I have been sitting here all day looking at Facebook. Which after careful consideration I do believe is the dumbest freaking thing I have ever seen. It is not as if people are having actual conversations. It is not as if people are actually text messaging. Someone puts up a post of what they are doing. This consists of a sentence or two at most. Now I just updated my profile and all of these people from high school start adding me as a “friend”. I did not like these people in high school, what makes them think that I might give a crap about their lives now? Do not get me wrong I had some friends in high school, but I have moved on. If I was given a lineup I would not be able to pick out 10 people from high school. I cannot even get my head around the stupidity of this site. I mean what does this site think it is, blogspot?
Anyway, I received a disturbing phone call last night. My father called and left a message for my aunt to call him. Yes you read that correctly. Apparently, my aunt and I are close on the speed dial. Now for the disturbing part, I am number 9 on my own father’s speed dial. Number 9!?!?!? I guess it is only fair since I do not even have anyone one speed dial. Honestly being that low on the speed dial range is not necessarily a bad thing. He may forget to call me as often. Just kidding dad, you know I enjoy every second of our phone calls.
Until Tomorrow
Friday, January 30, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The end is near
It has begun, that is right my final semester for my B.A. I know it has been a long time coming but it is now here. I am not sure how I feel about it, a little excited and little nervous. I am sure it will be an interesting semester. Here is my schedule:
· Monday
o Leadership in Public Policy – The most Liberal Professor in a school of Liberal Professors.
o Problems in U.S. Foreign Policy – The most Conservative Professor in the school. He was brought in to balance the scales.
· Tuesday
o Communications in the Information Age – This is a journalism class, should be interesting.
o Introduction to Public Administration – Not sure about his one.
· Wednesday
o History of the U.S. to 1865 – This is a 100 level class. Shut up, I need the credits.
· Thursday
o Communications in the Information Age – A continuation of Tuesday.
o Urban Politics – The Professor for this class is widely known as one of the foremost experts on Chicago Politics. It is my third class with him, always interesting.
As anyone can see I am going to be pretty busy over the next few months.
I do not have much else to discuss today. I am currently ignoring the moron on my conference call. The guy on the call is attempting to teach us how to use a search engine. I think most of us have actually uses one of those before. This is yet another product where the “Evil Empire” has reinvented the wheel. We have a product that does exactly what the product does that they are pushing on us. Here is the problem the product that is already in place is the product that my team supports. Yes, that is correct. This moron on the phone is “training” us on how to us a product that is to be used in addition to the product my team supports. That may sound a bit confusing, let me try and explain this a little more. My current job is to support a product called SharePoint. This is collaboration software. It allows groups and organizations to share documents and organize all electronic communications. The search functionality is utilized by (not to mention designed by) Microsoft. It works well. However, this is not good enough for the “Evil Empire.” We must purchase or design a totally new product that provides a search functionality that sits on top of SharePoint. This is extremely redundant, extremely redundant. I know this paragraph is a little all over the place. I cannot even put it into words how mad it makes me when money is wasted on reinventing the wheel while cutting jobs and losing quality people. I have to stop now.
Until Tomorrow
· Monday
o Leadership in Public Policy – The most Liberal Professor in a school of Liberal Professors.
o Problems in U.S. Foreign Policy – The most Conservative Professor in the school. He was brought in to balance the scales.
· Tuesday
o Communications in the Information Age – This is a journalism class, should be interesting.
o Introduction to Public Administration – Not sure about his one.
· Wednesday
o History of the U.S. to 1865 – This is a 100 level class. Shut up, I need the credits.
· Thursday
o Communications in the Information Age – A continuation of Tuesday.
o Urban Politics – The Professor for this class is widely known as one of the foremost experts on Chicago Politics. It is my third class with him, always interesting.
As anyone can see I am going to be pretty busy over the next few months.
I do not have much else to discuss today. I am currently ignoring the moron on my conference call. The guy on the call is attempting to teach us how to use a search engine. I think most of us have actually uses one of those before. This is yet another product where the “Evil Empire” has reinvented the wheel. We have a product that does exactly what the product does that they are pushing on us. Here is the problem the product that is already in place is the product that my team supports. Yes, that is correct. This moron on the phone is “training” us on how to us a product that is to be used in addition to the product my team supports. That may sound a bit confusing, let me try and explain this a little more. My current job is to support a product called SharePoint. This is collaboration software. It allows groups and organizations to share documents and organize all electronic communications. The search functionality is utilized by (not to mention designed by) Microsoft. It works well. However, this is not good enough for the “Evil Empire.” We must purchase or design a totally new product that provides a search functionality that sits on top of SharePoint. This is extremely redundant, extremely redundant. I know this paragraph is a little all over the place. I cannot even put it into words how mad it makes me when money is wasted on reinventing the wheel while cutting jobs and losing quality people. I have to stop now.
Until Tomorrow
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Some thoughts
I have a couple of thoughts for today. The last couple of days have been interesting. Beginning Friday morning, I decided to go downtown to get my books for school. So I choose to take the train. The trains were running 40 minutes behind. The reason they were running behind was someone was killed by a train a few blocks away from the Palatine train station. My sympathies go out to this person’s family. Any lost of life is a tragedy. With that being said, I have said this hundreds of times, any one getting killed by a train has to have some serious issues. IT IS A TRAIN!!!!!!! It is limited to where it can go. It cannot go right or left quickly or in a short distance. Here is a quick tip to avoid being hit by a train: take one maybe two steps to either the right or the left. If you are one of those people who find it difficult to make a decision: step to the right. There are no valid reasons for getting hit by a train. They do not come out of nowhere. People have built in a few signs that a train is coming: For those people who are hard of hearing there are flashing red lights along with a white and red beam that blocks traffic; for those that have trouble with those visual aids the good people who work the rail have added a loud bell. Now if a person misses these subtle hints that a train is coming, maybe they should not be driving.
Is it possible for an office holiday party to be fun? The answer is no. They can be tolerable, mainly because of adult beverages. However these beverages do tend to cause uncomfortable situations, such as karaoke and dancing. Let’s be honest here, there are some lights in which a person should not be forced to view his or her coworkers. These parties are worse when you are attending with a spouse. Now the party I attended last night for Lisa’s work was not all that bad. It did however make me happy that I work out of the house.
Until Tomorrow.
Is it possible for an office holiday party to be fun? The answer is no. They can be tolerable, mainly because of adult beverages. However these beverages do tend to cause uncomfortable situations, such as karaoke and dancing. Let’s be honest here, there are some lights in which a person should not be forced to view his or her coworkers. These parties are worse when you are attending with a spouse. Now the party I attended last night for Lisa’s work was not all that bad. It did however make me happy that I work out of the house.
Until Tomorrow.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Page Edits
I am attempting to make some changes to this site (content and layout), so if you notice anything unusual just refresh your browser. Chances are that I have already fixed the issue. I am sure that this is something I will be doing a lot; as I get bored often
New additions to the page:
Updated “Playing on the iPod” with videos (if they are available) and lyrics (for those of you like my wife that are lyrically challenged)
Added “Calvin and Hobbes” daily cartoon strip. If you have to ask why then you have never read Calvin and Hobbes and I encourage you to start.
I also have fixed the comment section. Someone complained that she could not post a comment. I will not say who (Lisa), but she happens to have a little influence on me.
Until Tomorrow
New additions to the page:
Updated “Playing on the iPod” with videos (if they are available) and lyrics (for those of you like my wife that are lyrically challenged)
Added “Calvin and Hobbes” daily cartoon strip. If you have to ask why then you have never read Calvin and Hobbes and I encourage you to start.
I also have fixed the comment section. Someone complained that she could not post a comment. I will not say who (Lisa), but she happens to have a little influence on me.
Until Tomorrow
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
A New World
Below are comments and opinions of today’s events. The comments are on the events as they occur. Some of you may be surprised. I also may be jumping around a little, so you will just have to deal with my ADHD. I am sure it will not be eloquent or even make sense, but I am the one doing the writing.
I have been watching the inauguration for a few minutes now. I find the formalities interesting. Going to the same church, having coffee with the Bush and his wife, and then riding out to the capital together. This is where history actually begins.
I do think this is a historic day, the first African-American to take office as President of the United States. Now I do have a couple of thoughts about some of what I believe are misconceptions about President Obama. The first is that race relations in this country will change. Race relations in this country have been changing for a long time. There will still be strife between the races. Just because an African-American is President does not mean these issues are going to go away. Individuals who have felt persecuted for 400 years are not going to feel vindicated over night. “Equal Rights” for all is a myth. Power is a commodity that people want and there will always be people complaining that they do not have enough. This is an issue that I believe will always exist. Some minority group will always feel slighted. People fear change. Electing an African-American President is one thing. Changing the way people feel is a whole different thing. An African-American President was not made possible due to the changing of people’s beliefs; it should be attributed to changes in the electorate. Personally I feel that as a country we need to move forward. Stop living in the past and stop discussing past transgressions. Do not forget the past, just stop reliving it and stop throwing it back in everyone’s face. A second thought is have we set the bar to high for President Obama? Could anyone live up to these expectations? Fix the economy? End the war? Find alternative energy and put it in place? I do not believe that any of us can fathom the pressure that is put on a President everyday let alone the pressures put on President Obama. I hope that he is successful in even 10% of the things that he needs to get accomplished.
Watching this unfold is truly amazing. Now I am watching CNN. They are providing some good information but for the most part they are filling in with a bunch of crap. They are now showing all the VIPs walking in. I understand the former Presidents, Vice Presidents and members of congress and other political figures. However the movie stars need to go away. This is just proof positive that money does buy everything. This country has come a long way. The Constitution says that non free individual were only worth 3/5 of a person. Now, we are all free and an African-American is President. We should not over shadow the fact that we are getting a new President. I guess if race relations have moved forward enough we would not be swearing in an “African-American” President. Can we be truly free of racism when we still label people?
The former Presidents and their wives are now being introduced, starting with Carter, followed by Bush Senior, then Clinton and finally Bush Junior. Our entire government is sitting within 50 feet of each other. Supreme Court Justices, members of congress, the new Presidential cabinet, and of course the Vice President and new President. The formalities and the ceremony is a sight to be seen. The transfer of power is an awesome spectacle, the changing of the guard. It is interesting how people just look the part. Police officers have a certain look about them and you know they are police officers. A few months ago Obama did not look Presidential. He does now. Yes I realize that it is a psychological thing but I still find it interesting. It can be difficult to understand history when it unfolds in front of us. The impact is unknown. I do not believe that any of us can understand it. The separation of church and state is right out the window here. No I do not have issue of prayer anywhere. We all should pray more. Aretha Franklin is now singing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”. I think Lee Greenwood and “God Bless the U.S.A” would have been a better choice, but that is just me. I like Aretha and I understand the symbolism of having her up there singing. R.E.S.P.E.C.T. The Vice President is taking the oath on a Bible that his wife is struggling to hold up. Beautiful music performed by some of the best artist, but do we really need a musical interlude? Now that I hear the music and see the images I cannot imagine not having this interlude. Obama became President by law during the music. And now for the 35 words: The oath of office as set out by the Constitution, Article II Section 1, "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States; and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend, the Constitution of the United States." Even though the oath was messed up by the Chief Justice; President Obama who obviously knew the oath, made it through. I would be so nervous I would most likely fall over.
President Obama is definitely a good speaker. The speech itself addressed the issue facing this country. The time has come to set aside childish things; speaks volumes of about what he will attempt to do while in office. As he said, “Greatness is earned” pointing to those that came before and earned that moniker of greatness. We do need to pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off. We all have the opportunity to change and better ourselves. The changes he is proposing are on a grand scale; new energy, health care overhaul, and economic growth. Ambitious, absolutely, but this country needs to get behind something, behind someone that at least wants to attempt lofty goals. Challenging the cynics by pointing out how imagination has allowed this country to overcome all previous obstacles. JFK said, “I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth”; this was just crazy talk in 1961. Obama has placed the American people at forefront of the world to once again become leaders in the international community. I am impressed with the goals and the strength of his speech, inspiring with history and promises of future. I cannot even begin to describe the feelings as the words were spoken, vivid imagery and amazing delivery.
I did not vote for President Obama, but I hope he does the job he needs to do. Today, I believe the country made the right choice. God Bless our Troops and God Bless America.
Until Tomorrow.
I have been watching the inauguration for a few minutes now. I find the formalities interesting. Going to the same church, having coffee with the Bush and his wife, and then riding out to the capital together. This is where history actually begins.
I do think this is a historic day, the first African-American to take office as President of the United States. Now I do have a couple of thoughts about some of what I believe are misconceptions about President Obama. The first is that race relations in this country will change. Race relations in this country have been changing for a long time. There will still be strife between the races. Just because an African-American is President does not mean these issues are going to go away. Individuals who have felt persecuted for 400 years are not going to feel vindicated over night. “Equal Rights” for all is a myth. Power is a commodity that people want and there will always be people complaining that they do not have enough. This is an issue that I believe will always exist. Some minority group will always feel slighted. People fear change. Electing an African-American President is one thing. Changing the way people feel is a whole different thing. An African-American President was not made possible due to the changing of people’s beliefs; it should be attributed to changes in the electorate. Personally I feel that as a country we need to move forward. Stop living in the past and stop discussing past transgressions. Do not forget the past, just stop reliving it and stop throwing it back in everyone’s face. A second thought is have we set the bar to high for President Obama? Could anyone live up to these expectations? Fix the economy? End the war? Find alternative energy and put it in place? I do not believe that any of us can fathom the pressure that is put on a President everyday let alone the pressures put on President Obama. I hope that he is successful in even 10% of the things that he needs to get accomplished.
Watching this unfold is truly amazing. Now I am watching CNN. They are providing some good information but for the most part they are filling in with a bunch of crap. They are now showing all the VIPs walking in. I understand the former Presidents, Vice Presidents and members of congress and other political figures. However the movie stars need to go away. This is just proof positive that money does buy everything. This country has come a long way. The Constitution says that non free individual were only worth 3/5 of a person. Now, we are all free and an African-American is President. We should not over shadow the fact that we are getting a new President. I guess if race relations have moved forward enough we would not be swearing in an “African-American” President. Can we be truly free of racism when we still label people?
The former Presidents and their wives are now being introduced, starting with Carter, followed by Bush Senior, then Clinton and finally Bush Junior. Our entire government is sitting within 50 feet of each other. Supreme Court Justices, members of congress, the new Presidential cabinet, and of course the Vice President and new President. The formalities and the ceremony is a sight to be seen. The transfer of power is an awesome spectacle, the changing of the guard. It is interesting how people just look the part. Police officers have a certain look about them and you know they are police officers. A few months ago Obama did not look Presidential. He does now. Yes I realize that it is a psychological thing but I still find it interesting. It can be difficult to understand history when it unfolds in front of us. The impact is unknown. I do not believe that any of us can understand it. The separation of church and state is right out the window here. No I do not have issue of prayer anywhere. We all should pray more. Aretha Franklin is now singing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”. I think Lee Greenwood and “God Bless the U.S.A” would have been a better choice, but that is just me. I like Aretha and I understand the symbolism of having her up there singing. R.E.S.P.E.C.T. The Vice President is taking the oath on a Bible that his wife is struggling to hold up. Beautiful music performed by some of the best artist, but do we really need a musical interlude? Now that I hear the music and see the images I cannot imagine not having this interlude. Obama became President by law during the music. And now for the 35 words: The oath of office as set out by the Constitution, Article II Section 1, "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States; and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend, the Constitution of the United States." Even though the oath was messed up by the Chief Justice; President Obama who obviously knew the oath, made it through. I would be so nervous I would most likely fall over.
President Obama is definitely a good speaker. The speech itself addressed the issue facing this country. The time has come to set aside childish things; speaks volumes of about what he will attempt to do while in office. As he said, “Greatness is earned” pointing to those that came before and earned that moniker of greatness. We do need to pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off. We all have the opportunity to change and better ourselves. The changes he is proposing are on a grand scale; new energy, health care overhaul, and economic growth. Ambitious, absolutely, but this country needs to get behind something, behind someone that at least wants to attempt lofty goals. Challenging the cynics by pointing out how imagination has allowed this country to overcome all previous obstacles. JFK said, “I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth”; this was just crazy talk in 1961. Obama has placed the American people at forefront of the world to once again become leaders in the international community. I am impressed with the goals and the strength of his speech, inspiring with history and promises of future. I cannot even begin to describe the feelings as the words were spoken, vivid imagery and amazing delivery.
I did not vote for President Obama, but I hope he does the job he needs to do. Today, I believe the country made the right choice. God Bless our Troops and God Bless America.
Until Tomorrow.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Six Day Weekend
Well, the end of the kids six day weekend is approaching. They spent a couple days with family so that was good for them. We have now reached Monday morning’s events. The kids woke up around 8:00 AM that is sleeping in for them. The boy comes down stairs and starts playing the Wii. I am on a conference call so I don’t mind too much. The princess wakes up and strolls down stairs to join the boy in playing the Wii. Still everything was going along nicely. They then proceeded to eat breakfast, still no issues. I mention to the boy that the Steelers won and they would be playing the Cardinals in the Super Bowl. Jokingly mind you, with mild hysterics in my voice, Madison laughed as well. I suggested that we get four tickets to the game, again while laughing at the cost of the tickets. The tickets range from $2500 to $15K per ticket. So then I call Lisa and make the same comments to her, she almost had a stroke and told me to go away. Here is where the fun begins. The boy started to get mad. He stated that “You got my hopes up about going to the game and now I can’t go”, to which the princess replied he was joking about going to the game. This is where he comes unglued. I calmly send him to his room; which is ceremoniously followed by the stomping of the feet up the stairs and then the fifteen minutes of cry and complain mode. You all know the mode I am referring to here, it sounds like: You never let me do any thing. Slightly amusing the first couple of times you hear it, but it can get old. I can say this is a vast improvement over the initial tantrums when the kids moved here in August, talk about a powder keg. Any way, he finishes that off and proceeds back downstairs and calmly with a serious expression on his face says “I figured it out.” To which my only reply was “Figured what out?” He states that “You [Lisa and I] do not want me to have any fun and that is why you won’t take me to the Super Bowl.” Followed by the “Mom and Dad Patrick will take me.” I calmly hand him the phone and let him know that I a perfectly okay with them purchasing the tickets and that I believe he will enjoy the game. Ten minutes later the phone call was over and it was determined that he was not going to be attending this year’s game. What a great start to the week.
This weekend the boy’s basketball team finally pulled of a victory, 14 to 12. Tar heels over the fighting Illini (all the teams are named after college teams). Yes, it brought tears to my eyes. A little because the team won their first game, but the memories that came flooding back from the NCCA National Title game from a few years ago. Of course the city was ready to explode; Illinois was the top ranked team in the country with no losses going into the game. Lisa and I adventured downtown to a bar called the “Orange Crush,” I could not even make that name up if I tried. The bar was filled with Illini fanatics. All of Lisa and her friends went to U of I. So naturally I am the only person in the bar who is cheering for UNC. The one common thread between all Chicago fans of any sport is simple; not one of them understands how the sport they are cheering for is actually played. This night was no different.
Now having blind faith in your team is not a bad thing that is part of being a fan. The issue here is the level that Chicago fans take it. Bears fans are insane. Let me run you through a typical Bears fan and their emotions through the season: Preseason – “Man, Rex is looking great, he is going to take us all the way”; End of Preseason – “We will win it all”; Game 1 – “Why the hell is Smith leaving Grossman in the damn game, he can’t throw, hell he can barely take the snap from center”; Game 2 – “Grossman sucks, put in Kyle Orton.“; Games 3 – 10 – “As long as we beat the Packers we had a successful season”; Games 11 – 16 – “we better draft or trade for a good quarterback”; Playoffs – “We had the 85 Bears and there was no team better than them.” This last one is not even up for debate. Bears fans will not even acknowledge that any other teams exist. Sure you can start off a conversation about the Steelers teams of the 70s or the 49ers of the 80s maybe the Cowboys of the 90s, possibly the Patriots of the 2000s. However the conversation always ends a few seconds later with “the 85 Bears were better than all of them”. Except for the fact that the very same Bears team came back the next season only to fall short of the Super Bowl, where as all of the other previously mentioned teams won back to back Super Bowls, hell a couple of those teams won 3 out of 4 Super Bowls. I really could go on about this all day but I digress. Back to the “Orange Crush” and a room full of basketball fans that don’t know the first thing about basketball. I was being as quiet as possible and trying not to smile as the game went along. The “juicy” orange made a valiant attempt at a comeback in the second half, but fell short. One could have heard a pin drop in this bar. It is hard to explain, I have been there. I have watched my team fall short on the last second or even get blown out. I would just finish my beer and head home; tomorrow is another day. This was not the case with many of these people. I actually started to feel bad for them. The dejection was complete. I believe that some of these people have not recovered to this day.
I have told you this entire story to get to across one simple point in life: It’s just a game. This could be possibly one of the hardest lessons to learn and defiantly the hardest to teach a young child. There are more important things in life to fret about: family, friends, and even people you do not know that are risking their lives for us every day. Try and put everything in perspective.
I think I may have come up with a post for later this week, Life Lessons. Tomorrow’s post should be obvious, with the historic inauguration.
Until Tomorrow.
This weekend the boy’s basketball team finally pulled of a victory, 14 to 12. Tar heels over the fighting Illini (all the teams are named after college teams). Yes, it brought tears to my eyes. A little because the team won their first game, but the memories that came flooding back from the NCCA National Title game from a few years ago. Of course the city was ready to explode; Illinois was the top ranked team in the country with no losses going into the game. Lisa and I adventured downtown to a bar called the “Orange Crush,” I could not even make that name up if I tried. The bar was filled with Illini fanatics. All of Lisa and her friends went to U of I. So naturally I am the only person in the bar who is cheering for UNC. The one common thread between all Chicago fans of any sport is simple; not one of them understands how the sport they are cheering for is actually played. This night was no different.
Now having blind faith in your team is not a bad thing that is part of being a fan. The issue here is the level that Chicago fans take it. Bears fans are insane. Let me run you through a typical Bears fan and their emotions through the season: Preseason – “Man, Rex is looking great, he is going to take us all the way”; End of Preseason – “We will win it all”; Game 1 – “Why the hell is Smith leaving Grossman in the damn game, he can’t throw, hell he can barely take the snap from center”; Game 2 – “Grossman sucks, put in Kyle Orton.“; Games 3 – 10 – “As long as we beat the Packers we had a successful season”; Games 11 – 16 – “we better draft or trade for a good quarterback”; Playoffs – “We had the 85 Bears and there was no team better than them.” This last one is not even up for debate. Bears fans will not even acknowledge that any other teams exist. Sure you can start off a conversation about the Steelers teams of the 70s or the 49ers of the 80s maybe the Cowboys of the 90s, possibly the Patriots of the 2000s. However the conversation always ends a few seconds later with “the 85 Bears were better than all of them”. Except for the fact that the very same Bears team came back the next season only to fall short of the Super Bowl, where as all of the other previously mentioned teams won back to back Super Bowls, hell a couple of those teams won 3 out of 4 Super Bowls. I really could go on about this all day but I digress. Back to the “Orange Crush” and a room full of basketball fans that don’t know the first thing about basketball. I was being as quiet as possible and trying not to smile as the game went along. The “juicy” orange made a valiant attempt at a comeback in the second half, but fell short. One could have heard a pin drop in this bar. It is hard to explain, I have been there. I have watched my team fall short on the last second or even get blown out. I would just finish my beer and head home; tomorrow is another day. This was not the case with many of these people. I actually started to feel bad for them. The dejection was complete. I believe that some of these people have not recovered to this day.
I have told you this entire story to get to across one simple point in life: It’s just a game. This could be possibly one of the hardest lessons to learn and defiantly the hardest to teach a young child. There are more important things in life to fret about: family, friends, and even people you do not know that are risking their lives for us every day. Try and put everything in perspective.
I think I may have come up with a post for later this week, Life Lessons. Tomorrow’s post should be obvious, with the historic inauguration.
Until Tomorrow.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Last couple of days
Again the children are out of school because it is too cold. I challenge anyone to be landlocked with two children who cannot go outside and have the attention spans of goldfish. My sanity is being pushed to the limits. Oh yes I forgot to mention that they are out of school on Monday and Tuesday. A 6 day weekend, this is getting out of hand.
I am at a loss for words today. I am drained. So I will end the week with a couple of my favorite poems.
HE WISHES FOR THE CLOTHS OF HEAVEN
By
William Butler Yeats
HAD I the heavens' embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.
The Road Not Taken
By
Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Until Tomorrow.
I am at a loss for words today. I am drained. So I will end the week with a couple of my favorite poems.
HE WISHES FOR THE CLOTHS OF HEAVEN
By
William Butler Yeats
HAD I the heavens' embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.
The Road Not Taken
By
Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Until Tomorrow.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Ridiculous
I have to start off today with a major complaint. The kids are out of school today because it is cold. That’s right because it’s cold. Not because of too much snow, it is a “cold” day. What the hell is that? I remember having snow days but give me a break. I have more than enough issues with the educational system, not really the teachers, but the system. No child left behind, lack of art, lack of music, and a lack of social studies. Math and English are important but so is creativity. Art and music promote creativity. Is it just me or are we creeping closer to living in an Orwellian society back in 1984?
A friend of mine, I call him a friend even though we have never met however I feel like I know him, serving in Afghanistan wrote that to solve the problems over there that we needed to put our(the United States) resources into schools. Then utilize the military to protect those schools. If we could just provide an education to people who don’t know any better, there is a good chance that they will begin to see the injustices for themselves and rise up against their oppressors. Maybe we should also look closer on the home front. Our educational system is in dire need of repair.
Spinning around on my soap box, I was getting my hair cut yesterday and the issue of government came up. The majority of the people where sitting around complaining that our government officials are corrupt. I sat there quietly and listened to the complaints. “There is nothing we can do about corrupt officials”, “Government officials do whatever they want, they are not acting on the people’s behalf”, and “Everyone is corrupt.” After a few minutes of listening to this lunacy, I had to say something. “It is our responsibility as citizens to exercise a certain power provided to us by that same government, part of that whole checks and balances system. It is called voting.” The response I got was “voting doesn’t help there are not enough people to change things.” I guess they are right, we should give up and let the status quo remain. Or to quote the Declaration of Independence “That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to affect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.” I am by no means advocating an overthrow of our government. Again for any governmental censors out there, I am by no means advocating an overthrown of our government. We need to adjust government. What the statement is saying is that if there is a problem with the government, we the people must change things. This is the foundation of our independence. We send our soldiers overseas to address these issues, we need to stand together at home as well and solve these issues.
Sorry for the rant, but there are obviously things that I believe deeply in. This country happens to be one of those things. I do not care if the Republicans, Democrats, or even the Green party changes things. Let’s get behind a group that is for real change and real progress. Now I am a Republican that sits close to the middle of the road, I do not hate the fact that our new president is a Democrat. According to my father this country needs Democrats to fix our problems. He is also fond of telling me that someday I will be a Democrat and I should just go ahead and accept that fact and move on. Maybe, he has been right about some things throughout my life. Before you start smiling to much dad, the key world there is “some”. I hope President Obama will do some good, if he cannot you can be damn sure I will be out there doing everything I can to make sure he does not get a second term.
Ok let’s see is there anything else I can talk about. I know how about religion. Just kidding, I am not going there.
I thought of a few more questions to add to yesterday’s post:
6) Why is it that when my damn dog goes to the bathroom in the house, does she do it on the floor on my site of the bed?
7) Along the same lines, is there anything worse than a wet sock?
8) In the middle of the night when getting up to go to the bathroom or get something to drink and you step on a high heel shoe of your significant other (I am not judging here) strategically placed and pointed up, is it wrong to scream loudly making sure that everyone in the house is woken up by your pain? The same applies to little freaking toys left out by children.
9) Why is it that after you are done going to the bathroom you look over and realize that the toilet paper is empty and the nearest full roll in 10 ft away?
Top Ten Music Albums: These are in no particular order of importance.
"No Fences" Garth Brooks: Set the bar for music in my generation.
"Twice the Speed of Life" Sugarland: Stunning vocals and all around good album.
"Country Club" Travis Tritt: This was the first country album I owned.
"Hysteria" Def Leppard: This was the first concert I ever went to see.
"Greatest Hits" Kenny Chesney: I hate greatest hits albums but this is a collection of good songs from earlier albums.
"Slippery When Wet" Bon Jovi: Do you even need a reason this made the list?
"Appetite for Destruction" Guns N' Roses: A brand new and unique sound, a promising start.
"The Joshua Tree" U2: Their best album, newer material not any good.
"Who Needs Pictures" Brad Paisley: The first album in what has become a phenomenal career.
"Not a Moment too Soon" Tim McGraw: An album where song after song does not disappoint.
Top Ten Songs: Again in no particular order. Before anyone starts in with me, this is my list.
“Friends in Low Places” Garth Brooks: Is there any one on that does not know the words to this song regardless of your musical tastes?
“Rock and Roll All Night” KISS: Party anthem, tough to beat except with maybe…
“The Joker” Steve Miller Band: Party anthem number 2 on the list.
“Sweet Home Alabama” Lynyrd Skynyrd: Party anthem number 1. Turn it up.
“The Visit” Chad Brock: A heart wrenching song that gets me every time I hear it.
“November Rain” Guns N’ Roses: Mainly because my mom could play it on the piano.
“The Dance” Garth Brooks: Everyone can relate to this song.
“Country Roads” John Denver: These roads will always take you home.
“The Gambler” Kenny Rogers: Taught us when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em
“Photograph” Nickelback: Most of it just fits.
Until Tomorrow.
A friend of mine, I call him a friend even though we have never met however I feel like I know him, serving in Afghanistan wrote that to solve the problems over there that we needed to put our(the United States) resources into schools. Then utilize the military to protect those schools. If we could just provide an education to people who don’t know any better, there is a good chance that they will begin to see the injustices for themselves and rise up against their oppressors. Maybe we should also look closer on the home front. Our educational system is in dire need of repair.
Spinning around on my soap box, I was getting my hair cut yesterday and the issue of government came up. The majority of the people where sitting around complaining that our government officials are corrupt. I sat there quietly and listened to the complaints. “There is nothing we can do about corrupt officials”, “Government officials do whatever they want, they are not acting on the people’s behalf”, and “Everyone is corrupt.” After a few minutes of listening to this lunacy, I had to say something. “It is our responsibility as citizens to exercise a certain power provided to us by that same government, part of that whole checks and balances system. It is called voting.” The response I got was “voting doesn’t help there are not enough people to change things.” I guess they are right, we should give up and let the status quo remain. Or to quote the Declaration of Independence “That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to affect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.” I am by no means advocating an overthrow of our government. Again for any governmental censors out there, I am by no means advocating an overthrown of our government. We need to adjust government. What the statement is saying is that if there is a problem with the government, we the people must change things. This is the foundation of our independence. We send our soldiers overseas to address these issues, we need to stand together at home as well and solve these issues.
Sorry for the rant, but there are obviously things that I believe deeply in. This country happens to be one of those things. I do not care if the Republicans, Democrats, or even the Green party changes things. Let’s get behind a group that is for real change and real progress. Now I am a Republican that sits close to the middle of the road, I do not hate the fact that our new president is a Democrat. According to my father this country needs Democrats to fix our problems. He is also fond of telling me that someday I will be a Democrat and I should just go ahead and accept that fact and move on. Maybe, he has been right about some things throughout my life. Before you start smiling to much dad, the key world there is “some”. I hope President Obama will do some good, if he cannot you can be damn sure I will be out there doing everything I can to make sure he does not get a second term.
Ok let’s see is there anything else I can talk about. I know how about religion. Just kidding, I am not going there.
I thought of a few more questions to add to yesterday’s post:
6) Why is it that when my damn dog goes to the bathroom in the house, does she do it on the floor on my site of the bed?
7) Along the same lines, is there anything worse than a wet sock?
8) In the middle of the night when getting up to go to the bathroom or get something to drink and you step on a high heel shoe of your significant other (I am not judging here) strategically placed and pointed up, is it wrong to scream loudly making sure that everyone in the house is woken up by your pain? The same applies to little freaking toys left out by children.
9) Why is it that after you are done going to the bathroom you look over and realize that the toilet paper is empty and the nearest full roll in 10 ft away?
Top Ten Music Albums: These are in no particular order of importance.
"No Fences" Garth Brooks: Set the bar for music in my generation.
"Twice the Speed of Life" Sugarland: Stunning vocals and all around good album.
"Country Club" Travis Tritt: This was the first country album I owned.
"Hysteria" Def Leppard: This was the first concert I ever went to see.
"Greatest Hits" Kenny Chesney: I hate greatest hits albums but this is a collection of good songs from earlier albums.
"Slippery When Wet" Bon Jovi: Do you even need a reason this made the list?
"Appetite for Destruction" Guns N' Roses: A brand new and unique sound, a promising start.
"The Joshua Tree" U2: Their best album, newer material not any good.
"Who Needs Pictures" Brad Paisley: The first album in what has become a phenomenal career.
"Not a Moment too Soon" Tim McGraw: An album where song after song does not disappoint.
Top Ten Songs: Again in no particular order. Before anyone starts in with me, this is my list.
“Friends in Low Places” Garth Brooks: Is there any one on that does not know the words to this song regardless of your musical tastes?
“Rock and Roll All Night” KISS: Party anthem, tough to beat except with maybe…
“The Joker” Steve Miller Band: Party anthem number 2 on the list.
“Sweet Home Alabama” Lynyrd Skynyrd: Party anthem number 1. Turn it up.
“The Visit” Chad Brock: A heart wrenching song that gets me every time I hear it.
“November Rain” Guns N’ Roses: Mainly because my mom could play it on the piano.
“The Dance” Garth Brooks: Everyone can relate to this song.
“Country Roads” John Denver: These roads will always take you home.
“The Gambler” Kenny Rogers: Taught us when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em
“Photograph” Nickelback: Most of it just fits.
Until Tomorrow.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Slow Day
I don’t really have much to say today. I do however have a few questions.
1) The TV has been on all day working fine with no one paying any attention to it. I sit down to watch it for a minute or two as I grab a quick bite to eat and what do I see but “Searching for Satellite signal”. Yes sometimes the satellite loses signal when the weather is bad, but why at the precise moment when I sit down to watch it. The kids were able to watch TV this morning while eating breakfast. Lisa was able to watch the weather. Me I get a black screen. Why?
2) Why is it that when a windshield wiper starts to leave streaks; does that streak appear directly in the middle of your field of vision? This event also occurs, when it is snowing and a piece of ice freezes to the wiper at the perfect location, directly in the middle of your field of vision. It makes no difference if you are tall or short, the smear will find you.
3) Why do they make clothing for dogs? Some people argue that it is cold outside and the dog needs a coat. IT HAS ONE!!!!! All dogs do, it is called a fur coat.
4) When it is snowing and people are driving around, why do they forget how to use a blinker?
5) When the temperature is in negative numbers; does anyone actually care that it “feels” colder than it really is? Tonight it is supposed to be around -11 degrees, but it will “feel” like -39 degrees. I am going to have to take a page from Ron White’s understanding the terrorist threat level here. According to Ron no one understands the colors of the threat level anyway so he simplified it to be: 1) Get a helmet and 2) Put on the helmet. So for the weather: 1) Get a jacket and 2) Put on the jacket. I do not need any more information than that.
How about some news?
There is a 22 year-old selling her virginity, so far bids have reached $3.7 million. Also a man accused of selling his child for $16,000, beer, and meat. Apparently, my generation was not all that creative when it comes to making money.
In other news by an ironic twist of fate a convicted sex offender in Alaska wins the lotto. All proceeds from the lotto go to benefit STAR - “Standing Together Against Rape”. The lotto winner was severely beaten.
Author Ann Coulter was harassed on the television show “The View”. Did they not know who she was before they booked her?
Worker in Peru cannot be fire for being drunk on the job. I have too many comments for this one. http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE50D6J720090114
Until Tomorrow.
I am working on my music top ten, it is taking longer than I thought.
1) The TV has been on all day working fine with no one paying any attention to it. I sit down to watch it for a minute or two as I grab a quick bite to eat and what do I see but “Searching for Satellite signal”. Yes sometimes the satellite loses signal when the weather is bad, but why at the precise moment when I sit down to watch it. The kids were able to watch TV this morning while eating breakfast. Lisa was able to watch the weather. Me I get a black screen. Why?
2) Why is it that when a windshield wiper starts to leave streaks; does that streak appear directly in the middle of your field of vision? This event also occurs, when it is snowing and a piece of ice freezes to the wiper at the perfect location, directly in the middle of your field of vision. It makes no difference if you are tall or short, the smear will find you.
3) Why do they make clothing for dogs? Some people argue that it is cold outside and the dog needs a coat. IT HAS ONE!!!!! All dogs do, it is called a fur coat.
4) When it is snowing and people are driving around, why do they forget how to use a blinker?
5) When the temperature is in negative numbers; does anyone actually care that it “feels” colder than it really is? Tonight it is supposed to be around -11 degrees, but it will “feel” like -39 degrees. I am going to have to take a page from Ron White’s understanding the terrorist threat level here. According to Ron no one understands the colors of the threat level anyway so he simplified it to be: 1) Get a helmet and 2) Put on the helmet. So for the weather: 1) Get a jacket and 2) Put on the jacket. I do not need any more information than that.
How about some news?
There is a 22 year-old selling her virginity, so far bids have reached $3.7 million. Also a man accused of selling his child for $16,000, beer, and meat. Apparently, my generation was not all that creative when it comes to making money.
In other news by an ironic twist of fate a convicted sex offender in Alaska wins the lotto. All proceeds from the lotto go to benefit STAR - “Standing Together Against Rape”. The lotto winner was severely beaten.
Author Ann Coulter was harassed on the television show “The View”. Did they not know who she was before they booked her?
Worker in Peru cannot be fire for being drunk on the job. I have too many comments for this one. http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE50D6J720090114
Until Tomorrow.
I am working on my music top ten, it is taking longer than I thought.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Last Night
First off, I need to address the issue of last night’s National Title game. Florida wanted it more and they got it. Florida has a better coach. Bob Stoops is college football’s answer to Marty Schottenheimer; he is one of the best regular season coaches with a record of “109–23–0, the most wins by any Division 1-Football Bowl Subdivision school and the best record of any BCS school during that stretch.” (Thanks Wikipedia) He can get the team to a bowl, according to the Oklahoma Sooners own web site “All 10 of Bob Stoops' Sooner teams have been to bowl games (1999-2008) including seven BCS and four national championship games.” That is a fine and dandy but if you cannot win the bowl game no one cares. Here is a list of Stoops’ Ten bowl appearances:
1-4 in National Title games and has six Big Twelve titles. 4-10 in bowl games, someone should give this man an award. I will say this; the Fiesta Bowl of 2007 Boise State v. Oklahoma produced in my opinion the best last seven minutes of any football game I have ever seen. Well this is not entirely true in 1994 the Texas High School State Championship game tops the list. The teams: Plano East v. John Tyler. The situation: 3:00 left in the game Plano East is losing 41 to 17. For the rest of the story you have to watch and listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHkABO0VwCg&feature=related .
Ok I think it is time to move on. Everything started with a Christmas present for M & M. They received the Guitar Hero World Tour game and guitar. I watched for awhile thinking it would be a really stupid game. The boy was pretty good and he is getting a little better. But, here is where it went wrong with me. I gave it a try. At first I was frustrated because it was more difficult that it looked and second the boy was better than me (which cannot happen, ever). So I have been spent all my free time playing. I am now better than the boy. Anyway I broke down yesterday and purchased the Guitar Hero World Tour Band Kit. It comes with another guitar, drums, and a microphone. I am considering creating a family band. So for the next party we host at the house be prepared for some good times, Lisa will be on the Mic. This has me in tears for multiple reasons.
I will post my music Top Ten lists in a few days.
Until tomorrow.
| Date | Bowl | Outcome | Teams |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01.08.09 | BCS Championship | L | Florida 24, Oklahoma 14 |
| 01.02.08 | Fiesta Bowl | L | West Virginia 48, Oklahoma 28 |
| 01.01.07 | Fiesta Bowl | L | Boise State 43,Oklahoma 42 (OT) |
| 12.29.05 | Holiday Bowl | W | Oklahoma 17, Oregon 14 |
| 01.04.05 | Orange Bowl | L | Southern Cal 55, Oklahoma 19 |
| 01.01.04 | Sugar Bowl | L | LSU 21, Oklahoma 14 |
| 01.01.03 | Rose Bowl | W | Oklahoma 34, Washington State 14 |
| 01.01.02 | Cotton Bowl | W | Oklahoma 10, Arkansas 3 |
| 01.03.01 | Orange Bowl | W | Oklahoma 13, Florida State 2 |
| 12.31.99 | Independence Bowl | L | Ole Miss 27, Oklahoma 25 |
1-4 in National Title games and has six Big Twelve titles. 4-10 in bowl games, someone should give this man an award. I will say this; the Fiesta Bowl of 2007 Boise State v. Oklahoma produced in my opinion the best last seven minutes of any football game I have ever seen. Well this is not entirely true in 1994 the Texas High School State Championship game tops the list. The teams: Plano East v. John Tyler. The situation: 3:00 left in the game Plano East is losing 41 to 17. For the rest of the story you have to watch and listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHkABO0VwCg&feature=related .
Ok I think it is time to move on. Everything started with a Christmas present for M & M. They received the Guitar Hero World Tour game and guitar. I watched for awhile thinking it would be a really stupid game. The boy was pretty good and he is getting a little better. But, here is where it went wrong with me. I gave it a try. At first I was frustrated because it was more difficult that it looked and second the boy was better than me (which cannot happen, ever). So I have been spent all my free time playing. I am now better than the boy. Anyway I broke down yesterday and purchased the Guitar Hero World Tour Band Kit. It comes with another guitar, drums, and a microphone. I am considering creating a family band. So for the next party we host at the house be prepared for some good times, Lisa will be on the Mic. This has me in tears for multiple reasons.
I will post my music Top Ten lists in a few days.
Until tomorrow.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Top Ten List
I have decided to put together a few lists. Why am I doing this you ask? Well, I am at work and I am bored. Please don’t be jealous that I have nothing better to do at work. Some days I am actually busy. Wow, sorry I almost got that out without laughing. My work is like most things in life, “Hurry up and wait,” but now I have this place to ramble on about whatever I want.
What is on my mind today? Well, I am getting a little tired of telling people not to do stupid things yet they go ahead and do them anyway. For example, “Don’t run in shoes that don’t have laces, you will fall am bust your @$$.” The response I get is “No I won’t”, and then 10 minutes later they get really mad at me when I am laughing and saying I told you. I wonder why that is? Yes, I am sure my dad could say the same thing about me. Maybe it is just the best way to learn. Funny thing is that it is not just the kids; it is people at work too.
I do have one memory (at least I think it’s a memory, I could be making it up) of a lesson my dad attempted to teach me. It dealt with the “new” automatic garage door which at the time this was a novelty (we always did have the new technology pretty quick) as opposed to the “old” automatic garage door opener. Some of you may remember the old one, dad yelling “get your @$$ out of the car (usually in the rain) and open the damn door.” At any rate, my dad thought it would be a good time to teach me one of those “I told you so” lessons. The “beneficial” training involved the use of this fancy new piece of technology. At the age of 5 or 6, I thought I was getting to do something cool by going out into the garage and climb in the car then hit the magic button to close the door. Never once did it occur to me that I had an issue with closing a car door without smashing my fingers. This is where I feel my memory may be making things up because I feel like I had to close that damn garage door everyday for a week. Now I now coming from Oklahoma I may be a little slow sometimes but it seems ridiculous that it took me a week to learn this handy skill. Again, who knows, maybe I am just making all this up. I have had an adult beverage once or twice in my life that may or may not have harmed some brain cells.
Any way here are my lists:
Top Ten Movies: (kind of like the Big Ten conference with eleven teams)
1. Braveheart - Best movie of all time, not even up for debate. This movie characterizes a man living his life for love of both a woman and his country. Vivid images and story.
2. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope - A film way ahead of its time. Science Fiction that still captivates me today.
3. Caddyshack - "Cinderella story.. outta nowhere... former greenskeeper about to become the Masters champion." enough said.
4. A Beautiful Mind - Showcases acting at its finest. Russell Crowe playing John Nash a schizophrenic, a work of art.
5. The Natural - one of the greatest sports movies of all time. Not to mention it show that a person can never be too old to achieve their dreams
6. Ferris Bueller's Day Off - Saw this at the theater with my dad and Uncle Richard. My dad was laughing so hard I thought he was going to die. Plus I think about this movie every time I go into Chicago.
7. Batman The Dark Knight - Incredible acting and storytelling. (See yesterdays blog post)
8. I, Robot - Will Smith one of my favorite actors. This is a movie I can watch over and over again.
9. Elizabethtown - This is hard to explain, it is just a great movie.
10. Airplane! - "Shirley you can't be serious" "I am and don't call me Shirley"
11. Armageddon - Cheesy movie maybe but fantastic. The characters all played perfect together, very good side stories.
12. Saving Private Ryan - Very emotional film. Once I was able to get myself prepared to get past the first scene, the rest of the movie did not disappoint. Now Black Hawk Down would have made the list but the book was much better.
This was a difficult list to make. There are so many movies that I love. I imagine that this list changes, aside from the top 3, from week to week depending on any recent viewings.
Movie Character Pantheon:
These are all characters that become something bigger than their role. There are in no particular order. Also ever changing for the moment.
1. Ferris Bueller - Who has not wanted to be him at one point or another
2. John McClane - "Yippee-ki-yay, Mother@#@$@."
3. Ty Webb - "Find your center, picture the shot, Danny...picture it. Turn off all the sound...just let it happen...be the ball. Be the ball, Danny..."
4. Cornel Nathan Jessup - The kind of man we need on that wall
5. Indiana Jones - Leather Jacket, bull whip and a cool hat
6. Spock - Always logical
7. Crash Davis - Showed us how to love the game of baseball
8. Forest Gump - Life is a box of chocolates
9. Andy Dufresne - constantly striving to make the most of his troubles
10. The Joker (Heath Ledger) - Crazy, just plain crazy.
Tomorrow I will work on some music lists.
Until tomorrow.
What is on my mind today? Well, I am getting a little tired of telling people not to do stupid things yet they go ahead and do them anyway. For example, “Don’t run in shoes that don’t have laces, you will fall am bust your @$$.” The response I get is “No I won’t”, and then 10 minutes later they get really mad at me when I am laughing and saying I told you. I wonder why that is? Yes, I am sure my dad could say the same thing about me. Maybe it is just the best way to learn. Funny thing is that it is not just the kids; it is people at work too.
I do have one memory (at least I think it’s a memory, I could be making it up) of a lesson my dad attempted to teach me. It dealt with the “new” automatic garage door which at the time this was a novelty (we always did have the new technology pretty quick) as opposed to the “old” automatic garage door opener. Some of you may remember the old one, dad yelling “get your @$$ out of the car (usually in the rain) and open the damn door.” At any rate, my dad thought it would be a good time to teach me one of those “I told you so” lessons. The “beneficial” training involved the use of this fancy new piece of technology. At the age of 5 or 6, I thought I was getting to do something cool by going out into the garage and climb in the car then hit the magic button to close the door. Never once did it occur to me that I had an issue with closing a car door without smashing my fingers. This is where I feel my memory may be making things up because I feel like I had to close that damn garage door everyday for a week. Now I now coming from Oklahoma I may be a little slow sometimes but it seems ridiculous that it took me a week to learn this handy skill. Again, who knows, maybe I am just making all this up. I have had an adult beverage once or twice in my life that may or may not have harmed some brain cells.
Any way here are my lists:
Top Ten Movies: (kind of like the Big Ten conference with eleven teams)
1. Braveheart - Best movie of all time, not even up for debate. This movie characterizes a man living his life for love of both a woman and his country. Vivid images and story.
2. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope - A film way ahead of its time. Science Fiction that still captivates me today.
3. Caddyshack - "Cinderella story.. outta nowhere... former greenskeeper about to become the Masters champion." enough said.
4. A Beautiful Mind - Showcases acting at its finest. Russell Crowe playing John Nash a schizophrenic, a work of art.
5. The Natural - one of the greatest sports movies of all time. Not to mention it show that a person can never be too old to achieve their dreams
6. Ferris Bueller's Day Off - Saw this at the theater with my dad and Uncle Richard. My dad was laughing so hard I thought he was going to die. Plus I think about this movie every time I go into Chicago.
7. Batman The Dark Knight - Incredible acting and storytelling. (See yesterdays blog post)
8. I, Robot - Will Smith one of my favorite actors. This is a movie I can watch over and over again.
9. Elizabethtown - This is hard to explain, it is just a great movie.
10. Airplane! - "Shirley you can't be serious" "I am and don't call me Shirley"
11. Armageddon - Cheesy movie maybe but fantastic. The characters all played perfect together, very good side stories.
12. Saving Private Ryan - Very emotional film. Once I was able to get myself prepared to get past the first scene, the rest of the movie did not disappoint. Now Black Hawk Down would have made the list but the book was much better.
This was a difficult list to make. There are so many movies that I love. I imagine that this list changes, aside from the top 3, from week to week depending on any recent viewings.
Movie Character Pantheon:
These are all characters that become something bigger than their role. There are in no particular order. Also ever changing for the moment.
1. Ferris Bueller - Who has not wanted to be him at one point or another
2. John McClane - "Yippee-ki-yay, Mother@#@$@."
3. Ty Webb - "Find your center, picture the shot, Danny...picture it. Turn off all the sound...just let it happen...be the ball. Be the ball, Danny..."
4. Cornel Nathan Jessup - The kind of man we need on that wall
5. Indiana Jones - Leather Jacket, bull whip and a cool hat
6. Spock - Always logical
7. Crash Davis - Showed us how to love the game of baseball
8. Forest Gump - Life is a box of chocolates
9. Andy Dufresne - constantly striving to make the most of his troubles
10. The Joker (Heath Ledger) - Crazy, just plain crazy.
Tomorrow I will work on some music lists.
Until tomorrow.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Sorry for the delay
I want to apologize to my two readers out there. It has been pretty hectic around here with Christmas, New Years, getting back to work, and the kids back in school. I know blah, blah, blah. Get on with the good stuff.
Before I get into today's section, I have to say that yes I am behind the times a little when it comes to movies (See previous post on movies). I wait until they are released to DVD then watch them when I find some free time.
If you have not seen "Batman: The Dark Knight" I have attempted to give a review without revealing too much of the story. If you are worried about spoilers, then go rent the movie and then come back.
Very seldom does a movie live up to its hype. How many times have we heard this is the best movie of the year or so and so delivers an amazing performance; only for the movie to fall short in all categories. Last night I watched Batman: The Dark Night. I will admit that I was initially put off by the concept of a new Batman series. So many people try to go back and remake a movie and fall way short, not with this series recreation. This is the second movie in the series. The movie stars Christian Bale (Batman), Aaron Eckhart (Harvey Dent), and Heath Ledger (the Joker). Bale provides a dark persona to the caped crusader which I feel makes for a better image; his performance as the “I am richer than you so I can do whatever I want” Bruce Wayne is spot on. This is the attitude of how I see people with too much time and money on their hands. Aaron Eckhart delivers an always solid performance. This guy comes out in most of the movies I have seen him in and delivers. Harvey Dent/Two Face is a challenging character to play. Passion for justice had to shine through both sides of the coin as Dent and Two Face, especially while being incredibly damaged by loss of a love and half of his face. Moving on to the Joker, again a tough character to play, in my opinion this is mainly due to Jack Nicholson and the memory of his Joker performance. In tragically his final role, Heath Ledger was fantastic; worthy of an Oscar, maybe. This performance was so stunning that it showcases an actor taking a role to a new level. This character has moved into the movie character pantheon (I will work on a list of others for tomorrow). Throughout most of the movie I found myself staring at the screen, at times almost lost in his performance. Some of the other characters in the movie who shined in supporting roles: Morgan Freeman (Lucius) – rarely disappoints, his role helps to balance Batman’s conscience; Gary Oldman (Lt./Commissioner Gordon) – fantastic ability to portray a character that is in a powerless position and make it actually believable; Michael Caine (Alfred) – no other Alfred has even come close to Caine, perfection; Maggie Gyllenhall (Rachel) – an ok performance but I really hate it when roles are recast, more often than not the replacement leaves something to be desired (I am not a big Katie Holmes fan but I thought she was good as Rachel). The director Christopher Nolan (who also directed and co-wrote Batman Begins, The Prestige, Insomnia, and Memento) has the keen ability to keep viewers on the edge. Just when you think you have prepared yourself to go down that same old predictable road he throws in a major turn. The movie was fantastic. The way the characters develop and evolve throughout the film is incredible. I would rate this movie 5 out of 5. I would put this movie in to my personal top ten, which is not an easy list to crack (see tomorrow’s blog for this list).
I really liked reviewing this movie. More fun than I thought it would be. I will try to do this more often, if you like it and want to see more let me know.
Until tomorrow, good day.
Before I get into today's section, I have to say that yes I am behind the times a little when it comes to movies (See previous post on movies). I wait until they are released to DVD then watch them when I find some free time.
If you have not seen "Batman: The Dark Knight" I have attempted to give a review without revealing too much of the story. If you are worried about spoilers, then go rent the movie and then come back.
Very seldom does a movie live up to its hype. How many times have we heard this is the best movie of the year or so and so delivers an amazing performance; only for the movie to fall short in all categories. Last night I watched Batman: The Dark Night. I will admit that I was initially put off by the concept of a new Batman series. So many people try to go back and remake a movie and fall way short, not with this series recreation. This is the second movie in the series. The movie stars Christian Bale (Batman), Aaron Eckhart (Harvey Dent), and Heath Ledger (the Joker). Bale provides a dark persona to the caped crusader which I feel makes for a better image; his performance as the “I am richer than you so I can do whatever I want” Bruce Wayne is spot on. This is the attitude of how I see people with too much time and money on their hands. Aaron Eckhart delivers an always solid performance. This guy comes out in most of the movies I have seen him in and delivers. Harvey Dent/Two Face is a challenging character to play. Passion for justice had to shine through both sides of the coin as Dent and Two Face, especially while being incredibly damaged by loss of a love and half of his face. Moving on to the Joker, again a tough character to play, in my opinion this is mainly due to Jack Nicholson and the memory of his Joker performance. In tragically his final role, Heath Ledger was fantastic; worthy of an Oscar, maybe. This performance was so stunning that it showcases an actor taking a role to a new level. This character has moved into the movie character pantheon (I will work on a list of others for tomorrow). Throughout most of the movie I found myself staring at the screen, at times almost lost in his performance. Some of the other characters in the movie who shined in supporting roles: Morgan Freeman (Lucius) – rarely disappoints, his role helps to balance Batman’s conscience; Gary Oldman (Lt./Commissioner Gordon) – fantastic ability to portray a character that is in a powerless position and make it actually believable; Michael Caine (Alfred) – no other Alfred has even come close to Caine, perfection; Maggie Gyllenhall (Rachel) – an ok performance but I really hate it when roles are recast, more often than not the replacement leaves something to be desired (I am not a big Katie Holmes fan but I thought she was good as Rachel). The director Christopher Nolan (who also directed and co-wrote Batman Begins, The Prestige, Insomnia, and Memento) has the keen ability to keep viewers on the edge. Just when you think you have prepared yourself to go down that same old predictable road he throws in a major turn. The movie was fantastic. The way the characters develop and evolve throughout the film is incredible. I would rate this movie 5 out of 5. I would put this movie in to my personal top ten, which is not an easy list to crack (see tomorrow’s blog for this list).
I really liked reviewing this movie. More fun than I thought it would be. I will try to do this more often, if you like it and want to see more let me know.
Until tomorrow, good day.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year
I want to wish everyone a happy new year. Last year was a good year. We got to see family in Oklahoma and the kids came to live with us. As for new years resolutions, I have none. This year will be full of challenges but I will take each one as they come.
Have a good New Year.
Have a good New Year.
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