A few months ago, my dad and I were surfing through the 300+ cable channels on tv and were getting pretty restless with the many movies and tv shows that are constantly being shown over and over again. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a movie play on HBO on demand and then to see the same movie being shown on Showtime. I imagine the cable companies are laughing at us for paying so much for the same programing every month.
Needless to say there wasn't anything on, so while my dad took a break from switching back and forth to go and stare endlessly into the fridge I swiped the remote and began a search of my own. I saw a movie called DeadHeads, it looked interesting so I pushed the info button on my remote to get the details of the flick and thought it was interesting enough to give it a try. My dad wasn't as enthused as I was so he kept himself in the kitchen. As I began to watch I found myself laughing out loud to the hilarious situation zombie/buddy comedy that was before me. My dad heard me from the kitchen and wanted to know what I was laughing at and I said that this movie was freaking funny. He made me restart it from the beginning so that he could watch also. I'm proud to say my father loved this zombie movie and so did I.
Now, to get to the even more awesome part of this story. I went in search of more info on this movie and quickly added the actors and actresses to the many social media profiles I associate myself with. After a few days I came up with an idea. I had recently gotten a job at a video rental establishment and wished that I could rent this movie so I could watch it over and over again. So, not sure what I should do to get the movie in the store I reached out to the main actor of the movie. I wasn't expecting much since he could very well be another self absorbed, holier than though, person of the industry, type actor (there are a lot out there) that could turn me down and tell me to get lost. I decided to take the chance anyway and to my surprise I was met with a wonderful person that was all too eager to help me out. He got me in contact with the producer of the film Andy Drummond. I explained to him the situation and how I would love to get the movie rented out in the store.
We chatted back and forth about what could be done and came up with a plan. He decided to send me copies of DeadHeads himself!!! I couldn't believe it!!! I quickly gave him my address and waiting patiently by my mailbox :)
After a few days I received the package and couldn't get it opened fast enough. There they were, right in from of me, 6 copies of DeadHeads. I had only expected 5 so as I looked at the 6th one I realized that one was meant for me to have and was signed by all actors, directors, and producer Andy himself. I couldn't believe how wonderful that was. It was such a wonderful gift that I got on my computer and wrote them how happy I was about it. I had to work later that day and took the remaining copies of the movie to the store to get ready for rental. I told any and everyone the story of how I got the movie here and they were all too interested to rent it for the night. I made sure to ask them what they thought of it as they returned it to the store and they usually responded with a smile saying they enjoyed the humor.
I felt happy with myself and everything that was done to get the movie here. Thank you so much to Andy, Brett, Drew, Michael and everyone at FroBro Films.
AND if you live in the Southern Illinois area, come by Raubach Video and rent DeadHeads, you won't be disappointed ;).
I want to wish everyone out there a wonderfull Thanksgivng and to post something that they feel thankfull for this year.
*What I'm Thankfull For*
I am very thankfull for my family, we haven't had the best luck in the past years with the many deaths and other health ailments that arise, but we are here and we love eachother through out all of our trials. I am also thankfull for all the people that view this blog, either by accident or on a regular basis I am very thankfull for you :).
Straight But Not Narrow was started by asking that very question.
There have been a number of great campaigns and charities that have recently emerged to show support to gay youth & teens. However, we noticed one significant niche missing in the efforts. the message to the young, straight male. Its an unfortunate reality that most of the bullying and harassment that gay teens face comes from them. It is for this reason that we are building a campaign that is primarily directed to the young, straight male by using comedy and their peers to positively influence their views on LGBT teens.
So, whether you like girls, you like guys, you like both, you like neither (well, you get the idea). what difference does it really make? Theres a whole lot more to a person than who they date. And yeah, were all different. But we believe that its those differences that make us interesting. Why would we all want to be exactly the same? Where's the excitement in that?
Just be you. Cause thats good enough for us.
I want to say a big Happy Birthday to a real life Superhero! He was born on this day in New York City 1952. This 6'4 gorgeous man donned the cape and iconic S as Superman between 1978-1987. He's the most notable Superman to date and the one we most think about when the name Superman is mentioned.
In 1995 he became paralyzed after a horse-back riding accident. Even though he no longer had the use of his towering body he didn't lose sight of what was really important, that being family and helping others with similar disabilities.
Christopher Reeve was a Superhero on screen and in real life but unfortunately he passed away at the age of 52. He left behind a doting wife and 3 children that carried on his legacy. He would have been 60 years old today, much love to his family.
I woke up just after both the North and South towers were hit. I was still quite sleepy and my eyes were forced wide open as I saw the look on my mother's face glued to the television. She told me to sit down and be quiet. I couldn't believe my eyes. The twin towers were smoking and on fire, my mother began to explain to me what was happening but my mind was unable to compute the situation. I just sat in awe at the tv. The towers then fell to the ground and my heart followed after. Most of the news broadcasts were struggling to keep up with what was going on, I can imagine there were many chaotic and awe-stricken people scrambling to watch and report the happenings.
It wasn't till days later that we received report of the hijackings and the specifics of what happened that day.
September 15th, 2001
My hometown of West Frankfort, Illinois held a candle light vigil for the victims. It was down the street from where I lived so I walked there by myself to stand and pray (wow, I'm getting emotional just writing about this) as I arrived to stand in the crowd there was a giant American flag displayed and held up by our local fire trucks. I wish I had pictures of this, I didn't own a camera at the time. All city officials were in attendance and some gave wonderful words of love and encouragement toward our country and it's future from this day forward.
I was given a candle with aluminum foil wrapped at the bottom so that I could hold it while it was lit. I held my candle with pride and said a prayer, I still have that candle today. I wrote the date on it and kept it in a safe place all these years (pictured above). Even though it was 3 days after this tragedy I was still in shock of what was going on but I closed my eyes, bowed my head, and prayed. I had an eminence fear of what was to come. I had been thinking of the end of days and whether or not more terrorists were going to find a way to further take more lives. It was all up in the air and was very unsettling to me as I believe it was for many. All I could do is pray and pray I did. I still pray for the families that lost fathers, brothers, uncles, sisters, daughters, mothers, etc...
They say "Time heals all wounds" but I doubt even 11 years later the sting of such an event could ever be fully heeled. All we can do as a country is prove that, of what happened didn't cause the reaction the terrorists wanted. They wanted to cause pain, suffering, division and make some point of their cause but they only made us stronger and closer as a people. Nothing but Love and Unity has came out of this tragedy, not only from Americans but also that love spread throughout the world. I remember seeing a news segment from London, England with an older man saying that how terrible this all was and that he would gladly fight a war for us if need be. His passion for us only proved the terrorists actions were void and without form.
May 2nd, 2011
Just 10 years after the attacks the news reported another outrageous event, The man responsible for orchestrating the attacks was shot and killed by American snipers. I would have rather seen him serve time in our prisons but I guess our government didn't see any reason for that. I know lots of people are happy that this evil man is dead but I only feel sorrow that his soul couldn't be saved. Disagree with me if you will but I believe in God and that he loves all of us and cries when one of his own doesn't seek him or discover the error of their ways.
Many years ago, Tina Grounds decided to embark on a life changing quest, by becoming a missionary for the lord. She has spent the last few years traveling into the "Bush" (Africa) to serve and teach the local orphans and villager's. This isn't a lifestyle for just anyone. I, myself have sat through many stories and group discussions regarding taking this same trip but I couldn't bring myself to actually do it. It's a taxing trip to say the least, several hours on a plane then long car ride and eventually having to go on foot, and not to mention not being able to bathe for days or even at all. What got me the most was that the nearest hospital would be several hours away and the idea of getting bit or stung by something without immediate medical attention made me rethink this trip entirely. This is why I have so much respect for missionaries and for my friend Tina. With all that to think about she still goes to Africa to let the locals know that God cares for them just as he does everyone else.
Name:Tina Grounds Currently Living: West Frankfort, IL Occupation:Professor-Early Childhood
Education
Geek Sheek:Tell us
your background and how you got interested in Missionary work.
Tina: As a Christian, I believe it is important to share my faith
with others.While at Mission Fuge with
my daughters (years ago), the Lord spoke to me about short term mission
work.Since I am a teacher, I have my
summers available without work obligations.I love people and know that God has given me the heart to work with
people.My spiritual gift is
encouragement, and through mission work I have been able to encourage and
teach.While in Xicumbane Mozambique, I
had the opportunity to teach children and encourage the women and orphan
children in the village.
Geek Sheek:List the
places you have been and the process it takes to get ready to go to those
places.
Tina: I have been to Xicumbane Mozambique Africa six times and Cap
Haiten Haiti one year.The most important
preparation is prayer!I asked my Facebook
friends to become my prayer partner about 2 months in advance of my trip.I started a prayer group and each week
provided my prayer partners with specific prayer needs.I could see the Lord working prior to, during
and upon my arrival home from the trip.
I studied my lessons
for teaching the children.There are
approximately 250 children in the group; therefore it is a challenge to keep
their attention.I had some of the
teenagers (in the team I served with) provide a drama of the story presented to
the children.The children loved
it!
Geek Sheek:Is there
an element of danger when traveling to such places?
Tina: Yes, I think any time Americans travel outside of the United
States there is always an element of danger.I read Kay Warren’s book Dangerour Surrender while on the
trip.She explains that doing God’s work
means getting out of your comfort zone.She
too has traveled to Mozambique to work with people experiencing HIV and
AIDS.So many Christians and/or
missionaries are truly in danger as they travel to countries where Christianity
is banned.I thank God for providing me
with safe travels.
Geek Sheek:What did
you appreciate most about the culture there?
Carrying water.
Tina: I love the people of Mozambique.They have so little materialistically, yet
they are so happy. They would give the only shirt they have to a complete
stranger.They are very giving people. I
travel to an area in Mozambique without electricity, running water, or roads. They
live very simply but are satisfied with what they have. As an American, I have
learned so much from them.I also love
their worship.They love to sing and
dance to the Lord!Their worship services
last about 3 hours!They are so open to
hear God’s word as most of them do not have Bibles and many cannot read.They rely on their pastor or missionary teams
to teach them what the Bible says.Many
will walk for miles to come to a church service.
Geek Sheek: Do you have any interesting stories from any of
your trips?
Tina: Wow! Too many to
share here!A great story this year was
how God had his hand in the trip.My
travel partner, Rathel and I gathered supplies to take to the missionaries and
children in the village.We packed
lightly so that we could get more supplies in our suitcases.We each took an additional suitcase knowing
that we would have to pay extra.While
at the airport, we placed our suitcases on the scales and the attendant told us
we would need to pay an additional fee-we agreed to the fee. As she was placing
the luggage on the scale to determine the fee, she said “No charge.”I asked her how that occurred and she said it
came up on the computer without a fee.I
started crying and she said “God is good.”I said “All the time.”
The children have no toys so they make their own.
Another story is about the generosity of the people in
Xicumbane.Several years ago, we were
visiting some women in the village.They
told us their husbands were hunting in the fields and asked if we were
hungry.Knowing that our stomachs
couldn’t handle the food from the village, I stated that we had already
eaten.One of the women said they were
going to eat well that evening and wanted us to eat with them.I asked what they were going to eat and she
said “rat.”I was glad that I had declined
the offer!Many times, we would be sent
back to our camp with a live chicken.It
may be all they have to eat and they want us to take it!
Geek Sheek:What has
been your most noticeable spiritual change since you began ministry as a
missionary?
Tina: I believe that when I serve, God draws me near to him.I have a wonderful peace knowing that I am
doing His work.Through these mission
trips, I have learned to really understand the needs of people.I have also learned the importance of
discipleship training.Whether working
with a new Christian in the United States or Africa, helping them to grow in
the Lord is very important.It has been
a great privilege to be a part of that experience.
Geek Sheek:What was
really important to you in your time there that you want us to know?
Tina: It is important for Americans to know that we have so many
material items, yet without Christ we truly have nothing.Many people ask why not stay in the United
States and share the Gospel?I think
most people in the United States have the opportunity to hear about Jesus
because of technology and the number of churches.I know that is not the case in other
countries.Without electricity,
technology, transportation, Bibles, etc. they do not have the opportunity.They are so open to hear about Jesus!
Geek Sheek:Describe
your biblical foundation for missions
Tina: Every year in my life as a Christian has been a growing
year.I have many mentors and pastors
that have been an important part of my Christian life.I have had the opportunity to sit under
several preacher-teachers including Pastor Brett Beasley and Pastor Michael
Nave.I have numerous Christian friends
that also have mentored me, my team member Rathel as one of them.I think the most important foundation of
serving in mission work is having willingness and having a joy that only the
Lord can provide!I still have so much
to learn, but the process has been one of the greatest joys in my life.
Geek Sheek:What was
the economic situation of the people you ministered to?
Tina: I can’t really describe it.You must look at my pictures to even get a sense of the poverty in this
area.I think the greatest sadness is
the last of medical care.There are so
many people that are ill and no healthcare system to provide services.The pastor’s son, Believe, is going to the
university to become a doctor.I have so
many hopes for him and the village when he becomes a doctor.He knows the need as his mother passed away
at a very young age several years ago.She was such a blessing to me and the women in the village.She was constantly visiting the church
members, providing for their needs, and praying for their healing.
Geek Sheek:Explain
the amount of supplies your team takes with them and how can others help when
your next trip comes along.
Tina: We try to take supplies to the school children and orphan
children when we go.God has
particularly given me a heart for the orphan children in the village.This year, Debbie Crawford and her husband
Doug, (missionaries with Samaria Mission from Southern Illinois) shared that
the school children were using pencil “nubs” to write with.They would carry them in their mouths so that
the pencils would not get lost!We
provided pencils, erasers, notebooks, pencil sharpeners, and plastic bags for
the supplies.We provided blankets,
hats, and pencils to the orphan children.
Samaria Mission seeks mission teams to conduct discipleship training
with churches in various villages in Mozambique.Additionally, they need financial support for
the missionaries working in Samaria Mission, supplies, and orphan sponsorship.
Writers: Brett Pierce, Drew T. Pierce Directors: Brett Pierce, Drew T. Pierce
Plot:
Two coherent zombie's, Mike and Brent decide to take a road trip to meet up with a long lost love, during which they are hunted down by the military experiment company that made them.
My Thoughts:
I happened upon this movie 2 days ago on TMC On Demand. I didn't know anything about the film other than the brief description in the info section. It sounded completely ridiculous which is why I decided to watch it. My dad decided to do the dishes at this point, since he wasn't too impressed with my flick pick lol. I started the movie and began laughing almost immediately. My dad wanted to know what was going on and I told him that the movie was hilarious, in a good way that is. Deadheads was entertaining and awesome from beginning to end. I especially loved the many movie references that were featured my favorite being the Luke Skywalker and Princess Laya that was mentioned during the bar scene. With Mike Kellerman(Michael McKiddy) being the love Lorne zombie that decides to track down his last girlfriend and tell her he loved and planned to marry her before his demise and Brent Gunthrie(Ross Kidder), the comic relief that joins Mike in on his quest, all of which reminds me of another buddy zombie comedy that became my ultimate guilty pleasure Shaun of the Dead (Simon Pegg & Nick Frost). Needless to say I loved this movie and would recommend it to anyone. Two thumbs waaay up there! I especially hope to see Ross Kidder in more movies, I think he could be the next combo of Seth Rogan and Simon Pegg.
So for you zombie lovers this is a must see movie!
After a few days I received the package and couldn't get it opened fast enough. There they were, right in from of me, 6 copies of DeadHeads. I had only expected 5 so as I looked at the 6th one I realized that one was meant for me to have and was signed by all actors, directors, and producer Andy himself. I couldn't believe how wonderful that was. It was such a wonderful gift that I got on my computer and wrote them how happy I was about it. I had to work later that day and took the remaining copies of the movie to the store to get ready for rental. I told any and everyone the story of how I got the movie here and they were all too interested to rent it for the night. I made sure to ask them what they thought of it as they returned it to the store and they usually responded with a smile saying they enjoyed the humor.
