2009-11-30

Video (Christmas 2009 #4):

We are creating a Christmas playlist for this holiday season. Today is day 4.
Today's song comes via the recommendation of Rachel. It's All That I Want by The Weepies. Merry Christmas.
What song would you want to add to this year's playlist?


Get a playlist! Standalone player Get Ringtones
Christmas 2009 Set List
Day 3: Last Christmas by Wham!

2009-11-29

Video (Christmas 2009 #3):

Day three as we build our Christmas 2009 set list. This amazing classic comes via the recommendation of Julie. I went ahead and looked up the lyrics for some reason; despite it's catchiness it's kind of a sad depressing song, especially for the holidays. Nevertheless, it is a fun song. So enjoy Wham!'s Last Christmas.

Christmas 2009 Set List


2009-11-28

Video (Christmas 2009 #2):

So I am building a Christmas set list, with your help of course.
From the day after Thanksgiving (b/c it just ain't entirely right for Christmas tunes before Turkey day) until Christmas there are 29 days. One new tune per day.
This Christmas song comes via the recommendation of Allison Hibbard. It's O Come, O Come Emmanuel sung by Joshua James.

What song would you add to this playlist?

Christmas 2009 Playlist

2009-11-27

Video (Christmas 2009 #1): A Winter Song

I believe that there are 29 days until Christmas. I think I want to share a song a day until then. I'm going to start with this amazing song that has been stuck in my head since my sister shared it with me yesterday.
Winter Song by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson

Sorry I think there is an ad at the beginning of this video.
Let's build this 29 song list together. What Christmas/Holiday song would you want to share this 2009 holiday season?

2009-11-25

Video: Balanced on 2 Fingers

Apparently only two people in the whole world can do this. This guy is one of them...

...and I would be the other...hahaha!

2009-11-24

Photos: Images of the Southwest

Found this interesting website displaying some images of Native Americans from this book:

Glass Plates & Wagon Ruts: Images of the Southwest by Lisle Updike and William Pennington

As a military child I grew up with the opportunity to live in several places. One of those, twice, was South Dakota. If you have ever seen the film Dances with Wolves that's where I grew up. In fact several locations on that movie are creeks and plains that we fished or hunted (rather my dad and brothers hunted, I was never a hunting type of guy, but I did fish on a few occasions).

School in often consisted of lessons on Native American culture, specifically the Sioux people. Actually I attended high school with one of the young men who was in Dances with Wolves.
I say all that to say that I have an interest in Native American art and culture. I even recently learned that I have some family tree descendants along those lines. (I know, I know, when you look at me that's instantly what you assume).
Visit this site to see some of the images that are in the book I mentioned above. Here are a couple to wet your whistle:

Website: Missed Connections NY

I have a friend who likes reading the missed connections on craigslist. I haven't really gone there before until just now. I have a strange urge to add some fake missed connection. Something like:
We were both having lunch at Chuck E. Cheese this past Tuesday afternoon. I was dominating on skeet ball and you were on stage singing along with the robotic bears. People were looking at you and complaining that you were distracting to the family celebrating their 2 year old's birthday. The Chuck E. Cheese staff asked you to leave since you were not there with any children of your own. That's when I really noticed you. It's not often you find single childless women who enjoy hanging out at Chuck E. Cheese. We briefly said hi to each other as we were turning in our prize tickets. You got a plastic slinky and I got water gun. Since you are no longer welcomed at Chuck E. Cheese I thought it would awesome if you and I tried out Peter Piper's Pizza together. I will be there every Tuesday between noon and 3:00pm. See you there.
Someday I'll do that.
I, however, do enjoy visiting the blog Missed Connections NY. The blogger, whoever it is, readings the missed connections in New York and then draws interpretations of them. Check it out. Here's an example:
Saturday, October 17, 2009
- m4w
We shared a bear suit at an apartment party on Saturday night.
I asked for your number and you gave it to me, but somehow I don't have an area code written down. I had a great time talking with you, and I don't trust Chance enough to wait until I see you in the elevators...

2009-11-21

Video: A Christmas Carol

Here's a pretty cool preview for the upcoming Advent series at Granger Community Church. I love creativity like this. Mark Beeson, senior pastor at GCC, share it on his blog.

2009-11-19

Best Craigslist Ad Ever

I didn't know you were allowed to post an ad like this:


NFL Week 11 Picks

Dolphins @ Panthers = Miami
Colts @ Ravens = Baltimore
Steelers @ Chiefs = Pittsburgh
49ers @ Packers = Green Bay
Bills @ Jagars = Jacksonville
Browns @ Lions = Detroit
Seahawks @ Vikings = Minnesota
Cardinals @ Rams = Arizona
Jets @ Patriots = New England
Redskins @ Cowboys = Dallas
Falcons @ Giants = New York
Chargers @ Broncos = San Diego
Bengals @ Raiders = Cincinnati
Eagles @ Bears = Philadelphia
Titans @ Texans = Houston

2009-11-16

The Price of Sex: Women Speak

"Since the collapse of communism in 1989 millions of former Soviet bloc residents have migrated abroad looking for opportunities. These waves of migration breathed life into one of the oldest yet darkest criminal enterprises - the trafficking of human beings into sexual slavery.

"Hundreds of thousands of Eastern European women have been sold into prostitution. Photojournalist Mimi Chakarova, a Bulgarian who immigrated to the United States in 1990, has documented their journeys from villages in Moldova and Albania to the streets of Turkey and nightclubs in Dubai - where prostitution is the equation of supply, demand and desperation."


Photos: "Ian Fisher: American Soldier"

You should take a few minutes to check out this photo essay of young Ian Fisher's journey with the Armed Forces. It begins with his piqued interest in joining the Army to the return from his first tour in Iraq. Below I provided a few photos, but it would be best for you to go to the website and see the essay in it's entirety.

The Office Kid

Finally! Now I too can take advantage of the time off that comes from taking care of one's children. For the low price of $19.95 I can finally use up all my sick leave.
Purchase your's here: The Office Kid.

I'm Looking Forward to:

2009-11-11

Movie: The Blind Side

On Monday I went to an advance screening of The Blind Side, the new Sandra Bullock movie. As a movie it has some flaws, but as a story it is incredible. I think the movie flaws root from the fact that the story is based on a true story and writers held closely to the truth of the story. While some creative licenses were taken more could have been taken in some scenes and less in others. But whatever. Here's the trailer:

I remember seeing Michael Oher's story during the 2009 NFL draft. This story is incredibly challenging. It makes me ask myself how far am I willing to go to love someone else? I wanna be about this kind of redemption work.

2009-11-10

NFL Week 9 Picks - Wrap Up

Redskins @ Falcons = Atlanta

Chiefs @ Jaguars = Jacksonville

Packers @ Buccaneers = Green Bay

Texans @ Colts = Indianapolis

Dolphins @ Patriots = New England

Ravens @ Bengals = Baltimore

Cardinals @ Bears = Bears

Panthers @ Saints = Saints

Lions @ Seahawks = Seahawks

Titans @ 49ers = 49ers

Chargers @ Giants = Giants

Cowboys @ Eagles = Eagles

Steelers @ Broncos = Steelers

 

Last Week: 8-5

Season: 78-38

---------------------------------------------

This Week: 7-6

Season: 85-44

 

So far this season, no that we are at the half way mark, this are some of my observations and questions:

-       I am not that great at picking winning teams.  I think I’m just over 60%; I’ll let someone else do the math.  I’m going to shoot for 80% here in the second half of the season.

-       No one else likes to share their weekly picks here with me; but that does not deter me in the least from continuing to post my weekly picks.

-       Despite their really strong opening to the season, my original hopes for the 49ers of an 8-8 season is still the bench mark by which I’ll judge the team this year.  I don’t know if they’ll win their division and make the playoffs, but since the Cardinal won the division with a 9-7 record and even went to the Super Bowl you never know.

-       Already looking forward this upcoming draft. There are 5 teams at 1-7 (Browns, Chiefs, Buccaneers, Rams & Lions) and 3 teams at 2-6 (Redskins, Titans and Raiders); and I’ll throw the Dolphins, Jaguars, Seahawks, Bills and Panthers into the “who drafts Tebow, McCoy, and Bradford” discussions.  We can dismiss the Lions from the discussion since they draft Stafford last year.  The Bucs, after this weekend’s big win, seem to be satisfied with last season’s draft choice of Josh Freeman.  The Chiefs already spent a lot of money on Cassel.  We don’t know if the Dolphins are really committed to their wildcat scheme.  And will the Raiders really invest in JaMarcus Russell.  So teams in need of Tebow, McCoy and Bradford are the Browns, Rams, Redskins.  Oh.  And don’t forget about Michael Vick.

-       Some of the playoff picture is already starting to come clear.  Most likely we’ll see these teams post season: Colts, Patriots, Bengals, Steelers from the AFC and Vikings, Saints, Cardinals (?) should win their NFC divisions. 

-       I’m guessing Steelers repeat as Superbowl champs over the Saints.

2009-11-08

Video: SNL Digital Short Firelight

Here's the funny Twilight parody from last night's SNL.
What I really think is funny about it is that it's a "how to" for acting like Kristen Stewart. Taylor Swift gets the constant biting of the lip and touching of the hair. If I was a drinker I'd make a drinking game for when I ever watched one of her movies.
But in the mean time just watch this clip:

2009-11-06

Video: Why I Don't Play Women's Soccer

No one has ever asked me why I don't play women's soccer, but if they did here is why I would say I don't:
Oh yeah...and because I'm not a chick.

NFL Week 9 Picks

Redskins @ Falcons = Atlanta
Chiefs @ Jaguars = Jacksonville
Packers @ Buccaneers = Green Bay
Texans @ Colts = Indianapolis
Dolphins @ Patriots = New England
Ravens @ Bengals = Baltimore
Cardinals @ Bears = Bears
Panthers @ Saints = Saints
Lions @ Seahawks = Seahawks
Titans @ 49ers = 49ers
Chargers @ Giants = Giants
Cowboys @ Eagles = Eagles
Steelers @ Broncos = Steelers

Post your picks!

2009-11-05

Video: Dog Save Dog

As my bible college preaching professor would say, "That'll preach."

Guess Where I'm Moving


Carolina in My Mind – James Taylor Music Code


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Congratulations

Congratulations.
It was a long season.
After a rocky start you righted the ship and had the best record in baseball.
You fought through a tough post season.
You are the Champions of the world!
27 and counting.
(But next year...beware the Rangers!)

2009-11-03

NFL Week 8 Picks: Wrap Up

Houston @ Buffalo = Texans

Cleveland @ Chicago = Bears

Seattle @ Dallas = Seahawks

St. Louis @ Detroit = Rams

Minnesota @ Green Bay = Packers

San Francisco @ Indianapolis = Colts

Miami @ New York Jets = Jets

Denver @ Baltimore = Ravens

Jacksonville @ Tennessee = Titans

Oakland @ San Diego = Chargers

New York Giants @ Philadelphia = Giants

Carolina @ Arizona = Cardinals

Atlanta @ New Orleans = Saints

 

Last Week:  10-3

Season (as of last week):  70-33

--------------------------------------------

This Week: 8-5

Season: 78-38

 

Thoughts from Week 8

-          Who will be the last undefeated team?  New Orleans Saints or Indianapolis Colts?  The Colts have the Titans, Patriots, Ravens and Titans next.  The Saints have the Panthers, Rams, Bucs, and Patriots.  Looking that that four game forecast I think you have to saw that the Saints will be the last undefeated team.  However I won’t dare say that Saints are going 16-0.

-          The Cleveland Browns are horrible.  And I can’t figure out why they so quickly gave up on Brady Quinn in favor of Derek Anderson, because Anderson is just plain awful.  Quinn’s quarterback rating is almost double that of Anderson’s. 

-          My Niners may have lost this weekend against the Colts, but I was really impressed with their play.  And they almost won.  I’m also feeling good about Alex Smith’s return to the starting lineup as QB.  And Crabtree in his second game was the leading receiver for SF’s WRs.

-          They are winning so I’m sure we won’t hear anything.  But I am still convinced that Brett Favre’s passing game is taking precedent over Adrian Peterson’s running game is going to be a problem at some point of Minnesota.

-          With the Rams’ victory over the Lions, the Buccaneers are the sole winless team.  Since the Bucs draft Josh Freeman last season, and their constant QB questions I’m curious if they would draft a QB with the #1 pick.  This draft may have the most QB talent since 2004 (Eli Manning, Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger).  And would the Florida based Bucs consider Tim Tebow?

 

2009-11-02

Video: Transformer Costume

I saw a lot of Transformers this past Saturday night, but I didn't see any like this:

Also I watched Transformers 2: The Rise of the Fallen Saturday evening. Why? Why do I do this to myself. Clearly I knew what I was in for but I still made the poor choice. Why?

2009-11-01

Lights, Camera, Action: Update

I thought it was time to give an update on the quest to watch all of AFI's Top 100 movies. I think the last time I had it was around April.
Remember there was two different list, one in 1997 and one in 2007. I'm working on both of them.
I am more than half way there. And I expect to see 5 or 6 this week.

1997
1. Citizen Kane
2. Casablanca
3. The Godfather
4. Gone with the Wind
5. Lawrence of Arabia
6. The Wizard of Oz
7. The Graduate
8. On the Waterfront
9. Schindler's List
10. Singin' in the Rain
11. It's a Wonderful Life
12. Sunset Boulevard
13. The Bridge on the River Kwai
14. Some Like it Hot
15. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
16. All About Eve
17. The African Queen
18. Psycho
19. Chinatown
20. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
21. The Grapes of Wrath
22. 2001: A Space Odyssey
23. The Maltese Falcon
24. Raging Bull
25. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
26. Dr. Strangelove
27. Bonnie and Clyde
28. Apocalypse Now
29. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
30. The Treasure of Sierra Madre
31. Annie Hall
32. The Godfather Part II
33. High Noon
34. To Kill A Mockingbird
35. It Happened One Night
36. Midnight Cowboy
37. The Best Years of Our Lives
38. Double Indemnity
39. Doctor Zhivago
40. North by Northwest
41. West Side Story
42. Rear Window
43. King Kong
44. The Birth of a Nation
45. A Streetcar Named Desire
46. A Clockwork Orange
47. Taxi Driver
48. Jaws
49. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
50. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
51. The Philadelphia Story
52. From Here to Eternity
53. Amadeus
54. All Quiet on the Western Front
55. The Sound of Music
56. MASH
57. The Third Man
58. Fantasia
59. Rebel Without a Cause
60. Raiders of the Lost Ark
61. Vertigo
62. Tootsie
63. Stagecoach
64. Close Encounters of the Third Kind
65. The Silence of the Lambs
66. Network
67. The Manchurian Candidate
68. An American in Paris
69. Shane
70. The French Connection
71. Forrest Gump
72. Ben-Hur
73. Wuthering Heights
74. The Gold Rush
75. Dances with Wolves
76. City Lights
77. American Graffiti
78. Rocky
79. The Deer Hunter
80. The Wild Bunch
81. Modern Times
82. Giant
83. Platoon
84. Fargo
85. Duck Soup
86. Mutiny on the Bounty
87. Frankenstein
88. Easy Rider
89. Patton
90. The Jazz Singer
91. My Fair Lady
92. A Place in the Sun
93. The Apartment
94. Goodfellas
95. Pulp Fiction
96. The Searchers
97. Bringing Up Baby
98. Unforgiven
99. Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
100. Yankee Doodle Dandy

2007
1. Citizen Kane
2. The Godfather
3. Casablanca
4. Raging Bull
5. Singin' in the Rain
6. Gone with the Wind
7. Lawrence of Arabia
8. Schindler's List
9. Vertigo
10. The Wizard of Oz
11. City Lights
12. The Searchers
13. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
14. Psycho
15. 2001: A Space Odyssey
16. Sunset Boulevard
17. The Graduate
18. The General
19. On the Waterfront
20. It's a Wonderful Life
21. Chinatown
22. Some Like it Hot
23. The Grapes of Wrath
24. E.T. the Extra Terrestrial
25. To Kill a Mockingbird
26. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
27. High Noon
28. All About Eve
29. Double Indemnity
30. Apocalypse Now
31. The Maltese Falcon
32. The Godfather Part II
33. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
34. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
35. Annie Hall
36. The Bridge on the River Kwai
37. The Best Years of Our Lives
38. The Treasure of Sierra Madre
39. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
40. The Sound of Music
41. King Kong
42. Bonnie and Clyde
43. Midnight Cowboy
44. The Philadelphia Story
45. Shane
46. It Happened One Night
47. A Streetcar Named Desire
48. Rear Window
49. Intolerance
50. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
51. West Side Story
52. Taxi Driver
53. The Deer Hunter
54. MASH
55. North by Northwest
56. Jaws
57. Rocky
58. The Gold Rush
59. Nashville
60. Duck Soup
61. Sullivan's Travels
62. American Graffiti
63. Cabaret
64. Network
65. The African Queen
66. Raiders of the Lost Ark
67. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
68. Unforgiven
69. Tootsie
70. A Clockwork Orange
71. Saving Private Ryan
72. The Shawshank Redemption
73. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
74. The Silence of the Lambs
75. In the Heat of the Night
76. Forrest Gump
77. A President's Men
78. Modern Times
79. The Wild Bunch
80. The Apartment
81. Spartacus
82. Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
83. Titanic
84. Easy Rider
85. A Night at the Opera
86. Platoon
87. 12 Angry Men
88. Bringing Up Baby
89. The Sixth Sense
90. Swing Time
91. Sophie's Choice
92. GoodFellas
93. The French Connection
94. Pulp Fiction
95. The Last Picture Show
96. Do the Right Thing
97. Blade Runner
98. Yankee Doodle Dandy
99. Toy Story
100. Ben-Hur