I've watched all the episodes of the new show Alcatraz with my spouse. The acting and actors are all very good. I think I might be growing disappointed in the show though. It's starting to feel like "bad guy moves into future kills/threatens to kill someone" Oh, "and we show you a split second of some mysterious thing -- be amazed, be very amazed." Not so much. The first two episodes were great. The next have felt like the same thing over with new names. I'm going to keep at it for a little longer but it'd be easy to give up if something better - like, oh, I don't know, decent weather - came up.
We'll see.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
A review of the One For The Money reviews
Sigh.
My stepmother introduced me to the Janet Evanovich books many years ago. I'd flown home to see my dad, who was falling deeper and deeper into dementia and needed something to read to relax. I ended up going home with six or seven of the books and have read all of them except for the latest (I'm waiting on a copy from my local, tiny library).
I own a lot of books. Probably a couple thousand. I have everything from old Agatha Christie books to Terry Pratchett's discworld series. I own books about things like Pi (the equation, not the food, though come to think of it I do own some cook books). I have books of poetry and plays. But I don't own any horror books. I have no interest in things like CSI. There is enough horror in the real world without recreating it on the written page or on TV.
But back to One For The Money. Before venturing out into the cold to go see it - the nearest theatre is twenty miles from my home - I read several reviews. They were nothing short of scathing. But the more I read, the more I thought I'd enjoy the movie. You see, unlike several of the reviewers, I've actually read the Stephanie Plum novels. I get the part where there are some hokey lines and that all the characters have short comings. I understand that Stephanie isn't a great feminist. Hell, I can handle a gun better than she can. But in almost fifteen years of reading the novels (remember, I came to them late) I know these things about her. She's spunky, but not really. Her grandma is flaky but insightful and so on.
There's no blood and gore in the movie. But there isn't in the books either. It's implied, sure, and people die, they are, after all, mystery novels. But there's no attempt to gross us out and when gun shots are described in detail its when, for instance, Grandma shoots the turkey.
Reviewers complain about dialogue that is straight from the books. They complain that there aren't any "first rate" actors in the film. I'm sorry, who cares? The first Harry Potter film starred mostly a bunch of unknown kids who are now famous. They complain that it's not scary enough. Read the books! They aren't scary!
What are they? A delightful romp. As was the movie.
Here are some links to some of the awful reviews:
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-01-28/entertainment/sc-mov-0127-one-for-the-money-review-20120128_1_bounty-hunter-stephanie-plum-gerard-butler
http://blogs.detroitnews.com/poptropolis/2012/01/29/review-one-for-the-money-not-worth-it/
http://www.mercurynews.com/movies-dvd/ci_19834606
My stepmother introduced me to the Janet Evanovich books many years ago. I'd flown home to see my dad, who was falling deeper and deeper into dementia and needed something to read to relax. I ended up going home with six or seven of the books and have read all of them except for the latest (I'm waiting on a copy from my local, tiny library).
I own a lot of books. Probably a couple thousand. I have everything from old Agatha Christie books to Terry Pratchett's discworld series. I own books about things like Pi (the equation, not the food, though come to think of it I do own some cook books). I have books of poetry and plays. But I don't own any horror books. I have no interest in things like CSI. There is enough horror in the real world without recreating it on the written page or on TV.
But back to One For The Money. Before venturing out into the cold to go see it - the nearest theatre is twenty miles from my home - I read several reviews. They were nothing short of scathing. But the more I read, the more I thought I'd enjoy the movie. You see, unlike several of the reviewers, I've actually read the Stephanie Plum novels. I get the part where there are some hokey lines and that all the characters have short comings. I understand that Stephanie isn't a great feminist. Hell, I can handle a gun better than she can. But in almost fifteen years of reading the novels (remember, I came to them late) I know these things about her. She's spunky, but not really. Her grandma is flaky but insightful and so on.
There's no blood and gore in the movie. But there isn't in the books either. It's implied, sure, and people die, they are, after all, mystery novels. But there's no attempt to gross us out and when gun shots are described in detail its when, for instance, Grandma shoots the turkey.
Reviewers complain about dialogue that is straight from the books. They complain that there aren't any "first rate" actors in the film. I'm sorry, who cares? The first Harry Potter film starred mostly a bunch of unknown kids who are now famous. They complain that it's not scary enough. Read the books! They aren't scary!
What are they? A delightful romp. As was the movie.
Here are some links to some of the awful reviews:
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-01-28/entertainment/sc-mov-0127-one-for-the-money-review-20120128_1_bounty-hunter-stephanie-plum-gerard-butler
http://blogs.detroitnews.com/poptropolis/2012/01/29/review-one-for-the-money-not-worth-it/
http://www.mercurynews.com/movies-dvd/ci_19834606
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Santorum's ill daughter
Anyone who reads my blog knows that I am not in favor of Rick Santorum's run for the Republican presidential nomination.
That said.
I wish him and his wife and his daughter and other children well. I wish for every sick child caring parents, effective, efficient and affordable healthcare, faith - or whatever they need - to sustain them in difficult times, and health.
That said.
I wish him and his wife and his daughter and other children well. I wish for every sick child caring parents, effective, efficient and affordable healthcare, faith - or whatever they need - to sustain them in difficult times, and health.
A list of possible legislative priorities for federal and state legislators should they tire of demonizing gay men and lesbians
Here's some things state and federal legislators might consider focusing on should they lose interest in demonizing the poor, Muslims, gays and lesbians, transgender folks, immigrants, the "left,", foreigners, potential voters and so on:
1. the economy
2. corporations that ship jobs overseas
3. corporations that don't seem to have money to hire or pay decent wages but do have funds to pay their vice presidents and above astronomical sums
4. healthcare
5. education
6. roads
7. the devastating impact of war on the young men and women we sent off to fight and die and come home with horrific injuries and few job prospects
1. the economy
2. corporations that ship jobs overseas
3. corporations that don't seem to have money to hire or pay decent wages but do have funds to pay their vice presidents and above astronomical sums
4. healthcare
5. education
6. roads
7. the devastating impact of war on the young men and women we sent off to fight and die and come home with horrific injuries and few job prospects
A List Things that Could Happen if Gays get Married that would be Helpful to the Economy
Some things that might happen (there's no guarantee) if Gays Get Married:
1. Increased sales of Benedryl. Too many people with allergies attend gay weddings
2. Kleenex stock goes through the roof because of tears of joy from wedding guests. If Kleenex is made by a private company, owners go on more trips, thus improving tourism
3. The gift registry at Target fills up
4. Stable families
5. Happy couples
6. Dogs and cats living together as a cat owner and a dog owner come togetheer to spend their lives together
7. Other stuff, but it's really kind of private and not the world's business
1. Increased sales of Benedryl. Too many people with allergies attend gay weddings
2. Kleenex stock goes through the roof because of tears of joy from wedding guests. If Kleenex is made by a private company, owners go on more trips, thus improving tourism
3. The gift registry at Target fills up
4. Stable families
5. Happy couples
6. Dogs and cats living together as a cat owner and a dog owner come togetheer to spend their lives together
7. Other stuff, but it's really kind of private and not the world's business
A List of Things that Could Happen, but if they do, it won't be because Gays gotMarried
The following is a list of bad things that could happen, but if they do, it won't be because gays got married:
1. The earth crashes into the sun. This would be bad, but in a way that has naught to do with marriage;
2. The moon crashes into the earth thus sending it spiraling out of orbit into the sun. See #1;
3. The moon crashes into the sun, thus impacting the orbit of the earth (and the tides) sending it spiraling out of orbit and into the sun;
4. The so-called Mayan prophecy (it seems rather more like a new age prophecy that has been thrust onto the Mayan calendar) comes true and life as we know it ends this December right before Christmas;
5. My dog develops opposable thumbs. This would be bad for any number of reasons;
6. It rains in California thus giving the lie to the classic song with the line "it never rains in California" althoughly rain is good for California, singing lies are bad;
7. Los Angeles gets a football team This would be bad not for Angelinos but for those of us living in the community that lost their footballl team to Los Angeles
1. The earth crashes into the sun. This would be bad, but in a way that has naught to do with marriage;
2. The moon crashes into the earth thus sending it spiraling out of orbit into the sun. See #1;
3. The moon crashes into the sun, thus impacting the orbit of the earth (and the tides) sending it spiraling out of orbit and into the sun;
4. The so-called Mayan prophecy (it seems rather more like a new age prophecy that has been thrust onto the Mayan calendar) comes true and life as we know it ends this December right before Christmas;
5. My dog develops opposable thumbs. This would be bad for any number of reasons;
6. It rains in California thus giving the lie to the classic song with the line "it never rains in California" althoughly rain is good for California, singing lies are bad;
7. Los Angeles gets a football team This would be bad not for Angelinos but for those of us living in the community that lost their footballl team to Los Angeles
A List of Things that Will Happen if Gays Get Married
If gays get married, society can look forward to the following list of things happening:
1. Gays get married
1. Gays get married
Friday, January 27, 2012
Trying Tabata Protocol
Have been interested in weight lifting for many years. I have a home gym and even got kettle bells before they became all the rage.
I am not, though, good about cardio exercise. Haven't been for years. And that's not a good thing.
I've been working more long brisk walks into my life (harder in the winter as the weather and ice on the country roads aren't cooperative) and using the exercise bike.
Not long ago I ran across something called Sprint 8 which is a kind of interval training that takes 20 minutes. You do a 2 minute warm up on say an exercise bike and then go all out for 30 seconds. You then go really slowly for 90 seconds (2 minutes total). You repeat this 8 times and then do a 2 minute cool down. I like it a lot, but my exercise bike is more than 17 years old (I don't know how old it really is, I inherited it when my mom died, not sure when she bought it) and it doesn't like the "all out." You can't use a treadmill for Sprint 8 (too long to get the treadmill to speed). Tabata seems like it's the same concept. You warm up, then go all out for 20 seconds and rest for 10 and so on working your way up to 4 minutes or 8 cycles. You can jump rope or sprint or use an exercise bike. I've read that some folks use kettle bells, but the Tabata Protocol website recommends against it. I tried a couple intervals this afternoon (two intervals three times). I don't know what the end result will be, but it sure feels a lot like Sprint 8 but harder. The rest period is very, very short.
I am not, though, good about cardio exercise. Haven't been for years. And that's not a good thing.
I've been working more long brisk walks into my life (harder in the winter as the weather and ice on the country roads aren't cooperative) and using the exercise bike.
Not long ago I ran across something called Sprint 8 which is a kind of interval training that takes 20 minutes. You do a 2 minute warm up on say an exercise bike and then go all out for 30 seconds. You then go really slowly for 90 seconds (2 minutes total). You repeat this 8 times and then do a 2 minute cool down. I like it a lot, but my exercise bike is more than 17 years old (I don't know how old it really is, I inherited it when my mom died, not sure when she bought it) and it doesn't like the "all out." You can't use a treadmill for Sprint 8 (too long to get the treadmill to speed). Tabata seems like it's the same concept. You warm up, then go all out for 20 seconds and rest for 10 and so on working your way up to 4 minutes or 8 cycles. You can jump rope or sprint or use an exercise bike. I've read that some folks use kettle bells, but the Tabata Protocol website recommends against it. I tried a couple intervals this afternoon (two intervals three times). I don't know what the end result will be, but it sure feels a lot like Sprint 8 but harder. The rest period is very, very short.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Today's gay agenda
Board meeting this morning.
Then off to work to sit in front of a computer for several hours doing research.
Then home again for exercise and to watch a rerun of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (I missed the season finale because I had to watch Alcatraz last night and I don't have a DVR).
Super gay. I know. Right?
No wonder "good" Christians want to deny folks like me civil rights.
Then off to work to sit in front of a computer for several hours doing research.
Then home again for exercise and to watch a rerun of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (I missed the season finale because I had to watch Alcatraz last night and I don't have a DVR).
Super gay. I know. Right?
No wonder "good" Christians want to deny folks like me civil rights.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Gingrich is not an elite
Yeah, right. Gingrich keeps going off on Romney for living the American dream (ooh Bain) while claiming he's in some way one of us.
Um. How is someone with a $500,000 credit line (past or present) at Tiffany's "one of us" How many of "us" even have a net worth of $500,000 much less the ability to have that much money spent at Tiffany's?
I'm just asking.
Um. How is someone with a $500,000 credit line (past or present) at Tiffany's "one of us" How many of "us" even have a net worth of $500,000 much less the ability to have that much money spent at Tiffany's?
I'm just asking.
God watching our for the gays in the Super Bowl!
Hey! All you folks who believe that God cares about football (talking to many of you Tebow fans!). Both teams going on to the Super Bowl are from states that recognize civil marriage that involves both adult partners of different and the same sexes - states that don't use body parts to determine consent and civil rights! Sign from God! Right? Right! Can't have it both ways. If He's watching out for Tim Tebow, he's watching out for and sending a sign about gay rights, too!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
North Dakota flirting controversy
Really? I bet the prudes over at parents television council had something to do with the "controversy". Why oh why is this country so f**king afraid of everything that doesn't involve gun violence on tv?
Guess what! People have sex! Even gay people! And, this ad wasn't really about sex. But when you're looking for ickiness everywhere you can find it.
Sheesh.
http://news.yahoo.com/nd-tourism-director-ad-wasnt-meant-racy-000559311.html
Guess what! People have sex! Even gay people! And, this ad wasn't really about sex. But when you're looking for ickiness everywhere you can find it.
Sheesh.
http://news.yahoo.com/nd-tourism-director-ad-wasnt-meant-racy-000559311.html
Monday, January 16, 2012
Professional Football and God's Divine Wisdom
So, seeing as how God is too busy watching over football players like Tim Tebow to be bothered with war and famine, I find it interesting and possibly a sign that all four football teams going on to the championships next week are from states with some sort of civil equality for LGBT couples. I mean, yes, California has Prop 8, but that's mostly about the word "marriage" gays and lesbians still have civil unions there. Unlike Wisconsin where they have nothing (including a constitutional amendment underlining the nothingness) and Louisiana (same) and Colorado and so on.
So, is God watching over football? You bet he is.
Probably he wants us to stop killing each other and start feeding the poor, too.
So, is God watching over football? You bet he is.
Probably he wants us to stop killing each other and start feeding the poor, too.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Joy may be short lived; but joy, nonetheless, that hate didn't win in New Hampshire
What a glorious morning. Three candidates who seem the most reasonable of the lot (aside from Gary Johnson who's running as an independent but was on New Hampshire's Republican primary ballot) won the day yesterday. Efforts to bad-mouth competitors (I'm talking about words from your mouth Gingrich, not some super pac), efforts to demonize immigrants and gays (Santorum, I'm talking to you buddy - Google him if you're unsure) and efforts to demonize non-Christians (you and your supporters Perry) went down in flames.
I know they may rise again as the primaries head south, but still, today is a good day.
I know they may rise again as the primaries head south, but still, today is a good day.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Evil, Hateful man who wants to forcibly divorce hundreds of thousands almost won the Iowa caucus
Remind me why I was ever a Republican?
How the hell can a man who wants to use federal power to annul state marriages be Republicans' (hey! We want government out of our lives. I mean out of corporations lives, stick around and check out what's going on in people's bedrooms so we can tsk tsk it and make it illegal) best hope in 2012.
Evil, hateful man. I and hundreds of thousands of other LGBT citizens pay taxes to this great country. And you, you evil hateful man want to divorce us. Go to HELL you BIGOT.
How the hell can a man who wants to use federal power to annul state marriages be Republicans' (hey! We want government out of our lives. I mean out of corporations lives, stick around and check out what's going on in people's bedrooms so we can tsk tsk it and make it illegal) best hope in 2012.
Evil, hateful man. I and hundreds of thousands of other LGBT citizens pay taxes to this great country. And you, you evil hateful man want to divorce us. Go to HELL you BIGOT.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Another republican who truly cares about smaller government - so long as you can sing
Man. If I was going to make something up I couldn't come up with this. State GOPer in Indiana wants to make singing the national anthem wrong illegal.
Excuse me while I first laugh and then go hide under the bed just in case she's serious.
www.thestarpress.com/article/20111230/NEWS06/111230002
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