Movies, Farmville, and Baseball - FB the 1st week of October

Oct 3rd

Watched the first two episodes of Carnivale; I liked it, & will add the rest to my Netflix list. Still loving the hell out of the BBC "Life on Mars". The kids liked "The Last Song" but I didn't see more than 5 minutes of it. Wish i could say the same for "MacGruber", which was piss-fing-poor even by SNL movie standards. We could only stomach 15 minutes before throwing the DVD out the window.

Oct 4th

4X this school year my oldest three have been late for school because Lauren's bus can't make up its mind if it wants to be 10 min early or 20 min late for the scheduled pickup. %$%#

After work, w/ the other kids off at dance or Girl Scouts, I took LuL to Tenuta's for a kiddie cocktail and an order of garlic bread (1/2 price before six folks). As usual she was a chatterbox as we sat at the bar, and it was a good time. She's a good kid, she really is. Short, but good ;)

Oct 5th

Last night a nightmare woke me up at 3 in the morning. I was absolutely convinced that Whoopi Goldberg had died, and woke Lisa up to tell her. Why my subconscious would give a sh** about her passing is still under investigation.

Oct 6th

Every problem has a solution, except for those that do not.

Rule #1 for the thriller/action/horror filmmaker: in the first act you must either explain why the protagonist's cell phone isn't working, or conspire to destroy/lose it before the action starts. If you don't, four minutes into the flick the audience is wondering why the dummy doesn't just call 911.

Oct 7th

Today is the 25th anniversary of the cartoon She-Ra.

Financially troubled Grand Avenue Mall is up for sale.


Yesterday the Phillies' Halladay pitched a no-hitter in the NLDS. Wow. Great job.

Here's some more Farmville pics.

I've finished "Handling the Undead" by Swedish author John Ajvide Lindvist. Yes, superficially it's a zombie novel, as the dead do rise, but that label does it a disservice. The dead are not violent, active, or even aware; the story is not about them, but about how their appearance affects the relationships and emotions of their loved ones. It's a damn good novel, and well written.

We watched "The Time Traveler's Wife" tonight. I don't regret the 90 minutes we spent watching it, but I'd rate it slightly less than average. Still, an OK 'pass the time' - no pun intended - flick.

A Sweet Gesture

Here's an odd place for an otherwise sweet note:  "Have a good night Mom & Dad. I love you! Gracie". The place she wrote it? On the first sheet of the toilet paper roll in the bathroom. I saw it and left it for Lisa, thinking she'd see it and we'd share a chuckle. Alas, I believe it went unseen and was put to a. .  .more traditional use.

Cirque de Freak: The Vampires Assistant and The Other Guys

Recent viewing: 'Cirque de Freak: The Vampires Assistant' turned out to be a fun little movie, and well worth the spot on my Netflix queue. 'The Other Guys' was much funnier than advertised and I stand by my ever-present adoration of Will Ferrell. "Gator's bi**hes better be wearin jimmies!". Classic!

Teacher's Luncheon

 Off to the teachers luncheon for set up....looking at the goodies I made makes me wish I was one of the teachers!! - Lisa

I have Smiley's coat and hat! - Ms. Bloom

A whole heapin' helping of quick TV reviews

Sept 27th

"Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare." --Japanese Proverb

Buncha quick TV thoughts to follow in my updates - why? Why not? If you had something better to do than read my posts, you wouldn't have time to be on FB in the first place.

We just started Season 4 of Big Love. No spoilers please, but I can't help thinking Bill is ignoring his true calling. He is destined to be the One True Prophet of Juniper Creek. Also - I'm a new fan of 'Big Bang Theory' (~1/2 way into season 1). I love Sheldon, but Lisa doesn't seem as adoring of the show. Mayhaps a past as a dork helps breed empathy.

I've begun watching the original BBC series "Life on Mars." LOVE it. Also nearly done with Season 1 of "How I met your Mother". While I love Barney (NPH rocks!) I think the actor playing Ned dragggggggs the show down. I dig it, but overall I have to grade it a B-

RIP Titanic star Gloria Stuart, age 100.

How fitting. On this day in 1939 the free and just people of Warsaw fell to the Nazis. 71 years later the Bears triumph over the Packers. No good can come of September 27th.

Sept 28th

Not the appropriate response to your wifes complaint: Tonight the brunette Danny-girl from across the street knocked on my door, introduced herself, and asked to borrow our blender. I obliged. "Don't you think that's ballsy," Lisa said. "Knocking on a stranger's door and asking for their blender?" To which I replied: "Did you *see* her??? If she'd asked to borrow our car I'd have signed over the title."

Sept 29th

I've finished 'Dexter is Delicious', the newest of the series (#5) that inspired the hit show. Well written w/ an interesting plot, & very enjoyable.

For family nt yest. We suprised our oldest 3 by taking them to see 'Ramona & Beezuz' @ the budget showhouse. It was a great family movie, w/ a contemporary urgency to the plot, great acting and best of all true to Bev Cleary's characters. A+

I'm loving Hells Kitchen! They HAVE to keep Raj - that nut is a pip! [Lisa's response: yeah, highly enjoyable last night....esp. watching it w/ you. xoxo]

Arod hit his 30th homer of the year tonight - to go along with 122 RBI's! That's the 13th season in a row he's reached the 30 dinger plateau. Well done sir. You are the best of the best, and I bow to you.

A day late, but what the hell: I didn't love the Glee Brittany episode. There were some laughs, sure. Yet overall I thought it was poorly written and oddly constructed, w/ the music forced into place as an afterthought. Yawn. Plus, what's with the wheelchair kid joining the football team? Must this show ALWAYS push political correctness to the point of absurdity? It's wearing thin.

Ooooo, Big Love season 4 is getting juicy!!

I've finished Flashforward, the Robert J Sawyer novel that was supposedly the inspiration for the short lived series. El boringo, w/ a thin plot, little action, and enough science jargon to fill a txtbk. Blech. C-

Sept 30th

We just finished watching Season 4 of Big Love . . whoa Nelly! That is a Damn Good Show.

Oct 1st

Watched the pilot for Psych. I enjoyed it but found the characters too flippant; I think I can safely cross this show off my netflix list.

Rumor is Glee is planning a NSYNC episode, which I think is bull---t. I like NSYNC, but if they pass up NKOTB in favor of mere pretenders to the throne, count me as an ex-Gleek.

I had high hopes for this [Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin] album. The 'genius' of Brian Wilson reinterpreting Gershwin sounded good on paper. The reality? Blech. Wilson's 'signature' sound is just the same dated Beach Boy vibe trotted out again and again, and he does no justice to the Gershwin catalog. I suppose if you are a huge Beach Boy fan it's palatable, but otherwise D-

Oct 2nd

I forgot just how much I miss David Tennant until I saw him walk on screen.

According to a Bay View Compass article YaYa brought home, Bellas Fat Cat 's food license expired JUNE 30th, & they were ordered closed to the public on July 14th - yet they were seen serving customers as LATE AS SEPT 1ST. Any chance of them reopening is kaput now that the truth is out, &I just drove by and saw a "for lease" sign in the window.

RIP TV Producer Steven J. Cannell.

To my (happy) surprise, my oldest girls not only asked to watch the vid clips i posted earlier, but declared themselves big fans of 'Lauren Cooper' and her tagline "Am I bovvered?". As late as a few minutes ago Liv recited the line, which inspired my own Lauren to walk up to me and say "You not bovvered Daddy, you not bovvered

A busy, productive day. Lu had dance in the AM, whileSmileyr went to Home Depot's kid class w/ grandma before heading to her house for a sleepover; then some grocery shopping and a trip to pay the Cricket bill. We spent 3-4 hrs this PM cleaning the office (I discarded ~50 bks - ouch!), the pantry, & washing dishes; then visited w/ our friend Chris before watching "The Last Song" w/ the girls & making milkshakes.

On to the end of September . . .

Sept 25th

Why I am not employed by the UN: Smiley & I were raking leaves when he told me a boy in his class was 'mean' and hitting other kids.

"He ever hit you?" I asked.
He shook his head. "Naw, not 'et".
"Huh," I said. "Well, if he does, beat his ass. Then tell your teacher."

Some camera phone pics of the kids:

‎70-3 at Camp Randall??? For a second I didn't realize it was a football score. I just assumed someone had tallied my lifetime record w/ redheads.

I just read an online review of the 1982 version of 'Annie', a movie my ma took her Brownie troop to see back in the day. The reviewer was appalled by the "foul" language and called it far too adult and "risque" for her (presumably obnoxious) children. WTH?! When you have whackjobs like that for a parent, you're sure to wound up in therapy. Get a freakin' life.

At this point I think our culture is programmed to find fault in everything and everyone; humans would do well to relearn the art of shutting up and just living their own life.

On Stephen Colbert, a comedian, being called to testify in front of Congress (in character!) . I know our country actually went to shit long long ago, but we should really stop trying to advertise that fact at every opportunity. Why the hell was he invited to testify in character?

Sept 26th

Let me be honest to the pt of vulgarity: if she was not a celebrity, by virtue of her face Leann Rimes would be considered a two-bagger - on a good day.

I don't understand why step 2 of the job application process was to upload my resume, while step 3 and 4 is to replicate it by typing in endless fill in the blanks. What was the point of asking for the resume in the first place??????

Sept 27th

I'm torn. I've been a very nice person (well, by my standards) for a few years now and my life has gone to shit. So, I'm thinking . . . maybe it's time to resurrect the douche. I enjoyed life quite a bit more when I was making people enjoy theirs less, and the bills were certainly paid quicker. So what do you think? Y/N?

Even with a WR set to play tonight, I've already notched a win in my fantasy league. I am now (wait for it!) 1-2 on the year! Whoo-hoo! ;)
I should have won last week too, when I posted a score well above the century mark, but of course I was playing the lucky yahoo who got 20 pts from everyone from the kicker to the waterboy.

LuLu & friend at roller rink yest:

Quote

Pray with your heart, not just your words. Be always good to people. That is prayer. - paraphrase William Peter Blatty, from "Crazy"

Today in TV Land

First off, congrats to Fabio for winning Survivor Honduras. 

Second, kudos to Matt Flynn for running a helluva game (until the last 30 seconds). I'm not usually a glass half-full guy, but if the Packers could battle the Pats on the road right down to the wire, then we're a better team than I thought.

Third, what a great 4th quarter rally in the Vick-tory against the Giants. Wow. One to remember.

Enuf

Yeah, I'm about done w/ this whole Tooth Fairy business. YaYa is complaining, again, that we're ignoring her recent 'loss'. 

Whoopdeedoo. 

I'm lost teeth in the last five years, and what did *I* get? A bunch of dentist bills and a hillbilly smile, thank you very much.

[seriously, give us a minute kid: we don't just put a buck under the pillow, we get an inexpensive but cool little gift. We just can't pull that out of a wallet.]

15 Authors in 15 minutes

The Rules: Don't take too long to think about it. Fifteen authors (poets included) who have always influenced you and will always stick with you. List the first 15 you can recall in no more than 15 minutes, and they don't have to be listed in order of relevance to you.

1. Beverly Cleary

2. Louis L'Amour

3.Robert B Parker

4.Stephen King

5. Peter Straub

6.Joseph Heller

7. Rudyard Kipling

8. Mario Puzo

9. Herman Wouk

10.Robert Jordan

11. Bernard Cornwell

12. Lawrence Block

13. Bruce Catton

14. Neil Gaiman

15. Walter Lord

Honorable Mention: John Sandford, Ed McBain, Robert Crais, Steinbeck, Agatha Christie, Dick Francis, Hemingway, Heinlein (minus his piss poor characterizations of women), the author(s) behind the Three Investigator's series and Landmark's history books, along with the staff of the Britannica Young Person's Encyclopedia, Lawrence Sanders, Michael Connelly and, naturally, myself :)

Note: Other than Cleary (and my last second edit of Agatha Christie) there are no female authors on the list. That isn't intentional, but I've noted the fact on prior lists and it continues to bother me.

The Hell's Kitchen Results

I'm not sure I agree w/ choosing Nona as the winner of Hells Kitchen, but I sure as hell recognize Russell as a prison term waiting to happen. Blaming his brigade for his loss, being pissy at the celebration, getting physical on the line - c'mon dude, grow up.

A quick pic of Smiley

Smiley, wearing the Johnny Appleseed cap he made in school (~ September)

LuLu's 1st Reconciliation!

Lisa Me warming her icicle hands on Lu's oven-like back at Denny's for our after-church celebratory dinner.

The Fort by Bernard Cornwell

I finally finished 'The Fort' by Bernard Cornwell, a novel about the failed Penobscot Expedition of 1779, aka the worst naval disaster in American history prior to Pearl Harbor. 

Incompetence, cowardice, & plain stupidity cost the U.S. not only the battle, but a fleet of warships (and to a much smaller force). Hard to read, 'cuz the American characters were so less than admirable. BTW, Paul Revere was an ass.

The Possession of David O'Reilly

I thought "The Possession of David O'Reilly" was truly frightening, even tho' I would have driven the guy to County Psych long before the 3rd act. It's a low budget Brit film, 4 actors, 1 location, miniscule FX, & an intentionally ambiguous dilemma - is their houseguest completely insane, or is he being terrorized by demons he's now brought to their door? Well done.

More posts from the last third of September . . .

Sept 2oth

I just returned from a dentist appt. It turned out my dentist had broken his arm "cleaning his pool" Saturday night and wanted to reschedule. Huh. Seems to me I remember seeing him wearing a Brewers road jersey and stumbling through Pick 'N Save's parking lot drunk off his ass at 2am the night of the 'pool accident'. My bad; must have been some other Indian dentist who drunkenly waved hello to me . . .

Sept 21st

I worked last night and missed the premiere of NBC's "The Event". I've heard it's the Lost of this decade, which seems like a tall order. Did anyone see it? What's your verdict? [I still haven't seen an episode]

Old yet glorious news, and worth another look. [wipes tears of joy from his eyes] (Alex Rodriguez became the 1st player in MLB history to notch 100 RBI's in 14 different seasons)

We watched Bill Clinton on Letterman last night. Sure, it meant I had to put up with Dave's Lewinsky-worthy love for the guy [retch], but I was still expecting to be entertained; politics aside, Bill is good TV. Alas, he seems to have lost a few steps in the wake of his heart problems. It's sad, really. What was w/ the grade school tectonic plates lesson? Or his habit of quoting studies w/out referencing a source?

If Elmo doesn't want to play with you Katy, then I will. And you won't need those silly dress up clothes. Or any clothes at all, for that matter. (this was in response to Katy Perry's sexy & ultimately controversial appearance on Seasame Street. The show has now removed the video from Youtube.)

Anytime you predict failure you have an excellent chance of being right.

I'm sitting on my porch reading my Nook & enjoying the evening rain. Meanwhile the Evil Four are watching Honey I shrunk the Kids in our living rm and driving Lisa nuts. Shame i'm not inside to help, hee hee.

Sept 22nd

I was happy to see that Glee came back as strong as ever, & I can't wait to see the Britney epis. next wk.

When Taio Cruz's 'Dynamite' comes on the radio everyone starts singing along, and I've caught the kids singing the line "I told you once, now I told you twice" at home many times. The last time the song was on the radio i was distracted & didn't join in. Smiley interrupted me from the back seat by saying "This our song. Why you not singing?"

Do I contradict myself? Wel then, I contradict myself. I am large. I contain multitudes. - Walt Whitman

I just finished 'Dexter by Design' (bk #4), a very good addition to the series & a welcome recovery from the debacle of bk 3.

Sept 23rd

Wed evening we watched the premiere of "The Whole Truth". We were not impressed, finding it nothing more than a cookie cutter courtroom drama. C. OTOH, Hell's Kitchen was great fun, in large part because of the fine cast of piss poor, ghetto-riffic cooks they've cobbled together this season. B+

I've finally finished watching the last of this season's Dr Who. Just this morning I voiced skepticism over the season's overall story arc (the 'cracks in time') but I'm happy to say Moffatt pulled it all together quite nicely. So, for the yr: a great new Dr, quite possibly the hottest companion ever (Amy), the first married couple/companions in the show's run, and a 1st rate writing team - I'm psyched for Season 6!

I've enjoyed reading about the 1876 Catalpa rescue of Irish prisoners from their Australian exile.

Sept 24th

There were 13 honeymoon couples on board the RMS Titanic. One couple survived. The others were lucky.

The End of an Era

NFL.com is reporting that Brett Farve is officially inactive tonight, ending his consecutive game streak.

Hey!

YaYa, to her friend @ dinner, once she giggled at one of my jokes: "Please don't laugh @ his jokes Romy, it only encourages him"

A Future Actress?

Lisa was fencing w/ the kids tonight, using gift wrap tubes as swords. At one pt Junie was 'stabbed' by Lu. She jerked suddenly. Her eyes went wide, her mouth fell open, & she spread her arms out and fell straight backwards, her posture rigid. BAM! She hit the floor. It surprised the heck out of us, and we stood their like fools. Then she got up & did it again. And again. And again. The kid's a heck of an actress.

A trip to the park

Here's some great pics of a trip I took to the park on Sept. 25th w/ my three youngest kids.

I took a lot of flack on Facebook for the pictures, as they clearly show that Ginger was barefoot. To cut short any debate here, she had socks and shoes but refused to wear them. Obviously, while it was chilly, she didn't feel it was too cold to go barefoot, and as an experienced father of four I can tell you this: I have bigger things to worry about than the whims of a goofy three year old.

Scott Pilgrim Vs The World

Got home from work around 10:30 last night and put in 'Scott Pilgrim vs the World'.  I didn't know anything about it going in, so when it started all the zaniness my only thought was, WTF?? It was certainly different, but in an entertaining way. I enjoyed it, and for once Michael Cera played a character other than a wimpy, passive kid.

 Even when the kids don't wake this early, I still do....ugh...  - Lisa

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No one has the right *not* to be offended - Ricky Gervais on why people should lighten up

Some FB posts about sports, Benson, books, and the end of 'As the World Turns'

Sept 16th

LuLu is in the dining room reading "The Mouse who Wanted to Marry" to the little ones. Despite a bad cold, she is reading with impressive inflection and emotion; her ma's genes at work. Well done.

I just finished "Dearly Devoted Dexter", the 2nd in Jeff Lindsay's series about serial killer/vigilante/crime lab worker Dexter Morgan. I have to say, it feels a little creepy to laugh out loud during dismemberment scenes; but aside from a novel premise, great characters, and a solid plot, the books are flat-out FUNNY. I tip my hat to you, Mr. Lindsay. Well done sir, well done.

Sept 17th

Today As the World Turns will end its 54 year run on CBS. RIP. I have many fond memories of watching this soap as a kid - the Tom/Margo/Hal saga, the Dusty/Holden/Lily triangle, Stefano . . . ATWT, you'll be missed.

[Robert Plant's 'Band of Joy']is a very good album. Buy a copy.

Sept 18th

Lu last Monday, as we spent an evening of "Dad/Lu" time.



A rule of Life, as certain as death and taxes: However much you hope otherwise, damn near everything told to a person - even in the strictest most pinkie swear confidence - will find its way into the ears of their spouse.

It kind of surprises me, but I like Jerry Lee Lewis' new album 'Mean Old Man'. The Killers voice is still nasty, and the CD is worth the price

Sept 19th

CC Sabathia wins #20 for the first time in his career as my Yanks move to 90-58 on the year.

News from the Philippine's: troops clashed with Abu Sayyaf gunmen, killing a terrorist wanted since 2001 for the killing of three Americans and 17 Fillipino's during the takeover of a hospital. Good riddance, and a job well done.

Just finished 'Dexter in the Dark', bk #3 in the series & by far the weakest. Demonic possesion? Really? My objection isn't spiritual one. I just think it's far more fun to think of Dex as just one royally f'ed up dude. C.

3 INT and a fumble in the end zone that was recovered for a TD . . . tsk tsk. Time to call home and ask Boss Deanna's permission to retire and do some hillbillin' Brett.

I heard an incredible catch by Ryan Braun on the radio today on the way home from work. The kid has put up some fine D in left field this year.

IMO, the best thing you can say about the Carter Presidency is that it inspired the sitcom 'Benson'. Still, I must call douche on DJ's who labeled Carter's recent comments "sour grapes" against Ted Kennedy and a 'cheap shot when he [Ted] isn't around to defend himself'. Wrong. As early as his bio "Keeping the Faith" he accused Ted of sabotaging health care reform for his own political gain. This is nothing new,nor is it cowardly.

The Disappearance of Alice Creed

Watched 'The Disappearance of Alice Creed', a harsh but tidy British crime thriller that stars only 3 actors and takes place largely in one room. Alice Cred is brutally kidnapped & kept chained to a bed while her ransom is negotiated. Soon she begins a battle of wits, attempting to divide her captors and gain the upper hand. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't - with unpleasant results. Very well made.