Chained

After work/dance/X-Factor I rented "Chained" an Aussie film set in the '70's. Jules is a mid-level mob guy who's given control of a brothel that deals in women forced into sexual slavery. His conscience starts to get the best of him, putting him at odds with his bosses. Horrible reviews on the web, just awful - but I liked it. I really did. Sure, it had flaws and the accents were so strong that at times I had to resort to the subtitles (which were only in Spanish!) to understand the dialogue. Still, Paul Murphy was great as Jules, and I liked the character a lot. Worth the price of a Redbox rental, for sure.

Yay!

Junie is line leader for 'galloping' @ dance 2day!

Semi-Celebrity Sighting

Today I sold a Nook to former Brewer Jerry Augustine, who was buying it for a woman who will care for him after upcoming surgery. I also sold one to Ms. Charney's husband (as a gift for her).

Back and Forth with LuLu

(yesterday, en route to dance)

LuLu: When I grow up I'm going to be a teacher. I'm gonna go to college. 

Me: Really? I kind of hoped you'd grow up to be a drug dealer slash bank robber.

LuLu:  (w/out missing a beat): No, that'll be my summer job . . .

NKOTB on Regis

i love Donnie Osmond. And Regis Philbin.

New Kids clip just played on Regis, the earliest act showcased today by nearly a decade!

Insidious and a True Story

'Insidious' is a mighty scary movie, at least until they devote the last fourth of the film to some new-agey rigmarole and end on a note right out of a teen horror flick. Nice to see Darth Maul's still acting tho'. 

Anyhow, true story: Lisa was less than horrified by the film's demon, because a year or two before she met me she flipped down the visor of her car and saw *that* face reflected back at her in the mirror, as if it was in the back seat behind her. She screamed, as you'd expect, but there endeth the anecdote.

Me and My Junebug

A Great Sunday

We had a memorable Sunday. We slept in for a change, then after a nice breakfast headed off to Sue B's to take some great family pictures at her new studio. Then, since the kids were so good, Lisa and I treated them to a dinner out at Romine's before returning home in time to catch Sunday Night Football. A great day all around!

Pain

I want it noted that I have long rebelled against the molly-coddled hypochondria of my youth, to the point where I go too far the other way (Good luck finding a bandage in this house sissy.) But . . . the heel spur in my left foot is hellish. At the best of times it's a dull ache, but lately the pain rates as 'hideous'. It's affecting the way I stand and the way I walk, which in turn is hurting my back, ankle & leg. The whole damn limb looked/felt like a mangled mess after a full day's work the other day. Ugh. Ugh.

Smile for the Camera!

Sports

If the Dodgers sign Matt Kemp to an 8 year/$160 million contract, as is likely the case, then they're bleepin' morons.

Also - I had a 30 point lead going into tonight's Packers game . . . and courtesy of Aaron Rodgers, I have now *lost* this weeks fantasy matchup. 'Tis worth it, to watch Aaron pick apart the Vikings on MNF. (and there's still much of a quarter to go)

Lisa Composes a Poem

For Halloween, Lisa had to compose a nursery rhyme for Junie to take to school to accompany her (award winning) unicorn costume. Here it is: There once a unicorn named Uni/She was cute as can be, but puny/Wherever she went, she galloped so slow/her friends laughed and called her looney

The Beaver

Last night we watched Jodie Foster's "The Beaver", a stunning examination of the impact mental illness has on a family. It's the rare script I wish I could take credit for, and Mel Gibson's nuanced performance was spellbinding. He is a man of incredible talent, & kudos to Foster for thumbing her nose @ the powers that be and casting him. A++

Pearl Harbor Christmas: A World at War December 1941 by Stanley Weintraub

I finished reading "Pearl Harbor Christmas: A World at War December 1941" by Stanley Weintraub. It's an account of the first month the US spent in WWII, and while it was a decent read I'd classify it as "History Lite" (think a one hour PBS special, as opposed to an in-depth, well sourced treatise). 

Anyhow, I did enjoy the breathtaking story of the "Robert E Peary", a freighter that escaped Japanese detection in the Pacific, survived fierce friendly fire, and managed to limp into Port Darwin, Australia nearly intact.

Smiley and his lady

Smiley and his "wife" of two years, Tempe

Gizmo

Gizzie ~ How odd to think this cat out lived Maddie , Cocoa and everyone else !! Stolen any ham lately :) - Katie 

My Four

Five Chiefs: A Supreme Court Memoir by John Paul Stevens

I finished reading 'Five Chiefs: A Supreme Court Memoir' by retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens. I learned a lot about the workings of the court, but it was so dry that it seems doomed to be forgotten.

X-Factor

watching X Factor

Oops

Graphic seen on ABC Nightly News w/ Diane Sawyer: 'Choas reigns on Campus' (sic). Sctuff like that didn't happen when Peter Jennings was alive, let me tell ya.

A People of Hope: Archbishop Timothy Dolan in conversation with John L. Allen Jr

I finished reading "A People of Hope: Archbishop Timothy Dolan in conversation with John L. Allen Jr". It's a book length interview w/ Dolan on many of the issues concerning the Church today. A great read, tempered by Allen's tendency to insert pop culture references into his commentary. I love Dolan's theory of "affirmative orthodoxy" btw.

Elecktra Luxx

Watched "Elecktra Luxx" a film about a recently retired porn star, an adoring blogger/fan, a cheating housewife, and a dead rock star. You'd think it would be raunchy and vulgar, but you know what? It was kind of sweet, and oddly Catholic. Really. A respect for the unborn, an emphasis on love and relationships, and even sincere prayers to the Virgin Mary. An entertaining if odd little film.

I honestly never thought I'd see the day

Penn State has fired Joe Paterno . . .

Some Pics from School

Green Lantern

BTW, watched 'Green Lantern' last night. If u forget the embarrassing exposition that started the movie, and closed ur eyes 2 some of the script's weaknesses, it was actually pretty darn entertaining.