Beth Coltman Memorial Tourney

Spent the weekend in bizarro-world (aka Delaware) playing ultimate at Cape Henlopen in Lewes, DE. Delaware is a weird state. It seems to consist of two highways and nothing else. Gotta be weird to live there. But it's always a nice place to have a tournament.

The weather was supposed to be miserable so I left my camera at home. Otherwise I might have a picture or two to share.

It was a fun tournament. The fields are some of the best we get to play on throughout the year, which makes this tournament a pleasure. The weather was not nearly as bad as they had predicted. Instead of thunderstorms on Saturday, we had a sprinkle or two and a fairly strong breeze. But the sun came out on both days (if only for a minute at a time) and the camera would have been fine.

My team did not do all that well. Considering that we never practiced together and this was our first time playing, we did pretty well. By sunday, we had coalesced nicely into something resembling a team.

We had a good time and played against some spirited teams (with one exception). I played all the ultimate I wanted. Considering that I was going in with a strained right shoulder (throwing arm), I think I played pretty well. Overall, I give it three and a half stars.

Your Mom has a new captain, a lot of new players and that same old "whatever, let's drink some beers" attitude. Maybe, with some practicing and a little luck, we'll actually be able to build up a competitive team. But you know, there are worse fates than drinking a beer between points on a beautiful sunday afternoon.

My new couch has arrived

The apartment is finally starting to come together. My new couch was delivered yesterday. It's still pretty staticky from the plastic it was wrapped in. I haven't had a chance to really use it, but it's definately a solid piece of furniture.

It needs a little breaking in. It's really, definately brand new. It's still got the tags on it. I haven't tried the fold-out bed yet either. But I am sure it's going to be nice.

Here's another angle which gives you an idea of what my apartment looks like with the couch.

"Sin City" Sucks!

I saw this last night with Laurie and all I can say is: Wow, Sin City is awful. It's a gritty film-noir, but film-noir has been done better in just about every way. The best word to describe it might be "grueling", but "insulting" and "worrying" are just as apt.

In the middle of the movie Laurie blurted out, "You've got to be fucking kidding me!" (or something to that effect). And rightfully so. Later on, as Bruce Willis was punching a prone man's skull into pulp, Laurie leaned over to mention, "There's something seriously wrong with our society."

I don't really know what I was expecting, but I certainly wasn't prepared for the stilted dialog, misogynistic overtones, gratuitous violence and fractured story-line. In many of the film's fade-to-black moments, I found myself praying for the closing credits to roll. Unfortunately, I wouldn't get my reprieve until more than 2 hours had passed.

It has a glittering cast, every major role is played by a recognizable star, but the only good performance comes from Mickey Rourke. The script is stilted and the dialog is plastic. They tried to stay close to the comic book and, predictably, the characters are flat and uninteresting. I feel for the actors who for the most part muddle through (The women especially aren't given very much of anything to work with). It doesn't help that they all seem to have studied at the Keanu Reeves School of Acting.

The press that I've seen on this movie has been mostly focused on the cinematography, which I must admit was impressive. Movie reviewers seem to be so bored with run-of-the-mill live-action films, so starved for a new interpretation of the medium, that they are willing to overlook glaring, often offensive, flaws in this movie.

If you're curious to see the effect of technology on the film industry, you might find Sin City slightly interesting. The film was shot completely with digital cameras. The actors worked in front of green-screen with the backgrounds, colors and action were all added later as special effects. There are some genuinely impressive shots which emulate the gritty tone of the comic, which is mildly impressive considering the differences between the mediums.

But in fully embracing the comic-book, Robert Rodriguez, sacrifices all the elements of film that have made the industry succesful. And the movie (along with everyone watching it) suffers terribly under these artificial constraints.

If you're looking for fun, escape, enjoyment, or stimulation (other than gore and softcore porn) there have got to be other, better movies out now. Then again, maybe it's better if you just stay home a read a book.

no LASIK for me

Well, poop.

I went to see the fine people at TLC Laser Eye Centers today. Free consultations are great.

Unfortunately, I am not a candidate for LASIK. I cannot enjoy the benefits of 20/20 vision without glasses or contacts. Well, honestly, I can't enjoy those benefits with glasses or contacts. Regardless, it's very frustrating.

I am amblyopic: I have a "Lazy Eye". And the Federal Gov't doesn't allow LASIK surgery on people with amblyopia. The freakin' bastards!

But otherwise, I am perfectly elligible for laser corrective surgery. And, if you're considering it, you should do yourself a favor and go in for the free consultation. It doesn't take too long and once you're done you'll know if its a good option for you.

Zoe Bellin Arrives

Very exciting news today! My brother just called to inform me that my niece, Zoe, was born today at approximately 10:30 PST. Healthy and happy. Not crying or making much noise, reportedly just kinda cooing.

Hooray!

I will post any cute pictures I receive

Holy Giant Penguin, Batman!

A giant penguin.

That's the best thing I've seen this April Fool's Day.

Ahhhh, the Japanese are the best.

Also, on this, the first day in April, there's news that Bloxsom has been purchased. Surely, the end of the universe is nigh!

RIP: Mitch Hedberg

No April Fool's joke here, unfortunately. Mitch Hedberg, the comedian, died last night in a hotel in New Jersey. You can read about it here. Still no word from the medical examiner, so we don't know why he died. But they're saying that it's heart failure.

It would be a shame if he died of a drug overdose or something like that. I don't think that's going to turn out to be the case. But it's suggested in the articles.

He was a funny funny guy.

"An escalator can never break. It can only become stairs. You would never see an 'Escalator Temporarily Out Of Order' sign, just 'Escalator Temporarily Stairs'. Sorry for the convenience."

"I opened-up a yogurt, underneath the lid it said, 'Please try again.' because they were having a contest that I was unaware of. I thought maybe I opened the yogurt wrong. ...Or maybe Yoplait was trying to inspire me... 'Come on Mitchell, don't give up!' An inspirational message from your friends at Yoplait, fruit on the bottom, hope on top."

"I bought a doughnut and they gave me a receipt for the doughnut... I don't need a receipt for the doughnut. I give you money and you give me the doughnut, end of transaction. We don't need to bring ink and paper into this. I can't imagine a scenario that I would have to prove that I bought a doughnut. To some skeptical friend, Don't even act like I didn't buy a doughnut, I've got the documentation right here... It's in my file at home. ...Under 'D'."

"My friend asked me if I wanted a frozen banana, I said 'No, but I want a regular banana later, so, Yeah.'"

Man, is it just me or are famous people dropping like flies lately? I mean, Johnny Cochran, Mitch, the Pope... where will it end?