Pictures of the Week

Happy 3rd Anniversary Bob and Dawn. (A day late, but the thought was there.)

Riddle me this

Here is this week's riddle:

I'm sometimes white,
Although sometimes I'm black.
I take you there,
But never bring you back. What am I?

Movie Monday

3:10 TO YUMA is a very intense movie. It focuses on two characters, the down-on-his-luck rancher and the outlaw. They are individuals whose complicated pasts effect the circumstances of their interaction and eventual climatic outcome. Two fine performances by Russell Crowe and Christian Bale. I see an Oscar nod going to Russell, and possibly one for the movie. If you like westerns, this is a must see. Even if you don't, it's an interesting story that goes deep into the psyche of two men who form an unusual relationship.

Quote of the Week

"Tramps like us, baby we were born to run.."
-Bruce Springsteen

Happy birthday Bruce. 58 and still looking good!

Word of the Week

Friday has a new category, Word of the Week. I will take the words from a list compiled by the editors of THE AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARIES. It is "ONE HUNDRED WORDS EVERY GRADUATING SENIOR SHOULD KNOW". I'll present the word along with the definition, and then challenge myself to use that word (in an appropriate manner) during the next week's blogs. Another change for my blog will be the elimination of a Saturday posting. (Unless something exciting happens). Blogs are like life, they change and morph and adjust and evolve.

Here is this week's word:

ABJURE

–verb (used with object), -jured, -jur·ing.

1. to renounce, repudiate, or retract, esp. with formal solemnity; recant: to abjure one's errors.

2. to renounce or give up under oath; forswear: to abjure allegiance.

3. to avoid or shun.

Origin: 1400–50; late ME < L abjūrāre to deny on oath, equiv. to ab- ab- + jūrāre to swear; see jury1]

—Related forms
ab·jur·a·to·ry, adjective
ab·jur·er, noun

Cyber talk

If you have a child that chats online, or if you do so yourself, there is a web you should check out. It contains useful information as to the lingo and shorthand being used today. This site has helpful lists such as the "Top 20 Internet Acronyms Every Parent Needs to Know" and "The Largest List of Chat Acronyms and Text Messaging Shorthand"

So if you want to decipher what your kids are saying online or texting, or if you need to figure out what those online poker players may be saying to you, check out the site by clicking here

BB4N

Picture of the Week

Why? Because I like the hand-clouds.

Riddle Time

A time when they’re green, a time when they’re brown,
But both of these times, cause me to frown.
But just in between, for a very short while,
They’re perfect and yellow, and cause me to smile!
What am I talking about here?

Movie Monday

"The Brave One" is at times a hard film to watch because of the brutal violence it contains. But it is done to move the story along and is necessary to the plot. I liked this movie, and found Jodie Foster's performance to be as strong as ever. I don't want to give anything away, as the movie will play out better by not knowing too much of plot. The supporting cast does a fine job of supplying the emotional contact that Foster plays off of. Naveen Andrews (Sayid from the TV show Lost) has a small but important role. Terrence Howard comfortably plays the detective that develops a bond with Foster's character. The movie kept my attention and is one that can provoke discussions of ethical issues. A good solid film.

Quote of the Week

Words are mere bubbles of water,
but deeds are drops of gold.
-Chinese proverb

The Class of 2011

The yearly list that Beloit College puts together has been published. They assemble an interesting assortment of facts that reflect the life experiences of their incoming freshman. The following are 10 highlights that apply to those born in 1989:

1. Humvees, minus the artillery, have always been available to the public.

2. The never "rolled down" a car window.

3. The have grown up with bottled water.

4. Russia has always had a multi-party system.

5. FOX has always been a major network.

6. Stadiums, rock tours and sporting events have always had corporate names.

7. Wal-Mart has always been a larger retailer than Sears and has always employed more workers than GM.

8. MTV has never featured music videos.

9. They never saw Johnny Carson live on television.

10. What Berlin Wall?

They're Growing So Fast

Time is just flying by. It's hard to believe that my nephew A started kindergarten this year. Here is a picture of him proudly showing off his first homework assignment. I think you're looking at the Valedictorian from the class of 2020!



A and D recently went to see the play "High School Musical". It feels like it was just yesterday that they were babies, and here they are doing big kid stuff. I heard they really liked the show and had fun singing along. Enjoy the pictures of a couple of cute kids.

Picture of the Week

There was a story out last week about how the survival of polar bears is in danger due to the melting ice of global warming. How sad, because I just love polar bears! Isn't this cub cute?

Riddle of the Week

We are little airy creatures,
All of different voice and features.
One of us in glass is set,
One of us you’ll find in a jet;
The other you may see in tin,
And the fourth a box within.
If the fifth you should pursue,
It can never fly from you.

Movie Monday

I saw the movie "Shoot Em Up" this weekend. It's not for the squeamish or faint of heart. Or for those that cannot suspend belief of reality for a while and just enjoy the over the top action and implausible situations. Clive Owen is just too cool, it's as if he had a force field around him to deflect a deluge of bullets from hundreds of would be assailants. If you like movies such as "Pulp Fiction" or "Sin City", this one may be for you. I have to admit I enjoyed it. They named it "Shoot Em Up" for a reason!

Quote of the Week

Don't dare to be different, dare to be yourself-
if that doesn't make you different then something is wrong.

-Laura Baker, writer

Z = W

After his five game losing streak Carlos Zambrano finally got a win for the Cubs tonight. Unfortunately, Milwaukee also won, so the Cubs are still tied for first. Only a few weeks left in the season, hopefully they'll hang in there and make the playoffs. And hopefully Z just started a 5 game WINNING streak!

Guess you can tell I don't have much to blog about right now.

A Passing in TIme

I was saddened to hear tonight about the passing of the author of one of my all-time favorite books "A Wrinkle In Time". The author, Madeleine L'Engle, was 88. She wrote over 80 books, but I only read the ones in the series after Wrinkle. I remember my fourth grade teacher reading it aloud to our class. We were riveted. It is such a good science fiction story with a lot of heart. I read it over and over again. Check it out, not only for the youngsters, but the adults as well. The picture is of the original cover, it has since changed. My copy is tattered and torn, but is something I'll always treasure. So thank you Mrs. Garnello, where ever you may be, for introducing me to this wonderful book.

A Classic Movie Through New Eyes

I recently watched the original Star Wars movie with my 9 year old niece. It was the first time she was viewing it, and she excitedly exclaimed as the movie started, "I've been waiting my whole life to see this". We watched it with her parents and their friend, Dr. S J W. He is a Star Wars expert, and provided many insights to the making of the movie. (He was like a talking Star Wars encyclopedia.)

Niece E explained that a boy at school, "told her the secret" regarding the relationship of Darth Vader and Luke, but was not letting that spoil the event. She oohed and aahed at all the cool parts, and was fascinated by the many creatures. "Who is that big furry guy?" she asked about Chewabacca. When she found out his nickname was Chewy, she giggled in delight. Every once in a while, niece K snuck out of her room and peeked at the screen, but was frightened away quickly.

The only time that E freaked out a bit was the scene when Luke came home to find his Aunt and Uncle a bit crispy. She made a made dash for her room, until we called her back after the Jawas went to their fiery grave.

She was enthralled by the Storm Troopers, found R2D2 and C3PO to be expectantly amusing, liked Leah's bun/ear hairdo, and exclaimed a sincere "AWESOME" when the Millennium Falcon went into hyper speed. She sighed an "oh no" when the death star blew up the peaceful planet (Alerderon I think).

This thirty year old movie stood up to the hands of time, and I'm sure will be loved by many generations to come. I enjoyed watching and listening to E's reactions to a movie that I've seen dozens of times. Looking at it again through her eyes was a wonderful experience.

I'm ready for "The Empire Strikes Back" whenever she is. It'll be "Awesome"!!

Picture of the week

Here it is, the Closest to the Pin trophy I won on Saturday at the golf outing.


Am I becoming a self centered bloggist?

Sing along with me "It's my blog and I'll post what I want to..." :)

If it's Tuesday, there must be a riddle...

Here is the riddle for the week. If you know the answer, post in on the comments.

What is so fragile that when you say its name you break it?

We Interupt Movie Monday for Something More Important..

A HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISH TO MY SISTER!

Today is my sister Kathy's Birthday. It's a very hectic time for her and her family since they will be moving into their new house later this week. But she took time out today to have a mini-celebration with her kids and I at the park. We had a Jimmy-John "catered" lunch and enjoyed the playground.

Kathy is the hands down the best sister in the universe (well at least here on earth). I am truly blessed to have her in my life, as my sister as well as my best friend. So enjoy the pictures of our time at the park.

Happy Birthday Kathy!!

Quote of the Week

The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for - Joseph Addison

Golf Outing

Today I played in a golf outing at Sugar Creek from my father's club. It was the 37th annual outing of the NCO 327th Military Police Battalion. My father is a founding member, and the group has been around longer than I have.

My final score was a sad 52. That's what happens when one takes 7 shots on one hole and 8 on another. Plus, I was in the sand traps plenty of times. I also hit a few trees, the metal barricade to the creek, and my father's ball when it was on the green. I also had a few splash downs, one in the creek, and one in the pond.

On the hole for the women's longest drive, I hit it good and long, but it was not straight and it didn't land in the fairway, so it didn't count.

BUT....there was some good. I won the ladies "Closest to the Pin" hole. I hit it a bit long, but it landed and stayed on the green and held up to win the trophy. My Dad played well, and won the trophy for the best score for the members.

So today it was sort of like a day at the beach when I was a kid: hot, sunny, dragonflies, a lot of sand, water and fun with my Dad.