4th of July Special

Hello all.

I don't plan on blogging every couple days, so don't expect this as a norm, but I feel like I should write something on holidays for sure.

July 4th

I actually have no plans for today beyond the Stadium of Fire. This is kind of a family tradition. We've gone almost every year we've been here, even when the band playing sounds...less than desirable. There are just so many country concerts I can attend. Also, whats up with the American Idol contestants every year? Usually they aren't even that good since American Idol trys to recruit odd balls to build drama rather than talented singers. Like the guy this year? Never heard of him. Probably with good cause. Lets face it, that show died when Simon left and everyone knows it.

That rampage done, I am inordinately excited about the fireworks. The concert may be mediocre, the food may cost more than the Greek government can afford, and the beach boys may finally kick off after passing a kidney stone mid show, but once crap starts blowing up in the sky I'm like a 4 year old again.

I should probably add check the mail to my to do list as I haven't checked it since I got here...apologies to anyone who might have sent me something, especially presents.

Life

Ever since I got back from Helaman's camp I've been swamped with homework. Monday was particularly bad. My two demanding classes are on Tuesday and Thursday so I was trying to get everything done for them, but I also had FHE (which makes no sense because here at college...no one is with their family. Friendly Home Evening? If you're lucky.) which I attended because I heard they had dinner ready for us in the form of chocolate chip pancakes. I get over there and people are still mixing the batter! My twenty minute courtesy/hunger trip turned into an hour. I played this fun game where people blindfolded themselves and sang along with their headphones. Almost wet myself. Ok, there may have been a slight trickle...

Abandoned ship as soon as I could so I could get home and do some more homework, found out my essay wasn't due until next week (hallelujah) and found the time to watch Taken (see entertainment review below).

Yesterday was a little less exciting. I had class until 6:30, I got home and blew everything off because there are no classes today. Adam 1 gave Adam 2 the best haircut of his life (my roomies for those of you whose minds were boggled). We then watched this weird Japanese animated movie called (sp?) Princess Mononoke.

Critique

I was less than impressed with Taken. I love Liam Neeson to death, but he was the only redeeming part of the movie for me. The dialogue wasn't that smart and the plot was super simple. If you are in the mood for watching a spy go around being completely BA, watch the Bourne movies.

Princess Mononoke was a little weird (ok, very weird) but it was actually an ok film. Great musical score. Rather bloody so not recommended for kids despite the Princess word in the title and the fact that it's a cartoon.

I also found a really good, but somewhat disturbing song. It's called Hero of War by Rise Against. Probably shouldn't recommend it on the 4th of July as it comes off with a rather negative message about our troops, but it really got me thinking. It presents the story of a very human American soldier who after witnessing and committing atrocities becomes disenchanted with war in all its forms. I've always advocated interrogation of terrorist leadership if it means saving American lives, and to some degree I still do. This song made me wonder if it was still ok on entirely different grounds than I had thought of before. Forgetting completely about the terrorist and whether or not he deserves it, what does cruelty, even with a cause, do to us? Is the potential to save lives worth the damage that we inflict on ourselves? I'll leave that one up to you.