Watched this Weekend: Year One, Terminator Salvation, Stargate: The Ark of Truth, Stargate: Contiuum
Read: Backup
Reading: Superheroes and Philosophy, Nation by Terry Pratchet
Jennifer and I are in a dance class. Last wednesday night we changed from Swing to Salsa, which Jennifer definitely likes. Also unlike Swing, I've never taken it before, which is good in that I don't have to unlearn anything, but more difficult in that I have to learn a whole bunch of new stuff the first time.
We went on our date night to the Drive In, which is the perfect place to see movies you wouldn't want to pay for at full price at the normal theater. One of the funnest things was the audio they played of these corny old food commercials from the 1950's, like the guy with the german accent who says that he has invented the 'food vending machine' and then proceeds to list all of the things it serves. One has to wonder what the world would be like if they talked like they do in commercials. Probably quite frightening.
All in all it was a pretty relaxing weekend, which given how busy we have been was a nice change of pace. Of course, since we don't have children, I understand 'not busy' to be a relative thing comparitively speaking but still, it was nice to relax. We watched a lot of DVD's from netflix over the weekend. We definitely like Supernatural.
Jennifer had been having some trouble getting some medication from our insurance company, but they finally approved it. While no insurance company has been perfect, given the three we've dealt with in the last two years, we've had the most positive experience by far with Principal. If you ever get to choose who your insurance provider is, you might consider them.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Happenings this Week
Well given the havok that is occuring in the lives of friends and family, I feel positively lucky. Nothing that has happened to us even compares to brain surgery or major gastrointestinal malfunction. :/ There was some potential tension re: my job, since my boss is moving to another department at the end of the month, but according to her there is no reason to believe that my contract will end any time before November when its supposed to. Hopefully all will go well.
We had an extremely busy weekend. Jennifer's mother, Joyce, was in town to celebrate her birthday. Thursday night we went to see Public Enemy which was pretty good. Jennifer and Joyce spent most of Thursday shopping at various places, including at BJ's to get a replacement microwave for the one we had that became fragged ala Half Life 2.
Friday Jennifer treated her mother to a day spa, which was quite nice for the two of them. They got massages, manicures and pedicures. While they were doing that I played Civilization IV with Greg and Jason (a friend of ours in Houston who works with Greg.) I think Civilization is the ultimate Ant Farm game, but its still fun to me. Friday night we went to the Shakespear Tavern and saw the Mystery of Irma Vepp, which was quite skillfully done. It was a little antiquated, but the humor was still relatively good and we definitely enjoyed it.
Saturday we spent most of the day with Mom, Skip and Grandma. We watched Bolt, ate dinner and then walked half way to downtown to see the fireworks. We had brought some items, grandma provided a fruit tart, and Skip's assembly of sandwich components was excellent. Though the roast beef had come fresh from the farmer's market and with the juices etc, one could understand how it makes vegetarians unpleased.
Sunday we had a much more relaxed time. We spent most of the time lounging around the house. I played some Civ IV, and read some. I finished the latest Feist book I was reading, Rides a Dread Legion in fairly short order. The evening was fairly quiet as we watched yet another episode of the extremely safe and inane arthurian hackjob that is Merlin. It is fun, but they've Smallvilled Camelot to the point that the original story is best left at the door. Just pretend that it only vaguely resembles hundreds of years of story telling (which it does) and you'll be more or less fine. Occasionally it can be frustrating as Merlin acts like a complete and total idiot, but his heart is in the right place, even if his brain isn't. We liked Supernatural a lot better and I'm sorry we haven't been watching it up until now. Its quite good. I originally thought it was Fred and Fred take action in live action Scooby Doo but it isn't that at all.
I think the pitch line I read on their wikipedia page "Luke Skywalker and Hansolo drive a cadilac from Route 66 and drive all over the country fighting monsters" is pretty accurate.
Later this week, we saw Charlie Bartlet. Jennifer is extremely busy with crunch time at work, so last night I finished two more episodes in my podcast for Red Anvil. On the whole, things are going quite well for us and we are grateful for what we have while we have it.
We had an extremely busy weekend. Jennifer's mother, Joyce, was in town to celebrate her birthday. Thursday night we went to see Public Enemy which was pretty good. Jennifer and Joyce spent most of Thursday shopping at various places, including at BJ's to get a replacement microwave for the one we had that became fragged ala Half Life 2.
Friday Jennifer treated her mother to a day spa, which was quite nice for the two of them. They got massages, manicures and pedicures. While they were doing that I played Civilization IV with Greg and Jason (a friend of ours in Houston who works with Greg.) I think Civilization is the ultimate Ant Farm game, but its still fun to me. Friday night we went to the Shakespear Tavern and saw the Mystery of Irma Vepp, which was quite skillfully done. It was a little antiquated, but the humor was still relatively good and we definitely enjoyed it.
Saturday we spent most of the day with Mom, Skip and Grandma. We watched Bolt, ate dinner and then walked half way to downtown to see the fireworks. We had brought some items, grandma provided a fruit tart, and Skip's assembly of sandwich components was excellent. Though the roast beef had come fresh from the farmer's market and with the juices etc, one could understand how it makes vegetarians unpleased.
Sunday we had a much more relaxed time. We spent most of the time lounging around the house. I played some Civ IV, and read some. I finished the latest Feist book I was reading, Rides a Dread Legion in fairly short order. The evening was fairly quiet as we watched yet another episode of the extremely safe and inane arthurian hackjob that is Merlin. It is fun, but they've Smallvilled Camelot to the point that the original story is best left at the door. Just pretend that it only vaguely resembles hundreds of years of story telling (which it does) and you'll be more or less fine. Occasionally it can be frustrating as Merlin acts like a complete and total idiot, but his heart is in the right place, even if his brain isn't. We liked Supernatural a lot better and I'm sorry we haven't been watching it up until now. Its quite good. I originally thought it was Fred and Fred take action in live action Scooby Doo but it isn't that at all.
I think the pitch line I read on their wikipedia page "Luke Skywalker and Hansolo drive a cadilac from Route 66 and drive all over the country fighting monsters" is pretty accurate.
Later this week, we saw Charlie Bartlet. Jennifer is extremely busy with crunch time at work, so last night I finished two more episodes in my podcast for Red Anvil. On the whole, things are going quite well for us and we are grateful for what we have while we have it.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Goal Check
Physical: Reduce my weight to 225lbs. Losing 30lbs, at an average of 1800 calories a day for diet with 1-2 free days a month, exercising aerobically 4 times a week for 300 calories each session for 22.5 minutes, lifting weights 2 times a week using at least the 30 pound weights. Currently at 180 calories each session with the goal to raise 20 calories a week until I reach 300. The goal is to start with 1 weight lifting session in Jan and then adding another in Feb.
Status: Exercise is very succesful. Dieting not so much. Two months of unemployment was not kind. Revised goal for the end of the year is 240lbs.
Mental: Read 1 Good non fiction book a month + 2 slowly over Wed. I plan to start with Fast Food Nation. The two slow books will be "Search Engine Marketing" and "Philosophy and Super Heroes."
Status: Non fiction goal: On track. All read but the Philosophy of Superheroes, which is still on my queue before the end of the year.
Graduate Grad School with at least a 3.0 average (preferably with honors) in May.
Status: Completed.
Spiritual: Continue scripture study, prayer and other activities.
Status: Scripture study: Meh.
Prayer: On track.
Other Activities: On track. Working to begin doing RFP's for charities to help them earn money, starting with Mythic Journies.
Read at least one major spiritual work belonging to another religion.
Status: Not yet started. Est to begin this month. Probably something Buddhist. In fact, probably the Tibetan Book of the Dead.
Emotional: Be kinder. Have Less Anger.
Status: Seems to be on track.
Social: Get involved with a service project at least once a month starting in April.
Status: Delayed, but still planned. Countered this with helping Grandma with House of Damoclese.
Writing: Covered on the Writing Blog.
Status: Short stories: Not on track. Novels: On track.
Film: Write two film scripts. Produce two films, one directed by Mom and one directed by Jennifer. Submit at least one of the two to a film festival this year. The film should be no shorter than 4 minutes and no longer than 10.
Status: First script written. First meeting for first film scheduled. Replacing film directed by Mom to podcast. Poem for podcast completed. Second film will likely be a reshoot of "Dueling Morons."
Invention: Buy and read at least two Law School text books on Patent Law.
Status: Not yet initiated.
Economic: Maintain my job. Pay off more of Credit Card. Make preparations for child. Obtain 5 most important items as determined by Jennifer and I.
Status:
Job: Failed, but beyond my control. New job obtained.
Credit Card: Not by the end of year but paying off.
Child: Delayed.
More Important Items: 1.5 obtained. 2 by the end of the month. 5 by the end of September.
Make Red Anvil Productions Gaming have its first profitable year.
Status: On track.
Family: Improve relations. Be slightly less annoying.
Status: On track.
Friends: Have at least 3 non game related social events over the course of the year.
Status: If you include the writing group: Completed. Otherwise 0 for 3. 1 on the schedule. 1 more planned. 1 not yet at all determined.
Children: Have 1. Have all physical preparations made at least 2 months in advance of birth.
Status: Delayed for at least one year.
Other:
Create at least one podcast a month (probably short stories already written)
Status: Done. And on track.
Create a fourth blog by March involving unknown quantity or subject for fun and/or profit.
Status: Complete.
Create a group of new life goals by March.
Status: Failed. Hope to create new list by the end of July.
Ensure that all selected items in the Christmas Coupon Book I gave Jennifer are delivered/fulfilled.
Status: On track. 8 out of 15 completed. 9 out of 15 by the end of the day.
Make arrangements for Jan 3, 2010 Tolkien's Birthday LOTR Marathon Party.
Status: Not yet complete.
Go to Gencon 2009.
Status: On track. Reservations made.
Go to DragonCon 2009.
Status: On track. Reservations made.
Go to Boston for my Graduation.
Status: Completed.
Learn to Juggle.
Status: Not yet begun.
Learn to Shoot a Pistol.
Status: Delayed until September.
If Brett is sent to a Spanish Speaking Mission, Refresh and Brush up on my Spanish.
Status: Not yet started.
Status: Exercise is very succesful. Dieting not so much. Two months of unemployment was not kind. Revised goal for the end of the year is 240lbs.
Mental: Read 1 Good non fiction book a month + 2 slowly over Wed. I plan to start with Fast Food Nation. The two slow books will be "Search Engine Marketing" and "Philosophy and Super Heroes."
Status: Non fiction goal: On track. All read but the Philosophy of Superheroes, which is still on my queue before the end of the year.
Graduate Grad School with at least a 3.0 average (preferably with honors) in May.
Status: Completed.
Spiritual: Continue scripture study, prayer and other activities.
Status: Scripture study: Meh.
Prayer: On track.
Other Activities: On track. Working to begin doing RFP's for charities to help them earn money, starting with Mythic Journies.
Read at least one major spiritual work belonging to another religion.
Status: Not yet started. Est to begin this month. Probably something Buddhist. In fact, probably the Tibetan Book of the Dead.
Emotional: Be kinder. Have Less Anger.
Status: Seems to be on track.
Social: Get involved with a service project at least once a month starting in April.
Status: Delayed, but still planned. Countered this with helping Grandma with House of Damoclese.
Writing: Covered on the Writing Blog.
Status: Short stories: Not on track. Novels: On track.
Film: Write two film scripts. Produce two films, one directed by Mom and one directed by Jennifer. Submit at least one of the two to a film festival this year. The film should be no shorter than 4 minutes and no longer than 10.
Status: First script written. First meeting for first film scheduled. Replacing film directed by Mom to podcast. Poem for podcast completed. Second film will likely be a reshoot of "Dueling Morons."
Invention: Buy and read at least two Law School text books on Patent Law.
Status: Not yet initiated.
Economic: Maintain my job. Pay off more of Credit Card. Make preparations for child. Obtain 5 most important items as determined by Jennifer and I.
Status:
Job: Failed, but beyond my control. New job obtained.
Credit Card: Not by the end of year but paying off.
Child: Delayed.
More Important Items: 1.5 obtained. 2 by the end of the month. 5 by the end of September.
Make Red Anvil Productions Gaming have its first profitable year.
Status: On track.
Family: Improve relations. Be slightly less annoying.
Status: On track.
Friends: Have at least 3 non game related social events over the course of the year.
Status: If you include the writing group: Completed. Otherwise 0 for 3. 1 on the schedule. 1 more planned. 1 not yet at all determined.
Children: Have 1. Have all physical preparations made at least 2 months in advance of birth.
Status: Delayed for at least one year.
Other:
Create at least one podcast a month (probably short stories already written)
Status: Done. And on track.
Create a fourth blog by March involving unknown quantity or subject for fun and/or profit.
Status: Complete.
Create a group of new life goals by March.
Status: Failed. Hope to create new list by the end of July.
Ensure that all selected items in the Christmas Coupon Book I gave Jennifer are delivered/fulfilled.
Status: On track. 8 out of 15 completed. 9 out of 15 by the end of the day.
Make arrangements for Jan 3, 2010 Tolkien's Birthday LOTR Marathon Party.
Status: Not yet complete.
Go to Gencon 2009.
Status: On track. Reservations made.
Go to DragonCon 2009.
Status: On track. Reservations made.
Go to Boston for my Graduation.
Status: Completed.
Learn to Juggle.
Status: Not yet begun.
Learn to Shoot a Pistol.
Status: Delayed until September.
If Brett is sent to a Spanish Speaking Mission, Refresh and Brush up on my Spanish.
Status: Not yet started.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
This week
We saw the Diving Bell and the Butterfly over the weekend. For dinner on date night we ate at a Thai restaurant, but because we recently got a new computer and a few other things, we're trying to be somewhat frugal about how we do things, especially with a few up coming expenses this summer that have yet to be taken care of.
I was looking forward to the Transformer's movie, but I don't think I'm going to see it. Its the same reason I didn't see the Star Wars clone movie last year. Well, kind of. See for the Star Wars movie it was "Hutt Baby" and the assorted descriptions of it that made me realize it would be worse than phantom menace. For Transformers that would be "Robot Testacles".....I don't think I need to see a movie with Robot Testacles in it.
Jennifer and I are on a major health kick, but hers is a lot more effective than mine at the moment. I might need to do a bit less exercise and a bit more dieting. We'll see how things go tomorrow. I've been doing a lot of reading lately, which has been nice.
Last Sunday we spent father's day with Skip, Mom, Grandma and Julie. It was fun. We ate at the 'thumb's up' cafe. Then we hung out and talked for a lot after that. Later, I called Dad and Jennifer talked to her father and step father.
I was looking forward to the Transformer's movie, but I don't think I'm going to see it. Its the same reason I didn't see the Star Wars clone movie last year. Well, kind of. See for the Star Wars movie it was "Hutt Baby" and the assorted descriptions of it that made me realize it would be worse than phantom menace. For Transformers that would be "Robot Testacles".....I don't think I need to see a movie with Robot Testacles in it.
Jennifer and I are on a major health kick, but hers is a lot more effective than mine at the moment. I might need to do a bit less exercise and a bit more dieting. We'll see how things go tomorrow. I've been doing a lot of reading lately, which has been nice.
Last Sunday we spent father's day with Skip, Mom, Grandma and Julie. It was fun. We ate at the 'thumb's up' cafe. Then we hung out and talked for a lot after that. Later, I called Dad and Jennifer talked to her father and step father.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Progress Marches On
We had a relaxing weekend at home. We burned through four netflix disks, including Lost Season 4, Madmen, Gone Baby Gone and Connections 2. They were all quite good. We also got a lot of house work done; cleaning up, washing dishes, washing clothes, clearing the yard etc.
For date night, we ate dinner at Boca de Beppo (quite good) and watched The Hangover. We had originally wanted to see a new movie that's come out called Moon, which is a sci fi movie that has gotten great reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, but it only came out for a very limited release and appearantly we got the location wrong. Que sera sera etc etc etc. We'll find it somewhere else I guess.
Right now, we're both using this rather awesome site called Livestrong.com. It is basically a way to record your weight and food consumption. Here's a look at my most recent chart:
As you can see, I am not going to be able to make my goal of losing 30 pounds by the end of the year, but at a steady rate of 2 pounds every 10 days, I should be somewhere where I want to be early next year. The wonderful thing about this is that it helps me track what might be just anomolies in weight gain vs something that is more of an alarming trend. Of course, the down side is that you have to enter all that you're eating into the site, but I find it to be worth it.
For date night, we ate dinner at Boca de Beppo (quite good) and watched The Hangover. We had originally wanted to see a new movie that's come out called Moon, which is a sci fi movie that has gotten great reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, but it only came out for a very limited release and appearantly we got the location wrong. Que sera sera etc etc etc. We'll find it somewhere else I guess.
Right now, we're both using this rather awesome site called Livestrong.com. It is basically a way to record your weight and food consumption. Here's a look at my most recent chart:
As you can see, I am not going to be able to make my goal of losing 30 pounds by the end of the year, but at a steady rate of 2 pounds every 10 days, I should be somewhere where I want to be early next year. The wonderful thing about this is that it helps me track what might be just anomolies in weight gain vs something that is more of an alarming trend. Of course, the down side is that you have to enter all that you're eating into the site, but I find it to be worth it.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
No News is Good News
Quiet week.
I went to Augusta on Sunday to help Grandma. We had a rather heavy weekend planned, but had to change it at the last minute. We're planning most of what we planned to do this weekend for late July (perhaps).
We both got some work done around the house, watched more Madmen and Tom Baker Dr. Who and a bit of Burn Notice. Jennifer is doing Belly Dancing lessons, which she likes A LOT, and doing a lot of crocheting.
I've got a lot of side projects going, including working with actors on my podcast, helping as project coordinator on someone else's movie for Project Management experience, and trying to arrange for freelance writers to write for the role playing game side of things. I am also reading more of the Jim Butcher books and recently finished the Kim Harrison book mom leant me.
I went to Augusta on Sunday to help Grandma. We had a rather heavy weekend planned, but had to change it at the last minute. We're planning most of what we planned to do this weekend for late July (perhaps).
We both got some work done around the house, watched more Madmen and Tom Baker Dr. Who and a bit of Burn Notice. Jennifer is doing Belly Dancing lessons, which she likes A LOT, and doing a lot of crocheting.
I've got a lot of side projects going, including working with actors on my podcast, helping as project coordinator on someone else's movie for Project Management experience, and trying to arrange for freelance writers to write for the role playing game side of things. I am also reading more of the Jim Butcher books and recently finished the Kim Harrison book mom leant me.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Interesting and Chaotic Times
Well, this week has been interesting. I'll start with the most interesting stuff and go from there.
This Saturday we went to the AVP Atlanta Open Vollyball tournament. It was pretty cool. Basically they were set up by the highway near an old abandoned steel mill called Atlantic Station. They had three different volliball set ups, two small qualifiers and a 'winner's circle.' We spent most of our time watching the winner's circle. It was a pretty good deal, since we got a block of time from 10:00 to 5:30. We got there at 11:00 and were there for most of that. The players were very very good both on the men's and women's side. There was, however, more spiking on the men's side primarily due to height advantages. We got to see the Olympic gold medalists play which was also interesting.
Friday night we went to go see UP which we quite enjoyed. Saturday night after volliball we rushed home, got changed and then went to see The Tempest at the Shakespear Tavern. It was also quite good and whoever they have as the new creative director is really putting a change on things. They're appearantly having some financial difficulties which is a bit sad though.
Sunday we did all manner of house hold chores, trying to get the place a bit more spic and span. The back yard has become a bit of a jungle and Jennifer is working to slowly clear it. We watched a bit of Lost (which we like) and Doctor Who (the old ones with Tom Baker.) I have also recently started reading White Witch, Black Curse, which mom leant me.
Monday night we watched Ali on Netflix. It is quite good. Jennifer made an awesome salad and sandwich dinner which was quite welcome after the...interesting...day I'd had.
Picking up things a bit in the movie area. I'm trying to build Project Management experience for the PMP, so I've agreed to act as Project Coordinator for Interstate Films for a film and more if it works out well. It doesn't pay, but they're quite ambitious and it looks like it will be interesting. I'm also working with Mom to help potentially do some screen writing for a project she's working with called the Sentinel Chronicles.
Jennifer has recently started taking Belly Dancing lessons every Tuesday night and she absolutely loves it!
This Saturday we went to the AVP Atlanta Open Vollyball tournament. It was pretty cool. Basically they were set up by the highway near an old abandoned steel mill called Atlantic Station. They had three different volliball set ups, two small qualifiers and a 'winner's circle.' We spent most of our time watching the winner's circle. It was a pretty good deal, since we got a block of time from 10:00 to 5:30. We got there at 11:00 and were there for most of that. The players were very very good both on the men's and women's side. There was, however, more spiking on the men's side primarily due to height advantages. We got to see the Olympic gold medalists play which was also interesting.
Friday night we went to go see UP which we quite enjoyed. Saturday night after volliball we rushed home, got changed and then went to see The Tempest at the Shakespear Tavern. It was also quite good and whoever they have as the new creative director is really putting a change on things. They're appearantly having some financial difficulties which is a bit sad though.
Sunday we did all manner of house hold chores, trying to get the place a bit more spic and span. The back yard has become a bit of a jungle and Jennifer is working to slowly clear it. We watched a bit of Lost (which we like) and Doctor Who (the old ones with Tom Baker.) I have also recently started reading White Witch, Black Curse, which mom leant me.
Monday night we watched Ali on Netflix. It is quite good. Jennifer made an awesome salad and sandwich dinner which was quite welcome after the...interesting...day I'd had.
Picking up things a bit in the movie area. I'm trying to build Project Management experience for the PMP, so I've agreed to act as Project Coordinator for Interstate Films for a film and more if it works out well. It doesn't pay, but they're quite ambitious and it looks like it will be interesting. I'm also working with Mom to help potentially do some screen writing for a project she's working with called the Sentinel Chronicles.
Jennifer has recently started taking Belly Dancing lessons every Tuesday night and she absolutely loves it!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)