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!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Boo
grouchy & under the weather. I went to bed early but woke up 90 min later feeling like crud. Now debating benefits of netflix vs going back to bed. I'll let u know who wins ;)
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Congrats to my Yanks!
Congrats to my Yanks for clinching a playoff spot for the 16th time in 17 seasons - as if there was ever any doubt :)
Day of Fire
Reading 'Day of Fire', a chapter in Dubya's autobiography. I got the chills when he described his trip to NYC after the attacks.
RIP REM
After 31 years together, REM announced today they are "calling it a day" and disbanding. R(etire)IP guys.
FB - May 11th thru the 17th
May 11th
Congrats to Prince Fielder for hitting his 200th home run.
May 12th
08:29 out for coffee w/ Lisa [this is as rare as snow in July]
@ least 68 people are dead in Pakistan as a result of Al-Queda attacks
May 13th
Master Yourself
you're up to the hubs in mud, stockjobber
Sen. Herb Kohl has announced he will not seek re-election
A man in the Canary Islands decapitates an apparent stranger in a supermarket
May 14th
Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew has announced he will be entering hospice
The silent movie "Saved From the Titanic" starring survivor Dorothy Gibson was released on this day in 1912. In the film she wore the same dress she work during the sinking. Sadly, the film was destroyed in a fire and no copy seems to remain.
An afternoon of compromise. W/ Lis & YaYa gone shopping, Netflix failed so I found a college gymnastics tourney for Lu to watch. We're starving, so I set out to make tuna casserole, but in the end found no soup, so we're eating noodles, peas, and tuna dry. Thankfully, Lu seems to love both. She's entranced by the gymnastics for sure.
May 16th
Lagniappe (lan-yap) This word is Cajun for "something extra," like the extra donut in a baker's dozen. An unexpected nice surprise.
20 years ago today (IIR the date right, and I usually do), I was confirmed in the Catholic Church. The retreat that preceded the ceremony was one of the turning points in my life. There was a clear, defined moment when I looked at who I was and who I wanted to be and realized the two were worlds apart. The last 2 decades would not be possible w/out that insight.
Before school LuLu and I went to the local high school in hopes of retrieving a necklace she'd left behind after a [rec swim] class this past weekend. I didn't think there was a chance in hell of it still being around, but lo and behold there it be. Storing it in a broken locker with a smashed, askew door probably helped her cause.
The Sahara Casino in Las Vegas is closing after 58 years
Given 10 min unsupervised, Lump decorated the vanity, sink, toilet, her clothing and her face with lipstick & eye shadow. We cleaned it up, yelled at her, & then sat down in the living room. I still had an angry, PO'd look on my face. "Just drop the act, she's out of the room" Lis said. "You know you live for this sh-t." I LOL'd - she's right.
Donald Trump has announced he is NOT running for President in 2012
14:28 @ Olive Garden w/ Lis, then off to work. [we had a gift certificate]
May 17th
I have a dishwasher repairman coming at 1 o'clock. That means I have to clean. Ugh.[it cost me $73 for him to tell me an egg shell had clogged a water line. Double ugh]
Arnold Schwarzenegger fathered a child ten years ago with a member of his household staff. Yikes.
Former Obama supporter Cindy Crawford now backs my boy Mitt Romney. I'm all for a Romney/Ryan ticket - America deserves some R&R!
Ryan will not run for Herb Kohl's seat, but it looks like my man Tommy Thompson is game! Whoo hoo! Welcome back Tommy, I missed ya.
RIP Harmon Killebrew
Watching The Voice on NBC w/ Lis and Erv, after a 2hr dWtS marathon
Arod hits two outta da park, leading my Yanks to victory. Hoo-ya.
Congrats to Prince Fielder for hitting his 200th home run.
May 12th
08:29 out for coffee w/ Lisa [this is as rare as snow in July]
@ least 68 people are dead in Pakistan as a result of Al-Queda attacks
May 13th
Master Yourself
you're up to the hubs in mud, stockjobber
Sen. Herb Kohl has announced he will not seek re-election
A man in the Canary Islands decapitates an apparent stranger in a supermarket
May 14th
Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew has announced he will be entering hospice
The silent movie "Saved From the Titanic" starring survivor Dorothy Gibson was released on this day in 1912. In the film she wore the same dress she work during the sinking. Sadly, the film was destroyed in a fire and no copy seems to remain.
An afternoon of compromise. W/ Lis & YaYa gone shopping, Netflix failed so I found a college gymnastics tourney for Lu to watch. We're starving, so I set out to make tuna casserole, but in the end found no soup, so we're eating noodles, peas, and tuna dry. Thankfully, Lu seems to love both. She's entranced by the gymnastics for sure.
May 16th
Lagniappe (lan-yap) This word is Cajun for "something extra," like the extra donut in a baker's dozen. An unexpected nice surprise.
20 years ago today (IIR the date right, and I usually do), I was confirmed in the Catholic Church. The retreat that preceded the ceremony was one of the turning points in my life. There was a clear, defined moment when I looked at who I was and who I wanted to be and realized the two were worlds apart. The last 2 decades would not be possible w/out that insight.
Before school LuLu and I went to the local high school in hopes of retrieving a necklace she'd left behind after a [rec swim] class this past weekend. I didn't think there was a chance in hell of it still being around, but lo and behold there it be. Storing it in a broken locker with a smashed, askew door probably helped her cause.
The Sahara Casino in Las Vegas is closing after 58 years
Given 10 min unsupervised, Lump decorated the vanity, sink, toilet, her clothing and her face with lipstick & eye shadow. We cleaned it up, yelled at her, & then sat down in the living room. I still had an angry, PO'd look on my face. "Just drop the act, she's out of the room" Lis said. "You know you live for this sh-t." I LOL'd - she's right.
Donald Trump has announced he is NOT running for President in 2012
14:28 @ Olive Garden w/ Lis, then off to work. [we had a gift certificate]
May 17th
I have a dishwasher repairman coming at 1 o'clock. That means I have to clean. Ugh.[it cost me $73 for him to tell me an egg shell had clogged a water line. Double ugh]
Arnold Schwarzenegger fathered a child ten years ago with a member of his household staff. Yikes.
Former Obama supporter Cindy Crawford now backs my boy Mitt Romney. I'm all for a Romney/Ryan ticket - America deserves some R&R!
Ryan will not run for Herb Kohl's seat, but it looks like my man Tommy Thompson is game! Whoo hoo! Welcome back Tommy, I missed ya.
RIP Harmon Killebrew
Watching The Voice on NBC w/ Lis and Erv, after a 2hr dWtS marathon
Arod hits two outta da park, leading my Yanks to victory. Hoo-ya.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Netflix rocks. End of story.
This is less of a post than a request for people to get a grip.
A few months ago Netflix raised its prices to - gasp! - about $16 a month for unlimited streaming plus DVD by mail service. From the outcry it raised you'd have thought they started charging people for the oxygen they breathe, instead of, you know, an optional entertainment expense.
I love Netflix. Nay, I ADORE Netflix, and I'm left speechless at the short term memory of all the haters out there. $16 a month for unlimited streaming and a constant rotation of DVD's is nothing, even for someone as poor as I am. It's less than the cost of two movie tickets, and about the cost of four rentals from Blockbuster. (not including the late fees, the cost of gas to get to the shop, etc.)
You remember Blockbuster? The shady promotions, the high cost of rentals, the shoddy service, and the late fees up the yazoo. You wanna return to that, or reward them by frequenting their streaming service? Go right ahead, sucker.
Ah, but then there's the complaints that the streaming service has a 'limited' inventory, and that it just isn't 'worth it'. I have 474 films/shows in my instant queue right now. If you can't find something to watch, I assure you, your tastes are too pedestrian and stale. Go watch Transformers 3 again and tell us how its like, the greatest movie ever.
Now, in a rather sloppy move, Netflix has botched another PR gambit by announcing their spinning off their signature mail service to a separate site, Qwikster.com. Initially, it annoyed me too, because it seemed to me like they were abandoning the DVD portion of their business. That, of course, is exactly what they are doing. They're spinning it off knowing its a dinosaur in the making, and that it'll be easier to kill off a little used site than chop off half your company when the writing's on the wall. And that's ok, because it means they are trying to adapt and survive, and that's fine by me.
I'm a Netflix fan, and I hope I have the chance to remain one for many years to come.
Wipeout was pre-empted!
Very bitter that this bloated DWTS special has pre-empted Wipeout. I didn't work all day to be scorned in primetime ABC. I am not amused.
Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball
A wee bit of this, and a lot of that (with 'That' being quick movie reviews)
Let's lead with the big news of the day: The Sad Sack Slapjacks notched their first fantasy football win of the year (117.07 to 105.42) thanks in no small measure to stellar performances from K Rob Bironas and TE Gronkowski (not to mention a midweek addition of Mark Sanchez). Whew. 0-2 would have been devastating. I needed this win.
Today was also Smiley's 1st Tiger Scout Den meeting, and it went fine, although I wish it had been more structured.
As an assistant leader I'm going to have to make sure I have some fallback activities ready to go in the future.
Some reviews: I rented the medieval action film "Ironclad" in part on the strength of its cast. Paul James Purefoy, Paul Giamatti, Jason Flemyng, Derek Jacobi, Kate Mara, Brian Cox, etc. Sadly, that was the only real bright spot in this Magnificent Seven/Dirty Dozen vs King John pic. I thought it was needlessly gory, ret-conned religious and social views, and worst of all was pretty darn dull.
At least it introduced me to Archbishop of Canterbury Stephen Langton, who seemed like a heck of a fellow.
Continuing a recent downturn in my luck with films, Lisa and I watched Conan O'Brien Can't Stop, a documentary on CoCo's 2010 tour in the wake of the Tonight Show fiasco.
We love Conan, but Lisa hit it on the head: at one point she stopped watching, saying his bitterness and treatment of his staff was taking the shine off our affection for him. By the end of the film, however, as some of the bitterness and anger leeched out, Coco seemed back to his 'normal' self, and the tone of the movie picked up.
There were a few laughs, but not nearly enough.
On the other hand, Arthur was a pleasant surprise.
No, more than that; it was a delight. It was sweet, funny, and well acted. Russell Brand continues to impress me as a genuine talent, not just an idiotic drunkard with a big mouth. We loved this movie. Go rent it right now. Go on - git.
You stuck around? Well, more the fool you, since the final review of the night is another Debbie Downer. The People I've Slept With is a comedy about a very (very) promiscuous woman who gets pregnant and seeks to determine the paternity. Lisa felt it was very pro-life, and I guess it is, but it was hard to snoop that out from among a dizzying array of flaws.
I don't think the writer did the actors any favors, but they sure repaid it in kind. This was some of the worst non-porn acting you'll find outside of a campfire skit at a special needs camp. My word, it was bad. (the only exception being 'Mr. Boring', and curse the director for limiting his screen time.)
Plus, I didn't dig the lame justification the narrator provided right at the start, rationalizing her insane promiscuity away as being nothing more than a case of a "woman with the mores of a man". Uh, no, hun. Even Charlie Sheen would draw the line shy of where this character stands (she has a stack of photos several inches thick, each one belonging to a man or woman she's slept with in the last seven weeks).
If you're going to make the character unself-consciously sex crazed, then stick with your guns and play it straight (no pun intended). There's no need to excuse it, and it's a crime to do so with a voluminous cliche.
Today was also Smiley's 1st Tiger Scout Den meeting, and it went fine, although I wish it had been more structured.
As an assistant leader I'm going to have to make sure I have some fallback activities ready to go in the future.
Some reviews: I rented the medieval action film "Ironclad" in part on the strength of its cast. Paul James Purefoy, Paul Giamatti, Jason Flemyng, Derek Jacobi, Kate Mara, Brian Cox, etc. Sadly, that was the only real bright spot in this Magnificent Seven/Dirty Dozen vs King John pic. I thought it was needlessly gory, ret-conned religious and social views, and worst of all was pretty darn dull.
At least it introduced me to Archbishop of Canterbury Stephen Langton, who seemed like a heck of a fellow.
Continuing a recent downturn in my luck with films, Lisa and I watched Conan O'Brien Can't Stop, a documentary on CoCo's 2010 tour in the wake of the Tonight Show fiasco.
We love Conan, but Lisa hit it on the head: at one point she stopped watching, saying his bitterness and treatment of his staff was taking the shine off our affection for him. By the end of the film, however, as some of the bitterness and anger leeched out, Coco seemed back to his 'normal' self, and the tone of the movie picked up.
There were a few laughs, but not nearly enough.
On the other hand, Arthur was a pleasant surprise.
No, more than that; it was a delight. It was sweet, funny, and well acted. Russell Brand continues to impress me as a genuine talent, not just an idiotic drunkard with a big mouth. We loved this movie. Go rent it right now. Go on - git.
You stuck around? Well, more the fool you, since the final review of the night is another Debbie Downer. The People I've Slept With is a comedy about a very (very) promiscuous woman who gets pregnant and seeks to determine the paternity. Lisa felt it was very pro-life, and I guess it is, but it was hard to snoop that out from among a dizzying array of flaws.
I don't think the writer did the actors any favors, but they sure repaid it in kind. This was some of the worst non-porn acting you'll find outside of a campfire skit at a special needs camp. My word, it was bad. (the only exception being 'Mr. Boring', and curse the director for limiting his screen time.)
Plus, I didn't dig the lame justification the narrator provided right at the start, rationalizing her insane promiscuity away as being nothing more than a case of a "woman with the mores of a man". Uh, no, hun. Even Charlie Sheen would draw the line shy of where this character stands (she has a stack of photos several inches thick, each one belonging to a man or woman she's slept with in the last seven weeks).
If you're going to make the character unself-consciously sex crazed, then stick with your guns and play it straight (no pun intended). There's no need to excuse it, and it's a crime to do so with a voluminous cliche.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Some TV
I just finished watching Ashton Kutcher's debut on Two and a Half Men. I enjoyed it and found myself smiling/LOL several times. Maybe the show has some fuel left in the tank after all.
Digging the brunette on '2 Broke Girls'. The show's not bad either.
#602!!
Congrats to Mariano Rivera on save #602, setting the all-time record and absolutely cementing his status as THE BEST EVER. Dang I love my Yanks!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
A Good Day
A long day, but overall a good one. The bday party went much better than I expected, YaYa's team won their first game, after a tight contest I surged ahead to score a fantasy W at the close of SNF tonight, and Lisa's got a list of job openings highlighted and ready for my attention. Oh, and we had bacon and eggs for dinner. Can't go wrong with that.
A Busy Day
Spent part of the morning watching "Robotech" with Smiley, now off to a first bday party for Isaiah, followed by football, a volleyball game for YaYa, more football, job hunting, and prob ten other things to consume this rainy day off.
Update: pics of said birthday party
SuckerPunch
After a lousy night of work I rented 'SuckerPunch'. It was visually exquisite. But it was also intellectually, emotionally, spiritually and artistically sterile. It was little more than a glorified video game trailer, and a fetishists rape fantasy played out under the guise of female 'empowerment'. EPIC FAIL. (wicked soundtrack tho')
Saturday, September 17, 2011
I Might Call In
seriously considering calling into wrk for only the 3rd x since 1998. Dental problems, tired, and generally blah. I wish my hrs hadn't changed 2day - I'd b nearing the end of my day, not the start.
I have a good immune system, and a childhood spent with a hypochondriac mother. Just as a matter of delayed teenage rebellion, I refuse to be sick.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Ugh. Work
I'm must be getting depressed. I've slept most of the day and am dreading the clopen ahead of me @ wrk . . .
TV Tidbits
I really enjoyed the two episodes of the Japanese cartoon 'To' available via Netflix streaming. It's a blend of crisp computer animation, adult story lines, and inventive sci-fi. Check it out.
A - You aren't following Alec Baldwin on Twitter? Why the heck not? B - There are few things worse than seeing your precious big screen TV subjected to "The View". Damn you Lisa. C - What's with all the moans & gasps & body noises in anime? Ridiculous. D - That host from Bravo has great chemistry w/ Kelly Ripa. He should be on the list to replace Regis.
Quote
"In the Beginning, there was nothing, which exploded."
--Terry Pratchett on the current scientific understanding of Creation
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Smiley's First Pack Meeting!
supper was homemade Applebee's fiesta lime chicken, smashed potatoes and brussel sprouts, all scorned by the kids, natch. Then it was on to Park's 1st Pack meeting, where we Tigers improvised a skit about a treasure hunting turtle who can't get a gold coin off the ocean floor cuz it's glued on, so he uses some 'magic markers' to create a shovel to do the job. Lotta fun.
The Hannah Montana Finale
just finished watching the series finale of Hannah Montana. It was quite good if u scrap the last 30 seconds of the episode.
Turn in your man card this minute - Jeremy I
What a great dad - Grandma J
OMG!!!!!!! you better run along now and change your tampon - Alex Q
Jeanne, your right, it takes a special dad to watch that with his daughters... wait Dan, they were watching it with you, right??? - Roger J
no actually I'm the only one awake. The kids had it on Netflix b4 bed and while I was sitting here reading I thought "I wonder if Oliver and Lilly stay together?" and hit play. You know y'all were curious too - Me
He never had a man card to begin with! ;) -Tre
Why would you do that? - Eric B
Thor
Here's something I never thought I'd say in a review of 'Thor': it was dull. Yawn-y, "hit fast forward on the remote" dull. Plus Natalie Portman looked oddly . . . drained, like life has just plain used her up. I was really looking forward to this flick too, and even hustled it up my Netflix queue. What a shame. C-.
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