Common Guild

It's about time

2009-02-05T17:02:00.002-06:00

I just wanted to note that Seth and the Baker are still at work. I am spilling the beans that Seth is currently working on a 5 song project that will start a revolution.

Baker has continued writing and will be recording soon. He has around 4 new songs that are ready for recording. We shall begin dumping them here in the near future. Sorry to tease with not payoff, but be patient. I say this as if anyone still comes here.

We dropped the ball, but now we are about to score.

Friday-Recap The CG World

2008-09-19T08:57:00.002-05:00

Although we try to post a little piece of creative writing on Friday, I thought that today would be a good day to recap the CG World.

As you know, we provide content for discussion. We love to write music, take photos, paint paintings, and write writings, all for you consumption (and ours). With that in mind, here are some highlights. Check them out.

The recent photo by Spring Weaver made me laugh when I saw it. The decision: walk me, says Rufus, or play that darned guitar in the background. I'm blue.

Oh, My Bride. What a nice tune (go download and listen). A musical response from Matt Brock to the previous post by Rusty, and resulting comments on A Refurbished Rendering. The Rendering got heated... we suggest revisiting both posts and continuing the work.

In the spirit of diversity, we've had Asian Pears and African Children running through (Obama Said What?!?).

We laughed at our first Cereal Poem, and hid under our desks when we found out that the Devil lived in the attic. And the Lodge Men? A good piece of work that deserves more work.

Not to mention collaborative efforts by Seth and Baker, Abortion Songs, and the Pied Piper Song.

Forward this post to your peeps who would be interested. And get to work...

Wednesday-Photo by Spring

2008-09-17T11:10:00.004-05:00

If you don't like this, you ain't right. Although the members of CG did not take this photo, it says a lot about us, and this site. This photo was submitted by Spring Weaver, not to be confused with Dream Weaver. She has preovided a description below. Please pontificate in the comments section. Please visit Spring's site to check out her witticisms and other general goodness.And don't forget to keep working on Monday's musical post.

Pictured: Rufus Wainwright Weaver, 2 years old, lover of walks, bones, his stuffed tiger aptly named "tiger," doggie daycare, and modeling.

Photograph by: Spring Weaver, 25 years old, lover of Rufus Wainwright Weaver.

Monday Music-Oh My Bride

2008-09-15T11:54:00.003-05:00

(click on the title to download song)

Sorry for the long break. We're back.

There was long discussion on this blog regarding the use of "the Bride" metaphor. The debate was too long to recap, but suffice it to say, there was general disagreement on the use of the metaphor. This got the Baker's wheels turning. Here is what he has to say (or sing) about it.

Please don't forget to comment.

Friday Film?

2008-09-04T21:48:00.002-05:00

I (Seth) know that we normally post some creative piece of writing on Friday, but this week is the exception. I have posted part 1 and part 2 of a video that was compiled by my dear friend Kyle. I visited this farm in Mozambique this year. Pardon me for the deviation from course, but it is still creative.

Please forward this link along and ask your friends to make a difference. You may contact us at the email to the right if you want to know how to get involved.

Part 1-

Part 2-

LABOR DAY!

2008-09-01T11:21:00.001-05:00

Why are you checking this site on Labor Day? Take a break! Go to the lake. We'll be back on Wednesday with a work of art.

Friday Writings-Lodge Men

2008-08-29T08:29:00.003-05:00

Enjoy this poem by CG guest contributor Brad. Let's discuss...

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Lodge Men

The men descend the mountain early
Sun breathing light into the trees.
Backs bent, the angle of old age.

They leave the Lodge each morning,
medicated by nurses, shuffle down
dirt paths, roads of rock and clay.

The first paved road they come to
a highway; the men drift over the
white line. Their drug-heavy blood
called to by some new magnetic north.

Down the road, at the Dari-Delite,
they find unlocked cars. Diners leave
and find Lodge men in the passenger seat.
“Can you take me to Mulberry?” Lodge men ask.

Mulberry, down the road a few miles,
no one knows the names given to these men:
Scarfy, Captain America
More come and gone so fast names won’t stick.

One night, at the Dari-Delite, Scarfy
drags his feet down the road. Long red
scarves trailing down his pants leg, scraping
the highwayside debris. A friend dares
me to speak to him. “If he comes,” I say.

Scarfy trundles toward us. He stands at
The corner, eyes not on anything. “Hi,” I say.
For a moment, nothing. Then Scarfy
bends forward, arm and finger extended,
Lips parted. His laugh crackling the air.
That laugh still in my ear: feet scraping rock
and clay, men drifting up the hill with the dying light.

Monday Music-Piper

2008-08-25T08:14:00.002-05:00

(click here to download song)

Today we drop a new song by Seth.

This song came in the car, while I was thinking about the old tale of the pied piper. An odd thought for a song? Sure. I happened to be reading John 6 at the time and found some similarities in the two stories.

Let's here your interpretation of this one in the comments. Feel free to let me know the good, the bad, and the ugly. I enjoy all comments.

Friday Writings-Crossroad

2008-08-22T07:52:00.002-05:00

Today is an experiment in collectivity. In an attempt to find a common story, we will be collectively writing a short offering. We have considered doing this once every couple of months, but need a test run to see if you guys buy in. Maybe it works; maybe it doesn't. Either way, We're not scared to give it a shot. So, here goes.

We will offer the beggining of a piece of short fiction. Just a snippet. We're going 1st person for our first attempt. You will fill out the story over the next couple of days with the next piece of the story. Just go to the comments section and keep the story going. The story will close at 12:00 a.m. on Sunday morning. Hopefully, it will end with the line, "And then I found $20." So let's get to work.
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Dirty deltic crossroads are a dime-a-dozen where I come from. And the Devil don't sit in the middle waiting on you with an old beat up Martin and promises of grandeur. You ain't always torn between north or west, you just go. But not today...

Wednesday Art-Asian Pears

2008-08-20T08:20:00.004-05:00

We have received the first painting from Common Guild contributor Cindy. Cindy, drop us a bio of yourself in the comments and tell us how you started painting. Then let us know why you chose the "Asian Pears."

Monday Music-3,700

2008-08-18T08:21:00.004-05:00

(click here to download song)

Listen to Josh Graber's new song! This song was recorded on his cell-phone, which semi-amazes me. I will let Josh drop a brief description of this song, either here or in the comments. Josh?

Get to work on it. See if you can figure it out before Josh drops his comments.

Friday Writings-The Hollow

2008-08-15T06:24:00.004-05:00

Friday presents you with a unique perspective of our guest posters. Today we post a poem from Seth's lovely wife, Amber.

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How the Hollow Began: Learning of Death in the House

This is heavy dark,

rain through buckled tin,

iron water in buckets on the floor,

a story I told my sister:

The devil lives above us and maybe below.

Our empty black attic has a window

I watch for souls from outside

and openings to my closets

whose doors I keep shut tight.

Six generations before now

was a hot fireplace behind this false wall

and a swell of kin’s blood in the wood floor.

My bedroom is a covering,

a place I walk on graves.

Beneath me, tile on soggy wood

that goes below the cellar depth,

below the roots of pines.

I kneel (better the knees than the feet)

and smell the tile, like miry, tepid cloth.

Ear down,

I hold my breath to hear voices.

I am afraid of pounding feet.

Whose dark blood warms around me?

Speak, devil, if it’s you.

Visual Art Wednesday-Send Me Your Art!

2008-08-13T08:43:00.004-05:00

Today is visual art Wednesday, and we are still collecting works from you all. We have received a few (that are quite interesting). Forward pictures of your art. We'd love to post it here over the next few months. Send photos of your work to common.guild.music@gmail.com. The first one to forward art along to that website will receive today's post AND a $10 iTunes gift card!

Don't forget, this is a site to show case all of us. Speaking of which, stay tuned for our creative writing post on Friday, in which we will be featuring a poem by a very special guest poster.

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UPDATE:

Here is one of the pictures I received yesterday. Thanks, Melody ($10 to you). This photograph interests me. It was a nice use of blurred color and light. It seems soft and mysterious.

Great Work. Keep them coming folks!

Music Monday-Fall, Fell, Fallen, Have Fallen

2008-08-11T06:05:00.003-05:00

(click here to download song)

What happens when Baker and Seth lock themselves in a kitchen with nothing but a set of lyrics and a musical outline? Listen here. The first collaborative project from the guys (more to come).

I think that the song is pretty stinking straight-forward. That aside, Matt, why don't you take a stab at explaining this one on the comments.

Visual Wednesday-Obama Said What?

2008-08-06T06:13:00.013-05:00

It is visual art Wednesday and I was going to post a picture of a Pieta sent by a friend Megan (wait till next week), but in light of recent emails in which she and I engaged, I post the above. For background, I received an email indicating that Obama gave a speech in which he was for reparations (which oddly, he did not say). The email chain that ensued spiraled out of control; the bourgeois responded one to another, showing their true colors.

What does these pictures mean to you? To see what they mean to me, see the comments.

And don’t forget to keep working on the most recent musical post, “Wait it Out”.

Music Monday--Wait it Out

2008-08-04T06:39:00.011-05:00

(click to here download song)

It's Music Monday! Baker has just finished a new song that is now officially posted. Below is a brief narrative, provided by Baker. Enjoy, and don't forget to come back and comment.

___________________________________

Here is the shorthand premise of the song:

this song, as the title implies, is about being patient.
It attempts to portray not only a verbal sense of
the despondency that Christian people can encounter
with regard to personal spiritual attack, but a vocal
howl that symbolizes the pain and anguish one can
encounter while having to consider a proper reaction to
painful times or until appropriate encouragement is either
given or found. I have recently been encountering such a period, which
I cannot say has been terribly troubling, but has been
difficult nonetheless.

The song should be separated into
3 parts. First, the verse describes the problem that is
being encountered. Second, the tag represents either
encouragement being given or remembered by the suffering
one and were all taken from well-known hymns so to
re-establish that the concept of security in Christ and
hope are ancient ideas (which i think is in itself comforting). And
third, the chorus is supposed to be the conclusion made by
the person who is struggling after considering what to do with
the plight that's being faced.

The falsetto was placed to express that even when you know you
should believe something and that it is right, doesn't mean that it
won't still hurt or that you can avoid pain.
The vocals are meant to express pain mostly, and that is ok.
The song is somewhat long which i like because it should be expected
with the title of the song.
I can post the words if anyone is interested. i would greatly enjoy any
picking apart and criticism. The recording is rough, but it's a start.

The Baker

ON THE RELIGIOUS ICONOGRAPHY OF MORNING CEREAL BOXES IN POLYTHEISTIC CULTURES COUPLED WITH A CHARMING GLIMPSE OF MY OWN LITERACY JOURNEY

2008-08-01T09:11:00.009-05:00

Too young to read, I scanned heiroglyphic
Boxtops like church signs in ancient Egypt.
Striped tiger, enthroned on deep blue, a rain god
Who buried grreat treasure in his toy crypt.
The fire god - rainbow-beaked toucan - bid his
Loopies hallow him as "Sam." Golden crisped
Sun-god bear wafts sugary sweet puffs
Of incense through wired worshippers' piss.

But, I learned: Trix rabbit ain't no trickster,
Count Chocula no negro vamp. Franken
Berry did not transgender, and Fred's bright
Pebbles ain't Flinstone fruit poop a-stankin'.
Too old to believe boxtop gods are real,
I left Old Egypt for modern oatmeal.

CG Format-The Hamster is Coming!

2008-07-30T20:09:00.004-05:00

Welcome back. We have decided to tinker with the format around here. We have decided to open this site up for all mediums--music, visual arts, creative writings. Starting this Friday, we will begin to explore the other talents of those of you who are faithful to visit the site. Here is the basic rundown.

On Mondays, we will post new music. Of course, Josh, Matt, and I will carry the load, but if you are out there writing solid pieces, send them our way. We would love for you to take a Monday off of our hands.

Wednesdays, we will post a piece of visual art for discussion. We have yet to find any visual artists (photographers, painters, sculptors, etc.). If you have the skills to pay the bills, send it our way. We would love to post your stuff.

On Fridays, we will have creative writings. We hope to have guest posters for Fridays. This Friday, the guest post will be provided by the Hamster. If you haven't read his work before, visit his site for a taste of what he offers.

The weekends? Anything goes. Tune in Friday to see what's cooking with the Hamster. I hope you enjoy what he has to offer. Then Monday, Baker will be dropping something new on us all. Wednesday? It's still up in the air. Be the first--SEND US YOUR ART!

For those of you who would like to throw your name into the posting ring, our email address is listed in the right column.

Train Wreck, Threedux (huh?)

2008-07-30T12:36:00.001-05:00

While pondering this topic, I have come across a post of a friend of my wife's. It is worth reading. Let her know what you think.

http://melodygerke.blogspot.com/2008/07/pain.html

Train Wreck, Redux

2008-07-25T16:02:00.001-05:00

When I heard his voice on the telephone, I could tell that he was exhausted. That reaping the repercussions from doing that act that mama taught you not to do but you did it anyway kind of exhausted. That I’ve carried this around for a long damn time kind of exhausted. And it’s not over.
When I heard his voice on the telephone, I heard the metal on metal. His voice the metal grind of a run-a-way train careened out of control. And he was asking me for advice.
What do you say to you friend who is sitting guts deep in the train wreck? What did folks say to you when you were sitting guts deep in the train wreck? Has anyone inspired you when your life careened out of control? How? I need you guys to offer some answers.
If you are new to the site, you are unfamiliar with one of our first posts. You can listen to the Train Wreck here.

Take A Chance (dah dah dah dah DAH)...

2008-07-25T05:58:00.004-05:00

Activity has picked up on the site! We are glad you decided to drop in.

As an update, the file-site we were using to store our songs for your download has been (or is being) shut down. As a result, we will not be able to post any new songs for a few weeks. But it 'aint gonna slow us down!

Over the next few days, we will be posting food for your general consumption. We already have some good discussion threads going on "21" and the various other songs we have posted in the past. Keep it going. If you haven't downloaded the songs (such as "21" or "Addicted to Love"), what are you waiting for? Listen. Comment. Keep the threads going.

I would also like to extend an invitation to you. Send us your short stories, your poems, your songs, your paintings (actually a photo of the painting will do just fine). We could use them for discussion. Remember, this is a sort of online forum for all. Don't let your art die a quiet death in the inner recesses of your bedroom (or kitchen, or bathroom, or wherever you come up with your creative works). Why not share them with us?

In the words of my former roommates favorite band, "take a chance, take a chance, take a chance...."

Email us at common.guild.music@gmail.com

More Thoughts on 21

2008-07-23T15:58:00.002-05:00

(click here to visit the 21 post and download the song)

Render unto Caesar... http://www.religionnewsblog.com/21574/kenneth-copeland-money

Forget the Disney day care (see 21 post and song linked thereto), what about a private Jet? Rusty, how many villages would that feed?

Blog Roll Building

2008-07-23T11:30:00.002-05:00

It's time for us to build a blog roll. Have a blog? Comment with the name and we will add you to the blogroll we are creating. Just find it in our heart to reciprocate.

Back to work... see the posts below.

Thoughts on "21"

2008-07-20T06:26:00.004-05:00

(click here to download the song "21")

Visit this blog regarding the Willow Creek model. This was sent to me by my dear friend Nicole after reading the lyrics to 21 (see post below). See also http://wiseserpents.blogspot.com/.

The day after Nicole sent me the above link, I had an incredible dinner conversation with a friend (hereinafter known as "Friend" for confidentiality sake) over a very bland Oklahoma crab boil. Friend is a small town, big church youth minister who is unafraid to ask some very difficult questions, including "why is this crab so darned bland? Didn't they put any crab boil in here?" We began discussing church programming and he intimated that constant programming hasn't really done much for his youth's spiritual growth. In fact, it hasn't even added that many new, committed youth. We then began discussing re-thinking bible-belt church and bibl-belt language. Which led me to the following questions:

What if we could shell all of the programs and all of the church language (i.e. "saved") and begin to explain Christianity at a relational level? What if we stopped feeding our selves with pot-lucks, and revivals, and VBS's, and started serving the school districts in which our churches are situated? What if we stopped throwing money at projection screens and started throwing it toward community clean-ups and homeless ministries? Would that make a difference in the number of believers that came to faith? Would that faith be more authentic, more genuine? Would it eventually make a difference in the spiritual depth of believers that are raised up in the church?

My questions for you:

(1) what kind of church do you attend? Is it program driven (i.e. pizza blasts, revivals, sponsored super bowl parties, special events)? If so, do you think it is effective in "making disciples?";

(2) If you don't attend a program driven church, what does your church do to make disciples? How do you get into the community?

I need answers here. I think the boys in Mozambique should also put their two cents in the hat. Come on Kyle and Rusty, you can be part of my church.

Comment here, or on the "21" post... Just comment.

21

2008-07-08T08:24:00.006-05:00

(click on the title to download song)

Warning: this is the song that could get me in trouble. Really. At least with some of you.

Please do not take this song as a comment on any one church. It is not. Instead, it is a commentary on the materialism that seems to drive certain congregations in America, and throughout the West. I apologize for the raw commentary, but please understand that I very much identify with the church of which I speak and, from time to time, find myself wanting to be a part of that church. After all, who here does not get excited by the "stuff of earth"? I do. Especially when I can justify the stuff by its particularly keen spiritual application (who else here has bought an x-box for purposes of ministry? I have.).

I guess my broader question is, does this have to be the focus of our local congregations? Is there anything wrong with our "play places"? Does the church that makes such outlays make correlating expenditures to missions, poverty, community devlopment. I don't know, maybe this is where I rely on you guys for some input...

Lyrics

The church just purchased all their dreams with a buck
that was borrowed from the bank
That was borrowed from the government
They filled it up with movie theater seats and flat screens
That were borrowed from the bank
That were borrowed from the government

They rationalized it with the lies that if you build it they will come
And pay for all you built
They graced the halls & walls with shades of paints in gray that muted all their guilt

Chorus:
Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's
You draft, your vote, your tax
Your government TV
Render unto Jesus that which is Jesus'
And when you've paid Matthew
Leave with him, come follow me

V2:
The church just purchased ethical degrees with a buck
That was borrowed from the bank
That was borrowed from the government
They purchased corporate morality with a buck
That was borrowed from the bank
That was borrowed from the government

They entertained the candidates
And were obliged to make endorsements on politico.com
And in return they wrote the bill
That made its way to Capitol Hill
That rezoned the homeless wanderer
To maintain their white facade

Chorus:

Bridge:
We sacrificed our charity so that we could have our own
Disney Day Care Place
We reconciled our ledger and became the moral debtor
So that we could tax a tithe their wage
We rant and rave and froth and foam to justify the loan
So that we can lay claim to another piece of land
And we ignore the rising anger in the stomach of the MakerAs his fists of fury pound out--"Frankly, I do not give a damn!"