Star Wars is Coming!

Only a little over a week, now, until Star Wars 3: Revenge of the Sith appears in theaters! We're not doing the midnight showing thing - most of the folks in my family have to be up at 5 AM for work - but we have already bought our tickets for the first weekend!

Narnia Trailer is Online!

UPDATE 3:31 PM: If you have broadband, here is a direct link to the BIG version.

Finally, we have a real trailer for The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe rather than just a series of promotional pieces for WETA. I must say, everything I have seen up until now has been somewhat disappointing and very reminiscent of the LOTR series. But this one finally does set it apart, and shows that the story is VERY different, even if there is armor and magic involved. I am glad to see and hear it.

The latest news - which I somehow missed - is that Brian Cox has been fired as the voice of Aslan, leaving few people with the talent to really play the "Son of the Emperor across the Sea." After all, do you really want to invoke LOTR more by using Ian McKellan or Johnathan Rhys-Davies? And I am not sure that it would be right to have James Earl Jones voice yet another major character without invoking Darth Vader, the Lion King, and countless others.

And of course, my ferverent prayer is that they keep around the elements the C.S. Lewis most desired - those which are an echo of the story of our Savior. And that should be doable without making it a "Christian Film" since Lewis's desire was always that the story not be overtly Christian, but simply introduce the ideas that can be applied later in life when a child comes to know the greatest story.

Dean Does Not Equal Dollars

When Howard Dean was pursuing the DNC chairmanship, many worried he would not be able to do the main job of the chairman - generate funds for the party. Some pointed to Dean's past success at internet fundraising, while others point out that he wound up frittering away all of the funds early in the campaign. Well, Robert Novak is reporting that the skeptics may have been right.

Democratic National Committee (DNC) fund raising under the chairmanship of Howard Dean shows a disappointing $16.7 million raised in the first quarter of 2005, compared with $34 million reported by the Republicans.

Is it any wonder Hillary Clinton is seen as the only rising star in the Democratic party?

Wondering how a Light Saber works?

As we quickly approach the official release of Star Wars Episode 3, I am sure many questions are forming in the minds of Mod-Blog readers. Perhaps most important among them is, "How do light sabers work anyway?" Well, the folks at "How Things Work" have put together a step-by-step guide to the engineering and physics of your jedi weapon.

Important Safety Information
A lightsaber is not a toy! Keep it out of reach of children at all times. Lightsaber locks are required in most states.
There are two ends to any lightsaber -- one end has the belt ring, while the other end houses the blade arc tip and blade emitter. NEVER point the blade emitter of a lightsaber toward your own body. NEVER look down the "barrel" of a lightsaber, even if you are "sure" it is in safe mode. If you accidentally activate the lightsaber, serious injury could result.

Now I understand why my home made version never worked quite right. My neighbor would have a lot more fingers today if only we had properly understood the technology. Not to mention the Cat we all renamed to "Darth Mauled."

New Research On Star Wars Fans

Since we may have younger readers, I won't post the exact article or title, but I found yesterday's Borowitz Report particularly funny.

Apostles Creed: Seeker Version

While we seem to be on the topic of humor today. A friend of mine sent me this and I got a good chuckle out of it.

I BELIEVE IN GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY, maker of heaven and earth, who gave the world to me and other Americans along with the authority to possess and exploit it in order to increase our wealth and comfort, regardless of how we may destroy the earth or cheat others out of its benefits.

I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST who was born of a Virgin on Christmas Day in order to become the Reason for the Season.  He was a really nice guy--strong, white, and gentle--and was the friend of sinners like me because he knew no one is perfect.  He was crucified by Jews and other non-Christians but rose from the dead on Easter so that we can always have spring-like hope.  He went to heaven where he reigns with God in order to guarantee my rights.  He will come again to pass judgment against those who are different from me and to condemn them to eternal damnation.

I BELIEVE IN KEEPING A PLEASANT SPIRIT toward men who agree with me, that going to church is an admirable practice, that there are good people around the world who support the American way, and that I, my family, and those like us will, together enjoy life everlasting, which we richly deserve.

Airline Humor

I guess it is joke day at work around here. We're so overstressed that everyone is looking for an excuse to laugh. Here is another from the same coworker. I admit in advance I have no idea where this came from, and these may all be made up. I made no effort to check the validity. Either way, the responses are hilarious.

After every flight, Quantas Airline pilots fill out a form, called a gripe sheet, which tells mechanics about problems with the aircraft. The mechanics correct the problems, document their repairs on the form, and then pilots review the gripe sheets before the next flight.

Never let it be said that ground crews lack a sense of humor. Here are some actual maintenance complaints submitted by Quantas' pilot and the solutions recorded by maintenance engineers.

By the way, Quantas is the only major airline that has never had an accident.

> (P= The problem logged by the pilot.)
> (S= The solution and action taken by mechanics.)
>
> P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
> S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.
>
> P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.
> S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.
>
> P: Something loose in cockpit.
> S: Something tightened in cockpit.
>
> P: Dead bugs on windshield.
> S: Live bugs on back-order.
>
> P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent.
> S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.
>
> P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
> S: Evidence removed.
>
> P: DME volume unbelievably loud.
> S: DME volume set to more believable level.
>
> P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
> S: That's what they are there for.
>
> P: IFF inoperative.
> S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.
>
> P: Suspected crack in windshield.
> S: Suspect you're right.
>


> P: Number 3 engine - missing.
> S: Engine found on right wing after brief search.
>
> P: Aircraft handles funny.
> S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be serious.
>
> P: Target radar hums.
> S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.
>
> P: Mouse in cockpit
> S: Cat installed in cockpit.
>
> P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer.
> S: Took hammer away from midget

I almost choked to death laughing on this one. But I might just be easily amused.