Guitar music

If you like guitar music, particularly acoustic guitar, check out this page. Most of the videos are very good.

New Layout

This is more simple. I like it.

Kids

It was extremely hot when we went to the zoo last week. We had fun, though. Aidan rode on the train. What else does a little boy need?



More at Picasa Web Albums.

Summer swim

The crystal cool waters of the pool made the intrusive midday heat endurable. Our solitude amidst the crystal cool waters of the pool enhanced their pleasantness. It was swimming as it ought to be.

Best Sci-Fi Films

Recently, Rotten Tomatoes (the site that ranks movies based on critic's reviews) has recently complied a list of the 100 Best Reviewed Science Fiction films. I am a fan of many sci-fi films, though I have not seen many of the films on the list. I would disagree with some of the choices. (Number two on the list is Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. I thought it was a great film, but do not consider it a science fiction film.) Any list of "the greatest whatever films" is going to have detractors. So much of what we consider a "great" film is based on our personal perspective. I have yet to meet another person that has consistently the same taste in films that I do (I have never met anyone that likes any of the films I do). I won't go through and list the films that I think should not be on the list. I am going to list my favorite sci-fi films, with the hopes that someone might agree with me, and that someone might listen to me and watch one of these films.
I have paired these films for various and easily discernible reasons.

Alien and Blade Runner. Ridley Scott, who is a visually innovative artist, is the director of both of these films. Each of them were novel in their set design and overall look. Each one established a new paradigm for space travel and futuristic films. Most films after them borrowed heavily from their visual style. Each is a very entertaining film. Alien is much more suspenseful, and Blade Runner is much more philosophical. Each has interesting story lines and compelling characters. They are much more than sleek pieces of eye candy. Each film, though, can be viewed solely and rewardingly for their astounding look. Alien has the most frightening alien ever created. All the sequels and prequels have not been able to duplicate the originality of the original. Blade Runner has one of the greatest and most poetic soliloquy's of movie history--the famous "tears in the rain" scene. Very beautifully done. If you have not seen these films, you ought to.
Here is the "Tears in the Rain" scene from Blade Runner:

This is a good scene from Alien (Viewer Discretion Advised):


2001: A Space Odyssey and Solyaris. These are two of the most philosophically impenetrable films I have ever seen. They were made around the same time, 1968 and 1972 respectively. They both deal with space travel and encounters with an ambiguous alien life form. They both have beautiful cinematography. They both are slowly paced with sparse dialog (two things that many people think make a boring film). I think each of them are worth the viewing. 2001 has far more impressive special effects. It is one of the most realistic space-travel films ever made. Urban legend is that it was so good, NASA hired Kubrick (the director) to direct the faux moon landing. That is, of course, a lie, but an interesting one. 2001, though, is so ambiguous, the only people who say they know what it means would probably also say that they met the implied alien life form from the film. Solyaris is a Russian film. (In 2002, George Clooney and director Steven Soderbergh remade the film. I have not seen this remake, so I will not comment on it.) It is a difficult film. I understood very little of it, yet I sensed that there was much to understand. It is a very deep and psychological film. The director, Andrei Tarkovsky, made it as almost a response to 2001. He thought 2001 was to impersonal, which it is. He made his film much more human. These are long, slow films, but I think very rewarding. You ought to challenge yourself with these films at least once.
This is a scene from 2001, with the quickest "fast-foward":

The floating ballet scene from Solyaris:


Brazil and Children of Men. Both of these films deal with a future dystopia, and they do it as well as any other film. COM is rather new; it came out last year. It has an interesting story line, strong performances, and detailed set design. The best part of the film, though, is the cinematography. It is amazing. There are at least two long takes, of at least 3 minutes in length, that completely submerge you in the action (For more on the "long take," see here). The battle scenes are uncanny. Though not as gory as Saving Private Ryan, they are equally as tense. This film also has one of the most realistic child births I have ever seen. It is a violent film, but a good film. Brazil has the most creative and absurd set design of all of these films. Only the mind a former Monty Python member (Terry Gilliam) could create such a bizarre world. There are ducts everywhere. No description I give could do it justice. You simply have to see the film to understand. Now, this film is not simply a wacky set. It has an interesting story. It is nothing truly novel, but it is well done. The humor in this film is also very wacky, and British. This is a very good film, even though it actually has nothing to do with the country of Brazil.
A funny scene from Brazil, in which Harry Buttle is mistakenly arrested:


12 Monkeys and Primer. These are my two favorite time-travel movies. Nearly all time-travel movies have some logical incongruities. These films are no exception. Yet, they have less than the others. 12 Monkeys is another Terry Gilliam film. It isn't as bizarre as Brazil, but it definitely has that bizarre British touch. All the performances in this film are good, especially Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt. The story is a bit confusing, and the ending is not a crowd-pleaser, but it is very good. Primer is a small independent film made a few years ago. It was made a first time director with a small budget and a crew of around 5 guys. It is a simple a very realistic time-travel movie. Two engineers are trying to build something to earn them money. Without realizing how, they build a time machine. Then things get crazy. None of the dialog will make sense, since they talk in an engineer-ish jargon. The last 15 minutes are utterly confusing. All that said, it has a strong plot and intriguing characters. If you like time-travel movies, you should rent these two.
Here is Brad Pitt in his crazy performance in 12 Monkeys:



There are other sci-fi films that I like, but these are my favorites. Comment, corrections, and compliments are welcomed.

Thoughts from the pool

Whether the water is one foot over your head, or one thousand feet, you either swim with the ducks or sleep with the fish.

Thirsty

I have much free (also, empty) time since I am not working. Thus, I have started a lemonade stand in my front yard to earn some extra money. If you are in the vicinity, please stop by and support my venture. (Note: To get an edge on the competition, the 6 year old girl down the street, I am selling Absolut lemonade)

Music Video Mayhem

I have complied a list of the best music videos ever. I don't watch many music videos. In truth, these are some of the only ones I have ever seen. Nonetheless, they are mostly enjoyable. They are the best in their respective categories.

Best Use of a Former Beattle--Paul McCartney, "Dance Tonight"
WARNING: This song has an extremely contagious melody. Do not click play unless you wish to have the melody stuck in your head all day.


Best Use of a Academy Award winning Actor--Fat Boy Slim, "Weapon of Choice"


Best Use of a Time Travel Machine--Weezer, "Buddy Holly" (Note: Weezer is a modern group)


Best Use of Mobile Phones--Jars of Clay, "Dead Man"


Best Use of a Horse and Buggy--Wierd Al, "Amish Paradise"


Honorable Mentions go to three groups for the Best Use of an Unattainable Dream:
Terra Naomi, "Say It's Possible"--the message is a bit silly, but she has an enchanting voice.


John Lennon, "Imagine"--This is a beautiful, stupid song. What makes the video is Yoko's expressionless expression.


U2 and Green Day, "The Saints are Coming"--I laugh at their sincerity.

Accents

According to an Accent quiz, I speak as though I am from the West.

What American accent do you have? (Best version so far) Western Like Midland, Western is a default, neutral, sounds-good-on-the-evening-news accent. So you might not actually be from the West (but you probably are).

Click Here to Take This Quiz Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests.

More Fun Facts.

More from David Letterman:

BLUEBERRIES HAVE MORE ANTIOXIDANTS THAN ANY OTHER FRUIT OR VEGETABLE

DURING HIS LIFETIME, ARTIST VINCENT VAN GOGH SOLD ONLY ONE OF HIS PAINTINGS

GORILLAS CAN CATCH HUMAN COLDS

KIM JONG IL FIRST CAME TO THE ATTENTION OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC AS A CONTORTIONIST ON "THE GONG SHOW"

IN ADDITION TO THE LETTER "Z," ZORRO WAS ALSO VERY GOOD AT SLASHING THE NUMBER "2"

IN THE SUMMER, PROSTHETIC LIMBS ARE AVAILABLE IN RED TO SIMULATE SUNBURN

THE COMPLETION OF "STAR WARS" WAS DELAYED SEVERAL WEEKS WHEN THE ACTOR PLAYING CHEWBACCA DROPPED GUM IN HIS FUR

THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION IS STILL NOT SURE WHAT TO MAKE OF BOLOGNA

SINCE 2002, COMEDIAN JIMMY WALKER HAS BEEN STRIP-SEARCHED OVER 200 TIMES BY AIRPORT SECURITY LOOKING FOR DYN-O-MITE

THE IDEA FOR "KNIGHT RIDER" CAME ABOUT WHEN DAVID HASSELHOFF GOT DRUNK AND THOUGHT A CAR WAS TALKING TO HIM

TO SEE IF AN UMBRELLA IS IN YOUR WEEKEND FORECAST, LET'S GO TO CHET IN THE FOX 5 WEATHER CENTER

IN 2003, THE RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA CAME VERY CLOSE TO ARRESTING OSAMA BIN LADEN FOR ILLEGAL MUSIC DOWNLOADING

THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS CONTAINS A RECIPE FOR BROCCOLI POLENTA

POPE BENEDICT HAS DECLARED MR. CLEAN MAGIC ERASER "THE WORK OF THE DEVIL"

THOMAS MANN WROTE "DEATH IN VENICE" AFTER BEING MURDERED WHILE VISITING ITALY

TO LIVEN UP THEIR PORTRAITS, COURTROOM SKETCH ARTISTS OFTEN ASK WITNESSES IF THEY HAVE ANY HOBBIES

IS YOUR MAN A STUD OR A DUD? FIND OUT IN OUR COSMO QUIZ ON PAGE 78

TELEVISION'S FIRST GAY KISS FEATURED RICKY RICARDO AND FRED MERTZ

THE AIR FROM THE SUBWAY GRATE THAT BLEW MARILYN MONROE'S SKIRT UP IN "THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH" ALSO BLEW OFF A CAMERAMAN'S HAIRPIECE

PHIL DONAHUE IS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT HIS SHOW HAS BEEN ON HIATUS WAITING FOR NEW CARPETING

IN SWITZERLAND, SWISS CHEESE IS CALLED "CHEESE"

AN "EXTREME GULP" AT 7-ELEVEN HOLDS 9 GALLONS OF SODA

THOMAS EDISON GOT THE IDEA FOR THE THREE-WAY LIGHT BULB AFTER HAVING SEX WITH HIS WIFE AND ANOTHER WOMAN

THE FCC RECENTLY FINED MARTHA STEWART $10,000 FOR SAYING THE WORD "NUTMEAT"

HERBERT HOOVER'S LAST WORDS WERE, "I'M NOT DEAD! DON'T CLOSE THE COF…"

Reading

I am considering teaching myself to read Braille. That would allow me to read while I was driving.

Fun facts

Some fun facts from David Letterman:

STRAWBERRIES HAVE MORE VITAMIN C THAN ORANGES

BABE RUTH WORE NUMBER 3 BECAUSE HE BATTED THIRD

ANTS DON'T SLEEP

INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS NOW BELIEVE THAT FIDEL CASTRO IS FAKING ILLNESS TO GET SYMPATHY

OUR SHORTEST PRESIDENT WAS JAMES MADISON AT 3 FEET, 11 INCHES

87% OF PEOPLE WHO ARE BITTEN BY RADIOACTIVE SPIDERS DO NOT DEVELOP SUPER POWERS

WHEN SHE DIED, SPEED-READING PIONEER EVELYN WOOD WAS WORKING ON A WAY TO WATCH TELEVISION MORE QUICKLY

IN CANADA, COOL WHIP IS CALLED MIRACLE WHIP; AND MIRACLE WHIP IS CALLED CAULK.

MOST AMERICANS ARE UNCOMFORTABLE CHATTING ABOUT THEIR REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

FOR THE LAST TEN YEARS, HENRY KISSINGER WORKED FOR COLLEGE ART CLASSES AS A NUDE MODEL

THE BUILDING ON THE BACK OF THE $10 BILL IS ELVIS PRESLEY'S HOME GRACELAND

HELEN THOMAS HAS SLEPT WITH THE LAST 5 PRESIDENTS

35% OF RELIGIONS THAT BELIEVE IN REINCARNATION ALSO BELIEVE FREQUENT-FLYER MILES CAN BE USED IN THE NEXT LIFE

IT'S NICE TO BE IMPORTANT, BUT IT'S MORE IMPORTANT TO BE NICE

MUCH AS THE PLURAL OF "MEDIUM" IS "MEDIA," ETYMOLOGISTS SAY THE CORRECT PLURAL OF "STEAK-UMM" IS "STEAK-A"

DELAWARE IS THE ONLY STATE WHOSE LEMON LAW ONLY APPLIES TO ACTUAL LEMONS

AL GORE ORIGINALLY GOT INVOLVED IN ENVIRONMENTALISM TO MEET GROOVY HIPPIE CHICKS

WARNING: THESE FUN FACTS MAY CONTAIN PEANUTS

STEVEN SPIELBERG, DAVID GEFFEN AND JEFFREY KATZENBERG FOUNDED DREAMWORKS TO LAUNDER MONEY FOR THE LATIN KINGS

4 OUT OF 5 OBESE MEN HAVE GOTTEN THEIR ARM STUCK IN A VENDING MACHINE

AMTRAK'S 7:40 METROLINER SERVICE TO WASHINGTON IS NOW BOARDING ON TRACK 5

ALTHOUGH HAIR DOES NOT CONTINUE TO GROW AFTER DEATH, IT DOES BECOME MORE BOUNCY AND MANAGEABLE

STEAKHOUSE OWNER MICHAEL JORDAN ONCE PLAYED PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL

ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S GHOST NO LONGER VISITS THE WHITE HOUSE BECAUSE HE'S AFRAID OF CHENEY

WHEN HE CAN'T GET A TABLE IN CROWDED RESTAURANTS, DAVID HASSELHOFF WILL OFTEN ASK TO EAT IN THE MEN'S ROOM

BY THE YEAR 2012, THANKS TO GENETIC ENGINEERING, WE WILL BE ENJOYING ACTUAL BUFFALO WINGS

Funny man

In my last post I quoted comedian Brian Regan. Sunday night Comedy Central played an hour long show of his. Throughout the entire show, there was not one single bleep (not even a need for a bleep). He made no sexually explicit, or even implicit jokes. He made no shockingly racial jokes (the quote from below had no tinge of racism in it). He was clean, and he was very funny. You can buy at least one of his shows on iTunes. You may be able to buy this newest one. If you like stand-up comedy, but can't stand the obscenity and vulgarity of most "comedians," then check out Brian Regan.

From Brian Regan

You know who 9/11 was really bad for--Arab Americans who truly want to be crop dusters.

Microsoft, cool?

You will rarely hear me say a sentence that contains the words "Microsoft" and "cool," but this new technology from Microsoft is really cool.

Stay with the herd

Stay with the video. Though the amateur camerwork isn't good, it does capture an amazing scene.

Film noir

For all you lovers of film noir out there (of which I am one), here is a delightful little homage to the ridiculousness of some noir-ish plots. See if you can follow it.

Bored?

How bored are you?

O Canada.

My dear little sister and her deer husband have just moved to Canada. Matt (my brother-in-law) will be pastoring a church in New Brunswick. Emily (my sister), who is going with him, remarked in a recent e-mail that life is much different in O Canada. She must needs adapt.
First of all, she doesn't know how to play hockey. Being of small stature, it is a difficult game for her. She has never even skated before, to my knowledge. Since a rousing game precedes each night's night cap, she will have to learn.
For Emily, the conversion factor is quite the impediment to daily functionality. She has to convert everything. When she sets up their weekly budget, she has to complete it first in American dollars, then convert to Canadian dollars, which are more colorful. When she goes to the store (and by "the store" I mean "the only store in New Brunswick"), she has convert all the measurements in to American measurements, while simultaneously converting the price to American dollars so she knows how much to buy and how much to pay (she didn't do this once and ending up buying 15 pounds of beaver tails for $200 American). After all of this she has to convert everything back into Canadian values when she gets to "the" register. It is very confusing and consuming. The average trip to the store takes two days, not including travel time (which can take three days, depending on the moose forecast).
Speaking of moose, Emily has never even shot a gun before, much less shot a living animal. Each day, after cleaning the well, churning the butter, and feeding the sled-dogs, she has to shoot the moose. Fortunately, she doesn't have any ethical issues with shooting the moose. She needs to shoot the moose anytime after 5 pm (metric time), as long as it is before sundown, which takes place every other Tuesday.
Emily is a rugged individual. She has overcome much in her rich, yet short, history (namely, two oppressive older brothers, and an annoying little sister). She has been through many fires. She will be able to handle the road before her.
That is all.

How post-modern can you get?

Here are two music videos from Michel Gondry, director of the film "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", which is a really good film. These videos are quite surreal, but interesting to watch.
This first one is a music video with Bjork.

This second one has some very intriguing optical illusions. Watch for the foot.


(HT: Evangelical Outpost)