"Boogity, Boogity, Boogity" - D.W.

This may or may not come as a surprise, but I'm a huge NASCAR fan. No. Seriously. I will sit and watch a race through and through, constantly check the official website and have even participated in Fantasy Racing Leagues for it. I mean I wouldn't go as far to say that I am obsessed or have an unhealthy fixation on it, but I can say that Sunday and sometimes Saturdays can be made better when a race is on.

I can remember watching my first race. It was the Daytona 500. I got so caught up in it. Watching the cars go top speeds, wreck and learning all these new terms was invigorating. However, during my first experience with NASCAR, I was also exposed to the more sobering aspects of the sport. That Daytona 500 was the legendary Dale Earnhardt, Sr.'s last race. Ever. I watched the wreck that killed him. I watched him sacrifice his car (and ultimately himself) so that his son and teammate (a separate driver from Jr.) could go on to finish 1,2. I can't help but see the irony in the fact that my first race was his last. That was 9 years ago.

Feb. 18, 2001 Dale Earnhardt hit the wall head on. The wreck was fatal which lead NASCAR to make major advances in safety equipment for their drivers and fans.

Throughout those 9 years, I have changed and so has my love affair with NASCAR. I followed the sport and it's drivers (and teams) every week during the season until I went to college. I don't know what happened. I would catch a race every now and then, but mostly, I would hear about them from my mom. This season, though, I have been pretty faithful to watching or following the races online. I don't know how I got the bug again, but it's got a pretty good grip on me now.

I think it mostly has to do with introducing my boyfriend to the sport. He would tell me, "I just don't see what is interesting about watching cars go around in a circle." Then one day I convinced him to watch a race with me. Going through and explaining how the cars worked, how weather changed how controllable a car is, who the drivers were, how all the tracks are different from one another and the rules of the game worked, I realized how intricate and calculated the sport is again. Now he has picked out a driver to follow and would even watch the races with me.

Tonight I am writing a review of NASCAR (if that's even possible). This year they changed the rules. The drivers now race for more than points and ultimately the championship, they race for respect. Basically, NASCAR officials are letting the drivers do what they want on the track. This means more wrecks, fights and better racing. We are a third of the way through the season and, boy, has it been crazy. Just the race tonight (Coca Cola 600) there were fights after the race, crazy wreaks in the pits and nonstop action. I like the rule change. It has allowed the drivers to show themselves and not be afraid to handle their business with each on the track. And trust me. They have been taking full advantage of it.

Even though I pretty much am infatuated with NASCAR, there is one little draw back to it that keeps me from loving it. It's the lack of women in the sport. Really, I mean there isn't a written rule against allowing women to drive or be on a pit crew, but there isn't anyone that I know of. Of course, there are women who own teams or report or handle promotions (there's even a Miss NASCAR), but not a single driver or crew chief currently is a woman. Yes, there have been some women drivers to pop up, but you rarely hear about them. What is it about the sport that makes it hard for a woman to break through the ranks? I can only speculate about that. It might have to do with the fact that cars are more of a guy thing (stereotypical. I know.). Then, I'm sure there are some mighty tough walls or ideas that would need to be broken down. But honestly, I don't know.

Shannon Spake

What I do know, is when I was younger it was my secret dream to be a crew chief (the one who calls most of the shoots during a race for a driver/team). I doubt that my dream could happen now. But I would be willing to bet that my dream is not only mine, but it probably belongs to several younger girls. Hopefully, one day someone will rise up and have them change the most famous words in NASCAR from "Gentlemen start your engines" to "Drivers start your engines."

Because of this reason, I can't give NASCAR 5 roses. I really want to. I wish I could.

But do I recommend watching NASCAR or just talk to someone about it?

Yeah. I do.

4 out of 5 roses.

"Difficult, not impossible" -Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Ok. Let me first pick my jaw off from the floor and mop up the drool. Oh, Jake Gyllenhaal why do you have to be so ridiculously good-looking? Uh. I mean why do you have to be such a great actor?

You see what I mean?

No, but seriously I just got back from a thrill ride that left me wanting to be a kick-ass warrior who follows my heart. "Prince of Persia" was a lot of fun...well, for me. Others might be disappointed. Those others who have enjoyed the numerous video games that follow our dashing hero Dastan. Personally, I have never played the game so I give fair warning that this movie has been rumored to not live up to the game (surprise, surprise). I then will review it as just the movie.

Jake in video game form....uh...I mean the real Dastan!

As the movie opens, I could not help but be drawn to the days of Aladdin. Really, I leaned over to my partner in crime and voiced my opinion. Basically, it had won me over from there. Dastan, an orphan, defends his friend and draws the attention of the King of Persia (who already has two sons). Said King adopts Dastan as his third son. The movie then jumps a few years into the future where the viewer sees a vast army. Very quickly the viewer is introduced to the three sons and the King's brother. A decision is made to attack the Holy City of Alamut. It is at this time you get to see Dastan's video game moves. Of course there is this Princess Tamina who is the beauty of the day. Certain things lead to another and BAYAM you are ingrossed in the story.

Looking past the British accents, whiteness and feats of survival that are nonhuman in nature, I was able to discover a wonderful heartfelt story of sacrifice, faith and love. Without giving too much away, this movie is unpredictable and leaves the audience yelling, "Finally!" at the movie screen. It has several witty conversations, mostly stemming from Dastan and Tamina who fight for control over their situation. Overall, I really enjoyed myself. In fact, I would be willing to watch it again (which is rare). Girls will go see it for Jake. Guys will heart the killer (literally) action/ pretty girl.

Do I recommend "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time?"
You Betcha.

4 out of 5 roses.

"I wanna see them as radically laying down their lives for the Gospel" - Jesus Camp

Today I watched a movie. Well, it was more of a documentary, but regardless it left me with a ball of emotions. I was moved by the sheer determination, love and faith that was illistruated. Yet, the way in which these character traits were brought about, used and manipulated distrubed me. I couldn't help but think of past experiences in my own life brought about from youth camps, fiery sermons and powerful music. Today I watched "Jesus Camp."

I don't know if many of you have seen or heard about this film, but it follows several children and a children's minister, Becky Fischer, that are evangelical Christians. The film attempts to draw a correlation between evangelical Christians and a political movement that was happening at the time it was made (2006). Ole George W is portrayed as the leader in a 'war' against other religions. Fischer even exclaimes that "W" brought "creditability to the Christian faith." Fischer believes that children should be the warriors in this 'war.' To her, they are the answer or solution to the disastrous world that we live in. She even said she wants to lead children to give their lives for this spiritual war, specifically against Islam (see heading). Anyways, the film follows Levi,12, Rachel and Tory (both who are around eight or nine) through Jesus Camp. During the course of the movie, you see the children be exposed to claims that science is not valid to standing outside of the Congress building in our nation's capital promoting a pro-life agenda.

At times I could only shake my head at what was being fed to these little ones. It angered me by how these children were being manipulated to be miniatures of their parents. The mob mentality that was used to bring about reactions from them disgusted me. However, as I watched this I saw part of my childhood. No, I never had a man come speak to me about why abortion is wrong when I was 12. No, I never spoke in tongues. And no, I never handed out pamphlets on the street. But. But I have been told to be a warrior for God. I have been asked to go out, walk up to someone and tell them about Jesus. I have been told my generation is the answer.

I could only marvel at these little ones though. Their faith and love for the Lord overwhelmed me. Their passion for His will to be done and to be used for His glory pretty much shamed me. It made me remember what it is like to be a newbie as a Christian. How much I wanted to shout from the rooftops about how important my Lord was to me. The amount of confidence they has was enough to make me stare in amazement. (This mostly stems from the fact that I never have had the confidence or the guts to walk up to someone and ask if they knew where they were going after they die.)

After watching "Jesus Camp", I couldn't help but ask myself what changed me. What made me go from screaming the Lord's praises to whispering them to merely speaking them? I think the answer lies in my age, experiences and relationship with my BFFL, the J-man himself. These children believe that we live in the end of times. Really, I have no clue if we are or not. But I do know that people have been thinking the end of times were just around the corner for awhile. For them, it's now or never. For me, it's different. I rather love someone, experience a part of my life with them and hopefully, be kinda like the J-man (although, this rarly happens. I really lack his patience...among other things). I don't want to be on a pedestal. I can only hope that my friends can see that I am imperfect (I'm sure this is a shock to some), just so they can see ho much God's grace covers me. I can't be like those little ones. I can't be a solider like them. I can only try to love unconditionally (which is sometimes extremely hard). While I may merely speak the J-man's praises on a daily basis, I believe it is on a more intimate and personal level than ever before.

Do I recommend "Jesus Camp?"

Yes, I do.

I recommend it for those who are Christians and those who are not. You can choose to focus on the bad or the good. It shows both sides of the coin. And most importantly, it makes you reflect on what you believe and the impact you have in the world.

4 out of 5 roses.

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Phew. I don't think that was too shabby. Let me know what you think. Have you seen the movie? How do you think that you would handle a nine-year-old asking you about your final destination?

Welcome One. Welcome All.

This should be entertaining.

Each day or every other day, I am going to try to post a review or something lovely. I think that each month I am going to try and tackle a topic that challenges me or is just plain interesting. What? What was that? It's almost the end of May you say. Well, then I will just go crazy with reviews from movies to books to my day. Yes, that's right my day is up for grabs in the review arena. I shall try to stick to a five rose rating system (keeping with the theme and all).

Please let me know if you agree, disagree or really could care less. Now let's just jump into this flower bed together and get the roses to blooming (that's what she said?).

Clauds