Last chance

It's the last day of June, which means it's your last day to weigh in on the June 2008 Question of the Month. And you've all been uncharacteristically silent this month. So look over there on the left side of this page and submit your response! It could appear in an upcoming issue of ec!

(p.s. You can also submit your responses on the discussion boards at ec's fan page and group on Facebook.)

I'm can't wait to hear what you have to say!

Why I had to cut a relationship out of my life

You've probably noticed that there isn't a new Snippets and Soundbites this Friday. Due to the team's travel schedule, it just didn't happen today. Never fear, though! Snippets will be back next Friday!

While Snippets may not be new, we do have a new post from Emily, ec's production editor. Check out her thoughts as spurred by the "Toxic Relationships" article on page 20 of the current issue.

“Reading Jennifer McCaman’s article on toxic relationships made me put on my thinking cap. I tried to recall friends in my life who’d had a toxic effect on me (or worse, friends on whom I’d had a toxic effect). Deciding not to stray too far into the past, I realized that there is one relationship I’ve definitely had to cut out of my life due its negative influence: my ties to the TV show “The Fabulous Life” on VH1. Maybe you’ve seen this foray into all things lavish, but I hope you haven’t (and won’t! Read on for why . . .)
“In college, it seemed like this show was always on. I’d come in from class, finish my homework, then watch some TV. Flipping through the channels, this show would suck me in as it explored the “fabulous” life of someone rich and famous. After watching how the celebrities spend/waste their money—A designer purse that costs thousands? I’ll take ten, one in every color—I would feel deprived and jealous, wondering why I didn’t have (and probably never would) what the stars seemed to take for granted.
“So I decided that the woe-is-me attitude and sulky outlook sparked by the show was reason enough to stop watching it. And I like myself and my life a whole lot better when I’m not comparing it to the ridiculous lives of celebrities! It wasn’t fun, and it wasn’t easy to force myself to change the channel or leave the room if my friends decided to watch it. But it was better than being cynical and temporarily depressed when I compared my life to the life of someone rich and famous.
“Take it from me, it’s not just people who can be toxic. You have to look carefully at EVERYTHING that is part of your life to determine what effect it has on you. As 1 Thessalonians 5:21 says, “Test all things. Hold on to what is good.”
—Emily

Music Minute: Deluxe Birthday Edition!

Jen here, with another Music Minute! (Today is my birthday and I'm trying to get some mileage out of it. Wish me a happy birthday!)

Special thanks to Mandy for pinch-hitting for me last time. I've been buried up to my neck redesigning ec, but it's finished now and we think you're going to love it! You'll find an all-new magazine starting with the October 2008 issue. 

What's brand new: It's a big week in Christian music! There's a new album from Kutless, one from Superchick, a new EP from rock worship group Fee, Canadian rapper Manafest, new wave duo Bon Voyage, indie rockers Seabird, and a 20th-anniversary disc from Amy Grant.



What we like: 

• Confession time here at ec: I loves me some Superchick. Not only do they consistently produce catchy records full of awesome messages, they are some seriously great people. (A few years ago I got to spend the day with them out in L.A. for an ec photo shoot and y'all - they are super cool and fun in real life.) Rock What You Got is their first album in three years. You'll find plenty to like on this album; our favorite is "Hey Hey," a sonic, guitar-filled power-pop tune with a funky beat. Check it out! 



• If you're a fan of Coldplay and U2, you're going to dig the new album from Kutless, To Know That You're Alive. We like "Complete," which features strings recorded at the historic Abbey Road Studios in London. And according to a recent press release, "After a summer of key music festivals, Kutless will headline the first ever Creation Tour, which will be a rock replica on wheels of the 30-year-old summer festival." Fun!



• Now for something a little different. Growing up, my family went camping every summer in Canada, and honestly, "Canada" and "hip-hop" are not two things I'd naturally put together. But Canadian hip-hop artist Manafest has totally proven me wrong with his new album, Citizens Activ, which is about people taking action in their own lives. If you're into TobyMac, you should definitely check this out. We like "Steppin Out,"  a totally awesome song featuring ska guitar thrown into an irresistible dance track.



• Fans of new wave music will love Lies, the new release from Bon Voyage. It's mellow, happy pop with ever-so-slightly mechanical singing and beats in the spirit of the best 80s new wave music - but it's not campy, just good fun! (For example, "Monster" talks about wanting to be a monster under the stairs.) Anyway, check out "Wake Up Make Up" and you'll see what I mean - this stuff is seriously catchy, and I'm not just saying that because I grew up in the 80s!



What we're looking forward to: the new Nicole C. Mullen album releasing July 22. If you want great, uplifting R&B-style tunes, look no further!

What we don't like: Getting a farmer's sunburn (worse than a farmer's tan!), perfume addicts who leave a little trail everywhere they go, and getting a flat tire.

Go west, young man

This week, most of the ec team is in Glorieta, N.M., conducting a focus group with teens from all over the place—Texas, Utah, New Mexico—all in hopes of making ec the best teen mag out there. (And everyone, send some love to Jen, ec's graphic design guru, who's back at home in Nashville, working away.)

The trip to New Mexico was long, but we're all having a wonderful time. (From the pic, you can tell that Glorieta is beautiful! So beautiful that Mike and Emily had to get a picture of it!) It's great to be in Glorieta, where things are so peaceful and relaxing. And God is at work here—teens are getting saved at Centrifuge, the Word of God is being declared, and His presence is very near. It's a good place to be.

And we're getting to hear from real readers about ec. They're telling us what things interest them, like movies, music, and stores. We're also getting honest feedback about the issues you're facing, stories you want us to tackle, and how well you think we're doing that in the magazine.

So take some time today and say a prayer for the ec team today. We're hard at work on a new redesigned ec that tackles the real life things you're facing. While you're at it, pray for the teens just like you here at camp this week (and at Christian camps all over the country). God is at work, and He wants to work in your life!

Friday Snippets and Soundbites

• Tiger Woods won the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines this week and captured his 14th major championship. Tiger and Rocco Mediate took the tournament to an intense 18-hole playoff on Monday, with Tiger sliding past Mediate by one stroke, 358-359. After winning, Tiger announced that he'll undergo season-ending knee surgery and give the double stress fracture in his left tibia time to heal. Who knew golf could be so injury-prone?

• Need a laugh of historical proportions? Check out this video. Betsy Ross and Ben Franklin's nuptials are fast approaching!

• The International Institute for Species Exploration released its top 10 new species list this week, featuring new plants and animals discovered in 2007. There are some lethal animals: a box jellyfish and the Central Ranges Taipan, which is thought to be the most venomous snake in the world. Then there are the creatures with funny names: the Michelin Man™, a plant from Western Australia that looks like the famous tire spokesman, and a sleeper ray from South Africa named for the Electrolux vacuum cleaner brand. Want to know more? Go here.

• Need to express your opinion about something? See that link for Question of the Month right over there on the left? How about telling us your answer? It could be printed in an upcoming issue!

I spy . . .

Living in Nashville is a great experience. Sometimes you see country and Christian music stars at your favorite restaurant or walking down the street. (And if you're anything like me, you don't recognize them!) So there's a lot of fun experiences and things you get to see in Nashville that don't really happen all that often elsewhere. Like this:


That's right. It's Hawk Nelson's "HawkMart" truck, parked outside a local Wal-Mart store when I stopped in last night to get a prescription filled. I'm not sure if the guys were anywhere in the vicinity or even in the store—I went through the drive-thru! But even musicians and merch workers have to eat, so I'm sure the crew was stocking up! The guys of Hawk Nelson are playing a lot of festivals this summer and plan to travel to 32 Minor League parks to entertain fans with pre- and post-game concerts.

What are some funny sights you've seen around your neighborhoods? Let us know in the comments section. Better yet, post a pic!

(Sorry for the picture quality. You can only expect so much when you're taking the picture with your phone!)

Friday Snippets and Soundbites

• Scalpel. Heart monitors. Claw hammers. All tools of the trade for doctors, right? Wait a minute, claw hammers? Yep, that's right. A doctor in Kansas used a claw hammer to remove a nail from George Chandler of Shawnee this week. Chandler and a friend had been working around Chandler's house, mounting lattice to his deck and using a nail gun to make the work faster and easier. At some point, the hose on the nail gun got caught and Chandler's friend had to work to free it. When he did, the gun discharged. At first the men couldn't find the nail, then the friend saw it, sticking through Chandler's cap. He called 911. At the hospital, doctors removed the nail and sent Chandler home. Need to know more? Watch this video.

• Chris Martin, lead singer of the band Coldplay, walked out on an interview with Britain's Radio 4 yesterday in a strange turn of events. Coldplay's latest album, Viva La Vida or Death to All His Friends released in the UK yesterday and streets in the US on Tuesday. Martin was apparently uncomfortable with the interview from the outset, and left the interview after only a few minutes, saying he was not enjoying himself and didn't enjoy having to talk about things. Drummer Will Champion remained in the studio answering questions until the frontman returned to answer the final question. . . vaguely. Still confused? So are we! Read more here.

• With the International Space Station's bathroom repaired and the Japanese lab delivered and up and running, the Space Shuttle Discovery is expected to return to Earth tomorrow. Garrett Reismann, who has lived on the station for three months, is also hitching a ride home via Discovery. In their last day of orbit, the crew is expected to check out its flight control systems and steering jets in preparation for landing. Read on, my friends, by clicking here.

• Visitors are flocking to a nature preserve in the Tuscan region of Italy to see a "unicorn" deer. The year-old dear was born in captivity and has a genetic disorder that caused a single horn to grow out of the center of his head. His twin has two horns, according to officials. Want to know more and see pics? Go here.

Music Minute

So, usually it's ec's trusty graphic design guru and lover of all things musical, Jen, who drops by twice a month to write the Music Minute. . . but right this minute, she's working furiously on ec's redesign, set to find its way into your hands in October. That girl has been working around the clock, and we can't wait to see what you think about ec's new look, focus, and feel!

So in the meantime, let's take a look the new releases this week in the realm of Christian music! Ready, set, go!

What's brand new:
(and we're really excited about—well, at least I am)
• Jon Foreman's release of Fall and Winter, the first of his seasonally themed solo series of EPs. The Spring and Summer 2-disc set will release on June 24. Foreman, the frontman of Switchfoot, knows these songs are a departure from the band's style, but says they're also another side of him. The music is stripped down, mostly acoustic, deeply personal and introspective. The whole series moves listners from themes of depression, death, and darkness to reflections on growth and rebirth. These are personal songs for Foreman, highly autobiographical and, therefore, too personal for a band to release. The solo albums won't distract from Switchfoot, even though Foreman is currently working on another side venture called the Real SeanJon with Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek. Why we like it? It's beautiful in its simplicity, full of poetic lyrics, and in the end, brings us to a place of worship. Give a listen to "My Love Goes Free."


• Need something a little harder? Try Inhale/Exhale's release I Swear. The group is often described as Christian metalcore, and the album testifies to that with big guitar riffs and screaming vocals. Need a release for stress or anger? Listen to a few of these tracks and dance it out! Check out "No One Is Invincible."


• Anthony Evans also brings something new to the table this week with his gospel album, The Bridge. It's a worship-based project, full of songs you probably know in Anthony's unique style. Play it while you're cleaning up your room. You'll make your mom happy and worship God at the same time!


What we're looking forward to:
Kutless and Superchick both release new albums on June 24. We can't wait to see what these two Christian superbands have to say this time!

What we don't like: close talkers, Debbie Downers, and humidity

Going for the Gold

If you've flipped through the June issue of ec, you've seen the first article in our summer series on the Olympics, which are set to start August 8 in China. (Set your DVRs! And if you haven't seen the story, check out page 36.)

All that talk about the Olympics got ec production editor Emily thinking about sports, medals, movies, and all things Olympics. That led to this:

OK, so the Olympics are coming up. A quick search through the Internet Movie Database (a GREAT site!) revealed that there are lots of movies that reference or center around the Olympic Games. Who knew the Olympics were such popular movie fodder? Check out our list below and see if any of these ring a bell. (But don’t think we’re advocating that you should watch any of them. . .why don’t you get outside and start practicing for the 2012 Olympic Games instead?)

• Munich (2005)—ec editor Mandy once did a history day project on the events that inspired this movie.
• Miracle (2004)
• Ice Angel (2000)
• Without Limits (1998)
• Cool Runnings (1993)
• The Cutting Edge (1992)—"Toe pick!”
• Chariots of Fire (1981)
• For Your Eyes Only (1981)
• Dawn! (1979)
• International Velvet (1978)
• A Separate Peace (1972)
• One in a Million (1936)
—Emily

Friday Snippets and Soundbites

• File this one under "Things I Thought I'd Never Hear": This week, the astronauts aboard the International Space Station set out on a very important mission—fixing the station's sole toilet. The residents of the space station had been forced to take drastic measures and use the bathroom aboard the Soyuz escape craft that's permanently attached to the ISS. NASA managed to get a much needed part—a pump—aboard the space shuttle Discovery when it launched on May 31. The shuttle docked with the space station and everyone worked together to get the facilities in working order. The main reason for Discovery's trip to the International Space Station: to deliver a lab from Japan, get it up and running, and swap out a crew member.

• Family Force Five released their latest offering, a 3-song EP called Dance or Die on iTunes this week. Their upcoming sophomore album is set to hit the streets this fall and include 10 or more songs. The band will spend the summer playing festivals, including the Ichthus Festival, Alive Festival, Creation East, Kings Dominion, Rock the Desert, Power Light Festival, Lifelight Festival, and end the summer with their 40-city Warped Tour (June 21-August 17). Check out "Dance or Die"!

• Emilio Navarro may be 102, but that didn't stop the New York Yankees from drafting him in the Major League Baseball amateur draft. Navarro and 29 other former baseball players who played in the Negro League were drafted yesterday in a pre-draft ceremony. The men had been denied entrance into the big leagues in their playing days because of their skin color. Navarro was the first Puerto Rican to play in the Negro Leagues and is the oldest living professional ballplayer. The men accepted the tribute (dreamed up by Hall-of-Famer Dave Winfield and embraced by the MLB) with true graciousness. “We are like Major League baseball players now," said Neale Henderson, a 78-year-old second baseman expected to be drafted by the Los Angeles Angels. Read more about the draft here.

• Two men were arrested in New York City yesterday (big surprise, huh?) . . . for climbing the 52-story office building that houses The New York Times. Both men, Alain Robert and Roberto Clarke, were arrested when they reached the top. Robert has climbed more than 70 skyscrapers around the world and climbed the building yesterday to mark World Environmental Day. It is not clear why Clarke climbed the building. The men were arrested for reckless endangerment, criminal trespass, and disorderly conduct. Read more about it here.

Shane and Shane: 2 wild and crazy guys!

We promised you outtakes of our photoshoot with CCM duo Shane and Shane, featured on this month's cover, and here they are! Wanna see them all? Go here to see some of our favorite moments all in one place.

Picture: © 2008 Scott Greenwalt Photography

Shane and Shane rocked our faces off!

The ec team and writers had a great time putting together the June issue, especially when it came to the cover story on Christian recording artists Shane and Shane. Need more Shane and Shane info? Here's your chance!

Shane Barnard, who wrote the June cover story (on page 7 of the issue) married Bethany Dillon, a fellow Christian recording artist, in March. (We like to think of them as a CCM super-couple!) If you'd like to see a slideshow from that special event, go here.

Want to see Shane and Shane in action. Check out these videos:




Want to hear them on iTunes? Here's some links you'll enjoy.
• “Before the Throne of God” from Pages:
•“Burn Us Up” also from Pages:
• Need something a little old school? Try this link to “Psalm 145” from An Evening with Shane and Shane:

Be on the lookout for outtakes from our photo shoot with Shane and Shane later this week! :)