geek

Life Office

8 Mar ’13 by Christopher Hopper 4 Comments

How Tech Has Created A New Kind of Work Space

Much like Starbucks purported itself to be the new Third Space, attempting to replace “home, office, church” with “home, office, Starbucks,” (finding it at least a little ironic that now some churches serve Starbucks), and that storytellers try and hide the Fourth Plane, that of being the metaphorical wall that hides the author’s hand from the eye of the beholder (whether camera or written plot device), I am joining many before me in shedding some light on my Second Office, or what I tend to think of as my Life Office.

Work spaces are important. They need to have certain qualities that help promote focus, efficiency and productivity. These include comfort, a level of seclusion, and services, all of which depend greatly on the nature of the work and the individual worker.

While I’m busy redesigning New Life’s office wing, including our front office and conference room, I’m also aware that in 2013, devices–not just spaces–help decide where an office can be.

“Taking the office with you” has been the axiom and pursuit of the Mobile Office since the invention of the laptop, furthered by the PDA in the 90′s. But there remained a barrier between the rest of the world and the Mobile Office user, a barrier that was blown apart with the creation of the iPhone.

Unlike a Mobile Office that merely permits me to work while “on the go,” a Life Office permits me to engage and respond to the various environments that I find myself in. So my life has the capacity of informing my work, regardless of vocation.

My Life Office is interactive, as the devices I carry don’t seclude me from my environment–if I discipline myself correctly–but actually involve me in my surroundings in new ways, ones I previously under-appreciated. They do this in numerous ways, the most powerful of which is the recognition that I have and am aware of an audience.

Now, no one should live on stage indefinitely. It’s exhausting. And does strange things to the ego. But living life in such a way as to believe others are always watching, and to “perform” with their concern in mind might not be as secular as you may think.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

- Author Unknown
Hebrews 12:1

In fact, there are untold hundreds of scriptures that talk about living rightly, that God is watching, that our deeds are being recorded, and that we’re setting precedent for the generations who follow.

I dare say that living with an audience in mind is one of the healthiest and most Biblical behaviors we can engage in as people. And digital devices have actually had a role in not only shaping what I see and how I see it, but in how I remember and how I invest.

iPhone: Connect, Capture, Consume

My iPhone has been a constant companion. Interestingly enough, one of its least-used functions in my world is as a phone. I use it to text (as these “mini notes” are far more efficient, with my minimum “short” phone call being eleven minutes), and send voice snippets in Voxer–a glorified, recording walker-talkie. If I only had three or four important issues to attend to in a day, I’d love them all to be around face-to-face encounters, or as personable phone calls, but I don’t have such a luxury.

The iPhone’s two other most powerful features are its camera–which constantly challenge me to see normal settings with new perspectives, thus making me appreciate them more fully–and its note-taking functionality, either in text or audio form. I make quick notes on the fly in Evernote, marking down ideas for a book I’m working on, a meeting coming up, or a new song I’m crafting a melody to. Instagram is my primary method of sharing the images of my life, something that’s become more of a discipline than a need. This populates Twitter automatically, and these images are used in my blog (which is finally linked from Facebook).

While my iPad is my preferred reading device, my iPhone still holds the record for the most amount of non-dedicated reading: web references, emails, articles, scripture references. I’m not really savoring material on my iPhone, I’m consuming and processing at a high rate. Unlike the comfort associated with my iPad (which I’ll get to in a second), here on the iPhone, it’s all business.

Interestingly enough, 90% of all my blog posts–including this one–are composed, edited and published through WordPress’ iOS app with my right thumb.

iPad: Impart and Savor

My iPad has completely transformed the way I communicate to professional and religious audiences. I don’t have a three-ring binder full of songs anymore; I have OnSong with all of my music lead sheets. And I prepare in and speak my messages–whether sermons and teachings for church settings or lectures on business at a school–directly out of Evernote.

My iPad is also my primary reading device for material I want to savor, like books, including the Bible. I use Kindle for novels and non-fiction, and OliveTree for studying and annotating scripture. I say “savor” specifically because I like using the iPad on the couch, on my boat, or somewhere where what I’m reading has my undivided attention.

MacBook Pro: Create

My Mac is my main workhorse. My product creator. Its operating the entire Adobe CS6 Suite, as well as Logic, ProTools and GarageBand, and cranks out unprecedented amounts of text, audio and video. When it starts to buckle, I move to a MacPro tower in our production hall at New Life, but that’s for big stuff–and definitely not a part of my Life Office platform.

My MBP always has at least a dozen tabs open in Chrome at any given time, and is my main processor of the hundreds of emails I receive every 24 hours.

And unlike blog posts which are created on my iPhone, all my novels are written on my Mac in Scrivener (which I’ve been a huge fan of for years).

Technovergence

The key with incorporating any man-made tool into our daily lives, whether a trowel or an iPhone, is managing it. If our tools manage us, we lose an appreciation for the very life we’re meant to be living. If, however, we can set boundaries and form good habits (a post for another day), these tools can actually amplify the quality of life-living we’re engaged in, and then inspire others to see the Creator’s world around us with new eyes.

Life, after all, is meant to be lived voraciously.

ch:

Filed Under: creativity, culture, geek, perspective Tagged With: audience, creating, creation, devices, environment, iOS, ipad, iphone, Life Office, macbook pro, productivity, surroundings, tech, work spaces, workplace

Subscribe to Shawn Blanc

2 Mar ’13 by Christopher Hopper 4 Comments

I like technology.

I like design.

I like coffee.

As a result, I like Shawn.

I’ve been following Shawn Blanc for a few years now, and have marveled at his transition from hobby-blogger to full-time writer, all thanks in part to his loyal readership who are willing to pay $4 per month for daily content (including a video entry during the weekdays).

I love Shawn’s work because it’s short, sweet and gives me the guts of major happenings in spheres of influence I’m passionate about (rather than having to wade through countless paragraphs just to get the point).

I also love that I can support a creative, a husband, a father and a Christian with my money. It all goes directly to him. No middle man. No royalty.

Read awesome.

Read clean.

Read Shawn.

ch:

Filed Under: business, creativity, culture, geek, writing Tagged With: authors, blogs, design, membership, reading, shawn blanc, technology

Ignite: Musicians Conference

4 Oct ’12 by Christopher Hopper Leave a Comment

My home church, New Life, hosted the first Ignite: Musicians Conference on our campus in Watertown earlier this week on Tuesday. The heart was to invest into the training and betterment of artists and engineers in our county by bringing in high-end, Christian teachers and coaches at no expense to attendees.

The night consisted of two parts: breakout clinics for individual disciplines, and a group clinic on the main stage with the entire team.

We also asked the teachers to come in early so they could offer private lessons to people in the community (*the only paid portion of the event, with payment going directly to the teachers).

I think the event was a win-win, allowing musicians in our region free access to quality training, and giving teachers a chance to impart their skills to willing players along with giving them a revenue stream.

Here are some pics from the event that I posted on Instagram. Enjoy!

ch:

Filed Under: culture, geek, leadership, music, production, worship Tagged With: audio engineering, Ignite Musicians Conference, learning, music, training

It Feels Like a Crossword Puzzle (Worship Song Writing with Brenton Brown Day 3)

9 May ’12 by Christopher Hopper Leave a Comment

Today wraps up my third and final day of posting notes taken from the worship song writer’s workshop I sat in on with master song writer Brenton Brown. Of his three points, this was his shortest, but poignant nonetheless.

In fact, I’ll leave it worded exactly as he delivered it.

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It Feels Like a Crossword Puzzle

Sometimes writing a song is like trying to fill out a crossword puzzle. Which I suck at. The puzzle says, “Name a five-letter word for a flat service.” After drilling my brain for hours, I decide there simply is no such word. Then in desperation I walk around the house asking people, “What’s a five-letter word for a flat service?”

Table.

Man, what didn’t I think of that? Because I wasn’t really dedicated to hunting the word down. I just wanted it easy.

Stop rhyming the last word in a stanza with praise, and name, and grace – there are other words out there that work. Please hunt them down! Work at it!

‘Nough said.

ch:

Filed Under: art, culture, geek, music, travel, worship, writing Tagged With: Brenton Brown, CMS, conferences, music, songs, worship song writing, worshipsongwritingwithbrentonbrown

It Feels Like Preparing a One Point Sermon (Worship Song Writing with Brenton Brown Day 2)

8 May ’12 by Christopher Hopper 2 Comments

This is a continuation of my 3-day series on notes taken from Brenton Brown’s workshop on worship song writing at CMS in Buffalo, NY.

_________________

It Feels Like Preparing a One Point Sermon

Songs are short. They use 100 words to make a point.

What’s the main point of your song, and the reasons (sub clauses) for the main point? How tightly argued are the successful songs you know/write? The reasons behind them?

How well a song is received is determined by how strong and concise an argument it makes.

-Brenton Brown

To lead people in prayer you need to give them a clear prayer.

Find out what’s not being said doctrinally around you. Because you’re actually responsible for teaching them doctrine in your songs. And even more severely:

People remember your songs long after they remember your sermons.

-Brenton Brown

Ask your teaching pastor where your church is lacking. Writing worship songs shapes the way people think about the Lord – it’s a teaching role.

The first gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was to communicate with people in their own languages. Likewise, how are you pursuing trustworthy communication?

Writing a worship song is composed of three core elements:

1.) Have something worth saying.
2.) Say it in a way people will understand.
3.) Say it persuasively.

Don’t waste one word.

As you come out of a verse, just before you sing the chorus to a song you’re writing, say, “And that’s why I want to say…” Then you’ll have your chorus.

-Brian Doerksen

The song Here I Am to Worship has 11 sub-clauses to support the reason to worship right now.

Repetition also serves as a type of sub-clause.

Example: let my life revolve around you, be my focus, be the center, be the most important thing in my life. All saying the same thing, just different ways of saying it.

The Koran is not allowed to be translated; meanwhile Pentecost opened up Biblical (and dangerous but potentially powerful) re-interpretations.

David Wilcox (folk music writer) tries to fill 3 legal pads with a single theme of thought.

Storytelling worship songs are difficult to write, and not popular in pop music (almost exclusively in country, however). But they’re extremely effective. To work in worship, they must encompass a universal theme (Example: I Coming Back To The Heart of Worship: first the music faded, then You searched deeper, now I’m coming back, etc).

Universal themes are essential. During a particular songwriting competition we held back in England, we had one great entry that had a bogus ending: “God you’re amazing / Your power is awesome in the place / You heal your people / And my cousin Dave.”

How to chose your topic? Yes, some songs flow Pentecostally and just “happen” to us; but others we must labor over. Start to think about your songs as you would a sermon: it makes it easier. Like Alister McGrath said about writing sermones, at a certain point in writing a song you’re going to have to study.

Lastly, try lowering your goals as a writer. For example, yes, everyone wants to write a collection of songs in a week that are worthy of recording on a CD; but how about just vowing to write one good song a year – one song you’re really proud of and that stands on it’s own. Now that’s a solid goal.

Filed Under: art, geek, travel, worship, writing Tagged With: Alister McGrath, Brenton Brown, Buffalo NY, CMS, David Wilcox, head spaces, James MacDonald, Louie Giglio, lyrics, movies, praise, sermons, song writing, Stephen Covey, surfing, Winnie the Pooh, worship, worship song writing, worshipsongwritingwithbrentonbrown

It Feels Like Fishing (Worship Song Writing with Brenton Brown Day 1)

7 May ’12 by Christopher Hopper 4 Comments

I had the privilege of sitting in on Brenton Brown‘s workshop on “worship song writing” this weekend at the CMS event in Buffalo, NY. He’s known for writing such memorable choruses as Your Love Is Amazing, Lord Reign In Me and Holy Holy Holy.

Aside from appreciating Brenton’s ability to articulate profound truth with effortless means both with regard to Christianity and in teaching song writing, he’s also an extremely personable man. The first time I ever met him, we were sitting in the VIP trailer at Creation, talking about South Africa, Boy Scouts and family. He didn’t know me, and I didn’t know him; only later would I piece together just who he was.

His points on song writing for churches were profound enough that I felt lead to share them here over the next three days. I hope his words are as inspirational to you as they were to me, and that my notes do his talking points justice. I’ve taken the liberty to expound in places in the hopes of capturing what he was saying and eliminating the “chicken scratch” mentality of the moment I wrote this in.

Enjoy. And write well.

ch:

______________________

It Feels Like Fishing

Our goal is to help a large group of non-musician people who don’t normally sing at all to worship the Lord with music.

We need to write songs that are easy enough for a large group of diverse people to sing, but interesting enough that people will want to sing them again.

-Brenton Brown

This thing is art. It’s elusive. And songs are like hums:

You don’t find hums, hums find you.

-Winnie the Pooh

To get “found” by a song, you need to find head spaces that inspire you. This is because we’re essentially playing when we make music. It’s important to be in a playful mood when you write. The other head space we write from is pain, brokenness and desperation, and I don’t recommend actively looking for that one.

What things make you happy? What seasons where you most prolifically writing in? Take 30-seconds to think of these things and seasons in your life.

My wife tends to know what mine are better than I do; I love to be around water and to surf. She has always notices that I’m happier when I come home from surfing, and grumpy when I’m not. So she’ll kick me out of the house on occasion to go surf. I tend to write a lot of my songs while I’m sitting on the water. It’s a good head space for me. These are your fishing holes. Find good fishing holes.

Other fishing holes for me are movies. I love movies! I’m 4 years old again. I also get inspired by the sermons of Louie Giglio and James MacDonald.

Fishing also has a catch and release element to it. You must work an idea until it’s “done” and then put it away. Let’s songs gestate and mature. This practice ensure only your best stuff will come out. If a melody keeps popping back out and getting stuck in your head, it’s a keeper. If a particular lyric or phrase won’t leave you alone, it’s a keeper.

Stephen Covey talks a lot about the Scarcity Mentality and the Abundance Mentality. The Scarcity Mentality says, “Hold on to the precious, few songs you’ll ever get, and don’t share them with anybody, especially don’t share the credit.” The Abundance Mentality says, “There are plenty of wonderful ideas out there that I’ll discover. I need to share them to bless other people, and to let my ideas get refined, regardless of who gets credit – I’ll always have more.”

Write with the door open.

-Louie Giglio

This open door policy will help gain outside perspective. Anyone can critique a song; my mom can tell me when something sucks. But asking other writers for objective input will build your songs.

What’s makes you feel good in this song? And what makes you feel odd in this song?

-Paul Bloche

Remember that when you’re writing a worship song for people to sing, you’re actually contributing to an ongoing conversation between God and his people. What do people need to say to God? (Prayer). And what does God need to say to his people? (Prophetic).

Take 30-seconds to think about the 3 favorite careers you’d love to have. It’s in these personal states of “favorite” that we find the same inspiration to write out of as artists.

Filed Under: art, culture, geek, music, travel, worship, writing Tagged With: Brenton Brown, Buffalo NY, CMS, head spaces, James MacDonald, Louie Giglio, lyrics, movies, praise, sermons, song writing, Stephen Covey, surfing, Winnie the Pooh, worship, worship song writing, worshipsongwritingwithbrentonbrown

Mr. Incredible

3 May ’12 by Christopher Hopper 14 Comments

Last night I was invited to attend a very nice dinner in Syracuse hosted by my insurance company, Northwestern Mutual (thank you Steve Yelle). Steve Forbes was the keynote (and quite humorous) guest speaker, and the food and company were excellent.

My highlight, however, was meeting Jeremy Freeman, a bright, highly successful business man who found his niche in the physical training industry (check out freemanformula.com).

And for good reason.

He was the most photographed body builder in the world in 2000 and 2001.

Now look closer. Does he remind you of anyone?

If you’re a Pixar fan, he should.

You’re looking at Bob from The Incredibles (2004) computer animated feature.

That’s right, Pixar used Jeremy as their model for their main character – the devoted, but sometimes distracted super hulk, Bob.

If you’re not a Pixar fan, my enthusiasm is probably lost on you. When everyone wanted their picture with Forbes, I wanted mine with Freeman.

And why is my head so much larger than his? First off, I have a big head. You’re welcome. But in order to get my arm under his and around his back, I had to stand out in front of Jeremy.

Ah. Excuse me.

…in front of Mr. Incredible.

ch:

Filed Under: business, culture, geek Tagged With: celebrities, dinners, Jeremy Freeman, movies, Mr. Incredible, Northwestern Mutual, Pixar, Steve Forbes, Steve Yelle, syracuse

This

1 May ’12 by Christopher Hopper 21 Comments

Today was one of those days where this is the extent of my writing.

And here it is again.

This.

You’re welcome.

ch:

PS: this.

Filed Under: geek Tagged With: nothing left to give, productivity, spent, this, tired, work load, writing

Logic May Not Be Enough

23 Apr ’12 by Christopher Hopper Leave a Comment

But instinct is something which transcends knowledge. We have, undoubtedly, certain fibers that enable us to perceive truths when logical deduction, or any other willful effort of the brain, is futile.

Sounds like something a froofy, superstitious Christian might say. You know, one of those Darwinian dismissing, shallow Creationist, faith-believing, science-hating, anti-progressive people who go to church without thinking, and have never read a book outside of the Bible.

Or it could be that Nikola Tesla stumbled upon a very eloquent, if not oversimplified, explanation for his own spirit-man.

But what would one of the world’s greatest minds know about that kind of thing? He’s so totally last century, like.

ch:

Filed Under: culture, geek Tagged With: brain, gut, instinct, logic, Nikola Tesla, science, spirit, theology

Creating Transcendent Art

21 Apr ’12 by Christopher Hopper 10 Comments

I heard the kids stirring downstairs early this morning.

Why don’t they sleep in on Saturdays? Jennifer says it’s because they’re my children. Meaning, they have my inescapable wake-up-early-despite-what-time-I-went-to-bed gene. It’s a blessing. And a curse.

After finishing a book on my iPad, I came downstairs to feed the tribe. I found them hunkered around Mommy’s iMac watching Star Wars Episode VI for the trillionth time. That’s when it dawned on me.

I’ve created monsters.

Wookies, to be more precise.

But it’s proof George Lucas created transcendent films. Forging art that’s not only applicable to the present generation but captures the hearts of generations to come is evidence of genius. It’s also pretty amazing to think what kind of special effects kids today are exposed to, yet they never seem to question the plausibility of those late 1970′s – early 1980′s films. (Ironic that the special effects additions from the films’ recent revitalizations in the last decade seem grossly out of place).

Regardless of technology – or the tools of the day – art can become transcendent if the creator is true to the art itself. Staying true to the story, the mission and the values – regardless of what technology or tools are on hand – is essential to building believability and sustainability.

A simple example is the human race.

We’re pretty old technology if you think about it: our first models came out of production about 6,000 years ago. Yet we’re still enamored with each other, enough to love, marry, reproduce and die for one another. But that’s because the Creator stayed true to form. He had any creative means at his disposal – unlimited technology. Yet he chose only to create what the model was asking for as his design emerged.

I once heard a great music producer use that very line. “Don’t add the track you want to the song, add only the tracks the song is asking for.” Thanks Dad. Because if done properly, every song, every piece of art, and every film has a soul of sorts. Just like people do. Figuring out what fits the piece’s soul is the key to making it transcendent – making it stay true to form. To itself. And to its creator.

And ensuring Wookies are born in future generations.

ch:

Filed Under: art, culture, geek, The Hopper Kids Tagged With: apple, art, creating, creation, Episode VI, humans, imac, monsters, Star Wars, sustainability, Wookies

Water Bottle Microphone

15 Apr ’12 by Christopher Hopper 4 Comments

Last week Pastor Kirk spoke into the water bottle in his right hand instead of the mic in his left. To make light of his temporary lapse of perceptive consciousness, he then tried to drink from the mic.

My father Peter found a solution and presented it to him today. Kudos to both pastors for having fun in the midst of their labor. It’s a good lesson for all of us.

ch:

Filed Under: culture, geek Tagged With: Kirk Gilchrist, microphone, peter hopper, water bottle

Building Sprig Records Studio: Log Entry 6

12 Apr ’12 by Christopher Hopper 7 Comments

One of the coolest little features about the new studio is something my father is particularly proud of: a set of Jefferson Stairs.

Invented by the late President Thomas Jefferson in order to conserve space, Sprig’s variation uses a central laminated beam with incremental steps on either side. The effect is a surprisingly natural climb into The Loft that overlooks the Control Room and Main Studio A.

Bob Brola and his son Mike have taken the lead on this and thrown their hearts into the project. While the final steps will be more elaborate and include galvanized piping throughout the architecture, yesterday’s mock-up had all of us climbing on it like boys on a jungle gym.

Boys will be boys.

ch:

Filed Under: art, geek, production Tagged With: Billy, Bob Brola, build out, building, construction, Jefferson Stairs, Mike Brola, peter hopper, Problem solving, Sprig Records, Sprig Studios