Becoming a typical blogger

The trend in modern blogging seems to be a diligent effort to post a bunch of links to a bunch of stories that prove the blogger's sick addiction to the internet. So, here goes.

Chocolate is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. See?

Go green at home. Recycle.

The only problem with the new Zune is its dependency on such a crappy operating system. Other than that, it rules.

The writers' strike is going to seriously affect my springtime. Count it down.

The Hives. Black and White.

Wow. I just don't feel insensitive enough to comment.

Um... ok...?


Look for a link to Ian's post about "Erotica" soon.

Blogged with Flock

Over-Confidence.

Here's what I'm going to ask you to do. First, I'm going to ask you to watch this video. Then, I'm going to ask you to read my incredible insights which will sway your opinions. Finally, I'm going to ask you to leave comments telling me how right I am. Easy enough?

When I first watched this little video, I was simultaneously impressed and disgusted. It's pretty obvious that this man knows at least something about the Bible and history. He could quote Scripture, and he certainly did a good job of "shutting the mouths of the heretics."

What bothered me was the stench of his over-powering spiritual cologne. Granted, I believe that Joseph Smith is the cheapest of imitations when compared to Jesus. But this man's arrogance was so far beyond blatant. It was more forceful and rude than any Mormon mission I've ever experienced. His confidence in the words of Christ was well-grounded, to say the least. But his presentation was dismissive and pushy, particularly for a man claiming to "have a conversation." In this midst of his conversation, he flat-out said, "I don't need to listen to you." Way to be the shining example of what you proclaim.

And there is something almost disconcerting about what he quotes from Luke. Jesus said, "For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict." Does this passage apply in this man's situation? Is this an example of being given words to tear down an adversary? And what does this man's demeanor say about his affiliation with a gospel of radical love, even for one's enemies?

I suppose that my concern comes from experiential knowledge, which I admit is not the safest place to begin a theological observation. However, I have been in places and situations where I have been made to look the fool. Does this mean that my faith or salvation is insufficient because I wasn't "given words"?

Also, isn't it obvious that this man had spent some time studying this issues, preparing for this situation. If it was being video taped, it might seem to imply some prep time beforehand. And didn't Jesus say immediately before the verse quoted above, "But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves"?

I guess what made the most uncomfortable is the short explanation at the end. Here, a supposedly true witness of Jesus Christ, brushes off two utterly confused souls and scoffs as the go. Is it a missional participation in the spreading of the kingdom to prove people wrong and laugh as they retreat with their tails between their legs?

However, all complaints aside, I really do like his response to the Book of Mormon. Does the Bible really need the help?

The Writers Strike Back.

And so it has come to this.

In an era defined by our addiction to entertainment and the media, we are now subjected to the whims and wishes of those brilliant minds who dictate to us what is good, noble and true. The writers of Hollywood have decided that they simply do not receive enough of the "cheddar," as some refer to it, to continue doing their jobs. I wanted to take this opportunity to express my under-appreciated thoughts on such a matter, as I feel like the contents of this blog can and will make a difference.

What I find most striking about the entire issue is the unusual sense of entitlement these writers have. How is it that someone pursuing a career as a writer can honestly come to believe that they deserve large salaries? Better writers than those on Desperate Housewives have died penniless. And its not as if the projected income for the entire writing profession is by any means especially "optimistic." And so, I have to ask our dear friends, the writers, "What did you expect?"

And why punish the viewers? What have we done to deserve this? I understand the cruelty of the producers. They are addicted to their money and power like the main character's three episode story-arc addiction to drugs on a bad teen prime time soap. I am not at all convinced that these proud producers are not robbing you blind, but what happened to your good intentions? What about writing to be heard? Didn't you start out with a goal to entertain people? And yet, all of our romantic ideals have been tainted with the color green.

While I hesitate to say this, it's not as if we need TV writers anymore. The next generation spends more time in front of blogs than they do in front of televisions. There, in the safe haven of cyberspace, is an untouched multitude of writers who haven't yet sold out, not to mention all the fine entertainers of YouTube. And if you're mad about the insane amounts of media being plastered all over the internet, striking is not going to draw the viewers eyes away from our MacBooks and PC screens. You are forcing us into the arms of our forbidden lover.

Now, let's not forget the past. In 1988, we endured a similar strike that lasted 22 weeks. It cost somebody somewhere $500 million. And to what avail? The result was the invention of the reality TV show. To me, this sounds a lot like hell, but (oh faithful blog reader, be warned) if you happen to enjoy torture and reality TV, be prepared to be let down. Not even reality shows are safe from this strike, since they themselves have been unionized! Oh the humanity!

Do you remember those times when crises arose, and your favorite television program was interrupted by a celebrity encouraging you to give all of your hard earned money to match the 2% of their weekly salary that they themselves gave? Now I know that a vast majority of these writers are not famous, but in the grand scheme of the universe, are there not better things to protest? Is an increase in royalties really necessary when people are starving to death even in our own country?

What does all of this say about us as a country? Why do these writers control our lives? How can a pudgy man in Hollywood determine how I'm going to spend my prime time hours? It's simply not fair. I don't have any say in what they do.

This whole ordeal has me relieved that I refused to pay for cable.