We had a very relaxing Thanksgiving, which was great. Over the weekend we put up our Christmas decorations and rearranged our house to fit them in. It actually looks really good and spacious. We bought a fake tree this year (due to our vacation) and I prefer it to the real one...no sap on the fingers, no needles all over the ground and no need to water it.
I am looking forward to the Christmas season...my favorite time of year, despite it's busyness. We lighted the first of the advent candles last night - The Candle of Hope and read from Isaiah. As we prayed as a family it was amazing to hear our eldest son's prayer as he prayed for the upcoming season. I am truly blessed to have the people in my family that I do.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
The World at Night
I have for the last few weeks experienced the world between the hours of 1am and 3am. Now, I have always been a night owl, but lately, due to a number of factors, I find myself awake until late into the night (or is that early into the morning?).
It is amazing how different the world looks and feels at night. There is a quietness that just does not exist at other times. It is almost as if the earth is holding its breath. There are no demands on you. There is no constant hubbub of background noise like there is during the day. And I must say, speaking to God at this time of night is quite unrestricted.
Of course, the ongoing conversation in my mind can get annoying. It goes something like this:
"Go to sleep!"
"Would love to, but I'm not tired."
"Just try and lie down."
"Already done that for an hour."
"Read a book."
"Finished one already."
"Just go to sleep..."
"Would love to, but..."
So anyway, here's to getting to sleep tonight before 1am
It is amazing how different the world looks and feels at night. There is a quietness that just does not exist at other times. It is almost as if the earth is holding its breath. There are no demands on you. There is no constant hubbub of background noise like there is during the day. And I must say, speaking to God at this time of night is quite unrestricted.
Of course, the ongoing conversation in my mind can get annoying. It goes something like this:
"Go to sleep!"
"Would love to, but I'm not tired."
"Just try and lie down."
"Already done that for an hour."
"Read a book."
"Finished one already."
"Just go to sleep..."
"Would love to, but..."
So anyway, here's to getting to sleep tonight before 1am
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Door's Howl - Inception
Synopsis
Ever had a dream where you didn't know what was going on, how you got there or how it will end....that's Inception. Beware, there may be some spoilers here so read with care. I loved Inception as a movie. Great acting - DiCaprio is at his best and the rest of the cast give performances reminiscent of Ocean's Eleven. Good interplay, wonderful dialogue and building tension. As far as twists go there are more twists and surprises than you can count. Essentially the idea is about stealing information from people's minds through created dreams which is easy in comparison to planting an idea - called inception. One warning though...anyone with suicidal tendencies should stay away from this movie.
Special effects are excellent and audience is kept in tension even through complicated time sequences. The director and editor did a masterful job of putting together the scenes of four different time frames to create a sit on the edge of your seat watchability. One of my favorite aspects of this movie is that it is not a remake. An original idea well executed
My least favorite aspect though is the ending. In an attempt to create one last twist the story leaves you speculating what just happened. Sadly, this was one twist I called in the first five minutes of the movie. I would have preferred the alternate ending of the totem falling! But that might be the best thing about this movie...it makes you think...which would you rather have...the dream or the real life, and what after all is real. Like a shout out to Plato are we all in the cave looking at reflections or are we stepping out of the cave?
Score
Inception scores a New Moon.
Scoring System
Wolves are thought to commonly howl at the moon. So, the better the moon, the greater the howl. Description of scoring system below.
Full Moon - best you can get, must watch and must own
New Moon - great movie, worth seeing and buying
Crescent Moon - average to above average, good to watch, but may want to wait for DVD
Sliver Moon - below average, not worth seeing and only get it on DVD when you have nothing better to do, like having a root canal
Moonless Night -not even worth mentioning - avoid at all costs!
Ever had a dream where you didn't know what was going on, how you got there or how it will end....that's Inception. Beware, there may be some spoilers here so read with care. I loved Inception as a movie. Great acting - DiCaprio is at his best and the rest of the cast give performances reminiscent of Ocean's Eleven. Good interplay, wonderful dialogue and building tension. As far as twists go there are more twists and surprises than you can count. Essentially the idea is about stealing information from people's minds through created dreams which is easy in comparison to planting an idea - called inception. One warning though...anyone with suicidal tendencies should stay away from this movie.
Special effects are excellent and audience is kept in tension even through complicated time sequences. The director and editor did a masterful job of putting together the scenes of four different time frames to create a sit on the edge of your seat watchability. One of my favorite aspects of this movie is that it is not a remake. An original idea well executed
My least favorite aspect though is the ending. In an attempt to create one last twist the story leaves you speculating what just happened. Sadly, this was one twist I called in the first five minutes of the movie. I would have preferred the alternate ending of the totem falling! But that might be the best thing about this movie...it makes you think...which would you rather have...the dream or the real life, and what after all is real. Like a shout out to Plato are we all in the cave looking at reflections or are we stepping out of the cave?
Score
Inception scores a New Moon.
Scoring System
Wolves are thought to commonly howl at the moon. So, the better the moon, the greater the howl. Description of scoring system below.
Full Moon - best you can get, must watch and must own
New Moon - great movie, worth seeing and buying
Crescent Moon - average to above average, good to watch, but may want to wait for DVD
Sliver Moon - below average, not worth seeing and only get it on DVD when you have nothing better to do, like having a root canal
Moonless Night -not even worth mentioning - avoid at all costs!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Door's Howl - Predators
SynopsisThe movie opens with a fast start and pretty much never slows down. It is a great movie with wonderful throw backs to the original predator with Arnie. The plot and cast are well put together and Adrien Brody does a great job of being the mysterious experienced soldier/killer that we all hope will survive. Not too mention he has clearly been working out - see pic above. Topher Grace (Eric from "That 70's Show") probably gives you the greatest surprise - both in role and plot twist out of the whole movie. Alice Braga, of "I am Legend" fame, provides the female lead and does a great job. Lawrence Fishburne sadly is given a minor cameo, and while his entrance is simply masterful and reminds you of his "Matrix" work, his character is woefully under-scripted for such a talent. The biggest drawback to this movie is the swearing and language. Most of it is completely unnecessary and actually distracts and detracts from the script rather than adding to the characters or story. Clean up the language and you have a great movie, but because of the language it is merely above average.
Score
Predators scores a Crescent Moon - worth howling at, but get ear soap for the language.
Scoring System
Wolves are thought to commonly howl at the moon. So, the better the moon, the greater the howl. Description of scoring system below.
Full Moon - best you can get, must watch and must own
New Moon - great movie, worth seeing and buying
Crescent Moon - average to above average, good to watch, but may want to wait for DVD
Sliver Moon - below average, not worth seeing and only get it on DVD when you have nothing better to do, like having a root canal
Moonless Night -not even worth mentioning - avoid at all costs!
Monday, July 5, 2010
Door's Howl - Movie Review of Toy Story 3
Been wondering for a while about reviewing movies for some time seeing as I watch so many. Took Kevin to his first ever movie on Sunday. We went to see Toy Story 3. His face was a pure delight as he sipped an Icee, stared at the screen and took it all in!
Synopsis
Toy Story 3 continues the story of the famous toys of Andy - Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, Mr and Mrs Potato Head and the rest. Andy is heading off to college and the big debate is that he no longer plays with his toys. They are concerned that he will throw them in the trash or place them in the attic. They end up at Sunnyside Daycare - a prison for toys (you'll need to see the movie to understand)! The rest of the story deals with them coming to terms with life change, escaping from "jail" and finding a way home.
The cartoon work is great - even though we saw it in 2D. The storyline and "acting" is tremendous and there are plenty of incredibly funny sections for kids and adults. Who would have thought Buzz Lightyear could be such a great Spanish dancer. Usually third part installments are terrible - just see Shrek the Third. But, Toy Story producers have pulled off their best one yet. I think it is well worth seeing and even better, worth owning. The wonderful truisms of life change are done very well and even had the adult women in my aisle in tears at the end.
Score
Door's Howls scores Toy Story 3 as a New Moon
Scoring System
Wolves are thought to commonly howl at the moon. So, the better the moon, the greater the howl. Description of scoring system below.
Full Moon - best you can get, must watch and must own
New Moon - great movie, worth seeing and buying
Crescent Moon - average to above average, good to watch, but may want to wait for DVD
Sliver Moon - below average, not worth seeing and only get it on DVD when you have nothing better to do, like having a root canal
Moonless Night -not even worth mentioning - avoid at all costs!
Keep listening for further howls.
Synopsis
Toy Story 3 continues the story of the famous toys of Andy - Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, Mr and Mrs Potato Head and the rest. Andy is heading off to college and the big debate is that he no longer plays with his toys. They are concerned that he will throw them in the trash or place them in the attic. They end up at Sunnyside Daycare - a prison for toys (you'll need to see the movie to understand)! The rest of the story deals with them coming to terms with life change, escaping from "jail" and finding a way home.
The cartoon work is great - even though we saw it in 2D. The storyline and "acting" is tremendous and there are plenty of incredibly funny sections for kids and adults. Who would have thought Buzz Lightyear could be such a great Spanish dancer. Usually third part installments are terrible - just see Shrek the Third. But, Toy Story producers have pulled off their best one yet. I think it is well worth seeing and even better, worth owning. The wonderful truisms of life change are done very well and even had the adult women in my aisle in tears at the end.
Score
Door's Howls scores Toy Story 3 as a New Moon
Scoring System
Wolves are thought to commonly howl at the moon. So, the better the moon, the greater the howl. Description of scoring system below.
Full Moon - best you can get, must watch and must own
New Moon - great movie, worth seeing and buying
Crescent Moon - average to above average, good to watch, but may want to wait for DVD
Sliver Moon - below average, not worth seeing and only get it on DVD when you have nothing better to do, like having a root canal
Moonless Night -not even worth mentioning - avoid at all costs!
Keep listening for further howls.
The Panera Problem
I am sitting at Panera listening to the beautiful sounds of smooth jazz on Pandora, sipping coffee, slowly melting in the heat as I watch those around me...and reading from Ruth Haley Barton's book Strengthening the Soul of My Leadership.
A thought occurred to me as I watch plates and plates of food go past, portions so large that most people are taking home or throwing away the leftovers. I see large, stunning full color slides of Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil Salad as well as Strawberry, Poppyseed and Chicken Salad. There is water on tap, coffee constantly percolating and all I can think of are those unfortunate human beings that do not have access to these things...the starving, thirsty, dying people in third world countries who are far from any food, let alone choice.
I fear that we all may be looking to a troubling conversation with God when He asks us what we did with our blessing of excess. I don't have a clear answer for myself...just troubled thoughts that this is not right. This world and its brokenness is so hard, so devastatingly unfair. Why, because I am born in the southern hemisphere, or born of another color than white is my life filled with hardship and despair. Not everyone, but clearly so large a majority that it makes it cultural for those races.
I simply call out to God and wonder why...even as I feel myself tempted to have a great salad despite not being hungry at all.
A thought occurred to me as I watch plates and plates of food go past, portions so large that most people are taking home or throwing away the leftovers. I see large, stunning full color slides of Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil Salad as well as Strawberry, Poppyseed and Chicken Salad. There is water on tap, coffee constantly percolating and all I can think of are those unfortunate human beings that do not have access to these things...the starving, thirsty, dying people in third world countries who are far from any food, let alone choice.
I fear that we all may be looking to a troubling conversation with God when He asks us what we did with our blessing of excess. I don't have a clear answer for myself...just troubled thoughts that this is not right. This world and its brokenness is so hard, so devastatingly unfair. Why, because I am born in the southern hemisphere, or born of another color than white is my life filled with hardship and despair. Not everyone, but clearly so large a majority that it makes it cultural for those races.
I simply call out to God and wonder why...even as I feel myself tempted to have a great salad despite not being hungry at all.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
'Ard Boyz
Been ages since I wrote on the blog. Been a busy year so far, but I was able to play in the 'Ard Boyz prelims and Semis recently. Both rounds were loads of fun. I qualified for the Semis in third place and ended up coming second in the semi and qualified for the finals. However, I won't be able to go to the finals due to a few conflict issues. Nevertheless, it was a blast and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have since then become a little hooked on all the painting and battle reporting on the internet. Anyway, that's a super quick update.
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