Mid February 2013

It has taken me a while, but I have determined my top 20 favorite movies of all time.  The order was difficult to come up with.  I had over 60 movies on my list and it was hard to whittle down the favs.  That’s why I stopped at 20.  Also, I counted all 3 Lord of the Rings as 1.  It was only fair. 

1.DUMB AND DUMBER	11.CASINO
2. TOMBSTONE	12.LORD OF THE RINGS(all 3)
3.DANCES WITH WOLVES	13.GOOD OLE BOYS
4.GOOD FELLAS	14.MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER
5.FORREST GUMP	15.A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT
6.RAY	16.STEEL MAGNOLIAS
7.BRAVEHEART	17.CASTAWAY
8.BOYZ N DA HOOD	18.BLOW
9.DEAD POETS SOCIETY	19.GOOD WILL HUNTING
10.ROBIN HOOD(cartoon)	20.THE BIG LOBOWSKI

If you are in favor of cookies-n-cream pudding, then you can consider yourself in good company with my good pal SeaBass and me.  He mentioned this to me recently and it really made my mouth water.  It would actually surprise me if it doesn’t already exist.  I know for me, at a buffet restaurant, I always get half chocolate pudding, half chocolate ice cream, and mix in peanuts & cooking crumbs.  Now if that don’t make you want to run to Ryan’s nothing will.  As a matter of fact that may be the only reason to run to Ryan’s.

Early February 2013

A few minutes to address a topic I’ve been pondering for a while now.  How is it that Saturday Night Live has gotten so unfunny?  And why do I still watch in hopes of getting some miniscule amount of laughter & joy?  It used to be sooo good.  I couldn’t wait to watch it every week.  I don’t know if it’s the actors they currently have, or the team of writers. But it is sub-par at best, from top to bottom.  Some of the skits are so bad that I almost wish I knew which ones didn’t make the cut.  Just terrible.  Definitely past its prime.  I think I’m sad now.

Ahhhh, the Grammys!  I love the sound of music!  Not the movie  song with which my mother used to rouse the Cole boys from their slumber, even in the summer time when there was no good reason to be awake by 8:00 a.m.  I can hear her singing it now.  But, I digress.  I love the new music.  Mumford & Sons, FUN, The Lumineers, Alabama Shakes (which by the way I did not know Madea was their lead singer).  I just love the direction music is going right now.  And on a non-Grammy side note, I have recently caught a few up & coming acts on late night talk shows that I will give a shout out for.  I caught Von Grey Sisters & they sound amazing.  Folksy, smooth, harmony.  Also check out Dirty Projectors, I think Will Calvert might enjoy them (he probably already does).  They have a very distinct sound, from vocals to beat to accompaniment it works.  And although they are probably already household names, I’ll still mention them because I just found out about them, Tegan and Sara.  Twin sisters who have just gone mainstream, but still have the Indie feel.  Enjoy.  

So, we were sitting here watching our afternoon Jeopardy, just like always.  Racing to see who can blurt out the answer the fastest, if we knew the answer.  Well on this particular day we were on fire.  I mean it was like somebody, at least, had a clue what the correct answer might be.  We weren’t getting every question, but more than usual.  Then it happened, coming back from one of the last commercial breaks we noticed the graphic looked different.  It was teen tournament week.  The questions designed to be slightly lower-level I suppose.  I guess my attention to detail needs to improve.

Late January 2013

Rob’s birthday, Corrie’s birthday, Aunt Adele’s passing.  A lot going on it seems.  A lot to occupy the mind.  I’m trying to pinpoint a memory that contains all three and I don’t think I can at the moment.  I am quickly realizing (and you may be too) that it is growing more difficult to open my thoughts on paper.  Think of all that passes through your mind in a single day.  Now what would you like to select to share with the world?  I know right? But this is the task I have taken on and I don’t wish to quit.  Some days it’s just hard to slow down & write.  Some days the mood never hits.  But today, today I ramble.  One of the difficulties is not having a record of what I’ve already written.  I can sometimes remember what record of what I’ve already written.  I can sometimes remember what record a song was on 15 years ago, but I can’t remember if I wrote down a thought a few days ago or not.  I’m told that won’t get better with age.  Oh yeah, speaking of age, Happy Birthdays to Rob and Corrie.  And rest in peace Aunt Adele. (I bet I know what song she and Granny are singing!)

Last night I thought up the title of my future cookbook.  Better off Fed won’t be hitting the shelves anytime soon, but let this be a record of my calling “dibs” on this title.  Hopefully there’s not one out there already.

As far as paperwork is concerned, I now have been incarcerated for one year as of February 2.  A lot has happened I a year’s time.  As the days go by, I plan to continue to read the Bible, I plan to continue to learn, and I plan to continue to love and be thankful.  Your prayers & support mean more than you realize and I feel each & every one.

If the Paul Harvey / Farmer / Dodge Ram commercial during the Super Bowl weren’t your favorite one, then you have no soul.  JK.  But really, really good and if you didn’t see it you should look it up.  I miss Paul Harvey.  Can’t wait to hear the rest of MY story one day.

It doesn’t seem like it has been 6 years since I spent Super Bowl weekend in Texas with Mark.  A hunting trip got pushed back a week & I had already bought a plane ticket, so I flew on down & watched the Super Bowl.  A leisure filled 3-day weekend with food & friends.  Good times.  In 6 years I may go do the same thing.

I ate popcorn today.  That may not seem like a big deal to most of you, but I don’t eat much popcorn.  I hate it getting stuck in my teeth.  But today it tasted real good.  Random.

Mid January(2) 2013

I’ve always had a mild fascination with Native Americans, or the culture really.  Not sure why.  I know that “Dances with Wolves” & “Last of the Mohicans” are two of my favorite movies.  I think it’s easy to romanticize the culture, but in fact, they were treated horribly.  Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds’s “Don’t Drink the Water” on VH1 Storytellers is a dark song that describes the carefree attitude with which the genocide was carried out.  They got a raw deal.  In fact, they didn’t get a “deal” at all.  Just my thoughts today.  Also, I’ve never been very flexible so I don’t really care for their style of sitting.  And now that I think of it, I never liked their burns either.  But I’m pro”Indian” everything else.

I don’t believe Duke will have the success they desire this year unless we get a healthy Ryan Kelley back.  Reminds me of Kyrie Irving’s injury a couple of years ago.  I know the North Carolina games loom ahead.  Maybe there’s time.  I hope so.  Go Blue Devils.

I can’t believe I missed Robin’s BIG birthday.  I’m sure she got harassed, but nowhere near as good as I would have done.  I guess I’ll get you in 10.  Happy belated.

Winter is here.  It’s quite chilly.  Makes me want a bonfire and some hot chocolate.  It’s days like this that I really hated to go outside to smoke.  I mean, I still did it, but complained about it.

I don’t think there is anybody more excited about the Chester County Independent including the TV guide than I am.  Well, me and everybody else in my pod.  I tear it out and stick it to my door, which has greatly increased the amount of traffic my door, sees.  Mr. Popularity?  No, but it’s nice to have a popular, useful item that might be taken for granted in a different setting.  I hope they continue to include them.  Thanks Ed Jones.

Mid January 2013

I wonder if boats in Europe have the steering wheel on the left side.

I’ve lost 21 lbs since February.  This year is going to be my year.  I’m not really worried about weight, but I want to see how healthy I can be.  I’m changing my workout routine.  Just want to be better.  Better everything.  We shall see.

Just a friendly reminder that I do not personally post these things/thoughts online.  I have no access to the internet or a computer.  I hand-write this stuff & mail it home and my family is kind enough to post it.  I can’t read comments or reply to them, but I am sometimes told of particulars and I appreciate the kind words, well wishes, etc.  I do sometimes make a mistake.   Apparently “Who Did You Think I Was” isn’t a Jimmy Hendrix cover, but rather a John Mayer original.  I don’t know where I got that info, but apparently it ruffled some feathers.  It wasn’t intentional.  I can appreciate an attention to detail when it comes to music, and I can only try to get it right next time.  Thanks for reading.

I failed to comment about my completing my reading of the Bible as 2012 ended.  It’s something I had never done before and I really enjoyed it.  I have started over again & am trying to let it sink in more this time around, not that it didn’t last year, but I want to get more out of it every time you know.  If you’ve never done it, I suggest getting a schedule & doing it.  It doesn’t take a large amount of time out of your day, but it can make a difference in how you view your day.

I was not happy to see Alabama and the word “dynasty” being said together so much, but MAN am I glad they beat Notre Dame.  Sorry Meeks, but I had to go with the lesser of two evils on this one.  And the SEC needs to continue their dominance, at least long enough for UT to get another one.  Gonna be awhile.