HULK SMASH!!!

Craig Sez:

Grab your lowered expectations and head on out to see "The Incredible Hulk"! Gotta admit that I was really unsure about this one - but came away pleasantly entertained. (Of course, I had to go see it by myself because Jean is still scared of the big green guy. To be more specific, she is more scared of the Lou Ferrigno version, who makes a nice cameo and does the voice work for the Hulk too. I digress.)

At any rate, the drama is not as lengthy in this one because you already know the back story, so you just buckle your seat belt and go along for the action ride. Just in case you did miss the first one, make sure you are on time because there is a 3 minute primer for you while the credits are running. Then is it where we left off with Banner hiding out in Brazil trying to learn how to control the beast and keep it suppressed. He is really working to find a way to rid himself of the gamma radiation and thus return to normal. Turns out that he may have to learn to embrace the sickness in order to rid the city of the new beast - The Abomination.

As for the CGI - it's nice to see a production company get thing right after seeing the terrible effects in Indiana Jones. Of course there is no hiding it is CGI - but that is okay because the guys that are fighting are as big as trucks. I think that where people have a harder time with the Hulk in general is because when he turns "super" he doesn't have the same personality anymore. When Iron Man goes out - he is still the same person - just with a suit and abilities, same with Spiderman.

So, my rating is "Pay full price" if you are a fan of the comic genre, or a "matinee" if you just want a good action flick.

Weight a minute!

Craig sez:
Slowly over the past few years my weight has crept up to an unhealthy 230 lbs and the usual side effects that accompany this have made me miserable. Last year some may remember that I even started to walk and play Wallyball in an effort to get in better shape. I am happy to say that my heart is healthier, and I feel like I have more energy, but the weight remains.

This year (starting 3 days ago) my company, Corda, is again sponsoring a fitness/wellness challenge. Rather than just having the normal point per mile challenge, they are trying to get everyone to achieve balance in their lives. So not only do I need to exercise, but I'm required (jokes) to take Jean out on a date once a week, drink 64 oz of water a day, limit my sodium, meditate, read (gosh!!), keep a fitness journal, and do service! There is also a list of things I probably won't do like no TV, no soda, and no junk food. I might - but it may take some doing.

So here I go, I'm proud to say that I am doing pretty well so far and feeling better about it. (Although I think I drank way to much water yesterday without eating and I wanted to puke!) I have a goal to drop to 185 lbs by the end of August which is about 3 lbs a week - doable I think if I can start eating right. I'm also starting to ride my recently refurbished bike to work (9 miles one way) 3 times a week. Anyway - you can track my progress at Fit Day if you are interested or if you just want to see if I'm slacking. Check back later for updates and to see what Jean is doing in her efforts to shed a few pounds!