May 2, 2011

39 years since the death of J. Edgar Hoover, former director of the FBI (1924 as the Bureau of Investigation director until his death May 2, 1972). Clint Eastwood is currently working on a film about the life of J. Edgar Hoover, called J. Edgar.

The Films of Elizabeth Taylor & IMDb data

Elizabeth Taylor has died today (March 23, 2011).

I thought this would be a good chance to create a snap shot of Taylor's most watched and highest rated films based off the internet movie database (imdb.com) as of today, the day of her death.

Today's a great day to blog about Taylor. Perhaps a memory or a favorite film.

Elizabeth's highest rated films according to imdb.com as of today, March 23, 2011:
(The first number indicates imdb.com user rating)

1. (8.20) Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
2. (8.00) Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)
3. (7.79) A Place in the Sun (1951)
4. (7.70) Giant (1956)
5. (7.68) Jane Eyre (1943)

Elizabeth's most rated films based on votes as of today, March 23, 2011:
(obviously time and the current online systems date plays a role. The first number is parenthesis indicates the number of imdb.com who have voted providing the film it's rating)

1. (28,110) The Flintstones (1994)
2. (21,844) Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
3. (15,301) Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)
4. (13,160) Giant (1956)
5. (8334) Cleopatra (1963)

Twitter Trend #ChurchRealityShows

If you're not familiar with Twitter Trends, the pound sign (#) indicates an indexing function where people can connect their topic with others that are related. Tonight the trending topic is #ChurchRealityShows.

Clicking on the trend topic shows that more or less a game has started on twitter for a short period where people are creating reality shows built around Christian or religious themes. The list below will help you catch the theme of the trending topic. The goal is clearly comedy and creativity.

This could inspire your own blog post based on a vision for a real or humorous church reality show. You might also think or look at these ideas and make some conclusions about what is being implied or what image the church has to the world (or at least the twitter world).

Here are some of the tweets of imagined Church Reality Shows.

• Jerusalem Shore
• So You Think You Can Shout
• 16 & Purified
• MADE: To Be Jesus
• Who Wants to Be a Mennonite
• My Super Sweet Baptism
• Pimp My Ark
• Pastor's Wives
• Sin Busters
• All-Nite Prayer (uncensored)
• Faith Date
• Are You Smarter Than A Scientologist
• 42 and Not Pregnant
• Extreme Makeover: Church Edition
• The Real Housewives of Westboro Baptist Church
• Nazarene Idol
• Queer Eye for The Pastor Guy
• Man vs. God

March 11, 2011 - Johnny Appleseed Day

Did you know that today was Johnny Appleseed Day?

You see, some people celebrate it (if they celebrate it at all) on his birthday.

Johnny Appleseed was born September 26, 1774.

But the March 11th date is a preference to many because of it's proximity to the planting season.

Any ideas on how you would celebrate Johnny Appleseed? How about a Blog Post?

Here are some ideas to blog:

• What's your first memory of learning about Johnny Appleseed?
• What about Johnny Appleseed makes him an American hero in your eyes, his creation of the modern apple, his generous spirit, his missional attitude?
• Do you think Johnny Appleseed is under or over rated (aka do you think the "holiday" should be acknowledged, or does the sheer idea make you laugh)?

March 10, 2011 - Birthday Edition

• Actress Olivia Wilde turns 28 (born 1984)
• Musician (and American Idol winner) Carrie Underwood turns 29 (born 1983)
• Actor Jon Hamm turns 40 (born 1971)
• Actress Sharon Stone 53 (born 1958)
• Extremist Osama bin Laden turn 54 (born 1957)
• Director/screenwriter/producer (and Oscar winner) Paul Haggis turns 59 (born 1953)
• Martial artist and actor Chuck Norris turns 72 (born 1940)

Talking About Your Blog

Talking to my friend who writes for Have An Emily Day and these were ideas for her to blog. Here are some blog series that we discussed. You can use them for your blog too.

• Books I started but haven't finished...
• Reviews of others people's blogs ("Things I like I About Your Blog")
• My Favorte Tweets this Week
• The article of clothing that describes me best
• Fruit & Vegatable Co-Ops
• Cell Phone Protocol

February 23, 2011: Khutbatul Wada' and the Guttenberg Bible

The anniversary of two religious events...


February 23, 632: The date that is believed to be the last sermon of the prophet Muhammed, this is called the Khutbatul Wada'. There is no definitive text of this sermon, as it apparently was quite long and various people have contributed to text that have been attempted to be meld into one teaching.


February 23, 1455: The traditional date for the publication of the Guttenberg Bible. In addition to being the first Western book printed with moveable type it also made the bible accessible for many more people to read than had ever had the opportunity before.

Idea 2 Blog:

• Although hundreds of years ago, have either of these events impacted your life? If so, how.