The funky store

I find people's aversion to certain stores fascinating. I love hearing the reasons behind why someone "hates this store," or "loathes going THERE!" But I find it even more interesting that those are the stores I enjoy going to. Funky Beat (Va Beach), Flowers and Gifts (Moscow, ID), Hot Topic (everywhere)... I truly enjoy going to them. Why? Simple: the people. I have never met more hospitable and kind and... well..... interesting retail persons. They almost always take an interest in you, how you are, what you are looking for. The owner of one such store would even ask me how school was going every now and then! (Notice that Spencer's is NOT on this list, I have heard too many horror stories about that place. There is an extreme sexual vibe coming from inside every-time I pass it. I recommend saying FAR away from it!)

It's true that most of them are homosexual or strung out or have a penchant for mutilating their bodies... but they are so darn nice! Which makes it all the more frustrating for me! Why do they try to separate themselves from the world, why do they try to be painfully different when they have such potential? And why do Christians, of ALL people, hate interacting with them? It just doesn't make any sense to me!

Some of the things in the stores are rather odd too. But they are so much fun to look at, and wonder who on earth could have though of THAT! 

For the most part, these people just need to be listened to... or maybe, they want to listen to you! Small retail is where conversations and relationships often start. Support your local businesses! To hell with the webernet!

Scott

Movie Review, Speed Racer

Many of you probably heard of the Wachowski's latest "flop," Speed Racer, based on the 60's animated Japanese TV show. The stench of the film was so bad  last spring that many of the core audience who WHOULD have enjoyed it were turned away by critics comparing it to things such as "fuchsia vomit," "cotton candy dreams," or "the equivalent of having hot, melted Skittles poured into your eyes." Even graver than this, the "critics" claimed that the film was all show and no heart... but after my own viewing of the movie, I think that is just movie critics' penchant for dystopian, dark, sinful, depressing stories talking.

This is definitely one of those movies you should watch when you are having a bad day! Personally, I don't see how you cannot be smiling by the end. Perhaps one of Speed Racer's strongest suits is its focus on family. Speed, Pops and to some degree, even Rex seem to be willing to sacrifice everything in order to preserve and safe-guard their family. Not only that, but by the end the bad guys are all dead or in prison and the good guys win. Yeah, that is WAY to commercial and a horrible plot! You need to hate this movie! *rolls eyes* 

But the two things that really do stick out are the films focus on special effects and pressing on. Which screams louder, I couldn't say, but scream they do. The effects truly are headache inducing, and certainly not for the faint of heart. More to the point, if any of my grandparents watched this movie, they would probably throw up from motion sickness and color overdose. But if you are in the 10 to 30 movie buff range, this movie is for you!  The whole production really is breathtaking.

What really impressed me, however, is the Racer's tough as nails, take on all comers attitude. That impressed me... who knew that the Wachowski's had such a soft spot in their hearts for families? I am dually impressed.

There are some things that did NOT impress me however. True to Wachowski form, the film is rather violent for a PG outing. Explosions are common, car parts fly, piranas attack, and ninjas kick???? Where did the ninjas come from? Perhaps even more disappointing the the amount of foul language. Normally, I would not care... except that this movie is aimed at 6 to 14 year olds. Two s words is a little much. Speed's younger brother even flicks off one of the bad guys... not something you'll want your kids emulating.

Those are my only real complaints about the film. Overall, I think it was very good; ESPECIALLY for the W brothers' first attempt at a PG film. But in the end I think that Adam Holz from Focus on the Family sums it up best: 

"You can take the Wachowskis out of the Matrix, but you can't take the Matrix out of the Wachowskis."

4 out of 5

Working, working, working

I apologize for the rather long silence, but I am now back at school and hence back to work. I have been writing when I get the chance, and once this story is complete and edited (Lord willing) I will serialize it here on the blog. In the coming months I hope to watch and review the upcoming films: Australia, Coraline and Watchmen. I will try to keep you posted. Until then, please bear with me.

Many thanks,

J Scott

The wind

I miss the way the wind feels

how it helps me breathe

how it helps me concentrate

and how it makes me leave

From one home to another

I drift from place to place

But with an aim and purpose

Which cannot bring disgrace

I learn to wait and hope and pray

and practice self-control

As I see a world so wonderful

And see beauties since untold

I welcome in the blessings

As I try to shut them out

I so want to enjoy them

Without instilling doubt

So I trust in God's wisdom

For my own will bring me pain

He will lead me to summer

And I'll see sun again

Zodiac- film review

I knew that it was going to be a cautionary tale, but I was wrong about what kind. I knew it would show sin and evil and destroyed lives in a very unflattering way, but I had no idea what way that would be. If you want more details on the history behind the film and case, you can look at wikipedia. It's a lot more reliable than most say it is.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zodiac_(film)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zodiac_Killer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Graysmith

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zodiac_(book)

I won't go into too much detail, but I'll just say this: More than the victims of the Zodiac's horrible crimes, it was those who researched the crimes that had their lives destroyed. They lost their wives, their children grew up without them, they were fired from their jobs, one turned to alcohol and drugs. What kind of life is that? Why do you need to know something that badly? Yes, the truth is important; but where is the line? Personally, I think Graysmith and Avery went too far. They basically ruined their lives trying to find this guy, only to have him die of a heart attack before they could arrest him. Talk about anticlimactic!

I take comfort in knowing that God will right everything upon the final day. I look forward to that day... and until then, I will rest in knowing that He is sovereign and I need hold onto nothing else.

Scott

Why Should I Give a Hoot About Mother Nature?

No, I'm not a tree hugger, I don't worship the god formerly known as terra and I am not a democrat. But that doesn't really change a ruttin' thing in my mind. (Yes, I am a browncoat now.) One of the really sad things about this amazing country called America is that the government (whoever they may be) is slowly, but surely, taking the place of the church. They are the ones now providing for the poor, they are the ones that the people pray to, they are the ones the people run to. Not the church, not God. And the latest thing that the church known as the American government has called god is earth, nature, whatever you wish to call it. Just like they stole looking out for the sick and needy (perhaps it was more like we gave it to them on a silver plater), we now give up our right to nurture the world that God has blessed us with and told us to cultivate.

We have become so wrapped up in our "Republicanness" that we refuse to support anything that even stinks of Democrat. There are some who would say this is wise, especially with earth worship and "environmentalism," because it is idolatry. And rightly so... at least in the hands of a Democrat. But we ought to have the same fear of Dems are we are of the GOP. They are just as dangerous, they are just as biased, and for the most part, they are just as un-Christian. We should take "environmentalism" back from its captures and call it by its proper name: taking dominion over what God has given us.

Why are we, as Christians, so hard up on the late, great planet anyway? One word: premillennialism. We all want to get raptured the heck out of here, so screw the evolutionists, screw the kids, and screw the world! We're going to a better place! This is what is so wrong with a dispensational, premillennial worldview. It may be Biblically correct (despite what many of my friends and family may believe, I am willing to grant that you may be right), but.... BUT it gives you a horrible, HORRIBLE outlook on life right now. Jesus came to redeem the world from sin. Why would he come to earth if He just wanted to get out of it? EVERYTHING He created was good! (Notice that God said woman was VERY good!) Sin and our sinful human wills corrupted that good world. Now it must be fixed; all of it, not just humans. Premillennialism makes us shallow, narrow and hallow creatures; which is something God cannot abide!

Look around you, earth is breathing, it is watching, it is living. It is not a god, but it lives, for it was created by the only one and true God, and He will not let it fall into ruin. Should we be the ones that God needs to redeem the world from? I think not. Although we are indeed a much higher form of creation than earth is, God is still in the process of redeeming everything. We ought to be helping Him, not hindering.

Sincerely,

Scott

The short and sweet review

I  might expound on this later, but here goes:

(CD) "Chuck" by Sum 41 = 2 1/2 out of 5 

OK punk effort, but most songs sound like the others... after listening for half an hour the only songs that really stand out in a good way are the acoustic songs and ballads.

(Film) Bedtime Stories = 3 out of 5

Sandler successfully turns down the raunch, but little else. His character really isn't sympathetic. Personally, I think that Big Daddy is much better. The only real difference is that Bedtime Stories is ok for kids.

(Video Game) Flat Out 2 = 4 1/2 out of 5

One of the BEST physics engines I have yet seen in a racing game. It combines the best elements of Burnout and Need for Speed into a fun, exciting and furious game. It even comes in console, PC and Mac versions! The only thing that prevents Flat Out from becoming family friendly fun is the somewhat disturbing "ragdoll driver" feature, where the driver of any given car can be thrown through the window and actually crunch and flop on the ground after a car crash.

Scott

Forgetfulness

I am experiencing that horrible feeling one has when they realize that they were just thinking about something that needs doing, yet cannot quite figure out what that thing is... or perhaps was. I know that I want cherry licorice, I know that I need to take my sister up on her offer to eat her enormous candy cane, and I also know that I am suppose to take her to the store tomorrow. I know that my father just finished reading 100 Cupboards, and I know that I am also writing a fantasy story and that I want a raggant like Henry. I know that I want to watch the first and only season of Firefly, and I know that I should probably go to bed. I know that I have been listening to a lot of Alkaline Trio and that Doom 3 still freaks me out. I also know that tomorrow is the 10th day of Christmas and the 3rd day of 2009.

Hmmm.... I thought this only happened to old people...

Scott