Should i Buy a Tablet (Eventually)

Tablet computers first got my attention after watching an episode of South Park called "HUMANCENTiPAD".  In the epidsode, Eric Cartman wanted to get an Apple iPad.  The store had a Toshiba Handibook for half price.  After seeing that episode, i searched Amazon.com for a Toshiba tablet - to find that they were taking pre-orders for the Toshiba Thrive.  i added it to my wishlist for a while. 

Merry Xmas From Izzy

My Top X Xmas Songs

So, i have been seeing lists popping up reecntly decrying the worst Xmas songs of all time.  Yes, some of them are awful/depressing - like "Christmas Shoes".  Here is a list of songs that i kind of like (unfortunately, my collection of Xmas songs wasn't on my flash drive).  You think i would have a better list considering the radio statio i listen to has changed to all Xmas music.  i'm sure i left a bunch out. 

Under My Tree, A Blu Xmas

So, here is what under my tree looks like... It is less impressive than it looks. 

Basically, there are several relatively cheap discs of some type under my tree.  There are a few video games (like the 3 i got at Wal-Mart on Black Friday).  Yes, i might have gone overboard on some purchases (quantity, not so much price).  Many of these questionable purchases are Blu-Ray discs that were on sale (several under $10).  i don't have cable in my room, i have to do something (especially with a hit-or-miss internet connection). 

Much of this stuff i bought for myself - yes that is kind of pathetic.  Why not, this could be my last Xmas?  The world is going to end in 2012 anyway...
 

Without the Stuff i got Myself

The Morning After (Some of the Stuff)



Random Seattle Mariner Post: With Made Up Numbers

Recently, a lot has been made of the Angels signing Albert Pujols.  What came to light later (the Angels massive media deal) paints an even bleaker picture for the Mariners. There are some things i will gloss over/omit.

The main point i'm getting at is that the Mariners do not have the resources to compete head on with the Angels and Rangers.  To compete they will have to be smarter (and luckier). 

The following will be my unsubstantiated and possibly uninformed views and should be taken as such

The Mariners are a small to mid market team (they always have been).  They had several good, yet unsustainable, years running with the best of teams.  Yes, the 1995-2003 Mariners success was kind of a fad (best case scenario) in the market.  The Mariners time in that spotlight has passed.  The Cleveland Indians actually seem to be in a similar situation (except without the huge free spenders). 

So what should the Mariners payroll be in  2012?
To answer this, i will make some questionable assumptions and inferences. 
- The TV deal was estimated at about $30-45 million per year through 2020
- The Radio deal with KIRO was valued at around $5.5 million per year from 2009-2011 (apparently, the Mariners signed an extension with KIRO)

TV - http://www.seattlepi.com/sports/baseball/article/Mariners-FSN-near-10-year-deal-1231921.php
Radio -(http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2008/07/Issue-211/Sports-Media/Mariners-Sign-Three-Year-Radio-Rights-Deal-With-KIRO-AM.aspx)

Forbes had an interesting article on stuff like this
http://www.forbes.com/lists/2011/33/baseball-valuations-11_Seattle-Mariners_331202.html

Basically, Forbes puts revenue at $204 million (this likely includes the media deals)

* My projected revenue scenario for 2012
- Attendance: 1.746 million (10% off of 2011 total): $52.38 million
- TV deal (estimate): $45 million
- Radio Deal (estimate): $6 million
(my estimates based offf of 2011 data i am using are off by 98.68 million from Forbes)

$103.38 million + $93 million = 196.38 million (that Forbes had last year, probably relating to money from league deals)

Now to take some costs off the board (these are my views, not necessarily reality)...
* Operating/Misc Costs - $83.1 million (loosely and badly based off of the Forbes estimates from 2011)
* "Shareholder Return on Investment" - $8 million (about 4.07%)
Total - about $91.1 million

Max payroll, benefits, signing bonuses, scouting, travel, etc $105 million (or a decrease of about 6 million, according to Forbes, from last year). 

Basically, what this comes down to is about 75-80 million payroll seems acceptable considering current (estimated) revenue numbers.  However, the longer term outlook probably slots the payroll numbers lower. 

Xmas 2: More Bad Pictures of "My" Room

Ready for more slightly blurry pictures of my room.  i made a couple changes since the first picture.  No, this is not perfect (d'oh), but it is probably as close as i can get.

My Crappy Xmas Decorating Job 2011

So, i decided to put up a fake tree in my room again.  This one is kind of a cast-off, as it is the old tree of the person i am currently staying with.  It kind of annoys me that the tree seems so off balance (at least in the branch department (and there is at least one branch missing).  Maybe there will be a second post at a later date. 

Halloween 2: Pumpkins After Dark

i decided to make another post instead of adding to the old one.  Anyway, here are some pictures of my (and other people's pumpkins after dark).

Happy Halloween!!!

Halloween is probably my favorite holiday of the year (if only people would start giving my Xmas presents on Halloween, it would be almost perfect).  Actually it is probably one of my favorite days of the year. 

Halloween is a magical day where someone can be almost anything. i'm going as a homicidal maniac this year.  i guess the real irony is that people can be more themselves by dressing up like someone else.  Halloween is also filled with "scary" themes and images.  These mythical creatures could beat the crap out of Hermey.  Xmas decorations are a little too cutesy.  Halloween allows you to be a little darker in tone.  i guess you get candy too, so that is a plus. 

i was supposed to get to go Trick or Treating this year (as an observer - and keep most of the candy for myself - <insert evil laugh here>), but some idiot couldn't behave or keep their mouth shut for a whole 3 days.  Why does there have to be an age limit?  Shouldn't 30 somethings be able to go trick or treating without kids?  i think so. 

"Halloween" is an annoying old song by Kay Lande and Wade Denning that tends to get stuck in my head - despite me not knowing all of the lyrics (thank you very much elementary school music teacher - i want to say Mrs. Coaker).  "H A double L O W double E N spells Halloween".  "Witches' Brew" by Hap Palmer is a little less memorable.

Halloween specials: there really aren't very many good ones.  There is the Charlie Brown Halloween (a lot less preachy than the Xmas one).  Why would people give a kid rocks instead of candy?  Don't they know there is a better than average chance they get returned, through a window, at a high velocity.  Two Guys a Girl and a Pizza place usually had decent Halloween episodes (i wish that series was on DVD).  Oh yeah another Halloween special is A Pinky and the Brain Halloween.  Well it is, if you need help finding the food pellets. 

i really didn't have the money or the space to decorate this year for Halloween (too bad i lost the pictures of my room when my computer failed.)  However, i might hit Spirit Halloween store tomorrow when everything is 50% off (for some little stuff). 

For those of you out there who want pictures of my pumpkins this year, here you go...

Reaper design lit by an LED flashlight (poorly).  "R"s are fricking hard.  Done from stencil.

Bad carving job, lit with an LED flashlight on a table.  Done from stencil. The "shadow effect" on the back doesn't work.

2012 Seattle Mariners: My Wishlist

Here is what i wish the 2012 Seattle Mariners roster would look like.  This will be significantly off. i filled in some of the blanks with apparent free agents.  This is a really bad list (and a pretty bad team).  i'm more interested in the AAA team than the major league team.  There aren't a lot of middle infielders in the minors that should be taking bench spots on the major league roster. 

"The Big Fall Snow Storm"

Ok, so this is close to what the stations in the area are calling this recent snow event.  Like most snow events, i found this to be a little disappointing.  The talking head (weather persons) said that we could get between 4-12" of snow.  Even though it started snowing earlier than anticipated, we currently only have about 3". 

Now for some pictures of the area.

My New Acquaintance

So, the unbelievable happened.... Anyway meet my new acquaintance

Her current moniker is Olivia.  She is apparently a lab mix and is about 4 years old.  Yes, she is shedding all over my bed.  i guess she is kind of slowly adjusting to this place (just got her a few hours ago).  She still whines a little. 

Hopefully this will work out now i have to feed her and take her on walk.

Hello Again, Hello

Ok, so i have been out of commission (computer-wise) for the last month or so.  My Toshiba Satellite P-305D decided to stop working (repair place said fried motherboard and $400 to repair).

So, now i decided to post something (for what that's worth).  i'm sort of back on line.  Why must everything turn out more expensive than i want.   If someone wants to ship me a copy of Office 2007 and Outlook 2007 (along with lots and lots of candy), i would be ok with that.  If they wanted to ship me Office Pro (2007 or 2010), i guess i could make do with that.

Halloween is coming - most triumphant.     

Random "Anti-Teacher" Post

So, school strike season is upon those in the US (which is ironic being that in many areas it is actually illegal for teachers to strike).  That means i get to do what would be considered an "anti-teacher" post.  This applies mainly to the US system.  Maybe some of the other countries out do things better. 

Over the Air HD - My Slight Problems

So, i decided that since i can basically write about anything i want to here (the benefits of first class) that i would mention what sick and twisted (don't forget demented) things are on my mind.

i bought a cheap (relatively) indoor antenna for my room here in Purgatory (actually Purgatory is a ski area in the state i am currently in) to go with my new HDTV (TC-32C3), as i don't have cable.  Indoor antennas come in a variety of shapes and sizes.  However, most of the ones you can find in a place like Target are not that great (functional, but not perfect).  Sometimes you'll even take it home and find out it was an open box.  i didn't think i really needed that great of an antenna, as most of the stations are about 20 miles away.  Well, the antenna works ok (signal strength of 70-80% on many of the stations).  i found about 24 stations.  How many Spanish language and religious stations does one metro area need anyway?      

The problem here seems to be that most cheap and modern indoor antennas are made primarily for the UHF band.  What happens when the station still broadcasts on VHF?  Now the reception gets a little dicey.  VHF (sometimes represented with dipoles - like rabbit ears) are tricky.  Back where i used to be - in my decent sized open dungeon i could get some channels from about 30-35 miles away (including the ever pesky KING, a VHF broadcast).  Here two networks broadcast on VHF, the ABC affiliate and the NBC affiliate.  i can get hit-or-miss reception on the ABC affiliate, but i can't even get the TV to recognize the NBC affiliate exists.

Maybe if i had my older (yet flimsier made) antenna, i would be able to get better/stronger signals.  My older antenna was a Philips version of the silver sensor.  It is basically a "fisbone like" antenna.  Maybe if i could get it here i would have better results.

So why would i even want over the air HD? 
Well, i have an HDTV with only my Xbox 360 currently available as an input source.  Secondly, i really doubt this room will ever get cable.  Over the air HD in some cases is better looking than the HD equivalent you get on cable (and over the air you can get info from the program itself).  There are actually a surprising number of sub-channels out there.  The new one i found was TheCoolTV, which actually plays music videos all day (and they have an 80s at 8 thing).    

Is This Place Falling Apart

Ok, i showed you pictures of my room. Now it is time to show pictures of this place - some of the potentially expensive problems this place has.

Bathroom Wall With Water Damage

 

Another Dented Wall

Crappy "Hardwood Floors)

Stairs to the Deck

Somewhat Rotting Deck

The Fence (small part)

A Slightly Cracked Wall (on its side)

My Temporary New Dungeon

Back in college (yes i actually have a BS degree, i know you can't tell from my posts) i lived most of my freshman year on the first floor of the dorm.  For some reason the people who lived there called it the dungeon.  This temporary dungeon is a little different.  It is on the ground floor, there are no windows (which i actually prefer) and the door very loosely resembles bars.

My "Computer Desk"

The Extraneous Wood Stove?

The Empty Light Fixture, Is it Broken?

The Carpet is a Little Loose (and doesn't reach the wall)

Weird Two Pronged Only Outlet (there are 5 of these)

The Bedroom Door (complete with sheet)

The Previously Flood Damaged Wall (on its side)

The Ceiling in "My Room"

This "vacation" has been such a huge mess

Ok, so i decided to go to my alleged sister's place for a couple months - because she would pay me to do so (and i have nothing else going on).  Last time i was there things were different.  i extrapolated my expected experiences from that.  However, what i found has been somewhat different.  Where my computer is located is giving me sore hands too.  Oh, there is no possible way the fence can be fixed, if it could hold a dog it would need to be completely replaced.  Maybe thing can improve.

Basically, last time i stayed in a guest room that had a cable connection and a TV.  Ok that may be the minimum i thought i needed.  However, i get there and her son now has the previous guest room.  The room i get has no TV and no cable jack (though it does have an insane number of plugs).  Without a TV (with cable) and an Xbox (not arrived yet, no tv to use it with). 

So, i tried to remedy the issue with the TV by going out and buying one.  Good idea, crap results.  You see there is nothing really that close to this fricking house (like stores and the like).  i'm kind of trapped here - at least where i was i could walk to GameSpot.  Apparently she is only about a mile away from a bus stop from a worthless route.  So, i walked the approximately 2 miles to Target (in the heat) to go buy a TV (i'm not going to ask my alleged sister to take me there).  So, i found one - a 22" Samsung HDTV that had a box with character (a little smushed).  i probably should have passed that up.  So, i walk back the approximately 2 miles to my (alleged) sister's place - walking 2 miles with a 15 pound (or so box). 

i finally take the TV out of the box and get it set up.  What do i find?  i find that the screen is mostly white (when on) and i can't make out the menu items.  Then i notice that the screen seems to have an image even though the set is off.  i look online for hours to find what this problem is - i hope it was an input.  Unfortunately, it seems that the inner screen of the LCD is broken (not the outer one).  That basically means that i just wasted the vast majority of cash on a fricking paper weight. 

Now, i don't know Target's return policy on HDTVs.  They say go to their site, but it doesn't say anything (if you didn't order from their stupid site).  So, now i have an expensive paperweight that i don't know if i bought broken (or i accidentally broke it).  i don't know if i can get any money back.  i don't know how i would do that anyway - since walking would be such a pain in the posterior (and the box is open). 

No, i'm not happy now.  Shit happens, moslty to me.  i can't even buy stuff online, because i'm not sure how to even ship it here - since i am visiting (and shippers can be touchy about such things).       

i survived dang it

Well, apparently movies are better in real life.  Take Final Destination for example.  The characters in that movie get to go on a plane that explodes.  How come i don't?

Anyway, i got where i was going in what promises to be an abject train wreck in the future.  Now i have to figure out what i "need" to set myself up in this place (for a duration of not less than 3 months - maybe earlier with good behavior.  

i May Not Be Posting for a While

i know when you read the title, there was much gnashing of teeth and uncontrollable sobbing.  Don't worry i will be back unless my plane decides that it wants to become one with a solid object/location (is it sick to kind of wish that would happen?)  Basically, i am going on an approximately 3 month "vacation" ("vacation duration may be extended in the future) and it may take me a little time to set things up.  Or, i guess, i could have things set up within a week.  i know i have a sporadic (sometimes burst) posting pattern - so would anyone really notice?  i guess that you may just have to be strong and get on with your awesome lives in the mean time. 

Anyway, i might have some posting delays - then again i might not.  i guess only time will tell.  {Insert '80s Reference Here}

Windows Vista: Annoyance Defrag the Hard Drive

Yesterday i did something that many computer users don't do - i defragged my hard drive. Unfortunately, Vista doesn't give you any information (like XP did).  So you are basically sitting on a screen with a spinning blue circle.  Some information would be nice - like a progress bar.

So why does this matter to me?  Well, for some reason it took me about 16 hours to defrag my hard drive.  That is the longest it has ever taken.  i kind of miss One Care, it would prompt me to defrag the hard drive and back up my computer.   

Insomniac Theater: Odd "Dream"

So, i was lying in bed trying to get to sleep.  As i was tossing and turning i had one of those strange barely awake dream type experiences. 

This "dream" was strange in that it covered something i don't believe in.  Basically, what happens when a cartoon character meets their end.  In other words, a soul leaves body dream.  i don't believe in a soul (afterlife, pre-life, etc), so this was strange.  It basically was an odd sensation that felt like it was starting to rise (all cartoon like) starting from the head - kind of hovering in a non-balanced matter, on my back with a slight upward incline (i guess supine would be the term).     

That was weird wild stuff.  Now i guess i should come up with some real posts (as formulaic as they probably will be).

Using a DSLR: My First Time

Many people look back on their first time with a sense of fondness.  Of course, their nostalgic tinted memories may not have always represented the actual occurrence.  Many of them were kind of awkward and lacked the skill they thought they possessed.  This post is the true story of a first time...

My alleged sibling goaded me into going to a place called Northwest Trek (probably because it is in the NW, but i'm not so sure about the Trek).  But wait, it gets more strange.  Sibling Zed, as i will call it, had just purchased a new DSLR (because he thought that moisture may have ruined his old one) and told me that i could use his old DSLR - a Canon EOS Rebel XS (or something). 

i normally use a point and shoot Canon PowerShot A70 (that is probably 10 years old).  Point and shoots have the simplicity i want, but lack interchangeable lenses (and lenses you can turn to focus).  i mean, i'm not sure (nor do i really care) what aperture, white level, ISO, etc are.

So there i was all alone, my pulse racing (not really) with anticipation as i pointed the camera and took the shot of some animal.   It was like time stood still in that moment and the anticipation had finally been satisfied.  The thumbnail displayed on the LCD screen looked almost decent.  This was followed by numerous other shots (over and over again).  It was an insatiable frenzy of 193 shots.

However, much like people's other people's first times, it turned out not as spectacular as i anticipated.  It kind of felt good and right (and maybe a little naughty).  However, looking back on the experience - when i put the pictures on my computer things were different.  It may have seemed good for me at the time, however, the shots that seemed so right at the time were stripped bare of their nostalgic delusions and i could see how bad it was for the camera.

Would you care for some examples?  Too bad (i'm not sure what some of these are).  Everything was under-exposed, over-exposed, blurry, mutant like, the wrong end of the animal or something else.  None of the images turned out that good.    

 

TV: Golden Oldies: Get Smart!

Here we go with another blast from the TV past from before i was allegedly born.  Before the fairly awful Steve Carell version in 2008, Get Smart was a good TV show (i guess it still is). 

Get Smart
Aired: 1965-1970
Seasons: 5 (NBC, final season on CBS)
Episodes: 138
Availability on DVD: Complete Series or Season sets 1-5

Get Smart! was a show about the world's best known secret agent, Agent 86 Maxwell Smart.  Maxwell Smart was a somewhat bumbling secret agent who seemed to get results (somehow).  Maybe the results were aided by his partner Agent 99 (her name was never revealed).   Maxwell Smart was usually fighting some evil villain from KAOS - an international organization of evil.  They got kind of Norse mythos here: CONTROL = good, KAOS = bad. 

Get Smart was notable to me for numerous reasons.  The first reason is that Get Smart is probably the most violent comedic series in history.  Someone was always getting killed in some standard or creative way - they were spies after all.  Secondly, Get Smart was one of the first series i was aware of (chronologically) that made use of frequent catch phrases.  Among the notable catch phrases uttered were: "Sorry about that chief" - usually after doing something stupid, "Missed it by that much",  "That is the second biggest (deadliest, etc), "Would you believe..."  and others.  Thirdly, i guess, was the strange technology that Max used (like a shoe phone) or the dreaded Cone of Silence. 

After the series ended there was a movie and a made for TV movie that were not as good as the series.  Then there was a more recent movie, which i was not a fan of.  There was also a short-lived FOX series starring Andy Dick.  Don Adams (the guy who played Maxwell Smart) went on to do voice over work (with his distinctive voice) for animated shows like Inspector Gadget and Pepper Ann.   

TV Shows: Outsourced

Why is it that shows that i like (or semi-like) seem to never last?  On NBC it was The Cape and Outsourced.  Either that or they mess up what i like about the shows (ex. the horrid Chuck season 3). 

i guess i was thinking about Outsourced after i saw the movie of the same name.  They were a lot different (though some of the characters feel familiar).  The cast for the TV show was so much better in my opinion than the movie. 

This is actually an interesting way to showcase the culture clash, while providing a way to make fun of it (both the clash between cultures and between business methods).  The show was never about extolling the virtues of outsourcing, it was about a comedy based in an office that was a little different setting.  i know i have weird taste in entertainment, but i would much rather watch something like this (should have taken things a little more absurd) than the boring Office with Steve Carell (what is his appeal anyway?).  True the show was not great, but it was at least somewhat entertaining (not buy the DVD set entertaining). 

Basically, there were two shows that i watched on NBC Thursdays (it has really, really slipped in my eyes).  It worked for me when they were back to back (Community and Outsourced).  However, they decided to move Outsourced later to promote a really, really lame show (Perfect Couples?).   Let's just put it this way... i can't stand Parks and Recreation, The Office or 30 Rock.  So the move to later in the night prevented me from watching Outsourced. 

TV: The Semi Classic Demented Questions

TV has given rise to certain specific questions.  Most of these were 1960s shows.  i decided to give my answers to these timeless questions (to show you how weird i am) ....  What would your answers be?

1) The Flintstones: who would you prefer, Betty or Wilma
* My Answer: Betty.  Wilma always looked higher maintenance to me.  Betty seemed more like the girl next door, while Wilma seemed like the spoiled child of well off parents.

2) Gilligan's Island: Marry Ann or Ginger
* My Answer: Marry Ann.  It is not like i have something against redheads.  This is another example of lower maintenance.  Marry Ann is more like the girl next door (i wonder if there is a theme here) and Ginger seem like kind of a difficult/self-absorbed person. 

3) Jeannie vs Samantha (I Dream of Jeannie and Bewitched):
* My Answer: For some reason i will buck the trend here... Samantha appears more like she would be more relatable.  However, my answer would be Jeannie.  There is just something about a female that strives to fulfill your every desire that seems appealing.  Though maybe my results are impacted by finding Bewitched so dull of a show. 

Golden Oldies: The Flintstones

The Flintstones
* Aired: 1960-1966
* Seasons: 6
* Episodes: 166
* Availability on DVD: All Seasons (some have flipper discs)

The Flintstones was the animated story of the "modern stone age family".  That description always struck me as strange.  However, what they did was replace technology with some type of animal or crude device.  i have heard that the Flintstones was kind of an animated version of the Honeymooners (which i've never seen).

The Flintstones were Fred (a quarry worker) and his wife Wilma - eventually a child, Pebbles.  Living next door were the Rubbles - Barney and his wife Betty.  There were also secondary or lesser characters in Bedrock from time to time depending on the story. 

Before the Simpsons long run, the Flintstones was regarded as the most successful prime-time animated series ever.  Unfortunately, Seth McFarlane is trying to reboot the series with a 2012 version (which i'm sure will be awful).  The Flintstones would later lend their name/characters to things like chewable vitamins, breakfast cereals and movies.  The IMDB list of movie connections (stuff like shows/movies it is referenced in is kind of long).  The theme song is fairly recognizable.

This is one of the shows that i found to be more interesting when i was less chronologically advanced.      

Golden Oldies: F Troop

F Troop
* Aired: 1965-1967
* Episodes: 65
* Seasons: 2
* Available on DVD: Seasons 1, 2

F Troop was a series about a somewhat inept soldier is given command of a military outpost in the old west (sort of).  This was mostly to deal with Indian attacks.  YouTube the theme song. 

Like some other shows i tend to like, this one had some unique characters.  You had two characters running a business on the side (that they probably shouldn't have), a passive tribe of Indians who serve as the workforce making items to sell to tourists, a leader who is a little over his head (and oblivious of his "underlings" business practices), a girl who runs the store who only seems to want to marry the hapless leader of F Troop.  So, this was a little bit like McHale's Navy. 

This is probably a lot less known (at least today) than alot of the other shows of the era.  The first season was black and white, the second season was in color. 

For some reason, they kept firing a cannon that would take down one of the guard towers.  This show may have been set in the old west (in the 1860s?), but it isn't really a western.  For some reason, Married With Children seemed to reference this the most of any show. 

Golden Oldies: Green Acres

Green Acres
* Aired: 1965-1971 (on CBS)
* Episodes: 170
* Seasons: 6
* Available on DVD: Seasons 1-3 on flipper discs (two sided)

In some ways Green Acres was a reverse Beverly Hillbilies - fish out of water type thing.  Green Acres was the story of a New York City lawyer who lived out his dream of moving to his own farm (to watch the plants shoost from the ground).  His trophy wife (and English mangler), did not exactly share those dreams - but she tolerated it.  Those were the good old days - now they would have been divorced.  For some Green Acres was the place to stay, but others might have been allergic to smelling hay. 

So, this lawyer (and awful farmer) moved to the rural town of Hooterville in the Kangaroo state.  He was a pretty bad farmer (though he was sold questionable farmland with bad equipment) who would occasionally wear his suit around the farm.  The tractor alone was the source of much consternation.  The town was filled with numerous colorful characters (and some less colorful, but useful in weird situations).  You have such characters as con-man Mr. Haney (with a strange voice), inept county agent Hank Kimball, neighbors the Ziffels (who have a TV watching pig they treat as a son) and more.  Arnold Ziffel is one of the coolest TV pigs in history.  Oliver Wendell Douglas' wife (played by Eva Gabor) was not exactly suited for the farm life and lacked domestic skill such as cooking.  Her hotcakes were surprisingly useful (though not for human consumption).     

In some ways this is ahead of its time.  For one, the credits would sometimes creep into the world (like eggs with people's names on them).  Some of the situations would be kind of crazy.  However, it seemed to be mostly the story of this lawyer and his reactions to the odd people and circumstances around him (all while being a questionable farmer).   

If you want to see some of the cultural impact that Green Acres had, check out the IMDB movie connections section).  The source for information was IMDB and memory (i have the 3 DVD sets).

TV

Finally post 100.  Cue the fireworks.  What no fireworks? ... cue the disinterested yawns. 

Aging chronologically, i used to watch this thing called television.  It was a magical 4:3 aspect ratio box with video and audio.  The cool kids may have been out participating in the ritualistic act of dating members of the opposite sex, but i had TV to keep me company.  Yes, hermits are more socially capable than i am. 

Basically, i divide TV into the most awesome 3 decades: Oldies (60s), Eighties (awesome) and 90s.  There are still a few shows that are somewhat decent today - but they seem to be in the minority, they may appear better by comparison.  The most important TV days for me have been NBC's "Must Watch TV" (obviously not as much recently - i only like one of the shows) and ABC's TGIF (before it went the Urkel way).  Luckily, i had Nick at Nite to fill me in some of these older shows. 

i have been thinking about doing individual posts on shows from these eras.  Lucky, lucky readers - you get to mostly not read these posts (unless your internet search brings you here). 

Is It Just Me, Or is IE9 Kind of a Train Wreck

So, a while ago i updated to Internet Explorer 9 (64 bit) from IE 8.  i have been using Internet Explorer in some form ever since the first version (as i never liked Netscape).  IE 8 was stable and worked well for me.

The problem i seem to be having is that IE 9 seems to be a little less stable and slow.  Basically, i have had numerous freezes, almost daily.  Well freeze may be the wrong word, but if i see many more site not responding errors (when my connection is working), i can't be held accountable for my actions.  i am pretty sure most of these are on the browser side.  Some days it doesn't even load my home at start up without freezing.  When it does load things, it seems seriously slow.  It seems like IE9 was a big step backwards from IE 8.  Maybe it is just the 64 bit version, is the 32 bit version any better? 

i do have Google Chrome on my PC (as my backup browser - it is decent), but i'm so used to clicking the Internet Explorer icon (and all my password/etc cookies are on IE). 

Random Factoid: Mt. Rainier Name

Continuing with the 4th of July theme...  Have you ever wondered who iconic mountain (at least where i'm from) Mt. Rainier was named after (by clueless cartographers)?  If you don't know, Mt. Tacoma is the iconic Cascadian mountain.

Throughout its history, the volcano of awesomeness was known by many names.  Many of the early names roughly became Tacoma in English.  For some reason the Seattle residents are not open to the name Mt. Tacoma.  Well anyway, Georger Vancouver named the mountain after his buddy Peter Rainier.

Unfortunately, the US decided that the name of the mountain should be Rainier.  These people effectively disregarded everything about the local culture.  i remember reading something with a map maker that said if they knew anything about the area or the local lore, they would have prefered the name Mt. Tacoma (or Tahoma).  People thousands of miles away naming stuff they really shouldn't (as they knew nothing at all about the area).   i would like a change of name for this massive landmark - one that actually reflects where it is.   

Fun fact, Peter Rainier actually fought agains the US in the revolutionary war (at least that is what i have heard).   

Happy 4th of July (US)

So today is the Fourth of July in the US.  As far as i'm concerned Independence Day is a movie about a failed alien invasion (i had such high hopes for our alien overlords too).  Back when i was younger, this used to be a day where my father or brother would set off fireworks (sometimes with interesting resluts - like burned pants).  i fail to see the point in celebrating this any more (basically 235 years after the fact).  i guess the US is big on empty tradition and useless holidays. 

For other people, this apparently marks a date that the government decided to use to commemorate the independence of the US from the UK.  i've always thought that would have happened eventually even without the revolutionary war (maybe 10-20 years). 

i've always wondered why the picked the 4th of July.  After all, history is not always exact with the days.  Basically i have assumed that they might have declared independence on that day.  Why celebrate the day you allegedly declared independence, why not when you actually achieve it?  What i don't get was that in that era information travelled very slowly.  In other words, they could have declared independence without anyone else really knowing about it for days to months. 

Why celebrate something that happened over 200 years ago anyway?   The relevance seems to be a little lacking. 

Movies i Didn't Like: The King's Speech

Recently, i have been watching a lot of movies.  Who knew public libraries let you check out fairly new release movies?  Most of them have been bad to "i'm glad i didn't pay to rent this".   

The movie in this post was The King's Speech.  There are numerous people out (oot in Canada) there who really seemed to like this film.  If you hadn't guessed by now, i'm not one of them.  i found this film to be pointless and very, very  b o r i n g.  On the bright side, the movie was in focus. 

i have never been one to like movies that get critical approval (outside a few) or that show up in film festivals.  The King's Speech was both.  i would say that it seemed a little pretentious.  The second thing is that i cared nothing for any of the characters or the plot.  Why should i care if some British royal (i don't get that fascination) stammered/stuttered when he spoke.  Dude, you have the money and some semblance of power - they kind of have to listen to you.  Yeah, i can really relate to some older than me person whose greatest problem is a speech impediment - seems pretty lucky to me.  Oh cruel fate...

The movie was R rated for marketability to the cadre of drama fans.  The only reason i could think for the rating was use of "strong language".  They used the "F" word several times.  i'm sure my neighbors hear stronger language when i'm playing video games. 

Maybe i missed some of the deeper undertones and how it was a metaphor for the human condition (or that pretentious stuff teachers say about literature), but i didn't see any.  i'm sure there was some kind of plot, but it didn't keep me interested.  To me, this movie moved little faster than the pace of paint drying.  Was it really 118 minutes, it felt like weeks?  There were no car chases, explosions or nudity.  To me, there also was not real point.  Yeah, you can give a wartime speech over the radio (whatever that is) as the grand finale.  i was so thoroughly moved as the credits finally rolled - that i uttered the word "finally" and immediately put this back in the case, never again to see the light of day in my household.   

Movies and How i Feel About Them

i did a couple series of posts on music that i liked, so i though i would do occasional posts on movies i liked/disliked. 

Basically, the last movie i saw in the theaters (or theatres) was Shrek Forever After.  It is not that there were no decent movies released since then - i don't know of any (by my standards). 

Disclaimer time: i tend to watch mostly action and comedy. Dramas bore me (maybe you have to be able to relate more to, i think they are called, humans to get them). My life is tragic and unfulfilling enough as it is. You may have guess, but i love the 80s. The new millennium - not so much (or is it not at all). Maybe my taste will be sort of weird - i liked Godzilla (the Matthew Broderick one), Last Action Hero and some other maligned movies. i think that John Hughes was kind of a movie genius. 

You can only see so many sequels and adaptation of other mediums (like books/video games) before you start to wonder if Hollywood has run out of ideas.  It feels to me like every concept has been done, now it is just how the movies are arranged that differentiate them from the predecessors.  The movie going experience has also gotten a lot more costly.  Way back when i was younger, they used to have $2.00 (or was $1) movie ticket deals.  Now even matinee showings are approaching the $10 mark.  Don't get me started on 3D.  Also, it seems the movie going experience is getting less necessary.

In 5-10 years (hopefully less), we may get to bypass the theater and stream the movie directly to our residences on release day. 

The Story of My HDTV

Are you ready for the epic story about how i met my HDTV.  It is a story filled with drama, satisfaction, longing and atypical behavior (for me).  It is a story that will elicit yawns for posts and posts to come. 

Over the years i have needlessly wasted money (or misspent it) on things i would come to regret, this is not one of those purchases. 

Back in the year 2007 (yes, it was a year i hear) i decided that the time had come for me to look into purchasing an HDTV.  The switch to digital/HDTV was on the horizon.  So, with that in mind i set out on the arduous process of finding out what i really wanted.  Initially i thought that it would be cool to have an DLP.  However, several issues (such as cost) changed my mind. 

Congratualtions New Graduates

Congratulations new graduates. 

Ok now that i said that (sarcasm doesn't come off in written form, does it?).  Picture an evil villain laughing (or maybe a cautionary tale who's been there).  The graduates of today face one of the most annoying and harsh environments in recent history.   Good luck graduates - you are really, really going to need it.

There is so much they didn't tell you in school.  There is so much they taught you in school that may not be true.  Real life really is nothing like school (especially college - theory heavy, no real usage for the information).  In fact, you will find most of the stuff they taught you is completely irrelevant.  You really are not as prepared as you think you are. 

i just thought that maybe someone should throw a little water over this jubilation.  Graduates in the US and other countries (not sure about their timetables) face a tough road ahead.  The gender shift (and roles) are still confusing and seemingly arbitrary.  Relationships are no longer the bedrock they used to be in simpler times.  The worker faces more threats to their job security - both domestically and internationally.  Things are getting more expensive and population abundances are going to keep wages down. 

Don't get too comfortable it gets worse.  That starter job can evaporate over night.  The government will probably increase taxes (in all its various forms).  Life will only get more expensive.  Insurance rates will increase.  Your whole credit/financial life could be wiped out overnight by cyber-terrorists.  The future looks kind of bleak. 

This Date In Awesome: Ferris Bueller's Day Off

On June 11, 1986 a cinematic masterpiece would be unleashed on an unsuspecting world.  i am of course referring to the John Hughes classic Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

Have you seen this movie Anyone... Anyone... Anyone?  Basically this is the epic story of a ridiculously well connected high school student and his desire to take a day off.  After all, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." 

Joining Ferris (Matthew Broderick) on his quest are his hypochondriac friend Cameron and his junior girlfriend Sloane Peterson.  The problem was that Ferris Bueller was sort of a cult hero to the students of his highschool (probably in Shermer, IL).  Every clique seemed to hold him in high regard.  This did not sit well with the principal Ed Rooney - who wanted to make an example out of Ferris.  Ferris Bueller's sister was not a fan either.  So, Ferris had his foil in place.  Ferris did not have his own "piece of tin" so he needed the help from his friend Cameron.  Long story short, the car was a sweet low mileage Ferrari California that just had to be taken out of the garage.  "If you have the means, I would highly recommend picking one up".   The rest of the movie was about Ferris and his two buddies having fun on their day off (usually in oddly public settings).  In the end... Ferris had his day off, Cameron stood up to his dad and Principal Rooney was mauled by a dog.   

This movie has earned a place in popular culture (being referenced by a ton of other movies, shows, music, etc).  Who would have thought a $6 million dollar budget movie could have that much of an impact.  Matthew Broderick went on to star in other movies (like Godzilla, hey i liked it).  Alan Ruck (Cameron Frye) went on to have a role as the awesomely lascivious Stuart Bondek in Spin City, the "oh darn" guy in Speed and numerous other appearances.  Ben Stein as a teacher was a brilliant casting decision.  If not for this movie, i doubt anyone would have heard the song "Oh Yeah" by Yello (though i'm not sure if that would have been a bad thing).  i think of Ferris Bueller every time i hear hear the songs "Danke Schoen" and "Twist and Shout" - along with the weird "butt dance".  Everyone wanted to Save Ferris for some reason (even on sign at Wrigley Field), but how many people actually knew who he was?  Also, how else could have Psych used the line "how very Cameron Frye of you" without this movie. 

One more thing about the movie is the TV version.  It seem hilarious to me how this was edited.  Classic lines include stuff about a "piece of tin", "put a lump of coal in his fist", "the jig is up", etc.  It is sadder because none of this stuff really needs to be edited. 

Overall, it was an awesome movie from an awesome era.  i know it is more memorable than any day i have ever had.

Baseball Bloggers - Why Some of Them Suck

Ok, so i have been thinking about a post like this for a number of years.  This is not going to be a glowing endorsement of these types of people (even if i have some specific in mind).  In fact, some people may view this as a little bit mean, but not vindictive.

Baseball is known for being America's past time.  However the fascination with the sport has led to a dark and evil space... i am of course referring to "sabermetric" (many are not actually attached to SABR in any real way) blogs.  Just because you can "prove" something on Excel doesn't mean it is a universal truth (and i love to use my Excel). 

It is not so much that a certain subsection of the population subscribe to a certain world view.  It is mostly about the way the communities operate and act.  Basically what you see (in some places) is a condescending, snobbish, demeaning culture of self-professed intelligentsia.   Let's put it this way, WWII Germany had far more intellectual diversity.  Some of these sites are more about ego aggrandizing that actual real content.  Yes, i know that this is a common group dynamic.  The "accredited" (in some way leader) and those who bask in (and claim) the leader's intellectual prowess for their own. 

You usually have the overbearing "leader" (or fuhrer) who always says that opposing viewpoints are stupid (sometimes in harsh and demeaning ways) and the semi-mindless sheep who follow.   The leader is not bound by any sense of decency - just overblown rhetoric about how they are right and everything else in the universe is wrong.  Condescension, blogger be thy name.  In fact, it seems like the leader views everyone who doesn't blindly believe everything they say with contempt.  So it is kind of a dictatorial set-up (with the requisite SS cohorts).   They can make claims like player X is complete garbage and will never amount to anything.  Let's just say they are not noted for their diplomacy or tact.  If anyone disagrees with the leader, the hive mind comes in to play.  The somewhat humorous aspect here is that the leader is talking mostly out of egotism.  If they were nearly as smart (and capable) as they think they are, they would probably have a real job in the field. 

Basically the problem with modern baseball stat worship is that it sprung out of the highest of the high ego business set.  Sure, these people can construct rough operating budgets and the like.  In fact that is actually where a great deal of this "sabermetric" stuff came from.  Basically, they are trying to apply business metrics to baseball statistics.  That branched more into the statistics area (i've never been a fan of hypotesis testing - as it is not that useful in the real world).  Needless to say, i don't see them as being that closely correlated.  i'm sure many of the metrics were best fit methods (using multi-variate regressions).   However, i've played with stats enough (in a past educational life) to realize that how you define or work with variables can definitely skew the results (maybe that is the idea).  If you have no real checks (too many similar minded people) - they could run wild.

With baseball the concept can be broken down to bases.  A run is four bases (actually, when i played with some stats it ranged from about 4-6 bases, i forget the real number).  OPS and the like are really expected value calculations.  In other words, the chance they get on base (OBP/AVG) times the number of bases they get when they are on base (SLG, etc).  Then you get into really messed up stuff like win probability.  i guess it is unfortunate for stat heads that games arent' being played by perfectly replicating machines and controlled "trials".      

i Went to a AAA Baseball Game Today, Sort Of

i finally go to go to a game at the renovated Cheney Stadium. 

Unfortunately, i went to this particular game (AAA Baseball).  It was one of the more boring baseball games i have ever seen.  There were only three hits for the hometown Rainiers to go with several walks.  The teams both played mostly disinterested baseball.  The starting pitcher Blake Beavin was missing his spot more often than hitting it (fastball was 90-93 MPH).  The Rainiers defense was iffy with 3 miscues - 2 by the shortstop (Kazmar) and one by the the third baseman (fielded the ball cleanly, couldn't throw it).  The final score of this snooze-fest was 3-0 for the Reno Aces of Diamonds. 

i can see why stat heads are enamoured with Dustin Ackley's command of the strike zone.  However, i wasn't really all that impressed with him.  His contact was mostly of the pull variety (a weak pop up and at least one decently hit grounder to the first base side).  i am kind of surprised that the pitchers aren't trying to abuse him with curves and sliders on the outside half of the plate like they do with so many other left handed hitters. 

Shin-Soo Choo is still probably the best player i have seen play for the Rainiers.

Much like the Mariners, the Rainiers are kind of a dull team.  They do have some mildly interesting players and no pitching.  i find Greg Halman to be the most interesting player on the current roster.  The guy has decent acceleration from first to second (kind of fast) and has some power, but often looks lost at the off-speed stuff.  In other words, he is the Rainiers' Pedro Serrano (with better speed and defense).   He struck out once at this game, but walked twice (which i hear is a really rare occurrence). 

Oh, the renovated stadium is kind of nice.  They added a decent video screen and luxury boxes to the stadium. Unfortunately, they also lowered the fences significantly.  They also moved the bullpens out beyond the left field wall.  Cheney Stadium was kind of an old dank-ish ballpark before - and i kind of miss that.  They also took out a lot of the roof overhang (where i like to go to avoid the sun).  It is always kind of strange to see people with clipboards and radar guns in the immediate area. 

End of the World Playlist - Help Needed

So, it turns out that the rapture prediction was wrong.  Who would have thought?  However, apparently the October 21, 2011 prediction for the end of the world is still on.

That got me thinking what my End of the World Playlist should be.  i realized very quickly that the end of the world is not a popular topic in pop music.  Most of the song would be kind of depressing too.  There is a difference between end of the world and one night to get the girl.  So maybe some of these will be stretches.  i could definitely use suggestions. 

My Playlist So Far...
* "It's the End of the World" - R.E.M
* "The Final Countdown" - Europe
* "Armageddon It" - Def Leppard
* "Praying for Time" - George Michael
* "If Today Was Your Last Day" - Nickelback


Other Songs i thought of that may not fit
* "There Will Never Be Another Tonight" - Bryan Adams
* "Save a Prayer" - Duran Duran
* "This Could Be the Night" - Loverboy
* "The King of Wishful Thinking" - Go West
* "Things Can Only Get Better" - Howard Jones
* "Turn Back the Clock" - Johnny Hates Jazz
* "Baby It's Tonight" - Jude Cole
* "Pop Goes the World" - Men Without Hats
* "All I Need is a Miracle" - Mike + the Mechanics
* "Let Go" - Nick Lachey
* "C'est La Vie" - Robbie Nevil
* "Big Boy Now" - Richard Marx
* "Crash and Burn" - Savage Garden
* "It's Not Over (Til It's Over)" - Starship
* "Celebration" - Kool and the Gang
* "Another One Bites the Dust" - Queen
* "Saved by Zero" - The Fixx
* "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" -Wang Chung (or "Let's Go")

The End of the World is Coming? - Awesome

So, making the headlines this week is a somewhat obscure (but not as obscure anymore) 89 year old preacher Harold Camping (Family Radio Network) who has made the claim that the "rapture" is happening tomorrow based off of a mathematical formula.  However, mathematics is a cursed and evil field, so who knows.  He also goes on to state that the world will meet it's end on October 21.  Come on 4PM PDT

i guees we may not have to wait until 2012 afterall.  That would really cut into ticket sales of an inevitable 2012 sequel.  Is it sad that i really, really want this to be true (at least the end of the world part - but could it wait until after Halloween)?  This would be awesome if true.  As someone who has largely given up on life - this offers me hope.  Not hope of heaven (i'm with Hawking on that one), but the sweet release of oblivion. 

Why am i suddenly in the mood to watch Armageddon?  Everybody have fun tonight - it could be the last night with your loved ones.  Though if you want to bequeath assets unto me, i'm open to that.  i personally can't wait for the really fun party on October 20 if this prediction is correct.  Yes ladies who aren't "raptured" - party time, excellent.  You aren't getting into heaven, so you have nothing to lose.  Ok enough psuedo lechery talk... for now. 

So everyone out there... play the 1981 Blondie song "Rapture" at 4 PM PDT 

The NHL as a Cautionary Tale

If you ran a league that was a small time league that wanted to expand its presence, say in the US market, what would you do?  Would you go on an expansion/moving rampage to get more teams in "key markets"?  Would you care if the teams added were on long-term financially dubious terms (as they are trying to sell their product to an indifferent market)?  Or would you just take the franchise fee revenue and assume that everything would work itself out.  Would you try to make the game more appealing (and less boring) to an audience that sees the game as Chandler Bing said in friends (paraphrased) -  a bunch of ticked off, toothless Canadians with sticks? 

That is the problem that the NHL faced.  They wanted to be one of the big (and rich) sports leagues.  Unfortunately, for them, they picked a relatively boring "sport" with very limited marketability.  Yes, in the US marketability matters a lot.  The goal was to raise their profile in the US market.  They did this by over-expanding and moving teams.  The league didn't exactly do a good job of picking the winners.  Adding teams in bigger market cities like Dallas, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Atlanta, San Jose, Phoenix, etc. may have seemed like a good idea at the time.  However, inevitably some of the teams will struggle to "convert" those massive populations to actually watch their brand of entertainment.  When the fans don't come the teams will struggle.  Some teams actually did well.  More than a few teams are struggling with long term viability.   Since contraction is usually taken off of the table, some of these teams will have to move - most likely to Canada (where the rabid fan base is). 

In a way, they were overlooking their core base - Canadians (the plain girlfriend) for the US (sexy, intriguing debutante).  So they did have sort of an identity crisis.  At the same time, you had the rise of the European leagues (where it doesn't matter as much if the player actually speaks English). 

They can try to open up the game as much as they want, but it will never play well in the US (outside some of the "M" markets -  like MN, MA, MI).  For one, the game structure does not lend itself to television (with two 20 minute breaks per game).  There is too much time to switch off the camera.  Also, the game televises terribly (the camera angles kind of suck).  So, it basically is soccer - a niche sport in the US.  Yes, there are rabid fans in each market.  However, the rabid fans are the only ones you can really count on coming back for more.  However at least some soccer (football in most countries) matches wouldn't get beaten in the ratings by dogs playing poker on ESPN 2.      

This is one instance where they were probably better off keeping what interest the had without poisoning the game in potential future markets - the league was probably going to expand eventually, but they did too much, too fast.  Ironically, at the same time, the NBA was seeing its popularity dip. 

i'm in the 13th largest media market in the US and am kind of glad we don't have an NHL team.  Now if we could only get rid of the junior teams too... 

Happy Friday the 13th

For some reason i have always looked at Friday the 13th as kind of a lucky day.  Well, if i had any luck but bad. 

i am not making a referenece to a horror movie - though sometimes it seem like it would be awesome to be one of Freddy Krueger's vicitim.

The Truth, the Truth and the Truth

So, sometimes the written word is not exactly the best way to convey things.  This is going to be unusually deep for me.  i'll get to the point - the truth is something that should be a universal Boolean true or false, but things in life are rarely that obvious. 

Truth can be an absolute - like a true/false test based off of accepted facts (which are true because they are universally held - even if they're false).  The truth can be a Lionel Hutzian "truth" which is more along the lines of statements based on truth but largely distortion (much like movies "based off a true story").  The other truth in the title may have been extraneous, or is it? 

A big potential problem occurs when perception = reality.  That is to say that perception is accepted as reality.  In this scenario you can have all kinds of willful distortion.  Politics and advertising live in an intersection between Lionel Hutz and perception = reality.  In that instance, the real reality is largely overlooked.  Why?  Because they want you to believe what they say is reality - so they can make you do or believe something. 

This could be something like 10 million people go to sleep tonight hungry - it may be factually correct, but it is lacking context.  In a country of 310 million people, 10 million is more acceptable than a smaller country (say 50 million population). 

Then the whole question comes up about what level of lying is acceptable in a given situation.  If you had a wife and she asked you if a dress makes her look fat answering the affirmative is an evolutionarily stupid response (assuming you want to be given the option to ever mate again).  Some times the questions themselves are badly worded and a Boolean answer would be grossly misleading.  i guess that depends on what the meaning of "the" is. 

After all, as i saw in some show on cable that i don't watch... "the best way to convince someone that you're not lying is to tell them you are". 

Do i sense a segue into another series of posts.  My psychotic powers give me the answer - "reply hazy try again". 

President Barack Obama to Destroy Earth - Yes He Can

This is just a test, this is only a test, if this is true then it is.  He has never yet conclusively proven that he is not an alien bent on the destruction of the world.  i am still waiting on him to prove he doesn't have horns - he said he didn't, but i'm not so sure.  Maybe his mom was just an alien (little green man, not Mexican) with a green card. 

Ok, maybe he doesn't want to destroy the earth, but his policies would make much more sense if he did. 

i am curious what having certain combinations of keywords = hits.  This sounded like a good attempt.  Yes, i am feeling strange today. 

Personally, i have to wonder how the guy has so many people apparently under mind control.  i don't see him as charasmatic (actually his voice and appearance really bug me).  Maybe the back-masking conspiracy theories are correct and he has Satan to thank (Yes we can - backmasks, sort of, to thank you Satan).

Someday i may come up with a real post, until then you get this.  This is not a good sign. 

Results of the Poll and other stuff

My first experiment with polls is over and it went exactly as well as i predicted - no votes.  i should have thought that most of the hits i get will likely be one and done (with a few "regulars").  That is just the nature of the Internet.  Though i probably have more hits on Blogger than my Windows Live Space got in 2-3 years (and with Blogger i don't have to put up with the hard-sell porn/cam "friends") 

Maybe i'll try poll experiment 2 later.  i'm up to trying new things here.  However, there is always the threat of me running out of ideas for content.  You wouldn't want me to have to do another post like that one (i could do one a day for over 2 years though, even filtering out the NC-17 ones). i changed the background image.  It took numerous tries at cropping and i still messed up (not tall enough).  A 300 KB size limit really reduces my options.   

So, i noticed that i used the word "stuff" more than i thought i did.  Apparently, i also like to start sentences out with the word "so".   

Do Not Read This Post - Nothing Good Can Come From It (WTMI)

This is a post that comes from a time when i can't sleep.  i have been kicking around the idea of doing this type of post for a couple of weeks now.   Probably because i don't post enough as it is (sarcasm).  This will fall apart in a hurry (as i don't tend to have a constant grasp of what i'm going to say).  i know that in the past i have called people like Ke$ha hack lyrical writers - now i get to prove i'm much, much worse.  i have no clue how to write music.  This is a one 5 or so minute session with only 1 slight edit.  The spacing on Blogger is kind of messed up. i think this is the first and last one of these i'll do here.

So, just pretend you never saw it, OK?  Turn back now, you cannot "unread" what you might see...  you have been warned.

Katie (My Alternate Reality)

Going back in time in my mind
For the 100 thousandth time
Reminiscing on all the love that can never be
That's when i think back to you, you and me

So many words i wished i would have said
But i knew you didn't want to hear them anyway
You made it perfectly clear, clear to me
There was no future with you
But maybe, maybe

In my alternate reality
i would like to think, at least inside my mind
There's still a place the sun can shine
Where we are still together for infinity
Katie
In my alternate reality, in my alternate reality

I spent so much time trying to get you off my mind
But that is easier said than done
I know, i know for you i was never going to be the one
Maybe there's a place somewhere
Where it would turn out for me, out for me
Where you could have been my destiny

On the day you said goodbye
I tried my hardest not to cry
At least not on the outside
I tried to keep you for at least a little while
But i knew you were leaving

In my alternate reality

i would like to think, at least inside my mind

There's still a place the sun can shine

Where we are still together for infinity

Katie

In my alternate reality, in my alternate reality

Katie, you'd still be here with me

Living every dream (every dream)

In my alternate reality

Background (Way Too Much Information)

Katie is a real person (the first person i had a date with - sorry no Heath Blizzards).  She was one of those people who just screamed "marriage material", but she made it clear that she had no interest in me to fill that role.  i guess i kind of had a crush on her - we hung out together in the TV room - sexy, no?  i guess it's fitting since i started writing this type of drivel starting with that summer (and loosely about her).  For the record - i hate sun (it is just a commonly used metaphor).

3 years later it really accelerated when i fell hard (really, really hard) for Ms. Wrong - what was i thinking, falling for a Calivermin.  "Writing" has been a little off and on since then (mostly off - it's hard to write about feelings you don't actually have) - you think i would have gotten better.  Nope, if anything i've gotten worse.  i have no concept of form or cohesion - all i usually have is a title or a decent line or two.  i used this as a way to deal with unfamiliar feelings and emotions. Sometimes i'll see a movie or hear a song that will spark brief "writing" outbursts.   Ok, so i have written over 900 of this kind of really bad thing since i started.  As Joseph Konrad would say (or was it Kurtz), The Horror! The Horror!

The Vancouver Canucks are Cheaters and Sports Fanaticism

Yes, the Vancouver Canucks are big time cheaters.  They are bigger "bad guys" than Chicago.  Though, it is not like they have had one of their players break another player's neck in a while.   The Canucks cheat in every single game they play.  In fact, i would say they have never won a game in which they haven't cheated in some manner in their franchise history.  It is just that some times you hear stuff from really, really biased sources.

Lose Canucks Lose             - if nothing more than making my alleged brother less happy. 

That brings me to my next topic... Sports Fanaticism.  i don't understand this at all.  i am referring to stuff like saying "we" when talking about a team and having some kind of emotional connection to a team.  If you don't own or play on the team, there is no "we".   Of course, i don't get the concept of claiming others success or failures as your own.  i also don't get the concept of a team as a source of "civic pride" either.   

i don't get how people can get so "invested" in a game of which they are just an observer (usually miles away).   Sports is just a form of entertainment like a movie.  Although the game isn't scripted (though sometimes it seems it might be).   It really doesn't matter who won (unless you have money riding on the outcome).  Of course, i have never felt i fit in with any group ever. 

Blog: Added Polls

Ok, so i've added the widget (or whatever it is called) for polls to the upper right side of the page.  Why did i do this?  Well lately i've been in kind of a funk where i don't feel like doing anything. 

i am using weekly polls as a way to fill up a post a week.  So, like if you could vote in them it would be kind of cool.  If nobody does, the posts wil be pretty strange.  i'm not sure if membership is required to vote (google account).  In the future some of them could get really strange.  i'm still playing around with formats, widgers and stuff - as someone who has limited technological ability.  Any suggestions - that is what comments are for (they are open to everyone). 

A Klondike bar is vanilla ice cream coated by a thin layer of chocolate.  The poll was based off of their advertising tag line - "What would you do for a Klondike Bar".  i get a few more international/non- North American hits than i was anticipating - which is actually kind of cool. 

Passable Albums of the 2000s: My Whole List

Well, we've gone from awesome 80s to decent 90s - now its time for passable 2000s.  i will define 2000s as 2001-2010.  Known to me as a terrible decade (and the next one just might be worse).  Well, here are some of the albums in the 2000s that were adequately satisfactory.  It might be easier to just list singles i liked.  i do kind of like sappy love songs - especially those i can sing along to.  As always, suggestions can be made in the comment section (i think it works).   

As for singles, i occasionally like them: i really like stuff like - "If You're Not the One" by Daniel Bedingfield, "Haven't Met You Yet" by Michael Buble, "Fireflies" by Owl City, "Breakeven" by The Script and some of the Lifehouse and Nickelback crossover stuff. 

Ok here is my list of passable CDs:
* Darren Hayes - Spin - not nearly as good as his Savage Garden stuff.
* Gary Barlow - 12 Months 11 Days
* Jason Mraz - Waiting for My Rocket to Come
* John Mayer - Room for Squares,  Heavier Things
* Lifehouse - Who We Are - i don't own the album just 6 songs from it as MP3
* Maroon 5 - Songs About Jane,  Hands All Over
* Nick Lachey - SoulO
* Richard Marx - My Own Best Enemy

* Take That - Beautiful World - their album with Robbie Williams sounds horrible from the clips i've heard (i hate the sound). 

Decent Albums of the 90s: Bonus Post

Here is the last part of my series of 1990s albums that are at least somewhat listenable.  i made my list (through individual posts) of my top albums of the 1991-2000.  Here are some that i left off, for whatever reason - maybe they just weren't decent enough, maybe i've never owned the album, etc.  Maybe some of my post should have been here instead - probably a few.

If you have any suggestions for decent 1990s albums, that is what the comment section is for....

Other Decent-ish 1990s Albums:
* 98° - 98°
* 98° - Revelation
* Backstreet Boys - Millennium
* BB Mak - Into Your Head
* Britney Spears - Oops I Did It Again
* Edwin McCain - Messenger
* Glenn Medeiros - Captured
* Jessica Simpson - Sweet Kisses
* Jon Secada - Heart Soul & A Voice
* LFO - LFO
* Michael Bolton - Soul Provider
* Michael Bolton - Time Love and Tenderness
* NSYNC - NSYNC
* Richard Marx - Paid Vacation
* Right Said Fred - Up
* Savage Garden - Affirmation
* Sky - Piece of Paradise
* soulDecision - Nobody Does It Better
* Vertical Horizon - Everything You Want
* Westlife - Westlife
* 2Ge+Her - Again
* Various - On the Line Soundtrack 

Decent Albums of the 90s: Spice Girls - Spice

So the end of this series of posts on what i consider to be decent 90s albums is coming to a close - what next, passable albums of the 2000s .... maybe.

This post mentions another brief musical sensation.  This one had to be imported from the UK and sell "girl power" - whatever that is.  i am, of course, talking about the Spice Girls.  i guess there is something to be said for assembling a group of females that sells to the younger female demographic and also seem somewhat appealing to the males too.  i found Baby and Ginger to be the most intriguing of the group.  This group was masterminded by Simon Fuller - the creator of the Idol series.  The singles off of this album were decent, however the filler material leaves a lot to be desired.  Oh yeah the album, it was released in 1996 and called Spice.

Notable Singles:
* "Wannabe"
* "Say You'll Be There"
* "2 Become 1"

Other Singles:
* "Who Do You Think You Are" / "Mama"

The Rest of the Album:
* "Last Time Lover"
* "Love Thing"
* "Something Kinda Funny"
* "Naked"
* "If You Can't Dance"

Decent Albums of the 90s: Britney Spears - Baby One More Time

Welcome to my ___ post on decent albums of the 90s.  We are nearing the end of the tunnel and light is visible - let's just hope it is not just an oncoming locomotive.  On second thought, that might be a bad analogy considering how the new millennium makes me feel like i've been hit by a train, and dragged over broken glass for a time zone or three.

Eventually i had to get around to this album...  Britney Spears was a female phenomenon when she hit the world with this album in 1999.  The album is Baby One More Time (i don't like ellipses in titles, so i'll leave them out here).   i am not exactly sure why she became the pop sensation she did - she really was not the most talented.  i guess it was the mix of decent songs and being jail bait.  She did get some of the better songs out of Sweden.  However, i couldn't listen to anything she has done since her second album.

Notable Singles:
* "Baby One More Time"
* "Sometimes"
* "(You Drive Me) Crazy"
* "From the Bottom of My Broken Heart"

Other Singles:
* "Born To Make You Happy"

The Rest of the Album:
* "Soda Pop"
* "I Will Be There"
* "I Will Still Love You"
* "Thinkin' About You"
* "E-Mail My Heart"
* "The Beat Goes On"

Decent Albums of the 90s: Jon Secada - Jon Secada

Welcome to part ___ of my series on 90s albums that weren't totally awful.

This post might mention a former background singer for The Miami Sound Machine, or maybe it won't.   Before Ricky Martin or Mark Anthony crossed over there was Jon Secada.  The self-titled debut album (at least in English) was released in 1992 and sold a few million copies.  One of the things i could tell was that  Jon Secada had a pretty good voice.  Jon Secada also had a decent follow up to this album.

Notable Singles:
* "Just Another Day"
* "Do You Believe in Us"
* "Angel"
* "I'm Free"

Other Songs i Kind of Like:
* "Dreams That I Carry"
* "One of a Kind"
* "Time Heals"
* "Do You Really Want Me"
* "Misunderstood"
* "Always Something"

The Two Spanish Language Versions:
* "Otro Dia Mas Sin Verte"
* "Angel" (Spanish)