tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38089783289936272812024-03-13T06:57:13.053-06:00Portraits of a Young Man as an ArtistRyan Templemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04728146725673243179noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808978328993627281.post-84985375713506856822010-02-22T15:14:00.004-07:002010-02-22T16:54:43.425-07:00Take ThatI have a great idea. This may be my best idea ever.<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>By now I would hope you know my feelings about <a href="http://portraitsofayoungmanasanartist.blogspot.com/2009/08/youve-got-friend-in-me.html">Facebook friends</a>. Facebook is useful for a number of things, but I've found a significant weakness for which my great idea will help to bridge the gap.<br />It all really stems from the fact that you can '<span style="font-style: italic;">like</span>' something on a Facebook status, but there is no option for '<span style="font-style: italic;">dislike</span>'. I'm a natural Hater. It takes significantly less effort for me to hate (or dislike) something or someone than it does for me to like them. I'm not necessarily hateful, really it is just an appendage of laziness. So a friend of mine <span style="font-size:78%;">(Jim Stevens)</span> posted something to the effect of "<span style="font-style: italic;">How do you tell old friends, and family member you might not like them anymore?</span>". To which I said, "<span style="font-style: italic;">punch them in the face</span>", which I admit may be a bit overboard, but does adequately get the point across. Then I started thinking about 'friends' on Facebook I'd like to punch in the face (don't worry there weren't many)-- and that's when it came to me-- <span style="font-weight: bold;">A Virtual Punch in the Face</span> application. Wouldn't it be wonderful?!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYbJ1nV9OHuWTBaUx-8pteXKsnfmAMoJWh97guZPMQZ_1lP-qDVzbhKl-aoFslQ-kuZp8Z-x3xvZZx_ghsSD3RrDMz-YcOQv9gqwzte7pvt8xy7HBLk9tPlv2FLYVf_1I1vWxlOHMf7kD/s1600-h/punch-main_Full.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYbJ1nV9OHuWTBaUx-8pteXKsnfmAMoJWh97guZPMQZ_1lP-qDVzbhKl-aoFslQ-kuZp8Z-x3xvZZx_ghsSD3RrDMz-YcOQv9gqwzte7pvt8xy7HBLk9tPlv2FLYVf_1I1vWxlOHMf7kD/s400/punch-main_Full.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441214696535569442" border="0" /></a>Here's how it would work. You select a friend you'd like to cause 'virtual' physical harm to-- and you select what you wanna do to them; punch, kick, slap, lick hand then slap, Indian burn (can I still say that?), whatever. Then you select where to target your assault: to the face, to the mouth, to the shin, to the ear, to the dangling thing in the back of the throat-- again plenty of options here. Now here is the best part the application would then allow you the option of deciding whether or not you want to drop them as a friend, or limit their visibility of your profile, or drop them and block them permanently-- essentially giving you all the tools one would need to deliver the final blow (both virtually and metaphorically) to any unwanted Facebook relationships. A message would appear on your recipient's wall (to maximize humiliation), something to the effect of, "<span style="font-style: italic;">You were just virtually punched in the mouth by Ryan-- I guess this mean he doesn't want to be friends with you anymore-- don't bother trying to re-add him to your 'friends list', cause you'll just get another one right to the kisser</span>." I'm sure we can add a feature to customize the message.<br />Now I'm sure there is someone out there think 'why would you ever use this application', here's a few examples that I'm sure 90% of people can relate to.<br />- You're miffed at a 'friend' from high school for posting that embarrassing or compromising photo of you which you were assured had been destroyed. Maybe you wanna virtually punch them in the face and restrict their access to your account.<br />- You get fired from a place of employee and you happen to have a few fellow employees and member of management as 'friends' on your account that you're not particularly fond of. Maybe you wanna virtually headbutt them in the nose and drop them from your friend's list.<br />- You're in a relationship and it goes sour, irreparably sour. No doubt you're drop and blocking this person forever anyway, why not a virtual headbutt to the groin would help you communicate your parting wishes.<br />I am deadly serious about this. I have plenty of nerdy friends (who are already social outcasts... <span style="font-size:78%;">j/k Stephen</span>) that are perfect adept at writing programs and we are going to do this and we're going to be so filthy stinkin' rich Paris Hilton will violently vomit into her Gucci attache case. Violence sells-- you'll see!<br />This is what Facebook has been missing. Think about it, what would you rather do- try and rehash a friendship from elementary school when both of you know you've nothing in common anymore or deliver once and for all a devastating virtual Judo Chop to the sciatic nerve of an old high school bully. Really need we debate this anymore?!Ryan Templemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04728146725673243179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808978328993627281.post-75722644137247077682010-01-04T13:19:00.024-07:002010-01-05T14:49:28.196-07:00Some guy's opinion of the Top 25 Movies of the DecadeSo I have been seeing Top "whatever" lists of the decade online for the past 2 or 3 weeks. I disagree with most of them, some more passionately then others-- so I said to myself, "Self, How hard could it be to come up with an accurate list of the top 25 films of the decade?". Turns out, it's pretty tough. Yeah the first half a dozen or so come out pretty quickly but after that you're hacking your way through a jungle of mediocrity to find those forgotten film gems you may have forgotten about. In the process, like on any arduous journey, I learned a few things about myself:<br /><br />-I like R Rated movies. In fact 20 of the 25 are rated R. For some people R Rated movies are a big deal, and I totally get that, but for me they are not... not at all.<br /><br />-As much as I claim to like Johnny Depp, it must just be for his body-- Not one Johnny Depp film on the list. I'm not sure if I'm more sad for me or for him. [tear]<br /><br />-Surprisingly Bill Murray tops the list with appearances in 3 of the 25 films, while 10 others appear more than once.<br /><br />-I apparently really liked Ridley Scott at the beginning of the decade and then moved on to really liking Martin Scorsese later in the decade.<br /><br />-My interests are pretty evenly split between drama and comedy, and I've learned that my idea of a "<span style="font-style: italic;">comedy</span>" is more like everyone else's "<span style="font-style: italic;">dark and weird</span>".<br /><br />Now I feel I should preface this list with a disclaimer. As the great blogger <a href="http://thejollyporter.blogspot.com/2009/12/best-movies-of-decade.html">The Jolly Porter</a> stated in his decade review, <span style="font-style: italic;">While they may not be the best films of the decade, they are the ones that seemed to have grabbed me most. Or, in the words of the British critic Derek Malcolm, these are the films that I "could not bear the thought of never seeing again."</span><br /><br />Alright that enough talk. Here is the countdown:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfBQtbG2jGiCy29mWHmihuBclY4cp0nGkU0-A2Eqr6fNjy_kX1Mzd6pyO_LDuVRNrZ1c657KK7G55BUlrNEvTOyHtu0mdlUZvOqAvFA3-12f3YcUPWWXY1AE96TVFJnygnEmqS2erWZ36/s1600-h/lars.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfBQtbG2jGiCy29mWHmihuBclY4cp0nGkU0-A2Eqr6fNjy_kX1Mzd6pyO_LDuVRNrZ1c657KK7G55BUlrNEvTOyHtu0mdlUZvOqAvFA3-12f3YcUPWWXY1AE96TVFJnygnEmqS2erWZ36/s320/lars.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423318431707412258" border="0" /></a>25. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Lars and the Real Girl</span> (2007): A wonderfully bizarre and touching film. The unconventional premise of a young man's relationship with a life-size doll he ordered from the internet, needlessly scared many people away from this film. There is <span style="font-style: italic;">NOTHING </span>to fear. This is one of my PG-13 films, so go see it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeyCeUb8QV7rN-6Q7eJA_HuqQK2BqxQFXa-T-W6fV8WVCCP3GnJpWHvUKmVSZinCHVFzlDxlcXYYHYIVXo03wA4GLmpHOkb1cDDQ9zfPuziHabjAhXRKnIRjUK1Jhw05pj0bR-fsyxIzK/s1600-h/zombieland-poster.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeyCeUb8QV7rN-6Q7eJA_HuqQK2BqxQFXa-T-W6fV8WVCCP3GnJpWHvUKmVSZinCHVFzlDxlcXYYHYIVXo03wA4GLmpHOkb1cDDQ9zfPuziHabjAhXRKnIRjUK1Jhw05pj0bR-fsyxIzK/s320/zombieland-poster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423318739090404082" border="0" /></a>24. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Zombieland </span>(2009): I can certainly appreciate a <span style="font-style: italic;">quirky </span><span style="font-style: italic;">coming of age</span> film as this list will show, but combined with a post-apocalyptic Zombie movie, well now that's just great entertainment.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRxpAEoJ7LE2PahMfmSPMw-hY6d5j5wTdxGrO_QvxKISb5pw6PxFgCMaBxsA8jD472A2fVoFKPeLDcuXt5r3JMkCycF-fiyx9RDO5BEG_mdQqkiW_fYNPQCOD-vwkEaecDb16u_mMbamd/s1600-h/juno.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRxpAEoJ7LE2PahMfmSPMw-hY6d5j5wTdxGrO_QvxKISb5pw6PxFgCMaBxsA8jD472A2fVoFKPeLDcuXt5r3JMkCycF-fiyx9RDO5BEG_mdQqkiW_fYNPQCOD-vwkEaecDb16u_mMbamd/s320/juno.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423318429819364562" border="0" /></a>23. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Juno </span>(2007): Like I said, I enjoy a <span style="font-style: italic;">quirky </span><span style="font-style: italic;">coming of age</span> story and teen pregnancy is hysterical... if you're the guy. Oh Snap!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBOhhTaJ9BmMJlC-UISDwG880U2Plkhx-8Y6rupmjCp_oTTFI05vauH23TLc2atkF1rsyMqtqmKPToY_qPVk-HWVu9mJnx7gt8pL3SMwu43BbbG5UlwO8aevISlgJtRmOBpF7yAyiAQxx/s1600-h/almost_famous.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBOhhTaJ9BmMJlC-UISDwG880U2Plkhx-8Y6rupmjCp_oTTFI05vauH23TLc2atkF1rsyMqtqmKPToY_qPVk-HWVu9mJnx7gt8pL3SMwu43BbbG5UlwO8aevISlgJtRmOBpF7yAyiAQxx/s320/almost_famous.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423318423101020018" border="0" /></a>22.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Almost Famous</span> (2000): Look at that, yet another <span style="font-style: italic;">quirky </span><span style="font-style: italic;">coming of age</span> film. I liked this one just a bit better than Juno, less female hormonal stuff.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EuSHjn0AkPx_DWC05epAu5pNLZCfN6UFG-44GzJXk-wrOK57meEBivlY_sP91eaw9isS8mtcommq-rLjjB6xaS1ILnEVQnXGAOu6R6NFVCSF1lqOTrIFgvY8Vs1lk6zHwvghcS1yq9Z7/s1600-h/lost_in_translation.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EuSHjn0AkPx_DWC05epAu5pNLZCfN6UFG-44GzJXk-wrOK57meEBivlY_sP91eaw9isS8mtcommq-rLjjB6xaS1ILnEVQnXGAOu6R6NFVCSF1lqOTrIFgvY8Vs1lk6zHwvghcS1yq9Z7/s320/lost_in_translation.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423318436225567490" border="0" /></a>21. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Lost in Translation</span> (2003): Completely unique. Simple, thoughtful, and so well crafted. Bill Murray at his finest.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vruFONDGr5j6fmibZxbGxX7Yooj-SCY_-5ihQmX-0dFGVX0SJhogeGzPglxUx0psXxU2VsE62JmksvKUC53mTqE08kfaJo1aawVsuUVwN2kiIErMZ8ycMJ5y8LUYCL-Eakb4TOo3DNYf/s1600-h/snatch_movie_poster1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vruFONDGr5j6fmibZxbGxX7Yooj-SCY_-5ihQmX-0dFGVX0SJhogeGzPglxUx0psXxU2VsE62JmksvKUC53mTqE08kfaJo1aawVsuUVwN2kiIErMZ8ycMJ5y8LUYCL-Eakb4TOo3DNYf/s320/snatch_movie_poster1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423317894983689586" border="0" /></a>20. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Snatch </span>(2000): Guy Richie's fast paced style film making inundates his viewers with information and somehow manages to wraps itself up in a perfect little bow seconds before the credits roll. And quite possibly Brad Pitt's best performance of the decade.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJ7fUR0D-W1jLtwvBYdJpOVG1k_WaVf93ax89AZ8yS7V-VCh8yhAd81K1tsP2l7_Ed1nT1CCg-WY51HdgVeUYctQA4EpKAOLLOoM5iUZAvtDGQJuvmTDfDYknHkmsilVRQ6wUQzuroZb1/s1600-h/up-poster.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJ7fUR0D-W1jLtwvBYdJpOVG1k_WaVf93ax89AZ8yS7V-VCh8yhAd81K1tsP2l7_Ed1nT1CCg-WY51HdgVeUYctQA4EpKAOLLOoM5iUZAvtDGQJuvmTDfDYknHkmsilVRQ6wUQzuroZb1/s320/up-poster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423317903379472034" border="0" /></a>19. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Up </span>(2009): Easily Pixar's finest achievement. So simply and yet uniquely whimsical and engaging. Unlike Wall-E, which is equally stunning visually, the depth of character in Up is vastly superior and thus emotionally engaging.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBtAvxOqv608DRXJNC3s-fFg3PSdwE4Qj33ySqzBK3qPvrovBRvUIBHdJ94cRhttWihVnaf1Q5H_dv2rbmltBfcg8NYiZKjMsAN1wjpD8dqBciNvP301zA7D5agEzkH2enA_3nUpmViHZ/s1600-h/the_road_movie_poster1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBtAvxOqv608DRXJNC3s-fFg3PSdwE4Qj33ySqzBK3qPvrovBRvUIBHdJ94cRhttWihVnaf1Q5H_dv2rbmltBfcg8NYiZKjMsAN1wjpD8dqBciNvP301zA7D5agEzkH2enA_3nUpmViHZ/s320/the_road_movie_poster1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423318449935896626" border="0" /></a>18. <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Road</span> (2009): Generally when I go into a film with high expectations, it not only fails, it fails epically (case & point- The Forgotten). <a href="http://portraitsofayoungmanasanartist.blogspot.com/2009/12/thanksgiving-halloween-recap.html">The Road did not disappoint</a>. It was just as frightening, restless, and disturbing as it was supposed to be. Fascinating commentaries on humanity, fear, and survival.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZCVo_R8ol5eR_OpM6oPq2j0YAcGoc8pSsotYyb2w5Jm7LK_RmFw2HmCTc2xDTViaVMWe9P_9_jIZJPh_ngb6KSx3BQDryoiprWmixX2ckuNVK6fNozjqG5CghAdP9KukaCx0rnPDC7JM/s1600-h/little_miss_sunshine_ver4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 217px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZCVo_R8ol5eR_OpM6oPq2j0YAcGoc8pSsotYyb2w5Jm7LK_RmFw2HmCTc2xDTViaVMWe9P_9_jIZJPh_ngb6KSx3BQDryoiprWmixX2ckuNVK6fNozjqG5CghAdP9KukaCx0rnPDC7JM/s320/little_miss_sunshine_ver4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423317892806964498" border="0" /></a>17. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Little Miss Sunshine</span> (2006): The dysfunctional journey of a dysfunctional family of chain-smoking, suicidal, heroine addicts as they chase the improbable dream of their chubby 9 year old girl who wants to be a beauty pageant queen. Honestly, what's not to like about that?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0EbvkFWwr3IZk5TzYcE0YV79GY5XMkla6rRXJs9422DxetzoT6ATH2aUbDmNB0ObgfKO0O0fVKOgdfYdtQV5T41NG80lLgJWmluqHugQS8xR-eLyYQHfadNhMqgN7sWtmumv3xZwtC2s/s1600-h/pan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0EbvkFWwr3IZk5TzYcE0YV79GY5XMkla6rRXJs9422DxetzoT6ATH2aUbDmNB0ObgfKO0O0fVKOgdfYdtQV5T41NG80lLgJWmluqHugQS8xR-eLyYQHfadNhMqgN7sWtmumv3xZwtC2s/s320/pan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423317883887144290" border="0" /></a>16. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Pan's Labyrinth</span> (2006): A foreign film (Spain) with a fascinating & gripping storyline, absolutely astounding visuals, and wonderful imagination. It is dark and disturbing, but almost impossible to look away.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21Mrqdmvt27YhZCztE92a8zMzkhI3s_vqJQ-lbWXj7DWNY90TKVPSK5pLLn48YxIXVdeMJ3wN6ENynb_zSPcheD52i5nOg4UvPOgdmu_y2hwmKDH-7OOjgoagsEkLCGLUZ4YcMlO2hDRv/s1600-h/big+fish.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21Mrqdmvt27YhZCztE92a8zMzkhI3s_vqJQ-lbWXj7DWNY90TKVPSK5pLLn48YxIXVdeMJ3wN6ENynb_zSPcheD52i5nOg4UvPOgdmu_y2hwmKDH-7OOjgoagsEkLCGLUZ4YcMlO2hDRv/s320/big+fish.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423317246649318338" border="0" /></a>15. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Big Fish</span> (2003): This film resonated with me on a very personal level. It was beautiful and filled with the magic of Tim Burton's wild imagination. Also a PG-13.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK33BbBPMt1bC-2xzhUi9mQxHaeKZ1BiKXqyCkg_A5UKbBxXjWr8_NDYR1EW2O-eyCwvyD_ZLNF5f-tD7QFDlZL5Rx6M4AxRLPtUHXyw_d7KweLDNhmsx6m77GGyOti4_mvxPx9fXUALF4/s1600-h/there_will_be_blood.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK33BbBPMt1bC-2xzhUi9mQxHaeKZ1BiKXqyCkg_A5UKbBxXjWr8_NDYR1EW2O-eyCwvyD_ZLNF5f-tD7QFDlZL5Rx6M4AxRLPtUHXyw_d7KweLDNhmsx6m77GGyOti4_mvxPx9fXUALF4/s320/there_will_be_blood.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423317900154905794" border="0" /></a>14. <span style="font-weight: bold;">There Will Be Blood</span> (2007): No doubt it is a masterpiece and will be mentioned for years to come alongside film's like Citizen Kane, The Godfather, and Schindler's List. Your children will study it in film class.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDBFTuV800CLZ5ayD8lIHKxFOpylGGDeYxK-lgGyEH7QuLDncMUf13CRoZtlVGAmsDY-f8l5PpeA6qsUKJtL8234nyBPOm1am3-DwVvdFCrknPx6GX854GJHEFMdjPuVbyjiD4z6VGqxQ/s1600-h/in_bruges_movie_poster1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 206px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDBFTuV800CLZ5ayD8lIHKxFOpylGGDeYxK-lgGyEH7QuLDncMUf13CRoZtlVGAmsDY-f8l5PpeA6qsUKJtL8234nyBPOm1am3-DwVvdFCrknPx6GX854GJHEFMdjPuVbyjiD4z6VGqxQ/s320/in_bruges_movie_poster1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423319047130661762" border="0" /></a>13. <span style="font-weight: bold;">In Bruges</span> (2008): I saw this at the Sundance Film Festival and simply could not stop laughing. So strange and wildly unpredictable with a substantial plot and characters.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7i_Oy8ra1GMeaBNjIf3AhfrhhOphHq7TFkzsy097fQ_avfhAu43ekq5ff3FGsAdUHc_CTcMGBH2F8CR4tbRg6acAuIGEIP_28UUghEMAc1Q_gobKKSg8fThk3qZX3Mu6yfh4g8UMG2gei/s1600-h/gangsofny.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 217px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7i_Oy8ra1GMeaBNjIf3AhfrhhOphHq7TFkzsy097fQ_avfhAu43ekq5ff3FGsAdUHc_CTcMGBH2F8CR4tbRg6acAuIGEIP_28UUghEMAc1Q_gobKKSg8fThk3qZX3Mu6yfh4g8UMG2gei/s320/gangsofny.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423317242697764210" border="0" /></a>12. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Gangs of New York</span> (2002): This is worth seeing just for Daniel Day Lewis. Possibly his best performance ever. In fact a good cast all around. A fascinating period piece that changed my perceptions of history. That's a big deal, right?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxpjKMOSVbuaZ6kGkb5gz_gOvLrPfI8ekT4zTqzVQ7jvRFK7NVgg7Svs9u_1y_dTOdUBxQVi2cBQCWfSZolDniqtprm6RykzvVWEhquLyiqJABNHphlMnzhGgWIWRx755BvnY9IGNDbnZ/s1600-h/hannibal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxpjKMOSVbuaZ6kGkb5gz_gOvLrPfI8ekT4zTqzVQ7jvRFK7NVgg7Svs9u_1y_dTOdUBxQVi2cBQCWfSZolDniqtprm6RykzvVWEhquLyiqJABNHphlMnzhGgWIWRx755BvnY9IGNDbnZ/s320/hannibal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423317225961306914" border="0" /></a>11. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Hannibal </span>(2001): Better than Silence of the Lambs and here's why: 1. Hannibal Lecture outside his cell and moving about the world as he pleases =scary. 2. Gary Oldman as one of the creepiest creepers ever. 3. Julianne Moore not Jodie Foster.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKctDy-TPvpXcUfBvzy5GyDDHUzA6Svf5jam3qX2N2KAQZuR8iSIBIFCS3Etp70LW7QdoGMkAWVjZ-gPewhV-FAzbJhIR5hlZY_M8GAqHUDimJgYtxqcIw45J78YvsDSQGeeMuI57g_nuq/s1600-h/gladiator.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKctDy-TPvpXcUfBvzy5GyDDHUzA6Svf5jam3qX2N2KAQZuR8iSIBIFCS3Etp70LW7QdoGMkAWVjZ-gPewhV-FAzbJhIR5hlZY_M8GAqHUDimJgYtxqcIw45J78YvsDSQGeeMuI57g_nuq/s320/gladiator.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423317231815794498" border="0" /></a>10. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Gladiator </span>(2000): There is really nothing to critic in this film. It is an awe-inspiring epic for the ages.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Y-zGEMdOEmytRDfZPXaE3ombbGhtqe6IEGU6CZO8IqIy6SThr7K4jZTVqXrKJ94nwjWg4R72oG5PQArApyro9trDILnhWkO-L236VQtl4gRjN8rrhQqiT5epFw8b_QdvdE6eAyv4Y5MU/s1600-h/in_america.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Y-zGEMdOEmytRDfZPXaE3ombbGhtqe6IEGU6CZO8IqIy6SThr7K4jZTVqXrKJ94nwjWg4R72oG5PQArApyro9trDILnhWkO-L236VQtl4gRjN8rrhQqiT5epFw8b_QdvdE6eAyv4Y5MU/s320/in_america.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423317222818686594" border="0" /></a>9. <span style="font-weight: bold;">In America</span> (2002): A deeply touching film. I don't know that I've ever seen a film that has taken me on such a roller-coaster ride of emotions. The acting is amazing!!! This is a <span style="font-style: italic;">MUST SEE FILM</span> and there is no excuse-- it is PG-13.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjaqOWlA3h5TInFzlxIds9MAjQQvx9x60Zz45JLHaCDPih49GfzBGEegsYyg7mZeqKWeGJcr0pY3VTHEKodh36q1ZwPaMSjbCfAa2GfJxGooRKc-li9gx97OzPWR2LM2_dAU3VoMR09Jo/s1600-h/v-for-vendetta-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjaqOWlA3h5TInFzlxIds9MAjQQvx9x60Zz45JLHaCDPih49GfzBGEegsYyg7mZeqKWeGJcr0pY3VTHEKodh36q1ZwPaMSjbCfAa2GfJxGooRKc-li9gx97OzPWR2LM2_dAU3VoMR09Jo/s320/v-for-vendetta-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423316504414177554" border="0" /></a>8. <span style="font-weight: bold;">V For Vendetta</span> (2005): This film caught me totally by surprise, and that doesn't happen very often. It is uniquely beautiful in both presentation and plot. I ceremoniously remember to watch it on the <a href="http://portraitsofayoungmanasanartist.blogspot.com/2008/11/remember-remember-5th-of-november.html">5th of November</a> each year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7HKfq6tFKUjqLDc2I8wMv0eBR6ewULr7vGpoq1emGwBP1ptbb34ehu4qbx6p-UD7_M0N21vsq4c6d9vuJlmYiMzq7d9k5_vItacglB-nWdDO1NkqYSg36gOx-RJG_H9Dp9bp5GOSbukF/s1600-h/children+of+men.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7HKfq6tFKUjqLDc2I8wMv0eBR6ewULr7vGpoq1emGwBP1ptbb34ehu4qbx6p-UD7_M0N21vsq4c6d9vuJlmYiMzq7d9k5_vItacglB-nWdDO1NkqYSg36gOx-RJG_H9Dp9bp5GOSbukF/s320/children+of+men.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423316490269504962" border="0" /></a>7. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Children of Men</span> (2006): Such an interesting premise on which to create a film. From a film-making perspective, to this day I can not get over the continuous shoot that follows down several flights of stairs. Simply an amazing feat in and of itself. I was mildly surprised to find it was not written by <a href="http://books.google.com/books?as_auth=Cormac+McCarthy&source=an&ei=zeBCS8iSHoTasgOT_pi5Aw&sa=X&oi=book_group&ct=title&cad=author-navigational&resnum=6&ved=0CC0QsAMwBQ">Cormac McCarthy</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaatKq6kWOij_U5fmZVk37gl7nspd2BRIr6l82dAXlhxpcOdEftWcBo72jz3KVaZKOztLn7NMb6JMcrENYw7_Yl8BswYz3lSzEvtQtfpn81rt6HhXqcIAlVNGqmRlWK91Hoc4jOD3PuyY/s1600-h/A70-13463.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 217px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaatKq6kWOij_U5fmZVk37gl7nspd2BRIr6l82dAXlhxpcOdEftWcBo72jz3KVaZKOztLn7NMb6JMcrENYw7_Yl8BswYz3lSzEvtQtfpn81rt6HhXqcIAlVNGqmRlWK91Hoc4jOD3PuyY/s320/A70-13463.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423328128420282322" border="0" /></a>6. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Memento </span>(2000): I was absolutely blown away the first time I watched this film. I think part of my brain seeped out of my ear. Absolutely riveting, original, and challenging. I dare you to try and watch it <span style="font-style: italic;">only</span> once. I DARE YOU!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4r4crcX1UOYPrt_YsUPtEXDcIXqBWsoWYBHdwg2zKAzrLnMHm1p8JK5s4Fhm8eQTYLTNXqrWCuXlVR8hO5-uw_FCWdh7pf4BK1wI9k1U4jhEihjdRy-jCw0219HqeyNR3WFd5NcIR9wrA/s1600-h/eternal_sunshine_of_the_spotless_mind_ver4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4r4crcX1UOYPrt_YsUPtEXDcIXqBWsoWYBHdwg2zKAzrLnMHm1p8JK5s4Fhm8eQTYLTNXqrWCuXlVR8hO5-uw_FCWdh7pf4BK1wI9k1U4jhEihjdRy-jCw0219HqeyNR3WFd5NcIR9wrA/s320/eternal_sunshine_of_the_spotless_mind_ver4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423316498721841954" border="0" /></a>5. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind</span> (2004): Another very interesting premise as is the usual of Charlie Kaufman. This film simply sucks you from beginning to end. It is beautiful and unique <span style="font-style: italic;">love story</span> and manages to mess with you mentally, emotionally, morally philosophically, in a way I've yet to experience elsewhere.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4biKa-UMFRHMZNV8JtDQsj0PF0gLxjtqWe_rkPqnh8Opw97ERwDPR9jjMHs-Jx8IB8a-WVnNV2IVFEi3x4AidzCztxRMLxcoZ3LaJ0RP-1bSHxSx4tKZa444QPFDgR1v4ratUqEhNOJrP/s1600-h/departed_xlg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 217px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4biKa-UMFRHMZNV8JtDQsj0PF0gLxjtqWe_rkPqnh8Opw97ERwDPR9jjMHs-Jx8IB8a-WVnNV2IVFEi3x4AidzCztxRMLxcoZ3LaJ0RP-1bSHxSx4tKZa444QPFDgR1v4ratUqEhNOJrP/s320/departed_xlg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423316484924253618" border="0" /></a>4. <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Departed</span> (2006): I heart Jack Nicholson, I heart Alec Baldwin, I heart Mark Walberg, and I heart Martin Scorsese. How could I not heart this film? It is an intense, well created film with all the makings of a classic Shakespearean tragedy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qY_Z-leYKKbweM4o_1D3Ihpym5CgY1Q9wIhan1QVzb-L7bQ_UuDAGOhLUCbARk8chkmMvhEfY1XN3M4TKdqjn5lWYrlu5851knkeJKn5Y8EMqhLWt_MFw30K3MDaXl-SvKCrefbxyRRI/s1600-h/no_country_for_old_men.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qY_Z-leYKKbweM4o_1D3Ihpym5CgY1Q9wIhan1QVzb-L7bQ_UuDAGOhLUCbARk8chkmMvhEfY1XN3M4TKdqjn5lWYrlu5851knkeJKn5Y8EMqhLWt_MFw30K3MDaXl-SvKCrefbxyRRI/s320/no_country_for_old_men.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423316489066171730" border="0" /></a>3. <span style="font-weight: bold;">No Country for Old Men</span> (2007): In my book, the Cohen brothers can do no wrong and in this film they did a whole lot of good. It is the ultimate <span style="font-style: italic;">Anti-hero</span> film. No doubt Anton Chigurh is one of the scariest bad guys ever.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJhVM-PmsoG2oH-JqAURufS6DJMvCV7azCcWx0z5LC0nLrfWclDAwFcSCFyuvyolD8WRTAPLA9MpE9A263BdRoy0SSDO8iax4NToZdqkFbj40nYNzeD64G8_JU_8fALokxFOOW8oIWRfG/s1600-h/amelie_ver1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJhVM-PmsoG2oH-JqAURufS6DJMvCV7azCcWx0z5LC0nLrfWclDAwFcSCFyuvyolD8WRTAPLA9MpE9A263BdRoy0SSDO8iax4NToZdqkFbj40nYNzeD64G8_JU_8fALokxFOOW8oIWRfG/s320/amelie_ver1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423315701067945730" border="0" /></a>2. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Amelie </span>(2001): This foreign film (French) is so full of life. It is so energetic, colorful, spontaneous, and playful you can't help but fall in love. I can guarantee three things if you watch this film: 1. It will make you happy. 2. It will make you hate Travelocity's blatant rip-off of the <span style="font-style: italic;">traveling gnome</span>. 3. It will be one your favorite movies of the decade as well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IaX4ZxS-20wq9T_M5pW302gEGny8sw6TiIGzvxjs0CPQutKUEX8PwbO7xvXw8s7x5gicFuOWpsbmf6UB211MJeMI_th832oZaoTg80xprEo5SQIH_rGv0gMBsqEDJwoCzGDYxTCeE31D/s1600-h/ro.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 219px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IaX4ZxS-20wq9T_M5pW302gEGny8sw6TiIGzvxjs0CPQutKUEX8PwbO7xvXw8s7x5gicFuOWpsbmf6UB211MJeMI_th832oZaoTg80xprEo5SQIH_rGv0gMBsqEDJwoCzGDYxTCeE31D/s320/ro.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423315686502685250" border="0" /></a>1. <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Royal Tenenbaums</span> (2001): It is Wes Anderson's most significant film to date. This film forever changed the way I think and feel about film. <span style="font-style: italic;">A great film has great characters</span> and The Royal Tenenbaums is absolute proof. It is sharp, subtle, and surprisingly sensitive. It has influenced me creatively more so than any other film I imagine ever could.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Honorable Mentions</span>:<br />No single entry from these trilogies was able to crack my top 25; however as collective works, they are certainly deserving of mention.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQ6RQ_GsrWF3IVjm3kd5yIFDgRJ8OTbMst8EioakV78y5CPFzuABY71_4xFKbevK0luVCvxwLx-wnhXTbT3Hsvp0X8axSo498XiHZBObHw2BciNyv9tWkF7T6y6DApsFWJL1xp_8RPGnv/s1600-h/CollageTriology.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQ6RQ_GsrWF3IVjm3kd5yIFDgRJ8OTbMst8EioakV78y5CPFzuABY71_4xFKbevK0luVCvxwLx-wnhXTbT3Hsvp0X8axSo498XiHZBObHw2BciNyv9tWkF7T6y6DApsFWJL1xp_8RPGnv/s320/CollageTriology.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423315678763614978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Batman Begins</span> (2005)/<span style="font-weight: bold;">Dark Knight</span> (2008): Christopher Nolan is a great film maker and easily the best thing to happen for Batman and DC comics over the past decade. I love the <span style="font-style: italic;">darkness</span> of these films.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Bournes </span>(2002,2004,2007): Exciting, intense, smart, fun, cool, entertaining... anything else, oh yeah Bad Ass!<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Lord of the Rings Trilogy</span> (2001,2002,2003): An absolutely amazing epic. What an great accomplishment to translate those novels to film.<br /><br />All these films were released in 2009, and merit a posting of their own, but since I'm not going to do a "2009 Movies- Year in Review", I'll just add them here as a post-script:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq119nz8oOJSt3_MywtjhRVrr6zmmu0CQLQkG0hpfsgNB3mO4-i4YVWSLkheKEyvsFG_Dsy1C8f48me2qZ80mSbAnCS21EosShYeO29JQlPlqUxPOB0aS4LUZo0uTnsX2JKUD_35lvup03/s1600-h/Collage09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq119nz8oOJSt3_MywtjhRVrr6zmmu0CQLQkG0hpfsgNB3mO4-i4YVWSLkheKEyvsFG_Dsy1C8f48me2qZ80mSbAnCS21EosShYeO29JQlPlqUxPOB0aS4LUZo0uTnsX2JKUD_35lvup03/s320/Collage09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423315673833750530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Inglorious Bastards</span>: One of Tarantino's finest. Funny, intense, violent. Immensely entertaining.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Adventureland</span>: Another Sundance film and yet another quirky and witty coming of age story set in the 1980's. Very entertaining and enduring.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Mary and Max</span>: A black & white (and a little red) animated stop-motion film out of Australia I saw at Sundance. I know it sounds like a snooze, it is anything but. So simple, but so thoughtful, witty, and so worth seeing. It is PG. I'm not sure where you can find it, but it is out there.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Fantastic Mr. Fox</span>: I love Wes Anderson and I had been waiting for this film to be released for nearly a year and a half. A great story and <span style="font-style: italic;">fantastic</span> cast. Go see it- PG.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Coraline</span>: Yes this is the forth animated film I thoroughly enjoy this year, (also out of Australia). It was dark and eerie, and not really for children-- unless of course you've get those creepy <span style="font-style: italic;">Children of the Corn</span>-type kids and then I suppose it is alright.<br /><br /><br />So that's it. I believe I've been quite thorough, but I'm sure I've missed something... and no doubt you'll feel the need to let me know what that is. Be my guest.Ryan Templemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04728146725673243179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808978328993627281.post-14512102415324343272010-01-02T14:42:00.001-07:002010-01-05T14:44:57.422-07:00Help with your New Year's ResolutionsIt is that time of year to set some goals and make New Year's resolutions. Nearly 50% of Americans makes New Year's resolutions, but according to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Year%27s_resolution" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a> (which is always 100% reliable) "research shows that while 52% of participants in a resolution study were confident of success with their goals, only 12% actually achieved their goals." The success rate goes up significantly when those resolutions are made public and garnish the support of family and friends. So I thought it would be a great to create a forum where you can announce your New Year's resolutions, and I will help you number among the 12%. Sound good?<br /><br />Now everyone can participate, but obviously I already know that only about 50% of you actually will (per the above statistics). If you don't have resolutions yet the <a href="http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/New_Years_Resolutions.shtml" target="_blank">U.S. government</a> has thoughtfully provided a thorough list of the most popular New Year's Resolutions (yes, our tax pay for this research) you can choose from. Here they are:<br /><br />* Lose Weight<br />* Manage Debt<br />* Save Money<br />* Get a Better Job<br />* Get Fit<br />* Get a Better Education<br />* Drink Less Alcohol<br />* Quit Smoking Now<br />* Reduce Stress Overall<br />* Reduce Stress at Work<br />* Take a Trip<br />* Volunteer to Help Others<br /><br />Now I know I have some multicultural readers out there (maybe) and so I've done a little research (save the U.S. government some time and money) and come up with the most popular New Year's resolutions from some other countries from around the world.<br /><br />In Egypt the most popular resolution is:<br />* Walk the camels regularly<br />In Ireland the most popular resolution is:<br />* Find a Leprechaun and get his Lucky Charms<br />In Greenland the most popular resolution is:<br />* Learn to Surf<br />In Switzerland the most popular resolution is:<br />* Stop taking sides<br />In France the most popular resolution is:<br />* Visit one of those museums everyone's talking about<br />In Canada the most popular resolution is:<br />* Shovel the Driveway<br />In Australia the most popular resolution is:<br />* Find and Kill Paul Hogan<br />In Japan the most popular resolution is:<br />* Take more photos<br />In Mexico the most popular resolution is:<br />* Figure out how they get the candy inside those Pinatas<br />In China the most popular resolution is:<br />* Take over the World<br /><br />Well I think that about does it. Happy New Year everyone!Ryan Templemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04728146725673243179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808978328993627281.post-89858290237747652402009-12-15T11:55:00.005-07:002009-12-15T12:35:01.698-07:00Late Night Christmas WishesIf you've read my blog at all over the past year or so, you'll know that I am a fan of <a href="http://portraitsofayoungmanasanartist.blogspot.com/2009/05/another-late-night.html">Late Night talk shows</a> and specifically <a href="http://portraitsofayoungmanasanartist.blogspot.com/2009/02/im-pretty-vivid-dreamer.html">The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien</a>. Here's a little diddy from The Tonight Show I feel I needed to share. I want to dedication this song to Utah-- I know we are <a href="http://portraitsofayoungmanasanartist.blogspot.com/2009/12/thanksgiving-halloween-recap.html">at odds right now</a> (20 day & counting sans-The Road), but it is not beneath me to wish you a Merry Christmas!<br /><br /><object width="512" height="296"><param name="movie" value="http://www.hulu.com/embed/rGfB3ZwheBUp7fTY2E05dA"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.hulu.com/embed/rGfB3ZwheBUp7fTY2E05dA" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="512" height="296"></embed></object><br /><br />The clip is a little long (3 mins, something) and you'll have to wait through a cell phone commercial or something like that before the clip even runs-- I'm not doing a very good job of selling this clip. Just watch it!Ryan Templemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04728146725673243179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808978328993627281.post-67694763578565180072009-12-08T14:14:00.011-07:002009-12-08T15:50:54.362-07:00Thanksgiving & Halloween RecapI'm sure there must be at least one person out there that has been wringing their hands with anxious excitement for me to re-visit the world of blogging and finally post something, right? No? Well I'm still going to post something anyways.<br /><br />So I've been in this big fight lately with Utah. She's is being absolutely ridiculous! Seriously I would slap her in the mouth if I could (probably lick my hand first too so it would sting more). Of course like any great feud, it start over the holidays. Now I'm not a "Holiday Guy" per-say, but I was actually looking forward to this Thanksgiving because the film "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0898367/">The Road</a>" based on the Cormac McCarthy novel (same guy who wrote No Country For Old Men) was being released nationally on the 27th. Well it turns out that Utah has removed herself from these here United States of America and she chose not to pick up on the "National" release of the film, but instead she's decided to renew the putrid drivel of Stephenie Meyers (Utah's own) in every damn theater so that every swooning teenage girl in the state can at least for 130 minutes keep from cutting themselves. SERIOUSLY!!!! I'm mad as hell and am about this close to buying one of those <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9nN3XNs2yY&feature=player_embedded">pneumatic cattle guns</a> and going postal. You are being completely unreasonable Utah! It has been nearly 2 weeks that the rest of the country has been able to enjoy<b> </b>Viggo Mortensen's dashing good looks once again on the big screen. How can you deprive us any longer? I am living in a third world country in the middle of the American mid-west!!! If anyone knows where I can see this movie in Utah or where I can send a similarly strong-worded letter, please let me know.<br /><br />So obviously Thanksgiving was totally ruined. Halloween; however was just as good as ever. This year I was pretty busy so I didn't have a ton of time to make/create an elaborate costume so I bought one (well most of one) online. I was Jack Skellington from Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUhNmy84nEx-X894GzdBwAXCKAJvP5-70KBJ6ps4lnQWgoeyGvPkYztGNoRkhD3b8dbRXoXYfLa-X7QSFIiJfKNyiBlrt7kmv1Gz8jCB36jBwpg-P1MCWREllVsQ4Xtx_WuWqlwxxgyPV/s1600-h/Jack.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUhNmy84nEx-X894GzdBwAXCKAJvP5-70KBJ6ps4lnQWgoeyGvPkYztGNoRkhD3b8dbRXoXYfLa-X7QSFIiJfKNyiBlrt7kmv1Gz8jCB36jBwpg-P1MCWREllVsQ4Xtx_WuWqlwxxgyPV/s320/Jack.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412994100015531378" border="0" /></a>Here's the final product. Obviously buying a "one size fits all" costume online requires a great deal of alterations in order to look any good-- for that I must thank my very talented wife, who not only tailored the jacket to my slender frame but made those gloves with the exceptionally long fingers. I added the Santa hat just to make it a little more unique. I was quite please and manage to win a cool $250 at our office Halloween costume contest. Not too shabby!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zwBtR70GjhX9MCs4Y7BW3TKy6-xOR7h2KJySDPmZGXn4ur_Bd1d2cChF-Xe41QYcDudfC56JWjatH28hGPRSba2_58enXM_60aYgtHHDLaiDVwTHAZwthwgLmzLvwwgVD3XfEPsaiUGS/s1600-h/Ryan.Jack.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zwBtR70GjhX9MCs4Y7BW3TKy6-xOR7h2KJySDPmZGXn4ur_Bd1d2cChF-Xe41QYcDudfC56JWjatH28hGPRSba2_58enXM_60aYgtHHDLaiDVwTHAZwthwgLmzLvwwgVD3XfEPsaiUGS/s320/Ryan.Jack.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412994109458242994" border="0" /></a>However my favorite costume of the year goes to my very own offspring young Jefferson Delmar Templeman who boldly chose the obscure comic book hero Astro Boy. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxQsKXT8Btbgu7ZH99ijMUFsEJDa7yTUcdHKRf1S6K36U7_2L4Ah79bm4rb9PWi2AsLae2bbMVmC42CK_rjKxJQ9D9mc4lwoFvqYEkaw8o4V_KU7EESP8j9VXvVWwIJplGWylk3IHZu8c/s1600-h/astroboy60509.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 193px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxQsKXT8Btbgu7ZH99ijMUFsEJDa7yTUcdHKRf1S6K36U7_2L4Ah79bm4rb9PWi2AsLae2bbMVmC42CK_rjKxJQ9D9mc4lwoFvqYEkaw8o4V_KU7EESP8j9VXvVWwIJplGWylk3IHZu8c/s320/astroboy60509.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412996897575092066" border="0" /></a>Originally the plan was to go topless (as seen above), but it was a little too chilly. Again boots and belt courtesy of Mom. I made the arm cannons. I didn't think he would be willing to commit to the hair coloring and make-up, but he did a great job and was in character most of the day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_PD-is1SnpUqh-sUVSjWUn1sE4OWvjzey-4TGD10gQmX4IujZ5oEesGaPkT_5lvyOoUSOfI7bdQdS3VieDPxmlem6N0_THexQsYveGJziN0Ea5Se1N_NRbHC4Oo4O6-lvn5k6aRQUsUD/s1600-h/Jefferson.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_PD-is1SnpUqh-sUVSjWUn1sE4OWvjzey-4TGD10gQmX4IujZ5oEesGaPkT_5lvyOoUSOfI7bdQdS3VieDPxmlem6N0_THexQsYveGJziN0Ea5Se1N_NRbHC4Oo4O6-lvn5k6aRQUsUD/s320/Jefferson.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412996093375997730" border="0" /></a>Well I think I've written enough for today. I don't want to overload you on my first day back.Ryan Templemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04728146725673243179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808978328993627281.post-15511191506703527982009-08-10T14:26:00.005-06:002009-12-08T15:46:37.171-07:00You've Got a Friend in MeThis is getting ridiculous-- according to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Facebook</span> I have over 400 friends. Come on, everyone knows that is a gross exaggeration of the truth. I can rarely find one friend to go golfing with, or watch the game with on the weekend. And now every time I look at that "421 Friends" on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Facebook</span> it just makes me feel like even more of a loser because essentially what it means is, "you have 421 Friends and none of them want to hang out with you". I'm sure it is a two way street, in fact I'm willing to come right out and admit it-- I'm not very good at being friends.<br /><br />I'm a fantastic acquaintance, but a friend only so-so. I think it just comes down to laziness. I'm not necessarily lazy just more relaxed, chill, low stress. Maintaining a friendship is none of those things, and so I don't do it well. Being someones friend requires time and energy from both parties. The real problem is the people I would want to be good friends with are just as or lazier than me, thus making the required effort from each party that much more unlikely.<br /><br />So I'm doomed to be a loner-- that's fine, but I think my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Facebook</span> profile should reflect that. In the beginning it was like popularity contest for the unpopular (myself included) to collect as many friends as possible, but now I feel like an impostor-- like I've gotten an invite to the high rollers table but can't afford the valet parking. So there's my dilemma-- I've got 421 "Friends" how do I go about tactfully reducing that number? Even asking that question can open a can of worms. Just because I want to reduce my Friends list doesn't mean I want to get rid of you (assume you're on my Friend list). See I don't want to lose friends that are really my friends (or acquaintances that I'm holding out hope will one day really be my friends)-- like, "Oh he didn't want to be my friend, then I don't want to be his friend either". That may not be the case, though I'm not going to lie, there are people on my Friends list that that I just don't want to be friends with, but that said I don't want them to be enemies either-- I've got plenty of those (a post for another day).<br /><br />Here are some dramatization of future situations I'd like to avoid if possible:<br />(I'll use the generic names of Jack & Jill for these examples)<br /><br />Scenario #1<br /><br /><span>ME</span>: Jack? Jack? Is that you? Oh my goodness! I haven't seen you in forever. How have you been?<br /><br /><span>JACK</span>: Good.<br /><br /><span>ME</span>: What is that a wedding ring? Dude you got married!<br /><br /><span>JACK</span>: Yeah I did.<br /><br /><span>ME</span>: When?<br /><br /><span>JACK</span>: Two months ago. We got married on a cruise.<br /><br /><span>ME</span>: Oh that sounds awesome. Wish I could have come.<br /><br /><span>JACK</span>: I invited everyone of my friends on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Facebook</span>.<br /><br /><span>ME</span>: (awkward) Oh really? I must not have seen it. I'm terrible at keeping up to date on those event requests things.<br /><br /><span>JACK</span>: Yeah I figured as much, which is why I went into my friends list to find you to personally send you an invite to the wedding. Turns out though, you weren't in my friends list. Which was strange because I remember adding you on November 23rd when the Colts played the Chargers-- you said you were going to be at that game.<br /><br /><span>ME</span>: That's weird. [lie] Probably just a glitch or something.<br /><br /><span>JACK</span>: Yeah see that's what I thought too, so I contacted my friend Peter Piper, you know him right? He was on your <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Facebook</span> friends list at one point. Well he works as a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Facebook</span> administrator and he told me that according to the records that you willfully removed he and I from your friends list on Aug 11<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">th</span> 2009 along with 171 others.<br /><br /><span>ME</span>: (gulp)<br /><br />JACK: Yeah. Peter turned around and created a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Facebook</span> group called '<a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=115403319638">Ryan is a Giant <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Dillweed</span></a>'. Guess how many member we have?<br /><br /><span>ME</span>: (shrug)<br /><br /><span>JACK</span>: 171. You're a real <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">doucebag</span> Ryan. You think you're too good to be my friend?<br /><br /><span>ME</span>: No I don't, really.<br /><br /><span>JACK</span>: Yeah, cause I'm too good to be your friend, you get it?<br /><br /><span>ME</span>: I do. It's true. But for the record you know, we hadn't ever talked or chat on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Facebook</span> or had any other communication otherwise for that matter in like 12 years.<br /><br /><span>JACK</span>: I sent you an invitation to my 21st birthday party.<br /><br /><span>ME</span>: I moved.<br /><br /><span>JACK</span>: You're full of excuses. I thought you were my friend. I gave you lunch money in tenth grade and you said you'd pay me back-- and I said, "don't worry about it your my friend". (sniffle) Do you remember that? Do you?!<br /><br /><span>ME</span>: Yeah... vaguely.<br /><br /><span>JACK</span>: I want it back.<br /><br /><span>ME</span>: What?<br /><br /><span>JACK</span>: The money. I want it back-- with interest.<br /><br /><span>ME</span>: Interest?<br /><br /><span>JACK</span>: Yes. Compounded annually at 12.5%.<br /><br /><span>ME</span>: Will you take a check?<br /><br /><br />Scenario #2<br /><br /><span>ME</span>: Excuse me? You look very familiar to me. Is your name Jill? Did you go to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Folkstone</span> elementary school.<br /><br /><span>JILL</span>: [punches Ryan in the nuts] That's for removing me from your <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Facebook</span> friends list you A--hole. I told all my friends that I knew this guy who was in the High School Musical movie and when they called me on it the only way I could prove it to them was to show you were my friend on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Facebook</span>, but when I went to show them you weren't anymore. All my friends laughed at me for claiming to know the most obscure actor (and worst dancer) in that whole movie. Thanks to you I started cutting again and became bulimic. You ruined my life. I hate you!<br /><br /><span>ME</span>: (gasping) I need a doctor.<br /><br /><span>JILL</span>: You need to shut up is what you need. Thankfully Peter sent me and invite to his '<a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=115403319638">Ryan is a Giant <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Dillweed</span></a>' site and I made a ton of new friends all based on our common hatred of you. I can't wait to get on there and post that I got to punch you in the nuts in person-- I'm going to be so popular.<br /><br /><span>ME</span>: (still pained) I just want you to be happy.<br /><br /><span>JILL</span>: And I want nothing but your misery, you scumbag. Peace out loser!<br /><br /><br />Does anyone have any suggestions or success stories on '<span style="font-style: italic;">How to lose friends on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Facebook</span></span>'?-- I'm thinking that would be a good name for my autobiography.<br /><br />P.S. -- Should you feel that you may be one of the proverbial 171, feel free to campaign for my continued friendship. People at the greatest risk are: 1. Co-workers I don't really like but added out of a false sense of obligation, 2. Kids who used to beat me up in Junior High, and 3. People I don't recognize at all from my past or current life.Ryan Templemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04728146725673243179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808978328993627281.post-31372773846783248742009-07-03T09:20:00.007-06:002009-07-03T11:23:10.613-06:0040 is the new 30... and 50 is the new deadI don't really follow any real celebrity personalities. I really just don't care about who their dating, or 'wearing', or if they like to play bongos in the buff-- (who doesn't really). However, the recent deaths of Michael Jackson and... believe it or not Billy Mays actually made me a little sad. Not tears or depression-- nothing that would cause me to travel to the Walk of Fame on a commemorative pilgrimage. Without disrespect, I compare it to washing your pants and realizing there was a twenty dollar bill in the pocket-- an "ah crap, I just ruined a twenty" moment. Not a huge deal, but you start thinking about what you could have done with that twenty and you're a little sad. That was me.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSjxSKpeE_3O1BJoSW_47q7ZLG35_6nEqZ7KT6o2BFgDCrkTOZ0aPuTbkeg87UX_NZwtW2-_4WNRUdruYTU21XvivCeaOh54Li8p8kf6mdyD0AjnhRM6nwZEWNhyOqNcWe5hyJiGh5ubF/s1600-h/MJ.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSjxSKpeE_3O1BJoSW_47q7ZLG35_6nEqZ7KT6o2BFgDCrkTOZ0aPuTbkeg87UX_NZwtW2-_4WNRUdruYTU21XvivCeaOh54Li8p8kf6mdyD0AjnhRM6nwZEWNhyOqNcWe5hyJiGh5ubF/s400/MJ.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354266834205947682" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">In honor of Michael Jackson's life (not death) I wore a sparkly glove from June 25 until the end of the month and listened to nothing but Michael Jackson (or Jackson 5) on my iPod. I think it was very difficult not to have an opinion on Michael Jackson-- mine was that he really was Peter Pan, a boy that never grow up. The death of an icon is an event. People can tell you where they were when they heard that other musical legends Elvis Presley and John Lennon had died. Jackson revolutionized the music (and dance) world and I for one will miss him.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXx3aQx5RN9p8yOkmTv877YoWXbj54PcTTbjDI_KSRraj8OAmNvJQCPT3sngiuu9TpOwL_K2YQIxXz55A85AwBf43x1uGkVOE6eyn9xCNG7gL8x_pcEfQ0tYNu8W7thz6jtZky-mpQ4EBF/s1600-h/DSCF2473.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXx3aQx5RN9p8yOkmTv877YoWXbj54PcTTbjDI_KSRraj8OAmNvJQCPT3sngiuu9TpOwL_K2YQIxXz55A85AwBf43x1uGkVOE6eyn9xCNG7gL8x_pcEfQ0tYNu8W7thz6jtZky-mpQ4EBF/s400/DSCF2473.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354265945562366258" border="0" /></a>The King is dead.<br /></div></div><br />Now this one surprised me. Billy Mays. I watch the Discovery Channel show <span style="font-style: italic;">Pitchmen</span> devotedly, not because I was a fan of any of the characters, but more so for the inventions and tools coming to market-- the journey grabbed my attention and I was hooked. It was only in a recent memorial tribute to Billy Mays where he was described as "a big burly, bear-of-a-man with a kind and soft heart" that I realize why his passing moreso than that of any other famous personality affected me. My father who shared those same qualities also passed at the age of 50 from severe heart failure.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3S283EFVcyKoEtX5X2whvYPAEXv79wLWTObXx2pohhLK2UMDrj5EYTV34C4xRwlim1PXiHVbiD3DZGwQ9PtgKJY73KxIfNhNCUiT7n8npH1fRhVldNHlXnBWXF3xDMCveWywW9nkCk0V7/s1600-h/the+pair.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3S283EFVcyKoEtX5X2whvYPAEXv79wLWTObXx2pohhLK2UMDrj5EYTV34C4xRwlim1PXiHVbiD3DZGwQ9PtgKJY73KxIfNhNCUiT7n8npH1fRhVldNHlXnBWXF3xDMCveWywW9nkCk0V7/s400/the+pair.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354280669292314690" border="0" /></a>They shared other common attributes as well.<br /></div><br />BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE... oh wait, nevermind. Sadly that is all there was.<br /><br />You'll be missed!Ryan Templemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04728146725673243179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808978328993627281.post-47673486959617354592009-06-22T16:38:00.003-06:002009-07-03T09:19:44.230-06:00Summer Recap<div>I've been busy, thus I've not posted in awhile.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>For a visual recap of my life over the past month or so click <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/album.php?aid=281300&id=509280231">here</a>.<br /></div><br /><div> </div><br /><br /><div> </div>Ryan Templemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04728146725673243179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808978328993627281.post-57359400663467178892009-05-13T11:01:00.006-06:002009-05-13T17:35:38.778-06:00A Shameless Plug for AnticitradeSo my last post was a little bit of a promo piece for a movie I was in, and just to show that I'm not an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ego-maniacle, attention whore I will promote something that has nothing to do with me.</span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Awhile back a few <a href="https://anticitrade.com/about.html">friends of mine </a>got involved in a small online based company called Anticitrade. I had been milling around the idea of investing in the stock market. It seemed to me that this is the right time to start. Either the market will go back up and I'll make some good money or it will continue to go down, currency will become meaningless, and we'll all beginning trading in ammunition and firearms.</span> And really when I think about it-- playing in the stock market is like playing fantasy football, except you're not <em>totally</em> waiting your time.<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected">So getting into the Stock Market is all fine and dandy, but where do you start. There are thousands upon thousands of publically traded companies. Do you just guess? Turns out most investors do-- they just guess. That seems crazy to me. No wonder most people can't tolerate the risks associated with the Stock Market. There is just no way to really "know" how the market will react. If only there was a way to minimize this risk, sift through the mounts of companies, and <strong>anticipate</strong> the market: Enter Anticitrade.</span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected">See a smart investor will wad through a number of stocks in a cetain sector or industry they believe will go up (i.e. Summer time is approaching, more people are driving, more gas & oil consumption; therefore those industry stock should go up.). They'll research a number of these companies, look at their quarterly reports, compare them, and only if these fundamentals are strong will they invest their money. Completing this kind of comprehensive ratio and financial analysis is both time consuming and beyond the capability of the average investor and certainly well beyond my capability. Anticitrade e</span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ssentially does this work for you. Using publicly available information, Anticitrade does a full analysis of a stock; comprehensive research into a company's financial statements, competitive position, ratio analysis, and macroeconomic changes... and the cream rises to the top (in a simply easy to understand spreadsheet).</span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Now I'm not saying this should replace your own research, but it is certainly a great place to start. Think of it like looking for the most delicious apple in a bushel basket as opposed to on the ground of the orchard. Almost all those apple's in the basket are gonna taste pretty good (who knows what you're going to find on the ground), thus reducing your <strong>risk</strong> of getting worms.</span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected">I've been doing the beta testing for this site since March and I've been easily beating the market averages for the past 6 weeks. I'm making my money work me and I'm seeing great returns.</span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected">If you're interested check them out <a href="https://anticitrade.com/index.html">anticitrade.com</a>.</span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><br /></span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><p></span></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335424164574030386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 238px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAH7vGQ9jrlyAOs7OXiOP40WGQWVACEBcXNiBgl_lGf-ajvhjvh5nwEWkcWJpkoywdZcIhaVWt8Xk3WeYXFmcvUSxPyUGDSFw3JRGCHsc_w4mJ_eOwCgO2Fb4N1EAeoikDgH3vI1zP9A89/s320/71014_MoneyHappiness_vl-vertical.jpg" border="0" /> <p>I think this guy and the guy from the "<a href="http://portraitsofayoungmanasanartist.blogspot.com/2008/10/talking-politics-with-damn-canadian.html">Talking Politics</a>" entry should be best friends.</p><p>What do you think?</p>Ryan Templemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04728146725673243179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808978328993627281.post-82503835342174950702009-05-06T10:55:00.007-06:002009-12-15T12:39:57.623-07:00Another Late Night<u>Late Night with Jimmy Fallon</u><br /><br />Jimmy: Alright, we'll okay that's weird.<br /><br />[he snickers for just a little too long]<br /><br />Jimmy: K. My next guest has a small bit part in the recently released S. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Darko</span>-- which was recently released, April 28<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span>. Please welcome to the show Ryan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Templeman</span>.<br /><br />[the band plays really loud to mask the fact that no one in the audience is clapping]<br /><br />[Ryan and Jimmy shake hands. Jimmy leans in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">awkwardly</span> thinking I may be a "hand shake hug". It is not. Ryan takes a seat on the couch.]<br /><br />Jimmy: Welcome to the show.<br /><br />Ryan: Thanks. This is a really nice couch.<br /><br />Jimmy: That couch is from R.C. Willey-- as is all of our wonderful furniture here. R.C. Willey has the best <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">couches</span>, chairs, desks, pretty much anything and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">everything</span> money can buy-- and I think Page Davis is hot! Am I right?<br /><br />Ryan: About Page Davis or the furniture?<br /><br />Jimmy: [he snickers] Wow. So I have here that you're from Canada, but I noticed that you said couch and not chesterfield. What's the deal?<br /><br />Ryan: Oh yeah well if it is any consolation I wore my tuque to the studio.<br /><br />Jimmy: I was going to say your hair looks kind of matted.<br /><br />Ryan: Thanks. Maybe you could spare one of those half dozen <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">hairstylist</span> I saw back stage.<br /><br />Jimmy: We'll see what we can do during a commercial break. Okay so let talk about the movie. S. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Darko</span> is a sequel to the quite successful <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">independent</span> film from a few years back, Donnie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Darko</span>--right? With Jake <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Gyllenhall</span> before he went all "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Brokeback</span>". [He laughs almost <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">uncontrollably</span>] Okay, okay, okay-- So tell em about your character?<br /><br />Ryan: Um well I play a character named Mike and he's a small town kid with no direction or aspirations. You know he's that pot head degenerate that spent 7 years on the same spot of the couch.<br /><br />Jimmy: So we spend 2 hours watching you sit on a couch.<br /><br />Ryan: Gosh I wish I had that kind of face time. No, but there is a scene where I am on a couch-- or rather chesterfield.<br /><br />Jimmy: So do you have a clip for us?<br /><br />Ryan: If I do, I've never seen it.<br /><br />Jimmy: So I shouldn't have you set this up for us.<br /><br />Ryan: Yeah-- you can just run it.<br /><br />Jimmy: Okay, let's run it.<br /><br /><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CdyPngBH6mM&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CdyPngBH6mM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br />Jimmy: Are you sure you're in this movie? I didn't see you.<br /><br />Ryan: I didn't see me either. Maybe I'm not in it. I guess it is wholly possible I was completely cut out.<br /><br />Jimmy: What are you doing on my show? You're a nobody.<br /><br />Ryan: I know but it's not like I crashed your set here or anything, I got an invite and my name is on that door back there; granted it is written on piece of paper and stuck there with some T<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">icky</span> T<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">ac</span>-- but it's there. You know this whole time I've been sitting here I'm thinking "Wow these guys are really desperate for interviews".<br /><br />Jimmy: We are not <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">desperate</span> for interviews. We've got stars-- <u>real</u> stars lining up to get on this show. Ray <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Liotta</span> was on here the other night.<br /><br />Ryan: Oh I really liked him in Narc.<br /><br />Jimmy: This is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">ridiculous</span>. Nobody go and see this movie!<br /><br />Ryan: That's not cool man. The soundtrack is supposed to be killer.<br /><br />Jimmy: If you even see this movie in a Blockbuster or whatever turn it around or hide it behind a copy of <em>Love Guru</em>.<br /><br />Ryan: Do you have something against <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Canadians</span>?<br /><br />Jimmy: Are you going to leave or do I have to call security.<br /><br />Ryan: No I'll leave of my own volition but for the record I would have <a href="http://portraitsofayoungmanasanartist.blogspot.com/2009/02/im-pretty-vivid-dreamer.html">rather been on Conan</a>, Leno, probably even Letterman cause well... your show of sucks.<br /><br />Jimmy: Screw you. Security!<br /><br />[Security rushes out and grabs Ryan by the arms and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">escorts</span> him off stage]<br /><br />Ryan: [screaming from behind the curtain] Avenge me Tina Fey! Avenge me!<br /><br /><br /><br />_____________________________________________________________________________<br /><br /><br />Wasn't that fun?!<br />For the record none of that ever happened.<br />However I am in S. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Darko</span> (despite the trailer) which was released late last month.<br />I don't know if it's any good 'cause I haven't seen it-- so I'd feel weird about endorsing it, but if you want to see me in a movie, you could try that one. Good Luck!Ryan Templemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04728146725673243179noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808978328993627281.post-41975252325573328622009-05-05T16:28:00.001-06:002009-06-22T16:37:50.978-06:00Traditions of Our FathersIn keeping with <a href="http://portraitsofayoungmanasanartist.blogspot.com/2008/05/cinco-de-mayo.html">tradition</a>...<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350283296908627954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 278px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaJms6ijBYqfidDL5ycMBpM60nfJd56wG25dg9zIQPqfYyX_SMhUucbV6soXv3-g84jFduornruQ9awWLcBOnIpcFlg-fzQVkYNFe7pf2bcgEFhvx1wBFJfdTOO5ie9AeIkkt8aLFUFyX/s400/n509280231_6997696_6976719.jpg" border="0" /> <div><div><div><div> </div><div>Happy Cinco de Mustache from my family to yours!!</div></div></div></div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350283291459837762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClGXjNAw87g5EvivMHqeUvCs0_LB_OJ7ETVyK_dAzlo6pp5TdkcEcjP0nmMepEc9MdoI22RhFmkvjePQ_s5eIKm4zxmH7oFRhS_bsG_pUz3uOv7R56HYhxAN6_8yMbwqRQ9E7ddNd1bQg/s400/DSCF2006.JPG" border="0" /></p><p> </p>Ryan Templemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04728146725673243179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808978328993627281.post-75023799071681611092009-04-09T11:56:00.007-06:002009-05-21T11:37:07.644-06:00Pee, Poop, and Toot-- The Comedy Styllings of a 4 Year OldWhy is it that the mention of any bodily function and/or fluid so funny to a 4 year old? Just now using the words "bodily function and fluid" made me a little sick to my stomach. So why is it that the proper verbiage invokes queasiness and the more childish; Pee, Poop, and Toot create hours of laughter for those of us who are immature enough. I guess that's not really the point of this post-- but if you've got any ideas let me know.<br /><br />Here are some of Jefferson's cleaner jokes. Enjoy!<br /><br /><u>Joke 1</u><br />J: How does a horse count to 10?<br /><br />Me: I don't know. How?<br /><br />J: With his fingers.<br /><br /><br /><u>Joke 2</u><br />J: Knock Knock<br /><br />Me: Who's there?<br /><br />J: Doctor.<br /><br />Me: Doctor Who?<br /><br />J: Nope. It's Doctor House. (who happens to be Jefferson television nemesis)<br /><br /><br /><u>Joke 3</u><br />J: Why did the chicken cross the road?<br /><br />Me: I don't know. Why?<br /><br />J: Maybe there was something over there he wanted.<br /><br /><br /><u>Joke 4</u><br />J: How does a camel count to 25?<br /><br />Me: How?<br /><br />J: Sitting down.<br /><br /><br /><u>Joke 5</u><br />J: Knock Knock<br /><br />Me: Who's there?<br /><br />J: Wolverine<br /><br />Me: Wolverine who?<br /><br />J: You know! Wolverine from X-Men.<br /><br /><br /><br />Spontaneous Thought: If I ever decide to write a kid's show it will be called Professor Peepoop n ' Toot-- like Yo Gabba Gabba, but with Professor Peepoop n ' Toot instead of D.J. Lance and the little characters will be large plush representations of various bacterias, viruses, and chemicals Professor Peepoop n ' Toot has been experimenting with. One will undoubtedly be Methane. Hours of fun!Ryan Templemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04728146725673243179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808978328993627281.post-21120123662617630892009-03-26T08:14:00.005-06:002009-05-13T17:29:26.946-06:00Happy Birthday to...I think you would be surprised at how many wonderfully talented, quirky, and even some bizarre individuals that have a March 26th birthday. A quick google search revealed many composers, poets, and playwrights. It was quiet fascinating. I'm actuality a little surprised I have never done this for my own birthday (Feb 21... don't worry, you missed it). But of all those famous writers, actors, and athletes who share a March 26th birth date, I want to wish a very Happy Birthday to my personal favorite-- Jefferson Templeman, who turned 4 today.<br />Jefferson is my son and one of my best freinds. He is so fun and playful and he makes me laugh all the time (sometimes out of embarasement). He is very smart, witty, and sociable-- and just as talented, quirky, and bizarre as any of the individuals on this list.<br />Jefferson, I am excited to see what you will do with yourself. Happy Birthday buddy! Love Dad<br /><br /><br />For your entertainment a few visual reasons why Jefferson happens to be my favorite March 26th birthday.<br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317333464307320738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 194px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOPKTv5m7rlqYRzcjlOje3tE238gtLuYMuY6DYnpKbnE_NoZhd4VKkhKi7VLKtF1aqC23ZmKCrJXRX-tZXxhM0Uj9_VVLIez5niwMHJ4nhTyWrRUpYgaz6wGK9pEV_uz3I5QaV8Z_GVLx/s320/MS.JT.jpg" border="0" />Martin Short is 59 today, while Jefferson poses as Dr.Octopus-- that's where <a href="http://portraitsofayoungmanasanartist.blogspot.com/2008/09/shield-your-eyes.html">my trend setting goggles</a> went.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317333455905232466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 223px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_J5j6MoQvKkpzviKDDPvpkAXmUEn8iiLylRToqtNVDVNWIIA_bgUsvBDGCm4rvh5pycZQVvhIzcrJyWkhU6xohG7GkV6G6jv8GJN7wNNDxf_GSCio-9uF_MiMRUj_mxRgG33qtgm6Xd-n/s320/JSJT.jpg" border="0" />John Stockton, Utah Jazz legend is 48-- Jefferson sporting his Spongebob Square Pants team colors. (yeah-- that's one of those embarassing laughs)</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317333460607550994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 223px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPP4lNH2dn0TG4quQH5BT7Li7mgfqfwO-d55LESElZMc4xdfguICPnq7CBDMUpeVq5Hdd3zXMJMkzubH2ERXvgLNVDEVsLz9q19ADaaipFHKSQiCoZuurvWwxmD55eHxZNaqAazlQh-GL/s320/LN.JT.jpg" border="0" />For all you nerds (like you didn't know), Leonard Nimoy (aka Mr Spock) is 78 and holding a pet cat. Jefferson here showing off his pet Fido (an imaginary fly).</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317333467434067970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 223px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPcetseWIOZu0Czv0bKh2bPU2WaBzEOAIo1WA89neroMDqzUM99XjX7UKoGRKY759c4Hjkjbpq-bdQWd4CgaHO05EUgkHxkwagqhmjGGtIR-zL9hIECxrIzMhghSt63UHkSUddon4eGjL/s320/ST.JT.jpg" border="0" />Big mouth rocker Steven Tyler from Aerosmith is 61. Jefferson making his own fashion statements.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317333469154309698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 223px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2aqShnVSiRGOS4UFEGNz0Su4tORneDOlgpeq80pnUHJVhEHfjHLni60X5YuTzuOb7g4e3Hc3_zs0hBJTq_sVHZQ4Vig8wlJc21vCeAZiOz_u-BMuf31VGGxw1y2KNkv1RD0OWeakcx69/s320/TW.JT.jpg" border="0" />Tennessee Williams/Jefferson Templeman-- no explanation needed.</p>Ryan Templemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04728146725673243179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808978328993627281.post-39364188486617367352009-03-20T10:40:00.006-06:002009-05-13T17:26:25.641-06:00The Sky is Fallin'<strong>WARNING: THIS POST MAY BE A BIT OF A BUMMER FOR SOME!!</strong><br /><br />So I guess the End of the World is coming. The year 2012 from what I understand from various sources amongst my Facebook friends.<br /><br />"2012 is marked by a Muslim mythical end of time '<em>Coming of Mehdi</em>' - God will destroy morally bankrupt mankind and true Islam will rule. Nostradamus also predicted the end of the world around that time." -- Jyri Makela<br /><br />"They Mayan Calendar also states the end of the world at 2012." -- Joel Petrie<br /><br />"Check out the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/" cat="">Colony Collapse Disorder epidemic</a>. Bees are disappearing... Within four years of that, humanity will suffer and become extinct as well...interesting article to read! Everything seems to be leading to 2012!" -- Tawnie Bowers<br /><br />While certainly none of these people (that I know of) are experts on the matter, I'm sure their sources can be verified by a simple google search. In doing so myself I was able to get an exact date Yule or Winter Solstice of 2012 which is Dec. 21st-- right before Christmas :(<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315324249719884738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 259px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyJDvPooG-IcUJ5ExSPtu1hKjgQyyR1GUGbnRkiUBJX5Pb4E4vz6rf2KsZ0Bd9mRwF5rlGTSN3ZknB-tpYOCPWl0Qp3U0oUCbEV7K0pM0Beu4PHpPo3zwiHEcuWdmhfEho2YBKMA0oxV3/s320/2012-primary.gif" border="0" /> So I have to say I'm pretty disappointed. I mean I had some big things planned for the next 5 to 50 years and now it turns I only have 3.66 years. I've got to be honest, I don't think I can manage to do all the things I want to do in that short amount of time.<br /><br />Here is a brief look at some of the things I would like to do, but likely not get around to:<br /><br />1. Eat a pie... after the age 35<br />2. Dodge the draft for War World III<br />3. Be the oldest heavy weight champion of the world<br />4. Get a seniors discount at the movies<br />5. Spearhead the largest escape from a senior care facility in US history<br />6. Grow Old & Die<br /><br /><br /><br />So if the world is indeed ending on Dec 21, 2012-- should I do Christmas shopping that year "just in case"?<br /><br /><br />Really what I'm looking for is some reason not to believe the world will end in 2012. If you got any, let me know.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315324259188536402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rlq0NPqY0o_yngC1s9nBlQJUJlyb7sYQEVlnQ3EdA9bs5XIQpfiNTEdH_wDa9ZsgieO9W504MFG1b4CBfEf3arwiXHnZIYpDdgRTycGiMfiWfDoCbRGdEbAqUgDBnaVDe0Nvh1bX0zQU/s320/exploding-earth.jpg" border="0" />Ryan Templemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04728146725673243179noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808978328993627281.post-9588560218350713002009-03-04T11:02:00.005-07:002009-05-13T17:25:31.106-06:00Important Infomation for ALL BloggersLet's talk for a minute about the Worldwide Web-- and more specifically the exit of "Blogger Sites" on this information highway. I certainly enjoy blogging-- it is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">therapeutic</span> in a way. I even enjoy reading other people's blogs (sometimes). I would imagine anyone reading this could say they find themselves in the same boat. Now I'm going to tell you something, and it may apply to you and it may not, but... I HATE THE MUSIC ON YOUR BLOG. There I said it. It's not that you have bad taste in music (though many of you do). It just doesn't mesh with my music-- literally doesn't mesh. See when I'm on my computer my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">iTunes</span> is open and playing, and when I visit your blog you blast me with your Michael Bubble and what not-- and while you may feel that everyone should enjoy Mr. Bubble's music the fact is they don't especially when he tries to drown out the music they (your blogs readers) like to listen to. To help you understand what I'm talking about I've just created a little <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">allegory</span>. I call it the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">allegory</span> of The Fearful Flea Marketeer. (I'm just making this up as I go, so bear with me).<br /><br />At a flea market, the Marketeer walks the path between the booths, each displaying their own unique assortment of goods. The Marketeer is not on a quest for anything particular, simply browsing the vast selection of items at the market. Upon entering one vendors booth a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">yappy</span> little dog darts out from under on of the tables and begins to bite the Marketeer. A swift kick later, the M<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">arketeer</span> is looking over the contents of the booth. A few booth later, the Marketeer enters a booth filled with old books only to be quickly overwhelmed by the smell of old lady <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">perfume</span>. The smell certainly unpleasant, doesn't detour the Marketeer from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">perusing </span>the books. A few hours later, the Marketeer enters a booth filled with beautiful paintings. Upon enter the booth a pair of proselyting Jehovah's Witnesses begin spoutting their ideology for the Marketeer. The Marketeer promptly exits the booth. At the conclusion of the day the Marketeer dies and goes to the great big market in the sky, where he finds no dogs, overwhelming odors, or Jehovah's Witnesses<span style="font-size:85%;">*</span>. The end.<br /><br />I don't know-- Did that work?<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309412449335003986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSTonEZhmxVGx2g6MSFfZZWwjEtfUa39cvO8JlYI968CInrP-9RllWKO8pJhEqTYbot92__LbJ0Hll7zcCFhyphenhyphenyDYm2AP6QFhNdsY4XVkIiieo_x4aRDlFNwjcOfmXBT4elo0KAo3Oc98a/s320/Boy%2520covering%2520ears.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">*I, by no means, intent to imply that Jehovah's Witness will not be present at the great big market in the sky or any other similar post-earthy realm of existence. I'm sure there will be at least <a href="http://www.dtl.org/cults/article/144-000.htm">144,000 </a>of them there. :)</span>Ryan Templemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04728146725673243179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808978328993627281.post-48053166667358810012009-02-24T09:47:00.001-07:002009-05-13T17:24:46.607-06:00The Lawnmower Man<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KAJ7mpUXcJg&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KAJ7mpUXcJg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Ryan Templemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04728146725673243179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808978328993627281.post-69605581238551707292009-02-18T12:31:00.006-07:002009-05-13T17:24:24.411-06:00And the Winner is...I'm a fan of the Academy Awards, really for no other reason than I follow movies. I don't know that I necessarily agree with 'The Academy' on what or who is nominated at times, but I certainly agree that good film-making needs to be recognized. I suppose if I followed more closely the music industry the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Grammy's</span> would be worth watching (maybe). Unlike a song or an album, the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">adjudication</span> of a film just seems to fit better.<br /><br /><br />I have mixed feeling about this year. For some reason I feeling like 2008 was a disappointment in some ways in comparison to the last two years. I don't believe there is a movie (at least that I've seen) that approachs the caliber of either of the best picture winner The Departed or No Country for Old Men-- and yet that kind of exciting because it's all up in the air.<br /><br /><br />Here are my predictions for some of the catagories:<br /><br /><br /><br /><u>Best Picture</u><br />Will Win: Slumdog Millionaire<br />Should win: probably Benjamin Button, but I'm fine with a Slumdog victory.<br /><br /><u></u><br /><u>Best Director</u><br />Will Win: David Fincher (Benjamin Button)<br />Should Win: David Fincher (Benjamin Button)-- I won't be surprised by Slumdog's Danny Boyle here either.<br /><br /><br /><br /><u>Best Actor</u><br />Will Win: Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler)<br />Should Win: Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler)-- Mickey Rourke's character in The Wrestler was more real than any other charcter I've seen in years.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305001948367461042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0XGx2cn8cSsZtXW_x7S_KLAPILx-xSYTeR4YdBG_LKVw9rTtRmnlXNLsxctbmg9HSt-QhIS8dJHSD_CjyRfZadu79vUqVafR08o8pLKdT8fUfUiVqZlfBhmEb7VRRPC3obH_iDdaSx5O/s320/Wrestler-Mickey-Rourke_l.jpg" border="0" /><br /><u>Best Actress</u><br />Will Win: Kate Winslet (The Reader)<br />Should Win: Meryl Streep (Doubt)-- She can't win enough in my opinion. Winslet probably should have been nominated for Revolutionary Road as well so...<br /><br /><br /><br /><u>Best Supporting Actor</u><br />Will Win: Heath Ledger (Batman Returns)<br />Should Win: Heath Ledger (Batman Returns)-- 90% Preformance, 10% Sympathy, still very deserving.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305001949464651634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhITTxiuNlt26GPrGUVW05xRY0e6Q4wzz0JcDnJr6IshUzrZacCFJn6BeIyyR3ijoX_9cGTrtzr-oc26Jrz13maGgYiu6YI1a16VVuJE-JZOkQ6QgJD9wE5vL5q1myCIX2WsF7ALHcmrF1a/s320/newjokerphoto.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><u>Best Supporting Actress</u><br />Will Win: Penelope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona)<br />Should Win: Amy Adams (Doubt)-- What a year she has had. She'll get hers eventually.<br /><br /><br /><br /><u>Best Art Direction</u><br />Will Win: Benjamin Button<br />Should Win: Benjamin Button<br /><br /><br /><br /><u>Best Cinematography<br /></u>Will Win: Slumdog Millionaire<br />Should Win: Benjamin Button<br /><br /><br /><br /><u>Best Animated Feature</u><br />Will Win: WALL-E<br />Should Win: WALL-E<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />So there you have it.Ryan Templemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04728146725673243179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808978328993627281.post-32156214548653572722009-02-09T09:49:00.004-07:002009-05-13T17:23:54.271-06:00Late NightI'm a pretty vivid dreamer. Not sure whether this was a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">conscientious</span> or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">subconsciencious</span> dream happening somewhere between falling asleep and being asleep. I don't want to make a habit of blogging about my dreams... that's just lame, but I feel I have to with this one.<br /><br /><br /><u>I was on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.</u><br /><br />Conan: Our first guest tonight is the star of an upcoming movie. Please welcome to the stage Mr. Ryan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Templeman</span>.<br /><br /><em>I enter as the crowd claps politely.</em><br /><br />Conan: Welcome to the show.<br /><br />Ryan: Thanks for having me. How's the new late night treating you?<br /><br />Conan: I thought I would ask the questions, but okay... this show sucks. It is slowly eating me alive. And I cry myself to sleep every night... on a bed full of money. [Evil Laugh that turns to a cry and then a sigh]. So I've been looking forward to chatting with you ever since I found out you were coming on the show... fifteen minutes ago. So apparently you're psychic?<br /><br />Ryan: I suppose a little bit, though I've yet to figure out how to use my power for evil.<br /><br />Conan: No really, a couple years ago you wrote a blog about this very encounter.<br /><br />Ryan: It's not nearly as interesting as it sounds. Just goofing around I wrote about being on your show.<br /><br />Conan: How long ago?<br /><br />Ryan: It was awhile ago. Maybe...<br /><br />Conan: Wait. I feel like we need some creepy music. Can I get some creepy music?<br /><br /><em>the music from 'In the Year 2000' begins to play.</em><br /><br />Conan: Excellent. Please continue.<br /><br />Ryan: So I wrote a dialog between myself and you and posted it on my blog.<br /><br />Conan: I actually have a copy of that dialog you wrote here. Do you mind if I read it?<br /><br /><em>I smile, try to look <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">hesitant</span>, and quickly <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">oblige</span> the cheering audience.</em><br /><em>Conan reads the dialog [that you're reading now] aloud.</em><br /><br />Conan: Wow. That's fascinating stuff. And you know what else is fascinating? The new movie your in. See how I did that transition. I'm a legend. That's why I get paid the '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">beaucoup</span>' bucks. [Evil Laugh that turns to a cry and then a sigh]. Alright so I understand we have a clip from your new movie. You wanna set it up for us.<br /><br />Ryan: No thanks.<br /><br /><em>Conan laughs.</em><br /><br />Ryan: It's self-explanatory.<br /><br />Conan: Alright let's run the clip.<br /><br /><em>A clip of some movie plays.</em><br /><br />Conan: And there you have it. Ryan thanks for being on the show.<br /><br />Ryan: Thank you.<br /><br />Conan: Go see this movie. We'll be right back with Parker <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Posey</span>.<br /><br />Ryan: I love Parker <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Posey</span>. Mind if I stick around? I'll behave.<br /><br />Conan: You have my permission, but just remember, <strong>She is mine!</strong><br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />So there it is. Hopefully now you can see why I felt like I needed to blog this.Ryan Templemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04728146725673243179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808978328993627281.post-41612591195998550472009-01-29T14:59:00.009-07:002009-05-13T17:23:00.292-06:00Postcards from Paris<div align="left">For some reason I like to think because I'm an 'artist' (in some form), I am therefore a good photographer. Why that is, I'm not entirely sure. It probably falls into the same egotistical catergory that causes actors to play the political savant on talk shows.<br /><br />Reagrdless here are some pictures I took of my trip to Paris that I believe could be sold as postcards. Judge for yourself.<br /><br />I'll go from what I consider best to worst. Most of them are black and white-- because otherwise there's colors to deal with and that requires real talent.</div><div align="left"><br /></div><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296841670865053410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqLTSh2cgBBceCyjMmDfyHktXmb6fXg307whw9WUsE6FhD0O5TEEKlt3A4WlHlHQnN7QovqYx8IhApxNLLTpHWK-fnMYsTTFgjiQZlAt9YLPk-aHKoAoQhgsqi5gDcD9VQWbM-fIxXnTR/s400/DSCF1319.JPG" border="0" /><strong>Sacre Coeur</strong></p><p align="center"><strong></strong>I took this picture under great duress whilest a persistant gentleman<br />tried to get me to put my finger in a string.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296841680799197074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBW1qYDQ6iZ5Vxhnya2qQX-YhJNvQTB4x9gx4u4h2Skf8PS0W8BvApo_Y7V19coPxd0YuPyAibR-_TKOSFXnhPen3nCKt3ulk53kxcXOPI_-ta7hHs4ecG6CMCoyuz2yJO16yScAdIfjeY/s400/DSCF1254.JPG" border="0" /> <strong>L'Arc de Triomphe</strong> </p><p align="center">The couple walking in the background is actually two woman, though I don't think you can really tell. Not that there is anything wrong with that.<br /><br /></p><div align="left"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296841667441953986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzJUhZj8fqswuN2y7uQwzJwBdIeUWOzKFIrucvBBhLvNG3bVjXvDFo-gggk3xxQ2pZT9rfnkQ-dmbn8xq0VehFgz9d934ne9H3I_qkSfLacyqrt2U5J8fJr_S6mS1yGAAt0LXHQiMqvg9/s400/DSCF1411.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"><strong>The Effiel Tower</strong> </p><div align="center">Why say anything else?<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><strong><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296842635417133858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KWyJDPwE3HL7QUvYZ-yzw-e6Wo7QASczh_Ddtu7gmiDttoVhUscqWnocw7_J92764wK_EU11aLOpIzfiMF_AZJVYORsPXf_KqeHke5vIUprcQMY_fj92NsPmlCARt9rm2TpuuxaCVnQt/s400/DSCF1119.JPG" border="0" /></strong> <div align="center"><strong>La Fountaine des Innocents</strong></div><div align="center">This is my favorite fountain in Paris (though I've never seen it working).</div><div align="center">It is so massive and yet the only place the water comes from</div><div align="center">is that little fountain in the middle.</div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296841664443342082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuqxiAEJeWpBj08_wKNL5IzqkdoXdqf6U_Fb8TLK2XLnQMz1-Uz9o_IcPbRG_kOZVl3YQ5VFWsnvs9AxD-SEDM8AuwwgnJypjUxSW873faWJGJVlCaeHlxnGJLQvry64HVK5a2FW3s2li/s400/DSCF1399.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center"><strong>Chateau de Versailles</strong></div><div align="center">Like everywhere in Paris, </div><div align="center">you need to be on the look out for people stealing your stuff-- </div><div align="center">even angels are bad news.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296842625691811298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5571mJqAl3FkT_hj7Af8hqAgkGDmUvElj63d8ndzFJUl9qwDgcsPgK-RySmNzSVedSHo9hofWAfKxfGZTDt53RdlxXOm2lABsL-IvP6Lp_zHcmENhnpKsXN6N3AGg0G0N8cjWFjwjGwm/s400/DSCF1226.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center"><strong>Just some apartment building</strong></div><div align="center">When you're surrounded by beautiful towering monuments, </div><div align="center">sometimes you just forget to look around at the little things in this city.</div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296841672981954706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IWA5PZ3ilFOtCSwwv_8XHqX2uJuK1odHe7PQfhVS7JfOJ81U-XVMDAIunIK9Ayj98p-Y3vyg5ChGHPXB1wrvM-GDIsa-6jtWql_jbF3V6cvyQhyphenhyphenY3o0Y2kuwMsDvfIVOfSQbnrwSPBHk/s400/DSCF1297.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"><strong>Dali Museum</strong><br /></p><div align="center">This isn't really a great picture, but I'm a big fan of Dali so I included it anyway.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Here are a couple other "not great pictures-- but personal favorites".</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296856379409859970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikudixmNOjqeHnWFEHZnBl-ksMYFNrjV1h64aOawBUZYH6706hewbnCjxKML3ZHpLxwHXAC3qTLQkYePV1FIkQTal9nSgo9Bd754hrVrwtrg7Z96i3mFe1B5PFhA-jrZ1nb8zuW4NeLP39/s400/DSCF1190.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"><strong>La Jeune Martyre</strong></p><div align="center">This is probably my favorite non-Dali painting.</div><div align="center">It's pretty morbid, I know, but for some reason I can't not stare at it.<br /></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296856370275815714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbOM-TqbLT4x_LPfpbJME_y4eHDSdJB4VbhZFTIyqYAW_MbWVvuJ00V2cpT-aiZrILFNj4mFrsl4-oG33Jvyr_vkA7VVInsLHiJTL8uaXOpeCqvyOvPmclrSFsGu2kmv37axSDby-oaete/s400/DSCF1156.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center"><strong>The Winged Victory of Samothrace</strong></div><div align="center">Easily my favorite sculpture. She is one foxy lady.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">These are two pictures Andrea took-- and I think they're pretty awesome.<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296842642551668178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio73I80jgehv04w2vkYa9GgU3CkextGOuRIdO1mbEgU4FRvE-s7AfzcIrrQA12xDyvJkDCGOirtYLbut83eIbUMprtl1cn5TjzNZ3SbDhk5MlxHxXlnjHA4oURZaUdVN6LHUq16_vyTUVF/s400/DSCF1090.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"><strong>Prayer Candles in Notre Dame</strong><br /><br /></p><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296842634700014146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfXKYT94Eo893FLKxprLoXxllK831UOH7EPIgV9yqMcOd9CJU6E2XdmjQgdM6xeAEJLzKIJ2qQAbOjtj70iQKfXCcMewNCqPpq1yEZnAFJKVlDfK_j_UenWLLb3FwNNLvRJWnyC7j4xn6/s400/DSCF1138.JPG" border="0" /></strong>Sculptures of guys looking at their penises. Yeah she's a sicko!</div>Ryan Templemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04728146725673243179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808978328993627281.post-85389702267432807212009-01-19T18:10:00.005-07:002009-05-13T17:22:11.159-06:00My Nigerian PrinceA few years back there was this widely spoken of email going around about a Nigerian Prince. I always wanted to get that email. There was just something exciting, romantic even about it-- a Nigerian Prince sending <em>me</em> an email. So you can well imagine my surprise when I found this email in my inbox the other day.<br /><br />It's not from a Prince, it's from a doctor (the second best thing), with connections to Nigeria (from my understanding, one of the most truthworthy places on earth). Apparently my Nigerian friends (I can only assume it's the Prince) have been trying to send me money all this time. Dr. Hassan (who thankfully had my email) contacted me about the failed wire transfers. There is some confusion we apparently need to clear up; someone owes Dr. Hassan $80,000-- I forwarded the email on to my health insurance, so hopefully they'll cover part of it. He is a doctor after all.<br /><br /><br />Man, I feel real bad for Dr. Hassan-- he is totally getting railroaded: he could lose his job, his wife could go to prison, and he's not getting paid for his work-- all this to help me get the funds my Nigerian Prince is trying to send me. Well I can make this right, I'll I need to do is:<br /><ol><li>Provide Dr. Hassan a good compensation (my discresion) for his hard work up to this point. </li><li>Not contact my Nigerian friends regarding this transaction (easy enough, I don't currently have any).</li><li>Stop paying the Central Bank of Nigeria Officers (oops... must be an auto-pay from my checking account).</li><li>Set up a U.S foreign account under my name for Mrs. Hassan and deposit the "fair compensation" (yet to be determined).</li><li>Endorse (which means 'sign' I think) a TT fund release approval documents so Mrs. Hassan can collect those funds. And finally...</li><li>Promise not to contact anyone at the Central Bank of Nigeria regarding Dr. Hassan's involvement in this transaction.</li></ol><p>Six simple steps in order to gain the incalculable montary treasure the Pirnce has been trying to send me. I wonder how much it will be? Too much to mention in his email. Don't worry I won't forget about the little people.<br /></p><p>This is the <a href="http://www.thinkdigit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39929">first thing</a> I'm buying.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293196184634076978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 278px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjl2UzsFV5Gay5u_Cs_jKIz0xAmYYzj6zAXIefskPpAIHTxZsVF-3l5M6gTWAXZ4uGl7wYBJ4zCgK3AkP1pnu2t5fiG4DfeRxzXXm4Mm422H2vtpn9wyj3EmC74RkGEvHBfa7lePbztCz/s320/lalu1gi2.jpg" border="0" /><br />Oh and just cause you're jealous, don't try and tell me this is just a scam. It's way too complicated and complex to be completly made up. Beside Dr. Hassan wouldn't do that to me. He is a man of his word.<br /><p></p><p><br /><br /><em><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:85%;">From the Desk of Dr. Usman Hassan<br /><br />GOOD DAY,<br /><br />RE: THE REASON WHY YOU HAVE NOT SUCCEEDED IN RECEIVING YOUR FUND<br /><br />After waiting to hear from you or your Nigerian partner for a long time now, I decided to make this direct approach to you as my new resolution in other not to let it be if I have anything in mind against you. I do not know if you have asked yourself why each time the release of this fund is approved, all of a sudden, the payment will be stopped or one problem or the other will come up if you have not asked this question or you do not know, this is an opportunity for me to tell you.<br /><br />Some time ago, your Nigerian friends, I mean the people that introduced you to the project approached me through my dear wife who work with the Federal Ministry of Finance and requested me to assist them conclude a money transfer deal they had with you. They requested me to assist them by removing the original contractor’s name, company’s name and bank particulars from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) vetting computer and replacing them with your name and bank details in order to make you appear as the rightful beneficiary of this fund.<br /><br />I agreed on condition that they will pay me US $80,000.00 as soon as your name appears as the beneficiary. I did as agreed and demanded to be paid, but your friends started telling me stories, they even told me you promised to send money to me.<br /><br />Do you know that up till now, I have not received a single cent from them and have not set my eyes on any of them? Based on their attitude, I decided to stop the fund release movement because I cannot be denied of my right in my own office considering the risk as it might affect my job.. Secondly, I know the source of the funds that you did not execute any contract in Nigeria , although I am the only person privileged to know this information and it is a fact. Why I am making this clear to you is that I can see that you are still making efforts in order to conclude this project. Now I am ready to forget the past.<br /><br />I do not need the US $80.000.00 any longer from you but a good compensation from your mind. I need your assurance that those colleagues will be totally kept out of this transaction. I know that none of them is aware of my new approach to you. Stop spending your money unnecessarily to CBN Officers both here and overseas because you will not receive this money without my hand in it. I personally did the work at the beginning and only I can perform it. Finally,<br /><br />I need your promise that no official of the Central Bank of Nigeria will be aware of my involvement in this regard because of my position. Now re-assure me that you will be willing to compensate me and that you will assist my wife to establish a foreign account in your country where my compensation will be lodged. Also a TT FUND RELEASE APPROVAL DOCUMENTS will be sent to you for endorsement after which I will remit the money within 48 hours.<br /><br />I am a man of my word. If you are ready to conclude this business with me, kindly contact me on my so that we can have a chat over this issue once and for all. But if the reverse is the case, do not bother yourself to reach me and forget about this money.<br /><br />BEST REGARDS<br />Dr. Usman Hassan<br />Chair Payment Verification Panel</span></em></p>Ryan Templemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04728146725673243179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808978328993627281.post-10517837064080873682009-01-14T15:32:00.007-07:002009-05-13T17:21:30.274-06:00New Year, New BlogI'm offically launching my new blog project. It is essentially a number of short scene and monologues I've written. Fear not, I will keep this one in order to vent and post life updates.<br /><br /><br />Please check it out <a href="http://scenesational.blogspot.com/">http://scenesational.blogspot.com/</a><br />If you enjoy it-- I'd appreciate a plug.<br /><br /><br />Speaking of plugs, here's a link to a blog I just recently discovered.<br /><a href="http://myregisblog.blogspot.com/">http://myregisblog.blogspot.com/</a><br />If you're well versed in the Mormon culture, it's a good laugh. Enjoy!Ryan Templemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04728146725673243179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808978328993627281.post-19974781044983063442009-01-13T16:44:00.009-07:002009-05-13T17:20:58.552-06:00The Auditioner<object id="ordie_player_65083bfb8a" height="400" width="480" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="_cx" value="12700"><param name="_cy" value="10583"><param name="FlashVars" value=""><param name="Movie" value="http://player.ordienetworks.com/flash/fodplayer.swf"><param name="Src" value="http://player.ordienetworks.com/flash/fodplayer.swf"><param name="WMode" value="Window"><param name="Play" value="-1"><param name="Loop" value="-1"><param name="Quality" value="High"><param name="SAlign" value=""><param name="Menu" value="-1"><param name="Base" value=""><param name="AllowScriptAccess" value=""><param name="Scale" value="ShowAll"><param name="DeviceFont" value="0"><param name="EmbedMovie" value="0"><param name="BGColor" value=""><param name="SWRemote" value=""><param name="MovieData" value=""><param name="SeamlessTabbing" value="1"><param name="Profile" value="0"><param name="ProfileAddress" value=""><param name="ProfilePort" value="0"><param name="AllowNetworking" value="all"><param name="AllowFullScreen" value="true"><embed width="480" height="400" flashvars="key=65083bfb8a" allowfullscreen="true" quality="high" src="http://player.ordienetworks.com/flash/fodplayer.swf" name="ordie_player_65083bfb8a" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><div style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; FONT-SIZE: x-small; WIDTH: 480px; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><a title="by katevandy" href="http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/65083bfb8a/the-auditioner-from-katevandy">The Auditioner</a> - watch more <a title="on Funny or Die" href="http://www.funnyordie.com/">funny videos</a></div><br /><br />Very funny and sadly very accurate.<br />Being an actor is <u>so</u> glamorous.<br /><br />Great job Kate!Ryan Templemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04728146725673243179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808978328993627281.post-42538842798955057192009-01-12T10:44:00.019-07:002009-05-13T17:28:36.522-06:002008 Acheivement AwardsI'm a big fan of fabricating arbitrary awards that are otherwise meaningless, I guess I'm like Oprah in that way.<br />Here we go.<br /><br /><br /><strong><u></u></strong><div align="left"><strong><u>Best Movie Award</u></strong><br />Nominees Included:<br />The Diving Bell and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Butterfly</span><br />In <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bruges</span><br />Lars and the Real Girl<br /><br />The 2008 Winner of the "Best Movie" Award goes to...<br /></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290534828151772754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqLaBKQlk_Y1a2-jqlGymLod7PUur8ff_sWa7KQcYKa21LvRKmifOlpbZoSGWsJufSHr9LxgchyphenhyphenStl65jm4QEfFtR7xRTdi6ZVNk53cJgGy4lwhjLyhQre8MgXAxC6718gcdww8qRDjKm/s320/nocountry.jpg" border="0" /> <strong>NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN</strong></div><div align="left"><br />I generally try to avoid terrible movies when at all possible. My in-laws, however have a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">strange fasination</span> for them, so every once in a while I will test my mental dexterity by watching one.<br /><br />The "Worst Movie" Award goes to... EAGLE EYE.<br /><strong><u></u></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><u></u></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><u></u></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><u></u></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><u>The "Movie Killer" Award</u></strong><br />Nominees Included:<br />M. Night <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Shyamalan</span><br />Mike Myers<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Shia</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">LaBeouf</span><br /><br />The "Movie Killer" Award goes to... </div><div align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290536908558459554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEITseM1GPfLWMQ0CLhDOROxoA6uYlVUPVCXddUQy6WgxVdAawaM5HjDPz8Jjn7ony0wzzK18is1u0aMge_0nYgIX_is4RVdKHqW7hgICj8SG1tWaIET3Skqtznkc3X_877lZDZPjKGY3/s320/brendan+fraser.jpg" border="0" /> </div><div align="center"><strong>BRENDAN FRASER</strong></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Congratulations</span> on two giant flops in 2008.<br /><br /><br /><strong><u>Favorite TV Series Award</u></strong><br />Nominees Included:<br />Dexter<br />House<br />The Office<br /><br />The 2008 Winner of the "Favorite TV Series" Award goes to...<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290536902581003682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JDU9Drv1359raLZKFPxJZpNeLjNfh5_mFt7sLSGIEiUtRRBdQPMfarokZTLTd-Abdm-S1ghi9Nt44-II5AU0F2jP7G7jdJdIabsH62Mw_VFwxo-YZBEgAHwpnfx_10gQg0DZiWbRtvuD/s320/key_art_30_rock.jpg" border="0" /> Thank you Tina Fey for making at least one of the Baldwin's <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">relevant</span> again.<br /><br />There is a fair amount of children television being watched in our household giving that we have a 3 year old. As you would expect, most of them are painful for adults with one exception.<br /><br />The 2008 Winner of the "Favorite Kids Show" Award goes to...<br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290534822585615154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 313px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHoY7XyLdqGV484Sy-Y_nyBzp5QMGjXVQUaPdNKHD9ClXR3nlc_jXmsagW7X1DIl3t6rEs2NjX_oC5OGw5RjbVtuE6ORggVPKf79hQAKbwUvp1TB8U59jpHnQB-4GgFHg4ne4qtdaaDkP/s320/yo-gabba.jpg" border="0" /><strong> YO <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">GABBA</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">GABBA</span><br /></strong></div><div align="left"><br /><strong><u>Soundtrack of 2008 Award</u></strong><br />Nominees Included:<br />The Cure<br />Glen Phillips<br />Kate Bush<br />Neil Young<br /><br />The Winner of "Soundtrack of 2008" Award goes to...<br /></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290536915301914498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 306px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKMN4L3SQ7IUHx4Nd8faK4vKr0Ql0NrHKrRY1tLwOm8Ry82p-6-Pxqp6H7JMOuxN6PaKoCyWW1rlkI2wtvrrxzIqvREXXP779TXpQ_GeyJXqOtLMwHhN9fBUqkk8sRrvfdd8wjp4HJEHF/s320/20060918142358_morrissey.jpg" border="0" /> <strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">MORRISSEY</span></strong></div><div align="left"><br />The 2008 "Repeat Album" Award goes to...<br /></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290534835391822514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOqrIf8odHWQt7BiVCoP-sn5QzytRKNYpjqRAh1ZH0GNgd5y0ftXamQ-RkWDKBeHhyphenhyphenpEhvqVymhfydakGZGBRItELH5eWfLkAIecbGpnKS55iCtIEYMPYCI3bVz1OhN1nz4Vz4Owc3I9p/s320/radiohead_in_rainbows2.jpg" border="0" /> <strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">RADIOHEAD'S</span> IN RAINBOWS</strong></div><div align="left"><br />The 2008 "Musical Discovery" Award goes to...<br /></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290540388052196802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 282px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaio2ihiiwK2BSQzNgP36Infsp7IK4WRfUnOwWcT0rdhAo9xx90dn5033zPamCYrX-7rMGDGGC6yA-0KebPVyBwQbq7bE-Jhz2XEPxa9sVQGCiwu2luMz-jUYSJCcDbaBw2sk7SrvjVJhe/s320/ray.jpg" border="0" /> <strong>RAY <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">LAMONTAGNE</span></strong></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffff00;">(Andrea is credited with this find)</span></div><div align="left"><br /><strong><u>Personal Photography Award</u></strong><br />The 2008 Winner of the "Personal Photography" Award goes to...<br /></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290538090621613506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkiwXC1D2vj-85wxCWaahiHGPRizDPiqkgGHPtNvDaibc3qK9GB9BSP35fTZPPHzmYltvtKBBrfqivLRrhQvxuhBb6k6RZHD3Y15OQ1iEFLVl_Ze3erBFneA9zQN7CuXqLtfny21uHNhjj/s320/redrum.jpg" border="0" /><strong> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">REDRUM</span> TUBBY</strong></div><div align="left"><br />The 2008 Winner of the "Best Photo Compilation" Award goes to...<br /></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290536922546042434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 247px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieo_55foT5peNiDA_EzGxHEbZ2A0LfQ-YI9DTsbzfeTKhN7eu225N1Fe2ipjl-G-EpEhGu2aLj6pwIfnTyHPJ3iCWXSznRL55WqC1Wz10Hzrg2IVtAgsbkDUduHZOeVn9mw82NIQSTxAHX/s320/2008-12(1)Superhero.jpg" border="0" /><strong>THE MANY FACES OF JEFFERSON <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">TEMPLEMAN</span></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong><br /><br /><strong><u>Envy Awards</u></strong><br />Female Envy Award Nominee Included:<br />Amy Ryan<br />Misty May-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Treanor</span><br />Stevie Nicks<br /><br />The 2008 Winner of the "Female <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Envy</span>" Award goes to...<br /></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290538477580632994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 246px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jPPIV1AdBd11WQuhnd56urGR2LOu-7u4H7i_1Q51gvZXgE7yzye0nPIP9mwQQJ3pBg1vA5KtohA104mEq03MxyOzEHVu6B_dYZ1Ih9ixJY85K6H1ov92AkS0KSU7BoJGCWMSOXhhHzIa/s320/tina.bmp" border="0" /><strong> TINA FEY</strong></div><strong></strong><div align="left"><br />The Sarah <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Palin</span> thing just fell into her lap, but as the creator/writer and self <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">effacing</span> star of television's best show 30 Rock-- she deserves all of our envy. She hovers around a 7 on the "Hot Scale", but can be done up to a 8 or 9 with minimal effort.<br /><br /></div><div align="left">Male Envy Award Nominee Included:<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Asafa</span> Powell<br />Ben Foster<br />Michael Jackson-- (money, music, and dance moves ONLY)<br /><br />The 2008 Winner of the "Male <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Envy</span>" Award goes to...<br /></div><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290536909391384930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 280px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvkMk5niXm9zcu9Xh9QNQM8kMpZ-sQ88cn8962oWY3ce5NwSnrObnfbZK89gsFcdK3LrP_6YZLpGvqcN7JAe3HeSKTXomDXb469Ji1MsXMlOuN9MTvplMSMJFZmsGEQWwCyTJj-lC7Ims/s320/beckham.jpg" border="0" /><strong>DAVID <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">BECKHAM</span></strong></p><p align="center">'<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">nough</span> said!</p><p align="left"><br /><strong><u>The Ultimate <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Jagweed</span> Award</u></strong><br />Nominees Included:<br />Bill <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Belichick</span><br />Michael Phelps<br />Sean <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Hannity</span><br /><br />The 2008 Winner of the "Ultimate <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Jagweed</span>" Award goes to... </p><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290534831826900002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 185px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 297px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY8dNE9BxId13NbEnUfQ_oElnZcIwuuowoLPXfC5T6c6IwUYzCLhz9XLWPjs3KHD_LXYomdBxBf7jWRyVuqnAyz6FLPZKkdyCDijdhbVbc_tUkNrnf_BbecreV09QsF5963YbHtckg1VGT/s320/KimJongIl.jpg" border="0" /><strong> KIM <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">JONG</span> IL</strong></div><strong></strong><div align="left"><br />Yes I realize Michael Phelps is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">petty</span> in comparison to World War III, that why he didn't win... turns out he <u>can't</u> win everything. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Belichick</span> leaned that the hard way. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Booyah</span>!<br /><br /><br /><u><strong>Best Blog Post Award</strong></u><br />Nominees Included:<br /><a href="http://itsthelife.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/09/ma-goon.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Ma'Goon</span></a>-- by Its the Life<br /><a href="http://myfriendsally.blogspot.com/2008/05/story-of-sally.html">The Story of Sally</a>-- by My Friend Sally<br /><a href="http://expavesco.blogspot.com/2008/05/there-will-be-blood-dvd-3rd-revelation.html">There Will Be Blood DVD: The 3rd Revelation Edition</a>-- <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Vox</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">Espavesco</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">Vox</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">Dei</span></div><div align="left"><br />The 2008 Winner of the "Best Blog Post" Award goes to... <a href="http://thejollyporter.blogspot.com/2008/06/lost.html">Lost</a>-- by The Jolly Porter.<br /><br />Good Times.</div>Ryan Templemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04728146725673243179noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808978328993627281.post-41952783488178961052008-12-17T13:19:00.009-07:002009-01-12T10:44:08.275-07:00So This Is Chrismakwanzika<div align="left">Every year it seems the politically correct jargon of this holiday season tends to puts a number of Stockings, Dashikis, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Yamikas</span> in a bunch. What's most interesting to me is the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">disdain</span> people have for the expression 'Happy Holidays' as though it were a personal insult.<br /><br />Anyone who knows me, knows I'm not necessarily one for political correctness, but I certainly understand and accept it. The right to worship whomever and however one pleases is a fundamental human right and as such any entity, institution, or governing body comprised of more than one of those belief systems should be inclusive of all parties, and thus use the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">politically</span> correct 'Happy Holidays'. In my opinion even a company with 99.9% of their staff being Christian should still maintain the 'Happy Holidays' greeting. Now there are exceptions to the rule: a Catholic school with obvious ties to Christian ideology could use 'Merry Christmas' though not all the students and/or staff may be Christians.<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280902594493719810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 191px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXfTGfUTUZ3RyAbxez0-66DO6AFE3TZ9fUITIUMHHTnjVY0tZfK833eL6_vbZpodS8tJjNTyTU4zBN4784MV3AaSkBiSoQ-yHC59g6-RSSxw8mlWhb9krHe8B73h9yhY5ZHiKCQ3f8eF4/s320/christmas-hanukkah-kwanzaa.jpg" border="0" /><br />That said, just because your company wishes you 'Happy Holidays' doesn't mean you can't say <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas">'Merry Christmas'</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanukkah">'Happy Hanukkah'</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwanzaa">'Joyous Kwanzaa'</a> to your co-workers. You are a human and have the right to your religious convictions and by saying 'Merry Christmas' you are expressing your faith. You shouldn't feel guilt or shame for well-wishing a friend, colleague, or stranger, regardless of your greeting. Now if someone were to wish me a Happy Hanukkah I would think one of two things 1) they are Jewish or 2) they've noticed the pronounced profile of my nose and believe I am Jewish. Regardless, I would accept their holiday greeting, it doesn't <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">diminish</span> my beliefs in any way, but what do I say back? Do I say Merry Christmas and run the risk of either insulting or <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">embarrassing</span> them? I think I would respond with a Happy Hanukkah, but then next year, during the holiday, I would be sure to greet them <strong>first</strong> with a hearty 'Merry Christmas'-- I wonder what they would say back? You know I think I may just start wishing people a 'Joyous Kwanzaa'. I don't know that I've ever heard anyone wish any one else a 'Joyous Kwanzaa'-- I've actually only ever met one person who celebrated Kwanzaa. If you celebrate Kwanzaa let me know. I would love to get a Joyous Kwanzaa card or even a Happy Hanukkah card for that matter. I wonder if they make a "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shahadah">There is no God but Allah</a>" card? Or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_solstice">'<em>Wishing You A Warm Winter Solstice</em>'</a> greeting? Seriously if you see one-- you know where to send it.<br /><p align="center"><strong>Merry Christmas to All!</strong><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280894983874057986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 280px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pF4ST9oYp_40MJ7l4GvvtfIEGdiKLvqWEXAPgR7TXBhyphenhyphenLUWwS9wVpeU06l2hoDd3ZGeh1cpLRbfUDgv9fMGDaUiKEH5p80FYRAVonma3Kme7qNSOx9Q91ExpvGxdOz3Q2rJ7qwpKcV5z/s320/christmakwanzikah.JPG" border="0" /><br />To date my holiday greeting cards are as follows:<br />(I will update this list periodically)<br /><br />Happy Holidays/Season's Greetings/Etc. (8)<br /><br />Merry Christmas (6)<br /><br />Happy Hanukkah (0)<br /><br />Joyous Kwanzaa (0)<br /><br />There is no God but Allah (0)<br /><br />Warm Winter Solstice (1)<br /><br />Other (0)Ryan Templemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04728146725673243179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3808978328993627281.post-74783780351933536062008-12-08T15:26:00.008-07:002008-12-15T15:28:41.961-07:00Peanut Butter Fudge-- It's what's for Breakfast!As the holiday season descends upon us like a jaguar from an Acacia tree, I am always amazed to watch as the standard year-round rules go out the window. First thing in the morning I find myself with my boy opening one of the doors on those countdown to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advent_calendar">Christmas advent calendars</a>. Gee, what great parenting? "Here son, have a solid piece of chocolate for breakfast. It'll get your day started off right. Do you want some coffee as well?" Last night we were watching a show and Jefferson climb up next to me and he was covered in chocolate and still had some in his mouth. It was like 10 o'clock at night! "Where'd you get that?" I asked. "I found it... it's delicious!". And here I am wondering why he's still wired. Of course there is no changing it now-- the precedent has been set-- it's chocolate for breakfast at least until Christmas, then it's back to fruit and the accompanying "I hate you"s. 'Tis the season to indulge, I guess. There was a smorgasbord of fudge circulating the office... at 9:30 a.m this morning. Yes it seems not even a nutritional health company is impervious this phenomenon. It appears to happen in every facet of our lives-- all of the sudden the things we couldn't afford 2-3 months ago become reasonable; we start sleeping in a bit and cutting out from work a little early. Is it any wonder that our version of Saint Nicholas is a jolly old fat guy that doesn't shave and only works one day a year-- and on that one day, he brings happiness to children all over the world and gets to eat incalculable amounts of cookies in the process. There is no doubt-- Santa's got the hook up!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277839438690523970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 243px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8n-VTgDeVtTiWgIHECtnU6YuVljTpvZ8PVaKQoIhPozT6OT2m9seH1KbPcBKRHvJNgGE1UZWbpJtqrXQaC3h4so0iJlWszP0OCuKWvuTG_sGZaskcSAlRyoXPGLg0DVGbD5TwK1qT0i0/s320/tt0130286.jpg" border="0" />Once you recognizing these tendencies it is no wonder that New Year's come with making resolutions: pay off your bills, lose weight, stop eating chocolate for breakfast. We need these resolutions to counteract the bad habits we've gotten ourselves into during the holiday season. It's a wonderful little checks & balances system we've got here.<br />I'm certainly not pointing fingers. I am just as guilty (or more so) as the next, but that's what truly makes it a holiday, does it not? Everyone deserves to "take a break" from the rules once in awhile and at Christmas time everyone is doing it at the same time-- it is almost chaotic. In my opinion that's what makes this holiday season so great-- well that and celebrating the birth of Jesus.Ryan Templemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04728146725673243179noreply@blogger.com0