A lot of expert (professional) bloggers say it is important to have a section about your blog so that others can get a good feel about what the site is for. This is mine.

Chaseblogger is a blog I started a little over a year ago. My goal for this site was to have an avenue to share my humorous yet often rational perspective on things going on in the world. I was recently welcomed on to the team at the Punchline Magazine Blog, where I will be posting reviews and articles relating to stand-up comedy. I would love to try stand up comedy myself someday - probably just some open mics. I spend some time every week writing observational humor on my Myspace blog. Once all the kids grow up, I'll have three or four completely original totally un-polished sets.

My wife is awesome. We've been married for almost 9 years and she is the most inspirational, compassionate, and mysterious person I will ever know. I love her. We also have 4 (yes, that's four) children. Connor, Dawsyn, Noah, and Gracielyn. One of them is a girl. I'll let you guess which one.

Introducing, the new contributing members of Chaseblogger! Or as I like to call them, the Contribubloggers! The new voices of wit, wisdom, and some other W word that would make this a great alliteration.

Aaron "Cas" Castillo - Cas is an avid learner/experiencer. He educates himself in the ways of life through study and practice. He loves everything (comparatively to most). - ALSO - He is an avid photographer and if anybody is interested in checking his stuff out head to: http://picasaweb.google.com/casgarble and if you feel inclined drop him a comment or two, he would love to hear some constructive criticism. Last and certainly not least... PING PONG!

Jason Grahn - Jason and Chase once took the top off his Suzuki Samaria when it was snowing and drove around town listening to surf music. Once he hands in a longer bio, there will be more posted here.

Sina Amedson - Sina has been acting since 2000. He started doing improv comedy shortly thereafter and then began stand up after he turned 21 in '03. If you want to see a show, check his calendar and subscribe to his blog. Sina can get along with just about anybody, so come hang out with him after the shows. Sina likes to think that he has other dimensions to his life other than his career and that's what he's really searching so hard to find right now. We'll keep you posted if he discovers the meaning of life along the way.

Sabrena Roper - Sabrena is a 27 year old happily married momma to 3 boys and a baby girl. She LOVES being a mom. Its what she believe she was put on this earth to do. She was blessed beyond her dreams with her husband, Chase. He is the love of her life. Sabrena is a Christian, and by that she means that she believes Jesus Christ to be her savior. He gave His life so that she can have eternal life in Heaven. She admits that she is not prefect and struggles to put Him first in her life. But she knows she only needs his forgiveness, grace, and mercy and everything else falls into place. She enjoys dancing, reading, relaxing with her family, and laughing!

Joey Cristina - Joey is a twenty-something year old, and is a broken man trying to find his place in this world. He believes in a loving God who offers us to explore, to wonder, to create, and to be saved through His son’s sacrifice. Joey also enjoys coffee, music, anime, politics, and a good conversation.

This post is BIG news. I am going to be taking some time off from Chaseblogger to write my first screenplay. After a talk with a new friend of mine who already writes for the entertainment industry, I've decided its time I take up my pen and notebook and get cracking.

Back in high school, I attempted to write screenplays for two different movies. One I called, "The Bastards," and the other was called, "The Devil Works at the Video Store." They were both great examples of poor character devolopment and no real plot but I've learned and read up and have spent the last year starting this blog, writing for Punchline, and posting semi-regularly on my Myspace Blog. The time has come to take a leap and see what I'm made of as a writer by first penning my first script and then get it sold.

Like any hobby/talent, it is important to train, practice, and be knowledgable of proper execution. This is why my friend has pointed me towards some reading material that he felt were essential for me to move forward. Those books are, "The Screenwriter's Manual: A Complete Reference of Format & Style," "Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting," and "The Screenwriter's Workbook (A Dell Trade Paperback)." So it looks like I have some homework to do.

Over the next year, I will post a monthly update about the progress (whether sucesses or frusterations) of my project and possibly help anyone else who wants to write a movie (or learn what it takes) to do so. Otherwise, I thank you for all the support with this blog and hope you continue to keep tabs on how things are going for me. You will still be able to read my articles, reviews, and blog posts at PunchlineMagazine.com.

Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Rebecca Omens has ordered that Britney Spears be booked into custody before appearing in court for charges related to her hit-and-run and driving without a valid license. I'm really starting to feel real pitty for this girl. If she hasn't hit rock bottom yet, I don't know what will take.

Let this be proof to anyone curious, Life Coaches are a waste of time and money.

Matt Richtel of the New York Times recently published a critical article against Churches who use the popular game "Halo" to reach young adults and teens. You can follow the link to story if you like, but to summarize, Richtel feels that churches are using the game to "recruit" young congregates. The fact that the game is rated M and that the required age to purchase "Halo" is 17, should prevent any church from promoting or holding any such youth event. I disagree to an extent.

Men (and teenage boys or just regular boys)bond best by doing things together. Things like sports, watching movies, or playing video games, are essential activities for males to be able to share experiences and relate with one another. A group of guys from my church (Newbridge Community) get together every so often for a similar event. While it is not hosted specifically for by the church and we do not invite anyone under 18, it is a great time and makes it easy to invite a friend to who may not normally do the whole "church thing." If I invite a friend to "Halo Night" (some swearing, sometimes there's beer) and most of the other guys there all attend church regularly, my friend may come to realize that being a man who goes to church doesn't mean you lead an uninteresting or unexciting lifestyle. Plus, it gives him a way to relate and befriend those other guys. It would make it all that much more easy on me to invite to come to service someday.

While I do not like calling the event a "recruiting" tactic, I do agree with Richtel about the age situation. All three of the "Halo" games are rated M and for good reason. Any church that is going to sponsor and promote a "Halo" event should do so only for those who are ages 17 and older. Otherwise, hold a game night for minors with other game titles that are widely accepted for all ages.

Is it wrong for a church to promote an event based around such a violent video game? I don't feel that it's wrong. Church has been promoting the Bible for ages and it's the most violent thing I've ever read and yet, God has been using to improve my quality and experience of life every day.

Here they are.

• Kim Jong Il: I'm an internet expert - I'm assuming he's talking about his Myspace page.
• Audio sample of "I am America (and so can you!) - The new book by Stephen Colbert releases Oct 9. Go preorder a copy of I Am America (And So Can You!) today!
• Scientology is equal to Superman? - Another person figures out why Scientology is retarded.
• PETA wants Britney to lose dogs too - The only thing more annoying than Britney Spears is PETA.

Hey, everyone! I just wanted to yell you all about a new family blog my wife has just started called, "Roper's Round Up." Her goal with this blog is basically to post updates, stories, and events about our family, The Ropers!

The site BRAND SPANKING NEW so there have only been a few updates about some of our kids' firsts with some pictures, how we like to spend our Fridays, and a post from me about spending the weekend home alone with the boys.

If you've ever wanted to know a little bit more about my awesome family, or are apart of my family and are tired of reading my opinion about things, then Roper's Round Up is the answer to your prayers.

You can visit Roper's Round Up by clicking here!

This month my blog nodding will be dedicated to the puzzling Top Myspace Bog List. Each week throughout October, I will select a blog from the Top 10 Myspace Blog list and explain why I feel it does not belong on that list.



Today I have selected the number 1 blog post titled, "In Regards to My Nudes," by Chris Crocker. You are probably more familiar with Crocker from his horrible viral video tirade about Britney Spears. In this brief post, Chris addresses what most all blogger don't care at all about - nude photos of him. Here is why I believe his blog does not belong on the Myspace Top 10:

• Most people weren't aware there were nude photos of this guy (because nobody is searching for them.
• The entire post is irreverent and has no flow what soever.
• Its by Chris Crocker

First Strike against Christmas: Superintendents

Christmas has come early this year and by "Christmas" I mean the war on it. I was hoping that I wouldn't have to begin this campaign so early in the month (I also hoped that Christmas would have been immediately taken the offensive this season.) Nonetheless, here are the details of the first attack.

Children in Ridgeland School District 122 in Oak Lawn, Chicago, will celebrate fall festival instead of Halloween and winter festival instead of Christmas. The decision, which came down from Superintendent Tom Smyth, was a response to a parent who tried to put up decorations for Ramadan at Columbus Manor Elementary. The decorations were taken down by school officials and now parents of the district's 30% Arab-American population are upset. Now, the Ridgeland School District will have no decorations up for Halloween or Christmas this year and will be either be renaming or canceling their Christmas break.

Apparently, the Muslim children have all been allowed to pray at school and openly practice their astonishing spiritual discipline toward their God during lunch time throughout Ramadan. Doesn't it seem fair then that since the rest of the children don't have parents that teach them that sort of strength in their faith, that we allow them to hang up pictures of trees with lights on them in honor of the birth of Jesus?

I just think that it would make for an all around more accepting atmosphere in schools (and maybe the world) if we allowed decorations for all of the students' religious holidays (if parents who represent those holidays are willing to volunteer to do so) and let kids excitedly share and learn about them.

It was announced today that Superior Court Judge Scott M. Gordon, ordered Britney Spears to relinquish custody of her children over to her ex-husband, Kevin Federline. As Britney media machine spirals further down into the bowels of hell, I can't help but feel heartache for these kids.

For me, all the stories I had heard or read about Spears and her drug fueled partying have been confirmed by the judge's decision and I think its important to take a step back and say, "Enough is enough." Here we have young children who have already lived in ultimate chaos, who's parents are divorced, who's mom is on 24 hour media watch and living recklessly, and someday they will get the added fortune of being able to go back and read about how exploited they all were. Come on, lets give these kids a chance.

Why not stop the photographing, stop filming Britney as she uninterestingly walks into Starbucks to buy a frappacino, and move on to another story? Is she just that intoxicating that we can't just let it go. I think the media needs to check itself into rehab, because clearly. . . its addicted.