Magnanimous Malibu, a MarioKart Maniac, and the Movies' Martin

i really hope i'm better at law school than i am at Halo and MarioKart. a friend's oldest son, who is a 5-year-old, beat me mercilessly at the latter. Two lovely ladies beat me at the former, even more mercilessly. Well, i actually won one race against the kid. I got second once at Halo, but it was definitely a fluke. Of course, it doesn't help that i tend to get distracted by one of the halo ladies. She walked up when i was playing chess against someone better than me. At the time i was winning. Then i saw her. And lost. In 4 moves.

This is indeed how God has designed women...to captivate our attention as men. Somehow i feel. Stifled. Let me explain. There is not a lot wrong with my life at the moment [which somewhat concerns me, i might add], as i'm starting a dual degree program at Pepperdine, which God has provided in an abundantly generous way. I'm living as cheaply as one can in Malibu, less than a mile from Zuma beach. I've got meat from our ranch on the way, and just bought a grill for the backyard, and an external freezer will be coming soon. I'm living with 2 superb roomates, and couldn't ask for a better academic situation, going into school.

Yet i cannot focus on anything involving strategy when she is around. Now, i don't necessarily mean she in an uber-specific/exclusive sense [don't worry, if you might be reading this, 10]. What i mean is, a woman that captivates my attention. She's not the first to do this, though there haven't exactly been a plethora. I suppose what i'm really grappling with is, after reading a most thought-provoking article in Christianity Today is, how does one cope with life being stifled? I was encouraged and relieved at the brashness and honesty of the article, which at last acknowledged the waiting game our culture's youth are playing with relationships. It is a near impossible paradox to wait so long for relationships and squelch all the normal human desires God hard-wired us with. I suppose that is what has me feeling curious....i was not captivated in a sexual way, rather in a pure way, by beauty, as it should be. As God designed. Yet there is a stifling in another way. Stifling and sleeping in one sense and yet a setting loose in that my attention is no longer entirely mine.

Whatever the case, playing MarioKart with the pint-sized fury with quick thumbs is going to keep me sane and focused on what's really important: life. and children. and He who made us all with equal love. i think we're going to play about once a month, so i would imagine i'll get a sobering reminder each time, praise Him for His sense of humor...

Regardless of whether God gives me back my full attention or not, i am becoming increasingly aware that i am in love with Ms. Malibu. As in, the city herself. I love this place, and have already canvassed the surrounding area for the wholesale places where provisions can be had for rates equitable to all national stores :) Now i just have to find a few more related expense-savers and i just might get through here. It sure is worth the effort, that's for sure. I had fish tacos and a Tecate last night while listening to waves crash not ten yards away, on the rocks just behind Duke's. Then we walked outside and saw Martin Landau on our way out of the place....