I’ve really been enjoying Snow Patrol’s Up To Now album. They are passionate about their music, and have reason to be, because their music is good. Check out this live performance of Chasing Cars, their hit made possible by Grey’s Anatomy. I love how into the music & performance Gary Lightbody gets. He looks joyful just being there.
Archive for the ‘Culture’ Category
Music Monday: Snow Patrol
Monday, November 23rd, 2009God and Guinness by Stephen Mansfield
Tuesday, November 17th, 2009
A few weeks ago, I received an email from an agent (?) representing this book asking if I would review this book, I’m guessing mainly because of this blog and my involvement with our church’s God and Guinness movement. I love free books, so I gladly obliged. I recently finished the book on my vacation to Williamsburg, VA, and absolutely loved it!
The book takes the reader on a journey through the history of the Guinness brewery through the eyes of the men who ran the company, starting with Arthur and moving through the generations that inherit the Guinness brewery. I particularly loved the emphasis (hence the book’s title) on the meshing of faith with business in the Guinness’ lives. The goodwill and social justice issues of the city of Dublin take a primary role in the formation and advancement of the company, and the Guinness’ react in Gospel-centered, love-filled ways while at the same time being faithful with the resources (time and money) that God had given them through the wonderful gift of brewing great beer.
Of course, the book is not all positive, and there are lowlights in the Guinness’ lives (as there are in everyone’s lives), and the author does a great job at examining them while at the same time maintaining the focus on the intersection of economy and Christianity.
The book is a fascinating and easy read, with the structure following the Guinness’ through time, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is in a business field, who is seeking to learn from a great example about the meshing of faith and work.
Score: 7.5/10
In order to review this book, I joined Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Bloggers program, which you can view here.
Beer Culture in Eastern North Carolina
Monday, October 5th, 2009You may or may not know this about me, but I’m a foodie. I love haute cuisine, and I absolutely adore beer. I detest what my city calls beer (Natural Light, Busch Light, etc), and appreciate a great imported schwarzbier more than most people I know. But here’s something I’ve been noticing…
Slowly but surely something exciting is happening here in Eastern NC: a beer culture is developing! First, there’s Duck Rabbit Brewery (who honestly needs to hire someone in order to redo their website and get their social media marketing up to speed) who brew incredible dark beers. [Note: Despite the popularity of their Milk Stout, the Porter is the best beer they regularly brew...you're welcome].
Secondly, there’s the recent grand opening of Winslow’s Tavern. They have a pretty good selection of beer as far as restaurants go, with a decent selection on tap. They need to hire someone who knows how to manage a restaurant (as made obvious by the food quality and service), but the beer side of business is great.
Third of all, and one of the most exciting developments, is that Mother Earth Brewing is about to open! They are an organic brewery located in downtown Kinston, of all places. They are even beginning to grow their own hops, right here in Eastern NC. That in itself is incredible. And I’m hoping that their beer is as great as their ideas. One can only hope!
Here’s to a great beer culture in Eastern NC. Hopefully the Church can contribute as well. I’ll do my part and invest. Until then, I’ll sit back and enjoy my Pomme Lambic from Belgium (which I bought at Cindirene’s in Ayden).