Music: Eva Cassidy

If you haven't given her a listen yet, I highly recommend it. It's lighter music, but well worth it. Angelic voice, amazing covers on her album ("Fields of Gold" by Sting, "Songbird", "Somewhere over the rainbow").

Just incredible.

Fall Movies...and some summer ones.

I've seen a few films recently that are pretty interesting. There are a few coming out that look frightening.

"Little Miss Sunshine" was an excellent film. I really enjoyed that...so much on screen is painful to watch and I nearly grimaced in pain (emotional) to see what the family members go through.

"Fly Boys" is pretty shallow. Interesting visually, but so very predictable and slow paced when the planes aren't on screen.

"Fearless" with Jet Li was visually amazing. Best fight scenes (choreography) since "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".

So, future films..."Jesus Camp" looks extremely frightening. Yes, it's a very small sect of the Christian Faith...but they are there none the less. It only takes one bad apple to spoil the bushel...it only takes a single film to make or break a lot of ideas. It wasn't long ago that I attended camps like that...of course I was an adult by then and had already started questioning many things the pastors/leaders preached. Why is it that we can use single line scripture to justify the churches non acceptance of homosexuality...but we can't use the same thing to justify the oppression of women, slavery (regardless of race), and even beating children? Why is it that we use the scripture in its entirety when dealing with those subjects...even masturbation and birth control...but not homosexuality? Do Christians realize it's not even in the top 10 for the commandments? It was just 20 years ago that the Church had declared the #1 threat to America was the Masons...now it's the "gays". Criminy...does their lack of faith know no bounds? If God is love, and through Love all things are possible...and through faith, we can move mountains, what's the hang up with homosexuality? Perhaps homosexuality isn't wrong?!

The new James Bond is coming up...I'm looking forward to it. The new actor doesn't bother me as much as other bond fanatics...why is it that all the homophobes at work keep declaring that he's not good looking enough? They should be staring at the gorgeous women in the film, not him anyhow.

Prestige looks very cool.

Apocalypto -- thought I'd mention Mel Gibson since he's obviously starving for attention. Hey Mel...get back in a skirt and put some makeup on...you get awards that way! :)

Well, I should sign off...my co-worker keeps snorting mucus up his nose and down his throat rather than blowing his nose...pesky co-workers!

The strange emotion of anger...

I've been searching my emotions lately (that doesn't sound like I'm a vulcan...does it?) and have found some interesting things when it comes to anger. What a strange emotion. Anger demands focus on something that can be trivial...or very important. Even if it is trivial...it seems very important while anger is present. Isn't that strange?

My reaction, when I'm angry, is generally silence. Folks are surprised at my actions and reactions while I'm angry...I'm not a very quiet, reserved person...except when I'm angry. I asked myself, "Jim (that's what I call myself), why do you clam up when you get angry?" I finally was able to answer that question today.

Words are powerful tools...they can be used to mend bridges (metaphorically), open wounds, end friendships, and comfort others...as well as a host of other things. When I'm angry, I don't ever want my words to become weapons...you can't take back things you say. Once said, the damage or lack there of is done. Friendships are often more fragile than we think...relationships often hang by a very thin thread.

I often apologize for my anger...but I hope that I haven't said anything during that time that threatens or succeeds in ending a friendship. Anger is often associated with the color red...red reminds me of heat. When I feel anger, my silence is distancing myself from that burning. It is definately something I need to overcome...or ensure others understand why I get like that. I'm not trying to control my emotion as much as harness it's energy.

Walmart and $4 medication...

...I know they are generic drugs...but does anyone have any insight on to how they can charge just $4? I can't even buy DayQuil for that! :)

College Football and Referees...

The fact is, while humans compete in sports, bad calls from referees are going to happen. That's just how it is. Humans aren't perfect...they never will be.

Interesting article in the Independent...

I read the Colorado Springs Independent. Last week, they had a very interesting article regarding the split in the Christian Church between "free-thinkers" (aka liberals) and "traditional" (aka conservative) Christians. I was really intrigued by the article. One huge issue was gay marriage and homosexuality in general.

A retired pastor, Jim White, from Colorado Springs put things in context rather well. Slavery can be justified using scripture quite easily...as can the oppression (non-equality) of women. But as a society, we've moved beyond the literal translations that the scriptures give us. Not so with homosexuality. The conservative Christian will even quote a scripture, but when you ask about the preceding line or scripture that follows, they claim those aren't culturally relevant any longer. Hmm...

"One group reads the Bible, and one group doesn't," he says.

Rockstar: Supernova

First off...I'm shocked that Lucas won...especially after Dilanas performances the past couple of weeks. "Roxanne" was incredible. Her version of "Mother, Mother"...amazing. "Every breath you take"...stunning. However, if any guy was to win, based on the past few weeks, Lucas definately was the top man.

Secondly...recently, the courts in Calif. decided that SuperNova can't have the name Supernova. I found it curious that it was never mentioned on the air or their website...so i don't know what name they'll be touring under. :)

Ends justify the means...

...have you noticed that the President of the U.S. went from "there are no secret prisons" to "we don't condone torture" to "well, there are a few secret prisons where we do some light torture"? Yet the whole time the executive branch is claiming that these men are horrible terrorists...isn't it the judicial branch that decides if someone is guilty? Isn't it supposed to be the judicial branch that decides what is torture and what isn't and if we indeed are allowed to do it?

The laws in this country are meant to protect the innocent...yet George W. constantly steps over that boundry and justifies his actions by pointing to the end result. We are not a country to be run by fear. In an emotional crunch, there are tons of things I'd consider justified that I'd never ever consider otherwise. That's why we don't base law off of emotional state. It's black and white. It doesn't matter if you are upset, retaliating, etc...the law is the law.

My Element

What the hell kind of test is this?

Your Element Is Water

A bit of a contradiction, you can seem both lighthearted and serious.That's because you're good at going with the flow - but you also are deep. Highly intuitive, you tune in to people's emotions and moods easily.You are able to tap into deep emotional connections and connect with others. You prefer a smooth, harmonious life - but you can navigate your way around waves.You have a knack for getting people to get along and making life a little more peaceful.

What's" Your Element?