and fun, and I may or may not have received a few gifts myself along the way. The rest of my days at the school are still spent in helping and playing in whatever ways I can. Though this is a rather simple evaluation of the whole thing so far, I'll say that it's been a great experience. I've learned a ton, but I don't even know if I could articulate it all right now.
So that's some of what I'm up to. But you know what, dear blogosphere? I have a confession. I have a hard time with writing here lately. Before this point, I've never lacked for material or inspiration for my ramblings. But for some reason, at a time where I am being constantly stimulated by new things and theoretically should be bursting at the seams with inspiration, I am kind of at a loss. I can certainly talk about the things that occupy my time, but I've always preferred to reflect more thoughtfully. But to do so requires some kind of concrete perspective or thought. Perhaps simply because my stimulation is so constant, and each experience is so new, and each day brings with new feelings and knowledge, I don't really feel like I'm at the right vantage point for philosophical musings on my present circumstances. Which is kind of a funny place for me to be in, because, as you may know, I really like all that philosophical musing stuff.
Ah well. Before I know it I'll be on my way home and trying once again to make sense of all of this. I still think very often about my time in Philly, and still feel impacted by all that happened there. So soon enough this time in Europe will be another experience relegated to the slow-cooker of influence that is memory. Hmm.. think about that.
So I'll end these pseudo-philosophical thoughts with something inspirational. Though it is rather specific...
If you are a 14-year old student, studying in the land of Canada, studying French in Grade 9, wondering whether to drop it and finally gain your freedom from the tyranny of the tres difficile, please do not. Because some day down the road, when you are 20-years old and your 8 years of mandatory french education is tightly locked in a vault in the recesses of your mind, you may find yourself in a place where everyone you meet speaks two languages better than you can speak one. And most people can speak three or four without batting an eye. And you will be asked by others and indeed ask yourself why you cannot speak more than one language. Aren't Canadians supposed to know French? you will be asked. And suddenly all of your adolescent reasoning and ethnocentric scoffing at the idea of learning French will suddenly seem remarkably short-sighted. And as you realize your severe linguistic handicap you will curse the day that band or gym or art or sleep took precedence over the priceless skill of bilingualism, when it was yours to cherish and to hold.
I speak from experience.
Well, that is all for tonight. I have one final thought that does not connect with anything I have said thus far. It is a fragment of 1 Corinthians 15:10. The Apostle Paul, on the state of his life: But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect.
By the grace of God, we are who we are. Receive that grace, and display its effects.
Love,
jmb
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Labas!
Hey world,
It's late on a Thursday evening. Life, to put it simply, has been great lately. But I don't have much time to talk about that. Because in the morning, I embark on another mini-adventure. An adventure within an adventure.
I'm spending the weekend in Stockholm. (I just like saying that. Not every day I'll be able to answer the So, what did you do this weekend question with, "Oh, you know, not much. Went to Stockholm. Hung out.")
So that should be awesome. Got a whole bunch of buses and planes to catch on the way, but by the end of it I'll have conquered a little more of Northern Europe. That's right. I'm here to conquer.
In other news, I'm a couple weeks into my practicum at Klaipedos 2-oji Specialoji Mokykla (Klaipeda 2nd Special School), where I shadow a school psychologist, and spend my mornings playing/teaching developmentally disabled children. It's a lot of colouring, playing, tutoring, and the odd English lesson too. Great times. Much more on that to come.
Hope wherever you are right now, you feel loved and blessed. Because you are.
Aight. Peace for now!
jmb
It's late on a Thursday evening. Life, to put it simply, has been great lately. But I don't have much time to talk about that. Because in the morning, I embark on another mini-adventure. An adventure within an adventure.
I'm spending the weekend in Stockholm. (I just like saying that. Not every day I'll be able to answer the So, what did you do this weekend question with, "Oh, you know, not much. Went to Stockholm. Hung out.")
So that should be awesome. Got a whole bunch of buses and planes to catch on the way, but by the end of it I'll have conquered a little more of Northern Europe. That's right. I'm here to conquer.
In other news, I'm a couple weeks into my practicum at Klaipedos 2-oji Specialoji Mokykla (Klaipeda 2nd Special School), where I shadow a school psychologist, and spend my mornings playing/teaching developmentally disabled children. It's a lot of colouring, playing, tutoring, and the odd English lesson too. Great times. Much more on that to come.
Hope wherever you are right now, you feel loved and blessed. Because you are.
Aight. Peace for now!
jmb
Friday, January 28, 2011
Life Lately
Hey people,
It's been a couple weeks since I've written here. A couple of rather enjoyable, often crazy weeks, in fact. There is much I could say on a personal level, but I'll save my blathering on about self-discovery and trials for more personal forms of communication. So, good blogosphere, I treat you now to a summation of life lately.
Classes have been rather light lately, and my schedule has remained relatively open. I never have class in the mornings, and only ever for two or three hours in the afternoon. At first this free time drove my busybody crazy, but said busybody quickly found means to busyness. I've spent a delightful amount of time in prayer and reading my Bible, which at such a disorienting time and place is a divinely orienting thing. I've spent time at the gym, fulfilled my Canadian reputation playing pick-up floor hockey, and digested a nearly daily dose of political satire and news (thank you, Mr. Stewart and Mr. Colbert). But that's just the free time.
I was approached rather last minute to join a team for the annual KVN comedy show here at LCC. For those unfamiliar with KVN (join the club) it is essentially the Russian version of SNL. Except it's a competition between two teams. Competitive comedy, with a week to prepare. Talk about pressure. But, at the same time, talk about fun! Countless hours over the past week and a half were spent rehearsing, planning, editing, mixing, revising, and laughing. Though I must admit that, due to my late arrival on the scene and my profoundly un-Russian sense of humour, many of the jokes I delivered made little sense to me. But I'm thankful they were found funny upon delivery..
Our big show was last night, though, and it was certainly a success. We laughed, we cheered, we panicked, and at the end of it all, we won! My team was comprised of a Canadian, Albanian, Latvian, a few Ukrainians, Russians and others. So even if we hadn't won, the experience of working and laughing with all these wonderful people is one I will not forget.
I've started a practicum/internship/volunteer placement at a local school for children with developmental disabilities. I went in for the first time yesterday with my professor, who helped me navigate the halls and language differences. But I go in on Monday by myself. I'm really excited to begin, but I definitely got the impression that this school is a challenging place to work, and my time there (especially with so much broken communication) will be a challenge in many ways. But I'm ready. What's the worst that can happen? Perhaps I'll be confronted daily with challenging or uncomfortable situations. Likely, in fact. But, hey, I came here to experience and learn. Hard to do that sitting in your room twiddling your thumbs. So here goes nothing!
Well, world, I must now bid you viso gero (good bye). I'll be back with more in the coming days.
And thanks so much for reading this. You, sitting there reading this right now. Yes, you. You rock. God loves you. So do I.
jmb
It's been a couple weeks since I've written here. A couple of rather enjoyable, often crazy weeks, in fact. There is much I could say on a personal level, but I'll save my blathering on about self-discovery and trials for more personal forms of communication. So, good blogosphere, I treat you now to a summation of life lately.
Classes have been rather light lately, and my schedule has remained relatively open. I never have class in the mornings, and only ever for two or three hours in the afternoon. At first this free time drove my busybody crazy, but said busybody quickly found means to busyness. I've spent a delightful amount of time in prayer and reading my Bible, which at such a disorienting time and place is a divinely orienting thing. I've spent time at the gym, fulfilled my Canadian reputation playing pick-up floor hockey, and digested a nearly daily dose of political satire and news (thank you, Mr. Stewart and Mr. Colbert). But that's just the free time.
I was approached rather last minute to join a team for the annual KVN comedy show here at LCC. For those unfamiliar with KVN (join the club) it is essentially the Russian version of SNL. Except it's a competition between two teams. Competitive comedy, with a week to prepare. Talk about pressure. But, at the same time, talk about fun! Countless hours over the past week and a half were spent rehearsing, planning, editing, mixing, revising, and laughing. Though I must admit that, due to my late arrival on the scene and my profoundly un-Russian sense of humour, many of the jokes I delivered made little sense to me. But I'm thankful they were found funny upon delivery..
Our big show was last night, though, and it was certainly a success. We laughed, we cheered, we panicked, and at the end of it all, we won! My team was comprised of a Canadian, Albanian, Latvian, a few Ukrainians, Russians and others. So even if we hadn't won, the experience of working and laughing with all these wonderful people is one I will not forget.
I've started a practicum/internship/volunteer placement at a local school for children with developmental disabilities. I went in for the first time yesterday with my professor, who helped me navigate the halls and language differences. But I go in on Monday by myself. I'm really excited to begin, but I definitely got the impression that this school is a challenging place to work, and my time there (especially with so much broken communication) will be a challenge in many ways. But I'm ready. What's the worst that can happen? Perhaps I'll be confronted daily with challenging or uncomfortable situations. Likely, in fact. But, hey, I came here to experience and learn. Hard to do that sitting in your room twiddling your thumbs. So here goes nothing!
Well, world, I must now bid you viso gero (good bye). I'll be back with more in the coming days.
And thanks so much for reading this. You, sitting there reading this right now. Yes, you. You rock. God loves you. So do I.
jmb
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Here and Now
Hey People,
It's a chilly Saturday night in Klaipeda. Not too much going on. Just some reading, Russian TV dramas with roommates, and further experiments for dinner. The quiet time is nice, though, after a positively dizzying two weeks. As far as any sort of summation goes, I'm not sure even where to begin. My thoughts (and emotions) have been so strong but scattered that, for now, I'll provide you with a brief recap of my Lithuanian life thus far.
On the morning of Monday, January 3rd, I left Toronto, Canada. On the evening of Tuesday, January 4th, I arrived in Vilnius, Lithuania. I (and two travel companions) were promptly ushered into a taxi with a driver who spoke no English and hurried across the city to our three-day-hostel-home, just in time to head out for dinner with 18 strangers (fellow American students from various places, with a few Lithuanian helpers) to order from a menu we could not read food we had never eaten. Wild. But great.
The following two days were spent in Vilnius -- walking for miles, snapping pictures, eating out, mangling basic Lithuanian phrases, meeting new people, and all the while still meeting each other. It really is a special experience to be thrust into such intimate quarters with people you've never met, especially with the added expectation that these new faces are to become your close friends throughout the adventure. But I've been blessed to meet some great people and have some solid companions as we all embark on this adventure. [to see more of Vilnius, see my bookFace page]
It's fun to mangle words.
So by Thursday night we were in Klaipeda, greeted by staggering wind and sleet. But it was great to finally get settled in the place that will become our home for 4 months. In a funny way, it wasn't until classes began on Monday that my life began to slow down. The past week has been one of rather serious adjustment, but also some great exploration and fun. To be truthful, this adventure thus far has been a roller coaster of excitement and apprehension, anticipation and anxiety, but if you are really interested in those details then perhaps we could talk directly. But above it all, I am extremely grateful for this opportunity, and all the lessons I have learned even in this short time. Simply put, fearful uncertainty is being slowly replaced with bold certainty in God's faithfulness and my own need to be challenged.
Classes in this context have a much different feel, but I am excited for what I will learn from that very context, in addition to the material itself. I'm taking three psychology classes (Abnormal Psych, Theories of Personality, and Research Statistics), and Introduction to Lithuanian. I was also just approved for a practicum/internship at a local institution. Though there is much to be determined, it will likely be at a local orphanage. So in the meantime, any prayers for that endeavour are much appreciated.
It is now quite late. I acknowledge that my recapitulation has been rather brief and somewhat vague, but I assure you that more details (and pictures) will come with time. I have many things starting up this week, and I'm very excited to become more involved with this new community (both on campus and off).
If you are reading this, then I assume that you care about my adventures in some way. For that I thank you very much. It can be an isolating thing to be so, well, isolated, but support from all of you is a great encouragement. So thank you. Or, as they say it here, Aciu!
Sudie! (Go with God)
jmb
It's a chilly Saturday night in Klaipeda. Not too much going on. Just some reading, Russian TV dramas with roommates, and further experiments for dinner. The quiet time is nice, though, after a positively dizzying two weeks. As far as any sort of summation goes, I'm not sure even where to begin. My thoughts (and emotions) have been so strong but scattered that, for now, I'll provide you with a brief recap of my Lithuanian life thus far.
On the morning of Monday, January 3rd, I left Toronto, Canada. On the evening of Tuesday, January 4th, I arrived in Vilnius, Lithuania. I (and two travel companions) were promptly ushered into a taxi with a driver who spoke no English and hurried across the city to our three-day-hostel-home, just in time to head out for dinner with 18 strangers (fellow American students from various places, with a few Lithuanian helpers) to order from a menu we could not read food we had never eaten. Wild. But great.
The following two days were spent in Vilnius -- walking for miles, snapping pictures, eating out, mangling basic Lithuanian phrases, meeting new people, and all the while still meeting each other. It really is a special experience to be thrust into such intimate quarters with people you've never met, especially with the added expectation that these new faces are to become your close friends throughout the adventure. But I've been blessed to meet some great people and have some solid companions as we all embark on this adventure. [to see more of Vilnius, see my bookFace page]
It's fun to mangle words.
So by Thursday night we were in Klaipeda, greeted by staggering wind and sleet. But it was great to finally get settled in the place that will become our home for 4 months. In a funny way, it wasn't until classes began on Monday that my life began to slow down. The past week has been one of rather serious adjustment, but also some great exploration and fun. To be truthful, this adventure thus far has been a roller coaster of excitement and apprehension, anticipation and anxiety, but if you are really interested in those details then perhaps we could talk directly. But above it all, I am extremely grateful for this opportunity, and all the lessons I have learned even in this short time. Simply put, fearful uncertainty is being slowly replaced with bold certainty in God's faithfulness and my own need to be challenged.
Classes in this context have a much different feel, but I am excited for what I will learn from that very context, in addition to the material itself. I'm taking three psychology classes (Abnormal Psych, Theories of Personality, and Research Statistics), and Introduction to Lithuanian. I was also just approved for a practicum/internship at a local institution. Though there is much to be determined, it will likely be at a local orphanage. So in the meantime, any prayers for that endeavour are much appreciated.
It is now quite late. I acknowledge that my recapitulation has been rather brief and somewhat vague, but I assure you that more details (and pictures) will come with time. I have many things starting up this week, and I'm very excited to become more involved with this new community (both on campus and off).
If you are reading this, then I assume that you care about my adventures in some way. For that I thank you very much. It can be an isolating thing to be so, well, isolated, but support from all of you is a great encouragement. So thank you. Or, as they say it here, Aciu!
Sudie! (Go with God)
jmb
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Hello from Lithuania
Hey people,
I write to you now from that distant land of snow and ice and kepta duona. It's a little land with a lot of spirit, in a part of the world few of you may ever consider, with a language few on earth can understand. After a week of moving and seeing and gawking and leaving, we have finally arrived in our new home. At Lithuania Christian College International University. In Klaipeda, Lithuania.
So, far from home in a corner of the world I barely even know, with people I do not know speaking languages I do not know, I'm going to spend my semester. It's a rather frightening prospect, such extreme unfamiliarity. But it's also undeniably inspiring. Challenging. Exhilarating.
So here it goes. I have much I could say already, but I will save some of my thoughts for the clarity of retrospection. For your visual stimulation in the meantime, if you are interested, pictures are available on the Face Book.
Thanks for stopping by! That's all for now.
jmb
I write to you now from that distant land of snow and ice and kepta duona. It's a little land with a lot of spirit, in a part of the world few of you may ever consider, with a language few on earth can understand. After a week of moving and seeing and gawking and leaving, we have finally arrived in our new home. At Lithuania Christian College International University. In Klaipeda, Lithuania.
So, far from home in a corner of the world I barely even know, with people I do not know speaking languages I do not know, I'm going to spend my semester. It's a rather frightening prospect, such extreme unfamiliarity. But it's also undeniably inspiring. Challenging. Exhilarating.
So here it goes. I have much I could say already, but I will save some of my thoughts for the clarity of retrospection. For your visual stimulation in the meantime, if you are interested, pictures are available on the Face Book.
Thanks for stopping by! That's all for now.
jmb
Thursday, December 16, 2010
The Gospel
Hey people,
I'm home. After one heck of a semester I've packed my life up again and plopped it back in Unionville for a couple weeks. I'll be shipping it overseas in a few weeks, but until then I'd like to offer some thoughts.
We are always learning. All the time. Even if it's just directions to somewhere, how your friend's night was, or philosophical postulations on divine foreknowledge, the world is a never-ending book to learn from. Rather daunting, if you think about it. But still very exciting. So all of that to say, I learned a ton this semester. Much of it I would like to share with you, and lucky for you, I can! I spent much of the semester studying different theories of psychotherapy and internally wrestling with their implications for faith. At the end of it all, I wrote a whopper of a paper on my views of human nature and problems and solutions for mental health (which I am quite proud of). So if you're interested in learning about the "Bodenian" approach to therapy, you can find it here. Personal Counseling Theory
Alright. That's enough of that.
There is one thing I would like to say, and it deserves much more thought than what I have time to give it right now. It concerns the Gospel, the Good News, the Christian message, or whatever you would call it. I would like to share with you what months of philosophical-postulating, theological-pondering, and thoughtful beard-stroking has taught me. Through my Philosophy of Religion class and personal investment in the topic, I quite literally dissected every facet of my faith in Jesus Christ, held it up to every lens of logical scrutiny, and somehow tried to stuff it back into my heart, where it must reside and guide my life.
The Gospel, the core of Christian belief, the saving message of God is this -- to know God.
To know him. To truly, intimately, deeply, emotionally, intellectually know God. That's simple, you may think. Perhaps to you it is. But for those of us who find ourselves thinking often about God, talking about him and learning about him, how radical and revolutionary it is to realize that we can talk to him. God is not a distant star to study, but a person to know.
For me, that is what it means to be a Christian. Know God. Funny concept to boil it all down to two little words, but those words are the starting point for all the intricacies and compulsions of belief. Once we know God for who he is, how can we but love him with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength? Once we have known him, how can we but read his Word and pray and sing and live for him?
To know God is to realize our own position before him. We deserve nothing, yet he loves us lavishly. We defy him daily, yet he forgives us undeservedly. We are crafted pottery, eternally cherished by an eternal Potter and created for his glory.
So when we say we are "saved", what does that mean, exactly? We are saved from our crippling, sinful ignorance, and brought into redeeming knowledge of the Saviour. That's amazing.
In 1 Corinthians 1, Paul says that God has called us into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ. That's what we are called to. Not just to Church or youth group or church potlucks or to be a good person and to do Christian things. But we are called to know God, and be daily transformed by that knowledge. To fellowship with Jesus Christ and grow everyday as branches drawing nearer to the vine.
1 Corinthians 13:12 "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."
- jmb
I'm home. After one heck of a semester I've packed my life up again and plopped it back in Unionville for a couple weeks. I'll be shipping it overseas in a few weeks, but until then I'd like to offer some thoughts.
We are always learning. All the time. Even if it's just directions to somewhere, how your friend's night was, or philosophical postulations on divine foreknowledge, the world is a never-ending book to learn from. Rather daunting, if you think about it. But still very exciting. So all of that to say, I learned a ton this semester. Much of it I would like to share with you, and lucky for you, I can! I spent much of the semester studying different theories of psychotherapy and internally wrestling with their implications for faith. At the end of it all, I wrote a whopper of a paper on my views of human nature and problems and solutions for mental health (which I am quite proud of). So if you're interested in learning about the "Bodenian" approach to therapy, you can find it here. Personal Counseling Theory
Alright. That's enough of that.
There is one thing I would like to say, and it deserves much more thought than what I have time to give it right now. It concerns the Gospel, the Good News, the Christian message, or whatever you would call it. I would like to share with you what months of philosophical-postulating, theological-pondering, and thoughtful beard-stroking has taught me. Through my Philosophy of Religion class and personal investment in the topic, I quite literally dissected every facet of my faith in Jesus Christ, held it up to every lens of logical scrutiny, and somehow tried to stuff it back into my heart, where it must reside and guide my life.
The Gospel, the core of Christian belief, the saving message of God is this -- to know God.
To know him. To truly, intimately, deeply, emotionally, intellectually know God. That's simple, you may think. Perhaps to you it is. But for those of us who find ourselves thinking often about God, talking about him and learning about him, how radical and revolutionary it is to realize that we can talk to him. God is not a distant star to study, but a person to know.
For me, that is what it means to be a Christian. Know God. Funny concept to boil it all down to two little words, but those words are the starting point for all the intricacies and compulsions of belief. Once we know God for who he is, how can we but love him with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength? Once we have known him, how can we but read his Word and pray and sing and live for him?
To know God is to realize our own position before him. We deserve nothing, yet he loves us lavishly. We defy him daily, yet he forgives us undeservedly. We are crafted pottery, eternally cherished by an eternal Potter and created for his glory.
So when we say we are "saved", what does that mean, exactly? We are saved from our crippling, sinful ignorance, and brought into redeeming knowledge of the Saviour. That's amazing.
In 1 Corinthians 1, Paul says that God has called us into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ. That's what we are called to. Not just to Church or youth group or church potlucks or to be a good person and to do Christian things. But we are called to know God, and be daily transformed by that knowledge. To fellowship with Jesus Christ and grow everyday as branches drawing nearer to the vine.
1 Corinthians 13:12 "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."
- jmb
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Lake Shore
Hello good world,
The times I feel most inspired to write something here seem to be the busiest, unfortunately. So then I come to a night like this where I have time to write, but I almost feel at a loss for material. I may have been at a real loss, in fact, had I not been presented with something rather frightening last night. Something terrible, terrifying, and quite frankly unbelievable.
Lake Shore.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Jersey Shore has come to Canada.
If you are familiar with Jersey Shore or its dazzlingly despicable legacy, then you might presently cease to read this post and retreat to some Apocalypse-ready bunker to wait out this onslaught of magnificently trashy entertainment. But that implies that it will end, when the scariest thing may be that it won't.
Jersey Shore is the ultimate in gratuitous reality television. For TV today it's not a novel concept. Just some filthy rich and beautiful people living their hedonistic lives -- drinking, tanning, working out, dating, fighting, crying, sleeping (together), shouting, and a little more drinking -- in front of the whole world. But I suppose what made Jersey Shore such a smashing success are the stereotypes. These unreal characters are beach bums (already room for stereotyping), living in New Jersey (sorry, Jersey, but more stereotypes), and are Italian. So throw it all together and you have hit television. We can watch from a distance, and giggle and gawk as every stereotype of such people is confirmed and strengthened.
I know people who live on the Jersey Shore. None of them are like the cast of the show, and yet their home will always be associated with this kind of blatant narcissism and youthful debauchery. Like it or not, the Jersey Shore will long be known for a small group of crazy kids. So when I was excitedly informed by a friend that "Canada has their own Jersey Shore!" I was less than impressed. Then I found out it's set in Toronto, and I was suddenly quite concerned.
You see, this show is not just a copy of Jersey Shore. It's already been called "more offensive." The oh-so-tasteful producers have thrown 8 people from different ethnic backgrounds together, and given them appropriate names like "the Jew" or "the Pole" or "the Albanian." You get the picture. On the surface, it seems like a wonderful opportunity to showcase Toronto's diversity, and that's exactly what the producer claims he is doing.
The problem, of course, Mr. Producer, is that these people are not real people. Sure, they are Toronto residents and big Jersey Shore fans who lined up for hours and auditioned to make the final cut for a show that will hopefully shoot them towards fame... but who is going to do all that and stand before a panel of judges and be anything like themselves? They've all watched every episode of Jersey Shore. They know what makes reality TV popular. The producers want attitude and sex appeal and drama, and the young stars want fame and money. It's an easy trade.
As a proud Torontonian watching his city from afar, I really hope Toronto is not thrust into the world's consciousness by the fame of Lake Shore. I wish all the best for these folks, but this show truthfully doesn't do anyone any good. They are still deciding on a network to broadcast it, I believe, so there's still a chance it won't air. Lines from "the Turk" like, "I'm not racist; I hate everyone... especially Jews" may slow things down. But better yet, we could all just throw out our TVs, cause the stuff on it isn't likely to get any better. Yeah, that'll do it..
If you just stop for a second to see these characters as real people, created by God for so much more, you see that behind their loud and brash and obnoxious behavior they are just screaming for love and attention. They are empty and unfulfilled, so they are digging their emptiness deeper in an attempt to get out. It's really sad, actually, and even sadder that their vulnerability and hunger will be exploited for a quick profit, by an audience combating their own emptiness. I'll just say it straight: these people need Jesus, to live the lives we were created for.
So as funny as it sounds, maybe I'll pray for the cast of Lake Shore. It can't hurt, and it certainly seems like they could use it. But anyways, I hope this is the first and last mention you ever hear of this show.
Sorry to be so serious. I should work on some jokes for next time.
Oh! I got it. I went to Jon Stewart's Rally to Restore Sanity last week and this sign (one of many) made me chuckle.
To all of you supporting anti-immigration policies:
You're right, immigrants are a problem.
Just ask the Native Americans.
Thank you very much. Have a good night.
jmb
The times I feel most inspired to write something here seem to be the busiest, unfortunately. So then I come to a night like this where I have time to write, but I almost feel at a loss for material. I may have been at a real loss, in fact, had I not been presented with something rather frightening last night. Something terrible, terrifying, and quite frankly unbelievable.
Lake Shore.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Jersey Shore has come to Canada.
If you are familiar with Jersey Shore or its dazzlingly despicable legacy, then you might presently cease to read this post and retreat to some Apocalypse-ready bunker to wait out this onslaught of magnificently trashy entertainment. But that implies that it will end, when the scariest thing may be that it won't.
Jersey Shore is the ultimate in gratuitous reality television. For TV today it's not a novel concept. Just some filthy rich and beautiful people living their hedonistic lives -- drinking, tanning, working out, dating, fighting, crying, sleeping (together), shouting, and a little more drinking -- in front of the whole world. But I suppose what made Jersey Shore such a smashing success are the stereotypes. These unreal characters are beach bums (already room for stereotyping), living in New Jersey (sorry, Jersey, but more stereotypes), and are Italian. So throw it all together and you have hit television. We can watch from a distance, and giggle and gawk as every stereotype of such people is confirmed and strengthened.
I know people who live on the Jersey Shore. None of them are like the cast of the show, and yet their home will always be associated with this kind of blatant narcissism and youthful debauchery. Like it or not, the Jersey Shore will long be known for a small group of crazy kids. So when I was excitedly informed by a friend that "Canada has their own Jersey Shore!" I was less than impressed. Then I found out it's set in Toronto, and I was suddenly quite concerned.
You see, this show is not just a copy of Jersey Shore. It's already been called "more offensive." The oh-so-tasteful producers have thrown 8 people from different ethnic backgrounds together, and given them appropriate names like "the Jew" or "the Pole" or "the Albanian." You get the picture. On the surface, it seems like a wonderful opportunity to showcase Toronto's diversity, and that's exactly what the producer claims he is doing.
The problem, of course, Mr. Producer, is that these people are not real people. Sure, they are Toronto residents and big Jersey Shore fans who lined up for hours and auditioned to make the final cut for a show that will hopefully shoot them towards fame... but who is going to do all that and stand before a panel of judges and be anything like themselves? They've all watched every episode of Jersey Shore. They know what makes reality TV popular. The producers want attitude and sex appeal and drama, and the young stars want fame and money. It's an easy trade.
As a proud Torontonian watching his city from afar, I really hope Toronto is not thrust into the world's consciousness by the fame of Lake Shore. I wish all the best for these folks, but this show truthfully doesn't do anyone any good. They are still deciding on a network to broadcast it, I believe, so there's still a chance it won't air. Lines from "the Turk" like, "I'm not racist; I hate everyone... especially Jews" may slow things down. But better yet, we could all just throw out our TVs, cause the stuff on it isn't likely to get any better. Yeah, that'll do it..
If you just stop for a second to see these characters as real people, created by God for so much more, you see that behind their loud and brash and obnoxious behavior they are just screaming for love and attention. They are empty and unfulfilled, so they are digging their emptiness deeper in an attempt to get out. It's really sad, actually, and even sadder that their vulnerability and hunger will be exploited for a quick profit, by an audience combating their own emptiness. I'll just say it straight: these people need Jesus, to live the lives we were created for.
So as funny as it sounds, maybe I'll pray for the cast of Lake Shore. It can't hurt, and it certainly seems like they could use it. But anyways, I hope this is the first and last mention you ever hear of this show.
Sorry to be so serious. I should work on some jokes for next time.
Oh! I got it. I went to Jon Stewart's Rally to Restore Sanity last week and this sign (one of many) made me chuckle.
To all of you supporting anti-immigration policies:
You're right, immigrants are a problem.
Just ask the Native Americans.
Thank you very much. Have a good night.
jmb
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