Two More Reasons to Love Thanksgiving

Have any Thankgiving favorites?

Time To Go Back To The Island

It's ALMOST TIME! See any hints or clues? Discuss in the comments!!!
Check out the 1:35 & 2:25 marks... HERE is what I found

Star Wars - A Tribute

This is SO Awesome....
HT: MCC

Tough Times

"If you're going through hell, keep going."

~ Winston Churchill


I heard Clayton King use this quote in a teaching a few weeks ago and it has stuck with me.

Hope that you find encouragement in it today.

In, but not of

Brad showed this during Mars Hill this morning and it I thought it was so awesome that I had to share:



Do you ever do this? If so, when? Where? Maybe in your car, while you are doing yard work, or even walking down the busy streets? Do you care what people think?

I MET THE PRESIDENT!

President David Palmer that is.
And I use the term 'met' loosely.

Here is the story.
Yesterday I went to lunch with some friends and when I came back in to the lobby of my office (a 23 story building downtown - just so you get the feel) there was Dennis Haysbert being interviewed! I waited around for him to finish but was beat to a hand shake by a couple of aggressive ladies who immediately accosted him as he left the interview area. I didn't want to be "That Guy" and wait around - so I laughed and went back to work. Pretty cool though, as I really enjoy his acting.

OBAMA/PALIN 08!?

I am not making any political statement here - nor am I endorsing Howard Stern - but this just amazes me...




As does this...do people really think this? (skip forward until there is 30 seconds left)

Hello, My Name is GRACE

I heard Brant talking about this the other day on the radio and I thought it was awesome.

This lady in Texas bought another lady's house that was in foreclosure
and GAVE IT BACK TO HER.

They had never met before.

She saw her crying in the hallway and just felt "She needed help. That was it"

That was it.

Grace.

What are we doing for those we don't know or for those we do know who need help.

Wise Words

The opposite of poverty isn't wealth
The opposite of poverty is enough


I just read that over at Compassion.com
It blew me away.
It's so true.
And so real.
Yet the opposite of how we think.


Please visit Compassion
And if you can
Join me
And do something
About Poverty
About Hunger
About Health
About Hope

As American's we are part of the wealthiest 1% in the world and because of this we have the ability to change lives.

Do something

If you have to
Give up a daily Coke
Give up ONE meal out each month

The $32 you save
Can
Save
A
Life

Do something


My name is Matt and I approve this message

OK - I am off my soapbox now : )

What?! Me Worry?!

I was listening to a teaching recently and heard something that I really liked.

If you are worried about the economy, or the market. If you are worried about your money - all you have to do is take out your money and look at it...and it will point you in the right direction.

In the words of another "teacher" (and I use that term very loosely)

Don't worry 'bout a thing. 'Cause every little thing, gonna be alright...

Where is our trust? Do we act like it?

You say Tomato, I say Tomato...

I was reading this article on the new "Christian" movie Fireproof the other day and something caught my eye. (and no it was not Kirk Cameron's stunningly good looks.) Throughout the article most reference to Christians are either preceded or proceeded by the word Evangelical - i.e.

An atheist growing up, Cameron became an evangelical Christian at the age of 17 while he was playing Mike Seaver on the popular sitcom “Growing Pains.”

Cameron has an evangelical ministry called “The Way of the Master” with evangelist Ray Comfort, along with a camp for terminally ill children, Camp Firefly.

But then right after this last statement it drops the evangelical for the more contested Fundamentalist tag.

He has starred in three movies adopted from the “Left Behind” books, a series of apocalyptic novels that is popular with fundamentalist Christians.

So what does this mean? Are evangelical and fundamentalist simply interchangeable to the 'non-bias' media? Or is it that ONLY fundamentalist Christians like the 'Left Behind' books? Or are they just sneakily calling good 'ol Mikey Seaver a Fundamentalist? Or is this me reading too much in to something - Perhaps my mind isn't Fireproof enough...

You can read the whole article from MSNBC here

On Eggs

So working on the blog header got me thinking about Eggs. I don't know why...but it did. Anyways, here is what I was thinking about. WAY back in high school a group of friends and I thought it would be "fun" to go to the store, get some eggs and use them in a non traditional way. That's right we thought it would be fun to juggle! And by juggle I mean go egging. I know, I know. How could I do such a thing?! I blame it on being an idiot. Cool? OK, so we thought it would be fun to go egging. Now my friend lived in a heavily wooded area next to a road - perfect place to hide out and let the eggs fly. And fly they did. That night we laughed, threw eggs, and got chased through the woods! Looking back on that night - I can't believe I was involved in such debauchery - but you know what? Like my buddy Earl says "Karma is a funny thing." You see, about 5 years ago my wife and I were driving home from a friends house on Halloween. We had just enjoyed some delicious pumpkin pasta and good company. All was well. That is until we passed a car, heard some shouting, and then watched as an egg splattered on our windshield. "What a bunch of punks!" was my first first thought....then as my past collided with my present...literally - I tipped my hat to Karma and said OK - now we're even.

I Need a Revelation

This about sums up where I am right now...

Give me a revelation
Show me what to do
'Cause I've been trying to find my way
I haven't got a clue
Tell me should I stay here
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I've got nothing without you


Revelation By Mac Powell/Third Day

Change is coming...

I am trying to fix this place up...any feedback and/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks.
The Management

In Remembrance...

Photo CC: newsday.com

Chips

I just had some yummy chips and it got me thinking...what are your favorite kind/flavor/brand of chips? Simple question - right?

Mine are Cape Cod Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper...mmmmm

Applesauce Pete

A few of my favorite things...
From Last Comic Standing.

Success!

How do I measure the success of my trip to North Carolina?

Is it by the beautiful mountains that my kids got to see for the first time?

Nope.


Is it by the really cool waterfalls that we got see?
Nope.


Is it by the natural water park that we got to play in?
Sorry. No.


Is it by my fridge being filled with glass bottles of Cheerwine?
YES. Yes folks it is!

Joel Hunter's Prayer at the DNC

I have mentioned here before how much I like Pastor Joel Hunter. Here is his prayer from the DNC:


As a registered Republican - here is why he prayed at the DNC:

And the Hits Just Keep on Comming Pt. 2

Ok... so forget about this one (at least for SoFla - sorry iii)

Let's talk about THIS ONE!

What is going on?!?! (I know, I know...global warming...blah, blah, blah...)

But Seek First His Kingdom

Matthew 6:25-34 can be summed up like this:
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life...But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

I've had some trouble doing this lately, so I ask - What does this look like? What does seeking His Kingdom mean? What does seeking His Righteousness mean?

Bringing Sisqo Back!

Man with all the talk of thongs in my blogospher lately, I feel a little bit like Sisqo up in here!

First there was Emily - who shared her hip dad's reaction to seeing a "Whale Tail." (ever heard it described this way? Me either - butt (sorry) I have to agree.)

Then, today there is Amy sharing the Abstinence love with the Abstinence Thong. Yes, you read that correctly. Abstinence Thong. However I prefer the Stop Thong. Thank you Christian Retailers for always equipping us with the tools needed to "have the right to wear white" and to "let our guy know just how far he's allowed to go."

Cone of Death - The Return!

Wait a minute...wasn't TS Fay just here LAST WEEK! Sheesh...another reason why South Florida will eventually be cut off from the United States.

Obama? McCain? What about Tebow?

The Orlando Sentinel is running a poll where you can vote for the cover of their College football preview section - vote here. As of this post, Tebow is winning by a good margin over, Obama, McCain, & Bobby Bowden...which does raise the question - How would Tebow do in the presidential election?

The most interesting man in the world

I don't know about you, but I can't get enough of the XX commercials for the "Most Interesting man in the world..." They crack me up!

Here are a few faves:

His charm is so contagious vaccines have been created for it

He is the only man, to ever ace a Rorschach test

Everytime he goes for a swim, dolphins appear

If he were to give you directions...you would never get lost and you'd arrive at least 5 minutes early

His beard alone, has experienced more then a lessor man's entire body

His blood, smells like cologne

His Legend precedes him the way lightening precedes thunder

What about you - have any faves from these commercials or others?



Stay thirsty my friends...

Roses Are Red

Violets are Blue
I'm a schizophrenic
And so am I

Just a little "What about Bob" Humor to brighten up your day :)

Oh, by the way, my little girl survived her first day of Kindergarten! (and so did her parents)

Tim Tebow Could Have Won Nine

I'm just saying...


Photo CC: NY Daily News

Out of the Cone of Death!

Everybody now!

Fay, Fay, go away
Come again another day...

Why I Heart Living in South Florida

Lady's and gentlemen, I give you Tropical Storm (soon to be Hurricane) Fay! A nice round of applause please!

Photo cc: Weatherunderground.com

Welcome to the Blogroll!

• brent(inWorship)
• New Smyrna Beach Mom
• I Don't Know Where the Angels Sleep
• Kingdom Living
• Adam in the Ocean

If you have me in your blogroll and you don't see your blog over there on the side bar - please let me know in the comments and I will fix that right up!

If you DON'T have me in your blogroll - What are you waiting for!?! Please add me : )

Where is Rap Cat?

Does anyone else ever wonder what ever happened to Rap Cat? According to his Wikipedia entry:

Rap cat was recently hit by a car and is no longer with us, he will be missed.

Poor Rap Cat... Poor one out for a hommie.

Hello, My name is Matt.

My name is Matt.

My full name is Matthew.

People call me Matt though.

I've notice it is "hip" for people named Christopher to go by "Topher."

Like Topher Grace.

I think from now on I will go by "Thew."

I mean, because I want to be Hip too.

What do you think?

And the hits just keep on coming...

As a Gator fan - this is not what you want to wake up to...

Ingram Out For Season

Matteo, Matteo...wherefore art thou Matteo?

Sorry I've been absent...be back soon!

Top 5 Friday - Vacation Edition

For this weeks addition we're doing: Top 5 places you like to go on vacation or to just get outta town- so come on, where do you like to go?

Here's mine:

1. New Smyrna Beach

2. Walt Disney World

3. The Caribbean

4. New York City

5. Gainesville

Your turn - GO! Oh, and make sure you post your list on your blog with a link back to this one so that we can let others play along with us. No hording the swings here. We are equal time on the playground equipment kinda folks.

How much would you pay for a ten dollar bill?

Apparently someone thinks this one is worth $2025!!! I mean Minnie is great and all but $2025...come on!

Just How Good Is 'The Dark Knight'?

This is one of the funniest things I have seen in a while...



Hat tip to Brant!

Sunday Sweded!

This is for all of us 80s kids out there! It is amazingly well done...

The Neverending Story - Sweded!

Top Five Friday - Super Edition

In honor of 'Batman - the Dark Knight' this weeks edition of TFF consists of:

Your Top 5 Super-Hero Movies! Here's mine:

1. Ironman

2. Batman Begins

3. The Incredibles

4. Batman (1989 with Michael Keaton)

5. Superman (The Original with Christopher Reeves)

Athough I am sure this list will change come Sunday - once I have seen the new Batman!

Your turn - GO!

Blasted Button

You know that button at the bottom of your 'settings' page on your blog? You know the one. The big black one that says "Delete this blog." Well, as it turns out, you shouldn't push that button unless you really want to delete your blog.

It all happened so fast. I was checking out the settings on another blog that I had considered starting and had since forgot about...and thought hey...I should just delete this thing. So I did.

A bit of advice - make sure you are logged in to the correct blog before you hit that big scary button.

It hit me as soon as answered yes to the "are you sure you want to delete this blog"

luckily the kind folks at Blogger were able to restore my mistake. All it took was one email. Thanks to them Unscrambled Eggs is alive and well!

Sunday Sweded

To keep in theme with the whole BTTF thing I've got going on here - I give you
Back to the Future...Sweded!



Not sure what sweded is? Watch 'Be Kind Rewind' and you will be enlightened. Or Click here

NICE BIKE!

One of my favorite scenes in a movie is in Police Academy 2 when Bobcat Goldthwait pulls up on a motorcycle next to the dorky guy on a scooter and screams "NICE BIIIKE!"

That is what this picture reminds me of. Thanks for that Berry!

Air McFlys

Did I mention these? Did I say how cool they are and that there are a lot of folks out there who want these and are willing to pay the big bucks for them while there are others who think these are a nice try but still want more...how about you...do you want to see the 2015s really get made? Great Scott! You know I do.
(For those of you who need a refresher as to what the original ones looked like click here)

Top 5 Friday - Bonus Edition

Since TFF (Top Five Friday) took the holiday weekend off last week I thought I'd give you a double helping..

Call it peer pressure, call it trying to fit in or be hip....Call it what you want - I call it:

Top 5 trendy fashions/gadgets/etc. you fell prey to (try to not make these all start with an "i"):
1. Reebok Pumps - mine were blue and highlighter green - awe yeah!
2. Nike Pumps - the David Robinson version - you know the ones that came half way up your calves? they looked sweet with my green /black plaid shorts and black "button your fly" shirt!
3. Z Cavarricci - MC Hammer would have been proud!
4. Jams! - You know what I am talking about - the shorts that came way past your knees and were made of all the lovely 80s colors!
5. Super Mario Bros 3 - This is my one in the 'Gadget' category - being the original Gamer that I am - I made my dad wait in line at Toys R Us to get me this the day it came out.

Ready for Seconds? Grab the spoon and get a big helping of:

Top 5 trendy fashions/Gadgets/etc. you want NOW:

1. Air McFlys - awe yeah
2. iPhone 2.o
3. Mac Book
4. iPod Touch
5. Wii

Tech heavy... I know

Your turn. Post your list ON YOUR blog and link it back here in the comments.

Should I Buy That Part 2

I talked about this a few months ago - but now Berry and Amy are taking it to a whole new level...something big is brewing..stay tuned!

A Salute to All Nations, but Mostly America

Happy Birthday America!

Hope you are all having a good one.

I Heart Sonic

That is all. Just wanted to let you know...oh and we made it to our destination. Which is why we are having Sonic. Tots rule and so does their ice. Sonic's not the tots. Because tots don't have ice.

Noise Trade

Well Derek Webb has done it again....He is revolutionizing the music industry... This time with Noisetrade.com. A website where you can get "Fair Trade Music" - that is, download music for free (or what they call "pay what you want") & it looks like anyone can put music up there. So not only can you get some new good music - you can distribute yours if you would like. Have a look. What do you think? Do you like this? Does it make sense?

Hat tip to Brody.

On the road again

The fam and I are getting ready to hit the road once again. I hope to get some posts in while we are taking the mini-vacay. Until then, if you are a Lost fan - check out Anna from the ODI's new blog: The Four Toed Foot. IF you are not a Lost fan...then shame on you. Whats wrong with you anyways? Weirdo.

Photo cc: Pilou@ttitude

WALL*E

Since it is Lazy Sunday - just thought I'd let you know that I went and saw Wall*E yesterday with the fam. It is amazing that they are able to do what they do with computers. Brilliant! As for the kids - my 5 year old dug it. My 3 year old tried to escape 15 mins in to it and then promptly fell asleep. 4.5 out of 5 stars. Does anyone else think he looks like Johnny 5?

Tell Tale Signs That I Am Getting Old #2

My Calendar look like that of a 90 year old

That is - I have 3 doctor's appointments scheduled for this month. Three! I think that is how many times I went to the doctor the entire time that I was in High School and College COMBINED! Now don't you go and start your worrying (mom) nothing is seriously wrong with me - its just that, like my wife, the Docs doing test and giving referrals to make sure that everything is OK (or collect insurance payments - you decide). Which I am surely confident that it is - OK that is.

I was talking with my brother-in-law a few weeks ago and he was saying that once he hit 30 it was all down hill. Everything started falling apart - aches and pains (check), Needing Knee surgery (not yet), Vertigo (I don't know do I...Whoa I need to sit down). Who knew that 30 was the new 90!

Maybe I am just a hypochondriac....Amy calls me Walter when I act like a grumpy old man. Maybe I am a grumpy old hypochondriacical (sp?) old man - Named Walter! But wait! I am only 31! Ahhhhhhhhhh!

DANCE MACHINE

If you are reading this and it is between 8-9 pm est on Friday - turn your TV to ABC and support our very good friend Jason Kennedy in his new show!

Top 5 Friday

Here is your Topic for Top 5 Friday:

Top 5 celebrity encounters

[UPDATE - Here's Mine]
1. Meeting the Nature Boy Ric Flair during the UF Homecoming Parade in 1999 (I think) WOOOO!
2. Being on the New Mickey Mouse Club in 1990 - No JC, Justin, Christina or Britney but YES to the Party, Damon, Chase Tiffani and Deedee (who I just saw again in 'Wicked')
3. I've grown up with Drew from Sister Hazel
4. I walked past Wayne Brady at Islands of Adventure thinking he looks really familiar...then someone walked up and asked - Hey aren't you the guy from 'Who's line is it anyway?'
5. My wife and I were coming off the Winnie the Pooh ride at Disney when she ran in to/over Kelly Rippa and her family as they were being backed doored on the ride.

Go!

Don't know what I am talking about? Click Here

Parenting 101

Jim has a really great post up about raising kids. Primarily dealing with when is the right age to address certain issues with them. I highly recommend that you check it out.

Here are a few excerpts that I really like:

*In my opinion and my experience, Five through ten are the years to instill in the kids what to expect in their teenage years and what the correct responses are.

*Proverbs 22:6 reads...Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

The key in that passage is "a child" because the concept of child of that era was younger than the child we see today. Children were supposed to have the Scriptures committed to memory by age 7, by age thirteen they were considered a young adult. The truth is that that has not changed. A child is 10-and-under regardless of the year or era. It's something all parents need to understand, because it gets exponentially harder to get through to them.

This post was really encouraging to me as my oldest daughter is just entering this "window" (5-10). I know Jim's daughter and she is an absolute delight! I can only hope that I can "train my daughters in the way they should go" as well as he has done with his.

The Ugly Truth About Dr. Pepper

You know all those crazy email forwards you get - the ones that say:

Obama is anti-American because he doesn't put his hand over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance.

or

You'll get a free iPod if you complete this survey and send it to 10 other people!

I can't stand those things, and the first thing that I do is go to Snopes, confirm what I already know (it's a hoax) and then forward the link on to the person who sent it to me.

Now you might say, "Jeez Matt you sure are a jerk!" But let me explain - I really don't like it or think that it is fair when people send out things that aren't true (and can be proven as not true) as if they were the gospel (and in some cases are trying to persuade others by forwarding these on).

But these actions have now come back to me full circle.

Call me naive. Call me crazy. But it has been my long standing belief that Dr. Pepper contained Prune juice in some form or fashion. And I have shared this belief for years with others. Now granted I did give a disclaimer of something like "I've heard that..." But non the less, I have been spreading rumors! I am a liar. A falsifier of information. I have transitioned to the Dark Side and become that which I hate....

Because today was the day that I took my own medicine and Snopesed Dr. Pepper. The results of this investigation are both good (I don't like Prune juice), bad (I've been LIVING A LIE!!!), and a little sad (this information has been up on Snopes for over a year and half). But hey at least now I (and you too!) know - Dr. Pepper does NOT contain any form of Prune Juice. It is NOT one of the 23 flavors.

On a side note. If you would like to know what the REAL 23 flavors are...Good luck finding them out - according to Snopes:

The Dr. Pepper recipe is allegedly divided in to two parts, each of which is locked up in a separate Dallas bank so that no single person can ever been in possession of the whole formula.

Sounds like we got ourselves the basis for National Treasure 3!

COOL New Friends

Met a lot of Cool folks over at the Cool Chat last night. Make sure you drop by and say hello! Tell them "Just Matt" sent you - and then next Monday - Join us all at the Cool Chat!

Master Mocha
Emily.The.Strange
Kat
Tam
CJ

I had a blast chatting with these good people and I ASSume they did too! It amazes me that by the Power of Grayskull....err the Internet we are able to connect with others so easily. I look forward to getting to know these people and more in the weeks and months to come. Thanks to the Cool 'Rents for hosting the mayhem!

Part of Positive Post Tuesday.

The Wonderful Wizard of OZ

So what do you do when your 3 year old wants a Wizard of OZ themed birthday party? You make really cool games! Like Pin the heart on the Tin Man, The Wizard of Oz's hot air balloon Pinata, and every one's favorite...Melt the Wicked Witch with water balloons! A fun time was had by all - even the "Witch" who felt like he had been pelted by paint balls.

Top 5 Friday!

Several months ago a few of us made up some fun and quite cool "Top 5 Concert" lists.

Mine
Amy
Cool 'Rents

I thought it would be fun and cool to do more "Top 5" lists - and to do them every Friday! I mean we already have most of the other days of the week covered:

Cool Chat Monday
Positive Post Tuesday
Watercooler Wednesday

Now we have TOP FIVE FRIDAY! I'll give you the topic - you make the list and link it back here! Make sure to add the link to this post on your post! Let's blow this thing up and get the weekend started right - 'cause its Friday and you aint got nothin' else to do.

Here is today's topic:

Top 5 sporting events attended

1. 1999 UF vs. UT when Alex Brown had like 1000 sacks
2. 1988 Gator football game - Getting to watch little known Emmit Smith work his magic (can't remember which one - I mean I was 11!)
3. 1995 SEC Championship Football Game - UF vs Ark
4. 1997 UF vs FSU - with Doug Johnson's huge pass to win the game
5. 1996 Gator Football Home Schedule - Can you really pick one?

Yeah, so it turns out I'm a little partial to the Gators....

Your turn. Ready? Go!

The Great Debate

This "discussion" began over at the Back Porch and I want some answers - so I ask:

1. Did the dinosaurs survive the flood? Why or why not?

2. Were the dinosaurs around during Jesus' time?

3. If you answered yes to #2 - did Jesus ride on dinosaurs?

In response to #3 - the picture above seems to think so.

The Stuff Christians Like Blog seems to be chiming in on the subject as well.

Celebration

Here is a good little show/video on "The Town that Disney Built." Short and sweet. I have visited Celebration many times (it is the only place my kids have seen "snow*") and love it. Like the video says, it is like old town America centered around Main Street.

Does a planned community like this creep you out?

http://current.com/items/88972930_living_in_a_bubble

Hat tip to Barb!

*snow=bubbles falling from the sky on Main street at Christmas time - family tradition to go play in it.

On Running

Brody has put up a nice post about running. You should check it out. If only for the insightful picture.

Is Life Insurance Payable due to Rapture?

Thanks to a post by Brad on a service that will send emails on your behalf in the event that you are "Raptured" - I ask the question listed above. What do you think? I mean does the "Act of God" clause come in to play here?

Disclaimer: This is not a rapture vs. no rapture post - just a fun question to discuss. I mean I don't want to

offend anybody ; )

Photo CC: Covenant Baptist

I'd Like to Add a Number 9...

9. WARNING: Keep children away from netting over "window" areas of bounce house. Failure to do so may result in extraction of teeth.

For the whole story on how this relates to my daughter - check out Amy's blog

What is in my iPod and on my bedside table

Stop what your doing and go and get both of these...then come back here and lets talk about them...

I don't care (but I really do)

"I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court"



Profound words spoken by Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians. Ones that I would like to be able to say and believe but ones that I actually believe the opposite. I do care what people think of me. I don't want people to judge me because of my beliefs, my choices, or even my clothes.



We have all heard "Judge Not" or "Don't judge me" over and over. Especially when anything concerning religion comes up - but Paul's phrase here brings it to a whole new level for me. Not only am I not to judge (as he points out in the following verses) but I am not to care if others judge me - and that may prove to be more difficult than not judging others...



How about you? Which is harder for you?

The Force is strong with this one...

Star Wars Weekends. Disney's Hollywood Studios. June 6-8. If you are planning to go, stop me and say hello. I'll be the guy in the Star Wars shirt. May the Force be with you...always...

Parenting by Walt Disney

I read this the other day and thought it was so good that I would share it - especially for those of you who have daughters. Here is Uncle Walt:

One of the most serious problems I find confronts parents is how to make children obey. For some reason this has never been much of a problem around our home. Maybe it’s because we started very early to have the girls do things through a sense of fair play, rather than responsibility to parents or fear of them.

When we’d go out for a ride on the merry-go-round, for example, we would have an understanding in advance of how many times we’d ride. When the times were up, that was that. A bargain was a bargain! One was expected to be a good sport.

One Sunday, when Diane was about 8 or 9 years old, I took her to the old Seliz Zoo in Los Angeles. I warned her to stay behind the railing at the monkey cage because simians have a habit of reaching through the bars.

My attention was distracted for a moment. When I turned around again, there was Diane, white as a sheet, struggling to get free from a monkey who had her by the hair and was pulling for all he worth. It must have hurt plenty, but Diane never let out a peep. The only concession she made was one plea, 'Daddy, you won’t tell Mother, will you?'

'But, Diane,' I remonstrated, 'you don’t keep any secrets from Mother.'

But she took care of that situation. When we got home she dashed in and said, “Mother, you don’t care if a monkey pulls me by the hair, do you?

Mrs. Disney and I found that treating the girls as individuals and encouraging them to think for themselves was a far more satisfactory way of bringing them up than by trying to regulate every step of their conduct with an elaborate set of rules.

You can read the article in its entirety HERE

Before the Amplifiers

Sister Hazel has a new album coming out on June 17 and this makes me very happy. If you have never given this band a shot past their hit "All for you," I suggest you head over to iTunes and have a listen to "Champagne High", "Strange Cup of Tea", "Feel it", & "Mandolin Moon". You will not be disappointed. All of these songs will be featured on this new album in acoustic form. If you like what you hear you can pre-order "Before the Amplifiers" HERE.

For Tomorrow

Very Cool - Here's Blake:

Friends,

I am very proud to announce that our documentary For Tomorrow played at the Tribeca Film Festival last week. We brought a camera on our first Argentina Shoe Drop and it was such an amazing week that we felt inspired to create a film and share it. The film came out better than we could have ever imagined, and we were thrilled and humbled to be accepted at one of the top film festivals in the world.

The best part of this is that so many new people will learn about TOMS and our One for One giving philosophy. This is going to put shoes on a lot of kids feet!

To read more about this incredible week and the film, please visit my new blog by clicking here.

I would like to thank our director Ken Kokin for making a movie that perfectly captures the spirit of TOMS. As a supporter who cares about what we are doing, you will love this film. Help us spread the message by showing the film to your friends and loved ones.

In keeping with our One for One model, TOMS will donate a pair of shoes to a child in need for every copy of the film sold. To be a part of it, Click here.

Thanks for your continued support.

Carpe Diem,
Blake

The Island of Eden?

Read this "Theory" then share your thoughts. A LOT of good points in there. I will share my thoughts in the comments as to not ruin the theory for you.

Does it Pay to Ignore the "Voice of Warning"

WOW - that is all I can say about last night's episode. Here is my brief run down of the "blast from the past" we saw last night:

• Richard Alpert paid a visit
• As did Matthew Abaddon
• And Mittelos Bioscience
• Along with The Dharma logo for the Orchid Station
• Our old friend Christian Shepherd was back in Jacob's Cabin (along with Clair!)

Questions Raised:

• What was with the creepy test that Alpert gave young Locke?
• Is Alpert John's real father?
• Why is John special? (able to survive all those infections and Pneumonia as a preemie)
• Why did Abaddon say that John would "Owe him" the next time he sees him?
• Does the picture John drew as a child mean that he has seen the Smoke Monster before?
• Is the creepy old comic book a clue? (thus the title of this post)
• Is with Sawyer where "the baby where he is supposed to be" As Christian states?
• What is up with Clair being all calm in the Cabin?
• Is Horace Jacob? I mean he did build the cabin...

That's it! Let's discuss!

Oh FYI - Jorge Garcia (Hurley) has a blog that is pretty cool/funny - have a look

For reviews/Recaps check out the Lost Side Bar on the right of this page.

Tell Tale Signs That I Am Getting Old #1

I like Diet Coke

I am not sure how this happened. I don't know if they have changed the secret formula over the last 20 years but something has changed and I think it is me. I have become old. Not like Gandalf old, but like my parents* old. I can remember telling my Dad, "Dad, How can you drink that stuff?!?! It taste like (insert favorite derogatory thing here)!!!" But as it turns out - I seem to like said derogatory thing.... Must be Karma...

* If my parents are reading - you are not old - just older than me : )

1 Weekend. 2 Movies

The Mrs. and I had the pleasure of seeing TWO movies this weekend! In the theater! That is like, more movies seen in a theatre then we saw in all of 2007! The first, Horton Hears a Who, was with our little ones and was great for a family movie. Funny, great animation, and one liners provided by my youngest. Like:

Half way through the movie:
Mom! (there is no whispering with this one)
Yes Chloe
How we gonna get outta here?! (A valid question for a 3 yr old)

A few moments later:
Mom!
Yes Chloe
This is too loud
You're Too Loud! (both Amy and I at the same time)

As for the second movie - Iron Man - is a must see in the theater. I went in to this knowing nothing of Iron Man. (I am more a Batman kinda guy). But the story was excellent. The special effects were mind blowing but not inconceivable (there were no - "that could never happen" moments). It was directed by Jon Favreau and he did an excellent job. It was also the role that Robert Downey Jr. was made to play. It is nice to see him back and cleaned up.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Seems that the whole concept of LOST comes down to this book...Click Here for the best review of last weeks episode I have seen. Great Theories, Great questions - just great.

One thing that jumped out to me was: Does the fact that the smoke alarm was going off in Jack's office during the flash foward just before he sees his 'dead' father mean that Christian is indeed 'Smokey'? (Smoke makes fire alarms go off) Just a thought.

What did you think? What is Aaron's role in this whole 'game'?

It's All Fun & Games Until Somebody Loses a Daughter...

As our good friend Hurley says - "Australia is the key to the whole game..."

I was out of town last weekend and wasn't able to comment on last weeks episode. By now you have scoured the Internet and have it all figured out - so I wont bore you with the details - just some random thoughts and questions:

* It seems that our friends Benjamin Linus and Charles Widmore are engaged in quite the little game - but upon the death of Ben's 'Daughter' the rules seemed to have changed....WHAT RULES? What is the game? How is Australia key to the whole game?

* Did you notice Ben's parka when he 'awoke' in the desert? It had a dahrma logo we haven't seen yet on it - perhaps the fabled 'Orchid Station'? Also the name on the parka, Halliwax, was one of the aliases used by the good doctor in all of the orientation videos - NAMSATE!

*Speaking of waking up in the desert - when Ben awoke he vomited and what he vomited was orange in color. Is this the same liquid that Juliet had to drink in the episode "One of Us" before she was taken to the island? Is it necessary for 'time travel'? **Hat tip to getlostpodcast.com

*As I pointed out in my earlier post - Ben has a secret door where he can release/control 'Smokey'! Did you notice the Hieroglyphics?! What do they mean? Are they any relation to the ones on the countdown clock in the original hatch? How does Ben 'control' Smokey? This interview with Michael Emerson sheds some good light on the subject and what it means/costs Ben to do so.

*The 'Island is in a different time' thing played out some more this week with the 'Good Doctor' from the Freighter washing up on shore - while the Freighter folks were saying he was alive and well...How is this anomaly going to affect the Losties when they get off the island?

*Why is everyone calling Hurley - Hugo now?

That's all I got! How about you? Thoughts? Any new questions to add to the List?

Yeah, So My Daughter is Famous...

Ok, so she didn't win - but she sure is cute! Click HERE and scroll down about half way! "Sleeping Bootie" bear hugging Snow White.

Happy Birtday Animal Kingdom!

Animal Kingdom turns 10 today. It is hard to believe that a decade has passed since the doors to Disney's 4th Gate opened. Although it is probably my least favorite Disney park (due mainly to it's layout and crowded walk ways) I still enjoy catching the Finding Nemo show, Expedition Everest, and the Safari. Their Animal encounters are great and it is a nice spot (like EPCOT's World Showcase) to just slowdown and enjoy the scenery and theming. Here are some good look backs at AK's last 10 years:
Here
Here
Here

Here

To Infinity, and Beyond! 100th Post!

Sorry to let you down with something so simple, but I am really giddy about this line up! Call me childish (if you do I will smack you!) but Pixar rocks!

Pixar Animation Studios Upcoming Movie Line up:

Summer, 2008 "Wall-E" directed by Andrew Stanton.

May 29, 2009 "Up" directed by Pete Docter.

June 28, 2010 "Toy Story 3" directed by Lee Unkrich.

Summer, 2011 "Newt" directed by Gary Rydstrom.

Christmas, 2011 "The Bear and the Bow" directed by Brenda Chapman.

Summer, 2012 "Cars 2" directed by Brad Lewis.

2010 and 2012 can't get her fast enough! Ka-Chow! Ka-Chow!

Why Such Waste?

I just posted a new blog over at the Porch. Check it out here.

Grace and Works

Good conversation going on over at the Back Porch - come share your thoughts/interpretation.
www.backporchconfessions.com

New LOST!

If you've been under a rock for the last couple of days there is a slight chance that you've not heard the news that the LOST producers were granted an extra hour for the LOST finale! That means 3 hours! Woo Hoo! And to 'wet your whistle' so to speak for the next new episode on April 24 - check out this screen grab from the promo over at E! Online. Looks like our boy Ben has a secret room within his secret room!