Even more Sin

Ah, take a gander at these other posters.

Mickey Rourke is a fantastic choice for Marv. Rosario Dawson looks amazing as Gale.

If you guys haven't read the comic its based on, I suggest you educate yourself. It is masterful storytelling. (And no, I make nothing off that link, it's just a link)

Sinister

Wow, this poster looks amazing. Jessica Alba certainly does the character Nancy justice. Not to mention the fact that Robert Rodriguez is directing (alongside original creator Frank Miller), something I simply can't wait for.

I've been a huge fan of Sin City for about as long as I can recall picking up the comics back in the day. I bought the issues then, and I've purchased the trade paperbacks at least twice. Amazingly good story (but from Mr. Miller, that's not surprise...and I can forgive him for Robocop 2), wonderful art, and I can't wait to see how it translates on screen.

Color me excited.

Parenting 202

Parenting for a small child is weird. I ask myself these questions when Ericka is gone to work and I'm alone with the kids:

1. Is it really this tiring?

2. Does Annie/Abby act like this around Ericka?

3. Am I being too strict/too lenient with Annie?

4. Is it really this tiring?

In the realm of all things parenting, I think I don't want to be feared per se, but I want respect like any other parent. I want my children to listen to me. Mind, as it were. Yes, when they're two years old they push every limit they have available to them, and I really would love to know when the line needs to be drawn.

I asked Ericka why they go nutty with me yet she handles things so much better. "You're being too lenient with her, so she thinks she can do whatever she wants," Ericka told me.

Now I'm going to pull back the curtain and reveal what might be some painful stuff.

Last night I was pretty harsh, I admit. I tried to let Annie have some freedom, but when she did things that I told her not to do (over and over, of course), she got a quick spanking on the leg or wrist.

So later that evening, around 9:45, after Annie went to bed and Abby was fast asleep in her swing, I retired to my computer (where else, heh) and heard not a peep. Ericka came home around 10:30PM, as usual, and the kids had been asleep for about 30-45 minutes...

...or, had they?

Annie was crouched behind the front door, her gown half soaked in urine, and no diaper to be seen. Ericka said "What's wrong honey?" She replied "I poo-pooed on the bed," and started crying. Ericka then saw that she had taken off her diaper and peed (no poop, thankfully) all over the place. Another thankful moment is that she didn't get it on her blankey, something that has grown to immense status in Annie's little world.

But the point is not that she took her diaper off and wet the bed (something that's happened 2-3 times now), but the fact that she didn't say anything about it to me. I have a baby monitor in the bedroom, and I would've heard her if she had cried or called for me.

Which begs the question: Was I too harsh the last time this happened? I tried to explain to Annie, sternly (perhaps a bit more than necessary, sigh), that we pee-pee in the potty, not the bed. At this point I hope she can see past my stern ways, as I certainly didn't say anything mean, harsh, or loud when the event occurred last night.

Parenting is like riding a bike in the dark. You just hope you don't do something stupid, or hit that unseen curb, to make you fall off and feel even worse.

To further my metaphor, I'm afraid I fell off the bike the last time she wet the bed, and I hope that she'll quickly forgive dear ole dad. As with children things change daily, and with my lessoned learned I hope we can move on quickly.

What Wasn't Meant To Be

Sigh. Well, Quakecon started today. I mourn the fact that I didn't get to go this year. I really loved it last year, I had an amazing time, I got to see friends that I don't normally get a chance to hang out with (Jimmy and Jon, in particular). Tony was also to be included in this mess to Dallas, but alas it was not meant to be.

I really wish I was there, as it looks just as cool and interesting as always. Well, I'd love to make it next year, and hope that my buds agree.

Here's to hoping...

Carb Counters Unite!

You know what's really odd? Is that while this whole Atkins thing is tough, it's not quite as hard as I thought it would be. Here are a few things I've learned so far:

1 - Diet Rite is the bomb. Don't cringe, I know how bad it used to be. But that's used to be. Now, it 'tis be the shizzle. Raspberry and Tangerine are both excellent, and I'm not just saying that now that I don't have access to sugar--they're really good.

2 - It's actually tough to find carbs sometimes. I've worked my way into a few of those Advantage bars per day (2g - 3g carbs each), and the S'Mores are very good.

3 - When in doubt, drink water. You need 64oz a day. Stock up quickly.

4 - It's fun to have something like bacon and cheddar cheese as a snack. There's just something almost sinister in the ability to eat such foods and still be on a 'diet'. Sometimes you feel like you're cheating.

Otherwise, I'm on my 3rd day here, and the results are slowly starting to show. I'm guessing that by today or tomorrow I will be in full blown Ketosis, which I learned they kinda freak out about if you're admitted into the hospital with it (especially pregnant women...but what pregnant women are on Atkins? Thats just goofy).

It can also mess with your Kidneys if you stay in the Induction phase too long. (However, read this as a rebuttal)

Knowing these risks makes me feel better in some ways, because I'd rather know than not know. It also doesn't deter me in the slightest: I'm starting to feel better (after a few days of headaches and a little nausea, the former probably due to me quitting caffeine as well), and I'm slowly starting to lose weight too.

All in all, I'm adjusting, and I think that's a good thing.

It Has Begun

Yes, I have started this new fangled thing. I have never, in my entire life, went on a diet/eating plan/whatever you'd like to call it. Yes, never. Which is kinda freaky, when you note how much my weight has fluxuated before.

Why now? Well, my daughters for one. Those little angels will spur you into all kinds of action, normally of the positive variety. Two, my bud Christian at work has lost almost 90 pounds in 6 months thanks to eating meals like mine this morning: 3 eggs and 3 slices of bacon. It was good too.

Anyway, so that's underway. I stare here at my water, thinking back on my cola-induced days. They say you may even have sugar/carb withdrawals. I wonder if I'll get some of those, as I have had breakfasts of Mountain Dew and M&M's (Peanut, thankyouverymuch). You know, the breakfast of champions.

In the meantime, it's protein and 15-20 carbs a day for me. They say within two weeks the results are astonishing. They also say if you cheat just once you'll fuck it up. I kinda like that strange strictness. It's comforting in that Nurse Ratchet sort of way.

Superheroes For Everyone

Oh man, sweet! The peeps who made the amazing Batman: Dead End have decided to embrace us with another excellent masterpiece: the World's Finest trailer.

These guys are just fanboys who have the capacity of creating images that are necessary to drive home the excellence of their devotion. Highly recommended, try not to get goosebumps.