Most gods throw dice, but Fate plays chess, and you don’t find out til too late that he’s been playing with two queens all along.
Terry Pratchett
Uncles are Fathers Too
I loved my uncle Jesse very much. He passed away in December, and we all miss him quite a bit.When I was looking through my pictures today, to decide what to post, I found a couple of my uncle taken at the same time and at the same place as The More Things Change. I thought that I would let you all see the man who was like a second father to me in many ways, and a man who was my friend.
I would be remiss, however, if I didn’t show off my other uncle too. My uncle Eugene has been as big of an influence as Jesse was. I love him just as much. Both of my uncles are fun-loving men. Until recently, Eugene still had a motorcycle!
I would post a picture of my mom going “vroom” too, but I would fear for my life. I will leave that one to your imaginations.
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Quote of the Day – February 16, 2012
“All the pathos and irony of leaving one’s youth behind is thus implicit in every joyous moment of travel: one knows that the first joy can never be recovered, and the wise traveler learns not to repeat successes but tries new places all the time.” – Paul Fussell
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Conversations with Riley #12: Even Puppies Are Geeks
Me: Look Riley! I got a new monitor! I have DUAL MONITORS now!
Riley: <sniff sniff> Can I have one?
Me: You don’t have a computer – but you can have a treat! (time passes) Riley, why are you just holding the treat in your mouth?
Riley: I wanted a monitor.
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Conversations with Riley #11: Sad Puppy
Me: Why are you staring at me while I brush my teeth?
Riley: I know you are leaving soon and I’m sad.
Me: <hug> I’ll be back soon!
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Singles Awareness Day (S.A.D.)
Love is being stupid together.
Today is a singular day every year – it’s the day when the world stands up and says “I love you”. A bunch of lemmings, that’s what we all are. One person says it and then another. Reflex, that’s what saying I love you is. Bah, humbug. (Note: for those who don’t actually know me, sarcasm is my stock in trade.)
I find myself one half of nothing this year – I’m flying solo. For years, I’ve realized that today is a day that millions of people dread, and sadly no one is around to notice that they do. Those of us who are single on this day, if we are thought of, are thought of with pity and sadness. Today, dear readers, is Singles Awareness Day (S.A.D.).
Many years ago, when I was a reckless teenager, my friends and I suffered a day unlike any other. My girlfriend had just moved to Florida; Stacy’s boyfriend broke up with her, and Melissa was single unexpectedly as well. That year, I coined the term Single’s Awareness Day, because if you are single on February 14th you are aware of it.
But don’t despair or pity me this year, as I sit alone at the computer in the dark listening to the cars drive by and the puppy play. You see, I am content being alone. I have my friends and I have Riley. I am loved, even if I am not in love. And the truth of the matter is, I’ve learned something about myself. I can live, and live happily, without being in a relationship.It’s a important lesson, I think.
Maybe, just maybe, Single’s Awareness Day is not so sad after all.
The point is this – don’t despair when the stores remind you what today is. Don’t despair when you feel sad today. Don’t despair.
Love yourself, and know that your true friends don’t pity you, they love you. And isn’t that what Valentine’s Day is all about? Now, if you will excuse me, I have some small candy hearts to deliver to some wonderful people at work who are like a second family to me.
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Quote of the Day – February 14, 2012
Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired.
–Robert Frost
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Quote of the Day – February 13, 2012
“Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you’re scared to death.”
– Harold Wilson
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Quote of the Day – February 11, 2012
Public Service Announcement: Safe House – See it to Make Your Car Happy
My car is a 2008 Ford Mustang. Her name is Summer’s Shadow, and she likes to go fast. The only problem with this is that I’ve become more responsible now that I’m in my 30’s (no comments from the peanut gallery about my level of responsibility or age, please). Summer’s Shadow understands this, and is patient with me. The reason she is patient with me is because of movies such as Safe House. You see, after an action packed enjoyable movie, she knows I’ll let her loose at 1am on the streets of my hometown. She knows she will get to growl and let loose and go fast and all kinds of other things that Mustangs enjoy.
So, in conclusion, see Safe House. Your car will thank you. Oh, and you’ll love the movie too.
***
So in all seriousness, I had high hopes for this movie when I first saw the previews. When I went out tonight, I had a couple of choices of what to see, and asked a couple of friends. I was leaning toward Safe House, and my friends seem to agree. I have smart friends (S-M-R-T).
Safe House stars Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds. To be honest, I will see any movie that has either of these actors in it – and a movie with both is one that I cannot resist.
Washington plays a traitor to his country who has sold out and sold secrets. Clearly the government doesn’t like this. Reynolds is a low-level safe house attendant who spends his days listening to music and doing whatever he wants so long as he picks up the phone when the boss calls. This dynamic duo (sorry for the cliché) are a perfect match.
Washington has secrets. People want secrets. People come after secrets. Boy Scout (ahem Reynolds) decides to save him.
One thing I’ve learned is that to have a good story and a character you care about, a character that is real, the character has to be dynamic. Static characters tend toward boring, or can be anyway. Reynolds plays an innocent (insomuch that he is still a virgin in the espionage game and has no practical experience). Watching Reynolds’ character struggle with the realities of his career versus his moral compass is great. By the end, he finds a way to balance the two, and emerges a stronger man for it. Granted, he is pretty awesome in the fight scenes – I’m referring to the fact that he becomes stronger as a person.
Throughout, you want Washington to really be a good guy. You want the stories told about him to be just that. At the end of the movie, he is a man dressed in black, and you want him so much to be a man dressed in white. Is he? I don’t want to give it away – go see.
I. Loved. This. Movie.
And Summer’s Shadow is glad I did.
(http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1599348/)
the dingo was here 