President Obama Calls out School Cancellations

I read this off the NY Daily News Website and got a kick out of it.

At a Roosevelt Room meeting today with business leaders to press his economic stimulus plan, Obama couldn't resist verging off script to suggest that "some flinty Chicago toughness" might be in order to deal with the Capital's first icestorm of the winter.
"My children's school was canceled today, because of what? Some ice," Obama said, as the room erupted in laughter.
"As my children pointed out, in Chicago, school is never canceled," he continued in amazement. "In fact, my 7-year-old pointed out that you'd go outside for recess in weather like this. You wouldn't even stay indoors."
Asked if he were calling Washingtonians weather wusses, Obama gleefully responded: "I'm saying that when it comes to the weather, folks in Washington don't seem to be able to handle things."

Today most if not all schools in Connecticut were closed and for what? We had a couple of inches of snow, followed by 15 minutes of sleet then rain for the remainder of the day. My driveway is down to the wet pavement already and the snow is melting off the roof of the van in my driveway. My kids didn't have school today due to a teacher's professional day, but I expect today would have been a snow day for them as well.

I can relate to what the President is saying. More often then not, snowdays are a joke! My sister went to high school in Erie, PA. I think she had one snowday in 4 years! She went to school with serious lake effect snow! Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if my kids have a delay tomorrow because the rain will freeze and their may be black ice in spots, but the roads will be more than passable! Our school buses here even have the automatic tire chains, but for what!?!?!? They never drive in the snow!

I just think there is some serious over reacting when it comes to this, and I am glad our President thinks so too!

Changes...

This past month, there have been some minor changes in my life. No we are not and have not moved, but some things have changed. Some minor and others not so minor. Let's take a look shall we.

Closer to 40!
On January 1st, I became 35 years old and upon marking that milestone in my life, I no longer was closer to 30, but now am rapidly approaching 40. I have always felt that the 30s were a great decade of life, and despite my receding hairline, feel good about myself.

Get Fit Chris!
I have finally made it a point to start at the gym and get myself in shape. A lot of this has to do with the previous point in approaching a time in my life where health issues begin to crop up occasionally. I am very healthy, but want to be even more healthy. I want to do this to insure that my heart keeps ticking and my lungs stay healthy as well. I currently go to the gym 2 mornings a week, and am trying to fit in a 3rd time.

DirecTV
For years, I have relied solely on cable TV. For the most part it has served its purpose well. I remember living in Harrisburg, PA and getting cable TV for the first time. Grandpa and Dad were so excited that they could get WPIX Channel 11 out of NY. For those of you that knew my Grandpa and know my dad, you can probably figure out why they were excited. Yes, they were able to watch the Yankees! Ever since that day, I have had cable tv. Over the years the options increased, but while researching our cable options here in Norwich, I determined that satellite TV was a more cost effective solution. As long as I could get YES (Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network) for free I was sold! We are saving money and have a lot more channels to chose from. I have been impressed with the selection and service since getting the service a week or so ago. We now have over 200 channels, plus HBO, Starz, Showtime and The Movie Channel. There is always something to watch. I love it!

President Barack H. Obama
On January 20th around 12:06 PM, President Obama took the oath of office for President of the United States. I watched this live and was moved by what took place. As the President said, 60 years ago, his father would not have been served at a restaurant in DC, and now he was taking that sacred oath. Watching the peaceful and smooth transition of power made me proud to be an American. I believe that the President will truly be a transformational figure and begin to restore the republic to where it should be. He seems like a man of integrity and a sincere man. I see great things happening under his watch and will support him in prayer regularly. I am proud to say that he received my vote on Election Day.

Valkyrie

For the past few weeks, a couple of the boys from the corps have been asking me to go to the movies with them. Initially, I wanted to see Quantum of Solace, but I waited to long and alas it is no longer in our local cineplex.

As I looked at the listings the last few days, I decided that Valkyrie was the movie that appealed to me the most. I told the boys and we agreed to go Sunday afternoon after our church activities.

Ever since Tom Cruise has acted a little strangely, I haven't been one of his fans. I thought he was great in such movies as Risky Business, Top Gun and was stellar in A Few Good Men.

In Valkyrie I think Cruise did a lot to redeem himself in the eyes of us "common folk."

Valkyrie starts in North Africa, where the main character Colonel Staffenberg is the Executive Officer of the German 10th Panzer Armored Division. After the truck he was in is straffed by British fighters, the Colonel is seriously wounded and the movie fast forwards to him recovering in a hospital somewhere in German occupied Europe.

Staffenberg is clearly disappointed in the direction Hitler is taking his beloved country and wants to do something about it. He stages a coup d'tat that begins by changing some executive orders regarding the German reserve Army.

However the bottom line of any coup, is the death of Hitler, which Staffenberg plans and executes...no pun intended.

Knowing history, I knew that any such attempt on Hitler did not work as he committed suicide at the close of WWII when the Allies surrounded Berlin. I therefore knew that the film did not end in a positive way for Staffenberg and his co-horts.

The movie moved slow toward the beginning, but was a very enjoyable movie. I enjoy WWII history so I was right at home seeing the story told from a German point of view...albeit a revolutionary point of view.

I would recommend this movie. It was enjoyable and Cruise did a fine job in the lead role. He was passionate. However do not look for him to have a German accent. I think the director attempted to make a transition from German to English like what happened at the opening to the 1990 movie Hunt for Red October.

Welcome Back Cruise!

A Night out at the MGM Grand--KC and the Sunshine Band

No I didn't go to Vegas...

In the last several months, one of the large casinos nearby has expanded and included the notorious MGM Grand brand. So now Foxwoods Resort and Casino can maintain its notoriety as the largest casino in the world. However, I am digressing.

Foxwoods was a large sponsor for the recent Extreme Makeover Home Edition that recently was filmed in our area. In addition to supplying food for the tent and canteen, they provided logistical support with equipment, parking, shuttle service, and hosted the wrap party the evening the night was revealed to the family. At the wrap party, Foxwoods provided complimentary tickets to all Extreme Makeover volunteers to one of three shows. The three shows we had to choose from were, Bozz Skaggs, comedian Jay Mohr, or KC and the Sunshine Band. Our first choice was the comedian, but all of the comp tickets were gone when we got to the staff who were passing them out, so we decided upon KC and the Sunshine Band. This was an odd choice considering that they were popular when I was a toddler. I went to the concert with an open mind and knew I would enjoy it either way.

There were 8 of us together, Elaine and I, our neighbors, two officer friends, and two of their friends. We hit the Festival Buffet in the casino prior to the show then found our way to the MGM Grand theater. As we arrived, KC had alrerady started his act. Immediately I could sense the high energy eminating from the stage and sound system. I soon found out that I knew pretty much all of KC's songs. Despite being 58 years old the guy could still sing, and could still dance quite well. I was particularly impressed with the "sunshine band." There was a live horn section and two drummers. These guys could really play! KC's style is a mix of dance and latin music. The night was filled with high energy and long sets. We were on our feet clapping and moving to the beat pretty much all night long.

The hour and 40 minute concert was incredibly enjoyable and as we walked out of the theater we all remarked to each other how hot we were due to moving around. It was a really fun night. I would pay to see that show next time KC comes to town.