Wow. That's really the best way to sum up the latest Clint Eastwood flick. Wow.
Synopsis: Eastwood plays a Korean War vet who has never put the horrors of what he had to do there behind him. He worked at Ford for years, raised a family, but isn't close to his sons, and his wife has just died. The old neighborhood where he lives is now mostly made up of Asian immigrants, mostly Hmong.
Eastwood, is bitter, racist, and generally unlikeable. But, you still respect the man, even for all his flaws. As the movie goes along, the family next door, his wife's priest, and the struggles of everday life in the city of Detroit come together in a wonderful tale of redemption.
I won't give any spoilers I hope, but Eastwood's character is tough to watch in many ways. There is lots of cringing at the constant racist bile coming from his mouth. But, there are so many things in the story that transcend that.
I don't really know how to talk about the movie without giving away too much. It is just a wonderful redemption tale that also speaks to so many social issues being played out in cities around our fine country.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
Sea Kitten is Tasty
Apparently the brilliant minds at PETA are hard at work again. Now, before I rip into them, I want to give them credit. I have long been a critic of the "animal rights" people, especially at PETA, for only caring about cute animals. PETA is taking on this issue with all their resources! Well, maybe not all, but some.
Feeling that fish have been getting a bad wrap (like sushi) and are still being eaten they have proposed to call fish "sea kittens" in hopes of brainwashing, er, changing the minds of the young and/or stupid into thinking that calling something ugly a cute name makes it less ugly. It doesn't.
I could call a mole rat a "dirt kitten" it would still be one of the ugliest creatures on earth.
But, the "sea kittens" must be saved PETA cries because Lord forbid we eat animals!
I'm all for treating animals humanely. The ASPCA is a good group overall and cruelty to animals is terrible.
However, I'm a bit puzzled by PETA's bizzare actions. I mean, I suppose they "do" things. But, mostly, I see ads, I hear people talking, I hear about "protests," and they sometimes file lawsuits. But, does PETA run animals shelters? Or pay for dogs/kitties/etc. to get spayed and neutered?
I need to do some more research I suppose (yay google) but I do wonder about them. It would be interesting to take a look at their books sometime...
Feeling that fish have been getting a bad wrap (like sushi) and are still being eaten they have proposed to call fish "sea kittens" in hopes of brainwashing, er, changing the minds of the young and/or stupid into thinking that calling something ugly a cute name makes it less ugly. It doesn't.
I could call a mole rat a "dirt kitten" it would still be one of the ugliest creatures on earth.
But, the "sea kittens" must be saved PETA cries because Lord forbid we eat animals!
I'm all for treating animals humanely. The ASPCA is a good group overall and cruelty to animals is terrible.
However, I'm a bit puzzled by PETA's bizzare actions. I mean, I suppose they "do" things. But, mostly, I see ads, I hear people talking, I hear about "protests," and they sometimes file lawsuits. But, does PETA run animals shelters? Or pay for dogs/kitties/etc. to get spayed and neutered?
I need to do some more research I suppose (yay google) but I do wonder about them. It would be interesting to take a look at their books sometime...
Furnace Part 2
Well, we got a new furnace today! YAY!!!! Katrina says it is working fine.
Now, for the last bit of the story. Saturday we had a couple of friends over. We're sitting around playing games (Blockus is an AMAZING game) the house is warm, fun is being had. Then, later on, Katrina walks past a vent and says "Hey, I don't think its putting out warm air anymore."
No problem! I go downstairs, yes, the burners are not firing. Not a big deal, I just shut it off and wait. And wait, and wait (games continue to be played). I go down, replace the magic fuse, and nothing happened. I had run out of rez attempts. It was dead.
Fortunately the house, even an old one like ours, is slow to cool down. Still, by this morning, it was REALLY chilly in all the parts of the house not heated by our nice space heater. That's ALL but the den and the bedroom.
But thank the Lord it lasted as long as it did!
Now, for the last bit of the story. Saturday we had a couple of friends over. We're sitting around playing games (Blockus is an AMAZING game) the house is warm, fun is being had. Then, later on, Katrina walks past a vent and says "Hey, I don't think its putting out warm air anymore."
No problem! I go downstairs, yes, the burners are not firing. Not a big deal, I just shut it off and wait. And wait, and wait (games continue to be played). I go down, replace the magic fuse, and nothing happened. I had run out of rez attempts. It was dead.
Fortunately the house, even an old one like ours, is slow to cool down. Still, by this morning, it was REALLY chilly in all the parts of the house not heated by our nice space heater. That's ALL but the den and the bedroom.
But thank the Lord it lasted as long as it did!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Into the Furnace!!
Its been an interesting month. About 3 or 4 weeks ago we woke up to no heat in the house. The power had gone out during the night and it was cold cold cold.
Eventually the power came back on, but still no heat! Oh, the furnace would kick on, and stay on, but it only blew out cold air. Not so pleasant!
So, we called Covenant Heating & Cooling and they came right over. He fixed a faulty gas valve that wasn't clicking open and we had heat again within 2 hours. It cost around $300. Not too bad.
Then, last week, I wake up to the furnace running, blowing cold air, again! DRAT! So, I call, explain the problem, nope, the valve is getting power, but it isn't getting the signal to kick open. A bad limiting switch. Of course it worked when the guy was there, but he didn't charge us to check it out, just to call them when we needed it fixed.
Well, 2 days later, its got fixed. And we woke up the NEXT morning to the same problem. They sent a guy out. Hmm. The switch is good, the valve is good, the thermo-coupling is good....hmm.
Well, the problem is a wire on the circuit board that someone "repaired" once upon a time by resoldering it into place. Badly. So its all corroded and not allowing the right resistance through, which means the limiting switch doesn't think it needs to close a circuit, which means the gas valve doesn't kick open.
Well, this furnace is about 60 years old and a "new" circuit board would just be silly. It would cost about 1/3 as much as a new system and we'd still have an old furnace.
The repair guy wired a 3 amp fuse into the system instead of the limiting switch, closing the circuit and allowing it to kick open the gas valve. I've had to replace the fuse 2 times now. Each morning it seems to blow the fuse, I go down, put another one in, and presto, it works!
Monday we are getting a new furnace. A nice 95% efficiency Coleman. Its getting installed for $2200 or so. Why so cheap? Because they gave us credit for all the previous repairs! They are giving us about $500 credit for the prior repairs.
Thank the Lord! I had been wanting to hold off until spring or summer to replace the furnace, but the issues we'd been having were just too much. The fuses are just a temporary fix, and I don't really like the blower running and running for hours if it blows in the middle of the night.
I highly reccommend Covenant for the Pekin area. They have been courteous, friendly, honest, and more than fair. I'll give an added update after the furnace is put in, but I've just been so thankful for how its all gone.
The best part is, we have enough money saved to pay for over half in cash. And the rest will be paid off in just a few short months! YAY!
Eventually the power came back on, but still no heat! Oh, the furnace would kick on, and stay on, but it only blew out cold air. Not so pleasant!
So, we called Covenant Heating & Cooling and they came right over. He fixed a faulty gas valve that wasn't clicking open and we had heat again within 2 hours. It cost around $300. Not too bad.
Then, last week, I wake up to the furnace running, blowing cold air, again! DRAT! So, I call, explain the problem, nope, the valve is getting power, but it isn't getting the signal to kick open. A bad limiting switch. Of course it worked when the guy was there, but he didn't charge us to check it out, just to call them when we needed it fixed.
Well, 2 days later, its got fixed. And we woke up the NEXT morning to the same problem. They sent a guy out. Hmm. The switch is good, the valve is good, the thermo-coupling is good....hmm.
Well, the problem is a wire on the circuit board that someone "repaired" once upon a time by resoldering it into place. Badly. So its all corroded and not allowing the right resistance through, which means the limiting switch doesn't think it needs to close a circuit, which means the gas valve doesn't kick open.
Well, this furnace is about 60 years old and a "new" circuit board would just be silly. It would cost about 1/3 as much as a new system and we'd still have an old furnace.
The repair guy wired a 3 amp fuse into the system instead of the limiting switch, closing the circuit and allowing it to kick open the gas valve. I've had to replace the fuse 2 times now. Each morning it seems to blow the fuse, I go down, put another one in, and presto, it works!
Monday we are getting a new furnace. A nice 95% efficiency Coleman. Its getting installed for $2200 or so. Why so cheap? Because they gave us credit for all the previous repairs! They are giving us about $500 credit for the prior repairs.
Thank the Lord! I had been wanting to hold off until spring or summer to replace the furnace, but the issues we'd been having were just too much. The fuses are just a temporary fix, and I don't really like the blower running and running for hours if it blows in the middle of the night.
I highly reccommend Covenant for the Pekin area. They have been courteous, friendly, honest, and more than fair. I'll give an added update after the furnace is put in, but I've just been so thankful for how its all gone.
The best part is, we have enough money saved to pay for over half in cash. And the rest will be paid off in just a few short months! YAY!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Hydrogen
Yeah, I know its a molecule. Its also a really fun drum machine program that is free and seems pretty well supported.
I finally got the drum kits loaded in I wanted and have been fiddling around with it some. Seeing as how I have no drum skills or real talent of any sort, this could take a bit. But it is a good time messing around with something musical, even if its just a drum machine.
I'll try and get something posted eventually once I get a loop or two done.
I finally got the drum kits loaded in I wanted and have been fiddling around with it some. Seeing as how I have no drum skills or real talent of any sort, this could take a bit. But it is a good time messing around with something musical, even if its just a drum machine.
I'll try and get something posted eventually once I get a loop or two done.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Resolutions
Ok, so its not New Years yet, but I procrastinate, so I better get these out here now.
Normally, I don't do NY resolutions. Why? I'm honest. I don't really have any intention on following through most years.... Ok, stop, here's the truth. If I don't make resolutions, I can't not keep them. I get 100% followthrough then. You can't quit what you don't start. Well, even though that's the story of my life, I should've live like that.
Lose weight. This ties in a bunch of things. Eat healthier, exercise, take my vitamins/supplements regularly. Here's what it entails: Go to the gym 3 times a week minimum. Take my lunch to work minimum 4 days a week. Watch the soda intake and the beer intake. (Funny thing is, I can easily sit and have a single beer and be happy. But, I can down can of soda after can of soda and crave more. Ah, high fructose corn syrup how I hate you and love you.)
Practice my guitar. 3 times a week for 30 minutes. At least. This is bare minimum stuff folks, I want to do more, but I need to set atainable goals.
Read more. For those of you who know me well you might be scratching your heads. "Paul needs to read more?" Yes. I've been slacking lately, especially on good non-fiction books.
Make time for God. Yeah, these are in no particular order. This is something I must do. Time for prayer, for devotions, for focusing on Him and how He wants me to live.
Procrastinate less. I'll always be a procrastinator. But I need to get better about it.
We'll see how this all goes.
Normally, I don't do NY resolutions. Why? I'm honest. I don't really have any intention on following through most years.... Ok, stop, here's the truth. If I don't make resolutions, I can't not keep them. I get 100% followthrough then. You can't quit what you don't start. Well, even though that's the story of my life, I should've live like that.
Lose weight. This ties in a bunch of things. Eat healthier, exercise, take my vitamins/supplements regularly. Here's what it entails: Go to the gym 3 times a week minimum. Take my lunch to work minimum 4 days a week. Watch the soda intake and the beer intake. (Funny thing is, I can easily sit and have a single beer and be happy. But, I can down can of soda after can of soda and crave more. Ah, high fructose corn syrup how I hate you and love you.)
Practice my guitar. 3 times a week for 30 minutes. At least. This is bare minimum stuff folks, I want to do more, but I need to set atainable goals.
Read more. For those of you who know me well you might be scratching your heads. "Paul needs to read more?" Yes. I've been slacking lately, especially on good non-fiction books.
Make time for God. Yeah, these are in no particular order. This is something I must do. Time for prayer, for devotions, for focusing on Him and how He wants me to live.
Procrastinate less. I'll always be a procrastinator. But I need to get better about it.
We'll see how this all goes.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Family
Its the Christmas season and its been crazy. My brother and his wife are way out in Portland Oregon (and stuck there due to snow) and I miss them. They've had a rough Christmas due to inclement weather and just the annoyances of life.
My wife and I have had to deal with a furnace going out ($305), a drain backing up and flooding our basement floor ($190 and counting), getting the house in order and a myraid of home repairs I'd been putting off. Those NEVER go as planned.
Then you have Christmas Eve where we rushed out to Tremont to go with my parents to see my Grandpa Schurter. Had lunch there, rushed back to Tremont to go with my Grandpa Stuber to pick up the seafood platter and then back to Pekin to wrap gifts to take to Tremont to exchange with my mom's side of the family.
Also my sister-in-law Andrea and her boyfriend Mike are staying with us and are wonderful houseguests, but its still a bit crazy having extra bodies around.
So Christmas with the Stubers, then back home to relax and watch a movie. Then Christmas day with Katrina's family and all the excitement that entails.
It was a crazy 2 days of Christmas. But you know what? It was great getting to spend it with family.
The love and joy at family members seeing each other who hadn't for awhile. At my young cousins who both have battled a life-threatening genetic disorder and the joy at them making it through another year and staying healthy. It was wonderful.
Christ brought hope to a lost world when He was born. The joy brought about celebrating his birth should remind us all of Him, and lead us to give thanks.
My wife and I have had to deal with a furnace going out ($305), a drain backing up and flooding our basement floor ($190 and counting), getting the house in order and a myraid of home repairs I'd been putting off. Those NEVER go as planned.
Then you have Christmas Eve where we rushed out to Tremont to go with my parents to see my Grandpa Schurter. Had lunch there, rushed back to Tremont to go with my Grandpa Stuber to pick up the seafood platter and then back to Pekin to wrap gifts to take to Tremont to exchange with my mom's side of the family.
Also my sister-in-law Andrea and her boyfriend Mike are staying with us and are wonderful houseguests, but its still a bit crazy having extra bodies around.
So Christmas with the Stubers, then back home to relax and watch a movie. Then Christmas day with Katrina's family and all the excitement that entails.
It was a crazy 2 days of Christmas. But you know what? It was great getting to spend it with family.
The love and joy at family members seeing each other who hadn't for awhile. At my young cousins who both have battled a life-threatening genetic disorder and the joy at them making it through another year and staying healthy. It was wonderful.
Christ brought hope to a lost world when He was born. The joy brought about celebrating his birth should remind us all of Him, and lead us to give thanks.
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