Great Video: Uri, The Great

Rachel, thank you so much for sending me this video. I was laughing so hard that I was crying. I will think of this every time I run from now on. Love it. LOL I just had to post it here for anyone else that reads my blog to see. Too great for words.

I am Uri!

Weigh In #29

Weekly loss: -3 lbs
Total loss: -54 lbs

Sorry for the weird filming on this video. I was trying a different setting on my camera so I'm not sure if it was that or Windows Movie Maker but it is really weird whatever the cause.



Be of good cheer. Do not think of today's failures, but of the
success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourselves a difficult task, but you will succeed if you persevere; and you will find a joy in overcoming obstacles. -- Helen Keller (1880-1968) American Writer

Great Video: Uncle Jay -- 10/27

Did you play "Where's Kim Jong Il" in the video? Rewatch & see if you can find him in the crowd trying to vote. :)

Our Amazing Planet: Alaskan Glaciers Grow

clipped from www.dailytech.com

Science
Alaskan Glaciers Grow for First Time in 250 years
Michael Asher (Blog) - October 16, 2008 9:48 AM

Glacier Bay National Park. Two and a half centuries ago, the entire area was covered by thick sheets of ice.

A bitterly cold Alaskan summer has had surprising results. For the first time in the area's recorded history, area glaciers have begun to expand, rather than shrink. Summer temperatures, which were some 3 degrees below average, allowed record levels of winter snow to remain much longer, leading to the increase in glacial mass.

Those records date from the mid 1700s, when the region was first visited by Russian explorers. Molnia estimates that Alaskan glaciers have lost about 15% of their total area since that time -- an area the size of Connecticut.

Movie Review: Iron Man

I really enjoyed this movie. Like most superhero movies, there was a bit of ridiculousness. I don't mind the whole "ridiculousness" of the superhero but it is some of the situations that have nothing to do with the "superheroness." But, that's okay. The other complaint I have with this movie was the writing at least for the scene between Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) and Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) where she is helping him repair his heart thing. Another thing that bugged me was Jeff Bridges. I've never cared much for him. He kind of irks me a bit. And what was with that ridiculous beard?

I do like Robert Downey, Jr. & I'm glad to see he has gotten his life back on track (or at least appears to have) & is back to making movies.

The closing scene was by far the best part of this movie. One of the best endings I've seen in a while. Also, I'm sure that this soundtrack would, undoubtedly, be awesome.

So, I guess I'm all ready for the next ones. Yes, there are to be more. In fact, they are in pre-production now for Iron Man 2 & with the way The Incredible Hulk ended, there is to be an expectation of Iron Man showing up in the next Hulk film.

I would definitely recommend this movie. It is not going to be one that goes down in history as being a "great," but it is a nice escape from reality for a couple of hours & a necessisty if you are keeping up with the superhero movies. It is rated PG-13 & that is mainly because of violence (bombs, shooting, explosions, etc...no extreme graphicness) & Tony is a bit of a "lady's man."

I give this film a "B." It is worth a watch if for no other reason than to be prepared to answer movie trivia questions in some future version of Scene It. :)

My Random YT Videos: Low Calorie Pumpkin Ice Cream

Friday night I kind of invented a low-calorie pumpkin ice cream. I am so proud of myself. It is so delicious. I may have to bring my ice cream freezer home (to my Mom & Dad) & make some for Thanksgiving.

I actually forgot to add 2 T of sugar-free pudding, but it turned out great so I don't think it needed it. Maybe if I made plain vanilla ice cream it would need it but not necessarily for this recipe.



Recipe:
1c Splenda
2c Half & Half
8oz canned pumpkin
cinnamon & nutmeg or pumpkin spice to taste
Whisk together, pour into ice cream freezer, churn for about 20 min, & enjoy.

Nutrition for 1 cup:
Calories 97.5
Fat 0.2g
Sodium 102.2mg
Carbs 15.9g
Fiber 2.2g
Sugars 9.8g
Protein 4.9g

Virginniann1975: http://www.youtube.com/user/virginiann1975
Her ice cream video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM1rvDHJnmY

The other video I kind of copied from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFMvuD-7KZE

Um...Gross

clipped from webecoist.com

Pig Pee Plates

(Images via madnzany and eco-modernist)

1 billion pigs, 90,000 tons of urine daily. With all the bacon and pork chops Americans eat, there’s a lot of porcine pee to divert. Pig urine contains urea, which is already in use in many products (it is used in de-icing formulas, among many applications). Researchers have created a bioplastic from the urine, but it is not as great as one might think. For starters, when the bioplastic breaks down in landfills, it releases methane. The inherent problems associated with meat production are not alleviated, either. What’s more, bioplastic still requires the use of some petroleum-based plastic, meaning recycling facilities are going to have a hard time getting equipped for this new hybrid of plastic. The Danish scientists are undeterred, however, envisioning pig skyscraper cities where all waste is harnessed for reuse. Production on plates begins soon.

Rebel Heron

clipped from holy-cuteness.blogspot.com

Heron proudly shows off his catch...

Great Video: Piano Playing Cat

Archie was totally watching this video with me. I wonder what he was thinking. "Wow!" or "Show off."

Great Video: Kung Fu Black Bear

Great Video: Panda sneeze

I may have posted this once before but it is too good not to post again. This makes me crack up every time I see it.

Great Video: Monkey waiters

4000 Questions: Question #44: Can you describe your first memory?

I don't really know. I remember some things from my childhood that I'm not sure if they are truly my memories or just stories I have heard & imagined in my own mind. For example, I remember going hiking with my parents, Aunt Connee, & Uncle Randy when I was like one or two years old. Uncle Randy carried me around on his back in this harness thing. Now I've heard this story over & over again so I'm not really sure if I remember it or if hearing the story has just put the memory in my mind.

Another example would be when my mom was pregnant with my sister & a really bad storm blew through. We had to hide in the bathroom because we were afraid it was a tornado. Mom kept singing to me & Dad kept running in & out of the bathroom telling us how bad it was out there. I really don't know if I remember this or not. I have a little movie that plays in my mind about it but I'm not really sure if I truly remember it.

I guess one of the earliest memories that I can say I truly do remember is the night my sister was born. I remember I was staying at Papa & Grannies house (back when that had that 1960's rough to bare knees carpet). They had some friends over drinking coffee & talking. I don't really remember who they were but I knew that I knew them (probably from church). Then Dad called to tell me I had a baby sister & I remember running around the living room & dancing & singing, "I have a baby sister. I have a baby sister." All of that I actually do remember.

I also remember when we were going to bring her home from the hospital. They wheeled out an incubator with a baby doll in it for me. That was so cool. Later that doll got very sick & Dr. Kristy had to perform emergency surgery with a marker on the doll. I still have that doll. She now has matted hair & scars (aka marker) over her abdomen, but I will always have her. However, I think she is still at Mom & Dad's house right now. :)

Great Video: Uncle Jay -- 10/20

Weigh In #28

Weekly Loss: -2 lbs
Total Loss: -51 lbs

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, that also officially puts me in Onderland. Whoot Whoot!!!

I'm totally loving the way I look so tan in this video. One of my light bulbs burned out so the lighting is off a bit. I may keep it that way. Haha.

Survivor Fitness Challenge: http://tbossbone.com/


Part I


Part II

Stupid Food Industry

Great Video: Duck Tales Inflation Lesson

What the government "bail out" of AIG paid for

My friend, Denise (Hi, Denise), showed me this article last night. You people are going to love this. This just proves that these people have not conscience what-so-ever.

Less than a week after the federal government committed $85 billion to bail
out AIG, executives of the giant AIG insurance company headed for a week-long
retreat at a luxury resort and spa, the St. Regis Resort in Monarch Beach,
California, Congressional investigators revealed today.

"Rooms at this resort can cost over $1,000 a night," Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA) said this morning as his committee continued its investigation of Wall Street and its CEOs.

AIG documents obtained by Waxman's investigators show the company paid
more than $440,000 for the retreat, including nearly $200,000 for rooms,
$150,000 for meals and $23,000 in spa charges.

"Their getting their pedicures and their manicures and the American people are paying for that," said Cong. Elijah Cummings (D-MD).

"This unbridled greed," said Cong. Mark Souder (R-IN), "it's an insensitivity to how people are spending our dollars."...

I like what the first commentor said: "One needs a massage after looting and pillaging.
Sadly, there is no sarc tag to be put here. Hang em high!"

My response to another blog.

John Smulo wrote in a recent blog discussing an email he had recently received by a family friend discussing why she was a Democrat. In the end, he asked his readers to express our thoughts on the post, so, John, here are my thoughts. You asked for it. :)

No, I really don't mean any offense by anything I say here. I love this country & love the fact that we have the right to disagree & discuss those disagreements. We are just like a family. We disagree & we have arguments, but we are still family.

I have many Democrat/Liberal friends & family and think no less of them for their choice of political party. Just because I disagree, & disagree strongly, with someone does not mean I don't love & respect them. Our differences are what makes this such a great world. Wouldn't it be a boring place if we all looked alike, thought alike, & believed the same things. If every flower, tree, or other plant were the same color, gardens wouldn't be so beautiful. Sometimes our differences can lead to less beautiful things such as war an because of this, we must learn to disagree yet still respect each other.

In order for me to share my thoughts, I am going to, first, quote each statement the woman made, then, I will state my thought/argument with her statement.

1.) I'm voting Democrat because owning a gun is a privilege and a
responsibility, not a right.

Actually, bearing arms is a right according to the Second Amendment of the Constitution.

2.) I'm voting Democrat because I love my fellow humans and I respect their right to the same happiness I have found in my personal relationships. Happier people
make happier communities.

Since when do love & respect have anything to do with political party? I've heard unloving, disrespectful comments come out of both parties. And, since when is it the government's job to make people happy? Happiness is a choice, not something that can be granted to a person. The Declaration of Independence states we have "unalienable rights" that are "...Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." That is the pursuit of happiness, not happiness alone. You have the right to desire & seek happiness but you are not guaranteed you will find it. Like I said, you must choose to whether you will be happy or whether you will be miserable. Happiness is up to you, not the government.

3.) I'm voting Democrat because I believe oil, insurance, pharmaceutical and
other large companies have a right to profit from their businesses without being
able to use those profits to buy the people who run our government.

From what I remember, it was Clinton & the Democrats that fought for NAFTA. That agreement did nothing but hurt the common man by taking away his job & benefited no one but the "big" businesses by giving tax incentives to those businesses that sent jobs overseas.

4.) I'm voting Democrat because I would rather have the government use the taxes I pay in a responsible manner. Yes, Democrats tend to spend money on social
programs to help their fellow man while Republicans spend just as much or more
borrowing and bailing out large corrupt companies and giving to those who
already have enough or more than enough.

I think it is clear that both parties are guilty of this by the way they both fought for the insane bail out of the latest baking fiasco.

5.) I'm voting Democrat because freedom of speech is a responsibility as
well as a right. It is patriotic to speak out against my government if I feel
that government is acting in an irresponsible and dangerous manner. It is
possible to be patriotic and support our troops while not supporting an immoral
war.

I don't really even understand this point. However, what did jump out at me is that all of a sudden freedom of speech is a right but freedom to bear arms isn't. I'm confused. Are we able to pick & choose what bits of the Constitution we want to abide by & what bits we don't?

It kind of reminds me how some people treat the Bible. Picking out which bits they want to follow & which bits they don't. It is funny to me that the parts they like to follow they never question, but the more difficult bits they all of a sudden claim were either misinterpreted, mistranslated, or were written only for that era. My comment is this, "Yes, times have changed, but God doesn't." Sorry, I got off on a bit of a tangent there. Oh well, I'll leave it because it is true & never hurts to rehash it a bit.

Also, labeling it as an "immoral" war is an opinion. At that point, have there been many moral wars? I can't remember. What would a moral war look like?

6.) I'm voting Democrat because we should not have engaged in a war with
Iraq in the first place. The terrorists who bombed the World Trade Center were
not Iraqi; they were hiding in the mountains of Afghanistan. Before we decide to
occupy a country (this one being one of the oldest civilizations in the world)
we should ask ourselves why there are people who hate us in the first place.
Maybe they think of us as the "terrorists" and this is the only way they know
how to fight back, in a way that truly frightens us. Our country needs to
realize that we are all created equal and one is not necessarily better than the
other.

No, we probably shouldn't have gone to war in Iraq but hind sight is always 20/20, isn't it? Regardless as to whether or not we should have gone, we are there & responsible for what has happened. You can not walk into a room, make a mess, then say, "Oops. I shouldn't have done that," then not expect to have to clean up the mess. Leaving it up to whom ever owns the house to clean up is childish & irresponsible.

Also, you would think that the country "being one of the oldest civilizations in the world" would at least act like one of the more civilized ones. But, after all these years, they haven't figured out a way to control their citizens & live peacefully with each other much less the rest of the world.

The way this woman ends her statement completely infuriates me. "...this is the only way they know how to fight back, in a way that truly frightens us." Are you kidding me?! Is she actually trying to defend the actions of terrorists? I really don't know how to respond to this, so I'll just move on to the next comment.

7.) I'm voting Democrat because global warming is a threat and we need to
take it seriously, if not for the rest of the world, then for ourselves. Each
species depends on another for survival. This should probably be our biggest
concern; it is more important than the economy, who pays which taxes, the war,
etc. If we end up killing our world nothing else will matter because there will
be nothing left to matter. We will be dead!

I agree that global warming is an important issue. However, in order to fix this problem it is going to take a lot of money. Prices of goods & necessities will rise. Gas, electricity, food, etc... will be more & more expensive. Not only that, but the social programs, Democrats love so much, will be diminished. If we are going to fight this issue, then we will all have to sacrifice & sacrifice is rarely something we enjoy or want to do.

8.) I'm voting Democrat because I'm concerned about the babies after
they are born. Who will take care of them if their parents are unable to take
care of them? Republicans believe in the "right to life" until the child is
born; then they are unwilling to help to pay for the social programs, education,
medical care, etc. that will help that child to become a self-respecting, cared
for, contributing human being.

It is time for people to step up & take responsibility for their own actions & quit relying on the government to fix everything they break or screw up in the first place. Government is supposed to take care of the nation, not each individual person. You have to take responsibility for your own self. If young people aren't taught to be responsible for their actions, what is going to happen to this country when they are the leaders? If someone is always there to bail them out, how will they every learn?

9.) I'm voting Democrat because I believe that businesses should be
allowed to make profits for themselves, but not to use that money to buy a
government that works only for those who have money and against those are
are less fortunate.

This comment is the same as argument #3. So, see my argument up there.

10.) A Liberal is a person who cares about all the people of the world
and believes that we are all connected, no matter what color, race, religion, or
income level. We are all in this together and we take care of ourselves by
taking care of our fellow humans. If we can afford to supply some financial help
in the form of job training, good education for all, medical care, etc. we will
be helping to make the world a better happier place for all, especially
ourselves.

A conservative, in my opinion, is one who holds to moral values as more important that selfish desires & pleasure, a person who believes citizenship & respect are earned not handed out like candy.

Life is not fair. Not everyone is treated the same. Not everyone is given the same privileges & opportunities. It takes everyone to make this country work. If everyone is given the chance to go to college & get a bachelors degree or higher then who will do the blue collar work? Who will cook our food? Who will pick up our trash? Who will make the clothes we wear? To run a small town of say 1000 people, you only need one or two doctors but you need several teachers & even more sanitation workers. Yes, it would be nice if we could all get a great education but it is not realistic or necessarily good for society.

In closing, I am surprised about all the negative propaganda about Barack
Obama. Obama is a very intelligent caring man who will probably do a lot to get
us out of the mess that George W. got us into. Republicans always say that the
Democrats are into big government. I don't think anyone could ever have imagined the huge deficit, the bad economy, the expensive war, the lack of privacy, and
the FEAR enveloping this country right now that has been caused by Bush, Cheney, Rove, etc. Now that's the "biggest government" I think anyone has ever seen. I
guess in the end, I want live in a country of "We", not "Me". That's why my vote
will be for Barack Obama, the Democratic condidate.

I'm sick of everyone blaming Bush for every bad thing in their life. Do you really think the President has that much power?

Yes, I do believe he has made poor choices but I don't believe he is the cause of all our nation's problems. (For example, most major nations are having serious economic problems right now but Bush isn't running their country, is he?) Let's remember who is in control of Congress.

I don't know about you, but I don't feel like my privacy has been affected at all. Besides, I'm not hiding anything from the government. Are you? Wouldn't you be concerned if you knew someone was hiding something from the government? It is rarely good things that are being hidden anyway, right?

Liberals don't want to take responsibility. They want to rely on "social" programs to take care of their lives & families but don't want their privileges tampered with. If you live with your parents or someone else, & rely on them to meet your needs, then you must obey their rules & give up certain privileges such as privacy.

As for the economy, I believe that is a result of the Democrats & their precious NAFTA agreement as I stated in #3.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

John's next instructions were to explain why I am or am not a Democrat.

Well, to be honest, I believe I'm actually registered as a Democrat. This is because my parents told me to register as a Democrat when I turned 18 so that I could vote in local elections. I still don't actually understand this but I just didn't care at that age & wasn't about to do any real research on the topic.

The Presidential election between Gore & Bush occurred when I was in my second year in college. I was starting to get somewhat interested in politics then, or at least in the race for President (unfortunately, I am pretty much the same now. I really need to pay more attention to local & state elections to. I'm not being a good American.). During this race, I decided to really research the platforms of at least the two major parties & figure out which one I leaned toward, doubting I was full-blown one way or the other.

I was definitely a Republican. I don't necessarily agree with all of their viewpoints or the policies they pass but, value-wise, I lined up with the Republicans more times (especially on issues that were more important to me than others, i.e., abortion, education, etc) than I did with the Democrats. In recent years, I've even more strongly moved toward the Republican side of things; even more so with recent events, such as, health-care, immigration, the economy, etc. In fact, I'm probably more conservative in my views that most Republicans.

In reality, I really ought to research all the political party & see if there is another one that I would relate to better. But, until that time, I guess I will claim to be a Republican.

Embarrassingly, I must admit I have yet to change my registration to Republican but I don't think that really matters. Regardless of whether I change my affiliation or not, I will vote for the person & not the party. I don't believe all Republicans are good & all Democrats are bad. For example, with the exception of NAFTA & his "extracurricular" activities, I feel that Clinton will go down as one of our better Presidents (that is if he can keep his mouth shut; he seems to have gone a little nutty after leaving office, or at least during his wife's run for the White House).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, he, John, also wanted us to explain why we affiliate with a certain party.

Obviously, from above, you can tell that I am a Republican. So, why?

I am pro-life, anti-socialized medicine/universal health care (even though I totally feel something needs to be done), believe we should enforce the immigration laws that we already have & maybe make them more strict (no amnesty) , pro-Israel, support the 2nd Amendment, anti-embryonic stem cell research, anti-human cloning, pro-capital punishment, & several others.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I will be voting for McCain this November. Not because I'm a huge fan of McCain (although, I do believe he is good man) but mainly because I am so against Obama. If Hilliary had won the Democratic ticket, I still probably would not have voted for her, but I would definitely not be as upset if she were to win the Presidency as I will be if Obama wins the election.

If I had any inkling that he might win at all, I would vote for Ron Paul. Yeah, he may sound a little crazy, but I believe he is the only one who has been truly honest with the American people. He is way less worried about how he sounds & being "political" and way more concerned about the truth. I also believe he has a much better grasp of what is really going on in "Washington." However, if I did vote for Paul that would be one less vote for McCain & one more chance at Obama winning the seat.

If it were up to me, we would do away with the Presidency all together. No one person should have that much power over a country. God warned the Israelites about putting one man in control over their country but they insisted & they immediately felt the harsh realities in doing so. I feel, we should be run by a committee of people much like Greece had with their Senate. I do know we have that already but there is still that one man/woman who has a small amount of power to wield over the people.

I also believe we should do away with political parties. I know it is mainly just a way of identifying your opinions but as George Washington stated in his farewell address in 1796, "However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, if you have made it this far, congratulations, you have an admirable amount of patience & determination. I am sure I'm going to get a lot of flack for this entry because people are passionate about these topics but, oh well, this is what I believe. I may be wrong but that's how I feel. So, I'll leave you with a few great quotes about political parties & a few links to websites that I found that I would highly recommend when deciding who to go with. I include websites that would interest all Americans, not just Replicans.

"Men think they think upon the great political questions, and they do; but they think with their party, not independently; they read it's literature, but not that of the other side." -- Mark Twain

"The President cannot make clouds to rain and cannot make the corn to grow, he cannot make business good; although when these things occur, political parties do claim some credit for the good things that have happened in this way." -- William Howard Taft

"There's no way in the world you're going to make a political party respectable unless you keep it out of office." -- Will Rogers

"In his farewell address, George Washington warned the people about political parties. Now we see how both Democrats and Republicans have conspired to reduce democratic participation. If this is the best the Democrats and Republicans have to offer, it's time to look elsewhere...Politics should be the prism for our most noble intentions." -- Marianne Williamson

"Ignorance makes most men go into a political party, and shame keeps them from getting out of it." -- Edward F. Halifax

And, lastly, another, & probably much more important one, by George Washington.

"While we are contending for our own liberty, we should be very cautious not to violate the rights of conscience in others, ever considering that God alone is the judge of the hearts of men, and to him only in this case they are answerable." -- George Washington, in a letter to Benedict Arnold, Sep. 14, 1775

Republican National Convention

Democratic Party

Project Vote Smart

On The Issues: Every Political Leader on Every Issue

2008 Republican Platform

2008 Democrat Platform: Renewing America's Promise

The Heritage Foundation

Free pocket copy of the Constitution & Declaration of Independence (I think every American should have these documents so that they may be able remember what this country was built on to start with.)

Politics 1: Presidency 2008

P0litics 1: Political Parties

Wikipedia: List of Political Parties

Movie Preview: House

House is a book written by Frank Peretti & Ted Dekker. It is Christian fiction. They have now made a movie of the book. Although, it doesn't look Christian, does it? Hehe. I am so excited how there are so many Christian based movies coming to mainstream theaters in the last couple of years.

Great Video/Our Amazing Planet: Dolphins Playing With Bubbles

Great Links: Create Your Own Soda Can & Crest

Soft Drink Can Generator

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Create Your Own Crest

I think I may use this crest as my intro to my YT weight loss videos. I liked the deer's fierce expression, like he means business. I put the apple on there to represent good eating habits. There wasn't really a sports or exercise symbol that I liked. For exercise I went back to the deer. He has what looks like a workout head band on & he looks like he is ready to run a race. The bull's eye represents staying on target, aiming for the goal. I think I may go in & edit my name to the banner but on the website you could only put the city or organizations they had in their list.

Great Link: The Top US Celebrities as seen in Japanese Commercials

The Top US Celebrities as seen in Japanese Commercials

The commercials are weird but the author of this blog's comments are hilarious. My favorite is the Dennis Hopper commercial. I love his facial expressions when he is in the bath.

Great Video/Our Amazing Planet: Fluid Clouds

Great Video: Radio Station On Fire, DJ Cool As A Cucumber

Great Pics: Random

clipped from www.darkroastedblend.com

"Trinity" explosion - the first test of technology for a nuclear weapon, July 16, 1945.

This picture's event is usually considered as the beginning of the Atomic Age (more info)

Waiting for dinner

Still waiting...

clipped from www.darkroastedblend.com

Our Sun in a Groovy Light

This is a composite image from three wavelengths (171Å, 195Å and 284Å) - revealing solar features unique to each wavelength. (corresponding to temperatures from 1 to 10 million degrees C).

See other video highlights of observation of the Sun on this page (including gigantic explosions, coronal mass ejections and a comet almost plunging into the Sun).

E.T. is in your garden

Jumping Dolphins!

(in cooperation with National Geographic magazine)

At a place called Waterfall Bluff in the Transkei, South Africa.

A Church in Iceland

Meaningless Frog Pictures

Mystery Sign

...Mushrooms?

Mere Christianity & Repentance

We are reading Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis in our singles small group at Church. I am enjoying this book more than I could have ever imagined. Lewis, in my opinion is one person I would label as a genius regarless of what his IQ may have been. He thinks so deeply on things that most men would never even think about thinking about.

Another reason I am loving this book is the way he describes or explains topics or arguments to us that are often very difficult to explain. Some of these "arguments" are ones I have thought of myself but could never figure out how to put into words. Here, Lewis makes it seem so easy. Like Olympic skaters make ice skating seem like the most natural & easiest thing in the world, Lewis makes Christianity seem like the easiest & most obvious decision to make & "argue."

I am only about 1/3 of the way into this book but he has revisited issues of Christianity that either I have heard & accepted all my life or that I have never really considered having been raised in the church & never considered another religion. I wasn't ever taught not to question our religion or God, but there were just some things I never thought about questioning. Lewis, being an atheist most of his life, did question these things. In fact, the way he came to Christianity was that he was trying to disprove it to his friends.

Mere Christianity is pretty much a starting point for anyone interested in apologetics & I think it is a great place to start. Apologetics is defined as defending some argument or belief. I use to have a problem with this word. "Why should I be apologizing for my beliefs?" However, that is not what the word means. It actually comes from the Greek word apologia (απολογία), which means, speaking in defense.

I think many apologists some how vere away from this basic definition, however. I believe they move from defending their views to attacking others for theirs. I'm not against evangelism but I also am not for beating people over the head about it or attacking them for their beliefs or making them feel stupid or uneducated because they don't believe the same way I do. Having said that, I do feel that it is every Christian's responsibility to know what & why they believe what they do & be able to explain those beliefs if ever asked or confronted about them. This just isn't my opinion, that is what the Bible tells us; "...but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence..." 1 Peter 3:15. See? Told you so. :)

I think this is especially true in today's world. As technology advances, our world is growing smaller. We are coming into contact with more people of differing view points than ever before. And, people are curious, skeptical, & fear what is unfamiliar. Not only that, but many have been taught incorrect ideals of other religions & cultures. We must know what we believe & be able to explain it to others in a nonjudgmental way. Not only so that the others may understand & prejudices can be broken but also for ourselves so that we do not fall for just anything. Just as some great person once said (there are differing ideas on who said it), "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." Also, many people already view Christians as ignorant so we should know what we believe, why we believe it, & how to intellectually explain these without "talking over people's heads."

All that said, the whole point of me writing this is to talk a little about what I just read in the book. I really thought this would be a short entry...whoops...oh well.

In chapter 3 of Book II of Mere Christianity, Lewis writes, "Only a bad person needs to repent: only a good person can repent perfectly. The worse you are the more you need it and the less you can do it. The only person who could do it perfectly would be a perfect person -- and he would no need it." I think that is a wonderful explanation of repentance. Those few sentences made me look at the whole thing with new eyes.

I think this chapter has been the best yet. I would encourage everyone to read this book. Christian or non-Christian. Christian, so that they may better understand what & why we believe & non-Christians so that they may better understand what Christianity is all about.

TV Review: Eleventh Hour (American Version)

Eleventh Hour (American version), is a remake of a British TV show with the same name. The first episode of the American version was identical to an episode of the British version. So identical that they even used the same lines, down to the quirky little nuances & improvised comments. How annoying is that?! Were they at such a loss of interesting stories that they had to steal directly from the BBC?

The second episode was a new idea, at least out of the ones that I've seen on the BBCA. However, the acting was atrocious. It was like they had taken the entire town, with no acting experience what-so-ever & filmed them. The only redeeming quality was Rufus Sewell who played Jacob Hood. However, Sewell is British & true to recent Silver Screen antics, any British actors miraculously speak with an American accent when on American TV. This always aggravates me. I mean, if they want an actor who speaks with an American accent, then hire an American actor, or else let the man/woman use his/her real accent.

The British version (starring Patrick Stewart, aka Capt. Picard) is very good. I've really been enjoying it. However, the American version lacks much to be desired. I really hope they get it together but I'm not putting much faith in it. Shows that cross "the pond" never seem to do well here, with the exception The Office. Unfortunately, I just found out that the BBC only produced 4 episodes of this show. Too bad.

The British version is very science minded & implies religion, or any other theory for that matter, as a primitive mind set, which annoys me but it is still a pretty good show.

The site Eleventh Hour Facts tries to factually explain what happens in each episode. I think that is pretty cool. I haven't really looked over the site that much but the intention behind it is great.

Movie Review: Body of Lies

Body of Lies was great but had a lot of bad in it too. So, here's my perspective.

What was great:

• Russel Crowe & Leonardo DiCaprio are great actors. I'm not necessarily fans of them as people, but as actors, I think they are quite wonderful, not my favorites, but definitely good at what they do.
• The story line was really good.
• I loved the perspective showing Ed Hoffman (Crowe) as a normal family man. Makes you wonder how many "normal" people you know that lead double lives. Hehe
• They didn't explain every little nuance. I love that. It means that you have to be somewhat intelligent to watch the movie in order to pick up these little tidbits of information. It keeps you interested in the film & thinking. I don't always want to watch this type of movie but every once in a while it is a relief.

What I didn't like:

• A white man sent by the CIA to gather ground intelligence in the Middle East? Really? You mean to tell me there are no good Middle Eastern-looking actors out there that they could have cast in the role of Roger Ferris (DiCaprio)?
• The sound effects were distractingly terrible. Random common computer sounds were inserted in a odd sort of way. I know the method to this madness was to show how the unlikely character in the scene directed an entire mission from his typical "home computer," but it was very odd & irksome. And, of coarse, there was the ever annoying squealing of tires on sand. This is a huge pet peeve of mine in movies. Whenever a car is driving on sand, on dirt roads, or in a field, the sound guys always have the tires squealing. Aaahhhhh. Since when do car tires squeal when there is no pavement?
• The violence was quite graphic. If you have any aversion to graphic violence, pick a different film or wait until it becomes the "Sunday Night Movie" on NBC, ABC, CBS, or whatever channel (even though violence on TV is getting a bit out of hand, in my opinion). Graphic violence, like sex, in movies is completely unnecessary. You can imply these things without showing everything.

There was a bit of bad language but it wasn't as bad as some "R" rated movies are these days. The "F" word was said a couple of times, which I always feel is a lack of creativity on the writers part, but it was not that distracting. This movie definitely earned its "R" rating (so no kids) but, if you can get beyond the violence, I would definitely recommend you watch it.

I give this movie a B+.

No Motivation? Just Do It!

This is a video that I made the other day. I was a little afraid of how people might take it. I thought that they may think I was being arrogant & opinionated. However, the response was amazing. I didn't want people to think I was saying I never have a problem with low motivation but I did want to share the best way I have found to deal with it. I don't always take my own advice but when I do take this advice, it tends to work. :)




Like I said, the response I got was amazing. Here is a response video that my friend, Steve, made to the video above. I must say, I love this community. :)

Thanks, Steve.

Great Video: Uncle Jay, 10/13/08

Organic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Arrowhead Mills: http://www.arrowheadmills.com/

I had to leave that screen shot the way it was. There were better ones but you can't help but laugh at that face that I'm making. LOL Gotta love it.

Organic Grocery Haul, 10/16/08

My friend, Shanti: http://www.youtube.com/user/antishay

Sprouts: http://sprouts.com/home.php

Weigh In #27

Weekly loss: -0.5 lbs
Total loss: - 49 lbs

Fleas!

Ugh. Archie has fleas. This is very embarrassing for me to admit, especially to my parents, but it is true. I feel really bad for Archie but I have banned him from my bedroom & won't let him sit in my lap. He's getting no loving & he doesn't understand but that will change soon. I know this is pretty pointless since he's probably had them for a while but still, those little critters give me the hibby-jibbies.

Tomorrow morning I'm going to run to PetCo & get some of those drop things.

My only question is how in the world did he pick up these mini spawns of Satan (really, is there any redeeming quality to fleas?)? Archie is an indoor cat. He has only been outside a total of 2 times since he has lived with me. I guess if I really think about it, last Friday I had him tied up outside for like 3 min & that is probably where he got them. Sorry, Archie, but no more outside time for you. Now I'm scratching all the time. I know it is just paranoia but *shudder*.

I'm going to play mad scientist

I think I'm going to do an experiment this week. I think I'm going to up my calorie intake this week & see what happens.

SparkPeople suggests I stay between 1200 - 1550. To be honest, I rarely go over 1200 & many times, have a hard time reaching it at all. This has not been a problem but I get the feeling my weight loss may be slowing down. I'm not certain of this but I thought I might try a bit of calorie cycling anyway just to see what happens. I think I'm going to aim for my upper limit of 1500 this week.

I know that I need to work on getting more veggies & lean meats into my diet & cutting back on carbs & sodium. However, according to SP, I'm actually doing pretty well on my carbs. I'm doing okay on fats but I could increase those a bit. Mainly my sodium is what is a bit high. All the same, getting in my veggies has always been a huge problem for me.

I think I may pick a few meals to start cooking &, on Thursday, run over to Sprouts & get the ingredients. I know you ask why wait, but getting over there during the week can be a bit difficult for me & I don't know when they open. I've got a great chicken & veggies recipe from my friend Shanti that I've made several times & love. I also need to get back into the habit of making my cod recipe. I've got several cookbooks that I need to start using. I want to start cooking a couple of meals on Thursdays, Fridays, &/or Saturdays that I can wrap up & eat all week. That would definately help me in moving to a less processed foods diet.

This is my last week with my trainer so I've started planning on what is going to happen next. I've ordered a couple of books & videos from Amazon to help me (I know I already talked about this in my last video but here it is anyway). I have ordered but haven't received yet, The Ultimate Guide To Weight Training For Triathlon. I'm kind of excited about this book because I hope it will help guide me as to what I should be doing. I know what I've been doing for the last 6 months but it is important on how you combine these exercises & that is something I haven't quite figured out. So, I think this will be a great book...I hope. Nat also mentioned a great idea in her video this weekend about not only keeping a record of what, how many reps, & how much weight you use but also recording how you feel during the exercise. For example, if it was extremely difficult or if it wasn't that bad & that way you can go back later on & remember your progress. I think that is a great idea. I also got two videos, Freestyle: Made Easy & O2 in H2O: A Self Help Course on Breathing in Swimming, to help me with my swimming. For a bit of inspiration, I also got a book called Slow Fat Triathlete: Live Your Athletic Dreams in the Body You Have Now. It is about a girl who was not your typical "triathlete" but decided to do it anyway. I'm really excited to read this book & it is next on my list.

I have also come up with a plan that I think will help me. I will do my C25K program on Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays. On Tuesdays & Thursdays I'll do the elliptical. On Thursday afternoons I'll have water aerobics & swim laps then too. I may also do laps in the pool on Tuesdays too. I'll try to do strength training of my arms & legs on Tuesdays & Thursdays & do at home ab work on Mon, Wed, & Fri (if that fits in with the book). I may add a spinning class to the regimen later on when I get up the nerve & maybe a yoga class if I can find one that fits in my schedule.

Our Amazing Planet: Beautiful Pictures

clipped from photopostcards.blogspot.com