Whatever you do, don't think!

1) This is something that has been frustrating me for a while. There are plenty of names for it, but examples present the problem better than anything else.

I was with some friends at the mall Saturday, the one that has the parking lot that floods, and we were waiting for some more people to arrive so as to begin a scavenger hunt (which, as we found out later, the mall does not allow). We were playing Guitar Hero II inside one of the video game stores. One of the guys picked War Pigs, and his sister said, "I love that song!"

Me: Why?

Little Sister: Because it's a good song.

Me: But it's an anti-Vietnam (war) song.

LS: Does everything have to have a meaning?!

Her argument was that I was being obnoxious because I just had to look at everything as if it had a meaning. Personally, I don't mind the instrumental part of War Pigs, but the lyrics can go out the window as far as I'm concerned.

Generals gathered in their masses
Just like witches at black masses
Evil minds that plot destruction
Sorcerers of death construction

In the fields the bodies burning
As the war machine keeps turning
Death and hatred to mankind
Poisoning their brainwashed minds

Oh Lord yeah!

Politicians hide themselves away
They only started the war
Why don't they go out to fight?
They leave that up to the poor

Time will tell on their power minds
Making war just for fun
Treating people just like pawns in chess
Wait till their Judgment Day comes

Now in darkness world stops turning
Ashes where the bodies burning
No more War Pigs have the power
Hand of God has struck the hour
Day of Judgment, God is calling
On their knees the War Pigs crawling
Begging mercy for their sins
Satan laughing spreads his wings

Oh Lord yeah!

Would War Pigs even exist if Black Sabbath had decided not to make an anti-Vietnam song? I doubt it. The main reason why they created the song was so that they could convey their stance on the Vietnam War.

In another discussion I had with a sister in Christ, we were talking about movies. She mentioned several movies that she thought were great, and I naturally asked her why. She said that they had good messages. But those movies also glorified sex and violence. The conversation took on a relativistic attitude quickly, so I went to an extreme:

Me: So...what about a porno flick? Are those good, are they okay?

Person: They are good for whoever watches them and enjoys them.

I'm sure you can imagine my mental response, but I simply pointed out that there is an absolute standard to which all things should be applied. Even though the one watching the porno flick might be enjoying it, it causes the viewer to objectify humans (as does violence meant for entertainment purposes) and violate God's image in his mind. It also rots in your brain and never comes out. It seems to me like we are afraid of applying an absolute Truth to all things in our lives to see whether or not they should be there.

When it was my turn to play Guitar Hero, I played You Really Got Me (VH version) and Sweet Child O' Mine. ; ) I thoroughly enjoyed it.

2) Dad came in the Camaro to pick me up at the mall after the scavenger hunt was over. The car would not start when we were ready to go home. This is a problem when you have driven the car for a certain period of time because the starter solenoid is right below the exhaust manifold. (D'oh!) My dad has dealt with the problem before, so he went into the Sears Auto department and bought a 97 cent screwdriver. After three electrifying attempts at charging the solenoid, which left permanent scars on the screwdriver blade, we went inside the mall and walked around for almost an hour. During this time we met an elderly gentleman who worked at one of the shops. We eventually found out that this man was a BM on a LCM in the Pacific during WWII. Conversations with such people always remind me of talking to my grandparents and great uncle. Eventually, we got assistance from one of the guys at the Sears auto department. We tried the voltage regulator and some other things before we realized that there was nothing more he could do to help us. By this time it was late. We were seriously considering the idea of having the car towed when dad said, "Let me try it one more time."

Never in my life has a V8 sounded so wonderful.

During the whole waiting period, two ambulances and a fire truck arrived in the garage near the entrance to the mall. The long waiting period gave me some time to think about their occupations. I gained even more respect for those people who work with EMS, Police, and the FD.

The lesson learned in patience is not the only thing I gained from the three hour wait. It also gave me some quality time with my dad, an opportunity to converse with multiple people, and an even greater respect for those who serve everyday in our communities.

3) I have become even more frustrated with Hollywood these past few weeks. With Live Free or Die Hard, I was hoping to see a good summer action flick. Seeing as the rating was PG-13, I hoped that it was just for the action. However, after reading the review, it seems like Hollywood wants to push the envelope when it comes to the rating. It is laced with profanity, a sexual scene, and the fact that John McLane hates his job. Why would I want to see a movie where I won't be able to forget some of the content and where the "hero" hates his job in the first place? Strike 1.

Transformers looked really cool. If I remember correctly, it was originally rated PG. When I read the review, I was dissappointed. I remember growing up with Transformers and it never had sexual references, "MF"s, etc. Strike 2. If The Bourne Ultimatum turns out to be like the other two movies, I am really going to be dissappointed.

4) Finally, I was at the park yesterday around 17:00. As I was kicking the soccerball, I noticed this dude using the pay phone near the parking lot. Warning bells started going off in my head. There wasn't anyone else near the parking lot, so the guy decided to look at me the whole time he walked to the restroom after his call. I said to myself, What's his beef? After a minute or two, he returned to his truck. A moment later, a guy turned into the park on his little motorized scooter. The scooter-dude pulled up right next to the truck and before I knew it, they had a little deal going. Scooter-man then pulled away and rode his scooter down the trail in the park and over to an apartment complex. The truck immediately drove away as well and I was left there thinking...

Next time this happens, scooter boy is goin' down