Lordy!

Lisa and I rewatched the Lord of the Rings trilogy this past week. Holy crap those are good! I draw your attention, however, to the following comic, which addresses a qualm I had, even with the books (click here for larger image):

It does seem like that would be an easy solution, doesn't it. In reality, the eagles only show up at the last minute to help, preferring to stay out of it most of the story. I kind of thought the eagles were jerks for not helping out earlier, and always thought Tolkien kept them out of it just to make it harder for the humans, only bringing them back when he didn't know how else to rescue Frodo and Sam. Now I think I know what was what. Tolkien was probably using the eagles to represent the U.S. (if only he'd used a less subtle symbol) and was criticizing America's late entry into WWII. Duh.

Also related to the WWII symbolism in the book (and film), which is all over, I really enjoy the post-script about Frodo struggling to find his place back in The Shire. There are a lot of epics in film and literature, but rarely are the trials of soldiers after the war covered in the epilogue.

I recommend reading the IMDB trivia on the films, if you liked them. It's pretty interesting.

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House

I could be wrong, but I believe that House likes to cook. If you aren't an ardent follower of the show, bear with me. This was surprising to me because he never brings leftovers to work, in fact steals everything he eats from others. If only a little, I thought that this detail added depth to the character; it added depth not because it was additional information about House, but because it was additional information not entirely in keeping with the rest of his persona.

Those of you who don't watch House may meaningfully rejoin the conversation.

Recently a Facebook friend, a bridesmaid from my brother's wedding, posted a list of things that many don't know about her. Of course, as I barely know the woman, it was all new information for me. I wonder what I would write on such a list. Meanwhile, my brother-in-law (Ben's blog is linked at the right) has decided to take up the building of mash-ups (remixes combining multiple songs into a coherent whole), a past-time not out of keeping for his character, but wholly unpredictable.

Now I bring it home. Why couldn't I think of something that people don't know about me, which isn't presently true, and then endeavor to make it true. I could take up a new hobby or accomplish something that one wouldn't expect from me. I just need to think of something worthwhile that I would enjoy/feel good about that would surprise people, adding depth to my character.

Suggestions?

What would people find surprising about you? Feel free to consider something which isn't yet true, but will be in time.

Opposite Day

I went to bed last night with a small headache, and awoke with a larger one; between, I dreamt that I was shot in the head, right between the eyes. Even in the dream I didn't remember being shot, someone had to tell me. In truth, the bandage seemed fairly modest; I wondered if maybe I'd been shot with a BB gun, or if a bullet had simply grazed my face as it passed. I decided to use the camera on my Macbook to take a picture and to use that as my first accurate Facebook profile picture. I awoke to the aforementioned headache.

Today, instead of attending school, I attended a trai

ning in a new English curriculum that I must use. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to watch the inauguration. It was revealed, however, that we would take a long and early lunch, and that the event would be displayed somewhere. When there were technical difficulties I panicked a little, and fled. I found another room that was packed, and we watched as streaming video was projected onto a wall and Obama was sworn in as president and spoke well.

I rushed to buy something at Wendy's.

When I got back, cake was being served, Pepsi too. I was just in time to see The Obamas and Bidens wave as Bush's helicopter took off and flew, presumably, south-west. I really need a picture, poster, or tattoo of that.

On the way home I bought Andrew Bird's new CD, Noble Beast, which came out today.

Follow the arc of my day: pre-inauguration I'm being shot in the head; post-inauguration I get Wendy's for lunch, Pepsi and cake, use the phrase "ex-president Bush" and acquire a new Andrew Bird CD. Things got a heck of a lot better, and probably not just for me, around 11 am today.

Craiglist

Personally, I think Craigslist is pretty cool. My sister-in-law once saw an ad offering to trade or sell a Monopoly set, "some or all pieces missing." The personals are also, often, funny. Here, however, I think Craiglist has gone too far: among the things for sale is "baby+kids."

I made some friends on Craigslist (back when I was trying to find someone to play volleyball). We kind of assume, as we met them on the internet, that one day they'll capitalize on the trust they've gained and torture and kill us (our BTK friends, we call them); but they've been pretty swell in the meantime, so it's pretty much worth it.

I'm looking on Craigslist for an Airport Extreme. I bought a USB hard drive with the dream of setting up a wireless drive, but my Airport Express is too stupid.

This post hasn't really updated you on the happenings in my life over the last month or so since I posted; but, once I tell you that I just finished my OJ and Cheerios, you're thoroughly up to date on my last fifteen minutes.

Welcome back!

So I just completed a lovely visit with friends and family in the Twin Cities. I could tell you all about how great it was to see everybody and the cool things I got for Christmas; but I suspect that would make for a heartwarming and boring post.

Instead, I'm here to tell you of my return to Milwaukee. Lisa and I stopped for McDonald's milkshakes, only to find the drive-through closed. I volunteered to brave the cold and go in for the shakes. On my way back, Lisa leaned over and pushed the passenger-side car-door open for me. 

Then fate played a hand: the door began to close, and I jumped forward to catch it with my foot. Apparently, my slip on the ice, from Lisa's perspective, looked like the either the greatest flying karate kick or most ridiculous prat-fall of all time. I lay on the ground for a bit, sensing that I should put ice on my wounded ass, and then crawled into the car. It was only later that Lisa supposed that we could have sued McD's for a zillion dollars (if only the drive-through was operational or the parking lot salted). I didn't break my tailbone, but have a sore back. We'll see how that goes.

A little bit later, I discovered that I dropped a glove at the gas-station immediately prior to our visit to the McDonald's of Doom.

Christmas vacation is clearly over; I'm clearly back in Milwaukee.

The milkshake was good though.