You Can't Take It With You

I struggle with the daily grind. Ever since I was a kid I always yearned for something more extraordinary than everyday life. I think that is one of the reasons I joined the Army. It is also one of the reasons I want to travel.
In preparing for my Europe trip I have read a lot of travel blogs. Most of them are by long term travelers; people who go months or years living out of a backpack. A lot of these writers advocate travel as an escape from the daily grind. It is a tempting concept to throw off all responsibility and just drift. However this drifting would be too much like laziness to my Puritan ethic.
Enter You Can't Take It With You . A Frank Capra movie from 1938 that explores the dangers of taking work or life too seriously. The story focuses on two families. One rich and intent on making deals and owning monopolies. The other completely content to do whatever brings them joy. The venerable patriarch of the family rejected the business life 35 years ago when he realized he wasn't having any fun. He then fosters that sentiment in others.
I enjoyed the story because for them escaping the daily grind didn't mean traveling far from home or giving up on traditional society. Rather it emphasized the need to find happiness in work and to value friends and family; to find joy where you are and in everyday life.
I think the secret to escaping the daily grind is to do something everyday that strengthens your relationships with yourself, family, friends, or God. That if you look life is full of fun and excitement.

(FYI this isn't the best clip but there isn't a lot of old movies on the Internet)

Swine Flu Really?

Because lets face it this whole thing is getting a bit ridiculous.

It almost feels like people want us to focus on this made up issue instead of focusing on our real issues.
For good info on the Swine Flu see here:
CDC