I can't believe November is almost here again. Which means it's National Novel Writing Month again!!! 50,000 words in one month!!!
I have to admit I'm a little intimidated this year. It's going to be my fifth year of doing this, but I don't feel anywhere near a writing groove. But I have signed up. Here's my profile if you care.
I have also cleaned off my computer work space. I have a new computer that actually connects to the internet so I can do updates easily. I am planning to revisit a novel I began writing in college called "Deadlines." I still think it's a good story. I haven't pursued it in the past because other ideas kept getting in the way. But not I have nothing in the way (meaning I have no new ideas) so that's it. Wish me luck!
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Macha out
I know most people who read this blog don't care about baseball, but I have no where else to rant about this...
So, the A's fired Ken Macha ... again.
And even though they FINALLY made it past the first round of the playoffs, I think this is a good move.
The A's were swept by the Tigers. I hate to write those words, but they're true. And it's not that the Tigers had the better team (although they have a great one!). They had a better manager. And that's really hard to swallow after the crappy year Leyland had at the helm of the Rockies.
But the playoffs are a time when managers are needed to fire up a team or turn things around when they aren't working. Macha never did this. I know that professionals shouldn't need to get fired up, but they do. And I know that under Billy Beane no manager is going to really get full control, but something has to be done.
Anyway, I'm hoping for a St. Louis and Detroit series just to have the midwest showcased. And I have to admit, I'll probably be cheering for the Tigers.
So, the A's fired Ken Macha ... again.
And even though they FINALLY made it past the first round of the playoffs, I think this is a good move.
The A's were swept by the Tigers. I hate to write those words, but they're true. And it's not that the Tigers had the better team (although they have a great one!). They had a better manager. And that's really hard to swallow after the crappy year Leyland had at the helm of the Rockies.
But the playoffs are a time when managers are needed to fire up a team or turn things around when they aren't working. Macha never did this. I know that professionals shouldn't need to get fired up, but they do. And I know that under Billy Beane no manager is going to really get full control, but something has to be done.
Anyway, I'm hoping for a St. Louis and Detroit series just to have the midwest showcased. And I have to admit, I'll probably be cheering for the Tigers.
WARNING!
This is a public service announcement...
DO NOT (I Repeat DO NOT) go see "Man of the Year" with Robin Williams!
Tracy and I saw this over the weekend and it was just awful. It was billed as a comedy, but, if anything, it's a political thriller (trust me, it's not good at that either).
And don't tell me I don't understand Barry Levinson's vision. B.S. I loved "Wag The Dog" and still think it's one of the best political comedies ever. But this one sucks!
Williams isn't funny. Lewis Black is pathetic. The only person worth a darn is Laura Linney and she seemed like she was in a different movie (a better one!) the whole time.
I truly hope Robin Williams will again make a good comedy, but this ain't it.
P.S. Sorry for the light postings. I've been sick as a dog and then I had a loopy dentist procedure.
DO NOT (I Repeat DO NOT) go see "Man of the Year" with Robin Williams!
Tracy and I saw this over the weekend and it was just awful. It was billed as a comedy, but, if anything, it's a political thriller (trust me, it's not good at that either).
And don't tell me I don't understand Barry Levinson's vision. B.S. I loved "Wag The Dog" and still think it's one of the best political comedies ever. But this one sucks!
Williams isn't funny. Lewis Black is pathetic. The only person worth a darn is Laura Linney and she seemed like she was in a different movie (a better one!) the whole time.
I truly hope Robin Williams will again make a good comedy, but this ain't it.
P.S. Sorry for the light postings. I've been sick as a dog and then I had a loopy dentist procedure.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Monday, October 09, 2006
Bill and Mitzi
I think everybody has an Uncle Bill and Aunt Mitzi in their lives. They are the people in your family who insist on family getting together regularly. They organize reunions, schedule times to get together and/or just make that extra effort to ensure family stays together.
Bill and Mitzi live in Longmont. They are technically my Great Uncle and Aunt, but they are as close to our family as any of our relatives. (Andy's middle name is William in Bill's honor). Bill and Mitzi have been to every major celebration of my life (including junior high graduation) even though most of those took place in California.
This weekend we went to see them again. They are both getting older and their lives are busy with their own activities as well as those of their grandchildren. But they always make time for us and always want to know how everyone in our family is doing.
In these days where everyone is so busy that we often tell ourselves we don't have time for our extended family, I am very glad there are people like Bill and Mitzi who make sure we know that jobs may come and go, hobbies and other interests may fade and all those other things that fill our time won't seem so important years from now ... but family and friends are what really matters.
Bill and Mitzi live in Longmont. They are technically my Great Uncle and Aunt, but they are as close to our family as any of our relatives. (Andy's middle name is William in Bill's honor). Bill and Mitzi have been to every major celebration of my life (including junior high graduation) even though most of those took place in California.
This weekend we went to see them again. They are both getting older and their lives are busy with their own activities as well as those of their grandchildren. But they always make time for us and always want to know how everyone in our family is doing.
In these days where everyone is so busy that we often tell ourselves we don't have time for our extended family, I am very glad there are people like Bill and Mitzi who make sure we know that jobs may come and go, hobbies and other interests may fade and all those other things that fill our time won't seem so important years from now ... but family and friends are what really matters.
October Madness
OK, I know that I am one of three people in the world who cares, but the baseball postseason is awesome.
I'm fine with the fact my Rockies aren't in it (AGAIN) because I have faith in next year (AGAIN!).
But my Oakland A's have FINALLY made it past the first round and will now take on the dreaded Tigers for the AL championship and the honor of kicking the poop out of the NL (AGAIN! But I'm not happy about it).
Go A's!!!!!
I'm fine with the fact my Rockies aren't in it (AGAIN) because I have faith in next year (AGAIN!).
But my Oakland A's have FINALLY made it past the first round and will now take on the dreaded Tigers for the AL championship and the honor of kicking the poop out of the NL (AGAIN! But I'm not happy about it).
Go A's!!!!!
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Catching up, revving up
I graduated from college in 1991. I haven't seen nor heard from most of my friends from that era since around 1992.
Of course, they all have normal names like Tom, Scott and Cro-Mag (don't ask). Anyway, that makes it nearly impossible for me to Google them. So, I have to hope they find me (the one saving grace for being cursed with two screwy names!).
Well, the other day, I heard from my roommate and best friend from college, Bill. Found out he's married. Has a kid. Hard to believe because in my mind all those folks are stuck in the hardened amber of my memory as the drunk, crazy kids we all were.
Anyway, I've actually been having a fun conversation through e-mail with his wife, Patty. She enjoys writing, so, naturally the first thing I did was try to recruit her for National Novel Writing Month. And my writing buddy, Eric, is back behind the keyboard as well.
All of this has got me pretty excited once again for taking on NaNo. I'm still not sure what story I'll do. If I can't come up with something better, I'll probably work on the novel I started writing when I was back in Chico, going to school. It's called "Deadlines."
I'd love to get my NaNo novel from last year finished. And I'd like to get my pitch letters out to agents as well. I'll try to do that before November, but with work, racquetball, soccer, new TV season (including Lost tonight!!!), playing around with iMovie, and many other distractions, it will be a struggle.
Of course, they all have normal names like Tom, Scott and Cro-Mag (don't ask). Anyway, that makes it nearly impossible for me to Google them. So, I have to hope they find me (the one saving grace for being cursed with two screwy names!).
Well, the other day, I heard from my roommate and best friend from college, Bill. Found out he's married. Has a kid. Hard to believe because in my mind all those folks are stuck in the hardened amber of my memory as the drunk, crazy kids we all were.
Anyway, I've actually been having a fun conversation through e-mail with his wife, Patty. She enjoys writing, so, naturally the first thing I did was try to recruit her for National Novel Writing Month. And my writing buddy, Eric, is back behind the keyboard as well.
All of this has got me pretty excited once again for taking on NaNo. I'm still not sure what story I'll do. If I can't come up with something better, I'll probably work on the novel I started writing when I was back in Chico, going to school. It's called "Deadlines."
I'd love to get my NaNo novel from last year finished. And I'd like to get my pitch letters out to agents as well. I'll try to do that before November, but with work, racquetball, soccer, new TV season (including Lost tonight!!!), playing around with iMovie, and many other distractions, it will be a struggle.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Justice prevails
Saw this news item this morning:
Ex-Kiss guitarist Vinnie Vincent lost his appeal in a dispute over royalties with his former bandmates. Justices declined to consider lower court rulings dismissing Vincent's claim that he is owed royalties for his contributions to the heavy metal band's 1983 album Lick It Up.
All I can say is "YES!"
Vinnie was the worst guitarist Kiss ever had. Paul Stanley used to mock his solo on "Lick it Up" when he played it live. He would play the solo on the lead guitarists' guitar. Worse than being a bad guitarist ... he was REALLY boring.
Ex-Kiss guitarist Vinnie Vincent lost his appeal in a dispute over royalties with his former bandmates. Justices declined to consider lower court rulings dismissing Vincent's claim that he is owed royalties for his contributions to the heavy metal band's 1983 album Lick It Up.
All I can say is "YES!"
Vinnie was the worst guitarist Kiss ever had. Paul Stanley used to mock his solo on "Lick it Up" when he played it live. He would play the solo on the lead guitarists' guitar. Worse than being a bad guitarist ... he was REALLY boring.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Macs vs. PCs
OK, I'm back in the fold. I'm sorry I ever considered leaving!
I am a Mac person. Ain't no doubt.
For the past five years, I have learned to deal with a PC for my work life. I have found them to be much easier to use than I expacted. Many of my favorite programs (mostly Photoshop) run very well on a PC.
Because of that, I was considering going the PC route at home, too. I figured I could handle all the PC limitations and have the advantage of actually getting to buy software from a store ... like games and stuff.
But then I got my father-in-law's G4. This thing is sweet. Runs all my programs smoothly and WAY better than a PC. Plus, I recently discovered the absolute joy of iLife. This is the suite of programs that turns a Mac into a video production studio. It's incredible. I'm upgrading to iLife 06 (for an amazingly low price of $79!) and just loving it. I'm turning all of my South Dakota vacation footage into a DVD that will NOT bore other people. Believe it or not!
Plus, the latest Macs now have a chip that allow them to run Windows so we Mac people can buy those games off the shelf.
I was terribly close to giving in, but I have been saved.
I am a Mac person. Ain't no doubt.
For the past five years, I have learned to deal with a PC for my work life. I have found them to be much easier to use than I expacted. Many of my favorite programs (mostly Photoshop) run very well on a PC.
Because of that, I was considering going the PC route at home, too. I figured I could handle all the PC limitations and have the advantage of actually getting to buy software from a store ... like games and stuff.
But then I got my father-in-law's G4. This thing is sweet. Runs all my programs smoothly and WAY better than a PC. Plus, I recently discovered the absolute joy of iLife. This is the suite of programs that turns a Mac into a video production studio. It's incredible. I'm upgrading to iLife 06 (for an amazingly low price of $79!) and just loving it. I'm turning all of my South Dakota vacation footage into a DVD that will NOT bore other people. Believe it or not!
Plus, the latest Macs now have a chip that allow them to run Windows so we Mac people can buy those games off the shelf.
I was terribly close to giving in, but I have been saved.
Friday, September 29, 2006
Fuzzy
That's my brain lately. Completely fuzzy. Calling people their wrong names. Walking into walls. Watching Oprah (ha! just kidding. I'm not that bad). Not sure what this is about, but I'm pretty concerned (or at least I am until my brain forgets why I'm concerned and then I go back to trying to figure out the lyrics to "Louie Louie".
Hey, we gotta go!
Hey, we gotta go!
Monday, September 25, 2006
BTS ... post Star Wars
This is so funny! My buddy Ken Mooney sent it...
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6021365693605761325&pr=goog-sl
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6021365693605761325&pr=goog-sl
Whining
So, I saw "Last Kiss" over the weekend. This is a follow-up for the Scrubs dude to "Garden State" (which I thought was well done, but didn't have a great plot).
This movie is just as well done with a better plot, but my biggest struggle is listening to these 30-year-olds (and, yes, I'm in this category!) whine about the responsibilities of marriage and parenthood.
Wah! So you don't get lucky every night with a different woman (let's face it that only happens in the movies ... and for my roommate in college) and change a few diapers. Suck it up! It's a hell of a lot more manly to take responsibility for his life and his family than it is to whine about "losing my freedom." Good lord! Next it will be someone doing a movie about having to make a house payment! Oooooh! How do you do it?!?!?
OK, now I'm off my soapbox. It was still an OK movie.
Also, I saw "Everyone's Hero" with the kids this weekend. Despite the reviews, I actually enjoyed this one. It had a good story. If it hadn't been for an absolutely moronic ending, this could have been a great movie (although the animation was weak). And, before you ask, no, I don't like it just because it was about baseball. I will admit that there are very few baseball movies I don't like (MVP would probably be top of the list), this was good anyway.
This movie is just as well done with a better plot, but my biggest struggle is listening to these 30-year-olds (and, yes, I'm in this category!) whine about the responsibilities of marriage and parenthood.
Wah! So you don't get lucky every night with a different woman (let's face it that only happens in the movies ... and for my roommate in college) and change a few diapers. Suck it up! It's a hell of a lot more manly to take responsibility for his life and his family than it is to whine about "losing my freedom." Good lord! Next it will be someone doing a movie about having to make a house payment! Oooooh! How do you do it?!?!?
OK, now I'm off my soapbox. It was still an OK movie.
Also, I saw "Everyone's Hero" with the kids this weekend. Despite the reviews, I actually enjoyed this one. It had a good story. If it hadn't been for an absolutely moronic ending, this could have been a great movie (although the animation was weak). And, before you ask, no, I don't like it just because it was about baseball. I will admit that there are very few baseball movies I don't like (MVP would probably be top of the list), this was good anyway.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Preview or just view?
A couple other blogs I've read have talked about the Previews to movies giving away the whole movie or at least the best parts. Gotta say that I completely agree.
Seen the new flick with Ashton "jailbait" Kushtor and Kevin "If it's not a baseball movie, it stinks" Costner? It's not out yet, you say? But let's face it, if you've seen the previews, you've seen the whole dang movie. What more could there be? Think he's gonna have a sled called "Rosebud"? Nope! Sorry.
On the other hand, there have been a lot of movies recently that should have been edited by the guy who designs the previews. This guy took a lot of crappy footage and created a two-minute teaser that makes it look like it won't suck. These are the people who should be running Hollywood, IMHO.
Seen the new flick with Ashton "jailbait" Kushtor and Kevin "If it's not a baseball movie, it stinks" Costner? It's not out yet, you say? But let's face it, if you've seen the previews, you've seen the whole dang movie. What more could there be? Think he's gonna have a sled called "Rosebud"? Nope! Sorry.
On the other hand, there have been a lot of movies recently that should have been edited by the guy who designs the previews. This guy took a lot of crappy footage and created a two-minute teaser that makes it look like it won't suck. These are the people who should be running Hollywood, IMHO.
Back at it
Struggling to get back in the groove at work and now it's Friday! Needed badly!
Vacations most of the time are meant to recharge your batteries. But our trip to the Black Hills was just jam-packed with stuff to do and I am just fried.
The kids seem to be adjusting to all of this better than Tracy and I. Of course, all they are focused on is Halloween stuff that's now invaded the stores.
The weather has finally cooled here (I love it!), but I have to admit I'm wanting to get back on the golf course soon. I'm playing in a fun tourney (my first!) on Oct. 6. I just hope I don't embarrass myself (more than normal).
Vacations most of the time are meant to recharge your batteries. But our trip to the Black Hills was just jam-packed with stuff to do and I am just fried.
The kids seem to be adjusting to all of this better than Tracy and I. Of course, all they are focused on is Halloween stuff that's now invaded the stores.
The weather has finally cooled here (I love it!), but I have to admit I'm wanting to get back on the golf course soon. I'm playing in a fun tourney (my first!) on Oct. 6. I just hope I don't embarrass myself (more than normal).
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Back from the Dead(wood)
Well, we just got back from our trip to the Black Hills. I had never been there and I gotta say it was one of the best vacations we've done. Really fun, but exhausting.
We had a blast. I got to gamble and geek-out in Deadwood. The boys got to touch snakes, a bear came up to our car window (in one of those drive-thru zoo things). We saw Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse. Saw Mammoth Bones. Saw Wild Bill get shot. Ate a lot of junk. Spent a lot of time in gift shops! Went in a cave and a mystery house. Panned for gold. Swam in every hotel pool in the Hills. Froze our butts off during the lighting ceremony for Rushmore. Lots more.
Here are some pics from the trip:
We had a blast. I got to gamble and geek-out in Deadwood. The boys got to touch snakes, a bear came up to our car window (in one of those drive-thru zoo things). We saw Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse. Saw Mammoth Bones. Saw Wild Bill get shot. Ate a lot of junk. Spent a lot of time in gift shops! Went in a cave and a mystery house. Panned for gold. Swam in every hotel pool in the Hills. Froze our butts off during the lighting ceremony for Rushmore. Lots more.
Here are some pics from the trip:To the left, Alex tries to beat a chicken at tic-tac-toe at Reptile Gardens. None of us could beat that darn chicken. I'm a little frustrated!
The boys and I hanging with the prairie dawgs.
We ate at Kevin Costner's sports bar in Deadwood. When I looked next to our table, there was Crash Davis' bat from Bull Durham. It's kinda like going to Mecca.
Monday, September 11, 2006
89
Yup, 89! My best golf score to date! And, yes, this score might be sad and depressing to many. But I gotta tell you, it feels pretty amazing to me. I haven't been back to golf very long. I don't get out very often. And when I do, it's usually pretty ugly.
And was it a perfect 89? NO, shut up and quit asking questions like that. Sure, I took a few mulligans. But it was still an 89 in my book.
My friend, Andy, and I took our kids with us on the carts to the Mad Russian Golf Course in Milliken. This is slowly becoming one of my favorite places to play. It has some of the strangest and most fun holes I've played (and after getting an 89 there, I may never play anywhere else again).
And was it a perfect 89? NO, shut up and quit asking questions like that. Sure, I took a few mulligans. But it was still an 89 in my book.
My friend, Andy, and I took our kids with us on the carts to the Mad Russian Golf Course in Milliken. This is slowly becoming one of my favorite places to play. It has some of the strangest and most fun holes I've played (and after getting an 89 there, I may never play anywhere else again).
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Yee-haw
You know when you wake up in the morning and everything just seems right? (I know ... it doesn't happen very often, but still...)
Anyway, when I got to work and saw that Paris Hilton had been arrested for DUI, it just filled my heart with joy. Now, if we could get people to quit writing about anything else she does (as well as the exploits of Jessica Simpson, Lindsey Lohan, Britney Spears and all the other dimbos in the world) I'll be really giddy!
Anyway, when I got to work and saw that Paris Hilton had been arrested for DUI, it just filled my heart with joy. Now, if we could get people to quit writing about anything else she does (as well as the exploits of Jessica Simpson, Lindsey Lohan, Britney Spears and all the other dimbos in the world) I'll be really giddy!
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Music appreciation 2
My friend Eric Anderson sent this to complement the Simpsons guitar clip from below. I love classical music!
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