And now, for something completely different..

Check out all the states I have visited (those would be the ones in red). Neat huh? As you can see, I really need to work on the northwest portion of our beautiful country.



create your own personalized map of the USA

Sorry if it looks kinda distorted. I didn't know how to resize it.

Ooops, she's doing it again.

Britney is engaged. (I know, you're thinking two entries on Ms. Spears in less than a week??) So I was checking out today's USA Today, and here is the survey question for today:
************************************************************************
Will Britney Spears make it to the altar with Kevin Federline?
( ) No way. Her family and battalion of lawyers will set her straight
( ) Yes, I think she finally found the right guy
( ) The engagement will be quietly called off by the end of the summer
( ) Sure, they'll get married. Britney knows that's what annulments are for
( ) She just wants to use up the "buy one, get one free" card they gave in Vegas the last time she got married
*************************************************************************
If you're what wondering what you, the general public thinks, click here for the survey results.

Stay tuned here for complete coverage......but not necessarily of this.

Chapter 5k

I ran the big race today. Five whole kilometers. For you Americans, that would be 3.1 miles. It was awesome. I ran it in 32:33, which I'm very happy about. I averaged a 10:30 mile, which was good for me. I actually ended finishing 196th out of approx. 220. I got all sorts of cool stuff for registering too. I got some Harrisburg Senators tickets and a gift certificate to Dick's Sporting Goods, and a coupon for a free food at Doe N Jerry's. Woo Ha!

All this to say that I had a very good experience and I'm looking forward to my next race. I'm hoping to run a 10k either in the fall or sometime next spring. I may also try to get another 5k in this year just for the experience.

I'm watching the remake of Freaky Friday right now. I'm suprised how funny it is. That Jamie Lee Curtis is a pro.

I had dinner at Neato Burrito tonight. It was good.

Ciao.

Flight #94 to Krakozhia has been delayed...

Hi. I saw The Terminal tonight. Here are my thoughts.

SPOILERS AHEAD

Here's the premise: Viktor Navorski arrives one day at JFK. While he was in-flight, the government of his country (Krakozhia), was overthrown, and in turn, the United States refused to acknowledge the country as an official country. So Viktor gets stuck...for something like nine months. And as you may well know, he spends those nine months inside the international terminal at JFK. During his time, Viktor befriends several airport employees, freelances as a building contractor, and even meets a purty flight attendant. And he also plays the unwilling foil to security's attempt to get him out of the airport (and thus into somebody else's jurisdiction).

I enjoyed this movie. For the record, I should say that I like Tom Hanks. He's a good guy and a good actor. And I think he did a good job in this film. Catherine Zeta-Jones ably filled the role of the love-starved female lead. I also enjoyed the supporting cast. I recognized several of them, but I don't know their names. I think that one of the things that makes this movie work is that most people think of an airport as just one step in the transit process. And to make an airport somebody's home, just blows away people's conventional notions of what an airport is. And from a personal standpoint, I think I might have enjoyed it a little more just because of all the time I spend in airports when traveling.

And as you may well expect, I found symbolism in this movie. We only learn why Viktor was headed to New York in the last 45 minutes of the movie. And the reason blew me away. To think that he would go to such great lengths for his father was awesome. And my mind wandered (as it often does). Jesus came to earth to die for our sins. For you and for me. He came all the way from heaven to earth. That would be one long flight. But he did it because he loved us, with a love even greater than Viktor had for his father. You could even play off the Viktor/Jesus analogy further, but I'll let you decide that for yourself. I gave it a 9.5 on the 10-point scale (and that's a preliminary rating).

And on a totally different note, did the voice of the Hamburger Helper Glove change?

This just in...

Some stuff that I picked up today that I have to comment about:

#1 I found on IMDB. Here is the story:
Pop hunk Justin Timberlake has come to the rescue of troubled ex-love Britney Spears' career - by offering to write songs for her. The Cry Me A River singer, who is now dating Hollywood star Cameron Diaz, has offered to help Britney's flagging career after watching her suffer the heartbreak of having to cancel her tour. And now Britney - who is recovering from an injured knee - is hoping her collaborations with Timberlake will keep fans happy as she waits to reschedule her Onyx Hotel tour. A source says, "Justin is there for Britney at the moment because she has had a really tough time. "She is obviously upset about having to cancel her tour. Even though her songs are doing OK, she is worried about how letting her fans down will affect her future." An insider close to Justin adds, "Justin feels bad for her and he in a position at the moment to help. "They fell out badly when they first split up, but now they both have new partners, they have been able to rekindle a friendship."

Stephen's comments: How nice that Ms. Spears wants to keep her fans happy. Nice to know that she lives for the happiness of her fans. Although now that I think about it, perhaps we all do that on some level. We can't all have fans, but we have people that we want to please. Cause when they're happy with us, we're happy with us. Hmmmmm.


#2 is a quote that I pulled out of an article by Phoebe Flowers of the "South Florida Sun-Sentinal." In it, she interviews Michael Stipe regarding the faith-based movie he co-produced, "Saved!" Here ya go:
"I think that where we are right now, the 21st century...is going to prove a difficult testing ground for organized religion and for people of faith. A lot of the ideas that are still being held onto - I call them 'hangovers' - seem to be mid-century or even earlier. [They are] 19th-century, 20th-century ideas that are almost anachronistic in 2004. And so, if organized religion and people of faith want to continue into the 21st century, I think they kind of have to live in the times that we're living. You have to understand that the holy scripture is a very important part of my life, and my upbringing, and that culture that I came up through - but it's allegory."

Stephen's comments: I had to look up the work anachronistic. Websters says it means "Erroneous in date" and Princeton says it means "chronologically misplaced." So it might just be me, but I think he thinks that "organized religion and people of faith" are out-dated. And I don't think you can say that the entire Bible is allegory.
I don't think so.

Review of "The Terminal" coming this weekend.

Me again...

I meant to mention this yesterday but I forgetted.

I overheard something yesterday afternoon that was neat-o cool. The company I work for is going through a merger and because of that, some positions will be eliminated. Anywho, I overheard an employee say that she would rather be laid off, then another employee who would be hurt more by being laid off. I thought that was cool. That someone would sacrifice their employment, for another employee.

Would I do that?

Chapter 17, where I ramble on about nothing in particular...

Howdy kids!

I saw "Dodgeball" over the weekend. I'm not going to review it, because if you're going to go see this movie, you're not gonna care about what people are sayin' about it. You're just gonna go. All I'll say was that it was good to see Chuck Norris on the big screen again.

Would you agree that people in general, are imperfect? So why is it, that we expect our leaders to be perfect? I suspect that President Bush may make a mistake every now and then. John Kerry too. (And just for the record, I make mistakes too)

Guess what? I'm running in my very first 5k race this Saturday. I'm a little concerned cuz my training is kinda lacking. However, I am excited cuz I get to get one of those numbers to wear. That's cool.

One more thought before I leave ya (or you leave me..). I was listenin' to a radio program on the internet, and this dude said something profound. He said "Our money is God's money." The money we make, God has given to us to use while we're here. And we should use it wisely........and tithe.

Woo-wee!

Hey y'all. I know I been slacking on the updates. I'm workin' on it. In the meantime, take a look at my first published movie review. I'm excited and pleased that they asked to put my review up on their site. Be sure to check out their main site. Good stuff.

TTFN!

Everyone, say hello..

to Anna Serafina Pontius. She arrived at 9:46 pm this evening, weighing in at seven pounds, fourteen ounces.

So how do you react....

when you're out of your element? For the record, this is what I do: withdrawl. So tonight I was hanging out with some friends at Jubilee Day in Mechanicsburg. We happen to come across some people that I didn't know, but the others in my group knew. So, because I didn't know anybody, nor make an effort to introduce myself (they should already know me, shouldn't they?), I just kinda stepped back and let everybody talk. Every once in a while I would throw in a knowing nod, or a bit of a chuckle. And I think I might have done that to feel like I was participating in the conversation. But I wasn't, and I'm not quite sure why I felt I needed to particpate. Of course I know why: I wanted to belong and to be a part of the conversation.

I usually don't have a problem with this. And it's because I make a point to NOT be out of my element. But sometimes you just can't help it. Sure I coulda run away, but what good would that do? Which brings me to my next thought. Am I short-changing myself by not putting myself into these "out-of-element" situations? Sometimes I think yes, and sometimes I think no. There is an event occuring this weekend which two people have invited me to. But I'm not going. Cuz I'm the only one I know who would be there and would not know what he was doing. And if that doesn't put me out of my element, I don't know what does. So yea...that's what's been on my mind tonight.

In other news, England beat Switzerland 3-0 in their Euro 2004 match. One more win (against Croatia) and they'll advance to the next round.

Hello. My name is Coco, and my parents are crazy.

Lots of stuff to mention today.

So Courtney Cox and David Arquette had their first child. And they named her Coco. I just thought I'd let ya know...

More bad news for my central Pennsylvania peeps. I'm afraid Ms. Britney Spears has had to cancel her fourth of July date in Hershey. She messed up her knee shooting yet another video and now she's just going to have to try and make ends meet till she's all better. You can read the press release here.

There's quite a few things you don't know about me. No, not the fact that I've actually seen N*sync in concert, but other stuff. Like I like certain reality television shows. I do not watch Survivor, Amazing Race, the Bachelor, or those type of competitive shows. I like business reality shows. I really enjoyed watching "The Restaurant" with Rocco Dispirito interacting with all his employees. And now my new favorite show is "Blow Out" on Bravo. It follows an apparently famous hairstylist named Jonathan as he opens up a new salon in Beverly Hills. I like these types of shows because I enjoy the interaction between boss and employees and I also enjoy the business aspect of the shows. This new show though, Jonathan is really just a shill for American Express. Amex sponsored "The Restaurant," but they never mentioned their product on the air. They were waxing poetic about Amex's small business program on tonight's episode. Whatever...

Hey that's it for now. Almost bedtime. Ciao!

Wheels

So, I'm hoping to get a new car sometime this fall. And I've now decided what I hope this new car will be. And I've also decided to announce this future car exclusively on my blog (please try to contain your excitement). And don't be suprised at how specific I am about what I want.

I am looking for a 1998 or later Honda Accord. This Honda should have: four doors, automatic transmission, less than 100,000 miles, moon/sunroof, cruise control, and four tires. And it needs to be less than $10,000.

Let me know if you find my car.

Switching gears, here's your thought of the moment:
"When God is our Holy Father, sovereignty, holiness, omniscience, and immutability do not terrify us; they leave us full of awe and gratitude. Sovereignty is only tyrannical if it is unbounded by goodness; holiness is only terrifying if it is untempered by grace; omniscience is only taunting if it is unaccompanied by mercy; and immutability is only tortuous if there is no guarantee of goodwill." -- Ravi Zecharias, "Cries of the Heart"

Until next time...

Saved! by the bell

Hello world! Tonight I saw "Saved!" at my local AMC theater. And here's my review: It was an okay movie. For those of you unfamiliar, the movie basically centers around several students who attend the local Christian high school. And let me tell you, it seems like the writers went out of their way to make these kids kids extra-extra-Christian. The movie was rife with references to various "Christian" organizations. There was the "Christian Jewels," which was a group for Christian girls. There was the Christian interior decorators association that one of the girl's mothers was a member of. And of course, Christian music is easy prey (especially if Michael Stipe is producing). The movie follows the students through various crisis' (what is the plural of crisis?) and centers around ueber-good girl, Hillary Faye (played by Mandy Moore). Hillary considers herself the ultimate Christian and has a narrow view of what is acceptable in the eyes of God, and what is Sin. And as I feel like this review could run forever, if I continue with this line of reporting, I'll skip to the summary. This movie makes a point of highlighting hypocrisy and closed-mindedness among members of the Christian faith. However, I can't say this is a bad movie. There are some morsels of truth sprinkled throughout the movie. And if you look for messages and meaning in movies, you'll find it here. However, the writers could have done a better job with the "Christian treatment" and the dialogue could have been a little less stiff. So I'm giving it a "7" on the old 10-point scale.

Also want to recommend that you check out the Harbour Coffeehouse. It's a pretty hip coffeehouse, that operates as a coffee joint during the week, but then hosts Christian artists on the weekends. I'm not a big fan of coffee, but it's still a pretty cool place. And they have free internet access. You can even bring your laptop and wireless modem and get connected. Neat-o.

And for your DVD buffs out there, if you hadn't heard, during the month of June at Barnes and Noble, you can buy any two dvd's and get one free. This also applies to box sets as well. And while I'm talking about Barnes and Noble, give the Chocolate Peanut Butter Stack cake a try in the cafe. I found it rather tasty.

There must be more than this...

There must be more than this
oh breath of God come breath within
There must be more than this
Spirit of God we wait for you
Fill us anew we pray
Fill us anew we pray

Consuming Fire
Fan into flame
a passion for your name
Spirit of God
fall in this place
Lord have your way
Lord have your way
with us

Come like a rushing wind
Fill us with power from on high
Now set the captives free
leave us abandoned to your praise
Lord let your glory fall
Lord let your glory fall

Consuming Fire
Fan into flame
a passion for your name
Spirit of God
fall in this place
Lord have your way
Lord have your way
with us

It bothers me....

when I say that I will do something, and then I don't do it. Ya know why? Because several years ago, I decided that I was going to be a "man of his word." If I said I was going to do something, doggone it, I was going to do it. In this world of fluid change, I'd like to think of my word as static.

All that is a preface to this: I told two people that I was going down to DC tonight for Reagan's viewing. And I've decided not to go because it would make for a very long evening. But yet I've already told these people that I was going. And directly because of that, I almost feel like I have to go. I don't of course, but I said I was going to. And it bums me out. I would have actually told more people initially, but there was a little doubt in my mind that I might not be able to do it. Apparently that doubt was not great enough to prevent me from telling those people. So I'm not going. So there ya go.

Oh, and if anyone is interested, I found out this morning that "Saved!" is playing at the AMC Hampden Center starting on Friday. And I thought it was never going to come around here..

Be, all that you can be.....

I remembered what I was going to say yesterday. It's about friends. And you should take it as exhortation (2. Language intended to incite and encourage; advice; counsel). Don't let our culture limit your definition of a friend's responsibilities. Think in your brain, what a friend does, and then expand on that. Then think about that, and expand on that. Friends can be so much more then what we think they are, but I think sometimes we (myself included) feel that once we get to a certain point, we say something along the lines of "I've proved my friendship, I don't need to go beyond this." That's faulty logic. We need to get crazy with our friends. Got somebody you only see once a week? Try and see them twice.....in the same week! Or drop them a random email or a phone call. Got a friend who likes candy? Randomly buy them candy some time. Do stuff and be intentional. Yea.

And lastly(the firstly is above),here's my favorite doppler radar website. Enjoy!

Did'ya hear the one about....

J-Lo? Oi. What's the deal with her? Marc Anthony is husband number three. And ya know what bothers me the most? She seems to view marriage as a convienence. It doesn't seem to be much of a sacred institution in her mind. That's sad.

But yea...so anyways..

Umm, I was gonna say some other stuff, but I've forgotten exactly what I wanted to say. So....I'll catch ya later.

The calendar says June, but the temperature says March...

It was a cool one today in central PA, and I loved it. More so, because it's supposed to be in the mid-90's by the middle of next week.

On to what's news:
Ronald Reagan died today at the age of 93. He was the oldest surviving president. I wanted to mention a portion of comments that were made by President Bush:
"A great American life has come to an end," Bush said. "Ronald Reagan won America's respect with his greatness, and won its love with his goodness. He had the confidence that comes with conviction, the strength that comes with character, the grace that comes with humility, and the humor that comes with wisdom. He leaves behind a nation he restored and a world he helped save." "He always told us that for America, the best was yet to come. We comfort ourselves in the knowledge that this is true for him, too. His work is done. And now a shining city awaits him."
A shining city awaits me too. And hopefully you.

"Gigli" is a bad movie. I'm watching bits and pieces of it this evening, and Ben Affleck is just plain bad. Worse than he was in "The Sum of all Fears." And he's cursed more than should be allowed by law.
This all begs a very important question: How do movies like this get green-lit? Movie studios sink millions of dollars into these movies. And they don't even make their money back sometimes. Crazy....

Finally, I would like to remind you that friends rule. You rule.

And now, the news......the fashion news.

My keen eye caught this on relevantmagazine.com. And so, I'll be discussing fashion today.

Three cheers for "Ella Enchanted" (not the movie, Ella Gunderson). It's refreshing to see someone stand up and ask for change. Especially someone so young. The fashion standard for our children and young adults has fallen like low-rise jeans. Many girls these days are fond of the belly shirts. But some of them believe that they are actually for girls who have bellies. What exactly is the harm in keeping your stomach covered up? Oh that's right, it harms your coolness quotient. Right. My bad. [In the interest of full disclosure, the lawyers of this blog have advised me that I should make known the following information: Many, many years ago, I actually owned a half-shirt. I don't know why, but I did. But rest assured, it is no longer in my active wardrobe. Please don't think any less of me]

I had a good phone conversation last night with an old roommate. It was perhaps the longest phone conversation I've had in quite a while. But it was good, and it didn't seem as long as it was. It is very easy to forget friends from our past, especially when we don't keep in regular communication. One month, can quickly accelerate into six months, just like that. But you have to make a conscious effort to keep in contact with people. Sure, you can wait by the phone for the other person to call you (cuz if they're really your friends, they'll call), but really, where does that get you? Lemme give you a hint: One word, starts with an "N," ends with an "E." And it has "owher" in the middle. So hey, pick up the phone!

Good day.

God went bowling and got the ball rolling...

I'm buying dinner for whoever can tell me what band sings that song. I don't even need the song. Just the band.

So I chose the title for the subject based on the awesome display of God's handiwork that I saw this evening. In the space of an hour, I saw some crazy lightning, some cool clouds leading a storm front, and a rainbow. A pretty colorful rainbow. It was awesome. Every so often it's great to see nature get a little crazy.

I'm currently eating Berry Blast Mike and Ike's while watching the Orioles play the Yankees. I have a strong like for Mike and Ike's and a strong dislike for the Yankees. But I do still pray for my Yankee-lovin' friends (I'm looking at you Walters).

So my small group is starting a new book. It's called "The Air I Breathe," and it's written by Mr. Passion, Louis Giglio. It looks good. I'm excited cause I think it will definitely spark some of the members (hopefully all of them) towards a lifestyle of worship. Living our lives as worship to the Creator. To steal a line from the Hokey-Pokey, "that's what it's all about!"

Now I'm watching "Much Ado About Nothing." I never realized that Denzel or Keanu did Shakespeare. Not being much of a Shakespeare buff, I'm trying to compare this to the play of the same name that I saw in Reservoir Park last year. I'm back watching the baseball game again.

Well, that's enough yammerin' from me. Ciao!