Topic by topic, you never know what will wake the Badger…
So, it is New Year’s Eve again and we are having our second annual Vinson family party with a large number of our friends. This year the party is bigger and should be even more fun. We’re planning on some playing some games, watching the The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and of course, watching the ball drop in the Big Apple.
See you all in 2006…
The blog is in flux right now as I take advantage of a chance to change things up a bit…Should be back to normal in a day or two…
I will still be posting in the interim.
I did want to plug Questionable Content. One of my favorite webcomics. In tonight’s edition, Jeph Jacques (the author), comes up with a great phrase that I thought was hilarious for a guy who can no longer think or act on his own…
“Captain Manbitch of the SS Whipped”
Well, we’re back from South Carolina and I figured I would update the blog to WordPress 2.0. So far, so good. It is nice, but it looks from a user’s perspective to be only more streamlined. From what I have read, almost all of the changes are under the hood…
The coolest thing I have seen so far is that the “Write” page now uses AJAX and it is pretty spiffy…
Hey all,
Heather and I have been spending Christmas at her family’s house in Easley, SC. Christmas has been fun and simple this year. We’re actually getting ready to go home now, but I just thought I would let everyone know that I hope you’re all safe this Christmas/Hanukkah. Enjoy the rest of the holiday. It’s almost over for me as I have to be back at work tomorrow.
5 out of 5 stars
I thought I would go and check out King Kong today as my group outing last weekend floundered. First off, this movie isn’t perfect, but I would say it is very respectful of the original 1933 film. I will say that I thought the film WAS exceptional.
Let’s get some techie details out of the way first. Kong’s CGI was extraordinary. The facial expressions and emotion were outstanding and absolutely key to this enhanced version of the tale, but I do believe the dinosaurs seemed rubbery and lifeless by comparison. However, let me be clear. In no way did any CGI deficiencies detract from the story for me.
SOME SPOILERS BELOW IF YOU HAVEN’T EVER SEEN A VERSION OF KING KONG …
In the end (in my opinion), the story of Kong is an examination of the beast. Kong is simply an animal. Neither good nor evil, but he isn’t without his strengths. Kong and Ann Darrow experience a connection and truly bond. The true monster of this film is humanity, as we are typically unwilling to leave anything alone and must attempt to conquer all that comes before us. However, it typically isn’t that easy and someone (or something) usually pays dearly for our belief in our right to rule. With modern technology, Peter Jackson is able to tell a compelling version of this story with more emphasis on the relationship between Kong and Darrow and with a nice bit action and adventure thrown in.
This is definitely a film to see in the theater.
UPDATE: Now I think this is overrated. I would suggest 3 or 3.5 stars.
Friday night, Heather and I went to my company’s Christmas party. We both had a good time as the whole event was really done well. From the food to the location, it was obvious that a lot of time went in to planning this. BTW, I would love to know more about the recipes/items, the cheeses and the steamed chicken dumplings were both amazing 
I feel extremely honored to have won an award that was handed out during the party. I received a “Technology Contributor of the Year” award.
This is so freaking cool.
Finally, Warner has announced Batman Beyond – The Complete First Season and Justice League of America: Season One. I am very much looking forward to getting these. I see that my favorite animated series are finally almost all on DVD.
I … can’t … wait
5 out of 5 stars
We had a very nice group for this film and it was flat out amazing. It IS the book. They left very few sections of the book out. The characters all feel like their printed counterparts and the acting is in almost all cases, spot on. However, the best pair of characters in the whole movie is Mr. and Mrs. Beaver. I love those two little fuzzy CGI wonders. They just have a great personality. The Christian allegory is still very much in effect, but that doesn’t affect the story. You can safely miss it and still enjoy the movie.
I just hope they continue with the rest of the books in the series.
UPDATE: Wow, I was gushing with that rating. Really, it should be more like 3 of 5 stars…
I’m about to go see The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe with some friends and I figured I would throw a quick post up. Heather couldn’t make this one since she is spending the weekend with her family, but I think it will still be fun. Our house feels like a disaster zone due to the carpet having been ripped up a couple of days ago. This is all in preparation for putting down pre-finished hardwood floors next week. Just in time for our anniversary. Talk to you all later this weekend.