Easter Sunday Weekend Graphs

The day of religious significance with a little fairy tale spread in. I wish you the best however you celebrate the day. (I know Robyn is ankle-deep in dark chocolate right now.)


These graphs are for you....


Thanks, smoke detector!




Soon they will be implanted at birth!!




Trying to write

heh


The many faces of Jason




Types of pie on Shutterstock...ummm....pie.

It's A-Z Time Again!!!

A-Z Sign Up List

I am now sequestered deep in my writing bunker. A similar fate has befallen me as last year...I am not ready, no theme, and no time. That pretty much sums it up. Those of you not participating in the Challenge will see little of me during the month of April. Do not despair, I still love you but my time will be stretched to the limit with the Challenge, vacation prep for the third week of the month, and oh ya...work!!!

Once more into the breach as it were...

Normal insanity resumes in May.

Feel free to stop by and throw some pity my way in the mean time :) Bring cookies.

The Weekend In Black And White

Plants are hearty and resilient...many times they have to take root in odd places. Here is a photo of one such place.


Survival

A little tree growing out of a stump in the lake



Linking to The Weekend In Black And White

The King Of Muscle Building Dies

Joe Wieder - 1919 to 2013 ~ Dead at 93. An Era has come to an end.


Remembered for his physique, his creation of the Mr./Ms. Olympia contests and most famously for unleashing the ex-governor of California (Arnold Schwarzenegger ) on the world...Joe was mostly about caring and giving. He worked tirelessly with Arnie to help him achieve his dreams of being the greatest body builder in the world.

As a skinny kid from the tough part of Montreal, he literally developed into a self-made man. Creating homemade weight sets from scrap metal and working out like a madman to develop his body. Turning his love for physical development into a business and eventually into creating competitions for the world to see. He was responsible for bringing Arnold to America and allowing him to unfold into the 7-time Mr. Olympia...including a run of consecutive years from 1970 to 1975. I remember first hearing about Arnold during these final years of high school.

I remember as a kid buying comic books or Mad Magazine and always seeing a full page add in the back for Joe Wieder's system to keep from being bullied or having sand kicked in your face. Usually a picture of some skinny guy on the beach with his girl and a buff dude actually kicking sand in his face. These are hard to see but if you ever saw them in a magazine they are enough.

He also had the How To Develop A He-Man Personality...whatever that was back then. You could send away $9.95 or whatever it was and your worries would be over when that package arrived. Of course that never happened. But I can still see those ads today.

Joe and Arnold remained friends for life and Arnold is still the executive editor for Muscle & Fitness as well as Flex & Shape publications. Joe was instrumental in the worldwide promotion of fitness and health as well as creating interest in bodybuilding. Sort of the Godfather of bodybuilding.

Many of his memorabilia items have been donated to the University of Texas in Austin which opened the Joe and Betty Weider Museum of Physical Culture in 2011.

He is survived by his wife Betty.

Pump up in peace, Joe.

The Pre-Easter Weekend Graphs

One week to Easter and a lot going on. The NCAA March Madness has truly lived up to its name with some big bracket-busting upsets right off the bat.  My OSU Buckeyes are still in it as a #2 seed.

Today is about Tiger Woods and the Bay Hill Classic for me. Tiger has won this tournament 7 times and since it is hosted by Arnold Palmer it is one he loves to win. After a spectacular round yesterday he climbed to the top of the leader board after being as many as 5 shots back midway through the round. Love him or not, he is the best golfer in the world. Period. A win today puts him back as the #1 ranked player in the world and sits him atop the FedEx Cup points list. It will also be his third win of the season and a perfect set up to the Masters in a couple weeks.

Now to why you came in the first place...the Weekend Graphs!

Please enjoy...

Presidents Popularity





At Least I Think I'm Funny!!




Do you care??




Use the Force...




I'd Like To Think It Helps!!

Top Ten Movie Countdown...Part Deux

Well the time is here to round up another ten of my top movies. I purposefully did NOT go back and review my submission for Alex's last blogfest on this subject. So there my be a couple dupes but you will only know that if you are of the Poirot or Marple mentality. Let's say you're not and leave it at that.

I will tell you this, I know right now my #1 movie will NOT change so be that as it may for better or worse.

Right. Let's go then.

#10 - True Grit

The Jeff Bridges version not John Wayne. I love all the Coen brothers movies and this one was no exception. All-star cast and a scene stealing young lady bent on revenge. The writing and action are great and Bridges should have won Best Actor. Nominated for 10 Academy awards and winning ZERO??? When does that happen. Academy bastards! Great movie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#9 - Pulp Fiction

 

Another all-star cast and a coup for Tarantino. This movie was so far out there when it first came out many people couldn't follow it. I loved it from the first viewing. Weird huh? Anyway, the movie has produced numerous quotes that I use from time to time, favorite being, "Zed is dead, baby...Zed is dead." Don't ask me how or when I use it but just trust me it is always appropriate.

 

 

 

 

 

#8 - There Will Be Blood

 

A lot of people I know who saw this movie said it was slow and boring. Pfft, what do they know. This film to me was a stunning performance by Daniel Day-Lewis who deserves every acting award he wins. His portrayal of an oil tycoon in the making, was just fantastic. His vicious and mainly manipulating ways of getting what he wanted while trying (so it appears) to reconcile with his supposed son and scamming fake brother made the movie. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

 

 

 

 

#7 - Heathers

 

Set in my home state of Ohio, the dark cult classic has been a favorite of my for some time. The litmus test for that is how often I quote from the movie. This one is frequently, probably daily or so. Staring Christian Slater and Winona Ryder, this hilarious story of high school cliques and what today would be called bullying is just the ticket for me. If you have never seen I strongly advise at least one viewing before you die...maybe two if you don't get it the first time. Soon you will be humming the catchy refrain from the movie's hit song, "Teenage Suicide, Don't Do It" by Big Fun. I am laughing now as I type this.

 

 

#6 - Seven

 

I liked this movie a lot based on the fact that it would be theoretically and even actually, impossible for Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt and Kevin Spacey to make a bad movie together. Besides most of the film being a disgusting revelation of a serial killer acting out the seven deadly sins...it is the way and the why and then the justification at the end that is just so good. These are three of my favorite actors and I would watch them paint a box through the wrong end of binoculars...and pay for it. Poor Gwyneth.

 

 

 

#5 - The Exorcist

 

 This movie scared the shit out of me. I only ever saw it one time...the year it came out...at a drive in. Holy hell, nothing like that had ever been on the screen before. The film rating society debated over whether to rate it X or not for a while. This was the first horror film to be nominated for Best Picture (losing to The Sting). It is always in the top 2 or 3 scariest movies moments when those things are voted on. And as much as it gives me pause to do so...I give you the picture that still freaks me out today. But just a small one.

#4 - 2001: A Space Odyssey

This was a movie that depending on when you saw it ran either 160 minutes or 140 minutes. It was a film way out there but then again that was sort of the trip Kubrick was on back in the day. Clockwork Orange seems to seal the deal on that thought. 2001 was the first movie I saw in an "altered state". If you have seen it then you know why it is necessary to do this once in your life. It was intense and surreal to the extreme. Some parts of it still to this day make no sense to me. But if anyone ever says, "open the pod bay door, HAL"...you will know they are one. But if they say, "I'm sorry Dave, I can't do that"...well, then you have no hope. For super cool bonus points, what was the song that HAL broke into as Dave slowly removed his "brain"?




#3 - Bad Santa

Billy Bob Thornton and Tony Cox are a hilarious conman team and drunken comedic thieves. Billy Bob plays Santa and Cox is his elf. Bernie Mac is his normally funny self (RIP Bernie). Heather Graham is the "naughty" girl in the film and Cloris Leachman is great in an uncredited role as Granny. Favorite line from this movie, "that's some lip you got on you, midget." If you are not adverse to some raw language this movie crediting the Coen Bros as "executive producers" will split your sides. WARNING: DO NOT attempt to eat popcorn while watching this film...it will result in the Heimlich maneuver being applied! One of my favorite Christmas films.








#2 - The Big Lebowski

This one made the list last time and will always be on my Top Ten list...fighting hard to overcome my nostalgia and reach number 1. This movie is as hilarious as it gets. Bridges as the Dude is the only one who could play this role. Casting by the Coen's is probably second only to their scripting as pure genius in all their movies. The lines and quotes from this movie are priceless and endless. Go watch it right now if you have never seen. It will cure what ails ya.











#1 - Where The Buffalo Roam

Argue it all you will, Murray's portrayal of the gonzo journalist Hunter Thompson is the best bar none. I give Depp his props as an actor, but Murray owns Thompson. It hit home like a 30-lb sledge hammer going through a concrete wall, when I saw the bio-documentary on Hunter S. Thompson. The look, voice, mannerisms...of HST, well you could have closed your eyes and it WAS Murray. Very eerie.

If you have never seen this movie and are any kind of fan of the late "king of gonzo" you owe it to yourself to wrap your head around this.

This movie will always be my number one.





And there you have it, the current Top Ten Movies as rated by this here blogger. I hope you take time and view some you have not seen. I will be stopping by your sites throughout this week to check out my fellow blogger's lists.

Oh yeah...Honorable Mention

Oh Brother Where Art Thou

The Weekend Graphs

HAPPY SAINT PATRICKS DAY!!!!


Today I am at Day 2 of the Arlington photography convention. Yesterday was a long day but very informative. Saw some AMAZING photos and heard some really good photographers teach their craft. And let's just say I am sorry I missed the Boudoir Session (walked in at the very end when they were rolling video...yowza!). Even saw some girls in bikinis at the Sheraton pool during lunch...ahh, spring is arriving.

Anyway, here are the graphs for this week and a special treat of some hidden song lyrics. Find them. Name the band. Name the album. Name the song.

Now go have fun!


Biggest lies on the internet...




Who goes to Wonderland?




So ya. think ya. might like to go to the show...




To feel that warm thrill of confusion....




That space cadet glow....




I've some bad news for you sunshine
Pink isn't well
He is back at the hotel...


Have a great week!

The Weekend In Black And White

This past week I had a rare chance to be out of the office for the day. On the trip back home I decided to stop by the local lake (White Rock Lake in Dallas). The day was awesome...warm, sunny, and lots of activity of people feeding the ducks. Good day for some photography. And I had my camera bag with me.

 One couple and their small child were feeding the ducks and for some reason the parents let this young boy bring his basketball with him. And here is how that turned out....



Adrift (Wilson's older brother*)

Linking to The Weekend In Black And White

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*for you Castaway fans out there.

 

Wilson



 

 

 

 

 

 



This Weekend's Graphs

You see how I changed the title ever so slightly? Very clever, eh?

Whatever. I have been MIA I know, but it has been crazy at work and I have been working on my A-Z posts so I have had little time for regular posting or very much blog visiting. I'll make it up to all of you as I can.

Be that as it may, before I dive into doing my taxes today, I had to at least throw out the good stuff for the week...and then I was left with this! Bada bing...

Enjoy!

But you can leave your hat on....



I'm NOT the Pope!!




Who hasn't had this happen!




I think I am still hungover...




What do MEN do???

The Weekend Graphs

Well March came in sort of "meh" here in North Texas. No true Lion or Lamb. Today's high is supposed to be 70 but the wind will keep it from feeling like that. Sun is out in full strength. But the corner has been turned from Winter and next weekend is DST (except for you weirdos in Arizona) and we get an extra hour of light at the end of the work day and that always makes you feel better. At least less mushroomy.

So today's graphs are with Spring-like thoughts in the air.

Enjoy!!

Little lies, sweet little lies...




My favorite high school subject (hottest teacher)




Okay class, time to exercise!




No willpower...





And now the health improvement segment of our show...

Overcoming Adversity Anthology

Coming this Monday! Pass the word.

If you have not heard of this great coming together of some really fantastic people to help a young man improve his life, then please read the information below. The launch for this anthology will help raise money for this cause and provide you with some quality reading on adversities others have gone or are going through. I highly recommend it!

 

 

A collection of seventy moving and uplifting original pieces -
real life, flash fiction, and poetry - about battling against the
odds and the ultimate triumph of the human spirit. The
contributors include Amazon bestselling authors Alex J. Cavanaugh
and Kyra Lennon, and the cream of upcoming talent.

The anthology is part of a fundraising effort to send the editor's
stepson, Andrew McNaughton, to a specialist college in England.
Andrew has cerebral palsy, and is a remarkable young man with a
promising future. However, the free further education options
offered in his own country of Scotland will not challenge him and
allow him to progress. In order to access the education he
deserves, Andrew will have to pay exorbitant fees, thus creating a
situation of discrimination.

Help us get Andrew to college by buying a book that runs the full
gamut of human emotions, ultimately leaving you inspired and glad
to be alive. Whatever struggles you are going through, our sincere
hope is that this book will help.


Purchase Links:
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Overcoming-Adversity-Anthology-Andrew-ebook/dp/B00BM62EZA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362210101&sr=8-1
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Overcoming-Adversity-Anthology-Andrew-ebook/dp/B00BM62EZA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362210134&sr=8-1&keywords=nick+wilford
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/290822
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17452314-overcoming-adversity


Editor Bio: Nick Wilford is a writer and stay-at-home dad. Once a
journalist, he now makes use of those rare times when the house is
quiet to explore the realms of fiction. When not writing he can
usually be found spending time with his family or cleaning
something. He has four short stories published in Writer’s Muse
magazine. Nick is also co-running a campaign to get a dedicated
specialist college built in Scotland. Visit him at
http://nickwilford.blogspot.co.uk/.

 

Nick

 

Cover art Designed and Concept by:

 

D. R. Cartwright (Design)

Ella Wilson (Concept)