Happy Birthday to my oldest daughter.  She is 14 years old today.  Ugh I'm old.

Last night I watched a borrowed copy of "Bowling for Columbine".  I was curious about it just because I enjoyed "Fahrenheit 911".  However, I was skeptical because I am a supporter of the right to own a firearm.  So, this was a chance to put my own political beliefs to the test.  In the end I decided that the show wasn't really bashing gun rights as I was told.  It was bashing the national media and the society of fear we live in.  That was touched upon somewhat in "F911" and I saw the truth in it.  Now, looking back I now realize that the American society has always been in a state of fear.  The cold war, terrorists, Y2K, crime, etc etc.  And it's not just the black hearted Republicans who do it but everyone in the political and journalistic system.  A point was well made in BFC, when we are afraid, we buy things.  That makes us more efficient consumers.

I for one am more than just a consumer.

I was reading a bit about the ancient Egyptian culture last night and their belief system.  Not so much their religion but just their views on life.  Egyptians believed in the ma'at which is their level of spiritual and mental happiness on earth.  If one has a high amount of ma'at in their life, when they die it goes with them into the afterlife.  Now, I am an Orthodox Christian and most of us can be pretty dour when it comes to life and suffering(especially the Russians).  I have never really bought into that philosophy.  It just seems that God would want his servants to be happy and content.  Some would argue that contentedness brings complacency and that brings a lack of need for a divine presence in our lives.  Hence we become our own Gods like the new agers believe.  But, when one is vigilant and actually loves Christ in his heart then I think that changes somewhat.  Surely the Greeks are a happy and contented people while still serving God faithfully.  This is what I strive for and desire.  When we love our creator, we love that image within ourselves and we are happy.  Earthly desires were in the Garden before sin.

Whew!!  what brought that on?  I guess that is my religious ramblings for the year.  :-)

In other news, today I listened to my second daughter read a story to her siblings.  I must say she is a good reader.  She told the story with inflection and followed punctuation and grammar perfectly.  She even made voices for the characters in the story.  I am glad that she has this ability.  So many times I would hear people in High School read and they sounded like they should be in remedial 3rd grade reading.  She is a smart girl and with guidance she will go far in this world.