The Blaine Dive of Death

I'm watching tv after reading my text book FOREVER. In a few minutes the showboat, stuntman David Blaine will lower himself five stories on a wire in a stunt called the Dive of Death. Supposedly, he's starved himself, and been sleep deprived too to make it more difficult.

After reading about Medieval Mystics, I associating Dave as a postmodern solipsistic ascetic. Instead of devoting his fasting or hardship to God, he wears himself out for publicity and fame. Instead of identifying himself with Christ in his suffering, David furthers his career with it... or we shall see. . .

Stunt Update: David just jumped 44 feet on a wire then swung around. After an odd camera cut, the announcer informed us he disappeared into the night. The crowd seemed perplexed. An odd display. Maybe I misunderstood his intent and it was planned as the David Blaine "Career Dive of Death," because that was totally a waste to watch. Or perhaps, it just didn't translate to television. A postmodern vapid center I suppose.

things I've loved this week

Italian bread with garlic butter

Palin's new hair (just kidding)

M & M's

My free book from NavPress (how did I get on that list? I hope I get more books! How cool.)

New friends on facebook. I love friends.

Baking chocolate chip cookies

Napping near Pam as she read her homework (Wednesday was fun.)

Helping in my daughter's kindergarten class-very rewarding

Making new friends at my school. Very nice people. I do love that.

Hugs and kisses from my kids and husband. Priceless.

HOW TO: Keeping naked men from chasing the kids in your yard

1. Preemptively--- Keep careful watch of the people in your neighborhood, and if possible know them by name.

2. If you suspect that anyone will remove pants and underwear, carry the cordless phone with you, or buy a clip for your belt loop.

3. Have the police on speed dial. (Remember they won't think of it as a 911 emergency, so input the local phone number.)

4. If the perpetrator ventures into your yard, use the element of surprise and barge out your door yelling at him and waving your phone. (Sometimes they think it's a gun, which is nice.)

5. Flip out! As you yell, act crazy, and yell a lot about calling the cops. (Yes, it's probably just a threat, because they would not get there in time, or bother helping you, perhaps. But, if you sale it hard enough, WITH PASSION, the "perp" will likely believe you.)

6. Be very brave, because children should be protected.

7. This worked for me, but it might not work for you. I don't own a gun. I'm considering a tazer. You may need to consult a professional, or go with your gut.

faltering and learning

If we can learning anything at all... it is that mistakes, errors, suffering, do-overs, all these things, produce character and growth.

Otherwise, we remain like infants in EZ chairs with remote controls. A life of easy, and of ease produces really nothing at all. Nothing much good. Really nothing of eternal value either.

I wonder if the American way of life is too soft, and that in some real way it, and not war, or something else, will be the end of us. What a strange irony. I don't mean the "end of us" in any physical sense, as doomsdays as that sounds, (read: dramatic. People DO love that, though). I mean, on the inside, from which we live. We make our decisions from that spot.

We falter, and then we learn. It's simple really. It's just not very pretty.

Janie asked

(fictionalized)

Janie asked, "Why did he die? God could have saved my brother. . ."

"you miss him"

Janie asks, "Can you help me understand? Of all the people. . . Why does God seem to take the good ones? He had just adopted a little Chinese baby with his wife. They struggled so long to have children. He would have been the best father. . ."

"it feels like a mistake"

Janie asks, "How am I suppose to reconcile the God I know with something so reckless?"

"your heart is broken"

Janie says, "Yes. But I feel like I don't have the right to admit that, not really."

"you have to forgive"

Janie asks, "What? Forgive? Who?"

"God"

Janie asks, "No. God can't be forgiven if he doesn't do wrong. What are you saying?"

"you have to forgive God for braking your heart"

Janie asks, "It's my view of him?"

"It's an offense you perceive and you are stuck"

Janie says, "I know God is good."

"But you don't trust him with your heart, not at the moment."

Janie says, "No, he seems too wild."

"you think he's careless"

Janie says, "Yes."

"he's not."

Janie says, "He doesn't make sense, not lately."

"He doesn't make sense when we want him to, sometimes."

Janie says, "But he is good. I mean, I do know that. I just don't see it sometimes."

"but he is good"

Janie asks, "How can you know?"

"you suffer first"

Janie says, "I don't like the sound of that."

"then you see him for who he really is"

Janie asks, "Does it always have to hurt?"

"yes"

Janies aks, "Then why do it?"

"because then you will be like him"