Alison Lohman Appreciation...

Saw her in "Big Fish". Just wow. Not usually am I into blondes, but I couldnt help but notice how incredibly good looking she is. She's just about my age- and she has a very youthful look so she has played a lot of teenagers in recent years. I would love to meet her in person. She does have a striking resemblance to Jessica Lange in many ways. I have several other Hollywood beauties that make my list.

Below are some others I find exquisite to behold:

-Natalie Portman
-Nicole Kidman (OF COURSE!)
-Kirsten Dunst
-Amy Adams
-Scarlett Johansen
-Olivia Munn (not quite an actress, but looking nice)
-Parker Posey
-Angelina Jolie
-Keira Knightley
Many of them are talented too. So many to choose from....

Anyways, they cut back my hours at work so I'm only from 3-6. I guess I get the rush hour shift. It still pays something. Next week they may give me more. I hope to get a raise closer to April 15th. When at work I pray, sing, or think about Nicole Kidman.

River City Dinning..

I went with Gretchen to River City Diner on Hugenot Rd. Its a fantastic Retro 1950s place full of everything I like and also juke boxes at every booth. It reminded me a lot of the one I ate at in Nashville at the Opryland Mall- only this one was a lot bigger and neater. I had grits with eaggs and crabcakes and we split a big brownie with ice cream for dessert. The place was terrific, the only downside being I couldn't find any Patsy Cline tunes on the juke box, as I went to some of the free booths and still no cigar. So we settled for 'Mack The Knife'. They did have True Love and the Wayward Wind- but both were done by Gogi Grant and Grace Kelly. Blah! I need me some Patsy Cline. It should be REQUIRED BY LAW that they have Patsy Cline on the juke box, or if not, sufficient arrest of the persons involved. They played some MoTown which I don't mind, but there's only so many times I can listen to "My Girl". After that I went to Borders books where I bought a book about how George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were really Christians- not Deists, as the myth prevails.
Its called "American Gospel". Later we took Mosby for a walk, and then watched 'To Catch A Thief".

The Spiderwick Chronicles...

I saw this movie last night. I have mixed feelings about it. Overall its a fair movie. I won't rate it down too much Here's what I think:

The Good: It deals with "the veil" of bad things that appear good- the dark side that is around us and that can cause harm if we aren't careful. The leader of these mythical creatures appears harmless on the surface, but is really bad and can change form. This is similar to how Satan works in our lives. The goblins present themselves as not pleaseant at all and they are demonic in nature. The story also tells about having this book of knowledge angers and upsets the Ogers

The Bad: It has elements of witchcraft in it. The kids summon a "Griffin" to take them for a ride to this mythical land where their great great uncle is waiting for them.. Not good. Also- there is talk of a "protective circle" -that is talked about some times among Wiccans. Their only good friend Goblins- are nice one minute then mean- the children have to give them honey to make them nice again . Also there is divorce in this film, and in the end its made to look like a good thing.;

Anyways, overall- I rate this film a 6 out of 10. It didnt give me a bad feeling- as in Harry Potter Bad, but not great either. It gives mixed messages about the other side- but then again, God can use this for good. The acting is decent, and the special effects are pretty neat- although Im not much for "special effects". I feel its a secular view of the other world- the secular side does see good and bad, but not the consequences of such.

Big Fishin' with the Blind Slye Twins....

I remember back in 2004 around this time I was going to the movie theater several times in a row to see two movies that were pretty good (a rare thing for modern film) of that time. Cold Mountain and Big Fish. I remember seeing them both 8 times in the Theater. Mostly the one out at Short Pump Town Center -Reagal 14. I like them both. Cold Mountain has the illustrious Nicole Kidman and the backdrop of the War for Southern Independence, and a Confederate soldier making his way home. The pesky Jude Law doesnt seem to ruin things- and Renee Zelwegger gave a splendid performance. I think the book was right good too. Big Fish- is the tale of Edward Bloom, and his tall tales. The symbolism in the story grows from the stories he tells, and his son and their awkward relationship, his son being the pragmatist, and Edward Bloom is the dreamer. The story is great and set in Alabama- starring Ewan McGregor, also with Jessica Lange, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, and Alison Lohman. The story is very inspiring- every time I saw it. of course, Tim Burton is a fantastic director. So those two movies were really getting me back into modern films for a time being- and I though there might be hope after all. However, those were rare gems in a see of mostly cliched Hollywood Explosive or sappy schmaltz. I did like those two, however. There is a lot of Christian elements in both films, and I find that fascinating as well.

I saw Big Fish again on dvd last night. I really loved it again. I hope to see it more. I was so tired from work today. Most people are very polite and honk or wave back at me, but some people aren't so nice. One little girl called me a "loser" and someone else told me to get a job. But I have to have some pity on low class people. They just don't know any better. I was raised to polite and have manners. I like the people I work with. The guy who does Uncle Sam- Paul, is also a musician. I have trouble keep going some days though. Today it wasnt too cold. I dont mind the costume- I just remind myself the Statue of Liberty was really a "butch" woman anyway- most likely a lesbian, so its not bad. It does feel weird to be called "Lady Liberty" though. I am probably going to put another song up on youtube shortly. I haven't gotton around to it.

Oh and - I got The Blind Slye Twins LP in the mail today- No one ever cared for me like Jesus. Its a neat treat to play that on my hi fi. They are so great.

Love Is A Rose...

Just in time for Valentine's Day....









I have had a lot of stuff lately. My new job is okay, but a little tiring. Especially when its cold, wet, and rainy. I put on a costume (Statute of Liberty, but later maybe Uncle Sam) and wave to folks along the road. I do that for several hours in the afternoon. The nicest part is no one is watching me all the time there. I get paid in cash- but its only 6$ an hour- hopefully they should be raising the pay as we get closer to April 15th. I went to choir tonight. Later we walked Mosby and some guy got hit on his bike on the corner of Strawberry and Floyd. He was headed west and the car was making a left. He was okay though, but a little mad. He was one of those mad hipsters. I think it was more his fault than hers- he didnt even have a light on his bike. I heard a "pop" to my left , but just saw him getting up from the ground. I played at Heritage Oaks Retirement Home last night on the Southside. It was for a dinner. They really liked me because i was more "upbeat". I have several old ladies come up (they looked pretty nice for their age!) said that they were new fans. Some of the couples there wanted to dance in their walkers, but the activities director wouldn't allow that. I'm glad to play there. They have good taste in music! Although the piano was pretty lousy.

Im kinda tired from my new job, but it should help pay for things. I don't mind the costume at all. The people who work there seem nice too.

Happy Birthday, Miss Janey!

This past Saturday there was a nice ceremony to honor a good friend of our family's who will be turning 100-years-old today- February, 12th. Janey Roane looked after my mother as a child, and worked for my family for several years, and has done a lot of good things in the Richmond area for years, as well as in several other places. It was a real treat to hear the special presentations. Her great neice sang "His eye is on the Sparrow". The ceremony was held in the gynasium at 5th Baptist Church on W. Cary Street in Richmond. Janey is still as sprite-in better shape than most 70-year-olds. She has perfect hearing,all her own teeth, and a mind that won't quit. Just a few months ago, she was on the dance floor at a wedding. She has so much energy that she is on the go most all the time. As she arrived, it was almost like the paparazzi was there, and she was on the Red Carpet. Lots of flashes of cameras and everyone went to talk to her. They had great food there- baked/fried chicken, and greens, and cake for dessert. I told her what a nice thing she did for my mother, and she wrote a sweet poem called "We hated to give you up". She talked to my grandmother on the phone right often, and came to her funeral as well. Today they will have a ceremony for her downtown at Capital Square. The Governer and the Mayor will be present. When she was 94-years-old they asked her if she would like to live to be 100. She said "Yes, because 99 and 1/2 just wont do!"

Ash Wednesday....

Today has been so windy and right warm for February. I think we hit 81 degrees today. Thats over 30 degrees above average. Its so windy outside. I hope we dont get the tornadoes they did out in Arkansas and Tennessee. The service tonight at church was very moving and intense for Ash Wednesday. They played Johnny Cash's version of "Hurt"- the video, itself. Its very intense video, and I have seen it before and can't help but almost cry when I do. Because he was singing from his soul and almost saying goodbye. It wasn't long after that, June Carter Cash died, and he died . We talked about going through the Forest of things in a metaphoric sense, and literally too. I think its been hard for me to go through it as I have as long as I have. But I see its getting better. Then we had choir practice afterwards. I drove down town tonight and the wind was something powerful. For Lent I'm giving up cookies- but I still can have my blow pops!

The Last Pancake Supper...

I went to dad's church for the pancake supper. It was nice. I had pancakes with strawberries and a little bit of powdered sugar. I had a few of the sausages. There was no sweet tea there tonight (they usually have some) but I had a nice glass of fresh squeezed orange juice. Later I took Mosby for a walk and we drove to CVS. I got up late again today. Around 3 in the afternoon.. I have been having a lot of attacks lately, physically and spiritually. They can't keep this 'ol boy down, though. I mailed a few orders I got from online. I rode my bike to the post office there and walked down Cary Street. It was nice and warm today- about mid 70s. Tomorrow we are supposed to reach 80 degrees. It feels like late summer. Tonight was almost muggy. Im listening to The Martins right now. They are a pretty good Gospel trio. Two sisters and a brother. My favorite song of theirs is "Grace" .I heard it awhile back, maybe when I was 19 and driving in my car and feeling pretty vexed about something. The song gave me great comfort and hope. About 10 years ago I used to listen to Big Gospel Giant 820 AM in Richmond. Now I listen to BBN Radio FM. They are both pretty good stations. I don't bother with mainstream music on the radio anymore. Sometimes I do- but only when Im really desperate.

Night Rider !

I rode my bike for the first time at night tonight. I needed some duct tape so I rode to CVS (although I prefer Walgreen's which is just one more block.) I felt really nervous as a tick on a slow movin' hound dog! But I made it. I have this flashy light thing that shines pretty big. But I still don't feel safe about it until I get a headlight too. Church was nice this morning. I went home after church and changed and came back to help with some arrangements. We had a light lunch and we did a "forest theme"- throughout the sanctuary of the church- tying large branches and some with dead leaves to these poles along the top of the balcony. The forest theme represents Jesus in the wilderness when he fasted and prayed. I am afraid of heights, so most of my work was done below. We took down the lights from the Epiphany and we have everything ready for Ash Wednesday and Lent. Lent is a somber period and its kinda hard to get through. But we're having a pancake supper next week so that should be fun. Gretchen and I wanted to go to McCallister's Deli for some good sweet tea and club sandwich, but it was closed so we went to the Quizno's. This one was on the Southside off Hugenot Rd (the McCallister's in Short Pump closed). So I had a turkey guacamole sandwich and a Dr. Pepper. Then we headed for Barnes and Noble. Mosby is sleeping my my bed . I guess he likes it there. But he gets mad if you try to move him. So I try to give him a cookie or something.

Picture: My bike all "geared up"