Movie in the Making

This really excites me!

I thought the book was really well done - especially if listened to.

The idea of a movie is awesome and since I love Abigail Breslin the casting couldn't be better in my mind. I'll have to keep an eye on this one.

Yes We Can

I know it's propganda. I know. But regardless of who really wrote it, I think the speech and delivery are great and the video that follows is neat.

It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation. Yes we can. It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom. Yes we can. It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness. Yes we can. It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the ballots; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land. Yes we can to justice and equality. Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity. Yes we can heal this nation. Yes we can repair this world. Yes we can. We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change. We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics...they will only grow louder and more dissonant ........... We've been asked to pause for a reality check. We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope. But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope. Now the hopes of the little girl who goes to a crumbling school in Dillon are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of LA; we will remember that there is something happening in America; that we are not as divided as our politics suggests; that we are one people; we are one nation; and together, we will begin the next great chapter in the American story with three words that will ring from coast to coast; from sea to shining sea -- Yes. We. Can.

Movie Review - Goya's Ghosts

I recently rented Goya's Ghosts. The name of this movie caught my attention because I recently read an article on Goya in Mental Floss and he sounded like an interesting character so a movie about him peaked my interest. It turned out that the movie wasn't really about Goya as much as it was a few of the people he painted. The movie didn't really impress me that much overall but I was very impressed with Natalie Portman's performance. She plays both a mother and a daughter and her performance as the mother was just outstanding. The makeup however was disappointing. Overall I would say it's worth a watch but I'm glad I didn't pay to see it in theater's.

Post-Blizzard Update

Chris made it home on the one flight that left Columbus on Saturday. He arrived at our house around 8pm. He couldn't find our driveway through the snow so he parked across the street in a plowed lot and hiked through knee-high snow up our driveway carrying his flight bag and suitcase.

Being the first time we've both been home in nearly a month we enjoyed a quiet dinner and then slept until noon on Sunday. We finally got around to shoveling the snow around 3pm and found that it was sunny and nearly 50 degrees out - practically spring! Crazy! Thanks to the warm weather the snow was starting to melt making for heavy, slushy muck. We made quick work of it and got it done in less than two hours.

Pictures of our snowy weekend can be found here.

Blizzard in Cinci

I finally made it home for the first time in three weeks of traveling for work. The plan was for me to arrive Friday evening and get settled and then Chris would arrive home from a trip Saturday afternoon.

Well, on Thursday the weather guy in Ann Arbor warned that a big snow storm was heading their way and would hit Friday afternoon, coming up from the south. So I changed my plans and left Ann Arbor Friday morning hoping to miss it. Nope - stupid storm changed direction and concentrated on KY, OH, TN etc so I drove right into it.

It took me about 4 hours to get to the outskirts of Cincinnati and another hour and half to go the remaining 12 miles to our house. GRR stupid snow and dumb drivers. By the time I got home there was 4-5" on the ground. It took me three tries to get my poor little car up the hill of our driveway - I finally had to back across the street and get a running start.

I shoveled myself a walk way and unpacked my car. Once done I tried to move my car into the garage - no such luck. I gave up after the 6th attempt and just rolled it back again. It seemed like such a lost cause to try and shovel so I just left it alone.

Last night Chris's flight was cancelled and he told me that it was supposed to keep snowing through Saturday evening. I woke up this morning and sure enough... more snow. I ventured out around noon and shot the video below. Notice the steps I shoveled yesterday around 3pm are gone...



If the video doesn't work you can view it by clicking here.

Hopefully Chris will find a way to make it home soon. There has been talk of renting a car and just taking the typically 1.5 hour drive slowly. I checked the road cameras and it does appear that people are driving... We'll see.

I think I'll bundle up and walk to the grocery store for provisions now.

Photo Weekend

I went to Orlando last weekend. Here is my weekend in photos:

The way cool pet snake at Jamie's Leap Day party.

An alligator in a pond in front of houses in Celebration where we wet to the yearly huge yard sale.

My family waiting for a table for lunch in downtown celebration.

A video of my cat who is still living with my parents due to our never being home :(

If the video doesn't work you can view it by clicking here.