Ok you people who can't stand elitists like me this is a blog for you!
In one corner we have the world most well compensated celebrities!
In the other corner we have the world's most vile CEOs!
What's the difference?
Celebrities work a few months a year and earn millions of dollars per year. Tens of millions if you peruse the list. They create no jobs, help the unemployment numbers very little, and are recognized by everyone and are beloved by pop culture.
CEOs work for pensioners (people who have retirement accounts), they create jobs, grow their companies, and create comfortable lives for their employees. What are corporations made of? Employees such as you and I. We work for corporations, big and small, that puts food on our tables and clothes our children.
Who has earned their pay more?
The celebrity who can dunk a basketball or the dreaded CEO who hires men and women and lets them earn a steady wage? Granted Oprah does run a media empire and hires lots of people.
It's up to the CEO to work tirelessly day in and day out without recognition until they are called up before an arrogant congress to account for earning an unfair profit...a profit which also fills the bank accounts of our retired seniors who invested their money into mutual funds or IRAs...each and every month.
Each and every single time I see a CEO hauled up before a clueless congressional committee to grill these men it turns my stomach. These men have companies to run and people to take care of. When was the last time you saw a CEO on stage with a congressional candidate? When was the last time you saw a celebrity campaigning with a candidate?
Business is the engine that drives this country and supplies everyone with a living, when was the last time you saw a poor person create a job? When was the last time you applied for a job from a corporation?
I submit to you, loyal readers, that the CEO earns their pay. On their shoulders rests the responsibility of sustaining thousands of direct jobs and tens of thousands of indirect sources of pay. Pay them what the board decides, I'm all for it, make a profit with the government gunning for you and you've earned it.
Keep everyone's grandparent's retirement funds full to the brim and supplying the income they need to live despite President Obama's opinion of you that you are the scum of the earth for earning a profit. I'm amazed you can do such a thing and still get two hours of rest a night. The normal person can't handle that kind of pressure but you can Mr. or Mrs. CEO.
You keep doing what you are doing and America will survive Obama and prosper in the future. Yes I know we have a desperate situation on our hands come the first of the year. The Bush tax cuts which propelled the market and many many people's retirement accounts to new heights will expire and that will likely trigger a second recession which will no doubt trigger a new stimulus package to fix nothing. The last one worked so well after all, it definitely kept unemployment under 8.8% right? Those jobs keep on pouring in month after month as people get hired back.
Yeah, we are headed for trouble in January but fortunately the November Revolution will have happened and the Cavalry is literally just over the hill and help is on the way!
I have two victory cigars, one for this November when President Obama is neutered by the American voting public and one for 2012 when he is fired from office and goes into a public life of shame as the worst American President in the last 100 years.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
An Evening Off
It was nice not to have a play to go to last night. Last week was a killer for sure and I'm glad it's over with. I'm pretty much free until Lil' Abner picks up and I'm needed for tech week, maybe a day or two before.
Abner opens in a month so I've got time.
Tonight Deadliest Catch resumes after the highest rated show in the series history aired last week. Spoiler Alert: Phil and his sons were going over old pictures while the off load was going on. Phil went to his cabin. The Captain's signature is needed to make the off load official and when they called his cabin no one answered. They went to his cabin and found Phil face down and unresponsive. He had had a major stroke. They took him to the hospital and now tonight we'll find out how Phil is doing.
Of course we all know the ending to this story but we don't know how it unfolds. Will Josh step up as Captain? Will Jake get his act straight? How will the fleet take the news?
Tonight will be a very emotional ride for the viewers who have stuck with this show since the beginning. This is my must see TV.
Abner opens in a month so I've got time.
Tonight Deadliest Catch resumes after the highest rated show in the series history aired last week. Spoiler Alert: Phil and his sons were going over old pictures while the off load was going on. Phil went to his cabin. The Captain's signature is needed to make the off load official and when they called his cabin no one answered. They went to his cabin and found Phil face down and unresponsive. He had had a major stroke. They took him to the hospital and now tonight we'll find out how Phil is doing.
Of course we all know the ending to this story but we don't know how it unfolds. Will Josh step up as Captain? Will Jake get his act straight? How will the fleet take the news?
Tonight will be a very emotional ride for the viewers who have stuck with this show since the beginning. This is my must see TV.
Monday, June 28, 2010
And The Show Closes
A relaxing day was topped off by the final performance of Shakespeare in the Park. First a call from one of the audience members to the police about drinking in the audience started the evening. It was quickly resolved with a stage announcement about drinking was allowed if you had a permit from the city which cost a mere five dollars.
Then the threat of a storm which was bearing down hard on us and then changed course to go more east than north. We cut intermission short because of the pending downpour but it was unnecessary after all. It looked bad on the radar at the time though.
After the show closed for the final time we loaded up the truck to take everything to storage until things are needed for dinner theatre. A small incident happened and just to set the record straight here is what happened and why.
Mr. Bakerball and I were moving a heavy trunk full of cables. Big Toddler came roaring down the ramp with another case full of sound equipment, oblivious of the fact he was running into Mr. Bakerball, our case, and everything else. I said be careful we aren't ready yet to move. Big Toddler told me to calm down, which I wasn't upset nor yelling at him. Mr. Bakerball and I got the case moved inside in which I then heard Big Toddler comment that I should act like a grownup for the first time.
The Date was standing right next to him and started to lay into him as I turned on my heels and was in his face and grabbed him by the shoulders very quickly. I turned on my death stare and asked him what he said. He didn't reply. I asked him again what he said. Then my friends were grabbing me and pulling me back to seemingly keep the Big Toddler alive.
Big Toddler has belittled many people in the cast for doing jobs not up to his rather poor standards. He is arrogant and again oblivious as he has little to no social skills. He is rude and believes because of his size he can get away with things. He stood maybe three inches taller than I and has me by fifty pounds but turned into a speechless idiot when confronted by a modicum of force.
Regardless I was in complete control of my actions and the anger wasn't real but someday if he didn't learn a lesson about shutting his mouth he might encounter someone without the self control I have. Someone with an explosive temper who will not stop at a mere grabbing of his shirt. Someone who will administer a severe beating upon his person and not be as gentle as I.
Hopefully he will learn but I doubt it.
Then the threat of a storm which was bearing down hard on us and then changed course to go more east than north. We cut intermission short because of the pending downpour but it was unnecessary after all. It looked bad on the radar at the time though.
After the show closed for the final time we loaded up the truck to take everything to storage until things are needed for dinner theatre. A small incident happened and just to set the record straight here is what happened and why.
Mr. Bakerball and I were moving a heavy trunk full of cables. Big Toddler came roaring down the ramp with another case full of sound equipment, oblivious of the fact he was running into Mr. Bakerball, our case, and everything else. I said be careful we aren't ready yet to move. Big Toddler told me to calm down, which I wasn't upset nor yelling at him. Mr. Bakerball and I got the case moved inside in which I then heard Big Toddler comment that I should act like a grownup for the first time.
The Date was standing right next to him and started to lay into him as I turned on my heels and was in his face and grabbed him by the shoulders very quickly. I turned on my death stare and asked him what he said. He didn't reply. I asked him again what he said. Then my friends were grabbing me and pulling me back to seemingly keep the Big Toddler alive.
Big Toddler has belittled many people in the cast for doing jobs not up to his rather poor standards. He is arrogant and again oblivious as he has little to no social skills. He is rude and believes because of his size he can get away with things. He stood maybe three inches taller than I and has me by fifty pounds but turned into a speechless idiot when confronted by a modicum of force.
Regardless I was in complete control of my actions and the anger wasn't real but someday if he didn't learn a lesson about shutting his mouth he might encounter someone without the self control I have. Someone with an explosive temper who will not stop at a mere grabbing of his shirt. Someone who will administer a severe beating upon his person and not be as gentle as I.
Hopefully he will learn but I doubt it.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Two Down One To Go
Yesterday morning I left the house before eight and made it to the Farmer's Market to set up for shooting. My subjects hadn't arrived yet so I talked to a friend for a while until they arrived. We chatted about fantasy football and how we need to hold a meeting very soon to discuss rule changes.
My subjects arrived shortly after and we got set up and got to work. We knocked out thirteen interviews and my subjects did a really good job. They have the process down now and they are finding a rhythm in what we are doing.
Shortly after wrapping I made it back home before The Date left for work and I got the editing process underway. Not long after that I had everything encoded and uploaded for my clients.
Then it was time to relax some before showtime in the park. The show went about the same as last night. Shakespeare in the park is a ton of work, this will likely be my only experience with it but we'll see. Next year is MacBeth and it's a play that is haunted at our theatre so it'll likely have some weird happenings surrounding it. It might be worth being involved in to see what happens this time.
That's a year away though and I might not have the time to spend on it by then if business keeps up.
My subjects arrived shortly after and we got set up and got to work. We knocked out thirteen interviews and my subjects did a really good job. They have the process down now and they are finding a rhythm in what we are doing.
Shortly after wrapping I made it back home before The Date left for work and I got the editing process underway. Not long after that I had everything encoded and uploaded for my clients.
Then it was time to relax some before showtime in the park. The show went about the same as last night. Shakespeare in the park is a ton of work, this will likely be my only experience with it but we'll see. Next year is MacBeth and it's a play that is haunted at our theatre so it'll likely have some weird happenings surrounding it. It might be worth being involved in to see what happens this time.
That's a year away though and I might not have the time to spend on it by then if business keeps up.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Rolling Along
Last night the show went well. There were a couple of rough moments but alas it's live theatre and they can't be helped sometimes. All in all it was a good performance compared to what it was two weeks ago.
I'm about to head out to the farmer's market to shoot the project for the Marketing Company. The batteries are charged, the tripod loaded, the mic has its battery ready, I'm set!
I'll get back home and spend the afternoon editing and uploading. I should get the whole package done today fairly easily.
Finally got to watch Tuesday's episode of Deadliest Catch, what an amazing episode! The focus on Phil Harris is heartfelt and genuine. These are his last episodes and it really is nice to see he and his sons getting along better before it closes.
The show will continue next season but with two boats looking for captains it'll surely be a great season to watch. This is Captain Phil's season though, it's sad to say goodbye to a friend, he seems like the kind of guy anyone would want to have a drink with.
I'm about to head out to the farmer's market to shoot the project for the Marketing Company. The batteries are charged, the tripod loaded, the mic has its battery ready, I'm set!
I'll get back home and spend the afternoon editing and uploading. I should get the whole package done today fairly easily.
Finally got to watch Tuesday's episode of Deadliest Catch, what an amazing episode! The focus on Phil Harris is heartfelt and genuine. These are his last episodes and it really is nice to see he and his sons getting along better before it closes.
The show will continue next season but with two boats looking for captains it'll surely be a great season to watch. This is Captain Phil's season though, it's sad to say goodbye to a friend, he seems like the kind of guy anyone would want to have a drink with.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Friday!
And a very long week is about to come to a close.
Tonight is opening night of Julius Caesar in the park. I sort of have the light cues down, there are only maybe six or seven of them. They are either on or off so it isn't really difficult.
Witchy will handle the sound cues on her iPhone and I'll handle the mic settings. If you are planning on coming this weekend bring mosquito spray, it'll help.
Tomorrow morning I'm shooting another project for the marketing company. I'll have that wrapped up around two or three and hopefully uploaded. That's another paying job!
I had a meeting last night after work with a client, he wants a humorous commercial about his water park. I'm kicking around some ideas and I'll run them by him in a day or so. I'm sure I can come up with something he'll like.
Tonight is opening night of Julius Caesar in the park. I sort of have the light cues down, there are only maybe six or seven of them. They are either on or off so it isn't really difficult.
Witchy will handle the sound cues on her iPhone and I'll handle the mic settings. If you are planning on coming this weekend bring mosquito spray, it'll help.
Tomorrow morning I'm shooting another project for the marketing company. I'll have that wrapped up around two or three and hopefully uploaded. That's another paying job!
I had a meeting last night after work with a client, he wants a humorous commercial about his water park. I'm kicking around some ideas and I'll run them by him in a day or so. I'm sure I can come up with something he'll like.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Coffe Card Bliss
A coffee card is a truly marvelous thing. You long time readers will remember when the quick shop I was going to in the mornings for coffee did away with their coffee card. I found another one though recently and what can I say? Today I'll buy my fourth cup of coffee, tomorrow my fifth, and Monday I'll get a free cup!
How nice is that?
Rehearsal was cut short for me last night. With lightning in the area we packed up the show and everyone headed to the theatre to do Act II. Since my presence wasn't required for there was no tech stuff to do I came home.
I was able to make a master DVD for the PSA which I'm still asking everyone to post on your facebook or email out to your contact list. This is important, real people are being hurt by the economy and senior centers are being closed. This concert has the potential to keep them open in the area. If the show sells out then they'll be safe and the meal that the seniors are getting now will continue.
I've got a meeting tonight with a new potential client. They called me yesterday out of the blue and asked about two commercials for their businesses. I'm excited and have clothes ready to go with me to work so I can change. This is exciting news!
How nice is that?
Rehearsal was cut short for me last night. With lightning in the area we packed up the show and everyone headed to the theatre to do Act II. Since my presence wasn't required for there was no tech stuff to do I came home.
I was able to make a master DVD for the PSA which I'm still asking everyone to post on your facebook or email out to your contact list. This is important, real people are being hurt by the economy and senior centers are being closed. This concert has the potential to keep them open in the area. If the show sells out then they'll be safe and the meal that the seniors are getting now will continue.
I've got a meeting tonight with a new potential client. They called me yesterday out of the blue and asked about two commercials for their businesses. I'm excited and have clothes ready to go with me to work so I can change. This is exciting news!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Tired
After a grueling seventeen hour day yesterday I'm beat this morning and I just got up.
Hours in a hot shop that doesn't have any air conditioning, quickly home to get supper underway, re-encode the clips for the marketing company and upload them to You Tube and then off to unload a truck in staggering heat for rehearsal. After rehearsal we load the truck back up and try to make it home before eleven.
Now I get to do it again today, tomorrow, Friday, I have a shoot Saturday morning and then editing, uploading, and then a show that evening. I'm not complaining I'm just tired this morning but I slept well. After some coffee and food I'll be ok and back to full strength in about an hour.
I'd take some time off but I'm still struggling to get my leave built back up to over one hundred hours. Next week I'll top ninety if I don't take any time off late this week.
The Date and Thing 2 are enjoying doing the show. The Date gets to hang out backstage and chat, Thing 2 is up front and giving lines or filling in for missing people. Last night she was Marc Antony. It was quite a sight.
Hours in a hot shop that doesn't have any air conditioning, quickly home to get supper underway, re-encode the clips for the marketing company and upload them to You Tube and then off to unload a truck in staggering heat for rehearsal. After rehearsal we load the truck back up and try to make it home before eleven.
Now I get to do it again today, tomorrow, Friday, I have a shoot Saturday morning and then editing, uploading, and then a show that evening. I'm not complaining I'm just tired this morning but I slept well. After some coffee and food I'll be ok and back to full strength in about an hour.
I'd take some time off but I'm still struggling to get my leave built back up to over one hundred hours. Next week I'll top ninety if I don't take any time off late this week.
The Date and Thing 2 are enjoying doing the show. The Date gets to hang out backstage and chat, Thing 2 is up front and giving lines or filling in for missing people. Last night she was Marc Antony. It was quite a sight.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Super Busy Evening
Last night was the first tech rehearsal for Shakespeare in the park. Tech Guy showed up fortunately and we got the gear lined out, packed up again and ready for this evening.
This will be one busy week for sure. Every evening will be filled with rehearsals and setting up and tearing down the gear in the park. I didn't realize that the lights and sound needed a full week of rehearsal as well. It's all really simple, lights up, lights down. Once the sound is set it's set and might need small adjustments if there is a lot of wind.
The Marketing Company has contacted me about possibly another shoot this week. We'll see if that happens or not. I'd have to take off work at this point as my evenings are plumb full as I described earlier.
Going to be a long week.
This will be one busy week for sure. Every evening will be filled with rehearsals and setting up and tearing down the gear in the park. I didn't realize that the lights and sound needed a full week of rehearsal as well. It's all really simple, lights up, lights down. Once the sound is set it's set and might need small adjustments if there is a lot of wind.
The Marketing Company has contacted me about possibly another shoot this week. We'll see if that happens or not. I'd have to take off work at this point as my evenings are plumb full as I described earlier.
Going to be a long week.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Finished Sequence Two
As my Facebook friends can already tell I finished the PSA for NODA. I've posted the link to the one minute and nineteen second long spot. Mozart did an amazing job with his score. It is so stunningly beautiful it'll take you by surprise. Colonel's Daughter did the voice over and she did a fine job of it:)
Here is the rest of the story. The only options for advertising this concert are on the local radio, public access cable stations, and the internet.
Honestly very few watch local access cable, first you have to have cable (even I don't have cable) then you have to choose that channel among the seventy five other channels. If the spot runs there non-stop twenty four hours a day it might be seen as someone is flipping by. It just won't get enough viewers but if it gets a few then it'll help.
The radio is great for area wide coverage but the internet will reach the world.
That's why it is important to repost the link on Facebook and ask your friends to repost it or email it out to your contact list. If you are out of state then you can purchase a ticket and donate it or just not show up. The money will still feed a senior citizen for a week and that's the important part.
John Michael Montgomery is donating this show for the cause, he selected it to support. This is a real "rubber meets the road" scenario, the money will go directly to keeping these centers open and feeding senior citizens.
Here is the rest of the story. The only options for advertising this concert are on the local radio, public access cable stations, and the internet.
Honestly very few watch local access cable, first you have to have cable (even I don't have cable) then you have to choose that channel among the seventy five other channels. If the spot runs there non-stop twenty four hours a day it might be seen as someone is flipping by. It just won't get enough viewers but if it gets a few then it'll help.
The radio is great for area wide coverage but the internet will reach the world.
That's why it is important to repost the link on Facebook and ask your friends to repost it or email it out to your contact list. If you are out of state then you can purchase a ticket and donate it or just not show up. The money will still feed a senior citizen for a week and that's the important part.
John Michael Montgomery is donating this show for the cause, he selected it to support. This is a real "rubber meets the road" scenario, the money will go directly to keeping these centers open and feeding senior citizens.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
An OKC Adventure
While I spent the day uploading clips from Friday night's shoot onto a FTP server The Date worked away. After she got off of work we headed to OKC for a family evening. Thing 2 wanted to go to an Asian shopping center.
We headed down and she went berserk while Thing 1 started to feel sick from the smell. Teehee arrived shortly and guided Thing 2 in what she would like to eat. She got a box of noodles and was the happiest kid in the world. Yep a box of noodles, go figure.
Then I told Teehee we'll follow him to a restaurant as he knew the area so he drove around the block to a nice Vietnamese place. Awesome food, reasonably priced! Couldn't eat it all by a long shot!
After that we headed down to Bass Pro. I picked up some more lures, Teehee had a fun time. Thing 2 and I had a fun time. The Date and Thing 1 wandered the store and got lost. The aquarium as really big and nice looking. Lots of fish in it.
Teehee, Thing 2, and I played with some reels on display. All in all it was a very fun and enjoyable evening for everyone!
We headed down and she went berserk while Thing 1 started to feel sick from the smell. Teehee arrived shortly and guided Thing 2 in what she would like to eat. She got a box of noodles and was the happiest kid in the world. Yep a box of noodles, go figure.
Then I told Teehee we'll follow him to a restaurant as he knew the area so he drove around the block to a nice Vietnamese place. Awesome food, reasonably priced! Couldn't eat it all by a long shot!
After that we headed down to Bass Pro. I picked up some more lures, Teehee had a fun time. Thing 2 and I had a fun time. The Date and Thing 1 wandered the store and got lost. The aquarium as really big and nice looking. Lots of fish in it.
Teehee, Thing 2, and I played with some reels on display. All in all it was a very fun and enjoyable evening for everyone!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Successful Shoot
The paying gig went well last night! Started around six and ended up around eight. I digitized the clips, edited them, and I'm in the process of uploading them to the FTP server for use.
I want to make sure they have them by Monday morning so they can post them online. The FTP keeps kicking me off every once in a while so its frustrating, I will have to talk to the marketing company about that and see if its an error or a permission thing.
All in all though it went well and the clips look good even though some were in the blinding sun and I had to really close the iris to have the shots come out. They were very overexposed. I'll have to investigate a filter for the lens on bright, sunny, days!
I want to make sure they have them by Monday morning so they can post them online. The FTP keeps kicking me off every once in a while so its frustrating, I will have to talk to the marketing company about that and see if its an error or a permission thing.
All in all though it went well and the clips look good even though some were in the blinding sun and I had to really close the iris to have the shots come out. They were very overexposed. I'll have to investigate a filter for the lens on bright, sunny, days!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Need The Weekend!
After a super busy week and one on tap for today this weekend will be really nice!
Thing 2 had a very nice birthday yesterday, the cast sang to her and we passed out cupcakes for everyone. Then told her we were going home. Everyone said goodbye and off we went...to Buffalo Wild Wings where everyone was waiting for her again!
She was again surprised and very happy!
We watched the last of the NBA Finals as the evil empire Lakers beat the Celtics with lots of poor calls from the refs. It's like they wanted LA to win or something.
Four or five Celtics were in foul trouble and one Laker...
Oh well what can you do? I come home tonight, change clothes and pack up for shooting for an hour or so. This weekend will be spent editing and uploading.
Thing 2 had a very nice birthday yesterday, the cast sang to her and we passed out cupcakes for everyone. Then told her we were going home. Everyone said goodbye and off we went...to Buffalo Wild Wings where everyone was waiting for her again!
She was again surprised and very happy!
We watched the last of the NBA Finals as the evil empire Lakers beat the Celtics with lots of poor calls from the refs. It's like they wanted LA to win or something.
Four or five Celtics were in foul trouble and one Laker...
Oh well what can you do? I come home tonight, change clothes and pack up for shooting for an hour or so. This weekend will be spent editing and uploading.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
It's A Great Time
Yeah this week has been super busy at work, I've come to terms that I live in a time warp at work. It's like if I take time off nothing changes in the shop and everything is just as I left it, a problem only the likes of Einstein would be able to solve I'm sure.
That aside I've got a lot going for me and the "time warp" helps my work ethic along from time to time. It's got to get done and since no one else will do it, I'll do it. I've had an easy time translating that over to the new business. I've got a paying gig this coming Friday night. I've got a PSA that is just going to be super touching and hopefully sell out the Expo Center, with a lot of help from my friends of course.
I've got a great family, we are all involved with the local theatre, we have a circle of friends that can't be beat, challenges present themselves and sometimes they seem overwhelming but in the light of day they usually vanish.
The bills are paid, there is some left over, we eat well, we live well, we play well.
I know I like to complain about the current regime in power but you know something? They have done more to expose what liberals really are and stand for and in today's day and age everyone can see it plain and clear. They have done more to explain what tax and spend is all about and this time in a way that's so obvious everyone gets it now. They will very soon be out of power for a generation as the country embraces its founding principles this November.
I'm bullish on the future as Beersnob likes to say, it'll be a bright, shiny, new future! Full of opportunities and possibilities! I'm thinking of you today Skate as well, and you Teehee as you look to the future and charge ahead full speed!
Today is Thing 2's fourteenth birthday and I've just got to say Happy Birthday sweetheart, I don't know if I could ask for a better daughter! Thank you for being your quirky self.
As the philosopher Tritt says, "It's a great day to be alive!"
That aside I've got a lot going for me and the "time warp" helps my work ethic along from time to time. It's got to get done and since no one else will do it, I'll do it. I've had an easy time translating that over to the new business. I've got a paying gig this coming Friday night. I've got a PSA that is just going to be super touching and hopefully sell out the Expo Center, with a lot of help from my friends of course.
I've got a great family, we are all involved with the local theatre, we have a circle of friends that can't be beat, challenges present themselves and sometimes they seem overwhelming but in the light of day they usually vanish.
The bills are paid, there is some left over, we eat well, we live well, we play well.
I know I like to complain about the current regime in power but you know something? They have done more to expose what liberals really are and stand for and in today's day and age everyone can see it plain and clear. They have done more to explain what tax and spend is all about and this time in a way that's so obvious everyone gets it now. They will very soon be out of power for a generation as the country embraces its founding principles this November.
I'm bullish on the future as Beersnob likes to say, it'll be a bright, shiny, new future! Full of opportunities and possibilities! I'm thinking of you today Skate as well, and you Teehee as you look to the future and charge ahead full speed!
Today is Thing 2's fourteenth birthday and I've just got to say Happy Birthday sweetheart, I don't know if I could ask for a better daughter! Thank you for being your quirky self.
As the philosopher Tritt says, "It's a great day to be alive!"
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Sequence Two Is Edited
For the very important project I'm working on, I've edited as much as I can with what I have now. I'm waiting on some more information to be approved tonight. Then this coming weekend I'll be sitting down with Mozart for a custom piano score he is generously donating.
I'm going to tap Skate for a voice over, essentially to read the title cards and lend his powerful voice to the mix. This project is coming together nicely and I'm thrilled I can be part of it!
As soon as It's completed it will be asked of all of you to repost the link to the video and to ask your friends to do the same. I'm shooting for a thousand people and hopefully a third can make the benefit concert on July 10th.
I've got about half of sequence one edited, I've spent most of my time on sequence two as that is the one that demanded most of my abilities right now. I sent the link to Filmmaker friend Chris for a quick critique and he sent back some things I completely missed or couldn't do anything about because of the source material.
Now onto Deadliest Catch last night! Good show, powerful at the end and it was starting to show how Captain Phil was deteriorating. Jake has been a problem all trip and Phil walked in on him stealing his pain pills for his back. Phil has three bad discs and they have been causing him a lot of problems this season. It's sad to watch Phil in such a state but they honored him in After The Catch, a season long wrap up show and joked around as if he were still with them.
This is why it continues to be the best show on TV today. These are everyday men who do a very tough job in very tough conditions. They don't all make it back at the end of the season but they go out again and again anyway.
I'm going to tap Skate for a voice over, essentially to read the title cards and lend his powerful voice to the mix. This project is coming together nicely and I'm thrilled I can be part of it!
As soon as It's completed it will be asked of all of you to repost the link to the video and to ask your friends to do the same. I'm shooting for a thousand people and hopefully a third can make the benefit concert on July 10th.
I've got about half of sequence one edited, I've spent most of my time on sequence two as that is the one that demanded most of my abilities right now. I sent the link to Filmmaker friend Chris for a quick critique and he sent back some things I completely missed or couldn't do anything about because of the source material.
Now onto Deadliest Catch last night! Good show, powerful at the end and it was starting to show how Captain Phil was deteriorating. Jake has been a problem all trip and Phil walked in on him stealing his pain pills for his back. Phil has three bad discs and they have been causing him a lot of problems this season. It's sad to watch Phil in such a state but they honored him in After The Catch, a season long wrap up show and joked around as if he were still with them.
This is why it continues to be the best show on TV today. These are everyday men who do a very tough job in very tough conditions. They don't all make it back at the end of the season but they go out again and again anyway.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Eighteen Years
Today is my eighteenth anniversary at work.
It doesn't sound like a lot when you say it out loud but when you've worked it then it seems like a much longer time. I really thought that I wouldn't be out there over five years, at five then I didn't think it would be over ten years. Now I know better and I'm shooting for thirty.
After thirty years I'm eligible to collect the pension. A prime benefit that is all privately funded. It isn't dependent upon taxpayers to fund nor is it a burden to the public sector.
By the time I've worked long enough to be eligible, which is just twelve more years, it'll be worth enough to replace my current income. If the market should skyrocket again like it did under the last administration then it'll be worth much more and would likely replace my income in ten years. A good, healthy stock market would also boost my 401k's worth so it would be a great retirement supplement when I'm eligible for that.
Eighteen years. That's a long time but I'm over half way done now.
It doesn't sound like a lot when you say it out loud but when you've worked it then it seems like a much longer time. I really thought that I wouldn't be out there over five years, at five then I didn't think it would be over ten years. Now I know better and I'm shooting for thirty.
After thirty years I'm eligible to collect the pension. A prime benefit that is all privately funded. It isn't dependent upon taxpayers to fund nor is it a burden to the public sector.
By the time I've worked long enough to be eligible, which is just twelve more years, it'll be worth enough to replace my current income. If the market should skyrocket again like it did under the last administration then it'll be worth much more and would likely replace my income in ten years. A good, healthy stock market would also boost my 401k's worth so it would be a great retirement supplement when I'm eligible for that.
Eighteen years. That's a long time but I'm over half way done now.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Big Things
Yesterday my production company hired a sales manager. He approached me a few weeks ago about the potential he saw in the business and we worked out a commission schedule that will reward him for a job well done.
He has lots of connections with the local and state music industry which could be a very lucrative untapped market for us to explore. I made it abundantly clear that this is the ground floor of the business and his work is important to its success. The theory being that if we get things rolling now while the economy is horrible then we could be in a prime position when it recovers and we get back to the 5% unemployment we once had.
The great advantage we have is that we have no overhead to speak of. Our equipment has been paid for, Beersnob purchased the software upgrades out of his own pocket, no loan necessary, our prices reflect that advantage. The business itself will purchase any additional upgrades we might need as I refuse to go into debt to fund this company.
I do the nuts and bolts work, he pushes us with new business and in new directions, Beersnob will be learning the software while in Iraq for the next six months. Upon his return he will likely be doing both aspects of the job, sales and production work.
We will really see what the potential of this business is in the next six months. It would be a nice problem to have if I had a spot to shoot every evening and several on a weekend.
I'd love it if there were several music videos to shoot in the future. That'd be a great creative exploration of what I can do with a camera and some motivated individuals. I hope that we land at least one anyway, I'd love to try my hand at a very creative endeavor such as a music video.
He has lots of connections with the local and state music industry which could be a very lucrative untapped market for us to explore. I made it abundantly clear that this is the ground floor of the business and his work is important to its success. The theory being that if we get things rolling now while the economy is horrible then we could be in a prime position when it recovers and we get back to the 5% unemployment we once had.
The great advantage we have is that we have no overhead to speak of. Our equipment has been paid for, Beersnob purchased the software upgrades out of his own pocket, no loan necessary, our prices reflect that advantage. The business itself will purchase any additional upgrades we might need as I refuse to go into debt to fund this company.
I do the nuts and bolts work, he pushes us with new business and in new directions, Beersnob will be learning the software while in Iraq for the next six months. Upon his return he will likely be doing both aspects of the job, sales and production work.
We will really see what the potential of this business is in the next six months. It would be a nice problem to have if I had a spot to shoot every evening and several on a weekend.
I'd love it if there were several music videos to shoot in the future. That'd be a great creative exploration of what I can do with a camera and some motivated individuals. I hope that we land at least one anyway, I'd love to try my hand at a very creative endeavor such as a music video.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Working Away
For the past hour I've been digitizing the footage for the PSA I'm going to be editing this week. This is a time consuming process where you edit in your head, you listen to the clips and find the lines where you want to make cuts.
Editing is like putting a puzzle together, you assemble the pieces in the order where it'll tell the story you need to tell. This will be a good PSA when I'm finished with it and I hope it accomplishes what it needs to accomplish. There is a lot at stake here.
Yesterday I watched the World Cup soccer match with Team USA and England. Four minutes in England scored and it appeared that the blow out was on. Fortunately USA pulled it together and due to an England error we tied the game. Honestly it was hard to watch, this game was slow, unexciting, and frustrating because it seemed that ball control was a real issue. Passes were overshot, easily intercepted, and there didn't seem to be any kind of play being run.
Throw up a few blockers in front of the guy with the ball and clear out the D, then you can take a few more shots on goal. They should put a real football coach in charge and see what kind of innovation can happen to make it a better sport to watch.
Editing is like putting a puzzle together, you assemble the pieces in the order where it'll tell the story you need to tell. This will be a good PSA when I'm finished with it and I hope it accomplishes what it needs to accomplish. There is a lot at stake here.
Yesterday I watched the World Cup soccer match with Team USA and England. Four minutes in England scored and it appeared that the blow out was on. Fortunately USA pulled it together and due to an England error we tied the game. Honestly it was hard to watch, this game was slow, unexciting, and frustrating because it seemed that ball control was a real issue. Passes were overshot, easily intercepted, and there didn't seem to be any kind of play being run.
Throw up a few blockers in front of the guy with the ball and clear out the D, then you can take a few more shots on goal. They should put a real football coach in charge and see what kind of innovation can happen to make it a better sport to watch.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Great Friday!
So Thursday night The Date tells me after rehearsal that Court, T, and J are coming over Friday night to help clean out the Drinkbuster's stock that has been sitting there for a long time now.
Well not long after that Teehee, Skate, and The Invader are coming over and soon after that Ape, Hollywood Actor, and Chels.
It turned into a regular party at that point.
I needed something like that after the past week. It was rough, I was the only one in the shop for three of the five days. It just happened to fall at one of the regular busy times of the job too when lots of things happen on a regular basis.
Last night was a blast though! Can't ask for better friends and I'm really blessed to have these!
Well not long after that Teehee, Skate, and The Invader are coming over and soon after that Ape, Hollywood Actor, and Chels.
It turned into a regular party at that point.
I needed something like that after the past week. It was rough, I was the only one in the shop for three of the five days. It just happened to fall at one of the regular busy times of the job too when lots of things happen on a regular basis.
Last night was a blast though! Can't ask for better friends and I'm really blessed to have these!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
World What?
Ok so supposedly this big soccer tournament is going to start today. It's in South Africa and the whole world is watching. Eh...who cares. Soccer is a fine sport for countries who don't mind a nil nil tie being a satisfying result.
For Americans though it's a different story. We like scoring. We like a result. We made college football change its rules because we didn't like ties. We nearly had rioting in the streets when 90% of America didn't know that after one overtime in the NFL the game could end. That was simply unacceptable! America's beloved sport can end in a tie! Impossible!
I believe it's been fixed, if it hasn't been then it should be.
Baseball is the only sport that will go on until there is a result, that's how much we hate ties. No clock, no time limit, the game continues until one team wins! That's American. When was the last time you heard of a tie in NASCAR? Doesn't happen. When was the last time you paid attention to a MLS game, assuming the MLS still exists? To me the MLS might as well be a UFO, people claim to see one occasionally but can you really prove you've seen one?
Americans have more entertainment options than watching a soccer game. Don't ever give me the line, "Americans just aren't smart enough to "get" the beautiful game." We get it, we don't care. There isn't much to get, you run after a ball on a field and try to kick it into a net.
We went to the Moon, invented cable TV, and the Internet, we get soccer. We don't care about soccer. Its fine for the rest of the world, they need something to cheer and make themselves feel better for not living in America. They can have soccer, we'll keep football, baseball, basketball, racing, and any game we devise in the future as I'm sure it will be better than soccer.
Ok now with all of that said I'm willing to give watching a match a shot. We'll see what happens. I've watched a match or two before to give it a fair shot, does nothing for me. Don't care. America is playing though and I'll try to watch them as it is American to pull for an American team abroad.
We'll see how it goes though.
Next up is I'm working on a very important project that will directly effect the senior citizens in the surrounding counties of this area. This is easily the most important project that the very young commercial company has had thus far. Beersnob will be leaving for Iraq on Monday for six months, I know he would love to be part of this project but was at the meeting last night and had some great input on how it should work.
Stay tuned.
For Americans though it's a different story. We like scoring. We like a result. We made college football change its rules because we didn't like ties. We nearly had rioting in the streets when 90% of America didn't know that after one overtime in the NFL the game could end. That was simply unacceptable! America's beloved sport can end in a tie! Impossible!
I believe it's been fixed, if it hasn't been then it should be.
Baseball is the only sport that will go on until there is a result, that's how much we hate ties. No clock, no time limit, the game continues until one team wins! That's American. When was the last time you heard of a tie in NASCAR? Doesn't happen. When was the last time you paid attention to a MLS game, assuming the MLS still exists? To me the MLS might as well be a UFO, people claim to see one occasionally but can you really prove you've seen one?
Americans have more entertainment options than watching a soccer game. Don't ever give me the line, "Americans just aren't smart enough to "get" the beautiful game." We get it, we don't care. There isn't much to get, you run after a ball on a field and try to kick it into a net.
We went to the Moon, invented cable TV, and the Internet, we get soccer. We don't care about soccer. Its fine for the rest of the world, they need something to cheer and make themselves feel better for not living in America. They can have soccer, we'll keep football, baseball, basketball, racing, and any game we devise in the future as I'm sure it will be better than soccer.
Ok now with all of that said I'm willing to give watching a match a shot. We'll see what happens. I've watched a match or two before to give it a fair shot, does nothing for me. Don't care. America is playing though and I'll try to watch them as it is American to pull for an American team abroad.
We'll see how it goes though.
Next up is I'm working on a very important project that will directly effect the senior citizens in the surrounding counties of this area. This is easily the most important project that the very young commercial company has had thus far. Beersnob will be leaving for Iraq on Monday for six months, I know he would love to be part of this project but was at the meeting last night and had some great input on how it should work.
Stay tuned.
Yawn...
I'm tired this morning. Been very rough at work this week.
Slept well it's just to the point where everything that hasn't been worked on because of schedules is coming in now to be worked on and it's behind.
No matter, I've got a great meeting scheduled at six tonight to handle a commercial, Saturday I hope to wrap up the storm shelter's spot as they are supposed to schedule the final footage with me to shoot, and next Friday I've got another gig for the marketing company! That's three in the next week starting tomorrow.
Speaking of the marketing company I have to go by there after work and get my vendor paperwork filled out and W-9, then I can invoice them for the last footage. Yay!
Slept well it's just to the point where everything that hasn't been worked on because of schedules is coming in now to be worked on and it's behind.
No matter, I've got a great meeting scheduled at six tonight to handle a commercial, Saturday I hope to wrap up the storm shelter's spot as they are supposed to schedule the final footage with me to shoot, and next Friday I've got another gig for the marketing company! That's three in the next week starting tomorrow.
Speaking of the marketing company I have to go by there after work and get my vendor paperwork filled out and W-9, then I can invoice them for the last footage. Yay!
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Busy Tuesday
The night shifters were both on vacation and my co-worker was off with a family medical situation leaving only myself to work everything. It started early and I got gradually behind as more came in causing me to work almost two hours of overtime.
That'll be enough to make up for my union dues on the next check though making it a full payday. Regardless it was a full day and I was dead tired upon arriving home.
Thing 2 had made spaghetti! She did a good job too actually. It lacked garlic but we were out so I really can't blame that on her at all but the flavor was good. The noodles were good, and for her first attempt at feeding us it was a success!
The footage I shot for the Marketing Company was finally usable. It took me a long time to figure it out but I did. The Company uses the Mac platform and for some reason only known to the computers they couldn't watch a .mpg file which is like the most common format on the planet for video files. DVDs are .mpg2 so that might tell you how common the format is.
So I tried a few things over the past few weeks and finally just encoded everything in the .mov format which is Apple and it worked. I believe they just don't have the correct codecs on their machines to run such a common file but oh well. This is a paying job and its my job to get them the files in a format they can use.
I have a meeting set up tomorrow night for another project. I'm looking forward to that! Hopefully I can wrap up the storm shelter project Saturday. That company is the hardest to get hold of and get something scheduled with. They have been so busy that they just don't have the time for promotional things and I really want to get them finished so I can get some room for other projects.
That'll be enough to make up for my union dues on the next check though making it a full payday. Regardless it was a full day and I was dead tired upon arriving home.
Thing 2 had made spaghetti! She did a good job too actually. It lacked garlic but we were out so I really can't blame that on her at all but the flavor was good. The noodles were good, and for her first attempt at feeding us it was a success!
The footage I shot for the Marketing Company was finally usable. It took me a long time to figure it out but I did. The Company uses the Mac platform and for some reason only known to the computers they couldn't watch a .mpg file which is like the most common format on the planet for video files. DVDs are .mpg2 so that might tell you how common the format is.
So I tried a few things over the past few weeks and finally just encoded everything in the .mov format which is Apple and it worked. I believe they just don't have the correct codecs on their machines to run such a common file but oh well. This is a paying job and its my job to get them the files in a format they can use.
I have a meeting set up tomorrow night for another project. I'm looking forward to that! Hopefully I can wrap up the storm shelter project Saturday. That company is the hardest to get hold of and get something scheduled with. They have been so busy that they just don't have the time for promotional things and I really want to get them finished so I can get some room for other projects.
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Songs That Still Choke Me Up
Ok as you who know me know that I recently turned forty, yeah the big four zero. On my way from dropping Thing 2 off for rehearsal and getting back to watch over Thing 1 while The Date had to work Jimmy Dean's Big Bad John came on Sirius.
I still get a lump in my throat when I hear that song. It made me think of all the songs that still choke me up, still to this day. These are in no particular order but as I remember them and how they affect me.
So without further ado here you go:
Obviously Big Bad John - Jimmy Dean.
Red Sovine (yes I LOVE Red Sovine, one of the staples of the 8-track tape days when Dad would take me trucking with him when I was very young) - Teddy Bear, Phantom 309 (still one of my favorites to this day), Giddy Up Go, and the amazing Little Joe. (I'm tearing up a little just by thinking about Little Joe in fact)
A few that are more contemporary are a bit easier.
Kathy Mattea - Where've You Been (Sort of how I see The Date and I winding up after many many good years together)
Sawyer Brown - The Walk (A time goes on song about a father and son, very real for me as I spent more time with my Dad over the last few months of his life and took the father role over from him)
Conway Twitty - That's My Job (My Dad loved this song because it's a great father/son song and reminded him of he and his dad, and he and I)
Brad Paisley (With the literal voice of an Angel on Earth Alison Krause) Whiskey Lullaby.
Sentimental but not that sad, Dan Seals - Everything That Glitters Is Not Gold as well as Pirates of the Mississippi - Feed Jake.
Gene Watson - Farewell Party, and Paper Rosie.
Of course the legendary George Jones with his best country song of all time, He Stopped Loving Her Today.
Patty Loveless is an amazing balladeer with - Here I Am, and You Don't Even Know Who I Am.
That'll do for now. If you see me tearing up in public and one of these songs is on, well you'll just have to excuse me. I'll likely fake a yawn to cover my eyes but you'll know why. I'll be ok when the song ends.
I still get a lump in my throat when I hear that song. It made me think of all the songs that still choke me up, still to this day. These are in no particular order but as I remember them and how they affect me.
So without further ado here you go:
Obviously Big Bad John - Jimmy Dean.
Red Sovine (yes I LOVE Red Sovine, one of the staples of the 8-track tape days when Dad would take me trucking with him when I was very young) - Teddy Bear, Phantom 309 (still one of my favorites to this day), Giddy Up Go, and the amazing Little Joe. (I'm tearing up a little just by thinking about Little Joe in fact)
A few that are more contemporary are a bit easier.
Kathy Mattea - Where've You Been (Sort of how I see The Date and I winding up after many many good years together)
Sawyer Brown - The Walk (A time goes on song about a father and son, very real for me as I spent more time with my Dad over the last few months of his life and took the father role over from him)
Conway Twitty - That's My Job (My Dad loved this song because it's a great father/son song and reminded him of he and his dad, and he and I)
Brad Paisley (With the literal voice of an Angel on Earth Alison Krause) Whiskey Lullaby.
Sentimental but not that sad, Dan Seals - Everything That Glitters Is Not Gold as well as Pirates of the Mississippi - Feed Jake.
Gene Watson - Farewell Party, and Paper Rosie.
Of course the legendary George Jones with his best country song of all time, He Stopped Loving Her Today.
Patty Loveless is an amazing balladeer with - Here I Am, and You Don't Even Know Who I Am.
That'll do for now. If you see me tearing up in public and one of these songs is on, well you'll just have to excuse me. I'll likely fake a yawn to cover my eyes but you'll know why. I'll be ok when the song ends.
Monday, June 07, 2010
Looking Forward To Noon!
Yep that is the keynote address presented by Steve Jobs about the new iPhone! Yes I'll have one! It's just a matter of time!
My prediction is 64 gig iPhone 4 will be $299.00. I'm eligible for an upgrade so maybe a bit cheaper unless that is with contract price. Expanded battery life, I'm hoping for twelve hours of heavy use now. Better resolution screen. The camera, well I'm ok with the one I have but a better one is always better and this one will likely have two cameras and a flash. A faster processor is a given. They can't put out last year's 3Gs processor and have a slight cache improvement.
Thing 1 is doing well, getting better by the day. She can handle soft foods now but still needs regular popsicles to keep her throat numb. It's raining outside, pouring actually.
Love waking up to the rain, it makes the day pleasant for some reason to me. It can get hot later on, I'll deal with it then but for now it's nice.
I'd like to interject a bit of politics this morning into the blog. Helen Thomas, the Queen of the White House Press Corps. has unveiled who she is, as if raving liberal wasn't evident years ago. She is also a racist as many liberals are (such as Woodrow Wilson, liberal icon) and has effectively destroyed her career by letting her feelings known in public. Her demise is years overdue but she is getting her comeuppance now and in spades.
My prediction is 64 gig iPhone 4 will be $299.00. I'm eligible for an upgrade so maybe a bit cheaper unless that is with contract price. Expanded battery life, I'm hoping for twelve hours of heavy use now. Better resolution screen. The camera, well I'm ok with the one I have but a better one is always better and this one will likely have two cameras and a flash. A faster processor is a given. They can't put out last year's 3Gs processor and have a slight cache improvement.
Thing 1 is doing well, getting better by the day. She can handle soft foods now but still needs regular popsicles to keep her throat numb. It's raining outside, pouring actually.
Love waking up to the rain, it makes the day pleasant for some reason to me. It can get hot later on, I'll deal with it then but for now it's nice.
I'd like to interject a bit of politics this morning into the blog. Helen Thomas, the Queen of the White House Press Corps. has unveiled who she is, as if raving liberal wasn't evident years ago. She is also a racist as many liberals are (such as Woodrow Wilson, liberal icon) and has effectively destroyed her career by letting her feelings known in public. Her demise is years overdue but she is getting her comeuppance now and in spades.
Sunday, June 06, 2010
Thing 1 Lives
She has done really well the past couple of days after her tonsil surgery. She is very sore but has progressed well. Her liquid Lortab diet keeps her happy every six hours. We've made her soup, lots of popsicles, and in a couple of days she can handle mashed potatoes.
She has been camped out on the couch with the X-Files. We are up to season four, including the classic horror episode, "Home". I'm not sure how far she is into the season yet as I went to bed around ten last night.
Tomorrow is the big announcement about the new iPhone. I'm personally hoping for a sixty four gig version, longer battery life, and faster processing. All likely on tap for tomorrow's big announcement. Also rumored is a front facing camera for video chat, not a big deal for me but it might be fun.
I just want storage and battery life for the most part. I'm eligible for an upgrade on my phone so we'll see about the pricing structure.
Looking forward to the announcement tomorrow though!
She has been camped out on the couch with the X-Files. We are up to season four, including the classic horror episode, "Home". I'm not sure how far she is into the season yet as I went to bed around ten last night.
Tomorrow is the big announcement about the new iPhone. I'm personally hoping for a sixty four gig version, longer battery life, and faster processing. All likely on tap for tomorrow's big announcement. Also rumored is a front facing camera for video chat, not a big deal for me but it might be fun.
I just want storage and battery life for the most part. I'm eligible for an upgrade on my phone so we'll see about the pricing structure.
Looking forward to the announcement tomorrow though!
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Fail Wars
If you long time readers will remember my post on Whale Wars and how I loved whales, believe whaling should be banned now, but that I thought the Sea Shepherds were terrorists.
Well the newest season started last night. It was as predicted, one failure after another.
First on the fail list, they purchased two new (when I say new I mean one was old and broken down) ships. The Ady Gil is a speed demon, made a trip around the world in 60 days in fact. The Bob Barker (named after the gameshow host because he gave the hippies five million dollars) is an old tub. They could have spent that money a bit more wisely and upgraded the engines and hull in the very slow and fragile Steve Irwin for example.
Second up on the fail list, the first time they tried to turn over the newly rebuilt engines on the Bob Barker...it took out the generator and the lights and still didn't start.
Third up, while rushing to meet the Steve Irwin a wave knocked out the radar on the Ady Gil, a mere two days away from their destination. They had to turn around and go back to a port in Africa for repairs.
Fourth, the secret Bob Barker ship was discovered by the Japanese who came into the same harbor they were docked in. This was supposed to be a secret mission and was blown before they even got the engines running.
Fifth, the Steve Irwin was spotted by the air with a Japanese spotter plane that was looking for them, completely blowing their secret cover. Later they were spotted by a much faster chase boat which tailed them and was encroaching upon their position at the end of the show. The Japanese look like they are taking an aggressive stance against the terrorists this season.
Sixth, the first time the Steve Irwin launched a delta boat they were ordered to maintain visual contact with the Steve Irwin, the promptly lost site of the ship and got lost. There had to have been lots of pot smoking going on before they launched the boat as everything failed except the launch of the boat.
Seventh, Paul Watson, if this man had any conviction at all instead of harassing the Nissin Maru (not sure how it is spelled but its the only big whale processing ship the fleet has) he would put everyone on shore and ram his ship into that ship and disable it or sink it completely once and for all. That would fulfill his fondest dream and accomplish his goal in one easy move. Instead he trolls along and talks a big game but does little.
The man is a menace. He should face international charges. He runs his little whale cult and has his followers but he doesn't accomplish anything. If he were a man he would quit endangering his crew needlessly, take control for once, and sink the other ship and accept the consequences of his actions.
I'll continue to watch this show though because I love to see hippie tree huggers fail. There is that in abundance on this show. Let the failing begin!
Well the newest season started last night. It was as predicted, one failure after another.
First on the fail list, they purchased two new (when I say new I mean one was old and broken down) ships. The Ady Gil is a speed demon, made a trip around the world in 60 days in fact. The Bob Barker (named after the gameshow host because he gave the hippies five million dollars) is an old tub. They could have spent that money a bit more wisely and upgraded the engines and hull in the very slow and fragile Steve Irwin for example.
Second up on the fail list, the first time they tried to turn over the newly rebuilt engines on the Bob Barker...it took out the generator and the lights and still didn't start.
Third up, while rushing to meet the Steve Irwin a wave knocked out the radar on the Ady Gil, a mere two days away from their destination. They had to turn around and go back to a port in Africa for repairs.
Fourth, the secret Bob Barker ship was discovered by the Japanese who came into the same harbor they were docked in. This was supposed to be a secret mission and was blown before they even got the engines running.
Fifth, the Steve Irwin was spotted by the air with a Japanese spotter plane that was looking for them, completely blowing their secret cover. Later they were spotted by a much faster chase boat which tailed them and was encroaching upon their position at the end of the show. The Japanese look like they are taking an aggressive stance against the terrorists this season.
Sixth, the first time the Steve Irwin launched a delta boat they were ordered to maintain visual contact with the Steve Irwin, the promptly lost site of the ship and got lost. There had to have been lots of pot smoking going on before they launched the boat as everything failed except the launch of the boat.
Seventh, Paul Watson, if this man had any conviction at all instead of harassing the Nissin Maru (not sure how it is spelled but its the only big whale processing ship the fleet has) he would put everyone on shore and ram his ship into that ship and disable it or sink it completely once and for all. That would fulfill his fondest dream and accomplish his goal in one easy move. Instead he trolls along and talks a big game but does little.
The man is a menace. He should face international charges. He runs his little whale cult and has his followers but he doesn't accomplish anything. If he were a man he would quit endangering his crew needlessly, take control for once, and sink the other ship and accept the consequences of his actions.
I'll continue to watch this show though because I love to see hippie tree huggers fail. There is that in abundance on this show. Let the failing begin!
Friday, June 04, 2010
Six Pound Cat
So there we were last night, rehearsal was winding down. We were at the park and I had finished my Rocky Patel Edge cigar, hadn't caught any fish, and I was ready to head home.
I put on a plug instead of a jig, this pond is usually great for worms which we were out of, so a plug would do. I could cast the plug across the pond if I wanted, that's how good my reel was working last night.
The faster you reel this one in the more motion you get out of it, so I was cranking hard. It got about half way to me and then something took it! I reeled and reeled, it was a good fight! The fish quickly tired out though and I landed him on the dock.
This was a six pound catfish, about nine inches or so. He was fat, big, and had some attitude. He had both treble hooks in his mouth that I had took the needle nose pliers to to free him.
Now that he was free I tossed him back into the pond and rehearsal had finished. Thing 2 came over and tried a couple of casts with my rig. Then we loaded up and went home. It was a nice evening:)
This morning we are taking Thing 1 in to get her tonsils removed. Loaded up with all kinds of popsicles last night to make her recovery smooth and as pain free as possible:)
I put on a plug instead of a jig, this pond is usually great for worms which we were out of, so a plug would do. I could cast the plug across the pond if I wanted, that's how good my reel was working last night.
The faster you reel this one in the more motion you get out of it, so I was cranking hard. It got about half way to me and then something took it! I reeled and reeled, it was a good fight! The fish quickly tired out though and I landed him on the dock.
This was a six pound catfish, about nine inches or so. He was fat, big, and had some attitude. He had both treble hooks in his mouth that I had took the needle nose pliers to to free him.
Now that he was free I tossed him back into the pond and rehearsal had finished. Thing 2 came over and tried a couple of casts with my rig. Then we loaded up and went home. It was a nice evening:)
This morning we are taking Thing 1 in to get her tonsils removed. Loaded up with all kinds of popsicles last night to make her recovery smooth and as pain free as possible:)
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Is Two A Pattern?
First Joe Sestak and then Andrew Romanoff in Colorado. It appears that the "Chicago Way" of thuggery has unleashed its tentacles of corruption upon the nation.
I seem to recall a solemn vow during the election that this would be the most transparent government ever. Now two allegations of election tampering have arisen. I'll give you X if you drop out of the race.
The Sestak allegations in Pennsylvania last month and now right on its heels a similar situation? All of a sudden we are back to Tiger Woods and all of the women coming out of the woodwork who have had affairs with him.
Who else has the administration made offers to? Could Obama be in some political hot water over this? If there is a direct link back to him, absolutely. Should there be a Ken Starr special prosecutor looking into this pattern of deceit? Absolutely.
I'm sure Mr. Transparency has nothing to hide, right?
Alright now for a more realistic point of view, more than likely November will tell the story on this administration. The Dems are looking to hold ground. The GOP is looking to gain enough seats to render Obama impotent and start undoing the damage this community organizer has done.
I'd say save the money and focus more on elections. The Dems are in a tailspin right now and it's going to implode their party, no matter that they believe the HCB is the greatest thing since, well Obama, America doesn't want it and the polls bear that out. They will hold their own referendum in November and the liberals will come up very very short as America yanks their collars to heel.
Everything Obama has touched has gone bad, every candidate he has campaigned for has lost. I keep saying he is Jimmy Carter the sequel but I think Obama has taken failure to new heights. Jimmy Carter couldn't hope to cause this much damage if he were elected to three terms!
I seem to recall a solemn vow during the election that this would be the most transparent government ever. Now two allegations of election tampering have arisen. I'll give you X if you drop out of the race.
The Sestak allegations in Pennsylvania last month and now right on its heels a similar situation? All of a sudden we are back to Tiger Woods and all of the women coming out of the woodwork who have had affairs with him.
Who else has the administration made offers to? Could Obama be in some political hot water over this? If there is a direct link back to him, absolutely. Should there be a Ken Starr special prosecutor looking into this pattern of deceit? Absolutely.
I'm sure Mr. Transparency has nothing to hide, right?
Alright now for a more realistic point of view, more than likely November will tell the story on this administration. The Dems are looking to hold ground. The GOP is looking to gain enough seats to render Obama impotent and start undoing the damage this community organizer has done.
I'd say save the money and focus more on elections. The Dems are in a tailspin right now and it's going to implode their party, no matter that they believe the HCB is the greatest thing since, well Obama, America doesn't want it and the polls bear that out. They will hold their own referendum in November and the liberals will come up very very short as America yanks their collars to heel.
Everything Obama has touched has gone bad, every candidate he has campaigned for has lost. I keep saying he is Jimmy Carter the sequel but I think Obama has taken failure to new heights. Jimmy Carter couldn't hope to cause this much damage if he were elected to three terms!
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Abandoned
There is just something really weird, sad, and beautiful about a abandoned amusement park. Remember way back when and I blogged about dead malls? Yeah this is sort of the same thing except on a bigger scale.
It started last night when I was finding plans for a Jubilation T. Cornpone statue for Thing 2 to build out of paper machete. I came across the Dogpatch amusement park. I read the history of it and how much it had stacked against it but it worked for a couple of decades anyway, opening in 1968 and closing in 1993.
I saw pictures of what it looked like in 2005 and how overgrown it had become. That lead me to find more abandoned parks. I came across one of the largest parks, Heritage USA. Massive in size and scale. Those of you who are my age or older will remember the plight of Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye of PTL fame. This was a quality park, the authors talk about the quality, the design, and that it's been hit by hurricanes and is still in the shape that it's in and hasn't been destroyed...just decaying.
This site gives a few haunting tours of amusement parks that have had better days. It's hard to believe that these ruins were once full of happy people and joy and now sit empty.
Weburbanist is a great site for looking at the beauty in abandoned buildings, parks, ships, well anything people can get into with a camera.
I don't know what really compels me to enjoy these pictures so much. I used to work for a cable company in the early 90's and our headquarters was out of Shamrock, Texas. I'd drive out there quite a bit and it happens that the old Route 66 is still there in places. I drove down it lots of times and there are old abandoned camp sites, art deco gas stations, tons of neon tubes, and roadside attractions. I always wondered what it would have looked like in its prime, at the peak of when it was alive and well.
As long as we have dreamers in the world who are willing to take risks then we will have successes and we will have failures, some mismanaged, some by outside forces, some just die by age. I'm glad they can live on in a way.
It started last night when I was finding plans for a Jubilation T. Cornpone statue for Thing 2 to build out of paper machete. I came across the Dogpatch amusement park. I read the history of it and how much it had stacked against it but it worked for a couple of decades anyway, opening in 1968 and closing in 1993.
I saw pictures of what it looked like in 2005 and how overgrown it had become. That lead me to find more abandoned parks. I came across one of the largest parks, Heritage USA. Massive in size and scale. Those of you who are my age or older will remember the plight of Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye of PTL fame. This was a quality park, the authors talk about the quality, the design, and that it's been hit by hurricanes and is still in the shape that it's in and hasn't been destroyed...just decaying.
This site gives a few haunting tours of amusement parks that have had better days. It's hard to believe that these ruins were once full of happy people and joy and now sit empty.
Weburbanist is a great site for looking at the beauty in abandoned buildings, parks, ships, well anything people can get into with a camera.
I don't know what really compels me to enjoy these pictures so much. I used to work for a cable company in the early 90's and our headquarters was out of Shamrock, Texas. I'd drive out there quite a bit and it happens that the old Route 66 is still there in places. I drove down it lots of times and there are old abandoned camp sites, art deco gas stations, tons of neon tubes, and roadside attractions. I always wondered what it would have looked like in its prime, at the peak of when it was alive and well.
As long as we have dreamers in the world who are willing to take risks then we will have successes and we will have failures, some mismanaged, some by outside forces, some just die by age. I'm glad they can live on in a way.
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Quiet Memorial Day
I decided to hold a small cookout for friends and family. Literally a small cookout with ten people in attendance and five of them were family:) I warmed up the pulled pork, grilled garlic burgers, and bratwursts.
My mom made a spicy black bean dip that was amazing, The Date made a huge dish of macaroni and cheese, also amazing, and Beersnob (and his family) brought over hamburger buns. Court and Teehee joined the fun and we just had a quiet day together.
After we finished eating we decided to go fishing for a little bit. So we headed to a small public pond and met Witchy there with her children and wards. Court caught her first fish, a small bluegill.
The Date caught a couple of fish. I caught none. Thing 2 gave up early. I fought backlash on my reel and replaced the line with a mono filament and even that backlashed a bit.
I worked the tuning to try and get it to stop spinning as fast as it was and used my thumb on the reel constantly. If the timing was off just a fraction though you'd get a bird's nest of line around your reel.
Not a big fan of spinning reels. They are nice and can cast a lot of baits but a bait caster is also very nice and is for heavier baits and heavier fish. Not that that part matters where we are fishing, the bait caster just feels good in my hands though.
Next I might look into one with a magnetic braking system to keep the reel from spinning so fast.
My mom made a spicy black bean dip that was amazing, The Date made a huge dish of macaroni and cheese, also amazing, and Beersnob (and his family) brought over hamburger buns. Court and Teehee joined the fun and we just had a quiet day together.
After we finished eating we decided to go fishing for a little bit. So we headed to a small public pond and met Witchy there with her children and wards. Court caught her first fish, a small bluegill.
The Date caught a couple of fish. I caught none. Thing 2 gave up early. I fought backlash on my reel and replaced the line with a mono filament and even that backlashed a bit.
I worked the tuning to try and get it to stop spinning as fast as it was and used my thumb on the reel constantly. If the timing was off just a fraction though you'd get a bird's nest of line around your reel.
Not a big fan of spinning reels. They are nice and can cast a lot of baits but a bait caster is also very nice and is for heavier baits and heavier fish. Not that that part matters where we are fishing, the bait caster just feels good in my hands though.
Next I might look into one with a magnetic braking system to keep the reel from spinning so fast.
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