Lost has lost me

Last night as I was watching Lost, I fell asleep. What did I miss? Nothing. The show has become a long running soap opera with no ending. Put a guy in camo, blow a few things up, and put it all on the set of "As the World Turns", and you have "Lost". There are just too many story lines now and several of them, I don't really like. The only thing keeping me interested is the fact that we don't know what the island is.

I'm tired of investing my time in this show. It isn't giving me anything in return but frustration. The mystery I had in the show has been replaced by other things in life now. When the show started, my son was not even born. He will soon turn two and we still don't know for certain what is going on. I'm sorry but it's time that I leave this "island". If it's on and I am handy, maybe I will watch it still, but I am not going out of my way to watch it.

So, as soon as somebody learns what the island is all about let me know. That's all I care about anymore, and it's not worth watching to find out. Now, please be kind to me in your response. I don't fault you for still watching.

Ben Stein's Expelled

Yesterday, Dave treated the company to a showing of Ben Stein's documentary Expelled. It was a treat. Ben Stein has a great sense of humor.

In terms of a documentary, I thought it was very well done and was really enjoyable to watch. Plus, the point of the documentary, I thought, was even better. Ben Stein actually sets out to open the door (or tear down the walls) to discussing the issue of intelligent design as a legitimate argument in response to Darwinism. What I found most interesting about the documentary is that Stein does not argue in favor of intelligent design, but simply provides arguments that it has just as much of a place in science as Darwinism when it comes to discussion. In fact, he doesn't even try to make intelligent design an idea that belongs to Jews, Christians, or other faiths. He simply lays it out there as an idea that has just as much merit as Darwinism.

I know many people of faith, will be upset Stein did not push the envelope further and argue the existence of God in this film. However, I think the fact that he didn't gives his message more weight in the realm of scientific study and academia.

Here's a teaser from the film. If you've seen the film, what did you think?

My Response to Sarah - Thou Shall Prosper

As I checked my email tonight, I saw where I had an interesting comment on a recent post about Rabbi Daniel Lapin's book Thou Shall Prosper. It was from a Jewish girl who asked me several good questions about my response to the book. I thought some of you might be interested in reading the dialog and perhaps contribute yourself. You can read the post and comments at the following link.

http://www.petpeeving.com/2008/01/thou-shall-prosper.html

@Sarah: I hope you see this and respond. Thanks for the questions.

Amazon's Kindle

Amazon has announced that the new Kindle is in stock and ready to ship to buyers. At a nice little price of $399 it's gotta be good right?

I have to tell you, I'm not sure about it. I really do like having a book to sit down with. Books are simple. No batteries, no worries of dropping it and not even really worried about someone stealing it. Plus, if I am going to look at an electronic screen, why wouldn't I just want to read it on my laptop? I could then listen to music and take notes at the same time. It's for those reasons alone that I doubt I will drop $400 on one of these, but that's not to say you won't like it. Who knows maybe I would love it.

The Kindle can do lots of neat stuff, so the price may not seem that bad. With over 115,000 book titles available and wireless downloads from anywhere that delivers books within minutes of purchase, the Kindle really is capable of a lot and has a "cool factor". There's no wireless bills or contracts - amazon takes care of all that.

Ok...now I have just about convinced myself to get one. If I can just remember where I put that extra $400 I wasn't using...What do you think about the Kindle?

Who Moved My Cheese?

For lunch yesterday I walked down to the local Barnes & Noble. I decided to pick up Spencer Johnson's Who Moved My Cheese? I actually sat down and read it in the next 30 minutes. It was a nice little story.

I know many people have read this book several years ago and the message may not be new, but as short as the book is, it's a great refresher for dealing with change. Now, I didn't think it was the greatest thing I had ever read, but I will say the story of Hem, Haw, Scurry, and Sniffy relates to us all. Regardless of how big or little change you are facing, it's a good story.

I'd say read it.

Raising a Successful Child

A few weeks ago my wife and I stopped by the Half Price Book store. As we were wandering around the store I noticed a table full of books that were all the same with a sign that said, "$1". As I looked closer there must have been 50 or 60 titles of The Everything Parent's Guide To Raising a Successful Child by Denise D. Witmer.
So, with low expectations and price to match, I picked up a copy. I have to say it wasn't mind blowing nor was it life altering. However, I did find it very useful. It did a great job of raising awareness about situations we face with our little one. It was simple to read, with highlighted facts in each chapter, and a summary of what to look for in each age bracket. The book covers a multitude of issues, from modeling, discipline, even budgeting. I'm glad I picked it up.

This was the first of The Everything series that I have read, but I am inclined to pick up others now. I also heard on the radio yesterday, some stat on how unprepared parents are with raising children. I don't know what the stat was but basically it said that parents are not reading parenting books. Don't do you child injustice - read a parenting book, or several.