Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Sunday, May 10, 2009

movie minute

Ahead, Warp Speed: In the new Star Trek (PG-13) movie (the 11th in the film's franchise), director J.J Abrams (of Lost fame) doesn't remake the series but offers a compelling prequel to the characters we've come to know and love.

As the film opens, George Kirk is the captain of the S.S. Kelvin which is on a disastrous course with a Romulan ship led by Nero (Eric Bana).

Fast forward a bit and we see you Kirk (hotheaded and oozing self confidence) and Spock (intellectual little devil that he is) and the childhood they both experienced that until now we weren't privy to.

The movie is an exciting, special effects laden thrill of a ride. It has all of the famous characters (Sulu, Uhura, Chekhov, Scotty, McCoy, Kirk, Spock) and how they all came together to fly the Starship Enterprise.

The cast of the movie is impeccably chosen; especially Zachary Quinto as Spock. Tyler Perry (Medea himself) even shows up as Admiral Richard Barnett.

The only flaw this movie has is the whole time travel, time space continuum which involves the return of an original Trekkie. I kind of understood it but thought it was a bit indulgent. It's a theme that Abrams is quite fond of (hello, Lost!!!).

Having said that I thought Abrams did a kick-ass job of reigniting the moribund series and deserves a kudos for being true to the series as we've seen it so far. One thought, however, did Amanda Grayson (Spock's mother) really die? If so, then how did the original TV series bring her back from the dead? Yes, that was Winona Ryder playing Spock's mother, by the way. Perhaps she could be one of the featured stories in the next Star Trek movie, directed by Abrams of course.

I have never been a big fan of Star Trek but I did truly enjoy this movie. I give it 3 bags of popcorn (out of 5).

peace,

paul

Saturday, May 09, 2009

Friday, May 08, 2009

weekly post from May 8, 2009

Good morning friends & loved ones,

As I sit and write this it's a rainy, slightly chilly and gloomy day. Having said that, we should be rejoicing in the fact taht it is Spring and Summer is practically right around the corner. I like to think of Spring as the time when God's world wakes again after a long sleep and dances in beauty and laughter.

I know that this is going to be very difficult for many to fathom but there was a time not too long ago when I would wake up and immediately shift into task mode (or business mode as I heard it called). Instead of reveling in the beauty and sounds of the morning and praising that I was alive for another day, I would quickly take on the stress and business of the day. After a time, I did learn how to wake up each morning with laughter and playfulness.

It seems, however, that I have recently lost that. It really hit me this morning as I sat in the car on the way to work and realized I had yet to crack a smile; how sad that was. How is it that we let the daily grind of life get to us before we've even gotten out of bed or had that first cup of coffee or greeted the first person of the day? Where is our sense of playfulness at 5 in the morning? I know, I know, you may be thinking, 'How can ANYONE laught at 5am when it's barely even light out? I used to ask the same question but it's really easier than you might think. It's a mindset, it's the determination and choice to NOT be serious or gloomy or so task oriented. It's similar to the belief that happiness comes from within (it does). Yes, there are things we need to think about and get done but it's vital for us to remain young at heart. If we don't we begin to lose our enjoyment of life.

As you enter your weekend (when most of us sleep in or delight in the fact that we don't have to work for two days), I challenge you to start the new week with a smile on your face and laughter in your heart as you awake from your Sunday slumber. It can be fun and downright infectious. Besides studies have shown that laughing is good for us and beneficial to life.

Next week-Prayer. Does it really work or is it just a waste of energy?

Stay safe, stay happy and stay healthy....and LAUGH OFTEN! If the flowers and animals can do it, we can too.

love,

paul

Saturday, May 02, 2009

weekly post from May 1, 2009

Hello friends & loved ones,

Happy May!

I've been thinking a lot this week about my life, how I choose to live it and the choices I make. If I'm not hurting anyone or committing any crime or being destructive in my behaviors, then why would someone else be bothered or uncomfortable or offended by the way I DO live? Why would someone shun me or pass judgment on me? I'll bet Jesus asked himself that question a lot while he was performing miracles, calling people out for hurting others. He did not let those negative and hateful people stop him from preaching about truth, love, acceptance and inclusion.It's the same way with us-as long as we are living our lives in God, being truthful to ourselves and others and not hurting those we love, we're living God-like lives. The hard part is keeping the hatred out of our own hearts and remembering that even though there are people who judge us, we should continue to pray for them and not harbor any ill will.This weekend and in the coming weeks, rise above the fear and negativity of those that try to beat you down and live a life you can be proud of. Someone else's discomfort represents ignorance, fear and intolerance-the opposite of what Jesus stood for.

Have a great weekend and stay safe, stay happy and stay healthy.

love,paul

Video

Enjoy,

paul

http://video.yahoo.com/network/100284668?v=4956499&l=3774740