Daily Links 11-29-13

Remembering The Princess Bride, a kid's reading room that is worthy of envy, a search for lost Marines, and more in today's roundup of links.

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Inconceivable! Cary Elwes is writing a book about his experiences while making The Princess Bride. This will be going on my list of books to read.

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Speaking of reading, check out this kids' reading room. Or to be more precise, a reading net.

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A plea to prospective college students:

Consider this: those three or more years at university occur at a seminal time of life under peculiarly trying circumstances. For many, this will be the first time away from home, away from the protection of parents and the shepherding of the pastors they have always known. They will go into a stimulating, demanding environment with a host of new enticements, fresh temptations, different companions, peculiar challenges, and unexpected opportunities. For many, the regular and immediate outward restraints of knowing and being known, of parental government and pastoral oversight, will be removed for a prolonged period of time. And all this at a time when the character is only just being formed, when physically, mentally, emotionally and very often spiritually, there is a degree of uncertainty and instability and often immaturity alongside rapid development. The previous anchor points of life are necessarily (and not necessarily unhealthily) being altered, and the soul may drop its anchors in better places, worse places, or simply be cast adrift. And into this potentially fruitful, potentially devastating environment goes the student, and he or she often does so without any notion of where they will find Christian care, compassion, example and instruction over the long haul. Could it be that one of the reasons why we see so many professing Christians falling away or losing their way during their university years is that they have headed off to their colleges and courses without first determining where and how they will obtain their spiritual sustenance? 

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Alfred Hitchcock once directed a film that appeared to have been made with continuous shots. In fact, there are ten hidden edits in Rope as explained in this post.

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One man's quest to find the lost Marines of Tarawa. Over the course of three days of battle during World War II, the U. S. Marines lost approximately 1100 men on this tiny pacific island. To date, only about half of those killed have been found and their bodies returned home.

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This is a skill that nearly everyone needs to learn: how to say no gracefully.

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Daily Links 10-4-13

Monopoly street view, how to clean up bacon grease, combating busyness, some interesting facts about The Princess Bride, and more in today's roundup of links.

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Ever wonder what the streets in the Monopoly board game actually look like? One blogger decided to take a trip through Atlantic City and put together a photo tour of the city.

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There have been quite a few complaints about the "one and done" format of baseball's wild card game. One proposal to make it better comes from Bob Costas (via Theo Epstein): schedule a day-night doubleheader and make the wild card teams play a best two out of three. The more I think about this idea the more it seems to have merit.

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After you've fixed your bacon and eggs for breakfast, how do you clean up the bacon grease? This is a clever tip on how to make your job easier. 

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Some practical tips on combating busyness. This is an area I struggle with all the time. (Hat tip: Challies)

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Without a doubt, The Princess Bride is one of the best movies ever made. Here are 26 interesting facts you may not know about the classic film.  (Hat tip: Mental Floss)

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One of my favorite songwriters is Sara Groves. In connection with her newest release, she recorded an acoustic version of one of her best known songs, Painting Pictures of Egypt. Check out the song here and find out a little more about the song.

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Five types of friends every guy should have. 

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I hadn't realized this until it was pointed out to me: five bookish moments from Person of Interest.

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Lancaster, PA is a lovely place to visit. Did you also know it once served as the nation's capital? Full story here. 

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Daily Links 8-26-13

A few links of interest to start out your week:

Last Friday, Dodger fans (and baseball fans everywhere for that matter) rejoiced at the news that Vin Scully would return to the broadcast booth next year for his 65th year as play-by-play announcer. In his own words:

I really still enjoy it immensely. My health is good, thank God. So why not? And my wife said, 'Why not?' as well.

"Just the thought of walking away from it to retirement — and looking out the window or something? It's just too good. As a baseball man, and someone who has always loved the game, the situation and the conditions are perfect."

It's refreshing to see someone who continues to work because they enjoy what they do. Of course, when you're having fun, a job i s not really work at all.  ***************************************** An interesting list of 18 everyday products you have been using wrong. *****************************************

10 interesting facts about The Princess Bride from director Rob Reiner This one is my favorite: Reitman: I read that you were in a restaurant in New York once, and one of John Gotti’s men said… Reiner: Yeah, I walked outside the restaurant, and John Gotti was there with six wiseguys. There was a guy beside the limo who looked like Luca Brasi. He looked at me, and said: “You killed my father…Prepare to die!” I almost went right then! He said, “I love dat movie, da Princess Bride!”