The Lost Symbol Uncovers...

I just got done reading Dan Brown's latest, The Lost Symbol.

If you've read the last two Robert Langond novels, then you're probably familiar with the themes. This one isn't a let down. I found only one element to be only slightly predictable, but this didn't take away from the story. Quite enjoyable, a fast read, and not so easy to put down.

But that's not quite the point of this post. After attending mass today and listening to the homily (the preacher's sermon), I found myself eerily caught in what seemed to be deja vu.

****SPOILER****

If you desire to read the book, consider stopping here. You can't blame me for anything if you delve past this point without having read the book. Nuff said 'bout that.

It's about knowledge, the "word" that is presented to us and drives us to learn more, to seek out a higher meaning. For whatever reason, having finished this book yesterday combined with the homily given today at mass, the stars lined up for me. Maybe like a the antagonist, at times I've felt like I was looking for something. I'm not gonna get all mushy and gushy on you; I just feel like I've been hit with this empowering feeling.

I'm sure many would call this sacrilegious, but in the end, isn't it about receiving His word? For His glory? The gist of the book revolves around being hit with this knowledge and being cognizant of it. Hmm, kinda like those boring mornings where that old dude goes on and on. Moving on...

I enjoyed the book. Much like his last one, I found it to be an easy read, moved quickly and had nice turns. Got a bit bogged down towards the end, but not a back and forth as say Angels and Demons (still my fave of the three). I'd recommend it, but you have to make that decision for yourself.

In either case, I feel like I'm a better person for it.

Shazam!

Nose to the Grindstone!

I got this blog going before I really knew exactly what and where I wanted to go with it. As such, it's been more so of a hobby and not something I've dedicated myself to consistently. And so here we are...

I've gotten some flack from my near professional writing buddy over at Sound and Fury along with some from my dearest brother.

"You need to focus on one topic"

"You need to write everday"

"You need to get your blog out there"

"You need to _insert your own reason_ "

Well, I guess I'm going to put this out there. For the next thirty days, I will post at least once a day. For the next thirty days, I'm going to do a blur of short writing. I've got in my mind what I'll do, and hopefully keep all five of you readers coming back for more. I've got a bit o' work to do...

Shazam!

Longhorns and Twitter Feeds

There remains about thirteen minutes left in the Texas-Bama BCS Championship game and I just happen to have my laptop going right beside me.

In case you just don't like sports, or hate college football, UT's Colt McCoy was injured during the fourth play of Texas's second drive. That singular play took out 2/3 of the Texas offense plan.

Not that it would have been a pushover, but I was rooting for Texas and looked forward to a well matched game. It ain't happening, not with a true frosh QB against one heck of a team. Defense can only do so much, but Texas isn't moving that ball on offense.

But I didn't want to talk so much about football. While it appears that Alabama is going to take this championship game, I found my self staring at the twitter feed that can be found on Google. For the most part, Texas fans people seemed disappointed that McCoy was injured and many fans (Texas and Alabama both) disappointed that 'Bama would win against a weakened team. Now trust me when I say this: a true competitor doesn't want to win in this regard. A win is a win, and no one will take away the trophy, but athletes want to beat you at the game, not by default (injury, rule infraction, basic bullshit call).

Perhaps most disconcerting from the feed were the comments that called out McCoy, questioning his manhood, heart, and desire. I don't claim to know McCoy, and I seriously doubt he is perfect, but in the end, shouldn't he be concerned about what happens after this game? I hope he has a long and successful career in the NFL. But, to risk permanent injury and lose that opportunity? For...

This is usually followed by "what?", but that's now quite so easy tonight. This is THE championship game, the one that he's been working on since he had a taste of it as a redshirt frosh at the 2005 BCS game. The pressures that play upon an individual, I can only imagine, are hugely enormous. Parents, professional career, collegiate career, and team mates all tugging at you at a pinnacle in your life.

So whatever happens in the game, I hope that no one is injured (at least any more). More so, I guess I'll really take a second thought when I feel tempted to criticize an amateur (namely college, high school and younger) athlete. I'm sure that some would suggest that I not "grow a pair when it comes to criticizing athletes", but I guess when I did that growing, my attitude and outlook grew along with that pair.

The Mighty Pencil: Jim Lee

Jim Lee helped me make it through middle school.

While many may not recognize the name, a great many do. Jim Lee is a comic book artist, writer and publisher. A major player in the comic biz for the last fifteen or more so years, back in the late 80's he was a rising star. I still have (and have passed them down to my oldest son) my original Punisher: War Journal collections which he penciled, along with the new X-Men series that he did with Chris Claremont. While not in pristine shape by any means, those worn pages helped me make it through a plethora of tedious and long days at my new school. I even made a few friends through comics (Darren preferred West Coast Avengers while I was a die hard Uncanny X-men kind of guy).

While we didn't have much money, my mother did allow me to splurge on comics twice a month. Ah the anticipation of filling up with gas at Lange's gas station and perusing the comic book display for the latest issues.

High school really allowed me to expand my collection and I really worked to piece together continuous issues (X-Cutioner's Song really kicked my ass!) but it was more than difficult.

I even remember my first Frank Miller comic: Batman: Year One. I bought it at the mall in Tyler while on Christmas vacation. I didn't realize the lasting impression it would leave with me. To this day, I still have it and discover the little nuggets that I often overlooked in the first and twenty-first reading of those books.

I don't buy to many actual comics today anymore. It seems that they have risen in price dramatically (Currently, that pristine copy of 300 that Kris has sitting on his shelf retails for about $25.00 US. I'll buy a few of whatever the boy wants when it's time, but for now, I'll be introducing him to digital copies. Kris is shaking is head; I know it's not the same, but it's an introduction and a chance to really read the comic. The intrinsic value lies in the shared time and the mystic of a mint copy (but still having read the book).

Call me a geek if you will, but you cannot doubt the hotness of Psylocke. For your viewing pleasure...

Holidays Forever

It's Tuesday and the sun is hiding behind the clouds and rain.

A very brisk 44 degrees outside, not freezing, but enough to piss on any ideas of working out outside like I usually do.

The boys are playing PS3 in the living room and Momma's at the grocery store.

People, behind the security of anonymity and private thoughts, scoff at the idea of a teacher's salary. Quite frankly, it could be worse. I live comfortably (at least attempt to) within our means. But this isn't about that. As much as many folks will sneer at being a teacher, I never hear the end of how lucky we are to have such great vacation dates. Thanksgiving, Christmas (Winter Break if we are being PC, but we're not so...), MLK, Spring Break, Good Friday/Easter, Memorial Day, and Summer Break are the big ones that pretty much all schools get in one form or another. Add in a few local holidays (stock show for country schools and such) and you get a nice little break regularly.

And that my friends, is one of the biggest pay-offs for teachers. No, I don't get to vacation in the absence of school aged children; my holidays mimic theirs. No, I usually have to schedule things around the holidays (major travel, special trips, dental, etc.) and usually encounter even more kids in doing so. But for all that, I'm the luckiest guy out there.

In this holiday alone, I've had the fortune to visit my Grandmother, my brother and his family, my mother and her family, celebrate Christmas with my family (extended as well) over three days, practice my guitar playing, visit with my buddy Tom (guitar and PS3 activities), buy a new pedal (and try it out), take the boys to see Avatar (see the link for a great review), and still have time to prepare for celebrating New Year's Eve.

I'm forever thankful for the career that I have. To disagree with Diddy, it ain't all about the Benjamins; it's about the family. Being around my family, especially the boys, at the same time they are off is truly priceless. They are at an age that they can still see that magic. I'm still cool (but that's fading fast with the older one) and that counts for so much.

Wherever you are, whatever it is you are doing, make it the best. Don't give teachers shit about having holidays off; you probably make more than they do, and they spend more time with your kids than you do during the school year anyways. Enjoy what remains of the holiday.

But as for me, the holidays themselves take a break for kids to go back to school.