Archive for July 2006
Self Improvement Grade : C
Exercise : B :We joined the ‘Y’ last week, I went for my initial consultation and workout, and now have to start getting in there 3 days/week.
Eating Right : B : I’m still focused on eating well but it’s getting to be a bit of a drag.
Weight Loss : B : Last’s weeks ‘big loss’ was not equaled this week, which is fine. I still am loosing weight which is good.
Parenting/Husband : D : The efforts to loose weight, eat right, exercise, etc, have all added to my stress level and made me quite grumpy, irritated and unpleasant. I’m gonna try some daily vitamin supplements and see if this week can be a better one. Not being a good parent/husband greatly dwarfs all the good efforts in other areas.
This was a tough week. I stayed the course on many things but have been very irritable.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (4 stars)
Director Gore Verbinksi takes to the high seas to helm the continuing adventures of swashbuckling Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), young Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and headstrong beauty Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley). Once again, the trio returns to the realm of the supernatural as Jack tries to weasel his way out of a blood debt with the ghostly Davey Jones (Bill Nighy), who threatens the wily skipper with eternal damnation if he welshes.
Geoff’s Comments: I was surprised to have enjoyed this as much as I did, as I was not overwhelmed by the first. Depp’s back playing an effeminate ‘Keith Richards’ caricature. This has a fun, swashbuckling tone, with a couple of lulls but an overall even pace. There are subtle nods to the Disney ride throughout the movie that are fun to watch for, and the set designs and visuals are excellent and worth the price of admission alone.
Note: this has a cliff hanger ending. I didn’t like that aspect of it because it was not expected. So now you know going in.
[ rent Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest via netflix.com ]
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (4 stars)
Director Gore Verbinksi takes to the high seas to helm the continuing adventures of swashbuckling Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), young Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and headstrong beauty Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley). Once again, the trio returns to the realm of the supernatural as Jack tries to weasel his way out of a blood debt with the ghostly Davey Jones (Bill Nighy), who threatens the wily skipper with eternal damnation if he welshes.
Geoff’s Comments: I was surprised to have enjoyed this as much as I did, as I was not overwhelmed by the first. Depp’s back playing an effeminate ‘Keith Richards’ caricature. This has a fun, swashbuckling tone, with a couple of lulls but an overall even pace. There are subtle nods to the Disney ride throughout the movie that are fun to watch for, and the set designs and visuals are excellent and worth the price of admission alone.
Note: this has a cliff hanger ending. I didn’t like that aspect of it because it was not expected. So now you know going in.
[ rent Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest via netflix.com ]
Taking Some Heat
Q: When would you expect the Air Conditioner in your home to ‘Give Up The Ghost’?
A: During a stretch of record breaking 100+ degree heat wave, that’s when.
And of course, the landlord for the rental property is on vacation, and A/C companies are quoting a week + wait time for service. The irony is solar-perplexing.
Yes, this is my life… frustrating at times, but in the end worthy of laughter, not lamenting. It’ll make a great screenplay someday. Priorities, right? I mean, it’s not like my laptop’s not been stolen.
Who Killed the Electric Car? (4 stars)
Amid ever-increasing gas prices, this documentary delves into the short life of the GM EV1 electric car — once all the rage in the mid-1990s and now fallen by the roadside. How could such an efficient, green-friendly vehicle fail to transform our garages and skies? Through interviews with government officials, former GM employees and concerned celebs (such as EV1 driver Mel Gibson), Chris Paine (former EV1 owner) seeks to answer the question.
Geoff’s Comments: Wow. Another great documentary. It’s fascinating to see how things played out in the production and destruction of these revolutionary vehicles. It’s also interesting to consider just what might be the motivation behind not only stopping their production, but literally seizing and destroying every single electric car even when the owners [leasers] clearly wanted to and were willing to pay for them and keep then. Just why would a car company choose to do that?
Who Killed the Electric Car? (4 stars)
Amid ever-increasing gas prices, this documentary delves into the short life of the GM EV1 electric car — once all the rage in the mid-1990s and now fallen by the roadside. How could such an efficient, green-friendly vehicle fail to transform our garages and skies? Through interviews with government officials, former GM employees and concerned celebs (such as EV1 driver Mel Gibson), Chris Paine (former EV1 owner) seeks to answer the question.
Geoff’s Comments: Wow. Another great documentary. It’s fascinating to see how things played out in the production and destruction of these revolutionary vehicles. It’s also interesting to consider just what might be the motivation behind not only stopping their production, but literally seizing and destroying every single electric car even when the owners [leasers] clearly wanted to and were willing to pay for them and keep then. Just why would a car company choose to do that?
Self Improvement Grade : B
Exercise : C :Although i’ve not started a routine, I have worked out a schedule and should be starting at a gym this week.
Eating Right : A : I’ve been very conscious/focused on what’s going into my system, and it’s working quite well.
Weight Loss : A : I’ve lost 8 lbs since my last entry. Whoo hoo!
Parenting : B : Still seeing some improvement in the kids behavior but I have a long way to go with being aware [in the moment] that i’m a role model.
This was a good week for taking action and seeing some results in those efforts.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (3 stars)
Petty thief Harry Lockart (Robert Downey Jr.) gets caught up in a murder investigation in this action-packed comedy. Posing as an actor, Harry heads to Los Angeles for an unlikely audition and finds an authentic acting coach in detective Perry Van Shrike (Val Kilmer). But the bright lights of Hollywood fade when a murder takes place and Harry, Perry and Harry’s high school dream girl (Michelle Monaghan) become part of the investigation.
Geoff’s Comments: Good Actors in a story with strong potential that just didn’t quite make it. Really enjoy Downey but this was still not the best use of his talent.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (3 stars)
Petty thief Harry Lockart (Robert Downey Jr.) gets caught up in a murder investigation in this action-packed comedy. Posing as an actor, Harry heads to Los Angeles for an unlikely audition and finds an authentic acting coach in detective Perry Van Shrike (Val Kilmer). But the bright lights of Hollywood fade when a murder takes place and Harry, Perry and Harry’s high school dream girl (Michelle Monaghan) become part of the investigation.
Geoff’s Comments: Good Actors in a story with strong potential that just didn’t quite make it. Really enjoy Downey but this was still not the best use of his talent.
The Corporation (5 stars)
This documentary charts the spectacular rise of corporations as a dramatic, pervasive presence in our lives. Filmmakers Mark Achbar and Jennifer Abbott present a timely, entertaining critique of global conglomerates as they chronicle the origins of corporations, as well as their inner workings, controversial impacts and possible futures. The pros and cons are weighed via interviews with social critics such as Noam Chomsky and Michael Moore.
Geoff’s Comments: I can’t state this strongly enough: this is a must see. Not only that, it’s a must remember, and must act on. The title is deceptive, as this is not just about ‘corporations’ per se, it’s about global societies, apathy, ignorance, blind faith, marketing, human rights, ecology, politics, power, corruption, greed, and the future of our children’s children. I had to stop 1/3 of the way through to start taking notes on things i wanted to learn more about. This, like ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ should be mandatory viewing for everybody.
In fact, if you want it, write me and i’ll send it to you.
[ rent The Corporation via netflix.com ]
[ Visit The Official Website for more details online ]
The Corporation (5 stars)
This documentary charts the spectacular rise of corporations as a dramatic, pervasive presence in our lives. Filmmakers Mark Achbar and Jennifer Abbott present a timely, entertaining critique of global conglomerates as they chronicle the origins of corporations, as well as their inner workings, controversial impacts and possible futures. The pros and cons are weighed via interviews with social critics such as Noam Chomsky and Michael Moore.
Geoff’s Comments: I can’t state this strongly enough: this is a must see. Not only that, it’s a must remember, and must act on. The title is deceptive, as this is not just about ‘corporations’ per se, it’s about global societies, apathy, ignorance, blind faith, marketing, human rights, ecology, politics, power, corruption, greed, and the future of our children’s children. I had to stop 1/3 of the way through to start taking notes on things i wanted to learn more about. This, like ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ should be mandatory viewing for everybody.
In fact, if you want it, write me and i’ll send it to you.
[ rent The Corporation via netflix.com ]
[ Visit The Official Website for more details online ]
A Scanner Darkly (3 stars)
Keanu Reeves shoulders another futuristic role in director Richard Linklater’s sci-fi thriller based on Philip K. Dick’s novel. Working as an undercover cop in a world where almost everyone is addicted to Substance D — which produces split personalities in its users — Fred Arctor (Reeves) sets up an elaborate sting to nab a notorious drug runner named Bob. But little does Fred know that “Bob” is … his alter ego.
Geoff’s Comments: Great visuals, good story, but for some reason, probably just me, the visuals actually distracted from the story and i found it a little difficult to follow at times.
A Scanner Darkly (3 stars)
Keanu Reeves shoulders another futuristic role in director Richard Linklater’s sci-fi thriller based on Philip K. Dick’s novel. Working as an undercover cop in a world where almost everyone is addicted to Substance D — which produces split personalities in its users — Fred Arctor (Reeves) sets up an elaborate sting to nab a notorious drug runner named Bob. But little does Fred know that “Bob” is … his alter ego.
Geoff’s Comments: Great visuals, good story, but for some reason, probably just me, the visuals actually distracted from the story and i found it a little difficult to follow at times.
What Don’t I Know Now That I’ll WIsh I Knew Then?
Recently seeing the life span of our kids in 3 years of photos, the pregnancy of one friend and birth of another’s child all makes me think of things i’d do differently if I started over. that naturally spills over to not just with them, but in my entire life. It often occurs that, when looking back at the course of my life, i always end up thinking ‘if i only knew then what i know now‘. While hindsight is 20/20, what’s foresight? In 10 years, when I look back on today, what “don’t i know now that i’ll wish i knew”?
That’s the question I’d love to solve. Somehow, in many ways, such as health, finances, relationships, I know that i can circumvent that eventual statement There’s lots of things I already know but don’t pay as much attention to as I should [again, such as health, finances, relationships...] but I’m trying to.
And yet I know there’s plenty I don’t know and I can’t anticipate… I’ll just have to wait and see.
I hate to wait.
What Don’t I Know Now That I’ll WIsh I Knew Then?
Recently seeing the life span of our kids in 3 years of photos, the pregnancy of one friend and birth of another’s child all makes me think of things i’d do differently if I started over. that naturally spills over to not just with them, but in my entire life. It often occurs that, when looking back at the course of my life, i always end up thinking ‘if i only knew then what i know now‘. While hindsight is 20/20, what’s foresight? In 10 years, when I look back on today, what “don’t i know now that i’ll wish i knew”?
That’s the question I’d love to solve. Somehow, in many ways, such as health, finances, relationships, I know that i can circumvent that eventual statement There’s lots of things I already know but don’t pay as much attention to as I should [again, such as health, finances, relationships...] but I’m trying to.
And yet I know there’s plenty I don’t know and I can’t anticipate… I’ll just have to wait and see.
I hate to wait.
Never Forget Another Password
At lunch today, the topic of passwords came up, and after having a good reception to the schema I use that helps me never forget a web password, and having had the same reception to the idea in the past, I thought I’d add it to my blog for other’s to consider and use.
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Now Playing : Accoustic Insights
I’d never been a big Jackson Browne fan growing up, although there were a few songs I liked, and “Running on Empty” is one of the few 45’s I remember owning. I stumbled across this recent acoustic release and thought i’d give it a try, and I’m quite impressed. This is a well played and heart felt solo session, with entertaining quips and comments interspersed between the selections. It has a small club sound and feel, and many of the lyrics, especially those of ‘Lives In The Balance‘, are as politically powerful and timely today as they were so many years ago.
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Self Improvement Grade : C
Exercise : F : I didn’t do squat. Not even one. :-/
Eating Right : C : I’m remaining mindful of portions, but it’s often too late.
Parenting : B : We’re seeing some behavior improvements in the kids; it seems we’re on the right track.
Well I’m not off to a rousing start but it’ll take a couple weeks of discipline to get this off the ground.
Cache (3 stars)
Winner of the Cannes Best Director Award, Michael Haneke’s psychological thriller centers on wealthy French couple Georges (Daniel Auteuil) and Anne (Juliette Binoche), who begin receiving threatening videotapes and phone calls. Eventually, Georges realizes who the perpetrator is but refuses to tell Anne, causing a rift. Flashbacks of George’s childhood reveal the mystery, a story that illuminates France’s damaged relations with Algeria.
Geoff’s Comments: What makes this work, for me, was in the art of making something that does not conform to ’standards’; as the director says in the bonus material, somebody looking for a typical studio release, a conclusion or an answer, they’ll be disappointed. This is not your usual ‘all wrapped up nicely in the end’ film, and from my online research, may have a broad range of intent beyond what is presented as ‘the story’.
Cache (3 stars)
Winner of the Cannes Best Director Award, Michael Haneke’s psychological thriller centers on wealthy French couple Georges (Daniel Auteuil) and Anne (Juliette Binoche), who begin receiving threatening videotapes and phone calls. Eventually, Georges realizes who the perpetrator is but refuses to tell Anne, causing a rift. Flashbacks of George’s childhood reveal the mystery, a story that illuminates France’s damaged relations with Algeria.
Geoff’s Comments: What makes this work, for me, was in the art of making something that does not conform to ’standards’; as the director says in the bonus material, somebody looking for a typical studio release, a conclusion or an answer, they’ll be disappointed. This is not your usual ‘all wrapped up nicely in the end’ film, and from my online research, may have a broad range of intent beyond what is presented as ‘the story’.
Urine Deep Do-Do
As does every parent at some stage of their childs development, we’ve used this past weekend to start serious toilet training. No more diapers. I anticipate many weeks ahead of constant reminding, encouragement, accidents, etc., but hopefully it’ll go smoothy. In the end, i’ll be thrilled to flush the concept of changing diapers. It’s a crappy job. :-)
About This “Self Improvement” Category
I often find myself thinking about ways I want to improve who I am. I think about losing weight. I think about eating better. I think about improving my work productivity and relationships. I think about being a better husband, a better father, a better friend. I think about being a better presence in the world, less of a curmudgeon, less cynical. I think about these thoughts daily, yet as is the case with 80% of the thoughts that pops into my head when zoning en route to work, strolling in between meetings, staring blankly out the window of my office, or listening intently to my wife’s breakdown of the day… they’re gone moments later. These aspirations are seldom kept in the foreground of my thoughts, where I’d be more inclined to act on them. Instead, their pushed off my mental plate as the next batch of thoughts takes their place, only to be pushed off themselves moments later.
….And you may ask yourself… “Well, how did I get here?”
Read the rest of this entry »
About This “Self Improvement” Category
I often find myself thinking about ways I want to improve who I am. I think about losing weight. I think about eating better. I think about improving my work productivity and relationships. I think about being a better husband, a better father, a better friend. I think about being a better presence in the world, less of a curmudgeon, less cynical. I think about these thoughts daily, yet as is the case with 80% of the thoughts that pops into my head when zoning en route to work, strolling in between meetings, staring blankly out the window of my office, or listening intently to my wife’s breakdown of the day… they’re gone moments later. These aspirations are seldom kept in the foreground of my thoughts, where I’d be more inclined to act on them. Instead, their pushed off my mental plate as the next batch of thoughts takes their place, only to be pushed off themselves moments later.
….And you may ask yourself… “Well, how did I get here?”
Read the rest of this entry »
My Brother Makes The Big Leagues
I just got this email from my older brother, shown here pulling a bus behind him in the 2003 Strongman competition, who’s set and achieved an extremely impressive and motivating goal in just 3 years. Instead of trying to paraphrase it, I’ll just share what he sent… way to go, David. I’ll be there this year to cheer you on.
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True Charbroiled Burgers
We had a small BBQ last Tuesday to celebrate the 4th of July, inviting some family and friends over for burgers, beer, guacamole, chips and margaritas. We had a great time, the kids played to the point of exhaustion, and there was way too much food. In retrospect, there were two very valuable lessons to be learned from this effort:
