Well we are now safely home and time to reflect on The Simpsons Movie … well that is done!

Now I shall preface my comments by stating that I am not as much a fan of The Simpsons as others that I know, and I do not have the innate ability to rattle off lines from the series throughout the years. Most of the time, it’s funny, some of the time I laugh. This pretty much describes my reaction to the movie.

I am sure there were funnier parts of the movie, however there were moments when applause, hootin’ and hollerin’ overwhelmed my ability to hear, so I shall have to watch it again (most likely when it is released on DVD). I’m willing to wait.

We sat in the theatre waiting for the “slushy” moment, alas didn’t appear (I think Ian dreamt about it, so it wasn’t meant to be there).

Following the movie most of the group ventured over to the Cheesecake Factory for a martini or other drink. Good discussion — not about the movie — and an enjoyable evening overall.

We are off to see The Simpsons Movie tonight, and after enjoying a salad at CPK, we got to the cinema and we got our place in line - at the front.

First time ever

Of course this meant we got to pick the best seats, well Corey did :). The theatre is a little rowdy, but I’m hopeful that the movie will shut them up.

Last night, I dragged Layton down to the Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas to listen to Jim Wallis, the author of God’s Politics. Rev. Wallis was in town as part of the Texas Freedom Network’s 2007 Faith & Freedom Speaker Series.

I’ve recently started to read his book, and have found it to be a very well written book that challenges to influence of the religious right, and explains how to overcome the hijacking of religion that has occurred over the last ten years or so.

While Rev. Jim didn’t focus too much on the content of his book, he did cover some parts that I have read (and agree with). First, most societal change has been organized by, or strongly influenced by, spiritual - or faith-based - organizations. As Wallis said, and writes in his book, “Lyndon Johnson didn’t become a civil rights leader until Martin Luther King made him one,” (a reference to the actions by Martin Luther King, Jr. leading up to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1966).

Rev. Wallis explained how after he appeared on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, that he received thousands of emails from younger people who told Wallis that “they got it” and understood that religion was not something that was only something for those that supported the religious right. Rev. Wallis provides an insight into the other issues that are religious, or moral value issues, like poverty, the Iraq war, and social justice, many of which were mentioned more times in the Bible than other “important (religious right) issues”like abortion and same-sex marriage.

I’m not convinced that Layton enjoyed himself overly at the event, but we certainly were able to have a in-depth conversation about the things we love to talk about in the car ride home. This is something that I value in my friends, the ability - and willingness - to talk about the “taboo” subjects like religion, sex and politics. The conversations are always refreshing, often challenging, but never boring. To my friends, “thank you!”

American Express is currently donating $1 for any AMEX card holder that signs up for the Members Project. Card members have been able to nominate a charity that will receive up to $5million to bring their idea to life. Currently, there are five finalists, and you can review each of these here.

I’d like to tell you about an exciting project idea featured in The Members Project. It’s called “Teachers ask. You choose. Students learn.” and it’s one of 5 projects still in the running for $1 million to $5 million in American Express funding. I’m supporting this project, because I think it provides something that is needed in our society - educational opportunities.

So if you are an American Express card holder, I encourage you to go vote for this project at www.membersproject.com.

For those aussie friends of mine who occasionally visit. danah boyd, a phenomenal researcher on youth and their relationship with social networks (among other things), is visiting the land downunder. She will be speaking as part of the Education.au series in Brisbane (August 6) and Melbourne (August 8). Registration details here.