See the Invisible Children

Ok, everyone, listen up! This post is being written by Christopher the activist. Just doing my part to help the cause:

So anyway, a few months ago, my friend Alex calls me up and says something like, "Hey! I have this dvd I think you'll like. Why don't you come over here and get it."

Well, the only movies I really like are ones that make me cry, so I said, "Is it gonna make me cry?"

To which he replied, "I don't know. It might." He knows I like sad movies, but he also knows that if I think he really, really wants me to watch it I might not watch it (that's just how my relationship with Alex is.)

So I'm like, "Well, OK." I tried not to sound too interested (again, that's just how my relationship with Alex is), but I think I went that same day and picked up the dvd and took it home. That night I watched the most moving documentary I've ever seen.

The movie is called "Invisible Children". Without going into too many details, it is about these tragically beautiful children from war torn Uganda who have to go to great lengths to avoid being captured by rebel forces. If they are captured, they are turned into soldiers and are forced to kill or be killed.

All of this has been documented by three young film makers from USC. They have done an amazing job of digging beyond the labels that are so easy to place on these kids, and capturing and communicating their humanity. The movie presents hope in the midst of despair; thanksgiving in the midst of ruin.

But my words are inadequate. You need to see and decide for yourself. Tomorrow, Invisible Children is launching a nationwide campaign to raise awareness for this injustice that is going on while you read this. Over the next few months, they will be holding events and showing the movie all over the United States. I would definitely urge you to go and see the movie.

You can find out more information about Invisible Children, including a schedule of events, by visiting www.invisiblechildren.com. If you live in East Texas (like me), you can catch Invisible Children in Palestine on February 19 or in Tyler on February 20. See the movie.

Awesome Link

Now you can look at pictures of me all day long. Just click over on the new Photo Album link or you can click here. Or type in photos.yahoo.com/cjryal2 in your web browser. And if you don't think you're interested in seeing pictures of me, look anyway, because there might just be a few pics of you, too. Right now they are in no particular order. They may stay that way or I might organize them. You just really never know. So check it out and tell me what you think... about the pictures in general. Don't tell me what you think about how I look specifically. I really don't care. Ok, well, I'll be waiting to hear.

WARNING! I need to draw your attention to the fact that there is a snake in one of the pictures in the photo album. If you are severely ophidiophobic, please use your own discretion before viewing the pictures.

Holy Cow, I Broke 100

Well, according to the counter at the bottom of the page I've now had 100 hits! That is awesome. Of course, probably half of those are mine, but still that is quite an accomplishment. I think we should celebrate...hmmm...I know! How about everyone who reads this could send me $100 to commemorate 100 hits to the site. I love that idea. Email me if you need my mailing address.

Working Again

Well, I started my new job as a Substitue Teacher last week. My first assignment was filling in for my brother's 8th Grade Math class. It was kind of fun. The kids were all tripping out because we kind of look alike and they were like, "It's too weird calling you Mr. Ryal when our real teacher's name is Mr. Ryal. Can we call you something different."

Over Christmas I went to Tyler, Odessa and Port Arthur to spend time with family. In Port Arthur, we have some property that was torn up by Hurricane Rita, so we assessed the damages and started making our plans to get that cleaned up. That is gonna be a chore. Since we don't actually live in Port Arthur, that is gonna be a BIG chore. And since we don't live in PA, AND there are no hotel rooms available in PA, that is gonna be a GINORMOUS chore. But it will get done.

Ok. Well, I need to go shower and straighten my hair. My goal is to post again before the end of the month, so check back then.