This movie didn’t appeal to me when I first saw the previews.  I didn’t really want to watch a caveman movie.  I also thought of it to NOT have any voice in it since this was a different twist on a caveman movie.  I figured they would try to stay true to cavemen and just make them use grunt noises.

Well little did I know that cavemen could talk back in 10,000 B.C.!  This movie blew me away.  The writers did an excellent job in making the movie interesting by combining a different locations with different classes of people in the movie.  They had hunters, villagers, and even an upscale society that seemed advanced for the time. (meant to represent those building the pyramids)

I only rented this movie because my brother told me that I had to see this movie on Blue-Ray.  Since I don’t know how well it looks on DVD, and can only assume that the graphics are much superior on a B-DVD, I will just say that the CG on this movie was amazing.  There was only one animal that I could absolutely tell it was fake and that was the Saber Tooth Tiger.  The tiger lighting at one point actually distracted me from the movie.  All the other animals I forgot were actually made by a computer.  The wooly mammoths were absolutely the best animals created.  You could see all the hairs and sometime individual hairs on their faces and even across their bodies.  That along with facial expressions and trunk movement made them the best CG animal in the movie.  The Saber Tooth wasn’t that bad.  The facial expressions and coloring, along with the emphasis on the teeth made it look real.  Just as long as it was not moving too much and in a shadow.  Once the tiger moved out into the sunlight and starting moving/running, it became a distraction how much it didn’t fit into the scene.

I like that this movie had a point and took different aspects of what has been discovered about early man, and incorporated it into a great story.

I suggest that anyone that has a Blue-Ray player (or PS3) to watch this movie.

Originally published at My Stupid Thoughts ©. You can comment here or there.

How many of you can do a proper pushup?  How many of you even know what a proper pushup is?  Most people can’t and don’t.  If you can perform a proper pushup, how many can you do consecutively?

I was recently introduced to the 100 Pushup challenge.  This challenge is actually a training program that, if done properly, will increase your strength and get you geared up towards 100 consecutive pushups.

I started today and I am glad to say after initial ranking I’m at least in a rank of 3 (barely pushed out 16).  When you do the initial test don’t cheat.  Do them slow and with good form.  The website has all the instructions including visuals so you know what your body should look like while doing them.

After six weeks I will post a follow-up to see if I made it to 100 consecutive pushups.

Anyone else gonna give it a go?

–Cheers

Originally published at My Stupid Thoughts ©. You can comment here or there.

I had to share this with everyone.  I’m sure you’ve heard of the book (Wisdom of Our Fathers) but if you haven’t you should go to your library and give it a try.  There are some outstanding letters from real everyday people, who were given lessons by those around them both good and bad examples.  I myself didn’t always get good examples from both my parents.  Don’t get me wrong, there were good times and sometimes good examples.  However, as a boy turning into a young man I felt I didn’t really know what I was supposed to do or how I was supposed to act as a man and as a father.  (One of the  main reasons I joined the military)

I’m really trying hard to pursue self-growth and inhabit a different way of thinking than what I was shown growing up.  I want to be a better person, man, father, and husband.  I want to show my son that it’s ok to cry, and it’s ok to stand your ground and be a man.  I want to set the example for my daughter on how men should behave towards women and how they should treat the ones they love.

I really haven’t been doing those things so I am trying to change.  I don’t want the cycle to continue anymore.  I am finally looking at myself much differently and telling myself that it’s not my fault and that I have a choice in the matter on what kind of person I can be.  There are people that have the shittiest of lives growing up and turn out to be the greatest of people.

Change is something I am really looking forward to.

Please read the letter below and take the wisdom it holds.

–Cheers

Read the rest of this entry »

Originally published at My Stupid Thoughts ©. You can comment here or there.

Can You See Color! ! !

A friend here at work cannot.  We have always seen the color blind tests with the dots and numbers inside of them.  I just never knew how bad it was until this comparison of everyday items you see on the internet.

–Cheers

Originally published at My Stupid Thoughts ©. You can comment here or there.

Vantage Point was a movie that when I saw the preview and I thought “Man that should be a really good movie”… boy was I wrong.

I usually only write a review on movies I want to talk about.  I don’t write a review on EVERY movie I see because some don’t really deserve it.  This one is only getting one because of how disappointed I was.

The movie is about the assassination of the President from 8 different viewpoints.  When I saw the preview I thought it was a great concept.  They really pitch a great movie in the previews and make you think you are going to see something new, on a storyline we’ve all seen before. (Ass. of Pres.)

The movie starts out and shows you one point of view up until the point of the shooting of the President.  Then rewinds to the start of the 1st and starts the viewpoint of the 2nd persons.  You start seeing the story unfold and wonder how it’s going to end.  Characters are built and intertwined and you just can’t wait to see how they are going to end the plot.  However, towards the end it just loses so much steam and has so many unnecessary parts that really don’t add to the story.  Some items in the movie (like the chase scene that lasts for 15 min) really takes away from the movies real main point.

I think the writers had pitched the movie to the execs with the start of the movie, and the concept of 8 viewpoints and how they were going to intertwine them together.  And the execs must have eaten this up all the while not knowing that the writers had no clue on how to end the movie or come up with a proper sequence of events leading up to the end.  It just ends and doesn’t serve any purpose or point.

I really was disappointed with this movie.  I don’t suggest you watch it unless you like stories with really no clear point.  Just wait for it to come out on Spike/FX/USA before you go rent this.

–Cheers

Originally published at My Stupid Thoughts ©. You can comment here or there.

After much waiting/anticipation, and research, I’ve decided that the new console I want to buy is a Playstation 3.  Yes we have a Nintendo Wii, but most of the games for the Wii are cartoonish and really kid based.  Plus they get boring really fast as the disks are limited for storage and the graphics are not the focus.  The Wii is mainly for party fun and kids.

The Playstation 3 and

Read the rest of this entry »

Originally published at My Stupid Thoughts ©. You can comment here or there.

Sure you can have your privacy.  Sure you can use false names online and pretend to be an 18 year old hottie when your a 42 year old “NOTtie”.  I say privacy schmrivacy!

If you have any interest in the social networking scene OTHER than MySpace or those alike, you’ll see a new trend going round.  The trend is geared toward

Read the rest of this entry »

Originally published at My Stupid Thoughts ©. You can comment here or there.

Well our adventure is over but JB’s is not.  Her adventure has just started as she and her mom are in Las Vegas.  I have to wake up really early and head on over to San Antonio (3 hours away) to pick her up at 3am Monday morning and then go to work.  Blech

Read the rest of this entry »

Originally published at My Stupid Thoughts ©. You can comment here or there.

Lately, this is what has been inside of my favorite beer glass.  This is Honey Moon Summer Ale, off the Blue Moon label.  This beer is actually made by Coors brewing company.

This beer has a very slight aroma after pour.  The color (as you can see in the pic) is a golden slightly couldy honey color.  Once you take a sip you can taste the orange and honey mixed into the natural wheat flavor.  It’s very slight and gives it a refreshing twist.

This beer is really great accompanied by a BBQ with red meat, and a bunch of friends sitting around bullshitting.

I suggest if you like a Belgium-Wheat style beer with a slight citrus and honey taste, go out and try this beer, you won’t be dissapointed.

This isn’t however my favorite beer I’ve ever tasted, this is just a good beer out of those I’ve tried recently in the summer months.

I give this beer a B+ on my beer-o-meeter

Originally published at My Stupid Thoughts ©. You can comment here or there.

Tomorrow we are off to San Antonio.  We are headed to Sea World for our annual free trip thanks to Anheuser-Busch (Or should I now say Stella Artois? )  I will take the camera and take lots of pictures like I normally do.  Even though I already have pictures of some of the stuff I’m gonna take.

Jenn heads to Las Vegas on Thursday.  She’s going there with her mom to take in the sights and visit her aunt.  I must admit I’m a bit jealous because I have never been and this trip will be Jenns first visit ever.  I’ve always wanted to go to Vegas but never had the chance or the money.  For now I will just suck it up and wait until I get my chance.

On the other hand this means I get to spend the weekend with the boy all by myself.  I have a few things in store to keep us occupied and entertained.  He’s been dying to go fishing so I think we will do that plus maybe go on a few adventures.

Well wish us luck in our travels and in the weather.

Cheers

Originally published at My Stupid Thoughts ©. You can comment here or there.

I really liked this movie, as did the wife.  It’s about these two guys that were told they had a very short time to live due to cancer.  One of them started writing down all the things they wanted to do before they “kicked the bucket”.  The other, who had a mass amount of money, decided it was a good idea and convinced each other to do this.

It really is a sweet movie that shows you how it’s never too late to do the things you want in life.

They have great adventures which start with skydiving and go all the way to climbing Mt. Everest.  Some of the things they decide to put on the list they agree upon and others they don’t.

This movie really isn’t considered anything but a drama, but it’s really just a feel good movie.  I mean to me it changes from a comedy to a drama.  The ending is really good.

After watching this (which I suggest) you should see things just a bit differently.  If you don’t then go get your head checked.  ;-P

One part in particular is my favorite.  They are visiting Egypt and as they are taking it all in, Morgan Freeman’s character says:

“You know, the ancient Egyptians had a beautiful belief about death.  When their souls got to the entrance to heaven, the guards asked two questions.  Their answers determined whether they were able to enter or not.  Have you found joy in your life?   Has your life brought joy to others?”

How would you answer those questions?

Originally published at My Stupid Thoughts ©. You can comment here or there.

Today my wife (JtoThaBee) went to get her car inspected and she FAILED! ! !  See the thing was… (this is long so I did a cut)

Read the rest of this entry »

Originally published at My Stupid Thoughts ©. You can comment here or there.

After many hours of uploading and configuring, I’ve sent “almost” all our digital photos to http://photos.basta.us

Below is a slideshow of some old photos my brother scanned in and sent to me.  That is my next daunting task.  Taking all our 35mm print film and scanning/uploading those to the gallery as well.

I suggest anyone who wants control of their own picture albums to check out ZenPhoto.org I was running out of space with the other sites I had photos at so I decided instead of making multiple account on different photo sites and trying to keep track of it all, I would just install ZenPhoto.

Enjoy

Originally published at My Stupid Thoughts ©. You can comment here or there.

Not sure how many of you are using it or have even heard of it, but Digsby is my new favorite social networking/IM client/email checking tool.

I’ve been using it for about 2 months now and I’m completely impressed.

Check out the feature listing here.

Here is a screenshot of my desktop with Digsby running.  I put the main preferences panel so you could see how it looks.  There are tons of skins for it as well so if dark isn’t your thing don’t worry.

Originally published at My Stupid Thoughts ©. You can comment here or there.

It’s always nice to see everyone have a good time and also get home safely.

Last night I was the DD.  (very rare)  Usually when someone says they will be DD they have a few beers and then just stop drinking a few hours before leaving.  I decided last night to be as sober as possible.  I had one beer at 8:30pm (that I milked) and didn’t have another beer all night.

I couldn’t say the same for the others there.  They had a great time!  You could tell by all the laughter and smiles and stories people were telling.  All this mixed with free darts and me and Jenn playing Cricket/301/WHORES (which by the way she one all but the first) made for a great time.

I’m really glad everyone decided not to drive.  I would have had to tackle some people for their keys if they didn’t listen to reason. 

One of our friends is “hopefully” on a plane already headed for somewhere exciting.  It’ll be the last time we get to hang until he gets back in late August.  Happy trails my friend.

Today is 4th of July.  We really don’t have any plans but if nothing comes up, we will probably go out to the lake and watch the fireworks.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July.  Spend it with someone you love.  This song is in my head right now because of the time of year and events that come with it.

Enjoy

Originally published at My Stupid Thoughts ©. You can comment here or there.

Dear MST Blog,

Sometimes I feel that I can’t tell you truly what I’m thinking or what my current thoughts are.  Not only for the fact that I would have to face what I’m feeling but also that I would be sharing them with the world.  Sometimes I don’t want to share them with the world.  Other times I want to share them with only a select few people but I’m afraid of being judged or not understood.  What am I to do.  I don’t have anyone I usually talk to here at work.  I don’t have anyone local that I can just talk to and I don’t have anyone that I can call that I trust with some of my innermost personal thoughts.

So I turn to you MST Blog.  I let you know what is going on in my day.  I tell you how I feel about a certain subject or I let you know what I think about the latest movies I wrote.  But still I don’t share everything with you… out of fear, rejection, and misunderstanding.

I’m hurting inside and I really don’t know who to turn to.  Maybe one day the struggle I’m going through will subside and we can get back to our normal conversations.  Maybe! ! !

But at this moment, I just need to find…. an outlet.

Originally published at My Stupid Thoughts ©. You can comment here or there.

If your like me and you have more than one social network that you belong to I’ve got something neat for ya.

Ping.fm is a website that can update all your social networks with the (status messages/micro-blogs/blogs) from one place.

It also can work in more than one way.  By going to their site, using their widgets on iGoogle, sending a contact in your IM client a message, or using a special email address for your account.  I think there are others but I don’t use them.

It uses application keys (Ginormous in length) to use some of the services. (cut/paste is your friend)

Below are the services you can mass update.  If you need a beta code just comment on this post and I’ll send ya an invite code.

Ping.fm Social Services

• Bebo
• Blogger
• brightkite
• Facebook
• hi5
• Jaiku
• LinkedIn
• LiveJournal
• Mashable
• MySpace
• Plaxo Pulse
• Plurk
• Pownce
• Tumblr
• Twitter
• Xanga

Originally published at My Stupid Thoughts ©. You can comment here or there.

Dan in Real Life

Wonderful Movie.

I really liked this movie. I liked how the family did everything together and that no matter what it seemed like they were there for each other.

It was really nice to see Steve Carell in a different role. Still comedic, but with more heart. A must see if you have kids and ever feel like you just can’t get it right. Or if you have teenagers.

Jumper

OMG, can someone say “after school special timeline in 1 1/2 hours”. It was a great movie if you just watch it for the special effects and the concept of jumping. But there wasn’t really much of a story here. I don’t know if they were intentionally not doing much just so they can make a sequel, or the writer(s) didn’t really have much content.

Go into this movie with low expectations and with the idea you are seeing a good special effects movie.

Mr. Magoriums Wonder Emporium

A great movie if you have any sort of imagination still left in you. I liked the concept of life that was portrayed by Mr. Magorium. I really like how the sock monkey was done. It showed emotion and it only moved it’s arms.

Dustin Hoffman did a wonderful job on his character.  I was a bit disappointing though in Natale Portman.  Her character was just a bit too… bland.

If you have young kids or are a kid at heart, I definitely recommend this movie.

Be Kind Rewind

Jack Black and Mos Def make a great pair in this movie.  I really liked the innocence they portrayed in their characters.
The comedy between these two seemed really natural and I really liked the concept of the movie.  The fact that they were shooting movies over again in their own versions, getting the neighborhood involved, it was awesome.

If you like Jack Black at all, and you liked Mos Def’s performance in Hitchikers Guide, then definitely go rent this movie.

Originally published at My Stupid Thoughts ©. You can comment here or there.