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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.

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.

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).

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Great game today, the Packers legitimately looked like a playoff caliber team. I don't know if you heard him say it, but Buck at one point said Russell Wilson's five interceptions in a single game was a "career high." Well, I should f'ing hope so.

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

I just got word from the editor: the Journal-Sentinel will be running my Pearl Harbor piece tomorrow.

Happy St. Nick's!

 Happy St Nick's ya'll..... Enjoy your goodies 

😉

Lisa

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

Michael "Jim" Delligatti

 The creator of McDonald's iconic Big Mac has died at age 98. RIP. 

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

Let It Go

Hillary has decided to join Jill Stein's Quixotic Wisconsin recount.