Ekballō

Ekballo is no more

2009-09-02T11:56:00.000-07:00

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Chris and Gail

Craigslist, you never let me down.

2009-07-26T07:39:00.000-07:00

I've been in love with CL for about 8 years now. Each time we've moved in the last 6 years, we've sold most of our furniture on Craigslist and redecorated upon moving. Thank you Craigslist. You've also supplied us everything from apartments to office space to our amazing dog.
Most recently, I found this incredible coffee table. For $25 I should add. Manufactured by Scan Design, this table is sturdy but light. It is the perfect piece for the new "adult" living room I was craving, yet crayons wipe up easily after a creative moment involving 19-month-olds.

Say it Right!!!

2009-07-22T20:44:00.000-07:00

It's realtor; not realator. Get rid of the extra syllable!
It's voila (pronounced vwa-la); not walla. Get that V in there!
It's sherbet; not sherbert. Get rid of the extra R!
It's more THAN or rather THAN or better THAN, etc.; not THEN. If you use an A rather than an E, then you will be speaking correctly.

Butte to Butte 10K 2009

2009-07-04T20:07:00.000-07:00

Before

After

Video - we are right in front of the camera about 2 minutes in.
Results - Gail is 1567; Chris is 1569; both finished in 1:02:00
The boys did fine, though Oliver screamed off and on for the whole hour. He was much happier when he was able to get out of the stroller. Alexander eventually fell asleep.

Time

2009-07-01T21:14:00.000-07:00

Who has it?

I suppose we'll keep the blog to pop things online every now and then, but I think Ekballo may be in its twilight days.

I defy you

2009-06-15T08:45:00.000-07:00

to get this song out of your head.

Animal - Miike Snow

Music: Second Quarter 2009

2009-06-09T15:23:00.000-07:00

In March I changed my eMusic subscription to one that renews every 3 months instead of every month. Here's what I've acquired since then (some non-eMusic albums mixed in). Listen here.

In order of date acquired:
Miike Snow "Animal"
Miranda Lee Richards "Light of X"
Other Lives "Other Lives"
Here We Go Magic "Here We Go Magic"
Various "Don't Mess With Texas: SXSW 2009 Sampler"
Great Lake Swimmer "Lost Channels"
Metric "Fantasies"
Sara Lov "Seasoned Eyes Were Beaming"
Super Furry Animals "Dark Days/Light Years"
Telefon Tel Aviv "Immolate Yourself"
Patrick Watson "Wooden Arms" and "Close to Paradise"
Various "Ghostly Swim"
Starf**ker "Jupiter"
Ed Harcourt "Russian Roulette"
The Crystal Method "Divided By Night"
Marvin Gaye "Number 1's"
Katie Herzig & Matthew Perryman Jones "Where the Road Meets the Sun"
Deastro "Vermillion Plaza" and "Spritle"
Black Moth Super Rainbow "Eating Us"
James Blackshaw "The Glass Bead Game"
CéU "Cangote"
Jenny Owen Youngs "Transmitter Failure"
Olivia Broadfield "Don't Cry"
Various "Sub Pop Cybersex Digital Sampler"
School of Seven Bells "My Cabal"
Delorean "Ayrton Senna"
Jon Hopkins "Inside"
Catherine MacLellan "Water in the Ground"

See My Music

2009-05-27T14:53:00.000-07:00

Look here and/or here.

Moms

2009-05-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

The beautiful woman I'm with in this picture gave birth to the two most beautiful boys in the world.

The beautiful lady in this picture gave birth to two boys as well (not the ones in the picture with her). I am fortunate to have been one of those boys.

I love both of these women very much and I am thankful everyday that they are great mothers. Today is the day I should especially call attention to my gratitude and love for them both.

Happy Mothers Day to my beautiful wife, Gail.
Happy Mothers Day to my wonderful Mama, Sondra.

And on behalf of Oliver and Alexander:
Happy Mothers Day Mommy.
Happy Mothers Day Sonny.

I'd Still Like to Visit

2009-04-21T11:48:00.000-07:00

The folks at Foreign Policy ask, "So what would Texas look like as a foreign country?"

In short: the state of Texas would rapidly become direly impoverished, would need to be heavily armed, and would be wracked with existential domestic and foreign policy threats. It would probably make our failed states list in short order. Probably better to pay the damn taxes.

(NOTE: For those of you inclined to respond simply by reading the excerpt from the article above, please resist temptation. First go read the full article, then come back and make a response if you feel the need.)

The whole idea of secession is stupid. Perry ought to lose the re-election simply for entertaining such a dumb thing. But, still, being from Texas and still having family there, I would hate to be unable to visit. So I am praying that such an asinine idea never gets off the ground. It appears to be illegal anyway.

(HT: Jordon)

Please Grow

2009-04-14T09:57:00.000-07:00

We don't claim to have green thumbs, but we are kind of proud of the work we've done on our front flower bed.

Now, if the sun will just come back and give these plants some light and some life.

Zzzz...

2009-04-06T20:47:00.000-07:00

These guys are right. This was one of the most boring NCAA tournaments in recent memory.

Sun & Shadows

2009-04-02T20:48:00.001-07:00

We are getting fleeting splashes of sun breaking through the gray that hangs over Eugene for half the year. This morning the sun shone bright onto the table where we were feeding the boys. It cast a nice shadow of Alexander on the opposite wall. Even the boy's shadow is freaking cute!

The good and the bad

2009-03-25T08:11:00.001-07:00

Last night was good and bad. Good, because both Baylor teams won close games. And bad, because little Oliver slipped in the bathtub and hit his eye. I'm sure this will not be his last shiner, but it was sad nonetheless.

Shiner, originally uploaded by Gail & Chris Spinks.

Prudish

2009-03-20T10:36:00.000-07:00

I don't consider myself a prude, especially when it comes to broadcast television. My favorite shows are some of the most graphic (see for example The Wire). But I'm beginning to develop a sensitivity to the things my boys might be exposed to. We do not intend to let them watch that much TV. Their screen time is and will be pretty limited. But every year about this time you can be sure that our TV will be on more than at any other time of the year. I come down with a case of March Madness every year, and I don't see a cure in the foreseeable future. The boys, of course, quickly turn their eyes to the TV anytime its on. Surprisingly they seem to like the basketball action. Alexander the Talker goes on at least a five-minute string of "Ball, Ball, Ball..." Oliver the Walker toddles right up to the TV, which is on a table higher than he can reach, and looks up at it mesmerized for 30 seconds or so. Eventually they go back to their own devices, but I'm kind of happy to see them show some interest. I imagine the three of us all with a case of March Madness in a few years. I'm excited to think that we can watch some games together.

But, what am I going to do about the commercials and promos? On the first day of the tournament this year I must have seen the ad for Resident Evil 5 at least a half dozen times. Even with the sound muted the screen was filled with guns, fire, monsters, axes, chainsaws, and other murderous things. I DO NOT WANT MY BOYS SEEING THIS CRAP!!! And I do not think it is necessary for me to have to turn away during commercial breaks and then try to guess when the commercials are over to make it back to the game in time. On one level I think video games like this are just plain stupid. I realize, however, that I will not be able to eradicate the world of Resident Evil 5, though given enough guns and chainsaws the game leads me to believe that I can eradicate the world of biohazardous creatures. I simply want to keep these images from the eyes of young boys, who I hope will develop a love for basketball like their papa. CBS is much to blame. They are sure to know that dads (and moms) and their sons (and daughters) stay up to watch their favorite teams. They are sure to know that Resident Evil is rated for mature audiences. They are sure to know that young boys and girls watching the game will be affected by the images in the advertisement. But, I am sure to know that they are getting a pretty penny for the air time. What is maybe even more disturbing is the promo for one of CBS's own shows. I saw the promo for CSI:NY about as much as the Resident Evil ad. The promo is filled with images of messages cut into human parts. Again, muting does nothing. These grotesque images are there, sound or not.

It's enough that we will have to combat the constant message of consumerism. I'd like to not have to guard against gratuitous violence as well.

Maybe I am a prude.

My Babies

2009-03-09T08:42:00.001-07:00

P3070029, originally uploaded by Gail & Chris Spinks.

I'm at work, wishing I were at home. I love all three of my babies and I thought you should know.

Madness

2009-03-07T20:07:00.000-08:00

March Madness is coming, but if you are a Baylor Bears fan, the madness began at the turn of the new year. They could be the most disappointing team in the NCAA! 12-1 in 2008; 5-12 in 2009.

Peas in a Pod

2009-02-26T22:03:00.001-08:00

This is funny, originally uploaded by Gail & Chris Spinks.

He ain't heavy, he's my brother

2009-02-09T11:02:00.000-08:00

A portend of things to come

Silly Faces

2009-01-29T15:35:00.001-08:00

Some levity for your day.

Great Day

2009-01-20T11:57:00.000-08:00

Three reasons why January 20, 2009 is a great day:

1. Three new albums: Andrew Bird, Antony and the Johnsons, and Bon Iver
2. Today is basketball day for the guys at work

...what was #3? ...oh yeah...

3. Obama became our 44th president. Even if you can't stand the guy's political positions, you've got to admit this is an historic time and that the guy can give one helluva speech.

New Year & 13 Months

2009-01-14T09:10:00.000-08:00

Late New Year Greetings from our 13-month-old cuties.

2008 Music Lists

2008-12-29T16:31:00.000-08:00

As I've done the past two years, I've ranked the albums I acquired this year. The rankings are in no way scientific. I spent about 10 minutes moving stuff around. The top album leads the pack by a large margin. The next few stand out against the rest. But, all in all, these are good albums and the ranking might be different on a different day.

After the list you will find an embedded player with a song from each album (some albums may not be represented because of licensing restrictions). The player comes from lala.com, which is a site I highly recommend. Should you decide to check it out and join up (it's free!), be sure to follow this link (lala.com reference) so I can get credit for referring you.

Bon Iver For Emma, Forever Ago
Pictures And Sound Pictures And Sound
Thao We Brave Bee Stings and All
Ane Brun Changing Of The Seasons
Lisa Piccirillo Momentum
Ladyhawke Ladyhawke
Adele 19
The Weepies Hideaway
Fleet Foxes Fleet Foxes
The Duhks Fast Paced World
Florence and the Machine Dog Days Are Over EP
Girl Talk Feed The Animals
Shearwater Rook
Sigur Rós Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust
TV On The Radio Dear Science
Blind Pilot 3 Rounds and a Sound
Tracy Chapman Our Bright Future
Cat Power Jukebox
Matthew Perryman Jones Swallow the Sea
Dar Williams Promised Land
Death Cab For Cutie Narrow Stairs
Headlights Some Racing, Some Stopping
Jem Down To Earth
Joan As Police Woman To Survive
Marching Band Spark Large
Stars Sad Robots
Rosie Thomas A Very Rosie Christmas
Sia Some People Have Real Problems
R.E.M. Accelerate
Spokane A Small Commotion
audiobytes for autobots 2.0
What Made Milwaukee Famous The Sugarhill Sessions EP
The Real Tuesday Weld eMusic Compilation 2008
Wale Mixtape About Nothing

Songs from 2008 Albums

I also collected a good many songs from 19 other albums, but did not get the whole albums. They are ranked below (9-18 are all pretty close and so are listed in alphabetical order), followed by a playlist (some albums may not be represented due to licensing restrictions):

Brett Dennen Hope For The Hopeless
Brad Barr The Fall Apartment : Instrumental Guitar
David Byrne & Brian Eno Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
Friendly Fires Friendly Fires
Horse Flies Until the Ocean
Portishead Third
The Rosebuds Life Like
TOBACCO F***ed Up Friends
Anathallo Canopy Glow
Department of Eagles In Ear Park
Horse Feathers House With No Home
J-Boogie's Dubtronic Science Soul Vibrations
Jars Of Clay Closer (EP)
My Brightest Diamond A Thousand Shark's Teeth
RATATAT LP3
School of Seven Bells Alpinisms
Starf**ker Starf**ker
Whitley The Submarine
Of Montreal Skeletal Lamping

Songs of 2008 Partials

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T17:07:00.001-08:00

The boys' first Christmas at home.

Happy Birthday Oliver

2008-12-11T12:45:00.000-08:00

David Oliver Eddy Spinks was born one year ago today. He has lived 366 days (2008 was a leap year). He is our curious, independent, loving little adventurer.

Happy Birthday Alexander

2008-12-11T12:42:00.000-08:00

John Alexander Eddy Spinks was born one year ago today. He has lived 366 days (2008 was a leap year). He is our smiley, cuddly, bright-eyed baby boy.

Curiosity

2008-12-08T13:43:00.001-08:00

We had a party for the boys' upcoming birthday this past Saturday. You can find pics from the party interspersed in this Flickr set . We'll blog more about the party in the future, if time allows. For now, I just had to share the above picture. It's one of my favorites of late.

One last thing

2008-11-14T14:00:00.000-08:00

Now that the elections are over and the dust is beginning to settle, I want to share one last bit from the email exchange I had with my old friend during the elections. I encouraged him to keep up the difficult task of thinking deeply about these political issues. It was also an encouragement to myself, one that I needed to hear since I so easily demonize people who hold opposing views.

It is easier to just fall in line with a party or a culture or a family, but who wants a bunch of automatons spouting the talking points of others? The two difficulties in thinking through these issues (there are more difficulties, I'm sure, but these two stand out): 1) It is hard, takes energy, and is often viewed as weird among family and friends; and 2) Since we don't demonize those who think differently than we, we have to do the hard work of learning to live and love the other. This last point is not something ideologues are willing to do. It is much easier to write off those crazy liberals or those close-minded conservatives. Being a good citizen, or a good person, or in some cases a good Christian is hard work.

What now?

2008-11-12T15:52:00.000-08:00

Yes, I voted for Obama, but I was not this into it.

Political Reflections

2008-10-25T21:45:00.000-07:00

We are in KC for a while with family from both sides. These gatherings almost always include at least one conversation about politics. We tried to avoid it this time, but the temptation was just too great with the elections just around the corner. I have also somehow been pulled into a discussion with an old college friend and others in the comment thread of a blog. And, with a childhood friend, I've exchanged a few emails about politics. In one of those emails I sort of spelled out some of my broader political stances. This is in no way comprehensive, but I think it represents what I would want to say in many of these political conversations (arguments?). Here's what I wrote to my friend:

For the most part I tend to lean toward progressive politics. On the national level that means I sway Democratic more than Republican. I was, however, excited to see McCain get the Republican nomination. I kind of liked his going against what I see as disastrous movements in the Republican party. But then he upset me when he started pandering to the core base of the Republican party. I tend to believe the overly conservative base in the GOP is a vocal and powerful force, but numerically not as big as it seems. Anyway, whatever chance McCain had to pull my vote was lost when he started sounding more like his party wanted him to sound and less like the McCain I had learned about. Needless to say, I am very impressed by Obama. As I said, I tend to lean progressive anyway, so his policies and platform are for the most part what I like. But, he as a person has impressed me greatly. I think after eight years of Bush, I'm ready for a president who is articulate, thoughtful, and seemingly under control. I'm sure he would do things that I don't like if he became president, but on the whole neither he nor his politics rub me the wrong way.

I'm not a wholesale Democrat, however. Oregon uses mail ballots for all of their elections, so I was able to vote this past weekend when I got the ballot in the mail on Friday. I voted for a good many Democrats for national positions (pres., senators, etc.), I voted for Democrats, Republicans, and even some Green Party candidates in statewide and local elections. I skipped a few votes because I did not feel like I was informed enough to make a decision. For mayor of Eugene the two candidates are not affiliated with a party, but their politics easily show their dispositions. I voted for the guy with more Republican traits. All of this to say that I try to take into consideration as much as I can before making decisions. But again, I begin the exploration with progressive tendencies.

How I got to a more progressive place is a long story and I'm not sure exactly how I got here. I think it has something to do with meeting more and various people, reading different ideas, and reflecting more on how Christian values can influence politics (to what ever degree they can or should). Oddly enough much of my progressive ideas come from reflecting on my upbringing, not so much reacting against it but noticing how the things that reflected Christ-likeness to me were things that on larger scales people say are progressive ideas. For example, I recall at Hickory Grove that the people of the church would pool their resources together to help out a family in need, or how they would accept with open arms a stinky old man without scolding him for not "getting his life together." These little things made an impression on me as a kid, and now that I am able to put these impressions together with other things that I've seen, heard, experienced, read, etc., I come out with the belief that a true and good life in the way of Christ transcends politics, but if it is to influence politics at all it will do so in ways that reflect the merciful, loving, giving spirit of Christ himself.

This might be the best endorsement speech ever

2008-10-19T21:38:00.000-07:00

Gen. Powell is both articulate and sincere in his blurb on Meet the Press. Of course, I also happen to think he is right. Barack couldn't have asked for a better endorsement.

Welcome to the family

2008-10-15T16:40:00.001-07:00

My 3 boys
Originally uploaded by Gail & Chris Spinks

We got a dog last week. Jordan is a 3-year-old Corgi mix. He's already house-trained, does a few tricks, tolerates the boys, and is tolerated by the boys. If we were to ever get a dog, this is the kind of dog it would need to be. So we got him. He's a good boy.

Fear: A Political Strategy?

2008-09-19T11:43:00.000-07:00

Deep-seated political differences aren't simply moral and intellectual: They're also biological.

Apparently conservatives are scaredy-cats.

[Update 10/14/08: This post, as all posts here at Ekballo, was automatically placed on my facebook wall. It has elicited a few comments there.]

Words Matter

2008-09-15T09:19:00.000-07:00

Interesting report on shock jocks.

I'm completely at a loss as to how people who call themselves Christian can listen and agree with the venom coming out of these mouths. I'm not, in condemning the right-wing hatred, therefore supporting their polar opposites. Christians must somehow transcend this crap!

Best of the Worst

2008-09-13T09:27:00.000-07:00

Baylor, the bottom of the Big 12 barrel, demolishes Washington St., the low man on the Pac 10 totem pole.

Bend...but don't break

2008-09-12T16:04:00.000-07:00

We're extending Gail's birthday (and the boys' nine month birthday) celebration for a few days. Tomorrow we're going to drive to Bend for a 24-hour getaway.

Diapers Need to Change

2008-09-09T12:40:00.000-07:00

So I'm changing a diaper the other day when I realize how the diaper makers are missing out on a tremendous advertising strategy. Most diapers are decorated with some baby Disney or Muppet characters. But, my boys will never see those cute little cartoons. They are on their backs unable to see the diapers when we put the diapers on, and once on, the diapers are usually covered with pants. So why not advertise a product on the diaper that we adults are likely to buy? The diaper makers could have some sort of tie-in to a product that the adults might associate with diaper changing—say, something like an air freshener. At the very least the diaper makers ought to decorate the diapers with something more adult—maybe a Picasso or Rothko print. I'm not sure what is the appeal of seeing a baby Winnie the Pooh in the same diaper product I'm putting on my child. My boys certainly don't care what's decorating their crap catcher. The makers could market a product to us parents, or at least give us something aesthetically pleasing for the few minutes we have to see the diaper.

Growth

2008-09-03T10:15:00.000-07:00

This past week we celebrated growth.

Gail and I have been married for five years! Unbelievable. She is way too good for me.

Yesterday, the boys had there nine-month check-ups about a week early. Oliver has closed the gap. He's weighing in at a whopping 17 lbs. 6oz. He's finally on the chart—the 6th percentile! Alexander's growth has slowed a little, but he's still the bigger boy—18 lbs. (12th percentile).

[Note: For those of you who need a reminder. Somebody's birthday is a week from today. Gail is enjoying the last week of being 32.]

Thank God for PBS

2008-08-29T14:28:00.000-07:00

MSNBC vs. FOX on Michelle Obama's DNC speech.

Life

2008-08-15T08:48:00.000-07:00

Over 8 months, 5 teeth, countless diaper changes, more than enough restless nights, two round-trip airplane flights and another on the horizon, continued puking, a few thousand pictures, and more kisses than you can shake a stick at...LIFE IS GOOD!

Questions for my parents

2008-07-28T13:09:00.000-07:00

Did you look at me like I look at Oliver and Alexander?
Were you as unable as I am now to express adequately the love you had for this small addition to your life?
Could you ever kiss me enough?
Did my smiles and laughs make your heart swell so that you could actually feel a lump in your chest?
Did your heart break every time I cried?
Did you secretly wish I would wake in the middle of the night crying just so you could hold me?
Did I frustrate you when I did wake up too often?
Did you have mixed emotions about seeing me grow—excited to see me experiencing the world, but sad to know the days of infancy were going to end?
Did you ever tire of watching me?
Did I change you—not just your life, but you, who you were?

Knowing how you would answer these questions makes me love you even more. It's hard for me to understand that I was (am?) to you what Alexander and Oliver are to me.

[No special occasion. These things were simply on my mind.]

Scouring the Web

2008-07-14T16:36:00.000-07:00

I'm not one for pyramid schemes, but since do web searches a lot, I couldn't help but be a little interested in Scour. Apparently, I can earn points toward a Visa gift card just by doing my searches through Scour. Once I signed up, I noticed that I could earn 25% of all the points my friends accumulated. Instead of using their email invitation, I thought I would simply provide the link here. So, if you are interested in browsing your way to a free gift card and wouldn't mind helping me get mine as well, go here and sign up.

Casualty of Cultural Conquest

2008-07-11T09:01:00.000-07:00

In another addition to my occasional posts on suburbanism (averaging about 1 per year), I want to point to a brief essay by David Sirota entitled "Anywhere becomes Everywhere." It ends as follows:

As we have faced health, energy and environmental emergencies that demand customized answers, homogenization has taken us from “think global, act local” to “obsess federal, ignore local”—right when imminent crises mean we need to act more locally than ever. Because of this, America may yet become a casualty of its own cultural conquest.

But, read the whole essay. It will take you every bit of 5 minutes.

Got Books?

2008-07-06T22:42:00.000-07:00

We're trying to unload some books. Normally I would not encourage you to purchase books from Amazon, but I know of no other way to get these books in front of several million possible buyers. So, go on over to our storefront and get some books. We've got quite a few psychology textbooks for your bedside table.

And if you happen to recognize any of these books as ones you gave us, sorry, we're short on space around here these days.

Blogger in Draft

2008-06-27T13:45:00.000-07:00

Trying out Blogger's test interface, Blogger in Draft. The post editor has received quite an overhaul. I think I am going to like it.

Anniversarial Expectations

2008-06-22T09:17:00.000-07:00

On August 31st of this year, Gail and I will have been married for 5 years. In that time, we will have lived in six different abodes in three different states. We will have received two degrees, been licensed twice, written a book, traveled to four countries, given birth to two boys, and much more.

Something like this needs to be celebrated. So, we decided to treat ourselves. We just bought tickets to fly to LA to visit friends, show the boys where they were conceived, get back to the church we dearly miss, and...

...go see Radiohead at the Hollywood Bowl!!!

A Music Fix

2008-06-17T11:40:00.000-07:00

Gail (and the boys) gave me a wonderful Father's Day present on Sunday. In addition to a coffee mug with handprints of Alexander and Oliver, I received four CDs: Death Cab, REM, Michael Jackson's Thriller 25th anniversary edition, and Cat Power. I already had downloaded Cat Power, so I exchanged it and now expect to receive Joan as Policewoman's new album by the end of the week (it's on order). The influx of music was a nice fix for the eMusic withdrawals I've been having. I still want to get my hands on El Perro Del Mar, Ratatat, and Coldplay.

Big Week

2008-06-03T15:12:00.000-07:00

We leave Friday for a trip to Texas. It will be one of the few times ever that the boys will get to see pretty much their whole extended family on one trip. The weekend will be taken up with all of the activities surrounding the wedding of one of Gail's cousins. The whole Eddy clan will be in Dallas. Alexander and Oliver are looking forward to seeing the cousins they met in March and being introduced to several other family members from Gail's side of the tree.

The next week is spent in Spinks country, Kilgore. I haven't been "home" in a year and a half. We haven't seen my brother, sister-in-law, and niece in the same amount of time. So, I am pretty excited. Plus, A&O get to meet the Spinks side of the tree, other than Sonny and Peepaw, whom they've already met on two occasions.

I should (4)

2008-05-26T11:08:00.000-07:00

walk more.

Who said this?

2008-05-21T12:57:00.000-07:00

Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. ...Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.

This guy.
See Quotation.
It's been almost 4 years since it was used by United States Senator Robert Byrd on October 17, 2003 during a speech on the floor of the Senate. I wonder why it was not taken more seriously by more people.

I should (3)

2008-05-20T09:48:00.000-07:00

rethink what it means to be green.

Come on America

2008-05-18T09:26:00.001-07:00

We're better than this.

(Puts some perspective on cleaning your plate.)

Hat off to McCain

2008-05-13T10:58:00.000-07:00

His anti-torture position is admirable.

Happy Mothers' Day...

2008-05-11T21:40:00.000-07:00

...to all mothers, especially the one I'm married to!

Random Questions

2008-05-07T09:04:00.000-07:00

1. What ever happened to Circus of the Stars?

2. Why do blue-collar white Democrats not vote for Obama, and even claim they will not vote for him in the general election? My gut tells me its not because he's too "liberal" or too "elitist." Hillary is both of those and more. Even as a person of mixed race, he's too "black." So my question really is, what's so scary about a black president to these folks who vote for Hillary but swear off Obama?

About one in five Obama voters said they would vote for McCain in a Clinton vs. McCain matchup, but one of three Clinton voters said they would vote for McCain if Obama wins the nomination.

3. Does Jason Castro want to be on the show? I feel like he's been ready to leave for a few weeks now.

Progressive Evangelicals

2008-05-02T09:59:00.001-07:00

This intersection of politics, religion and activism from within religious groups has the power to change, but it can also find itself mired in a world of politics that disregards norms of right and wrong.

Read this very good essay on the obstacles the progressive evangelical movement faces.

eMusic Withdrawals

2008-04-30T10:14:00.000-07:00

With two infants, a new house, and limited income, we've been trying to cut corners here and there. One of the corners that got cut is my eMusic subscription. I had signed up for a year. The subscription ran out with the March downloads. I used to look forward to the middle of the month when I could get on eMusic and find some new tunes. This month, however, my excitement turned to depression.

Last month, I ended my subscription with a bang. Three excellent albums; all recommended; listed here from outstanding to great:

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Thao - We Brave Bees Sting and All
Headlights - Some Racing, Some Stopping

Great Album

2008-04-18T10:58:00.000-07:00

I remember when I started driving. I had a crappy old Fiat Spider that sat broke down in the carport more often than it cruised the streets of Kilgore. But, I managed to put a cheap stereo in it, complete with tape deck and all. One day a friend—I think it was Wendy Hudson, but I could be wrong—loaned me the Tracy Chapman tape. I was hooked from the start. I've purchased every Tracy Chapman album since then. All of her albums are great, but that first one, "Tracy Chapman," was and is mesmerizing. I still listen to it today—I eventually returned the tape (after several reminders) and bought the CD when I got a CD player. The CD is now long gone too. Yea for digital storage!

I just listened to "Fast Car" and decided to tell the world how great an album "Tracy Chapman" is.

Gene Pool

2008-04-15T17:55:00.001-07:00

Alexander (top) looks very much like his cousin Savannah (bottom, from 2004)

Be our friends

2008-04-15T15:53:00.001-07:00

Gail and I are now on Facebook. Look us up and become a friend.

What's that smell?

2008-04-06T17:47:00.001-07:00

If it persists, it's poop.
If it dissipates, it was gas.

I coulda told ya that

2008-04-02T11:47:00.000-07:00

A new study concludes rap music glamorizes drug use. Duh!

Church Marketing

2008-04-02T09:25:00.000-07:00

The most recent issue of Christian Century had a short note in its "century marks" section about a website that looked interesting. I visited the site. It is interesting.

ChurchMarketingSucks.com

March Madness

2008-03-24T11:09:00.001-07:00

Is your bracket as busted as mine?

100 Days

2008-03-19T19:41:00.001-07:00

Today Oliver and Alexander enjoyed their 100th day of life.

Yo, Yo, Check It Out

2008-03-18T20:29:00.000-07:00

This is the first time I've watched American Idol somewhat regularly. I've got two things to say:

1) Randy Jackson is not as cool as he thinks, no matter how many times he says Yo or Dog.
2) Paula Abdul should not be on the show, or at the very least she should not be allowed to speak.

Twins Galore

2008-03-17T11:07:00.001-07:00

Twin cousins
Originally uploaded by dcspinks

A couple of weeks ago, in KC, there were twins everywhere!

I should (2)

2008-03-13T11:31:00.001-07:00

read 15 minutes a day.

I should (1)

2008-02-29T13:38:00.000-08:00

journal.

Something's not right here!

2008-02-20T11:01:00.000-08:00

The National Sleep Foundation in the United States maintains that eight to nine hours of sleep for adult humans is optimal and that sufficient sleep benefits alertness, memory and problem solving, and overall health, as well as reducing the risk of accidents.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that healthy, full-term newborns should breastfeed eight to twelve times in each 24-hour period. This equates to feedings two to three hours apart.

I think the National Sleep Foundation and the American Academy of Pediatrics ought to host a joint convention and work things out.

Keep Hope Alive!

2008-02-18T13:03:00.001-08:00

i heart u

2008-02-14T10:09:00.000-08:00

happy

valentine's

day

The Girl's Got Game...

2008-02-12T14:22:00.000-08:00

...and she's from Texas, where everything is bigger and better.

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Listening to: Stephane Grapelli Trio - Sweet Lorraine
via FoxyTunes

Traveling with Twins: Help!

2008-02-07T12:00:00.000-08:00

In a few weeks we are traveling to KC with the boys. It will be their first plane ride and our first time navigating the airport and airplane with two babies and all of their paraphernalia. Any advice?

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Listening to: Andrew Bird - Cataracts
via FoxyTunes

Dancing Babies

2008-02-01T19:33:00.000-08:00

Maxims by which to live

2008-01-31T09:22:00.001-08:00

Oliver:

There is no feeding after which a good spit up will not do.

Making parents think you are done spitting up in order to have them drop the burp rag protection is a good way to get them in on the dirtying clothes action.

Peeing in your own face is more fun than you might think.

Alexander:

There is no setting in which a good fart will not do.

Falling asleep while nursing in order to make parents think you are done eating and then waking up 10 minutes later ready to eat some more is a fun trick to play on sleep-deprived mothers.

Bottle then breast; never the other way around!

[NB: Those of you landing here hoping to find comments about a smutty gentlemen's magazine are probably sorely dissapointed.]

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Listening to: Yeasayer - Sunrise
via FoxyTunes

This should do it

2008-01-30T22:33:00.000-08:00

I think my endorsement of Obama should tilt the primaries in his favor.

You can thank me later, Barack.

Dang...

2008-01-25T16:35:00.001-08:00

...these boys are so cute!

Oliver (above)
Alexander (below)

Alexander

The Atlantic

2008-01-25T09:10:00.000-08:00

With the recent opening up of their online content to the public for free, The Atlantic has added greatly to my daily internet fare.

Baylor Basketball

2008-01-24T13:06:00.001-08:00

Go Bears!

Testing Greek

2008-01-23T10:31:00.000-08:00

καὶ τὸ μεσότοιχον τοῦ φραγμοῦ λύσας τὴν ἔχθραν ἐν τῇ σαρκὶ αὐτοῦ τὸν νόμον τῶν ἐντολῶν ἐν δόγμασιν καραργήσας

[UPDATE (prompted by Donna's comment): I've been having trouble getting Greek to display on my other blog. I decided to see if it would display here. It seems to be fine in my Flock browser, though I noticed some problems in Firefox. Oh well. I got Greek going on the other blog. You will likely never see it here again.

If you're interested the Greek above is a portion from Ephesians 2:14-15. It translates something like...

"...and destroying the dividing wall, the hostility, in his flesh he de-energized the law of the commandments in decrees..."

There is some ambiguity over the punctuation and relationship of "in his flesh" to the rest of the sentence. It is not clear what "in his flesh" modifies: a) in his flesh he destroyed the dividing wall; b) the hostility in his flesh (that is the hostility that comes with being human); or as I've translated above, in his flesh he de-energized (odd word used to pick up on vocabulary used throughout Ephesians) the law.

Message to Bill

2008-01-22T18:59:00.000-08:00

Hear, hear!

New Year, New Music

2008-01-18T09:31:00.000-08:00

My first eMusic acquisitions of 2008:

Ingrid Michaelson, Girls and Boys - a more mellow Regina Spektor
Sia, Some People Have Real Problems - echoes of Fiona Apple
Cipes and the People, The Conscious Revolution Has Begun - catchy mix of reggae, pop, and hip-hop elements

Recommend all!

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Listening to: Cipes and the People - Free Me
via FoxyTunes

Gushee's Plea to Evangelicals

2008-01-15T09:59:00.001-08:00

God, please help my evangelical brothers and sisters hear this. Because this kind of talk is scary!

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Listening to: The Beatles - Helter Skelter
via FoxyTunes

How To Watch a Political Debate

2008-01-14T11:53:00.001-08:00

Consider these helpful tips:
Debate Watching 101

One Month

2008-01-11T11:02:00.001-08:00

That's how old the boys are today. To celebrate they are taking their first road trip. We are driving up to Portland to pick up their Aunt Amy who is flying from KC to spend a week with her new nephews.

Snow

2008-01-08T15:48:00.001-08:00

We don't get this much in Eugene. It didn't stick, but it was beautiful.

I forgot to mention...

2008-01-04T19:38:00.001-08:00

Alexander and Oliver came home last Saturday. We've had almost a full week with them at home. After 18 days in the hospital, they seem to be adjusting to home life well. We are a little tired, but thrilled to have the family together.

Voting

2008-01-02T13:28:00.000-08:00

Apparently, based on how I feel today, I should vote for Dennis Kucinich. Who should you vote for? Find out.

First Family Christmas

2007-12-25T09:14:00.001-08:00

First Family Christmas
Originally uploaded by dcspinks

We had a wonderful Christmas morning. Waking at 6:00 am to get to the hospital by 6:30ish, we arrived to two rambunctious boys ready to eat. They gave us the most wonderful gift—they both took their full feeding from the nipple (breast & bottle)! After two weeks of getting a good portion of their feeding through a tube in their nose, Alexander and Oliver sucked down their whole allotment and then some. For two tired and anxious parents, this could not have been a better Christmas present. We hope this is a sign of them turning the corner on feeding, which has been the only thing keeping them in the hospital. Maybe we'll have them home before 2008.

Brotherly Love

2007-12-20T09:57:00.001-08:00

Kiss
Originally uploaded by dcspinks

If you don't feel warm and fuzzy seeing this, then leave our blog and never return.

First Movies

2007-12-11T22:45:00.000-08:00

David Oliver Spinks

John Alexander Spinks

Welcome to Life

2007-12-11T20:37:00.000-08:00

John Alexander Spinks came into this world at 12:42 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2007. He weighed 5 lbs. 5 oz. and measured 19 in. His brother, David Oliver Spinks, arrived just three minutes later at 12:45. He weighed 3 lbs. 15 oz. and measured 17 in. Mother and boys are doing well. Father is a little beside himself.

Gail gives Alexander his first kiss.

Birthing Update

2007-12-11T10:18:00.000-08:00

5 am - Wake up
6 am - Check in at hospital
7 am - Gail gets hooked up to medicine that will induce labor. Contractions every 4-5 minutes.
8 am - Doctor comes in, checks dilation, breaks water, and hooks up monitor to Alexander (he's the one whose head is sitting right on Gail's cervix). 2-3 cm dilation
8:20 am - Anesthesiologist administers epidural
9-10 am - Rest, even doze off awhile.
10 am - Nurse checks dilation. 4 cm dilation; contractions every 2 minutes.

Things are going well right now. No terrible pains. It looks like it will be a pretty long process. The medicine is slowly working. We're hoping things will pick up before 2 pm. Our nurse Carrie leaves at 2. We kind of like her. She's like a grandma from the Upper Midwest or at least how I imagine a grandma from the Upper Midwest to be.

The Babies are coming!

2007-12-10T21:33:00.001-08:00

This is a picture of Gail taken earlier tonight. It is the last night of her pregnancy. We go to the hospital bright and early tomorrow morning for her to be induced. By this time tomorrow Oliver and Alexander will be here.

Isn't she beautiful?

My Music Lists of 2007

2007-12-08T21:07:00.000-08:00

The Top 30 Albums Acquired in the Year They Were Released, 2007:

In Rainbows - Radiohead
The Reminder - Feist
Ongiara - Great Lake Swimmers
Night Falls Over Kortedala - Jens Lekman
Armchair Apocrypha - Andrew Bird
Children Running Through - Patty Griffin
Real Life - Joan as Policewoman (2006 in UK; 2007 in US)
Volta - Björk
Boxer - The National
Untrue - Burial
God Save the Clientele - The Clientele
All Hour Cymbals – Yeasayer
Walls - Apparat
CéU - CéU (2005 elsewhere; 2007 in US)
Once - Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová
Rejoice - No Little Kindness
Home Again, Home Again - Hem
We Walked in Song - The Innocence Mission
Back to Black - Amy Winehouse
Kurr – Amiina
Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? - Of Montreal
Everybody - The Sea and Cake
Wincing the Night Away - The Shins
In Our Bedroom After the War - Stars
Sky Blue Sky - Wilco
Neon Bible - Arcade Fire
Ash Wednesday - Elvis Perkins
All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone - Explosions in the Sky
Heresy and the Hotel Choir - Maritime
You Follow Me - Nina Nastasia and Jim White

The Top 10 Albums Off Which I Only Have a Few Songs:

The Flying Club Cup - Beirut
Moonbabies at the Ballroom - Moonbabies
None Shall Pass - Aesop Rock
Dandelion Gum - Black Moth Super Rainbow
Ears Will Pop & Eyes Will Blink - Bodies of Water
Andorra - Caribou
The Fragile Army - Polyphonic Spree
Casually Smashed to Pieces - The Six Parts Seven
Asa Breed - Matthew Dear
Sound of Silver - LCD Soundsystem

The Top 10 Better Late Than Never List (favorite albums from 2006 discovered in 2007 and so were not included in last year's list):

The Trials of Van Occupanther - Midlake (by far the most listened to album purchased in the past year)
Begin to Hope - Regina Spektor
Words Are Dead - Horse Feathers
And Now That I'm In Your Shadow - Damien Jurado
Sound Mirrors - Coldcut
I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass - Yo La Tengo
Roots & Crowns - Califone
Return to the Sea - Islands
Nuages du Monde - Delerium
How To Grow A Woman From The Ground - Chris Thile

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Listening to: The Weepies - Riga Girls
via FoxyTunes

Waiting for Christ(mas)

2007-12-06T12:53:00.000-08:00

I love Christmas. I love the anticipation it creates in me. This year, there is even more anticipation as we wait for the birth of our first two sons. Advent is more profound and meaningful for me this year. And yet, I find myself despising the waiting period while I look forward to the brithday of Christ and my boys. This is so me...looking toward the future and wanting it to be here, thus having a hard time being in the now. Damn, I thought I'd evolved in this area. Well, maybe just realizing it is evolution, but I really do want to savor this period--these last few days with just Chris, the mystery of childbirth still out there. I may never experience this kind of anticipation again. It's truly an amazing thing when I sit back and ponder it. Perhaps I can identify the tiniest bit with Mary. May I learn to wait with great expectation for Emmanuel, God with us.

Flickr Readiness

2007-11-23T12:59:00.001-08:00

In preparation for the boys' arrival, we upgraded our Flickr account. Feel free to visit. I'll be uploading photos from iPhoto in a haphazard sort of way. Eventually we will have it organized so you can find pictures of Oliver and Alexander rather easily.

Bicycle Friendly Cities

2007-11-10T13:32:00.000-08:00

I wonder why Eugene did not make the list . It's sister Oregon city, Portland, is #2. It seems Eugene is lacking in Enforcement and Evaluation (2 of the 5 E's). From my experience of the city, they lack enforcement and evaluation in more than just bicycling. But that's another discussion. The city did receive a silver medal from the League of American Bicyclists. Portland and Corvallis got gold.

Countdown

2007-11-09T14:49:00.000-08:00

Being pregnant with twins is an interesting experience. Of course, I have nothing to compare it to, but I have daily reminders of how different it must be. For instance, everywhere I go, people comment on how I must be about to go into labor, etc. It's like they can't believe I'm walking around doing normal-life stuff when I'm so massively pregnant. At the birthing classes that Chris and I attended last month, I had a substantially bigger belly than any other woman there--and they were all due well before me! I guess this all makes sense given my doctor's report that I'm currently measuring 2 weeks past a single pregnancy due date. Whoa! What's weird is that I don't feel as big as I apparently look. Despite the stares and my own relative discomfort, I am elated to know that the boys are growing so well and that my body is handling that growth. I am thrilled to see my uterus continue to stretch beyond what seems humanly possible. I still can't quite believe that we will have two sons sometime within the next month, but I can't wait!