Bumblebee Cali

Almost Halloween!

For Your Inspiration

Joel, my brother, recommended the movie Peaceful Warrior (2006). Respecting his advice I rented it ($1.49 at Blockbuster) and gave it a watch. If you have a chance, rent this movie. I was impressed and it really impacted me on a spiritual level. I actually cried, and if you know me well, you know I hardly ever cry. Something about this movie connected with me and I can't stop thinking about it.

I used the word "spiritual"? in the above paragraph, and I want to qualify the term. The movie is not a "Christian"? spiritual movie and it does not talk about God and Jesus Christ. In fact, the spirituality is more of an Eastern/Buddhist type, and yet it does not explain it in such a way that one must become a Buddhist (meaning at the end of the movie it does not ask you to pray a special prayer). This movie is spiritual because it deals with the inside of a man/woman and his/her spiritual battles occurring there—meaning of life, control, and happiness type issues. I actually found it quite consistent with MY Christian belief system. The movie portrays a sense of finding power from within, and as a Christian, I believe in a power within, whether or not I really understand it. The movie gave me an idea of how to connect with that power better.

As always, I know some people will not like this movie at all. If you watch movies primarily to be entertained, this is probably not your ideal rental. If you are introspective and like to be challenged by movies, give this movie a try. If you like be inspired by movies, this is a good one. If other views of God or spirituality offend you, rent with caution. If you do watch it or have watched it, I would like your take on it.

Runnin' Down a Dream

Last night we were treated to an amazing cinematic experience. It had everything we could ask for in a movie—Tom Petty, Tom Petty and the Heartbreaker's music, and Tom Petty interviews. Yes, for four and a half hours we were treated to the unbelievably awesome documentary that is Tom Petty: Runnin’ Down a Dream on the biggest cinema screen in town. Actually, Monica got the full experience because I joined her after my class at 9 and surprised her by showing up at the theater. I told her that missing this would be like missing our wedding—and I wasn't joking.

Yesterday was the only showing in theaters and today the documentary is being released at Best Buy for $24.99. I am pretty sure we are getting it, plus, I need to see the first half. If you are a TP fan, get it! If you are not a fan, don't get it, because you just might not understand, and that would be a disgrace to the film.

Monica introduced me to Tom when we started dating, and he has been an integral part of our relationship ever since. He's been on countless road trips with us and been in many of our conversations. He's even been on our blog a few times. We didn't go to bed until 1am last night because we were talking about him. I have respect for a man who says, "Country music today is like a bad rock band with a fiddle"? (this statement received thunderous applause in the theater). He's honest, doesn't back down, and lives his life without feeling like he needs to explain himself. Music isn't his job, it is something he feels he has to do. What a way to live!

A Blog about James

Congrats to the winner of the name-that-commercial contest, James Wood! I hope to have more contests for people that do not have Tivo and still watch commercials. I am assuming, of course, that James and Andrea do not have Tivo. As promised, here is a blog about my good friend James.

James and I have some fundamental differences. James does not like soccer and I do; James can debate anything well, I debate most things poorly; James uses big words, while I stick to smaller ones; James likes coffee, I think coffee is from Satan; James actually moved out of Memphis after his time here, I am still in Memphis. It is as if we are from completely different worlds.

You may be thinking that it would take a miracle for us to get along with all these major differences. Somehow, quite possibly against the intentions of fate, we became pretty good friends. I remember many conversations in the HUGSR mansion while we were both GAs and slaving away. I don’t know what many of them were about, but I am sure they were important. We served on the Student Association at HUGSR together and changed the school forever (not really, but there are couches in the library now). Anyway, we had a good time hanging out.

As I was thinking about what to write about James, I thought I should come up with 5 adjectives to describe him. I then found words that have a lot of letters in them that are synonyms of those words, because sometimes I think this is the process James goes through in his head when he talks. So here goes my attempt to compliment James on his level. The 5 adjectives I would use to describe James are magnanimous, insouciant, perspicacious, conscionable, and mirthful. And with those words I conclude my blog about James.