[ News from Kennyland ]

Friday, May 05, 2006

From Cymbeline:

"What shall I need to draw my sword? The paper
Hath cut her throat already. No, 'tis slander,
Whose edge is sharper than the sword, whose tongue
Outvenoms all the worms of the Nile, whose breath
Rides on the posting winds and doth belie
All corners of the world. Kings, queens, and states,
Maids, matrons, nay, the secrets of the grave
This viperous slander enters..."

(3.4. 32-39)

Posted by: Kenny @ 5:15 PM

Thursday, January 19, 2006

It is known that Britain’s is in many ways a sports oriented society. Beyond simply watching sports on the television or even going to games, it seems the British are very keen on practicing some kind of sport, or various, throughout their entire lifetime. In Durham, no matter the time you walk about the city and surroundings, you will always find a number of people, either alone or in groups, practicing or training for some sport. As you walk alongside the Wear river in daylight you will see a heap of boats with one, two, four, six, or even eight people sweating and rowing as carefully as possible. As you walk to the library or Science Site, you will always hear whistles and grunts as numerous youths run around in hockey, rugby, football or other garments after balls of different sizes. And always will you have to jump out of the way (generally right into a busy motorway) for one or more joggers, completely oblivious to the slow walkers.

I’ve had an interesting history in sports myself, very unsuccessful to say the least, and have at times wondered what it takes to be a real “sport” person. One of the things I’ve found fascinating about true addicts on a certain sport, is how they almost enjoy the pain and tarry in the difficult training it takes to become decently good at it. Certainly no one can actually enjoy pain unless subject to a mental sickness. But it seems, in the case of competitive sports, Machiavello’s saying proves true: “The end justifies the means”. Sportsmen have learned, through many losses and victories, that the hard work and toil pays off at the end. It pays off, not only in the victory itself (that does help), but in looking back and seeing how one has overcome himself, his limits, even his fears quite often. That goal, then, remains fixed in front of his eyes, drenched with sweat, as he hurts in the training.

This striving for goals that at first are far beyond their reach is another virtue in Britain’s citizens. I find it very inspiring to attend classes with young people who are ready, and happy, to work hard – even to suffer a bit if necessary – knowing that the taste of overcoming oneself can only come from that. This, they seem to find, is true success.

Posted by: Kenny @ 11:32 PM

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

The truth is I've had a hard time adapting to my current situation living in England. For this reason, now that I'm back and determined to get the most out of it, I have decided to take on an exploratory attitude and, instead of finding reasons to complain about Britain and the particular traditions they hold, I will dedicate two or three posts a week to reasons to celebrate this sophisticated country. These I will call: Peculiar days in Britain.

So far, in the 3 months I have spent in this Island, I have not experienced what I would define as a hot day, I don't recall even a warm day. Nonetheless, every day, whether it be sunny, windy, raining, snowing or hail was falling... I have observed that, roughly, the same number of people busily run around in the streets. When I ponder this, the slogan for the American Post Service comes to mind "Rain or snow..." but applying to the everyday brit. This determination to do what they want to do (shopping, mail, visiting a museum, walking alongside the river, etc.) on the day they want to do it, not only applies to going out in harsh weather. Perhaps because of this, brits have an in-built ability to overcome whatever obstacle arises. Although it can't be said to apply to all, I've found that most british people, when they say they will do something, work very hard and will put forth no excuse to finish it. Neither do they, as seen in the Academic or legal environment, tend to accept any excuse for a delay or fail to comply to the regulations. Perhaps this determination to finish things as quickly as possible (and, as we will see later, as neatly and effectively as possible) is part of the reason why Britain has been able to keep itself about a head in front of all the rest of European countries during the second half of this century...

Posted by: Kenny @ 8:01 PM

Sunday, January 15, 2006

The church I’ve been attending here in Durham, England, had always seemed a bit dry for me since the first day I entered. Sure, there are about 200 students that attend, good teaching and there’s nothing essentially wrong with worship, but I just couldn’t get into the whole thing. Little things bothered me, and every day I would find another fault: either with the English cultural differences, this church’s particular tradition, the musicians, etc. Today it was different. After a long and needed holiday back in Spain, I woke up this morning with a determination to find God and his blessing in every circumstance I have drifted –or been led– into here in the British Isles. A few hours later, as I knelt down, feeling not only completely surrounded by God’s presence, but also by a large and loving family, I found something I can only describe as joy. Once I got over my egocentric desires and selfish complaints, and finally re-submitted my life to the one who made it and began giving thanks instead of requiring it from Him, his joy has invaded my life.

With this example my last 5 months can be pretty much summarized. Throughout all the projects, decisions and strange situations I’ve found myself in, my character has been firmly challenged and changed by a loving hand that can only characterize the Lord. I’d like to briefly share some of these trying situations (most of them are now successfully coming towards an end) and where I am now.

UNIVERSITY

This year I was given an “Erasmus” scholarship which basically allows me to study for one year in a different University and country (without paying tuition fees beyond what I pay at home). I am now attending Durham University (one of the most prestigious in England after Oxford and Cambridge) and learning how to work à la British presenting constant essays and learning to find and keep to a simple point (hopefully this newsletter will keep to some of that principle). I’ve also found a great church here where I am getting involved in worship and sharing, as well as contributing to put together a week of 24-7 prayer towards the end of this term. The truth is I’m learning a lot about a different way of viewing the world both in my academic studies (I take Modern Philosophy, Aesthetics, Shakespeare, Cold War History and just dropped Russian because I couldn’t seem to cope with so many subjects) and in the strong Christians that I have been privileged to meet here. I have a lot of ideas already to take back to Spain.

SPAIN

Talking of my dear home, I’ve left a few projects behind, once again being forced to place things in other hands and giving space (geographically even) for other young leaders to find their calling and gifts where I had been previously. As well as these projects that I will now name, I should probably mention that I am still dating Marta, a lovely Basc girl. Casually, she happened to move to Madrid this year (right when I left) to carry on her masters studies in Video Post-production and technology. In other words, she’s designing “Finding Nemo” effects in Madrid while I’m reading Shakespeare in England.

UNDERGROUND WORSHIP

As you’ll remember from my last e-mail, we were about to embark on an acoustic worship CD project this summer. Well, it all worked out perfectly. A bunch of friends and myself managed to get the same holidays and made it up to the North of Spain to record a day of live worship in a friends basement. Somehow we were able to put down a very professional sound that we then passed on to one of the top guys in all of Spain and part of Europe to master the tracks down. These last few months have tried our patience to the bitter end as we waited on the “professionals” to finish the CD design and get those to the CD factory. As far as we know, by next week we will have the first CD’s off the press and will be able to put them on the market a.s.a.p. I already have some of your orders, if anyone else would like a copy, let me know, they will cost around 12€, less than $15 including transportation.

This Underground Worship project has me very excited, even from far away, as we see more and more young people finding a connexion with God, not just in musical worship, but taking that a step further into prayer and evangelism. We’re not sure where it is going, but the vision has grown to all of Spain, where there is an event happening at least once every two months (whether I’m there or not!), and there are plans of taking the concept beyond the Spanish border at some point.

THE END

As I said earlier, most of my time is taken up this year in learning how to study in England. I’m being constantly challenged here not only in keeping up my academic studies, but also with my money handling. Life is much more expensive here (almost double) than in Spain, so I’ve had to find a part-time job as a waiter in a local hotel. I had also signed up for more classes than I had to here, so I’ve decided to drop a couple and, instead, concentrate a bit more on writing and perhaps even publishing in a couple magazines, since that is where I’m feeling called more and more. I have plans in the next few years to finish my degree and then study for another year to be able to high school. I’m not sure that’s what I want to do the rest of my life, but that does seem, currently, an option I’d like to have open to me.

I hope that gives you all an idea of where my life is and where it’s headed.

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel. Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise.” Phi. 4:6-8

That should do it. Blessings to all,

Kenny Clewett

Posted by: Kenny @ 5:33 PM

Monday, December 12, 2005

I've now missed two tutorials that are the ONLY cumpulsory classes I have to take here. My head just isn't working in the cold, I would check my schedule in the morning, and say "Okay, today I have a tutorial, let's go!" and then, halfway to the Uni, I'll have forgotten and get there completely confused: "Why have I come if I don't have any classes?" and then, 2 hours later, I will remember again and try to kick myself in the butt for being so stupid, but just sprain my ankle instead not able to twist in such a necessarily supernatural way. Will I ever be able to remember things properly? I'll just keep praying for the Japanese to increase in knowledge so as to finally be able to insert a chip into my head that incorporates little alarms for those things that keep escaping this oh-so-forgetful brain.

Posted by: Kenny @ 1:33 PM

Friday, December 02, 2005

I swear I feel like crying now,
Letting the tears flow
Until from this drenchèd ground
Sprouts forth a monstrous form,
Birthed of salt and water,
Fruit of the deepest of sorrows.

Would that form,
The deathlike figure,
Arouse compassion from somewhere,
From someone who has also created,
And painfully spit out
Their own formless child.

The pain we share,
Is the same to many more,
Whose wombs are sown shut,
Whose lips, glued together.
These will find their cry in our creations,
And long to touch our babes.

These beings, however,
Are so imperfect,
Like us,
Yet worse.
They cannot speak clear enough,
And will be gravely misunderstood.

And the masses will turn to them,
As gods and holders of truths,
And their worship will be mal-driven,
And the sorrow will never end.

...

Then should we stop our weeping?
Should we end this once for all?

I scorn this very question,
For the answer is well known.
We know there is no ending,
And what’s near is not so close.

* After seeing McBeth in the Gala Theatre (Durham), November 11, 2005.

Posted by: Kenny @ 11:34 AM

Sunday, November 13, 2005

Macbeth

I had never seen a Shakespeare play before, I must admit, and I was very curious to see what kind of public it would draw in a town like Durham. I was surprised to find every shade of hair bobbing around the theatre: blond, black, grey and none, as we were pleasantly seated.

The play began with a series of loud-whispery sounds through the PA with a white excorcist type girl on the stage acting possessed. As she did this a forest of swords, pointing downwards, were raised until being right above the ground.

The king appeared, and then Macbeth, the girl as the witch (much more attractive then the three wretches I always imagined from my readings) prophesied the rest. Then the swords were raised, playing with the lights as they went on but, -wait- they didn’t quite make it above the curtain… During the rest of the play these four lines of swords, loosely hanging and twisting downwards haunted the whole production. The expression “between the sword and the wall” (changing the last word to ground) was a supreme allegory that dominated the play. In every scene ones eyes were made to dart upwards a few times quickly thinking “what if they fell?” and turning back to the action.

The swords did fall, motioning the moving of the forest and the downfall of the well corrupt Macbeth as he fell over his breathless wife signalling the end of a short, but exquisite play. I especially enjoyed the Scottish feel to the whole play, very appropriate to the Scottish King that Shakespeare initially intended.

Kenneth L. Clewett – Durham 11/11/05

Posted by: Kenny @ 7:06 PM

[ News from Kennyland ]

	Friday, May 05, 2006 From Cymbeline: "What shall I need to draw my sword? The paper Hath cut her throat already. No, 'tis slander, Whose edge is sharper than the sword, whose tongue Outvenoms all the worms of the Nile, whose breath Rides on the posting winds and doth belie All corners of the world. Kings, queens, and states, Maids, matrons, nay, the secrets of the grave This viperous slander enters..." (3.4. 32-39) Posted by: Kenny @ 5:15 PM Thursday, January 19, 2006 It is known that Britain’s is in many ways a sports oriented society. Beyond simply watching sports on the television or even going to games, it seems the British are very keen on practicing some kind of sport, or various, throughout their entire lifetime. In Durham, no matter the time you walk about the city and surroundings, you will always find a number of people, either alone or in groups, practicing or training for some sport. As you walk alongside the Wear river in daylight you will see a heap of boats with one, two, four, six, or even eight people sweating and rowing as carefully as possible. As you walk to the library or Science Site, you will always hear whistles and grunts as numerous youths run around in hockey, rugby, football or other garments after balls of different sizes. And always will you have to jump out of the way (generally right into a busy motorway) for one or more joggers, completely oblivious to the slow walkers. I’ve had an interesting history in sports myself, very unsuccessful to say the least, and have at times wondered what it takes to be a real “sport” person. One of the things I’ve found fascinating about true addicts on a certain sport, is how they almost enjoy the pain and tarry in the difficult training it takes to become decently good at it. Certainly no one can actually enjoy pain unless subject to a mental sickness. But it seems, in the case of competitive sports, Machiavello’s saying proves true: “The end justifies the means”. Sportsmen have learned, through many losses and victories, that the hard work and toil pays off at the end. It pays off, not only in the victory itself (that does help), but in looking back and seeing how one has overcome himself, his limits, even his fears quite often. That goal, then, remains fixed in front of his eyes, drenched with sweat, as he hurts in the training. This striving for goals that at first are far beyond their reach is another virtue in Britain’s citizens. I find it very inspiring to attend classes with young people who are ready, and happy, to work hard – even to suffer a bit if necessary – knowing that the taste of overcoming oneself can only come from that. This, they seem to find, is true success. Posted by: Kenny @ 11:32 PM Tuesday, January 17, 2006 The truth is I've had a hard time adapting to my current situation living in England. For this reason, now that I'm back and determined to get the most out of it, I have decided to take on an exploratory attitude and, instead of finding reasons to complain about Britain and the particular traditions they hold, I will dedicate two or three posts a week to reasons to celebrate this sophisticated country. These I will call: Peculiar days in Britain. So far, in the 3 months I have spent in this Island, I have not experienced what I would define as a hot day, I don't recall even a warm day. Nonetheless, every day, whether it be sunny, windy, raining, snowing or hail was falling... I have observed that, roughly, the same number of people busily run around in the streets. When I ponder this, the slogan for the American Post Service comes to mind "Rain or snow..." but applying to the everyday brit. This determination to do what they want to do (shopping, mail, visiting a museum, walking alongside the river, etc.) on the day they want to do it, not only applies to going out in harsh weather. Perhaps because of this, brits have an in-built ability to overcome whatever obstacle arises. Although it can't be said to apply to all, I've found that most british people, when they say they will do something, work very hard and will put forth no excuse to finish it. Neither do they, as seen in the Academic or legal environment, tend to accept any excuse for a delay or fail to comply to the regulations. Perhaps this determination to finish things as quickly as possible (and, as we will see later, as neatly and effectively as possible) is part of the reason why Britain has been able to keep itself about a head in front of all the rest of European countries during the second half of this century... Posted by: Kenny @ 8:01 PM Sunday, January 15, 2006 The church I’ve been attending here in Durham, England, had always seemed a bit dry for me since the first day I entered. Sure, there are about 200 students that attend, good teaching and there’s nothing essentially wrong with worship, but I just couldn’t get into the whole thing. Little things bothered me, and every day I would find another fault: either with the English cultural differences, this church’s particular tradition, the musicians, etc. Today it was different. After a long and needed holiday back in Spain, I woke up this morning with a determination to find God and his blessing in every circumstance I have drifted –or been led– into here in the British Isles. A few hours later, as I knelt down, feeling not only completely surrounded by God’s presence, but also by a large and loving family, I found something I can only describe as joy. Once I got over my egocentric desires and selfish complaints, and finally re-submitted my life to the one who made it and began giving thanks instead of requiring it from Him, his joy has invaded my life. With this example my last 5 months can be pretty much summarized. Throughout all the projects, decisions and strange situations I’ve found myself in, my character has been firmly challenged and changed by a loving hand that can only characterize the Lord. I’d like to briefly share some of these trying situations (most of them are now successfully coming towards an end) and where I am now. UNIVERSITY This year I was given an “Erasmus” scholarship which basically allows me to study for one year in a different University and country (without paying tuition fees beyond what I pay at home). I am now attending Durham University (one of the most prestigious in England after Oxford and Cambridge) and learning how to work à la British presenting constant essays and learning to find and keep to a simple point (hopefully this newsletter will keep to some of that principle). I’ve also found a great church here where I am getting involved in worship and sharing, as well as contributing to put together a week of 24-7 prayer towards the end of this term. The truth is I’m learning a lot about a different way of viewing the world both in my academic studies (I take Modern Philosophy, Aesthetics, Shakespeare, Cold War History and just dropped Russian because I couldn’t seem to cope with so many subjects) and in the strong Christians that I have been privileged to meet here. I have a lot of ideas already to take back to Spain. SPAIN Talking of my dear home, I’ve left a few projects behind, once again being forced to place things in other hands and giving space (geographically even) for other young leaders to find their calling and gifts where I had been previously. As well as these projects that I will now name, I should probably mention that I am still dating Marta, a lovely Basc girl. Casually, she happened to move to Madrid this year (right when I left) to carry on her masters studies in Video Post-production and technology. In other words, she’s designing “Finding Nemo” effects in Madrid while I’m reading Shakespeare in England. UNDERGROUND WORSHIP As you’ll remember from my last e-mail, we were about to embark on an acoustic worship CD project this summer. Well, it all worked out perfectly. A bunch of friends and myself managed to get the same holidays and made it up to the North of Spain to record a day of live worship in a friends basement. Somehow we were able to put down a very professional sound that we then passed on to one of the top guys in all of Spain and part of Europe to master the tracks down. These last few months have tried our patience to the bitter end as we waited on the “professionals” to finish the CD design and get those to the CD factory. As far as we know, by next week we will have the first CD’s off the press and will be able to put them on the market a.s.a.p. I already have some of your orders, if anyone else would like a copy, let me know, they will cost around 12€, less than $15 including transportation. This Underground Worship project has me very excited, even from far away, as we see more and more young people finding a connexion with God, not just in musical worship, but taking that a step further into prayer and evangelism. We’re not sure where it is going, but the vision has grown to all of Spain, where there is an event happening at least once every two months (whether I’m there or not!), and there are plans of taking the concept beyond the Spanish border at some point. THE END As I said earlier, most of my time is taken up this year in learning how to study in England. I’m being constantly challenged here not only in keeping up my academic studies, but also with my money handling. Life is much more expensive here (almost double) than in Spain, so I’ve had to find a part-time job as a waiter in a local hotel. I had also signed up for more classes than I had to here, so I’ve decided to drop a couple and, instead, concentrate a bit more on writing and perhaps even publishing in a couple magazines, since that is where I’m feeling called more and more. I have plans in the next few years to finish my degree and then study for another year to be able to high school. I’m not sure that’s what I want to do the rest of my life, but that does seem, currently, an option I’d like to have open to me. I hope that gives you all an idea of where my life is and where it’s headed. “Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel. Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise.” Phi. 4:6-8 That should do it. Blessings to all, Kenny Clewett Posted by: Kenny @ 5:33 PM Monday, December 12, 2005 I've now missed two tutorials that are the ONLY cumpulsory classes I have to take here. My head just isn't working in the cold, I would check my schedule in the morning, and say "Okay, today I have a tutorial, let's go!" and then, halfway to the Uni, I'll have forgotten and get there completely confused: "Why have I come if I don't have any classes?" and then, 2 hours later, I will remember again and try to kick myself in the butt for being so stupid, but just sprain my ankle instead not able to twist in such a necessarily supernatural way. Will I ever be able to remember things properly? I'll just keep praying for the Japanese to increase in knowledge so as to finally be able to insert a chip into my head that incorporates little alarms for those things that keep escaping this oh-so-forgetful brain. Posted by: Kenny @ 1:33 PM Friday, December 02, 2005 I swear I feel like crying now, Letting the tears flow Until from this drenchèd ground Sprouts forth a monstrous form, Birthed of salt and water, Fruit of the deepest of sorrows. Would that form, The deathlike figure, Arouse compassion from somewhere, From someone who has also created, And painfully spit out Their own formless child. The pain we share, Is the same to many more, Whose wombs are sown shut, Whose lips, glued together. These will find their cry in our creations, And long to touch our babes. These beings, however, Are so imperfect, Like us, Yet worse. They cannot speak clear enough, And will be gravely misunderstood. And the masses will turn to them, As gods and holders of truths, And their worship will be mal-driven, And the sorrow will never end. ... Then should we stop our weeping? Should we end this once for all? I scorn this very question, For the answer is well known. We know there is no ending, And what’s near is not so close. * After seeing McBeth in the Gala Theatre (Durham), November 11, 2005. Posted by: Kenny @ 11:34 AM Sunday, November 13, 2005 Macbeth I had never seen a Shakespeare play before, I must admit, and I was very curious to see what kind of public it would draw in a town like Durham. I was surprised to find every shade of hair bobbing around the theatre: blond, black, grey and none, as we were pleasantly seated. The play began with a series of loud-whispery sounds through the PA with a white excorcist type girl on the stage acting possessed. As she did this a forest of swords, pointing downwards, were raised until being right above the ground. The king appeared, and then Macbeth, the girl as the witch (much more attractive then the three wretches I always imagined from my readings) prophesied the rest. Then the swords were raised, playing with the lights as they went on but, -wait- they didn’t quite make it above the curtain… During the rest of the play these four lines of swords, loosely hanging and twisting downwards haunted the whole production. The expression “between the sword and the wall” (changing the last word to ground) was a supreme allegory that dominated the play. In every scene ones eyes were made to dart upwards a few times quickly thinking “what if they fell?” and turning back to the action. The swords did fall, motioning the moving of the forest and the downfall of the well corrupt Macbeth as he fell over his breathless wife signalling the end of a short, but exquisite play. I especially enjoyed the Scottish feel to the whole play, very appropriate to the Scottish King that Shakespeare initially intended. Kenneth L. Clewett – Durham 11/11/05 Posted by: Kenny @ 7:06 PM	:ARCHIVE 12/01/2003 - 01/01/2004 01/01/2004 - 02/01/2004 02/01/2004 - 03/01/2004 03/01/2004 - 04/01/2004 04/01/2004 - 05/01/2004 07/01/2004 - 08/01/2004 11/01/2004 - 12/01/2004 12/01/2004 - 01/01/2005 07/01/2005 - 08/01/2005 11/01/2005 - 12/01/2005 12/01/2005 - 01/01/2006 01/01/2006 - 02/01/2006 05/01/2006 - 06/01/2006 Friends: link link link link