Ingredients

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup cocoa (Dutch-process preferred)
• 2 1/2 cups powdered milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 dash cayenne pepper
• Cinnamon, to taste
• Hot water

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and incorporate evenly. Sift into second bowl to smooth mixture.  In a small pot, heat 4 to 6 cups of water.

Fill your mug one third full with the mixture and pour in hot water. Stir to combine. Seal the rest in an airtight container, keeps indefinitely in the pantry. This also works great with warm milk.

Two years ago, I believed Obama was a longshot candidate. Today, he seems a near certain victor. Eight years ago McCain was too much of a maverick for republicans. Today, he’s towing the party line (not Bush’s line, but still hat the party leadership wants). I would have happily voted for the 2000 McCain, since a true bipartisan and maverick would be a welcome change. Obama’s claims of post-partisan politics are only true if you define post-partisan as left-leaning.

What I like about Obama:

• He’s an inspiring speaker
• He comes across as presidential
• He’s young
• He’s smart
• He’s inspiring
• He took down the Clinton machine-ended the Bush-Clinton dynasty
• Would probably not deliver on promises and would be a one term president

And what I dislike:

• He’s arrogant like no other. I think he’s running for Jesus, not president
• He uses people for political gain
• His associations are scary
• He says what you want to hear, not what he intends to do

What I like about McCain:

• He’s spent time in Washington
• He’s not a Bush clone – as a matter of fact, he was the bane of his party in 2000
• He’s a centrist
• He actually has meaningful experience

What I dislike about McCain:

• He’s a hothead
• He’s old
• He has a Bush-like tendency for gaffes
• His conservatism is suspect-seems to be for big government, like most current republicans
• He’s inarticulate
• I can’t see him as president
• The chances of him dying in office are too high to have inexperienced Palin as the vice president
• Would most likely be a one term president due to age

All that said, I can’t vote for either major party candidate. I’m investigating my options. Looking into third parties and write ins. Whatever your political persuasion, go vote next Tuesday. It’s critical in shaping who runs next time around.

Now to him who is able to do more than we can ask or even imagine to him be the power in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 3:20-21

The Dark Knight

Back in 2005, I wrote about Batman Begins, which truly blew me away. I left believing that I could be Batman. Ever since seeing the trailer for The Dark Knight a couple of months ago, I’ve been waiting to see the next installation in the series. Finally made it out Friday night. A week since the release, yet the showing was still sold out. I would have rather seen it in IMAX, but didn’t want to wait at least another week to get tickets.

The movie didn’t disappoint. If it doesn’t win best picture this year, I’ll be shocked. Outstanding acting. Great story. Plot twists. A seat gripper for the full 2.5 hours. The movie is open for a sequel, but I have to say that I don’t think it should get one. I can’t picture anyone but Heath Ledger as The Joker and can’t picture a sequel without The Joker. Hollywood, if you make a sequel, please do Heath’s memory proud.

As I’ve become quite a fan of Netflix, I probably won’t buy the DVD. But I suspect that I’ll see this movie again. And I’m going to rewatch Batman Begins.

My main incentive for getting all up to date was to enable mobile blogging on my iPod Touch.  You say, “can’t you just email yourself posts and add them later?”  Yes, I could.  But the simplicity of just being able to get posts set up exactly how I want them from offline is the Holy Grail in mobile blogging.  Expect to hear from me more frequently.

I think it’s safe to sit this one out.

The main sewer line in my house needs replacing.  It’s going to be an expensive job, so I’m trying to be an intelligent homeowner and get some quotes on the work.  I’ve been told by a commercial contractor what the job “should” cost, and the only company that has come through on an estimate wants essentially double that.  Ouch.