Oh glorious Shark Week!!!

Shark Week on Discovery Channel began yesterday with some repeats of shark attack shows and the obligatory (and absolutely necessary) documentaries of white sharks gracefully leaping fifteen feet into the air as they destroy the bodies of delicious seals and albatrosses. My two year old, Josh, is really into it too. He has been watching the shows with me over the past couple days keeping his shark book and shark toys near him so he can look them up/hold them as he sees the various animals on the tv. He is so freakin' adorable, it is unbelievable. His favorite shark - by far - is the hammerhead. Although he has been requesting the whale shark quite a bit. Since they pose no threat whatsoever to humans, and therefore not very enthralling, they are usually bypassed during Shark Week. I look forward to the rest of the week.

Tonight, I got a semi-promotion at my Ninjutsu class. I got my first (of two) black stripe at the end of class. I was expecting it this week, but not until Thursday night. We started a new block of techniques for the next month as well. We have moved from earth (solidarity) to water (fluidity). This month should be good times.

Well, I just found out there is a Chevy Chase marathon on AMC, so I am gonna get going. So please...no calls. tee hee

Meanwhile, enjoy what could very well be the manliest display ever documented:

No Equilibrium

Last night's Rush concert was...interesting. As Mike (linked at right) put it, the set list was unbalanced. On one hand, they played many songs that surprised me, on the other hand, they played eight songs from "Snakes and Arrows" and two songs from the travesty "Vapor Trails" album. They also played four songs from the Permanent waves album only adding to the imbalance. But since Permanent waves is my favorite album, I was okay with it. That album contains both my favorite Rush song ("Natural Science") and the song that got me addicted to them ("The Spirit of Radio"). Both of these songs made it on the set list as well as the obligatory "Freewill" and the surprising never-played-on-tour-ever "Entre Nous".

Rush also surprised the audience with "Digital Man", "Mission", "Circumstances", "Witch Hunt", and "Passage to Bangkok". The surprises also dwelled within what they didn't play. We didn't get "Closer to the Heart" (I am not sure they have ever left this one off any set list since it was released in 1977), "Bravado", "Roll the Bones", and "Red Sector A". These omissions were a bit shocking to me.

Another point Mike made in his review blog was that there were quite a few albums not represented. They really should have focused less on playing so much from "Snakes and Arrows"...that would have freed up the better part of an hour of music from the neglected albums.

Of course, they did play (with the exception of "Closer to the Heart") the "must plays" the casual fan demands: "Tom Sawyer", "Limelight", "YYZ", "Freewill", and "The Spirit of Radio". These are all songs that if left out of a setlist would likely incite a riot.

All in all, I was very pleased with the performance. They were spot on in every way. And they played well in front of a packed audience of 20,000. I love that Rush, all by themselves, can fill stadiums whereas many current bands cannot without bringing about 3 other bands with them *coughKorn'sfamilyvaluestourcough*

And for the record Mr.Bahr - it wasn't cheapskateness so much as fiscal frugality that led us to park in the best possible spot...especially given the circumstances. For all those curious about what I am talking about - read his blog (Bahr's House of Exuberance).

Full Circle

About half way through Dream Theater's set last night, I realized something. It became clear to me that their music has enhanced my life on another level outside of the obvious enjoyment I get from their music. If not for them, I never would have met Mike, and to that end, Jeff or Stephanie either. Mike and I met about three years ago via Mike Portnoy's message board (he is the drummer). So it seemed quite fitting that these were the guys (and gal) I saw Dream Theater with. I very much value my friendships, and so to Dream Theater, I say: thank you.

Mushy stuff aside, the evening was interesting. Dream Theater actually invited two other bands to tour with them - Into Infinity and Redemption. Hardly a soul in the Dodge theater actually liked Into Infinity's performance. The guitars had a bad sound, one of the guitar players was downright sloppy, and the sound mix was horrible. They only had one and a half good qualities about them: they had all sorts of energy, and their singer is quite versatile...however, he didn't take advantage of his talents well.

Redemption had awesome music, but they lacked in stage energy and the singer sounded like he had a cold or something. The lead guitarist also had problems throughout their set. I guess his amps stopped working a few times. I could tell on a couple instances that he was probably supposed to be playing some sort of lead seeing as how the music would become quite vacant. Both bands probably have phenomenal studio recordings, otherwise Dream Theater would not have put their stamp of approval on them.

Dream Theater played an all around good set as usual. They had great momentum going. They got the crowd going right away with a metal version of Ric Flair's (old school wrestler) entrance music and then broke into their own material. They played the best version of Surrounded I had ever heard live (this was my second time hearing it), and even played stuff I had never gotten to hear live such as Blind Faith. Of course, unless San Diego got that one the night before, no one in the US has ever heard that one live. All of the songs were executed so well. Up until the end, I was very satisfied with the set list. When playing their latest epic, In the Presence of Enemies - a two parter - they made part one sound amazing. They did prove though that even live, there was no hope for part two. That is the song they ended their primary set with. Their encore was underwhelming with their selection of less than exciting tunes converted into a medley. When they busted out "Learning to Live", Jeff and I got way excited. But that was just a tease. They played maybe thirty seconds of it. It was very reminiscent of Rush's encore for about three tours straight where they played YYZ and at the end would tease the audience with ten seconds of Cygnus X-1 before calling it quits for the night. Bastards.

All in all, the set was great. Dream Theater continues to put on a fantastic performance. Oh, and John Myung (bass) actually moved on a couple occasions. Of course, Jordan Rudess breaking out the keytar (sp?) was a long overdue treat.

Tomorrow I go with Mike and Jeff to the Rush concert. I am way stoked for that one. That leads me to this week's anthem. I know I chose Rush a couple weeks ago...but that was a gag based on the son's title ("Anthem"). Just like last week where I shared the song that introduced me to Dream Theater, this week, the anthem is the song that got me hooked on Rush. From 1980's "Permanent Waves" album, I give you "The Spirit of Radio".

Like I said, that's my boy!

Saturday morning, Jayden and I went to the dojo for training. My class was first, and as was the case last time, Jayden sat through my 50 minutes of training very quietly. When it was time for his class, he won the opportunity to ring the gong to signal the beginning of class. He picked up on the various techniques - most of which were grappling - fairly well. The crowning moment was at the end of class where he passed his white belt class. The kids get a much more physical test than the adults. Adults get more of a mental drill presented to them. Anyway, Jayden's test involved the head instructor swinging a padded bo staff at various targets on the body. Depending on the target Jayden either ducked, jumped, or shifted his body to the side to evade the attacks. Surprisingly, the attacks were not as passive as one would expect. Jayden got whapped a couple times, but managed to focus and avoid the vast majority of the blows. When he got his belt, I could tell he was very proud of himself. I know I was.

Saturday night, Kristin and I finally got a night out together. We went to see the new Harry Potter flick. It was decent. The cast (referring to Daniel Radcliffe and the other two main characters) now have passable acting skills...something they severely lacked in the first three movies. This movie wasn;t as exciting as the fourth installment, but was good nonetheless. Still...though the storyline was not as elaborate, Transformers was better overall. I wasn't expecting that.

Today I did nothing. It was great. The only notable thing I did today was I saw yet another new documentary on Egypt. It was quite interesting, but not as exciting as last week's.

This week will be full of Ninjutsu, Dream Theater, and Rush. I can't imagine how it will get any sweeter.

Lest I forget

So while at training last night, I discovered that many of the students, male and female, are Dream Theater fans. I had a rather in depth conversation with Julie, one of the employees. So naturally, I got super pumped about this concert. So this week's anthem is of course going to be Dream Theater. When trying to decide on just one of their many, many great songs, I went with the song that got me hooked on them. It got quite a bit of radio play, and had many spots on the Headbanger's Ball. So here it is, "Pull Me Under" (radio edit).

That's my boy!

Tonight, I took Jayden to the dojo to begin his martial arts training. He did very well in his first class and even kept up with the other kids in his class. He did have some issues with listening and focus as can be expected of any five year old boy, but he is coachable. His lunge punches were very well formed - this to me was the high point of the evening. Best of all, he really enjoyed himself. The curriculum is also designed to promote a more productive member of the family. The kids get stripes on hteir belts and even belt promotions based on their activities in and out of the dojo. For instance, some of the stripes are based on the student doing chores around the house...unasked I might add. This is where Jayden may run into trouble initially, but this kind of structure is definitely what he needs. With a new baby in the house, Kristin really needs some help. So Jayden and I have an arrangement: If he does what it takes to get his stripes, everytime he gets a new belt, he will get something special. He takes his white belt test next week, so after he passes, I am going to probably buy him a To Shin Do tee shirt to wear in lieu of his uniform top. It gets kinda hot in the dojo.

Anyway, I am very proud of him and I am ecstatic that I get to share this martial art with him.

Liberals can cup my two peaches

Here is a rhetorical question for you:

Why is it that every time a white person is engaged in a conversation with a black person they have to speak as though they themselves are black?

I was flipping through radio stations on my way home from training tonight and I happened upon a conversation between a white DJ and a black man. The DJ was spouting out terms like "raisin' da roof" and "Givin mahself props" and so on. That DJ: the horrific Delila. During the holidays, I almost exclusively listen to the station that plays the non-stop holiday music (the same station she is played on), so I get a solid month of exposure to Delila during that time. Never have I heard her say anything remotely ebonic.

I was watching a movie last week - a horrible movie that shall remain nameless because I will never hear the end to it for having seen - and I noticed the same thing. A white girl was thrust outside her comfort zone into a predominantly black school. At first, and to the writer's credit, the movie was steeped in the racisim that some black people show toward whites. Then something happened: the white girl started acting blacker and blacker. Then she was ai'aight. She even corn rowed her hair for the last scene of the movie. Her former classmates were then villainized for thinking her transformation didn't become her. I guess I can understand. God forbid the white girl maintain her "whiteness". That would be racist.

White liberal guilt is such a plague. According to this philosophy, people are not allowed to be who they are. They must conform to the will of the collective. That will being when around the minority's majority (blacks and hispanics) one must take on the personality traits that the liberal media has kindly stereotyped for us - by behaving in a fashion that can only be defined as tribal and base. I have met more minorities who do not act as the stereotype than ones that do. This is considering that I lived in the Washington, DC area.

Anyway...on a more positive note, the countdown is on. T-minus 7 days until I am sitting in the Dodge Theatre with my buddies absorbing the experience that is Dream Theater. Two days later, we will be absorbing the experience that is Rush at the Cricket Pavilion. By this time, Mike should have been granted acceptance to the Arizona state bar, so it will be a special time of celebration for us all.

Even though I won't be in Tucson with you, Mike...I am pulling for you.

A familiar pain

Training tonight was great. We have been spending the last couple weeks on evasive techniques (with follow up, of course) from wrist grabs. This week, they have added defense against tackling attempts - a very possible situation on the street. Over the past several training sessions, the instructors have paid attention to me and my ability. They now know that my talk of experience was not exaggerated. Again, I am no virtuoso, but they can tell I definitely have experience. So confident in my skill level, the head instructor invited me to join the "Shadows of Iga" class. This is a class where traditional Ninjutsu is taught. By the Way, Iga is a mountainous region in Japan where Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu (the school of the Bujinkan that sets it as "Ninjutsu") hails from.

The SOI class has reitroduced me to my old friend: lingering joint pain. We started with wrist locks, moved onto combining said locks with armbars - at the same time, then we moved into chicken wings to put pressure on the shoulders, and finally a technique so painful, I shudder to describe it. basically, imagine a full grown man setting his entire weight on your back as you lie prone all the while yanking your arm right out of its socket. Tis a good thing that the environment was controlled and friendly. For training to be effective, we do take eachother slowly to the threshold, so the pain is real. I am pretty tender in my arms right now. But this is a sensation I have missed. Now I know my fellow students are as serious as I am about learning. Oh, and they now now that I am serious. They are probably also nursing tender joints on account of me.

More on the Egypt special:

Mike had pointed out (more or less) the fact that Hatshepsut's name and image was erased on almost every monument thinkable. He may have come into the part where the archaeology tem went up into the Theban hills to visit Senenmut's tomb. His image was destroyed almost everywhere - as was Hatshepsut's in all but one place. Basically, if there was a holy of holies in the tomb, that was the area the images and titles are present. Mike suggested that maybe the reason her name and image was almost erased from history was because of her relationship with a commoner. This was actually a very valid theory a few decades ago. Then the theory that her co-regent (and successor) throughout her reign, Thutmose III was pissed that a woman held the crown and therefore tried to eliminate her from the historical records. I always had a problem with this because she wore the co-regency on her shoulder. Plus, all indications are that her relationship with her stepson was ideal. She took care of the administrative items as well as building projects, and he went out on the military campaigns. While he expanded the borders of the empire beyond that of any other king before or since, she made trade expeditions to places that were more legend to the Egyptians than realities. Really, this could possibly be the most interesting relationship in Egyptian history based on what they accomplished.

So one of the considerations I once had - which turned out to be the final suggestion of the special - was that Thutmose III was trying to keep the royal line legitimate...nothing sinister. Basically, the 18th dynasty was up to that point ruled by a succession of father to son. This is how the reign was going to be legitimized. Thutmose III did it for his son and successor, Amenhotep II. Without Hatshepsut's name, the list would go:

Amose
Amenhotep I
Thutmose I
Thutmose II
Thutmose III
Amenhotep II

as opposed to:

Amose
Amenhotep I
Thutmose I
Thutmose II
Hatshepsut/Thutmose III
Amenhotep II

Since Hatshepsut was in Egypt all her life, and Thutmose III spent very little of it there for his first years as king, he had to legitimize his reign not only for himself, but more importantly for his forthcoming legacy. I see it as "Hatshepsut, I love you babe, but I have a family to consider here" type of thing. Anyway, it is just a theory. Unfortunately, we will probably never know, but it is nice to have one of my theories shared by another set of random historians.

The heat was hot

So guess what I did today? At about 11 am, I called my boss, Bridger to ask him if he wanted me to put the "Gun Sale This Weekend" sign up. Always down with marketing any even the range puts on, he of course said he would like me to if I didn't mind. He actually sounded a bit surprised that I volunteered to do this. Here is why:

1.) It is July
2.) The highs were to be around 112 today
3.) I had to get on the roof to put the cumbersome 20'x6' sign where it was designed to go.

Am I a retard? Probably. It takes a physical effort to hang the sign up correctly. Couple that with the rising temperature outside as well as all the heat inside the building coming up on me, by the time I was done, I looked (as my other manager, Brian said) like I was about to die.

So the special on the Discovery Channel last night exceeded my expectaitions. Let me go on record for saying Dr Zahi Hawass is the man. He absolutely deserves his position. That being said, his hand is in absolutely every pot that deals with antiquities, and he comes across as being the worst kind of micro-manager. But one must respect the man. The mummy they determined to be Hatshepsut has me 100% convinced. They (by chance) came across an extracted molar in her canopic box which also contained her liver and (another surprise) intestines. When it occured to the team to use the only known parts of the pharaoh to do a DNA cross examination, I figured that was the key. Turns out, the resin had made the liver too impenetrable, so they did a CAT scan on the box and came acrss the image of a tooth. Long story short (too late, I know), they ran the image up against the missing tooth space on one of the mummies, and it was an exact match. The size was right, the spacing was right, and the fact that the mummy still hat a root intact and the molar in Hatshepsut's box was missing the same root. Her Dentist doesn't seem to have been all that compentent. Science is quite amazing.

I feel I should also clear up something I said earlier (due to the comment posted on my last post)...I said Hatshepsut was the most substantial female King, but the most famous is certainly Cleopatra. If one compares one to the other, Hatshepsut definitely did more for for Egypt.

Even when I lose, I win

As was stated in the last post, I spent a good portion of my Saturday at Warboss in Tempe to attend the pre-release tournament for Magic: the Gathering Tenth Edition. Well, I can't say I played too well. I did better than the last tournament given I was pitted against seasoned veterans and still managed to hold one of them off for 20 minutes in the first game of the first round before I ran out of gas. There were only seven of us there, and I placed seventh. Amazingly, I actually won prizes. I got 3 Tenth Edition booster packs, a filing box, and a game mat (stylin').

Afterwards, those of us present and then a newcomer wanted to do what is called a draft. I won't get into the details of what that means, but this was the first time I had ever been involved in a draft. Needless to say, I didn't understand the rules. This is okay because while I didn't beef up on any one color, I did get quite a few valuable cards I intend to use in my newest decks. So though I didn't win any new prizes from the mini tournament that followed the card draft, I still came up very well.

Later in the evening, I met with Mike, Steph, Christina, and Jay at the Macaroni Grill for dinner. We then made our way to the shooting range. We did some shooting, and after they left, I stuck around to fix some odds and ends before I took my leave.

Tonight, in lieu of the typical movie, Kristin and I will settle in, popcorn and all for a show...no, an event on the Discovery Channel, "The Secret of Egypt's Lost Pharaoh". This is a 2-hour special about the "discovery" of the mummy of King Hatshepsut - the most substantial of the female kings of Egypt. Egyptomania has come back full swing with an abundance of discoveries over the last few years spawning many documentaries - some in real time proving to be unrehearsed like a reality show. But the claim that this particular presentation presents, if accurate, will be the biggest and most important historical find in 85 years. I refer, of course to Howard Carter's discovery of King Tutankhamen's intact tomb in November 1922. Apparently, the assignment of the overweight, diabetic/cancerous mummy they claim to be Hatshepsut was designated such through dental comparisons. At least that is what the news (and Supreme Council of Antiquities head Zahi Hawass) has been purporting over the past several weeks.

Tonight's viewing should prove to be very interesting...

I just farted

No, really. I did. I was struggling with a title for this post when by the grace of God, I was blessed with the sigh of relief from my balloon knot I had been holding all throughout training. The holding was a feat not easily accomplished seeing as I did about 15 crunches in the warm up.

On Saturday, Mike and I will be attending the pre-release for the tenth edition of Magic: the Gathering. Afterwards, a few of us will go shooting at the range. Since I need to be there after hours anyway (to make sure everything is a go for Sunday), it seems like the logical thing to do. Dorking and guns...pich me now.

For all you fathers (or soon to be), this part may be of interest. Tuesday, my baby will be six weeks old. This will also mark the end of my dry spell. Mike - when your baby comes...you will be counting the days down until he/she turns six weeks old. I plan to have a neck tie hanging from my door knob and, oh yes, the casbah will rock.

This week's anthen will commemorate said casbah rockage. I give you the Clash:

The first step is the hardest

Due to unforseen lethargy, I did not attend training last night. What can I say? My lack of physical activity has caused me to be quite lazy when it comes to physical output that I am not paid for. This realization very much scared me. My out of shapedness has gotten out of control. In fact, it is downright embarassing. Many of you who know and hang out with me know I have a little bit of what they call a "papa gut." I know that if I don't start doing something now, I will be another diabetic statistic before I am 40. To that I say "hell no!"

So tonight, after doing some work at the range, I mustered up what little energy my body affords me and went down to the Quest Center for a look-see. I got there just after the class started. I was immediately greeted and then offered a chance to train. I accepted the offer almost reluctantly. The first time I train with any group always seems to be the most harrowing. At that time, everyone in the room knew I was the fresh meat, and as such I felt very much under a microscope. Then, I find out I am one of six newbies in the class. All of a sudden, that leap onto the mats turned into not such a big deal.

The head instructor and his staff are amazing. The class structure and technique were very much like the school in Olney, Maryland I once taught for. This is very good. In fact, I settled in just nicely there getting a lot of compliments from instructors and students. When I explained my Ninjutsu experiencxe, they quickly understood why I was as proficient as I am. Maybe I should have kept the information to myself so they would go on thinking I am some sort of martial prodigy. This is not to say I looked perfect...or even efficient, but I did look like I was grasping the concepts very well. At the end of class, the six of us were awarded our white belts after a short initiation. This is a great sales tool , but it is also effective in helping to immediately build confidence for new students. So as a capitalist and a "martial artist", I can appreciate this practice.

The tuition isn't as expensive as I thought it might be. Granted, it is not the $70 per month I was paying ten years ago, but it isn't the $200+ the Dayton Quest Center charges. The price is reasonable considering the price of rent they must be paying combined with the fact that I can go in and train 5 times per week if I want initially, and even more as I progress.

Yes, I would have to say my initial impression is good. Things could change theoretically. This is why I am glad the first month is free. Though I think it is extreme to give a full month of instruction away, I have no problems taking advantage of it.

Anyhoo, now that I have taken that first step, all subsequent will be easy for me to take. I have tasted training again (and I have money now), and now my thirst for more is unsatiable. So here is to what may be a long and fruitful relationship once again with my old friend, Ninjutsu.

The new Quest before me

Well, at long last I have discovered the Arizona Quest Center. What is a "Quest Center"? It is the institution set up by Stephen Hayes about a decade or so ago that teaches Toshin-Do -- a variant of Bujunkan Taijutsu (aka Ninjutsu). Stephen Hayes was the first American to be taught authentic Ninjutsu by soke Hatsumi in the 60's, and is one of the Dali Lama's personal bodyguards. The other well known bodyguard being Steven Segal. Say what you want about his acting, but his Aikido is legit...even Japanese people make a pilgrimage to learn from him.

Anyway, I digress. The school I initially learned Ninjutsu (and subsequently coached) from in Maryland had a strict curriculum. For "X" rank, one had to satisfactorily perform "X" techniques. In fact, it was right in line with a school in Ohio run by one Shawn Havens - my instructor's instructor. Shawn Havens was a personal student of Stephen Hayes. The school I was in was well on its way to becoming a future Quest Center, but some political fallout caused Shawn Havens to leave the Bujinkan altogether. From what I understand, most of his students followed in suit. Including my instructor, Scott Teague. They "defected" to the Jinenkan, a separate "house" of Ninjutsu founded by Manaka Shihan, who was a prominent master of Bujinkan in Japan. The Jinenkan is a much more practical style, especially for beginners.

The Quest Center is the same way. Similar to Muay Thai, Hayes' system requires about 3 months or so of solid training for one to be very compenent in a defensive situation. Though not completely separated from Hatsumi and the Bujinkan, the violence in America is more prominent, and very much different from what they see in Japan, so the curriculum is arranged thusly. I am excited to know that there is a school locally who teaches in the fashion I was originally taught. The other local Ninjutsu alternative was a bit chaotic with every person of every rank and experience level doing exactly the same thing. Many of them I (and Mike might attest to this himself) was not ready for.

There is only one issue I can see with the Quest Center: money. These schools are not known to be cheap. But, Arizona is a different kind of place. I may be wrong. I don't mind paying for it, but I do have my limits. I am just hoping it isn't the high price the Dayton, Ohio school charges. Of course, the price is probably higher because that is the school at which Stephen Hayes teaches.

I am going to train tonight and get a feel for it. I owe at least that much to myself. I am out of shape, inflexible, and I have a gut I would like to minimize. All of these being things that back in my training days were problems not even on the radar as far as I was concerned.

So Sad

As some readers may know, I had been waiting ever so patiently for the special edition of Rush's new album "Snakes and Arrows". It did come out on June 26th as I last reported. I have given myself ample time with the album before writing about it. Though it is better than their last album "Vapor Trails", there arte only 2 songs that were worth my time. Track 2 ("Far Cry") is actually one of the best songs they have released since 1989. The other good song (track 12 - "Malignant Narcissism"), which is an instrumental, rounds up the redeeming aspects of an otherwise underwhelming album.

Oh well. I really don't go to Rush shows to hear new stuff anyway. I actually haven't done that since 1993's Counterparts. From what I am told, the set list they have been playing has been pretty low on the new material. They know what their fans want.

Anyway, the family and I spent Saturday in Tucson visiting with family. As per routine, some of my aunts/uncles/cousins met over at my grandparents house for a cookout. We try to do this at least once a month. Another plus was that due to Tucson's higher elevation, it was only 103 degrees yesterday. To put that into perspective, it was about 112 in the Phoenix area.

Yeah, this heat wave sucks my two peaches.

I gotta be honest...

...I am really feeling "Photograph" by Def Leppard this week.

I have excercised my right

Yesterday, the family and I made our way to south Chandler for a cookout with Kristin's cousin April and her family. I have to admit, I was skeptical about whether I would enjoy myself or not, but I have to say it was a lot of fun. They have kids my boys' ages, so it made for an easy visit. The best part was when April's husband, Tye pulled out the meat for the grill. These good people thought it best to serve their guests thick, juicy steak all marinated differently. The meat was as grand as the house. For those of you who don't know, my favorite food is steak. Needless to say, I fell in love with these people straight away.

After dinner, we cleared the table and the adults (about 8 of us) sat to play "Boxers or Briefs". This was the first time half of the group had played it, and it turned out to be very entertaining. Even the more "offensive" cards were welcomed with open arms. Good times.

After the game, we had sundaes. April cooked up some home made caramel and hot fudge toppings. I tell you this: I was a spoiled boy last night. Soon after, we whipped out another game, "Blurt!", and then settled into the loft for fireworks which were going up about a mile or so away. The kids had fun, and the adults had fun. Usually, things don't work out that way. We should be getting together with them very soon.

Today, I decided to honor my forefathers service to rid this country from tyrannical British rule by purchasing my first firearm. It is a CZ 75 P-01. It is their premium compact gun. The grip is full size, but that's the way I like it. I am told my hands are big. This will be my carry piece. I intend to sit in on a CCW clss within the next couple weeks. It will have to be after I get my gun back from C and S. They give all employees of the range a free holster, but they don't have any P-01 molds. Therefore, I have to leave it with them so they can make eit. This will probably be Monday.

Here is a picture of my new baby:

Go see Transformers

I saw Transformers last night with Jeff, Mike, Steph, and Jay. I am pleased to say that the movie far exceeded my expectations. It was very well done. The acting was phenomenal, and even the great Peter Cullen still had it 20+ years after his original gig as the voice of Optimus Prime. In fact, if there was ever any doubt, this movie proved Optimus Prime to be the man. Well, up until the end when he couldn't even hold his own against Megatron. Lucky for him, Shia LeBeouf of Disney Channel fame was at the ready to do what Prime couldn't. That definitely felt reminiscent of the Ewoks defeating the Galactic Empire with rocks and sticks, but unlike George Lucas, Michael Bay managed to pull it off with some believability. The movie also had many conservative overtones that was a breath of fresh air when compared to the usual liberal tripe proffered by Hollywood nowadays.

Oh, and yes -- the phrase "more than meets the eye" manifested itself a couple times, but never referring to the Transformers themselves. Once it was directed at Megan Fox's character, Mikaela, and the other time was in the epilogue when Optimus Prime said humans are "more than meets the eye". Sadly, no one pointed out that the Transformers were "robots in disguise". Maybe in the sequel...

Now for my critique of Michael Bey - he didn't wreck this movie like he has all of his others with too much romance. In fact, the romance was subtle at best until right about 45 seconds before the movie ended - and even that was only 5 seconds long. I have no problems with romance in movies usually, but obviously, that is not why I went to see Transformers. He finally directed a movie I would see again.

In case you were wondering, there will absolutely be at least one sequel. They have at least the one story to tell that the movie clearly leaves off with. But they should leave it at the one sequel and that's it.

Today at some point, I will be attending a barbecure like all other red-blooded Americans to celebrate this country's 221st anniversary of ridding ourselves of the tyrannical rule of those limey redcoats. This cookout will be hosted by Kristin's cousin. I am assuming that since we all have kids, fireworks will follow. My plans for the rest of the week are in the air. I think I am going to Tucson on Saturday to see a cousin that has been away at school. We shall see...

I started back at the range on a full time basis today, and I am happy to report that the lead trap problem is 100% resolved. The lanes still have the same issues they always have (and forever will until the 20 year old system is replaced), which further drives home that this Dan guy was just as effective as I was in that arena. Though it is kinda irritating that the lanes still break down as they do, I am relieved that it is all familiar territory. I look forward to taking advantage of the benefits of working at the range such as the free Concealed Carry Weapons class as well as taking advantage of classes that will help me fine tune my shooting skills. I will be sitting in on these classes on the soonest available date.

Saturday and Sunday were full-on family celebrations. On Saturday the wife, kids, and I whisked ourselves to beautiful South Phoenix to attend my niece Hailey's first birthday party. I tell you one thing: Jeremy and his wife sure make cute kids.

Sunday, about 20 or so family members gathered at my church for Jenna's blessing and then for a cookout at my place. It was really cool being able to involve Jeremy in it. Also, my niece on my wife's side of the family was blessed (she is only 8 days younger than Jenna), which I also got to stand in on. Always a good time.

Today, I had an interview at Grand Canyon University for their enrollment counselor position. It pays about what I was getting paid, in the $40-45K per year range. I was all but offered the job. I suppose they want me to sweat it out before an offer is officially given. Corporate America has this odd philosophy that this practice establishes some sort of credibility that an instant job offer wouldn't. I suppose to the weak-minded this Jedi mind trick works, but not me. I see through it.

Tomorrow will yield one of the few events I have truly been looking forward to this summer. After work, I will be meeting Mike at his place for some Magic and whatever else we feel like doing to while away the couple hours before we head off to the new Tempe Cine Capri where we will take in our childhood favorites: the Transformers. This is the movie I have anticipated above all others this year. I am a realist though. I know Harry Potter will be better as far as story, special effects, and altogether storytelling are concerned. I also know that with Michael Bey directing this movie, there will be a huge emphasis on a romance between the human protaginists Sam and Mikaela. The cheese factor on this subject will be high, and all it will serve is less splat between the Autobots and Decepticons - the primary reason many are looking forward to the movie. But, for nostalgic sake, the movie should prove to be most entertaining.

What's more is that the guy who did the voice over for Optimus Prime in the 1980's cartoon series is doing the voice for the movie. I am not sure what he will sound like 0ver 20 years later because in all of the previews, they never let us hear the voices of the Transformers. This was a good move on the part of Dramworks/Paramount. Leave us Transformer dorks wanting. I am drooling pretty heavily for this one.

Oh, and I'll bet you didn't know Optimus Prime is Jewish. No, really.