So...

I realize I haven't posted in eons. I guess that means Sarah and I have become one of those old boring married couples. My day-to-day life, anyway, has heavily revolved around work, which while possibly interesting to the outside world in a few ways on a few occasions, mostly involves me sitting at a computer. I'll make an effort to get back in the habit of writing about things in my life.

But since that hasn't been a regular source of teeth-clench-worthy copy, I'll share this pretty interesting story that just popped into one of my feeds.

I always wondered how agencies like the CIA (or their foreign counterparts) recruited people to work for them. According to this piece, the British GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters) has traditionally recruited smart recent college gads, "but in the digital age, it says, there may be a lot of bright young hackers out there who are worth talking to."


Thus it has set up this web-based challenge. Apparently, if you can crack the code they put on this website, you can join up with them. Promotion for the challenge has been done mainly through social media. I'm sure it's beyond even that wisest wizards in my regular readership, but I thought it'd be interested for someone to at least give it a shot.

When I saw this, I did think immediately that this could be a good way to update a familiar movie plot from the 80's-90's, where video games morph in some way into real-world action, like WarGames or TRON.

TV Weddings

As someone who celebrated a wedding not too long ago, I think I'm in a pretty good position to judge a good TV wedding. And as the fall television season is set to kick off next week, it's a pretty good time to reflect on two that happened fairly recently. They are both from NBC comedies that I like.

Parks and Recreation



This clip achieves a good balance between sincerity and humor. It also employs music to strong effect - Simon and Garfunkel's short yet poetic "April Come She Will" - good not only because it is a good song but because the girl getting married is named April. The dedication that Chris Pratt brings to the character of Andy is always impressive, and he does a nice job in this scene. Notable are the at once sweet and funny look of sentiment on his face when April tells him "I never really seemed to hate you" and his vow to fight "him" - the female minister - if he had to to protect April.

The knowing looks captured by the camera on the periphery characters' faces are nice, and April's similarly unenthusiastic sister's applause is hilarious as well. Of course, the payoff comes at the end of the scene, a comic surprise that often still makes me laugh out loud when I watch the scene.

The Office



The Office wedding of Jim and Pam was one of the show's most anticipated developments, and it did not disappoint. I remember dreading that the two-episode installment of "Niagra" parts 1 and 2 would be as bad as the rest of the season was, but I was pleasantly surprised, again, by a nice blend of sentiment and humor. While Ed Helms' Andy Bernard stole the entire installment, this scene nicely played homage to the central importance of Jim and Pam's relationship to the show - while also highlighting the comic talent of the rest of the cast.

Again, music is central to the scene - playing off the internet meme of the song being used in a real wedding. But the interlaced shots of the wedding in the church with Jim and Pam's secret escape on the Maid of the Mist brought a new level of romance to the song, which I admittedly never recognized before when hearing it on the radio. The sweeping shots on board added an air of majesty to the scene which worked well. The payoff is, of course, the dancing procession. Here are the best entrances in my opinion:

1) Dwight kicking the girl in the face
2) Creed
3) Kevin
4) Andy Bernard
5) Jim's dark-haired brother

The surprise of the scene comes near the beginning, with the start of the music/dance sequence, layered with Jim and Pam's escape, and overall it works well. I was moved during it in a way I had not expected to be, though the knowing glances between Jim and Pam are less effective. I've never been a big fan of their "mugging."

It's tough for me to judge between the two, especially because my belief that The Office has gone downhill (before and) since this leaves me with a negative bias and also because it marks the end of the romantic tension (and therefore appeal) of Jim and Pam's relationship. Acknowledging that bias, I still give the nod to P&R, mostly because the surprise payoff at the end is so unexpected and hilarious, and because I love the song. I'm sure I would be in the minority in having this opinion.

I suppose this opinion also could reflect my natural preference for less elaborate, yet still meaningful, weddings.

Pilot of Interest

I saw an intriguing television commercial (and billboard) the other day for a new show to premiere in August on CBS, called Person of Interest. It is intriguing mostly because it stars Michael Emerson, who played the deviously brilliant Benjamin Linus on LOST. It also features another actor I like (even though he's a basically crazy Republican), Jim Caviezel, who is most famous for playing Jesus in The Passion of the Christ but who I like better for his roles in The Count of Monte Christo (2002) and The Prisoner (2009).

Person of Interest is based on a screenplay by JJ Abrams, who created LOST and is being produced by many people Abrams worked with on his first sci-fi foray, Alias, so that is obviously encouraging as well. While the premise seems a little off to me, I definitely will still give it a chance.

The show, according to its Wikipedia page, focuses on a mysterious billionaire (Linus), who develops a computer program that can predict the identity of a person who will be involved with a violent crime in the future. It cannot tell if the person will be a victim, perpetrator or witness of the crime, nor can it tell when or where the crime will happen. Caviezel plays an ex-CIA agent, whom the billionaire hires to prevent the crimes based on the information he gathers. This seems like a fairly thin premise to me, and close to a take-off of the ideas in the 2002 movie Minority Report and the Philip K. Dick story on which it was based. But the preview also instantly reminded me of the season 5 episode of LOST The Economist, where we see Linus (himself a man of considerable resources) guiding ex-Republican Guard super-spy and torturer Sayid through a series of off-island assassinations. The lack of detail given by the prediction program appears to provide plenty of opportunity for excitement and variability in the action of the show.

Here's the one-minute preview, if you haven't seen it yet:



I'm glad to see that Emerson has found another primetime vehicle, and to be working with Abrams et al again, especially since his previously rumored partnership with LOST's Terry O'Quinn, Odd Jobs, appears to be mired in delays.

Person of Interest has apparently tested well, and though I am troubled by the potential weaknesses in its conceit, I do think it sounds more in line with the intrigue and action of LOST than Odd Jobs did. We'll see how it turns out. Whatever happens, happens.

Comedy of Errors

So Sarah and I went to the Cubs-Cards game last night, which the Cards won handily on two homers by Yadier Molina, one by John "The Federalist" Jay and, one by, of course, Prince Albert. It was a good game on a perfect evening. But it wasn't the most entertainment I got from a local baseball team recently. That distinction goes to the floundering Lake County Fielders.

The Fielders are near and dear to us, in a way, because we originally had planned to take our wedding group out to a game their following our nuptials. They are located pretty close, and they are partially owned by Kevin Costner of Field of Dreams fame (hence the team's name), so we thought it would be fun. Weeks earlier, though, we read about problems they were having completing the stadium, so we decided to go to a game ahead of time and make sure it would meet the demanding standards of our guests. To our semi-surprise, it did not.

The stadium was only partially complete - with little parking, exposed infrastructure, NO BATHROOMS (but lots of beer - a dangerous combination), a funnel cake stand that DIDN'T HAVE A REAL DEEP FRYER - and many other travesties. But that's just the beginning of their problems. Since that time it's been a perfect cycle of errors.

Note: I hadn't kept up with their travails since the game we attended, but recently saw a tidbit about them in a local paper. That prompted me to read reports over the past two months on them, and this is what I've pieced together from that time. It was difficult to establish a firm timeline from the various articles, but this should be a fairly accurate recap:

-Manager Tim Johnson quits (via email) in late July because he hasn't gotten paid anything yet.
-Radio Announcer quits on the air also because he has also not been paid.
-A day after the players find out the manager quit, 11 of them refuse to take the field in a show of solidarity. None of them have been paid yet either.
-Hitting coach Pete LaCock appoints self as interim manager and fields a team for the game anyway, using several non-pitchers as pitchers in a loss against the Yuma Scorpions, who win behind a six-inning pitching outing by Jose Canseco (yes, THAT Jose Canseco.)
-The next day, LaCock resigns, then is fined $2,500 by league commissioner Kevin Outcalt for "making a farce of the game."
-Fielders pitching coach Chris Thompson manages the next game only to be released the next day.
-Days later, Tim Johnson takes a job with the Scorpions.
-The Village of Zion threatens team owner, because the team owes the town $185,000 in back rent.
-Team trades or releases all of its players and begins to play games using a semi-professional team from Kenosha as the home team.
-August 4, team is forced to forfeit home game because they did not have an adequate supply of baseballs.
-In early August, the Fielders plan a long trip to play a tour of games in Hawaii. Players show up to the airport only to be told that the team cannot afford to fly them all there and are forced to stay home.
-League officials issue statement that Fielders are no longer part of the league.
-Fielders insist they are still part of the league.

The Return of LOST

In case you have not seen this yet, LOST showrunners Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse released this short, funny video at ComicCon yesterday. This is in continuation of an also very funny Twitter conversation they had previously going back and forth about whether to release a video that would be "evidence" that they had planned the entire arc of the series all the way back in season 1 (@carltoncuse, @DamonLindelof). Here's the video, which was apparently filmed a few weeks ago.

*My source, including some background info: http://tvwiththefoot.blogspot.com/2011/07/lost-at-comic-con-2011-wdamon-lindelof.html

Do you remember when I got married?

Just in case you've forgotten about it, we've got some photos to refresh your memory. The photographer sent us the link to a gallery of proofs (over 1,000 in all!). I was going to embed some of them here, but I guess I can't do that until we buy them, so you'll just have to click through them all yourselves to find your favorites. Once you do, please leave a comment with the numbers of your favorites, and we'll compare later.

http://blossom.zenfolio.com/armstrong

Long Overdue, and Still Not What You're Looking For

So, I realize I haven't posted in a long time, but I've been busy wrapping up a job in CT, moving cross-country, looking for a new job, helping (nominally) to plan a wedding, and getting married! So BACK OFF!

Anyway, after the move and before the real madness started, Sarah and I took a mini-pre-honeymoon to Michigan in mid-June. I realize that you're all probably much more interested in photos and anecdotes about the recent wedding, but we don't have all that stuff organized yet, so, again, BACK OFF! Here are some highlights from the trip. (This is in addition to the much more timely post Sarah did.)

As Sarah's post focused mostly on our visit to Warren Dunes State Park and Douglas/Saugatuck, these will mostly serve to summarize our venture to Mom and Dad's alma mater, Kalamazoo College, and a little bit of Holland, Michigan, the tulip capital of the U.S. But to start with, here is one photo of our Dunes trip Sarah left out:

I think Sarah looks very sporty in this picture.

Kalamazoo College

Signs.



The view from the Quad.



Hoben Hall, a former residence of dad's.



View of the Quad from Hoben Hall.



R.E. Olds Science Hall.



Weimer Student Center, which in its current form post-dates Ma and Pa's time on campus by decades.



The chapel which overlooks the quad.



Me enjoying an adirondack chair. Just out of the frame are two women ensconced in a deep discussion of something academic.



Sarah De Waters Hall, a former residence of mom's.



Sarah Keister Armstrong (at time of photo Sarah Keister) in front of Sarah De Waters Hall.



Trowbridge Hall, where someone lived for some time.



A picture Sarah did not know I took.



A sculpture.



An administrative building.



Honors housing?

Kalamazoo, off campus

Orrin B. Hayes Used Cars, where "Service Sold It"?




Two possible candidates for the location of the former Holly's Restaurant, where dad (allegedly) graciously allowed mom to pay on their first? date, after "forgetting his wallet."

Holland (Michigan)

Despite contrary appearances, you may NOT buy ice cream at Hudsonville Ice Cream Company.



In correlation with its business plan and most people's desires, you MAY buy ice cream at Dairy Queen.





Unfortunately, we did not get to enjoy a FAT BURRITO.

Re-Dubu

We picked up Dubu about two weeks ago from our friends who are heading back to Korea, so now he is ours for good! This obviously has been a source of cheer and excitement for all three of us. Note Dubu's enthusiasm:



His adoption was noted joyously with a present from Mom, Dad, and Jack. Dubu was interested when the package came:



Upon seeing the Whisker-Lickin' delicious treats, Dubu pounced:



After all the excitement, understandably, both Sarah and Dubu were exhausted:





Later, we had to take Dubu to the vet for a rabies shot and exam. He has minor dental tartar issues and walked a little funny for a day or two after the shot, which he got just under his backside. He recovered quickly, and was ready to enteratin guests at our recent pirate-themed viewing party of the movie Hook.



Beyond that he has been enjoying himself and is generally a very happy and well-adjusted cat.

Here's The Beef

As everyone knows, it is St. Patrick's Day. As everyone knows, on St. Patrick's Day, it is traditional to eat corned beef and cabbage. As not all may know, though Sarah and I have gained moderate renown for our pioneering corned beef chili recipe, I have never before attempted to make corned beef and cabbage. I did so last night.

This was a serving of the result, which I ate about a half hour ago:



I don't know how well you can see the different ingredients, but this, I presume - never having made corned beef and cabbage before - is not a strictly traditional assemblage. It contains about a pound or pound and a half or corned beef (left over from previous chili) and about 3/4 of a medium head of cabbage (I used some before in a stir fry) and:

• 1 small onion (sliced)


• 6 or so ounces of sliced mushrooms


• 1/2 small can of butterbeans


• a handful of raisins


• small amount of chopped garlic, 2 small bay leaves, a pinch of red pepper flakes, and seasoning packet that came with meat


• water to cover, plus a little apple cider vinegar

After letting the meat defrost in the fridge for a day and then out of the fridge for an hour to get it to room temperature, I seared it on all sides on the stove (left whole), 2 minutes or more per side, until nicely browned. In the meantime, I chopped the cabbage roughly, sliced the onions and mushrooms, and created a thin layer of a mixture of those on the bottom of the crock pot. Then deglazed the pan off the heat with vinegar, scraping up the "fond." On top of the veggies I lay the seared meat, scattering additional veggies around it and poured on the pan liquid. Then the beans mostly on top and the raisins scattered in, then a scattering of the seasonings, tucking the bay leaves into the veggies. Cold water to cover, plus a little more vinegar. Heat on high.

I left the crock on high for about 4 hours while I was awake, turning to low overnight. When I awoke this morning, the apartment was rank with cabbage smell. Attempting to flee the odor, I hopped into the shower. However, I am now fully convinced that the vent fan over the stove merely empties through a shared duct into the bathroom (the possibility of which I had heretofore pondered), opening a freeway for the stench to follow me into the lavatory, and thus creating in the steamy and enclosed shower an unpleasant phenomenon which I have disdainfully coined an "Irish Sauna."

I was afraid that all three layers of my tri-shade green fashion ensemble would be dank with the scent. Luckily, it was not that bad. I was also surprised to discover that the meat was still fairly tough. I left the heat on low while I went to work, turning the meat over to evenly braise top and bottom. When I returned, the pungency of the cabbage confirmed yet another fact about the air-flow mechanics of the apartment - that the back door is very drafty or at least permeable. This reality became clear to me about halfway up the four-step patio, when I suddenly found myself awash in the same thick stain that had befouled my olfactory sense 9 hours previous.

But the biggest surprise was that it actually tasted pretty good. The meat appeared to have shrunk considerably, leeching much of its salty volume into the broth. The beef was extremely tender. The vegetables were mushy but flavorful. And luckily, today's temperature reached about 70 degrees, allowing me to comfortably air out the apartment by opening all of its windows. After about an hour, the smell seemed mostly to have evaporated. Either that, or my sensory perception has been severely damaged.

In all, a pretty good first effort.

Ah, bachelorhood

With Sarah out of town for the week, I have spent almost all of this weekend in the bachelor position - lazing on the couch, remote by my side, bowl of cereal in hand. The few times I have ventured out of that space have mostly been to go the Redbox down the street to pick up or return movies, specifically some of those outside Sarah's cinematic taste. I watched two, which, coincidentally, also fell mostly outside the bounds of palatable cinema. They were The Karate Kid (remake) and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.

The Karate Kid might have been ok if it was about 20-30 minutes shorter. Most of the excess fat came at the beginning - a boring, flavorless 40 minutes of exposition about the Kid and his mother's moving from Detroit to China, struggling to fit in, and being the victim of a 10?-year-old martial-arts expert bully. Nearly needless to say it was high on dramatics, and low on actual drama. At about the 45-minute mark, we finally see Jackie Chan, who takes on the master/teacher role in the reboot, step up and defend the kid, demolishing the previously mentioned bully and 5 of his punk friends. This is also the point at which the film becomes watchable.

We all know where it goes from here. The Kid, played by Jaden Smith (son of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith), begins training with the maintenance man/martial arts maven, eventually going on to challenge and defeat a series of the kid goons in a Kung Fu tournament, culminating, of course, with the chief bully. The story is spiced up from the original with the bullying theme, the inclusion of the rival dojo's "wrong way" methods, the replacement of the master's "wax on, wax off" teaching theme with "jacket on, jacket off," and maybe? some subtle political theme about U.S. international economic policies. In all, it was bad. Jaden Smith was terrible for the first third of the film, then adequate the rest of the way, and pretty decent in the martial arts scenes. But he brought no depth to the character. Nor did Chan, who compensates by still looking darn good kicking bully butt at his relatively old age. The biggest highlights come during the concluding tournament, which features both comical jumbotron animation of the dueling competitors and, much to my delight, a Mortal Kombat-esque command from the evil dojo's master during the final match to "FINISH HIM!" That the movie studio allowed the film to register at over two hours is inexcusable.

G.I. Joe is much easier to sum up. A ludicrous villain uses ludicrous technology to execute a ludicrous world-domination plot. The dialogue is poor, and the acting sinks to its level. Channing Tatum plays the lead, Duke, and is wretched. Other pretty faces fall flat in delivering their lines as well. Interestingly, two LOST alumni, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Mr. Eko) and Saïd Taghmaoui (Caesar) appear as members of the Joes, but they are generally not good. The only really respectable actor in the flick is Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who portrays Rex/The Doctor, the evil scientist behind the evil plot. Unfortunately, all of his lines are spoken through a voice modulator/breathing instrument, which he needs as a result of an utterly predictable connecting twist seen in flashback, thus rendering his dialogue virtually emotionless. In all, it was bad. The film ends with a dramatic reveal setting up the presupposed sequel. I guess I really should not criticize the movie too much, as I honestly did not pay a lot of attention to about three-fourths of it. I had hoped to get a dollar's worth of entertainment from it. I got about a quarter.

A Friend

Here's a quick post to let any of you who haven't heard yet about my friend and groomsman Al. Last week, we all received a giant shock in hearing that he had suffered a stroke. He's very young, having graduated a year ahead of me, in Jeff's class. Obviously, this is not a common occurrence for someone of his age, but fortunately, he is doing pretty well considering.

The problem appears to have sprung from an unnoticed hole in his heart present from birth but never detected. He has been in the hospital since the incident, but we heard today he will be leaving the ICU today, which is great. He has been cognizant, aware and there appears to be little loss of brain function. He is struggling with swallowing and lost a great deal of mobility, which is to be expected, but doctors are confident he will make a full recovery. A timetable for that is uncertain, though.

His family has been keeping an online journal of his progress everyday, which we've been reading regularly. Most of the news is encouraging, and any thoughts/prayers sent his way are obviously appreciated by his family (and us).