Some movie reviews

I got a chance to see a couple movies lately that were of note. One was very good while the other...not so much.

I will start with the one that I didn't care for. That movie was "The Happening" by M. Night Shyamalan. This was another example of his movies that didn't live up to the hype. The preview provided more drama than the actual movie. I kept waiting for something major to "happen" but it never really did.


The movie had its moments but it never really came together. It was one of those movies that ended and I was thinking...you're kidding me. I think I am going to officially throw in the towel on his movies.

M. Night got off to a great start in his career with movies like "The Sixth Sense", "Unbreakable" and "Signs." His last three movies "The Village", "Lady in the Water" and "The Happening" have been pretty disappointing. All have looked interesting based on the previews but haven't delivered.

To close on a more positive note, I also saw Iron Man. This movie follows the long line of comic book heroes that have made their way to the big screen.


I was not as familiar with Iron Man (compared to some of the other super heroes.) I am also not a big fan of Robert Downey Jr. None of that mattered though.

I enjoyed this movie from start to finish. There was plenty of action. The special effects in the move were mind-blowing as well. We rented the Blu-Ray version. This was one movie where it was worth seeing high definition in action.

This movie is highly recommended and will probably find its way into our collection.

Schackne and Heffelfingers...oh my!

Julie and I attended a showing at a local art gallery last weekend. This isn't the kind of thing we normally do. We really enjoyed it though. I think we realize we appreciate art more than we originally thought. Here is a link to the gallery we visited.

http://www.lylegallery.com/

The artist featured in the showing was Carolyn Heffelfinger. Her subjects are landscapes and wildlife. We enjoyed both of the subject types in her pieces. Some of her peices can be seen here:

http://www.lylegallery.com/heffelfingerweb/index.html

Another artist I enjoyed was David Schackne. I am pretty conservative but really enjoyed to subject matter and vibrant colors he uses.

Here are some of his works:

http://www.lylegallery.com/schackne/index.html

We are looking forward to future showings. Thanks T.K.

Diagnosis Confusion

I had an appointment with my new psychiatrist this A.M. Things went pretty well.

One thing that has been confusing has been the discussion of what diagnosis (or diagnoses) I have. Each professional has settled on Major Depression (no stretch there.) Some professionals have considered Bipolar II. Today a new diagnosis hit the radar screen - ADD.

This was the first time ADD has been discussed with me. As I talked things over with the Doc. and my wife, several things he mentioned resonated with me. I am keeping an open mind related to this. At times, it can be a challenge to keep hearing different things from different people though.

As long as things continue to improve, I will be glad to do what I can to help in the process.

I will be starting on a couple new meds and backing off of two meds.

Things taken for granted?

One of my favorite groups is Toad the Wet Sprocket. One of their songs has been striking a chord with me lately - "I Will Not Take These Things for Granted."

It isn't that I necessarily felt I was taking everything granted. I may not have been fully appreciating things though. As for:

+ My Wife
+ My Family
+ My Friends
+ Our Dogs
+ My Feelings
+ The Beauty of Nature (especially Ducks and Giraffes)
+ My Health (other than recent issues)
+ Having Fun
+ My Favorite Sports Teams
+ Movies, Books and Music

I will not take these things for granted

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One part of me just wants to tell you everything
One part just needs the quiet
And if I’m lonely here, I’m lonely here
And on the telephone
You offer reassurance

I will not take these things for granted

How can I hold the part of me that only you can carry
It needs a strength I haven’t found
But if its frightening, Ill bear the cold
And on the telephone
You offer warm asylum

I’m listening
Flowers in the garden
Laughter in the hall
Children in the park
I will not take these things for granted
Anymore

To crawl inside the wire and feel something near me
To feel this accepting
That it is lonely here, but not alone
And on the telephone
You offer visions dancing

I’m listening
Music in the bedroom
Laughter in the hall
Dive into the ocean
Singing by the fire
Running through the forest
And standing in the wind
In rolling canyons

I will not take these things for granted