So close

I was so close to finishing a book. Ce la vie.

It has been the usual whirlwind around here. School, work, church. Things should settle over the next few weeks. Classes are winding down; been working on final exams and finishing up the finer points of the semester. Work is extremely tense and I don't feel very appreciated, but who does? There are a lot of people's jobs on the line, so it is understandable that tensions would be high. Hopefully, we'll both be in better situations next year. Money is tight-as usual, but we are provided for-also as usual.

Softball is in full swing (ha, ha, ha), we're 0-2 but everyone seems to be enjoying themselves, and that is the most important thing. As coach, I think it is my highest responsibility for everyone to have fun. I've adopted the role of pitcher. Aaron is the best at it, but he also plays a much better shortstop. Brittany is having a blast and is responsible for one of our runs this year. She got a hit first game, and was jumping up and down with joy. That's why we play. Now, we have to find a way to have fun, and still win a game...

I'm having the best time running Star Wars, when I'm not focusing on the Mrs., work, school, softball, the baby, or my book, that's what I'm thinking of. Okay, now that I look at the list, I've got a lot on my plate. Anywho, tons of fun.

Blessings abound in our household, but we certainly have our share of concerns. For anyone praying out there, pray for Ellice's health. She's been plenty sick this weekend, including fever and severe chills. Also that God will continue to provide. Thanks everyone.

Forbidden Kingdom
Jackie Chan meets Jet Li? How could this one miss?
It doesn't. The beginning is a little weird as it starts in modern day, but once we get to the past, the movie takes on the epic quest I expected. The story is very much an old Chinese legend about the Monkey King. The cinematics deliver, taking on the air of a Wu Xia tale about immortals, magic weapons and powerful elixirs, with a major dose of Hong Kong Kung Fu action throughout. This movie delivers everything I wanted. It even holds to a traditional four-member adventuring party-the immortal, the monk, the lady warrior, and the young hero in training. Great stuff, I loved this movie ****

A little behind...

Okay, so I got a little behind on the blogging. To my credit, I've had a lot going on (nothing unusual about that).

Kansas won it all in a thrilling overtime victory over Memphis. Memphis collapsed, missing 5-6 Free throws at the end of regulation and had no business losing. For a team that shot horrible FTs all year long, coach Calipari had been quoted as saying, "Why do we need to shoot free throws, when we win by 10 or more points every game?" (or something to that effect) Hmmm...

Since the end of the NCAA tournament, its all been about finances, schoolwork and work-work. And let's not forget the upcoming bundle of joy, who is playing soccer with my wife's internal organs. Really looking forward to a few things that are coming up: the baby of course; finishing my classes; getting testing over with; and summer!

I had blitz week at work, where I had to develop and execute my own lesson plans with a group of kids I'm only passingly familiar with. Now that that's over with (a good experience though), I'm back to quasi-normal. I say that because the kids and staff are slowly going insane. I can't go into any detail, but weird stuff is going on and tensions are high. Testing starts Monday.

Volleyball wrapped up with a bit of a disappointing finish. We didn't get to the championship game, but not for any lack of trying. Softball is starting Friday, and I somehow got roped into coaching. I really don't like being the point of contact for this whole thing, but I got pressured into it. (And I do mean pressured).

I finished my presentation in one class, so the worst of the Math teaching class is over; one reflection and some online discussion questions left. I've still got quite a bit left in the other, as well as take-home finals in both. That's all there is left. While I only had two classes, I've never had this much combined work (I don't think, Ellice may remember differently).

This past weekend we played a much-anticipated Star Wars game. They are playing kids in the Old Republic, about 12 years before Episode I, the Phantom Menace. The idea is for them to grow into heroes about the time the movies start. We had rounded out the first part of the DND campaign and are taking a break to play the space game. They are primarily doing it for me, as I love Star Wars as much or more than DND. But everyone loved the game session. I think variety spices things up every now and then. And after the break, we will enjoy reuniting with the old characters like meeting old friends.

I plan on chronicling the Star Wars adventures like I have the DND campaign with a blog. I'll have to get Ellice to show me how to do that again.

Ellice has been wonderful these past weeks. I haven't been a joy to live with I'm sure, but she's been great. I love her so much.

No books or movies this week, but stay tuned; I should be finishing a book or two...

Spring Break

Started off the break by going to see Ellice's grandmother in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. It was a long trip (4 hours) but the two days were okay. She wasn't feeling real great so we didn't do much but make a trip to Belk's to get some baby clothes.

The week was pretty much spent up for my part working on assignments for my two classes. I have a presentation due on Tuesday, and I'm really stressing it. Also, we have blitz week, which means I have to teach a class on my own for a couple of days. As I've never had to come up with and implement lessons on my own before, it is a little new to me. I taught a few lessons with other teachers in the room before, but this is a bit different.

The basketball tournament has been a joy to watch; the finals are tonight and I'm rooting for Kansas to take it all.

I finally finsihed reading a book this week, so I have one for the year. Yeah, me.

We also were able to catch a movie, which was a good break. Today it is back to the grindstone, but once I get through Tuesday night, all I have to really worry about is getting through testing, then finals. Then we have a baby. Smooth sailing from there out.


Superhero Movie
This movie wasn't great but it made us laugh and that's all I really wanted out of it. From the people who brought you Epic movie, but this one was funnier. They completely rip on Spiderman, but this time he's bitten by a dragonfly. The comedy is a bit racey, with some language thrown in, but it looked like they tamed this one down just a little. I'd go with a little parental guidance (like the 13 kind). **1/2

Star Wars: Republic Commando: Hard Contact by Karen Traviss
The first in a four part series set during the Clone Wars.

A group of four clone commandos who all lost their units on Geonosis are thrown together on a commando mission to take out a chemical weapons plant. Good stuff. They hookup with a Jedi padawan who is working undercover who lost her master. She finds the strength to lead them and they find they are more than the ordinary clone. The leader of the base is an old school Mandalorian warrior and is a good villain. I loved this one. The climax wasn't what I expected, but I should have seen it coming. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series. ***1/2