Fall Movies

That time of year when Hollywood is wondering what the public wants. So they send out a memo saying, “Does any of this work for you guys?” What follows is just a few of the movies coming out in September, October, November, and December. A few are limited releases and some are going to be blockbusters. Without further adieu:

September: Exorcism of Emily Rose, so I want to see this and I’m not usually a horror fan. Blame it on seeing Exorcist within the past few months. History of Violence stars Viggo Mortensen and Ed Harris, so it goes on my to-see list. Thumbsucker is about a 17 year old who tries to break his habit. Prizewinner of Defiance, Ohio stars Julianne Moore in a adaptation of a novel. Unfinished Life stars Robert Redford and JLo with Morgan Freeman-need I say more?

October: Domino stars Kiera Knightly as a real-life bounty hunter. Elizabethtown is a film from Cameron Crowe (Almost Famous dude) about a Southern patriarchs funeral and a blossoming romance. Wallace and Gromit hit the big screen for the first time. Weatherman stars Nicholas Cage as a weather man with a stormy life.

November: Harry Potter comes out probably at Thanksgiving. Ice Harvest stars Billy Bob Thorton and John Cusack (two of my favorites) about Christmas, embezzlers, and Wichita. Jarhead is an adaption of a novel by a Marine; the movie stars Jake Gyllenhall. New World is a John Smith/Pocahontas movie starring Collin Farrell. Walk the Line is the Cash biopic starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon.

December: All The Kings Men is an adaption of Robert Penn Warren novel which was made into a ‘49 movie starring Broderick Crawford. This version stars Sean Penn as a Southern politician loosely based on Huey Long. Cheaper by the Dozen 2 which I’m sure my family will see. Chronicles of Narnia: Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe the CS Lewis novel comes to the big screen. King Kong by Peter Jackson of Lord of the Rings fame. Munich is the Steven Spielberg movie of the slaying of 11 Israeli athletes at the ‘72 Munich Olympics.

I think I need to start putting movies into my budget-there are several interesting films coming out.

More on the hurricane

Seems like everything has stopped for a moment here in the States. Helicopters and news cameras are showing us destruction through the Gulf States that we haven’t seen since Andrew. In some ways it looks like color photos of Camille or Nagaski. Levy breaches in New Orleans means that up to 80% of the city is flooded with some of it up to 20 feet deep. Hotels and hospitals have been evacuated and the Governor wants the Superdome evacuated in 2 days. At the Superdome, water is rising and the toilets are flooded. Generally things are very disgusting. FEMA is actually considering cruise ships to take some refuges. One thing that New Orleans and it’s suburbs are trying to figure out is what to do with 5000 inmates serving time or waiting for hearings. There’s massive looting in the New Orleans area, some of it in full view of the cops. On cop was shot in the head by a looter but is expected to live. Throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama there’s no electricity. In Louisiana and Mississippi the drinking water is compromised and temps have been in the 90’s. In Biloxi at least three casinos have been deposited inland. An apartment complex was destroyed; it was named the Quiet Water Beach Apartments.

What else is there to say after looking at these pictures and the reality they carry? Prayers for this area and if you can, help out.

Just a side note-we lost and Suppans on the mound at 605 pm. See ya’ll tomorrow.

Baseball and more baseball

It’s so good to know that at least one thing in life is going well. Gas prices have hit 2.66 here in Oklahoma. Ouch. But we now have a magic number and I’ve added it to the sidebar. I promise to remember to change it. Well, not much going on in the world except Katrina, so on to the news.

Katrina hit Mississippi hard instead of New Orleans. At least 55 are dead and that number is expected to rise. More than a million without power from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle. 10 major hospitals in New Orleans are running on emergency backup power. Holes in the Superdome roof when the hurricane came through. There was a 20 foot storm surge hit Biloxi and Gulfport. That surge swamped waterfront casinos and could close down the gaming industry in Mississippi for some time costing millions of dollars in lost revenue. An oil drilling platform broke free and slammed into a major bridge in Mobile Bay, Alabama. 2 other platforms are adrift. Estimated insurance claims could run 12 to 26 billion, which could top Andrew’s claims and become the most costly hurricane. At least it wasn’t the catastrophic, end-of-the-world, doomsday event everyone was predicting. The Big Easy should be nicknamed The Big Lucky.

We won 6-1 today giving Carpenter his 19th win. He’ll hit 20 before the end of the season and probably 25. Morris takes the mound at 605 pm tonight. We play Wednesday in Florida then off on Thursday before heading to Houston. Rolen had his surgery today. Expect him back in time for spring training. Get well, Scott, we need you back next year.

A little history for today: Ty Cobb played his first game 100 years ago today. He was 18 and played for the Detroit Tigers. His first at bat he hit a double and was on his way to 4, 191 hits in his 24 year career. His lifetime average was .367 and that debut came against the New York Highlanders (which later became the Yankees). Cobb was the most revered, hated, and controversial player of his day.

Well, y’all, have a great day and see ya tomorrow.

Missing: Danielle Marie Zacot

Danielle Marie Zacot (pronounced “zah-co”) went missing from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, on February 25, 1999. Zacot was born September 2, 1973 and was 25 at the time of her disappearance. She is listed as a white female, 5′6″, 105 pounds (some say very thin), with light brown hair and hazel eyes. She was possibly wearing a fuschia and white sleeveless or short sleeved dress and blue denim jacket. Also wearing a gold ring with small diamonds and earrings. She was last seen at 930 pm by her boyfriend who is not a suspect. She went shopping at Winn-Dixie Supermarket in the vicinity of the 1800 block of East Commercial Boulevard. She was seen by a cashier buying a loaf of bread. She has not been seen since then. Her 1993 blue Chevy Cavalier was later found locked and parked in front of the supermaket. Her credit cards and bank accounts have not been touched since February of 1999. She left the lights and TV on in her apartment. A person of interest in the case is Lucious Boyd. Boyd was convicted in June 2002 in the rape/murder of a 21 year old. He is also the prime suspect in 19 year old Patrece Alston disappearance. She was last seen with him on a weekend trip.

Any information can be shared with Bonnie Velti of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. Zacot’s case number is 99-30126 and the F.L.P.D. phone number is 954-761-5512.

Okay, so it’s not all that it’s cracked up to be…

3 days off (really it’s like 4 days/3 nights) and it flat out sucked. Thursday wasn’t so bad, Friday was spent at mom’s some where I cooked for the family. Saturday was breakfast out with a friend, a nap, the game, into town to pick up a sister, then back home for laundry. Sunday I didn’t get nearly enough sleep for the first of this week. Routine-and perhaps that’s why I’m so disappointed. Nothing happened. Welcome to the rest of my life-where nothing ever really happens. We have another meeting on Monday-God will this ever end. Although I was updated on what’s going on-I still have to attend. Now whether I can make it home Tuesday is the real question. Either I’ve worked this shift too long or I’m getting old (or a little of both) but it’s going to take a miracle to get me home in one piece.

Nothing going on in the news except Hurricane Katrina. She’s still a Category 5 storm barreling into the Gulf Coast and New Orleans specifically. Expect the eye to make landfall Monday morning early (700 or 800 is what I’m hearing). I’ll update tomorrow night. The real fear is the damage that could be done to New Orleans as it’s basically a giant bowl that’s below sea level. Flooding could be catastrophic. Oil refineries and the oil rigs in the Gulf are closed. So there goes the gas up even more. Another thought is that this hurricane is so big it’s expected to hit the Mississippi and Alabama gulfshores area. Biloxi and other gulf cities in the Mississippi depend on casinos that are floating. They may just float on out to sea.

Hawaii has won the Little League World Series. First time a team from Hawaii has won it all. Congrats, Hawaii!

Where do I begin with baseball? Friday we lost 1-4 with Suppan on the mound. We won Saturday 6-0. When I turned the TV on Saturday I was expecting Mulder but instead we got Marquis. My initial thought was, “Turn it off and mark it as a loss.” Glad I didn’t do either as Marquis, perhaps, has figured out what his problem was as he got both his first shut out and complete game. Way to go, Marquis! Mulder was scheduled on Sunday but he was a no go. So reliever Cal Eldred started the game, then Brad Thompson, Julian Tavarez, Al Reyes, and then Ray King. Playing creative ball, LaRussa style. Pujols got tossed in the first inning, Edmonds left in the sixth after tackling the catcher. Diaz came in and caught at first base and then Seabol took over. (Diaz!?!?! He’s our back up catcher! What’s wrong with Mabry?!?) We’re now 14 1/2 games over Houston, we’ve won 83, and although I can’t verify this I read somewhere we need to win 18 and it’s official: Off to post season. Philly is on top in the Wild Card, followed by Florida (1/2 game), Houston and NY (1.5) and Washington (2.5). Who we aren’t going to see in the post season is Colorado, Pittsburgh, LA, San Fran, Arizona, Cincinnati, Chicago. Oh, we’re in Florida tonight at 605 with Carpenter on the mound looking for #19.

We’ll y’all, I need to get busy. See ya tomorrow.

3 Day Weekend

Anyone got tickets to Pittsburgh? Since I’m off, I could attend a game. After tonight’s win (8-3) and a pregame shuffle invoving Duncan and Pirates McClellan and Perry it could be interesting. Good news on Taguchi, that beaned hand is not broken, just swollen. No word on when Reggie is coming back. No word on Grudz and the infection in his knee although he is expected this weekend. Carpenter picked up his 18th win today and LaRussa moved into a tie at 3rd on the all-time winning coaches list. We are now 80-47 and 13 games over Houston. No magic number yet. Matty Mo takes the mound at 605 pm tonight and Suppan at 605 Friday. Then it’s on to Washington with Mulder on Saturday at 1220 pm. Then Sunday’s game is at 1205 pm with pitcher yet to be announced, but I’m betting it’s Marquis. Lets see if he can avoid making it 8 straight losses.

No much going on in the news. I’m off so no update tomorrow, but I’ll be back on Sunday night. So a regular schedule next week. I think the rain has finally quit. Didn’t really cool things down a whole lot, just took the steaminess out of the weather. But now that it’s quit raining, here comes the heat and the humidity. I plan on staying inside as much as possible. I’ll make a library run early Saturday morning. I want to do some baking and get my room really scrubbed. It’s looking junky right now. Maybe some rearranging and hang a few more pictures on the wall. We’ll see. I have a meeting tomorrow at work at 200 pm, so I’m going to go home and throw something in the oven to bring to it. I’ve been asked what I’m going to prepare, so I think I’ve started something.

Family has been doing well. My younger siblings are back in school. Sister Sarah who is 17 got her license at the end of summer. She’s a junior at Broken Arrow High School. Sister Faith, I think she’s 14, started her freshman year at North Intermediate School. Jake is repeating a year but I can’t tell you what year or how old he is. Maybe 12 or 13, perhaps. Too many siblings (thanks Mom!). Sister Manda has got new hours at work, 6-3. Her son John has started Kindergarten this year. His sisters are at daycare. With Manda’s hours changed, the girls don’t have to watch the kids in the evening. Mom got a CSM position at her job at Wal-Mart. A little more money, more hours, and more responsibility.

I know some of you who don’t know me, this may just be boring. But to family out of state, I know that someone checks this oh-so-often. The family grapevine is also alive and well!

Well, I’m going to see what my relief auditor didn’t do and check in with the guy next door. Keith is a hoot and a holler. We have a great time together. Unless he gets no sleep or the relief auditor was a goof and didn’t work. Then my job as a supervisor is to get Keith to breathe. Repeat after me, It’s gonna be okay.

Well, y’all, I’ll see ya on Sunday. Have a great weekend.

Is it Friday yet?

Looking forward to my three day weekend-although I do have to come back on Thursday for a meeting. Jeff said he thinks that its all good and to not be worried. The big bosses will be there so I get to meet one of them for the first time.

I don’t want to even think about it so I will just start off by saying that we lost 10-0 tonight. I couldn’t watch Marquis pitch. He’s lost his last seven-some of that isn’t his fault (not enough runs, errors). But Good Grief! He gave up eight hits and seven earned runs in 3 2/3 innings. I’ll watch tonight as Carpenter starts as 605 pm.

And another jet crashes: Peru jet went down in the jungle. As many as 40 are killed. Gas is so high, you don’t want to drive. Plane crashes are abundant. That leaves horse and buggy-going Amish anyone?

Joseph Edward Duncan the Third is charged with three counts of first degree murder and three counts of first degree kidnapping in Idaho. He will face that death penalty. No word on Sasha Groene’s condition, I hope that things are going well for her. Duncan the Despicable will also be facing federal charges since he took the kids across state lines. With the feds, though, there is no parole and when they give the death penalty they follow through. Just ask McVeigh.

2 Wal-Mart employees were shot to death outside a suburban Pheonix store. They were eighteen and collecting carts when someone walked up and shot them multiple times with a handgun. Suspect was later arrested. The store will be closed till Wednesday.

Brock Peters, 78, died of pancreatic cancer on Tuesday. Peters was best known as Tom Robinson the accused rapist in To Kill a Mockingbird. He also played Admiral Cartwright in two of the Star Trek feature films.

Another day, another professional athlete in the news. Dwight Gooden is being sought by Tampa police. They pulled him over on suspicion of driving under the influence and when he was asked to step out of the vehicle he took off. How about a hockey of basketball star get in trouble; why has it been baseball here lately?

Well, y’all, places to go and people to annoy. See ya tomorrow!

Rainy August

Probably a good thing it’s been so rain, we’re something like 9 inches below normal. Rained for the past couple of days. Supposedly scattered showers today and isolated showers for Tuesday. Not I mind, I’m usually in bed during the day. We’ve got a meeting at work on Thursday, day one of a three day weekend. At least it’s not on a Monday-then I would just skip it. Some news, some Cards news, then I’m gone.

Discovery is back in Florida after a cross country trip. It rode piggy-back on a modified jumbo jet and cost 1 million to get it from California to Florida. Next space flight is scheduled for March when Atlantis lifts off.

Last of the Jewish settlers have left the Gaza trip. They will receive compensation for leaving which will be 200 000 to 300 000 dollars. Israeli military will take several weeks to dismantle military bases. Then the Israelis will hand it off to the Palestinian.

Best party college is the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the most sober college is Brigham Young. Not really surprising that BYU got the nod as most sober college. It is in Utah.

Divorce papers have been signed by Pitt and Aniston. October will be the official date. See, I was right, they both have enough time to find someone new for the upcoming holiday season.

We won today, beating the Pirates 3-1. We had a lot of runs in the first few innings but were unable to capitalize. Since we won, I won’t pound my head over it. Mulder now has 15 wins and Izzy has 33 saves. Marquis goes for his 10 win at 605 tonight.

Well, y’all, I will see ya tomorrow.

Missing: Leigh Hobart Abel

Leigh Hobart Abel has been missing from Orange County Florida since December 20, 2001. Abel is listed as endangered missing adult by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Department. He was last seen in the early morning hours as he left home in Orange City, Florida, for one of his regular fishing outings in New Smyrna Beach. He was seen by other fisherman between 715 AM and 1100 AM. His vehicle was seen at 1100 AM, but was gone at 1130 AM. A year later his vehicle, a white 1999 GMC Subarban was found near the 8300 block of Trent Circle in Boca Raton, Florida. There was some clues in the vehicle, however Sheriff’s deputies have found nothing to tell them what happened to Leigh. His credit cards have not been used since December 2001. Leigh Abel was 78 at the time of his disappearance. He was a white male, approximately 6 foot tall, weighs 210 pounds, has white/gray hair, hazel or green eyes. He wears gold frame glasses, upper and lower dentures, and a gold wedding band. When he disappeared he was wearing a blue sweatshirt, blue shorts, maroon jogging pants and a maroon jacket with white stripes. Police are looking for this man (in a composite sketch to the right) in connection with the case as he was seen near Abel shortly before he disappeared. Contact the Volusia County Sheriffs Department at 386-254-1535. Major Case Squad is investigating and the case number is 01-3087. You can also contact the Volusia and Flagle County Crimestoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS. Crimestoppers information can be given anonymously.

Short post

I’ve cooked up something new, I’ll get it posted later this morning. Decided that on Sunday nights we’re going to feature a different missing person. I’m not expecting to change the world, but perhaps somebody out that reads this knows something, or is inspired to do something to get the news out there. Speaking of out there, Hunter Thompson ashes were shot from a cannon today. Rest in peace, Hunter.

We lost today, 4-2. We begin a 13 game, 4 city road trip. Longest trip since 2002. Its Pittsburgh, Washington, Florida, and the Houston. Next day off is 19th of September. Mulder pitches tonight at 605 in Pitts. Rolen has opted for surgery on his shoulder. This way he should be able to attend spring training and not miss most of this season and next year. Grudz was in the hospital Saturday night with an infection in his knee. He’s not expected to travel to Pittsburgh. Get well, Grudz, we don’t need you on the DL also.

Well, y’all, things to do and people to annoy. See ya tomorrow.