Blog Archives - The Land of the Weird

The Land of the Weird

Watches

7/31/2019

I remember being extremely excited when I got my first watch. It was as though it gave me some sort power and prestige. I would check it constantly, often informing those around me of the time even if they had not given me any indication that they wanted to know.

In middle school, I would get one of my favorite watches ever as a birthday present. It was a "gold" Transformer watch that was also a calculator. Despite it being way too large to be practical, I wore it continually. Even after the band broke, I would carry him around, using his limited movement to turn him into a "spaceship" and back.

Recently, Connor and Rowen have been pressuring me to get them watches. I caved last week, but discovered that Freddy's no longer carries watches (other than FitBits). As we were headed to Anchorage on Monday anyway, we decided to wait until then. Rowen and I didn't find any kid-sized watches, but there were a couple of relatively inexpensive mens' watches at Target. Rowen picked a black one, and we then picked our another one with red highlights for Connor.

I set the watch right away, and Rowen promptly started reminding us of the time every 5-10 minutes. Even though the watch has to fit a bit high on his forearm, he is tremendously proud of it, much like I was at that age. Amusingly, Connor started doing the exact same thing the following day. Even today, when one would say the time, the other one would check his watch and verbally confirm that the correct time was given.

For me, I now have a FitBit (with a magnetic band) that gives me notifications from my phone, so I end up looking at it often. As it tracks my sleep patterns, I don't take mine off unless I'm showering or it needs to charge. I suppose that I still feel the pride, power, and prestige of owning and wearing a watch.

Jury Duty

7/30/2019

Janelle and I were called up for jury duty today. It was an enlightening, if dull experience. One thing I certainly learned is that I should not try to represent myself. It was clear that the defendant did not know what he was doing, and while I do not know much about the case itself, the way he stumbled through the proceedings was not going to help him.

The experience was better than I thought it was going to be, but it was still a LOT of wasted time. I was up by the jury box and, surprisingly, was not one of the first dismissed. However, I ended up being just short of being chosen as well. I would still like to serve on a jury at some point, and this week would not have been a bad time to have to sit on one.

Aside from Janelle, I knew a number of other people who were called in for duty today. Among them was a friend and coworker, a former student, parents of former students, members of my church, and my boss. This helped the hours that we were waiting pass by more quickly, as I had several lively and interesting conversations.

Despite my wanting to be on a jury at some time, it's nice being free of jury duty at this point. This way I don't have to reschedule tomorrow's Marvel movie marathon, and Trevor doesn't have to changeover the cabin on his own. It will certainly make life a bit easier.

R.I.P. Satin

7/29/2019

Our nearly 18 year old kitten passed away today. I've always thought of her as our kitten as she was the youngest of our cats. Our girls found her at our doorstep just before Thanksgiving nearly 18 years ago and begged us to keep her. As we already had two young cats, we were a little concerned about the menagerie we were building, but we brought her in anyway.

Satin was quite soft--hence her name--and entirely black. Although there are a number of superstitious people who believe black cats are bad luck (I believe this is due to the number of people who have taken nighttime bathroom breaks and have tripped on black cats), Satin has been a blessing for us. While she was a bit of a recluse (probably in deference to her feral first month or so of life), she was also quite loving. She would hop on Janelle's lap or mine almost every evening after the children had been put to bed.

She's been showing her age this past year, but she really started acting strangely yesterday. She kept trying to hide in hard-to-reach places (including behind the dryer, behind the dogs' kennels, and into one of our trash bins). When removed, she would wander around aimlessly, sometimes directly into walls. On a couple of occasions, she walked directly into corners and just sat there as though she had done something wrong.

Janelle, Rowen, and I were on our way back from our trip to Anchorage today when Trevor called us to tell us that Satin had passed away. She had started walking even more strangely, so he had picked her up and was petting her when she finally passed away. We buried her this evening once we finally made it home.

The Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time [controversial]

7/28/2019

In today's first reading, Abraham persuades God to save the city of Sodom if He can find just 10 innocent people among them (spoiler alert: He doesn't). While the writers of the time treat this story like many other mythological tales where a wiley human outthinks a god, I feel that this event was not about Abraham convincing God, but God leading Abraham to the concept of mercy. Although the reading was chosen to demonstrate the importance of persistence in approaching God, I feel that it also speaks to us about the dangers of condemning the innocent with the guilty. Ironically, many people today seem to take the opposite approach of Abraham--they tend to condemn a large group of people due to the acts of a few.

In the Gospel, Jesus teaches his disciples the Lord's Prayer and then talks about the importance of persistence. He tells of the man who goes to his neighbor after midnight, asking for bread due to unexpected visitors. The neighbor is comfortable where he is and wants to turn his friend away. Yet Jesus says that the request will be fulfilled. This leads to Jesus' famous commentary about seeking and finding, knocking and doors opening. Again, I feel that many people today are more about hoarding what they have and turning others away. They miss out on the idea that we are called to share, and in sharing we become more than we were.

There has been a great deal of ugly talk in our world lately. The focus has been on turning away the others, on how the others are trying to take what we have. I've even seen those who I know to be good people--albeit with some misguided beliefs--join in this hatred, malice, and spite. Jesus asks, "What father among you would hand his son a snake
when he asks for a fish? \ Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg?" We have people coming here and asking for freedom and we put them in cages. They ask for a better life for their children, and we take their children away--and cage them too. America is supposed to be the beacon of light to the world, and there are those that want to shutter it behind a wall, all for the sake of a fear of the few.

Stranger Things - Season 3

7/27/2019

I have yet to be disappointed by a single episode of this series. Although this most recent season tended to rely a little more on stereotypes and unbelievable situations, it still provided an amazing story and wonderful character development. It also seemed to "up" the gore factor--which I could do without.

I cannot recommend this series enough. All three seasons have had intricate plots, internally consistent mysteries, and characters you want to cheer for. It also tends to play on my emotions. It is not, however, kid appropriate--there are some genuinely terrifying moments, and the aforementioned gore.

The third season moves logically from the previous ones. The Goonies-like pack of friends is getting older and dealing with their changing relationships while their older siblings are dealing with issues that new adults face. Meanwhile, the terror that lurks in Hawkins begins a new, deeply disturbing, plan.

Oddly, my favorite parts of the show are not the main set-piece moments (although those are awesome), but the quiet moments where the characters bicker and bond with one another. Like season 2, a couple of new characters get some time in the spotlight, and they each add new layers to the overall group dynamics. They are certainly set up for season 4, and I again find myself waiting eagerly for them to start production so I can binge watch that one too.

Computer Repair

7/26/2019

My daughter's computer no longer identified its AC adapter which made it so it ran at a lower power level (and thus poorer performance) and could not charge its battery. As it was past the four-year mark (which is often when computers get upgraded) anyway, she sent it up with my parents so Connor could use it while she got a new one for herself. The computer Connor had been using had a Vista operating system which was no longer supported by anything ... including the games he liked to play from Steam, so he was really eager to get it.

While he liked the new laptop, he did not like that it's power issue made it so games such as Overwatch (which had run on it previously) could no longer run on it. He asked if I could fix it, so I turned to the Internet. We initially tried getting a new AC adapter as that was recommended as the first thing to try. Regrettably, shipping took quite a while, which only lead to even greater disappointment when the new adapter didn't solve the problem when it finally arrived. We tried a couple of other options on the list, but it looked like the problem was that the DC power jack was broken and would need to be replaced.

Unfortunately, replacing this part means really taking the laptop apart--far past the normal kinds of upgrades that I've done with laptops before. It also runs the risk of frying the entire computer if done wrong (which is true for a lot of internal electronic repair, but some of the warnings I read were quite dire). On asking around, I discovered that the computer repair places in our area wanted at least $200 to fix this issue (online, places were advertising a fix for $70, but this is Alaska).

As the part costs less than $10, I decided to risk it and try the repair on my own. I chatted with a Dell representative (it's an Alienware laptop) to make certain I ordered the correct part. It arrived today (MUCH faster than the AC adapter did), and both Connor and I were equally eager to see if this would work. Using a YouTube video as a guide, I took the laptop apart, replaced the broken piece (looking at the new part, the old one was clearly broken), and put the laptop back together.

When we tested it, we found that it still wasn't working. However, this time the error message was different. It turns out that the AC adapter that I ordered was the wrong wattage (I really thought I had the right one). Thankfully, we still had the original one and plugged it in instead.

The laptop is now running smoothly, and Connor thinks that I can fix anything. I'm just glad I didn't fry the machine.

Shazam!

7/25/2019

I was not expecting much from this movie, but I expected the younger boys--particularly Rowen--to like it. I ended up liking it quite a bit as well. For a DC movie, it was quite a bit more light-hearted with a definite family-oriented message.

That's not to say it did not have issues. The movie was designed to keep Trevor out of the room as scene after scene was loaded with embarrassing aspects. Meanwhile, Rowen had some issues with how scary the bad guy was, but he still said he loved the movie. For me, aside from a few story quibbles, my big issue was the costuming. I love Zachary Levi, but his suit--as well as Djimon Hounsou's outfit, especially the wig--bothered me every time I saw them.

As for Connor, he loved the movie and said it is one of his favorites. The movie was a great deal of fun to watch, with some good character development and a solid message. I've not been a fan of Shazam (or Captain Marvel) in the comics, but the movie did a good job of making a relatable superhero that I would like to see more of. Hopefully, this is where DC starts to turn the tide again in its films.

Summer Crud

7/24/2019

I have not been able to completely kick this bug that I got towards the end of Connor's summer camp. In fact, my cough took a sudden jump in the wrong direction today. While I've been having a bit of a cough since I caught the initial cold, coughing went from being an irritant to actually painful today. Connor is also dealing with it and noted that it seemed to get worse recently for him as well.

The thing is that I don't really feel sick. Rather, it feels like I have a bit of crud that I can't quite cough out of my system. Certainly the smoke from the fires--although I haven't noticed it lately--didn't help.

I should also note that this sort of upper respiratory inflammation and cough is working on my imagination as well. I can almost feel the alien infestation working its way through my body. ... This is probably not the best time to be watching Stranger Things. [Who am I kidding? I'd watch Stranger Things on my deathbed.]

I have a routine doctor's appointment on Friday, so I can ask her about it then. I just want it to go away.

Outlander TV Series

7/23/2019

Janelle and I recently finished the fourth season of the Outlander TV show. It is not family-friendly television as the writers seem to love have the main leads take their clothes off, or have other people take their clothes off, etc. Still, it takes the interesting premise from the books--a nurse from England in the 1940s thrown back in time to the 1740s in Scotland--and gives it an astounding production value.

I've certainly learned areas of history that I had not been versed in before. The first two seasons focus on the failed rebellion of Scotland's Bonnie Prince Charlie, an era that I only knew a song about before. While the characters meet a few historically famous people, I'm particularly intrigued with how the show (and the novels) show the day-to-day life of regular people.

The show deviates from the books, yet stays remarkably faithful to them as well, as the best adaptations do. In some cases the show changes parts that were not quite believable in the books. Oddly, it also occasionally makes less believable changes as well.

The show is well done, with good writing, great acting, and fantastic sets and costumes. It been a good show to watch as a couple. I don't think that I'd want to see it around my kids ... or my parents.

Grandpa Marks

7/22/2019

I've been sitting on this news for a while, and I've been about ready to burst. Katrina and Peter are looking forward to the arrival of their first child this January. Janelle and I are overflowing with joy.

I know that a lot of men are not eager to become a grandpa. I know that many have concerns about feeling old. I simply do not feel that. Instead, I am full of eager expectation. I cannot wait to meet my grandchild.

The biggest issue is the distance between us. While we will do everything to make certain that Janelle is with Katrina (and I suppose Peter too) when the baby is due, it's considerably less certain when the boys and I will be able to meet the newest member to our family. I am know that we will work something out.

The Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

7/21/2019

Our new pastor's homily today focused on the ideas of hospitality, contemplation, and labor. Both today's first reading and the Gospel dealt with the idea of hospitality, but they did so in very different ways.

In the reading from Genesis, Abraham welcomes his guests, and treats them to the very best. For his generous hospitality, he and Sarah are rewarded. This indicates that God is pleased when we treat others well.

Our pastor noted a contrast between that message and the story from the Gospel. In it, Martha has been working hard to be the perfect host to her guests, but when she asks Jesus to get her sister to help, He gently rebukes her. Being in God's presence seems to trump any physical labor that we might do. Our pastor emphasized that doing honest labor is very much a part of our existence and that it can certainly be a part of a holy life, as long as it doesn't get in the way of our connection with God.

I'm certain that there is a middle ground. I believe that one needs to be a part of the world while still recognizing the greatness that lies beyond our perception. I believe that we can devote ourselves to God and still be connected to the world around us. In fact, I believe that we find God through our day to day acts, and that by seeking God, we better understand everything around us.

Missing Post [to make up for 7/19/2019]

7/20/2019

I did not publish a blog yesterday. Prior to heading off to the campout, I began work on a blog entry but did not have a chance to finish it before heading out. I thought about posting about the camp in two entries (which would have been fine considering its length), but it didn't seem right when I went to put it on my website. Now, I do not have the drive to finish the post that I started yesterday, yet I still want to fill the void of the missing daily entry.

There's no reason for me to publish something for every day of the year. In fact, there have been a few days that I have skipped entirely due to traveling or illness (although not any yet this year). Also, I tend to put out other pithy comments on Facebook that I could certainly copy over to my blog (as opposed to how I copy my blog to Facebook), including a couple yesterday.

The truth is that I always liked the concept of keeping a journal, but I was terrible at it. It wasn't until I gave myself the Lenten challenge back in 2014 of writing a post every day that I actually managed to stick to the idea. Since then, I have only skipped a few days, and always with a feeling of regret. Thus, I try to come up with something every day that can "count" as an actual journal entry ... including this one that attempts to make up for my missing post.

Spirit Lake

7/20/2019

Our troop had a campout at Spirit Lake to give the scouts another night of camping as well experience pitching tents. The lake was amazingly clear, and a cool breeze helped to dissipate the otherwise hot (by our standards here) day. Connor was upset that he did not being a swimsuit, as he said the water was warm, but then decided to swim anyway as he had another change of clothes.

Wildlife was also appreciating the area. Soon after dinner, the boys said they saw a couple of moose swimming in the lake. When I went down, I saw a large shape that was not moving like a moose. It took me a little bit to realize that it was a brown bear ... and the reason the moose were in the lake.

Now, this is the second bear that I have seen in little over a week, but this one was heading our way. It prowled back and forth on the far shore for a while before heading back inland. I think our group of boys were a bit too loud for it. Thankfully, it did not visit us during the night.

I slept fairly well once I could get myself to ignore the continual buzzing that was coming for insects outside of the tent. In the morning I realized that we must have pitched our tent with a beehive nearby. I could hear the hum from it and saw over a dozen bees on the clover near our tent.

The boys spent most of their time on the lake. There was a float which they could all fit on, and they delighted figuring out different ways to push each other off into the lake. Only a couple of the boys brought swimsuits, so most of them were out in their wet jeans.

The lake itself was astoundingly clear. Not only could I see the bottom, but I even watched as a fish swam out from under the dock, jumped out of the water to attack a swarm of insects, and retreated back to its hiding spot. A couple of the boys brought poles and tried their hands at fishing, but watched helplessly as the fish they could see just swam around their lures.

Most frustratingly, there was no cell service in camp. I could walk out onto the dock and get a partial bar of weak signal, but not enough to do much more than send and receive texts. Instead I had to [shudder] sit quietly in nature or talk with the people around me. Thankfully, I had a book.

Cracked No More

7/18/2019

A few winters ago we had a week of very cold temperatures. It was cold enough that the drain pipes from our cabin froze. However, the surprising consequence was that it was cold enough to put a crack in my windshield.

My car had been out in the school lot all day, and its windshield was crack free when I drove it home and parked it in my heated garage. The next morning, there was a single line in the middle of the windshield. My theory is that it had been weakened due to gravel strikes which had not left a mark, but the temperature difference was enough strain to leave its mark.

Over the years, the line (which was too large for a quick fix from the beginning) slowly grew, bending a bit at a couple of points. It was something that was easy to put off. I finally decided to get the windshield replaced, and did so today.

Driving home, it felt like something was missing. That crack had been in my view for so long that I almost missed having it there. Almost. I also revelled in the amazingly unobstructed view that I now had when driving home. Although it may take a little while to get used to, the crack was a distraction, and I am glad to no longer be impeded by it.

I cannot help but feel that there's an analogy here, but I think I will let it pass.