The Big 1o Network was added to our cable package this year, so needless to say I've been pretty jazzed about the new opportunities to watch some Iowa Hawkeye football. As it turned out last weekend, the team had a few opportunities of their own, so the highlight of the afternoon for me ended up being this silly Big 10 commercial.
For the most part, all of the coaches are half committed at best to their acting roles, because after all, they're football coaches first and public spokespeople second. But there's one coach who steals the show. JoePa.
How can an 81 year old man continue to motivate players and win bowl games you ask? After seeing how hot the fire still burns in this guy you might just find yourself going to Penn State.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
A Trip to the Farm
Jodi's Aunt and Uncle Wisner tend to a fantastic little slice of God's country in northwest Wisconsin, so naturally we always look forward to visiting. This time the occasion was brought on by the birthday of cousin Trent, which seemed like the perfect excuse to gather the family and celebrate this time of year and the awesome weather that it brings.
What would a trip to the farm be without a pony ride? Believe it or not, this was Mo-chubkin's very first time atop a mighty steed. I think it's clear though that she's a natural, but Jodi still wouldn't let her ride by herself. I know she could do the horse-wheelie thing if given the chance. Hopefully this doesn't spark any kind of "I want a pony" phase later in life.
We wrapped up the afternoon with a titanic clash on the bocce ball field. The rules were bent as they often are, until the game we were playing only loosely resembled this refined sport of gentlemen. We did, however, adhere to a selection of rules, keeping the spirit of the game intact, and we faithfully referred to the target ball by it's proper name, the "pallino"...over and over.
Like always, I wish I took more pictures, but they really can't capture the enchantment I feel when I'm at the farm. Rolling fields, beautiful gardens, bee hives...it's a showcase of nature. I actually saw a snake catch and eat a tree frog right outside the front door. By the time I grabbed the camera the frog was but a lump in the snakes throat.
Among other plant varieties there grows a mighty hop vine along the back of one of the buildings. I was allowed to pick till satisfied, much to the delight of Brando, who intends to use the precious ingredient in a future brewing venture. We talked of the dude on the Sam Adams commercial who kind of churns some hops in his hands and then pulls a big whiff off it. Unfortunately there's no smell-o-vision on the Oak Lair, but I can assure you that they posess a very bright bouquet.
What would a trip to the farm be without a pony ride? Believe it or not, this was Mo-chubkin's very first time atop a mighty steed. I think it's clear though that she's a natural, but Jodi still wouldn't let her ride by herself. I know she could do the horse-wheelie thing if given the chance. Hopefully this doesn't spark any kind of "I want a pony" phase later in life.
We wrapped up the afternoon with a titanic clash on the bocce ball field. The rules were bent as they often are, until the game we were playing only loosely resembled this refined sport of gentlemen. We did, however, adhere to a selection of rules, keeping the spirit of the game intact, and we faithfully referred to the target ball by it's proper name, the "pallino"...over and over.
Great is the bounty of the Wisner Farm, which it bestows freely upon all who visit. It's the kind of place that can sustain your body and soul with it's countless riches. Until next time.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Brett Seymour Hoffman
Here's a comparison you're not likely to see elsewhere...
Brett Favre and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
"Oh please...tell me he didn't just go there."
I watched the movie Capote this morning and found that among other things it's a study of Philip Seymour Hoffman's face. I really enjoyed the movie, don't get me wrong, but it's very much a character study of Truman Capote...and PSH's face.
Last year it would've been out of bounds, blasphemous even to draw such a silly comparison which disparages the regal looks of Favre, but now that he's done us all a favre and checked out, he's pretty much fair game.
Brett Favre and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
"Oh please...tell me he didn't just go there."
Last year it would've been out of bounds, blasphemous even to draw such a silly comparison which disparages the regal looks of Favre, but now that he's done us all a favre and checked out, he's pretty much fair game.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Dear Diary
I knew at the outset that a good percent of the material in this blog was going to be foolish crap, but I don't think anyone really knew what grade of foolish we would be dealing with.
Having no preconceived notions about what I would do, I found myself gravitating toward the film arts. I think a typical oaklair blogpost is much like a gymnastics routine. Everyone pretty much just waits for the high-speed flips and then yawns during the dance elements. The movies are the flips, and my writing is like the filler...to make it appear more blog-like. Anyway, don't ask me what my muse was when I cooked up this particular slice, just take it at face value.
Having no preconceived notions about what I would do, I found myself gravitating toward the film arts. I think a typical oaklair blogpost is much like a gymnastics routine. Everyone pretty much just waits for the high-speed flips and then yawns during the dance elements. The movies are the flips, and my writing is like the filler...to make it appear more blog-like. Anyway, don't ask me what my muse was when I cooked up this particular slice, just take it at face value.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Mini Getaway
First of all, I hope that everyone soaked up their last deliciously sizzlin' summer weekend. I suppose there could be more sizzlin'...it's only September.
Since we didn't really take a vacation this year, we felt we should at least take a day trip to somewhere quaint and picturesque. We had received a hot tip that there were some pretty interesting places to be seen south of us along the Mississippi, so we set sail for fabulous Fountain City.
First stop on the itinerary was the Monarch Pub. Upon entering this piece of living history it was clear that it had been around for awhile, and that it had been gathering a lot of character over the years. I wish I would have paid more attention to the little tid bits on the walls that explained it's origin and significance to the area. In any event, it was authentic, right down to it's $4.50 beers. I guess that's the price of admission to absorb a dining experience at this museum-like restaurant/pub...savor it.
After eating way more pizza than Kobayashi could even dream of, we figured a good way to burn some calories would be to walk up the street...and I mean UP the street. This thing had to be at about a thirty degree angle, and we thought it sensible to push a baby stroller up it. I kept thinking about how far it would've flown into the river had we accidentally let it go.
Fortunately, we all completed the one block journey and gained about 100 feet in elevation. The struggle would not go unrewarded though, for we soon found ourselves at the geocache I was tracking as well as a beautiful garden through which we were offered a tour.
On the way home we hung a right through some more twisty country in the town of Alma. Buena Vista park was another strongly suggested area of interest that we intended to scope, so we pushed upward towards the summit of this natural wonder, and eventually found ourselves atop one of the best vantage points along the Mississippi River...and I ain't bluffin' *groan*.
A day of travel and exploration on a day that felt like it was pulled from a Bob Ross painting was just what we needed to refresh ourselves. I hope you (the reader) were also able to make the most of your precious Labor Day weekend.
Since we didn't really take a vacation this year, we felt we should at least take a day trip to somewhere quaint and picturesque. We had received a hot tip that there were some pretty interesting places to be seen south of us along the Mississippi, so we set sail for fabulous Fountain City.
First stop on the itinerary was the Monarch Pub. Upon entering this piece of living history it was clear that it had been around for awhile, and that it had been gathering a lot of character over the years. I wish I would have paid more attention to the little tid bits on the walls that explained it's origin and significance to the area. In any event, it was authentic, right down to it's $4.50 beers. I guess that's the price of admission to absorb a dining experience at this museum-like restaurant/pub...savor it.
After eating way more pizza than Kobayashi could even dream of, we figured a good way to burn some calories would be to walk up the street...and I mean UP the street. This thing had to be at about a thirty degree angle, and we thought it sensible to push a baby stroller up it. I kept thinking about how far it would've flown into the river had we accidentally let it go.
Fortunately, we all completed the one block journey and gained about 100 feet in elevation. The struggle would not go unrewarded though, for we soon found ourselves at the geocache I was tracking as well as a beautiful garden through which we were offered a tour.
On the way home we hung a right through some more twisty country in the town of Alma. Buena Vista park was another strongly suggested area of interest that we intended to scope, so we pushed upward towards the summit of this natural wonder, and eventually found ourselves atop one of the best vantage points along the Mississippi River...and I ain't bluffin' *groan*.
A day of travel and exploration on a day that felt like it was pulled from a Bob Ross painting was just what we needed to refresh ourselves. I hope you (the reader) were also able to make the most of your precious Labor Day weekend.
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