Movies, movies, movies

Summertime is always a fun time for movies, some of the best movies of the year come out during this time. Saw Madagascar a few weeks back, very enjoyable film for the whole family, and one I would watch again on video. I must say that Batman Begins is incredible, might not hold the younger viewers attention, and might lack some action for those looking for something outrageous, but I think it was an excellent movie. I have to admit, I want to see Herbie Fully Loaded. Has a young child I remember watching the original Herbie movies and laughing at the antics of the old VW bug. I heard from reviews it might be a little bit of a disappointment, but I still want to see it since I was a fan of the originals. The guilty pleasure movie of the summer for me is the Dukes of Hazzard. I say that because I am unsure at this point if I truly want to see it or not. I loved the original series, and thought the previews looked funny, but I think Warner Brothers might have stepped over the line of what made "Dukes" such a hit: family friendly with a few good values and a great cast, and of course some amazing scenes with the General Lee. I am afraid that what passes for comedy today will be heavily thrown in, and if that happens this movie may only fly for about as long as the General can stay air born on a good jump. On the import side of things I am excited to see that "Initial D" made its jump to the big screen in Japan, my only question is when can I see it here??

Thought of the day

Hi, and welcome to all the news that's fit to post, but it might bore you to death. I want to talk about a statement I remembered in an old class of mine that the world is shrinking. I know, I know, its impossible for the world to get smaller, right? In a physical sense yes, but in the way we see it we could say it is getting smaller. Used to take us months to cross the ocean, or even across the U.S., but now either one can be done in a day or less. Used to also take a month or two to send a letter, now we can pick up a phone in one continent, and call someone who is on the other side of the world and be instantly connected. News used to travel at a snails pace, now you can get up to the minute news as long as you have access to the right equipment. Basically what used to take months to cross over the land now only takes days, hours, even seconds. The more ground you can cover, the quicker things seem to get smaller.

You know what?

You want to know something that really gets me? When people start to think they are better then others and expect privilege just because of the amount of money they make. Case in point: at the ballpark there was a dispute between two fans, and as each one presented their side of things one of the fans tried to make their case by saying that they where a major sponsor and had to spend $30,000 for advertising. I think that just because you own your own business and/or make a lot of money you do not have the right to talk down to another person.

Its alive

We all seem to have those projects that sit on the back burner for awhile. Those things that we always keep in the back of our mind and tell ourselves that someday soon we will have the time/money/whatever to get it done. Well, I dug out one of those projects today: an old beach cruiser. For about 2 months all I had going for it was the frame, it was given to me by a friend. I had my eye out for a donor bike for some parts, mainly the front fork. Well, I found one today, so before I could second guess myself I bought it and threw it in the back of my truck. About 30 minutes later my beach cruiser frame had a 10 speed road bike front fork on it, along with some handle bars from my Aunt's old 10 speed mountain bike. There may need to be a few minor adjustments, but that is what happens when you start swapping parts. Who knows, this project of mine might go back to the back burner again after a while, but at least I made some progress on it.

Atmosphere

I know you keep a journal and every page is rippled from the tears that you cry, ain't no meanin' to your scribble cause words can't describe what you've been feelin' inside, it's like thousand foot walls, and they're still on the rise. But look up to a beautiful sound and see for yourself you're not that far down, and know this, I cannot love a little, my promise to you is unconditional.

And I'll keep the light on, baby. Just keep the course, you can weather the storm. I'll keep the light on, baby. You've come this far, don't you ever lose heart, now.
"Atmosphere" -- Toby Mac

Feel the burn

Been getting super hot outdoors recently. I have to put on my auto mechanic hat this weekend and look under the hood of my stang, it started to make a whine when I had the A/C turned on. Sounds as simple has a belt slipping, either tightening it up or replacing it should have me back in business. Other then that, I don't have much else to post. Well, I guess I should inform you all that Wendy is getting better, so thank you to all who have prayed for her. Don't really have anything deep or profound to say, so I will end this post here.

I like to move it, move it (or not)

About 470 miles round trip, little over 12 hours total, sore, and tired out. That was my day today in a nutshell. Helped out a long time friend of mine move from his grandparents to his very own apartment in a city about 236 miles away. Took about 4 hours to unpack everything off the UHaul and vehicles and get it inside the place, it makes it a little bit more of a challenge when you have to carry everything up to a third story, and I do mean everything. Poor guy is probably going to be more sore then me tomorrow, but we all survived and I am about to crawl into my nice comfortable bed.

Lots of stuff

Lots of things been going on lately, but not much on my mind to write. Every been in a situation where you wanted to help out two people, but you could only please one of them, so you end up having to put the other person on hold for a little while? It felt like I was facing that today, Wendy is still down from her surgery and needs people to watch over her and help to pass the time, a buddy of mine is moving to a different town and needs help with the move. I promised to help with the move before the surgery, really wish I could be in two places at once but the show must go on. Lord let Wendy get well soon, and make a full recovery.

Exciting times

Things just seem to get more and more exciting in my hometown. Today there was a military jet crash that happened just outside the base. A Harrier had engine failure, from what I heard the pilot did his job to the numbers by dropping his extra fuel over the base, and making sure the plane was not going to aim towards any houses in the area before ejecting, he stayed with the plane so long he ejected lower then any sane person would dare to. One problem, after ejecting the jet veered off and ended up in the near by residential neighborhood. From what I understand four bombs and 300 rounds of live ammo where onboard, but there was no major explosion, and it hit in between two houses. No casualties, and the pilot did not sustain any life threatening injuries, praise God. One interesting fact is that I was at Wendy's house, along with a friend of ours Melissa, when it happened. We where within a 2 mile radius of the crash and we where told by the news and relatives of hers to get out of the area, and quick. Talk about an exciting afternoon, and the crash made national news, so if you heard of a harrier crash you now know where I live.

A call out

I am not one to go on and on about my personal life on here, but I did want to say something that is close to home today. My girlfriend Wendy will have her right foot operated on tomorrow morning (14th), some things where not quite right with it from what seems like when she was born. She is going to face a lot of down time, which is unfortunate because she enjoys being able to get out. I have just been praying and believing that she will make it out all right. For all my fellow believers, if you read this say a little prayer for her.

Rest?

Why do they call restrooms, well, restrooms? I mean, its not like you can really rest there, no beds, couches, recliners,or even chairs to stop and rest on. Sure, there is the toilet, but I doubt anyone wants to sit on there for a rest. I think restrooms should be renamed to "relief rooms", if you think about it the new name makes more sense.

torn & worn

That kinda sums up how I feel. Last few days have not been extremely bad or anything, but stuff has happened that has kinda worn me down. I also felt like I was torn between two jobs to apply for next school year. One at a school I already knew and liked, with a student I already knew about, but with no opportunities beyond this year, and a new school with more opportunities but leaving everything behind I knew. I choose the new position, no looking back now. I know it is the better decision to make, but emotionally I was kinda twisted up inside. Has I was once told by a great friend and encourager: Its time to move on.

Useless information

I don't do drive-thrus, seriously. I don't know why, but the thought of trying to decide what I want to eat while knowing there are people behind me wishing I would hurry up is not something I like. I would rather walk inside, then I can take my time and look over the menu, which always seems a little neater and easier to read indoors. Also, being able to tell the cashier what I want in person seems to cut back the number of mistakes made. There you go, something mildly interesting but kinda pointless that you never knew about me.

To my student

I barely met you back in March but already I have to say goodbye. I was hired on by the school district to watch over you and help you to learn some basic stuff, but I think I probably learned more from you then you learned from me. You showed me that life is very precious and should be lived to the full. You also taught me that sometimes you need to stop and investigate the little things in life, because you never know when you might find something that will bring you great joy. I will admit, you also taught me about patience, but it wasn't your fault, you where just doing what you thought you had to do. I know somedays I may have seemed like I was a little annoyed, but I can honestly say that I am going to miss you, and I might never forget you. May God bless you, and I pray that there will be others in your life who will look out for you and treat you good. Take care wherever you are going.

Faith, hope, and love

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13. I pondered on this verse the other day because I heard a song on the radio by Point of Grace called "Faith, hope, & love". I kept coming back to the part of the verse that says the greatest of these is love. But I was wondering, how did love become more important then faith or hope? Then it hit me. God loves us, and it is revealed to us in the bible over and over again about how special we are, and how much He loves us. Now, if God didn't love us, then how much faith could we put into Him and His promises? If he didn't love us, where would our hope be? I am glad I serve a loving God.