Edge of Tomorrow, In the News, and Enjoy

Edge of Tomorrow - Edge of Tomorrow is a strange movie.

An officer (Tom Cruise) finds himself caught in a time loop in a war with the alien race. His skills increase as he faces the same brutal combat scenarios, and his union with a Special Forces warrior (Emily Blunt) gets him closer to defeating the enemy.

I am not a fan of Tom Cruise. I enjoy the Mission Impossible movies, but they are fantasies, and I accept them as pure entertainment.

Edge of Tomorrow is fantasy, certainly, but Cruise's acting goes well beyond fantasy and slips into low comedy often. I cannot refrain from imagining another actor in the role and how much the movie would benefit from that.

Emily Blunt's performance is excellent, and Bill Paxton's portrayal of Master Sergeant Farell is outstanding.

IMDB gives the movie a rating of 8.1. I would rate it 8.1 quickly, were another actor in the lead role. As it is, I rate it 6.0.

This is not to suggest that I do not recommend the movie. I do! If you enjoy action and special effects as I do, the movie will not disappoint you.

In the News - They walk among us!

NYC Mailman Hoarded 40,000 Pieces of Undelivered Mail in His Home, Car, Locker

Struggling U.S. Postal Service Wants to Deliver Groceries

Man Charged with Smuggling 51 Turtles in His Sweatpants

U.S. Military to Allow Undocumented Immigrants to Serve

Uber Driver in Orlando Arrested for Groping Passenger

Enjoy - Relax and enjoy these images and videos!

Fighting Back, Weapons of Choice, -and- Sister Christian

Fighting Back - high praise for ex-police chief after killing shotgun-wielding robbery suspect
Weapons of Choice - video: controversial taser shotgun weapon launched
Sister Christian - Vatican quietly conducting sweeping investigation of American nuns

On this day in history: July 3, 1963 - Two former secretaries of the Nation of Islam file paternity suits against the head of their church, the honorable Elijah Muhammad. They claimed the prophet had fathered their four children. The allegations eventually cause Malcolm X to quit the NOI.

Born on this day in history: July 3, 1962 - Tom Cruise (1962-) Born in Syracuse, New York, and raised in New Jersey, Tom Cruise was launched after his small but memorable role in "Risky Business" (1983). Mega stardom followed with "Rain Man" (1988), "A Few Good Men" (1992) and "Mission: Impossible 2" (2000).

Scripture of the Day: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." - 2
Chronicles 7:14

Video of the Day: Largest 4th of July Fireworks Display in America

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene while driving to my office this morning! Click to enlarge.

Happy 4th of July!

Ground Control to Major Tom, Don't Pay the Piper, -and- It Doesn't Pay to Advertise

Ground Control to Major Tom - hackers post YouTube video declaring war on Scientology
Don't Pay the Piper - download 25 million songs legally
It Doesn't Pay to Advertise - woman sought hit man on Craigslist

On this day in history: January 28, 1978 - "Vampire of Sacramento" Richard Chase is arrested. Miscellaneous human organs are found in his refrigerator. He managed to kill six people, drinking the blood of two of his victims.

Born on this day in history: January 28, 1968 - Sarah McLachlan (1968-) Born in Halifax, Canada, singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan had her debut album in 1988, gaining a following for her atmospheric folk-pop music. In 1993, her single "Possession" broke the Top 100. In 1997, McLachlan founded the successful Lilith Fair, an annual tour of women musicians.

Scripture of the Day: We proclaim him [Christ], admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. - Colossians 1:28

Video of the Day: Live Time-lapse Art - submitted by Danica

What is this? It is a Hill-Billy! Click to enlarge.

It almost snowed last evening! The wind howled all day yesterday and into the evening. At approximately 9 PM, there was a sudden sleet storm. The sleet fell relentlessly for approximately 20 minutes. If it had been a few degrees colder, the sleet would certainly have taken the form of snow! When the sleet ceased, the wind was gone as well. This morning, there is no wind, and the streets are dry. It is cold, however. Mr. Nitro's windshield required defrosting. Mr. Yaris was parked in the carport and avoided the frost.

Laura received recognition and an award yesterday during service at Harvest Christian Center. She was named "Ministering Member of the Month" for her word as a teacher in the nursery! Although this was a complete surprise to her, Laura maintained her composure and gave a very spirited and emotionally charged acceptance speech.

We enjoyed a wonderful visit from Assemblyman Doug LaMalfa at Harvest Christian Center yesterday. Doug LaMalfa is a fourth-generation rice farmer who has lived in Northern California all of his life. He and his wife, Jill, have four children and make their home on the family farm in Richvale, California. He was first elected the Legislature in 2002 to represent the sprawling 2nd Assembly District covering nine counties in Northern California.

Assemblyman LaMalfa spoke of his faith (He is a devout Christian. His wife was unable to accompany him, because she is on the worship team at their home church in Richvale.) and his dedication to serving the people of his district.

A staunch believer in reducing the tax burden on working families, Assemblyman LaMalfa says that, "taxpayers know better than bureaucrats and politicians how to spend and invest their own hard-earned money." He is a leader in opposing new taxes to cover the fiscal blunders by spendthrift politicians.

Doug LaMalfa supports strong law enforcement and returning state tax dollars back to counties to put more sheriff's deputies and firefighters in our communities. Since being elected in 2002, Doug LaMalfa has led the fight to restore millions in funding for our rural sheriffs.

As an active political leader in his community, LaMalfa championed the "3-Strikes" law to lock up repeat violent criminals. In 2005, Assemblyman LaMalfa teamed-up with Senator Tom McClintock to sponsor the Homeowner and Property Protection Act to stop the abuses of government taking private property using Eminent Domain. This issue is likely to be placed on the November 2006 statewide ballot for the people to decide. LaMalfa believes that marriage is a sacred union between one man and one woman and that it must be protected. As an Assemblyman, LaMalfa continues to fight hard to defend the Protection of Marriage Act, Proposition. 22 from those who would violate the legal authority of the people of California.

Assemblyman LaMalfa firmly believes that government should first do no harm, and that government should provide, in the most efficient manner possible, only those essential services that individuals and families cannot provide for themselves.

LaMalfa praised the leadership and congregation for their political activism and encouraged us that it is perfectly legal for a church to be politically active regarding issues, and only the endorsement of candidates is unacceptable.

Fighting Back, Matters of Life and Death, -and- Sue Me!

Fighting Back marathon runner chases down burglar
Matters of Life and Death - Missouri must take inmates to abortion clinic
Sue Me! - German newspaper compares Cruise to Goebbels

On this day in history: January 23, 1998 - Montana hermit Ted Kaczynski admits to four Unabomber attacks, pleading guilty in in a federal plea bargain that spares him the death penalty, but denies him the right of appeal.

Born on this day in history: January 23, 1957 - Princess Caroline of Monaco (1957-) Princess Caroline Louise Margueritte, eldest daughter of Prince Rainier III of Monaco and Grace Kelly, the American actress who died in a car accident in 1982, is considered the most stable of the Grimaldi children, including brother Albert and younger sister Stephanie. Caroline still made headlines with various romantic relationships, including three difficult marriages, which resulted in four children. Caroline serves as Monaco's de facto first lady since her mother's death.

Scripture of the Day: For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. - 1 Peter 1:23

Video of the Day: First Day Jitters

The mystery of the disappearing ducks in the pond behing my office was solved yesterday! Click to enlarge.

Rain! The rain has returned. It appears that it rained throughout the night and early morning. The rain is relatively light, but it is constant. It is a bit warmer than it was yesterday, however. It is a toasty 38 degrees currently, and the low during the night was 35 degrees--significantly warmer than yesterday's low of 31 degrees.

Laura attended the annual Employee Appreciation Dinner at Sierra Nevada last evening. She received an award commemorating five years with the company. It does not seem as if it has been five years already that she has worked there. Time seems to be passing more quickly of late. Yesterday, I renewed the registrations for Mr. Yaris and Mr. Nitro online. It has been nearly a year since we purchased these vehicles. In fact, the 5th of February will be one year for Mr. Nitro, and Mr. Yaris will celebrate his birthday two days prior to that.

They're Here!, Eat Your Vegetables!, -and- Animal Kingdom

They're Here! - Tom Cruise building bunker for protection against alien attack
Eat Your Vegetables! - the boy who is allergic to almost EVERY food
Animal Kingdom - bear rescued from California bridge

On this day in history: October 1, 1993 - Richard Allen Davis kidnaps Polly Klaas during a slumber party in her Petaluma, California home and later murders the 12-year-old. The horrific ordeal transforms her father, Mark Klaas, into a major media figure.

Born on this day in history: October 1, 1935 - Julie Andrews (1935 - ____) actress, singer, author. She won an Oscar, 1964, for "Mary Poppins;" Oscar nominee for "Sound of Music," 1965; writes children's books as Julie Edwards.

Scripture of the Day: "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:11-12)

Video of the Day: Passion of the Christ Music Video - submitted by Donny

This should be enough garlic to ward off any threat of vampire attack! Click to enlarge.

The weather cooperated fairly well for Friday's Homecoming Parade. While it was not sunny and not particularly warm, it was fairly pleasant and dry. This morning, there were a few rain drops on Mr. Nitro when I departed for my office. This is not a good sign.

Saturday, I made a scrumptious frittata with red potatoes, garlic (two heads!), white onion, Jalapeños, Habaneros, Italian sausage, spinach, eggs, pepperjack cheese, sea salt, ground black pepper, and Red Monkey Cajun spice. We ate only half and shall have the balance for an evening meal.

Saturday evening, Laura grilled large New York strip steaks, Jalapeños, large white mushrooms, yellow squash, and red potatoes. It was delicious. Laura grilled everything perfectly. The steaks had excellent grill marks and were charred nicely on the exterior and rare in the middle.

Sunday, we snacked on Mission Cilantro and Lime tortilla chips, homemade salsa, and Cuervo Especial margaritas and played Scrabble. Laura played well and won one game. It is not an easy task to best me at Scrabble play, and Laura is to be commended. While I was overall champion, her win is significant—given my Scrabble prowess. I would like to take this opportunity to assert there is no truth whatever to the rumor that I have taken steroids to enhance my Scrabble play! These rumors are patently untrue.

Sunday morning, while Laura tended to the nursery at Harvest Christian Center, I produced a very fine pasta salad—composed of large pasta shells, sliced celery, sliced radishes, diced red onion, garbanzo beans, diced red pepper, pear tomatoes, sea salt, ground black pepper, mayonnaise, ranch dressing, and wasabi paste. I completed the salad at 11:30 AM, and it sat in repose in the refrigerator, awaiting dinner time. Laura marinated seven large boneless, skinless chicken breasts with extra-virgin olive oil, rice wine vinegar, sea salt, ground black pepper, and Red Monkey Lemon Pepper spice. She grilled the chicken perfectly. It was succulent and moist and very flavorful. The salad was wonderful. A goodly amount of leftovers await later dining pleasure.