Friends, Foes, Detractors, Ladies, Gentleman, ALL READERS, great and small,

Grace, Peace, and Thanks to you for coming once again to my internet pit-stop. In preparation for your arrival, I have cleaned the restrooms and painted a mural of Stevie Wonder over the indecent writings on the walls left by users previous. May your rest be a pleasant one before you venture elsewhere on this internet superhighway.

I am implore each of you, all of you, you and your friends to visit my buddy Jason’s blog and read his latest 4 entries, a series regarding his personal struggle with his faith. Listen, I don’t usually like to preach, but you must, must, must check this out or Hell awaits you–Just kidding, which is ironic given the subject matter of the series I am directing you to.

Anyway, Jason Estock is easily the most analytical indiviudal I know. As a testament to his power, I would argue that Jason could defeat Mentok the Mindtaker, Dr. Mindbender, and Emporer Palpatine at chess, playing all three of them at the same time on different boards. Yes, Friends. He’s that smart. In this series, Jason expores his own faith with an incredible amount of honesty and integrity that was really encouraging to me. Seriosuly, the questions he asks, and the ways in which he deals with them truly balances academic thought with heartfelt self-evaluation in a way that is both rare and inspiring. You may disagree with his conclusions (though you really can’t since it’s HIS evaluation of HIS OWN beliefs); but regardless of how you feel about him, the ideas which he presents and THEIR importance on a very deep and profound level are most definitely worth your time and energy. So, take the time to read through all the posts (the comments can be useful addendums as well) and give the ideas presented some thought.

You can find this fascinating series HERE

SONG OF THE DAY: “The Invitation”, from Steven Curtis Chapman’s Speechless. Check it out on Itunes.

Grace and Peace to you, friends and foes alike. As I write this next post, my head hangs low, and I walk through the rain of shame while the Charlie Brown sad theme plays in the background.

Recognizing one’s weakness can be a deep and painful experience. I found this out recently when I discovered that I would rather live in dishonest comfort than be honest and uncomfortable. This was brought to my attention when I attempted to lie about something simply to avoid a confrontation, and I couldn’t do it–lie convincingly, that is. While the lying in and of itself shamed me, the FACT THAT I HAD LIED shamed and affected me in a much more deep and profound way.

I find it very interesting that I become complacent or accepting of a bad behavior in my own life because it suited my comfort. Not my survival. Not my welfare. Just my comfort. The most enlightening aspect of this revelation was that I oftentimes criticize others for worshipping comfort, feeling as though I was above such folly. It’s that age-old dichotomy of human nature that we are so quick to point out the speck in another’s eye while ignoring the plank our own. Being guilty of this and being made of aware of it with such spontaneity as I was this past weekend has been a difficult bit of knowledge to accept. To be honest, I am unsure how I will deal with it. My hope is that I will not have to, but the reality is that I will, and it will be uncomfortable. How ironic, I lied to dodge being uncomfortable, only to be called on it and put into an even greater level of discomfort. There’s a lesson in there, somewhere…

Grace and Peace to each of you as I step onto this stage on this Monday, January, 29, 2007. As a symbol of thanks to you, I go into Lake Lochness and Find the monster within. I then interview him and discover that he is in fact, a she, and she is a mutated iguana that intends to go to New York and Fight Matthew Broderick. In order to save you, my readers, from the true-life scenario of 1997’s reprehensible movie Godzilla. I kill the Lochness Monster and disburse the meat from its body to the hungry of the world.

Things are good as I take the stage this morning. On Saturday, I was able to procure some great swag during a tour of my local toy stores. Below is the full list of acquisitions:

A Battle Beast Bulldog
G.I. Joe Villain and Ruler of Cobra-La: Golobulous
American Hero Sgt. Slaughter
Spider-man: The Movie Mary Jane
Star Wars Die-Cast Jawa Sandcrawler
Star Wars Die-Cast Naboo Star Skiff
Star Wars Die-Cast Rebel Blockade Runner
Star Wars Lego AT-ST
Star Wars Clone Commander (red)
Star Wars Clone Captain (blue)
Star Wars Clone Special Forces: Mace Windu Battalion (Purple)
Star Wars Micro Machine Y-Wing
Simpsons Hans Moleman
Simpsons Rainier Wolfcastle
Simpsons Homer in Underwear
Simpsons Lenny
and Simpsons Milhouse.

I had Gift Certs from Christmas and some pocket change, and this was a great haul. It was good times. Sorry there were no pictures. I didn’t have time to take them because…

My wife and I bought Disneyland Passes Yesterday, which was MOST GOOD. We rode some excellent newlly-refurbished rides (Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean) as well as some classics (Star Tours and Peter Pan), and we even rocked out California Adventure. I was able to purchase a Limited Edition OUt-of-Production Indiana Jones 4 Inch figure as well. Boo-yah.

So, it was a good Weekend. Feel free to drop me a line at cStunkard@gmail.com.

Til I take the stage again,

C

Grace and peace to you, dear reader. I step onto this stage and thank you for again reading. As a reward for your efforts, I give to you a promise–that should we find ourselves beset by a robot armageddon, I will not betray the human race in hopes of saving myself. I will burn in Acid before I give up the location of our hidden rebel base.

Today, I have a few small items of note to discuss.

First, “Smokin’ Aces”, the underworld action-comedy featuring Affleck, Jason Bateman, Alicia Keys, Common, Andy Garcia, and more is going into wide release today, and I am excited to see it. I hear it’s pretty crappy, but I dig many of the credited performers, and I am willing to take a chance on it. I am thinking it will be worse than “Snatch” but hopefully better than “Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels”.

Second, if there are any Eb Games/Gamestop store locations near you and you like to collect movies, then YOU MUST get the EB GAMES/GAMESTOP Edge card. Yesterday, I purchased the Two-disc Special Edition of The Polar Express, The Sade Music Video Collection, Shaft 2000, Die Another Day, Ninja Turtles III and the Out-of-print flick the Rocketeer for $27. That’s averaging less than $5 a title. Granted they are all used, but it’s still a fantastic deal. Do it.

Third, last night I finally began actual scriptwriting for a story I have been pre-writing for months. I cannot reveal any details as of yet, but I will be entering the script into a competition this May; and frankly, the first pages I finished were awesome. While I cannot divulge any story ideas, the Scripts title in and of itself will garner some interest or, at least, curiosity from its reader, and I am looking forward to putting it into the fray.

Well, that’s all for now. More to come tomorrow.

Friends and Enemies, I step onto this stage and thank you for reading. As a reward for your efforts, I give to you this offering – my initial entry.

Well, setting the stage (zing) for this blog has been an excellent microcosmic test of my ability to handle criticism as I open myself to the world. Yesterday I pitched the “Stunk’s Stage” title to a good friend of mine, and the individual was speechless—but not in a good way. When the person spoke, he/she told me that “Stunk’s Stage” wasn’t very professional or good, and I should change it.

This came as some surprise to me. My brother had previously sold collectible goods under the banner of “Stunk’s Stuff”, and the name had really gone over well. Our last name being “Stunkard”, such an identifying banner, using the somewhat problematic name to our advantage rather than our shame, really makes sense. After all, “Stunkard” is much more unique than say “Christopher” or “Ricky”. I figured “Stunk’s Stage” was a good mix, as this blog will serve as the podium from which I can speak to the masses—if one feels 6 readers is a mass, that is.

Anyway, the individual with whom I spoke felt the title sounded to close to “stink” or “stinky”; and given the unattractive connotation of such terms, felt I should change the title. Well, that was the best response I could have wanted. Why? Simply because I need to be ready for disagreement. Putting oneself on the oh-so-large internet is like diving into the ocean, there while be sharks that want to take down and destroy you. While this person wasn’t trying to discourage me, I am sure there will be detractors, nay-sayers, haters, and the like posting pithy comments and other nonsense in an attempt to hurt my feelings or just make themselves feel cool. So, this disagreement rose an important question, “Can I keep on truckin’ if people disagree with me?” Well, I’m posting, and the title remains, so I would say, “Yes, I can.” So, feel free to drop me a line at cStunkard@gmail.com, talk to me, post a comment, do what you feel. I’ll be here, ready for the critique.

Til I take the stage again,

C