This past week I finally finished up a short film I've been working on called "Video Wizard." A friend of mine John Beital wrote the script in "5 minutes" according to him. We shot his parts last June, and then I shot the other actors (Loren Wertz, Michelle Powers and Jacob Nixon) in July. But I flaked out after that and didn't do much with it until about a month ago when I got Sam Garr to do the voice over and I created the graphics. Anyway here it is, hope you like it.
7/30/10
6/14/10
Continuing my resolution review
Last month I starting reviewing my resolutions I made at the beginning of the year.
2. Place in a Roofball Tourney. Last year I made three semi's out of three events. One game away from a top three finish each time. This year I'd like to get back on the podium. First chance is 1.31.10.
Sure my first chance was in January but I failed to get out of the second round marking my lowest finish ever. This past weekend I participated in the 2010 RFA Cup. The middle event on the Roofball calendar. This is also the newest tournament. The World Championships and US Open have been played since 1999 while the RFA Cup started in 2007.
I’ve been slammed lately and only had one chance to throw the football around and wasn’t feeling very prepared to play. I drew the 16 spot, meaning I’d throw first in the 6th game of the opening round. Throwing third in my game was Steve Stupey. A relatively new player in the game but his worst finish had been third and he had won the 09 US Open. I knew I was up against a good competitor, but I told myself it doesn’t matter I just need to play my game and I’ll make it to the next round.
I played my game quite well recording a 48 and advancing to the second round as the number 3 seed while Steve took a wild card spot. In the second round I posted a 31 with an over, not great but still good enough to win my game. This put me in the semi-finals, one step away from my goal of a top three finish. Steve Stupey was in my game again so I knew that it’d be tough, I beat him once before, can I do it again? Well we ended up tied at 44. We had a through off and he won, so he got the game and automatically advanced to the Cup round, while my 44 was good enough for the wild card spot. This guaranteed me of a top three finish. At that point I had lot of confidence, which I needed because once again I was going up against Stupey and Buddy Emmons. Emmons was the defending champion and has three titles to his name. Stupey and I raced out to large leads while Buddy got off to a slow start, he knew he need some large points but kept coming up empty. Meanwhile Stupey and I continued increasing our lead. The final score was once again tied with Steve and I at 44 and Buddy at 14. Steve and I advanced to the Championship setting up our fourth game together.
Steve won a throw off to have the right to call the coin flip. He called tails and it came up heads I chose to go second. Both of us got off to a slow start but Steve got an around to take a small lead about half way through. I let the ball fly on my next throw and watched as the ball bounced over the house surely resulting in an over and costing my 5 points. But then a miraculous thing happened, the ball came back on the front side of the roof and went around the poll giving me a huge turnaround. The throw was later called the "Hand of God around" by Roofball Founder Adam Willis. This gave me the lead. I was up by one, I had two throws left and Steve had one. I knew that this was the time to put pressure on Steve. I let the ball sail and hit the post and collected the ball giving me a seven point lead. Steve had to have an around in order to take the lead. He sent a high arching shot up to the roof but it sailed over giving him a minus five. My last throw was of no matter. Final score 38-25.
Yes! I had not only met my goal of a top 3 finish I had won my second Roofball Championship. Bree and Riley were there cheering me on. Riley was sporting a Bree made Roofball shirt that said “Daughter of a Roofball Champion.”
2. Place in a Roofball Tourney. Last year I made three semi's out of three events. One game away from a top three finish each time. This year I'd like to get back on the podium. First chance is 1.31.10.
Sure my first chance was in January but I failed to get out of the second round marking my lowest finish ever. This past weekend I participated in the 2010 RFA Cup. The middle event on the Roofball calendar. This is also the newest tournament. The World Championships and US Open have been played since 1999 while the RFA Cup started in 2007.
I’ve been slammed lately and only had one chance to throw the football around and wasn’t feeling very prepared to play. I drew the 16 spot, meaning I’d throw first in the 6th game of the opening round. Throwing third in my game was Steve Stupey. A relatively new player in the game but his worst finish had been third and he had won the 09 US Open. I knew I was up against a good competitor, but I told myself it doesn’t matter I just need to play my game and I’ll make it to the next round.
I played my game quite well recording a 48 and advancing to the second round as the number 3 seed while Steve took a wild card spot. In the second round I posted a 31 with an over, not great but still good enough to win my game. This put me in the semi-finals, one step away from my goal of a top three finish. Steve Stupey was in my game again so I knew that it’d be tough, I beat him once before, can I do it again? Well we ended up tied at 44. We had a through off and he won, so he got the game and automatically advanced to the Cup round, while my 44 was good enough for the wild card spot. This guaranteed me of a top three finish. At that point I had lot of confidence, which I needed because once again I was going up against Stupey and Buddy Emmons. Emmons was the defending champion and has three titles to his name. Stupey and I raced out to large leads while Buddy got off to a slow start, he knew he need some large points but kept coming up empty. Meanwhile Stupey and I continued increasing our lead. The final score was once again tied with Steve and I at 44 and Buddy at 14. Steve and I advanced to the Championship setting up our fourth game together.
Steve won a throw off to have the right to call the coin flip. He called tails and it came up heads I chose to go second. Both of us got off to a slow start but Steve got an around to take a small lead about half way through. I let the ball fly on my next throw and watched as the ball bounced over the house surely resulting in an over and costing my 5 points. But then a miraculous thing happened, the ball came back on the front side of the roof and went around the poll giving me a huge turnaround. The throw was later called the "Hand of God around" by Roofball Founder Adam Willis. This gave me the lead. I was up by one, I had two throws left and Steve had one. I knew that this was the time to put pressure on Steve. I let the ball sail and hit the post and collected the ball giving me a seven point lead. Steve had to have an around in order to take the lead. He sent a high arching shot up to the roof but it sailed over giving him a minus five. My last throw was of no matter. Final score 38-25.
Yes! I had not only met my goal of a top 3 finish I had won my second Roofball Championship. Bree and Riley were there cheering me on. Riley was sporting a Bree made Roofball shirt that said “Daughter of a Roofball Champion.”
5/6/10
Resolutions in review
Back on 1.4.10 put down 7 resolutions for this year. I figured that I'd check on these to make sure I'm doing what I need to do. Here begins a 7 -part series in which I'll review each of my resolutions and see where I'm at. Can you believe that a third of the year is already over?
1. Get in shape. Ah yes what I expect is the most common resolution and one I've made many a time before. That being said it's time I get serious about it. Since Bree became pregnant I've been putting on the pounds, she ate and I ate. The thing is she had the kid stopped eating so much and lost it, I on the other had have seemingly increased food consumption and decreased physical exercise. No gym and more, no working out, not even much Wii. Currently I'm playing basketball and volleyball weekly, it helps but for the most part reminds me how out of shape I am. Anyway the plan now is once those sports are done, get back to the gym.
Well I had planned on stopping Basketball and Volleyball in early March, but the teams wanted to keep playing so I kept playing. But the good news I have joined a gym, just over a week ago, I've been going but the best thing I've done is eat better. I've lost 5 lbs in 11 days. Softball is also gearing up and it looks like I should have some physical activity 6 days a week for the next month or so. Once basketball and volleyball are over with I'm going to concentrate on golf. I'm trying to establish a handicap.
1. Get in shape. Ah yes what I expect is the most common resolution and one I've made many a time before. That being said it's time I get serious about it. Since Bree became pregnant I've been putting on the pounds, she ate and I ate. The thing is she had the kid stopped eating so much and lost it, I on the other had have seemingly increased food consumption and decreased physical exercise. No gym and more, no working out, not even much Wii. Currently I'm playing basketball and volleyball weekly, it helps but for the most part reminds me how out of shape I am. Anyway the plan now is once those sports are done, get back to the gym.
Well I had planned on stopping Basketball and Volleyball in early March, but the teams wanted to keep playing so I kept playing. But the good news I have joined a gym, just over a week ago, I've been going but the best thing I've done is eat better. I've lost 5 lbs in 11 days. Softball is also gearing up and it looks like I should have some physical activity 6 days a week for the next month or so. Once basketball and volleyball are over with I'm going to concentrate on golf. I'm trying to establish a handicap.
5/3/10
The Losers
Saturday night I watched the new movie "The Losers". The movie is based on a comic book by the same name. The plot is simple and something you've seen before and will see again, shortly in fact as the upcoming "A Team" movie. But that's not really the point here, it's an action comedy movie so the plot is of no concern, it just moves the story forward, giving opportunities for action seances and one liners. And that's where this movie delivers.
The action seances are fun and entertaining. The first part of the movie plays out like Call of Duty Modern Warfare game. While the second part is more like a Mission Impossible...well mission. The comedy is left to one character for the most part and he does a heck of a job with it.
I'll give the movie a 2.
4-See it at the theater at all costs.
3-See it at the theater during a matinee.
2-Rent it.
1-Watch it with the girl/guy your with that really wants to, and you are desperately trying to impress them.
0-Burn the movie (whatever form) if you ever come across it.
The action seances are fun and entertaining. The first part of the movie plays out like Call of Duty Modern Warfare game. While the second part is more like a Mission Impossible...well mission. The comedy is left to one character for the most part and he does a heck of a job with it.
I'll give the movie a 2.
4-See it at the theater at all costs.
3-See it at the theater during a matinee.
2-Rent it.
1-Watch it with the girl/guy your with that really wants to, and you are desperately trying to impress them.
0-Burn the movie (whatever form) if you ever come across it.
4/23/10
Kick-Ass
Last week Philipp and I went and saw Kick-Ass. Kick-Ass is based on a comic book and centers around a normal everyday high schooler who decides to become a super hero named of course Kick-Ass. Kick-Ass goes from rescuing lost kittens to putting his life on the line protecting people he has never met before. One of his heroic attempts is filmed and he becomes an Internet sensation. This leads him to meet other hero's who are much more adept at crime fighting.
I'll forgo telling the rest of the movie and just let you know what I think. It's a fun movie, heck a blast even. It's nice to see a movie like this come out with an "R" rating and not a PG-13, which it could have easily been dumbed down too. But it would've lost a lot and I mean big time. This movie has tons of violence in it but it is played out like a comic book and gets you laughing and energized. Each fight scene seems to be filmed in a different style. Very creative.
If you're feeling like have some fun check it out. I'll give it a 3 on my scale.
4-See it at the theater at all costs.
3-See it at the theater during a matinee.
2-Rent it.
1-Watch it with the girl/guy your with that really wants to, and you are desperately trying to impress them.
0-Burn the movie (whatever form) if you ever come across it.
I'll forgo telling the rest of the movie and just let you know what I think. It's a fun movie, heck a blast even. It's nice to see a movie like this come out with an "R" rating and not a PG-13, which it could have easily been dumbed down too. But it would've lost a lot and I mean big time. This movie has tons of violence in it but it is played out like a comic book and gets you laughing and energized. Each fight scene seems to be filmed in a different style. Very creative.
If you're feeling like have some fun check it out. I'll give it a 3 on my scale.
4-See it at the theater at all costs.
3-See it at the theater during a matinee.
2-Rent it.
1-Watch it with the girl/guy your with that really wants to, and you are desperately trying to impress them.
0-Burn the movie (whatever form) if you ever come across it.
4/4/10
Movie day
Bree's sister was in town this week visiting, and provided a babysitter. On Saturday Bree and I finally saw Avatar. We tried a few months ago to see it in 3D. But we never got around to it until this past weekend. Of course by this time the movie is not in 3D anymore, so we had to see it in 2D.
Now Avatar is a very formulaic movie, and at time it seems to be based on effects alone, but I have to say it hits on a wide range of emotions. Heck Bree even cried through most of it. Can Cameron write? Sure if you mean from a technical aspect. Are their holes? Sure, but this movie goes beyond your normal summer blockbuster. It has a lot more than you would think. Beautifully shot, a new level in film making and effects was achieved and a new high mark was set for the box office. This movie will have a ripple effect both good and bad on movies for years to come. Honestly it reminds me a lot of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
Now I saw five out of the ten films for best pictures and while I enjoyed some of the others more than this film, I would say this is the best all around film I saw, just above District 9, and yes that includes The Hurt Locker.
On the Derek's rating system it'd give it a 4. Remember this movie is a game changer, much like Star Wars, Jurassic Park and The Matrix. I'm sure your not familiar with the Derek rating system since I'm just making this up now. But 0-4 is the range.
4-See it at the theater at all costs.
3-See it at the theater during a matinee.
2-Rent it.
1-Watch it with the girl/guy your with that really wants to, and you are desperately trying to impress them.
0-Burn the movie (whatever form) if you ever come across it.
Now Avatar is a very formulaic movie, and at time it seems to be based on effects alone, but I have to say it hits on a wide range of emotions. Heck Bree even cried through most of it. Can Cameron write? Sure if you mean from a technical aspect. Are their holes? Sure, but this movie goes beyond your normal summer blockbuster. It has a lot more than you would think. Beautifully shot, a new level in film making and effects was achieved and a new high mark was set for the box office. This movie will have a ripple effect both good and bad on movies for years to come. Honestly it reminds me a lot of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
Now I saw five out of the ten films for best pictures and while I enjoyed some of the others more than this film, I would say this is the best all around film I saw, just above District 9, and yes that includes The Hurt Locker.
On the Derek's rating system it'd give it a 4. Remember this movie is a game changer, much like Star Wars, Jurassic Park and The Matrix. I'm sure your not familiar with the Derek rating system since I'm just making this up now. But 0-4 is the range.
4-See it at the theater at all costs.
3-See it at the theater during a matinee.
2-Rent it.
1-Watch it with the girl/guy your with that really wants to, and you are desperately trying to impress them.
0-Burn the movie (whatever form) if you ever come across it.
Later Saturday night Shaun and I went to see Hot Tub Time Machine. I had heard nothing but good reviews going in. The funniest comedy since the Hangover is what I heard. While that sounds good, you have to realize that the Hangover hasn't been out that long. So you have to ask yourself what else could have come out between now and then. Well no matter, it is a pretty funny movie, is it as good as The Hangover? No, but it doesn't try to be. Does it take itself seriously? No, and that's why it works.
The movie does not waste time in transporting the main cast back to 1986, and that's a good thing. The set up takes hardly anytime and you get right into the raw good stuff. Raunchy might be the best word. There are some great one-liners and one good running gag involving the bell hop's, played by Crispin Glover, arm.
On the Derek's rating system it'd give it a 2.5. Check it out.
3/30/10
Pendleton, it's a hell of a town!
This past weekend Bree, Riley and I drove out to Pendleton to see some of the in-laws. We chose Pendleton because it's pretty much int he middle of Portland, Boise and Kooskia.
We were planning on a 4 hour drive, but even with a stop in the middle we got there in about 3 1/2 hours. Riley was good the entire time. We arrived in Pendleton with plans to meet up with the family at a Mongolian Grill for some lunch. However once we arrived we found the grill to be shut down. So we decided to hit up a Mexican joint close by. Bree and I spent our time eating and chasing Riley around the restaurant, luckily they were not busy and she did not cause any mess for anyone.
After lunch my brother-in-law and I went to play some golf at the Casino's course, Wild Horse. Before the game began we decided to place a friendly wager. The loser would have to place a $20 bet on the roulette table for the winner. The bet had to be placed on one of the "third" sections. Bob started kicking my butt from the first hole and did not really let up. Luckily for me we only decided to play 9 holes, however I still lost by 14 strokes, ouch!
After my embarrassing loss we headed to the Casino so I could pay up. I hit the ATM machine for $40, hey if I'm going to gamble I'm going to gamble for me. I got to the table and had to slip in right next to the wheel. there was a rather large lady taken up a couple spaces. The dealer asked me if I'd like to have half chips meaning instead of $1 chips my chips would be worth $.50. This allows me to place more bets. I guess $40 is not what it used to be. I put Bob's $20 on the second third. And put down a few chips of my own. I forget what number came up 5 or 9 I think, anyway Bob lost his money. I had a bet placed on the first third and doubled up that bet. I proceeded to bet for the next 20 mins or so. I got told by the Bit Boss twice not to lean or stretch oer the wheel. Finally after the large lady moved, he made the table slide down so I could sit in a proper position. Before I slide down I asked Bob to pick a number, he picked 24 and I could not reach it so I put it on 14, of course 24 came up, felt bad about that one. The dealer changed out and we kept playing. I was right around $20 win I placed a $2 bet on 29 and a $4 bet on black, and yes I thought about Wesley Snipes as I did it. Anyway, 29 hit and I was up big. My $2 bet turned into $70 and my $4 bet turned into $8. Or at least I thought that's what would happen. Once I won I told the dealer I'd like to cash out. She started with my bet on 29. Remember I was playing with half chips, but this was a new dealer and did not realize that. I knew something was off when the first chip she pulled was black as in a $100 chip. She pushed a total of $144 my way thinking that my $2 bet was a $4. While this is going on I was still trying to figure out how I'd won that much in my head. She then took the chips I had on black and the chips I had left and asked a second dealer to help the second dealer realized they were half chips and corrected the issue but never mentioned anything to me about the $144 I had already gotten. I took the chips walked to the cage and cashed out. I'm now considering myself as one of the few who has taken a casino. Yes I did it for all the little guys!
We met up with the rest of the family at the hotel. They were all in the swimming pool. We marched in told them the news only to have Bree say "Dinners on us!" After everyone got out of the pool and got dressed we headed to Hamleys Steakhouse. It was supposed to be a pretty nice place, of course I spaced on packing any long pants and donned a pair of basketball shorts, t-shirt and slip on shoes. I walked in to find a lot of cowboys, hats, jeans and cowboy boats. Oh well I thought I have Riley and she'll keep the attention off my attire. We waited for about 10 mins and got a table. After ordering we were sitting around and talking. I was playing with the Riley and noticed a familiar looking face behind Bree. This lady had an uncanny resemblance to Julianne Moore. After staring a bit to long I'm sure I decided it was her. I asked Bree is that Julianne Moore sitting behind you? Bree turned and looked, then turned back to me and said "I believe it is." She seemed to be eating with who I assume are her children and husband. Dinner was good and everyone enjoyed their meal. Which was good since we did pay the entire $154 bill. So long house money.
The rest of the weekend went well. We hit the Casino once again, this time I lost $40 and Bree won $8. The next day we played at a park where Riley climbed a bunch of stairs, then we had lunch at Abby's. We took off for home with one extra person my sister-in-law Amber who is spending her spring break with us.
We were planning on a 4 hour drive, but even with a stop in the middle we got there in about 3 1/2 hours. Riley was good the entire time. We arrived in Pendleton with plans to meet up with the family at a Mongolian Grill for some lunch. However once we arrived we found the grill to be shut down. So we decided to hit up a Mexican joint close by. Bree and I spent our time eating and chasing Riley around the restaurant, luckily they were not busy and she did not cause any mess for anyone.
After lunch my brother-in-law and I went to play some golf at the Casino's course, Wild Horse. Before the game began we decided to place a friendly wager. The loser would have to place a $20 bet on the roulette table for the winner. The bet had to be placed on one of the "third" sections. Bob started kicking my butt from the first hole and did not really let up. Luckily for me we only decided to play 9 holes, however I still lost by 14 strokes, ouch!
After my embarrassing loss we headed to the Casino so I could pay up. I hit the ATM machine for $40, hey if I'm going to gamble I'm going to gamble for me. I got to the table and had to slip in right next to the wheel. there was a rather large lady taken up a couple spaces. The dealer asked me if I'd like to have half chips meaning instead of $1 chips my chips would be worth $.50. This allows me to place more bets. I guess $40 is not what it used to be. I put Bob's $20 on the second third. And put down a few chips of my own. I forget what number came up 5 or 9 I think, anyway Bob lost his money. I had a bet placed on the first third and doubled up that bet. I proceeded to bet for the next 20 mins or so. I got told by the Bit Boss twice not to lean or stretch oer the wheel. Finally after the large lady moved, he made the table slide down so I could sit in a proper position. Before I slide down I asked Bob to pick a number, he picked 24 and I could not reach it so I put it on 14, of course 24 came up, felt bad about that one. The dealer changed out and we kept playing. I was right around $20 win I placed a $2 bet on 29 and a $4 bet on black, and yes I thought about Wesley Snipes as I did it. Anyway, 29 hit and I was up big. My $2 bet turned into $70 and my $4 bet turned into $8. Or at least I thought that's what would happen. Once I won I told the dealer I'd like to cash out. She started with my bet on 29. Remember I was playing with half chips, but this was a new dealer and did not realize that. I knew something was off when the first chip she pulled was black as in a $100 chip. She pushed a total of $144 my way thinking that my $2 bet was a $4. While this is going on I was still trying to figure out how I'd won that much in my head. She then took the chips I had on black and the chips I had left and asked a second dealer to help the second dealer realized they were half chips and corrected the issue but never mentioned anything to me about the $144 I had already gotten. I took the chips walked to the cage and cashed out. I'm now considering myself as one of the few who has taken a casino. Yes I did it for all the little guys!
We met up with the rest of the family at the hotel. They were all in the swimming pool. We marched in told them the news only to have Bree say "Dinners on us!" After everyone got out of the pool and got dressed we headed to Hamleys Steakhouse. It was supposed to be a pretty nice place, of course I spaced on packing any long pants and donned a pair of basketball shorts, t-shirt and slip on shoes. I walked in to find a lot of cowboys, hats, jeans and cowboy boats. Oh well I thought I have Riley and she'll keep the attention off my attire. We waited for about 10 mins and got a table. After ordering we were sitting around and talking. I was playing with the Riley and noticed a familiar looking face behind Bree. This lady had an uncanny resemblance to Julianne Moore. After staring a bit to long I'm sure I decided it was her. I asked Bree is that Julianne Moore sitting behind you? Bree turned and looked, then turned back to me and said "I believe it is." She seemed to be eating with who I assume are her children and husband. Dinner was good and everyone enjoyed their meal. Which was good since we did pay the entire $154 bill. So long house money.
The rest of the weekend went well. We hit the Casino once again, this time I lost $40 and Bree won $8. The next day we played at a park where Riley climbed a bunch of stairs, then we had lunch at Abby's. We took off for home with one extra person my sister-in-law Amber who is spending her spring break with us.
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