Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Our Home?

Today we received a phone call saying our loan is almost completed. We have a few things to do before it all is official, but it IS happening. So barring a disaster, and paired with prayer, we will be moving in the next week and a half. So here are some exterior pictures I took of the home about 1 month ago. Enjoy...




Keep up the prayer people! It is not over until we sign the papers, hold the keys and clean the carpets. :-)

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Double Feature

Valkyrie



This movie was pretty good, but I think I was distracted during it. I was thinking about being a homeowner, and I found myself wandering in and out of the movie. Let me just say, no matter the circumstance (well, most circumstances) I am able to become engrossed by a great movie. But this one just wasn't great.

Tom Cruise was, well Tom Cruise. Not amazing, just OK. The support cast was a page out of Pirates of the Caribbean. However the most redemptive part of the movie was the last 20 minutes. I thought the ending was interesting, engaging and let's face it somewhat sorrowful.

As I reflect on the movie I wonder if the media is making comparisons to Naziism and the extremists we have in today's society. My guess is they are trying to make some parallels to the extreme perspectives both in the middle east and in the homeland.

Overall, this movie earns a Rice Cake, Peanut Butter and a few sips of a Diet Coke. Good, just not totally satisfying.

Bride Wars

Kind of ridiculous. And a little bit of a disappointment. I know.... How can I expect anything when it is a silly girl movie. But I did, so there. While there were a few funny moments (*all of the moments you caught in the previews), the majority of the movie was 1 demential and bland.

Kate Hudson's demeanor bothered me. And Anne Hathaway as a middle school teacher who is walked all over was just not very convincing. At any rate it was a decent movie.

I give it a Rice Cake with a taste of Peanut Butter, but nothing to drink. Kinda, blah.

*Please note, Farah commented the bedazzled wedding dress does not appear in the movie.

Friday, January 09, 2009

Futurama



What a crazy week we've had. I pretty much spent the week wondering about the future. We've had some silly situations which, Praise God, have all seemed to be working out. But... Nonetheless, I wondered... What if I could make like Doc and turn my Delorean into a time machine. Off to the future I would go... Here are some of the things I perhaps would see. Or would I???



Our own house?


Tracy Jordan with his mind-grapes in order?



Parker reading Harry Potter... geeze this is far in the future?


Farah as a famous author?


Jon and Morgen GIVING us the gift a Vespa?


Will Arnet coming over to dinner to entertain us with his magic?


All these things were possible when I looked in the future. But now that I've seen it, will any of them come true? Tune in over the next few years to find out!

Monday, January 05, 2009

The Honors of 2008

This Blog is dedicated to 2008, yes, that was a time of yesteryear. But it was also a time of important people. Therefore, this blog is dedicated to the men, women and minis who changed our--well my-- world.

First of all I would like to say that each and every one of you deserve an honorable mention here, but I only had time to give a few of you true shout outs and awards. If you are upset that you didn't make the list, well then, be a bigger part of my life this year.

Ahh, Miss Elphaba. She was a big part of this year. Responsible for me annoying my wife with the continual sounds of Broadway, but most of all she taught me everyone deserves a chance to fly.



His mind-grapes are crazy. And well... The picture says enough...


Oh. The Toey. He moved up here and brought his sister, mother and bugger along with him. Hooray for Toey and his toeiness.



Ahem. This picture was TAKEN by me, thank you very much. Whether she is trying to adopt a baby or giving fake awards to her staff, this Lemon isn't sour (though that pun was horrible).


Boo. She never made Washington all mavericky. Oh well, I gave her all the support I could muster up, I guess the Ahlgren's phone bullying outweighed my e-mailing. Here's to Granny Maverick.


Fierce. Well I guess I could talk about Rami and his draping (I'll save that for my last shout out though)


Oh, dearest Katie. How you have grown on us this year. Just stop selling crappy dream homes next to Target.


Hooray, not only did Parker lose the bet (yes, consider this your shout out), but she published a Harry Potterish book with proceeds going to charity. Nice work...


I suppose I should mention the B.O.


America? Muffin Top? Beautiful Me--I mean You? You bet.


Hands down... FUNNIEST man on TV. Period.


THE END

Oh, and just for old time's sake...

Thursday, January 01, 2009

Seven Pounds


Despite the bad press for this movie, I thought I would go see it and judge for myself. Well, I guess I will give it more bad press.

This movie almost delivered. Notice the word almost. It would be like expecting a package before Christmas and then not getting it. That is a problem. The overall story is interesting enough, and I see why Will Smith picked it, but still, it fails to deliver. Seven Pounds is (spoiler alert) the story of a guy who has major regrets and seeks to pay a penance for his sins. He does this by giving of himself (literally) to others, specifically 7 others who are truly in need. The audience is left to draw the conclusion that this is what the title means.

The idea itself was intersting, yet you feel little to no sympathy for Smith's character. The entire movie, in fact, the viewer is left to wonder if he is even a good guy. In the end the movie tries to paint a picture of the tragic hero in Smith's character but it falls short. I personally walked away thinking Smith was a doofus and in need of grace, not redemption.

Alas, the film left a dry taste in my mouth and I give the film a dry rice cake with no peanut butter. Boo.