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.
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."
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.
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.
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!
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.
This blog marks the end of a hiatus. This blog has had many incarnations, some successful, some not so much.
Despite the title, I hope to not do much complaining. Most of this blog will be reactions and lists, thoughts and ideas.
This blog will probably not intoduce anything new or be very deep. In fact, most of what's on here will probably be quite inocuous and/or inane (to most of you anyway).
But, who knows? Maybe it'll give you something to talk about while you're bored.
