Snow Daze

Well, if you are anywhere in the Portland Oregon Metro area you know that large amounts of cold white stuff have left us to hibernate in our houses and not shower for days.

I have found my mind operating completely differently under these snowy conditions. For example, instead of thinking about all that I have to do the next day before going to sleep, I simply fall asleep assuming I won't do a single thing the next day. And during the day I make a lot of excuses to not do things. Such as: Better not take out the trash, it's snowing right now or, I can't feed the cat on a day like today! These excuses have led me to take a good look at my life and wonder how great of an effect the weather has on my humanity. I feel like a monkey.

Beyond this, I keep thinking about all of the things I would be doing. Like spending tons of money on things people I don't like don't need (Christmas shopping).

But I'm trying to keep a positive outlook and await for what my local news has called "The Arctic Blast" to deliquesce (look that one up, nerds). I'm losing track of what day it is and that never happens. I'm starting to see visions of Jack in "The Shining" as me, but then I just realize it's the old cream cheese I ate for breakfast.

The great part about being snowed in is you don't have to make any excuses to do leisurely activities. Two of my favorites are reading and watching ABC Family. So far I've caught "Home Alone," "The Family Man," "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York," and "Elf," "Cars," and a good amount of Home Improvement. You know what, I shouldn't post that list, it is quite sad...but it is snowing.

I read The Curious Case of Benjamin Button in preparation for the movie coming on Christmas Day. I've been sifting through some other Fitzgerald short stories, although he was never really fond of them. He was right to an extent, his novels are much better. I finished Keller's The Prodigal God as well as the book of Amos. For the Advent season I have loved reading Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus, which is a compilation of the best Christmas writings by classic preachers and theologians as well as contemporary pastors and scholars. Great and beautiful stuff. From Saint Augustine: "Do not follow the current of the flesh. For this flesh is indeed a current; for it has none abiding." There's more where that came from. For my scholarly palette, Jesus and the Eyewitnesses has been rocking my world. For those of you who doubt Jesus ever walked the earth or even existed, or if you doubt the accuracy of the Christian gospels, please give that book a chance. I think it puts most skeptics to rest and will most likely prove to be the most important book in the field of Biblical historicity.

The novel Home is perfect for these days, slow but uniquely suspenseful, it is purely character and setting driven. And I love Marilynne Robinson. And when I want to read something easy I've always got Hornby's collection of his monthly contribution to The Believer magazine. It is consistantly funny and incredibly informative. He's just a really smart guy but totally not an ass. Rare!

Anyways, due to my boredom I will not only post all of this for other bored people to read, but I will also give you a pictorial glimpse into the last two days.