Meet the Robot...

In case you did not receive a postcard in the mail, I wanted to make you aware of Jim's upcoming gallery show, "American Artifacts". December 4th will also mark the debut of his re-branded freelance company, Red Robot Design and Illustration. Jim has been hard at work prepping for this show so we hope lots of you can make it. And of course, there will be food!

Yes, it's a funny cat video...

Item of the Week: Real Flame Fireplace Insert

I am a happy camper.

All the time we lived at our old house, I was disappointed that there was no fireplace, especially at the holidays. When we moved, things got better... We had a fireplace, but unfortunately it was not usable, as the chimney had been blocked off.

Enter the ventless gel-fueled ceramic fireplace insert. I originally saw this item in Plow & Hearth Catalog (they have lots of great stuff), but ended up getting it cheaper from Target.com. After some intial shipping confusion on their part, it has finally arrived and we set it up last night.

These ceramic logs have a holder under them for 2 cans of Real Flame gel-fuel (think of an over-sized sterno heater) However, there is something added to this fuel so that it crackles just like a wood fire. It also comes in a larger size that holds 3 fuel cans. We tested it out tonight and I am more than pleased. Now we can have, if not the heat, the look of a real fire all winter long.

I've included video here so you can see it in action...



Want one? Try here

Jim's "Go or Don't Go" - Transformers 2

Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen reminded me of Jurassic Park III. You would think that more and bigger dinosaurs, and more people being eaten by these same dinosaurs, would be better than any previous Jurassic Park movie, but no. It turns out that after a while it became tiresome and a bit numbing. That's how I felt by the end of Revenge of the Fallen, tired and numb.

You could divide the action up into two categories in this movie: Explosions, and the time in between said explosions. Oh, there is a flimsy plot that sort of connects the explosions, and many of the cast from the first Transformers movie are there to run away from these explosions, but I don't count that as a significant part of the movie.

For the record, I enjoyed the original movie. One thing that I didn't like about the first film was that I found the fight scenes between the Decepticons (bad guys) and Autobots (good guys) a bit disorienting and hard to follow. Problem not solved for me in this one, and at almost 2.5 hours, I have to say after hour 1.5, I didn't really care. Just get it over with already.

Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox reprise their roles as Sam Witwicky and Mikaela Banes, and unfortunately, Kevin Dunn and Julie White are back as Sam's parents. Their "contribution" to the plot may been the most annoying part of the film for me.

The movie is rated PG-13, and for a film that is based on a line of toys, there was plenty of unnecessary profanity and crude humor. I never understand why filmmakers need to throw that stuff in in this type of film. Spiderman is a great example of a film that made billions of dollars by appealing to both kids and adults without stooping to that level.

If you want to rent a great action film that came out about the same time this year, see my review of Star Trek. If you like mindless pyrotechnics, this is your film. I say "Don't Go."

Jim's Beverage Corner...

An important update on the frappuccino front. While we were at the Monroeville Borders last week, we stopped in at the Seattle's Best Coffee located inside the bookstore. I tried one of their JavaKula blended drinks in the Chocolate Coffee Crunch flavor, and I have to say, it may be my new favorite mocha treat. It's flavor leans on the coffee side, which I prefer over chocolate. The crushed Oreos are what seals the deal for me. It's like a wonderful marriage of a frappuccino and a Blizzard! The guy that made mine even stuck a little chocolate stick in the whipped cream!If you enjoy frappuccinos, run, don't walk to your nearest Seattle's Best shop. You can thank me later.

Click the photo to find a store near you...

Halloween Recap...

Our Halloween festivities were spread over 2 weekends this year. This was the first time in a long time that we had a good excuse to dress up. We were invited to the annual Edgewood Acres Halloween party, a neighborhood gathering held down the street from our house. It featured a very elaborate haunted house in the basement. The homeowners told us it takes them 2 months to set up the scenes. Here are a few snapshots...

If you read Jim's recent movie review, you probably know that we both really liked the 2009 Star Trek flick. We couldn't pass up these costumes, especially since Jim got to carry a cool phaser.

On Halloween night, we got dressed up again and waited for the Trick-or-Treaters to arrive. One hour into the designated 2-hour time period, we had not had any kids (except for our friends the Moons who brought their adorable girls by in matching princess costumes). So at 7pm, we packed up our candy and headed over to church to participate in their Trunk-or-Treat event. Luckily, we found plenty of kids who were more than happy to take the candy off our hands. We finished off the evening with a screening of "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," followed by "Young Frankenstein." It was a fun night and I'm already brainstorming costume ideas for next year.

Website of the Week: SmartVoter.Org

This is a re-post from last November, but it applies again!

You MUST take a look at this non-partisan site before election day. http://www.smartvoter.org

Under the section that says "Find My Ballot," type in your street address and zip code and it will show you exactly what will be on your particular ballot on November 3rd. If you're like me, you'd like to know exactly which races you will be voting on before you show up to cast your ballot. The site even has links to candidate's websites where available.

I highly recommend this site for anyone who wants to be prepared when they walk into the voting booth next Tuesday. Happy voting!!

California Dreamin'...

Last Thursday, we departed Pittsburgh just in time for some very cold weather to blow into town. Good thing we were headed to one of our favorite warm destinations, Southern California. Our itinerary was as follows:

Friday: Disneyland
Saturday: Visit the Kasdans in Orange County
Sunday & Monday: Visit Grandparents in Palm Springs
Tuesday: Fly home

We arrived at John Wayne Airport at 11pm on Thursday night (after working all day) and headed straight to the Alpine Inn, a kitschy but cheap and clean motel within walking distance from Disneyland. After a very short night's sleep, we left to walk to the park at 7:15am. By 7:30 we were in line at the front gates.

Disneyland Railroad, Main Street Station...
The reason we love this place...
First thing in the morning- ready for a big day!
Sleeping Beauty Castle...

By the time we got to the Astro Orbitor (below) at 8:45am, we had ridden Space Mountain once and Buzz Lightyear twice. Our ride schedule was again planned by Ridemax, our favorite Disney Park planning software. We highly recommend it.

An artsy shot of the Orbitor...

The Haunted Mansion decked out Tim Burton style...

Boarding area for the Haunted Mansion...

Obligatory castle shot...

Up Close...

By 10am, we headed over to California Adventure for our first ever look at that park. In the background below, California Screamin'- a great roller coaster that goes upside down!

First Stop... Toy Story Mania!

After riding Soarin' over California, it was time for a mid-morning break... Jim found a giant Disney-style frappucino....

Mickey's Fun Wheel...Looking Up...

Riding the Wheel...

Along the Midway...

The Golden Zephyr. Not so exciting, but a ride too cool looking to pass up...Walking the streets of Hollywood (this part of the park is similar to Hollywood Studios in Florida)...
Loved this restaurant name...

One of Jim's favorites- Carrie is too chicken to ride this...

We found the Mouse...

By 3:30pm, it was back over to Disneyland to find a Pineapple Whip before heading over to the Indiana Jones ride...

We took a short break in Frontierland to enjoy this bluegrass band...

After the Jungle Cruise and another spin on Space Mountain, it was time for our traditional Disney dinner... Veggie Burgers at the Tomorrowland Terrace...

Our favorite landmark in Tomorrowland...

Evening sky over Matterhorn Mountain...

The park is even more magical at night...

Not too late for a spin on Autopia...

Another must ride... King Arthur's Carousel...
Before heading out, we had to find the infamous Club 33. Maybe some day, we'll get to go in...

Two tired, but very happy people...
Traditional last stop of the night (12:30am)... Blue Ribbon Bakery on Main Street for mochas and cookies... Until we meet again...
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Saturday: Jim's first visit to In 'N Out Burger! He was not disappointed...

Hanging with baby Mitchell... what a cutie!

Cuddle time! We had a great day with Ben and Marissa and Mitchell and were sad to say goodbye after such a short time.

Sunday & Monday: Palm Springs...

Grandparent's house & street...

Downtown shopping...

Love the architecture...Out with Grandma & Grandpa...
What a wonderful vacation. Can't wait to do it again!

Must See Video of the Week...

"Everything's Amazing, Nobody's Happy"

Jim's "Go or Don't Go" - Star Trek

Ok, so I'm reviewing a movie that was released over five months ago, but some of you may not get out to the movies often (or like me, are too cheap to pay full price.) Carrie and I were fortunate enough to attend a sneak peak grand opening of the new Cinemark Theater in Robinson and part of the treat, including free food, was a choice of several recent movies, some current and not-so-current.

Anyway, we chose Star Trek. I had heard great things about this film when it came out, but I was still skeptical. I am a marginal Star Trek fan, and Carrie has never even seen the original TV series. I have to say, this movie lived up to the hype and more.

This can be considered a prequel to the original TV show, giving us the origins of Captain Kirk and the gang, and showing us how they made their way aboard the Starship Enterprise. Some Trekkie purists may be upset that some liberties were taken with some of the details of the original show, but they need to get over it. This is by far the best Star Trek motion picture (yes, better than Wrath of Kahn), and they should be thankful that a whole new audience is being exposed to the franchise.

Since the overall plot involves some time travel, I won't even bother to explain it, but don't worry, it's more than sufficient to carry along the action without leaving you lost. And speaking of action, this movie starts and stops with it. I can't remember the last movie I watched that was so well-paced. It hits you right in the face from the opening scene and never stops; genuine jump-in-your-seat scares, humor, and excellent special effects.

The casting of the film was spot on. Chris Pine really captured the essence of William Shatner's Kirk, without the hammy campiness, and Pittsburgh native Zachary Quinto is absolutely perfect as Mr. Spock. McCoy, Scotty, Uhura, and the rest of the crew are all well-played by actors that I really wasn't that familiar with. No one does an impersonation of the original actors, but a fine interpretation of the original.

The appeal of the original series was the well-developed interaction of those classic characters, not over-the-top special effects. This film adheres to that formula. Yes, the special effects are great, but they are not the star. Between all of the action, Star Trek somehow manages to take the time to make us care about this new version of the crew. Speaking of the effects, there was something perfect about them to me. Oftentimes there is so much CGI in a film that I feel like I'm watching an animated movie (take note, George Lucas). Here the effects are just right - spectacular, but not out in front.

My ONLY beef - unlike the original series, this film doesn't deal with any weighty philosophical/moral issues, but that's OK... for now. Hopefully the next installment will revolve around ideas worthy of the old TV show, but this franchise kickstart is great popcorn fun.

Before the movie, I was a bit grumpy about having to be out on a work night, but after, we were both is a good mood - just what a good action movie should do. Carrie was even interested in checking out the original TV series. The movie is also fairly clean, with just a few mild instances of profanity.

I'm sure will see more adventures in this new version of Star Trek, and I am very much looking forward to them. I say "Go."

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Autumn in Ohio...

We took a quick road trip to Ohio this weekend to visit Jim's cousin Janet in Austintown. We picked his dad up along the way so he could join us for the day. Our first stop was Mill Creek Park, a sprawling recreation area located just minutes from Janet's house...

Pioneer Pavillion, built in 1821...

A dam on 1 of the three lakes...

Jim, Janet and Bob on the overlook by the flower gardens...

I was amazed at how many flowers are still booming there this late in the year...




We also got to stop at the White House Fruit Farm in Cansfield, where we ate donuts and carmel apples, bought produce, and visited the petting zoo...

The Zahniser Men...

What a great way to spend an autumn Saturday.