Plans go awry
Plans to work out, write, and housework fell to the side last night when R. called and said a warning light popped up on the dashboard. I brought the car to the garage this morning. We've encountered the issue in the past: deep in the bowels of the car, sensors are registering information incorrectly. I took the car back since we'll be using it over the weekend and repairs would take at least a couple of days. I've tentatively scheduled to bring it back to the garage next Tuesday.
While waiting at the garage, I finished the book, Touched by the Gods by Lawrence Watt-Evans. Review to follow.
I deposited R.'s paychecks in our account. Also garnered info about our line of credit. After retrieving the car, I picked up my paycheck, then my comic books. Lunched at Romano's, of course. Thoroughly full, I walked about the local Barnes and Nobles. They had Eberron! Yeah! I know one of the new books I'll be reading this weekend.
Picked up a few items for Father's Day. Napped at home before prepping up for our little out-of-town trip this weekend.
Another mixed day.
Friday, June 18, 2004
Opinions sought
What do you think of the new appearance and features of my blog (e.g., the colours, the profile, the Comments, etc.)?
Thursday, June 17, 2004
Linking the links
As an exercise for grins, I went through the Comments up to February 2004 to find those who had homepage links that were not part of my regular ones.
Wow! I was pleasantly surprised. I will be browsing each one shortly to include them among links I regularly browse.
The links are (from most recent):
http://www.molly-thompson.net/
http://www.welchwrite.com/blog/2004/06/no-angst.asp
http://www.trackie.blogspot.com/
http://www.lindajomartin.com/writing/index.html
http://nomilk.blogspot.com/
http://www.51313.blogspot.com/
http://wickedimp.blogspot.com/
http://stribs.blogspot.com/
http://maktaaq.blogspot.com/
http://choosedeath.blogspot.com/
Humor: Democrat, Republican, or Texan?
You're walking down a deserted street with your wife and two small children.
Suddenly, a dangerous looking man with a huge knife comes around the corner, locks eyes with you, screams obscenities, raises the knife, and charges...
You're carrying a Smith & Wesson and you are an expert shot. You have mere seconds before he reaches you and your family. What do you do?
Democrat's Answer:
Well, that's not enough information to answer the question! Does the man look poor or oppressed? Have I ever done anything to him that would inspire
him to attack? Could we run away? What does my wife think? What about the kids? Could I possibly swing the gun like a club and knock the knife out of
his hand? What does the law say about this situation? Does the Glock have an appropriate safety built into it? Why am I carrying a loaded gun and what
kind of message does this send to society and my children? Is it possible he'd be happy with just killing me? Does he definitely want to kill me or
would he just be content to wound me? If I were to grab his knees and hold on, could my family get away while he was stabbing me? This is all so confusing! I need to debate this with some friends for a few days to try to come to a conclusion.
Republican's Answer:
BANG!
Texan's Answer:
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! click.. click... click.......
Link of the Day
Bloggers vent fury as Net vet ends free hosting service
I'm not fully surprised by people's reactions. Many folks quickly take what is a gift either for granted or their right.
About last night
Saw the movie, Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban, last night at the IMAX theater. I understood what the critics meant by the movie being different from its two predecessors. Atmosphere and theme were definitely darker and more character-focused with the latter on, of course, Harry. The former was accomplished considerably by colour choices with shadows and greys being pronounced. Even the massive banner over the theater was in shades of gray reflecting the growing darkness in Harry's once bright and colorful world.
Theme reflected Harry's entrance into adulthood. And it's not a smooth one. Harry's far more rebellious; the open scene where he lashes out with his magic against his aunt reflects his "I won't take it anymore" attitude. The same is reflected in his friends attitude: Hermonie, especially, is less willing to back down. Ron has the least fire but is no pushover, either. At the same time, the threesome back down from several confrontations reflecting youth's lack of experience in many social interactions. Realistic though I felt sometimes rushed.
All the previous adult characters (e.g., Dumbledore, etc.) were relegated to the background with only Snapes and newcomer Professor Lupin having the most prominent roles. The latter, especially, provides a sounding board to Harry. I always felt Dumbledore provided that role and I like the change.
Azkaban also departs from this predecessors in another major fashion. It is the first movie to be an adaption of the books instead of faithfully following the tome. I believe part of the reason is the sheer size of the story: Azkaban, I believe, is over 400 pages. Many scenes were omitted from the movie while others were either added or new (i.e., the Dementors on the train.) I'm not a stickler for details as long as the prominent plot points are not removed (e.g., the stag or the 'twist' ending) or changed; and the changes (again, the first showing of the Dementors) were entertaining.
I thoroughly enjoyed the special effects. The hippogriff, especially, looked very real. Only in a couple of scenes did I think the effect looked, well, faked (e.g., the bird flying to the Whopping Willow) but otherwise was satisfied the effects enhanced the story.
A different movie for a different book. Overall, I give Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 3 1/2 stars out of 5.
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Another Random for the Day
Church sign
Oh, my!
Link(s) of the Day
Scientists Find Gene Cure for Cheating Lover Voles
It's Not 'Beam Me Up' - Yet
Well these have certain implications...for stories, that is!
Random for the Day
Nerdware Review
Movies, games, etc. Good stuff and a good site (and it's not just for nerds!).
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
WWW
Words
Haven't written anything of significance for a couple of months. No excuses: I've had time; I'm in great health (though on the tubby side); and have the resources (e.g., laptop with wireless access, laser printer, tons of how-to write books and mags, etc.)
Have scheduled blocks of writing time for the rest of the week. This Friday, especially, is open.
Weights
Weekend was the last hurrah for my "bad" eating habits (e.g., fettuccine alfredo with sausage, etc.) Worked out hard at cardio last night. Bagel with a dab of peanut butter this morn; salad for lunch. LOTS of fluid throughout the day and night. Fiber in the form of metamucil help in the surpressing my considerably stretched stomach. I'm slowly switching to more salads and soups in the evenings as well. Coffee--with its appetite suppressing abilities, is a given (though not too much.)
Trying to figure out where to incorporate weight training. Unfortunately the gym near my current assignment is 24 Hour Fitness (and I have a Bally Fitness membership.)
Whatever
During the time between jobs, I spent a lot of time doing houserepairs and housework. Same with working on our business. Trying to incorporate time for them now that I'm working full-time. I currently have every other Friday off which helps.
Monday, June 14, 2004
Weekend getaway
R. had to work Saturday, so I stayed in bed until the afternoon. Lunched at Romano's after a disaster visit to Olive Garden. Ugh! Searched for hours at Brookhurst Hobbies to satisfy my role-playing game kick at the moment. Strictly for research, you know.
Spent the afternoon and evening watching Xena: Warrior Princess (third season.) Mostly watched the extra footage like interviews and commentary. Fascinating!
Sunday R. surprised me by arriving home early. We slept until 1600. Grabbed a nice dinner and watched more DVDs when we go home. Overally, a lazy weekend.
Link for the Day
Science fiction museum to become reality
Random for the Day
Emo Eddie
Interesting pics and entries though the latter took a while to read. Whew!
