Showing posts with label Laughs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Laughs. Show all posts
Book Review- Night of the Living Dead Christian
So, you may be suprised to see a review for Night of the Living Dead Chrsitian by Matt Mikalatos on my blog, since it never managed to grace my "What I'm Reading Now" list to the left. That's because I started it yesterday, and finished it today! No time to pause and update a silly list.
Here's the trouble with reviewing a Mikalatos book. Matt is so funny, and witty, and imaginative that for some reason when I try to explain what I like about his books, I can muster up none of the above. I'm convinced that my review of his book My Imaginary Jesus must be one of the blandest, least inspired reviews I've ever written, despite the fact that I really wanted to say great things about it. There's something about really witty people sometimes that can make you feel like you've never had an original thought in your life.
Instead of trying to go about this review in a comprehensive way, or a persuasive way, I'm just going to rattle of some things I do feel like I can say about Matt's books.
1. They're hard to put down, and they make you laugh. I finished both of them in a couple of days. I don't know if you consider "a fast read" a pro, but I think the qualifiers make it one.
2. They whole time I'm reading them I'm amused, but I also have the feeling that somehow they are reading me a little, and might be about to tell me something about myself that I both don't want to admit but want desperately to have explained to me. I think that's a real gift Matt. Kudos to you.
3. It's difficult to boil these books down to a maxim that can be easily acknowledged, embraced, and incorporated into life, or even behavior. I couldn't walk away from My Imaginary Jesus, do a "find and replace" search of my life, and delete all imaginary Jesuses. If only. Instead, I am much more challenged to ask myself if the Jesus I'm relating to in any given moment is one of his own choosing, or if I am embellishing him in any way. I must let the man speak for himself, for heaven's sake. I suspect much of the same after putting down Night of the Living Dead Christian. Not sure I can tell you just what I learned from it. But I know it did say something to me, and we'll see what this is when I start to recognize some vampire or gargantuan tendencies pop up in my life. Matt seems to recognize what Tozer knew when he said that sin can't be instructed out of our lives no more than leprosy can be instructed out of our system. These books don't attempt to treat us, that is the job of the Physician. Instead they, in a very fantastical way, open our eyes to reality, and entertain us too.
4. I found a little bit of myself in all of the monsters listed in the "Are you a Monster? A Layman's Self-Diagnosis Guide to Common Monstrosities" appendix in the back. I wonder at all why anyone would let me lead anything, especially other people. Surely this can only turn out good by the grace of God.
5. I now have a special interest in the Portland/Vancouver (not Canada) area. Being an east-coaster, not by choice, but by providence of birth, I've somehow managed to make it all the way to the middle east but never further west than Colorado. I'm going to Portland next month for the first time. That' right. I'm coming to see you Mikalatos. If I find the time, I hope to visit a communist cafe or have some resurrected ice cream while I'm there. I'm also particularly interested in this large bookstore, although I don't know why, since soon I will be moving far away and unable to take 98% of my current possessions with me.
6. Last but not least, thanks to Matt for avoiding the sacred/secular split, and letting me find some of what I like about Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter, mashed with my faith and my life's work and mission. I hope for our sake that he spawns many more literary Matt Mikalatoses that will delight us and edify us at the same time.
Bam. Reviewed. I recommend it, with my only admonition being that you let yourself laugh while you read it (don't kill the experience by over-analyzing everything. Enjoy).
24 hours- Getting to Panama City Beach
Or, something to do when you are driving all day and there's nothing else to do.
Friday, March 2nd
5:45pm- While Christi is cooking dinner, the sink clogs. #beginbattle
5:50pm- 1/2 Bottle of Liquid Plumber
6:20pm- Another Half Bottle of Liquid Plumber
7:00pm- Linds goes to Target. Returns home with more Liquid Plumber and rubber gloves
Saturday, March 3rd
12:30am- Lindsay finally defeats the sink as we take off the trap. It took 2 bottles of Liquid Plumber, a grilling utensil, plastic gloves, and a bucket. #singleladiesvictory
1:15am- Go to bed
5:45am- Get tornado warning text forwarded from student. "Are we still going?" You bet we are.
7:15am- Linds and Christi leave house
7:30am- Meet students
7:40am- Stop at Chick-fil-a
8:00am- Get on road
8:06am- White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army" plays on radio; ushers in first, second-wind
8:30am- Pass sign that says "Mass SunJOam." After a little decoding, we realize it was supposed to say Mass, Sun. 10am.
9:25am- Christi accidentally uses the Men's Restroom in a Walmart. #oops #disgusting
10:15am- Cross into GA
10:58am- A person in the car in front of us is beating a kid in the back seat. As Christi is reenacting it for Lindsay, who didn't see it, the students in the car behind us text us: "Stop beating Lindsay."
11:36am- Stop at Cracker Barrel. This Cracker Barrel had the worst water ever. It tasted smokey/chemically. We all got new drinks, except Grant, who thought it was fine. #chemistrymajor
11:41am- Elliott, a guy, goes to the bathroom and comes back and says, "You know how I've been following Christi in everything she does lately? I just walked into the Men's Restroom too."
12:45pm- Back in action.
12:47-pm- Pass bubble-gum pink fire truck.
12:57pm- Cross into FL. There was a notice under the "Welcome to Florida" sign: "Not a Photo Opportunity" We wanted to get a picture, but... #googleimagesfailedme
12:58pm- Begin incessant rain.
1:47pm- Pass yellow sign that says "Fog Smoke." Don't know what that means.
2:34pm- Pass a slew of police doing a man-hunt on the interstate outside of Live Oak, FL. #cantfindinthenews
2:41pm- Enter into what can only be described as "Fog Smoke." We decided this is where they make the Cracker Barrel water.
3:00pm- Still waiting on our second, second-wind. #nevercomes
3:46pm- Home stretch. Christi takes the wheel, empowered by Diet Dr. Pepper and Sour Patch Kids.
4:10pm/3:10pm- Cross time zone line
4:53pm: Begin speed limit kaleidoscope: 65, 55, 45, 35, 45, 55, 65, 55, 45, 35, 45, 55, 65, etc. On and on for 45 miles.
5:37pm: Arrive at the Edgewater in PCB! Incessant rain intensifies for the rest of the night. #cold #wet #whydidwedrivealldayitwasnicerincolumbia
Friday, March 2nd
5:45pm- While Christi is cooking dinner, the sink clogs. #beginbattle
5:50pm- 1/2 Bottle of Liquid Plumber
6:20pm- Another Half Bottle of Liquid Plumber
7:00pm- Linds goes to Target. Returns home with more Liquid Plumber and rubber gloves
Saturday, March 3rd
12:30am- Lindsay finally defeats the sink as we take off the trap. It took 2 bottles of Liquid Plumber, a grilling utensil, plastic gloves, and a bucket. #singleladiesvictory
1:15am- Go to bed
5:45am- Get tornado warning text forwarded from student. "Are we still going?" You bet we are.
7:15am- Linds and Christi leave house
7:30am- Meet students
7:40am- Stop at Chick-fil-a
8:00am- Get on road
8:06am- White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army" plays on radio; ushers in first, second-wind
8:30am- Pass sign that says "Mass SunJOam." After a little decoding, we realize it was supposed to say Mass, Sun. 10am.
9:25am- Christi accidentally uses the Men's Restroom in a Walmart. #oops #disgusting
10:15am- Cross into GA
10:58am- A person in the car in front of us is beating a kid in the back seat. As Christi is reenacting it for Lindsay, who didn't see it, the students in the car behind us text us: "Stop beating Lindsay."
11:36am- Stop at Cracker Barrel. This Cracker Barrel had the worst water ever. It tasted smokey/chemically. We all got new drinks, except Grant, who thought it was fine. #chemistrymajor
11:41am- Elliott, a guy, goes to the bathroom and comes back and says, "You know how I've been following Christi in everything she does lately? I just walked into the Men's Restroom too."
12:45pm- Back in action.
12:47-pm- Pass bubble-gum pink fire truck.
12:57pm- Cross into FL. There was a notice under the "Welcome to Florida" sign: "Not a Photo Opportunity" We wanted to get a picture, but... #googleimagesfailedme
12:58pm- Begin incessant rain.
1:47pm- Pass yellow sign that says "Fog Smoke." Don't know what that means.
2:34pm- Pass a slew of police doing a man-hunt on the interstate outside of Live Oak, FL. #cantfindinthenews
2:41pm- Enter into what can only be described as "Fog Smoke." We decided this is where they make the Cracker Barrel water.
3:00pm- Still waiting on our second, second-wind. #nevercomes
3:46pm- Home stretch. Christi takes the wheel, empowered by Diet Dr. Pepper and Sour Patch Kids.
4:10pm/3:10pm- Cross time zone line
4:53pm: Begin speed limit kaleidoscope: 65, 55, 45, 35, 45, 55, 65, 55, 45, 35, 45, 55, 65, etc. On and on for 45 miles.
5:37pm: Arrive at the Edgewater in PCB! Incessant rain intensifies for the rest of the night. #cold #wet #whydidwedrivealldayitwasnicerincolumbia
A New Favorite Addicting Site
Last night I stumbled across PassiveAggressiveNotes.com. I think that title speaks for itself. Have fun!
This also reminds of some fun signs I saw on a SC gas station bathroom door once...
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| This was on the "Nex One." I still don't know what it was supposed to say... I think something with 'everybody.' Now accepting interpretations in Comments... |
In Case You Need a Good Laugh...
Awkward Family Photos:
Pin the Tail
Happy Easter
WhenParentsText.com
Anti-Cougar
My Dad!!!- I may or may not have submitted my Dad for whenparentstext.com. Let me just say, that I did buy this necklace, and he put it on the day he got it in the mail, and he has not taken it off since. Not once. Not at all.
Other:
Kittens Inspired by Kittens
WV Love
Mommy's Nose is Scary
Not a Morning Dog
*If you have any goodies you'd like to share, leave a comment for the rest of us.
Pin the Tail
Happy Easter
WhenParentsText.com
Anti-Cougar
My Dad!!!- I may or may not have submitted my Dad for whenparentstext.com. Let me just say, that I did buy this necklace, and he put it on the day he got it in the mail, and he has not taken it off since. Not once. Not at all.
Other:
Kittens Inspired by Kittens
WV Love
Mommy's Nose is Scary
Not a Morning Dog
*If you have any goodies you'd like to share, leave a comment for the rest of us.
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