Sibling Disputes Solved with Colored Sticks

The summer sibling disputes in my house have sent me over the edge. I told the kids they MUST find a way to squabble less. Today they presented their solution. I’m not sure I get the whole concept but there are daily challenges with rewards. The prize is a colored stick that represents the “privilege” won for the day:

Green: You get Wii controller #1 until dark

Blue: You hold the T.V. remote all day

Yellow: You pick dinner (although this wasn’t approved by parents)

Red: You get to look at Addie’s mouse without permission

Update: this involves frequent rolling of dice too.

This Movie Should Have Never Happened

Before I rip into “The Happening,” I should first point out that I am an M. Night Shyamalan fan. I think “The Sixth Sense,” “Unbreakable,” and “Signs” are all brilliant films told through phenomenal directing.

I wasn’t as impressed with “The Village” or “The Lady in the Water,” but I still think those films had something to offer. I can’t say the same about “The Happening.”

I caught this movie last night, and the only word that can fully explain what I thought about it is “awful.” After a promising opening few minutes, this movie slid into one of the dumbest films, with some of the most God-awful dialogue, I have ever seen. I was thoroughly disappointed.

The plot is dumb, the acting is not good and some of the scenes made it seem like M. Night was aiming to make a comedy. Sadly, I don’t think he was. I hope he can bounce back next time around, although I will be hesitant to run out and see his next movie after this environmental waste of time. The only saving grace was “The Happening” is mercifully only 91 minutes long.

There. I said it. 

Where’s Cannaday?

Former Irving police chief and city councilman Lowell Cannaday made a big splash when he beat former Dallas County sheriff Jim Bowles in an April runoff election. The win secured the Republican nomination and a shot at incumbent Democratic sheriff Lupe Valdez in the November election. But is it just me, or have we not heard anything from him lately? (more…)

Re: In the Land of Giants

I thought the same thing when I was driving 35 yesterday (of course, I was going the opposite way returning from Oklahoma). While I don’t know about the crunch placed on their shipments due to gas, I did learn of another industry that is being greatly affected - florals. Which, for the five of us at the paper who are engaged and planning fall weddings, that is indeed sad news. A soon-to-be-bride at People said even djs are charging more because of gas. So if you’re a bride who’s been planning her wedding for the past eight months or so, don’t be too shocked if the prices have increased a little from when you first started planning.

In the Land of Giants

As I drove yesterday from Dallas to Austin, I was reminded of something well-known by anyone who has made that journey lately.  Interstate 35 belongs to 18-wheelers, and automobile drivers are allowed, sometimes, to share a small part of the road, just so long as we don’t get in the way of the trucks.

And based on the volume of gigantic vehicles carrying heavy loads of construction materials, where is this economic slowdown and oil price crisis I’ve been reading about?

Picture Yourself Here

DId you stop by our July 4 Parade Booth on Friday and get photographed in an assortment of wacky hats and boas?  Well you can see those pictures here.

Re: Shooting at NorthPark Mall in Dallas

Detectives interview two men in connection with the shooting at NorthPark on May 16. WFAA video provides the details.