Christopher A. Chapman

Olympic Stadium reviews

2008-04-17T06:31:00.003-05:00

The Beijing National Stadium is a wonderful structure for less-than-wonderful sporting events. As athletics continues to gain professional notoriety, why do we prop up this relic of the Cold War? I think it is done to provide prime time TV programming in the summer. It is not done for this sports fan's entertainment. Yawn. Give me Arena football over some of the painful "events" like the Opening Ceremony. I need more sports and less "human interest."

But, hey, the stadiums that hold some of the games can be pretty cool. Per CoolHunting.com (maybe?), I was linked to the Oobject web site/blog to review a gallery of every postwar olympic stadium. And I quote from the site:

With the possible exception of the 1972 Munich Olympic Stadium, Beijing’s “Birds Nest” stadium, designed by fashionable Swiss architects, Herzog & de Meuron, promises to be the clear winner, architecturally. Here is a list of all 16 post-war Olympic Stadia. Vote for your faves.

This is really a great little gallery. For more information on the stadium, and pictures, Good ole Wikipedia does the trick with a nice entry dedicated to Beijing National Stadium.

A-Day in Tuscaloosa

2008-04-13T21:48:00.003-05:00

The Birmingham Chapman family enjoyed a short road trip over to Tuscaloosa for spring football. Pictures of A-Day are up in the photo gallery. 78,200 fans were there for the scrimmage. Not quite as good as last year. But, still the largest (so far) spring game in the nation. Its great to be from Alabama!

Leningrad Cowboys and Red Army Chorous boom out "Sweet Home Alabama"

2008-04-01T06:17:00.002-06:00

As originally posted by Cory Doctorow on the Boing Boing blog:

In "honor" of April Fools, I blaspheme Lynard Skynard.

Easter 2008 with the Birmingham Chapmans

2008-03-27T06:00:00.004-06:00

Easter weekend has come and gone. Yet, the candy found in plastic eggs continues to linger on. Now that Amelia is a big girl at 2-and-a-half, the Easter Egg hunt is faster-paced. Please scroll down the page at: http://chrisachapman.net to view several short video clips from Easter morning.

Do not forget to view family photos by clicking on the gallery link at the top of this blog. Specifically, the Easter photos can be directly accessed via this link.

Easter Egg Hunt, part 1

2008-03-26T06:17:00.004-06:00

Amelia and Ethan brave the 38 degree morning to find eggs hidden by the Easter Bunny.

Easter Egg Hunt, part 2

2008-03-26T05:53:00.005-06:00

I'm trying to embed this video in a direct post, instead of transmitting it from YouTube. Here goes. Easter is over at this point. But, uploading videos sometimes takes lots of time. Memories and WiFi-connected uploads are not the best match.

Easter Egg Hunt, part 3

2008-03-24T16:05:00.007-06:00

Happy Easter!

Easter Egg Hunt, part 4

2008-03-24T16:05:00.005-06:00

Getting the last few eggs in the yard.

Easter Egg Hunt, part 5... toy glider

2008-03-24T16:05:00.001-06:00

Ethan enjoys the bounty from the Easter Bunny

Drive-By Truckers looking good on national TV

2008-03-13T01:27:00.003-06:00

Nice stuff. I think Kevin (my friend from Muscle Shoals) will like this one very much. Glad to see the band promoting their new album on Conan's show. Check out the band's web site for links to more music. Their music is on Amazon.

Finally, let me quote the 4 of 5 Stars review by Robert Christgau for Rolling Stone from January 24:

Prospects were poor for what turns out to be an overflowing song bag of an
album by Lynyrd Skynyrd's arty nephews. Their last winner was 2004's The Dirty
South...
...But Mike Cooley is on his game — the pro-bad-girl "Lisa's Birthday" and pro-weird-guy "Bob" shoot exceptionally straight. And knowing he has to carry the team, Patterson Hood executes —scene-setters about domestic life as celestial respite, endless struggle and occasion to drink; dark-siders about crystal meth (named) and suicide (implied); memoir of an opening act on the road; and two agonizing Iraq songs, one of which sinks pained voice into guitar attack, strength against strength. You could argue that the Truckers should have revved up this Skynyrd side more often. But instead they let the songwriting speak for itself, and it sings loud and clear.

Wayne Rooney, move over. There's a new (Chap)MAN on the pitch!

2008-03-01T21:39:00.000-06:00

Ethan took to the soccer field for the first time this morning. Ready to go. As one of the youngest and least-experienced, his moves aren't nearly as refined as some others. But, he had fun. After we returned from practice, we spent the afternoon in the front yard practicing some more. The gallery on the blog has some more action shots from today's action.

Click here for more pictures.

Daddy and Daughter day

2008-02-27T05:52:00.003-06:00

Generally, all playtime usually involves both children or just Ethan. Why? Amelia naps in the afternoons. Therefore, Ethan and I have a built-in time to "bond." This past Saturday, Amelia went to her classmate Chanley's birthday party. Anywhere Amelia goes is already a party to Amelia. So, the fun is always there, regardless. It was a great Saturday and wonderful to have Amelia all to myself. I can't wait to do it again. The only regret? I didn't have the camera. This fuzzy camera phone picture is the only memento worth publishing from the birthday party.

Uke Madness!

2008-02-20T23:09:00.001-06:00

Jake Shimabukuro was strumming like no tomorrow to promote his album on Conan O'Brien last night. Amazing! This one is for the SHARK! This ukulele virtuoso is well worth the listen. 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' is well-interpreted here.

Staying with the Queen

2008-02-18T08:41:00.003-06:00

I met Lynn close to Perimeter Mall in Atlanta on Saturday. We stayed next to the "King and Queen" buildings just off GA-400 at a Westin Hotel, while my parents graciously kept and entertained their grandkids. This is a photo of the "Queen" building from our hotel window. Lynn was working at a conference and we stayed over for shopping and dinner. A good break from the routine.

Now we are back in Birmingham celebrating President's Day. We just had a late breakfast and Amelia is showing me her favorite books. Ethan is replaying yesterday's Daytona 500 with his toy cars. Not a bad way to start the day.

Vampire Weekend - A-Punk (the video)

2008-02-15T06:44:00.001-06:00

Lynn and the kids went to Atlanta, GA on Valentine's Day. As the kids enjoy spending time with their grandparents, Lynn is working at a convention. I'll join them on Saturday.

Anyway, the attached video is a compact 2 minutes of fun.

2008-02-15T06:17:00.003-06:00

Valentine's Day has come and gone. But, a sweet treat was delivered from Amazon.com. I just picked-up the debut release of Vampire Weekend.

The album was released on January 29, 2008. But, these boys from Brooklyn have been on my mind since before Christmas. I've listened to a single here or there. But, now I know for certain that this is a fun fun album.

Critics are quick to point out the Paul Simon Graceland influences. I'll go with that. But, maybe add a little Pavement or some other basic ska-type influence and there you have it. This will be a fun listen for the kids as well. It may not be the best album in 2008. But, at least there is a good contender early-on.

2008-01-19T23:15:00.000-06:00

Snow fell on Alabama.

Finally. We actually had some snow today. Good times for everyone. This is the first snow accumulation, of any kind, for our children. Clink on this snow link for more photos of white powder in Birmingham.

2008-01-19T23:03:00.000-06:00

While in Florida last week, the family discovered the Magic Kingdom. I've just posted photos of our Disney experience in the gallery.

2008-01-19T22:41:00.000-06:00

Let's get excited! 2008 is here and the action is hair raising. Or something. Anyway, family photos of our recent trip to visit the Cawthon family are up. Click on the Gallery section of the web site to see the kids play in Alachua, FL.

2008-01-04T22:37:00.000-06:00

Is it that time? Finally....

Yes, indeed. Pictures for all of 2007 are up and posted in the GALLERY.

I added about 150 photos, or so to my blog. So, go and check things out. In spite of my "lack of posts," it has been an exciting year.

Test of remote posting to Blogger

2007-12-19T23:17:00.000-06:00

I'm really looking forward to updating this blog a bit more once my new Blackberry Curve arrives for Christmas. To see if I am actually capable of posting an image via email, I'm trying this post.

Miracle in Mississippi - Trinity 28, Millsaps 24 10-27-2007

2007-10-28T13:42:00.001-06:00

Amazing D-III college football action. Birmingham-Southern still must play both teams this season. The laterals converted are numerous and incredible.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Berlin

2007-10-09T23:14:00.001-05:00

Going to see BRMC and Kings of Leon tomorrow night. Incredible.

BSC Opening Kickoff

2007-09-07T07:08:00.001-05:00

Ethan and I enjoyed the first BSC football game since 1939. Fortunately, BSC remains undefeated. The Choctaws of Mississippi College were the first victim. BSC wins, 41-13.

Boing Boing: Ikea opens free hostel for shoppers who don't want to leave

2007-07-29T07:45:00.000-05:00

Ikea opens free hostel for shoppers who don't want to leave

Talk about dedicated shoppers. Wow. The Ikea "lifestyle" in the extreme. I wonder if Bass Pro Shops will do the same thing for their customers? How about REI? The possibilities boggle the mind.