The idea of blogging lately . . .

Let me be frank with you all: right now I'm darn sick and tired of this blog.

It's strictly collateral damage, an incidental symptom of three weeks of strong emotions related to the lay-off. I've kept it all under wraps with a pretty deep facade of 'Man up', but the idea of laying any emotional insights onto paper, er, onto the screen just makes me . . I guess ill is as accurate a word as any.

The posts you've seen recently are 'scheduled' posts, items I wrote in the past and stored for occasions when I'd be away from the keyboard for a spell.

I've even put off writing a third article for the Journal, which is a g*ddam* disgusting shame, and one I intend to correct before the weekend. Although in my defense, it might speed up the process if I actually saw the other pieces in print between now and the end of the decade.

Ok, so jobs . . well, I can't say much. I've been interviewing hard (three in one day Monday), and there *is* some definitive progress. But even on that subject my blogging is stymied because confidentiality requests preclude me from yapping about it. So that'll have to wait.

I promise I'll try hard to catch the blogging bug in the next few days.

* * * *

Snow's returned to Milwaukee, and while that sucks in a thousand ways it's a plus in one: once the cold hit the biking stopped, and when you added in the binging post-layoff well, that ol' winter coat was feeling a wee snug. Now that I've picked up some new activity shoveling and prepping the yard for winter I've dropped a few pounds. The coat fit just fine earlier today.

[I actually dug holes for and planted 75 tulip/daffodils bulbs as a snowstorm was starting, which was flat-out dumb gardening. Then again, the plants might never bloom, but at least the bulbs won't sit in the shed as food stock for mice this winter.]

You Don't Mess with the Zohan

I was all set to rip this movie as the hair stylist version of Zoolander, but you know what? I surrender. I liked it.

Adam Sandler stars as Zohan, a top-level Mossad agent who tires of the life and stages his own death. He journeys to America, where he seeks to become a great hairstylist. He's on his way to making his dream come true when his identity is revealed and he must act to protect his dream and the Palestinian woman he loves.

There's not a minute of this movie that is serious, deep, or emotionally fufilling, which is a damn good thing. Aiming for any of those three in a movie where a fish is caught between the clenched buttocks of the star, and bushy pubic hair is referenced more than once . . well, it just wouldn't work.

Somehow the movie keeps your interest, and more importantly keeps you laughing, all the way through - and the female love interest is hot enough to justify your time even if the movie sucked.

[side note: I thought the 'Going out of Business' store was dead-on. Here in Milwaukee there's a mattress store nearby that has been advertising 'going out of business'/'final clearance'/'closing our doors/all items must go' for well over a year now; actually *two* years now that I think about it.]

Kudos to Sandler on a funny and enjoyable movie. Oh, and Zohan, ignore the snide comments in the film. I liked your hair. But, uh, just to be clear, I mean the hair on top of your head.

3 stars out of 4

Family Portrait circa 1985

When my parent's moved I found this in the attic. It's a family portrait I did at school in 5th or 6th grade, which would place it between 1985-early 1987. I can date it to that time period because Duke, the beagle in the drawing, was purchased in August of 1985.

(or was it 1986? He was a puppy when my Grandma and I went to see Back to the Future, so . . .1985, right?)

Two things of note: my Mom's tightly permed hair, which I remember distinctly from that era, and my Grandma's striped shirt which, honest to God, I can picture in my mind like it was right in front of me now.

Note: Blogger is not loading the picture fully. You may click on the image to see the full shot, which includes my sister C.

Just after Sunset by Stephen King

For a guy who doesn't like short stories I've sure been reading enough of them lately. I picked up a copy of Stephen King's Just after Sunset two weeks ago, just to continue the trend, and found myself once again impressed by King's skill.

There's nothing in this collection that fails to satisfy, even when it falls short of impressive (the exception being the blissfully short, D minus quality Graduation Afternoon).

I found my greatest pleasure in the short but impactful Harvey's Dream, Rest Stop and the wonderfully cheesy The Cat from Hell.

Given a little more room to breathe in other stories, I think King loses his way a bit (but only a bit). Is there anyone who reads about the mural in Stationary Bike and doesn't see what's coming, even if, as I did, they love every word of the text?

Likewise, most readers will be drawn to The Gingerbread Girl, a tale of a woman literally running from both her problems and a killer. It's a compelling story and I enjoyed the heck out of it, but I also found it too derivative of Dean Koontz for my taste. I was half expecting to read about a Golden Retriever, an endangered child, and suffer through a score of ridiculously pompous descriptions :)

I was unexpectedly and powerfully moved by The New York Times at Special Bargain Rates, probably well beyond its true worth. Likewise Mute, is quite a read, combining an eyebrow raising idea with a smooth exectution.

I found The Things they Left Behind a tad dissapointing, but soley because of my own inflated expectatons. As a story about a guilt ridden 9/11 survivor I was anticipating greatness, and instead settled for 'merely' an average story.

A Very Tight Place seems to be garnering a lot of attention, but I don't get it. It's ok, but scary? No. Gimmicky? Yes. But to each his own.

Again, cover to cover a satisfying and mature read. Highly recommended.

3.25 out of 4.

God Bless the DVR

Just to show my readers that all this time out of work hasn't been a waste, I've recently mastered Donnie Wahlberg's rap from Dirty Dancing (track 7 of The Block)

With her itty-bitty waist and a pretty pretty face
and the leanest,meanest, maddest, baddest body
didn't have no time to waste, she was looking for a taste
yeah, and she was wanting me to party

Speaking of Donnie, man he ticked me off on the American Music Awards. His voice was gone. Nevermind that Joe's was strong, or that Jordan's voice kicked ass as always (although he looked tired) - that rough patch of Donnie's is what I imagine most people will remember.

Dude, you've been doing this for twenty-five years. If you're voice isn't there, as it sometimes won't be after three months on the road, then work the song around the problem. Don't just push ahead and risk ruining the song.

As a longtime fan of Donnie my sister C took umbrage to my protest, and then - get this - made fun of me by saying 'Oh, what are you going to do about it? Go on your blog and write 'my sister C' made me mad?'.

Yes, yes as a matter fact I will.

Lisa rated it an average performance but noted an increase in The Block sales in the hour after it played.

[You should see the inside of our van when NKOTB's on the radio, or when the CD is playing. At times I'll kill the volume just to hear the kids chime in with spot-on lyrics and background vocals, and they'll even imitate some of the hand moves. It must look dang strange if you're in the car next to us at a red light]

[Single is getting a lot of airtime here, with interest in it increasing organically. Even Chris' baby-daddy has acknowledged liking the song now]

BTW, my DVR automatically deleted the VHI NKOTB footage from September. If anyone has a copy, drop me a line.

* * * *

As long as we're discussing TV:



One of the few new network shows I've taken a shine to is Fringe, although unlike my unequivocal love of Lost I think of Fringe as a guilty pleasure. The mad Doc is great, as is Dawson's Creek guy (no Wikipedia look-ups for this post, no siree) but . . .

I think they try a little hard to stretch the limits of 'fringe' science each time. Eventually the gimmick will wear off and it won't be pretty. Plus the actress that plays the main lead drags the show down. She mopes around looking perplexed and troubled at all times, like a toned-down female Shatner, and sometimes her Australian accent pops through. When the accent stays put, it's just as bad; a generic, bland telemarketer version of American speech.

My recommendation: have her kidnapped by the big-bad corporation (all companies are bad, dontcha know) and replace her with a more capable actress.

Another new guilty pleasure of mine is The Dish, Style Network's version of Talk Soup, starring Danielle Fischel of Boy Meets World, who turns out to be quite funny.



Lot's of HGTV still in the rotation here, and I've developed a fondness for Trading Spaces. Prior to this year my only exposure to the show was an episode starring the daughter of my then-boss, but I've grown to appreciate it, ESPECIALLY a whack-job Hildy episode. I still say they intentionally mess with people's rooms for the inherent drama, but it's always fun to watch a train wreck in progress.

National Geographic would still be my favorite channel if it wasn't for their new found fondness for shows about prisons, both here and abroad. I get it folks. If you smuggle heroin out of Turkey bad things will happen to you and your (formerly) private regions during 25 years in a Turkish hell-hole. Why is this on TV twice a day, and why is it remotely worthy of NatGeo?

On the subject of horrors that are substantially less troubling, we've taken a shine to VHI's Scream Queens, in which contestants engage in acting competitions for a role in Saw VI.

It's fun, it's interesting, at times it's funny, and it's a (tiny) look into the making of a film. It also has the advantage of showcasing Lindsay Felton.





Although a little short for my taste, she has many of the typical DannyGirl ideals: short hair (a must), brunette, smart, a cute nose, curvy, capable, and . . oh. Dangit. It slips my mind. What's that other attribute?



I'm sure I'll remember eventually ;)

2008 Milwaukee Holiday Parade

How's this from the 'Dan is very predictable' department?

I was about to write an intro sadly reporting that unlike last year, this past weekend I just didn't feel like attending the annual Holiday Parade. Because, as you know, I'm such a big fan of parades and family get-together's in the freezing cold.

The truth, however, will not stay hidden. To quote the 2007 post: Today Lisa dragged me along on a family trip to watch the annual Holiday parade downtown. It was just about the last thing I wanted to do after a long week of work

Ha!

This year, as a matter of fact, I *did* wiggle out of going to the parade, and all it took was a bad runny nose from Lump and a persistent cough by LuLu. Someone had to stay behind to take care of them, right?

Here's what I missed:



That's YaYa, Lisa, Smiley, and my niece KayKay.

It was cold enough to warrant the blankets, and chemical hand warmers. Still, I'm pretty sure these young ladies had it worse:



The family went to the parade along with some friends from school.







There were the usual hot air balloons, marching bands, and such. That's the federal building in the background, a structure I've always found distinctive and beautiful.

















They had a good time, but the kids complained about the lack of candy that was, er, wasn't thrown out over the parade route.

You'll note the lack of photos of the man of the hour, Santa himself. Again folks, don't blame me. I wasn't there taking pictures. I was much, much too busy sitting on my couch in a warm house regretting missing the parade to have left instructions on the photography ;)

Stuck

Stuck is a 2007 film starring Mena Suvari as a young nurses aide who hits a homeless man (played by Stephen Rea) while driving home high. The man is stuck in her windshield, but rather than report the accident or get him help she parks the car in her garage and waits for him to die.

While he struggles to free himself from his excruciating prison she has sex with her boyfriend, goes to work, and otherwise tries to maintain the illusion of a normal day.

The film is loosely based on the death of Gregory Biggs, who faced the same horrible fate.

Initially, the filmmakers try hard to frame her actions as those of a good person who fails herself when confronted by a difficult situation, rather than as an immoral/amoral and heartless killer. She's seen taking great care with an elderly patient and is held up as a symbol of responsibility in her profession.

That buildup falls flat quickly once the hit-and-run takes place. This is not a fender bender, or even the vaguely more excusable cover-up of a fatal hit and run; this is the slow and painful death of a man while you stand around and watch.

The change is abrupt but complete, and soon enough more than one person is on the moral hook, from her boyfriend to the neighbors who ignore the evidence in front of them.

Lisa found the actions mystifying and a little unrealistic. As for myself, I believe a large chunk of humanity holds idiocy and immorality close to their heart. So when a woman proceeds to beat a critically injured man and declare it is 'his fault', well, it's sadly not so unbelievable.

One thing about the film's production disturbed me. After seeing the film I saw the trailer and was surprised to see it edited to make it appear to be a comedy. Upon hitting the internet I saw several references to it as a 'dark comedy' or 'satire'. I found it nothing of the sort while watching it. Maybe I'm too dumb and it sailed over my head, or the studio had trouble marketing it properly, or whatever, but a comedy . . no, I don't think so.

3.0 out of 4

Titanic at the Milwaukee Public Museum

Some time ago I wrote about YaYa's fascination with Titanic, both the ship and the movie. It's a passion both Lisa and I share and I'm glad YaYa's kept up her interest in it.

As a stroke of good fortune her interest coincided with the arrival of a major Titanic exhibit at the Milwaukee Public Museum. The exhibit features real artifacts from the wreck, a large mock up of the iceberg that doomed her, full room recreations of passenger cabins, and a 3000 pound section of the actual hull.

Lisa and I want to go, but with current finances . . .luckily YaYa's Godfather had already announced he'd take her as a birthday gift.



When you arrive you are given a boarding pass and assume the identity of an actual passenger.



The trio spent all day at the exhibit and the museum, and I was pleased the follow-up reports indicated good and friendly behavior on behalf of my first born. Her Godfather's a good guy and I'm glad they get along.

They were all a tad, well, not disappointed in but not overjoyed with the exhibit. Her Godfather and his wife have seen a major Titanic exhibit in Florida, so take that into account, but YaYa left with some complaints of her own.

Some advertising - the website included - stated that perfume samples recovered from the wreck would be at the museum. If they were, they didn't see them, and she'd been looking forward to it. They also commented on the nickel-and-dime aspect of the show. Museum admission, exhibit admission, $6 for a audio tour, separate charges for the accompanying shows, and a slightly macabre gift shop that offered pieces of the ship's coal supply incorporated into fashion jewelry; well that all left a slightly mercenary taste in their mouth.



At the end you are told whether or not your persona survived. YaYa, as pediatrician Alice Leader, lived. While her Godfather's wife survived, he himself was not so lucky. As a second class passenger he perished; but as a priest he went down a hero, helping others into lifeboats and offering absolution to the doomed.

One last thing: her Godfather bought her a teddy bear dressed as the ship's captain.


YaYa named him Captain Tit - pronounced like it looks - 'short for Titanic'. We have since convinced her to change the name :)

Just a mish-mash of gloom

You'll have to forgive the (relative) shortage of posts. I have no less than 20 in the 'draft' folder, but it's hard to post about cheerful or even ordinary events when you're down in the dumps.

Not much has gone right lately. Argh, not true. Take away the job situation and it's no worse/no better than a 'normal' week, but perspective is everything, and mine is dark right now.

* My cell phone was dropped in the sink last night, rendering it useless, and althought it was replaced today at no charge (by renewing the contract) none of my contact numbers could be recovered. I usually keep copies of the data off-phone, but this time . . . what can I say, I got lazy.

* Smiley has yet another ear infection. It's horribly par for the course for him, so much so that he doesn't even complain about them anymore. Here again perspective is everything, because the doc says the number of infections is greatly reduced in the last year, but my mind says the opposite.

* A friend of mine came into town with news that his wife had moved out but left their dog, and while he was at my house he received word that he was going to be laid off this weekend. Add a beer into the mix and you have a country song.

Enough of the negative. Wednesday's interview called back and wants to meet with me next week. It sounds promising, so I'll wait with fingers crossed. I have an interview with a different company downtown this Friday.

YaYa's taken to reading this blog, which is good and bad. It means I'll have to censor the blog more - not for language, but for content like Xmas gifts and whatnot - and that sucks. On Saturday I established a seperate Blogger account for her and set up her own blog, although I was careful to restrict it to invited readers only. Hopefully that'll take her attention off Slapinions.

Otherwise . . . well, I'll try to get the gumption to post later and clear out that 'draft' folder.

Talk to you then,

Dan

My Shoes

While I realize 'Crocs' and their derivatives are surely the platform shoes of this decade, I happened to enjoy the hell out of a pair of knockoffs Lisa bought me on our 4th of July trip.

* * * * *

Oh, and a miserable night of football for me tonight, with Texas Tech swallowed whole by Oklahoma. I was SO looking forward to watching a good game - and a TT win.

I still don't know how my Badgers fared, and as I write I'm in the 4th quarter of the rebroadcast, with Wisconsin on the short end.

Have I mentioned I love Big Ten sports?

* * *

I watched a lot of the WIAA High School Championship games in a few divisions, culminating in Homestead's victory over Arrowhead in Division I. Congrats to them.

I also watched a bit of the girls high school volleyball championship. In a very hard fought, very well played match #9 ranked Kenosha Tremper beat my old hometeam (#1 ranked Pius XI)to take the crown.

** * *

Jesus I need a job. Girl's volleyball? What's next, a soap opera addiction?