Steve Nash + Chipped Tooth = Crazy Delicious

No Country For Old Men

I wanted to see this movie ever since it came out because it got great reviews.  And, as Lady Fortune would have it (totally kidding...sheesh), I was asked to choose a movie for some of us to see tonight, so I chose No Country For Old Men.  The time was good, the place was good, the movie seemed to be good (one of the year's best), so I selected this movie for my friends and me to watch tonight.

Well, most of the people I saw it with didn't seem to like it, but I walked out satisfied.  I thought it was a very good movie...not one I'd immediately place into my "Top 10" list, but one that definitely kept my attention from beginning to end.  To those interested in seeing it, it's a really tense movie.  It has a lot of blood and violence, and there are surprising moments, so if you don't like either of those you might want to stay away from this film.  However, in my humble, ignorant layman's opinion, I thought that this was one of the stronger movies I've seen lately...in the sense that the acting, cinematography, and script, along with just about every other technical aspect was airtight, stellar.  In that sense, it reminded me of Road To Perdition.

So, I walked out of the theater with an admiration for what I saw.  But, as I talked and thought about it more, I started to like it more and more.  I won't reveal it here, but I think the central message of the movie was conveyed quite wonderfully.

When I came home, I do what I always do after I've seen a movie I liked or admired: I went to IMDB and looked at the quotes.  As I read through the listed quotes for No Country For Old Men, I found myself growing to absolutely love the movie.  It's like listening to a great album, but it's so great that you don't grasp the lyrics on the first listen, so you go and look up the lyrics and after reading them you grow to totally adore the CD.  Oh, man, some of the lines in this movie were so great...

As with all good movies, there was a hint of the Gospel.  I'll admit, in this movie it was very small (there was a much more prominent nod to Ecclesiastes here)...but it was there, particularly in this exchange:

Anton Chigurh: You know how this is going to turn out, don't you?
Llewelyn Moss: Nope.
Anton Chigurh: I think you do. So this is what I'll offer - you bring me the money and I'll let her go. Otherwise she's accountable, same as you. That's the best deal you're gonna get. I won't tell you you can save yourself, because you can't.

I won't sully this gorgeous allegory (though, like all illustrations, it is imperfect), but if you don't see it, just replace "Anton Chigurh" with "Satan," and "Llewelyn Moss" with "Jesus."

See it?  Please tell me you do.  I want you to marvel at our salvation with me...

How beautiful is our Savior?

Ellis: You can't stop what's comin'. It ain't all waitin' on you. That's vanity.

Effeminate Basketball Jelly

I had to exchange something at a store today, and the man that initially helped me was quite effeminate.  But, that was fine.  I am no stranger to gay men.  Yes, that statement is misleading, but I won't take it back.  I'm just saying that after living in New York and near San Francisco for a bit, I've seen my share of them.  That's all I'm saying.

Anyhow, apparently he didn't have the managerial authority to conduct the exchange for me, so he had to call up the manager.  "She'll be right here," he told me.  A few seconds later, he reassured me that "she" was coming soon.  After about a minute, the manager finally appeared...only, she was a he...another effeminate man.  Needless to say, I was taken aback with shock, disappointment, and confusion.

Then I wondered...if someone were to introduce me as a "man," would people be shocked, disappointed, and confused when I strolled out from behind a curtain?  Do I exhibit the qualities of a genuine man?

Then I wondered...if someone were to introduce me as a "Christian," would people be shocked, disappointed, and confused when I strolled out from behind a curtain?  Do I exhibit the qualities of a genuine Christian?

One thing's for sure: so many foreshadowing incidents and prophets in the Old Testament pointed to the arrival of someone higher and better.  They said, in essence, "The Messiah is coming, the Messiah is coming," and their words did not lie.  When Jesus came, he was who they said he was, and he did what they said he would do.

This world is filled with disappointments, empty promises, and misleading statements...shes are hes, for crying out loud!  But this is not so with our Lord.  His 'Yes' is always 'Yes' and his 'No' is always 'No.'  He will never, ever introduce a he as a she.  And if this is true, then every single promise in the Bible becomes infinitely more comforting, hopeful, and joy-giving than if it were not true.  It makes an eternity of a difference.

---

I love fantasy basketball.  I just wish it had another name.  A man who says that he loves "fantasy basketball" sounds...effeminate.  Anything with the word "fantasy" conjures up notions of private bedroom activities or some kind of card game involving heroes and monsters with esoteric names, known only by pubescent boys with sweaty palms, thick glasses, and nerdy friends.  Still, I can't deny that I absolutely love fantasy basketball.  Seriously, I love it.  My palms sweat (yes, I realize the irony here), my heart beats a little faster, and my eyes get wide as I peruse box scores and examine trade scenarios.

But hell hath no fury like a man who loves fantasy basketball staring at a horribly disappointing line from one of his starters.  This is a glimpse of what I feel during these times:

Business School

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