Book Ideas

One of the perks, if you want to call it that, of substitute teaching is a movie or study hall day. I find that I'm able to get quite a bit of reading done and there are a few books that I've thoroughly enjoyed recently and I thought I'd share them with you.

Side note: You'll notice that none of them are fictional, in my old age I've found that I have no drive to read about something that didn't really happen. I know there are very well-written books that are fiction, but for me I can't justify taking the time to read a fake story when I could be reading something true and/or learning something I didn't know. I'm all about what I like to call "reality reading."

On to my suggestions and why you should read them:

"Heaven" by Randy Alcorn.

This is a quite lengthy book (I still have a few chapters to finish) but very worth the time required to read it. The author presents a view of Heaven that is totally scriptural and well researched. As one who "grew up" in the church I've found it fascinating. Heaven, at least in my church, wasn't ever talked about in detail and described based on the scriptural glimpses the Bible gives. While the author does make some speculations I don't totally see they are all in accordance with scripture or at least not going against scripture. It's been the most thought provoking book I've read in a long time. For me having a more educated understanding of Heaven or the "end goal" makes the journey here on earth that much easier and clearer. I think a proper view of the goal (and the Bible does give us a decent view, it's not like God left us to guess what our eternity will be like) can significantly impact how one lives their day to day life. The Bible tells us to "keeps our eyes on the things above," if we really do that and know what awaits us in Heaven temptations will become easier to resist and decisions will be easier to make in light of all that God has prepared and will prepare for us. The truths in this book have given me a new respect and appreciation for the speck of time that is our life on this earth compared to an eternity with Jesus, on a New Earth untouched by sin, living in a resurrected body forever in God's presence. It's truly amazing.

ps. For those of you who love John Piper, he's quoted often.


"Walk on Water: Inside an Elite Pediatric Surgical Unit" by Michael Ruhlman.

The author of this book spent a year or so following one of the best pediatric surgeons in the world. It's an intense, detailed look into the world of pediatric heart surgery. Congenital heart defects are the most common defects in the world and as recently as the 1970's mortality rates were incredibly high (%30+). The book does a good job of giving a concise history of this specialized field while at the same time sharing what everyday life is like for these Dr's and patients and patient's families. Obviously I was interested in this book because my son has a heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot and also because his surgeon (who will be doing his full repair in two weeks) happened to be doing a one year fellowship in the exact unit the author is writing about. I suggest the book for anyone for a few reasons, it's really rare to get such an inside look at one of the if not the most intense profession, it's totally engrossing and therefore a quick read, and finally because the information is not only intriguing but tangibly valuable. One of the themes of the book is parents who get thrown into this world and they just don't know their options. A lot of what the Dr. in this book does is correct other hospitals mistakes, parents need to know what questions to ask and that they do indeed have options.

A quote in the book from my sons surgeon Dr. Moga:

"You can't hide when you're a peds heart surgeon, you know who you are and where you stand. Because the stakes are so high, because there's so much at risk, there's no room for dishonesty...It's clear. It's beautiful. Elegant. Brutal. There are not many jobs when you're forced to know exactly who you are. You can't lie to yourself here, because if you lie to yourself, it becomes very obvious. Somebody dies."


"Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer.

This book is now a movie and as with most books turned into movies I'd suggest reading it first and then seeing it. It's an interesting story about a kid who's obviously mixed up and confused and takes a unique road to figuring "it" out. The main character just takes off after college one year and begins tramping around the Western U.S. and eventually ends up in Alaska. Again, this a pretty quick read and the story is told very well by the author. It has a Shakesperean quality to it and I enjoyed the ruggedness of it.

That's all for now, I have a few more I'd like to mention but I want to go read and/or lie down a bit before my son gets up.

Simple Pleasures

I've written before about simple pleasures and the important role they play in everyday life. If you're in the right mindset and have good perspective you'll notice little things that make you smile and make life that much better. Here are a few simple pleasures that currently make my life more enjoyable, feel free to add your own:

- Kissing my wife, there's just something so good and right about a nice gentle smooch.

- Cold drinks

- Basketball games that come down to the last shot

- The hum of a fan

- Naps

- Playing Golden Tee with friends

- Arm hair rubs

- Dancing like an idiot

- Sitting/lying close to my wife

- My son's laughter

- A clean house

- Making my wife feel my flexed arm after a workout (I'm on the road back to my college days of strength)

- Sitting on the couch after the boy has gone to bed

- Doing and saying stupid things with friends

- Reading in quiet

- Singing a good worship song

- Listening to my son grunt out a poop, it's quite funny

- Anticipating the start of another skydiving season

- Thinking of my son after he's totally "fixed"

- Wondering about Heaven (I'm reading "Heaven" by Randy Alcorn, tis fascinating)

- Did I mention making out with my wife!

- Walking slowly, why rush all the time

- Thinking of the Yod moving back to MN

- Holding my wife's hand, so simple yet so fun

Dancing

You should all be preparing to watch basketball all day today. If you are an honorable man you took the day off in advance, if you are not you called in a lie and now lay in shame waiting for the games to begin to numb your guilt.

I sit at home with my boy, giving him the gift of March Madness at a young age.

A Few Movie Quotes to Brighten Your Day

Woman who just receive help from Rambo: "I don't know what to say."
Rambo: "Then don't say anything."


Kevin Costner to his fiance after she delays in returning back to town: "How's this
gonna work if you don't do what I say?"

Insane criminal: "It's the way of the new world, I am a hero man."
Cobretti (Sly Stallone) right before killing insane criminal: "Nah, you're a disease... and I'm the cure."

Braveheart: "Of course, raising crops will be hard, but that'll all change when my sons arrive."
Surprised girl: "So you've got children then?"
Bheart: "Well not yet, I was hoping you could help me with that."
Even more surpised girl: "Is that your idea of a proposal?"
Bheart: "Aye, I love you, I've always loved you, I want to marry you."
Smooooooooch.

Paulie: "Friends owe!"
Rocky: "Friends don't owe, they do because they wanna do."

Princess Leah: "I love you."
Han Solo (going into carbanite): "I know."

College Quotes

When I think back on some of the more amusing memories I have of college there are quotes that usually go along with them. Granted these might not make sense to you unless you were there, but that's okay this is a reminiscing post. Here are some of my favorite quotes that were uttered by myself and my unique co-collegians. Feel free to add any of your own.

"Ronny he was being serious DON'T BE AN IDIOT!"

"Hey, we need to egg the security van."

"I'm dead, I AM SO DEAD!"

"Pippen for threee..." (someone gets bitten) "YEEES!"

"Yeah kids SMOKE IT UP!"

"Dan I'm going to bed, tuck me in."

"GRUS GRUS, WHAT ARE YOUR DOING??? GRUS!!"

"Yeah, they've been in there awhile....they're 'Praying.'"

"Well you're face would look better in a bag."

"Let's moon freshman hill." (said every time entering or leaving the campus)

"IT'S BED TIME!"

"Let's go to the LoveDen."

"Let's go to Best Buy and play Madden."

"*&%^%$$#@ THERE'S F&*^%$# SAND ON THE SIDEWALK!"

"I'm gonna Freak you."

"I'd b*tchslap the ho." (the funniest quote of freshman year, thank you Protz!)

"Let's egg the Tool."

"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!" (reaction from random freshman girl as we drove by with our butts out the window)

"I dare you to run down the hallway naked."

"OPENVIEW FIIISHH!"

"Is he in the LoveCave with her?"

"STOP WALKING!"

Why I'm Not Ripped

Before January I hadn't worked out regularly since my college days, since then I have managed to work out at least 3 days a week. My atrophied body screamed at me at first but now it's beginning to enjoy the regular exercise. After 8 weeks of lifting I figured I would have gained a little muscle and maybe even a tad of definition, it has not happened. As I pondered this more I thought of a few possible reasons for my inability to become ripped:

1. My body has gone too far into atrophy mode and it will take HGH or other unnatural means to reverse the damage (which I will not do, I'm all natural).

2. My body type is not condusive to becoming ripped.

3. My eating has failed to change enough (ie. I eat lots of crap).

4. My muscles are shy and don't like to stick out and brag.

While all of these are feasible answers for my untoned body I recently realized the true cause. The reason I am not ripped is because of these four words:

Jason

Hetland

Tim

Smith

Rippedness is not in endless supply in our world. Nature only has so much to give and SOME people just take more than everyone else. I won't name names but these people walk around hoarding vast amounts of rippedness leaving people like me "scraping" the bowl looking for any left over remnants. For those of you who have gone back for seconds and thirds and drained Nature's supply, I hope you enjoy your double biceps and defined creases. I shall continue to work out and get stronger but my quest to become ripped will be in vain because you had to be greedy and take all you could get your hands on. Thanks, thanks a lot!