Habakkuk's Complaint

New Fave Commercial

2010-10-07T12:49:00.001-04:00

This just makes me laugh. Trying to post more regularly. (Where have I heard that before...)

The Hiatus List- Volume 3

2010-05-29T22:42:00.003-04:00

I don't know why this blog is hard for me to keep updated. I've been slightly more active on my theological blog. When I'm not busy with ministry issues, I've got plenty of other things to keep my interest. Some of it is inane, some of it is pretty big. So, here's a partial list of what's happened since February (my last post). The first one is the most important. After that, the events are in no particular order.

1. Got engaged (Wedding is Nov. 13)
2. Finally downloaded iTunes
3. Started a midweek Bible Study
4. Bought a Batman logo T-shirt
5. Persistent cat issues
6. Got a refund from the seminary
7. Had someone shadow me for a day
8. Bought paint samples
9. Put a shelf in the laundry room

On a completely different topic: I am not sure about continuing the movie reviews on this site. I might still do them, but I might not. I post them on my other blog, which is meant for preachers, rather than general consumption. It's a bit of work to do both, and there's inevitably some overlap. I suppose I could continue posting them, if only for the sake of posting something, with which, you, dear readers (assuming there are any left) can kill a few seconds. What are your thoughts on the issue?

Thoughts on Fiber

2010-02-17T08:47:00.004-05:00

This has become somewhat of a running joke with my girlfriend. She accuses me of being "obsessed with fiber". And I guess to some extent, I am. I look for foods with high amounts of it. I don't get as much as the FDA recommends, but I can safely assume I can more than most guys my age. But, I don't supplement it.

So, why is someone under the age of 60 so concerned with getting enough fiber? I'm not really sure where it exactly started. I guess it's actually several things at once:

1. I'm trying to eat better. Supposedly, more fiber fills you up with less intake. I have not found this to be the case. Portion sizes are still a problem for me.

2. I got a subscription to Men's Health Magazine for Christmas. They advocate getting enough fiber. Their main drawback is that to truly eat as healthy as they describe and recommend, you'd pretty much go broke. Still, though, interesting stuff.

3. There's so many different health benefits to a high fiber diet. Check out this site:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fiber/NU00033

There you have it. Just a random post on a random subject. Hope you found it interesting, or at least interesting enough to kill a few seconds of your day.

Movie Review- "Valentine's Day"

2010-02-16T07:58:00.003-05:00

Trust me, dear readers, I'm as surprised as you that I saw this film, let alone reviewing it for you. Regular readers know that romantic comedies are probably my least favorite genre of film. To be sure, there have been some good ones ("When Harry Met Sally" comes to mind). And I'm sure there are others. It's just that I haven't seen them. But, at least I respect you, dear reader, enough to let you know my biases up front.

This movie stars pretty much half of the population of Hollywood at least in terms of the cast. That's a lot of talent for what I felt was a pretty formulaic film for a genre I don't like. But you already knew that, so let's move on.

The film tells the story of a bunch of people in LA, whose lives interact on Valentine's Day. Ultimately, not every character's life and story interacts with every other one, though most end up doing so, even if the characters themselves are unaware of it. If that sounds confusing, it's actually not. At the center of these multiple plots, is a florist (Ashton Kutcher) and his assistant/driver (George Lopez). I won't bore you with the rest of the storylines because they're all pretty much the same: There's love potential, then there's trouble a-brewin', then finally there's love and understanding, then everyone's happy. To be sure there are some genuinely funny moments and lines in the film. But, overall, I was disappointed. But perhaps I shouldn't have been. I should have expected that.

There were some scenes in the film which had some potential. When there was the possibility that love wouldn't work out for the characters, I was thinking, "Hmmm...this just got interesting." But it didn't.

The film was missing one element: Patrick Swayze. I know he's dead. If he weren't, and felt up to it, they probably would have cast him in it. Here's why: writer and social critic Chuck Klosterman wrote in one of his books (not sure which one) that each of Patrick Swayze's films has at least one scene which is totally implausible. He then makes the case that "Roadhouse" is the perfect Patrick Swayze film, because every scene is implausible/impossible.

And that's my issue with romantic comedies. I realize I'm in the minority here. A lot of people really like romantic comedies. I prefer heavy dramas. I just feel that these types of films are overly optimistic, and give the public a distorted view of love. I believe, they set the bar for actual love experiences so high , that people feel that they're getting ripped off when it doesn't reflect what's on the screen. Are these types of films reflective of love? Hardly ever. But they are reflective of culture, I think. Is life as depressing as the films I enjoy? Not always, but it sure can be, and is probably worse. Pessimistic? Absolutely! But again, dear reader, I am just being honest with you. And that's pretty much the deal: If you don't share my pessimism, you'll probably like this movie.

The "That Guy" factor is incredibly high, due in large part to the size of the cast. Notable cameos include Joe Mantegna, and comedian Larry Miller as the airline employee at the airport.

Acting: A-
Directing: C
That Guy: A
Overall: C*

*See the paragraphs which discuss my distaste for this genre, which I discussed above ad nauseum.

Movie Review- "The Blind Side"

2010-01-05T23:32:00.002-05:00

I've wanted to see this film for a while now. I wanted to see it since I first saw the trailer last year. And I finally got my chance.

This was a good movie. It had at least two things that really appeal to me: drama and football (or American football, for my international dear readers). I doubt that this film will be nominated for any Academy Awards, but that's OK. I don't it's necessarily trying for that. The film stands on its own.

Americans, by and large, like inspirational stories. This film is no exception. More on that in a moment. First, though, I'd like to take a second to talk about football. Football is regarded as one of the toughest sports in America, but viewed by some outside the US to be too violent. Despite this reputation for toughness, football is often used as a backdrop for inspirational (and dare I say, sensitive) stories. Examples of this are the present film in question, as well as "Rudy", and "Facing the Giants". A case could be made that this applies to any sport. And the good people making those arguments would be right. But for the purposes of this article, we'll stick with the poetry of the gridiron.

As I stated above, this is an inspirational film. And there's nothing wrong with that. To be sure, I personally like my share of heavy,depressing films. But occasionally, we all need something uplifting.

This film tells the story of Michael Oher, a guy with a horrendous childhood. He bounces around life with pretty much no direction, until he's offered a chance at success via a private school education with athletic potential. He's "de facto" adopted by a wealthy white family who takes him in, essentially out of Christian charity and the goodness of their hearts. He flowers under their generosity. Then they legally adopt him. He develops his athletic prowess, goes to college and is drafted by the Baltimore Ravens. This is all based on a true story.

I generally don't care for the film work of Sandra Bullock. I have nothing against her, but she is generally found in romantic comedies, which is my least favorite genre. However, she does a really good job. Also, Tim McGraw surprised me. He didn't look like "Tim McGraw" in this film. I got really tired of the kid, SJ.

I definitely recommend this film. It's worth a view, though, a great case could be made that waiting for the DVD release is not a bad idea. People who saw this movie before me told me it was very emotional and a "tear jerker". I found that tugged at the old heartstrings a little bit, but not to the degree that I was maybe led to believe.

Acting: B+
Directing: A-
That Guy: D
Overall: B+

Movie Review- "Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Squeakuel"

2010-01-02T09:52:00.005-05:00

Wow. This is my first movie review in quite some time. Let's see if I remember how to do this.

Regular readers of this blog might be surprised that I am reviewing this film. You wouldn't think that this would be my type of film. And, you'd be mostly right. Regular readers know that my genre of choice is heavy drama. But, I saw it. So let's get to it:

This film is CUTE. That's not a bad thing. It really is adorable. I wasn't feeling bad before I saw, it but it certainly put me in a good mood after.

The plot is pretty much what you'd think it is. It follows the Chipmunks as they try to navigate through "normal" life as rock stars. This includes mostly living with another guardian, as David Seville is in the hospital and going to high school. Along the way, they encounter the normal travails of life in high school. They also find an end to their isolation. By that, I mean they also come across other singing chipmunks, specifically of the female variety. These fellow rodents are an all-girl trio called The Chippettes.

I'm not really an actor by any stretch of the imagination (having been in only a couple plays). But you have to remember that, acting, despite what you may think, is actually hard work. Think about that! Even the worst film you've ever seen, a whole team of people worked hard on that. This is not to say that the end results may not be terrible, because they sometimes are. All I'm saying is when watching a film like this, you should probably know what you're getting into. That's a long, drawn-out way of saying the acting is adequate for a film like this.

So, that leaves 2 things left to mention. The "That Guy" factor is decent here. Jason Lee, of course, plays David Seville. The bigger "that guy" is actually a woman in this film. It's Wendie Mallick. She's well-known for her work on TV. Many of my dear readers will remember her work on "Just Shoot Me". She plays the principal. A principal who has a tattoo of Alvin and the Chipmunks on her forearm. That'd be so rad if she had that in real life. Maybe a bit creepy as well. Still cool, though. Besides, according to imdb.com, she's from Buffalo, NY!

The discussion factor is good if you have kids. You can explore issues of family, friendship, school, etc.

This is a great film for kids, and a good way to kill an hour-and-a-half. It's cute. Not much else needs to be said.

Acting: B
Directing: A-
That Guy: A-
Overall: B+

Merry Christmas (secular)

2009-12-24T10:25:00.004-05:00

Just a couple of cool things to brighten your Christmas Eve. Enjoy!

Sources:

(photo) http://tumblr.com/xpw4xqyae

The Haitus List- Volume 2

2009-11-25T23:28:00.002-05:00

I know, I know...Been awhile. Lots of stuff happened in the time off. Here's a list of things that happened during that time. As always, the list is in no particular order.

1. Preached without notes
2. Got a KISS present from a complete stranger
3. Did ministry in a public school
4. Conducted the Johnny Cash service
5. Saw a Rams victory in Detroit
6. Finally got offended by something on "Family Guy"
7. Ate elk meat for the 1st time
8. Took the cat to the vet
9. Had lunch with a pal from the Organized Living days
10. Ate at a Brazilian steakhouse in Canada
11. Went through an "orange phase" (ongoing)
12. Saw Mini-KISS again
13. Bought tons of new T-shirts
14. Discussed films at the Lutheran Campus Ministry (UB)

That's not everything, but it gives you an idea of what's been going on. I've seen tons of movies as well. However, I won't be doing any film reviews until after Christmas.

Johnny Cash- Yes or No

2009-11-25T23:22:00.004-05:00

Does this look like Johnny Cash to you? It's supposed to be a drawing of him, but i just don't see it. And I don't wanna hear about how I would recognize him if I was really a fan.

image- http://www.teefury.com

Installation Anniversary

2009-08-19T12:03:00.003-04:00

Last month, I informed you that July 22 is the anniversary of my ordination. It was 2 years ago that I was installed as pastor here.

I post this not for shameless self-promotion, but to express my gratitude for another year of God's grace.

New Cell Phone

2009-08-19T11:53:00.003-04:00

Dear Readers, I have finally solved a nagging problem for myself. And in the process, I upgraded my personal technology. Here's what I mean:

Yesterday, I got a Blackberry Curve. And I switched cell phone providers. The nagging problem was that I got no cell phone reception inside my house. And I got poor reception and dropped calls aplenty in town. So, the solution was to drop Sprint when the contract was up and switch to Verizon. So, that is what I did.

It was so refreshing to actually make a cell phone call in the parsonage last night! The image above is actually from Blackberry's website.

Erie County Fair Pics- Animal Edition

2009-08-14T00:12:00.004-04:00

These are more photos fromt he Erie County (NY) Fair. These show the animals that were featured in the petting zoo. I love baby animals. It was cool how my niece and I got to feed the animals too. Enjoy!

Erie County Fair Pics- Random Edition

2009-08-14T00:07:00.003-04:00

Here's some photos from the Erie County (NY) Fair. A good time was had by all. the cute little kid in the pictures is my niece. Also, the things in the white bag are deep fried Oreos. Enjoy!

Silver Creek Flooding

2009-08-13T19:32:00.004-04:00

Earlier this week, the town of Silver Creek, NY (where I currently reside) was devastated by massive flooding. The trailer court was pretty much destroyed, as was the fire house. Here are some pics. Also included is a video of some of the devastation.

This is absolutely heartbreaking, dear readers. Please keep all of the people in Western NY in your thoughts and prayers.

Pastoral Reading List: 2009-10 Edition

2009-08-06T11:26:00.003-04:00

As I explained in a post last year, I have a reading list. The list is organized by month. Each month has a different theme. I try to read books and articles in that category each month.

It's a system that works for me. I don't actually plan what specific books I'll read. I just read what's in that category for the months, and looks good. The cycle starts over every September. Also, I should note that this list IS in a particular order.

SEP: Evangelism
OCT: History
NOV: NT/Luke
DEC: Preaching
JAN: Lutheran Confessions
FEB: Other Religions
MAR: Prayer
APR: Pastoral Theology/Pastoral Ministry
MAY: Old Testament
JUN: Worship
JUL: Gospel of John
AUG: Christian Lit. Classics

Like I said, this list and this reading plan works for me. Other pastors have different systems which work for them.

Youth T-Shirts

2009-08-05T23:06:00.003-04:00

Let me bring up something that's been on my mind for a little while. At the risk of sounding like Andy Rooney or some other bitter old man, let me ask what's the deal with little kids wearing replica concert T-shirts or band T-shirts?

The other night I attended National Night Out block party in Buffalo. There was a little girl wearing a T-shirt that had a replica of the Woodstock poster. And she was way too young to even have attended the one in 1994!

This isn't the first time. I've seen kids as young as 8, 9, and 10 wearing shirts bearing the name and/or album covers as such luminaries as Led Zepplin, AC/DC, and Jimi Hendrix. You just want to walk up to these kids and say, "I'll give you a dollar if you can name a Led Zepplin song. I mean, other than 'Stairway to Heaven.'" Maybe they can, and I am simply underestimating them.

Look, I'm no great dresser or fashionista. Even a cursory glimpse at the photos on this page should inform you of that fact. But, even I know that "faux vintage" is just not cool.

Just wondering what the deal is. Feel free to comment.

Frosty Goodness

2009-08-05T17:41:00.005-04:00

This place is really close to my house on Routes 5 & 20. Technically, it's in Irving, NY. I know summer has officially arrived when this place opens.

They've got all kinds of specialty sundaes. They're all pretty tasty. Especially interesting is their "flavor of the week." Each week they have a new flavor of soft-serve ice cream. As you can see in the pic, this particular week's flavor is pistachio. Pretty good. You can get the flavor of the week by itself or twisted with vanilla.

I just felt the need to tell you how great Frosty Treat is. And to give them a little free press. As always, I received no compensation for my endorsement. And I needed to post something.

Wine Fish

2009-07-31T17:07:00.004-04:00

So, a while back, I asked for suggestions for redecorating the kitchen/dining room area of my parsonage. The choice came down to wine or chickens. The polls indicated that the wine theme was the overwhelming favorite. So, that's what I went for. Though, I am still tempted by the chickens at times. Anyway, as part of the decor, I felt I needed a wine rack. I looked all over for ones that I liked, as well as ones that would look good in the room (they weren't always the same). Anyway, I was at a wine store in Dunkirk, NY and came across this cool number.

I like it for a couple reasons:

1) Uniqueness.
2) My living room has an outdoors/nature theme. It would ease the transition.

Anyway, here's the pic. Please note: the photo was taken at the store, not in the house.

Movie Review- "Ice Age 3" (in 3D)

2009-07-31T11:12:00.003-04:00

What a fun movie! That's the best way to summarize the whole experience. I saw the movie in 3D, as the title informs you. That really enhanced my film watching.

This is the third film in the Ice Age franchise. And, I am a big fan of it! The film features the familiar characters and voices of the previous two. The plot is certainly scientifically inaccurate. More mature viewers will recognize this, and the kids will have plenty of time to learn the science as they advance in school. But, on the other hand, it is a work of fiction. And a fun one at that.

The comparisons to the Shrek franchise are inevitable I suppose. (I loved the first 2 Shrek movies, and was kind of bored by the third.) But I will say this about the Ice Age films. there are enough regular jokes and sight gags for everyone. That is to say, they don't feel the need to resort to a bombardment of pop culture references for the grown-ups (as the Shrek films tend to do). And this is coming from a guy who loves his pop culture references (couldn't love Family Guy if I didn't)!

The discussion factor is not as high as it might be in other films, but the are opportunities for dialogue. Part of it is technical, as in the animation and 3D aspects. But, it might spur a conversation about friendship, families, and other areas of life. The "That Guy" factor is a pretty tough for two reasons: 1) the characters are all voiced by actors, and 2) most of them are well-known actors. The us the grades at the end of the review will reflect that.

But, overall, the film is a good one. It's a great way to kill a little time. Good animation, good action sequences, good family movie. Not too much else I can say. I wholeheartedly recommend this film. Besides, anything with dinosaurs rules!

Acting: NA
Directing: A-
That Guy: NA
Overall: A

Sunday Morning @ The Improv

2009-07-26T21:59:00.003-04:00

Let me explain the title of this post.

For the last couple of weeks, my congregation has experimented with an early service on Sunday morning beginning at 8:00. We decided that there would be no early service today a few weeks ago, since we had a congregational meeting after our normal 10:30 service. So, I took advantage of this morning's surplus of time to do a couple of things around the house as well as prepare some notes for the meeting. Before I had a chance to jump in the shower, there was a member at my back door asking if there was an early service. I said there wasn't. I was then informed that a family of four was outside, waiting to be let into the church for the early service.

I quickly let them in, set up communion, and put on my vestments. We did the service a cappella. I then informed the Bible study class that I would be a little late this morning. Actually, it only ended up being a few minutes late.

For once I was glad the cat woke me up early! Just wanted to put this story out there.

The Actress List

2009-07-23T09:00:00.004-04:00

I promised last October that I would do this list. Then, I kinda forgot about it. That 4-month hiatus didn't help much. Anyway, here's a list of my fave actresses. As always, the list is in no particular order.

1. Diane Keaton
2. Scarlett Johansson
3. Lauren Bacall
4. Faye Dunaway
5. Pam Grier
6. Meryl Streep
7. Janet Leigh
8. Mia Farrow
9. Liv Ullman

Ordination Anniversary

2009-07-22T09:31:00.005-04:00

I posted these 2 pics for a very specific reason. Today (July 22) is St. Mary Magdalene day. It's also the anniversary of my ordination.

Self-promotion? Maybe a little.

PS: The painting is "Why Weepest Thou" by Dewey.

Random Golf Pics 2009- Volume 3

2009-07-21T08:31:00.003-04:00

These are fresh golf pics, dear readers. These were taken yesterday at Sugar Hill golf course in Westfield, NY. Good shots, beautiful day. The day was marred only by the fact that their restaurant, which is really tasty, is closed on Monday.

Enjoy the pics, dear readers!

Movie Review- "Harry Potter 6"

2009-07-20T20:49:00.003-04:00

I'm going to level with you. I've only seen the Harry Potter movies. I'm not one of those obsesssed fan who starts reading the novels the second they buy it, and then lose sleep trying to finish it. So, for thos eof you dear readers who happen to find themselves to be that type of fan, my review will probably be very simplistic to you. Even still, feel free to comment.

Overall, I found this film to be decent. However, I felt that there was much more that could have been done with it. I know this is the problem with trying to translate a long, detail-filled novel with a rabid fanbase into a film that must have appeal for the masses.

But, let's start with the good. Some of the kids are really finding themselves as actors. As such, their performances are getting increasingly better. This is,I believe, especially true of Daniel Radcliffe, who plays Harry himself.

The problem with the film is this: It's not the "darkest one yet". It's all teenage crushes and love stories. Was the director trying to make this a "Twilighted" version of Harry Potter? I will say that romance movies are not generaly my cup of green tea. We've been lead on this cinematic journey to believe thatthere's this coming ultimate showdown between good and evil. Suddenly, we need a romantic interlude? Also, I thought the battle in the bathroom between Harry and Draco could have been more substantial. And where was the funeral for Dumbledore? (I was told there was one in the book.)

I am waiting for the director's cut on DVD. There has to be more than just this.

This film left me with a few questions:
1. Why call it "...and the Half-Blood Prince" if that's a minor detail in the movie?
2. Where does Tim Burton end and Helena Bonham Carter begin? (They're married in real life)
3. Why is Dumbledore so "touchy-feely" all of a sudden?

The discussion factor is actually decent here. The most obvious one is the discussion over how much the film differed from the book (I'm told). Other discussions which may stem from this film are the nature of trust, divine plans and purpose, as well as the limits of academic freedom and pursuit. The "that guy" factor is not really that high as well, with the regular cast of Hogwarts faculty doing that particular duty. The new addition here is Jim Broadbent as Professor Horace Slughorn. Broadbent, of course doing his part of filling the role which calls for "Old British gent without a cool, deep voice."

Acting: B
Directing: C-
That Guy: B
Overall B-

Random Golf Pics 2009- Volume 2

2009-07-17T20:13:00.003-04:00

The difference is that I will tell you where these pics are from. A couple are from the golf tourney that me and 3 other guys won. The others are from the golf simulator at the 2009 Taste of Buffalo.

Enjoy!

Random Golf Pics 2009- Volume 1

2009-07-17T12:10:00.002-04:00

These pics were taken during various golf outings of 2009. I'm sure if I tried hard enough, I could remember actual dates. But, that smacks of effort. Anyway, dear readers, enjoy the pics. They're basically here for the sake of posting something.

Man-Crush Overload!!

2009-07-14T23:59:00.002-04:00

In this video (which has no sound for some reason), you see President Barack Obama throw out the first pitch in the 2009 MLB All-Star Game. Catching the pitch is Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols. Both of these guys show up in my man-crush list.

Even in complete silence, the images are inspiring!

The Hiatus List

2009-07-14T09:27:00.004-04:00

Sorry, dear readers for taking a couple months off. I've been extremely busy. I've also had any number of things happen to me. So, here's the list of things I can remember. As always, this list is in no particular order.

1. Served as a vacancy pastor
2. Won a golf tournament (with 3 other guys)
3. Started work on a D. Min degree
4. Helped at Confirmation Camp for Camp Pioneer
5. Bought some cool new T-shirts
6. Showed my friend Katie my seminary
7. Saw "Watchmen" 4 times
8. Had "cat issues"
9. Innundated Facebook friends with Jay Cutler stories
10. Went to the District Convention
11. Finally got to the Albright-Knox
12. Got addicted to Kan Jam
13. Started growing tomatoes
14. Got addicted to MonsterQuest
15. Got elated when any Boston sports team was bounced from the playoffs
16. Finally got use The Simpsons in minstry again
17. Finished redecorating the master bathroom
18. Got rid of a bunch of stuff

There's other things as well. I'll keep you posted.

Blues Playoff Exit Thoughts

2009-04-22T11:04:00.002-04:00

Like many fans of the St. Louis Blues, I am just happy they made the playoffs, after a five year drought. And, I will join the chorus of fans and pundits saying this really is a learning experience for such a young team.

I stopped shaving and grew a solidarity playoff beard. I shaved it as soon as the game was over and I got back home. Couldn't even make it thru the night. Which is OK. I prefer to be clean-shaved anyway.

I really do hope this is the start of great things for the Blues. I hope the fans aren't treated to another 30 years of playoff mediocrity.

And I do think the drought has made the STL fanbase a bit more appreciative of the playoff.

Sorry, dear readers. Nothing new, original, or exciting in this post. I agree with pretty much everyone else on this issue.

Product Endorsement- Cherry Dr. Pepper

2009-04-10T20:39:00.002-04:00

I tried this a while back. I fell in love with it instantly. And yes,it is very smooth. Besides, I really the above commercial.

A little tip: Try it over some premium vanilla ice cream.

Creepy BK

2009-04-07T14:04:00.001-04:00

How creepy is this?

Fantasy Golf Update

2009-03-28T07:36:00.002-04:00

Wow! That's all I can say, dear reader. I find it fascinating just how uninterested I am in Fantasy Golf. Was not prepared for that.

I just don't care as much as I thought I would. Oh well. Live and learn.

I'll be sticking with football and hockey for my fantasy sports from now on.

New Batman Cartoon

2009-03-24T23:25:00.002-04:00

As you know, dear readers, I am slow on the uptake sometimes. Apparently, there's a new Batman cartoon on. I've seen a few episodes. It's called "Batman: The Brave and The Bold". Apparently, each episode is Batman teaming up with some hero to fight some villain or other.

For me, the gold standard will always be the classic "Batman: The Animated Series". form the 1990s.

But this one is kinda cool in its own way. It's like a stylized, animated version of the 1960's show, but way less campy. Enjoy the clip!

I dunno. I enjoy it.

Bowling Pics (3-22-09)

2009-03-24T21:57:00.003-04:00

These are some pis taken on Sunday (3-22-09). They were taken at Lakeview Lanes here in Silver Creek. They feature some really cool people, my friends Paul and Naomi. Also in attendance were Paul's mom, and their baby son, Jonah. Jonah let me hold him for a bit without fussing. How rad is that!

Enjoy the pics!

Complete Set

2009-03-24T07:51:00.004-04:00

I am finally the owner of a complete set of something. I now own all 9 seasons of Everybody Loves Raymond. The entire series from "Pilot" to "Finale".

Jealous?

Seriously, this is the way to go. It's been fun to re-watch some of my fave episodes. It's also cool to discover some I missed, especially in the earlier seasons.

The clip is one of my absolute favorite moments from the series.

L'affaire Cutler

2009-03-23T08:30:00.004-04:00

For the last couple of weeks, I've been following the Jay Cutler story with great interest. This is, of course, Jay Cutler the QB for the Denver Broncos, not Jay Cutler the professional bodybuilder. I'm not sure if anybody outside the sports media or the Denver area (or a Broncos fan) is as interested in the story as I am.

And that's what I don't get. Why, exactly, am I so interested in the story? I have no particular stake in the Denver Broncos. I'm not a hardcore fan, but I don't wish them a losing season. They're a classy organization in the NFL. And I like Jay Cutler. I think he's a fine young QB.

I've posted (shared) at least 1 or 2 stories a day on Facebook and Twitter. The above clip is from ESPN's "Around The Horn" program a couple weeks ago. You can find all these articles out there on the web. My Facebook friends are probably getting annoyed with these postings.

So, I was reflecting on why this story is so fascinating to me. It really shouldn't be. It's your basic "I'm being disrespected" story. It's also a story where I truly can see every side's point. I think that's 1 reason I find this story so compelling. Each side in the dispute makes some valid points. Each can make the argument that they are "right". That makes for some interesting observing.

But, when all is said and done, it comes down, really, to 1 thing. I miss football season. I love football. I love the NFL. I love spending Sunday afternoons and evenings watching America's real game. Since there's no more drama on the fields right now, I have to settle for drama off the field. And you have to admit that this story is way more interesting than pre-draft manufactured hype.

More St. Paddy's With The Kofahls Pics

2009-03-18T14:43:00.003-04:00

Here's more photos from yesterday.

St. Paddy's With The Kofahls Pics

2009-03-18T14:31:00.003-04:00

So, I had a truly ecumenical experience yesterday. And this one didn't involve joint worship! (See! It CAN be done!) I went to Bolivar, NY to hang with my buddy Matt and his family. It was essentially a Lutheran pastor and a Methodist pastor celebrating the life of a Roman Catholic. We all had a terrific time! The ribs were grilled to perfection, the rest of dinner was excellent as well. In fact the only thing which might have marred the evening was that the Guinness was frozen. But this ice cream we had for dessert more than made up for that.

After dinner we watched part of last night Sabres-Senators suckfest.

Thanks for a great time, Matt and Mary!
And, it was great meeting you, Andy!

Enjoy the pics, dear readers!

Erie Vs. Guelph Pics (3-15-09)

2009-03-16T11:38:00.003-04:00

These are some pics taken at the game between the Erie Otters and Guelph Storm. You'll note a couple of interesting things, dear reader. One, in honor of St. Patrick's Day, the Otters were wearing special jerseys. I tried to get a pic, but apparently, the OHL does not permit game photos. I found this out after taking the other 2. Also, the ice was tinted green for the holiday.

Finally, I met some really cool Guelph fans who made the trek down to Erie. They let me get a pic with them. Thanks so much! I gotta say, Guelph has some pretty snazzy jerseys. I would not mind owning one.

Wine Vs. Chickens

2009-03-13T19:09:00.004-04:00

I need your help, dear readers.

As you know, I'm doing some light redecorating around the parsonage. And now, I think the kitchen and the adjacent dining room are due for some assistance as well. The problem is, my kitchen is orange. Orange can be cool, but it mostly clashes with everything.

So, I narrowed the choices for theme down to 2: Chickens and Wine. My personal preference is chickens, but I have been told that wine is a much better choice. I will concede that wine makes more sense, seeing as how I live on the Chautauqua Wine Trail. But, I've really liked the idea of a chicken kitchen for a few years now.

What do you think? Chickens? Wine? Something different entirely?

2009: A Style (Journal) Odyssey

2009-03-11T23:35:00.005-04:00

So, I had problems getting to sleep last night. And I am not really sure why. I didn't get to some semblance of sleep until around 5:30 in the morning. So, during my time awake, I tired everything I could think of to get some sleep. Finally, I got up and read, then played on the Internet for a bit. I was also half-heartedly searching thru some papers, and came across a spare notebook.

So, I decided to start a style journal. That's right a style journal. I've been doing some basic home improvements around the parsonage. Nothing major, just some repainting, some minor redecorating. So I decided to write down stuff I like, design ideas, stuff like that. But it also will contain things like books I want to read or that get recommended to me, new music to check out, and a host of other things.

Another purpose of the journal is to eliminate the constant problem of trying to remember where I saw something when I want to purchase it at a later date, or simple refer back to it. This will certainly help.

Besides, I would like to own my own home at some point in my life. With the style journal, I will have a whole garden of ideas from which to draw.

Going (Slightly) Greener

2009-03-11T10:48:00.002-04:00

I finally gave in. Some of my dear readers will take issue with some aspects of the Green Movement. But I finally caved. Granted, it's not much, but I hope it helps. They say every little bit does.

I finally started buying those recyclable grocery bags. You see them at grocery stores, Wal-Mart, etc. I've begun using them. I bought a bunch from different stores. I use different ones at different stores. For example, I will use the Wal-Mart bags at Tops, or the Wegman's bags at Wal-Mart. This way, they can't accuse me of stealing the bags. I also avoid being charged for them twice.

They're actually really convenient. The tough part,initially, was actually remembering them. But now, I keep a stash in my truck. Also, you kind of feel like a tool carrying them in the first couple times. Don't worry, that passes.

I'd recommend using these bags if they're available in your area.

The "I Miss..." List

2009-03-09T16:58:00.003-04:00

So,I was thinking about the things I miss. By that I mean, stuff they used to make, I enjoyed, but now no longer do. As always, maybe some of your faves are on this list as well. If not, feel free to comment and leave your thoughts. This list is in no particular order.

1. Chocodiles
2. Snackwell's Chocolate Yogurt
3. Crystal Pepsi
4. McRib*
5. Nitro Cola
6. The Chicken Andouille Pasta at The Tap Room
7. The Critic
8. Hot Locust
9. Good cartoons on Saturday Morning

* I know the McRib surfaces periodically in different markets. I just would like it onthe menu permanently. While we're on this topic, I'd like Mickey D's to bring that Double Cheeseburger back to $1.

Movie Review- "Watchmen"

2009-03-08T15:55:00.005-04:00

I actually saw this film twice in as many days. The story behind these multiple viewings is that I saw it on Friday, the day it officially opened. I took in an early afternoon show. The problem was, there was bad sound in the theater for the first half hour or so. I did the best I could to figure out what was going on. I followed the action, but the dialogue certainly would have helped. Anyway, a guy about 3 rows back decided he had had enough, so he walked out. Shortly after this, the sound was restored permanently. His loss. Anyway, after the film was over, there was some sort of assistant manager giving away free passes to everyone because of the sound issues. So,I took it, and saw it again the next day, with my buddy Tom and his family. There were no sound issues on the second viewing.

I told you that story so I could tell you this one.

This film warranted multiple screenings. I found it to be utterly fascinating. The film has dazzling visuals, strong performances, and raised a plethora of issues, which I will touch on later.

The central plot of the film centers on a team of superheroes, which is in s state of quasi-retirement/disarray in 1985. One member of the team, an aging hero called The Comedian, is attacked and thrown out of his high-rise apartment window. This is discovered by another member of the team, a masked avenger called Rohrschack, who believes that, due to the current political/social climate, someone is trying to kill superheroes. The rest of the film centers on him trying to convince the other semi-retired team members to reunite and stop whoever is doing this.

This is a powerful superhero film. Not necessarily powerful in the way that "The Dark Knight" was, but powerful nonetheless. It raises some very pertinent issues. Some of the themes which the film addresses are power and it's limits, heroism, the need for heroes, peace and how to achieve it, as well as others. Any of those would stimulate great discussion.

One very interesting aspect of the film is the soundtrack. The film has songs from the likes of Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, My Chemical Romance, and more. Not since "Pulp Fiction" has a soundtrack meshed so well with the story on the screen. See this movie for that, if nothing else. This aspect ratchets up the discussion factor too.

The "That Guy" factor has a couple of interesting twists as well. The first "that guy" is Jackie Earle Haley. he was that one kid from the original "Bad News Bears". That's pretty standard. Here's where the twist comes in: One of the "that guys" is a familiar voice, more than face. It's retired supervillain, Moloch the Mystic, played by Matt Frewer. Frewer plays a supervillain called The Leader in the Hulk cartoon I posted on earlier in the year. Nice to match a voice with a face.

I loved this movie! But, then again, I'm a sucker for anyone in a cape.

Acting: A
Directing: A
That Guy: A
Overall: A

A Minor Annoyance

2009-03-02T10:58:00.003-05:00

As you, dear reader, may recall, back in February, I did a post in which I endorsed Pepsi Max. Now, I still enjoy said beverage. But, I've discovered a weird little curiosity about it. It seems like it goes flat faster than any other soda I've ever tried.

Has anyone else noticed this?

Erie Vs. Plymouth Pics (3-1-09)

2009-03-01T21:49:00.004-05:00

I went to Erie, PA today to see the Erie Otters take on the Plymouth (MI) Whalers. It was mostly a good time. Erie was simply outplayed. There's no other way to say it. True, the 3rd period was really exciting, but the scoring and plethora of fights was simply a matter of too little, too late.

But all was not lost! I had a really cool experience at the game. Just a few feet above where we were sitting, the radio play-by-play guy for the Plymouth Whalers was doing his broadcast. So, I got to see a live game with live play-by-play! It was fantastic!

It did not get my picture with the mascot, as I had intended. But there's still a couple more games I plan on attending.

Anyway, enjoy the pics!

The Teams List

2009-03-01T14:09:00.003-05:00

Here again, we have list that many (including myself) would be surprised to discover hasn't been published on here sooner. It's a lsit of all the sports teams I root for. Some I grew up watching, other I just jumped on the bandwagon. Regardless, they are just another facet of me. Anyway, this list encompasses a wide variety of teams and sports. Enjoy!

1. St. Louis Cardinals
2. St. Louis Rams
3. St. Louis Blues
4. Buffalo Bills
5. Buffalo Sabres
6. Erie Otters
7. Fredonia State Blue Devils
8. University of Nebraska
9. University of Buffalo
10. Los Angeles Lakers
11. Missouri River Otters*

This team actually no longer exists. But I still keep their memory alive.

The Brand-Name List

2009-02-28T13:25:00.002-05:00

I usually don't get hung up on labels, designer or otherwise. Usually, the store brand or an off-brand is good enough for me. However, there are a few things I use both in my daily life and occasionally, where I do prefer the "brand name". Here's the list, in no particular order, as is usually the case unless otherwise noted:

1. Peter Pan peanut butter
2. Wrangler Jeans
3. Method cleaning products
4. Metromint bottled water
5. Silk soymilk
6. Meow Mix cat food*

*This is an interesting one. I won't say she prefers Meow Mix, but that's what she's been eating for so long, the cat is probably used to it. But, she eats a lot of it, so she must like it.

Two side notes:

A: Unless I'm feeling adventurous up here, I usually look for Labatt Blue, since Schlafly Beers aren't available up here.

B: I divide my shopping loyalties up here in western NY. But as far as national companies go, I prefer to shop at Home Depot, since they were good to me for 3 years.

The "Man-Crush" List

2009-02-27T09:40:00.004-05:00

You all know what a "man crush" is, don't you? It's not like a regular crush. There's nothing romantic about it. It's where a guy just wants to hang out with a celebrity (however you define that term) and basically just be the guy's friend. Or to put it another way, it a level of fandom that still healthy, and has not yet reached creepy. Here's a list of my man-crushes:

1. Barack Obama
2. M. Night Shyamalan
3. Matt Groening
4. Woody Allen
5. Albert Pujols
6. Humphrey Bogart
7. Padraig Harrington
8. Tony Reali
9. Jeff (he knows who he is)
10. Steven Jackson
11. Peyton Manning
12. Brad Boyes

Ash Wednesday on ESPN, Revisited

2009-02-27T08:42:00.004-05:00

I've noticed that the bulk of the hits on this particular blog have been the result of someone searching for any combination of the words/phrases "tony reali", "ash wednesday" etc.

He does this every year. Apparently, it's a big thing every year. Wonder why that is. What I mean is, I did some searching of my own and apparently there's a fair amount of interest and buzz about it in various sectors of the blogosphere.

I understand Ash Wednesday. I'm one of the people who doles out the ashes. Just wondering what all the buzz is about. Apparently there are people who don't realize the significance of ashes on the forehead for Ash Wednesday.

But, I guess if it gets a dialogue going, it's OK. Kudos to you, Tony!

Thoughts?

PS: The link for the pic: http://bigheaddc.com/category/tv/page/2/

Ash Wednesday on ESPN

2009-02-25T23:47:00.003-05:00

Did anybody else catch the 2 ash crosses on today's episode of ESPN's "Around The Horn" program. One was worn by host Tony Reali and the other was sported by panelist/LA Times columnist Bill Plaschke.

Just wondering.

Oscar Comments and Scorecard

2009-02-23T07:44:00.004-05:00

So, how did you do with your Oscar picks, dear reader? We'll get to my scorecard in a bit. First, I want to comment on a few things from last night's telecast.

I thought High Jackman did OK as the host. It's hard to replace Billy Crystal, but the past few hosts have been good. I liked Jon Stewart and Ellen DeGeneres as hosts. But, I know that's also probably a tough, nerve-wracking job, so kudos to anyone who does it.

I also really liked the break with tradition regarding presentations of acting awards. Instead of having last year's winner, the award was presented by 5 winners of the award. Great job, whoever thought of that!

OK, on to the big show. Here's how I scored:

Best Picture:

I was wrong on both accounts. I said "The Reader" should win, but that "Benjamin Button" would win. But, I am completely comfortable with "Slumdog Millionaire" as the winner.

Best Director:

I was right on both accounts. I picked Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) in both the should win and will win categories.

Best Actor:

I was half-right. I thought the one that would win was too close call between Sean Penn and Brad Pitt. Keep in mind, I posted that before actually seeing "Milk". After that, I had a feeling Sean Penn would take home the prize. I was still a bit skeptical, considering the money that could be made off saying "Academy Award winner Brad Pitt". And I was pulling for Mickey Rourke as the one who should win.

Best Actress:

Again, right of both accounts. I picked her as the should win and will win.

Best Supporting Actor:

Another case of being half-right. I was really pulling for Heath Ledger, and he won. However, I know that Philip Seymour Hoffman is an amazing actor, and I actually picked him as my will win choice, simply because, as science fiction films so rarely get the recognition they deserve, superhero films get even less.

Best Supporting Actress:

Another case of being half-right. I was pulling for Penelope Cruz, mostly because her role was in a Woody Allen film. And that's precisely why I didn't pick her as my will win choice. I think the Academy is still kind of sympathetic to Woody, but most of society is not. But she surprised me by winning.

That's one of things I like best about film: The wonderful debates and discussions that come from seeing and honoring them.

Movie Review- "Milk"

2009-02-22T21:40:00.005-05:00

A guy in my position isn't supposed to like this movie. But, I found it to worthy of its Best Picture nomination.

This biopic tells the story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay poltician elected to major office. It tells not so much his entire life, but his life and political career from 1970 until 1978, when he was assasinated. It tells the story of several failed campaigns and relationships.

Even if you, dear reader, are put off by the subject material, there is still a good deal to like about this film. The most obvious thing to praise is Sean Penn's performance in the title role. I don't always get Sean Penn. I admit that. But, he's had some dynamite performances. Add this to the list. Penn is phenomenal in this role.

Also, not to be missed is Josh Brolin (who seems to be in everything, like that Samuel L. Jackson fellow I mentioned in the previous post) as dan White. Brolin performs extremely well as every angry white guy you know.

Even though the time frame of the film is the 1970s, the core of the film is very timely. Harvey begins his political career as a simple community activist. He loses several elections, but learns what changes must be made, as well as gaining supporters with each election cycle. He attracts supporters by reaching out across various diversities with a message of hope. Sound familiar?

If viewed only on that simplistic poltical level, you still end up with an inspirational film.

The discussion factor is extremely high in this film. The biggest issue and thrust of the film is, of course, gay rights. Other issues which the film brings up is are poltical campaigns, community activism, what real political power is, among others.

The "that guy" factor is so-so in this film. Emile Hirsch is the most notable.

This film is worth your time.

Acting: A
Directing: A
That Guy: B
Overall: A-

Oscar Picks- Pre-Awards Edition

2009-02-22T12:12:00.003-05:00

Since the Academy Awards are on this evening, and since I have made it my personal mission this year to see all of the best picture nominees, I guess I should probably weigh in on tonight awards.

I'm only picking the so-called "Big 5": Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress. I will give my pick of what should win (SW), and what I believe will win (WW). Much of this is moot, since "Gran Torino" got the shaft. I'll report later on my scorecard.

Best Picture:
SW- The Reader
WW- Benjamin Button

Best Director:
SW- Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire)
WW- same

Best Actor:
SW- Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler)
WW- Sean Penn (Milk) or Brad Pitt (Benjamin Button)

Best Actress:
SW- Kate Winslet (The Reader)
WW- same

Best Supporting Actor:
SW- Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)
WW- Philip Seymour Hoffman (Doubt)

Best Supporting Actress
SW- Penelope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona)
WW- Taraji P. Henson (Benjamin Button)

Check back later to see how well I scored.

Movie Review- "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

2009-02-22T08:06:00.002-05:00

This film has the potential to be this year's "Titanic" for me. And that's NOT a good thing. It's not that I didn't like this movie. I just think it's a bit overrated. Some parts were really cool, and some parts incredibly boring. And it is LONG! I don't have a problem with films being lengthy, but this one is long. It runs nearly 3 hours, and you know it. And at the risk of stating the obvious ad nauseum, I think I liked it better the first time I saw it, when it was called "Forrest Gump." The connection is inescapable.

Brad Pitt gives a better-than-average performance. By that, I mean his performance is better than say, Ocean's 12 or 13, but not as good as "Legends of the Fall". And, I hate to say it, but I think I'm getting a little tired of Cate Blanchett. Her performance is her standard good.

The film does have an interesting premise. It's based (loosely,I understand) on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, of "The Great Gatsby" fame. It centers around a child born with all symptoms of being elderly. As he grows up, he actually ages backward. So, when he dies, he is an infant. Like I said, interesting premise.

It feels like this movie got its nomination for Best Picture on its technical merits. And from that standpoint, it is very well done. Kudos to make-up, special effects, and costuming. Again, I have to give props to the director for bringing something like this to life. In other words, it takes a great deal of vision to take a short story and make 3 hours of film out if it.

There is, like most of my recently reviewed films a good discussion factor. One, obviously is the technical excellence of the film. Beyond this, there are issues of being in love, what it really means "to age", mortality, and are things that we encounter in our lives chance, or do they serve a purpose (a recurring theme this year)?

The "That Guy Factor" is pretty good here. In fact, one of the "that guys" is a woman. This is Tilda Swinton, as the wife of spy, whom Benjamin meets and has an affair with in Russia. She's been in lots of films, but might be best known (at least among this readership) as the White Witch in the first Narnia movie. Also here in a bit part is a character actor Elias Koteas. He also has been in lots of films. But to me he'll always be Casey Jones from the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie from when I was a kid.

It's easy to see why the Academy would have nominated this film for Best Picture. I don't think it deserved it, especially since I happen to believe that Gran Torino got royally snubbed. If it does win, I'll always remember it as the new "Titanic": An overly long movie that a lot of people liked, but I didn't. Or, I'll always remember it as the new "Titanic": A film that robbed much more deserving films of the recognition they deserved.

Acting: B
Directing: A-
That Guy: A-
Overall: B

Play Pics- Immanuel, Gowanda, NY

2009-02-21T09:12:00.003-05:00

We took the play on the road (see previous post regarding the play). We had the second performance at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gowanda, NY. These are the pics from that night.

The play was titled, "The Great Geek Tragedy". It's about a guy who has had all sorts of terrible things happen to him in his life, but has always had his faith to get him through them. As the play unfolds, he begins to have a crisis of faith. And he is helped along in that crisis by a number of the people whom he has touched throughout his life.

Enjoy the pics!

Play Pics- Dress Rehearsal

2009-02-21T09:05:00.003-05:00

As some of you may or may not know, I was in a play recently. A friend, and fellow pastor in my circuit, has a real gift for storytelling. He wrote and directed it. He's also the big guy in 2 of the pics. These are the pics from dress rehearsal.

Enjoy!

Still More Random Snow Pics

2009-02-21T09:00:00.003-05:00

These pics were taken ealier in the month of February. There was a string of snowy days, and it got pretty deep. It was deeper than I ever saw back home in the STL. And I just now got around to posting them. Enjoy the pics!

Fredonia State vs Brockport (2-20-09) Pics

2009-02-20T22:45:00.002-05:00

A friend and I went to the hockey game between Fredonia State and Brockport. FSU won. Enjoy the pics!

Movie Review- "Slumdog Millionaire"

2009-02-19T10:40:00.004-05:00

So, I finally saw this film. I had several people highly recommend it to me. Plus, I had to see it as another part of my quest to see all of this year's Best Picture nominees.

It took me a little while to get into it, but once I did, it was pretty rewarding. The film, more than anything, is a love story. It's also a little far-fetched. But outside of that, it was a decent film. At the bare minimum, it was deserving of the Best Picture nod. Much more so than "Frost/Nixon". But, you already read that post.

The film is the story of a young man from the slums of Mumbai, India (formerly Bombay) who gets a chance to compete on the Indian television version "Who wants to be a Millionaire?" He scores better than anyone in the history of the show. Thus, he is accused cheating. The host of the show, as well as the police, want to know how it is that a kid from the slums could know so much. The answers to the questions are provided by his retelling his life story to the police. In other words, every experience he has had in his life has led him to the answer to one of the show's questions.

Like I said, a bit far-fetched, but what love story isn't (except Annie Hall)?

That said, I do have to praise the directing. This was a big story, and it took a great vision to bring it all together, to make sure all the details fit.

The discussion factor is pretty high here. The biggest conversation piece of the film is its view of life. Does everything fit together? Are we the sum total of our experiences? Can love be that strong? It also address issues of family, class, child exploitation, and a host of others.

I am not familiar enough with the actors in the film to even make an attempt at a "that guy" factor.

This film is certainly worth seeing. It also would be my pick for Best Picture, if The Reader were not also nominated.

Acting: B
Directing: A
That Guy: NA
Overall: A-

Product Endorsement- Pepsi Max

2009-02-17T10:37:00.002-05:00

In all honesty, Pepsi Max is just the old Diet Pepsi Max repackaged and renamed. That said, it is pretty tasty. I normally don't like diet sodas as a rule (or diet pops, depending on where you live). However, there are exceptions: Coke Zero is decent, as are the diet fruit-flavored ones from Wegman's. But this one sticks with me. There's a couple reasons for this. And no, it isn't the fact that there's supposed to be ginseng in there. I personally don't think there's enough ginseng to worry about. But I digress.

What got me into it was the commercial above. It was the one that ran during this year's Super Bowl. I think you'll find it pretty amusing.

Bottom line? Advertising works!

As always, I receive no compensation, monetary or otherwise for this endorsement.

Let's See Some ID

2009-02-11T15:24:00.004-05:00

To my anonymous reader in Mountlake Terrace who commented on my post from January:

Please identify youself. I have an idea of who it might be, but I am not sure. if you get this, let me know. I'd also like to know how you know certain things about my present.

Other question: Who/what is Patches?

Thanks!

If you don't want to ID yourself by comment, email me: pastoragne@yahoo.com

Movie Review- "The Reader"

2009-02-09T08:39:00.008-05:00

There are 2 cards which I must lay out on the table before I begin the actual review. One, I am on a personal quest to see all of the nominees for Best Picture. And 2, drama is my favorite genre of film. I mean, I love a good heavy drama. Those types of movies satisfy me like a good nap or a great meal. If this is the case, then "The Reader" certainly hit the spot.

The film is about a teenager who random meets, then begins an affair with a middle-aged woman. They spend time together, they make love, and he reads to her various literary classics which he is studying in school. The affair lasts a summer, but the young man finds that she has left an indelible mark on his life. He encounters her years later when, as a law student, he observes the woman on trial at Nuremberg, accused of being in the SS and participating in the Nazi atrocities. This, of course, make him conflicted. The rest of the film deals with her life in prison, and how they carry on their "affair", but in a different way. He records classic literature on tape and sends it to her.

The film is at times both touching and depressing. I got the sense that in some odd way, they really do love each other, even though they do not extend the physical aspects of their affair past that one summer. After all, doomed love, tragic love, tortured love is a theme which has inspired some of the world's greatest works of art.

The acting was very, very good. Kate Winslet gives a fine performance. All she needs to become the next Meryl Streep is a few more accents and about 20 more Oscar nods. That said, her performance is really strong in this one. It is easy and tempting to simply say that she gives a powerful performance as a former Nazi. But there are other facets of her character as well. Particularly of note is her behavior at the beginning of the affair. She, teaches the youth to be a lover, and then to be a better one. Winslet pulls this off so well, that the reading itself becomes erotic. Additionally, Ralph Fiennes gives a strong, but understated performance. He plays the teenager as an adult (post-law school).

The film is very deep when it comes to the discussion factor. In other words, the film raises many issues for discussion. These include (but are not limited to) age issues in relationships, the nature of love, the place and limits of forgiveness in relationships, how those relationships change over time, the definition of justice and its relation to law, as well as others.

There's really only one (for me anyway) identifiable person to fit the "that guy" factor. In this case it's Bruno Ganz. He played Hitler in "Downfall". But I recognized him as Staupitz from the 2003 film "Luther."

Just as an aside, this is probably my pick for Best Picture right now.

Acting: A
Directing: A-
That Guy: B
Overall: A-

The NES Game List

2009-02-02T12:48:00.007-05:00

I'm a big fan of the old 8-bit NES video game system. What can I say, I'm kinda old school, that way. I guess. It seems like the games were simpler. I can't get to level anything now. Anyway, here's a list of my fave games.

1. The Legend of Zelda
2. Super Mario Bros. 2
3. Megaman 2
4. Mike Tyson's Punch Out!
5. Duck Hunt
6. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2
7. Excitebike
8. Dragon Warrior
9. Batman

Movie Review- "Frost/Nixon"

2009-02-02T09:25:00.006-05:00

I was very much looking forward to seeing this film. I finally got an opportunity on Saturday. I gotta say, the film left me a bit confused. Not as to the plot or to the message, mind you. I am confused as to why it was nominated for Best Picture, while Gran Torino was snubbed.

This is not to say that "Frost/Nixon" is not a good movie. It is. It features some strong performances by the actors. In fact, these performances (specifically Frank Langella as Nixon) are probably what got the film the nomination. Actually, that's not really a fair statement. Let me explain why.

See, the Academy Awards, in addition to honoring the art of film making, serve as a good cultural barometer. In other words, it's possible to gauge the general mood of the populace by observing what the Academy chooses to honor. (Or, at least, it's possible to gauge the mood of the previous year.) This, I believe, is at the heart of the reason for the nomination.

There was, prior to the November presidential election, a tense mood in the United States. There was also a great deal of anger and anxiety. And a large portion of that anger and anxiety was assigned to the previous administration. Many, including myself) felt the administration was corrupt, and arrogant in its corruption. Many also, including myself, we upset because the administration seemed to be getting away with it. Essentially, we wanted some sort of comeuppance.

This was the way many people also felt about and during the Nixon administration. This is best demonstrated in the line from the film, "I want to give Richard Nixon the trial he never had." A good summation of the times. What I'm getting at here is that there is a sense (or was a sense) of needing a similar event from George W. Bush. I'm not so sure of the necessity for that now. After all, he had approval ratings lower than Nixon's, and gave much more incriminating testimony in our modern 24-hour news cycles. Plus, we are already seeing the results of that administration's policies both domestically (economic crisis) and internationally (America's terrible reputation in most of the world).

But I digress. The point is, you cannot stop the people from making such parallels. Let me share 1 thing which highlights this. The big, climactic line in the film is when Nixon says, "When the president does it, it's not illegal." When that line was aid, several people in the theater around me whispered, "That sounds like Bush." Take that for what it's worth.

One good thing about this movie is that it weaves in archival footage from the times. But, as I said before, without the strong performances, this probably wouldn't have garnered the Best Picture nomination. But the best word to describe this film is "effective".

The discussion factor is high. Not only for the parallels I mentioned above. Other issues mentioned include, but are not limited to the distinction between power and authority, the limits of presidential power, the use of media in all aspects of life, as well as others.

The "that guy" factor is fairly high as well.

Acting: A-
Directing: B
That Guy: B
Overall: B+

Not Watching The Big Game?

2009-02-01T13:16:00.005-05:00

This is a post for all my dear readers who find themselves killing a few seconds on my blog instead of watching the Super Bowl. Or for those who are watching the game, and need some other sort of distraction.

Basically, here's a few of my favorite video clips. Enjoy!

Erie Vs. Oshawa Pics (1-30-09)

2009-01-31T09:37:00.003-05:00

Last night, a friend and I took a trip down to Erie, PA to watch the Erie Otter take on the Oshawa Generals of the OHL. Good game: good offense, good goaltending, a couple good fights. A night of good hockey.

Enjoy the pics!

Random Snow Pics 3

2009-01-31T09:13:00.003-05:00

These were taken within the last couple weeks. They're just pics taken around the parsonage where I currently live. This is the eternal struggle for me: I hate snow, but is is really pretty.

Anyway, enjoy the pics and stay warm, dear readers!

The Book List

2009-01-29T18:42:00.005-05:00

It's a wonder that it took this long to put this list together. But, here we are. This is a list of my fave books. They have all impacted me in some meaningful way. Some helped shape my worldview. Others were just good reads. It should go without saying that for me, The Bible is #1. The rest are in no particular order.

1. The Bible
2. No Country For Old Men- Cormac McCarthy
3. Native Son- Richard Wright
4. The Awakening- Kate Chopin
5. Something Wicked This Way Comes- Ray Bradbury
6. Breakfast of Champions- Kurt Vonnegut
7. Side Effects- Woody Allen
8. Cannery Row- John Steinbeck
9. Can You Drink The Cup- Henri JM Nouwen

The Pundits List

2009-01-29T09:23:00.004-05:00

I've been a fan of the op-ed column since high school. These little essays are usually a good way to get a good discussion going. And, with the advent of blogging, it seems like everyone is a pundit (myself included)these days . But here's my list of my fave pro pundits. Some are political and some are sportswriters. As always,. the list is in no particular order.

1. Robert Scheer
2. Joe Conason
3. Greg Freeman (RIP)
4. Jonah Goldberg
5. EJ Dionne
6. TJ Simers
7. Bill McClellan
8. Kathleen Parker
9. Kevin Blackistone
10. Jason Whitlock

Snowed-In Music

2009-01-28T19:24:00.002-05:00

So, I was snowed-in today. I was able to get some other work done, even though I really don't like doing my job stuff in the house. Even when I was in college and the Sem, I had to do my studying in the library.

But I digress.

Anyway, here's a little music for you. It seems to fit the moment of just being at home and watching the snow blow around outside. Enjoy!

Dear readers, here is Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash!

Facebook Activism Confusion

2009-01-28T11:22:00.005-05:00

A quick overview of this blog will reveal all sorts of gadgets. You see them: My picture, the Feedjit Live Traffic dealy, etc. There's also one on there which informs you that I am also on Facebook and what my current "status update" is.

I love Facebook! It allows me to be connected to people I've lost track of, and stay connected to people I haven't lost track of. I even like most of the applications available to you, the Facebook user. Many of them, while not completely necessary to human existence, are just fun little ways to break up the day. After all, isn't that what this is all about? Isn't that what Habakkuk's Complaint is designed to do: stave off boredom for a couple minutes? That what the header says.

But there's a couple applications I just don't get. One is a little garden. the other is a little blue cove. For the uninitiated, people send each other little plants and animals (or caricatures of said plants and animals)in order to place them in a fictional garden or aquarium. That's fine. I get that part.

Here's where my confusion kicks in. Somehow these are supposed to help in the fight against global warming or other causes. I am not sure how this works. I am all for legal types of civilian activism. But this doesn't seem to do anything. How does my putting a fake plant in a virtual garden help alleviate global warming?

I agree it's fun and inane. I'm just confused as to how that's supposed to help.

Movie Review- "Gran Torino"

2009-01-28T08:48:00.003-05:00

My buddy Dave suggested this might be Clint Eastwood's last movie. If so, this is an incredible swan song. This was, I felt, a brilliant movie. Many felt it got snubbed by the Academy. If that is true, then the other films that did get nominated must be very powerful indeed.

Eastwood directed and stars in this urban tale of racism and forgiveness. Eastwood plays an elderly tough guy named Walt Kowalski who knows his neighborhood is declining. The film starts at the funeral of Walt's wife. He seems intent on living out his days proving his toughness to the world and being grizzled. Things come to a head when a Hmong family who lives next door literally spills over into his life.

This film touches on so many different aspects of life. The easiest and most obvious layer here is racism and tolerance. On a completely superficial level, the message is about having your prejudices diminished after getting to know someone. Keep in mind, I said superficial. I did not say this is a bad thing. How else can prejudice and racism be stopped?

The theme of forgiveness is powerful in any film. But it is especially powerful here. The reason for this is also clear in the film. It is one thing to be forgiven. It is another thing to be able to forgive yourself. Often, this causes just as many problems in human interaction.

The problem with seeing movies the way I do, is that I often see them by myself. Sometimes this is OK. But, when it comes to heavy dramas (my fave genre), it's nice to have some instant processing. But, that why I have you, dear readers. That said, the discussion factor is really high in this film. Other issues it addresses are vigilantism, aging and conformity, self-sacrifice, and maturation. You can probably come up with some others as well.

The "that guy" factor is also in full-effect, most notably in the character of the barber.

I will put out one caution, dear readers: This is not a film for the easily offended. Racist slurs and f-bombs abound. If that is off-putting to you, wait until the movie is on network TV.

Acting: A
Directing: A
That Guy: A-
Overall: A

Just Made Me Wonder

2009-01-27T15:04:00.002-05:00

I came across this a couple seconds ago as I was bringing in today's mail.

I susbscribe to Newsweek. As you might expect, the cover shows a picture of the new president and first lady. Up at the top of the cover it reads, "Private Inauguration Photos".

So, if they're private, how did Newsweek get them? Just wondering.

Read My Lips! MORE New Taxes?

2009-01-27T07:47:00.009-05:00

The top video, of course, comes from the former president George H. W. Bush (or, shorthand Bush 41). He made this promise and terrific soundbite during his successful 1988 presidential campaign.

We've come quite a ways since then. I read recently that state governments are proposing making new or increasing taxes on a wider variety of goods and services. The local example is the governor's so-called "obesity tax" which will tax the stuff that increases that particular health risk. It includes all non-diet sodas. The bottom video highlights this. It's easy for for me to sit here and be OK with that, since I don't drink that much soda, diet or otherwise.

But it does make an interesting point. What are the limits of taxation? When is it too much. (Some may argue that any tax is too much.) Another side of the issue is this: Why are we so surprised and outraged when we hear phrases like "obesity tax" floated?

I should make one thing clear at this point. I am all for paying taxes. It's our duty as citizens to pay our taxes to help the government carry out its business. But this doesn't mean that every tax is necessary and/or fair. And our government gives us the right to peacefully express our disapproval and disappointment at those taxes we feel are unnecessary and/or unfair. So please, dear reader, pay your taxes!

The issue here is why we get upset when ideas like the obesity tax are foisted upon us. I believe there are a couple reasons for this. And, yes, both sides of the political spectrum are to blame.

Let's start with the left. We all know about the stereotypical "tax and spend liberal". You know, the one who wants to raise taxes to fund every government program with a bloated budget, no matter how crazy or unimportant or obscene it may be. Unlike others, this stereotype has a nugget of truth in it. Some of us do see value in a variety of things and feel that the government should help pay for it. After all, we never know what we will learn or the good that will come from it. And without government assistance, the gains will never be made. And the best way to get said money is from the taxpayers.

Moving on to the right. Here we work in the stereotype of the evil conservative who hates just about everything except Big Business. He or she wants to cut funding for things that make the world better and funnel all that saved money into military defense. Like its cousin in the above paragraph, this stereotype also contains a nugget of truth. Some of us do think that while these programs are probably important to somebody, the government has more pressing issues on which to spend its cash. The cash that the government does get does come from taxpayers, who should be giving less of it. Cut spending, reduce taxes.

Both are good valid, arguments. It's not hard to see why people are confused and outraged. From the ratcheted-up rhetoric of both parties, an interesting phenomenon has occurred. A new idea has emerged. Somehow, Americans have gotten it into their heads that you can have everything and you don't have to pay for it. Where did this come from? I argue that it is from the people we choose and elect to lead us. Maybe not on purpose, maybe by design. But, I believe it is their use of "wedge issues" that shift the focus from things of substance to things of style. Prime examples: Flag burning. Flip-flopping. You name it. All designed to act like mental rodeo clowns (or quites, for you bullfighting aficionados).

I see why people are upset. Are our leaders listening?

Guns and Pants Revisited

2009-01-27T02:21:00.003-05:00

Back in December, I posted a very brief commentary on the Plaxico Burress incident. Here's a follow-up to that story.

This video clip is directly from the good people at ProFootballTalk.com. This is my most trusted source for NFL news. Plenty of good issues to think about in the clip.

I hope this is OK, PFT guys. I link to your site at the bottom of the blog. Plus, I give proper credit.

Another New Blog? Yes!

2009-01-26T23:01:00.003-05:00

I just created a new blog. I'd been tossing the idea around in my head for the last couple of days. Finally, tonight, on the way home, it hit me. I felt I needed to do a new blog.

Fear not, dear readers! "Habakkuk's Complaint" is not going anywhere. It will still be here to stave off your boredom for a few seconds at a time.

My new blog will be totally dedicated to pastoral ministry. As such, it will be much deeper than this blog. It also represents a break from my usual routine. By this, I mean that I will run (are you ready for this?) a purely theological blog.

We'll just have to see what happens.

Here's the new blog: http://pastoralaesthetic.blogspot.com/

Good Tune, But I Need Help

2009-01-26T17:43:00.003-05:00

This is a great song by The Killers. I heard it for the 1st time last night. (Again, I'm a bit behind the times.) Totally blown away by it. However, I need help with the lyrics. Is it "dancers" or "denser"? I think it's the former. But a friend makes a good case for the latter.

Any help is appreciated.

Blast From The Past

2009-01-26T10:09:00.004-05:00

I was on Facebook not too long ago. There was an ad on the side which reminded me of the old Bud Bowl commercials that A-B ran during the Super Bowl a while back.

I nearly forgot about those! I remember them being really funny at the time. (I was just a kid at the time. And a non-beer drinking one at that!)

Anyway, enjoy the clip! It's from Bud Bowl 1, back in 1988.

Just As Good

2009-01-26T09:19:00.003-05:00

You ever have that sensation of being disappointed and then a few minutes later it's OK because things turned around in a hurry? I had that exact sensation 2 times last night.

I went to Borders last night. With no football, I got tired of being cooped up in the house. So, I braved the cold and headed to Orchard Park. I had a coupon and a gift card to use, so that was added incentive. I had my heart set on this Ingmar Bergman DVD boxed set I saw before Christmas. I remembered it being $42.99. Apparently, I have a bad memory. I got there, hoping it was still in stock. (I figured I can't be the ONLY Bergman fan in Western NY.) It was in stock. Only, it was $99. Clearly, a big discrepancy. I figured I would wait until Borders sent me the 40% coupon.

That still left me with a 20% coupon and the gift card. So, I looked around for a bit. Then I saw it: The thing that made it all better! There was a Bogart-Bacall DVD boxed set for a much more reasonable $39.99. So, I got that instead. I also picked up a collection of Ray Bradbury stories.

On the way home, I pass by the Wegman's across from the McKinley Mall. I realize, then, that I'm out of shaving cream and Metromint water. I stop in. I discovered that they are out of the Peppermint water I like so much. However, they do have the lemon, orange, and 1 box of spearmint varieties in stock. I picked up the lemon and spearmint. I'm not really a big fan of spearmint candy or gum, but why not try them all? So, I put them into my cart. Then it gets better! Shaving cream is on sale! So I stocked up!

So, twice I didn't get EXACTLY what I wanted, but got stuff just as good. Hard to beat that!

Clergy-NFL Connection?

2009-01-25T08:02:00.004-05:00

OK, now that I've got your attention with that title, let me elaborate:

One of the current buzzwords I keep seeing and reading in sports coverage is "coaching tree." I guess technically, that would be a buzz phrase. But, you know what I mean. A "coaching tree" refers to a single, respected, and successful coach and his/her assistant coaches. The assistant coaches then move on into other coaching jobs, eventually becoming head coaches themselves. They are then evaluated on how faithful they have been to the original coach's philosophy, and how successful they are in terms of Wins and Losses. This phrase gets tossed around a great deal this time of year in the NFL, as teams are in the midst of firing head coaches and hiring new ones, as well as promoting others and tweaking the coaching staff.

It's very possible to trace the coaching trees in the NFL. I started to wonder if we could apply this same theory to pastors. It's not an exact 1-1 comparison, but it may be helpful. I don't know. After all, I know that I had professors at the Sem I really respected. I have mentors that I look up to and call on. And, getting back to the professor part of it, it's no secret that different profs have "cults of personality" around them. On a bigger scale, there's always the stereotype of, "No wonder you're like that. You went to (insert seminary of choice here).

The next aspect then would be tracing your pastoral philosophy to people you influence. Maybe this only works on a personal level. I'm not sure any of my profs or mentors is famous enough in my church body to have begun a "ministry tree." How would you know? How would you judge success?

Hulk Cartoon Revisited

2009-01-23T20:11:00.002-05:00

I said a few posts ago that I would possibly revisit The Hulk. That's the point of this post. I've decided not to do a post on my observations on The Hulk as a character. However, I will focus on 2 aspects of my current examination of the character. Here's what I mean by that really confusing statement.

I've looked into some recent issues of the comic book. Granted, I'm jumping into the middle of the current plot. Even upon looking at several back issues, I have to say: "I'm completely lost." All of a sudden there's a red Hulk?

As you dear readers know, I've been watching the cartton that came out in 1996-1997. At first, it was really good. Now, it's not as good. I don't get the gray Hulk. Plus, the She-Hulk becomes the central character. I understand her character, but I just am increasingly disappointed by the entire show.

I think that's as far as I am going with my research. I like it better when The Hulk is a misunderstood soul. I am more intrigued by the psychological relationship between Bruce Banner and The Hulk. In essence, I like it best when the Hulk is a metaphor.

And maybe I'm just being petty, or nostalgic. Maybe it's because I'm conditioned to think this way. But, I want my Hulk to be green. Just green.

0-16's Linehan Experiment

2009-01-23T18:58:00.004-05:00

I won't belabor the point here. Nor will I drudge up the past with this post. All I will say was that the Scott Linehan era in STL was less than stellar. In the interest of fairness, so was the Jim Haslett era.

I bring this up for one reason. I read today that Scott Linehan will be the new Offensive Coordinator for the Detroit Lions. As many are aware, the Lions are the first team in NFL history to complete a 0-16 season. You might think that this is a perfect opportunity to gloat about Linehan going to the one team that could possibly be worse than my beloved Rams.

But I will not. I will take the high road. Think about it. The last 2 years in STL, the Rams won a grand total of 5 games. If Linehan puts together an offense that can win 5 games in 2 years for Detroit, that's a vast improvement over their last season, in which the won a grand total of 0 games. That may not be much, but it's a start. There's a lot to be said for baby steps. Plus, for one reason or another, some people make great coordinators, but lousy head coaches. Just part of the game.

Besides, I have to wish Scott Linehan luck there. I have no animosity toward the Detroit Lions. I look forward to their yearly game on Thanksgiving Day.

After all, I don't wish anyone a completely winless season. One win, fine. And there's only 1 team I'd like to see have a 1-win season.

I should note, the above pic was taken after Scott Linehan's last game as the Rams' head coach on 9-28-08. There's no place to go but up. Here's to improvement, Coach Linehan!

This'll Tide You Over

2009-01-22T17:17:00.004-05:00

So, there's no football this weekend. But, I got something almost as good for you. Here's comedian Frank Caliendo doing John Madden. Hope this tides you over until the Super Bowl!

The Directors List

2009-01-22T14:59:00.006-05:00

First list of 2009. This is, as you probably gathered, is a list of my fave movie directors. This one is going to be a bit different, though. The top 3 are in order, after that, there is no particular order. Enjoy!

1. Woody Allen
2. M. Night Shyamalan
3. Ingmar Bergman
4. Clint Eastwood
5. Quentin Tarantino
6. Tim Burton
7. Kevin Smith
8. Spike Lee
9. Alfred Hitchcock
10. John Huston

To be honest, even I'm surprised that it took this long for me to post this particular list.

Life Imitating Art

2009-01-20T20:52:00.002-05:00

One of these clips is footage of former VP Dick Cheney being wheeled into a limo on this Inauguration Day. The other clip is a scene from the 1946 classic film "It's A Wonderful Life".

Doesn't Cheney Bear a striking resemblance to Henry Potter (the guy in the wheelchair played by Lionel Barrymore)? That's life imitating art! I'll stop there, and let you fill in the gaps as to what I mean.

Kurt Warner: PDF

2009-01-20T07:31:00.003-05:00

The above clip is nothing unique. It's Arizona cardinals QB Kurt Warner being interviewed by Terry Bradshaw after the NFC Championship game. It's interesting how Kurt answers Bradshaw's question. He starts off by saying that we are tired of hearing about Christian faith. But, he also said that he never gets tried of talking about it. So are Warner and society at an impasse?

This, as I aid, is nothing new. When Warner was the QB of my beloved St. Louis Rams, he was just as open about his faith there. And this, I think, kind of grated on people after a while. I always wondered about that. Even I had issues with his theology at times.

But here's the rub. We, as Americans, and as Westerners, have been conditioned to believe, teach, and confess that religion and faith are private matters, best kept out of the spotlight of our lives. Or worse, relegated only to the house of worship we choose to attend. As a result, society has taught us to be uncomfortable with PDFs. That is, Public Displays of Faith.

Many people engage in PDFs. It's just that most are understated and easy to do. Examples of this would be wearing a religious symbol on your neck or lapel, certain types of clothing or attire, a bumper sticker. Stuff like that. It's easy, and predictable. In my job as a Pastor, my PDFs fit into this description. No one bats an eye when they see me in my clergy collar or my vestments on Sunday morning. Even when I tell someone that Jesus loves them, or we'd love to have them join us at church, they expect it. Some might even say, "Well, you're paid to say that." And yet, when we see Kurt Warner (or other high-profile people) so blatantly on fire with their faith, it produces all sorts of reactions in us.

It's easy to be cynical in this case too. It's easy to say, "Yeah, I'd probably be that happy about faith too if I was playing in the Super Bowl." But God is with us whether we are pro athletes or not. Whether our experiences and daily lives are going well or it seems like we are at the end of our ropes.

What do you think?

Rooting for Kurt Warner

2009-01-19T07:36:00.005-05:00

So, I find myself in an interesting situation. I now find myself rooting for the Arizona Cardinals to win the Super Bowl. After years of hating the Cards for leaving the STL, I now wish them all the success in the world.

This is due primarily to the QB, Kurt Warner. I'm totally in the tank for this guy. And yes, that's mostly because he used to be the Rams QB. And yes, because he was the Rams QB who won the Super Bowl. But, if that's not good enough, I don't know what is. (BTW, the pic of Kurt holding the trophy is from that magical Super Bowl!)

Good luck, Kurt! I know I'm not the only Rams fan pulling for you.

Product Endorsement- Metromint

2009-01-17T22:45:00.004-05:00

Let me say from the outset, that I receive no compensation for endorsing this product.

I first came across Metromint water at the Charlotte airport. I bought a bottle right before my flight back to Buffalo. I loved it from the first sip! It's perfect! There's a great mint flavor, plus a nice cooling sensation. Imagine my joy when I came across it at my local Wegman's! You should give it a try if you like mint. It's really good if it's ice cold. (You probably could have figured that out.)

I have discovered that the most enjoyable time for me to have one is at the very end of the day. Here's what I do: I am usually busy from 5-6 EST. So, I put Around The Horn and Pardon The Interruption on the DVR. I watch them right before bed with a Metromint. I got to bed totally relaxed and happy. A few pages out of whatever book I happen to be reading at the time, and I'm off to Dreamland.

There's a bunch of varieties, and I've only tried the Peppermint. But if Peppermint is any indication, I think I'd be satisfied with any of the varieties (though I'm not that big a fan of spearmint anyway).

http://www.metromint.com

Hulk Cartoon

2009-01-15T23:33:00.004-05:00

So, I'm a bit behind the times. This cartoon came out in 1996-1997. I've recently started watching it. Since October,I've been examining the Incredible Hulk from a personal and theological perspective. I started with the 2008 movie. And this cartoon, I think, is as far as that's gonna go. I'm not going to get obsessed. But, I do find the Hulk to be a fascinating character.

As for the cartoon, I really liked it at first. But now, I'm just confused by it. if anyone can shed any light, please do so.

Enjoy the clip! Maybe I'll do a post on my observations at some point.

Scorched-Earth Rams

2009-01-15T21:02:00.004-05:00

So, my beloved St. Louis Rams made a couple changes. They fired their whole coaching staff. This means that Jim Haslett (my personal pick) will not be the head coach. A total scorched-earth policy.

But, I remain cautiously optimistic. The rumor is that Leslie Frazier (defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings) is the fave candidate. Here's hoping he does a great job! All he has to do is win 6 games, and he'll have won more victories than the last 2 seasons combined.

The actual photograph above is Jim Haslett. Sorry it didn't work out coach. I was pulling for you.

Hello 2009!!

2009-01-12T09:09:00.003-05:00

Hey Dear Readers,

I am officially back from vacation. I'm looking to get a good jump on the year. Hopefully 2009 will result in me losing 50 pounds, becoming a better preacher, and getting more organized. Just a few of the things I want to do in the coming year. So, let's enjoy the time together.

Hopefully, you enjoyed your stopovers at Habakkuk's Complaint in 2008. I'd like to say this blog will be bigger and better in '09, but I'm not sure how that would happen. Anyway, hope this year is good for you, as I expect it to be for me.

A Brief Survey

2008-12-30T12:01:00.003-05:00

My buddy Nik (a/k/a "My quarterback...my teammate")posted this in a note on Facebook. It's a brief survey to see how well you know somebody. So, I'm posting it here.

It should be noted that knowing a bunch of facts about someone doesn't always mean that you know them. Just had to throw that in there.

Anyway, here's the questions. Feel free to respond by leaving a comment.

1. The love of my life:
2. Where you and I met:
3. Take a stab at my middle name:
4. How long you've known me:
5. The last time that we saw each other:
6. Would I ever go sky diving?
7. Your first impression of me upon meeting me/seeing me:
8. Am I funny?
9. My favorite type of music and song:
10. Can I sing?
11. The best feature about me:
12. What do I want to do more than anything?
13. What is one thing that you think I should do?
14. Do I have any special talents? If so, what are they?
15. Would you call me preppy, average, sporty, punk, hippie, glam, nerdy, snobby, or something else?
16. Have you ever hugged me?
17. My favorite food:
18. Have you ever had a crush on me?
19. If there was one good nickname for me, it would be:
20. Your favorite memory of me:
21. If you and I were stranded on a desert island, I would bring:
22. Do I believe in God?
23. Who is my best friend?
24. Can i dance?
25. One random thing you know about me:
26. My favorite drink:
27. Am i smart? If yes, more book smart or street smart?
28. Would you ever be embarrassed to go in public with me?
29. What is one thing you've wanted to always tell me but couldn't?
30. Have I ever done something nice for you? If yes, what?
31. What is something that would make me upset?
32. Will you re-post this so I can fill this out for you?

Guns & Pants

2008-12-24T11:03:00.004-05:00

The headline in the Yahoo! article reads: "Guns, pants seized at Burress' home". Is that really a phrase you want to see in a headline about yourself? This, of course, refers to the recent travails of NY Giants WR Plaxico Burress. Still, though. Would you want a headline about yourself to have that phrase? Just trying to find a bit of humor in sad situation.

Here's the link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=ApkYqQX4GPHtou7GgLRRpXM5nYcB?slug=ap-burress-searchwarrant&prov=ap&type=lgns

Happy Birthday Jesus!

2008-12-22T08:23:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, after church, the Sunday School hosted a birthday party for Jesus. We had cupcakes, punch and sang "Happy Birthday". I was pleased at the turnout despite the worsening weather. Here's a few pics from that event. Enjoy!

Trying Something New

2008-12-20T14:56:00.003-05:00

Today, I signed up to do fantasy golf on Yahoo! I've only been playing golf a couple years. I've been watching it on TV for less than a year. But, I decided to give it a try. My present fave pro golfer is Padraig Harrington of Ireland. Above you'll see a clip and a pic.

More Kids Service Practice Pics

2008-12-20T11:27:00.003-05:00

Here's a few more pics from the practice mentioned in the other post. Enjoy!

Kids Service Practice Pics

2008-12-20T11:18:00.004-05:00

On the Sunday before Christmas, our church has the children's program/worship service. Today, we had the practice for the aforementioned program/worship service. Here's some random pics from that event. The kids are going to do a great job. The program is based on the Christmas story as it is found in Luke 2. We're also doing a couple other Scripture readings, but a couple of hymns. We will close out with the Litany as the prayer for the church and the benediction.

A BIG "Thank You" to all the volunteers and the kids themselves. It's going to be great!

My Christmas Tree

2008-12-19T12:40:00.004-05:00

Here we have another example of me posting a pic simply for the sake of posting something.

This is my Christmas tree that I just put up a couple nights ago. I agree that it looks kinda weak for a Christmas tree. But, it works for me.

Enjoy!

Random Chapel Pics

2008-12-19T00:11:00.003-05:00

I volunteered to lead worship for the chapel service at Trinity Lutheran Church in West Seneca, NY. It was a real joy. I love doing that! Anyway, I took a few pics. Enjoy!