The other day over dinner I asked Melissa what she would do if we didn't have kids, had 6 months to do whatever we wanted, and money was no object. She answered that she's always wanted to see Europe. She'd spend the whole 6 months seeing what there is to see there. When she returned the question I jokingly said I'd write a book - but the joke was on me because that got the wheels in my head turning and brainstorming. I thought, lots of people write books, why not me? What's the harm in writing a book?
Since then I've spent a couple hours coming up with a plot and some main characters. (Did I mention it was spring break?) I've set my deadline at 10 years so this won't really consume huge amounts of my time. Besides, I want to do it well if I'm going to do it at all.
For those of you wanting to know what it's about - sorry, I can't share that here. The reason is because I'm not really a gifted writer, so my ideas are all I really have. If I put my ideas out here in the open for others to read, they'll do it better than me and I'll be useless. But feel free to ask me in the coming months and years how my novel is coming. If you want, you can even ask me in the Stewie Griffin voice.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Movie Reviews: Vantage Point and The Ultimate Gift
Yesterday was a two-movie day. We once again had a free babysitter (Melissa's Mom) and funding for a movie. We saw vantage point and were home by 9:30 so we decided to rent The Ultimate Gift - Melissa had already seen it but she'd been wanting me to see it for a while now.
Vantage Point
Friends had given me mixed reviews about this movie, but I actually kind of liked it. The president gets shot in Spain, and his Secret Service guys try to catch the guys who did it. The events in the movie only take about 20 minutes, but we have the opportunity to see those events from 6 different perspectives - each time learning a little bit more about the key players. The movie only went 90 minutes, which was really refreshing because it seems like lately Hollywood has been putting out longer and longer movies.
Warning - There is some violence and one F-bomb towards the end.
Recommendation: This movie is worth seeing, if only for the unique approach they used.
The Ultimate Gift
It's been a while since I've seen a movie "cold" (having not seen a preview or heard anything about it). The movie starts with a greedy family learning how their deceased father has chosen to divide up his estate, and follows a series of tasks he set up for his grandson to follow in order to receive "the Ultimate Gift". Even though it was a little predictable and somewhat cheesy, the main character did a great job of transforming his character as he progresses.
Recommendation: Yeah, it's probably worth seeing, just don't see it if you're really tired because it has some slow parts in the middle. It's a good family movie.
Vantage Point
Friends had given me mixed reviews about this movie, but I actually kind of liked it. The president gets shot in Spain, and his Secret Service guys try to catch the guys who did it. The events in the movie only take about 20 minutes, but we have the opportunity to see those events from 6 different perspectives - each time learning a little bit more about the key players. The movie only went 90 minutes, which was really refreshing because it seems like lately Hollywood has been putting out longer and longer movies.
Warning - There is some violence and one F-bomb towards the end.
Recommendation: This movie is worth seeing, if only for the unique approach they used.
The Ultimate Gift
It's been a while since I've seen a movie "cold" (having not seen a preview or heard anything about it). The movie starts with a greedy family learning how their deceased father has chosen to divide up his estate, and follows a series of tasks he set up for his grandson to follow in order to receive "the Ultimate Gift". Even though it was a little predictable and somewhat cheesy, the main character did a great job of transforming his character as he progresses.
Recommendation: Yeah, it's probably worth seeing, just don't see it if you're really tired because it has some slow parts in the middle. It's a good family movie.
Friday, March 28, 2008
A true disciple
I just read this story about a man who (knowingly or unknowingly) followed the Savior's advice in the sermon on the mount. (Matt. 5:38-48).
What a great example. Makes me wonder if I would have the courage to even speak with a knife-wielding criminal, let alone treat him to dinner and help him get his life straightened out.
What a great example. Makes me wonder if I would have the courage to even speak with a knife-wielding criminal, let alone treat him to dinner and help him get his life straightened out.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
"Buried" on the moon
Driving home just now, I was listening to "Coast to Coast" on the AM radio and they spoke with a representative from this company that sends payloads of cremated human remains to the moon. I just checked out the website and prices start at about $700 for 1 gram and go up to over $2000 for 14 grams. I guess people would find it appealing to be able to look up at the moon and think of their deceased loved ones. I just want to know one thing - what about the resurrection? I'm sure it will all work out, but I'm just curious as to how.
Our day at the beach
Here are some pictures from yesterday. Jordan would probably tell you it was the best day of his life. He loved playing in the sand and he didn't stop moving the entire 4 hours we were there. The only downside was that he was enjoying himself so thoroughly that a diaper change was almost an impossible task, as was putting on sunscreen. If he wasn't out exploring, he wasn't happy.
Unfortunately, those few times when he really let loose with one of his "just let me play in the sand" tantrums, his tears must have washed away the sunscreen. Today he has a sunburn just below his eyes and on his nose, but I still think he'd tell you the 4 hours was worth every minute.
This picture should be side-by-side with the picture of blonde curly baby Benji at the sand dunes in southern Utah, also eating the sand. I know what it looks like, but he wasn't using the spoon to eat the sand- the sand would just stick to where he was drooling (ew, gross!).
Me and Jordy chillin at the beach.
He really didn't know what he was getting into. Of course he was intrigued by the waves and all the water, but twice when we let him get too close he wasn't at all happy about it. Once a little wave caught him off guard and I think the cold water surprised him and he fell over crying. I had to pick him up and console him.
Look at me, King of the ocean!
We brought the boogie boards and I had a good time catchin' the waves! There were some big waves so I had a few good ones where I stayed on the board cruising along for around 20 seconds. At one point I found myself on the wrong side of a wave - the bottom. I was drug along the bottom for about 10 feet and lost some skin off of my back but quickly popped back up. Anyway, we all had a great time.
Unfortunately, those few times when he really let loose with one of his "just let me play in the sand" tantrums, his tears must have washed away the sunscreen. Today he has a sunburn just below his eyes and on his nose, but I still think he'd tell you the 4 hours was worth every minute.
This picture should be side-by-side with the picture of blonde curly baby Benji at the sand dunes in southern Utah, also eating the sand. I know what it looks like, but he wasn't using the spoon to eat the sand- the sand would just stick to where he was drooling (ew, gross!).
Me and Jordy chillin at the beach.
He really didn't know what he was getting into. Of course he was intrigued by the waves and all the water, but twice when we let him get too close he wasn't at all happy about it. Once a little wave caught him off guard and I think the cold water surprised him and he fell over crying. I had to pick him up and console him.
Look at me, King of the ocean!
We brought the boogie boards and I had a good time catchin' the waves! There were some big waves so I had a few good ones where I stayed on the board cruising along for around 20 seconds. At one point I found myself on the wrong side of a wave - the bottom. I was drug along the bottom for about 10 feet and lost some skin off of my back but quickly popped back up. Anyway, we all had a great time.
Hillary "misspeaks"
Here's a pretty interesting article explaining that in modern English usage, "misspeak" has two definitions- one is to accidentally mess up a couple words when speaking (like John McCain explaining that Iran was helping al queda when he meant other terrorist organizations), the other definition is to intentionally misinform.
From the article: "But it's a stretch of the imagination that it was a slip of the tongue because it was quite a long and involved story that went on for about five minutes.
From the article: "But it's a stretch of the imagination that it was a slip of the tongue because it was quite a long and involved story that went on for about five minutes.
"So if pressed she might say she was referring to the second meaning but she's hoping the first meaning carries through in people's minds."
Along those lines, a new video has surfaced proving she was actually telling the truth all along!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Cool things I've done - 11 mattresses
If you haven't noticed, I'm giving my blog a jump start this week. It's spring break, my blog is new, and I have a lot of lost time to make up for so I figure it's time I start writing retroactively. Don't worry, I'll try to keep it interesting. A couple years ago I made a list of cool things I've done that not many other people have done. I think there were about 20 accomplishments. Anyway, I'll see if I can find this list and write a little about each one - the "cool things I've done" series begins.
One that comes to mind is the time I slept on 11 mattresses. I was the mission secretary for the LDS Munich Germany mission, and thus lived in the large apartment where the incoming and outgoing missionaries would stay every 6 weeks. That meant for 5 &1/2 weeks, 4 people would live in an apartment with 12 beds. Naturally, the thought that dawned on my ever-observant mind was, "Hey, I might never in my life again have the chance to sleep on this many mattresses at the same time. I better do this."
So I did it one night when two of the apartment's occupants were away. I stacked up as many as I could and was surprised that the ceiling was the limiting factor - not the number of mattresses. I had to stop one short of what I could have done in order to leave room for myself. I used the bunk bed frame to climb up and when I got on it really felt like I was on a boat. With just the slightest movement, I would sway back and forth - this was a little cause for concern as I have been known to change sleeping positions during the night. For safety I used all the bedding and piled it up all over the floor all around my tower of mattresses.
Anyway, I slept great - I didn't fall off the bed or anything - and I awoke the next morning knowing I had accomplished something few other people have done, however pointless that might be. That's how I roll.
One that comes to mind is the time I slept on 11 mattresses. I was the mission secretary for the LDS Munich Germany mission, and thus lived in the large apartment where the incoming and outgoing missionaries would stay every 6 weeks. That meant for 5 &1/2 weeks, 4 people would live in an apartment with 12 beds. Naturally, the thought that dawned on my ever-observant mind was, "Hey, I might never in my life again have the chance to sleep on this many mattresses at the same time. I better do this."
So I did it one night when two of the apartment's occupants were away. I stacked up as many as I could and was surprised that the ceiling was the limiting factor - not the number of mattresses. I had to stop one short of what I could have done in order to leave room for myself. I used the bunk bed frame to climb up and when I got on it really felt like I was on a boat. With just the slightest movement, I would sway back and forth - this was a little cause for concern as I have been known to change sleeping positions during the night. For safety I used all the bedding and piled it up all over the floor all around my tower of mattresses.
Anyway, I slept great - I didn't fall off the bed or anything - and I awoke the next morning knowing I had accomplished something few other people have done, however pointless that might be. That's how I roll.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
They smashed my wife
So why not take a page out of my brother's blog?
I don't remember my dreams every night, and when I do, not all of them are exciting. I have no idea what I dreamt last night, but at some point I sat up and started pulling Melissa onto my side of the bed. When she asked what I was doing, I simply replied "They smashed you".
I don't remember my dreams every night, and when I do, not all of them are exciting. I have no idea what I dreamt last night, but at some point I sat up and started pulling Melissa onto my side of the bed. When she asked what I was doing, I simply replied "They smashed you".
Elephants doing some mighty fine camera work
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=543994&in_page_id=1770&ito=newsnow
Pretty cool pictures they got from concealing a camera in a piece of wood carried by an elephant.
Pretty cool pictures they got from concealing a camera in a piece of wood carried by an elephant.
Monday, March 24, 2008
How I spent my spring break (so far)
Well, as you can tell, I'm not trying too hard to look professional now that I'm not holding a 250,000 RPM high-speed drill in a stranger's mouth. This morning I realized it was getting hot down here in southern California and that means it's head shavin' time! This afternoon I enjoyed my mohawk but it's all squeaky clean now.
So, in addition to scaring small children with my fierce prison looks, I've been enjoying my newest toy. Last week I picked up a Radio-controlled car from "the little white house" - a wonderful resource for poor students. Everything at the house is free. They just use the honor system and you're supposed to give everything back when your time at LLU is up. Most of the furniture in our home is from there, as is a good portion of Jordan's toys and some of his clothes. Anyway, after a quick trip to Radio Shack and a $7 investment, I've got a new battery and charger for my car, the "mach 3". At first Jordan was afraid of it, but we've both taken quite a liking to it.
Movie reviews: Dan in real life, Drillbit Taylor, and Jumper
(In order to determine whether my movie reviews will be useful to you, you should check out my list of favorite movies in my profile. If you enjoyed these movies, my advice might be worth something. If you didn't like these movies, maybe don't bother reading the reviews.)
First off, my criteria for a good movie hinges on the believably of the movie. I'm not talking about how realistic the overall concept is - Sci-Fi movies can be really good even if they are a little far-fetched. The believability I'm referring to has to do with the dialog and acting - the way the characters interact with each other has to be realistic. For example, the movie "Charlie" is one of the worst movies I've ever seen because as the main characters are arguing it just doesn't flow like a natural argument; it rather seems like you can picture the argument taking place on the pages of the novel from which the film was adapted. It was a great story and might be a pretty good book, but the film version didn't do it for me.
Dan in Real Life
That being said, "Dan in real life" is one of the best movies I've ever seen. We finally got a chance to see it Thursday night when in was available in the local redbox. Many people had recommended it to us but we never got the chance in the summer. (Jordan was still so young we didn't dare hire a babysitter). It was one of the few movies where before it was over I knew it was going into my top 10 list. When I first realized Dane Cook was in it I thought, "Oh, great. Hopefully he isn't obnoxious like he is in any other thing I've seen him in" - but he did really well, as did everyone else. My favorite line of the movie? "This corn is an angel". If you've seen it, hopefully that made you laugh.
Recommendation: This is one of the movies you should not only see, but should own.
Drillbit Taylor
Based on the previews, we thought "yeah, that might be worth $1 when we can get in from Redbox". However, last weekend Melissa's Dad was here and he gave us some anniversary money and told us to go see a movie while he watched Jordan. We checked out what was playing right now and it was either this or "Miss Pettigrew lives for a day". That didn't appeal to me so we saw Drillbit.
It actually was a lot better than I was expecting. Most of the jokes made me laugh and, with the exception of the fat kid's hilarious rapping, it was pretty clean.
Recommendation: Not a bad movie. Get it from Redbox if you don't have anything else to do, or see it in the theater if someone else pays for it and offers to watch the kids.
Jumper
Wow. This seemed like an interesting concept for a movie. I saw it in DC at about 10:00 at night when there was nothing else to do. Basically, the young Darth Vader falls in love with the girl from the O.C. when they're in Jr. High. Bullies and a deadbeat dad make his life miserable - then he figures out that he can think himself places so he runs, er, jumps away. As a teenager he returns to woo her and that's when the movie really starts sucking. Amidst his attempts to get the girl, Vader must evade a Dennis-Rodmanesque Samuel L. Jackson who is trying to kill him because he's a "jumper".
Recommendation: Just don't see this one. Unless you find my taste in movies to be completely different from yours, you really won't enjoy this movie.
First off, my criteria for a good movie hinges on the believably of the movie. I'm not talking about how realistic the overall concept is - Sci-Fi movies can be really good even if they are a little far-fetched. The believability I'm referring to has to do with the dialog and acting - the way the characters interact with each other has to be realistic. For example, the movie "Charlie" is one of the worst movies I've ever seen because as the main characters are arguing it just doesn't flow like a natural argument; it rather seems like you can picture the argument taking place on the pages of the novel from which the film was adapted. It was a great story and might be a pretty good book, but the film version didn't do it for me.
Dan in Real Life
That being said, "Dan in real life" is one of the best movies I've ever seen. We finally got a chance to see it Thursday night when in was available in the local redbox. Many people had recommended it to us but we never got the chance in the summer. (Jordan was still so young we didn't dare hire a babysitter). It was one of the few movies where before it was over I knew it was going into my top 10 list. When I first realized Dane Cook was in it I thought, "Oh, great. Hopefully he isn't obnoxious like he is in any other thing I've seen him in" - but he did really well, as did everyone else. My favorite line of the movie? "This corn is an angel". If you've seen it, hopefully that made you laugh.
Recommendation: This is one of the movies you should not only see, but should own.
Drillbit Taylor
Based on the previews, we thought "yeah, that might be worth $1 when we can get in from Redbox". However, last weekend Melissa's Dad was here and he gave us some anniversary money and told us to go see a movie while he watched Jordan. We checked out what was playing right now and it was either this or "Miss Pettigrew lives for a day". That didn't appeal to me so we saw Drillbit.
It actually was a lot better than I was expecting. Most of the jokes made me laugh and, with the exception of the fat kid's hilarious rapping, it was pretty clean.
Recommendation: Not a bad movie. Get it from Redbox if you don't have anything else to do, or see it in the theater if someone else pays for it and offers to watch the kids.
Jumper
Wow. This seemed like an interesting concept for a movie. I saw it in DC at about 10:00 at night when there was nothing else to do. Basically, the young Darth Vader falls in love with the girl from the O.C. when they're in Jr. High. Bullies and a deadbeat dad make his life miserable - then he figures out that he can think himself places so he runs, er, jumps away. As a teenager he returns to woo her and that's when the movie really starts sucking. Amidst his attempts to get the girl, Vader must evade a Dennis-Rodmanesque Samuel L. Jackson who is trying to kill him because he's a "jumper".
Recommendation: Just don't see this one. Unless you find my taste in movies to be completely different from yours, you really won't enjoy this movie.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
A few explanations
Here I am, on the interwebs, blogging. Sometimes Melissa and I wonder what words that are common to us will be something our kids will laugh at - like when innocent old people use the word "gay" to mean happy and all us young 'uns snicker. I think "blogging" is a good example of one of the words with potential to turn that way. (Hee hee hee, Grandpa just said he was going to "blog", hee hee he he he. I wonder if he'll "google" something when he's done).
So here's the explanation - My brother started blogging last year. Due to my busy schedule, I didn't really go there that often, but, in fairness to Joe, whenever I went there I found some pretty interesting things. Anyway, Joe's lovely wife Stephanie started blogging a few months back and Melissa started reading her blog weekly and would often tell me stories of my awesome nephews, Lincoln and Daniel.
I realized that "blogging", as the kids call it, is a great way to stay connected while we're away from our friends and family in Utah - and after that it would be a great way to stay connected with all the wonderful people we've met here in Loma Linda. So there you have it, I blog.
Had-a-field
Years and years ago in the Somebody Else home on 7th north in Brigham City, it wasn't uncommon to hear the Somebody Else children teasing each other. Sometimes it went back and forth like this - "Joseph had a field, and he lost it!" "Benji had a field, and he lost it" to a melody something like the universal "neener neener neener" chant that children do so well. Yeah, we were brilliant. No better way to really burn a sibling than make fun of the last name!
So here's the explanation - My brother started blogging last year. Due to my busy schedule, I didn't really go there that often, but, in fairness to Joe, whenever I went there I found some pretty interesting things. Anyway, Joe's lovely wife Stephanie started blogging a few months back and Melissa started reading her blog weekly and would often tell me stories of my awesome nephews, Lincoln and Daniel.
I realized that "blogging", as the kids call it, is a great way to stay connected while we're away from our friends and family in Utah - and after that it would be a great way to stay connected with all the wonderful people we've met here in Loma Linda. So there you have it, I blog.
Had-a-field
Years and years ago in the Somebody Else home on 7th north in Brigham City, it wasn't uncommon to hear the Somebody Else children teasing each other. Sometimes it went back and forth like this - "Joseph had a field, and he lost it!" "Benji had a field, and he lost it" to a melody something like the universal "neener neener neener" chant that children do so well. Yeah, we were brilliant. No better way to really burn a sibling than make fun of the last name!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Movie Review Archive
10,000 BC
12 Monkeys
The 5th Element
The Abyss
Australia
Baby Mama
Beverly Hills Chihuahua
Blood Diamond (edited)
The Bucket List
Burn After Reading (edited)
Cloverfield
Con-Air
Dan in Real Life
The Dark Night
Definitely Maybe
Drillbit Taylor
Eagle Eye
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (edited)
The Eye
Fool's Gold
Get Smart
Ghost Town
The Great Debaters
Hancock
Henry Poole is Here
I am legend
The Incredible Hulk
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Iron Man
The Hunt for Red October
Jeepers Creepers
Journey to the Center of the Earth
Jumper
The Kingdom (edited)
The Kite Runner
Kung Fu Panda
Lakeview Terrace
Lars and the Real Girl
Last of the Mohicans
Leatherheads
The Legend of Butch and Sundance
Little Miss Sunshine (edited)
Max Payne
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
Never Back Down
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
Over Her Dead Body
Prince Caspian
Prom Night
Quantum of Solace
A River Runs Through It
Rudy
Run Fatboy Run
The Sentinel
Serenity
Smokejumper
Stuck on You
Swimfan
Taken
Thank You for Smoking (edited)
Traitor
Tropic Thunder (edited)
The Ultimate Gift
Untraceable (edited)
Valkerie
Vantage Point
Wanted (edited)
We Own the Night (edited)
The X-files: I want to believe
You don't mess with the Zohan
You, Me, and Dupree
12 Monkeys
The 5th Element
The Abyss
Australia
Baby Mama
Beverly Hills Chihuahua
Blood Diamond (edited)
The Bucket List
Burn After Reading (edited)
Cloverfield
Con-Air
Dan in Real Life
The Dark Night
Definitely Maybe
Drillbit Taylor
Eagle Eye
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (edited)
The Eye
Fool's Gold
Get Smart
Ghost Town
The Great Debaters
Hancock
Henry Poole is Here
I am legend
The Incredible Hulk
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Iron Man
The Hunt for Red October
Jeepers Creepers
Journey to the Center of the Earth
Jumper
The Kingdom (edited)
The Kite Runner
Kung Fu Panda
Lakeview Terrace
Lars and the Real Girl
Last of the Mohicans
Leatherheads
The Legend of Butch and Sundance
Little Miss Sunshine (edited)
Max Payne
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
Never Back Down
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
Over Her Dead Body
Prince Caspian
Prom Night
Quantum of Solace
A River Runs Through It
Rudy
Run Fatboy Run
The Sentinel
Serenity
Smokejumper
Stuck on You
Swimfan
Taken
Thank You for Smoking (edited)
Traitor
Tropic Thunder (edited)
The Ultimate Gift
Untraceable (edited)
Valkerie
Vantage Point
Wanted (edited)
We Own the Night (edited)
The X-files: I want to believe
You don't mess with the Zohan
You, Me, and Dupree
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)