I have just returned from what is probably the most amazing movie I have ever seen, or will ever see in my life. The fact that a villain so heinous and so intelligent as the Joker can be coined even in a fictional account is, in a way, terrifying to me, because it suggests that somebody, if they were truly that evil, might be capable of what he is. But I have a trust in the incomplete brokenness of the people. We have our flaws, but in order to have holes in us, there has to be a substance to be gouged. A holey substance. A holy substance. I do believe that there is some, though not nearly all, innate goodness in people.

But I digress incredibly. I apologize for I tend to rant.

The Dark Night deserves every good rating, and every dollar it earned. I don't believe in gross capitalism in the sense that I don't think people should keep more than what they need if another can use it, but if I were going purely on justice - men getting their fair share - the writers, directors, and actors in the movie would be able to relish in their success for the rest of their days.

I digress again.

I am glad to have taken a good movie today. I got ice cream before it from Cold Stone, and I just had a night on the town - two days in a row. My only two nights in town spent wisely.

But, in the midst of all this wonder at brilliant cinema, and joyous laughter and snacking, I have put off a responsibility. A brotherly responsibility that I bore proudly last weekend, and this weekend wanted little to do with - it is hard to work so hard and change nothing.

But my sister needs me. God knows, she doesn't have anybody else. I need to call her tomorrow after church. I need to make sure she is okay before I leave for another week. I need to be brave.

I have spent the last two nights - indeed, the last week - in a nice, clean, well-lighted place, but now I should venture into the dark, if for just a bit. It's okay, I'll bring a light, and I will return to the light for a week after. I hope I can bring Erica back to the light. I have little hope for the other one.

Hemingway was really a genius, ya know? He was wrong, in many ways, but he was a genius.

He was wrong in that the world is not meaningless. Man does not need to hide from the misery that is the world, because the world is not misery. I speak plainly to you and promise you that the world is, in one way or another, joy. It's just been heavily dilluted.


But his genius speaks through in that, in times of strife, when that joy is hidden we need a clean, well-lighted place. We need to stay away form the thing which makes us weak, so that we can regain our strength, and live to fight it. And we need to cling to the one light that is always present, no matter how weak we become. There is a God, a Lord, who will never let his follower fall. He never gives you more than you can handle, and if it looks as if you might fall, he will strengthen you. He sends other warriors to relieve you, and to feed you.

I do believe I have taken my first step toward proving myself a man. I've been 18 for nine months, but what have I done that truly shows me to be a man before this? There will be many more occasions, I'm sure.

I can't wait.




I'm back to Shoshone tomorrow afternoon. God bless you all in my absence, and may all your exploits be fruitful.

I'm sorry for the cryptic journal post. Things are too personal to reveal over so public a medium. I ask those of you who believe in a God to simply pray for my family. For stability and love. I can't be any more specific, but I trust that God will understand your prayers no matter how vague they are.

Thank you all, and I will see you in one week.


PS Go see Dark Night. It's worth it.