Congrats to Leo for his Oscar win!
Published writer, compulsive reader, Old School Whovian, Match Game enthusiast, NKOTB fan, data hoarder, and - surprisingly, given that list - married with four kids. Welcome to my take on life, fatherhood, entertainment, and whatever strikes my fancy. Enjoy!
Sunday, February 28, 2016
On my lunch last night I listened to a copy of Jimmy Carter's inaugural address that I'd downloaded to my phone. Even if you went into it blind of history, you'd have to walk away saying the man was prone to sounding defeatist and less than inspiring, even while talking about freedom and human rights. No oratorical style, and a heavy handed reference to biblical passages. I'd grade this a big 'yawn', with points for his generous nod to Gerald Ford.
Harry Potter
Sorcerer's Stone:
As Smiley and YaYa are big fans of HP, I finally gave the books a chance. Not bad - far better writing than I feared. I would have ate this up as a kid
Chamber of Secrets:
Read this one too. However, Lisa has told me to kibosh my reading until Smiley completes the series. "Don't be *that* ahole" she said, and good point it is.
The Witch
Largely on the word of Patrick M, I took Lisa to see this film. Regretfully, I was bored out of my mind. Visually it was great and the acting was above par, but I couldn't find a story with a microscope. The only other people in the theater gathered their things and left after an hour. All in all, I wish I had done the same.
Cookie Booth!
Girl scout cookie booth today 1-4 at pick n save on holt... Come stock up and say hi to miss Lauren and her fellow brownies
Diabetic or on a diet? They'll take care of donating then to a worthy cause for you!- Lisa
Friday, February 26, 2016
The hip pain disappeared completely for ten minutes. Not even the constant ache of the last thirteen months. To celebrate I broke into a Charleston. Afterwards it hurt again, but #WorthIt.
Fuller House
FINALLY! All the old gang introduced one by one to enjoy the audience sizzle, an NKOTB dance number, and they broke the 4th wall to jab at the Olsen twins! Have mercy!
Poodle Skirt Darling
LuLu looking fab on throwback day thanks to Grandma Jeanne and her poodle skirt making skills! Thanks!
Tony Burton
Tony Burton - aka Duke from the Rocky films (Apollo and Rocky's trainer) has died at 78. RIP
Thursday, February 25, 2016
The Good Dinosaur??
On Monday Lisa took the youngest two and a friend to see "The Good Dinosaur" at 450pm. By 510 she was texting me about the incredibly long wait for the movie to start, and subsequently the inappropriate trailers. When the movie started she realized the truth: they were sitting in the wrong theater. It wasn't her fault (the wrong film was listed above the door) but LOL.
So Says the Junebug
Junie on eating Peeps Bunnies: "You have to eat the ears first. It's good manners."
The Judge (and a great quote)
This is a solid movie with Robert Downey Jr and Robert Duvall.
"Everyone wants Atticus Finch [as their lawyer] until there's a dead hooker in the bathtub."
Lone Survivor
A fine war movie. Not as important as American Sniper, or as moving, but worth a viewing.
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Da HIp
The hip pain was on full blast when I woke up, like I woke up midsurgery. It was bad enough I took painkillers before I even stumbled to the bathroom. Then I warned Lisa it was probably best to avoid me. I'm a right as*hole when its that bad. She's known me long enough to take the advice.
Someone asked over the weekend why the hip isn't healed yet and it's a comment that's still stuck in my craw. It isn't a damn skinned knee. There was lots of stuff wrong with it, some of which they fixed, some they couldn't, and there's the surgical pain on top of it. Overall its much better - I'm not on crutches am I? I'm working, and going to school, not sitting on the couch - but there's going to be bumps in the road. F, I'm grouchy today.
Wickedly proud of myself for sucking it up and making it to class, although the walking did me no favors.
The Lasso of Truth
My Evidence Professor just brought up Wonder Woman and her Lasso of Truth. Neat fact: the creator of WW was one of the early inventors of lie detector machines. On the downside, the prof called it a Marvel comic. SMH
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
The Walk
The movie version of Philippe Petit's 1974 tightrope walk between the Twin Towers. We saw the documentary and I'm familiar with the event, so no surprises. The movie is done in a visually whimsical, charming fashion, and it's definitely worth a rental.
My Thoughts
I've said it before, but it's worth repeating. When a candidate - ANY candidate - says they won't take money from someone because they "won't be bought", all it says to me is that they're so morally weak that a dollar in your pocket could buy their vote.
Monday, February 22, 2016
This didn't age well
"Action on a Supreme Court nomination must be put off until after the election campaign is over. That is what is fair to the nominee and essential to the process. Otherwise, it seems to me...we will be in deep trouble as an Institution." -- Joe Biden, 1992
Black Mass
This is the movie we watched last night. I enjoyed it very much but I have to think the character of FBI agent John Connolly was poorly done. He was one thing, then the other, with no transition to explain it away. If that's the way it was in real life, it should have screamed "trouble."
Samuel Willenberg
Straight Outta Compton
It was very good until about midway through, at which point they really, really needed a good edit to keep this on the rails. There was some talk it should've got a nomination for Best Picture. That talk is foolish.
21 years ago today, at just about this time (give or take an hour), I met Lisa for the first time. As today is full of appointments and school, we celebrated Sunday with shopping, a nice dinner at Carrabba's, drinks, and a movie rental. Love you baby! Happy Anniversary! Xoxo
update: The best half-anniversary gift ever: Lisa let me sleep in and avoid the chaos of sending the kids off to school. I didn't hear a peep of what was surely the usual awful experience!
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Verdun - A Century On
Today is the 100th anniversary of start of the Battle of Verdun. Over the next ten months some 800,000 men would become casualties.
Saturday, February 20, 2016
Dance and the Hip
I did something stupid to my hip last night while shopping at the pet store and it's been getting worse all day. Almost ready to grab the cane again. Almost. Can't sleep more than a few hours at a time and took my prescription for the first time in weeks. Ugh.
I did however take Smiley to his dance recital practice today, where 13 boys make up the largest male class in the 36 year history of the studio. #ProudPapa
Jeb is Out
The NY Times is reporting that Jeb Bush has suspended his campaign for the Republican nomination. It was expected, but I won't pretend it doesn't upset me. He was the only candidate I considered worthy of my vote. I l knew he wouldn't win in this crazy year, but I hoped he would stick it out and be the '64 Rockefeller to Trump's Goldwater and represent the soul of our party. What a shame.
Friday, February 19, 2016
Umberto Eco and Tony Phillips
Author Umberto Eco, 84, and former MLB'er Tony Phillips, 56, have passed away. RIP.
Unacceptable
We got fish from Culver's for lunch, and when we opened it up at home the potatoes were covered in chicken gravy that leaked all over the fish. It's a Friday. It's Lent. I'm Catholic. I called and complained and got nowhere. But hey, I'm sure they'd put pork all over a matzo ball and stonewall the complaints too. #YouLostMyBusiness #Culvers
Back to back appointments two days in a row, plus work and school, means sleep has been in short supply. The hip is progressing fine. I've abandoned the cane and the pain is only notable - meaning rehabilitating - maybe twice a week. The physical therapist complimented my progress and work ethic, saying I'm ahead of where he and his coworkers thought I'd be by this time. Aiming for medical clearance on April 5th.
Harper Lee
RIP Harper Lee. 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is the rare classic that is every bit as good as its reputation, and Atticus Finch a character we all wish we created. I'm genuinely sad.
Music Box Dancer
She's dancing to "music box dancer" in this year's recital.... Grandma Jeanne's favorite song . The recital is April 30th at 1 and 7 and May 1st at 2, both at Pius. Tickets are usually $13 each - Lisa
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
The Swarm
Despite being ranked as of the 100 worst films of all time, I liked it. I did! Lol It certainly has quite the cast: Michael Caine, Henry Fonda, Richard Widmark, Ben Johnson, Katherine Ross, Fred McMurray, and Richard Chamberlain.
Crimson Peak
I thought this was an excellent horror film that relied on atmosphere and the quality of the actors instead of cheap thrills. You could have eliminated the ghosts completely and it would have stood on its own. Lisa, for the record, thought it was good but not great. She is wrong
Monday, February 15, 2016
Don't Blame the Tools
Blame technical difficulties all you want for Adele's performance at the Grammy Awards, but I smell a trend: her live performance on the (British) X-Factor finale was el-crapamundo too.
I don't think I agree
My evidence professor put forth an interesting idea today: character is not a moral or psychological construct, but a stereotype; a label assigned to us if we comply with the expectations of society.
A Visit to Louise
Went to visit Lisa's stepmom at the nursing home. Here's a drawing Junie made for her. Kudos to YaYa for stepping up: she not only picked out a Valentines card for Louise, she got nail supplies and offered to do her nails, (Louise said no, preferring to get acrylics), and pushed her wheelchair.
Miscommunication
We're watching "Married by Mom and Dad" and it seems patently obvious that one of the grooms is in the closet. The wife suspects him and calls him out.
Lisa: About time.
Me: Right? It's obvious he likes [bleep] in his mouth. I mean, how could you not.
Me: I mean, how could you not *tell* he's gay. Not that . . Shut up.
Sunday, February 14, 2016
It's What's For Dinner
Artichoke and ricotta ravioli for dinner. Ab-so-lutely delightful.
Lisa: Yeah, but the kids won't eat it. I won't be able to add it to our regular menu.
Me: They eat cold hot dogs from the fridge. I don't think they should set the bar for our table.
Yup
My physical therapist and I were talking about TV shows of our youth, and who we thought were hot. Daphne from Scooby Doo (naturally), and Jo from Facts of Life; those were givens. We disagreed on the Brady Bunch. He liked Jan.
Me: Jan?? Why Jan? Marcia was the hot one.
Him: I don't know. She'd blush, you know? I liked girls that blushed easily.
100 Years Ago Today
100 years ago today a young Dwight Eisenhower proposed to Mamie Geneva Doud, his - and our - future First Lady.
Happy Valentines Day 2016!
Have a 
lovely Day
- Lisa
Best moment so far, when Dan and I had a hardy laugh admitting quite a few mushier cards were put back before we found the right card for one another. "you make everyday perfect" ....etc, didn't make the cut: we call for truth in sentences for vday cards! - LIsa
Grandma Jeanne: Pd is making your valentine day gift Lisa we went to five stores internet and phone calls just for one thing.
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Deadpool
In part because the Facebook Moral Majority proclaimed it inappropriate to take your child to this movie, I treated both of my oldest girls to the 2pm show at the Avalon. The first ten minutes were lame, but the rest was a hoot. Go see it. Was it vulgar? Sure, but they've lived with me - they've heard worse.
Before the movie.
Me: I heard there's a scene where Ryan Reynolds is fully nude. If that's true [it wasn't] I expect you both to close your eyes and turn your head.
LuLu: Not gonna happen.
Begging for Books
After the movie (Deadpool) we stopped at the Dollar Tree and Lu begged me to buy her a novel. Her argument was that it was "educational," an argument that would hold more weight in a house where books don't outnumber dust mites.
"Educational?? What makes it educational? That it's words on paper? Mein Kampf is just words on paper too kid."
I still bought her the book.
Anton Scalia
RIP Supreme Court Justice Anton Scalia. A great writer and staunch defender of our Constitution, he was also a faithful Catholic and family man. His presence will leave a huge moral and intellectual void on SCOTUS.
Friday, February 12, 2016
The School Dance!
Tonight was the annual school dance, and once again Smiley and Junie had a great time (although PD got grouchy near the end).
Fritz's Pub
Eating dinner with my love at Fritz's Pub. Good fish fry and as always the worst service in Milwaukee. I'm getting downright resentful.
A new Match Game website?
Because I have so much time between work, school, #TeamSlap, and writing, I'm giving serious thought to creating a detailed Match Game website. I've already located the production numbers and cast of each episode, and several dozen photos. There's a serious need; the great turn of the century websites about the show are gone and the info must not be lost. Just a thought. #MatchGame
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Ash Wednesday
#TeamSlap attended seven a.m. Mass at St. Paul's this morning for Ash Wednesday. Because of a field trip, Lisa took LuLu to school midway through Mass, with the rest going in a bit tardy. After the service we lit a candle for my dear friend Fred Bryan, and included him in our petitions. #AshWednesday
Sign up for a Good Cause!
Support a good cause. Sadly, I won't be medically cleared to even attempt it by the event date - but you're healthy: sign up!
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