Rock music and hell Jun 29, 2006
Ever since that fad called "rock n' roll music" came around, many ultra-conservative Christians (commonly referred to as "wackos"; of which I'm a card-carrying member) have associated it with hell.  With cries like "Rock music is from the devil!" and such, it's been labeled as "evil" and "rebellious".  Rock icons like Jimmy Page and Ozzy Osbourne have long been connected to black magic and devil worship, and the trend has certainly continued in that direction. 

But we as clearly-thinking human beings shrug this off.  So what if Led Zeppelin's guitarist is interested in the occult?  They're a great band, and should be listened to by all.  So what if Black Sabbath's frontman likes Satan?  They were the beginning of hard rock as we know it.  Plus, a band's personal interests can't directly affect a listener.  Music is a means of communication and expression, not a method of mind control and bewitchery. 

But as I drove home from work the other day, windows down, blasting AC/DC, I saw it another way.  AC/DC is an incredible band, and their simplicity and attitude are an amazing combination.  Coincidentally, several of their songs are about hell or at least contain some sort of mention of it.  But their attitude towards hell is kinda interesting: 
Living easy, living free
Season ticket on a one-way ride
.....
Going down, party time
My friends are gonna be there too
.....
No stop signs, speed limit
Nobody's gonna slow me down
.....
Hey Satan, payed my dues
Playing in a rocking band
The way that hell is portrayed is that it's gonna be like a rockstar's life:  Fun, fast, happy, party-filled, rule-free, and full of friends.  All [relatively] positive things.  It sounds like a pretty good deal, and the mention of stop signs and speed limits seems to speak directly to me (slightly kidding). 

The point here is that rock music has made people insensitive to hell.  The fact that the idea of hell exists in our society comes as a direct result of the influence of Christianity.  But the Biblical view of hell is quite different from a rockstar's life.  It speaks of many unpleasant things, the most important of which being separation from God.  There aren't any parties.  There isn't any drinking.  It's not gonna be like a Thursday night out with some friends. 

So maybe rock music is from the devil.  It's certainly made hell look like a great place to visit. #religion
Parking ticket zing (1) Jun 29, 2006
Rob Militzer decided to express his feelings about a parking ticket in the "Memo" section of the check he used to pay the $10 fine.  I wish I knew this guy.  He would be my best friend.  (via Obscure Store) #entertainment