The "Lectio/Latte/Electronica" Scarf for...

Name: Paul Wilson Belk

Location: Seattle, WA

Occupation: Retail Manager / Pastor

Book I'm Most Into Right Now: The Sparrow/Children of God by Mary Doria Russell

The Key To Building Fences is: Letting your engineering-degreed housemate do most of the work

I'll Be Patient As Long As: it takes

My Favorite Sunday Morning Activity Is: Getting up early on a cold day with my wife, reading a good book with hot cup of coffee together while cozying down under a blanket (or a fancy new scarf!)

One Thing A Pastor Needs to Be is: paid

My Wife Laughs At Me Most When: I am a little spazzy, which is most of the time

I Laugh With My Wife Most When: She's a little spazzy, which is most of the time (but you didn't hear that from me...)

The Celebrity I Wish Would Run Out of Gas In Front of My House: Henri Nouwen, but only if he was still alive, otherwise, it'd be a little too creepy.

Something I'd Like to Say: (silence is golden, he thinks)

Kj and I: I want to be Kj when I grow up

Making the Scarf:
I was so excited when Paul asked if I'd knit him up a KjPeopleProfileScarf. Paul is one of those super-radiantly cool people who is made all the more cool by their authenticity and humility rather than by flaunting their awesomeness. As such, I decided to make a scarf that would broadcast Paul's cool factor in louder tones than he uses himself.

My early memories of seeing Paul around campus have him with purple hair, though it's likely that my memory is a bit off, but nonetheless, I knew right away that I wanted to use colors that evoked "Purple Hair" to me. (Which apparently means black). Also, when I think of Paul, I think of the many parts of his life, be it wearing a barista apron, sewing hipster T-shirts or praying over Eucharist, and I wanted to reflect those dynamics in the scarf. Hence, this scarf feels a little more Indy-Punk and Neon sign than I've done previously, but still maintains a cheery bright blue "I'm Approachable" feel. It's a scarf inspired by Paul's quiet nature and electric spirit. I wouldn't mind being him when I grow up either.

Term 8 of 12

My Classes Starting Next Week at MHGS

RLM 505 - Homiletics:
Crafting Transformational Moments

RLM 504 - Life Together 2: (MDiv Internship)
Relational Ethics for Church & Leadership

RLM 520 - Developing Inter-Cultural Competency:
Being The Word on the Street

RLM 531 - MDiv Practicum 4: Embodying Christ -
Pastoral Ethics & Relational Leadership

SFD 521 - The Artist’s Way:
Pneumatology, Art and Culture

TCE 502 - Mission in a Global Context


Yes, we really love class titles at Mars Hill. I like how in the attempt to include every element of what the class will be about, you are actually left with no idea what the class is actually about. I've been known to do the same with papers.

And this term will be strange,
A) because I'm taking way too much, and
B) because for the first time really since first term, I don't have a single counseling or Biblical studies class. It's all theology, culture, and praxis. Which makes sense as I move closer to application from investigation, ie, closer to not being in school anymore.

Moving From Comics Right Into Illustrated Novels

Blankets by Craig Thompson

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars

A beautiful and honest story, full of snow.

It feels disquietingly similar to the high school and childhood life I saw happening around me, and often, reeks abundantly with my own past. You will recognize yourself in this book, and will often feel sad but will also laugh uncomfortably and self-righteously at times. Indeed, I think if you were born between 1975 and 1985, it will be hard not to have your jaw drop at times at how Thompson has remembered your past better than you do. There is deep loveliness in this, and deep sorrow as well.

I finished it in one sitting. I recommend the same to all who pick it up.

View all my reviews.


Thanks for handing it to me Tucker. We shall discuss.

The "Sunshine on My Shoulders" Scarf for...

Name: Stacy Dyann Pietsch (maiden name: Kanzler)

Location: Lower Queen Anne Seattle, Wa

Occupation: Nanny to rich kids/Counseling to poor kids...pretty much the same thing

The Best Job I Ever Had: Is still in the works. But the most appalling job I ever had included ironing a grown man's briefs...I quit soon after.

Tea Time Means: A year of Wednesday nights filled with off color humor, solving the world's problems, and deep love for each other.
































The Key to Hospitality is: A well used air mattress, a toilet that always runs, and a window that people use as a door

You Can Recognize My Husband By: The way you will never be the same after loving him.

While I'm Driving, I Listen To: Usually hip hop/rap until I hear "ho" one too many times and then I switch to NPR

Washington vs. Illinois: The current Illinois governor scandal has nothing on the 2004 governor election in Washington

If I Were a Flower, I Would Be: A Dalia

Something I'd Like To Say: I am ready for springtime

Kj and I: are the greatest "we never hang out but when we do sweet love and inspiration fill the room" friends




















Making the Scarf:
For Stacy, who has the awesomest last name (pronounced "Peach") I had a none-too-subconscious thought to make a Peach-inspired scarf. I'd also been in the mood to put some white in a scarf, and Stacey's shining self confidence and welcoming, loving spirit seemed like a good match. I loved the combo of the mauvish pink and the honey yellow. Together, the colors felt chewy and richly sweet to me, like a piece of fruit you'd pick off a tree in Willy Wonka's floor room. Basically, rather than finding a peach tone yarn, I used colors that, if combined on a palette, would turn out peachy. I like the effect.

I have at times described Stacey as the eschatological realization of a cheerleader, so the scarf carries some of that energy as well: something meant to lift the spirits of one who always lifts mine. Stacey is an elegant combo of soulfull and joyfull, and when she asked for a scarf to help brighten gray winter days before spring, I did my best to give her some sunshine. (And yes, there is still some gray in there. It is still Seattle, after all).
I Heart Super Stace!
Photos kindly offered by Kim Roth Howe

Haiku for a Friend's Heart

I'm so sorry for
what's been taken from you. I
pray that it returns.

Good Bosses Haiku

Tiny bottle of
Skyy vodka on my desk. Best
thank you gift ever.

Footage From Within A Cult Compound

How did I miss this phenomenon?
I find the guy in the armchair most disturbing
and, well, the campfire and sporting event as well.

The FORCE...

... runs strong in my family.

The List 2008

Total Movies watched in 2008: 160

Average Movies Per Week: 3.08

Most Watched films of 2008: Rushmore, Sweeney Todd (3 times each) and the 2006 BBC Jane Eyre, which I stopped keeping track of after the 4th viewing.

Movies Watched Twice in 2008 (DVD): Harry Potter: Order of the Phoenix, I Heart Huckabees, Marie Antoinette, Adaptation, Stranger Than Fiction, Becoming Jane, 2 Days in Paris, Heaven Help Us,

Movies Seen in the Theatre: 25 (Denoted with ** below)

Movies Seen Both in Theatre and on DVD: Sweeney Todd, Enchanted, There Will Be Blood, Wall-E, Kung Fu Panda

Honorary Mention: I Heart Huckabees has been in my top most viewed movies the past 2 years. Well done, Huckabees.

Best of 2008:
This year I cannot come up with a Best Of 2008 list because nothing that I saw in the theatre this year blew me away entirely. I really loved Vicky Cristina Barcelona, was captivated by Into Great Silence and both There Will Be Blood and I’m Not There impressed me, but to put these on a Best List would just be default because there was nothing else better. ( I didn't get out to movie theaters much this year and thus missed a lot of good contenders). So instead, I’m doing a list of best films I saw for the first time in 2008. The following films are those that surprised and delighted me to the point of notability, stuck with me for days, or made me think about life differently. Here they are, ranging from the past 40 years or so.

Best First Viewings of 2008 (DVD):
Das Boot (Director's Cut),
The UP Series,
2 Days in Paris,
The Savages,
La Vie En Rose

I will however include the following List
Worst of 2008:
Cloverfield
Be Kind Rewind
Indiana Jones: Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
The Duchess
Australia


THE LIST

January
**Sweeney Todd
Das Boot
Tootsie
Groundhog Day
French Kiss
Serenity
**Enchanted
Star Trek: First Contact
7-Up
7 + 7
21 Up
28 Up
Harry Potter: Order of the Phoenix
35 Up
42 Up
**There Will Be Blood
I Heart Huckabees
Rushmore
The Life Aquatic
Gangs of New York
Jesus of Montreal
**Cloverfield
Walk the Line
Gattaca
Lost in Translation
**Lars and the Real Girl
What About Bob?
Dave
Star Trek: Generations
February
**I’m Not There
Little Women
Back to the Future
Batman Begins
Persuasion
Marie Antoinette
**Juno
Gosford Park
Shopgirl
Passion of the Christ
Emma
I Heart Huckabees
Remains of the Day
Adaptation
Disney’s Robin Hood
Stranger Than Fiction
March
**Be Kind Rewind
Bridget Jones’ Diary
The Great New Wonderful
Der Untergang
Waitress
Michael Clayton
No Reservations
Mansfield Park
Persuasion (BBC 2007)
The Matrix
April
Antwone Fisher
Jane Eyre (BBC 2006)
Matrix Reloaded
Matrix Revolutions
Blades of Glory
Good Will Hunting
Swingers
The Stepford Wives (1975)
À la folie... pas du tout
May
Dan in Real Life
Becoming Jane
Heaven
The Piano
Atonement
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Bleu
Jane Eyre (1995)
The Natural
Failure to Launch
27 Dresses
2 Days in Paris
American Splendor
Wonder Boys
The Princess and the Warrior
**Iron Man
Before Sunrise
Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle
Transformers
The Village
**Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Eagle Vs. Shark
Fellowship of the Ring: Extended Edition
**Indiana Jones: Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
The Two Towers: Extended Edition
Return of the King: Extended Edition
Mansfield Park (BBC 2007)
Antonia’s Line
Adam Bede
Heaven Help Us
The Virgin Suicides
There Will Be Blood
Marie Antoinette
June
Heaven Help Us
Adaptation
**Mysteries of Pittsburgh
Once
Bottle Rocket
Paris Je T’aime
**The Incredible Hulk
**Get Smart
Enchanted
Harry Potter: Order of the Phoenix
**Wall-E
July
Becoming Jane
Spiderman 3
Jane Eyre (BBC 2006)
King of Kong
Hellboy
Jane Eyre (BBC 2006)
**Hellboy II: The Golden Army
A Little Princess
Middlemarch
August
What’ Eating Gilbert Grape
The Goonies
The Bank Job
The Secret Garden (1993)
Jane Eyre (BBC 2006)
September
Stranger Than Fiction
Sense & Sensibility (1995)
Rushmore
The Never-Ending Story
**Kung Fu Panda
**Vicky Cristina Barcelona
The Secret of Roan Inish
Helvetica
October
State and Main
**The Duchess
Sweeney Todd
Wives and Daughters
Everything is illuminated
Moulin Rouge
The Savages
November
**City of Ember
Best in Show
The Incredibles
**Into Great Silence
Wall-E
Marx Brothers: A Day at the Races
Marx Brothers: Duck Soup
**Australia
December
Art School Confidential
Sweeney Todd
Inventing the Abbots
**Twilight
A Christmas Story
Little Voice
Sunset Boulevard
**Doubt
La Vie En Rose
**The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Return to Oz
Rushmore
Galaxy Quest
Kung Fu Panda
Star Wars IV: A New Hope
2 Days in Paris


Care to Compare Lists?

New Year Haiku

It's not two thousand
and nine that I mind. It's that
I miss December.