Movie Review: Up

So, I just saw "Up" in 3D. On a scale of 1-10, I give it a 4.5. Very slow moving at times. I may have chucked once but never laughed.

Adventure - Part 2 - Skydiving

Off we go!
Linked up!


Looking for the green light


Oh crap!! What did I just get myself into!

Watch that first step!
Whew, they remembered to pack the 'shute.


What a view.


Neener, neener!
Look! No hands.
You can rest; I'll take it from here.

5,000 feet, pull the cord.
Weeeeeeee!!!!!!Touchdown! Nice leg.

Finished!

Adventure - Part 1 - Hiking Harpers Ferry

Recently I enjoyed a great time hiking around Harpers Ferry. Aside from misreading an errant mark on the map and following a trail that technically didn't exist it was a good time.

I was also able to take in some walking along the C&O Canal.

There was a lot of wildlife, from two little inchworms

to one big snake

And then I spent the last day of the trip in Gettysburg with my parents.

Good times!

5:42

The time it took to pump out a pint at the Red Cross tonight. Rock on.

Need some more motivation? Consider their Top 10 Reasons:

	You will get free juice and cookies.
	You will weigh less — one pint less when you leave than when you came in.
	It's easy and convenient — it only takes about an hour and you can make the donation at a donor center, or at one of the many Red Cross mobile blood drives.
	It's something you can spare — most people have blood to spare... yet, there is still not enough to go around.
	Nobody can ask you to do any heavy lifting as long as you have the bandage on. You can wear it for as long as you like. It's your badge of honor.
	You will walk a little taller afterwards — you will feel good about yourself.
	You will be helping to ensure that blood is there when you or someone close to you may need it. Most people don't think they'll ever need blood, but many do.
	It's something you can do on equal footing with the rich and famous — blood is something money can't buy. Only something one person can give to another.
	You will be someone's hero — you may give a newborn, a child, a mother or a father, a brother, or a sister another chance at life. In fact, you may help save up to three lives with just one donation.
	It's the right thing to do.

The Wisdom of Benjamin Franklin

Recently a friend from church loaned me a copy of Miracle at Philadelphia, The Story of the Constitutional Convention May to September 1787. It is an excellent read and is giving me much new insight into the precarious beginnings of our country. I just finished reading a selection of events from June 19-28 as the convention sank deeply into dispute and neared complete dissolution. At this time, Benjamin Franklin rose and addressed the chair, George Washington:

The small progress we have made after four of five weeks close attendance and continual reasonings with each other- our different sentiments on almost every question . . . producing almost as many noes as ayes, is methinks a melancholy proof of the imperfection of the human understanding. We indeed seem to feel our own want of political wisdom, since we have been running about in search of it. We have gone back to ancient history for models of government, and examined the different forms of those republics which, having been formed with the seeds of their own dissolution, now no longer exist. And we have viewed modern states all round Europe, but find none of their constitutions suitable to our circumstances.

In this situation of this Assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hirtherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understandings?

[Franklin here reminded the Convention how at the beginning of the war with England, the Continental Congress had had prayers for divine protection - and in this very room.]

Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a Superintending providence in our favor. To that kind of providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten this powerful friend? I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing profs I see of this truth - that God governs in the affairs of men.

This resonated with me. It is a beautiful, eloquent speech and one just as relevant today as when it was spoken 220 years ago.

Superb Marketing

I made a Target run today, and as I was walking down an aisle I saw a perfect example of synergistic marketing. There at the end of the aisle was a package of 3 Brita filters wrapped together with a 14 oz. Nalgene bottle (made in the USA and BPA free), and filled with 3 packages of Crystal light. All for just $14.00.

I bought two, giving me 6 filters, 2 water bottles and 6 packets of crystal light for $28. For comparison, a 5 pack of filters alone is available at Walmart.com for $39.98.

Perhaps I should have bought more!

Paradigm Shift

I started reading The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius today and came across this rather piercing statement:

Man is created to praise, reverence, and serve God our Lord, and by this means to save his soul.

The other things on the face of the earth are created for man to help in attaining the end for which he is created.

Hence, man is to make use of them in as far as they help him in the attainment of his end, and he must rid himself of them in as far as they prove a hindrance to him.

Therefore, we must make ourselves indifferent to all created things, as far as we are allowed free choice and are not under any prohibition. Consequently, as far as we are concerned, we should not prefer health to sickness, riches to poverty, honor to dishonor, a long life to a short life. The same holds for all other things.

Our one desire and choice should be what is more conducive to the end for which we are created.

I'm okay with the first three paragraphs. The fourth one is much more difficult to swallow, but after some reflection I see his point. I must admit I have not been evaluating the things in my life in this strict of a manner.