cry, cry, cry

joaquin phoenix is retiring from acting. he's not going to make movies anymore. he's going to focus on his music. (in other words, go from oscar-calibar actor to washed-up musician.) i'm so sad! like hobbitsister said, can't he wait 5 years? i'm going to miss his 38!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHELLEYBUTTON! :)

hobbitsister and i would vote for different people

one of the residents asked one of the housekeepers who she was voting for.
hk: i can't tell you that.
signe: i don't know who to vote for.
hk: well, you have to go by what you know about them. and then choose for yourself.
signe: well, i know one is tall and one is short.

another reason iowans are weird

they celebrate halloween'een

Food Review: Frutista Freeze

It's free taco day! From 2-6 today at Taco Bell you get a free taco courtesy of Jason Bartlett. Enjoy! :)

i met photoqueen this weekend!

i'm such a dolt

i got to see chelley this weekend! (but that's not why i'm a dolt.) it was good to see her even if she was sick.
for some reason, the whole way down there i was scared i was going to get a flat tire. i didn't. then i was scared the whole way home that i would. i got caught in tornado winds in the midst of a blizzard (perhaps a bit of an exaggeration, but there were flurries, and i was having to hold onto the steering wheel for dear life so as not to blow off into a ditch), but still no flat tire.
so then i went straight to my grandma's for her birthday party. and that's when i hit the curb, busted my tire, broke my hubcap, and hopefully didn't do any more damage than that.
i get all the way to iowa and back safe and sound. and then i hit a curb. i'm such a dolt.

this has started underlining my post titles. i don't like it!

i have the coolest friends

my ninth grade friend stole tacos for everyone in america!

thank you, ninth grade friend!

Book Review: "The Shack," by William P. Young

I don't know that I've ever been so happy to be done with a book so I can review it on here. I'm finally finished now, though, so I can.

I highly, highly don't recommend it. Supposedly it's a Christian book about a man who spends a weekend with the Trinity. But if it's Christian, I'm Buddhist.

It's hard to say exactly what the problem with it is. The best way to describe it is that it gave me a yucky feeling. And if a person has discernment, I think if one feels that way, it should be a big tell right there. It feels like a book you'd find in the spirituality section of Barnes&Noble, or something that Oprah would recommend. Some moments sound good, and sound Scriptural, but all it made me think was, 'The devil knows Scripture and knows how to twist it. Here he goes again.'

The doctrine is messed up: Jesus doesn't care if people become Christians as long as they're in good relationships (because that's what the Trinity is), seemingly no one goes to Hell, we're on the same level as God, and so on. It's extremely disrespectful and irreverant. And again, the best way to desribe it is icky.

It made me concerned as to the direction the church is headed. I don't like the thought of this being sold in Christian bookstores. People might think it sounds good, but guess what. The Anti-Christ is going to sound good, too. (I'm not saying that Young is the Anti-Christ. I'm just saying that the church desperately needs discernment.)

I know this isn't sounding very specific. So here's part of another person's review: "The biggest problem with Young's portrayal is not that the Father is a Mother (which IS a problem!), but that the Father and Holy Spirit are shown as humans. Only Jesus was revealed in the flesh to show us the rest of the Godhead. Furthermore, in an effort to portray the Godhead as personal, Young has to diminish the incomprehensibility and sovereignty of God. The Godhead is portrayed as a really tight family, rather than a all-consuming fire who commands the armies of nations and is a warrior for those he loves...Please, recognize that 're-imagining' God is not the same thing as discovering the true God. It is possible to go from one false image of God to another false image of God. Please make sure that if you read this book, you do it carefully. Ask, "What does Young give up so that we might have an emotionally satisfying, buddy-buddy God?" I believe that Young gives a shallow, non-satisfying portrayal of intimacy and relationship with God, all the while having to give up concepts of Justice and Sovereignty to arrive at his conclusion. The real God as revealed in the Bible through Jesus Christ is so much more satisfying than the trite, goofy idol that has sprung from the imagination of Mr. Young," by Jacob Denhollander.

Or, by Ben Laird: "It makes little sense to sacrifice biblical doctrine in order to be inspired about who God is. Let us worship God as who He is and not change Him in order to fit modern sensibilities."

Or there's my mother's review, short but to the point: "It's like the book from Hell."

And to top it off, it's poorly written.

If you do read it, please read it with a spirit of discernment and prayer. (Also, please try to borrow it from someone. I don't believe this book should earn more money or acclaim. And please don't read it if you're not a Christian. It could seriously screw you up with it's lies. If you have questions about GOD or Christianity, feel free to ask me or anyone who comments regularly on this blog.)

But really, it would just be better if no one read it.

is this a direct quote?

on food and pants man's blog:

"You should eat lots of ice cream, lest your life suck."-Winston Churchill

my sad story

amanda's not working my weekend anymore. that makes me sad. and now i'm sitting here thinking about it. and that's making me sadder. :(

why i won't be getting to bed before 10

because i just spent the last half hour reading my posts from last december

only lotr dorks

apparently the university of illinois urbana-champagne is getting a new bell-tower,

which looks like this.

so about a month ago, the university woke up one morning to find it looking like this.

go dorks! :)

i would like to try one of these

http://www.tokyomango.com/tokyo_mango/2008/10/alarm-clock-sto.html

Food Review: Stauffer's Animal Crackers

(Unfortunately I do not have a food and pants blog, so Hobbitsister says I can't do this, but I'm going to say a few words about this food product anyway.)

I like them. And they're so not bad for you. You can eat like 847 and not feel at all guilty. Perfect snack. (Well, perfect except for the fact that they're neither ice cream nor chocolate.)

1 Peter 2:9-10

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, GOD's own people that you may declare the wonderful deeds of HIM who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were no people but now you are GOD's people; once you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy." (emphasis mine)

baseball chapel - "Abigail: A woman of wisdom and discretion"

[ Stacy Ortiz was talking about things that prevent us from becoming discerning women]
"Laziness - There are no shortcuts to sanctification or to becoming a woman of discernment. It takes time every day in the Word and in prayer."

chelley, chelley, chelley

she asked me why i want to see pics of justin. silly girl.

i went to bed at 9 last night!

i was so proud of me! until i woke up at 4. then i was just mad.

this made me sick

I tend to stay away from serious matter (other than spiritual stuff) on my blog, but I read this in an article about homelessness and was appalled:

"Santa Cruz, Calif., once known for its anything goes lifestyle, has implemented some of the nation's harshest laws, says attorney Kate Wells. A 'blanket ban,' punishable by fines, makes it unlawful for people living outside to cover themselves with a blanket from 11.pm. to 8 a.m. Sleeping in cars is illegal during those hours. So is lingering in covered parking lots, where many people seek shelter during bad weather." - 'No Place to Call Home,' by Carole Fleck

Maybe I'm misunderstanding and this means that they provide shelter for every person in their city, but I have a funny feeling it means exactly what it sounds like it means. It's sick.

lemon squares

while i don't share his enthusaism for lemon squares, i can't help but be moved by the way he expresses his feelings.
http://www.foodandpants.com/2008/10/lemon-square-song.html

(his blog is all about food and pants. here's a pants sample for you:http://www.foodandpants.com/2008/09/bad-pants-sighting.html)

Book Review: "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame," by Victor Hugo

I knew going into it that it was nothing like the Disney movie. I knew it would be sad. I'd seen the play and knew the ending. I didn't expect to be hit by it the way I was, though. I don't know why I didn't expect it - it's Victor Hugo, author of my favorite book ever (that would be "Les Miserables"). But after being kind of bogged down by his (and really the time's) rambling style, it surprised me.

It's good. One of the things I like about Hugo, is how he mocks people as a whole. And this book has plenty of that. He likes to point out our faults (generally by giving extreme examples). But he also shows some of the most simple tender moments; a look, a touch, a subconcious thought.

I think one of the reasons it struck me like it did was that over and over in the book he stressed how sweet and innocent La Esmeralda was, and how one simple act of kindness on her part was enough to win the undying devotion of Quasimodo. It also showed the respect that everyone had for this one humble girl.

I also like how Notre-Dame and the city of Paris themselves are characters of sorts. It shows a depth of understanding on Hugo's part of how society and culture shape events. It's something we often don't think about, but he puts it out there plainly.

If you're looking for a classic to read, I recommend it (but of course I recommend "Les Mis" first). It makes you think, but touches you on a personal level at the same time (now didn't that sound cheesy ;) ).

Oh, and side note, I don't think La Esmeralda looked anything like the Disney version. And from the pics I've seen of other movie versions, they don't get it either. They're all too old (she's 16) and have more of a sexy look than a sweet look. She's supposed to be both. I picture her looking more like Vanessa Hudgens. Also, there's no way her voice sounded anything like Demi Moore. Her voice is too strong. La Esmeralda was not weak, but she was soft.

Baseball Chapel - "Ambitions for the Off-Season"

"Our “Christianity” should be attracting people. The love we have for Jesus Christ should also give us a love towards those around us that draws them to the Savior. It should cause them to see that there is a difference in the way we look at life as well as the way we live it. Our lives need to be a living demonstration of what following Christ means. As the Holy Spirit works in us, we know the kinds of things He will produce: love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22,23). Who wouldn’t want these qualities in their life? What a gift! What a bargain! Jesus took my sin and guilt and, in turn, gave me eternal life along with His peace and joy!
"Prayer: Lord God, fill me with such a burning love for you that living for you becomes my ultimate purpose, and let your love overflow out of my life." - Christi Eldred

thank you, wcco!

so i'm watching the news, cringing during the commercials, wanting to run from the room to try to avoid a little of the negative campaigning. i don't know the last time i saw an advil or campbell's soup commercial - it's all political ads all the time. sickening to say the least.
anyway, so i'm watching the news tonight, and in the middle of all these negative ads, comes an unexpected reprieve. there on the screen is a picture of a cat sleeping. no words, no music, no noise. just a sleeping cat with the words 'political ad break' in the corner, and a timer lasting 30 seconds (and the letters of the station).
suffice it to say that it worked. for the next month, i will be watching channel 4 news. thank you so very much!

Congratulations, Richies!

When I was in college I worked for the nicest couple ever (basically I was their "Alice," but thankfully w/o the 6 children). Their love for the LORD shines through in all that they do. When I quit grad school, the one thing I wanted was to go work for them again.

So that Christmas I was very excited to hear that they were adopting a baby girl from China, and were interested in having me come back as a housekeeper/part-time nanny. They were expecting to get her in January. And then in July. And then in October. And then this just kept going on (and thus the job fell through). As disappointed as I was, I couldn't help but think how hard that first Christmas without her must've been for them.We've kept in touch with Christmas cards, and every year I've been looking for news of her, but every year there's been nothing.

This week, however, I got a card in the mail. When I saw that the return address was "The Richie Family," I was so excited! I tore it open, and there she was! After over three years of disappointment and Chinese red tape, there was their beautiful baby girl. She's one year old, has the cutest smile and just the right amount of chub, and looks so content and like she knows she belongs and is loved. She even somehow looks like them. I'm so happy for all three of them!

GOD bless you all!

dear yahoo mail,

why am i being asked for my password all the time now? and why are you saying that this email cannot be displayed? i'm getting very tired of it. you're lucky everybody has that email address for me, or i'd switch to solely hotmail.
sincerely,
melilot brandybuck

better than "Captivating"

In trying to tell women that GOD loves them no matter what, "Captivating" manages to tell women what is wrong with them. For like 250 pages or something like that. Instead, I like what Baseball Chapel has to say on its women's page:

You are a unique woman, living in a unique world, with unique needs. And yet, the Word of God, given thousands of years ago by a loving and compassionate Lord, stands ready to meet each of those needs in a personal way.

He knows you.

He loves you.

He understands what you're going through.

He has the answers you're looking for...

"For whatever was written in earlier times

was written for your instruction,

that through perseverance

and the encouragement of the Scriptures

we might have hope."

Romans 15:4

i wish Bible study was on the other weekend

i don't like having it on the weekend i work. i'm too tired to want to leave the house. i don't want to go today. however, of course, the chapel that i quoted the other day gave a list of ways in which we are 'caught napping.'
"GOD says, 'Do not neglect meeting together...' Hebrews 10:25

...and we go to church or Bible study only if it's convenient and we feel like it."

and another one i read recently (entitled 'Duty or Privilege') said, "Going to church is a privilege as well. A friend of mine likes to say, 'I don't have to go to church, I get to go to church.' That in itself sums up duty versus privilege...It is a privilege to worship and praise our GOD at church." The prayer in that one said, 'Forgive me for focusing on duty more than privilege. Open my eyes to new privileges every day. I love you LORD."

so i guess i'm going to Bible study. and i guess i'm going with a good attitude. :)

more from 'Hunchback'

[Although, not really. Hugo hated the english title because it confines the story to one person. The French (true) title is 'Notre-Dame de Paris.']

Frollo asks Gringoire what he has to live for. Gringoire's answer:
"The fresh air, the blue sky, morning and evening, the warm sunshine, and the moonlight, my good friends the Tramps, our romps with the good-natured girls, the beautiful architectural works of Paris to study, three thick books to write - one of them against the Bishop and his mills - and more besides. Anaxagoras said that he was in the world to admire the sun. And then I have the good fortune to spend all my days from morning till evening with a man of genius, that is, myself, and this is extremely agreeable."

beets

i am eating in the basement. i have been banished here because my parents would rather have the company of beets than the company of me. i'm hurt.

oh crap! (and phewph!)

i forgot to put more mountain dew in the downstairs fridge when i finished the last case. so yesterday when i wanted one, there was none to be had (at least not cold). i put the next case in the fridge, and stuck one can in the freezer, figuring i'd come back to it in about 15-20 minutes.
i then went upstairs to look for a snack in the kitchen, opened that fridge, and saw a can there. i proceeded to grab that, thinking, i'll be back downstairs in a few minutes to go on the computer; i'll take the other can out then.
so an hour ago i went to grab a mountain dew from the downstairs fridge. crap! i had forgotten the can in the freezer. i opened it, expecting the hugest mess ever, but, thank heaven, it had not exploded. it is now sitting in the basement sink, hopefully still not exploding.

i'll make it easy for you

luanne, one of the residents at work, is a huge twins fan (as in bigger than i am). she asked me yesterday who i'm cheering for, now that the twins are out of it. i said, 'anyone who's not the white sox. so the rays right now.' she laughed and said, 'i'm cheering for the red sox.'

me: 'oh, no, no, no! you don't want to cheer for them.'

luanne: 'why not?'

me: 'i'm cheering for torii [who's playing against the red sox right now]. gotta cheer for the angels.'

luanne: 'torii hunter? oh, i didn't even think about that! [obviously distressed] oh, now what do i do?! i'm just cheering for the red sox because my pastor is. oh no!'

me: gotta cheer for torii.'

today she told me that she needs an early breakfast tomorrow because she's being picked up early for church.

me [smug]: 'alright. but only if you cheer for the angels.'

luanne [laughing]: 'alright! i'll do that!'

Movie Review: "Rescue Dawn"

A boy movie. With Christian Bale. Excellent choice.

It was good. Nothing spectacular, but worth seeing. It's about a pilot who was gunned down over Laos during the Vietnam War. It wasn't annoyingly inspiring, like some of these movies can be. There wasn't a girl he was trying to get home to. Basically it just showed his will to escape and survive. I liked that.

The acting was good. I liked Christian Bale's accent in this one, and Steve Zahn did an excellent job as a fellow prisoner.

Warning, however. There is a little bit of torture toward the beginning. Nothing gorey, but enough to make you think that people can be completely sick. It moves on from there pretty quickly, though, getting to the actual story. And like I said, it was good.

And that was the first of my boy movie nights.

baseball chapel - "Caught Napping"

"It wasn't so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. You let the world, which doesn't know the first thing about living, tell you how to live." - Ephesians 2:1

"In GOD's great mercy, we have been redeemed - purchased with the blood of JESUS CHRIST - from the penalty of our sin, and given the gift of eternal life through faith in HIM. We have been made children of the KING, cleansed from all our guilt and have the SPIRIT of the living GOD dwelling within us. We have been made brand new.
"And yet...in many respects our lives look just like those around us who do not know CHRIST. We unconsciously follow the pattern of godless living that is commonplace and 'normal' in this world...Instead of reflecting the JESUS who lives within us, too often we reflect the culture that is around us. We need to wake up from our spiritual 'napping' and break out of the mold that we have been subtly pushed into by our society. Don't follow the crowd; in love, lead it - by your life and through your words - right to JESUS.
"JESUS died for me. I want to live for HIM!" - Bev Sparling

suggested reading: 1 Peter 1

chick flicks

not always a good thing. they can leave a girl feeling lonely and depressed.
i guess it's back to boy movies again for awhile.

Alrighty, Ninth Grade Friend!

Time to come through for us. Go Rays!

Go My Boys!

You rock! What a great season! I'm so so proud of you. They all said this was a "rebuilding year." Yeah, well you showed them. 163, baby! Sure we may not have won last night. Sure we may not have won the division (although I say we did, because we were in first place when the regular season was over). But whatever, you beat the White Sox in the season series 10-8, so ha! Take that, you stinkin'...

Many props to Blackburn for pitching so well last night under the pressure, and many props to Cuddyer for that huge tackle (my only advice is to slaughter him next time). http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?c_id=min (click on 'more from this game' then 'griffey throws out cuddyer' - or what i prefer to call 'cuddy's football move' or 'shoulda hit 'im harder just cuz he's him' or 'next time take out his knee-caps')

This season was awesome. And now we're all practiced for next year when we go all the way! Woo-hoo!