More Documentaries

I saw Fahrenheit 9/11 last night. (No link, cuz it doesn't deserve it!). This documentary, despite the content, was worse than the Enron. Enron's documentary was loaded with facts and evidence. Fahrenheit is all speculation with little facts to back it up. Michael Moore is a poor filmmaker. I really have no opinion on 9/11 and the Iraq war, because Moore does no convincing.

Enron & Big Oil

I got the privilege, yesterday, to watch Enron: The smartest Guys in the room which was probably the most thought provoking movie I've seen this year. If this movie doesn't make you afraid of big energy and backstage politics, you watched it with your eyes closed. What Enron did to California is deplorable, and though I don't think Gray Davis did his job to protect the people of California, I wonder, out loud, if George Bush did his? I won't ruin the movie for you, but if you've read the papers or watched MSNBC, then you may not know the real truth, but you may have a slight idea of what went on. Let's cross our fingers and hope that Big Oil is not doing the same thing to our country this week!

Editor's note: Though I interviewed for an internship with Enron in my early college career, thankfully, I was denied that privilege.

My Little Brother....

Congratulations!! My brother is ENGAGED!! WOO HOO!! Congratulations Chris and Stephani!

Concerts

I just got back from a concert. My third in less than ten days. Who says there is nothing to do in OKC? I've been in the last week or so to Green Day (with a Jimmy Eat World opener!), Jars of Clay, and a combo concert of Matthew West and Steven Curtis Chapman!

Green Day was really cool, and they had pyrotechnics and fireworks and was a really good concert band. But, nothing compares to Steven Curtis Chapman leading hundreds of people in an open air setting (The Bricktown Ballpark) in a rendition of Holy, Holy, Holy. Pyrotechnics are no match for a God who created the entire universe!

6...5...4...

Back to the countdown...

6. Rollercosters...What an awesome invention for an andrenaline hungry America!!

5. Dr Pepper...This is basically my water. How did the world survive before this nectar of the gods existed? I'm not to thrilled with any of the diet varieties, but I love everything Dr Pepper has ever offered, from Cherry Vanilla Dr Pepper to Dr Pepper: Red Fusion. Hey, I just know what I like!!

Now-a-days, Dr Pepper is good, even if it is 2, 4, or 10 o'clock. It is even good enough to be the official soft drink of the Big XII!! Most important, don't try to dot the Pepper, there is no period in the official name of Dr Pepper!

4. Red, White, and Blue. What better to celebrate America, than a symbol recognized around the world, that instantly says United States...Old Glory. The flag has changed over time, adding stars in different patterns, but it still represents the home of the brave. No matter what happens..."our flag was still there!"

Blu-ray DVDs and the End of the World

Click here. Sony and Toshiba have broken down talks, meaning the future of home entertainment is in limbo. Sony has developed blue laser discs that are read by blue lasers, this allows the discs to hold more data, but Toshiba has created an HD-DVD, that holds more data than an original DVD. They were meeting to try and settle on one format, but it looks like the battle will be with consumers...are you ready to restart your movie collecting again? This is Toshiba's and Sony's biggest fear that you won't. And if you do, who's version will you choose? I'll let you decide next year. (Everyone knows I'm a Sony fanatic! Go Sony!!)

And something a little more darker than the end of the DVD, is the end of the world. Do you know that the good folks at CNN are trying to stay ahead of the game. That's right, CNN pre-records news profiles for things like deaths of famous people. But, did you know that Ted Turner, while still in control of CNN, order a tape made that would be broadcast in the event of the end of the world...it is strange but true. To read more, click here.

Can an Empty Man, Pray to Him?

What if I sin again today
am I a liar if I do
does it hurt you if done that way?
what if it is different or new?

Can an empty ear hear for him?

broken promises stain my heart
so I know your love must decrease,
your presence around me departs.
how can you say your love increases?

Can an empty life, live for him?

Convoluted dreams invade me
causing spirals of confusion
that disallows me to be
wholly free of disillusions

Can an empty lung, breathe for Him?

My soul in ache begins to drown
worry and doubt it's containing
crushing discontentment weighs down
disproportionately straining

Can an empty hand, work for Him?

I can't get away from myself,
my baggage arrives before me,
How can I hand him sturdy nails?

Can an empty heart, yearn for Him?

Will my scars disgrace the Father,
Can I still accomplish His will,
Drenched in one sin and another?
Can love occur when scum I feel?

Can an empty mouth, sing for Him?

I feel I have won some battles,
wounds, left, are easily opened.
When I have given Him my all,
What is left after my knees bend?

Can an empty soul bleed for Him?
Can an empty man, pray to Him?

What Devin & I did today....

Before....

(This is Devin, by the way)

(me, of course)

AFTER......

Chad's Blog will make you wanna jump

The most ridiculous thing I've heard this week is........

THIS!!

7 - Hollywood

Why do people like to escape into Movies? Hollywood is the seventh greatest thing about America. America revolutionized the film industry, no matter if it was a big blockbuster, or a movie that had depth and layers. Movies help you escape, and some movies, I describe as just pure fun. Something about the way a studio can weave together characters, emotions, visual effects, drama, comedy, all the elements seen in books and theatre, but just pumped up to the extreme. There are the books vs. movie element that I could get into, because Hollywood loves to draw on books for inspiration, a lot. Don't get me wrong, movies have cons, but what doesn't? With $1 theaters available, it really is an accessible media. So, if you have $1.50, go see a movie!

8

Skyscrapers...

America's skylines are unique, I can pick out quite a number of cities, just by looking at a picture of the skyline. This is one aspect of New York that was effected on 9/11, however New York has so many unique buildings (see above for example) that it is hard to completely wipe away a city's image by taking out one or two buildings. A city is built on the people, not buildings, but as a quick refrence, this is good stuff. I love pictures of skylines, especially those at night. I don't know, maybe it promotes progress or embodies modernism to me. Anyway, that's my two cents...oh which skyscraper makes OKC great?....This one....

The First National Center is what I call the identifier, what sticks out as being most recognizable for OKC, although there are others, this is the classic example.

This is the most modern/sleekest/newest building in OKC (Chase Tower)...

If God is the Light of the World, then....

"Christ is my shadow"
by Chad Jones

What follows me more than any?
Down barely lit paths,
Whether there's few or many?

Am I alone in a crowd?
Surrounded by all I know,
Can I hear when it is loud?

Addiction, pleasure, work, stress...
How else can Satan Distract?
Who am I to pass this test?

There are many who need You,
I am filth, not worthy,
Don't comfort me, when I'm blue!

You are needed elsewhere here,
But you don't listen,
You are always close, ever near!

You see me, feel me, hear me,
Even when I don't want you to,
You will never leave me be!

I am riddled with my sin,
Too gross to look at, but die,
for my new life to begin?!?

Though I deny, still present,
still easily found,
when I'm in need of a vent.

Laugh, frown, smile, shiver, weep,
You are there, humble even,
to watch o'er me as I sleep.

Ugh, What a fool I have been,
I need to savor your presence,
A change is needed within.

With great mercy he bestows,
A friend, a brother, a savior,
With Love, Christ is my shadow!!!

9

Drive Thru's It isn't a secret that my favorite fast food chain is Sonic. Although it is technically a drive "in". You can practically drive thru almost anything now-a-days, from banks, to pharmacies, to fast food restaurants, & even to driving through a tree! How great is America, that we can enjoy almost anything it has to offer...and yet never have to get out of our car!

10

Military Power - People are dying for you today. People, fathers, brothers, sisters, mothers, may have already died for you. I can not comprehend that in today's society, the United States of America still supports a volunteer military. People are willing to do whatever it takes to keep America's essential basic rights. Namely, Freedom. Let me make one simple point before I continue. We, as Americans, can support our military troops, and not have to support the war that they are involved in. Maybe you think Iraq is a mistake, that doesn't stop soldiers from being there. You can support the soldier and not the cause. It is ok! Our military keeps us safe. I am proud of everyone who serves, and am saddened by loss caused by this or any war. It takes a strong person, emotionally & physically to be a soldier. It takes a strong person to be a spouse or child of a soldier. A spouse who has to live alone as her husband is overseas. It takes a strong nation, emotionally and physically, to have and maintain a successful military.

(Since I haven't posted in a while, I posted twice today!)

11

NCAA Football, especially OKLAHOMA FOOTBALL. Sure, it may seem that we have had a couple of bad seasons in a row, just because we lost the NCAA National Championship, but hey, we went undefeated in regular season and had tremendous seasons despite that one loss. However, my blood truly runs Crimson and it will no matter if we win every game (which is ideal) or we lose every game! Nothing beats Norman, Oklahoma on a homegame Saturday in the Fall!

To see why I'm destined to be single, click here.