A Must Read

I haven't had much to say recently, but I am reading a book that is so impressive I have to give it a shout out right now. I've mentioned Dick Staub and his book The Culturally Savvy Christian before. I didn't report the subtitle: "A Manifesto for Deepening Faith and Enriching Popular Culture in an Age of Christianity-Lite." So far it truly is a manifesto, and I am highly impressed with it.

I heartily encourage anyone interested in the Christian walk to get it. It is a book about modern culture as well, but Staub is doing a great job in sharing what is needed - transformation from God individually, so we can go positively affect culture. Put it on your Christmas list, go to Amazon, or call your library, it is worth it.

I hope to discuss it more when I am finished.

Bad Day at the Office

You know the game (and season) isn't going your way when this happens. I wonder what the injury report will read...

CSFF Tour - Shade

Hey there. I'm still here, just doing a little more juggling. It's time for the monthly CSFF tour, which is featuring John Olson's latest book, Shade.

This book is set in San Francisco and involves a graduate student possibly getting involved with a mythical underground world, or possibly dealing with paranoid schizophrenia. The question becomes whether the weird things happening to her reality or her own warped imagination.

I was intrigued by the book, but I (wisely) didn't sign up for it, figuring I wouldn't have much time with our new baby to commit. Still, I want to promote this book, as the buzz I'm hearing about it is significant and interesting.

Becky Miller, our tour ringleader, referred in her first tour posting to a post of mine regarding vampires in Christian fiction in which Shade was mentioned. It was actually mentioned by someone else in the comment section, but that's where I first got wind of it.

I've tried to read most of my tourmates posts regarding Shade, and I wanted to highlight a few that were the most interesting.

John W. Otte has three posts, giving a good review, explaining how he came by the book, and how ambiguity can be a good thing.

Nissa discusses the use of "real" vampires in Christian fiction in a few posts (make sure to scroll down for more).

Pam Morrisson gives her review and a good overview of the book.

Chawna Schroeder gives a review, an intro to John Olson, and an excerpt from the prologue.

There's also an interview with John over at Title Trakk that discusses an older book of his as well as Shade, and an interesting story from Randy Ingermanson (scroll most the way down to read it; hat tip to Val Comer) that aren't officially part of the CSFF tour.

I'm interested in getting this book after all this. Check out other tourmates below for more on Shade. Especially Steve Trower for vampire-inspired music!

John Olson’s Web site – http://www.litany.com/

*Participants’ Links:
Brandon Barr
Jennifer Bogart
Justin Boyer
Keanan Brand
Kathy Brasby
Valerie Comer
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
Janey DeMeo
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Todd Michael Greene
Katie Hart
Joleen Howell
Jason Isbell
Kait
Magma
Margaret
Rachel Marks
Melissa Meeks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Eve Nielsen
Steve Rice
Mirtika or Mir's Here
James Somers
Robert Treskillard
Speculative Faith
Jason Waguespac
Laura Williams
Timothy Wise

Facebook Follies

I had a few friends working on getting me onto Facebook this year. I finally took the plunge last month. I have a MySpace page, but it is so juvenile and unwieldy that I never go there. I didn't have high hopes for Facebook. It was a little scary when it ransacked my email when I signed up. Creepy!

However, it has been moderately addicting. I liked seeing who would turn up on finding friends. It has put me in touch with people I went to Thailand with in 1991, as well as high school classmates and other people around the globe. It is fun to see what people are up to, and having an immediate way to comment on their posts.

The down side is that it is basically a HUGE TIME SUCK! Holy cow. It is not the best thing for someone with IADD (internet attention deficit disorder). I can see how the connectivity is a great benefit, and I'm hoping to use it for some research purposes, but I really need to get this beast under control.

As soon as I go check my Facebook wall to see if I have any new friends!

Baby Daze

I've been able to take several days off for the new baby. It has been great to be able to just spend time with the family, hold my little girl, and enjoy our time. She is such a little doll, and I could stare at her for hours. It's amazing though, how much time slips away when you're not on a deadline or anything.

We're sleeping pretty good overall, although last night was hard. Still, it is easy to sleep in with baby and get going slowly in the day. Since my wife homeschools the boys, we're not on a school deadline either. Spanish and math has a variable start time!

I thought I'd be able to blog a little more and get other things like some actual *gasp* writing done. Not yet, but I will be working on this the next few days. I don't intend on turning this into a purely family or baby oriented blog. However, a writer will write about what is on their mind.

So I'll see y'all around. I'm still here. Just enjoying our blessings, like the picture below:













Isn't she a doll?