Translating my thoughts into words.
Reading poetry with my daughter this morning we came across this from John Updike. My daughter and wife both said, “That is exactly why you will not shave off your beard!”
The scissors cut the long-grown hair
the razor scrapes the remnant fuzz.
Small-jawed, weak-chinned, bug-eyed,
I stare at the forgotten boy I was.
My brother pointed me to this post at John C. Dvorak’s site. According to JD
This was a leading entry in PepsiCo’s Super Bowl commercial contest. When word leaked out about it, the Catholic Church went bananas.
Pepsi has been trying to squash every occurrence of it on the Web; so, I don’t know how long this will be up.
I cannot confirm that this is the case, that the Catholic Church was upset or that Pepsi is trying to remove the ads, but I wonder if you all think this is funny or sacrilegious? Or perhaps neither.
I was asked by a student if I had any advice for them as they grew out their facial follicles. Of course, “don’t shave.” Movember, if you did not know, is a chance for men to grew out their mustaches (or additional facial hair, if so inclined) to bring attention to men’s health issues, particularly cancers. I have never technically participated since it involves beginning the month clean shaven, something I have not done since 1992.
Today I came across this excellent video from Alaska Robotics. I am afraid my facial exploits are quite tame and limited in comparison.
While most of my readers know that the Book of Kells is a gorgeously illuminated book of the Gospels, you know, those stories about JC and the Boyz, apparently the people who made the movie The Secret of the Kells felt all that was irrelevant. You may have already seen this movie and if you haven’t and are any fan of animation at all, see it now! The style of animation is almost story board-like with beautiful colors and movement. It evokes the style of Kells without mocking or mimicking. It is truly a stunning visual event.
But the movie has nothing to do with the Book of Kells. The Book of Kells was made by monks who were faithful followers of Jesus who produced this gorgeous manuscript out of love and devotion, yet this movie seems oblivious to that fact. At no point in the movie is reference ever made to what the book is actually about and aside from a handful of crosses and references to monastic titles, someone without prior knowledge of this amazing artifact would have no clue about its true nature. That is disappointing. Although I have seen the Book myself I know little of its true history and a little more of that and perhaps less of the fairy or even the Northmen would have been nice.
Still, I highly recommend the movie. B+
Don’t be a lackey
I really enjoy Evil, Inc. by Brad Guigar. It is a comic about superheroes and villains and I found this strip very amusing and thought provoking. But I am not sure how I feel about this. As a parent I am inclined to feel the same way, think for yourself and take responsibility, even if you are going to do stupid things some times. I am not comfortable with the moral relativism however. (BTW Miss Match, mom, is a villain and dad is Captain Heroic, a hero.)