Well New Year's Resolutions have never been my strong point, so his year I am going to set measurable targets instead of vague generalities. Let's see how that goes.
1) I need to loose weight,,,have needed this for years. My main problem is I am an opportunity eater...If the opportunity arises I eat. So, to help lose weight I make the following resolutions. a) no snacking on pizza at Domino's NONE!. b) No more stops for Fast food between jobs (NONE!!) c) only 1 order of food from Domino's each week (this does not include drinks) d) pass on family deserts...just say no to cheesecake &/or cobbler. I think if I can do these, I should lose some weight.
2) I need to read more. I promise to spend at least 1 hour a week in reading....turn off the TV and read.
3) I need to write more. I will spend at least 2 hours a week writing, I will finish my short stories "The Sentry" and "Station 38" I will work on my Novel and my young adult novel. I will enter at least 1 writing contest every 2 months. MUST WORK on writing!
4) I will blog more. I will post at least 3 blogs on "Growing Old Gracefully" and 1 blog on "Call Me When You Find America" each week.
These are my resolutions...I will post monthly updates to see how we're doing.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Top 5 movies of 2011
2011 was a great year for movies. Early on in the year I was describing it as the year of Sci-Fi, and for a good portion of the summer most of my top 5 movies were science fiction films. But some great late summer through early winter releases have left only on science fiction film in the top five. I think you will be surprised by my list. Hope you enjoy.
Spoiler alert many of the clips do give away major plot elements, especially #4 and #1, so don't watch if you haven't seen the movie!
#5) Seven Days in Utopia-- This little film is something I just stumbled into when searching for a second feature on a movie day Distributed by Disney it is a really heartwarming film the whole family can enjoy. It is about a young golfer who finds their is more to success than winning. Robert Duvall is amazing, as the wise old golfer who teaches valuable life lessons to the young golfer. Definitely worth the rent to watch this one.
#4) The Adjustment Bureau -- The only Sci-Fi movie remaining in the top 5. This is based on a story by Phillip K. Dick (Minority Report, Blade Runner, Next) it is by far my favorite adaptation of a Dick work, mainly because it is such an interesting concept. Men in fedoras (and other hats) who follow people around making sure we stick to "The Plan" as laid out by "The Chairman". A great tale of fate versus free will. Whether you see the chairman as a god figure, are just the hand of fate, whether the bureau are angels, or just agents of fate, this is an intriguing story. The clip is the final scene, so dom't watch if you haven't seen it:
#3 HUGO-- this film is simply enchanting. A look back at early 20th century cinema, and how movies create a doorway into dreams and magic. I went in expecting a good movie, but came out amazed. Visually stunning, with lots of effects for the 3D version. I saw the flat 2D version, and it was magical in itself, I'm sure the 3D would amaze even more. The acting is amazing, from the new-comers playing the children to Oscar winner Ben Kingsley (Ghandi) as French filmmaker Georges Melies and Sacha Bron Cohen (whom I normally cannot stand). Each performance is fantastic. The only clip I could find is the trailer, go see this film, it may lose magic as it transitions to smaller at home screens.
#2) Soul Surfer-- This true life drama of Bethany Hamilton, the teenage girl who loses her arm to a shark attack as an amazing story of courage. Annasophia Robb does an excellent job portraying the anguish and questioning that arise as Bethany must adapt to the loss of her arm, and possibly her surfing dreams. Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt play the parents, and Carrie Underwood makes her acting debut as a church youth leader. These may not be Oscar winning performances, but this is still a great movie, especially for teens who are facing obstacles in life.
#1) The Help, a hilarious, and heartwarming look at the treatment of the black housekeeper in the south in the 1960's. This film will make you think, make you cry, and in the case f the scene below (SPOILERS) make you laugh like crazy. This clip was obviously recorded in a theatre because you can hear the audience respond as the humorous incident is revealed. I see several Oscar nods coming for this film.
Happy New Year and I hope you've enjoyed these lists.
Spoiler alert many of the clips do give away major plot elements, especially #4 and #1, so don't watch if you haven't seen the movie!
#5) Seven Days in Utopia-- This little film is something I just stumbled into when searching for a second feature on a movie day Distributed by Disney it is a really heartwarming film the whole family can enjoy. It is about a young golfer who finds their is more to success than winning. Robert Duvall is amazing, as the wise old golfer who teaches valuable life lessons to the young golfer. Definitely worth the rent to watch this one.
#4) The Adjustment Bureau -- The only Sci-Fi movie remaining in the top 5. This is based on a story by Phillip K. Dick (Minority Report, Blade Runner, Next) it is by far my favorite adaptation of a Dick work, mainly because it is such an interesting concept. Men in fedoras (and other hats) who follow people around making sure we stick to "The Plan" as laid out by "The Chairman". A great tale of fate versus free will. Whether you see the chairman as a god figure, are just the hand of fate, whether the bureau are angels, or just agents of fate, this is an intriguing story. The clip is the final scene, so dom't watch if you haven't seen it:
#3 HUGO-- this film is simply enchanting. A look back at early 20th century cinema, and how movies create a doorway into dreams and magic. I went in expecting a good movie, but came out amazed. Visually stunning, with lots of effects for the 3D version. I saw the flat 2D version, and it was magical in itself, I'm sure the 3D would amaze even more. The acting is amazing, from the new-comers playing the children to Oscar winner Ben Kingsley (Ghandi) as French filmmaker Georges Melies and Sacha Bron Cohen (whom I normally cannot stand). Each performance is fantastic. The only clip I could find is the trailer, go see this film, it may lose magic as it transitions to smaller at home screens.
#2) Soul Surfer-- This true life drama of Bethany Hamilton, the teenage girl who loses her arm to a shark attack as an amazing story of courage. Annasophia Robb does an excellent job portraying the anguish and questioning that arise as Bethany must adapt to the loss of her arm, and possibly her surfing dreams. Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt play the parents, and Carrie Underwood makes her acting debut as a church youth leader. These may not be Oscar winning performances, but this is still a great movie, especially for teens who are facing obstacles in life.
#1) The Help, a hilarious, and heartwarming look at the treatment of the black housekeeper in the south in the 1960's. This film will make you think, make you cry, and in the case f the scene below (SPOILERS) make you laugh like crazy. This clip was obviously recorded in a theatre because you can hear the audience respond as the humorous incident is revealed. I see several Oscar nods coming for this film.
Happy New Year and I hope you've enjoyed these lists.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Top 5 CD's of 2011
As you probably know, if you know me at all, music is my passion, and this category is my most thought out each year. It is a list I have made for years even before I had a blog on which to share it. This years choices run the gamut of styles, and experiences from a brand new artist discovered on a competition show, to a veteran who has been recording music longer than I've been alive. So lets get started.
#5) Landau Eugene Murphey Jr.--That's Life: My list had four strong choices, with several other CD's fighting for the #5 spot. Then an early December release by America's Got Talent winner Landau Eugene Murphey Jr, sweeps to claim the spot. When he auditioned for the show he was working at a carwash. He took the stage with dread locks flowing, and the judges, and most Americans I'm sure were expecting some kind of awful singing to come out. But as Susan Boyle had proved in England, talent comes in strange packaging. Murphey belted out Sinatra and Bennett standards like they were written for him. And on this CD he does it again with a selection of Sinatra standards. Produced by Steve Tyrell, this is an amazing disc, and only $7.99 on iTunes
#4) The Civil Wars-- Barton Hallow: This is one of this years critical favorites, and I'm sure on several lists more important than mine. When this disc was released the title track was a free download on iTunes one week so I checked it out, and it was pretty good. Joy Williams, the female voice in this duo was I name I knew from her CCM background. I later found out this was produced by music genius Charlie Peacock, so I knew I had to have it....but for some reason it took several months to get around to downloading it. Not a cheerful fun album, but very fitting fr the general mood of the country this year. Unique bland of folk and country. Listen to it once, put it away for a week or two, then come back to it and really indulge. If you aren't sure you want to invest in this album, there is a live version that has most of he same songs available for free on Noisetrade,com that can give you a taste.
#3)Paul Simon-- So beautiful or So What? : Paul Simon has been writing and performing amazing music for half a century. He is 70 years old now, and has 2011 release is totally amazing. With styles reaching back to the Simon & Garfunkel days as well as to the Graceland era. The lyrical content is amazing, his poetry as bright and witty as ever. There is a spiritual tone about this album that utterly draws me in. You must have this CD and play it over & over. This video is a live performance of the title track. Did I mention this man is 70!
#2) The Hawk in Paris-- His+Hers: I stumbled into this CD on Twitter. Singer Derek Webb had posted about a free download on Noisetrade by a new group fronted by Jars of Clay singer Dan Haseltine. I quickly went and downloaded it (The entire EP was available free for only 1 week). Trust me, I would have been willing to pay full price after listening. This is an amazing lyrical and sonic journey. Musically it feels to me what Pink Floyd would be doing if they still made music. Lyrically it is a look at romantic relationships from every point in the relationship. I could talk all day about this EP, but you just need to listen for yourself. This video isn't really a video, just a great chance to sample a track. Be ready to see several tracks from this album on my iPod playback blog after the new year.
#1) Christina Perri-- Lovestrong: Her Jar of Hearts single was 2010 most played song on my iPod. Her debut full album LOVESTRONG is a powerful collection of love and love-gone-wrong songs. Her writing is amazingly thoughtful, and her voice is just plain amazing. This is her year for sure. Oh, and the songs are clean, no bad words except one song that asks "How the hell...", and nothing sexual or nasty. Look for lots of these tracks on the iPod playback as well.
#5) Landau Eugene Murphey Jr.--That's Life: My list had four strong choices, with several other CD's fighting for the #5 spot. Then an early December release by America's Got Talent winner Landau Eugene Murphey Jr, sweeps to claim the spot. When he auditioned for the show he was working at a carwash. He took the stage with dread locks flowing, and the judges, and most Americans I'm sure were expecting some kind of awful singing to come out. But as Susan Boyle had proved in England, talent comes in strange packaging. Murphey belted out Sinatra and Bennett standards like they were written for him. And on this CD he does it again with a selection of Sinatra standards. Produced by Steve Tyrell, this is an amazing disc, and only $7.99 on iTunes
#4) The Civil Wars-- Barton Hallow: This is one of this years critical favorites, and I'm sure on several lists more important than mine. When this disc was released the title track was a free download on iTunes one week so I checked it out, and it was pretty good. Joy Williams, the female voice in this duo was I name I knew from her CCM background. I later found out this was produced by music genius Charlie Peacock, so I knew I had to have it....but for some reason it took several months to get around to downloading it. Not a cheerful fun album, but very fitting fr the general mood of the country this year. Unique bland of folk and country. Listen to it once, put it away for a week or two, then come back to it and really indulge. If you aren't sure you want to invest in this album, there is a live version that has most of he same songs available for free on Noisetrade,com that can give you a taste.
#3)Paul Simon-- So beautiful or So What? : Paul Simon has been writing and performing amazing music for half a century. He is 70 years old now, and has 2011 release is totally amazing. With styles reaching back to the Simon & Garfunkel days as well as to the Graceland era. The lyrical content is amazing, his poetry as bright and witty as ever. There is a spiritual tone about this album that utterly draws me in. You must have this CD and play it over & over. This video is a live performance of the title track. Did I mention this man is 70!
#2) The Hawk in Paris-- His+Hers: I stumbled into this CD on Twitter. Singer Derek Webb had posted about a free download on Noisetrade by a new group fronted by Jars of Clay singer Dan Haseltine. I quickly went and downloaded it (The entire EP was available free for only 1 week). Trust me, I would have been willing to pay full price after listening. This is an amazing lyrical and sonic journey. Musically it feels to me what Pink Floyd would be doing if they still made music. Lyrically it is a look at romantic relationships from every point in the relationship. I could talk all day about this EP, but you just need to listen for yourself. This video isn't really a video, just a great chance to sample a track. Be ready to see several tracks from this album on my iPod playback blog after the new year.
#1) Christina Perri-- Lovestrong: Her Jar of Hearts single was 2010 most played song on my iPod. Her debut full album LOVESTRONG is a powerful collection of love and love-gone-wrong songs. Her writing is amazingly thoughtful, and her voice is just plain amazing. This is her year for sure. Oh, and the songs are clean, no bad words except one song that asks "How the hell...", and nothing sexual or nasty. Look for lots of these tracks on the iPod playback as well.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Top 5 TV moments of 2011
I begin this years top 5 lists with a list of 2011's top TV moments. It is no secret to most of my friends that I am a TV junkie. Finding 5 highlights was a tricky task, as I probably cold have found a top 10, but I'm sticky with 5.
#5. The premiere of New Girl on Fox-- My favorite actress (one of them anyway) Zooey Deschanel comes to network TV in an infectiously sweet and slightly corny, slightly sexy new comedy. One of this years big new hits.
#4. Scotty McCreery apologizes for kicking Jacee out of group. --American Idol Group week is always one of the shows hardest weeks. During this years group week Jacee was kicked out of his group at midnight, forcing him to find another group. When Scotty and the rest of the group got on stage, Scotty apologized for not sticking up for Jacee. This showed the spirit Scotty had, that made him a winner all season long.
#3. The Birth of Melody Pond on Doctor Who-- Amy (The Doctor's Best companion ever) has a baby, who we will eventually find to be the mysterious River Song. One of the best Doctor Who episodes.
#2. America's Got Talent Silhouttes top 48 performance-- This very uniques dance team does a beautiful performance to God Bless America...Some may say it is sappy and over patriotic...I'm sorry, I'm over patriotic, so sue me!
These five were all great TV moments, but nothing on TV this past year compares with our #1. It leaves me breathless every time I see it, and I have it on my ipod so I can watch it whenever I want.
#1 Melanie Moore leaps across the stage during Total Eclipse of the Heart. Just watch...
#5. The premiere of New Girl on Fox-- My favorite actress (one of them anyway) Zooey Deschanel comes to network TV in an infectiously sweet and slightly corny, slightly sexy new comedy. One of this years big new hits.
#4. Scotty McCreery apologizes for kicking Jacee out of group. --American Idol Group week is always one of the shows hardest weeks. During this years group week Jacee was kicked out of his group at midnight, forcing him to find another group. When Scotty and the rest of the group got on stage, Scotty apologized for not sticking up for Jacee. This showed the spirit Scotty had, that made him a winner all season long.
#3. The Birth of Melody Pond on Doctor Who-- Amy (The Doctor's Best companion ever) has a baby, who we will eventually find to be the mysterious River Song. One of the best Doctor Who episodes.
#2. America's Got Talent Silhouttes top 48 performance-- This very uniques dance team does a beautiful performance to God Bless America...Some may say it is sappy and over patriotic...I'm sorry, I'm over patriotic, so sue me!
These five were all great TV moments, but nothing on TV this past year compares with our #1. It leaves me breathless every time I see it, and I have it on my ipod so I can watch it whenever I want.
#1 Melanie Moore leaps across the stage during Total Eclipse of the Heart. Just watch...
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Entering the home stretch, 1 year to go (Bucket list update)
It's been 2 years since I published my Bucket List in preparation for the world ending in 2012 (the whole December 2012 Myan calendar thing). I have been lax giving you updates through this year, sorry. Now with about 1 year left, I am updating and revising my bucket list. The original post text will be blue, last years comments are in green, with this year's revisions in red.
Steve's Bucket List:
1} Finish writing my novel and get it published. This is a long-time goal, and now the end of the world is just giving me motivation to work faster. Well, my Kickstarter project this past spring was unsuccessful, so working on back up plan now.
2}Take a guitar lesson from Orianthi. She is the amazing guitarist from the Michael Jackson THIS IS IT movie, and to just spend an hour learning from her would be amazing. She is busy touring with Alice Cooper now, but I'm sure she'll get back to me after the tour. I'll be checking in with her on Twitter after the holidays, sure she'll respond this time.
3} Spend a month traveling in England and Ireland. I figure it would take at least a month to find all the historical, but not touristy spots. Still waiting for financing...come on LOTTO!!! (No change here).
4} Star in, or direct a movie with Zooey Deshanel. Maybe my friend Beau could produce it. She is one of my favorite actresses, and I'd love to work with her. Talks are still delayed by me having no way to contact Zooey, she doesn't Twitter enough...might need to switch to Rachel Nichols, she has responded to multiple tweets, and seems cool. Well, Zooey has started tweeting more, but has yet to respond to me, and Rachel is still responding, so I am hereby officially changing this to "Star in, or direct a movie with Rachel Nichols. Also to get bucket list down to 10 items, I am combining #8 in here, and adding have lunch/coffee with Rachel Nichols, since she responds more than Ashley Greene. Well, Rachel hasn't been responding much lately, so ...still on hold, no progress...oh well!
5} Spend a day at the park with just my kids and my parents. Sounds easy enough, but if you understood my family situation, you'd know this is probably the wildest thing on my list. Still no progress to report here.
6} Write a song with Taylor Swift. I'd let her sing it, since my voice would make people pray for the end of the world. plus with her singing it would be a sure hit. New album out, big huge world tour in the works for next year, plus Jake is kinda in the way now, so not looking good, but still hopeful. I hear she's back in the studio working on new stuff, so this may be the right time for the approach...we'll see.
7} Get together and hang out for at least part of a day catching up with as many of my Facebook friends as I can. Since my Toyota friends I can see any time, I won't count those, sorry. Not much progress on this one since last January when I ran into a bunch of old friends at the Crumbacher show.
8} (becoming part of #4)} Have lunch or dinner with Ashley Greene (from Twilight). Her character is so sweet, and from what I hear, she is too. See #4 above (although I'd still keep the Ashley option open)The new #8 (formerly 11)}To see a sunrise and sunset on every continent. Well, could probably skip Antarctica. Still stuck on North America...as with England trip, waiting on financing...Come on lotto!!! still nothing on the travelling front....
9} Spend a month on tour with U2. Maybe get invited up onstage by Bono. U2 will be touring US again this year...hoping to get a chance to talk with them about the options. Missed that chance...still hoping.
10} Take a dance lesson from one of my favorite Dancing with the Stars pros, either Lacey Schwimmer, Chelsie Hightower, or Julianne Hough. Things not looking great here, Lacey hasn't been spending as much time in her dad's Redlands studio lately, or at least not tweeting about it. Well, not alot of improvement here, but I want to add Melanie Moore and Lauren Froderman to my list...making it so much more possible...yeah, sure.
Steve's Bucket List:
1} Finish writing my novel and get it published. This is a long-time goal, and now the end of the world is just giving me motivation to work faster. Well, my Kickstarter project this past spring was unsuccessful, so working on back up plan now.
2}Take a guitar lesson from Orianthi. She is the amazing guitarist from the Michael Jackson THIS IS IT movie, and to just spend an hour learning from her would be amazing. She is busy touring with Alice Cooper now, but I'm sure she'll get back to me after the tour. I'll be checking in with her on Twitter after the holidays, sure she'll respond this time.
3} Spend a month traveling in England and Ireland. I figure it would take at least a month to find all the historical, but not touristy spots. Still waiting for financing...come on LOTTO!!! (No change here).
4} Star in, or direct a movie with Zooey Deshanel. Maybe my friend Beau could produce it. She is one of my favorite actresses, and I'd love to work with her. Talks are still delayed by me having no way to contact Zooey, she doesn't Twitter enough...might need to switch to Rachel Nichols, she has responded to multiple tweets, and seems cool. Well, Zooey has started tweeting more, but has yet to respond to me, and Rachel is still responding, so I am hereby officially changing this to "Star in, or direct a movie with Rachel Nichols. Also to get bucket list down to 10 items, I am combining #8 in here, and adding have lunch/coffee with Rachel Nichols, since she responds more than Ashley Greene. Well, Rachel hasn't been responding much lately, so ...still on hold, no progress...oh well!
5} Spend a day at the park with just my kids and my parents. Sounds easy enough, but if you understood my family situation, you'd know this is probably the wildest thing on my list. Still no progress to report here.
6} Write a song with Taylor Swift. I'd let her sing it, since my voice would make people pray for the end of the world. plus with her singing it would be a sure hit. New album out, big huge world tour in the works for next year, plus Jake is kinda in the way now, so not looking good, but still hopeful. I hear she's back in the studio working on new stuff, so this may be the right time for the approach...we'll see.
7} Get together and hang out for at least part of a day catching up with as many of my Facebook friends as I can. Since my Toyota friends I can see any time, I won't count those, sorry. Not much progress on this one since last January when I ran into a bunch of old friends at the Crumbacher show.
8} (becoming part of #4)} Have lunch or dinner with Ashley Greene (from Twilight). Her character is so sweet, and from what I hear, she is too. See #4 above (although I'd still keep the Ashley option open)The new #8 (formerly 11)}To see a sunrise and sunset on every continent. Well, could probably skip Antarctica. Still stuck on North America...as with England trip, waiting on financing...Come on lotto!!! still nothing on the travelling front....
9} Spend a month on tour with U2. Maybe get invited up onstage by Bono. U2 will be touring US again this year...hoping to get a chance to talk with them about the options. Missed that chance...still hoping.
10} Take a dance lesson from one of my favorite Dancing with the Stars pros, either Lacey Schwimmer, Chelsie Hightower, or Julianne Hough. Things not looking great here, Lacey hasn't been spending as much time in her dad's Redlands studio lately, or at least not tweeting about it. Well, not alot of improvement here, but I want to add Melanie Moore and Lauren Froderman to my list...making it so much more possible...yeah, sure.
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