Yay! Christmas!

Here's what I got for Christmas:

1. electric razor

2. Nintendo Gamecube

3. DVD

4. Carrie Underwood album

5. various clothing

What'd you get?

impulse Christmas

I just got back from Birmingham, AL last night. Some friends of mine at Student Life invited me to participate in some video making for youth camp. It was a blast, and just what I needed. We had fun.

I know a person shouldn't impulse buy things this close to Christmas. (especially useless stuff!!) But, earlier I bought the Garfield Holiday Celebrations DVD. So, if anyone got me that for Christmas, I apologize! But, it's one of my favs of all time!!!!

I also finished up my Christmas shopping. It's never what I want it to be. But, I guess my gifts will be acceptable. There's nothing like celebrating the birth of our Savior by buying each other 80's movies on DVD.

Christmas time

Well, kids, Christmas is one week away. It is hard to believe the last two months have gone by so fast. My stint at my retail store may soon be over! And, with family holiday plans being in shambles, it's none too soon. I'll be glad to be done with that place.

That being said, I reflect on the meaning of Christmas. It's tough to continually push myself to make this a Christmas about giving. In a bitter world of complainers, it's hard to be the one who is optimistic. It's easy to see the 1000 reasons to be dissatisfied, without noticing the things that make it wonderful.

But, don't get me wrong. This blog entry is not a sermon by any means. I'm just trying to make it a Christmas of giving. And, that's a lot easier said than done.

sick day

I was driving to work today, up the redneck interstate. I began to feel a queasy spasm in my abdomen. The chinese I ate earlier? Probably. The weight of my job? That, too.

I pulled over on an interstate exit, and pulled out my cell phone. I dialed my retail store of employment, and asked for the manager. I explained, simply, that I felt sick and didn't think I could work today. I felt somewhat guilty, but also resolved about not working. Was I just flaking out? Partially. But, I was also searching myself. I do that a lot lately. She was understanding and kind about it, and told me to feel better soon.

Now, I sit in my house, tired. Tired, but relaxed. I feel better, like a kid who stayed home from school. I've been putting too much pressure on myself to meet the expectations of others. I think that's my biggest problem. Sometimes it's hard to just be you. So often I allow outer forces to push me around. Well, not today. And, if I'm lucky, not any other day. Too much exhaustion makes Jack a dull boy.

hilarious schlock: 2005

Well, another surreal year of pop culture is coming to a close. And, wow, has the mediocrity hit a whole new high.

We saw Michael Jackson dancing like an idiot atop an SUV, while being charged for serving up Jesus Juice to the kiddies. How did he get aquitted? That weird white-haired guy must be a good lawyer after all. A really, really good lawyer. I guess Michael's ending up the year prancing around Switzerland or some place, having snowball fights and eating chocolate with midgets and whatnot.

Thankfully, Ben Aff-FLOP didn't churn out any more unbearable schlock because of his new baby. Guess we'll have to wait til next year for "Daredevil 2", or "Christmas with the Kranks 2." Hm. Can't wait.

While we're on the subject, Ben's old buddy Matt ain't doin' so hot, either. I don't care what anybody says. The last couple years have been rough. Brothers Grimm? Seriously. He must've taken advice from Aff-FLOP about that film choice. And, "Bourne Supremecy"? It would've been better if it hadn't been filmed with a home video camera. Would it have killed them to give Damon's character some dialouge? It should've been called Bourne Stupidity. Or, Bored Supremecy. And this new oil movie? I'd rather watch a movie about carburetors, or something.

Rappers have been about their usual business: being platinum, and telling us all about it. Ok, we get it. You make a great deal of money. Yeah, we know. You own guns.

George Lucas presented us with the last Star Wars ever! At least, until they make the next one. The dialouge still sounds like it was written by an 8th grader for a class project, but at least it was the best one of the new ones.

And, we get to end the year with a new Jim Carrey flop, and a bizarre Peter Jackson King Kong. I liked it better the first time, when it was called...well, King Kong.

Once again, Hollywood has proven they have little or nothing to offer except the same old schlock in new packaging. And, even the packaging isn't that new anymore.

It's a Wonderful Life

Well, it seems like poor George Bailey can't quite get out of Bedford Falls. He knows he's too good for this little town, and he has big plans and a bright future. He wants to move to New York and design expansive city buildings, and make millions. He's bright, ambitious, and everyone in the town knows he's going places.

But, he just can't seem to break free of his Bedford Falls roots. Just before he leaves for college, his father falls ill and dies. The poor people of the town desperately beg 'ol George to salvage his daddy's broke "building and loan" business. Reluctantly, George helps them out, and gets mired in the local politics.

A few years later, he's still stuck in the same old mediocre town. The same poor people live there, and he's still running the same broken down building and loan. Meanwhile, his friends have moved on to bigger and better things. Their lives are progressing, and some of them are making lots of money. George's younger brother, having fought in the war, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, and met the President.

Mean old Mr. Potter is out to get George Bailey, because the Bailey Building and Loan is the only entity left in town that he doesn't run. He's a cruel old man with lots, and lots, and lots of old money.

Mr. Potter gains the opportunity to steal 8000 dollars from George's savings and loan, and he does. He stops at nothing to scrape together every penny for himself. This puts George in a terrible position. Groveling, like a begger, he desperately attempts to hold the savings and loan together that his father held so dearly.

Reaching the breaking point, and knowing he will probably go to jail, he realizes that his life insurance policy is worth more to his family if he's dead. He's living in a shack, with mouths he can't feed. He stands at the edge of a bridge, on a cold dark Christmas eve, fully prepared to end it all.

Then, Clarence the angel shows up. He shows George how much good he has brought to the town. And, he explains that it is ridiculous to end your life over a matter of 8000 measly dollars. (worth more in 1946). George sees the terrible reality that would've existed if he'd never been born. His younger brother would've drown, because George wasn't there to save him. George's wife would grow up cold and alone. His old boss goes to jail. The list goes on and on.

George re-enters reality, with new fervor for his life. The townspeople, in a Christmas eve scramble to save the building and loan, raise thousands and thousands of dollars. One of George's old friends sends $25,000. The love of the town is overwhelming, and George learns and important lesson. If a man has friends, he can not be a failure. His friends and family make him the richest man in Bedford Falls.

links

Check out some of the links on this blog. I've put links to things I think are interesting, and/or things I am personally connected with.

Also, browse the blog links as well. My friends write fascinating blogs! And, don't forget to check out my movie review blog, which is brand new!

Dempseys

Last night I went to see a musical group called The Dempseys. I was reluctant at first, but it turned out to be fairly interesting. Of course, they must have been charged up on Red Bull, because they played two hours without stopping. I don't know how they did it, but I couldn't stay focused for that long.

They were kind of like a cartoon rockabilly band, playing an endless string of cover songs. At first, I found their energy infectious and endearing, until I finally couldn't take it anymore. (After almost 2 solid hours of standing up.) They are certainly full of humor and whacky antics. It was definitely different.

I reviewed Broken Flowers on my movie review blog. Click here to read it! And to clear up any confusion in the last blog entry, this blog is not going anywhere! I will continue to faithfully update this one, as my own child.

new blog!

Greetings blog readers! I have finally bitten a certain bullet. I have been contemplating starting up a new movie review blog. While my personal blog is demanding (in internet terms), I decided it would be worth it to start up this new creative outlet. Here is the address:

http://evansilverscreen.blogspot.com

Check it out and let me know what you think!

Christmas stress

December 6? Can it be true? This first week of December has drifted by too fast. I have been trying to enjoy the Christmas season, in my own ways. It's so easy to get bogged down in all the commerialism that goes on around us. It's easy to grow cynical about the Christmas holiday. It's also a temptation to mourn for the lost days of childhood nostalgia (even though those childhood memories are idealized!)

The key is to approach this Christmas as a brand new opportunity. There has never been a Christmas 2005, so it's a new time. Don't put too much pressure on yourself to feel a certain way about Christmas. Just plan out things you want to do in celebration of Christmas, and don't sweat it! Get creative with your celebration ideas. Me? Well, I've got a collection of Christmas favorite movies in my Netflix queue. Home Alone, It's a Wonderful Life, and the hilariously cheesey Jingle All the Way, just to name a few. And, I blogged recently about watching the ALF Christmas special, and actually crying. Funny, and touching to cry while watching ALF.

I've also been listening to some fantastic Christmas music. You know, "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer", and whatnot. All the Bing Crosby classics, as well as Burl Ives. And, yes, The Chipmunks. But, I don't overload on Christmas music. I listen to it until the moment passes, then it's back to Busta Rhymes. (Just kidding.) But, the point is, Christmas in moderation is healthy.

And finally, whatever your family situation is this year, whatever your financial situation is, however your emotional state, just remember the most important thing: The point of this whole celebration! Don't lose touch with the roots of Christmas. It's an old, old story that dates back 2000 years. A baby, born in unlikely circumstances, with you and me on His mind. It's also about giving. Maybe a Christmas charity donation will lift your spirits, and help someone in need!

Bottom line: I'm working in retail this Christmas. That's right! And, that has the potential to kill any joy Christmas may hold for me, if I let it. That's why I have to keep a healthy perspective about Christmas, and remind myself that it has nothing to do with people fighting over Furbies.