Sunday, April 26, 2009

Do we really know everything?

It seems that we always have the right answers. However, it also seems we don’t use them to make the right decisions.

The previous stream of semi-conscious thought came on me this weekend like the first pain you feel when you realize you have a bad sunburn. And it gave me revelation, an epiphany of sorts.

It spawned from a conversation I had with my kids in the car on the way home from school Friday. The elder twin Jason needs to pass a test in Central and South America geography in order to “graduate” to 7th grade. So I started quizzing capitals of countries.

“What’s the capital of Argentina?” I fired.

“Buenos Aries.” He replied.

“Panama?”

“Panama City.”

“Nicaragua?”

A slight pause, “Ummm….Manyana?”

I smirked, “Close, but no cigar. Managua. The capital of Peru?”

Now Jason was stumped. You could see the cogs of his mind grinding away like someone trying to shift a manual 5-speed transmission into 1st gear without depressing the clutch.

“Lima.” I revealed, after seeing enough facial contortion from Jason racking his brain before I lost self-control and began to laugh out loud.

“I knew that!” Jason retorted, as if to imply I hadn’t given him enough time to answer. Hey, you only get 10 seconds to answer on Jeopardy. I gave him nearly 20.

From my view, the state of everything lately has become a big realization that we all knew the answers but failed to apply them. There’s the credit crisis of extending more than what people could pay off, then Washington bailing them out with a little “nod, nod, wink, wink”. Then the automotive sector gloom and doom. We keep saying we knew the answers, yet we still are in this mess.

Banks were overextending credit back in the mid to late 1920s that people couldn’t pay back. And anyone who paid attention in American History class knows what happened back then. Not to say things are as bad as during the Great Depression…yet. But things are pretty screwed up economically right now.

As a kid in school I remember several teachers over the years say the same quote, “As GM goes, so goes the nation.” Growing up in the Detroit area you were aware of GM’s standing in the economic stream; the number one corporation in the world. Yet the same cats in Washington that swooped in to save the financial sector are balking at the same swooping in to save the auto industry.

The reality is that we as a planet have progressed beyond any stretch of the imagination in just the past 150 years. Photography, telephony, motion pictures, recorded audio, video, satellites, computers, the Internet, breakthroughs in health and science and space exploration have been the meteoric rise of progress we have all seemed to grow accustomed to. Hell, we even have radio-controlled cars and battery powered toothbrushes! The rub it seems is that we can’t come up with a solution to keep things moving forward without backsliding every so often.

Part of backsliding is obsolescence that progress brings. The cotton gin did away with the hundreds of man-hours to separate cottonseed from raw cotton fibers. Slide rules met their maker with the advent of the hand-held electronic scientific calculator. And of course, digital audio recording, delivery and storage made boom boxes so passé. Everybody has their iPods now…even me. Too bad that hasn’t affected those “thump rides” that vibrate the entire house at 3 AM when they drive by…sometimes so much the windows rattle.

However, this is not the case across the board. Television didn’t cripple the movie industry like they said it would in the 1950s. Wendy’s hasn’t put Burger King out of business. And when I cook on the grill, I still prefer charcoal over LP gas.

I lived an adventurous life. One far from perfect, I had to climb and scrap for a lot of footing I’ve gained over the years…learning a lot of things by trial and error. Not listening to parental advice, making bad choices, relationships, fatherhood and divorce. But since I’ve been through all that life experience knowledge from the School of Hard Knocks, I have no excuse to not know the answers to the tough questions I have right now. Do I pursue a relationship with a woman again? Do I take on new creative projects that are a bit outside my current platforms? Do I switch to boxers from briefs?

By George, this could be the breakthrough I’ve been looking for all these years!...

…or maybe not.

"Obsessed" dominates this weekend at the box office

Beyonce Knowles and Idris Elba's on-screen pairing in "Obsessed" took #1 this weekend by a big margin, showing one of the strongest opening weekends for a "Fatal Attraction" type erotic thriller. Weekend estimated place this weekends's take for "Obsessed" at around $28.5 million. "17 Again" had a strong second weekend, taking the #2 slot with an estimated $11.7 million, bringing its 10-day total to roughly $40 million. The action drama "Fighting" fared respectably well for its opening weekend to finish this weekend at #3 with an estimated $11.4 million.

While "Obsessed" did exceptionally well and "Fighting" made the top 3, the other two nationwide releases were passable. "The Soloist" came in at #4 taking in an estimated $9.7 million, and the nature documentary "Earth" rounded out the top 5 with an estimated take of $8.6 million at the box office.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

"Obsessed", "Soloist" & "Fighting" set to square off at the box office

With Zak Efron stealing the show at the box office last weekend in "17 Again", this week's new releases "Obsessed" and "The Soloist" have a more serious tone, with some fine actor pairings and good performances. Mix that in with a so-so fight movie, and you have the makings for an interesting weekend in theaters.

"Obsessed" (PG-13; Screen Gems/Sony) Idris Elba, Beyonce Knowles, Ali Larter, Bruce McGill, Jerry O'Connell, Christine Lahti. Beyonce Knowles returns to the screen, just several months after her appearance as Etta James in "Cadillac Records", pairing with Idris Elba as Derek and Sharon Charles, a husband wife duo who have everything going on for them. That is until temp worker Lisa (Ali Larter) comes on the scene at Derek's place of employ and begins stalking him, when it seems everything that Derek has worked so hard to obtain in life is placed in jeopardy. My rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

"Fighting" (PG-13; Rogue Pictures) Channing Tatum, Terrence Howard, Brian White, Luis Guzman, Zulay Henao. This one seems like another tired remake of the old "Big Fight Movie" formula, only with less than "Big Fight Movie" talent and script. The hunky but dull Channing Tatum portrays an ex-high school wrestler from Alabama who comes to New York for reasons that never are addressed and becomes an underground mixed-martial arts star in ways one would find on the brink of unbelievable. He's seen as a draw for the bare-knuckle fight circuit after a fluke win, then wins and loses, then gets a no decision until finally winning the "Big Fight". The advice here...wait for it to come out on DVD...which shouldn't take too long. My rating: 2 out of 5 stars.

"The Soloist" (PG-13; DreamWorks/Paramount) Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey Jr., Catherine Keener, Tom Hollander, Lisa Gay Hamilton. Jamie Foxx plays Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, a homeless man who seems typical on the surface. But when journalist Steve Lopez (Robert Downey, Jr.) hears him play flawless Beethoven on a cello and talk about his former classmates at Juilliard, Lopez sees a stroy needing to be told. The pairing of Foxx and Downey is marvelous, bringing the story to life on the screen of a reporter who realizes he needs to help this man to help himself. Their duet creates the perfect concert on screen, making The Soloist sing. My rating: 4 3/4 out of 5 stars.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

"17 Again"; "State Of Play" prepared to square off at this weekend's box office

Well, the Friday box office estimates aren't in yet, but judging from theater goer buzz, this weekend should see a little slowdown with nicer weather arriving. Still, this should make for an interesting showdown between a rising Giant Mouse House star and a star-studded thriller at theaters this weekend.

So far, "17 Again" shows the most promise for taking the #1 slot. This story about 'do-overs' is a familiar formula, and I expect Zak Efron fans will be filling up the seats for this movie that seems a cross between "Back To The Future" and "The Kid". Matthew Perry is also in the film, though you wouldn't realize it unless you saw a trailer since he's not on the movie poster. It makes sense though, since his role in the film is small and the star power at the top. Besides, I can't stop thinking Chandler every time I've seen him - big or small screen - after "Friends". Kind of sad how his star has faded.

My pick for #2 is the thriller "State Of Play". The star power is in full force here with Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck heading up this politically-themed murder thriller. The inter-character tensions as well as the plot seem to be a familiar theme, but the acting performances help to keep it interesting.

The other new release this weekend, "Crank: High Voltage", doesn't seem to have what it takes to make it big this weekend. With "Fast & Furious" expanding to more screens this weekend, "Crank" will have a tough time with it's ametuerish hard sex and violence tone. Plus, some of the action scenes are way too ridiculous for me to swallow. I mean, falling out of a heliocopter from about a mile up, battling an Asian dude in mid air, then landing on a car...and the dude lives? Plus the whole using jumper cables to keep the heart going. Seriously?

My Top Ten Predictions for this weekend:

1. 17 Again
2. State of Play
3. Hannah Montana The Movie
4. Fast and Furious
5. Monsters Vs. Aliens
6. Crank: High Voltage
7. Observe and Report
8. I Love You, Man
9. Knowing
10. The Haunting in Connecticut

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

With this weeks new releases continue the great April box office numbers?

“Hannah Montana” ruled the roost this past weekend, helping to bring the second best April weekend ever at the box office. Hollywood is hoping for continued success this coming weekend with another Giant Mouse alum, a fast action sequel, and the likes of Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck.

“17 Again” (PG – New Line Cinema/Warner Bros.) – Zak Efron, Matthew Perry, Leslie Mann, Thomas Lennon, Michelle Trachtenberg. Matthew Perry plays Mike O’Donnell – who back in the day was a star on his high school basketball court with a college scout in the stands and a bright future in his grasp. Instead, he chooses his girlfriend Scarlett and the baby he just learned they are expecting. Fast-forward to today – almost 20 years later. Mike's life sucks. His marriage to Scarlett has fallen apart, he didn’t get that big promotion at work, and his kids think he is a loser. He winds up crashing with his high school nerd-turned-techno-geek-billionaire best friend. And then the weirdness begins as Mike is given another chance and transformed back to the age of 17 – and into Zac Efron, where the age vs. experience thing makes for some fun. My rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

“Crank: High Voltage” (R – Lionsgate) – Jason Statham, Amy Smart, Dwight Yoakam, Efren Ramirez, Clifton Collins Jr., Bai Ling. The sequel has arrived! Hitman Chev Chelios launches himself on an electrifying chase through Los Angeles in pursuit of the Chinese mobster who has stolen his nearly indestructible heart. "Crank: High Voltage" is written and directed by Neveldine/Taylor, the duo behind the original "Crank," and the upcoming "Game" starring Gerard Butler. My rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

“State Of Play” (PG-13 – Universal) – Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Robin Wright Penn, Jason Bateman, Jeff Daniels, Helen Mirren. Acclaimed director Kevin Macdonald ("The Last King of Scotland") takes the helm as Oscar winner Russell Crowe leads an all-star cast (including Robin Wright Penn, Jason Bateman and Michigan's own Jeff Daniels) in a blistering thriller about a rising congressman and an investigative journalist embroiled in a case of seemingly unrelated, brutal murders. Crowe plays D.C. reporter Cal McAffrey, whose street smarts lead him to untangle a mystery of murder and collusion among some of the nation's most promising political and corporate figures. My rating: 4 ½ out of 5 stars.

I have a feeling that “State Of Play” will be neck and neck with “17 Again” and “Crank: High Voltage”, with all of them bringing the potential for another great weekend at the box office. As to who I think will be #1? Stop by Friday.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Time flies when you're...

The past week my ever-reflecting brain has reacquainted me with time. Not as a scholar would expound on Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, but more in a time line of events way.

We have coined phrases describing this mental reflection. “Would you look at the time...”, “I had a good time...”, “Was it that long ago?” and the ever-popular “Time flies when you’re having fun, making love, etc.” The list is growing as fast as the populous. Whenever there is passage of time, whether a microsecond or a century, we let the stream of our ongoing conscious lives place the time period we are gauging in a type of “sleep-mode”.

The Easter holiday season has always been a family holiday…Sunrise service, egg hunt, brunch, kick back on the sofa to nap off brunch, be awakened to the aroma of baked ham glazed in honey, and, of course, Easter break…before we became P.C. and called it “Spring Break”.

The memories of past play well during the Easter holidays. Having to dress up as the Easter bunny. Afternoons at my paternal grandparent’s house on the southwest side of Detroit (complete with Whitey the B-S-er and “Drunkle” Dwight), having to take my cat Ozone to the vet emergency because it ate an Easter Lilly (they are poisonous when ingested).

The most memories of Easter holidays were of my mom. She was always making it special for us kids, continuing to make it special as we grew up. Ironically, this past Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009, was the 15th anniversary of her passing. Caught myself saying, “Was it that long ago?” Mom was a bona fide chocoholic. She introduced me to Dove chocolate eggs, especially the truffle chocolate eggs, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Easter Sunday I went and bought a bag and ate the whole thing in her memory.

Her funeral was on April 15, rather appropriate for someone who worked in the financial sector. My dad, sister and I were almost killed in the procession to the cemetery when a Buick ran a light and came within inches of crashing into the side of our limo. It definitely broke the tension for the rest of the ride. All of us laughed about it, thinking what if he hit us? Would we have to cancel the interment at the cemetery if we wound up in the hospital? Would we make Channel 7 Action News at 6? Was this some sick joke that mom was playing on us from the “other side”?

However, more than just family memories reminded me of the space and time continuum. Life events that took place had me hitting my mental “Way Back Machine” in reflection lately (Yeah, I used to watch “Peabody & Sherman” cartoons as a kid…). Phil Spector’s legal drama finally ended earlier today with a guilty verdict earlier today for second-degree murder. The whole thing started 6 years ago. How time flies…

Then, at about the same time as the Spector verdict, the sad news of Mark “The Bird” Fidrych being found dead at his Massachusetts farm pinned under his truck hit the wire. In 1975 the Detroit Tigers sucked. But the beginnings to a much better team lay in the young Alan Trammel and Lou Whittaker. And then, in 1976, there was “The Bird”. He would talk to the ball. He would “groom” the mound with his hand to get rid of cleat marks. He would become the 1976 MLB Rookie of the Year and the #1 attraction at ballparks league-wide. I still have the baseball with his actual autograph on it… signed it right in front of me at Tiger Stadium. I talked to it tonight in his memory.

As we get older, more of these moments of time reflectivity occur, and not necessarily during holiday times. April 4th… June 22nd… July 17th… August 13th, 16th and 20th. Plus many others. It’s how we handle the residue of emotion from these reflections. Do we look at the good memories associated with them? Or do we spiral into a funk, go ballistic, or get so drunk we actually go to a Karaoke bar and heckle the singers? Whoops…just had a reflective moment…

When I hit 40, I first thought that my life as I knew it would be over. Arthritis would start creeping in, I would get slower in physical and mental ability, and would have to embarrassingly ask my doctor for a prescription for some E.D. drug. But then I realized it was how I was looking at this benchmark of time. I was looking at it as an old ending instead of a new beginning. And guess what? At the half-century mark I have no arthritis, I still am sharp mentally, and need no artificial stimulants in the bedroom. The slower body? Well, a little. But what I lack in “RPM” I make up in “driving skill”.

There are two ways to view a life event…either negatively or positively. We have tow ways of viewing these; as an ending or a beginning. Unfortunately, society views many life events as endings. The two “Ds” come to mind here…divorce and death. Divorce is draining to begin with emotionally, losing trust, joy and love in your marital partner. Death? Well, there’s not much you can do with that one. After all, it is quite the major ending, and unfortunately we human beings have a mortality rate of 100%.

Sometimes life events seem like a downward spiral in of themselves. Events that can put you over the edge, drive you crazy, hurt like hell, make you worry to the point of panic and make you want to sleep your life away. Going through a rough divorce. Dealing with financial loss. Dealing with a major injury accident. I have been through all three twice. The first time with each, I dealt with them as endings, and they effected my life negatively.

But I learned well. Dealing with each of these three major changes in my life the second time, I went in wiser from the previous times. Instead of looking at them as “endings”, I viewed them as “new beginnings”… new beginnings of good things to come. And so far, it has proved to be effective in maintaining a healthy and happy life. Not so much focused on the “quantity”, but the “quality” of life I live.

So I guess that the thought process does take the scholarly path with Einstein. It’s all about relativity. You tend to find in the grand scheme of things that time and age are both relative…it’s all mental attitude. Time moves as fast or as slow as our lives allow it to, and age is all in how you view yourself.

Now that I’ve figured this out, time moves so much slower now, allowing me to thoroughly enjoy it... family, friends, children, true love. And that’s what truly keeps you young… emotionally, intellectually, spiritually... and physically.

Friday, April 10, 2009

"Hannah Montana" takes #1 this past weekend....oops...

OK. This weekend's movie report is a weak one. It is the Good Friday into Easter weekend, and I have my kids most of this weekend (Mom has them on Easter Sunday this year). Most everybody else's kids had Spring Break this past week. What do you think the majority of the masses are going to see this weekend? I may be just a single dad, but I'm not dumb!

I predict Miley Cyrus' big screen vehicle "Hannah Montana: The Movie" will bring in $30 to $35 million this weekend for the Giant Mouse, "Fast & Furious" will be close behind and bring in just around $30 million, and "Observe And Report" will duke it out with "Monsters Vs. Aliens" for #3 and #4 both garnering around $20 million (though I think "Monsters" will edge out "Observe" for the #3 slot). I am so confident of this I will put money on it...and win. It's a no-brainer. $100 million for the top four movies in a given weekend isn't all that bad. Of course, by the end of the weekend "Fast & Furious" will have made $100 million all on its own in a 10 day run...also not too shabby.

In case you were wondering, I do go to the movies quite a bit...a perk I am blessed to have. And when I have the kids, I take them. Our last outing together was two weekends ago when we went to see "Monsters Vs. Aliens". I've become very knowledgeable of all the aspects of CGI film creation because of the kids (Who says you can't learn things from them, eh?). Some women find this odd and scary, others think it's neat I take my kids to the movies a lot. Six of one, half dozen of another. However, this weekend I feel like an outsider looking in.

My 7-year-old daughter is a big fan of the Disney Chanel. Zack & Cody, Phinius & Pherb, but mostly the Hannah Montana. However, when I asked her if she wanted me to take her to go to see the new Hannah Montana movie, she said no. Now, my 11-year-old twin boys have experssed they DO want me to take them to see the Miley Cyrus. But normally they're into Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon...especially anything Square Bob Spongepants. And now they want to go to the Hannah Montana. Hmmmm...must be that pre-pubecence boy thing kicking up a notch...

After a little digging, it has been determined that the daughter DOES want to see Hannah Montana...but not with me. Her mom asked if she wanted to go with her, and she said yes. "What about your daddy, don't you want HIM to take you to the movies like he always does?" "No." In a way I am crushed that she doesn't want to go to the Hannah Montana with me, yet relieved that she doesn't want me to be the one to go with her to the movie. Does that make sense?

The daughter is a big fan of the American Girl doll and book series. And when "Kit Kittridge" came out last year, she went with mom instead of me, although in all fairness I did take her as well. She liked the movie so much that she wanted me to take her to see it a second time. Go figure?

So, I will end my consecutive streak of seeing the #1 movie this weekend. I've held the streak since January of 2008 with "The Bucket List" (ah...memories...). Since I love my daughter and want her to grow up as normally as I possibly can, I will forego putting her through any trauma and angst by her dad taking her to the Hannah Montana. She need this Mom/Daughter movie experience, and I need to break my streak. I'll go check out Seth Rogan in "Observe And Report" instead.

It's the SpongeBob Squarepants-ish, single dad, guy thing to do.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Thank you Spartans

(DETROIT - April 6, 2009) - The state of Michigan was in need of a pick-me-up. We have been suffering with recession longer than the rest of the country...almost two years longer. The industrial pride of the Great Lake State has been hemorrhaging. GM, Chrysler, Ford...we have taken our share of hits...some may even say more than our share. We have been needing a feel good story for quite awhile.

Then, came the spring of 2009 and the NCCA Basketball Tournament. MSU made it in, as well as U of M (their first time in several years languishing after the Fab 5 scandal). But there was something there that we didn't notice at the start of the tournament...a determination of the Spartans to get it done.

This being the 30th anniversary of MSU's first NCAA Basketball Championship, there seemed a special feel going in. Celebrating Magic and Bird in 1979. And MSU made it into the Sweet 16. Then the fever began to rise. Could the Spartans do it this year? Taking a championship on the 30th anniversary of their first championship? Doing it in virtually in their own back yard at Ford Field in Detroit?

The Spartans seemed on a mission...playing and defeating 2 #1 seeds to get to the championship game tonight. The third #1 to get past was UNC. And many Spartan faithful were rooting for an upset that seemed monumental. And it was.

I have been reminded several times this evening why UNC was selected #1 in the pre-season polls. To be honest, I had them in my bracket wining the whole thing. But the MSU Spartans gave it a good fight.

The State of Michigan should be proud for the accomplishment that MSU made to get to the finals tonight. They clearly weren't favored. Much like our state isn't favored much to survive the current economic funk. But, I have well been aware for a long time that Michiganians are hearty, strong and resiliant. We face adversity, and we triumph over it...time and time again.

The MSU Spartans were resiliant. They proved hearty and strong against #1 seeds Louisville and UConn, and beat both of them to get to tonight's game. They faced adversity, and triumphed.

My hats off to UNC. They clearly deserved to win the championship. But MSU has my hat off to them as well.

Thank you, MSU, for a great season. You have made us Michiganians proud.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

"Fast & Furious" peels out big for a good start to April at the box office

"Fast & Furious"'s opening this weekend left its box office competition in the dust, giving Vin Diesel's return to the franchise the best opening weekend so far this year at an estimated $72.5 million, grabbing the top spot. "Fast & Furious" also burned rubber to a record for April debuts, easily passing the previous best of $42.2 million set in 2003 by "Anger Management".

"Fast & Furious" topped last weekend's $59.3 million debut for "Monsters vs. Aliens", which took second place with $33.5 million, raising its 10-day estimated total to $105.7 million. Taking third this weekend was "The Haunting In Connecticut", bringing in a little over $9.5 million, bring its 10-day estimated total close to $106 million.

Hanging on for its third week taking the #4 spot this weekend was the Nicolas Cage vehicle "Knowing" at a little over $8 million, bringing it to a 17-day total of a little over $58 million. Rounding out the top five in its third week was "I Love You Man" with a strong 3rd weekend showing of just a little under $8 million, earning it a little over $49 million in its 17-day run so far.

The other new wide release this weekend, "Adventureland", bubbled under the top five, making an unimpressive estimated $6 million.

This week's Top Ten (Sunday Estimates):

1. "Fast & Furious," $72.5 million.
2. "Monsters vs. Aliens," $33.5 million.
3. "The Haunting in Connecticut," $9.6 million.
4. "Knowing," $8.1 million.
5. "I Love You, Man," $7.9 million.
6. "Adventureland," $6 million.
7. "Duplicity," $4.3 million.
8. "Race to Witch Mountain," $3.4 million.
9. "12 Rounds," $2.3 million.
10. "Sunshine Cleaning," $1.9 million.

My score this week : 6 out of 10 for 60%. I must be slipping...

"Fast & Furious" looks to bring box office out of the March doldrums


After the record grosses of January and February, the box office was down in March, led by the disappointing 'Watchmen'. With a new month, hopes are that the March doldrums will be just that - in March.

Debuting this weekend is the anticipated return of Vin Diesel and Paul Walker reteaming again for the 4th chapter of the franchise built on speed -- "Fast & Furious". Heading back to the streets where it all began, they rejoin Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster to blast muscle, tuner and exotic cars across Los Angeles and floor through the Mexican desert in the new high-octane action-thriller. Friday box office figures show it charging to the top of the box office on Friday, grossing a massive estimated $30.1 million.

"Monsters Vs. Aliens" slipped to second place with an estimated $8.9 million, heading for a weekend in the $35 million range. In third, "The Haunting in Connecticut" dove 62 percent to an estimated $3.7 million to take third place.

"I Love You, Man", on the other hand, had the best hold among nationwide releases. Easing 31 percent, the comedy made an estimated $2.7 million on Friday, bringing its total to $44.2 million in 15 days. "Knowing" rounded out the Top Five with an estimated $2.7 million for a $52.7 million total in 15 days.

Debuting in sixth place, "Adventureland" mustered a modest estimated $2.2 million , putting it on track for a sub-$6 million based on past movies of its ilk. New movie "Sunshine Cleaning", which was in limited release in March, had it's first weekend in nationwide release this weekend, mopping up an estimated $580,000 that points to a weekend of around $2 million.

My Top Ten predictions for this weekend:

1. Fast and Furious
2. Monsters Vs. Aliens
3. The Haunting In Connecticut
4. Adventureland
5. I Love You, Man
6. Knowing
7. Duplicity
8. Race to Witch Mountain
9. Sunshine Cleaning
10. 12 Rounds

We'll see how we do this weekend...