Rowan Atkinson as The Devil, in his welcoming address to the new arrivals in Hell. Hilarious!

As a service to the readers of Cause And Reflect, here is a public service announcement concerning the analog-to-digital changeover for television.

Remember those Budweiser commercials with the “wassup” guys? You know, “WASSSUUUUUUUUPPP”? Here’s the Jewish version for all my achim.

(Just about cracked up on this…)

Upon the suggestion of my friend Chris over at Unquiet Desperation, I’ve decided to do a quick getting started guide to one of my favorite pastimes: Geocaching. Let’s dive right in!

What is Geocaching?

Geocaching is conceptually similar to orienteering in that the underlying method is to use tools to figure out how to navigate terrain. Geocaching however uses Global Positioning Satellites and a GPS receiver to give indication about one’s location. The stated intent of Geocaching is to use a GPS receiver to locate “caches” (pronounced “cashes”) placed by other participants in recorded locations.

Why Geocaching is like Golf

I tried golf several years ago – I really did. I bought the best clubs at a price I could stomach. I even took a few lessons at Golf Galaxy. But the best part of golfing? It was the walk. Seriously. Getting out and walking where it was quiet, seeing nature and smelling the smells – that kinda gets to you after a while. The problem (and the difference between golf and geocaching) was that little white ball and the ensuing self-battle it would provoke. Note to self – internal dialogues that begin with “why you suck” are not good for the psyche.

Point is, Geocaching will get you out for a walk. In fact it will force you to go to places you’ve never even imagined existing. That is one of the many beautiful things about taking part in Geocaching. Participating in this sport/hobby, if nothing else, lets you walk away knowing that you’ve seen something or somewhere most people haven’t. Good for the soul, I say.

Read the rest of this entry »

Chris over at Unquiet Desperation has tagged me. Per his sage instruction, here are the rules for being tagged:

1. Link to the person that tagged you, and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post, and include links to their blog.
4. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Item number 1: check.

Item number 2: Here goes…

Seven random and/or weird facts about me

1. I am a 32nd Degree Freemason, a Rosicrucian and a Jew. To answer all conspiracy theorists, YES – I’m behind it.
2. I am positively addicted to Monster Energy drink.
3. My favorite musical artist is Enigma. I’ve listened to him/them since their first album (remember the chanting monks?), although I’m not so pleased with the latest release.
4. I am totally fascinated by mechanical wrist watches, because “there is no electricity in there”. My current favorite and most-wanted is the Ulysse Nardin Planetarium Copernicus (picture in this post).
5. I am an avid Geocacher. You should be too.
6. One of my all-time favorite movies is The Name Of The Rose. Loved the book too.
7. I despise the sound of someone filing their nails using an emery board (think “nails on a chalkboard”).

Ahhhh, that was a load off! Here’s who I tag:

1. John in Waco, because I love his GeoCaching page.
2. Stephen Dafoe, one of the best of Freemasonry – PLEASE bring back Radio Free Mason!!!
3. Dr. Lyle Dennis. I so want this to come true!
4. Vincent Nguyen, because his site is like crack to me.
5. Michelle Belanger. Not sure I buy all of this, but its entertaining and I’m sure that my parents would love to know they live in the same city as Michelle.
6. Chuck Maddox, although he hasn’t posted since May. You still out there Chuck?
7. And a random one – let’s go with Swallowing The Camel.