Movie Review: Facebook

I saw Social network earlier this week. I saw it at one of the cheapo theatres and it was worth seeing at the regular theatre. No big name actors in the movie and that is probably what made it great. The cast all seemed to nail their roles and the writing was awesome. I am not sure how much of the movie follows the historical account of facebook (aka the real story of facebook) & all it’s characters but it was a wonderful story and very well told. Most of it was done in court rooms which was odd at first but the movie moves very fast and covers so much ground it seemed to fit the mood of the movie well. Aside from programmers, business man, and college kids this movie took on many themes such as friendship, identity, college life, independence, ethics, business deals, politics and what is fun/cool. I probably would not watch it again or own it but Facebook is well done. I was not expecting it to have much of a plot or decent story telling so it really surprised me as everything was done well in this movie. It is definately worthy of the golden globe nods it received.

Happiest Man in the World Book tour

Tonight I went to the book signing tour for Dr. Jackson’s book The Happiest Man in the World. Dr. Jackson is business man who amassed a fortune and realized he would happier giving to other people. He began an organization called Project Cure which provides medical supplies to countries who are in dire need of medical supplies. I have volunteered a couple times for his organization and love being a part of an organization that gives back to society.

I love charity and giving to others. It is a basic tenant of Christianity and one that was impressed upon me by my mother. I have always had a passion for giving to others and after volunteering for many charity or aid organizations in college I cannot imagine not giving some of my time or money to such organizations. It is easy to talk about helping others but there comes a point where Christianity has to be lived out. Helping others has to be done, it is an action and not an idea we hold to or profess in social circles. For me volunteering my time for groups that send medical supplies to foreign countries, or groups that feed the homeless or shut ins, is the practical outward expression of the belief that I should help others & be generous.

High School Reunion?

I reconnected with a friend on facebook. We have not had much contact over the last few months we have been in contact but he invited me to a party. It is his girl friend's birthday party and he was also going to surprise her by proposing to her. Normally I would not attend this type of thing but it was a reunion of old friends and it was neat to see high school sweat hearts get the chance to finally get engaged.

The party was fun and I met some new people. I heard all sorts of crazy stories I had not heard before and most of them I almost would not have guessed to have been true. I got to catch up with a few people and honestly I had no intention of re-establishing any of the long lost relationships. It is funny to see people that were such a huge part of my social life growing up and see how their lives have turned out and what has happened to them.

The more I talked with them I realize I would not have remained close friends with any of them aside from our connections via church. Most of them have become different people from who I remember and I am a different person from who I use to be so there is no rush to re-establish any friendships. It was interesting this weekend to see the cliches are true. People do change and grow older and grow apart or something like that.

Snow Shoeing in 2011

I first went snow shoeing in 2005 and it was insanely fun! I love being able to walk anywhere I could see and the fact that I'm hiking, gliding, and even hopping through snow makes it fun. While I have not gone as frequently as I'd like some friends were going so I went today.

We hiked a short trail in Rocky Mountain National Park and it was alot of fun! I enjoyed the trail and noticed quite a few other trails through the Park so I will have to back some day. I found a nice place in Estes to rent snow shoes for as little as six dollars a day. I also bought rain & wind proof coat & pants so I am prepared and will have to go back to keep using the new winter gear. Let's see the entire point of this post is I enjoy snow shoeing and will go back!!

Trip to airport

I drove Dave & Lori (the couple I live when they are in the US) to the airport as they have a funeral in Texas to attend. It is Lori’s family & Dave will officiate the funeral. I am just glad they will be out of the house for a few days. I am glad to have some time to myself as that was lacking this holiday season. Maybe that is why the holidays felt so rushed for me?

I was struck by how odd it was to drive home from the airport. DIA has always been a place of excitement for me. It symbolizes beginning an adventure and the end of most travels as it is the last stop before reaching home. I have always had a sense of wonder, mystery, and awe as I drive to DIA let alone when I walk through it. Today I noticed many sights I usually see when driving to & from the airport. Flocks of birds flying over yellow grassy meadows tinged with snow, lines of cars humming along as they head towards or away from the airport, and the majestic purple mountains behind denver and rising to meet the blue sky. As I drive along Penya blvd watching the mountains loom larger with each second as I drive towards Denver I realize there was no adventure or journey for me. Just a trip to the point where all journey’s begin or end.

I also realize I need to travel more. That is my first resolution for 2011.

New Years 2010!

The last ten days of 2010 I was house sitting for friends who own five cats & two dogs. I spent most of the time delinting my clothing, coughing up fur balls, and petting animals who would not leave me alone.

My only supersitious belief is how I spent new years eve will be a prediction or reflection of what happens to me during the next year. This last new years I was house sitting and was planning on visiting a local bar as 20% of all their profits on New Year's Eve would go to research for Autism. The bar, The Hornet, is north of where I am house sitting and a nice place. The problem was I had not had any time to myself to relax so I wanted to spend time relaxing at the place I was house sitting which I did. I watched a movie I had not seem and had some quiet time to relax.

With an hour before midnight I decided I needed some social time so I got dressed up as it was below zero and drove to The Hornet. I drove by and it was packed and I could not find a parking spot near by. I realized I probably would not drink or each much and drove back home. I put in another movie and drank some Plum wine by myself to ring in 2011.

My perdiction is 2011 will be a year where I weigh options to find balance in my life. I will have time to myself and miss out on a few social events. I will watch a few movies and celebrate alone. Wow that is depressing...I don't know if I want to go along with the silly supersitious perdiction thing anymore. It's a good thing I have reconnected with friends on the west side of town and have been dating!