Witchy, Thing 2, and I finished up the set yesterday while the actors (and in one case I use that term loosely) ran lines in the lobby.
We painted the stage, finished the walls, hung a back drop, set the light plot, and finished up the curtains. That took from eleven thirty until almost five. That made it a busy day.
I stopped by the line run every once in a while to see how they were doing. To my surprise everyone was pretty much off book except that one case (Jim J. Bullock), he decided it was ok to show up to rehearsal two hours late. He was on his script almost the whole time and adding in lines that weren't in the script at all.
You really can't do much at all at this point. A replacement would have a tough time getting up to speed. It's possible but it'd be tough on the kid put into that position. This is tech week after all and the show opens on Friday night.
The rest of the kids are pretty good and this week they will have it all down as they work with their props, costumes, and set. We'll see what happens to Jim J. Bullock and if he shapes up at this late hour or not, I'll keep you posted.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Aftermath
The storm is over, it raged pretty much all day yesterday as well. It's hard to determine the amount of snow as there were some pretty high winds but estimates put it at ten inches.
We didn't get any ice though. I spent yesterday inside except when I had to go get my brother from work and take him home. I have his truck so right now I can get to anywhere I want to go, four wheel drive rocks!
Thing 1 is on my PC deep into WoW while I'm blogging on my laptop in the bedroom. She can't see Fuzzy as the roads are too bad for him to get out on so they are adventuring online.
There is set call today to finish up the teen show's set and set up the lights. Obviously over the past two nights rehearsals were called off so now they have to make them up today and tomorrow. I'm sure they won't like it but that's tough, if they had known their lines they would get some slack. They don't and now they have twice as much work to do.
They'll really have to get a ton done this week then they will be working without a net!
We didn't get any ice though. I spent yesterday inside except when I had to go get my brother from work and take him home. I have his truck so right now I can get to anywhere I want to go, four wheel drive rocks!
Thing 1 is on my PC deep into WoW while I'm blogging on my laptop in the bedroom. She can't see Fuzzy as the roads are too bad for him to get out on so they are adventuring online.
There is set call today to finish up the teen show's set and set up the lights. Obviously over the past two nights rehearsals were called off so now they have to make them up today and tomorrow. I'm sure they won't like it but that's tough, if they had known their lines they would get some slack. They don't and now they have twice as much work to do.
They'll really have to get a ton done this week then they will be working without a net!
Friday, January 29, 2010
No Work Today
Yep, it's a snow day:) Our storm paid off with about four to six inches of snow yesterday and into last night. It's about time we got a good snow storm this season. We had some at Christmas but most of it was down South.
There isn't any ice under the snow so it's fairly safe to drive in. It's an unexpected three day weekend, payday Friday, and no where to go and nothing I have to do:)
Think I might head back to bed:)
There isn't any ice under the snow so it's fairly safe to drive in. It's an unexpected three day weekend, payday Friday, and no where to go and nothing I have to do:)
Think I might head back to bed:)
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Finally!
About an hour ago the snow started to come down. It's windy out so it's drifting but all in all we could finally get some decent accumulation!
-- Post From My iPhone
-- Post From My iPhone
Ho Hum
The storm of the (young) century has yet to produce a flake of snow or a speck of ice. The radar shows us with storm painted all over our county yet it's bone dry outside.
-- Post From My iPhone
-- Post From My iPhone
The Storm?
Yeah, maybe so. We might very well be inundated by freezing rain, snow, and lots of ice. Not so much a regular snow storm as there will be high winds and blizzard like conditions!
YEAHHHHHH!!!! It's about time! I must be one of the only person in the world who likes to get out in this kind of weather and drive in it!
I plan on work being closed sometime during the afternoon today. It looks bad from the radar. Bring it! We are prepared to ride this one out!
YEAHHHHHH!!!! It's about time! I must be one of the only person in the world who likes to get out in this kind of weather and drive in it!
I plan on work being closed sometime during the afternoon today. It looks bad from the radar. Bring it! We are prepared to ride this one out!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Teehee The Director!!!!
Last night I was sitting at home, Thing 2 was getting ready to go to the teen show rehearsal when I got a text from T. She was horribly sick and asked me what I thought of canceling rehearsal. I said that the teens needed the work and they could ill afford to skip a rehearsal so I'd step in and run it for her so she could stay medicated and resting.
About the time I was going to leave I received an IM from my friend Teehee. I told him what I was doing. It just so happened that he was in town and asked if he could help me out. Never one to turn down help or to spend time with a friend I gladly encouraged him to come up and help.
I stalked the front of the stage a few minutes after seven. Rehearsal starts at seven, I was expecting them to be in place by seven and ready to go, alas that is not what they thought. I understand that almost none of them have driver's licenses so they are relying on their parents to drive them so I couldn't be overly upset.
Taking T's notes for me I relayed that she was ill and Teehee and I would be running the show for the evening. I stated the simple fact that I wanted all cell phones to be lined up on the front of the stage before we began. Then that when they were backstage they needed to be in their scripts as a few of them do not have their lines down yet....a few days from tech week.
Midway through the second act I handed the script over to Teehee so I could walk around the backstage area and ensure that scripts were being read. Teehee gladly kept the script on my return to the front row and stayed on giving lines like Douglas on Tyson! He was all over them! The actors have problems with lines as was expected and the lead actor kept speeding through his lines and I couldn't understand him and neither could Teehee.
After the act was over I called for a five minute break and Teehee called the lead actor (the Jim J. Bullock lookalike) down to talk to him. Teehee told him to breathe after each sentence. I wasn't privy to the rest of his advice as I was returning from talking to the wall which was doing as much good as talking to a couple of the teens.
The second act started again and the lead actually was using the wisdom Teehee imparted to him! It was amazing!!!! Teehee is the Actor Whisperer!!!! After the second act was finished again he used a voice I have never heard!
He said he wanted everyone to the front of the stage and he told them how scary it was that they were this close to tech week and still didn't know their lines! He detailed how important that would be when the show opened.
Teehee took command and gave them a big dose of reality. I never had to say a word!!! It was so incredible!!!!
Teehee, you really need to direct a show. We talked last night about it but I just want to again tell you how great it would be if you took up that challenge!
About the time I was going to leave I received an IM from my friend Teehee. I told him what I was doing. It just so happened that he was in town and asked if he could help me out. Never one to turn down help or to spend time with a friend I gladly encouraged him to come up and help.
I stalked the front of the stage a few minutes after seven. Rehearsal starts at seven, I was expecting them to be in place by seven and ready to go, alas that is not what they thought. I understand that almost none of them have driver's licenses so they are relying on their parents to drive them so I couldn't be overly upset.
Taking T's notes for me I relayed that she was ill and Teehee and I would be running the show for the evening. I stated the simple fact that I wanted all cell phones to be lined up on the front of the stage before we began. Then that when they were backstage they needed to be in their scripts as a few of them do not have their lines down yet....a few days from tech week.
Midway through the second act I handed the script over to Teehee so I could walk around the backstage area and ensure that scripts were being read. Teehee gladly kept the script on my return to the front row and stayed on giving lines like Douglas on Tyson! He was all over them! The actors have problems with lines as was expected and the lead actor kept speeding through his lines and I couldn't understand him and neither could Teehee.
After the act was over I called for a five minute break and Teehee called the lead actor (the Jim J. Bullock lookalike) down to talk to him. Teehee told him to breathe after each sentence. I wasn't privy to the rest of his advice as I was returning from talking to the wall which was doing as much good as talking to a couple of the teens.
The second act started again and the lead actually was using the wisdom Teehee imparted to him! It was amazing!!!! Teehee is the Actor Whisperer!!!! After the second act was finished again he used a voice I have never heard!
He said he wanted everyone to the front of the stage and he told them how scary it was that they were this close to tech week and still didn't know their lines! He detailed how important that would be when the show opened.
Teehee took command and gave them a big dose of reality. I never had to say a word!!! It was so incredible!!!!
Teehee, you really need to direct a show. We talked last night about it but I just want to again tell you how great it would be if you took up that challenge!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Teen Show Situation
So there we were, I had brought Thing 2 up to the theatre to help Witch and to do things back stage with her. She loves the theatre and learning about it. I went to go have a business meeting with Beersnob about some really cool news with out commercial business.
After the meeting I went back by the theatre and helped Witch when I could and decided to sit next to T, the Director of the show. It was clear the lead actor (a dead ringer for Jim J. Bullock) wasn't listening to T. She would stop him, give him instructions, and he would go on doing what he was doing anyway. He would constantly break character and his lack of line knowledge was hurting the other actors.
T called all of the actors up front to end the rehearsal and to give them their notes. The lead actor was on his phone checking for texts, goofing off, and not paying attention to what he was being told. Now if I were an actor and I was as bad as he was, I'd beg for notes. I'd want to know how to get better because I'd like to think I was self conscious enough to know I sucked.
He is on his phone, again not paying attention to what he is being told. If my death stare had a voice it would have sounded like it did last night, I said, "HEY! Your Director is giving you notes! Put the phone down and pay attention to her!" It startled Thing 2 who was sitting close by:) Amazingly all of the kids got quiet and the notes went on in silence with full attention being on T:)
I believe I'll be back at the theatre tonight and sit next to T again:) She might need me to jerk someone's leash.
After the meeting I went back by the theatre and helped Witch when I could and decided to sit next to T, the Director of the show. It was clear the lead actor (a dead ringer for Jim J. Bullock) wasn't listening to T. She would stop him, give him instructions, and he would go on doing what he was doing anyway. He would constantly break character and his lack of line knowledge was hurting the other actors.
T called all of the actors up front to end the rehearsal and to give them their notes. The lead actor was on his phone checking for texts, goofing off, and not paying attention to what he was being told. Now if I were an actor and I was as bad as he was, I'd beg for notes. I'd want to know how to get better because I'd like to think I was self conscious enough to know I sucked.
He is on his phone, again not paying attention to what he is being told. If my death stare had a voice it would have sounded like it did last night, I said, "HEY! Your Director is giving you notes! Put the phone down and pay attention to her!" It startled Thing 2 who was sitting close by:) Amazingly all of the kids got quiet and the notes went on in silence with full attention being on T:)
I believe I'll be back at the theatre tonight and sit next to T again:) She might need me to jerk someone's leash.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Championship Sunday
The first game was so so, it wasn't the most exciting game of the season by any means. The Viks/Saints on the other hand was a knock down, drag out barn burner of a game that had everyone at Beersnob's engaged and cheering!
The Saints are going to their first Super Bowl and The Colts will be making a return trip. The Vikings just suffered from too many turnovers, The Saints capitalized on those mistakes.
Beersnob will be hosting the annual Super Bowl party as well! Can't wait for that! Colts/Saints will be a good game and a match up of the two best teams of the season. Both had shots at 16-0, really good shots at it.
Looking forward to the party and the game in two weeks:)
The Saints are going to their first Super Bowl and The Colts will be making a return trip. The Vikings just suffered from too many turnovers, The Saints capitalized on those mistakes.
Beersnob will be hosting the annual Super Bowl party as well! Can't wait for that! Colts/Saints will be a good game and a match up of the two best teams of the season. Both had shots at 16-0, really good shots at it.
Looking forward to the party and the game in two weeks:)
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Set Call
Yesterday was pretty busy with set call for the teen play. From ten until after two we assembled the set. The only part left is detail work now, some painting, some decorating, and some tweaking.
It was good to get the teens lined out on how things run at the theatre. We showed them, told them how, and worked with them as the set was built. We showed them the power tools, how to safely use them, and the benefits of using them.
Gradually the set came together as it always does. Witchy, the teen sponsor and T the show's director, worked diligently to oversee the construction. The nearly dozen teens struggled to stay focused and my serious voice was used a couple of times to get their attention and get them back on track. Thankfully I didn't have to break out my death stare:)
Today we'll be heading to Beersnob's house to watch one of the NFL Championship games. Right now, laundry awaits!
It was good to get the teens lined out on how things run at the theatre. We showed them, told them how, and worked with them as the set was built. We showed them the power tools, how to safely use them, and the benefits of using them.
Gradually the set came together as it always does. Witchy, the teen sponsor and T the show's director, worked diligently to oversee the construction. The nearly dozen teens struggled to stay focused and my serious voice was used a couple of times to get their attention and get them back on track. Thankfully I didn't have to break out my death stare:)
Today we'll be heading to Beersnob's house to watch one of the NFL Championship games. Right now, laundry awaits!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Legion: Movie Of Cliches
First off the past two days were insane at work. Super busy!
Then I went to the film fest meeting. I've never been so encouraged by the amount of progress we have made! This will be an amazing production if we get all of the pieces into place!
Then I went to the theatre to catch up with Witchy and see if she had some marketing ideas. We went over to Trey of Hearts and caught a fast drink before Filmmaker Friend Chris and I went to see Legion.
Legion is quite the cliche. They had nearly every single cliche in a movie that is possible. From the black guy with a gun, to the foreshadowing of the diner blowing up, to the uberweapon that does all of the unexpected things and just looks cool. Yeah, all of it and a story that doesn't hold up to logic on top of that.
Chris didn't think it was good or bad. I thought it was bad and predictable. You be the judge but I'd strongly believe you'll forget seeing it soon after you have seen it.
Then I went to the film fest meeting. I've never been so encouraged by the amount of progress we have made! This will be an amazing production if we get all of the pieces into place!
Then I went to the theatre to catch up with Witchy and see if she had some marketing ideas. We went over to Trey of Hearts and caught a fast drink before Filmmaker Friend Chris and I went to see Legion.
Legion is quite the cliche. They had nearly every single cliche in a movie that is possible. From the black guy with a gun, to the foreshadowing of the diner blowing up, to the uberweapon that does all of the unexpected things and just looks cool. Yeah, all of it and a story that doesn't hold up to logic on top of that.
Chris didn't think it was good or bad. I thought it was bad and predictable. You be the judge but I'd strongly believe you'll forget seeing it soon after you have seen it.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Fixed!
Yep, got the old Suburban fixed last night and now the diesel purrs like, well not purrs exactly but it runs like a diesel should. It took a while but we found melted wires that was causing the problems.
We cut those out, spliced in new ones, and viola! It again has roared to life! All I have to do next is put the dash back together tonight which will take about twenty minutes.
I'm driving my brother's truck again today though because it was dark and getting late last night when we got it running and I just didn't want to mess with it anymore. It started, it was consistent, and therefore it can be trusted again.
In other news, the liberal radio network Air America filed for bankruptcy yet again yesterday. This time will likely be the last time though as they have ceased all live programming and will cease all broadcasting by Monday I believe.
Declining ad revenue, lost stations, and a bad economy are the reasons they gave. I listened to Air America. I probably listen to more progressive radio than conservative radio to prepare debate arguments. If I know their reasons for why they believe what they believe then it is called understanding. I completely understand what and why, I just don't agree with it at all.
Mark Thompson on Sirius is one of the shows I listen to on the drive home. He is a fine example of liberalism and someone I disagree vehemently with but I do understand his points and wouldn't dismiss his positions. They are just wrong and dangerous. He has his arguments that he stands by, I have mine. Mine are traditional, his have been formed since Woodrow Wilson's progressive take over.
We cut those out, spliced in new ones, and viola! It again has roared to life! All I have to do next is put the dash back together tonight which will take about twenty minutes.
I'm driving my brother's truck again today though because it was dark and getting late last night when we got it running and I just didn't want to mess with it anymore. It started, it was consistent, and therefore it can be trusted again.
In other news, the liberal radio network Air America filed for bankruptcy yet again yesterday. This time will likely be the last time though as they have ceased all live programming and will cease all broadcasting by Monday I believe.
Declining ad revenue, lost stations, and a bad economy are the reasons they gave. I listened to Air America. I probably listen to more progressive radio than conservative radio to prepare debate arguments. If I know their reasons for why they believe what they believe then it is called understanding. I completely understand what and why, I just don't agree with it at all.
Mark Thompson on Sirius is one of the shows I listen to on the drive home. He is a fine example of liberalism and someone I disagree vehemently with but I do understand his points and wouldn't dismiss his positions. They are just wrong and dangerous. He has his arguments that he stands by, I have mine. Mine are traditional, his have been formed since Woodrow Wilson's progressive take over.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
It's Official!
My long referred to second project is now official. Beersnob and I will be starting a commercial business. There is really only one game in town and they are outrageously expensive.
Those of you who know me know that my car is paid for. I edit on my home system, again paid for. My camera (serviceable right now but will be upgraded) is also paid for. I use the same software as the other place.
By contrast (and keep in mind I like the guy, he is really nice) he drives a newer Suburban, he has a business in which he pays for, a camera, and employees.
Anyone with local cable has seen his work, I'll leave it at that.
We plan on specializing in internet only commercials. TV might have to wait until the camera upgrade which I'll not pay for until the business can pay for it.
My strategy is to charge $200 for a twenty second internet only, edited commercial.
If you want three of them I'll charge you $500. If you want an actor it'll be $50 for each actor we use.
For training films, safety films, DVD brochures, and real estate, well I'll have to give you a quote on that but it'll be cheaper than anyone else because I don't have to pay anyone else or pay for anything else. The money we earn will go for upgrades.
Quite honestly there isn't a lot of thought put into making an internet commercial, most of them are edited versions of TV commercials. To me an internet commercial should get its point across in twenty seconds or less with no sound on. I know I always mute them or turn the sound down when they pop up. I figure I'm an average internet user and so are most of the eyes you want to see your commercial.
We'll build a commercial from the ground up with what you want to say in a visual way. We'll get your point across even if the viewer doesn't have any sound operating. If I'm not happy with the product I shoot, I'll reshoot it and get the scenes I need to make it right and then I'll see if you, the customer is happy with it. If not I'll reshoot it or reedit it.
Beersnob is crucial to this whole thing working. Both of us have busy lives and it'll take someone I can trust to take the equipment out and shoot, edit, and deliver a product if I'm not available to do it. I trust him, I know him, I believe he can do it.
I'm excited about this project, I think it is a need in town that has gone unchallenged for too long, and I think it's time to lay down that commercial making challenge!
Those of you who know me know that my car is paid for. I edit on my home system, again paid for. My camera (serviceable right now but will be upgraded) is also paid for. I use the same software as the other place.
By contrast (and keep in mind I like the guy, he is really nice) he drives a newer Suburban, he has a business in which he pays for, a camera, and employees.
Anyone with local cable has seen his work, I'll leave it at that.
We plan on specializing in internet only commercials. TV might have to wait until the camera upgrade which I'll not pay for until the business can pay for it.
My strategy is to charge $200 for a twenty second internet only, edited commercial.
If you want three of them I'll charge you $500. If you want an actor it'll be $50 for each actor we use.
For training films, safety films, DVD brochures, and real estate, well I'll have to give you a quote on that but it'll be cheaper than anyone else because I don't have to pay anyone else or pay for anything else. The money we earn will go for upgrades.
Quite honestly there isn't a lot of thought put into making an internet commercial, most of them are edited versions of TV commercials. To me an internet commercial should get its point across in twenty seconds or less with no sound on. I know I always mute them or turn the sound down when they pop up. I figure I'm an average internet user and so are most of the eyes you want to see your commercial.
We'll build a commercial from the ground up with what you want to say in a visual way. We'll get your point across even if the viewer doesn't have any sound operating. If I'm not happy with the product I shoot, I'll reshoot it and get the scenes I need to make it right and then I'll see if you, the customer is happy with it. If not I'll reshoot it or reedit it.
Beersnob is crucial to this whole thing working. Both of us have busy lives and it'll take someone I can trust to take the equipment out and shoot, edit, and deliver a product if I'm not available to do it. I trust him, I know him, I believe he can do it.
I'm excited about this project, I think it is a need in town that has gone unchallenged for too long, and I think it's time to lay down that commercial making challenge!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Slept Very Soundly
It felt awesome too!
I can't wait until November to see what good things the Political Fairy puts under the Election Tree!
I'm so enjoying reading the Daily Kos this morning!
I can't wait until November to see what good things the Political Fairy puts under the Election Tree!
I'm so enjoying reading the Daily Kos this morning!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Epic Upset
Think about USA Hockey-Russian Hockey, Tyson-Douglas, Titanic-Iceberg, or Colt-Jets. Add Coakley-Brown to that list.
With over 75% of the vote counted Martha Coakley has conceded the election to Senator Elect Scott Brown. Massachusetts has won one for America tonight and told Washington that enough is enough.
To say this is an embarrassment to President Obama is an understatement. President Obama has no coat tails at all. He campaigned for John Corzine in New Jersey and lost. He campaigned for Creigh Deeds in Virginia and lost. He personally (and his massive entourage) flew to Copenhagen to get the Olympics for Chicago and was eliminated in the first round. Now he campaigned for Martha Coakley and she has lost by seven points... in Massachusetts!!!!!
Let that sink in for a while, it is quite profound and literally a political tsunami against the White House agenda and President Obama. Yes I think you can go so far as to say President Obama has been rejected tonight.
To put this into perspective Massachusetts has been a liberal controlled state, even in the time when Mitt Romney was the governor he had a strong democratic machine that he struggled with every day. The Kennedy clan controlled Massachusetts for decades and that Senate seat for nearly five decades!!! FIVE DECADES! John Kerry, one of the most liberal Senators in Congress is from there!
Martha Coakley enjoyed a twenty point lead on December nineteenth. Tonight she lost by seven points. Even the state officials expected a landslide for Coakley, they didn't even have exit polls set up as the election was supposed to be over with before it got started.
One year into a four year term and President Obama has no gravitas, his political capital has been spent. I'm not sure how the label of being a great communicator applies anymore. He ran one of the slickest, most polished campaigns of all time in 2008! He earned accolades for his delivery and won the election on his oratory skills. His only real job was as a community organizer and getting voters to the polls. That was his bread and butter and it has not worked in three elections and one international selection committee.
Now the real dilemma for Democrats is upon them. They have a nightmare scenario on their hands!
They have a couple of choices to protect Obamacare:
1. They can pass the Senate plan. There are a lot of House members who do not like the Senate plan and it would be a very bitter pill to swallow as it is unpopular with both conservatives and liberals alike.
2. They can try to get the bill out of committee before Massachusetts can seat Brown. It is possible that the liberal machine pressures Massachusetts to delay seating Brown for as long as they can.
3. The so called nuclear option or reconciliation. This would be unheard of to try and would lead to massive liberal losses in November. This option would essentially take the sixty vote super majority the liberals enjoy and need to pass Obamacare and reduce it to a simple majority of fifty one votes. This is the option they would think long and hard about before using as the backlash would be swift and dramatic against the party in power. Campaign funds would pour into the coffers of any contender against a seated Senator.
You can be sure that Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Rahm Emmanuel, David Axelrod, and Barack Obama are not going to get much sleep over the next few days as they figure out how to save their plan for destroying health care.
I'll sleep very well tonight knowing that the patriots in Massachusetts might have very well saved America as we know it tonight. The rejection of socialism is underway and it started tonight!
With over 75% of the vote counted Martha Coakley has conceded the election to Senator Elect Scott Brown. Massachusetts has won one for America tonight and told Washington that enough is enough.
To say this is an embarrassment to President Obama is an understatement. President Obama has no coat tails at all. He campaigned for John Corzine in New Jersey and lost. He campaigned for Creigh Deeds in Virginia and lost. He personally (and his massive entourage) flew to Copenhagen to get the Olympics for Chicago and was eliminated in the first round. Now he campaigned for Martha Coakley and she has lost by seven points... in Massachusetts!!!!!
Let that sink in for a while, it is quite profound and literally a political tsunami against the White House agenda and President Obama. Yes I think you can go so far as to say President Obama has been rejected tonight.
To put this into perspective Massachusetts has been a liberal controlled state, even in the time when Mitt Romney was the governor he had a strong democratic machine that he struggled with every day. The Kennedy clan controlled Massachusetts for decades and that Senate seat for nearly five decades!!! FIVE DECADES! John Kerry, one of the most liberal Senators in Congress is from there!
Martha Coakley enjoyed a twenty point lead on December nineteenth. Tonight she lost by seven points. Even the state officials expected a landslide for Coakley, they didn't even have exit polls set up as the election was supposed to be over with before it got started.
One year into a four year term and President Obama has no gravitas, his political capital has been spent. I'm not sure how the label of being a great communicator applies anymore. He ran one of the slickest, most polished campaigns of all time in 2008! He earned accolades for his delivery and won the election on his oratory skills. His only real job was as a community organizer and getting voters to the polls. That was his bread and butter and it has not worked in three elections and one international selection committee.
Now the real dilemma for Democrats is upon them. They have a nightmare scenario on their hands!
They have a couple of choices to protect Obamacare:
1. They can pass the Senate plan. There are a lot of House members who do not like the Senate plan and it would be a very bitter pill to swallow as it is unpopular with both conservatives and liberals alike.
2. They can try to get the bill out of committee before Massachusetts can seat Brown. It is possible that the liberal machine pressures Massachusetts to delay seating Brown for as long as they can.
3. The so called nuclear option or reconciliation. This would be unheard of to try and would lead to massive liberal losses in November. This option would essentially take the sixty vote super majority the liberals enjoy and need to pass Obamacare and reduce it to a simple majority of fifty one votes. This is the option they would think long and hard about before using as the backlash would be swift and dramatic against the party in power. Campaign funds would pour into the coffers of any contender against a seated Senator.
You can be sure that Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Rahm Emmanuel, David Axelrod, and Barack Obama are not going to get much sleep over the next few days as they figure out how to save their plan for destroying health care.
I'll sleep very well tonight knowing that the patriots in Massachusetts might have very well saved America as we know it tonight. The rejection of socialism is underway and it started tonight!
Exciting Day!
Yesterday was fraught with car repairs, moving some heavy things with Mr. Feeny, and more car repairs. There is a wire that isn't not sending the right signal to the starter now. Don't know why but that is likely what burned out the solenoid on the last starter.
Replacing the starter was easy (three to get it out maybe five to put the new one back in), finding out why the starter burned out in the first place to prevent the replaced starter from burning out....not so much.
Beersnob came over in the morning and took me up to O'Reilly's to get the old starter tested, it failed of course and they replaced it. He took me over to the quick shop to get a forty of Bud Light at 9:30 in the morning. That was actually kind of funny:) I'm sure the clerk has seen it before though.
We had a roast in the fridge to cook and I like using beer with a crock pot to cook roast and potatoes in.
Beersnob dropped me off at home and checked on me all day to see if I needed help. To be honest it was far beyond my skill. Wiring is my weak point for sure. I called Plumber Friend to come over and he did. He always does. I swear I could ask him to change the entire engine out in the middle of the night...in December and he would do it cheerfully and without even thinking of a payment in return. Really good guy, a genuine good guy.
He calls me with computer help questions and I call him for mechanical problems I can't fix, I've called him many more times than he has called me. I need to do something nice for him soon.
Today is an exciting day too! There is a very important Senatorial race being held in Massachusetts. This race could determine the fate of President Obama's health care debacle. Everyone agrees that insurance should be widely available and easy to afford. No one believes that you should be put in jail for not having it, at least freedom loving citizens who have actually read the Constitution and can comprehend it's meaning.
If Scott Brown wins today's election it could spell the end of the government take over of health care. If Martha Coakley wins it'll mean that Harry Reid has a filibuster proof majority and will make sure that it gets rammed through even though it'll be a massive upset and a clear sign people are upset with the Administration's solution for everything. More and bigger government. In deep blue Massachusetts if a conservative Republican should win the seat held by Teddy Kennedy? That is the equivalent of a wake up call to the House and Senate that if they proceed with their plans, they will lose their seats.
Unions will be exempt from the Cadillac plan tax for about five years if I read the reconciliation right. After that there will be a forty percent tax hike for union members who's plans cost over eight thousand dollars per year as a single and twenty three thousand for families. I've got one of those plans and so does everyone who works with me. We are not rich people and adding forty percent on top of what I pay will be devastating to our income.
Yes I know that the insurance company will be taxed for offering those plans, however they will not pay the tax out of the goodness of their hearts, they would go bankrupt. We will be taxed, you will be taxed if you have good insurance. If you are not in a union you will not escape the tax as I will escape it for a few years.
We all will share the burden of the uninsured, share the misery equally so that those who can't, don't want it, or can't afford it can have it. I'm all for those who are disabled and can't live on their own having insurance if they can't get it otherwise. Not those who just live off of the system because of X reason.
I'll be glued to the election coverage tonight for sure! The fate of our health care system might very well be voted on tonight.
Replacing the starter was easy (three to get it out maybe five to put the new one back in), finding out why the starter burned out in the first place to prevent the replaced starter from burning out....not so much.
Beersnob came over in the morning and took me up to O'Reilly's to get the old starter tested, it failed of course and they replaced it. He took me over to the quick shop to get a forty of Bud Light at 9:30 in the morning. That was actually kind of funny:) I'm sure the clerk has seen it before though.
We had a roast in the fridge to cook and I like using beer with a crock pot to cook roast and potatoes in.
Beersnob dropped me off at home and checked on me all day to see if I needed help. To be honest it was far beyond my skill. Wiring is my weak point for sure. I called Plumber Friend to come over and he did. He always does. I swear I could ask him to change the entire engine out in the middle of the night...in December and he would do it cheerfully and without even thinking of a payment in return. Really good guy, a genuine good guy.
He calls me with computer help questions and I call him for mechanical problems I can't fix, I've called him many more times than he has called me. I need to do something nice for him soon.
Today is an exciting day too! There is a very important Senatorial race being held in Massachusetts. This race could determine the fate of President Obama's health care debacle. Everyone agrees that insurance should be widely available and easy to afford. No one believes that you should be put in jail for not having it, at least freedom loving citizens who have actually read the Constitution and can comprehend it's meaning.
If Scott Brown wins today's election it could spell the end of the government take over of health care. If Martha Coakley wins it'll mean that Harry Reid has a filibuster proof majority and will make sure that it gets rammed through even though it'll be a massive upset and a clear sign people are upset with the Administration's solution for everything. More and bigger government. In deep blue Massachusetts if a conservative Republican should win the seat held by Teddy Kennedy? That is the equivalent of a wake up call to the House and Senate that if they proceed with their plans, they will lose their seats.
Unions will be exempt from the Cadillac plan tax for about five years if I read the reconciliation right. After that there will be a forty percent tax hike for union members who's plans cost over eight thousand dollars per year as a single and twenty three thousand for families. I've got one of those plans and so does everyone who works with me. We are not rich people and adding forty percent on top of what I pay will be devastating to our income.
Yes I know that the insurance company will be taxed for offering those plans, however they will not pay the tax out of the goodness of their hearts, they would go bankrupt. We will be taxed, you will be taxed if you have good insurance. If you are not in a union you will not escape the tax as I will escape it for a few years.
We all will share the burden of the uninsured, share the misery equally so that those who can't, don't want it, or can't afford it can have it. I'm all for those who are disabled and can't live on their own having insurance if they can't get it otherwise. Not those who just live off of the system because of X reason.
I'll be glued to the election coverage tonight for sure! The fate of our health care system might very well be voted on tonight.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Sunday Fun!
The Guest moved out last week and back to his hometown for a few days while his apartment stuff gets settled. Yesterday he moved back in. It shouldn't be long now before he gets his apartment approved and he can move in. I don't know how long these things take but I'm sure it might be a week or two anyway.
Before I knew about all of that though I had made some secret plans to kidnap Mr. Feeny and take him for a nice meal in the City. As it was his last night in town I thought a sendoff with a nice meal would be a good thing. We got The Date, Teehee, Beersnob, and Thing 2 to go with. We all had a blast!
I feel it was a good sendoff for a good friend:)
Now I've got to get to work! The starter in my truck gave out yesterday, at least I'm hoping it is my starter. That is the easiest and cheapest fix. Twenty minutes or so and I'll be going again. If it is something else then I'll need some better diagnosis than what I have.
Before I knew about all of that though I had made some secret plans to kidnap Mr. Feeny and take him for a nice meal in the City. As it was his last night in town I thought a sendoff with a nice meal would be a good thing. We got The Date, Teehee, Beersnob, and Thing 2 to go with. We all had a blast!
I feel it was a good sendoff for a good friend:)
Now I've got to get to work! The starter in my truck gave out yesterday, at least I'm hoping it is my starter. That is the easiest and cheapest fix. Twenty minutes or so and I'll be going again. If it is something else then I'll need some better diagnosis than what I have.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Not Quite A Lazy Sunday
I've got to get up and around quickly. We have breakfast plans at ten this morning to send off Mr. Feeny. I listened to his last play by play yesterday on the radio. I swear he is really really good at it and I wish he could jump back into calling sports faster than he thinks he can.
Over the past year Mr. Feeny has become a really good friend. I first met him when we did Broadway Bound. He had recorded the sound effects for the show. The first stage call he helped me put together part of the set. I didn't know his name then but I learned it and I learned about him. He is one of the genuine good guys out in this world.
He got a better job opportunity and has accepted it, tonight will be his last night in town and tomorrow I'm going to help him move a couple of heavy things. It has been a pleasure knowing Mr. Feeny in person and by the miracle of the internet and Facebook we will be connected all the time.
I love how the internet has made the world smaller when it comes to keeping in touch with people. Twenty years ago finding someone took a private detective and some luck, now if you can't find them on Facebook they are likely a search engine away for some scrap of information that'll lead you to where you want to go.
Mr. Feeny, I wish you nothing but the best. I thank you for being such a good and cool friend. When you, Teehee, and Skate set up the Ball O' Fire on the patio, well that's one of my best memories!!!! Thank you for your part in that memory Mr. Feeny!
Over the past year Mr. Feeny has become a really good friend. I first met him when we did Broadway Bound. He had recorded the sound effects for the show. The first stage call he helped me put together part of the set. I didn't know his name then but I learned it and I learned about him. He is one of the genuine good guys out in this world.
He got a better job opportunity and has accepted it, tonight will be his last night in town and tomorrow I'm going to help him move a couple of heavy things. It has been a pleasure knowing Mr. Feeny in person and by the miracle of the internet and Facebook we will be connected all the time.
I love how the internet has made the world smaller when it comes to keeping in touch with people. Twenty years ago finding someone took a private detective and some luck, now if you can't find them on Facebook they are likely a search engine away for some scrap of information that'll lead you to where you want to go.
Mr. Feeny, I wish you nothing but the best. I thank you for being such a good and cool friend. When you, Teehee, and Skate set up the Ball O' Fire on the patio, well that's one of my best memories!!!! Thank you for your part in that memory Mr. Feeny!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
What A Day!
Yeah, it was a good day:)
It started off with eight hours of work, no big deal. I can do that in eight hours, and I did do it in eight hours! So with work all taken care of I went to the SPCA to pick up Scotch from his dipping procedure. He hates going there now, but he is small and fits into a pet carrier so there isn't a lot that he can really do about it.
Yeah I feel for the kitty but it's for his own good and the other pet's benefit as well. Then I stop off and get some supper for the family. Once we are well fed I take a hot bath to let the remains of the day soak off of me.
Then it is off to meetings! Yay!!!! First up was the film festival meeting! I so believe in this project! It is an amazing opportunity to get some cutting edge culture into our small town! We have reserved dates, priced equipment, working on a name, planning a contest for the logo, and have had an all around good time planning it!
Next up was the Zombie Apocalypse of Doom meeting. We discussed what we have read, movies we have seen, and even talked over plans that we would do when the imminent ZAoD happens.
We will be raiding a pharmacy, survivors will needs drugs.
We will be raiding a liquor store, survivors will needs alcohol.
We will be stocking up on weapons, zombies must be killed.
We will be getting a big bus or semi and traveling North where the zombies won't be able to move as quickly as they would in tropical climates. We are banking on the Romero zombies as opposed to the 28 Days Later zombies. Everyone wants the slow and lumbering kind rather than the super humanly fast and smart kind.
Next up was karaoke. This was unknown to me but around 9:30 at Trey of Hearts they had a karaoke machine brought in and naturally Beersnob jumped at the chance to find us a ZAoD anthem...and he did.
With all apologies to Freddy Mercury and Queen, Beersnob changed the lyrics of Another One Bites the Dust to Another Zombie Bites the Dust. Not just once but every single time Freddy sang the word "one".
Now if you listen to the song again you'll notice that it is a lot of times. It felt like a lot of times and I'm positive that it was one of the best renditions of a popular song into a zombie anthem ever made on the fly...complete with dance moves.
Yes it was a fine time and we rolled out of there around midnight, I've got set call this morning and wanted to make sure I make it and can still function:)
Yeah I've got to say, it was a good day!
It started off with eight hours of work, no big deal. I can do that in eight hours, and I did do it in eight hours! So with work all taken care of I went to the SPCA to pick up Scotch from his dipping procedure. He hates going there now, but he is small and fits into a pet carrier so there isn't a lot that he can really do about it.
Yeah I feel for the kitty but it's for his own good and the other pet's benefit as well. Then I stop off and get some supper for the family. Once we are well fed I take a hot bath to let the remains of the day soak off of me.
Then it is off to meetings! Yay!!!! First up was the film festival meeting! I so believe in this project! It is an amazing opportunity to get some cutting edge culture into our small town! We have reserved dates, priced equipment, working on a name, planning a contest for the logo, and have had an all around good time planning it!
Next up was the Zombie Apocalypse of Doom meeting. We discussed what we have read, movies we have seen, and even talked over plans that we would do when the imminent ZAoD happens.
We will be raiding a pharmacy, survivors will needs drugs.
We will be raiding a liquor store, survivors will needs alcohol.
We will be stocking up on weapons, zombies must be killed.
We will be getting a big bus or semi and traveling North where the zombies won't be able to move as quickly as they would in tropical climates. We are banking on the Romero zombies as opposed to the 28 Days Later zombies. Everyone wants the slow and lumbering kind rather than the super humanly fast and smart kind.
Next up was karaoke. This was unknown to me but around 9:30 at Trey of Hearts they had a karaoke machine brought in and naturally Beersnob jumped at the chance to find us a ZAoD anthem...and he did.
With all apologies to Freddy Mercury and Queen, Beersnob changed the lyrics of Another One Bites the Dust to Another Zombie Bites the Dust. Not just once but every single time Freddy sang the word "one".
Now if you listen to the song again you'll notice that it is a lot of times. It felt like a lot of times and I'm positive that it was one of the best renditions of a popular song into a zombie anthem ever made on the fly...complete with dance moves.
Yes it was a fine time and we rolled out of there around midnight, I've got set call this morning and wanted to make sure I make it and can still function:)
Yeah I've got to say, it was a good day!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Three Day Weekend!!!
And today is payday to boot! Those times are rare but they do happen! How can you get much better than that?
The alarm clock is off for three whole days! I've got a film festival meeting tonight, I can't wait to get to that but I'll be leaving early as it is also the Zombie Apocalypse of Doom night!
Filmmaking friend Chris, Actor, The Date, and I will be hanging out at a local establishment and talk over zombie movies and novels! Beersnob could possibly show up after he gets off of work as well!
I'm interested in the debate of Romero zombies vs. 28 Days Later zombies. If it happened which would I rather have running after me? I've got to go with Romero's zombies, slow, plodding, albeit relentless but still slow!
Looking forward to both meetings:) One is all business and the other just wacky fun!
The alarm clock is off for three whole days! I've got a film festival meeting tonight, I can't wait to get to that but I'll be leaving early as it is also the Zombie Apocalypse of Doom night!
Filmmaking friend Chris, Actor, The Date, and I will be hanging out at a local establishment and talk over zombie movies and novels! Beersnob could possibly show up after he gets off of work as well!
I'm interested in the debate of Romero zombies vs. 28 Days Later zombies. If it happened which would I rather have running after me? I've got to go with Romero's zombies, slow, plodding, albeit relentless but still slow!
Looking forward to both meetings:) One is all business and the other just wacky fun!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Thank You
I've texted a couple of times for those of you who contacted me last night. Same thing goes for today, you text me today and ask me to and I'll text another ten dollars to the Haitian Relief Fund for the Red Cross.
If you would rather do it yourself it is 90-999 and text the word Haiti.
Keep in mind this is a disaster that far exceeds that of New Orleans and possibly the Sumatra Tsunami.
If you would rather do it yourself it is 90-999 and text the word Haiti.
Keep in mind this is a disaster that far exceeds that of New Orleans and possibly the Sumatra Tsunami.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Haiti Relief
Haiti has been destroyed by an earthquake in case you have been living under a rock the past twenty four hours. Haiti is a different kind of country, it is beyond third world. Perpetually poor, perpetually destitute. America's worst poverty problems would seem grand by comparison.
America has swung into action as swiftly as possible. This is not a partisan issue, real people are suffering in horrible conditions right this very second. Conservatives, liberals, everyone. One thing everyone can agree on is that Haiti needs help.
If you can, I'd encourage you to donate a few dollars to the relief efforts. Personally I donated to the Red Cross, you can text the word Haiti to 90-999, it'll cost you $10.00 that will be charged to your cell phone bill.
I'll even make you a deal, if you send me a Facebook message or a text, I'll donate another $10 for you. You know if you know me or not and how to reach me. You contact me and I'll send another $10 text for you.
Sound fair?
America has swung into action as swiftly as possible. This is not a partisan issue, real people are suffering in horrible conditions right this very second. Conservatives, liberals, everyone. One thing everyone can agree on is that Haiti needs help.
If you can, I'd encourage you to donate a few dollars to the relief efforts. Personally I donated to the Red Cross, you can text the word Haiti to 90-999, it'll cost you $10.00 that will be charged to your cell phone bill.
I'll even make you a deal, if you send me a Facebook message or a text, I'll donate another $10 for you. You know if you know me or not and how to reach me. You contact me and I'll send another $10 text for you.
Sound fair?
Sometimes
I really amaze myself when I cook. I don't want this to sound arrogant at all, if you heard me talking about it in person it wouldn't be in that vocal tone. I made lasagna last night and it was really really good!
Took a pound of 93/7 hamburger and a pound of sweet Italian sausage, browned them together with minced garlic. Boiled about twenty lasagna noodles. Doctored two cans of sauce up with white pepper, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, dash of salt, some Italian seasoning, and a dash of garlic salt.
Then I started to layer the noodles, it went noodles, meat sauce, noodles, parmesan cheese, noodles, meat sauce with asiago and mozzarella cheese, noodles, meat sauce and the last of the mozzarella on top! I left out the ricotta cheese, never a big fan of it anyway. Into the oven for twenty five minutes and BAM! It was done!
The layers aren't traditional layers of meat sauce and cheese as I made one layer of cheese between two layers of noodles. It provided a great texture contrast as you were eating!
I couldn't stop eating it! It'll be lunch today for sure!!!!
I'm also really liking the new Facebook app update. Loving the push notifications! It really is pretty cool to have them pop up with the entire message on your screen so you don't have to start the app every once in a while to see what's up. If you commented on a thread and someone else does, it'll show up! Very cool:)
The Guest has found an apartment! The Date took The Guest around town yesterday to a few different places to see what we could get for him. Turns out they found an amazing place and one based on his income. Which is pretty much nothing other than social security. They have to appraise his house, which is burned up, and add 2% of that value to his income. He was very happy about the apartments and is excited to move in once the paper work is completed!
All is well in the world right now!
Took a pound of 93/7 hamburger and a pound of sweet Italian sausage, browned them together with minced garlic. Boiled about twenty lasagna noodles. Doctored two cans of sauce up with white pepper, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, dash of salt, some Italian seasoning, and a dash of garlic salt.
Then I started to layer the noodles, it went noodles, meat sauce, noodles, parmesan cheese, noodles, meat sauce with asiago and mozzarella cheese, noodles, meat sauce and the last of the mozzarella on top! I left out the ricotta cheese, never a big fan of it anyway. Into the oven for twenty five minutes and BAM! It was done!
The layers aren't traditional layers of meat sauce and cheese as I made one layer of cheese between two layers of noodles. It provided a great texture contrast as you were eating!
I couldn't stop eating it! It'll be lunch today for sure!!!!
I'm also really liking the new Facebook app update. Loving the push notifications! It really is pretty cool to have them pop up with the entire message on your screen so you don't have to start the app every once in a while to see what's up. If you commented on a thread and someone else does, it'll show up! Very cool:)
The Guest has found an apartment! The Date took The Guest around town yesterday to a few different places to see what we could get for him. Turns out they found an amazing place and one based on his income. Which is pretty much nothing other than social security. They have to appraise his house, which is burned up, and add 2% of that value to his income. He was very happy about the apartments and is excited to move in once the paper work is completed!
All is well in the world right now!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Nice Evening
Watched college basketball with The Guest last night. Brought home a sack of burgers and fries for supper for everyone and just chilled. It was actually a pleasant evening.
Thing 2 pretty much kept upstairs and out of conversational range as The Guest tended to talk her to pieces:) It was funny. I get it though, he has spent many years alone and just has a lot built up to say I guess. There are worst things than having a grandfather live with you and someday she'll appreciate the experience.
Work was work, grateful to have my job but the challenge has long gone away. I don't mind that so much as yeah, I'm grateful to have a job in this economy. Many people don't and I do feel it'll be worse before it picks up again. So no complaining about simple things at my job for me although they would make interesting blog posts from time to time.
I got to try Throwback Pepsi and Mt. Dew the other day. Forgot about that. Interesting difference. You wouldn't think that replacing high fructose corn syrup with sugar would make a difference but it does. I remember when Dr. Pepper did a limited release a couple of years ago that used sugar cane and it was smoother and tasted better to me. They are putting out Heritage Dr. Pepper but I haven't seen it yet.
Thing 2 pretty much kept upstairs and out of conversational range as The Guest tended to talk her to pieces:) It was funny. I get it though, he has spent many years alone and just has a lot built up to say I guess. There are worst things than having a grandfather live with you and someday she'll appreciate the experience.
Work was work, grateful to have my job but the challenge has long gone away. I don't mind that so much as yeah, I'm grateful to have a job in this economy. Many people don't and I do feel it'll be worse before it picks up again. So no complaining about simple things at my job for me although they would make interesting blog posts from time to time.
I got to try Throwback Pepsi and Mt. Dew the other day. Forgot about that. Interesting difference. You wouldn't think that replacing high fructose corn syrup with sugar would make a difference but it does. I remember when Dr. Pepper did a limited release a couple of years ago that used sugar cane and it was smoother and tasted better to me. They are putting out Heritage Dr. Pepper but I haven't seen it yet.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Productive Sunday Evening
The first shots of the documentary project were finally shot last night. It went better than I had planned. Beersnob would ask a question from off camera and Jamal and Mozart would fill in the blanks. They work extraordinarily well together, the chemistry shows on screen.
This will be a great partnership to document as the project moves along in time. In some ways they are complete opposites and some ways they could almost complete each other's thoughts as they answered the questions.
All in all it was a good weekend! Our friend T made a spectacular wedding album/scrapbook for us and gave it to The Date yesterday. It was simply amazing, beautiful, and heartfelt. She put a ton of work into it and it'll be something that is treasured for years!
Thank you T, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
This will be a great partnership to document as the project moves along in time. In some ways they are complete opposites and some ways they could almost complete each other's thoughts as they answered the questions.
All in all it was a good weekend! Our friend T made a spectacular wedding album/scrapbook for us and gave it to The Date yesterday. It was simply amazing, beautiful, and heartfelt. She put a ton of work into it and it'll be something that is treasured for years!
Thank you T, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
A Good Saturday
Beersnob and I worked on the project I haven't mentioned yet for an hour or so. Got some stuff done on it and then we had some lunch to discuss where it'll go from here and what we need to do to get it to that point.
Stuff is being printed up, stuff is being shot, lots more work in the future though and that's what I'm looking forward to!
Our preparation will be top notch. Our skills, honestly I have to shake the rust off of some of my knowledge and I'm doing that so I can be proficient once again. I'll get to where I was shortly and surpass that point as this will challenge me and Beersnob to get better.
Last night I headed over to Chris's house for a small get together and I took Thing 2 with me. We watched his latest short film once again, the one I blogged about after Halloween. Now it is fixed and things have been tightened up and put into their places by his editor.
Then we watched Rope, the Hitchcock classic! There were a couple of people who had seen it years and years ago so I was nearly the only one familiar with the movie and how tense it is. Everyone thought it was a fantastic movie! It is, it is an outstanding movie and an example of how Hitchcock made movies. How he developed intensity and then ratcheted it up at the right time.
Documentary shooting is on tap for tonight and then another week of work!
Stuff is being printed up, stuff is being shot, lots more work in the future though and that's what I'm looking forward to!
Our preparation will be top notch. Our skills, honestly I have to shake the rust off of some of my knowledge and I'm doing that so I can be proficient once again. I'll get to where I was shortly and surpass that point as this will challenge me and Beersnob to get better.
Last night I headed over to Chris's house for a small get together and I took Thing 2 with me. We watched his latest short film once again, the one I blogged about after Halloween. Now it is fixed and things have been tightened up and put into their places by his editor.
Then we watched Rope, the Hitchcock classic! There were a couple of people who had seen it years and years ago so I was nearly the only one familiar with the movie and how tense it is. Everyone thought it was a fantastic movie! It is, it is an outstanding movie and an example of how Hitchcock made movies. How he developed intensity and then ratcheted it up at the right time.
Documentary shooting is on tap for tonight and then another week of work!
Saturday, January 09, 2010
The Guest
A couple of years ago I did a documentary at Witchy's request on the play Red Hot Mamas. It was the story of a man and wife who when the man's mother was widowed she was lonely and she moved into their house. The wife's mother felt left out so she was also invited to live with them.
Decades ago this was a common practice, families lived together for generations under one roof. Tribes still do. Now I am. The Date's father's house burned up in early December. He was lonely not living in his house anymore and didn't like the apartment he was set up in. The Date finally convinced him to come and stay with us.
For how long, I don't think any of us knows for sure. Might be a few weeks, might be longer. It'll be an interesting experiment to see how this goes.
Just over a year ago it was just me, Rocket, and Patch. Now it is me, The Date, The Things, Zip, Scrat, Scotch, and The Guest.
So far it has been peaceful. He has a hard time hearing and the TV is up a little louder than normal but no problems. He seems a pleasant gentleman and is content to watch TV and drink coffee.
Decades ago this was a common practice, families lived together for generations under one roof. Tribes still do. Now I am. The Date's father's house burned up in early December. He was lonely not living in his house anymore and didn't like the apartment he was set up in. The Date finally convinced him to come and stay with us.
For how long, I don't think any of us knows for sure. Might be a few weeks, might be longer. It'll be an interesting experiment to see how this goes.
Just over a year ago it was just me, Rocket, and Patch. Now it is me, The Date, The Things, Zip, Scrat, Scotch, and The Guest.
So far it has been peaceful. He has a hard time hearing and the TV is up a little louder than normal but no problems. He seems a pleasant gentleman and is content to watch TV and drink coffee.
Friday, January 08, 2010
Sometimes It's Too Cold
For a diesel to start. I was running out of starting fluid and used the last 1/3rd of a can this morning trying to get my big diesel to turn over and catch. A quick rummage around the house for The Date's keys yielded no results so I had to wake her up briefly to talk to her. I learned the keys were in her coat pocket! Now we are getting somewhere.
I quickly located them and was off to the quick shop to get more starting fluid. I found what I needed to purchase and jetted back home to see if my new purchase had more umph than the last can with little pressure in it.
It did. The fluid was finely atomized and had plenty of pressure to get the needed ether down into the air intake! Now to try the engine itself. It didn't seem to want to catch. I added more ether to the engine thinking that if it didn't start this time I was going to have to use more leave up which I didn't want to do after yesterday.
It hit, the big diesel roared to life, literally a roar because it started to suck all of the extra ether in the intake in and burn it. I was so happy! Now it is warming up and getting itself ready for a chilly day!
I keep the water dripping during the Winter, I've crawled under the house too many times to fix busted pipes in the mud to let another one happen. I texted The Date to let her know if she heard water rushing under the house there was a shut off valve in the front of the house under the metal cover. She looked and saw water standing and texted me back that something had broke.
I took off work and rushed home to investigate the damage, dreading going under the house again in the cold mud and water to fix something. It was only the drain pipe to the sewer. Leaving the water drip had built up some ice and the water was going to an overflow which was spilling out onto the ground.
I boiled some water and poured it down the bathtub drain and fixed the problem:) The day was saved!
I quickly located them and was off to the quick shop to get more starting fluid. I found what I needed to purchase and jetted back home to see if my new purchase had more umph than the last can with little pressure in it.
It did. The fluid was finely atomized and had plenty of pressure to get the needed ether down into the air intake! Now to try the engine itself. It didn't seem to want to catch. I added more ether to the engine thinking that if it didn't start this time I was going to have to use more leave up which I didn't want to do after yesterday.
It hit, the big diesel roared to life, literally a roar because it started to suck all of the extra ether in the intake in and burn it. I was so happy! Now it is warming up and getting itself ready for a chilly day!
I keep the water dripping during the Winter, I've crawled under the house too many times to fix busted pipes in the mud to let another one happen. I texted The Date to let her know if she heard water rushing under the house there was a shut off valve in the front of the house under the metal cover. She looked and saw water standing and texted me back that something had broke.
I took off work and rushed home to investigate the damage, dreading going under the house again in the cold mud and water to fix something. It was only the drain pipe to the sewer. Leaving the water drip had built up some ice and the water was going to an overflow which was spilling out onto the ground.
I boiled some water and poured it down the bathtub drain and fixed the problem:) The day was saved!
Thursday, January 07, 2010
No Snow
It is cold though, about ten this morning. The truck is warming up, coffee is brewing, The Date, and The Things are still in bed. I'm up and it's peaceful as Scrat and Scotch are eating. Soon they will start their morning run through the house.
It's Thursday out and on the downhill side of the work week. A coworker who has been off work for the last six months with a liver transplant has rejoined our shop. Well not my shop but our shop in general. He has had it rough over the past two years. He had hernia surgery, when he had they they discovered he has prostate cancer, then the first hernia surgery didn't work so they redid it and took care of the prostate cancer. During all of this they discovered his liver was shot and he needed a new one so he was put onto the transplant list. Now he will be on several medications the rest of his life.
He still has to get his knee replaced but in order to do that they have to break his leg and straighten it first. That'll take a few months to heal before they can do the knee operation and possibly a hip replacement as well. He is looking at being off for at least another six months soon.
So if you are thinking you might have it rough, something just isn't going your way today, you feel cranky and irritable or are experiencing some kind of mishap in your life...be thankful instead. You probably have it better than a lot of people out there, let the small stuff go.
Mend fences, tend to your family, and don't sweat the small stuff.
It's Thursday out and on the downhill side of the work week. A coworker who has been off work for the last six months with a liver transplant has rejoined our shop. Well not my shop but our shop in general. He has had it rough over the past two years. He had hernia surgery, when he had they they discovered he has prostate cancer, then the first hernia surgery didn't work so they redid it and took care of the prostate cancer. During all of this they discovered his liver was shot and he needed a new one so he was put onto the transplant list. Now he will be on several medications the rest of his life.
He still has to get his knee replaced but in order to do that they have to break his leg and straighten it first. That'll take a few months to heal before they can do the knee operation and possibly a hip replacement as well. He is looking at being off for at least another six months soon.
So if you are thinking you might have it rough, something just isn't going your way today, you feel cranky and irritable or are experiencing some kind of mishap in your life...be thankful instead. You probably have it better than a lot of people out there, let the small stuff go.
Mend fences, tend to your family, and don't sweat the small stuff.
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Cold Snap
Yeah, tonight and tomorrow it's supposed to get cold out, like below ten degrees out. I know The Date will be hating that. I don't mind as much, yeah it's cold but I know I'll want it to be cold when it's one hundred plus degrees in the Summer time!
The cold keeps things from getting boring. If you just had perfect weather all the time, well what fun would that be? I need to see some epic thunderstorms! Blizzards! I'd love to experience a hurricane someday! Just to see nature on display like that is something to behold.
Someday.
Anyway it would be cool to get some snow with the cold, makes it that much more fun. I'm pretty good at driving in the snow and have few problems with it. When I was a freshman in high school I ran the paper route in a small town. I was driving it at five thirty in the morning with the town cop's permission no less, by myself. Through all the different kinds of weather I learned quite a bit and it's really a skill. Give me adverse conditions! Love it! I need the challenge most of the time.
The cold keeps things from getting boring. If you just had perfect weather all the time, well what fun would that be? I need to see some epic thunderstorms! Blizzards! I'd love to experience a hurricane someday! Just to see nature on display like that is something to behold.
Someday.
Anyway it would be cool to get some snow with the cold, makes it that much more fun. I'm pretty good at driving in the snow and have few problems with it. When I was a freshman in high school I ran the paper route in a small town. I was driving it at five thirty in the morning with the town cop's permission no less, by myself. Through all the different kinds of weather I learned quite a bit and it's really a skill. Give me adverse conditions! Love it! I need the challenge most of the time.
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Not A Bad First Day
Yeah it was super busy, I'll have my hands full for most of this week catching things up. I can handle it though. I've done more with less.
This week is Armageddon week on History channel. Love this channel! After a some doom and gloom I watched Russia: Land of the Czars. It has been on many times before but it's still interesting. To see a country that big and with that many natural resources just not make it to the level of America because of the monarchy and their backwards attitudes.
As Americans we kind of have a built in allergy to monarchy. We don't understand it or understand what it would be like living under one. We'd also flip if someone tried to create one here in the States and quickly depose such a ruler.
They only got the UK, France, and Russia so far and then....yeah. They kind of plateaued and got stale. Our Founding Fathers took their cues, learned from them, and laid the foundation to one of the fastest growing countries in the history of the world.
That's kind of why I don't feel there will be a Armageddon as the History channel points out. Barring a natural disaster of epic proportions like a asteroid, America will go on. It's too strong and resilient not to. Not because of the government but because of the people and what we represent to people of other countries. Freedom, a better life, opportunities. No President can destroy it in two terms and no President can build it in two terms. As we go through these dark days of pop politics keep that in mind.
I'm so looking forward to the mid-term elections! They will actually be the report card on how President Obama is doing, the people will decide again and adjust accordingly. Exciting times!
This week is Armageddon week on History channel. Love this channel! After a some doom and gloom I watched Russia: Land of the Czars. It has been on many times before but it's still interesting. To see a country that big and with that many natural resources just not make it to the level of America because of the monarchy and their backwards attitudes.
As Americans we kind of have a built in allergy to monarchy. We don't understand it or understand what it would be like living under one. We'd also flip if someone tried to create one here in the States and quickly depose such a ruler.
They only got the UK, France, and Russia so far and then....yeah. They kind of plateaued and got stale. Our Founding Fathers took their cues, learned from them, and laid the foundation to one of the fastest growing countries in the history of the world.
That's kind of why I don't feel there will be a Armageddon as the History channel points out. Barring a natural disaster of epic proportions like a asteroid, America will go on. It's too strong and resilient not to. Not because of the government but because of the people and what we represent to people of other countries. Freedom, a better life, opportunities. No President can destroy it in two terms and no President can build it in two terms. As we go through these dark days of pop politics keep that in mind.
I'm so looking forward to the mid-term elections! They will actually be the report card on how President Obama is doing, the people will decide again and adjust accordingly. Exciting times!
Monday, January 04, 2010
Back To Work
Yeah today is going to be a busy day indeed. Regular work and two projects to kick off the new year with! I'm prepared for the project I haven't mentioned yet. I'm doubly prepared for the documentary!
I've got my partner on the same page on both projects and I'm waiting just a couple of more days before telling everyone what it is here. I need some paper work finished and I need to get the rest of the ground work done. I've actually got two parts of the project to do this week in the evenings.
It'll be good, I can just feel it!
We will be starting filming on the documentary very soon until the duration of such. I don't know how long it will last right now and neither do the subjects.
I'm excited to finally get started on the new year, vacation is nice but I'm used to working. So look out 2010, I'm on my way.
I've got my partner on the same page on both projects and I'm waiting just a couple of more days before telling everyone what it is here. I need some paper work finished and I need to get the rest of the ground work done. I've actually got two parts of the project to do this week in the evenings.
It'll be good, I can just feel it!
We will be starting filming on the documentary very soon until the duration of such. I don't know how long it will last right now and neither do the subjects.
I'm excited to finally get started on the new year, vacation is nice but I'm used to working. So look out 2010, I'm on my way.
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Day By Day
I'm currently reading Day by Day Armageddon. A journalized account of the survivor of the Zombie Apocalypse of Doom. Riveting read, I wanted to put it down last night but I couldn't until I just gave up and went to sleep.
It is the first hand account of a Naval officer living in San Antonio and how the world falls apart around him. He learns all he can about his adversaries to defend his homemade fortress and survive in a deadly new world. The journal is complete with reproduction torn pages and coffee stains.
Day by Day begs to ask the question, are the dead really the lucky ones in such a horrible world. The sheer force of will to survive in such a monstrous and terror filled world is monumental.
With that being said I'd be hard pressed not to be excited about it...
It is the first hand account of a Naval officer living in San Antonio and how the world falls apart around him. He learns all he can about his adversaries to defend his homemade fortress and survive in a deadly new world. The journal is complete with reproduction torn pages and coffee stains.
Day by Day begs to ask the question, are the dead really the lucky ones in such a horrible world. The sheer force of will to survive in such a monstrous and terror filled world is monumental.
With that being said I'd be hard pressed not to be excited about it...
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Project Two
Is coming along better than I had hoped. I got some unexpected additional help the other evening with it and soon I'll be able to post here what it is! I'm very excited about it even though it'll tie up a lot of my free time to start with. I'll have a partner in this project and that'll be great as I won't be doing everything on my own.
Yesterday was really pretty nice even though The Date has had to work her tail off since Wednesday. I think she has put in close to thirty hours on two nights and yesterday as the store inventoried everything. It's been insane, she has been worn out the past two days.
I had a meeting with Beersnob last night and we discussed Project One and some of Project Two. I can count on him to give honest feedback! Today appears to be a day of homework. Project Two homework, I've got notes to take and logistics to figure out!
Yesterday was really pretty nice even though The Date has had to work her tail off since Wednesday. I think she has put in close to thirty hours on two nights and yesterday as the store inventoried everything. It's been insane, she has been worn out the past two days.
I had a meeting with Beersnob last night and we discussed Project One and some of Project Two. I can count on him to give honest feedback! Today appears to be a day of homework. Project Two homework, I've got notes to take and logistics to figure out!
Friday, January 01, 2010
Promises Of A New Year
This morning is bright, shiny, cold but nice. As the new year and I get acquainted I'd just like to say that I'm looking forward to all of the opportunities and promises that come with a clean slate!
Not that it's completely a clean slate as there are always things that carry over but all in all it's just like hitting a reset button and trying to do better this time because you know a little bit more and are a bit wiser because of the past experience.
My simple pledge this year is to try to be a better person than I was last year. Nothing outrageous, nothing too small, I just want to do the right thing when the situation arises.
I pledge to do right by my friends, all of them even in the most difficult of situations. Even if there is a fine balancing act to perform.
I pledge to be a better man.
Not that it's completely a clean slate as there are always things that carry over but all in all it's just like hitting a reset button and trying to do better this time because you know a little bit more and are a bit wiser because of the past experience.
My simple pledge this year is to try to be a better person than I was last year. Nothing outrageous, nothing too small, I just want to do the right thing when the situation arises.
I pledge to do right by my friends, all of them even in the most difficult of situations. Even if there is a fine balancing act to perform.
I pledge to be a better man.
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