With so much buzz about this movie, I wanted to issue a spoiler-free caution to anyone considering going to see the new Batman flic. The Focus on the Family review is very helpful but also contains a few spoilers.

I saw the movie last night and was absolutely thrilled.  Although it's rated at PG-13 and will undoubtedly be marketed, both directly and indirectly to the masses, this movie is not for the masses. Despite being a comic book on the big screen, this film is simply not for young kids. It is also not for anyone upset by both graphic and suggested violence in films.

The movie is extremely dark, and the bad guy is one of the most convincingly sinister characters I can remember. The knowledge of Heath Ledger's miserable death as you watch his portrayal of The Joker almost adds to the madness of the character. That he did not live to see the accolades for his performance will be one of the many sorrows for Heath Ledger.

The Dark Knight intelligently dances around the concepts of good and evil. But evil is on display in many shades; evil for personal gain, for self-preservation, and just pure evil. At times, I found myself charmed by The Joker despite his menacing appearance and terrible acts. Good is tinged with wrongdoing in even the most admirable characters. To dwell in this realm for very long can be provocative but also upsetting. I won't give away any more.

Although, I don't think this is a Christian film nor does it attempt to deliver a Christian message, I do think there are some things Christians can reflect on and take away some healthy self-examination. The Dark Knight is truly a blockbuster that deserves the buzz. But be careful about who you take to the theater.

If you've been following the posts, it would seem to the casual visitor that I 'went away' for an extended period to mourn the Pats' Superbowl loss. That's somewhat true, but doesn't account for not having posted for a couple months.

I should have been documenting the busyness that instead kept me away from the blog. Starting at about the third week in Feb, my work hours really ramped up in preparation for an ERP go-live on March 1. It was pretty insane but turned out ok. Things have pretty well gotten back to normal.

In other news, my second eye surgery seemed to take and my vision is spot-on in both eyes now. After I got off the steroid drops, things really improved quickly. Having to go under the laser twice kinda sucked. But I'm still very happy I did it.

I'm also walking around funny alot these days. The kids talked me into switching our training from Kempo to grappling or MMA. So I researched some gyms and found a good one ten minutes from home. This place trains professional fighters, including UFC lightweight Joe Lauzon. It's taken about a month to keep my wind and not be so sore I can hardly walk the next day. But it is a ton of fun. Everyone we train with has been cool and accommodating to the newbs. I've even rolled with J-Lau (and gotten promptly submitted). So the next time you see Joe fight on PPV or Spike TV, know that I personally helped him hone his technique for choking out a guy two weight classes above him in a matter of seconds.

Now that the boy is getting near high school age, I expect we’re going to start getting school literature in the mail. We got this brochure the other day and had a good laugh at the picture on the front.

I’m going out on a limb and guessing this is a real picture of real students in class. Check out the expressions on their faces. They could have a total babe for a teacher or be watching a pig being disemboweled. In any case, it doesn’t compel me to send my kids there.

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So the Mrs. was flipping through the new Williams-Sonoma holiday catalog and pointed out an interesting pic.

Nice to see there isn't any stifling bureaucracy at Williams-Sonoma that would hinder the kind of talent that conceives of ideas such as this one. I think I prefer my gingerbread men in 2D, thanks.

Damn! Had I found this home Lasik kit just a little sooner…

Too funny <slow clap>.

I saw Transformers with a buddy last night and left the theater shaking my head. It had tons of action, unbelievable special effects, great acting, and even a story line that wasn't too bad for a smash-m-up flick. Why did they have to put the sex in it??!!

I could be getting old, but I swear it's different now than when I was 13. Back then, sex was put in to help tell the story, or even to cheaply sell the movie – which I'm sure drove parents nuts too. Now it's put in to shove these Hollywood values down your throat. I totally did not need to see two 16-year-olds grinding against each other, and definitely didn't need smokin' jail-bait parading her stuff in front of me. The innuendo even from the robots seemed forced and out of place. The worse thing was the kids parents catching the hottie in the kids bedroom with him. The kid's mom was downright proud because she was gorgeous! Now I'm pissed I can't take my son to see it unless I want to take the time to undo the message in the movie that contradicts the messages at home…and it didn't add squat to this movie. Jerks.

After eighteen years of marriage, I consider myself to be somewhat of an authority on what makes a marriage work. The little lady and I just celebrated our anniversary by scooting off to a B&B in Oqunquit, Maine for a couple days. Here's what I think women want:

	Lunch at an outdoor cafe, beer, and no kids. Notice the smile…momma's happy.
Hanging out in a garden at the B&B. Wine. No kids. Momma's happy.
	Posh new seafood restaurant in Kittery Maine we hit on the way home. Cool place. The staff looked like actors from a Gap commercial. More beer. Still no kids. Momma's happy.

Of course, when momma's happy, daddy's happy (I can't post those pics). God is great and has blessed us immensely!