1988 Dodgers World Series in RBI Baseball

So I was actually at this game in 1988, when the Dodgers won Game 1 of the World Series. I was only 9 at the time. When Kirk Gibson came out of the dugout, the whole stadium went nuts! Everyone stood up cheering and I couldn't see (the guy in front of me must have had a sombrero on, or something). Anyways, I stood up on the seat, which promptly folded in on me, causing me to fall and get stuck in the chair. So there I am; stuck in my seat, crying, while the whole stadium is going bonko for what could be a walk-off win. Well, my dad pulled me out of the chair, I was able to stand up and see Gibson launch it into the right field pavilion. Greatest baseball game I have ever seen. On a similar note, RBI Baseball is easily the greatest video game ever!

Crispin: The End of Time

Crispin: The End of Time by Avi
2010
★★★★✰
So I enjoyed the first two books of the series about a peasant boy in Medieval England.  This final book wasn't as good as the others but it was still a great read.  It is amazing to think of how people used to (and still do...) put their entire lives in God's hands.  The story really missed "Bear" the lovable brute that Crispin traveled with.  Still, I would like to read a little more of Crispin's and Owen's life in Iceland...

The Tale of Despereaux

The Tale of Despereaux directed by Sam Fell
2008
★★✰✰✰
So I like animated movies made by Pixar and Dreamworks.  The stories are normally fantastic which makes the movies so good.  This one just flopped though.  The story was weak.  The characters were boring.  My 4 year old who loves cartoon movies got tired of it.  Pass.

Drag Me To Hell

Drag Me To Hell directed by Sam Raimi
2009
★★✰✰✰
So I like Sam Raimi and his weird horror/comedy that worked so well in Evil Dead and Army of Darkness.  This movie was really lacking the comedy portion that makes his movies great.  Justin Long and Alison Lohman may have just been cardboard cutouts.  They were horrible!

Hot Tub Time Machine

Hot Tub Time Machine directed by Steve Pink
2010
★★✰✰✰
So I was caught up in the hype with this movie and was expecting awesomeness.  I was disappointed.  It was funny, just not that funny. Rob Corddry was way over the top as the drunk loser and it was weird seeing (a 45 year old) John Cusack hitting on teenagers.

The Hills Are Alive 5K Photo

So I had to search the internet but I found some photos from the race.  I found a few with me in them, though they aren't really of me.  Oh well.

The Lovely Bones

The Lovely Bones directed by Peter Jackson
2009
★★★★✰
So I have never read this book (but I might want to now) and did not know too much about the story but this movie was very good.  Of course, I love Peter Jackson because of The Lord of the Rings trilogy and he really made a good film.  The visuals were stunning and the story sickening yet intriguing.  It is worth checking this one out.

Yes Man

Yes Man directed by Peyton Reed
2008
★★✰✰✰
So I keep wondering how Jim Carrey gets to keep making these movies.  The weird love interest story with him and Zooey Deschanel was a little creepy since he is so much older.  A few laughs but not many.  The plus was an awesome character of Norman played by The Flight of the Choncords' Rhys Darby (Murray).  He is hilarious as always. "Car"

The Hills Are Alive 5K Results

So I got my official time for The Hills Are Alive 5K race.  29:06.  106 out of 284 runners.  8th out of 20 in my division (Mens 30-39).  Not bad.  Especially since at least 30 seconds had elapsed before I even crossed the start line.  I wish that all these races would use chip timers.  I realize that it costs more money but then I can get a more accurate time.

The Hills Are Alive 5K

So I ran in my fifth 5K this year.  The Hills Are Alive was a great race.  It was entirely on dirt horse trails in Rolling Hills Estates and as the name suggests, it was hilly.  Not really hilly but certainly more than any of the other races I have run in.  I felt good.  I think I got a good time.  I am not sure if I get official results with this race.  I really need to remember to stop my timer when I pass the finish line!  Especially on these races without timing tags!  Oh well.

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past directed by Mark Waters
2009
★✰✰✰✰
So I keep wondering why Matthew McConaughey is in movies.  He may be the worst actor ever (insert Comic Book Guy)!  This movie was horrible.  If not for Michael Douglas' "Gordon Gekko" ish Uncle Wayne character, this movie would get zero stars.  Luckily my wife was in control of the remote, and most of the movie was fast forwarded.

Youth in Revolt

Youth in Revolt directed by Miguel Arteta
2009
★★★✰✰
So I really like Michael Cera but it seems like all his characters are becoming the same.  The split personality in this film was great but I hate to keep seeing the awkward George Michael Bluth (Arrested Development)/Paulie Bleeker (Juno)/Evan (SuperBad) in the same roles.  That being said, I am really looking forward to Scott Pilgrim vs. The World...

Lose It!

So I started using my iPhone and all its great apps one year ago today to help me get fit and lose weight.  With the help of Lose It! (Free app) and Nike+ Running (Free app, but need to purchase a transponder for your shoe) I have lost over 35 pounds!  I feel good and run every other day during the week.  Lose It is essentially a calorie counter with a lot of preloaded foods from restaurants and stores to make it easier to track your meals.  Since I love playing with my iPhone, it was easy enough to keep on top of my eating.  I love the Nike+ app as it keeps track of all my runs, mileage, pace and calories.  Since I am such it geek, it keeps me motivated to track my progress.  So now I guess I'll continue with the fitness regime and maybe I can lose a little more weight and run some more races.

Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland directed by Tim Burton
2010
★★★✰✰
So I really like Tim Burton and Johnny Depp movies.  They are always great.  This time, not so much.  The story was interesting and somewhat dark (probably not dark enough).  It made me look up the book and I think I may start reading it since I never had.  My only prior experience of Alice is Disney's cartoon.  But man, I almost changed my rating to zero stars after seeing the lame dance Depp performs at the end.  Yikes!

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief directed by Chris Columbus
2010
★★✰✰✰
So I really wanted this movie to be good but it wasn't.  I really enjoyed reading the book and the series but this movie was nothing like it.  Major characters and plots were completely removed from the story.  Now I know that things need to be edited out to fit in the time of a movie but this was ridiculous.  Acting all around was sub par.  Just another story Chris Columbus screwed up.  Thank God(s) they aren't making any more!

Capitalism: A Love Story

Capitalism: A Love Story directed by Michael Moore
2009
★★★✰✰
So I primarily enjoy Michael Moore's films but this one wasn't up to par.  The story wasn't as cohesive as his other films and jumped around too much without much resolution.  Of course, there is no resolution since we are still dealing with the mess of the mortgage collapse.  I really don't like politicians and obscenely rich people.  Arg!

Trackers

Trackers by Patrick Carman
2010
★★★✰✰
So I started this book that my wife brought home from the library.  An entertaining read for teens but what is pretty neat is that it has an interactive website that corresponds to the book.  Go to www.trackersinterface.com to check out hidden movies and games that enhance your reading experience.  The story was alright but nothing amazing.

Kung Fu Panda

Kung Fu Panda directed by Mark Osbourne
2008
★★★★✰
So I have been wanting to see this movie for awhile.  I am hit or miss with Jack Black (School of Rock) who can be really funny or down right obnoxious (Nacho Libre).  This movie didn't disappoint.  My kids loved it.  G thinks he is a kung fu panda now!  Great story.  Good for kids and adults.  Funny and action packed.

Good Luck Chuck

Good Luck Chuck directed by Mark Helfrich
2007
★✰✰✰✰
So I didn't really watch all of this movie.  It was so bad, it was hard to watch.  My wife was in control of the remote and she fast-forwarded through most of it.  Thank God that is over.  Do not watch this movie.