Owen is counting to ten

Owen is counting to ten now. He used to always say "1,2,6,9,10," but now he's doing it the right way

I also had to get something else down. My mom and I were talking the other day. Owen was taking his nap. Mom had put a recorder she bought him in his bed with him. All of a sudden we hear the recorder being played. It was cute.

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New things Owen is saying

Over the weekend, he said "Bye Kathy. I want cookies."

It sounded like "Bye dady. Iwa cookies."

Also, he's saying "Sorry mama" and "Sorry dada" and "okay mama?"

Lastly, he is sitting with hands folded, and mumbling an elaborate prayer, and ending it with an enthusiastic "Amen!" It's very cute

He gets this from his daycare provider -- they pray before meals.

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Zombie movies!

In today’s FYI section is a piece on my favorite 10 zombie movies.

There’s a pic of me w/ the zombie makeup from when I was in Song of the Dead. It’s actually the same pic that’s here in my blog, but it was a cropped head shot.

EDIT: Originally I posted the link to the story. But it’s already gone so here is the text:

My Top 10 zombie movies
By Eric Winkler

Credit: The Kansas City Star
Friday, February 15, 2008
Edition: METROPOLITAN, Section: FYI, Page F2

"Night of the Living Dead" (1968): George Romero’s classic is the granddaddy of the modern zombie movie. Also notable for its African-American protagonist.

"Dawn of the Dead" (1978): This time the victims are stuck in a mall in Romero’s attack on consumerism. "When there’s no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth."

"Day of the Dead" (1985): Now the victims are stuck in an underground bunker in Romero’s attack on the military. A zombie nicknamed "Bub" learns to use a gun. Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of being a zombie?

"The Return of the Living Dead" (1985): In this quasi-sequel to "Night of the Living Dead," zombies run fast and scream for brains.

"Braindead" (1992): Known as "Dead Alive" in the U.S., Peter Jackson’s zombie comedy features a lawnmower as a weapon.

"28 Days Later" (2002): British zombies (also fast-moving) are infected with the "rage virus." Last year’s sequel, "28 Weeks Later," delivers more of the same.

"Dawn of the Dead" (2004): Zack Snyder’s "re-imagining" is the best of the bunch. Scary and intense, it nails the core tenets of zombie flicks: isolation, desperation and the coalescence of survivors to combat an overwhelming foe.

"Shaun of the Dead" (2004): Another from across the pond, but this time hilarious! Still gory, too.

"Planet Terror" (2007): Robert Rodriguez’s underrated contribution to "Grindhouse." Rose McGowan and her machine-gun prosthetic leg battle Bruce Willis and his military men infected with a zombification virus.

"Song of the Dead" (2007): Zombie musical made around Columbia, Mo., is available on DVD at songofthedead.com. Features horror movie vet Reggie Bannister as the president of the U.S. (and yours truly as a zombie extra).

Honorable mention:

"Dial ’Z’ for Zombies" (1992): In this "Simpsons" Halloween episode, Bart gets a book in the occult section of the school library to try to revive the family cat, but he accidentally raises Springfield’s dead. Brain-eating zombies turn Homer away after inspecting his skull.

To reach Eric Winkler, zombie fanatic, call 816-234-4406 or send e-mail to ewinkler@ kcstar.com.

A ZOMBIE PRIMER

What is a zombie? They’re dead humans who mindlessly attack and eat the living.

How do they get that way? Depends on the movie. Some zombies are re-animated corpses. Others were bitten by zombies, died and became zombies themselves. Sometimes anyone who dies in any way becomes a zombie.

What causes an outbreak? Viruses, Satan’s dirty work and unholy chanting/ rituals are among many origins.

How do you kill a zombie? Usually the only way is to destroy the brain. How you go about that (crowbar, .44 magnum, ball-peen hammer, forcing them to watch MTV’s "Real World") is your own business.

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More about the ’Bops

Okay, I thought I'd go into more detail about our evening w/ the 'Bops.

We decided to get there early. We didn't want to miss out on our pre-show meeting with the band. Plus, though we didn't expect we'd miss anything, we wanted to give ourselves plenty of time. After the experience we had at the MU/KU football game (it was bad), we wanted to make darn sure that didn't happen again.

On the way down to the show, we got some food at McDonald's. Here is Owen saying the word "excited" for the first time.

Owen saying "excited" for the first time click here

The show had a start time of 6:30. I think we got there at 5:20 or so. There were other people in the concourse, but when we went to our seats, we were one of the only ones sitting.

Now I should say, we had a private meet & greet set up for before the show. Right before the show. We were to meet some rep in a certain place at 6:10.

How'd I score the meet & greet?

Well, first of all, I interviewed Lisa Lennox (aka Deedee). The PR person offers me free tickets, but I can't accept them (for journalism reasons). Also, I had already dropped $150 on three seats up close.

However, there's techincally no monetary value on a meet & greet before the show.

We anxiously waited in our seats...

At about 6:05, we head up to the concourse. We're supposed to meet the rep at section 105 -- very close to where we were sitting. We stand around for about 5 minutes, and then Sara realizes that there is a group of people standing about 20 feet away. There are a couple of people dressed nice w/ walkie-talkies. It was people waiting to go to the meet & greet.

I had suspected we wouldn't be the only ones. No big deal. There were maybe 3 other families, so there's not too many. I'm just glad we didn't have to wait in the line at the autograph session the previous day at the Independence Center.

One of the people there waiting with us was a DJ from Jefferson City. He'd interviewed the 'Bops, and he's on a country station!

We're led down to a room in the guts of the Sprint Center. It's maybe 6:15 or so. It should be any minute.

Now, I should confess to being a little nervous. My wife and I are big fans. I think remembering that this is really all about our son -- that's what kept me from getting too nervous. My main goal is simply to not sound like an idiot. That's my main goal quite a bit actually. I know it was during my interview w/ Lisa. I think I pulled it off for that.

Anyway...time is clicking away. I look at my cell, and it's 6:27. The show starts at 6:30. This'll be quick. No biggie.

The people w/ the walkie talkies say it will be any second. They're on their way. I expected them to come in an open door right by me, but instead they came in one across the room. I wanted to get the video of Owen whenever he first sees them...whenever he first realizes he's seeing the 'Bops. I think I got that. This clip is priceless:

Wow -- it's the Doodlebops! click here

Now we're at the back of what was a short line. After the other few families took pics, and the DJ kept trying to get his daughter to take a pic alone w/ them (she wasn't having it -- he tried again after we were done). It was our turn.

I told Deedee that I was Eric Winkler from The Kansas City Star. I think my wife agrees with me that she probably didn't remember me. Maybe she did, maybe she didn't. It doesn't really matter to me. They probably do lots of interviews. I should have asked something bizarre to distinguish me. Well, maybe not.

The walkie talkie lady (who was nice btw) took our pic w/ the group. I wish she had zoomed in. I told her how to do it! Oh well, I'll crop this pic when I get a hard copy.

Our pic w/ the Doodles

It's still a nice pic. It's funny, people always seem so much taller when they're on TV. I mean, it really shouldn't come as a surprise when I'm much taller than people. I'm tall. It happens. I will say I was curious to see how tall I was compared to them. I guess it isn't every day I meet someone who's on TV.

So, after the pic, I ask them to sign a big 11 x 17 pic Tom Dolphens (from The Star) was gracious enough to print out for me. Deedee signed "Keep Smiling." Moe just put his name and a star. Rooney's was personalized -- "You rock Owen." Awesome!

We chatted very briefly. It's hard to remember what was said. I told Rooney I felt bad that the weather was so bad for their visit, but then again they're from Canada so I figured this was nothing for them. I'm paraphrazing but he said something like "oh it's no big deal."

Owen high-fived them all. He wasn't nervous or scared at all. I didn't figure he would be.

Finally, I thanked them all for turning our son on to music. I'm not sure, they may get that all the time. It may sound trite, it may not. It's significant, though. I would think if I was one of them that knowing I had turned kids on to something as wonderful as music would be very rewarding.

Very short clip saying thanks

We were escorted to our seats. When we had left to meet the 'Bops, the place wasn't very full. It was packed now.

The show started. They started with the same song they start their TV show with. It was pretty cool to be seeing it live.

The show was good. I don't know how long they played, but after a while, there was an intermission. It was funny -- after about 10 or 15 minutes or so, a voice comes on saying the show will resume in "three minutes." About 15 minutes later, we were treated to act 2.

Impressions of the show:

Well, Sara and I had a great time. They're all obviously very talented performers. Deedee sounds even better in person. Moe did a running front flip -- Sara assures me it's very difficult. Most of their songs are short, and very catchy, and they did plenty of both their older and newer material.

Owen enjoyed the show -- I've very proud of this pic

Can I post video clips of their songs? I've got several. I'll add some in later if it's okay.

So, we all had a great time. Owen sat (or rather was propped up by Sara and me) transfixed the whole time. We bought $75 worth of merch, which only got us a guitar (pretty much a guaranteed item Owen would love, and he does), a T-Shirt (which doesn't have KC amongst the cities on the back. Not cool.) and a play cell phone we'll give him for his birthday next month.

Today (Sunday, two days after the show), we were in the car and Owen said "Bops five."

"That's right, you gave the Doodlebops high fives, didn't you?"

"Deedee five. Moe five." Owen won't say "Rooney" yet for some reason.

It's great being a parent.

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Interview with Lisa Lennox (aka Deedee Doodle of the Doodlebops)

Here is the article as it ran in the paper:

KC Star article click here

Here is the long version that ran online on The Star's mom blog

Full version of interview click here

We saw them perform last night. Owen had a blast. We got to meet them before the show! Here is our pic w/ them from before the show:

Doodlebops pic w/ the family click here

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1-21-2008

Last week, we took Owen over to his uncle Mike's house. Mike played the guitar and the bass for Owen, and he was absolutely mesmorized.

He keeps saying "Mike tar" and "bass." Pretty cool.

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Yesterday

Owen said "I'm hungry" for the first time.

Today I heard that Owen's friend Sage said "bye bye" to him. Of course Owen said "bye bye Sage."

Also Owen said "Mike" when he picked up his guitar. He loves that guitar.

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More Owen Stuff

Let the record show that yesterday, December 20th, 2007, was the first day Owen ever ate a rice krispy treat. And, he liked it. Of course!

He's saying new words like crazy now. There's so many I forget which are the new ones. Sara did say he said the other day "air dada oh?" or "where'd dada go?"

I'm realizing now that all of my blog posts are going to have a subject along the lines of "Owen stuff." I need to think of a new way to title those.

Something else Owen is doing that I'm forgetting to mention -- he loves his Doodlebops guitar. He's bringing me either his toy piano or a pail (which I turn over and tap to supply a beat) and then we jam. It's cool.

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Owen stuff

Last night he ate spinach garlic mushroom pizza. So, some day when he doesn't want spinach I can look back and say "hey look. You ate it on this date."

Also, we were watching a piece on 60 minutes about the destruction of the African gorillas. Owen says "monkey" and proceeds to go and find a monkey toy that he has.

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More cute Owen stuff 11/26/2007

Owen has been doing some fun stuff. I need to get it down

The other day we bought him a Happy Meal -- that's nothing new. He would never dip his apple crisps in his caramel.

Well, on this particular day he decided to start dipping his chicken nuggets in the caramel. Then, he started dipping the apple crisps. When those were gone, he picked up the package of caramel and started licking it.

When he was done with that, he was understandable messy. I said "messy." He repeated me "messy." He's saying more every day.

Last night we were at Wal-Mart. We were looking at toys. He took a liking to the Doodlebop guitar. We usually let him hold the toys he wants while we're in the store, and then set it on a shelf when he is distracted. We tried with the guitar, but he wouldn't have it. We decided to go ahead and buy it for him.

He got upset when we took it out of his hands to put it him in his car seat. He got upset when we took it from him to give him a bath. Needless to say, he loves that guitar!

He had been playing with the Guitar Hero guitar (he didn't actually play the game) over at his aunt's house the night before. I think that's when he took a liking to it. The kid likes instruments. He'll get lessons at something someday.

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