Friday, October 26, 2007

Is Captain Kirk dead for good?

I was shocked to read this afternoon, that William Shatner, aka Captain Kirk, aka Bill to his friends is not being cast in JJ Abrams new Star Trek film slated for release next Christmas.

Well, a Merry Christmas to you JJ!

Kirk, Spock, Bones and Scotty are the pillars of the Trek work and perhaps you are saying, "Get over it, it's a show". It is just a show but that isn't the point. The point revolves around one little word; loyalty.

Star Trek fans, as diverse as they be have one enduring quality: Loyalty. They are loyal to a creation of Gene Roddenberry's, loyal to the show, it's spin offs and its subsequent merchandising.

Loyalty. Ol' William got the boot and Nimoy got the nod. Loyalty is getting hard to find each passing day.

At one time, a man could name the entire roster of his favorite hockey team, or "insert sport team here" year after year, because the players were loyal to the city, to the fans and to their respective clubs. Now, they run after like cheap Friday night dates after whoever flashes the most cash.

Of course there are exceptions to this, but most are then treated like has-beens, washed out and quickly disposed of in the after market trades. Loyalty it seems doesn't exist.

I wonder of we see this in organized religion? People moving from one flavor of church to the next. Never forging relationships with the leadership or the believers. Each out for his/her own quick fix of Sunday salvation.

Star Trek fans have been loyal for over 40 years to a vision created by a man that details a better life of life here on earth and beyond. It spawned hope to a generation of people that were losing hope. Kind of what Jesus wanted to inspire amongst the Israelites 2000 years ago. Hope that tomorrow will be better.

Not seeing Shatner in the new movie will, for me be a let down. Good characters, like good friends are missed.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

How can you communicate with people that you can't even see?

This came across the news wire the other day.

Laura Bush appeared in the Middle East to bring awareness to breast cancer. A very worthwhile and noble cause. Breast cancer is a global issue and it was nice to see the 1st lady offer her voice to the cause.

As I looked at the photo op, it hit me. I know what is wrong when it comes to us in the West and those in the Middle East....

How can we communicate with people that we can't even see? It is like playing with an "invisible" friend and then say you had important dialogue. "Oh, we had a great talk." you say but how can you tell when you can't see their expressions. Maybe that joke you told was greeted by a veiled frown.

It then becomes a case of "What they hear. What we hear."

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Day 2

What is the point of self exploration? Of sharing opinions and thoughts with a world that frankly, just doesn't care?

Millions of people, even my pastor has a blog. (http://ecov.org/jesseblog/)

One of my favorites is from a guy I know. If you think that the Soviet bear is sleeping, check out his entries at:

http://once-upon-a-time-in-the-west.blogspot.com/


If my dog could do something other than bark n fart, she would have a blog too.

So why should I have an online experience? Does it tie me closer to humanity or further separate me from it?

As as Christian, I am to be in the world, not to follow it. Yet, here I am, compelled to join in one voice of billions that wants to be heard....an online blog gives people that shared experience, to communicate through hidden doors and windows so I wont see your reaction to my voice and I won't see yours.

Monday, October 22, 2007

The 1st blog is always the hardest

If I had an idea what to post here, I would tend to be afraid.