Warning!! Parental Advisory!

No, not an advisory for parent's to censor. Did a Homeschool Field Trip today, and got plenty of pictures. Please be advised that a camera-happy parent is posting below :)

Chip off the Old Block

Frodo

Trip to the Berry Ranch

Went with a bunch of homeschoolers to The Berry Ranch today...did a hay ride, picked our own pumpkins, played with some animals, etc. Fun stuff.

While we were waiting....(Arnold's there, just can't see him...he's too busy talking to "The Sheets")

Frodo's taking it all in on the hay ride

No, really, there is hay on the hay ride...

The first of many "just a milisecond too late" shots of the day

The Princess in the Pumpkins

He literally would've sat on here all day...had to pull him off kicking and screaming

Heading Out

Random Thought of the Day

Think I've decided what lifts the song "Gaston" from Disney's Beauty and the Beast from "cute" to "classic." It's this line:

I'm espcially good at expectorating!

You take out that line...the song just isn't the same.



...hey, what do you expect? I work in a video store...

Writer's Envy

Doing a little reading this morning while the boys do schoolwork and the Princess is hopping around on gymnastic equipment...read this paragraph from Jim Butcher's Summer Knight. Just struck me as the kind of thing a writer should be able to do, should be great at. This is a paragraph that Dan Brown could never write. Me either. Which bugs me more than I can say.

I leaned against my door with my eyes closed, trying to think. I was scared. Not in that half-pleasant adrenaline-charged way, but quietly scared. Wait-on-the-results-of-medical-tests scared. It's a rational sort of fear that puts a lawn chair down in the front of your thoughts and brings a cooler of drinks along with it.

Little bit of humor to create/maintain the tone, gives insight into the character, and you know exactly how the narrator feels--even if you haven't felt that way yourself--and if you have felt that it resonates with you in such a way that you are in the moment.

I have seen the movie, and the movie is me

WOW! Outside of Finding Nemo's portrayal of my parenting skills/paranoia through Marlin, I cannot think of a movie that so captures my life--and in an uncomfortable way--than Adam Sandler's Click. (although Mark Harmon's Freddy Shoop comes close to the depicting that one crazy summer...)* I'm not exactly sure what it says about me that I find myself depicted by Sandler, but hey, truth is truth sometimes...

Click is the story of up-and-coming architect Michael Newman--devoted father, loving husband who wants to provide the best he can for his family. Which means that he must get ahead in his career--which leads to him letting down his family. A lot. He's been half-done with a play fort for 2 months, is canceling camping plans, etc., etc. He hates to disappoint his family, but finds himself doing it anyway. He does it so much, he really doesn't notice. Then he comes into contact with a time-manipulating universal remote control (this is where it departs from my life, because my playing with time-manipulation has never worked).

The rest of the movie shows what happens when you skip/fast-forward through certain parts of your life to focus on other parts.

Yeah, the movie shouldn't be watched by all. Crude, some sexual humor, some drug humor (more of the former than the latter), sometimes juvenile. Even if it doesn't send you off on a tour of self-introspection it's worth the watch. David Hasselhoff that the big & loud lady from Legally Blonde are hilarious. Beckinsale minus her accent is weird, but she does okay (what Michael actually sees in her character, I'm not sure I see, but not sure it matters). Sean Astin does a good job in his new role as Sandler stock-player. Funny stuff on the whole.

The lesson that Michael Newman learns is one I've spent the last couple of weeks learning. It was slightly jarring to find it reflected on that DVD.

The question for me is, since real life is rarely like the movies--when it's never too late for characters who learn something to turn things around--have I learned things too late? Stay tuned....

* I hope it's obvious that this line is a joke

"It is sayd, that at the nede the frende is knowen."

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

I don't have a lot of friends--somewhat on purpose. I have a number of close acquaintances, but few actual friends. Few people I've let in to that inner circle. In fact, until recently I've had one (well, two, but the other guy is so busy/far away we interact very rarely and only via email, so...one on the active roster). There've been several on the "potential friend"/"close acquaintance" list, but for one reason or another, it hasn't gone past that.

I've not been happy about that situation, and really wished it would change. But lately, I've come to understand that such wasn't just inconvenient/unfortunate--it was wrong. I needed to have more friends--I should've made the effort. Not that there's anything wrong with the one I had (or the other one--I understand busy). But I needed to have made the effort, I needed to have shared my life more with others. It was selfish, self-centered, and short-sighted.

But thankfully, thankfully, a couple of brothers have stepped up--showing that they were born for adversity--and have kept my head above troubled waters. Loving me--not in some silly sappy way, but with shoe leather. Even the too-busy guy has made time for phone calls and email, which means a whole lot to me. Several online friends have gone way above the call of duty, too. Not to downplay them, but it's the flesh and blood area that I'm weak in. All these friends have kept me going when I thought I couldn't any more. Tears, pain, disaster, dispair, laughter...you name it, they've seen it in the last couple weeks. And thanks to them I sit here typing, with some hope in the future, a lot of hope in our Risen Lord, and hope in their continued friendship.

At the same time, I've basically been told to stay away from one of my close acquaintances (due to gender, probably doomed to stay there). And while I understand it, that hurts. Bad timing, on that one. Maybe if I'd been a better friend myself, things wouldn't have got to that point. Shame it feels like it's too late to fix things--but I'll give it a shot.

All this has made me think a lot about that phrase: "A friend in need, is a friend indeed/in deed." Google helped me find a couple interesting takes on the phrase (and several others, but I called off the search early). I think the Word Detective's more helpful, but I liked the quotes from The Phrase Finder (as you can see from the title to this post--which is far more interesting than my working title "Friends/Friendship").

But that's a digression. I just wanted to take a moment to publicly thank these men (they know their real identities) and the God they serve for their friendship, to apologize to them for not reaching out in friendship earlier. Love you guys. (In a manly, hugging-with-three-pats-on-the-back kind of way) Also thought it good to mark the moment (a few days after it happened) when I realized what a colossal moron I'd been for my attitudes.

Man is a communal creature. He was made to be in fellowship with others--I'm very glad I've been brought into fellowship with those God has put in my life, real friends indeed.

Battlestar

Battlestar Galactica comes back tonight. Thinking about giving it a shot? Wondering what the fuss is? Think I'm crazy for caring? Give a quick read to a Couple of Side-bars by Alan Sepinwall: What you need to know if you are jumping in tonight & Why you should watch ("Four reasons to tune in even if you could never picture yourself watching something called 'Battlestar Galactica'")

Not sure I'll watch it tonight--but you can bet it'll be recorded.

Books

In the 50th anniversary edition, Christianity Today published their take on the top 50 books in evangelicalism's last 50 years (H/T Ref21). I've read a decent-sized chunk of those. I've got my fingers on the pulse of evangelicalism, I guess. Some of those titles are frightening. Simply frightening (and I've read some of those I call that!)

Does it matter? Does anyone care what a movement considers important? What a magazine considers important? Yes. Tim Challies outdid himself today with his post, By Our Books Shall We Be Known. Challies quotes, Jay Parini's essay "Other People's Books" (which I clearly need to find):

What interests me about other people's books is the nature of their collection. A personal library is an X-ray of the owner's soul. It offers keys to a particular temperament, an intellectual disposition, a way of being in the world. Even how the books are arranged on the shelves deserves notice, even reflection. There is probably no such thing as complete chaos in such arrangements.

Other people's books draw my attention, of course. They excite curiosity about their owners and the worlds they inhabit. But it's finally my own books that matter, as they tell me about where I've been, and where I hope to go.

If that doesn't describe my psyche, I don't know what does. (other than a nasty coal mine...but that's another post for another time)

The rest of the post is just as incisive. Other than the stuff about film, I like to think I'd have written the same thing--were I as talented as Challies, or took the time.

10/5/96

From the Father of lights you came
And I know I'll never be the same again
A beautiful gift has been given to me
Your smiling face is all I see

The look that's in your eyes
And your smile that sets me free
Has made me realize
All that you see in me

Most important day of my life. I entered into a blessed covenant with the most wonderful woman I've ever met, because God was gracious enough to bring us together. I'd do it, and everything since all over again. 'Cept this time with more laughs, more love, and a few different mistakes (not crazy enough to think I'd make less).

My best friend, my heart, my life, my soulmate...

I love you, dear. May be cliche, but love ya more now than then. More now today than yesterday. Here's to many more.

Together now and forever
You are the one
You are my everything
To me you bring
The love that I have waited for

8 years, man...8 years!!!

(that title works better if you channel Jeremy Pivens' Grosse Pointe Blank character, Paul, while reading it)

8 years ago God brought you into our lives, and they haven't been the same since. Thankfully. :)

I cannot think of anyone I'm prouder of...only 1 I'm more blessed to know (tho' there are 3 others at his level). He's the Riker to my Picard. My right-hand man. Trustworthy, honorable, smart, goofy. Everything a Dad could ask for.

Love ya, Frodo. Happy birthday.

Geek Post for the week (hopefully longer)

Trying to tone down the geekiness around here, but sometimes it's hard. Was going to write something about the Robert Downey, Jr as Tony Stark casting news--I think it's inspired. And then I noticed that the good folks over at Aint It Cool News had already said it for me:

I can’t even express how much I love that choice. First of all, congratulations to Paramount and Marvel for having the nerve to pin their franchise on Downey. He’s had some rough years, but if I’ve ever seen anyone aggressively work to rehab their career, it’s Downey. Even in his darkest days, he was doing good work, but lately he seems more in touch than ever with what makes him great as a performer. He’s excellent with comedy, and he can break an audience’s heart with ease. Rare combination.

Words of Wisdom

The 9/25 Partially Clips

I feel violated. . . . and not in a good way.

Watched X-Men: The Last Stand last night (SPOILER WARNING). I'm tempted to utter some imprecatory curse against Bryan Singer for abandoning the project for that Superman flick, but I figure the ....er, did I mention there might be SPOILERS?


Taking a break for those who want to avert their eyes.

...but I figure the disrespectful way that Marsden was utilized and dispatched pretty much makes up for it. And honestly, all the blame for this falls at the feet of Ratner and 20th Century Fox.

I seriously can't think of anything I like about this flick. The storyline...was pretty shabby. I'm willing to bet that last night's Smallville premier had better FX. Ditto for the score! If you notice the score it'd better be because it's the only redeeming thing in a bad flick or just something perfect. This was noticeable because it made a couple of scenes seem better in contrast. The costumes annoyed me. Jackman's hair bugged me (so did Barre's come to think of it--and I promise you, I don't spend a lot of time thinking about hair--just look at my pictures). And don't get me started on Beast--or Angel (tho' the scene at the beginning w/him as a lad--that one worked)--or Leech--or...ack, just have to stop now.

Romijn and Ashmore worked for me. I think that was about it. Even the almost perfect Paquin fell flat (been a fan of hers since The Piano). Stewart was wasted. McKellen couldn't save it with all his gravitas.

I felt so ripped off by the tie-everything-up-in-a-tidy-bow of a happy ending, that I didn't check out one special feature, deleted scene or alternate ending.

Best thing about this DVD? The Sneak Preview of the Simpsons movie that showed up on the main menu. And I'd already seen it from the video grabs that people did at various comic cons this summer and posted on YouTube. But this was cleaner and with better audio.

Grade? D. Save yourself the time and trouble unless you have to know how things wrapped up. And even then, make sure you use a 2-for-1 coupon or something.

Rusty, I know you disagree. Feel free to comment away and convince me I'm wrong. Kletois and I are up to the challenge :) (also have to believe that SpideyGeek will chime in my support, or I will lose all faith in her career.)

Quote of the Day

"The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly. 'Tis dearness only that gives everything its value."

-- Thomas Paine

By Popular Demand

(popular there is loosely defined as "1 person")

Despite my self-description as a TV-junkie, there's really only one or two writer's work I can identify w/o looking at the credits (Aaron Sorkin, David E. Kelley, Joss Whedon, maybe David Milch)--Whedon's moved to the big screen, Milch is focusing on cable, leaving Sorkin and Kelley as the 2 distinctive voices. And only one of them doesn't spiral into self-parody and a series being out-of-control within a season or two. Which is why I'm very excited that Sorkin is back.

I first got into Sorkin's style via the summer promos for Sports Night on ABC, which convinced me I was gonna love the show before it premiered. Then it did. And I did. ABC has yet to atone for the way they treated that show. Then he moved on to the West Wing, and I didn't follow--just wasn't up for the politics. A couple years ago I stubmeld into a marathon on Bravo, and have made up for that error. Still hate the politics, but love the writing.

So you can imagine my excitement when I heard about his new gig, Sudio 60 on the Sunset Strip. Yeah, sure, Sorkin is using Whitford and Perry as stand-ins for himself and Schlamme. Who cares? Whitford and Perry were great (and I'd watch them do pretty much anything, anyway).
Not sure that Amanda Peet totally sold me with her performance, but she was good enough; Steven Weber played an excellent network jerk; it was good to see D.L. Hughley get some work; ditto for Timothy Busfield (who has made up for his involvement in thirtysomething by his work as Lloyd Stevens on Ed and Danny on West Wing). Need to see more of the rest of the cast before I really decide about them.

Okay, so I really didn't come to this thing unbiased. But what about the story? Did it work? I think so. Will have a better idea next week--once we're past the whole pilot thing--but I can see myself in for the long haul with this one. Good news: from the "next week on ..." clips, it looks like someone found the lightswitch on the set. Pilot was just too dark (not in tone, but in lighting).

So, Katy, review? Not sure I have enough info for one right now. But I'll tell you this: as the show ended, I found myself smiling. That's just not something I do a lot of.

Now I'm just waiting for Joshua Malina to be written in...

Speaking of schemes ganging aft agley

On the way home from my sleep test this morning, I was listening to ESPN radio (not in the mood for local call-in politics at 6:15 am, and I heard the words that "the Mets' win eliminates Atlanta." WHA--? I knew they were having a rough year, I was pretty sure they weren't going to be in the playoffs...but wow. September's not halfway over and Atlanta's eliminated?

Never a big Braves fan. Not a big NL guy, really. But you gotta tip your cap to 14 consecutive division titles. Braves in the postseason is like the sun coming up in the morning. You just take it for granted. This is such a strage year.



(promise, that's the last Robbie Burns title for awhile, really)

Heading off a best laid scheme ganging aft agley

This sounds like a lot of fun. Would love to do it. But not only do I know I wouldn't get done, my dear, devoted wife would probably wring my neck (in a devotedly endearing way, of course).

At the same time, can you imagine the gross tonnage of sheer dreck that will result from NaNoWriMo? Whoever puts this thing on, pushes for the sponsorships, etc. Should make a promise to read every single line of text put out in this effort. Some would be rewarding, some would lead them to change it to NaNoWriDecade. Parker--who's one of the best around, puts out 4 novels a year. 3 of which generally need a good rework, 1 of which will be hit out of the ballpark. Can't imagine there are a whole lot of folk out there at RBP's level taking part in this. Why do these folks playing at the triple-A level (at best) think that speed is the way to get this done?

I know, it's about doing it. About the discipline, the effort, the growth as a writer that comes from producing something.

Still, the more I think about it, the more something just seems wrong in the idea.

That said. I'm publicly challenging AKA Lucy to take a crack at it. :)

Return of Godzilla Watch 3

Starting lineup, Devil Rays at Yankee Stadium

Johnny Damon CF
Derek Jeter SS (can the streak continue?)
Bobby Abreu RF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Jason Giambi 1B
Jorge Posada C
Robbie Cano 2B
Hideki Matsui DH
Melky Cabrerra LF

Mike Mussina P

What I wouldn't give to be able to watch this one....to hear the crowd when he comes up to the plate...

UPDATE: Matsui was 4-for-4. Oh man! But that's not the headline. Bobby "His Power's Gone/He's Past His Prime" Abreu was good for 7 RBI's! 6 of those in the first! Ha. Cashman's a genius.

Misc. Notes While Waiting for my Printer to Finish

• First Fall baseball game of the year was today. Fall Ball's a little different than the Spring Cal Ripken season: there are 2 teams (and only 2 teams), they play each other every week. The point isn't to get to the top of the standings, but to improve skills. These are the kids who are out there because they love the game and want to get better--a real pleasure to watch. No machines doing the pitching--it's kids. First time a lot of these players had faced a pitched ball period--much less one from something as inaccurate as an 7 year old with a killer fastball. BTW, I'm describing the starting pitcher for Frodo & Sam's team. The kid blew me away! Frodo's improved a lot over the summer, not sure how. Sam was in there trying his best. Hard when all the pitches are six inches above your head. He'll get there tho...
• Oh yeah, they won by one run. Last inning of the game--finally, finally one kid gets across the plate. There was a total of 3 good defensive plays (2 from our team). But oy vey! Am hoping these guys improve a lot...and quick.
• Would've been a good idea for me to have thought of sunscreen, or, y'know...a baseball cap. 2.5 hrs in the sun = red scalp. Gonna be fun to shave in the morning.
• I think it would be very fun to speak like an Aaron Sorkin character for a day.
• Gonna pass post 900 this week (D.V.). Hit 805 at GA in June. Have had a busy summer 'round here.
• Zowie! My Totino's Pizza Rolls have apparently been exposed to gamma radiation (and have been made angry, wonder if I'll like them when they're angry). They're bleepin' huge! Pizza Rolls are a late-night studying staple food for me, haven't had any since May. How long have they been jumbo-sized?