Verbisaurus Blogicus

Tuesday, 10 July 2012

So, I found a penny today. This brings my total haul to $13.70 for the year.

As you may recall (if you’re really, really pathetic), I found $13.68 total last year. I was hoping to beat last year’s haul by mid-year this year, but it turns out I was one week off: instead of making the goal on July 2nd, I made it yesterday. While out for a walk with my wife and daughter (son was at his granparents’ home), I found both a penny and a nickel. Combined, this brought my total up to $13.68, which tied last year’s total. About a half hour later, I found a penny on the floor at McDonald’s —

WAIT! You were at McDonald’s? You, James?

Yes, and I apologize. It is, however, the closest Red Box location, so it kind of made sense to stop there. With Owen away for the night, we figured we’d have time to watch a movie.

—and that meant I officially beat last year’s total.

So, this morning, I woke up with an extra $13.69 to my name. Then I found this here penny, so now I’m at $13.70. My goal now is to find $100 a day, everyday, for the rest of my life.

Wednesday, 11 July 2012

Today, in Toastmasters, a member gave a speech titled “Memoria,” probably because his topic was memoria.

Basically, this is a fancy term the Greeks gave to one of their rhetorical devices: memorizing your speech. Or, more correctly, delivering your speech without writing anything down.

The club member noted that it was Socrates who exhorted this method, claiming it gave your words more authority and afforded you – the speaker – more respect. Socrates, he noted, really walked the walk, since he didn’t write down anything. In fact, everything we know about Socrates is from the writings of his most famous pupil, Plato. It’s a bit ironic, the speacker noted, that our only knowledge of Socrates distast of writing things down comes from his student…who wrote those things down.

The speaker offered an example of a speech delivered largely in memoria style: Robert Kennedy’s words immediately following Dr. King’s assassination. Kennedy was on his way to deliver just another campaign speech (he was running for President), but was informed en route that King was shot. Moments before taking the platform, Kennedy was updated and told that King was dead.

The Toastmaster suggested watching this speech as a superb example of speech-giving from memory. Obama could take a lesson. So could I.

(To be fair, Kennedy does have notes, and he does use them. But I think it’s apparent he’s not relying on them at all.)

Finally, can you recall all the words to The Very Hungry Caterpillar? You don’t have to remember them in order, and entering any one word will give you each occurance of that word. I scored 105, which put me in the 97th percentile. See how you do.

Monday, 09 July 2012

In between preparing for and officiating at two weddings this past weekend, I managed to re-attain my goal of seeing every Oscar winner for Best Picture.

As I may have mentioned before, that’s been one of my life goals for over twenty years now. The goal started off small: I had a list hanging up in my bedroom of every Best Picture winner from 1927 to the present (the present, at that time, was the early 1990s). I had seen about 15 – 20% of them.

After getting married, my wife said she thought my goal was a great idea, and we made a concerted effort to fill in all the holes. By 1998, I believe, we had seen them all. In fact, that year, we even went to the theaters to see all the Best Picture nominees (this included three great films: Life is Beautiful, Saving Private Ryan, and Shakespeare in Love – the eventual winner), so our goal was in tact even before the Oscars were awarded the following year.

Every year since then, I’ve either gone to the theater or rented the winner as soon as possible. My wife is right – this is a fun goal. Not only did it expose us to some of the greatest films ever made, and some of the lousiest, but I like that I have to put forth a little bit of effort every year to maintain the goal. In that way it’s different than some other life goals I’ve had – such as the goal of performing a wedding ceremony. I’ve attained that goal (and others) and no matter what I do for the rest of my life…I can always say I’ve done it.

Anyway, it took three evenings, but we finally finished watching The Artist, which is the 2011 winner.

Some clever people online have pointed out that this is the first silent film to win since 1927 (the first year of the Oscars). Some people who think they’ve even more clever pointed out that this is not true, since The Artist is not truly a silent film. But this is poppycock. Claiming The Artist is not a silent film would be like claiming Schindler’s List is not a black-and-white film, or that Mary Poppins is not a live-action film.

But I digress.

Artistically (if you’ll excuse the pun), The Artist was a great film. The camera work was outstanding, reminding viewers of a time when cinematographers used the camera itself to help tell the story. And, without the medium or sound, the film deftly made use of shadows and light. Again, this is an art that I feel has been cast aside. Once the advent of sound arrived, I think only Chaplin and Hitchock (two directors who came to fame in the silent era) and Orson Welles managed to continue their work as art. Oh – and some foreign guys, too, but they were foreign, so it doesn’t count.

I also want to mention the actors’ expressions: their exaggerated gestures and flouishes were corny. To me, this was a wonderful homage to the silent era.

But…

The story wasn’t anything special. One part Sunset Boulevard, one part Singing in the Rain, one part Vertigo, and one part Citizen Kane. Don’t get me wrong, these are all first-rate films, but it means The Artist didn’t exactly bowl me over with originality in the screenplay department.

It was also a little long – especially for such a simple plot. Many silent films fall victim to this. In fact, some of my favorite silent films are in the under-30 minute catergory. The drawnout story explains why my wife and I twice fell asleep during the film, and had to restart it twice on subsequent nights.

All in all, a really good flick. B+. Definitely rent it.

If you are interested in seeing some silent films from the silent era, I suggest:

The General

Clocking in at about an hour and 10 minutes, this is how long a silent film should be. In my opinion, the most entertaining film you can watch without having to hear a thing. I recently re-watched this flick with my son – and if you have young kids at home, you should have them join you – and he liked it as much as I did.

Wings

Okay, so this one’s a little long (2+ hours). But it has a great story. Considering the time it was made (1927), there’s some amazing flight sequences, too. As a bonus, the film stars Clara Bow, who was pretty much the most popular silent film actress of her day. Wings was the first Best Picture winner.

The Kid

If you ask most critics what the best Charlie Chaplin film is, they usually say Modern Times or The Gold Rush. They’re wrong. this is his best feature film. It’s from 1921 and it co-stars Jackie Coogan (who would, decades later, gain fame as Uncle Fester from TV’s The Addam’s Family). In typical Chaplin fashion, it’s funny and poingiant. It’ll only take you 68 minutes to watch, too.

Safety Last

I’m sorry to say I didn’t get around to watching this film until earlier this year. But you should find time for it, too. It’s funny, fast-paced (relatively), and has a great ending.

Battleship Potemkin

This 1925 film is probably my second-favorite silent film. It’s Russian, but since it’s silent, you don’t have to be put off by subtitles or tough accents. There’s a lot of excellent camerwork here, and some iconic images that are duplicated in films to this day (best example: the “Odessa Steps” sequence was mirrored in The Untouchables). Unlike the above films, this one is probably a bit much for the kids – lots of violence and suffering and killing…just like Old Mother Russia used to be.

The Lodger

This hour-and-a-half flick was directed by Alfred Hitchcock. It’s the film that put him on the map. Well, the British map, at least. It was only the fourth film he directed, but it was the first one to really exemplify his style of unique cinematography, and his love of murder mystery suspense. This one tells the story of Jack the Ripper. Hitchock went on to make a dozen more silent films before shifting to sound, but this was his finest from that era.

Finally…

The Great Train Robbery

For those of you who can’t be bothered to spend an hour and a half watching a silent flick, check out this one – it’s only 11 minutes. From 1903, it’s often been billed as the first western movie, and the first American movie with a plot. It’s surprisingly fun and fast, despite it’s age (the cinematography’s a bit rickety and the editing can be jarring). Also, it’s available on YouTube, so you can watch it right now.

Thursday, 05 July 2012

I spent all my free time today finishing up preparations for two (yep, two) wedding ceremonies I will be performing this weekend.

It was tough to find free time – especially at work. I had a very busy day at work (see my last post) and, when I thought I’d have some free time during lunch, a co-worker invited me to dine with him. I could have said no, but I try not to be anti-social, despite its overwhelming appeal.

This evening, I tried to work on my services (sermons? presentations? talks?), but this is quite a tough feat with two children that demand everything from me, and then ask for a little more. I nevertheless managed to get everything together – with the exception of a couple points of clarification I need from one of the brides – and now I can get to sleep and just practice them like crazy tomorrow.

Friday, 06 July 2012

This evening I attended the rehearsal of wedding #1. The wedding is set to be outdoors. If the wedding was today, an outdoor wedding would be most uncomfortable. On my way to the rehearsal, the voice on MPR said it was 102 degrees (I presume he meant Fahrenheit, though he did not specify). “Ugh,” I said, thinking about how uncomfortable the rehearsal was going to be with my button/collared shirt and khakis on. But then the guy said relief was on the way – and he cited (I guess as evidence) that it’s only 68 degrees in Bemidji. He then said rains were coming and tomorrow’s temps would be 15 degrees cooler.

So…yeah…then rehearsal was outside, which, I suppose, makes sense, because why rehearse on-site if you’re not gonna be at the actual site. I was pleased to see that they decided to stick a piece of tape down on the ground where I would be standing. This is great news because I would walk up to the front before anyone else and if I stood in the wrong spot, then conceivably, so would everyone else. Otherwise, it was really hot out there.

When I got back in the car to drive home, I first turned the air on full blast. I took off my shirt, shoes, and socks. After driving about 4 miles, I noticed it was actually too cold in the car, so I turned the air down…and then I turned it off. Soon thereafter, it began raining. Getting out of my car when I got home, the air was noticeably cooler. It felt great.

Saturday, 07 July 2012

Today was wedding #1.

As I said earlier, it was definitely cooler outside, though still hot. In fact, early on in the ceremony, I commended the bride and groom on getting married on the first day all month that I even wanted to be outside. The only problem with the wedding (in my opinion, at least) was that I was facing the sun.

The sun was just sitting there, in the near-cloudless sky, just above my line of sight. I couldn’t wear sunglasses. I tried squinting as often as I could and a couple times during the ceremony I noticed I had one eye closed in an attempt to block out the sun. Then I realized I should probably forced my eyelids open. I also realized that no one else was experiencing the same problem – because they all had their back to the sun. Lucky them. Anyway, I managed to get through it without inducing either a bona fide bright-light or hypochondriac headache.

On the way home, I again removed my shoes and socks. Maybe this is getting to be a trend for me. I also blasted the album SMiLE and sang along with full gusto because, you know, my nerves had just abated by half.

Sunday, 08 July 2012

Today was wedding #2.

Did I mention they were both outside?

Today’s wedding was in the shade, so that was good.

Afterward, the mini-reception was held at Stephano’s Bistro in Burnsville, an establishment I henceforth whole-heartily endorse. Looking at their website, I see they opened their doors the same year I moved out of Burnsville (1990), so that may explain why I’ve never been there. Oh – another explanation might be that my family only frequented the finest in eateries…such as McDonald’s and Burger King and (if money way good) Pizza Hut.

All in all, I’m glad this two-fer weekend is over. Planning for two weddings – less than 24 hours apart – took a lot out of me. Earlier today, my mom-in-law asked how I manage to calm my nerves before doing something like this, and my nuanced, thoughtful answer was pretty much, “I don’t.”

Here’s a picture my sister took of me and my bride (taken shortly after today’s nuptials):

Tuesday, 03 July 2012

You know what I learned today? Or, rather, what I re-learned? That when there’s a holiday during the week and everyone tries  to beef up their vacation time by taking off the rest of the week, I should follow suit and take the time off, too.

I guess I get this idea that it’s fun to go to work when everyone else is taking time off. After all, I have no reason to travel during the holidays like everyone else, and if they’re all home from work, then they’re probably crowding the streets and the stores, so I’ll stay at work away from all of that.

For many years, this has made me a hero. Particularly when I worked in retail: all my co-workers needed this day or taht day off during Xmas and Thanksgiving. They had to travel to their family’s house or they just wanted a longer weekend. Me, I didn’t care. None of my family or friends celebrated life, so everyday was just like every other day to me.

Even in the non-retail world where I work now, my constant decision to not take off any additional time has won me gratitude from co-workers. “Oh, you’re gonna be here during the holidays? That’s great! Can you do XYZ for me?”

Now, XYZ is fine, if it’s just a simple task.

But it’s tough if two or three or more people all come to me and say, “Hey, since it’s gonna be a slow week next week, and I’m not gonna be here, how about you take care of this for me?”

Yeah, so it’s turning out to be one of the busiest weeks of the year for me here at work. Someone needs to remind me to take this week off next year. Maybe I should just set a reminder for myself.

Wednesday, 04 July 2012
Well, here we are int he middle of the week, and I have this one day off.

Jennifer and I were going to spend the day holed up in our house, working on some projects, staying away from the horrendous heat, and otherwise playing curmudeon to our nation’s birthday.

But then my mom-in-law called to see if we wanted to go over to her house. Owen was just aching to do something special on America’s 236th birthday, so we pretty much had no choice: we had to go.

There was plenty of food and alcohol, and even though I wanted to leave around 6:30, Owen really wanted to stay and watch the fireworks, so it ended up being a late night. All in all, I think it was a fun day for my kids to be with all four of their cousins, so I’m glad they had a good day, despite the heat, humidity, and their boring parents.

Also today: My friend, Rhett Sutter, passed away on this day back in 2005. Here’s a video he and I (and his two brothers, my sister, and our friends Andy, Emilee, Tim, Joel, Jesse, and Chad) created back in February 1992. Rhett is sitting on the floor, playing (what else?) the drums…

Sunday, 01 July 2012

A few weeks ago, we planted eight tomato plants. We’ve weeded the area, and we’ve ensured they receive enough water. Well, except once. Last week, there were two days when none of us were home. So they didn’t get enough water.

Evidently, this is all a tomato plant can handle, because they’ve been on life-support ever since. Meanwhile, weeds grew up in cracks in the driveway and in between the decorative stones in our yard; some of the weeds are already taller than the tomato plants.

This evening, we babied the tomatoes some more by setting up a bamboo scaffolding for them to grow on. Yeah, turns out tomatoes can’t even grow straight without something to lean on.

All this has got me wondering how tomatoes have not gone extinct yet; they seem like such weaklings. How is it we have to spend all this time caring for them, and still they are dying.

Next year, I’m growing a weed garden.

Monday, 02 July 2012

Speaking of outside: man, do I hate hot weather.

It’s too hot and too humid right now. I can’t cool down the same way I can warm up because…

1) I can only take off so many clothes.

Even at home, just sitting on the couch wearing nothing but a pair of shorts…and I’m still too hot. I could take off these shorts, but I don’t think that will cool me down anymore. Quite the contrary, my wife assures me it will just make me hotter.

2) Everything I do produces heat.

If we’re cooking, sitting at a computer, cleaning the house, anything: it all produces heat. None of it – not even just sitting here breathing – produces cool.

I have cousins that have lived most of their lives in Florida, and they frequently questioned how I can live in an Arctic tundra, with “nothing” to do when it’s cold out. That’s funny, because I wonder how they can do anything all year when it’s 90 degrees out everyday.

Anyway, just 90 days until autumn. I’ll be holed up here until then.