I don't think so, Glee

I was ok with an all Madonna episode of Glee.

But then Britney Spears's manager hit twitter campaigning for an all Britney episode.

And to that Glee creators, I say... "I don't think so."

Why?

• too gimmicky -- don't sell yourself into pulling all gimmicks to make the show "bigger and better."  Be confident in what made the show great -- music that fit the story lines.
• it's Britney -- who has not stamp of "be like her."  At least Madonna has credibility.  Britney just shaved her head and releases beyond risque music.  She was the butt of one of your jokes last week, in case you have forgotten.
• couldn't you come up with any other artist with better music to do an all out episode of?

I did find this article at EW that sheds some light on what Ryan Murphy (the genius behind the show) and the other creators are thinking.  Again, don't do Britney.

I would be ok with Billy Joel, or even Led Zeppelin.  But to Courtney Love?  That's another, 'I don't think so."

My genius idea that I would like to shoot out to the Glee creators?  U2.  Just because I love them -- and I think that would be awesome.

Do you have any ideas for the Glee creators?

Glee: Home

Tonight's episode was getting back to the old Glee -- or at least I thought so.  Here are my random thoughts after the first viewing.

Things I Love:

• 99% of what came out of April's mouth.  My favorite? "So you're free to date. And by free to date I mean sleep with people. And by sleep with people I mean have sex with people. People like me." 
• When Puck mouthed "Are you ok?" to Finn during Kurt's Home solo.  Are they still friends? Does Puck have a heart?  Oh, I have a hunch that we should trust Ryan, Ian and Brad (see me acting like I know them?) and that the plots we are missing are coming back.
• Proof of some plot lines? The Finn's mom and Kurt's dad storyline.  It was developing and I'm excited to see the journey of both Finn and Kurt as this goes.
• The message -- they addressed body image issues and the desire to want to fit/be popular at any cost in a way that was great.  I loved Quinn helping Mercedes; I loved Mercedes "singing" out and letting Coach Sylvester know exactly what she thinks (Christina's "Beautiful").
• Mike O'Malley didn't wear a hat!!! Name the last time that happened.  I am pretty sure I read on imdb.com that he went through all of "Yes, Dear" without taking off his hat.
• Sue Sylvester's faces -- Jane Lynch is genius.

Things I'm Not a Fan Of:

• The cheese level -- it was pretty high last night.
• The lack of high energy songs.  All were great song choices -- but the duet between Will and April definitely lagged.  I could have done with 25% of the song and I still think the storyline would have been furthered by the song.
• Finn singing to the chair/his dead Dad.  Yea, I get how it went with the show and how it fit... but it was just too much for my logical brain.

Ok -- that is all I have at this point in time.  My brain is fried (I was working on a paper tonight).  Found this article full of spoilers.  Looking forward to the rest of the season!  Oh, how I LOVE Glee. :)

Long Way Off...

But, I still am confronted with the home school vs. public school discussion. Mainly because homeschooling seems to be such a popular option amongst my subset of conservative, evangelical Christian friends.

I, however, tend to be the "liberal" one who seems to swim upstream.

I think I want to send my children to public school. I went, I survived... and hey, that's even where I found Christ (or more accurately, He found me!). I think there are invaluable experiences to be had there and I think it is important for Christians to learn how to be light in a very dark world.

Anyway... don't know what you think. And really, I don't know if I even care. More, I just wanted to share a very interesting article. If you have any interesting articles, please share! I am always up for reading opinions!

Read it here.

19!!!

With my stand against Jon and Kate, I had to find a new family to love. (although, I still love Jon and Kate plus their 8, but I just think the family needs to take a step back and reevaluate their priorities...).

ANYWAY, that new family is the Duggars. I have always been fascinated, but more and more I respect them. I am not saying I want 19 children... or agree with everything they do; but, I see in them a family who loves Christ and strives to be like Him. Here is a video from this morning announcing that they are expecting baby number 19.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

WHOA! Who has 19 children? Evidently the Duggars. Excited, but also floored. Do you watch the Duggars?

The Shack by William P. Young

I am old on getting this post up. I read this book last July (so 2008, people). I kept meaning to write a review... but I never got around to it. Why? Because it daunted me. So many people have so many opinions on this book...

Everything from:

"It's so awesome!!"

to:

"It's blasphemous!"

There are lots of articles and other blog posts on it. However, I have been meaning to give my opinion on it, so here it goes.

The story draws you in. I couldn't put it down. I wanted to know what happened. But mainly because I could see what was happening from about a mile away and wanted to know if I was right of if I was going to get fooled. It was predictable. It wasn't always what you expected (God as a woman...). Some statements I agreed with. Some I totally didn't. But, there are times I agree with a sermon at church and times when I don't. Isn't that normal?

Overall -- you can read the book. I personally would only recommend it to strong Christians who are looking for an easy read or to be challenged in what they think theologically. I wouldn't recommend it to new Christians or non Christians because I wouldn't want them to get confused or mislead or ... well, you get the picture.

And because it was such a hot button topic for a while... here are various posts and opinions on the book.

Post 1: Burnside Writer's Blog
Post 2: Ideas from Tim Challies

Post 3: Bryan Allain

But my final opinion on the book? It won't stand the test of time (Sorry William P. Young!). It is a passing fad and soon it will be some other book people are ranting and raving about.

Have you read it? What do you think?

High Cost of Friendship

Probably one of the best articles I have read in a while.

Makes me think about the high cost of friendship... and I decided that friendship, true friendship, is worth every penny, emotion, hurt, smile, laugh, minute.

Read it here.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

I love all things Harry Potter. I am just this side of obsessed -- I can honestly say that I never dressed up for a book and/or movie release. BUT, I have gone to midnight releases and showings... and I did go see the first Harry Potter movie for my 18th birthday party.

Yep. I am that awesome.

You should be jealous.

ANYWAY... I FINALLY got to see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince on Tuesday night. I know, for someone who loves HP so much how could I wait so long?

Well, life has been extremely busy folks.

At first I loved the movie. I was laughing out loud (who doesn't love awkward teenage romance interactions?). I thought it moved quickly. I didn't mind that they had to add a couple of scenes that were so NOT in the book; as a movie you sometimes have to adjust to make it work.

But towards the end I just couldn't love it. The most action packed part of the movie, the stuff that would have you on the edge of seat felt like it was jilted... like there wasn't enough to it. What happened to having to protect the castle? That battle scene would have been AWESOME! Not to mention -- a HUGE part of book 6 was Dumbledore mentoring Harry and walking him through the process of learning about Horcruxes. I felt like it was lacking in that. You learn so much that is important to the story (and to book 7) that you miss in this movie. I would say without all of that information, it makes the movie (and ultimately movie 7) very confusing. I would even venture to say too confusing to watch if you have never read the books.

Now, ordinarily I can separate a book form the movie and not compare. But for some reason I can't with this movie. And I think it is because you loose so much of what makes the story GOOD in this movie.

BUT, this is all just my opinion. So take it for what is worth.

And I still liked the movie. I'll probably still buy it. Because i do love all things Harry Potter.

Have you seen the movie? Did you like it? hate it? love it?

Dogs

Did you know that when I was little I was terrified of dogs? Yep! Didn't like them at all... it was mainly because they were loud and as a young girl I didn't like loud noises. In fact, I nicknamed an uncle "Dog" because he was so loud. He would come into a room and I would run to my mom yelling "Dog!"

My parents didn't want me growing up with a fear of dogs so they decided to get one...

that's right -- a rottweiler. This was our beloved Rosie ("Yo Mamma's Rosie Cheeks"). And I have to say she was the best behaved dog ever... she listened well, never hurt Ross or I (they are very aware of their size), loyal to her people (as long as mom and dad approved of the visitor then Rosie never barked or growled...), and just all around lovable. To prove it... here is this picture... if you can't tell my hand is in her mouth, but no worries I am just LAUGHING. And she was just on top of Ross and I... and I am sure we were pulling on her ears or something. But we were her babies, she didn't care.

I wish people would give them a chance. One of my daily website visits is to dogoftheday.com, in which they highlight a dog of the day. About a week ago, it was this adorable Rottweiler.

Want to give one a chance? I promise, they are amazing dogs... just train them well!

"Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

Stop what you are doing. Go to amazon.com or your local bookstore of choice or the library and get this book. Or better yet, order it here, and part of the proceeds will go to helping the children in Pakistan and Afghanistan!

Yep, I like it that much. I am ordering you to read "3 Cups of Tea."

This book really speaks to the power of one person when on a mission. Greg Mortenson stumbled (literally) into a small village in Pakistan and the rest is just his determination to make a difference for the people who chose to love him and take care of him. From there he continued to stumble in this journey, but yet things took off-- because he chose to honor his promises to people he met along the way, he chose to love people who showed him love first.

Now he is the director of the Central Asia Institute; the CAI has built 80 plus schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. He feels that a balance education is the only way to fight the Taliban and other extreme terrorists. After reading this book and really listening, I have to agree.

So, instead of me telling you more about his stories (including the time he was kidnapped by the Taliban, or how he hid from warlords, etc), pick up the book. READ it! I promise... you'll learn a lot about how to fight terrorism, about yourselves, about what (in my opinion) being the hands and feet of Christ can look like (although Mortenson may not be a evangelical Christian, I do believe that God is using Mortenson to do many great and awesome things)!

Jon and Kate... no more.

I think I wrote a blog post about Jon and Kate semi-recently.

This whole situation just makes me sad. For so many reasons... the children... the testimony that they no longer have... what celebrity can do to a marriage... so much to say and it all is sad.

I find it very interesting that most of the people who I know that watch the show will no longer watch it. All over Facebook the status messages have read: "stop watch Jon and Kate." "sad for Jon and Kate, for now I say good-bye." People don't want to watch this, watch the kids go through this, watch something where there was hope go down in flames. I certainly don't.

As of last night, I am no longer watching Jon and Kate. I still pray that God will change their hearts and that God will repair their marriage. I think that is the saddest part! They made this marriage in front of God, a covenant and it can't just be dissolved like that. Sorry, I digress.

There were lots of articles today that I found interesting. But as of this morning... again, I will stop reading the articles. I am only one person, but in order to help the kids as much as possible, they need to step (or be forced out of) the limelight. I'll do what little I can.

Join me in praying for them.

No Doubt

Last night I went to the No Doubt concert. It was about as amazing as I remember the concert being in High School... and Middle School.


So in case you aren't following, this would be my third time seeing them. Yep.


This time around one of my co-workers asked if I wanted to join her. Her daughter, Kate, who is in 8th grade, wanted to see Paramore; tickets were at an awesome price ($10 for the lawn), so she asked if I would go and be her adult company (two middle schoolers are a LOT to handle. was I really like that?). I went gladly!


I have to say, No Doubt knows how to command a stage, especially Ms. Gwen Stefani (aka, Mrs. Gavin Rossdale). She has so much energy -- I can barely do the Cupid Shuffle without becoming winded and here she is running around, doing push ups and dancing all at once. How in shape do you have to do that? Not anything I can do, that is for sure!


I really enjoyed this concert. Maybe because they played most of the songs off their Tragic Kingdom album and that threw me back to middle school. Maybe because I just really enjoy a good concert and good live music. I don't know... it was awesome, though.


Here are a couple of pics from the evening:

Are you planning on going to any concerts any time soon? I will try to posts some videos later (yes, I took videos... had to when Don't Speak came on).

"Breaking Dawn" by Stephanie Meyer

**Spoiler Alert: I tell you how the book ends. Don't read this post if you don't want to know.**

I am done with the Twilight saga. The 14 year old in me is very sad about this. No more Bella and Edward -- you know they are going to end up together, happily ever after... but, how do they get there?

However, the 26 year old that I am is kind of glad to be done with the books. They were enjoyable, don't get me wrong. But nothing special either. They were fun stories that don't require much thought. Perfect for some easy beach reading.

As far as the story line goes... ok, Jacob ends up with someone (but I won't tell you who); i don't exactly like it. Not going to lie on that one...

Everyone gets their way... for the most part. Bella becomes a vampire; her dad pseudo accepts it. The werewolves and the vampires have some weird truce. Edward can finally read Bella's mind. Happily ever after. The end. There was conflict to get you to the happy ending, but for some reason I don't buy all of this happily ever after. Could I be saying there wasn't enough conflict?

I don't know. I enjoyed it. But would I read them again? probably not. Will I buy a set to put in my parents cottage? again, probably not. Would I tell you to read them? probably... but I would warn you what you were getting into so that way you wouldn't be disappointed.

What are you reading right now? Anything I should consider putting on my "to read" pile?

American Idol: And the winner is...

Did you watch the American Idol finale last night? My roommate Laura and I did. What did you think?

Part of me was surprised that Kris Allen won; but part of me isn't. Never underestimate the "underdog" (although with all of his talent, I think he was more underestimated and under appreciated than the underdog). Besides, Adam was getting kind of old-- after a while you get tired of him being crowned the prince.

I think this article puts all of my thoughts on the matter into coherent words.

Now, I do feel a little bit sorry for Adam. As much as I wasn't a fan, that boy can sing! WHOA. And he was so gracious towards Kris winning. I posted a couple of photos of the "big reveal" last night and in both of them, Adam looks happy and ok with winning. Was it probably a punch in the stomach? SURE. But I think he was genuinely happy for Kris... not to mention this could be better for him. Now he can choose where to sign and maybe do more of the music he wants to. Think about it, do you think Daughtry would be as big if Chris Daughtry had won and had been forced into doing music he maybe wasn't a fan of. I don't think so. This could be a good thing for Adam.

That being said, let me know what you think about the results. And enjoy this photo, with shock on Kris's face, happiness on Adam's face and Ryan's face looking like he just pulled the best prank ever (except its true!).

PS. Did you watch through the end of the credits when Kris held it together UNTIL his wife came up to him and then he just started crying. Made me cry! Yea for Kris winning!

"Eclipse" by Stephanie Meyer

And this weekend I finished book 3 in the Twilight Saga.

Book 3 ("Eclipse") is better than book 2, for sure. But the same old same old when it comes to what I think about the actual series- I won't repeat for those of you who read my blog regularly. If interested, here is the "Twilight" review and here is the "New Moon" review.

I have found that more people have read these books than I would have guessed. Here is the one consensus I get from the people I have talked to: The writing is a little sub-par. It is very simple (which is why you can read about 100 pages in an hour); and if I see "Ugh." one more time I will scream. She uses "Ugh." A LOT! About every five pages or so.

Oh well- I am enjoying the series. My tween side just is giddy that (SPOILER ALERT!) Jacob and Bella get married, and devastated that Jacob doesn't have someone yet. Hopefully in book 4 (about 400 pages in at this moment).

So what should I read when I get done with this series?

"New Moon" by Stephanie Meyer

I finished the second book in the Twilight Saga, "New Moon," this past weekend. I'll give you this: those books are addicting. I definitely keep thinking, "Could I read just 5 more pages here or there?" I want to know what happens!

However, I still stand by my "there-not-as-good-as-Harry-Potter" judgement.

I can see why they are teen hit.

"New Moon," was even more addicting than "Twilight;" mainly because a certain character disappears for a while and you can't help but wonder when and how he'll be brought back into the picture.

I do really like the way that Stephanie Meyer allowed for the break-up, and how she handled it in written form. Definitely how it would feel if you were Bella and you just lost the love of your life.

I also really like the way Stephanie Meyer developed the character Jacob. I fell for him! I want him to find someone to love as much as Edward and Bella love each other (maybe in book 3, please, please!). However, i am still not seeing the development in secondary characters like I did in Harry Potter. And I think that is the difference between the two created worlds. JK Rowling allowed you to care for even the smallest character, and you believed her when she said she has names for all the students at Hogwarts- even if you don't ever meet them. However, I don't know if that is the same for Stephanie Meyer's world of Forks. I do think it is her world, and she understands the characters... but why don't I care for Angela or Jessica the same way I care for the Creevy brothers in Harry Potter?

Anyway, I am half way through "Eclipse" (book 3); I am hoping to read a lot tonight... I really want to know how life turns out for these characters. ;-)

Jon and Kate Plus 8

Update: Here is Kate's reaction. I commend her- I think she handling this all very well. I hope the family can continue to support each other and do what is best...

I love Jon and Kate Plus 8. The kids are just too adorable; I want to be friends with them!

Anyway, all the recent tabloid talk just makes me sad. Not because I believe the stories or because I should even have an opinion on their life.

It makes me sad for the family, for Jon and Kate, for the stress the show and the rumors (whether true or not) are having on the family. I am sure it is getting talked about at school (poor Maddy and Cara); I am sure they can see the photos in the magazines when they go to the store. It can't be easy.

I wish that our culture knew when to stop digging into celebrities' lives. Yes they signed up for fame when they did they show, but they didn't ask to be followed by hungry paparazzi, looking for the best way to cause a sensation.

And yes, I realize by even commenting on the stories, I am only feeding the frenzy and given the magazines a reason to continue to hunt the famous. I just wish we could draw a line and respect it.

Join me in praying for this wonderful family. Their faith does get to shine through and I just pray that God uses this to draw the family closer together, not rip them apart.

"Twilight" by Stephanie Meyer

I caved. I am reading the Twilight series. I tried to resist... I really did. But I couldn't. I think that I am about 13 at heart. I love all things Tween... High School Musical, Disney movies, Harry Potter (although that is more accepted to love in the adult world), etc. And now I am reading the Twilight series.

The first book ("Twilight") was addicting. Stephanie Meyer definitely draws you in from page one. I wanted to know more about her characters, the world she was creating. I wanted to know what parts of vampire lore she was keeping and what she wasn't (good call on the coffins).

However, all the comparisons to Harry Potter? Unwarranted, at least so far. Harry Potter is (in my opinion) a much better written book where the world seems more developed. I care for the characters more than just the main three- I care for side characters who come in and out. In Twilight, I am glad she has friends at school but I am not yet invested in them. Maybe as I get into book two (New Moon), my opinion will change. I'll let you know.

On a side note- the Twilight movie? Definitely teeny bopper; I watched it with my roommate on Saturday night and we couldn't stop laughing. Awkward glace here, staring there... lines straight from the book that were slightly cheesy there and much worse on screen. However, if I was truly 13, I probably would eat it up.

Have you caved? Have you read this 4 part saga yet?

"Wicked" and "Son of a Witch" by Gregory MacGuire

SPOILER ALERT: don't read the second paragraph if you don't want to know how these books end.

I finished Wicked in January and just yesterday finished Son of a Witch (the second in the series). I enjoyed Wicked far more than I enjoyed Son of a Witch. I just couldn't get through Son of Witch. I would pick it up, read a few pages and then put it down. I just wasn't invested enough in the characters to return to the world, I guess. I think it is because I just didn't enjoy the writing style... too much detail for my taste (who cares how the land looked as Liir flew over it, he was flying... and I especially don't care when you are describing Kumbrica's Pass for the umpteenth time- I know it was dangerous). Not to mention i don't always enjoy the fantasy world- and the more I read the books the more I realized this was fantasy. Oh well, I still want to see Wicked. And I do have to say I am very impressed with the world that Gregory MacGuire created. I am not sure if I'll read the third book in the Wicked series... we'll see.

Oh and here is my other complaint... neither story ends with what I would call a good, clean end or break. They are so open ended. In the Wicked you don't know if Elphba lives or dies. In Son of a Witch you don't know what happens to Candle or if Liir found Nor. (Sorry for telling you what happens, or doesn't). Sometimes I like open endings, but not in this case. It was just disappointing (and frustrating).

Now, onto some new books. Probably the Twilight Series (my aunt gave them to me to read... again, no big on vampire things, but I have heard they are mind candy and easy to read). If not, Hinds Feet on High Places.

What are you reading? Anything you would recommend?

Taking a Vote

Do I join in on this Twitter thing or not? If I get a new phone... like maybe one of these, then it would totally make sense. Then I could Tweet (is that the right verb) all the time... and I can see how that would be addicting.

So, what do you think? Do I Twitter? or do I stick to my already distracting blog and Facebook? All votes welcome!

Earth Day

We all know I am a little bit on the moderate to liberal side when it comes to politics. One of the main reasons is I believe in helping the environment, being a good steward of the planet that God has given us. No, we cannot control the weather nor can we save it from destruction. But just as with our body, our time, etc we should be good stewards. I get a daily devotional sent to me everyday... and today's read:

"Today's Scripture
God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.-John 3:16 (TEV)

MANY read this verse and interpret it to mean "God so loved us" - people. However, the Greek word translated here as "world" means "cosmos." In other words, God loved all creation - including this planet and the entire universe - not just people.

There is much about this planet to love. I look forward to taking walks in our local park. Since each season has its own beauty, I walk year round - looking around me and thanking God for what I see, whether the trees are barren or full. Sometimes I wonder if this same beauty will be available for my grandchildren and great-grandchildren to enjoy.

As a person of faith, I am concerned about God's creation and what we are doing to it. We don't have to agree about the issue of global warming to know that we all need and want clean air, clean water, and unpolluted soil in which to grow our food. We want our grandchildren and great-grandchildren to experience the same beautiful planet we have enjoyed. Each of us can find ways to love and care for this world that God loves so much.Barbara A. Chaplin (Kansas, USA)

Prayer
Creator of the universe, help us to live in harmony with you. Help us individually to do all we can to solve environmental problems. Amen."

What struck me is how we interpret this verse. Yes, Jesus came to this Earth to save mankind. He did that by dying on the cross for our sins... and I am extremely thankful for that. But God loves not just people, but all of His creation. Elohim is one of God's names and this is the name for God as creator. He loves all of His creation, the Earth and all in it. We should be treating the Earth better... myself included. I recycle, try to minimize water usage, my use of electricity... but what else can I do? How can I lead a "greener" lifestyle (not to be trendy or anything).

Just my thoughts today. Enjoy Earth Day... and even if you aren't someone to recycle... can you do it just today? Celebrate what Elohim has created for us to enjoy!