Jonathan had "Mother Goose Day" at school, and he played the role of Little Boy Blue, complete with Daddy's old trumpet. He was very excited to carry the horn. Meg tried her hand at mopping and decided to sport the funny face.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Little Boy Blue and the new maid
Jonathan had "Mother Goose Day" at school, and he played the role of Little Boy Blue, complete with Daddy's old trumpet. He was very excited to carry the horn. Meg tried her hand at mopping and decided to sport the funny face.
Monday, March 26, 2007
More Catching Up
Saturday morning we zipped about 80 miles south of us to some flower fields in Carlsbad. It was a gorgeous day and we enjoyed a picnic lunch, a walk around the fields, a wagon ride, mining for precious stones, and sitting on a vintage Ford tractor.
Catching Up (Again)
J-Man is 6! A few pics over a couple of days include J sporting his new favorite shirt, Meg & Kayla enjoy a "roller coaster" and Kathy & Katie get a little crazy on a wave runner video game.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Party Time
We were privileged to attend a very nice birthday party on Saturday for the children of one of Laura's colleagues. There was a puppeteer there who employed Jonathan's dramatical skills to entertain the rest of the kids. Good times!
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Movie Review: Casino Royale
Casino Royale (2006, On DVD)
The James Bond movie franchise is arguably the most successful in film history, with longevity that exceeds any other series of movies. Casino Royale is the 21st film of the storied franchise and is considered a “reboot” of the spy series, derived from the novels of renowned author Ian Fleming. The film also debuts Daniel Craig as the 6th actor to play Bond. This film is not to be confused as a remake of the original 1967 Casino Royale, which was actually a spoof of spy films, starring David Niven and Peter Sellers.
However, this film could accurately be labeled a “throwback”, as it seeks to faithfully create the atmosphere described in Ian Fleming’s 1953 novel of the same title. Casino Royale takes us to the beginning of James Bond’s career, just prior to him being granted “Double-O” status. We follow his first major assignment as he engages an international financier of terrorists and seeks to eventually out-duel him at the poker table, rather than the traditional Bond game of baccarat. The plot has many of the familiar elements of the Bond series including the sinister villain, the beautiful companion(s), chase scenes, and a few gadgets, though the popular character of “Q” is nowhere to be found. However, this is definitely a much grittier Bond, reminiscent of the original Dr. No, starring Sean Connery. Unlike the proper and constantly comedic Roger Moore, the forgettable George Lazenby, the brief and soulless Timothy Dalton, and the suave Pierce Brosnan, Craig’s Bond bleeds, gets frustrated, destroys his signature tuxedo, and genuinely seems to struggle with his role as a violent assassin. As with many similar franchises in the current day, the filmmakers have attempted to delve into the psyche of their main character, rather than perpetuate the indestructible comic-book persona who saves the world without a scratch or a piece of lint on his suit. The plot is also a bit more digestible in terms of world scope, without the usual madman with a super-laser trying to take over the world. Overall, Bond fans have accepted this reboot and so do I. (3 ½ stars out of 4) Enjoyable for Mom: Probably not, despite the rating.
The James Bond movie franchise is arguably the most successful in film history, with longevity that exceeds any other series of movies. Casino Royale is the 21st film of the storied franchise and is considered a “reboot” of the spy series, derived from the novels of renowned author Ian Fleming. The film also debuts Daniel Craig as the 6th actor to play Bond. This film is not to be confused as a remake of the original 1967 Casino Royale, which was actually a spoof of spy films, starring David Niven and Peter Sellers.
However, this film could accurately be labeled a “throwback”, as it seeks to faithfully create the atmosphere described in Ian Fleming’s 1953 novel of the same title. Casino Royale takes us to the beginning of James Bond’s career, just prior to him being granted “Double-O” status. We follow his first major assignment as he engages an international financier of terrorists and seeks to eventually out-duel him at the poker table, rather than the traditional Bond game of baccarat. The plot has many of the familiar elements of the Bond series including the sinister villain, the beautiful companion(s), chase scenes, and a few gadgets, though the popular character of “Q” is nowhere to be found. However, this is definitely a much grittier Bond, reminiscent of the original Dr. No, starring Sean Connery. Unlike the proper and constantly comedic Roger Moore, the forgettable George Lazenby, the brief and soulless Timothy Dalton, and the suave Pierce Brosnan, Craig’s Bond bleeds, gets frustrated, destroys his signature tuxedo, and genuinely seems to struggle with his role as a violent assassin. As with many similar franchises in the current day, the filmmakers have attempted to delve into the psyche of their main character, rather than perpetuate the indestructible comic-book persona who saves the world without a scratch or a piece of lint on his suit. The plot is also a bit more digestible in terms of world scope, without the usual madman with a super-laser trying to take over the world. Overall, Bond fans have accepted this reboot and so do I. (3 ½ stars out of 4) Enjoyable for Mom: Probably not, despite the rating.
Bird's-Eye View
OK, it appears that the blogger people have fixed the picture upload glitch. This is a shot taken from the roof of the garage, which I can now sit on without fear of falling through. This isn't a great angle, but you can get an idea of the overall structure. We are actually going to end up with a nice little porch cover off of the den, which will be nice in the summer. You can see the beginnings of the "California gully", which allows rain runoff between roof peaks. This was actually taken on Tuesday so that is now done and it passed inspection yesterday. Progress, progress!
Monday, March 12, 2007
Bumper Crop
We picked all the lemons off of our tree and trimmed it back as it was getting a bit tall. The whole family pitched in to slice, juice, and bag so that we can have tasty homemade lemonade all summer. Yum.
Movie Review: The Departed
The Departed (2006, on DVD)
Winner of four Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director (Martin Scorsese), The Departed is a gritty film about freedom, choices, and the propensity of people to do good versus evil. Jack Nicholson plays local organized-crime boss Frank Costello, who has been involved in criminal behavior his entire life in the same community. Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio play recent police academy graduates who go to work for the same division. Damon’s character, Colin Sullivan, has been in the employ of Costello’s organization since he was a child and becomes a loyal insider while working for the police department. DiCaprio plays Billy Costigan, whose checkered past makes him an ideal candidate to infiltrate Costello’s organization under cover. Sullivan and Costigan are unaware of each other’s existence, but it quickly becomes apparent to both sides that they each have traitors in their midst and the chase begins. The film is a tense and frantic cat-and-mouse game as all main characters are essentially hunting for each other while at the same time watching their own backs. There are also strong supporting roles from Martin Sheen, Mark Wahlberg, and Alec Baldwin as competing law-enforcement agents whose styles and loyalties clash and confuse throughout the film. Essentially this is a crime-drama, but it is more about the choices that people make and the hands that people are dealt in life. There are some very poignant scenes where the film attempts to get at why people pursue the life that they do, or continue to sustain that which is familiar to them. This film is a rather heavy watch, and is rated R for strong violence, heavy language, some sexuality and drug use. (3 Stars out of 4) Enjoyable for Mom: No
Winner of four Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director (Martin Scorsese), The Departed is a gritty film about freedom, choices, and the propensity of people to do good versus evil. Jack Nicholson plays local organized-crime boss Frank Costello, who has been involved in criminal behavior his entire life in the same community. Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio play recent police academy graduates who go to work for the same division. Damon’s character, Colin Sullivan, has been in the employ of Costello’s organization since he was a child and becomes a loyal insider while working for the police department. DiCaprio plays Billy Costigan, whose checkered past makes him an ideal candidate to infiltrate Costello’s organization under cover. Sullivan and Costigan are unaware of each other’s existence, but it quickly becomes apparent to both sides that they each have traitors in their midst and the chase begins. The film is a tense and frantic cat-and-mouse game as all main characters are essentially hunting for each other while at the same time watching their own backs. There are also strong supporting roles from Martin Sheen, Mark Wahlberg, and Alec Baldwin as competing law-enforcement agents whose styles and loyalties clash and confuse throughout the film. Essentially this is a crime-drama, but it is more about the choices that people make and the hands that people are dealt in life. There are some very poignant scenes where the film attempts to get at why people pursue the life that they do, or continue to sustain that which is familiar to them. This film is a rather heavy watch, and is rated R for strong violence, heavy language, some sexuality and drug use. (3 Stars out of 4) Enjoyable for Mom: No
Friday, March 09, 2007
Structure
The den frame structure is coming together. Exciting stuff! It's fun to stand in the new structure and see the high ceiling. The garage also got a face-lift. Originally the rafters were just going to be reinforced but after taking the roof off, we concluded that the whole thing needed to be rebuilt, which will probably be better in the long-run anyway.
Movie Review: Stranger than Fiction
Just to break up the construction pictures, I'm going to vary my blog content a bit. So here we go...movie reviews!
Stranger than Fiction (2006, on DVD)
Will Ferrell, typically known for over-the-top comedic roles, plays a more dramatic role as highly-regimented IRS auditor Harold Crick, whose carefully-structured life is suddenly disrupted by a voice in his head that begins to narrate his life like a paperback novel. The narration begins as a mental annoyance but quickly becomes an alarming predicament as the strikingly-accurate narrator announces Harold’s impending death. Harold seeks counsel from a literature professor (Dustin Hoffman) who sends Crick on a quest to discover the nature of his life story. Emma Thompson plays the tormented narrator, whose writers-block is preventing her from finishing her current book. The film sets the main characters on a path towards self-discovery by dealing with issues of free-will, life choices, and fate. There are also some very interesting situations where the characters must face the balance between responsibility, obligation, and the pursuit of long-forgotten dreams. Overall, the premise of the film is very creative with its existential undertones, but it does tend to plod along between major plot points. There is also a romantic sub-plot that weaves into the major themes of the film but is somewhat cliché in its development. This film is rated PG-13 for adult situations, some sexuality, and brief language. (2 Stars out of 4)
Stranger than Fiction (2006, on DVD)
Will Ferrell, typically known for over-the-top comedic roles, plays a more dramatic role as highly-regimented IRS auditor Harold Crick, whose carefully-structured life is suddenly disrupted by a voice in his head that begins to narrate his life like a paperback novel. The narration begins as a mental annoyance but quickly becomes an alarming predicament as the strikingly-accurate narrator announces Harold’s impending death. Harold seeks counsel from a literature professor (Dustin Hoffman) who sends Crick on a quest to discover the nature of his life story. Emma Thompson plays the tormented narrator, whose writers-block is preventing her from finishing her current book. The film sets the main characters on a path towards self-discovery by dealing with issues of free-will, life choices, and fate. There are also some very interesting situations where the characters must face the balance between responsibility, obligation, and the pursuit of long-forgotten dreams. Overall, the premise of the film is very creative with its existential undertones, but it does tend to plod along between major plot points. There is also a romantic sub-plot that weaves into the major themes of the film but is somewhat cliché in its development. This film is rated PG-13 for adult situations, some sexuality, and brief language. (2 Stars out of 4)
Monday, March 05, 2007
The Dominie
We had a fantastic men's retreat this last weekend. This, is our Senior Pastor. He rides a large Harley-Davidson motorcycle, which he affectionately calls his "Scooter". To keep the bugs out of his teeth on long rides, he wears this mask. My lovely wife doesn't like it, but I think it completes a great look.
Worse before it gets better
Whew. The roof came off the family room today. Where the recessed lighting used to be, we can now look through to the lovely sky above. The shingles have been removed from our bedroom and the garage. The laundry room roof has also been removed. Furniture, boxes, and other belongings are scattered in odd spots throughout the spot. Jonathan is having fun sleeping on a small couch which is temporarily stored in his room. More to come!
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