The following video is from ESPN's ESPY Awards. It's about 10 minutes long, but it's worth it. This year's Jimmy V Award winner is Northern State University Men's Basketball Coach Don Meyer. My wife's parents are friends with Coach Meyer. We've met Coach Meyer, and he's always been terrific with our kids. He is a genuinely good man, and we're proud to see him get this award.
Coach Meyer has won more men's basketball games than anybody else in NCAA men's basketball history, but that's not why he won this award. As you'll see from the video, Coach Meyer has had an unbelievably difficult past 10 months, but he's gotten through it because of his faith, his family and his friends. This video really speaks for itself, so I'll stop rambling on now.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Barry's Bad Week
This has been a bad week for President Obama.
First, even with a huge majority in both houses of Congress, he can't seem to get as much traction on Obama-care (a.k.a. the plan to make all Americans totally dependent on the federal government for health care) as he'd like. Seems that little things like the facts keep getting in the way. Facts like...there's no way to pay for this in the plan, and he really has no idea what is in the plan! Keep standing strong Republicans and especially you "Blue Dog" Democrats.
Second, his press conference to tout his health plan was such a flop that some in the drive-by media actually reported on what a big disaster it was. It must have been bad if the media felt compelled to actually report it as bad.
That leads me to the #3 bad item of the week for Mr. Obama. During Wednesday's press conference he was asked about the arrest of Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., a friend of Obama's. After admitting that he didn't know the details, he said that the arresting officer "acted stupidly". Rightfully so, this enraged a lot of people, including a lot of police officers. The President has to be more responsible with his words, no matter how he feels. Today, Obama almost apologized. He didn't actually say he was sorry, but I'm not sure he's capable of saying sorry for things he does. We know he's great at apologizing to other countries for perceived American transgressions around the world.
Finally, there were the reports today that Obama's approval rating is at it's lowest point since he took office. A Rasmussen poll has it as low as 49%, while other polls have it hovering in the low to mid 50's. This is quite a drop for a man who, not long ago, was enjoying 65% approval ratings.
Yes, it was a bad week for our President, but possibly a good week for the American people. Maybe this will slow down the far left-wing freight train of an agenda that this President has been driving. I, for one, hope it does.
First, even with a huge majority in both houses of Congress, he can't seem to get as much traction on Obama-care (a.k.a. the plan to make all Americans totally dependent on the federal government for health care) as he'd like. Seems that little things like the facts keep getting in the way. Facts like...there's no way to pay for this in the plan, and he really has no idea what is in the plan! Keep standing strong Republicans and especially you "Blue Dog" Democrats.
Second, his press conference to tout his health plan was such a flop that some in the drive-by media actually reported on what a big disaster it was. It must have been bad if the media felt compelled to actually report it as bad.
That leads me to the #3 bad item of the week for Mr. Obama. During Wednesday's press conference he was asked about the arrest of Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., a friend of Obama's. After admitting that he didn't know the details, he said that the arresting officer "acted stupidly". Rightfully so, this enraged a lot of people, including a lot of police officers. The President has to be more responsible with his words, no matter how he feels. Today, Obama almost apologized. He didn't actually say he was sorry, but I'm not sure he's capable of saying sorry for things he does. We know he's great at apologizing to other countries for perceived American transgressions around the world.
Finally, there were the reports today that Obama's approval rating is at it's lowest point since he took office. A Rasmussen poll has it as low as 49%, while other polls have it hovering in the low to mid 50's. This is quite a drop for a man who, not long ago, was enjoying 65% approval ratings.
Yes, it was a bad week for our President, but possibly a good week for the American people. Maybe this will slow down the far left-wing freight train of an agenda that this President has been driving. I, for one, hope it does.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Movie Review: Knowing
I watched "Knowing" last night, and it took me all day today to figure out what I would say about it. I think it's a good movie, and I liked it well enough. For me, it was a 3-3.5 star movie. However, if you are one of those rare people who like Science Fiction movies where you end up having to really think about something, I think you'll like this movie a lot.
"Knowing" isn't an action packed thriller, rather it's a suspenseful sci-fi film that poses the question...is the universe deterministic or random. I don't want to give too much away, so I'll stop there. Ok, one more thing...I was warned about this, and I think it's fair to warn you. There is a plane crash scene, which seems sorta unnecessary. When you watch it, keep in mind that the entire scene was done in 1 continuous take.
I will say that Nicholas Cage was actually not bad in this movie, which was a nice change. He's still better in movies like "The Rock" and "National Treasure", but he did ok in this one. The rest of the cast was decent. It's always tough when you have kids in main roles, because you never know how they will do. The 2 children in this movie did a nice job.
That's all I can say without giving away everything. Here's a link to Roger Ebert's review of "Knowing", which he called one of the best sci-fi films he's ever seen. There are no spoilers in the review, but on the bottom of the review is a link to Ebert's blog, which has spoilers, and some interesting commentary.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Phineas and Ferb
My kids recently started watching "Phineas and Ferb" on the Disney Channel. Now, normally I wouldn't blog about a kids show on Disney, but this is no ordinary kids show...it's HILARIOUS!!! I look forward to it almost as much as my kids.
The premise is two brothers, Phineas and Ferb, set out to do something new and unique every day during summer vacation. They do everything in their backyard. From building a monster truck rally to help their sister Candace learn to drive, to a giant car wash as a fund raiser to save the Star Nose mole, the boys really do it all.
Adding to the show is the secondary story of their pet Platypus, Perry. Perry is also Secret Agent P, who battles the evil, yet laugh out loud funny, Dr. Doofenshmirtz every episode. Perry disappears and defeats Doofenshmirtz's evil plan of the day, then returns to the boys.
Other characters are Candace, their big sister, who is the only one who knows what Phineas and Ferb really do every day, and she tries to get them in trouble for it. Their extremely busy mom, and their British dad...which leads to lots of funny jokes as well.
This video is from an episode where the boys set out to get a #1 song...and they manage it by noon. Warning!!! This song will be stuck in your head after you hear it. Now you've been warned.
The premise is two brothers, Phineas and Ferb, set out to do something new and unique every day during summer vacation. They do everything in their backyard. From building a monster truck rally to help their sister Candace learn to drive, to a giant car wash as a fund raiser to save the Star Nose mole, the boys really do it all.
Adding to the show is the secondary story of their pet Platypus, Perry. Perry is also Secret Agent P, who battles the evil, yet laugh out loud funny, Dr. Doofenshmirtz every episode. Perry disappears and defeats Doofenshmirtz's evil plan of the day, then returns to the boys.
Other characters are Candace, their big sister, who is the only one who knows what Phineas and Ferb really do every day, and she tries to get them in trouble for it. Their extremely busy mom, and their British dad...which leads to lots of funny jokes as well.
This video is from an episode where the boys set out to get a #1 song...and they manage it by noon. Warning!!! This song will be stuck in your head after you hear it. Now you've been warned.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Hat's Off to you Tom!
I meant to blog about this last weekend, but I didn't get to it. At 59 years of age, Tom Watson nearly became the oldest winner of a golfing major this past weekend at the Open Championship (British Open). Sadly, his nerves got to him on the last hole and he missed an 8 foot par putt, sending him to a playoff against Stewart Cink, who eventually won the 4 hole playoff, leaving Watson alone in 2nd. Stewart Cink is a great player who was long overdue for a win like this, but make no mistake, this will be remembered as Watson's Open.
Watson, an 8 time major winner and 5 time Open Championship winner, last won on the PGA Tour 11 years ago. He has been playing the Champions Tour for the last 9 years, and has had some success, though not as much as one would expect for someone of his stature in the game. Watson was always Jack Nicklaus' greatest foil in the late 70's and early 80's. Watson's greatness was cut short when he lost his putting stroke in the mid 80's. He regained it somewhat in the mid 90's, but was never the same. It was that same putting stroke that let him down last Sunday.
I've always admired Tom Watson as a golfer, and later as a man when I read "Caddy for Life" by John Feinstein. To see him win would have been unbelievable. And maybe that's why it didn't happen...59 year old men don't win majors...that would have been too unbelievable. The oldest player to ever win a major was 48 years old. But, it was a great weekend of golf, and a great accomplishment for someone who seems like a genuinely good person. So, hat's off to Tom Watson. If there's any justice in this world, he'll win the Senior Open Championship this weekend.
Watson, an 8 time major winner and 5 time Open Championship winner, last won on the PGA Tour 11 years ago. He has been playing the Champions Tour for the last 9 years, and has had some success, though not as much as one would expect for someone of his stature in the game. Watson was always Jack Nicklaus' greatest foil in the late 70's and early 80's. Watson's greatness was cut short when he lost his putting stroke in the mid 80's. He regained it somewhat in the mid 90's, but was never the same. It was that same putting stroke that let him down last Sunday.
I've always admired Tom Watson as a golfer, and later as a man when I read "Caddy for Life" by John Feinstein. To see him win would have been unbelievable. And maybe that's why it didn't happen...59 year old men don't win majors...that would have been too unbelievable. The oldest player to ever win a major was 48 years old. But, it was a great weekend of golf, and a great accomplishment for someone who seems like a genuinely good person. So, hat's off to Tom Watson. If there's any justice in this world, he'll win the Senior Open Championship this weekend.
TV Series Review: Bones, Season 1
For the 2nd summer in a row, my wife and I have decided to watch a TV Series through Netflix together. We are both busy people and don't get to watch as much TV as we'd like (probably good), although she'd probably argue that I still watch too much.
This summer, we are watching "Bones" starring Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz. I'm a big fan of David Boreanaz, going back to his days as Angel, the vampire with a soul on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", and later in his spinoff series "Angel."
Season 1 of "Bones" introduces us to Dr. Temprance Brennan (Deschanel), a forensic anthropologist at the Jeffersonian Institute (sort of like the Smithsonian). Dr. Brennan (a.k.a. Bones) assists the FBI, and specifically Agent Seeley Booth (Boreanaz) in solving crimes where only bones, or bone fragments remain. Dr. Brennan also writes novels based on her work. The character of Dr. Brennan is loosely based on the work of author Kathy Reichs.
The rest of the cast compliments Deschanel and Boreanaz very well. Most of the remainder of the crew are scientists also working at the Jeffersonian, and they help Dr. Brennan and Booth solve the crimes. Along the way, there is some dramatic interplay between cast members, but also a lot of playful interaction as well. One of the best things about this show is the back and forth between Agent Booth and Bones. They are polar opposites who become fiercely devoted to each other as the season goes on. They develop the kind of partnership you often see in "buddy cop" shows.
I rated season 1 of "Bones" 4 stars. It's probably 4.4 stars...it's very good. There were a few weak episodes, but far more strong episodes. The characters are great, especially Bones and Booth. As the season rolls on and you learn more and more about each character, you really begin to like and root for them. I look forward to watching season 2 next. I think we'll probably only get through 1 more season before school starts.
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