New Links

I added a bunch of new links over on the sidebar. Take a look and share any that I may have missed.

We're Moving!

Not physically - but webically (New word?). This here blog has a new home - so change your links - and visit often!

www.mattmwright.com

The 2nd Best Christmas Song EVER

I can't find the first Best anywhere (It's Thistle Hair the Christmas Bear by Alabama - if you were wondering) Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from 1987!

Shiny

My Mother-in-law took this picture when we were at Disney a few weeks ago. It was too good not to share.

Clarke, that's the Gift that Keeps on Giving...

The whooooole year.

WARNING: Fall and tip over hazards can result from improper behavior

Those are good words to live by. So a funny thing happened the other day. Don't you love it when stories start out like that! Well it was funny - just not for me - or apparently my buddy Brad, who was so 'worried' about me that he couldn't laugh. The same cannot be said for all others who witnessed my near Cirque du Soleil act. OK - so it went like this...

Our small group went shopping for a family at our church at our local Target. We all had a great time. After we checked out we were pushing our three carts back to our cars. That is when it happened. I looked over from my cart and there was my good pal JC 'Flying' on his cart. I thought, "Hey, that looks like fun." So I tried it - and it was. Then I thought, "Hey I bet you I can get horizontal on this bad boy." So I tried it - and I could! I was kicking the Flying Squirrel on top of my shopping cart. The thing is - it only lasted for .5 seconds before I was lying face first on the concrete with all the gifts we had just purchased on top of me. Luckily I didn't hurt anything (other than my pride) and allowed joyous laughter for the majority of our group. I guess there really is a good reason that they put those warnings on the shopping carts. Perhaps they should include adults too - not just children.

Enough Said...

Jesus Greater Than

War


Poverty


Thirst


Hunger

PD has a pretty cool idea - and all the profits go to organizations that work to releave these things.

Here is his Vision:
Jesusgreaterthan.org is an organization trying to further the kingdom of God here on earth by raising awareness to some issues we believe to be crucial. We are trying to answer the cries of the oppressed by taking action. There will be many movements in the coming days, but the first is our Jesus>War campaign. We believe that there is a third way to all things; and that way is Jesus Christ. All proceeds generated during the Jesus>War campaign including donations, shirts, stickers will pay for multiple scholarship funds for children who have lost a parent while serving during war. Other movements will be Jesus>Poverty, Jesus>Hunger, Jesus>Thirst, etc. In each movement, JesusGreaterThan.org will financially support issues within the problem. It is time for a change. We can make it happen.

Go to http://jesusgreaterthan.org/index.html to learn more and buy a shirt.

Thank to Brody for pointing this out.

Blue Like Jazz THE MOVIE

Just read an update on Don Miller's BLJ the movie. Two things I found interesting:

1. Only one scene from the book is in the movie -

Q: How are you going to take a book of essays and turn it into a movie?

A: Not easily, and yet somehow it seems to be working. There is only one scene in the movie that is in the book, and yet as we have tested the screenplay, people have expressed how much the movie does reflect the book. And so I think we have managed to capture some of the major characters and themes, but have turned those ideas into a narrative.

2. The Plot -

Q: What would you say the movie is about?
A: It’s about a kid who learns to not be ashamed of whom he is. In the beginning, he is ashamed of his faith. He feels that faith is socially and intellectually inferior so he wrestles with loving his community while still not wanting to be a part. When he goes off to Reed, he finds escape from that, but through a relationship with Penny, has to confront the reality that faith is larger and more encompassing than he had judged. And he has to face the fact that he is a poser and is as judgmental as those he would consider to be his enemies. And the story goes on from there.

You can read the whole interview here

A look at Obama's Denominational Affiliation

I read this article today and it made me want to know more about the United Church of Christ that Barack is affliated with - Here is the Wikipedia Entry.

Lights Please Pt. 2

We Elfed Ourselves!

Watch the hiliarity here

Christmas Movie Quote of the Day #5

Go Gators!

The only Heismans that matter

Watch Out For the Icey Patch - Christmas Movie Quote of the Day #5

Gonzo: This is not a good place for turkies!

Turkey: Not to worry. I'm a survivor.
Turkey: Where's my room?

Gonzo: If you're not careful, it'll be in the oven. See you at dinner.

Muppet Family Christmas

Lights Please - Christmas Movie Quote of the Day #4

Charlie Brown: I guess you were right, Linus. I shouldn't have picked this little tree. Everything I do turns into a disaster. I guess I really don't know what Christmas is all about.

[shouting in desperation] Charlie Brown: Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?

Linus Van Pelt: Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about. [moves toward the center of the stage]

Linus Van Pelt: Lights, please. [a spotlight shines on Linus]

Linus Van Pelt: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'" [Linus picks up his blanket and walks back towards Charlie Brown]

Linus Van Pelt: That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

The Feed Bag

Toms Shoes has come up with a pretty cool way to help feed hungry children. It is called the "Feed Bag." For every bag purchased, one child is fed for one full school year through the World FOOD Program.

Learn more or pick one up here and make a difference.

Christmas Movie Quote of the Day #3

"Where do you think you're going? Nobody's leaving. Nobody's walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. No, no. We're all in this together. This is a full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency here. We're gonna press on, and we're gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny f-ing Kaye. And when Santa squeezes his fat white a$$ down that chimney tonight, he's gonna find the jolliest bunch of a-holes this side of the nuthouse."

-Clark W. Griswold - Christmas Vacation

Christmas Movie Quote of the Day #2

"I want an official Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle, with a compass in the stock and 'This Thing' which tells time"

-Ralphie (A Christmas Story)

Christmas Movie Quote of the Day

Buddy: [out of breath from chasing Michael] Wow, you're fast. I'm glad I caught up to you. I waited 5 hours for you. Why is your coat so big? So, good news - I saw a dog today. Have you seen a dog? You probably have. How was school? Was it fun? Did you get a lot of homework? Huh? Do you have any friends? Do you have a best friend? Does he have a big coat, too?

Zune or iPod - Why?

Yahoo Tech is reporting that the Zune sales are outpacing the iPod this Holiday Season. Which do you prefer and why?

The Best Part of Waking Up...

Is NOT Folgers in your cup - it is BOCA JAVA! At risk of sounding like an infomercial - If you haven't had it - you need to! It is by far the best coffee I have ever had - and they deliver to your door! It even turned my non coffee drinking wife into a daily coffee drinker...sorry. My top favs are:

• Merry Mistletoe
• Beach Day Blog
• Surfing Safari
• Boca Moca Java

Go right now to http://www.bocajava.com/ and check them out. You wont be disappointed! Now how about you - what brand/type/flavor of coffee do you like and why?

Should Santa Die?

This conversation has come up a lot lately - so what do you think? Is it a lie/wrong to have your kids believe in Santa? Why or why not?



Shaun had some good thoughts - you can read them Here

Why 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' Make Me Smile

I mean come on...check out the kid in the blue shirt and the one in the yellow. How could you not like that! Who has your favorite dance moves?

Merry CHRISTmas!

Wow.

Cheater!

Question for you: How would you feel if you caught your significant other (wife, husband, girlfriend, boyfriend, etc) cheating on you? How about if you caught he/she multiple times? He/she says they're sorry each time. You talk it over - think you've got it all worked out - that all is well - then boom! They do it again...and again...and again. How would you feel? What would you do?

*Disclaimer: I am expressing a thought here - which will be made clear in a future post , once I have a chance to read your feedback. One thing I want to make clear - MY SPOUSE IS NOT CHEATING ON ME OR ME ON HER. Just wanted to be clear on that. Thanks : )

South Florida Christmas

I just thought I would share that I drove to work this morning with my a/c on high to cool me from the 80+ degrees outside, singing along with "Winter Wonderland" on the radio...ahhhh Christmas in South Florida!

Would Jesus watch THAT movie?

I speak in generalities when I say 'That' Movie - but will use 'Knocked Up' as an example. Here is a movie that is an 'R' rated comedy that got its 'R' rating mostly because of excessive use of the 'F' word (there is some sexual content - thus the title - and some drug use but there is A LOT of the 'F' word). A quick question before I get to the big one posed in the title - and this is one I ask often...What makes a 'Bad Word' bad? Who came up with the list that - 'F','S','A','B', etc., etc. were Bad words? What makes them 'unwholesome'? And if they are used in a non-derogatory or 'wholesome' way - are they still bad? I digress - but would love to hear your thoughts. Now for the biggie - would Jesus watch a movie with this kind of language & content? I ask this because when you look at the guys he was hanging around - tax collectors, fishermen, sinners in general, etc. - I am pretty sure he was around some pretty vulgar talk...So WWJD & why?

2005 Reuilly Pinot Noir - France

Aparently I am not a Pinot Nior kinda guy. Don't get me wrong, I like red wine, but I just really didn't like this one. It was bland, Mild and just didn't hold up to all the flavors Thanksgiving dinner was throwing at it. I prefer a more bold red - but hey, that is just me. If I were a wine critic or really knew anything about wine I would give it a 4 out of 10 stars.

Walking the Walk

Alot of people talk about doing good, saving the world, being a "christian" - but how many people are actually doing it?

Best Interview Ever

If you haven't heard of Mo Williams you need to -here's why:

Interview with Mo Williams from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

For someone who doesn't know you, what would you tell them about yourself and your work?
"Nice to meet you. I make books that I hope you like."

What do you think makes your books special?
Their unique smell? The gravity-defying binding? The high-fiber and low saturated fat content? The fact that they're made entirely by monkeys with blowtorches?
Honestly, I have no idea, but if I had to make a serious attempt at deconstructing my work, I'd go with the monkeys.

If you could hang out with one of your characters, who would it be and why?
I already hang out with them all the time; that's my job. My characters are like my children, people who I'd like to find a baby-sitter for so I can go out on the town. But, I love 'em, too.
What is your favorite part of your job?
The work itself. The writing. The drawing. Playing with the characters. Getting letters and drawings from kids jazzed about my books is a close second.

What is your least favorite part of your job?
Working the night shift with a big rig smuggling live, angry chickens across the New Jersey border with the fuzz on my tail. Oh, wait. I don't have to do that. Never mind.

What question do you hope to be asked during an interview and what is your answer to that question?

I'll give you both the question and the answer:
Q: Behind the simplicity and craftsmanship of your books lies a subtle, yet pervasive melancholy about individual's failures to communicate or achieve their desires; is this a product of your research in child development or an emotional struggle that seeps into your work subconsciously?
A: I'm sorry but I can't answer such a personal question.
My family and I enjoyed the pictures in "Knuffle Bunny," which were made from photographs and drawings. How do you create these wonderful pictures?
Laziness and character. The story dictated that the piece feel like a reminiscence, such as an old photo album, plus I hate drawing backgrounds. But as I worked with the pictures, I discovered that, unlike my forgiving eye, they did not edit out the ugliness of my neighborhood.
Consequently, I had to spend quite a bit of time digitally removing air-conditioners, trash and garbage cans, so that the pictures could have the 'emotional truth' of my personal experience.
It was technically challenging and created huge files but ultimately made the story feel more real and handmade.

I noticed that Pigeon is in every book. Why?
There's a Pigeon in every one of my books?!? Ugh.
That sneak hates it when I don't make books about him; he must wiggle in when I'm not looking.

What are you working on right now?
Currently, I'm working on a picture book illustrated with watercolors and a pop-out book. The next thing you'll see on the shelves, however, is a new Pigeon book, titled ... Well, we're only telling the first four words of the title: "THE PIGEON WANTS A ..."
Hopefully, kids all over the country will create their own versions of what they think the Pigeon wants, so that when the actual title is revealed on April 1, 2008, kids everywhere will be ... disappointed. Their ideas invariably will be better than mine.

Monkeys with blowtorches! Smuggeling live angry chickens across the NJ Boarder! What is NOT to like about this guy?! Oh, and then there is the Pigeon...

The Back Porch

Until I get this blog up and running (and after that) please visit my other blog:

http://www.backporchconfessions.com/

In the begining...

So here is my Blog. If you're here - welcome! ...If your not, then you aren't reading this. I'll be back soon...Hope you will be too.