peace like no other

naptime, originally uploaded by josh lyon.

there really is nothing else like this. mental exhaustion, insane responsibility, socially overwhelming, getting soaked in breastmilk poop and urine (amongst other things!) . . .

and yet these moments are worth it all and so much more!

for unto us a child is born!

being amazing, originally uploaded by josh lyon.

molly jean peppley lyon born feb 12th 2007, weighing 9 pounds even. all is well.

thanks be to god!

jesus and spidey

Jesus and Spiderman exchange a knowing look...., originally uploaded by shadowplay.

found on flickr.com

si takes a break

si takes a break, originally uploaded by josh lyon.

entire cities recording day... for the coffee demo (FREE [secret]GIVEAWAY at WAVELENGTH this sunday the 4th!)... oh what fun. and a long day. mostly i just love this pic of simon.

see myspace.com/entirecities for some other songs.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Opening this week in Toronto:

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
New Works on Paper by Shari-Anne Gibson

Feb 1-11, 2007
Opening Feb 1, 7-10pm
Katharine Mulherin's Sideshow
1080 Queen St. West

Hours: Wed-Sun 12-5pm

Entire Cities at the Drake - (photo by Jen S.)

Entire Cities at the Drake - (photo by Jen S.), originally uploaded by josh lyon.

a sweet moment... the more music in my life, the better. there's nothing quite like it - esp. moments like this. or 'Come on up to the House' with Paul at the Supermarket the following night...

new years at the cottage

new years at the cottage, originally uploaded by josh lyon.

abi and simon by the fire... as usual, new years was rung in with much pots and pans banging and other such merriment. although this time we also read a screenplay and played thicket in the soggy snow... yours truly was reiging champ.... not to boast or nuthin'.

Christmas eve at the cottage

as per family tradition we gather up at my parents cottage (off the grid - woodstove and candlelight and lake water only) on christmas eve...

cottage on Christmas eve through trees
Originally uploaded by josh lyon.

invisble college courses

From invisiblecollege.ca, the non-school my parents run in Kingston, ON:

Living Lightly: Rediscovering Sabbath in a 24/7 World
Find it hard to say “no” to more work in a crazy-busy world? Ever wondered what it means that God rested after creating the earth? Only PEI has no Sunday trading—does anyone care any more? What if the earth and our own bodies have built-in rhythms for work-and-rest that cause breakdown when they’re disturbed? How vital are pausing, playing, recreation, celebration and embracing life?

Explore these themes through provocative plenary presentations, written materials and interactive small-group discussion in a five-week evening course. No assignments or credit. Think, talk, question, explore…

Who is the course for?
Anyone who puzzles about a proper balance in life and wants a fresh perspective on priorities. Anyone who wonders if the Bible says anything about corporate time, burn-out or life in fast lanes. Anyone wanting to get in synch with the spirit of deep heaven.

Check out the new course listings at invisiblecollege.ca for upcoming courses...

Encarna 2006

My friend Andrew sent me this... If you can make it, check it out - i saw pics from last year's even that looked amazing!

This is just a quick note to let you know about thisyear's ENCARNA Christmas Worship Installation. It's happening on Fri. Dec. 15 and Sat. Dec. 16, doors open from 7pm-10pm, at St. James United Church (306 Parkside Dr., Waterdown, ON).

ENCARNA is a emerging church style worship event. Participants engage with different interactive and contemplative stations, all at their own pace and direction, bringing people in touch with the Christmas story. There is no preaching, singing, bulletins or ministers. If people want to pray, reflect, discuss,just listen to the music, engage, or not, that's up to each person.

ENCARNA is alternative engagement with the Christmas story - different, perhaps more artsy and postmodern, than your regular pageants orcantatas. For a better sense of what ENCARNA is and if you'dlike to check it out, go to www.myspace.com/christmas_encarna. Last year was the first year we did this event, and we're hoping you'll help us build off the successes of last year. Many people told us it was a deeply meaningful experience, helping them prepare for Christmas. If you know anyone who would be interested in coming to ENCARNA, please pass the word on to them as well. Blessings and peace for this Christmas.

In Christ,
Andrew Hyde
St. James United Church

gospel according to tom

so i've been on a tom waits kick of late and i am very excited about the upcoming orphans 3-disc set... recently compiled a little liturgy of tom waits tunes which i thought i would share with the world. if i really had the time this would be a podcast, but it's not, it's a list:

• Invocation: "Come on up to the house" (Mule Variations)
  
• Creed: "Everything you can think" (Alice)
  
• Confession: "Chocolate Jesus"* (Mule Variations)
  
• Absolution: "Sins" (Real Gone)
  
• Closing: "Way down in the hole" (live version from Big Time)
  
• Blessing: "Jesus Gonna be here" (Bone Machine, although the blind boys of alabama do a great cover too)
  

any other suggestions...? I've been thinking about doing this with other bands too... any suggestions? (btw. they don't have to use so much religious language for this to work...)

* the real genius of this song is the rooster crowing throughout... think about it.

Truth, Lies and Plastic Eyes

Last weekend was the amazing art talks series at ICS sponsored by Imago... Betty Spackman was there to speak about her book: A Profound Weakness: Christians and Kitsch
and her talk was entitled: "Truth, Lies and Plastic Eyes."

Betty had a lot of great things to say and it was nice to see her in person having heard so much from Adrienne Chaplin about her and looking at her work as part of an independent study while I was at OCAD. I have been wanting to write a response to the weekend but haven't had a chance yet so instead I'll post some of my favourite quotes/ideas that came out of the talk and discussions. They are as close to verbatim as possible... I take any responsibility for transcribing them inaccurately - please notify me if I say you said something you didn't. If these don't make sense out of context - also my fault...

"Instead of walking the streets with [Christ],
we hide him in our churches
and drag people in to see Him."
- Betty Spackman

"Christian Kitsch = Faith in drag."
- Betty Spackman

"Truth is what is true but not necessarily factual."
- Madeline L'engle

"Kitsch offers paradise now, bypassing the 'not yet'."
- not sure who said that

"Rational Christians who are emotionally starved turn to Kitsch"
- not sure about this one either

"We are the message - not the objects we create"
- Betty Spackman (on whether art itself can be "Christian")

"Aspire not for greatness but to be the humblest, . . .
creating with joy and freedom, as a child. . ."
- Betty Spackman

Betty also talked about learning the language of the culture around you... which is good, but are you doing it only so you can say what you want to say or so you can listen? Her example was from a missionary in a foreign culture context but she applied it also to the arts...

Another thing that I loved that she said... She compared making art to the feeding of the 5000. Jesus asks what we've got and we respond "I don't have enough. You take it and break it." and then we see what he does with it. Our responsibility falls not in having to feed everyone or make the perfect work of art or craft the most clever message... but simply to offer all that we have, acknowledging our insufficiency and let Jesus do the rest. And somehow, 5000 are fed.

read some other people's notes on Betty here.

sign of the day...

one of the many religious slogans
Originally uploaded by sue the potter.

my parents took this on vacation...

amen.

found

found
Originally uploaded by josh lyon.

FREE HUGS

the music may be a bit too sappy... but nice concept.


toying with public space/personal boundaries...

One by One art show

DSC03769.JPG
Originally uploaded by froesebydesign.

some buddies from Freedomize put on an art/fashion show to raise funds for some good cause and i missed it. but my wife got to go. and some of the art rocked. it was all formatted 1" x 1"... check out the lego ghandi too. and i can't find the website with all the details hence the sketchy 'for some good cause' line.

but i really like this piece of work and i have no idea who did it. if anyone knows, please leave a comment or email me... thanks.

here's the lego ghandi:


DSC03784.JPG
Originally uploaded by froesebydesign.

rockin' in the K-Town

Sick as a dog, playing bass at the Merchant Taphouse in Kingston during 'showcase' week with Colin Munroe.

I didn't pass out or fall over! yeah!

btw. we're playing the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto this week on Thursday opening for Ninja Tunes own Pop Levi. come on out and support local music!

rockin' the supermarket

IMGP2937
Originally uploaded by josh lyon.

on tour with colin, rockin the supermarket on sept 12th. thanks to everyone who came out - what an amazing audience for our third show ever! 150 people? and all cheering like banshees? you kids are too kind. check out colin on myspace (www.myspace.com/colinmunroe) if you want to hear the sort of thing we're rocking. i don't feel bad plugging him coz he rocks and i'm just the bass player. but yeah, i like to thing i help bring the rock to the live show... even from behind my dark curtain. yeah, that's me on the right of the shot.

"pay no attention to the man behind the curtain" - the wizard, from the wizard of Oz.

falling in love... with design

every now and then, i stumble accross someone or something so inspiring it winds up on this ol' blog... my poor, sad, neglected blog. i miss this thing.

but you can't/shouldn't miss this:



design, i love.
music, i love.

myspace, thankyou.

moremusic: Lots of upcoming shows!

So I'm playing bass with Colin Munroe and we're finally touring! check out http://myspace.com/colinmunroe for details... we'll be in Kingston, Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, London, etc. around the second week of sept. come out if you can - tell everyone else to come too! rockpoptacular!

Also, my other band (Entire Cities) has some Toronto area shows (ie next saturday - aug 26th)... check out http://myspace.com/entirecities for details... mmm... psychadelic alt-country mayhem!

come out and support live music... rock on.

with love from yer friendly neighbourhood rockstyle lifestar.