Our daughter Danielle came to us over the weekend asking us, pleading actually, to watch the movie "Law Abiding Citizen." She actually saw this movie in school, otherwise I am not sure she would have know about it. Either way, she had been talking about it for some time; with it coming to a head this past weekend. With the rainy nature of our weekend, watching a movie together as a family on a Sunday, was a great suggestion.
With the three of us (Lauren was not interested) comfortably arranged in the living room, we pressed play. One thing to note before we began the movie: Danielle was truly excited we were watching a movie that she suggested; not only because it was her choice, but mainly because it was a type of movie she may not have wanted to watch to begin with.
Very simply the movie is about a man and his attempt to speak out about the warped approach the people in our justice system seek to "justice" or to "do their job." The main character, Clyde Shelton's home is entered by two men who stab and beat him, and kill his wife and child. Actually his wife is raped in front of his eyes; he is unable to help her out.
When it is time to administer justice, the prosecuting attorney seeks to make sure the two people who have been apprehended serve some type of justice. But Mr. Shelton is disappointed and actually disgusted when he is asked to accept a pre-trial deal to ensure the criminals face some type of justice. So Mr. Shelton deliberately plans our his response to this injustice system. And not only is it his actions, but also his deeds that captivate you. I found myself asking, "what is his goal?" and "what will he be doing next?" throughout the movie. I could not see his end goal.
When I watch movies, I try not to predict all of the events coming up; my goal is to enjoy it and allow things to unfold. So as the ending came, I was totally surprised. It had to end the way it did.
Anyway, it is a movie I would watch again and would recommend--only to those who can stand some gore and violence. Thanks Danielle for a good suggestion.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
My Summer of Baseball Begins--and this is how we stand
As I start my summer vacation for 2012, here are the
baseball standings as of the morning of June 6th.
Beginning in the NL East, the Phillies trail the Washington
Nationals by 5 games with a 28-29 record.
The NL East has been a close contest this year, with all five teams
residing above .500 for a stretch of time.
AL EAST: Tampa and
Baltimore are tied at 31-24; Yankees ½ game back
AL Central: Chicago
White Sox are ½ games in front of Cleveland
AL West: Texas has a
4.5 game lead over LA Angels
NL Central:
Cincinnati has a 2 game lead over Pittsburgh
NL West: Dodgers have
a 4 game lead over Giants.
As we analyze the season so far, we can feel a sense of
dread coming over the current Phillies team because of the injuries. But if we can say that this team is only 5
games out of first place while missing Ryan Howard and Chase Utley. While
having Cliff Lee not register a win as we enter June. While Joe Blanton has suffered through few
so-so starts. With not having the bullpen players pitch like they have in the
past. This team is right there.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Game # 1 2012--Halladay Pitches, Phillies Win
The Philadelphia Phillies began the season the way they ended last season: participating in a 1-0 game with Roy Halladay on the mound. But there are differences between the games:
a.) This time they were on the right side of the win column
b.) They played the Pittsburgh Pirates
c.) This game did not determine if they would advance to the next round of playoffs.
d.) Ryan Howard did not end up hurt on the field.
What this game did do is let us know a few things (ok some we knew): Carlos Ruiz is a quiet star of this team. Halladay can rebound from a two hit first inning and shut a major league team down. Jonathon Papelbon can close out a game. The Phillies have a very good defense. This was proven on two very good plays: One by Jimmy Rollins to turn a 6-4-3 double play in the first inning on Andrew McCutcheon and Placido Polanco's play on McCutcheon to end game, with a nice stretch by Ty Wigginton.
As we knew going in with Ryan Howard and Chase Utley out, the Phillies will need to scrape runs together. And this is what they did. Ty Wigginton got the only offense the Phillies would need when he singled in the 7th. John Mayberry then got an opposite field double, which allowed Wigginton to get to second. Carlos Ruiz hit a ball to right field, about medium depth, and Wigginton came across to score after the throw from Jose Tabata, went a little high and to the right of Pirates catcher Rod Barajas.
One other thing I learned: Erik Bedard is a good pitcher. He and Halladay came ready to pitch and the results were very similar for much of the game. While Halladay did not allow any more hits following the two in the first inning, Bedard kept the Phillies bats silent with a great curve ball that had a wicked break.
Game one is in the books, the Phillies are in first place. Personally, I was able to watch the entire game..but delayed. Nonetheless I enjoyed the time just watching two pitchers perform their craft extremely well.
Game two is on Saturday, after the Friday day off. cliff Lee will pitch his first game of the season.
With the offensive challenges the Phillies face, he will need to come as close as possible to replicating the method employed by Halladay if the Phils are going to win.
a.) This time they were on the right side of the win column
b.) They played the Pittsburgh Pirates
c.) This game did not determine if they would advance to the next round of playoffs.
d.) Ryan Howard did not end up hurt on the field.
What this game did do is let us know a few things (ok some we knew): Carlos Ruiz is a quiet star of this team. Halladay can rebound from a two hit first inning and shut a major league team down. Jonathon Papelbon can close out a game. The Phillies have a very good defense. This was proven on two very good plays: One by Jimmy Rollins to turn a 6-4-3 double play in the first inning on Andrew McCutcheon and Placido Polanco's play on McCutcheon to end game, with a nice stretch by Ty Wigginton.
As we knew going in with Ryan Howard and Chase Utley out, the Phillies will need to scrape runs together. And this is what they did. Ty Wigginton got the only offense the Phillies would need when he singled in the 7th. John Mayberry then got an opposite field double, which allowed Wigginton to get to second. Carlos Ruiz hit a ball to right field, about medium depth, and Wigginton came across to score after the throw from Jose Tabata, went a little high and to the right of Pirates catcher Rod Barajas.
One other thing I learned: Erik Bedard is a good pitcher. He and Halladay came ready to pitch and the results were very similar for much of the game. While Halladay did not allow any more hits following the two in the first inning, Bedard kept the Phillies bats silent with a great curve ball that had a wicked break.
Game one is in the books, the Phillies are in first place. Personally, I was able to watch the entire game..but delayed. Nonetheless I enjoyed the time just watching two pitchers perform their craft extremely well.
Game two is on Saturday, after the Friday day off. cliff Lee will pitch his first game of the season.
With the offensive challenges the Phillies face, he will need to come as close as possible to replicating the method employed by Halladay if the Phils are going to win.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Summer Starting Point
While summer is not officially here, with school having let out and children are home, parents are making vaction plans, the feeling and the mood are one of summer. So today, I will embark on a challenge. My goal is simple, follow the peformance of the Philadelphia Phillies, their players and their competitors until school resumes on August 23rd.
Many would say such an endeavor is not that challenging, as one would say with most if not all potential endeavors. Knowing myself, stopping each day to write and reflect on my favorite team's performance, is a true challenge.
Following baseball has been one of my most favorite activities growing up. Studying the box scores, checking the standings, reading the game summaries, watching the highlights, dreaming of going to a game, all made up my thoughts and actions.
Now that I am a husband, father, teacher, and other priorities have snuck into the time I used to dedicate for baseball. Mind you, I still make some time for the sport, but it is not nearly as much as when I was younger. What are we supposed to do with our 24 hours? How much of it is suposed to be spent on pleasure and how much of it should be dedicated to work and family. Many moments of my life have been spent pondering what that balance looks like.
I truly admire those individuals who can spend so much time in the pursuit of leisure or who use their time to spend on matters important to them, but maybe not important to the family or the society.
Ok, enough. The challenge. As I write this, the Phillies are standing atop the National League East with a 40-26 record; where the lead the Atlanta Braves by 2.5 games and the Florida Marlins by 7.5. Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels will be throwing tonight, while the Marlins send Chris Volstad to the mound.
Very simply the question is this: what will the next 70 days be like? My goal is to keep track the best I can of their progress; the plot lines, the main characters; the minor characters who play new and important roles.
The obvious goal is for the two us, the Phillies and this enduring and endearing fan, to bat better than .500 and take control of our own destinies.
Many would say such an endeavor is not that challenging, as one would say with most if not all potential endeavors. Knowing myself, stopping each day to write and reflect on my favorite team's performance, is a true challenge.
Following baseball has been one of my most favorite activities growing up. Studying the box scores, checking the standings, reading the game summaries, watching the highlights, dreaming of going to a game, all made up my thoughts and actions.
Now that I am a husband, father, teacher, and other priorities have snuck into the time I used to dedicate for baseball. Mind you, I still make some time for the sport, but it is not nearly as much as when I was younger. What are we supposed to do with our 24 hours? How much of it is suposed to be spent on pleasure and how much of it should be dedicated to work and family. Many moments of my life have been spent pondering what that balance looks like.
I truly admire those individuals who can spend so much time in the pursuit of leisure or who use their time to spend on matters important to them, but maybe not important to the family or the society.
Ok, enough. The challenge. As I write this, the Phillies are standing atop the National League East with a 40-26 record; where the lead the Atlanta Braves by 2.5 games and the Florida Marlins by 7.5. Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels will be throwing tonight, while the Marlins send Chris Volstad to the mound.
Very simply the question is this: what will the next 70 days be like? My goal is to keep track the best I can of their progress; the plot lines, the main characters; the minor characters who play new and important roles.
The obvious goal is for the two us, the Phillies and this enduring and endearing fan, to bat better than .500 and take control of our own destinies.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Thoughts today are...
I was reading my bible this morning, Matthew chapter 8 & 9. One verse confused me, or made me question: Jesus asked people to follow him, and one woman said let me first bury my father, Jesus turned to her and said, "Let the dead bury the dead." It seems to be a bit confusing. She want to follow him, but also be respectful of her father, by properly giving him a burial. It has to have a deeper meaning, but what is it? I did look it up and found this response: It's used in the Bible (see quotes) and means that you make 'a clear and total break with the spiritually dead—that is, with the spiritually “dead” world you’re leaving behind. '
Moving on:
It is the first full football Sunday. Eagles play the Packers today in Philadelphia. Kevin Kolb starts today as the new Eagles QB. It is the first time in 11 seasons another person is starting at qb for the Eagles. while I initially questioned the move, I am excited about what Kolb can bring to the team. It may not be this year, but with all of the young players the Eagles have on their team, it could be next year.
I love the fact that the Phillies are in another pennant race. They wake up today tied with Atlanta for first place. Both teams have an 82-60 record. So the last 20 games will be interesting.
Time to clip the coupons and plan the shopping list.
Moving on:
It is the first full football Sunday. Eagles play the Packers today in Philadelphia. Kevin Kolb starts today as the new Eagles QB. It is the first time in 11 seasons another person is starting at qb for the Eagles. while I initially questioned the move, I am excited about what Kolb can bring to the team. It may not be this year, but with all of the young players the Eagles have on their team, it could be next year.
I love the fact that the Phillies are in another pennant race. They wake up today tied with Atlanta for first place. Both teams have an 82-60 record. So the last 20 games will be interesting.
Time to clip the coupons and plan the shopping list.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
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