Sick of Snow

When I first decided to move out to Colorado, I constantly heard you are going to love the weather. "The summers are mild lacking humidity. The winters get cool (especially at night), but not much snow. If it does snow, it melts within the day or the next at most." So, how's the weather been? Let me just say that is has snowed (measureable snow that is), the last 6 straight weekends. Yep, you read correctly. Plus, there has been snow on the ground since before Christmas (granted we got 20-30" then). Everytime it starts to melt, it snows again. In addition, it only got above freezing in the middle of this week.

So, let me recap. It's been cold and white....for weeks now. Everyone continues to say that this is a fluke and very abnormal. I'm beginning to think people lied to me.

I'm not really as angry as the post may read, but it is getting old. Oh well, eventually it will melt and all will be peachy. Until then....I'm sick of snow.

Harry Potter in Schools

In Georgia, a woman is appealling the school board decision to keep Harry Potter books in the library of public schools. She complained to the school board and the case/complaint was considered and rejected. So, she decides to move on and appeal the process. Her reasoning for why Harry Potter should not be in schools: because it teaches/promotes witchcraft to children and she claims God wants her to ("I wouldn't do it, if the Lord didn't want me to.") She has the backing of His Voice Today (hisvoicetoday.org). The website claims "Harry Potter is being used to teach and promote witchcraft, Wicca, a U.S. Gov't recognized religion, in our schools, classrooms, and to this entire generation."

Based on this quote, it seems to me that this organization and woman are trying to use teaching a religion at a public institution as their arugment. If that is the case, then all C.S. Lewis books (Chronicles of Narnia) need to be removed as well. They are fictional works, but used as allegories to promote Christianity. I somehow doubt that the parent or His Voice Today would agree with that logic (thus proving their flawed point of view). This is a ridiculous case and absolute craziness.

Aside from wanting to remove what is popular and seemingly good literature from schools, my primary argument against this appeal is the rationale. Both the woman and His Voice Today are claiming to know God's will about Harry Potter books. I previously quoted the woman, but His Voice Today states: "This decision to appeal was made after much prayer and consideration, and significant answers to prayer confirming God's will regarding this case." I almost always have trouble when people claim to know God's will. I believe you can come to an understanding, a belief, but I don't think anyone truly knows God's will. I consider myself a smart guy, and have never been able to grasp God's will on a logical/fundamental level, let alone a practical, live model. I have no doubt that the members pursuing this believe they are one hundred percent correct and right in doing so, but keep in mind, many suicide bombers also believe they are doing God's will and are one hundred percent correct. (NOTE: I'm not meaning to say that appealing Harry Potter is as bad as suicide bombing, but I'm just trying to make the point that stupid things get done under the assumption "knowing the will of God.")

Final thoughts. Harry Potter is perfectly acceptable for public school libraries. Getting kids to read is a very very good thing. If it takes a teenage wizard, then fine by me. It's not like the books encourage illegal behavior or even cruel behavior. I seriously doubt God has major concerns over Harry Potter in public schools. Comments and thoughts appreciated.

Links to the story:

http://www.hisvoicetoday.org/index.htm

http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2007/01/antiharry_potte.html

http://www.11alive.com/news/article_news.aspx?storyid=90663

http://www.ajc.com/gwinnett/content/metro/gwinnett/stories/2007/01/18/0118gwxpotter.html

My Christmas Break

I know its been a bit since I've updated on the goings on in my life, so I will accomplish that today with this post. Basically I'm going to recap the 2 1/2 weeks I spent back in Indiana over Christmas. While I don't get an official Christmas Break, I am allowed to take time off (vacation time). So without further ado, here's what happened on my time off.

I had previously posted about the snow and my difficulties in arriving, so I won't belabor that point. But due to snow and rescheduling my flight, I arrived in Indy around 11pm on Christmas Eve and home in Terre Haute at 12:30 am Christmas Day. Christmas Day was spent with my immediate family (Mom/Dad, siblings, and siblings-in-law). It was really good to see and spend time with everyone. Did some bowling on Wednesday with Dad. Thursday was spent in Tell City seeing my Mom's side of the family (Grandma, Aunt and Uncle). We spent some time moving my Grandma into a nursing home, but it was still good to see family. I went to Indy with my brother, sister and their spouses from Tell City. The following day, my brother and I played video games...lots of video games. Played a few more on Saturday, then went to my Uncle's for Dad's side of the family (Grandma and Carl, Aunt and Uncle, Cousins). Another nice time with family. Returned with my parents to Terre Haute.

New Years Eve was spent at church and then to a bowling tournament (40 frame game). I won the tournament (that was good). Then home for pizza and movies (Invincible and Mission Impossible III). Said Happy New Year, then off to bed. New Year's Day saw another bowling tournament. I didn't do great, but Dad won it (so that was good). Tuesday I went to Indy to see some college friends. We just hung out and talked and had some supper. It was nice. Then I spent the night at my brother's and played some more video games (that night and the next morning). Returned to Terre Haute and bowled.

That weekend though, my Grandma (Mom's mom) took a turn and was put in the hospital. She was put on a respirator and things did not look good. Saturday my siblings and their spouses came to Terre Haute to go out to eat, but instead we went to Evansville to see my Grandma (and say our goodbyes). It was a tough time, but good to see her. A Shyler's trip did come out of it, so that was good despite the bad situation. Sunday, I have my bags packed and go to church with Dad. Midway through Sunday school my mom calls and says they pulled the plug and Grandma passed away. I then reschedule my flight and Dad and I go to Tell City. The next couple of days are spent getting things ready for the funeral. Visitation Tuesday and funeral on Wednesay. It was a very good service (Dad was the officiant and I read some scripture). The next day (Thursday), I returned to Denver. Took the weekend to get resituated and then returned to work on Monday.

My break was really good for 2 weeks, sad for a couple of days, but I wouldn't change a thing. I saw family and friends. The snow forced a rescheduled flight that allowed me to be in town for my mom during Grandma's turn. God works in mysterious ways, huh?

Well, that was my break. Trying to get back into the grind of things here. Stay tuned for more exciting post by yours truly.

Movie Reviews

Over the past week, I've seen two movies in the theaters. As I like to do, I am going to give my faithful readership my opinions on those two movies.

Night at the Museum: A pretty good comedy. Ben Stiller is NOT an annoying imbecile in this movie. I know, I was a bit shocked too. I would actually say that this was one of his best movie (Meet the Fockers and Meet the Parents were also good). It was humorous and didn't ever get boring. It realized what it was and didn't try to be something else. However, as a comedy, it really isn't worth big bucks to see in the theater. I would recommend this movie as a rental. Final grade: B, 3 out of 4 stars.

Apocalytpo: My expectations were not terribly high entering this movie due to the many criticisms it received. However, I was impressed. It really was a decent film. It is brutal and there is bloodshed, but it is not the gore-fest that most critics claimed it was. It is far less gruesome than the Passion, and more in line with a Braveheart type of brutality (Mel Gibson's other two films). In the end it is a taken from home and a fight to get back movie. Better than I expected. Not a fun film, but still good. If you don't mind some brutality, I would recommend this. If you have no desire for a decapitation or two, then avoid it, there are no real surprises in the movie. Final grade: B, 3 out of 4 stars.

Now you know what to go see. Hope you enjoyed, I know I did.