| 1/31/2006 |
WALK THIS WAY
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I weigh 213 pounds. Get it? Walk This (Weigh). Feh...
I'm 31 years old. This is the most I've ever weighed. I can run, but I notice that I get winded fast than I used to. I sometimes get a pain right under my rib cage that I claim is my belly separating from rib cage. Would I say I'm fat? No. Would I say I'm overweight? Yes. I have been for years. My ideal weight was once calculated at 175 and I was 175 once I looked skeleton thin.
I'd be happy with weighing 213 if it was evenly distributed or muscle instead of fat. Alas, this is not the case... I have tree trunk thighs from biking and fencing. But the most of what I'd like to lose is all hanging in front of me.
You may notice of a little number on the sidebar to the right. It will be my weight tracker. I'll try and update it every couple of weeks.
Will I lie to you about my weight loss? Probably.
Will I do it out of malice? Absolutely not.
Will I own up to it when I do lie about my weight loss? Of course.
I just wanted to put that out there for you to be aware of.
So I decided to start eating healthier. I've giving it a fair shake. I'm not super optimistic, but we'll see how it goes. I'm taking a very moderate approach to this diet. Everything in moderation. I love breads and cheese. Melty cheese on warm bread. Mmm... Thick bready coatings on food smothered in cheese. I'll take two! While I don't plan to give them up completely I at least want to cut back on how often and/or how much I partake. The same goes for a lot of the things that would be taboo in most diets. I've not had a cookie since around Christmas time. Does that mean I won't ever have one? Of course not. But I'm not going to lock myself in the bathroom with a crate of Oreo's and a tub of milk either.
Moderation.
Last night it began. The first in a series of healthier meals, which included baked salmon topped with tomatoes, mushrooms, and baby spinach. It turned out pretty good. I like salmon, so it wasn't a huge shock to my system to eat something that wasn't deep fried.
While shopping the trend is hopefully to be towards lighter or healthier options of foods. Multi-grain pastas. Light version of some regular items. Diet soda. In case anyone cares... Diet Dr Pepper really does taste more like regular Dr Pepper.
I'll keep you informed on any progress! |
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I posted this @ 1/31/2006 12:13:00 PM.............Need a link?..........
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| 1/30/2006 |
BYE BYE MISS AMERICAN PIE
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On September 11th, 2001 an act of terrorism ended the lives of thousands of people. Four planes had been hijacked, all over them crashing taking the lives of many with it.
It is an event that people will remember in the way we hear our parents talk about "where they were" when Kennedy was shot or the Challenger exploded. September 11th is a marker in time for all to remember. Yet, how often we remember or want to remember depends upon how you feel about what happened.
Clear out here in the Midwest, far removed from the big city life of New York it is easy to go for long periods of time without thinking of the World Trade Center. There are not the visual reminders (or lack of something as a reminder) as there might be when you live in the place it happened.
The Discovery Channel seems almost infatuated with 9/11. This past weekend I noticed a dozen commercials for programs talking about the fall of the WTC. There is also a re-enactment of the events surrounding Flight 93 that crashed in Pennsylvania.
I'm not sure whether to call it a movie or a documentary. I've not seen it. I'm not sure I can bring myself to watch it. Considering the details of what happened will never be known for sure the details of what happened on the flight. From what I've read, the program mainly shows a lot of phone calls being made and received.
I think the emotions of it would just be too much.
In talking with Mike about 9/11 and the Flight 93 movie (I'm just gonna call it a movie) he mentioned that it is important that we don't forget what happened. I fully agree. There is always talk about it being 'too soon' to tackle sensitive subjects. I'm not sure that there will ever been a time where the subject of 9/11 can be handled without it being a sensitive subject for most people.
While I have no problem with there being memorials and rememberences on Septemper 11th, I'm not what the occasion is for there to be such a rush of 9/11 related programs now. Maybe it's just the cable channels I watch that I've seen a lot of them.
Do you think movies should be made? Would you watch them? Why or why not? |
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I posted this @ 1/30/2006 10:57:00 AM.............Need a link?..........
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| 1/25/2006 |
SWEET SURRENDER
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 Serenity C+... I'm sure I am not in the majority when it comes to people who loved this movie. Netflix had it 'pre-rated' as 4.5/5 Stars. I'm not sure I see it. This really isn't a glowing way to start off what is actually a positive review. I know... Then again I know why I didn't wet myself when I heard they were making a movie based on the TV show Firefly. I never watched the show. Not once... Well I take that back. I think I watched maybe a half-hour of it. Then again, it was just on as background noise and I really wasn't paying attention. I know those people who were (and still are) huge Firefly fans. I wanted to be, but I just couldn't do it.
So the movie itself... You can watch this movie without watching the series and you'll know what's going on. I would say I'm proof of that. I would also offer up myself as proof that you'll be missing out on a ton of backstory that will make you understand these characters motivations.
I can't really say much about the casting of this movie because these are characters from the show. So they pretty much had to go with these actors. That's fine. I liked Wash in a dorkily cute O'Malley sorta way.
If I'd watched the show, I'm sure there was a huge build up to why Mal's girlfriend left him and why she was such sight for sore eyes when she returned in the film. All the characters had this dysfunctional family feel to them. Not in the same way that I'd say the crew of Star Trek Voyager did. You could tell they'd seen a lot of bad shit in their day and there was a lot that they had to be thankful for.
The special effects were good, but I can't remember being really wowwed by anything that was shown. The story was good. I don't know if the existence of River Tam and other like her was built up in the series either. See... all these 'questions' that you could get by not knowing and still watch the movie, but it'll still make you wonder.
I won't give away the ending, but I will say that it seemed abrupt. It seemed like all the suspense they created about who might live and die was just magically resolved. Because let me tell you... there are some seriously injured people. And if you love any of them you will be seriously wondering who will make it out alive.
If you loved the series, then hopefully you watched it on the big screen. I'm sure you appreciated it. If not... then you were fine to wait till it came out on DVD. It's a good rental, but probably only serious fans want to own it. |
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I posted this @ 1/25/2006 01:42:00 PM.............Need a link?..........
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| 1/23/2006 |
MRS. RITA
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I've written a couple posts about music and the people or situations they remind me of, even to this day. This one may be a little different because it is about someone who frequents this blog, let alone frequents my life as my best friend. So first of all I would like to publicly apologize if any of this is too awkward for you to read, Mike. I'm sorry. You know it's heartfelt and sincere.
AND NOW!!! On to the bashing!!!
Ok... Fine... No bashing. My earliest recollections of Mike are from the 3rd grade. Our grade school teachers usually sat us in alphabetical order so he and I were always with arms reach of each other. While I have no proof he actually did this, my memory calls up an image of him playing with glue on his hand.
In turn his earliest memory of me is being told off by me in 6th grade. I had a pair of foamy ear plugs. Mike saw them and asked... "What're those?" To which I snidely responded, "Ear plugs for when I don't want to hear someone. Like now..." Then I plunged a pieces of yellow foam into each ear.
What a rude little shit I was. While I don't recall saying that. I know I had yellow ear plugs that I'd got from some other classmate. I don't know why I had ear plugs in the first place. I should be hearing everything the teacher was telling me.
In junior high we became fast friends bonding over a love of video games. We would spend our weekends wearing our thumbs to the nub playing any number of early Nintendo games.
Beyond any of these situations, any time I hear a Gin Blossoms song I think of Mike. He was, what I would consider, a huge fan of their songs. While Mike may have a different favorite, Mrs. Rita stands out as the one in particular that screams "Mike" when I hear it.
Gin Blossoms were big right around the time of my high school graduation. Mike and I would drive to Lincoln on the weekends to buy comic books at Cosmic Comics. It was one of the few places that we knew of and knew how to get to. My Grandmother is the over protective type and I think we must've made trips to Lincoln for almost a year before I told her where I was going. Lincoln being the "big city" and all.
I had the Gin Blossoms cassette in my car and it was the one that was always being played on the way to the comics book store and back. It was also the catalyst for hearing Mike sing for the first time. By his own admission he doesn't sing and he is rarely known to belt out a tune. Yet, something about the Gin Blossoms made him get out the air drums and rock out.
Since I was always the more musical of the two of us, I tried turning Mike on to other bands that I thought he might like, as well as songs that I liked. No matter what cassette I had, the Old Stand-by was always the Gin Blossoms.
(I don't know that if he recalls or not, but I had their album playing in the car as I drove him to get married.)
In a lot of ways I think Mike is a lot like the Gin Blossoms when they were at their peak of popularity. They could sing a catchy rebel-rousing chorus. But they could also be more mellow and personal. They were warm and comfortable like coming home after a long day.
It was a sad day when the decided to creatively break-up. It felt like a part of my friendship had died. The Gin Blossoms have each done some solo or other group projects that have never seemed to have the same feel as when they were the Gin Blossoms. There was even talk of a reunion at one point. Though, no big radio play ever became of anything they did after their one time stardom.
I will still occasionally try to see if Mike might like a song. He typically doesn't. But if ever gets too mouthy about my music, I still have those same yellow ear plugs that I could put in. |
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I posted this @ 1/23/2006 12:18:00 PM.............Need a link?..........
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BEANS AND CORNBREAD
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I like to cook. This may or may not be evident. I was posting some of my favorite recipes at one time. That idea drifted off as I began to over-think what I was doing. What value did such a post have to a reader? Not that a lot of my posts have value, but you know what I'm saying... Trying to keep the reader's interest in mind.
But I'm getting off track...
A friend of mine tossed around the idea of opening a restaurant with her husband. They are both excellent cooks and they make some of the best salsa, burritos, and tacos that I've ever had. Homemade tortillas! No Ortega here... I stole her pico de gallo and salsa verde recipes. If they ever do open a restaurant, I'll have some insider secrets that I hope to sell back for a share of their business.
I will occasionally toy with the idea of what if I started my own catering business or restaurant. What would I have on the menu? What would be my 'hook'... my allure? I don't think I would ever do it (alone anyway) just because I don't have any real training and a lot of what I cook is based on what I like. So once I find something I like and can make decently well, I make it often.
Come on in and try one of over 30 chicken and/or pasta recipes made by a gay man!
Not exactly ground breaking news...
Most of the times I think like this when I've seen some program on The Food Network and think to myself, "Hell, I could do that. All she freakin' did was pour salsa in Easy Mac & Cheese. That's not cooking!" Or it will be someone who talks about how they had such a simple idea that turned into a huge business. Paula Deen started out by making quick and easy sack lunches for people calling her business The Bag Lady. It's a super clever name. There always seems to be a business in busy corporate types who don't have time to fix a lunch or step away from their desk to buy something.
So that starts me thinking... I could make something like that. That's super easy! "That" being whatever recipe o' the day I just watched on Food Network. I suppose that's the idea. Show recipes that anyone can make. But seriously... Tomato soup with a grilled ham and cheese. Please... that's nothing. Pouring salsa in with a box of Kraft dinner (as the Canadians call it). You call yourself a chef?
Get out of my kitchen!
If nothing else all this gives me the motivation to at least collect all my favorite recipes that I think turn out well and can make easily enough. Just in case I do decide to make food for a living of some sort. |
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I posted this @ 1/23/2006 11:41:00 AM.............Need a link?..........
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| 1/17/2006 |
I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS
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Just a quickie to pass on this article.
LONDON - Chris Taylor, a 30-year-old British computer programmer, grew suspicious of his live-in girlfriend when his pet parrot began to imitate her saying, "I love you, Gary."
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I posted this @ 1/17/2006 08:04:00 AM.............Need a link?..........
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| 1/16/2006 |
PUT THE BOOGIE IN YOUR BUTT
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...which has nothing to do with this entry, but is sure to draw enough fodder for a future type of entry like this.
I've had several intriguing search results that I wanted to share with y'all.
-I frequently get people who find my site searching for a pronounciation of Mengele as in Doctor. I know that by even posting this, it just perpetuates the cycle, but still. For the last time! It's "MEHN-geh-luh." You're welcome.
-Another hot search is for a picture of Kelly Ripa's belly button and nipples. Don't you crazy kids get enough of that on show Hope & Faith?
-I wish I coud help with this one. Several people have been looking for a quote from Family Guy where Meg Griffin makes up a story about her boyfriend. Dan... Mitchell... -stork, the chairman of the soccer ball club. I think it is a hilarious scene and would love to find audio of that. So if you find it. Let me know!
 -Now that Chad Lowe and his albatross of a wife Hilary Swank are getting a divorce he apparently is fair game again. I thought at one time he could play me in a TV Movie of the Week about my life. But without Hilary's Oscar winning income... Chad's going to need a real job. That hasn't stopped people from looking for photos of Chad Lowe shirtless. This I can help you out with.
Yeah... He's that exciting!
EDIT: This last one was because of the search for "Is it proper to blow your nose at the dinner table"
-Finally... Some advice from your Uncle Cris. If you need to blow your nose at the dinner table, in some situation you may have no choice and it is understandable. If you are able to excuse yourself from the table to blow your nose then, by all means, do it! If you can't leave feel free to use the expensive linen table cloth that your Mother-in-Law bought for your birthday because she though it would help keep the dust off her antique table she gave "her son" as a wedding present. Since she knows how much you obviously hate to dust seeing the condition in which you let your house get. At least be courteous enough to turn your head away so those other who are dining do not need to see you doing so. Your Mother-in-Law would thank you... |
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I posted this @ 1/16/2006 01:11:00 PM.............Need a link?..........
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ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH
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...also known as
DESPERADO
I went to see Brokeback Mountain over the weekend. Before I talk about the movie, I want to talk about a few things leading up to the movie.
I've put the movie review itself in a seperate post so as not to spoil anyone who does not want to be spoiled. If/when you do see the movie come back and comment.
Even though the movie has been out for a while now, it has been a limited release. It has been receiving critical acclaim from most high-profile reviewers. It's a gay love story this and gay love story that with most of the critics. Ok... fine. Call a spade a spade. But I am not sure what makes this movie much different from other gay themed movies that have been out for a while now. I recently watched Jeffrey, which was a comedy for the most part. It had a cast of known straight actors. The Bird Cage (which is a remake) has been out for how long now? Robin Williams... always fun. Nathan Lane... always entertaining. Yet, it is also a comedy.
Is it because Brokeback is of a serious nature? Is it because of homosexual sex, where the other movies only insinuated any such acts? Is it because Brokeback stars two up and coming actors as opposed to openly gay or too-fun-to-really-care actors? Maybe there is a valid reason why there is such a hubbub over this movie as compared to others. Maybe it's an obvious reason that I'm just not aware of.
I figured that in a midwest city like Omaha, there would be one theater in particular that would show the film. The Dundee typically gets independent and/or smaller release films. They usually have the Oscar contenders. To my surprise it was two of the larger theaters that were having showings. There were minor reports of some local disturbances with showing the movie. Supposedly there were a handful of protestors outside one theater. While at another theater two couples were stopped from sneaking in the back door to the theater because they didn't want the security guard (whom they knew) to see them with their partners. I've not found any articles relating to either of these happenings so take them with a grain of salt.
There was a pretty good sized audience for the movie. A very diverse one at that. Young and old. Gay and straight. Couples and singles. I didn't notice anyone leave in objection. It was just another typical Saturday night at the movies.
Ok... let's get down to the movie. |
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I posted this @ 1/16/2006 12:55:00 PM.............Need a link?..........
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YOU OUGHTA BE IN PICTURES
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You can blame Jay for this one. It's actually kinda cool, though I'm not sure 'how' it works. It's a "celebrity matcher." You upload a photo of yourself and it scans it to see which celebrity photos in it's database you most resemble. I tried a handful of photos and come up with some rather amusing results. I've selected the more notable ones.
I really didn't have a strong resemblence to many movie stars. Nothing to high anyway.
This photo pulled up Axl Rose at 55%, Kevin Smith at 44% and Keifer Sutherland at 41%. While I'm a little icked out by the idea of Axl Rose, I can see from the photo they used a small similarity. I'm ok with the Kevin & Keifer reference.
This photo pulled up Kevin Smith again at 44%, Christian Slater at 39%, and Clark Gable at 37%. The funny part of this picture was that apparently I like a lot like Eddie Murphy as well... Fifty-four percent worth.
I'll take the pair of Kevin Smith's as a good thing. They'd override the Axl. |
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I posted this @ 1/16/2006 09:12:00 AM.............Need a link?..........
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THEY SAY IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY
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I just wanted to publically announce that today is the birthday of two very wonderful... very full of life (literally in some cases)... very amazing friends of mine.
Happy Birthday Ladies!!
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I posted this @ 1/16/2006 08:35:00 AM.............Need a link?..........
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| 1/12/2006 |
YOU'RE MAKING ME DIZZY MY HEAD IS SPINNING
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This was passed on to me by a coworker. I understand the science behind it, but it is still cool to see it in action.
Enjoy! |
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I posted this @ 1/12/2006 08:04:00 AM.............Need a link?..........
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| 1/11/2006 |
I'M TO SEXY FOR MY SHIRT
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Students at a local high school were planning a protest this past Monday to show their disapproval in the school dress code of wearing ripped jeans. I find their desire to stand up for something they believe in admirible and a little idiotic as well.
I remember beign a part of a class meeting in regards to some 'protest' when I was in high school. God only knows what we were upset about. I'm sure it was nothing in the grand scheme, but at the time I recall one girl in particular being rather outspoken. Damn... I wish I could remember what it was. I'm pretty sure it didn't have anything to do with clothing. I'm guessing it might have been something to do with a teacher.
As part of my job I visit a handful of school each fall. Each school has their own culture and their own idea of what is acceptable and what is a punishible offense. Even in the same school district there is a lot of variation from school to school within that district.
Personally, I think there are certain standards that should be followed when it comes to school apperance. I'm not a fan of uniforms, but I do think that there should be a dress code. If an outsider was to visit your school, I'd hope that they would walk away with a good impression. If how the students dress contributes to that impression then why not enforce a reasonable dresscode.
1) Pull up your damn pants. No one wants to see your 'manties'.
2) Have some esteem about the way you look. Whatever your style is, at least wear clothes that are in good condition.
3) Do not wear clothing with inappropriate or insensative writing/logos on it.
When I was in high school (I'm just going to go ahead and own up to my 'fogey-speak') the big thing people got busted for was wearing t-shirts with beer advertisments. The Budweiser Frogs were big. The punishment was to turn the shirt inside out or in some cases they had to go home and change into more school appropriate clothing. Detention went with some cases.
In college, there were certain standards, but it was certainly more open for students to wear whatever they wanted. It was more dependent on the teachers and their tolerances. The most 'colorful' shirt I can recall seeing bore the phrase "Silly faggot. Dicks are for chicks." Classy... I'm sure you're a big hit around the dorm and with the ladies. Alcohol related shirts were common and no one had any issue with them by this point.
In a way I wish they had instituted a rule where you had to dress for the weather appropriately. There were two constant offenders. One was a large football player who wore tennis shoes, gym shorts, and a huge puffy Starter jacket all Winter. He never complained of being cold, but he would sit in class and rub his legs till the feeling came back to them after walking from class to class. The other offender was a teacher who always wore a slacks, a buttoned-up shirt, and a cardigan no matter what the weather was outside. Hot or cold... it was always the same amount of clothing. He said it was all mind over matter. Which is... bullshit. Don't claim it's mind over manner then have three oscillating fans going in your classroom because you're too Zen to take off your sweater, because you're hot!
When I worked in a group home, if I was present for when the boys left for school one of the main goals was to make sure they were dressed appropriately for the weather and that they had a belt. The big thing was (and still is) to wear their pants hanging clearly past their ass. (See #1 Above) We were also to be on watch for pant legs eign rolled up on only one leg. A typical sign of gang affiliation. There were a lot more subtle things to keep an eye on, but those kids at least looked decent.
So these students around here... I think it is great that the organizers of such a protest have such convictions in how they want to live and behave and dress that they would go to such lengths. Yet, if any of them would've read the school handbook they would've read where it was clearly outlined that such clothing was not proper attire. It was not a 'new' rule they decided to spring on anyone. It's been on the books for a while.
Besides... We all know you have thighs, knees, and asses. Does anyone really need to be reminded by looking through the remenants of Jnco shredded threading? When I was your age we left a little up to the imagination. (Once again owning up to the fogey-speak) |
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I posted this @ 1/11/2006 10:48:00 AM.............Need a link?..........
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| 1/06/2006 |
I FOUND A PHOTOGRAPH - 101 IN 1001 #19
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I would say that #19 on my list has been accomlished. Yet, I'm not giving up on it totally just yet.
 This photo was selected as of the Most Interesting on December 26th. Yay! |
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I posted this @ 1/06/2006 12:20:00 PM.............Need a link?..........
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| 1/05/2006 |
PUNK WARS
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I posted this @ 1/05/2006 11:52:00 AM.............Need a link?..........
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| 1/04/2006 |
WORKING IN A COAL MINE
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So I'm reading about the tragedy in West Virginia, where of the 13 coal miners that were trapped, only one of them survived. This news coming about three hours after it was reported that they were all alive. I can't imagine that the incorrect report was on purpose or had any malicious intent. It's unfortunate that 12 families thought their loved ones were still alive only to find out later that they, in truth, were not.
As I was looking at the slideshow and article on MSNBC seeing the families crying faces, I can't even imagine what they must be going through.
After all this is no longer front page news, then what. I don't know anything about the town this took place in. I come from a small town. I can imagine it is a pretty small, close-knit community where even if you don't know everyone, you recognize the names of the locals. Let's say you are that one person who survived. Do you continue to live there? Do you move away trying to escape the memories? Do the families of those who did lose someone they loved even acknowledge you anymore?
It's different in a bigger city where you can go months without seeing a familiar face. Yet, I find the 'aftermath' just as much of a news story as the actual event.
My heart goes out to them. |
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I posted this @ 1/04/2006 08:34:00 AM.............Need a link?..........
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| 1/03/2006 |
THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT IS
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I've always considered myself to be rather creative. I am somewhat artistic. I play piano by ear. I can be inventive if needed. The treehouse my Grandfather built for me as a kid had several homemade 'appliances' that were used to keep us cool in the summer and secure when we weren't there. Treehome Security is a must for any 10 year old. I don't say this to boast, but only to set the stage.
For my 6th birthday I had a party where I invited my kids in the neighborhood and some friends from school. One of the 'events' of the party was a little production that I had to put together. It was my own episode of The Muppet Show. I had a Rolf the Dog puppet and a Scooter stuffed animal. While it was somewhat difficult to pull off an entire episode with only the B-squad of Muppets. I soldiered on. I ducked down behind my cardboard stage and had Rolf and Scooter act out some scene that I'm pretty sure I'd watched on the REAL Muppet Show a few days before.
It was a flop. I apparently had forgotten that my target audience of 6 year olds who were more enthused about running around the house than to sit down for 10 minutes and listen to my little dog and pony show.
I was scarred for life.
Ok... That's just being overdramatic, but it has played out in several interesting ways. I've never been comfortable with public speaking. I can do it just fine, but I've never been comfortable with it. I 'secretly' wish I would've done more acting in high school plays and choir and such, but the idea of being on stage and performaning was just too much. I did some behind the scenes stuff occasionally which I enjoyed.
I think that I can be funny, but I would never attempt to do stand-up comedy. I'm not funny on purpose. I can't pull it off naturally. I prefer the spur of the moment observational humor.
All of this leads up to how it plays out currently. I like writing for you. Yes, you. Sitting there eating your bowl of cereal... Or taking a break from 'work' to see what is going on in the lives of people you know or sort of know from their online blogs. I like the idea of writing to conjure up beautiful images or to get an audience to feel something deep inside.. The only problem is sometimes I have problems getting the ideas of what I want to say out onto 'paper' (or some other form, such as the lovely Internet).
Sometimes I think my posts relay the meaning of what I was hoping for. Other times I think they are just fluff. Fluff is fine, occasionally. I'm okay with a little fluff. I must admit that I enjoy more of the raw emotion that comes with a telling entry. Something that really gives people an inside to themselves, other people, and occasionally myself.
I think it is easy to just get through some days on auto-pilot and not even really need to 'feel' anything dramatic, in any form. If something I can do can make a person stop and think, or mist up, or laugh out loud, or make them feel the need to pass it on... then I've done my job. And that little boy who was trying to entertain his friends can feel a little better because he's found a way to keep his audience's attention and keep them coming back. |
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I posted this @ 1/03/2006 11:16:00 AM.............Need a link?..........
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YOU OUGHTA BE IN PICTURES
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Ok. We've got a LOT of movies to review... So brace yourself.
There may be some slight spoilers here and there, but nothing to give away an ending.
Let's start off with the biggie.
FANTASTIC FOUR (B-) - I enjoyed this movie. As far as comic book movies go, this one was pretty decent. I've read enough F4 comics to know the overall idea of how they obtained their powers and who the main players and storylines are. I'll catch an old episode of the cartoon on Boomerang every so often.
This movie stayed pretty close to how things were already established. Cosmic storms... Restructured DNA... blah blah blah... All that scientific mumbo jumbo that gets tossed around to explain why things are they way they are. All fine.
The acting... Ok, it's a superhero movie. I get a kick out of actors playing the part of superheros when obviously they don't actually have powers. But they still have to act like they do. The Invisible Girl (Jessica Alba) toss up a force field to protect herself, after watching it I found myself randomly doing the same. In the same, comedic miming fashion. Take that, on coming traffic.
Johnny Storm, aka The Human Torch (aka Chris Evans), is over the top as the hot-headed younger sibling of Sue Storm. It might get a bit grating at times, but that's the point. He is a young heart-throb who is supposed to be charismatic. Overacted? Meh... He got the job down and added a lot of humor to the movie.
Reed Richards, is played by Ioan Gruffudd, Mr Fantastic. Yet... in my opinion he is anything be fantastic. My impression of Mr F in the comics is this brainy, capable, take charge kind of guy who gets the job done. He's the leader. The way he is portrayed in the movie makes him seem more like the Absent Minded Professor who stumbles upon a solution. It isn't until the very end that he really seems to use his brain. I don't blame the actor. He was just doing the part.
The Thing, played by Michael Chiklis, was probably my favorite character in the film. He seemed to be the only one who showed any range of emotions as a character and as an actor. Ben Grimm really felt like an outcast because of his appearance. It wasn't until his new blind girlfriend showed him to see the inner beauty that he really felt comfortable in his rock hard skin.
Julian McMahon plays Victor Von Doom and he plays him pretty well. Once again, I don't blame the actor for a little mis direction as to how he comes to be "Doom", but he pulls it off well. The movie hints at VVD's vanity and not sublty shows his cravings for power. That comes off nicely. Julian is used to playing dark characters having done a stint on Charmed as a power-hungry demon.
I would've liked to have seen some of the special effects on the big screen. Definitely catch it on DVD. Buy it if you are so inclined. I probably well eventually.
NEXT...
Dirty Filthy Love (B+) is about poor Mark Furness who is losing his wife and his mind. Mark is obsessive-compulsive coupled with a pretty severe case of Tourette's. Tired of his psychologist who says he is just depressed, he runs into Charlotte who is a member of a support group for people with OCD and various other mental health problems.
Being a student of human nature and psychology I loved this movie. But you don't have to be to enjoy it. Mark is torn between getting his wife back and finding some sanity. Charlotte's falls for Mark, and tries to help him in a way that no psychologist has been able to yet.
Although, Mark's Tourette's is acted out overly severe, (he cusses a lot more than most with Tourette's would) the explanations and insight that is given into the mind of someone who has OCD is amazing. At one point in the movie he describes why he has to make multiple attempts before simply sitting down in a chair. It is very enlightening.
One of the writers drew from his own experiences as someone with OCD to write the movie. And it shows. There is a lot more detail to the characters than someone who is just writing about people with OCD and Tourette's.
Blade Trinity (B) Can you believe they keep making these? No seriously... The first one was good. The second one was good, but too heavy on the special effects. I think they might have made the third one just to show that they don't need special effects to make a really good movie. Another Comic-to-Movie offering, and I don't mind. I've never read the Blade series so I can't comment on how true to it's roots it actually is. The acting isn't anything crazy, but it's not supposed to be. It's a comic book movie. Take some bad-ass villains. Add a hero who is 'lost' and looking for his way. Toss in a babe and a wise-cracking comic relief. Cover it in black leather action and you've got yourself a no-brainer of a guy movie.
It's good stuff. It really is.
Blade meets up with Whistler's daughter (So where is Whistler's Mother? Ba-da bing!) and her crew to fight the Grandaddy of all vampires. He can walk in the sunlight. He can change his appearance. He seems a little pissed at the current day vampires for being such wusses.
Plus! A Vampire Pomeranian... Need I say more.
My main criticism? You'd think with special effects in this day and age that they could make a vampire fang prosthetic that didn't make the actor look like they've got a mouth full of cotton balls. Seriously... Can we do something about this?
Jessica Beil and Ryan Reynolds (Mr. Alanis Morissette) are pretty bad-ass in this film. I always worry about dramatic or comedic actors taking on their first action role, but they pulled it off very nicely. Reynolds put on a ton of muscle for the part and isn't afraid to show it. Beil wields a massive bow of undead smiting +2 and becomes the new nerd pin-up for a least a year.
Mambo Italiano (C+) It might as well be called Mama Mia. If only that title wasn't taken already. Overall plot? Take My Big Fat Greek Wedding and rub some Moonstruck on it. Make the oldest son gay. Then set it in Canada. Watch the wackiness unfold.
Angelo knows he is gay from a very young age. After reconnecting with a childhood friend, Nino, he makes a love connection and they decide to move in together. Let the man on man action begin! Oh wait. Angelo feels he HAS to come out to his parents and soon. Nino, the police officer, prefers the teeny tiny hat box in the back of the closet he's living in.
Nino has his reasons, and on one hand I can't blame him. But when Angelo does come out and sort of drags Nino with him. Nino goes running towards the nearest big-haired loud-mouthed Italian woman he can find. Enter Pina. And then he does 'enter' Pina, at a motel. Zing!
Welcome to Gay Canada. I'm sure there are tons of Mountie jokes that I'm just not willing to reach for at this juncture.
You probably have never heard of 75% of these actors. I recall being told (by Jay I think) that any movie or television show coming out of Canada has to use at least a certain percentage of Canada actors and crew in order to meet government guidelines. I dunno... Paul Sorvino is the closest thing to 'known' that you'll see in this movie. Which is fine. If he was any more Italian in this movie he's bleeds tomato sauce if you cut him.
So where was I? Nino is an ass and we hope he gets hit by a big-a-pizza-pie by the end of the film. Pina is just as much of a bitch and we hate her as well. Though, she does provide for some serious comic fodder during the film. The evolution of Angelo's relationship with his parents over the course of the film is pretty good. Very sweet. Angelo's sister, Anna is a riot. She goes through a lot of changes on her own during this film. It's all about growth. And doesn't that make you feel good?
It's painful to watch at times, but overall it's pretty entertaining. If you are into collecting every gay-themed movie out there, this is probably somewhere near the top of your list. |
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I posted this @ 1/03/2006 11:15:00 AM.............Need a link?..........
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| 1/01/2006 |
DESPARADO
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The Brokeback Breakdown
Overall I'd give Brokeback Mountain an A-. The casting was very well done. I didn't have a hard time beliving any of the characters. There was the occasional "Oh hey! I didn't know she was in this movie too" moment. Then a couple instances of trying to figure out who someone was. The way the aged the actors worked well for most of the cast except Jack (Jake Gyllenhaal). He looked like a car salesman or an extra in from CHiPs by the end of it. Ennis (Heath Ledger) totally looked believably older by the end of the film. He looked like a younger Robert Redford. His transformation was amazing.
The overall plot of the movie is about two cowboys, Jack and Ennis, who develop a romance after spending the summer together herding sheep in Wyoming. Once the summer ends they each go their own way and have their own lives. Yet they find themselves thinking about the summer they spent together on Brokeback Mountain. Ennis settles down with a nice girl and has a couple of kids, played by Michelle Willams from Dawson's Creek fame. Jack meets a rodeo barrel racer played by Anne Hathaway, who had formerly been a very girly girly in the Princess Diaries movies. I was very impressed by both performances. Hopefully this will be a nice jump point for Hathaway to take one serious roles.
Anyway... The story is told over the course of 20 years. Jack visits Ennis in Wyoming at least once a summer, then more frequently as the years go by. They go back up to Brokeback and spend romantic weekends together. Jack wants more, but Ennis can't make the same leap into a relationship. Jack talks about setting up a ranch together and raising cattle. Ennis seems conflicted by all of it, but always ends up going back to his wife and kids.
By this time Ennis' wife Alma has figured out what is going on. On one of Jacks' first visits she sees her husband passionately kissing Jack, where they thought no one could see. My heart dropped... I felt so bad for Alma living with Ennis for many years after her discovery before she finally makes the decision to leave him. The scene where she busts him on his 'discreet' behavior is truly memorable. One of the best scenes in the whole movie. I feel sorry for her. I feel so sorry for her kids.
Jack and his wife on the other hand... I feel sorry for in a different way. Jack's wife, Lureen is not as sympathetic. Her dad is well off and it's obvious that Jack is only working for him because he married Lureen. The tension between the two of them is obvious from the get go. I'll speculate why later. Jack and Lureen's father have a blowout one Thanksgiving that had the audience applauding. Lureen is very cold with Jack. Once again... Speculations later.
Over the years, as the visits become more frequent so do Jack's attempts at getting Ennis to leave his life in Wyoming and get a place with him in Texas. I'm torn by their relationship. Jack's still married, but still sleeps with men on the side. Ennis is paying child support and can't very easily up and leave the state when he has two daughters whom he still sees. So do you root for their love even though it would mean breaking up a cold marriage (but a marriage nonetheless) and seperating a father from his children? It seems somewhat selfish to me. Yet... it's what you root for because it's what you know they both dream of and want the most.
Ennis lashes out with rage against several people in the movie. I was thinking about how much it reminds me of some people who are adamantly homophobic, how typically they are so angry because of what feelings they hide deep inside. Obviously, this isn't always the case. Yet, it's what I was thinking. In one of the more moving scene Ennis asks Jack if he ever feels like everyone in town is looking at him like "they know" about him. Obviously Ennis is feeling self-conscious about sleeping with Jack. Yet not self-conscious enough to stop.
Jack utters the quoteable line, "I wish I knew how to quit you," to Ennis and I truly believe it. He really has fallen for him. A line which I shouted several times in regards to several innocuous events.
Eating Oreos... "I wish I knew how to quit you!"
Logging on to Party Poker... "I wish I knew how to quit you!"
You get the idea.
Ok... am I really spoiling anything by saying it doesn't end well? I mean, c'mon. Did we think there was going to be a happy ending to this? I won't say what happen, but I was bawling.
How they ended the movie seemed rather abrupt to me. It seemed unfinished. I mean, it definitely had an ending. Yet, even in some of the final scene it opens up a few more issue with questions to be asked.
The movie was a little slow in parts. I don't think it was anything that detracted form the movie. I just wish that they would've showed more of some scenes and less of others. There were many interactions between Jack and his wife that I think were truncated for the overall story to be told. There could always be more scenes about the struggle that Ennis felt and his attraction towards Jack.
I'm only going to mention the sex briefly because... honestly... it's not that big of a deal. They have sex. It's not pornographic. There is barely sixty seconds of sex in the entire movie both hetero and homo. If it wasn't for the fact that it was hot man-on-man action it could easily be found on almost any mid-week drama. If you are too prudish or insecure about your own sexuality to see two men kissing then by all means go see The Chronicles of Narnia. It kicks ass too. Just beware of the half-naked goatman. I hear he doesn't wear pants!
Ok... time for a little speculation. Obviously, there are some spoilers within. Do you think Lureen's father knew Jack also slept with men? Do you think that contributed to his contempt for Jack or was it simpler than that? Because he wasn't from money, perhaps?
By the end do you think Lureen knew that Jack was sleeping with men? Ennis was conscious of people making such speculations, and reacted with anger and frustration. Jack seemed non-chalant about it and went about his business as he saw fit to do with no worry of any consequences. Who handled it better?
I look forward to comments and your own critiques! |
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I posted this @ 1/01/2006 12:51:00 PM.............Need a link?..........
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