They may not have won the world cup, or even gotten to the finals, but I tell you they now have an IJM Affiliate Office between their borders, which is a different kind of win. This office will be working mostly for political change that will make it more difficult for human trafficking to thrive in Europe and abroad. Dare I say exciting!!!

In addition to having this office, Germany is a beautiful place with a rich history of art and literature. Earlier this week, I read an esteemed play that was most assuredly a comedy, but beneath the witty banter, it was essentially about two counts of incest within a family. It made me wonder,

what is good art?

Certainly there are people that create varying forms of art with excellence, masterfully pairing colors, notes, and words together in a way that few could attempt. Does this mean that ALL well-done art is good art, regardless of content? Does anything that anyone makes with artistic intentions actually art? Something in me hesitates to say yes, unless we allow ourselves to use the words 'bad art' (the exclusivity is making my skin crawl right now).

Seriously though, even the most excellently sung lyrics, if hateful, leave me feeling like I'd be better off listening to something else that puts something good into the world. I've been asking myself these questions recently, and encourage you to do the same.

Why do you read what you read?
Listen to what you listen to?
Watch what you watch?
What is good art?

No wrong answers. Open discussion. Go.

Click here for the Sunset Tavern's Website...

A few friends of mine posted Facebook links to this moving article about a Christian demonstration at the Pride Parade in Chicago last weekend. I don't want to say too much, because I hope you'll read it, but in summary a group of Christians took the opportunity to apologize for the way the church has treated the GLBTQ community.

This called to mind a section from Donald Miller's book Blue Like Jazz where he documents a confession booth that he and other fellow Christian students apologized to people on campus for injustices done and prejudices held by the church.

Parade participants are quoted in the article as being deeply touched by their act of humility and repentance. Forgive me if these questions seem like no-brainers, but I am really curious to hear what other people think about these (so, please comment *ahem* :) )

• Does this look like love to you? Why? or why not?
  
• What's so different about their action that it catches us off guard?
• How does this relate to justice?
  

Here's the link again: http://www.timschraeder.com/2010/06/30/a-different-kind-of-demonstration-at-gay-pride/

Every TUESDAY (weather permitting) you can catch members of JUBILEE performing in the park across the street from Westlake Center from 12noon-2pm. We are an official selection of the City of Seattle buskers program. Come hang with us in the sun.

What. Is a Jubicycle.

Well. I'll tell you what it isn't. It's not an icicle made of jelly beans. It's also not a new hair product. In fact, I just made up the word.

It's actually a word I just made up to relate JUBILEE to the "5 Weeks for Freedom" event that is being held in tandem with IJM to raise awareness about slavery. Fifteen cyclists will be biking 1800 miles of the Underground Railroad, accompanied by concerts and festivals in every major city they visit. AMAZING! You can support them and watch video of the event by clicking these links.
You know, I ride a bicycle around town. Not recently, since my wrist got sprained while I was making this ridiculously awesome block playing ultimate frisbee. But in general, the bicycle, I'm rediscovering, is a fantastic mode of transportation. I have new found respect for everyone who goes up Capitol Hill everyday, and have even struggled up the hill myself.

Basically, 1800 miles is a long way. This really makes me think, especially after we got to play the Seattle Against Slavery Benefit Dinner last week:

What am I willing to give up for the sake of someone else? If you were interviewing me (which you are welcome to do anytime), and asked this question, I would initially like to think my answer would sound generous. Seriously though, if you put my heart and mind in Excel, and created a pie chart revealing how I was apportioned, you and I would both find big slices of wasted space.

If I were a slave, what would I hope someone would do for me? If I were to love others as I love myself, what would I do then? I don't expect you to answer those for me, but I encourage you to answer them for yourself. Then look at your neighbor.

Last Saturday, in the wee morning, our sixth band member arrived. Harper Sparrow, the long awaited and hoped-for baby of Curtis and Grace Romjue, has landed!!! We have LOVED getting to sit with her before her bass lessons start Monday.

This Sunday, we played at Seattle's historic Town Hall as part of the 2010 Seattle Poetry Slam GRAND SLAM, and had a slammin' good time. I felt like I was at the Denny's they closed in Ballard, eating a GRAND SLAM... because it was so delicious.

Seriously, what an honor! The Grand Slam is SPS's biggest event of the year, showcasing some of Seattle's finest spoken-word artists (with this year's feature Joaquin Zihuatanejo), and Sunday's show was no let down. I kind of 'have a thing' for this community. Many of the artists in the event continue to be good friends to me and have helped me exponentially as a writer and performer. We thoroughly enjoyed (and were thankful for) the opportunity to share our music and anti-slavery purpose as a group with such a warm audience. I even opened the event with a poem! Thanks again to the Seattle Poetry Slam.

The poetry that night was particularly heavy, with many of the poets sharing very deep, intimate thoughts and experiences about themselves. I was talking with world-renowned poet Danny Sherrard about vulnerability yesterday, and it made me think of Harper, as well as the slam - these two vastly different pictures of vulnerability. Harper has no choice. Her needs are so evident (and her parents are SO caring, by the way). But poet after poet took the stage, with every right to stay guarded and closed off, able to wear as much armor as they chose, yet many shared the most intimate of details about their lives. That kind of honesty scares me.

Why be vulnerable? Are you vulnerable with anyone? Why is it so hard? Leave your comments, I want to know what you think.

Hi. Steven here.

So, most of my pants are singing The Fray these days. As a result, I'm out questing for pants today in Capitol Hill. In every store, my size has shrunk. Same numbers, same waist, but very, very tight. What's the deal? Is this a commentary on the de-emphasis of solitude and personal space in our modern day? Has fashion flattened into a mirror of the voyeuristic-internet-social-site movement? Tell us what you think. I am still searching for pants.

In Jubilee news:

-Curtis and I will be finishing up the drum tracks for our new album (!) this week, and we are SO EXCITED about this CD. Already. I have laughed, cried, and even endured a short stint of graham-cracker-addiction as a result of these songs.
-We are in our new rehearsal space (The Carriage House), which rocks and is the result of many hands' hard work. We are so thankful for all the effort that has gone into this room. It is awesome.
-AND arguably most importantly, Curtis and Grace be expecting a baby this week! Harper Sparrow should be here any day now. Join us as we chomp at the bit-of-our-lives in excitement.

Just in case I was misunderstood earlier, it's totally cool if you like skinny jeans. Maybe I'm just not ready for that kind of commitment yet?