Been blogging for a while

My previous post was my 500th post in LostLifeFound.

My first post was March 14th, 2006. It is titled "Lost life found" and says "Matthew 16:25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it."

I have created a post every 2.38 days in the 39 month life of LostLifeFound.

The highlight was when Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity, sent me a book and a personal note after he read my blog review of his book.

Best of May 2009

May and June have flown by. Partly because of Corporate Challenge events - softball, track. Next I have bowling and swimming. I also would rather spend time renovating the house than blogging, and we are finally getting some traction on painting and decorating.


Best Movie That I Saw for the First Time:I did not see a movie that I liked - only saw two.

Best Book I Read: Didn't complete any major books

Best Life Happenings:

• Took the Bades to see Devin at the Improv. Then they took us to lunch at Hereford House.
  
• Vince broke a string and hit himself with his guitar.
  
• Led worship at church in the absence of Tim and Vince. It was the first time I led worship in the sanctuary, and it went really well.
  
• Emily's wedding - my solo went well
• Ran into 2 people I hadn't seen in over 6 years at Chipotle, and from two different worlds in my history, in the same visit. They didn't know each other, and were sitting right by each other.
  

Worst Life Happenings:

• Tried to sell awnings, but only got one email of interest. Ended up giving them away to the people who drive around and pick up trash
  
• Ran the KCCC 5K - resulting in almost the exact same time as last year! I was hoping for some improvement since I'm in better shape. Granted, the course changed and that confused me a bit.
  

Best online video I watched for the First time: Persistence Hunt





Picture(s) of the Month by our camera.


Sophie at the brunch in Manhattan

Restaurant Review: C. Jacks Sidewalk Cafe

I went to this new place with Courtney for lunch. I basically picked a location on the map (69th and Mission) that is somewhat between our work places, and found a restaurant there, and that is where we went. I picked a place that Courtney would like - basically with a lot of bread. That was a sacrificial option, because I can't eat bread, and I was left to eat a salad.

Now, normally at restaurants, the salads are filling. The salad I got with turkey and ham did not have enough meat in it. I left feeling like I had snacked on some lettuce. Actually, I think I was robbed, because when I eat salads at Panera or Wendys, I am quite full afterwards, and I'm pretty sure those places were cheaper.

The place also had weird acoustics because it was so small. With just a handful of people in the restaurant, I felt like I was at an indoor swimming pool, where the sound bounces of the walls and you can't hear anything.

We walked around the shopping area a little bit afterwards. Overall it was nice to see somewhere new and to take my wife out to lunch. I enjoyed my drive to the place, which was a path that I had never taken before.

I stopped by Toon Shop afterward. I didn't remember how awkward of a place that was. It was completely silent, when I walked in, the workers looked at me as I was the only customer all week, and people repeatedly asked me if I needed any help, of which I needed none. I am rather picky with music store employees. They should just leave you alone in my opinion, and if you need help, they need to be available. It doesn't help that many music store owners seem to be on the brink of not making a profit, and probably put pressure on their employees. Toon Shop does have a good selection of sheet music, but I'd much rather visit the Mountain Music Shoppe with its laid back atmosphere and nice selection of instruments.

Movie Review: Night at the Museum

This 2006 movie is about a museum of natural history in NYC, where all of the statues of animals and people come to life. A new night guard, played by Ben Stiller, was desperate for a job, and is initially daunted by the surprising task to keep the museum in order. He only keeps working to impress his son, and then has to save the day from the enemy - which is surprisingly the previous guards.

I loved the cast, especially Dick Van Dyke and Mickey Rooney, who play two of the previous night guards. I also like Robin Williams and the actress who was Audrey in 24. But the story fell flat for me. I think if I was 9 years old, I would have really loved this movie. The movie was funny, but the end really was poor to me. The night guard (Larry)'s job was to keep all of the creatures inside of the museum. Of course they are all outside at one point. The final climax of the movie is going to be how to get all of them inside. But then all it takes is for the Pharoah to say a little spell, and then they all go back to the museum. And then it's all wrapped up nicely. The son and the hot museum tour guide love Larry. And so do all of the animals and living wax figures. Even his boss loves him, because visitors come streaming into the museum because of the previous night's antics. And he will apparently spend the rest of his life working $11.50 as a night guard, just because it's that good.


The special effects were very good. But as a whole, the movie fell short of my expectations.

Movie Review: Shrek the Third

This movie is worth watching for the special effects, if nothing else. Several times in the movie, it looked like it was actually filmed. The way that nature acts, or that hair flows in the wind, are all depicted just like reality. It's notable that the movie does not take place in a real world, but that the laws of gravity and nature are usually the same.

I don't usually read online reviews, but I needed a little help on this one. I liked a review that said that the movie plot is basically a repeat of the first Shrek. In the first, Shrek goes and gets Fiona and they argue along the way, and then become close by the end. In the second, it's the same thing, except Shrek goes to get Arthur. Also, Shrek gets rescued by the cast of fairy tale characters in both. the reviews also claimed that Shrek the Third relies too much on body humor again, and that inserting rock songs is too cliche now.

I think reviewers tend to be overly cynical. I love the humor in the movie. I didn't like the new character of Arthur, because he didn't have a consistent personality at all. Is he a wimp or is he tough? Is he nice or mean?