Kate and Nate Meet the Giant Skate

Back in Nineteen Thirty-Eight,
Before the world was big and great,
There lived a girl whose name was Kate.
She sailed the seas with her first-mate,
A monkey by the name of Nate
And coconuts were all he ate.
But she would fish with hook and bait,
Her appetite to quickly sate.
Now in the sea there lived a skate,
A manta of large size and weight.
This sea monster was full of hate,
And he would often, mad, berate
The sailors who were running late.
Their self-esteem this would deflate,
At times they would get quite irrate.
So Kate and Nate, they charged a rate,
To catch the manta in a crate.
It wasn't easy, they had to wait
For medicine that would sedate.
So soon arrived the fateful date
When Kate and Nate ensnared the skate.
They led him thru the bayside gate
Where he was trapped in a shallow state
And that poor manta met his fate.
The story's told of Kate and Nate,
That brave young girl and her first mate,
Who faced the sea and the giant skate
That ended up on a dinner plate.

© 2006 Marty Gordon

Dark Questions

"Religious energy is in the dark questions, seldom in the answers. Answers are the way out but that is not what we are here for...When we look at the questions, we see the opening to transformation. Fixing something doesn't usually transform us. We try to change events in order to avoid changing ourselves."

- Richard Rohr

Scary Sad Wrong

"...the message of Jesus - intended especially for the irreligious - often is held hostage by the religious. Unintentionally, the religious develop insiders-only jargon that makes the message sound strange or distant. They may add to the message all kinds of cultural and cultic baggage. They may even declare 'culture wars' against the irreligious and, instead of seeing them as beloved neighbors, see them as a threat to be overcome or a problem to be fixed. That's scary and sad and wrong."

- Brian McLaren (from the Foreword of the book A Place for Skeptics)

Non Sequitur

I love this cartoon. I've kept it for a long time. I even had it laminated. It speaks for itself. Click on the image to see a readable size.

Post Secret

If you have not seen the blog site Post Secret, you're missing out. Each little card is a work of art.

The Seeker

Well, I was just updating my "Books I'm Reading" list when it suddenly occurred to me that they are all Christian books. This is, indeed, a milestone. I haven't picked up too many Christian books over the last 2.5 years that I've been going thru this "Dark Night of the Soul" experience. Maybe this is a new beginning or the beginning of the end. I just know I'm seeking. But then again so are the majority of the people in the world...so I'm in good company.

I've looked under chairs
I've looked under tables
I've tried to find the key
To fifty million fables

They call me The Seeker
I've been searching low and high
I won't get to get what I'm after
Till the day I die

I asked Bobby Dylan
I asked The Beatles
I asked Timothy Leary
But he couldn't help me either

They call me the Seeker
I've been searching low and high
I won't get to get what I'm after
Till the day I die

People tend to hate me
'Cause I never smile
As I ransack their homes
They want to shake my hand
Focusing on nowhere
Investigating miles
I'm a seeker
I'm a really desperate man

I won't get to get what I'm after
Till the day I die

I learned how to raise my voice in anger
Yeah, but look at my face, ain't this a smile?
I'm happy when life's good
And when it's bad I cry
I've got values but I don't know how or why

I'm looking for me
You're looking for you
We're looking in at each other
And we don't know what to do

They call me The Seeker
I've been searching low and high
I won't get to get what I'm after
Till the day I die

The Seeker
written by Pete Townshend

The Church of the Bass-Ackwards

Geez, I'm getting so tired of hearing about things like this. I swear it feels like the world is going backwards.
Today I read on another blog that a woman in NY was removed from her Sunday School position because she's a woman. The church (pastor, diaconate) has adopted an interpretation of scripture that prohibits women from teaching men. The woman had been teaching in that church on and off for 55 years. Does this make sense?
I ran across a video featuring a hispanic pastor(?) who is raking in the dough because he's told his flock that he is the second coming of Jesus. He has an international following of perhaps hundreds of thousands of people and they are giving him tons and tons of cash. He has said there is no such thing as sin and the devil (changed your mind there Jesus?) and no telling what other crap he's peddling.
This stuff is happening all over. I recall a few years back when my parents were told not to return to their church. They, along with several other key couples, were voted out. My dad had been voluntarily leading music on Sundays and they were really involved in this church. Then one day, the pastor loses it big-time and the madness began. On a Wednesday night, he announced that a long standing women's organization would be disbanded. When the women in the congregation objected, he ordered the deacons to remove them physically. (the deacons were smart enough not to do that) Some other garbage happened but details are sketchy in my memory right now. I'm proud of my dad though. He went to the pastor and tried to reason with him. After talking to him and not seeing any change, my dad simply handed over his key and resigned his position. The next week, my parents received the letter in the mail. And there's more.
Creative ministries is taking a huge beating. Just when I thought we were starting to break thru the barriers, the door seems to be slamming shut. I can't be specific in revealing some things I've heard about but let me just say that creative people are being persecuted left and right and being tossed out the back door with the puppets, clown shoes and dowel rods.
This kind of craziness is happening all over the place. And I can't tell you how many friends I have that have or will be losing their ministry jobs over insanity such as this. When will it end? I don't know. Over the last few years, it only seems to be getting worse. I really wish I could see that God is doing something about it but I just don't see it.
God, if you are doing something, let me see it. I need some piece of evidence that you are still on the Throne and in control. Right now, I don't see it.

Real Headlines

"China Cracks Down on Striptease Funerals"

You can't invent stuff this good.

Dubuffet on Art

"What is the life expectancy of an art product? Ten years? Twenty, thirty? Certainly never longer. I'm for clean sweeps. After each meal, brush away all the crumbs and set the table afresh. Are you really going to hang three-hundred-year-old steaks and mutton in your dining-room? Bon appetit!?"

"Art, by it's very essence, is of the new. And views on art must also be of the new. There is only one healthy diet for artistic creation: permanent revolution."

- Jean Dubuffet

Booklist

The Know-It-All: One Man's Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World by A. J. Jacobs - Jacobs, an editor for Esquire magazine, spends a year reading the entire Encyclopaedia Britannica from A to Z. This book documents his read while life continues on around him.
I found this book very enjoyable. I decided to read only a few pages at a time over breakfast so it took me a while to finish it. The book is written in blog-like chunks so it's easy to digest in little bites. Jacobs self-deprecating humor and his documentation of his constant attempts to prove he's smarter (meetings with Mensa, an interview with Alex Trebek, contestant on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," etc.) only serve to prove he's a bit of a doofus (aren't we all?) but it's all in good fun. By the end of the book, he settles into telling of some nice life-lessons he has learned through the process. A nice read and perhaps a challenge for us all to better ourselves in some way, day by day.
I just read on his website that he is releasing a new book this year called "The Year of Living Biblically." Here's the synopsis:

"This new book will be a diary of my life as I try to obey the Bible as literally as possible. Not just the famous prescriptions, such as the Ten Commandments, turn the other cheek, and the Golden Rule. But the less publicized rules as well: not trimming my beard, stoning adulterers, and bathing after sex, to name a few. The book will be an exploration of what is good about the Bible and what is of debatable relevance to modern times."

I'll be sure to try and read that one as well.

As A Christian, What's Your Format?

Matt Tullos has posted a very funny and insightful entry on his blog. You can read it here. In reading it, I found that I don't fit neatly into any of the categories. I think that's a big "WHEW" on my part.

Booklist

The Big Over Easy by Jasper Fforde - Humpty Dumpty has been murdered and Jack Spratt and Mary Mary of the Nursery Crime Division must try to solve the crime.
It took some time for me to get into this one. I immediately recognized that it's a parody of British mysteries like Inspector Morse and the like. (my wife is addicted...I don't care for them too much) Since I'm not a big fan of the genre, I didn't immediately like the book but the story and it's silly intricacies grew on me after a while. I may actually read some more of Fforde's stuff. Sarah says I may enjoy his other series better. So, if you're in the mood for a silly mystery that plays havoc with fairy tales, Mother Goose, and mythology, this just might be the book for you.

Don't Mess with Tom and Jerry

"Turner Broadcasting is scouring more than 1,500 classic Hanna-Barbera cartoons, including old favorites "Tom and Jerry," "The Flinstones" and "Scooby-Doo," to edit out scenes that glamorize smoking." - Source: Reuters

This bugs me. Let's just put some undies on David while we're at it.

The Epitaph Project

"the epitaph project exists as a traditional tombstone carved from slate, finished as a chalkboard and accompanied by a bronze chalk box sited in the cemetery as well as other permanent and intermittent locations. Passersby are invited to write an epitaph in chalk on the tombstones which are photographed to illustrate projections of meaning upon self and death as well as introducing people to a public parkland that is virtually unused. There's something clarifying about composing or even thinking about one's own epitaph. There can be a sense of self discovery to it as well as both humor and high seriousness. In this way all spectators are also performers and the project, while attempting to engage taboos on death, is ultimately about life. Finally it is an open possibility lying in wait for whoever might pass."

Wedding Video

I put this together for Sarah to celebrate our 6 month anniversary.

The Second Chance

I highly recommend this movie. Steve Taylor has done it! He has made a Christian movie that doesn't suck! (For the record, he also makes music that doesn't suck) Don't get me wrong. It's not a perfect movie but it's got guts and it's a step in the right direction.
This movie challenges the status quo of church life in such a powerful way. I am surprised the movie even got made. I rented it out of curiosity and I am so glad I did. I won't give away any plot points. You can watch it yourself. And as far as commentary on what is going thru my head after viewing this film...well...just watch the blog over the next few days. I'm sure I'll have something to say.

The Ever Classy Donald Trump

"Once upon a time, a fellow billionaire asked Mr. Trump why he’d never amassed a collection of art. Why, in fact, wasn't he interested in art at all? "You know what a Van Gogh is?" asked an annoyed Mr. Trump in return. “It’s a piece of cloth with some colored mud on it."

Source - NY Observer

The Songs We Sing

When I saw the movie, this scene hit me right between the eyes.

"There is a scene in 'Walk the Line'...that has given me permission to think differently about art, music and the Gospel. After listening to Johnny Cash sing a gospel standard, Sam Phillips sets the tone for Cash. 'If you were about to die, lying the gutter and you had one song to sing, one chance to tell God and man what you thought about being on this earth and being alive...Is that the song you would sing?' Is that the way you would communicate the story of humanity, the way you would describe the world? To Sam Phillips, Cash's trite old gospel song was not believable. That same gospel song is still not believable."
- Dan Haseltine in Relevant Magazine (Issue 19 - March/April 2006)

Prayer Request Update

Sharyn's surgery went great. The doctor's removed 2 tumors and 5% of one kidney. After the surgery, the docs said they weren't sure it was even cancer. Sharyn will rest up in Tampa and return to Pensacola when she's able to travel. Continue to pray for Sharyn and her family.

Chesterton on Christianity

"Christianity hasn't so much been tried and found wanting. It's been found difficult and left untried."
- GK Chesterton

Black Drum

I just talked to my parents and they told me that my brother-in-law caught a 61 lb black drum. The state record for 12 lb test is 89 lb. There is no record for 10 lb test which is what Brian was using. He fought it for 45 minutes before bringing it in. Hopefully someone will send a picture soon. If so, I'll post it here. I'm hoping that Gulf Breeze Bait and Tackle will post it on their website. That's where he went to have the catch weighed and recorded.
Man, I'd love to hook a big fish like that. I miss fishing sometimes.

Amen

Sunday = Funday

Had a great day on Sunday. We slept late (felt so good) then tried a new church called Quest. (No relation to A Tribe called Quest) It was an alright church. It was a status quo kind of service but people were friendly and the message was pretty good. The service was in their warehouse which is used most of the week for a coffeehouse. (In Seattle? What a radical concept) They seem to be plugged into the community dealing with helping people, social justice and the like. The church has a large asian population. It was nice to see diversity.
After church, we ate at Wendy's (our "we're broke but we still like it" place) and then we headed over to Fremont to check out the Sunday Market. Fremont is an artsy, funky little neigborhood full of restaurants, bookstores, galleries and antique shops. It's a fun place to hang out.
The Market turned out to be a great experience. We saw the guy who bought some of my postcards a few weeks back at his booth. He had some books I wanted but I had no money so I think he'll hold them for me. We then trekked on down the street and found another booth with lots of funky old postcards, stamps, printers letter blocks and typewriter keys. They say they'll either buy or trade for some of my old postcards. Looks like we'll be going back this Sunday.
After that, we headed over to meet Heather for an Argosy Lakes Cruise. It was a gorgeous day to be on the water. We spent the next 2 hours kicked back just taking in the scenery and talking up a storm.
When we got back to port, Heather took us to dinner in Fremont and then we all headed home. All in all, a nice, relaxing day. That's 2 lazy Sunday's in a row for us. I could get used to this.

Vegetarian Churches

Have you ever been to a vegetarian church? You know...the ones where they don't eat meat? Actually, I'm not sure if the congregation intends to be vegetarian. It's just that the church serves no meat.
Today, we visited a church and we rather enjoyed it. The sermon was based on the passage in Exodus about the golden calf. Great stuff and he did a good job with it. But when he came upon a difficult passage (the one about Moses causing God to change his mind about wiping out the Israelites) he just basically said this is controversial and we're not going to deal with it. Huh? Good grief! Deal with it! C'mon. We need to talk about this stuff. Did Moses really change the mind of God. You know, the God that's supposed to be omniscient...all knowing and all seeing.

God: "These Israelites have screwed up. I'm gonna kill 'em."
Moses: "No God. Please don't. They'll be good. I'll talk to 'em."
God: "Oh, okay then."

I don't know about you but that sounds like a wimpy God to me. Could it be that perhaps God was testing Moses.

God: "These Israelites have screwed up. I'm gonna kill 'em."
Moses: "Okay. Cool. I'm tired of their whining anyway."
God: "Aha!"

Maybe God just set that up as a little test to see if Moses would extend a little grace. If God is omniscient, he would have known ahead of time that Moses was going to make him change his mind and if that were the case, wouldn't he have just changed what he said before he said it. (Yes, it makes my brain hurt too)
Now, I'm not saying that my little hypothesis is correct. I'm just saying all this to drive home the point that we need to talk about this stuff. We need to haul all the difficult scripture out of the broom closet and hash it out. Don't skip over that stuff because it's hard. It's the hard stuff that makes us smarter and deepens our faith. Let's move past the salad bar and get to the steak.
Mmmmm. Now I'm hungry.

Just Say No to the Status Quo

status quo - The existing condition or state of affairs, as in We don't want to admit more singers to the chorus; we like the status quo.*

I'm tired of the status quo when it comes to church. I have been for quite a long time. I'm getting a bit tired of visiting church after church looking for one I feel is "the right one." They are all little xerox's of themselves but they are like copies of a copy of a copy. They keep getting weaker and weaker until the image is barely perceptible. What I am looking for is a little originality...the evidence of a little creativity. I'm searching for a glimmer that someone actually stretched their brain just a bit to put together a church service. I haven't seen that too much lately and it's quite disheartening.
Nearly every service we've attended lately is a jumble of these elements.
- Worship music
- Announcements
- Meet and greet time
- Offering
- Prayer
- Message
- Communion
And most of the time, the service is in that exact order. No deviation whatsoever. And what gets me is that we've been visiting various denominations including some I've never heard of. What, are these people spying on one another? "Hey, I hear they got a good thing going on over at So and So Community Church. Let's do what they're doing." I am so tired of that. This church copies this church that went to that conference and saw that cool thing and over and over and over. The copies get copied and it gets weaker and weaker. Where is the brainstorming? Where is the original thought? C'mon people! God gave us a brain. Let's stretch and pull and hurt a little bit. No pain, no gain...right?

Quotes

"God has not called me to be successful but to be faithful."
- Mother Teresa

"Faith without works is dead. It's just not nice to sit around -- you can sit around in your prayer breakfast with all this faithy-faith and all this talking and thinking and "hallelujahing" and it's nothing. It's nothing to God. I mean, I think it pisses God off."
- Anne Lamott

Little Popes

In reading the information from the last entry, my mind started working. (that happens from time to time) They are all good points but # 7 really got me to thinking. (# 10 ties in there a little too) Not so much about the military seating but about the "makes one person the "main" contributor - the Preacher" comment. Something like this has been stewing in my mind for a while and I don't know if it will come out the way I want it too...but here goes.
Pastors (or Preachers) in today's church are usually in one of two categories. They have been given too much power or not enough. I have served in churches on both sides of this coin and I didn't see that either was a very good situation.
On one hand, you have the Pastor who is a puppet for the various committees, deacon bodies, elders, or what have you, that the church has in place for governing. This whipped individual can't do anything without prior approval, a quorum, a vote, the deed to his house or the blood of his firstborn. In churches like this, sometimes the Pastor begins to feel a bit squashed and he starts to strain against his bonds a bit. At this point, the Pastor is either reaquainted with his leash or given his walking papers.
On the other hand, you have churches who are "staff lead." I would assume that means that the staff can do whatever they like but it really means that the Pastor is calling the shots. Oh sure, the Pastor has a little group of men he is supposedly accountable to, his own personal "checks and balances" squad. That's a good thing...if it works. Not sure it does. Some Pastors put in this position were once ruled over by a deacon body and are now stretching their wings of autonomy. Some rule with a fair hand and others take over with a hand that resembles that of a dictator. It's their way or the highway.
Another horrible trend I see these days is that the Pastor is seen as some type of "Pope" figure. The Pastor is seen as the figurehead of the church and is, for lack of a better word, worshiped. I attended one church for a while where many of the men in the church started dressing like the Pastor and the women emulated the Pastor's wife. The worst thing about it is that the Pastor was probably once a humble man with a vision to do good. But popularity and a good paycheck has tranformed the man into a demigod. Am I the only one who is seeing this for what it is?
In closing I would just like to say that I am truly thankful for the handful of Pastors that I have worked with who have not fallen into this trap. They are few and far between but I salute them for their solid, humble leadership and their unfailing trust in God. I honestly don't know how they do it.

Why Christians Shouldn't Go to Church

I found this too pertinent not to post. You can read the original by going here.

"Why Christians Shouldn't Go to Church" or "Why Christians Should Avoid Church" or the bumpersticker version: "Preserve Christianity - Avoid Church"

The Sunday morning gathering in a church building that we call "Church..."

1) Is an artificial unBiblical contrivance of the late 4th Century that undermines the true fellowship that happens in homes.
2) Has encumbered the "Church" (corporate body of Christ) with debt.
3) Has reinforced the suspicion of the heathen that it is about money.
4) Relegates worship to a once a week 1- 2 hour experience.
5) Created a clergy and intimidated the laity.
6) Has left monuments to failure everywhere by having empty churches that are used for art museums and concert halls, reminding the heathen that no one is really interested in going to hear the Gospel anyway.
7) Seats people military style and makes one person the "main" contributor - the Preacher.
8) Allows laity to be non-involved.
9) Delays the decision for Christ - because the witnesser invites some one to church rather than saying, "Would you like to repent and give your life to Jesus Christ?"
10) Sets up pastors as a punching bag that dysfunctional Christians with latent hostility can target while they pretend to be in right relationship with God.

Prayer Request

Please pray for the Chris and Sharyn Kelly of Pensacola, Fl. Sharyn has kidney cancer and will have surgery on Aug. 15 in Tampa. Please also pray for their kids, Asher, Mary Hannah, Annie and Eliza.

Lazy Sunday

Sarah and I have been attending NW Church up in Shoreline. We like it but I wanted to exhaust all possibilities before making a decision about a church. Today, we visited Seattle Vineyard and NW Church is still the frontrunner. We scooted out the back door at the 2 hour mark. After about 90 minutes, my butt and brain both get numb. I won't go into particulars about the church. It just wasn't what we're looking for.
To round out our Sunday, we indulge in a little Chinese food and go see "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby." We both enjoyed it a whole bunch. It's pretty darn funny. My only regret is that they didn't take more pot shots at NASCAR. I mean, c'mon! Cars go round and round, rednecks drink beer and cheer until they're hoarse. Man, that sounds like a heapin' helpin' of fun right there. I just don't get it.
So, here it is, a lazy Sunday. Perhaps later we'll eat some cupcakes and watch the Chronic(what)cles of Narnia. Or maybe ice cream and Lord of the Rings. Something like that anyway.

Booklist

Early Bird by Rodney Rothman - Rothman, a former writer for Letterman, finds himself unemployed and decides to head to Florida to see what retirement is like. What follows is a screwy yet sometimes poignant account of his adventures among the denizens of a huge retirement community.
I enjoyed this book. It was a quick read but quite funny and touching in some respects. Rothman doesn't disrespect his elders (unless they truly deserve it). In fact, he begins to fit in so well, he has to look in the mirror to remind himself that he's only 28. What's amazing is how uniquely different the South Florida retirement scene is in comparison to the rest of the world. Being from Florida, (Pensacola) one sees quite a few transplanted Yankees but not to the degree that Rothman experiences. It's as if whole neighborhoods in NY just up and move to Florida. It's quite a different culture and Rothman sheds as much humorous light on it as he can.
I recommend this book wholeheartedly, not just as an easy read but as a quirky insight into the minds of some of our nations seniors. One day, it will be us. Perhaps this can help to prepare us in some way.

A Smokin' Night

Last night, we took Adam, Heather, Adam's dad Kent and stepmom Linda to the show, "Smoke on the Mountain. Before the show, we headed down to OK Corral BBQ. We'd never been but had heard good things. Taproot had them cater an event one time but neither of us were there.
So, we show up at this place which is absolutely nothing to look at. The tables out front (outside) are a conglomeration of found objects. The owner is Otis Austin, a big ol' teddy bear of a guy from Georgia. He's quite an interesting character. After Heather told him we were running late and going to the theatre, he treated us right. First, they brought out the "hood juice" in jars. It's the only drink they serve. It's toxic waste green and tastes a bit like Kool-Aid but the flavor escapes me. Something tells me you wouldn't want to know. After that, a roll of paper towels appeared on the table and then heaping helpings of bbq chicken and pork ribs. Wow! Messy but oh so tasty. Some sides appeared: collard greens, black eyed peas, and hushpuppies. Didn't try the greens...not my thing. I'm not a big fan of black eyed peas but these were quite good. And the hushpuppies tasted like my dad's and that is high praise indeed. Some catfish appeared and were quite good although my dad's fried fish are much better. Otis told us the catfish come from Mobile, AL...near my neck of the woods. During dinner, we find out a few things about Otis...he was in the service, he used to box and he's from Georgia. I believe I'll eat there again just to find out some more about this guy.
After gorging ourselves, we waddled down the street to the theatre for "Smoke in the Mountain." A production set in a 1938 church in NC. The new pastor is trying something new by bringing in the Sanders Family Singers. What ensues is a night of bluegrass tinged gospel, hilarious hijinks, and just a big of redemption. It's a fun show.
So, our smokin' evening ended. We waddled home and put our bbq-breathed selves to bed. It's nice to have discovered some original southern cooking here in Seattle because for the most part, these NW folks wouldn't know good southern food if it fell on their heads. Now, if I could find somewhere to get grits.

Envy

Several weeks ago, we talked about "envy" in our class at church on Sunday mornings. I found great comfort in knowing that most (if not all) of us in that class have been catastrophically affected by it. I know it strikes at all types of people but I think artists tend to suffer through it more. We've all heard these, even if it was just in our own head: "Why did he get that part? My voice is so much better than his," or "People are buying her art? Are you kidding me? I'm way better than she is." And so on and so forth. Envy is a very strong presence in my life right now. I am fighting a daily battle with it and feel very strongly that I may be losing the fight. So, to bolster my envy-fighting mood, I am placing these lyrics here to provide me with encouragement. It just helps to remind me that I am not alone in this fight. The song is Happy, Happy, Happy by Groovelily.

It's really great to see you once again
How are you
Word travels fast around these parts, my friend
I got the news
Heaven knows you deserve it
After all you've been through, you've earned it
You've passed with flying colors now, and

I'm going green with envy, I am brimming full of bile
I am running red with rage like it's going out of style
I'm becoming bluer every moment that life just isn't fair
And I'm yellowing with age and fear that I'll never make it there
But I'm happy, happy, happy, happy for you
Happy, happy, happy, happy for you

I'd love to hear about your future plans
Yes I would
You say this lucky break fell in your hands?
Well, that's good
You're really going places
Skipping right around the bases
I'd say that you're batting a thousand now

And I'm dangling in the dugout in my worn-out uniform
I am lagging in the lineup as I keep this old bench warm
I am making errors every time that I get near the ball
And I'm wondering if I'll ever see the major leagues at all
But I'm happy, happy, happy, happy for you
Happy, happy, happy, happy for you

And you're so nice
And you're so kind
And you're so giving of your time
To a friend like me who can't help but speak his mind
And I find...

That I wish you hadn't come here, and I'm wishing you would stay
And I'm hoping whatever charm you got will rub off on me today
And I know that all my stumbling blocks are only in my head
But still I'm simultaneously wishing you were dead, and feeling
Happy, happy, happy, happy for you
Happy, happy, happy, happy for you

© Milburn 2002

Booklist

Proven Guilty: Book 8 of the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher - "Harry Dresden has spent years being watched and suspected by the White Council's Wardens. But now he is a Warden, and it sucks more than he thought... So when movie monsters start coming to life on his watch, it's officially up to him to put them back where they came from. Only this time, his client is the White Council, and his investigation cannot fail -- no matter who falls under suspicion, no matter the cost."*
I love the Dresden Files! I wait anxiously for each one to come out and then wait even longer to be able to get it out of the library. (Hey...books ain't cheap) This is book 8 and I can only think of 2 that were so-so. This one is good. It starts a bit slow but by the end, it's cruising along pretty good. I won't bother going into the storyline. If you haven't been reading these books, you won't understand. You'll have to go back and start from the beginning. I'll just say, get these books and read them. They read like, "What if Harry Potter grew up, moved to Chicago and became a wizard-for-hire."
The Sci-Fi Channel is working on a movie/pilot of these books. I hope they do a good job. I'll look forward to seeing it on DVD since we don't do cable. I know I'm going to have to find the time to read the whole series again from the beginning because I'm starting to forget stuff.
If you like your adventure with a bit of magic, try the Dresden Files. You might be sorry...but I doubt it.

* From the book jacket