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It’s odd that I’m up this late (actually it’s early 22nd morning), but I’ve been thinking a lot today and tonight and I wanted to scribe this out in a more personal and explicit fashion.

Saturday was great. Abigail and I spent the day in Christiansburg at the mall and such as surrounds it. We did a little bit of shopping, some jeans and sandals for me, a nice GAP shirt for her. Then after our wandering, we went to their theater to see The Passion of the Christ. It’s taken me several weeks to get around to seeing this. Prior attempts to see it were faulty in that I didn’t purchase tickets ahead of time, so I had to wait slightly, but nonetheless I saw the film.

My thoughts of it have not yet been fully compiled, but I can reconcile that flaw by just saying what is on my mind. I think the movie is spectacular. The way Gibson structures the flow of the film is incredible. The flashbacks really help ease the grotesqueness of Jesus’ beating and torture; I’m glad Gibson took that into consideration. But I’m also glad that the movie does focus on the immense and feckless brutality that He endured. Often people get the image of a glorified crucifixion involving a long-faced, clean-cut Jew that has depressed disposition. Jesus was in fact a Jew, but neither of the other previously mentioned characteristics would have been likely. Jeremiah points this out nicely.

I will point out that I agree with many critics who say this is not a movie for children. This is not a movie for children. Mel Gibson grasps his leisure to take advantage of this modern film industry’s love for violence but uses it to reveal truth rather than fantasy. Jesus’ flogging is the most graphic scene of violence I have ever witnessed in a theater, or in a film for that matter. It’s horrible and brought tears to my eyes. But it’s the absolute truth. Granted, many people who see this movie without an in-depth knowledge of the gospels will not fully appreciate minute touches it offers, but the concept is there in full. En masse.

The way Pontius Pilate is portrayed astounds me. It makes me even more realize his total hesitance to condemn Jesus. Each gospel points out Pilate’s questioning was neither hasty nor cruel, in fact he wanted to let Jesus go. But, as the movie and history shows, he caved due to political pressure. Caviezel is amazing; stunning; phenominal. This already humble-natured man was perfectly casted as Jesus. The addition of Satan and the later scene of his defeat is uniquely designed, very creative, and was appreciated as a sign of directorial genius. I think this movie is truly touching and passionate.

But what to say on my personal note? To have the truth of Jesus’ torture finally forced into the forefront of my thoughts was rather chastising and deserved. Viewing this film has the same effect as individually reading, counting, and sorting my faults on 3 by 5 notecards. Jesus’ perfection and love, so wonderfully portrayed and alluded to even by his first act in the movie of healing Malchus’ ear while being arrested for blasphemy, is ever sincere. From a cinematic angle, the entirety of the story just can not be encompassed in a 2 or 3 hour film. But what was included was needed to get people interested in the topic.

I could say more, rant more, blabber more, but that’s useless. Everyone should see this movie for [her]himself. It is will make a clear mark in cinematic history.

But now I need to sleep and get ready for a week of work. A full week of work.

seriously don’t understand this sudden obsession with basketball. From out-of-nowhere, closet-freak basketball fans become incredibly obsessed with games and ‘brackets’. I have no interest in watching sports (except for Hokie football games which are intense…when we’re actually doing well) so this phenomenon has passed me by. And left me wondering what all the fuss is about. Really. What is the fuss all about? Whatever. I think it’s ironic that so many fatty Americans love watching people exercise.

This week has been intense in itself. After my physics homework study at Bollo’s I was finally through with my week. I did so much Wednesday and Thursday night, not even funny. But it’s fulfilling to see your work to completion. And tonight is an APEX, so I’m looking forward to that.

The EF group is moving along nicely. Construction began today and will run for probably a week. Things are looking A-O-K.

Anyways, I’m tired and I have lots to take care of tonight. Tomorrow should be equally busy but fun. Fun. Yes.

And I love The Discovery of Heaven. Everyone should read this book. Everyone who’s interested in philosophy. Everyone who’s interested in third-quarter, 20th century, European philosophy. Everyone who’s literate.

Today I wore my all-star baseball shirt from 6th or 7th grade. I thought it was exciting. It did/is make/making me happy.

I’ll try and ignore this impending headache and still blog.

School has been normal. Nothing exciting to report. Although, post-break, professors are realy stepping up the workload. Tonight and tomorrow night are going to murder me. A lot. Plus that EF thing is due in a month. Granted, my EF group has made some significant headway in accomplishing it.

I’ve noticed an overwhelming number of people around campus wearing New Balance 574s. Admittedly, I own two pairs myself, but every day I’ll see perhaps two dozen individuals trouncing around in 4 dozen of these shoes. While their simplicity of design is obviously key in their success, the comfort they provide is amazing. Anyways, I thought I’d mention it since as I saw a trio of guys today all wearing differently shaded 574s.

On a further note, Abigail bought an iPod. She is very happy. Her care for it has resulted in her also purchasing an iSkin exo2. So it was quite a sentimental note when Riona met Asher. ::tears of joy::

I haven’t been to Bollo’s yet. I feel rather bad about that. Perhaps I will have a coffee run tonight before my studying. May’haps.

Also, congrats to Strong Bad on 100. I think that’s really cool.

Also, my webcam shot doesn’t show it…but I did wear green today. And a sport coat. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Back at Tech. Got a healthy grade back on my first physics test. Signed up for ME. Will not be an RA next year. Tons of EF and etc to take care of. Determined to not go to Dietrick this semester. And I’ve decided I like scented candles. Especially coffee-scented.

I loves me a brief blog. And alliteration. Also, happy Post-Pi Day!

Foremost. Happy Birthday to Abigail! Yes, she is older than me; that is all I have to say…

Last night I ravaged Barnes & Noble until near their closing time. I desperately needed something to occupy a long evening, so I wandered over in that direction. Plus, I needed a Frappucino hardcore.

Today was partially spent in Roanoke at the Valley View Mall. I seriously found nothing of desire. If I don’t end up living in a huge (million + pop.) city for the rest of my life, I seriously will shrivel up and then implode…post-shriveling up. Anyways, so that was a quick detour in my day.

Then at home, my father and I cut down two huge (emphasis on huge) trees that had died. The second one, the more massive, seemed to float to the ground, although the sound at contact made sure I hadn’t forgotten its shear magnitude and weight. That was a big tree. …And then we had to cut it into a million pieces…because it fell in our driveway. Not exactly where planned. Whatever.

Tonight, I will meet up with Rianna for some catch-up and some movie-viewing. The Passion of Christ is our movie to-see tonight. I am really looking forward to this. Who better to see such a deep and philosophical movie with than a deep and philosophical person? What a great combo!

And in conclusion: Happy Birthday to Abigail! Unfortunately, typing this out again has not lessened the meager two months of time that she is older than me, but perhaps will win me some brownie points.

I read much of the lifestyle section of the paper today. I’ve been doing my best to completely avoid watching tv. It is such a waste. How can someone enjoy such a passive and self-inflictive form of entertainment? I don’t mind watching some tv programs irregularly, like Seinfeld or Jeopardy, but regular tv viewing is so neglecting to a healthy lifestyle that I chasten myself away from its presence. So today, while tv viewers continue to put on pounds post-breakfast-lunch-dinner, I will be furthering my vocabulary and philosophical understanding with more of my current reading, The Discovery of Heaven.

I randomly ranted on that topic because the lifestyle section of the paper had a full-page precedence to tv viewing and reality show coverage. Perhaps, I will continue this unwarranted parade at some other time. Just not in that mood at the moment. Additionally, as the great Wonka would say, “I know a worse one” speaking of bad habits; enough said.

I forgot to mention that Tuesday night I met up with Melanie to go see Along Came Polly. Ben Stiller is no good without Owen Wilson. Abigail taught me that a while ago, but it didn’t sink in until I viewed this film. Although, the movie had a few comical highlights, I just couldn’t see myself wanting to watch it again for any reason. But the most enjoyable portion of that evening was the conversation that came about at Drowsy Poet. Melanie and I caught up on how’s going and such; we chatted for quite some time and I appreciated a good, intuitive conversation.

This morning I spent at ManPower. After filling out the paperwork and officially being awarded a job, I drove over to the Drowsy for some early morning coffee and reading. I’ve never understood why they open at 7am Mon-Sat. None of that shopping center even begins to open until around 9am, but I suppose there are enough Liberty students en route that have requested it to be available at that hour. Oh well. It’s a great place and I enjoyed my non-creamed, butterrum coffee.

And the rest of today, so far, has consisted of me studying Latin and even more reading. I searched for my high school Latin material in the attic and went outside for a while to review what I could remember. I plan on buying a used Latin text if I get a chance because this is one language that I am romantically attracted to. Pun intended. Honestly, that knowledge is not something I want to fall by the wayside.

Anyways, I haven’t much to say. Yet another mid-day blog where my mind releases sprites of thought. I am looking forward to Sunday though And my immediate plans have changed: tomorrow will be a Roanoke trip. Yeah.