Happy New Year!

New look to my Blog....

I'm trying a new look. I think I like it.

Went and saw Good Shepherd

The Good Shepherd is Robert DeNiro's fictionalized account of the birth and early years of the CIA. While the names have been changed to protect the not-so-innocent, many of the characters have real-life counterparts. The lengthy movie (15 minutes shy of three hours) unspools like a cold war spy novel, with betrayals, double-crosses, triple-crosses, and fluid allegiances. The protagonist isn't the most sympathetic individual to reach the screen, but the vortex of moral and ethical uncertainties in which he becomes caught makes him an intriguing, although not likeable, individual.

It's a really intense movie. You really have to pay attention. I'll have to see it again. It has an incredible cast:

Matt Damon - Edward Wilson
Angelina Jolie - Clover/Margaret Russell
Alec Baldwin - Sam Murach
Tammy Blanchard-Laura
Billy Crudup -Arch Cummings
Robert De Niro -General Bill Sullivan
Keir Dullea -Senator Russell
Michael Gambon -Dr. Fredericks
Martina Gedeck -Hanna Schiller
William Hurt -Philip Allen
Timothy Hutton -Thomas Wilson
Mark Ivanir -Valentin Mironov #2
Gabriel Macht -John Russell, Jr.
Lee Pace -Richard Hayes

Joe Pesci -Joseph Palmi

Uff da! Christmas is over!!!!

What a whirlwind! I'm so glad it's over. If they changed it up to an everyother or even a every leap year holiday, that would be okay by me!

Here's Josh, Luke and Makita with their score of new hunting hats, gifts from Peggy and Jerry.

Winter Solstice

Thu., Dec. 21, 2006, marks the solstice—the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere

The precise moment of the 2006 solstice will be December 21, 2006 at 7:22 P.M. EST

Related Links
Astronomical Calendar: Dec. 2006
Seasons of the Northern Hemisphere, 2006
Seasons of the Northern Hemisphere, 2007
For Kids: Understanding the Solstice
External Links Sky and Telescope U.S. Naval Observatory

In astronomy, the solstice is either of the two times a year when the Sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator, the great circle on the celestial sphere that is on the same plane as the earth's equator. In the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice occurs either December 21 or 22, when the sun shines directly over the tropic of Capricorn; the summer solstice occurs either June 21 or 22, when the sun shines directly over the tropic of Cancer. In the Southern Hemisphere, the winter and summer solstices are reversed.

Reason for the Seasons
The reason for the different seasons at opposite times of the year in the two hemispheres is that while the earth rotates about the sun, it also spins on its axis, which is tilted some 23.5 degrees towards the plane of its rotation. Because of this tilt, the Northern Hemisphere receives less direct sunlight (creating winter) while the Southern Hemisphere receives more direct sunlight (creating summer). As the Earth continues its orbit the hemisphere that is angled closest to the sun changes and the seasons are reversed.

Longest Night of the Year
The winter solstice marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. The sun appears at its lowest point in the sky, and its noontime elevation appears to be the same for several days before and after the solstice. Hence the origin of the word solstice, which comes from Latin solstitium, from sol, “sun” and -stitium, “a stoppage.” Following the winter solstice, the days begin to grow longer and the nights shorter.

Grandkids Christmas Concerts

Last night was Christmas concert night. Both Kiehra and Kyle's classes performed in the first segment of the night. The place was packed. The kids did a good job and were really cute.
Here's Kiehra's 1st grade class. It's hard to see her but she's in the second row up, fourth kid from the right.


Here's Kyle's 2nd grade class. He's standing out front holding the white "Y" on the end. He didn't seem especially happy to be out there.

Happy Holidays! Where's the snow??

Vikings Game

I visited the Metrodome yesterday to watch the Minnesota Vikings make fools of themselves. Hang it up Mr. Johnson.

Finally at the end of third quarter, with a 7 to 26 point deficit, Minnesota chose to replace quartback starter Brad Johnson with rookie Tarvaris Jackson, the team's second-round draft choice. At times the Vikings offense was booed and the decision to send Jackson in was met with a favorable ovation !

Jackson did manage a fourth quarter touchdown to finish the game up at 13 to 26. It was fun to be at the game but boy oh boy the Vikings are a weak team. Though it will be fun to watch them play the Packers at Lambeau on TV this Thursday night.

Doggie Humor

Don't drink the water & don't eat the taco's

State's E. coli case total jumps from 3 to 14

Taco John's restaurants in Albert Lea and Austin are implicated, and produce is believed to be the source of the infections.

The number of people reportedly sickened in an E. coli outbreak in Minnesota grew from three to 14 Tuesday, and a second Taco John's fast-food restaurant was implicated in the cases.
A Taco John's in Albert Lea was linked to E. coli cases initially, but now half the 14 people reporting E. coli symptoms ate at the chain's Austin location, according to the state Department of Health.

Produce is the suspected culprit, Taco John's officials said Tuesday. Starting today the company, based in Cheyenne, Wyo., will have a new produce distributor, replacing a company that served 100 of the chain's 400 restaurants.

Today is Ol' Blues Eyes Birthday

Francis Albert Sinatra (December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and Academy Award-winning actor who many consider to be one of the finest male popular song vocalists of all time. Renowned for his impeccable phrasing and timing, critics place him alongside such artists as Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson and The Beatles as one of the most important, popular and influential musical figures of the 20th century. He has sold over 250 million records worldwide.

Sinatra had a larger-than-life presence in the public eye and, over a seven-decade career in show business, became an American icon. His brash, sometimes swaggering attitude was perhaps best embodied by his signature songs "My Way", and "New York, New York", and more generally by his frequently gutsy cinematic performances. He also garnered considerable attention due to his alleged connections with the Mafia.

Bemidji State University Hockey

Friday night I got the opportunity to go to the Bemidji vs Duluth College hockey game in Bemidji (thank you Bill and Shirley for the ticket!) It was a super fun game. They skated hard, played fast and Bemidji won 5 to 2. The following night Bemidji traveled to Duluth for the rematch and still kicked their butt with a 6 to 5 win in overtime.

http://info.bemidjistate.edu/Sports/sports/mhockey/

Radiothon to End Child Abuse

It's time for the 2006 WJJY, B93.3 The Power Loon and Cool 103.5 Radiothon to End child Abuse starting at noon Thursday December 7th through noon Friday December 8th. Since 1994, people in the lakes area have suported the Radioton to End Child Abuse with donations totaling $630,000. The Radiothon has also increased awareness of the problem of chld abuse and neglect. Listen again this year to find out what is being done in our communities to help end child abuse. Please make your pledge, bid on valuable auction items and support the 13th Annual Radiothon.

The ski lift is just three blocks from my hotel

I'm staying at: http://www.mountainchaletaspen.com/

Aspen Colorado

I made it to Aspen this afternoon. This is the view from my balcony off my Mountain Chalet. Now I'm going to go walk downtown and check it out!