BlakeAtwood.com

I’m glad I started watching The Daily Show because, one, it’s funny, two, I learn about current events and the correct way to say ‘Putin,’ and three, they’re pretty spot on on some of their critiques. To wit, in reference to Al Gore’s presence at the Oscars and the announcement that the Oscars had ‘gone green,’ the first thought through my head was, "The Oscars! Green! Pshaw! Hollywood is the most conspicuous consumer America’s ever produced." And then I watched The Daily Show after that and what did they make fun of (aside from Jon Stewart’s hosting last year)? The discord between ‘going green’ and Hollywood’s conspicuous consumption. Maybe I should have a hosting gig. (We now interrupt this blog to bring you Hoodia, the Diet Pill of the Stars, which can make you thinner, younger, prettier, more conspicuous through less weightiness, and even cause you to turn green…). And now back to your regularly scheduled blog. Then the news came out about Al Gore’s heating bill. When will the madness stop?

We "observed the Lord’s Supper" at church this morning, as happens somewhat often at a Baptist church. I found it slightly amusing that the Pastor administering the elements made a point to say that the elements do not become Jesus, nor do they have any saving effect in and of themselves. It’s a good point, but I was wondering how many people actually needed to be reminded of that fact. Then again, I have this utterly naive belief that everyone believes just as I do, especially at church, but I know that’s utterly false.

Transubstantiation is the belief that the elements actually become the body and blood of Christ, and, although I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t find that in the catholic bible, it is something Catholics believe, for the most part. Maybe my uncle could weigh in with the Lutheran belief on this matter? It’s an interesting rite that Christians do nonetheless. Some juice, a small cracker, and this makes us remember? Now that takes faith…!

Brilliant. Spam. Spam. Spam. Spam. Spam. Spam. Spam. Spam. Spam. Spam. Spam. Wonderful Spam.

If you click on “Travels” and then on “Oh the Places I’ve Been,” you can see a map of the states and countries I’ve visited for an extended period of time. It’s interesting to see for myself, because the world is such a large place and there are so many thousands of interesting places with just as many intriguing people with a multitude of incredible stories. Although I have family in North Carolina (I think), I’ve never been there (although if I wanted to rent a place there for the summer, I could try Outer Banks Rentals).

But, seriously, my east coast experiences are slim to none. Washington D.C. and New York City have been it, but it looks like I’ll be able to add Chicago, Illinois to my list this summer for a church arts conference at which my friends the David Crowder Band will be leading worship. Ok, so they’re not my friends, although I did grow up in Waco, and I’m friends with a guy that the band all knows and loves because he once gave them special socks. I kid you not.

So, go east young man, go east.

If you watch The Wizard of Oz in sync with Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, you’ll hear a pretty strange, yet some say highly coincidental, musical journey through the land of Oz. “Money” plays as soon as Dorothy steps out of her black-and-white life into the world of vibrant technicolor. What were the Floyd trying to say with such a message? Money equals the loss of innocence? Life with choices (a gray existence versus black and white decisions) costs much? Money is the root of all kinds of evil? (Oh wait, that was a different guy). Regardless of your stance on money, you can decide for yourself if the rumored link between Dark Side and Oz actually exists by watching all 7 clips of it on Youtube, the first of which is embedded below (you’ll have to fast forward to the end of the opening credits to hear the music):

Speaking of money, tax season is rapidly approaching. Have you considered any certain Budgeting software this year?