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Room

Tammy and I are trying to watch most (all?) of the best picture nominees. Room was an interesting movie with a lot of depth. The movie has two distinct halves, in the room and then after. Almost like two different movies in a way, and both very good. The acting from Jack, the kid, is amazing.

Movie poster showing a woman holding a smiling young child in a panda knit hat outdoors under a cloudy sky.
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New money, the kind you can only use in compliance with their terms of service.

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Still chuckling about Liam Confrey line “I got a new barber, and he has opinions.”

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Espresso rocket!

Espresso pouring from a portafilter into a small white cup on a shiny chrome espresso machine drip tray
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The Big Short

We saw The Big Short last night and I was simply blown away. Parts of it hilarious, suspenseful, gripping. It had me hooked all the way through. As a story on what really happened it’s also terrifying. See it for some amazing acting, or great cinematography or just for a night at the movies. But take some time as well to just think about what you saw and how much of it is real.

Movie poster featuring four actors in separate panels, text reads This Is A True Story and lists Christian Bale Steve Carell Ryan Gosling Brad Pitt
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Great Italian food at Italian Eatery.

Barista operates an espresso machine at a busy restaurant counter with kitchen staff working in the background
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Mazie and I went to a Daddy Daughter dance tonight. Her favorite thing of the night? “Everything.” That is winning! #DadOps

Caricature from the night.

Pencil caricature sketch of a tall man and a girl with straight bangs both grinning widely, drawn together as a pair.
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First Time Curling

St. Paul Curling Club sheets

This year Tammy surprised me with a first-time curling session from the kids’ school fundraiser. She and I decided to do it together, and we went to the St. Paul Curling Club today. The club is right next to the Happy Gnome on Selby just down from Dale. I had no idea it was there, but it is the oldest Curling Club in America founded in 1912.

St. Paul Curling Club sheets from above

The place is cool. There are eight sheets for curling and wonderfully manicured ice. There is also a nicely laid out place to eat and have a drink. The tables are setup for eight so that the two teams of 4 can go upstairs and have a pint with their opponents after the match.

St. Paul Curling Club bar

The event started with instruction on scoring, the terms of curling, throwing technique and other technical details. The club members that ran the class did a great job and were a lot of fun.

We went down to the ice after getting instruction along with an on-ice demonstration and started to try some throws. We wore regular tennis shoes, so it wasn’t too hard to stay upright on the ice. People who know what they are doing wear one special show that slides on the ice super easy. Here I am throwing a championship stone down to the house.

Me throwing a stone

Tammy had a lot of fun too.

Tammy throwing a stone

My initial reactions after first time curling:

  • The stone goes very far without that much of a push. It’s amazingly easy to have the stone go through the house and out of bounds.
  • Sweeping will get you tired out and a bit sweaty.
  • The strategy of curling is very similar to lawn bowling, or at least seemed to me.
  • The stone makes a cool rumble like sound when it glides down the ice. I thought that was a cool sound.

Here is my best shot for the day, nearly touching the button.

My best stone of the day

I definitely would love to give curling another go, and hopefully at the St. Paul Curling Club. I thought that was a perfect place. Also, I’m going to look at doing a team event here for work. It seems like a stellar option for a work event.

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Already upgraded! Nice!

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Delicious #TeamSPS dinner at Upstairs in Montclair, NJ this evening.

Busy restaurant bar with patrons dining along a long marble counter, wine glasses and food bowls visible, a bartender moving in the background.