- I can’t recall the last time I had an entire week off of work. I think it may have been back in 2008 when WifeGeeding and I drove to Vegas, Disneyland, San Diego, and then back home during her spring break. The past ten days or so has just been great for me, because I got to do what I love doing most, stay at home and be with family. And for the most part, I also got to sleep in.
- When DaughterGeeding took her naps and WifeGeeding was providing nourishment for SonGeeding, I thought it would be a good time to catch up on a bunch of old recordings on the DVR and watch a few movies.
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About a year ago I recorded a documentary called “Last Supper” on the DocumentaryChannel. Basically, the piece follows Brian Price, a man that has cooked over 200 last meals for Texas inmates, as he recreates one of the last meals and then within that segment other last meal segments from various cultures are presented. Dark? You bet, but highly fascinating. In some poorer cultures, the inmate chooses to have the last meal given to his family since he’s obviously isn’t going to need it for nourishment. Here’s a link to the documentary which will oddly be airing again on the Documentary Channel on Feb 28. I think the one piece that really hit me was a mentally challenged inmate in Arkansas that didn’t finish his ice-cream. When asked why, he said he was saving it for tomorrow.
- I enjoyed J. Edgar, but thought it could have been much better and that Leo DiCaprio was totally wrong for the role.
- I’ve heard great things about the restart of Battlestar Galactica so I caught the first part of the mini-series that lead to the television series. I never much cared for the original, because I thought it was a cheap knock-off of Star Wars. Overall, not bad, it has some potential, and I might just watch the first season.
- I caught two episodes of the PBS show American Experience, both of which are available to watch online.
- Watching the Clinton episode made me love and become frustrated with the man, and reminded me of what kind of douche Ken Starr really is. I was also a bit surprised to see the similarities between his and the current administration. Not so much to political ideologies, but in terms of the economy, mood of the country, uncertainty . . . that kind of stuff. What also struck me was how evasive and at times disrespectful the media was, all before the Lewinsky scandal, and that tells me there certainly isn’t a liberal bias. Now the quality and tact of reporting may be terrible as a whole, but I certainly don’t see how it slants to the left.
- I’ve always heard great things about Robert E. Lee so I recorded this episode about a year ago. After watching it, I’m left thinking he’s a lot like Reagan, where people really embrace the legacy more than the man. I understand how folks may admire him for being such a strong soldier and for taking some very risky command decisions that ultimately work out; however, for me, it’s hard to look up to a general with strong Christian convictions that took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and was offered command of the Union’s army, only to decide that his love of Virginia and states rights were more important.
- I caught up on several recorded Modern Marvels. The “Made in America” episode pointed out that for something to be declared “Made in America,” 70% of parts and labor must be from and performed in the U.S. The other episode I watched was about Thomas Edison’s technology. Edison was the Edison of his day.
- The Oscar Wild story The Picture of Dorian Gray has fascinated me for sometime, so I caught a film version that was made back in 2009 in which Colin Firth had a supporting role. It was OK, but a bit too sensuous. The 1945 version was much better.
- HBO’s special about Ted Williams was also a great piece of work. I hope the man is remember more for his life than how his dead body is stored. My father once told me that he and Williams were stationed at the same base at the same time, but he never did run into the guy.
- I also caught an MSNBC special on Walt Disney. When Disneyland opened, two future U.S. presidents were in attendance, then Vice President Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.
- I wish I spent more time reading during this break.
- Volkswagen Imperial Walker
- Rick Santorum said JFK’s speech on religion made him want to throw up. And he thinks Obama is a snob because he wants everyone to go to college.
- The Oscars didn’t start in their traditional format, instead of presenting best supporting actor and actress, they went with tech awards.
- I like it when Billy Crystal hosts the Oscars, I really, really, do, but I would have like to see what Eddie Murphy would have done. Maybe we can get both those guys to moderate/host a debate this fall.
- I hope Billy will get an honorary Oscar sometime.
- Alec Baldwin requests this photo of him to be used in the In Memoriam segment when he dies.
- I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Woody Allen film.
- Last night was the first time Pixar was not nominated for Best Animated Motion Picture Oscar since the category was created. Here for a list of Pixar films and their awards.
- To win Best Actor and not say a word in your performance must mean you are one heck of an actor. And he’s from France . . . expect some crazy Republican to say that this sort of stuff didn’t happen on W’s watch.
- It was touching to hear Meryl Streep thank her husband first, saying that when you thank a spouse last, it’s usually done so when the music is drowning out the speech. Ladies, if there’s one thing a man wants most from you, it’s to know he’s valued and respected. OK, perhaps that’s two things.
- I hope Harrison Ford wins an Oscar sometime.