Less Traveled Roads

Borrowed Oklahoma History

2012-02-09T22:04:00.003-06:00

Lately, I have been working in Western Oklahoma. After 30+ years of working in Eastern Oklahoma and Western Arkansas, I am getting to know about the rest of the state. As a kid and later, I rode across the state on my way to other states, but I didn't pay much attention. Eastern Oklahoma has lakes and trees and hills. Western Oklahoma has, well, land and wind.

Now as I visit the towns out west, the architect in me notices something that I don't see at home.There are many unique buildings out there. It is not unusual to see round buildings, curved walls, richly detailed building whether schools, churches or banks. It takes progressive people to agree to take chances--very cool chances.

Which brings me to a story: In the early 90's I took a class as part of Leadership Northeast Oklahoma. The speaker was the founder of Banc First taught me about the people who came to the state. Eastern Oklahoma was mainly settled by the Indian tribes that were forced to move here by the Government. Later they were joined by poor blacks and whites that came because they were too poor for "Arkansas"!

In Western Oklahoma Plains Indians were already there, but were joined by the Great Land Runs. These people eagerly swept into the territory for a new life.

As the teacher stated: Eastern Oklahoma people were not there by choice. Western Oklahoma people came with purpose. Western Okies were adventurous while Eastern Okies were trying to hold what little they had.

So now as then: Eastern Oklahoma is conservative---very, conservative. Western Oklahoma takes chances and has firm direction.

While Oil is still King in this state, Oklahoma City (west) is making GREAT strides. Tulsa (east) is fighting and worrying about every little thing.

Think about it: Even in the Panhandle its natural gas and Wind Farms and wealthy little town. It is no longer "No Man's Land"!

One Town, Two States

2012-02-06T20:59:00.002-06:00

I have mentioned this before, but I am doing a project in the Oklahoma panhandle. The town is half in Oklahoma and have in Texas. Because the town is split by the state line, the Elementary School is in Texas and the rest in Oklahoma. The elementary has its own school board and gets funds from Texas and when the kids move to Junior high they are funded by Oklahoma with it own school board as well.

Today, I was driving around town and noticed something odd. The Texas side of town has wide paved streets with curbs and all while many of the Oklahoma streets are narrow with ditches on each side. I asked a couple of questions and found that the town also has two sets of city councils.

But this is NOT two towns, just two layers of governments totally separate. You know when you go into Texas by the change in license plates!

The other weird thing is that the "Welcome to Oklahoma" sign and the "Welcome to Texas" signs are on opposite sides of the town, implying that the town is in neither!

The Artist - The past cries out silently

2012-02-02T22:24:00.005-06:00

I went to see another of the Best Picture nominees tonight, "The Artist". We went tonight because it will be replaced tomorrow with a youth sic-fi movie. Even though critics across the country love this movie, we not only were the only two in the theater, they actually had to load it into the system, because they did not expect any one!

In this age of 3D, special effects, mind bending, profanity laced movies, along comes an inventive Black and white Silent Movie! It pays great tribute to the early days before "talkies" and the story is about that very thing: What happened to silent movies when replaced by sound during the Depression. This is a French movie laced with great American actors about Hollywood.

There is absolutely no reason for the young to see it for it has nothing that modern movies possess. It is song and dance, facial features and gestures, romantic comedy and Hollywood tragedy. The acting is great and believe it or not the SOUND while used sparingly is dynamic. It is also the best use of a dog in a movie!

This movie is a "duck out of water" and the best silent movie since Mel Brook's "Silent Movie"!

That is one you may want to check out.

While I still prefer "The Descendants" for best picture, I like this one.

I give it ****stars.

2012 Movie #5

extremely loud and bothersome

2012-01-29T16:03:00.008-06:00

I am now in the mode of wanting to complete my viewing of movies that I have missed that are up for Oscars. Today it was the movie, "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close". This movie could also be titled "extremely long and incredibly hard".

I have heard people say that it is not a downer movie, that it isn't just about 9-11, and that it somehow is like "Pay It Forward". I say wrong, wrong, wrong.

The critics don't like this movie for the most part because of the subject (It is TOO soon). The kid that plays the main character is not likable even when you realize that he has emotional, medical, or mental problems. He is extremely loud and I can say that I did not like this movie until he meets a guy (possibly his Grandfather) who cannot speak. Max Von Sydon saves the film. He gave it heart. Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock (the parents) are good in their supporting roles, but I had to get past the kid.

In the end I did, but it wasn't easy. The theater tested me. When they were late starting, I went to the lobby to tell them to start. Then I had to return and tell them to make the sound coherent. And last we weathered two power outages as the movie was starting to answer story questions.

There are not many stories about 9-11 that will ever be easy. I won't read or see many of these stories. I would have been better off to leave this be. I like drama. I like realism. I do not like to be stabbed.

I survived. Whether you should see it is up to you (either in the theater or rental). It did not engage me like it should have and I give it **1/2 stars.

2012 Movie #4

Less Time Traveled Roads

2012-01-25T22:02:00.002-06:00

12-22-63

2012-01-25T19:51:00.004-06:00

I was in Study Hall my sophomore year of high school when the High School principal came in and announced, "They shot Kennedy". It was such a shock and before long they were broadcasting the radio account over the intercom. That weekend many events including football games were cancelled and some movie theaters closed.

This event started my journey into how the country worked. This event brought out every one's true colors. The bigots spoke up. Confusion ruled. My folks were Republicans and that was a stretch. There were probably only 5 Republicans in our town and this event would lay the ground work for many more. In 1963 ALL office holders were Democrats. Soon Belmon would become the first Republican Governor but LBJ created the Republicans. It has been said that if JFK had lived, LBJ (a master of Congress) would have been hampered by being VP in his promotion of Civil Rights. The Civil Rights movement converted the South and Southwest from Democrat to Republican. I watched George Wallace and Barry Goldwater start changing opinions.

Stephen King's new novel captures the time as well as any. His small details of local color. It is fiction for sure, but as someone that was there, it was challenging story. I liked every inch of this- even the dark parts. He nailed the temperament of the public schools and the things that could not be discussed or acknowledged.

I also liked the dilemma of time travel. WHAT IF? King first did that to me when I read "Pet Cemetery" when he asked a similar question: "If you could bring a loved one back to life even though there is a chance they would be different, WOULD YOU? You see a had just gone through the loss of our daughter. Why I read that book, i don't know. It scared me to death.

This story though was very therapeutic.

This is book #3 for 2012. (I've read as many books as movies watched!)

Contraband

2012-01-20T22:00:00.005-06:00

It was Friday and I needed a movie. This time I didn't need a great movie (Tom Hanks will wait!).

I needed a popcorn movie. Last week that I said I would wait to see Mark Walberg's "Contraband" when it made DVD, but today I gave in. Timing was right and I occasionally need a "revenge" type story since I can't do that myself. (There is a "Moral problem" with that statement but I will pass for now.)

Contraband is a solid Hollywood plot used by westerns, cop movies, etc. Guy, who has gone straight after years of bad living, is forced to do one more "job" to free a family member. It is fun but it is R. Actually if should be rated F for F-bombs! In the first five minutes they wanted us to know that these guys are mean and mean guys say "F***" a lot, I guess. After the first five minutes things calmed down a bit. It is a fun ride as most Walberg movies are but it won't tax your brain.

I give it **1/2 stars. 2012 Movie #3

Carmike Men's Room Update: I am proud to say that they finally changed the burned out lights and of the three urinals, TWO are now working!

Drama!

2012-01-17T18:29:00.004-06:00

I'm still reading the new Stephen King book and so many things in it remind me of my youth. I finished reading a story about a High School Junior-Senior Play, and could only think of my experience. It was 1965 in Haskell, America and I decided to try out for a part in the play. My Junior year I was not interested, but my last year in school everything changed. The play was a comedy called "Everyone's Crazy" and all my friends were trying out. I did as well. I did not get the lead (thank goodness!) but i got a great role of a crazy guys who had the "delirium tremors"!

It was great fun and a good experience except for two incidents.

At home one night my Mother picked up my play book and was shocked that I was going to say words like "dad gum", "gol-darned", and such. These were substitutes for cuss words and she took the time to cross out all such words and replace them with "Oh My" or "Goodness me"! We had a long discussion about that and she would not no my decision until the play.

But wait there's more:

Seems our church had planned the Spring Gospel Meeting the same week as the play. Melba, a fellow classmate and I as members would miss. I came home from school the week before the play and our Minister was paying a visit. He had what he thought was a great idea. Here was his proposal:

The church would take out a large add in the town paper stating that Mike Martin and Melba C. had decided to fore go the Junior-Senior Play and instead would be attending the Spring Gospel Meeting like all "faithful church members"."

I barely let him finish before I, with tears in my eyes, told him in NO UNCERTAIN TERMS that I would not let my classmates down and ruin the school play. Melba had the girl lead and my part was in many scenes. This was in a small school and the idea of "stand-ins" or "understudies" had not been invented yet. I stormed out of the room and would not discuss it again. I was grateful that my dad did not bring it up when he came home (he was a church elder).

I think about that every time school play is mentioned. For some this is a moral dilemma. For me, I thought of how that newspaper add would have been received by the town, my school and my friends.

Many "Moral Stands" or "Faith Stands" have been misapplied in my life. Your audience needs to possess enough knowledge or insight to even understand that you are actually taking a stand and not simply just trying to "hack" (mom approved) everyone off.

FYI: I went to the play and my parents went to the gospel meeting so my Mother never knew which words I used! Gol-darn-it!

Drama!

The Iron Lady

2012-01-14T18:56:00.007-06:00

I went to see my first movie of the year and a good way to start "my year of better movies".

We saw "Iron Lady", the Meryl Streep movie about the life of Margaret Thatcher, the first female Prime Minister of Great Britain. The movie lets us see her as she is in her later years with flashbacks that reveal her early life, her years of service, and her family life. While I cannot judge the historical accuracy, Meryl as usual, totally nails the mannerisms and the look of the real person (see the photo comparison). Jim Broadbent plays her husband and does a great acting job as the man "behind the scenes."

NOTE: We were at a packed theater today (we sat on the second row!), and while I didn't take role, no one seemed be be younger than 50! Same thing happened when we went to see "War Horse" Young adults are missing some good movies. hope they catch them on NET FLICKS!

They would go to see "Iron Man"!

I give it ****stars.

2012 movie #2

1958, The Future Arrives!

2012-01-12T18:37:00.003-06:00

The first part of Stephen King's latest book takes place in 1958. I was 11 and in that year everything pointed to the future. In January of that year Russia, who had been beating us in the "Space Race" not only launched another satellite, but it had a LIVE dog in it! Maybe not a big thing to you, but consider that USA had not launched ANY satellites yet! It would be another couple of months before we launched the "Explorer". I know this because I read my "Weekly Reader" at school and was a fan of anything space.

The other thing that caught my eye was the 1958 cars (that came out in the fall of 57) had DOUBLE HEADLIGHTS! VERY COOL! See the FORD photo.

The summer of 59 I heard that Harding Chevrolet in Haskell had received a 1959 Chevy early. I raced down on my back to the this futuristic car.

It was a simple sedan, but it had fins! I was in the showroom as a farmer came in to get his pickup serviced and said something that never has been stated since in explaining a new car.

He walked to the rear and looked at the fins and said: "You could put a goat in there!"

My main memory came when that summer someone at church asked if I had seen the Estes family's new car. Orin Estes, the Free Will Baptist minister, had bought a RED 1959 Pontiac.

It was the wildest thing yet. After seeing that I was sure that we would having flying cars by 2000!

Time Travel

2012-01-10T20:21:00.006-06:00

I'm reading the new Stephen King book and it deals with time travel. So far it is a hoot!

After reading some of the Diana Gabaldon books in the "Outlander" series, and add to that I just finished the first year of the TV series, "Tera Nova", I'm almost an expert.

The cool thing about "11-22-63" is that the story deals with my early life from 1958 ( I was 11) to 1963 (I was 16). I know this era well. So far King is on target! I will share more as I read.

2012-01-07T13:09:00.002-06:00

I learned a lot about blogging during the holidays.

Mainly: If you want a lot of people to find or visit your blog, post Christmas cartoons. Before December 24 I was averaging way over 120 people a day on the blog from 78 countries and every state and US Territory!

When Christmas came it stopped and went back to varying from 20 to 40 a day.

People like cartoons!

Micro

2012-01-06T18:13:00.004-06:00

I just finished my second book of the new year, "Micro". This was the almost finished book by Michael Crichton and completed by Robert Preston. For the world's quickest summary think, "Honey, I shrunk the Scientists!". Remember this is the guy that did all those science fiction stories that Hollywood loves.

I started out skeptical about the story, but it was so well written that I was drawn in. It is a little creepy, and it will make a great movie. It deals with nature, bad guys, and robots!

I liked it. 2012 Book #2

Yeah, its like that

2012-01-04T22:21:00.001-06:00

Bad Idea!

2012-01-02T11:55:00.000-06:00

Diary of a Player: Brad Paisley

2012-01-01T22:38:00.003-06:00

I just finished my first book of 2012, "Dairy of a Player" by Brad Paisley. This is a short book by Brad about his life. As he says, it is biographical but not a biography. He has much more to go.

Brad has had it together his whole life. If you even have a passing interest in Country Music or Brad, this is a worthwhile read.

Things I learned:

1. His talent at guitar was seen early and his first band consisted entirely of guys over 60 who could really play.

2. He is a believer in Gladstone's theory that expertise takes 10,000 hours of practice.

3. He graduated from Belmont University in Nashville with a degree in Business Management with a emphasis in the Music Business.

4. He wrote "The Fishing Song (I'm going to Miss Her) in college and George Strait, Garth Brooks and Allen Jackson all thought about recording it, but finally turned it down. Brad says that if they had, he would have made enough money from royalties that he would not have become a performer!

There are other great stories in the book that include Okies like Garth, Carrie and Vince.

I recommend this to anyone.

The Grandsons go to a Movie

2012-01-01T22:26:00.003-06:00

My grandsons are spending the first day of 2012 with us and wanted to go a movie. They wanted to see Alvin and the Chipmunks in "Chipwrecked". Unlike many animated movies that are being released, this one IS TRULY for kids! It is TV quality with a bigger budget. Carnival Cruise Lines invested in this movie big time. It is about shipwrecked with much writing stolen from "Castaway" and other shipwrecked stories.

There are a couple of adult level references including one of the chipmunks climb the mast and say, I can almost see Russia!" (Sarah Palin).

I asked Avery and Addison to rate the movie from 1 star to 5 stars (5 being highest). They both give it *****stars and called it one of the best ever. Me: No comment except to say it was better than Hangover 2.

2012 Movie # 1

Reflections of 2011

2011-12-31T19:14:00.005-06:00

2011 brought out all possible emotions. On the bad side I went to the depths of fear, bitterness, and defeat as I dealt with the loss of my business, my staff and my control. I entered 2011 in fear because my path was clear but hard. I let many people down and had no remedy. We live in a world where everyone wants security and I could not guarantee an easy path for anyone.

In the beginning it was hard going to work at a place filled with furniture and equipment that I bought but no longer owned, and I was still working with the same clients though I could no longer make decisions concerning their projects. It is working.

But you know what: I made it. Through the biggest snow storm, the worst summer in history, and my first earthquake!

On the good side of my emotions were relief, peace and love. I have a very loving family that makes anything worth while. My grandkids couldn't be more perfect, if I could have designed them myself. They are the definition of joy. My kids, Lindsey and Nate, make me so proud. They are great parents, accomplished in their professions, and have proved that they can excel.

Carol is the best soul mate a person could dream of. She kept me together and has been my rock in the storm and in the good times too. Last but in no way least, My LORD has led me through this valley and back up the hill.

2012 has to be better. I started 2011 ending my business and ended the year losing my oldest brother, Bob, to cancer. In the process of his loss, I came to realize that I may have lost my other brother too. Time will tell. I am so, so glad that in the last two years, I was able to form a strong bond of love with Bob. I will always remember his joy of finally getting to a NASCAR race.

In other fronts I was happy to be involved in the creation of the Children's Music Exhibit at the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. Another events that thrilled me was Advent at our church and getting to share a my study of the servant, David with my church family.

Great projects this year that finished were: Morris Elementary School, Reynolds Community Center in Poteau, Kiefer Event Center, Kiefer Early Childhood Center, and Oklahoma Union Gym.

2012 projects to look forward to are: NSU Leoser Dorm remodel, Texhoma Schools and Cameron Softball park.

It is time for my annual best list:

Best Concerts: Brad Paisley with Leroy Niemann and Blake Shelton at Pizz Hut Park in Frisco. Though it was Hot! Damn Hot!; Vince Gill, Zac Brown Band and of course Paul Thorn!

Best Live Performances: Christen Chenowith at the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Induction and Drumline in Fayetteville.

Best Books: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein,Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand, Steve Jobs by Walter Issacson.

Best Trip: To see the Oklahoma Panhandle and Western Oklahoma!

Best Architecture not by me: Fort Worth Science Center and Children's Museum

Best Movies: The Descendants, The Company Men and Midnight in Paris.

Best Event: Advent at Muskogee Church of Christ

Best New Favorite Restaurant: Salvastino's Pizzeria in Bixby, Oklahoma

Best Sporting Events: the OSU/OU Football game and Avery's ball games.

In 2012 I believe that my AMBITION is returning with a vengeance. It is my intention that 2012 be a BIG YEAR!

Buying a Zoo

2011-12-31T19:06:00.003-06:00

To end this year at the movies, we went to see "We bought a Zoo!" It sounds like a kid movie and it is a family movie, but the story is for adults: It's about starting over, dealing with loss of a spouse, and getting in over your head. Normal everyday stuff. While the story is similar to Descendants at one level, it is not that deep. It is a good movie with a good story that is loosely based on a true story. Matt Damon is good in anything.

The previews that you may have seen, only deal with the beginning, a great story follows.

I give it ***stars. 2011 Movie #61.

New Year's Resolution

2011-12-31T14:54:00.004-06:00

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T14:19:00.000-06:00

Mike's 12 Favorite Movies of 2011

2011-12-30T19:37:00.006-06:00

As I have stated many times, My list has nothing to do with the academy awards these are the best movies that I have seen. Not all the big movies have come to "our neck of the woods". So their are a couple of movies that may be considered 2010 movies, but we didn't get them until January. This year I went to 60 movies (61 when I go tomorrow). The movies in this list are movies that I rated 4 stars or 5 stars. I have tried to list them in best first, but like most things some that I saw early in the year are faded in my Memory.

1. The Descendants (*****)

2. The Company Men (*****)

3. Midnight in Paris (*****)

4. Drive (****)

5. Another Earth (****)

6. War Horse (****)

7. My Week with Marilyn (****)

8. Adjustment Bureau (****)

9. Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (****)

10. Super 8 (****)

11. The Help (****)

12. Moneyball (****)

There were several that got 3-1/2 stars and barely missed the cut:

13. Mission Impossible 4 & Fair Game (Tie)

14. Bridesmaids

15. Ides of March

16. The Big Year

17. Tin Tin

18. Source Code

19. Captain America

20. J. Edgar

21. Rango

Last year I saw 62 movies, this year about 61 (Half were very good and the other half would have been good rentals.

Probably the most disappointing movies for me were

61. Muppets 2

60. Hangover 2

59. Sherlock Holmes 2

58. Sanctum

57. Hall Pass

There are good movies coming but that's 2012. I goal this year is to only see 52 movies. I shall start considering RED BOX, but it will be difficult.

War Horse

2011-12-30T19:20:00.004-06:00

I went to see "War Horse" today. Sometimes the Hype for too long and too much can cause too high expectations. Today, as the movie started, that thought bounced around my head. The movie is very old fashioned at the start, but over the 2 and one half hours I came to the realization that this is a pretty darn good story. I will not say it is the year's best, but it is on the same par with Spielberg's other 2011 movies: "Super 8" and "TinTin".

No one depicts war like Spielberg. He makes it raw and real. I ran an interview with him and he says that there is only 9-1/2 minutes of war scenes in the movie.

In this movie the Horse is the star, and the story spans the length of World War I. It shows the war from the British side, the German side, and the side of those caught in the middle. It is a story of the human spirit told through the eyes of a beautiful horse. I movie suitable for the family.

I give it **** stars. 2011 Movie #60.

It could be worse!

2011-12-29T20:39:00.001-06:00

My Annual Gift to me!

2011-12-29T18:10:00.004-06:00

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other , just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that, the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads to way,

I doubted if I should make it back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood and I -----

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

2012 is coming

2011-12-28T22:01:00.001-06:00

My Christmas is just beginning!

2011-12-28T21:11:00.007-06:00

This year like most I want stories from Books, CDs and DVDs. Santa came through again I got four new books and one documentary to immerse myself. I have started two: Macro and Brad Paisley with more to go. I'll let you know about them.

My Week With Marilyn

2011-12-28T20:27:00.005-06:00

I'm a boy from the 1950's and toward the end of that decade several things were in gear. There was Elvis and the birth of Rock and Roll. There were Movie Magazines and Teen Magazines. (This was the original Entertainment Tonight, Rolling Stone and MTV) There were people that constantly graced the covers of these monthly mags like Liz Taylor, Elvis, Pat Boone, and, of course, Marilyn Monroe. We all knew about Marilyn whether we tried to or not. She was everywhere on the covers of Life, Look, Saturday Evening Post, and the scandal rags. We saw her in Bus Stop, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, etc. She was popular until her death and then she became an ICON. Everyone from Madonna to Sharon Stone has tried to imitate her but no one has pulled it off. UNTIL NOW.

I went to see "My Week With Marilyn" today to relive my youth (or youthful day dreams!) I had seen stories about Michelle Williams portrayal, but I needed to judge for myself. the movie is a true story of a 1956 movie that she made in England, "The Prince and the Showgirl" that stared and was directed by Sir Laurence Olivier. The story teller is a 23 year old kid named Colin Clark who was an assistant on the set. The story is about Marilyn's difficulties on set that caused her newlywed husband, Aurthur Clark, to head back to the states. She befriends this errand boy and he becomes the only person who can settle her.

This movie is like her life. It is not about sex, it is about companionship. There is only one nude scene with a naked backside, which is consistent with her life, She was about allusion and flirting. But mostly it deals with her struggle to be happy.

I really liked this story and from what I have heard it is all true and based on books by Colin Clark. Acting is great with people like Judi Dench and Kenneth Branagh and even the girl from Harry Potter, Emma Watson.

FYI: Only the last photo here with the flower is the real Marilyn!

The year is ending on high notes: **** stars

2011 Movie # 59

Christmas with a Dragon Tattoo

2011-12-24T22:53:00.004-06:00

We went to see "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" to Officially start movie week. Having read the book and having seen the Swedish version of the book. The pressure was on to show me a great adaptation of this great story. If you haven't seen the Swedish version, this is a great movie. If you have, this is a very good movie. As they say, the book is better, but only because it is complete. In 2 and a half hours you just can't cover it all. What it did cover was spot on. i was disappointed that they slightly changed the ending. It is not enough to get worked up about but the other version was most accurate.

The cast did a great job, Daniel Craig found himself a great part that is good for the next two parts. The actor that plays the "Lizbeth" is totally uninhibited!

Note: If you are one of the few that did not read this book series, you are in for a shock. This is very intense with nudity, murder, profanity, and molestation. This is serious stuff told in a raw way as in the book. It is also the basic good versus evil and man's inhumanity to man. The book gives life to each character as no movie has time.

I still think this is a very good movie and give it ****stars. 2011 Movie # 58

Santa in 2011

2011-12-22T18:37:00.002-06:00

TinTin without the Rin

2011-12-21T21:01:00.004-06:00

I grew up watching Rin Tin Tin on Saturday mornings on TV. Rin Tin Tin was a German Shepherd dog of a boy that was part of the Calvary. Elsewhere in Europe their was a comic book hero named, "Tin Tin" a boy newspaper reporter who gets into "Indiana Jones" type adventures. This kid is 80 years old now. We don't know him in the USA but the rest of the world was anxious to see this. This movie has already made almost 400 million world wide, but judging by tonight it has a ways to go here. There were 4 people in the theater tonight.

That, however, is no judgement on this film by Stephen Spielberg. It has his magic. It is a great action story and the 3D "Motion Capture" form of realistic animation is truly wild. It is fun, fast paced and unlike any animation that I have seen. Great movie for all ages.

I give it ***1/2 stars. 2011 Movie # 57

Silent Night revisited

2011-12-18T19:06:00.004-06:00

Note: I have probably mentioned this before but today's church service made me think again about Christmas Carols in my life.

I was a child in the 1950's, a simpler time where everything was not challenged in the public arena. However, I was also born into a very conservative Christian community. The Bible was taught so literally, so carefully, and so demanding, that there was no opinion allowed. Christmas was celebrated on December 25, but since it could not be proved in scripture our community would not put added emphasis to this time of year. As a matter of fact the "Christmas Carols" in our hymnals might be sung in July or March but never in December.

At the same time during December at my school in Music Class we sung Carols such as "Silent Night", Away in the Manger" and "O Little Town of Bethlehem". We would have Christmas Pageants at school and Christmas Band Concerts using the themes of the Birth of Christ along side Santa Claus.

I fast forward 50 years. Christmas in the Christ sense is not to be found in the Public. Schools can not sing "Silent Night" and Nativity references aren't found in "Holiday Parades".

But alas, My Christian Community, this year, has adopted Advent. We are spending ALL of December talking, singing, and reliving the coming of Jesus to the world and I AM SOAKING IT UP WITH GREAT RELISH.

Today, we sung all the Christmas Carols including "Silent Night". I have longed for this time all my life. I get emotional just thinking about it.

To many of you this sounds crazy to think that a Christian Community is so late to this celebration, but it is sweet just the same. My hope is that ADVENT will remain our tradition.

It seems so fitting that at Christmas, we put Christ back in Church.

MI4: The James Bond for our time.

2011-12-17T20:38:00.004-06:00

I was in high school when "James Bond" movies became THE Christmas movie. I remember Christmas 1964 when me and my high school buddies stood in a two block long line in 30 degree weather to see "Gold Finger" at the Circle Theater in Tulsa. I was worth to get the last three tickets. We could not set together but we saw cool cars, cool women, and crazy action. Secret Agents and Bad guys and saving the world at the last second.

Yes, friends I just talked about "Mission Impossible 4, Ghost Protocol". Tom Cruise and company have a great thing going. They left my 3 sequel theory in the dust with this addition. No it is no more real than Sherlock, but it is what we want. The story connects the dots and it has a human quality. It also features the BMW concept car that I have read about. And it is set in two of the world's new cities and the world's tallest building. In my reading I found out that some of the shots of Tom Cruise outside the building were actually him.

It is fun but not serious. It is the traditional Christmas action movie that I want. Not the dark brooding Batman crap.

I give it ***1/2 stars. 2011 Movie 56

Sherlock Schlock

2011-12-16T22:29:00.004-06:00

Schlock is defined as shoddy or inferior. (just saying)

We kicked off the Christmas Season movies tonight by going to see the highly entertaining Sherlock Holmes series starring Robert Downy Jr. Well I went against my own theory of action comedy sequels which simply stated says, "the 3rd one sucks!" I was proved right again.

This one depends on fast paced, special effects and lame dialogue. I really wanted to like it. I really did. I asked my wife who liked the series better than me to help me, because it may just be me. She couldn't defend it either.

See it if you wish. You may find escape here. I did not.

I give it *1/2 stars. 2011 movie #55

Update: Carmike Cinemas sent me a message that they would repair the Men's Restroom, immediately!

They fixed one of the 2 broken urinals and did NOT fix the lights. Watch where you walk!

It's a Mission Impossible! Speaking of "Mission Impossible", I need one about now.

Maybe tomorrow!

Dealing with death

2011-12-14T17:54:00.003-06:00

Last week was an unusual time for me. My oldest brother died. On many levels I was prepared.

He had cancer and the prospects did not look good. Last Monday I was told that he would leave the hospital and move to skilled nursing/hospice, but he would not hold through January. About six weeks! He died the next day.

I know that people deal with death differently. My middle brother, who flew in from Florida, is in one camp. He is scared of death, he hates funerals and his emotions cause him to be one irritating person to be around.

My Mother deals with it from a different angle. Since she did not approve of the church that my deceased brother was a member, we had to have the service at the funeral home! I know that in her heart she is worried that he is not in heaven. Because of these thoughts she did not participate with my brother's family at the wake.

I blogged about my tangle with these two, but I am proud to report that they "played nice" the day of the funeral. As soon as the service ended, my brother skipped out and headed to the airport.

No, I am not proud of their actions, but they are family. We will survive.

I will say that getting the opportunity to speak at Bob's funeral was good for me. I got to focus totally on his memory and not the current irritation. I told of the big brother that I watched grow up. I talked of his teen age years, his work, his hobbies and his influence. Those are the memories that I will cherish.

I am on record about one thing though: I have previously (before this episode) told my mother that I will speak at her funeral so that I can apologize to the audience for things she has probably said to them. He response: "I don't care what you say because I won't be there!"

Movie Night extras at CARMIKE Cinema

2011-12-09T21:45:00.005-06:00

We have two movie theaters in our city. The one we went two night was Carmike. The photo shown here was taken by my phone in the Men's room. As you can see two of the three urinals are out of order and have been for MONTHS! While the photo may not show clearly is the two stalls are in the dark because the light above them has been out for WEEKS!

This is NOT bad management. It is NO Management.

In case anyone from CARMIKE happens upon this post: We are talking MUSKOGEE, OK.

There are many things that I could complain about this theater, but I'll start here.

I don't know if you know how the business works. This place should be showing dollar movies, but because of the policy that a theater chain can only have a certain movie within a certain geographical area. Many of the best movies come to the Carmike because their competitor in our area is Dickinson Theaters who also has theaters in Tulsa. The Tulsa Dickinson Theaters get the same movies as the Carmike gets here.

SO, Carmike gets good movies and doesn't have to change anything!

Celebrating Early: New Year's Eve

2011-12-09T21:29:00.003-06:00

We needed a mindless movie in the worst way today. I looked down the list and chose "New Year's Eve". After all "Rotten Tomatoes" gave this film 5% out of 100! Sounds mindless, Yes?

No, it has plenty of gems to make you think. This is the follow up to the "Valentine's Day" movie that came before it. It is an A-list group of Hollywood actors and an A-list group of TV actors in about 6-8 overlapping stories that weave like a tapestry. It's not academy award stuff. but it is well done. It is about relationships (good, bad, happy, sad). It is also about the clash of the past and present and the promise of better times ahead.

I have been dealing with all the subjects this week. The Robert DeNiro character was even dying of cancer.

This may not be what everyone needs right now, but it was what I needed. it is very similar to the VD movie, but I liked the sights and sounds of the Big Apple on it's biggest night of the year.

AND I like the sound of "2012".

I give this **1/2 stars, but it worked tonight as good as a **** star show.

2011 movie #54

Well Worn Words: Go Along to Get Along!

2011-12-07T19:16:00.005-06:00

"Go along to get along" is a neat saying. Too bad it left the building about the same time as Common Sense. In the past this statement seemed like a cop out to me, but now I miss it. Seems like no one cares any longer about getting along. Instead, everyone only wants to "Get their way!"

We offend each other at the slightest incident. We think winning is accomplished when the other side is destroyed. We "Know" that our way is THE way so why compromise. I see it in every facet of life: Politics, Church, Organizations, Education and Family.

My oldest Brother died Tuesday night. He had terminal cancer, but he took a sudden bad turn and died quickly. My other brother flew in from out of state and was here when he died. He went to stay with our Mother who is 92. Sounds normal so far.

WELL: I am exhausted. I have spent the most of today as a referee. You see I was born into a headstrong family (actually "HardHeaded fits best!) Yes, I even except blame and guilt for that gene, but next to my Mother and out-of-town brother, I'm a slacker!

They started fighting as soon as he arrived. They are apart now. I felt like a mediator going from one to the other listening to versions of the same incidents. They tell essentially the same stories, but vary greatly on who started it and who was the bad guy.

I needed a whip and a cattle prod. They agreed on one thing: The other was totally wrong, mean-spirited and unworthy.

I listened to them and then started quoting my Paul Thorn song: "I don't like half the people I love" . "They've all got good qualities, but the bad ones keep covering them up!"

They could not understand why I wouldn't take sides. Especially, my brother! He thought that since I got along good with my Mother, that I must be against him! I told him that my job was to love them both! I told him that I put up with many things in life that I'm not comfortable with BUT so what? Everybody knows where I stand on just about everything. My job is not to make everyone like my point of view,BUT toleration goes along way.

My Mother plays the religion card so I just asked her: "What there was in her actions did she learn from Jesus!"

It is like spraying a garden hose!

No its not fixed but three hours later some civility popped up. I have my hands full.

By the way, did I mention that my oldest brother died?

Yes, its that time!

2011-12-05T18:58:00.001-06:00

Muppet Movie & Bad Decisions

2011-12-02T22:15:00.004-06:00

OK, Its been over a week since I've been to the movies. I needed one but had seen all the good movies in our town. Today, I read an article in the state's largest newspaper where the movie critic stated that the new "Muppet Movie" may be one of the year's 10 best! I also looked on "Rotten Tomato's" (one of the few critics I trust). They gave this movie a 98% out 100. And stated that movie goers surveyed gave it a 94%. So we went and got some great popcorn, our diet cokes, and chocolate covered peanuts, but we forgot one item: Kids!

I really liked the Muppets TV show. It had a mix of slap stick and adult humor that all could enjoy. I even like the Muppet Movie years ago that had Peewee Herman.

This new version started like a bad version of Glee and went south from there. Should have brought kids to keep me awake. Popcorn was gone, peanuts gone, and NO reason to stay.

ouch! FYI: Pixar actually has a Toy Story cartoon before the movie AND better than the movie!

SO I give this * star. No one under 10 should be admitted. FYI: There were 8 people in the theater at the 7:00pm show and three were kids. When we left after 30 minutes, there were 4 left. One couple left before us.

2011 Movie #53

Deer Season at Christmas

2011-11-30T21:34:00.001-06:00

Are you sure Columbus did it that way?

2011-11-29T21:53:00.003-06:00

Full scale copies of Columbus' s Nina and Pinta ships are in our town for a visit. They sailed in just before Thanksgiving and we took the Grandkids to experience them. The Nina is 65 feet long and 18 feet wide and the Pinta is 85 feet X 24 feet. These boats are exact replicas of the original boats. They have not built the Santa Maria because it is too large to navigate America's rivers. The real one also sunk on Christmas Eve in 1492 while Chris was vacationing in Hispaniola.

Here is the deal these ships are smaller than most tract houses. The Nina had a crew of 24 and the Pinta had a crew of 32! Talk about tight quarters! Add to that the fact that they sailed across the Atlantic Ocean. The Nina was the one that carried old Chris Columbus on the round trip.

"In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue

and thru up all over the boat!" (my version)

Imagine going through a storm on this thing.

The kids loved it and so did I.

But here's the real story: After seeing the ships we left the marina only to be stopped by a train setting across the road. It took over 30 minutes for the train to move from our path. It seemed like forever! Impatience is NOT useful aboard the Nina when it took months to cross the ocean on this little craft. When I thought of that, I felt foolish!

Coloring the Turkey

2011-11-24T10:40:00.003-06:00

In my youth in grade school we would get to color as a treat before holidays. The teacher would use a memo graph machine to run off those sheets of paper with Pilgrims in their hats and so forth. The strong smell of that purple inked paper was almost a drug, a strong drug.

The teacher would hand out a sketch of a fine feathered turkey and then show us pictures of real turkeys in full color. I would get to work with my 48 count Crayolas to produce a masterpiece.

Looking back it was one of the few creative times available to express myself. That was as close to an art class that I would have until college.

We would talk about the turkeys at school.... and then....go home and eat one.

It was like watching a Porky Pig cartoon and then eating ham.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T23:40:00.001-06:00

The old cartoons are the best!

Descendants to the rescue!

2011-11-23T22:40:00.007-06:00

Tonight we kept a family tradition. We see a movie every Thanksgiving Eve. Some years: Batman or some pre-Christmas blockbuster, but when possible we try to see a very good movie. I'm sure the new 3D movies like "Arthur Christmas", "Happy Feet 2" or "Hugo" are great family flicks. Tonight, however, we witnessed "Descendants" starring George Clooney. This may be the best movie I have seen this year.

It is possible that this is the best acting job of Clooney's career to date. He comes across as a truly "Average" guy. He walks, acts, and talks average. He is For George Clooney: That's acting!

The story is opens with a family (Clooney's) dealing with his wife on life support following a boating accident. Clooney plays an attorney who is also the trustee for his family's trust. The family members are descendants of one of Hawaii's oldest families who holds the last prime ocean front property valued at 500 Million! He has the final say for the sale. Both stories intertwine as the movie unfolds. George is trying to hang on. He is pulled in every direction. he has two daughters that he can't seem to handle. He is a wealthy person who chooses not to live like it. He has people keeping secrets from him. And more.

He is doing the best he knows how and feels totally inadequate. This is a VERY real story.

It is sometimes humorous and sometimes very emotional. Just like life.

It is not a downer movie but if you want Adam Sandler, this isn't for you.

Some of the acting made me see myself and made me think, "There except for the Grace of GOD......." and other times I would think, "Could I hold up through that." I have also not witnessed a telling of a story concerning family health crisis as real and as human as this.

Yes, This is a PG50 movie. Most of the people in the theater were Baby Boomers even though most of the actors weren't. It is "R" for cursing and because it keeps out all the ages that would not "get it". The cast was perfect.

It may be the best movie I have seen this year (so far). And, yes, it is ***** (5 star) in my world.

2011 movie #52

November 21

2011-11-21T14:45:00.003-06:00

On November 21, 1979 we saw our Duaghter, Heather, for the last time at the funeral. That was 32 years ago. I was 32 at the time, and Heather was 6. 32 years but I have forgotten nothing. Had things been different, we might be expecting Her family and additional grandkids for Thanksgiving. Life is something to be lived as it is not as I would like it to be.

It was another fork in the Less Traveled Road. 32 years ago we ventured onto an uncharted road that was not on my map. I thank the LORD for walking with us and being our guide.

J Edgar, Steve Jobs and reality

2011-11-19T20:11:00.008-06:00

It's been while since I've been to the movies. The movies that I want to see are not in our town so we journeyed to Tulsa to see Clint Eastwood's new movie "J. Edgar" starring Leonardo DiCaprio. I will disclose that my am prejudice toward Clint's work. I was not disappointed.

The story chronicles J. Edgar Hoover's creation of the FBI and his work through 8 presidents. It is not a flattering depiction of his life and from what I know it is spot on. Mr. Hoover was a powerful man who tried to get dirt on every president and public figure for his on self preservation. He took credit for things he didn't do and altered reality to fit his needs. He tried to ruin Martin Luther King, Eleanor Roosevelt and JFK. And that's just part of the story. He was a "Momma's boy" who was conflicted about his sexuality. But that's all historical. Mr. Eastwood does flashbacks form past to present. The only flaw in the movie was the makeup person. As the characters aged they looked like they were wearing "masks"! As you can see by the photos they matched J. Edgar and his "mate" very well with the actors.

I give the movie ***1/2 stars. With better makeup: 4 stars.

2011 movie #51

Now here is where Steve Jobs comes in. I am also reading the Steve Jobs authorized biography. Both Jobs and Hoover altered reality to meet their needs. They also were power hungry, conniving jerks who would do anything to get their way. Both had great ideas and both lived by PR. The book is very intriguing, as was the movie, but I would not want to trust either.

Oklahoma Earthquakes

2011-11-17T21:36:00.001-06:00

It's That Time Again !

2011-11-17T21:22:00.002-06:00

The Boys and Jo Pa

2011-11-17T18:01:00.005-06:00

I don't claim to know what's going on at Penn State. It is a dreadful story filled with pain, suffering, and ruined lives. I do have some thoughts about Joe Paterno. He is 84 years old. My Mother is 91. People of this era have trouble even discussing subjects like Child Molesters, Homosexuals, even Divorce. In their day such things weren't discussed. Homosexuals are called "different" people or mentally ill. If someone in the family was thought to be "perverted", they were just shunned or avoided.

I once asked my therapist friend if sexual predators were more prevalent today than in the past. He said it has ALWAYS been this bad. The difference is that we are willing to talk about it. Such things weren't discussed in polite company or on TV & radio or even within the family structure.

When I was a kid, my Mother did not allow the word "pregnant" to be used in our house. Someone may be "expecting" or "with child" but never pregnant. If the pregnant person was not married, they were not spoken about at all.

Now I am not dismissing in the least whatever involvement that JO PA may have had in a cover up, but he was probably out of his element.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Edmund Burke

Team Meetings

2011-11-16T20:31:00.001-06:00

Full Circle Concerts

2011-11-12T10:20:00.004-06:00

30 years ago Carol and I took our son, five year old Nate, to his first concert. He was a Hall & Oates fan and they were at the top of the charts when they came to town. Our seats were left of the stage and out a little. As the concert began and the decibels increase to jet engine loud, he fell asleep and slept through most of the show.

Last night Nate and his two oldest boys went with me to see their favorites, Zac Brown Band, at the BOK Arena which was built just across the street from the site of the H&O concert. After two opening acts, Zac and Company took the stage. We had seen ZBB in outdoor venues but in the Arena, the sound was all out rock. As the guys on guitar reached deafening heights, 5 year old Addison leaned his head on my shoulder and was out.

Like Father, Like Son and a priceless memory for me.

Wayman's World

2011-11-09T22:51:00.004-06:00

Tonight, I had the privilege to go to a screening of the new documentary, "The Wayman Tisdale Story". It will be shown tomorrow night on the NBA channel. It is the life story of Oklahoma's best Basketball player and NBA great. It is also the story of his love of music and his second career as a Jazz Base guitar player. It is also the story of his battle with cancer and his victory.

He did die of cancer, but it did not beat him.

If you get the chance see this film. It is of a man with a smile and a deep faith.

It made me feel bad for ever being sad. He is an inspiration.

The master of ceremonies tonight was sportscaster, Chris Lincoln and a musical tribute by a band that included Grammy Award winner, Marcus Miller, a Jazz Bass player who influenced Wayman's Music.

The Litigators: Counting your chickens

2011-11-08T18:35:00.004-06:00

I just finished reading (listening to) John Grisham's new book, "The Litigators". As I started the book, I quickly realized that I had big problems with the characters and the story. Not that the story was implausible but because it was VERY real. It is about attorney's that dream of better days and giant cases that pay giant fees. (That's all I will say about the plot.) This is a good follow up to "King of Torts".

The story takes a while to develop, but suddenly it hooked me. And like most stories I was consumed.

As the story unfolded it reminded me of an architect that I know extremely well. He has had MANY, MANY times in his career that an opportunity has arisen that made me (I mean him) count up the great fees that could be generated from a big project. There have been maybe 20 life changing ideas that have appeared. 2 payed off. That's not a good record.

I remember each one well. I start dreaming of the outcome. I "counted the chickens before they hatched". It's like buying a lottery ticket and expecting to win so much so that you start spending the money before the numbers are drawn. Its human nature to those of us who are turned that way.

Others would never succumb to such. Others are methodical and safe. I was born a dreamer and will continue to count my fictitious chickens.

By the way: Good Book. Great story. I have met most of the characters in this book and this version is similar to my version in life.

In the last two days I have driven 800 miles and one good book.

Tower Heist, Critics and Elevators

2011-11-05T13:30:00.005-05:00

When I first saw the previews for "Tower Heist", I thought: "Finally a Eddie Murphy comedy as I remember him." This movie has a great cast and a perfect bad guy jerk, Alan Alda. But here's the deal. The critics say it was a good idea and a good cast, but as the movie progresses it gets silly!

Ok, what part of a staff of condo workers stealing millions from a Bernie Madof type character during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with FBI everything doesn't seem silly!

I bought my ticket expecting silly. I got it. It was just what I needed on a Friday night. It is a fun movie.

In the movie there is a scene where they were trying to put a large object into the elevator and ended up placing it on top of the elevator cab. That part is real. Several years ago I helped an architect friend move a large building model to downtown Oklahoma City to the 15th floor of a corporate office. We ended up riding on top the the elevator cab and balancing the 10 foot tall model between us! It was an interesting experience!

Good SILLY popcorn movie! Eddie Murphy in "Beverly Hills Cop" character.

I give it **1/2 stars.

2011 Movie #51

cartoon fix

2011-11-02T15:56:00.001-05:00

Rum Diary: Pirates of the Caribbean 1960

2011-10-29T22:33:00.007-05:00

I needed a silly movie today after spending the day watching college football. The football was great but the sports guys talk endlessly about everything.

I knew I was in for a great time when the ticket seller asked me for my i.d.! Maybe it was because I looked under 17 for an "R" rated movie or maybe she did not think I should get a "senior" ticket.

I had fun with it.

The Movie is based on a Hunter S. Thompson novel, "The Rum Diary" starring Johnny Depp and a great cast. The story is set in the Caribbean in 1960 and has a host of pirates in the form of ruthless land grabbing, lying wealthy white guys. Depp's character is a journalist who takes a job for a failing newspaper in Puerto Rico. He is a hard drinking fun loving guy who gets into much, much trouble. The movie is "R" for the frequent use of the F-bomb. In some weird way Depp is the only sane person in the show.

I liked it. If you squint you can see a little Jack Sparrow.

I give it **3/4 stars.

2011 Movie #50

Pennies on the sidewalk

2011-10-28T18:06:00.003-05:00

Today I stopped at a convenience store for gas (fuel this time) and saw a penny by the pumps. I'm always finding pennies on sidewalks and especially at such stops. I have seen people intentionally throw pennies down. AND, I'm sure many just fall from some one's hand and they won't stoop for one cent. As a kid, I heard about finding a single penny. It's a lucky penny. Some think that it must be heads up to be lucky. When I was in grade school, a penny would buy gum, penny candy (small tootsie roll or peanut log, etc.) or be the start toward a Coke.

Now I guess the thrill has gone.

Question: Do you pick them up? Now don't tell me that you don't because they are dirty. Every coin you receive has been handled by who knows what. Maybe, you are just well off and a penny is beneath you.

My answer: I pick up every one. How many times do you need a penny for change to keep from breaking a dollar? Oh, I see you use a debit card. You pay even more to NOT carry pennies.

I pick them up. Why? It's money! It is a little known fact that you make more money picking up pennies than buying lottery tickets.

Incidentally, I checked google before writing this to see if there was reason to drop them that I didn't know. I read about the good luck stories and stories about young people who make fun of those who would stoop to this.

Know this: Mike Stoops (not the football coach!)

Well Worn Words: Fixing

2011-10-26T21:40:00.004-05:00

"Fixing to" is a staple in my neck of the woods. "I'm fixing to go to the mall." In the southern USA the term means "I'm getting ready to go to the mall."

Fixing is a well worn word.

Fixing: The vet was "fixing" their dog. (neutering)

Fixing: The plumber was "fixing" the sinking. (repairing)

Fixing: She was "fixing" her gaze on him. (attaching)

Fixing: She was "fixing" the date. (setting)

Fixing: He was arrested for "fixing" the game. (influencing illegally)

There are others but I'm fixing to stop for now.

Cartoon Fix

2011-10-24T21:40:00.002-05:00

The Art of Racing in the Rain

2011-10-19T20:28:00.004-05:00

A few months ago I read Malcolm Gladwell's book, "What the Dog Saw". It is a great collections of stories by I gifted writer. Now I am about to finish my latest read, a novel called, "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein.

The title of this book comes from the fact that the dog's owner is a sport car racer who is an expert in what else, racing in the rain. Being a race fan the racing element was great, although not the center of the story. It becomes more of a metaphor for the events that take place.

This novel is about Marriage, Kids, Death, Family Troubles,

Survival, what happens when people wish you ill, and communication. The communication expert is the Dog who is very observant. Having experience with all these subjects, this was a very, very true slice of life. Rarely do I get truly upset at fictional characters. I did this time. Rarely do fictional things make me rethink how I communicate. This story taught me a couple of lessons.

I have even started to look at my dog differently.

This is one of my favorite reads in a while. This is a must to be made into a movie and I have already set the cast.

It is not a long read (listen in my case) but a good one. If you see me driving aimlessly around town tomorrow, I am finishing the book.

If this was a movie, I would give it ***** stars.

Cartoon Fix

2011-10-19T17:06:00.003-05:00

Thanks!

2011-10-17T20:35:00.005-05:00

I do want to think those that stubble on to this attempt to blog.

Today was another milestone for me. All fifty states and 73 countries have visited this month. Today I will top 100 visits and over 150 page views. For the first month I have had 1,200 visits already. I am not getting the big head, though it is fun, because many come in to get cartoons or look at photos that are posted. I don't think I have a following for the movies, but I have fun doing this. It is cheaper than therapy.

Today for instance besides the USA, the following nations had hits:

United Kingdom, Canada, Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, Croatia, Greece, Ireland and Lebanon.

Old Todd

2011-10-17T20:17:00.003-05:00

Today I mowed the yard, listening to my favorite throwback nashville, hippie folk singer on my iPod. Todd Snider will get your attention. He has silly songs, deep thought songs, and songs to incite. I have seen him live and he did not disappoint. In his music I find all kinds of useful things. I am preparing a class for church and revisited his song, "Somebody's Coming" that I will read in one session. No, I won't play it. There are people who would have a stroke! BUT he works as poetry as well.

One song I listened to was called "Easy Money". The chorus goes like this:

"He wants that easy money,

it's sad but it's true.

Everybody wants the most they can possibly get,

for the least they can possibly do.

They want that easy money.

I don't understand.

You scheme and you plan but you can't get your hands

on no easy money."

Oklahoma Surfers

2011-10-16T14:04:00.004-05:00

When I was in college, I played one record album every night when we turned the lights out in our dorm room. It was The Ventures "Surfing". This was at the height of the California Surfing music period when our radios was filled with the Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, Dick Dale and the Ventures. If the sound is on on your computer,

I have my favorite song of the Ventures playing: "Pipeline". Little did I know that while the music was about California Surf the lead guitar player was Bob Bogle of Oklahoma. He was joined in the band by Nokie Edwards (fellow Okie) and others.

This year we will honor both with induction into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. Okie Surfer Music at its best. I was shocked to learn of the Oklahoma influence.

It's time to "Hang Ten" on the Arkansas River!

The Big Year

2011-10-15T21:39:00.004-05:00

I was worn out from football today so we went to the movies and saw, "The Big Year". It is rated PG50. Young Adults won't understand it. The humor is subtle but good. The life lesson is strong.

But bird watching won't beat chases, fights and sex for some. There is sex in this movie, but its Eagle sex.

The movie is about a true event. Which "Birder" will see the most species of birds in 365 days in the USA. It is the honor system but those that do it travel thousands of miles. The three stars represent a rich guy who wants to retire (Steve Martin), the defending champ and contractor, (Owen Wilson) and a young guy who hates his job, divorced, etc. (Jack Black). The rich guy's firm needs him and he is about to be a grandfather. The Contractor's wife is trying to get pregnant through fertility procedures, and the young guy is out money and his Dad is having medical problems.

This is a story about doing what YOU want to do at the expense of family, business and again FAMILY. This is about "Birding" but it could have been about golf, fishing/hunting, racing, sports or Architecture!

There are strong statements in this about giving up part of your life to pursue a dream. Reminds me of the last statement of my post about Steve Jobs. I also reminds me of selfish parts of my life.

The movie is well acted and has a world class supporting cast. It is PG.

I give it ***1/2 stars. This is a Big Year of good movies.

2011 Movie # 49 (I do this WITH my wife)

Henry Ford, Thomas Edison & Steve

2011-10-15T13:51:00.006-05:00

I just finished reading the latest Time magazine with Steve Jobs on the cover. He was one fascinating guy. I thank him for my IMac, my IPhone, my iPod, Pixar Movies, My ITunes and even the IPad. All This was not about computers but lifestyle.

Here are some of the great quotes in the Time articles:

Jobs: "Victory in our industry is spelled survival. They way we're going to survive is to innovate out way out of this." (2001)

Jobs (at a Stanford commencement in 2005): "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."

"Don't be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

One article was by Walter Isaacson, who is writing an authorized biography of Jobs, who has been a very private guy. Why before he died did he want the bio? "I wanted my kids to know me," he said. "I wasn't always there for them, and I wanted them to know why and to understand what I did."

Even visionaries have regrets!

Mike Pavlov's Dog

2011-10-12T22:39:00.003-05:00

Old Ivan Pavlov may have been on to something with that "conditional reflexes" thing.

Our dog, Zoe, has become quite conditioned. She wants a belly rub before I leave for work.

When I get home she wants her treats. She doesn't become comfortable or know that we are settling in until the TV is turned on. Next, she waits for me to put ice in my glass. Then she is suddenly at ease.

At the end of the day she will not go to bed until the TV is turned off. I reminds me my current read, "The Art of Racing in the Rain", that tells a story from the dog's point of view (a dog who watches TV all day.)

Of course, Dogs can not be conditioned without owners that are also conditioned!

Real Steel, Real Battle Bots

2011-10-10T20:45:00.004-05:00

When I saw the preview of "Real Steel", I knew it would be a fun non-deep movie. It was. Although Hugh Jackman is the star, the boy is the real star. He is an eleven year old and watching him made me think of my grandson, Addison. By the time Addison is 11, he also may be managing a fighting robot.

The movie is a little bit "Rocky" and a little bit "Transformers ".

I know when a boxing movie is effective when I am moving with the boxers in the big scenes.

Great popcorn movie: I give it **1/2 stars.

2011 Movie #48

Cartoon Fix

2011-10-09T16:48:00.001-05:00

Beware: The Ides of March

2011-10-07T21:50:00.003-05:00

George Clooney has directed a wickedly good movie about the underbelly of politics. It is fairly easy to talk about what's wrong with politics today, but the very title reminds me that this has ben going on since Caesar. "The Ides of March" has as good a cast as can be assembled. The only way it could have been better is to have James Carvelle to play himself. As it is it has Ryan Gosling, Paul Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Marisa Torme, Evan Rachel Woods and George himself. He even through in Gregory Itzin, who played the evil President in "24".

This is a movie about moral compromise and the lengths we will go to win. This is about politics and Presidential primary campaigns, but it could be about trying to get a project, a contract or a girl friend. It is about leaving our ideals and moving to "well if that's what it takes" and "do unto others BEFORE they do it to you."

This is an uncomfortably good story. I wish it were a fairy tale, but alas it is probably mind compared to some actual events.

As you can see, I'm not telling much. I will say that its about Democrats (so my Republican friends might go), but the movie is not kind to any political party. It is R because to my surprise Politicians actually CUSS when not in front of a camera! Who knew!

Must see movie to get ready for the remainder of the race to the White House!

I give it ***1/2 stars.

2011 movie #47

a little bragging !

2011-10-04T22:28:00.003-05:00

Well I have to tell someone! Today I hit a new milestone. Visitors to this blog now represent every U.S. state and territory and 65 countries!

Go Figure!

an attic full of memories and melodies

2011-10-03T21:22:00.003-05:00

I'm needing to clean out the attic. It is my look back at my music collection. I may have about 300 vinyl LP records dating back the the Chuck Berry album (shown). I started collecting in the 1960s and quit buying LPs in the early 80's. That's when I started buying cassettes. I have 8 boxes and each bode has about 80 each covering the 80s and early 90s (640+/-).

I have many of these on CD (about 800) now as well as digital (500+ albums).

I am researching EBAY, etc. to decide what to do with them. Most of all: What to do with me?

I don't turn loose easily. Even when I should.

Cartoon Fix

2011-09-30T18:26:00.004-05:00

Unbroken, the Book

2011-09-28T17:20:00.003-05:00

When my uncles came home from WW2 and Korea, they did not talk about it. This is common for returning soldiers, sailors and airmen. The Book that I just finished explains why. I just finished Laura Hillenbrand's book, "Unbroken (A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption)". This excellently told story answered many questions that I have carried around since school days. I always wondered why some veterans held such deep deep hatred for the Japanese or their products. Yes, I had seen all the movies and knew my history, but I needed the rest of the story. Here it is.

The Book centers on the life of Louis Zamperini, a guy from California who was destined to be the first track star to run a "four minute mile". He was on the verge in 1941 (it was broke in 1954!).

This story of a troubled youth who became an Olympic runner, a WWII bombardier, a POW and much more. The story is such that after I had been into the book a few days, I had to read the liner notes to assure that this is true and not a novel.

Ms. Hillenbrand also wrote, "SEABISCUIT". She can tell a story as good as anyone.

I would love to discuss this book, but I don't want to be a Spoiler. Louis Zamperini is someone that does not endear himself, then suddenly you are rooting for him, then you are disappointed in him, and then..............

This is a great story about a good guy who laid it on the line.

Moneyball

2011-09-24T07:33:00.007-05:00

The title, "Moneyball" sounds like an description of the current state of sports in general. Instead it is the new movie starring Brad Pitt that tells the story of the 2002 season of the Oakland Athletics baseball team. This true story is of how a small market low paying team was able to compete with the likes of the Yankees who had the money to buy any player they chose. It is amazing and well done. When actors perform so that you forget it is not actually happening, you are watching a great story unfold. You don't have to be a baseball fan to like this flick. It has very good dialogue and reminds you of "The Social Network".

The director added in some small scenes of family, alone moments, and other little touches that made it real to me. Preparing a bowl of ice cream for his daughter, the Brad Pitt character, Billy, asks, "Big spoon or little spoon?" A simple moment of Reality.

It is several stories: Tradition versus New Ideas; Little Guy versus Big Machine; Courage of conviction versus popular thought. The stuff dreams are made of.

When a sports movie can make the cover of "Sports Illustrated", You've got something!

I give it ***1/2 stars. 2011 Movie #46

Texting Problems

2011-09-22T21:29:00.004-05:00

I am not very good at texting!

Carol and I don't text each other a lot, but when we do, we make it work. Take yesterday. I got word that I had to take a trip Friday. So I texted the news to her knowing that she was in a meeting. It said, "I have to go to the OKC office Friday." (I don't have the abrevs. down yet!)

Later in the day I went home and saw that Carol had started decorating for the Fall so I texted,

"You have really been busy today. The house is looking good." About an hour later she had not returned the text, so I checked the phone. To my surprise I realized that I sent the message to my friend, David, instead. Yikes. I quickly texted him that I made a mistake and didn't know if he had been busy or not!

Then I re-texted my message to Carol. She was glad I noticed!

When she got home, I told her my story. She laughed.

As we turned off the lights to go to bed, I asked why she didn't respond to my text about going to OKC. She said, "I didn't get any text like that."

OOPS! Sorry David. You probably didn't need to know that either!

Fall is almost here!

2011-09-19T21:46:00.002-05:00

Drive(er)

2011-09-17T20:46:00.004-05:00

If you are old enough, you can remember the "Man with No Name" movies starring Clint Eastwood like "Hang'em High". The Man would ride into town and no one new who he was or where he came from, but soon you knew not to mess with him. Today we revisited that idea with an updated movie, "Drive". Ryan Gosling stars as "Driver", a guy who works as a Hollywood stunt driver and also a driver of getaway cars in Holdups. A friend gets in trouble with the Mob and he gets involved.

If you went to see, "Crazy Stupid Love", you know him as a funny romantic comedy character. Not this time.

This is an R for a reason. There is some Godfather/Kill Bill violence. There are the Mob F-bombs. (Not from Driver. he doesn't talk much.) This movie has very believable chase scenes and very believable everything! I liked it a LOT!

Wardrobe Note: In the movie "Driver" wears a tacky jacket that gets progressively dirtier and bloodier as the story unfolds.

I give this **** stars out of five.

2011 Movie #45

Things my clients say!

2011-09-13T21:03:00.003-05:00

We were in a meeting at a school a couple of weeks ago and the conversation became "casual" and the old Superintendent (about my age) says, "You know guys, when I was young an old friend said to me: "Bob, There will come a day when a good SH*T will be better than sex. I thought he was crazy." Then Old Bob smiled and said, "Now I realize he was right!"

Notes from the Road

2011-09-13T18:58:00.003-05:00

I took a 400 mile trip to the Panhandle Sunday and Monday. Western Oklahoma is just different! Once you leave trees (about Stillwater) all you see is red dirt, oil wells and terrain. I'm not saying its ugly. Its just different. You also learn fast why they are building Wind farms out here. At Fort Supply a wind farm runs parallel to the highway. By my odometer I drove by it for 8 miles and then the road curved but it was still going. Here are my Notes:

1. In the Panhandle the most frequent road sign is "Cemetery" with an arrow pointing down the section line. I counted 8 signs in about 40 miles.

2. When I started back Monday afternoon, I was still 350 miles from home and met a "Muskogee Police" car heading west.

3. On the two lane highway traffic actually got backed up about 8 deep because of road construction. A silver car a head of me decided he had enough and pulled out and started passing the cars and semi trucks. A car was coming and I kept expecting him to pull back in, but he went straight ahead and forced the coming car off the road as he kept passing. No brake light, no slowing down.

4. There is one area along the highway that felt like Arizona. I seemed I had gone to far.

5. The school project that drew me to this area is in Texoma. Half the town is in Texas and half is in Oklahoma. All the kids go to Texas for elementary and Oklahoma for middle school and high school.

6. There must be an oil well and white tanks about every 2,000 feet- everywhere. This is truly the oil patch. About every other business is petro related.

7. I like my convenience stores to be convenient! Out there you have to plan your trips.

For that length of trip I am grateful for Books on CD, podcasts, and Satellite radio. Just like the people in the wagon trains.

Rotten Tomatoes!

2011-09-09T21:49:00.004-05:00

As a rule I am interested in what Movie Critics have to say, but I don't select my movies on that basis. Some draw me in with previews, some the cast, and some the book the movie is based on.

Critics don't know how to grade comedies, because they need a statement to be made. Fun isn't what they are looking for. That's why "shocking" works for them. They need something they have never seen before!

I have a couple of critics bother me enough that if they don't like it I probably will!

Which brings me to my favorite movie AP: "Flixster with Rotten Tomatoes". I agree with Rotten Tomatoes most of the time. They rate a movie from 0 to 100. The higher numbers above 50 get a ripe tomato symbol. The bad ones get the rotten tomato.

Examples The Help (73%), Our Idiot Brother (68%), Captain America (78%), Conan (22%),

Midnight in Paris (92%). New Movies: Apollo 18 (21%), The Debt (76%), Contagion (82%), Shark Night (14%) and the lowest I have ever seen: Bucky Larson (O%).

It is a free Ap and gives all the local movie times and schedules wherever you are (GPS).

This movie is contagious! Contagion

2011-09-09T21:27:00.003-05:00

I didn't think much of the previews for this movie because I normally don't like this kind of thing. I don't watch ER or CSI. I don't enjoy watching people cough, spit, convulse, or get cut on. Pray tell why did I go watch "Contagion"? It had all that! BUT the actors were a who's who including Matt Damon. AND it is getting great reviews! It was the best movie available tonight. (Excuse me: I sneezed).

One of my favorite books is Stephen Kings "The Stand" about a virus that spreads through the world and wipes most people out. The recent "Planet of the Apes" also implies the same thing.

Contagion is fast moving and takes place in three locations primarily, but the beginning shows very effectively how you and I pass our germs. (I started coughing during the movie.)

It is NOT a great popcorn movie, but it is well done. For you guys who like who like the History Channel or How Things happen, you will be elated.

As for me, I was starting to get symptoms by the end, and didn't want to touch anyone. You will get involved with this story. It tracks the virus around the world from Day 2 to Day 150+, but at the end shows you Day 1 (how it started).

I give it **3/4 stars. 2011 Movie #44.

My rule of thumb: If Matt Damon is willing to act in it, I am willing to watch.

Great line in movie: "He's a Blogger. Blogging is not writing it's Graffiti with punctuation ."

Gossip among friends!

2011-09-06T21:22:00.003-05:00

"Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip." Will Rogers

"Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you." Spanish Proverb

"To be silent the whole day long, see no newspaper, hear no radio, listen to no gossip, be thoroughly and completely lazy, thoroughly and completely indifferent to the fate of the world is the finest medicine a man can give himself." Henry Miller

I'm still thinking about the movie, Our Idiot Brother, and how it pealed away the idea that being truthful and speaking good about people is looked with suspicion in today's society. Monday while I mowed the lawn I was listening to a podcast of "This American Life" dealing with gossip. In some African nations gossip works like Facebook to single out those that may be HIV positive. The process of talking about people does alert about those with AIDS, but in doing so they also destroy many innocent people as well. The next short story was about producers of "reality" shows and how the producers between shows start rumors to pit contestants against each other or to start something.

Producer on camera, "Jane, would you be bothered if John flirted with you?"

Jane, "I never thought about it."

Producer, "Well think about it."

Jane, "I guess I would not care one way or another."

Producer, "I need that in a sentence."

Jane, "I would not be bothered if John flirted."

Producer (off camera): "John, Jane said that she would like for you to flirt with her."

Ah, Reality!

In the movie, Our Idiot Brother, Ned's sister(who writes for a magazine) gets mad at him for not allowing her to use a story that would be great gossip even though it would destroy someone. He was such an idiot for wanting to think good about his friends!

I was reminded of a recent Bond vote that was defeated by gossip. The opposition used no advertising. Instead the day before the vote they spread gossip that could not be proven in short time. One story was about the drawing of the proposed school. They said, " If you look close you would see that the superintendent has his name on the building. He is naming it for himself!" Of course, no one had a drawing to look at. they just believed the gossip.