Me Encanta...

New feature: i will try to post whenever i think of something that brings a smile to my face. The general goal is one a day. It shall be something small, no in-depth article or anything, but the simple things in life. I want to hear what gives YOU happies.

...the dark/light swirls that appear when cream is poured into a cup of tea.

...the lack of traffic on holidays (the bright side of having to work).

^__^

Fulfilled!

::shuffles out sheepishly and waves::
Hi.

Guess i have neglected writing yet again. It's no surprise. I would be even longer had i chose to participate in NaNoWriMo this year. We are now nine days into the month and i haven't written anything yet, so maybe next year. That is my life motto: maybe next ____(fill in the blank).

However, i am embarking on a new project that i hope to stick with through it's completion. Fortunately, due to it's nature, i have an entire year to finish it. The past couple years i have been trying to figure out holidays and why we celebrate them. It's no doubt that it's mainly attributed to culture and tradition. I grew up loving Christmas decorations and as i got older, i was the only to put up the lights and any yard display. We all would participate in decorating the tree. Well, actually, it would depend on how my mom was feeling that year. Kids don't produce very high quality trees, do they? Throwing handfuls of tinsel on and bunching ornaments together. One year she told us we could only put on our "silly" (handmade and my Little Mermaid ones i punched out of a magazine or something) ornaments in the back. Another year, if i remember correctly, we had two trees. One traditional pine with all (and i mean ALL) the trimmings, and then a small silver one with all new ornaments that played music. But i digress. We didn't celebrate Halloween when i was a kid, but instead went to harvest festivals. Puh-leez, who there is really celebrating God's gift of vegetation or what? It's just a Halloween fair in a church parking lot, but it satisfies people. Is satisfaction enough? Then there's Easter eggs and stuff. I loved decorating eggs and celebrated Jesus' resurrection, not any fertility goddess. My parents never had us believe in Santa or the Easter bunny.

1. I don't have it figured out fully about Christmas, but to just evaluate carefully any activity or symbol i endorse. I decided to stop being sore (for the most part) about stores that start putting up their holiday stock in October. Also about people that leave their lights up all year long. Who says it has anything to do with Christmas? They should even turn them on, because it looks nice. We have some deer on our balcony that my mom didn't want any more. I wanted something for our balcony because it looks to empty otherwise. Until i find a lifesize Iron Man, this will suffice. Also, i try to call Christmas "Arrival of the Messiah" but am passively looking for a shorter name.  I feel that by calling it a different name, we are bringing emphasis to the fact that we still know the reason for the season.  I mean, Christ Mass?  We need something more fitting.
   
2. Like how we call Easter Ressurection Sunday.  I haven't decorated eggs in a while only but i haven't had the opportunity either, so i haven't evaluated that.  A few years ago i went to a sunrise service, and i do want to do that every year.  Stuff just keeps happening.  Maybe now being married it will be easier (two people trying to wake up on time).  The one thing i have thought about for Easter is how sad that even in churches (as i don't expect secular society to recognize this) is how overlooked Good Friday is and how Easter seems to get second billing to Christmas.  Anyone can be born, but only Christ died for our sins and rose again.  These holidays need a lot more attention in the Protestant realm.
3. I celebrate Reformation day just as one would celebrate Halloween.  Why?  The Roman Catholic church dressed up their lies as truth.  We wear costumes and does anyone really believe we are who we are masquerading as?  This shows the foolishness of the church pre-Reformation on the day before the Catholic All Saints' Day.  Then you may ask what's with all the decorations?  It's just my personality...i like the color black and skulls and a lot of that stuff all year round; as i do wearing costumes.  With this holiday, i don't care to convice others because it's not in the Bible.  Neither is Christmas and Easter, but the concepts behind them are, so i will try to convince, but if someone wants to take a Puritan stance, then that's fine as long as they have good reasoning.  I almost became a Christian scrooge, which didn't seem right, so i went through multiple reevalutions with the holiday formerly know as Christmas.
4. I can't stand Valentine's Day but my husband likes it.  Looks like i'll be needing to figure this one out in the next few months.

So my new project?  To assess Jewish holidays and see if i can commandeer them as the Catholic church commandeered Pagan holidays.  Why?  Christianity is Judaism, fulfilled, right?  I want the holidays to be fulfilled as well.  "But Becky, fulfillment means we don't have to observe these Holy Days anymore."  We don't HAVE to, but i want to, as an American whose culture is so party-centered.  I'm only posting this in case anyone wants to join in, but not trying to push it as a new requirement!  We have so many holidays in this country.  If we have two holidays to remember the veterans, then i want even more to remember what God has done for us.  "But Becky, you should be doing that all year long."  So why not specific days to help you in case you slipped or a day to refresh you if you were getting dry?  We have church every week because it's so easy to slip in just a week. So i thought, why not add more days and reasons to celebrate? I just can't stand inconsitancy, so any reason i can think of against this would throw out any other holiday as well. Plus, just as the holidays with pagan roots retained the practices, i intend to retain the feasts. I'm not really a "live to eat" person, but i do love food, especially right now since i'm hungry.

So now i'm going to grab some leftover pizza and head off to church. Stay tuned for the first installment - Hannukah: Fulfilled!

Old Google

Google has put out a fun search engine in honor of their 10th bday. It's the 2001 version, the oldest they could put up.

2001 Google!

See if it brings back memories in the simplicity of the results. Explore the difference in certain searches. For example, a search of World Trade Center brings up no mention of 9/11 or Ground Zero. Sarah Palin is nobody. McCain or Obama? Senator pages. Mary-Kate and Ashley brings up a lot more merchandise where searching them today produces fansites from people who can't let go. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" and "horcruxes" each bring up zero results. Compare that with the 4,770,000 and 1,990 results (respectively) today. What else can you come up with? The possibilities are endless in this world before myspace, facebook, youtube, iPod, Gmail, lolcats, and Segway personal transporters.

I also like that on many sites you can look at the old version of sites that are still around. whatisthematrix.com advertises The Matrix Revisted, available on DVD and VHS. A search of VHS brings up an article on D-VHS. Aw, they try so hard! Looking at the old Blogger website made me remember my old username. I think. It had me sign in and then connect with my Google Account. Nothing changed though. Maybe i only signed up and never set up a blog! Have fun.

An American Carol

This weekend me and my husband saw An American Carol. We were going to see Indiana Jones but this is a rare movie in a liberal Hollywood. It is seldom that the political-right has a chance to get their views to the big screen, and he wanted to support that. I hadn't even heard of it before Friday, but when i looked it up, i was excited once i read it was directed by the same guy that did Airplane! and the Naked Gun series. Upon reading the synopsis, i understood the title. It's like the Dickens' classic meets the 4th of July with Michael "Mallone" as Scrooge. I don't think there is any question as to why it's released now in October instead of a few months ago in June or July.

Overall, I thought the movie was a bit far-right, but as exemplified in many scenes, there are times when extreme measures are called for. I would say that the main focus of the movie is that war is necessary and that peace doesn't solve anything. We are stuck in the 60's because the professors indoctrinating new generations are hippies set on passing on their ideals to sheltered kids looking for a way to rebel against their conservative parents paying for their education. I liked how obvious it was that the protagonist was missing so much. They show him in Cuba, raving about the healthcare system there and doesn't see the corruption and very undesirable methods present. There were many potshots taken at him, the ACLU (my favorite scene), and liberals in general.

What bugged me was the large percentage of white people in the movie. The movie starts out with a block party picnic, which is already unrealistic to me, but it doesn't say what state it is set in, maybe somewhere in the midwest where this stuff still happens. So that could explain why every person at the picnic was white, except for one black lady, who got hit with a frisbee. That really struck me as odd that the one non-white person was the one hit. What are they trying to say there. The only other time where you see a lot of (American) non-white people is when they are in an alternate present, a "what if Lincoln was a pacifist?" and Michael Malone had a bunch of slaves. If they want an accurate portrayel of America, then they need more African-Americans, Asians, hispanics, etc. Also not have country music as the favorite of patriots. A lot of people dislike country music, not just democrats. I guess it fits best, but it had too prominent of a role. Well, i guess it could've been worse. This all coming from a white conservative that likes country music. ^__^ Also, I can't stand it when people try to be humorous by making kids be potty-mouths. That is just me though, and it's nothing like Will Ferrel's Landlord video.

The movie did leave me with a weird feeling though, because it portrayed Americans in such a way that sadly enough, seems to be true. Yes, we are a fortunate and blessed country with an abundance of wealth and freedom (collectively; i'm not saying every American is) but that doesn't make us the best. It radiated off this feeling of "we are better than them." It all felt a little over the top, but I suppose you have to exaggerate to catch attention. Patriotism is pride for your country, but not to the point where we diminish others. We should be helping out the other countries, but not so much with our government force (charity is not the government's job) but private organizations. I've been really moved recently by reading Revolutionizing World Missions by Dr. K.P. Yohannan, the founder of Gospel for Asia. He stated that physical means will never end poverty, only the power of the Gospel. Those who aren't Christians may not want to admit it, but our country was founded on Christian values, and that is why we are so strong today. The morals behind our laws were influenced by biblical morals. So yes, pride for our country should be present but we should help the others through missions and private charity groups and government when necessary. A movie can't cover everything though, and one mustn't get confused and think it's a Christian movie. Saying "God bless ___" and the presence of the Ten Commandments in a courtroom is the extent of Christianity present in the film. Except for video propoganda presented by Rosie O'Connell, but you'll need to watch to see that for yourself.

In conclusion, I enjoyed the movie and had quite a few laughs. Again, my favorite part is the ACLU lawyers scene. My least favorite part was the audience. It bugs me when people clap at the end of movies (or at the beginning of movies like in the opening credits of The Dark Knight when Ledger's name came up) but it irks like none other when people clap, hoot, and holler during a movie. Who knew a room full of old people could be so rowdy? Oh yeah, it was dark (naturally), but i'm pretty sure 90% of the people there were white and over 55. I told Nathaniel he was probably the youngest and darkest person in the room.

Bottom line: Go see it, no matter whether you are red, blue, or purple. Especially if you like Michael Moore. Or Leslie Nielson. Or JFK.

Guest Post by Mr. Stupid Sheep

An American Carol

If there's ever a time when I think it would be imperative to go to a movie on it's opening night, it would be tonight. This movie (An American Carol) is the first big step by the conservative people in the People's Republic of Hollywood, who are hiding in the closet (because they could be blacklisted if they are discovered to not be communists like the rest of em), and if we don't support it, then other conservatives in Hollywood will be afraid to come out. It needs a big opening weekend, or else...

So I think y'all should go see it this weekend. I know we will, Lord willing.

Interjection by Becky: Plus it's directed by the same guy that did Airplane! and Naked Gun so it sounds like a good time.

On another note, there's gonna be a Sara Palin rally tomorrow (Oct. 4) at the Home Depot Center, starting at 2pm. I emailed got this reply about the rally. If you want to go, you need to email them by 5pm TODAY. [SEE UPDATE BELOW]

Thank you for your support of Senator McCain and Governor Palin. If
you are inquiring about tickets to the Saturday, October 4 rally with
Governor Palin in Carson, please allow for 12 hours as our server has
been overwhelmed with a high volume of responses. You will be
receiving an email confirmation of your request that you can present
at the gate and will grant your admission to the event. We look
forward to seeing you on Saturday!

PLEASE NOTE: WE WILL CEASE THE DISTRIBUTION OF E-TICKETS BEGINNING AT
5:00 p.m. ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3rd.

To guarantee tickets, we highly encourage you to visit your local
McCain-Palin Victory Headquarters which can be found at:

http://california.johnmccain.com/California.htm

Thank you,

California McCain-Palin 2008 Team

We'll be attending so let us know if you want to join us.

Solely by His grace,
Nathaniel D.R. Watkins

UPDATE: I got an email with 5 general admission tickets (to the rally), plus I know someone who said he'd give me 5 tickets. So 8 fortunate souls can join us. Please let me know if you want in.

Halloween

So I was looking my Google analytics reports and saw some interesting stuff in the keywords. Last year I wrote a "review" of a book on Halloween I read. This year, it's bringing readers. Okay, maybe not readers, as all but one spent 0 seconds on the site. And the last? 4 minutes. I'm impressed, considering what they were looking for.

4. christian halloween john piper (this one was not a new visitor)
6. halloween laboratory
7. john piper halloween
8. john piper on halloween
10. outline for "all saint's day" worship service (this visitor also visited another article on my blog and i'm highly curious which one)

Well, that's all for now.

Except...QotD: would you still have a job if economic policy went your way? I'm not sure i would. Without income taxes and with less government involvement, payroll would be much easier to process. So less people would need to outsource for that and more people would be able to do it, making fees less and competition higher. My boss, a tax preparer and financial advisor, would always have business though, because people would always be investing. The stock market would be a little crazy at first though...good or bad? I don't know. Let me hear your opinions!

First Post as Mrs. Watkins

Althought legally my last name is still Grove. >.< I'm so anxious for the marriage certificate to get here.

Thanks to everyone who came to my wedding and we missed those of you who didn't. We are having a Costume Reformation Housewarming party next month though, so please email (wedding[at]becksterslaboratory[dot]com) me if you are interested. It will be a fun time off BBQ, costumes, chillaxing, and who knows what else. Also, if you took pics at the wedding, please email them to us or send us a link to where you uploaded them. Everything happened in a blur so i would appreciate being able to see it from a slow, third-party perspective!

The honeymoon was great and i'll be blogging on that when i can. I also need to update the website to it's permanent state and there are a LOT of thanks i need to add. Before that, i have to finish unpacking boxes, unpack the suitcases, put away the gifts, and decorate. Which makes it really aggravating to go to work. Maybe we'll be up to the task Saturday. Nathaniel's job asked him to work Saturday in order for them to give him ours tomorrow and Friday. He's telling them no because we need that day too much, which will still probably not even be enough. I don't want to be living like this for much longer. Our apartment is much too cute to be such a mess.