Monthly Archives: December 2017

My reflections on 2017 and what lies ahead for us in 2018

Posted on December 31, 2017 by Joel

If you thought the U.S. Presidential election made 2016 exhausting, 2017 was like a dumpster fire politically. Ah well. There is so much that I want to comment on, especially the level of vitriol, repressed racist beliefs, etc bubbling under … Continue reading →

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Joel’s review of Girls Trip (2017)

Posted on December 30, 2017 by Joel

Sooooooo Girls Trip. We rented this 2017 film from our local library. The film stars four fun actresses — Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, Regina Hall, and Tiffany Haddish. They’re old college buddies who have slowly grown apart in the … Continue reading →

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Joel’s review of Rashomon (1950)

Posted on December 28, 2017 by Joel

Namita recently rented Rashomon, a famous 1950 Japanese period film by acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa. I’ve never seen a Kurosawa film, but I’ve often read trivia stating this or that modern film scene was inspired by a specific Kurosawa … Continue reading →

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Christmas around here with the Ipes

Posted on December 25, 2017 by Joel

If you ask me, I think we kept Christmas not too complicated this year. We had some neighborhood friends over for Chrismukkah last week. We had the Davids and Chackos over Christmas Eve at our house, and went over to my sister’s … Continue reading →

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Chrismukkah with the Winters

Posted on December 23, 2017 by Joel

We invited our friends the Winters to come over to celebrate Chrismukkah. We had beef brisket, potato latkes, and other sides, and dessert. Pictures below. Now we wait for the Holiday Armadillo to arrive! [simpleviewer gallery_id=”164″]

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In Western Lands

Posted on December 23, 2017 by Joel

In western lands beneath the Sun the flowers may rise in Spring, the trees may bud, the waters run, the merry finches sing. Or there maybe ’tis cloudless night and swaying beeches bear the Elven-stars as jewels white amid their … Continue reading →

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In Midtown for training… for nearly a whole week!

Posted on December 22, 2017 by Joel

It wasn’t easy, and it took some effort, but I got approved for 4 days of technology-related classroom training on advanced persistent threats through Learning Tree. I spent four days Dec 19-22 taking the train from home to NY Penn … Continue reading →

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Joel’s review of Logan (2017)

Posted on December 19, 2017 by Joel

I caught Logan (2017) on HBO this week. I had intended to watch it in theaters back in the Spring, but my plans never worked out. I was happy to watch it now, even on the small screen. This is … Continue reading →

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Joel’s review of Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)

Posted on December 19, 2017 by Joel

It’s finally here – Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017). The wait is over. We saw the film opening weekend, and I’m still digesting the film. The film takes place immediately after the events of The Force Awakens.  Immediately after. Rey … Continue reading →

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Rise Against Hunger Lock-In

Posted on December 16, 2017 by Joel

On Friday Dec 15th, Josh and I participated in the Rise Against Hunger Lock-In at the Episcopal cathedral down in Trenton. It was a long week at work, and I had just pulled a an all nighter Thursday night. It … Continue reading →

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