To smart phone... or not to smart phone...

Recently I have been plagued with this question. My upgrade time is coming around and the smart phone route just seems like the right choice. But can my activities justify the cost? So far the cheapest smart phone I have found (that I like) is the Droid Eris by HTC. $99.99 That's just the phone. The data plan to run it would probably be around $30 a month. (That brings the first year of owning this phone to a grand total of $459.99) That's a lot of Taco Bell runs.

So readers may be asking why I would still be considering such an investment after looking at the numbers? The answer, to be honest, is rather selfish and pathetic. The idea of being able to update my facebook statues on the go, navigate a busy city, or check the latest news brings out the nerd deep inside me. I'm a techie geek at heart, it's a part of my being. Having a gadget such as this just seems exciting.

So I am at war with myself.

The nerd vs. the calculated.

I don't have an answer yet. But if you ever read a blog posted from my new phone in January, you will know who has won.

Leaving for Turkey

So in a few hours I'll be on Air France heading for Paris and more importantly, Turkey. I will miss people here but I am so excited to get back to Istanbul. Drinking cay, eating good food, and hanging out with amazing people. I will try to keep everyone updated on the trip from here.

I love you all, and see you soon.

Paul

President Obama and Turkey

I am sure that only a few people have been following President Obama's trip to Turkey, but I would like to encourage you to do so. Of course, I do have bias for Turkey. I have traveled there and fallen in love with the people, its culture, and the country itself.

I believe that this is the first step in developing a lasting relationship between Turkey and the United States. I truly believe that Turkey would be a good ally for America in the years to come. We have much to learn from one another.

To read up on Obama's trip, I suggest stepping out of the American media and reading some from Turkey. Here is a link to the site http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/obama/

This news site has been very helpful for me in keeping up with the going on's of Turkey, and I know that it will be informative for you.

After some time I hope to write up a diagnoses of the trip and present to everyone my thoughts on how things are going.

Godspell - Review

I recently saw the musical Godspell. I would like to start by saying that I really enjoyed the play. My comments I am about to make have nothing to do with the actors/actresses, directors or anyone else involved with the production of the musical. I say that because I do have a few critiques.

Judas

The actor portraying Judas was amazing. I don't believe he ever missed a beat. It is the character of Judas that I have a problem with. In the musical he is portrayed as a good disciple, interacting with Jesus in a way that good friends / king and servant might. The musical progresses to the second act and the time for Judas' betrayal is soon at hand. This is where the musical missed a beat in my opinion. When the time comes for Judas to go off and betray Jesus, Judas seems to go through a personal struggle. He wants to obey and follow Christ, but he must betray him. There is a scene where he is tormented by this decision he must make and Jesus has to almost "decide for him." As if to say, "It's okay, you have to go." (This is not word for word here, I'm just summarizing my experience.)

I believe this is inconsistent with scripture. Although the book of Mathew, which is the gospel the musical is based off of, keeps things brief; other gospels offer more insight. I refer to Luke 22 which states, "³Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. ⁴And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus." I also reference John 12:6(ESV) ^"6He said this, not because he(Judas) cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it."

It is clear to me that Judas, called Iscariot, was not a true follower of Christ. To portray him as having struggled with betraying Jesus is not accurate or Biblical.

This was my primary issue with the musical. I think deep down this was not an attempt to make some comment about Judas himself. I hope that it was nothing more than artistic latitude that went a little too far.

**Added update - 4/7/09**
Character Switching
As I said before, the character of Judas was my only major issue with the musical. But there was an issue with the cast which I thought was confusing. In the musical, the cast(mostly disciples) switch roles almost seamlessly. They go from disciples, to normal people, to even "demons?" Not sure on that last one, but that is the idea. If someone were not paying close attention I am afraid they would almost think that the disciples themselves were celebrating the Crucifixion. I don't believe this would be easy, but maybe possible. The lights go red, and the actions of the cast change dramatically. Just something that I noticed enough to feel the need to respond.
*****

If you have a chance to see the musical I do recommend it. Just keep in mind that this is a very artistic approach to the Gospel of Matthew, but I believe that it does help the viewers see the account in a different light. It was entertaining, provocative, and worth the time.

You have to start some where...

I've decided to start blogging. Why? I don't really know at this point. I just know that I have wanted to for some time now. I figure... why not.

I really just want some place to record the random things that occur in my life.

So here it goes.