Mike's Mini Movie Review - BOLT!

My older daughter and I went on a Daddy-Daughter Date today, and saw BOLT!

It was very fun. The hamster - Rhino - stole the film. The throwaway scene with him riding on top of the kayak had tears streaming down my face. I would fully endorse Rhino getting his own sequel film.

I do not (heart) this

I was at a major grocery retailer yesterday - five days after Christmas - and the Valentine's Day candies were already out.

Back home

So we're back from our week-long excursion to Manitoba for Christmas with my wife's family and then my family. Good times were had by all, although we're all coming back a little under the weather. Good thing I have most of the rest of the week off.

I got to see the UFC show on Saturday at my brother and sister-in-law's condo (complete with 42-inch widescreen TV). Very good show with both title matches having surprise endings with new champions. However, it sets up Brock vs. Mir II later this year, so it's all good.

The Christmas Story

Back when I worked for the Edmonton Sun, I had a tradition of reprinting the Christmas story in my column on the Monday before Christmas. It always got a lot of appreciative response from readers. So I thought I should start doing that here as well every Christmas.

So, today, a tradition returns!

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

Coming tomorrow

A tradition returns.

Bonus Tuesday afternoon humor

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Sunday afternoon humor

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On vacation

Leaving on Christmas vacation today. But don't despair. Due to the miracle of scheduled posts, The Newsroom will remain (a little) active for the next two weeks.

Snow in Las Vegas

What are the odds?

Bonus Thursday humor!

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Whiteheart - Over Me

And a total blast from the past. I put this CD in a few weeks ago and realized again how good it was. Casting Crowns or someone should do some White Heart covers.

Petra - God Gave Rock and Roll To You

As a point of comparison to the Bride version (below). I think I prefer Bride's actually. The harder rock version works better.

Bonus Wednesday night humor!

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Sun Media cuts today?

Toronto Sun Family: 1971 - 2008: TorSun cuts?

Could (today) be Black Tuesday for the Toronto Sun?

Tipsters say an undisclosed number of employees who arrive at work Tuesday will leave as the latest victims of Quebecor's hatchet.

"It ain't over," one Sun vet said of the cutbacks that have ravaged the Toronto Sun since Quebecor bought Sun Media in 1999.

"No one knows who yet, but it is supposed to be big," said another newsroom staffer.

Another TSF tipster said staff could be cut by 10%.

UPDATE: Unfortunately, this story is entirely true..

Sun Media Announces Workforce Reductions

Last update: 10:45 a.m. EST Dec. 16, 2008
TORONTO, ONTARIO, Dec 16, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- As a result of the fundamental transformation under way in the newspaper industry in recent years and the accelerated deterioration of economic activity affecting its print media revenue sources, Sun Media Corporation, Canada's largest publisher of newspapers, has announced that it will reduce its workforce by approximately 600 full-time equivalent positions as part of a major restructuring of its operations in Western Canada, Ontario and Quebec. The staff reductions, the vast majority of which will occur by the end of the year, represents about 10% of the Company's workforce, excluding mail room operations, for which staff count fluctuates based on volume.
This initiative is expected to result in restructuring costs of approximately $14 million.

UPDATE:

As a point of comparison, in 2001, Sun Media cut 300 jobs in May and another 125 jobs in October, which absolutely crippled the newspapers. I remember how bad it was there after those two rounds of cuts. Since then and before today, there were at least two additional rounds of job cuts (including the one that ended my time there), and now they're coming back with 600 more cuts. Unbelievable.

UPDATE: The Toronto Sun Family Blog has all the gory details.

Bride - God Gave Rock N Roll to You

I remember Petra doing this ages ago. This version is pretty cool.

I'm pretty sure I made more money last weekend ...

Misfires: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Freddie Prinze Jr. Face Bomb-Making Charges For 'Delgo'

Delgo's $916,000 gross is the lowest ever by a film that opened on more than 2,000 screens — 2,160 to be exact. Its $424 per-theater average means that some showings of the animated sci-fi fantasy in more competitive markets likely played to audiences of fewer than five people at a time.

Update: It's worse than expected!

Sunday afternoon humour

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History of the UFC title belts

Courtesy BeltFanDan, AKA PawNtheSandman.

UFC 94 poster

Oh yes ...

TNA replica belts on sale now

Ordering information is here. TNA has a picture of the replica belt here.

Watch for my upcoming Star Wars DVD sale on Ebay

Maybe it's because I'm 40 ... or maybe it's the fact that Spike TV has the rights to all the Star Wars movies and replays them constantly ... but I came to the realization recently while watching Attack of the Clones for the 483rd time that the Star Wars prequels are absolute dreck, and should never have been made. Even Revenge of the Sith. Embarrasingly bad.

The original trilogy is fine. Indeed, the first Star Wars movie is still a classic, and I will love it forever.

Sunday afternoon humour

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Downhere - How Many Kings

An appropriate song for the Christmas season.

TNA replica belts on sale soon

TNA Wrestling has announced that they will soon be selling replicas of the TNA World title belt. Word from someone who knows is the replicas are going to be of high quality. More details and pictures as they become available.

Next week, TNA Wrestling will be offering incredible replicas of the TNA World Heavyweight Championship for sale at ShopTNA.com, the official online merchandise store of TNA!

TNA will take delivery of an extremely limited amount of the replica championships, which will go on sale immediately at ShopTNA.com in time for Christmas delivery.

Talk about an awesome holiday gift for your favorite TNA Wrestling fan!

The replica titles are made to the same size and specifications as the real TNA World Heavyweight Championship, fitting up to a 46 inch waist and weighing nearly 5 pounds! These limited-edition titles are an amazing reproduction of the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, currently held by "The Icon" Sting.

Christmas at Ground Zero

Because not every great Christmas song is a classic hymn.

How easy is it to get a job in Australia?

Sorry, but I've been too dumbfounded by what's been going on in Ottawa to post. And I'd tell you what I think of it all, but I don't like to use such vile language on my blog. I have standards, you know.