It was very close, but the NY Giants win in overtime and advance to a spot in the wildcard playoffs. Final score was NY 10 and Philadelphia 7. Oakland Raiders will be playing in about 3 minutes, so we will see how they do. I'm pretty much a San Francisco Forty Niner fan. My team will be playing on Monday Night, against the St. Louis Rams.
Go Niners!!!
When I first saw the trailer on this movie, it peeked my interest. The story of a successful con artist who managed to pass himself off as several identities and the FBI agent hot on his trail, with Tom Hanks co starring and Steven Spielberg as director, this was a must see movie. I'm not a big fan of Leonardo DiCaprio, but it didn't stop me from wanting to see the film.
This is a true story of a young man named, Frank Abagnale, Jr. His father, Frank Abagnale (played by Christopher Walken) was a successful businessman and some what of a con himself. With financial problems, he had to sell his home and car. At the early age of 16 he passes himself off as the substitute teacher at his high school. He was able to pull this off for a little while, but he gets caught and his parents are called in by the principal. Later, we see signs of infidelity from his mother. Mother files for divorce and Frank Jr. must decide which parent, does he want to stay with. Frank Jr. starts to panic and runs away.
We see Frank Jr. trying to make ends meet. He starts making counterfeit checks. Banks start turning him down. So, he see's a pilot in a Pan American uniform and he gets an idea. He gets information from the head of Pan Am and poses as a co pilot. He makes fake paychecks, which are very genuine to the naked eye. He fools everyone and gets away with a lot of money. First he poses as a co pilot, then a doctor and last a lawyer. Without no experience and get this he was only 17 and 1/2 years old!
All through the movie, FBI agent, Carl Hanratty (played by Tom Hanks) is hot on his trail. He comes face to face with Frank Jr. at one point, but he manages to slip away. At first, Carl doesn't realize that the man he is pursuing is just a kid. He finds out that an alias name that he used (Ray Berry), is from a "Flash" comic book. Then through a phone conversation, Frank Jr. says something about the baseball team, the Yankees. This is a clue that he's from New York. Carl gets the information he needs and he starts following Frank Jr. by every move he makes. There were so many close calls, but Frank Jr. manages to slip away. Carl catches up with Frank Jr. in France and there Frank Jr. surrenders. French police take Frank Jr. away. Carl brings Frank Jr. back to the states to have in extradited. He runaways but then they catch him. Hence the title of the movie. I won't give the rest of the movie away. But it is a must see movie.
The relationship between Frank Jr. and Carl starts to develop. Every Christmas eve, Frank Jr. calls Carl at his office. He knows that Carl has no family to spend it with. In some ways, they both don't have family. Frank Jr. comes from a broken home. Not sure if Carl is divorced or separated, but he has a daughter, who he hasn't seen. The only person they do have to talk to, is each other. DiCaprio plays a convincing con artist. Hanks is excellent as the persistent FBI agent pursuing him through the years.
It's hard to believe that mom died last May. If she was still alive to this day, she would have been 73. Ironically, 43 years ago, she gave birth to my brother. He was due to be born before Christmas, but he was late.
The most popular item for me on Christmas was.....CD's!!!! There were a few things that weren't. I got a lovely long coat, socks, workout gloves, 2 CD'S "Enrique Iglesias and Various Artists," DVD "Ice Age" from my sweetheart. Then from friends, I got 2 cd's, a tank top and panty set, calendar datebook, bath and body stuff, a jar of fresh made peach jam and a pencil and pen set.
I get the feeling that I am missing something and I forgot to mention it....hmmm
It's the day before Christmas. Trains and buses are fairly empty. Shopping malls will be crowded with last minute shoppers. The skies are cloudy and some areas are grey. People smiling and wishing each other "Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!" Airports will be filled with travelers, going back home to see their loved ones.
For some lucky ones, they get the opportunity to work half day. I am one of those lucky ones!
My sweetheart and I will be visiting friends, bringing them gifts and wishing them holiday cheer!
This morning, I presented gifts to 3 of my co-workers. For the department coordinator, she got toe socks and gloves to match. I left the present with a card and I heard her respond, "oh wow, a gift for me!" She loved the card, but started to squeal with joy when she saw the socks. I knew how much she wanted those socks. She immediately put them on and walked around the office, showing the others what she got.
My next gift was for a good friend and another co-worker. She got a set of 4 silver bangles, which went perfect with her silver band wrist watch. She too was loved her gift.
It feels great to see a person's reaction and the excitement in on their face, as they open their gift. Most of all, for someone to say "thank you" makes it worth while.
