White Noise Manifesto

Fight For Air: American Lung Association of New England Boston Walk

2010-05-03T20:32:00.003-04:00

For the past 3 years I have been participating in the Asthma Walk over in Boston and doing it once again in a few weeks (although this year may be more of a hobble with my back issue) still I am looking forward to it. I have been a part of the Almar Building & Remodeling team which is owned and operated by my best friend and his wife who herself has Asthma

If you are able to please consider donating any amount you can it would be greatly appreciated.

In the past I have posed with SpongeBob, the Cat in the Hat, and had my face painted like Spiderman and then used said pictures on Facebook because I reached my fund raising goal...

Now what crazy thing will I do this year? Donate and if I reach my goal...you can help decide... so please donate ..its a good cause...

The NetFlix Files 2009

2010-01-07T21:00:00.003-05:00

Below are all my rentals from NETFLIX in 2009. Favorites and must sees are hyperlinked

Animation/ Cartoon:

Robot Chicken Star Wars

Harvey Birdman: Vol. 2 & 3

Mission Hill: The Complete Series

Teen Titans: Season 2 - 4

Click & Clack's As The Wrench Turns

Family Guy: Vol. 5 - 7

Lil' Bush: Season 1 & 2

Star Wars Animated Adventures: Ewoks

Star Wars Animated Adventures: Droids

Rambo: Vol. 1: A World of Trouble

Rambo: Vol. 2: Enter the Dragon

Transformers: Season 1

South Park: Season 1

Batman: The Brave and the Bold: Vol. 1 & 2

Super Friends: The Lost Episodes

Full Length Movies

Futurama: The Beast with a Billion Backs

Futurama: Bender's Game

Doctor Strange

Wonder Woman

Green Lantern: First Flight

Batman Superman Movie

Superman / Batman: Public Enemies

Fritz the Cat

Lucy Must Be Traded, Charlie Brown

Documentary:

Comic Related:

The Mindscape of Alan Moore

Tales from the Crypt: From Comics to Television

Todd McFarlane: The Devil You Know

Confessions of a Superhero

Christopher Reeve: Hope in Motion

Look, Up in the Sky!

Comic Books Unbound

Beer Related:

Introductory Guide to Wine

Empires of Industry: Brewed in America

The American Brew

The Historic Pubs of Dublin

Biography:

Crazy Legs Conti

Ayn Rand: A Sense of Life

Walt: The Man Behind the Myth

Chuck Jones: Extremes and in Betweens

Crumb

Betty Boop: The Queen of Cartoons

Trekkies 2

This American Life: Season 1 & 2

Wordplay

King Corn

An Evening with Kevin Smith

An Evening with Kevin Smith 2: Evening Harder

Sold Out: A Threevening with Kevin Smith

Scrabylon

Bounce: Behind the Velvet Rope

Starbucking

Teaserama

Super High Me

Religulous

The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made

Major League Eaters

Bomb It

Is Wal-Mart Good for America?: Frontline

Helvetica

McLibel

Young @ Heart

Spirit of the Marathon

Zombie Jamboree

Man on Wire

Hacking Democracy

Loose Change 9/11: An American Coup

Nursery University

Flow: For Love of Water

Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden?

The Bridge

A Man Named Pearl

Escape from Suburbia

The End of Suburbia

Not Your Typical Bigfoot Movie

Nerdcore Rising

Tupperware!: American Experience

Maxed Out

American Pimp

Indie Sex

The Story of a Sex Surrogate

Taboo: The Beginning of Erotic Cinema

The Blue Planet: The Deep

The Blue Planet: Open Oceans

Inside Deep Throat

Small Town Gay Bar

Movies:

Transmorphers

The X-Files: I Want to Believe

Idiocracy

Coraline

Dennis Leary: Ultimate Collection

Watchmen: Tales of the Black Freighter

Punisher: War Zone

Fanboys

Cashback

Pineapple Express

The Muppet Show: Season 2 & 3

Weeds: Season 1 - 4

Andy Richter Controls the Universe : Complete Series

Tales from the Crypt: Season 1 & 2

Ghost Hunters: Season 1 - 4

The Flash: The Complete Series

Penn & Teller: Bullsh*t!: Season 1 - 3

The Simpsons: Season 12

Beer Nutz

30 Rock : Season 2

The Office: Seasons 2-5

Parks & Recreation: Season 1

Serials

Batman: The 1943 Serial Collection

Batman and Robin: The Serial Collection

Adventures of Captain Marvel

Misc.

Wilco: Ashes of American Flags

2009 In Review/ 2010 Resolutions

2009-12-31T20:05:00.003-05:00

2oo9 Resolutions

-Spend even more time at the gym
FAIL ...stupid back problems

-Start training to win Gold medal in 2012 Winter Olympics Curling event (really going to do it this year)
Turns out 2012 will be Summer Olympics so another big FAIL

-Buy a new copy of the Zombie Survival Guide and make sure that the plan I have in place will ensure my survival should the need arise
FAIL again

-Crush my enemies, see them driven before me, and hear the lamentation of their women (or men...whichever).
In Progress

-Eat more brains... er… bran.
Yummy

-Really start ragging on the crappy movies that are made, watch more documentaries through Netflix and actually write about them here on the blog
Half FAIL...was doing that before I connected NETFLIX to my FACEBOOK and started doing it that way

-Buy Curtains...maybe
Yes I did...all windows except a few have curtains

-Drink 5...no 7 glasses of Strawberry milk a day
Need to work on this one

-Find a Nemesis
See Below

-Write Manifesto about the evilness of the holidays which are tied to the economy
I got a first draft

-Sell out
Interviewing several offers

-Continue to alienate females by using words like "Babe", "Chic","toots", "chumpette" and 'tomato".
Big time FAIL here ....or maybe it is what made her like me...developing...

-Devote time to answer important questions such as:
"How do they cram all that gram?"
"How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?"
Some questions will never be answered I am afraid

-4 words: Courtesy flush no more
You bet

-Get a handle on OCD tendencies such as making lists and what not
See Below

2010 RESOLUTIONS
-Work on "THE GOSPEL OF CHAD"
-Find way to permanently attach Blackberry to hand
-Chronicle ever single mundane part of my life on social networks such as Twitter and Facebook
-Create new political party & then take my World Domination Plan and put into action
-Get "Hooked on Phonics" and learn how to Read
-Read more books, comics, and
-Resolve issue with my back
-Get in shape and try to avoid more health problems
-Blog more
-Construct Moat around house and other preemptive zombie attack methods
-Start going through NEMESIS applications and interview potential candidates
-Clean House
-Brew more Home Brew then allowed by Federal Law (200 Gal./yr)
- Continue to crush enemies, see them driven before me, and hear the lamentation of their women (or men...whichever).
-Buy a Llama
-Give into OCD tendencies and make lists out of everything

In Loving Memory

2009-07-16T12:19:00.008-04:00

"The Greatest Generation" was united in duty, honor and personal responsibility"
-former NBC anchor Tom Brokaw

This Tuesday my grandfather (Pawpaw) Billy Joe Rose passed away at the age of 84 after a long illness. My Pawpaw was a very special person and will be missed not only by his family but by many friends.

As a member of the "Greatest Generation" he served his country in WWII as a member of the Marine Corps. He served in both the European and Pacific Theaters. He began serving 3 weeks before the attack on Pearl Harbor, and his service included Normandy, South France, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
As a fan of History, I am well aware of how lucky we were that he survived being in 4 major battles on each theater of the war when so many lost their lives. He even received a medal from the President of France for helping liberate France. It was not until recently that he would talk about his experiences during the war and I doubt that I was around to hear them all, but those I heard made me appreciate and realize the sacrifice that was made.

My grandfather was not one to really sit still. In the evening he would be inside laying on the couch watching tv but most of the time he was outside tending to his garden, camping, exploring Falling Rock (an area close to where he lived), or simply sitting outside on the porch in the swing with my grandmother...to say the very least he was always on the go. I can remember when I would be in from school, if nothing else, just for a quick visit I would usually have to walk out to his barn or the workshed to find him. I can remember times when he would take me and my brothers fishing, hunting, swimming, or with him when he went to look for ginseng and yellow root.

Unlike me he had a "green thumb" and would always have a garden, although as he got older and it became harder for him to move they became smaller and easier to manage. Perhaps the funniest story was when he found a bag of seeds on one of his excursions into the back roads of Falling Rock and decided to plant them...and when they turned out to be marijuana, which he promptly cut down and tossed over into the creek. I can still remember that he was very proud when he had green beans or other vegetables to fix when we came up for lunch on Sunday afternoon. Speaking of food he had a very big sweet tooth. He would usually put small servings of food on his plate because was saving room for desert.

While he was never rich in a monetary sense, he was very giving of his time and the things he did have. When I was in college and graduate school and would stop and visit before I would leave to go back to school he would offer me a drink to take on the road and sometimes hand me $10, say here this will help you with gas on the way back to school and would not take "NO THANKS THAT IS NOT NECESSARY" as answer. He would also say that if there was anything he could do to help then to just let him know.

I also remember that when I was growing up he would drink and smoke (though not around us kids). When I was young I remember once telling him that drinking and smoking were not good for his health and believe that a few years later when he did quit both how happy I was that he had stopped.

Since moving to Albany I didn't get to see him as much as I would have liked too but made it a point to always make time to see him when I was in visiting.
I last saw Pawpaw when I was home in June a week before my back surgery. I stopped and visited with him for a good half hour which will stay with me forever. As always he was more interested in how I was doing and what I was up to then dwelling on the state of his health. I remember the amount of effort it took for him to get himself off the couch so that he could give me a hug...and as normal his last words to me besides "I love you and take care of yourself" were "be sure to grab a drink out of the fridge so that you have something to drink on the road" like he always would. I somehow knew as I was leaving the his house that it would be the last time I would get to see and talk to him and how I wished I didn't have such a long drive back to NY ahead of me so I could spend more time with him.

Unfortunately I will be unable to make the services for him due to the fact that I am not up to traveling due to back surgery almost 2 1/2 weeks ago. It breaks my heart that I will not be able to be there to honor his life, but I believe that given the circumstances he would understand, because that was the type of person he was.

I know I could share many more memories of the times I spent with my grandfather. I will miss you Pawpaw but know that I will see you again someday and that you are up there looking down on us and knowing that we love and will greatly miss you.

You will be missed but not forgotten...

-c

Fight For Air: American Lung Association of New England Boston Walk

2009-04-25T12:24:00.003-04:00

For the past two years I have been participating in the Asthma Walk over in Boston and doing it once again in a few weeks (although this year may be more of a hobble with my back issue) still I am looking forward to it. I have been a part of the Almar Building & Remodeling team which is owned and operated by my best friend and his wife who herself has Asthma

If you are able to please consider donating any amount you can it would be greatly appriciated
My Page

I can't wait to see who is there this year...

Week in Tweets: Feb 16th to Feb. 22nd

2009-02-24T19:15:00.003-05:00

Monday Feb. 16th

· Can't sleep for some reason...frustrating. Should fall right to sleep after not sleeping well last night12:45 AM

· Absolutely no one @ gym today…don't feel bad for being a bit late. Found if I only get 4hrs of sleep I don't wake & still feel the same 6:25 AM

· Running some errands before catching "Slumdog Millionaire" 10:35 AM

Tuesday Feb.17th

· Is back to the world of twittering & status updates after a day off...SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE was an awesome flick 7:57 AM
· Working on Corp. Compliance ... Should probably work on time sheets since I don't think I have submitted in a while 9:09 AM
· Is at the gym...going to swim some laps until the back starts really hurting...good thing appt is tomorrow 5:08 PM Feb 17th

· :Taking it easy in the Lazy Boy watching season 1 of WEEDS 8:10 PM

· Tomorrow is going to be so hectic ... Not looking forward to it for the most part...except my appt for my back maybe I will get some sleep 10:37 PM

Wednesday Feb. 18th

· And so what is most likely going to be a crazy day has begun...just got into work from the gym 7:29 AM

· Off to pick up friend who is going in for knee replacement surgery this morning then headed back to work 8:35 AM

· Back @ office. Trying to get work done while listening to Denise Leary...so funny 10:16 AM

· Denis Leary's NO CURE FOR CANCER never gets old...they edited a lot out for the cd...watching LOCK N' LOAD now...visual comedy works on DVD 12:03 PM

· Finished watching LOCK N LOAD...going to pop in The Wall before leaving @ 2:45 for the dr. appt. Was just looking @ my 2002 MRI..kinda neat. 1:42 PM

· Leaving work for Dr's appt. Snowing out and I left my coat in the car on the far end of the backlot 2:41 PM

· I hate filling out paper work before seeing the doctor...pain in the 3:21 PM

· Guess who is getting another MRI 4:13 PM

· Is visiting his friend who just had partial knee replacement today 7:16 PM

· Heading home from the hospital...what a long day 8:53 PM
· Roads getting bad...had to stop for gas...where are the damn road crews? Snow tires don't fail me now 9:17 PM
· made it home okay...knuckles permanently white/ Saw one car in the ditch(SVU) only thing worse then driving in snow is doing it @ night 10:03 PM
· Should really be in bed trying to sleep but is loading his Ipod with stuff and watching The EWOKS adventure cartoon 10:54 PM
· Heading to bed, maybe tomorrow won't be as hectic as being an operator for a lemming suicide hotline 11:20 PM

Thursday Feb. 19th
· Getting ready to follow in the footsteps of A-Rod and take steroids ...although I doubt these are performance drugs but 4 inflammation 8:13 AM
· The phrase "simple research project" should never be used by government workers... This simple project is now going into week 5 10:57 AM
· Headed over to the hospital during lunch to visit friend abd let him borrow my Ipod 11:58 AM

· Leaving hospital. They painted the walls in the hallway getting high waiting for elevator...need Star bucks Hot Choc b4 return to work 12:47 PM

· How come I get all the crappy side effects from my medications...hate being in that 3% 2:39 PM
· At the gym for training session even though back not feeling that great...going to take a soak in the hot tub first though 3:55 PM
· Back at the hospital visiting my friend 6:52 PM
· Running over to Starbucks to grab a Hot Chocolate ... Sometimes I think I am keeping the place in business 7:26 PM
· Is being escorted off the floor...help I'm being repressed...see the violence inherent in the system! 9:01 PM
· :headed upstairs to cry himself to sleep because he is suffering from"Ipod Separation Anxiety"since his friend in hospital is borrowing it 10:43 PM

Friday Feb. 20th

· Finally made it into work...so glad it is Friday finally this week has been a killer 9:35 AM

· It has finally happened...my insurance hates me. My MRI is pending at this point waiting further info from the Dr. 10:36 AM
· En Route to hospital during lunch hour 11:54 AM
· Taking a walk while the nurse changes bandages...just ate lunch and don't need to puke it back up 12:24 PM
· Back at the office and waiting for the call to pick up my friend from hospital and take him home 1:36 PM
· Just got my friend from the hospital back home...Probably going to spend the night just in case he needs help until his gf gets back frm FL 5:21 PM

· Headed to bed...this time next week I will be in WV 10:23 PM

Saturday Feb 21st

· I hate Walmart but damn their low low prices 10:26 AM
· why did Verizon and Yellow Pages both send me freakin huge phone books...I will replace the textbooks holding the couch level with them 12:20 PM
· chopping onions makes me weepy 1:34 PM
· successfully chopped all veggies and still has 10 fingers...ahead of schedule so i might go take a quick nap before heading to the gym 2:12 PM
· finishing up making pizzas 5:43 PM
· is swearing off twitter and facebook for the evening 7:47 PM

Sunday Feb 22nd
· is going to try and get his act in gear before cleaning up the mess or going into town/gym 12:20 PM
· At the gym ... Going to see if I can get some laps in before back hurts to much 4:13 PM
· tired...so very tired 8:25PM
· Sleep time 9:42PM

Tweets: Feb 9th to Feb. 15

2009-02-15T20:13:00.003-05:00

So I haven't been blogging lately ... but have been updating my Twitter multiple times a day so what I will try to start doing is updating the blog with my weekly Tweets maybe with some commentary

Monday Feb 9th:

nearly killed myself this morning on the ice while walking out to the garage this morning 8:18 AM
Getting ready to take a break from Corp. Compliance to go to a doctor's appt. … fun 11:34 AM
Listening to ep.75 of SModcast to finish out the day here in the detention cell b4 training 3:09 PM
in the process of having the Starbucks hot choc. washed off the car. 6:24 PM
getting ready to watch SCRABYLON and interested to see how it compares to WORD WARS 7:01 PM
so tired and back is sore that he passed on an opportunity to sub the 5:30am spin class...headed to bed after doping up 9:15 PM

Tuesday Feb. 10th:

trying to decide between Corp. compliance or Day Hab research...I think neither 9:23 AM
Looking for some motivation here...somewhere...maybe 12:48 PM
Sitting here putting together a grocery list … yeah fun…need to work on photosynthesis a way to nourish self 1:57 PM
time for afternoon oatmeal...peaches and cream 3:31 PM
stupid public transportation, stop lights and school buses 4:41 PM
Off to bed...can't keep eyes open ...so ends another less than exciting day...and have to et up early tomorrow 10:00 PM

Wednesday Feb. 11th:

wants to take a nap before the unit meeting @10...maybe boss will bring in breakfast 8:17 AM
If my desk wasn't out in the open I would crawl under the deal and take a nap...there is enough room there 9:30 AM
mmmm donuts! .....drool. 10:03 AM
Out of meeting, in need of another suga infusion to stay awake and not laying in floor under desk 11:06 AM
listening to Wait Wait Don't Tell Me & having some oatmeal to avoid another donut 2:18 PM
glad I left work when I did..any long and my head was going to explode...sometimes I wish it would 4:00 PM
Watching BOUNCE: Behind the Velvet Rope about Nightclub bouncers 6:47 PM
looking for his files from his last back surgery so he can have them to take to his appt next week which is not soon enough 8:12 PM
is headed upstairs to bed. Working tomorrow even though its a floating holiday and I could take it off...but why? 9:07 PM

Thursday Feb. 12th:

And like clock work I am awake...ugh wish I good get back to sleep soon. Might go to Spin class if I can't go back to sleep 3:14 AM
trying to finish up this crazy Day Hab project by 10 when he has to go over it with his boss and supervisor. 9:03 AM
is making changes to this stupid Day Hay project ...head getting ready to explode...ARGGH 11:51 AM
So close to banging my head repeatedly because of this stupid project...and back is killing me and I can feel it in my leg a bit. Not good 1:12 PM
What's it going to be: are you real to me or are non dairy creamer?? 4:45 PM Non Dairy Creamer; Collective Soul
slow night...watched some xfiles and the last ep of The Office S.4 ..then fooled around with twitpic...a little help here,,, 9:45 PM
Can't get comfortable here in bed...listening to John Denver to try and take mind off my back throbbing...and I have to get up early 11:38 PM

Friday Feb.13th:

Can't get comfortable here in bed...listening to John Denver to try and take mind off my back throbbing...and I have to get up early 11:38 PM
First time waking up...about 3hrs of sleep so far...got to be up in 4hrs 2:39 AM
Been in and out of sleep for the past hour or so...today is going to be tough 5:08 AM
sitting @ his desk, listening to Comic Timing 81, paying some bills(ugh), and shirking until the boss gets in around 9:30 or so 8:18 AM
Still working on Day Hab crap...trying decide what type of drinkage is going to get him through the evilest of days (tomorrow) this year 10:09 AM
Attending Work space Orientation...uh yeah should be interesting 10:38 AM
Food Coma time...no motivation here ...time to look busy until 3:30. Probably just do crosswords and continually check twitter 1:21 PM
back to trying to figure out the drink of the weekend ...tempted to go w. Magic Hat...suggestions? 2:38 PM
15 minutes till I blow this popsicle stand until Tuesday 3:15 PM
@ doctors appt...funny times! 4:41 PM
Change of plans...off to Brown's Brew Pub for the evening....mmmm beer! 6:13 PM
tasting many good beers like cherry raspberry ale 8:10 PM
Drinking now at Ryan's Wake ...beer good...uh...yeah...just going to ramble on here ...have 50 some letters left...wait...damn! Almost..BEER 10:31 PM
Is THE CHAD 11:04 PM

Saturday Feb. 14th:

headed to bed after a great night 12:51 AM
considering saying in bed all day on the crappiest day of he year 8:16 AM
decided it was time to get out of bed and get something accomplished before his 11 am hair appt. 9:25 AM
headed upstairs to work and listen to Click and Clack on CAR TALK....on NPR 9:57 AM
HAIRCUT! 11:06 AM
watching Star Wars Animated Adventures: EWOKS and folding clothes 11:30 AM
Heading to the gym and running some errands before heading over to Conn. 2:53 PM
Is leaving for Conn. after grabbing a sausage egg cheese @ Dunkin & a Starbucks hot choc...healthest dinner ever 5:29 PM
Getting beat playing wii 8:51 PM Feb 14th
Watching Pan's Labyrinth 9:34 PM

Sunday Feb.15th:

trying to work out the soreness from "sleeping" last night playing some wii sports before it time to go to the fundraiser 10:15 AM
Is being classy and "wine tasting" ...mmm alcohol...BAM...next 1:19 PM
Has successfully tried all the wines and wondering when the beer tasting begins 1:52 PM
Just had the creepiest experience at a rest area ever last time I stop here when on the Mass Pike 4:11 PM
getting ready to start reading Absolute WATCHMEN...gotta be ready by the time the movie comes out in March 9:32 PM
My Absolute WATCHMEN book smells nice 10:00 PM
Off to bed.don't have to go into work(Pres. Day) but do have to go in an teach Spin in the morning.should be interesting w back issues 10:40 PM

Netflix 2008

2009-01-14T19:20:00.001-05:00

Below is the list of my rentals from Netflix since joining in June of 2008

Animated Movies:
Justice League: The New Frontier
Superman Doomsday
The Invincible Iron Man
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
Family Guy: Blue Harvest
Ultimate Avengers 2
Batman: Gotham Knight

Television Animated:
King of the Hill: Season 4
King of the Hill: Season 5
King of the Hill: Season 6
G.I. Joe: Season 2
Super Frineds: Galactic Guardians
Lil' Bush: Season 1
The Boondocks: Season 1
The Boondocks: Season 2
Dungeons & Dragons
Duckman: Seasons 1 & 2
Clerks: Uncensored
Legion of Super Heroes: Vol. 1
Legion of Super Heroes: Vol. 2
The Simpsons: Season 11
Dr. Katz: The Complete Series
The Complete Superman Collection
Robot Chicken: Season 2
Star Wars: Clone Wars: Vol. 1
Star Wars: Clone Wars: Vol. 2
Harvey Birdman: Vol. 1
Harvey Birdman: Vol. 2
Teen Titans: Season 1
Teen Titans: Season 2: Vol. 1

Television (shows):
The Office: Season 1
The Office: Season 1
Nightmares & Dreamscapes
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Season 3
Arrested Development: Season 1
The Best of Saturday TV Funhouse
30 Rock: Season 1

Documentary:
Comic Book Pajama Party
Confessions of a Superhero
Comic Book Superheroes Unmasked
Devil's Playground
Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price
Jesus Camp
The King of Kong
Hell House
Car of the Future
The Bridge
What Would Jesus Buy?
Word Wars
Thinking XXX
Sex with Strangers
My Kid Could Paint That
24 Hours on Craigslist
F**k: A Documentary
This Film Is Not Yet Rated
Starwoids
Heckler
Trekkies
King Corn

Movies
C.B.D.: The Comic Book Diaries
Caffeine
Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter
Death Shock
Water Lilies
Transmorphers

Resolutions

2009-01-01T19:29:00.004-05:00

Resolutions for the New Year:

-Spend even more time at the gym
-Start training to win Gold medal in 2012 Winter Olympics Curling event (really going to do it this year)
-Buy a new copy of the Zombie Survival Guide and make sure that the plan I have in place will ensure my survival should the need arise
-Crush my enemies, see them driven before me, and hear the lamentation of their women (or men...whichever).
-Eat more brains... er… bran.
-Really start ragging on the crappy movies that are made, watch more documentaries through Netflix and actually write about them here on the blog
-Buy Curtains...maybe
-Drink 5...no 7 glasses of Strawberry milk a day
-Find a Nemesis
-Write Manifesto about the evilness of the holidays which are tied to the economy
-Sell out
-Continue to alienate females by using words like "Babe", "Chic","toots", "chumpette" and 'tomato".
-Devote time to answer important questions such as:
"How do they cram all that gram?"
"How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?"
-4 words: Courtesy flush no more
-Get a handle on OCD tendencies such as making lists and what not

2008:Candidate For Worst Year Ever

2008-12-31T20:06:00.002-05:00

2008 is almost over ...to which I say Good Riddance.

This has possibly been one of the worst years ever and while I am not going to go into detail about it I am sure the posts from this year pretty much speak for themselves.

Oh sure there where a few good things (few and far between) but if you light a few candles in a dark cave then you really can't see squat either.

My trips to places such as as Boston, Conn, PA, and CA and triathloning were probably the best things this year.

Do I see things improving in the coming year??? Not really probably going to continue to stumble around in the dark bumping into things as usual which seems to be par for the course

So long 2008 going to see if I can forget you ever took place with a few more drinks...like I need those brain cells.

-c

New Phone/Twitter

2008-12-06T21:30:00.002-05:00

After 2 plus weeks of waiting I now have my Blackberry Storm.

I have had it for almost 2 days now and still trying to get the hang of it. When I was first looking at phones I thought about getting a Blackberry but decided against it and went with the Chocolate LG which was a very nice phone.

When I talked to Verizon about my options for replacing my phone they checked my account and said I (probably like everyone who pays the bill every month consistently) qualified for an early upgrade so that plus the rebate on the Storm made it reasonable. The new plan is only 20 or so dollars more a month (before 19% State Worker discount) and since still is my only phone, so it is something I felt was doable.
-----
I also started a Twitter account which is sort of like a blog but more of a "what is happening now, slice of life" type thing as opposed to my blogs which are more "think pieces, rants or ramblings" I will be trying to update the twitter on a regular basis 2-3 times a day if lucky. It will be good especially if you need a pick me up when you see how crappy and boring my life is ... (I know great way to sell it...) Just click the link and enjoy or laugh...

http://twitter.com/caburdette

HUM BUG!!!

2008-12-03T19:17:00.003-05:00

Well it's that time of year again when the economy tetters on the edge of the cliff(this year more), give into tho their compulsions to put tacky inflatable decorations on their lawns, and phyically maim each other ...thats right unless you have been living in a cave or under a rock since before Halloween then you know what time of year it is...and if you didn't know that then please go....then....and finally...yourself.

Anyway I am not a big fan of the holidays first off is the fact that from October on its BAM...BAM...BAM. I mean can we at least have a break starting the day after Halloween to at least the week of Thanksgiving to have somewhat of a breather??? I think that is not too much to ask for...but NOOOO we can't have that.

I also hate going to the mall anytime after Thanksgiving (not that I really enjoy going there any other time of the year either). For me it is more of a "people thing." Now before you get the crazy idea that I am some freak with agoraphobia thats not the case. I just hate dealing with stupid people, standing in lines, and having people in my personal buffer zone(kinda like a DMZ). This is why I am glad Al Gore invented the internet...so I can sit here in the Fortress of Soitude and shop via the computer. I mean if I wanted to I could shop in the buff (see how many Yule beers it takes to forget that scaring mental image) if I felt so inclined.

Now I have tried to "get in the spirit" of the season. I have loaded the all time classic Christmas album John Denver and the Mupppets Christmas and the Charlie Brown Chrsitmas albums on my iPod and even watched the STAR WARS Christmas TV show from the 70's (which gets better the drunker you get) and still I can't wait till March when there are no stupid holidays (St.Patrick's Day is the greatest since all it requires to celebrate is the ability to get drunk).

Speaking of which "Yule beer" is the only decent thing this time of year. I mean practically every company puts out the holiday packs which for the most part, except those beers with Cranberries, are some of the best ones put out during the year. What I think I am going to do is grab some "Yule Beer" and watch the first part of How the Grinch Stole Christmas(the original) up to the part where he steals all the presents because after that point the story goes downhill and try to make it through this crappy holiday season.

BAH HUM BUG!

Book: God's Problem

2008-11-17T20:44:00.003-05:00

So I started a new book this weekend which my brother gave me called: God's Problem: How the Bible Fails to Answer Our Most Important Question--Why We Suffer

It is by Bart D. Ehrman the same author who wrote Misquoting Jesus : The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why which I finished this summer.

The Synopsis of the book is:

In times of questioning and despair, people often quote the Bible to provide answers. Surprisingly, though, the Bible does not have one answer but many "answers" that often contradict one another. Consider these competing explanations for suffering put forth by various biblical writers:

The prophets: suffering is a punishment for sin
The book of Job, which offers two different answers: suffering is a test, and you will be rewarded later for passing it; and suffering is beyond comprehension, since we are just human beings and God, after all, is God
Ecclesiastes: suffering is the nature of things, so just accept it
All apocalyptic texts in both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament: God will eventually make right all that is wrong with the world

For renowned Bible scholar Bart Ehrman, the question of why there is so much suffering in the world is more than a haunting thought. Ehrman's inability to reconcile the claims of faith with the facts of real life led the former pastor of the Princeton Baptist Church to reject Christianity.

In God's Problem, Ehrman discusses his personal anguish upon discovering the Bible's contradictory explanations for suffering and invites all people of faith--or no faith--to confront their deepest questions about how God engages the world and each of us.

----
I found his Misquoting Jesus to be insightful and interesting and it seems as this book is going to be easier to read and follow and I am looking forward to what he has to say on the subject.

No Phone

2008-11-16T10:23:00.003-05:00

So this weekend while I was at my younger brother's wedding I apparently lost my cell phone.

I have no clue what happened to it ... and it is not because of the mass amount of drinkage that I consumed. I had it with me when I got back to the hotel for the "after party" I know I had it but I couldn't find it when I started packing in the morning. I tore up my room and even had people helping me look for it...with no luck (surprise surprise).

So I am going to have to get a new phone...which is going to be a Blackberry...whoo!

Now I have avoided going the Crackberry route but it is time to become a zombie like everyone else.

I was going to get it yesterday here in Morgantown but there are no Verizon stores in the area yet.

I looked at a few online to get an idea about prices and these are the ones I like:
The Curve
Or I might go with the new Storm which is total touchscreen which comes out on the 21st:
I think the main factor is going to be how it would affect my current contract which still has 1 year on it.

But I am not in much of hurry since no one ever calls me anyway.

Alone @ the Movies Reviews

2008-11-10T20:56:00.003-05:00

So because I am such a loser I tend to go to movies on Sunday afternoon as a way to make the day go faster ... because I hate weekends!

So recently I have been to 2 movies with the past few weeks: Body of Lies and Zach and Miri Make a Porno

I am still working on a decent ratings system so I hope to have one by the next review.

BODY OF LIES:
Synopsis:
Newly stationed in Jordan, idealistic CIA agent Roger Ferris (Leonardo DiCaprio) teams up with veteran operative Ed Hoffman (Russell Crowe) and the head of Jordanian intelligence (Mark Strong) to infiltrate an underground network of terrorists and locate a criminal mastermind.
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As far as espionage thrillers go, "Body of Lies" isn't bad, but it's certainly not great especially considering that they are still trying to convince us that DiCaprio can act despite having friends in high places. For the most part he still looks and sounds just the same as in the last four movies he has made.

Leonardo DiCaprio plays an agent who is in the middle of the Middle East conflict, traveling from Iraq to Turkey and hitting many countries in between, while Russell Crowe plays an overweight agent in the U.S., dealing with the situation via his satellite phone. Together they are trying to catch the head of a terrorist organization who has orchestrated a Sheffield, U.K., bombing. Basically the film covers a lot of ground, but it doesn't seem to accomplish much. For me, what this movie lacked was 'something in the balance'. There is no meaningful objective in this movie nor any significant character arc. We get some interesting characters but the movie-makers spent most of their time on action scenes rather than developing characters.
Rating: **1/2 (out of 5)

ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO
Synopsis:
Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) have been platonic friends for years. When they both find themselves in financial hot water, they hit upon the idea of making an adult film to bring in some easy money. But when "action" is called, these two friends discover that unspoken feelings for each other may threaten the whole enterprise. Writer-director Kevin Smith helms this comic look at the line between friendship and romance.
----------
This movie is unashamed about its brash in-your-face style of humor. The title tells you the plot holding back only that, like in any Kevin Smith movie, a love story is at the heart of it. Albeit, hidden beneath a plethora of raunchy, topical, and hilarious dialog. This movie was true to itself--unapologetic in style and content.

Smith successfully titilates and tickles the "funny bones" of Smith fans, satirically sending up high school reunions, YouTube, and the adult film industry in this raunchy comedy while exploring an "intimate" view of the heretofore platonic friendship of roommates Zack and Miri. Humorous wordplay and visual jokes mesh well with the gentle emotions of friendship and attraction due to Smith's strong pacing and a funny and likeable cast of creative characters, headed by Rogen and Banks.

For me the draw really was hearing Smith talk about making the film and seeing thing that he and his producer friend Scott Mosier talk and ramble on about on SModcast their podcast about anything and everything. I was concerned on my way to see this since Kevin's other departure from his 'Clerks' franchise (Jersey Girl) turned out to be a train wreak, but having Jason Mewes (Jay) and Jeff Anderson (Randal) from Clerks in the movie was great. Since I am not a huge Seth Rogan, I was kinda worried since he was one of the main actors (although I did enjoy him on "Undeclared"). Great performances all around and another great script by Smith. This film is funny and definitely fits in well with Smith's other films.

Rating: *****(out of 5)

Done With Politics

2008-11-08T00:08:00.002-05:00

So I am done with the whole politics game.

It is not due to the election results...yes it was an historic election and I hope that Obama can inspire people the way he was able to during the election but for me I am sick of the whole mess.

I think that this election brought the worst out in both parties...be it the candidates themselves or the special interest groups who decided to malign the other side with half truths and what not. It just pisses me off to no end. I am sick of the whole "red state vs. blue state" mentality. Really both sides are to blame and the sooner that everyone realizes that it is a cyclical thing as to which party is "in power" the better.

So I guess what I am trying to say is at this time I am a man without a political party and frankly that suits me just fine.

I can only hope that a viable 3rd party comes along that I can associate with even though I know that it is truly a pipedream that will never be realized(trust me I did my Sr. Thesis on the topic).

I guess from this point on I am going to to consider myself a political outsider...and you know what...that is just fine with me.

The Netflix Files: Documentaries 3

2008-11-06T21:40:00.003-05:00

I am sick of politics so....
Documentaries Reviewed

WHAT WOULD JESUS BUY (2007)
WORD WARS (2004)
24 HOURS ON CRAIGSLIST (2005)
MY KID COULD PAINT THAT (2007)

WHAT WOULD JESUS BUY?(2007)

NETFLIX: Taking on rampant American consumerism with a focus on Christmas shopping, the Rev. Billy (Talen) and the Church of Stop Shopping go on a cross-country journey to save citizens from the Shopocalypse in this hilarious documentary produced by Morgan Spurlock. Reminding shoppers of the true meaning of Christmas, Reverend Billy exorcises demons at Wal-Mart's headquarters and preaches his message at the Mall of America and Disneyland.

Reverend Billy is not your conventional minister. With his bleached blond hair and white suits, he's taking the gospel to shopping malls. Reverend Billy’s mission: to save people from racking up credit card debt for Christmas gifts. Along with traveling choir of anti-consumer activism, WWJB has almost nothing to do with theology, using the concept only as a prop for "Reverend Billy" and his message that holiday shopping has become an orgy for the credit-happy masses. Rev. Billy's Swaggart-esque persona is hilarious but annoying at times, but he's good at drawing the curious. He's also good at annoying police and security guards as he exercises his First Amendment right to free speech (turns out there is no such right on Disneyland's Main St.).

The idea of the Church of Stop Shopping is amusing, but unfortunately this film doesn't dig deep enough into the issue. It gets the point across in the first half-hour, then spends another hour just showing variations of the same stuff in different cities. At one point, someone criticizes the group, saying the people in the choir are all probably on welfare, and the people in the choir scoff at it... but the film doesn't give us anything to refute that - the focus is always Rev. Billy, so interviews with choir members are rare. This message could be considered honorable if it wasn't trivialized by the radical examples and stupid stunts of Bill Talen as the pretend Reverend. I mean we are all a nation of consumers. If we all sifted through Talen's radical theatrics and attempts at martyrdom long enough to follow his message, our economy could be hurt.

Although produced and "presented" by Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me), WWJB exchanges the wit and charisma found in Super Size Me for strutting spectacle and attention-seeking mockery. WWJB is a more nebulous and feels a tad overlong.

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WORD WARS (2004)

NETFLIX: Follow four "word nerds" through their fastidious preparations and smaller tournaments that lead to the national championship Scrabble tournament in San Diego in 2002. These men are highly motivated (obsessed, even) and are not above uttering a few four-letter words when the going gets tough. Our favorite: Joel Sherman, a true dork with acid reflux trouble (he constantly quaffs Maalox) and no other discernible job besides playing Scrabble.

Word Wars is fascinating and a really great film that follows the eccentric, obsessed players of Scrabble Tournaments. If you like documentaries about "odd" characters living quietly among us then you'll enjoy this. Nothing heavy, just 90 minutes spent with some people who live in the world of the game Scrabble, and the tournaments surrounding it. These interesting characters show their desire, or need, to arrange their lives around this game.

Although Scrabble is why these men are battling to reach San Diego and play in the 2002 national tournament (Grand Prize, $25,000), it's their bizarre lifestyles and complete obsessiveness with Scrabble that really caught my interest. Living off of smaller tournament wins -- just a few thousand dollars at best -- and then, maybe, winning the $25,000 grand prize in San Diego, even the best player is living off of less than $35,000 a year! And he still has to pay for his travel, motels, meals, etc., at all of these events. Which begs the question, "How can they survive simply by winning Scrabble tournaments?" The easy answer is that they can't. Although there was never any mention of it, I'm sure that many of these players live off of the welfare system and, probably, their families. I'm sure that many of them also have regular psychiatric visits and are on appropriate medication for multiple personality problems. Interestingly, it is BECAUSE of these incredibly bizarre behaviors that you, the viewer, actually become vested in what happens to them like when they get angry with themselves and each other, smoke pot or drink medication to settle themselves down, or refuse to find a job and make a sustainable living outside of Scrabble play. All of these things made for a strangely interesting viewing experience. Not because of the Scrabble games, but because these are seriously flawed people playing it obsessively.

Although Scrabble, of course, is the prime overarching element of "Word Wars", this film is really about the nature of obsession. The documentary's four subjects seem to vacillate between knowing the whole scrabble obsession seems weak and stupid and taking it as seriously as ever. These four probably don't generate a whole lot of dignity in their other settings (e.g. the stand up comedy scene or Baltimore's ghetto), but at the scrabble table, their lives have meaning. The final scene/montage, where the national winner receives his due, is as moving as any similar sports movie theme. "Word Wars" is a hidden-gem well worth your time.

For me, "Word Wars" had the unusual appeal of not only being about the game of Scrabble, but actually about people . Four expert players Joel Sherman, Joe Edley, Marlon Hill and Matt Graham., are profiled in this fascinating -- yet at times sad and disturbing -- film. While there are many nice, truth-telling touches in the film -- the between-game camaraderie, the anagramming and word-defining visuals, the marathon sessions, Joel singing and playing piano -- the director spends too much time on the players' eccentricities and, for three of them, the relative squalor in which they live. In fact, Edley, the most "normal" of the foursome (having a wife, a family and a steady job with the National Scrabble Association) is given the least amount of screen time. As a result, the viewer is left with the mis-shapen opinion that all competitive Scrabble players are "word nerds" with limited social skills outside of their own clique.

This documentary held my attention throughout not because the main characters are heroic, but because the filmmaker captures the camaraderie and humor among the competitors. The film is an enjoyable journey, following the four men who freely admit their obsession to the game and recognize their place in the world. The film's clever and seamless use of graphics enhances the film, giving definitions of words as they're played on the board, and rearranging a group of letters into words. Clearly, a Scrabble fan made this movie. In the end, it's the competitors' love of the game, and the friendships that play out between them, that make this an interesting and entertaining ride.

This documentary satisfied on all levels. First, the subject matter was fascinating. We can all relate to the game of scrabble, as most of us have played it before. Therefore, you understand how the game is played and how tough it can be. Seeing these "masters" play it is like watching idiot savants in action, though. The skills employed in creating words is simply incredible and a fun, fascinating thing to watch. Second, the characters each are unique, with their own flaws, etc., but each with an underlying honesty and endearing quality that made you want to root for each one. You really come to feel like you know the characters and watching them interact with each other seems very real, alive, and true. Lastly, the documentary does a superb job of creating suspense and story out of what could have been fairly boring material, evoking emotion, laughter and concern as the movie progressed.

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24 HOURS ON CRAIGSLIST (2005)
NETFLIX: After logging on to craigslist.org for a mere 24 hours, filmmaker Michael Ferris Gibson reeled in a bevy of juicy postings from the online bulletin board, including the want ads "Flogging for flowers" and "Will marry gay guy for money." But his documentary really took off when he hit the streets to meet the people behind the postings. Bonus materials include outtakes, an interview with craigslist founder Craig Newmark and director commentary.

The website "craigslist.org" is an online classifieds list which has grown by word of mouth to about 10 million postings a month in nearly 200 cities worldwide (as of 5/06). "24 Hours on Craigslist" follows some of the stories behind the ads placed on Aug. 4, 2003 in San Francisco, where the website is based. Michael Gibson, the director, organized film crews and the musical score through, of course, a Craigslist ad.

Interviews with willing posters are woven together to form a snapshot of craigslist on that particular day. They run the gamut from "drummer seeks room" and "six strollers for sale" to "Indian virgin seeks willing woman" and "will marry gay guy for money." The people behind the ads are definitely interesting, but in the same way that surfing on the website is a random string of interests, offers, and desires, "24 Hours on Craigslist" has a similarly meandering style. The impact of selecting a particular day to focus on is minimal and little on the story behind Craigslist beyond the posts are shown.

A good documentary relies on a few basic guidelines -- focus, likeable or at least interesting characters, and some sort of clear storyline. Craigslist has none of these things. There are too many characters in this film, too many little stories that don't really contribute to the bigger picture, and none of it is particularly engaging unless you have a strong thirst for Internet culture. As a documentary, I unfortunately enjoyed the extras (particularly "Behind the Curtain") much more than the feature, since they filled in the background story of what Craigslist is really all about, including its origin of the email list (sent by Craig), its philosophy, and its future. If you are looking for something deep, you will probably be disappointed. If you like glancing through the classifieds and personals occasionally, you might enjoy being a voyeur on the craigslist community.

There was so much possibility for this project, so very little was delivered. A couple of cute characters appear, but for the most part a random selection of not- particularly-interesting people, and no development of any kind. This isn't a "Big Issue" movie. No political conspiracies, no children in peril. This is simply a glimpse into a single day in the life of not only the people on an online classified ads site, but the citizens of San Francisco.

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MY KID COULD PAINT THAT (2007)

NETFLIX: Amir Bar-Lev directs this thought-provoking documentary about a precocious 4-year-old artist whose abstract works have drawn critical comparisons with modernist greats such as Kandinsky, Picasso and Pollack -- and whose talents have already profited her more than $300,000. Is her gift with a paintbrush just an illusion, or is she truly an artistic visionary trapped in the body of a child?

My Kid Could Paint That brings to the fore questions of youth exploitation and all but labels modern art and the media's role in it a "con game". The film follows Marla and her family from over night fame and celebrity to the shame of infamy. Little four-year-old Marla, though cute and artistically creative, is not the most fascinating person in this documentary. This film is really about the adults - Marla's parents (the father who pushes her and is suspected of actually doing the paintings, and the mother who is at times reluctant), the gallery owner who helped propel sales, the patrons who fork out a fortune to buy her work, and the media who take turns throwing out words like "prodigy," and then "scam."

This documentary is also an intriguing examination of how humans can so quickly turn on something that seems too good to be true. In this case that something is 4-year-old Marla, who paints stunning, abstract canvases that are several leagues ahead of the visual babble that almost any kid churns out at that age. The problem is that her work is too good, and the world starts suspecting that something sneaky is afoot. After an initial love-fest, a good old-fashioned witch hunt ensues.

There is occasionally the feeling that the film's maker, Bar-Lev, is exploiting the unexpected fall from grace for his own selfish reasons. But there are other times he seems to empathize with the family's pain. He acknowledges that his camera's presence became a part of Marla's story, rather than simply documenting it and eventually altered the purpose of his film as he came to share in doubts about the legitimacy of Marla's status as an artistic prodigy. Overall the film lacks polish -- particularly when the documentatiarn turns the camera on himself.

Regardless of whether Marla or her father is the painter, the documentary raises so many fascinating questions, I was riveted. I was left wondering if Amir Bar-Lev was somehow part of a conspiracy to perpetuate the scam with the Olmsteads or to defame the Olmsteads. If the husband was helping or even outright painting the pictures, how could the mother possibly not know, or was she turning a blind eye? On the one hand, the mother professes to recoil from the spotlight, yet there she is in the stretch limo, front and center on the talk show, allowing herself to be filmed and interviewed. Only when the scandal hits does she start back pedaling and, predictably, shed a tear. (For Marla, of course.) Or maybe at being caught in her own lie. I was also fascinated by the angle of the father living out his own aspirations through his daughter, and in Anthony Brunelli, the gallery owner and himself a painter who is a photo realist who admits his scorn for abstraction. Was this a political statement on his part? All the characters are begging for psychological profiles. Furthermore, why was mainstream media so intent on accepting the story at face value and why was 60 Minutes so seemingly intent on debunking it?

Politics in Comics Podcast

2008-11-04T22:03:00.003-05:00

Holy crap, 75 episodes of Comic Timing?!?! Madness I say, madness! To bathe in the madness and to celebrate the upcoming Presidential Election here in the United States that is coming up on Tuesday, Comic Timing releases an episode focusing on Politics in Comics. Chad Burdette, Jon Carroll, and Juan and Raph of Geeks Unite! fill in for a missing Brent Kossina (have you seen my missing co-host?) as we go over our favorite political story lines, where we feel DC and Marvel fall politically, The Obama and McCain one-shots, DC: Decisions and plenty more where that came from!

This is all part of the Comic Book Podcast Theme Month that took place in the month of October.

So I have been waiting for this to be posted...

A few weeks ago I was once again on the 75th episode COMIC TIMING podcast discussing Politics and Comics.

Our discussion was on Favorite political storylines, whether comics and politics should mix and a bunch of other random tangents along the way.

When you listen and it clear that I am making little or no sense at all it is because we didn't start recording until 10:30pm and finished up about 2am (which is way past my bedtime) but it was a good time.

You can download the show on iTunes (Comic Timing Episode 75) or listen/download from COMIC TIMING

So yeah even if you are sick and tired of the election give this a listen...it will make you feel like a Maverick

Don't Blame Me...I Voted For Kodos

2008-11-04T20:03:00.002-05:00

So I voted this evening (using the antiquated voting machine)...even though I felt dirty and disenfranchised doing so since there was no one worth voting for (I would take a shower but that would require I turn on the heater and not doing that until I have to since I am a tightwad).

Now begins the Cone of Silence...I would say time to start living in a vacuum but I already do that.

As I said whoever wins we are screwed and we can only hope that the Alien Overlords begin the colonization and overthrow of the Earth well ahead of schedule....

We could only be so lucky...

Scary

2008-10-31T18:54:00.001-04:00

So it is Haloween...so here is something that will scare you...

Either John McCain or Barak Obama will be the next President of the United States....

SCARY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Life

2008-10-25T00:42:00.002-04:00

Life... is like a box of chocolates. A cheap, thoughtless, perfunctory gift that nobody ever asks for. Unreturnable, because all you get back is another box of chocolates. You're stuck with this undefinable whipped-mint crap that you mindlessly wolf down when there's nothing else left to eat. Sure, once in a while, there's a peanut butter cup, or an English toffee. But they're gone too fast, the taste is fleeting. So you end up with nothing but broken bits, filled with hardened jelly and teeth-crunching nuts, and if you're desperate enough to eat those, all you've got left is a... is an empty box... filled with useless, brown paper wrappers.

X-Files Season 4 "Musings of a Cigarette Smoking Man" (4x07)

We're Screwed 2008

2008-10-16T20:52:00.007-04:00

I can't wait for this election to finally be over...

I freaking sick and tired of all the bs'ing back and forth.

On one side you have what people believe to be the Messiah and on the other you have two "Mavericks."

Frankly I continue to believe that either way we are screwed.

I mean really do you think that whomever is elected will be the end all of the United States of America?

I still don't know who I am going to vote for...most likely a 3rd party.

Obama just frightens me because he is inexperienced and has a "cult of personality" following and apparently can do nothing wrong.
McCain is not the same person he was back in 2000 and has changed his stances on many issues in order to get in line with the Republican Party base.
Neither of the candidates have addressed issues that really concern me like: Where do they both stand on the all important issue of Geppettoism

I think I will be voting for Bob Barr, not because I agree with everything he stands for but he is a nut and makes no bones about it. I can also proudly say that I didn't vote for either McCain or Obama. My second choice will probably be General Zod.

Anyway this is what I think will happen:
No matter who wins in less then a year the other party will start the campaigning process once again and whomever wins will most likely be a one-term president unless they can work magic.

Tomorrow after work I am going on a news blackout. I am going to leave work, go to the gym, go vote, then I am going to come home do what I need to do to get ready for Spin class and work on Wednesday, depending on the time I might watch some of Season 6 of the X-Files and then go to bed and hope that when I wake up in the morning and get to the gym hopefully this election debacle will be over and done.

Yeah it makes me feel all Mavericky inside...

11 Years and Counting....

2008-10-07T20:10:00.004-04:00

So today is the day that I don't look forward to all year.

Today marks the 11th year since my father was killed.

Since I started the blog back in 2005 I have used this as a place to record memories and the times I spent with my dad. Unfortunately this year I don't think I am going to be able to do it. It is not that I don't want to or can't think off anything but nothing that I have tried writing feels real and I don't want to "phone it in". It really upsets me since this has been a very cathartic process but I just don't feel into it this evening and I have been sitting here for over an hour typing and deleting and repeating but it just not going to happen. So call this what you will...a "Best of..." or the "Clip Show" I really don't care.

June 2006: Father's Day: In Memoriam
October 2006: Homesick
June 2008: Father's Day 2008

Debating the Debate

2008-09-25T21:18:00.002-04:00

So tomorrow there may or may not be a Presidential debate...and if you ask me I don't care.

First off it seems kinda stupid to have it on a Friday night when people usually are not watching TV (I could be wrong seeing as I have not had mine on in 2 months).

Even if they do have it what good can come of it? Do the debates really influence people or are they merely a tool for both sides to perpetuate the Politics of fear and half truths and then try to spin it so that they come out looking good while making the other guy look like the devil incarnate.

If either candidate has more to lose I would have to say it would be McCain since Obama's whole M.O. is that of an orator.

You heard it here first it will be a repeat of the first Kennedy-Nixon debate. Historians and the public at the time agree that "fact wise Nixon won" but Kennedy was charismatic and used his oration skills to appeal directly to the people. Sure this is a pretty basic recap but I don't have the time or energy to do it any more justice.

So that's my two cents on the debates...I will be gloating and saying "I told you so" on Saturday.

and as always Whom ever wins...the Nation loses.

Making The Rounds

2008-09-18T21:51:00.002-04:00

So in the past 2 weeks I have been on 2 podcasts...yes they were comic book related

Comic Timing (episode 71)
When I was in PA I sat in with the guys who do the podcast. This was the second year I sat in and recorded with them. As always it was a blast and kinda rowdy...I am surprised we didn't get kicked out or at least warned by hotel security. If you listen you will learn what it means to be "maped." I will warn you that if you are easily offended then pass or if you are listening to it at work headphones are a must.

Raging Bullets
This past Sunday on my way back from Cleveland I recorded a segment with the guys who do the DC Fan Podcast. I have known the guys for a few years now and last time I was over in Cleveland they invited me to record with them. It was really cool to sit with them and geek out over the first 2 issues of Ambush Bug: Year Zero. It was a good time and I hope I get to do it again next time I am over that way and maybe then will have gone through the 2 months of back issues I have stacked up here.

Makes me want to do a podcast of my own

Another New Blog

2008-09-13T22:45:00.003-04:00

Yeah so I had to start the new Tri Blog early.

I Don't Date...I Train

Quote of the day by my older brother in response to my Uncle who was bragging about the Cleveland Indians having a 20 win pitcher:
"A 20 win pitcher and $5 will get you a cup of coffee to enjoy while you watch another team in the playoffs"

That's funny...I don't care who you are...

YANKEES SUCK!!!!

2008-09-12T13:17:00.004-04:00

The Yankees aren't going to make the playoffs...I Love It!!

Of course the Yankees fans are bitter about that seeing how the Red Sox are going to clinch the Wild Card. If it weren't for the fact that my man Tom Brady is out with an injury for the season I would be looking forward to Football.

Of course Yankees fans just love the fact that Brady got hurt. In fact I think Curt Schilling said it best when he called NY Fans "Bitter and Miserable".

I hope the Yankees enjoy the post season...watching it from their living rooms.

iPOD Top 25 Played Songs

2008-09-09T21:36:00.005-04:00

So if you ever wondered what the Top 25 played songs on my Ipod (Top 3 include actual songs from YouTube)--->

3. The Airborne Toxic Event: Sometime After Midnight

Indie rock band I first heard on Sirius Alt Nation. Great song

2. Breaking Benjamin: Breath

1. Linkin Park: Leave Out All the Rest

Pretty much have liked Linkin Park from when they came first debuted. Their music is great to workout to and every time they come out with a new album they reinvent themselves just enough to stay fresh.

Politics in the Key of Duh!

2008-09-05T22:54:00.004-04:00

So I saw this on CNN.com this morning…do the Republicans ever learn???

Heart condemns McCain-Palin use of 'Barracuda'

In February of this year John McCain at his campaign rallies, used John Mellencamp’s “Our Country” and “Pink Houses” booming out over the speakers. Uplifting heartland rock must have seemed like a smart pick, but there’s just one problem: Mellencamp is an ardent Democrat and was a supporter of John Edwards – who had been playing “Our Country” and “Small Town” at his rallies. At the time Mellencamp didn’t make a public response, but his reps were quietly reaching out to McCain and asking him to stop playing his tunes. Not to mention that those votes McCain was seeking probably wouldn’t agree with the mildly progressive lyrics to “Our Country,” which call on the government to “help the poor and common man” and suggest that “there’s room enough here for science to live/ And there’s room enough here for religion to forgive.” And did McCain really want to associate himself with those “Pink Houses” lines about the “simple man” paying for the “the thrills, the bills and the pills that kill”? Really don't think that shouts Family Values....

more recently McCain got in trouble for using Jackson Brown's song "Running on Empty" in a tv ad.

McCain is not the first to make these mistakes. George W. used "I Won't Back Down" by Tom Petty at campaign events during the 2000 presidential race but was compelled to stop using the song after receiving a cease and desist letter from Petty's publisher. Petty did not want the use of his song to be construed as an endorsement of then candidate Bush. During the 2004 election cycle George W. Bush used “Times Like These” by the Foo Fighters much to the dismay of Dave Grohl and company and prompted him and the rest of the band to get more politically active, and ended up helping the Kerry campaign as a result.
The ultimate misuse of a song was by Ronald Reagan, while one of my favorite Presidents, not the brightest move when he used Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA.” Lyrically, the song deals with the effects of the Vietnam War onAmericans, although it is often misinterpreted as purely patriotic and jingoistic. The song is in part a tribute to Springsteen's friends who had experienced the Vietnam War, some of whom did not come back; it also protests the hardships the veterans faced upon their return from the war

In late August 1984, the Born in the U.S.A. album was selling very well, its songs were all over the radio, and the associated tour was drawing considerable press. Springsteen shows outside of D.C. attracted even more media attention, and more notably, the widely-read conservative columnist George Will, who after attending a show, published a piece entitled "A Yankee Doodle Springsteen" in which he praised Springsteen as an exemplar of classic American values. He wrote:
"I have not got a clue about Springsteen's politics, if any, but flags get waved at his concerts while he sings songs about hard times. He is no whiner, and the recitation of closed factories and other problems always seems punctuated by a grand, cheerful affirmation: 'Born in the U.S.A.!'"

At the same time, the 1984 presidential campaign was in full stride at the time, and Will had connections to President Ronald Reagan's re-election organization. Will thought that Springsteen might endorse Reagan, and got the notion pushed up to high-level Reagan advisor Michael Deaver's office. Those staffers made inquiries to Springsteen's management which were politely rebuffed.

Nevertheless, on September 19, 1984, at a campaign stop in Hammonton, New Jersey, Reagan added the following to his usual stump speech:

"America's future rests in a thousand dreams inside your hearts; it rests in the message of hope in songs so many young Americans admire: New Jersey's own Bruce Springsteen. And helping you make those dreams come true is what this job of mine is all about."

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Granted the Republican party is at a disadvantage when it comes to music, Republican musicians tend to be Country singers and historically the Democrats are more anti establishment rock and roll.

I would like to think that those running the campagin for the guy who wants to be the leader of the free world would be a bit more careful...maybe they thought they could get away with it ...I mean was anyone watching the convention anyway???

Even a young kid knows after a few times ( I am a slow learner so it probably took me 10) that you if you touch a hot stove you are going to get burned. It is not like I am looking for things about the McCain Campagin to nitpick about...I would like to find something about his campaign I can latch onto ... and just not the hotness of Sarah Palin (especially that one picture where she is holding the machine gun...it just gives me that funny feeling)

I just think that they would be smart enough by now to avoid the negative PR....you would think

Political Masturbation...

2008-09-04T20:46:00.005-04:00

The Good News:
Tonight ends 2 weeks of political foreplay commonly know as the Convention Season

The Bad News:
There are still 2 months of name calling, pandering, posturing, and ads telling how evil the "other guy" is and how he is going to destroy America and life as we know it.

The Even Worse News:
Nothing pressing like oh lets say the tanking economy, the war, and pretty much every other problem are not going to be addressed in a constructive manner.
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Now I have only followed the conventions from what I read on the news sites but I can pretty much sum up both parties conventions:

Democrats:
The Republicans are evil warmongering people who don't care about the little guy and want to anally rape your grandparents and make them eat dog food while they count their fat stacks of cash on their backs from BIG OIL

Republicans:
The Democrats are anti-patriotic whiners who will tax you broke and bend over backwards to appease anyone who even thinks about pointing a squirt gun in the direction of the U.S. while they make sure that you can't drive your Hummer without taking out a 3rd and 4th Mortgage.

Now I know that the reason for the Conventions are to rally the base of the party and while throwing one heck of a kegger. But when do they start trying to convince me who I should vote for? I still haven't made up my mind...
Do I go with the "orator" or the "Maverick", Darth Vader or Alfred E. Neuman, Paper or plastic?

I watched the first 30 or so minutes of Obama's acceptance speech last week with my friend over in Boston while we played "Take a Drink everytime he says "Change" or bashes Bush...we soon realized that a) there was not enough beer in the house and b) we were tired. I am not going to even watch McCain, I have better things to do like count the dust bunnies around my bed or put together my spin list so I can torture my 5:30 am Spin class tomorrow. I can tell you what his speech is going to be without hearing it: Obama is unprepared to lead, McCain is a war vetern and will take on the Washington D.C. establishment. Then I would have to sit through the pundits and spin doctors getting their rocks off

Long story short:
Whoever wins in November the nation loses and the big winner in all of this is the Companies that sold the balloons and confetti to both parties

So....

SPINsanity

2008-09-03T20:17:00.002-04:00

Normally I would post this on my tri blog but I was trying to post maps of my bike rides for labor day weekend and apparently they thought the blog was a spam blog(which most of you probably also do) and are taking their good old time restoring it.

So the next week is going to busy teaching wise in addition to my taking the classes on Tues and Thurs:
Friday Sept 5th -5:30 am

Monday Sept 8th -6:15am to 7:15am @ Albany YMCA
8:00am to 9am @ Bethlehem YMCA (that's right two classes right after another and I will probably take the 5:30 pm class that evening)

Wednesday Sept 10th- 6:15am to 7:15am @ Albany YMCA
5:30pm to 6:30pm @ Bethlehem YMCA

Anyway tomorrow or Friday a post on politics

Misquoting Jesus - Book Review

2008-08-30T18:20:00.003-04:00

Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why
By Bart Ehram

Synopsis:
"The Bible"-its use in the singular can gloss over the fact that we do not have access to the original text, but only to manuscripts of a relatively late provenance produced at different times and places and containing among them thousands of variant wordings. An accomplished scholar of early Christianity, Ehrman (religious studies, Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill) ventures out of the ivory tower in this accessible lay introduction to New Testament textual criticism. He sketches the development of New Testament literature, the gradual accumulation of errors therein through the accidental or intentional revisions of copyists, and attempts (beginning with Erasmus in the 16th century) to reconstruct the original text. Since mainstream study editions of the Bible have long drawn attention to the existence of alternate readings, the reasonably well-informed reader will not find much revolutionary analysis here. But Ehrman convincingly argues that even some generally received passages are late additions, which is particularly interesting in the case of those verses with import for doctrinal issues such as women's ordination or the Atonement.
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Ehrman's book can best be described as an introduction to New Testament textual criticism for the beginners, in which he explains the subject in the context of his own background, relating his journey from being an Evangelical Christian to becoming a world renowned New Testament scholar. Besides D. C. Parker's "Living Text of the Gospels," Ehrman's "Misquoting Jesus" seems to be the only book on textual criticism designed specifically for the non-expert readers.

In short, Prof. Ehrman explains the copying practises of the earliest period and how the texts of the New Testament writings were corrupted as they were copied and recopied. He begins by introducing the diverse writings produced by the early Christians, such as gospels, Acts, apocalypses, Church orders, apologies etc. Briefly, the formation of the canon is also discussed and we are informed about the literacy level among the early Christians. Thereafter we are introduced to the world of the copyists and Ehrman explains how the early scribes copied texts and the problems associated with the copying of texts.

In a little over 200 pages, Ehrman gets to the point of how the New Testament came to be what it is today. No, it didn't just appear leather-bound, shiny, and new after Jesus' resurrection; rather, it was painstakingly cobbled together decades after Jesus' crucifixion from copies of copies of copies of (you get the point) the original writings of the New Testament authors, which were slowly altered over time by scribes that handed them down, sometimes by accident or othertimes intentionally by those meaning to "correct" things in the scriptures that didn't make sense.

Ehrman provides a clear presentation of how the New Testament from it's founding, transformations, and end result, today. The New Testament was copied, translated, edited, and altered, over centuries. He provides evidence of how many of the tenets of original Orthodox Christianity were lost, altered for political reasons, mis-translated, additions added, omissions removed.

For example, Ehrman tells us that NT manuscripts contain 200,000 to 400,000 "variations." Thanks to Amazon text statistics, we can learn that the NT has about 200,000 words. 1:1 or 2:1 is a pretty high rate of uncertainty!

Ehrman explains that the variations are due to accidental transcription errors, well-intentioned revisions, and revisions made to bolster doctrinal positions. The manuscripts that are probably closest to the lost original documents are papyri found in Egypt. There are 116 of them (Ch. 4, n. 24).

The much revered King James Version was based on a Greek version that was itself based primarily on a single 12th century manuscript (p. 79-83). Because of research conducted since the 1611 publication of the KJV, most manuscripts available today are better than the KJV source (p. 209).

He explains why so many discrepancies appear in what Christians consider to be the Word of God. Some are innocent enough: fatigue, a mishearing or misreading on the part of the scribe or the monk, and the not-so-minor problem created by a form of writing that included no punctuation and no spaces between words. Others, though, are more problematic: a monk forced to choose between two distinctly different meanings for the same word would likely be inclined to choose the meaning that best represented his own beliefs. Still others were blatant errors or additions that were introduced to alter the meaning of the text. Ehrman also offers clear and compelling examples of each kind of error, enough that even a skeptical reader would be hard-pressed to argue that what we have today is what was written in the first century.

One amusing graphic is a reproduction of a page from a fourth-century manuscript in which one scribe wrote this in the margin, apparently blasting a previous copyist: "Fool and knave, leave the old reading, don't change it!"

Another fascinating insights Ehrman offers is an explanation of the literacy rates at the time of Christ and later, particularly what it meant to be "literate" --- which sometimes meant little more than the ability to copy words. Yet, before the rise of monasticism, it often fell to a "literate" Christian in a given town to copy the gospels or the letters of Paul or other letters and writings of New Testament authors. Also important to note is that Jesus spoke "Aramaic" a language that has been a dead language for a long time. Many words from the Aramaic language cannot be transliterated nor translated to other languages.The potential for error was great, and that did not go unnoticed either within the church or without. Origen, a third-century church father, complained about the many mistakes he had found, while a pagan critic of Christianity wrote that Christian scribes had done their work "as though from a drinking bout."

My only gripe is that the book takes so long setting up preliminaries. I know that's necessary for readers without a familiarity with textual criticism and the particulars in the transmission of the English Bible. But it was a slow step through it and doubly so for the initiated. If I were re-reading this, I'd start in section three immediately.

This book was an eye-opener for me, because I had never considered that the scriptures we read today may not be the ones as originally written. The author presents an eloquent and persuasive case for that occurring. He shows quite convincingly how certain verses were changed, either accidentally or deliberately by the copiers of the earliest manuscripts. Many of the changes were incidental and neutral, but several were quite important and changed the whole message of that portion of the text. This is a book that everyone interested in New Testament studies should read.

New Direction

2008-08-28T23:29:00.004-04:00

AS I mentioned in my last post I am going to be taking this blog in a new direction. When I first started this blog it was an attempt to keep family and friends up to date on happenings in my life. Well since it seems that my life now revolves around going to the gym,spinning, and triathlon training and I have that covered with my other blog which I update on an almost daily basis (not that anyone really reads what I post. Anyway I have decided that I can use to this blog as a soapbox for other things (I have found that having a more focused blog helps me determine what to write).

So what am I going to be posting here? Well I think I will be talking about things such as politics, religion, politics and religion and reviews of documentaries and books that I have been reading much like I have been doing recently.

It should be an interesting peek into where I am in life and you might just learn somethings about me you never knew.

Vacation Final Thoughts

2008-08-26T20:02:00.008-04:00

So I know everyone has been on pins and needles waiting for this post. BTW new name and format for the blog starting tomorrow

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Saturday morning after going out for breakfast with my aunt and uncle, Todd and I left for Universal Studios Hollywood

Before heading to Universal Studios we stopped back down by Hollywood Blvd on the off chance that Christopher Dennis (Superman) was there...but no luck again. Also stopped at the Harley Davidson shop and bought my mother a shirt.

Once we arrived at Universal we got in line to get our tickets which was your typical huge line of people taking their good ole time, luckily I saw the “Do It Yourself” line which saved us about 45 minutes. The first thing we did was the House of Horrors which was interesting …the only thing that really got me was when this actor dressed in a “CHUCKY” outfit from a dark corner which I wasn’t expecting.

The next thing we went to was the Terminator 2:3D show. On the way over we passed this guy:

He was pretty good…blew air in his ear and everything and got not a flinch.

The Terminator show was okay…it was obvious it has been around for awhile and the 3D was not that good.

We then headed down to the Lower Lot and rode the Revenge of the Mummy indoor roller coaster. A bit shaky and definitely not made for people who have had back issues. The ride goes forward first then goes backwards and is a really short ride. Next we did the Special Effects Stage which was funny and then we went next door to the Backdraft show. I like fire so this was cool to see the pyrotechnic display was awesome.

The only ride we didn’t do was the Jurassic Park water flume. I just didn’t feel like walking around the park with my underwear soaked to the bone…not a big fan of chaffing.

So went back up to the Upper Lot and did the best (and newest ride) of the day: The Simpsons Ride…which replaced Back to the Future. As you can see from the pictures below I am a bit of a Simpsons fanatic. The ride was awesome and the wait was also not bad since they were showing clips form the show and some new stuff. So I tried to get pictures of everything (as you can see in the filmstrips below).

Outside:

Inside:

Of Course this is my favorite picture

Me thinks Lisa is showing too much af an "upskirt" shot though

I rode this ride twice…worth the wait in line both times.

After getting off the Simpsons ride we went to Shrek 4D which was both funny and good. It reminded me of the Muppets 3D movie in Disney World. Next we ran and caught the 5:35 pm WaterWorld show…which was better than the movie and had less plot holes and better acting…yeah and I got soaked which at that point felt good.

The last thing we did was the Studio Tour which was good except that the girl who was giving the tour, she got annoying after awhile and the fact the sun was blinding as it was setting. Anyway there was some cool stuff although it was disturbing that the Bates Motel was located behind Hooville (How the Grinch Stole Christmas). Didn’t get to see any “stars” or any filming take place but that was okay.

Now the best things about parks like this are the “photo opportunities” like these:

I did almost got in trouble because Spongebob was being a little bitch and wouldn’t hold still …he was going for my drink so I was holding the top of his head to get him to turn around and face the camera, needless to say the handlers didn't like me doing that. I found it odd that the park people let you take(even take them for you) pictures with the characters with personal cameras when they had people there taking ones you could buy. Speaking of which I also found it odd that they sold huge cans of beer and mixed drinks in the park…I guess it is to help the adults cope with the kids.

After we hit all the rides we went over to the City Walk to grab a bite to eat at the House of Blues which was no longer there so we left and went to the Belmont Brewing Co. back in Long Beach.

My favorite was the Strawberry Blonde.

By the time we got back to the apartment it was late so we fixed a few drinks and played some football on the PS3…I had a new concoction: a generous serving of Gin, a shot of diet Sprite and Dragonfruit Vitamin Water. It was actually not bad even though it looked like a “girly drink” (the dragonfruit is pink).

Then we watched the Gold Metal Basketball game and went to bed.

A full day to say the least

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Anyway I enjoyed my time out in California and got to see my uncle and cousin who I had not seen in a long while and saw a lot of things while I was out there and hope to make it back out there soon.

I Knew This Would Happen

2008-08-25T02:30:00.000-04:00

So I am back home and the East Coast is still here (unfortunately) and yet I am not tired and my internal clock is now on California time.

Flight got in around Midnight like it was supposed to but it took them forever to get the bags up to baggage claim...apparently everyone and their brother was coming in late this evening. So after my bag finally came up I had to wait for a shuttle to the economy parking lot which again with everyone coming late it took 2 shuttles before I was able to muscle my way onto the bus...only knocked over 2 old ladies.

On the way home I stopped and got gas and stopped by the store and picked up milk (I am sure the half full gallon in the fridge is bad by now) and some other things I needed for lunch tomorrow before heading on home.

I am still debating what I am going to do stay up or try and catch a nap. I think I might teach my Spin class which is in ~4 hours since I have an appointment tomorrow afternoon which means I need to be at work around 7:30 and if I go to sleep then I might not get up and then it is totally going to screw up my internal clock.

Well I think i will pack my gym bag, sort my dirty laundry and then see how I feel.

BTW: apparently terrorists are now wearing wetsuits. As is par with my flying since 9/11 I get "the business" almost every time I fly. The genius TSA guy had a hard time understanding why I had a wetsuit in my carry-on bag.

Okay final vacation pos tomorrow hopefully.

Leaving California....

2008-08-24T12:13:00.001-04:00

So I am finally all packed and getting ready to leave for LAX soon.

I was up late last night watching the Re-Dream Team win the Gold metal in Basketball and for some reason Photobucket didn't upload my pictures correctly so I will have to post about Universal Studios when I get back to Albany (UGH) in between unpacking and getting ready to go to Boston for Labor Day weekend on Thursday.

So until then this picture will have to do until then:

Foreshadowing for my upcoming races????

Day 8 preview

2008-08-24T03:33:00.002-04:00

Wow...
So tomorrow I leave and go back to Albany...wahoo...not!

So Universal was a blast took over 100 pictures today so it I might have time to post tomorrow before I head out for my 2pm flight.

Where did the week go? I don't want to go home...

Working on uploading everything....still have to pack

ugh

Day 7: Anaheim Angels

2008-08-23T04:10:00.006-04:00

Hard to believe I have been here a week and I have to leave and go back to my crappy life in Albany on Sunday.

So today after the Spin Class and hanging out at the apt, Holli and I went to Anaheim for the Angels vs the Twins. Before the game we stopped at the Block which is basically a open area mall. There was this candy store that had these gianormous PEZ dispersers, I had to restrain myself not to buy all 5 of The Simpsons or the Star Wars ones:

We just walked around and also went to the Alcatraz Brewing Company.

I also lifted a pint glass for my ever growing collection. I am such a pro at this that I have a whole system down.
Afterwards we left for the Angels game. I think I like Angels Stadium better than Dodgers Park. I mean the beer was cheaper, the crowds friendlier, and the team better...except for tonight when they got blanked 9 - 0 but Boston won and the Yankees are almost out of post season contention (Yankees Suck!!!). My cousin thought that his boss might have had a box for tonight but it turns out he didn't which was alright anyway.

It was also BIG BANG FIREWORKS NIGHT

So we obviously didn't go to Mexico this evening but I was tired when I got back and it's a 2.5 hour drive and by the time we got there stuff would be closed.

I think tomorrow Todd and I are going to Universal Studios so that should be fun.

Okay so its 2 AM here 5 AM on the East Coast I guess I should get some sleep or at least try

Day 6: Huge Ass Margarita

2008-08-22T11:15:00.006-04:00

So yesterday afternoon Holli took me out to Santa Monica

I didn't do the morning Spin class because my knee was bothering me and like a dumb ass I for got my Flector patches at home. So I got up went to Starbucks for some liquid breakfast and then came back to the apartment.

So we left for Santa Monica around 1pm and walked around. We walk down the 3 block shopping plaza then went out to the Pier.

The Pier was cool, they had a Ferris Wheel and Roller Coaster out on it. I went out to the end to look around and there was this bird (see filmstrip below) just walking around out on the lower level and I could have caught the thing. I think someone called the cops about the bird and the truck sitting on the pier was apparently a popular photo oppertunity. There was a restaurant on the end of the pier so I was a bit hungry so we went in for a snack and I ended up ordering the huge ass margarita.

This thing was huge.
CHAD vs. Huge Ass Margarita
Half way there...
VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!
Nothing like a sense of accomplishment!

So after my victory we left and came back to the house and Todd and I went out to have dinner at one of the local bars then we came back and I whooped him in Madden '09

Well gotta run...busy day today: First off to the morning Spin class, then down to Anaheim to see the Angels play the Twins then come back and head down to San Diego/Mexico for the night and tomorrow.

I don't want to go back to Albany

Day 5

2008-08-21T13:47:00.004-04:00

Yesterday was a slow day.

I woke up and was going to go to the gym and do the morning Spin class but I got half way to the car and realized I didn't have the key to the rental so I came back up to grab it. After 20 minutes of frantic searching I thought I may have left it in the car because I knew I left it here. So as I was getting ready to call AAA my aunt called and said that the key was next door at her place. She had to move the car while I was in LA. I was relieved to say the least.

In the afternoon I went to the Olympic swimming pool down the road.

I was looking forward to swimming the 50M lengths but apparently they divided the pool into 2 25M pools. So I swam laps in the diving/polo pool for an hour or so before heading to the gym for the evening Spin class.

It was a relaxing day

Day 4: City of Angels

2008-08-20T14:21:00.004-04:00

So yesterday I got up and did the 7 am Spin Class which was better then the one the night before and I felt a got a better workout. After the class I stopped and had a liquid breakfast of Starbucks Hot Chocolate and then headed home to get ready to leave.

Holli got here about 10am but before we left we had to make a quick trip to Enterprise. The remote for the car was not working and I wanted to have it fixed or get another vehicle. While it was a mild annoyance I wanted something that worked yet didn't want to seem like an @$$hole about something kinda trivial. I had called ahead and they told me to stop in and they would see what they could do. However, after we got there they said that they could either upgrade (= more $$$) or trade it out for a car that did not have power features ...so I decided to keep the car.

After dropping my car back at the apt complex we headed up to L.A. for the day. The first stop was Hollywood Blvd. After lunch I wanted to see if Superman Chris Dennis from my favorite documentary Confessions of a Superhero (2007) was out doing his thing. As we exited onto the street there were two Batmen and a Spiderman that looked like he had just swallowed a bowling ball, and a Johnny Depp want-to-be pirate. We walked down the street to the Chinese theater where Dennis hangs out and we passed a Joker and Harley Quinn. To set the following exchange up I was being a geek and wore my Green Lantern t-shirt.

Joker: Oh know it's Green Lantern
Harley Quinn: Where's your ring?
Me: I lost it somewhere.
Joker: You better watch your back then

Now had I not been focused on meeting Christopher Dennis I would have stopped and had my picture taken with them but I was focused. So we walked to the Chinese Theater and I saw no Superman, there were two Supergirls but no Christopher Dennis. So we walked around and looked at the hand prints in front of the theater. So I was like ok I will go get that picture with the Joker and Harley Quinn, so we walked back and they were gone... so we walked up the street to the Scientology church and then stopped into Starbucks for a drink then we walked back up to the Theater to see if we could find either the Joker or Superman but no luck. There were two Spiderman's, a Wolverine, a Hulk (most likely not the one from the documentary) but not the ones I was looking for. So we left and headed to the Griffith Observatory.

Hollywood Blvd Slideshow:

So we left Hollywood Blvd and went up to the Griffith Observatory which was really cool:

So after hanging out at the Observatory we head out and drove around and drove back to Hollywood Blvd to see if Superman or the Joker/Harley Quinn had returned but alas it was not so...we saw Spongebob, a crappy looking Joker, Bart Simpson and Marlyn Monroe. I am still kicking myself for not getting the picture with Joker and Harley Quinn.

After driving around we decided it was time to head to Dodger Stadium to see the Dodgers play the Rockies. Parking at the stadium was great and so were our seats.
We were right next to the left field wall and had to keep alert during batting practice. The seats also allowed me to see Manny Rameriez, I wanted to heckle him but feared retribution from the Dodger fnas who had repeated "Manny-gasims." The one thing I didn't like $11 beers...outrageous...but I had 3 anyway and they are running quite the racket there they have regular size and large sized on their menu but don't carry the regular sizes only the large. So we watched the game until the end of the 8th inning since they were losing 8-3 plus I was tired from being out all day. When I got back I made that quick post and headed to bed.

All in all it was a fun day even though I was disappointed not to get to see Superman Christopher Dennis or get a picture with the Joker/Harley Quinn.

Back From LA

2008-08-20T01:59:00.001-04:00

Just got in from LA...tired ...details and pictures tomorrow

must find bed...

Day 2 & 3

2008-08-19T01:07:00.004-04:00

So the past two days have been relatively quiet

I am still adjusting to the time change and it is playing hell on my insomnia...

Sunday I just hung around here and recovered from being up so late and got my gear ready to go to the gym.

I went to bed about 11:30 after watching the Olympics and playing PS3 woke up at 1:30 (my normal time of 4:30am) and then was in and out of sleep until I got up around 7ish.

After another great breakfast I called and rented a car since the car I was supposed to be able to use is having issues which I more than understand that cars don't always like to cooperate. I have a Chevy Cobalt until Saturday for $150 which is a decent rate especially from Enterprise and for CA. So after I got back I got my gym bag ready and headed to the YMCA and took the Spin class. It felt good to get the blood pumping after being sedentary for 3 days but I think I have become a Spinning and YMCA snob. The Y in Bethlehem, where I practically live these days, is the nicest YMCA I have been too and has the best Spin bikes ever. The gym here had Schwinn bikes, similar to the bikes I teach on at the Albany Y.

I walked in the room and the instructor asked if I needed help setting up and I said no I could do it and told him that I taught Spin in Albany. His class was alright, didn't care that much for his music selection, but his workout was somewhat challenging. So after I did the Spin class I came back and had dinner and waited for Hollie, one of my aunt's coworkers to show up before we headed for Seal Beach (had to justify bringing the wetsuit with me)

The water really wasn't that bad...didn't do any actual swimming because it was getting dark and with my red goggles I would have been close to blind. I just went out and practiced diving through the waves and acclimating to how the suit felt in the salt water. After I had my swim, Hollie and I walked out on the pier and then went and grabbed some Cold Stone Creamery which was good.

Tomorrow Hollie is going to show me around LA and do all the touristy stuff there and then go see the Dodgers play the Rockies which should be nice. The seats are in the Left field bleachers and I think we are going to be close enough to heckle Manny Rameriez.

Ok of to bed with me doing the 7 am Spin class tomorrow before we head to LA for the day.

Uh ...Yeah

2008-08-17T06:58:00.003-04:00

So it its now 4am pst(7am EST ... Goo

I have been playing poker and drinking since 9mp(pst) currenyly working on my second In & Out Burger of my life... and watching my cousin and friend playing Madden...more updated post on Day 1 of vacation tomoro

yeah I suck @ poker...

whooo

Day 1: Venice Beach

2008-08-16T23:58:00.009-04:00

So I finally went to bed about 1 am PST, woke up around 5am listened to the ole Ipod for a bit before falling back to sleep around 6am and finally got up around 8am. When I got up however I came in and turned the laptop on and it said 11 am which I thought was wierd...then I realized I had for got to change the clock on the laptop.

Anyway the morning was spent watching tv, playing Madden '09 and have a wonderful breakfast of eggs, sausage, grits, and biscuits and gravy fixed by my aunt...yummy. After a few more games of Madden, Todd(my cousin) and I left the house first we stopped by Best Buy so I could pick up a new pair of headphone for my Ipod since they got messed up when I accidentally shut the car door on them...I know brilliant. We then headed over to the YMCA so I could pick up a schedule for the Spin classes then we headed over to Venice Beach.

If you ever want to feel normal about yourself then you have to visit Venice Beach.

Street ball courts where the movie WHITE MEN CAN"T JUMP was filmed
So apparently his guy stands still until someone throws some money in his bag then he moves for a short while.

Worlds Greatest Wino: I don't remember voting for this guy At least these guys are honest ... and funnySo this another one of those people who stood still. I stopped snapped the picture then one of the bums started shouting at me that I was a thief for taking a picture and not giving money to the guy who was "working." I know the deal after having watched "Confessions of a Superhero" documentary .
Venice beach boardwalk is lined with hippies and this is one of the Hippie mobiles...apparently it is also Henna tattoo central. This guy was cool

We as watched this other guy and I took videos which I will post when I have a better internet speed. Muscle beach area was empty maybe I will go back later this week to see the freak show again.

Up 24hrs...

2008-08-16T03:34:00.001-04:00

So I have officially been up for 24hrs...

maybe I should get some sleep...

Vacation...Begins

2008-08-15T23:37:00.002-04:00

So I have been up since 3:30 am EST ... and it is now 11:40 pm EST 8:40 EST...

Had no issues with my flight...

I am currently on my third wind...

So tired....

The NetFlix Files: Documentaries 2

2008-07-20T19:26:00.005-04:00

Documentaries Reviewed:
The Bridge (2006)
The King of Kong (2007)
Hell House (2001)
Car of the Future: Engineering for the Environment (2008)
-------------------------------------------------------

The Bridge (2006)

NetFlix: Over the span of a year, cameras capture tormented souls attempting to commit suicide by leaping from San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. Through poignant interviews with family, friends and eyewitnesses, the film reveals a common thread of depression, despair and chronic mental illness. This provocative documentary further reinforces the landmark's iconic legacy as the world's most popular suicide destination.

This is an engrossing and haunting film, though it is a difficult one. It is easy to be repulsed by being made to watch people contemplating suicide, and then, after an agonizing wait, seeing them jump and hit the water. The film does an excellent job of capturing the strange allure of the bridge, while avoiding being either too analytical or overly mystical.

The handling of the suicides in this movie is far more human and considerate than the manipulative handling of so-called reality shows. The director looks at not only the impact of suicide and mental illness, but also the effects of relationships, of living through the day-to-day and not wanting (or not expecting) such events of drama in their lives. The ranges of attitudes regarding mental illness alone are well worth watching this movie for. People who live with regret for their own actions (or lack thereof) or anger at a loved one for leaving them in that way. The suicides in this film are not presented in any way to glorify them. Instead, each and every person who jumps (or who attempts to jump) comes across as scared and confused. The jumper who survives his attempt describes it best when he says how he was determined to die until his hands actually let go of the rail, at which point he knew that he didn't want to die anymore.

Having been on the Golden Gate Bridge myself I can only imagine what it must take for someone to jump. I think the film takes a highly difficult subject that many people should be enraged and shocked by, and treats it more as a story of the survivors and our own confusion towards this compulsion and determination. Alas, these are human beings after all, so we are compelled to find some way to cope with the fact that our own can be so flawed. All in all, "The Bridge" is an absorbing, tragic,haunting, yet fascinating film, though definitely not for everyone.

The King of Kong (2007)

NetFlix: When Steve Wiebe got laid off, he turned to the classic arcade game Donkey Kong for solace; soon, he decided to challenge Billy Mitchell's long-standing record score. So began the bitter rivalry that lies at the heart of this curiously compelling documentary. Providing a history of competitive video gaming and a look at some of the key players, The King of Kong is at its best when revealing just how far Mitchell will go to retain his crown.

For the first 15 minutes, you will probably be chuckling to yourself and wondering how anyone in their right mind could be this obsessed with a decades old video game. Before long however, you will be rooting for these guys (one in particular) to break the next seemingly unbeatable high score. However, by the middle of the movie I found myself caught up in the drama and intensity that exists only within their exclusive circle of competitors, as they struggle to achieve the recognition of their peers.

Billy Mitchell is a rockstar of the arcade world. As a multiple record holder from the 80's, he is being challenged by a great honest and likeable family man, by the name Steve Wiebe. Steve has OCD and is one extremely competitive guy (much like myself). He decided to beat Billy Mitchell's high score in the hardest of the top games, Donkey Kong. Steve Wiebe's obsessive study of the game is absolutely fascinating. Even if you are not personally obsessed with arcade games, you will enjoy this peek inside the cultic subculture of arcade master gamers where there is a world of strategies and conspiracies; spies and investigators; mind games and more. It turns out that Wiebe accepted a computer board from the wrong guy. Was this a vendetta? Was there fraud? Does he win in a live sanctioned environment? I never would have imagined I would be so drawn into this documentary. By the end I was sitting back and cheering him on in a big way. It is horrible to see the manipulation rockstars use, even if arcade rockstars. You will honestly hurt for this man in his sadness and rejoiced in his victories.

King of Kong is a documentary that functions on many levels. It's comedic and quirky, focusing on a niche community in America that has high internal tensions and an odd foundation. The film does not entirely feel like an ethical documentary, as it really demonizes gamer Billy Mitchell (though he certainly assists in the process by being a complete tool). Nonetheless, it is the kind of documentary that can be successful without posing as an entirely objective study. The filmmakers really make Steve Wiebe out to be the hero, and he is. The film is funny, and an interesting study in a community, which definitely does not have a lot of exposure; sects of American life that you know exists but maybe haven't had the chance to delve into. You don't have to be a fan of Donkey Kong, or even video games in general, to be glued to the screen during this compelling documentary about one underdog's quest to obtain the highest score for the titled game

Hell House (2001)

NetFlix: This documentary goes behind the scenes of the Hell House, a multimedia fire-and-brimstone performance designed to give its audiences a glimpse of what awaits those who stray from the path of a strict Christian life. Put on by the youth members of a church outside Dallas, the show draws thousands of visitors each year. The filmmakers follow the rigorous creative process behind the show and paint intimate portraits of many of its key players.

Like Jesus Camp, I found the film difficult to watch and review. The director documents this Texas church's annual haunted house with a surprisingly objective eye: the participants' behavior and attitudes are never praised by the film, nor are they condemned. It would have been easy to edit this kind of material in a way to make clowns out of these people. The Hell House shows staged scenes of people with AIDS, in drunk driving accidents and on an abortion table, all designed to scare in the spirit of Halloween, but with "scared straight" punchline.

Overall, I found the film rather disturbing in parts. Watching these pleasant, smiling people cheerfully condemning people to eternal damnation over issues they clearly are not well informed about was quite chilling. Another part which I found to be disturbing was the extra that showed the "award show" they have with awards such as "best raped girl."

The members of the congregation come across as sincere, passionate believers. Strong feelings are built into the subject matter of this film, so it's not an accomplishment to generate them in the viewer. t I would have been impressed if the filmmakers could have made us understand these people better. The only moment in the film where this happens is when the single father has to deal with his very young son's potentially deadly seizure in the middle of a chaotic morning routine. That guy immediately became my hero and I totally understood his deep faith. That dimension did not appear again in any of the other characters. They all came across and mindless zombies with mob mentality.

This film is at its best when the Hell House workers and organizers are interviewed one-on-one it is interesting to note the personal and spiritual motivations of those who are participating. Some of these people have had bad experiences and have been strengthened by their faith. This documentary allows the subjects to speak for themselves. They explain their beliefs, their reasons and even some of their background. All things that feed into their desire to convert folks to Christianity and to put on this alternative to traditional Halloween haunted houses. However, other people condemn aspects of society (role-playing games, gothic music) that they are very ignorant about. The film drags in the middle, for the construction details of the "hell house" are not particularly exciting to watch. All in all, the film is a very revealing portrait of the people involved in the "Hell House" project, and provides some food for thought.

The scary thing is not the house itself but the reality that these people actually believe in this vengeful idea of God who shows no mercy and can only gain people's faith thru fear.

Yes, there were a few errors (such as the Star of David used as a satanic star) but the overall message of Hell House is exactly what you would expect from a Bible believing church I think the part I enjoyed most was when the people were waiting to enter into heaven or hell and the voice of God said, "Steve, even though your sins were many, you called on my Sons name on your death bed. I heard your cry and your name is in the book of life... There is nothing you could have done that would make me stop loving you." This is the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Which is what they were trying to get across.) You don't have to be perfect. Just believe and call on His name. Everyone makes their own choice. All of the scenes were possible consequences of choices. I guess I don't understand the mass freak-out over hearing the message of how to get free. People are so intolerant of what they perceive to be intolerance.

Car of the Future: Engineering for the Environment (2008)

NetFlix: Brothers Tom and Ray Magliozzi -- best known as the hosts of National Public Radio's "Car Talk" -- travel to Boston, Detroit, Iceland and Colorado on a quest to find the perfect car to replace Tom's beloved 1952 MG. Examining wide a range of ethanol, hydrogen, electrical and hybrid technologies, the siblings bring their trademark mix of wisecracking humor and comprehensive automotive knowledge to this engaging installment of "Nova."

First off, Car Talk is one of my favorite shows on NPR, every week I can hardly wait till it comes on the air. This documentary is an enjoyable trip through all the ideas people have for improving auto efficiency and getting us off of fossil fuel. If you've followed the topic there is probably not much new here, but you might learn a thing or two trekking around the car world with two funny guys.

I'm glad they ended with the Chevy Volt. I think this type of car may be the answer. The first 40 miles are all-electric, the next 600 miles run on gas. If you drive less than 40 miles a day and plug in every night, then you'll never use a drop of gas. If you need to drive longer distances, or forget to plug in, the gas engine is always there to back you up. As this program points out, running on electricity produces 40% less carbon emissions than running on gas, even with todays dirty coal plants, so that 40% will only get better. Ialso liked the section on cellulosic ethanol. Plug-in hybrids like the Volt could eliminate about 3/4 of our gasoline consumption, but there is still the gas needed to go over 40 miles per charge, and cellulosic ethanol from switch grass or other biomass would be a perfect way to fill that gap.

New Blog

2008-07-03T20:07:00.002-04:00

So for the past few months I have been blogging about my preparation for my upcoming Triathlon here on this blog ... well I decided to create a separate blog for my training and other sports related stuff so go to !BONK! Confessions of a Would-Be Triathlete.

Check it out....

-c

Two Weeks Away...

2008-06-29T20:54:00.002-04:00

So 2 weeks from now I will have done my first Triathlon or be dead...okay I really don't think I will die but I do have to admit I am a bit nervous and this is just my way of playing off the nervous energy. I am really excited because this is the first time have ever tried anything like this. The closest thing that I have ever done was doing the Mile Swim at Scout Camp (which I did 5 or 6 times).

I think a big part of the nerves is that I thought I would be in better shape then I am right now. I think a big part of it is that I haven't been able to get back to I was a year ago weight wise. Last summer before I broke my wrist/hand I was feeling good about my weight and was holding steady at around 200lbs and was working on my goal of 185lbs. Well let's just say that having an immobile limb for 3 months really limits the amount of exercise one can do. I tried to continue SPINNING but having to use a sling just put so much stress on my back that it was not fun. Also before the accident I was on a schedule (which some called insane) of being able to get up and making it to the 5:30 am SPIN classes at the gym and then go back and do the evening class...well hydocodiene sure knocked that train off the tracks. Once I got the cast off I still had ~2 months of PT which was exhausting and painful.

It was probably late October or November until I was able to even think about doing stuff with my wrist somewhat normal again (more on the wrist later). So about this time I told myself sure I had put on some weight but I was determined to get back where I was before the accident. Well since then it's been a series of starts and stops and the situation has only slowly gotten worse.

In January I decided the way I was going to get into shape was to give myself a goaql to reach towards...doing my first Sprint Triathlon. So I joined the Tri-Club and tried to get back into a routine of working out doing cardio and strength training which was going well for a few weeks until I had the flu for 2 weeks and then ended up in the ER with a severe migraine. Then I started have knee issues...at first I thought I could work through it then when it started to get worse my Coach said I needed to have it checked out which I did, and I have tendinitis in my right knee so I had to cut back on the Spin and quit doing Boot Camp at the Y. During this time I started working with the nutritionist at the Y who basically told me I wasn't eating enough so I tried to follow her instructions but I think it worked in the opposite way. It also didn't help that March was a very stressful month with my grandfather passing and the stress that my fraternity involvement coming to a head on the same day...no less, then being home/traveling for a week and being able to stick to my diet or workout program.

Since then it has been a roller coaster of starting to get in a groove of working out and backsliding. I haven't gotten to ride my bike as much as I would have liked to due to weather and still trying to find a good place to ride around here since the last time I was out I was attacked by a dog. Luckily all that really happened was I bruised my shin bad from where the dog slammed into the pedal and it jammed into my leg plus I am still leary about riding on the road with cars whipping around me. I have been doing a lot of swimming which I love and have gotten some great tips which have helped me improve my stroke technique. Running is has been the hit a miss thing since it is what really kills the knee. It is so bad that the next morning it is really stiff, even when I ice it religiously.

So back to what I started the post with... I AM GOING TO FINISH THIS RACE! Today we did an open water swim which was fun even if it was a bit weird using goggles in the lake. I wanted to swim across the lake but we had to stay in the "Swimming Area." Afterwards 5 of us decided to take a bike ride. I was syked because I got pedals this week so I could clip in with my bike shoes and was looking forward to trying them out...So as we were leaving the camp grounds about to hit the main road all of a sudden I hear Pssssssssst.... and my front tire goes out. Luckily I unclipped and the coach showed me how to change a bike tire ... fun times. After that we reversed and met up with the others then went back to the cars.

So I have 2 weeks to do my final prep. for the race which is a 325 meter swim, 11.5 mile Bike and 3.5 mile run. Then a week after I am going back to the Dr for both my knee and wrist...but until then I am going to tough up and work through it.

-c

The NetFlix Files: Documentaries

2008-06-25T21:24:00.010-04:00

So since I joined Netflix back in May I started off reliving my childhood...another words renting old cartoons and shows from the 80's...but lately I have really been getting into documentaries. Below are the first round that I have watched:

Jesus Camp (2006)

Netflix Description:
This riveting Oscar-nominated documentary offers an unfiltered look at a revivalist subculture where devout Christian youngsters are being primed to deliver the fundamentalist community's religious and political messages. Building an evangelical army of tomorrow, the Kids on Fire summer camp in Devil's Lake, N.D., is dedicated to deepening the preteens' spirituality and sowing the seeds of political activism as they're exhorted to "take back America for Christ."

Jesus Camp basically shows how one particular group of Midwest Christians live and raise their kids. The movie is brilliant because it offers no opinion one way or the other it simply shows how this group of people thinks and live. It's hard to give this movie a conventional rating. Was it a well-made and interesting documentary? Definitely yes. Was it enjoyable to watch? Absolutely not. As you can tell I had I very mixed emotions watching this documentary especially as one who considers himself a "born-again" Christian. While the film makers never overtly articulate a point of view, it was clear that the film was intended to shock, particularly if you have a left-of-center political viewpoint. If you read reviews, you'll see that they were successful, and perhaps rightly so especially for a film about religion and politics where one can only imagine it would be tough not to pick a side.

While I do agree with some of the big picture themes, parts of it were very disturbing. Such examples are the female pastor (who runs the camp) chastises a group of 8-year olds that they should be doing more fasting, and the Reverend Ted Haggard (recently disgraced in a gay sex and drugs scandal) who met with George W. Bush every Monday in the White House, and shows the enormous influence some of these people have over our government leaders.

Overall, Jesus Camp is interesting and worth a look especially with a discussion group. I believe this movie is absolute must-viewing and the serious attention of American Christian leaders. Conservatives will probably see the film as a left-wing attack on wacko Christians, but its straightforward approach supports its credibility and forces every viewer to think. In summation the movie starkly shows how popular evangelical Christianity has/can become entangled in a political agenda that is a far cry from the spreading of the Gospel.

Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price (2005)

Netflix Description:
Producer, director and activist Robert Greenwald takes aim at the corporate giant that's come to symbolize big business in America: Wal-Mart. Blasting the box-store Goliath for allegedly paying substandard wages, skimping on employee health benefits and eviscerating communities, this hard-hitting, emotional documentary profiles the struggle of everyday folks from around the country who've committed themselves to fighting the mega-retailer.

Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price largely focuses on the impacts Wal-Mart has on the individual level (according to the filmakers): closure of family stores, forcing its "associates" to work overtime without compensation, depriving them of a living wage, and forcing them onto welfare, destroying central business districts of small communities, diverting tax revenues from school districts, etc.

Most of what this documentary reveals has already been exposed to the public, but what we get here is all of it in a single impacting package. No matter your political persuasion this film should disturb you. In it's examination of the years of Wal-Mart skullduggery, the film examines Wal-Mart's record on employee wages and benefits, sexual and racial discrimination, environmental negligence, foreign outsourcing, and overall malfeasance, through a combination of archival footage and personal narratives.

There is no attempt by the filmmakers to appear objective, and the movie is relentlessly negative and mostly shrill in its criticism of Wal-Mart to the point where I suspect that it will fail to change many minds (which is the apparent goal of the filmmakers. The critique would be stronger if Wal-Mart's practices were compared to its competitors in order to provide a context;

I wanted to like this movie because I hate Wal-Mart, having grown up in a family-owned business. I have seen firsthand how this corporation destroys communities and local character. I have heard that a better film on Wal-Mart is "Is Wal-Mart Good for America?: Frontline" which explains the market forces at work and how Wal-Mart is changing retail and manufacturing on a global level and have placed it in my Netflix queue. Will I continue to shop at Wal-Mart…probably, but only if I have too.

Confessions of a Superhero (2007)

Netflix Description:
On Hollywood Boulevard, wannabe stars dress up as superheroes and pose for photos with tourists. Matt Ogens's documentary follows four dreamers who are just killing time until they'r discovered. Get to know a Superman who takes the role a bit too seriously, an Incredible Hulk who sold his prized video game system for a bus ticket to Tinseltown, a Midwestern beauty queen turned Wonder Woman and a Batman in need of anger management therapy.

This film documents four wanna-be actors who have resorted to portraying movie characters on Hollywood Blvd. The "stars" are the unique phenomenon of the "actors" who work by dressing as various movie characters and make their living by taking pictures and accepting tips from tourists. This documentary focuses on the Super Hero contingent of this hodge podge of urban thespians. We meet a former homeless man who now is the Hulk... a man who has some deep seeded mental and anger issues who plays Batman... a young female who seems to be searching for an identity of her own playing Wonder Woman... and a man who has become completely immersed in his own character, Superman (and who looks uncannily like Christopher Reeves) .

This is a fascinating Documentary. For a film about a group of people that could easily be looked down upon, there is no condescension here. There are four unique individuals here who have taken up the same gig to make money, but they all look at it very differently. They all seem to be about as far away from stardom as one can be even though they're in the city of celebrity and still they hold onto their dreams of fame and riches.

It would have been really easy to exploit these people and to make them look pathetic or foolish... because that's what one thinks when they're first introduced. The real talent of this film is that is shows the humanity of these folks. They are clearly troubled and yet there's something quixotic about how they strap on some spandex and go marching towards their dreams. And you end up pulling for them even though you know that they're going about their ambitions in the most unorthodox way imaginable. This film will leave you with mixed feelings. Is it funny? Is it sad? Is it scary? Are the "superheroes" we meet admirable for pursuing their dreams? Are they deluded? Pathetic? The answer is probably all of the above, but regardless, it's a very compelling, watchable film.

Devil's Playground (2002)

Netflix Description:
When Amish teens turn 16, they have the opportunity to venture out in the "Devil's Playground" (the Amish's term for the outside world) and indulge in 21st century vices such as drinking and smoking. At the end of this period, called "Rumspringa," they can choose to commit to the church for good. Or not. This documentary tracks 18-year-old Faron's struggle to reconcile his drug addiction with his deeply ingrained desire to live the Amish life.

I found this documentary about the life of young Amish men & women was really fascinating. About 5 minutes in that everything I thought I knew about the Amish was totally wrong and they lead their lives very differently than I believed. Going into the film the only thing I really knew was from the week I spent with at an Amish School as a kid.

Watching these teenagers go from having a very strict upbringing with no freedoms at all to suddenly having the freedom to do pretty much whatever they want was somewhat amazing. It is hard to believe that certain sects of the Amish partied so much, had drug problems, alcohol addictions, etc. just like the "English" population?

While the documentary featured many people but really focused in closely on a handful, so that by the end you felt like you really knew these kids and cared about the decision they made on whether to join the church or not. You really felt for them as they struggled with having a life of freedom vs. the religious life they were raised to believe. I found myself wishing that it was longer than 77 minutes because the film opens up so many questions about the Amish but it fails to answer most of them. Because of this many of the questions I had going into it were unanswered, and at the end I felt that I only had more questions than when I started. It gave little or no background about the Amish religion, and it left a lot of things unclear. I'd have liked to have seen more interviews with the parents, not just the teenagers, for example. We heard everything from the kids' point of view but very little from the parents.

I also could have heard a bit more about the lives of the Amish teenagers prior to Rumspringa and a bit more about their reintegration afterwards. The thing is that a lot of that may be too general for a documentary. Overall a very interesting film.

Next Documentaries in the Queue:
The King of Kong
Word Wars
This Film Not Yet Rated
Hell House

-c

On a Lighter Note...Part 2

2008-06-18T22:19:00.003-04:00

Couldn't resist..
Ok off to bed...beat from Tri-Club. We worked on bike to run transitions...ugh 15 minutes in the Spin room(it rained even after I drove home after work and picked the bike up) then 10 minutes on the track which was repeated 3 times increasing the intensity each time. I think next year I am going to do a blog/podcast which chronicles my training and we will see after the Pinebush Sprint Tri but I might do a Tin Man Triathlon next year but I need to survive this year first.

Race day is less than a month away....

-c

On a Lighter Note...

2008-06-17T20:41:00.002-04:00

I just found this funny!

(click on photo to enlarge)
BTW: I am using NETFLIX now so click the link to friend me.

Father's Day 2008

2008-06-14T21:41:00.005-04:00

I know I have blogged on this before (Father's Day 2006 and Homesick) but since summer and the warm weather is now here and just turning 30 then I have this itch that that I just can't seem too scratch and I think I just today realized what it was...the fact that this was the time of the year when we would go the Island to go boating and what-not. Yes, I have been back there since he has left and before I moved to NY but thinking back it just was never the same (and last year at this time I was not really in "boating condition"

I can remember, although some are more vague then others, many memories surrounding going boating with dad. There are 2 that really stick out for me of times that it was just dad and me at the Island.

I remember that the camp house that my grandfather built needed a new roof put on it and somehow I, at the time thought I had drawn the short straw that day, I think that my older brother was in college and working doing a summer intern type deal and my younger brother was just too young. But I remember we spent a whole day there putting aluminum sheeting on the camp house and it being a particularity hot day and the fact that every hour or so we would take a break by either taking a dip in the river or I think we may have even hauled the boat there and dad would take me out for a trip on the skis.But either way I remember that it was not all work and we finished the roof...basically it was dad up on the hot roof and me down on the ground handing him stuff and doing what I could to help which I really don't remember being much because at the time I had this thing about heights.

The second time that really sticks out was time we had to replace the runners on the boat trailer. I think this was one of the first times I actually got to drive the boat by myself because dad had to take the trailer to the parking area on the other side of the Island so we could work on it. I mean that was like a rite of passage, being deemed responsible enough to handle the boat which my grandfather owned and considered a prized possession, if even for a short time. I know for a fact that this time I got to go skiing and I think it was one of the first times I tried skiing on one ski.

Another Island memory I have was we were staying over night at the island but dad had to go with mom to her high school reunion and all I can remember is that some friends of my aunt's were staying with us and for some reason ( I think dad said he might come back that night) I insisted on staying up until he came back...I don't know I was young and I was a daddy's boy...sue me. Apparently I did the same thing when me and my younger brother had to stay with my grandparents (mom's) and I kept my grandparents up half the night because I wanted dad.

My dad was very supportive of me and my brothers. One area was with the Boy Scouts, now if I remember right my dad was in Scouts but never really got far in the ranks, but as me and my brothers got old enough we were in the scouting programs. I remember when my older brother was a Boy Scout, my dad and I would also go on the camping trips and we would sleep in the back of the Suburban (other Suburban stories at a later date perhaps) even when there were feet of snow on the ground. Even though all three of us achieved the rank of Eagle, he was only around to see 2 of us gain that prestigious award but I know he was of all three of us and our Scouting accomplishments.

Originally I was only was going to talk about the two memories from the Island but just remembering those has brought a flood of memories back so I went ahead a recounted the others while they are fresh in my mind.

I think I shared a special bond with my dad. Like myself he was the middle child of his family and I think, although I never got to ask him, that we also shared a similar experience of living in the shadow of the first born. My older brother is uber smart and I look up to him (he may just be finding this out) and my dad's older sister is a doctor. Again I am just making assumptions here but I like to think he knew what I was going through growing up and having to not necessarily compete but have the benchmark set high. I think the hardest part losing my dad when I did was the fact that I was just getting to that point in life where he not only was my parent but a best friend I felt I could confide in or feel like I could come to with any problem that I might have and get a another male perspective. I think the first time I started to feel this way was when he and I were putting carpet in my dorm room my freshman year. That weekend he came up to get me and noticed that me and my roommate were using a sleeping bag as a makeshift carpet. He mentioned that there was some carpet in the basement of the office and that we would bring it back and cut it for the room. That Sunday evening we spent a good hour or so measuring and cutting carpet and making an attic over the door and between the two closets. I think that was the first time I without thinking about it gave him a hug without thinking about it and thanking him for everything,

When we were home when my grandfather passed away my older brother found copies of the following picture:

I guess it is a yearbook picture of my dad, anyway I use it as a bookmark so when ever I open the book to read there he is. I really miss him especially around times of the year like this and often wonder why God saw it fit to take him when he did I mean on one hand he didn't have to suffer the things that come along with old age but he still had many good years ahead of him...just something I have a hard time reconciling with my limited human perspective I guess. Yes, he is in a better place but he is sure missed here. I think that he and his parents are up in heaven looking down on the rest of us in the family and watching over us and are proud of what me and my brothers have made out of the lessons he taught us while he was here.

-c

Catch up

2008-06-12T20:15:00.002-04:00

So it has been awhile since I really updated things.

I spent Memorial Day weekend over in Ohio visiting my friends and attending their sons birthday party. It was a blast...except for the 12 hour drive over, which wasn't all that bad...I would probably still be driving around Northwest OH if it were not for my TomTom GPS. On my way back over I spent the night in Cleveland with my aunt and uncle which was nice. I was so beat when I got home Monday night after spending the weekend drving and chasing a 3 and 1 yr old around.

Last Wednesday I turned the big 3...0...
Not only do I feel older but I have been constantly fighting the urge to watch Matlock and Murder She Wrote then go out and sit on the front porch and yell at the neighborhood kids. All in all it was a good birthday...I mean it wasn't like last year when I had my broken wrist/hand.

Speaking of injuries...I am still training for my triathlon which is about a month away. I have been slacking because I am still dealing with the tendinitis in my right knee. Even after a month of PT it still bothering me but I have decided to MAN UP and work through the pain and then go back to the Dr. and have both my knee and wrist (which is still bothering me) checked out again. Other than that training is going alright, trying to ride my bike daily and do the Tri-Club on Wed and Sunday. I am getting more comfortable on the bike and might be purchasing pedals so I can clip in rather than use the toe cages which make it difficult to start and stop.

I have been teaching SPINNING at the Albany YMCA for 2 weeks now which is cool. I bet it is even cooler when people show up...the Wellness Dir is going to start calling people and let them know that the morning class is back so hopefully people will show up because I am not sure how long they will continue to pay me for exercising by myself. I should get a class or two in the fall at the YMCA I go to everyday but until then this should serve as a way to hone my skills on the mic.

I have seen a few movies over the past few weeks:
Iron Man was real good and enjoyable. Probably one of the best comic book related I have ever seen. 4.5 out of 5

Indiana Jones 4 was a bit of a disappointment. It lacked many of the things that made the other good. The CGI gophers and stuff along that line really took me out of the movie along with the ending which was a let down and the fact that Indiana Jones didn't really do anything archeology related as things just seemed to fall into place.

Prince Caspian...besides butchering the story it reminded me of the first one which I really enjoyed. The added scenes and leaving out of pertainent plot points which would have made it a fuller story took away from my overall enjoyment. I wish they had stuck to the book like the first one did.

I have been renting alot of documentaries through Netflix which I will probably talk about sometime.

Well I think that about brings things up to speed...

-c

Indecision 2008? Part 2

2008-06-06T23:00:00.002-04:00

So now we have the November race setup...Darth Vader vs. Alfred E. Neuman.

Come on that's like telling me...So for the next 4 years you can drink all the beer you want...but your choices are Natural Light or Milwaukee's Best.

Hmmm I choose none of the above.

-c

I Did My Part....Dammit !!!(addendum)

2008-05-20T21:02:00.002-04:00

Forgot to mention that I am also going to be purchasing a new pair of running shoes (w/ birthday money)* I would have gotten them this past weekend but they did not have the half size down in the shoe I want and this is not your run of the mill shoe store, this is one where they actually film your stride and whatnot. I can't wait because I really need a new pair of shoes which will greatly help take care of the tendonitis and fluid in my right knee which has been hampering my training.

* this will be the second year that mom's birthday present to me was shoes. Last year I got a pair of Crocs and my Spinning shoes.

-c

I Did My Part....Dammit!

2008-05-19T19:58:00.004-04:00

So I did my part to help the economy which is going into the crapper.

I bought:
-a new Ipod to replace the one that crap out on me at the beginning of the year. Got the 80 gig classic. This will come in handy when I start teaching SPIN class

-I used part of my tax rebate to get a TomTom GPS. I decided to just go with the small 3.5 inch screen since thats all I really need. Still in the process of figuring out how to work it.

-My most recent and most prized purchase is a new bike. It is a 2008 FUJI Newest 2.0 road bike and is super sweet.
I needed a bike for the Triathlon in July and wanted to get a bike to ride. Once I get used to it I might even drive to the gym and bike the rest of the way in (~6 miles one way). This is going to take me a bit to get used to since it has been 13 yrs or so since I have really ridden a bike on a consistent basis. Once I get familiar with the bike I am going to get pedals with clips so I can wear my bike shoes but want to get the hang of everything first.

-c

Indecision 2008?

2008-04-20T11:50:00.005-04:00

I have a confession to make....

For the past 13 years I have been a hack and apologist for the Republican Party. If you could see my head it would be hanging in shame. Over the past year or so I have come to the conclusion that all politicians, both Republicans and Democrats), are merely self serving, uninspiring, clods who waste both the taxpayers time and money as they pursue their selfish ends. The other day I was going through some old papers I wrote during my Political Science Masters program and it struck me how much I let my political leanings a the time influence my interpretation of the material I was reading. I am surprised I even received some of the grades I did on certain papers it was so bad.

I was discussing the so called "candidates" that are running for President this year th other day at the gym and we agreed that whomever wins this year, the country loses. Now I did vote in the primary this year...for Ron Paul, only because he was the least detestable candidate for the party nomination (yes I am registared as a Republican but only in name anymore).

None of the current candidates really are at all appealing to me.
For Example:

John McCain:
The Republican party is in a sad state when this guy is able to win the nomination. When I think of McCain I think of both Star Wars and a beaver (stay with me on this one.)

McCain reminds me of Darth Vader except older and a lot more bitter. Close your eyes and imagine McCain in the Vader suit with his helmet off, whispering "I am your father, Luke." On one hand, this might be good for national defense and the war on terrorism to have Darth Vader at the helm. But on the other hand, Darth tried to kill his own teenage son, who went on to star in some very bad movies. I think it sends a mixed signal about family values.

notice the eerie likeness...

McCain also reminds me of a huge, angry beaver: industrious, yet rodential. I imagine myself sitting in a log cabin, looking out the window and seeing him just sitting on my lawn waiting while he scowls and licking his lips. I know I need to go to work, yet I am afraid that when I get home the house will be gone and probably floating down the river nearby. In order to prevent this I recommend building a large metal fence around McCain's "Straight Talk" tour bus just to protect him from the rest of the country.
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Hillary Clinton:
First off there needs to be and end to the vicious cycle (Bush-Clinton-Bush) that the country has gotten itself into over the past two decades. It is like the country is an abused person who keeps coming back hoping that this time it will be better.

Hillary Clinton reminds me of Dr. Suess's Grinch

I shudder everytime I see her and think that there is a slight possibility that she could be the leader of the free world. I am not against strong women and believe that eventually we will have a women President I just hope it is not her. Hillary reminds me of the old time snake oil sellers or used car salesman as a more updated reference. Hillary's big thing (again) is the BIG GOVERNMENT HEALTHCARE proposal. Everybody knows that the average voter is an idiot, but Hillary is actually DOING something about it: Experts agree that the proposal would most likely raise taxes on the middle class, but the idiot-infested middle class supports the idea because they don't pay attention too closely and they think they will be able to walk into the hospital and get serviced like a car. You have to love a candidate who isn't afraid to treat the whole thing as an investment.
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Barak Obama
The new kid on the block. Not much is really known about him since he does not have that much experience in politics on the national level. Obama reminds me of E.T. the Extra Terrestrial (one of my favorite movies of all time). He's lovable, that's for sure. But I'll never forgive him for making me cry uncontrollably as a kid when I thought the little guy was dead. It's hard to enjoy a movie when your head is puffed up like Ted Kennedy after an all kegger. Obama currently holds a small lead in the race for the nomination but who nows with the primaries still to come but ET fooled us too.

Not knowing that much about Obama and his lack of experience it scares me. He is almost like a cross between Mister Rogers and Alfred E. Newman. He seems like a nice guy who has it all together, but I have this nagging feeling that all is not right and every other morning or so he puts his underwear on backwards, calls his wife in to show her that "OOPS...I Did it again" and then they both laugh hysterically for an hour or so at the fact that he's trying to become the leader of the free world.
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I wish there was there was the option of "none of the Above" on the ballot as a way to show that there is NO CONFIDENCE in any of the candidates running. At this point I don't know who I am going to vote for in November. I might take Lewis Black's advice and vote for Santa Claus. I mean Christmas is apparently the lynch pin in the U.S. Economy since Christmas seems to becoming earlier and earlier each year. I also agree that electing Santa Claus as President would show terrorists we are crazier than they are. Although President Claus would only be allowed to use his well known phrases and laugh when giving a speech or meeting with other world leaders.

-c