Thursday, October 23, 2008

Packages

I just received my very first online purchase the other day. It arrived sooner than expected, and in good condition, too. I bought the DVD because I read the book and just had to watch it. The movie's called Thunderheart, which stars Val Kilmer. I don't remember seeing it, there was no VCD available here, and I couldn't find my Video City no more. Where have they gone?

Anyway, I just decided to document the packages I received so far.

The first one came from an indie Texas band. Back in 2003, when the All-American Rejects came out, I went gaga over them, and eventually, over some other bands that sounded like them. That's how I came about the free mp3s of a band named Space Man Spiff. I googled them, but couldn't find anything. Then 2004 was Myspace year. It offered separate accounts for bands and musicians. Finally I found SMS! Of course, I told them I was a fan (from the Philippines - hahaha baga ug nawong ba?) Days later I got a reply. Another set of days later, I received a second message. This time it said that they were giving me a free copy of their CD for being their most distant fan! I didn't know you could win something just like that. If interested, you can listen to their music in myspace. I highly recommend the songs Dream is Real and Warm Sunshine. Unfortunately, they've disbanded in 2006.

space man spiffThe nice thing about their package was the casing. The cover was hand-drawn. But my favorite part was the back cover. Just see for yourself why.

space man spiffThe second package contained a book. It was also given to me for free because of a poem I got published there. Yes, that screaming one! It's fun to see your written work in a real book, especially when you're not a real writer. For a book that small, the packaging was a bit over the top.

scream The last one, of course, was the Thunderheart DVD. And yes, it's another American Indian film. It was good, though, in a crime movie kind of way. (Val Kilmer was so young!) I got it from ebay using my $20 in paypal ^__^.

thunderheart

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Ben Stein: "My Confession"

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees.. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a crèche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'

In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing yet?

My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,

Ben Stein

Friday, October 10, 2008

What I heard on my way to work

"Makabasa na man ka, nganong nag-eskwela pa man ka, Doy?" (Why do you still go to school when you already know how to read?)

~ a tricycle driver to a student

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Twilight Official Poster

Twilight Official Poster????
Is this really it?

I still can't decide if the books are worth reading or if the movie's worth watching. Though, if I end up watching it, I hope it's not that bad.