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Week 21 - Olympics
Now that the Olympics have closed let's review!!
1. How much of the Olympics did you watch?
More than I expected to watch. I got really caught up in the U.S. women's softball team, women's beach volleyball, regular volleyball, swimming and the diving. I found myself more intrigued the first week than the second.
2. What's your favorite Olympic sport?
I really like the swimming events. But I also have to admit I like women's beach volleyball.
Gee, I wonder why...
3. What's your least favorite Olympic sport or one you feel should be removed?
I am still uncertain why basketball in included in there. Of course, you can say the same for softball and baseball.
~Bonus~ If you could participate in the Olympics what sport would you want to be in?
I'd love to have the ability to be an Olympic swimmer. Watching these guys swim, I realize that while I work hard at swimming laps for exercise, it ain't nothing compared to the work and time they put in.
posted by Michael at 8/31/2004 03:46:00 PM |
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At the start of August, Always Victoria made me aware of a challenge issued by Pretty Purple Princess. The challenge was to find at least one thing every day for the month of August that made you happy and post that in your blog. I'm happy to say that I pretty much made it through the entire month of August and was able to find at least one positive thing to post about each day. Sure, some days I had more to say than others, but I enjoyed the experiment. Hats off to PPP for issuing this challenge! And to all of you who have participated and I've read your blogs over the past month, I enjoyed seeing those things that brought happiness to your life.
So, here we go one more time.
Monday: What made me happy is that it's finally here--college football season begins in full swing this weekend. Man, I'm ready.
Tuesday: The fact that I was able to find at least one thing for 31 days that made me happy. The challenge really helped at times when I needed a smile and I'm glad that challenge was issued and I took advantage of it.
posted by Michael at 8/31/2004 03:23:00 PM |
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I saw this link featured on FOX News over the weekend--it was one of the many TVs at the Y while I was on the excercise bike. It's pretty fun, espeically for you cat lovers out there...
The Infinite Cat
One question for Barry over at Inn of the Last Home or Leslie from L's Stream of Consiousness...might we see your kitties participating in this any time soon?
In other news, spent a fun morning at the doctor getting my left middle finger and right rib cage checked out. Luckily, nothing broken ribs wise--just sprained. However, the left middle finger is broken and I am going back to a specialist in a few minutes to have it set and get a splint.
And the good news still is--my team won both basketball games I played that led to these injuries....
posted by Michael at 8/31/2004 01:19:00 PM |
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Cowboys 20, Titans 17
Here's my take on last night's coverage of the Titans/Cowboys game by the Monday Night Football crew of Al Michaels and John Madden...
Al: And now, 40-year old QB Vinnie Testaverde steps up and makes a pass to Keyshawn Johnson.
John: It's amazing, you know. Vinnie just turned 40 and yet here is playing. And he's 40! Did I mention lately that Vinnie is 40?!?
Al: You know, it's truely amazing that he isn't MVP of the league yet, like some guy was co-MVP last year for the Titans. Who was that?
John: I'm not sure, but you can sure bet one thing. He isn't 40, like Vinnie!
OK, I get it--Vinnie Testaverde is 40 and he's QBing the Cowboys. But ya know, after a few nice words about the Titan's first string offense--particularily Chris Brown, Tyrone Callico (please don't let him be too injured!), and Derek Mason, it was all about Vinnie and the Cowboys the rest of the night. Which, since the Titans weren't showing too much on offense or defense--instead choosing to utilize Friday's game against Green Bay as their final tune-up for the regular season--I guess there wasn't really a lot to say. But the fact that Madden couldn't stop talking about Vinnie and his being 40 really got old by the end of the first quarter.
As for the Titans, we looked pretty good on that first drive, led by McNair. Running game didn't look as solid as it has, but we were facing a better defense than we have. Chris Brown had one spectacular, long run for a TD and looked solid. The rest of the time, the running game wasn't much to write home about, really. Eddie George got no measure of revenge against us, rushing four times for three yards. All I can say is--I am so ready to kick off the regular season when the whole playbook is open and we got consistent effort for an entire game.
posted by Michael at 8/31/2004 08:08:00 AM |
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Monk--Mr. Monk Takes His Medicine
The first fifteen or so minutes of this episode were compelling, entertaining and interesting. Seeing Monk struggle with the decision on whether or not he should take the medicines that might help his OCD and the process he goes through when it comes to taking them was great work. Unfortunately, Monk downs a couple of pills and becomes a complete and total jerk. Now, I understand there's some humor mined in the whole Monk gets normal, but I didn't buy how quickly Monk embrasses his new attitude and becomes arrogant to the point that he's aliennating his friends. I thought we'd had a ton of refernces to how Monk was a good detective before he went over the top OCD after Trudy's death. But those all faded when he gets "cured." I think the whole point of this was to show how much better off Monk is without his medicine and while it worked, it didn't work as intended. But I did love the two little scenes with Trudy and Monk using her pillow to bring back the memory of her.
Stargate: SG1--Affinity
Ah, that wacky Teal'c. He moves off-base into a nice neighborhood, starts watching TLC and HGTV, begins making new freinds and becomes a one-man neighborhood watch. Seriously, the guy moves in and becomes the neighborhood Fonzie in the course of what, a couple of weeks? But before you know it, Teal'c's good intentions are blown all to hell as he befriends Krista, the requiste cute neighbor next door who makes cookies and has an abusive boyfriend. Teal'c teaches her some self-defense and she winds up killing him defending herself. She then pursuades Teal'c she needs to get away for a weekend and before you can say, "Bad idea" they're off, captures by some bad guys with their own agenda who want Daniel to translate some Goa'uld for them. Apparently, he's the only guy on the planet who can, but yet they will be able to confirm if he's playing games with them somehow.
At first, I thought this was gonna be a standard filler episode of Stargate. Nothing wrong with that--all shows have 'em. It's just how creative you get with the filler episodes that defines whether a series is good or great. But somewhere around the second commerical break, this one actually veered into other interesting territory. Who is this group that is using this situation to blackmail Daniel through Teal'c and Krista? Do they have an agenda and what did Daniel translate for them? What's the purpose? It left me with a lot of unanswered questions that might play out over the course of the rest of the season.
And you have to figure that Teal'c wasn't just watching TLC and HGTV here. He clearly must have caught a few repeats of Star Trek with his love 'em and leave 'em relationship with Krista. I know that he's moving back on the base, but surely the guy could pick up the phone every once in a while. It's not like he's warpring off several light years awa and can't call her. She seemed to really like him and he her. So why not let Teal'c have a chance at a relationship? Oh wait...I know why now--becasue the actress playing Krista is Erica Durance who 's been cast as Lois Lane for a recurring stint on Smallville this fall.
posted by Michael at 8/30/2004 09:59:00 AM |
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Being a former Air Force brat, I've lived all over the country from places like Hawaii and California to Virginia and even Alabama (though I did still pull for the Vols while there, of course!). Because of this, I have had the privilege of going to a lot of different schools over the course of my educational career. Out in California, one of the classes we were required to take in middle school was a reading one. In addition to reading books and writing book reports, we were also taught how to speed up our reading rate. It really has proved to be quite useful to me both in college and beyond. But I never really knew how many words per minute I could read--that is until now.
Thanks to Missives Anonymous, I found this Speed Reading Test. Apprently, I read between 500 and 550 words per minute, assuming I didn't skim. I have to say I'm kind of impressed with myself. Though that does explain why it seems like when I find a book I'm really into, it just seems to fly by.
posted by Michael at 8/30/2004 09:41:00 AM |
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Haven't done this for a couple of days, so I'm taking a few minutes here...
Friday--going over 300 entries on my Blog.
Saturday--an enjoyable outing to the flea market.
Sunday--playing basketball with the youth this evening. The team of the "old" guys won two games, for which I am now tired and sore. And I think I sprained my middle finger on my left hand...ouch!
posted by Michael at 8/29/2004 08:07:00 PM |
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While driving around yesterday, I was tuned into ESPN radio just in time to hear supposed expert Beano Cook pick who he thinks will be in the national title game come January. He picked USC over Georgia in the game which can only mean one thing--neither team will make it there.
When was the last time Beano Cook actually picked anyone correctly to win anything? Also, why is Beano Cook an expert on these things? I mean, the man gets it wrong EVERY year and not just kind of wrong, but totally, completely dead-set wrong! How does this make you an expert on anything?
By this standard of expertise, I am an expert in a lot more fields than I thought I was. Guess it's time go update my resume!
posted by Michael at 8/29/2004 12:11:00 PM |
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As much as I dislike pulling for Virginia Tech, I have to admit that last night part of me really wanted to see them win, just to knock USC down a peg and prove a lot of the so-called national pundits and experts wrong. In a way, Viriginia Tech at least proved the odds-makers wrong by keeping the game close until a bogus pass-interference call that took the wind of their sails. Of course, we all know this won't knock USC from the top of the polls, but the game certainly did show them to be vulnerable to a loss. Of course, it is the opening game of the year and what doesn't look a little sloppy in the first game of the year?
posted by Michael at 8/29/2004 12:00:00 PM |
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FIG asks Hamm to give up gold; USOC outraged
Poor Paul Hamm--the guy just can't win for winning. Here he was, competing in the Olympics--living his dream. And he makes a mistake. He flubs one part of his routine and suddenly, the dreams of his life are going down the drain. No way he can win the gold now, right? He's dropped from top three to twelth place. He might as well pack it up and go home.
But taking a page from the hit movie Galaxy Quest, Hamm decides to "Never give up, never surrender." He pulls it together to put on the routines of his life. He vaults back to the top of the standings, he wins the gold and it's a great story. It shows courage, it shows character and it's refreshing to see an athlete not just give up and phone it in in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Then, the news gets out that there was a mistake made in the scoring. Not by Hamm--he did nothing wrong. He didn't cheat. There was no foul play, no underhanded dealings. Nope, just a human being making a human error. And it appears this error played in Hamm's favor. Understandly, the Korean gymnist who took the silver is upset. I can't blame him a bit. But this isn't like the skating controversy from the last Winter games. Mistakes were made, but they weren't made out of intention or malice.
So why do we keep beating up poor Paul Hamm? Why are many media pundits demanding he return the medal? Why is the FIG now asking him to return it? Did he do something wrong?
No, he didn't. Mistakes were made that affected an outcome. It's not fair, but it happens. If Paul Hamm is required to give up his gold, then I think the New England Patriots should give part of their Super Bowl win a couple of years ago to the Raiders. After all, human error in the interpretation and enforcement of the tuck rule helped them to drive down, tie the game and win in OT. Also, a couple of years ago, the Giants should have had another chance to kick a game-winning field goal over the 49ers. But due to human error, it didn't happen. The Giants were robbed of a chance to possibly keep playing and maybe play in the Super Bowl.
But yet, no one demands these things. So why expect this of Hamm? His keeping his medal is not Un-American. Had he cheated or somehow pulled strings to make this happen, I'd say--hell, yes, give it back. But until that evidence comes out, Hamm should keep his medal and hang his head high. He was down and thought to be out. He came back and won gold by digging down deep and doing what needed to be done. In my mind, that makes him a true Olympic champion and hero.
posted by Michael at 8/27/2004 08:00:00 PM |
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SHORT CUTS: ABC is developing a sitcom for ex-Hercules star Kevin Sorbo....
Yeah, I thought they called it Andromeda... Oh wait, that show was supposed to be serious and well-written.
Andromeda...serious and well-written, now that's funny.
posted by Michael at 8/27/2004 09:11:00 AM |
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Why is it that just about every time I go to Wal-Mart, this happens?
I've gone in, selected my items, made my purchases and am heading out the first set of automatic doors toward the second. It NEVER fails that someone in front of me suddenly decides that right here in the little tiny space between the two sets of doors is the perfect place to triple-check the receipt, re-organize their purse, stare off into space for no good reason. Is there something about this area of Wal-Mart that just screams--please, let's stop for a minute even though I know that there are probably people behind me.
I guess it's just one of life's little mysteries.
posted by Michael at 8/27/2004 09:06:00 AM |
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Every time I head out of our subdivision, I see the barn pictured below. It just looks like a classic photo that could easily be made into a puzzle. It's just always comforting to look over there and see this barn as I drive out to my various destinations. So, this photo of what I see every day is my moment of happiness for the day.
It just looks like a picture for a puzzle. 
posted by Michael at 8/26/2004 12:04:00 PM |
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Yesterday's reasons for happiness: the second-interview went well and I got a call from the employer asking for local references (I provided a couple from my time in Knoxville, but they couldn't get them on the phone). So, that is pretty exciting.
posted by Michael at 8/26/2004 10:59:00 AM |
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After a couple of botched attempts, I'm giving my blog a template update. Let me know what you think!
posted by Michael at 8/26/2004 10:40:00 AM |
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Soundtracks
I've been wearing out my portable CD player listening to all three original Star Wars movie soundtracks, in anticipation of their DVD release next month.
This week's questions are about movie soundtracks.
1) What is your favorite soundtrack from a movie?
There are a lot of really great soundtracks out there. A couple of favorites--Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Empire Strikes Back, Back to the Future, Edward Scissorhands, Vertigo, Superman: The Movie. A good soundtrack can really add to a film's mood and the best ones make you recall what you liked about the movie when you hear them.
2) Which movie's soundtrack didn't fit the tone of the movie, or was so badly composed it detracted from the movie?
I am not really sure of a good answer to this one. Namely because if a soundtrack is largely forgettable, then so is the movie.
3) Who is your favorite film music composer?
John Williams.
BONUS) Do you prefer an orchestral soundtrack, or a popular-music soundtrack? Why?
Most of the time, I prefer the orchestral soundtrack. It just works best. However, there are some exceptions. I think Forrest Gump did a great job of using its soundtrack to capture different periods in American history. Also, I think a soundtrack like Back to the Future that combines the orchestral with the pop music to enhance the movie is great--just listen to the songs that play on Marty's radio before and after he leaves on his trip to see what I mean.
posted by Michael at 8/26/2004 09:31:00 AM |
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Last night, I was watching the gold medal finals of women's beach volleyball with Susan, Brian and my cousin when Misty May and Kerri Walsh won the gold. (Off tangent note: Curse you NBC for showing us a bit of a match and then cutting away for seven to ten minutes before we went back to the conclusion!) Upon winning, the two girls were very excited, which is completely understandable. But as they tackled each other into the sand, Susan made the remark, "I guess we know what video and pictures will be popular on the Internet tomorrow."
USA's Kerri Walsh, bottom, and teammate Misty May celebrate after beating Brazil in the gold medal beach volleyball finals during the 2004 Summer Olympic Games at Faliro Beach Volleyball Stadium in Athens, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2004. (AP Photo/Adam Butler)
posted by Michael at 8/25/2004 06:06:00 PM |
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Full-time college football is just over a week away and we get this news out of the South Carolina Gamecock camp.
Holtz praises return of 39-year-old walk-on receiver
I'll give you a minute for that to sink in. (Heaven knows, it caught me by surprise). Yes, you read that right--the Gamecocks have a 39-year-old walk-on reciever by the name of Tim Frisby. Frisby is a former airborne Ranger who is currently purusing his degree at USC. He is the father of six-children. He participated in spring practice but didn't play in any scrimmages. And now he's back with the team, trying it again.
Part of me has to admire the guy for having the guts to go out there and do this. I mean, I am only a few years younger than him, but I'm not sure I could even get out there in the field and be in the physical shape required to keep up with kids who were 20 or more years younger than I am. Plus, I have to wonder--where does the guy get the energy with six kids?
However, in his continuing attempts to provide me with amusement, Lou Holtz was quoted as saying the following.
“He just wants to help the Gamecocks. He loves the game, and he wants to be here, and he’s 39 years of age. The good Lord knows, when I was 39 I didn’t even want to play video football,” said Holtz, who had been a head coach for eight years when he was 39. “But he’s good for the team. He’s our Rudy,” added Holtz, referring to Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, the Notre Dame walk-on whose underdog story was later turned into a movie.
A couple of responses to Lou. They didn't have video football when you were 39 Lou. Heck, they didn't even have electricity when you were 39. You've been coaching since Methusulah was a boy. But I guess age is all relative. And to Lou, this guy is just another young whipper-snapper. And next up, Lou, this just shows why this year you still will be playing catch-up in the East with the Vols, Florida and Georgia. Sure, this idea is great for publicity, but unless this guy is Superman, I can't see him contributing. But I guess Lou is REALLY thinking outside the box on this one.
posted by Michael at 8/25/2004 01:42:00 PM |
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What Michael Phelps is thinking in this photo: "You mean I also get six gold medals?!?"
Athens 2004 Olympics American swimmers, from left; Amanda Beard, Michael Phelps, Jenny Thompson and Natalie Coughlin pose on the beach in Athens Tuesday Aug. 24, 2004. (AP Photo/Pool)
posted by Michael at 8/25/2004 01:22:00 PM |
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We tend to associate people taking multiple opportunities to vote with old gangster stories. Surely, we tell ourselves, something like that couldn't happen in today's world--not with our sophisticated computer systems.
Apparently not so much.
The New York Daily News has a story out about voters in New York and Florida being registered to vote and actually voting in both states. Some interesting things from the story..
One was Norman Siegel, 84, who is registered as a Republican in both Pinellas Park, Fla., and Briarwood, Queens. Siegel has voted twice in seven elections, including the last four presidential races, records show. The article also went on to say this:
- Of the 46,000 registered in both states, 68% are Democrats, 12% are Republicans and 16% didn't claim a party.
- Nearly 1,700 of those registered in both states requested that absentee ballots be mailed to their home in the other state, where they are also registered. But that doesn't raise red flags with officials in either place.
Scary to think that in our "modern" time where this type of thing shouldn't happen, that is still does. And that it's referred to as a seemingly "perfect crime" in the story. And it's also disheartening to see that the story refers to Florida, a state that was at the center of a national controversy last time the presidential election came around.
Sure, it's not images of guys in bad suits and tommy guns, but it's still disheartening that two months before the election, this type of fraud is a huge possibility in the upcoming election.
posted by Michael at 8/25/2004 11:51:00 AM |
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Money and its effect on the various team members was a theme of this week's episode. So many of the teams had arguements about using the resources they've been given during this leg of the race. I've got to think this issue has come up before in the race, but due to having only an hour to tell the story of that leg of the race it got edited out. That is, until this leg when it was definitely a major factor for four of the five times. It all started with the two-hour cab ride, which cost anywhere from a hundred to a hundred and fifty bucks. Colin, the master of personal relationships (that was sarcasm there), treats everyone like crap and it almost comes back to bite him. His whole, "I told the guy if we lost our place in the race, I wouldn't pay him" arguement was pure crap and I don't understand why he was willing to waste time, possibly go to jail and aliennate Christie in order to prove he was "right" when he clearly wasn't. Oh wait, now I remember why--because Colin's an a******e. And yet, Christie keeps putting up with him. He's so emotionally abusive to her and everyone around him that it's almost scary. Hopefully after the Race is over she will dump his sorry self and find someone who isn't a complete and total dillhole. (Seriously, part of me was hoping they'd throw his happy self in jail during the episode last night, but alas, it was not to be!)
But Colin and Christie weren't the only ones putting the fun into dysfunctional this week. Every team did it--even the twins. Kami and Karli debating about whether or not to turn at the flag was pretty interesting and they are lucky to still be in it. Speaking of money--was it just me or did they have a good amount of cash left over to turn over to Phil when they were stripped of all their cash? (Side note: I just have to wonder how successful their flirting for money will be in a country such as the United Arab Emirates. It could end up getting them into more hot water than they're already in). We also had Brandon and Nicolle argue about money and we saw Chip and Kim run out. It's interesting to see that Chip and Kim are in the same predicament as Kami and Karli, but they will get more money next week to start off the next leg.
So, who am I rooting for? Well, I still go with Chip and Kim. I think they've got a good shot to win this thing, assuming they can make a move up the standings next week and hold on to it. I have this fear that Colin and Christie are going to pull a Richard from season one of Survivor--being the villain we all love to hate and winning the whole darn thing.
posted by Michael at 8/25/2004 10:16:00 AM |
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Saw this fun little quiz over on Pretty Purple Princess. Tip of the hat to her for it.
1. Your name spelled backwards. Leahcim
2. Where were your parents born? Tennessee
3. What is the last thing you downloaded onto your computer? An episode of the Jack Benny radio show.
4. What’s your favorite restaurant? Fast Food: Sonic. Sit down and eat: Depends on my mood.
5. Last time you swam in a pool? Yesterday (I swim laps just about every day for exercise and so I can occasionally enjoy food from my favorite fast food place, listed above!)
6. Have you ever been in a school play? Yes.
7. How many kids do you want? I think two would be good.
8. Type of music you dislike most? I have never really got into rap.
9. Are you registered to vote? Of course. In fact, I just voted a few weeks ago in a "smaller" election for school board, road supervisor, etc to ensure I'd moved my voter registration correctly for November's election. I also tend to early vote because usually there isn't much that will change my mind the last two weeks before and election and it saves a ton of time waiting in line on election day.
10. Do you have cable? Well, it is getting close to football season, so I must have cable!
11. Have you ever ridden on a moped? No
12. Ever prank call anybody? No
13. Ever get a parking ticket? No
14. Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving? I have done neither.
15. Farthest place you ever traveled. Honolulu, Hawaii.
16. Do you have a garden? Not at the moment, no.
17. What’s your favorite comic strip? FoxTrot or Closer to Home.
18. Do you really know all the words to your national anthem? Yes I do.
19. Bath or Shower, morning or night? In the morning.
20. Best movie you’ve seen in the past month? I haven't seen too many movies the past month. But best movie I've seen all summer--Spider-Man 2.
21. Favorite pizza topping? Pepperoni
22. Chips or popcorn? Popcorn
23. What color lipstick do you usually wear? Don't wear lipstick since I'm a guy.
24. Have you ever smoked peanut shells? Never heard of doing this until now.
25. Have you ever been in a beauty pageant? Nope.
26. Orange Juice or apple? Orange juice. I could drink my body weight in OJ.
27. Who was the last person you went out to dinner with and where did you dine? I went out to dinner last week with friends after Thursday night worship service. Actually, it was more like they went out to eat and I had water. (I'd eaten earlier). But I tipped well for my water.
28. Favorite type chocolate bar? Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
29. When was the last time you voted at the polls? August 5th.
30. Last time you ate a homegrown tomato? Last week.
31. Have you ever won a trophy? A couple.
32. Are you a good cook? I can follow a recipe....does that count?
33. Do you know how to pump your own gas? I do. I was thinking about this the other day--are there any full-service stations left out there?
34. Ever order an article from an infomercial? Does buying one at the flea market count?
35. Sprite or 7-up? Sprite Remix Tropical. But they stopped making it. (Yeah, I'm still upset about it!)
36. Have you ever had to wear a uniform to work? Oh yes...when I worked at Busch Gardens, we had uniforms based on which "country" you worked in. One of them was really bad--so much so that the dog was embarassed for me and wouldn't come near me.
37. Last thing you bought at a pharmacy? I picked up a prescription for Davis, my nephew.
38. Ever throw up in public? Unfortunately, so.
39. Would you prefer being a millionaire or find true love? True love. You can earn more money, but you can't buy true love.
40. Do you believe in love at first sight? Yes
41. Ever call a 1-900 number? Back when Star Trek: The 25th Anniversay Game came out, I got stumped and called the stupid hints line.
42. Can ex’s be friends? I'll get back to you on that one.
43. Who was the last person you visited in a hospital? My sister and brother-in-law when Gracelyn was born.
44. Did you have a lot of hair when you were a baby? Nope.
45. What message is on your answering machine? Since I'm job searching, it's a very standard, professional sounding message.
46. What’s your all time favorite Saturday Night Live Character? The Celebrity Jeopardy segments always crack me up.
47. What was the name of your first pet? Tavish.
48. What is in your purse? Ummmm..nothing. I don't carry one as I'm a guy.
49. Favorite thing to do before bedtime? Watch Family Guy re-runs on Adult Swim.
50. What is one thing you are grateful for today? Air Conditioning.
posted by Michael at 8/25/2004 09:47:00 AM |
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Today's little moments of happiness:
- Dinner with family.
- After dinner, Davis was crawling around and pulled himself up onto a bar stool sitting in Susan and Brian's kitchen. He pushed it around a bit and then took both hands off and stood by himself for about a second. He got this look on his face of "Holy cow! Look what I've done!" and was so happy...until he came crashing down on his behind. Just the look of pure joy and "Look what I did!" was amazing.
- Gracelyn told us Sunday that she learned in Sunday School that Jesus lives in her heart. Tonight, she was looking for her book about Jesus. Susan asked her, "Where does Jesus live" and she said, "In my book!" and then said, "And my heart."
- I took Gracelyn a bottle of bubbles in the shape of an ice cream cone. We had a good time sitting on her porch, blowing bubbles. However, the bubble blowing device (for which I'm sure there is an accurate, scientific name but I'm too lazy to look it up) was longer than usual, so she ended up getting a lot of bubble liquid on her. Just to see her joy at doing this and having fun trying to catch the bubbles was great fun. Of course, this fun quickly diminished when for no reason she decided to see what bubbles taste like. I was sitting there and she dipped her bubble blowing device into the liquid, put it up to her mouth and then into it before I knew what was happening. Luckily, we found some juice to wash the bubble taste out of her mouth.
posted by Michael at 8/24/2004 10:42:00 PM |
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Teenagers set TV-watching record
Not even on my best college-football-watching Saturday could I have sat in front of the tube for 52 straight hours! I'd hate to think what these two guys are going to do next to top themselves. I wonder how that will look on a college application:
Activities:
Marching Band
Chess Club
In Guiness Book of World's Records for watching TV for 52 straight hours at IHOP.
You know when the manager of IHOP is saying, “It’s probably one of the strangest things I’ve ever seen here” that's saying something!
Dean’s parents, Gordon and Brenda Dean, helped document the event and said they were proud of their son’s unusual achievement. “He has to be good at something, this is just as well,” Gordon Dean said. “He set a goal and reached it.”
Anyway, I have to say that this story brought a smile to my face when I heard about it and it was yesterday's little moment of happiness.
posted by Michael at 8/24/2004 04:01:00 PM |
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Spreading the Gospel at Hooters
A Bible Study at Hooters?!? Is this a great country or what?!?
Also, it must be karma with me finding this article. Earlier today, Barry at the Inn of the Last Home posted about missing a mud volleyball game against workers from the Knoxville Hooters due to sleeping in after the first night of his high school reunion. All I can say is, look at the type of opposition you missed, man.
UPDATE: Just to show that, yes I am going to hell, I will tell you the first thought that came into my evil mind when I saw the headline for this story. There's that old pick-up line where you go up to the girl and says, "You know what the word of the day is? It's legs. What's say we go spread the word?" Yep, I'm hellbound, I know it.
posted by Michael at 8/24/2004 03:47:00 PM |
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Back to school
It's that time of year again and everyone's heading back to school! So we'll talk back to school this week!!
1. What's your favorite show that deals with school in some way? (Facts of Life, A Different World, Saved by the Bell, Fame, etc..)
FOX had a show on a couple of years ago called Undeclared that I really enjoyed. But since this is FOX and I liked the show, they cancelled it.
2. Which TV school would you have attended if given a choice?
Jefferson High from Happy Days. They had everything there and it was apparently small enough that everyone could do everything--I mean look at how mean teams Richie and company were all part of.
3. What's your favorite back to school commercial?
There's a new one out right now where a little girl is upset with Alice Cooper because she thinks the lyrics are "School's Out For Ever!" It just cracked me up when I saw it a few days ago.
~Bonus~ Reality check! What's your most memorable back to school moment?
I was an Air Force kid and I always remember we moved in the middle of the summer. So, the first day of school was always one of those being kind of excited but kind of nervous. I also remember that it was a disadvantage because you didn't know who the "cool" teachers were to have, so you were kind of going in blind sometimes.
posted by Michael at 8/24/2004 01:32:00 PM |
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Michael is the #4 most common male name.
2.629% of men in the US are named Michael.
Around 3220525 US men are named Michael!
source namestatistics.com
Yeah, but how many of them are Big Orange Michael, I ask you?!?
posted by Michael at 8/23/2004 06:20:00 PM |
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I was chatting with Logtar earlier today about football--he loves the Bears and Michigan, I'm biased toward all things Tennessee and Redskins--and we thought--wouldn't it be fun to have a pick 'em league for college and pro football of our blogging friends? So, he went and set up a couple of leagues of the Yahoo fantasy sport pages. I've joined and I invite any other sports/football fans who read this blog to join. It's free and you could win ultimate sports bragging rights!
College: http://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/college
League ID: 8558
Password: blog
Pro: http://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/pickem
League ID: 11819
Password: blog
See y'all there!
posted by Michael at 8/23/2004 11:31:00 AM |
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Tip of the hat to Sweet and Sassy at Always Victoria for this one.
posted by Michael at 8/23/2004 10:22:00 AM |
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The two-hour, season-finale event was actually two separate episodes, so I'll comment on each of them individually...
Shadows
It's ironic that the story started out with Johnny, Bruce and J.J. out on a fishing trip because this had me hook, line and sinker for the first half of the episode. Johnny has a vision of him killing a man with his bare hands out of revenge and as we slowly work backward, we find out that it's because a "family" member died. Jumping to conclusions, I assumed it just HAD to somehow be J.J. and that crazy man who got robbed did it out of some sense of misguided revenge because Johnny and Bruce got special treatment by Bannerman while his report was pretty much filed under "want to help, but ain't likely." The guy was having a pretty bad day all around, so it's too great a leap to see him doing something stupid to try and get Walt to notice him and help out his plight. Instead, the intended victim is Bruce and we slowly see that very little of what Johnny does to try and change things helps, until the last few moments. But the really interesting angle is the one Bruce brings up--is Johnny trying to save Bruce or himself from becoming what he sees in the visions? Johnny desparately wants to not become like Stillson but yet he may have to sink to Stillson's level in order to stop the coming armageddon. And did anyone else have a sinking feeling for the last half hour that maybe we were going to lose Bruce from the show? And how HUGE a loss that would be for Johnny? I'd argue that it's been Bruce more than any other character who has kept Johnny focused and grounded in reality and that without Bruce, Johnny would become onto only the violent man he saw in this vision, but also the gray-headed Johnny from the vision of the future in the next episode.
Tipping Point
At long last, the series goes back to some of the arc plotlines that have been bubbling under the surface since the season premiere. Seeing Purdy has a crisis of faith was well set-up by the events of last week's episode and the scene where he shred the Bible (I'm assuming it's the one Stillson gave him) was nicely done. The murder of Rachel comes back up to haunt everyone--including Stillson. Johnny is faced with a difficult choice about whether or not to continue his visions, despite the now growing side effects to his health. I had to call the Rebecca relationship as offically headed for the rocks when Johnny revealed to Sarah he was as happy for the first time since he'd been with Sarah. Three scenes later, Rebecca is manipulating Johnny so that any visions he gets of her won't reveal her plan to take out Stillson. The visions from future guy get weirder and weirder, though I called that the guy coming in and out of the room would be J.J. long before that was revealed. Also, this brings up an interesting question--in the future Johnny sees, he appparently does not choose to have the surgery to take away his visions. So, if he does chose it in the present day, will he be preventing this future or ensuring it? Can he really make the difference he wants to make and stop Stillson? Also, we don't what happens to Stillson when Rebecca shoots him, though we get a pretty good indication she is probably gonna die. And yet, Johnny is told not to save her--is this the crucial crossroads of history? And seeing Johnny's obsession in the earlier episode of not becoming the insane, obsessed man over Bruce's death, would he allow Rebecca to die? Of course, we're assuming here that future Johnny has everyone's best interests at heart when relaying information to Johnny. He may not. In fact, he may be trying to create the future he's living in for his own selfish reasons.
All I can say is, I wish the conclusion to this was airing next week and we didn't have to wait around to see how it all plays out. All I can say it--I hope we get a season 3.5 like we did with season 2 and don't have to wait until next summer for the epic conclusion.
posted by Michael at 8/23/2004 09:58:00 AM |
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There's just nothing quite like the uncontrolled laughter and glee you get when you play with a young 'un. I was playing with my nephew, Davis, this afternoon--swooshing him around like he was flying, throwing him up a bit and catch him, making silly noises and just hearing him laugh with unrestrained happiness. And that's my moment of happiness for today.
posted by Michael at 8/22/2004 04:54:00 PM |
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Brown, Calico hit stride
There's just something about the Titans and Bills playing each other--whether it's pre-, during or post-season. The games just come down to the wire and you have to figure that Buffalo and its fans are still mad about the Music City Miracle (sorry, guys...it's still a legal play and a miracle all these years and replays later!), so there's probably some bad feelings there.
I have to admit, I'm pretty impressed with the Titan's first-string offense in the first two games. McNair led two impressive, long drives downfield, a lot of them on the back of running back Chris Brown. I know it's only the pre-season, but he's looking very good and like a more than suitable replacement for Eddie George. I just hope those words don't come back to haunt me. One thing I didn't understand about the game calling--Brown ran for a majority of the yards on the two series he played with McNair only to be pulled out of the game in the Red Zone in favor of Antwon Smith, similiar to what the Detroit Lions used to do with Barry Sanders when he played. I hope this is not a trend that continues into the regular season. Selfishly, I want to add Brown to a couple of my fantasy teams but he won't net me a bunch of points if he's not scoring those red-zone touchdowns.
Of defense, I'm not quite sure what to make of us. There were some gaping holes for running in there--which Travis Henry and former-Miami whiner Willis McGahee found and exploited. At times we looked decent, though I'm not sure we can rely on the defense to win games for us.
I did see some of the Colts game last night, but can't get a good gauge on how they'll be this year. They are the team we're chasing in the division and they didn't look so hot last night. Getting soundly defeated by the Jets 31-7 doesn't look spectacular. But then again, it's only the pre-season. The real epic battle will be Sept. 19th in the Coliseum.
posted by Michael at 8/22/2004 11:05:00 AM |
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I admit it--I've been sucked into the hype and excitement that is the Olympics. I mean, I watched badminton and competitive sharp shooting the other day. And it's not like women's beach volleyball or regular volleyball where I can claim--yeah, it's all about the cute, athletic girls in bikinis or tight-fitting outfits.
But the events I've really enjoyed watching a good deal--well, besides the women's volleyball, that is--has been the swimming. I swim laps for exercise myself and I know that I will NEVER be on the same level as those competiting in the Olympics. Heck, I watch the games and think--if only I could do a kick-turn, I'd be happy. And my butterfly....well, let's just say it looks more like that poor butterfly who rode the short bus to school. But one of the great stories of the Olympics has been the performance of Michael Phelps. OK, sure he didn't win eight golds, but he still has won eight medals. He's one of the best male swimmers in the world.
I heard about his amazing come-from-behind win last night in the 100m Butterfly Final on the radio, but tuned in to see it based on hearing how amazing it was. And it was amazing.
But what was even more impressive to me was what he did afterward. He stepped aside to allow his teammate, Ian Crocker, have a shot at Olympic gold. Sure, I guess a cynical part of me could say--he figured he had enough medals and was going to get one because he swam the qualifying race. But, in this day when we question the comitment of the Dream Team to go out and represent America, it's nice to see Phelps put the team and country above himself. He has said that Crocker is one of the best in the world at this relay and he wanted to see the U.S. have the chance to win the gold, so he put team above self. It's an amazing story and one that I find inspring. In a day and age when so many athletes are not role models to kids, Michael Phelps in one that I wouldn't mind my kids (if I had any) looking up to. He works hard, he always gives his all and best and he's a team player. To sound like a cliche, the man should get a gold medal for character.
posted by Michael at 8/21/2004 08:54:00 PM |
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Yes, I know...I'm behind on the wrap-ups. So without further audieu....
Monk: Mr. Monk and the Game Show
Every once in a while, when I'm watching Monk, I just say to myself, "Who'd've figured the guy who played Antonio on Wings was actually THIS GOOD?" It's amazing how GREAT Tony Shalhoub is in this show week in and week out.
"Mr. Monk and the Game Show" is one of those where we know the identity of the murderer before the opening credits but we don't know why he killed the victim or how it ties into the plotline that actually involved Mr. Monk. Trudy's father comes to San Francisco to ask Monk for help--a man on his game show is on a tremendous winning streak and he's sure cheating is involved. Thing is--he can't figure out how (Shades of Jeopordy anyone?) Monk reluctantly agrees and upstairs neighbor Kevin Dorfman tags along to assist Monk (Sherona is off taking care of her mother). The mystery itself is an intriguing one, but it's what the show chose to do character-wise that made this episode so compelling. In flashbacks, we see Monk and Trudy coming to her parents house during their courtship. Over the course of the episode, a couple of well done flashbacks show how happy Monk and Trudy were as well as Monk now struggling still with her loss. The scene were Monk tries to tell his father-in-law he's sorry he couldn't take care of Trudy like he promised he would was truely moving, as was the scene where Monk goes into her old bedroom and reads his diary. Shalhoub delivers an understated, elegant performance here and he does just enough with the flashback-Monk and the current-day Monk to make you realize which one is which--even without the tint the flashbacks take on. I have to say this was one of the more moving, enjoyable and well-done Monk episodes of the season and I can only hope the season finale (well, the summer season finale, I believer) will continue this nice trend.
Stargate SG1: Avatar
Teal'c becomes trapped in a training exercise video-game--each time he "dies" it resets to the start of the level and he has to start over again. Also, the game can feed off Teal'c's decisions and slowly make the game more difficult as it learns more about him. Old concept and definitely done before by such shows as Farscape, X-Files, Star Trek, even Lois and Clark. But you've got to give Stargate SG1 credit for taking an old plotline and giving it its own spin. Turns out Teal'c might be trapped within the game because on some level he doesnt' believe our heroes can ultimately defeat the Goa'uld, despite all the success they've had these past couple of years and the victories they've made. I'll admit it--when I saw the preview I was ready to dismiss it as "been there, done that." But the story actually had enough suspense to keep me hooked until the final few moments when it wrapped up. My final question is--when will this videogame be out on the market? LOL
Stargate: Atlantis: Childhood's End
While exploring a new planet, Shepard, McKay, Teyla and Ford's puddle jumper suddenly loses power and is forced to land. The four discover a society of young adults, none over the age of 24. The group is convinced that by killing themselves before they turn 25, they are keeping the Wraiths from feeding on their village. McKay finds out that a force-field is protecting the village and is eager to take it to Atlantis as a possible defense mechanism for our heroes. Turns out both are keeping the village shielding--the pretty radical policy of ethuinasia at 25 and the shield. Again, what could have been a case of "been there, done that' from other genre shows turns out to be a fairly well done episode that asks a lot of good questions--namely just how much should Atlantis interfere with the lives of those they find and weighing that against their own survival. I'll admit that this one had me until the last five minutes when, after restoring the shield, everyone in the village pretty much says, "Gee, let's stop killing people at age 25." Sorry, but it's hard to see the long history of this practice suddenly being done away with just because the crew puts the shield back up. It seems too ingrained in the culture and too many of them were willing to fight for it to have them so easily put it aside.
posted by Michael at 8/21/2004 05:50:00 PM |
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Today's moment of happiness--sleeping late.
posted by Michael at 8/21/2004 05:24:00 PM |
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Appetizer
What does the color pink make you think of?
Two things--the posters for Legally Blonde (which I've still never seen) and the Pink Ladies from Grease. And, of course, strawberry cream pie shakes from Sonic. Mmmmmmmm....Soooonic.
Soup
Name something you have lost but later found.
Happened this week...lost the universal remote that I use to control my DVD player. Tore the room apart to find it...couldn't find it. Stopped looking and it cropped back up. I think it's toying with my sanity!
Salad
In 3 words, describe this past week.
Bittersweet, stressful, memorable.
Main Course
What are you obsessed with?
Doctor Who.
Dessert
What kind of perfume or cologne do you like to wear?
I don't usually were cologne that often. Once in a blue moon, though I do like Old Spice and some other that I can't remember the name of right now.
posted by Michael at 8/20/2004 08:19:00 PM |
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Happiness for today...
--Getting a call back for a second interview.
--Enjoying burgers and tots from Sonic with Mom for lunch.
posted by Michael at 8/20/2004 08:16:00 PM |
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In response to my post about the Vols starting QB situation and the perception of us by certain members of the media, Barry over at the Inn of the Last Home had this to say:
Amazing that, for all the debacle of the Peach Bowl last year, that we:
Beat Florida AT FLORIDA.
Beat Alabama AT ALABAMA in about 35 overtimes.
Beat Miami AT MIAMI, something no nonconference team had done in decades.
But no, we lost the Peach Bowl (a bowl we shouldn't have been in in the first place) and we're "wallowing in mediocrity" and Fulmer has heat. Marv Albert - what a loser. I include it all here becuase Barry makes some good points and I'd hate anyone to miss them for not looking at the comments in my blog. But I do think the Vols are suffering from a perception problem--the last two seasons seem to be failures in a lot of fans' and the outside media (ESPN)'s minds because of how poorly we played in the Peach Bowl. Thanks to the wonder that is CSS and repeating of last year's game as an appetizer for this year's season, I've seen all three of these games in the past couple of weeks. And, we only went to 32 overtimes with Bama, not 35.
I am hopeful and optimistic for the new season. Do we have our work cut out for us? Oh yeah. But we've been underestimated before--the Florida game in the swamp in 91, the national championship game, last year vs. Miami. And we've defied those expectations. Now, there are times we've not lived up to expectations, I'll freely admit that. But to think that Fulmer is on the hot seat is a bit much. After all, how many other coaches have one national titles in the past ten years? It's a pretty exclusive club. Do I want to get there again? Can I get a "Heck, yeah!" Cause I want to win another one. But first, I want to have a consistent season.
It seems like every year in the 90s the Vols would do just enough to win some games, lose to Florida but somehow have a complete game against Georgia. Sorry, Bulldog fans, but we owned you in the 90s. The time has turned and I find myself longing for having our complete game against Georgia again. It's amazing how confidence can go so quickly. One last second drive with the defense playing sloppy prevent d four years ago and the streak swings the other way. I'm not saying we'll beat Georgia this year, but I'm also wondering if Georgia might wilt under the harsh glare of scrutiny that comes with being pre-season top five. Certainly, Mark Richt has shown he's learned from his dunder-headed playcalling to start his career. But were those growing pains of his getting used to being the man in charge or will he have a couple more of those sneak up to bite him in the coming seasons. Time will tell. There are many who are ready to embrace Richt as the new coach to beat in the SEC. For me, the jury is still out. As I always told Georgia fans--OK, you beat Tennessee, but what did you do with that win? Did you go to the SEC Championship game? Did you play in a big bowl game? Yes, it's a big win--but only as big with how it affects the rest of your season. And the past two years, Georgia has done something with that win--they've run with it to the SEC Championship game. (Although Florida still has their number...which hey, when those two play if we could somehow have both teams lose, I'd be happy).
So, I'm excited for the new season. I'm optimisitc as I am every year. Ask anyone who knows me and every year I predict the following. Redskins vs Titans in the Super Bowl and UT playing for an SEC title. It doesn't always happen, but I'm optimistic each year. Right now, we've all got the same record, so let's get out there, rumble and see what happens. I think the first step is taking care of UNLV under the bright lights on national TV. Then, we can start to worry about Florida. (That series has become odd these past few years--what with the home team losing each of the last four games). But are the Vols underachieving? I'm not sure. As Barry points out, wins against Florida, Bama and Miami seem to say not. If you'd told me before last year that we'd win those games , would I have been satisfied? Yeah, probably. But it's the way we played one game--the Peach Bowl--that hurt our perception. Face it--we looked unfocused and not hungry. And as a Tennessee fan, that was what hurt the most. I can accept losing, so long as I feel like the team gave it its all. But I didn't feel like in the Georgia loss and the Clemson Peach Bowl game that we gave it all. Georgia, we gave a good half--had we gone into halftime up by one, I think we win it. The fumble and run-back by UGA really was a turning point of the game and maybe the season. As for the Peach Bowl, we just looked bored and uninterested at times. And Clesmon clearly wanted it more. And I think that's what hurts the most--not that we lost, but how we lost.
posted by Michael at 8/20/2004 02:37:00 PM |
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The release date for the 2-disc, super-deluxe Spiderman 2 DVD has been announced: November 30th. Man, I can't wait.
posted by Michael at 8/20/2004 09:37:00 AM |
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So much for my bold prediction yesterday about how the QB position would shake out for the Vols this fall. Yesterday, Phillip Fulmer named the two freshmen co-number one starters going into the rest of the fall practice and the home opener against UNLV.
It's a bold move for the Vols. Fulmer has never been a coach to start a freshman QB in the past--not even UT's modern legend, Peyton Manning. For him to make this move is, quite frankly, a shocker. It also makes me wonder some things--are these guys really this good or are C.J. Leak and Rick Clausen just not that good? John Adams of the Knoxville News-Sentinel has an interesting take on all of this--namely that Fulmer has decided the future is now and he's going after the SEC Championship this year. And having these guys seasoned and battle-tested for the game in Athens against the Bulldogs could be one assett in the Vols' favor in what could prove to be the game that decides the SEC East champion. (First of all, these guys have to do enough to take out Florida at home on Sept. 18th).
It makes you wonder if Fulmer isn't beginning to hear a lot of the criticism by fans and the media that he and the team are under-achieving. ESPN's Marv Alberts took this shot at Fulmer and the Vols recently:
''The heat is on Fulmer. It's time for Tennessee to do something,'' Alberts said. ''They have wallowed in mediocrity for some time. UT's performance in the Peach Bowl was abysmal, embarrassing. There was a lack of motivation. They have the talent, just no motivation. I'm very interested to see what happens. They will either be a lot better, or they will get worse. But they can't get much worse.'' All I can say is--ouch! I don't think it's necessarily that we're that BAD, we just haven't ended the season well . Two losses in the Peach Bowl plus our 2001 collapse to LSU in the second half of the SEC Championship game have left a bitter taste in a lot of fans' mouths (mine included).
The Tennessean's David Climer also has an interesting column on the situation with C.J. Leak. It was his job to lose--and that's just what he did.
posted by Michael at 8/20/2004 09:18:00 AM |
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They have a dance team for beach volleyball?!? As if the promise of athletic, attractive females in tight bikini running about wasn't enough to keep me interested!
But seriously--how lame is the Olympic mascot?!?
The beach volleyball dancers are joined by the Olympic mascot Athina as they entertain the crowd during the 2004 Olympic Games at the Olympic Beach Volleyball Centre in Athens, Greece on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2004. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
posted by Michael at 8/19/2004 05:53:00 PM |
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Handbell choir has started up again at church. I went to my first rehearsal of the fall last night (I missed last week due to celebrating Mom's b'day). I just really enjoy enjoy ringing the bells and hearing the songs all come together. I am just way too self-consious about my singing voice to actually join the choir and this way I can make my joyful noise to the Lord.
So, ringing handbells is what makes me happy for today.
posted by Michael at 8/19/2004 11:37:00 AM |
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QB derby continues for UT in scrimmage
Another scrimmage for the Vols and it still sounds like there isn't any one player distinguishing himself at the QB positon. Interesting to hear that all the QB candidates were given equal reps with the first team and to see how each one fare in the competition. There is one thing I've got to wonder, though. How did Erik Ainge throw a 60-yard TD pass to Bret Smith but still end up 7-of-15 for 45 yards with 1 TD. Guess he got sacked once or twice in there, though the story doesn't elaborate much on that.
All I can say is, the Vols have to come out and establish some things early. Sounds like we're going to need someone to step and lead this running game for us. Seeing the orange and white game last year, I know we've certainly got the talent for it. And, as we hear every year, the offensive line should be a strength. So, it sounds like we need to get out there and pound the ball while the QBs get up to speed. I still predict that Leak will start the season only to be sat down permanently by the Alabama game in favor of one of the freshmen QBs, similiar to what happened with Casey Clausen in his freshman year.
posted by Michael at 8/19/2004 10:35:00 AM |
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A disposable digital camera enters the market at $19.99
A disposable digital camera?!? Amazing. Who'd've thought a couple of years ago when these things were first coming out that there'd be a day when you could get one for $19.95 (plus tax). The next thought that comes to mind about this--how much does it cost to have prints made of your photos and how much storage space do you get on the camera?
Could this be the next big thing? If it is, where do I buy stock?!?
posted by Michael at 8/19/2004 10:23:00 AM |
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Olympic prankster given five-month jail sentence
He's given five months in jail for jumping into the pool in a tutu and clown shoes?!? That seems a bit harsh, doesn't it? I understand that security is tight over there and maybe running up on the high dive and jumping into the pool wasn't exactly the most brilliant idea around, but come on--five months?!? Man, those Greek courts are harsh!
I love this part:
The Athens Olympics organisers said the man had told police he "wanted to present a message to his wife by getting on television." And what would that message be--"Hey, honey! I'm an idiot! Please send bail money!' And how do you explain to your bosses that you will be off the job for five months because you were the guy at the Olympics in a tutu and clown shoes that jumped into the pool?
It's also good to know all that money being spent on security for the games is paying off....
On a side-note, if you go to the article, you'll see a picture of this genius. He's got some web site written across his chest. You know, I have to admit, I'm tempted to see what web site was worth five months in jail to get that name out there.
posted by Michael at 8/18/2004 08:36:00 PM |
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State Investigates Possible Voter Fraud
It's not been a good year for election commissions in and around Nashville. First, we had the scandal about absentee ballots not being mailed on time and now. And now we have this alleged voter fraud.
Of course, the big difference here is that someone outside the election commission is up the the monkey business and not someone inside. But it seems as if someone is trying to achieve the old adage of "vote early, vote often" here. I just hope they get this cleaned up before the election in November. The last thing we need is Tennessee to become the next Florida in terms of our election returns.
posted by Michael at 8/18/2004 11:18:00 AM |
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Doctor Unheimlich has diagnosed me with
BigOrangeMichael's Disease | | Cause: | secret military experiments | | Symptoms: | punning, occasional hand tremors, wheezing, itching | | Cure: | Kryptonite | |
Tip of the hat to Sweet N Sassy at Always Victoria for this!
posted by Michael at 8/18/2004 10:07:00 AM |
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Moment of happiness for Tuesday: A good interview. Now let's keep our fingers crossed for a job offer.
Happiness for today: Reading Prochein Amy's discussion of her two children playing Go Fish brought back memories of playing the game with my grandparents. I miss those lazy summer afternoons, sitting in my grandmother's kitchen, playing the game with the smell of warm apple pie cooking in the oven. Before that it was: Announcement of the new "cast" of Surivor: Vanuatu.
posted by Michael at 8/18/2004 09:50:00 AM |
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The Amazing Race
Is it wrong that I enjoyed watching Colin suffer so much eating the ostrich egg last night at the Road Block? "Oh, I've got a bad gag reflex," he whines to us. Now, I don't know a lot about ostrich eggs and if they're perhaps more "gamey" than eggs from a chicken, but all I'm saying is I'd be looking for some salt and pepper to put on my serving. Also, is it just me or did this episode seem like it was filmed over at a junior high school. Colin fusses because he doesn't quite get the bowl full to start cooking the egg and then spills it on the way to the skillet. And earlier, everyone acts like junior high schoolers about the plane tickets. Mirna's ducking down and trying to hide was classic as was her attempt to not get the travel agent to sell tickets to Colin and Christie.
I have to admit, I'm a bit disappointed to see Charla exit the race. Seeing Phil almost lose it when Charla talked about the experience was truely moving. Or maybe it was tears of joy that Mirna won't hug him anymore. And I am sorry to see Charla exit. Her "never say die" attitude was great. I wonder if she'd been paired with anyone but Mirna if she might not have gone a lot farther in the Race.
The Dead Zone--Instinct
This episode is what happens with popular FOX shows, The X-Files and When Animals Attack come together and produce an off-spring. The animals are all going nuts and attacking everything in sight--but why? Is it related to the upcoming apocolypse that Johnny's had visions of since the end of season one or is something else behind it? Turns out, it's something else--the dam is about to burst and the animals are all being driven off by the high pitched sound of it slowly splintering and getting ready to crumble, taking Cleaves Mill with it. And while that wasn't necessarily the most rivetting or exciting plotline I've seen all year, the impact that it had on Purdy was compelling and interesting. Turns out Purdy's influence in getting his vision of a dream town built led to this situation occuring. Now it's out in the open and Purdy wonders what will happen next. That was compelling and quite a great job by David Ogden Steirs in the episode.
posted by Michael at 8/18/2004 09:35:00 AM |
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Back when I was younger, I always remember going to the video store and seeing those really awful looking, cheap, slasher movies like Slumber Party Massacre or Silent Night, Deadly Night and thinking--man, I can't wait until I'm older and can rent these movies. Cause back then, the promise of a little horror and scantily clad women running about just seemed way too exciting for me.
Fast forward more years than I care to own up to. Last week, we're in the video store and my father--yes, my father--sees the DVD wall where they're selling previously viewed DVDs for three for $20. We pick out two and are having a hard time coming up with a third we can agree on until he sees a dual release of and Sorority House MassacreSorority House Massacre 2. Before I can stop him, he's buying the DVD. I now realize that even though I find the girl working at BlockBuster attractive, I can't really hit on her since we just bough this wonderful DVD. We take it home and after watching our rental for the evening--EuroTrip--we pop this into the VCR. It's dual sided, so we take our chances and get to watch Sorority House Massacre 2 first. I know, it's flying in the face of convention to watch the sequel first, but hey...it's not like we're watching The Godfather films here.
Well, it was certainly something, let me tell you. This one is definitely MST3K material. But yet, I felt compelled to write up a long post on just how bad this movie was. It's full of sarcastic comments. Read at your own risk! But just think--if you just read about it, at least you can still have some self-respect and hit on the cute girls at BlockBuster while you rent stuff like Citizen Kane or something with Meg Ryan that shows how smart and sensitive you really are.
After the cheaply done opening credits, we see Linda (Robyn Harris) sitting on the floor inside a darkened house. She's got blood all over her and she is imploring someone "You gotta remember. If there's an ounce of humanity left in you, you gotta remember." Having sat through all 77 minutes of this movie now, I'm wondering if she isn't perhaps speaking to the audience--don't you remember all those other cheesy slasher flicks you've sat through and wasted that precious time in your life when you could have been doing something else, say for example, watching paint dry. Maybe you should go and try to do that...but, foolish me, I don't listen to her. Instead, I watch as a the image gets all wavy like the Scooby Doo ending scene from Wayne's World and we transition to...
Sometime earlier. It's daylight. A truck and a small Honda pull up in front of the house. Linda and four other girls...er I mean victims pour out. The girls are Janey (Dana Bentley), Jessica (Melissa Moore, who the back of the box also tells me was a Playmate! Her parents must be so proud!), Kimberly (Stacia Zhivago (as in Doctor from that movie that actually won some awards) and Suzanne (Michelle Verran) . Everyone's excited because Janey got a killer deal on this house for their new sorority house and they're determined to have the best sorority house on campus. The gals grab boxes and sleeping bags out of the back of the truck and are headed in when Eddie, who is drving the truck (and has no other relevance to the plot) calls out to see if Jessica wants to hook up tomorrow. She says she'll see because there's no telling how hard she'll work to get the house ready and she might be too tired to get together. She kisses him goodbye while the other four offer mocking comments right out of junior high school.
Obviously this movie is taking a page from the 90210 book of casting because not one of these people so far look like they're even remotely close to college age. I'd say the youngest looks late 20's at best.
Anyway, back to the film. Across the street, a mysterious arm clad in flannel pulls the curtain aside to watch the girls go into the house. The girls get inside and you can definitely tell this is a fixer-upper type of project. Complaints are made that it's cold inside, there's no electricity and the phone doesn't work. Yet they're gonna stay all night in the house because--get this!--the movers, the electric company and the phone company are all going to come at 6 a.m.! I'm gonna wait a minute for that little leap of illogic to sink in. First of all, what moving company comes at 6 a.m to deliver your stuff? And isn't that gonna really honk off the neighbors--espeically Mr. Flannel Arm? Yeah, I can see the girls are gonna be real popular in this neighborhood! Second of all, I remember being in college and the only reason we were up at 6 a.m. was because we'd stayed up all night. So, anyway...
After bantering about getting drunk and telling ghost stories, Janey tells everyone just why the house was so cheap. Five years before, Clyde Hockstetter went on a killing rampage in his house...and this is that house. The girls all whine, but Janey tells them, hey, that's why the place was so cheap. Jessica says it's OK since Old Man Hockstetter is dead and he's not gonna come back to get them. Then, as if on cue, something breaks a window and everyone freaks out. (Throughout this "scene" you can see the boom mike's shadow in the background. Ah, the joys of direct to video production values!)
Jessica and Suzanne head outside and are talking. Jessica asks Suzanne is she had trouble finding the place. Wait just a minute--didn't y'all pull up together? Apparently that little thing called continuity--not so big in the film. Yeah, somewhere an editor was probably fired over that little gaffe. Jessica gets after Suzanne for being out with Billy McGuire a couple of nights ago. Apparently Billy hasn't learned rule one of dating sorority girls--don't date two sorority girls in the same house at the same time. You can almost see the neon flashing lights coming out to say--PLOT POINT! PLOT POINT! We also find out a storm is supposed to hit the area later that evening--around 8 p.m.
Cut to a dark and stormy night. Cheezy lightning effects flash across the screen and it's now dark. The girls are all sitting around eating dinner when they hear scary noises. Turns out it's flannel hand from earlier. It's Orville Ketchum (played by Orville himself, no relation to county/western star Hank Ketchum), a fat guy in a flannel shirt who is just being neighborly. Oh yeah, and he was the one who lived next door when Hockstetter went on his killing rampage and he found the bodies. And yet the realtor wonders why this house didn't sell? Orville relates the story of Hockstetter's killing spree and we see flashbacks to it--which apparently this footage comes from the first Sorority House Massacre. I couldn't tell you because I was stupid and watched the second one first. Guess I ruined that movie, huh? Orville also gives them the key to the basement, where Hockstetter kept all his instruments of death. Orville leaves and heads home, where we later see him watching TV and eating something out of a bowl--raw meat. Oh yeah, and he's watching a slasher film and he's got newspapers about the killing lying about. Now, I know what you're thinking--gee, could it be any more obvious that he's the killer? And I'd say to you--yeah, sure looks that way. At this point, the movie is making an episode of Columbo look subtle.
Back to the five victims...er I mean girls. Being the geniuses they are, the first thing they do is--you guessed it!--head for the basement. (Seriously--how the hell did they sell the house without someone at least going down in the basement or a home inspection?!?) There's a bunch of junk down there including a huge hook and a doll with blood on it. Oh yeah, and we also find a Ouija board. Apparently these five girls are the only people on the planet who don't know that using a Ouija board in a house that once housed a brutal killer is a bad idea becuase they decide to use it later. They head back upstairs and we cut to...
Lt. Block (Jurgen Baum) and his partner Sgt. Shawlee (Karen Chorak, who BTW is the only female character in this film who won't remove her clothing as the movie progresses). Turns out Block was the one tasked with the Hockstetter case years ago and he just can't let go. He's afraid of what might happen and he's convinced that Orville had something to do with it. Shawlee encourages him to open the case back up and so they head off to find a link to the case...
It's pouring down rain and we see Orville out looking up at the house.
Inside, we cut to a shower being turned on. I guess director Jim Wynorski wants to have some type of homage to Psycho here. But wait--the difference is Psycho was good. This turns out to be a flimsy excuse to have a long scene of Jessica showering while the door handle jiggles. (It's not only thing that jiggles in this scene!) Also, apparently the tub has now shower curtain, making me wonder if taking a shower is such a hot idea since this is going to make a huge mess to clean up later. Oh wait, there I go--thinking again. I've really got to stop doing that. The door creeps open, the suspense builds and a hand reaches out...it's Suzanne, who has brought Jessica a towel. Jessica was worried it was Hockstetter come back to kill her and Suzanne opens her towel, jiggles and says she ain't Hockstetter. Jessica gets out of the shower, telling Suzanne there's no hot water, only cold. And then it hits you--there' s no electricity or phone service but there's water. And it's not really nasty gross water what with the pipes in disuse for five years? Oh wait...but I'm forgetting the main point here--we have naked women, jiggling in the shower. We cut to the other three women who are all removing clothing and changing into skimpy lingerie. Now, if you recall earlier, I said the house was cold but yet instead of doing what most normal people would and putting on sweats or warm clothes, we're going for lingerie and thongs. Jessica, showing that she's brave, gets undressed and dressed by the Ouija board.
Everyone gather together and gets out the booze. They also all start using the Ouija board. Now, of all the people they could contact--Elvis, Marilyn--the girls decide that contacting Hockstetter would be a cool idea. They find a spirit guide to lead them to Hockstetter and when they contact him, the Ouija board flies into the fire. Everyone is spooked and so they decide it's time to hit the hay.
In their room, Janey and Suzanne discuss things. Janey thinks maybe all this Hockstetter stuff isn't as much fun as she thought it would be. Buyer's remorse is setting in big-time. To help Janey unwind, Suzanne starts giving her a shoulder massage, which she revealed she learned from Billy McGuire. Janey is pissed since Billy is her man and she thought that Suzanne was dating someone else. An arguement enuses adn Janey leaves the room in a huff. Apparenty, Janey has not been to "Surviving a Horror Film 101" since we all know going off alone is pretty much asking to die. To make herself scream "VICTIM" even more, she starts drinking tequilia straight from the bottle downstairs. The basement door creaks ominiously and then Janey is attacked. We see the silhoutte of the hook and then blood fly up on the wall. No gore....guess this movie earned the R rating the old-fashioned way--T&A.
Now, at this point, I've started seriously questioning why I'm watching. But I look at the DVD counter, see I've come more than halfway and instead of skipping to the end, I'm determined to keep on going and see how this all comes out. Jeez, I need a life.
Suzanne has dozed off and goes downstairs to find Janey. She heads into the kitchen/dining room area where Janey bought the farm and sees no a)body or b)blood. Guess our killer took some time to scrub those walls after he was done. Because quite a bit of blood hit the walls to end Janey's life. Seriously--pyscho or not, this killer has cleaned up well, while still leaving the rest of the house looking like pure hell. Suzanne does find the broken tequilia bottle, gets creeed out and goes upstairs. Whether it's because she couldn't find Janey or she was upset at losing the tequilia, I'm not really sure. She tells everyone she can't find Janey and Jessica starts yelling her name. This doesn't work so they split up into pairs to look for Janey. Suzanne and Kimberly wander around upstairs and find the door to the attic. Figuring you never know, Suzanne goes up there to look for Janey. The door closes, Suzanne tells everyone this ain't funny and steps in a bear trap. (No, I am not making this up!) She screams for help, the killer comes and out and...more blood splattering on the wall. Geez, another mess to clean up!
Cutting away from the suspense at the house, we meet up again Block and Shawlee, who have gone to a strip club to meet up with Candy. (Just to show how politically incorrect this film is--as if the murders, T&A and playing on our stereotypes of fat guys who wear flannet wasn't enough--we see two mean in Arab costume who comment on the hotness of the strippers throughout the scene in what sounds like a bad Apu from The Simpsons accent.) Somehow Candy knew something about the murders earlier--whether she was there before or not, I'm not sure and I'll be damned if I'm rewinding to find out. Shawlee sarcatically compliments Candy on her pole dance. But sarcasm is beyond Candy and she takes it as a real compliment. Candy says she doesnt't think crazy neighbor Orville had anything to do with it, so Block lets the case go. Oh that is so going to come back to bite him later on. Mulder and Scully these two are not!
Meanwhile, back at the house, the next three vicitms have gathered back together. They decide that Janey and Suzanne are having a good laugh and hiding in the basement, so they head down there to look for them. (Have I mentioned that at no point do they think about putting on more clothes to do this? Apparently the correct gear for this is skimpy lingerie. Someone alert Victoria's Secret!) They head to the basement, look around and don't see them..that is until Jessica feels something dripping on her--it's blood from Janey and Suzanne who are strung up from the rafters. Wait a minute--I don't remember the ceilings being this high, but wait..that's what I get for thinking again! They scream and run upstairs. Linda grabs knives out in the kitchen and says, "I think we'll feel a whole lot safer with these!" while Jessica and Kimberly discuss the strategy of getting the hell out of there. They decide to go and get help--maybe even the police. At last, someone is showing some sense! This doesn't last long as one of them says they shouldn't bother going upstairs to get their clothes.
Instead, they head out into the pouring rain and see Orville across the street, staring. Of course, I can't blame Orville really as the sight of three women in lingerie, running out on rainy night when it's obviously cold and their lingerie is sticking to them isn't something you see every day. Orville starts slowly stalking across the street. Now, instead of running for the car, the girls stand there going, "What are we going to do?!?" for a few minutes and then run back inside. They lock the door, build a fire and are sitting in a circle, each with a knife watching each other's back. As they discuss the situation Orville tries to get into the house. He pushes open the door, but the door chain stops him. Apparently, this is chain is made from die-cast steel and not the typical cheap metal they use for these things as it stops Orville from coming in. Seriously, a good shoulder into the door and that thing will pop right off! Anyway, they all discuss whether all the windows and doors are locked, Kimberly reveals she was too scared to go into the attic and make sure the windows up there were locked. Someone just tatoo the words "Next Victim" on her head and be done with it!
They go up to the attic and see the windows are locked. Kimberly gets freaked out and runs off. Jessica goes off to look for something, saying "I'll be right back." Apparently, she's not seen Scream, since we know this is definitely against the rules of horror movies. Kim runs downstairs and into the blank, vacant face of Orville. She screams, runs back upstairs, trips over some boxes and locks herself in the bathroom. Orville stalks up after her slowly. Seriously, there are people with walkers who could outrun this guy. Kim hides between the sink and toliet because crazy mad pyscho killers NEVER look there. Someone bangs on the door and then the center of the door starts to be buckle. It's like that scene from The Shining, only that had Jack Nicholson and the snow did a better job of acting. The door gives, we see a shadow come over Kimberly and she screams.
Now, you'd think that not being too far from the carnage and the screaming, Linda or Jessica might, oh, I don't know--hear something! I guess too many hours listening to the WalkMan have destroyed their hearing! Up in the attic, Orville comes up, sees Linda and stalks over toward her. Luckily, Linda has her knife and she stabs Orville repeatedly. And she strangles him some chain that is lying around, killing Orville. I guess we can all breath a sigh of relief that this nightmare is over. Roll the closing credits please. Oh but we're not that lucky.
Linda goes downstairs to find the bathroom Kim was in. Apparently the killer didn't have time to clean up this time and there's blood everywhere. Kim is in the tub, submerged. Linda pulls her up and Kim says, "Jessica!" Oh yeah, in all of this, Kim somehow lost her clothes. Orville appears again and Linda drowns him in the toliet as well as beating his head in with the toliet seat. I tell ya, some people just won't die! She staggers downstairs, sees the Ouija board and the phone rings. Wait a minute--I thought the phone didn't work, you say! About that, you'd be right. The person babble something about being home and Linda has no clue. She hangs up the phone and walks away from it. Now, I don't know about you, but I think I'd try to call the police at this point what with the phone apparently working and all. But, nope...none of that silly logic stuff for Linda. She's just supposed to look hot and scantily clad...well, at least she does one out of two. The basement door creeks and Linda goes down there. She calls out "Hello" a lot and suddenly, Jessica steps out from behind a large box, which I swear wasn't there two scenes before. She's looking pasty and has a hook. Oh yeah, and somehow she's found some loose fitting clothes to don. Dammit, she's covered up so she MUST be evil!
Suddenly it all comes together...when the girls used the Ouija board earlier, they called up the spirit of Hockstetter who has now possessed Jessica. And now he's gonna use her to kill everyone he can. Apparently, Hockstetter is pyscho becuase as well know from Joey on Friends, if a guy had boobs, he'd just sit there fascinated by them all day and never leave the house. Since he's obviously not thinking--cool, I have boobs, he must be crazy. Linda runs upstairs and tries to escape but that damn door chain completely confuses her. Jessica comes up, they fight, Linda loses her knife. Linda gets slashed by the hook and thrown into some boxes. Jess gets stabbed. Linda sits up, drags herself over to the knife and sees Jess is gone. Remembering that repeat of classic Star Trek she saw last week, Linda channels Willam Shatner and implores Jess to look within and find the humanity deep down inside. Jess must have missed that one and keeps on coming at her with the hook. Posssessed Jess states that Jessica is gone and moves in to kill Linda...
...when Orville appears. Apparently Orville has been to the Steven Segall school of taking a beating and keeping on going because he' s got a knife sticking out of him, he's been drown and strangled and yet..he's still kicking! Seriously, how thick is that flannel? Orville says he's had all this guilt for letting Clive kill everyone all those years ago and he won't do it again. He takes the knife out and stabs Jess/Hockstetter with it and is apparetly killed again. Linda gets her knife, runs forward and kills Jess/Hockstetter. The collapse on the ground and Jess's voice says, "Linda?"
Cut to daylight. A policeman enters along with Block. The moving man found the house like this and called the cops. Block is horrified--"Jeez, not again" he exclaims. Believe me, buddy, I feel your pain. A box is pushed back and we see Linda. She is now possessed by Hockstetter. Orville jumps up, grabs Block's hand which is holding a gun and pumps Linda full of lead. Linda dies and Orville is pumped full of six rounds from two shotguns. But wait..this man is a survivor and not dead. Block says he has a pulse and we see him giggling as the words "The End?" appear on screen. Closing credits and then we see a newscast saying that Orville has been let go from the hosptial and they can't bring charges against him. At long last, this 77-minute nightmare is over.
At least until they come up with the sequel...
posted by Michael at 8/17/2004 04:41:00 PM |
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Today's moment of happiness is getting to enjoy dinner out with my family--Mom, Dad, Susan, Brian, Gracelyn, Davis--at one of Smyrna's many great Mexican restuarants.
posted by Michael at 8/16/2004 08:53:00 PM |
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A couple of weeks ago, the first USA Today/Coaches Poll came out and now, we've got the first AP College Football Poll of the season. Big shocker here--USC and Oklahoma are in the top two spots with Georgia up there at third. Poor LSU can't get any love or respect after winning part of the national title last year and start the season at fourth. LSU fans, I feel your pain. Back in '99 after UT won our national title, we didn't get to start out at number one either. At least LSU could be two, if not one, to start the defense of their part of the national title.
The Vols come in at number 14, which seems about right. We've got a lot of work left to do to get ready for that big season opener on September 5.
posted by Michael at 8/16/2004 05:36:00 PM |
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Flipping around the coverage of the Olympics this weekend, I was reminded of that old episode of Happy Days where Fonzie fences against a rude Frenchman. (Was there ANYTHING that Fonzie couldn't do?!?) I'm not sure exactly what that says about me as a person, but I'm pretty sure it's not good.
In case you've forgotten what happens in the episode, here are some details from Happy Days On-Line.
140- The Duel (3/13/79) Fonzie fights a duel with a bigoted Frenchman. Marion is singing a French song 'Fara zaka (?)'. Marion and Joanie talk about the French fencing champion. He is touring the colleges and will be there for only two days. Richie brings Jacques Du Bois who meets Marion, Joanie, and Howard. Marion has prepared meat loaf and unscrews the cap off the wine (Chateau Swenson right there in Milwaukee). Jacques says he will skip dinner. Richie tells Ralph and Potsie how fed up he is with Jacques. Fonzie and Al talk about his girls. Richie introduces Jacques to Fonzie. Richie says they should be cordial to him. Fonzie says he once dated a fencing teacher. Jacques is putting on a demonstration at the UWM gymnasium. Kitty says yes to Ralph. At the gymnasium, Richie introduces Jacques and UWM's current conference champion and three consecutive titles: Georgie 'Thrust and Perry Smith'. The referee is the president of the UWM fencing society, Fred Brill. Jacques defeats Georgie in a few seconds. Jacques laughs in Richie's face. Richie calls him an obnoxious wimp. Jacques challenges Richie to a duel at 2PM. Jacques cancels the duel. Jacques is rude to Joanie, and Richie slaps him with the glove and the duel is on again. Fonzie asks Richie to see him in his office. Richie tells him Jacques insulted America and Joanie. Fonzie has a 'black belt' in fencing. Fonzie and Richie trade clothes. Richie is in the crowd in Fonzie's leather jacket and motorcycle helmet. Fonzie defeats Jacques in a pre-duel. Jacques and Fonzie show off their fencing skills with their swords. If Fonzie wins the duel, he gets Jacques' family emblem. If Jacques wins, he gets Paula Petrolunga. Jacques says 'Uncle Sam' and is defeated. They all leave for Arnold's to celebrate. Directed by: Jerry Paris
Written by: Fred Fox, Jr.
Guest stars: Patrick Gorman as Jacques Du Bois, Sarina Charne as Kitty Fox, and Cary Schuman as Fred Brill
posted by Michael at 8/16/2004 01:56:00 PM |
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Basketball: Isn't it a ironic that the U.S. Women's team is the one that hasn't been embarrassed yet in International Play? So far, the women's team has won each of their first two games meanwhile, the men's team--well, I think we all know what happened there. I just find it extremely ironic that all the detractors of the women's game--both college and WNBA--call it inferior. But yet, it's the women who are fundamentally sound, who know how to play the game and can make shots where as the men's team--well, they just looked pathetic out there. If we don't win--and let's face it, tomorrow's game against Greece is huge--there is a lot of blame to go around--from coaching, to the players there to the players who couldn't be bothered to go. Heaven forbid that an NBA player give up a few weeks of his summer in order to represent his country in the Olympic Games.
Beach Volleyball: Now this is why the Olympics is just great. Athletic, attractive women who run around in tight, form-fitting bikinis, playing volleyball. How can you NOT love that as a sporting event?!? But as much as I tuned in because of the concept of--cute girls in bikinis playing volleyball--I stayed around to watch Holly McPeak and Elaine Young's win on Saturday and Misty May and Kerri Walsh (pictured above) defeat Japan in yesterday's round. I also watched the opening round of the indoor volleyball with the U.S. Women's team losing to China. I have to admit, it was compelling viewing and you can't help but get caught up in pulling for the U.S. team to win.
Diving: I have to admit it, I'm always impressed by the skill of the divers when they do this . It's like poetry in motion. Now, I can go off a diving board and do a pretty decent dive, but it's nothing compared to what these talented people can do. For one, I am scared to death of doing any twists out there. Back in my younger days, I took a diving class and learned how to do all types of great stuff, including flips. Well, one of the last times I did a flip, I got about three quarters of the way through and something went wrong, and I did a huge old backflop and let me tell you...that sucker stung! So, I have been a big gun-shy ever since. Also, I find it amazing how close to the board the divers get. I guess all those years of my mother telling me to "Jump out from the board" have made me wary. Also, while in high school, I saw a guy try to do his own Olympic diving and hit his head on the board. Thankfully, he was rescued and there was no permanent damage, but it's still stuck with me as scary to this day.
But if they were to institute a competition for great cannonballs...I'd be right up there competiting for the gold. Also, the ability to create as large a splash as possible would be one I think I could medal in.
If you're interested, Dave Barry is over at the Olympics and sending in daily reports. I'm linking out his first couple here.
Ready, set . . . TIPIYOTKI!
Looking for ruins? Pick a Tipiyokti and start climbing
No naked athletes in modern times
Take the bus? Yeah, if only it were that easy
posted by Michael at 8/16/2004 12:19:00 PM |
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Diane Long has an article about yesterday's Mayor's First Day Festival that took place at the Gaylord Entertainment Center. It sounds like this whole thing has grown beyond the capacity of the GEC--well at least the concorses that are around the arena. Apparently, I'm not the only one who things so...
''There's too many people in too small a space,'' [[Teresa] Allen said as she left the GEC and headed for the park. ''It's a wonderful idea, but it's poorly executed. Why not open the floor of the arena, both upstairs and downstairs? Spread it out.'' I have to agree with Ms. Allen, but I wonder something--if they weren't giving away the 7000 free backpacks, how many people would have really turned up for this thing? I can tell you from being there, that there was a huge throng of people there to start with but around 3:30 or so, it had really cleared out. Basically once the backpacks were gone, so was a majority of the crowd. Which just proves that old adage--people love getting free stuff. It doesn't matter what it is, even.
And don't get me wrong--I think it's great that we're getting kids excited about going back to school. I'm sure that it's a great tool that helps get the year off on the right foot. But they need to think a bit more about the logistics of the event for next year or maybe consider opening the entire arena so that it's not a crushing throng of people.
But here's the part of the article that I found the most ironic: "It was [Nashville mayor Bill] Purcell's idea five years ago to celebrate the start of schools with a one-two punch." Yeah, I certainly was on the receiving end of several of those one-two punches inside the Scooby Doo outfit.
posted by Michael at 8/16/2004 08:37:00 AM |
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Tomorrow is a big day for a lot of kids in the Nashville area. The Metro Nashville schools open up tomorrow morning with many youngers facing their first day of school. In preparation for that, the city of Nashville hosted their annual Mayor's First Day Festival this afternoon down at the Gaylord Entertainment Center (or GEK (pronounced "Geck!") for short).
Now, I'm not sure exactly what the point of the First Day Festival really is. I guess it's supposed to get the kids excited about going back to school. More likely, it was about giving out 7500 backpacks to students and the other free giveaways from the vendors who showed up there. Also, you could find out about some of the school lunch programs, tour a school bus, find out which bus stop you should go to, etc. All kinds of useful things.
Now, some of you are probably asking--why were you there? You don't have any children and you aren't a teacher. So, why bother to go?
Well, I'll tell you. I went because a temp agency in town called me up Friday and asked me if I'd go and play Scooby Doo for the local ComCast office. I'd worked for ComCast before and even provided security for Dora the Explorer out at Cool Springs Mall a couple of months ago. Seeing the joy and excitement that the kids all had at seeing Dora was pretty heartwarming. It was also amazing how many of the older kids and adults all wanted a hug from Dora. So, I thought--it might be a good way to pass the afternoon and they're paying me for it. Not a princely sum, but reasonably enough to make it worth my time. And did I mention I thought I'd be bringing a bit of joy to some kids?
And I'll be honest--I did bring joy to a lot of kids. There was one young boy who was a burned and scarred all over his body whose face just lit up when he saw me and gave Scooby a hug. There were some very nice kids who asked where Shaggy was and wanted to give me a Scooby snack. The majority of these kids were great--just wanting a hug or a high-five or a handshake and then to go about their way.
But there was a minority that, quite frankly, ruined the entire afternoon for me. First of all, I understand that when you wear a costume to make you look like a giant cartoon character there are certain limitations. One is that it will be hotter than you-know-where and the second is that it will narrow your field of vision dramatically. I figured the second one would be OK since I'd have a guide there with me--to help me get around and keep the rowdy ones from getting too out of control. Boy howdy, was I ever wrong there!
Second of all, you have to understand that going into this, not every kid in the world is a good one. I expected quite a few attempts to get me to talk or for some kid to do something like pull on my paw to get it to come off, etc. But I honestly never expected the abuse I took at the hands of some of these kids. Where to start? They hit the nose of Scooby Doo, they walked up behind him and smacked him in the head, they tried to literally pull my arm off, they grabbed Scooby's dog tag and yanked HARD. And the ultimate insult of all--several of them walked up and punched me right in the stomach. And sure, it's padded for Scooby's gut, but that didn't help much. I took several shots to the stomach and was hurt by it. Meanwhile, my "handler" is off day-dreaming or checking out cute girls a few booths over, I don't know what. But after the second punch in the gut, I was almost ready to rip off the head, paws and beat some heads. But I didn't. For one thing, I was kind of shocked by it. Secondly, looking back, I wish I'd ripped off the head, said "Forget this, you aint' payin' me enough!" and walked out then. But I didn't. Again, hindsight is 20/20 and the punching really didn't occur until midway through the time for the Scooby Doo appearances.
I was not alone in the abuse I took. At the GEC, we costumed characters were allowed into the arena to de-costume and cool down a bit. So, we made friends quickly. I spoke to the guy who was inside the Metro Schools outfit for Regular Roger for a good amount of time. Honestly, my first thought was that Roger was getting plenty of bran, but it turns out Regular Roger is there to encourage the kids to have good attendance. He said he almost got kicked in the crotch on several occasions. I'm not sure if any of our other costumed friends took similiar abuse, but I hope not.
And the thing that gets me most--when the kids are up beating on Scooby Doo or punching him out, the parents do NOTHING! They just stand there and watch. Now, I'm not a parent and I have a lot of respect for those of you who are. And I know you can't control everything your kid does. But you'd think that maybe punching a cartoon character might register as something wrong and something about which you might, just might, want to punish the kid for. Or at least take him aside and explain how this is wrong. And how Scooby is about to go Matrix on his ass if he does that again.
But, apparently not.
I got home and reported my fun to the parental units. Mom said she saw on the news they gave away 7500 backpacks in 45 minutes. I am not at all shocked. You'd've thought it was a Predator's Stanely Cup game the way they were lined up when I got there an hour before the doors opened. Reports on the news said that it was mass chaos with the backpack giveaway. Yeah, I know...I was there in it. It's just utterly insane, I tell ya.
So, now, I'm home and I have to admit my stomach hurts from being punched. I fully intend to call both the temp agency and ComCast tomorrow and complain. I complained to my handler but he didn't seem to care much at the time. Also, it was hard to really get my complaint to register with the ComCast supervisor since she was one of several who had her purse stolen during the event. So, I will give them a call tomorrow and see what I can do. I doubt they'll do anything, but they should at least be aware that next time, I ain't walkin' into the combat zone alone. I'm takin' my good buddy, Hong Kong Fuey!
posted by Michael at 8/15/2004 07:41:00 PM |
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Today's little moment of happiness happened at church this morning. Gracelyn was coloring before the service and asked me if I'd color with her. I told her that I would and she reached in and handed me my color--which was orange. "This is your color," she said. "You like it."
It may be the pride of an uncle talking here, but that girl is just a genius.
posted by Michael at 8/15/2004 07:17:00 PM |
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In honor of Alien vs Predator taking the top spot at the box office this weekend, I had to link to this great story from yesterday's paper about Face-Offs We'd Like To See. Count me on board for the Kirk vs T.J. Hooker one!
posted by Michael at 8/15/2004 06:03:00 PM |
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Today's happiness is this...just having a nice, quiet day. I got some things accomplished around the house and was productive, but I was also not on a timeline or schedule to have to be any certain place at any certain time. A day like that every once in a while is a good thing.
posted by Michael at 8/14/2004 05:18:00 PM |
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I watched a bit of the opening cermony of the Olympics last evening. One thing I'll say--I would fail geography if I were in school now. I hadn't heard of some of the smaller countries out there, much less have any clue as to where they are on a map. I will admit the coverage was pretty good and it was nice to see that world can set aside all the political differences to welcome the athletes to the games.
This morning, I got up and saw that the U.S. Women's basketball team easily took care of New Zealand in the opening round play. Later today, we get swimming and the women's volleyball competition. I may have to tune in for some of those events.
posted by Michael at 8/14/2004 09:25:00 AM |
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The Titans begin their 2004 campaign tonight with a pre-season matchup with the Cleveland Browns. The Tennessean's David Climer has a great column this morning, answering those hard hitting questions about the NFL pre-season.
posted by Michael at 8/14/2004 09:16:00 AM |
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If you're interested in a front-row seat view of Hurricane Charley, check out Twisted Spinster. Blog updates with photos of the storm.
posted by Michael at 8/13/2004 10:01:00 PM |
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UNC criticized for cutting off Christian fraternity
The University of North Carolina's Alpha Iota Omega chapter lost it's official recognition as a fraternity earlier this year because they refused to sign an anti-discremination clause because it wanted to choose members who have similar religious beliefs.
This story took me aback a bit. First of all, don't all fraternities pretty much discreminate? Oh, sure they say they don't, but seriously, they pick and choose who they want. Same thing here--this is a Christian group and wants to choose Christian members to be part of the group. It'd be the same with a fraternity that chose members because they were Jewish, Muslim or Buddhist. Same thing.
Google: Now Playboy's Latest Bunny
As if there weren't enough media interest in the upcoming issue of Playboy this week, thanks to Terrell Owens' calling Jeff Garcia gay, along comes this latest story about the co-founders of Google and how comments they made might be a violation of the Securities Act of 1993. (Excerpts here. Don't worry, it's C-Net, not Playboy!) Why do I get the feeling that the guys who run Google have this "Open Mouth, Insert Foot" way of operating. I remember when they first talked about going IPO, they were going to auction of shares on E-Bay to see what a good opening price for the stock would be. Now, this latest thing. I know this is two guys who knew how to create a powerful search engine that has become one of the big names on the Internet and part of our culture. But surely they should hire some guys to help keep them from blunders like this.
Charley Reaches Landfall at Sanibel Island
If there is anyone in the wake of Charlie reading this, please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. That said--stop reading this and get to safety!!
posted by Michael at 8/13/2004 03:01:00 PM |
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Without A Trace--Shadows
As I was watching this superb episode last night, I kept asking myself, "How'd I miss this one the first time it aired?" The one-two guest-star punch of Martin Landau as Jack's father and Valerie Mahaffey as the favorite aunt of Martin who has vanished and is also dying of cancer. What could have been over the top weepy melodrama was, instead, an hour that was utterly compelling. Seeing Martin and Sam try desparately to find his favorite aunt and slowly uncovering her secrets--both that she was helping cancer patients end their suffering and that she is headed down that road herself--was a nice, taut and entertaining mystery. Then, couple that with Jack's struggles to help his father, who is diagnoses with Alzheimer's. It's easy to see why Anthony LaPalgia got an Emmy nod for his work as Jack all year, but I am scratching my head as to why Eric Close didn't get a nod as well and how this series could be overlooked as a Best Drama contender.
Stargate: SG1--Zero Hour
One huge nit-pick on the cute little ending of this one. Over the course of the hour, we see Jack wrestle with now being the commander for the Stargate project and all that means--from the day to day responsibilities to balancing his emotions when it comes to saving his friends with the overall security of Earth and the project. I get that. We also see Jack drafting a letter/memo to General Hammond throughout the episode, even going so far as to see Jack resigning his post because he can't fill the shoes. Then in the end, he prints out the resgination, types "Never mind" on the end and signs it. Now, I understand this is supposed to be funny, but it makes me wonder--why bother printing out the note to start with? Surely there's a way to express how hard it is to fill the role without resigning. Of course, I'm sure there will be some die-hard SG1 fan who tells me something like this is vintage O'Neil and just part of the character. If so, I get it--sort of. The whole idea of a seeing how the rigors of command affect Jack is nicely done--from the hard choice of how to save the team to the whole plant going out of control thing. It's an interesting and diverting hour, but not much more than that.
Stargate: SG1--Icon
In a page right of Star Trek: The Next Generation's classic episode, "First Contact" (not to be confused with the feature film), we get a few minutes where we see how another world would react to the opening of the Stargate and the teams coming through. And, for those few minutes, I think this episode was onto something. But then it all goes horribly wrong as a religious leader uses the team's coming to unify several religious factions, take over the country, start a war and trap Daniel Jackson on the world. Jackson wakes up and we find out pieces of it in flashback and then Jackson arranges to helpt he old leaders take back thier base and the Stargate so he can go home. All I can say is at least SGC doesn't have a Prime Directive or else Jackson would still be cooling his heels over there. Of course, along the way, we meet a bunc of one-dimensional, stock characters. Honestly, I've seen this whole wonder of meeting the aliens and/or having them help out done far better in the aforementioned TNG episode or more recently in the early goings of Farscape. Sorry, folks, but this one just didn't quite click with me.
Stargate: Atlantis--Suspicion
It seems a bit early in the series to be playing the paranoia card, pitting new allies against one another in a misunderstanding, but I will give them credit that it worked pretty well. I honestly figured the Wraith had somehow or other tagged Shepard during his interrogations with the first episode and that was why they found the teams so quickly on certain planets. Turns out it's the locket he gave Teyla on that very first mission that he activated by touching it. OK, I'll give them credit for that, though I called early that it couldn't be one side or the other betraying the entire group. And to see how the paranoia slowly spiralled out of control and led to the Ethosians setting up their own camp on the dry land was nicely done--and something that had to be done. We can't assume that this crew has an endless supply of food and they have to get supplies like that from somewhere. So far, all I can say is the story-telling on Atlantis has been far more assured and entertaining. I'm not sure if it's because I like the characters more or if the producers are all so busy getting this show running that they are neglecting SG1 as a result.
posted by Michael at 8/13/2004 02:52:00 PM |
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We've got a couple of new members of the world famous Rocky Top Brigage joining us this week!
A big welcome to Eric at Argus, Doug at Dropstones, Kate at Tennessee Talk, Cathy at Domestic Psychology, John at What Can Brown Do For You?, and Michael Silence of the Knoxville News Sentinel at No Silence Here.
posted by Michael at 8/13/2004 02:09:00 PM |
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The Onion's article about the A-Team finally being cleared of all the charges against them amused me no end. Especially the photo of Mr. T getting a medal of honor.
So, I'm gonna go with that as my moment of happiness for the day--the good laugh I got out of the article . Enjoy!
posted by Michael at 8/13/2004 01:52:00 PM |
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Week 13 - What's Old is New Again
Remakes - we see them more and more frequently. Taking an old movie and completely reshooting it with a new cast, new effects, new styles and even new genres can be a hit or miss proposition. This summer we've seen several remakes already, from The Stepword Wives (original and remake) to The Manchurian Candidate (original and remake), plus there's even an Alfie remake in production (original and remake).
1) What is your favorite remake of an older film? Did it actually improve on the original?
I'm not a huge fan of remakes, though I have to admit I did enjoy A Perfect Murder a few years ago which is a remake of Hitchcock's old Dial M For Murder. That said, the original Hitchcock film is better. Also, the master wasn't above remaking his old films--he did that with The Man Who Knew Too Much. I haven't seen the original version made in the 30's but I do like the Jimmy Stewart version. I think when it comes to remakes, the first question should be--why are we doing this? Another remake that I really enjoyed was the Thomas Crowne Affair a few years ago. That one was pretty good, but again, I've not see the original Steve McQueen movie it was based on so I can't really compare much there.
2) What remake was handled so poorly even if the original was not great it would've seemed Oscar-worthy?
What I still don't understand is why they bothered to redo a classic like Pyscho a few years ago. Sorry, but the original was pretty much perfect the way it is and I still scratch my head going--what the heck were they thinking?!? Especially since it was pretty much a shot-for-shot remake of the original film. It's on DVD and VHS, so why did we need a new version, I ask you?!?
3) Are there any classic films you feel would cause the fabric of space/time to rip apart were a remake made of it?
Gone With The Wind, The Searchers, North by Northwest, Casablanca, It's A Wonderful Life. Those are just a few that come to mind. They should NEVER EVER be remade.
BONUS) What film would you most like to see remade, and what would be your dream cast?
As a Buffy fan, I'd like to see the original film remade with the cast from the TV show and no one interfering with Joss Whedon's vision. (Oh wait, we had that for seven years!) I will admit I'm intrigued to see more of the Pink Panther remake with Steve Martin in the Peter Sellers role. But as for one film I'd like to see remade, I can't really think of one.
(Man those remakes are everywhere...)
posted by Michael at 8/12/2004 11:56:00 AM |
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I admit it. I love baby carrots. I have ever since I dieted three plus years ago and they were and are a staple of my diet. But I will admit it--I never really thought that much about where the baby carrots come from. I just sort of assumed they were carrots pulled up and packaged before reaching full vegetable maturity.
Well, that just shows you what you get for assuming. Cause, boy, was I ever wrong. USA Today has an article this morning about baby carrots that I found fascinating. It's great reading and it breaks down some of the myths about this popular veggie.
posted by Michael at 8/12/2004 09:13:00 AM |
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Today's happiness is a couple of things.
One is preparing for the absolute worst in a situation and then having things work out for the better.
Second of all, a couple of weeks ago, I applied for a job with the state of Tennessee. I went up and took a rather extensive and challenging test and scored OK on it--not great, but not terrible. It was more than enough to qualify for the job but I didn't ruin the curve. Well, I got home yesterday and got a letter from the state that not only was there an opening they wanted me to interview for but it would be closer to my current residence than I orginally thought. So, that made me really, really happy.
Thirdly, we had a great celebration of Mom's b'day last evening.
posted by Michael at 8/12/2004 09:10:00 AM |
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You know, if I didn't already have antipathy for Quincy Carter because he a)played for the Georgia Bulldogs and b)played for the Dallas Cowboys, I'd have a bunch at the news last week that he basically cut himself from the Cowboys roster. However, I was far too busy doing the "oh look, something bad happened to the Cowboys" dance to really notice. (My general dislike of the Cowboys runs deep, being a long-term, die-hard Washington Redskins fan). But I really have to give credit to USA Today's Jon Saraceno for this editoral from last Friday about the entire Quincy Carter situation and that of Ricky Williams. It makes for very interesting reading.
It seems like every summer, there's just one of those little movies that starts building up some buzz. I admit I gave into the whole Blair Witch Project hype--it was one of those films that lost a lot upon second viewing--and I probably saw 28 Days Later far too late for it to totally blow me away. (Really, apart from the fact that the new Doctor from Doctor Who was in it, it didn't make that huge of an impression on me. It was good, but not great.) This summer, that film that is building some buzz without having the blockbuster budget is Open Water. USA Today ran a couple of pieces about it last weekend. One was about how the film was pretty much a no-frills thriller but uses all live sharks for the shark sequences. Another one was about co-star Blanchard Ryan, who might be one of those stars to watch. (And I agree--she looks a LOT like Charlize Theron!) Finally, there was the three-star review of the movie. Meanwhile, Rotten Tomatos gives it a rating of 75%. I have to admit the film sounds intersting and like one that might be a good, scary rush. And the story is based on an actual incident...
posted by Michael at 8/11/2004 09:12:00 PM |
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Was it just the editing of this week's episode or did Colin suddenly just become annoying and overbearing? Maybe it's that we're at a point in the race where the newness of having cameras follow you every second of the day has worn off, as has the desire to be on one's best behavoir. Because just about everyone--including Charla--had a moment where they acted like a self-indulgent two-year-old in this week's leg of the race.
That said, I will give some credit to Marshall and Lance for fighting to the end and never giving up. Even with the pain Marshall's knees, he still did all the activities this week and amazingly enough, neither of them said anything that made you out and out cringe.
The same can not be said for Charla and Mirna--especially Mirna. If Mirna gets any more annoying, she will have to get up earlier in the morning to do it.
posted by Michael at 8/11/2004 11:11:00 AM |
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Today's reason for happiness--it's my mom's birthday!
posted by Michael at 8/11/2004 08:22:00 AM |
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Mr Burns' voice slams The Simpsons
Ya know, the last time a voice actor on The Simpsons complained, the character got killed off.....
Digitally painted Stooges DVD, out Tuesday, revives colourization debate
Just when you thought the debate over colorization had finally been put to rest....
Personally, I think if it was made in black and white, leave it that way.
posted by Michael at 8/10/2004 04:05:00 PM |
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A little over 40 years ago, my great-grandmother, Granny Hooker passed away. During her life, her family used to get together on occasion for reunions, though there was nothing official. My grandfather was in the U.S. Army and served in such far away places as Paraguay and Germany, so often times the reunions would be when he, my grandmother and my mother were home for a visit. However, when Granny passed away, the family was concnerned that the connection and tradition she had started would pass away as the years passed by.
In order to avoid this, the family agreed to gather together once a year, around the first full weekend in August for a family reunion. The first one took place 40 summers ago and this weekend, 76 members of my mom's side of the family gathered togehter for our annual two-days of fun, family and LOTS of food.
My mother's generation of the family
The reunion started out being held at Nina and Jeck's house out on a lake in Nashville. My father was in the Air Force and so we moved around a bit during his time, so we didn't make it back to all the reunions in my childhood. But I do remember going out to the lake for the reunion on a couple of occasions. It was the one day a year when your parents took the word "no" out of the vocabulary when it came to what you could eat and drink. Each year, there would be tubs full of ice with bottles full of cold sodas--everything from Cokes to Orange Soda to Dr Pepper and more. And on that day, you drink as many as you wanted. The bottles all had to be opened and there was a bottle opener on a tree in the yard that you used to pry open the caffeine and sugar goodness. I remember one summer, my generation was excited because Coke had a contest--if you could spell out some word using letters found under the bottlecaps, you'd win a prize. Needless to say, we drank even more than usual, pooling our resources, hoping we'd win the prize. We didn't win anything in the contest--well, except a caffeine rush, a sugar high and an upset stomach.
Of course, being a little kid, the one thing you couldn't wait for was to get to go swimming in the lake. I remember being excited for days about this--so much so that the drive to the house for the reunion was just too long. I don't think there was a bridge directly across the lake, so you had to go around. You would pass by miles of lake and then go over a small connector and then drive back for what seemed like forever. But once you got there, the water was so inviting you couldn't wait for lunch to be over so you could jump in. There was always this huge block of styrofoam tied to the dock that we'd all climb on and then jump off of. Sometimes we'd play our own version of King of the Hill on it. I never really remember getting to be the King of the Hill very often.
After the novelty of swimming in the lake wore off (OK, it never really did!), Nina would power up the boat and take the cousins out for rides on the lake. When you got old enough, you could try to water ski. However, by the time I got old enough to water ski, Nina was too old to take anyone out in the boat. But I remember those great boat rides, watching cousins ski behind me, thinking "Someday, someday."
But the biggest rite of passage wasn't the water skiing. It was about growing to be taller than Nina. That was when you were truely on your way to being a big kid. Nina was shorter than most people and so, by junior high school, most of us were as tall if not taller than Nina. Just to show how tradition continues, my cousin Jenny has now stepped into the role of being the marker by which a younger generation compares itself to see how tall they are.
My generation of the family
Those years out by the lake were great fun. Unfortunately, as with all things, Nina and Jeck passed away. But that didn't stop our family. The reunion moved about--from a couple of state parks to a cousins' house in Knoxville. But the tradition of gathering together on or about the first weekend in August has never ended. Now instead of the lake, the kids can't wait to run and jump in the pool. We still gather together to catch-up on life and just cut up. We play spoons, which is a great game, whose rules I can't remember right now, but I could if I had several other family members here to help me. Sometimes, we of the younger generation will do something "fun" on Saturday evening. A couple of years ago, Lynn, Ben, my sister and I went to see Jurassic Park at the drive-in out near Dickson, TN. Certainly it wasn't the perfect surround sound and comfy seats that you'd expect, but we had a good time. And let's face it--there's not really a better drive-in type of movie than Jurassic Park.
I know the reunion takes a massive amount of work to put together each year. And I'm grateful to those family members who do it each year, thanklessly. My favorite cousin, Pam remarked that someday soon our generation would have to take over the leadership role and start planning things. In quick resposne, Randy responded that wehn it came time for that, he voted we all have the reunion in Vegas. I have to say it's not a bad idea.
We even have mini-reunions during the year. If there's a weddding in the family, you can bet most of us will show up. And we always have a good time together. But, also, the family comes together in times of trial. During any family emergency or death, the family rallies behind the person grieiving or suffering and is a rock. I have to say that I am truly blessed to have the family I have. I am fortunate to be related to them, but I'd choose them as my friends any day of the week. And most of the family is as crazy about UT football as I am--though there are some rougues who like UK. I don't think we have any out in the open Florida or Alabama fans, but if we did we'd still love 'em. We'd pray for them and work on them, but we'd still love 'em.
In this crazy world, where things change more often than we'd like, my family is something I count on to always be the same--loving and supportive. I am truly blessed to be part of it and I am thankful to have been born into such a wonderful community.
posted by Michael at 8/10/2004 03:01:00 PM |
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Today's thing that makes me happy--friends and family who support you no matter what happens or what you do.
posted by Michael at 8/10/2004 01:53:00 PM |
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Today's Lola really expresses something a lot of us job seekers have felt at one time or another.
How many times have I felt like saying this in a job interview?!? (Hint: A LOT!)
posted by Michael at 8/10/2004 08:31:00 AM |
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OK, so maybe it was a meaningless pre-season game, but you have to admit that after three quarters of pretty bad football, the 2004 season debut of Monday Night Football gave us a dramatic and entertaining final quarter--espeically the last six of so minutes of the game. Seeing Denver tie the game with just under two minutes to go and then the Redskins drive down field for a dramatic, game-winning field goal was kind of nice. Of course, at that point, it was third-teamers taking on third-teamers, but it still was pretty exciting and it made watching the game to the end worth it all.
Because otherwise, it was a pretty all around sloppy affair. There were penalties galore--so many on one drive that the crowd cheered when a play finally got completed without a penalty of some sort. The Redskins' offense sputtered under the two potential starting QBs, the run game looked pretty much non-existent at times and the defense looked extremely porous. About the only real highlight of the game--besides the game-winning drive by third-string QB Matt Hasselback--was the play of our rookie safety, Sean Taylor. Two interceptions--one in the end zone to kill a drive and Denver's momentum and then a pick-off for a TD that put the Skins ahead 10-9.
Joe Gibb's return to the sidelines came at a huge price to the team--in the first quarter, our most experience offensive lineman, Jon Jansen went down. Reports are that he ruptured his Achilles' tendon and is done for the year. One of the Joe Gibbs strengths is a big o-line and the running game. Without Jansen there, a shuffle will have to be done and hopefully done in time for the season opener against Tampa Bay.
However, it was good to see some classic Joe Gibbs calls. One was the infamous counter trey being used again. We don't quite have it down to the perfection that was evident during the former Gibbs' time on the sidelines, but we've also got a month to work on it. Also, the philosophy of if you can't protect the QB, you don't call the pass route is good to see. After Ramsey and company got treated like rag dolls last year back there, it's good to see that the coaches won't call plays without giving the QB a chance of success. Not that I'm running to pick up any of these QBs in my fantasy league, mind you. At least, not yet.
posted by Michael at 8/10/2004 08:14:00 AM |
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Today's reason to be happy...Monday Night Football returns! And it's my Redskins starting the new Joe Gibbs era!
posted by Michael at 8/09/2004 04:18:00 PM |
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The 4400: White Light
In watching the final episode of The 4400, I was reminded of some of the "big" episodes of The X-Files. You had a lot of plot threads coming together, you had plot twists coming, you had characters put into situations and you had some answers, but even more questions. Basically, what it all boils down to is the aliens who took the humans aren't aliens, but instead people from the future. The future apparently ain't such a wonderful place and they've traced our time as the time when things started to unravel. So, they took the 4400 forward in time, gave each of them some type of ability and sent them back to the current day to cause a ripple effect, thus changing history. It's one of those premises you just have to kind of accept as part of the show and go with or else you run the risk of hurting your brain sitting around thinking about it. But the bigger questions of why certain people were chosen and why they were given the powers they were remain unanswered. One related to that is--how did the future humans know that certain people would react in certain ways? Did Orson Bailey really have a choice in taking his actions? Did the serial killer Knox? And what would happen if one of the 4400 said, "Forget this, I ain't helping out" and went to watch TV instead. (For example, if Carl Morrisey didn't go Batman and help clean up the park.) Would this affect the future or derail the plan or is it far more general than that--as in, if Carl doesn't do it, then someone else would do it in his stead?
And to wander into Enterprise Temporal Cold War territory, is Collier working for the other side who wants to see the future come to pass? Hence, his overwhelming interest in Lilly's baby. Somehow, the baby is the key--is it some kind of John Conner-like kid--one who can lead the resistance or create a better future?
So many questions, so few answers. But then again, I wasn't expecting the answers to be fully put out there. Also, as much as I enjoyed the finale hour of the show, I felt like the final scene with Richard and Lilli was tacked on later, after they figured out--hey, we're a huge success and are probably going to come back.
But I have to admit, this series entertained me a great deal. It was compelling and well told. I really loved getting to see Mark Valley as Lytell. He made for a great villain. I hope than when the series does return we see more of that character.
The Dead Zone: Cycle of Violence
I have to be honest here--based on the previews for this one, (Johnny tries to put a stop to school violence) I wasn't expected very much from it. But, I have to admit, this one actually did come as a pleasant surprise for being as well-told as it was. I figured out early on the band teacher would be the victim of the shootings (simply because why bring him up if he's not going to affect the plot?) but I didn't figure out why he'd be the target. Also, the episode's point of how far is too far for security to go was intersetingly done. Certainly, it makes me think. Back in the days when I was in high school, we had a class called guidance that was, quite frankly, to help you get in touch with your feelings. Most of us found it lame. In English, we were required to create a character with an alletrative name, so a buddy and I came up with Possessed Pat, who hated all guidance counselors and tormented them. It was mostly harmless fun and we all laughed it off, but I think that if we'd created such a charcter today and turned in a paper about him, we'd be hauled off for making terrorist threats. So, I can see Johnny's point here with the Robert Iler character and how he's misunderstood--he's a good student, but he's releasing some frustrations. Nothing wrong with that, really. Maybe he needed to choose a better way, but hey, don't we all sometimes? (I also found it interesting to see that he had his own blog!)
The entire episode had me until the final moments, which seemed a bit heavy-handed. There were just too many loopholes in the plot for the Robert Iler character to be shot and end on that disturbing note for the viewers. Johnny should have, at the least, had the principal have security escort him to the office or tell them he's coming in to talk to the principal about things. Otherwise it just smells like a set up, which it was.
posted by Michael at 8/09/2004 10:47:00 AM |
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Without a doubt, one of the weirdest trailers I've ever seen...
The new Original Star Trek DVD sets trailer
Allllllllllllrighty then.
posted by Michael at 8/09/2004 09:29:00 AM |
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There were sooooo many things that brought a smile to my face and made me happy on Friday and Saturday, that I'll just list a few of them here.
--Getting to see my "favorite" cousin Pam again.
--Pam and I corrupting a new generation of family. We have a cousin named John who loves Monty Python and the Holy Grail, but hasn't read any of the Hitchhiker's Books. We told him to run to a library as soon as he got home and check them out. Or we may go in and buy him the complete set for his next birthday.
--Getting to see family and catch-up with them.
--That Chad and Jada have seen the "light of Buffy-goodness" and crossed over.
--Playing in the pool with Davis and Gracelyn. Davis loved the pool and was content to float in his little floatation ring and "splash" the water for hours on end.
--The sheer energy of the younger children and how they try to get us older people to join in the fun and games, sometimes to our own injury.
--So many family members coming up and offering kind words, support, hugs, smiles and love.
--The food...dear heavens, I may have gained five pounds but it was sooooooo good!
Those are just a few of the random things from the reunion.
And now, for today's reasons to be happy.
--Getting to see my old church family. Catching up a bit with my buddies from the prayer breakfast.
--The new eductational wing of the church looks fantastic.
--Seeing B, L, BB, GG and having lunch with them and the Beaver family--Les, Ann, Benjamin and Ainsley.
--Choir at church did Lord of the Dance, one of my favorite songs they do.
So, it's more than one reason, but I'm hoarding them up for now.
posted by Michael at 8/08/2004 06:45:00 PM |
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As I said last night, today's moment of happiness is that I'm about to hit the road for my old stomping grounds of Knoxville for my family reunion and some catch-up time with good friends.
So, y'all be good and I'll see you next week.
posted by Michael at 8/06/2004 09:04:00 AM |
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Well, I'm going to have to post this early for Friday, but here's what makes me happy for Friday. I will be headed over toward my old stomping ground of Knoxville for my family reunion. I'm excited to see my cousins again and to catch up with family members. I'll also be stopping by to visit and catch up with The Inn of the Last Home.
But I'll be back early next week with a full report. You have been duely warned.
posted by Michael at 8/05/2004 09:14:00 PM |
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Ah, the wonders of FHM. It just must be karma because looking at their latest cover, it combines elements of two recent posts I've made: The first was about things that make me happy and the second was aboutthe extra-curricular activities at the Olympics.
In one of those interesting twists of fate, Jenny Adams didn't qualify for the summer games in Athens, but is included on the cover and in the article.
If you're interested in a sneak preview of the photos that will be inside this month's issue, check 'em out here: Amy Acuff, Amy Acuff (again!), Logan Tom,more Logan Tom, Amanda Beard here and here, another of Jenny Adams, and Haley Cope here and here
Not to be outdone, Stuff Magazine features some of the hot female Olympians in this month's issue as well. Their choices include: Amber Stachowski, Misty May (the hot volleyball player from the Super Bowl commerical about playing volleyball in the Artic!), Jackie Frank, Kaitlin Sandeno, Amanda Freed, Lindsey Binko, Jessica Mendoza and Thalia Munro.
posted by Michael at 8/05/2004 01:16:00 PM |
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Looking for a good chuckle? Here's some things I found that amused me.
NoCertainty's report about trouble at JFK
The Simple Guide to A List Bloggers
posted by Michael at 8/05/2004 12:48:00 PM |
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On a return journey to Atlantis, one of the Puddle Jumpers becomes trapped within the Stargate and the crew has 38 minutes to fix the problem or have the shuttle ripped in half when the gate closes. Just to ratchet up the tension a bit, Sheppard has been attacked by some big bug that has attached itself to his neck and is sucking the life out of him.
What is, in essense, a ship-in-a-bottle type episode--designed to use only pre-existing sets and a minimal guest cast--"Thirty-Eight Minutes" actually turns out to be a pretty darn good episode. The continued look at the conflict between the "our" culture and that of the Elassians is fascinating--particularily when Weir refuses to allow them to start helping Teyal prepare for death, simply because she refuses to face the possibility of defeat and the crew dying. We also see a bit more of Weir's command style, especially when she dresses down one of her chief scientists and is later taken to task by him. Not since Spock has someone made the life of an eyebrow so compelling and say so much.
In a lot of ways this one reminded me a lot of classic Trek's "The Galileo Seven." We had some nice interplay among the characters and you really are starting to get a feel for who is who and what's what over in the wacky world that is Atlantis. And, I'll give writer Brad Wright some credit here--the story had me interested and wondering where it would go for the entire episode. Also, the bug was a bit of a red herring--I assumed, at first, that it was the reason the craft wouldn't go through the Stargate--almost as if the Stargate would reject it going through for some reason. Glad they didn't go with that and instead gave us a far more entertaining episode. Every choice made along the way worked and flowed out of the character and the story. It's compelling to watch as each choice leads to the next and the characters are slowly painted into a corner.
But, of course, any show with a male and female lead can't have a potential life and death situation without the page right out of "Who's The Boss?" As Shepard is about to die, he has to tell Weir something, but later upon making it, he makes up some silly crap that is pretty transparent. Ah, sexual tension, how we love to exploit thee.
posted by Michael at 8/05/2004 12:45:00 PM |
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Didn't I see that on TV?
Starsky & Hutch is the top selling DVD this week. With that in mind, this week the topic is TV shows that have been turned into movies.
Yet another sign that the apocolypse is very, very near!
1) What movie based on a television show is your favorite?
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Also, I love The Fugitive.
2) Your least favorite?
Charlie's Angels 2. Ugh, what a disaster!
3) What television show would you like to see turned into a movie?
If you could get the original cast back together, it might be fun to have a Sledge Hammer movie on the big screen.
Bonus) Should the actors that portray these characters on TV also be used in the movie? Or would you like to see different actors?
It depends, really. Harrison Ford was great in The Fugitive but there have been some actors who just don't hold a candle to the person who originally played the role. Or they try to play it like them playing the original actor, playing the role. I'm not saying you should reinvent the wheel, but at least try--and yes, I'm talking about you, Jim Varney in the Beverly Hillbillies.
posted by Michael at 8/05/2004 11:42:00 AM |
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Today's thing that makes me happy is this news item, related to the new series of Doctor Who.
Daleks Set to Return to New Series
It's great news to know that Dr. Who's greatest villains will be back for the new series. And it's also great news that the estate of Terry Nation saw the light (aka the Beeb found the right monetary figure) to allow the metal monsters to be used.
posted by Michael at 8/05/2004 09:21:00 AM |
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My respect for Charla grows every time I watch this show. She has the biggest obstacle of all to overcome in this race--namely Mirna. Seriously--what the hell has Mirna actually done that's productive for their team? Every time there's some time of physical test, Mirna has some excuse for not doing it. Case in point--last night's episode where Mirna was claustrophobic about going down into the pit to get the satchel. Never mind that you're going to be the biggest asset to the team by doing this. But every time Mirna comes up with her excuse, Charla shoves her aside, says "let me do it" and then kicks ass. And she doesn't complain very much about it all...at least not that we see on-screen. And you've got to love Charla's attitude--nothing is a defeat. We've only got three minutes to get to the camels and horses challenge--well, let's try and make it happen. And she does. And then, she has such an infectious enthusiasm for everything--she just gets it. She understands that, yes, this is a race and she wants to win. But she also takes time to step back and enjoy what is around her. Last night, she was just in absolute awe and wonder of the pyrmamids. It wasn't just another obstacle, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and Charla seizes it. I tell you, I am liking her more and more. If it were not for useless Mirna, I might say I'm pulling for her to win the race. Hell, if she could ditch Mirna and hook up with Chip and Kim, I think you'd have a great team.
Meanwhile, the on-going saga of the twins vs the bowling moms continues. I'm not quite sure what brought out the negative feelings between these two--other than being the last two finishers to stay in the race the past two weeks. Interesting to see this little twist to the game--yeah, you're still in it, but you have no money. (Of course, I have to say that after the bowling moms screwed Jim and Marsha with the money switch scheme a few weeks ago that this little twist couldn't happen to two more deserving people--well, unless it was Marshall and Lance). Also, let's face it--all the teams have a huge disadvantage going into the next leg--Colin and Christie have at least a twelve hour lead on them. And Marshall and Lance--I honestly don't see how much longer Marshall and his weak knee are going to hold up. You know, Survivor claims to be a bit of reality and to some extent it is--but that's become much more of a game. With the Amazing Race, we see people tested and how they truely react under stress and high pressure. Some bicker,(Colin and Christie) some bitch (Mirna, Lance and Marshall), some just take what comes and overcome it (Chip and Kim) and then, ther are some who just embrace it all, overcome it and still take time to appreciate it all (Charla). And it all makes for fascinating viewing.
posted by Michael at 8/04/2004 01:21:00 PM |
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Today's thing that makes me happy...
Attractive women in bathing suits/bikinis enjoying the warm weather, sunbathing by the pool.
posted by Michael at 8/04/2004 09:31:00 AM |
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Add Your Blog!
This posting is a community experiment that tests how a meme, represented by this blog posting, spreads across blogspace, physical space and time. It will help to show how ideas travel across blogs in space and time and how blogs are connected. It may also help to show which blogs (and aggregation sites) are most influential in the propagation of memes. The dataset from this experiment will be public, and can be located via Google (or Technorati) by doing a search for the GUID for this meme (below).
Please join the test by adding your blog (see instructions, below) and inviting your friends to participate -- the more the better. The data from this test will be public and open; others may use it to visualize and study the connectedness of blogspace and the propagation of memes across blogs.
The GUID for this experiment is:
as098398298250swg9e98929872525389t9987898tq98
wteqtgaq62010920352598gawst
The above GUID enables anyone to easily search Google or other search engines for all blogs that participate in this experiment, once they have indexed the sites that participate, which may take several days or weeks. To locate the full data set, just search for any sites that contain this GUID.
Anyone is free to analyze the data of this experiment. Please publicize your analysis of the data, and/or any comments by adding comments onto the original post (see URL above). (Note: it would be interesting to see a geographic map or a temporal animation, as well as a social network map of the propagation of this meme.)
INSTRUCTIONS
To add your blog to this experiment, copy this entire posting to your blog, and then answer the questions below, substituting your own information, below, where appropriate. Other than answering the questions below, please do not alter the information, layout or format of this post in order to preserve the integrity of the data in this experiment (this will make it easier for searchers and automated bots to find and analyze the results later).
REQUIRED FIELDS (Note: Replace the answers below with your own answers)
(1) I found this experiment at URL: Inn of the Last Home
(2) I found it via "Newsreader Software" or "Browsing the Web" or "Searching the Web" or "An E-Mail Message": Browsing the Web
(3) I posted this experiment at URL: www.bigorangemichael.blogspot.com
(4) I posted this on date (day/month/year): 04/08/04
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(6) My posting location is (city, state, country): Smyrna, TN, USA
OPTIONAL SURVEY FIELDS:
(7) My blog is hosted by: Blogger
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(9) My gender is: Male
(10) My occupation is: Looking for permanent employment.
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(12) I use the following software to post to my blog: Blogger
(13) I have been blogging since (day, month, year): 04/04 (well, at this blog. I've had others since 2000 or so).
(14) My web browser is: IE 6.0
(15) My operating system is: Windows XP
posted by Michael at 8/04/2004 09:26:00 AM |
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As September approaches, details of the fourth season premiere of Enterprise are slowly leaking out. Official Storm Front Details Released over at TrekToday details some of what's coming--including writer and guest cast. Thankfully, new show runner Manny Cotto is writing the first episode and not leaving Berman and Bragato clean up the mess they left the end of last season with. (Sorry, but it just goes to show how one stupid blunder can taint good will garnered by an entire season!).
Meanwhile, some details about the new Farscape mini-series< are hitting the Net over at Ain't It Cool News. I want to see the longer trailer! Man, this should be great! Have I cursed SciFi yet in the blog for cancelling Farscape? If not--CURSE YOU SCI-FI!
You may now leave your mocking in the comments section...
posted by Michael at 8/03/2004 01:55:00 PM |
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The first three epiosdes of the series were all about putting a name and a face of the 4400. We got to follow the stories of four returnees (really three separate plotlines since Richard and Lilly hook up) and one kind of returnee of the week type of plot. I think the overall goal of this was to make us sensitive to their plight--something that also takes place in the show this week with the 4400 being attacked with bombs left and right. This week, we only get one unfamiliar face and she ain't long for this world when her van blows up (which the only way to make it more obvious that she was not long for this world would have been to put her in a red shirt!). Instead, we get to see a bit more of the ripple effect that was discussed last week. But the unanswered question is still--what is the purpose of the ripples?
The thing is, The 4400 has done a great job of making me actually care about the plight of all these characters. I really don't want to see something bad happen to Richard and Lilly, I don't want to see Maia taken from Diana, you can almost feel the pain with Tom at getting Kyle back only it might not really be him and you can almost hate Mark Valley's character for being such a bastard to Tom and Diana. About the only plotline that leaves me scratching my head is the whole Sean and Nikki thing and that's only because it's way too cliched and paint by numbers for my liking. They foreshadowed this from episode one with the whole Sean comment--oh Nikki is cute, but she's too young. Suddenly he's gone for three years, she grows up and boom-chica-wow-wow! (Ya know, it almost makes you wonder if she really cared about the brother since one day after breaking up with him she's knocking boots with Sean down by the pond).
But the best scenes belonged to Ryland, who makes good on his threats to Barbara Yates when she refuses to call off the dogs. Wow! The move of opening her closet, finding that skelton and turning it over to the police--it was one of those great moments in the show. It almost had me wondering if Ryland was somehow distantly related to the Cigarette Smoking Man, the way he was able to pull the strings to quickly and get the results he wanted. And Ryland's indignation with Mark Valley's character (who it's great to see him after FOX woefully underrated the brilliance of Keen Eddie last year!) also was nicely done.
All of this sets events in motion for next week's finale. In a lot of ways, it's good that this series was limited to six hours (five total episodes) and that the creators hopefully had an idea of where it could end when they started. I know that next Sunday evening, I'll be tuning in to have the questions answered. I have a feeling it's either going to be totally brilliant or an utter disappointment. Based on the pedigree of the writing staff--three former DS9 writers on it--I am hopeful that it will fall into the category of brilliant. And who knows--they might just leave the door open for a continuation...
For those of you who missed any of the show, USA is repeating the entire series starting at 4 p.m. EST on Sunday. Set those VCRs or Tivo now!
posted by Michael at 8/03/2004 01:40:00 PM |
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Got a letter yesterday from a state representative, thanking me for registering to vote in Rutherford County. Makes me happy that a)it appears my voter registration went through without a hitch so I can vote later this week (county elections for things like school board, road supervisor, property accessor) and b)that I live in a country where we have the right to vote.
posted by Michael at 8/03/2004 11:09:00 AM |
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Today's little moment of happiness. Over the weekend, my dad bought my mom a new treadmill (a Nordic Track, no less!) to help her get back on the exercise bandwagon. She's diabetic and the doctor keeps threatening to make her start taking insulin injections. So, they got the treadmill. Brian, my brother-in-law, and I hauled the treadmill in and Dad and I assembled it yesterday afternoon. Mom used it this morning before going to work and it dropped her blood sugar a lot. So, that's my happy moment for today.
posted by Michael at 8/02/2004 03:28:00 PM |
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For Gibbs, They're More Than Passable (Free registration required to read).
It's a great day if you're a Redskins fans. Joe Gibbs is back, he's coaching the team and maybe, just maybe, owner Daniel Snyder has learned to butt out and let the master do his job. Do I see a Super Bowl this year? Probably not. In the future--well, I think it's a good possibility. I have been eccstatic about the return of Joe Gibbs since it hit the wires all those months ago. I can't wait to see that third Monday Night Football game of the year with the Redskins vs the Cowboys. Parcells vs Gibbs--it's like the good ol' days when the NFC East was THE conference in football. (It could be on the way to being that again!) As for the QB controversy--under Spurrier, this was something to worry about. Under Gibbs, not as much. He's done more with less than we've got now. So, let's just keep our fingers crossed and see where this whole thing goes. Needless to say, I'm excited that the first MNF pre-season game is Skins vs Bronocs next Monday night. You can bet I'll be tuning in.
Is it football season yet?!?
posted by Michael at 8/02/2004 11:52:00 AM |
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Had there been someone around nine years ago who could have told Sarah that Johnny would eventually wake up and return to the land of the living, would she have waited for him? That question has hung over the Dead Zone since the very first epiosde and while the producers have given us tidbits of how the decision might have gone, we've never really had a definitive answer--that is until now. Finally, we get the answer to the question in an epiosde all about characters and where they've been and, more importantly, where they're going. Certainly, Johnny has had the chance to move on past Sarah several times the past few years (Dana, anyone? Sorely missed and not just cause Kristen Dalton is great eye-candy!), but has he taken advantage of it? As Bruce points out early in the episode--if he was as over Sarah as he claims, why won't he call Rebecca? (Gotta love Bruce!)
For an episode that started off as lightly as it did--it really could have gone down as wacky fun with Johnny trying to get vision of Bruce's future bride and the reason he might object to the ceremony--this one took a sharp left turn after the first act and really dug into some core issues. It was intereting to see the debates between all three sides of the Johnny/Walt/Sarah triangle weigh on what Johnny should do and should he tell the bride that her original boyfriend who was presumed dead is now alive? Also, seeing Johnny's visions of how things turned out each time he did or didn't decide to tell her worked nicely. In the light of last week's episodes where we get the impression that Johnny only gets to see the negative side of things, it's good to see that maybe affect his actions here. I have to admit, I loved Walt's point--I wish someone had told me.
It's also interesting that, in the end, the bride is presented with all her choice and feels so overwhelmed by them that she asks Johnny to tell her what to do. To touch her and see how it all comes out. Unfortunately, as is stated at times, Johnny's visions are only one possible outcome and can be affected by many decisions and emotions. So, seeing Johnny refuse to look into her future anymore and say who she should or should not marry was nicely done. And seeing how things all worked out--she still ends up marrying the guy she was marrying but is given away by her old boyfriend, was a nice coda. Certainly, of all the outcomes we saw for the future, this was the best one. It also makes you wonder--would Johnny have stepped aside for Walt in a similiar situation? (My thought--not so much.)
So, the question now is--have we finally put some closure on the Johnny/Walt/Sarah thing? It seems as if season three has been about putting some closure to that, but you never know where things might go from here. It may come back to haunt them in a new and unique way as the season finale draws near. And since I'm staying away from the Internet version of Johnny's visions--aka SPOILERS--I can't say one way or the other.
posted by Michael at 8/02/2004 11:26:00 AM |
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Dana over at the Pretty Purple Princess has issued a challenge to all of us bloggers out there--for the month of August, record one thing each day that made you happy that day. So, I'm going to give this one a try.
Tip of the hat to Always Victoria for making me aware of this.
Today's thing that made me happy: Saturday, we went out garage saling and found a new book of nursey rhymes for Gracelyn and Davis. We took it over to her house today and she immediately had me read it to her. Humpty Dumpty is on the front of the book, so I was trying to teach her the rhyme. As we're sitting there, Davis pulls up on the couch and Gracelyn wants to put him in between us so he can read too. We pull him up, sit him down and she starts to repeat Humpty Dumpty to him as he listens and giggles. Truely a priceless moment.
posted by Michael at 8/01/2004 09:00:00 PM |
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