Scooter Chronicles

Last night (while watching the Oscars) I finished “Ship of Destiny” by Robin Hobb. This was the final book of her “Liveship Traders” trilogy.

The most important thing to say about this series is how well written it was. It continually flowed well, always keeping me interested. There weren’t any points that dragged. Very character driven. As a matter of fact, I have been reading about these characters for so long it is going to be hard to move onto others.

So much happened to these characters. They matured, or went through live changing events. Some fought to obtain their goals, with no ends, and didn’t...

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I watched a good portion of the Oscars last night. I don’t make a point of watching every year, but wanted to this year.

Hillary Swank won for Lead Actress. What?! She is 30 years old, and now has won TWO Oscars for lead! Is she really that good? (I confess that I have seen none of her movies ………. oh, except parts of “The New Karate Kid”.)

Jamie Foxx and Cate Blanchett both won Oscars for portraying famous entertainers. Foxx for Ray Charles in “Ray” and Blanchett for playing Katherine Hepburn in “The Aviator”. Who says you can’t win Oscars playing biographical roles?

Morgan Freeman FINALLY wins an Oscar!

Guess I need to see “Million...

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Last night Marcia and I watched the movie “Ray”. And I am sure that most know that Jamie Foxx who plays Ray Charles has been nominated (and probably win) the Oscar for Best Actor.

If anything, the movie is enlightening to know the story behind the legend. The fact that he was a heroine addict, then went through rehab, had an illegitment child mothered by one of his back-up singers. It shows just how much being a star puts you on a pedastal, because we the public don’t know what is really happening behind the scenes and in their privates lives.

It is a good movie. It gives you insight to what Charles went through. Even his childhood with...

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Marcia and I signed the lease today on the apartment. We came with a truck load of boxes (in my Cherokee). We brought most of the breakable stuff from the kitchen; glasses, dishes, more glasses, utensils, even more glasses.

Note to friends and relatives: DO NOT BUY US ANY GLASSES!

The place has less cabinet space. And they aren’t as deep. But that is the only down side to the place as far as space. We should still get everything from our three bedroom condo comfortably into the two bedroom apartment.

Andy and Yvonne hosted Pizza Night last night at Andy’s parents’ place. It is a very big and extremely nice house! Andy’s dad is a contractor, and they did a great job in custom designing their house.

Like usual we had a good time. Though lately Ryan is getting the most attention. There were some new faces there. A co-worker of Yvonne’s and her husband. And another woman and her daughter. I am not sure their connection, but it was good to see new people exposed to our “underground pizza movement.”

OK, so it really isn’t. Just sounded better that way.

I am usually listening to music about 4 to 5 hours a day. Maybe more. Depends on what is happening at work. But in the last month or more, a few albums have been getting heavy rotation in my CD player or on my computer at work.

Pat Metheny - “The Way Up” and “Imaginary Day”

Pat Metheny has been a favorite of mine since I first heard his work back in the very early 90’s. He is very eclectic with his work. Going from very melodic, almost boarding on what is called smooth jazz, to very progressive and even free jazz (which would sound like noise to most). More than likely, you have heard his music. Have you ever watched for the “Local Forecast’ on the Weather Channel?...

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My favorite home brewer has won more awards. Brian’s Fool Circle East Coast Pale Ale placed at the War of the Worts run by Victory Brew Pub. You can read about his awards and the contest on his web site post.

Today marks the 25th Anniversary of what is still considered (even by Canadians) as the biggest upset in the history of hockey. On February 22, 1980, the US hockey team defeated the Soviet Union 4-3 in the first game of the medal round during the Olympics in Lake Placid, New York.

This victory seemed to have done so many things. It popularized the sport here in the United States. Because of this victory, when the US won the 1996 World Cup, the “world championship” using NHL rules, it wasn’t a big surprise. The 1980 defeat of the Soviets also did quite a bit for a country’s morale. First there was the Cold War. This was also...

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Snowy Monday
Woke up this morning to about 4 to 5 inches. I knew this was coming, but it always seems to be a lousy way to start the week. Fortunately our condo association FINALLY got a snow removal contractor that does what they are paid to do, and promptly. We usually have to wait around a day or two before they would plow. Residents would get fed up and shovel the walks themselves. But this morning I woke up at 5:00 to the sound of plows. I peeked out and saw a plowed parking lot. Or at least what they could do without damaging parked cars. Figures that it happens now, after two years of complaining, since we are moving in two weeks.

Daytona 500 and Basketball
I...

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Don’t you just love how somebody spouts off, saying they know something, and you trust them because they are very close to the subject? And don’t you just love the media for letting the public know everything they find out? Especially if it sounds like a story and they want to beat the other at reporting it first?

The phrase, “A deal is imminent” was used a lot yesterday. And it was untrue. The two sides talked for 6 1/2 hours yesterday. At the end of it, they were no closer to a deal. And no new talks are scheduled. Again, this seemed aimed at saving the season, and it’s a shame. They should be worried about saving the league, the players’ jobs, and the sport itself. They should be talking...

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