OVER AND OUT -- INDIA STYLE

Alright, blogger friends I will be in India from July 29-August 7. It's going to be an amazing time on so many levels. Be sure to stay updated on the team's blogsite:

India Team - August 2007

Until next time ... !!

QUOTABLE MLK, JR.

An absolutely brilliant quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. --

The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral,
begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy.
Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it.

Through violence you may murder the liar,
but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth.

Through violence you may murder the hater,
but you do not murder hate.
In fact, violence merely increases hate.
So it goes.

Returning violence for violence multiplies violence,
adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness:
only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.

INTO THE WILD

There something about the "human spirit" that intrigue/inspires/interest me a great deal (maybe that's why I like the movie "A Beautiful Mind" so much). I recently came across this story about a young man and his journey that is being made into a movie that comes out on Sept. 21 called "Into the Wild" - See Trailer

"If you want something in life, reach out and grab it."
- Christopher Johnson McCandless

In April 1992 a young man from a well-to-do family hitchhiked to Alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of Mt. McKinley. His name is Christopher Johnson McCandless. He had given $25,000 in savings to charity, abandoned his car and most of his possessions, burned all the cash in his wallet, and invented a new life for himself ...

SPORTS

So what in the world is going on in the world of professional athletics?!?

The NBA has a rogue official, the NFL has a player involved with dog fights, the MLB still has a major steroid issue (see Barry Bonds) and world's greatest cycling race is filled with charges of cyclist doping to gain an edge. When will all this stop?

It's so frustrating. Sports is suppose to bring out the best in people and all it has seemingly done over recent days and weeks is bring out the worst. I will say this, I applaud the efforts of the NFL for keeping Michael Vick from playing and the Tour de France for doing their best to keep cyclist "honest" (if that's even the right word) during cyclings biggest event.

It is time for these so called "rogue" individuals to face the music and get what they have coming to them. Will it make everything good again? Certainly not, but all to often they think they are above the law and it's time to bring them back to reality.

HOMER PLAYS DEVILS ADVOCATE

In honor of the Simpsons Movie coming out on Friday afternoon I wanted to post what I thought was the most funny thing I have ever seen on the Simpsons.

I still remember being in my friends dorm room watching it during my junior year of college and laughing like crazy.

You may not find it as funny as I did but I was thoroughly amused.

Enjoy!

CREDIT CARD STAT

Something to think about ...

640 million credit cards in circulation in the United States! Remember, the population of this country is about 300 million and many of them are under the age 10 so there's little to no chance they own a credit card. That's a crazy ratio!

DAVID v. GOLIATH

Just a random thought that I think I have shared with a handful of people before but wanted to pass this along via the blog --

So how many times have you ever considered the David and Goliath story? I'm sure most of us have thought of it a few times. Probably when you had a monumental task in front you. Something like a big athletic competition or a major test that could effect the rest of your schooling, etc., etc.

I would venture to say that 100% of the time we view ourselves as David. You know, that old thought of "be strong and have courage and faith" then everything will be ok and you'll come out on top.

However, why is it when we think of the David and Goliath story we never view ourselves as Goliath? Why is it that when we read that story our application isn't "don't lose your head" or "never underestimate somebody's strength" or "quit your cocky attitude"?

Maybe the story from I Samuel 17 is so much more than a story on courage and strength. It could be more of story of over-confidence and staying level headed.

Ok, just a thought ...

RUNNING WEEK

The past week, in addition to tennis camp at SMC, I decided to run everyday. It was the first time I can remember running everyday of the week since usually I bike on at least one occasion (usually two) during a given week.

I was pretty pumped after running my first 20-plus mile week in my life since normally I hovered around the 15-17 mile mark. Here's how it went:

Monday - 4.5 miles
Tuesday - 3.75 miles
Wednesday - 4.5 miles
Thursday - 3.75 miles
Friday - 6.5 miles

Total Miles: 23

I was pretty pumped to run that far in those five days. The more I was thinking about it during my run on Friday (which was a tough run) it kind of made me sick to think that I still would have to run 3.2 miles to reach full marathon length AND then do that mileage in just one run. Yikes!

None the less, I'm inching closer to the possibility of doing a half-marathon within the next year. I just don't want to do an event like that without the realistic goal of finishing in less than two hours.

THE GODS AREN'T ANGRY

Rob Bell is doing his second U.S. speaking tour beginning on Nov. 5 in Chicago and ending on Dec. 2 in Grand Rapids. In all he will be speaking at 22 cities across the nation.

The topic - How humans invented religion to make themselves feel better. Each ticket is $15 with all the proceeds going to Turame microfinance project. I'm heading to the final show in Grand Rapids.

The God's Aren't Angry

FIRST BASEBALL JOB

So I was surfing around the web the other day at a few website in the Virginia area where I used to live and I came across this story about Calfee Park in Pulaski, Va. It's the first ballpark I worked at when I was a member of the Pulaski Rangers front office in 2000 and 2001.

Unfortunately, after the 2006 their major league affiliate pulled out of the town and left the community without a professional team for the first time in a decade. In case you were curious to see where I first work - here.

INDIA COUNTDOWN

Less than 10 days till I board a plane in Chicago and head for the grand country of India! I'm really, really pumped up for this experience and I am at total peace about the situation. I have no clue what will happen and what I am going to encounter but for right now I am in a very peaceful place with everything.

The past week or so has been very good in terms of preparation. First, we had a sleep simulation over a three day period then we had an individual come and talk with the team about how we can help the pastors in their efforts. Just stay up-to-date on the blogsite that GCC is keeping - here.

McDONALDS

(Ok, so I got this in a forwarded e-mail from my friend the other day. Not totally sure if it is true but, it made me laugh)

McDonalds Job Application
This is an actual job application a 17 year old boy submitted at a McDonald's fast-food establishment in Florida...and they hired him because he was so honest and funny!

NAME: Greg Bulmash
SEX: Not yet. Still waiting for the right person.
DESIRED POSITION: Company's President or Vice President. But seriously, whatever's available. If I was in a position to be picky, I wouldn't be applying here in the first place.
DESIRED SALARY: $185,000 a year plus stock options and a Michael Ovitz style severance package. If that's not possible, make an offer and we can haggle.
EDUCATION: Yes.
LAST POSITION HELD: Target for middle management hostility.
SALARY: Less than I'm worth.
MOST NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT: My incredible collection of stolen pens and post-it notes. REASON FOR LEAVING: It sucked.
HOURS AVAILABLE TO WORK: Any.
PREFERRED HOURS: 1:30-3:30 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL SKILLS?: Yes, but they're better suited to a more intimate environment.
MAY WE CONTACT YOUR CURRENT EMPLOYER?: If I had one, would I be here?
DO YOU HAVE ANY PHYSICAL CONDITIONS THAT WOULD PROHIBIT YOU FROM LIFTING UP TO 50 LBS?: Of what?
DO YOU HAVE A CAR?: I think the more appropriate question here would be "Do you have a car that runs?"
HAVE YOU RECEIVED ANY SPECIAL AWARDS OR RECOGNITION?: I may already be a winner of the Publishers Clearing house Sweepstakes.
DO YOU SMOKE?: On the job no, on my breaks yes.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE DOING IN FIVE YEARS?: Living in the Bahamas with a fabulously wealthy dumb sexy blonde super model who thinks I'm the greatest thing since sliced bread. Actually, I'd like to be doing that now.
DO YOU CERTIFY THAT THE ABOVE IS TRUE AND COMPLETE TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE?: Yes. Absolutely.
SIGN HERE: Aries.

ERWIN McMANUS

If you get nothing else out of this three minute video, understand this quote and chew on the truth it provides:

“The world needs the church and for us to be effective we need to know where things are going and get there first. Aren't you tired of being relevant? I'm sick and tired of being relevant because that means someone else got their first and now I'm trying to connect [with that relevance]. We need to stop being relevant and start leading the way.”

TRANSFORMERS

This is what a summer movie is all about! Flat out entertaining from start to finish with amazing special effects. I almost got up and cheered when Optimus Prime first showed up in the movie.

If this movie doesn't win some sort of Oscar for Special Effects, then they are getting robbed. This might just be the best movie I have ever seen in terms of outstanding special effects. Never once, did the Transformer characters look fake. It was great.

I can't wait till the DVD with all the extras to explain and show how they did all those amazing effects.

The last 30 minutes of the movie are great. A thrill a minute during the final part of the movie.

There are only two things I really question about the movie: 1) I was never really sold on Shia LaBeouf as the "hero" but he did an alright job & 2) What happened at the end? It was an expecting twist that left me a bit confused.

Very, very entertaining!!

BONO'S INTERVIEW

Someone took the time and energy to put the interview that Bill Hybels did with Bono at the Leadership Summit in 2006 on YouTube!

The interview is broken up into a series of videos with each part about nine minutes long. If you have about 50 minutes, it's a great media. The link to the first part - here.

BUYING A HOME?

29 Bedrooms

A Movie Theater

Three Swimming Pools (because one isn't enough!)

6.5 Acres

Pricetag: $165,000,000!

THE KING OF COMEDY

Today is Bill Cosby 70th birthday! At his peak during his career there was not, I repeat, was not a funnier human being on the planet. His stuff is down right classic:

The Cosby Show - Pinochle

Bill Cosby on Parenting (Classic!)

Cosby on Simpsons

Cosby on Dentists

MATH 102

In case you were curious for that really tough Math question you had in High School:

111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321.

ORDAINED MINISTER?!?

So when you look at this picture what comes to mind? --

Maybe 90210? How about Aaron Spelling's daughter? Perhaps the thought of reality TV show comes to mind? But ordained minister!?!

The chick from 90210 is an ordained minister!?!? This is sign 7,032 that the apocalypse is quickly approaching!

BATTLE AT KRUGER

This is raw nature at "its best" and most amazing ... I have never seen anything like it. Take the nine minutes to watch this video and it shows the absolute fiery that the African plains have to offer.

It's some lions, some water buffalo and an aligator ...

QUOTABLE ROB BELL

A few weeks ago Rob Bell gave this talk at Mars Hill and I finally got around to listening to it. I highly recommend taking the time and giving this talk a listen. Freakin Brilliant!

“Do You Realize How Far We Are” – June 3, 2007

I would argue that in the western world there is a massive tragedy that we are living in the midst of. And because our culture has lived in for so long people actually accept it instead of rebelling against it with the full force of their being … I would argue that for many people who are serious about changing the world, they do not think to join a church … I would argue that the reason these organization exists (One Campaign, DATA, Nothing but Nets, etc., etc.) is because churches didn’t do the job that Jesus gave them to do … and my question is why do these organization gets to have all the fun?”

“… What if every single person had a friend who was poor? What if a year from now I said the word ‘poor’ and you had a name and a face? It would change everything. What if I said the word ‘poverty’ every person had a name and a face? You wouldn’t let that person down. It would change everything.”

FEDERER

Best



Tennis



Player!



E-V-E-R!

INDIA'S WIDOWS

I have seen a lot of different stories and heard a fair amount about rituals and customs from other cultures. This story just absolutely rips a hole in my heart. Read the story, watch the video and look at some of the pictures. It's almost unbelievable.

"... Nobody looked after me, nobody loved me. I survived on my own."

Shunned from society, widows flock to city to die

RUNNING STUFF

So on July 4th I ran what I think is the farthest I have ever gone in one "go" when I ran 6.5 miles around Notre Dame's campus. I felt pretty good most of the run. Probably did the entire run at a 9:15 pace so I was fairly satisfied with that for my first effort at running over six miles in one shot.

Well, anyway, I was introduced to this running website were you can track the distance of your run using Google maps. It's pretty sweet:

MapMyRun.com

LIVE FREE, DIE HARD

Yippee Ki Yay!!!

If I ever need assistance from the cops, well, in John McClane I trust! Random thought... you know, John McClane is the Jack Bauer for the movies OR Jack Bauer is the John McClane for TV shows.

Anyway ... Not that it needed to solidify itself more than it already has but the Die Hard franchise is officially one of my favorites of all-time. It's kind of shocking to think that it has been 19 years since the first movie when John McClane saved Nakatomi Plaza from Hans Gruber!

This movie may not have the same "shock value" as the previous three Die Hard movies but it's a freakin adrenaline ride from the beginning. It is realistic? Probably not but who cares, I wanted trills, action and fun. I got all three of them and more packed into 130 minutes for $5.75! The best part has to be when McClane rockets a cop car at a helicopter. Very fun!

This movie probably is the defination of a "guy flick" but I'm a guy so it's all good (note - yes, I do believe many females would like this movie too). This one won't win any Academy Awards but it's certainly entertaining. Big thumbs up!

SIMPSONS MOVIE

The premiere of the Simpons movie will be in one of 14 towns across the country with the name Springfield (shocker I know!). However, the american public gets to decide which Springfield the premiere will take place in. I'm hoping from Springfield, MI.

Vote! -- You only have till July 9!

CHRISTIAN v. CHRIST-FOLLOWER

I thought this was fairly amusing. There's a entire series of these videos that Community Christian Church put together.

Remember -- U2 is an amazing worship band!

"500"

So this is my 500th blog posting. Seems like a lot but it really isn't that many but I thought I would seach the term "500" in a couple of different search engines and here are the top selections from each of those search engines ...

Google, Yahoo & MSN - The Indy 500

YouTube - Women in Art (based on most views)

MLB - Trevor Hoffman's 500th Save

Barnes & Noble - 500 Ways to Learn Spanish

MySpace - 500 Miles to Memphis

Wikipedia - The Year A.D.