Yeah, we won two games actually but lost four. I didn't lag or disconnect though. We just weren't on at all.
Abostang did his best to early Ling rush while I developed my Void Rays. The other teams just built good counters and expanded. I walled us in to protect in the early game. That part worked well but it stalled my economy and kept me from expanding.
We'll do better tonight!
In other news I've put together a team to compete in the local bacon festival! Team Bacon has assembled! I'm going to make another big slab of homemade bacon and I believe that alone will give us the edge to win this competition, but the main reason we'll win is that I've read the recipes my teammates are thinking about!
The beverage is tricky but I think we've got something unique to bring to the table!
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
A Quiet Evening At Home
Yep, Thing 1 is staying with her aunt for the week, The Date and Thing 2 went to auditions for Blithe Spirit at the Theatre leaving me alone with Starcraft 2 for the evening!
Well I did edit and post a lot of the videos from Saturday's shooting schedule first as work before pleasure!
We lost four out of six games last night. Here's why my internet signal from the cable system is bad. Not average, not excellent just plain bad. I was on the phone with them for thirty minutes as they troubleshot why I was being dropped from four out of six games.
We were winning in each game I was dropped out of. We had broken their worker ranks, crippled their economies, and were making preparations for a final push. All of the ingredients for victory were in place except me as I was lagging out of the game.
They are sending a tech over Thursday evening to find the problem and fix it. I'm thrilled about that! We weren't competitive last night at all because of my connection. It was especially frustrating since we were ahead in the games and within a few minutes of victory!
Alas we are now ranked twenty sixth instead of top twenty.
Thursday can't get here fast enough!
Well I did edit and post a lot of the videos from Saturday's shooting schedule first as work before pleasure!
We lost four out of six games last night. Here's why my internet signal from the cable system is bad. Not average, not excellent just plain bad. I was on the phone with them for thirty minutes as they troubleshot why I was being dropped from four out of six games.
We were winning in each game I was dropped out of. We had broken their worker ranks, crippled their economies, and were making preparations for a final push. All of the ingredients for victory were in place except me as I was lagging out of the game.
They are sending a tech over Thursday evening to find the problem and fix it. I'm thrilled about that! We weren't competitive last night at all because of my connection. It was especially frustrating since we were ahead in the games and within a few minutes of victory!
Alas we are now ranked twenty sixth instead of top twenty.
Thursday can't get here fast enough!
Monday, August 02, 2010
A Fine Starcraft Sunday!
I did almost nothing Sunday but play Starcraft with my 2V2 partner Abostang. At first upon getting the game neither of us won much. In fact after we got seeded in the league we are in we had a stretch of eight straight losses.
Yesterday at one point we won eight out of eleven in a seven hour stretch of games! I know this because I had Skype open in my second monitor and could see the exact duration of play time. The last four games were plagued with disconnects so we wound up one out of four but the last game was a win.
I wanted to go to bed with a win. That's what we did. We've got a pretty good Protoss/Zerg strategy going. Early Ling pressure followed by hopefully an unexpected Void Ray attack on the back side of their bases. Our goal is to take out the workers which cripple their economy.
We accomplish that and we usually win, we fail and we lose. There were a couple of times that we did do that and still lost. Haven't quite figured out why but they seemed to have expansion bases up or had built way faster than expected. We had great early pressure going but they had a strong economy going I guess and wound up with a ton of Siege Tanks, Marines, and they even had a Mothership. We weren't able to handle that amount of forces.
Abostang has got the fast expand down really well though and if the early Ling pressure doesn't cripple them then he expands and builds for the midgame. We've definitely had a lot of improvement in our game so far, and by the end of the week we'll be way better!
Out of our league of one hundred we are ranked either twenty third or twenty first. We got as high as seventeen yesterday. That's pretty good out of one hundred teams but we are looking to advance to a better league. I'm content with our league now as we do need to improve and we are.
Oh I forgot, I did do the dishes around eight thirty last night. I know its not The Date's favorite thing to do but since she purchased Starcraft for me and I had that much fun yesterday with it, it was the least I could do to show her I love her:)
We'll see what the games bring tonight!
Yesterday at one point we won eight out of eleven in a seven hour stretch of games! I know this because I had Skype open in my second monitor and could see the exact duration of play time. The last four games were plagued with disconnects so we wound up one out of four but the last game was a win.
I wanted to go to bed with a win. That's what we did. We've got a pretty good Protoss/Zerg strategy going. Early Ling pressure followed by hopefully an unexpected Void Ray attack on the back side of their bases. Our goal is to take out the workers which cripple their economy.
We accomplish that and we usually win, we fail and we lose. There were a couple of times that we did do that and still lost. Haven't quite figured out why but they seemed to have expansion bases up or had built way faster than expected. We had great early pressure going but they had a strong economy going I guess and wound up with a ton of Siege Tanks, Marines, and they even had a Mothership. We weren't able to handle that amount of forces.
Abostang has got the fast expand down really well though and if the early Ling pressure doesn't cripple them then he expands and builds for the midgame. We've definitely had a lot of improvement in our game so far, and by the end of the week we'll be way better!
Out of our league of one hundred we are ranked either twenty third or twenty first. We got as high as seventeen yesterday. That's pretty good out of one hundred teams but we are looking to advance to a better league. I'm content with our league now as we do need to improve and we are.
Oh I forgot, I did do the dishes around eight thirty last night. I know its not The Date's favorite thing to do but since she purchased Starcraft for me and I had that much fun yesterday with it, it was the least I could do to show her I love her:)
We'll see what the games bring tonight!
Sunday, August 01, 2010
The End Of The Show
I will no longer be traipsing around Goose Grease Gulch (a stone's throw from Unnecessary Mountain) or Contagious Lane (where there's a nice view of the Skunk Works) or for that matter any other place in Dogpatch USA.
The seven show run ended last night. I had had my fill of Dogpatch a few shows ago, likely during tech rehearsal if I think back that far. It had the unfortunate time slot of following Julius Caesar this summer, for those who were in both shows it was the Summer of Lil' Caesar.
Now tis ended and I'm a drained person for it. The brutal heat and packing schedule of Caesar followed by the outdated material of a nearly three hour musical had me begging for a break after a while, a short while.
I wonder how many people have did a search on Alf Landon, Clarance Darrow, Drew Pearson, and many of the other references from the forties and fifties that lace this show's material? To paraphrase President Obama, "Let me be clear" (which he follows up with incomprehensible and rambling answers) so let me be clear, the actors did a stellar job with subpar material. (note a clear and concise answer)
The director, Ship, did an amazing job as she had to overcome several cast changes, even up to last night's show! That takes some serious skill and patience for a director to accomplish. A lot of directors would have melted down with the first cast change late in the rehearsal run. Not Ship, a round of applause for her and the job she did on this show! I believe this was the third show I've done with her and a few more if you count her being an actor on stage.
So you had all of that adversity and the fact that one of the air conditioners wasn't running last night. Well it would run and then blow the breaker and stop, and then run for a few more minutes and that all equaled a very hot tech booth and a hotter audience.
Last night was also the striking of the set. Normally I stick around until the very last speck of dust is swept off of the stage, not last night. I had had my fill of Lil' Caesar. I took out the trash from the booth, my sound station partner wanted to sweep the booth but I headed home. There was a cast of thirty to dismantle a largely moving and simple set. I was unneeded and as I wasn't feeling 100% anyway (a fact later confirmed by my throwing up supper upon my arrival home) I decided to skip out on set strike. A rare event for me as I'm usually at every set call when many aren't.
Now I'm finished for a while. I need a break from the Theatre. I don't know for how long but I'll likely be involved with the next show as my friend is directing for the first time, Filmmaker partner Chris.
Thus ends the Summer of Lil' Caesar and all of it's drama:)
The seven show run ended last night. I had had my fill of Dogpatch a few shows ago, likely during tech rehearsal if I think back that far. It had the unfortunate time slot of following Julius Caesar this summer, for those who were in both shows it was the Summer of Lil' Caesar.
Now tis ended and I'm a drained person for it. The brutal heat and packing schedule of Caesar followed by the outdated material of a nearly three hour musical had me begging for a break after a while, a short while.
I wonder how many people have did a search on Alf Landon, Clarance Darrow, Drew Pearson, and many of the other references from the forties and fifties that lace this show's material? To paraphrase President Obama, "Let me be clear" (which he follows up with incomprehensible and rambling answers) so let me be clear, the actors did a stellar job with subpar material. (note a clear and concise answer)
The director, Ship, did an amazing job as she had to overcome several cast changes, even up to last night's show! That takes some serious skill and patience for a director to accomplish. A lot of directors would have melted down with the first cast change late in the rehearsal run. Not Ship, a round of applause for her and the job she did on this show! I believe this was the third show I've done with her and a few more if you count her being an actor on stage.
So you had all of that adversity and the fact that one of the air conditioners wasn't running last night. Well it would run and then blow the breaker and stop, and then run for a few more minutes and that all equaled a very hot tech booth and a hotter audience.
Last night was also the striking of the set. Normally I stick around until the very last speck of dust is swept off of the stage, not last night. I had had my fill of Lil' Caesar. I took out the trash from the booth, my sound station partner wanted to sweep the booth but I headed home. There was a cast of thirty to dismantle a largely moving and simple set. I was unneeded and as I wasn't feeling 100% anyway (a fact later confirmed by my throwing up supper upon my arrival home) I decided to skip out on set strike. A rare event for me as I'm usually at every set call when many aren't.
Now I'm finished for a while. I need a break from the Theatre. I don't know for how long but I'll likely be involved with the next show as my friend is directing for the first time, Filmmaker partner Chris.
Thus ends the Summer of Lil' Caesar and all of it's drama:)
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Three Shoots Today
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!
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!
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:)
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Celebrities Vs. CEOs
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.
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.
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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