Unfortunately, Russell...

Just came across this.

Imagine with me for a moment--you're a screenwriter, and you have a creative block. You need some drama. Here's what you do: Google "Unfortunately, $InsertName" and there you go.

Unfortunately, Russell...

• Unfortunately, Russell being a little digging machine (and an overachieving one at that) made some more modifications to his bedding chamber and dug through to the surface.


• Unfortunately, Russell's sled bogged down in soft snow going up a steep hill. By the time he reached the top, the others were a quarter mile ahead and seemingly about to end his last chance to collect the oxen.


• Unfortunately Russell fixed that nasty palette bug in drivers/video/fbcon.


• Unfortunately, Russell's SE Linux policies take effect on everything he touches, the gun was denied, and the headset was turned off.


• Unfortunately, Russell had gotten quite old. (Ouch, that one hurt.)


• Unfortunately, Russell was not feeling at his best that day, and so he was not as flamboyant as he was.


• Unfortunately, Russell wastes much of the book on exposition and flashbacks, and the emotional turmoils and scandalous revelations too often lapse into melodrama.


• Unfortunately, Russell's e-mail address no longer works so I have been unable to notify him of this version.

I could go on. There were 700 of them. But, unfortunately...

10 mistakes conservatives make in art and entertainment

Here's a great article. Take time to read it!

A New Season of Storytelling

Only when evangelicals agree to look at Hollywood not just as an evangelistic tool, or a harmless entertainment provider, but also as an important participant in cultural discourse will they understand that as a major share of the movie market, they are in a position to shape that vital discussion.

This is from William Romanowski in a USA Today article.

There is a shift happening in Hollywood. It's a gradual shift, but production companies are starting to take notice. Here's how I see it:

• Music: In the 80's, Christian music began to flourish. It was odd, strange that Christians would sing contemporary sounding songs. It wasn't just the hymns or the praise. It was rock. It was Petra. I remember in my early years thinking how strange this was, but how cool it was. Finally, I could listen to some cool music that had a great message, encouraging message of hope and peace and faith. Today, you have everything from ska, punk, rock, rap, pop, swing to blues. And, there's Christian blues. It's almost an oxymoron.
  
  
• Books: In the 90's, the new Christian "entertainment" was written fiction. Frank Peretti had released "This Present Darkness" and the sequel "Piercing the Darkness". These books captivated me. I rarely read, but started reading because of this excellent fiction. My wife is an ardent reader of Christian romance Novels. Why? Because she doesn't care for the trashy romance novels that fill most bookshelves.
  
  
• Movies: For this decade, I can only think that movies are next. The Passion of Christ has proven that there is a market. I doubt seriously that the multi-billion dollar business of Christian entertainment would leave the movie industry untapped. It's the next logical step.

Redeeming entertainment.

First Quarter

February 1 brings a unique milestone for me--my first "Quarter". I've officially been "on my own" for three months now, or as they say in the business world--Q1. It's not quite a calendar quarter--that comes at the end of March.

But, it's my personal Q1.

Here are some of the things I have learned so far about being on your own:

• It's hard to pace yourself when corporate America has set your pace for the last 16 years.


• Man, Starbucks rocks, especially after a couple of Chai Lattes.


• I've already been on two vacations. Gotta love it. Headed to Mexico in 2 weeks.


• Still have "zaps of reality" that I have to make my own money now.


• Dreaming has become more exciting to me, because dreams are now within my reach.


• I'm enjoying spending more time with my family.


• Did I mention Starbucks rocks?

I'm not sure what the next quarter has to offer, but I'm excited about the opportunity.