Happy Birthday Joey!

Today's the day. Joey is officially one year old.

Summer Road Trip 2008

Okay, since Joey and Jessie are having a hard time posting some photos of our grandchildren, we thought we would give it a shot! We don't want to upstage you or anything, just thought we would give this blog another try.
Here are some pictures from our recent road trip during this summer. It was a great vacation!
Check out the "old folks" on Vero Beach!
Love,
Joanna and Joe
(aka Grandma and Grandpa)

This One's For The Grandma's

It has been brought to my attention by my esteemed colleague and editor (Jessie) that I have strayed from the original intent of this blog. As stated above, I'm supposed to have "as many pics of the kids as we can get." I can't remember the last time I put up a picture of the kids.

And so, without further ado, a years worth of pictures, I give you:

GRATUITOUS KIDDIE PICS!

New Poll

This one is especially designed for my sister, Jeanna...

How about this...

Alright, so maybe I'm being a little too difficult with this Objective/Subjective movie thing. So forget the whole "objectively best movie" requirement.

Why don't you just list your three favorite movies. It doesn't matter if it's The Godfather or Killer Clowns From Outer Space. Just tell us what movies you like and (and thins part is optional) why you like them.

Maybe this won't be so threatening.

The Likeable and the Good

I’m writing today about an issue that deeply touches my reading audience:
Movies.

At a number of different times in my life I have been asked what my favorite movie is. I usually respond with a 30 minute monologue about films and filmmakers; much to the dismay of the person who was really only asking to make small talk.

The most difficult thing when discussing movies (or any art form, for that matter) is to keep the objective separate from the subjective. You may ask, “What the heck does that mean?” Well, if you’d be patient I’ll tell you!

An objective comment is a fact; it is something that is true no matter what the individual may think. A subjective comment is an opinion; it is subject to the individual and changes from person to person.

So here are some practical examples:

OBJECTIVE
The fire is warm.
SUBJECTIVE
I like a warm fire.

OBJECTIVE
The sky is blue.
SUBJECTIVE
The sky looks pretty.

OBJECTIVE
You smell like a baboon’s hindquarters.
SUBJECTIVE
You smell good.

As you can see subjective opinions do not always have to be grounded in truth, but objective facts usually answer to some law of science or nature. You may ask, “What the heck does that have to do with movies?” Man, do your questions get annoying.

One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone tells me they’ve just seen a new movie and when I ask them how it was, they tell me, “I liked it.” That tells me little or nothing about the movie. I liked it tells me about you but I wasn’t asking about you I was asking about the movie. When speaking about movies (and as a general practice) we need to be more selective in the language we choose. We need to differentiate between the good (objective) and likable (subjective). Obsoive:

OBJECTIVE
"The Sixth Sense" used excellent story telling techniques to disguise the true nature of its main character.
SUBJECTIVE
I liked "The Sixth Sense".

OBJECTIVE
"Cast Away" is a stirring tale about the nature of mankind and his capacity to persevere.
SUBJECTIVE
"Cast Away" is a boring movie.

OBJECTIVE
"Gone With The Wind" is an epic period piece set against the back drop of the American Civil War.
SUBJECTIVE
"Gone With The Wind" is an enjoyable film.

Once again you can see that subjective opinions are not always grounded in truth. But the objective facts can not be argued against…not unless the person wants to look like a fool. Personally I don’t like (subjective) "Dr. Zhivago" but I have to concede that it is (objective) a well made movie. On the other hand I happen to really like (subjective) "Ernest Goes to Camp" although I do have to admit that it is (objective) pretty dumb. Now you may ask, “What the heck does that have to do with me?” Alright, this is the last time I’m going answer you!

I want you, the readers, to tell me what you think are the top three best movies you’ve seen. Not necessarily you favorite (subjective) three, but what are the best made (objective) movies you can think of. Try to remember things like acting, special effects, story telling, direction, cinematography, costumes, score, timing and delivery, originality, and overall message. All or some of these things must work together to make a good movie. Make your list and post it as a comment to this blog and we’ll see what movies take the “Meatballs and Ravioli Oscar.”

Campfires, Birthday's, and Comedic Polkas

We'll be on the road for a couple days and I can't guarantee any Internet access while I'm gone.
But we're going to see Weird Al Yankovic in Scranton on Wednesday, Thursday is my birthday, Friday is the Eventide release (geek stuff) Saturday is Jess's birthday and we're going camping until we come home Sunday night. This will be a pretty crazy couple of days!
I'll fill you all in when we get back.

In the mean time, here's a pretty funny video you can enjoy:

New Poll

I don't know why, but it seems like I've got Star Wars on the brain. Here's a new poll in keeping with my (and my kids') newest interest.

Who Lives In A Pineapple Under The Sea?

No, it's not Ariel at a luau, it's SpongeBob Squarepants!

And today is his birthday! According to his driver's licence which can be seen in both "Sleepy Time" and "No Free Rides" he was born on July 14th, 1986. That means he's 22 today!

You'd think by now he'd start acting his age...

Da-da Da-da Da-da You Say It's Your Birthday

Happy Birthday to one of my favorite Beatles, Ringo Starr.

He's 68 today!

• Just a couple of random Ringo facts:
• Ringo's real name is Richard Starkey (but you all knew that one already)
• Ringo is the oldest and youngest member of the Beatles (first born, last to join)
• Ringo (like Paul) is a lefty.
• Ringo's son, Zak, received drum lessons from Keith Moon and was the drummer for the band Oasis (who sound exactly like the Beatles).
• Ringo used to play in a band called "Rory and The Hurricanes"
• Ringo's favorite color is red.
  
  

Snap! Crackle! Ka-Pow!

Well this Friday is the 4th of July again. A time when we come together as a nation and remember the day when, in 1812, Christopher Columbus and “Curious” George Washington joined forces and stormed the shores of Normandy to destroy the evil forces of the Decepticons. Millions of Americans, in keeping with tradition, will celebrate the holiday the only way they know how…that’s right, by blowing their fingers off with illegal fireworks! Nothing says “liberty” to an American like exercising their right to injure themselves in potentially deadly behavior. How else could you explain helmet laws, seat belt laws, handgun laws, NASCAR, bungee jumping, and Wendy’s "Baconator" sandwich?

While there are pleanty of wacky fun-loving states where fireworks are perfectly legal, I grew up in New York, and if there’s one thing that New Yorkers are known for, it’s their prudent and cautious behavior. Years ago, New York lawmakers wisely decided that instead of having to deal with long lines and pesky regulations it would be much simpler to have their citizens simply drive to another state (Connecticut, Maryland, Pennsylvania, South Carolina…take your pick) and purchase all manner of excessively hazardous fireworks to transport across state lines. Just another inspiring example of Americans in action; showing their true love of liberty by giving a big old F-U to the “man,” and helping their fellow countrymen by earning a 300% profit and implicating them in their own federal offenses.

But no one enjoys the holiday more than the young kids whose parents (or friends’ parents, or cousins or whoever) have exercised their freedom by purchasing randomly selected fireworks from the back of a rental van or a dark garage. These were the lucky kids, envied by all. Their social status the other 364 days of the year didn’t matter; when they had a pack of ladyfingers and a Bic they were everybody’s friend.

To my knowledge, my father rarely made these purchases. I did, however, have an older cousin who kept me very well stocked in my childhood. People say that kids today have no imagination. Well just give a boy of 12 and his friends a pack of bottle rockets and an M-80 and you’ll see all sorts of creative and original ways to have fun. My friend Brian and I used to save our bottle rockets for a game of war, launching them at one another from curtain rods. (This is the same guy I used to have staple-gun wars with as well.) At our family barbecues my cousins and I would blow up paper cups, soda cans, army men, G.I. Joes (those rubber band waists held a ladyfinger very nicely), small stuffed animals, large stuffed animals, badminton birdies and just about any toy that came out of a McDonald’s happy meal.

The most memorable times were, of course, the most frightening (and later hysterical): the time a ladyfinger went off in my Aunt Cira’s hand, the time my cousin Diana had to point out the cops had pulled up as I was trying blast out an anthill, the time my cousin Kevin’s mortar didn’t clear the power lines and detonated just above street level showering the neighbor hood in sparks. There was also the time my cousin Anthony tripped over the curb running from a sparkling fountain; the time I put the wrong end of a smoldering punk into my mouth; the time my friend Dan “the man” Luderman had to light an M-80 for us since everyone else was too scared, then go back and re-light the now shortened, semi-burnt fuse before diving to safety; the time three friends and I tried to light off a firework with a magnifying glass detonating it less than a foot from our faces; the time when, in college, I lit off a pack of gunshots on street in Philadelphia discovering, only after lighting it, that the door was locked I did not have my keys in my pajamas and my roommates, Luke and Matt, thought that my banging and knocking was an angry neighbor so they didn’t open the door and I had to look cool and casual as the neighbors really did come out to see what was going on and I had to act as surprised and in shocked as them as though I was not the guy who was responsible for the pile of blown apart paper on the street directly in front of my stoop…ah the memories.

The morning of July 5th, though, is like scene from a post-apocalyptic movie:

Dawn breaks in silence. A gentle breeze stirs the piles of burnt paper and
debris in the now empty streets. Somewhere in the distance a dog barks. Suddenly
there’s movement near the house; a young boy, then another. Scavengers. They
creep out in silence to pick over the night’s remains. Their little fingers
making a vital search for that treasure among treasures. Yes, there among the
burnt out and spent remains of last night's merriment is the precious desire of
their hearts: the one overlooked firework.

One they can shoot off with no parents around and no cops on the prowl. The one firework they’d be free to blow up wherever and however they choose once again expressing their freedom...and undoubtedly landing themselves in the ER with a burn wound and ringing ears. Badges of war and reminders that this is America, and this is exactly what our forefathers fought for. That and a shorter trade-route to India.

Happy 4th of July everybody.

Philly and Arlington Visit to New York

We had a wonderful Sinagra family visit from Philadelphia and Virginia!

The house was noisy but alot of fun!

Take a look at the "bathing beauties" at the beach! We Italians got a nice tan, but those family members who are half polish had to coat themselves in sunscreen to avoid being sunburned. It pays to have olive skin!

Alice was Jessie Dog's tail, and they enjoyed each other all week. Alice especially loved having a backyard to run around in.

Our grandchildren are growing up so fast and are so entertaining. Each one has their own personality.

They gave us lots of laughs, hugs and kisses.

We are ready for another visit from them all! Maybe in about a month. :)

Episode II

Happy Summer

Today is the first day of summer! And with a new season we're going with another new look!

Bummer Vacation

Today is the first day of my summer vacation. My plan was to wake up late, fart around on the internet, and generally do nothing all day.
This is how my day actually went…

5:04 am Drank too much water last night, got up to pee.
6:00 am Alarm went off, forgot to turn it off last night.
6:30 am Carmellina climbs into bed and makes a game of kicking me.
7:15 am Rosemary and Joey join in.
7:45 am Carmellina punches me in the family jewels, Jess takes them all downstairs for breakfast
8:15 am Carmellina comes back upstairs to tell me Rosemary is getting spanked downstairs (which the entire neighborhood can hear)
8:30 am Walk the dog.
9:00 am sit down to breakfast with the family, Joey poops, Jessie leaves, Rosie follows.
9:15 am Jess remembers Carmellina has piano lessons in 15 minutes, we all scramble
9:20 am Carmellina and I head out the door to her lessons
10:30 am Swing back to the house to get Rosemary and head back up town to the comic book shop with the girls
12:00 pm Home
12:15 pm Fell asleep on the couch
1:15 pm Lunch
1:45 pm Sat back down on my bed (which is where I intended to be all morning) and wrote this blog.
1:46 pm Jess, Rosemary, Carmellina, and Joey are all back on the bed with me.

It’s now 2:16 and in less than an hour an air conditioner repair man is coming to fix our leaking wall unit, as well as my landlord who is coming to replace a broken light fixture in the basement. Before today is over I expect
1) the air conditioner will still be broken
2) I’ll end up doing most of the work on the light fixture in the basement
3) the light fixture will still be broken

As far as relaxing on my summer vacation…well we’ll see what tomorrow brings.

Hulk vs. Superman

Before I forget to give all of you the answer...

In the original Hulk vs. Superman comic, the Incredible Hulk won the first fight in the comic, but Superman came back and beat him the second time around.

In true comic fashion...the two eventually realized that Lex Luthor was playing them against each other and they team up to defeat him.

Now as far as your votes on who you think would win...

Really? You guys think Superman would win? I thought the Hulk had, like, impervious skin and stuff...wouldn't he be unstoppable? Besides, didn't Superman get his butt kicked when he fought Doomsday? We wasn't as strong as the Hulk and he killed Superman!

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day Dad(s)!

We love you(se).

Ahhhhh...

The heat is gone! Let's party like it's 1959!

Seven Years

Seven years ago today Jess and I tied the knot.
After searching through many photo discs and files I have discovered that I own absolutely zero digital pictures from our wedding. I guess we've come a long way since then.
Even better, this is the only pic I could find of us together!

I think we need to spend the next seven years trying to get a nice photo of the two of us!

Can't Take The Heat

Okay...so I'm writing this blog at 9:45 at night and the thermometer says IT'S STILL 88 DEGREES OUTSIDE!!! I am roasting!

Awww nuts.

Okay, so for some reason our digital point-and-shoot camera has stopped working. We can still take pics with our SLR but Jess is a little nervous to use that one, also no more point-and-shoot means no more digital videos for now. So there might be a little less to see here for a little bit. Sorry folks.

Wizard World

This Saturday I reached a personal plateau in geek-ness. I attended my first Wizard World convention. The convention run by Wizard Magazine, a mag entirely devoted to previewing, reviewing, and pricing comics, action figures, and comic related collectibles. My personal interest in the convention is tied to the "Magic: The Gathering" TCG, but I won't bore you with the details of the game. I'll just let you explore that one on your own.

I went with Jeremy, a very dear friend of mine who used to be my roommate back in grad-school, Roger, one of my current students and avid Star Wars and comic book fan, and met up with Paul, one of my former students who is now almost done with college.

We spent the day looking at comics, toys and costumes and eating at Reading Terminal Market (a must on any trip to Old City).

I got some Star Wars toys for the kids, a Wonder Woman limited edition collectible figurine (not a doll) for Jess and a couple t-shirts for myself.

One of the best things about the day, though, was the annual costume contest. Always prepared ever vigilant, I of course left my camera at home. But fear not! Thanks to modern day technology I was, with the help of my cell phone, able to take some really bad pictures to share with all of you. So without further ado, my cell phone photo essay.

Security was really tight that day. This poor kid tried to take an extra post card when the Halo guy just ran in and nabbed him.

I don't know about the rubber rain boot Cyclops back there, but that Sean Connery/Dr. Jones guy has it going on!

Okay, this isn't a costume, but it's a major geek related item. A flail with 2d20 on the end instead of spiked heads! Wow, I'll bet those lvl.4 Dark Elves won't know what hit them!

Oh Kong...those eyes...those lips...kiss me you fool!

Found him!

Wow buddy. I don't know what your secret is, but you want to let us in on it?

Who ya gonna call? This guy!

Yes, it's really him, Lou Ferrigno. And for just $30 you can get a Polaroid of him. Or, if you stand a little to the right you can use your cell phone and get one for free. I hope I didn't get him angry.

I'm not even sure this character even had a name but that didn't stop this lady from making it a costume.

If you want to leave you gotta get past this guy first...

...then this guy.

I really wish I had brought my camera. Then I could have shown you even more of these costumes. I could have shown you a bald, 275 lb Robin in a speedo, the Flash in his pajamas, Iron Man reduced to "Cardboard and Tempera Paint Man", the Stay-Puft Storm Trooper, a 5'2" Batman, a half dozen Jokers, two dozen Storm Troopers, and, of course, the obligatory Princess Leia in the slave costume. I'll just have to leave it to your imagination.

But it really was a lot of fun to go and enjoy yourself and not worry about what people around you are thinking, because clearly they're not thinking anything.

The best part is, Jeremy and I plan to go as the Hulk and Captain America next year. Just gotta find myself some red speedos and bright blue spandex first...

P.S. Check out the new polls in honor of this geek-centric weekend.