Yes, this speaks to the geek in me, but it’s also a fun fusion of video games and music (and techno, at that, ha!) Enjoy.

Or, read the original story.

For those of you who grew up with a Nintendo, you’ve got to watch the following—make sure and watch the entire thing!

This is shout-out to our friend, compadré, and fellow Marble Slabber–HAPPY BIRTHDAY! You may praise the Lord this year that Renée and I are not planning a surprise like last year. But just so everyone has the opportunity to remember the fun…

Randall, a coworker, his wife Selina, and myself went to see the famed Matrix: Revolutions this weekend. While we were deep in the action of the movie, Renée was watching “School of Rock” with your friend and mine, Jack Black. She came out of the movie very happy and giggly; we came out of the Matrix a little confused but excited by the amazing special effects.

A little background (and maybe a few spoilers, so beware): before going to see the Matrix, of course, you can’t help but hear things from friends, other coworkers, and the web. Unfortunately, I had heard many bad things about this third installment of the trilogy, and so I was a little set on being disappointed from the get go. However, it seems that it was for the best, because allowed me to go into the movie and come out a little bit more impressed.

There is so much talk about how the Wachowski brothers went from making a great first movie to simply selling out with the second and third movies. I’m not here to debate that, even though I tend to agree. What was so amazing about the first movie was the mind-trip that it, philosophically, gave its viewers. The idea that we are all under slavery but don’t know it seems strangely familiar. I was hoping that the second and third movies would continue to explore the philosophical points-of-view to a greater depth, because, quite honestly, I was looking for connections to Christianity.

The first thing I ever heard about the original Matrix movie was that it was “the Gospel.” Like I said above, it was the feeling that is captured in Stacie Orrico’s popular pop song… “There’s gotta be more to life / than chasing down every temporary high / to satisfy me / because the more I’m tripping out thinking there must be more to life / well it’s life, but I’m sure… there’s gotta be more.” The then-Mr.-Anderson is approached with a radical idea: that he is in bondage–in fact, the entire world–and that there is, in a manner of speaking, “more to life.” Of course, then, there are a myriad of other connections to Christian themes (the most obvious being that Neo, the One, sacrifices his life, only to come back to life and save the world), but that the “more-to-life” theme seems to strike a chord close to home with many.

The reason for this, of course, is that there really is more to life. We do live in bondage. It’s something called sin, or as the archers would put it, “missing the mark.” No one is perfect, and we continually have this propensity to do “evil”–that which is not “good”. However, there is freedom. It’s in the person of Jesus Christ, who promised that he would show us the “more-to-life” – the abundant life (John 10:10). All we have to do is believe.

And as Morpheus said, “I can only show you the door. You’re the one that has to walk through it.”

Brooms, Altoid casings, water jugs, newspapers, sinks, dishes, trash cans, basketballs, boxes, paper bags. You name, it was made into an instrument last Thursday.

Much to Renée’s delight (and surprise), we went and saw STOMP at Popejoy last week, and left the performance all grins and giggles. We were thoroughly impressed by the innovation, ingenuity, and sheer talent of the show. To be able to keep rhythm with eight people, all on instruments that aren’t typically used for percussion, is something extraordinary. Furthermore, the entire performance contains no dialogue whatsoever: the “story” is told through facial expression, body language, and percussion only.

Furthermore, we liked it because it invited the audience to think about things in a brand new way. No longer is my clicky-pen just a pen, but a veritable fountain of percussive experiences. I type to rhythm, each key-click emphasizing another beat. And I’m even getting used to it in my vehicle, although the gas pedal is going to take a little more work.

Yay for music!

“And the winner is…….. Ruben Studdard!” Suddenly, Blessing erupted in fits of blissful excitement, shouting so loudly that the neighbors heard, and Joash probably lost a little bit of hearing in his right ear. It was a close call—out of 24 million votes, there was only a difference of 1,300 votes (only 5/100000’s of a percent)—but in the end, Ruben pulled ahead of Clay. Although I sincerely believe that Clay had a better voice, it will be seen who will have more of an impact, seeing as both of them have recording contracts and both of their CDs are being planned to release on the same day. Now that’s some competition.

I have hit a bump in the road of programming today. I sat programming a specific module and I ran into a question that only our accountant can answer. Since she’s only here on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I can’t ask her today. So, I think I’ll just go home.

If only it was that easy.

These past two weeks can been “crazy go nuts”, in the words of Strong Bad. Almost every evening has been occupied with something outside of my apartment, which at the moment is my den. So, for the most part, I just sleep at home. I’d like to do more, like actually relax there. Thankfully, tonight will be a break.

Be looking for pictures soon of Scott’s graduation. Yup, it’s official—he’s a college graj-yew-eight. Score, buddy!

Just to update this silly thing. I can’t believe how incredibly low on the priority list this has gotten lately, with work being so busy, Renée and I being so busy on week nights and weekend nights, and just life.

But the American Idol season finale is on tonight. Clay or Ruben? Why?

This morning while reading the news, I came across the saddening news that your friend and mine, Mr. Rogers, has passed away. He was 74 years old and he died of stomach cancer.

Yesterday and today in emails sent by Bill Bright, Bill talks about “losing” his mother and father, but not really losing them, but allowing them to enter into glory, receive their resurrection bodies, and be with the Lord. In fact, Bill is probably meditating a lot on that fact right now because it’s not expected for him to live on earth that much longer. I don’t think it really bothers him (except for the fact that he won’t have the opportunity to share Christ with others), because I’m sure he can’t wait to see Jesus, the One he has been pursuing for his entire life.

Mr. Rogers was also an ordained Presbyterian minister. I think he had a pretty good idea of where he was heading and is probably now rejoicing.

Death—such an interesting concept. We can’t avoid it, but to Christians, it’s a welcome event, because it signals the transition from our earthly bodies to our resurrection bodies, from our incompleteness on earth to our completeness in heaven with our Father. That’s pretty cool. Doesn’t mean that death isn’t scary—I actively try to do all that I can so that I don’t meet it prematurely–but I know that what’s on the other side is secure. Praise the Lord.

But I’m still going to miss Mr. Rogers.

I was really looking forward to a great game—or, at least, the parties that come because of the great game. Well, the game was pitiful. I felt bad for the Raiders, except for the fact that most of the reason they lost points wasn’t really based on talent from the other team, but on their own stupidity as they continually missed throws and handed them off to the Buccaneers instead. Renée and I left the party we were at in the middle of the 3rd quarter, but caught the rest at home. To see Tampa Bay score another touchdown at the end of the game told me that the Raiders had simply given up. They should have done that in the 1st quarter.

And how about that half-time show, ladies and gentlemen? What exactly was it that Shania Twain was wearing? The line-up: Sting, No Doubt, and Shania Twain. It seems to me that these groups (maybe with the exception of Ms. Twain) are a little, shall we say, dated (as was proven by their choice of songs)? To me, it was a failed attempt to mix both “new” and older groups together and come up with something that is at least entertaining, which I will be the first to say did not happen.

Other than that miserable game, though, it was a great weekend—busy, but great. Scott, Renée, and I went and hung out with one of our old high school friends at Flying Star Friday night and caught up on the last six years or so. We also had the opportunity to tour a radio station (where ‘Quie used to work). The enormous tour of cables that runs behind all of their receivers is enough to give you a migraine for the rest of your life. I also relaxed (i.e., didn’t go into the office this weekend).

But the highlight was Saturday morning. Scott and I got up early and dropped by our very first HAM radio swap meet over by Del Norte high school because of someone pretty special to us. It was his birthday on Saturday, and we couldn’t think of anything better than to show our appreciation by showing up at an event that he really enjoys.

Happy birthday, Dad.