The Blind Side

I just finished watching The Blind Side with the lovely newly wife. I laughed through the whole thing, mostly because if I didn't I was going to cry. That movie has really made me thankful for all the things I have been blessed with. Not the least of which are my mom and dad. I can't imagine my life without the influence and support they have had on me.

If you haven't seen this movie, it's about a young black high school student that a wealthy white family takes in and cares for until he goes off to college on a football scholarship. Some of the scenes in that movie are heartbreaking to realize that people live the way they do. It makes me thankful for the blessings I have received. Sandra Bullock's character (the mom) is the force that changes Micheal's life and in doing that she changes her own and her family's life. Keep in mind this is based on a true story and I'm humbled by the real life mom that took in Micheal, and thankful for her. Micheal went on to become a first round draft pick in the NFL in 2009. Her act of charity will be enjoyed by millions of people watching the NFL for years to come. It's insirational in the truest sense of the word.

At the end of the movie I thought about how the choices we make effect others. And how those others then effect us. The mom got back so much more than she gave. She got another son, all because she was kind to a young black man that had no where to go. I was stuck by the idea that we all effect others and it's those interactions that define us. We are all only here for a while...and we are only in each others for a while. I hope that one day I have the kind of effect on someone that changes their life for the better.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts - www.krispykreme.com 11117 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville I visited the location on Sunday morning in the rain, which made me think...Does humidity effect the taste or consistency of the donut? Interesting thought... Anyway the donut of choice for the first review was a GLAZED LEMON FILLED donut. Cost - $.99 Filled donuts always are heavier than you expect. This one was no exception. The lemon filling was evenly distributed into the center, which often is not the case, so that is a plus. The donut was cooked to a pleasing golden brown and the glazing was consistent over the top. The texture was excellent and the whole thing had a soft, doughy, goodness about it. One donut like this would be enough. You could eat another one but you probably wouldn't need to as the one was satisfying satisfying and filling. I've had better, but overall, a good deal for you dollar. So, go get yourself one and see what you think! Next time I think I'll do something with chocolate! Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm......

Just HOW do you rate a donut?

Well, that is the million dollar....uhm... 50 cent question. I actually searched and found an Aussie web site run by "the Donut Man" that defines a point system for rating the donut... hmmm... He's wrong of course. Being from down under he obviously has different tastes from us Americans....so, How do I do this.....? I think this will be a work in process for the first few. I don't want lock myself into a system that doesn't work across donut styles, fillings, frostings, shapes, and consistencies. I'll have to do some research for other types of food critics and see what they use in their discussions. I'll of course give you my thoughts on taste, consistency, price, value, service, and the overall experience of the pastry consumption. Also, I'll be reviewing honey-buns and the occasional bagel as well. I don't want to be one dimensional here.... maybe a Honey-bun hump day or something will work? Would you like that?

Can you tell I'm excited? This has been a long time coming for me....Finally, the Donut Slayer is born! Glazed pastries everywhere....fear the Slayer!!!!

Doughnuts....They are Delightful

Doughnuts....donuts...... oh those tasty pastries covered with sugar, or chocolate, or molasses, and filled with everything good from jelly to boston creme. Could there be a better breakfast? or afternoon snack for that matter. I love the little fried bits of deliciousness. So much so that my lovely wife gave me a "I heart donuts" sticker for my car and I proudly put it on there. So....I have this idea. I don't know if its a passion yet...but it could be. I think I want to start a site where I'll have a "Pastry Experience" every weekend and then blog about the experience. If things go well and I can get the followers I'll start a web site...maybe sell some t-shirts and bumper stickers and retire to a great big Dunkin Donuts by the beach.

So what do you think....? Would you like to hear about this town's donuts and the experience of enjoying one of the shops special treats? I hope so. I think first up will be the Krispy Kreme on San Jose this weekend. Wish me luck on my new endeavor....and enjoy! I know I will. :-)

This Health Care Debate has Gotten Scary...

So this whole health care thing has me worried. ObamaCare was bad enough, but the way the Dems are trying to push this thing through just...is 3rd worldish. This is AMERICA people. You don't just "Deem" a bill to have passed without a vote. If the Dems can do that what happens in the next time the GOP has control of the government? Maybe they will just up and Deem that whatever they want to do has already passed. End ObamaCare hmmm... we "deem" that has already passed. Eliminate the EPA? Deemed.... Declare war on North Korea? Deemed. No need to ever vote again. The ruling party just gets to deem whatever they want into existence. Or maybe they can deem the other party out of government.....where does it end? That is the scary part.

AVATAR

Tara and I went to a movie tonight. We don't go to many movies and I remembered why as soon as we said, "Two for AVATAR, please." This was quickly followed by "That will be $21." Gluck.... not even a "please." I know, I'm old. I remember when they went from $4 to $4.50 at the movies and I thought THAT was a rip off. Times, they are a changing. Anyway, we went down to Fleming Island and saw AVATAR in 3D. VERY cool movie. So, maybe seeing a multimillion dollar movie for 21 bucks isn't such a bad deal. The movie was pretty much all it was cracked up to be. AMAZING graphics, cool fight scenes, even a little love story for the ladies. No real big actors though other than Segorni Weaver and she was just supporting. All in all though, a good movie.

Tara says that some people were like clinically depressed after seeing the movie because they couldn't live that way here on earth. Well, of course not. We can't connect with animals, trees and the ground the way we can in the movie. I seriously don't get it... its a movie...about another planet...set 150 years in our future. Focus on the here and now people!!! This is a pretty good world we live in now. Is it perfect? Not even close. But, it's the only one we have, and it is what you make of it. If you don't like something, change it. Don't wait for the other guy to do it. He's probably got his own ideas of what the world should be.

Hello.....again

Hello all,

So, I was on here before and I guess I waited too long between posts because no one can get to my old posts... oh well.

I'll be on from time to time to tell the world what I'm thinking about what's important to me...the newly wife, smaller government, the Jaguars, the Red Sox, and of course doughnuts.

So, let's see what's up out in the blogasphere, and I'll see you soon.

1LF