Who wants to be a millionaire?

I do.

And i may get my chance to get on the show. Becky saw on the news that there will be an open audition for the syndicated version on the University of Michigan Dearborn campus in about 2 weeks. I'm going to go for it. If i don't make it at least i tried and i only had to drive a few miles to get there.

So i've been trying to brush up on a few topics to prepare. I know i need to go over U.S. Presidents and the Constitution (stuff i didn't learn much about growing up in Canada). I'll also try to go over the basics of Shakespeare (titles, major characters, plot points).

Any advice? Any other areas i should study?

A lesson for all the kids out there

We get our internet and cable through comcast. We've actually been pretty happy with them, but our cable rate just jumped up because a promotional discount just ended. Our cost per month went up about $15, not a huge amount, but it's enough to make us reconsider where our money is being spent. I called comcast to see if they would be able to give us another discount, but i was told they couldn't do anything for us. Then using our comcast internet we researched rates for a rival cable company (WOW) which we discovered would save us a few dollars.

However before I made any deal with WOW i called comcast back to see if they would make us a better deal. I got ahold of the right customer service guy because he gave me a great deal where we are now paying $15 less per month than we had been paying. Don't settle for the rate increases of cable companies, keep calling until they give you a better offer. Hooray for persistence!

the dark knight

I went to see the midnight showing of the newest batman film on thursday/friday.

It was awesome. It's the best movie i've seen since the Lord of the Rings: the Return of the King. I really enjoyed Batman Begins and I knew this was going to be good, but it was even better than i expected. Chris Nolan has totally established himself as an elite hollywood director. Christian Bale continues to redefine Batman and raise the bar for modern actors. Heath Ledger blows Jack Nicholson's Joker out of the water. Heath's Joker is to Jack's Joker as Jack's Joker is to Caesar Romero's Joker.

This movie moves beyond the conventions of other comic based films; other superhero moves should be ashamed of themselves (i'm looking at you superman returns. not so fast spiderman 3). I highly recommend this film.

What's your review?

Are You Smarter Than A Four Year Old?

Evan is really into dinosaurs. So today I challenged him to think of as many dinosaur names as he could off the top of his head (we gave him a couple of hints). Think you have what it takes to challenge my son?

Take the next few minutes and name as many as you can. No time limit, but no cheating!







ok. How'd you do??
Evan got 25.

Gallimimus Stegocerus
Anklyosaurus Tyrannosaurus Rex
Euplocephalus Hadrosaurus
Stegosaurus Triceratops
Hypsilophodon Diplodocus
Velociraptor Dilophosaurus
Deinonychus Scloasaurus
Ichthyosaurus Tylosaurus
Pteranodon Apotasaurus
Corythosaurus Pachycephalosaurus
Pteradactyl Spinosaurus
Dimetrodon Styrachosaurus
Protoceratops

He eventually got tired of playing the game but here is a list of additional dinosaurs that we know he could identify by memory if he had a couple more hints or more motivation:

Brachiosaurus Archelon
Parasaurolophus Maiasaura
Rhamphorynchus Iguanadon
Camptosaurus Elasmosaurus
Troodon Allosaurus
Edmontosaurus Monoclonius

How'd you do?

Hamilton breaks All-Star HR record

I didn't watch the Home Run Derby last night. I forgot it was on. In a previous post i've shared with you that i don't follow baseball much, but i like watching the HR derby. Something about the power and beauty of the moment. I'm pretty good at wii sports home run derby. I am particularly saddened that i missed the broadcast yesterday because Josh Hamilton broke the record of most home runs in a single round with 28 long bombs (the previous record was 24). Unfortunately Josh lost in the final round.

I'm cheering for J-Ham because he has an incredible story of how Christ changed his life. I don't know all the details, but the story goes that he was drafted #1 by the Tampa Bay Rays in 1999, but drug and alcohol addiction nearly destroyed his life and career. Through the intervention of his Grandmother he found Christ and has redeemed his soul and his career. Here's an amazing article he wrote for espn the magazine.

If you don't read the whole thing, he shares this story at the end...

"... there is one story that sticks with me, so much so that I think of it every day. I was driving out of the players' parking lot at Great American Ball Park after a game in May, with Katie and our two girls. There's always a group of fans standing at the curb, hoping to get autographs, and I stop to sign as many as I can.

And on this particular night, a little boy of about 9 or 10, wearing a Reds cap, handed me a pen and something to sign. Nothing unusual there, but as I was writing the boy said, "Josh, you're my savior."

This stopped me. I looked at him and said, "Well, thank you. Do you know who my savior is?"

He thought for a minute. I could see the gears turning. Finally, he smiled and blurted out, "Jesus Christ." He said it like he'd just come up with the answer to a test. "That's exactly right," I said."

Now that's the kind of guy i can root for. Way to go Josh!!

1 degree of separation

Last week my parents were visiting us here at home and they were watching the reality competition "nashville star". I've never watched the show before and as they showed the various contestants i was suddenly struck when i recognized one of the contestants.

I know Coffey (pronounced "coff-ay").


He attended Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas during my year there as a Resident Director. I wasn't close to him, but we'd talked a few times. In fact, when i went to HPU to interview for the RD position, I went out to lunch with him and 2 other student leaders. I also recognized him when he was a contestant on American Idol (he made it to the Hollywood round) so it was surprising to see him as a finalist in another singing competition. Coffey is a really nice guy and he does have a great voice. I wish him all the best (i think he's in the final 6 now) and if you vote for the show, vote for Coffey!

I've also known another reality show competitor. I was also not very close with him, but I
knew who he was around campus (when i was an RD at Spring Arbor University). I am speaking about the infamous Josh Aspiranti. He was a contestant on Fear Factor and became famous for his Incredible Hulk-esque freakout during a "bobbing for rings in cows blood" competition. Seriously, it was a sight to behold.


I've tried to find a clip online, but no luck so far. I may still have it on tape at home, in which case I'll try to upload it.

Those are my two connections with anyone "before they were kind-of stars". How about you? any connection to someone before they went on to become famous (reality show or otherwise)?

Happy Canada Day!

O Canada!

Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!

From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.