http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/index.html

We've been trying to get Alex to wave for some time now and the other day at my mom's house several family members were waving at him and he just stuck his arm straight up in the air (as if he wanted to give a high five--takes after his mama)...but he did this quite a few times throughout our time there when others were waving at him (hasn't happened since we've been back home yet :-)

(Requires the latest Windows Media Player)

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050505/REVIEWS/50502001/1023

And here is the official movie web site where you can view a trailer, etc. http://www.crashfilm.com

My typical idea of a good movie usually involves a romantic comedy/chick flick--guy trying to get the girl and some ups and downs along the way. "Crash" certainly does not fall into this movie category and I would not say that I "enjoyed" watching it, but it sure touched me. This movie was often rough to watch.  It made me think and haunted me.  It upset and angered me to see/hear some of the things people do/say to each other.  I went through a lot of emotions while watching this (especially during a scene involving a little girl and her "cape" and a woman trapped under a car--have to watch it to see!).  However, this movie was powerful and eye-opening...and in some ways, life-changing.  It is about racism (involving many races, not only black and white).  But most of all, it is about humanity.  I think all people, being of the HUMAN race, need to watch this movie.  Do we even see a hint of ourselves in any of the characters in the movie?  If so, what does that say about us?  We need to quit being ignorant jerks and refrain from stereotyping others.  Treat others as individuals, as humans, and with kindness.

This movie is still playing at some theaters.  It will not be released on DVD until Sept. 2005.

**I know our blog is not normally this deep, but I felt compelled to comment on this movie.

Osceola isn't that far from where we live but it would require crossing railroad tracks to get there. I really don't like cold carryout pizza.

At around 9am Amy's dad, and girlfriend Linda, came over for breakfast. Amy made a ton of french toast (she's good at it) and I made scrambled eggs and bacon. The key to good french toast as Amy has learned is to leave the bread out overnight. It will then harden up a bit and stay together in the batter.

Later that day we went to the hospital to visit my dad. Unfortunately he had to spend Father's Day weekend in the hospital. He's been on blood thinners so they think that caused him to have a severe nose bleed last Thursday. He lost a lot of blood and had to stay for observation. We were all worried about him but he started getting better by Saturday. We visited him Saturday and Sunday. He was so happy to see Alex. It really cheered him up. He was discharged today (Tuesday) and we'll visit him soon.

On Father's Day evening, Amy and I grilled some deer chops. And, for reasons unknown to me, Amy allowed me to make some deep fried onion rings!. There was only one condition: I had to do it outside (even the garage is forbidden now!). They were excellent. Here's my recipe:

Deep Fried Onion Rings
1 large sweet onion
1/2 cup of corn starch
1 cup of all purpose flour
1 cup of milk (or beer)
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon of salt (or more if you like)
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper (or more...)
1/2 teaspoon of garlic salt (optional)
A bunch of oil in a deep fryer!

Slice the onions into rings
Mix all the ingredients together and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Get the oil hot!
Dip the onions in the batter (completely covering) and toss them into the oil. BE CAREFUL!
Cook until golden or about 1 minute
Remove the rings and place on paper towels.
Enjoy!

Also, he can pull himself up to a sitting position.

In the mornings, when we hear he's awake, we look into to his room to see him in his crib sitting up and chewing on his blanket. A couple times, when we put him down for a nap, he'll sit up until he dozes off and falls forward asleep--with the blanket still in his mouth.

He's so funny. If I'm on the floor playing with him and Amy walks in (or vice versa) he looks at her, gets excited and starts crawling/lunging towards me as if he's trying to get away. He likes to be scared.