How I Learned about Ron Weasley’s $49.39 pair of Socks Providing Sea Safety #harrypotter #volunteering #disasterrelief

Harry Potter movie fans would probably not be as attracted to the Ron Weasley character as we are today, if it were not for the talents of actor Rupert Grint, who plays Weasley in the Harry Potter film series. So, join me in dedicating this last Ron Weasley themed King Dong post of January 2012 to Grint, whose charitable work in the United Kingdom (UK) seem just as fun as the magical adventures that he bestowed upon us as Harry Potter’s right-hand man over the last several years.

While reading up on Rupert Grint, I found out that he has participated in the Wacky Rally, an annual event where teams of two or more obtain cheap cars costing around $300 Pounds and then dress them up to race across Europe and complete challenges along the way. From what I've read, it sounds a little like NASCAR meets "The Amazing Race" on CBS.

Grint joined forces with actors Oliver and James Phelps, who play his sibling’s in the Harry Potter movies, once in a race to Barcelona in 2010 and then to Prague, last year. While Wacky Rally teams can join the event just for mere fun and prizes, Rupert Grint and the rest of his Harry Potter trio race to raise money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

Now, I’m no sailor and have been lucky to reside in an area that does not experience the effects of disasters at sea or on beaches, but RNLI looks like a worthy cause to support. The all-volunteer organization provides 24-hour search and rescue services for floods and emergencies along the coasts of the United Kingdom and Ireland. RNLI also provides lifeguard services to beaches in England and Wales, while teaching beach, sea and fishing safety to adults and youth.

I don’t fish but my Uncle does and while I’m not in the UK, I can certainly understand the importance of being safe at sea. To date, RNLI has saved over 130,000 lives, thanks to their rescue missions -- If Rupert Grint aka Mr. Ron Weasley himself can do something to help them continue their exceptional service, so can I -- or so, I thought. I browsed the RNLI store to find something to buy and came across a nice pair of socks for only 3.95 Pounds ($5.21 for those of us in the United States). After considering buying them for myself, I decided to give them out as a prize to one of you lovely readers.

My shopping plans came to a halt when I reviewed their shipping information and found out that the delivery charges for U.S. orders are 33.45 Pounds, which comes out to $44.17 -- yikes! Forty-four dollars for one pair of socks? I love me some Ron Weasley and understand the importance of safety on water and all but in moments like this, a Geminio Spell like the one Hermione used in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows would come in handy -- cause that’s the only way I’m forking over that much cash for a pair of socks. That way, I could multiply the $5.21 for these socks, into at least $40 toward that expensive RNLI store shipping fee.

Since RNLI is said to use 100% of profits from online sales toward their lifeboat crews and related services, it is a shame that, kind of like health care, saving a lives comes down to a matter of dollars and cents -- at least where my reaction to the sock order is concerned. Still, I’m holding off on the socks for now, with plans to order them when I can also buy a few additional items from RNLI to give out as prizes on this blog -- so the group of items can at least make up for that astronomical delivery charge.

In the meantime, I did some further reading after the RNLI service had me wondering why there isn’t an organization like that or an RNLI affiliated branch here in the U.S. and then I realized....”Oh! I guess that’s what the Coast Guard is for, right?” That goes to show you how much (read: little) I know about our military.

In matters of life and death where the scope of available rescue service is in your hands, would you rather....

A. Spend almost $50 on one pair of socks to contribute at least a little something to make sure rescue volunteers have the tools they need to be heroes at sea.

or

B. Pimp your ride to look like a lifeboat and then drive across the country in an old 1992 Vauxhall Carlton, Toyota Camry or equivalent vehicle in a race for a chance to win around $1,300?

Also,

Check out what Grint had to say about his experience in the Wacky Rally:

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Did you Know these 3 Things about Jason Statham? #nablopomo #blogher #atthemovies

Did you know that a stuntman who was working on “The Expendables 2” starring Jason Statham and Bruce Willis, etc. died from an explosion while they were shooting this movie in Bulgaria?

Yep. Another stuntman was also hospitalized for injuries he suffered from the same explosion.

Did you know that Jason Statham may help Michael Bay extend the “Transformers” film franchise?

According to Screencrave, Statham will be taking a lead role in the fourth and fifth installments of “Transformers,” since Shia Labeouf has had enough of heading up this action series. However, MTV says it’s just a rumor since no offer has been made to “The Transporter” actor. I guess we’ll have have to wait to learn how all of this pans out.

Did you know that Jason Statham does not seem to be an advocate for any one specific charitable cause?

He did however, sign a “Killer Elite” movie poster for The Autograph Store in September. This poster is among many other items that The Autograph Store offers in silent auctions to raise money for several of their partner charities, including the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, United Way, National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Animal Humane Society. The charity fundraising company must either be doing a good job or have a special place in Statham's heart, because he also signed a movie poster for them back in January while promoting "The Mechanic."

So, would YOU watch another “Transformers” sequel if Jason Statham revamped the franchise?
Just curious!

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Sleepy Saturday #2: Is Jason Statham the new Bourne? #nablopomo #actors #actionmovies #amblogging

While the Bourne franchise that Matt Damon rocked is in limbo, action movie star Jason Statham seems to be picking up the slack with his latest work. According to Entertainment Weekly, Statham just landed a role in a new mobster film called “Hummingbird.” He plays a former special forces soldier who takes on a new identity and becomes a crusader for justice, avenging crimes in London’s underworld.

The first time I saw him was in “The Mechanic” and look forward to checking him out in “Killer Elite,” opposite Robert DeNiro. However, I did not watch “The Expendables” but with news on an Expendables sequel, it looks like Jason Statham is all about action...no drama, sci-fi, horror or comedy. Let’s see 100% action, new identities and a justice-seeking mission...this guy isn’t playing around, which is why he is the November King Dong!

Much thanks goes out to Herman at Terrible Analogies for nominating Statham during the summer.