The road less traveled

The Best 25 Comedy Movies in the last 25 Years

2010-12-31T08:19:00.000-08:00

This was not easy. This morning Adam, John, Ricci, and myself set out to list the top 25 comedy films in the last 25 years. After much finger pointing and shouting, we came up with a list of over 50. We thought trimming the list to 25 would be the hard part. Boy, were we wrong.

Ranking the top 25 comedy films in the last 25 years is not an easy task. Movies, and especaiolly ones that make you laugh, are dear to us. they elicit an emotional response. They stay with us. It was hard, but after a few hours, we got it done. And not one of us was completly satisfied with the list. Maybe 14th and 6th needed to be changed. Was number one really number one? How could we even think to leave that movie off the top 25?

It is fun to note that the majority of these films were made in the last 10-15 years. I think this shows the age of the judges. All four of us are 25-29 years old. Please be sure to leave comments and let us know what YOU would have put on here. What did we forget? What would you have ranked higher or lower?

Without further ado, here is out Top 25 Comedy Films in the las 25 Years:

25. Joe Dirt

24. Dodge Ball

23. Naked Gun

22. Uncle Buck

21. Ace Ventura 2

20. American Pie

19. Van Wilder

18. Napoleon Dynamite

17. Superbad

16. Billy Madison

15. Borat

14. Super Troopers

13.Hangover

12. 40 Year Old Virgin

11. Old School

10. Anchorman

9. Road Trip

8. Zoolander

7. Christmas Vacation

6. Office Space

5. Talladega Nights

4. Wedding Crashers

3. Happy Gilmore

2. Dumb and Dumber

And the number one comedy film in the last 25 years...

1. Tommy Boy

Honarble Mentions:

Hot Tub Time Machiene
Tropic thunder
Grandma's Boy
Get him to the Greek
Liar Liar
Jackass 2.5
Groundhog Day
National Lampoons Vegas Vacation
Starsky & Hutch
Blades of Glory
Harold & Kumar
What about Bob

Worship...what is it to you?

2009-11-16T14:53:00.000-08:00

Trying to explain the intense personal thing that is worship to someone who has never experienced that or does not understand it, can be rather difficult. Sometimes its frustrating, most of the times its saddens me. There are so many words that I want to use, but none of them do the experience complete justice.

You know that feeling of complete gratefulness and humbleness that sweeps over you when in the presence of God? You know the lump in your throat that gets bigger and bigger as you dwell on the thought that Jesus Christ gave his life for someone such as you? Remember the times all you could do was sob and prostrate yourself as low as you could before Glory of the Lord? These are the times that words do not bring justice to His mercy.

I have never been worthy of his Mercy or Love, yet in His presence both are abundant. I can only ask myself why he chooses to love me after His overwhelming Spirit has settled. Because while I'm in His midst, all questions are mute. There is no room for doubt.

The most intriguing part about this experience is I worship because He first loved me. I worship because it runs through my blood, intertwined in my DNA by design. And after all is said and done, an act meant to glorify my Father ends up blessing me. This is proof in how much he loves. Even an act of Worship towards him, about Him, for Him still shows his selflessness. An act towards Him still feeds my soul? What type of love is this? One that words cannot describe.

And here lies the reason I sing. The reason I lead, the reason I love Him. This sacred thing that is worship is available to all. With the pure heart, the Lord says I may lead His people to the Throne of Grace. My desire is to give people this experience so that God may be glorified. Let us not forget that worship of Jesus is an act of the will. It is a daily attitude that culminates at the foot of his throne. I am excited to everyday to remind myself that His anger may last a moment, but His favor last a lifetime.

Worship: What is it to you?

APA REVERSES "GAY GENE" THEORY

2009-11-10T18:58:00.000-08:00

The attempt to prove that homosexuality is determined biologically has been dealt a knockout punch. An American Psychological Association publication includes an admission that there's no homosexual "gene" -- meaning it's not likely that homosexuals are born that way.

For decades, the APA has not considered homosexuality a psychological disorder, while other professionals in the field consider it to be a "gender-identity" problem. But the new statement, which appears in a brochure called "Answers to Your Questions for a Better Understanding of Sexual Orientation & Homosexuality," states the following:

"There is no consensus among scientists about the exact reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual, gay or lesbian orientation. Although much research has examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social, and cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors. Many think that nature and nurture both play complex roles...."

That contrasts with the APA's statement in 1998: "There is considerable recent evidence to suggest that biology, including genetic or inborn hormonal factors, play a significant role in a person's sexuality."

Peter LaBarberaPeter LaBarbera, who heads Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, believes the more recent statement is an important admission because it undermines a popular theory.

"People need to understand that the 'gay gene' theory has been one of the biggest propaganda boons of the homosexual movement over the last 10 [or] 15 years," he points out. "Studies show that if people think that people are born homosexual they're much less likely to resist the gay agenda."

Matt Barber with Liberty Counsel feels the pronouncement may have something to do with saving face. "Well, I think here the American Psychological Association is finally trying to restore some credibility that they've lost over the years by having become a clearly political organization as opposed to an objective, scientific organization," he states. (Hear audio report)

With the new information from the APA, Barber wonders if the organization will admit that homosexuals who want to change can change.

Matt Barber"It's irrefutable from a medical standpoint that people can leave the homosexual lifestyle," he argues. "Homosexuality is defined by behavior. Untold thousands of people have found freedom from that lifestyle through either reparative therapy or through -- frankly, most effectively -- a relationship with Jesus Christ."

LaBarbera agrees. "Change through Christ is possible -- and it's one of the most heartwarming aspects of the whole gay debate," he shares. "Many men and women have come out of homosexuality, mostly through a relationship with Jesus Christ. The fact that these professional organizations will not study that, will not acknowledge that, shows how 'in the tank' they are for the homosexual movement."

LaBarbera stresses that even though elites will not recognize the change, that does not mean the change does not exist. In fact, both Barber and LaBarbera believe that God changes people through Christ -- regardless of the sin.

Words that are out of style

2009-10-22T08:39:00.000-07:00

I just thought I would list a few words that are out of style. It is my goal to use these words as often as possible to see if I am a trend setter. When you see me post these on facebook and twitter, you will know that I personally am bringing these back. Yes, your welcome. Add to the list if you desire:

1.Fine. "Brad Pitt is so fine!" (Well, he is)

2.Boss. "That motorcycle is boss."

3.Da Bomb. "Ben & Jerry's ice cream is da bomb."

4.Check ya. "Check ya later."

5.Out. "Come on Charity, we're out." (As in "let's leave")

6.Peeps. "I totally know her, she is one of my peeps."

7."Let's roll". "Get the keys, let's roll on outta here."

8."Gag me with a spoon"

9."You got it dude". (It just isn't funny anymore, making fun of those Olsen gals).

10."Cut it out" (with actions)

Ok, the last two were stolen from Full House, but I still want to bring them back. I promise to use at least one of these every time I am in a meeting with the VP of At&t, or at least once in a customer setting. That is my pledge to you. (Greg for prez?) Can anyone think of any other phrases that should be added to this list? Comment below!

Check ya later peeps! I gotta roll!

**Bonus** 10.5. "No Fake" "That pan is gonna be hot." "No fake."

Right will be called wrong and wrong will be called right

2009-10-21T11:28:00.000-07:00

With so many uncertainties in this world its nice to know somethings are certain. The Bible says that "in those days" right will be wrong and wrong will be right. This we can count on. This may seem odd, that a certainty is an oddity, but it is true. It is nice to know that when I see something totally outrageous online, or reported in the news, I can rest assured that my God has already foreseen it.

I read today that Wells Fargo has posted over 3 billion in record profits, yet taxpayers "bailed" this company out less than a year ago to a tune of 25 billion. Wells Fargo said they have no intention of paying back the money that is owed. Basic morals would tell you to repay a loan, to be honest, but in today's world wrong is the new right.

There have been hundreds of thousands of reports of people losing their houses due to signing "bad" loans. My father is in real estate and sees people losing their homes to the bank. Since their credit is bad, and they know that they are moving out (9 months of no payments before the bank can start eviction process) people are having what they call "move out parties". The residents strip the home of everything valuable including cabinets, copper, sinks, appliances,ect and sell them to friends, family and online (craigslist, ebay) This has become an acceptable practice. I see sympathy for people who need money because they are losing their homes, but what I see is theft and someone who is breaking the law.

These people should have made a wise decision to begin with, and they probably would not have been in the situation that they are in now. Now, I have heard all the arguments about how mortgage brokers "tricked" these people, but the root of the problem is greed in the "mortgage crisis". People were signing loans that common sense told them they could not afford. The attitude of "what I want" outweighed the attitude of "what I can truly afford". But instead of explaining this to people, we heap sorrows on them and have talks of bailing them out! This is wrong. Once again, wrong is the new right.

I guess what I'm getting at is I'm not surprised anymore at my tender age of 28. Every time I think I have seen it all, my "government" throws another curve ball. We are a people of band aids, instead of getting to the source of he problem. We don't even talk about the 1trillion "stimulus" bill that hasn't done anything! Its old news. Our leaders depend on our twitter-like short attention span to continually to promote wrong in the place of right.
My certainty lies in the outrageousness of this world. I know that there is only one thing in this world that is "for sure" and I have a personal relationship with Him.