Tuesday's Tunes: The Lost Are Found (Live)

The Lost Are Found
By: Sam Knock, Ben Fielding

Verse 1
Everlasting while earthly ages fade
In mercy our God Your kingdom reigns

Chorus
Lord over everything You are near
All of the universe at Your feet

Verse 2
In the Saviour injustice brought to right
For Your glory that Your Name be lifted high

Bridge
The lost are found
The blind will see
The lame will walk
The dead will live
And You our God forever You will reign

Taiwan Through Pictures: Part 1

Back in April, I had the pleasure of taking a vacation to my ancestral home of Taiwan along with my wife, sister, and mom. We traveled primarily in a tour group, which was a great way to maximize the sights (and eats) on a trip that was just barely over a week. Here now are some pictures from that trip:

We ate at the Din Tai Fung in Taipei both at the beginning of the trip, as well as at the end, and my God, they really were the best xiao long bao (soup dumplings) I've ever had.

The Mrs. picked up a little charm of Din Tai Fung's mascot.

Taiwanese people love fruit! We came right in time for lembu seaso, also known as wax apple or mountain apple. Bear in mind that other than color, this tropical fruit shares nothing in common with the common American apple, but instead has a very light, airy, Styrofoam-like texture, and has a very light, sweet flavor.

Mangoes unfortunately were NOT in season, but this farm stand that our bus stopped by on the way from Kaioshung to Kenting had some large mangoes for sale.

Banyan trees are everywhere we went.

We also got to ride both the bullet train, as well as the classic train.

This is a picture of the wonderful wooden bowl that acted as a container to our delicious lunchbox, modeled after the offerings train riders would order back in the day.

Here we have a smoked chicken leg, that was light but flavorful. You'll also notice the wonderful variety of flavors and textures along with the chicken: a slice of Taiwanese sausage, veggies, corn, and diced bean curd, all on top of a bed of rice.

The wife and I also came across some very interesting restroom signs at this train station...

...which were strangely similar to abstract art.

Tuesday's Tunes: The Digital Age

While the David Crowder*Band is no more (*sniff*), Crowder's bandmates have come together with a very exciting project of their own: The Digital Age! Check out some of their recently posted rehearsal footage, I'm really looking for their first album to release:


The Digital Age - Rehearsals - "Oh My God / I Am A Seed" 
 


The Digital Age - Rehearsals - "After All (Holy)"

Avengers Goodies

People have sent me some great Avengers related pieces this past week and I just had to share them here:

Avengers on Parade (RIP Maurice Sendak)
By: ~AgarthanGuide on deviantART

Disassembled
By: Junaid Chundrigar 

One of the best scenes in the movie :)

 And lastly...

  

Tuesday's Tunes: Beautiful Lord

Beautiful Lord
By: Leeland Mooring, Marc Byrd

Verse 1
When the storm is raging all around me
You are the peace that calms my troubled sea
When the cares of this world darken my day
You are the light that shines and shows me the way

Pre-Chorus
Oh the beauty of Your majesty
On the cross You showed Your love for me

Chorus
Beautiful Lord, awesome and mighty
I’m captured by this love I see.
Beautiful Lord,  tender and holy
Your mercy brings me to my knees
It’s Your mer - cy that has made me free
Beautiful Lord

Verse 2
When my sin   is all that I can see
Your grace remains the shelter that I seek
And when my weakness is all I can give
Your gentle Spirit gives me strength again

Bridge
And I am lifted by Your love to sing
It’s Your mercy that has made me free
And I am lifted by Your love to sing
It’s Your mercy that has made me free

Ending
You're beautiful,  my Lord.

Get the chords and lyrics at worshiptogether.com

Thanks for the lift

Happy Mother's Day! I hope you enjoy this witty card I found on Etsy. And don't forget to call your mother today, if you can't do the brunch-thing!

Rainbows and Thunder gods

Source: dots for eyes

It's Friday and I feel like this. Wheeeeee~

Link: The Instagram Socialmatic Camera

The Instagram Socialmatic Camera (Quiet Lunch Magazine)
As a big fan of the Instgram app, ADR Studio's concept for a physical Instagraming polaroid cameras seems like it would have mass appeal. Plus look at that design...it's adorable! Click on the article above to read more and see some more product pictures.

8-bit Vendetta

8-BIT Vendetta from threadless.com

I did always hate that dog...

Saltiness and shawarma

Since returning from Taiwan, a few things have changed in the area of food:

• Everything tastes too freaking salty! I mostly blame the light (but delicious) seasoning of the food in Taiwan. A meatball sub I had this past week for lunch left my mouth feeling like the Sahara. Bleh!
• I've had a lot of noodle soups and rice porridge, mostly because I've been struggling with a cold for nearly two weeks now.
• Before my trip, I was set on blacklisting a few things from my diet upon returning from vacation, and while the list may grow, it currently includes soda (club soda is OK), artificial sweeteners, and fast food (with the exception of desperate moments like at an airport or on a road trip).
• I haven't been cooking too much in 2012 other than a few staples that my wife and I enjoy, but I was really inspired to take up the spatula again when I caught my first episode of American's Test Kitchen. The episode featured a very tasty looking recipe for spaghetti and meatballs which I'm dying to try. 
• Just barely related, but The Avengers movie has boosted sales of shawarma! This is shawarma in case you were wondering:

Bat and Rob

Bat & Rob

The next time there's a site-wide Threadless sale, I am so hitting this up.

However, there is a $9.95 sale going on right now on select designs with limited sizing, in which you can find one of my all-time favorites:

Meat is murder. Tasty, tasty murder.

Tuesday's Tunes: One Thing Remains

One Thing Remains
By: Brian Johnson, Christa Black & Jeremy Riddle

Verse 1
Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant through the trial and the change
One thing remains
One thing remains

Chorus
Your love never fails it never gives up it never runs out on me

Verse 2
On and one and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never ever have to be afraid
One thing remains

Bridge
In death and in life I'm confident and covered by the power of your great love
My debt is paid there's nothing that can separate my heart from your great love

The Avengers movie

Why yes, I did catch the Avengers movie this past weekend, and I do believe it lives up to the hype! Here are some quick, non-spoiler-y thoughts:

• If you haven't seen it yet, make sure to stick around for the TWO bonus scenes at the end credits
• The Hulk is a real scene stealer (which really shouldn't be surprising since he's 7 feet tall and bright green) and is a cross between Chewbacca and a lovable pet mascot.
• I don't geek out over director Joss Whedon, but man, did he do a fine job here.
• Swagger = Tony Stark. I never liked Iron Man (in the comic books or otherwise) until Robert Downey Jr. brought the character alive.
• Great character moments
• Movie time clocks in at about 2.5 hours...but doesn't feel like it :)
• The alien horde the Avengers battled were very, very bland. There are plenty of alien races to pick from in the Marvel Universe, not sure why we got something that doesn't even give a nod to ONE of them.
• Overall, a great summer action movie with a healthy amount of humor to keep it light and fun and I think it delivers on the build-up of the previous movies (Iron Man, Incredible Hulk, Thor, and Captain America) although it is perfectly enjoyable even if you haven't seen any from that list.

Changing the game for digital comics

Although webcomics have existed for years now, all eyes are on this medium with the entrance of writer Mark Waid's foray into digital comics, Thrillbent. Mark Waid is a mainstream comic writer that has had phenomenal runs on such popular titles as Captain America, The Flash, Fantastic Four, Superman, and one of my current favorites, Daredevil.

As of this writing, two titles are available to read, and after reading both, has whet my appetite for more. The first title to be released was Luther, which asks the question, "In a post-Apocalyptic world rife (and ripe) with corpses, who cleans up all the zombie roadkill?" Now whether or not you are so over zombies, Luther was primarily created as an example of what one could with digital comics as a medium, and really uses these boundaries as a way to better control the pacing of the story. It is a stand alone story and a worthwhile quick read.

The second title available on the Thrillbent site is the first issue of Insufferable, with the premise "What happens when you’re a crimefighter and your sidekick grows up to be an arrogant, ungrateful douchebag? What on Earth could draw the two of you back together again?" Mark Waid really does a great job taking comic book scenarios that are familiar to anyone with basic pop culture knowledge, and giving it an intriguing spin.

Now most important of all, did I mention that these comics are free to read?

May 5th, 2012 is Free Comic Book Day

ATTENTION fellow geeks and geek-curious: this Saturday, May 5th, is FREE COMIC BOOK DAY. Check out the nifty Public Service Announcement above to see what that's all about.

I can't recommend enough two of my local favorites, Comicazi and HUB Comics, both in Somerville. I can't recommend both of these stores enough, as they both have knowledgeable staff, and are helpful in locating "that title you heard about on the interwebs," so be sure to check them out if you're in the area, get some free comic books, and even make a purchase to help support local businesses! And if you're not sure where the closest comic book store is to you, use the Comic Shop Locator!

Rebel Bass

Happy May the Fourth, Star Wars fans.

The Menace of Krang

Photo from Dork Dimension

You guys, I had no idea this thing existed until a month ago. That is 11 inches of pure Krang Android goodness. 10-year-old me would have LOVED this...oh who am I kidding, 30-something me would love to have this on my bookshelf.

Back from Taiwan, initial thoughts

• Traveling with Signet Tours was a wonderful way to see Taiwan. The accommodations chosen were top notch and there was no emphasis on shopping or vendor partnerships, which can make a lot of decent tours seem tacky. Definitely recommended, but note that it is for Mandarin speakers.
• The food was so light and not overly seasoned, even when we had fried foods. I didn't really miss the normal fare we normally have in the States, though this may only be the case with a week-long trip.
• I realize that I'm overly cautious and risk-averse. I need to take more chances and say "Yes" to new experiences and opportunities
• Everyone, family or just random sales people, were very emphatic that I learn Mandarin. Might be worth looking into :P

Tuesday's Tunes: Worlds Apart

Worlds Apart
By: Jars of Clay

I am the only one to blame for this
Somehow it all ends up the same
Soaring on the wings of selfish pride
I flew too high and like Icarus I collide
With a world I try so hard to leave behind
To rid myself of all but love
to give and die

To turn away and not become
Another nail to pierce the skin of one who loves
more deeply than the oceans,
more abundant than the tears
Of a world embracing every heartache

Can I be the one to sacrifice
Or grip the spear and watch the blood and water flow

To love you - take my world apart
To need you - I am on my knees
To love you - take my world apart
To need you - broken on my knees

All said and done I stand alone
Amongst remains of a life I should not own
It takes all I am to believe
In the mercy that covers me

Did you really have to die for me?
All I am for all you are
Because what I need and what I believe are worlds apart

I look beyond the empty cross
forgetting what my life has cost
and wipe away the crimson stains
and dull the nails that still remain
More and more I need you now,
I owe you more each passing hour
the battle between grace and pride
I gave up not so long ago
So steal my heart and take the pain
and wash the feet and cleanse my pride
take the selfish, take the weak,
and all the things I cannot hide
take the beauty, take my tears
the sin-soaked heart and make it yours
take my world all apart
take it now, take it now
and serve the ones that I despise
speak the words I can't deny
watch the world I used to love
fall to dust and thrown away
I look beyond the empty cross
forgetting what my life has cost
so wipe away the crimson stains
and dull the nails that still remain
so steal my heart and take the pain
take the selfish, take the weak
and all the things I cannot hide
take the beauty, take my tears
take my world apart, take my world apart
I pray, I pray, I pray
take my world apart