Hollywood Soundtracks

Last night I was flipping channels during a commercial and landed on Scrubs, a very funny show I don't get to watch very often. During the end of the show while Turk was telling Carla that she is pregnant the song playing in the background was "All Of The Words" by Kutless. Really. I thought this was an interesting choice by the producers... a worship song during the announcement of a new child. Did they get the significance or was it unintentional. I'd like to think that there are Jesus Followers in Hollywood planting little seeds and that God will use them to positively influence thier medium. This happened once before during the end of a Smallville episode when they played a Bebo Norman song as the outro. Just something I thought was cool.

Addiction

In a previous post I admitted to being a coffee-holic. I now know that this is very true and I will be no slave to any substance darn it.

For a fast I am giving up coffee for a week. Not only coffee but anything with caffeine. This started Sunday. Ouch. It has been rough. The headache is now just fading. I didn't realize how addicted my body is to the stuff.

I am having another type of withdrawl... the habit of having a cup on my desk at work. My son has his blanket, I have my coffee. I miss it. Today I satisfied that desire with a cup of hot cocoa. It was good but not the same.

I am determined to do it and to remain off caffeine as long as I can. My plan is to start drinking less-caf coffee (aka decaf) and see how that goes for a while.

One of the first things that I have noticed as I detoxify from the caffeine addiction is that my sleep at night has been much better. Once I fall asleep I've stayed asleep until the @#$% alarm goes off in the morning. I so hate that alarm.

Note to Starbuck's, Sip City, and the occasional Dutch Bros.: don't worry... I'll be back... it'll just be for the unleaded latte.

V for Vendetta

I saw V for Vendetta last night with my friend Joe. We both enjoyed the movie. Good story, good characters, good action, and good special effects.

The story is about a young lady named Evey and a masked vigilante called "V" who spark a revolution against Great Britain's fascist state. The setting is a futuristic totalitarian Britain. "V" is out to destroy the existing government to bring freedom and justice to the people. For more on the movies general story I recommend going to see it. It is rated R so if you are sensitive to the rating system keep that in mind.

V For Vendetta was originally a graphic novel produced in the mid 1980s by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. Due to the revisions in the movie version that removes much of the original Anarchist ideals of the story Mr. Moore had asked that his name not be associated with the movie. For more on this story visit A for Anarchy.

Prior to seeing the movie the rumblings and reviews I heard and read promoted the movie as a political statement on today's governmental happenings. This is true, it is political. However, not so much that it ruins the movie or the story.

Throughout history art has reflected the current state of man whether it's political, religious, personal, emotional, or physical. This movie does a good job to capture some of today's political landscape. The movie makes mention of the "US's war", the government spying on its citizens, perverted priests, state run media, etc. Some of it is over the top blatant and didn't need to be added to make the movie good, especially the part about the priest. However, the movie makes a statement on today's political spectrum and agree with it or not it is an artist view and they have a right to it.

Information Overload

In this modern society of instant access to information, it begs the question... are we better off?

If I don't know something, or have an answer to a question, or can't find something, or... well you see where I am going... I just google it. No I don't MSN Search it or Yahoo it, I google it. There is little you can't find in the net. Do we live in a time of information overload?

Do you need a song? imusic.com or mp3 or walmart or rhapsody or... ah you get it. Remember the days of heading down to Tower Records to get the latest Ratt album or Duran Duran or Van Halen or dare I say Wham well forget it, just click here and they'll deliver it to your door.

Do you need to know who the 7th President of the United States of America was or who is the current leader of Bulgaria? Click here. Wikipedia... love it or not it is quick and easy and free.

I don't have an answer to my own question... it was just a thought I had today as I was looking up the local airports in India that service Calcutta. There just isn't much you can't buy, find, read, listen to, research, or sell at the click of a mouse.

Dumb Move

Have you ever done something dumb?

I have.

Monday.

My body is welcoming Spring in its usual fashion. My eyes are watering, my sinuses congested, etc. I wasn't up for suffering all day so I bought this product called Airborne. Are you familiar? If so this will be more relevant. If not think of an Alka-Seltzer tablet.

Sitting at my desk I opened the package and popped one in my mouth. Did I read the instructions you ask? Nope. I bit down on the orange wafer and instantly my mouth was filled with the effervescent bubbling of the Airborne tablet. I quickly looked at the package for the instructions as my cheeks began to bulge. The fizzing Tangy Orange flavor was overwhelming my senses. From the package: SIMPLY DROP (1) AIRBORNE TABLET IN A SMALL AMOUNT OF PLAIN WATER... Crap where is my water. Gulp, gulp, gulp... Burp!

Whew.

Got it down. Dumb. Didn't read the "simple" instructions first. Why should I, it looked like the same Vitamin C tablets I've been using for years.

Burp.

The rest of the day was a gaseous fun filled event. Burp. The thing must have been fizzing in my stomach for an hour. My belt was quickly loosed. I felt like a bloated pig the rest of the afternoon.

I do have to say after a bit my eyes stopped watering both from the shock of the fizzy tablet in my mouth and my allergy symptoms.

Hello... my name is Brian and I am a coffee addict.

Last night I stayed up late to watch "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"... boring.

Seriously, the anticipation for a great movie was there but the great movie wasn't. The movie just dragged on and on. Sorry to those of you devoted fans that loved it, but really, did I have to read the book first? Truthfully I didn't and don't plan to. Maybe it would have helped.

Of course I'll have to give credit to the special effects, they were spectacular.

My prediction is that the kid actors who are portraying the main characters will never act again after this series ends. They are type-cast for life. Plus I don't think they are very good actors, especially the Weasley kid and the girl... yikes.

I am hoping to see "V for Vendetta" soon and will comment on it... I hear it is politically charged... hmm? I wonder which way?

Patience My Child

This is what God might be saying if I was hearing Him right now... "Patience my child."

Have you ever prayed for a long time for something, someone, or some situation that is on your heart without response from God?

That is where I am right now. I have something on my mind that I have been praying about for quite a while and have not heard back from the big guy. Although I am frustrated a bit with God, faith is not yet lost.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Ph 4:4-7

The Word always gets me back to where I should be.

Rejoice I will in the things I see God doing in my life. The issue I am praying about I am sure will one day be resolved... this knowing that I won't live for ever. God is active, just not always where I want Him to be. I guess it is good that I understand that He knows better than I.

I am searching for the peace promised to guard my heart and mind against the anger and bitterness that the dark one pushes on me.

What "24" Character Are You?

If you are a fan of "24" you will enjoy this quiz (link below). If you aren't... what the heck are you doing on Monday night at 9pm? Get with the program!!!

According to the quiz I am like "George Mason"


George Mason

Yellow streak... ouch!

Which 24 Character are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Post your results in the comments.

Simpson's fans check this out.

Some days it is just harder to work than others. Sorry, just had to say it.

Tonight I will be crafting pine wood derby cars for the kids. Brianna, who has won most creative in her last two entries, wants an ocean themed car. She has asked be to carve a dolphin shaped car. Alex is asking for a Darth Vader car to match his new shoes. He is settling for a car in the shape of an X-Wing fighter. The race event is on Saturday... I've got to get moving... time is short.

These races remind me of the first blue ribbon I ever received. I was a young child in the Indian Guides down in the Bay Area participating in my first pine wood derby race. For my participation I received a blue ribbon. This ribbon hung in my room for many years to come. Believe it or not I still have it. Yep, it is a box in my garage that is full of childhood memories.

The cool thing is that the ribbon was hanging in my room on a trophy I won at the same race. So cool. I don't recall what the trophy was for but I am sure it is in the same box as the ribbon.

Thank God for great memories as a kid. I hope my kids have the same.