Riding with the window down…

Dawn was looking online for some tracks to use on her iPod while running and the track Fischer Store Road by Sarah Jarosz showed up. The title caught her eye because there is a Fischer Store Road not far from the house here in Wimberley.

A little digging later and we discovered that Sarah was indeed from Wimberley and the track was about that very same road. It is an instrumental track that is real upbeat and fun. Her style can best be described as sort of a funky bluegrass - fun stuff.

One of the other interesting tracks is Shankill Butchers. It is a bit of a creepy song about murderers that sounds like something out of a Tim Burton soundtrack. That of course, got us wondering what it was about… once again, a little digging was in order. The song first recorded by the Decemberists in 2006, tells of a group of murderers in the Shankill region of Northern Ireland during the early 1970s.

The Shankill Butchers, as they were dubbed in the media, killed roughly 30 people over the course of a few years in sectarian violence that marked the era of strife between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland. There is some great information about the group in the Wikipedia entry.

It was an interesting rabbit hole through which we took a diversion that all started with the Fischer Store Road track. My take-away from all this is a good album by Sarah Jarosz, a good education about a time that has always been a bit gray to me, and of course - an interesting story.

Okay, maybe not brilliant - I mean it did pretty much rip off another of my all time favorites - Quantum Leap, but darn it, I like Journeyman. Kevin McKidd is fast becoming one of those actors that turns in solid performances every time out and this short-lived scifi show was no exception.

The bad news is that it was canceled just 13 episodes into the series. The good news? I guess its that all the episodes are available to watch over at Hulu.

Oh yeah, and they have Quantum Leap too! (for a limited time)

Okay, this blog was created back in 2001 as “Chris Doelle’s Reading Room”, in January of 2005, I renamed it after getting feedback from the readers/listeners to “Riding with the window down…” Once again, it is time to change the name.

I want to to reflect where I am in life. No longer am I the bachelor tooling down the highway in a convertible - I am a full on parent, taking kids to school, getting groceries, saying nighttime prayers - you name it.

I want it to reflect my role as a dad, husband, and generally fun-loving guy. So give me some suggestions!!!

Dawn and I went to see Valentine’s Day on… uh, yeah - you guessed it - Valentine’s Day. My overall view of the film was good (for a chick flick.) It had some good comedy, some sappy romance, and even a cameo by Director, Garry Marshall.

Okay, naming a cameo by Marshall as one of the top things is a little harsh, I mean - it was fun. I think Dawn said it best when she mentioned she liked it better when it was called He’s Just Not That Into You. Seriously, both of them had a cast chock full of stars - each of their stories were intertwined - some turned out devastatingly bad, others turned out amazingly well.

The main thing that annoyed me about the film was the sheer number of long-haired, skinny brunettes. I couldn’t tell them apart! Trying to keep a story as intertwined as this one straight when four of the leads look so much alike was tough.

So overall, there is nothing great about the film - but nothing bad either. The fact that a couple can watch it and both walk out without being pissed is a big plus. Great date movie. Geez, it’s almost as if it was planned that way.

RATING 6 out of 10

Now if you want great family fare - Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief is the movie for you! It has something for everyone.

First off, who doesn’t like a good adventure film? Uh, nobody! I was really not expecting much more than a quick flick created to take advantage of a popular book series (can anyone say New Moon?) This film stands by itself even if you have no association or interest in the Percy Jackson book series. The writing is good, the acting is above par, and the special effects are very solid.

I loved the fact that Kevin McKidd appeared as Poseidon and Pierce Brosnan did a great job as Chiron. Logan Lerman made the transition to leading man very well as Percy Jackson and should do a fine job in the sure-to-come sequels.

If you enjoy mythology, this is a cornucopia of fun characters with lots of fast-paced action and witty banter to keep you entertained throughout. This may even be worth a second viewing.

RATING 8 out of 10

Back in 2005, I railed against Ashlee Simpson as the perfect example of what is wrong with the music industry.  It has been my contention that the big record labels had long ago lost touch with good music in favor of cute teeny boppers that could become a brand for movies, tv shows, perfume, lunchboxes etc. (I’m talking to you, Miley.)  That was part of the reason that podcasting exploded in popularity - people were fed up with being spoon fed no-talent hacks that looked good in their headshots.

Look at all the crossover that happened in the music scene thanks to talented artists jumping on the podcasting wave - Ingrid Michaelson, Death Cab for Cutie, and on and on.   Just when I was starting to think that labels were finally “getting it,” out pops Taylor Swift.

Sure, her music sounded great on the radio.  It was full of catchy lyrics, seemed very contemporary, and her voice was one that you didn’t mind hearing every twenty minutes across the Clear Channel stations.  I can’t say I was ever a fan, but even I almost fell for the marketing.

First the fact that she was so overplayed annoyed me nearly as much as the lyrics that sounded like they came from the latest tweener vampire romance.  The repetition did its job and I found myself singing along to songs I detested.  Next came what was Ashlee Simpson’s big downfall - Saturday Night Live.  For Taylor, it played out much better.  She came across as a happy, fun-loving jokester that really got into the “other side” of her marketing machine.  I almost got sucked in off the SNL appearance alone.

In the end, the true test of any singer is…. well, uh - singing.  Can you say “EPIC FAIL?”

Swift’s live performances on the Country Music Awards, quickly followed by live performances at the Grammys were horrendous!  I cannot stress enough how badly she sucked.  To say she couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket is an insult to that old saying.  I have heard tomcats having makeup sex that was easier to listen to.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”  I have to trust that is true, but I can’t for the life of me figure out what purpose Taylor Swift’s music has - unless it is to encourage people once again to turn off their radios, stop ‘drinking the kool aid,’ and discover the great music probably right under their nose at local gigs.

The new go-kart is getting LOTS of usage and it is non-stop fun for all involved!

There are two seasons where you can usually count on seeing a good movie or two - the Summer blockbusters and the Christmas blockbusters. This Christmas season has provided me with two good movie outings. Both of them made me skeptical at first, but in the end, both delivered solid entertainment.

First up was Avatar - the nearly HALF A BILLION DOLLAR blockbuster by James Cameron. Visually, this film was amazing. This is another notch in Cameron’s bankability belt - when his name is on it - you’re looking at a hit. Even lame films like the last Terminator do well - because Cameron is associated with it. (Interestingly, Sam Worthington - who played the lead, Jake Sully was also in the last Terminator and will be in the remake of Clash of the Titans, he has action hero star written all over him.)

This film really had little to do with Cameron or Worthington… it was all about the CGI and in that respect, it ROCKED! Sure, the storyline was weak and a very transparent political/social commentary. Sure, the characters were as stereotypical as anything to come out of Hollywood. But visually, Avatar made you overlook all the flaws.

It was slow in the opening third of the film and predictable throughout, but you just couldn’t take your eyes off the screen. I would watch it again just for the visuals.

RATING 7 out of 10

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Next was Guy Ritchie’s interpretation of Sherlock Holmes as portrayed by Robert Downey Jr. Now you have to understand that there is likely no more important fictional character in my life than Sherlock Holmes. I have always loved Holmes, and I have seen every single incarnation available. For that reason, I was extremely nervous seeing the previews for this film as it looked to be nothing like the legend created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Downey was nothing like the Basil Rathbone or Jeremy Brett Holmes (my favorite) but not nearly as quirky as the trailers made it appear.

Yeah, he did a serviceable interpretation, but in the end, there was too much Robert Downey Jr. in the character. He was no different than he was in Iron Man - no different than he was in The Pickup Artist - no different than he has been in ALL of his roles. Face it - Downey has no range. Don’t get me wrong, I am a big fan of RDJ and I think he may have a role that he could continue for years in Holmes. This is a great character for him to play because Holmes is so cocksure, smart, and witty. The fact that so many older people have played the character successfully leads me to think that he could be doing remakes for a couple more decades without missing a beat. This is one instance when typecasting is a good fit.

Because Holmes has been such an important literary figure in my life, I am sure that I will see each and every incarnation of the famed sleuth of 221B Baker Street, and although I will be skeptical, I will give them a fair shake. Robert Downey Jr. I can get used to - Jude Law as Watson I can get used to - Rachel McAdams as his tough-as-nails female foil, uh, I guess - Guy Ritchie, MTV-generation fight sequences in a period piece like this…. that may be a little tougher.

RATING 8 out of 10

We got some family photos taken shortly before Christmas and I just realized that I haven’t shared them on here. An excellent photographer and good friend, Beth Rasmussen, took the shots for us and Dawn organized the outfits etc. I think they turned out great. This first one was one of the toughest to get because someone was always blinking or turning away etc.

These next two are just gorgeous - look at those beautiful kids! The closer one does a great job of showing off those shiny eyes and bright smiles, the further out shows off what a beautiful location we chose for the session. (Gruene, Texas)

I can’t even begin to describe how blessed I feel to have all the changes that have taken place in my life recently. What a great Christmas season!

A couple of people asked what music we played at our wedding and I have to say that it was a pretty good playlist. Dawn and I both chose the selections and then weeded through some 100 tracks to find the ones that seemed to fit best. (It’s amazing how many songs you think you know by the chorus, only to find out that the lyrics say something quite different if you pay attention.)

Here are the songs we played at our reception (in no particular order.)

I Believe - Peter Searcy
Silly Love Songs - Paul McCartney
Smile - Uncle Kracker
Lucky - Jason Mraz (featuring Colbie Caillat)
I’m Your’s - Jason Mraz
I’ve Got a Great Idea - Harry Connick Jr.
Recipe for Love - Harry Connick Jr.
We Are in Love - Harry Connick Jr.
Love is the Answer - England Dan & John Ford Coley
Kiss - Dean Martin
You’re Nobody ‘Til Somebody Love You - Dean Martin
Ain’t That a Kick in the Head - Dean Martin
Then - Brad Paisley
Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) - Beyonce
Stand by Me - Ben E. King
Yummy Yummy Yummy - Ohio Express
I Melt - Rascal Flatts
I Cross My Heart - George Strait
Your Everything - Keith Urban
If You Ain’t Lovin’ (You Ain’t Livin’) - George Strait
Can’t Stop this Thing We Started - Bryan Adams
(Everything I Do) I Do it For You - Bryan Adams
I Swear - John Michael Montgomery
This Kiss - Faith Hill
True Companion - Marc Cohn
My Best Friend - Tim McGraw
Buzz Buzz Buzz - Huey Lewis & the News
Too Marvelous for Words - Frank Sinatra
Something Like That - Tim McGraw
Love and Marriage - Frank Sinatra
Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen
You’re My Better Half - Keith Urban
I Can Love You Like That - John Michael Montgomery
How Sweet it Is (To Be Loved by You) - James Taylor
Head Over Feet - Alanis Morrisette
Heaven - Bryan Adams
Truly Madly Deeply - Savage Garden
Realize - Colbie Caillat
I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song - Jim Croce
You’re My Best Friend - Queen
Making Memories of Us - Keith Urban
You’ve Got a Friend - James Taylor
It’s Your Love - Tim McGraw
1,2,3,4 - Plain White T’s
The Way I Am - Ingrid Michaelson
Just to See You Smile - Tim McGraw
I Love the Way You Love Me - John Michael Montgomery
I Get a Kick Out of You - Frank Sinatra
Falling For You - Colbie Caillat
I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) - The Proclaimers
I’ve Got You Under My Skin - Frank Sinatra
You’re Smiling Face - James Taylor
Another Love Song - Uncle Kracker
Your Song - Elton John
Ribbon in the Sky - Stevie Wonder
Forever and Ever, Amen - Randy Travis
That’s Amore - Dean Martin
You Are the Sunshine of My Life - Stevie Wonder
How Forever Feels - Kenny Chesney
She’s Got it All - Kenny Chesney
All I Need to Know - Kenny Chesney

Overall, its a really good mix of fun and upbeat love songs.

1:07

Shooting from Houston at the site of the annual Rotary Lombardi Awards