Home in Austin, Texas

Home, where the music’s playin’; Home, where everybody knows my name; Home, where I’m not on probation; Home, where eveyone knows me and loves me anyway; Home sweet Home, with those who made me who I am today.  I love you Austin…it’s been Heaven…thank you for calling me here, if even for just a little while. 

Know this, Sweet Austin, wherever I roam, you’ll always be Home.

Another Rigby Podcast: As Great As We Are America…God Likes Other People Too!

Take The Lowest Place or What Does It Really Mean to “Surrender”?

Dr. James Rigby

The last in Dr. Rigby’s series of coupling the writings of Eastern Taoism together with the texts of Western Christianity, in which he manages to unravel the mysteries of life in under twenty minutes.

It’s important to me that my readers know this man, this pastor, who has been faithful to one path called Truth for his enitre life, dedicated to one congregation called St. Andrew’s for more than twenty-five years, and committed fully to equipping humanity to live out their lives fully, in ways that press us towards our highest compassion, our deepest love, and our most authentic selves.  Unlike any theologian, pastor, minister, evangelist, televangelist I’ve ever known, he’s not selling anything.  He’s not after our pocketbooks.  He’s not after fame and wealth.  He doesn’t dress in expensive suits or drive expensive cars or even own a home–he’s more like the “Columbo” of ministers, living a modest and unassuming life.  He’s on this planet to do the work of justice; Dr. Rigby does so, every day of his life, with utter humility and grace.  He’s real, he’s funny, he’s deep and everytime he speaks, he articulates what most of us can’t even begin to put into words.  I am so grateful for this teacher, his life, his gifts that has surrendered on behalf of the greater good of and for us all.  {More on Dr. Rigby and his podcasts can be found on http://ashtoraspeaks.wordpress.com]

Master of storytelling, using metaphors and images from life in addition the symbols of the ages, Rigby attempts to help each of us to understand the concept of ‘Surrender’ in its deepest, most valuable context.  With the intimacy he shares with those who listen, self-evident, whether you actually “get this” or not, you’ll find this teacher’s insights easy to listen to, thought provoking and entertaining.  You can write him, Dr. Jim Rigby with your questions and comments:  jrigby0000@aol.com  He always takes the time to write back.

The spoon never tastes the soup; because it is not porous [the spoon] misses out on tasting the soup…so can we, if we don’t open every pore to the gift of this day and the next day….Rigby, 2008

[for Carol Creel's blog on Surrender, refer to www.lifeworks-marketing.com]

 

Can It Be All About Money and Power?: What Is “The Price of Pleasure: Pornography, Sexuality and Relationships”?

Finding it deserving of his own personal Q&A, Dr. Robert Jensen,  UT Journalism Professor and author of Getting Off: Pornography and the End of Masculinity, will be on hand for Alamo Drafthouse      Lamar’s Third Coast Film Night showing of this significant film, “The Price of Pleasure:  Pornography, Sexuality, and Relationships” [52 minute documentary presented by Open Lens Media & The Media Education Foundation A film by Miguel Picker & Chyng Sun Associate Producer: Robert Wosnitzer The Price of Pleasure: Pornography, Sexuality & Relationships Coming to DVD Fall 2008 http://www.thepriceofpleasure.com http://www.mediaed.org]   

As a journlist, Dr. Robert Jensen became an authority on the pornography industry, porn and its effects on the producers, participants, consumers and their relations.  His comprehensive knowledge, insights, conclusions and candid, straight-forward delivery may bring startling revelations to those fortunate enough to read his book and attend any event in which Dr. Jensen presents.  Though I’ve heard Dr. Jensen speak dozens of times, I’ve never failed to come away with a greater sense of self-respect and respect for the quality of man he represents.  Priceless.

If you’re in the Austin, Texas area, take advantage of these opportunities. 

If not, read Dr. Robert Jensen’s books~~each one, a labor of love aimed towards elevating humanity to its highest potential. ~~Ashtora, 2008 http://ashtoraspeaks.wordpress.com 

In either case, make use of NOWAR’s website: http://www.nowar.org/

Visit http://ThirdCoastActivist.org for event listings and news links.

Wednesday, August 27, 7 p.m.

Third Coast Film Night at Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar

“The Price of Pleasure: Pornography, Sexuality and Relationships”

Followed by a Q&A with UT Journalism Professor Robert Jensen

The critics of pornography have observed that in recent years, there are two trends occurring simultaneously: on the one hand, pornography has become more and more mainstream and accepted; on the other hand, newer, harsher and more degrading treatments of women are constantly being developed and quickly gain popularity, so the average content has become more and more extreme. Why is this happening?

To answer this question, The Price of Pleasure: Pornography, Sexuality and Relationships investigates the three independent yet interconnected aspects of the pornography industry – production, content and consumption – in order to help the audience gain a holistic understanding. It focuses on this central question: how does pornography help shape our gender and sexual identities, and our relationships?

This film includes interviews of pornographers, porn performers, and scholars in psychology, media, economics and popular culture. Most importantly, men and women candidly discuss how their or their partners’ use of pornography has affected them. The film provides not only analysis that debunk the myths and stories about abuse and alienation, but also revelations of pleasure, desire and humanity. Moreover, the film examines pornography’s effects on the performers and audience beyond the liberal celebrations as well as the conservative / moral denunciations; it engages a nuanced discussion of desire and harm, choice and system constraint, liberty and responsibility.

The 52 minute documentary will be followed by a Q&A with UT Journalism Professor Robert Jensen, the author of Getting Off: Pornography and the End of Masculinity.

Location: Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar The film and Q&A will be at the Alamo on South Lamar

Tickets – $8.50 general / $6.50 student, senior – are available at the door or online at http://www.originalalamo.com/Show.aspx?id=5624

This event is a benefit for Open Lens Media.

Wednesday, August 27, 8 p.m.

Documentary at MonkeyWrench Books: ”Live Nude Girls Unite!”

This first person documentary follows Julia Query, lesbian/stand-up comedian/peepshow-stripper, and daughter of a feminist activist, on her raucous journey to help organize the only union of strippers in the United States. Shot on a variety of formats, Live Nude Girls Unite! weaves backstage and dancing footage with labor organizing, street protests, stand-up comedy and comic-book style “animation” making an intelligent and dramatic cutting-edge film.

Location: MonkeyWrench Books, 110 E. North Loop.

Wednesday, September 11, 8 p.m.

“Gook: John McCain’s Racism and Why It Matters” - a talk with author Irwin Tang

Irwin Tang will lead a discussion on his new book, Gook: John McCain’s Racism and Why It Matters. The book offers a detailed history of Senator John McCain’s racial bias, including his habit of using the racial slur “gook.” Tang links racism with warmongering and examines McCain’s consistent advocacy of shooting wars in foreign countries.

Location: MonkeyWrench Books, 110 E. North Loop.