Sunday, July 30, 2006

Ooooooo...the rollercoaster is back

I just watched the Tigers give up six runs in the eighth inning to lose the last game in the series to the Twins. While I'm not squemish enough to panic about this, it does bring back bad memories of seasons past. Yuk. Fortunately, on a whole, we're playing much better than the one inning we gave up.

Who'dve ever thought I'd get emotionally invested in the Tigers again? I don't think my heart can take this kind of beating.

Thursday, July 27, 2006

One Book Meme

Thanks, Josh. Dang. Got hit by one of these. That’s what you get for hanging out on the internet without protection. By protection, of course I mean two large guys named Guido pushing people away from you.

A nice, quick diversion from work here:

1. One book that changed your life:
Philip Yancy, What’s So Amazing About Grace.

[I think that everyone hits a point in their lives where a book challenges your thoughts (or lack thereof) of what Christianity is suppose to look like. I don’t know if it’s the best, but this was mine]

2. One book that you’ve read more than once:
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring.

[In my crazy high school/college days, I would read the whole trilogy each summer]

3. One book you’d want on a desert island (assuming that How to Escape from a Desert Island with Two Coconuts, Bamboo and a Couple of Fish is checked out of the desert island library):
Frank Herbert, Dune.

[The irony of the choice didn’t hit me until I finished typing it]

4. One book that made you laugh:
Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett, Good Omens.

[It was all I could do not to crack up hysterically when I would read this book at lunch. It was a miracle I never got kicked out of resturants]

5. One book that made you cry:
John Grogan, Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World’s Worst Dog.

[Ok, so I have a thing for pets. Some days I think I like animals more than people]

6. One book that you wish had been written:
How to accomplish everything you want to do in life in 15 easy minutes a day.

[‘nuff said]

7. One book that you wish had never been written:

Anything with “Purpose-Driven” in the title (ok, a slight deviation from the question)

[Questionable theology + questionable social relevance = does anybody really need this? How did the Church ever survive before Rick Warren decided that it needed a purpose?]

8. One book you’re currently reading:

Aaron Allston, Betryal (Star Wars: Legacy of the Force).

[Woo-hoo! Love Star Wars!!!]

9. One book you’ve been meaning to read:
Hans Kung, Justification: The Doctrine of Karl Barth and a Catholic Reflection

[Not that I know much detail about Barth’s theology, nor Kung’s. I just thought it would be interesting to read a take on reconciling the Protestant/Catholic divide. Frankly it’s been sitting on the bookshelf mocking me. I need to get through a few more lighter fiction books before I decided to tackle this.]

10. Now tag five people:
I don’t even know 5 people with blogs that haven’t been hit with this. Sorry, folks. Not trying to be difficult.

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Inside joke for the geek guy...

Here's a little chuckle I ran across in the new Star Wars hardcover, Betrayal (Star Wars: Legacy of the Force):

After an assasination attempt on Han and Leia, a security officer runs in to see if they're alright. Seeing only Leia, the conversation was as follows:

Tycho asked, "Is Han--"
"He's fine," Leia said. "Han shot first."


Heh...I'm such a Star Wars geek...

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Heh...

There's nothing like a war to bring people from the opposite sides of the political spectrum closer together.

With my sarcastic sense of humor fully intact, I can say I have to agree with this blog entry here. Peter David is a writer of novels, movies and comic books. His politics tend to float slightly to the liberal side where mine tend to float slightly to the conservative, but I especially enjoy his writing since he seems to carry much of my sarcastic wit about on his person. Check out his July 18 blog entry at the link to see what I'm talking about. I know as a Christian I'm trying to improve my vocabulary and show some restraint and compassion to others.....but Peter just sums up my feelings so well here.

July 18, 2006 - Y'KNOW, AS MUCH AS I DESPISE BUSH...

....really, really must go to bed now...

Somebody, please let me off the short bus.....

I'm almost to the end of a book I started over a month ago, Diarmaid McCulloch's The Reformation: A History. I like the book. It's expanded on my relatively low knowledge base of "facts" regarding the Reformation and all of the surrounding players. I'm not saying I can repeat the facts of the book to you verbatim (much too dense), but it gives me a better feel for what was occuring at that time. To tell you the truth, it tends to make me somewhat disgusted at the conduct of all the players at that time. But that's for another discussion....

My point to all this is that I started this book over a month ago. I'm not a dumb person. I read a great deal. A little about my reading habits. I subscribe to/buy and read anywhere from 6 to 8 magazines/journals a month. Each week I buy a healthy stack of comic books. That sort of stuff tends to take up my evening reading time. I have this annoying job thing that seems to take up a good 10-11 hours during my day. Therefore that only leaves me an hour or so at lunch to sit and read any book I have available during the week. I tend to do a lot of reading at lunch and sometimes I juggle my evenings to spend some quality time on the couch reading away. But the past month has been kind of busy and I really haven't had alot of time to take lunch. Not to mention the fact that the book of choice (see above) is history and a little dense. Therefore reading came in small sections. Sometimes a chapter. Sometimes a part of a chapter. When even my staff notices that I've been carrying the book for over a month...well...it's been too long. I have about 60 pages left. With any luck I'm going to sit down tonight and finish. Julie's working "mole" and I have the house to myself. Once I feed the kitties they will nap and leave me be. Just me, my book and the kittie of choice on my feet. Then I can move on to the newest Star Wars hardcover.

I just have to finish...I just have to finish...I just have to finish...

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Superman Returns

I'll be talking about some spoilers in here, so if you want any surprises you may not want to read.

Over my "break" I was able to get out and see a few movies. My favorite that week was Superman Returns. Initially when I heard about this sequel/reimagining I have to admit that I wasn't overly excited. I don't really know why. I like Superman, I've collected Action Comics and Adventures of Superman for most of my comic collecting career. But Superman has always been the loyal stalwart among superheroes. Not much changes. From the iconic Earth-1 Superman and his grandfatherly icon status among those heroes to the "new" Earth-2 version, he'd always been the rock of the DC Universe. Truth, justice and the American Way. There's only so many ways you can mess with this character before he's no longer Superman. That being said, here are a couple of views on this movie (and they're both out of my mind....kinda schizo, eh?):

Comic Book Geek

I really liked the way the screen writers worked to blend and incorporate the "traditional" origin of Superman developed by Segal and Schuster (Earth-1, as evidence in the original Superman movie) with the eventual recreation by Byrne in the Man of Steel mini-series (Earth-2). Singer directed this movie with an eye toward the iconic image. Many times during the movie there were little nods and winks toward the geeks in the audience. I think my favorite was seeing Jimmy's photo of Superman putting the car back down. It's modernized, but definitely a nod to the original Action Comics #1 cover where Superman was introduced.

Kevin Spacey was perfect as the narcissistic Lex Luthor. Personable, yet psychotic. This is the man that could maintain the positive public businessman image, could become President of the United States, yet could be a stone cold killer. I was buying him in that role.

Kate Bosworth made a good Lois Lane, but not great. Frankly, I've never thought she was that strong a supporting character...even in the comic book. All of the other married characters seemed to have a relationship with their wives that was necessary to them. Jay Garrik needed Joan, Barry Allen needed Iris, Wally West needed Linda (ok, ok...I'm stuck on the Flash and their wives). Heck, Peter Parker needed MJ. But Superman doesn't seem to need anybody. Most of the emotional drama they've ever written for him has centered around the misuse of his power, but rarely have I seen a story about his "need" for Lois that hasn't just seemed like a dues ex machina for the latest story. It never really felt "organic." In the movie it felt like they finally gave her a little more of a hold over Superman than I've seen before. It also helped that they made her more unattainable than in the past. Maybe it's the comics that have messed up? Maybe the marriage of Clark and Lois in Earth-2 (made to coincide with the Lois & Clark tv show) was just a little too forced?

I can live with the whole Superman's kid thing. I thought it was an interesting twist to the movie. Using my mantra, "The movie is not the comic book" helps. Although to tell you the truth, they eventually incorporate all this stuff into the comics anyway. I'm sure this will be popping up sometime soon.

Religious interest

Alot has been made of the "savior" aspects of the movie. In a way I get it. It seems like we want to have someone to come save the day...to help the good guys win in the end. What guy doesn't want to be the hero of his own story? But I think the connections of a savior/hero in Superman and some kind of messiahship have been way overblown. Yeah, I think Singer got a little carried away with his symbolism. Especially the picture of Superman floating with his arms outstretched in the outer atmosphere as he appears to be sacrificing himself to save Earth. I don't necessarily get offended by such things, but I don't take much teaching from them as well. As I reflect on "No greater love has a man than this, that he sacrifices his life for his friends" I don't find myself falling for the gospel of Superman. Get a grip folks, if I'm looking for teaching on the Christian way, Brian Singer is not the teacher I look to. I can understand the story for what it is and nothing more. It's ok. I have yet to confuse him with Jesus. And if myths of self-sacrifice and heroism are told in the popular culture, I can live with that too.

Overall

I like. I really like. I just let myself float away with the story and didn't concern myself with all the crazy little inconsistincies (like how Lois didn't wind up dead and plastered all over the plane as she was out of her seat while the shuttle was reaching speeds that would allow it to break the atmosphere). Just relax. Enjoy. Sometimes good gets to win the day.

By the way...anyone who didn't get a chill each time they heard John Williams' Superman fanfare just didn't deserve to be there....

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Happy 4th of July!!!

Well, we made it. At this point I think I need to get back to work just so I can get a break. It's been a productive week and a half, but busy. Just to give you an idea:

Friday (6/23)- I came home from work and decided to move the remaining furniture in the bedroom and begin to tear up the carpet. Nothing says fun in an evening than moving furniture.

Saturday (6/24) - Dad and Bill came over to assist in preparing floor for new flooring. Good time had by all in pulling up staples. That night went to Tigers game and came home early due to extreme tiredness.

Sunday (6/25) - Church and rest for Monday.

Monday (6/26) - Started flooring. Fat man getting up and down off the ground continuously all day long was a sight to see. My thighs and knees were killing me and we didn't make nearly as much progress as I had hoped. Bedroom still not finished. Sent Julie out to have dinner with friend as food was just not that appealing at the time.

Tuesday (6/27) - Finish bedroom, father in law tore carpet out of hallway and stairway. Move some furniture back in to bedroom. Since people were going to be in and out on Wednesday, give everyone Wednesday off to relax and come back fresh. Still tired, go out that evening to watch Eric play indoor soccer. Go back to Eric's place and attempt to watch movie on small tv. Give up at midnight when falling alseep in chair.

Wednesday (6/28) - Go out for breakfast after early morning wake up call by hungry kittie. Suprisingly kittie not made into throw rug despite the fact that she has done this every day this week. Came home from breakfast quickly when realising that Superman Returns opens. Take Julie to early mainee to see movie in Imax 3-d. Go to comic book store. Chill rest of day.

Thursday (6/29) - Work on hallway and stairs. Finish to first landing. Only need to complete bottom set of stairs on Friday, but not so bad since fathers won't be able to make it on Friday. Bill wants to go see Nacho Libre that night, take Julie with me.

Friday (6/30) - Wake up early knowing that no one is coming out and I just want to finish stairs. Murphy's Law kicks in when the guide on the table saw breaks. After appropriate amount of cussing determine that I'm just going to have to measure and free cut the remaining boards. Even though the cuts look as though they were made by blind, drunk midgets after an all night bender I am fortunately able to hide those deficiencies with appropriate molding and slight of hand. Make vow to self to be useless for remainder of holiday. Julie and I stay in that evening and watch appropriate amounts of tv.

Saturday (7/1) - Get up, take Julie to breakfast and fun time date at the Ypsilanti District Library (who says we don't live on the edge). Take Julie to early matinee showing of The Lake House. Cute movie. Parents and Bill come over in the afternoon. We take them out to dinner and, afterwards, pack up my father's tools for their trip home.

Sunday (7/2) - Church. Lounging around reading comic books and napping. That night, Julie and I go to DTE to go see Chicago w/ Huey Lewis and the News. Great concert, fun time.

Monday (7/3) - Julie gets up early, goes to work. Fortunately feeds kitties so they don't wake me up (again). Get up and go get breakfast and read for a while. Then head to Barnes and Noble. That afternoon, go to Livonia to meet up with Bill and Roy. Head to Toledo to have dinner at Tony Pacos and then caught a Toledo Mud Hens' game. Lots of fun. Got home before the rain started.

Tuesday (7/4) - WE SURVIVED!!!! Have had breakfast, read some comic books, read my book for a little while. Now I'm just killing some time until we go to my parent's house for food this evening.

So that's been my exciting vacation. I don't think I'm even this productive at work. I need a break. Everyone have a great holiday. Click here if you want to see final pictues of the flooring work.

Monday, July 03, 2006

Bye bye, Stevie Y

Hmmm....sad day in Red Wings history. I'm sitting here watching Steve Yzerman's press conference announcing his retirement. Lot's of good memories here. Here's a few web pages to check out the announcement:

Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Free Press
Detroit News
M-Live.com
Sports Illustrated

Sunday, July 02, 2006

The end of vacation

So I disappeared for a few days....sorry. I finally got the floor finished on Friday and decided I was going to be as useless as possible for the remainder of my vacation (I don't go back until Wednesday). I really need to go eat dinner but tomorrow I will post the finished pictures of the floor. It was a good project and really makes the condo look much better. As for tonight Julie and I need to eat so we can get out the door. We're going to go see Chicago w/ Huey Lewis and the News out at DTE tonight (Pine Knob to the ol' timers). Now that is going to be fun! I'll also post my mini-reviews of all the movies I saw this week:

Superman Returns
Nacho Libre
The Lake House