BOOK REVIEW: The DaVinci Code

Last night I finished reading the DaVinci Code for the first time. I finally got some time for some leisure reading and decided to start with this book. The book was a gripping read, had a good pace, kept me interested enough to stay up until 3 am to finish, and had good resolution. I though Dan Brown was an exceptional author for moving through a story quickly while giving you the necessary details and without stalling out on elaborate explanations, etc.

That aside, I felt that the author was pushing an agnostic point of view, which I don't agree with personally. I didn't understand why the "divine feminine" or "goddess" was set up in the book to be the 'true religion' and Christianity was explained away as a creation of Constantine and the Catholic Church. I guess I don't understand what Nature worship is entirely -- it seemed that worshiping the "goddess" meant simply glorifying sex, especially the woman half. To me that doesn't seem like religion, it seems more like a fetish. In contrast, religion's purpose in my mind, is to acquaint us with higher laws and the eternal nature of man's soul, not to dwell on they physical desires of the natural man.

Mixed in with that was the seeming contradictory theme that Mary Magdalene and her descendants were to be protected like they were sacred or royal. What made Mary Magdalene important in this book was her marraige to Jesus and her role as the bearer of his royal bloodline. I understand that both of them descended from royal jewish bloodlines, but if Jesus wasn't divine as the book proposes, what make his and Mary Magdalene's progeny any more important than the rest of humanity? I don't get it.

The purpose of the message of the book seemed to be to discredit Christianity and uphold pagan worship of mother nature and women (the "goddess"... I still don't undersand who she really is). I can't reconcile the great story telling with the message told either, so I don't know how to recommend this book to anyone. I think I'll pass on further Dan Brown novels even though he is a great story teller. He seems to be more interested in 'exposing' weaknesses in Christianity than in making sure that alternatives he proposes actually make sense.

216 and falling

Last night I weighed in at an impressive 216 pounds. Heh heh heh. I think this is the first time I've been over 200 lbs that I can remember. Being 6' 3", I don't look incredibly pudgy, but I can feel it when I try to put on my pants.

I outweigh Quinn by 2 lbs, so we're pretty evenly matched for our starting points. Of course the wives didn't share their starting points.

I started the diet last night with a HUGE piece of rum cake with strawberries, bananas, and whip cream icing (mom's b-day).

The Biggest Loser -- Taylor edition

[I think I've proven that this is going to be more of a hit and miss posting rather than a persistent effort, anyone surprised?]

I've had two and a half weeks (or three, I've lost count) off of work for school projects, baby being born, final exams, sickness, visiting family, projects at home, and general relaxation. Soooooooooo nice. I was definitely in denial, until I got my $60 paycheck. I'm back at work today.

I realized today that my heart is Texan. I'm excited to get back to the land of hospitality, country music, open spaces, and the place where I met my closest friends and made my favorite memories. It's too bad that Texas isn't where we got our internship; I would've loved that!


Today we begin "The Biggest Loser -- Taylor edition". Quinn (little bro) and I have gotten pretty soft and chunky and our wives want to loose some baby weight. We weigh in tonight, and I'm guessing I'm at 214 or so.

One thing I realized is that I'm a social aerobic exerciser. I don't like to work out by myself if it's running, bicycling, etc. But when it comes to lifting, I don't want anyone watching, which doesn't exactly work -- no spotter.

I can already tell I'm going to lose -- It's only day one and I'm already tired of drinking water and SlimFast. He, he, he... At least tonight is my Mom's birthday and we'll have a rum cake for dessert!