Freddy's Back!

New Line is in talks with horror production company Platinum Dunes to re-launch the "Nightmare on Elm Street" movie series, the franchise that helped establish the studio.
The first "Nightmare" movie was made by Wes Craven and released in 1984. The runaway success of the film spawned a slew of sequels and created one of the most popular villains in screen history, Freddy Krueger, played by Robert Englund.
The film centered on Krueger, a serial child killer murdered by angry parents, who returns with a burned face and a razor glove to terrorize teens in their dreams.
A screenwriter will be hired once the Writers Guild of America strike ends. The producers are hoping to focus part of the new movie on Krueger's backstory.
Platinum Dunes is prepping another re-launch, "Friday the 13th," which will be directed by Marcus Nispel for New Line, for whom it remade "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and its sequel.
I loved these Freddy movies. They were so fun to laugh at. I always found the "Child's Play" and "Nightmare on Elm Street Movies" to be entertaining. I love the classic one-liners. I will be at the theater when it returns. Go ahead! Make fun of me.

Jayhawks lose first game of season, to K-State. Yuck!

The Jayhawks lost for the first time in 24 years in Mahattan on Wednesday night. They were beaten by the Kansas State Wildcats 84-75. It was a rough night. K-State has a pretty good time this year, but I still think that the Hawks will go far when it comes to March Madness. They will try to start another winning streak on Saturday as they travel to Boulder to play the Colorado Buffaloes.

What in the world?

I am home sick today. I feel like crap. I have been working non-stop and it's caught up with me. I just woke up and saw a weird movie on Turner Classic Movies. It's called "Spider Baby." It's from the 60's and it's a weird one. Have you ever seen it? You can get the information at the following link: http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title.jsp?stid=500275. I think this movie has made me even more sick. LOL!

It's time for ring number three

Sunday is a big day for football fans. It's the Super Bowl. I am hoping that the Giants win their 3rd. They haven't won a ring since they beat the Bills 20-19 back in 1991. I have been recording NFL Network this week. They have been replaying the Super Bowls. I forgot how close a couple of those games have been. I am excited for the game, but I am also sad. The end of the Super Bowl means the end of the season. That makes Kristi happy, though. It makes me think of a coffee cup that my mom had that said "We interrupt this wedding to bring you the football season." I can't remember where they got it, but I just remember that saying on the cup. Pretty funny.

Pretty funny website.

Wanna clock? This is a funny website.
http://www.backwardsbush.com/

Obama Makes Campaign Stop in El Dorado

Democrat Barack Obama intensified a serious effort to win the traditionally red state of Kansas today, picking up the endorsement of Governor Sebelius for his White House bid.
About 2,300 cheering supporters braved blowing snow and frigid temperatures to crowd into a gymnasium at Butler Community College to see Obama.
His visit comes one week before Kansas' presidential caucuses.
Obama has Kansas ties: His mother was born at Fort Leavenworth, and his grandfather is a native of El Dorado.
Democratic presidential candidates long had sought Sebelius' backing in a state that George W. Bush carried by large margins in the 2000 and 2004 elections.
Sebelius said Obama had the ability to bridge generations for the betterment of the country.

Obama is coming to Wichita area this week

Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama will make a campaign stop Tuesday in Kansas. He will appear at the Butler Community College gymnasium at 901 SW Haverhill Road in El Dorado, according to a press release issued by his campaign.
Doors open at 11:45 a.m. The event is free and open to the public, but an RSVP is required. Obama, who is trying to win the Democratic nomination, will visit one week before the Kansas Democratic caucus. The Republican caucus is Feb 9.
El Dorado is the hometown of Obama's grandfather. State party officials have said that no Democratic presidential candidate has campaigned in Kansas since 1960. That's pretty cool. I am hoping to make it over for the event.

Special Sunday Bonus. Hannah Petetana!!!

Here's a picture of my father-in-law with Destiny's Hannah Montana wig. This is one for the ages. Wow!

As promised. Hannah Blacktana!

Here's a picture of Destiny in her Hannah Montana wig that she got for her B-day. It's hilarious! She'll dance (or fall) around and put on a little show for everyone. I just wish that she was bringing in Hanna Montana's paycheck! LOL!

Happy Birthday Karen!

January 27th is the day for Birthdays. It is Destiny's, Aunt Kay's and my cousin, Karen' Birthday. Here's a picture of Karen and me at the Avalanche and Red Wings game in Denver back in January 2007. Karen was there with my cousin Cindy, and their husbands. I was up in Colorado to see Grandma and all the family. I was also at the hockey game. It was great seeing them there and hanging out for awhile after the game. Karen is an inspiration for someone who wants to keep in shape. She does triathlons and is in great shape. Happy B-Day Karen. Hope to see you soon.

Happy B-Day Aunt Kay

January 27th is Aunt Kay's B-day. Here's a picture of her holding me from back in 1969. Dad and mom failed to mention that my head was the size of an NFL football back then.
I am so happy to have Kay as an Aunt. We love every opportunity we have to see her and Uncle Ron. Kristi and I have a great time hanging out with her and Ron at he lake. We sit down and have very deep discussions every time we are there. We can't wait to see you again. Have a great B-day and we love you very much!

Happy B-Day Destiny!

January 27th is Destiny's 4th B-Day. Here's a picture of her on her Dora The Explorer 4-wheeler that she got for her Birthday. Her mom found one on sale at Wal-Mart for cheap, but they just had the display model left, so she went on a mission to find one in a box at the same price. Well, she did. She traveled down to Derby one evening to get it. Her and I put it together the other night. That was entertaining. Well, it really wasn't too bad at all.
Destiny had a fun B-Day weekend. That 4-wheeler can fly! She is hilarious to watch on it. Other gifts included Hannah Montana goodies. I will have to put a picture of "Hannah Blacktana" on here later. Happy Birthday Dest!

Kansas off to best start ever!

The Jayhawks are 20-0! They beat Nebraska 84-49 on Saturday. They are kickin' butt! They take their undefeated record into Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan on Wednesday to play Kansas State. Go Hawks!

Happy Birthday Uncle Lamar! Sorry it's late!

I would like to wish a Happy Belated Birthday to my Uncle Lamar in Colorado. His B-day was last week and I forgot to get it on the Blog. Lamar, I hope that you had a wonderful B-day and I hope to get Kristi and the kids out there to see you all very soon.
Love, Your fat nephew in Kansas.

Heath Ledger found dead

Actor Heath Ledger was found dead Tuesday at a downtown Manhattan, NY residence in what authorities say is a possible drug-related death, the NYPD said. He was 28. NYPD spokesman Paul Browne told The Associated Press that Mr. Ledger had an appointment for a massage at the Manhattan apartment that is believed to be his home. The housekeeper who went to let Mr. Ledger know the masseuse was there, and found him dead at 3:26 p.m, Mr. Browne said. The Australian-born actor was nominated for an Oscar for "Brokeback Mountain," where he met his wife, actress Michelle Williams, in 2005. Mr. Ledger's roles include the suicidal son of Billy Bob Thornton in "Monster's Ball" and had starring roles in "A Knight's Tale" and "The Patriot." He was to appear as the Joker this year in "The Dark Night," a sequel to 2005's "Batman Begins."

G-Men are headed to Super Bowl! Let's Go Giants!

What a wonderful night! The New York Giants are on their way to the Super Bowl! They beat Green Bay 23-20 in OT. It was a great game. I am so excited that my 2nd favorite team made it. It would've even been cooler if it were the Broncos and Giants, but that will probably never happen again. I wish it would. So, it's the Giants and the Patriots on February 3rd in the Super Bowl. The Patriots beat the Giants 38-35 in the final regular season game this year. I hope that the Giants can change that in the "Big Game." Go Giants!

R.I.P. Sam The Butcher

Allan Melvin, a character actor best known for playing Sam the Butcher on “The Brady Bunch,” has died. He was 84. Melvin died of cancer Thursday at his home in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles, said Amalia Melvin, his wife of 64 years.
The jowly, jovial Melvin spent decades playing a series of sidekicks, second bananas and lovable lugs, including Archie Bunker's friend Barney Hefner on “All in the Family,” and Sgt. Bilko's right-hand man Cpl. Henshaw on the “Phil Silvers Show.” But his place in pop culture will be fixed as butcher and bowler Sam Franklin, the love interest of Brady family maid Alice Nelson, who was played by Ann B. Davis. Melvin played the role from 1970 to 1973.
Born in Kansas City, Mo., in 1923, Melvin grew up in New York and attended Columbia University. He was appearing on Broadway in “Stalag 17” when he began his decades-long television career with “The Phil Silvers Show,” playing a role his wife said was always his favorite. “He was proudest of that show,” Amalia Melvin said. “I think the camaraderie of all those guys made it such a pleasant way to work. They were so relaxed.”
He saw steady employment as a voice actor from the early 1960s to the early 1990s, most famously providing the voice of “Magilla Gorilla” for the Hanna Barbera cartoon of the same name.
His other credits include several guest appearances on “The Andy Griffith Show,” “Gomer Pyle: USMC,” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show.”
In addition to Amalia, Melvin is survived by daughter Jennifer Hanson and grandson Jon Hanson Jr. A daughter, Mya, died in 1970.

Another picture of Mt. Elbert

Here's another picture of Mt. Elbert from the Marines T.V. commercial. I paused the T.V. and took a couple pictures. You can get more information on Mt. Elbert at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Elbert.

Oh, How I miss this view!

It's Sunday afternoon and I am watching the AFC Championship Game. Kristi is taking a nap. A commercial came on for the Marines. I watched the commercial and yell "Holy Crap there's Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive!" Kristi wakes up and says "what? I am sleeping!" I explained to her that I saw my old home on TV. These mountains are in Leadville, Colorado. That's where we lived right before we moved to the flat lands. Mt. Elbert (left) is the highest mountain in Colorado. I remember when dad and mom hiked up to the summit with a church group. I used to love waking up every day and seeing these awesome mountains! I miss the mountains.

Suzanne Pleshette dead at 70

Suzanne Pleshette, the husky-voiced star best known for her role as BobNewhart's sardonic wife on television's long-running "The Bob Newhart Show," has died at age 70.Pleshette, whose career included roles in such films as Hitchcock's "TheBirds" and in Broadway plays including "The Miracle Worker," died of respiratory failure Saturday evening at her Los Angeles home, said her attorney Robert Finkelstein, also a family friend.

Jawhawks are 18-0!!!

The Kansas Jayhawks are on a roll! They went into Columbia Saturday night and beat Mizzou 76-70. KU is now 18-0. I think this is one of the best Kansas teams that I have ever seen. I never imagined KU having a killer basketball and football team in the same year. Pretty wild! Rock Chalk Jayhawk! KU!!

Artist to build four giant waterfalls in New York City

Here's an artist's rendering of the New York City Waterfalls project, proposed by Danish artist Olafur Eliasson, is seen here in this undated handout photo. Four giant waterfalls will be erected in New York for three months this summer in a public art project city officials hope will create $55 million in extra tourism revenue for the Big Apple. The waterfalls, including one that will fall from the famed Brooklyn Bridge, are the brainchild of Eliasson. They will cost $15 million, to be funded by private donations to New York's Public Art Fund.

I wonder if we'll be seeing Cosmo Kramer swimming around this area anytime soon?

How's this for a sticker?

I got an e-mail with this bumper sticker and had to share it. Pretty funny! It's gonna be a fun year!

German experts crack Mona Lisa smile

German academics believe they have solved the centuries-old mystery behind the identity of the "Mona Lisa" in Leonardo da Vinci's famous portrait. Lisa Gherardini, the wife of a wealthy Florentine merchant, Francesco del Giocondo, has long been seen as the most likely model for the sixteenth-century painting.
But art historians have often wondered whether the smiling woman may actually have been da Vinci's lover, his mother or the artist himself.
Now experts at the Heidelberg University library say dated notes scribbled in the margins of a book by its owner in October 1503 confirm once and for all that Lisa del Giocondo was indeed the model for one of the most famous portraits in the world.
"All doubts about the identity of the Mona Lisa have been eliminated by a discovery by Dr. Armin Schlechter," a manuscript expert, the library said in a statement on Monday.
Until then, only "scant evidence" from sixteenth-century documents had been available. "This left lots of room for interpretation and there were many different identities put forward," the library said.
The notes were made by a Florentine city official Agostino Vespucci, an acquaintance of the artist, in a collection of letters by the Roman orator Cicero.
The comments compare Leonardo to the ancient Greek artist Apelles and say he was working on three paintings at the time, one of them a portrait of Lisa del Giocondo.
Art experts, who have already dated the painting to this time, say the Heidelberg discovery is a breakthrough and the earliest mention linking the merchant's wife to the portrait.
"There is no reason for any lingering doubts that this is another woman," Leipzig University art historian Frank Zoellner told German radio. "One could even say that books written about all this in the past few years were unnecessary, had we known."
The woman was first linked to the painting in around 1550 by Italian official Giorgio Vasari, the library said, but added there had been doubts about Vasari's reliability and had made the comments five decades after the portrait had been painted.
The Heidelberg notes were actually discovered over two years ago in the library by Schlechter, a spokeswoman said.
Although the findings had been printed in the library's public catalogue they had not been widely publicized and had been received little attention until a German broadcaster decided to do some recording at the library, she said.
The painting, which hangs in the Louvre in Paris, is also known as "La Gioconda" meaning the happy or joyful woman in Italian, a title which also suggests the woman's married name.

How 'Bout Them Cowboys? Giants Win!!!

Well, as you know, my favorite team didn't make the playoffs, but my second did! The New York Giants made it to the playoffs as a Wildcard team. They beat Tampa Bay last week and they headed to Dallas for their playoff game on Sunday. It was great! They beat the Cowboys 21-17. I have hated the Cowboys since they beat the Broncos in Super Bowl XII. I really hated them in the 90's when they won all the time, well they haven't won a playoff game since then. That is a wonderful thing. The Giants are on the way to the NFC Championship Game at Green Bay next Sunday. They are one game away from the Super Bowl!!!

Wichita Arena has a name. It's Intrust Bank Arena!

Sedgwick County commissioners voted today to give Intrust Bank naming rights to the new downtown Wichita arena, according to sources.
Bank and county officials aren't commenting on situation, but sources say the bank will pay more than $10 million for the rights for more than 20 years.

Intrust Bank, owned by Intrust Financial Corp., is the largest locally owned bank in Kansas, with $3.3 billion in assets and 43 offices in Kansas and six in Oklahoma. It originally was chartered in 1876.
The bank has been in talks on naming rights for the arena since the beginning.
There was last-minute jockeying for naming rights to other areas of the arena, such as its concourse and the plaza out front.
"We're going to try to maximize naming right possibilities," Unruh said.
Voters approved the 15,000-seat arena in 2004. A 30-month, 1 cent sales tax ended Dec. 31 and generated about $205.5 million.
Work began Nov. 19 on the arena's concrete structure and the arena is expected to be completed in early 2010.

Orange Bowl Champs!!!

WOW! What a night! Kristi was busy doing laundry and I had my fat butt in front of the television for the Orange Bowl. It was an awesome game! KU never trailed in the game. They beat Virginia Tech 24-21 and the Jayhawks ended the season 12-1. ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK...KU!!! Congrats to the Hawks!