In Honor of: Halo

Halo: Combat Evolved came out in 2001 and almost single handedly made the X-box a success. Halo 2 came out in 2004 and made online gaming a reality. And Halo 3 came out in 2007 to tremendous success on the Xbox 360.

This trilogy of record breaking games spawned best selling book series, other video games, short films, and was a few months from being a movie directed by Peter Jackson.

Some of my fondest memories from college were playing Halo or Halo 2 with roommates and dorm buddies until way late in the night or until five minutes after class had started...

I don't know how to explain the success of Halo. I think one of the largest factors was the simplicity of the game - you weren't managing 100 hp, but a simple rechargeable shield. You weren't lugging around enough weapons to fight a small army, but two guns. The missions were fun and unique (if not repetitive at times) and the games looked good.

They are tremendously fun games. Tonight, in honor of Halo, I'm going to have a guys night. Some adult beverage, some video games, and just good old plain fun.

In Honor of: Jaws 35 Year Anniversary

35 years ago (yesterday), Jaws was released into cinemas. It was the first summer blockbuster; an instant classic. It was a perfect movie.

And it changed film. Without Jaws, Alan Ladd doesn't take a risk on George Lucas, and you have no Star Wars. Ridley Scott never makes Alien. Spielberg never makes Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, Schindlers List. Cameron (because of no Scott) never makes Aliens, Terminator 2, Titanic, Avatar.

So this one movie is responsible for some of the best movies of all time.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how CGI ruined monster movies. I used a few examples of really bad monster movies - Primeval, Anaconda, Deep Blue Sea.

Jaws is a perfect monster movie. There isn't a scene in Jaws that could be cut. I have watched Jaws more than any other movie in my life; and I've even watched all the sequels (ranging from okay to horrible) more than most any other movies.

Here's a few of my favorite Jaws links:

Quints 35 year Celebration

Jabootu's Review

Vern's Review

The best film ever.

In Honor Of - 4

To the greatest collection of Men I know:

Suiteness

There is no group I know that embodies community in this way. I am honored to be counted amongst their "Friends and Associates."

May Suiteness live on in your hearts.

In Honor Of - 3

Quite simply the best captain ever in the NHL, and possibly the best leader in sports.

Steve Yzerman.

As gifted a scorer as he was a leader, Stevie Y (or The Captain) makes this list for so many reasons. He was my introduction to hockey and to the Detroit Red Wings. He set an example on the ice, by being one of the best and one of the fairest. He set an example off the ice, by giving his time and energy to charity organizations.

This is a man who hoisted the Stanley Cup three times, won an Olympic Gold Medal, and took home the Conn Smythe award, as well as numerous others.

This is a man who, in 2002, played through the pain of a mis-aligned knee, to bring his team to their third Stanley Cup.

I will never forget watching him, play after play, whistle after whistle, use his stick as crutch to get up off the ice. So that he could keep playing.

And keep winning.

In Honor Of - 2

"cause I'm clumsily dancing away this fear
I'm stumbling closer to you
and I am tumbling over my pride
I will be a fool for you "

"I'm living for the only thing I know
I'm running and not quite sure where to go
And I don't know what I'm diving into
Just hanging by a moment here with you"

"I've seen it all and it's never enough
it keeps leaving me needing you"

It's rare that I like a band for several years. Usually my tastes change/evolve, or the band changes/evolves. It's even more unlikely that music that hits me in my soul at one time will still hit me in the soul years later.

One band has consistently done that. One band has consistently written songs that seem to be where I am.

Lifehouse.

When I was in high school, they hit it big with "Hanging by a Moment," which describes, in my opinion, a search for and yearning for God. I didn't actually discover who the band was until college - I heard it on the radio and loved it, but could never figure out the name of the band. In college, at a worship service, I heard the song "Everything," which was this plea for Jesus to be everything, to show up and be real. After college, the song "Fool," which details how I can try to give Jesus everything and fail miserably. And then, "You and Me" and "First Time" which detail in great fashion the amazingness and novelty of love.

Great stuff all around. I can't wait to see what they have next.

In Honor of - 1

You probably have never heard of Bruce Coville.
Even if you remember what books you read as a kid, chances are you remember the megahits - the Goosebumps and the Animorphs and the Hardy Boys. All of which I read and all of which I enjoyed.
But Bruce Coville was the guy who first taught me the importance of reading.
The second book I ever read was "Aliens Ate My Homework." (If you're interested, the first was the novelization of Jurassic Park, which just proves that people don't change too much, they just get taller).
And I devoured the book. I loved it. Besides the juvenile "ha-I-don't-have-homework-to-turn-in-because-of-aliens" it was real.
I could feel the descriptions. I still, sixteen years later, can remember details of the final battle, with little green aliens on jetpacks flying around, and some dude got punched in the nose.
And so I started to read more by Mr. Coville. And I discovered that not only could books be enthralling, but they could be meaningful.
I read his My Teacher Is An Alien series and learned about the horrors of war. I read The A.I. Gang and learned about how important it is to think for yourself. I read his Magic Shop series and learned that sometimes advice is given for a reason.
I finished the "Aliens Ate My Homework" series and learned the importance of fathers and mentors.
All of that, and I learned that Aliens also pick their noses.
So here's to you, Mr Coville. You started me on a journey that got me reading, that got me thinking, and eventually, got me writing. And may other kids be blessed by your books.