PBW: Jonesin'

This is the time of year when numerous Catholics remember their faith, and show up at church. Today was the lighting of the first candle on the Advent wreath in counting down to Christmas, and the church was packed. I'm not judging these people, because I know spirituality is more than spending an hour or so in a certain building each week. They may be more charitable, and have a greater place for God in their everyday lives than I do. Certainly, though I'm in church consistently every week, I'm not always “there”. Many times my mind wanders to what I have to do in the week ahead, or a movie I watched, or the composition of a blog entry. I only raise this point because the church was crowded, and I don't like crowds. It's just one more thing I don't like about the holidays.

Last night I promised my father I'd take care of clearing the leaves out of the gutters around the house. The ladder is heavy and getting it out of the basement is task enough, but a 75 year-old man shouldn't be climbing either. When my mother and I pulled in the driveway upon returning from mass, the ladder was already in place and he was raking leaves nearby, waiting for me. Growing up, I didn't have the best track record when it came to keeping promises in a timely fashion, and respecting my responsibilities. Seeing that ladder out already bothered me, and I took it as a sign that he didn't trust my word, or thought I'd forget. I'd like to think I've changed, or that I've been working very hard to change, and I keep my word when I say I'm going to do something. I felt like I'd always be judged by my past. After clearing the leaves, my dad asked what time it was, and I soon learned he was trying to get all the outdoor chores done in time to watch a football game. Seems I was a bit hasty in mistaking his impatience in getting the ladder out before I got home for mistrust that I'd do as I said. Everything isn't about MCF.

With church and chores behind me, and a warm day before me, it was time at last to have an adventure. A miscalculation involving distance and early sunset led to a situation from which I wasn't certain I'd ever return. As always, such a tale will be saved for another day as I delve into this week's PHANTASMIC LINKS:

This was never a Seinfeld episode, but it could have been. Link courtesy of Rey.

Here's Reason #816 why I won't be purchasing an XBox 360.

Travel from the farthest reaches of space back to Earth. I found this relaxing and mesmerizing.

Armada Assault doesn't look like much at first, but quickly becomes an addictive and fast-paced shooter with weapon and plane upgrades to be purchased between each of the 8 challenging levels. Hat tip to Dosetaker.

Waking up in the middle of his toe surgery inspires Ben to write a poem. Don't worry; ”Tiny Tim” is fine.

Now that I know how one of these works, I can finally crush those rebel scum! Thanks, Sean!

Because no one asked, here are bloopers from a direct-to-video American Pie movie featuring Stifler's kid brother. Once again, thanks goes to Sean for the link.

Belter is better than Asteroids. It's also more challenging. There are 99 levels, but I haven't gotten past the early 20s....yet.

Finally, some questionable characters teach your children the proper words for body parts. 1984? For once my overprotected childhood seems to pay off in that I was spared this video growing up.