Opening Thoughts

Welcome...and thanks for coming by to read. I've not blogged prior to this, but as I'm trying to immerse myself in the vast world of Web 2.0 before it upgrades to 2.1, 2.2, or even 3.0, I thought I would begin.

A bit about myself at this point would probably be apropos. My name is Ben. I'm a husband, father, musician, gym teacher, and armchair theologian. Let me correct that. I really wouldn't say I'm a theologian by any means. I enjoy the discussion, reading, and stretching of the mind associated with the study.

I'm an ex-Yankee. I grew up outside Philadelphia, spent my college years in western NY state, and now happily live way below the Mason Dixon line by the beach in South Carolina.

The title: The String and the Sound comes from my fascination and ever-increasing bond with the guitar. Music is my starting point for a lot of my thinking; a kind of home base for me. The guitar is the primary means by which I express myself musically. When I pick up the guitar and play, the instrument responds to the way in which it is played. There is technique, nuance, tempo, feeling, and strategy. But human input is not all that drives the song. The song speaks for itself. It takes on a life of its own. It hopefully will become its own entity apart from me once it is heard by others. It then becomes theirs as well. Jeff Tweedy from Wilco wrote it well in "What Light." (Video)

And if the whole world’s singing your songs

And all of your paintings have been hung
Just remember what was yours is everyone’s from now on

The blog title is also a bit of a metaphor as well. I'd be disingenuous if I didn't reveal that I'm perpetually haunted by the gospel of Christ. As the song takes on a life of its own as its played and revealed, so does the gospel. As Christ moves in a person, he will express himself. Not in the same way. (We get ourselves in a world of trouble when we expect all those who seek to follow Christ to act and respond the same way.) I can't help writing from this perspective. If I kick against the gospel, it will reveal itself despite me (thankfully).

So I hope these opening thoughts have allowed for snippets of insight into who I am and how I go about thinking. Check back, say hi, I'll keep writing.

-B