Boo

I'm a bit obsessed with Akira Kurosawa's samurai movies right now. I read an article about how Kurosawa was heavily influenced by the westerns of John Ford. Later, Sergio Leone drew heavily from Kurosawa's style. Then, Kurosawa incorporated elements from Leone's "spaghetti westerns" in some of his later films. There is a very symbiotic relationship between classic westerns and samurai movies. I can't stop watching these Kurosawa movies. The visuals are perfect. The way he used sound really draws you into the movie. Kurosawa understood something that far too many modern filmmakers have forgotten: you can build more drama with silence than you can having a million different things going on at one time.

Safe travels Saz. It wouldn't be a proper good-bye without some sad piano music and Bruce Banner walking away...

My entire philosophy of quitting smoking can be summed up with two quotes. The above quote by Stephen R. Covey (the main thing...) and this one from our old friend Confucius...

The Nationals played great during the second-half of the season. That being said, I didn't think they would take down the Dodgers and then sweep the Cardinals. Washington got hot at the perfect time. I wonder how the fortunes of the Nationals this season affects general managers around the league who are thinking of making a splash on the free agent market by giving a boatload of money to one guy. The Nationals lost Bryce Harper before the season when the Phillies made him, at the time, the richest player in the history of baseball. Washington having lost one big star used the extra money to beef up the bullpen and add a couple of key pieces. Their starting rotation was one of the best in the league as is with Scherzer, Strasburg, and company. The money freed up when Harper left town allowed them to address a few key issues and now...they are World Series bound. It was a case of addition by subtraction that worked out very well for the Nationals. I'll defend the playoffs in baseball. The pitching rotation and the very nature of the game make a five or seven game series a better gauge for determining a champion at the end of a 162 game season. Now if we're talking NBA playoffs...those are absolutely ridiculous. Of course, the NBA has bigger issues right now with the whole China thing. When the biggest star in the league is having to explain that he doesn't actually support the tyranny and oppression of a brutal dictatorship...you might say the NBA shit the bed on this one.

Sometimes the best gifts are the ones you give yourself. Happy Birthday and congratulations on being a non-smoker.

Welcome aboard Steph. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you will ever do for yourself. Thanks for being here. Enjoy the ride.

Polar bears have the best public relations in the entire animal kingdom. Between the toys, Christmas cards, and those Coca-Cola commercials, people think polar bears are cute and cuddly. In reality, polar bears are more aggressive and every bit as vicious as brown bears. Black bears are timid by comparison and mostly just want to be left alone. You better stay away from him, he'll rip your lungs out Jim, I'd like to meet his publicist...

You've taken smoking off the table and realize that smoking is not some magic cure for stress. It is always encouraging to see quitters address the big issues early in the process. You are building a mighty quit for yourself Mr. Boosh. Good job.

You could read a self-help book. Or, you could just listen to Roger Miller.

I don't care if he is hogging the plate, you don't throw high and tight at a polar bear. Pick your battles.

Canadian Thanksgiving. That magical day when even Toronto and Montreal fans call a ceasefire...

Cristobal is a rock star. Set yourself free and in the process contributed what most of us consider must read material for those of us that followed your lead. You have helped more people than you will ever know. Congratulations on your quit and thank you for all you have done.

Viva Vivianne!

Good job Juan. The one month mark is a big milestone. Enjoy your newfound freedom.