Voting Begins in Phase 4

Those of you registered with MLS got an email this morning. Polls will stay open until New Year's Eve, when the winner will be announced at 11 PM Eastern. If you vote in this round, you have a chance to win an MLP product, two chances if you vote in both contests.

I scoffed (nicely) at the need for prizes when it was brought up on the boards, but seeing how many of my favorites have vanished, prizes might be a good idea to keep more people engaged.

I have one more main entry to read before I can vote, but I'll do that today.

Here in Kansas, a snow storm is brewing. I'll spend most of the day indoors, working on my website, wrapping presents, reading a new friend's manuscript, and praying for safety for all the well-meaning idiots who don't understand that snowstorms are God's way of telling you to stay home, even on Christmas Eve. Alas, I will be one of those idiots, so spare a prayer for me, if it's not out of your way.

If you are also snowed in by yourself, I have a few more Christmas movie recommendations. If you are snowed it with someone else, shame on you for wasting time watching movies.

Home movies: These are the exception for those home with someone else. These can be just the thing to rekindle the holiday spirit of love and gratitude. Or anger and bitterness, so be careful which home movies you pick to show.

Little Women: A safe movie for the family, except for the worldview philosophy espoused. I can't remember what they call it, but I call it secular humanism when you believe a child will naturally grow into someone wonderful if you just love them enough and let them follow their own inclinations. Humbug! But, I'll watch Christian Bale in almost anything, and its nearly impossible to see Gabriel Byrne in a G-rated, non-villain role, so I like this movie.

Emmett Otter's Jug Band Christmas: Now available on DVD! I am no longer the only person who will be singing the lyrics to "Barbecue" this Christmas. Or at any backyard barbecue. Or at any gathering where barbecue is present. Or... well, that's enough of that.

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe: I can't believe I left this off my other list! This movie even has Santa Claus in it. I cried when he showed up. I cry a lot during this movie, but it's good crying. I love the way Lewis combines pagan myths with a Christian worldview, as if God is the maker of them all, which He is. Funny. As I write that sentence, my worldview antenna comes up and asks "what stops people from believing God is as mythical as the myths?" Hmm. May have to ponder that a while.

Galaxy Quest: Yeah, I know I already listed this one, but I just watched it last night with some new friends, and I really think the world would be a better place if more people saw this movie.

"Unless I'm wrong, and I'm not (that's Tony Shaloub as Adrian Monk. Is there nothing that man can't do?)."

Anyway, Merry Christmas!

PS: It's a Christmas miracle! My family decided to not risk death and dismemberment by going out tonight. I'm headed down to the stacks to pull out some movies. Galaxy Quest, anyone?