So Much Stuff I Can't Recall

• Phil and Friends at the O.C. (outdoor chapel)
• Snacking in the Barn
• Another Shot in the Barn
• Phil's New 'Do (compare with the old 'do in the pictures above)

Why you should read my review of Zen in the Art of Writing: Back at university I wrote an essay on Milton's Paradise Lost, wherein I noted that in deceiving Eve "Satan was more interested in an argument that sounded good than in a good, sound argument." I do a Charlie Tuna kind of thing in this review, too.

Nevertheless, I've written a review of 2nd Chance, the book I zipped through during my exciting day of jury duty.

Why you should read my review of 2nd Chance: I admit to talking to inanimate objects. Find out what I say. (Plus it seems I can really use the votes.)

A. Apparently not.

I spent from 8:30a to 3:00p in the Lane County Circuit Court Juror Waiting Room. My group (the "Captain Crunch"es - we all had cereal names; fortunately I wasn't a "Fruit Loop") did get called up to Room 306 (Judge Foote's courtroom), but 12 of the 28 potential jurors (we went with the "Wheaties" and 4 of the aforementioned Loops) were lmpanelled before my number (#200) was drawn. Then it was lunch (from briefly after noon until 1:00p), after which we sat around in the room again until the only case that hadn't yet begun determined they would need jurors today.

Fortunately, I brought books and finished Zen in the Art of Writing (look for review soon) and got a couple hundred pages of 2nd Chance out of the way.

Lunch was a couple Coney Dogs from A&W.

Of the roughly 300 potential jurors drawn from all over Lane County, there was actually someone there I know: Gene Hall, from church. What're the odds? (If you actually calculate the odds you're a big dork.) Gene was a "Cheerio" and it looked like he wasn't impanelled either.

Anyhoo, Phil took this photo of me in the car this afternoon.

Scary.

Here's how it looked:

• Thickness
  
  
• Width & Height
  
  
• Here Comes the Wind-Up ...
  
  
• ... and the Pitch
  
  

One of the games is Adventure, wherein you're the hero (okay, a big, blocky square) that has to get the chalice back to your palace (not the vessel with the pestle). Along the way there are keys to open your and two other castles that need to be found, dragons to be slain (after you find the sword (okay, a directional arrow)), and a maze to be navigated (the beginner level has one maze, the intermediate and expert levels have three mazes).

Long story short (TOO LATE!), Phil completed the beginner level by himself (or "my own self" as he likes to say) this morning.

Perhaps there's a career in professional competitive gaming in his future.

*10 bonus points if you can identify the two classic comedies to which I allude in this post.

• Dressed up for the party
  I wanted to be sure to get at least one good photo for the day,
  so I took this one before we left for town.
  
  
• Playing Horseshoes #1
  
  
• Playing Horseshoes #2
  
  
• Jackson, Maggie & Phil
  
  
• Playing Catch with Maggie
  
  
• Playing Catch with Jackson
  
  
• Tire Swing #1
  
  
• Tire Swing #2
  
  
• Tire Swing #3
  
  
• Jackson Swings at the Pinata
  
  
• Squirrel Fight!
  
  
• Looks Like There's a New Boat in Phil's Dentist's Future
  
  
• Lunch Time!
  
  
• Mmmmm ... Sandwichy
  
  
• Opening Phil's Gift
  
  
• A Thoughtful Discussion re: Phil's Gift
  
  
• Cupcake Time!
  
  
• Thanks and Farewell
  
  

Why you should read my review of The Man with a Load of Mischief: First of all, it's my 50th book review. It takes a lot of commitment and time on one's hands to accomplish that sort of thing. Second of all, I resisted punning on the main character's name (Richard Jury). I considered titling my review along the lines of "The Jury Is In ...." but didn't - that kind of restraint deserves to be rewarded.

Why you should read my review of Sleepwalkers: If you weren't persuaded by my pun-avoidance in the previous paragraph (how alliterative!), perhaps it will impress you that I didn't use a pun-based title referring to "cattiness" or "corn" on this movie (you'll understand if you've seen the movie). That said, I did rip on the movie somewhat (certainly no more than it deserves). If you've missed my general snarkiness in the reviews of late, you've got it here. Be forewarned, I verb a noun at the end of the review, but please don't tell my AP English teacher from high school - it'd break her heart.

Why you should read my review of Dorothy L. Sayers: A Biography: In the review I admit to having a certain deficiency. Is it the one you're thinking of? Read the review and find out.

Here're some photos of his waterfront fun:

• Phil Louganis
  
  
• See anything green?
  
  
• Pucker up

• Dragonfly
  
  

Why you should read my review of The Stainless Steel Rat: I've reviewed several other books by Harry Harrison (three in the Bill the Galactic Hero series); find out if I enjoy this series any more than the other.

Why you should read my review of Speed Racer: Episodes 1-11: Since I wrote it a while ago, forgot it and then rediscovered it, you could say it's a "rediscovered masterpiece" (piece of something, at any rate). I also use the phrase "Whoa Nellie!" - how can you resist the phrase "Whoa Nellie!"? (Nellie was my grandmother's name; so if not for me, read the review for her.)

Over at Amazon they have started a new feature called a "plog" (personalized blog), where they suggest current products based on things in which you've shown an interest in the past. I just came across this feature and here's what they suggested for June 22:

My Life was released today; We thought you'd be interested because you rated 2004 Tangram Magnetic Puzzle-A-Day.

Amazon.com: An exhaustive, soul-searching memoir, Bill Clinton's My Life is a refreshingly candid look at the former president as a son, brother, teacher, father, husband, and public figure. Clinton painstakingly outlines the history behind his greatest successes and failures, including his dedication to educational and economic reform, his war against a "vast right-wing operation" determined to destroy him, and the "morally indefensible" acts for which he was nearly impeached. My Life is autobiography as therapy--a personal history written by a man trying to face and banish his private demons....

Hmmm ... that's a strange bit of logic you've got going there for ya, Amazon.

Here's how it went:

Jesus loves me this I know

Little ones to Him belong

Yes, Jesus loves me

(He did sing roughly in tune and repeated the "Yes, Jesus" line a couple times and then returned to the "Little ones" one - He knew there was more to it than what he was singing, but couldn't precisely remember it. I sang a duet with him afterwards and he picked up the missing phrases with no problem.)

Yay Phil!

• Atlas Shrugs
  
  
• Cousin Jack and Phil
  
  
• Ahoy, Sailor
  
  
• Cousin Will
  
  
• Cousin Nick
  
  
• From Left: Will, Phil, Jack, Nick, Anonymous Campers 1 & 2
  
  
• Aunt Brenda and Phil
  
  

While we were there, these photos got taken:

• Cousin Jack, Phil, and Cousin Nick
  
  
• Cousin Nick
  
  
• Cousin Will
  
  
• Uncle Bill watches Cousin Jack present Phil with a birthday gift;
  Aunt Brenda's foot watches, too
  

• Phil vs. NASA Technology


• Creature from the Triangular Lake


• The Boy and His Mom


• Phil and Aunt Julia

Why you should read my review of Clouds of Witness:: Once again, I include a very subtle pun. In case it's too subtle for you, it's in paragraph two. I also use the phrase "foggy bog" - how can you resist reading something that includes the phrase "foggy bog" ? I don't believe you can.

*I made a comment like that to 4-year-old Phil the other day and he's spent pretty much every day since asking people if they want a poke in the eye. I'm glad we cancelled Cinemax quite some time ago.