I just finished watching Some Kind of Wonderful and, I'm ashamed to admit, am also finishing a good cry. Brendan, you were right: this is Pretty in Pink the way it should have ended (although I am more partial to the 'richies' in the latter). I firmly believe that everyone needs a Ducky. Or a Lloyd Dobler.

Here's an article that was pointed out to me by my friend Matt: GNU Believers. The article has links to several Linux apps that could save churches lots of money. There are a couple of free replacements for Song Show Plus (song lyric projection), a free Bible-study program and a member database program (which would replace some very expensive proprietary apps). I also know of a few Linux video editing programs. If these programs would work, then I think a church like ours could make a successful migration to Linux (unless I'm forgetting something).

God is not a Republican (or a Democrat) - I haven't read the whole petition, but I like the sound of what I've heard so far. They quote Pat Robertson as saying "I think George Bush is going to win in a walk. I really believe I'm hearing from the Lord it's going to be like a blowout election in 2004. The Lord has just blessed him.... It doesn't make any difference what he does, good or bad." (AP/Fox News, January 2, 2004). That really bothers me. I haven't signed this, but I'm thinking about it. Any thoughts?

What do you get when you combine a high-speed video camera, some imagination, webspace and way too much free time?

Interesting High-speed Video Clips

There are tons of these things. Each clip is something filmed with their camera and then played back in slow motion. They've got a cymbal crash, a Jello cube hitting the ground, a Coke can hit by a pellet gun, etc., etc. If you have some time to waste, Windows Media Player and fast internet, check this out.

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From the Back to School department: Cliffsnotes.com has put all of their literature books online for free. Now that you don't have to pay for Cliffs Notes, there's no reason to bother reading your assigned books, right kids? Good luck.

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Date to Save - Missionary Dating Ministry Web Page - More proof that Matt needs a blog of his own. Thanks for the link, Matt.

BBC | UK teacher wins US ultra-marathon - Marathon runners are now sissies (yes, I mean you, P. Diddy). I just learned that there is a race called the ultra-marathon that spans the 3,100 mile distance from California to New York. Some bloke named Bob Brown just won the race with a time of . . . two months. That's 50 miles a day for two months. He went through seven pairs of sneakers.

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Somehow, writing that last post (a few seconds ago) reminded me of a life-long goal I am one step closer to reaching: memorizing Lloyd Dobler's response to a "What-do-you-want-to-do-with-your-life?" type question.

I don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't want to do that.

Well said, my man.

I was working on an ad for our church's upcoming fall series when a disturbing thought occurred to me: I have no idea where the phrase 'what's the catch' originated. Our senior minister and I came up with several theories; most involved fish. When we consulted others, the results were just as, if not more, dismal--most were confused with our question and assumed we meant that we didn't understand the phrase "what's the catch". (I mean, really, give us some credit here.) So, the ball is in your court--PLEASE tell me where this phrase originated. I would appreciate an actual answer, but your personal theories will be accepted as well.

In an unrelated incident, Danny and I saw Napoleon Dynamite last night, recommended to us by our good friend Brendan. I loved it! I don't think I ever stopped laughing, and Danny and I have been repeating lines from it all day. (Example: we took Emma to the zoo and saw the Bald Eagle exhibit. Danny said, "Do you think those birds have large talons?" To which I replied, "I have no idea what that boy just said." Now you have to see the movie to figure out what I am talking about. Ha!)

If you need stock photos, then this is the best site I've found: SXC.hu. It has tons of great photos and they're free for non-commercial use. But this site might be very useful, too: PDphoto.org. There aren't as many pictures, but what they have is public domain, so you can use it for anything, even commercial purposes.

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