Yep, not one or two but three paying shoots today!
Yes they are for the same company but they are paying gigs and they are pretty straight forward. It won't be that difficult and I should get the clips uploaded tomorrow.
Final show tonight for Lil' Abner. It's been a long grind for sure. The cast is still doing well though. I can tell it has worn them down as a lot of them were in Julius Caesar in the park before this show.
That's a lot to ask from an actor but they are weathering it well.
After the first two shoots this morning I should have some free time to relax and maybe catch some Starcraft 2. I hope so anyway. A coworker and I have formed a team and are trying to improve our ranking from the Bronze league to a better one. Right now though we deserve Bronze.
We are very close to a breakthrough right now but can't figure out where the weak part of our game is yet to win consistently. I've got less than twenty games and likely closer to fifteen down and we've lost most of them by rushes. The last game we turtled in and built D and teched up our units though. Several games we've been close though so I know we are close to winning and advancing.
It's in our build orders somewhere and once we iron that out we'll be a formidable team!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Finally!
After thirteen plus hours of downloading, Thing 1 installed the game for me while I was at work. I went to the grocery store after work, got some deli stuff. Went by The Date's work and she made a sandwich.
Then I was able to get home, get changed, and get fed. Then finally, after long last, right at the twenty four hour mark of purchase the day before...I started Starcraft 2!
I looked over the interface really well and went right to multi player. That's where this game shines for me, the human element, complex chess with cooler pieces. I have a lot of rust to shake off! In the original game I had a stretch of nearly thirty games without a loss. After a while typical burnout set in and I didn't play much after that.
Last night I found I was basically a newbie once again. I was walloped by the time I started to remember what I was doing in the first game. After I remembered what I was doing with the Zerg I had Terran battlecruisers knocking on the front door! I was out of the game in no time after that.
He had teched up so fast I couldn't keep up. So then it was time for the next match. I played random as I feel it gives a slight advantage to the player, the opponent doesn't know what strategy to work with. Of course it is nullified if they go random too so it is easy to counter.
Next match I was Terran and the random opponent was Zerg. I built Marines quickly and then went Marauders. This was to fend of the early Zerg rush but it didn't come. I wasn't able to tech up very high as it took me a while to figure out which buildings were needed for which units. I expected to lose but just wanted some experience in the new game. It wasn't long before I was under attack and out of the game again.
Two practice games down, forty eight to go!
The third game was with a coworker! He Zerg rushed me quickly and crippled my economy and soon finished off my base. Then we did a 2V2 cooperative match. I wound up Protoss for the first time and he played Zerg. He loves Zerg. He concentrated on the speed rushing, I started making Zealots, and then went with heavier support in the Immortals.
We destroyed the other team in no time! He's been playing for a couple more days and has around thirty games under his belt. He is getting really good at the Zerg rush and scouting. We figure that he can do that and I'll concentrate on the mid to late game units. We could be a formidable team!
We'll be doing the placement matches next week so we can get into league play!
Then I was able to get home, get changed, and get fed. Then finally, after long last, right at the twenty four hour mark of purchase the day before...I started Starcraft 2!
I looked over the interface really well and went right to multi player. That's where this game shines for me, the human element, complex chess with cooler pieces. I have a lot of rust to shake off! In the original game I had a stretch of nearly thirty games without a loss. After a while typical burnout set in and I didn't play much after that.
Last night I found I was basically a newbie once again. I was walloped by the time I started to remember what I was doing in the first game. After I remembered what I was doing with the Zerg I had Terran battlecruisers knocking on the front door! I was out of the game in no time after that.
He had teched up so fast I couldn't keep up. So then it was time for the next match. I played random as I feel it gives a slight advantage to the player, the opponent doesn't know what strategy to work with. Of course it is nullified if they go random too so it is easy to counter.
Next match I was Terran and the random opponent was Zerg. I built Marines quickly and then went Marauders. This was to fend of the early Zerg rush but it didn't come. I wasn't able to tech up very high as it took me a while to figure out which buildings were needed for which units. I expected to lose but just wanted some experience in the new game. It wasn't long before I was under attack and out of the game again.
Two practice games down, forty eight to go!
The third game was with a coworker! He Zerg rushed me quickly and crippled my economy and soon finished off my base. Then we did a 2V2 cooperative match. I wound up Protoss for the first time and he played Zerg. He loves Zerg. He concentrated on the speed rushing, I started making Zealots, and then went with heavier support in the Immortals.
We destroyed the other team in no time! He's been playing for a couple more days and has around thirty games under his belt. He is getting really good at the Zerg rush and scouting. We figure that he can do that and I'll concentrate on the mid to late game units. We could be a formidable team!
We'll be doing the placement matches next week so we can get into league play!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Twelve Hours
The Date said yes and let me purchase and download Starcraft 2 last night!
The problem is that as of this second it's been downloading just over twelve hours and has completed 5.46 gigs of a 6.99 gig package.
It'll wrap up a little after eight this morning. After I'm at work.
I have a show tonight so I'll barely be able to get it installed by the time I have to get to the theatre. Tomorrow night I'll actually be able to start playing a bit but not long as I've again got a show to get to.
After the show lets out tomorrow night I'll be able to hit it harder and then Saturday morning, look out!
I'll be reigning down a Zergpocalypse upon my poor opponents the likes they haven't seen yet! Perhaps I'll bring the Protoss Pain on them! Maybe I'll mix it up some and terrorize them with the Terrans! Not sure, I used to be able to play all three races fairly competently and played random. It's been more than a handful of years since I've played though.
I've watched tons of You Tube stuff out there and I've got it down again but there is no substitute for playing. And play I shall!!!
The problem is that as of this second it's been downloading just over twelve hours and has completed 5.46 gigs of a 6.99 gig package.
It'll wrap up a little after eight this morning. After I'm at work.
I have a show tonight so I'll barely be able to get it installed by the time I have to get to the theatre. Tomorrow night I'll actually be able to start playing a bit but not long as I've again got a show to get to.
After the show lets out tomorrow night I'll be able to hit it harder and then Saturday morning, look out!
I'll be reigning down a Zergpocalypse upon my poor opponents the likes they haven't seen yet! Perhaps I'll bring the Protoss Pain on them! Maybe I'll mix it up some and terrorize them with the Terrans! Not sure, I used to be able to play all three races fairly competently and played random. It's been more than a handful of years since I've played though.
I've watched tons of You Tube stuff out there and I've got it down again but there is no substitute for playing. And play I shall!!!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Starcraft At Work
Well not exactly at work. I was watching matches with commentary on You Tube. HDStarcraft does an incredible job of commentating SC matches. He is very prime time ready if a channel would jump on this opportunity.
If ESPN 2 would hold a tournament and put it on TV I'd watch it all the time, every match! This has poker tour potential in my humble opinion. It's fast moving chess with better pieces. It's just begging for a sponsorship and TV time! Back it up with money and all of a sudden it's going to be a major event!
I will still have to await Friday to get my copy but wait it out I shall as there is no alternative.
Deadliest Catch was a good season ending episode. It wrapped up the storylines nicely and put everything together at the end. What an incredible season! Can't wait to see what next season has in store!
Now I'll have Chasing Mummies to watch! Great show!
If ESPN 2 would hold a tournament and put it on TV I'd watch it all the time, every match! This has poker tour potential in my humble opinion. It's fast moving chess with better pieces. It's just begging for a sponsorship and TV time! Back it up with money and all of a sudden it's going to be a major event!
I will still have to await Friday to get my copy but wait it out I shall as there is no alternative.
Deadliest Catch was a good season ending episode. It wrapped up the storylines nicely and put everything together at the end. What an incredible season! Can't wait to see what next season has in store!
Now I'll have Chasing Mummies to watch! Great show!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Finale
Tonight is the last episode of Deadliest Catch for the season. I watched the behind the scenes special about the camera men and how the relationships between the fishing crew and camera crew develop.
Fascinating stuff. It would be a hard job for me to turn down if I ever were to get offered a film crew job on one of those ships. A season at sea would be a life experience no one would soon forget.
It would be a test of endurance against the elements. A difficult job in difficult conditions. After it was over you'd be a better man for it though.
Today one of my favorite daughters of all time has her sixteenth birthday! Yes Thing 1 turns sweet sixteen today. I know she likely won't read this so it's safe to say that she's going to love her present and her uncle has another piece he's bringing over later on. I'm certain she'll flip out:)
Happy Birthday Thing 1, love you and I'm glad you are my daughter!
It just so happens that one of my favorite games of all time, Starcraft, is releasing it's years overdue sequel on the same day! Starcraft II: The Wings of Liberty! I'll be looking forward to grabbing a copy of that when time and money allow:)
Fascinating stuff. It would be a hard job for me to turn down if I ever were to get offered a film crew job on one of those ships. A season at sea would be a life experience no one would soon forget.
It would be a test of endurance against the elements. A difficult job in difficult conditions. After it was over you'd be a better man for it though.
Today one of my favorite daughters of all time has her sixteenth birthday! Yes Thing 1 turns sweet sixteen today. I know she likely won't read this so it's safe to say that she's going to love her present and her uncle has another piece he's bringing over later on. I'm certain she'll flip out:)
Happy Birthday Thing 1, love you and I'm glad you are my daughter!
It just so happens that one of my favorite games of all time, Starcraft, is releasing it's years overdue sequel on the same day! Starcraft II: The Wings of Liberty! I'll be looking forward to grabbing a copy of that when time and money allow:)
Monday, July 26, 2010
Four Down
Three more shows to go, I think. I don't think we have a Sunday show but I could be wrong either way I'm off until Thursday now! A break I very much needed.
This is going to be a tough week at work. We have a team of inspectors coming around to do over the shoulder inspections on your job. It's a stressful time for everyone. I realize that whatever they find on you it doesn't come out of your paycheck so it doesn't matter to a large extent. There could be other consequences though like putting up more hoops to jump through before doing your job.
Where I work there are two different kinds of people, those who help you do your job and take hoops away and those who make your job harder by putting up more hoops before you actually get to the real job job.
Overall I expect to do well and everyone else to do well overall. I've got work planned out this week which is very easy to inspect, I kind of stacked the deck. The work I have planned will take several hours in hot and noisy conditions. They won't want to stay there any longer than I do. Then I have some other simple work to accomplish that's easily verifiable.
It's not so much cheating as it is superior planning and forethought. I know it isn't original either as I've learned it over the years from many people:)
Regardless I've got things covered:)
Made some awesome fried squash and chicken fried steaks last night for supper! I used self rising flour and a fiesta ranch mix for batter. A regular egg wash. and I thought we had some garden fresh squash but we were out:( so I had to make a trip to the store.
Incredible meal after the matinee as I was starving! The Date enjoyed it as well and Thing 2 did her best to finish everything she could!
The week begins!
This is going to be a tough week at work. We have a team of inspectors coming around to do over the shoulder inspections on your job. It's a stressful time for everyone. I realize that whatever they find on you it doesn't come out of your paycheck so it doesn't matter to a large extent. There could be other consequences though like putting up more hoops to jump through before doing your job.
Where I work there are two different kinds of people, those who help you do your job and take hoops away and those who make your job harder by putting up more hoops before you actually get to the real job job.
Overall I expect to do well and everyone else to do well overall. I've got work planned out this week which is very easy to inspect, I kind of stacked the deck. The work I have planned will take several hours in hot and noisy conditions. They won't want to stay there any longer than I do. Then I have some other simple work to accomplish that's easily verifiable.
It's not so much cheating as it is superior planning and forethought. I know it isn't original either as I've learned it over the years from many people:)
Regardless I've got things covered:)
Made some awesome fried squash and chicken fried steaks last night for supper! I used self rising flour and a fiesta ranch mix for batter. A regular egg wash. and I thought we had some garden fresh squash but we were out:( so I had to make a trip to the store.
Incredible meal after the matinee as I was starving! The Date enjoyed it as well and Thing 2 did her best to finish everything she could!
The week begins!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Show Three
It was the largest crowd of the run. Nearly a sell out, it actually might have been if there were some people who didn't show because of the rain storm.
As Deadliest Catch winds down for the season I believe I've found the new best show on TV, Chasing Mummies. Dr. Zahi Hawass rules the Egyptian dig sights with an iron fist but when someone is in trouble he really does have a heart of gold and shows his genuine concern.
I've seen the first two episodes and this is the only show I've seen that makes archeology appealing to me. Not so much the rocks and artifacts but the film crew is actually part of the story. That is a mixture of both worlds for me that would really make for a cool dream job!
You get the adventure and get to do what you enjoy! It would be a cool gig for sure. Following Dr. Hawass all over Egypt would be a very compelling occupation. He is a compelling man, he goes from soft spoken to fits of anger, and back again in no time. He is an amazing gentleman and has an encyclopedic knowledge of the pyramids.
This is a show I can't miss when it's on, even in reruns.
As Deadliest Catch winds down for the season I believe I've found the new best show on TV, Chasing Mummies. Dr. Zahi Hawass rules the Egyptian dig sights with an iron fist but when someone is in trouble he really does have a heart of gold and shows his genuine concern.
I've seen the first two episodes and this is the only show I've seen that makes archeology appealing to me. Not so much the rocks and artifacts but the film crew is actually part of the story. That is a mixture of both worlds for me that would really make for a cool dream job!
You get the adventure and get to do what you enjoy! It would be a cool gig for sure. Following Dr. Hawass all over Egypt would be a very compelling occupation. He is a compelling man, he goes from soft spoken to fits of anger, and back again in no time. He is an amazing gentleman and has an encyclopedic knowledge of the pyramids.
This is a show I can't miss when it's on, even in reruns.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Two Down
Six more to go, yep a quarter of the way done with Lil' Abner.
I'm looking for things that a handful of the cast are doing different to evoke an audience response now. Mainly the human cartoon Skate is attempting something different every show to elicit responses. He's trying to push what his character capable of.
It's giving me something new each night to watch for. The audience was flat last night, they politely clapped at the end of each song but few laughs. Most of them were of the age that would get all of the references in the show too.
That's the way it goes sometimes.
I'm feeling tons better but I'm still happy to have this break today from work and the show, well until tonight. I can definitely use it:)
I'm looking for things that a handful of the cast are doing different to evoke an audience response now. Mainly the human cartoon Skate is attempting something different every show to elicit responses. He's trying to push what his character capable of.
It's giving me something new each night to watch for. The audience was flat last night, they politely clapped at the end of each song but few laughs. Most of them were of the age that would get all of the references in the show too.
That's the way it goes sometimes.
I'm feeling tons better but I'm still happy to have this break today from work and the show, well until tonight. I can definitely use it:)
Friday, July 23, 2010
Getting Better
In the words of the Last American Blue Jeans Band, Tesla, I'm getting better. I feel ninety five percent this morning! I slept most of yesterday mid-morning and afternoon away and did the show from seven until eleven.
If I had an infection of some kind throwing off my balance and causing the dizziness it appears to be disappearing. If it was something else, well it appears to be leaving me alone now.
I'm all for getting back to work today, finishing up a handful of jobs I had going yesterday, and doing the second of eight shows tonight. Yeah, eight shows.
Opening night was last night and we had between seventy five and eighty people. I understand that a few of the shows are sold out already.
A few mentions to the best performances of the show thus far, Theatre King does a great Bullmoose, naturally Skate is a human cartoon on stage as Earthquake McGoon, Hollywood Actor does a fine Available Jones. Fifth Cousin In Law (I'm only guessing at what his title actually is but we are related by marriage) does a pretty good Abner, and Bondie does a fine Daisy Mae.
The wives of the guinea pigs have their moment in the sun when they berate the laboratory officials in song.
I'm as ready as I can get for the remaining shows.
If I had an infection of some kind throwing off my balance and causing the dizziness it appears to be disappearing. If it was something else, well it appears to be leaving me alone now.
I'm all for getting back to work today, finishing up a handful of jobs I had going yesterday, and doing the second of eight shows tonight. Yeah, eight shows.
Opening night was last night and we had between seventy five and eighty people. I understand that a few of the shows are sold out already.
A few mentions to the best performances of the show thus far, Theatre King does a great Bullmoose, naturally Skate is a human cartoon on stage as Earthquake McGoon, Hollywood Actor does a fine Available Jones. Fifth Cousin In Law (I'm only guessing at what his title actually is but we are related by marriage) does a pretty good Abner, and Bondie does a fine Daisy Mae.
The wives of the guinea pigs have their moment in the sun when they berate the laboratory officials in song.
I'm as ready as I can get for the remaining shows.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Came Home
I have had a slight feeling of light headedness and dizziness the past couple of days. I took off work to head to the doctor after a couple of hours this morning. I couldn't get in to see the doctor so I came home to sleep for a while.
I'm feeling tons better now.
I'll be headed to the show, opening night, in a few hours and kick off run of the show. Four straight shows, then a break, and then three more shows I believe.
After resting up today I feel I can handle what's ahead now and couple that with Saturday's time off I'll be in good shape!
I'm feeling tons better now.
I'll be headed to the show, opening night, in a few hours and kick off run of the show. Four straight shows, then a break, and then three more shows I believe.
After resting up today I feel I can handle what's ahead now and couple that with Saturday's time off I'll be in good shape!
Almost Friday
Opening night is tonight for the show. I'm looking forward to Saturday so I can recuperate. The heat, the back to back shows, the late nights have me worn down right now and I need to rest up and recharge.
Work today, show tonight, wash, rinse, repeat tomorrow night and I'm getting the rest I need. It should be a fairly easy day at work.
Next week I'll have a couple of evenings off which will also be exactly what I need. It'll be enough to get me back to 100%.
Work today, show tonight, wash, rinse, repeat tomorrow night and I'm getting the rest I need. It should be a fairly easy day at work.
Next week I'll have a couple of evenings off which will also be exactly what I need. It'll be enough to get me back to 100%.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Face The Day
Yesterday was just a bad day. Not in general as events unfolded but I felt bad, not sick bad just bad bad.
I wanted to go find a dark hideyhole and hibernate for a week. I learned an important lesson though. I sold one of The Date's text books on eBay a week ago. The new owner wasn't happy with the condition even though it was used. I didn't argue with the customer and treated her fairly. She wished to return the text book, I told her not a problem, ship it back and I'll refund her money. She asked for a five dollar credit now to ship it back with as good faith I'd follow through on the refund.
I sent her ten. She was impressed with my customer service that she said we'd just call it even if I wanted to as she felt that a small refund like that was worth it for the condition (used, it's a used text book, they are never in mint condition) it was in. I agreed and voila, problem solved without getting angry, upset, or berating the customer.
That made the long day much better! I spent the evening in Dogpatch, I've got a show every evening and Sunday afternoon. I did a final tweak on the lights last night so I was messing with them with actors on stage. They are used to it by now and they as well as the musicians are doing a good job with poor material, but I won't rehash that blog post.
What do you do when you feel like I did yesterday? You want to give up but give up what? Clock out, quit, and become an alcoholic scrounging through the couch for loose change for your next pint? It wouldn't be long and you wouldn't have a couch anymore. That's an option but not a desirable option to me.
Do you just power through and put a smile on? I wasn't in the smiling mood but it's a better option than number one.
I used option three. Got through the day as best I could, went home and found a quiet place to close my eyes and collect my thoughts for about forty five minutes. It was nice and I felt refreshed after. No alcohol to help me cope with anything, no cigar to relax me, just a quiet half hourish on a love seat in our bedroom by myself. Although it wasn't the week long hibernation I'd have hoped for it did the job and my liver is better for it as I didn't punish it for my emotions.
I'm better today after a good night's sleep. I hope you are too!
I wanted to go find a dark hideyhole and hibernate for a week. I learned an important lesson though. I sold one of The Date's text books on eBay a week ago. The new owner wasn't happy with the condition even though it was used. I didn't argue with the customer and treated her fairly. She wished to return the text book, I told her not a problem, ship it back and I'll refund her money. She asked for a five dollar credit now to ship it back with as good faith I'd follow through on the refund.
I sent her ten. She was impressed with my customer service that she said we'd just call it even if I wanted to as she felt that a small refund like that was worth it for the condition (used, it's a used text book, they are never in mint condition) it was in. I agreed and voila, problem solved without getting angry, upset, or berating the customer.
That made the long day much better! I spent the evening in Dogpatch, I've got a show every evening and Sunday afternoon. I did a final tweak on the lights last night so I was messing with them with actors on stage. They are used to it by now and they as well as the musicians are doing a good job with poor material, but I won't rehash that blog post.
What do you do when you feel like I did yesterday? You want to give up but give up what? Clock out, quit, and become an alcoholic scrounging through the couch for loose change for your next pint? It wouldn't be long and you wouldn't have a couch anymore. That's an option but not a desirable option to me.
Do you just power through and put a smile on? I wasn't in the smiling mood but it's a better option than number one.
I used option three. Got through the day as best I could, went home and found a quiet place to close my eyes and collect my thoughts for about forty five minutes. It was nice and I felt refreshed after. No alcohol to help me cope with anything, no cigar to relax me, just a quiet half hourish on a love seat in our bedroom by myself. Although it wasn't the week long hibernation I'd have hoped for it did the job and my liver is better for it as I didn't punish it for my emotions.
I'm better today after a good night's sleep. I hope you are too!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Long Day
Literally, I had six hours of overtime! It felt great but when we arrived at the airport where the jet needed to be repaired it was hot. Very hot so I spent three hours with the electrician in a jet that was at least a hundred and twenty inside.
Then we had the five hour drive back home. I'm glad to have had the overtime though! It'll be very useful as the next paycheck union dues is taken out.
It was just a very long day, I was exhausted when I got home and I'm tired this morning.
Tonight I visit Dogpatch again.
Then we had the five hour drive back home. I'm glad to have had the overtime though! It'll be very useful as the next paycheck union dues is taken out.
It was just a very long day, I was exhausted when I got home and I'm tired this morning.
Tonight I visit Dogpatch again.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Monday:)
We have rehearsal tonight, one more evening in Dogpatch.
Other than that I think it'll be a slowish day. I finished all but the last three page chapter of Day by Day Armageddon: Beyond Exile yesterday. Amazing book of course and highly recommended for any zombie fan out there.
J.L. Bourne's writing style is just that compelling, he takes you along with the protagonist every step of the way in his journal. There's no unnecessary parts in his efficient writing. It's top notch and the story is great. If I had a gripe I'd like to see a five hundred page book instead of three hundred:)
He paints a picture of how bleak the situation really is and how difficult it would be to survive in such circumstances. How hard it would be to scavenge food, water, and supplies while avoiding the roaming dead.
I'll take On Basilisk Station to work with me and get started on it. I'm about thirty pages in already but a good start is a hundred on a book this size. It's not Les Miserables but it's close to five hundred anyway. I'm looking forward to it.
Other than that I think it'll be a slowish day. I finished all but the last three page chapter of Day by Day Armageddon: Beyond Exile yesterday. Amazing book of course and highly recommended for any zombie fan out there.
J.L. Bourne's writing style is just that compelling, he takes you along with the protagonist every step of the way in his journal. There's no unnecessary parts in his efficient writing. It's top notch and the story is great. If I had a gripe I'd like to see a five hundred page book instead of three hundred:)
He paints a picture of how bleak the situation really is and how difficult it would be to survive in such circumstances. How hard it would be to scavenge food, water, and supplies while avoiding the roaming dead.
I'll take On Basilisk Station to work with me and get started on it. I'm about thirty pages in already but a good start is a hundred on a book this size. It's not Les Miserables but it's close to five hundred anyway. I'm looking forward to it.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
A Good Saturday
With The Date on a girl's weekend at the lake I decided I was going to take my Mom and the Things to the city for lunch.
We chose Olive Garden and had a great lunch. Then we headed over to Barnes and Noble and hung out for a while. We had a great time:) I picked up a book by David Weber called On Basilisk Station. It's a genre I've long been interested in, space military scifi, but haven't actually picked up a book yet.
Perfect opportunity, it was there, I was there. After I finish up Day by Day Armageddon: Beyond Exile I'll get started on the space adventure!
I'm looking forward to it as it's been on my list of things to do forever. I can't remember the last actual scifi series I've read that was set in space. Usually I gravitate towards fantasy scifi which always seems to be set in medieval times. Time to switch gears:)
We chose Olive Garden and had a great lunch. Then we headed over to Barnes and Noble and hung out for a while. We had a great time:) I picked up a book by David Weber called On Basilisk Station. It's a genre I've long been interested in, space military scifi, but haven't actually picked up a book yet.
Perfect opportunity, it was there, I was there. After I finish up Day by Day Armageddon: Beyond Exile I'll get started on the space adventure!
I'm looking forward to it as it's been on my list of things to do forever. I can't remember the last actual scifi series I've read that was set in space. Usually I gravitate towards fantasy scifi which always seems to be set in medieval times. Time to switch gears:)
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Friday Evening
Was set in Dogpatch once again. This time I was armed with Seasick Steve. A bluesman who is known for playing homemade guitars usually with three strings or less, he is generally his own percussion section as well.
I had a good time in the booth:)
After rehearsal I went home to watch the latest Whale Wars: Hippies Fail. Last night is when the Ady Gil was hit by a harpoon ship and torn in half. Yep, it got hit after a full day of harassing the Japanese ships.
The ever tough Peter Hammersomething John Wayned the radio communications with the Nisshan Maru II as he stated that they will defend the lives of those in the water. You hippies have rotted butter and inflatable boats, what in the world are you going to do after trying to shut down and cause damage to the Japanese fleet?
Oh yeah, you could grow a set and pursue effective methods maybe? You've had several seasons now in which you go down there and fail to stop anything. The Japanese have adapted to your tactics and are now learning that just a little offense will completely put the hippies in disarray. All they have to do is follow one of your ships and it's game over. You run back to port!
Ah, I hope you don't learn anything. It would spoil my enjoyment:)
The ever alert looking Paul Watson jumped onto the publicity bandwagon and drove the wheels off of it. He was hoping for a such a situation so he could raise the debate into a larger arena. My guess is that people will see his ineffective tactics, his stoner crews, and acts that border on terrorism.
I had a good time in the booth:)
After rehearsal I went home to watch the latest Whale Wars: Hippies Fail. Last night is when the Ady Gil was hit by a harpoon ship and torn in half. Yep, it got hit after a full day of harassing the Japanese ships.
The ever tough Peter Hammersomething John Wayned the radio communications with the Nisshan Maru II as he stated that they will defend the lives of those in the water. You hippies have rotted butter and inflatable boats, what in the world are you going to do after trying to shut down and cause damage to the Japanese fleet?
Oh yeah, you could grow a set and pursue effective methods maybe? You've had several seasons now in which you go down there and fail to stop anything. The Japanese have adapted to your tactics and are now learning that just a little offense will completely put the hippies in disarray. All they have to do is follow one of your ships and it's game over. You run back to port!
Ah, I hope you don't learn anything. It would spoil my enjoyment:)
The ever alert looking Paul Watson jumped onto the publicity bandwagon and drove the wheels off of it. He was hoping for a such a situation so he could raise the debate into a larger arena. My guess is that people will see his ineffective tactics, his stoner crews, and acts that border on terrorism.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Half Day
Yeppers, today is a half day. I've got some errands to run this morning that require my attention thus prompting me to have the morning off and attend work after lunch this afternoon.
The really cool thing is that even though I'm taking four hours off I earned enough leave that I'm gaining total leave numbers this week. 4.62 per week is a fairly high rate so I'll actually accrue six tenths of an hour and have a thirty six hour work week. Not a bad deal huh?
Rehearsal went better last night, the cast and orchestra are melding. The material hasn't changed though, the story is the same. The characters and Dogpatch long forgotten in history.
The Date is headed out of town with her boss and friend to a lake house for an extended girl's night out. Thing 2 and I will likely be here alone as I'm sure Thing 1 will have plans of some sort with Fuzzy. The Date will have a great time provided she doesn't injure herself in one way or another. It'll be a nice weekend even though it'll be the first night in over a year that we've been apart. Not a bad stretch of time:)
The really cool thing is that even though I'm taking four hours off I earned enough leave that I'm gaining total leave numbers this week. 4.62 per week is a fairly high rate so I'll actually accrue six tenths of an hour and have a thirty six hour work week. Not a bad deal huh?
Rehearsal went better last night, the cast and orchestra are melding. The material hasn't changed though, the story is the same. The characters and Dogpatch long forgotten in history.
The Date is headed out of town with her boss and friend to a lake house for an extended girl's night out. Thing 2 and I will likely be here alone as I'm sure Thing 1 will have plans of some sort with Fuzzy. The Date will have a great time provided she doesn't injure herself in one way or another. It'll be a nice weekend even though it'll be the first night in over a year that we've been apart. Not a bad stretch of time:)
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Another Show
I volunteered for lights with Lil' Abner a while back. I'm not much for musicals anyway I got to the point where I dreaded hearing the Into The Woods songs last summer.
Lil' Abner just isn't funny though, it isn't the actors, director, or anything. The material just isn't funny to me. I was wanting to cut my ears off with a plastic knife last night. The material has an outdated story, the comic strip hasn't been in the papers for years and few if any people under twenty will get it. Dogpatch USA just hasn't been in the pop culture realm in so long it's become irrelevant.
The theme park is gone leaving memories of what was once Dogpatch. There is nothing to touch base with and find out who these people are as fictional characters. At one time it was different as you could read them daily and see their adventures. Then you could have a bit of background on why they were who they were, you could see your favorite characters come to life on stage.
Now it just is a musical for people over thirty with material that is more in line for children. It's an odd composition.
Lights seem to be fairly simple though, lights on, lights off. I found one place that I can dim them and shut some down when Abner and Daisy Mae are singing to each other for the seemingly last time. Other than that I can't find places that benefit from dim, lots of color, low lights, or high lights. There are always lots of people on stage so there has to be lots of light to make sure everyone is lighted properly.
It'll be an easy show to accomplish. Kudos to the actors and directors who have done a good job with material that didn't give them a lot to work with. Kudos to the musicians too who are playing the music live and it's difficult music at that!
Lil' Abner just isn't funny though, it isn't the actors, director, or anything. The material just isn't funny to me. I was wanting to cut my ears off with a plastic knife last night. The material has an outdated story, the comic strip hasn't been in the papers for years and few if any people under twenty will get it. Dogpatch USA just hasn't been in the pop culture realm in so long it's become irrelevant.
The theme park is gone leaving memories of what was once Dogpatch. There is nothing to touch base with and find out who these people are as fictional characters. At one time it was different as you could read them daily and see their adventures. Then you could have a bit of background on why they were who they were, you could see your favorite characters come to life on stage.
Now it just is a musical for people over thirty with material that is more in line for children. It's an odd composition.
Lights seem to be fairly simple though, lights on, lights off. I found one place that I can dim them and shut some down when Abner and Daisy Mae are singing to each other for the seemingly last time. Other than that I can't find places that benefit from dim, lots of color, low lights, or high lights. There are always lots of people on stage so there has to be lots of light to make sure everyone is lighted properly.
It'll be an easy show to accomplish. Kudos to the actors and directors who have done a good job with material that didn't give them a lot to work with. Kudos to the musicians too who are playing the music live and it's difficult music at that!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Half Way!
After a fitting tribute to Captain Phil last night I turned in. Knowing today was Wednesday made it easier to sleep and look forward to one more weekend.
So before the Deadliest Catch mini marathon that was on last night I listened to a show with the world's best roller coasters. That sounded like a great thing to do! Go around the country and try the best coasters out there!
Unlike a lot of people I'm a huge fan of roller coasters, they have advanced so far over the decades that they are safer, scarier, and better than ever. Makes you wonder what the next few decades hold for them.
The Firehawk looks amazing!
Kingda Ka seems to be the world's tallest at four hundred fifty six feet.
Mindbender is located in the largest mall in North America. It is a triple loop coaster that is indoors! How insane is that?
There are tons more out there, it would be cool to actually find the time and money to experience all of these. I'm sure The Date would watch as she doesn't do well on roller coasters but maybe I could talk her into one or two:)
So before the Deadliest Catch mini marathon that was on last night I listened to a show with the world's best roller coasters. That sounded like a great thing to do! Go around the country and try the best coasters out there!
Unlike a lot of people I'm a huge fan of roller coasters, they have advanced so far over the decades that they are safer, scarier, and better than ever. Makes you wonder what the next few decades hold for them.
The Firehawk looks amazing!
Kingda Ka seems to be the world's tallest at four hundred fifty six feet.
Mindbender is located in the largest mall in North America. It is a triple loop coaster that is indoors! How insane is that?
There are tons more out there, it would be cool to actually find the time and money to experience all of these. I'm sure The Date would watch as she doesn't do well on roller coasters but maybe I could talk her into one or two:)
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
This Is It
Captain Phil's last episode airs tonight. The promo alone will bring tears up, Lynyrd Skynyrd's Tuesday's Gone in the background, Jonathan Hilstrand's touching words, Sig's about as emotional as he can get. That and knowing you won't see Phil Harris anymore.
Bring your tissues tonight people, this is a two hour episode. I was so happy to be able to see Captain Phil during this season, see his good moments and bad. To see the Jake swap with the Northwestern, the precision crabbing that netted them a ton of great crab, the heartrending admission of Jake that he's an addict.
This whole season has been a perfect show for DC. I know next season they are going to lighten the content up as this one has been very heavy and emotional. I'm positive that's why they started the subshow After The Catch way earlier than normal as to soften the blow of Phil's passing.
I know several of you have started watching this show lately, some much longer, this is the one episode you have to see. It's going to be a roller coaster ride.
Bring your tissues tonight people, this is a two hour episode. I was so happy to be able to see Captain Phil during this season, see his good moments and bad. To see the Jake swap with the Northwestern, the precision crabbing that netted them a ton of great crab, the heartrending admission of Jake that he's an addict.
This whole season has been a perfect show for DC. I know next season they are going to lighten the content up as this one has been very heavy and emotional. I'm positive that's why they started the subshow After The Catch way earlier than normal as to soften the blow of Phil's passing.
I know several of you have started watching this show lately, some much longer, this is the one episode you have to see. It's going to be a roller coaster ride.
Monday, July 12, 2010
One More Bullet
Just when you believe the Obama Administration has finished shooting itself in the foot it finds one more bullet.
When you have the Governors of your own party (an elected office that has way more administrative experience than the former Senator from Illinois had when he was elected) telling you they are concerned about suing a sovereign state, well then you have problems!
First you have a law that says it's illegal to be in Arizona if you aren't a legal citizen. Newsflash, it's illegal to be in any state if you aren't a legal citizen or tourist with visa papers. That's why it's called illegal immigration, inherently meaning against the law.
Second the citizens support the law by two thirds! It's a popular law! People want it!
Third you have having the federal government failing to fix the border problem, the same problem previous administrations have punted to the future.
Fourth No conservative is against immigration, the INS needs reform. The process needs to be streamlined for immigrants to become citizens. While I do understand that liberals want illegals to be here now, in legal standing, with voting rights I believe the majority of Americans disagree with that.
Fifth, this is part of Obama's design. I'm starting to think he is intentionally destroying the economy to further his one term agenda. I have no doubt we'll see a voter revolt in November and then one of the most ambitious sessions in Congress to pass everything that isn't being passed now. Cap and Trade, Card Check, and anything else the future former Speaker of the House can find to vote on.
It's a lame duck session meaning that the people who will be voted out of office still will be able to pass legislation until January when the new members are sworn in. They can pass anything without repercussions from the voters as they likely have already been fired.
Yes it'll happen and since Obama has long sealed his place in history in only two years as the worst President (far and away worse than Carter) he won't care. If he gets everything done in two years, the destruction of America, he can rest. He'll have done a tremendous amount of damage and that damage will go on for two more years if the GOP doesn't have a veto proof majority.
When you have the Governors of your own party (an elected office that has way more administrative experience than the former Senator from Illinois had when he was elected) telling you they are concerned about suing a sovereign state, well then you have problems!
First you have a law that says it's illegal to be in Arizona if you aren't a legal citizen. Newsflash, it's illegal to be in any state if you aren't a legal citizen or tourist with visa papers. That's why it's called illegal immigration, inherently meaning against the law.
Second the citizens support the law by two thirds! It's a popular law! People want it!
Third you have having the federal government failing to fix the border problem, the same problem previous administrations have punted to the future.
Fourth No conservative is against immigration, the INS needs reform. The process needs to be streamlined for immigrants to become citizens. While I do understand that liberals want illegals to be here now, in legal standing, with voting rights I believe the majority of Americans disagree with that.
Fifth, this is part of Obama's design. I'm starting to think he is intentionally destroying the economy to further his one term agenda. I have no doubt we'll see a voter revolt in November and then one of the most ambitious sessions in Congress to pass everything that isn't being passed now. Cap and Trade, Card Check, and anything else the future former Speaker of the House can find to vote on.
It's a lame duck session meaning that the people who will be voted out of office still will be able to pass legislation until January when the new members are sworn in. They can pass anything without repercussions from the voters as they likely have already been fired.
Yes it'll happen and since Obama has long sealed his place in history in only two years as the worst President (far and away worse than Carter) he won't care. If he gets everything done in two years, the destruction of America, he can rest. He'll have done a tremendous amount of damage and that damage will go on for two more years if the GOP doesn't have a veto proof majority.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
The Concert
I walked in clearly anticipating tons of people in the stands for the benefit show. My heart fell when about three hundred people were there. People filed in over the next half hour or so and before the opening act started they announced we could move in closer but not on the floor, that's how few people there were.
Shawna Russell did a great job, she didn't let the size of the crowd bother her or the show. I wasn't quite as happy, I was hurt, angry, and just in a bad mood by then.
By the time she left the stage and they prepared the stage for John Michael Montgomery the crowd had gotten bigger, the floor seats weren't filled up, maybe half way or so. The seats in the stands contained maybe three hundred. The place is cavernous and it's hard to estimate people. The Date thought that maybe twelve hundred people attended.
I say it wasn't close to a thousand. My mood hadn't improved either, it might have gotten worse, it must have since The Date noticed and asked if I was mad about attendance. I clearly was.
There were so few people on the floor that they opened up the floor seats to everyone. We stayed in the stands to get a better view though. John Michael Montgomery played the show like it was sold out and standing room only.
I kept texting my filmmaker friend Chris and finally I rationalized it in my head to where I wasn't as angry. To take a family of four to the show it would have been over a hundred dollars. Contrast that with the fireworks show that was postponed from last weekend's holiday, it had been rescheduled for the same night. There was also an annual motorcycle run in town that occupied hundreds of people.
Both events were free. I understand that, times are tough which was the actual reason the concert was being held. Budget cuts had the senior centers in trouble, the economy had forced the cuts. The same economy that had people out of work and looking for free entertainment options.
I guess I was the victim of high expectations, the cause was just and necessary. I hope the people that did show up made the difference for the centers.
Both performers were great shows, both didn't let the size of the crowd bother them in the least. Shawna Russell's show announced that for every CD that as bought up front they'd donate five dollars of it to the cause and she'd autograph it free. JMM singed things before the show for the silent auction and a man on the front row had a guitar singed by him.
JMM asked the man if there was a reason he had the guitar sitting in front of him, the man said he had signed it for the event. JMM said it was a good guitar. It was also a good show, he deserved a ton of credit for coming and doing the event for free except for his traveling expenses. That's a big hearted man.
Shawna Russell did a great job, she didn't let the size of the crowd bother her or the show. I wasn't quite as happy, I was hurt, angry, and just in a bad mood by then.
By the time she left the stage and they prepared the stage for John Michael Montgomery the crowd had gotten bigger, the floor seats weren't filled up, maybe half way or so. The seats in the stands contained maybe three hundred. The place is cavernous and it's hard to estimate people. The Date thought that maybe twelve hundred people attended.
I say it wasn't close to a thousand. My mood hadn't improved either, it might have gotten worse, it must have since The Date noticed and asked if I was mad about attendance. I clearly was.
There were so few people on the floor that they opened up the floor seats to everyone. We stayed in the stands to get a better view though. John Michael Montgomery played the show like it was sold out and standing room only.
I kept texting my filmmaker friend Chris and finally I rationalized it in my head to where I wasn't as angry. To take a family of four to the show it would have been over a hundred dollars. Contrast that with the fireworks show that was postponed from last weekend's holiday, it had been rescheduled for the same night. There was also an annual motorcycle run in town that occupied hundreds of people.
Both events were free. I understand that, times are tough which was the actual reason the concert was being held. Budget cuts had the senior centers in trouble, the economy had forced the cuts. The same economy that had people out of work and looking for free entertainment options.
I guess I was the victim of high expectations, the cause was just and necessary. I hope the people that did show up made the difference for the centers.
Both performers were great shows, both didn't let the size of the crowd bother them in the least. Shawna Russell's show announced that for every CD that as bought up front they'd donate five dollars of it to the cause and she'd autograph it free. JMM singed things before the show for the silent auction and a man on the front row had a guitar singed by him.
JMM asked the man if there was a reason he had the guitar sitting in front of him, the man said he had signed it for the event. JMM said it was a good guitar. It was also a good show, he deserved a ton of credit for coming and doing the event for free except for his traveling expenses. That's a big hearted man.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
The Fabulous Whale Wars
I watched a couple of shows last night, one the stalwart of hippie failure Whale Wars and then I watched The Fabulous Beekman Boys. Two domestic partners move to the country and try to make a living on a farm in New York.
First up failure was rampant last night on WW as they didn't fuel the Ady Gil when they had the opportunity which put everything into a bad position later on. Obviously they made the wrong decisions because that's what they do. They find the big processing ship and have the Ady Gil harass it while they try to get the Bob Barker closer to it.
One thing the hippies never thought of is that a big, new, state of the art ship like the Japanese have is faster than a fifty year old tub with patched up engines. They tried to keep pace with the Nisshan Maru but couldn't and they'd have to stop for four hours to refuel the best hope in the Ady Gil.
So they attempt a full speed launch of one of the zodiac boats, yes an inflatable boat to keep tracking the huge whaling vessel. They didn't factor in the rough seas and how that cuts down the speed of the inflatable boat, because they are ineffective of course. They have good intentions but they are the absolute worst high seas terrorists, ever.
So they try to launch the boat, they slow down a little and the Nisshan Maru puts another mile on them while the Ady Gil desperately needs refueled. After they lose time and another mile they radio the head loser, Paul Watson, and he gets mad because they did something more stupid than what he'd have done.
They then recover the boat because it's ineffectual, duh, and lose more time and distance! By this time the Japanese have gotten smart and have started closing in on the idiots with four high speed harpoon ships. Which, I kid you not, first mate idiot Pete Hammersomthing announces bravely to the camera, "if they get closer we'll consider it a threat."
Yeah, you are supposed to consider it a threat, it's the same thing you've been doing to them you moron. They are doing the same thing to you now and you are going to bow your back and get angry over it?!?! Good grief, you are lucky they decide not to sink your pathetic ships and attempt to rescue you idiots and put you on trial.
You either attempt to take out the big ship, Nisshan Maru and do it forever or you come up with a better plan because what you are doing now is funny for me to watch but I don't think that's what you are going for.
Next episode is when the Ady Gil is actually sunk. A shame because I like that boat a lot! Too bad it's in the hands of the hippies and will be doomed to fail as most everything they attempt fails.
Next up is the Beekman Boys. Amusing because of the personalities involved, there are some lovey dovey cringe inducing parts for me though. Brent used to work for Martha Stewart, now he and his partner Josh have done their version of Green Acres. Sort of, as they are wealthy and have purchased a virtual plantation to raise goats, cows, and pigs to eat and make products from.
The particular episode I enjoyed was when they had their pigs butchered. They both felt they had to witness the incident so they could be thankful and attached to the process so they didn't take the meat for granted. They did have homemade bacon which really kind of made me appreciate Josh a bit! I don't know if they made it or the butcher shop did but it looked like the stuff I made! Josh had no problems eating their pet pigs while Brent had to work himself up to raising two pigs again next year for more meat.
A decent show and as I said, it's entertaining because of the personalities involved and how they interact with one another.
First up failure was rampant last night on WW as they didn't fuel the Ady Gil when they had the opportunity which put everything into a bad position later on. Obviously they made the wrong decisions because that's what they do. They find the big processing ship and have the Ady Gil harass it while they try to get the Bob Barker closer to it.
One thing the hippies never thought of is that a big, new, state of the art ship like the Japanese have is faster than a fifty year old tub with patched up engines. They tried to keep pace with the Nisshan Maru but couldn't and they'd have to stop for four hours to refuel the best hope in the Ady Gil.
So they attempt a full speed launch of one of the zodiac boats, yes an inflatable boat to keep tracking the huge whaling vessel. They didn't factor in the rough seas and how that cuts down the speed of the inflatable boat, because they are ineffective of course. They have good intentions but they are the absolute worst high seas terrorists, ever.
So they try to launch the boat, they slow down a little and the Nisshan Maru puts another mile on them while the Ady Gil desperately needs refueled. After they lose time and another mile they radio the head loser, Paul Watson, and he gets mad because they did something more stupid than what he'd have done.
They then recover the boat because it's ineffectual, duh, and lose more time and distance! By this time the Japanese have gotten smart and have started closing in on the idiots with four high speed harpoon ships. Which, I kid you not, first mate idiot Pete Hammersomthing announces bravely to the camera, "if they get closer we'll consider it a threat."
Yeah, you are supposed to consider it a threat, it's the same thing you've been doing to them you moron. They are doing the same thing to you now and you are going to bow your back and get angry over it?!?! Good grief, you are lucky they decide not to sink your pathetic ships and attempt to rescue you idiots and put you on trial.
You either attempt to take out the big ship, Nisshan Maru and do it forever or you come up with a better plan because what you are doing now is funny for me to watch but I don't think that's what you are going for.
Next episode is when the Ady Gil is actually sunk. A shame because I like that boat a lot! Too bad it's in the hands of the hippies and will be doomed to fail as most everything they attempt fails.
Next up is the Beekman Boys. Amusing because of the personalities involved, there are some lovey dovey cringe inducing parts for me though. Brent used to work for Martha Stewart, now he and his partner Josh have done their version of Green Acres. Sort of, as they are wealthy and have purchased a virtual plantation to raise goats, cows, and pigs to eat and make products from.
The particular episode I enjoyed was when they had their pigs butchered. They both felt they had to witness the incident so they could be thankful and attached to the process so they didn't take the meat for granted. They did have homemade bacon which really kind of made me appreciate Josh a bit! I don't know if they made it or the butcher shop did but it looked like the stuff I made! Josh had no problems eating their pet pigs while Brent had to work himself up to raising two pigs again next year for more meat.
A decent show and as I said, it's entertaining because of the personalities involved and how they interact with one another.
Friday, July 09, 2010
Cleveland's Heart
Everyone knows that Cleveland has had a rough go of it with their sports franchises. They have repeatedly hit the wall when it comes to getting close to a championship, from The Drive when John Elway broke their collective heart, the Indians who put together a great team a few years back and failed to win the World Series. Many times Cleveland has gotten close but not close enough.
LeBron James, the high school prodigy was going to change that. He was from the area, he knew the area and the people but he loved winners. Cleveland really wasn't that. Their traditions were more blue collar as they are the buckle in the rustbelt.
Art Modell was the most hated man in Cleveland after he moved the Browns to Baltimore to become the Ravens. Now Art can rest easy as LeBron has taken over that mantle.
LeBron won two back to back MVP awards, led the Cavs to two stellar winning seasons but fell short in the playoffs. It looked like this coming year would be THE YEAR as there were some free agents out there that would compliment LeBron and finally bring that banner to Cleveland.
It also wasn't to be. LeBron did his impression of John Elway last night in a one hour special on ESPN. It wasn't good enough to destroy Cleveland in private, he had to humiliate the city that loved him unconditionally, that would have named every street in the city after him if he asked. The stadium would have set on Chosen-1 Drive, cross section with James Way.
It wasn't good enough to just sign with another team, LeBron had to embarrass his hometown because he didn't elevate them to a championship.
LeBron had to do more damage to a battered city in a very public fashion and become the most hated man in Cleveland sports history.
Instead of making the Cavs his own and making them win he went out with a whimper in last year's playoffs, nearly a non-factor. Everyone who's livelihoods depended on him going to the arena every night and drawing fans to the area are now cursing LeBron's name.
He couldn't win in Cleveland, couldn't rise to the challenge of bringing a championship there, so he bolted town as soon as he was allowed to and went to an easier place to win. Miami is an easy contender now for next year's prize, I hope whichever team they face in the playoffs destroys them over and over and over again.
I hope LeBron never gets his ring, the ring he left Cleveland for. As for the Cavs? Well they are immediately in a rebuilding phase now. The arena will be half empty until LeBron comes to town just so they can boo and hiss at him, well maybe not. They might not even show up then just to show him that he broke their heart and isn't worth seeing.
That would be something, organizing a boycott of the LeBron game when Miami comes to town, selling no tickets at all! Go for it Cleveland, the punk doesn't deserve your love.
LeBron James, the high school prodigy was going to change that. He was from the area, he knew the area and the people but he loved winners. Cleveland really wasn't that. Their traditions were more blue collar as they are the buckle in the rustbelt.
Art Modell was the most hated man in Cleveland after he moved the Browns to Baltimore to become the Ravens. Now Art can rest easy as LeBron has taken over that mantle.
LeBron won two back to back MVP awards, led the Cavs to two stellar winning seasons but fell short in the playoffs. It looked like this coming year would be THE YEAR as there were some free agents out there that would compliment LeBron and finally bring that banner to Cleveland.
It also wasn't to be. LeBron did his impression of John Elway last night in a one hour special on ESPN. It wasn't good enough to destroy Cleveland in private, he had to humiliate the city that loved him unconditionally, that would have named every street in the city after him if he asked. The stadium would have set on Chosen-1 Drive, cross section with James Way.
It wasn't good enough to just sign with another team, LeBron had to embarrass his hometown because he didn't elevate them to a championship.
LeBron had to do more damage to a battered city in a very public fashion and become the most hated man in Cleveland sports history.
Instead of making the Cavs his own and making them win he went out with a whimper in last year's playoffs, nearly a non-factor. Everyone who's livelihoods depended on him going to the arena every night and drawing fans to the area are now cursing LeBron's name.
He couldn't win in Cleveland, couldn't rise to the challenge of bringing a championship there, so he bolted town as soon as he was allowed to and went to an easier place to win. Miami is an easy contender now for next year's prize, I hope whichever team they face in the playoffs destroys them over and over and over again.
I hope LeBron never gets his ring, the ring he left Cleveland for. As for the Cavs? Well they are immediately in a rebuilding phase now. The arena will be half empty until LeBron comes to town just so they can boo and hiss at him, well maybe not. They might not even show up then just to show him that he broke their heart and isn't worth seeing.
That would be something, organizing a boycott of the LeBron game when Miami comes to town, selling no tickets at all! Go for it Cleveland, the punk doesn't deserve your love.
Thursday, July 08, 2010
No Kids
Not a one in the house. Thing 2 if off to church camp while Thing 1 is spending the night with a gal pal. That left The Date and I alone in the house. However The Date did work until nine.
I came home and finished mowing the lawn. A stray puppy who has claimed this as his yard watched me and followed me like a...well puppy. The puppy has a collar, a flea collar, no tags, and no idea where he lives.
He's part Chihuahua and part something else. I don't know how big he'll get right now. Hard to tell. He isn't leaving though, The Date took him around the neighborhood to see if he belonged to anyone and no one had seen him before.
He'll either find his way back home or he might have his owner driving around to look for him. Hopefully he gets where he belongs quickly though!
I came home and finished mowing the lawn. A stray puppy who has claimed this as his yard watched me and followed me like a...well puppy. The puppy has a collar, a flea collar, no tags, and no idea where he lives.
He's part Chihuahua and part something else. I don't know how big he'll get right now. Hard to tell. He isn't leaving though, The Date took him around the neighborhood to see if he belonged to anyone and no one had seen him before.
He'll either find his way back home or he might have his owner driving around to look for him. Hopefully he gets where he belongs quickly though!
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
Boycott Update
Abdel Baset al-Megrahi has outlived the expert's predictions he would kick off in three months. In fact he has nearly lived a year longer than he should. He was released August 20th, 2009 because of his terminally ill prostate cancer.
Megrahi was the soul terrorist convicted for the Lockerbie bombing attack which murdered over two hundred and fifty people. Since his compassionate release I've boycotted scotch whisky. Yes I've gone nearly a year next month without a drink of scotch.
I've got a brand new bottle setting on my counter as payment for a special job I did at work and one on the way, untouched by my hands, lips, or liver.
Megrahi could very well live a very long time, my boycott will come to an end though. My personal boycott had no effect at all on the country of Scotland. I didn't believe it would, it was just a personal thing and only those who know me know about it, other than the loyal readers of this blog.
I've not determined an end date for my boycott however it will be soon. Scotland seriously mishandled a known terrorist and freed him back into the world. Megrahi is a mass murderer and deserved to die for his crimes, not be released back to his home country for medical reasons.
I suspect the boycott will expire long before Megrahi does sadly.
Megrahi was the soul terrorist convicted for the Lockerbie bombing attack which murdered over two hundred and fifty people. Since his compassionate release I've boycotted scotch whisky. Yes I've gone nearly a year next month without a drink of scotch.
I've got a brand new bottle setting on my counter as payment for a special job I did at work and one on the way, untouched by my hands, lips, or liver.
Megrahi could very well live a very long time, my boycott will come to an end though. My personal boycott had no effect at all on the country of Scotland. I didn't believe it would, it was just a personal thing and only those who know me know about it, other than the loyal readers of this blog.
I've not determined an end date for my boycott however it will be soon. Scotland seriously mishandled a known terrorist and freed him back into the world. Megrahi is a mass murderer and deserved to die for his crimes, not be released back to his home country for medical reasons.
I suspect the boycott will expire long before Megrahi does sadly.
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Back To Work
The past four days have reminded me that I really need to find a good hobby or something to do during the day when I retire in twelve years. Yeah I'm sure that the commercial business will take up a lot of my time but I'm fairly certain that my original plan of watching The Flintstones all day will not suffice.
This weekend was particularly bad for doing something outside as we got hurricane rain all morning yesterday and then again in the early evening. Nonstop, not hard but persistent, and a lot of it.
I'm looking forward to getting this day started so I can get it done though. Haven't seen my coworkers in four and a half days and even though sometimes we hung out there is still a weird classification that is in between friend and colleague.
A few came to my wedding, the same few who went to all of the Storm games with me when there was a league. We are familiar with each other as we spend eight hours plus a day together. We like each other. It's not a big deal to call one another off work hours from time to time.
Yet still they have a social circle of friends that I'm a stranger to, as well as I do. They would have been ill at ease at Jamal's fantastic party Saturday evening. They wouldn't have known anyone save The Date and I. So it's weird on how to classify them properly but to say it's a blending of both.
I know several shops who don't get along at all and only come to work to irritate each other. In fact one shop in particular is only happy after they have made everyone else in the shop mad on a daily basis. I'd hate to be there, it is a miserable place to work and they are miserable people, which oddly makes them happy.
This weekend was particularly bad for doing something outside as we got hurricane rain all morning yesterday and then again in the early evening. Nonstop, not hard but persistent, and a lot of it.
I'm looking forward to getting this day started so I can get it done though. Haven't seen my coworkers in four and a half days and even though sometimes we hung out there is still a weird classification that is in between friend and colleague.
A few came to my wedding, the same few who went to all of the Storm games with me when there was a league. We are familiar with each other as we spend eight hours plus a day together. We like each other. It's not a big deal to call one another off work hours from time to time.
Yet still they have a social circle of friends that I'm a stranger to, as well as I do. They would have been ill at ease at Jamal's fantastic party Saturday evening. They wouldn't have known anyone save The Date and I. So it's weird on how to classify them properly but to say it's a blending of both.
I know several shops who don't get along at all and only come to work to irritate each other. In fact one shop in particular is only happy after they have made everyone else in the shop mad on a daily basis. I'd hate to be there, it is a miserable place to work and they are miserable people, which oddly makes them happy.
Monday, July 05, 2010
And It's Raining Again
It pretty much rained all day yesterday save a few hours in the evening. It's a slow, soaking rain, it isn't hard but it is relentless in its purpose.
It's alright, it'll keep the burn ban away so I can continue to grill and smoke foods:)
Thing 2 is off to church camp for a week. Thing 1 has driver's ed this week. I'll be taking her out driving very soon I'm sure. This might be a great morning to head to the back patio with coffee and cigar in tow.
I've got nothing planned today. Nothing to do. Nowhere to be:) Work kicks back up tomorrow but it'll be a four day work week so I'm not sweating it too much:)
It's alright, it'll keep the burn ban away so I can continue to grill and smoke foods:)
Thing 2 is off to church camp for a week. Thing 1 has driver's ed this week. I'll be taking her out driving very soon I'm sure. This might be a great morning to head to the back patio with coffee and cigar in tow.
I've got nothing planned today. Nothing to do. Nowhere to be:) Work kicks back up tomorrow but it'll be a four day work week so I'm not sweating it too much:)
Sunday, July 04, 2010
Happy Independence Day!
The third day off in my four day weekend falls today, Independence Day! The Fourth of July and the launch of our nation. A nation which would change the face of the Earth forever.
We became the beacon of hope for freedom, the model for other countries to follow. Despite repeated criticism of being imperialist we've never gone to war to expand ourselves as France or England have done for example.
What we've gone to war for is for the cause of freedom. To destroy Slavery, Nazism, Communism, Fascism, and Radical Islam. (Or man made catastrophes as they are now known as.)
Our country is two hundred thirty four years old today. We easily have another two hundred years in us to show the world how freedom is supposed to be done. We'll have our gloom and doom times but we still have the inbred urge for freedom in our collective breasts. We have an automatic allergy towards Monarchy. We innovate, we overcome, and we succeed.
Thank God for our Founding Fathers as they had the foresight, the daring, and the courage to stand up to England and declare our independence.
Say a prayer for our troops in the field today, fighting not for imperialist goals but for the freedom of others against oppressive regimes. Remember our Founding Fathers who devised a country so great and noble that it still stands almost a quarter of a millennium later.
We became the beacon of hope for freedom, the model for other countries to follow. Despite repeated criticism of being imperialist we've never gone to war to expand ourselves as France or England have done for example.
What we've gone to war for is for the cause of freedom. To destroy Slavery, Nazism, Communism, Fascism, and Radical Islam. (Or man made catastrophes as they are now known as.)
Our country is two hundred thirty four years old today. We easily have another two hundred years in us to show the world how freedom is supposed to be done. We'll have our gloom and doom times but we still have the inbred urge for freedom in our collective breasts. We have an automatic allergy towards Monarchy. We innovate, we overcome, and we succeed.
Thank God for our Founding Fathers as they had the foresight, the daring, and the courage to stand up to England and declare our independence.
Say a prayer for our troops in the field today, fighting not for imperialist goals but for the freedom of others against oppressive regimes. Remember our Founding Fathers who devised a country so great and noble that it still stands almost a quarter of a millennium later.
Saturday, July 03, 2010
Going To Be Fun!
Last night I smoked four racks of ribs for tonight's party. Today I'm smoking an eight pound Boston Butt pork shoulder to make pulled pork out of. It's going to be a long smoke, around ten hours.
I prepared the shoulder a few minutes ago, got the grill heated up, and added the wet wood chips. Now it is a matter of time and heat.
Smoking is really a simple matter on a Big Green Egg as it doesn't require a ton of attention as other smokers do. I'd say the Weber Smokey Mountain is a good second place smoker because once you set it you can safely leave it alone for long stretches of time. The advantage the Egg has over the WSM is that you don't have to add any more fuel to the fire, it's full up now and there will be some left over when it's done.
So it's cooking now and it'll stay between two eighty and three hundred for the duration of the cook. The roast will actually be done in about four hours but the additional six hours are to make it fall apart tender. The extra time and temperatures will break down the tissues and by the time of the party it'll be able to be picked apart with fingers and pulled, hence the name pulled pork.
I love smoking meats.
I prepared the shoulder a few minutes ago, got the grill heated up, and added the wet wood chips. Now it is a matter of time and heat.
Smoking is really a simple matter on a Big Green Egg as it doesn't require a ton of attention as other smokers do. I'd say the Weber Smokey Mountain is a good second place smoker because once you set it you can safely leave it alone for long stretches of time. The advantage the Egg has over the WSM is that you don't have to add any more fuel to the fire, it's full up now and there will be some left over when it's done.
So it's cooking now and it'll stay between two eighty and three hundred for the duration of the cook. The roast will actually be done in about four hours but the additional six hours are to make it fall apart tender. The extra time and temperatures will break down the tissues and by the time of the party it'll be able to be picked apart with fingers and pulled, hence the name pulled pork.
I love smoking meats.
Friday, July 02, 2010
Well I Might Be Off Today
I know I'm off from my job however I talked to my client last night and he was supposed to line up acting talent this week as he didn't want to hire from my pool of actors. He forgot about getting people lined up so now he is rushing around to get people for the shoot that was supposed to happen today.
I'd like to get the job started today and finish it quickly however I might not even get to start today. We'll see if he comes through or if I have to schedule for another day. I should know by ten at the latest this morning.
We'll see what happens but I'm not hopeful at this point. Well if he doesn't come through and we reschedule I'll be enjoying a four day weekend free from any kind of work:) Now that'll be fun!
I'm planning on cooking some ribs for Jamal's annual Independence Day Burger Bash! He always throws a great shindig!
I'd like to get the job started today and finish it quickly however I might not even get to start today. We'll see if he comes through or if I have to schedule for another day. I should know by ten at the latest this morning.
We'll see what happens but I'm not hopeful at this point. Well if he doesn't come through and we reschedule I'll be enjoying a four day weekend free from any kind of work:) Now that'll be fun!
I'm planning on cooking some ribs for Jamal's annual Independence Day Burger Bash! He always throws a great shindig!
Thursday, July 01, 2010
It's Friday!
Well for me as I took tomorrow off to shoot a commercial, so today is Friday at work. Today won't be too busy at work, yesterday was though. It took a lot to get everything done but that just means today will be easier.
The shoot should be fairly straight forward and take a couple of hours. I'll have to call the owner of the water park and get a time from him and place on where to meet. I think I can really knock it out fairly quick and get it edited in a few hours. It'll be a fast turnaround for me and one more step for the growing business!
Going to be a nice weekend, provided we don't get any of the Hurricane Alex remnants on Sunday. It's possible as it starts to drive north but it might miss us after all. I don't think the models have an accurate prediction of what it's going to do yet.
Regardless today is my Friday and I'm happy that it is:)
The shoot should be fairly straight forward and take a couple of hours. I'll have to call the owner of the water park and get a time from him and place on where to meet. I think I can really knock it out fairly quick and get it edited in a few hours. It'll be a fast turnaround for me and one more step for the growing business!
Going to be a nice weekend, provided we don't get any of the Hurricane Alex remnants on Sunday. It's possible as it starts to drive north but it might miss us after all. I don't think the models have an accurate prediction of what it's going to do yet.
Regardless today is my Friday and I'm happy that it is:)
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