Can you ever really defend your faith if you've never questioned it?
Was Jesus surprised when he walked on water or did he know he could do it all along?
Whatever happened to the Catholic priests from a few years ago?
Do people follow Jesus or his teachings?
Why didn't Jesus ever get married? Was it just too hard to find "the one" in those days?
If we're made in God's image, does that mean we look like him or we look like he imagined we would?
Did God take Adam's rib because he had one too many and was lopsided?
Did Jesus have a last name? Or was he too famous for one, like Madonna?
How did the animals on the ark not eat each other?
Who decided there would be an Easter Bunny? Did the bunnies win a bet or something?
Why are all the good tasting foods so bad for you?
Does God get the ultimate two-thumbs-up for giving us opposable thumbs?
Do people see a light before dying because Heaven is really sunny?
For his time, do you think Jesus was more akin to a politician, a rabbi, or a stand-up comic?
WWJLT? What would Jesus listen to?
And, finally, since there are so many funny people, don't you think God has a sense of humor too?
Monday, March 21, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
How to Donate to Tsunami/Earthquake Relief Efforts
Last night, shortly before going to bed, I watched a horrifying video of a tsunami ravaging the Japanese coastline. As the tsunami traveled across the Pacific, reaching the shores of Hawaii and later the United States, I was bombarded (happily) with multiple phone calls, texts, and Facebook messages from friends and family, who all expressed concern for my safety. Fortunately, Los Angeles was spared from any real significant damage. Throughout the day, I have had a steady stream of news reports on in the background as thousands Tweeted requests for aid. As such, it seemed only fitting that I compile a list of organizations that are currently accepting donations and offer a guide to those who wish to offer some level of support to the Japanese people.
Ushahidi
This is a Japanese site where you can report the location of people who are trapped or in need of medical attention, as well as text locations to be avoided, places to find assistance, and other tips. All of these are then displayed on a map on the website.
Google Crisis Response Page
Here you can find information on alarms/warnings, transportation statuses, blackouts, and local Japanese emergency phone numbers. You can also check the disaster bulletin boards.
Person Finder App
Here, you can try to contact loved ones in Japan, or connect with family and friends to let them know you are safe.
Salvation Army
Donate $10 by texting "QUAKE" or "JAPAN" to 80888. You can also donate online or by calling 1-800-SALARMY. Be sure to earmark your donations as "Japan Earthquake/Tsunami".
Canada's Salvation Army
Donate $10 by texting "QUAKE" to 45678.
Red Cross
Donate $10 by texting "REDCROSS" to 90999 or donate to the Red Cross through Amazon.
Canadian Red Cross
Text "ASIA" to 30333 to donate $5 or find more ways to give on their website.
Second Life Teddy Bear Sale
Two "Linden Bears" (one wearable, one that sits) are now available through the Marketplace, ranging from L$300 to L$3,000. All proceeds benefit the American Red Cross' Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief efforts.
Earthquake Relief Wristband Sale
Lady Gaga designed the wristbands, which are available through her website for $5 each. If you like, you can add more money onto the payment. All proceeds will go directly to the relief efforts.
The Jewish Federations of North America
Donations to the Japan, Hawaii and Pacific Relief Fund may be made online or through your cell phone carrier by texting "RELIEF" to 51818. Donation may also be sent in the mail to: The Jewish Federations of North America, Wall Street Station, PO Box 148, New York, NY 10268.
Japan America Society of Southern California
Donate to the 2011 Japan Earthquake Relief Fund online, by mail, or by calling 213-627-6217 ext. 202. Make checks payable to "2011 Japan Earthquake Relief Fund" and send to: 2011 Japan Earthquake Relief Fund, c/o Japan America Society of Southern California, 345 S. Figueroa Street, Suite M-1, Los Angeles, CA 90071.
American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association
Donate to AHEPA Emergency Relief online or by mail: AHEPA Emergency Relief Fund, Attn: Japanese Earthquake, 1909 Q Street NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20009.
Global Giving
AmeriCares
Save the Children
Donate online or text "JAPAN" or "TSUNAMI" to 20222 to donate $10.
ShelterBox
If you are a UK tax payer, your government will match 25% of your donation.
MedWish International
Financial donations may be made online. Find out how you can volunteer here. Medical professionals can also find out how to donate supplies. The organization is also sponsoring a benefit concert called Band Aid Bash in Cleveland on May 21st. For tickets or more information click here.
Operation USA
Donate online, by phone (1-800-678-7255), or by mail: Operation USA, 3617 Hayden Ave., Suite A, Culver City, CA 90232. You can also donate air miles through United Airlines, and shop online at the Operation USA Store or Apliiq (clothing). Operation USA is also requesting bulk donations of supplies from corporate donors.
International Medical Corps
Text "MED" to 80888 in order to donate $10, or you can find information on other ways to give here.
Music For Relief
Donate $10 by texting "MFR" to 85944. Reply "YES" to confirm the donation.
Direct Relief International
Donations may be made through the website, by phone (1-800-676-1638), or by mail: Direct Relief International, 27 S. La Patera Lane, Santa Barbara, CA 93117.
World Vision, Inc.
Donate $50 to the Disaster Response Fund through the website or donate $10 by texting either "4JAPAN" or "4TSUNAMI" to 20222.
Mercy Corps
Donate online or text "MERCY" to 25283 to give $10.
UNICEF
Give $5 by texting "GIVE" to 45678.
Convoy of Hope
Text "TSUNAMI" to 50555 or donate online.
Groundlings Theatre and School
50% of tonight's proceeds will benefit the relief efforts. Future fund raising efforts will likely be announced on their website.
Oakland A's baseball team
The team plans to conduct a fundraiser during their upcoming game against the Seattle Mariners on April 3rd, which also happens to be Japanese Heritage Day. More details are forthcoming.
As always, I strongly caution you all to be very careful when donating money to any organizations. Sadly, scammers love to take advantage of these situations and it's your responsibility to ensure that your money is going to the right place. I would be wary of any charities that you've never heard of before and anyone who contacts you directly for donations, especially text-based donations. There are two websites that you can use to check the legitimacy of these organizations: CharityWatch.org and CharityNavigator.org. If you believe you are the victim of one of these scams, contact the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Finally, I should tell you that financial donations are preferred, since many charities lack the infrastructure and staff necessary to facilitate the proper dissemination of material donations, like clothing and food. Also, your charitable donations may be tax deductible. Here is a helpful guide to what can and can't be written off. Please, if you know of any other fund raising efforts, leave a comment below.
Ushahidi
This is a Japanese site where you can report the location of people who are trapped or in need of medical attention, as well as text locations to be avoided, places to find assistance, and other tips. All of these are then displayed on a map on the website.
Google Crisis Response Page
Here you can find information on alarms/warnings, transportation statuses, blackouts, and local Japanese emergency phone numbers. You can also check the disaster bulletin boards.
Person Finder App
Here, you can try to contact loved ones in Japan, or connect with family and friends to let them know you are safe.
Salvation Army
Donate $10 by texting "QUAKE" or "JAPAN" to 80888. You can also donate online or by calling 1-800-SALARMY. Be sure to earmark your donations as "Japan Earthquake/Tsunami".
Canada's Salvation Army
Donate $10 by texting "QUAKE" to 45678.
Red Cross
Donate $10 by texting "REDCROSS" to 90999 or donate to the Red Cross through Amazon.
Canadian Red Cross
Text "ASIA" to 30333 to donate $5 or find more ways to give on their website.
Second Life Teddy Bear Sale
Two "Linden Bears" (one wearable, one that sits) are now available through the Marketplace, ranging from L$300 to L$3,000. All proceeds benefit the American Red Cross' Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief efforts.
Earthquake Relief Wristband Sale
Lady Gaga designed the wristbands, which are available through her website for $5 each. If you like, you can add more money onto the payment. All proceeds will go directly to the relief efforts.
The Jewish Federations of North America
Donations to the Japan, Hawaii and Pacific Relief Fund may be made online or through your cell phone carrier by texting "RELIEF" to 51818. Donation may also be sent in the mail to: The Jewish Federations of North America, Wall Street Station, PO Box 148, New York, NY 10268.
Japan America Society of Southern California
Donate to the 2011 Japan Earthquake Relief Fund online, by mail, or by calling 213-627-6217 ext. 202. Make checks payable to "2011 Japan Earthquake Relief Fund" and send to: 2011 Japan Earthquake Relief Fund, c/o Japan America Society of Southern California, 345 S. Figueroa Street, Suite M-1, Los Angeles, CA 90071.
American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association
Donate to AHEPA Emergency Relief online or by mail: AHEPA Emergency Relief Fund, Attn: Japanese Earthquake, 1909 Q Street NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20009.
Global Giving
AmeriCares
Save the Children
Donate online or text "JAPAN" or "TSUNAMI" to 20222 to donate $10.
ShelterBox
If you are a UK tax payer, your government will match 25% of your donation.
MedWish International
Financial donations may be made online. Find out how you can volunteer here. Medical professionals can also find out how to donate supplies. The organization is also sponsoring a benefit concert called Band Aid Bash in Cleveland on May 21st. For tickets or more information click here.
Operation USA
Donate online, by phone (1-800-678-7255), or by mail: Operation USA, 3617 Hayden Ave., Suite A, Culver City, CA 90232. You can also donate air miles through United Airlines, and shop online at the Operation USA Store or Apliiq (clothing). Operation USA is also requesting bulk donations of supplies from corporate donors.
International Medical Corps
Text "MED" to 80888 in order to donate $10, or you can find information on other ways to give here.
Music For Relief
Donate $10 by texting "MFR" to 85944. Reply "YES" to confirm the donation.
Direct Relief International
Donations may be made through the website, by phone (1-800-676-1638), or by mail: Direct Relief International, 27 S. La Patera Lane, Santa Barbara, CA 93117.
World Vision, Inc.
Donate $50 to the Disaster Response Fund through the website or donate $10 by texting either "4JAPAN" or "4TSUNAMI" to 20222.
Mercy Corps
Donate online or text "MERCY" to 25283 to give $10.
UNICEF
Give $5 by texting "GIVE" to 45678.
Convoy of Hope
Text "TSUNAMI" to 50555 or donate online.
Groundlings Theatre and School
50% of tonight's proceeds will benefit the relief efforts. Future fund raising efforts will likely be announced on their website.
Oakland A's baseball team
The team plans to conduct a fundraiser during their upcoming game against the Seattle Mariners on April 3rd, which also happens to be Japanese Heritage Day. More details are forthcoming.
As always, I strongly caution you all to be very careful when donating money to any organizations. Sadly, scammers love to take advantage of these situations and it's your responsibility to ensure that your money is going to the right place. I would be wary of any charities that you've never heard of before and anyone who contacts you directly for donations, especially text-based donations. There are two websites that you can use to check the legitimacy of these organizations: CharityWatch.org and CharityNavigator.org. If you believe you are the victim of one of these scams, contact the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Finally, I should tell you that financial donations are preferred, since many charities lack the infrastructure and staff necessary to facilitate the proper dissemination of material donations, like clothing and food. Also, your charitable donations may be tax deductible. Here is a helpful guide to what can and can't be written off. Please, if you know of any other fund raising efforts, leave a comment below.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Where do I go from here?
I'm a student right now - an online student. Needless to say, I don't get out much. This is something that has really been bothering me lately. There's so much that I want to accomplish, but I feel like I'm stuck in my apartment all the time. I don't want to miss out on opportunities to connect with people who can help my career, but I don't know where to begin.
I know I should be doing an internship right now, but I'm having a hard time focusing. Like I said, there's a lot I want to do. So, what do I do first? That's the real question. And how do I meet the people I need to meet in order to do that?
I suppose here is as good a place as any to lay it all out there. Here's a list of things that I KNOW I can do... that I KNOW I would be good at:
1. Screenwriting. Kind of a no-brainer, since that is what my degree will be in, but I know I can write well and tell an interesting story. The trick will be getting someone important to read it.
2. Acting. I've always been able put myself in someone else's shoes, to empathize with them. I'm not the kind of person who bottles up their emotions, containing them beneath a tough exoskeleton. And that's actually something I consider a strength, not a weakness. I keep those feelings right at the surface where I can easily tap into very raw emotions. Pretty important skill for any actor if you ask me.
3. Directing. Goes hand in hand with the last two, I know. Noticing any patterns here? But this is just another thing that I know I could do well. I like reading classmates' scripts and imagining how I would film them.
4. Casting. It's more that just finding a good actor. It's about finding the person the writer didn't even know they had in mind all along while the story was being written - the person who was born to play this specific role. This is something that could make or break a film. A good script is only the beginning. The right cast and crew make it come to life - make it a success. I would love to be the one doing that.
I'm kind of at a cross-roads right now. I can either get an internship, most likely at a production company or casting agency, give acting a go, drudging to hundreds of casting calls, or do the unspeakable - pay for more education in film-making.
Of course, there is another option, but it might be too financially risky to really pursue. I could write a fresh script from scratch, cast and direct it myself, using friends from the LA Film School and Full Sail. Even just writing a script and gathering the crew to film it independently would be quite an undertaking. Still, the feeling of having actually accomplished that would be... indescribable.
I will definitely post updates here if I do decide to take this on. In the mean time...
http://www.funnyordie.com/caption_contests/5104a3348e/caption-contest-for-march-7-2011
I know I should be doing an internship right now, but I'm having a hard time focusing. Like I said, there's a lot I want to do. So, what do I do first? That's the real question. And how do I meet the people I need to meet in order to do that?
I suppose here is as good a place as any to lay it all out there. Here's a list of things that I KNOW I can do... that I KNOW I would be good at:
1. Screenwriting. Kind of a no-brainer, since that is what my degree will be in, but I know I can write well and tell an interesting story. The trick will be getting someone important to read it.
2. Acting. I've always been able put myself in someone else's shoes, to empathize with them. I'm not the kind of person who bottles up their emotions, containing them beneath a tough exoskeleton. And that's actually something I consider a strength, not a weakness. I keep those feelings right at the surface where I can easily tap into very raw emotions. Pretty important skill for any actor if you ask me.
3. Directing. Goes hand in hand with the last two, I know. Noticing any patterns here? But this is just another thing that I know I could do well. I like reading classmates' scripts and imagining how I would film them.
4. Casting. It's more that just finding a good actor. It's about finding the person the writer didn't even know they had in mind all along while the story was being written - the person who was born to play this specific role. This is something that could make or break a film. A good script is only the beginning. The right cast and crew make it come to life - make it a success. I would love to be the one doing that.
I'm kind of at a cross-roads right now. I can either get an internship, most likely at a production company or casting agency, give acting a go, drudging to hundreds of casting calls, or do the unspeakable - pay for more education in film-making.
Of course, there is another option, but it might be too financially risky to really pursue. I could write a fresh script from scratch, cast and direct it myself, using friends from the LA Film School and Full Sail. Even just writing a script and gathering the crew to film it independently would be quite an undertaking. Still, the feeling of having actually accomplished that would be... indescribable.
I will definitely post updates here if I do decide to take this on. In the mean time...
http://www.funnyordie.com/caption_contests/5104a3348e/caption-contest-for-march-7-2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Everything is going to be okay.
I struggled for a while trying to find the best way to start a blog. I have lots of ideas, lots of thoughts, but you always want that first post to be perfect, pristine...
Eh, screw it. This is what you're going to get.
I live in Los Angeles right now. "The City of Angels". I'm here because I am following a dream. (What a novel concept in this town, right?) I'm not just following one single dream, though. I have a great long list of things I want to accomplish, most of which revolve around the entertainment industry. I won't go into too much detail with that right now, though.
Anyway, I've been fortunate enough to be able to find a very nice apartment in a safe neighborhood, which, if you're not familiar with LA, is a pretty rare feat. I've also been fortunate enough to get a westward-facing apartment. Every night I get to see the most amazing sunsets over Culver City and Beverly Hills. I stand out on my balcony and watch planes coming and going from LAX, looking almost like birds in the sky. Really, you can barely tell the difference.
Today has been a strange day for me. I'm not even entirely sure why. I wouldn't say I'm depressed. I'm actually quite happy with the direction my life is going right now. Nevertheless, I felt like I spent most of the day in a haze, and not just the continual blanket of smog that is expected around here.
My brother-in-law is living with us and like so many others, he's looking for work. It's been a very tough road for all of us over the past couple of years (more on that later). He got pretty discouraged today and spent some time of his own out on the balcony, deep in thought.
Later, I went out there myself and gazed out at the city before me. I felt a sort of surge of emotions. Not sadness, but not really joy, either. It was that dull ache you feel deep down at your core when you fall in love. Despite everything we've been going through, and all of the obstacles that we still have to face, somehow I just know, deep down, that everything will be okay. Everything is going to work out. I can't explain it, I just know it.
In the end, everything we have will be because of what we've done, not anyone else. Our future is in our own hands. I could quote a million songs here, but instead I'll just use the title of this blog, which comes from the song "Awake My Soul" by Mumford & Sons:
Eh, screw it. This is what you're going to get.
I live in Los Angeles right now. "The City of Angels". I'm here because I am following a dream. (What a novel concept in this town, right?) I'm not just following one single dream, though. I have a great long list of things I want to accomplish, most of which revolve around the entertainment industry. I won't go into too much detail with that right now, though.
Anyway, I've been fortunate enough to be able to find a very nice apartment in a safe neighborhood, which, if you're not familiar with LA, is a pretty rare feat. I've also been fortunate enough to get a westward-facing apartment. Every night I get to see the most amazing sunsets over Culver City and Beverly Hills. I stand out on my balcony and watch planes coming and going from LAX, looking almost like birds in the sky. Really, you can barely tell the difference.
Today has been a strange day for me. I'm not even entirely sure why. I wouldn't say I'm depressed. I'm actually quite happy with the direction my life is going right now. Nevertheless, I felt like I spent most of the day in a haze, and not just the continual blanket of smog that is expected around here.
My brother-in-law is living with us and like so many others, he's looking for work. It's been a very tough road for all of us over the past couple of years (more on that later). He got pretty discouraged today and spent some time of his own out on the balcony, deep in thought.
Later, I went out there myself and gazed out at the city before me. I felt a sort of surge of emotions. Not sadness, but not really joy, either. It was that dull ache you feel deep down at your core when you fall in love. Despite everything we've been going through, and all of the obstacles that we still have to face, somehow I just know, deep down, that everything will be okay. Everything is going to work out. I can't explain it, I just know it.
In the end, everything we have will be because of what we've done, not anyone else. Our future is in our own hands. I could quote a million songs here, but instead I'll just use the title of this blog, which comes from the song "Awake My Soul" by Mumford & Sons:
In these bodies we will live
In these bodies we will die
Where you invest your love
You invest your life.
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