Nathan W. Phelps

38 Years

When these first 38 years of my life flash before my eyes, this is what I see (in rough reverse chronological order): Castaway Cay with Leanne and the kids, snowmobiling at Winter Park, Washington D.C. with old college friends, co-founding a company, birth of my kids, surprise 30th birthday party, Disney World with Leanne, FBCBA young married class, 320 S. Boston, choral methods, TMEA, Fauré Requiem, Robert Carr Chapel, Ed Landreth Hall, Clark 108, Sadler Hall Christmas Tree, NYC my senior year, Lufkin’s “The Lord Bless You and Keep You,” choir room keys, “Cinderella Waltz,” “Rumors,” Madrigal Singers, Mexico City, eating lunch in the hallway, Credo, First Methodist Irving, youth group, my red LeBarron convertible, LA Story, sophomore English, Impact Camp, junior High track, The Princess Bride, elementary school safety patrol, skateboarding and biking in South Irving, football in the front yard, Nintendo games, the library castle, family ski trips, Christmas mornings, Cliff’s Donuts, Blue Radiers soccer, Indian Guides…

“Zero Dark Thirty” vs. “No Easy Day”

I took in a screening of “Zero Dark Thirty” yesterday and then immediately returned home and consumed “No Easy Day.”  The 2011 raid on the Abbottabad compound was covered in detail in both, and differences between them were minimal. However, the account in “No Easy Day” struck me as slightly more believable due to a number of small details in the film. Namely, these details include:

• The absence of Admiral McRaven on the ground—the book describes him as being in the hanger when the team returned.
• The close proximity of the helicopter landing site and the operating hanger—the book describes the need for transportation between the two and includes the detail of the body bag being transported via the bed of a truck.
• The lack of special treatment of the body bag—the book indicates that someone was with the body from the moment it was downed to the moment it was slipped into the sea.
• The indication that the CIA operative (Maya/Jen) confirmed the ID of the body herself and visually at that—the book presents that she was in the hanger but did not directly view the body. McRaven, the SEAL team, other CIA analyst each participated in the ID (including McRaven asking one of the SEAL team members to lay next to the body to confirm hight), but Maya/Jen did not.
• The threat of the locals to the operation in Abbottabad—the book indicates interest from the locals was minimal and no threat of force was required.
• Maya/Jen transported alone back to the U.S.—the book indicates she traveled with at least another CIA agent in an “empty C-17.”

I can understand how each of these could be valid decisions made by the filmmakers to serve the story. Cumulatively they serve to emphasize Maya/Jen’s role as the central character in the film. This also might explain the difference between the film and book in terms of Maya/Jen’s dress and her reaction to the event. In the book, Jen/Maya wears “expensive high heels,” declines to look at the body, and sobs profusely as the mission comes to a successful close. In the fim, her wardrobe is subtle (I don’t recall any high heels), she personally IDs the body, and reserves the crying for her solitary trip home. Her absolute determination and her confidence that UBL is in the compound is presented consistently in both. Her role as a major player is as well.

The film, of course, includes a lot of ground not covered by the book. The stealth Blackhawks were simply identified as Blackhawks in the book while the film took an odd trip to Area 51. There, the whole SEAL team—as well as several CIA agents—got their first look at the stealthy Blackhawks. I found this a bit of a distraction given all the baggage that comes along with Area 51. When you see the name on the screen, you immediately become skeptical.

All in all, the film and book present a very consistant story of the raid and I’m inclined to believe that, for the most part, both serve the historical record well.

To all those CEOs out there that think you’re Steve Jobs… you’re not.

Wow, Boise State OWNS the MWC @BleacherReport page. I remember when there used to be a dash of purple there… Sigh. http://t.co/egvrBxdV

RT @richardjustice: TCU fought the good fight, refused to let itself become irrelevant. Congratulations to Horned Frogs everywhere. http …

I’m surprised by how much Steve Jobs death bothers me… Went to the apple website and actually choked up a bit. Visionary. #ThankYouSteve

It must be the mid-80’s again; @TCU loose to Baylor and SMU in one season.

I told you I was done this season… I knew @TCU was going to suck this year. If the Big East wasn’t in peril, they’d give ‘em back to MWC.

RT @abduzeedo: Holy shmoly RT @eduardolied: Lamborghini Aventador - Epic 3 Minute Film http://t.co/aXtGLxhI

I wonder how much lower my Klout score would be if all these people stopped mistaking me for the national writing project?