I ran across this spoof video from the TV Show 'How I Met Your Mother'. I've never watched it, but have heard it can be funny.
This clip is about a Canadian Teen Pop Star in the Nineties going to the mall. Since this is what life looked like in my High School and at the local mall, I'd say they were ten years behind US.
For those of you in your thirties, you'll understand.
I can't decide if she reminds me more of Debbie Gibson or Tiffany :)
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Pun Intended!
Ok, so if you like fish related puns, you need to watch this:
For that matter, even if you don't like fish related puns, you ought to watch this...it may change your mind.
Here's a little more fishy work that I loved growing up (without the Naruto video!)
Dr. Demento Rocked!
For that matter, even if you don't like fish related puns, you ought to watch this...it may change your mind.
Here's a little more fishy work that I loved growing up (without the Naruto video!)
Dr. Demento Rocked!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
It's the little things
Kim started a job a few weeks ago. She works for a lady who cleans houses. It's a good job and she enjoys the work, and I enjoy the fact that we have extra income.
However, since she's been doing this, she goes into work much earlier. She used to be able to take our youngest son to school around the block.
Now, that job falls to me.
I realized this morning how much I'm enjoying this little thing.
The thing about it that I enjoy so much is, when I drop him off, he runs to the front door. Even if he's not late, he runs. I love that. I don't know why, but something about it strikes me as wonderful.
Now, you've got to understand that he's my son. That means that he's, um, less than graceful when he runs. That doesn't matter. I love to watch him as he's running to get to the school.
It reminds me of a time several years ago when Kim had a job working at the school and I was unemployed, finishing my degree. The twins were just 5 or 6 years old and I think still in pre-school. I would get them going in the morning and to this day some of my fondest memories in life is eating breakfast with them back then.
Some things sound stupid when you are young but as you age they become much more meaningful. "It's the little things that mean a lot" is one of them.
However, since she's been doing this, she goes into work much earlier. She used to be able to take our youngest son to school around the block.
Now, that job falls to me.
I realized this morning how much I'm enjoying this little thing.
The thing about it that I enjoy so much is, when I drop him off, he runs to the front door. Even if he's not late, he runs. I love that. I don't know why, but something about it strikes me as wonderful.
Now, you've got to understand that he's my son. That means that he's, um, less than graceful when he runs. That doesn't matter. I love to watch him as he's running to get to the school.
It reminds me of a time several years ago when Kim had a job working at the school and I was unemployed, finishing my degree. The twins were just 5 or 6 years old and I think still in pre-school. I would get them going in the morning and to this day some of my fondest memories in life is eating breakfast with them back then.
Some things sound stupid when you are young but as you age they become much more meaningful. "It's the little things that mean a lot" is one of them.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Saturday, April 07, 2007
It just makes me giggle like a school girl!
So, a week or so ago, my wife started the torture. It was simple enough:
"I bought you something. It should arrive in the mail in a few days."
Ok, so, now I NEED to know what it is. "Um, that's nice honey...what is it?"
Then came those words I've hated since I was old enough to want: "You'll have to wait and see!"
"wait and see?" "WAIT AND SEE!!!"
Seriously? Seriously.
So, yesterday, in the mail box, was a bubbly belemblelope with my cool whatever hidden inside.
She tossed to me as I quickly approached the door. I snatched out of mid-air, hurried in the house and ripped open the envelope like I was 10 and it was Christmas.
Inside was the coooooooolest T-Shirt you've ever seen! I actually asked for it for my birthday, but it was out of stock. My GREAT wife, waited till it came back around and got if for me. (collective AWWWEEE please)
(note to bloggers...this embedded picture is done using a new website called imgred.com. If you've ever wanted to embed pictures into your website/blog/myspace but were too polite to rip off thier bandwidth, you should check it out.)
"I bought you something. It should arrive in the mail in a few days."
Ok, so, now I NEED to know what it is. "Um, that's nice honey...what is it?"
Then came those words I've hated since I was old enough to want: "You'll have to wait and see!"
"wait and see?" "WAIT AND SEE!!!"
Seriously? Seriously.
So, yesterday, in the mail box, was a bubbly belemblelope with my cool whatever hidden inside.
She tossed to me as I quickly approached the door. I snatched out of mid-air, hurried in the house and ripped open the envelope like I was 10 and it was Christmas.
Inside was the coooooooolest T-Shirt you've ever seen! I actually asked for it for my birthday, but it was out of stock. My GREAT wife, waited till it came back around and got if for me. (collective AWWWEEE please)
(note to bloggers...this embedded picture is done using a new website called imgred.com. If you've ever wanted to embed pictures into your website/blog/myspace but were too polite to rip off thier bandwidth, you should check it out.)
Friday, April 06, 2007
They Might Be Giants
I'm not really into Geek Rock, but there are a couple of songs by the Geek Rock Band, They Might Be Giants that I like.
This one, like sunshine, always makes me smile.
This one, like sunshine, always makes me smile.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Talkin' Baseball
For, lo, the winter is past,
The rain is over and gone;
The flowers appear on the earth;
The time of the singing of birds is come,
And the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.
WooooHoooo!!! Today's the day. BASEBALL BASEBALL BASEBALL!!!
Opening Day. The biggest sports day in Detroit (followed closely by the NFL draft)!
Baseball is here again. It's spring, and summer is around the corner.
That means: golf, softball, golf, walks around the court, golf, bike rides and golf.
If you can't tell, I'm excited about Opening Day! The bible says "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
." Well, he made 365 1/4 of these a year, but only a few did he spend extra time on: Opening Day, June 29th and November 10th.
Last year, the Tigs did awesome. They won the American League Pennant, and made it to the World Series only to lose to a good Cardnial team (blech, yuck, eesh...excuse me while I go wash out my mouth).
I was so very sad to see that the Cards lost on thier opening day. Boo hoo. [insert evil laugh here]
Anyway, I'm not so sure the rain is over and gone, but flowers are appearing, birds are a singing and the words "PLAY BALL" are heard throughout the land today.
Go TIGERS
The rain is over and gone;
The flowers appear on the earth;
The time of the singing of birds is come,
And the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.
WooooHoooo!!! Today's the day. BASEBALL BASEBALL BASEBALL!!!
Opening Day. The biggest sports day in Detroit (followed closely by the NFL draft)!
Baseball is here again. It's spring, and summer is around the corner.
That means: golf, softball, golf, walks around the court, golf, bike rides and golf.
If you can't tell, I'm excited about Opening Day! The bible says "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
." Well, he made 365 1/4 of these a year, but only a few did he spend extra time on: Opening Day, June 29th and November 10th.
Last year, the Tigs did awesome. They won the American League Pennant, and made it to the World Series only to lose to a good Cardnial team (blech, yuck, eesh...excuse me while I go wash out my mouth).
I was so very sad to see that the Cards lost on thier opening day. Boo hoo. [insert evil laugh here]
Anyway, I'm not so sure the rain is over and gone, but flowers are appearing, birds are a singing and the words "PLAY BALL" are heard throughout the land today.
Go TIGERS
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Scruffy Looking, Nerf Herding Playa' Hata
The family watched Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back tonight, and it sent me, as usual, down memory lane.
When I first started working at FoMoCo, I worked with a bunch of Star Wars fans. It was here that I was introduced to websites like Newgrounds, FlashRing and AtomFilms.
This was just after FLASH programming started to really catch on and tons of programmers spent countless hours coming up with unbelievably useless games and videos.
A lot of these videos were used by coders to sharpen their skills, and I'd bet many of these guys used their Flash Animations to help them get jobs.
Some of them were lame. Some were filthy. Some were just wrong.
However, some of them ended up being classics.
I don't remember which one of us found this video first*, but we watched it every chance we got. I've since passed it on to my kids, (not the website!!! It's been years since if surfed the site. It's SFW for the most part, but not really appropriate for kids**) who know the entire rap.
Enjoy:
Not only did budding coders create these to sharpen their Flash coding skills, but Photoshop skills too. Probably the biggest of the early COMBO vids was called All Ur Base R Belong 2 Us. This is an example of one of things that just caught on in the Nerd community. Both of these would probably be considered Viral Videos of their day.
*Young Chadwick probably found it first. A cool thing about Chad is that he's the ONLY person I've ever seen with a Tattoo of The New Republic Insignia. How cool is that!?!
**Whether or not it's appropriate for adults can be debated too!!!
When I first started working at FoMoCo, I worked with a bunch of Star Wars fans. It was here that I was introduced to websites like Newgrounds, FlashRing and AtomFilms.
This was just after FLASH programming started to really catch on and tons of programmers spent countless hours coming up with unbelievably useless games and videos.
A lot of these videos were used by coders to sharpen their skills, and I'd bet many of these guys used their Flash Animations to help them get jobs.
Some of them were lame. Some were filthy. Some were just wrong.
However, some of them ended up being classics.
I don't remember which one of us found this video first*, but we watched it every chance we got. I've since passed it on to my kids, (not the website!!! It's been years since if surfed the site. It's SFW for the most part, but not really appropriate for kids**) who know the entire rap.
Enjoy:
Not only did budding coders create these to sharpen their Flash coding skills, but Photoshop skills too. Probably the biggest of the early COMBO vids was called All Ur Base R Belong 2 Us. This is an example of one of things that just caught on in the Nerd community. Both of these would probably be considered Viral Videos of their day.
*Young Chadwick probably found it first. A cool thing about Chad is that he's the ONLY person I've ever seen with a Tattoo of The New Republic Insignia. How cool is that!?!
**Whether or not it's appropriate for adults can be debated too!!!
Friday, March 30, 2007
Freedom of Religion...gotta love it.
The Bill of Rights protects our rights of religion by making it difficult for the governemnt to get involved with religion. I got no issue with this. As a matter of fact, it's one of the things that makes us a great nation. (Yes, we still are a great nation!)
That said, sometimes you come across people in religions that are soooo very bizarre. There was the whole Jim Jones thing, the Brannch Dividians with David Koresh and we can go on and on.
Many of these, like those listed above, are more about power hungry/delusional men who, as far as I can tell, don't know anything about the God I serve.
However, not all these wackos are like the Heaven's Gate wackoes. This is a story about one of those far, far out beliefs, that our lovely Bill of Rights protects.
It's hard to pick out my favorite quote from that story, but I think this is it:
Count me in as an 'Unbeliever'!
rAmen
That said, sometimes you come across people in religions that are soooo very bizarre. There was the whole Jim Jones thing, the Brannch Dividians with David Koresh and we can go on and on.
Many of these, like those listed above, are more about power hungry/delusional men who, as far as I can tell, don't know anything about the God I serve.
However, not all these wackos are like the Heaven's Gate wackoes. This is a story about one of those far, far out beliefs, that our lovely Bill of Rights protects.
It's hard to pick out my favorite quote from that story, but I think this is it:
Since then, the Flying Spaghetti Monster has gained countless followers worldwide, although there are those who remain spagnostic.
Count me in as an 'Unbeliever'!
rAmen
Monday, March 26, 2007
A Week At The Gym*
Dear Diary,
For my 40th birthday this year, my wife (the dear, sweet women) purchased a week of personal training at the local health club for me.
Although I am still in great shape since playing on my high school golf team 25 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try.
Called the club and made my reservations with a personal trainer named Belinda, who identified herself as a 26-year-old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swimwear. My wife seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started!
The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress
Monday:
Started my day at 6 a.m. Tough to get out of bed, but found it was well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Belinda waiting for me.
She is something of a Greek goddess, with blonde hair, dancing eyes and a dazzling white smile.
Woo hoo!
Belinda gave me a tour and showed me the machines. She took my pulse after five minutes on the treadmill. She was alarmed that my pulse was so fast, but I attributed it to standing next to her in her Lycra outfit. I enjoyed watching the skillful way in which she conducted her aerobics class after my workout today.
Very inspiring. Belinda was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time she was around. This is going to be a fantastic week!!
Tuesday:
I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door.
Belinda made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air, and then she put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. Belinda's rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel great! It's a whole new life for me.
Wednesday:
The only way I can brush my teeth is by lying on the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals.
Driving was okay as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a Geo in the club parking lot.
Belinda was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other club members. Her voice is a little too perky for early in the morning and when she scolds, she gets this nasally whine that is very annoying.
My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Belinda put me on the stair monster. Why, in the name of all good and just, would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators?
Belinda told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. She said some other stuff too.
Thursday:
Belinda was waiting for me with her vampire-like teeth exposed as her thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half an hour late; it took me that long to tie my shoes.
Belinda took me to work out with dumbbells. When she wasn't looking, I ran and hid in the men's room. She sent Lars to find me, then, as punishment, put me on the rowing machine -- which I sank.
Friday:
I hate Belinda with the white hot passion of a thousand burning suns. Stupid, skinny, anemic little cheerleader. If there were a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat her with it.
Belinda wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the *&%#@? barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich. (Which I am sure you learned in the sadist school you attended and graduated magna cum laude from.) The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher. Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir director?
Saturday:
Belinda left a message on my answering machine in her grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing her made me want to smash the machine with my planner. However, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching 11 straight hours of the Weather Channel.
Sunday:
I'm having the church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank God that this week is over. I will also pray that next year my wife (the evil, evil women), will choose a gift for me that is fun -- like a root canal or a vasectomy.
*I'm starting back to the gym this week....this is my fear!
For my 40th birthday this year, my wife (the dear, sweet women) purchased a week of personal training at the local health club for me.
Although I am still in great shape since playing on my high school golf team 25 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try.
Called the club and made my reservations with a personal trainer named Belinda, who identified herself as a 26-year-old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swimwear. My wife seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started!
The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress
Monday:
Started my day at 6 a.m. Tough to get out of bed, but found it was well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Belinda waiting for me.
She is something of a Greek goddess, with blonde hair, dancing eyes and a dazzling white smile.
Woo hoo!
Belinda gave me a tour and showed me the machines. She took my pulse after five minutes on the treadmill. She was alarmed that my pulse was so fast, but I attributed it to standing next to her in her Lycra outfit. I enjoyed watching the skillful way in which she conducted her aerobics class after my workout today.
Very inspiring. Belinda was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time she was around. This is going to be a fantastic week!!
Tuesday:
I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door.
Belinda made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air, and then she put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. Belinda's rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel great! It's a whole new life for me.
Wednesday:
The only way I can brush my teeth is by lying on the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals.
Driving was okay as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a Geo in the club parking lot.
Belinda was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other club members. Her voice is a little too perky for early in the morning and when she scolds, she gets this nasally whine that is very annoying.
My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Belinda put me on the stair monster. Why, in the name of all good and just, would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators?
Belinda told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. She said some other stuff too.
Thursday:
Belinda was waiting for me with her vampire-like teeth exposed as her thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half an hour late; it took me that long to tie my shoes.
Belinda took me to work out with dumbbells. When she wasn't looking, I ran and hid in the men's room. She sent Lars to find me, then, as punishment, put me on the rowing machine -- which I sank.
Friday:
I hate Belinda with the white hot passion of a thousand burning suns. Stupid, skinny, anemic little cheerleader. If there were a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat her with it.
Belinda wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the *&%#@? barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich. (Which I am sure you learned in the sadist school you attended and graduated magna cum laude from.) The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher. Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir director?
Saturday:
Belinda left a message on my answering machine in her grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing her made me want to smash the machine with my planner. However, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching 11 straight hours of the Weather Channel.
Sunday:
I'm having the church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank God that this week is over. I will also pray that next year my wife (the evil, evil women), will choose a gift for me that is fun -- like a root canal or a vasectomy.
*I'm starting back to the gym this week....this is my fear!
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Guilty Pleasures
Guilty Pleasures- a phenomenon used to denote things (pop music primarily) that people really like but are often too embarrassed to admit to.
Guilty pleasures are one of the wonders of living.
It always makes me kind of giggle when I'm endulging in a guilty pleasure, when someone notices me, and I quickly cover up whatever it is I'm doing/watching/listening to. It doesn't make any sense. If I like and enjoy whatever that pleasure is, why would I be ashamed that I'm doing it? Why wouldn't I want to share?!
Why do I care what you think? I enjoy it, that settles it.
But the fact is, that's not usually the case. Usually*, I pull a stop and hide action. Switch off the iPod, change the station, stop singing what I'm singing, whatever needs to happen to make sure YOU don't know that I enjoy something that EVERYONE else thinks is goofy/silly/childish/out dated.
Now, this bothers me! I like what I like, and that's what I like. So, I'm posting here to come clean. I'm gonna admit some of my guilty pleasures. Not all of them, cause I can't remember them all. I'm sure I got zillions.
My most favoritest guilty pleasure is Neil Diamond music.
I LOVE IT when Sweet Caroline (bah bah baaaahhh) comes on the iPod. I don't know what it is about Neil's music, but it always lightens my mood. He just had a way about singing and great style and a wonderful voice. But who listens to Neil Diamond? Huh? Who I ask you? 70 year olds, that's who! No self respecting Gen-Xer would be caught dead listening to Cracklin' Rose. I'm sure if I get caught I'm gonna be forced to listen to some Nirvana or U2 or something like that, but I can't help it!
I also like John Denver (who helped inspire this post), Abba and Weird Al so there.
Cartoons:
My name is Donnie and I'm a cartoon addict. I realize that I'm35, 36, 37, ok 38 but I've watched cartoons since I could remember. It doesn't really matter which ones either...I like 'em all. Growing up, I remember watching things like the Superfriends, Smurfs (which is a big admission in itself), Rocky and Bullwinkle, Popeye, Scooby Doo, Captain Caveman, Fat Albert and so many many more. I guess it's just a thing...I'm betting I'm not the only guy my age who still loves cartoons, though...Today's cartoons are mostly ok. I'm sure it's just like when I was a kid, some where drivel, some were ok and some were awesome. Today, cartoons like Avatar: The Last Airbender, Code: Lyoko and such are really cool and interesting. Sure, there's a bunch of JUNK (I'm talking to you Ed, Edd and Eddy, Camp Lazlo and Billy and Mandy), but still, they're cartoons...what are ya gonna do?
I guess the last one I'm gonna post about is talking to myself. I do it all the time. What's even worse, I argue with myself, out loud. I do it all the time. I think the reason why is that it helps me work out emotions, things that confuse me (no comments please) and situations I'm about to walk into. I'm not really sure if this qualifies as a guilty pleasure, but it definately fits the criteria. When I'm chatting away, and someone comes by, or looks at me, ZIP I stop right away. Sometimes I'll giggle at what they must be thinking.
Ok, so what. I bet you've got some of your own. Maybe you are a closet Hee-Haw fan. Maybe you eat White Castle Hamburgers...SOBER.
What are your guilty pleasures? The world wants to know!
*Sometimes, when I'm in the mood or in the moment, it wouldn't matter if Bill Ford walks into my cube, I'm gonna finish the Sweet Caroline chorus...ask the people who sit across from me at work....they'll tell you!
Guilty pleasures are one of the wonders of living.
It always makes me kind of giggle when I'm endulging in a guilty pleasure, when someone notices me, and I quickly cover up whatever it is I'm doing/watching/listening to. It doesn't make any sense. If I like and enjoy whatever that pleasure is, why would I be ashamed that I'm doing it? Why wouldn't I want to share?!
Why do I care what you think? I enjoy it, that settles it.
But the fact is, that's not usually the case. Usually*, I pull a stop and hide action. Switch off the iPod, change the station, stop singing what I'm singing, whatever needs to happen to make sure YOU don't know that I enjoy something that EVERYONE else thinks is goofy/silly/childish/out dated.
Now, this bothers me! I like what I like, and that's what I like. So, I'm posting here to come clean. I'm gonna admit some of my guilty pleasures. Not all of them, cause I can't remember them all. I'm sure I got zillions.
My most favoritest guilty pleasure is Neil Diamond music.
I LOVE IT when Sweet Caroline (bah bah baaaahhh) comes on the iPod. I don't know what it is about Neil's music, but it always lightens my mood. He just had a way about singing and great style and a wonderful voice. But who listens to Neil Diamond? Huh? Who I ask you? 70 year olds, that's who! No self respecting Gen-Xer would be caught dead listening to Cracklin' Rose. I'm sure if I get caught I'm gonna be forced to listen to some Nirvana or U2 or something like that, but I can't help it!
I also like John Denver (who helped inspire this post), Abba and Weird Al so there.
Cartoons:
My name is Donnie and I'm a cartoon addict. I realize that I'm
I guess the last one I'm gonna post about is talking to myself. I do it all the time. What's even worse, I argue with myself, out loud. I do it all the time. I think the reason why is that it helps me work out emotions, things that confuse me (no comments please) and situations I'm about to walk into. I'm not really sure if this qualifies as a guilty pleasure, but it definately fits the criteria. When I'm chatting away, and someone comes by, or looks at me, ZIP I stop right away. Sometimes I'll giggle at what they must be thinking.
Ok, so what. I bet you've got some of your own. Maybe you are a closet Hee-Haw fan. Maybe you eat White Castle Hamburgers...SOBER.
What are your guilty pleasures? The world wants to know!
*Sometimes, when I'm in the mood or in the moment, it wouldn't matter if Bill Ford walks into my cube, I'm gonna finish the Sweet Caroline chorus...ask the people who sit across from me at work....they'll tell you!
Friday, March 02, 2007
Song of the Turtle
For, lo, the winter is past,
The rain is over and gone;
The flowers appear on the earth;
The time of the singing of birds is come,
And the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.
This may be the very first piece of biblical scripture I ever heard or cared about. Every year, on the Great Voice of the Great Lakes, the first game of Tiger Baseball Spring Training would start with this quote.
I am a big baseball fan and when I was a kid, there were few things better than listening to Ernie Harwell call a baseball game on a summers evening. And NOTHING said summer was coming like Spring Training and the Voice of the Turtle quote by Ernie. Many years, this first game came during the week, so I was at school (stupid school). But some years that first game came on Saturday or Sunday, and you know you could find me by a radio, waiting for Ernie to come on and tell me spring is coming.
Even though Ernie has retired from Tiger Baseball broadcasting, he is still invited to interviews to quote the beautiful scripture.
Most people look to that stupid groundhog to tell them spring is coming. For me, there are only two things that do it for me.
1. Spring Training
2. Masters commercials on TV
Well, the Tigers are 2-0 in spring training and you can see Masters commercials on CBS all weekend long.
Spring is coming!
The rain is over and gone;
The flowers appear on the earth;
The time of the singing of birds is come,
And the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.
This may be the very first piece of biblical scripture I ever heard or cared about. Every year, on the Great Voice of the Great Lakes, the first game of Tiger Baseball Spring Training would start with this quote.
I am a big baseball fan and when I was a kid, there were few things better than listening to Ernie Harwell call a baseball game on a summers evening. And NOTHING said summer was coming like Spring Training and the Voice of the Turtle quote by Ernie. Many years, this first game came during the week, so I was at school (stupid school). But some years that first game came on Saturday or Sunday, and you know you could find me by a radio, waiting for Ernie to come on and tell me spring is coming.
Even though Ernie has retired from Tiger Baseball broadcasting, he is still invited to interviews to quote the beautiful scripture.
Most people look to that stupid groundhog to tell them spring is coming. For me, there are only two things that do it for me.
1. Spring Training
2. Masters commercials on TV
Well, the Tigers are 2-0 in spring training and you can see Masters commercials on CBS all weekend long.
Spring is coming!
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Life is complicated
Do you ever feel sorry for someone whom you probably should not? I am a bit of a soft heart, so it is kind of easy for me to feel sorry for people. However, I find that not everyone is this way.
For example, I had felt sorry for Paris Hilton. I realize that in many respects the abuse that she has taken and the embarrassment she has endured are largely due to her own actions. However I still feel sorry for all the trouble and ridicule that has been heaped upon her.
I have argued this with family and co-workers alike. I admit, I've got a tough sell here. Many times people in Paris' position (hehe) deserve what they get, it is said. It is a work of their own doing, and they have to reap what they sow.
Whereas, I can not disagree with this on its face, I do still feel sorry for people who are constantly ridiculed, no matter the cause.
Another person to whom I have begun to feel sorry for as of late is Britney Spears. Much like Paris, she's brought a lot of this on herself, but you got to believe that she would do much better if she had a parent (or two) who were/had looking/looked out for her, or if she had a good friend, husband, pastor, girlfriend, doorman, blogger, whatever that she could trust to give her good advise. Advise like "Don't marry that loser!" or "Put some clothes on". Simple, plain advise.
She is a great example of the phrase 'life comes at you fast', and in that vein of thought, I would like to introduce you to a blog I came across called Indexed, that, if you like XKCD, you will like Indexed as well.
In particular, it had a blog that referenced Britney and her troubles of late.
For example, I had felt sorry for Paris Hilton. I realize that in many respects the abuse that she has taken and the embarrassment she has endured are largely due to her own actions. However I still feel sorry for all the trouble and ridicule that has been heaped upon her.
I have argued this with family and co-workers alike. I admit, I've got a tough sell here. Many times people in Paris' position (hehe) deserve what they get, it is said. It is a work of their own doing, and they have to reap what they sow.
Whereas, I can not disagree with this on its face, I do still feel sorry for people who are constantly ridiculed, no matter the cause.
Another person to whom I have begun to feel sorry for as of late is Britney Spears. Much like Paris, she's brought a lot of this on herself, but you got to believe that she would do much better if she had a parent (or two) who were/had looking/looked out for her, or if she had a good friend, husband, pastor, girlfriend, doorman, blogger, whatever that she could trust to give her good advise. Advise like "Don't marry that loser!" or "Put some clothes on". Simple, plain advise.
She is a great example of the phrase 'life comes at you fast', and in that vein of thought, I would like to introduce you to a blog I came across called Indexed, that, if you like XKCD, you will like Indexed as well.
In particular, it had a blog that referenced Britney and her troubles of late.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Great Wolf Lodge
Whew...what a few days.
We took our lives into our hands yesterday and ventured into "Enemy Territory", also known as Ohio.
I know, I know...you're saying to yourself "NOOOO! Why would you risk life, limb and points on your driving record to go into Ohio?"
In general I would agree. Ohio is not a destination...it is a nuisance...it's a thing to be endured, driven thru and avoided if at all possible. However, it is also the home of The Great Wolf Lodge.
My wife, somehow, convinced me that I'd LOVE to spend a few days at a waterpark...where there is water...in a park. I've been to waterparks before, but have never been all that impressed. Now, I'd have to drive for 2 hours to get to one, and, did I mention it was in Ohio?
Well, she worked her feminine wiles on me (again) and the result was we ended up in Sandusky yesterday afternoon.
You know the bugger of it? It was a lot of fun. The kids enjoyed it, Kim enjoyed it, and yes I enjoyed it. This place is a waterpark with an emphasis on both Water and Park.
Kim snapped a picture of the kids, just before they were about to get pummeled with 1000 gallons of water.
We took our lives into our hands yesterday and ventured into "Enemy Territory", also known as Ohio.
I know, I know...you're saying to yourself "NOOOO! Why would you risk life, limb and points on your driving record to go into Ohio?"
In general I would agree. Ohio is not a destination...it is a nuisance...it's a thing to be endured, driven thru and avoided if at all possible. However, it is also the home of The Great Wolf Lodge.
My wife, somehow, convinced me that I'd LOVE to spend a few days at a waterpark...where there is water...in a park. I've been to waterparks before, but have never been all that impressed. Now, I'd have to drive for 2 hours to get to one, and, did I mention it was in Ohio?
Well, she worked her feminine wiles on me (again) and the result was we ended up in Sandusky yesterday afternoon.
You know the bugger of it? It was a lot of fun. The kids enjoyed it, Kim enjoyed it, and yes I enjoyed it. This place is a waterpark with an emphasis on both Water and Park.
Kim snapped a picture of the kids, just before they were about to get pummeled with 1000 gallons of water.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Number one reason to NOT speak publicly!
I've been speaking publicly in church for over 10 years. In all that time, this has been one of my biggest fears....I kinda feel for this guy, but it IS funny!
Invasion of a bunch of girls
Girls girls, everywhere are girls!
Seriously.
Everywhere.
This has happened once before, and it looks like history is repeating itself!
One of my daughters best friends, two of myfour five six nieces and the three daughters of one of our families best friends...plus my daughter.
My wife tells me that it was my idea to invite them all over but I seem to remember saying something about taking the boys to a hotel too....she doesn't remember that part.
So there are six girls under the age of 12 in my house.
Yeah, I know...I'm a Saint.
Anyway, one of the coolest things that happens over here when we got all this sugar, spice and everything nice is a little thing called Dance Dance Revolution (DDR). DDR is cool and if you've never tried it, you should.
Whereas it's not as sick as Guitar Hero, it's definately worth a roll.
I said all that to say this...my little niece, Claire, talked me into playing a game with her...and my darling wife snapped this photo....heheheh.
Seriously.
Everywhere.
This has happened once before, and it looks like history is repeating itself!
One of my daughters best friends, two of my
My wife tells me that it was my idea to invite them all over but I seem to remember saying something about taking the boys to a hotel too....she doesn't remember that part.
So there are six girls under the age of 12 in my house.
Yeah, I know...I'm a Saint.
Anyway, one of the coolest things that happens over here when we got all this sugar, spice and everything nice is a little thing called Dance Dance Revolution (DDR). DDR is cool and if you've never tried it, you should.
Whereas it's not as sick as Guitar Hero, it's definately worth a roll.
I said all that to say this...my little niece, Claire, talked me into playing a game with her...and my darling wife snapped this photo....heheheh.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
What do you do?
I've read that "Writers write."
I don't know if I want to be a 'writer' but I do know that would like to be a better writer than I am now. That's a big part of the reason why I started this blog. It's a place where I can get some thoughts out of my brain as well as try to see if I have a 'voice', what that 'voice' sounds like and if I have any talent at this.
Part of the reason why I have this desire is because I read. I read things that, after I read them I think: 'Wow, that's cool. I wanna be able to do that.'
I've point to Wil Wheaton a bunch as part of my inspiration for this. One of his inspirations, John Scalzi wrote something that I really enjoyed reading and figured I'd point you to it. It's called The Exisitential Plight of Chester Chipmate
Also, for those of you who would also like to write a bit better, either for enjoyment or for other reasons, here's something else he's written.
1. Writing Tips for Non-Writers
2. Advice on writing
3. How much you should write each day
I don't know if I want to be a 'writer' but I do know that would like to be a better writer than I am now. That's a big part of the reason why I started this blog. It's a place where I can get some thoughts out of my brain as well as try to see if I have a 'voice', what that 'voice' sounds like and if I have any talent at this.
Part of the reason why I have this desire is because I read. I read things that, after I read them I think: 'Wow, that's cool. I wanna be able to do that.'
I've point to Wil Wheaton a bunch as part of my inspiration for this. One of his inspirations, John Scalzi wrote something that I really enjoyed reading and figured I'd point you to it. It's called The Exisitential Plight of Chester Chipmate
Also, for those of you who would also like to write a bit better, either for enjoyment or for other reasons, here's something else he's written.
1. Writing Tips for Non-Writers
2. Advice on writing
3. How much you should write each day
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Half As Much As Tomorrow
On my way home from work yesterday, I heard a comedy skit by Bill Engvall yesterday on the way home from work called Now That's Awesome.
In it, Bill talks about how, because of the 90's, we overuse the word Awesome.
I'd have to agree.
There are few things that I've seen that truly earn that term.
Yosemite National Park....Awesome
The birth of my children....Awesome
Seeing God work in the lives of family and friends....Awesome.
Those have all inspired awe and wonder in me like few other things.
What has been the most awesomest part of my life for the longest is my wife.
She's awesome. In every way.
She's been a major part of my life since is was THIRTEEN YEARS OLD. I'm 38 now...you do the math.
In that time, we've broke up a few times, made up even more times, been mad at each other and been madly in love at others. Through the entire time, she's been my center, my compass, at times my conscience, and at other times the reason I've been in trouble.
Everything I see in her I admire/love/lust after/harken to/etc. more today than I did on the day we got hitched. Hopefully when we're old and she's grey (I'm already there) I'll be able to say the same thing.
I'm not gonna get all sappy and such here in my blog (you're welcome), but I do want to convey here the truth of Spiral Starecase song....I can honestly say I love my wife more today than I have ever loved her before, and fully intend on loving her more in the future than I do today.
That's Awesome.
In it, Bill talks about how, because of the 90's, we overuse the word Awesome.
I'd have to agree.
There are few things that I've seen that truly earn that term.
Yosemite National Park....Awesome
The birth of my children....Awesome
Seeing God work in the lives of family and friends....Awesome.
Those have all inspired awe and wonder in me like few other things.
What has been the most awesomest part of my life for the longest is my wife.
She's awesome. In every way.
She's been a major part of my life since is was THIRTEEN YEARS OLD. I'm 38 now...you do the math.
In that time, we've broke up a few times, made up even more times, been mad at each other and been madly in love at others. Through the entire time, she's been my center, my compass, at times my conscience, and at other times the reason I've been in trouble.
Everything I see in her I admire/love/lust after/harken to/etc. more today than I did on the day we got hitched. Hopefully when we're old and she's grey (I'm already there) I'll be able to say the same thing.
I'm not gonna get all sappy and such here in my blog (you're welcome), but I do want to convey here the truth of Spiral Starecase song....I can honestly say I love my wife more today than I have ever loved her before, and fully intend on loving her more in the future than I do today.
That's Awesome.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Back in the day...
So, in my last post, I may have seemed a bit, um, hmmmm, cheesed. I wasn't really; I was just kinda fed up with all the cold weather crankiness.
While I was in the mood to reminisce, I happened to be surfing around the usual haunts and for whatever reason, a memory popped in the old cranium.
So, I jumped into the WABAC (for those of you under 30, that's pronounced way-back) machine, also now known as You Tube and did a search.
When I was young, I had a huge affinity for cheesy Japanese TV.
Godzilla, Gamera, Jet Jaguar....I could watch them all day.
I remember going to my local dollar show when I was a kid to watch Godzilla vs. The Mechanical Monster back to back to back. It was awesome!
As you can imagine from this, I was a huge babe magnet. But on the rare Saturday Nights that the hotties weren't banging down my door to go out with me, I could even be found watching KUNG FU THEATER!
One of my favorites of the entire genre was Ultraman. (In a superjet he comes from a billion miles away....Loved it loved it loved it).
I would come home from school, and jump on Channel 20 to get my fix. First there would be Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot (another Japanese TV show), Ultraman, Get Smart, Batman and if dinner was late, The Green Hornet. But when I was outside with my buddies, the super hero I wanted to be was Ultraman.
So, back to my story, I hit You Tube up for some Ultraman and FOUND IT!!! I watched the very first episode, from 1966. It was exactly as I remembered. The episode was broken up into three parts, but it was awesome.
I think one of the things I like so much about those kinds of shows is how serious the actors tried to be, but how utterly silly they actually were. The dialog was terrible, the special effects were hideous, the monsters were ridiculous and the premise was silly. Perfection.
I don't like to live in the past. There's no future in it. But I do like to visit now and then, and for people that grew up like and when I did, You Tube is as cool as 8mm Super, Slide Shows, Photographs and the like to help remember.
I also don't really like to think of the hours that I wasted sitting in front of the TV. There were lots of them. I could have been solving world hunger, inventing the cure for cancer or at the very least doing my homework.
However, those hours paid off in the many hours I spent with my buddies pretending to be an outer space man, a caped crusader, a masked hero with a cool side kick (and no matter what you say, having Bruce Lee as a sidekick is as cool as it could get), and all those other really neat and really cheesy superheroes of my youth.
I don't really know what that buys me now-a-days, but for a half hour the other day, when I was watching the Science Patrol fly in the planes and shoot at the bad monster, well, it was cool and I had a grin on my face the whole time.
Now, I'm gonna have to find some time to check out Johnny Sokko….NOW ROBOT!
While I was in the mood to reminisce, I happened to be surfing around the usual haunts and for whatever reason, a memory popped in the old cranium.
So, I jumped into the WABAC (for those of you under 30, that's pronounced way-back) machine, also now known as You Tube and did a search.
When I was young, I had a huge affinity for cheesy Japanese TV.
Godzilla, Gamera, Jet Jaguar....I could watch them all day.
I remember going to my local dollar show when I was a kid to watch Godzilla vs. The Mechanical Monster back to back to back. It was awesome!
As you can imagine from this, I was a huge babe magnet. But on the rare Saturday Nights that the hotties weren't banging down my door to go out with me, I could even be found watching KUNG FU THEATER!
One of my favorites of the entire genre was Ultraman. (In a superjet he comes from a billion miles away....Loved it loved it loved it).
I would come home from school, and jump on Channel 20 to get my fix. First there would be Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot (another Japanese TV show), Ultraman, Get Smart, Batman and if dinner was late, The Green Hornet. But when I was outside with my buddies, the super hero I wanted to be was Ultraman.
So, back to my story, I hit You Tube up for some Ultraman and FOUND IT!!! I watched the very first episode, from 1966. It was exactly as I remembered. The episode was broken up into three parts, but it was awesome.
I think one of the things I like so much about those kinds of shows is how serious the actors tried to be, but how utterly silly they actually were. The dialog was terrible, the special effects were hideous, the monsters were ridiculous and the premise was silly. Perfection.
I don't like to live in the past. There's no future in it. But I do like to visit now and then, and for people that grew up like and when I did, You Tube is as cool as 8mm Super, Slide Shows, Photographs and the like to help remember.
I also don't really like to think of the hours that I wasted sitting in front of the TV. There were lots of them. I could have been solving world hunger, inventing the cure for cancer or at the very least doing my homework.
However, those hours paid off in the many hours I spent with my buddies pretending to be an outer space man, a caped crusader, a masked hero with a cool side kick (and no matter what you say, having Bruce Lee as a sidekick is as cool as it could get), and all those other really neat and really cheesy superheroes of my youth.
I don't really know what that buys me now-a-days, but for a half hour the other day, when I was watching the Science Patrol fly in the planes and shoot at the bad monster, well, it was cool and I had a grin on my face the whole time.
Now, I'm gonna have to find some time to check out Johnny Sokko….NOW ROBOT!
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