Hopes, Dreams and Hiccups

FLIP FLOPPIN AWAY...

2011-05-22T21:47:00.002-06:00

I am staying on Facebook... shocker... dang succubus facebook... to be or not to be, on facebook!!!!

Bye Bye Facebook

2011-05-19T13:31:00.002-06:00

I just can't stand it anymore... facebook seems to have such serious rules for those of us on it, while they try and scam and sneak their way into owning our comments, pictures and information... meanwhile they try and secretly attack google with an ad campaign that targets the integrity of that company... and what areas did they try and get people to think google is bad? Facebook tried to make it look like google uses the comments, pictures and general information of its users for it's needs...

WAIT A SECOND...

THAT IS WHAT FACEBOOK DOES... wow Zuckerberg and facebook were trying to help themselves by making it look like google does what they do...

So bye bye facebook.com... I will miss my friends, but I won't miss you!

Here are a few links to the articles about how facebook tried to smear google and got caught:

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/05/12/facebook-google-smear-campaign/

http://billionaires.forbes.com/article/0ffDgRC5wz6ks/articles?q=Larry+Page

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/facebook_hired_pr_firm_to_smear_QJAWKxVIMiGycWScQ6eJcO

http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread703033/pg1

Top 20 Sports Movies

2010-01-24T14:38:00.002-07:00

In honor of the Yankees winning it all and the resurgence of Brett Favre I bring you the top 20 sports flicks ever... but it wasn't easy coming up with this group of 20!

20. Hoop Dreams. Good film, but I admit that I have lost almost all interest in Basketball as it has become a thug sport.

19. Chariots of Fire. It is a great sports film, but it is one of the few all out dramas with an original score done on a synthesizer that is actually awesome.

18. Any Given Sunday. Gritty and if only they had not casted Cameron Diaz this film might have scored higher.

17. Eight Men Out. Before there was steroids there were other issues in sports... a great retelling of a true story.

16. Brian's Song. It's been a long time, but this is one of the saddest and most touching sports films ever... and it's another true story.

15. Miracle (the new one). What an amazing moment in US sports history and a great telling of that story.

14. The Hustler. Gritty and fantastic film.

13. The Bad News Bears. Funny with a sprinkle of truth ;)

12. Major League. Really freaking funny sports movie.

11. The Pride of the Yankees. Great classic sports film and a must see for all sports fans.

10. Remember the Titans. So many of the best sports movies are inspiring and this one is no different.

9. Field of Dreams. It's a bit slower paced than most of the this list, but it is such an awesome film. Great cast too.

8. Slap Shot. Classic sports film that has it all.

7. Rudy. An inspiring story about heart... and the fact it's a true story makes it that much more intriguing.

6. Jerry Maguire. Funny, fun and even romantic. This movie has it all... it even has Tom Cruise acting crazy... perhaps he wasn't actually acting!

5. Bull Durham. Great flick.

4. Hoosiers. Another inspiring film that you have to see.

3. The Natural. Not only a great sports film, but a all and all great movie experience. That last hit is one of the best moments in sports film history.

2. The Blind Side. Another true story and super inspiring film. Make sure you check this out in the theaters if you still can.

1. Rocky and Raging Bull. TIE. How do you choose between these two? The triumphant underdog and the classic drama. Both films are powerful and both are must see movies.

Top Twenty Romantic Comedies

2010-01-17T12:10:00.004-07:00

Now I know that most "guy" guys can't even name twenty romantic comedies, but I am not the average guy. Even though my wife thinks I am not into "chick-flicks" she has not had the privilege of being married to a truly "guy" guy so she doesn't realize how much I do like them... because lets be honest... all guys watch chick-flicks while dating cause they want girls to like them, but once you are married you find out just how much he really is willing to watch said movies... and I think I do a better job than most guys and I have a feeling my list will prove it.

And please remember that this list is subjective, so while I really do want to know movies you would pick, I am not necessarily looking for you to attack my choices... if you are a guy... if you are a woman feel free to say what you please ;)

20. The Philadelphia Story... a classic and while I am not sure my wife liked it too much, I love this movie.

19. 50 First Dates and Serendipity. (TIE) One of the few Adam Sandler movies I like and one of the many John Cusack movies I like!

18. He's Just Not that In To You. Great cast and very well acted.

17. Tin Cup. I love this movie, and while it may not make your list, I really can relate to Costner's character in this movie.

16. Sabrina. It's a tie between the new one and the old one as they are both really fun films.

15. 10 Things I Hate About You... a guilty pleasure and one of my favorite romantic teen flicks ever... and in a world where crap like American Pie is considered worth watching, this film is a much better representation of a fun teen movie.

14. Some Like It Hot. This movie is awesome even though it is black and white. If you are looking for a good surprise for your sweetheart check this one out for sure.

13. Clueless. Brilliantly done and a must see.

12. The Princess Bride. A cult classic that is on TV every week, so if you haven't seen it just check out TBS, TNT and/or USA network's schedule and I am sure you will find it :)

11. Shakespeare in Love. This is easily one of the best romantic comedies ever, but I had to drop it about six or seven places out of respect for one of the worst travesties of all time. Paltrow won best actress for this film over Cate Blanchett's performance in Elizabeth and that is one of the worst political moves in movie history... so I cannot put this movie into the top ten for that reason!

10. (TIE - ADDED LATE) I forgot one... it's true. The Proposal was one of the funniest films I have seen in a very long time so I had to add it!

10. My Best Friend's Wedding. I cannot stand Cameron Diaz. I REALLY can't stand her, but even she couldn't ruin this film.

9. Bridget Jones' Diary. Wit, charm and humor. It's so British and quite fun too.

8. Everafter (A Cinderella Story). This is another Drew Barrymore movie and another guilty pleasure, but I do love this film and Drew Barrymore will have more movies on my list than anyone!

7. Hitch. You can't stop this... youuuuuu caaaaaan't stop this!

6. Sleepless in Seattle. Oh man... remember when Meg Ryan was cute?

5. Say Anything... a classic cult chick flick and a must see.

4. Coming to America. This movie was so freaking funny I cried... it is one of the best Eddie Murphy films ever and a very very very funny romance.

3. As Good As it Gets... this movie almost was as good it gets.

2. While You Were Sleeping. It's one of those movies I can watch over and over and over and over and over...

1. My Big Fat Greek Wedding... yup... it is by far the best romantic comedy of all time and if you haven't seen it you really really really need to.

My Daughter

2010-01-12T22:40:00.002-07:00

My daughter is really funny. But I mean this kid is REALLY funny. But what I am realizing more and more is just how much our kids are a reflection of us.

It's in our kids that we truly get to see who we are and I think that is one reason I KNOW God is real... because it is too perfect... the relationship between children and their parents.

I guess, what we need to do is to recognize our influence and do everything we can to be the best influence possible.

And we will know how we are doing because they will let us know... but I have finally reached that point where I can say my parents really did know more than me... and now I have a three-year-old daughter who is showing me the ropes of being a dad.

And she's won my heart... along with pretty much every argument we have... and that she got from her mom.

Top Twenty Movies Lists

2009-12-31T23:36:00.008-07:00

I love movies. A lot! So I am going to be doing a series of top twenty movie lists. From the top twenty comedies to the top twenty flops I will include them all over the coming months and I would love to know what you think of my lists and perhaps some of you will let me know what your tops tens are too! By the end of the year I will have a top one hundred as well as a list for you all to vote on so I can see which movies you all like. So be sure to check in once-in-a-while and see which list I am on.

Enjoy.

Lets start with the TOP TWENTY SUPERHERO MOVIES:

20. X-Men Origins: Wolverine. This movie was a disappointment, but I needed twenty films and it was better than Batman 2, 3 and 4 in the 80s and 90s and it was better than Daredevil, Catwoman and host of other horribly done superhero movies.

19. Blade II. This was a tough call as this film could easily have been a few spots higher, but I guess life is full of tough choices isn't it ;)

18. Watchmen. It was a nice try and delivering as well as the comic did, but it fell short. Still, it was good enough to make it into the top twenty.

17. Hellboy. The first installment of a fun series.

16. The Incredible Hulk. This second installment was much better than the first one, but the effects were still way too unbelievable to win over non-superhero fans.

15. Superman Returns. It was visually fantastic, but Roth just doesn't command the role like Reeve did and I was disappointed with Spaceys performance as Lex Luther.

14. X-Men 3. The third best of the trilogy.

13. Hellboy II. Different and fun.

12. X-Men 2. The second best of the trilogy.

10. (TIE) Blade and Batman 1989. Yes, Blade. If you are true fan of the superhero genre then you will agree that Blade deserves a spot in the top ten. Batman 1989 was an awesome comic book style film that was darker than any other superhero had ever been and real ended up being the trailblazer that changed the genre.

9. Spiderman 2. This might have been the last time it was fun to watch Spiderman weave his way through the city.

8. X-Men. The original X-Men was awesome wasn't it? For all of us comic book and super hero fans this original installment of the X-Men series was the best one.

7. Batman Begins. This was the beginning of what will be the greatest trilogy in superhero cinematic history.

6. The Incredibles. A cartoon. Yes, but an awesome ride non-the-less and a must see for the family.

5. Spiderman. Tobey McGuire is kind of a dork, but he brings it home in the first of the three Spiderman films. It's the lack of complexity of the villain in this film that pushed it to number five for me, but again this film was well casted and was a fun ride.

4. Superman (with Christopher Reeve). I know that these days the effects seem to take the hero experience to the next level, but Reeve was, and to many of us, still is Superman. This was a fun movie that is still fun to watch today, and many years later we are still searching for the next Superman.

3. Unbreakable. This may very well be my most controversial pick, but other than text at the ending, this film is brilliantly done. Much like the new Batman series, there is an element of possibility that this film delivers that makes you pause and think... this could happen.

2. Iron Man. This film wasn't supposed to be as good as it was. And it was awesome. This is the perfect example of a thrill ride and this film was perfectly casted. Downy Jr. delivers a performance that won over the audience to the point of an applause, and you just don't get those too often. If it hadn't been for the Dark Knight this might very well have been the best superhero film ever.

1. The Dark Knight. By far the best acted, written, directed, filmed and edited superhero film EVER. Heath Ledger was able to out stage Jack Nicholson's 1989 Joker and he redefined the criminal element in super hero movies. Bale once again turned in a believable and fantastic performance as the caped crusader and the supporting cast does not disappoint one bit. The only weakness I can find with this film is perhaps the casting of Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Daws. Yes she can act, but Rachel Daws is supposed to be very attractive and to be honest Gyllenhaal always looks tired and run down. But other than that this is the perfect hero movie.

NOTE:

Left out was Spiderman 3. I had to. I felt the dance scene, the rushed development of the villains, and the fact that there were too many villains who turned into wannabe good guys was so horrible and ridiculous that I couldn't add it to the top twenty. It is, though, one of the most disappointing films ever. Right up there with the Matrix sequels, this film was a total let down and I was not at all surprised when people in the audience booed at the end.

2nd NOTE:

I did not include two movies that could have been defined as superhero films. The first is the Matrix and the other is Underworld which will find themselves under Sci-Fi and Action respectively.

Five Things...

2009-12-31T18:54:00.004-07:00

Five best things about 2009:

1. Finding out we are going to have a baby and watching Jules grow up :)

2. ScentAir! My new job is awesome.

3. The Colorado man whose wife and child both died when in labor and somehow both miraculously came back to life! WHAT A MIRACLE!

4. The landing of the plane in the Hudson by Captain Sullyberger (spelling may be wrong, but I am too lazy to look him up)... another MIRACLE!

5. New York Yankees win number 27! AND... Derek Jeter is SI's Sportsman of the Year.

Five worst things about 2009:

1. Fort Hood killings... sad and unnecessary, but that is the new world we live in.

2. The economy. Lets hope 2010 will bring us a much better economy :)

3. President Obama's stimulus... he said if we didn't pass it unemployment would pass 8%, but if we did pass it it wouldn't pass 8%... but it went way past 8% and no one has asked him how he screwed up so bad.

4. Moving three times. This would be our personal addition to this list... but man does moving suck!

5. Transformers 2 was pretty bad, but perhaps in the entertainment world it would be either the death of Billy Mays or Jon and Kate... and that would be Jon and Kate existing... what a joke those two are! Or perhaps it would be Kanye West being Kanye West. But the winner is... Jay Leno's super crappy new show that got great shows cancelled so that NBC could save some money, but it appears to be backfiring as Jay isn't doing as well as NBC had hoped.

Five things that I just don't get and hoped to figure out in 2010:

1. Why is it that every single pre-recorded answering service has options that have "recently changed"? No matter who you call, the doctor, your cable company, the government or a store you will hear: "Please listen carefully to following options as they have recently changed." Do they ever stop having recently changed?

2. Why politicians think we are so stupid that we can't see through their complete lack of respect and care for the American people.

3. Why Paris Hilton makes money being Paris Hilton.

4. Why non-Yankees baseball fans get all up in arms when the Yankees win, but they never get all up in arms when teams like Kansas City, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh refuse to try and win... and tend to pay their teams with the money they get from the Yankees and pocket everything else they make from ticket and merchandise sales... isn't that worst than trying to win?

5. Why people hate Wal Mart, but don't seem to show the same hatred towards K Mart, Barnes and Noble, Target, Walgreens, CVS, Best Buy and other large chain stores that don't have unions, put mom and pop shops out of business and don't pay their people very much.

Five Things Continued

2009-12-30T08:22:00.003-07:00

Over the next few days I will post some more "Five Things" posts. Today's lists of five things are things I will never forget, five must-see movies, five must read books and five guilty pleasures movies I love and should never admit to:

FIVE THINGS I WILL NEVER FORGET:

1. The Birth of our Daughter. What an amazing moment to watch your first child come into this world. In that moment I think most people, even atheists, probably find God... even if it is only for a moment.

2. 9-11. Saddest and most defining day of my life. For most of us in NYC that event was much more than one day. It was a few weeks. From the planes to the anthrax scare it was a terrible and inspiring time.

3. Kissing my wife for the first time on our man couch listening to Norah Jones.

4. Attending game five of the 2001 League Championship Series when the Yankees clinched a World Series birth after 9-11 only to have the super crappy Arizona Diamondbacks win it all on a cheap hit ruining not only a WS title, but a chance at making an inspiring movie for the ages.

5. The first time I went to see Star Wars. I was five and it was awesome... very awesome.

FIVE MUST SEE MOVIES

There are obviously way more than five must see movies, but this is a list that is in my mind today:

1. Philadelphia Story. Yes it is an old movie. Yes it is black and white. Yes it is quite easily the funniest movie I have ever seen. It is a MUST SEE and even guys will like it, so rent it for New Years or Valentines Day and you might get lucky ;)

2. Beautiful Mind. This is an amazing movie and an amazing story. Great acting, directing, filming and music... to go along with a true life story about a Nobel Prize winning doctor. And unlike Al Gore, this guy's science has been proven to be true rather than false!

3. Shawshank Redemption. One of the greatest movies EVER made. If you have not taken the time to watch it make sure you do so in the new year. It is sooooo inspiring and sooooo well done that you will probably put it on your list of great movies after you watch it.

4. Waitress. This is a rather peculiar little film, but it is so well done. I admit that this could have gone on my guilty pleasure list, but I have only seen it once so it hasn't made it yet, but it is a must see. Here is one reason to watch this movie... one of the actresses in the film (who is also the director) died just before the movie was released... watch the DVD extras and/or google the directors name AFTER the movie is over and find out what happened... it is so sad, but somehow it adds to the extraordinary effort of the film.

5. Double Indemnity. Yes it is another old time black and white film, but I figure most of you haven't seen a lot of these older films, but I bet you would if someone told you it was worth the two hours of your life. This one is well worth the two hours you will spend on it. While some of the male swagger might make you giggle here and there the film is really a great noir film filled with twists and turns. Be sure to check it out.

FIVE MUST READ BOOKS

1. The Screwtape Letters. C.S. Lewis was thinking outside of the box even for C.S. Lewis on this extraordinary tale told through a series of letters. It is an easy read, but it is awesome.

2. The Road. This is new to my list, but it's a definite winner and must read. It is a mixture of depressing and inspiring, so if you only like things like Chicken Soup for the Soul this may not be for you, but it illustrates the relationship between hope and life in a way few books ever have.

3. The Chronicles of Narnia. Another awesome blessing from C.S. Lewis, and while this is a series, it's only about 800 pages in total, so it can count as a book. It's a fantastic read and it is also great fun for teenagers as well.

4. The Dark Realms Series. OK, this too is a series, but for any of you fantasy lovers this is a great read, and while it takes a little time to get moving, once you establish this new world and the relationship it has to the main character you will find it is filled with intrigue, twists and triumphs.

5. Since the other five were all fiction I figured I should throw in at least one non-fiction book. Arguing With Idiots by Glenn Beck is a must read. It doesn't matter if you like him or not... no really it doesn't matter... Beck really lays out some interesting things to think about when it comes to our constitution in this book, and even if you don't like him, this book will get you thinking about things... which it appears most media outlets no longer want you to do ;)

FIVE GUILTY PLEASURE MOVIES

Of course I put this last... I figure if you get to this portion of the post you have at least scanned through the rest and maybe, just maybe, you have an ounce of respect for my taste... and now I may lose that respect:

1. EverAfter (A Cinderella Story) - I ADMIT IT.... I love this movie. I don't know why. Maybe it's the ending, or Drew Barrymore or maybe I really am in touch with my feminine side. either way I really do love this film.

2. Better Off Dead. If you have not seen this movie you really really really need to. It defines the 80's and John Cusack is in it, so it can't be that bad right?

3. 50 First Dates. I am not a huge fan of Adam Sandler or Rob Schneider, but they are really funny in this film and I admit that I LMAO every time I watch this film and yes it too has Drew Barrymore in it.

4. He's Just Not that In To You... a new addition and yes it TOO has DREW BARRYMORE IN IT... I don't know what is going on, but somehow Drew Barrymore has become head of my guilty pleasures club. I have only watched this once, but I am ready to watch it again and it was really really funny... and TRUE TRUE TRUE.

5. This is a tie between: Godzilla 1998 with Matthew Broderick, Clash of the Titans, Outbreak, The Postman, Waterworld and some others... these are those movies that are on TV about thirty times a week and they are those movies that you don't want to want to watch, but you just cannot help wanting to want to watch.

I'd love to know what your guilty pleasures are too, so be sure to leave a list in the comments box and I hope you enjoyed my lists.

The 2010 Name Our Baby Contest

2009-12-24T10:05:00.002-07:00

OK friends and family....

This is your one chance to name our kid... but it won't be easy.

Wendy and I are having a hard time agreeing on a name for our boy or girl coming in June, so we have decided to give chance a... well, chance.

In order to get naming privileges you must:

Choose the correct SEX

Choose the correct (or closest) LENGTH

Choose the correct (or closest) WEIGHT

Choose the correct (or closest) DATE

Choose the correct (or closest) TIME

And once you have commented with these choices you must also reveal your name of choice and only one entry per person, so be careful with picking a boy or girl.

Wendy and I will also put in our choices before hand to ensure an even fight!

Good luck and don't be too mean in your choosing ;)

These Monkeys....

2009-12-20T16:41:00.003-07:00

Were finalists for Jersey Shore, but turns out you had to be from NJ to qualify for the actual show! Too bad.

So It is Christmas

2009-12-20T10:51:00.002-07:00

I love Christmas, but Christmas with a kid is even better. So much in fact that our daughter actually believes that Santa Claus calls me and I have spoken to her a couple of times as Santa.

She gets so excited when Santa calls and it also works very well as leverage to get her to listen (not such a bad byproduct if I say so myself).

So I hope everyone has the chance this year to have someone disguise their voice and call your kids and pretend it's Santa... cause it is funny... especially the things they end up telling Santa when they don't think Mamma and Papa are listening.

(Note: Our daughter also believes that Superman calls the house, and that he is real and helps Jesus protect people... hehehehehe)

5 Reasons...

2009-12-18T20:21:00.002-07:00

5 Reasons I am Glad to be Back in New Jersey:

1. The Yankees.

2. The beach is closer... in fact, it's five minutes from our new home!

3. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is different here... for the better :)

4. New York City

5. The sense of community and culture and food (tie)

5. Lots and lots of GREEN

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5 Reasons I Will Actually Miss Nevada

1. Friends and family (tie)

1. One Guy From Italy.... best pizza EVER!

2. 24-Hour everything

3. Grid style roads

4. Few rainy days

5. Inexpensive life

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5 Reasons I Will Miss Utah

1. Being surrounded by Glenn Beck Fans

2. Fishing

3. Temple Square

4. Having people say, "You're Mormon? I didn't think you were Mormon because you didn't judge me openly and tell me that my lifestyle is wrong and that I am going to go to hell." - I am very proud of this one :)

5. Utah Utes

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5 Reasons I am NOT Glad to Be Back in New Jersey

1. Traffic

2. Cost of living increase

3. How much Yankees tickets are... what a freaking tease!

4. Tolls

5. My family's drama up close and personal

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5 Reasons I am NOT Going to Miss Nevada

1. Harry Reid

2. Brown... way too much brown

3. Death heat of death that can cause serious death by overheating

4. Smoke... too much second hand smoke!

5. English being the SECOND language

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5 Reasons I am NEVER EVER EVER Going to Miss Utah

1. Church and politics... they mix way too much in Utah.

2. Fishing regulations... they are EXTREME!!!

3. The police... I generally like and support police, but not the ones in Utah... THEY SUCK

4. Having to live next door to and go to church with a convicted child molester who is psycho and is a black belt and look like carrot top on crack.

5. The crappy Doctors (tie)

5. Most of the people at church (tie)

5. Mormons... and I AM ONE, but UTAH MORMONS are a very very SPECIAL BREED (tie)

5. The low wages and high cost of living

5. Prop 8 (tie)

5. The psychotic weather (tie)

5. Working at BrideAccess.com (tie)

5. Working in general in Utah with people from Utah because they are SUPER CHEAP

Oh... did I say 5?

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5 Reasons I Might NEVER Leave New Jersey

1. Sports... and of course the Yankees!

2. Loyalty... especially in business relationships

3. All the history and places of interest I still have to explore

4. Four seasons

5. Better education for my kids and a safer place to live

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5 Reasons I Might Return to Las Vegas, Nevada

1. To make my wife happy

2. If ScentAir were to need another salesperson there

3. To be near family and friends

4. Because I am residing in an urn

5. Because it is where our family needs to be

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1 Reason I Might Return to Utah

1. Because Heavenly Father, Jesus, a past prophet and/or an angel of the Lord appears to me AND Wendy and says we need to go back, and then after we say no four times (because we are not as spiritual as Peter) and Heavenly Father explodes in a blast of fire and light and says we must go back... perhaps then I may just return to Utah... but then again, I hear the Telestial Kingdom isn't so bad ;)

A Change of Scenery

2009-12-12T11:09:00.003-07:00

I love politics. But I have come to understand that many of my friends want to check in on me, but they may not want to only learn of what in politics is driving me crazy that week.

So I am changing the scenery. This blog will only include updates about the fam, work, sports and the fun and exciting things life is throwing our way.

If you do enjoy the political banter then please visit my other blog: http://sowhatifiloveglennbeck.blogspot.com/

I hope you all enjoy the new scenery and I hope you all comment and let me know that you are enjoying the new scenery.