Why?

"Why?"

I came into the world asking this question, or so I've been told. Those who know me well are probably not surprised.

I told Rich just the other day that I enjoy discussing comedy with a comedian friend, Jason Steinhauser, partly because I like to analyze the mechanics of comedy with him.

For me, it isn't enough to recognize that something is funny, appreciate it for the humor, and move on. I need to know "why" it was funny.

Rich and I have many similar discussions about writing. Why one book was better than another, or why something we're writing should be done a certain way. I can't be satisfied with the answer that something is purely subjective or random. And sometimes, if I can't find a rational answer after careful analysis, I sniff a conspiracy.

Some out there have labeled me philosophical, or rhetorical, or rebellious... or weird. They don't see the value in asking "why". It just is. Accept it and move on. Be practical. They don't seem to understand that I can't.

But a few years ago, I found a kindred spirit: another "why" guy, and I instantly liked him. His name is Malcolm Gladwell.

He describes himself, thusly:

I'm a writer for the New Yorker magazine, and the author of two books, "The Tipping Point: How Little Things Make a Big Difference" and "Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking." I was born in England, and raised in southwestern Ontario in Canada. Now I live in New York City. My great claim to fame is that I'm from the town where they invented the BlackBerry. My family also believes (with some justification) that we are distantly related to Colin Powell. I invite you to look closely at the photograph above and draw your own conclusions.

Now in my opinion, Malcolm understates himself, but I get it. He most likely only sees himself as a regular guy who happens to wonder why things are the way there are. But he's done so much more than that. And the Fortune 500 guys who've hired him since he wrote his first book, "The Tipping Point" agree.

The theory is that if we know why something happens repeatedly -- if we've found the pattern -- why can't we stop it from happening or make it happen. And that's where the brilliance and the goldmine come in.

"Why" for the sake of "why" is one thing. But figuring out why in order to capitalize or to make a difference is another altogether.

Now, I'm a fiction writer and a fiction reader primarily. But in the non-fiction world, aside from spiritual writings, I'd put Malcolm's works at the top of the list of books to absolutely find and read if you haven't already.

"Why?" you might ask. Because they will change the way you see the world and your place in it.

[Ed. note: Since Blink, Malcolm has published, Outliers: The Story of Success, and also writes a blog with more of his insights.]

Gaining a Little Perspective

The great philosopher, Huey Lewis, has given us quite a few nuggets over the years. However, these lyrics from the 1996 album Time Flies... gave me pause recently:

Even though we might be having a few doubts
Let's take the time and try to work things out
The little things we fuss and fight about
Ain't gonna matter 100 years from now

I guess the ultimate objective is to only do, talk, and think about things that have eternal significance, but let's be a little more practical. Forget eternity and forget 100 years for a minute.

Use your own definition for what you think it means to "matter", then stop before you move a muscle, dwell on a feeling, or open your mouth and consider whether that action, thought, or comment will be something that still matters 5 years or even 1 year from now.

How much might your life and your relationships improve if you eliminated a couple of negative behaviors, feelings, or words that might still have legs a year from now?

How much impact could you have if you spent just a little more time, money, or brain cells on something that will still matter a year from now?

God created and gave us time, and the enemy loves to pervert it by convincing us to live in the past, worry about the future, or lose perspective on the present.

I pray we won't.

The Curious Case of Josh Hamilton (…not to mention: Straw)

We’ve seen this story before, haven’t we? An athlete with ten tons of historical baggage -- drugs, boozing, women, etc. -- sobers up, “finds Christ”, toes the line for a season, and then falls off the wagon. And society looks on and says… well, people say a lot of things, but one of the bottom lines they come to… “Another phony.”

Josh Hamilton starred as a young baseball player in North Carolina, and when I say “starred” that’s an understatement, meaning the bluest of blue chips. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays deemed him worthy of the first overall pick in the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft. First overall. He started very well in the Minors until 2001, when he was involved in a car accident prior to the season. Additionally, his partying escapades began to include drug use that year, and his career started to twist and turn. By 2003, after joining and leaving the team several times, he ended up taking most and the rest of the season off for “personal reasons”. His early rehabs for drugs and alcoholism failed, and Hamilton was suspended repeatedly, and though he tried, he didn’t play baseball in 2004 or 2005 and only played a handful of minor league games in 2006. During that time until the fall of 2005, Hamilton suffered through addiction and health problems, while taking multiple rehab stints. Also, Hamilton married Katie Chadwick in 2004, and although they went through an estrangement period during one of his relapses, they reunited in 2005 when he “got clean”. One other event happened in that period: Hamilton claimed Christ. Since then, he’s been very public about his faith. In June of 2006, the Chicago Cubs took Josh Hamilton in the Rule 5 Draft and immediately traded him to the Cincinnati Reds for $100,000.00. Despite some medical issues, some involved with his alcohol and drug abuse and some normal baseball injuries, Hamilton’s career turned around in Cincinnati, and he had a very good year. After a trade where he moved to the Texas Rangers, Josh Hamilton became an All-Star in 2008, and his fabulous year had his life appearing to be turned around for good. Unfortunately, Hamilton struggled starting his 2009 season, and to complicate matters more, a sports blog, Deadspin.com, posted photos of a carousing Hamilton shirtless in a bar, cavorting with women not his wife (not trying to glorify the Deadspin website here, but I think it's fair to show - choose with caution before going to the link). Witnesses claimed he had been drinking, asking for cocaine, and overheard him saying he would be going to a strip club later in the evening. All of which brings us fairly current.

What to make of this? I’ve been on Reds websites and other sports sites and seen what folks have and are saying about Josh Hamilton. Most people that aren’t Christians either see the “God-thing” as something that didn’t take or that the “faith-thing” was just the crutch he needed to get back into baseball and get his life on track.

Well, the first person the whole Josh Hamilton ordeal reminded me of was Darryl Strawberry (Straw). Straw had been a part of the ’86 Mets championship team, and he was considered one of the better players in baseball as his career progressed. Year after year, though, he gathered similar baggage to Hamilton. Drugs, arrests, women, etc. In 1991, he went to the Dodgers, and for a while, he fell under the wing of Brett Butler, a noted Christian player, and Darryl Strawberry that year said he believed on Christ that year and claimed to be a Christian. However, Straw fell off the wagon very shortly afterward, and his struggles with a lot of the same problems he experienced before claiming to be a Christian for the rest of his playing career and for a time after are pretty well chronicled. To most of the world, Christianity was a passing fancy with Darryl Strawberry.

While I can’t claim to know the hearts of either of these men, I’ll just say write what I believe. Along the way, God happened in the lives of both of these men. Christ happened. For whatever reason, the Father gave these men into the Hand of His Son.

Anyone seen what’s been happening in the life of Darryl Strawberry lately? He’s got a new book out, Straw. Over the past few years, Straw’s been in the community, reaching out to others, especially in the autism realm, and guess what… he’s continuing to talk about his faith in Christ and his spiritual journey. Not that there haven’t been a few past demons revisit along the way, and Straw's got a series of problems due to choices he's made in his life that will probably be with him until he dies. But you know what? I really think Jesus has a hold on his life, and that Darryl’s God is wild and scandalous enough to save a dirty, rotten sinner like Darryl Strawberry. Neither has Josh Hamilton recanted his faith. While some of his support group started out questioning the photos, Hamilton fessed up quickly about his relapse, and he said that his wife and members of his support group knew immediately after. You know what else? In my opinion, Jesus is right there with him. Josh’s God is busy saving a dirty, rotten sinner like Josh Hamilton.

What do I expect? Really, truthfully, and while I very much hope it doesn’t, I have a feeling that Josh is going to fall again. And again after that. Addiction is seldom an easy burden to unload. Added to addiction, and like anyone else, there is other Sin, and sins, in these guys’ lives with which they have to deal. Sin is serious. The Almighty, who knew no sin, made Himself a human being, became it, and died for it. And was Resurrected. If sin was little or of no consequence, why the one time, all-history changing event that is the Cross? No, sin is serious, deadly, and death-ly. God’s love and God’s grace, however, are more serious. By far. Or else a dirty, rotten sinner like me has no hope. None. Whatsoever.

I have my fingers crossed for the lives of Josh Hamilton and Darryl Strawberry because they’re in the public eye, and mistakes that they make are being sought by some for various reasons, become visible to all, and compound the public misconception of the Gospel of Christ. More than that, though, I have faith in a God that loves, with all his being, those two men and desires to save them. And me. And you.

Armond Joy's Got Nuts, Mounds Don't

Unbelievable. No, I take it back. Utterly predictable. Last Saturday, I blogged on the upcoming District 9. At that point, Rotten Tomatoes had ten reviews of the movie, all positive. Currently, the day before release, thirty-three critics have reviewed the flick, all positive... save one. Armond White. I almost hesitate to do this, but here's his review at the New York Press. The comments here, like the comments under his review at Rotten Tomatoes, are priceless.

Now, I haven't seen District 9 yet, and the majority of reviews come out tomorrow, so there's still time for the Certifiably Fresh rating of 97% to falter a ways. However, the Peter Jackson-produced, Neill Blomkamp-directed feature is almost sure to be reviewed well overall. And a good rule of thumb I've learned to go by is: if Armond White likes it, beware, if he hates it, go there!

Let's take a look, granted it's selective (and I'm trying to pick major motion pictures here, for the most part, rather than indies), at some of his reviewing record:

District 9
Critical Consensus: Fresh Armond White: Rotten

G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra
Critical Consensus: Rotten Armond White: Fresh

Julie & Julia
Critical Consensus: Fresh Armond White: Rotten

Funny People
Critical Consensus: Fresh Armond White: Rotten

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Critical Consensus: Fresh Armond White: Rotten

Public Enemies
Critical Consensus: Fresh Armond White: Rotten

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Critical Consensus: Rotten Armond White: Fresh

The Hangover
Critical Consensus: Fresh Armond White: Rotten

Land of the Lost
Critical Consensus: Rotten Armond White: Fresh

Up
Critical Consensus: Fresh Armond White: Rotten

Terminator: Salvation
Critical Consensus: Rotten Armond White: Fresh

Star Trek
Critical Consensus: Fresh Armond White: Rotten

State of Play
Critical Consensus: Fresh Armond White: Rotten

Monsters Vs. Aliens
Critical Consensus: Fresh Armond White: Rotten

I Love You, Man
Critical Consensus: Fresh Armond White: Rotten

Have I gotten the point across yet? I could go on, but what good would that do? Seriously, you have to try to be contrary to go against the mass critical response this many times. I'm not saying I wouldn't agree with him on a movie or maybe two on this list, but c'mon!?! Are you kidding me? Up? Maybe it wasn't the best of the Pixar movies, but it was good, funny, and clever. Who wouldn't give that a thumbs up? There hasn't been a bad Harry Potter movie. People may not go out of choice, and some were better than others. But every Potter movie has been a good movie. Go look for yourselves. Bedtime Stories, Benjamin Button, Confessions of a Shopaholic, Gomorrah, The Wrestler, Gran Torino, Transporter 3, Milk, Slumdog Millionaire, A Christmas Tale, Swing Vote, Hellboy II, The Dark Knight, The Incredible Hulk, The Wedding Director, War, Inc., What Happens in Vegas... he goes against the tide of critical review in every single one of these movies. Some of these movies were so good, who could think they were bad. Ever? In a million years?

Armond White.

Mmmmmm

If you like to eat, you might want to check out This is Why You're Fat.

If you have a squeamish stomach, keep walking.

BTW, my favorites are:

The Spamsicle

The Royal Flush

Deep Fried Captain Fluff, and

Dorm Food Casserole

Bon Appetit! Aha, ha.

Football Shoutout

Twenty-three (twenty-five for Auburn University) days until college football starts and thirty days until the start of the National Football League, which means if you're a fan of either one or both, the tingles up and down your spine have probably already begun. I graduated from Auburn in '89, so obviously, I'm a fan since I started back in 1985. Additionally, and more importantly to me, I've been a Miami Dolphin fan since conception. And there's been some major league living and dying with both of my teams. Since all my family are Dolphins' fans, I'll just let you imagine the time spent on talking/phoning/e-mailing all things Dolphins year after year and many days of that year. I won't say just how much, lest one think I've slipped into idolatry.

But I digress... like Opening Day in Major League Baseball, the dawn of each new season brings high hopes -- at least until that first loss, at which time disillusionment sets in -- for every team out there, because you.just.never.know. On top of that, this is The Realm of Possibility, where we'll entertain all things possible! In light of that, I want to give anyone out there the chance to give a shout out to their personal teams, and if you want to, let us know what you think their chances are this year.

Let's hear it for your teams!

[Additonal sidenote: the magnificent pictures rendered on this post depict the Pro Bowler Ronnie Brown, both in his collegiate and professional career, thundering over any opposition that stands in his way, as he is apt to do.]

GO DOLPHINS!!!
and
WAR EAGLE!!!

[P.S. - CRITICALLY IMPORTANT NOTE: If you happen to be a New England Patriot, New York J-E-T-S, or Buffalo Bill fan or a supporter of the University of Alabama, LSU, Universities of Tennessee, Florida, and Georgia football programs, then...

...nothing to see here. Please move along quietly, if you can.]

[Ed. Note: Will add team helmets to the bottom of this post for all comments supporting a team... sigh, even Alabama fans]

Gospel in 10

Came across this post from the Mockingbird blog while I was perusing down at The Boars Head. It's an exercise in summarizing what you believe, if you believe on Christ:

Can you summarize the gospel in 10 words or less?

When Ken and I first started seriously writing together with one of our goals being publication, we learned pretty quickly that we'd need to be able to summarize our works -- whether an essay, a short story, or a novel -- in one sentence, for a variety of reasons (query letters, interested editors/agents thru correspondence or at conferences, description for prospective readers, etc.). Although I'd not thought about it in these terms, I should be able to utilize this practice with my faith in Christ as well. Here's my attempt:

God came, lived, was crucified and resurrected for sinners.

Obviously, as the author of the original post stated, any 10 words or less explanation would have to be more fully detailed to define (as best we can) the nature of Salvation and sin, the whys and hows of God's love, etc. Nonetheless, I think this is a fantastic exercise.

In the comments of a non-related post (Saturday is for Answering Questions) and site, Michael Spencer, the Internet Monk, answered a similar question. He was asked:

What is your understanding of the gospel? In five sentences…

His answer, which just so happened to be 10 words:

God created.
Man sins.
Jesus saves.
We believe.
God reigns.

Beautiful. I think I like his better than mine.

Anyone else want to give it a try?

Dawn Treader Not Treading Water Anymore

After several delays and a switch from Disney to Fox distribution, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader has finally begun filming in Australia in the last few days. Walden's movie version of the next installment in C.S. Lewis' Narnia series has encountered some choppy waters but is slated for theaters December 10, 2010.

I love movies, books, AND C.S. Lewis! So, of course, I'm excited. If you love Narnia too, check out NarniaWeb.com. It contains several on-set pictures and continuing updates of casting news, script rumors, etc for the new movie.

Among other things, what we know so far is:

Michael Apted replaces Andrew Adamson as the Director

Caspian, Edmund, and Lucy will return as they should

Trumpkin and Dr. Cornelius will not return (It was rumored that they would return even though they aren't featured in the book)

Casting for Eustace, Lord Drinian and the missing Narnian Lords is being completed

Construction on the Dawn Treader itself is being completed and looks cool (see below)

Non-Humans Banned from Reading This Post!

Anyone else looking forward to District 9 coming out next Friday? A little bit about the plot and marketing campaign is contained at Wikipedia. The film's major selling point for me is that Peter Jackson, the director of the super LOTR epic trilogy, the executive producer and writer of the coming The Hobbit and The Hobbit 2, executive producer of the upcoming Halo movie, and writer/director of the latest King Kong, is producing it. District 9 is based on a short film, Alive in Joburg, and it will be directed by Neill Blomkamp, who wrote and directed the short.

Early returns at Rotten Tomatoes look good with 10 out of 10 positive reviews, but I say that with all caution. Last week, prior to G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra being released, that film also had a very positive 9 out of 10 fresh rating. After being released, it's now 38% fresh, in other words, rotten. On the imbd Official Review Thread, it's even more heartening, with 28 positive reviews, 1 mixed, and 0 negative.

I've enjoyed the trailers I've seen on TV, and the premise is very appealing to me. Being one of the last summer movies... well, that's a little disturbing. I don't think there are a lot of recognizable actors/actresses on this one, but that doesn't bother me. Regardless of the reviews, I plan on seeing this one -- not G.I. Joe, though. District 9 seems to have a little more to it, especially using South Africa, with it's Aparteid history, as the site where the aliens have been quarantined.

Got my fingers crossed. Anyone else have thoughts on this one?

Don't You Forget About Me

I'm late on this, but John Hughes died.
Director
Writer
Producer

The Breakfast Club
Sixteen Candles
Weird Science
Some Kind of Wonderful (wrote)
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Home Alone (scripted)
Uncle Buck
Beethoven (wrote)
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
Christmas Vacation (co-wrote)
Pretty in Pink (wrote)
She's Having a Baby
The Great Outdoors (wrote)
Curly Sue
Mr. Mom (wrote)

True difference-maker. Which American (and it goes further than America) in my generation wasn't affected by at least one of these movies?

Wow.

Ed. note: A tribute