I used to think that 'Dude, Where's My Car?' was the worst movie I had ever seen. Ok 'Reds' was probably worse but I was young and stupid at the time. Dude's only redeeming factor is Jennifer Garner. Ok - Kristy Swanson is in it too.
Tonights movie was Thing2s choice. She picked 'Napolean Dynamite'. There was no redeeming factor in this movie. Just unfunny. Good thing the rental was only a buck.
Monday, July 11, 2005
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Nintendo Conquers Everest
I just read Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer. This is a first person account about a disaster during a summit attempt on Mount Everest in 1996. Excellent read if you're interested. So today Thing1 sends me a link about a couple of guys who took Nintendo DS handheld game systems on their trip up Mount Everest. Not one broke! Incredible given how many things kept breaking during Jon's ascent.
Soul Surfer
You may have heard about a teenage female surfer who had her arm removed by shark while out surfing a couple of years ago. Her name is Bethany Hamilton. Soul Surfer was the book she wrote after the attack that covers her journey to get back on her surf board.
Bethany visited Willow Creek Community Church this weekend. While Willow is not our home church we went to listen to her talk. At 15 she isn't the most polished speaker but the nearly full auditorum was kept by her voice. She talked about surfing, family, her faith in God, and the shark attack. It was a fascinating interview. This young lady has been through alot and all she wanted to do is surf again - which she does. Bethany talked alot about faith. And acting as a witness for God. She commented at one time that she was looking for a way to talk to people about God but made it very clear that she hadn't expected to have to loose her arm in order to do it. All in all she seemed like a kid with a good heart and a very together head. Loosing her arm does not seem to have slowed her down one bit.
God is good. All the time. Sometime in the most unusual way.
Bethany visited Willow Creek Community Church this weekend. While Willow is not our home church we went to listen to her talk. At 15 she isn't the most polished speaker but the nearly full auditorum was kept by her voice. She talked about surfing, family, her faith in God, and the shark attack. It was a fascinating interview. This young lady has been through alot and all she wanted to do is surf again - which she does. Bethany talked alot about faith. And acting as a witness for God. She commented at one time that she was looking for a way to talk to people about God but made it very clear that she hadn't expected to have to loose her arm in order to do it. All in all she seemed like a kid with a good heart and a very together head. Loosing her arm does not seem to have slowed her down one bit.
God is good. All the time. Sometime in the most unusual way.
S.H.T.F. Preparation
In case you missed this in the CoC, rivrdog has some thoughts on preparation for when the S.H.T.F.
Saturday, July 09, 2005
We're not afraid
Found links to werenotafraid on several blogs this morning. I have to agree - I'm not afraid. I've been on the pissed-off side since 9/11/2001 but I'll never be afraid of a cowardly terrorist.
Friday, July 08, 2005
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
The 4th of July
The town we live in puts on a decent fireworks display for the 4th of July. This year, for some reason, it wasn't advertised in any of the local papers. It was in the village newsletter and on the village web site. It appears that the village only wanted it's residents and their guests to attend. Several thousand of us did.
The show went on for ~25 minutes. After that the locals started up. The police did a great job of keeping people from hurting themselves but otherwise left those that choose to create their own displays alone (even though the great state of Illinois outlaws fireworks of the fun kind). Some of the locals had displays that rivaled the villages in quality but not quantity.
I love the smell of gunpowder!
The show went on for ~25 minutes. After that the locals started up. The police did a great job of keeping people from hurting themselves but otherwise left those that choose to create their own displays alone (even though the great state of Illinois outlaws fireworks of the fun kind). Some of the locals had displays that rivaled the villages in quality but not quantity.
I love the smell of gunpowder!
Nice Job Mr. Jobs
We're turning into an Apple family. Two iPods and an iBook so far. It was heartening to read about Steve Jobs calling the father of a teen killed for his iPod.
Original link - Right Thoughts
Original link - Right Thoughts
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Gunner Palace
Netflix delivered it last Friday. Thing1 and I watched it on July 4th.
Blackfive was right - the movie is not pro-war or anti-war. It is war through the eyes of America's finest.
To be honest I was expecting a different movie. There wasn't as much combat action as I was expecting and I guess that is a good thing. The soldiers were honest and the director allowed them to speak their minds. The soldiers seem to be ok with the mission but, understandably, would rather be home. It seemed that their biggest fear was that they would be forgotten.
If you havn't seen this movie watch it. Don't read or blog or anything else while you watch. Just pay attention. Remember - you're watching the movie. They are living it.
For those into trivia Thing1 ran across this. A record for a PG-13 movie.
Blackfive was right - the movie is not pro-war or anti-war. It is war through the eyes of America's finest.
To be honest I was expecting a different movie. There wasn't as much combat action as I was expecting and I guess that is a good thing. The soldiers were honest and the director allowed them to speak their minds. The soldiers seem to be ok with the mission but, understandably, would rather be home. It seemed that their biggest fear was that they would be forgotten.
If you havn't seen this movie watch it. Don't read or blog or anything else while you watch. Just pay attention. Remember - you're watching the movie. They are living it.
For those into trivia Thing1 ran across this. A record for a PG-13 movie.
More Nurses in Action
The wife gets a magazine called Nursing Spectrum. This month' issue (yes I read it) had a article about one of the staff visiting Iraq. The first installment is online. I'll post links to future articles as they appear.
Herbie: Fully Loaded
A remake of the Disney classic, Herbie: Fully Loaded, was the movie that Thing2 picked to go see for her birthday. I wasn't expecting much from the previews but I was very happy to be proven wrong. Not a great movie but a fun movie. The movie is kid friendly and has a thread about loyalty and honesty running through it. Matt Dillion was good as a egotistical NASCAR racer and Lindsey Lohan (pre diet) was turned into a believer by Herbie. While she'll never be a Danica Patrick she was semi-believable as a racer.
Adults will have to ignore some basic knowledge of physics (always had to with Herbie!) to really enjoy the movie but kids will just love the story.
Adults will have to ignore some basic knowledge of physics (always had to with Herbie!) to really enjoy the movie but kids will just love the story.
Happy Birthday
Thing2 is 14 today!
I took the day off as the wife had to work. That meant that Dad's rules applied! Krispy Kreme for breakfast, movie popcorn and M&M's for lunch, and hot dogs for dinner. Add some cake and ice cream and she had a great day. Since TV basically stinks we watched a movie of her choice, When in Rome. Not bad but not great. She liked it and thats all that matters.
I took the day off as the wife had to work. That meant that Dad's rules applied! Krispy Kreme for breakfast, movie popcorn and M&M's for lunch, and hot dogs for dinner. Add some cake and ice cream and she had a great day. Since TV basically stinks we watched a movie of her choice, When in Rome. Not bad but not great. She liked it and thats all that matters.
Monday, July 04, 2005
Happy Independence Day
Two hundred twenty nine years ago the Continental Congress declared what we now know as the United States of America independent from England. The signers of the Declaration risked all - not really for themselves but for everyone. One has to wonder if they had any idea of the affect that their decision would have.
We all owe them our eternal thanks and gratitude. We also need to make sure that our kids understand what they did.
Long ago we decided that our kids would know America's history. What wasn't learned in school would be taught first hand. Family vacations have taken us to Williamsburg, Boston, Plymouth and more so that we could all learn. And learn they did. Teach your children well as they are the future.
So today - celebrate. Have fun, cook, eat, play, watch the fireworks. And remember why you do.
We all owe them our eternal thanks and gratitude. We also need to make sure that our kids understand what they did.
Long ago we decided that our kids would know America's history. What wasn't learned in school would be taught first hand. Family vacations have taken us to Williamsburg, Boston, Plymouth and more so that we could all learn. And learn they did. Teach your children well as they are the future.
So today - celebrate. Have fun, cook, eat, play, watch the fireworks. And remember why you do.
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Let sleeping bees lie
I had always thought that bees went back to a hive to sleep at night. These bumbles proved me wrong. These pictures are from last night and this morning. Same three bees in the same place
Saturday, July 02, 2005
Sharp Shiny Things
I'm a knife guy. And a gun guy. And a computer geek. And ... I digress.
The Chicago area never had a good handmade knife show until a man by the name of Ed Wormser put one together last year. It was such a success that it's back for a second year. if you like knives take a few hours out of your life on September 9th and 10th and go.
CHICAGO CUSTOM KNIFE SHOW
My view of last years show is here
The Chicago area never had a good handmade knife show until a man by the name of Ed Wormser put one together last year. It was such a success that it's back for a second year. if you like knives take a few hours out of your life on September 9th and 10th and go.
CHICAGO CUSTOM KNIFE SHOW
My view of last years show is here
Friday, July 01, 2005
Nurses in Baghdad
Found this on Blackfive. The nurses of the 31st Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq write about treating soldiers injured in combat.
The wife is a nurse and, while her job in no way compares to the angels in Baghdad, she proved to me long ago that nurses are the heart and soul of medicine and quality care would be impossible without quality nurses.
The wife is a nurse and, while her job in no way compares to the angels in Baghdad, she proved to me long ago that nurses are the heart and soul of medicine and quality care would be impossible without quality nurses.
Reason #213 I don't watch network news
NBC's Brian Williams compared George Washington to Islamic Terrorists. Yes - that George Washington. Read the whole thing.
New Knife
One of my favorite mail lists is tkc - The Knife Collectors List. With collectors and makers as members the discussions are very interesting. Every year or so one of the makers is selected by a vote of collectors to make a knife just for list members who want one. This year Thomas Haslinger (for the second time in 3 years) was selected for a small fixed blade. Mine just arrived in the mail.
It is Serial # 1 to match my TKCL 2002 knife from Thomas. The scales are Mammoth Ivory with gold pins and gold dust in the tusk 'ache'. The handmade molded leather sheath has a belt clip and inlay of carp.
Nice little knife. One of a kind and all mine!
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