I think it is really important to expose Ryan to a variety of movies so that his tastes can evolve appropriately. This weekend was no exception. We started off with Amy's pick Never Cry Wolf which was very enjoyable, kind of a shorter softer version of Dances with Wolves mixed with Into the Wild but with a happy ending .
Saturday, I needed a fix of Fight Club, which i've easily seen a dozen times, but to mix it up, we watched it with Palahniuk and Uhls commentary piped over it. This was great and i highly recommend it, the insight you gain about production decisions and the interaction between the author and the screenwriter was cool. Palahniuk even complimented Uhls a few times for doing things better than the book.
From there it was on to the new version of the Amityville Horror which managed to spook the bejesus out of me, creepy, not overly creepy though and at times just plain silly.
Last night we caught War of the Worlds, with Tom Cruise. It comes complete with many scenes of Tom Cruise running. I'm pretty sure this gets worked out by his agent for each flick he does. Everytime he does it, i imagine Ben Stiller in his place. It's hard to take him seriously. The movie reaked of Signs with plenty of hinting, as opposed to showing or telling. I think it could have been great, but the ending just fizzled big time.
My favorite lines in the movie were an exchange between Cruise and this soldier and we couldn't make out a single word of it. It seemed pivotal b/c they destroyed an alien ship right after but we couldn't figure it out for anything. We backed up the scene three times and finally turned on the subtitles to learn that he was saying something like "Look at the Birds! There's no armor there" wow, deep.
Monday, November 28, 2005
Friday, November 25, 2005
Post Turkey Day Stuff
Lots to talk about, and i haven't had much time to post lately.
First off, my Uncle Gaynor, who is currently battling mantle cell lymphoma, received a stem cell transplant this week. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he begins his recovery in Houston.
While on the topic of prayer and positive thinking, I happened to run into Gary McCrary last week at Lod Cook, and he looked great. Gary was struck by a car last year and suffered some of the worst injuries i've ever heard of in a bicycle accident. Turns out he still has some surgeries in his future, but he's riding a mountain bike on the levee, working out and doing well. It was awesome to see him.
Yesterday was Turkey Day, and we had a great time visiting with Bobbie and Bob, as well as DJW and Carrie. I tried John Folse's Yam recipe again, and this time it was a real hit. The syrup promised in the recipe appeared right on queue and they turned out great, or at least i thought so until i asked my grandmother what she thought. She is the uber-cook of the family, and things aren't good until she says so. She replied "They taste like Sweet Potatoes". Ok, well maybe not.
On a much lighter note, Eric alerted me this morning to Roberto's positive b sample for EPO use. What a drag! Sure the guy climbed like a freak, but he always has, and i figured he just had a Pantani-like gift, turns out he's more like Pantani than i thought. Since, he will forfeit his victory in this year's Vuelta a Espana, it will probably have a profound effect on the scoring of the Fantasy Vuelta, but i'm not seeing a recount taking place, sorry EZ-E.
My new career as a professional writer began this week, as the piece on riding my bike to work showed up in the new 225 Magazine. If you're interested in an autographed copy, just e-mail me, they go for $29.99.
In sad news, my boss wrote an incredible nomination for me to be included in The Top 40 Under 40. It was the kind of essay that made me say, "Is this about me? Sounds like someone else." Unfortunately it fell on deaf ears. Since i didn't make it, i can only rejoice in the fact that i must be ranked 41st, there's just no way that i could be any lower than that in this town. I mean come on.
I'm hoping to catch a ride with Taylor tomorrow, maybe River Road? Anyone?
First off, my Uncle Gaynor, who is currently battling mantle cell lymphoma, received a stem cell transplant this week. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he begins his recovery in Houston.
While on the topic of prayer and positive thinking, I happened to run into Gary McCrary last week at Lod Cook, and he looked great. Gary was struck by a car last year and suffered some of the worst injuries i've ever heard of in a bicycle accident. Turns out he still has some surgeries in his future, but he's riding a mountain bike on the levee, working out and doing well. It was awesome to see him.
Yesterday was Turkey Day, and we had a great time visiting with Bobbie and Bob, as well as DJW and Carrie. I tried John Folse's Yam recipe again, and this time it was a real hit. The syrup promised in the recipe appeared right on queue and they turned out great, or at least i thought so until i asked my grandmother what she thought. She is the uber-cook of the family, and things aren't good until she says so. She replied "They taste like Sweet Potatoes". Ok, well maybe not.
On a much lighter note, Eric alerted me this morning to Roberto's positive b sample for EPO use. What a drag! Sure the guy climbed like a freak, but he always has, and i figured he just had a Pantani-like gift, turns out he's more like Pantani than i thought. Since, he will forfeit his victory in this year's Vuelta a Espana, it will probably have a profound effect on the scoring of the Fantasy Vuelta, but i'm not seeing a recount taking place, sorry EZ-E.
My new career as a professional writer began this week, as the piece on riding my bike to work showed up in the new 225 Magazine. If you're interested in an autographed copy, just e-mail me, they go for $29.99.
In sad news, my boss wrote an incredible nomination for me to be included in The Top 40 Under 40. It was the kind of essay that made me say, "Is this about me? Sounds like someone else." Unfortunately it fell on deaf ears. Since i didn't make it, i can only rejoice in the fact that i must be ranked 41st, there's just no way that i could be any lower than that in this town. I mean come on.
I'm hoping to catch a ride with Taylor tomorrow, maybe River Road? Anyone?
Monday, November 21, 2005
Revenge of the Flick
Finished reading the Revenge of the Sith this weekend, and it was a real treat. Very enjoyable, the themes made much more sense than they did in the movie. Lots of background information is provided that could have been conveyed in the movie but for whatever reason was just skipped, modified or plain left out.
I enjoyed the book so much that I went right out and bought a copy of the dvd to try to spread the love back to the flick. I hadn't seen it since the first time in the theater and I was hopeful that perhaps this would become one of those 360 type movies. A movie that you hated the first time you saw it, then slowly you turned around and began to really like it. For me these include: Good Will Hunting (or Rainman gets a Soloflex) and most recently Sideways (or Swingers hits the Wine Country). It didn't happen.
While i had a better understanding perhaps of how the movie could have been better, i still thought it fell flat. Grievous is annoying with this cough thing going on all the time and his bad posture. What's up with Palpatine's make up after he revelas him self as Sidious? He looks like something from the first Star Trek. Did they blow the whole special effects budget on that opening space battle? Here's the pitch Anakin, Join the Sith, have a plastic face!
Plus, it's a big galaxy out there, everything doesn't have to connect! Yoda and Chewbacca are tight? and hey Obi Wan, work on that life after death crap eh?
What else? Why didn't they show Gran Moff Tarkin bouncing a little baby Han Solo on his knee? I can just see him now with a little black vest on.
Did Anakin build the Millenium Falcon too? Is Lando Calrissian Mace Windu's grandson? Are jawas actually jedi younglings in hiding? Come on.
What a drag. The book is really great though. The author uses this device where he writes about "What it's like to be (fill in the blank) right now:". It's cool because he does this with Anakin, Obi Wan, Mace and many others, but the best one is when he steps inside the mind of an Imperial Guard who is being manipulated by the Force. Very funny.
I enjoyed the book so much that I went right out and bought a copy of the dvd to try to spread the love back to the flick. I hadn't seen it since the first time in the theater and I was hopeful that perhaps this would become one of those 360 type movies. A movie that you hated the first time you saw it, then slowly you turned around and began to really like it. For me these include: Good Will Hunting (or Rainman gets a Soloflex) and most recently Sideways (or Swingers hits the Wine Country). It didn't happen.
While i had a better understanding perhaps of how the movie could have been better, i still thought it fell flat. Grievous is annoying with this cough thing going on all the time and his bad posture. What's up with Palpatine's make up after he revelas him self as Sidious? He looks like something from the first Star Trek. Did they blow the whole special effects budget on that opening space battle? Here's the pitch Anakin, Join the Sith, have a plastic face!
Plus, it's a big galaxy out there, everything doesn't have to connect! Yoda and Chewbacca are tight? and hey Obi Wan, work on that life after death crap eh?
What else? Why didn't they show Gran Moff Tarkin bouncing a little baby Han Solo on his knee? I can just see him now with a little black vest on.
Did Anakin build the Millenium Falcon too? Is Lando Calrissian Mace Windu's grandson? Are jawas actually jedi younglings in hiding? Come on.
What a drag. The book is really great though. The author uses this device where he writes about "What it's like to be (fill in the blank) right now:". It's cool because he does this with Anakin, Obi Wan, Mace and many others, but the best one is when he steps inside the mind of an Imperial Guard who is being manipulated by the Force. Very funny.
Friday, November 18, 2005
30 Degree Commutes
So, since winter has finally arrived here in Red Stick, i thought i would review the joys of riding in 30 degree weather.
Step 1.
Put on all of your cycling clothes, i mean everything you own. You'll probably need more. Each ride necessitates doing a load of laundry... excellent.
Step 2.
Dive out into the cold air, instantly you can detect where each seam and stitch in your clothing is as you are instantly more awake than any espresso could manage.
Step 3.
Immediately begin losing feeling in toes and fingers.
Step 4.
5 minutes into the ride, you begin to worry about the severe pain in the tip of your right index finger, even though you're wearing the heavy-duty Colorado ski gloves.
Step 5.
5 minutes later, you begin to worry that the pain has gone away, will this require amputation? Finally, i'll have something in common with high altitude mountain climbers.
Step 6.
The iPod's bizarre shuffle circuitry cooks up some odd Yoko Ono sounding piece, cutting to Sting then over to Yellow Ledbetter live at the Tibetan Freedom concert. Of course you can't do anything about this b/c your iPod is buried three layers down in your jersey.
Step 7.
Arrive at work frozen, but numbed enough that riding more would be much easier than the ride over.
Step 8.
Take a very painful hot shower that forces blood to rush into every part of you where it previously wasn't.
NICE
Step 1.
Put on all of your cycling clothes, i mean everything you own. You'll probably need more. Each ride necessitates doing a load of laundry... excellent.
Step 2.
Dive out into the cold air, instantly you can detect where each seam and stitch in your clothing is as you are instantly more awake than any espresso could manage.
Step 3.
Immediately begin losing feeling in toes and fingers.
Step 4.
5 minutes into the ride, you begin to worry about the severe pain in the tip of your right index finger, even though you're wearing the heavy-duty Colorado ski gloves.
Step 5.
5 minutes later, you begin to worry that the pain has gone away, will this require amputation? Finally, i'll have something in common with high altitude mountain climbers.
Step 6.
The iPod's bizarre shuffle circuitry cooks up some odd Yoko Ono sounding piece, cutting to Sting then over to Yellow Ledbetter live at the Tibetan Freedom concert. Of course you can't do anything about this b/c your iPod is buried three layers down in your jersey.
Step 7.
Arrive at work frozen, but numbed enough that riding more would be much easier than the ride over.
Step 8.
Take a very painful hot shower that forces blood to rush into every part of you where it previously wasn't.
NICE
Thursday, November 17, 2005
God is telling me to get back on caffeine
Because i believe everything i read on slashdot, this will get me back off the wagon or on the wagon. Is it off the no-caffeine wagon or onto the caffeine wagon?
Where does this whole wagon stuff come from?
I've often wondered as well, so here i found out. Just like any good Johnny Cash song, "off the wagon" has to do with a hanging. I like it more already.
Where does this whole wagon stuff come from?
I've often wondered as well, so here i found out. Just like any good Johnny Cash song, "off the wagon" has to do with a hanging. I like it more already.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
The Rasterbator
Haven't posted in a few days, but i've been meaning to post a link to the Rasterbator site. It's a very cool free web-based tool that will blow up any image you can find to nearly any size you want. Here's a few snapshots of my office and the photo of George winning atop Pla d'Adet blown up to 4x5 pages. Try it out, it's very cool.
Monday, November 14, 2005
Friday, November 11, 2005
bidding lust
Last week, i fell in love with this bike. The lugged steel Bridgestone MB*s have always been a favorite of mine, and i thought it was my chance to own a little piece of cycling history.
It stayed on ebay all week under $50, until yesterday when it got close to $100. I had this scene playing out in my head of waiting until a minute to go and then throwing down a max of $150 and walking away with it like a gangsta just knowing that nobody would be foolish enough to spend that much money it. I mean, it's a classic but it is 13 years old, scratched up and has a ding in the top tube. Maybe i'd get it for $110, that would be sweet.
Didn't happen, i got to my desk, hit refresh and voila it was $177 with a minute to go. I lamely tried to take it at $180 which i figured was too much and that was instantly outbid. In shock but thankful, i hit refresh again just in time to see it close at $202.51 plus $50 shipping. It's a bummer, but i think i made the right decision to not engage in ego-bidding here.
It stayed on ebay all week under $50, until yesterday when it got close to $100. I had this scene playing out in my head of waiting until a minute to go and then throwing down a max of $150 and walking away with it like a gangsta just knowing that nobody would be foolish enough to spend that much money it. I mean, it's a classic but it is 13 years old, scratched up and has a ding in the top tube. Maybe i'd get it for $110, that would be sweet.
Didn't happen, i got to my desk, hit refresh and voila it was $177 with a minute to go. I lamely tried to take it at $180 which i figured was too much and that was instantly outbid. In shock but thankful, i hit refresh again just in time to see it close at $202.51 plus $50 shipping. It's a bummer, but i think i made the right decision to not engage in ego-bidding here.
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
o beloved beverage
So today, i crossed something off my LONG LONG list of things Baton Rouge needs to be cool...
...
1075. Border's Bookstore
1076. Jumba Juice
1077. A Mountain
1078.Bubble Tea
1079. Intra-city mountain bike trails
1080. A variety of vegetarian restaurants
...
That's right, Bubble Tea,
right here in River City.
That starts with B,
that rhymes with T,
that stands for trouble.
Yes, the Ice Cream shop at the Food Court at the Mall of Louisiana now sells Bubble Tea at the amazing low price of $4 a glass. Provided, that isn't cheap, but when you consider that i was willing to drive to Austin just to get one, it's a steal. Thanks Taylor for getting me addicted.
Go check it out. You won't regret it.
...
1075. Border's Bookstore
1076. Jumba Juice
1077. A Mountain
1078.
1079. Intra-city mountain bike trails
1080. A variety of vegetarian restaurants
...
That's right, Bubble Tea,
right here in River City.
That starts with B,
that rhymes with T,
that stands for trouble.
Yes, the Ice Cream shop at the Food Court at the Mall of Louisiana now sells Bubble Tea at the amazing low price of $4 a glass. Provided, that isn't cheap, but when you consider that i was willing to drive to Austin just to get one, it's a steal. Thanks Taylor for getting me addicted.
Go check it out. You won't regret it.
Blatant Plug
Since Christmas is just around the corner, how about a new Angel to put atop your tree?
Perhaps a magic stem? or some other goody or stocking stuffer?
Perhaps a magic stem? or some other goody or stocking stuffer?
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
ever see this?
Today i got that which was puzzling. Uninstalling it and reinstalling cleared up matters, but i didn't find a satisfactory answer as to why it occurred.
Monday, November 07, 2005
channeling rasta bob --or-- the curse of the serotta colorado lt
now me and me wad ridin home dis night
big ringin da gravel
racin dem sun
like a mad cap gilby duclos
spinnin the 53 like it be a bitch
knockin it down like no ting
now Jah bless me wit power a plenty
but before tonight
i and i never did this to a chain ring
monday monday
Today is my first day back at work! YAHOO!
Yeah, it didn't work for me either. Anyhow, i wanted to get in 20 or so this morning by taking River Road into work, then cutting through LSU, etc. etc. This plan was changed rapidly when i awoke to find San Francisco class fog engulfing my subdivision. My decision to avoid becoming a hood ornament, led me to take the short cut through Kenilworth, blah blah blah. Not as scenic, and only 6 and some change. I'm thinking tonight will be Levee Top Shootout Part II, the sequel.
How frickin boring is Baton Rouge riding when moving the ride approximately 50 feet to the side, and riding on gravel makes it NEW AND EXCITING.
My quote of the day for you comes from Warren Miller, Ski Film Maker Extraordinaire
If you don't move to Colorado this year, that's fine, just keep in mind, that when you finally do move to Colorado, you'll be a year older.
Yeah, it didn't work for me either. Anyhow, i wanted to get in 20 or so this morning by taking River Road into work, then cutting through LSU, etc. etc. This plan was changed rapidly when i awoke to find San Francisco class fog engulfing my subdivision. My decision to avoid becoming a hood ornament, led me to take the short cut through Kenilworth, blah blah blah. Not as scenic, and only 6 and some change. I'm thinking tonight will be Levee Top Shootout Part II, the sequel.
How frickin boring is Baton Rouge riding when moving the ride approximately 50 feet to the side, and riding on gravel makes it NEW AND EXCITING.
My quote of the day for you comes from Warren Miller, Ski Film Maker Extraordinaire
If you don't move to Colorado this year, that's fine, just keep in mind, that when you finally do move to Colorado, you'll be a year older.
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Tis the Season!
So in keeping with the e-bay spirit of DJW and Eric, i've decided to sell some stuff that's been sitting around my garage for a while now. Bid away, if you say you saw it on unfrozen caveman cyclist, i'll throw in some halloween candy FOR FREE!
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Longest bike path in Baton Rouge
So Thursday was my first post-Ryan bike ride and i decided to make it interesting by riding down to LSU and back on the beater bike atop the levee. I think i rode through ten different grades of gravel, from bb sized all the way up to charcoal briquet. What's nice about it, is that you get up there and you can forget about all the rednecks trying to drive over you, and focus on picking good lines, checking out the wildlife and the scenery. What's tough about it, is that some of the gravel is just bone-jarring arthritis-inducing stuff. Even on the 700x28's. The worst of it is limited to a short stretch near the house, so i think i'll leave that part off in the future. If you like the gravel sections of the Rouge Roubaix, then you could probably dig this ride. If you didn't, then don't even bother trying it.
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