I have tried to compile a list of things that have some meaning for me. Whether it is current events, movies, travel, or reading, these are just a few of the things I enjoy.

Travel

Delta Air Lines - Delta is sort of my hometown airline. I have logged almost a million miles on Delta over the years and it is definitely my airline of choice. Delta's acquisition's of NorthWest has made it even easier to make connections worldwide. Delta has launched a new marketing campaign named "Keep Climbing", check out the new ad below featuring a beautiful Delta Boeing 747-400.

Air France - Air France definitely makes you feel comfortable and the service is outstanding. I have flown Air France a few times to Paris to make connections to Copenhagen and I recently had the opportunity to fly an Air France A380 from New York's JFK airport to Paris. I was seated on the top deck in a window seat and it was great to be able to experience the new Airbus A380 SuperJumbo. Click here for my A380 photo gallery. You may also experience some of the atmosphere of Air France with their outstanding theme, The World Can Be Yours by Télépopmusik. Click the Play button to listen:

The Peabody, Memphis - The Peabody in Memphis is definitely a hotel I will always remember. I spent several months working in Memphis while working for a couple of banks. I stayed at the Peabody a few times and it is definitely worth checking out, especially the ducks.

Jerusalem - This Holy city is special for many reasons, but for me it is very special. I first traveled there in July of 2008 and my life has never been the same.

Hilton Guam Resort and Spa - I spent so much time in this hotel, I sort of feel like it is a second home. I was on Guam doing a difficult conversion for Bank Pacific. I worked so much that I did not get to enjoy a lot of the island, but it is definitely a place I would love to return to for a non-working trip. Guam is a beautiful island, and worth a visit.

Mt. Hood and Timberline Lodge are two of my favorite places. I just have a lot of good memories there. The Timberline Lodge was used for the exterior shots in The Shining. A favorite creepy movie.

Hawaii - What can I say? I love Hawaii. I have been to Oahu five times for both work and pleasure. I went out to Hawaii for my 40th birthday for three weeks, it was great. I am fortunate to have some friends on Hawaii now, so I have a place to crash when I travel there. I think the following video sums up the mystique of Hawaii pretty well, even after 40 years. The updated version is pretty good too, I love them both:

Naval Air Museum Barbers Point is located on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu. The museum is run by my friend Brad Hayes and I try to help out there when I can, mostly with websites and computer needs. NAM Barbers Point has some great naval aviation artifacts and everything is hands on. If you are ever on Oahu, please visit and support this museum.

Trains

Norfolk Southern - I love Norfolk Southern's new ad campaign: One line, infinite possibilities. The campaign was created by the RP3 Agency. I am fortunate to have a relationship with the Corporate Communications department of Norfolk Southen Corporation. My relationship with the railroad began with my interest in the Best Friend of Charleston. I accompanied the train to New York City in 2005 for the 175th anniversary of the railroad and assisted NS with relocating the train to their Atlanta headquarters in 2008. Norfolk Southern is a great company.

Movies

Patton - Patton is probably my favorite movie. It is a great World War II movie about the exploits of General George S. Patton. George C. Scott plays Patton so perfectly, you forget you are watching an actor. I watched this movie so many times with my grandfather, that I probably know every line in the movie. My grandfather was a World War II European theater veteran and he loved it, so that is probably why I love it as well.

Gran Torino - A powerful movie about redemption. Clint Eastwood directs and stars. The movie should have been nominated for Best Picture, but the normal Hollywood pettiness about politics kept that from happening.

In the Heat of the Night - Just a great movie and great performances. I am not exactly sure why I like this one so much, but I guess that is the indication of a great movie. Music by Ray Charles and Quincy Jones does not hurt either.

The Lord of the Rings - This movie trilogy is a masterpiece and it holds so many positive messages. I recently re-watched it in a marathon session while visiting my friends and family in Denmark.

Books

The Bible - Everything you need for life is contained in the Bible. It is like an instruction manual for your life. I am trying to do the Bible in a year program.

Vince Flynn - Vince writes the only books I have been able to read in one day. The first Vince Flynn book I read was Memorial Day and I was so hooked I immediately started reading all of his previous books. Now when he publishes a new one, I usually pick it up from the bookstore immediately and can not put it down until I am finished.

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - I love all of Mark Twain's books, but Huck Finn is definitely my favorite.

Oliver Twist - I read Charles Dickens' second novel while backpacking through Europe in 1998. I just thoroughly enjoyed it.

Politics and Current Events

The Michael Medved Show - The one talk radio show I have to listen to everyday. I have met Michael Medved many times and consider him a friend.

The Weekly Standard - The blog at the Weekly Standard website is a great resource. I also enjoy watching the editors, Fred Barnes and Bill Kristol on Fox News Channel.

Charles Krauthammer - Dr. Krauthammer's columns and nightly appearance on Special Report with Bret Baier is probably some of the most thoughtful commentary in all media.

Real Clear Politics - A great site for columns, polls, and election forecasts.

The All-Star Panel on Special Report - The all-star panel on the aforementioned Special Report with Brett Baier is definitely something I rarely miss.

The Rush Limbaugh Show - I started listening to Rush when he first went national in 1988. He is definitely still the big cheese.

The Drudge Report - The best site to find out what is happening in the news.

Church

St. Philips Charleston is one of my favorite churches and the congregation dates back to the founding of the South Carolina colony in 1670. It is very traditional and high church in the Anglican tradition. The music is outstanding.

Christ Church Savannah has a great service too. I attended the Eucharist at Christ Church just once, but it was beautiful and I have remembered it ever since.

Christ Church Greenville is where I was confirmed into the Anglican faith.

St. Thomas' Church in Sheffield UK is a great church. I made some friends there and it marks the first time I traveled with the LoveWorks team. The whole thing was a great experience and something I will always remember. I definitely will be going back.

RiverWest Church in Lake Oswego, Oregon is special too. RiverWest is the first place I ever spoke before a church and it will always feel like a home church to me.

Williston Presbyterian Church is the church I grew up in.

History

USS Arizona Memorial is one of the most moving memorials in the nation. If you are ever on Oahu, it should be one of the first things you do. Also in Pearl Harbor, moored directly behind the Arizona, is USS Missouri, where the Japanese Empire surrendered to the Allies. In one visit, you can see where World War II began and where it ended.

I like visiting Naval Museum ships. In addition to the Arizona and Missouri, I have visited all four surviving Essex-class World War II era aircraft carriers. I frequently visit USS Yorktown, located in Charleston harbor, as well as, USS Lexington, USS Hornet and USS Intrepid. I have also visited 3 of the 4 surviving Iowa-class battleships, USS Wisconsin, USS New Jersey, and USS Missouri. The USS Iowa is still on donation hold until a permanent home in California can be found. I have also visited the battleships USS North Carolina and USS Alabama.

The three plantations on South Carolina Highway 61 near Charleston are stunning and well worth a visit. Drayton Hall, Magnolia Gardens and Middleton Place are along Highway 61 and offer a glimpse of a time long gone.

The ruins of two colonial churches in the South Carolina low country are two of my most favorite places on Earth. They are haunting places where you may want to pause for a moment of reflection. Pon Pon Chapel of Ease is located in Colleton County and can be a little hard to find. The ruins of Prince William Parish Church are located between Yemassee and Beaufort, South Carolina.

Naval Air Museum Barbers Point is located on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu. The museum is run by my friend Brad Hayes. I try to help out there when I can, mostly with websites and computer needs. NAM Barbers Point has some great naval aviation artifacts and everything is hands on. If you are ever on Oahu, please visit and support this museum.