Month: July 2012

Dale & Tucker Vs. Evil

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQOZHEYhVtU

Mindless fun. That is the best way I know to summarize the you-need-to-see-it film Tucker & Dale Vs Evil. With sincere apologies to Ghostbusters, Shaun of the Dead and Evil Dead 2, this is the best comedy horror film I have ever seen. Sure it grossed only $0.2 million in theaters but that just further proves how unknown and under appreciated it is... Without getting into specifics, the film revolves around two vacationing hillbillies who get involved in a deadly misunderstanding that is absolutely to die for (pun intended). I won't say anymore, since surprises make the world a better place, but trust me when I say go watch this now! I don't like promoting Netflix, since I'm annoyed at the increased prices and severely diminished film library, but it is available to watch instantly so go do it! Oh, if you don't want to take my word on it, just watch the trailer and decided for yourself AND/OR read the great reviews on Rotten Tomotoes! Happy watching!!!

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“If you cannot get rid o…

"If you cannot get rid of the family skeleton, you may as well make it dance." George Bernard Shaw

When you the hear the word 'family,' what is the first word that comes to your mind? Do you think sweet, happy thoughts that are caught up in a whirlwind of love, compassion, giving, trust, connection and general warmth OR, sadly, do you instantly cringe and spiral downward in a sea of regret, sadness, shame, loss, and the like...?

Having a family, especially one that loves and cares for you, is one of the biggest blessings anyone could ever AND you can get it by virtue of being born. Sure you can create your own family, physically, or you can create family atmospheres through friends, facebook, co-workers, church members etc. but you never choose your parents, siblings, cousins....unless you count marrying into a great family but that is cheating. To have a good family is to be lucky, plain and simple.

And yet, as Spiderman knows, "with great family, comes great responsibility." As with any type of love, how much you receive is how much you should return. Parents raise and care for you while family members check in on you, send birthday cards, help you get jobs....but do you return the favor? Will you build an attachment on your house and care for your parents? Will you use vacation days on reunions, weddings, funerals? Not always......

....which leads us to the regret and shame, the hiding from requests and questions, the "I'm too busy right now." For better or worse, family is a part of you and, of equal importance, you are part of family til death do you part. If you are lucky enough to be part good family, I implore you to fully participate and truly enjoy the blessing you have because you, and and anyone like you, don't know how fortunate you are 🙂

Exercise log:
7am - 5.1 mile run with the Rutts
Yesterday - SAVSL soccer game (lost 3-1, semis)

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Best of Websites 2012

Tricky thing to compile right? It is easy to create a top website list as long as you cheat eliminate a few of the obvious social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Gmail (or whatever other e-mail you foolishly use). I also excluded Spotify since, once downloaded, doesn't function quite like a regular site... Continue Reading →

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Pimples and all, there is just something about baseball

Baseball has been, and by title always will be, America's pastime. Even though other sports like football and (arguably) basketball have out-gained baseball in overall popularity, there is just something about the sport that always brings people back. The game itself is typically a slow, plodding sport where the majority of the players stand around... Continue Reading →

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“My little dog – a heart…

"My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet." Edith Wharton

Everyone has that friend that owns a dog and swears that they are the cutest, most well-behaved creature that loves meeting new people and is just a bundle of joy. I have such a friend and let me tell you, that friend is wrong. The key word in all of this, as Edith Wharton says in the title quote, is 'my.' My dog, my heartbeat, my bundle....of lies!

A dog owner lives with and loves the dog and the dog reciprocates thereby preventing the from inner demon being observed. So called 'demon dogs' attack visitors, harass strangers, annoy neighbors and generally discourage friends from coming over to just hang out and relax. The biggest problem is that the bigger the inner demon, the bigger the love goggles worn by the owners. Trying to explain how much the dog seems to hate you is pointless. Owners always side with the dogs so they always win. 

I should not that not every dog is a true demon dog. In the past I might have said such a thing but many of my dog-owning friends have changed proven otherwise so I'm not making a claim that all dogs are demons. I don't have kids so I can't make a great comparison here but I've been told that loving your own kids is very different than loving other kids - love apparently does conquer all....

Anyway, if you own a dog simply be aware that you might be ignorant in all of this so just be aware or be warned that you might have less visitors and it's not about you, it's about your demon. Sure you might think that your dog is not in this category, since many are not, but if you only see rainbows and kisses when you think about your dog, you are not seeing clearly and thus need to strong reevaluate...

Exercise log:
Rest day

 

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This heat is reaching absolutely ridiculous levels! I love living in Virginia but man have the overpowering temperatures drastically increased my desire to move up north sooner than planned. One can only assume that global warming, which isn't going anywhere, will make this summer's temps a trend but it sure isn't a good one. Regardless... Continue Reading →

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“I keep on running, keep on running…”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkf1x-iW-Ks&feature=related

Isn't being impulsive just a wonderfully annoying trait to posses? My reaction to most anything is to act first, think second and (potentially) pay the consequences third. One relatively recent personal example the was decision to sign up for a marathon. I wasn't pushed, prodded or provoked into singing up, I merely had a few friends that decided to do it so I, being a very impulsive being, literally just said "I'm in!" I'm writing this so I've obviously survived the first few weeks but I'm still in desperate search of that runners high that I read about in 'Born To Run.' I mean, if others can run ultra-marathons through deserts and at altitude why can't I run a measly 26.2 miles? Personally, I feel more like Forrest Gump when he decided to run simply by standing up and beginning to run. Sure my running attire involves 10€ flat-soled walking shoes and sweat wicking clothing but the act of running itself is quite comparable because it began on a whim. I can only hope I continue to run on a, ahem, whim three times a week now through November when I attempt the Richmond Anthem Marathon. Fingers are crossed... Exercise log: 7am - 4.5 mile run with the Rutts (hills)

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Moderation Proclamation!

Is moderation all that it's cracked up to be? I sure hope so in light of the fact that today, of all days, is the perfect day for all Americans to exercise (pun intended) restraint and learn to moderate! That said, I don't think that everything truly is (always) better in moderation. My argument is... Continue Reading →

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“If you are ashamed to …

"If you are ashamed to stand by your colors, you had better seek another flag." - Unknown

How patriotic are you? I ask this question knowing full well that I cannot fully answer it myself. Sure, I can flesh out different aspects of it but I definitely struggle with pledging my allegiance to any flag. I created a short quiz to test myself, and anyone who reads this, to help me test my current stance on patriotism....

  1. Are you an American citizen? Were you born here? - yes and no (born in Bolivia)
  2. Do you consider yourself to be American? - yes (but not always proudly)
  3. Do you support the American president? -  this one, yes
  4. Do you believe that the USA is a great country? - yes
  5. Do you pledge allegiance to the USA? no (only to God)
  6. Would your give your life for USA? - no (only for God or family)
  7. Have you lived in the USA your entire life? Will you? - no and not likely though I could
  8. Are you grateful for the opportunities the US has given you? - yes, absolutely
  9. Do you believe in war? Do you agree with the US military involvement? - no and not normally
  10. Do you support the US Constitution, Bill of Rights and government systems? - yes

Well, how did I do? How did you do? This is a test of my own creation and I realize that it is absolutely flawed to create a self-quiz but for me, it was at least helpful. Nonetheless, I know that I will find tomorrow to be a struggle when it comes time to "celebrate" America but I'm starting to get used to it. I know one thing, I am jealous of any person that has a true passion for their country, yes that includes ignorant folks that parade their strong beliefs via car flag, red, white and blue bandanas and the like, but I don't anticipate ever fully being able to join in.

Exercise log:
7am - 4.75 mile run with the Rutts (42/Acorn)

 

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