Oscar's New Rule

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has invoked a new rule regarding the Best Original Song category at the Academy Awards. Going forward, a motion picture will be limited to only being nominated for 2 songs in the category. The past couple of years, there have been 3 songs in the category all from one motion picture. In 2006, it was Dreamgirls that had three songs nominated and in 2007 it was Enchanted. Both years however, the oscar went to a song from neither of these movies (2006 was Melissa Etheridge's "I Need to Wake Up" from An Inconvenient Truth even though "Listen" was the clear frontrunner and 2007 went to "Falling Slowly" from Once). So does this new rule keep the academy from splitting the vote and thus properly reward the song most deserving? That's what they're hoping for. But at the same time, it seems limiting to musicals and heavy soundtracked movies that churn out melodic masterpeices. This is America. If one movie has the five best songs of the year, I say let them all be nominated. When we limit what can be nominated, we possibly remove or squelch art. And that is by far worse than a split vote.

Fat Freedom

This story blew me away. I am so glad that America is a free country where we can get fat if we want to. Don't hear me incorrectly; I think we should provide incentives for people to take care of their bodies and promote healthy living in an effort to reduce medical costs. But making it mandatory??? That infringes upon our basic rights as humans (not to mention some people's DNA). Apparently Japan does not think so. Check this article out and let me know what you think.

Post Father's Day Observations

Yesterday was Father's Day and Jess constantly reminded me that there is something living inside of her and assured me that I am the father. So, it only made good sense that I chose to celebrate the day with steaks on the grill, a shooting and killing movie, and a few episodes of Seinfeld. I have been thinking a lot over the weekend about various thoughts all with no theme between them. So I thought I would just list my thoughts here and hopefully it will provoke some thoughts of your own.

I think it is interesting how on Mother's Day we all have to go do something for Mom and we plan some event but on Father's Day, Dad just wants to be left alone in front of the TV.

My sweet wife knows me better than anyone and knows just what kind of gifts I like...practical! I am so incredibly blessed to be loved by her.

I still can't get over the fact that Kanye West preformed at Bonaroo. What's more is that he didn't take the stage until 4:25AM Saturday night/Sunday morning.

I always admired Tim Russert's ability to nail down an answer from someone trying to dodge the question. Now I admire him much more for his orientation and devotion to his family and faith.

The Big One: No matter how many books I read or how much prep work I do, when my son is born, I am not going to have a clue what I am doing...and I hope my inabilities as his dad will not inhibit his development of the man God wants him to be. I welcome the advice from all you other fathers out there but the way I figure it, the only way I know to not screw him up too badly is to keep my own eyes on Jesus and make Him the goal. Not personal wholeness, not personal desires, not desired friendships, not dream achievement...but Christ himself must be my goal in raising my child. One of my favorite quotes about parenting is from an author who said parenting is like building a skyscraper. God is in charge of building the massive structure just the way He wants it. He designs it. He creates it. He builds it. Parents are the scaffolding around the building that guide it in its growth to help it stand and be built the way the Architect designed it.

Loveshack's Back!

My friend Bill over at Be The Fruit told me recently that he was going to blog about entertainment being used as an idol above God. He said he was inspired to do this because of all my entertainment posts. Well, he did write that blog yesterday and I thought that I would use today's blog to give him further inspiration to write a Part II for next week!

Can you belive it??? The B-52s are back! The band is back fifteen years after their hit Loveshack played in every dance hall from swanky European discotechs to rural high school gymnasiums. Their new song... Funplex. It has all the same funky nostalgia that Loveshack has only updated with today's technology and sounds. Go check it out! It will be on your iPod all summer long. I know it will be on mine!

Fox Premiere Dates

FOX released their scheduled premier dates for their fall season. Below is a full synopsis. The only interesting parts to me are the 2 hour season premiere of Prison Break (please make season 4 better than 3!) and the new JJ Abrams show Fringe. It looks fantastic. I can't wait to watch that. hope your favorite FOX shows are back on a good night for you!

Monday, Sept. 1
8:00-10:00 PM "Prison Break" (2-Hour Season Premiere)


Wednesday, Sept. 3
8:00-10:00 PM "Bones" (2-Hour Season Premiere)


Thursday, Sept. 4
8:00-10:00 PM "The Moment of Truth" (2-Hour Season Premiere)


Friday, Sept. 5
8:00-10:00 PM "Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?" (2-Hour Season Premiere)


Saturday, Sept. 6
8:00-8:30 PM "COPS"(Season Premiere)
8:30-9:00 PM "COPS" (Season Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM "America's Most Wanted: America Fights Back" (Season Premiere)


Monday, Sept. 8
8:00-9:00 PM "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles"(Season Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM "Prison Break" (Time Period Premiere)


Tuesday, Sept. 9
8:00-10:00 PM "Fringe" (2-Hour Series Premiere)


Wednesday, Sept. 10
8:00-9:00 PM "Bones" (Time Period Premiere)
9:00-9:30 PM "'Til Death" (Season Premiere)
9:30-10:00 PM "Do Not Disturb" (Series Premiere)


Thursday, Sept. 11
8:00-9:00 PM "The Moment of Truth" (Time Period Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM "Kitchen Nightmares" (Season Premiere)


Friday, Sept. 12
8:00-9:00 PM "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" (Time Period Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM "Don't Forget the Lyrics!" (Season Premiere)


Saturday, Sept. 13
11:00 PM-Midnight "MADtv"(Season Premiere)
Midnight-12:30 AM "Talk Show With Spike Feresten" (Season Premiere)


Tuesday, Sept. 16
8:00-9:00 PM "House"(Season Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM "Fringe" (Time Period Premiere)


Sunday, Sept. 28
8:00-8:30 PM " The Simpsons" (Season Premiere)
8:30-9:00 PM "King of the Hill" (Season Premiere)
9:00-9:30 PM "Family Guy" (Season Premiere)
9:30-10:00 PM "American Dad" (Season Premiere)