Ripped from the headlines:
::Hearing – The Smashing Pumkins: Zeitgeist
::Looking - At my crazy students on a Friday afternoon::
::Reading – Feed My Lambs: Tim Gallant; Genesis: Moses::
::Drinking – Sam's Choice Cola
::Wanting – To get home to my wife and son::
::Purchasing – Hopefully, tickets to Notre Dame's home opener::
::Praying – That Lacey and I become good parents
::Wishing - I could spend more time at home this weekend::
::Worrying - That Noah's diaper rash won't go away :-(
::Planning – Next Weekend's Labor Day Camping Trip; next summer's possible trip to Mexico::
::Thinking – That I would like to speak my mind to some of my students::
::Wondering – How much damage Hurricane Dean caused in Cancun::
1.Miss Potter - Despite poor reviews, Lacey and I really liked this! It was clean, enjoyable, a bit moving, and well-acted despite the fact that I hate Renee Zellwegger. Also, Peter Rabbit is a classic, and one of my favorites as a kid.
2.Bobby - Incredible cast, decent movie. As I thought about it, it became obvious that what was most likely thought of as liberal in 1968 (when Bobby Kennedy ran for prez and was assassinated) would be moderately conservative these days. Those Kennedy boys sure did know how to make speeches as well. Man, there was some good stuff in this. Unfortunately, they tried to do too much in 2 hours, but this one had its moments.
3.Superbad - I can think of comedies that are better movies, but I can't think of a movie in recent memory where I laughed more, or harder, than I did when we went to see this Saturday night for my birthday. Now, this movie isn't for everyone. It is extremely crass, and raunchy. Which sounds like it shouldn't be viewed period. But it has a good message, the characters learn their lesson, and it is frickin' hilarious. Lacey enjoyed it too, so I don't think it's just a guy movie. The characters are well-drawn, the soundtrack is great, and it's just a LOT of fun.
Still on the immediate list: Zodiac and Fracture.
I turn 30 tomorrow. THIRTY! I can't believe I've been alive for that long, I'm incredibly old. But it's weird, I still feel like I'm 23. I swear, that is the age I always feel like. It was a great year. I was really getting close with my Moscow friends, making new ones, having a great time. I dunno, I just feel perpetually young, like I'm still a kid...and yet I teach high schoolers, have been married for 3 years, and have a kid, a house, and a dog. Whatever, this is NOT what this blog post is supposed to be about. Here goes.
Most people that read this blog know that my favorite music comes from The Dave Matthews Band. They are in Indianapolis tonight and tomorrow, and I'm missing them! I had forgotten that until this morning, when I head a DMB song on the radio, and started bemoaning my fate. Then the morning talk show came back on, and they were talking about going to see the band tonight. Then, they said that they would be playing a game to give away tickets, so you should call now. Usually, I would just ignore it, since I NEVER get through, but I just had a weird feeling...so I picked up my cellphone and dialed the number...busy. It was busy probably through 10 tries or so, and then began ringing! It rang about 15 times, so I just hung up, because some poor schmoe was already playing the game. The object was that the radio people would give you a topic, and you had to talk about it for 30 seconds, without saying "um" or "uh" and without repeating yourself or pausing. Well, this dude screwed it up, so I called again, and what do you know? I GOT THROUGH! I told them my name and they put me on hold. I heard a lady playing, and SHE screwed it up! I was crazy nervous, expecting my name to get called next...but they asked for Stacy. Stacy began the game, and repeated herself - now was my chance! But they ignored it, and she kept talking...and won the game. No big deal though, they had said there were other tickets to be given away. But first, traffic and weather. I was already at school (this was about 7 AM this morning), but I figured I'd wait it out, even though I might be late. It was DAVE after all! So they come back from traffic and weather........and the producer comes back on the phone and tells me the contest is over - sorry. I was CRUSHED. I tried telling him it was my birthday tomorrow, but I choked, and though I should have begged and pleaded, using my 30th, the fact that my wife just had a baby, etc., I totally froze and hung up the phone. Woe is me. I swear, I never win anything.
But at least I get to spend tonight with my lovely wife, and my handsome son. Gotta look on the bright side. God is good, and has blessed me abundantly. Here's to another 30 great years (at least). Wish y'all were here.
So I've believed for a while now that the doctrine of paedocommunion is one that we should be upholding. My elders don't agree, and I'm doing some study to attempt to convince them otherwise, so my son can take communion as early as possible. But all the Biblical arguments aside, my old buddy Josh Gibbs has a wonderfully simple explanation for all of this (even though he has no idea I'm reposting this here and probably didn't intend for me to use it as such - sorry) which I am putting here for the benefit of all who read it:
"We assume that knowing means being able to explain, but God differs. Fresh from the womb, infants know how to digest food, how to grow hair. They know what all of their internal organs are and how to govern them on a minute by minute, second by second basis. The infant's inability to explain how the body works does not affect the infant's ability to clot blood at an open wound or discern what elements of digested food need to be expelled or contained. We know far more than we can express- as infants or adults. Hell, I don't know what all my guts do. That is, I do, but I can't explain it.
And if the body may know something and not be able to express it, even as an infant, what about the soul of that infant? The Lord has given knowledge to the infant on how to stay alive on a purely biological level. And what about a spiritual level?"
Great stuff.