BenSpark Family Adventures

With 2005 right around the corner I look back on the year that was. Lots of big changes this past year. We lost a long time family member in Sophie our dog. And on a happy note Allison and I got engaged and I got a new job. A preview of the coming year and a look ahead promises: our wedding, more travel for me, more challenges for both of us, possibly a house, and some fun times as always, all of which will be documented for posterity here so stay tuned. I would also mention that 2005 is the year of the Transformer since that is the year that Transformers the Movie (the original cartoon one from the 80’s) was set. It is too bad that the live action movie isn’t coming till 2006 but 2005 should be a great Transformers year anyways. Also the trivia contest has become more and more popular. Over 100 people played this past month. Be safe tonight and celebrate the coming of the New Year in style. Allison and I are heading to Derek and Michelle’s for a get together. I’m trying out a new Chic...

stay home from the movies during school vacation week.” Last night Allison and I went to the movies to see Spanglish. We had some movie passes that needed to be used up before the end of the month. And since I am not going to just throw money away we needed to use those passes. Unfortunately this is school vacation week, yipee! Spanglish is an Adam Sandler movie but not like you would expect. It is funny but not in the way you are accustomed to seeing the funny from Sandler. It is touching and has heart and is funny, but not really a movie for teenagers or pre-teens. Why? Because you have to pay attention, not talk on your cell phone or bounce around on the soft springy chairs. I always feel like I could go for a nice vasectomy after spending time around most of today’s teenagers. Because I know that no matter what I do to raise my kids right they will probably fall in with the wrong element just to spite me and my ‘uptight’ ways. Allison and I were lucky enough to have four Fast and ...

You’ll notice I have added a box for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief for the people of East Africa and Southeast Asia. There has been nearly $4,000,000.00 donated through Amazon.com. America pledged $35,000,000.00 and was matched by one U.S. company, Pfizer. This water may recede but the disaster is just beginning to unfold. From the Amazon.com website. “At least 80,000 people have lost their lives in East Africa and South Asia in the aftermath of the earthquake and resulting tsunamis on December 26. Thousands of people in Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, and Indonesia are still missing; many others have lost their homes and livelihoods. Sri Lanka and Indonesia suffered the highest number of deaths, but India, East Africa, Seychelles, Maldives, and Thailand were all affected by the tsunami waves, which reached as high as 20 feet. Aid workers and volunteers are focused on stopping the spread of disease and delivering food and drinking water to survivors. The American Red Cross reports...

The 30 second bunny theatre presents some movies that we all know like The Shining and Jaws, but for the holidays it has Its A Wonderful Life. Check out Angry Alien Productions.

Ever wonder what your Pimp name would be, yeah you do… http://www.playerappreciate.com/pimphandle.asp By the way. Andrew Bennett = Master Pimp Andrew Shmoove Allison Sparks= Sugartastic Allison Large Allison Adds: Okay, I tried a few times to get that one, but I like it!! Halloween ideas or costumes for a Pimps and Hos party.

I just finished the book on CD by Clive Cussler called Cyclops. Cussler’s stories interweave some fantastic plots. This book was no exception. It starts with a shipwreck or some other maritime tragedy per usual that spawns a mystery and eventually reveals an incredible plot of intrigue and suspense. Cussler’s hero, Dirk Pitt is the ultimate action hero, he is tough, he is witty, he is good with the ladies, and he is smart. All rolled into one that makes a great action star. Why hasn’t Hollywood picked up this character for a movie, ah but it has. (one of Pitt’s earlier adventure called Raise the Titanic) And it has done a craptastic job with Cussler’s characters. But Hollywood is producing Clive Cussler’s book Sahara as a spring/summer, can Hollywood redeem itself and its past treatment of this literary franchise. Let’s hope so. But it looks unlikely. And the reason why is the casting of characters. The main beef I have with the casting of characters is that of Dirk Pitt’s longtime fri...

Last night Allison and I went to Tara and Erik’s for a martini and Cheese Cake party. Tara made her very own pumpkin vodka. You coulda used it to strip paint and there were some straining malfunctions, but it was a good first effort. Luckily her prowess with the cheesecakes is so much better. Tara made cherry cheesecake tarts, a pumpkin cheesecake and a peanut butter chocolate chip cheesecake. Those were awesome. And I hear that Shelby made a mean Appletini. Allison sure liked them. Thanks for having us over guys.