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Avengers: Infinity War [spoilers]

4/30/2018

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I came out of this movie with a much greater sense of satisfaction than I have for any other movie since Winter Soldier. Although future viewings will adjust its exact placement, I rank it up with Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy--my two favorite Marvel movies. I am about to go into detail as to why.

This post will contain many spoilers for the Infinity War movie. Do not continue reading if you have not seen the movie and you want to go into the next one without any foreknowledge. You have been warned.
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Seriously, spoilers are below.
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Are they gone?
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Now that it's just us: While people have complained that there is too much going on for any real plot or character development, I was amazed that they had such amazing plot and character development in a movie with this much star power. Now, I do have my gripes, but the great moments more than make up for them.

Gripes first: Why wasn't Hulk in the fight before most of the Asgardians were killed? Where was Valkyrie? Why was Thor's hammer quest so drawn out? Why didn't the Guardians know that Xandar had been wiped out since it happened a week before they stumbled across the Asgardian genocide? I'm guessing Dr. Strange had a magical counter, because no human can count past 14 million (even with access to time) without losing track. Gamora has landed in heels from bigger drops than the one that killed her. If Thanos was able to track the other stones by their resonance, he didn't need Gamora to tell him where the soul stone was. Why didn't Thor get to Thanos before he killed Vision--I mean, the rest of the team walked there faster? How did Spider-man get an entire speech while disintegrating while Fury couldn't even finish a motherfu ... ? For that matter, why were people disintegrating at different times? As for Thanos' big plan, isn't he going to need to do this every few decades or something? Wouldn't sterilizing the universe be a better long term plan? Why did teenage Groot's CGI look so much worse than the CGI used in the end credit scene of Guardians vol. 2? Isn't depending on a character (Captain Marvel) who hasn't been introduced yet a bit too much deus ex machina? WTF is up with this new nanite technology everywhere (there's no way that many are in that little chest plate or that they can build items that fast)? Despite all of the protestations about the value of one life, Star Lord and Scarlet Witch still would have killed their loved ones--but that's not how sacrifice works. At least in Vision's case, he should have pried the stone from his own head and then Wanda could have destroyed it without having to murder him too. If there was a Sherlock reference, I missed it--ruining my prediction record (I still think Loki faked his death).

Okay, I'm sure that there were other issues, but it was good to get those out. Now for what I loved:

1) Thor crying. I was really bothered by the lack of emotion on Thor's part when it came to the destruction of Asgard and the death of his friends in Ragnarok. This simple moment fixed that for me.
2) The Guardians' banter when Thor is brought aboard makes me laugh just thinking about it.
3) Mantis' fighting pose is hilarious.
4) Mantis playing with the gravity on Titan was great.
5) Thanos is the best big bad Marvel has yet made. I didn't really buy his love for Gamora, but showing his power by having him mano-e-mano the Hulk in the beginning (and making the Hulk hide for the rest of the movie) was a great way to show how much of a threat he was early on.
6) Thanos' use of the reality stone was clever and effective.
7) The dwarves were actually huge!
8) Having the huge dwarf played by Peter Dinklage was a masterstroke (talk about irony within irony)!
9) Red Skull is back! (Although not played by Hugo Weaving)
10) For that matter, every movie in the MCU thus far had some sort of reference in this one--an impressive feat!
11) The interactions between the various characters from the different films were some of the best parts.
12) Ben and Jerry's named ice cream after Stark and the Hulk
13) Benedict Cumberbatch says "Douche."
14) The "Aliens" plan.
15) That Dr. Strange knew the only path to success required him to be disintegrated and for Tony to remain alive (thus, him making Thanos promise not to kill Tony). This also showed his faith in the others to carry on the path without him controlling everything--a huge showing of character growth.
16) Iron-Spider.
17) Rocket wanting Bucky's arm.
18) Nick Fury's end scene.
19) Ned's distraction on the bus.
20) Stan Lee's cameo.
21) The battles against Thanos' minions (and their defeats) were all fantastic!
22) Captain America's first appearance (almost identical to Dumbledore's appearance in the Half-Blood Prince)
23) The good guys have to lose to win, staying true to the comic inspirations.
24) Stark and Strange's banter (esp. "You're embarrassing me in front of the wizards").
25) Hulk sounding like a pouting toddler because he's afraid to come out.
26) Gamora telling Peter that she loves him (it's no longer an unspoken thing).
27) The irony of Banner in the Hulkbuster armor.
28) Nearly everything Okoye (sp?) says.
29) Rocket not responding to Thor continually referring to him as "Rabbit"
30) Every action sequence

I'm certain that there was more, but I need to see it again to refresh my memory and find other gems that I missed. This does lead me to some thoughts about the next Avengers movie. These are just my thoughts, but you might want to avoid them if you want to form your own opinions.

1) The talk about naming a baby near the beginning of the film is a near giveaway that Tony is not going to make it through the next film. His journey (considering he is utterly alone on an alien world) will likely be central to film.
2) Along the same lines, Steve Rogers is likely to end his time as Captain America, passing the mantle on. I'm guessing a monumental sacrifice on his part too.
3) It's a foregone conclusion that Thanos' universe killing will be reversed in some way. However, how far back will things go? Just to the point that he snapped his fingers? All the way to the start of the movie (thus bringing back Valkyrie and other off-stage deaths such as the Nova Core)? I wonder if they might somehow take it all the way back to before the first Avengers movie. The mastermind behind the MCU, Kevin Feige, has said that Avengers 4 will completely change the way Marvel films that follow it will work. To me, that suggests some serious universe-bending.

One way or another, I'm deeply interested in the upcoming Ant-man and Wasp (how will this movie incorporate this massive calamity), Captain Marvel (who is she and how will this change things), and Avengers 4. It's going to be a difficult year to remain patient. Honestly, I care more about this Avengers sequel than I do about what happens in the Star Wars universe after The Last Jedi (and that's saying something).
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The Fifth Sunday of Easter

4/29/2018

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Today's sermon started with a story about putting the right type of gas in our cars. Cheap gas can lead to engine problems down the road. We often take the cheap gas when it comes to spiritual issues because we have other things that are taking our attention in our lives. However, like cheap gas in an engine, this leads to a lot of grumbling in our lives.

The irony is that God's way is actually easier for us than all of the other workarounds that we attempt in our lives. His teachings help better our lives and better our world, yet so often we instead pollute and corrode our own souls and world while seeking shortcuts. Yet sometime I skip opportunities for spiritual enrichment for more frivolous desires that do not satisfy, just as sometimes I buy cheaper products only to have them fail on me.

So I am clear: while God's path will be the easier path, that does not mean that life itself will be easy. Life is about challenges, from basic survivability to long term goals. God's path makes those challenges more bearable. ​
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Grilled

4/28/2018

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Sure, the weather was not quite right for it and so I had to put the grill under the carport, but I felt it was time to grill today anyway. The meal wasn't anything fancy: just burger patties preloaded with bacon and cheese. Still, it tasted good; it tasted like summer.

I obviously put Connor in a summer mood too, because he came out to play in just shorts and a short-sleeve shirt. He would then run to the grill because "It's warm here" and then run off again. It seemed a little overly optimistic to me.

I can still smell the smoke on my clothes. I'm glad I made extra. I will have some good lunches this week.
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Strange

4/27/2018

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The post office seems to have lost a priority mail envelope that I sent to my parents in Michigan. I mailed it last week Wednesday (for $6.70) and, not only has it not yet arrived, it stopped tracking last week Saturday. I only remembered (and had time) to check with the post office today. They did not have any other information and are going to look into the matter for me and let me know more tomorrow.

The issue is that this is the check for my reimbursement from the State of Michigan for the money that they illegally deducted from my (and all other Michigan teachers') paychecks (before they changed the law so it was just unethical, but not illegal). It was already mailed to the wrong address (after I had made certain to update my address), returned, and then sent back to me.

For a variety of reasons, we still use the credit union in Jackson that I have used for my entire life. Unfortunately, I have no way of depositing such a large amount such as this check up here (most of our deposits and withdrawals are done electronically). Thus, I sent the check to my parents for them to deposit in my credit union, using priority mail specifically so I could track it ... and now it's disappeared.

Something really doesn't want me to get that money.
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Avenger Predictions

4/26/2018

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First, please do not send me any spoilers. I'm hoping to see the movie this Sunday at which point I still ask that you not post any spoilers but that you instead message me with your thoughts about the movie.

That said, the predictions that I am about to give are based on my own thoughts. They are all guesses on my part, and I apologize if any of them spoil the movie for you:

1. I will like this movie.
2. Some of my favorite Marvel characters will not get enough screen time.
3. I will want to laugh and cry.
4. The movie will end on a cliff-hanger (its sequel has already been filmed and will be released next year).
5. Loki will seem to die
6. The will be some sort of reference to Sherlock Holmes (considering both Cumberbatch and Downey have played the character).
7. There will be times when I don't know what's happening on the screen because too much is going on.
8. If I see it in 3D, it will be too much; if I don't, I will wish I did.
9. I will have a hard time reconciling that Josh Brolin (who is in this movie as Thanos and in Deadpool 2 as Cable) played Brand (Mikey's brother) in The Goonies.
10. Marvel/Disney will continue to take my money for years to come.
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DQ Date

4/25/2018

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It was brief, but Janelle and I shared a Blizzard that we picked up from Dairy Queen. This is a break from the normal Wednesday pattern of us being at Freddy's while the younger boys are in Youth Faith Formation. Most often, that's because Janelle is working, and it's one of the few chances that I get to see her during the day. Sometimes, we both go there anyway just as something to do.

Today, however, we had other plans. After a short trip to Jo Ann's to pick up some thread (although I stayed in the car to get some of my course reading done), we then did a short tour of the area around Dairy Queen, looking for a Chinese restaurant that people have talked about. While that search did not go well (it would be better if we remembered what the place was called), we took the time to pick up our treat from Dairy Queen before driving to Soldotna Creek Park to enjoy it.

Despite the calorie guilt, I'm glad we did it. It wasn't much of a date, but even small events can still feel special.
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Avoiding Topics

4/24/2018

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I've tried starting to post half a dozen times already today. Each time, I get a sentence (or in two cases, a paragraph) in and then stop. None of the topics on my mind seemed to fit. Several of them were controversial, and I really didn't have the energy to say what I wanted to properly. Some of them deal with future travel plans: a subject that should always be avoided on social media. One dealt with the upcoming Avengers movie (again), but I figured I needed to give at least a day between posting them. One dealt with someone else's personal matter which I know better than to post. The last couple dealt with video game feats that I have and haven't achieved, but even I wasn't really that interested in them.

Instead, I've written on a topic about not writing about topics. In some ways, I wish that I could just say what I was thinking without worrying about my audience. Then again, that is exactly how I have gotten myself in trouble on more than one occasion.

I suppose that sometimes discretion can be a good thing.
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Infinity Wars Incoming

4/23/2018

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With Avengers 3 coming to theaters this weekend, I figured it would be a good time to rewatch some of the pivotal films leading up to it. The three that I feel are the most necessary are Guardians of the Galaxy 1 and 2 and Thor: Ragnarok. A close fourth is Avengers 2, followed by Civil War. Certainly, there are other movies which have scenes or elements which lead in some way to this upcoming superhero extravaganza, but these are the ones that hit the main plot points.

The Guardians movies focus a great deal on Thanos. The first movie not only has Thanos as a direct character, but it includes the exposition from the Collector about the Infinity Stones. The second movie further cements Gamora and Nebula's issues with Thanos, which will certainly be brought up in the upcoming film. Meanwhile, Thor: Ragnarok has Thor lose his hammer, shows Loki near the Tesseract, and ends with Thanos' ship shadowing over Thor's.

The second Avengers brings the mind stone into play and establishes Vision as a character. It also includes Tony Stark's dream sequence which shows the Avengers in very bad shape in some other-worldly setting. To top it off, Civil War puts the rest of our characters in their positions for the start of this next movie.

So far, we've just watched the first Guardians movie. I have to say, not only is it my favorite of the MCU movies, it's one of my favorite movies of all time. It hits all of the right buttons for me, enough that I can ignore some of the obvious plot holes. Considering it actually shows an infinity stone in action, I would say that it is the movie to see if you can only see one before the new film.
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Fourth Sunday of Easter

4/22/2018

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Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He literally laid down His life to protect His flock. He did not claim to be our shepherd for wealth or fame, but out of love for us.

This is unlike the many other elements in our life that promise us happiness or protection. All such promises are temporary at best. Many are motivated by greed and do not bring us what was promised.

I find myself guilty of these false promises from time to time. I would like to protect my children and my students from the awful parts of the world. I would like to guarantee their happiness. Unfortunately, as much as I would like to solve their problems, I have limited abilities to do so. Worse, my own selfish desires often get in the way.

Thankfully, Jesus is better at His job than I am.
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Anchorage

4/21/2018

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I love the drive up to Anchorage and back. The mountains are absolutely gorgeous, and as long as the weather and traffic are cooperating, the drive actually relaxes me. Today was no exception. Actually, because we headed back home a bit sooner than expected, the drive was even more enjoyable as I was not driving in the dark.

I also envy the people who live in Anchorage and their proximity to the mountains. I was in awe of the view from a spot as mundane as the JC Penny parking garage. I hope that the those who live there do not take their surroundings for granted.

That said, I'm also glad I don't live there. Anchorage is a city with too many people living too close together for my comfort. As much as I enjoy my trips up to Anchorage and back, driving in Anchorage reminds me too much of traffic I left behind in the Lower 48.

Still, it's nice to stop by every once and a while, even if it is just for a Costco run and to pick up a suit for Rowen's upcoming First Eucharist.
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Day Off

4/20/2018

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I'm going to just brush right past the fact that our school district gave us today, 4/20, off. Let's just say that the day did not go as I planned. I don't want to spend a great deal of time reliving it as I'm going to be driving for a good portion of the day tomorrow and I want to go to sleep. Let's just say that it involved calling Steam on Wheels and then the only septic pumping company on the peninsula. It also involved, for a completely unrelated reason, a lot of towels and my personal plumbing skills.

These emergencies changed up my day quite a bit. For example, rather than get ahead on my Walden coursework, I just slid my posts in under the deadline a few minutes ago. I suppose I should be grateful that I had this day off when I did. While I don't like things going wrong, it was better that they did so on a day that I had off (and without requiring weekend prices) than one where I was not at home.

Still, I need a break from my day off.
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Caught Up

4/19/2018

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For a brief moment towards the end of my prep period, I was finally caught up on all of my grading in my classes. It was a wonderful feeling. There had been a group of essays that had been hanging around my neck for a little while. Having that weight drop off made me feel suddenly buoyant.

Sure, before my prep was done, a couple of students came in to drop off projects that they had done to make up for some of their low test scores. And sure, by the end of the day, even more had piled on. Still, that moment of being free was certainly uplifting. It was like a preview of my summer break.
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The Stranger

4/18/2018

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I barely recognize myself in the mirror these days. When it comes to video, I don't recognize myself at all. Between the change from how I think my voice sounds to seeing more of just a frontal view of my face, I am not the person that I mentally picture.

I remember when I had to tape myself while I was student teaching. The video was painful to watch. My overall physical appearance had changed so much since the last time I had seen a video of myself--especially in the weight category. Meanwhile, what I thought was a relaxed posture looked lazy to the point of slovenly. I shudder to think of it.

Since then, due to Skype and other video-calling, I have a bit better understanding of the appearance I present--I just don't recognize the stranger on the video.
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A New Perspective

4/17/2018

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I picked up my new glasses today and the world looks like a different place. As these are progressive lenses, even things right in front of my face look clearer than before. Considering that I've been needing to take off my glasses and playing telescope with my arm to read lately, this is a welcome change.

I have also noticed that my 3D vision is more acute. I believe that part of this is because of the way progressive lenses distort at the edges. This makes items that I focus on seem to pop out at me.

Unfortunately, those blurred edges also take some getting used to. I keep thinking that my glasses are smudged on the sides, and I have to get into the habit of turning my head more to look at things if I want to see them clearly. I also need to stop tilting my head as it gives me (at least, for now) a sort of motion sickness from the shifting angles.

Still, it's nice to see the world clearly again.
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