24 – Season 7

I said, back in the fall of 2007, that making Tony Almeida the bad guy on 24 would be ideal for the show; poetic almost.  And it is true, the added drama has put 24 back on top of current shows.  I would not go so far as to say that 24 is what it was, seasons 1 through 3 were amazing.  But it is back to being engaging and entertaining.

I found the first episodes of this year slow and predictable.  There lacked a lot of the chaos and unpredictability of previous seasons (not including season 6).  And there was not much drama.  They were trying with Jack and Renee, but it really wasn’t believable.

With Tony going bad, killing FBI agents and leaving Jack helpless it brought back a sharpness to the plotline that had not been there since episode 4 of season 6 when the nuke went off.

So now they have got the show on track and have the audience engaged.  How this season is remembered and how the show goes on in future years will depend on how effectively they build the hero/villain tension between Tony and Jack.

What do you think?  Are you enjoying the show this year?  Do you think they can finish season 7 strong or will they waste the Tony/Jack potential?

One off’s

I still have intentions of chewing on some substantial topics, however I have a head cold and feel like coasting a bit today. So, here are some one off thoughts.

I am almost finished my forth book of the year. I am reading a few books, but I am close to finishing Cesar Millan’s first book, Cesar’s Way. I am fascinated by his ability to get dogs to behave and how counter his approach is to what is commonly understood. As Malcolm Gladwell states “[Cesar] arrives amid canine chaos and leaves behind peace.”

I have not left yet for my California trip. I am leaving later this month and going for 10 days. I cannot wait!

Jack’s back! The 24 two hour special this fall should be good. It will be set as between seasons 6 & 7 as a prelude to the upcoming season which will start in January. It is a long time for fans to wait, and given the dissatisfaction with season 6, the writing and storyline had better be improved.

The NBA is as interesting this year as ever. With so many top players changing teams mid-season and so playoff questions to be decided there is a lot of uncertainty. I love that Jason Kidd got out of jail (Vince Carter’s New Jersey) and will have a chance to compete with the Mavericks. Kidd will bring out the best in Nowitzki and Howard and make the team mentally tougher. The Lakers got a big boost with the Grizzlies’ gift to them of Pau Gasol. That is as talented a team as the NBA has seen in a long time. The Suns trade for Shaq was a disaster for them, in my view. Not because they got Shaq, because they gave up Shawn Marion. He may be a head case, but he’s a talented headcase. I will save the predictions for another time.

3 Years – Greatest Hits

I began blogging in February 2005. Prior to that I had built my own site in the 90’s but I decided to take up blogging to record some thoughts for the world to see. Much of what I blog about does not come up in casual conversation so it gives me a venue to say what I think. Some of the entries have been forgettable; while others have I still enjoy looking back on.

Thanx to my regular visitors and those who have me linked on their sites.

Here are the Greatest Hits from Bonologue/Life of Bryan blog posts. Enjoy.

10. A Long Walk to Freedom (Nov 2007)

I came away from the read with more respect than ever for President Mandela. I feet like I took the time to have a long, engaging listen to a man who had a worthwhile story to tell.

9. Philip Yancey (April 2006)

In The Jesus I Never Knew, Yancey does a great job of revealing the figure of Jesus Christ as a misunderstood character. The ultimate victim of being portrayed in the light of the one doing the portraying. We like to fancy God to be in our own image and we like to use Jesus as backup to our preconceived ideas. Yancey addresses that head-on. Really, I like any story that reveals the true Christ as the hero.

8. Blue Like a Smurf (Feb 2005)

It seems to me that what the author, Donald Miller, has to say can be summed up in a few ideas. In sharing your faith and living your life be in community, be yourself and don’t be judgmental (be accepting). I learned all that stuff from Papa Smurf way back in the day. And how could you argue it? The guy doesn’t use a single Bible reference in the whole book. Two hundred forty-two pages and no attempt to back up any of his blog-worthy ramblings.

7. Environmentalism and Christianity (Nov 2007)

To them I say, if you think global warming is a problem, try eternal warming.

6. The Gas Price Soap Box (June 2006)

See, I don’t think the price of gas is the most outrageous and scandalous cost in the marketplace today. And here’s why I think that. Imagine if you had to fill your tank with oh, say, Pepsi. A 595 ml bottle of Pepsi costs about $1.50 plus that darned $.10 per bottle deposit. All for a small container of sugar water.

5. Is Bono the most influential person on earth? (Mar 2005)

When I look at Bono I see the world’s greatest rock star and an important influencer in world politics. It amazes me that in today’s society a Christian could get to be in that kind of position. Say what you want, but Bono is one of the world’s leading voices for the poor and broken. It’s like what would happen if you gave Mother Theresa some blue wrap arounds and told her that influence was what God wanted her to do to accomplish her goal.

4. 30 is the new 20 (Oct 2006)

Old – I didn’t get on the Internet until University (it’s true!)
Not Old – I run an Internet business

Not Old – I like to hang out with my friends
Old – Most of my friends are either married, have kids, have their own houses or any combination therein

3. The Manifesto (July 2005)

I believe that if Christians did a better job of representing, more people would be followers of Jesus.
I believe more people should be followers of Jesus

I believe panhandlers provide a service to many people.
I believe there are better recipients of charity than panhandlers.

I believe guilt is the lazy man’s means of motivation.

2. If I Became US President (Feb 2007)

In a sentence, I believe these ideas put the focus back on the value of our humanity and the importance of equality and justice inside and outside of the US.

1. Why Tony Almeida is the Ultimate Bad Guy for 24 (Oct 2007)

Almeida as Bauer’s archenemy is perfect for a 21st century action-drama. Tony is Jack’s only real friend. Jack was becoming friends with Curtis but then Jack killed him. Sucks when you have to shoot your buddy in the neck because he’s trying to kill a terrorist. Everyone else (save Cloe, Jack’s daughter and Jack’s Dad) who have meant anything to Jack are dead. Tony is the one guy Jack could always count on. This is my number 1 most viewed post by a large margin.

Agree/Disagree? Are there any posts that you have particularly enjoyed?