:: Privatjokr ::

Roland, the last gunslinger, moves ever closer to the Dark Tower of his dreams and nightmares as he travels through city and country in Mid-World--a macabre world that is a twisted image of our own. With him are those he has drawn to this world: street-smart Eddie and courageous, wheelchair-bound Susannah.

Ahead of him are mind-bending revelations about who and what is driving him. Against him is arrayed a swelling legion of foes--both more and less then human...

Mr. King, you have my attention, sir.

What a great series. Understand that this is less horror and more fantasy, so do not shy away from it because of what made the author famous. I have now read the first three books and they get better and better.

Roland has sparked curiousity in his travel companions about the Dark Tower. This curiousity keeps them trudging along the path at his side. The same curiousity keeps me reading. I'm hooked.

Read this series, for your father's sake!

Silpat nonstick baking sheets are made of woven glass coated with food-standard silicone. Used daily by professionals, the sheets offer multipurpose uses for preparing, cooking, and heating up food. They're also easy to clean--simply wipe them off using hot water and dish soap. Store them by either rolling them up or keeping them flat. Do not cut Silpat baking sheets with metal, but with DeMarle's Exoglass cutters or knives. Silpat baking sheets replace parchment paper, and are heat-resistant up to 480 degrees F. The Silpat makes any baking sheet nonstick--no greasing necessary.

For those of you who ever do any baking, allow me to direct your attention to the Silpat. Silpats are great for baking cookies, though I have seen them used for making candy and peanut brittle as well.

I am no authority on baking, far from it, but these things really make things easy.

Silpat $14.85

Johnny Depp is at it once again, this time as playwright Sir James Matthew Barrie. Finding Neverland is based upon actual events leading to the creation of Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie.

If you have any ounce of imagination, I implore you to see this movie. If you have ever had a relationship in your life that you have considered special, one that has touched you in anyway, I feel it is in your best interest to see Finding Neverland. To say that I was moved by this movie would certainly be an understatement. But do not take my word for it, your Neverland is not my Neverland. Find out for yourself.

The bond formed between Depp and the four boys he meets in this film is truly magical. He teaches four children who are forced to grow up through a series of unfortunate events in their life that it is ok to be a kid. His message is simple, yet profound: all one needs to do is believe. To students of life, both young and old, that is an attainable lesson.

Be young at heart, hold on to your dreams, find your Neverland.

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There is a special aura surrounding Thanksgiving Day football. Consider, for example, the nation's biggest college football rivalry: Michigan and Ohio State. No matter the personnel, no matter the records of wins and losses, no matter the location, this game will always be competitive. Either team always has a chance to win. It is magical. Follow me, if you will, to the NFL. There is one such situation that is as magical as stated above, and that is the Detroit Lions playing on Thanksgiving. Detroit could be in the midst of a 2-14 season, they could be on their way to 6-10, but you can never count them out on Turkey Day. This is how it is. This is tradition.

Today, this needs to be explained to Joey Harrington. He is yet to realize today is a special day. He will be gifted beyond his ability today and needs to capitalize. The Lions face the most high powered offense in the NFL today as they match up with the Indianapolis Colts.

For a win today, the Lions need to come to play. I hope Joey buys into the tradition and leaves last week and previous weeks behind him and walks into Ford Field today a man possessed. If only we could give you our confidence in this team for one game to let you understand.

Today is not about NFC vs. AFC. Today is not about Super Bowl favorites vs. a team vying for a good draft pick. Today is about sheer emotion. Today is about Thanksgiving and on Thanksgiving, the Lions come to play.

Another boring week of football. Maybe it's just me. I'll admit I'm ready for this season to be over. Perhaps I am just that excited about hoops, who knows? Anyway, down to business.

There were really no big surprises this week, maybe that is what is making these games unfun to watch. Of course, if Peyton Manning continues to play as he's been playing thus far, consider most if not all single season QB records shattered.

I guess there were two things that slightly stand out of the pack from this week.

-The Buffalo Bills are winning games. After starting the season as competition with the Miami Dolphins for bottom feeder of the year, the Bills have found a rhythm. Kudos to Willis McGahee for sparking this offense.

-Bill Parcells gave us our first taste of former Michigan Wolverine quarterback Drew Henson. After only a few weeks prior when Parcells said he would not start Henson since he was still yet to give up on this season, look for Henson to start in week 12. Infer from that what you will.

I cannot say enough about Eddie Drummond. This could be because his kick/punt return choreography overshadows all other news reported on the rest of the Detroit Lions, it could also be because he has emerged as one of, if not the single best return man in the league. Drummond was untouched this week as he took the opening kick off against the Vikes to the house (Lions lost).

An annual offer made to our employees is this: for $2 a day, you can "dress down" each day from Monday until the end of December (20 days in total). Fridays are already casual days here, so they are not paid for by the employees. All proceeds from this program go to charity.

A memo went around yesterday indicating we had the chance to vote for two charities to be the recipients of this year's donations.

What little I know about charities, my favorite was picked as one of the two. My $40 will go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The Christmas Train by David Baldacci

Tom Langdon, a weary and cash-strapped journalist, is banned from flying when a particularly thorough airport security search causes him to lose his cool. Now, he must take the train if he has any chance of arriving in Los Angeles in time for Christmas with his girlfriend. To finance the trip, he sells a story about a train ride taken during the Christmas season. Thereupon begins one of the most hilarious-and heartwarming-journeys ever told. Along the way, Tom encounters a ridiculous cast of characters, unexpected romance, and an avalanche that changes everyone's Christmas plans. As the mighty Southwest Chief chugs along, Tom learns what really makes the holiday special in a remarkable novel that will charm all who read it.

Buy The Christmas Train $5.39

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I always have a relatively high level of anticipation for the new Dreamworks and Pixar movies. The Incredibles from Pixar was no exception.

This movie was good...when you consider the following: you will not fall out of your seat with laughter, you will not be blown away with plot line, you will not walk out of the theater thinking this was the best movie you've ever seen.

Was this a wake up call for movie goers? Are Pixar creations no longer synonymous with cute kids movies that'll make you giggle? The Incredibles had some cute moments, it had some humor, though not in the supply one might expect. There seemed to be no appeal for children in this movie aside from the fact that it was a) animated and b) about super heroes. There were more adult themes and language used in this movie.

In talking to a friend (Doug) the other night, he told me this movie "was no Nemo." I told him that I long for the day when that is no longer an estimate of enjoyment in a Pixar film. Can't a movie be good or bad in it's own right? Why do they all need to be compared to Finding Nemo? Will we see one that good again from Pixar?

The Incredibles was good in it's own right. I will not deny that fact. I enjoyed it, though I did not love it. And no, it was no Nemo.

Each Pixar film is prefaced with a short film. The highlight of my movie going experience today was Boundin', not The Incredibles.

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Directed by Mike Hodges, I'll Sleep When I'm Dead is a psychological crime-drama that features an all-star cast including Clive Owen, Charlotte Rampling, and Malcolm McDowell and asks the question: what is the price of vengeance?

Ex-gangster Will Graham (Owen) thought he had gained back his soul by leaving the hard-boiled life of the criminal underworld behind him and taking on the life of a drifter. When he learns that his younger brother is found dead of a gruesome suicide, Will comes back to town and discovers that his death was motivated by a shocking event involving a local car dealer with a violent habit.

To get vengeance against the man responsible, Will must deal with the unfinished business of his old life which includes a feud with the local crime boss and lingering feelings for an old flame.

I'll Sleep When I'm Dead reunites Clive Owen with Director Mike Hodges. The two worked together on a film that I like a lot: Croupier. Both movies employ a narrative overlay from Owen that gives depth beyond the action.

This movie has the feel of many different genres, though never really settles into one category. All I can tell you is that if you like Clive Owen, independent movies, and/or intellectual thrillers you might want to make time for I'll Sleep When I'm Dead.

Buy I'll Sleep When I'm Dead $22.49

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Tempers were high last night as the Detroit Pistons hosted the Indiana Pacers in the first match up since Detroit advanced past Indiana in the Eastern Conference Finals just six months ago.

It is no surprise that the intensity level was through the roof the entire game. The game was, however, relatively tame until there were only about 48 seconds left in the game. Indiana sat atop a comfortable lead when Ron Artest fouled Ben Wallace from behind on a lay up. The foul was not incredibly hard, though it was unnecessary when up with the game in the bag.

Wallace responded to the foul with a shove to Artest's chest. Ben Wallace overreacted. I can admit this. He should not have taken his aggression out on Ron Artest. This move caused a scrum of all players on the court. Both teams were most likely both mentally and physically exhausted at the end of such a potent rivalry.

Soon the players were pulled apart after a minimal amount of pushing and shoving. What escalated the situation in Auburn Hills was a fan throwing a cup that hit Ron Artest in the face. Artest was laying on the scorers table in an uncharacteristic attempt to stay out of the fire. Once the cup hit him, however, he took off into the stands after the STUPID patron who threw it. Pacer Stephen Jackson was not far behind in the rush to the stands.

The players were soon pulled back to the court though the brawling was incomplete as some more people still felt the need to walk onto the court. They paid the price.

These people who became involved with the players were in the wrong. I will not call them fans. They paid to see the game, some wore Pistons merchandise, but they are not fans. Pistons fans, NBA fans, sports fans would not conduct themselves in this manner. There is no excuse for how those in the stands handled themselves during this situation last night. I am not siding with the Indiana Pacers. I am a Detroit Pistons fan. Choosing sides here is not between the two teams, it is between class and no class. The people who assaulted the players showed no class and I am embarrassed to root for the same team as them.

I honestly hope that no one applauds the efforts of the guy who threw the cup at Ron Artest. He was the catalyst in what is a scar against a reputation the Pistons fans have earned throughout the league as the best fans. Do not judge the rest of us by the actions of one idiot. What happened last night was not funny. What happened last night was unfortunate. When you attend a sporting event of any variety you are not a participant, you are merely an observer. What went on on the court may emotionally charge though, though you have absolutely no right to act out.

Why would you do this? What could you possibly gain from this? I just cannot understand.

Went to see I Heart Huckabees last night and encountered technical difficulties so we had to opt for a different movie. After some deliberation we decided upon Saw (Cary Elwes, Danny Glover).

Scary movies are very difficult to pull off, in my opinion. To make a truly scary movie it takes more than sudden cut scenes and loud sounds during quiet moments. A good scary movie is one where you can lose yourself in your imagination; one where you can become engulfed in the movie.

I can say that when I got home last night, I was looking over my shoulder. That is the main thing I look for in a scary movie.

When we left the theater last night after the movie and tried to talk about the movie, I was unable to say whether or not I would recommend Saw. It wasn't until this morning that I was able to realize that I would. If you are a fan of scary movies and do not mind a little blood and gore in a film, then I think you should check out Saw. I will say that there was one point towards the end when it appeared that they were basically just going to end the movie and I was furious. I had questions and had no answers. This was going to be the weakest ending to a movie I had ever experienced. Ultimately I did get my answers, so this crisis was narrowly averted.

My only hang up with the film is one brought up by the friend I saw the movie with last night. It truly is sick that someone was able to come up with a story like that. That may have been the scariest part of the movie.

(Also, the more and more I think about it, there seems to be a significant relation to the movie Seven, starring Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, and Kevin Spacey.)

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Why?

I went out to lunch today and at the restaurant we were told the daily specials. One was a chicken wrap. Chicken with lettuce, tomato, cheese and ranch dressing in a low-carb something-r-other flat bread type thing. Then the server adds, "That is served with a side of fries."

FRIES?!?!?!?!?

Here is your low-carb meal with a side of carbs.

Does this make sense to everyone but me? Why pitch the sandwich as low-carb if you are going to only go halfway? Consider that I am biased against the carb-cutting world to begin with so maybe that is why I can't fathom this menu item. Sure someone near and dear to me has cut his carbs and is doing very well with it, though if I never see a carb-conscious menu change commercial again I'll die a happy man.

Is this just an attempt to allow people to feel better about themselves to say that they ordered something low-carb yet retain their dignity in the face of their friends? "But honey, I had the low-carb chicken thingy for lunch."

Explanations welcome/encouraged?

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Finally the powers that be listened to my pleadings for exciting football. Three games this week went to overtime (each at 17-17 actually) as well as a few others that came down to the wire. It is nice to not feel as though you wasted your Sunday afternoon from watching mediocre football. My time in week 10 was well spent.

One of those overtime games was Lions v. Jaguars. Let's hope this isn't a contract year for Eddie Drummond or the Lions organization may have to shell out some significant cash to keep this guy. Both Lions touchdowns were scored on punt returns by Drummond in the 4th quarter to force overtime. If Joey Harrington used up all of his confidence in the first 4 games of the season then at least I have an explanation for lack of production. If, however, he has any left...let me be the first to tell you, Joey, we're ready for you to use it. Blame the offensive line if you want, though you'll only be partially correct. Joey has time and whether he is overanxious or not he is off his mark recently. This is the Joey we're used to, though not the one the Lions thought they were drafting. He is a very capable quarterback and one used to pressure (on and off the field) so he should be able to perform. We had one Andre Ware, please do not be the second.

More evidence this week of how the Steelers are simply a machine running on all cylinders. Ben Roethlisberger had a pretty poor game considering, though other players stepped up to the plate and made plays. Kudos to Jerome Bettis for dominating opponents he faces on the field, and also his critics in the press who said he is too old.

Welcome back to the season, Daunte. Thank you for showing up this week. Dare I say that it actually looked like you were having FUN on Sunday?!?!?! Weird to think that making plays could feel so good. He may have seen now that though Randy Moss is a beast, Daunte can still get the job done without him if he relaxes and does what he does best, and making it look effortless in the process.

What is there to say about the Dallas Cowboys? They need a change. What will that change be? Coach Parcells has already said that we will not see Drew Henson quarterback this struggling team as, he is not ready to give up on this team. That is not a direct quote, though it was not far off what he said about the matter. Does that mean that Parcells is now stuck with Testeverde just because he cannot start Henson without giving the impression now that he has given up? After being abused by a highly efficient Eagles offense on the Monday night stage, maybe he should be look into starting Henson after all.

Can Peyton Manning be stopped...by anything other than a Super Bowl? Or could this be the year that he proves his "curse" untrue? Maybe he is just showing off to make young Eli fill even bigger shoes as he will see his first start in week 11. We'll have to wait and see.

I have been discovered. No longer am I able to walk amongst normal people. Today I am wearing shorts, as I have been every day since last Tuesday when I hurt my ankle. What is different is that we are being visited by a potential client, so today I have added a tie to my get up. To give you the full visual, I have a long sleeved oxford shirt, tie, cargo shorts, and one shoe.

I put the tie on after seeing my boss for the first time, so when she saw it she turned to the coworker I was with and said while laughing, "He looks like a dork." Apparently wearing a tie with an outfit that involves shorts is a faux pas. And here I was simply trying to go the extra mile to look nice for potential business.

Sure we can play the game that she never said I am a dork...just that I look like one. Understand that in the great scheme of things this matters little.

I feel as though I had her fooled for so long, though no more.

Secret's out...

Friends long absent are coming back to you.

From the first preview I saw for The Polar Express I have been on the fence over whether or not I wanted to see it. Regardless of what I had decided, I saw it today.

There is not much to report about this movie. That is neither a good thing nor a bad thing, I feel. The message of the movie was very good. It was an important one: belief in the Christmas spirit is what counts most. And that belief can be expanded beyond the holidays. The main character, a young boy, is a subscriber to the "seeing is believing" philosophy. His voyage on the Polar Express is to attempt to show him that sometimes you do not need to see to believe.

So there is the message. I do not feel as though I am divulging confidential material reserved for the few who've seen the movie.

What I did not like is that I felt as though there was too much built into the story to kill time. I like the idea behind the movie, I like the message they were trying to get across, I just think they used too much filler to get from start to finish.

I enjoy Christmas movies. It's always nice to see one to get you first into the holiday spirit. I am now into the holiday spirit thanks to The Polar Express. It is a good movie. I recommend you check it out.

Academy Award winner for Best Foreign Language Film, The Barbarian Invasions is a provocative look at the many ties that bind a group of friends and lovers! It's not easy for a narrow-minded professor to reconcile with his equally stubborn son. But soon, father and son find themselves gathering with their wide and colorful circle of family and friends to confront their differences, confess their secrets and celebrate life! Winner of the Best Actress and Best Screenplay awards at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, this outstanding motion pictures has been hailed by critics everywhere as one of the year's best!

Since hearing about this film even prior to the Academy Awards, I have greatly anticipated seeing it. To no one's fault but my own, I let an incredible amount of time lapse before I finally got around to see The Barbarian Invasions.

Let me begin by telling you that whatever expectations you have going into this movie re: plot will be misleading. This is a very unique plot line that mixes a variety of stories with which we are familiar. The movie I would most equate it to is The Big Chill, though it didn't have nearly as good of a soundtrack.

This movie is truly an invasion on the comfort we take in blissful ignorance to many harsh realities of life with which we rarely come in contact. That complicated sentence could be explained in the following way: There are many tragedies in life that we do not deal with on a day to day basis. The Barbarian Invasions tells us not to forget that these situations arise.

An incredibly moving film that tugs hard at the strings we've hung in our hearts for family and friends. I challenge you to not take a moment and think of how lucky you are to have whomever is close in your life.

This was not the movie I had expected. I am not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing. Regardless, The Barbarian Invasions was a very good movie. I gladly recommend it.

Buy The Barbarian Invasions $23.99
Buy The Big Chill $7.99
Buy The Big Chill Soundtrack $13.98

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Whereabouts of Kyle were unknown until moments ago. Last seen bolting from his grandmother's house in Dallas, Texas, Kyle has apparently been spotted at England's marvel, Stonehenge.

Reports show this international lady killer thought it was a good idea yesterday to refer to himself as someone's "manfriend" in conversation to his "uber-religous" grandmother.

Sources close to the action remember feeling great apprehension towards supporting Kyle in his choice of wording to grandmother.

Kyle thought the comment would hit for sure. Turns out he was incorrect and is on his own with this one. Good luck buddy. Maybe you should stick to volunteering at churches for linen cleaning services.

Grandmother could not be reached for comment.

Ok, so it's been an interesting week. I may or may not have forgotten to get this post in this week, but regardless here it is.

To be honest I would have never forgotten to write this up had there been more exciting football this past weekend. What does that say when all professional football begins to bore you?

Bills winning games. Chiefs losing games. This season is still yet to right itself. There is something terribly wrong with the league.

One thing that is right with the world is the giant killers in Pittsburgh. Here is a worthless stat: I believe the Steelers are the only team in the history of the NFL to beat two undefeated opponents consecutively. They are probably the only team in history to ever PLAY two undefeated teams consecutively. But that is not meant to detract from the fact that this team gets it done. Give Roethlisberger his due, but he's not the star of this team. They are a well oiled machine that simply outperforms teams week after week. Do I think they have the staying power to make it to the bowl? I will be so bold to say that they do. Is my prediction that we will see the Pittsburgh Steelers represent the AFC in the Super Bowl? No, but that is not to say they are some incredibly overrated team that has no business being there. That make any sense?

There were big games from Jake "the snake" Plummer and Shaun Alexander who each lifted their teams to big wins in week 9.

Bigger numbers from Daunte Culpepper (we see a pattern developing here?) could have spelled 'W' for the Vikes. Though this was the first Monday Night game with some excitement to it. It did come down to a Vanderjagt field goal, though overtime could have spelled victory for me in my fantasy league.

Look out sports world, get ready for that team from San Diego to charge onto the scene. This team is quietly dominating teams on their schedule this season. It may appear that Drew Brees has hit his stride as leader of this ball club. Couple him with the most proficient back in the league over the past few seasons. This could equate to some excitement in San Diego.

Thanks for showing up to the Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles.

So the perk of being unable to drive due to the "suspicious" looking ankle that I have is that my dad brings me lunch. So yesterday he brought me Arby's. 5 Regular Roast Beef sandwiches for $5.95. Today he calls and says, "You want Arby's again today?" Now who in their right mind would turn down an offer like that? For those of you playing at home, the correct answer is: No one.

5 for $5.95. What a glorious deal. Does it get any better than that? Well...besides 5 Beef and Cheddars for $5?

Maybe I should get hurt more often if it means there is a huge influx of Arby's sandwiches.

Shame this Arby's does not have the help yourself bowl of mints!

I went to the gym after work yesterday to play basketball. That is nothing new. I hurt myself playing basketball yesterday afternoon. That, also, is nothing new. "Why," you ask, "would anyone hurt them self playing basketball?" Well, I have to admit I was a bit curious. I decided to conduct a case study as to just how perpendicular to the floor I could get my foot. It was a pretty basic experiment. All I needed was one loose ball as it bounced off the rim and one misplaced foot from another player. The difficult measure was timing. I had to chase the ball at the precise moment so as to land on the other guy's foot at the right spot to allow for maximum rolling of the ankle. I learned a few very valuable pieces of information in this process.

1. My foot, when placed properly, is capable of the 90 degree angles to be exactly perpendicular to the ground.
2. When my foot hits that point of perpendicularity I feel a small pop above my ankle.
3. Ouch.

Through many previous encounters with doctors, my faith in the medical profession is somewhat in the red. Last night however, I did some soul searching. I thought about all of those pay checks I have opened and the dirty looks I shoot at the check where it shows my insurance deduction. If I pay for it, why not use it? Right? I'm learning.

So the woman who admitted me to the emergency room last night took off my shoe to see what was wrong. I having been around my fair share of ankle injuries in my day knew better than to take the shoe off prior to proper care. She takes one look at my ankle and she said that it certainly looked "suspicious." Great word, don't get me wrong. I just don't think suspicious is a word I want used to describe my injury, especially by a member of the hospital staff.

Signs were posted all over the x-ray receiving room that told me that I should tell the technician if there was a potential health risk by having the x-rays. So I did as the signs told and said to the technician as he wheeled me down the hall to the machine, "I should tell you, I may be pregnant."
"That is fine, I'll just prepare the 20 forms for you to sign."
"It might almost be worth it just to see the face of whomever will process the paperwork."
He got a kick out of that. So did I. Hospitals are such downers. Those people need to laugh more.

So I had my picture taken and he told me that it would be a few minutes while he developed the film. He came back to me a short time later to take me across the hall and I had the realization that the solution in which he developed my x-rays smells surprisingly similar to cigarette smoke. I never would have guessed that.

Consider now that I am sitting on a hospital bed waiting to see a doctor. While there I sit quietly reading my book, the doctor is at the next bed stitching up an elderly woman's head. She apparently requires a hearing aid and must have been rushed out of the house without it on her way to get the blood gushing out of her forehead cleaned up. So this doctor is yelling everything to her. I was fine with this. He isn't bothering me I thought. Then he tells her that he is going to give her a shot to numb her head so he can make with the stitches. Post shot he yelled to her that he was glad she wasn't in any pain as he tried real hard to get the nerve in her head with the needle. I'm glad she had no pain, I just wish I was less grossed out by the whole conversation I had no choice but to listen to. Sorry, I digress.

Now, where was I? Oh yes, cue the doctor...

"There are varying degrees of ankle sprains. First, second and third degree sprains are for differing severity; third being the worst.
"From the swelling we can see that you have a third degree ankle sprain."
Dramatic pause. My doctor must be an aspiring actor. Oh yes, there's more.
"You didn't break [the ankle], per se."
(Imagine the look of shock on my face at being the first person to kind of break a bone...though not really break the bone...and all of this just a short time after speculation that I may have been pregnant.)
"There is a sizeable piece that chipped off the bone, though it did not do so without help. There are three ligaments that run over the ankle bone. One of your ligaments pulled away from the bone and took with it that chip."
(This would explain the lovely pop I felt in my ankle at the point of injury.)
"We can also see a chip on the inside of your ankle beneath the bone that may or may not have occurred during this same injury. We have no way of knowing that."

He then advised me to see an Orthopedist in case further care was necessary. I am in a "half cast" for what should only be a few days then I'll have an air cast for 6 weeks or so.

Now, the short version for those of you who are attention deprived:
I went to play ball. I rolled my ankle. It hurts enough for me to go to the hospital. Doctor said I have a third degree ankle sprain and there is kinda sorta some ligament damage as well as a bone chip. I'm on crutches, though only for a short time. At least that is what they told me.

You will be free of the heavy burdens you have been carrying.

The next big screen installment from Matt Stone and Trey Parker (those who bring you South Park) is Team America: World Police. This movie, acted entirely by marionette puppets, satires the current political system in the United States and offers somewhat of a perspective on how we are viewed by the rest of the world.

If you are going to see this movie, and I recommend that you do, please please please understand that it is all in fun. This is a comedy. These are jokes. Do not get offended. Also, understand that if you are going to take your child(ren) to this movie, be sure you check with your wife. There was a man, woman, and little girl (probably around 14) who got up and left the theater some 30 minutes into the movie.

That out of the way, this movie was hilarious. I do not want to ruin anything for those of you who have not seen the movie yet or take my site above a PG rating, so I'll not go into any great depth. I will however tell you that the plot is weak, the "action" is terrible and the writing was absolute comedy gold. I was not expecting to see the next Pianist, so I was not offended by the explicit language/actions in the movie.

I laughed. I laughed a lot. You will laugh, too.

DETECTIVE ALEX CROSS is back--and he's in love. But his happiness is threatened by a series of chilling murders in Washington, D.C., murders with a pattern so twisted, it leaves investigators reeling. Cross's ingenious pursuit of the killer produces a suspect--a British diplomat named Geoffrey Shafer. But proving that Shafer is the murderer becomes a potentially deadly task. As the diplomat engages in a brilliant series of surprising countermoves, in and out of the courtroom, Alex and his fiancee become hopelessly entangled with the most memorable nemesis Alex Cross has ever faced.

Pop Goes the Weasel reveals James Patterson at the peak of his power, with his most dynamic and powerful psychological thriller to date. Here is a chilling villain no reader will forget, a love story of great tenderness, and a plot of relentless suspense and heart-pounding pace. To read Pop Goes the Weasel is to discover why James Patterson is one of the greatest suspense writers of our time.

Pop Goes the Weasel is another reason why James Patterson is one of my absolute favorite authors. He does not disappoint. I have enjoyed every book of his that I have read, and I gravitate towards the Alex Cross novels first. I am through 5 of the now 10 book series. Pop Goes the Weasel is the fifth and book 10, London Bridges, is in stores now.

In this novel, Patterson tells of how Cross faces off not only against some of the most brilliant criminal minds, but also against the government. The short chapters helped this book along as it was not the most action packed of the series, though it was no less suspenseful. As you would hope with any book, this one was hard to put down; especially at the end. There was some conflict involving Alex's love interest in this book and my only complaint was how it was resolved. Patterson chose the logical choice for resolution, so I do not fault him. I cannot say any more without sitting you down and explaining the whole thing and ruining the ending. You're gonna have to read it for yourself.

Read this book. Read this series. Read this author.

World of Warcraft street release is 11.23.04

World of Warcraft $49.99
Collector's Edition $79.99

An hour with friends is worth more than ten with strangers.

I got home late last night and immediately turned on the TV to see how the electoral count was coming along. As no surprise to anyone the presidential race is deadlocked and coming down to the wire. I went to so far as to turn on my laptop as I watched the recap of the polling, but shut it down before it booted. My plan was to write an elaborate post about how convoluted the election process has become. I wanted to cry out to the so very few of you who actually read this page and plead to you to move on. The time to vote has passed. The election is now out of our individuals hands. Regardless of how things turn out now, we have a leader being sworn into office in a short time. He will be in charge for four years. Is there a chance that the half of the country who's candidate did not win will support he who did? I was going to try and appeal to the rational side of each of you and try to get you to see the silver lining. I wanted to have you focus on whatever could be construed as positive over the next four years.

Obviously this was a post I did not make. And it appears that this is a good thing. Mitch Albom of the Detroit Free Press has taken it upon himself to do the work for me. He has taken the stance I have taken and...well...he's better with words so I'll just link you and Mitch take it from here.

Full Article: Will we let winner actually lead us?

So apparently there is a gentleman who has too much free time on his hands. Listening to Drew & Mike on WRIF radio in Detroit this morning, I heard the interview with the inventor of the TV-B-Gone. Sure his rational for his brain child was poor, but the gadget itself is pretty cool...in theory. The device (shown) is roughly the size of the key fob for locking and unlocking the doors on your car and has a single button that can turn off any television. It is essentially a palmable universal remote with the sole ability of turning off television. The item lists at only $14.99 and will actually turn the TV back on, too. This will become the number 1 tool for bitter people and individuals who think they are funny, though are not. The TV-B-Gone will be an outcry for attention, it really serves no other purpose. Marketed for people who want to turn off a television that no one is watching, the company cannot keep up with orders. They have apparently underestimated demand. I guess this means they have also underestimated human kind's inherent trait to be obnoxious.

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Many people have been searching for the components of these sanwiches as they have become popularized recently with the success of Steeler's rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. I figured I would take the liberty of digging up the different blueprints for you.

Peppi's "Roethlisburger" is beef, breakfast sausage, scrambled eggs, and American cheese.

Brentwood Express has the "Ben Roethlis-burger" which is a burger with bacon, barbecue sauce, ranch dressing, cheddar and provolone cheeses. Ask for the "Big Ben" for an extra hamburger patty.

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It was a lunch hour well spent today as I headed over to the middle down the street from my house to vote in today's election. I will openly admit that I did not do my homework on my state/county/township specific elections. I waited in line for 45 minutes to fill in my vote for President and my vote on one of the proposals on the Michigan ballot. My butt had hardly hit the chair and I was on my way to turn in my ballot.

I will say one thing...well I say a lot of things...can't help it, but one thing I will say (that sounds better) is that I do feel as though I accomplished something today by exercising my right to vote. I am not a big political nut so this voting thing is not something I lost sleep over last night, but there is a definite feeling of accomplishment for having voted.

A widely held opinion on this election is that there was no better candidate, there was only a lesser of two evils. This was an opinion I share. I have come to terms with the fact that my political interest is fleeting at best, so I simply looked at the information and asked myself not "which is better," but "which isn't worse?"

I am glad I voted. It is an interesting experience.

So here it is. Week 8 has come and gone. What a boring week of football this was on all accounts. There were no huge performances, few...if any...outstanding plays, and no major injuries.

It has been decided that the team goal for the Atlanta Falcons for the 2005-2006 season will be to do whatever it takes to get Michael Vick to play hard for 16 games. It was nice to see one of the few games this year he decided to show up was in week 8, a week in need of highlights. He played his own brand of football. He was a runner possessed against the Broncos on Sunday.

Ding dong the witch is dead. 21 and out for the Pats. What a pathetic record. Who can't win 22 straight? I mean honestly.

I had a few hours worth of memories of Bobby Ross and Marty Morhninweg while watching the Lions perform below expectations versus a struggling Cowboys team. If only I could draw I would include the image in my head of the Lions team limbo-ing under the words "peter's expectations" one player at a time. How low can you go?

The strength of the Minnesota Vikings from day 1 was the fact that Culpepper is able to throw to 8-9 different receivers in any given game. If one is covered then there are many other players willing to step up and make the big play. The Vikings were a team that could win even without Randy Moss. That is, until Moss hurt his hamstring and missed the last two weeks. This team has fallen apart. The most dominating player in the league through 6 weeks (5 if you consider the bye week) was Daunte Culpepper. In the two games without Moss he has been a non-factor. Onterrio Smith is to return from his 4 game suspension in week 9, perhaps he can offer some renewed energy to this team.

And who is in charge of scheduling the primetime games? Do they pick teams out of a hat? Sunday night and Monday night games have been less than entertaining. Please excuse me if I was mistaken in thinking they are given the national spotlight in these time slots so as to attract an audience. 49ers/Bears and Jets/Dolphins this week. Who on earth cares to watch these games? I would wager even the coaches of these teams were too bored to want to even stand on their own sidelines...ok, maybe that is a little extreme.