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Saturday, December 31, 2016
Bullitt
This was the first time I've seen the 1968 classic, and tbh I wouldn't rank it as highly as its reputation demands. It's a realistic police procedural, for sure, but that works against it, as you spend a fifth of the time wondering why everyone did everything so half-a**ed in '68- and I for one didn't need to spend a full thirty seconds watching an antique fax machine churn out a single document. "The Chase" though - my, oh my, "the chase" lives up to its billing.
Friday, December 30, 2016
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
My Thoughts - Profanity
I don't mind obscenity and vulgarity, but I won't tolerate profanity. If that's confusing, put it this way: "F you" and "Oh s--t" are cool with me, taking the name of the Lord in vain, or even just saying "OMG," [the full version, not the abbreviation] is not.
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Criminal
This atrociously mistitled film is a great spy thriller with a sci-fi twist. Kevin Costner was excellent and I highly recommend it.
Szarlotka
I made szarlotka (Polish apple cake) from scratch tonight. It didn't turn out as pretty as the picture from the recipe I've posted here, but it was darn tasty.
Green Room
A touring band becomes locked in a Neo-Nazi club after witnessing a crime. Highly recommended.
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Moana
On day four Lisa took Smiley and Junie to see this on the ship. Junie loved it, Smiley thought they introduced too many characters and lost focus.
Good Taste
In the last week Junie has had duck confit, leg of lamb, and mussels; Smiley had duck breast, crème brule and sushi; YaYa had one of my escargot; and I had lamb shank (I haven't had lamb in maybe thirty years). I'm glad the kids taste buds don't start and end with chicken nuggets.
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Friday, December 16, 2016
We're Home!
made it safely to mke.. there's a ton of snow!! - YaYa
Rogue One
Last night at 11 pm eastern time -- or, as Disney proudly told the crowd, "An hour before any other fan in the hemisphere!" -- Smiley and I saw Rogue One. Watching it on the ocean lent a VR quality to the movie, with each roll of the ship making you feel like you were in the action. As for the movie itself: Aside from being visually gorgeous, it has a strong, dark story, great characters, and very little of the schmaltz that burdens the series. Plus it has Peter Cushing. What else could you ask for? #DisneyCruise
While We Wait
We've taken up residence at the in-airport hotel while awaiting our flight. While the rest of the family napped, Junie and I hit the gym downstairs. It's the first time she's ever gone to the gym (she's prohibited by age at home).
Monday, December 12, 2016
Sunday, December 11, 2016
Thank you Junie!
With 5-7" of snow on the ground I called upstairs and said any kid that was awake had to help me shovel. Shockingly, the previous mayhem abruptly stopped and all was silent. Ten minutes later tho my Honey Bunches of Oats Sweet Baby Doll - aka Junie- came out and did the whole front by herself and then helped me in back.
By the way, I know plow drivers are working hard. BUT I've been driving in snow for three decades, and in worse storms, and the roads are junk. Ab-so-lute junk.
Saturday, December 10, 2016
The Semester is Done
The last final of the semester is now complete. It was brutal, despite the prior assurances from the Professor that it would be mild and comforting. Bah. I fall back on the old reliable: I'm never *the* dumbest person in the room, and The Curve Shall Set Me Free.
Gym time
At the gym with Lulu. Tired? Stressed? Busy? Under the weather? Sore? Check X 5. But I've spent enough of my life sitting on my a##, thank you.
Thursday, December 8, 2016
Hitler: Ascent 1889-1939 by Volker Ullrich
Meticulously researched, comprehensive in scope, scrupulously even handed, and imposing in length, this well written biography of Hitler from birth to the cusp of WWII is superb. I look forward to part two.
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Junie's Ear and Adenoid Surgery
It's been a long, bad day. Junie spent five hours (!) at the surgery center today having her adenoids removed and yet more work done on her ears. Her left eardrum is now tissue paper thin and partially collapsed, which scared me, but the Doc acted like it was acceptable if not ideal.
Most of those five hours was just waiting for the surgery, but a good chunk was her bumpy recovery. She literally woke up swinging and had to be restrained. Lisa and I were both desperately covering up a bad cold, which made the time uncomfortable for us too. Then a nap to try and shake this cold, a big argument with YaYa and now more Kleenexes and snot. Not the worst December 7th ever (duh) but ugh.
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Monday, December 5, 2016
Didn't They Notice the Implication?
Re: The Toyota Corolla commercial that advertises lane assist features by showing independent women confidently singing "You Don't Own Me": you do realize what you're actually pushing is the idea that the women are inattentive drivers who would crash if not for the intervention of the car, thereby rendering their independence a lie?
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Bob Hope at Phu Cat
These are pictures of Bob Hope performing at Phu Cat Airbase in 1968. My Dad was in the audience, but these aren't his pictures; his Vietnam photo album is MIA in their apartment.
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
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