I admit it- I read Twilight.

First I saw the movie- then I read the book. Which is a sure-fire way to enjoy a book because it will always be better than the movie. When in doubt about a book, watch the movie first to set the standard low.

And as with any book about magical, super-powered creatures...I liked it. Granted, the romance was a bit nauseating in places and sometimes the emo got kind of tedious...but overall it was pretty good. The author really put some fresh creativity into creating the vampires which was probably why I liked it. I'm usually not a fan of creepy, serious, bat-like creatures that get burned by crucifixes. To be honest, I think I liked it because the vampires were more like X-Men than anything else and I love me some X-Men.

But now I have to be a human again. Man, you never feel quite so boring as when you've been watching or reading about creatures that have super-powers.

Which got me thinking about super-powers (naturally :-). If you could have an alter-ego with super-powers, what would it be?

Due to a series of odd events, I was labeled "Glare Boy" by my classmates during an occupational safety class. My super powers included (but not limited to) the ability to use light and reflected light to dazzle my enemies and provide aid to the weak and helpless. I could also magnify and concentrate light to burn holes in things like a laser. Oh- and I could absorb sunlight like a super-solar panel and use the stored electricity to my advantage. I protected my identity with a pair of sweet aviators (which I, sadly, have never been able to wear due to my omnipresent, framed corrective lenses).

Anybody else have an alter-ego?


Sincerely Yours.

Alright- If you're like me you're reading this apprehensively right now because you're pretty tired of the heated debates, economic crisis, finger-pointing, mud-slinging, predictions, opinions, dark prophecies, etc. that usually go hand-in-hand with topics of the political nature. If you're like me, you are waiting to see which political pathway this post presumes to pontificate upon. Yes that was alliteration. Thank you.

Honestly though, the reason I am writing this is only because I feel bad for being politically apathetic.
Don't get me wrong- I can be as opinionated as the next guy/gal. In fact, I have the unfortunate tendency to debate anything- anytime- anywhere- with anyone- for no apparent reason.
But regarding modern politics, I find it exhausting to try to figure out what people, politicians, and policies really mean. It appears that all politicians lie, all policies are dependent on millions of different factors, success and failure are ridiculously abstract and subjective concepts, and regardless of what the textbooks say- it is impossible to separate emotions, feelings, beliefs, etc from science (esp. "political science").

So I am apathetic. As Skinner discovered, if you shock a rat for no apparent reason, on no set time schedule, no means of escape, and no button to push for relief...it eventually just hunkers down and takes it in peace.

I am that rat.

Which of course bothers me- I don't want to be a rat! I want to be an American! A patriot! A contributor to society and a valuable member of a great nation!

**** let me get to my point ****
The Real Reason I Wrote This Entry:

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." -Paul (Letter to the Ephesians)

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." -Paul (First letter to Timothy)

Yes, we should vote. Absolutely, we should vote on what we believe. However, in the grand scheme of things- politics are just the feeble, ever-changing rules of a mundane world that has no idea what it should do next. These things should have very little impact on how I live my life for Christ.

I am apathetic- yes. But only because better men than I lived (and still live) under political regimes that considered high taxes (let alone extortion), unfair executions, wars, discrimination, and all other manner of horrors to be normal and all they had to say about it was "pray for those in authority- This is pleasing to God".

Strangely, they had so much more to say about spirituality, Love, peace, joy, eternal life, Love, generosity, patience, and Love. Perhaps those things are more important.

I apologize for the length of this- I know it sounds like a lecture. It's actually more of a affirmation and self-exhortation. Take it for what it's worth :-)


Sincerely Yours.

I am usually very behind the times on the latest internet videos, clips, news, pictures, etc. Probably many of you have already seen this video but I thought it was pretty neat.

It's only about 2 minutes long.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42E2fAWM6rA



Sincerely Yours.

The following are quotes from actual British Military Performance Appraisals:

"His men would follow him anywhere but only out of curiosity."

"I would not breed from this officer."

"When she opens her mouth it seems it is only to change whatever foot was previously in there."

"He would be out of his depth in a parking lot puddle."

"This young lady has delusions of adequacy."

"Since my last report he has reached rock bottom and started to dig."

"She sets low personal standards and then constantly fails to achieve them."

"This officer should go far - and the sooner he starts the better."

"Works well when under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a trap."


I started counting the ones that would describe me and they weren't so funny anymore :-)


Sincerely Yours.

So, for those of you who have known me since high school or before (even undergrad for that matter) you will know that I have spent my entire life trying to keep my head above 140 lbs. You will also know that I have been 6'2" since my freshman year. Thus we have the standard equation by Dr. Uberskenni:

6 feet, 2 inches + 140 lbs = Scrawny/wimpy

As my stats professor would say: "I had to skip around in the shower just to get wet."

Then I went to grad school. With my new wife who's favorite pastime is baking. And got an Xbox. And quit my "runner" job at the law firm.

Now, if we assign the last paragraph as the value of Z, we get the following equation by Dr. Fohtsow:

Z + What's-a-workout? = Chunky

Now, I hope I haven't lost you in all of this mathematical mumbo jumbo- the real point here is- it's time for me to put down a book occasionally and get back into the gym. So when my friend said to me "hey, wanna play racquetball tonight?" I said "heck yes I do!".
Oh man.
The last place on earth I ever need to be is in a small room where every surface is hard as diamond with a small rubber ball, a giant ping-pong paddle, and a second human.
At one point, I literally drilled my friend from 8 feet in the small of his back which has only recently received it's 300-day stamp of approval from the doctor who treated him for a compressed disc. I think he would have been mad had I not been giving him ample evidence that the only thing I was capable of doing purposefully in that game was breathing.

Maybe I should start with some nice jogging. Any recommendations?

Sincerely Yours.