Read It and Weep!

Here's what the national weather forecast map looks like for the United States this afternoon.

And here's what the thermometer was reading on the outside of our front window at about the same time.

Now I just ask "where would you rather live?"

True Grit

SWMBO and I went to the movies this afternoon to see True Grit.  That's the new Joel and Ethan Coen version of the great movie originally made by the late John Wayne.  Wayne won his only Oscar for playing the scruffy lawman Rooster Cogburn in 1969.  And he was great.

The new version of True Grit, while basically following the same story as in the original (which was based on a novel by Charles Portis) is perhaps a bit darker than the original.  And Rooster Cogburn is even scruffier than Wayne's version, as played by Jeff Bridges.

But he, too, is great in the role.  I was talking to another couple as we were leaving the theatre and we all agreed that while the stories were pretty much the same the two movies were different and the portrayals of Cogburn were different.  But both great performances.

The Coens are fine movie makers.  SWMBO thinks they're a little too violent but she loved "Fargo", as did virtually everyone I know.  I don't think she saw "No Country For Old Men" but I did and thought it was another great movie.

This kind of rambled.  Just go see "True Grit".  Either one.

Football Follies

I've never prided myself on being that much of a fan of NFL football.  I much prefer NCAA college games.  But nevertheless that didn't stop me from making predictions about the two championship games today.  I predicted Green Bay would beat Chicago in the NFC and the New York Jets would beat Pittsburgh in the AFC.  I further predicted that the Jets would then go on to win the Super Bowl.

Looks like I'm going to be 33 percent when today is done.  Green Bay did indeed beat Chicago.  But at halftime, Pittsburgh is leading New York 24 to 3 and the Jets only got that field goal in the last 10 seconds of the half.

So it's looking like Green Bay will play Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl and, if so, of course the New York Jets will not be in the game and thus have no chance to win it.

All I've got to say is it's a good thing I don't bet on these games.

Silly Saturday

I have to thank my pal, Forrest Proper of the blog Mutterings of a Mad Bookseller for tipping me off to this little ditty.  Hope it brightens your day.

Just messin' around

Sunnny days are always good for photographing shadows in the backyard.

The King's Speech

SWMBO and I have just seen "The King's Speech", the story of King George VI and his struggle with his stammering.  Colin Firth should easily win the Oscar, as he already has won the Golden Globe, for Best Actor in an amazing performance.  But Geoffrey Rush also should have at least a nomination for Best Supporting Actor.  Both were sensational in this enjoyable movie.

As a curious sidenote, just as we entered the theatre and were trying to adjust our eyes to the darkness, we encountered the BRD who was unexpectedly in attendance.  May I say that we all loved the movie.

Long live the King!

By the way . . .

I would be remiss if I failed to mention yet another new blog from an old friend of mine, one Frank Phillippi who writes from the environs of Virginia near to the power elite.  He is one who keeps a weather eye on those in power in Washington.  But his blog reveals another interest all together (or should that be altogether?  Oh, never mind.)

You may inspect his blog at Vinyl Stats.  Enjoy!