Let It Snow

We had to come all the way to Illinois to get some snow. And boy did we get it.

Today the kids talked me into taking them sledding at the local park. We had a great time. Along with the fun of sledding we had some human bowling added to the mix. There were so many people climbing up the hill it was hard to miss them sometimes. Luckily there were no injuries.


Brianna decided to change her braking method after she tried this one.

Alex is trying on his angelic side. Didn't last long.

Doll Hands

Thanks to our good friends I have had to suffer through the incessant quoting of the creepiest character on TV for about two weeks. I don't see the end in sight. Mind you it's not just the kids! Kathi is equally devoted to biting at my sanity.

So as the kind person I am I'm going to share with you the source of the torture. Not that the video itself isn't funny, but 24/7 repetition and impersonation does take its toll.

Trailers Pulling Me In

I am a sucker for movie trailers. Previews as some call it. My favorite site for these is www.apple.com/trailers. Yesterday while perusing what is coming in 2010 I stumbled onto the Iron Man 2 trailer. Oh my goodness - May can't come soon enough. It looks amazing. Go to the previous mentioned site and watch it if you haven't seen it yet. Go! Now! What are you waiting for?

The thing that caught my attention the most was Mickey Rourkes character Whiplash. He looks, as my wife put it, Bad Ass! The only part I didn't like was seeing that Don Cheadle replaces Terrance Howard as Rhodey. Not that I don't like Mr. Cheadle I just happen to have liked Terrance Howard's performance in the first movie. It was like when they replaced Katie Holmes with Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Dawes. I like Maggie Gyllenhaal but thought the replacement was unnecessary as Katie Holmes performance was decent.

Both our kids birthday's are in May so we'll probably make this a family movie outing. From what I can see in the preview, this looks like it can match, if not, out do the first Iron Man. Robert Downey is definitely the key to its success; as Tony Stark he is perfect.

God is Funny

If anyone thinks that God doesn't have a sense of humor they aren't paying close enough attention.

I believe that this Global Warming thing is a sham and that later generations will look back at us and chuckle. Remember the Avian Flu or Swine Flu panic? I think Global Warming is just like those. A lot of panic for nothing. I will concede that there are things we can do to take better care of what we have been given but I've not been convinced that the world is ending.

Back to God's sense of humor. I saw this article today. The title is great - Blizzard Dumps Snow on Copenhagen as Leaders Battle Warming. I picture God in all his glory getting a laugh at those that had to put on thier ear muffs because of all this warming.

Alex Sparring

Tonight I borrowed the Flip I just purchased for the office to get a little video of the boy sparring at Tae Kwon Do. I love watching him on Wednesday nights. Sometimes he's a bit timid and backs off but he'll always go back in to fight. Tonight he took a kick to the mouth and kept in the battle. I could tell he was hurt but he didn't show it.

This video is of Alex sparring with a boy of a higher belt. Alex is in the blue pads.

Recent Thoughts

Last night I had to clean up my daughters vomit that inconveniently landed on her bedroom carpet.  I'm a sympathetic puker so this was no easy task.  Despite my gagging I got it done.

I'm liking Lady GaGa.

Shows I can't stand to miss each week thus I am greatful for Hulu are; House and Fringe.

I have come to grips with the fact that the Raiders will suck until Al Davis is dead.

I don't think people spend enough time with themselves these days.  With all the stimulus around us we are rarely alone with our own thoughts.  It makes me wonder if people really know themselves.

The Honeycrisp is the best apple ever.

I'm no longer calling my self a "Scrooge" during the Christmas season.  I've got to find another name for one who loves what we celebrate at Christmas but not what this country has made it into.

I'm disappointed that I don't journal my dreams anymore.  I've had some doozy's.

I hope that the movie Avatar is as good as it looks.

God needs to remember what a minute feels like, let alone eleven years.

I will not use the word 'ginormous' or 'phat'.  But I will use 'plethera' and 'discombuberated'.

If all the unfinished thoughts in my head were pennies I'd be able to retire today.

Funny Girl

while playing Apples to Apples:

Girly: ...but Dad, mermaids aren't real.

Me:  sure they are

Girly: then why don't you call one up on her shell phone?

Thanksgiving!

On a serious note.

Today we give thanks to the God of all creation for all the wonderful things he does. In that thanks let us not forget those that are not sitting with family today enjoying a big meal.

Let us remember the troops who are on foreign land fighting for our freedom.

Let us remember the child on the street in Bangladesh who is begging for a meal today.

Let us remember the young girl who is held against her will to do unspeakable things for men with dark hearts.

Let us remember the forgotten who have been placed in a home to die.

Let us remember the boys who hold guns instead of books.

Let us remember the cold, the ill, the hungry, and the imprisoned.

Let us remember the least of these. Our neighbors. Our enemies.

Let us not forget what Jesus has taught us. Love your neighbor as yourself. Love the least of these.

Lord, in our comfort please make us uncomfortable.

Happy Thanksgiving

On a light note.

Often when we think of cars we think "what else can they come up with?" Okay, maybe you don't, but I do. Cars are cool. I think of them as works of art.

BMW has blown my mind with their latest work. Watch the video below and tell me it's not one of the coolest things you've seen.

Random Cellies

Today I figured out how to get the photos off my cell phone memory card.  So to celebrate I am sharing more  random pictures that have been stored up over the year.

Here is one of the girly with her puppy.  You can tell by the look on his face that he's loving it.

Where's Alex?

Alex got a treat at Sports Clips. He was in heaven here. When the guy pulled out the hot towel I was a bit worried but it ended up being his favorite part.

Sunflower at the farm.

A nice view in traffic.

Mt. Hood in the distance.

A crappy view in traffic.

The girly had to try on my new shades. I had to get a pic.

Morning Sky

This morning the sky was on fire.  I got a couple shots of it with my cell phone to share.

To the east was the sunrise which looked like clouds of fire surrounding the backlit Mt. Hood.  If you click on the photo you'll get the full size image and you can see Mt. Hood right above the car in front of me.

To the west was a beautiful double rainbow. This makes the longer commute totally worth it on mornings like this.

Movie Top Ten - Actress in a Leading Role

A short time ago I posted my top ten favorite male actors.  I had fun choosing the photos for that list.  This list is of my top ten favorite leading ladies.  The photos were harder to choose.  I did all black and white for the men and was going to do all color photos for the ladies but failed.  There were a couple black and whites of the ladies I could not resist.

Here's the ladies.

Amy Adams - I first remember seeing her in Enchanted and thought she was perfect in that role. Recently we saw her in Julie & Julia and she was perfect. She gets bonus points for being a redhead.

Angelina Jolie - Okay maybe she's not on the list for her acting abilities although I did love her in Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Ellen Page - Two movies; Juno and Hard Candy. I look forward to seeing this young lady more.

Emma Thompson - Can this lady do wrong? I don't think so. There is too much good to list so I'll mention a couple I just loved. In Stranger Than Fiction you could feel her neuroticism oozing off the screen. She brought Prof. Trelawney to life. In Nanny McPhee it was visually amazing to watch her transformation.

Jamie Lee Curtis - There is just something about this lady I just like but can't put my finger on it. A Fish Called Wanda = Brilliant!

Joan Cusack - Although she's rarely the leading lady, I just love it when she's in a movie. Grosse Pointe Blank is a favorite.

Madeline Kahn - Two movies put her on the list; Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles.

Maryl Streep - What's to say about the queen of the screen? She's amazing. She pulls of leading lady, bitch, tough chick, lover, tender-heart, monster, and comedienne like no other.

Queen Latifa - Despite Taxi I put her on the list. I loved her in Chicago and I think she is just beautiful.

Sigourney Weaver - Put a gun in this ladies hands and there is no stopping her. What guy didn't love her in Aliens?

Da Punkins

We carved pumpkins last night 'cause it's fun.  Here's what we came up with.

Alex's is a vampire and Brianna's is French.  I'm not sure what she meant by that but that's what she said she was making - a French pumpkin.

Here they are all a glow.

Mine is the cyclops that looks like Mike from Monsters Inc.  Kathi's is the happy one.

I don't take Halloween very serious.  Actually if it wasn't for the kids I wouldn't do anything for it.  The pumpkins are the only part I like and I think it's because it involves knives and fire - two very manly things.  The candy was the draw as a kid but as an adult I can have candy anytime I want, which is most all the time.  I love me the candy.

Be safe out there tonight everyone.

Teshy Dreams

Last night I dreamt that I was travelling with John Tesh.  You know, former host of ET, piano playing, John Tesh.  Yep, the one and only.  I don't know where we were going or why I was with him, I just was. 

Besides the oddity of him being in my dream, nobody knew who he was in my dream.  He would get stopped by people because they knew he was famous but he would have to explain who he was to them.

After navigating through the airport we arrived at our gate and boarded the plane.  After getting in the air the pilot announced that celebrity Sean Astin was going to come up to the cockpit and fly the plane for a bit.  So I'm sitting next to John Tesh and Sean "Rudy" Astin was flying the plane.  What can I say?  When I dream, I dream big.

The hobbit turned out to be a terrible pilot and repeatedly flew threw powerlines and skimmed buildings.  At one point I was concerned for my life. Not John's.  Just mine.

Many dreams I have I'd love to know the meaning behind, this one I'd rather not.

HaHaHaHAHAHAha

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!

Really.  For your debut this is what you came up with?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!

I can hardly stand it.

Toupee or Not Toupee

Last night before turning in for the night I caught a bit of The Jay Leno Show. Michelle Obama had a charming little question session via satellite before Jay brought out his main guest, Colin Firth. I don't really know much about Mr. Firth nor have I seen many of the movies he's been in, but once he appeared from backstage my toupeedar was screaming.

Check it for yourself. Is it or isn't it? Let me know what you think.

Tree Time

I love watching the changing trees during the Fall.

There is one particular tree that I just love. It is next door to our office and I watch it change every year. It changes very fast so I only get to enjoy it for about three weeks.

This is what it looked like last week

This is what it looked like this afternoon

This is one of the many many reasons I love living in Portland and why I love the rain.  This is what beauty the rain brings to this area.

Movie Top Ten - Actors in a Leading Role

There are a number of actors (male) that I love and will see in just about any kind of movie.  I'm going to share my top ten.

These are not tabloid-junky stars.  These are men of the screen and I love their movies.  They have classic faces, memorable roles, and have stood the test of time.

 

Clint Eastwood - This man puts the 'man' in manly. With the exception of Pink Cadillac, I'd sit down for just about any Eastwood flick anytime.

Denzel Washington - Happens to be my wife's favorite guy. I am really looking forward to his upcoming movie The Book of Eli.  One of my favorites of his is Man on Fire.

Gene Hackman - The intensity he can bring to bear on the screen is amazing. Sometimes you just love to hate his character which makes him just brilliant.

Michael Caine - Hello. Don't need to say much about this guy. One thing I'll say is that his voice helped put him on this list. I love to hear him talk.

Gene Wilder - Two things put Mr. Wilder on the list - his comic genius and the love he had for his wife, the late Gilda Radner.

Bruce Willis - Say what you want but I love his movies.

Christopher Walken - Hey, he's crazy and scares the heck out of me. What's not to like?

Alan Rickman - From his first scene in Die Hard I knew I'd like this guy. When he brought Snape to life in the Harry Potter movies he confirmed his spot on this list.

James Woods - He's smug, arrogant, and a bit cocky. So. That's why I like him.

Gary Oldman - Last but certainly not least. If I have to explain why he's on the list you've never seen one of his movies. If you haven't start with Leon (aka The Professional)

Alex the Comic Genius

Last night while I suffered through an agonizing loss by the Angels, Alex was diligently working on a comic for me.  He knows my affinity for pirates so that was his theme.

We've got swords, planks, guns, canons, pirates getting eaten by sharks,  "aargs" - what more could you ask for?  Oh yeah - total annihilation!

*** Click on the Image for Full Size ***