Interesting Times Article

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/30/opinion/30brooks.html
An interesting NY Times article I read today. Pretty much just makes a point to jab and the Christian Coalition and uplift an unsung hero of Christianity today. Fun read, but you'll have to have an account with NY Times to read it.

I think I'm going to be sick... (edited)

The Holy Land Experience
Christian Museum

I originally had this post in my drafts because I was investigating what "The Holy Land Experience" was... I found that it was a Christian Museum of history and not a theme park. The post that was on here for the last day or so wasn't actually supposed to be there because I had it in my drafts folder, but for some reason it posted. Anywho, I don't want to blast "The Holy Land Experience." I think it's cool that they made a fun Christian Museum. Although, I'm sure it is chock full of Jesus Junk that people can buy, but it's not a totally awful idea.

Now there are tons of other fun things to blast though... check this out...
Bobble Heads for Christ

concealed

I struggled whether to tell what the inspiration was behind this poem, but I don't want to take away from the possibility of it being meaningful to another situation. I'm considering this unfinished for now, because I may add a more happy refrain, or not. We'll see.

concealed
Alone, ignored,
the pains of this world ravage my heart;
Unknown, veiled,
behind this satin cover of dishonesty,
the wounds fester and ooze.

The others smell the stench of death upon me,
as do I,
but instead they perfume and mask death,
as do I.
Maybe the perfume will remove the disease,
And if not, at least I will not offend.

But death has consumed me through ignorance;
And now I no longer smell the perfume.

ice, blood, rain, and limos

The evening proved quite an adventure. I spent most of the day reading about skin diseases (among other things) in Leviticus, eating, and napping in the Regent Atrium. Then retreated to a fun filled evening of Western League Hockey: Vancouver Giants vs. the Portland who knows what... definite fun times, the last time I saw so much fighting, it involved Mike Tyson taking a loving nibble on Evander Holyfield's earlobes. But seriously, these guys had some serious pent up aggression. It seemed like every five minutes there were punches flying. Let's not forget to mention that one got through a sheet of glass within the first 2 minutes of the game. Man, gotta wonder what it might be like to live with guys this war-like. Not so good for the spouses of the Giants, they lost 7-5. Gotta hand it to them, it was a close game.
No worries for Matt Mattoon. Even with this excitement, he manages to drift into other worlds of thought. If you ask me he looks like he must be pondering the meaning of life, the gospel according to hockey, or maybe he's just hungry. You must forgive me for pulling a "Michael Moore" though, I didn't mean to put words into ol' Matt's kisser.

So, it was a kick butt evening of ice and blood... we left the rink and walked in a nice typical Vancouver rain looking for a bus home. We eventually made it to a bus stop on Hastings that literally was about 200 ft long. As we pondered what we were going to do: pass the

time walking around or just wait it out... BOOM... (or more like zip I guess) a white limo pulls around the corner and wants to know if we can give him some money for a lift. We and a couple standing nearby split the limo cost and we leave the line long behind. It was only the second time in my life that I've been in a limo, but it was definite fun times. Look Matt's awake, good boy! Watch out Matt, Tim's getting a little too close there :-P, don't say I didn't warn ya... So... there's the evening... we had a blast... and we didn't get hit with any hockey pucks. The End.

Sorry that not everybody's in the photo... Leanne, Paul, Kaylie, and her friend Rebecca were also part of the evening, but they missed out on the limo run. :(

Film: Wit

Just watched Wit (2001) with Emma Thomson. Directed by Mike Nichols.
This was one of the most emotionally moving movies I've seen since I watched The Passion but in a much different way. The Passion was just a ravaging of my emotions, but this was very gradual till the end. As the movie made it's final crescendo at the end, the whole reality and message of the movie became clear and simply slaps you in the face (at least me). I left with so many different messages that the movie revealed. Very well done, very profound. This movie is a must see.

I want so badly to talk about the messages of the movie, but I wouldn't want to lessen the impact of the movie for you. Here's a basic abstract though: the movie follows the experience of a highly educated doctor of 17th Century literature, specialized in the writings of John Donne, who is diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer. Through the movie, you'll find many references to literature and poetic quotes. So, if you're unfamiliar with the writings of John Donne, you'll get a little education. Specifically, a poem written by Donne called "Death, Be not Proud" is quoted much in the movie. I've included it below. Enjoy.

Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.
Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell;
And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally,
And death shall be no more, death thou shalt die.

If you check out the link to the poem, you'll notice that I changed the punctuation on the last line. This has special significance in the movie.

New Announcers

Ah, the US Election is on us. The airwaves are full of our favorite newscasters, keeping us on the edge of our seat with up-to-the-minute updates on the polls. Personally, I think they should bring in a new set of newscasters. If their going for entertainment value, they should at least go all out and bring in some sports announcers instead. It wouldn't change the content of the reports at all since they have all the content of monday night football, but you could bring in a group of people that actually know how to be somewhat exciting. I vote they bring in Tony Bradshaw, John Madden, Deion Sanders... and then just to add a little spice, Charles Barkley.