Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

I rented Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol thinking that it would be white noise on the TV while I puttered around doing this or that. You know what? I was an idiot. Not only was this a good film, it was a GREAT action film, with exotic locales, nerve-wracking stunts and great fight scenes. Color me impressed! Grade: A+

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith

Seth Grahame-Smiths' "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" left me torn. On one hand I greatly enjoyed the novelty of the premise for about 3/4's of the book (Lincoln's life as we know it was nothing compared to the bitter,life-long war he waged against Vampires, many of whom wished to keep slavery intact to ensure a plentiful supply of food). And then . . .then it became woefully apparent that it was just a novelty, a cheap little means of piquing your interest in hopes that you finish the book before you realize the author has very little content, and only a hint of style, to offer you. Grade: C

Six months.

It's been nearly six months since my last post here on Slapinions. Yikes.

That's not to say I haven't been writing. I post like mad on Facebook, occasionally (ok, rarely) on Twitter, and since we last saw each other I've had work published in three Wisconsin newspapers. If you're a long-time reader, by all means, follow me in the world of social media. You may not be entertained, but at least you'll never have to wonder where I am.

But back to Slapinions . . .

It's been an up and down six months, full of some crushing lows and great rebounds. I've started a new job (and kept the old one part time) and things *seem* to be on the upswing [knock on wood]. The kids are doing great, if by great you mean healthy and happy and wildly annoying, and we've added a new addition to the house. No, not another spawn, a cat named Gus-Gus that we got for LuLu from the Humane Society.

There's a whole lot more to say about the last six months but the mere thought of thinking about those 180 days, much less writing about 'em, seems like too much of a chore. Eventually I'll repost my FB updates here and you can catch up in due time if you care (and if you do, my word you need a hobby)

Meanwhile, in lieu of actual content, let me just say a few words about some books I've read recently.

Bereft is a novel by Chris Womersely set in rural Australia at the conclusion of WWI. Ten years ago Quinn Walker fled his hometown on the night his 12 year old sister was raped and murdered, leaving his family and community thinking he was the killer. Now a grown man with a face disfigured by war, he has returned in secret, but for what reason? To avenge his sister? To confess? And what of the mysterious young girl he meets in the woods, the girl who seems to know secrets far beyond her years? It's a strong, well done mix of literary fiction and thriller, with a hint of the supernatural thrown in, all written with wonderful style. Grade: A (book #32 of the year)

Seth Grahame-Smiths' Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter left me torn. On one hand I greatly enjoyed the novelty of the premise for about 3/4's of the book  (Lincoln's life as we know it was nothing compared to the bitter,life-long war he waged against Vampires, many of whom wished to keep slavery intact to ensure a plentiful supply of food). And then . . .then it became woefully apparent that it was just a novelty, a cheap little means of piquing your interest in hopes that you finish the book before you realize the author has very little content, and only a hint of style, to offer you. Grade: C
(book #33 of the year)

I rented Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol thinking that it would be white noise on the TV while I puttered around doing this or that. You know what? I was an idiot. Not only was this a good film, it was a GREAT action film, with exotic locales, nerve-wracking stunts and great fight scenes. Color me impressed! Grade: A+

And finally, the most important review of the evening: 

The tamales at the local Piggly Wiggly are sinfully delicious. :)

I hope you are all happy and well, 

Dan

Proud of ya baby!

Bereft by Chris Womersely

Bereft is a novel by Chris Womersely set in rural Australia at the conclusion of WWI. Ten years ago Quinn Walker fled his hometown on the night his 12 year old sister was raped and murdered, leaving his family and community thinking he was the killer. Now a grown man with a face disfigured by war, he has returned in secret, but for what reason? To avenge his sister? To confess? And what of the mysterious young girl he meets in the woods, the girl who seems to know secrets far beyond her years? It's a strong, well done mix of literary fiction and thriller, with a hint of the supernatural thrown in, all written with wonderful style. Grade: A

A Quote by Archbishop Fulton Sheen

"It is really not honor based on virtue which men seek today, but rather reputation, which is measured more by its width than its depth." Archbishop Fulton Sheen

Unlikely, but let's hope

"There is a term for Presidents like Obama. One term. Not two terms!" Jimmy Kimmel, Washington Correspondents Dinner

Gutter Work

Following the insurance call I climbed out the kids window and onto the porch roof to do some repair work. In retrospect, probably not the best location for a very angry, very large - and somewhat clumsy - man to work off some steam. But, at least now the gutters are clean, a hole patched and a shingle nailed back in place.

Grrr

Just off the phone with my insurance company. My babysitter, who was taking my kids to their dentist appt on Friday, caused a fender bender with my van. No one hurt, no damage - a fact the other woman admitted to me the next day on the phone. Naturally, she has since contacted a lawyer who claims both she and her daughter suffered bodily harm in the accident. What a crock of shit - yet another example of why there HAS to be a hell. I refuse to admit people like this don't slowly, meticulously roast in the afterlife.

Henry was right

”Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” ~ Henry Ford

Two pics from Peter Pan :)

 

YaYa

The Cast of Peter Pan

The Sitter and The Reef

Two movies in recent days: "The Sitter" - what there was of a plot was ridiculous, but from time to time Jonah Hill earned a laugh, script be damned. Grade: C "The Reef" is an Australian movie about four friends who find themselves swimming in shark infested waters after their yacht capsizes at sea. Surprisingly good, given that I've seen a dozen movies with the same theme. Grade: B/B+

Death of the Messiah

Recently I finished the 877 pg 1st volume of the late Fr. Raymond E Brown's "Death of The Messiah". It is an in-depth, parallel exegesis of the Passion narratives of the four Gospels. Put simply, Brown takes each 'act' of the PN and examines each verse of the Gospels side by side. He breaks down the grammar of the original language, the narrative thrust of the segment, the theological and christiological intent, the literary technique, and then analyzes it for verisimilitude and historicity. It is a daunting book to tackle (forty pages in I realized I had to highlight each page as I went to stay in the game) but well worth the effort. As with his "Birth of the Messiah" I found myself engrossed in Brown's work and admiring of his skill. If I had the resources, I'd own a copy of each of his works. Soon, on to Volume 2 . . Grade: a resounding A+

A Tiger Cub Field Trip

The Tiger Scouts went on a tour of the Catholic Herald today.

The Divide

 

Just got done watching "The Divide" starring Milla Jovovich twin Lauren German, Milo Ventimiglia, Michael Biehn, Courtney B. Vance and Rosanna Arquette.

As nuclear weapons descend on NY a small group of survivors takes shelter in an apartment building basement. Over time the group fragments and goes all 'Lord of the Flies meets Reservoir Dogs". Very graphic, but surprisingly good.

Lulu hurts her wrist :(

@ st francis hospital urgent care w/ Lu (scooter related wrist injury)

While Lu's weekend ended on a sour note with the wrist injury, it started out great: Kim, a co-worker from Job Current, invited her to see the Cleopatra exhibit at MPM with her and her daughter (dutch treat). Afterwards she went with them to McDonald's and then back to Kim's house to play around the creek behind her house. Lu had wanted to see Cleopatra forever and she came back raving about the whole thing. Thanks Kim!

Lisa

YaYa

 

The Muppets

Before retiring last night we watched "The Muppets". If you forgive Segal for making the villain a stereotypical oil baron (why not a liberal bent on making the Muppet Studios an ACORN office hmmm?? Maniacal laugh, maniacal laugh!) then it was very enjoyable. Great songs, some genuine LOL moments, and a lot of nostalgia. Well done. Grade: B+

I've had a huge flatscreen since the days of Job Prior. This was an American Appliances. As soon as he heard the opening music Smiley dropped to the floor like a stone and stared watching Star Wars.

5 yrs 5 months since I quit, and yet today I'm craving a cigarette something fierce.

Unholy Night

 I finished reading "Unholy Night" a novel by Seth Grahame-Smith about role the Three Wise Men played in the days after Jesus' birth. Balthazar is an infamous thief and sworn enemy of Herod the Great who stumbles upon the Holy Family while on the run. Despite the misgivings of his own nature he feels compelled to escort the family to the safety of Egypt, all the while trying to avoid the Judean army and keep his two fellow thieves/"Wise Men" in line. Oddly reverent and action packed, I found myself liking this book far more than I thought I would when I picked it up. Grade: B+/A-

The Navidad Incident

I finished reading the winner of the Tanizaki Jun’ ichiro Prize, 'The Navidad Incident: The Downfall of Matías Guili' by Natsuki Ikezawa. It's set in a small island nation in the South Pacific where a tour bus of elderly Japanese WWII veterans dissapears into thin air. The bus is then seen in a scientist's microscope slide, flying alongside a jet, ordering soda at a grocery store, and attending Mass (but refusing Communion). Meanwhile Guili, the benign dictator of the islands, faces a late mid-life crisis, in part because of the arrival of a young holy woman whom he enlists as an advisor. It's a hard book to explain: part comedy, very small part fantasy, and overall an insightful and engaging glimpse into the soul of a troubled head of state. I really liked it. Grade: A