The UmBlog

I've gotten too many flats on my bike in the past month. I don't like carrying spare tubes or buying a mini-pump, so I'm left high and dry some mornings. I also have tubes with mystery holes that won't reveal themselves so I can patch them. On my ride home today I fantasized about a solid tire. I figure it would make a rough ride without suspension. But if I had suspension, the tires could be made of steel and I wouldn't feel much. The internet turned up Nu-Teck Airfree Tires though. They can be made hard or soft. I'm interested. I need to find some online reviews though.

All Quiet on the Western Front , released in 1930, is as compelling today as it was 78 years ago. One thing I appreciate about the older films is the ability to convey the horror without the graphic reproduction of blood and guts in modern films such as Saving Private Ryan . This movie looks at the consequences of whipped up patriotism to justify the unjust. It is a timely movie to the era we are in now.

I like the kind of superhero who always has the upper hand, no matter what. When I was a scrawny kid putting up with bullies, I escaped into a superhero fantasy world where the rules would be different. I imagined my super strength. I imagined super tools. I imagined super suits. Even though I read many comic books, Iron Man was not one of them. But he fits the bill. He's got the wealth and gimmicks of Batman without the hang-ups. I enjoyed the new movie. The only thing that really bothered me was the gratuitous sex scene that had nothing to offer to the plot.

Cardboard testimonies. HT: PP

A thief stole a church's trailer with all their stuff in it. I presume they don't own a building. So they hung some billboards up to get the thief's attention. But the pastor also made a video extending forgiveness to the thief and inviting him to church and a dinner on him. Here is the video. This is a great example of God's upside down, out of this world kingdom. HT: Stuff Christians Like

Mostly built by a guy and his dad and a few tools and little experience. It's beautiful to me in many aspects. I urge you to visit a low impact woodland home inhabited by a family of four.