May 1st of next year. Possible run at The Dark Knight.
One issue: prequels don't work that great considering actors age. I like the casting of John Huston as Striker, he's always looked malicious.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
10 Top Pet Peeves
10) Texting or calling during inappropriate times
9) Leaving your cell phone on, or checking your cell phone, at movies
8) Overstuffed & multiple carry-on bags on airplanes
7) Driving slow when you're lost
6) People who don't know how to merge
5) People trying to be Lance Armstrong on a busy weekend trail. Use a road.
4) Minivans, SUVs, and the like rarely getting pulled over for speeding
3) Loud people at movies or the theater
2) People who can't use, or overuse (40+ item person, that's you), the self-pay lines at stores
1) Department store layouts. Not guy-friendly. The first department store to put the men's department right at the front entrance, staffed by people who are helpful when asked, will probably have a large male customer base.
9) Leaving your cell phone on, or checking your cell phone, at movies
8) Overstuffed & multiple carry-on bags on airplanes
7) Driving slow when you're lost
6) People who don't know how to merge
5) People trying to be Lance Armstrong on a busy weekend trail. Use a road.
4) Minivans, SUVs, and the like rarely getting pulled over for speeding
3) Loud people at movies or the theater
2) People who can't use, or overuse (40+ item person, that's you), the self-pay lines at stores
1) Department store layouts. Not guy-friendly. The first department store to put the men's department right at the front entrance, staffed by people who are helpful when asked, will probably have a large male customer base.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
"What are you doing?" (Step Brothers)
So NASCAR Sprint Cup had (and still do) a problem Sunday. Tire problems resulted in a poor racing atmosphere.
People go to racing to be entertained, and most go for wrecks. For this last race at Indy, Goodyear brought a tire unable to handle the pavement at Indy, which is specially treated for Indycars which travel 30-40 mph faster than a Cup car. The tires were getting chewed up within 5 laps for some teams, then explode if not taken off the car. Indy has grooves in the pavement which help open-wheel cars, but severely hurt heavy stock cars. And I'm sure the suspension style of Cup cars also add to the abusiveness of the tire.
End result was a very boring and caution-filled race full of uncertainty for teams. Will people come back next year to Indy? Some may not, since this isn't the first time Indy had tire trouble. They need to fix this now, and not hope it will be fixed next year.
To mend the fences, here's what I think NASCAR & Goodyear should do:
1) At the end of September, NASCAR Cup is at Kansas Speedway. Indianapolis is less than 500 miles away. Thursday and Friday needs to be a tire test where Goodyear comes prepared.
2) Only the top 25 teams are allowed to test.
3) Friday afternoon the speedway opens the gates for spectators (FREE), and based on practice speeds, the cars are lined up for a 50-75 lap shootout.
4) NASCAR, Goodyear, and whoever else feels responsible for the debacle can put up $100k (minimum) for a purse, divided amongst the top 5 finishers.
Goodyear gets a good test. Racers should get a good tire. Fans get a show they were denied Sunday. Teams get another test session. And everyone can go to Kansas.
People go to racing to be entertained, and most go for wrecks. For this last race at Indy, Goodyear brought a tire unable to handle the pavement at Indy, which is specially treated for Indycars which travel 30-40 mph faster than a Cup car. The tires were getting chewed up within 5 laps for some teams, then explode if not taken off the car. Indy has grooves in the pavement which help open-wheel cars, but severely hurt heavy stock cars. And I'm sure the suspension style of Cup cars also add to the abusiveness of the tire.
End result was a very boring and caution-filled race full of uncertainty for teams. Will people come back next year to Indy? Some may not, since this isn't the first time Indy had tire trouble. They need to fix this now, and not hope it will be fixed next year.
To mend the fences, here's what I think NASCAR & Goodyear should do:
1) At the end of September, NASCAR Cup is at Kansas Speedway. Indianapolis is less than 500 miles away. Thursday and Friday needs to be a tire test where Goodyear comes prepared.
2) Only the top 25 teams are allowed to test.
3) Friday afternoon the speedway opens the gates for spectators (FREE), and based on practice speeds, the cars are lined up for a 50-75 lap shootout.
4) NASCAR, Goodyear, and whoever else feels responsible for the debacle can put up $100k (minimum) for a purse, divided amongst the top 5 finishers.
Goodyear gets a good test. Racers should get a good tire. Fans get a show they were denied Sunday. Teams get another test session. And everyone can go to Kansas.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
"I know how we can go down in history." (A River Runs Through It)
I read a Christian study a while ago and it painted the public's perception of Christians as judgmental, homophobic, hypocritical and too political. The sample set of the study was young non-Christians, so I took the results of the study under that filter.
1) Asking young people opinions is somewhat fruitless. They don't have a worldly view for the most part, and think they have all the answers. I know, I was one of these. Look at the rallies at college campuses. You don't see those at retirement homes, or your local senior rec center. Asking opinions only pinpoints the opinionated viewpoints that bolster stereotypes.
2) The presentation of the Gospel by some churches rival secular performances. Whether it be the worship set, video presentation, or pastors themselves, the accessibility of what today's leading churches are doing might have a negative impact on the very people they are trying to reach. The "full-throttle" approach goes so fast it passes over love, grace, and compassion.
I know pastors have an authoritative anointing (yeah, that's redundant) to spread the Gospel to the best of their ability and resources. To a non-believer, it is easier to dismiss a powerful and flawless presentation as grandstanding, or viewing a performance, rather than accepting truth, passion, and forgiveness.
Somehow the Church has to break down perceptions instantly and remove skepticism from a non-believer and still guide believers to further their walk. Obviously this is a problem for all churches, otherwise we'd all be busting at the seams. Find the why, then address the how.
1) Asking young people opinions is somewhat fruitless. They don't have a worldly view for the most part, and think they have all the answers. I know, I was one of these. Look at the rallies at college campuses. You don't see those at retirement homes, or your local senior rec center. Asking opinions only pinpoints the opinionated viewpoints that bolster stereotypes.
2) The presentation of the Gospel by some churches rival secular performances. Whether it be the worship set, video presentation, or pastors themselves, the accessibility of what today's leading churches are doing might have a negative impact on the very people they are trying to reach. The "full-throttle" approach goes so fast it passes over love, grace, and compassion.
I know pastors have an authoritative anointing (yeah, that's redundant) to spread the Gospel to the best of their ability and resources. To a non-believer, it is easier to dismiss a powerful and flawless presentation as grandstanding, or viewing a performance, rather than accepting truth, passion, and forgiveness.
Somehow the Church has to break down perceptions instantly and remove skepticism from a non-believer and still guide believers to further their walk. Obviously this is a problem for all churches, otherwise we'd all be busting at the seams. Find the why, then address the how.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
"Did you eat too many paint chips as a kid?" (Tommy Boy)
Is there a logical reason why road medians, little sidewalk runners, and various "greenbelts" have real grass? I can understand parks and large social areas having grass, but I'm looking at those odd grass placement areas. That little patch between the road and sidewalk. Why is that grass?
Grass has to be cut. Should get a nice coat of weed & feed each year, but probably doesn't. Needs to be watered often or it turns brown.
I propose that Field Turf be the replacement for grass in appearance-only areas. It doesn't need water, doesn't need to be mowed (saves labor, equipment, and safety costs), and it stays green all year round.
I'm sure some environmentalist study or group will say how much the grass produces "life" for animals and helps the ecosystem. Maybe it does. But could we try something else first? We're not replacing all the grass. And maybe Field Turf will work. Maybe an alternative in urban areas to "green" them up.
Grass has to be cut. Should get a nice coat of weed & feed each year, but probably doesn't. Needs to be watered often or it turns brown.
I propose that Field Turf be the replacement for grass in appearance-only areas. It doesn't need water, doesn't need to be mowed (saves labor, equipment, and safety costs), and it stays green all year round.
I'm sure some environmentalist study or group will say how much the grass produces "life" for animals and helps the ecosystem. Maybe it does. But could we try something else first? We're not replacing all the grass. And maybe Field Turf will work. Maybe an alternative in urban areas to "green" them up.
Friday, July 11, 2008
“Sake!” (The Last Samurai)
Sometimes movies can provide crucial lessons. I recently watched The Last Samurai and a number of things captured my attention. I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the depictions in the movie, so some things are only rely on the reality of Hollywood.
1) Every day, from the time they get up, the Japanese villagers are seen devoting their life to their way of life. Everything from servanthood to swordplay to tea ceremonies. Later in the movie the term to describe something so beyond themselves it was “life in every breath”, as the leader of the Samurai put it, bushidou.
2) The Samurai leader keeps captive the surviving American soldier to learn from him. Not only does he have the wisdom to keep his enemies closer, he also contains the compassion to recognize the American culture is not similar to the Japanese culture. Therefore the Samurai does not hold the American to the same cultural standard. He lets the foreigner learn the culture, and the American becomes embedded in the culture.
3) There is an air of mystery surrounding the Samurai, and it's just because the purpose of the Samurai is simple. Devote oneself to a higher purpose. The Samurai have a calling to serve the Emperor, who is mightier than all, even though there are times where the Emperor is led astray by selfish advisors.
4) Samurai means “to serve”, not warrior, or Japanese for soldier, as the American assumes. Understanding one's intent avoids misunderstanding and errors in judgment.
Can we apply these lessons to our own lives? Can we devote ourselves to God from the moment we wake up? Can we accept people for who they are and then let them join our culture? Can we serve a purpose greater than us, for a nation greater than we can fathom?
1) Every day, from the time they get up, the Japanese villagers are seen devoting their life to their way of life. Everything from servanthood to swordplay to tea ceremonies. Later in the movie the term to describe something so beyond themselves it was “life in every breath”, as the leader of the Samurai put it, bushidou.
2) The Samurai leader keeps captive the surviving American soldier to learn from him. Not only does he have the wisdom to keep his enemies closer, he also contains the compassion to recognize the American culture is not similar to the Japanese culture. Therefore the Samurai does not hold the American to the same cultural standard. He lets the foreigner learn the culture, and the American becomes embedded in the culture.
3) There is an air of mystery surrounding the Samurai, and it's just because the purpose of the Samurai is simple. Devote oneself to a higher purpose. The Samurai have a calling to serve the Emperor, who is mightier than all, even though there are times where the Emperor is led astray by selfish advisors.
4) Samurai means “to serve”, not warrior, or Japanese for soldier, as the American assumes. Understanding one's intent avoids misunderstanding and errors in judgment.
Can we apply these lessons to our own lives? Can we devote ourselves to God from the moment we wake up? Can we accept people for who they are and then let them join our culture? Can we serve a purpose greater than us, for a nation greater than we can fathom?
Sunday, July 6, 2008
"You got no imagination." (The Italian Job - 2003)
In the last ten years, Hollywood has made a lot of movies based on previous material, including many, many remakes. The newest one I've heard about is "The Day The Earth Stood Still" with Keanu Reeves. Rumor has it that the remake is missing the key figure that made the punchline in the original.
Simply stunning.
We have Ted Kaczynski's notebooks, plus countless other conspiracy theorists' (Freedom Act, internets, etc.) ideas. And Hollywood can't use ANY of those ideas and have to pilfer the vaults of classic movies?
Also, the new movie "My Best Friend's Girl" is kinda an anti-Hitch character. Kinda wish I was in on that idea pitch. [rolling eyes go here]
Simply stunning.
We have Ted Kaczynski's notebooks, plus countless other conspiracy theorists' (Freedom Act, internets, etc.) ideas. And Hollywood can't use ANY of those ideas and have to pilfer the vaults of classic movies?
Also, the new movie "My Best Friend's Girl" is kinda an anti-Hitch character. Kinda wish I was in on that idea pitch. [rolling eyes go here]
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
"That's some bad hat, Harry." (Jaws)
After a few months of thinking and planning, Kgor & I have came up with a new process for our projects. We were struggling with who wants what when. Get that? Sometimes our projects were launched from a creative meeting or staff meeting. It was up to us to remember to do those particular projects. We lacked a sustainable system.
The new system tackles some of our issues:
1. Content is required for projects. We can throw some words at the refrigerator, but only the requester knows the ins & outs. We can help punch stuff up and go through different wordings, but we can't create from scratch everything we produce.
2. Trackable. We've added project numbers to the requests. This helps us refer to a specific project. We can also see how many projects we do, total.
3. Project Status Update email. Currently we don't update the project owner of the status of projects. This new step will help clarify what's being done, what's to be done, and what is done. The tracking of projects will be easier with the addition of #'s, too.
4. Different request forms for different needs. Not all projects need the same information, that is, the same form. We have a Creative Brief for outreaches, Creative Project Request for ministry-specific needs (prints, handouts, etc.), and Facility Project Request for facility-only projects (signage, vinyl, etc).
Yesterday was the first time using the process. I added 12 projects to our list in the morning and that provides a more real picture of what is involved with certain outreaches/activities.
The new system tackles some of our issues:
1. Content is required for projects. We can throw some words at the refrigerator, but only the requester knows the ins & outs. We can help punch stuff up and go through different wordings, but we can't create from scratch everything we produce.
2. Trackable. We've added project numbers to the requests. This helps us refer to a specific project. We can also see how many projects we do, total.
3. Project Status Update email. Currently we don't update the project owner of the status of projects. This new step will help clarify what's being done, what's to be done, and what is done. The tracking of projects will be easier with the addition of #'s, too.
4. Different request forms for different needs. Not all projects need the same information, that is, the same form. We have a Creative Brief for outreaches, Creative Project Request for ministry-specific needs (prints, handouts, etc.), and Facility Project Request for facility-only projects (signage, vinyl, etc).
Yesterday was the first time using the process. I added 12 projects to our list in the morning and that provides a more real picture of what is involved with certain outreaches/activities.
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