Book Review of California Driver's Handbook

If there is any person qualified to write a book review of the California Driver’s Handbook, it’s me. No, I do not work for the DMV, and no, I am not a perfectionist driver. In truth, I am very afraid of driving. While still on my first permit, I got in an accident. With my driver instructor, my sandal got caught on the pedal and I pushed the gas pedal instead of the break. This caused me to get into a minor bumper accident, no damage. I cried when I got home. Needless to say time came and went and I did not go for my license. My permit expired. Since then I have taken the permit test two more times and gotten better at passing each time. I always passed, but each time the number of missed questions lessened. I actually was scheduled to take my permit test earlier this month for the third time, but my mom lost my passport. A weeks worth of reading was wasted. Luckily, this time I highlighted the important parts and when my mom found my passport a month later I only had to skip read the highlighted parts. Two days ago, on June 28th, 2007, I took the test and only missed two questions. My picture would have turned out good if my double chin had not shown up. It has a way of coming out like that. I hate being fat, I hope to lose weight. Nevertheless, I will not let my bad health drag me down. I did dream once that my double chin saved me from a man who tried to slit my throat. The knife did not go deep enough to kill me, although I did lose some blood. It’s a real dream I had. Anyway, back to the driving thing. As already stated, I hate driving. I’m always afraid I’ll do something wrong. I remember my first experience with driver’s rage. I pulled over to let people pass, but when I tried to pull back into the lane a driver got mad at me and followed me to my turnoff where he proceed to honk at me and flip me off. I eventually got over my fear and got back on the road, but then college came. When you live in NYC you don’t drive much. Thus, it has been over a year since I last drove and my old fears have returned this summer. Since I am attending a different college this fall, I will need to drive and I will need a car. Needless to say, I have so far avoided all my parents attempts to get me on the road, but I really do need to try. Maybe I should go back to that handbook for some help, but don’t expect a book review of it. I already hate it enough, I doubt I would be able to keep from becoming overly judgmental and bias.

IPig

I was watching tv with my family tonight when a preview of tonight's news came on. I thought I misheard them when they said to forget about the iphone, a new ipig product is out. What's an ipig? I looked it up on google and what should I find but this:

"ST. PAUL, MN (June 27, 2007) – In an effort to beat Apple to the punch the St. Paul Saints Baseball Club today announced its plans to compete with the iPhone, releasing the much less-hyped iPig."

I guess they beat me to the punch of finding something funny to say about the iphone and our modern obsession with technology. I suppose I shouldn't be too passionate about this topic considering I own an 80 gig ipod. Still, I have learned myself this summer that you can benefit a lot more from reading than watching tv. I also must say that it is proven that listening to classical music helps develop your brain for school when you listen to it while studying. That's my bit for today. I also shared my thoughts in my dad's words on my dad's blog.

To read more on the ipig, go to it's creator's site at http://www.saintsipig.com/

http://poorhousedad.blogspot.com/

I've started a new blog for my dad with his own account. It's called PoorHouse Dad's Forwards. It consists of all his forward emails to me which range from political topics to funny pictures to current events. He also writes his own stuff sometimes that he sends to me to post for him. Here is the link: http://poorhousedad.blogspot.com/

Christian Themes in Nancy Drew

Many are surprised to find out that Christian values are present in so many locations: books, stories, present day morals, and movies. You would expect this is Christian fiction, such as “The Chronicles of Narnia,” and movies based on Biblical stories, such “Evan Almighty,” but would you really expect it in a movie like “Nancy Drew”? It’s there.

Nancy has an earthly father who wants her to give up “sleuthing.” However, she continues to “sleuth” even once he tells her to stop. He wants her to become a more normal teenager. She tries to fit in, but it does not go so well and she cannot keep away from investigating the murder of a famous movie star. She discovers that should not give in to peer pressure and persecution, but should stay true to who she is. In the process, Nancy learns to put the needs of others above herself and to keep persevering no matter what. She follows her heart and tries to do the right thing, but also uses her mind to make sure she makes the right choices.

These lessons are very similar to the Biblical lessons we find in “Evan Almighty.”

1. Nancy has a purpose in life. She tries something different for a while, listening to the suggestions of her earthly father, but finds she cannot keep away from her true calling. Throughout it all she endures persecution, but pushes through to the end of the race. Like Nancy, we all have a purpose in life. We may stray from that purpose for a while, but God always gets His way. When we are persecuted, we can find shelter in God’s sovereignty.

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. (Psalm 139:13)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)

2. Nancy follows her heart and uses her mind. The Bible promotes using both the heart and mind. In our heart we must follow God in faith and believe what we profess. We must also become sober-minded and use our minds to meditate on God’s word.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. (Romans 12:2-3)

Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours? (1 Kings 3:8-9)

My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek. (Psalm 27:8)
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah. (Psalm 62:8)

I expand more on these themes in my review on “Evan Almighty.”


Click here to read my movie review on "Nancy Drew"
Click here to read my movie review on "Evan Almighty"
Click here to read my published movie reviews
Cleck here to read all my reviews

Foundations of a Leader

Well, time got away from me again today so I thought I would go ahead and post something a little more interesting (and controversial - I warn you, I am conservative, but this review should not offend anyone). This is also regarding a past event, but is still relevant today.

You never know what to expect when a politician speaks. I didn’t know what to expect when Ralph Nader spoke about his new book, The Seventeen Traditions. I knew that he was a politician and had run for the presidency in 2000 as a third party candidate, but little else. My dad told me he was a liberal. I wondered if a liberal could have a good side. His book looked like it was about traditional values that should be implemented into society, but I didn’t know what values.
“This is the shortest book I’ve ever written,” Nader started at the book discussion, “but it’s long overdue.” Why? It’s overdue because the times are changing for the worse. The rest of his speech detailed why we need to look at foundations to change times for the better. Nader found his foundations in his family life as a child.
“We aren’t seeing enough people rising to leadership,” Nader said. He suggested that the solution may lie in civic education and other basic units of life. He asked, “What generates civic spirit?” His answer: the family unit. “If you ask anyone involved in civic activities how they got started in those activities, they’ll tell you it started with a friend or family member that took them to a speech, rally, protest, or event of some kind.”
Nader talked about what we can gain from the foundations of older generations. He pointed out that not only did people communicate more orally in older days, but they listened to nature and to those around them, whereas today it’s all about virtual reality instead of real sights and sounds.
Nader said that he was disciplined by proverbs, not by shouting. “There was a proverb for every conceivable occasion,” he commented. His parents made sure that their disagreements weren’t shown in front of their children. “When dinner came,” he said, “mother didn’t ask us what we wanted to eat. We weren’t old enough to know what we wanted to eat.” Life was full of hypotheses, logical arguments, and conversation. He was in a continual state of learning that would eventually make him what he is today.
One day he asked his mom if he could have long pants since all the other boys’ mothers let them wear long pants. She replied, “They’ve got their mothers and you’ve got yours. Why are you afraid to be different?” This made him realize that standing out was a good thing.
Another time Nader’s mother asked him if nature was for sale. He knew the answer was no. That got him thinking about all the other things that shouldn’t be for sale, such as democracy, elections, and education.
Nader recalled an example of the shaping of his mind. At school one day, a friend of his looked at a girl and said, “What a pig.” “I thought about it all the way home,” he said. “I wondered why my friend would say such a thing. He seemed a better person when he was younger. It got me thinking about discrimination. Too many jobs today are based on looks instead of personality or qualification.”
Nader concluded, “we all should look back and try to find wisdom and try to find the things that work.” He also asked, “Do you love your country?” If you love your country, he said, you should work harder to make it a better place. Most places of influence were contributed by individual benefactors. Nader said there should be more benefactors in this world. “It’s no soup kitchen charity, it’s institution-building.”
Overall I agree with everything he said. When it comes to education, we need to study the old as well as the new. Part of the reason the newest generation lacks in leadership is that they aren’t observing, reading, and interacting enough. There is a lot more initiative to be taken and a lot more potential to be developed.
A reform of the family is needed. The Village may have its role, but the Family lays the foundation. Our politics may conflict and our practices of family living may differ, but we agree that the American family needs revitalization.
The real entertainment came during the question and answer time, which was heated with arguments that required security intervention. One person shouted that George W. Bush should be imprisoned. Two audience members wouldn’t stop interrupting the people who had put their hands up to ask questions. These protestors demonstrated how their families failed to instill in them respect, manners, and a sense of relevance.
Nader ended by recapping his lecture. He said students need to stop rationalizing their failures. “If others can do it, so can you! Kids need to stop making excuses for themselves!”
Nader is a good speaker, and I believe he has a good heart, too (or at least good foundations), even if he is a liberal.
Works Cited
Nader, Ralph. Discussion of The Seventeen Traditions. Barnes and Nobles. Union Square, New York City. 30 Jan. 2007.

The Art of Interpretation: Die Ägyptische Helena at the Met

Well, I was going to post something on the Christian themes in Nancy Drew today, but time ran out so I've decided to post something I know no one will read and post something else tomorrow. The following is my review on the Metropolitan Opera's production of Die Ägyptische Helena, which is long over. However, if you are an operalover I'm sure you'll enjoy reading it for the sake of future productions of it at the Met as well as for the sake of just getting an idea of what the opera is about.

HGTV airs a show called Designers Challenge in which three designers compete to create the best design for a room in someone’s house. Each designer has a unique interpretation of the room. They all have good designs, but only one can win, only one stands out above the rest. Similarly, if we give one opera to four directors, each person will come up with a unique cast and visual design. Sometimes one interpretation stands out above all others. The Metropolitan Opera’s 2007 production of Richard Strauss’ Die Ägyptische Helena stands as one of those productions. While most productions tend toward a more realistic look, David Fielding, director and designer, decided on a more fantasy-driven look. Rarely performed, this opera requires something special to attract an audience. In Fielding’s production, the surreal sets and extraordinary cast attracts an audience. Once the audience shows up, the story pulls them in further.
Helena follows relationships between two married couples: Poseidon, the god of the sea, and Aithra; and King Menelas of Sparta and Helen. Aithra worries that her husband no longer loves her. Her oracle mussel shell reassures her of Poseidon’s faithfulness and tells her about Menelas and Helen, who are on their way home from Troy. Menelas wants to kill Helen. With her powers, Aithra sinks Menelas’ boat just in time to save Helen from his dagger. Menelas and Helen swim ashore to Aithra’s palace. Aithra gives Menelas a potion that makes him forget his past. Aithra then sends him with his wife to another land where they can live a new life together. She also gives Helen two potions, one that would give Menelas back his full memory and another that would take away the pains of Menelas’ past. The previous owners of the land that Aithra gave to Helen and Menelas end the peace when they appear. First Da-ud attempts to woo Helen with a song, then his father, Altair, tries to take Helen by force. Meanwhile, as the potion begins wearing off and his memories start to return, Menelas mistakes Da-ud for Paris and kills him. Tired of living in an artificial reality, Helen realizes that in order to live a happy life, she will have to give Menelas the potion of forgetfulness continually. She decides to give Menelas the potion of remembrance, confident that only it can save their marriage. He takes the potion and it restores all: Menelas recovers his memories and renews his marriage with Helen.
Fielding creates an interesting contrast between the characters and the sets. The sets match the magical element of the story. Planets and neon colors splatter the canvas and oversized beds, and slanted doors provide a surreal, grandiose atmosphere. When Menelas’ ship sinks, a giant silhouette of a running man with a briefcase appears in front of a background that looks like a raging sea. Later, when Altair and Da-ud emerge from the bathroom, a similar silhouette appears, but in front of a background that looks like a Sahara desert.
On the other hand, the characters wear plain, solid-colored outfits. The men wear business suits and the women wear straight-cut dresses that drag behind on the ground. The solid colors symbolize the identities of the characters wearing them. Aithra’s blue dress represents the sea and her divinity. The landowners wear yellow and orange suits, representing the land. Altair, in the autumn of his life, wears orange and Da-ud, in the sunny disposition of youth, wears yellow. Altair’s orange also symbolizes his aggressiveness when he tries to force himself upon Helen. Other characters wear white and black costumes, symbolizing the potions, Aithra’s oracle mussel shell, and the dagger with which Menelas wants to kill Helen. Another man wears a red suit to symbolize the deaths of characters. The colors also occasionally serve simply to brighten up the stage.
Symbolism, especially the use of colors and colored lighting, permeates the opera. When the owners visit Helen, they bring briefcases with lights inside of them, symbolizing jewels, their gifts to Helen. The shadows of characters tell the same story on the wall and make the characters and their colored costumes stand out. They also symbolize the darkness that follows each of us. Colored lighting emphasizes the colored costumes. The lighting also follows the mood of the events. The stage darkens during serious scenes and brightens during frivolous scenes. The character of Helen shines as a light. Like the lights used to symbolize jewels in the briefcases, her light shines as the ultimate treasure that every man wants to possess.
The story is not always easy to follow, but the abstract sets and costumes and the dissonant music fit an opera that tells the story of a mythical fantasy. The wonderful cast helps as well. Deborah Voigt draws most of the crowds in with her interpretation of Helen. She is not overly pretty. An opera company fired her once because of her obesity, but she later had surgery for it and had lost weight since then. She still qualifies as plump and what draws the audience to her is her voice. Voigt has a round tone to her soprano voice, and while most sopranos’ high notes are painful, her high notes are beautiful and make for easy listening. Her facial expressions and her hand gestures convey her character’s varying emotions.
Despite her pride, Helen will do anything to have her husband’s love again. In typical portrayals of her story (books, movies, and other productions that focus on the Trojan War), Helen loves Paris, but at the beginning of Helena, the story focuses more on who owns Helena. Paris took her, but Menelas won her back in battle and now she is under his dominion again. At the beginning of the opera, Helen’s love for Menelas remains in question because she had allowed Paris to seduce her. She might merely wish to keep her life, or she might submit to her husband as the conquerer. By the end of the opera, however, Helen clearly loves Menelas. Helen has tired of men trying to seduce her, causing her to realize she does love Menelas and does want to fix her marriage. The fact that Menelas loves Helen for who she is, not just for her beauty, convinces her to give him the potion of remembrance. She chooses real love over artificial, even with the risk that Menelas’ murderous fury might return along with his memory.
Although fictional, this story reflects relevant lessons about the human condition, the choices we make, and the values we ought to hold. The libretto, or text, of the opera and the emotions portrayed by the singers bring out these elements. One might not decode all the symbolism, but the attempt remains worth the effort. Overall, having the best singers, unique sets, and a beautiful story, Fielding’s staging stands as a masterpiece and a work of art.

Works Cited
Die ÄGyptische Helena. By Richard Strauss. Dir. David Fielding. The Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center, NYC. 23 Mar. 2007.
Designer's Challenge. Home and Garden Television. HGTV.

New Photo Blog

I've started a new blog for my photographs: Declartaion Photos

Evan Almighty Movie Review: "Evan" turns out a clean, Christian, just plain good film

Considering the dirty jokes of the first “Almighty” movie, “Bruce Almighty,” and the unclean humor of other films of Steve Carell (“40 Year Old Virgin”) you would not expect the second “Almighty” film to come out clean either. Surprisingly enough, “Evan Almighty” cleans up pretty nicely. Not only that, “Evan” also keeps to Christian beliefs and contains many Christian themes.

Newly elected congressman, Evan Baxter (Steve Carell), must make good on his promise to change to world, but he knows he can’t do it alone. His new job keeps him from spending time with his family. When his wife (Lauren Graham) tells him she prayed for the family to grow closer Evan decides to do a little praying himself and asks God for help. Of course, help never comes in the way we would like it and God (Morgan Freeman) responds to Evan’s prayers, making Evan the modern Moses.

First, God sends Evan several clues pointing to Genesis 6:14 which says, “Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch.” Next, Evan receives tools and wood from a company whose logo is a gopher. God, himself, shows up every once in a while to remind Evan of his assignment. Two by two, animals start to follow Evan wherever he goes. Evan tries to ignore God’s instructions, but the animals and a beard and long hair that grow back when cut and shaved get Evan in trouble at work. Evan’s wife leaves him and takes the children with her for a while. God gives her a pep talk to convince her to return. Everything seems wrong. God tells Evan He only does the things He does because He loves His people, but Evan does not understand and wishes God would love him a little less. Finally, the flood comes.
As a Christian, I worried that the flood would come from rain and wipe out a lot of people, thus ruining God’s original promise never to flood the earth again. The flood in “Evan” has little to do with rain, however. It does rain for ten minutes, but not enough to flood the earth. God does not commission Evan to build an ark to save a family from eminent doom and God does not condemn the world to drowning. Instead, God uses Evan to preserve the beauty of His creation. Another congressman (John Goodman) wants to make profit off of development in national parks and has already damned up the local river to make room for the valley Evan lives in. He also tries to get Evan in on his scheme, but God has other plans.

While I am no “tree hugger,” I do recognize that God commissioned humanity to take care of the earth. Yes, we are dominant over the rest of creation. Creation has its purpose, but as stewards of God it is also our job to take care of God’s creation.

Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food”; and it was so. (Genesis 1:28-30)

Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. (Genesis 2:15)

“Tend” and “keep” also mean to “serve” and guard.” In Numbers we see that these same terms are used to describe the priest with respect to taking care of the temple. Adam served as priest over all creation. Humanity should serve and guard the earth. We are unable to keep God’s original commandment to Adam to serve and guard the garden because of the fall. Our fallen, sinful nature keeps us from expanding the garden to the entire earth, but we can still strive to take care of God’s creation. That includes our fellow human beings. Christ brought hope, establishing the beginning of a new kingdom that will one day enable us to live in the perfect garden state once again. See Romans 8 for more detail.

Creation also forms a type of revelation that reminds us of our creator.

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands. (Psalm 19:1)

But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. (Job 12: 7-10)

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!" (Revelation 5:13)

“Evan” also gives a description of God that does not hound the Bible or make fun of it. When God talks to Evan’s wife he comments on how most people think of Noah and the Ark as a story of condemnation, but in reality it is a story of love. God loved Noah and his family. He saved them from the flood. In the process, Noah’s family became closer. God explains that while everything seems so terrible at present, He is merely answering prayers. He asks Evan’s wife if a mother prays for the family to get closer together whether He would bring the family close or give the family the opportunity to grow closer. If a congressman asked for help in changing the world should God change the world in a flash or give the congressman the opportunity to change the world? Here we find that God answers our prayers, just not always in the ways we expect.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? (Matthew 7:7-9)

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. (Matthew 21:22)

In His talks with Evan, God tells Evan the way to change the world is with one act of random kindness (ARK) at a time. In other words, God wants Evan to learn to do the right think and to think of others above himself, another Biblical principle.

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:34-40)

We find another Christian lesson in “Evan” in Evan’s reluctance to building the ark. God has a purpose for Evan’s life, but Evan does not want any part in it. Building the ark pushes Evan into hard times and trials. Friends at work make fun of him and his family almost leaves him. Despite his dragging of feet, Evan finds he cannot get away from God or God’s purpose. God is everywhere and no matter what you do He will always bring about His purpose. This reminds us of stories like Jonah and Esther. Jonah did not want to go to Ninevah, but God sent him there against his will and consequently saved many people. Esther took a risk and did the unthinkable to save her people.

When Esther's words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish." (Esther 4:12-16)

Evan also feels unqualified and ill-equipped to change the world once he gets into office. Although he wears a mask of pride, things are not as great as they seem and he goes to God in prayer for help. There are two things to learn from this. First, we learn that when we go through times of trouble, we can take our mask off and go to God for help. Second, we learn that God created us for a purpose. Sovereign and in control, we can always trust in God that all things will come out for the good.

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)

From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you. (Psalm 71:6)

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. (Psalm 139:13)

But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. (Exodus 9:16)

God is mighty, but does not despise men; he is mighty, and firm in his purpose. (Job 36:5)

The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands. (Psalm 138:8)

I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills {his purpose} for me. (Psalm 57:2)

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

In some areas “Evan” misses. It forgets God’s ultimate purpose: to declare His glory and the hope we find in Jesus Christ. “Evan” hits the mark in many areas, but it never mentions Jesus and places God’s job around human needs. Besides this, one has to wonder if God would actually ever appear in person. God hardly ever fully appears in the Bible. The people of the Old Testament were not allowed to approach God improperly. If you mishandled the ark of the covenant you would die on the spot. Priests would wear a string around their ankles when they went into the holy of holies once a year. If they died in the presence of God others could pull their body out. Moses saw God in the form of a burning bush. Jacob wrestled with God, but this is the only place you really find someone in the full presence of God in person. Keeping God in person form with supernatural powers does not seem so bad when you consider how a loud voice from the heavens would make the film cheesy. The film also forgets that God does have wrath, He's not all happy man. In reality, He did judge the people of the earth with the original flood, but He loved the people of the earth as well. God showed His perfect judgment and good will with the flood.

The film does have a few inappropriate moments. One of Evan’s sons makes one or two crude comments. Evan finds himself naked in front of the mail lady when he tried to sneak his way out of building the ark to go to work. Lastly, a few mild swear words pop up here and there. Despite these few elements, “Evan” comes out fairly clean and will not offend Christian movie goers. So if you are a fan of "Bruce Almighty" and can't nejoy a movie without a bunch of lousy sex jokes, don't go see "Evan."

The acting is excellent. Wanda Sykes adds punch when needed and John Goodman once again tackles the role of the badguy. Nice to see, or rather hear, him in something other than the Dunkan Donuts commercial for once. Overall, the script is well written, the comic relief is well placed, and the audience is unlikely to fall asleep. "Evan" even ends with a rainbow and doves. How appropriate for a happy ending.




Photos taken from imdb.com

Copyright © 2007 Harmonious Glow Writings

The Year of Jubilee

My mother turns 50 years young today (although according to her she's turning 48 - she's counting down instead of up)! In her honor, I am posting the following verses as well as a paper I wrote about an opera star, Maria Callas (my mom loves opera and sings a lot herself, so I thought it a good theme for the day).

Leviticus 25:10Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each one of you is to return to his family property and each to his own clan.

Leviticus 25:11The fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you; do not sow and do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the untended vines.

Copyright © 2007 Harmonious Glow Writings

Behind the Diva in Maria Callas

Maria Callas lived the life of an operatic character. Controversy followed her everywhere. There was her temper, there was her relationship with her mother, there was her marriage, affair, and divorce, and there was her voice. To the press and her audience she upheld her confidence, but behind the diva stood a lonely and wounded woman. She was sensitive but ambitious. The lack of love in her life made her bitter. She became notorious for being difficult to work with. She wanted revenge on those who hurt her, but at the same time wanted them back in her life. Her emotions clashed and she incorporated them in her music. “Her genius was that, although she was interpreting, she made her audience feel that she was creating” (Stassinopoulos xiii). The slightest move of her head conveyed an emotion. “She exploded the concept of what beautiful singing means: Is it pretty sounds and pure tones? Or should beauty evolve from text, musical shape, dramatic intent and, especially, emotional truth?” (Tommasini).
Maria’s unique acting made her stand out. Like a magnet, she drew everyone to herself. She could sing badly and everyone would still love her. For a time she could sing almost any part written for the female voice. She took lessons from well-known voice teachers. She had it all, even a jewelry collection that was hand made for her performances. It was all these artificial loves that filled the days of Maria Callas. She worked hard to get to the top. Due to her myopia, she had to memorize the stages. This also forced her to focus on her music and drama more because she could not rely on a conductor. Being a perfectionist, she obsessed over her parts. She would spend several hours practicing just one gesture of the hand. At one performance she tripped and fell, but stood back up and continued the rest of the opera without anyone in the audience noticing she had sprained her ankle.
Much of Callas’ determination came from her mother. Her grandfather was a well-known tenor in Greece. His singing gave her mother, Evangelia (also called Litza), her dream to become an actress. Litza failed to achieve her dreams, but she passed her desires and ambitions to her two daughters, Jackie and Maria. Jackie played the piano and Maria sang.
Maria found acceptance in music. Five years younger and less attractive than her sister, she knew rejection at an early age. Her birth on December 2, 1923, in New York City, was not received joyfully. When they had lived in Greece, Litza and George Kalogeropoulos had a son, Vasily, who died at an early age. Litza expected another boy and mourned the birth of her new daughter. Four days passed before she agreed to nurse Maria. Eventually, the babe was christened Cecilia Sophia Anna Maria Callas. Litza reluctantly took Maria in, but continued to reject her emotionally until the discovery of her voice.
When Litza saw Maria’s gift, everything began to revolve around developing her daughters’ talents. Despite money problems during the Great Depression, she forced George to pay for piano lessons. Receiving little love and much discipline from her mother, Maria pushed herself just as hard as her mother did, hoping to earn more affection.
Family division made life harder for Maria. Litza told the girls their father was betraying the family by cheating on her. Maria, stressed, began to overeat at an early age. Her weight problems would follow her for most of her life.
Maria was a lonely child, left by herself for many hours a day while her sister attended school and her mother suffered her bouts of melancholy…. At school she felt awkward, her eyesight – even with glasses – troubling. She was significantly heavy and shy. She made few friends and never knew in what emotional state she would find her mother upon returning from school. Her greatest joy was to sit quietly and listen to the few records they had on the gramophone (Edwards 12).
During junior high school, Maria played roles in school shows, gaining short periods of popularity. This “crystallized in Maria’s mind the vague notion that singing was the only way out of her despised obscurity” (Stassinopoulos 12). For what her mother had withheld, she had found a lesser substitute.
In 1934, neighbor John Eriksen, a chorus member at the Metropolitan Opera, offered to give Maria free singing lessons. He wanted to help Maria relax her voice and warned Litza that pushing Maria too hard could damage her voice. Litza continued to push her daughter. Maria’s vocal range and power expanded, but, as Eriksen predicted, the extra effort would take its toll on her voice later in life. The rest of her teachers would teach her the right singing techniques, but Maria would still push herself too hard. Her dreams of getting to the top fast would ruin her.
Certain that Maria was a child prodigy worthy of Shirley Temple treatment, Litza dragged Maria to competitions, but no offers came. Litza felt America had nothing in store. Convinced that glory days awaited them in Greece, she packed her bags. Maria, age 13, had just graduated from junior high.
Once in Greece, Litza pushed Maria harder, making her sing for anyone who would listen. Maria hated singing on demand, but all the work paid off when Maria auditioned with Madame Maria Trivella, a teacher at the National Conservatory in Athens. Maria sang the “Habanera” from Bizet’s Carmen, an opera about a gypsy who plays with the emotions of a soldier. “Madame Trivella was stunned… by the young woman’s dramatic delivery of the aria; her seeming ability to understand Carmen’s passion.… The amazing thing was the way she used her eyes, her hands, the stress on certain words and phrases that brought the aria suddenly to life. This was something innate, truly felt, which the majority of hopefuls never achieved but that a great diva must possess” (Edwards 21).
Trivella would teach Maria how to avoid singing from the throat. At the National Conservatory, she studied languages and operatic history. She took the extra work as an opportunity to avoid home, never eating with the family and studying whenever possible. In 1939, at just 15, Maria sang the role of Santuzza, a woman whose lover leaves her, in Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana.
With World War II on its way, Maria had to change teachers. Trivella came from Italy, and the Greeks mistrusted all Italians. Maria auditioned at the Athens Conservatory for Elvira de Hidalgo. De Hidalgo did not expect much from her, but her mind quickly changed. “Before starting, Maria turned her face away. Then, as the accompanist played the opening chords, she pivoted, head high, facing front, eyes wide, hands slowly rising from her sides. There was an electric moment in the room when Maria began to sing” (Edwards 30).
De Hidalgo enabled Maria to expand her range and helped her develop the tools of her voice, both dramatic and musical. Their relationship enforced Maria’s habit of categorizing others as good or bad. Litza turned into more of an “evil stepmother” and de Hidalgo turned into a “fairy godmother.” Maria developed most of her habits with de Hidalgo. De Hidalgo “lent her the full scores that she could not afford to buy, and Maria, in order to give them back as soon as possible, would memorize them” (Stassinopoulos 23,24).
In 1941, the Germans took Greece. Years of hardship followed in which Maria’s singing kept her family alive. Soldiers who liked her voice provided food. When the Germans searched her home for fugitives, she started to sing and the soldiers forgot what they were doing in order to listen. During the civil war that followed, Maria would hide with Litza, with little to eat, while rebels besieged Athens. These war years were not all hard times, however. In 1942, she took the place of the leading soprano in Tosca, making her the youngest Tosca in history.
Along with an end to the war years came a renewed resentment towards Litza. Callas hated her mother because she hated living in Greece. One thing was not renewed, however: The Athens Opera, with which Maria had sung during the occupation, would not renew her contract. Maria returned to New York and reunited with her father. She auditioned for many companies, but found no offers. No one had heard of her fame in Greece. In 1946, she found refuge in Eddie Bagarozy and Louise Caselotti. Caselotti gave her singing lessons and became Maria’s agent along with Bagarozy, who wanted to revive the Chicago Opera. They would open with Turandot, a forgotten Puccini opera with an oriental twist on The Taming of the Shrew. Maria played the title role. “At the age of twenty-three she had managed to capture both the imperious coldness and cruelty of the Oriental Princess and the fire and sensuality that are burning underneath” (Stassinopoulos 47). Unfortunately, bankruptcy ended the endeavor.
Maria found her next job with Giovanni Zenatello, who needed a soprano for the title role in La Gioconda at the Verona Festival in Italy. In Verona, Maria met Giovanni Battista Meneghini, her future husband. He had “a manner that conveyed interest, a certain sophistication and an aura of success” (Edwards 69). Maria threw away Bagarozy and Caselotti for Meneghini and soon won the role of Isolde in Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde at La Fenice, in Venice. She had a month to learn the part. Maria suddenly found herself booked at opera houses all over Italy. Part of that success came from conductor Tullio Serafin, who conducted Gioconda and many more of her successful operas. Maria later commented that he “taught me, in short, the depth of music” (qtd. in Edwards 72).
The ultimate turning point in her career came when she performed the title role in Norma, in Florence. The role required a wide vocal range and demanded much from the leading soprano. In this kind of a role, Maria was invincible. “Maria was the first coloratura [lyric soprano of high range]… to sing the high notes dramatically, not merely as ornamentation, nor to display her ability to sound like a trilling bird, but to stress the meaning of the words that landed on those notes and so integrate them into the dramatic line of the story” (Edwards 85).
While playing Brunnhilde in Wagner’s Die Walkure, Maria was asked to replace the soprano who played Elvira in Verdi’s I Puritani. She alternated between the two operas, practicing Puritani during the day and performing Walkure in the evening, switching from one character to another in just moments.
As her career improved, Maria became depressed. She wanted Meneghini to propose. He always accompanied her, but nothing more. Her wish came true and they married on April 21, 1949. Maria would later say in an interview with Hy Gardner, “It was as though God sent him to me, because I was very alone and he really was always with me since then and was everything to me.” Although Meneghini dined and wined Maria, he used her money to do so and gave some of her money to his own family, as well. They were happy, however, and Maria contented herself with the role of housewife. Meneghini at least appeared to love her and was the first to show affection for her as a person.
Meneghini booked Callas internationally, from Naples to Buenos Aires, and worked hard to schedule her in the famous Italian opera houses. She found national approval in Mexico City and had her first solo bow, but Meneghini seldom accompanied her and she missed him. When he playfully suggested that she give up her career, it reminded her of her goals and ambitions and drove her onward. She lost over eighty pounds between 1953 and 1954.
In May of 1953, she performed in Cherubini's Medea, one of her greater roles. In Medea, the title character is a headstrong woman abandoned by her husband. Maria Teresa Filippi Abriani, who sang in the chorus, was amazed by Callas’ singing. When the chorus left the stage, she stood watching, forgetting to leave with the chorus. “I remember when she arrived as Medea,” she said in the documentary Passion Callas. “She’d come down those stairs to that chariot. She’d sing: ‘Io Medea!’ That was something! She looked like a giant.”
Eventually, the New York Metropolitan Opera hired Maria to sing Norma. Things did not go well. TIME magazine published an article beforehand that portrayed her as an ungrateful daughter with a temper. Maria pushed these accusations aside, claiming that she respected her parents and that these things should have been kept private. In fact, on a few occasions, Maria had begged Litza to come to her side for support, but her times with her mother did not last long before she grew tired of Litza again. In Mexico City, she swore never to see her mother again.
New York did not hold much for Maria and exaggerated publicity continued to follow her. “A disagreement… over proposed repertory for 1958-59 ended with the diva's well-publicized ‘firing.’ Callas did not return to the Met until 1965, when she sang two Toscas, her final opera performances in the U.S.” (“Lucia di Lammermoor"). In 1958, Callas performed Norma at the Rome Opera House but took sick at the premiere and had to quit after the first act. Meneghini wrote a note of apology for her to read aloud on stage, but she did not read it. The press shouted stories of her diva attitude over a minor cold. Callas commented in her interview with Hy Gardner that she did the first act because she knew she would be criticized if she did not go on, but left when her illness worsened. She said, “I had to make a Callas performance…. Of course, I fight if I have my weapon, my only weapon is my voice – now, if I haven't got my voice, now, it's ridiculous that I fight.”
Maria would not let the critics or the hecklers in the audience ruin her. Jon Vickers recalled one of the performances at La Scala that he sang with her:
[I]t went badly for her. Many in the audience booed. Her next lines were, "Didn't I sacrifice my own mother for you, didn't I sacrifice my own father for you?" And then she turned away from me on the stage, looked straight out into the auditorium, spread open her arms and [sang], "I sacrificed it all, and instead gave everything to you!" You could have heard a pin drop -- the tension was incredible! (qtd. in Whitson)
More conflict was on its way. Once, she refused to do extra performances an opera company added on because she promised a friend she would go to a party. At this party, she met Aristotle Onassis. He wooed her and she gave up everything for him. Maria felt more like a normal person with him and divorced her husband in 1971. Onassis eventually divorced his wife, but not for Maria. He married Jacqueline Kennedy, widow of the late President John F. Kennedy, for political reasons.
After Onassis left, Maria stopped performing on stage and sang just a few concerts. In 1971, she gave a series of successful master classes at the Juilliard School of Music. Lloyd Schwartz attended one of the classes. He later recalled a lesson he found “most riveting.”
Callas was with a young baritone on Rigoletto's aria "Cortigiani, vil razza dannata" ("Courtiers, you cowardly and damned race"). Rigoletto, the Duke of Mantua's court jester, sings it when he discovers that his daughter has been abducted by the very noblemen he's been ridiculing mercilessly. He can barely contain his anger even as he abjectly begs them to take pity on him. Callas tells the student to sing the notes, but to forget about his voice. "Be like an animal when you sing this aria. This would be my version. I think that this should be a real animal that's trying to dominate himself. He's hating being obliged to beg them. Because it's his own daughter, so he's fiercely savage. . . . You're crying, but you hate the idea, eh?" Then she tears into the aria… with an uncanny mixture of ferocity and almost unbearable pathos…. "Who'd have thought the world's greatest Rigoletto would be a woman?" someone remarked.
Maria still had her fans, but her voice had been declining in quality for years, and she held high standards for herself. If she could not keep those standards, she would not perform. Her mother’s pushing, her own ambitions, and her choice in roles all had taken part in damaging her voice. Many of the superhuman things she did with her voice exceeded the ability of the vocal cords to heal. She ruined her voice by forcing it beyond its natural limits. She might have continued singing at a lesser level (less challenging music and a less challenging schedule), but the disappointments of life and the unwillingness to accept her declining ability destroyed her will. Without will and confidence, she lost the energy to meet the physical demands of the job as well as the energy to go on living life. There was nothing left to live for. Onassis was not there for her, she had left her husband, and her voice was gone. She wanted revenge on Onassis, but at the same time wanted him to come to her side again. Maria thought everyone had forgotten her and spent most of her time listening to old recordings of her voice. On September 16, 1977, at age 53, she died in seclusion, longing for the old times when her career was at its highest.
At the end of her life, Maria thought no one remembered her, but after her death, everyone remembered her. Although her talents established her fame, her story and her passions added fuel to the fire. Over one hundred biographies detail her life, along with several documentaries. The way she performed, the effort she put into everything she did, and the story she left behind made her the nonpareil, setting standards and examples for future singers. Maria’s life not only inspired her to sing, it inspired her singing itself as she used her circumstances to her advantage, drawing muse from her own feelings. Music consumed her life as she labored to conquer the opera world. Her loveless life gave her ambitions, and she accomplished them; but as she lost her dreams of love and emotional security, she lost her self. Her life had operatic twists and turns and a tragic ending, but it lives on as a legend.

Works Cited
Edwards, Anne. Maria Callas: an Intimate Biography. New York: St Martin's P, 2001.
Stassinopoulos, Adrianna. Maria Callas: The Woman Behind the Legend. New York: Ballantine Books, 1981.
Tommasini, Anthony. "Maria Callas: a Voice and a Legend That Still Fascinate." Serendipity. 15 Sept. 1997. New York Times. .
Maria Callas: Passion Callas. Dir. GéRald Caillat. DVD. EMI Classic, 1997.
“Lucia di Lammermoor." Opera News 71.7 (2007): 52-52. Academic Search Premier. 19 February 2007. .
Whitson, James C. "The Callas Legacy. (Cover story)." Opera News 70.4 (2005): 18-24. Academic Search Premier. 19 February 2007. .
Schwartz, Lloyd. "Class Act: EMI Releases Rare Set of Maria Callas At Juilliard." The Phoenix. 1995. The Phoenix Media/Communications Group. .
Callas, Maria. Interview with Hy Gardner. EMI Classics. 26 Feb. 1958. .

Copyright © 2007 Harmonious Glow Writings

Nancy Drew Movie Review: "Drew" cute but lacks punch

“Nancy Drew” follows the typical clichés often found in teen movies. Small town girl moves to a big city. Small town girl does not fit in at her new school. Small town girl finally figures out that she loves her best guy friend back home. Small town girl solves mystery. Everyone lives happily ever after.

As boring as this pattern may seem, “Drew” still contains a good story line. The mystery is predictable, but cute.

The house Nancy Drew (Emma Roberts) moves into once belonged to a movie star. Someone murdered this leading lady after she went missing for five months and returned to change her will and to quit acting. Drew must figure out who killed the actress and why.

Meanwhile, Drew has family problems. She promises her dad (Tate Donovan) she will not “sleuth” any more, but continues in her investigation without telling him. Under pressure from her father, she tries to fit in as a normal, teenage girl. She throws a party and hangs out with two other teenage girls (Daniella Monet and Kelly Vitz) completely opposite in personality. The two girls only hang out to make fun of Drew or to get access to the hot and attractive Ned.

Ned (Max Thieriot), the boy from home, shows up for a while, but then leaves. Another character, 12 year old Corky (Josh Flitter) develops a crush on Drew. He follows her around and fights with Ned once or twice.

I have two main problems with this movie:

1. The acting is not believable. Roberts does an alright job as Drew, but she lacks passion and excitement. Her scenes with Donovan as Drew’s father are not deep enough and do not enhance the plot the way they should. The rest of the crew seems pointless. Drew’s friends come and go, but are not essential to the plot. Take Ned, Corky, and the two teenage girls out and you would still have a good Nancy Drew Film. Give them more substantial parts in the plot and you’ve got yourself a much better film. The teenage girls give a small bit of comic relief, but much of that comic relief showed up in the movie trailers. The girls are also meant to help point out the way Drew does not fit in at school, but those bits are limited as well.

2. Drew’s character is not believable. Perfect in almost every way, the faults she does possess do not show very well. If the film makers had her try harder to fit in and learn her lesson from that it would enhance the moral of the film more. On the other hand, her confidence does exemplify the way we should carry ourselves, which takes away from the cliché of the film. Still, Drew’s confidence does not show up very often in real life and sometimes we just need an example of how to deal with our emotions when we go through trials and ultimately learn our lessons. Furthermore, Drew’s relationships with other characters should show up more in the script and the way she sees herself should show up more in the script. You see her outward confidence, but how does she feel inside? Drew should work with her friends in a team effort. She could act as a Kim Possible character while her friends could act as Ron Stoppable characters. As the leader of the group, Drew would do most of the work, but she would depend on her friends in the process.

Despite its flaws, “Drew” still pulls off a cute film. Visual effects and cinematography do not fall short. The film also stays true to the books and maintains a feel for the time the books were written in. Although the movie takes place in current times, Drew owns an old car and during chase and action scenes viewers are reminded of the classic chase scenes in shows like “Scooby Doo.” The score does not include 50’s music, but much of it keeps to an old fashioned feel.

While the moral of the story is not brought to light in the best possible way, a moral does exist. We are taught to stay true to who we are no matter what and to always follow our heart, but to use our mind all the while. Drew chooses to do the right thing and thinks of others above herself.

The best thing about this film is that it is a clean movie. Suited more for children, it still contains a typical teenage plot. Adults are sure to enjoy watching this film, as well. In the world we live in, it is not very often a clean movie comes out and all audience should be able to enjoy clean films just as much as films that are not so clean.

Although I do not recommend seeing it more than once, “Drew” remains a good, clean, family film with good morals that we can learn from.

Copyright © 2007 Harmonious Glow Writings

My Favorite Published Movie Reviews

Movie reviews below include V for Vendetta, End of the Spear, Chronicles of Narnia, Pride and Prejudice, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. There is also a review of the hit musical Wicked.

Though misguided, 'V' demands thought By HARMONY WHEELER
TEENS IN THE NEWSROOM

In "V for Vendetta," the character V is known by no other name. With all the opinions that have been circling the film, I would have to say that one of his names is Controversy.
The story follows V (Hugo Weaving), a man who remembers nothing of his past. Tortured by his present, he decides the only thing left to do is escape his prison and seek revenge and justice.

Living in a world where homosexuals and Muslims are locked in concentration camps, and a curfew and the media are used to control the rest of the people, V dons a mask and plans to blow up Parliament.

His plans change, however, when he rescues Evey (Natalie Portman) and teaches her to become fearless. As Evey becomes an unlikely ally to V, she must help in bringing the plot of justice to its finale so the curtain can drop, ending the tyrannical government that controls England.

I have heard many conservatives say the film promotes terrorism. This is one area in which I am willing to defend the liberals. The movie doesn't promote terrorism — it promotes the overthrow of tyranny. As far as V being a terrorist, it's not like he attacks innocent bystanders in the name of a religion.

Though the original graphic novel was a swipe at 1980s Thatcherian Britain, the movie doesn't try to hide its makers' displeasure with President Bush, conservatives and Christians. The theologies of Hitler and Lenin more closely match those of liberals, but brothers Larry and Andy Wachowski, the screenwriters, didn't let such facts confuse them.

The film makes hard-right conservatives out to be a threat and an enemy to America.

I suppose that is what many non-Christians think we Christians are like. I really would like to know where that impression comes from.

The other day, I tuned in to a new reality TV show, "Unan1mous," on Fox. Contestants locked underground together have to agree on which one person will win $1.5 million. Within 15 minutes, I turned it off. I couldn't stand it.

There was a contestant who called herself a "Christian." She immediately made clear that she believed the Bible is true and that she thought everyone else should believe it is true. She was overly forceful and got into an argument about homosexuality right away.

I didn't even wait to see how the argument ended. I couldn't watch anymore. I can only wonder whether the woman really believed those things or was being egged on by the producers. You can never tell with "reality" shows. At the very least, the producers chose her because of her extreme personality.

I have to ask: Is that really what people think Christians are like? Too many assumptions are made, and there isn't any one single Christian denomination.

Personally, I don't think it's right to stuff your beliefs down other people's throats; there are such things as friendly debate and silent testimony.

The "conservative" dictator in this movie reminded me of church leadership who say one thing and do another. Obviously, the leader in "V" is a hypocrite. Christians — true Christians — aren't like that.

The Bible teaches us to love one another. When the Pharisees wanted to stone a prostitute, Jesus defended her, saying that if one of them was without sin, he should be the first to throw a stone.

What does the Bible say about homosexuality? It's clearly against it. Is it a sin? Yes, but we all sin. You won't see me going around shaking my finger at homosexuals and saying, "Shame, shame." I won't judge homosexuals. I judge their lifestyle, but not them as people.

I won't lie, though. The scenes of homosexuals making out made me gag. Then again, I hate seeing people make out in public in general — heterosexuals included.

In assuming that I am judgmental, people become judgmental themselves. I loved this movie other than the obvious innuendos against Christianity and conservative ideology. It has a good message, and it makes some good points, but it gets so much wrong. With the way we are heading, it will be the Christians who are put in concentration camps, not Muslims and homosexuals.

This film's message of freedom needing to triumph over dictatorship, prejudice and racism is brilliant and true. But

"Bush's America" will not lead to the world of "V for Vendetta." In truth, it is Christians and conservatives whose freedoms are being threatened: the freedom to read the Bible or pray in public schools, to recite the Pledge of Allegiance with "under God" included.

Have you noticed how much Christianity is made fun of in television and movies today?

The principles America was founded on are being taken away. How many people even realize that George Washington was an intensely devout man? If he lived today, he could be criticized for praying in public, for not separating his faith from his politics. What are we coming to?

America's still a lot better than other countries where Christians have to meet secretly or people get the death penalty for converting to Christianity; but who's to say that America won't fall someday?

"V for Vendetta" makes you think. Which way you go with your thinking is up to you. Go which way you must, but the real "vendetta" is Hollywood's vendetta against the right.

Movie Review: 'Spear' drives home its point
By HARMONY WHEELER
TEENS IN THE NEWSROOM

Recent films such as "The Passion of the Christ" and "The Chronicles of Narnia" have had Christian meanings and been popular among audiences. Now, Jim Hanon has added to the list of awing films with the fact-based "End of the Spear."
Five missionaries, among them Jim Eliot (Sean McGowan) and Nate Saint (Chad Allen), have a risky goal: to make contact with the Waodani tribesmen in the jungles of Ecuador and share the Gospel with them.

The Waodani, almost extinct by their own hands, are known for their violence. Every day, Nate sets off in his big yellow plane to look for any signs of the tribe, leaving behind a son, Steve, and his wife.

When he sees a Waodani climbing a tree, he and his fellow missionaries make their way to where the natives live. Though the men have guns, they don't defend themselves when they're attacked and killed by the spear-wielding tribesmen. Once their bodies are discovered, the story really begins.

Nate's son, Steve (also played by Chad Allen), narrates the film, and the audience sees how the widows of the missionaries, along with Nate's sister, Rachel, risk everything and take their children to live with the Waodani to try to bring about peace without meeting the "End of the Spear."

In the process, Steve has to come face to face with one of his father's killers, Mincayani (Louie Leonardo), and learn to show him God's love.

There are twists and turns, as with any movie, and the audience learns details that most people don't know about this true story.

The acting is well-done. There are connections among the characters that add to the emotion of the film.

There is violence. After all, the lives of the Waodani people revolved around revenge and murder. However, the violence in the movie is nothing compared to what really happened.

It may be a Christian story, but that aspect of it is very subtle. It is obvious that the main characters are missionaries, but aside from a remark here and there, not much is said or shown of their work, leaving the focus of the film on emotions and events.

Still, the soul of the film is in the reason the missionaries make contact with the Waodani: to share the Gospel.

The wonder of the film is enhanced by the vast shots of the Ecuadorian jungles and the stunning soundtrack.

The natives speak in their own language, not in English, which helps viewers get a feel for the accuracy of the movie and makes us realize that this is an entirely realistic story of something that happened only 50 years ago.

"End" is an epic story that you won't want to end. It is beautifully done and sure to satisfy.

Movie Review: 'Narnia': 'Passion of the Christ' for the kids
By HARMONY WHEELER
TEENS IN THE NEWSROOM

"Harry Potter," "Lord of the Rings" and now "Chronicles of Narnia." Hollywood seems to have a habit of making movies based on popular children's fantasy books.
You would think that by now everyone would be sick of these twisted versions, and that these movies would get worse and worse. But actually, they keep getting better and better.

"Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," starts as four children and their mother scramble about to get to their shelter, away from an air raid.

As World War II forces the children of London to the countryside, the mother of Peter (William Moseley), Susan (Anna Popplewell), Edmund (Skandar Keynes) and Lucy (Georgie Henley) sends the children away to the home of Professor Kirke (Jim Broadben), where it seems like there is no fun to be had.

In a game of hide-and-go-seek, Lucy finds a mysterious room containing only one item of furniture: a wardrobe. She hides in the wardrobe, and as she backs up and feels for the wall, she falls into the land of Narnia.

She quickly makes friends with the faun, Mr. Tumnus (James McAvoy), who invites her over for tea. He fills her in on some of Narnia's history.

Winter has covered Narnia for one hundred years, but there is no Christmas. This is all thanks to Jadis, the White Witch (Tilda Swinton), who claims to be queen of Narnia and turns anyone who does not obey her into stone.

According to prophecy, when two sons of Adam and two daughters of Eve arrive and sit as kings and queens of Narnia, Jadis' reign will end. To avoid threatening Jadis' power, Mr. Tumnus makes Lucy return home.

Soon, Lucy returns to the mysterious Narnia. Edmund follows, but meets the White Witch. Edmund, tempted by Jadis' promises and tasty snacks, agrees to return with all his siblings.

Finally, all four children enter the magical land, and the adventure begins.

Narnia is full of talking animals and mythical creatures. The most magnificent of these is Aslan the lion (voiced by Liam Neeson). Aslan left Narnia for a while, but is now returning to help the children bring peace and freedom to the land.

Aslan, a Messianic figure, teaches the children to embrace their destiny, and even more important, the truth.

The classic clash between good and evil ensues. Sacrifices must be made, lessons learned, and battles fought.

The acting is superb. Moseley plays the part of Peter, an older brother trying to do the right thing and make everyone happy.

Popplewell plays the cautious older sister, Susan. Her disbelief in the land of Narnia is perfectly believable and, along with the cute and imaginative Henley as Lucy, she brings tears to your eyes as you watch her grief. You share in these characters' feelings as if you were one of them.

Keynes plays the selfish younger brother, Edmund. As Edmund betrays his siblings, everyone is sure to despise him. Yet, when he repents, Aslan makes sure no one harps on him for his wrongs. The past is forgotten and the future is at hand.

Neeson is the perfect Aslan. He is just "safe" enough, yet not too "tame."

Every word Swinton speaks as the White Witch, every beautiful costume she wears, every expression, reinforces her interpretation of a wicked Jadis.

The story, sets and characters are done just as well. The film does not fail fans of the book. It stays fairly true to the novel written by C. S. Lewis, who based the story on his own faith as a Christian and dedicated the book to his goddaughter, Lucy.

Christians will not be disappointed, either. Some have called the film a children's version of "The Passion of the Christ."

"The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" closely parallels the Gospel. Many books have been published regarding what can be learned from C. S. Lewis' allegories.

Because the story conveys lessons of good, evil, love, friendship, family, loyalty, selflessness, responsibility, courage and sacrifice, the movie should trigger much family discussion.

Although the movie is nowhere as dark or intense as "Lord of the Rings" or "Harry Potter," battle scenes and unsightly characters may not be for the younger ones.

Breathtakingly made, the film surpasses expectations and goes beyond the limits of our imaginations.

Let's hope there is a sequel in store, although we know that we "can't return to Narnia in the same way ever again. It will come looking for us, when we are not looking for it."

Movie Review: 'Pride' merely tolerable
By HARMONY WHEELER
TEENS IN THE NEWSROOM

Director Joe Wright's big-screen version of "Pride and Prejudice," based the classic Jane Austen novel, is — as Mr. Darcy might say — tolerable.
Mr. Bennet (Donald Sutherland) is the clever, sarcastic and witty patriarch, while Mrs. Bennet (Brenda Blethyn) is the gossipy, meddlesome and narrow-minded mother whose main goal in life is to marry off her five daughters, preferably to rich men.

Jane (Rosamund Pike), the eldest and sweetest of the daughters, tries to see the good in everyone. Elizabeth (Kiera Knightley) speaks her mind. Kitty (Carey Mulligan) and Lydia (Jena Malone) are the youngest and silliest of the sisters. Finally, Mary (Talulah Riley) is the conservative one of the family.

When a young, rich man, Mr. Bingley (Simon Woods), and his best friend, Mr. Darcy (Matthew MacFadyen), move nearby, they are the talk of the town. Every mother, including Mrs. Bennet, cannot help but dream that Bingley will marry one of her daughters.

At first glance, Bingley is an optimistic man of good fortune, but his friend is proud. Mr. Darcy slights Elizabeth, saying that she is "tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me."

Elizabeth swears she will never dance with Mr. Darcy. She is content with the idea of becoming an old maid, and says she will never marry unless she falls deeply in love. The last man on earth she believes she could ever love is Mr. Darcy.

Meanwhile, Mr. Bingley and Jane hit it off and find themselves very much in love.

Before you know it, Mr. Darcy finds himself strangely attracted to Elizabeth. As a twisted plot unfolds, other characters are introduced.

George Wickham (Rupert Friend) arrives with a regiment of handsome soldiers to tempt the ladies.

Mr. Collins (Tom Hollander), a cousin of the Bennet family, comes with the intention of marrying one of the Bennet girls. As Mr. Bennet's heir, Collins will receive the Bennets' home and will have the ability to turn the girls out. He makes up his mind to marry Elizabeth.

Unfortunately, Mr. Collins is not the most desirable partner — he is silly, self-centered and rather ridiculous.

Judi Dench plays Mr. Collins' patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Darcy's arrogant aunt.

As events unfold, and the unexpected happens, an unforgettable love story leads up to a new, creative ending that goes along well with the book.

Director Wright brings the film to life on the big screen with a different kind of "oomph" that has not been present in other adaptations of the story.

The film's fast pace helps fit the main parts of the plot into two hours.

For someone who has never read the book or seen the A&E movie, the story may be hard to follow — even considering that no version will ever top A&E's five-hour miniseries.

Fans of the novel should not hold their breath for the best lines from the book. They never come. Complete scenes and characters are cut out of this film, understandable given the time constraints.

One way the film differs from the book is that it gives Mr. and Mrs. Bennet a friendlier relationship. They are in love with each other. In the book, they constantly bicker.

As far as script, costumes, and setting go, all are authentic. It is the actors who bring the film down to a so-so level.

Knightley just barely shines as Elizabeth. The part was not made for her. She plays it well, yet does not bring it out to its fullest.

MacFadyen plays a flat, unchanging Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy's transition from proud and overbearing to humble and caring should be evident.

More important, there seems little reason to dislike Mr. Darcy for his personality, and he and Elizabeth fail to connect, either when they supposedly hate each other or when they supposedly like each other.

Chemistry between the two characters is not evident until the last scene of the film.

Hollander's Mr. Collins is supposed to provide the comic relief of the film, like an 18th-century nerd, but the film fails to bring out that aspect.

Still, Mr. Bingley is well-acted by Woods, and Pike plays Jane very well. They suit each other perfectly.

What brings everything together and makes the movie believable is the music. The soundtrack is amazingly beautiful.

Another thing that recommends the film to watchful parents and conservative teens is that the movie does not have explicit sex scenes or foul language. It's nice to see this kind of love story for a change.

Still, "Pride and Prejudice" is marred by poorly acted lead roles. To paraphrase Mr. Darcy, it is "tolerable, but not handsome enough" to tempt audiences.

Movie Review: New twists don't suit 'Oliver'
By HARMONY WHEELER
TEENS IN THE NEWSROOM

Roman Polanski's latest film, "Oliver Twist," is strangely twisted.
As the title suggests, the story follows the young boy, Oliver (Barney Clark), as he goes through various trials and meets all sorts of people.

Oliver, an orphan, lives in a workhouse with several other boys.

When he asks for some more gruel, he gets into trouble. As punishment, he is sold to an undertaker.

Soon after, he runs away and heads to London. There, he is taken in by Fagin (Ben Kingsley) and a band of thieves, and introduced to other shady characters such as Nancy (Leanne Rowe) and Billy Sikes (Jamie Foreman).

When fate takes a turn on poor Oliver, he comes into the path of Mr. Brownlow, a rich gentleman.

Mr. Brownlow feels a connection to young Oliver and decides to take him in.

Unfortunately, Oliver is kidnapped by Nancy and Sikes and taken back to Fagin's hideout.

The rest of the story involves betrayal, revenge, murder, and many more twists, leading up to a heart-breaking ending.

From the very beginning of the film, the audience will be disappointed.

The movie is based on the book by Charles Dickens. Every time you try to adapt a book to film, changes must be made. When Polanski tries to include as much as possible from the book, he puts together a film that is very choppy and has little point.

The first half of the film stays true to the book, but then things take a new turn. Some of the most important characters from the book are cut out, such as Rose Maylie and Monks.

If you have seen older versions of the story, watched the musical, or read the book, you at least know that Oliver is supposed to have a hidden, unknown relationship to Mr. Brownlow through his mother, Agnes. The truth about Oliver's mother and her past is usually revealed toward the end of the story. However, Polanski's version completely takes this out, along with several other twists that give purpose to the plot.

One good thing about this is that it gives the film originality and distinguishes it from any other version.

And, even though the film had its negative elements, there are other positives.

By the end of the film, you are emotionally attached to the characters, especially Fagin.

Fagin may seem like an insignificant character when you hear about him, but in this version, he carries the film.

Ben Kingsley has a completely new take on Fagin. He truly seems like a mad man who has lost everything worth living for. Everything is perfect about his interpretation of the role. From the way he staggers about to his careless lisp, he acts the role better than any actor could.

When Fagin is finally taken to jail and is about to meet his death, he goes mad. As you leave the character to meet his fate, a tear might be brought to your eye.

Barney Clark does an exceptional job as Oliver. He is the picture of innocence as Oliver goes through all the trials in the movie.

Leanne Rowe shows all of Nancy's internal and external emotions. However, she does not show Nancy's true love for Sikes. One wonders, if she does not truly love him, why she continues to stay with him.

Sikes' character is so cruel that Jamie Foreman had to act angry. He is ruthless and merciless in his role. He is the perfect Sikes.

Among other things, the film is entirely realistic. It gives the audience a glimpse of what life was like during Dickens' time, and what it is like to live your entire life helpless. It leaves us with a sense of respect for people going through hard times.

Although it may be boring most of the time, and it fails to engage the audience, it is still a good film worth seeing once.

Movie Review: 'Pants' a good fit for any movie fan
By HARMONY WHEELER
TEENS IN THE NEWSROOM

Friendship, love, hardships, change, and life: This is what "Sisterhood Of the Traveling Pants" is all about.
"Sisterhood" is a story that most anyone can relate to. If you have ever felt out of place, ever lost a loved one,ever fallen in love, ever had family trouble, or ever found shelter in a friend, this is a movie for you.

The story follows four lifelong friends — Carmen, Brigit, Lena and Tibby — as summer begins and they are about to leave each other for the first time. While on their journeys, each learns something new.

Before leaving, they go shopping together. Strangely enough, they manage to find one pair of pants that fits all of them perfectly. So, they decide to establish the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

While on their summer trips, the pants travel between the four of them. As each of them goes through trials, they write to one another and send letters with the pants, telling what the "traveling pants" have brought them.

The pants give them a way to connect and give each other courage to face their fears and get through the summer.

Lena, played by Alexis Bledel ("Bride and Prejudice," "Sin City") is in Greece visiting her grandparents. While there, she falls in love with the grandson of her grandfather's sworn enemy.

Bridget (Blake Lively) is in Mexico at an all-girls' soccer camp and develops a crush on one of the men coaches.

Tibby, played by Amber Tamblyn ("The Ring," "Joan of Arcadia"), is left at home while the others go on their adventures. However, one fateful day, she meets Bailey, her young neighbor, who also has leukemia. Bailey, played by Jenna Boyd ("The Missing," "Dickie Roberts: Child Star," and "The Hunted"), annoyingly insists on helping Tibby with her documentary, which, consequently, turns into something entirely unexpected.

Carmen (America Ferrera) is visiting her dad, who left her mom when she was young. Right away, she learns a new truth that will change her life forever: He is getting married to a woman with two children who could not be any more different from her. In this case, opposites do not attract, and the sisterhood is needed more than ever.

In the end, the pants are merely witnesses to changes and lessons in four girls' lives. Such changes and lessons are present in everyday life. The spirit of the traveling pants: the bonds of friendship, joy, and love in all circumstances, and the ability to make good things happen, is in all of us.

The movie shows us that comfort can be found, even during the hardest times.

Based on Ann Brashares' best-selling novel, it teaches us that every person is a member of some sort of sisterhood (or brotherhood). As we play witness to one another's lives, we experience the unthinkable and realize that anything is possible if we put our "pants" to it.

Movie Review: Thumbs up for the 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'
By HARMONY WHEELER
TEENS IN THE NEWSROOM

Based on the book by Douglas Adams, "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" poses a question: What if Earth were blown up, leaving only four survivors — one man, one woman, and two mice?
In this case, Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman) of England is saved by his friend, Ford Prefect (Mos Def), who is from a planet somewhere in the vicinity of Betelgeuse.

At the last minute, Ford and the others hitch a ride on one of the Vogons' ships.

The Vogons, nasty, gray, slug-like, bureaucratic creatures, destroy Earth to make way for an intergalactic space highway.

Unfortunately for Ford and Arthur, these creatures also hate hitchhikers. Thus, Ford and Arthur are thrown into space (after having been read a selection of Vogon poetry, the third worst poetry ever known).

They are picked up by none other than the president of the galaxy (and semi-cousin of Ford), Zaphod Beeblebrox (Sam Rockwell) and Trillian (Zooey Deschanel).

Coincidentally, both Trillian and Zaphod have a past with Arthur. What are the probabilities of this happening? There are a lot of improbabilities in this movie.

Zaphod has stolen the famous ship, "Heart of Gold" and is using its Improbability Drive to find the legendary planet Magrathea. As the four are chased by the Vogons, a twisted plot unfolds.

Along on the journey is Marvin, the manically depressed robot, voiced by Alan Rickman, and Slartibartfast (Bill Nighy), a worker on the planet Magrathea.

The film is full of laughs. Separate from that, it makes fun of bureaucracy, politics and basic daily life.

This film is not to be taken as realistically or as seriously as a Star Wars movie. It's more a "Monty Python meets Luke Skywalker" film. Take, for example, the quirky purpose of the adventure: to find the ultimate question of Life, the Universe and Everything. The answer, 42, is already known, but is meaningless without the question, which they never find out anyway.

The guide referred to in the title is an electronic book like no one has ever seen. You can mention various topics to it and it will do a search, informing the reader of whatever entries are made regarding the topic in question. Its entries contain many facts and advice written by people who hitchhike for a living.

The movie stays fairly true to the book, with some elements from the sequels as well as some new, made-up elements. Fans of the book will surely enjoy the movie.

For girls out there who prefer chick flicks, there is even a little bit of a romantic plot involving Arthur and Trillian, as well as Zaphod and the Vice President. The movie does not have the typical elements of a chick flick, but the romance is sweet and heartfelt.

My favorite part of the film was toward the end. As the Vogons are shooting (with terrible aim) at Trillian, Ford, Zaphod and Arthur, Marvin picks up the Point of View gun (which makes the person shot think the way the shooter does for a moment) and shoots the entire fleet of Vogons. Every single Vogon crawls into a ball on the ground and says, "I feel so depressed!"

Another funny element includes the opening sequence, "So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish," in which the dolphins of Earth do back flips and leave by their own means to escape the destruction of the planet.

Although the purpose of the film seems pointless (possibly leaving room for a sequel), and the plot is weak in the middle of the movie, it is definitely worth seeing at least once.

The force is with this movie as it takes the audience on an adventure unlike any other, filled with loads of laughs, a bit of love, and plenty of action.

'Wicked' provides witch's back story
By HARMONY WHEELER
TEENS IN THE NEWSROOM

"So much more happened before Dorothy dropped in …"
So begins the catch phrase for the hit show "Wicked."

For years, L. Frank Baum's classic "The Wizard of Oz" has captured audiences in the story of Dorothy and her struggle against the Wicked Witch of the West.

Now, in "Wicked," a musical based on the 1995 book by Gregory Maguire, the old story takes an imaginative turn, showing a lively version of what happened before and during the adventure of Dorothy and her little dog, Toto.

It begins with the witch's death, as Glinda the Good looks back and remembers the days she spent with Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West.

Glinda tells her audience how Elphaba becomes green after her mother takes a potion called "green elixir," and of a father who shuns her because she is different.

When her sister is born paralyzed, Elphaba receives the blame and is given the task of being her sister's caretaker. Therefore, when her sister goes to college, she follows.

Madam Morrible, a teacher, discovers Elphaba's magical talent and takes her to see the wizard. The wizard, however, takes advantage of her, causing her to turn wicked.

In the middle of all this, there is a love conflict. Fiyero, a fellow student, falls in love with both Glinda and Elphaba and has trouble deciding who he really, truly loves. Glinda and Elphaba become close friends, but are separated once Elphaba becomes wicked.

The show answers all questions. You discover how the wicked witch became wicked, how the tin man became tin, how the lion became cowardly, how the scarecrow became a scarecrow, and how Dorothy's house came to land, in a killing blow, on top of the Wicked Witch of the East.

On top of such a satisfying plot, the acting and singing top any Broadway show I have seen.

If you have never gone to a Broadway show before, this is the perfect show to make your first. It only takes listening to one song to get you hooked.

There are a few moments that might offend some people. At one point sexual activity is indicated and at another point there is heavy kissing. There are also a few dark moments that might scare little ones.

With its spectacular special effects and music that will blow you away, "Wicked" is a must-see.


Copyright © 2007 Harmonious Glow Writings

Favorite Published Articles

Here are a few of my favorite published articles that are not movie reviews. The first one is about a group of teens who decided to go on a different kind of diet. The next article, "Leaving their mark," is about teen tattoos. "Mall full of nothing to wear" is about the lack of cute clothing available for plus sized teens. "Glitter and Glitz" is about Homecoming floats. "Royal Achievement" follows one teenage girl who made it onto the Sacramento King's cheerleading team. Lastly, "Common Cause" is about a group of teens doing volunteer work.

Soul Music
Students undertake task of listening exclusively to Christian music for 30 days
By HARMONY WHEELER
TEENS IN THE NEWSROOM

Thirty freshmen at Big Valley Christian High School went on a diet last month.
This diet, however, did not involve losing weight, working out or giving up favorite foods.

Instead, the Christian Music Diet required participants to give up secular music and listen to only Christian music for 30 days.

For some, that was even harder than giving up McDonald's and Cold Stone Creamery.

"Doing this Christian Music Diet was not easy," said 14-year-old Nicole Chacon, "but I got through it with the help of God. I prayed to Him when I was struggling. After all, the point of this diet is to become closer to God.

"Now," she said, "I have good days when I used to have bad days. Listening to Christian music is always very uplifting, compared to secular music, which is often depressing."

Nicole said the diet helped her become closer to God.

"Whenever I was struggling, I knew I could look to him, and I did," she said. "To this day, even after the diet, I look to God for comfort, strength and guidance."

The diet was created by Al Menconi Ministries, an evangelical, nondenominational ministry whose goal is to educate and equip Christian parents, leaders and students to communicate biblical values in the home and church.

"I originally started encouraging my students to take a 'diet' in 1972," Menconi said in an interview by e-mail. "It has been refined over the years and is constantly changing. In fact, we made major changes to it last year and now call it The FullTilt Challenge, or Living FullTilt."

Like the Christian Music Diet, the FullTilt Challenge requires participants to listen to only Christian music for 30 days. However, it also involves eliminating all forms of entertainment that go against biblical values.

Like losing weight, Menconi says on his Web site, you cannot accomplish something by giving up only small, select areas and, after a quick diet, going back to old habits; you have to change completely.

Ed Limon, a Bible teacher at Big Valley, adopted the diet about four years ago as an extra-credit opportunity for students.

Now, freshman Bible teachers Steven Neff and Ryan Poling have continued this challenge, while Limon has taken on the expanded version of the diet, FullTilt, and used it to challenge the juniors and seniors.

Involving more than just students, the diet required family participation. Parents had to sign an agreement saying they would not listen to secular music around their kids.

The teachers who assigned the challenge did it along with the students, as well.

"I would never ask anyone to do something I would not be willing to do myself," he said. "This is a biblical concept set forth by Jesus himself, as well as his disciples and the apostle Paul."

Neff, who teaches computers as well as Bible, would not allow the use of iPods or other MP3 and CD players during free time while the diet was going on.

Secular music plays a large role in teens' lives, so giving it up can be quite a challenge.

"It is very difficult to shut out secular music," said Meaghan Kingsley-Teem, 16. "It is everywhere: in stores, at school, even at church!"

Meaghan said curiosity motivated her to try the diet.

"I just wanted to see how much my music really affects me," she added. "I usually listen to music that fits my mood, whatever I feel like, but the Christian Music Diet is a way to take your mind off of this world and focus it on God. Through the diet, I have grown closer to my Lord and experienced joy that does not depend on circumstances."

Even though she sees the Christian Music Diet's effect as positive, Meaghan said she doesn't plan to continue avoiding secular music.

"I do not think I will follow this diet stringently," she said, "but I will definitely change my music selection to a mostly Christian makeup."

Neff said he wishes more students had accepted the challenge. Out of about 65 freshmen, only 30 did.

Dan Grigg, 16, said, "I was raised on the music I listen to, mainly rock, and I am not willing to give it up. I like it. I am not going to give it up just like that."

Besides, he added, "It takes a while for me to find out the other types of music I like."

Joe Colley, 14, also passed on the challenge.

"I did not want to do the Christian Music Diet because I did not need the extra credit and I enjoy the music I listen to," he said. "What I listen to depends on who I am around. I like all kinds of music and can listen to anything that people put in. My family listens to secular and Christian music, but we listen to a lot of radio."

He also said it would have been difficult to maintain the diet at home.

"I am not willing to make my family conform to something they are not willing to do," he said. "I am not going to torture myself by switching my music and giving it up for 30 days for some music I listen to only once in a while."

Robert Lasiler, 15, said he listens to a lot of industrial, punk, techno, grunge and metal music; anything, he said, that has meaning in its words.

"Music does not change a person," he said, "and not listening to music won't change a person, either. The music you like does not describe what kind of person you are. If I listen to lyrics that say, 'God is dead,' it won't change my faith. I am not changed by others' opinions."

Neff said he has heard many Christians say that they aren't affected by listening to secular music.

"My question to them is this: If these things do not have an effect on your life, then why is it so hard to give them up for a measly 30 days and find out for sure? Especially when we, as Christians, believe that Jesus gave up his throne in heaven for a time to suffer humility and an unspeakable death on the cross for us?"

Britteny Vargas, 15, said that since she tried the Christian Music Diet, "in my everyday life, I feel calmer and ready to face my trials. I might try the diet again in the future. It was a difficult challenge, but it helped me a lot. It has given me a more well-rounded feeling for music. I can understand more of what I hear now. It has made me conscious of what I listen to."

Britteny said she enjoys Christian music much more since she tried the Christian Music Diet.

"Sometimes I like to vent through music. With nonsecular music, it seems like you can't do this, but you really can," she said.

"When you have a bad day, you want to get all of your anger out. Listening to hard-core stuff, just loud and crazy music or music in general, seems to get rid of the hurt. Music, both secular and Christian, can give you the feeling that someone else has been through your hurts, too."

Britteny said she likes hard rock by Green Day, Muse and Three Days Grace. But similar sounds can be found with Christian bands like Switchfoot, Hawkinson, Kutless, 12 Stones and Relient K.

"Sometimes, secular music may seem better, but Christian music can sound just as good."

Neff said he has seen changes in the students who tried the Christian Music Diet. "They are more open to seeking godly music," he said, "They are no longer afraid of being looked on as different because of the music they listen to, because they have discovered there is good Christian music in almost any genre they could imagine. My prayer is that they will take this newfound knowledge and apply it to other things in their lives, such as the television and movies they choose."

The theme verse of the diet is Colossians 2:8, which says, "Don't let others spoil your faith and joy with their philosophies, their wrong and shallow answers built on men's thoughts and ideas instead of on what Christ has said."

Nicole Chacon could identify with that verse after trying the Christian Music Diet.

"I would encourage people to just try this diet," she continued, "It really does help not only your personal relationship with Christ, but your daily life, too. I do not think I will continue to listen to Christian music 24/7, but I will listen to it more often."

Leaving Their Mark
The popularily of tattoos continues to rise among young people -- but is the pain worth it?

Tattoos aren't just for sailors and bikers anymore.
Today people from all walks of life are getting tattoos, and that's true for teenagers, too.

Maybe it's because young celebrities like Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan or popular athletes like Mike Bibby and David Beckham proudly sport their tattoos.

Maybe it's because characters in shows like "The Simpsons," "Friends," and "That '70s Show" have tattoos.

Or maybe it's just that teens are looking for yet another way to express themselves.

Jose Bedolla, owner of Main Street Tattoos and Piercings in Turlock, points to television shows like "Miami Ink" and "Inked" (which air on TLC and A&E, respectively) that he says fuel the trend.

"I think it has a lot to do with the shows on TV," he said.

Whatever the reason, more young people are getting tattoos than ever before. Twenty-eight percent of adults younger than 25 have tattoos, according to a 2003 survey by Scripps Howard News Service.

And, perhaps even more telling, "doctors estimate that more than thirty percent of all tattoo removal is done on teen girls who want the name of an ex-boyfriend taken off," according to a recent issue of Teen Magazine.

What sparked trend?

Like piercings, tattoos have become chic. They're no longer just for the "bad crowd."

And there are many reasons people get tattoos. They may be expressing their individuality or making a political statement. They could be commemorating a lost loved one or showing religious devotion. Or they could be using them as as a source of inspiration.

"I have a tattoo dedicated to two people I knew who have died," said Ryan Merchant, an 18-year-old graduate of Beyer High School. "The names of Jackie Carter and (Camillus Salcedo) are each on a part of a cross tattoo on my left arm."

Tyler Weiland, an 18-year-old Big Valley Christian High graduate now attending Biola University in La Mirada, said he wants to get a tattoo of his favorite Bible verse on his rib cage.

Bedolla said he has gotten a lot more young customers lately. By young, he means 18 or older — California law states that you have to be 18 to get a tattoo. Even parents' permission won't get you an appointment at a tattoo parlor.

Jessica Bowman, a 20-year-old MJC student, said she got a tattoo with her mom when she turned 18.

"I got it of a treble clef because I teach piano," she said.

Will it hurt?

Bowman said getting her tattoo hurt, "but not enough to make me cry. It just felt like an irritating scratch."

Ray Hoot and his son, Steve Hoot, owners of Tattoo You and Piercing in Riverbank, said tattoos have become very popular with everyone, despite the process being painful.

"Tattoos are mainstream now. People do them for fun," Ray Hoot said. "Whatever pain there may be in getting the tattoo, they enjoy it."

Dirk Venn, an 18-year old graduate of Modesto High who will be attending Fresno State this fall, is happy with his tattoo.

"I got it on the middle of my back of a Volcom clothing brand sign," he said.

But not everyone is as pleased with the pain.

Sarah Pieracci, an incoming sophomore at Big Valley Christian High, said her brother just got two tattoos and that they "hurt so much that he regrets getting them."

The process

In short, to make a tattoo, a needle punctures deep into the dermis, the second layer of the skin, and injects enough ink to make one dot in a design. That process is repeated until the dots form an image.

It can take a few minutes or a couple of hours, depending on the size of the tattoo. Price also depends on size. At Main Street Tattoos and Piercings, customers must spend a minimum of $50, which will get them a small tattoo.

"It can range all the way up to $200-300," Bedolla said. "If you want a real big tattoo, I charge one basic price for the outline, and another $100 per hour for the coloring in."

Stay safe

Before you get a tattoo, experts say you should do your research. Check with others who have gotten tattoos to find a reputable shop. Tattoo artists should wear gloves, and needles should be used one-time only.

Even then, there could be health risks.

"The fear of passing on an HIV infection is, of course, a concern, but the odds are very, very low if good hygiene habits are practiced," Parent-Teen.com says.

Medical professionals say that every time you break the skin, you risk bacterial or viral infection. But as long as you go to a proper shop for your tattoo, and if you aren't allergic to the dyes used and don't have overly sensitive skin, they agree that you should be all right.

After care of the tattoo is important, too. You shouldn't immerse the area in water for two weeks, or let it get sunburned. Don't pull the skin off. Wash it with antibacterial soap. Put ice on the area, and rub antibiotic ointment into the tattoo often.

Are you sure?

Teens should think long and hard about whether to get a tattoo.

They are, after all, permanent. The image will stretch and fade over the years. Removal techniques are said to hurt twice as much, cost a lot more, and take a lot longer to get done than the tattoo itself.

It can cost from less than $100 for fading creams, which never make the tattoo go away fully, to tens of thousands of dollars for surgical techniques that remove the tattoo but often leave scars behind.

And while much of the stigma of having a tattoo has waned, there are still issues with prospective employers. Many look down on those who have visible tattoos.

And then there are issues with being stereotyped — by family, friends, co-workers, etc.

"I think a lot of my friends would look down on tattoos," said 15-year-old Kathleen Strojan, an incoming sophomore at Big Valley Christian High. "But I don't think it should matter what a person has on their skin. What matters is who they are as a person."

Lauren Goldeen, a 15-year-old incoming sophomore at Modesto High School, believes people should wait until they're older to make such a permanent decision.

"Getting a tattoo this young is stupid," Lauren said. "When you get older you have more life experience and then you know when and what a tattoo will bring and mean. A tattoo is permanent, so it will be with you forever. Having that kind of responsibility can be difficult."

Whatever the reason — and despite objections some parents may have, as well as the opposition of many religions and employers — the popularity of tattoos among younger people continues to grow.

Sixteen-year-old, Michael Weir, an incoming junior at Big Valley Christian High, said he plans on getting a tattoo of a wolf when he turns 18. He has his own reasons for getting one.

"It would make me feel confident," he said. "and give me self-happiness."

Mall full of nothing to wear
By HARMONY WHEELER
TEENS IN THE NEWSROOM

Think of the hottest places in town to shop for teen clothing. Abercrombie and Fitch or American Eagle likely come to mind. But they — and stores like Hollister and Forever 21 — are not an option for a growing number of "horizontally challenged" teens.
Sixteen percent of American youth ages 6 to 19 are overweight, according to the Centers for Disease Control. That is triple the number in 1980. With that rise has come greater demand for fashionable clothing in plus sizes.

So where do overweight teens find trendy clothes? There hasn't been a variety of youthful clothing choices out there for larger sizes, but more options are becoming available.

Online, there is plenty of plus-size clothing, at sites such as www.alloy.com and www.jeenybeans.com. All you have to do is search for "plus size clothing" and you will get loads of sites. But not everyone can or wants to shop on the Internet.

While stores like Gap and Hollister carry up to size 18 or XL at the largest, other stores (though not exactly as name-brand popular) are beginning to offer trendier plus-size clothing.

One such store is Torrid, which offers sizes zero to 4 for women — zero being like a medium or large, and 4 being like a 3X or 4X.

Leslie Wagner, an 18-year-old senior at Oakdale High School, has worked at Torrid in Modesto's Vintage Faire Mall for about six months.

"Before that, I drove all the way to the Torrid in Pleasanton for clothing. Other stores just don't have clothes that fit me right.

"Torrid fits me well. Working at Torrid, I can relate to the women I see and help them find slenderizing clothing."

As far as what she looks for in her own purchases, Wagner said she prefers low-ride pants and long shirts. "I like what is youthful," she said. "I am versatile in what I wear; it depends on my mood."

Torrid meets those needs, Wagner said. "Most other places either don't have my size or only have grandma-like clothing."

Clothes make the girl

Big Valley Christian High School freshman Jessica Espinoza agreed. "I need to have trendy clothes because I want to know that I look good." she said. "Like that saying goes, 'Nice clothes make a girl feel wonderful and powerful.' Plus, I don't want to look like an 80-year-old grandma. I mean, just because we're big in areas doesn't mean we can't look nice.

"It would be nice to have someone say, 'Hey, that's a cute top. Where'd you get it?' But fashion for us bigger girls keeps getting worse. If you're not a size 0 to 5, you're looked down on. …

I can't even go into the name-brand stores in the mall and get stuff because they only sell clothes for small-sized girls."

Some teens are on the borderline in sizes. Seventeen-year-old Christy Wheeler of Oakdale High School said she often shops at places like Gap and Old Navy. But she did notice a big difference in availability. "There are more choices in the smaller sizes than there are for my size," she said of those stores. On the other hand, "stores like Lane Bryant, which used to carry old-lady clothing, are starting to carry more trendy clothes."

Kate Brodie, also 17 and a senior at Oakdale High, said, "What makes stores like Torrid and Lane Bryant nice is that they are for almost all types and all ages."

There are plus-size stores in Modesto, such as Catherines (on Pelandale Avenue) and Avenue (on McHenry), but they do not carry as much youthful clothing as most teen shoppers would like.

The limited selection overall has some shoppers down in the dumps, but there are others who just shrug it off. Bunny Sheldon, 17 and a senior at Manteca High, said, "I can't exactly find what I want to wear," so "I have to deal with what I find."

Paying the price

Manteca High senior Monique Villavicencio, 18, said she would like to go to formal and prom events but never can find dresses in her size. She could spend extra on special orders and have them fitted, but that would be even more expensive than your typical prom dress, which can easily run $200.

Even when tailoring isn't involved, cost can become an issue. Modesto Junior College student Kristen Corbett, 19, said, "I have noticed that if you go into a store, bigger sizes sometimes are more expensive, but you are using more material, so it all works out, I guess."

For example, a particular brown shirt at JC Penney costs $24 in petite sizes but $26 in larger sizes.

What you'll pay for plus-size clothing compared with smaller clothing also "depends on the location," Wheeler said. "Places like Torrid are the same, while department stores cost more."

As for whether she's at the height of fashion, Corbett said she doesn't really care.

"I don't need trendy clothes," she said, "I guess everyone wants to have a sense that they look good, but it really depends on what you mean (by) trendy."

Corbett said she seeks cute and conservative clothing, but not much is available for her style. "Most of what I have seen is tighter clothes," she said.

"It would be nice to have more, but if you saw something cute that wasn't your size, wouldn't you be motivated to lose weight? Not having a lot of options could be a good thing."

Corbett said she shops at Wal-Mart, JC Penney and Target because those stores do carry larger lines of clothing.

The bottom line is that while selection has improved in recent years, most makers of brand-name clothes apparently have yet to realize, or care, that it's not just skinny teens out there. "It makes me angry, mad and hurt," Espinoza said, "to know that in today's world, you can't go to American Eagle or Abercrombie and get clothes that fit."

Glitter and Glitz
By HARMONY WHEELER
TEENS IN THE NEWSROOM

If you go looking for glitter at a craft store, you won't find any. It's homecoming season.
When high school students get together to build class floats for their homecoming parades, each float — from the simple to the complicated — is all about flash. Not to mention school spirit.

"I like homecoming because it is fun to see students get spirited," said Saira Garcia, 17, who serves as junior class secretary and treasurer at Davis High School.

Davis, Modesto, Beyer, Modesto Christian and Hilmar High are among schools that built floats for competitions at homecoming.

"Judges look for floats that are big and out there," said Jordan Dickson, 15, sophomore class president at Davis.

Davis sophomores worked on their float for about five weeks before putting the final product together.

Their theme was "Life," taken from the board game. Along with a battery-powered spinning wheel, they had students dress up as graduates, a bride and groom, elderly people, a family, and mourners at a funeral, just like the pieces in the game.

The junior class at Davis based its float on a board game, as well.

"Our theme was Clue," said junior class representative Brittany Silva, 16. "We had a wallpaper background with portraits of the characters in the game. A few juniors also dressed as the characters and stood on the float."

While Davis students kept their floats simple, those from Hilmar High took a more elaborate route.

Inside a country barn, they folded paper flowers and stapled them onto the wooden frame, built around a car.

Designs were intricate. One float depicted a battleship shooting confetti toward a second, smaller float representing the opposing football team.

The town of Hilmar makes a big deal out of homecoming. Officials close Lander Avenue each year for the parade, and most of the town comes out to see what the students have created.

The Class of 2005 last year won two national awards for its fall homecoming float. The money went to a fireworks display at graduation.

Hilmar High invites different people, usually from out of town, to judge its float competition.

"We don't even know who the judges are," said Ashley Hackney, 17, senior class representative at Hilmar High.

Because high school students take float competitions so seriously, students won't reveal their designs until they present their floats at the homecoming game.

At Modesto High, which has not yet had its homecoming, senior class adviser Amy Brandt, 17, would say only that each class was given a decade on which to base its float. The freshmen were the 1970s, the sophomores the 1950s, the juniors the 1980s and the seniors the 1960s.

Sarah Bostan, 15, a sophomore and historian commissioner at Modesto High, said homecoming floats help make high school a fun experience for everyone.

"It is largely about raising the level of Panther pride," she said, "and, hopefully, a homecoming spirit boost can stick with students all year long."

At Beyer High, students had to come up with a theme based on the word "roll."

The freshmen came up with the theme "Rock 'n' Roll: School of Rock."

Breann Anderson, 14, freshman class president, said constructing the float was a bit stressful.

"But it was worth it in the end," she said. "We worked together, and the resulting float turned out well."

Things did not go as well for Elizabeth Wood, 16, sophomore class president at Beyer. She feels that she ended up doing the bulk of the work for the sophomore "Tootsie Roll" float on her own.

"Even though it was stressful, and I had to put off my own personal life, I did gain some responsibility and leadership skills," she said. "I know now how I can be more organized and do things better next year."

Disneyland, "The Happiest Place on Earth," was the homecoming theme at Modesto Christian High School.

"It is compared to heaven," said Rachelle Sauser, 14, freshman class president, "because heaven is the happiest place."

Each float was based on a Disney movie and had a Bible verse to go with it.

"It really is a lot of fun," said Aimee Bidlack, 16, junior class president at Modesto Christian. "You get to spend time with people you don't normally spend time with."

Trevor Grimbleby, 15, sophomore class president at Modesto Christian, agreed.

"I really like working on the floats because you can use creativity," he said, "and teamwork really makes it all come together in the end."

Royal Achievement
Beyer grad has her dream job dancing
By HARMONY WHEELER
TEENS IN THE NEWSROOM

Everyone has an ideal job they want to have. Rachel got hers a lot sooner than she expected.
The 19-year-old, a 2004 graduate of Beyer High School, will make her debut as a Sacramento Kings dancer this month.

It's Maloof Brothers Entertainment policy not to give out the Royal Court dancers' last names, but friends and acquaintances will remember this dancer.

It's a dream job for Rachel, a longtime fan of both dancing and the basketball team. She found out about auditions for the dance team on the Kings' Web site, which she checks frequently.

"I've always been a fan," she said.

The dance team, which includes members from throughout the San Joaquin Valley, has already been practicing two times a week from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Before they started practicing, they had to audition to make the team. Rachel, one of hundreds of hopefuls, made it through three rounds of cuts before she was chosen.

Candidates were put in a straight line and called up one by one to say something about themselves, and to dance to whatever music was played.

"The judges looked for confidence in us," Rachel said. "There were some people who did not dance that well but still made it through to the next round because they had confidence and showed it."

Those who made it to the second cut were put into groups of three and taught a routine.

"Then, once I got to the last cut, I had to go in for a personal interview," Rachel said. "They also had me do both a dance I choreographed on my own and a dance they taught me."

Rachel was one of the lucky 16 to make the squad. Six dancers are new, 10 are returning.

Now she practices with the team, learning dances from professional choreographers.

That's nothing new. Growing up, she took lessons at 5678 Dance Studio in Modesto for 10 years, and she had six years of dance before that. She's taken jazz, tap, ballet, modern, point, lyrical and hip-hop classes.

As a high school student, her daily routine consisted of waking up in the morning, going to school, taking dance lessons, doing homework and going to bed.

"It was a tight schedule," she said, "but I love to dance."

She attended San Jose State University, majoring in dance. Now that she is on the team, she attends Sierra College in Rocklin. Eventually she would like to go to UC Davis.

Dancing for the Kings is considered a professional job, so Rachel is paid for what she loves to do. "It is not enough to pay for tuition. Most of the girls on the team have other jobs. But I love dancing, performing and meeting new people. This job puts all three together, which is why I love it so much!"

The team dances at all home games, performing half-time routines and other numbers during breaks in the action. The team also makes public appearances.

Overall, Rachel has landed her ideal job, at least for now.

She offers this advice: "To all the future dancers — have confidence and just try to have fun with what you are doing."

A common cause
By HARMONY WHEELER
TEENS IN THE NEWSROOM

Where can you find farm animals, gardens, homes representing the way people live all over the world, and a group of students working hard to make a difference?
They all could be found Saturday when the Central Valley Youth Chapter of People to People volunteered to help at the Heifer International Ceres Education Center.

The group included about 16 students ages 13-17 representing Modesto, Atwater, Turlock, Stagg (Stockton) and Big Valley Christian high schools and Hart Ransom Middle School.

"The Heifer Project Work Day was held because it is something we all believed in," said Sarah Bostan, a Modesto High freshman who is a member of the chapter. "Knowing that there are kids in other countries who can live because of donations from Heifer, just helping out at one of the many Heifer International Centers was a great privilege."

The Ceres Heifer Educational center gets roughly 4,000 visitors a year from all over the country. The center teaches visitors about Heifers for Relief and other worldwide projects sponsored by Heifer International, an organization dedicated to ending hunger.

Volunteers at the Ceres education center take care of animals and gardens and give tours to visiting children, school groups and donors.

The People to People students began at 9 a.m. with a video and tour. Then they rolled up their sleeves and went to work.

Even with jobs such as repairing animal shelters, putting mud on a mud house, herding animals, cleaning water troughs and raking up manure, they kept a positive attitude.

"The work was hard for me because I have never done it before," said Lauren Goldeen, a 14-year-old Hart Ransom eighth-grader. "But it was fun, and I really enjoyed lending an extra hand to help Heifer and take care of the animals."

For many in the group, a highlight of the day was renewing their acquaintance with Australian resident Peter Renwick, who joined in the day's work while visiting Modesto.

Last summer, a group of local junior high students visited Australia through People to People Student Ambassadors. There, they met Renwick, who had been volunteering at the station they were visiting. He taught them many things about the Australian culture, including how to throw a boomerang and crack a whip.

"A lot of tourists who come through Australia are rude," Peter said. "I realize now they are only a minority, but it did affect my view of Americans before the People to People Student Ambassadors came. The kids were great! They were well-mannered and nice."

This is part of the mission of People to People.

According to Ben Goldeen, a Modesto High junior who is president of the local youth chapter, People to People was founded by President Eisenhower as a way to bring people together, to bring about peaceful relations through interactions

"What we are doing at Heifer," Goldeen said, "is furthering that mission in our community."

In addition to the local chapter, students can travel overseas as student ambassadors to learn about other cultures.

"We try to involve student ambassadors in the chapter," said Ben, "but you do not have to be a student ambassador to join it. We meet monthly and work locally to serve the mission of People to People in the coming together of people."

"There are a lot of people out there who think we are snotty because we are Americans," said Hart Ransom eighth-grader Arielle Earl, another member of the chapter who went on the Australia trip last year. "However, going to other countries and really showing how Americans can be, being an ambassador, means showing how we can be truly be learning about them and how we can truly care."

There are more than 108 chapters in most countries over the globe.

Sara Bostan, the Modesto High freshman, said that after travelingwith People to People, she wanted to stay involved, so she joined the Central Valley Youth Chapter.

"We basically promote peace, understanding, and friendship in our communities," she said. "We know that you do not have to travel abroad to make the world a better place."

Sarah said the local People to People chapter has hosted a dinner for Danish visitors, donated school supplies to needy children in Third World countries and held book wrappings to donate books to local children.

"Mostly," she said, "we want the world to know that we do care."

Robert Jacobsen, a 16-year-old Modesto High junior and vice president of the chapter, said, "The work done by the Central Valley Student Chapter is really a great example of the many works we do in the community. Helping locally for a global effect is why the Central Valley Student Chapter is here and why the chapter is volunteering at Heifer."


Copyright © 2007 Harmonious Glow Writings