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.
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
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.
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.
