New Ground

I've got a new blog. Please head here starting 28 December, or here now.

A tip of the hat

I started this blog in the Fall of 2007 as an open journal of sorts. Prosso Speaks chronicled a very specific time in my life. I did my best to honestly bare my heart, my thoughts, my progress. I don't agree with everything I said or did between then and now, but it has certainly been a time of great growth and transformation, so it's hard to have any regrets. It has been an adventure.

As I move forward into a new season in my life, I'm retiring the Prosso moniker and I'm retiring this blog. I'm pretty sure I'll maintain an internet presence in some form, but it won't be here.

I'll leave with these thoughts of Solomon, found in Ecclesiastes:

Don't be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself? On the other hand, don't be too wicked, either - don't be a fool! Why should you die before your time? So try to walk a middle course - but those who fear God will be successful either way.

I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people to do in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them.

Young man, it's wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do: take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do.

Here is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is the duty of every person.

Cheers, friends.

Minuit, chrétiens

Yesterday at church, we sang O Holy Night. It's one of my fiancé's favorite songs. I'm not traditionally a big Christmas person, but the gravity of the song humbled me yesterday. I was curious about who wrote the song, so today I did a little research.

It turns out the song was based on a French poem, Minuit, Chrétiens, written by Placide Cappeau. He was a French wine merchant in the 1800s. My favorite part of the poem is this:

Peuple à genoux, attends ta délivrance.
Noël, Noël, voici le Rédempteur,
Noël, Noël, voici le Rédempteur!

People kneel down, wait for your deliverance.
Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer,
Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer!

I lose it every time I try to sing those words. How wonderful and powerful and beautiful is that little baby, laying quietly in a manger. Did he know, even then, what we would do to him? Did he know what he would do for us?

There's so much power in this old story:


Peuple, debout! Chante ta délivrance.
Noël! Noël! Chantons le Rédempteur!
Noël! Noël! Chantons le Rédempteur!

People, stand up, sing your deliverance!
Christmas! Christmas! Let us sing the Redeemer!
Christmas! Christmas! Let us sing the Redeemer!

Cormac McCarthy

Anything that doesn't take years of your life and drive you to suicide hardly seems worth doing.

Does Christmas come from a store, or does it mean a little bit more?

This year I'm taking part in Buy Nothing a Day, a thoughtful abstention from the Black Friday madness that overtakes America. The crowds, the hostility, the demands for certain material possessions, it makes me anxious and uncomfortable. I did the Black Friday thing once, when the Wii came out. A friend and I camped out in front of a Gamestop with eight or ten other video game fans. We had fun, but at the Wal-Mart across the street, several fights broke out and the police had to come to arrest people. Madness.

So this year, I'm not buying anything, I'm not adding to the hysteria and the noise. I'm spending time with friends and family instead. It's a great reminder for me to remember what the Christmas season is all about:

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

I promise to do my best to remember God's gift to us this Christmas season.

Additionally, after my visit to the hermitage, I've decided to undergo a digital detox of sorts. I'm going a week without nonessential Internet/phone/computer/ipod exposure. I'm trying to knock out everything that doesn't foster peace and intentionality in my life for a week. I'm not cutting EVERYTHING, though. I will check my email once a day, watch football if I want to, continue my job search. What I will not do is constantly check my email, my fantasy football team, Facebook, Twitter, cable tv, etc. I can't wait to experience the results! It will be like a mini-retreat. You can view one person's lessons from digital detox here. It sounds amazing.

So, I'll see you guys next week.

You Must Obey the Dance Commander

Instead of a normal first dance, Sam and I have decided to flip out for two and a half minutes:

The best thing about this is that you are unsure whether or not I'm joking. Is it possible that at the reception I will only answer to "Dance Commander"? The better question is: Is it probable?

I came back from the hermitage. It was a blessing. It was a miracle. The last time I went, it was agonizing, as God passed by and revealed his glory and my smallness. This time, though, God basically just put his arm around my shoulders and let me know that I'd be fine and that I was loved.

Movie review: Whip It, did in fact, whip it. Go see it. Here's why: Kristin Wiig is funny in everything, it was filmed in Austin, Landon Pigg is in it, and roller derby is fun. If more than 10 of you see it, Sam said she is trying out for a team next season. As you read this, she is coming up with her roller derby name. I made up that reader challenge, but let's do it anyway. It's rated PG-13, so you won't see any full frontal nudity. If you were worried.

Video game review: Do you want to feel like you are bad-ace? Play Batman: Arkham Asylum. It's like living in a comic book.

FACT. Many girls (and now me?) file their fingernails instead of clipping them.

I'm up to 20,000 words on my novel. That's A LOT of words, but it also means I have *gulp* 30,000 to go. Don't worry, I got this.

Friday Night Lights