Religulous

This is a documentary that Bill Maher made about religion. I freakin' loved it!!! Bill Maher is my new hero - this movie was funny and smart at the same time. I couldn't agree with Bill more in regards to organized religion. I, too, feel that it is detrimental to the progression of humankind. So many religions are oppressive to women, gays, the peace process and overall human understanding. I think what I loved best about the movie is that Bill is willing to admit that he does not have all of the answers and that it's okay to admit when one doesn't know what is out there, what happens to us when we die, etc. I only wish the movie had been longer and had gone further indepth about specifics in regards to the religions he discussed and was pondering. But, then it probably wouldn't have been as funny.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

I've been on a recent kick of reading children's books. My best friend recommended the Tale of Despereaux, which I enjoyed, but in the back of it there was an excerpt from Edward Tulane. I was intrigued and bought a copy on my lunch hour. I started reading it on my lunch hour and I finished it later that night at home. Obviously, it was a quick read and I loved it. It was touching and sweet. It made me cry! It is full of adventure, interesting characters and lovely illustrations. I have recommended it to several people I know.

Slumdog Millionaire

I just saw this movie and it was really, really good. But as I sat there I couldn't help but think about life for poor people throughout this world we live in. There is a severe disproportion of wealth in this world and for some reason we accept this as a part of life. Why? Does Donald Trump really need a solid gold door? What about a nice oak door and the money he would have spent on his gold door went to charity?

But then it makes me look at my own life. I have a brand new cell phone and an iPod. We have 2 t.v.'s, 2 computers. I love Starbucks and buy coffee there several times a week. Should I give these luxuries up because I have so much more than so many people in the world have? I feel conflicted about this and don't know what the right answer is.

If you have a job and work really hard, or have a really good idea - then you earn a lot of money because you are rewarded for your hard work and/or intelligence. But when does it stop being just rewards and start becoming too much excess?

Hawaii Trip

Several of you asked for more details about our trip to Hawaii - so here you go!

Day One: Fly to Hawaii in the am. As many of you know, I am not a big fan of flying so I hadn't slept at all the night before we flew to Honolulu. So when we checked into the hotel, I laid down to take a nap. The next thing I knew, it was pitch black in and outside the room, Bob was sound asleep next to me and it was 8 o'clock. I remember mumbling to Bob something about dinner and then I promptly went back to sleep. I slept til 2 am. I think I was tired. So yes, we slept through our first evening in Hawaii - exciting, huh?

Day Two: We rented a car (the man at the counter asked if we wanted a convertible for the same price. How fast can you say yes?) and drove to the Arizona Memorial. We also went to the Swap Meet at the Aloha Stadium across the street for cheap(er) souvenirs. We then drove up to the North Shore, stopped at several beaches along the way and made a whole loop around the island before going back to Waikiki.









Day Three: we had the car again so we drove up to the North Shore again - there was a power line down in Kaawaa - so we drove up the same way we had the day before. Bob ate at another shrimp truck. Up at the North Shore there are a bunch of shrimp trucks on the side of the road.
You get a plate of bbq shrimp and rice smothered in garlic and butter. So yummy.







I am a big fan of the tv show LOST and if you are too, then you know they film the show on Ohau. We did some exploring and found the beach that they filmed the pilot episode on:










We also stopped at a place called the Pali Lookout. This lookout offers breath-taking views of the nw side of the island. It was gorgeous.






On our way back to Waikiki we stopped at the Punchbowl Cemetery where my grandmother and grandfather are buried, laid flowers and paid our respects.





Day Four: This was an in-town day. We spent the first part of the day hanging out in Waikiki and then swimming in the ocean. For a girl who grew up on the Washington Coast, swimming in the Pacific Ocean and not turning blue is a weird experience. That afternoon we went to Germaine's Luau. A bus picked us up in Waikiki and drove us out to the western coast of the island to the luau site. It was so much fun! Of course, there is an open bar and you get 3 drink tickets with your admission. It was good food, great entertainment and a lot of laughs. We would absolutely do that again.

Day Five: Bob played golf in Waikiki (yes, he loved it, but came back with a sunburn to match mine from the day before) and I got a massage and pedicure while he golfed. We then had dinner at a place called Hula Grill. As most places are in Waikiki, it was totally open to the outside and 2 stories up (right above Duke's Canoe Club) and just feet from the beach. I could have thrown a rock into the ocean from our table and not even had to try very hard.















Day Six: Bob's birthday - Happy 40th! After breakfast we decided to try to hike Diamond Head. When I was here with my mom 3 years ago, she and I only made it 1/2 up because neither of us like heights and the trail is cut into the side of the hill and only gets worse from there. This time, I was determined. However, it was in the high 80's and after only a little ways Bob and I were thinking we might not make it due to the heat (and the fact that neither of us are in fantastic shape) But I am nothing if not stubborn and we just took our time, stopped often to catch our breath and headed up. The worst part I think were the stairs. There are several flights of stairs to get to the top that make a StairMaster look like a warm-up. Needless to say, we did finally make it to the top. To our disappointment, there was no bar waiting for us at the top (the only place in Waikiki that doesn't have one) but a beautiful view that made the climb all worthwhile.












We then went back to Waikiki for another swim. For 10 bucks an hour you can rent a beach umbrella and lounge chairs. Yes please! Ahhh, this is the life!

That night, Sam Choy's for Bob's birthday dinner.





Day Seven: Home. One last breakfast at a restaurant with a view of the beach and then on a plane home. We arrived back in Seattle at 10pm to 52 degrees and clouds. A little different from Hawaii.

Overall, Bob and I had the time of our lives. Second only to our honeymoon, this was a dream vacation. Hawaii really was paradise.
The weather was in the 80's during the day with overnight low's of 75. We were very lucky to have such beautiful weather the whole week we were there. We spent most evenings on the beach (either at a bar or walking along the beach, or both!) and we think we managed to visit an ABC store at least twice a day. I dare you to go and not do the same!

Enjoy the pictures.

Are you LOST?

I love this show! It does the unexpected, keeps you guessing and never quite answers your questions!

So let's break down last week's episode: If you have not seen it yet, don't read this.

We figured out that the flash forward from last season of Jack and Kate at the runway is after this episode - so obviously there is no happy ever after for Jack and Kate - at least, not yet. During their fight at the end of the episode, Jack told Kate she wasn't even related to Aaron - does Jack know at that time that he is actually Aaron's half-uncle? Where the hell is Claire? The psychic told her only she can raise Aaron and then she just walks away from him in the woods on the island cause she saw her dad? Is he dead or not? Rose mentioned to Bernard that the island makes people better - did it make the ultimate cure with Christian Shepard and bring him back to life? Jacob says he's been dead for 12 years - perhaps the answer lies there? I am thinking time travel has something to do with it - maybe Christian is visiting from the past?
Going back to Claire and Aaron - Hurley also told Jack that he shouldn't be raising Aaron - what is the deal with this kid? Who is he? The next messiah?

I guess we'll have to wait until next week to find out what is going on........

Why Blog? Why Now?

Why not? I always assumed no one would be interested in what I have to say and perhaps that will remain true. Maybe not. My wish is that this will be an outlet for me; my thoughts, opinions, ideas, likes and dislikes: whatever is on my mind. Isn't that what a blog is supposed to be?

Enjoy. If not. Don't read it.