Category Archives: Random Stuff

Random thoughts, topics, and factoids you’ll be happy you read.

Does ‘Adjustment Bureau’ promote predestination?

Posted on March 5, 2011 | 1 comment

“The Adjustment Bureau” opened this weekend and is already getting a lot of attention because of its theme of free will versus predestination. The movie, starring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt, is really a love story, but it forces viewers to question whether a higher power really controls what we do and decisions we make every day. adjustment bureau

In the film, “The Adjustment Bureau” are people who walk among us “adjusting” the minor details of everyday life (i.e., causing us to miss a bus, answer a phone, or run a stoplight) in order to keep us on track for the “plan” that has been written for our life. This “plan,” according to the movie, has been authored by the “Chairman,” who Christians would likely refer to as God.

In the movie, Matt Damon wants to believe he is in control of his life. He is soon confronted by the Adjustment Bureau and learns that his free will is an illusion – limited, at best – and that  deviating from the plan can have dire consequences.

I think Calvinists and free-will believers will have a heyday with this movie. Although the film muddles theology and ultimately avoids taking a clear stance on the argument, it will make you ponder the small events in life that seem inconsequential.

The movie ends by giving us hope that we can earn back free will or change God’s plan if we show that our intentions are genuine and we can be trusted with more control over our lives.

View trailer here.

Questions the movie leaves you with:

Do we really have free will, or is it limited free will?

If the “Chairman” makes all of the decisions for our lives, can we get him to change his mind? How?

Does predestination really encompass every detail of our lives, or just the major events and decisions that ultimately affect history and God’s plan?

Were you predestined to subscribe to my blog? 🙂

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Real-Life Self Defense with Krav Maga

Posted on March 2, 2011 | Comments Off on Real-Life Self Defense with Krav Maga

A while ago, I learned about Krav Maga from watching a program on  National Geographic. I have always been interested in martial arts but never seemed to find a style that suited me. Although earning a black belt in something would be an honor, I never wanted to learn martial arts for the sport of it. I wanted skills that would allow me to effectively handle an unexpected attack in everyday life.

 

Krav Maga

Krav Maga Self Defense

For those unaware of Krav Maga, a brief history of it can be found here. It is used by Israeli security forces and by military and law enforcement departments all over the world. In technical terms terms, it is a hand-to-hand combat system first developed in Czechoslovakia that involves striking techniques, wrestling and grappling, and other self-defense tactics designed to quickly neutralize an attacker or defuse a dangerous situation.

In simplified terms, it’s a skill that makes you a potentially lethal weapon. If anyone would try to rob you, rape you, or jump you, it would be the worst decision of his short life.

Krav Maga has no sporting federation, and there are no official uniforms or attire, point systems, or trophies to earn. If you want self-defense skills to use in real-life situations, then this might be the thing for you.

Krav Maga is slowly catching on here in the U.S. Visit Krav Maga Worldwide for more info. I am currently looking into training in Minnesota and have found two so far: one in Chaska, and one in Minneapolis. I know nothing about either, so if you have information to share, please comment.

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DIY Angry Birds tailgating game

Posted on February 25, 2011 | 4 comments

Forget bean bags. With 3 easy steps, you can have the coolest tailgating or yard game around this summer.

Step 1: Go to Amazon and buy the Angry Birds plush toys.

Angry_Birds_Plush_Toys

Angry Birds Plush Toys

Step 2: Go Amazon and buy the large cardboard bricks.

Toy Bricks

Large Red Blocks

Step 3: Go build  an oversized slingshot, or buy a water balloon launcher.

waterbaloon launcher

waterbaloon launcher

Set up your obstacles and keep score.

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How fast can you run 1 mile…backwards?

Posted on February 21, 2011 | Comments Off on How fast can you run 1 mile…backwards?

On this day in 1983 Donald Davis ran 1 mile backwards in 6 minutes 7.1 seconds. However, the record for running the fastest mile backwards is now 6 min 2.35 sec and was set by D. Joseph James (India) at Nehru Stadium Athletics Track, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India on 10 August 2002.  See this record (and more) in the Guinness Book of Records.

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Infographic: Spring Break Debauchery

Posted on February 18, 2011 | Comments Off on Infographic: Spring Break Debauchery

 (via The Infographics Showcase)

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Bathroom graffiti fail

Posted on February 17, 2011 | Comments Off on Bathroom graffiti fail

Saw this graffiti in the bathroom at a favorite Minneapolis restaurant of mine the other night. I love how the progression of “metal” one-upping is silenced by the baddest band of all time…Hall & Oates.

Band Graffiti

Favorite band fail.

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Posted in Books Music Movies & Entertainment, Funny Pictures & Videos, Minnesota, Random Stuff

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Beware Of The Homosexual 1961 PSA

Posted on April 11, 2008 | Comments Off on Beware Of The Homosexual 1961 PSA

“What Jimmy didn’t know was that Ralph was sick. A sickness that was not visible like smallpox, but no less dangerous and contagious — a sickness of the mind. You see, Ralph was a homosexual.” “One never knows when the homosexual is about. He may appear normal and it may be too late when you discover he is mentally ill.” This PSA was created by Sid Davis productions in 1961 on a shoestring budget of $1,000 to warn young boys about predatory homosexuals. The Leave it to Beaver type music is a trip.

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Chipotle should put a burrito in the sky

Posted on November 20, 2007 | 3 comments

 

Chipotle Blimp

What’s better than a ginormous burrito from Chipotle? A blimp-sized burrito from Chipotle. I am addicted to the steak fajita burrito and a huge fan of their marketing. With Super Bowl ads costing an average of $3 million for a 30-second spot, I think Chipotle should take its outdoor advertising brilliance a step further with a giant foiled blimp. Besides the visual impact blimpvertising has, the amount of free media coverage would be priceless. What do you think about that? Do you have an idea for Chipotle or any other brand? Send it my way, it may makes its way to this blog.

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When you think about the Brewers, does a little pee come out?

Posted on May 17, 2007 | Comments Off on When you think about the Brewers, does a little pee come out?

Milwaukee Brewers logo

Take a die-hard baseball fan with pent-up frustration, some html, and a petition, and you can get people involved in the ultimate of all rallies. Visit peeyourpantsforthebrewers.com to see for yourself.

This Brewers fan has asked people to pledge to pee their pants if the Brewers go to the playoffs this year. The petition page is hilarious. The idea is remarkable.

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This Airport Rocks

Posted on April 20, 2007 | Comments Off on This Airport Rocks

Rocking Chairs at Philly Airport

A friend of mine recently spent some time in the Philadelphia airport. They have done a very cool little thing for travelers that is likely paying off in a big way: rocking chairs. This airport has understood the fact that no one likes being in an airport and has decided to make its guests comfortable while they wait. Apparently, these rocking chairs are everywhere. I kinda wanna schedule a layover there now.

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