Last Sunday I took my 2-year-old daughter to see Sonic the Hedgehog. She met a 3-year-old man at Westwood Plaza Theatre for a matinee. His father drove him to the cinemas. It was classified as a date and was chaperoned by two fathers from the Sega era. Please enjoy this review of the fuzzy blue hedgehog.
To begin, Sonic came into my world when I was about 7-years-old. When Sega Genesis unleashed this peculiar mammal to the video game universe, it provided immediate thrills. A few years later, in 1993, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective was released. Sonic and Jim Carey can credit the early 1990s for the height of their popularity. Sonic dominated the video game scene while Carey followed up Ace Ventura with The Mask and Dumb and Dumber in the same calendar year. Amazingly, two + decades later, Sonic and Jim share the big screen in an epic adventure.
My daughter did not care about that rich history paragraph. Any opportunity to go to the movies is fantastic. "Thanks Dad for the star-crossed storyline. Now, get on with the blog."
Legend has it that this film was delayed for quite some time because of how the blue hedgehog was going to come to life. Sonic had to be redesigned and there was outrage over his appearance. And let's face it, if we can't get a live-action Sonic right then there is no chance at world peace. Ultimately, I think they did a good job. He is brilliantly blue and blazes around for under two hours.
That is the first win - under two hours. It should be illegal to make a movie over two hours for a child audience. It is inhumane. Paramount Pictures gets a star simply for a 100 minute showtime.
Jim Carey acts as the villian doctor. His character is also insane, which might be more of a characteristic of the man, not the actor. He scared the date to some degree, but never enough to cause pure panic. And - spoiler alert - Sonic outruns Dr. Robotnik. And that really should not have spoiled much. If you had an inclination that Sonic would die during the movie, maybe you are insane.
The film takes place in the Pacific Northwest which had me daydreaming about adventuring in that part of the country. While I was lost in that daydream, I imagined climbing mountains and crossing streams. I imagined glorious sunrises and serene sunsets. I imagined my children chasing Sonic the Hedgehog somewhere on the other side of the Mississippi River far away from my wilderness conquests.
And that my friends is the magic of the movies. Sonic gets "2 Paws Up" from me because hedgehogs have paws. My 2-year-old had a civil date with her 3-year-old prince. Two Dads had some level of matinee peace, which does not solve the world's problems, but it is a step in the right direction.
Johnstown, let's all race to personal greatness. Lead by example. Make your own unique magic.
Godspeed.
Saturday, February 22, 2020
Sunday, February 16, 2020
Heritage Discovery Center Top 10
Our family invested in a family pass for the Heritage Discovery Center this year and it is paying big dividends. This Johnstown museum and interactive play space has become a communal explosion of exploration. Here is the first Top 10 of 2020:
#10: Put on your Hard Hat
There is plenty for children to conquer at this Broad Street bonanza. And for courageous adults, there is opportunity to turn back the clock and celebrate the splendor of youth. Inside the Discovery Center, you can be a pediatrician, a train conductor, and an executive chef. You can own a grocery store or plan a fashion show. You can be anything you want to be.
Many would say, I am not built for the coal mines. Physically, yes, I am built for mine life. I am short and shifty; however, I am quite incompetent in various forms of manual labor. I'm also a fierce opponent of occupations significantly above or below sea level. I never in my life wanted to be an astronaut or operate a submarine. I like Earth's air.
So, when I started navigating the coal mine fun zone with my daughters, I had some trepidation. Quickly, and with short and shifty vigor, I got into a mining groove. I was role playing. I was referencing the seven dwarfs. I was a Discovery Dad.
And then, I banged my head off of a pipe. More specifically, off a screw on the pipe. My 5-year-old, playing the role of mining doctor, assessed my injury. She reported it was safe for me to go down the slide despite the blood. So, I held on tight, to my head, and made my way down the dark slide and into the light of other parents. I played it coal mining cool and headed to the bathroom.
Upon looking into the mirror and taking a good hard look at my life, there was only one thing I could do. I, a boy, emerged from the Boy's Room and asked an employee for a band-aid.
Today, there is a purple foam protector covering that screw. It is a tribute to my bravery.
#9: Arts and Crafts
This is more my speed. Coloring a miner is much more gratifying than mining. I have established a reputation as an Arts and Crafts guru. This was after I established a reputation as an idiot in the coal mine.
#8: Immigration
On the first floor, you can pretend to be an immigrant. The last time we were there we did something that was quite common when people immigrated to America - we lost track of someone. Our 2-year-old was M.I.A. for a brief interval. We were leading this wolfpack of parents and wolves and we lost track of our second born.
Long story short, we found her and she earned her citizenship. We love her more every day.
We never lost our first born.
We do not plan on having a third.
#7: Hot Dam
A kiddo favorite is the exhibit where you can build a dam and see if it can withstand a force of water. It is an excellent opportunity in engineering and psychology. You discover which kids are going to make positive contributions to society and which kids will intentionally flood a town and laugh at catastrophe.
#6: Super Market Sweep
My daughters love creating their own Aldi. The super market gives children the opportunity to shop, run a register, and run into each other. Typically, my 5-year-old charges $1.00 for every item. Jug of milk? $1.00. Eggplant? $1.00. Single egg? $1.00. My 2-year-old does not indicate pricing. She slashes prices completely. She just stands behind the register and moves money and vegetables around. Sometimes you get a bag of squash and cash. Sometimes you get squat.
#5: Train Sweeping By
If you are lucky, a real-life train will go by while you are at the Discovery Center. At least one parent has to announce that a real-life train is in eyesight. Without any words being exchanged, every parent thinks the same thing: "One of us has to declare that a train is out there. Someone do it for the kids."
I've been that parent. I think I have actually whispered it. "There is a train". It is usually when I am coloring by myself.
#4: Inclined Plane
A real good arm workout is turning a wheel to move the Inclined Plane replica. I used to belong to a gym and do a range of free weight exercises. Now, I operate a toy and tell other Dads it is a good workout. I actually said that the last time we were there. "It is a good workout".
I am probably starting to scare some kids, "Mom, why is that man spinning that wheel so hard? Is he sweating? Is that the same guy who had a band-aid on his head last Saturday?"
#3: Feed Me
In the play kitchen, there is a table set for four. If you play your menu right, you can sit at the table and kids will feed you pretend food. They bring over terrible combinations of grub. Taco with a donut? Perfect. Corn on the cob with ketchup? Thank you.
The best part about it - you do not have to clean up. You just walk away. And for whatever reason, the kids often clean up themselves and ENJOY it. They work together. They take pride in keeping a clean kitchen.
It will never happen in real life.
#2: The Making of Steel
The grand finale of all our Discovery trips is watching this documentary in the theatre. My kids love it and they love taking new buddies to this cinematic wonder. They promote the steel out of the movie, which you would think would be a hard sell. But, my daughters project this genuine grandeur that excites the crowd every time.
Critics say it will "Steel your heart" (Dad joke).
#1: Families
The best part of the Discovery Center is the family-friendly and educational atmosphere. Whether you are a parent or a kid, it is always nice to learn in your community. Being together as a family is a blessing. Being together with other families is a blessing too.
I hope to see you at the Discovery Center some time soon.
All aboard!!!!!!!!!!
#10: Put on your Hard Hat
There is plenty for children to conquer at this Broad Street bonanza. And for courageous adults, there is opportunity to turn back the clock and celebrate the splendor of youth. Inside the Discovery Center, you can be a pediatrician, a train conductor, and an executive chef. You can own a grocery store or plan a fashion show. You can be anything you want to be.
Many would say, I am not built for the coal mines. Physically, yes, I am built for mine life. I am short and shifty; however, I am quite incompetent in various forms of manual labor. I'm also a fierce opponent of occupations significantly above or below sea level. I never in my life wanted to be an astronaut or operate a submarine. I like Earth's air.
So, when I started navigating the coal mine fun zone with my daughters, I had some trepidation. Quickly, and with short and shifty vigor, I got into a mining groove. I was role playing. I was referencing the seven dwarfs. I was a Discovery Dad.
And then, I banged my head off of a pipe. More specifically, off a screw on the pipe. My 5-year-old, playing the role of mining doctor, assessed my injury. She reported it was safe for me to go down the slide despite the blood. So, I held on tight, to my head, and made my way down the dark slide and into the light of other parents. I played it coal mining cool and headed to the bathroom.
Upon looking into the mirror and taking a good hard look at my life, there was only one thing I could do. I, a boy, emerged from the Boy's Room and asked an employee for a band-aid.
Today, there is a purple foam protector covering that screw. It is a tribute to my bravery.
#9: Arts and Crafts
This is more my speed. Coloring a miner is much more gratifying than mining. I have established a reputation as an Arts and Crafts guru. This was after I established a reputation as an idiot in the coal mine.
#8: Immigration
On the first floor, you can pretend to be an immigrant. The last time we were there we did something that was quite common when people immigrated to America - we lost track of someone. Our 2-year-old was M.I.A. for a brief interval. We were leading this wolfpack of parents and wolves and we lost track of our second born.
Long story short, we found her and she earned her citizenship. We love her more every day.
We never lost our first born.
We do not plan on having a third.
#7: Hot Dam
A kiddo favorite is the exhibit where you can build a dam and see if it can withstand a force of water. It is an excellent opportunity in engineering and psychology. You discover which kids are going to make positive contributions to society and which kids will intentionally flood a town and laugh at catastrophe.
#6: Super Market Sweep
My daughters love creating their own Aldi. The super market gives children the opportunity to shop, run a register, and run into each other. Typically, my 5-year-old charges $1.00 for every item. Jug of milk? $1.00. Eggplant? $1.00. Single egg? $1.00. My 2-year-old does not indicate pricing. She slashes prices completely. She just stands behind the register and moves money and vegetables around. Sometimes you get a bag of squash and cash. Sometimes you get squat.
#5: Train Sweeping By
If you are lucky, a real-life train will go by while you are at the Discovery Center. At least one parent has to announce that a real-life train is in eyesight. Without any words being exchanged, every parent thinks the same thing: "One of us has to declare that a train is out there. Someone do it for the kids."
I've been that parent. I think I have actually whispered it. "There is a train". It is usually when I am coloring by myself.
#4: Inclined Plane
A real good arm workout is turning a wheel to move the Inclined Plane replica. I used to belong to a gym and do a range of free weight exercises. Now, I operate a toy and tell other Dads it is a good workout. I actually said that the last time we were there. "It is a good workout".
I am probably starting to scare some kids, "Mom, why is that man spinning that wheel so hard? Is he sweating? Is that the same guy who had a band-aid on his head last Saturday?"
#3: Feed Me
In the play kitchen, there is a table set for four. If you play your menu right, you can sit at the table and kids will feed you pretend food. They bring over terrible combinations of grub. Taco with a donut? Perfect. Corn on the cob with ketchup? Thank you.
The best part about it - you do not have to clean up. You just walk away. And for whatever reason, the kids often clean up themselves and ENJOY it. They work together. They take pride in keeping a clean kitchen.
It will never happen in real life.
#2: The Making of Steel
The grand finale of all our Discovery trips is watching this documentary in the theatre. My kids love it and they love taking new buddies to this cinematic wonder. They promote the steel out of the movie, which you would think would be a hard sell. But, my daughters project this genuine grandeur that excites the crowd every time.
Critics say it will "Steel your heart" (Dad joke).
#1: Families
The best part of the Discovery Center is the family-friendly and educational atmosphere. Whether you are a parent or a kid, it is always nice to learn in your community. Being together as a family is a blessing. Being together with other families is a blessing too.
I hope to see you at the Discovery Center some time soon.
All aboard!!!!!!!!!!
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