short takes

[cellio]

Someone (in a friends-only entry) reported that the actor playing Jesus in Mel Gibson's new movie was struck by lightning during the shoot, along with a director. (A message from above?, the poster wonders.) I know I shouldn't laugh at someone else's misfortune, but the part that really got me was: "It was the second time Michelini had been hit by lightning during the shoot".

Second time... during the shoot. Ouch.

D&D on Wednesday was fun. We were fighting a party that we were trying not to kill (friendly folks under mind-control magic), which made it challenging. My sorceror did not throw even a single fireball. :-) I think my character's paladinhood-enhanced saving throws took Ralph by surprise, though, even though we had discussed it in the abstract. (Yes, there is a natural synergy in D&D 3.0 between sorcerors and paladins. Odd but true. And our ultra-benevolent GM is letting me do it. Mind, part of what he gets out of this is a significant plot hook when he needs it, because of the way he implemented it, but I figure it'll be a good story so that works for me.)

This week's West Wing gave me hope: a good, well-executed episode in the post-Sorkin world. I hope it's indicative of what's to come. (I just about fell out of my chair laughing during the speech-writing scene, because I knew what had to be coming.)

At last night's board meeting, the rabbi urged us all to make short appointments for individual chats. Last time he made that offer the result for me was regular one-on-one study with him. I wonder what'll happen this time. :-)

Trick-or-treating hours in my neighborhood are generally pretty early (5-7ish), so we're usually not even home from work. This year Halloween is on Shabbat, though, and post-DST-change, which means I'll certainly be home. Not excited about dealing with it, but home nonetheless. I guess I should pick up some candy. :-) (I don't mind the little kids at all; while I don't get into the whole "oh isn't that CUTE!" and/or "oh I'm so SCARED!" thing, I'm willing to play along on the candy ritual. It's the teenagers who don't even put on costumes but just show up on your doorstep holding out sacks that bug me. If you want to play, you should at least try.)

We're attending a bar mitzvah (and luncheon) tomorrow. I am unclear on the gift protocol. We haven't been invited to a gathering that isn't on Shabbat, so the choices appear to be: take the gift to the synagogue or take it to their house sometime later. I'll probably tell Dani to put it in the car (I'm walking for the earlier service; he'll meet me for the late service) but leave it in the car until we see what other people are doing. Just goes to show that there are some things you don't learn in classes. :-)

I have a gazillion LJ codes; if anyone reading this needs one, just say so.

Comments

[cellio]

Nope -- that was the original poster's comment, not mine, and I don't think it was meant seriously. Speaking just for myself, I don't believe that God behaves that way.

I won't spend money to see the film, but I'm not boycotting it or anything like that. And my discomfort is not because of the content per se (for example, I quite enjoy the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar"). I don't like what I've heard -- from Christians, not just Jews -- about the movie's portrayal of events, and am concerned that it will do damage to the improvements that have been made in the last 40 years in interfaith relations. But I don't think it'll be a huge effect; it'll be a nuissance, but it won't kick off a crusade. It may kick off some low-level bigotry, though.

And just to be clear, since I don't think we know each other, I think Gibson has every right to make his movie and get it in theatres if he can find backers.