Highlight #101 at 7:13 PM

Hey y'all, Things are slowing down a bit again, I didn't get much done today in the way of Ryan's business, but I suppose I did OK. First off, I had to baby-sit Abby and Caden while Ryan went to a cancer scan thingy (he's still clean by the way), then when I got back, I had to secure some boards that divide the garden into sections by pounding stakes into the ground. After that, algebra, hard algebra, lots of hard algebra, two and a half hours of lots of hard algebra... as you can see, my math was particularly difficult today :-I finally, after working all day, I get to sit back, relax, and read my book... sigh... ah bliss :-)

After finishing my book (I only had a few chapters left), I get to blog and then read another book; "World War II and how it affects you today" by Richard Maybury. Great book, Richard Maybury isn't a Christian, but he holds similar beliefs to the Christians I know, mostly concerning government, freedom of religion, economics etc. here's a link to the publishers web site where you can review "WWII and how it affects you today"

Well, anyway, that's a quick summary of my day, I had fun, I hope you did to. See ya' later!

-Graydon L

Highlight #100 at 6:19 PM

Hey y'all, It's Movie Review Monday! although this doesn't really qualify as a "movie", I think it deserves at least on place in movie review Monday history. here it is...

Get Smart

Year: 1965-1970 (TV sitcom)

Starring Cast: Don Adams (Maxwell Smart aka agent 86), Barbara Feldon (agent 99) Edward Platt (Chief)

Supporting Cast: 120 other one-time (or otherwise) characters... obviously too numerous to mention

Created by: Mel Brooks, Buck Henry

What's it rated?: TV-G (that's G for TV shows) some violence and thematic elements.

Synopsis: Maxwell Smart,a bumbling klutz, and his assistant "agent 99", are two of the many secret agents who work for the international spy network, "CONTROL". With an amazing array of gadgets at his disposal, Smart, aka "agent 86", fights against the evil spy organization KAOS in death defying missions all over the globe. even though Smart always manages to get himself sunk in hot water, agent 99 helps him out, and gives him all the credit. In the end, there's always another mission ready to be completed, perfectly planned out by the CONTROL Chief, and of course Smart always messes it up.

My Take: two words: HILARIOUS SHOW! if you haven't seen any of the original "Get Smart" episodes, you need to... now... I'm waiting... no, really go watch one... NOW!... get off the computer chair and go buy all five seasons... NOW!!!!!

Stories: 6-9 out of 10 (depending on which episode you watch)

Humor: 7-9 out of 10 (also depending on which episode you watch)

Overall: 9 out of 10 (not depending on the episode you watch)

-Graydon L

P.S. It's the one hundredth post! WOOOHOOOOOO! yay, woopdey doo :-)

Highlight #99 at 2:22 PM

Hey y'all, As you have probably guessed by my silence over the last several days, I have been either (a)very very busy, or (b)very very lazy. Actually, neither of these are true, I haven't been very very busy... I've been very-very-very-extreamly-on-the-computer-in-the-garden-all-over-the-place-up-till-12PM busy. literally, I've been up till 12PM for quite a few days. The work I've doing isn't hard, it's fun and interesting to do, and I like it. I just wish I could get more sleep :-)

Well, anyway, not much else has happened recently, so I'll let ya' go... I'm sure y'all have things to do on your own. See ya' later!

-Graydon L

Highlight #98 at 10:45 PM

Hey y'all, I'm typing on my brother Ryan's laptop, so I have to make this quick.

Basically, I rewrote a 4 page policies and procedures thing for my brother's business, came up with 3 deferent designs for one brochure and 2 for another, thought of a genius idea for a fictional short story I'm going to write, read 3 chapters in my silent reading book, helped clean up breakfast, lunch and dinner, and started on a short promo vid for Ryan. whew! (try saying all that in one breath, let alone doing it all in one day!)

Anyway, As I said, this isn't my computer so I really aught to go, I'll try to keep up with y'all tomorrow!

-Graydon L

Highlight #97 at 6:11 PM

Hey y'all, Sorry for the big font size thing on yesterdays post, but I only just noticed it.

Anyway, here's some funny bumper stickers I have (not) seen recently:

I love animals, they taste great.

Make it idiot proof and someone will make a better idiot.

He who laughs last thinks slowest!

Give me ambiguity or give me something else.

A flashlight is a case for holding dead batteries.

Lottery: A tax on people who are bad at math.

I wouldn't be caught dead with a necrophiliac.

Hard work has a future payoff. Laziness pays off now.

I won't rise to the occasion, but I'll slide over to it.

Consciousness: that annoying time between naps.

I don't suffer from insanity. I enjoy every minute of it.

Where there's a will, I want to be in it.

We have enough youth, how about a fountain of SMART?

"Criminal Lawyer" is a redundancy.

I.R.S.: We've got what it takes to take what you've got!

What is a "free" gift ? Aren't all gifts free?

All generalizations are false, including this one.

Better to understand a little than to misunderstand a lot.

Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

Some people are only alive because it is illegal to shoot them.

You are depriving some poor village of its idiot!

Forget world peace. Visualize using your turn signal.

If you can read this, I can slam on my brakes and sue you!

Preserve nature: Pickle a squirrel

And, my personal favorite:

Out of my mind...Back in five minutes.

-Graydon L

Highight #96 at 6:07 PM

Hey y'all, It's another Movie Review Monday!

Harry's War

Staring cast: Edward Herrman (Harry Johnson)

Supporting cast: Geraldine Page ("aunt" Beverly"), Karen Grassle (Kathy), David Ogden Stiers (Ernie), Salome Jens (Wilda), Elisha Cook Jr. (Sgt. Billy)

Directed by: Kieth Merrill

Written by: Kieth Merrill

What's it Rated?: PG for some violence

Synopsis: When Harry Johnson's "aunt" Beverly dies of a heart attack in tax court, he decides to declare war on the Internal Revenue Service. Soon, the IRS hems him inside Beverly's old house and he is inevitably defeated, but he makes a stirring speech to the crowd gathered around his fortress. In the end, he runs for congress, Sgt. Billy gets a purple heart, and everything turns out OK.

My Take: As for the story line, it's pretty good, but seems to be lacking something. The music is somewhat drab and uninspiring. Overall It's pretty good I guess, but it portrays Beverly, a "devout Christian" as quirky and slightly insane. There really isn't any language, but it depicts Harry's crossbow bolts quite graphically as they embed themselves in their targets. As you can probably tell, it has a few slightly gory parts.

As I said of the music, the entire film lacks something that I can't quite put my finger on. sure it's okay, but not really worth watching twice.

Story: 6 out of 10

Action/suspense: 5 out of 10

Humor: 5 out of 10

Overall: 5 out of 10

-Graydon L

Highlight #95 at 8:17 PM

Hey y'all, the Christian Heritage conference went off great, I was signed up as a staff member so I didn't get to see many of the sessions, but I had loads of fun anyway as a door monitor and general helper-outer guy.

I'm sorry for not posting recently, but with the conference going from 8AM to 8 and 6:30 PM, I really didn't have any time to post in any satisfactory manner.

Also, as you may have noticed, my family and I didn't show up for church this morning, but we were just so tired, and with my older brother and sister leaving and everything, we just didn't have the energy.

One more news flash, I won't be able to come to church for (I think) two Sundays because I'm staying with my brother Ryan in Canada for the already mentioned period of time.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the conference (if you came) and I hope you'll look for more posts in future!

-Graydon L

P.S. Many thanks Sam and Cassie for driving us home last night! I really appreciate it :-)

Highlight #94 at 10:29 PM

Hey y'all, I picked up this little snippet of satirical wisdom a couple months back, but I only just remembered it. Enjoy!

To a Dog... you're family...

To a Cat... you're staff. :-D

I hope all of you're days are a little more surreal :-)

-Graydon L

Highlight #92 at 8:25 PM

Hey y'all, we bought my shirt and bow-tie for the choral yesterday, I already have black pants. I found my shirt at Value Village for $10, and Mom made my tie out of fabric from a silk blouse she needed hemmed and a clip from a purple bow tie we found lying around near Mom's sewing desk. Total cost of choral wardrobe: (including pants) $20... I love a good bargain! :-)

If you're not already watching it, there's a Democratic debate on channel 4 right now, and I think It's over at 10, but I'm not sure. Now, you're probably thinking why a constitutionalist Ron Paul supporter like me would be watching a Democratic debate... two words: Comedy Hour. I think it's hilarious to see these grown-up, intellectual, well spoken adults take swipes at each other, promise twice as many things that are possible in 4, or even 8 years! But my favorite part is when they talk about "economic stimulation" and how they're going to fix all the problems in the economy by creating more government agencies and programs but, of course, they always manage to avoid the answer to the question of how they're going to pay for all this stuff... the answer is taxes, more, more and even more gut-wrenching, stress-causing, seemingly irrelevant taxes. I just don't get it. :-I

As for my clothes-pin F4U corsair that I'm making, I'm afraid I won't be able to work on it till after the conference, the same goes for "Spy". Sorry :-I

-Graydon L

Highlight #91 at 8:05 PM

Hey y'all, Nothing big today, things are going pretty normal, but of course, all that is going to change very soon, the Christian Heritage Confrence is comming up on Friday, but we're going to a volenteer dinner Thursday night. We're also franticaly trying to learn our songs for the chorall; tenor for me and bass for Jonny. On top of all of this, my older brother and sister are driving down from Canada on thursday for the confrence the next day.

I just got a new flight sim today, we're going to sell it eventually, but I just thought I'd try it out first :-). Well, I install it, fire it up and find out I have to use a joystick to fly my F-15... of course, I don't have a joystick. :-(

Anyway, that's all the news from our household, keep reading, and if you find a joystick some where for cheap... can I have it? ;-)

-Graydon L

Highlight #90 at 4:13 PM

Hey y'all, I saw this film about 6 months ago, and it only just came to me as a review possibility, but here goes!

Ocean's 13

Starring Cast: George Clooney (Danny Ocean), Brad Pitt (Rusty Ryan), Matt Damon (Linus Caldwell/Lenny Pepperidge), Elliot Gould (Reuben Tishkoff), Al Pacino (Willy Bank)

Supporting Cast: Michael Mantell (Dr. Stan), Ray Xifo (Rueben's Butler), Ellen Barkin (Bank's VP), Don Cheadle (Basher Tar/ Fender Roads)

Directed by: Steven Soderbergh

Written by: Brian Koppelman, David Levian

What's it rated?: PG-13 for brief sensuality and language

Synopsis: Danny and the crew take "revenge on Willy bank, a rich casino owner, for turning on one of the original 11, Reuben Tishkoff. Although somewhat short on cash, they budget cut and post-date their checks until the big payoff comes through, a string of priceless diamonds.

My Take: Although a very cool story, it's somewhat hard to follow, and the gigantic cast of characters makes it difficult to remember who's who. I think it would be wise to see Ocean's 11 and 12 before watching this film.

George Clooney does a fantastic job as Danny Ocean, and his open mocking of is "enemy", Willy Bank, makes for some great lines:

Bank (to Ocean): "I know people who are highly invested in my survival, and they are people who really know how to hurt... in ways you can't even imagine."

Ocean (to Bank): "well I know all the guys you'd hire to come after me, and they like me better than you :-) "

But even with the funny lines and story, it is rated PG-13, so be careful, there is some language and one suggestive scene I would probably fast forward. But there is hardly any violence as Danny Ocean does things the smart way, not the brute-force way, which is definitely a twist on your usual crime-thriller.

Anyway, Ocean's 13 is cool, but not really worth watching again and again.

Story: 8 out of 10

Action/suspense: 7 out of 10

Humor: 8 out of 10

Overall: 6-7 out of 10

-Graydon L

P.S. Sorry for the delay Sam, hopefully I'll get one of your suggestions next week!

Highlight #89 at 8:50 PM

Hey y'all, here's that vid I promised, it kinda got cut off at the end but that really didn't matter, I was wrapping up anyway.

A couple things I didn't mention in the video (because I only just noticed them) are, it dosn't say "LieBold detection news systems" it says "LieBold Election Systems". Also there is a quote by Joseph Stalin (ick), "It's not who votes that counts, it's who counts the votes" obviously saying that Bush rigged the 2004 election.

Part 1

Part 2

See Ya'!

-Graydon L

Highlight #88 at 8:11 PM

Hey y'all, the book sale went well, We got a TON of product, but... it's something else we got at the sale I'm sure will interest you...

this, as you may be able to tell, this is a sick liberal joke about the "fixed" 2004 election. The top image is that of the front of the bill which features, along with a picture of George Bush and John Kerry, spiderwebs, skull-and-crossbones emblems, TV network logos, and repeated references to fraud, lies, scams, stealing, war, deception, planned 911 theories, and of course, the need for a recount of the 2004 election. do you think I need to tell you that this has been written, edited, printed and distributed by welfare-sucking Democrats who seem to think that everyone is against them? hmmmm, I may need to break out the old thinking cap for this one! sheesh! will the leftists never learn to grow up?!?! Now, I'm not a gigantic Bush fan, he's made some mistakes, as has every president, maybe he's made some bigger ones, but accusing him of staging the 911 terrorist attacks, fixing an official election, and controlling the media is a pretty nasty charge. ah, I'm sorry, I guess I kinda went off on a bit of a tirade there, and I guess I shouldn't take this thing so seriously... tell you what, lets take a closer look at this thing, just for kicks.

OK, well the video uploading thing isn't working so I'll just put it up tomorrow (hopefully) Sorry, but without that video I really can't continue, so please tune in next time for more on the "Deception dollar"

-Graydon L

Highlight #87 at 11:02 PM

Hey y'all, We went to a book sale today, (because, as most of you know, we sell used books on Amazon.com) but not just any book sale, this was the Seattle Library sale, the BIGGEST library sale of the season! last year we pulled out almost $2000 worth of product in one day! But unfortunately there's a drawback; it's on tomorrow as well and we HAVE to go, which means we'll miss the AI meeting at Ft. Nisqually. Oh-Well :-I

Well, I reeeallly have to go to bed, we've got to leave at around 6 AM to get even a respectable position in the line at the door, and on top of all that, I'm tired. I'll post again tomorrow!

-Graydon L

HIghlight #86 at 3:20 PM

Hey y'all, I apologize for the lack posting yesterday, Mom, Jonny, and I were playing a game together.

One more thing you may have noticed is the Tic Tac Toe game at the bottom of the page, just click to "place" an X, then let your opponent take over and click to "place" O. Unfortunately it is still possible to place Xs or Os after someone has won the game so you'll just have to look for the winning three-in-a-row yourself. Have Fun!

Well, Aside from that, there's pretty well nothing happening over here, So I'll let you go. I think I'll head out into the garage and see if I can make clothes peg F4u corsair fighter plane, I'll put up pictures when it's done! See Ya!

-Graydon L

HIghlight #85 at 6:36 PM

Hey y'all, Today I have something completely new on my blog that I'm sure you all will have an interest in, it's called Pandora Radio, and it basically creates a database backed "Radio Station" based on criteria you provide! it's in the sidebar below all the usual stuff under the title "Pandora Radio"

But, as you may have already noticed, it makes this page take a bit longer to load. To combat this, I have reduced the number of posts on the main page from 5, to 3. I'm not sure if this will do much, so if you experience abnormal "load time", please let me know if using Pandora is worth the wait for you.

Unfortunately, you have to create an account with Pandora first, but don't worry, it's absolutely free and all they need is your email, gender, and birth year (eg. 1985). You also have a choice to recieve a newsletter on not, and to share your "radio stations" with friends! But here's the thing I like, you don't even have to open a new window and go to their website to sign up, it's right there in that little window. But if you don't like the little in-blog verson, you can enlarge the player in a new window as well! Have Fun!

Wondering where I found this new gadget? well, there are thousands of them FREE for blogger.com users! all you have to do is log in to draft.blogger.com instead of the usual blogger.com and try adding a new page element... you have a choice of over 5000 of 'em :-)

Have fun, try things out, I'll see you later it's dinner time and we're having burritos and I don't want to miss those!

-Graydon L

Highlight #84 at 6:04 PM

Hey y'all, Today is MOVIE REVIEW MONDAY! my selection today is one I'm almost sure you've all seen, but for lack of any other recommendable film, I now present, Sands of Iwo Jima. first released in 1949 in black and white of course, and featuring cameo appearances from three of the actual men who raised the flag on mount Suribachi, Sands of Iwo Jima is a classic film with some classic lines in it. And so, I now bring forth Allan Dwan's

Sands of Iwo Jima

Staring Cast: John Wayne (John M. Stryker), John Agar (pfc Peter Conway), Adele Mara (Allison Bromley)

Supporting Cast: Forest Tucker (pfc. Al Thomas), Wally Cassell (pfc. Benny Regazzi), Arthur Franz (cpl. Robert Dunne)

Directed by: Allen Dwan

Written by: Harry Brown, James Edward Grant

What's it rated?: Not Rated (I give it PG for violence)

Synopsis: a squad of Marines under the command of the tough, hard, and sometimes cruel Sgt. John M. Stryker, learn the skills they need to take part in one of the bloodiest battles in the pacific theater during WWII, The battle of Iwo Jima.

My Take: Although a cool movie, it is very old and thus, quite cheesy in quite a few places, for example, Pfc. Conway meets Allison Bromley at a dance and, of course, they fall in love. Like... two visits later, they get married... wha? but aside from the typical old-movie-romance scenes, this makes for an enjoyable film all round, not really worth watching repeatedly, but every once in a while... sure, why not.

The story is kinda' week, and it's hard to remember who's who throughout the entire movie. Pretty well the only people easy to remember are the stars and Benny Regazzi.

Story: 5 out of 10

Action: 7 out of 10

Overall: 6 out of 10

Well that concludes another MOVIE REVIEW MONDAY, be sure to tune in next time for another review, and look for even more to come in future.

-Graydon L

Highlight #83 at 3:51 PM

Hey y'all, once again, I apologize for not posting regularly, but I was visiting the Brian's house over the weekend.

Here are the pictures of my completely finished clothes-pin P-51D Mustang, and the real plane that was flown in the 374th Fighter squadron during WWII by Wallace E. Hopkins, Ferocious Frankie.

This Picture is a little choppy but you get the idea, the one on top is supposed to look like the one on the bottom.

-Graydon L

Highlight #82 at 8:23 PM

Hey y'all, Sorry for not posting last night, but I was busy building a model airplane out of clothes-pegs and by the time I realized how late it was I had to go to bed. But to gratify the loss of a post, I have taken pictures of my complete-but-yet-to-be-painted P-51D Mustang


front view

side

More pics comin' once I paint it! see ya'

-Graydon L

Highlight #81 at 10:19 PM

Hey y'all, Things went good today, Mom and I had a prank lined up for April fool's day for Jonny but it didn't work as well as we planned. :-(

I do have some cool news though, I just made an account with YoYo games.com and published one of my games on the Internet! you can go play it here but I think you have to download it because of the format or something, I know, that kinda annoys me as well, but they say they virus scanned it and it isn't a very big file size, but I'll leave that decision up to you.

I hope to have my other games up soon, Labrinthia (a maze game), Rabbit Hunter (Hmmm, I wonder what that one is about?) and maybe, if I finish it, Stick-man RPG (a roll playing game).

Oh, Yeah! one more thing; I went to the Orthodontist's office today, and she says I can get my braces 0ff in a couple months! WOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! <:-D Well, that's about all the news from my household, so I'll let you go. More posting coming tomorrow!

-Graydon L