Christmas in Copenhagen

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

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

"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"

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

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...

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

İyi Bayramlar

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

Bike Istanbul: the helmet cam.

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

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

PTs v. Square Mile

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.