Intentional Walk: May 2008

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Drawn

I've been thinking lately about how much of our lives as Christ-followers consists of being drawn.

God constantly draws us to Him. He chases after us like a Shepherd after a lost sheep. Can you imagine that? The Creator of the universe chasing after us?

We are drawn towards each other. If we desire a relationship with the Father, then we are naturally drawn to fellowship with our brothers and sisters.

We are drawn towards the future. Science says the world is a simple matter of cause and effect. We are constantly being pushed, reacting to what's gone before. God teaches us something better. He shows us not what was or is, but what could be. He draws us forward by faith. He pulls us closer through promise and love.

The problem with all of this is simple and obvious. We have to let go and allow it to happen. We have to give our will over to God. We have to trust that what He wants for us is better than we could dream for ourselves. We have to surrender. Then, and only then, can we be drawn.

Friday, May 23, 2008

More Chicks and Dudes

This is how chicks come down a 140 foot waterslide.

This is how dudes come down a 140 foot waterslide.

Be sure to blow that last picture up and use it as your desktop wallpaper.

Wow, it's really true what they say. When you hit your 40's you lose all your shame.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Mini Review: No Spoilers!

So there's a new Indiana Jones movie. Maybe you've heard. I saw it in the wee hours of the morning and will be seeing it again this weekend with Lisa and friends.

When "Raiders of the Lost Ark" came out, it immediately became my favorite movie and nothing has surpassed it. Because VCR's didn't exist yet and because it was summer and I had a lot of time on my hands and because the price to get into a matinee was something like a buck and a half back in the day...and because I really, really loved the movie and could rarely think of anything I wanted to do any more than go see it...I saw "Raiders" in the theater over 100 times. I will see the new movie in the theater exactly twice. And only because we've already made those weekend plans.

Let's just say that being reminded of "Jurassic Park: Lost World" is never a good thing.

Oh, sure, go see it. I mean, why not? But if you haven't seen "Iron Man" yet, I would use that movie to get the taste of this one out of your mouth. When you've all gone, report back, and I'll tell you exactly why they should have left well enough alone.

In a word: Yeesh.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

What I'm Doing Tonight

Tonight is the last time in my life I will sit on the concrete in front of a movie theater and wait for hours to see a movie that won't end until 2:30 AM.

At least I think it is.

This is the only movie left for which I literally can't wait. All the other sequels to come, all the Batman's and Harry Potter's and Avengers what-nots...well, it's not that I won't be excited but...I can wait.

So unless there's an Indy V (which Lucas is making noise about but, c'mon...Ford's doing great for 65 but I'm thinking this oughtta be the last time he's trusted with the whip) or a Star Wars VII (which given the quality of the last three still probably won't get me all that worked up) or a filmography of my life (I'm thinking Pitt or Clooney in the lead role)...this is it.

Review to follow.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Overheard in Maui

Questions women ask on a Creative Memories incentive trip:

"Where are you guys from?"

"How long have you been a consultant?"

"How many trips have you gotten to go on?"

"Do you have kids? How many? How old are they?"

"If I give you my e-mail, could we share some of these pictures?"

Questions men ask on a Creative Memories incentive trip:

"Hey, can we swing from that?"

"When's dinner?"

"Dude, where'd you get that beer?"

"Excuse me, are you going to finish that?"

"How's the hernia?"

Monday, May 19, 2008

Monday in Fresno

The heat slammed into us like a frying pan to the face. Even though we stepped off the puddle-jumper past midnight, we were assaulted by the toasty air. "Welcome home, suckers!" it laughed.

Even though there have been a few bumps in adjusting back to normality, we are still so grateful for the time away. I came back to work this morning refreshed and ready to face the last four weeks of the school year. It helps that we are winding down. It helps even more that I have a certain movie to look forward to in a couple of days. (The soundtrack comes out tomorrow. New Indy music by Maestro Williams. Too cool.)

We have a busy week ahead. Lisa has a ton of things to do, we will both be making up for lost time, and Sunday is my turn in the preaching rotation. Still, I don't hear anyone complaining. When the pace gets frenetic and the heat becomes oppressive, I'll just close my eyes, lean my head back, and lose myself in the memory of the Hawaiian surf.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Thursday in Maui

We survived snorkeling.

This morning we woke up early, had a quick breakfast, and hopped on a bus to our snorkeling adventure. We boated out an hour or so to a quiet spot that was filled with all sorts of marine life. On the way we were escorted at different times by three pairs of dolphins and a humpback whale. They all put on quite a show for us.

In particular there was a momma dolphin and her baby that stayed alongside us for some time. It was as if the calf was getting a lesson about humans. "Look at them, darling. They think they are very intelligent. Aren't they cute? If you watch them long enough, they'll do the most amazing tricks. And they'll do them for free. You don't have to give them fish or anything!"

When we came to a stop, we were able to snorkle for almost two hours. We saw some very cool fish and quite a few sea turtles. There were reports of octopi and squid, but we missed them. Lisa was a little nervous at first, but took to it like...well...a fish to water. We're already planning our next snorkle.

Also, we got to say "snorkle" a lot, which is kind of a funny word.

Lunch was provided on the boat. There was a lot of yummy food and the captain personally grilled yesterday's catch. We were very hungry and ate lots. (Isn't it true that our best vacations often include great food?)

Speaking of which, there was a farewell dinner tonight with more eats, music, and dancing. Sad to say, our bodies gave out on us before 9:00 and we had to come up to our room and collapse. Just as well, so we could get our LOST on.

Tomorrow we have to say the bad kind of "aloha." But we are so very grateful that we were blessed with this amazing adventure. Spending time in the middle of the Pacific today, surrounded by God's brilliant creations, we were brought so close to Him. This has been as close to perfect as a week can get.

Having said all that, we are both very anxious to see our boy. We missed his Spring Musical tonight and were very sad about it. I got to talk to him for a bit today and have a little silly time. I promised him some Lego Star Wars when we get home and that seemed to appease him. What a blessing to be able to take this vacation and still be even more excited about the home to which we get to return.

Tuesday and Wednesday in Maui

There's simply too much to do here for a daily update. We are very tired and very happy.

We spent most of Tuesday lazing on the beach. Since we have plans to go on a snorkeling adventure tomorrow, we thought we should practice, newbies that we are. It took some time to get used to breathing underwater, but we finally got the hang of it and got to see some coral life up close. When we go for real, we are told there will be sea turtles. Duuuuuude.

That night we were taken to a nearby sugar plantation for island entertainment and yet another amazing meal. The cutest little hula dancers you ever saw (cute as in "little girls" not cute as in...oh, nevermind) draped us with necklaces and later danced for everyone. There was an incredible sunset unlike any we've ever seen as we viewed it from the southernmost tip of the island.

This morning we ate a big breakfast and were driven an hour or so to a hiking trail. We were told the hike was only two miles, but with all the up-and-down and back-and-forth it certainly felt longer. In all, we passed five beautiful waterfalls and stopped to enjoy four of them for a good while.

Note: waterfall pools are not warm.

We spent a little time swimming in two of the pools and eventually made our way back to the resort in time to clean up and go to dinner. Tonight was family style sushi and Japanese food. It was elegant, it was delicious, and since I was surrounded by people who don't like eel, I had way more than I needed to eat.

Tomorrow is our last full day. Check back to see if we survived the snorkeling.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Monday in Maui

We arrived Saturday and checked into a teeny-tiny hotel room in Maui. We immediately made up for the early wake-up time by sleeping some three to four hours, despite the fact that the beautiful Pacific Ocean lay just a few steps from our room.

We dined at Tommy Bahama's that night and I wish I'd ordered the sea bass. Lisa ordered the sea bass and it was so much better than my steak that I tried numerous times to spear it from her plate, but had only fork marks in the back of my hand to show for it. It was, hands down, the best fish I've ever tasted. After a little shopping we made our way back to the hotel room and crashed.

Sunday morning we went next door to the Five Palms grill and had perhaps the best breakfast I've ever had. I decided, as I downed my bacon and eggs, that this trip would be full of superlatives. Later we took a helicopter ride over West Maui and were just amazed at the beauty of God's creation. We enjoyed a cheeseburger in paradise that night and (I must admit) went back to the room to watch Parvati win $1,000,000 as the sole Survivor. We were _not_ pleased.

This morning we checked out of our teeny-tiny hotel room and eventually found ourselves at the Fairmont Hotel where our room was somewhat bigger. Actually, much bigger. Actually, it's a suite that is luxuriously furnished, has an enormous balcony overlooking the ocean, and has a bathroom in which our previous hotel room could have comfortably fit. This Creative Memories company really does things up right. We spent the afternoon in the hotel pool (140 ft. water slide pictures to come later) and were treated to a wonderful buffet tonight.

This does not qualify as rubbing anything in. This is merely sharing our joy with our brothers and sisters.

Tomorrow is beach day. Aloha!

Friday, May 09, 2008

Aloha

I look forward to catching up with everyone when we get back from Hawaii. Your prayers for a safe trip and for the safety of our sweet boy in our absence are much appreciated.

God and I were talking last night. I was asking Him to be with James while we were gone. He gently reminded me that He is with James even when we are here. That made me feel really good.

Aloha!

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Memo to Jason Castro

Jason:

If you're going to forget any words from "Mr. Tambourine Man," are they really going to be "jingle jangle morning???" I mean, "jingle jangle morning" is the very heart of the song!

I felt bad for you, dude. Not bad in a "I was really rooting for you" sort of way, but bad in a "Wow, that really made me cringe" sort of way. And it was amazing that the song you forgot the lyrics on was actually your best performance of the night. That dreadlock-swinging, goofy-smile, just-plain-odd rendition of "I Shot the Sheriff" was horrific. I'll give you credit here for the best line of the night when you admitted that somebody summed up your evening by saying that you shot the tambourine man. Funny stuff.

(Mini-memo to Simon Cowell: You usually get it right, but I have to take issue with your proclamation that you "don't mess with the arrangement to 'I Shot the Sheriff'." Eric Clapton messed with it a lot and it almost single-handedly cemented his status as a solo act. I'm not saying I like his version...it's my least-favorite Clapton song...but it was huge.)

Jason, you seem like a nice guy and all, but we could tell that you wanted to go home. So enjoy your time with the fam before you hit the road and give us all a little "Hallelujah" on tour.

And, by the way, THIS is how "Mr. Tambourine Man" is supposed to sound.

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Maui

It's almost time to go to Maui.

There's so much to look forward to. Beach time. Boogie boarding. Snorkeling. A waterfall hike. Dinner at a 5-star restaurant. And, of course, the 140 ft. waterslide at the hotel.

I've been telling my students for some time that I would be gone for the entire week. I want to prepare them for the week of review work and to hammer it into their brains that I will not_be_pleased if the sub isn't treated with tremendous respect. In 1st period today, one of my freshmen asked, "Is it this week or next week that you're going to be gone?"

I'm not kidding. I don't make this stuff up.

I told him that he'd know I was gone when, y'know, I wasn't there.

I have to admit though, that I'm trying hard not to think about going a whole week without seeing my boy. That sweet smile that greets me in the morning and that "I love you, Daddy" that I hear at bedtime are far more precious than the most beautiful Hawaii sunset.

Oh, I'm still going. I'm just saying.

Monday, May 05, 2008

By the Hammer of Thor!

Iron Man rocked!

Aside from being well-written, well-acted, and chock full of stuff blowing up, Marvel's first self-produced venture threw a lot of fun stuff at those of us who grew up going to 7-11 every Tuesday and raiding the comic rack for all the new arrivals.

There was (of course) the extended trailer for Indy getting things off to a great start.

There was the succession of armor prototypes, just like Iron Man comics changed through the decades.

There was the "Iron Man Animated Series" ringtone on Rhodey's phone. (Old as I am, I may have been the only guy in the theater who caught that one.)

There was the "Iron Monger" reference.

There was the way Rhodey eyed the spare armor and dropped the "Next time, baby" line on us.

And then there was SHIELD...which stood for Supreme Headquarters International Espionage and Law-enforcement Division when I was a kid, and now stands for something so convoluted that the movie made a real joke out of it.

SHIELD is an enormous part of the Marvel Universe and it's about to become just as important to the Marvel movie franchises. If you haven't seen the movie yet, then you need to stay for the small scene after the credits. You'll have an idea of what I'm talking about.

And now the announcement has come that "Iron Man II" and "Thor" will hit theaters in 2010 and "Captain America" and...(yessss!)..."The Avengers" will follow in 2011. So, for all of you who heard me promise that I would finally grow up after Indy came out, I've changed my mind. I think I'll stay a kid a while longer.

Thursday, May 01, 2008

Jim Rhodes

Jim "Rhodey" Rhodes is Tony Stark's best friend and will be played by Terrence Howard in the big "Iron Man" movie that opens tomorrow. If the movies follow the storyline of the comics (and given recent trends, I'm sure they will), then keep an eye on Rhodey. I'd say more, but I try to keep the ol' blog spoiler-free.

Hey, Juan just walked in late. What a shock.

Brooke White is a lovely girl. Vociferous, but charming. And it was time for her to go. I loved her "We'll stay as long as we can" line.

Neil Diamond week was a kick for me. I'm not too proud to admit that I loves me some Neil. I have, in fact, seen him in concert a few times and it's always a good show. I'm not so crazy about his easy listening stuff (read: everything from "The Jazz Singer" until now), but he is responsible for some great rock & roll. I first saw him live (at The Greek Theater no less) some 20 years ago or so, and even then I was mostly there for his oldies. If they were oldies 20 years ago, what does that make them now? When does a song officially become a "golden oldie?"

I'm officially rooting for David Cook now. I still like Archuleta, but once that comb-over got tamed, Cook really came alive, didn't he?

One last thing. As a high school teacher, I am not the least bit surprised that Jason Castro is still in the competition. Oy, the swooning.

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