Oscar's Academy Awards

The saga-city Plumb LineI was a bit puzzled -- though not surprised -- when I read the headline on the Drudge Report today of Oscar's highest ratings since 2000. I say, who cares. I didn't watch. I never planned to watch -- and now, sitting here at the library's computer, trying to formulate some sensible thoughts -- which I do have on this topic -- the guy next to me won't quit talking -- like he's the only one in the entire room -- and I just want to slap him. But propriety prohibits me from telling him to SHUT UP!!!! My Christian faith keeps me from knocking his head in with my fist. Why are people so utterly insular? All they see are themselves and the four to six feet that constitute their lilttle world. Earlier, when I stepped back to the library front desk to resign up for this computer -- maybe a mistake, considering all facts -- someone stole my chair! Someone stole the chair I was using! Can you believe it? It happens all the time.

I suppose I should be thankful. Thiings could always be worse. These matters are trifling worries not to worry about. They are aggravating, to be sure, but they're not worth gritting my teeth over. I know one day I'll have my own computer, in my own place, able to forego the fools who frequent these computers, bothering those of us who try to put together a legitimate existence. But then, I drift off my topic again...

The Academy Awards -- I cared nothing about any of the films, for I saw none of the films. I didn't care to see any of the films. I thought about taking my dad to see "The Aviator", because he used to be a pilot -- and since it's from his time period -- but when I saw the thing was rated R with some brief nudity in it, I thought of "Pearl Harbor". I wanted to take him to see that also; but when it went awry into some dopey love story, rather than tell the story of the men at Pearl Harbor, I realized it would be as inane as "Titanic"; which was NOT the best picture of 1997. Both "Good Will Hunting" and "As Good As It Gets" were FAR superior pics. But then who ever listens to me? The Oscars, in a final word, are just a political popularity contest. The BEST does not win. The FAVORITE does. Run it like a political campaign, and even if your film is the worst piece of drivel ever recorded upon celluloid, you can win. My proof? "Farenheit 911" Everyone universally agrees it was the best documentary of 2004. I never saw it, nor do I ever plan to see that piece of propaganda; but if it is accepted as the best, it should have won the award for best documentary -- regardless.

lunch

Question. Why must everyone have lunch at the same time everyday? I was driving down the main street of my town here (a humble little hovel of a village, it is) and there was this inordinate blockage of traffic. Was it a car wreck? Was it a parade for some pompous visiting dignitary? Were a family of ducks trying to cross the road to get to the other side (to get to the McDonald's on the wrong side of the street)? No. It was noon. Everyone was on break for lunch. I was the fool who forgot.

When this isanity start? Why not eat later? Why not eat sooner? Why not eat at all? Who, after all, said we must enjoy three square meals a day? I can't recall when I last enjoyed three square meals a day. It'd be nice -- at least once.

So Little Time - Go Read a Good Book

Why is there so little time in the day? Shouldn't a day be more like... 60 Hours!!! I mean, I'm sitting here in front of the computer (I have to use the library computers, as my computers at 'home' are too obsolute to connect to the Internet) and my time is nearly up. What can one do? Oh, where can one go? Well, I do have a collection of books I need to get read and reviewed before the end of the next month.

If anyone is searching for a good book, check out the site I review books for www.roundtablereviews.com No matter who you are, if you enjoy reading -- the owner is always searching for new reviewers -- there is bound to be something for you to find. I know, of the books I have read, practically everyone has been worth my time. But then that's me.

Internet music

Hey, I just thought I would pass this bit of info along to any who may be interested. I often pass the time in front of the computer listening to INet music. One site I found that doesn't interfere with whatever I'm doing is www.accuradio.com. If anyone out there is searching for some good music to listen to while Internet surfing, it is definitely worth a look -- or, better said, a listen.

working on the blog

I am toying around with revamping -- 'revamping'? Is that the right way to phrase something I have yet to find the right form to? I don't know. I see the possibilities for this blogging sight, I just haven't put the time into it yet.

My ideas center around a newletter I published at one time. I divided it into several categories, different sections as one would find in any newspaper. If I can create more than one specified blog, with this blog here being the main blathering blog - if I can use that term - it might be of more interest to those just roaming around... Now who's blathering?

I have scanned over a few other blogs located on this sight without much inspiration accrued. I am hopeful. I do see some rather creative templates used, though content has yet to grab my eye. I believe everyone has something to say. Through blogging like this, all of us can communicate with one another. And if we communicate, maybe we can begin to understand ouor differences better than we do now. Utopian? Sure. But, as I see it, if we fail to aim for the stars, we'll never reach the moon.

The Passion of The Christ part II

So one Christian pastor views the story in "Hotel Rwanda" more Christian (my words, not his) than "The Passion of the Christ". I am going to try and add a link to the story - if possible - for anyone to make up their own mind.

www.christianitytoday.com/leaders/newsletter/2005/cln50214.html

Now, being that I am not all that intricately aware of how this vast universe of the Internet works, I don't know if this will work. If not, check out the article "The Passion of Hotel Rwanda" written by Brian McLaren on the Christianity Today website.

My own thoughts are still being sorted out. I have read most of the piece, and I concur with most of what Pastor McLaren says, but I don't know if he actually gets it. Any good movie, i.e. a movie that centers on what is good, and right, and true about this life, transmits the same values Christ taught about 2000 years ago in a tiny sliver of land controlled by the now defunct Roman Empire. The man Don Cheadle portrays in the movie, the man who saved all the people from death, probably wouldn't have done what he did without the influence of Christ upon the world. Christ showed all man HOW to care for his fellow human being.

I don't get it how anyone who calls themselves by the name of Christ, could not approve of the message "The Passion of The Christ" depicted. In my view - and I saw the film seven times between its release date on Lent to Easter Sunday - it showed the suffering Christ went through because of mankinds inability to care for his fellow man, his inability to care for anyone outside of himself, his utter propensity to disobey everything God ever said man was to be in caring for the 'least of these'.

"The Passion of The Christ", in my view, is the progenitor of all these other films depicting 'Christ-like' behavior.

Winging It

I find blogging not as easy as I initially thought -- or I just haven't been able to find the time. You see, I also review books for another Internet website; and lately, I have become inundated with books to read and reviews to write. When I figure out just how to add links to this site, maybe I can include it so others can see what goes on. Or, if reviewing books interests anyone, I can also just add the email address to the owner. She's always looking for interested people who enjoy reading.
More on the Passion of the Christ -- as time avails itself to me. Why must there be so little time in the days anymore? I suppose that's why we all need to learn how to type really, really fast. It enables us to squeeze as much into these blogs as possible -- as all this I am writing is purely improvised ad lib right off the cuff.
I want to add links to various sites I am aware of. Does anyone have any suggestions on just how to do that?

The Passion of the Christ

I was reading through my usual listing of websites yesterday, when I came onto a story on christianitytoday.com. The tag line caught my attention. It something, to the effect, like 'more Christian than 'The Passion of The Christ'. Naturally, I had to investigate.

I didn't have the time to read through the entire piece; but I printed it out, and have perused through its words as time became available. From what I have been able to garner thus far, the writer of the piece is saying the current movie 'Hotel Rwanda' about the genocide occuring in the African country of Rwanda in 1994, presents a more congenial view of the heart of Jesus than did "The Passion of The Christ" -- my paraphrasing of his intent. When I have read it more thoroughly, I will post more complete comments on it later.

Then, I go to my part-time job at the local college, and I see the Campus Christian Fellowship organization there is sponsoring a viewing of the movie. 'View it in your room, or view it in the Commons area'.

How ironic to encounter two scenarios with that same topic.

Is it possible, I say to everyone out there, something is all screwed up in this world we call planet Earth? When I have more time, I will post more, as this is a topic I ponder over quite frequently.

Beginnings

As I am brand new - rather than brand old - to this sport of 'blogging', and as I carry an avid interest in the forte of writing, my efforts here might seem a bit trite and out-of-step with whatever 'mainstream' blogging might be; but I honestly believe every opportunity presented to oneself must be pursued and tried. So, with that said just off the cuff here, I ask any who may read this (any who know more about this endeavor than do I) for input, advice, commentary, anything which may be helpful in making this endeavor successful. There, in lies, my first ever 'blog'.