Blog Archives - The Land of the Weird

The Land of the Weird

The End of 2019

12/31/2019

I have mixed feelings about this past year.

Deeply tragic events hit me, my family, and my community pretty hard as young lives (and the life of an old friend) were ended all too soon. My own mental and physical health has taken a significant hit from the positive trends I had built in previous years. We had months of smoke and threatening fire. I was hours away from going on a strike--which had taken a great deal of my time and energy in my preparations for it. I've started "unfollowing" a growing number of people I care about to keep their toxicity and propaganda from filling my social feed, but this has only increased the "echo-chamber" of what I now see.

However, there have been positive sides as well. I've been working with an outstanding student teacher who has not only helped me in the classroom, but has helped me remember why I do what I do for a living. We have a wonderful exchange student from France who has brightened our house. I finally had my prospectus accepted. I had the opportunity to revisit Fairbanks with my daughter and sons. I helped coordinate a successful prom. I went on two separate summer camps and got to spend time with my younger sons. I got to reconnect with my AP World History friends and explore Kansas City, MO.

There's more for both the good and the bad, but I need to cut this short and get ready for our celebrations that ring in the new year. I pray that 2020 builds on the positives of this past year and avoids more of the negatives. Have a happy and safe New Year!

The Rise of Skywalker (spoilers)

12/30/2019

On Sunday, I watched the latest Star Wars movie for the second time. After I first watched it, I held my Star Wars movie marathon, and spent the time looking for possible connections with the earlier movies. Watching the new movie for a second time allowed me to notice a few things that I had missed before. I'm about to move into spoiler territory; if you wish to avoid knowing another more before seeing the movie, you should probably stop reading now.

...

...

Okay, I want to preface this by saying that this would have probably been a much better movie had Carrie Fisher not died before filming started. While many critics have complained that there was not a plan to this new trilogy, I really feel like I saw one as I watched the movies together. Although the trilogy certainly focuses on the new characters of Kylo Ren (or Ben Solo), Rey, Finn, and Poe, each movie was also clearly focused on one of the three principal characters from the original trilogy. The first movie had the spotlight on Han, the second on Luke, and the third on Leia. Had Carrie Fisher been alive, I believe that the focus on her would have been considerably greater and would have filled what otherwise seem to be plot holes in this film. Just as the death of Heath Ledger likely changed the end of Nolan's Batman trilogy, Carrie Fisher's death certainly changed the route of the story, which clearly required a great deal of rewriting and patchwork plot points stitched together by archival footage and CGI.

While I wonder what might have been, the movie does bring in a number of references from the previous films, some obvious, some less so. The first is the Emperor. Although it would have been better if he had a part to play in the previous two films (or better yet, if it turned out that Snoke actually was still alive and had been behind the scenes the entire time as Darth Plagueis), bringing in Palpatine as the Big Bad at the end certainly ties the movie to the rest of the franchise. To further reinforce this connection, he continually uses his famous "Good ... good ..." catchphrase and even directly references himself from The Revenge of the Sith when he says that the dark side leads to powers others would consider unnatural. The biggest connection is that Palpatine finally explains a part of Return of the Jedi that always bothered me. I never got why he wanted Luke to kill him so bad, but it turns out that, if Luke (or Rey) were to kill him out of hatred, he could use that connection to spiritually possess him (or her).

Other connections include C-3PO's use of the phrase "This is madness" and his penchant for telling people the odds (which Rey uses to convince him to participate in the memory wipe). There was Rey's training course which seemed to include elements from Luke's trainings with both Obi-Wan and Yoda. Later, Rey's jump onto the Millennium Falcon from Kylo's Star Destroyer seemed to reference Luke's fall in Bespin, Qui-Gon's jump onto the Naboo Starship in mid-flight, and even the Rogue One scene where an engine blast cleared people from a deck. I also felt that Finn's rope trick on the treaded speeder was almost a direct callback to the Ewok rope trick on a speeder bike in Return of the Jedi. Wedge's appearance on the ventral gun of the Falcon was nice, if all too brief. I also greatly enjoyed seeing Chewie finally get the medal that was denied him in the original movie (although why he got one here at this point is unclear--likely another lapse due to Carrie Fisher's passing). And of course, the movie also had Rey looking at the twin suns set on Tatooine--a scene included somewhere in each trilogy.

However, my favorite callback was probably the Jedi voices who finally speak to Rey in her confrontation with her grandfather: Pap-Pap Palpatine (again, a reveal that should have been in one of the previous movies if they really wanted to show a connection to the Emperor throughout the entire series). On my own, I recognized the voices of Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan (both Alec Guinness and Ewan McGregor), Anakin, Yoda, Mace Windu, and Luke. I've since learned that it also included voices from the animated Clone Wars and Rebels (which I have not seen).

I am still left with a number of questions after this movie (no, one of them was not "What did Finn want to tell Rey?" as it was clear he wanted to tell her that he had become Force sensitive). I also did not think it had any truly iconic moments or lines. However, all of my sons greatly enjoyed it, and that is what Star Wars has always been about for me: it gives us a mythical story from a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

12/29/2019

Today, the readings and homily dealt with the concept of family. On this celebration of the Holy Family, we are not only to reflect on the relationships within our own families, but our relationships with our human family. Are we treating those around us with compassion and respect? Are we trying to connect with one another? What have we done lately to build relationships rather than tear them apart?

In his homily, our visiting priest told us that our standard of living has risen substantially over the years, but our standard for respect and understanding has been diminishing. Our current cultural climate has been of division rather than just disagreement. Much of our nation has abandoned respectful dialogue and discussion. We have forgotten that the world works better when we work together.

We are all one family. We need to protect and support each other, whether old or young, whether well or ill, whether weak or strong. We need to rebuild our culture with love, compassion, charity, respect, and hope.

The Expanse - Season 4 (slight spoilers)

12/28/2019

While this latest season was not quite at the same level as previous seasons in regards to its overall plot (which seemed a bit scattered), the character growth and eventual payoff were certainly worth it. It still managed to do what it does best: provide realistic science fiction with believable characters in believable situations who are still taking heroic action. The story is compelling and certainly sets up for future seasons.

There aren't any episodes this season that absolutely blew me away like the fifth episode of Season 2 or the middle of Season 3, but I wasn't able to stop at the second-to-last episode (we otherwise managed to keep our viewing to only one episode an evening). This entire season was at a slower pace than the previous ones. However, I am still left with a lot of questions, especially for a couple of plot holes that are bothering me. Still, I'm glad that they are clearly going for at least another season.

For those who haven't watched it, I cannot recommend it enough. It definitely has adult content (nudity, violence, language, intense and even frightening situations, etc.), but not on the level of Game of Thrones or even Outlander. More importantly, that adult content is not used haphazardly, with the consequences of people's decisions and actions being a centerpoint of the show.

I'm glad that good science fiction series are being made. Now I just need to see this "Mandalorian" that everyone is raving about.

In My Pocket

12/27/2019

Every once and a while I do something that brings the size of modern data storage into view. I distinctly remember one day over twenty years ago when I was walking from the library to the computer lab at Spring Arbor University. I had a 3.5 inch floppy disk in my hand that held every piece of writing I had done in the past 5 years plus an array of pictures that I was using for a presentation that day.

I stopped for a moment and looked at the red plastic square and was temporarily in stunned awe at what I was holding. So many hours (days even) of work were encoded on a flimsy circle of magnetic tape protected by a small amount of plastic and a metal plate. All of it could fit in my pocket.

Today, I finally spent some time organizing my music--every CD that I own plus downloaded album--and putting it on my phone. I now carry over 8,000 songs plus all of the pictures I have taken in the past four years, and I've only used up about a quarter of the storage available on my phone. I still remember burning mixed CDs from my collection; now, it's all right here, stored on a device not that much larger than that floppy disk that amazed me two decades ago.

I am humbled by the power that we so casually use every day.

Icy Frustration

12/26/2019

Our drainage pipe started to backflow into our utility room while I was doing the dishes today. I went and checked the septic tank and found it nearly filled (we last had it emptied in March of 2018, but we've had a strange couple of months that have really saturated the area). To my knowledge, there is only one septic pumping company here. They came out and could not pump the entire tank as an ice block had developed. They were only able to pump out about 300 gallons--a stop-gap measure.

I could not get in contact of Steam On Wheels--who we usually use for any type of pipe freezing problem. I've been told that they have been quite busy this past week. With temperatures dropping below zero for the next couple of weeks, I imagine that they will only get busier.

I know that part of the problem is that the leach field installed by the previous owners just before we bought the house was done poorly (the company that did it is no longer in business). However, we have not had this kind of problem before in the winter. This is usually an issue at break-up. We will need to do something about this in the future, but it is a massive expense.

For now, we need to find some way to melt or remove that ice blockage. I'm hoping to get in touch with Steam On Wheels tomorrow, and am not sure what to do if I don't.

Christmas 2019

12/25/2019

Holding to our stipulation that no one wake us up until at least 7am, the boys patiently waited until 7:05 to make a ton of noise. By the time I got out to the dining room, everyone was examining the contents of their Christmas stockings and the boys had already put their LEGO minifigs together. Janelle made sweet rolls (some cinnamon and some orange) and coffee which we took upstairs to consume while we attacked the mounds of presents that awaited.

Everyone seemed quite satisfied with their gifts. Immediately, people went to work on putting together their LEGOs, trying to connect a tremendously stubborn Google Home speaker, and getting ready for the rest of the day. I headed off to sing at the morning mass while Janelle and Z (Trevor's girlfriend ... yes, he has a girlfriend) worked at preparing our Christmas dinner.

The meal was amazing with a large amount of clean-up that I have decided to put off until tomorrow. Same with the snow shovelling as we were blessed with another couple of inches of that white and fluffy wonder. There are a number of items still on my list to do for tomorrow.

But for today, we relaxed and enjoyed the day and being with one another. We watched and enjoyed the Downton Abbey movie (which Janelle had seen, but I had not) and an episode of the Expanse (such a great show), as well partook of some of Janelle's famously good dark chocolate meringue pie. All in all, a very pleasant Christmas.

Christmas Eve 2019

12/24/2019

I think that we are just about ready. The presents are wrapped (and there are a LOT of them); the stockings are stuffed; the pies are made; the wise men have been moved (not to the manger yet--that's a couple weeks away--but they're on their way); and snow has arrived. Meanwhile, I felt a wave of peace flow through me during the end of the nighttime mass.

The church looks great! The children's choir--although squirrelly--performed well and with enthusiasm at their mass. Later, the adult choir did a fantastic job with the music both before and during the nighttime mass. Everything seemed to come together for a perfect offertory of our voices on this holy night.

Jesus' birth rocked the world, but few people noticed it at the time. Such a small and personal event eventually changed the course of history. It makes me wonder what small things I can do in my own life to make the world better.

Merry Christmas!

46th Birthday

12/23/2019

Thank you, all of you who sent messages or positive thoughts out my way for my birthday. I feel very blessed this year with all of the well-wishing, calls, emails, messages, and visits I received for this day-and-a-half birthday/movie marathon. I think I will keep my marathons more limited in the future, but I still really enjoyed the entire experience.

Watching the Star Wars series was a blast this year. This was especially true with Rowen who did not remember, but really enjoyed, the prequels. He didn't sit through all of the movies, but would often run off to play with Star Wars toys, or bring in lightsabers and blasters to make the movies more interactive.

I actually enjoyed the prequels more this time around. I suppose that I've given up a bit of the toxic "it-could-have-beens" and started to accept the movies for what they are. I think part of that might be watching just how destructive "fans" have been online and some of the results of such bile. Sure, there are still some parts that are coarse, and rough, and irritating ... but it's not like they get everywhere.

I also absolutely loved watching the newer parts of the franchise from Disney. I think that The Force Awakens in particular might have moved up a step or two into my favorite movies of the series. In truth, I'm having difficulty ranking them at the moment.

I was also struck by just how insidious Darth Sidious truly is. The guy has wormed his way into absolutely everything. He runs the Senate and the Courts. He leads the fight against corruption and is the corruption. He is behind the Trade Federation and behind sending the people to stop the Trade Federation. He is part of the political faction against raising an army and supports raising the army. He leads both the Republic and the Separatists who are fighting the Republic. Even when Emperor, he is behind Darth Maul who is leading the Crimson Dawn, a crime syndicate that steals from the Empire. Palpatine really does play all sides masterfully.

I noted a number of tie-ins between these movies and the recently released The Rise of Skywalker, making me want to see that movie again soon (which has been part of the plan). I still have to write my observations about that film, but I think that I will wait until I see it again.

Star Wars has always been a big part of my identity, so watching it this way on my birthday seemed quite fitting. It did help me feel a bit younger for the time being.

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

12/22/2019

This was it, the final Sunday in preparation for Christmas. Today's readings fortel the coming of the Messiah, discuss the fulfillment of those promises, and start the Christmas story with Joseph discovering that Mary was pregnant. The happy occasion is just about here. Are we ready for it?

I'm not. As much as I have been looking forward to this break, it is here all too soon. Normal Christmas preparations aside, I don't feel spiritually prepared either. Yes, I did celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation just a couple of weeks ago, but I still feel a disconnect between myself and the "reason for the season." Too many worldly concerns are loading my mind and filling my thoughts, often clouding the prayer time that I've been trying to take.

I know that God is always receptive, so the block in our connection must be on my end. I can feel it there, that sense of unworthiness, wordly stresses, and personal frustrations that often clogs my communication with anyone. I have to let it release and open myself to God and His will. This means focusing on what is important in my life and letting the clutter fall away. It's easier said than done.

However, just writing about it has helped a bit.

Anchorage and Back

12/21/2019

We has a great trip to Anchorage to meet up with long-time friends. The drive was beautiful and remarkably smooth with the exception of one bizarre driver in Cooper Landing. I’m too tired to post more than that.

Christmas Songs

12/20/2019

I've had a number of people recently ask that I record the two Christmas parody songs that I like to perform. I can't imbed the video on my site directly at this time, so I have hyperlinked the titles to the YouTube uploads I created. A word of warning, these songs include Santa endangerment.

The first is "The Kidnapping of Santa Claus" by Joel Lounds and myself, written a couple of decades ago.

The second is the single verse of "Up on the Hilltop" that I wrote a year later. I'm certain that if I had Joel's help, we could have had Santa come out of this situation in later verses. However, the ones that I wrote just didn't work.

Anticipation

12/19/2019

I won't be able to post later today as I will be watching The Rise of Skywalker well past a time that is beneficial for my health. I would like to say that I have stayed away from leaks or reviews so I can look at the movie with fresh eyes, but I have not made "good" choices in that regard. I am still quite excited about getting to see it tonight.

I am also excited for the end of the semester tomorrow. With the help of my student teacher, I've been clearing folders of last-minute student work. I'm down to just one left as well as the exams that were taken today. This has been a more stressful semester than I had imagined (and "I can imagine quite a bit" ... I could have stopped myself, but I didn't want to).

Saturday brings a trip to Anchorage that I've been looking forward to for a while now. Sunday is then the beginning of my two-ish day Star Wars movie marathon which includes my birthday. I've been receiving indications that I will want to see them all again after seeing tonight's movie.

Tuesday is then Christmas Eve with both the children's choir mass and the later mass with the adult choir. I love the Christmas masses, which is a good thing since I will also be going to the Christmas morning mass to provide singing support. This season is so uplifting.

Sure, the next few days are a bit packed, but they will certainly be worth it.

More on Impeachment [slightly more controversial than my previous post on this topic]

12/18/2019

The House voted (largely along party lines) to impeach President Trump today. While I doubt that the day itself will be long remembered, the event will almost certainly be in history textbooks of the future. I doubt that the fact that he is the first elected [note: elected, Johnson was elevated to the Presidency due to the assassination of Lincoln] President to be impeached during his first term [note: first term, Bill Clinton was in his second] will be of historical significance, but one never knows what history finds interesting.

In the future, teachers will certainly have to again explain the difference between impeachment and removal from office. Even now, people seem to be quite confused by the subject, despite there being a great deal written about it lately. To clarify, impeachment is a process where the Senate examines the charges brought against a President by the House. The Senate can call forth its own witnesses, examine evidence, deliberate, and then vote on the matter. Think of it like the difference between a grand jury and a criminal court. The House is like the grand jury, which examines the evidence to see if there is enough for the case to be brought to trial. The Senate then holds the actual trial.

Unlike criminal trials, the Senate acts as judge, prosecutor, defence, and jury. While jury trials usually require a unanimous decision and Supreme Court trials require a simple minority for conviction, impeachments cut the difference, requiring a supermajority (in this case 67 senators would be required) to remove the President from office. This is unlikely to happen in this case as Republicans currently hold 53 of the seats in the Senate. On an interesting side note, impeachment and removal do not, by themselves, disqualify the person removed from being voted into office again. That requires a second vote in the Senate (this time a simple majority) to bar a person from serving in office (elected or appointed) again.

It also should be noted that removing President Trump from office (let alone impeaching him) does not "undo the last election." Following the rules of succession, Vice President Pence would be elevated to the Presidency. Should that be the case (in the extremely unlikely event that the Senate votes for removal), it would be unsurprising to see Pence then pardon Trump of all charges like Ford did with Nixon (who was not impeached, but resigned before the vote for impeachment was held). Interestingly, should Trump not be removed and then a Democrat be elected President in the upcoming election (and thus, no pardon), there is a high probability that Trump could then face criminal charges for some of the actions he is being accused of doing.

As I said, this is a historic event, but it will certainly not be limited to a just day.