the entire flippin world. Starting with you.
I know this kind of goes against the mainstream, but music doesn't really play a central role in my life. 90% of the time I am listening to talk radio. Mostly political talk (Rush, Glenn Beck), occasionally religious programming (Ravi Zacharias, Answers In Genesis). When these choices are not available is when I turn to music. When this happens, I can listen to inspirational, country, classic rock or classical.
Movies are great. I really like movies, but more than that, I really like complaining about bad ones, which, truth be told, is most of them. Most movies today are not well made. For example, and I apologize in advance for stepping on any toes, Transformers. Many of my friends think that Transformers is a good movie, and they have taken me to task, suprised that I don't think it is an awesome example of movie-making. The fact of the matter is, movies that rely that heavily on special effects cannot be good, and I am certain that time will bear me out. Heavy use of effects (& CGI effects at that), is a trick, an illusion perpetuated by film makers that have no clue about story structure. Director Michael Bay tries to disguise his weak story telling with multi-million dollar special effects and for those who are satisfied by a weak storyline, it apparently works. However, the movie has no staying power. After one viewing, which I don't recommend more than that, the movie gets old, really fast. But maybe it's just me.
Most television shows that I watch regularly, I either watch online or on DVD. It is rare for me to sit in front of a television and watch scheduled programing. I usually only sit and watch TV with friends. If I can find anything else to do other than watch television, I will do it. Shows I watch online: Lost. Family Guy. South Park. I know a lot of people are offended by Family Guy and South Park and I am too, to be honest. But Family Guy is great escapism, and South Park is brilliant cultural satire. I would never let kids of any age group watch either one.
Simply put, books are my heroin. You want to talk about books? I say, "Let's break out the needles, dude/dudette. You want to free base that, or just smoke it? Here, I got the surgical tie-off elastic tube thingy right here." I love books and anything that has to do with books. I love their history, how they are made, published and distributed. I love how books have impacted history. I love that the Bibles' very name means, "Book." I could probably say tons more, but in the interest of space, I'll reserve any more comments about books for my blog.
For me, anyone who exhibits an act of selfless love regardless of how it effects their own interests is a hero. Nobody is a hero because they can throw a flippin football, basketball or how fast they can drive a car. No one is a hero because they played a character in a movie or television show, nor are they heroes because of how many times they have been to rehab. Referring to these people as heroes is an insult to actual heroes. I want to make a list people who are actual heroes, using the afore mentioned definition. If you know anyone who qualifies as an actual hero, by all means, let me know. I would love to hear a story of an actual hero. Example of an actual hero: Jesus Christ: Of course, He is almost to easy of a choice, but he really does exemplify what a hero is. He voluntarily went to the cross at the risk that none of us would except his free offer of grace. That is the very best example of selfless love. Next example: the men/women of the armed forces who wear the uniform of the United States. Next example: first response emergency personnel.