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"I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth."

"I just wanna go the distance."

"You're an impertinent man, Mr Hobbs!"

Perhaps you remember one of these quotes from a certain kind of movie. A special kind of movie. Or maybe you've been inspired by a recent event in the sporting world. Or by someone on the current sports stage.

If you're interested in all in that world that exists at the intersection of sports and inspiration, Beliefnet has a new site for you at http://www.beliefnet.com/Entertainment/Sports-Inspiration.aspx.

Whether you're into Baseball, Football, Basketball or Golf; NASCAR, Formula One or Indy Cars; the Olympics, the World Series, the Superbowl or March Madness; or Tennis, or Bowling or whatever your sport, Beliefnet's Sports Inspiration site will have something for you.

And, there's also a real nice chance to interact, which is really cool, because if there's one thing sports fans have in common, we love to talk about it.

And if there's one thing spiritual people have in common, it's that we should talk about what inspires us, and the sports world is just one of those places.

So enjoy, and see you online at Beliefnet's new Sports Inspiration page.

There's a new software program out called Freedom and it's the answer to my prayers: it blocks your computer from any and all internet use for upwards of eight hours per day. You may be thinking: but that's crazy! If you are like me, though, and checking email and looking up things on the web is the downfall of your professional and writing life, not to mention feels like a black hole pulling you into an endless spiral you can't wind your way out of (I know, sounds bad, right?), then you are saying to yourself: thank God! How can I get this?

Freedom is free! (ha) Though, so far it's only for Mac users (sorry PC people).

I've written a lot about the need for a weekly internet sabbath of sorts, and a few years ago I even gave up surfing the web and checking email for Lent. But I feel like I'm to the point where I need a retreat of sorts from the web on a daily basis--time set aside when I am focused and working and just being offline that becomes a part of my daily ritual. And I'm not alone.

While headlines about Tom Cruise or John Travolta's involvement in Scientology are nothing new, probably more than a few celeb watchers were surprised by today's news that Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis ( "Crash") is leaving Scientology. Ex-Scientologist Mark Rathbun posted a letter on his blog that is said to be written by Haggis (Rathbun cites confirmation from third parties that the letter is authentic). The letter is directed toward Scientology spokesperson Tommy Davis and explains that the cause of the split between the director and Scientology has to do with Scientology's refusal to protest California's Proposition 8 which banned gay marriage. He also describes a rift that Scientology caused with his wife's family as another reason he longer wishes to be affliated with the religion.

Do you love Edward Cullen? Can you not get enough of Robert Pattinson's channeling of this vampire heartthrob? Or are you Team Jacob (boo!) and dream of Taylor Lautner at night?

Well, lucky you: to gear up for the November 20th release of 'New Moon,' the second movie in the Twilight Saga, the cast of New Moon is going on tour and may be coming soon to a mall near you. MTV just announced the following: "The "New Moon" cast will spread out nationwide from November 6 through 15, appearing at various malls in a move that echoes the crowd-pleasing festivities that accompanied spring's DVD release of the first film. In fact, the tour kicks off at Los Angeles' Hollywood & Highland complex, where hundreds of screaming fans greeted Ashley Greene in March."

And, since we all know that Stephenie Meyers loves her mood music, the tour will include spots with musicians and bands on the soundtrack, including "Death Cab for Cutie, Anya Marina, Sea Wolf and Band of Skulls."

Woohoo! I think I might see if I can make it to the last stop on the tour in NYC--I had a blast at the book release-concert party for "Breaking Dawn" so I'm guessing this might be even more fun. Nothing like even more Twilight mania to help everyone get excited for 'New Moon'! See the tour dates below:

» 11/6 Los Angeles @ Hollywood & Highland Center
» 11/8 Denver @ Park Meadows
» 11/9 Boston @ Natick Collection
» 11/9 Chicago @ Mall Location TBD
» 11/9 Washington, DC @ Fair Oaks Mall
» 11/10 Houston @ Houston Galleria
» 11/11 Minneapolis @ Mall of America
» 11/11 Philadelphia @ Cherry Hill Mall
» 11/11 San Francisco @ Stonestown Galleria
» 11/12 Atlanta @ Mall of Georgia
» 11/12 Seattle @ Westfield Southcenter
» 11/13 Miami @ Dadeland Mall
» 11/13 Phoenix @ Scottsdale Fashion Square
» 11/14 Salt Lake City @ Fashion Place
» 11/19 New York City @ Times Square

I can count way too many JJ Abrams television shows in my repertoire of TV addictions both past and present, but with Felicity as his only exception (unless you count Noel as a guru of sorts--he was an RA after all), JJ Abrams loves to introduce a Yoda-like guru of sorts (or several) to guide his characters through all sorts of trials. On "Alias" there was Milo Rambaldi, who reached out from the grave, sparking many an obsessive man and woman to travel to the far corners of the earth and risk their lives on many an occasion for some Rambaldi inspired enlightenment. On Lost, Abrams' gurus are more explicit, obvious, and many in number: everyone from Mr. Eko to John Locke and even the elusive Jacob have taken a turn at playing guru for the islanders.

Now on the second season of Fringe (a show I love and am completely addicted to), Abrams has introduced yet another guru--I shouldn't be surprised since this is classic Abrams, but I had to roll my eyes when I realized it was happening again. Special Agent Olivia Dunham is the winner of this new accessory! Dunham's work requires her to "delve ever deeper into the dangerous world of fringe science...to realize that science and technology have already advanced beyond our dreams...and nightmares," and as anyone who has grappled with fringe science knows, life can get pretty tough, and sometimes you need a little offbeat, vague wisdom to help you through it all.