Greetings and salutations!

Cars, Money, Computers - These are the things I hate lately. I hate them because of the dependence they create in my life. I hate them because they have become drastically more important than they should be. Anywhoo...

The World
While hundreds of thousands continue rebuilding their lives in the wake of hurricane Katrina, there are still those struggling to move on following the attacks of September 11th - and our hearts continue to go out to them. We must continue to confront, not simply terrorism, but the roots of dangerously radical ideologies in the world, including those right here in North America.

In other news, a surprise deal has been reached in which North Korea has promised to suspend all production of nuclear weapons and allow IAEC inspectors into the country - the devil is in the details of course and we'll see how this one pans out. Essentially, it’s a swap of North Korea signing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in exchange for cheap energy from the U.S. and China.

Finally, thanks to U2's Bono, you can all call Prime Minister Paul Martin's cell phone (it will be answered by a receptionist): 613-992-4211 - I'm just amazed they didn't deactivate the number immediately following its projection on a big screen at their recent concert!

Movies
I had the chance to see some more movies last week. Transporter 2, starring Jason
Statham, was the type of popcorn fare you'd expect, though it careened way beyond the realm of even the slightest believability very quickly. Two scenes that come to mind include Statham barrel rolling his Audi in mid air to remove a car bomb, and the final fight between him and the main villain, which takes place in a plane as it crashes into the ocean - good, totally brainless times. Thanks again Luc Besson.

I did get to see an actually good movie, however, in Lord of War. Here Nicholas Cage makes another great performance in a movie that carries on the tradition of another Cage film I love, Matchstick Men. Lord of War is not a comedy, but it certainly has it darkly humorous moments. The film is well done and entertaining, but also very sharp and a poignant exploration of the nature of man and the politics of warfare. A caption at the end of the film reminds us that the 5 largest arms dealers in the world are the 5 members of the U.N. Security Council. I highly recommend this film.

Last, but certainly not least, I can now die a happy man because I have seen the film I've been waiting so long for - FFVII: Advent Children. What can I say about this stunning movie except that it was all I'd hoped it would be, and more? A fantastic piece of fan service as well as an amazing show in its own right. The CG was, for the most part, the absolute best I'd ever seen - the characters are almost alive. The story is very well done (though it assumes, safely, that you know the FFVII back story already). The action sequences are mind blowing and the sound and music perfectly compliment the visuals. Tetsuya Nomura of Square-Enix is my hero! The only downside is the fact I have to wait several more months for the NA DVD release. In other Asian entertainment news, I have been watching Samurai Champloo (Shinchiro Watanabe's follow up to Cowboy Bebop) and it kicks all kinds off ass - very cool show! I'm still waiting for the Fullmetal Alchemist movie: Conquerors of Shamballa.

Finally, I’m not much for watching TV, but I recently watched an episode of CSI that I honestly felt was one of the best episodes I’d ever seen of any show! It was the one where one of the main officers is abducted and buried alive in a Plexiglas coffin rigged with a webcam and explosives. What I loved was that you could really feel the desperation of the victim, who was also left a loaded gun to put himself out of his misery. You could also feel the intense emotions of his coworkers trying furiously to find him while being blocked at every turn – anyway – just wicked TV.

My Life
What's going on with me, you may ask (or not). Well - my sister has returned from Israel - and I'm once again trying to go there. It's going to be an immense challenge to have everything organized by the middle of next month, but I believe it will all come together. Along those lines, I still haven't sold my car - which is very frustrating - so if you know anyone looking for a BMW - give me a call! In other news, a dear friend of mine from Japan will be visiting me next month and I am very excited about that, as well as attending wedding #3. Also, I'll be heading out to Sask. next week to attend the RCMP graduation of another close friend of mine - so lots to look forward to.

I was on the island of Patmos, exiled there for preaching the Word of God, and for telling what I knew about Jesus Christ. Rev 1:9b

With Hope,
Joseph

Lord of War | U2 Bono | Advent Children