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Me, Myself, & Bob

Posted on October 31, 2008 by Symon

It’s been too long since my last post. I’m easing myself back into it by writing a good old fashioned book review. Paisley Jade bought me this book for Father’s Day, and I’m really glad she did.

The full title is ‘Me, Myself, and Bob: A True Story About God, Dreams, and Talking Vegetables’ by Phil Vischer. The following is the blurb from the website…

Ever wondered how Bob and Larry came to be? How a young computer animator and a few friends with no money and no clue managed to launch the most successful direct-to-video series EVER? Even more interesting… how did such a huge success flame-out and fall to pieces – and what role did faith and God play in what happened to Big Idea Productions and in what has happened since then to that computer animator with the big idea? Shortly after the bankruptcy of Big Idea Productions, Phil wrote an account on this website to briefly explain what had happened to everyone’s favorite vegetables. A lot of people really enjoyed that account – some even made it required reading for their own employees at their own ‘big ideas’. And then some asked, “But how did it all start? What was it like when it was a big hit? And what did Phil learn from the entire experience?” And Phil realized he had more to say than one website article could contain. Two years later, here it is. The whole story. A tale so big, it could only be called Me, Myself & Bob. If you thought VeggieTales and Big Idea were interesting to watch from the outside – whoo boy! Strap yourselves in for the real adventure!

I’ve always loved Veggietales (PJ and I used to hire them even before we had kids ;-) . I just counted the number of Veggietales DVD’s/videos we own… 14. A few years ago I heard the rumour that Veggietales had gone into liquidation, that everything had hit the fan, and had wondered why God allowed it to happen. This book explains why.

It is excellent, and I believe it is a ‘must read’ for anyone who has had big dreams for God… started to see them come to pass, only to see them fall apart. Phil Vischer is very transparent retelling his story, his dreams, his ambition, his shortcomings, his failure and his disillusionment… and I really, really appreciate him for it.

This book will appeal to anyone who is…

… a veggietales fans
… into computer animation
… into entertainment industry
… a christian businessman or woman
… a christian leader

The average customer rating on Amazon for this book is 5 starts out of 5 stars.

4

Chick flicks have done me good

Posted on October 16, 2008 by Symon

I would consider myself a bloke’s bloke. Yes, I absolutely love paintball, superhero movies, good old fashioned wrestling matches, and of course explosions (Pride and Prejudice would be so much better with a few of those ;-) .

However. I also think that blokey brovado is many times a cover up for men who find it incredibly difficult to open up emotionally.

Us guys must remember that while (imo) Jesus would have given His disciples the occasional wedgey (would it work with togas?), He also loved mercy and compassion, He had an extravagant relationship with His Father, and His security in who He was was evident in His interaction with everyone. In other words… He was man enough to cry and not be ashamed about it.

Do churches need to be more man-friendly? I’m not so sure. Who said creative flower arrangements couldn’t be admired by guys? Are worship songs too girly? I’m so not sure. In many countries it is heroic for men to sing to their sweethearts… are we too manly to serenade God anymore?

(Sheesh… what have chick flicks done to me?)
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I stole my own daughter

Posted on October 10, 2008 by Symon

A funny thing happend to me while I was in the Spotlight store the other day. Spotlight (for you lucky people who have never been to one) is a huge craft and fabric shop that I’m certain was designed to teach husbands how to love their wives like Christ loved the Church.

I was enduring Spotlight with wife and my four kids, when my youngest daughter (4 months off 2 years old) decided to run around the store and disrupt the serene atmosphere. While Pasiley Jade was in ‘laa laa land’ caressing all the fabrics (why do women have to touch everything they see in shops?) I scooped up my runaway daughter and saved the day.

Then my adroable little daughter spoke, or rather screamed one word, over and over again.

HELP!

We still don’t know where she learned the word (perhaps from Kid’s Against Crime?), but all of a sudden there I was restraining my own daughter, looking like a childnapper. If Paisley Jade hadn’t come to my rescue, and validated that she was really my daughter… I don’t know what would have happened.

Goodtimes.

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I watched a chick flick

Posted on October 9, 2008 by Symon

Firstly, to reassure some readers that I am not watching anything dodgy, let me define what a chick flick is. Trusty Wikipedia says:

‘Chick flick’ is slang for a film designed to appeal to a female target audience. The term was first used in the 1980s, a decade during which such chick flicks as Beaches were released. Although many types of films may be directed toward the female gender, ‘chick flick’ is typically used only in reference to films that are heavy with emotion or contain themes that are relationship-based.

Last night I watched a chick flick. The only other genuine chick flick I’ve ever seen is ‘Little Women’. Before I married Paisley Jade I took her to see it (guys do the most illogical things when they are in love). The Little Women experience pretty much put me off chick flicks for life. I mean, I am a guy… I like movies with explosions, not emotions.

Our typical date night DVDs have usually involved viewing more masculine movies (the most recent being ‘Rescue Dawn’), but I have become convicted. So, I took the plunge and Paisley Jade and I watched ‘Pride and Prejudice’. I have to say it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. Of course, it could have been much better… I’m sure they could have written an explosion or two into the screenplay.

So, if any of you can recommend any more good, clean and moral ‘chick flicks’ please leave a comment. I’m sure I can endure watching the odd one occasionaly (in between ‘real films’ that is ;-)

3

Night Of 1000 Knives

Posted on October 8, 2008 by Symon

Sounds like the title of a bad horror movie doesn’t it.
I have huge respect for Bob McCoskrie and his ministry Family First. Something rather disturbing happened to him recently. Apparently, 4 women dressed in black, left a threatening note on his door during the night along with 1000 plastic knives stabbed into his front lawn. If that wouldn’t un-nerve a family man, I don’t know what would.

Those of you who know me will remember the stories of those involved in the occult targetting Christian ministers and their families with curses, and sometimes actions. It’s no fairy tale (or bad horror flick), it’s real life.

Please remember to pray for Bob and his family, and also for your own pastors and leaders. Although we know that ‘no weapon formed against will prosper’, we appreciate all the prayers we can get!

Actual photo of the scene

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Lucky’s Big Day

Posted on October 6, 2008 by Symon

This is the photo-story of Lucky (our young rooster) and his big day…

Happy Go Lucky

Plucky Lucky

Un Lucky

Roast Lucky

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I like your sleeves… they’re real big.

Posted on October 5, 2008 by Symon

Watched Napoleon Dynamite again the other night. It just keeps gettin better! I thought, seeing as I haven’t posted for a few days, I would grace you with my favourite top ten ND quotes. Here they are in rough chronological order…

1. Ever take it off any sweet jumps? (Napoleon to Pedro)

2. Napoleon, don’t be jealous that I’ve been chatting online with babes all day. Besides, we both know that I’m training to be a cage fighter. (Kip to Napoleon)

3. You know, there’s like a butt-load of gangs at this school. This one gang kept wanting me to join because I’m pretty good with a bow-staff. (Napoleon to Pedro)

4. I see you’re drinking 1%. Is that cause you think you’re fat? Cause you’re not. You could be drinking whole if you wanted to. (Napoleon to Deb)

5. Well, I have all your equipment in my locker. You should probably come get it cause I can’t fit my nunchucks in there anymore. (Napoleon to Deb)

6. You know, like nunchuck skills, bow hunting skills, computer hacking skills… Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills. (Napoleon to Pedro)

7. Do the chickens have large talons? (Napoleon Dynamite to the chicken guy)

8. Well, you have a sweet bike. And you’re really good at hooking up with chicks. Plus you’re like the only guy at school who has a mustache. (Napoleon to Pedro)

9. Yeah, it looks pretty sweet. It looks awesome. That suit, it’s… it’s incredible. (Napoleon to Pedro)

10. I like your sleeves. They’re real big. (Napoleon to Deb)