I want a light saber...

I have now seen Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith twice. I was so excited Friday night when I saw it for the first time. I was boucing up and down ever so slightly, while shaking my fists in amazement. I had the biggest smile on my face as the theme music began and I read the background for the beginning of the story as it scrolled up the screen. Elyow'eynay and Table of Stone joined me.

The story was absolutely wonderful. It ties all the Star Wars movies together very nicely, and Lucas's attention to detail is amazing. The acting wasn't wonderful, but there were a few scenes where the actors really came through. (I almost wanted to cry a few times, but I didn't.) I have to agree with someone who wrote a letter to the editor of TIME magazine, though. He said that although Lucas was able to present his vision more precisely with today's technology, he wasn't able to make it as real. I feel that this statement applies mainly to the various surface setting shots (which from a distant look very digital). On the other hand, the light saber fights, as Elyow'eynay stated, were much more real than IV, V, and VI.

Overall, the movie was wonderful, and the darkest one yet. You almost get a real bad gut feeling while watching the movie progress, because you know the story...you know what is going to happen. It is just a matter of watching it happen.

I would say more...but I don't want to spoil anything for anybody. So...go see it, and may the force be with you. :-)

Summer Daze

I have discovered at least two things that summer should always include: afternoons on the porch and reading on a bench in the park.

Sunday afternoon my friends and I sat on the porch and enjoyed lovely conversation (after the boys ended their destruction and violence, otherwise known as Halo). Some enjoyed Mountain Dew, although I think porch sitting should be accompanied with water or sweet tea. Our dear Sister Friend of the church has a hammock, and Table of Stone and I swapped out using it. A radio played softly in the background, and the pool water reflected the sun onto the ceiling. Our Sister Friend also provided a fan. Table of Stone stated well, "This is what every day of summer should be like."

Today, after running errands and missing a meeting, I headed for the Quad at my dear University of Alabama, found my favorite bench, and began to read. I brought two books with me, but I decided on Rule by Secrecy by Jim Marrs. Very good and interesting reading. I also brought with me The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis. It is the fifth in his Narnia series, and also a very good book thus far. Anyways, I think this will be one of my favorite parts about working in Tuscaloosa over the summer. Reading a good book is great fun by itself, but reading a book on the Quad with just enough background noise and shade...well, it's absolutely wonderful.

I will add more "summer musts" as I discover them or think of them, and as always, feel free to share your "summer musts."

Black Death

Last week was finals week here at the University of Alabama. I had one test a day, Tuesday through Friday. As early as Tuesday afternoon I knew I needed some caffeine to keep me awake for my test that night, and to be able to finish studying for my fast-approaching test. I was sitting in Starbucks in our Student Center, because it makes a great place to study if you enjoy background noise. So, needing caffeine, I decided to try a Caramel Frappucino, and wouldn't you know it...they are out of caramel. So, I tried a (well, I'll attempt to remember it and say it) mocha frappucino with a caramel afogado (sp?), and a shot of expresso. The cashier at Starbucks recommended it. I managed maybe two or three sips, ten at the most. I felt like I was drinking ground coffee, it was that strong. Not to mention, the coffee itself tasted burnt. A nationally known coffee chain, and everything I have tried there, except for one or two drinks, tastes absolutely horrible!

So, I began to ponder and reason as to why so many people drink this horrible coffee. I pass many people each day on campus who are drinking this black death. My conclusion: each of these people are trying to conform to a particular type of culture, society, group, etc. They torture themselves until they become used to it, like an initiation process. Just carrying a Starbucks drink gives this particular vibe. I feel it holding any cup of coffee, but Starbucks sticks out.

Now I'm sure there are people that really do enjoy the taste of Starbucks coffee. I don't. Similarly, there are people who enjoy Milo's. I don't. It has just been my observation that there is a "coffee culture" in general, and Starbucks plays a large role in it.

I commend each of you who are strong enough to drink this coffee every day. You have earned a place of respect.

And if anyone has any suggestions for drinks I might enjoy, besides a Caramel Machioto and a Caramel Frappucino (since I actually like those - see, I don't hate Starbucks or its patrons), let me know. I'm always up for trying something new.

Blackberry Winter

I did not know what "blackberry winter" was until last night. I was speaking with a lady from Bethlehem PB who is somewhere in her 80's about the weather we've been having recently (sounds like a boring topic, I know, but it started with another conversation about yard work). She mentioned that we have been having a blackberry winter. I guess she could tell I was confused. She went on to explain that a blackberry winter occurs when one experiences prolonged winter weather, into the month of April. There must be a week or so of cold weather after it has warmed up a bit (if I understood correctly) in order to have blackberries during the summer months. Definitely describes the weather we've been having lately. Warm one week, and cold the next. While it has been, at times, frustrating trying to decide what to wear during these indecisive weather months, I can now look forward to blackberries in the summer. And, using the term blackberry winter in the years to come.

Truly a majestic spectacle...

One of the things I enjoy most about college life is being able to walk all over campus and admire God's majesty all around. His sovreignty and incomprehensible imagination can be seen everywhere I look and on any particular day, sunny or rainy, warm or cold. (I often find myself smiling while walking though large puddles...sometimes rivers, while on campus after a rain.) Romans 1:20 "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse." Just think of all the different species in the world, mammals, insects, reptiles, plants, etc. Add to that number all the extinct species. What infinite wisdom and creativity the Creator has. All that to say, I came across an interesting quote last night while looking at Hassell's church history. Hassell is quoting Dr. J. H. Stirling, of Edinburgh.

"This universe is not an accidental cavity, into which an accidental dust has been accidentally swept into heaps for the accidental evolution of the majestic spectacle of organic and inorganic life. That majestic spectacle is a spectacle as plainly for the eye of reason as any diagram of mathematics. That majestic spectacle could have been constructed, was constructed, only in reason, for reason, and by reason."

Well stated, Dr. Stirling. Well stated.

Food for Thought

The beginning of a new era...my first blog. I thought I would start by offering you one of my favorite poems. It is titled "Introduction to Poetry" by Billy Collins, who I believe was U.S. poet laureate under President William Jefferson Clinton. I was first introduced to this poem by my English 103 teacher during my freshman year of college. (Ever since then I have had every good intention of picking up a copy of the book by Collins that contains this poem.) We were reading Pablo Neruda's Love Poems at the time. I was quite fascinated with Collins's precise description of what many of us often try to do to a poem when we read it: torture the meaning out of it. No details, just meaning. Collins tells his readers what they should do when reading a poem. Enjoy!

I ask them to take a poem
and hold it up to the light
like a color slide

or press an ear against its hive.

I say drop a mouse into a poem
and watch him probe his way out,

or walk inside the poem's room
and feel the walls for a light switch.

I want then to waterski
across the surface of a poem
waving at the author's name on the shore.

But all they want to do
is tie the poem to a chair with a rope
and torture a confession out of it.

They begin beating it with a hose
to find out what it really means.


-Billy Collins