I hear it’s all the rage to redo your wedding photos (at least for those of us who were young when we initially had them taken and now realize how differently we would do things).

I don’t know about you, but if I were to go that route, the following sequence is what I’d want.

You can check out the photographer HERE.

There’s been a lot of hubbub about the new Star Wars Blu-rays and how Lucas can’t stop messing with his masterpieces.

At times like this, I think it’s helpful to try to remember what we loved about those films in the first place.

The excitement.

The passion.

The fear.

The sorrow.

The wonder.

And, of course, the shock.

[HT: Nerdist]

A few years ago, (maybe more than a few; I can’t remember; plus what number exactly constitutes a “few”?) while I was still employed at Student Life I wrote a spoken word piece. It was my job to write and create lot of things. That particular year this piece just happened to be one of them. I wrote it. Drew Francis directed it. Taylor Robinson shot it. Eric Chapman recorded the audio and mastered it. Jason Poole added some sweet graphics to it. And the incomparable Erin Moon performed it. The piece is entitled “Woman of No Distinction” but it’s much more commonly known as “The Woman at the Well” since that’s the story from the Bible upon which it’s based and nowhere in the video is the title of the piece indicated. You can see the original below. (If you can’t see the piece below, it’s because your reader or device isn’t displaying videos and you should click through directly to my blog.)

Woman of No Distinction from Chris Kinsley on Vimeo.

This video went viral, I guess. I mean, I don’t know what are the precise criteria that have to be met in order for that to be true, but this video started floating around a lot of places and being seen and shared by a lot of people. Well, it wasn’t long before people were simply transcribing the video and using the piece in other venues, even to make videos of their own. Below, I offer to you a selection of those videos.

As you can see, there’s a decent amount of diversity other than all of the performers being women, but that’s understandable. Some of these videos are well produced. Others are amateur shots of amateur performances. Some give credit to me as the author. Some credit myself and Drew, which is also understandable since the credits at the end of the original video are misleading. Some give no credit to authorship. One credits authorship to someone else entirely, namely Amena Brown, who is an extremely gifted spoken-word artist and sister in the faith (frankly, it’s a little flattering to have people think she wrote it). However, none of these people own the copyright for this work. I don’t even own it. Student Life does. As far as I know, none of them obtained permission from Student Life to perform the piece or to make a video of it.

Student Life could have gone after all of these people. They could have attempted to control and “protect” their content. But they didn’t and they haven’t. Whether intentionally or not, they’ve given it away. They’ve allowed it to spread as it would.

I think this is great. On some level I even think this is right. Student Life is a business, yes, but it’s also a ministry. The original piece served it’s purpose, and SL is able to continue to utilize it for ministry. However, by giving it away they have allowed it to become even more valuable. As it has struck a cord with people, those people have been able to freely share it so that it might minister to others, many if not most of whom Student Life would never have the opportunity to come in contact with.

This isn’t an easy thing for creatives to do. But I wonder if it’s an essential lesson for those creatives who are also Christian to learn. God has made us stewards of the creativity with which He has gifted us.

What kind of steward will you be?

What are you currently holding on to that you need to give away?

In the last post I let you (formally) know that we (Liza and I) are adopting. I also announced our adoption site, homeforhaven.com.

This is another adoption-related post. Though, I promise that this blog is not going to be all about adoption since that is what Home for Haven is for.

Also, this post is uncomfortable for me to write because… well, I don’t know exactly why. Because I’m proud, maybe. Because talking about money is weird and asking for money is even weirder.

Anyway, I’m just going to get right to it.

Some friends have been kind enough to host a benefit on our behalf.

But really, it’s not benefitting us. It’s all for Haven.

And, if nothing else, knowing the people throwing it, it’s going to be fun, and we’d love for you to be there.

You can see the invitation above but here are the deets.

Who: Us, the Kinsleys (well, it’s for us but some friends are throwing/hosting it)

What: A Silent Auction Benefit (including dessert bar and photo booth)

When: March 12, 3:00-5:00pm

Where: Second Row Studio on 2nd Ave N in downtown B’ham

Why: To help us bring Haven home.

How: $10 admission (kids are free) plus a silent auction (there is going to be some good stuff).

I really don’t like the whole fundraising idea. But the reality is that adoption is expensive. We’ve made a lot of sacrifices and saved a lot of money so far. But there’s still a ways to go.

If you wouldn’t mind helping, we’d be eternally grateful.

Thanks.

A lot of people know this already. However, there is a vast population here on the interwebs, which means that many of you don’t.

So, I’d like to officially announce to you that we (Liza and I) are adopting.

We’re already about six months into it. But we’re moving pretty slowly. We’re hoping the pace picks up a little bit, at least on our end.

There’s a lot to say about this, and I will say a lot about it in the months and years to come. In fact, I’ve already started.

However, for now, I want to let you know that we’ve created a place where we can focus on telling the story of our adoption.

You can go there if you want to.

In fact, we’d love for you to go there and tell your friends to go there.

Here’s where “it” is: homeforhaven.com

Why “Home for Haven”?

Well, by adopting we’re bringing a child into our home and family.

And this child’s name is going to be Haven.

So, there you go.

I hope you can stop by.

Have you heard of Arc Light Stories? If you have then I’m sure that a smile just appeared on your face. If you haven’t, then, please, allow me a moment to introduce you to the one of the best, most unique night-out opportunities you can experience here in the Magic Steel Pittsburgh of the South (Birmingham, AL). I’ll start with “what”.

What is Arc Light Stories? Here’s what it says on the website.

Imagine sitting around the dinner table with your closest friends.  You’ve just cleared the dishes, and you’re moving on to coffee, or possibly a glass of wine.  Someone says: you’ll never believe what happened to me today.  Listen to this…

That’s Arc Light Stories.  Inspired by events like The Moth in NYC, Arc Light Stories features live storytelling.  No notes, no outlines.  Just great storytellers sharing great (true) stories.  Sometimes funny, sometimes moving, and always engaging, Arc Light Stories brings people together as only good stories can.

Ever been to see live stand-up comedy or a poetry slam. Well, it’s a lot like that actually. Only, instead of someone standing there and telling jokes for 10 or 15 minutes or performing a poem or two, a person gets up in front of everyone and tells a story. The stories are all true (at least as much as the way the storyteller remembers them is true). The storytellers have no helps of any kind. And the stories are usually all over the map with regards to humor, tension, emotion, and preparedness.

At each storytelling event there are usually around 5 or 6 storytellers, and each event has a unique theme. The theme for February’s event (as you can see on the poster pictured above) is “Love Is a Battlefield”. Now, that probably immediately brings to mind for you some expectations for what the stories might be about. But I encourage you to leave your expectations at the door. Some of them will be met. I guarantee you. But others will be shattered, and I promise you’ll be surprised and excited by what you hear.

Who is involved in Arc Light Stories? Well, I guess that depends. If you’re asking who started it and hosts it, well, that’d be Travis Hawkins and Taylor Robinson. If you’re wondering who else helps out, I could tell you that design and branding comes courtesy of Upper Air Creative. Then there are a lot of other people who might decorate (like Studio Flower) or bring snacks or help transport and set up chairs or donate the space for the venue (that’d be Jason Wallis). Then, of course, there are the storytellers themselves. That group is never exactly the same and covers a wide variety of experiences and backgrounds. As far as this one, I don’t want to give away who all will be there, mainly because I just want to promote myself (kidding… kinda).

I was lucky enough to get to tell a story at the very first Arc Light. Now, I’ll get to tell another one. The first time I told my chase story. If you’ve never heard it, ask me about it. It’s a good one. This time I’ll be telling Story’s story. Many of you have lived that story with us, but I’m not sure anyone has really heard Liza or me talk about it all at once. So, I’m excited for the opportunity to get to do that.

When are the Arc Light storytelling events? Well, there’s not a regular event right now. But, as you can see on the poster above, the next one is this Saturday night, February 12 at 7:00pm.

Where are the Arc Light storytelling events? The location could change one day, I guess. But as of now, they are held at Second Row Studios in downtown Birmingham. It’s located at 212 24th Street North.

Why would I want to sit around and listen to a bunch of stories? What do you mean? Why wouldn’t you? Everyone loves stories.

How can I tell a story at a future Arc Light event? I’m glad you asked. And Taylor and Travis are too, especially if you’re a female. Just email them and let them know.

At any rate, I hope to see you there.

Two of my favorite things have come together.

Fabulous.

I coulda been this kid.

For sure.

And I would have totally freaked.

My buddy, Sterling, is having surgery today. As you may recall, he’s had surgery before.

I’d like to ask you to join me in praying for him, his parents and family and his doctors.

In case you can’t read the picture above, here’s some things you can pray for:

1. No vision loss.

2. No loss of movement/weakness on left side.

3. Total removal of the tumor.

4. Seizures to cease.

5. Vital signs and total health.

I am extremely thankful for advances in modern medicine and science that makes this type of surgery possible.  I am also thankful for the team of medical professionals who are bringing all of their experience, training and expertise to bear on Sterling’s case.  However, I am most thankful that I serve the Great Physician who is able to heal our souls as well as our bodies.  I’m asking Him for the miraculous. After all, that’s what He’s best at.

Thanks for joining me.

You can stay up to date on Sterling at http://www.sterlingdavis.wordpress.com.

Wow! 21 comments over just three days on a post that is almost five months old is definitely a record for us here at Enigmatic Meanderings. I don’t quite think it was the goal that my brother was shooting for. However, since dusting this thing off has been something I’ve wanted to do for awhile, I guess we’ll go ahead and call it a win.

So… Craig, Heather, Lori, Ronda, Kristi, Shane, Amy, Mom, Teofilo, DUDA, Dad, Ramsey, Kimberly, Tarik, Jane, Sarandipity, Taffy, and lk (is this really Lori with a different email address trying to up the number of comments?) this one’s for you.

I apologize up front for its lack of depth.

Today, I’m headed to Boston. That’s right.  The home of the Red Sox, the Bruins, the Celtics, the Patriots, Harvard, M.I.T., an actual tea party that actually stood for something and evidently a law firm that used to employ William Shatner and James Spader until it got canceled.

Why am I going?

I’m glad you asked.

1. I’ve never been to Boston, and I like going place I’ve never been before. Actually, there’s a chance I went to Boston on a trip in the fifth grade, but I don’t remember it.  So, it doesn’t count.

2. I need a vacation. Yes, I meant to use the word “need” and not the word “want.” I feel selfish and guilty taking a vacation. Most of you probably don’t feel that way about vacations, which means you have less psychological issues than I do, or at least different ones.

3. I’ll get to hang out with some guys that I don’t hang out with enough. Namely this guy and this guy. Plus another guy I don’t know yet.

4. I’ll see the Red Sox play at Fenway park. All of my friends into sports tell me this is something men should do.  I’m a man.  At least, I like to think so.  Therefore, I’m doing it.  Bonus: I hear there’s a big, green monster.  Awesome!

5. We Kinsleys are supposedly of Irish descent. Well, if I’m not going to Ireland, isn’t Boston the next best thing?

6. I’ll start rebuilding my level of skymiles. Isn’t that what life is all about?

7. I get to put my new iPad to the travel test. Here’s hoping it passes.

I really don’t have that much else to say about this.  So, let’s just chalk this whole post up to easing back into the blogosphere.

Until next time, keep meandering.

This is a pretty picture of pesto but not a picture of the actual pesto about which this post is written.

My friends Brandi and Shane are in the middle of adopting their daughters and bringing them home from Ukraine.  Adoption in general is pretty expensive.  International adoption in particular can really be a strain on a young family’s budget.  So, some people decided it would be cool to host a benefit in their honor.

Liza was part of the team organizing everything.  They had a meeting where, amongst various other topics, they discussed what food to serve as the dinner.  It was decided that there would be a pasta bar with different sauces.  Liza volunteered me (notice who volunteered who) to make a pesto sauce because, “Chris makes a really good pesto sauce.”

Now, I should clarify Liza’s ringing endorsement of my pesto-production-prowess.  There was this one time that we were having people over, and I decided to make lamb chops and a mint-basil pesto with which to garnish them.  That’s it.  However, in the mind of my ever-affirming wife, that means that I make a really good pesto sauce.

Anyway, despite the fact that I have never, EVER made a pesto sauce for past, I was more than willing to give it a try.  I scoured the internet for pesto recipes (which basically means I went to foodnetwork.com, searched “pesto,” clicked on “Giada De Laurentiis” and scanned the results for something I thought would be easy).  I found two I liked the sound of and decided to combine them into one mega-recipe.  I made a list of needed ingredients for Liza who was kind enough to volunteer to go to the grocery store for me, and that was that.

Yesterday, the day of the benefit, I sat out to make the sauce.  My combined recipe (planned out to be enough sauce for 40 people) called for five 10 ounce packages of frozen spinach.  These packages had been thawed but I needed to basically squeeze as much of the moisture from them as I could.  I grabbed one of the packages to begin and tore it open.  What stared back at me was not frozen spinach but frozen broccoli.  In fact, three of my five packages were frozen broccoli.

This was just a slight oversight on Liza’s part, but I panicked.  I didn’t know what to do.  So, I just pressed forward, throwing all kinds of things together in a food processor, adjusting ingredients as I made each batch and praying that it would turn out okay.

Evidently it did.  A number of people have said how much they liked it and some extremely kind and flattering souls have even requested the recipe.

I give all of you this backstory  to let you know that I don’t really have a recipe.  I started with two from Giada (I love you, Giada), but things only devolved from there.  However, I’m going to attempt to give you all the recipe here.  I would encourage you, though, to experiment with it yourself until you get what you like.

Primo Pesto

Recipe for 8 servings

Ingredients needed:

• 1 (10 oz.) package frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed almost dry
• 1 (4 oz.) can artichoke arts, drained
• ½ cup pine nuts
• ½ cup slivered almonds
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• ¾ cup fresh parsley, packed down
• ¼ cup fresh basil, packed down
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• 4 cloves of garlic, roasted and peeled

1.  Toast the pine nuts and almonds in a single layer in a large skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.  Stir occasionally throughout.

2.  In a food processor, combine pine nuts, almonds, parmesan cheese, garlic, artichoke hearts salt and pepper.  Pulse blend a few times.

3.  Add spinach, basil, parsley and lemon.  Blend on low a few moments.  Then add chicken broth and blend on high.

4.  Slowly pour in the olive oil while continuing to blend until smooth.

5.  Serve with pasta, chicken, bread, lamb, whatever.

I hope you enjoy it.

Bon Appetit!