I know I’ve been slacking off on the posts lately, but with sickness gripping me yet again, I’ve been stuck in a zombified state in front of the TV.

I thought I would throw up a picture I took when I went to Zao a couple months ago. I have to say even then it was freezing cold at the top of the mountain. I’m sure there’s piles of snow up there now.

The volcano is quite a stunning site I must say. Both times I’ve visited it I’ve been lucky to have a nice clear view of the crater. Some unlucky people just see fog.

แว้บหายไปนาน, ไปไกลเสียด้วย
ไปญี่ปุ่นเมื่อวันที่ 13-26 ตุลานี่เองค่ะ
ไม่ได้หนีไปวาดดอกบัว :]
ไปดูใบไม้เปลี่ยนสีค่ะ

คำเตือน,
รูปเยอะมาก!

these photos are taken with canon eos 40D & efs 17/55mm f/2.8 lense
in JPEG format, not photoshopped and not cropped
otherwise stated

all photos are copyright protected

Studio Ghibli Museum, Mitaka

Matsushima Bay

Matsushima Bay

Matsushima Bay

Matsushima Bay

Matsushima Bay

canon ixus960is
Nikko

Nikko

Ryuzu Falls, Nikko

Ryuzu Falls, Nikko

Ryuzu Falls, Nikko

Ryuzu Falls, Nikko

Ryuzu Falls, Nikko

Ryuzu Falls, Nikko

Ryuzu Falls, Nikko

Ryuzu Falls, Nikko

Nikko Laboratory Fisheries Research Agency, Nikko

Kegon Falls, Nikko

Autumn Festival at Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Nikko

Autumn Festival at Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Nikko

“i’m bored”
Autumn Festival at Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Nikko

Autumn Festival at Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Nikko

Autumn Festival at Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Nikko

Rinnoji Temple, Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Nikko

Lake Towada

Lake Towada

Lake Towada

Lake Towada

Lake Towada

Lake Towada

Lake Towada

Oirase Trail, Lake Towada

Oirase Trail, Lake Towada

Oirase Trail, Lake Towada

Oirase Trail, Lake Towada

Oirase Trail, Lake Towada

Oirase Trail, Lake Towada

Oirase Trail, Lake Towada

Oirase Trail, Lake Towada

Oirase Trail, Lake Towada

Oirase Trail, Lake Towada

Oirase Trail, Lake Towada

Oirase Trail, Lake Towada

Oirase Trail, Lake Towada

Oirase Trail, Lake Towada

Oirase Trail, Lake Towada

Oirase Trail, Lake Towada

Oirase Trail, Lake Towada

Oirase Trail, Lake Towada

Oirase Trail, Lake Towada

Oirase Trail, Lake Towada

Oirase Trail, Lake Towada

Oirase Trail, Lake Towada

Lake Towada

canon ixus960is
Umanose, Zao

canon ixus960is
Zao

Goshiki-Numa Lakes, Urabandai

Goshiki-Numa Lakes, Urabandai

Goshiki-Numa Lakes, Urabandai

Goshiki-Numa Lakes, Urabandai

Goshiki-Numa Lakes, Urabandai

“Three Colours Blue”
Goshiki-Numa Lakes, Urabandai

Goshiki-Numa Lakes, Urabandai

Goshiki-Numa Lakes, Urabandai

Goshiki-Numa Lakes, Urabandai

“There’s a dragon in the Lake”
Goshiki-Numa Lakes, Urabandai

Goshiki-Numa Lakes, Urabandai

Goshiki-Numa Lakes, Urabandai

Goshiki-Numa Lakes, Urabandai

Goshiki-Numa Lakes, Urabandai

Goshiki-Numa Lakes, Urabandai

Bandaisan Gold Line-Bandai Azuma Skyline, Urabandai

Bandaisan Gold Line-Bandai Azuma Skyline, Urabandai

Bandaisan Gold Line-Bandai Azuma Skyline, Urabandai

Bandaisan Gold Line-Bandai Azuma Skyline, Urabandai

Bandaisan Gold Line-Bandai Azuma Skyline, Urabandai

Bandaisan Gold Line-Bandai Azuma Skyline, Urabandai

Bandaisan Gold Line-Bandai Azuma Skyline, Urabandai

Ofukazawa Bridge, Naruko

Ofukazawa Promenade, Naruko

Ofukazawa Promenade, Naruko

Zao
By Vicky Rudy

Always there
In the rhythm of our language,
In the dance of words.
Spiritual knowledge
Trying to be much more.
Glances stolen.
Hands brushing briefly.
Lips touching once.
Lives entwined,
Then parted

You loved first
In those days when I loved you
But didn’t know.
You kept it close.
Love unacknowledged,
Not even in the heart,
The cost too high.
Remembered hands
Remembered eyes
From a time gone by.

A chance encounter,
A face you could not forget,
Now I cannot forget.
After years apart
Body memories
That cannot be denied.
Love felt over the years.
Love felt over the miles.
Killing me softly,
With this song.

Loved found late
But not too late
Finding ourselves again
In the rythmn of the words
Simple as breathing
Certain as sunrise
Loved forged by fire.
Givers of love
Finally cannot resist
The taking.

Want so strong
It turns to need.
Daydreams and fantasy.
Stolen days and nights.
Living the love songs
In the rhythm of the words.
Turning to each other,
Soul to soul.
How did we get here
From there?

A lifetime lived
In a few moments.
To grow old together,
No one else will do.
How to be together
Or to survive being apart?
Hurting ourselves not to
Hurt others.
How do we get there
from here?

A deep ache,
Disappointment and desire.
Climbing the mountain
From different sides,
Hoping to reach the peak.
Yearning to find
The answers
In each other’s arms.
Knowing the answers
Are there.

Dreams of the future
Long talks in the night,
Of golden retrievers
And old pickup trucks,
Of rubies and sapphires,
And favorite fishing holes.
Of books and music.
Giver of gifts
When love cannot
Be given.

The greatest glimpse
Of love we’ve ever known.
We did not know
Could even exist.
Questioning God.
Why show us this love
Only to deny.
Determined to be together,
Somehow, someway,
In the autumn of our lives.

PREVIEW: Download 20 Watts’ CHRISTIAN HARDCORE MIX on Mediafire

In the early years, Christian hardcore bands were seen as tamer, less talented copies of their secular counterparts. When most people think of religious music they think of hymns, praise and worship, and bland church music.

There’s nothing wrong with praise and worship music, but it belongs in its place: in church on Sundays. These are real bands, filled with down-to-Earth dudes that go on tour, make music videos and write about real experiences.  In 2009  Christian bands are headlining festivals, topping charts, and leading the charge in their respected genres.

So what’s the very best in Christian Hardcore? 20 Watts’ ERIC HOFFMAN has the answer in our third 20 installment. Watch for new 20s each Thursday, only on 20 Watts, and check out our previous 20s below!

I was so excited about this show! I loved/love Zao and always wanted to see them. The first time they were meant to come to the UK, they didn’t get through customs which was annoying but a band called Luti-Kriss played instead and they were good. They later changed their name to Norma Jean. Say no more. This Zao show was epic. It was rammed, Eden Maine played and were well good and then Zao played a set full of classics. It was awesome, even though they had the dude from Society’s Finest on vocals at the time. Good times.

Os últimos dias tem sido de grandes e gratas surpresas!

Na semana passada fui a capital deste amaldiçoado país e encontrei, quase sem querer, o nosso ZÃO! Figura grotesca e repulsiva, como não poderia ser diferente para um Troll…

Como nosso amigo reside naquela terra seca e infértil (“onde o próprio ar que se respira é um gás venenoso”, como Mordor…), se fez de cicerone para me mostrar as peculiaridades do lugar.

É claro que as peculiaridades para o Zão não são as dos demais mortais que residem naquela fétida região… Primeiro ele me levou a Moria, quer dizer, a Galeria dos Estados, uma passagem subterrânea mais sinistra que as minas cavadas pelos Mestres Anões subordinados de Balin, primo de Ginli, filho de Gloin… Que, aliás, cavaram fundo demais…

Ato contínuo, passamos pelo CONIC, onde se encontrava o local que ele achava ser adequado para minha estirpe. O lugar era mais sujo que o Dirty’s (famigerado lugar já mencionado por aqui, onde o garçon caia de bêbado…). Apelei para a sensatez do nosso amigo e fomos para uma choperia tradicional.

Foi ótimo. Espero repetir o programa em outubro, quando serei obrigado a retornar àquela Terra para destruir o Um Anel, quer dizer, trabalhar.

Semana passada também foi especial. Encontro na minha terra natal, ninguém menos que uma Deusa! ANANKÊ estava “enchendo os cornos” em uma choperia da Tijuca! Acompanhando a Deusa estava Iron Man. Um momento especial… Amanhã poderemos repetir (?).

Dias de grandes encontros…

Last Sunday, our family ate out with a couple of our closest friends at Zao in Eastwood City, Libis to celebrate my mom’s birthday. Our first choice was actually Cyma, but we were greatly disappointed with them as they told us over the phone that no reservations were being accepted during weekends, but to our surprise, they couldn’t fit us in because some of the tables were already reserved. That was more than enough reason for to go with our second choice which was Zao.

Anyway, back to Zao. Their Eastwood branch is actually quite a small place as our party of 18 almost filled up their entire indoor dining space, but believe me, the food is good enough a reason to try out your luck and find a table here at Zao on a busy, jam-packed weekend night at Eastwood City.

The first orders that came out were the salads: the Pomelo Salad and the Tenderloin Salad. I’m no expert in Vietnamese cuisine so I can’t really tell if the Pomelo Salad was authentic or not, but it’s pretty good in my opinion. A different take from the usual salad we see in most restaurants, but if you really want something different and good at the same time, the Tenderloin Salad is a definite must try.

We also had Fresh Shrimp Spring Rolls and Sugarcane Shrimps as our appetizers. No qualms here either. Both were equally good in their own right. For those who’ll try out the Sugarcane Shrimp, here’s a tip: don’t just discard the sugarcane once you’re done eating the shrimp off of it. The flavors get infused on the sugarcane so it’s delicious to suck on after wards.

For our main course, we had the Zao Barbeque Platter and Satay Platter so that we can get sampling of all their barbeque and satay offerings. Both platters are actually more or less similar when it comes to flavor, so if you’re on a limited budget, ordering one or the other will do.

It didn’t come with rice so we order the Zao Fried Rice to accompany our meat fest. It isn’t as flavorful as what we were expecting (including the salted egg), but it served as a nice complement to the succulent meat dishes we already had.

Our parents ordered the Pan Seared Catfish, but unfortunately, I didn’t get to try it out so I can’t really say how good it really is. However, based on the other dishes I’ve already tasted, it’s probably as good as the rest their offerings.

To cap things off, we had the Espresso Gateu de Crepe which is a nice counter-balance to the strong, pungent flavors of our main course. It’s not too sweet and it literally melts in your mouth. We also tried out the Vietnamese Halo-halo. It’s a definite treat for the senses, but I still prefer the Filipino halo-halo.

Over-all, our Zao dining experience was a memorable one, and we’re definitely looking forward to eating there again when given the chance. They’ve still got a lot on their menu that we’ve yet to try out. Needless to say, there’s a lot more to Zao than what I’ve already posted. Their other branch, by the way, is located in Serendra at the Fort, Taguig City.

.

The Good:
Great flavors, a wide variety of dishes, great service

The Bad:
A bit pricey for the serving size, indoor dining space could be too small if you’re a large group

On Hardcore:

“I’m gonna say whatever is on my mind, and I’m gonna say it in thirty-two seconds.”- Ian MacKaye, Minor Threat

Hardcore is a form of punk rock that emphasizes fast beats, heavy guitars and often has mid-ranged shouted vocals. It was started in the 80s by bands such as Black Flag, Minor Threat, and Bad Brains. Hardcore has had a familial atmosphere since its foundation, with many fans and bands forming “crews” of like-minded individuals and sticking together, often for years. Ideologically hardcore is often leftist, and fairly political in nature. One of the main tenets of the hardcore lifestyle is an outspoken attitude- speaking and defending one’s own beliefs. Initially those beliefs were little more than angst and rage directed at everyone in “normal” society. Since its inception the hardcore has been home to various social movements, most notably “Straight Edge,” a lifestyle which rejects drugs, drinking and often promiscuous sex, which was popularized and named by the band Minor Threat. Of all the social movements within hardcore it has had the most influence and staying power, with many people still living a Straight Edge lifestyle to this day. For more information on Hardcore music and the formation of the scene I recommend documentary film American Hardcore: The History of American Punk Rock 1080-1986 directed by Paul Rachman and written by Steven Blush.

The Foundation of Spirit-Filled Hardcore:

By the early 90s the church had, in general, grown to accept or at least tolerate the concept of “extreme” Christian music. There had already been successful Heavy Metal, Punk, and Hip-hop in the Christian Music Industry. Hardcore had not yet been attempted. The primary reason for this is that hardcore was still a relatively new genre of music, and it had not become popular enough for there to be much of a demand for it in the Christian scene. However, by the mid-nineties Christian music was ripe for an explosion of hardcore- and explode it did. By 1997, hardcore had all but taken over the heavy Christian music scene, with metal labels such as Intense Records folding andup-start punk label Tooth & Nail quickly becoming the biggest independent Christian record label.

The massive success of Christian (or as the bands and fans prefer, “Spirit-filled”) hardcore can be traced right back to the ideologies of hardcore music itself. Unlike metal, which is notoriously anti-Christian, and rock which is mostly fun loving, the hardcore scene was quite compatible with Christianity from the beginning, even though many hardcore bands themselves had anti-Christian stances. Hardcore’s focus on brotherhood and open-minded camaraderie mirrors the early church. It’s outspokenness, and passion create a natural environment for evangelism (passionately preaching the gospel to non-Christians) and worship (praise directed towards God). Also, the Straight Edge movement’s focus on clean living is quite compatible with Christian moral codes. On top of all of this, hardcore bands were used to being heckled by the audience, and as much as there was a sense of brotherhood, there was also, paradoxically,  a violent disregard for others. Essentially it was a scene in which you could say or do anything you wanted so long as you were prepared to deal with the reaction.  All of this creates a natural environment for Christianity to flourish in the hardcore scene, without the oppression Christians had dealt with in their adoption of rock, and primarily metal.

Spirit-filled Hardcore (SFH) remained underground in the early nineties. But that would all change when a fledgling Seattle record label embraced the movement with their second release…

Tooth & Nail Records:

If it wasn’t for Tooth & Nail, SFH would not have gained the popularity that it did. And if it wasn’t for SFH, Tooth & Nail would not have grown to be the biggest label in underground Christian music. Their relationship is that symbiotic.

Tooth & Nail records (T&N) opened its doors in 1993, releasing the grunge record Pet the Fish by the band Wish For Eden. That album was frankly unspectacular, however it proved that their were culture-savvy young Christians who wanted to listen to music that was “with it.” Every other Christian label at the time was releasing adult contemporary or metal, which was quickly fading in popularity. From the get-go, T&N made it apparent that they were going to release music that was relevant to the emerging youth cultures of the day. The second T&N release was far more influential, and even prophetic- setting the foundation for the label’s early success. In 1993 T&N signed the band Focused and released their debut, simply titled Bow, which is the first example of SFH that received any sort of label backing.

The release of this record was a huge gamble for T&N. Situated in Seattle, with grunge being the big deal, there simply wasn’t a market for SFH, fortunately for T&N the scene exploded and T&N was in the perfect position lead the way. Soon the label was home to many more bands in the quickly developing scene, including: Unashamed, Zao, Strongarm, and Overcome. Some other labels such as R.E.X. and Rescue also got into the movement with the signing of such bands as Six Feet Deep and the seminal No Innocent Victim. The popularity of these bands ensured that T&N became the biggest indie Christian record label. Their success with their early experiments led T&N to sign many more unique and challenging bands. Their success eventually led to a distribution deal with EMI- and an even larger audience for their records.

The End of the First Era of Spirit-filled Hardcore:

Strangely the scene fell almost as fast as it began. Most of these bands released no more than two records, and by the end of the decade Spirit-filled hardcore was essentially no more. The reason for this is that the initial excitement and outspokenness of SFH fell out of favor for a more subtle approach. T&N was making an impact in the mainstream- and in the mainstream it was uncool to be labeled as a Christian. So if Christians intended to break into the mainstream at all, it was necessary to play down their ties to the Christian scene. The term “Christian band” became a naughty word- bands would instead say they were “Christians in a band,” or simply a “band.” Lyrics became more allegorical and less outspoken. This continued on for over five years to the point that by 2005, most heavy Christian bands were almost indistinguishable from mainstream bands- except that they didn’t swear and were, generally “positive.”

Whether or not this was a positive development is up to debate. Surely the hardline stance of the early SFH bands was confrontational, evangelistic, and all-or-nothing. At the same time it was divisive and offensive. However in 2005, it was no longer uncool to be a heavy Christian band. In fact, many of the bands on T&N and other labels that had roots in the Christian scene were as successful, and often more innovative than the mainstream bands. However some mourned the loss of the direct messages and intense worship. There was a growing amount of Christian kids disillusioned with artists playing down their faith- and very soon a voice from the past would call for a reformation of the Spirit-filled hardcore scene…

Next Wednesday: The “New Wave” begins

What will you find, when you stare through the mirror into the graveyards of your mind?
Where hatred is born from the ashes of lies, demons and angels blot out the sky, blot out the sky.
You conform your faith, making your opinion truth, lash out every time someone disagrees with you. Obsessed with protecting some type of pride is the cause many a man with gun in hand has died.
And his ghost was thinking as they buried him that night, it was all in vain, cause everyone thinks they’re the one who’s right, the one who’s right, the one who’s right, the one who’s right. Your face is alabaster and forgotten. Countless years of wearing masks. You’ll be rewarded with emptiness for staying faithful to the task.

(by zao – “awake”)

Ello Ello,

So, I like Kenya. A lot.

So far we have done 5 days work on a spring and a well – rotating who works where each day. I spent Monday and Tuesday at the well with some locals. The majority of the time was spent at the bottom of the well with Pastor James (a zao team engineer) lining the inside of the wall with bricks. We hope to finish on Friday. The spring is also going well, after fixing a small problem yesterday we have made great progress! We also hope to finish this first spring on Friday.

Anyway, story time.

For us guys, most of the time is spent on manual labor. However, God is awesome and has dropped some opportunities right in front of us! Today at the spring, Nathan and I were moving sand to make mortar when a local man came over to help us. He proceeded to carry a heavy bucket of sand with just his right hand, because his left hand was crippled. Upon noticing this I saw an obvious opportunity and seized it. I called over Ledmonton (a pastor that speaks English) and asked him to translate for us. We soon found out that the man had been cut (I think by a machete) and had a scar running round most of his wrist. His fingers were curled up and unable to move due to the operation to save his hand. We prayed for him and asked if there had been any change. He could now move one of his fingers a little bit.

SO…we prayed again.

After this he moved the other three formerly immovable fingers and quickly asked us how to accept Jesus into his life. He said that he wanted to change his life and proceeded to give me the drugs he had been sniffing. I then prayed with him to receive the Lord and prayed for his deliverance from addiction. He no longer wanted the drugs and emptied them onto the ground!

Later this afternoon the Lord presented us with another opportunity. An elderly man who was almost completely blind and deaf turned up at the spring. Much to the amusement of many others at the spring I asked if we could pray for him. Nathan and I prayed for him three times. After the first two times there was no difference, but after we prayed for his worst eye specifically (which Nathan suggested we do), he received restoration to his sight and started to be able to read the numbers on his watch!

Happy days, things are building and we are excited to see what tomorrow brings.
Asante Sana (Swahili for “Thank you, very much”) for your prayers,

Jon
SF-Kenya 2

On these welcomed summer days, I starkly find a moment’s opening to thoughtfully blog – it always comes to just an update, like this one. But despite this, I find it surely enjoyable to be able to blog on my iPhone and unglued from the computer.

As I write, the family and I are relishing Tualatin’s outstandingly comfortable 82 degree temperature outdoors at Zao Noodle Bar in iconically summer Bridgeport Village.

Yesterday, I got called into work to hold down a smaller four hour guest service shift for today. 9:30am to 1:30pm and I’m surprisingly exhausted. I’ve never opened that early, so I learned some new material. When it comes down to it all, I’m thankful for more experience. But because I worked today, by Saturday I will have worked a sixth day, meaning overtime! I’ve been given 10 more work hours than usual this week because several coworkers are on vacation. What I’m saying is that 37.5 hours this week – and 6.5 of those hours are going to be counted as overtime, I’m so excited for the next paycheck!

Anyway, by now I’ve finished this post and my Dan Dan Noodles with Chicken. Yum!… Balanced healthiness and enjoyement, with a side of perfect weather – can’t say much more than I’m liv’n it up!

Posted from my iPhone 3G.

Listening to: John Davis Former (and I believe, now current again) singer of the retro-power pop band Superdrag. Converted to Christianity and made this record, it’s quite phenomenal.

Wow. I am keeping myself busy. Lots of reading and listening and reviewing…. How about some lists(!!!!!!) As much for my use as yours, I swear.

Current Book Reading List:

• R. Kent Hughes- The Disciplines of a Godly Man
• C.J. Mahaney, Ed.- Worldliness (This book will DESTROY you)
• Soong-Chan Rah- The Next Evangelicalism* (This is a real challenge to my individualistic, materialistic, and Western, White world view. And Thank God for that!)
• Peter B. Holmes & Susan B. Williams- Church as a Safe Place*
• Dave Harvey- When Sinners Say ‘I Do’
• John Piper- Don’t Waste Your Life
• Mark Driscoll- Death By Love
• G. K. Beale- We Become What We Worship
• R. Albert Mohler Jr.- He Is Not Silent

This is the relative order I intend to finish them in. Books with * are ones that I am reviewing.

And now the Frequent Listeners List, AKA What is gracing my CD player and my iPod as of late:

• Demon Hunter- Storm The Gates Of Hell & 45 Days (Can’t get any more bold than STGOH, and the soundtrack is rad too).
• The Chariot- Wars and Rumors of Wars* (Still melting my face three albums later).
• House of Heroes- The End is Not the End (truly a perfect classic pop record. Everyone should own it. I’m not kidding, go buy it right now).
• Emery- I’m Only a Man & When Broken Hearts Prevail (I am really enjoying their recent material, far superior to their first couple records).
• John Coltrane- A Love Supreme (John called it his “gift to God.” I believe him).
• Joy Electric- Curiosities & Such* (Great little EP, mixed in mono, gives it some character).
• Ronald of Orange- Brush Away the Cobwebs* (alternately catchy and hilariously kitschy pop from Ronnie Martin of Joy E).
• HB- Frozen Inside* (Swedish symphonic metal with female vocals. Very worshipful lyrics).
• Zao- AWAKE?* (their best album on Ferret. Great design too).
• In Grief- Deserted Soul* (Sweet progressive black metal).

Again, * are ones that I’ll be reviewing.

So essentially, I am reading, listening, and reviewing. Oh, and working, rock climbing, and hanging with Rach, of course. What are you reading and listening to lately?

Greensburg, PA’s Zao have posted their new album online for streaming in its entirety. The album is titled Awake and is due out May 5th through Ferret Records.

Myspace

Myspace

Genre: Metalcore / Hardcore
Country: USA
Website: Myspace

Tracklist:
01. 1,000,000 Outstretched Arms Of Nothing
02. Entropica
03. The Eyes Behind The Throne
04. Human Cattle Masses Marching Forward
05. Romance Of The Southern Spirit
06. What Will You Find?
07. Awake?
08. Quiet Passenger Pt. 1
09. Reveal
10. Quiet Passenger Pt. 2/The World Caved In

Springtime sure takes its sweet time arriving in Minnesota, but it’s finally here and that means I can start listening to hardcore again. I know that most people claim to listen to hardcore music because it reflects or intensifies how they are feeling, but I basically listen to it to create raging feelings of destruction within myself (because I’m stupid) and that really doesn’t work too well in the winter. During the six or so months of winter here, I become incredibly depressed if I listen to scream-y music. Ennui Against the Void describes hardcore music when it is cloudy outside. But come sunny days, I can eat up this stuff like it was Red Hot Chili Peppers…

This video is a bit boring to look at, but I always like the room with white walls containing something weird look. Sorta 2001: A Space Oddyousee…

Scratchy…

A nice little horror film here…