There is a double meaning to this weeks title. One, is as in 'wicked cool'. If you were around in the 80's, you may remember this very popular expression. If not, trust me, everyone talked like they came from California for a time. The other meaning is more topical; we are planning to see the traveling Broadway musical this evening in Louisville, and my wife couldn't be more excited.
To sum up this week, I was observed on three separate occasions, students are starting to act a little wonky, Uk had a pair of tight games, and we had our first high-risk visit at the perinatalogist. Good news on several counts; UK won both games (5-0 in SEC play thus far), everything looks great, and its a...GIRL! (This is the 'wicked' cool part)
David has recovered well enough to be out and about and we had our first gaming session back-Star Wars. I had hopes of completing the adventure, but alas, the best laid plans...At any rate, we'll hopefully finish next time around and be back to the solo adventures in DND.
My reading pace has been quite good this year. I'm looking forward to my slate of reads. Right now I'm actively reading the following: Eye of the World, Treasure Island, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Star Wars: Planet of Twilight, The Savage Caves, Net Force, Blood of Amber, The Pursuit of God, The Complete Brother's Grimm Fairy Tales, and the Hero and the Crown. Wow, you put it down on paper and it looks like a lot.
Twilight
We finally took the plunge to see what all the hubbub was about. The teen-angst-ridden vampire romance was an entertaining movie. The visuals were very good at carrying the tone of the film and the story was intriguing. However the dialogue clearly marked this as a cheesy teeny tale. While market appropriate, the lack of universal appeal knocks this one down a peg or two. It has been pointed out to me that my favorites, Star Wars, featured similar cheesy dialogue. I countered with the fact that SW is space opera, and dialogue wasn't to be its strength. That all being said, I was enteretained, and plan on reading the books at some point and watching the rest of the series. **1/2
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
So Far So Good
The year has started out relatively well. My leg is recovering and I can play volleyball again. I'm not 100% but I'm well enough to be active again. Jodie Meeks (UK basketball) has been phenomenal. This player is a once in a lifetime treat to watch play. Last week he scored 54 points in a single game breaking a bunch of UK records in the process. The previous record was 53 by Dan Issel back in 1970. He's average 25 points a game. More importantly, UK is winning in a season that many didn't expect UK to do much.
With the cold day last Friday, school was cancelled, giving us a 4 day weekend (with MLK day on Monday). Unfortunately, our neighbors pipe burst due to the cold, and I feel really bad for him. As a result, our water was turned off for a day--an inconvenience to be sure, but in the end, we have water again and don't have any damage.
David had his birthday party this weekend, and he's feeling pretty good considering the seriousness of his operation. The kidney is taking well, and we'll be gaming again come Thursday to round out this Star Wars adventure we've been on for some time.
We find out the sex of the baby on Tuesday (hopefully) and make sure that everything is allright. Ellice is emotional with the flood of hormones raging through her body, and its been a bit of a roller coaster here. Not only for her, but I've been up and down as well. But more up than down lately. Other than that, everything is hunky dory over here at the Gullett's.
Job: A Comedy of Justice by Robert Heinlein
This is one of the famous Scifi author's later works, and at one time was my favorite novel. Alexander Hergensheimer, a minister for Churches United for Decency is persecuted by some power that keeps transporting him through parallel universes where technology and customs change in the blink of an eye. His trials and tribulations are reminescent of the tests that Job underwent in the Old Testament (hence the title). His only comfort during these jumps through the dimensions is his free-spirited companion Margarethe who is along for the ride. This book is humorous in a sardonic way, and takes an outsider's perspective on social customs, morality and religion. The book is very well-written and grips you from the get-go. A word of caution; there is quite a bit of sex in this book, and is rather heretical (putting it lightly). If you can read the book recognizing its tongue-in-cheek nature and not completely drop after a jab or two from the author's somewhat skewed but humorous perspective on religion, then I recommend this read. ****
With the cold day last Friday, school was cancelled, giving us a 4 day weekend (with MLK day on Monday). Unfortunately, our neighbors pipe burst due to the cold, and I feel really bad for him. As a result, our water was turned off for a day--an inconvenience to be sure, but in the end, we have water again and don't have any damage.
David had his birthday party this weekend, and he's feeling pretty good considering the seriousness of his operation. The kidney is taking well, and we'll be gaming again come Thursday to round out this Star Wars adventure we've been on for some time.
We find out the sex of the baby on Tuesday (hopefully) and make sure that everything is allright. Ellice is emotional with the flood of hormones raging through her body, and its been a bit of a roller coaster here. Not only for her, but I've been up and down as well. But more up than down lately. Other than that, everything is hunky dory over here at the Gullett's.
Job: A Comedy of Justice by Robert Heinlein
This is one of the famous Scifi author's later works, and at one time was my favorite novel. Alexander Hergensheimer, a minister for Churches United for Decency is persecuted by some power that keeps transporting him through parallel universes where technology and customs change in the blink of an eye. His trials and tribulations are reminescent of the tests that Job underwent in the Old Testament (hence the title). His only comfort during these jumps through the dimensions is his free-spirited companion Margarethe who is along for the ride. This book is humorous in a sardonic way, and takes an outsider's perspective on social customs, morality and religion. The book is very well-written and grips you from the get-go. A word of caution; there is quite a bit of sex in this book, and is rather heretical (putting it lightly). If you can read the book recognizing its tongue-in-cheek nature and not completely drop after a jab or two from the author's somewhat skewed but humorous perspective on religion, then I recommend this read. ****
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Back to School
Getting back in the swing of school has been difficult. It is always hard to adjust to an artificial eating schedule. When working, very small breakfast at 6:30am in the car, then a small snack at 10:30am, then lunch at 1:15pm. By 4pm, I'm ravenous from not getting enough food through the day. And there isn't any way to adjust it; i only get a 15 min. break at 10:30am, so I can't really lunch then. Oh well, I've gotten through before and I'll do it again.
UK won the Liberty Bowl and that makes three bowl victories in a row, a record for a perennial football doormat. Kudos to the team. The basketball team lost a heartbreaker to Louisville by a last second 3-pointer by Sosa, but rebounded to defeat Vanderbilt in the SEC opener Saturday.
Other than that, I'm just waiting for a snow day.
The Totally Useless History of the World by Ian Crofton
This book has many hundreds of tidbits of useless trivia about things you don't read about in the history books. It was a fun read, but the language is decidedly pompous and pretentious (maybe intentionally so) and tended to focus on baudy humor. **
Phule's Company by Robert Asprin
This is the initial entry in the Phule series from Asprin, the other of the famous "Myth" books. Phule is the ridiculously wealthy Captain of a group of misfit space legionnaires that he brings together as a standout unit through personal charisma and a unique outlook that money changes everything. Phule is always one step ahead of the game and (almost) always ends up on top. Asprin's singular brand of comedic writing in fantasy translates well into science fiction. While not hard core scifi, it is a refreshing foray into the genre. I'm a fan and will miss the late author's works (Asprin died in 2008). ***
UK won the Liberty Bowl and that makes three bowl victories in a row, a record for a perennial football doormat. Kudos to the team. The basketball team lost a heartbreaker to Louisville by a last second 3-pointer by Sosa, but rebounded to defeat Vanderbilt in the SEC opener Saturday.
Other than that, I'm just waiting for a snow day.
The Totally Useless History of the World by Ian Crofton
This book has many hundreds of tidbits of useless trivia about things you don't read about in the history books. It was a fun read, but the language is decidedly pompous and pretentious (maybe intentionally so) and tended to focus on baudy humor. **
Phule's Company by Robert Asprin
This is the initial entry in the Phule series from Asprin, the other of the famous "Myth" books. Phule is the ridiculously wealthy Captain of a group of misfit space legionnaires that he brings together as a standout unit through personal charisma and a unique outlook that money changes everything. Phule is always one step ahead of the game and (almost) always ends up on top. Asprin's singular brand of comedic writing in fantasy translates well into science fiction. While not hard core scifi, it is a refreshing foray into the genre. I'm a fan and will miss the late author's works (Asprin died in 2008). ***
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Good Riddance 2008
Let's put 2008 to bed, shall we?
Those of you close to us know that 2008 was a rough year, but 2009 already begins with a host of possibilities. The blessings we had in 2008 we don't take for granted but we do consider them mixed. All centers around the loss of Hope. But we've tried to stay focused on God and our family on the way.
We got a new beautiful apartment, got pregnant again right away, got to go on a cruise to the Bahamas, our friend David got a new kidney, Disneyworld, Arabian Nights, King's Island, James got married, UK kept their NCAA streak and their Bowl streaks going, new nephew Hayden, Ellice got a regular teaching job that she really likes, worked the Madrigal at EKU, Ellice sang in a trio, coached the church coed softball and volleyball teams, and I got everything but my practicum done for my Masters.
On the downside, there was our loss, Ellice's surgery, weeklong stay in the hospital and subsequent recovery, my injury that resulted in 6 months of rehab (including a stint in a wheelchair), grandpa Gullett's open heart surgery, grandpa Gullett's health scare, grandma Chick's surgery, and Hurricane James (many of these were good and bad).
Okay, prospects for 09 look good. There are great financial worries on the horizon, but we are in the best position that we've been in since we got married and God has provided well for us. We are going to go see Wicked in Louisville this month, and Ellice is all a tither. Baby makes three in June, UK is looking good and I'm healing.
Movie of the Year for me was Dark Knight. Hands down, no contest.
Favorite book was Elfstones of Shannara
(Paltry) Reading list for 2008
1. SW: Republic Commando: Hard Contact (3/25) 293
2. CoA: Trumps of Doom (5/11) 121
3. Eris: Game of Pawns (6/5) 322
4. Dragonslayer (6/7) 218
5. 1001 Brilliant Chess Sacrifices and Combos (6/20) 252
6. My Utmost for His Highest (8/28) 366
7. The Case for Christmas (8/30) 91
8. The Toothpaste Millionaire (8/31) 129
9. Dark Alchemy (9/14) 292
10. EP: Lion in the Valley (9/21) 291
11. ST: The Return (9/26) 371
12. I Surrender All (10/18) 169
13. The Giver (10/27) 180
14. Elfstones of Shannara (11/15) 564
15. Mal: Guardians of the West (11/28) 438
16. The Legend of the Lone Ranger (12/5) 188
17. Phule’s Company (12/27) 232
Total page count 4617
Those of you close to us know that 2008 was a rough year, but 2009 already begins with a host of possibilities. The blessings we had in 2008 we don't take for granted but we do consider them mixed. All centers around the loss of Hope. But we've tried to stay focused on God and our family on the way.
We got a new beautiful apartment, got pregnant again right away, got to go on a cruise to the Bahamas, our friend David got a new kidney, Disneyworld, Arabian Nights, King's Island, James got married, UK kept their NCAA streak and their Bowl streaks going, new nephew Hayden, Ellice got a regular teaching job that she really likes, worked the Madrigal at EKU, Ellice sang in a trio, coached the church coed softball and volleyball teams, and I got everything but my practicum done for my Masters.
On the downside, there was our loss, Ellice's surgery, weeklong stay in the hospital and subsequent recovery, my injury that resulted in 6 months of rehab (including a stint in a wheelchair), grandpa Gullett's open heart surgery, grandpa Gullett's health scare, grandma Chick's surgery, and Hurricane James (many of these were good and bad).
Okay, prospects for 09 look good. There are great financial worries on the horizon, but we are in the best position that we've been in since we got married and God has provided well for us. We are going to go see Wicked in Louisville this month, and Ellice is all a tither. Baby makes three in June, UK is looking good and I'm healing.
Movie of the Year for me was Dark Knight. Hands down, no contest.
Favorite book was Elfstones of Shannara
(Paltry) Reading list for 2008
1. SW: Republic Commando: Hard Contact (3/25) 293
2. CoA: Trumps of Doom (5/11) 121
3. Eris: Game of Pawns (6/5) 322
4. Dragonslayer (6/7) 218
5. 1001 Brilliant Chess Sacrifices and Combos (6/20) 252
6. My Utmost for His Highest (8/28) 366
7. The Case for Christmas (8/30) 91
8. The Toothpaste Millionaire (8/31) 129
9. Dark Alchemy (9/14) 292
10. EP: Lion in the Valley (9/21) 291
11. ST: The Return (9/26) 371
12. I Surrender All (10/18) 169
13. The Giver (10/27) 180
14. Elfstones of Shannara (11/15) 564
15. Mal: Guardians of the West (11/28) 438
16. The Legend of the Lone Ranger (12/5) 188
17. Phule’s Company (12/27) 232
Total page count 4617
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