I watched "I, Robot" this weekend, thanks to my recent Blockbuster online membership mentioned in an earlier blog. It was an excellent movie and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys action, sci-fi, and a mystery thrown in for good measure. I noticed in this movie a pattern I've seen in a lot of movies - Chicago as the movie's location. It wasn't as evident in this movie, since it was set in 2035. The "Lake Michigan Landfill" sorta gave that away.
When I think about some of my all-time favorite movies, I realized a boat load of them are set in Chicago - My Best Friend's Wedding, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, While You Were Sleeping, My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Then, add to the list TV shows - ER, St. Elsewhere, and Chicago Hope - all three medical shows set in Chicago. Although Chicago is a great city, why in the world is it such a popular setting for movies and tv shows?
New York and Los Angeles are both cities I'd expect to be settings for movies, but Chicago? What about Atlanta? Or Dallas? Or St Louis? Aren't any of these choices as high quality as Chicago? My best guess is that it's a centrally-located city in the US that has a diverse population and a beautiful skyline. Outside of that I don't know the intrigue of Chicago to movie makers. Maybe one day I'll be lamenting the use of Detroit as a movie setting and long for a movie set in Chicago....
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Thursday, July 14, 2005
The World is Wild About Harry
Saturday July 16, the sixth book in the Harry Potter series, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" will debut. This entry will not discuss the pros, cons, debates or value of the books and their movie counterparts. I'm one of the few people in the world that hasn't read the books or seen the movies. So, my uninformed person won't comment on the moral Potter debate.
But, what I do want to note is what this book series has done for reading. Amazon reports that this pre-purchase release is the largest ever in their 10 year history. Children and adults alike are expecting their shipped book, or planning to stand in line to be one of the first to purchase the next installment. In a world full of fast-paced technology advancements, it warms my heart that our world is excited about the bound printed page again.
My love for reading started when I got my first Weekly Reader order form at school. I remember coming home and sitting down with my Mom to see what books to order. My Mom was an avid reader (she even painted a Seuss mural in my elementary school's library) and loved helping me make my reading choices. Every summer she'd take me to the local library to participate in the summer reading program there. I loved it, I couldn't get enough of it. And today, given my busy schedule, I don't pleasure read as much as I would like, but it still provides one of the greatest escapes to my imagination and vehicle for de-stressing.
As much of a technology lover that I am, you can't beat the rush you get from going to your local book store, grabbing a book off the shelf, cracking the spine, and inhaling the fragrance of a new story to soak in. If you can find nothing good to say about Harry Potter, he at least has conjured up the love of reading in the hearts of millions.
But, what I do want to note is what this book series has done for reading. Amazon reports that this pre-purchase release is the largest ever in their 10 year history. Children and adults alike are expecting their shipped book, or planning to stand in line to be one of the first to purchase the next installment. In a world full of fast-paced technology advancements, it warms my heart that our world is excited about the bound printed page again.
My love for reading started when I got my first Weekly Reader order form at school. I remember coming home and sitting down with my Mom to see what books to order. My Mom was an avid reader (she even painted a Seuss mural in my elementary school's library) and loved helping me make my reading choices. Every summer she'd take me to the local library to participate in the summer reading program there. I loved it, I couldn't get enough of it. And today, given my busy schedule, I don't pleasure read as much as I would like, but it still provides one of the greatest escapes to my imagination and vehicle for de-stressing.
As much of a technology lover that I am, you can't beat the rush you get from going to your local book store, grabbing a book off the shelf, cracking the spine, and inhaling the fragrance of a new story to soak in. If you can find nothing good to say about Harry Potter, he at least has conjured up the love of reading in the hearts of millions.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Top Five Rejected Summer Movies
5. Three Jennifers and an Angelina - The ongoing tale of Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Garner, Jennifer Anniston and Angelina Jolies's capers and antics with Hollywood favorites Ben Affleck and Brad Pitt. Soundtrack by P Diddy.
4. It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad War of the Worlds - Follow Tom Cruise as he travels the world proclaiming his offbeat scientology beliefs and professes his newfound love for Katie Holmes.
3. Bewitched - Oh, wait, that movie actually got released - oops!
2. Charlie and the Computer Factory - Join Charlie and other young engineer wannabes as they travel inside the wonderful world of Microsoft. Escorted by the eccentric Bill Gates, see how their love for technology will swallow them up in a never-ending devotion to the Microsoft way of life.
1. The Never Going to be a Princess Diaries - Peek inside the 30 + year journal of the latest addition to the royal family - Camilla Parker Bowles. She'll never be a queen or a princess, but see how she shamefully captured the heart of the not-so-dashing Prince Charles.
4. It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad War of the Worlds - Follow Tom Cruise as he travels the world proclaiming his offbeat scientology beliefs and professes his newfound love for Katie Holmes.
3. Bewitched - Oh, wait, that movie actually got released - oops!
2. Charlie and the Computer Factory - Join Charlie and other young engineer wannabes as they travel inside the wonderful world of Microsoft. Escorted by the eccentric Bill Gates, see how their love for technology will swallow them up in a never-ending devotion to the Microsoft way of life.
1. The Never Going to be a Princess Diaries - Peek inside the 30 + year journal of the latest addition to the royal family - Camilla Parker Bowles. She'll never be a queen or a princess, but see how she shamefully captured the heart of the not-so-dashing Prince Charles.
Friday, July 08, 2005
My Soapbox of Freedom
My holiday weekend was spent in the great state of Alabama near Ft. Benning Army base. Celebrating our American Day of Freedom near one of the largest military bases in the US was refreshing and reflective. Since 9/11, our 4th of July celebrations have had a bit more meaning, but in the last couple of years, we've went back to the status quo celebrations of fireworks, cookouts, and ho hum-ness.
My friends who live in Alabama are not active military, but are working in positions that support our troops at that base. As part of my visit, I attended a sweet little church that had a simple, yet moving worship service. One of their older members shared her testimony of the meaning of American citizenship. You see, she was born a Czech citizen. As this sweet lady shared her testimony I was reminded of my free birth into this country. Then, a chaplain from Ft. Benning shared his testimony of his service in Desert Storm and Afghanistan as he prepares to be deployed to Iraq in the very near future. Hearing these stories, being in a town where almost everyone is touched by the activities at Ft Benning, and realizing how blessed I am truly made me very thankful for the freedom I have.
It really made me a bit frustrated that we as Americans are chastising the war and President Bush's efforts to address terrorism. In the Ft Benning area, local television stations report the real feed from the front lines - and more positive than negative. Soldiers are fighting every second to protect us and provide freedom. More than 5 million children now attend school in Afgahnistan - 40 percent of those are women. We take for granted that our children, male and female, can go to school free of charge without barrier. There is good going on, but you gotta dig for a media outlet that will show it.
Thousands of young men and women are sacrificing their lives for my freedom - while I complain about high gas prices and not getting my food fast enough at the restaurant. We as Americans aren't having to sacrifice much at all - if anything. The recent bombings in London bring all the memories of 9/11 back - how quickly we forget that loss amidst our own selfish wants. How thankful I am that I have a country so free that I am allowed to blog my thoughts freely (literally and figuratively) at any moment of the day without censor. God Bless the USA.
My friends who live in Alabama are not active military, but are working in positions that support our troops at that base. As part of my visit, I attended a sweet little church that had a simple, yet moving worship service. One of their older members shared her testimony of the meaning of American citizenship. You see, she was born a Czech citizen. As this sweet lady shared her testimony I was reminded of my free birth into this country. Then, a chaplain from Ft. Benning shared his testimony of his service in Desert Storm and Afghanistan as he prepares to be deployed to Iraq in the very near future. Hearing these stories, being in a town where almost everyone is touched by the activities at Ft Benning, and realizing how blessed I am truly made me very thankful for the freedom I have.
It really made me a bit frustrated that we as Americans are chastising the war and President Bush's efforts to address terrorism. In the Ft Benning area, local television stations report the real feed from the front lines - and more positive than negative. Soldiers are fighting every second to protect us and provide freedom. More than 5 million children now attend school in Afgahnistan - 40 percent of those are women. We take for granted that our children, male and female, can go to school free of charge without barrier. There is good going on, but you gotta dig for a media outlet that will show it.
Thousands of young men and women are sacrificing their lives for my freedom - while I complain about high gas prices and not getting my food fast enough at the restaurant. We as Americans aren't having to sacrifice much at all - if anything. The recent bombings in London bring all the memories of 9/11 back - how quickly we forget that loss amidst our own selfish wants. How thankful I am that I have a country so free that I am allowed to blog my thoughts freely (literally and figuratively) at any moment of the day without censor. God Bless the USA.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
If You Could See What I See
As I traveled this past holiday weekend to the southern half of the States, I encountered quite a few folks who were visually impaired. Periodically I may see someone with their seeing-eye dog or walking stick, but I would guess that I saw more than 10 folks jetting through airports and walking the streets of the places I visited.
What struck me was their ease in navigating around their locations. Nothing stopped them, and they were fearless. Being a sighted person, except for the corrective contacts I have to wear, encountering airport chaos is something I don't relish when I travel. I can't imagine how much more hesitant I would be if I were visually impaired. I can get overly stressed about what I packed, did I forget something, will I make it to the gate on time, will there be a long line at security. I take for granted that I can see exactly where I'm going.
After observing these brave travelers, it caused me to reflect on a Scripture - 2 Corinithians 5:7, "For we walk by faith, not by sight." These folks can't see where they are going. They are relying on a walking stick, seeing-eye dog, or the arm of another person to guide them. Their trust and faith that these things will help get them to their destination is phenomenal. But, how much more phenomenal is our faith when we trust in a God who knows our every move. My Creator who formed me and knows my weaknesses and fears can lead me better than I can travel on my own. Oh how I long to be so trusting in my Lord so that the "blindness" of my future causes no fear. May I grab hold of the unseen Arm of God and allow Him to take me to the unknown places of blessing He has in store for me.
What struck me was their ease in navigating around their locations. Nothing stopped them, and they were fearless. Being a sighted person, except for the corrective contacts I have to wear, encountering airport chaos is something I don't relish when I travel. I can't imagine how much more hesitant I would be if I were visually impaired. I can get overly stressed about what I packed, did I forget something, will I make it to the gate on time, will there be a long line at security. I take for granted that I can see exactly where I'm going.
After observing these brave travelers, it caused me to reflect on a Scripture - 2 Corinithians 5:7, "For we walk by faith, not by sight." These folks can't see where they are going. They are relying on a walking stick, seeing-eye dog, or the arm of another person to guide them. Their trust and faith that these things will help get them to their destination is phenomenal. But, how much more phenomenal is our faith when we trust in a God who knows our every move. My Creator who formed me and knows my weaknesses and fears can lead me better than I can travel on my own. Oh how I long to be so trusting in my Lord so that the "blindness" of my future causes no fear. May I grab hold of the unseen Arm of God and allow Him to take me to the unknown places of blessing He has in store for me.
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