I was wrong...

You know I always said that girls aren't funny. In fact it is quite rare to find a girl who is funny. Now mind you what I mean by funny is that more often than not they can crack a joke and people (me) will laugh. Yes most girls can make the occasional funny remark or even the rare, daring and usually not socially acceptable pun but as a whole they just aren't funny.

But I was wrong.

I have found one funny girl.

Tina Fey is a funny girl and this is well documented on the television show 30 Rock which is an underrated television show in its second season. If you haven't seen it I would recommend rushing out to your local video store and renting season one. I will let you know that occasionally (as in all comedy shows except Corner Gas) there is an inappropriate comment or reference and thus you should use your own discretion when choosing to watch this exceptional TV show.

If you would like to experience something by Tina Fey that is more appropriate I would perhaps direct you to Mean Girls which she wrote.

Well there you have it: one funny girl.

Pmtp

I'm not particularly happy right now...

I just had the opportunity to watch a movie called "For the Bible tells Me so" It is about Homosexuality and the Bible (more specifically the church). I understand that movies are crafted and have bias and because of that we need to think, truly think, about what is being said and expressed by the film. Ironically that is part of the argument of the film. It asks the viewer to think about the bible not just take what others say about it. I think that is a valid point and anyone who has had the fortune of talking to me about what I think the church is doing wrong, will know that I'm down with that idea. (note I say the word think five times above in effort to emphasize the point: THINK!)

But that isn't why I'm not happy. I'm not happy because the movie reflects Christians as people who hate. Its not just that the movie reflects that Christians hate but rather that the movie employs no trickery, no video magic but rather shows video footage, speeches, sermons and letters that clearly express that Christians hate people who are homosexual.

This is what troubles me this evening. How can I be part of the church knowing it is so full of hate? Why should I be proud to be a member of the church, when there is little to be proud about? I just can't imagine that this is a reflection of the church. I know there are loving people and that not all Christians are extremely hateful but I just feel such injustice pouring from the mouths of those who proclaim justice.

I don't know what God thinks about homosexuality. I know what the words on the page of the bible say... I thought I knew what they meant but if I look hard at myself and the standards of scholarly, theological study I hold myself to, I would have to say on this issue I have no argument one way or another except that which I am told by the people (a very broad category) who I listen to.

Heres the thing thats getting to me: God is in the process of setting the world right (as started with Jesus on the cross and his resurrection)... If you believe that then I have a question for you (the question I am asking myself) where does homosexuality fit?

If it is a sin what does that mean?
If it is natural/biological what does that mean?
If it is good or bad what does that mean?

And then what is our duty as a Christian (one who is meant to proclaim that God is setting the world right)?

Frankly I am concerned. I don't care what people do wrong I only care that they experience God's love, justice and grace. If that means dining with prostitutes and worshiping God with homosexuals. I think I'm ok with that.

I imagine that if someone experiences God's love, justice and grace they will respond to God appropriately (whatever that means) and if they are doing something wrong (or if I am doing something wrong) God will judge appropriately (whatever that means). And perhaps He may even begin to change all our lives to reflect Him more... and isn't that what being a Christian is all about.

Pmtp

Oh yeh go and watch the film... regardless of what you think about the issue... it will be good for you

22...

Recently I have been watching 24 season 4 with the guys at my house.

Talk about intense. We have two episodes left and I'm dieing to find out what sort of things will happen. Which I guess has brought me to a good topic of discussion: my love of TV.

I think my love of television comes from the love of story. I find it a very introspective experience where I can watch people interact, get involved with their lives and maybe even feel along with them. I think it may be an important skill to be able to empathize with others as their lives unfold. Of course I'm just trying to justify.

Patman the Pat

What am I to do with Jesus?

In my recent endeavors to become one that is educated I came across, rather, was told to read the book Jesus and the Victory of God by N. T. Wright. and I think I can rightly say I'm taken aback. Now it isn't that the book was horrible or that it was way beyond my thought process but rather it redefined my way of thinking about Jesus.

Wright approaches Jesus from a specifically historical perspective. Looking at what we as people today can know truly about Jesus. And the thing is that the Jesus we tend to talk about in church seems only a figure of who Jesus was historically.

The book brought out many questions I had never really thought of like:
Did Jesus always intend to die?
Why did he die (not the theological question but rather the social and historical question)?
What did Jesus think of himself?

And frankly these questions opened a whole new light within my thoughts on Jesus. For instance, it turns out, and it makes perfect sense, that Jesus wasn't talking to me. He was talking to a bunch of people around him, and specifically the people of Israel. And ultimately this thought was only a surface scratch on a larger picture being formed around Jesus.

The book brought up many interesting and life changing concepts, not in a devotional sense but rather a factual sense, which will eventually have ramifications on my devotional sense. I would recommend it to anyone longing to see Jesus. With that being said as well it is not a book to take lightly, it will shake things from our present understanding and force some deep questions into the open.

In conclusion Wright's book captures Jesus in a way we rarely see in the modern world. Also where Wright is not entirely perfect in his understanding the book points to a method of which we can begin to interpret Jesus. this post only stands to highlight a small part of this 660 page book but I hope it intrigues you.

P the P

(I feel very Markish for posting on a book but I think it has validation)

Spy vs Spy

In the last month I have been given the oppertunity to experience a TV show called: Alias.

This show is about spies. They cheat, lie, trick, double cross, shot each other, yell alot, turn tables, cover things up, use cool gadgets, talk about things that I don't understand and pretty much have some of the cheesiest moments in television history. Now if you can look past these cheesy moments and actually just take them as good times, then you will have good times.

The show is built around some very interesting characters.


Marshall- a side character, Marshall is the tech guy. He's awkward. He's funny. He's awkwardly funny. He's my favorite character.

Jack- The best actor. He never smiles... well actually he did once. He's tough and takes no guff (if I knew what guff was)

Ultimately I enjoy the show. I'm only at about season 4 episode 5. I'm still interested. Thats good.

P the P

Good News....

No one mourns the Weekend and as mine begins this very day, Thursday Oct 19th, I embark into a stellar production of Wicked.

This musical is a replay of the story of the wicked witch of the west (Elphaba) and Glinda the good witch. It focuses on the adventure of Elphaba as she grows up and becomes who she is going to be. It is an intrguing show. It reminds me of the Smallville type scene. Where we know the end but the means of that end are mysterious and unknown.

I'm pretty excited. It will be entertaining and as I prepare to embark on this Musical story I can't wait to see it all.

And for those of you who hate witches... oops.

P the P

"I don't think the bearded lady is running around throwing eggs at people"

1980- I wasn't around. I don't really understand that world. And franky I've never understood Duran Duran. But I think high school has always been the same.

1999- I was around. I didn't really understand that world. And I hadn't figured out Duran Duran but I discovered the 80's classic the 'Rubik's Cube' And high school was just around the corner for me.

2006- I'm still around. I don't really understand the world (but I pretend I do). Duran Duran is aparently working as alook a like group for Dan Young, Nathan Colquhoun and 'Al Housel' (I never saw it). (See Below)

But what does this have to do with the bearded lady and eggs. Well about two months ago I had visited Jon Nip (My smallville and DVD supplier) to borrow a new show on DVD and he gave me his most prized collection "Freaks and Geeks: The Complete Series." 6 DVDs with 18 episodes, one never aired. This little known TV show from 2000 was set in the 80s and was about a boy, Sam, and a girl, Lindsay, in high school. The boy was a Geek and the girl was a Freak. They were brother and sister and they were trying to grow up in the complex world of high school.

The show tackled issues like divorce, tough home lives, step-parents, rebellion and rocking out. It made a pretty good show on that premise alone. But not only that, mixed with the realism in the show was comedy. It was tackling issues and tickling our funny bones. It could go from sadness to laughter in a matter of seconds.

The show had great characters such as a hippie guidance councellor that wants to be 'cool,' a wise geek that offers advice to the younger geeks, and parents that will make you wonder why some people procreate.

My favorite character was Bill he was a geek and pretty much was born to play a geek (as far as I can tell)


My Favorite episode was "Tricks or Treats" where the line in the title comes from.

This was a well written show but only lasted for one season. Watch it if you can.

Pat, Man! the Pat

"Fest" We Forget

Well its time for another "Pat was watching TV and saw something that only his friends can really understand" moment.
It was a night or two ago and I was watching an episode of Futurama. They had embarked on an adventure to go fishing (that's right quality television). Anyways Bender, the beloved glutton who don't listen to nuttin, accepting the challenge to catch the biggest fish takes a parasol and makes a hook, uses diamond filament line and snags Hermes sandwhich. Hermes yells "Hey that's my Manwhich." For those of you who don't know of the Legendary Manwhich then you don't talk to Brad Longard or Dan Young enough and you should probably start. Then again you should have heard it from me too.

The Adventures in Manwhiches have led us to not one but TWO Manwhich-Fests (Where-in Dr. Penner came to one), The discover of a song that starts "I don't want her you can have her...." And many more good times.

I propose a toast to those who discovered and celebrated the Manwhich over the year. Dan... Brad... this one's for you.

Patman the Pat

The Legend of Beggar Vance: Adversity 101

I was home this very evening enjoying a movie in the late of the night: "The Legend of Bagger Vance." At one point in the movie, during the first round of golf (It's a golf movie), the main character Randolf Juna is no where near winning the round and is frustrated. His caddy Bagger Vance comes to him at the last tee and says "Do you wanna quit Mr. Juna? No body would mind, you walk of the course today and make everyone elses day easier." Juna looks at him and says "You know I can't do that." Bagger says "I know I just wanted to make sure you know."

I wonder if sometimes God does that to us. Struggles build upon struggles and we need to learn through the adversity of life. These eventually come to a place where we feel as if God is almost asking us to give up. It is at these points that having learned our lessons that we need to turn and say "You know I can't do that." And God seems to say "I know but I just wanted you to know."

Its interesting.

A side note to all this...

I saw this movie in high school with a friend of mind. We used to golf together. I was thinking about that old friend who I don't talk to anymore or even know where he is. Things change I guess. Too bad.

The Pat.

First there was Monty Python, then there was Mr. Bean and now we have House M.D

Many of you I'm sure have heard of the ever so popular House. The doctor with a heart of golden sarcasm. I recently have jump on the band wagon after my friend Ryan Feeney purchased the first season. After just one episode of quick remarks and limping action. I had fallen in love with the show that prooves to us all that making fun of people is still a lot more funny then relationship comedy.

I soon purchased my own copy of the first season and downloaded the second one to catch up with the show. Even today I am still high on the intriguing season finale that aired on Tuesday.

But you may be asking 'what does an american show have to do with Monty Python and Mr. Bean?' If this is the case you havn't read the coming attractions page which tells us Hugh Laurie (a.k.a. House) is British. This was a shock to me, I never really picked up on that fact and I am all the more impressed because of his talent.

It turns out Hugh Laurie has been doing comedy for a long time. He was an actor on the British show Black Adder and is famous in british for his comedy sketches. The funniest of which (that I've found) is "The Shakespeare Sketch." Hugh Laurie is Shakespeare (see left) and Mr. Bean (Rowan Atkins or something) is a producer of the play Hamlet. It is quite witty.

Here's some sample lines:



As they discuss how to shorten Hamlet's monologue:

Producer: OK, OK. Take out `victim'; take out `coward'. Just start "To be, or not to be."

Shakespeare: You can't say that! It's gibberish!

Producer: But it's short, William, it's short! Listen, it flows: "To be, or not to be; that is the question." D'de, d'de de de, d'de d'de de de! OK?

Shakespeare: You're damn right it's the question -- they won't have any bloody idea what he's talking about!
Its quite funny search for it at youtube.com under "the shakespeare sketch."

P the P

An O "Phish" ial Sighting

I was enjoying a typical evening of various forms of entertainment and came across an episode of the Simpsons I had long forgotten. Homer was doing marajuana and was trying to keep it legalised. And so he had a concert to benefit the cause. I was shocked and amazed to not only recongnise the band "Phish" but also to recongnize the song "Run Like an Antelope." My mind was flooded with the typical 'man'erisms of this last year and my friend Chris Clements. Needless to say I laughed a little and sang along. Check out this cool picture I found of it.


Patman the Pat