Sundance

"Taking Chance" - Worth seeing. True story about a general who volunteers to escort home the body of a young soldier killed in Iraq. The story stayed away from being pro/anti war but focused on the reactions that everyone has to this general as he escorts the body home to Wyoming. (I haven't had a sob-fest like that since Brian's Song.) The film-making was a little strong-handed at times and they could have backed off on the music - but the story was important and eye-opening.

After the movie, the director, the general (who's experience we had just watched), and Kevin Bacon (who played the general) all answered questions. [So if you play "6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon" - I'm now one degree from Bacon.]

That was the best part of Sundance... being able to hear real commentary on what the experience was like creating a project like this.

Most touching part was the final question from the audience when a lady explained how grateful she was to see the process of bringing a fallen soldier home. Her son was killed in Iraq and until she saw the film she had no idea that this process existed... that each soldier killed is handled with such respect and dignity.

What's Burning?

So there I was... Christmas eve in Allison's grandmothers kitchen. The party for 60 was about to begin and the house was in controlled chaos.

Someone hands me a hot casserole to take to the second kitchen. As I'm walking out holding the pan, I mention that something is burning. (This is not very unusual at grandma's... but I thought still worth mentioning.)

I get into the second kitchen and let them know that "something in here is burning also!" After I set down the pan, I realize what was burning ... the hot pad they handed me to hold the pan was on fire.

Christmas Tree Debate

I'm sure we're not ready for the real vs fake discussion.

We spent our debate time discussing where the tree will be located. We also had a difficult time convincing the kids that Christmas would still come even if our tree didn't look exactly like the same tree that we get every year.

(By "kids", I mean "Rob's inner child".)

Beach Trip

Beach Trip - October

We went to Newport for our idea of a perfect vacation ... and the empty beaches made an awesome trip even more "awesomer".

We stayed on Balboa Island which is a tradition Rob's great grandparents started.

Here's our routine everyday.....

......go to the beach to enjoy waves

..........and practice / invent some sports

......... try to catch any kind of wildlife

....... and continue until the sun went down

Man on Wire

Very interesting documentary about the crazy Frenchie who strung a wire between the twin towers in 1974. If I write much about it, you may get high expectations. Resist that temptation. But go see it if you don't mind a few subtitles and a couple bums.

The film raises questions of what is art, what makes life meaningful, what does it mean to "follow your bliss"... and it is hysterical at times. He seems so focused that no obstacle can get in his way of pulling of this criminal artistic performance. For example - finding a thread on top of a building at night - no problem - just strip naked to increase sensitivity.

.

Has anyone seen this movie? I have a thousand questions.

Favorite line: When Petit was asked why he did it, he laughs and says "there is no why".

Cruise Secrets

Favorite game of the cruise - "Cruise Secrets"

During dinner everyone wrote down a secret that nobody would know about them. After dinner Allison read the secrets to the group and we all voted on who belonged to which secret.

Here are a couple teasers - you can guess who might own them.

• "I sank a boat in Lake Powell"
• "I ate 5 big macs and 2 large fries at one sitting"
• "I was arrested & thrown in jail in Czech Republic"
• "I was hopscotch champion in 5th grade"
• "I've been robbed 8 times"
• "I married my boss"

Got a good secret? You could share in an anonymous comment. It could even be one about "your friend".

Cousin Cruising (meaning a boat trip with our cousins, pervs)

We thought we'd share one of the highlights of our summer which was a family reunion on a cruise ship to Mexico in July. We spent 5 days on the high seas with our wonderful grandma, aunts and uncles, and all 31 cousins and their spouses.

We played beach volleyball in San Diego, went snorkeling in Catalina and had our names written on a SINGLE GRAIN of rice in Ensenada (only $1!!!). We spent our evenings on the ship ordering multiple entrees (Judkins style), refilling our 30$ soft drink mugs (mormon style), and having some pretty competitive game nights (again, Judkins style).

Here are some pic's of a few of the "highlights".... and "lowlights"

Nips (Hey, who painted the pupils?)

Pre-climbing - yes, Steph beat Scott to the top.

Hootie & Nips "wrestling" in Catalina
For more on the "wrestling", check the youtube link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t57bOPHWsMY

Our 96 year-old matriarch eases the burden of old man Fife.

Uncle Kent finds a quiet place in the center of the ship lobby for his power nap.

Um... er... no idea what is going on here.
(But perhaps we know who painted the pupils.)