GPS

Getting Lost yesterday led to my big ticket purchase yesterday: a Tom Tom 510 GPS device. You literally take it out of the box and it starts to work. It is nice that there are no associated subscription fees unless you opt for the "Plus" services. These services are neat, but require the use of a Bluetooth enabled phone as your data connection. One of the plus services is alerting you to traffic congestion in select cities (my area is one of them). However, since I do not own a compatible cell phone and my drive time to work is 5 minutes, I will not be using it for that.

I can see this gadget becoming a new favorite. No additional fees is an incredible plus, and I just realized how much I come to accept that any new device will have associated subscription fees. The manual is lacking, however, the device is fairly intutive and in no time, I was plotting a course to my friend's new house.

In comparing GPS systems to each other, they all seem to have similar features, but the Tom Tom had two that I really liked. The first was the 3D display. Instead of getting an overhead perspective, Tom Tom draws the map from your perspective, with your route going off into the horizon. This really helps with situation yourself with the device. The second thing feature I like is that you can download celebrity voices, such as Mr T. or John Cleese ("Turn Left Fool. I pity the Fool that gets lost").

Perhaps now, I can get to Borders.

It's a BF2 World

I have written about this before, but, I love the Battlefield series of computer games. I have met some really good friends from playing Battlefield, and some of these I have never met in real life. Ever since getting my Xbox 360, my play time has gone to zilch on the computer.

After getting lost, I stopped into Circuit City to shop for a GPS System and to find out how much getting my inlaws connected to broadband would cost. As it turns out, Hamburg NY is being connected with Verizon Fiber, and their Adelphia cable is becoming Comcast at the end of the month. Perhaps now is not the time to make a switch to broadband because there are some new options coming in a few short months.

So, I was talking with the Circuit City CSR about Fiber and relating a story that Henry, a verizon fiber customer, told me. Henry said that he can download a movie from Verizon and they will throttle open his connection full bore for 24 hours. So, during that 24 hours he can download like a mad man. And then I added, "or play the mess out of Battlefield 2."

I use words like mess as substitute words. Bill Cosby once had a skit about using replacement words because you don't want to swear in front of the kids ("What the filth flarn flarn filth are you doing?"). I can't turn it off.

The Circuit City employee immediately lit up and told me he played Battlefield, and immediately went to a terminal and brought up his stats. They were impressive. He asked for my nickname (Swampy*Fox, ala Francis Marion), and knowing that my stats stink, I considered giving him Paul's nick. But, I owned up to mine, and got invited to come over to play at a weekly gaming session that his group holds. Unfortunately, I can't, but thanks for the invite.

Lost

I hate to admit it, but I got lost yesterday. Sure, I can paint it with nice words by saying I got turned around, but no matter how I try to spin it, I was lost.

It started with everyone going in seperate directions for the morning. My father in law was teaching violin lessons all day, the kids were off to VBS and Cindy and her mom went shopping. That left me with free time.

After a quick call to my NY Pal Lorne and a skate around the neighborhood, I hopped in my car in search of a Borders bookstore. I had been there before on previous visits to Western NY, and was convinced that I was on the right path. However, once I started hitting toll roads and signs that said "4 miles to downtown Buffalo," I realized that I was not in Kansas anymore. I tried to backtrack, but missed some crucial turns and finally got off the interstate. Lost.

I called my mother in law for some advice, but, you know how that is. I had no idea were I was except a street name. So, I struck out east until I came to the town of Cheektawaga. There at the corner was Starbucks. Time for some liquid refreshment. The thing about Starbucks is that, compared to McDonalds, the Baristas genuinely appear happy to see you. I've been in them all along the east coast, and I don't think I've come across a crabby barista. So, I ordered my Verona, and casually asked, in my Sean Connery Voice (I love doing this voice), "So, Pretty Penny, how does a double-o agent get to Orchard Park." Luckily, I stuck the imitation, laughter ensued, and then they said, "wow, you must be lost." Returning back to Connery, "No, I am merely turned around."

So, armed with coffee, and set of directions and successfully found my way back. I did not get to Borders. But, I did get to Circuit City. Second best destination.

Fishing

I had forgotten how much fun fishing can be. Yesterday, Grandpa Hobart took us out to the town of Tonawanda with the Batman and Barbie fishing poles he gave the kids last year. Stopping at a local grocery store, we purchased bait from a vending machine and then found the location we had fished last year. We caught at least 6 brim and 1 small bass. Cindy and I would hook them, and let the kids reel them to shore where we released them back. Katie was thrilled with catching the bass because, according to her, it brings good luck.

Review: Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest

The stakes are established within the opening moments of the movie: William Turner is arrested on his wedding day to Elizabeth Swan for assisting in the liberation of Captain Jack Sparrow from the gallows. Like wise, Miss Swan is also arrested for her role in "Curse of the Black Pearl." Both face the gallows, unless, Turner recovers Jack's "broken" compass to the representative of the East India Trading Company. Meanwhile, Captain Jack is on a quest to recover a key that will open "Davey Jones' Locker." As it turns out, the only reason that Jack is a Captain is due to a deal that he made with Davey Jones, that expires after ten years. And now, Jack must pay his end of the bargain, and become part of Davey Jones' crew aboard the Flying Dutchman. By the time it is all over, Jack, William and Elizabeth are all seeking the contents of the Locker, each for their own reason.

This movie has three strikes against it.

The plot for "Dead Man's Chest" is not as straight forward as "Curse of the Black Pearl," and I found it to be more cumbersome and less fun than the original. Don't get me wrong, this movie is chock full of cool stuff: the crew of Davey Jones' Flying Dutchman, the Kraken and Davey Jones himself. I remember watching "Black Pearl" and thinking how much fun the movie was (from start to finish): it was swashbuckling fun! "Black Pearl" became really neat during the sword fight between Jack and William in the blacksmith's shop. Here was the blacksmith's apprentice crossing foils with a nefarious pirate on the run. But this was not just any pirate, it was a pirate who once captained the ship that was directly responsible for the Apprentice being in Port Royale. There was a interconnection between the two male characters that goes beyond what we saw on screen. They did not have to show that Will's father was the one man who stood up for Jack; they did not have to show Jack being stranded the first time on the rum runner's island, and they did not have to show Will's ship being attacked by the crew of the damned.

This leads me to my second stike against "Dead Man's Chest:" they had to show everything, and this made for a long movie.I guess when you are paying $8.00 to get in the door, this should not be a complaint, but, some scenes do not contribute to the overall goal of the movie. The entire cannibal scene, while funny, serves only to reunite Jack and William, but in the end, contributes nothing but an extra thirty minutes to the film. Elizabeth stows away on a ship and uses a dress to impersonate a phantom, only to get to Tortuga, was not needed. In fact, it was not really that funny. It was almost that they did not know what to do with her character until they give her the compass.

The final strike is that this is a "second chapter" movie and has the words "to be continued..." at the end. Ok, not literally, but I am not gonna ruin how they "wrote" those words. These movies can never stand on their own, and that's what I don't like about them. Off the bat, I think of Bakshi's "Lord of the Rings" and "Back to the Future II." I don't include "Empire Strikes Back" because this movie stands on it's own. It completes the story it started of to tell, but, it left threads open. I think what I liked least about Dead Man's Chest was that I did not know that this was going to "be continued." I remember the moment during the film that I though "they can not wrap this up, it's going to be continued." I prefer a self contained story.

Even though I did not like "Dead Man's Chest" as compared to "Curse of the Black Pearl" it is still a cool movie to watch on the big screen. It is funny and fun, just not as much as the first film. I did not like the cliff hanger, but, luckily, I only have to wait to next year to see the conclusion.

Vacation, All I Ever Wanted

Finally, vacation. We are in Hamburg, New York this week enjoying some down time with the Inlaws, the Kids and my best friend, my wife.

American Flag etiquette

I remember learning much of this while in the Air Force. I bet you can find examples all around your neighborhood, sports teams and newspaper adds that pretty much goes against proper flag etiquette.

Again, more from USA Flag Site

• The flag should be lighted at all times, either by sunlight or by an appropriate light source.
• The flag should be flown in fair weather, unless the flag is designed for inclement weather use.
• The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
• The flag should not be used for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
• The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.
• The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
• The flag should never have any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind placed on it, or attached to it.
• The flag should never be used for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
• When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
• The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
• When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.

More odds and ends:

During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, all persons present except those in uniform should face the flag and stand at attention with the right hand over the heart. Those present in uniform should render the military salute. When not in uniform, men should remove the headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Aliens should stand at attention. The salute to the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes.

During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform shall stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there.

Star Spangled Banner, verse 4

From the USA Flag Site

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

(guess I can see why we don't sing that too often)

Happy Fourth of July

I believe that I won the lottery the day that I was born in the United States of America. I have been blessed to travel and live abroad and my love for this country has been shaped by what I have seen. So, today, on this 230th birthday of America, I encourage you to read the Declaration of Independence and make familiar once more the names of fifty six signers of the document that declared our independence from Great Britain.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

God Bless America.

Blast from the Past

Came across this picture tonight of Rick and I celebrating with friends at our Spanish Honor Society Fiesta. I believe this is circa 1985. How cool could we possibly be with those unbuttoned white "Spanish Honor Society" Oxfords? I bet we were wearing dock shoes as well (socks optional).

Game Widow

Thankfully, Cindy is not a total Game Widow because I have gotten better at managing my gaming time. But, here is a great article on including your spouse in gaming. Now, if I could get her to play BF2!!

Review: Superman Returns

Earlier this week I wrote about my anticipation of going to see Superman Returns, and I will sum it up as: "just plain fun!" Everything hinges on accepting Brandon Routh as Clark Kent/Superman, and he has some very big boots to fill. For me, Christopher Reeve was the iconic Superman. All of the television variants have been hit or miss (although I do like Smallville, it has been more like X-Files 90210). Routh simply looks fantastic as Superman. Vocally, he also sounded very similar to Reeve. Because this movie is a sequel to Superman: The Movie, Clark is played just as he was in the original, but not quite as naive. My favorite scene from Superman: The Movie was the helicopter sequence. This scene is essentially recreated, but instead of a helicopter, replace it with a 777 with a really big engine on top. What is cool about this scene is that you get a sense of scale and how powerful Superman truly is, something the original movies could never convey. I know much of this is CG, but it looks really good. I had just watched Matrix Reloaded this week because I remember that movie many main characters were animated during key sequences (the hurly burly fight scene comes to mind). When I saw the movie, this stuck out like a sore thumb and brought me out of the moment. Superman Returns uses a much higher degree of animation, but it kept me in the movie.

Superman Returns is rated PG13 for some Intense Action Violence. With X-Men III, I could walk away and definitely tell parents that they should go and see this before taking the kids (language and skin). I did not have any red flags. I can not recall cursing, though I know it is probably in there. Clark drinks a Bud (hey, he works hard), and Cindy's Spidey Senses tingled a few times. Because of that, I will go see this again with an eye toward the girls seeing it now or on video.

Identity Confusion

After purchasing my Superman Returns tickets at MovieTicket.com, I realized that I had not received a Best Buy Reward Certificate in a few months. Sure, that's a leap, unless you've purchased tickets online before and have been directed to the "$15.00 cash back" reward site for shopping at places like Best Buy. So, digging through my wallet for my membership card (ok, someone needs to make a "universal" membership card so we don't have to carry 10 cards in our wallet), I logged into the site, viewed my balance and then wrote a complaint that I have not seen any coupons. I went to my profile to verify the address and what do you know, it was my parent's address. So, my account has my email, my password, but my parents address. I called my Dad, and sure enough, he had purchased a Rewards membership when he purchased his digital camera, and somehow, Best Buy added his information to my account. I am used to the USPS confusing us, but, this is the first time it has happened with a merchant. Let's see how this works out.

Patriotic Trombones

Last night at Orchestra rehearsal, it dawned on me that I have been playing the trombone for 26 years. On my sixteenth birthday (celebrated by going to the swamps with George and Mr. Mace and then catching a sneak-preview of Gremlins with Jay at the Bush River Cinemas...best part of that, besides the poster for Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, was getting to drive home with my new license), I got the Conn 88-H that I still play today. I participated in marching band at Airport High School and the University of South Carolina and even majored in Music Education. During my Air Force days, I did not play that much, but still had my trombone with me in Japan. Once we settled into a church, we joined the Orchestra and I get to play at least twice a week (Wednesday Night and Sunday Morning). On the whole, I consider myself to be a decent enough player, and I enjoy what I am doing.

I was definitely never as good as these young ladies. So, to kick off the Fourth Of July weekend, here is a John Phillip Sousa's Stars and Stripes Forever, as played by this fine Trombone Quartet.

Look, In the Sky!

You know, I am really looking forward to seeing Superman Returns on Friday. I have vivid memories of seeing Superman: The Movie with my sister at the Dutch Square Twin back in 1979. I never saw II or III in the theater, but, unfortunately, saw IV at the Columbia Mall Theaters. I knew that it was a cheap production because it was produced by Golan and Globus (King Solomon's Mines), written by Christopher Reeve (red flag here) and...the nail in the coffin, music arranged by Alexander Courage (Star Trek) based on John Williams original score for Superman: The Movie. For you non-musicians, let me break that last one down: the made the music from the first film fit the movie. Basically, Jay and I did this with Indiana Jr and the Eggs of Doom (if you missed it, you have missed out on one of the greatest adventure films of all time). If I knew there was a real job there, maybe I wouldn't be in Va right now. What a horrible way to end a series.

But, comic book fans fall into one of two camps: DC or Marvel. I usually stand in the DC camp, but I still love Spiderman, Captain America and The Hulk. I really liked the direction that Batman Begins took. It was gritty and realistic. It did not feel like plastic, and that was my major problem with X-Men III: it just didn't feel right, and it definitely did not do justice to the source material. But, Superman takes a special place for me. It was the first comic that my Grand Daddy Bryan bought for me (I still have it) and was the first comic that I bought when I started collecting in college. I never liked when they messed with the formula: when they tried to update him and make him more modern. With the cynicism that comes with age, there was something innocent and charming about "Truth, Justice and the American Way" even if all three of those vary greatly depending on your point of view.

So, I am hoping that Superman Returns brings some of that charm back. We certainly need it.

A Side of Brunch, Without the Brunch Please

During my recent trip to SC, James, Frog and I went to the Vista to take in some brunch. Guess what? No brunch on the Vista! We ended up having a breakfast at the "Ye Olde" IHOP. Somehow, brunch just sounds nice: not quite lunch, not exactly breakfast. Brunch. Mmmm. However, IHOP conjures images of stuffing people into boothes and cramming your mouth full. After Brunch, your pants can still buckle; after IHOP, you are going for the sweatpants. Perhaps next time, I'll put my trusty Google to use, or at least get recommendations from the cashier at IHOP.

Office Public Service Announcements

I discovered The Office near the end of the season and found it funny in the same way that I find Dilbert funny. Cindy finds both very un-funny. Anyways, head over to NBC to check out these fake Public Service Announcements

When you're playing pickup basketball, and someone tries to make you feel bad about calling a foul, remember, it's ok to call a foul. Don't let anyone make you feel ashamed.They know what they did.

Performance Review

Who likes to write their self evaluation for a performance review? Anyone? Mine is due today and I can't believe I have waited until the last day to begin writing. I have wondered if the self evaluation actually does any good.

Performance Reviews are like report cards, and I hear that they stay on your permanent record. Best of all, you don't have to get them signed by your parents. So, don't sweat them. However, they can be used as justifications for pay increases, so, don't completely blow them off, or it might come back to haunt you. For your convenience, I have developed a handy "Performance Metric to Report Card Grade" comparison Chart.

---

• Below Expectations (similar to a D or F...your gonna get in trouble for this)

• Met Expectations (a C...which has become known as average. Since everyone is average, expected a lot of these)

• Exceeded Expectations (maps to a B...You did something really good for someone)

• Greatly Exceeded Expectations (maps to an A...this rating is actually an urban legend in cubeville).

---

So, I know what you are thinking, since there is no way that you can get a GEE, you certainly must "Exceeded Expectations." Common mistake, but wrong. You are, most likely, going to have"Met Expectations." Why? The Person who is evaluating you may be trying to give you decent feedback, but, they are also distributing these ratings based on a bell curve. And at the top of that curve? You got it: Met Expectations.

So, does your self review really matter? Sure it does. If anything, it gives you an opportunity to reflect back on what you have achieved in the past and plan out where you would like to be in the future. Should you wait until the last day to compile this reflection? Probably not.

Questions from a Kid

Recently, Katie, eight, asked me, with all seriousness in her eyes, how to fart. I was curious about the nature of the question, for she has demonstrated this bodily feature ad infinitum, and at times with much gusto. Not wanting to brush her off, I asked "What do you mean?" Hesitantly, she looked around for momma, and then said, "you know" and stuck her right palm under her left armpit and the flapped her left arm like a duck. "Oh, I see now. No. I can't."

Thanks go to Marty for "Keeping it Fresh."

Father's Day

When it comes to fatherhood, I still feel like Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark: I feel like I am just "making this up as I go along." On a day to day basis, it is hard to see how much progress I am making in my adventure, and often leads to the ultimate self doubt question: have I made the best choices? Unfortunately, I know that answer: no. But judging my day to day progress is like looking at the individual dots of paint in Seurat's "Sunday Afternoon." You have to stand back and look at them all (mistakes and all).

Today, we went to Bush Gardens in Williamsburg right after the 8:00 am Church Service. Park attendance was light, so the queues were fairly quick. We got to ride the Loch Ness Monster and Escape From Pompeii twice. Katie and Cindy rode Apollo's Chariot while Megan and I took it easy on the Elephant Run and the Turkish Delight tea cup ride. Finally, we queued for forty five minutes to ride Roman Rapids: the wait was worth every drenching ounce of fun. We spent five hours in the park and it was time to go. Traffic from Williamsburg to Chesapeake can be hectic on a Sunday afternoon, and we got home around five thirty. Overall, a very fun Father's Day.

Cars: Varoooooommmm

As a daddy of two girls who both like movies, I see an awful lot of crap out there. So, when I see something that is above the average (e.g. Madagascar, Over the Hedge etc), I sometimes fool myself in elevating that to the "classic" level. But, when a real classic comes my way, you know if for what it is.

Cars is a classic.

I first saw a trailer for Cars just before The Incredibles. I thought that Pixar might strike out with this one: after all, I am not a NASCAR fan. Great news, you don't have to be. Rick wrote about the story over at Good Coffee. I have to agree with him on the story, but, I just want to tout the technical side. A computer animated movie is a "special effect" in itself. Each company has a style that identifies who made it (Dreamworks, Pixar, Blue Sky, everyone else). While you are watching the movie, you notice things such as the texture of Princess Fiona's dress, or Marty's mane. But, it is Pixar that really pushes this envelope. Cars pulls something extremely familiar (driving) and animates it flawlessly. There is a cross country scene where the main character (Lightning McQueen) is being taken to California for the big race. It is a montage, with "Life Is a Highway" (performed by Rascal Flats) playing. I was beside myself at just how good that looked.

So, we really enjoyed this movie. Remember to stay through the credits, because Pixar keeps the movie going up until the end. There is a classic John Ratzenberger (Cliff from Cheers) gag during the credits. I believe that John has voiced a character in each of the Pixar films. Anyways, I'll say no more. Just enjoy it.

It makes me Sick

While waiting for Google Earth 4 to install, I happened upon Westboro Baptist Church's Video's on You Tube. This is the church that is going out and demonstrating that God hates the soldiers. While they are at it, the list the other people that God hates including homosexuals. When pressed, a spokes woman said that their church (not associated with any main line baptist) is under 100 people, and 80% family. See, there's the problem right there. But, seriously, I have gone round this many times. They focus on Sodom and Gomorrah and the Flood to show that God Hates People. But, they certainly do not focus on the cross, where He sent His son to die as the fulfillment of all those Old Testament Laws. God does not hate people, but he abhors Sin. He loves them to death.

Ro 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
1Jo 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Mt 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Rainy Days and Mondays

This morning is a rainy Monday, and the weekend just flew by. At least the coffee this morning did not spill over on the counter because I forgot to do something sensible (like emptying the grounds from the day before...age). I play in our church's orchestra. It affords me an interesting vantage point as I can look out and see the various faces in the congregation. What a palette of expression. I can recognize the "I feel uncomfortable singing in public" face all the way through the "In your presence Lord" face. Sometimes, the IFUSIP is sitting next to IYPL, and maybe that is why IFUSIP feels uncomfortable. But truly, of late, I have felt more like IFUSIP and not IYPL. Lord, why do you seem so far away? Do you remember the "Footprints" picture? In it, two sets of footprints are going down the beach. At some point, there is only one set. The remaining set belongs to God, and He is carrying the owner of the other set of footprints. I think another "Footprints" should be done. This one shows two sets of footprints walking down the beach. Suddenly, one pair goes off in another direction. Those are my footprints. God has not gone anywhere. He has not left me. I have simply wandered away from his side. When I examine my prayer life, am I even attempting to communicate with God (or, am I dropping a dime when everything is rosy, or I am in trouble)? Am I trying to know him better through his word? Or, am I just inventing a God based on my preferences and the opinions of others?

Ducks, Ducks, Ducks

It was only a matter of time. I have watched them pass over the pool many times, always at a high altitude. It was only a matter of time before they would spot the pool on their overflights. Now, they have decided to take up residence. I need suggestions on how to get rid of ducks.

D-Day, 1944

I am sitting here, in front of my computer, wondering what my Grandfather was doing 62 years ago today. Marvin G. Morton left behind a wife and infant daughter when he went to fight in World War II. On this day, 62 years ago, he would land on Utah beach with the 4th Infantry Division.

Many are familiar with Omaha Beach from Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan. Utah, by comparison, went smoothly. The invasion force landed some 2000 yards south of the planned beach on a beach not as heavily defended. Stephen Ambrose's book, and the HBO mini-series, Band of Brothers, tells the story of the E 2/506th Division (Easy Company). One of their main objective was to take out a battery of 105mm Howitzers targeting Utah Beach and give the 4th Infantry a chance to secure the beach head.

I have only known my grandfather from a single photograph that sits in grandmother's house. It is of the variety that would have been taken at boot camp. Recently I have started asking more questions about Marvin, approaching the subject carefully. I have learned that he would bring relief to the 82 Airborne at Ste. Mere Eglise, help the French in the liberation of Paris and then, later in September, would go through Belgium to attack the Seigfried Lines. And that would be the end of his story. Marvin was wounded during a mortar attack, and would later die in a field hospital. It left my Grandmother a widow, and my mom without a father.

Over the past several thanksgivings, grandmother has shared more stories and more letters (there are some private letters that she has told me about, but she does not want those read until after her death. I assume that they are personal letters from Marvin). I have read many of the telegrams informing her of Marvin's injury, and she has shown me the very spot in her house where she stood when Army representatives came to her door confirming her husband's death. My grandmother never remarried, raised a daughter and worked in textile factory well into her eighties. Without a doubt, she is the strongest woman I have ever known.

Review: Over the Hedge

"OTH" is not my favorite DreamWorks animation film to come out ("Shrek" ,"Madagascar" and "Shrek 2"), but it is light years better than "Shark Tales." Also, it is better than the other two animated films that I have seen this year ("Chicken Little" and "Ice Age 2"). But still, I found my mind wondering through out the film. The kids, however, absolutely loved it. They are at a point where they "get" the jokes, both overt and subtle. And that was as much fun to watch as the movie.

Tenderhearted

It seems that, since we are done with school, Cindy and I are much more relaxed about the time that the girls go to bed. So, last night, around 8:00, I happened by Megan's door. Both girls were on the bed, and Katie was dramatically reading "The Berenstein Bears Get The Gimmies" to Megan. Later, Cindy told me that both girls said their nighttime prayers together and then exchanged a stuffed animal.

"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted..." Eph 4:32

15 Reasons Why I Should Turn Off My TV

A good friend of mine showed me this list of 15 reasons why I should turn off my TV. I agree with what is said in the article, and have been noticing that it has only gotten worse, according to a study that came out this week. In that article it summarized:

"According to the study, today's 70 percent of TV shows that include sexual content average 5.0 sexual scenes per hour, as compared to the 64 percent of shows in 2002 that had sexual content and that averaged 4.4 sexual scenes per hour. The contrast is even sharper with the 1998 figures -- 56 percent of shows and 3.2 sexual scenes per hour."

Recut Trailers

Have you ever seen the family film "The Shining?" Or, what about the Zombie Flick "West Side Story?" No, well, I have a collection of trailers where scenes have been cut together to make films appear to belong to a different Genre.

Recut Film List

Word of caution, the "10 Things I Hate About Commandments" drops an F-Bomb in the "Samuel Jackson as the Burning Bush" section.

Review: X-Men: The Last Stand

Before I tell you about this movie, you must know that I never read the source material, which may explain why I have never really liked any of the X-Men movies, including this one. With the exception of Superfriends and the late 80s Justice League of America (which was itself a parody of grouped superheroes), I have never liked "leagues." I would much prefer to see Jack Hughman star as Wolverine in a movie about Wolverine. This movie is about many superheroes and supervillians (lots), so it is difficult to have so many A list characters and develop a story about them where you genuinely care about the character. Since Wolverine was the primary focus of the first two films, I thought that this outing was going to focus on Scott Summers (Cyclops), but I was wrong. Then I thought it was going to be about Jean Grey (Phoenix), but, again, wrong. Angel? Nope. It wasn't about a movie, but a goal. A drug has been found that will allow the X Gene to be isolated, and reverses the mutation that it causes. This leads to interesting weapons for the military. Magneto and company see the potential threat and decide to strike first. It is up to the X-Men to try and stop them.

Hats off to Kelsey Grammer as the Beast. Cindy and I had no idea he was in the movie and was knocking our heads together to try and figure out who owned that familiar voice. I love to see an actor come into a genre that he is not known for.

X-Men: The Last Stand is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action violence, some sexual content and language. I would strongly urge parents of young children to see the film first. Mystique (the blue lady) reveals a lot more skin this time around, and the entire gamut of language is thrown around.

As posted on Good Coffee, there is a super secret scene at the end of the film, so, stick around.

Fourteen

Fourteen years ago yesterday, Cindy and I stood before the Justice of the Peace in Panama City Florida and said "I do." It was a short affair, witnessed by two of my class mates at follow on school. The couple that had just been married looked really young, and the couple after us smelled of bourbon. Because the Air Force does not recognize fiances when it comes to dependents, and I wanted us to fly out together to Okinawa, I married my best friend two months earlier than I had anticipated.

My Linguistict Profile

Many have told me that I often come off without my native southern accent. You can definitely see the influence my Yankee wife has had on me!

Your Linguistic Profile:

55% General American English

20% Dixie

15% Yankee

5% Upper Midwestern

0% Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Lost Finale

If you have not seen the finale of Lost and are planning to watch it later, please read after you have seen it.

This week, many of my favorite shows (24, Lost and American Idol) have concluded their seasons with big finales. I am glad that Taylor won American Idol. I was upset that Jack was left in danger in 24 and we have to wait until January of 2007 to find out what happens. But, Lost has had me thinking over the past two days.

It was that last scene with Michael. Michael has done some very bad things this season: killed Ana Lucia and Libby; lead Hurley, Kate, Jack and Sawyer to captivity and apparently let the leader of the Others go. But in the end, the Others give Walt back to Michael, along with a boat and a heading that will allow them to escape the island. As Walt and Michael pull away from the dock in the boat, there is a shot of Jack, Kate and Sawyer, bound, gagged and on their knees. It looks almost like they are about to shot in the back of the head. For a brief moment, their eyes connect with Michaels.

You really despise Michael. And here is what has been swimming in my head since Wednesday: what would I do, and how far would I go, to get my daughters back? I keep coming back to the realization that I have absolutely no idea of what I would do, what lines I would cross, to save my daughters.

Urban Legend Emails

You know what annoys me? How a wonderful tool like email can be used to spread urban legends! How many emails do I get in a week about some missing child or request for financial opportunity? Once you start realizing that Urban Legends are commonly passed, your Spidey Senses starts to tingle when an email smacks of UL. Typically, a quick google will reveal the UL. I use to reply to the sender with a link and a smug "please check your facts" type of message. But not anymore. But still it annoys me.

Last Day Of School

Today is a half day here at the Bryan Academy of Education and the Fine Arts. It also marks the end of Katie's second grade and Megan's first grade year. I am really proud of both of them for the progress that they have made in both Math and Reading. It was a struggle (7+6), but you made it! Congratulations. I also want to recognize the Teacher of the Year, Cindy. She sacrificed many afternoons and evenings preparing lessons and activities to get the students to this day. Tomorrow, we will have a third party come in to test the girl's knowledge. Last year, we administered a standardized test to track where they were, and this year we wanted to try something different. The summer months will bring math reviews, summer reading programs and letter writing to grandparents.

So, Kids, savor the sweet months of Summer. You deserved it!

Wages and Gifts

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:23

One of the gifts that Cindy gave me was a nice leather journal with a snap. It is not the first time that I have received such a gift, and I often use it to write sermon notes, or sparked ideas that may cross my mind during bible study. I particularly like the design of this journal because it incorporates a holder for my ball point pen.

From the sermon this week by Reverend Thorpe, I had written down this verse from Romans. The sermon topic was Hell, and how we Christians have become indifferent to it. Anyone who goes to work understands what a wage is. I go to my job, work forty hours and receive a paycheck every two weeks. That paycheck is the wage that I have earned for my services to the company I work. I also should be paid a wage for the sins that I commit against God: death. I have observed death enough to know that it is the natural conclusion to life. The leather journal with the a snap was a gift that Cindy gave me. I did nothing to earn it, and if I tried to repay Cindy for the journal, would it still be a gift? No, it would be something that I have purchased. Eternal life is a gift that God gives. And It does not mean that I will not die physically, unless the Lord returns before I die.

I think, however, that one should consider the possibility that if the eternal life is life beyond our current context, then the death referred to is also a death beyond the our concept of death. When you wonder "why are Christians so Jesus Happy," it is because his death purchased that gift for us. His death covered the sin that I have committed in the past, and he is faithful to forgive the sins that I will commit today. But, there is a catch: Jesus does not force himself on to anyone (often, we assume that role), but stands at the door and knocks. The individual must open the door.

Forget Hell

Yesterday, we had Jerry Thorpe preaching at Atlantic Shores. His sermon was on Hell, and how we, as Christians have trivialized it by ignoring the reality of Hell. This was not a "fire and brimstone" sermon, but it certainly was a public shaming. Sometimes churches need that. There was a line in the Screwtape letters that essentially stated that making the word "Puritan" a bad word was one of the greatest achievements of Satan. Hell is too familiar on our lips: How the hell are you? What the Hell? I am gonna raise some Hell today! It goes on. It becomes so familiar that it maintains all of the impact that an exclamation mark has on a sentence.

This trivialization dumbs down what Hell is. I know it brings up questions (how can a good God send people to Hell, etc), but to go as far as to think that Hell does not exists, is to remove the need for Jesus. Or, maybe you are like me, and treat Hell like some crazy relative that you don't like to talk about. There is a penalty for breaking the law: get caught speeding, and you pay a penalty. Unforgiven sin reaps a terrible reward, and many Christians forget about this.

If you were at a lake, and there were drowning people in that lake, and you were part of a rescue team , you would use any means at your disposal to save the drowning victims. Unfortunately, if we (Christians) were as concerned with rescuing people from that lake as we are concerned about rescuing souls, what would we see? We would see a nicely cultivated shore line where we have built us a really nice place to enjoy the lake. Meanwhile, we were simply told to rescue the people. That's all. Rescue the people.

Chesapeake Jubilee

When we moved to our current house, we discovered that we had the best seats in Chesapeake for the Jubilee held each year. Our cul-de-sac had a great gathering last night in the circle to get to know each other, have some food, watch the children play and then enjoy the fire works. I tend to be a home body and last night was a great opportunity to get out and reconnect. There was a fantastic feeling of closeness with our neighbors last night, and I am truly blessed with where I live.

Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi - Quick Review

804 minutes. That's how long it takes to watch all of the Star Wars films. We've been at it since 6:00am, and now we have finished. Megan fell asleep in the last film, but Katie hung in there with me.

As I was watching ROTJ, I remembered that George, Allen and I watched this for my birthday 23 years ago at the Bush River Mall Cinemas (it was still a four plex at the time). Strange that I find myself watching it again on my birthday all these years later. I also remember that Jay and I ditched school in 1986 when it came out on VHS (back then, it took a while for films to get released to tape).

The other thing that I wanted to note was about the use of puppets versus cg. Although the puppet Yoda was terrible in TPM, he was awesome in TESB and ROTJ. In addition, none of the Jabbas ever looked right except for the puppet in ROTJ. Could it be that the real actors had something to interact with? Could it be that the puppets have a weight in the real world that CG just can't duplicate. CG Yoda was well done in AOTC and ROTS, but something was missing...I think it was the life that only the puppeteer brings to the performance. The same with the CG clones versus the actors in the Stormtrooper outfits. I read on IMDB that all the clones in ROTS where CG, and they while they move convincingly, there is something not quite right about them.

It really is difficult comparing the films of the original trilogy to each other. I think they all stand well on there own, or as part of the story arc. You either love or hate the Ewoks, and I definitely never hated them. The Jabba palace scene is an evolution of the Cantina from ANH. I can remember countless times trying to duplicate Luke's flip of the skiff with a diving board (it never worked, and I really messed my finger tips up). It is absolutely amazing to see the Space battle at the end and realize that it is all models and blue screen.

My major peeve with the DVD is the 1997 additions. This includes the new song routine in Jabba's palace as well as a new "Celebration" song at the end. When the DVD was released, Lucas replaced Sebastion Shaw (Anakin) with Hayden Christensen. I am looking forward to my September version when I can get Lapti Nek, Yub Nub and Sebastion Shaw reinstated.

Star Wars Episode V: The Empires Strikes Back - Quick Review

Was I ever wrong when I said that the third act of Episode III was arguably the best ending of the Star Wars Saga. It has nothing on TESB. In fact, I will go on record that this is the best of the series. I will go further and say that it is because of TESB that so many fans were disappointed with the second trilogy. TESB defined Star Wars. Sure, Episode IV introduced us to the SW galaxy, but TESB made the war between the Rebellion and the Empire real.

Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope - Quick Review

Rewatching this made me realize why this film turned the movie going world on its ear in 1977 and established itself in our popular culture. Compared to what came in I-III, the story was very simple and honest. I don't think that watching the second trilogy has really altered my viewing, and IV still stands out in a class all by itself. It was a lot of fun to rewatch this.

What I dislike about the version that was released on DVD is what was added to the film in the 1997 release. Much of the computer animation look amateurish when compared to the work in I-III, and I still don't think that it adds to the film. In fact, it detracts because it is so obvious when it happens. The worst offender has to be the establishing shot as they enter Mos Eisley.

So, I am definitely looking forward to owning the version of Star Wars that is coming out in September. Yes, it is going to be a non-frill release, but, I can finally retire my VHS Tapes and Laser Discs.

Now, it's time for dinner break and a trip to Red Robin.

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith - Quick Review

Three movies into the Star Wars Marathon, and man, does ROTS pack an emotional punch. This is definitely the best of the "new" Star Wars movies and only slows down to get all of the main characters into their final positions in the 2nd Act. But, once Obi-Wan tells Padme that Anakin has turned to the dark side, it is a roller coaster to the end. The Third Act is arguably the best of the entire series as it completes the second trilogy and establishes the first. I am looking forward to the next three movies because this will be the first time that I have gone straight into the original trilogy after watching the second. I am curious if the second trilogy alters the "feel" of the original now that all of the back story has been revealed.

Red Green Birthday Cake

I had to share my birthday cake with you. Cindy and the Girls went with the "Red Green Show" theme and wrapped my presents with the Handy Man's all purpose tool: duct tape. In addition, the cake was red and green and featured a roll of duct tape.

Keeping with one of Red's Phrases, "If the ladies don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy," my wife still finds me handsome.

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones - Quick Review

We are down 2 films and have four to go. The thing about AOTC is that it is plagued by two very plodding acts. Those acts are just not "fun" and feel like the business end of the movie before you can get to the third act (which absolutely rocks). Does the third act make up for the first two? Absolutely. I start enjoying this film when Anakin and Padme are in the Lars' Tech Dome, and Anakin confesses how he slaughtered the Tuskin Raider camp. He knows that he has done something very wrong, but, there is something very alluring about the power that the dark side offers.

Something that I had not clued in before is that Anakin is to bring Balance to the Force. So, this implies that the Force was once balanced and now is out of whack. I am assuming that this is a balance between the Dark and the Light side, and currently the Dark Side outweighs the Light.

The last battle sequence absolutely rocks. I love the images of the Jedis charging the droids with their lightsabers; the Clone ships descending at the right moment to save the day and Yoda going toe to toe with Dooku.

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace - Quick Review

Just finished watching The Phantom Menace on the Star Wars Marathon. I think that after seven years, I have forgiven the film. When it came out, I enjoyed it, but it wasn't what I was expecting. It could not possibly live up to the hype. It wasn't the like the original films.

There are two things that really jump out at me. First of all, the special effects and CGI is just absolutely amazing. Jurassic Park showed Lucas that the technology had arrived to make his first trilogy, but Phantom Menace is light years ahead of JP in terms of effects. The second thing is that the film was really well cast, but, the dialog is choppy. I use to think that it was bad acting, and that accounted for the cheesy dialog. But let's face it, Star Wars has always had cheesy dialog (Power Converters at Toshe Station, anyone?). However, it's the pacing of the dialog that doesn't seem natural. Take the dinner scene in Anakin's hovel. It seems like it was years between each bit of dialog. It doesn't flow.

Seven years later, watching it at home with the kids, it was a blast. Well, Attack of the Clones is about to start, so, gotta go.

Morts, Einsteins and Elvis...Oh My.

In my career world, there are some who I really think are Rock Stars. One of those is Rhocky Lhotka. I have been to several conferences to hear him, and even had my picture taken with him once upon a time. I have a classic picture of Katie reading one of his books. I came across a Guest Opinion that he has written for the Visual Studio magazine entitled Software is Too Darn Hard. The opinion was adapted from an article on Rhocky's blog.

I tend to not express my opinions about programming too much, but my number one pet peeve is summed up by Lhotka:

Software development is too darn hard. As an industry, we spend more time discussing "plumbing" issues like Java vs .NET or .NET Remoting vs Web Services than we do discussing the design of the actual business functionality itself.

And even when we get to the business functionality, we spend most of our time fighting with the OO design tools, the form designer tools that "help" create the UI, the holes in data binding, the data access code (transactions, concurrency, field/column mapping) and the database design tools.

Does the user care, or get any benefit out of any of this? No. They really don't. Oh sure, we convince ourselves that they do, or that they'd "care if they knew". But they really don't.

Couldn't have said it better.

Watch out for the Big Guy on Skates!

Today I received an early birthday present from my parents: Roller Blades! I sorta knew this was coming, and since I also know that Friday is pretty much filled up, I went ahead and opened them. I haven't been on skates since the last time I went to a skating rink (say, around 1979) and never on roller blades. So, with some fear and trepidation, I put them on (along with the wrist guards) and received helpful instructions from the Munchkins. I did OK on the patio. After church, I donned the equipment once again and went out into the cul-de-sac for a few test runs. What a blast! But, try stopping with that break...haven't figured that out yet.

Star Wars Birthday Marathon

I have decided this year, that for my birthday (aka, "The Day Of Chuck"), I would like to spend the day watching a Star Wars Marathon, Episodes I - VI. Here is my tentative schedule for Friday, May 19th.

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace	133	6:00 AM	8:13 AM
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones	142	8:30 AM	10:52 AM	0:17
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith	140	12:00 PM	2:20 PM	1:08
Star Wars	125	2:30 PM	4:35 PM	0:10
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back	129	6:00 PM	8:09 PM	1:25
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi	135	8:30 PM	10:45 PM	0:21

It will be a day long remembered. I just wonder if the kids are truly up for it?

Just Wondering...

So...it looks like we are going to start to do something about the porous border that we share with Mexico. One of the ideas that I heard being thrown about is a 700 mile long fence. So, I was just wondering, do you think that any illegal immigrants will be hired on the cheap to help build the fence?

Perfect gift for those who like their religion warm and fuzzy

Hey parents and grandparents! Want to give your child a toy that will not only be safe, but send a good message? Then check out the Holy Folks! Give your kids Moses, Mary, Noah or Jesus Plush Toys and watch them play and pray with their new best friend.

The Holy Folks Jesus doll comes complete with a shepard's Staff. His magnetic hands can firmly hold onto the magnetic staff, and also come together in prayer position.

The Holy Folks Mary doll comes complete with baby Jesus doll. Her magnetic hands firmly hold onto the baby Jesus, and also come together in prayer position.

The Holy Folks Noah doll comes complete with 2 Elephants. His magnetic hands can firmly hold onto the magnetic Elephants, and also come together in prayer position.

The Holy Folks Moses doll comes complete with 10 Commandment tablets. His magnetic hands can firmly hold onto the magnetic tablets, and also come together in prayer position.

(seriously, I don’t think these toys are appropriate, and perhaps a bit tawdry)

Two Funny Videos

Have you seen “Darth Vader Calls The Emperor?” Just for the record, does have language and is not kid friendly, but, very funny.

Also, Pepsi and Mentos puts to rest, once and for all, why you should not mix Pepsi and Mentos. This time, it is performed on a live human subject.

Enjoy

Two Reviews: Poseidon and Ice Age 2

Sometimes, it helps to point the expect-o-meter to the low setting before going out to see a movie. That’s exactly where mine was set when I took in a showing of Poseidon this past Saturday at the Dutch Square AMC Theaters. Just the day before, I had read the 1.5 star review of the movie in the State Newspaper, and I almost did not want to go and see it. I am so glad I did.

Once again, I had no complaints about Dutch Square’s Theaters. Missy runs a good ship over there. It was great fun talking with Winn at the front door. The projection and sound levels were spot on. Nothing distracted from the film itself.

Here is where the review fails, and generally speaking, this is a problem with most reviews: it fails to put the film into a proper context. What are we going to see? A remake of an Irwin-Allen disaster flick! Not necessarily Citizen Kane, but darn entertaining. And that’s how I walked away from the current version of Poseidon: entertained.

I can not say the same with Ice Age 2: The Meltdown. I took this in at the Columbiana Grande Cinemas. My biggest complaint about the showing of this film was the condition of the screen. In a movie where white is the predominant color, a dirty screen shows up like a red spot.

But, worse than the dirty screen, was the story. I was surprised by the first movie: it had chemistry between the characters However, this outing was just bland. The warming climate threatens to flood the valley where the animals have settled. At the other end of the valley, there is a promise of a boat where everyone will be safe (I could not tell if this was going to work into an alternate telling of Noah’s ark…it didn’t). So begins the road movie. Along the way, Manny meets a female mammoth raised by possums. The two possums did provide some chuckles, but they worked really hard for each one. Along the trek, the group is pursued by two prehistoric animals who never seem to pose a real threat and we are treated to outtakes of the Squirrel trying to get his acorn (which has very little to do with the film). I was bored the entire time. The animation was brilliant, but the story was all wet.

Reunion Recap

Not often can you slip back into friendship that has not been actively cultivated for over twenty years, but that definitely happened at my Friday night get together. I have seen Jay on and off over the years, and recently reconnected with Rick and Todd in the blogsphere, but the last time that I saw George was at his parent’s house, ten years ago. The funny thing about getting together was, once we started relaxing, our personalities had not changed all that much. Maybe a bit more mello, but, I contribute that to the affects of fatherhood. I missed Alan, and wished it would have worked out for him to be able to make it.

Watching our senior American English Literature project helped project us back as well. When I was a senior, I thought I looked much older, but man, I was definitely a kid. The movie helped to frame memories of being seventeen with a whole lot of life ahead. It also made me miss another friend that we have not been able to reconnect with since the ten year Airport HS reunion, Steve.

The next day, Todd, Jay and I discovered that Columbia, SC does not do brunch. So, we settled on the next best thing: IHOP. One person should not be allowed to eat an omelet and three pancakes. Attempting to walk some of it off, we toured the USC campus and then headed out to West Columbia to see if the old Comic Book shop was still pulling our subscriptions.

Saying goodbye to Todd, who had to go and DJ a wedding, Jay and I headed out to see Poseidon. We had nearly an hour to kill before the 3:00pm showing, but I heard a familiar voice as we were purchasing tickets. During college, I had worked at the Bush River Mall Cinemas, and some of the employees that I knew there now worked at the Dutch Square cinemas (Dutch Square’s manager, Missy, was hired at Bush River the same day I was, so we go way back), The familiar voice belonged to Winn. At age 68, he is doing what I hope to be doing in retirement – working back at a theater. As we talked, I remembered that he was also friends with Dave, the best man at my wedding who, you guessed it, I have lost touch with. I found out that Dave was working out of Greenwood South Carolina, and with a quick trip to White Pages.com, I have secured an address. I am sending out a brief snail mail to him today to confirm his identity.

So, for a reunion weekend, it really turned out great.

Road Trip!

I have come to discover the benefit of driving from Chesapeake Va to Lexingto SC after work: a full extra day to spend with Mom and Dad. I went into work yesterday, planning to leave around 3:00, but the excitement over tonight's reunion had me rather restless at work. Not only that, but, my blood pressure got worked up over a client who manages the data in our application with her own set of Excel Spreadsheets. Excel has been the bane of my existence (datawise, anyways).

But, around 11:45, I went to my director and asked if it would be ok if I convert to a half day and leave at lunch. No problem. The only problem that did come from it was, Cindy thought I was home for lunch and we were still looking at a 3:00 departure. Around 1:15, I told her "oh, by the way, I am done." She gave me that look that only wives and moms know how to give. The look that will melt a Husband or Son like a forgotten crayon on a car's back dashboard in the middle of summer. I ran a few of the errands (including getting Shock for the pool and taking the kid's to Coldstone to redeem "recital" coupons), and we were off by 2:30.

Save a brief potty stops and a dinner dash, we made it to Lexington right at 9:00. By 10:00, I was out like a light. Mom is taking the day off and we are going to catch Ice Age 2 around lunch time. I like driving back into Cola Town and I don't know if it is because of nostalgia, or just familiarity. Probably more of the former.

Looking Forward to Friday

I am so looking forward to this weekend! I will be traveling from the Home Office here in Chesapeake, Virginia down to South Carolina. Its mother’s day weekend, and it will be the first time in many years that I will actually get to be with my Mom on that day.

Also in the cards is a chance to get together with several of my Pals from high school: Rick, Todd and Jay. The festivities that are in the works include a viewing of the “Director’s Cut” of a film that we made as Seniors in High School, but the real treat will be just getting together.

Bilbo Baggins Triumphant

Last night, we finished the adventures of Bilbo Baggins as told in The Hobbit. Interest in reading (and, in my case, rereading) this book came on Christmas Day of this past year when I received a video game based on The Hobbit. The kids were already familiar with Bilbo from the Rankin-Bass adaptation, and so off we went with Bilbo and thirteen Dwarves in a Quest to defeat a Dragon and reclaim a treasure.

I was most surprised that chapter two, Roast Mutton, had the most affect on Katie. For a while, I was learning about the undocumented adventures of Tom, Bert and Bill. They seemed to turn up everywhere, and many pieces of paper were consumed in detailing their exploits.

The most satisfying parts of the book were the chapters that either expanded what was in the movie, or had been removed all together. For the kids, these were completely new and you could see the look of enjoyment on their faces.

Unfortunately, as with most “long” books that we read, what begins with a good start, ends up as an unfinished journey. Then a friend of our family related that, as the quickest of the eaters in their house, he would simply pull a book out and start reading aloud after he had supped. What an idea, and that was how we made short work of the last five or six chapters.

United 93 Review

I wanted to write about this last night, but the latest “Red Green Show” came from Netflix. It’s all about priorities. Thursday is starting to turn into a movie night for me, and last night I watched United 93.

The film was shot exclusively with a hand held camera, with a good amount of grain on the print, making it seem like a documentary. The musical score was remarkably unnoticeable, except in key moments. And all of the actors felt real, with the emotional impact of the movie coming from the final, fatal moments.

What else can be said about the plot or the story? You go into this movie already knowing the ending. It is not a film to be “enjoyed,” but experienced.

I had this conversation about Titanic a few weeks ago. I believe the reason that movie impacted so many people was because they experienced a tragedy that history had summarized as “Ship hits Iceberg and Sinks.” History lost the scale of the event and Cameron made it real. For three hours, you were a participant.

United 93 accomplished the same thing. You are in the FAA control rooms, you are in the Flight Control Centers, you are on United 93. History is turning the events of that morning into “Terrorist Fly Planes into WTC and Pentagon. Fourth Plane crashes into Pennsylvania Fields.” We are forgetting something that should not be forgotten.

The movie is reverent to that morning and to the victims onboard. It does not pass judgment on the terrorist, nor does it make any political statements: it is good historical fiction and I recommend it for the intended viewing audience indicated by the rating. I had believed that it was too soon for this type of movie (I am sure more are to come), but I was wrong. This film will help you remember how you felt on Tuesday, September 11, 2001.

I know I did.

Hump Day Happenings

Sometimes, our small group is like going a few rounds with Mike Tyson. That’s what I really appreciate about our SG leader: lessons can be tough. We have been going through Psalm 119, and got to verse 113: I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love. What keeps coming back to me, week after week, is, do I love God’s law and how do I know that I do. It is easy for me to tell you, “Yes, I love God’s Law.” It is, quite simply, reflexive for a Christian to respond that way. Wouldn’t it be odd for the response to be, “No”? Where I am going with this is, do my actions reflect my speech? Sadly, not as much as I would like to think they do. So, what are you going to do about that?

Orchestra rehearsal was a mixed bag. By 7:30, I am mentally drained from the day and I typically do not enjoy going to these rehearsals. Last night we had a full trumpet section (and a new trumpet player from the School of Music). We have been praying for the trumpet section in particular, and it is neat to see that prayer answered. Once the Choir came in at 8:30 for the run through, I really got pumped. The music we play is exciting, and having the Choir add the words just completes the experience.

Corolla Retreat

Wow! I have made it to mid-week and feel like I have come up for a bit of air. The last two weeks have been something of blur, all starting on Easter Weekend. The big highlight was our small group study’s retreat at a beach house in Corolla, NC. I’ve lived in Hampton Roads for 10 years now, but I have never been to the outer banks. The house was really nice, and nothing like my memories of staying at beach houses on Edisto Island, SC.

My memories of beach houses include houses on stilts and linens heavy with the smell of the salt water. As a young child, I remember my Granddaddy Bryan fishing from the shore. It was there that he first introduced me to coffee, granddaddy style (that is, lots of sugar, lots of milk). Grandmother Bryan taught me how to tell the difference between a male and female crab and how to put one to sleep. I remember stories of pirates, pretending water towers were rocket ships, and sitting on the porch during a downpour.

The weekend retreat to Corolla was a great time to get to know two other families in our group. There was lots of good eating, sitting in a hot tub and jumping into an ice cold pool. I got an opportunity to give a morning devotional to the men and the ladies ended up briefly shopping. Not only was it a retreat from daily lives, Cindy and I went without the girls. It was an odd feeling being without them, but, it also was a needed respite.

Tragedy at the White House

My bud LJ sent this video to me. Put down the glass of milk

Easter Morning

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1 Peter 1:3

The verse written above was scripted by Peter, one of two apostles with whom I can identify (just for the record, Thomas is the second). He was a simple fisherman. He was without means, a name, wealth or political clout. He was one of Jesus’ closest disciples. He walked on water to Jesus. He identified Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of God.”

Peter had lived and worked beside his friend Jesus for three years, witnessing miracle upon miracle. But he still did not understand that Jesus was God’s sacrificial lamb. He did not grasp that Christ had not come to live on earth, but rather, to die. He did not understand that when Christ said he would rebuild the temple in three days that he was literally speaking of his resurrected body. And so, when Jesus was arrested, tried and executed, he was understandably scared and confused. It wasn’t supposed to happen like this. When questioned, Peter denied he even knew his friend.

But something transformed Peter and gave him a “lively hope.” So much so, that he too was crucified for preaching Christ. That something was the Easter Story. Peter was the first disciple to enter the tomb and discover that, as the women had reported, it was empty. He encountered the resurrected Christ and discovered that He was alive.

And that is the message of Easter. At the age of fourteen, I accepted Christ as my Savior, which is to say that I acknowledge that I am born of Adam and have inherited his disobedience. I acknowledge that this inheritance has separated me from the one who created me. No matter how good I am, no matter how hard I try to do good things, no matter what kind of citizen I am, there is absolutely nothing that I can do to change what I have inherited. I realized what the nature of holiness means, and that God turns his eyes away from me. I learned that as much as I wanted God to be a loving Grandfather, he was still a Holy God. And my inheritance would eternally separate me from Him. I had always known about Jesus, but I did not realize that Jesus was the Kinsman Redeemer who would pay for the thing that I had inherited. That I could trust this redemption, because the Tomb was empty on Easter Morning, and Peter encountered the resurrected Lord.

Bad Business

Saturday. Stuck nicely between Friday and Sunday. But not just any Friday, or any Sunday, but this is the day between my Lord’s death and his triumphant resurrection. This must have been a dark day for the 11 remaining disciples. John had just witnessed the whole execution. Jesus had spoken directly to him while he hung dying: “Behold thy Mother!” Mary and Martha had seen their brother Lazarus raised up from the dead by Jesus. Why did he not save himself? He did not even try. He didn’t struggle. He just…gave up. Joseph and Nicodemus had to work quickly the day before, the day of the execution. After seeking permission from Pilate to take Jesus’ body, they had prepared him for the grave. Did his blood still stain their hands? It was bad business all together.

School House Rocks

Do you remember School House Rocks? Of course you do! How many of us knew how a Bill became a Law before we even got to High School? But what about those topics that never made it past the bullpen sessions?

1. Subjunctive Clauses


2. Lobbyist: The Oil that Greases the Wheels


3. Noises our Bodies Make


4. It’s, its, who’s whose, your, you’re…


5. Free Trade Coffee

Review: V for Vendetta

V for Vendetta is not the film that everyone is going to enjoy, but I did. The problem, in general, with science fiction, fantasy and superhero films is that the target audience is very narrow. And as such, the industry generally does not know how to make good films in this genre. Yes, Hollywood does make good sci-fi, fantasy and superhero films, but it is always a hit and miss affair.

That is why I was my expectation level was set so low for V.

The source material for the movie is based on Alan Moore and David Lloyd’s works from the eighties, and adapted by the Wachowski brothers. The film is set in a fascist Britain, sometime in the near future. In this world, we are introduced to Evey, played by Natalie Portman and the titular character, V (Hugo Weaving). V masks himself behind the visage of Guy Fawkes, and has set his mind on the single purpose of overthrowing the new government. Anarchy and terrorist attacks are his weapons.

Given the current state of affairs, I found this an interesting theme. There will be instant comparisons, of course, between the fictional government and our own, but I am not that thin skinned. Oppressive rulers have been a common theme in Science Fiction, and that a government was chosen instead of an emperor makes no difference. The instrument that ultimately overthrows the government is the people oppressed by that government.

I like the film. Hugo Weaving never shows his face, and anyone could have played this role, but he has one of those incredible voices. This is possibly my favorite role that I have seen Natalie Portman in. Bear in mind that, beyond Star Wars and The Professional, this is the only other role that I have seen her in. V for Vendetta is not for everyone, but, I think if you are a fan of Science Fiction, you will enjoy this film.

Mid-Week Happenings

I was hoping that by Thursday, the Crud would have left my system. Unfortunately, I can not report that to be the case. In fact, the congestion has now entered into my chest, and I can breathe easier, but, I am coughing now.

Got the pool pump running and vacuumed out. Threw some shock in and will take a water sample over to "Polynesian Pools" to see what else needs to happen. Apparently, I can not get the automated pool vacuum hooked into the side of the pool. I am not sure if there was a connector that was removed when the "Pool Guyz" closed the pool in december.

Last night, our small group had a cook out over at Pete’s house. Pete is a great guy and a really deep thinker. He has encouraged me greatly in spending more time reading God’s word. Getting together is a lot of fun, and I am looking to our retreat in two weeks. The fellowship was tainted by the thoughts that Cindy and I had to leave early to make orchestra rehearsal. We had seven trombones and one trumpet. It seems like we have feast or famine (and yes, we have woodwinds and strings). Seven trombones was an unusual turnout. There was one guest and six members were in attendance. There will be more trumpets at the service than at the rehearsal.

Diving In

Ok, I can’t wait any longer! Last October, we had a pool installed. For a brief time, it was this shell that was in the ground, soon to be surrounded by cement. The backyard was completely wrecked, but Mr. Harris and his Sons (and a tractor) got it looking great in no time. Then, we had to winterize and cover up the pool. Before you knew it, Spring had arrived. The grass seeds planted last year are growing like wild. I have over seeded some more just for good measure, but I’ve been eyeing the pool cover. When to take it off? Yesterday, I could stand it no longer, and off it came. Let the summer come quickly!

Define: Star Trek V Effect.

Star Trek V Effect: When a bad movie is made up of cool scenes strung together by a bad script. The movie is rendered far more enjoyable when it is viewed in segments rather than the intended linear progression.

Time Change Week Blues

This past week, my body’s internal alarm clock did not agree with the time change. Mix in to that the additional daylight and I had a recipe for getting worn out. By Thursday, I was drifting in and out during work. I couldn’t wait to get home. That joy evaporated when the door knob going into the house from the garage decided to die. It just turned and turned, but no door ever opened. This is a testimony to how tired I was: my first reaction to Cindy was “call a locksmith.” Sure I was going to pay for the service, but I did not want to deal with it.

Also, this past week, we had a guest staying at our house, Paul Geishan. When I was stationed at Kadena AB, Okinawa, Cindy taught at Okinawa Christian Schools. Paul was a missionary in Okinawa, and the superintendent of the schools. Now, he and his family are based in Atlanta and serves with the Association of Christian Schools International. As part of that ACSI, he visits member schools, and this week, he was visiting schools here in Hampton Roads. He graciously accepted our invitation to spend the week with us. So much fun re-connecting with a precious part of our past! It really is a testament to God how he will continue to weave people in and out of your life for the purposes of his Kingdom.

By Friday, I was already dressed and ready to go into work. I was still tired, my head and eyes were already hurting. Add on that dinner at Red Robin included a free “tower of onion rings,” which was quite tasty, but I paid for it later. I went back and forth with Cindy about going into to work. In the end, I called in: our release had hit code freeze on Wednesday and the QA environment had already been configured. Team Members were branching source safe and getting the next release development environment configured, so we were in a good position. I logged into the VPN and talked to the developers and the project co-coordinator in New Jersey (I love my IM). All that was left to do was wait for the locksmith.

Katie had fallen off her horse at riding lessons, and came home with a limp. According her trainer, eighteen more falls and she is a true horse-woman. I really do admire Katie’s attitude about the whole affair. She told me how there was wind, birds and jet noises and that was what must have spooked Domino. The rest of the day, she took it easy. Together, Katie, Megan and I made progress on Kameo.

Buck Rodgers vs. Captain Kirk

I am currently watching Buck Rodgers on DVD: Pure 70's Cheese. After 4 discs, however, it has become pure brain candy. I notice that Buck has some similarities with my childhood hero Captain James T. Kirk.

1) Both fly cool looking space ships - The Enterprise will always be the best capital ship ever, but, the Earth Defense Force starfighter ranks up there next to the X-Wing and the Colonial Viper.

2) Inevitably, clothing gets torn - The writers seem to go out of their way to get Buck and Kirk into a situation where their torso is shown. Which leads to...

3) Both men are always, inexplicably, "oiled up." Its obviously supposed to be sweat, so, maybe they just have oily skin.

4) They surround themselves with capable friends: Kirk has Spock and McCoy; Buck has Wilma Deering and Dr. Huer. In addition, Buck has a robot name Twiki who says cool things like "Bidi Bidi Bidi"

5) Whether its the 23rd Century, or the 25th Century, there's a lady at every starport. Both Buck and Kirk are quite the ladies man.

Science Study Proves that God Does not Answer Prayer

The John Templeton Foundation will be publishing an article in the American Heart Journal that that intercessory prayer has "no effect."

Ok, does anyone else think this has to be some kind of joke? They actually spent 2.5 million dollars for this? Who provided the funding is what I would like to know. When I read that the same prayer was recited for two weeks by several groups, I immediately thought of Matthew 6:7

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

As Stan the Man would say, "Nuff Said"

"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the man's becoming in very fact an American, and nothing but an American. There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag. We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language. And we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

Theodore Roosevelt
Jan. 3, 1919

Too Much Love

Just reviewing some of my last few posts and have noticed that I overuse the word Love. Not that too much love is a bad thing. According to Webster (1828), love is "in a general sense to be pleased with; to regard with affection, on account of some qualities which excite pleasing sensations or desire of gratification."

"I Love Fridays"
"I love.. Tivo."
"I do love this [Tivo]."
"Don’t you love... a good week at work?"
"I love parody songs."

Webster continues, "we love whatever gives us pleasure and delight, whether animal or intellectual." So, it is true, I find pleasure in Fridays, because my family has scheduled date night. Tivo delights me because I can remove Ryan Seacreast.

A lawyer once asked a Jesus, "which is the great commandment in the law?" I have a commentary on this verse that explains how the Jews had divided the law up into "greater" and "lesser" laws, but I like to keep it simple. Why? Because Christ's answer was simple: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" and "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." The lawyer was thinking about this complex system of sacrifices, offerings, circumcisions, washings etc. But Christ was thinking of the ten commandments. If you love the Lord with all thy heart, the first five commandments will be covered. If you love your neighbor as yourself, the bottom five come naturally.

So, all of this to say that I will try and vary the words that I use.