M. J. Butterworth

New Blog

2011-03-08T21:46:00.000+02:00

With mixed emotions I have to announce that I have a new location for M.J. Butterworth and that is www.mjbutterworth.wordpress.com

Please put that in your readers!

View from the Top

2011-03-08T15:48:00.004+02:00

That little building next to the Camii is my apartment.

Artisan Roast

2011-03-08T02:13:00.001+02:00

Whenever you hear about coffee in the UK you always hear about Square Mile and Hasbean, and sometimes Climpson & Sons and Union (and for good reason, I've had coffee from the former 3 and they're great!) . But since my roommate Seth was checking out Scotland I thought it would be worthwhile to look into what reputable roaster are in the Highlands.

Anyway Seth brought back some delicious Santa Clara Antigua Guatemala and Red Bourbon Rwanda roasted by Artisan Roast, which has cafes/roasteries in both Glasgow and Edinburgh. I've been enjoying both coffees so much I thought I would share this video i found on their Facebook.

Scottish Barista championships 2011 from Benjamin Cowie on Vimeo.

P.S. Seth was lucky enough to get a cappuccino from the barista featured in the video.

A Historic Moment in the Arab World

2011-03-06T13:44:00.000+02:00

HT: Paul Butterworth

Sapphire Grand Opening

2011-03-05T13:51:00.009+02:00

After a year of living next to it, I finally got to go inside/to the top of it.

The mall is fairly ubiquitous slightly bigger/nicer than Astoria though certainly no real competition for such super-malls as Forum and Isteniye Park. However the greatest appeal, besides the only Moe's in Istanbul, is the observation deck on the 54th Floor. It's pretty over whelming to have the complete panorama- the Black Sea, the Marmara, the financial district, both bridges, and on a clear day like today, even the Prince's Islands. I expect it will soon make Çeliktepe must-see stop on the tourist check list - not sure how much I like that, but it's fun to live in the middle of the action.

View from the Sapphire's Observation Deck from Michael Butterworth on Vimeo.

(pictures coming soon)

Umbrella Graveyard

2011-03-01T15:08:00.005+02:00

I was warned before I moved to Istanbul that the winters can be harsh. In reality the temperature is much more forgiving than the humid Ohio Valley winters I spent the last 5 years in, or the massive snowfalls Arizona's White Mountains can get when there's not a drought (which admittedly isn't often). However, since 3 major weather systems meet at Istanbul, the city can get some pretty gnarly winds. That coupled with incessant rain can make for a fairly miserable winter- even if the thermometer hasn't dropped below 0 C. Case in point, the short walk to my metro stopped was littered with discarded broken umbrellas whose poor construction could not withstand the elements.

Definitely looking forward to Spring.

Grand Opening

2011-02-28T01:00:00.004+02:00

One of my first blog posts here in Istanbul was about the Sapphire, the skyscraper that's being built in my front yard. Anyway, it looks like they're almost done, cuz this popped up on the jumbo tron. It's still looks bomboş (empty) on the inside- so I'm a little skeptical this grand opening is for reals.

2,000 FT MTB Descent

2011-02-26T16:09:00.002+02:00

Riding 2,000 Vertical Feet with Darren Berrecloth from Bike Magazine on Vimeo.

Number one thing I can't wait to do after my clavicle is healed: ride my bike! I don't think I'll be trying anything this insane though.
HT: Bike Magazine

Africa

2011-02-25T13:17:00.002+02:00

Stumptown Coffee Roasters: Kenya from Stumptown Coffee Roasters on Vimeo.

HT: Stumptown

N.T. Wright on Jesus

2011-02-22T00:55:00.002+02:00

"My proposal is that Jesus took his own story seriously- so seriously that, having recommended to his followers a particular way of being Israel-for-the-sake-of-the-world, he made that way thematic for his own sense of vocation, his own belief about how the kingdom would come through his own work. He would turn the other cheek; he would go the second mile; he would take up cross. He would be the light of the world, the salt of the earth. He would be Israel for the sake of the world. He would defeat evil once and for all. But the way in which we would defeat evil would be the way consistent with the deeply subversive nature of his own kingdom-announcement. He would defeat evil by letting it do its worst to him."
-N.T. Wright, Jesus and the Victory of God, 564-65.

N.T. Wright to the Next Generation

2011-02-21T21:47:00.004+02:00

HT:Patrick Schreiner

Broken Vessels

2011-02-17T15:49:00.005+02:00

Being clumsy is a vicious cycle. Clumsy people are prone to break things, like glass or porcelain housewares. Clumsy people are also likely to get injured. Injured clumsy people with their even more impaired motor skills are more likely to break more household items.

That's the situation I find myself in. After breaking my clavicle because of my clumsiness at snowboarding, I now find myself with an even greater propensity to breaking dishes. This proved to be especially true when I broke part of my most important possession, my Hario Skerton hand grinder. Thankfully, it turns out that a mason jar actually is a perfect replacement piece.
Which is good, because it would be horrible is all this deliciously fresh Mauritania El Salvador natural process from Square Mile went to waste.

LFG in Istanbul

2011-02-16T21:15:00.004+02:00

Istanbul is a world class cultural and business center, the former capital of 3 empires, and one of the largest cities on earth. I lot of important people live here or pass through here all the time. Nonetheless, I was surprised and excited to see on Twitter that my all time favorite athlete* Larry Fitzgerald was in town. Totally considering waiting outside the nice hotels to get an autograph.

*this honor is shared with Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash

Davidic and Solomonic Parallels in Jesus' Ministry

2011-02-14T23:02:00.006+02:00

"Challenged about his activity, Jesus responded with a parallel: when David was roaming the country with his group of followers, he had the right as the anointed (but not yet enthroned) king to override the normal code of practice. The parallel makes sense only if Jesus somehow believed himself to be in an analogous situation. He had anointed by YHWH in John's baptism; those hunting him were cast in the role of Saul and his men. The fact that the messianic implication is not drawn out more explicitly by the evangelists (who have no inhibitions about the idea) speaks strongly in its favour - as well as suggesting that the concluding phrase, ' the son of man is lord of the sabbath', may also be intended to carry cryptic messianic meaning.

The second saying compares Jesus and Solomon. The setting is an announcement of judgment on Jesus' contemporaries, comparing them unfavourably with characters from biblical history. The men of Nineveh will denounce this generation, because they repented at Jonah's preaching, and something greater than Jonah is here; the Queen of the South will denounce this generation, because she came from far off to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and something greater than Solomon is here. Solomon, the temple builder, is an obvious messianic model. To claim that Jesus is greater than him is to claim that he is the true Messiah; that he will build the eschatological Temple; that through him the Davidic kingdom will be restored. The context also suggests that this Messiah will be the one to whom the nations will come and bow in obedience: through his kingdom the prophecies of messianic worldwide restoration will be fulfilled."

-N.T. Wright, Jesus and the Victory of God, 535.

The Mercy Seat & The War, Preview Video

2011-02-14T17:42:00.003+02:00

Preview For The Mercy Seat-The War Split EP from Sojourn Community Church on Vimeo.

If you liked my review, You're going to like this video even more.

Christopher Wright on Creation

2011-02-09T16:16:00.002+02:00

"Creation is not just the disposable backdrop to the lives of human creatures who were really intended to live somewhere else, and some day will do so. We are not redeemed out of creation but as part of the redeemed creation itself- a creation that will again be fully and eternally for God's glory, for our joy and benefit, and forever."

- Christopher Wright

X-ray Vision

2011-02-09T11:01:00.001+02:00

I'm more machine now than man.

Ouch

2011-02-08T14:23:00.002+02:00

I went snowboarding on Sunday and managed to break my collar bone my first time down the mountain. Eight screws and 1 plate later my clavicle is one piece again, but I'm still facing a long road of physical therapy, followed by another surgery in six months to remove the plate. Definitely not the coolest thing that has ever happened to me.

İmla Hataları

2011-02-02T23:09:00.004+02:00

My never ending quest to find good espresso in Istanbul led me to Bebek to check out Cafe Lucca (because it popped up here amongst the winners of last year's SCAE competition). I didn't find the espresso, but I did find an impressive contemporary art exhibition from Turkish visual artist Aslı Biçer, entitled İmla Hataları (Spelling Errors). I particularly liked her use of collaged newspaper scraps. Check out some of Aslı's other works here.

The Mercy Seat and The War, full review

2011-01-28T02:22:00.014+02:00

The first time I saw Jamie Barnes and Brooks Ritter perform together was in April of 2008. Stars of the Lid was playing at the 930 Listening Room, and I went mostly on reputation. It was a sparsely attended show, but I spotted a few friends in the mostly NPR crowd and pretended I knew something about drone/ambient music. Admittedly Jamie's brand of bluegrass infused indie folk music was an odd opener, but sometimes juxtaposition can really make a show.

I was quite familiar with Jamie's discography (The Recalibrated Heart, Honey From the Ribcage, The Fallen Acrobat), and even though Brooks hadn't yet released his debut album, The Horse Fell Lame, I knew most of his repertoire by heart. I had recently started playing keys with Sojourn band and was just getting used to playing with such talented musicians. I loved playing with Jamie because of his uncanny ability to create, arrange, and deconstruct songs. A profound lyricists with a diverse musical arsenal, Jamie creates lush sonic landscapes pregnant with meaning. Conversely, I loved Brooks because of his uncontainable energy. (Anyone who's ever seen Brooks play live knows he's a combustable ball of light when he plays- always on the verge of a supernova.) Brooks is a skillful songwriter in his own right, but it's his soul that shines through.

That night as Brooks (with Rebecca Dennison) joined Jamie on stage I discovered how incredibly complementary their talents and giftings are. Their harmonies and subtle dissonance sounded otherworldly. It was decidedly moving and I often wish I had a recording of that concert.

Almost three years later when I found out that Jamie and Brooks were doing a split EP together I couldn't help but think that dream had finally come to fruition.

Unlike their previous albums, this collection of songs is for the corporate gatherings of the church, specifically Sojourn Community Church, where both men serve on staff. Of course both artists have contributed heavily to past Sojourn albums, but this is the first time they've released solo material under the Sojourn music umbrella. As such, there is a personal kenosis, an emptying of ulterior motives, that has taken place. In other words, what is primary is not their artistic vision as musicians, but their faithful expression of worship as worshippers of the true God.

"Approach My Soul, The Mercy Seat" is the opening track and also lends its name to Jamie's half of the EP. It's adapted from John Newton's classic hymn that implores believers to boldly come before God, on the basis of Jesus' work. Sparse piano and eerie slide guitar create a somber atmosphere which compliments the gravity of sinful human approaching a holy God. Jamie's trademark 3-finger picking is met with with stirring strings and a huge drum beat, which build into an ecstatic frenzy; the blissful response to divine grace.

"Absent From Flesh" is equal parts stadium anthem and hoe down, by the time the horns kick in (is that a tuba I hear?), it's something like a bluegrass Srgt. Pepper's. I really can't imagine what Isaac Watts would do if heard what Jamie's done to his song, but I kind of hope he would dance ( I guess we'll find out in heaven?!?). Brooks' harmony is the closest we get to a true duet on the album, and leaves me wanting it on more songs.

The title track for Brooks' half of the EP is "The War". Brooks' soulful baritone is joined with a raunchy electric guitar and a no-nonsense drum beat; a less-is-more, Black Keys-esque blues-rock. The chorus unleashes a screaming B3 organ and driving bass, creating an intensive wall of sound that more than justifies the militaristic lyric imagery.

"Good Day" is pretty much good old fashion blues/gospel and could be the only Sojourn song equally tailored for the 7 PM gathering or the next Gaither Vocal Band reunion concert. I'm not even kidding. It's great.

"Rock of Ages" is an apt closing track. 18th Century Anglican minister August Montague Toplady's beloved hymn remains as profound and moving as when it was first penned in 1763. This minimalistic take- very much in the same vein as Sojourn's cover of Before the Throne- emphasizes the lyrical content. Mike Cosper's wailing slide guitar interludes provide space for somber reflection or thankful prayer.

In a Christian music industry characterized by self absorbed spirituality, theological shallowness, and questionable artistic merit, The Mercy Seat and The War are a breath of fresh air. I can't stop listening to it, and I doubt you will be able to as well.

Barnes Ritter Split EP

2011-01-27T15:31:00.003+02:00

My good friends Brooks Ritter and Jamie Barnes have a split ep coming out in a few weeks. I was lucky enough to get my hands on an advanced copy and in a word: it's amazing. I've been waiting a long time to have a recording of "Approach My Soul the Mercy Seat", and this arrangement is hauntingly beautiful. Great job guys!

Neighbors

2011-01-24T14:12:00.002+02:00

Ev alma, komşu al.

I learned this Turkish phrase last night, and I really like it. It means something like "Don't buy a house, buy your neighbors." In other words, the quality of your relationship with your neighbors is more important than the quality of the house you live in.

This saying really resonates with my desire to be part of a community, to live in right relationship with those in my neighborhood.

But in reality, being a good neighbor is not very glamorous. In fact it's often quite mundane or even boring. Here in Istanbul it means sitting down and drinking a glass of çay, even if your mind is thinking about bills to be paid and English lessons to be written. In many ways, being a good neighbor in Turkey means letting go of American pragmatism and being prepared to do... well... ostensibly nothing. Presence is more important than productivity here.

Being a neighbor also means knowing the whole neighborhood is watching you and talking about you, but that's a blog post for another day.

Infinity Guitars

2011-01-23T16:59:00.001+02:00

Sleigh Bells "Infinity Guitars" from Phil Pinto on Vimeo.

Sleigh Bells is touring Europe, but I think I found out to late to make one of their dates. Guess I'll have to settle for this awesome music video.

Kindling

2011-01-18T17:46:00.003+02:00

I'm officially part of the e-book bandwagon now. I held out for (what felt like) a long time, but thanks to my brothers' generous Christmas gift, I'm now the proud owner of an Amazon Kindle. Obviously the disappearing of "real" books is to be mourned with the passing of vinyl records and film, but there are clearly a lot of benefits.Having a large library (easily 60% of my total possessions, now mostly boxed up in my brothers' attic) is not conducive for a nomadic lifestyle. Simply put I don't like to travel with more than I can comfortably carry, and books are heavy. I also have a propensity to get paper cuts.

My first digital read will be a classic that has been long overdue for a revisit. Points to whoever can identify it without a Google search.

"Hoşçakal" by Emre Aydın

2011-01-12T00:25:00.005+02:00

A lot of people here in Turkey really like this song. I may be one of them... not sure yet.

D. I. Block on the Rock in Daniel 2

2011-01-11T00:59:00.004+02:00

"The reference to the rock in Daniel 2 is admittedly vague, and may simply allude to the reign of God in general, or the kingdom of Jewish people in particular. However, it is certainly capable of a more specific anticipation of a Messianic figure, especially in the face of what is to come in chapters 7 and 9. Jesus seems to have interpreted the rock messianically. Following his parable of the vineyard and the tenants who impiously killed the son of the owner (Luke 20:9-18), he identified himself with the son and his audience with the wicked tenants. In a surprise move, Jesus referred first to the stone that the builders rejected in Psalm 118:22, and then, with a clear allusion to Daniel 2:35 and 45, he added, “Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.” This interpretation is not so farfetched if one recalls another event when a rock struck down a colossal figure, viz, David’s defeat of Goliath (1 Sam. 17:41-51). The cosmic significance of this event is suggested by David’s taunt of the Philistine:

You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of Yahweh of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day Yahweh will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that Yahweh saves not with sword and spear. For the bat- tle is Yahweh’s, and he will give you into our hand.

Just as the colossal Philistine was defeated by David as a representative of the kingdom of Israel, so this Rock represents the kingdom of God in demolishing the colossus of human kingship."

D. I. Block, "Preaching Old Testament Apocalyptic to a New Testament Church", CJT 41.

Lately I've been digging into the book of Daniel and struggling with how to teach it in a house church setting. Lacking a good commentary on Daniel (or a good bookstore to buy one at), I've been searching the internet for good, free sources. Two journal articles have been theological gold mines. Of course the first one is the aforementioned article from which I copied and pasted a lengthy quote. But I actually found Block's brilliant article in a footnote in Peter Gentry's article "Daniel's Seventy Weeks and the New Exodus" in SBJT V14 #1- by far the most straightforward interpretation I've ever come across on a difficult text.

Both are incredible examples of meticulous research and Christocentric scholarship. I commend them both to you.

Velodrome as Installation Art

2011-01-09T02:27:00.001+02:00

Circulus from machine project on Vimeo.

Cappuccino

2011-01-08T02:55:00.002+02:00

Cappuccino, Intelligentsia from The D4D on Vimeo.

I love this beverage, and Intelligentsia does it right!

Home Brew

2011-01-06T02:16:00.005+02:00

Anyone who reads this blog knows that I can be rather pretentious when it comes to coffee. I love it, but through a series of events largely outside of my control, I developed a taste for only the very best. However, I also live in a place where artisan, fresh roasted coffee is hard to come by. Thankfully I'm very blessed to have a lot of loving friends who have indulged my opulent addiction, even from long distances.

In the past year I've brewed coffee from some of America and Europe's best roasters here at my apartment in Istanbul- all with my Hario V60, Hario Skerton grinder, and traditional Turkish tea pot. These roasters include:

The Coffee Collective

I'm not bragging- I just want to share how blessed I was. Thank you to everyone who had a part in this... also you'll be glad to know I shared the deliciousness with a lot of people.

Newbigin on Christiandom

2011-01-03T13:41:00.002+02:00

"Much has been written about the harm done to the cause of the gospel when Constantine accepted baptism, and it is not difficult to expatiate on this theme. But could any other choice have been made? When the ancient classical world, which had seemed to brilliant and so all-conquering, ran out of spiritual fuel and turned to the the church as the one society that could hold a disintegrating world together, should the church have refused the appeal and washed its hands of responsibility for the political order? It could not do so if it was to be faithful to it origins in Israel and the ministry of Jesus. It is easy to see with hindsight how quickly the church fell into the temptations of worldly power. It is easy to point- as monks and hermits, prophets and reformers in all ensuing centuries have continued to point- to the glaring contradiction between the Jesus of the Gospels and his followers occupying the seats of power and wealth. And yet we have to ask, would God's purpose as it is revealed in Scripture have been better served if there had never been a "Christian" Europe, if all the churches for the past two thousand years had lived as tolerated or persecuted minorities like the Armenians, like the Assyrians, and the Copts? I find it hard to think so."

-Lesslie Newbigin, Foolishness to the Greeks 100-101.

The Coffee Collective

2010-12-27T23:56:00.007+02:00

As an American, my concept of Europe has always been like a fairytale land. There are real castles, royal families, and enough smugness to make the untraveled Yankee feel like he stepped into a story where everyone is better educated and impeccably dressed.

Such presuppositions certainly carried over into my thoughts about the Coffee Collective, the Copenhagen based roaster and coffee bar. Having followed their blog for several years now, I was already a huge fan before I took a sip. The Coffee Collective belonged with Hans Christian Anderson fairy tales and free health care, wonderful ideas that don't actually exist.

Amazingly the Coffee Collective is a real place in a real neighborhood and anyone, even regular people, can have a cup of coffee there.... and it's really good.

Highlights of my visit:

Meeting two fellow coffee pilgrims, Haley and Neil, from the UK. It was wonderful to talk with other people that love coffee so much that they flew to another country to taste it. Haley runs a coffee shop in Norwich called The Window. It serves Hasbean coffee (delicious!) and looks lovely.
An aeropress of their La Esmeralda Special. Honestly one of the best coffees I've ever had. Sqeaky clean with a honey-like body. Tons of floral and fruit subnotes my limited palate has a hard time articulating. In a word: wonderful.
Seeing the very bemused look on the barista's face when I asked her to pose with Toto (see above picture). Actually this is only sort of a highlight because Danes are really hip and I really felt like a dork asking.
being mistaken by a group of customers as a barista- I wish.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T15:40:00.002+02:00

Merry Christmas to the 5 of my readers who will find this funny.

A Crafty Christmas from Brendan Inkognito on Vimeo.

It was the worse (day before) Christmas (Eve) Ever! Part 1

2010-12-24T17:02:00.006+02:00

The trip so far:

Our trip to Copenhagen for Christmas began with our flight being delayed an hour in Istanbul. It was mildly frustrating at the time, especially because I wanted to experience as much of the city as possible before the 3 day holiday began.

We had no idea what lay in store for us.

After a fairly uneventful 3 hour flight, the pilot made the announce met to raise seats to their upright position and so forth and everybody collected their things as we prepared for landing. And we waited.... and waited. After circling for an hour and a half the pilot made the announcement that it was not safe to land and that we would be land in Gothenburg, Sweden- a short 30 minute flight away. A Swedish passenger informed us from there we should be able to catch a train to Copenhagen.

However, Turkish Air had a different plan. The pilot announced that we were going to wait for the weather to get better in Copenhagen. We may be delayed 1 or 2 more hours. So I pulled out a book I've been meaning to finish, put in my ear buds, and tried to make the most of it.

After 2 hours of sitting on the runway, the pilot basically repeated the exact same announcement- we would be able to land in Denmark in 2 hours. At this point a Swedish family asked to get off the plane- their families could drive to the airport and pick them up. The flight attendants relayed the message to the pilot who announced that was impossible because weather conditions could change at any moment and the delay of letting people off the plane could make us miss our window.

Around the 4 hour mark my long dormant claustrophobia begin to kick in as I had a mini-panic attack. People who have seen me when my blood sugar crashes knows that confused, illogical Michael very well. I seriously considered pulling the emergency hatch.

At some point an Irishman with a smartphone relayed the information to the rest of the plane that other flights were landing in Copenhagen- including a plane from Istanbul that left after ours did. Essentially this proved that our pilot had lied to us and was mostly likely incompetent to fly in these conditions. People began secretly conspiring, alliances were formed, and some people got loud.

Finally after 6 hours of sitting on the runway Turkish agreed to let every off the plane, though the pilot was still insistent that the aircraft would be ready later that night. After going through immigration Turkish Air informed us they were hiring a bus to drive us Copenhagen, which was 5 hours away by car. We were so relieved to get out of that claustrophobia/inducing den of lies that a long drive didn't seem like that big of a deal. I even thought it might even be nice to see the moonlit Swedish countryside, which was covered in snow.

As we settled into the bus we felt a certain sense of contentment, admittedly balanced by the contempt we felt for Turkish Airlines. A long, miserable ordeal was finally behind us.

At least that's what we thought.

To be continued....

Wright on Mark 13

2010-12-23T02:35:00.004+02:00

"Most popular Christian readings of the text, not least within fundamentalism, have shared Schweitzer's understanding that Jesus predicted the end of the world, but have said that, since this did not happen within a generation, Jesus must have meant something different by 'this generation'. Here we have the solution to the problem of the timing of the kingdom, which of course is also raised by such verses as Matthew 10.23 and Mark 9.1. Already present in Jesus' ministry, and climatically inaugurated in his death and resurrection, the divine kingdom will be manifest within a generation, when Jesus and his followers are vindicated in and though the destruction of Jerusalem. The generation that rejects Jesus must be the last before the great cataclysm. There can be no other, because if there were they would need another warning prophet; once the father has sent the son to the vineyard, he can send nobody else. To reject the son is to reject the last chance. "

N.T. Wright, Jesus and the Victory of God, 365.

Skate Istanbul

2010-12-20T15:39:00.005+02:00

I started skateboarding in the 6th grade, broke my arm 50/50ing a curb in the 8th grade, but stuck with it until my junior/senior year when playing music became a more viable means of impressing girls.

My roommate Seth has a similar story, only he never sold out. I recently snagged this footage of him killing/chilling it on a miniramp at one of Istanbul's several skateparks.

Istanbul Miniramp Session from Michael Butterworth on Vimeo.

It's pretty amazing how skate culture has globalized.

Top 5 of '10

2010-12-18T00:33:00.007+02:00

I feel completely uncomfortable trying to make a "best albums of 2010" list- I have not listened to enough albums to make any such pretensions. More so, I realize I've spent most my life developing a highly specified- and dare I say subjective- aesthetic that is completely unfathomable to the uninitiated and thereby disqualifies me from being able to choose what music should be esteemed by popular culture. That being said, I am completely comfortable sharing my "favorite albums of 2010"

#5. Sleigh Bells "Treats"

One of my biggest regrets about 2010: I never got to dance at a party playing Sleigh Bells. This album is big, loud, and genius. Literally every track makes me want to get on the floor. Ghetto-blasting beats, screaming guitar licks, and hipster sensibilities never sounded so good.

#4. Beach House "Teen Dream"

When I first heard this album early this year I thought it might just be my album of the year. It turns out it isn't, but I still love this droning dreamlike record.

#3. Arcade Fire "The Suburbs"

The Arcade Fire prove that a good concept is still a viable means of making a record more than the sum total of its parts. As a product of rural, small town America I can't completely identify with the subject matter, but I certainly understand the angst and disillusionment that comes from being part of middle class America. Thankfully this album is not shallow or sententious, but an honest investigation that's willing to point fingers at the mirror and not just just our parents. Thought provoking line of the year: "Do you think your righteousness could pay the interest on your debts? I have my doubts about it."

#2. Sufjan Stevens "The Age of Adz"

As an individual I'm prone to speak in superlatives and hyperboles. My only regret is that people often don't understand or believe how much I love Sufjan. This album only makes me love him more, and there's a lot of reasons why: the juxtaposition of digital and orchestral instrumentation, the emotional transparency, catchy-yet-complex melodies, the list goes on. But I think what I love the most is that Sufjan made a unique and unexpected album that still fits perfectly in his discography. I really don't see how any fan could be disappointed in this album.

Perhaps the simplest way to determine my favorite album of the year is to see which album I played the most and in that case there is only one option:

#1.The Wild Hunt by The Tallest Man on Earth .

The release of this album coincided with my move to Turkey and in many ways has been my soundtrack for the entire year. The adventure of unexplored horizons, the excitement of dreams coming to fruition, the elation and excruciating pain that loving someone can bring: all of these emotions/experiences have found a voice in Kristian Matsson's carefully crafted album. "Troubles will be Gone" optimistically describes the day I'm still hoping for; "You're Going Back" the frustration that we all experience in the meantime. The dissonance of "Love is All" and hauntingly simple piano of "Like the Wheel" provide pensive inflections in an otherwise positive outlook.

Perhaps more than any other song, Matsson's cover of Paul Simon's "Graceland", released as a single in conjunction with this album, voiced an authentic heartache I found strangely comforting. In a sense, Matsson provides for "Graceland" what Art Garfunkel once did for Simon's early work: a voice that somehow seems to capture the very soul of Simon's pen. When Matsson belts out "I see losing love is like a window in your heart/ everybody sees you blown apart/ everybody feels the wind blow" you feels as though you know Matsson/Simon, and the pain they feel is your own.

Honorary mentions:

Vampire Weekend "Contra"

The Radio Dept. "Clinging to a Scheme"

Wovenhand "The Threshing Floor"

Kanye West "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" [admittedly if this had come out a little earlier it probably would have found it's way onto my top 5, but I just picked up this album and am still getting into it. definitely a masterpiece. ]

Too Much

2010-12-15T00:43:00.000+02:00

Sufjan has a monopoly on cool

Remembering

2010-12-08T00:30:00.007+02:00

My messenger bag recently developed a small hole so I did my best to mend it by hand with a needle and some red thread that matched the trim nicely. It was a rather amateurish job, and I'm quite certain my neighborhood tailor could have done it perfectly for a few lira, but there was a certain amount of satisfaction in sewing it myself, crooked stitches and all.

Actually that small, traveling sewing kit is very precious to me. It was the last present my mom ever gave me.

I remember that it was a last minute gift back in April that came as I was hurriedly chosing which of my belongings to take with me to Istanbul. I was resolved to only pack two duffels and yet I wanted to bring most of my library. At some point in the midst of trying to determine which books were the top priority Mom handed me the sewing kit and told me I might need it.

My first response was that there wasn't room and I was quite certain people sew in Turkey; I could just get one there. But as soon as I said that I realized that this gift was very important to her (as small, thoughtful gifts usually were), and quickly found space for it, assuring Mom it would be useful.

I'm positive I said thank you, with all the sincerity I could muster, but I'm not quite sure I meant it.

I do now Mom.

Revelation

2010-12-05T22:49:00.004+02:00

Revelation is an amazing book. Unfortunately, most evangelicals either abuse it with preposterous interpretations or completely ignore it in fear of being like those other guys. This is really a shame because Revelation is a bookend for the entire canon, tying together numerous strands of biblical theology. Also it's about Jesus, which makes it really important.

Thankfully my church, Sojourn, is trying to find a third way. Starting today, Sojourn is working through the book of Revelation, wrapping up a year-long overview of the entire New Testament. In keeping with the cinematic feel/apocalyptic genre of Revelation, this month's devotional is in comic book form. It's very cool.

Christmas in Copenhagen

2010-11-30T22:12:00.004+02:00

It's after Thanksgiving, which means it's okay to start (openly) listening to Christmas music, decorate the house, and subtlety drop hints about reasonably priced present ideas when talking with friends. I've been listening to Sufjan's Christmas albums (of course), Sojourn's Advent Songs, and Vince's Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas; I haven't put our tree up (maybe after my Turkish test on Friday?); and Peter Pan Peanut Butter is pretty much a commodity in my part of the world.

Sadly, this Christmas will mark the first time I will not be with my (biological) family for the holidays. But thankfully some good friends in Denmark are hosting me and a few expat friends in Copenhagen. While I don't think we'll be spending $200 at voted-best-restaurant-in-the-world Noma it's my ambition to visit:

The Coffee Collective, an innovative group that's doing wonderful things in the specialty coffee industry.
The Louisiana Museum, which hosts a impressive collection of modern and contemporary art.
Malmo, Sweden. A charming nordic city with cool cafes and architecture that will also bring my total countries-visited count up double digits.

Makota Fujimura's Illuminated Gospel

2010-11-24T21:54:00.001+02:00

Makoto Fujimura - The Art of "The Four Holy Gospels" from Crossway on Vimeo.

Simply stunning! View the preview pdfs here.

Wright on Salvation and Exile

2010-11-24T15:21:00.002+02:00

"From the point of view of a first-century Jew, 'forgiveness of sins' could never simply by a private blessing, though to be sure it was that as well, as Qumran amply testifies. Overarching the situation of the individual was the state of the nation as a whole; and, as long as Israel remained under the rule of the pagans, as long as Torah was not observed perfectly, as long as the Temple was not properly restored, so Israel longed for 'forgiveness of sins' as the great, unrepeatable, eschatological and national blessing promised by her god. In the light of this, the meaning which Mark and Luke both give to John's baptism ought to be clear. It was 'for the forgiveness of sins', in other words, to bring about the redemption for which Israel was longing."

-N.T. Wright, Jesus and the Victory of God, 271.

"Way Back Home"

2010-11-22T22:51:00.001+02:00

Maybe you're one of the nearly 2 million people whose watch this video already, but if you're not you need to, and if you are, you probably want to watch it again.

Beirut

2010-11-20T01:18:00.004+02:00

Beirut it a crazy city. Admittedly, the nightlife is overrated if you're not into Hummers and designer clothes, but it's a beautiful place with hospitable people and delicious food. Highlights include:

Exploring the city by bike, thanks to a great company called Beirut by Bike. It was remarkably easier than biking in Istanbul.
Riding a Ferris Wheel- maybe for the first time(?)
Sleeping on the roof of a hostel (because there wasn't room inside). Actually this is only sort of a highlight because the mattress and pillow were really moldy and smelly.
Visiting the very impressive National Museum of Beirut, whose artifacts barely escaped being destroyed in the Lebanese Civil War.

Anyway it was a great trip but I'm glad to be back home in the 'Bul.

It's about time...

2010-11-19T16:01:00.002+02:00

We got some art on the walls at the Safehouse. Thanks Seth for showing initiative and critical thinking.

İyi Bayramlar

2010-11-16T16:24:00.003+02:00

I'm going to Beirut with some friends for Bayram. The city, not to see the band.

Bike Istanbul: the helmet cam.

2010-11-12T23:15:00.003+02:00

Biking in Istanbul is crazy. But you could say that about biking in a lot of urban areas. Somehow it doesn't accurately denote the full significance of cycling in Istanbul. Thankfully, my roommate Seth set out to document a fairly normal ride.

Biking in Crazy Istanbul Traffic from Michael Butterworth on Vimeo.

Rümeli Hisarı

2010-11-08T14:35:00.003+02:00

Sometimes you have to climb all over old fortresses with your friends.

PTs v. Square Mile

2010-11-06T21:33:00.003+02:00

This is the coffee I've been drinking lately. Both are delicious, but I have to admit I'm enjoying the peachy sweet PT's El Salvador Finca Los Planes a little more than the smooth blackcurrant of the Kangocho AA Nyeri Square Mile.

Both are first class though and I'm feeling pretty lucky to have fresh coffee from (possibly) the best roasters in America and the UK.

Wright on Colossians 1

2010-11-03T23:36:00.004+02:00

The small house church I am apart of here is working through the book of Colossians (which I might add, was originally written to a small group of Christians not far from here, 2000 years ago) and this Friday it is my turn to teach. Whenever I have the opportunity to teach from the scriptures I always try to spend most of my time studying the actual source material. But after I think I have an idea of what the text is saying consulting commentaries can be really helpful. For Colossians, I especially love Peter O'Brien and N. T. Wright's commentaries (both are older than I am, but have stood the test of time!).

Here's a great application point from Colossians 1 from Wright's.

"The task... is therefore best understood as the proclamation that Jesus is already Lord, that in him God's new creation has broken into history, and that all people are therefore summoned to submit to him in love, worship and obedience. The logic of this message requires that those who announce it should be seeking to bring Christ's Lordships to bear on every area of human and worldly existence. Christians must work to help create conditions in which human beings, and the whole created world, can live as God always intended. There is a whole range of ethical norms which God built into his world: a respect for persons and property, maintenance of family life and of the ecological order of creation, justice between individuals and groups. Christians must be in the forefront of those working to promote such causes. Many opportunities to speak about Jesus will occur in the undertaking of such work, as it becomes clear that the gospel provides a coherent and satisfying underpinning for those standards which uphold and enhance a truly human life."

-N.T. Wright, Colossians and Philemon, 83-84.

London: Things Not Pertaining to Coffee

2010-11-01T01:10:00.002+02:00

London Coffee: Part 2

2010-10-30T23:59:00.008+03:00

Day 2 in London I was joined by two good friends that I met in Istanbul, Chris and Jana, both of who now work in the UK.

First stop: Tapped and Packed. Although they repeatedly came up in my research about London coffee shops, I didn't initially plan to check them out. However, they came highly recommended from Kaffeine and the fact that the serve coffee from 3 different UK roasters was enticing.

After finding their shop in the ultra-trendy Fitzrovia neighborhood (the shop's sign only has it's address on it, which is kind of tricky). I ordered a pour-over of the seasonal single origin selection, a Costa Rica Finca de Licho from Has Bean, and a shot of the house espresso, which is roasted by Climpson & Sons. The Costa Rica was honey sweet with notes of strawberries and raspberries - honestly the most exciting coffee I've had in a while. The espresso was great too, but was definitely overshadowed by how much I enjoyed the pour-over. Chris ordered a giant piece of cake with his coffee and Jana had a flat white (which I also ended up drinking a good deal of).

[Jana poses with her Flat White.]
[Chris enjoyed his cake.]

Next up was Flat White, a cafe in SoHo that helped pioneer the new wave in the mid 2000s. I ordered a shot of their espresso, which is a custom blend from Square Mile. It was good, but I think it probably was better suited for milk. Next time I'll be sure to order their namesake.

London Coffee: Part 1

2010-10-29T02:14:00.011+03:00

London is easily a contender for the greatest city on earth. It was the first city to reach a million people since before the fall of Rome, has many of the most iconic landmarks and priceless artifacts on earth, and is the location of the beloved film from my childhood, The Great Mouse Detective.

And yet the single thing I was most excited about in the city was the coffee.

Yes. Even though Brits are traditionally a tea-drinking people, London has emerged as one of the leading urban centers in regards to roasting and brewing specialty coffee- so much so that after looking at the list of coffee shops I wanted to visit I quickly realized I didn't have the caffeine tolerance to check out even half the list during my short stay in Jolly Ole'.

First up was a shop that captured my imagination some time ago when I first learned of it's existence.

The Espresso Room is aptly name; there's barely enough room for all the coffee equipment there and none for a table. They have a modest selection of soups and sandwiches but the lion's share of this glorified closet host a serious arsenal of coffee equipment brewing up Square Mile and Has Bean coffee. I had a shot of Square Mile's Autumn Espresso blend and a flat white, both expertly made by Daniel, an Aussie who was nice enough to explain the Australian etymology of "flat white" as well as explain a bit of the history of the coffee scene in London. I'm not the only customer who's been impressed recently- Time Out London voted The Espresso Room "Best New Coffee".

Next up was Kaffeine, another Antipodean owned cafe serving Square Mile. Exposed brick and a gorgeous Synesso provided a hip atmosphere and my latte was top-notch; however, what impressed me the most was how amicable and helpful the baristas were. In fact they even asked me questions about my coffee experience in America! I must say, if British third-wave is beating its colonial cousin in any category it's here: customer service/interaction. At some of best shops I've been to in America the approach seems to be "treat everyone like an idiot until they prove otherwise". In the UK, my coffee experience was that most baristas are courteous, respectful, and friendly. In fact the only disappointment of the day was that James Hoffman was suppose to be there to help them install their new 3 group head Synesso but instead he was in America. Ironic.

Next time in part two: Tapped and Packed and Flat White

London Calling

2010-10-28T03:29:00.004+03:00

I've been in London for the past two days visiting good friends, drinking fantastic coffee, seeing priceless artifacts/works of art, and seeing incredible places. (ordered in list of importance).

There's more words and pictures to be shared about the awesome time I had here but any in depth reflection will have to wait till I'm back in Istanbul.

Cherokee Park

2010-10-23T22:39:00.002+03:00

"As I walk through the hills of Kentucky,

the trees begin to turn red, and I think of you,

the prettiest tree on the mountain."

-Ben Sollee

Sunergos

2010-10-23T08:15:00.003+03:00

The new location surpasses all my expectations. Great job guys.

Reading...

2010-10-22T14:29:00.003+03:00

is better with a good friend.

In Memory

2010-10-18T22:27:00.007+03:00

Henry Francis Lyte wrote the hymn "Abide With Me" as he was dying of tuberculosis. He passed away within 3 weeks of finishing it.

My mother passed away early in the morning on Oct. 12. Over these last three difficult months this song has been an immense comfort to me, and I couldn't think of a better way to honor her memory than to play it at her funeral.

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, abide with me.

Thou on my head, in early youth didst smile;
And, though rebellious, and perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee,
On to the close Lord, abide with me.

I need Thy presence, every passing hour.
What but Thy grace, can foil the tempter's power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless
Ills have no weight, tears lose their bitterness
Where is thy sting death? Where grave thy victory?
I triumph still, abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross, before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies.
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, Lord, abide with me.

Debra Butterworth. 1959-2010.

Wright on the Prodigal Son

2010-10-10T02:27:00.003+03:00

"Years of scholarship have produced many commentaries on Luke, and many books on the parables. But none that I have been able to consult has noted the feature which seems to me most striking and obvious. Consider: here is a son who goes off in disgrace into a far country and then comes back, only to find the welcome challenge by another son who has stayed put. The overtones are so strong that we surely cannot ignore them. This is the story of Israel, in particular of exile and restoration. It corresponds more or less exactly to the narrative grammar which underlies the exilic prophets, and the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, and a good deal of subsequent Jewish literature, and which must therefore be seen as formative for second-Temple Judaism. The exodus itself is the ultimate backdrop: Israel goes off into a pagan country, becomes a slave, and then is brought back to her own land. But exile and restoration is the main theme. This is what the parable is about."

"Exile and restoration: this is the central drama that Israel believed herself to be acting out. And the story of the prodigal says, quite simply: this hope is now being fulfilled - but it does not look like what was expected. Israel went into exile because of her own folly and disobedience, and is now returning simply because of the fantastically generous, indeed prodigal, love of her god. But this is a highly subversive retelling. The real return from exile, including the real resurrection from the dead, is taking place, in an extremely paradoxical fashion, in Jesus' own ministry... Israel's history is turning it's long-awaited corner; this is happening within the ministry of Jesus himself; and those who oppose it are the enemies of the true people of god."

N.T. Wright, Jesus and the Victory of God, 126, 127.

No One Holy Like the Lord

2010-10-04T15:28:00.005+03:00

Dr. Peter Gentry's recent faculty address "No One Holy, Like the Lord" at SBTS is a remarkable piece of biblical scholarship with enormous implications for how we read and teach the Bible. I've had to listen to it two times just to wrap my mind around it. If nothing else, listen to it out of respect for his fantastic beard.

23

2010-10-02T21:34:00.007+03:00

I am now 23 years old.

To commemorate the occasion I visited the Pera Museum, to see their impressive collection of Orientalist art (particularly The Tortoise Trainer by Ottoman intellectual Osman Hamdi Bey) and was surprised to discover a very impressive Japanese digital art installation. I say surprised not because I didn't know about it, but because I didn't expect to be impressed (most American digital installation art I've seen I found boring and inaccessible). It was awesome. Well worth the 3 Lira.

But since the (almost) decade of weekday-birthdays I'm in the middle of is not conducive to actually celebrating my date of birth on the 30th, I waited until today to do what I really wanted to do: ride bikes around beautiful islands in the Marmara Sea where there are quaint houses, old churches, gorgeous panoramas, and no cars. I know what you're thinking, can such a wonderful place exist only 1 hour outside of the sprawling megalopolis that is Istanbul? Are there unicorns there too?

Well, in answer to your questions, yes, it does exists, and maybe, but I didn't see any.

Heybeliada was my favorite, and is actually a contender for my favorite place on earth. I would love to have a cabin here and either write poetry or run a small cafe and coffee roastery.

Büyükada was also great, and definitely had nicer bike paths, quainter cottages, and more restaurants and shops, but somehow I didn't like it as much. I guess minimalism wins again (slash the reckless cyclist in me that likes to be able to bomb hills without having to dodge horse-drawn carriages and "gez"ing tourists- Heybeliada is much emptier.)

Here are some of my favorite pictures.

Philippians 1:19-30

2010-09-29T02:04:00.003+03:00

To Live Is Christ

Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

This passage of scripture is encouraging to me for a lot of reasons.

"My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better."

I know that in reading this that God loves my mom and his plan is for her good- however contrary to her present condition that may seem. It is better for her to be with Jesus, waiting in heaven for the new creation, than to suffer now.

"Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death."

Even though this is the darkest period of my life so far, Jesus will be glorified in the midst of tragedy.

"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ,"

The gospel means that all things, even my mom's imminent death, will be redeemed. Just as Jesus was raised from the dead, so he will one day raise his followers. This beautiful promise allows believers to be faithful until death; it should also motivate me to live a holy, righteous life in the present.

"For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,"

It was through suffering on the cross that Jesus defeated sin and death and purchased our redemption. It is through the church's suffering in the present that this grace is applied and that the gospel spreads. Our faithfulness in suffering speaks to the validity of God's promise.

This passage of scripture doesn't answer all my questions. It doesn't take away the pain I feel in my heart when I call her and hear the life escaping from her frail body. It doesn't take away the loneliness that I feel when I think about my mom being taken from me.

But it is beautiful and it gives me hope.

Kahveci

2010-09-23T22:21:00.005+03:00

Today I went to the Mısır Çarşısı with my photographer/guitar teacher friend Numan, where I bought a cezve and some freshly ground Türk kahvesi. Numan asked me to pose on the steps of the famous Yeni Camii (New Mosque), which was pretty cool and scenic until I got attacked by a flock of Hitchcockian pigeons.

Back at the house Numan taught Seth and me how to make Turkish coffee. Pretty pumped to have trans-continental barista abilities now.

Riding the Third Wave

2010-09-21T02:20:00.004+03:00

thuis BARISTA koffietour Londen from Coen Remmelts on Vimeo.

This video has been out for a while, but it's new to me. I wish this guy would shoot a video like this for every major urban center, but those going to/living in London should be glad that most of the best spots to get coffee have been featured in one trendy video.

New Material

2010-09-17T13:31:00.007+03:00

There's a lot of quality music that has come out recently, but I'm particularly impressed by two releases. If I had to pick a favorite album of the year so far it would be The Wild Hunt by The Tallest Man on Earth. Amazingly, less than six months later Kristian Matsson has already released a follow-up ep . Sometimes the Blues is Just a Passing Bird features both the new and familiar for Matsson, whether it is his typical 3-finger cross picking or simple/bluesy strumming. Opening track 'Little River" and the new guitar version of "Like the Wheel" are the standout songs for me.

The second album technically isn't out yet. Readers of this blog are quite familiar with my obsession with Sufjan Stevens. From A Son Came, to The BQE, to even the obscure tracks he's never officially released, I'm in love with everything this guy puts out. But after reading the press release about his new album The Age of Adz, I was more than a little apprehensive about Sufjan abandoning a narrative approach to song writing, because let's face it, even if it's is genius, Enjoy Your Rabbit is barely listenable. Thankfully my fears have been assuaged by the first two preview tracks he has shared from the forthcoming album. Both "I Walked" and "Too Much" are ambrosial, electronic ear candy with all the eclectic eccentricities we've come to to expect from Sufjan. The expanded digital palette is a decidedly new flavor (previously hinted at in parts of The BQE and his cover of Castanets' "You are the Blood"), but it doesn't feel forced or unnatural. Most importantly, they're tracks I want to play over and over again- catchy but intricate enough to invite repeated listens.

Sorry for doubting you Sufjan. By all means, do whatever you want with music.

Bike Istanbul

2010-09-12T01:00:00.005+03:00

After six months of mentally debating it, I finally caved and bought a bicycle to ride in Istanbul. I bought this bike from the Bike Bazaar in Fatih. It's a mountain bike and it has gears, which makes it the polar opposite of the fixed-gear track bike I rode in the States (in fact, I am a little apprehensive that some of the fixed-gear only bike gangs I've rolled with in America are going to track me down and exact gangland revenge on me for betraying "the cause". I'm banking on the ability to coast down steep hills to evade them... and yes, I completely realize how ironic that statement is.) Anyway, it's a Whistle which is an Italian company but it is manufactured in Turkey which means I was able to dodge the 40% import tax on foreign goods. Plus it feels good to ride a Turkish-made bicycle in Turkey.

Seth (who also bought a bicycle) and I broke them in by riding from the Bazaar in Faith all the way to Bebek (with a detour in Beşiktaş up what is possibly the biggest hill I've ever climbed) then back down to Örtaköy from Bebek. Not counting the detour, it was over 15k. For those of you not familiar with Istanbul geography, it looked something like this (except contra picture we took the Galata Bridge).

Definitely feels great to be back on a bike. Prayers for safety in crazy traffic are appreciated.

N'aber

2010-09-10T22:46:00.005+03:00

My favorite source for English-language news about Turkey is Hurriyet Daily News. Although their editorials often come across as naive and pedantic and their sports coverage is comparable to CBS, they typically have a handle on happenings across Turkey worth promoting.

For example:

I was fortunate enough to see U2 last Monday. Shockingly, Bono had a lot of political things to say, mostly involving complicated names I'd never heard of (and speaking for the Turkish names involved- horribly mispronounced as well- even Prime Minster Erdoğan). Anyway, I was glad that Hürriyet evidently had a reporter on the case who was able to decipher all the obscure references. Bono even wrote the paper a letter after the show.

When I noticed at Istanbul's Forum shopping mall that an H&M was coming soon (much to my pseudo-hipster excitement)- I wasn't surprised when I discovered Hurriyet had already run a feature about the trendy-but-affordable Swedish fashion retailer.

Also, the best Türk Kahvesi I've yet to have drunk is from Mandabatmaz, which is tucked away on a tiny alley off Istiklal Caddesi. How did I discover this gem? The Hürriyet sponsored food blog Istanbul Eats.

So thank you Hürriyet, that I can stay informed about contemporary events in my country of residence with only an elementary understanding of Turkish. That being said, don't be afraid to work on your sports coverage.

Finca Los Andes

2010-09-07T17:38:00.003+03:00

From Cartel Coffee Lab:

Finca Los Andes

Juan Jose Ernesto Menendez

Arguello

1700 Meters
70% Red Bourbon, 25% Orange Bourbon,
5% Kenya and Typica
red wine - cherry - dry
Santa Ana, Apaneca-Ilamatepec
El Salvador

This farm only produced four bags for the entire year, and we have procurred the only two to make it to the US! From the same farmers that have many great coffees like Alaska, La Illusion, and La Suisa, comes one of their new offerings from the same mountain. With this balanced cup in hand, you will notice a red wine dryness, coffee cherry flavor, and a pleasantly dry finish you might expect from a great cabernet. Please enjoy responsibly! (Buzz not included.)

Back in the 'Bul

2010-09-06T15:57:00.002+03:00

Istanbul'dayım. Or for my non-Turkish speaking readership, I'm in Istanbul (I love how in Turkish entire sentences can be captured in one word.)

Kissing my mom goodbye was incredibly difficult, but I am very thankful for the week I had with her- especially all the stories we told and the scripture we read. It's incredibly hard to return to a telephone relationship after a week of being able to hold her hand or kiss her forehead.

As much as a blessing as it was to return to Arizona, and as much as I wish I could stay with my mom indefinitely, it is amazing how returning to Turkey feels like a return to normalcy. Over the past six months this city really has become home- that's not a switch you can turn on or off. It happens gradually and when you're not paying attention.

There and Back Again

2010-09-02T03:59:00.002+03:00

Mom and Dad needed me to take care of some important business in Heber/Overgaard a few days ago. Traveling time alone that's a 6 hour round trip, but I was grateful to have some really good company.

Julie and I listened to Brothers by the Black Keys all the way through at least 4 times, an apt soundtrack for one of the most beautiful stretches of highway in the US.

Thankful

2010-09-02T03:35:00.001+03:00

So thankful to have time with my parents. Also, so appreciative of all the friends and family members that have served and sacrificed for us in this time.

Anguish

2010-08-26T17:20:00.003+03:00

When I left America 5 months ago I said goodbye indefinitely. In order to integrate into my new community, I was resolved to leave as much of my culture behind as possible. Although I knew I'll always be an outsider, I wanted to fully commit to living life here, and that included not returning to America until my contract was over. Any vacation time was to be spent traveling- Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa- all the places I've never been.

And yet I find myself with a roundtrip ticket to Phoenix for tomorrow and a suitcase to finish packing.

My mom is currently in a hospice facility in Phoenix, Arizona. Modern medicine has done all it can to fight the cancer that is ravaging her body and now treatment will focus on increasing the quality of my mom's life, not prolonging it.

As I write these words, my heart is in deep anguish. Cancer has been a formidable part of my family's life for more than a decade now, but now that the long dread moment has arrived, I find myself incapable of processing the significance of what is happening. Essentially, I am leaving tomorrow to spend one last week with the person I have loved so dearly my entire life. I have no vocabulary to describe the dull pain in my chest, or the pit in my stomach, or my incapability to imagine a world without her in it.

In the midst of this anguish, my only hope is the the gospel.

"But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ, Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death."

"Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed., in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and thie mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?'"

1 Cor. 15 :20-26; 51-55

Wright on Parallelisms in Luke and Acts

2010-08-24T17:19:00.003+03:00

"The shape of the narrative in the closing chapters of Acts is also most instructive. A quick comparison with Luke's gospel reveals a close parallel: Paul, like Jesus, goes on a long journey, ending up being tried before both Jews and Romans. The equivalent of the crucifixion, however, is not Paul's own death. Luke has no intention of making Paul a second redeemer, dying for the sins of the world. The crucifixion narrative in the gospel is echoed by the storm and shipwreck in Acts; the resurrection, by the safe arrival of Paul and his party in Rome, leading to the open and unhindered proclamation of the kingdom of Israel's god, the god now revealed in the risen Lord Jesus. The gospel of Jesus advances by the same means as Jesus himself had done; the cross and resurrection are stamped upon the life of the church that bears witness to them. But the work of the church derives from that of Jesus, and is not merely parallel to it."
-N.T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God, 375.

The Best of Beantown

2010-08-23T17:07:00.002+03:00

It's nice having people visiting from Boston.

All Delighted People

2010-08-23T00:06:00.003+03:00

Just when I had given up all hope on a new Sufjan album (largely due to interviews like this one where Sufjan basically says he isn't making new albums), the elusive song-writer and indie-demigod drops a digital Pearl-Harbor of an EP, All Delighted People, with virtually no warning. The title couldn't be more apt, as I for one am quite delighted with it after a few preliminary listens.

You can listen to and buy the album here. That would be a very good idea.

Mış Muş

2010-08-18T16:17:00.004+03:00

Gossip is pretty much ubiquitous. Every place on earth there's more than 2 people, people enjoy talking about people who aren't there. Also people are bad so they sometimes say bad things about the people who aren't there.

In Turkey, people take gossip to another level, in fact, they have entire tense for it. For example:

If want to say "This morning Mehmet went to school." I would say:

"Bu sabah Mehmet okula gitti."

But if I didn't see it with my own eyes (i.e. I'm assuming he went to school) I say:

"Bu sabah Mehmet okula gitmiş."

The mış/muş case ending let's everyone know it's not firsthand information.

But the use of mış/muş (pronounce mish/moosh) doesn't stop there. For instance, nobody remembers being born, so technically your birthday is second hand information.

"Ben 1987 yılında doğmuşum"

Even crazier, if you were drunk enough to not remember what happened, you should use mış/muş.

Dün akşam sarhoş olmuşum.

Definitely gives a new meaning to "heard it through the grapevine."

Exerts

2010-08-11T16:45:00.002+03:00

I brewed the last little bit of my Counter Culture Guatemala iced, so refreshing in this humid 33 C heat. Kind of scary to be out of (drinkable) coffee, but glad to know some of Louisville and Phoenix's best is on the way. Kahve geliyor!

Really been enjoying playing "Treats" by Sleighbells as my get-motivated-for-a-full-day-0f-Turkish-class soundtrack on the train every morning. A lot of fellow mass transit commuters must be wondering why my head is bobbing so early in the morning. The answer is infectious beats my friends.

Speaking of Turkish class, I'm finally learning conditional clauses, something I've longed to be able to say for a while now. Türkçe öğrenirsen, çok pratik yap!

After what's been essentially a 4 year hiatus, I've decided to start writing poetry again. Not sure how it's going to turn out now that I've lost most of my brooding teenage angst.

Been enjoying reading T.S. Elliot, Orhan Pamuk, and N.T. Wright lately- when there is time, which isn't often.

Wright on New Creation

2010-08-09T15:32:00.004+03:00

"the Jews who believed in resurrection did so as one part of a larger belief in the renewal of the whole created order. Resurrection would be, in one and the same moment, the reaffirmation of the covenant and the reaffirmation of creation... Creational/covenantal monotheism, taken together with the tension between election and exile, demands resurrection and a new world. That is why some of the prophets used gorgeous mythical language to describe what would happen: lions and lambs lying down together, trees bearing fruit every month, Jerusalem becoming like a new Eden. This, too, was simply the outworking, in poetic symbol, of the basic belief that the creator of the universe was Israel's god, and vice versa. When he acted, there would be a great celebration. All creation, in principle, would join in."

N.T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God, p. 332.

Özlemek

2010-08-07T16:56:00.002+03:00

I'm going to miss this girl. A lot.

Bu kızı özlüyorum. Çok.

Ayder, Trabzon, and Beyond

2010-08-02T20:00:00.004+03:00

This past weekend some dear friends and I journeyed to northeastern Turkey, where we explored hidden waterfalls, jumped off of bridges, and helped a French man move rocks up a mountain (it was part of his "spiritual journey"). It sounds cliche, but it was absolutely wonderful.

I love the mountains.

Rev. 5

2010-07-26T00:53:00.003+03:00

"Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And the elders said to me, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals."

-Rev 5:1-5

This is an encouraging passage for me, mostly because emotionally I'm a wreck right now. Currently my mother is in the hospital, as her 10 year battle with cancer has recently taken a turn for the worse. There are a number of treatments available, but her condition is serious and uncertain. Having an ocean between us while she goes through this if excruciatingly difficult. I get sick to my stomach just thinking about it. Equally frustrating is the recognition that even if I was in America I couldn't do anything to make her well.

Meanwhile, my closest and dearest friend here, Julie, will be returning to America in less than 2 weeks. For the past 4 months she has been a wonderful neighbor, coworker, cultural informant, and friend. She has been such a vital part of our community here and the thought of her leaving makes me sad and confused.

And in the midst of this I read Rev. 5 and am encouraged.

Without delving too deeply into the nature or purpose of Apocalyptic literature, the scroll in this passage most likely represents the meaning and purpose of human history. John weeps because no one is found to read the scroll. In the same way we need someone to interpret our own lives. We need to believe that events have meaning and significance. We need to feel connected to a larger story.

This is exactly where I am right now. I do not understand why this is happening, and like John I am mourning.

But Jesus, God's vindicated righteous one, is worthy to open the scroll. In his death and resurrection, Jesus has conquered sin and death and has removed the curse of Genesis 3. This person and his work is intrinsically linked to the telos of all human history. He is the hermeneutical key that interprets our very existence.

Even when consumed by uncertainty, I know that Christ is Lord. He is making all things new and is restoring his people to the Father. I can rejoice in this, even as I mourn.

Babyworth

2010-07-22T23:52:00.003+03:00

My baby brother David took a short break from his time in Rome to come see me in Istanbul! But he needs to shave.

Aşk ve Yaz

2010-07-13T14:05:00.002+03:00

Right now the Dernek I work at is sponsoring a summer English camp.

My favorite moment so far was when one little guy came up to me and asked, " 'I love you' ne demek?" (What does, 'I love you' mean?).

When I told him "Seni seviyorum" his eyes got really big and immediately ran off to find the girl who told him.

Buna Ababa

2010-07-07T13:59:00.004+03:00

"We call this coffee Buna Ababa, or "Coffee Flower", for a reason. Notes of jasmine, lemon blossom, and gardenia lead to flavors of citrus, bergamot, and honey above an elgant, delicate body in the cup. This is perhaps the most regal and brilliant coffee anywhere and these coffees are always firm favorites of coffee connoisseurs." - Tasting Notes from Counter Culture Coffee.

In other words I am "l2l"ing this month's coffee of the month from Counter Culture. Grateful to get my hands on a bag.

Reflections on the 4th as an Expat

2010-07-01T16:32:00.009+03:00

I lot of people seem to think that I hate America just because I don't live there anymore... and because I'm pretty vocal about my belief that the American Revolution wasn't a just war... and because when I was in high school I used to tell people that I hated America. This is further accentuated by the fact that these days I'm usually mistaken for either a German or Russian (by Turks, Germans, and Russians), and even a cursory review of American history shows that Germany and Russia haven't exactly been our bffs.

But in reality I'm American as my mom's gluten free apple pie (which more is like a cobbler, because gluten free pie crust is really hard to make). For example:

I like more than 12oz of soda with my dinner.

I like ice in said large quantities of soda.

I love air conditioning.

I love American Football.

I regularly use American inventions, such as the light bulb, the telephone, and the internet (thanks former vice president and Nobel laureate Al Gore).

All of these things are distinctly American and people who don't like America don't have to use them.

But beyond a renewed appreciation for these conveniences, living abroad has taught me that everyone comes from a place, and that place plays a tremendous role in one's worldview and identity. In recognizing the fact that I had absolutely no influence as to which nation or culture I was born into, the best response seems to be an appreciative but critical acceptance of my national and cultural heritage.

In other words, I am getting a tattoo of a bald eagle riding on a Harley Davidson holding an American flag.

Footprints

2010-07-01T16:01:00.003+03:00

Recently we tried to recreate the popular poem Footprints. This was when a whole bunch of crap was going down.

Donovan

2010-06-24T13:17:00.003+03:00

"They were pushing a lot to try and score and we had to take some risks. Our guys at the back did a great job. I got the ball, gave it to Jozy and made a run. The ball came to me and time kind of stopped and I couldn't miss from there." -Landon Donovan.

Read the rest here.

Beach Blanket Backgammon

2010-06-22T22:46:00.003+03:00

Outings: #2

2010-06-19T22:59:00.008+03:00

For as long as I can remember the beach has been my nemesis. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy enough popular seaside activities to write a pretty decent e-harmony ad, but for my entire life no amount of SPF has proved sufficient to keep me from turning crimson by the end of the day.

Well yesterday when we visited Şile on our second summer outing I was resolved to bury the hatchet and try to make amends with with my old foe. Unfortunately the proverbial burning coals were heaped upon my head (and back, chest, legs, and tops of feet) as I am now the most sunburnt I have been in my life (and yes Mom, I put on sunblock... a lot of it).

Well even though almost every exposed skin cell is now crying out to me in pain, I can confidently say it was worth it. The beach was incredible. I love the Black Sea and being tossed about by its waves. I even love basking in the Anatolian sun. And I especially love how the beach imports new significance to activities I already loved, whether it be conversing with friends, playing frisbee and tavla, or reading a good book.

Pictures coming soon.

Akşam

2010-06-17T21:51:00.004+03:00

This night as I was walking home I thought the evening sky was especially epic. Sadly my modest camera doesn't quite do it justice. Regardless, the cool breeze after a long, sweaty day was very soothing to my soul. It was one of those moments where thankfulness and contentment converge into a peace completely irrespective of circumstance.

Remodeling

2010-06-15T14:00:00.004+03:00

For the first time in over three years I updated this blog's design. It was a difficult decision, but I realized that I was in danger of being that person who, having grown weary of keeping up with the times, settles on some archaic image... something like that creepy neighbor with sideburns or one earring.

Well the decision has turned into a bit of a Pandora's box as I've already used three different templates in the last 24 hours. Input and criticism would be appreciated.

Outings: #1

2010-06-13T21:47:00.000+03:00

This summer the Dernek I work for is sponsoring a different outing every weekend. This weekend we went to Chora Church, which is considered one of the finest surviving Byzantine churches, and a cafe where the famed French novelist Pierre Loti once lived.

Of course I had to take a picture of my namesake.

The view of the Golden Horn from Pierre Loti.

The Museum of Innocence

2010-06-11T14:35:00.000+03:00

Currently I am reading Orhan Pamuk's latest novel The Museum of Innocence. The following exert is a brilliant example of the poignancy of Pamuk's turn of phrase- even in translation.

"At times like this what matters is not our words but our demeanor, not the magnitude or elegance of our grief but the degree to which we can express fellowship with those around us. I sometimes think that our love of cigarettes owes nothing to the nicotine, and everything to their ability to fill the meaningless void and offer an easy way of feeling as if we are doing something purposeful. My father, my brother, and I each took a cigarettes from the packets of Maltepes offered to us by the elder son of the deceased, and once they were all lit with the same burning match that the teenager artfully offered us, there followed a strange moment when all three of us crossed out legs and set about puffing in unison, as if enacting a ritual of transcendental importance."

Gallery Opening

2010-06-07T23:48:00.000+03:00

"Art is limitation. The essence of every picture is its frame."

- G.K. Chesterton

This last weekend my friend Brittany had a gallery opening displaying photos she has shot around Istanbul over the past year. I was quite impressed with her aesthetic vision, especially her reinterpretations of the iconic symbols of the city, as well as finding beauty and redemption in unexpected places.

Daedalus and Honey Nut Chex

2010-06-05T09:10:00.000+03:00

Istanbul is an amazing city where you can get practically anything... with the exception of my beloved breakfast-cereal Honey Nut Chex. To make matter worse, all of the breakfast cereals available here (Corn Flakes, Cocoa Puffs) are glutenous. As a result the food group that used to represent the majority of my diet has simply disappeared, leaving a gaping whole in the areas of expedient breakfast and late night snack.

Needless to say, I was incredibly thankful that my friend Julie was kind enough to find room for a few boxes in her suitcase during a recent visit to the good ole U.S. of A, as after seven weeks without breakfast cereal I was starting to go through withdrawals.

However, yesterday morning when I opened up the box expecting to have some delicious breakfast I discovered that I'm not the only one who loves Chex in Istanbul.

Yep. Those black pixilated specks are ants, who with the ingenuity of Daedalus managed to weave their way inside my carefully sealed bag.

It's a good thing that ants float in milk.

The Tallest Man On Earth

2010-06-03T14:25:00.000+03:00

I like this song.

Current Events

2010-05-31T23:25:00.000+03:00

This may make it hard to get to my language class in the morning. To be quite honest I don't know what to think about this, but I certainly don't think hatred or further violence will accomplish anything. Needless to say I find the screams (and occasional gunshots) of the thousands of protesters in my neighborhood to be disconcerting.

Where Does the Time Go?

2010-05-30T00:34:00.001+03:00

This week felt exceptionally busy... but it wasn't until I realized I neglected this blog for an entire week that I think it caught up with me. Journaling, running, reading, and apartment cleaning were also given woefully inadequate time, and I am feeling the affects. It's seems better time management or a simplified schedule is needed.

Today however was wonderfully spent showing my older brother Paul Istanbul (particularly Taksim, Örtaköy, Bebek, Levent). As a three year employee of Starbucks, he was particularly amazed by this location, which is easily the coolest conceivable consumer/corporate coffee shop.

Speaking of coffee, I would love to give this iced coffee brewing technique a try... and this GF Banana Bread recipe. Anyone interested in testing the results?

The Week in Review

2010-05-22T23:58:00.000+03:00

Awesome things that have happened this week:

Hung out with my brother Paul in Sultanahmet. Had probably the coolest meal I've ever had, which literally involved setting food on fire and breaking pots with hammers. I'll get to show him the rest of the city after he returns from traveling the Turkish countryside.

Passed my final exam for level 1 Turkish. Level two starts Tuesday!

Visited the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art with several friends. I especially liked an installation piece by Serkan Özkaya and after researching him discovered he has a particular connection with my beloved city of Louisville (Proof on Main has featured Özkaya's work and he hand-illustrated an actual Courier-Journal issue).

Encountered 40+ zombies in Taksim Square dancing to Michael Jackson's Thriller.

Intended to visit Boğazaçi Üniversitesi's Sport's Fest, but was thwarted by the weather. Thankfully, Iron Man 2 was an apt contingency plan. I thought it was a great sequel, just as charming and entertaining as the first with very little plot to get in the way of explosions and one-liners.

Worldview and Symbols

2010-05-18T17:02:00.000+03:00

"All cultures (that is) have a sense of identity, of environment, of a problem with the way the world is, and a way forward - a redemptive eschatology, to be more precise- which will, or may, lead out of that problem... the stories that express the worldview, and the answers which it provides to the questions of identity, environment, evil and eschatology, are expressed (as we saw in the previous chapter) in cultural symbols. These can be both artifacts and events - festivals, family gatherings and the like. In modern North America the New York victory parade after a successful way war brings together two of the most powerful symbols of the culture: the towering skyscrapers of business-orientated Manhattan, and the heroes of battle. Both in their own fashion, demonstrate, promote and celebrate The American Way. In first-century Palestine, celebrating the Passover functioned similarly, with Jerusalem and the Temple taking the place of Manhattan, and the Passover sacrifice and meal taking the place of the victory parade. The buildings. instead of speaking of economic/ethnic goals, spoke of religious/ethnic ones; instead of the celebration speaking of triumph achieved over the forces of darkness, it spoke of vindication yet to come."

-N.T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God, 123-4.