The One in 2010

New Year everybody. Baby is growing like crazy. I'm trying to get things figured out for the next year. What's my role? What am I supposed to do? We'll see how it goes. Short blog today.

Missed some days of school this last week. It was fun and great to get an extra bunch of time with Laurana. She's learning a lot. Sitting up, grabbing for things, eating dirt out of our potted plant (that happened this morning, to our surprise.)

UK is 16-0. I think its still too early to talk about running the table but it is a lot of fun.

I, Robot
Great fun. Predictable. Good acting by Will Smith; delivers his lines very well. Like this movie a lot. Very much a must see for scifi fans. ***1/2

The One long in coming

Sum up...I completed Nanowrimo and won. That's why no blog in November; all I did was write. Now December has been crazy and I've been sick the whole month along with work. On top of that, Ellice has been sick with something off and on, and now the baby is really sick.

Thank goodness we're on break now, so we can take care of baby. She is in better spirits even if she still coughs and wheezes.

UK is having the best start they have had since 1977-1978, with an unbelievable 13-0 mark. Uk has its fourth bowl game in as many years this Sunday, and tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Things are okay. Money is unbelievably tight, but we have enough for now.

Merry Christmas and have a happy New Year.

The Princess and the Frog

A return to classic Disney 2D animation. This musical tale gets it right all over. I don't think they could have done much better with this one. Highest marks. ****

Star Trek: A Time to Kill by David Mack

This was book seven of nine of the "A Time to..." series.
Set before the movie Nemesis, Picard and the Next Generation crew are in the position to have to neutralize a planet's artillery and immobilize two fleets to prevent a galactic war that will probably destroy the Federation after the Dominion War has left Starfleet depleted. Good stuff, but ends as a to be continued... ***1/2

The One with the Novel in November

So a lady at church tells me about Nanowrimo, which is short for National Novel Writer's Month. They are a non-profit website dedicated to helping writers write. The ghist is that you have 30 days to produce a novel-length draft of 50,000 words, or approximately 150 pages. You sign up on the website and starting November 1, start kicking out the words. This is supposed to be unedited--the key is output so put your inner critics and inner editors aside, locking them in the closet until November 30. Furthermore, it is supposed to be a new work, not that novel you've been working on for four years.

The website says that of the 100,000 last year who signed up, 15,000 accomplished the goal, so it isn't easy, but it is attainable. When you submit your work for counting purposes, there is an online scrambler that protects your content, so there is no fear of plagiarism. I'm taking the challenge, and I invite all my literary friends to do likewise. (Tiffany, Melissa, this means you!)

GI Joe

I had a lot of fun with this movie. If you are looking for a heady plot, with deep-seated emotion, look elsewhere. This was an action ride from start to finish, with a constant stream of explosions throughout. The goal of this film must have been to deal with backstory in as efficient manner possible. And it worked. ***

The One with...Um...Nothing Much

I haven't blogged in a while as I've been kind of down. And that hasn't changed much. Primarily due to the job situation. I have a wonderful wife, a great healthy baby, loving family, a few good friends, and a supportive church. I need to get a second job as we can't afford to continue on with my earning an assistant's salary. Prospects creep up occasionally, and nothing has panned out as yet. I am growing steadily more discouraged. Anywho...

Wishsong of Shannara by Terry Brooks

Loved it, loved it, loved it. This third installment is an epic tale of the descendants of the Ohmsfords and the Leahs, dragged into adventure by the enigmatic Druid Allanon to once again save the world. The supporting characters this go around are really engrossing--I especially liked Slanter, the Gnomish Hunter. While the quest is somewhat formulaic, it is a formula that works. This grand adventure ends the three book generational storyline in satisfying fashion. ****

The One with the Date and Smiles

Saturday Andi gave us the opportunity to go on a date. We are now second run movie people, and that's fine by us. We can exhibit a little patience, and still have just as much fun, while saving a few bucks along the way. We decided to take in a second viewing of Star Trek, and this one had just as much emotional impact with the same thrilling action. This one will stand the test of time becoming a classic. Kudoes to JJ Abrams for preserving the spirit of the franchise while injecting it with a new vitality that will carry Trek well into the next century.

Also, the little one has developed a smile that warms the heart. If you haven't seen it, its worth the price of admission (I realize there is no smile there, but still a cute picture.)

We have found a new show called "Legend of the Seeker." We love it. It's by Sam Raimi (from Hercules/Xena/Spiderman fame) and is based on the Terry Goodkind "Sword of Truth" fantasy series. Its on WGN and we don't want it cancelled, so when you get a chance, watch it.

Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny

I finished up books 8, 9, and 10 of the towering saga. Books one through 5 are worth the read; 6-10 are not. The ending was very unfulfilling. Throughout the second 5 books, Merlin (no relation to the Arthurian legend) is constantly fighting people who want to kill him, and they end up being his allies. This switching is so formulaic as to be laughable. The end conflict left with a hunh? feeling as he's in the middle of the final battle and one of the great powers says, "Stop fighting, he's won" and everybody just goes okay, he's the king now, we accept this--and the book is over. A big disappointment after the first five books. Overall **.

The One with the Same Old Job

Sorry so long between updates. I've kind of last track of things between baby and going back to work. The job hunt continues. Baby is prospering. Haven't been to theater much since Harry Potter, but I have seen quite a few movies at home.

Bad Company starring Chris Rock and Anthony Hopkins- Very good lot of fun***

A few books but nothing big. Trying to finish out the Chronicles of Amber series, but they've gotten super weird. Not long now though.

UK gets into swing in a few weeks, football in September and basketball in November.

Later folks.

The One with the Baby

Laurana is here! After a tumultuous few weeks, I am back to blogging. There is so much to tell, that I will just sum up.

Botched amnio, baby arrived early, one week in the NICU, Baby got better, still not gaining enough weight but much happier and livelier, transitioning to life as a dad, and still need a teaching job for fall.

I'm learning to cook breakfast and it seems to be working out. Ellice hasn't complained too much, even though I've wasted a pancake or two.

My birthday was yesterday, a few friends came over, Mama Chick fixed Spaghetti (My favorite) and Mama Gullett brough some nice gifts. I can't wait to get over to 1/2 price books!

Haven't finished any books lately; kind of had more pressing matters on my hands. Did catch a few rentals though:

Bride Wars

Unnhh...it was okay. Standard fare, very predictable and passably produced. I was kind of bored. Girls seemed to like it. *1/2

Confessions of a Shopaholic

I couldn't get through this one. Very bored. Didn't like the characters. *

Dragons of Autumn Twilight (Cartoon Movie)

This adaptation of one of my favorite novels was heartbreaking. Voice acting is fairly good, and they were very faithful to the story but the animation is so horrible as to make this almost unwatchable. Extra 1/2 star for just being dragonlance. *1/2