Cars and Hinton

We went to Camarillo last weekend for some shopping and to FINALLY see Cars. It was a thoroughly entertaining and fun movie for our family (minus Michelle who couldn't pull herself away from the outlet mall across the street).

The movie reminded me of Hinton, OK, and other small towns in Western OK where several of my friends and family live(d). It's amazing how I-40 essentially changed the surface of the western United States. While I'm generally a fan of "progress" (as such) I do wonder what Hinton, Weatherford, Lookeba, and other cities were like in the 40's when Rte. 66 and other more local highways allowed one to explore these unique destinations rather than quickly get to the nearest Super Square Box Retailer (e.g., our trip to Camarillo!).

In any event, the movie was a good time for the kids and I, and Michelle enjoyed the shopping.

A Voice From the Past!

What a surprise! I just received an email from an old friend I've not talked to in 15 years! Wow. We were roommates at NCJC (not OVU), and OC, and shared an apartment immediately after graduation from college (for about two weeks, before I moved to grad school and left him with the bill! DOH!). Any of you who knew me in either of those times will know who I'm talking about, but just in case you can't put the pieces together...he is the "Man of La Mancha"! :) If you want his address, just let me know.

Superman is SUPER

Matthew and I saw Superman Returns last night. Wow, we really enjoyed it. It was just the way a superhero movie should be...good vs. evil, human drama, fantastic special effects, and a real plot that kept moving. It was a perfect father/son movie. It received two thumbs-up from us. Go see it. NOW!

Great 4th of July

I had one of the best 4th of July celebrations to date this year--despite the complete lack of patriotism. It's a tough year to be patriotic. With news of US Marines raping and killing innocent Iraqi's, hundreds of "enemy combatants" illegally (at least according to the US Supreme Court) held at Guantanamo Bay, President Bush's approval ratings in the tank, and Iran and North Korea demonstrating nuclear power as a self-defense from "pre-emptive regime change" by the US.

All that being said, we had an absolutely fantastic 4th of July here at PU. Zach Le was baptized, we had a wonderful family parade around the B-school, a cookout at the pool, dinner with friends, and fireworks over the ocean. All of that without leaving campus. Ever. Now that, is a nice 4th of July!