Can you tell which is which?

It's funny how time doesn't seem to change some things...such as how old I look. I am constantly confused for being one of my 12 year old students when parents walk in to the class, or am carded at R-rated movies, and even laughed at when I tell someone I'm married. So being that I work at a school, I get free pictures every year. And it just so happens that this year, 10 years later, my picture looks nearly identical to my high school senior picture. Can you tell which is which? Although it is sometimes frustrating to be considered 12, now that I am reaching 30, I am beginning to actually appreciate it.

Mike Plays Rugby...Survives

The first reaction most people have when I tell them that I am playing rugby is "are you crazy?" I think the answer to that question is clear (for many, many reasons), but it is, in fact, true that I am a rugby player. I just finished my first season as a member of the Cincinnati Kelts Rugby Football Club and I gotta tell ya, it was a blast.

The second most common question I get is "what exactly is rugby?", which is a tough one to answer, but I'll give it my best shot. Rugby is a lot like American Football with a few major differences. First, the similarities. The object is to get an oblong-shaped ball into the other team's goal-area (kinda like the end-zone) and touch it down, which is called a "try" (basically a touchdown) which is worth 5 points . You can also kick extra points after tries (2 points) and field goals during the match (3 points). Now the differences. In rugby, you cannot throw a forward pass, only lateral and backwards. Also, when you are tackled, possession is not guaranteed (there are no downs and first downs) so you have to try to make the ball available for your teammates, who try to pick it up and start playing again. Other than that and a bunch of smaller rules, the games are quite similar.

Our season just ended yesterday, so here is a quick recap. We finished with 3 wins and 2 losses, which I am told was one of our best seasons in recent years. I managed to get in 3 games, all of which were wins (no coincidence, they felt safe putting me in when we were comfortably ahead in the first 2) including one start in the last game of the season. I played the position of Wing, which means on offense I try to spread the defense by using speed to get around the outside. On defense my job is to make sure the other team's wing doesn't get past me and to watch for kicks over the top of our defense, which I should try to catch and return back up the field.

Overall, it was a great experience. The guys on the Kelts were really helpful in teaching me the game and putting up with my rookie mistakes. Rugby is a fun game and I am planning on continuing to play.

-Mike

Everything's Smaller in Texas

I just got back from Arlington, TX, where I attended the 8th IEEE Conference on Nanotechnology. That's right, the state known for being big hosted an international conference on all things small. Had a great time at the conference. I presented a paper that described some of my research from the past two years and received some good feedback, so that was nice. Also spent a lot of time networking with an eye toward potential jobs after I graduate. All in all, a good time.

I wanted to note something here that is pretty evident to anyone who has traveled abroad, but bears repeating: The most important thing you can do as a host is be friendly. My labmate Joon Sub attended the conference with me and it was his first trip to the Lone Star State. On several occasions he mentioned that the people there were so nice and warm and friendly, which left him with a great overall impression of Texas. When I think back to the places I've traveled to, of course I think of the impressive landmarks and sight-seeing locales. But I also remember when people were warm and inviting, and I think that is what sticks with me the most.

-Mike

Pittsburgh...ugh

Work conferences aren't exactly always what they're cracked up to be. Granted traveling to a new city (albeit Pittsburgh) can be a fun adventure especailly when you get lost while running downtown, the content learned usually doesn't live up to the desired expectations. I've been living in a dorm room with a fellow teacher for 4 days now, on a bed that leaves me more tired in the morning than what I was when I fell asleep, eating dorm food that makes you a biological methane producer, and sitting in a classroom for 9 hours learning material that you already knew since you are exceptionally brillant as is. However on a positive note, we had the opportunity to experience Duquesne Univiersity and the Southside in which we ate good but over priced sushi as well as the entertaining Jack's Biker Bar. With a half day left, I'm obviously excited to be returning home to Cincinnati tomorrow afternoon to spend some quality time with my adorable husband.

--Andrea

Music and Movies

A quick update on what we're listening to and watching. I just picked up the new Weezer album today and have already listened to it 3 three times. Its a must-have for fans of the geek rockers (or fans of good music in general). I'm still trying to figure out how it ranks with their other albums, but it is definitely their most artistic achievement since Pinkerton, which was probably the most influential rock/emo album of the 1990s. Other discs we've been spinning lately have been Tom Petty's Highway Companion, which is just a timeless rock record that can be listened to ad infinitum, and the soundtrack to Across the Universe.

That's a good segue into movies that we recommend, among which is the aforementioned Across the Universe. This film is essentially a musical in which all of the songs are Beatles tunes. Quite good. We also just watched Iron Man (we were probably the last people in America to do so) and it was fantastic. Funny, intelligent, good looking (oops, got sidetracked there for a second) and good enough to warrant a sequel. Next on our list is WALL-E and The Dark Knight, both of which look promising.

-Mike

Hurry up Summer!

After finishing my first year of teaching (2006-2007), I realized the best part about it...June, July, and August. And I am now impatiently waiting for those 3 wonderful months of summer to arrive. It has been a good, yet tiring school year....actually absolutely wonderful in comparison to last year. However, summer is no longer whispering softly in my ear, but screaming loud and clear. As the kids get antsier, my desire to teach becomes less and less and free movie days sound better and better. I don't think the students realize that us teachers want to get out of there just as bad or more than they do. I'm excited to be returning to Sacred Heart next year, but golly geez summer had better hurry up and get here!

Grapefruit League Report

Grapefruit League Report

As mentioned in Andrea’s previous post, we ended up on opposite sides of the country for Spring Break, with me and some friends heading to the Sunshine State for a whirlwind baseball trip. To get themselves ready for the regular season, baseball teams head to warmer climate areas for Spring Training, thus about half the teams play in Arizona (Cactus League) and the other half play in Florida (Grapefruit League). Since Florida is approximately 1,000 times closer to us than Arizona, we decided to pile into a rented mini-van and make the trek south. Making the journey was Anthony (Marlins fan with Reds tendencies), Nick (Reds fan), Kelvin (Mets fan), and yours truly (eternally optimistic Reds fan).

Over the course of 5 days in the great state of Florida, we went to 8 Spring Training baseball games, managing to see several different teams and ballparks. I’ve included some notes on each game that we went to (home team listed first):

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Pittsburg Pirates at Al Lang Field (St. Petersburg)
Our first game on the trip and oh what a view. The field is located right next to a harbor that is full of sailboats; as picturesque as you could possibly imagine. It turns out that this field has been home to more spring training games than any other field in the country, but sadly it may be gone as early as next year (check out this excellent piece by Jayson Stark). By the way, the Pirates got pounded by the “cellar-dwellers-no-more” Rays.

Cincinnati Reds vs. Toronto Blue Jays at Ed Smith Stadium (Sarasota)
The second game of our Monday doubleheader (two games, two cities) gave us the chance to see our fearless Redlegs take on a decidedly short-handed Blue Jays team (only 3 starters were in the lineup). Still, it gave us a chance to see the Reds in what may be their final stint in Florida, since the team is considering a move to the Cactus league next spring. Dusty’s boys came through with a win after a monster home run by rookie first-baseman Joey Votto sealed the deal.

Pittsburg Pirates vs. Minnesota Twins at McKechnie Field (Bradenton)
Excitement filled the air as we went to see the Pirates for the second time in two days (have I mentioned how sarcasm doesn’t translate very well in print?). This might be my favorite ballpark that we saw. It was very old-school and made us feel like we were watching a game in the 1950’s. Check out the hand-written lineup board that is posted outside the stadium.

Detroit Tigers vs. Houston Astros at Joker Marchant Stadium (Lakeland)
What a name for a stadium! We were told that it was named after a local director of parks and recreation in the 1940s. Probably the most architecturally pleasing ballpark on our trip, the Tigers have been coming here every spring since 1965. Saw a great game as the Tigers came back from a six run deficit to defeat the visiting Astros. Most random crowd story from the trip: a fellow sitting next to us turned out to be a graduate student at UC like Anthony and I, and he actually lives right across the street from us. Crazy!

Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals at Champion Stadium (Lake Buena Vista)
By far the most commercial ballpark on the trip (what else could you expect from Disney), but pleasant enough for a matinee game. This is one of the games were we sat on the burm, making for a nice view. The Braves fended off the Nats in a preview of National League East cellar drama.

Cleveland Indians vs. Tampa Bay Rays at Chain of Lakes Park (Winter Haven)
This game was special because it was the last game the Indians will ever play in Winter Haven; they are moving to Cactus League next spring. Legendary pitcher Bob Feller was on-hand to send off the Indians in a mixed-emotional farewell. The Rays beat the Indians in what turned out to be the only game we attended in which the home team lost. Our seats were in bleachers just past the home-run wall in left field.

Baltimore Orioles vs. New York Mets at Fort Lauderdale Stadium (Fort Lauderdale)
This ballpark was a little bit run down, but there wasn’t a bad seat in the house. It remains to be seen whether the O’s will be back next year because they are having a hard time getting the renovation plans approved (turns out the field is right next to the airport and thus FAA has some say in this matter). The Birds came back from a three-run deficit in the 9th to nip the Mets, much to the chagrin of Kelvin who noted that we should talk again in September when the New York club will be in the playoff hunt and the Orioles will be languishing in last place.

Florida Marlins vs. New York Yankees at Dolphin Stadium (Miami)
A fitting end to our trip, this game was not played at the Marlins regular spring training site, but rather was held in their regular season home to accommodate the large number of Yankees fans in attendance. It turns out that Alex Rodriguez makes more money in one season than the entire Marlins roster, but it mattered not as the Fish kept their dominance over the Bronx Bombers with a convincing win.

Overall, I had a blast on this trip. Spending a week together in a car with 4 guys could seem like an experiment in disaster, but I enjoyed every minute of it. We talked about politics, music, and of course, baseball. Kudos to Anthony, Nick, and Kelvin for being such good travel companions; it was a great trip!

Oh to be 1 Again!

Our nephew Noah celebrated his 1st birthday this weekend and seemed to enjoy it thoroughly as he dove face and hands first into his birthday cake. He shoveled the cake into his mouth making a royal mess of himself, but a well deserved one, until his mom decided enough was enough. Noah was the social butterfly of the afternoon making sure everyone knew it was his birthday by proudly walking around the room all on his own greeting each individual with a laugh and smile. Aah to be one again in which a cupcake is a mountain of sweet goodness and there is not a care in the world of what tomorrow will bring.

Spring Break

For spring break this year, Mike and I decided to go our separate ways to opposite ends of the country. Mike to Florida, and I to California to visit Annie. I was actually in Cali for less than 24 hours for we left immediately to Arizona to visit the Grand Canyon and Havasu Falls—our 5 year long backpacking vacation dream.

Grand Canyon
Grand…wow that is an understatement. It is so much more than that. After spending 3 days and 2 nights camping in Grand Canyon National Park, I must say that the view is absolutely spectacular. You’re looking out from the rim edge and the canyon abyss stretches on and on and is too “grand” to even fit into the screen on your digital camera. Minus the 30 degree nights, in which we froze our little butts off, we had a wonderful time hiking into and around the south rim of the canyon. We learned a bit of the geological history of the place (yes I am a science nerd) and enjoyed the guided tour bus shuttle when our legs told us enough was enough.


Havasu Falls
To the west of the Grand Canyon lies the Hualapai Canyon, and more specifically the Supai Indian Village. Annie and I backpacked down into the canyon for 8 miles through rocks, sand, switchbacks, and more sand to reach the small remote village. Here we obtained our permits, ate Indian Tacos, and fed the homeless dogs. We then continued our trek another 2 miles to the campground at which point we collapsed deciding it was a good thing we had 2 days before we had to do that all over again to get back out. While there we explored the falls, hiking through tunnels and down ladders to reach them. We quickly realized the painful hike down was well worth it for the site of paradise at the end. The beautiful crystal blue water falls and river is unbelievable and to experience it in such a far out of the way remote place like Havasu made it all that more amazing.


After 5 days of hiking, camping, eating Raman noodles, sleeping on the ground, and no shower it was time to head back to Cali and indulge ourselves with a huge meal at Denny’s. Mmmm….pancakes never tasted so good. All in all it was a great time to get away from the hubbub of the city, not to mention 7th and 8th graders, and enjoy God’s creation with some peace and quiet.

Lenten Retreat

Transitions. Everybody experiences them, whether they'd like to or not. It is a part of life, and one of the hardest parts we endure. This year at our Lenten Retreat with our 20/30 Club at St. Monica St. George, we focused on how to persevere through these trying times we call transitions. For the weekend, 13 of us gathered to pray, learn, discuss, and share about our own faith journey as we encounter times of change. It was a wonderful treat to get away from the city and to take the time out of our busy schedules to sit and listen to God's will as well as challenge our strategic planning skills in a game of Capture the Flag. Jill and I were honored as MVP's for her valiant, yet accidental, tackle and my ability to take it like a man--or girl. All in all, we enjoyed the fellowship and time spent in God's presence.

Wine Tasting

Mike and I have recently discovered the world of wine and expanded our taste buds outside of the Merlot and Chardonnay category. Last August we started a wine club with a few of our friends in which we taste one type of wine, such as Riesling, each month. Each person attending brings a bottle of wine from a preassigned region to share. We eat, drink, and share our tasting expertise (or lack there off) enjoying each other's company over perfectly paired food with the wine of the month.

Through these tastings, I've discovered my fav wine, as pictured, as Zinfandel. Not the white blush variety from the box, but the real red grape from the Lodi region in California. Along with a tasting, we've recently acquired a wine trivia game called Winerd in which you challenge your taste buds and intellect to random wine facts.

So as they say in Sideways, "I'm not drinking any @!#? Merlot!" as my wine repertoire has expanded beyond this simple over done grape.

--Andrea

The Truth About Charlie...Never Remake a Classic

We just watched the film “The Truth About Charlie” and I had such a strong reaction to it (or lack thereof) that I felt compelled to write a review for two movies. You see, this 2002 film staring Thandie Newton and Mark Wahlberg is actually a remake of the 1963 classic “Charade” which starred Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn. So here are my intertwined reviews of both films.

First of all, it must be said up-front that “Charade” is one of my favorite films of all-time. This makes me incredibly biased toward it, but I think my review will make it clear why I favor it so much. “Charade” is a classic, classic movie. It pretty much has everything you could ask for in a film: Action, comedy, romance, mystery, double-crosses, and (probably the most important ingredient) incredible chemistry from its leading stars. The script is outstanding as it manages to get you close enough to the characters to care about them while keeping you relatively in the dark about what is really going on in the story. The action sequences are so tension-filled that you end up on the edge of your seat for several minutes, and (unlike a lot of recent movies like the Bourne Trilogy) the sequences are realistic and plausible. Of course, the biggest treat is the dialogue between Grant and Hepburn, which is both witty and sweet, which brings such an endearing quality to the film that I just don’t see very often these days.

Contrasting to this film is the remake in 2002 by director Jonathan Demme. Most of the story remains intact and they try to keep some of the ‘noir’ feel about the film, but no matter how hard you try you can never replace Grant and Hepburn. Mark Wahlberg is a great actor and I really liked him in “The Italian Job” and especially in “The Departed” but he has no chance of filling Cary Grant’s shoes (I’m not sure there is anyone who can at this point). I liked Thandie Newton; I think she recaptured a lot of the elegance, wit, and charm that Audrey Hepburn brought to the original, but she is again facing a near-impossible task of shoe-filling. Overall, the film suffers because it tries to recapture something that just can’t be replicated, which gives it a sort of “Groundhog Day” feel about it. Note: that is not a criticism of “Groundhog Day” which is another of my favorite movies. There is a specific scene in “Groundhog Day” in which Bill Murray’s character tries to recreate a romantic moment with Andie MacDowell’s character by simply repeating the sequence of events that led up to it. Needless to say, he couldn’t recapture the original moment. That is exactly why you shouldn’t try to remake a classic.

So my recommendation is that you skip “The Truth About Charlie” and instead check out “Charade”. I know not everyone likes older films because they tend to be a bit slower than the fare offered today, but this one has aged well in my opinion and it just might surprise you.

-Mike

'Tis the Season to be Jolly and Joyous

The Holidays are over and we're just now catching our breaths. The past few weeks have been full of family, friends, and fun, with stops in Kentucky, Michigan, and various locations around the 'Nati. The highlight of the break was an evening of tubing on the slopes of Grand Rapids. If you haven't tried it before, you should definitely give tubing a shot. It's like skiing...but without any skill required. The picture below was taken while we were up in the Great Lakes State, but unfortunately we took it too late and missed Andre and Becky, who had already left. Best wishes for the New Year!
-Mike