If you don't want to hear about a grown man completely geeking out, ignore this post...
No one at my work watched Lost, so I'm hoping some of you out there can talk with me. Last night's episode was incredible. Three shootings. More castaway ties PLUS the commercial for the Hanso Organization. Check out the new website here. The phone number on the commercial was 877-HANSORG (pretty weird stuff).
On the website there are two places for passwords that will probably get more content. First is with the signup for the e-newsletter. I'm sure there's something you could enter that doesn't make it freak out. Second, is in the company listings for the board of directors. Anybody know what to do here? Someone said on one of the sites that they heard about a password on the phone number voice mail (can't remember what it is now) but I tried it in both places and it didn't work.
Anyway, this is one of the greatest shows ever and, even more impressive given my job, the most amazing marketing campaign EVER for a TV show.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
80's (and some 90's) movies for kids
My kids are just the right age now to be introduced to a bunch of the stupid, fun movies I loved as a kid.
Here's our list so far:
Here's our list so far:
- * The Last Starfighter (a little scary but they cheered at the end)
- Mighty Ducks
- Teen Wolf (and, sadly Teen Wolf, Too)
- Batteries Not Included
- ET
- Addams Family
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (the trilogy)
- PeeWee's Big Adventure
- Ghostbusters
Still on my NetFlix que for them:
- Time Bandits
- Beethoven
- The Kid
- Hero at Large (I have no idea why I love this movie!)
- Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure
- Gremlins
- The Ice Pirates (stupid, I know!)
- Crocodile Dundee
- Mannequin (yes, it's a kissy thing, but they might still laugh)
Any other suggestions?
Bach-ing it
That's not like Bach, the composer. It's bach, as in bachelor.
Tracy's in California with her dad, so me and the boys are on our own this week. We're missing mom, but it's kinda fun to just be boys sometimes. (although mom left a detailed two-page instruction manual to ensure I didn't screw up).
Other updates:
* Still don't have an air conditioner. I think they are pissed at me after the column in the paper (or else they read this blog).
* The boys are being amazing with mom gone. They are cleaning up after themselves and even got ready for school two days in a row without me having to wake them up! (And I even got into work early both days!)
* My Relay For Life team is coming together. Next year I'm just going to be a team member, though. It's a lot of work.
* Rented Fun with Dick and Jane the other night. Wow, was that just bad. I love Tea Leoni. Hard to believe they made this dreck, though.
Bye.
Tracy's in California with her dad, so me and the boys are on our own this week. We're missing mom, but it's kinda fun to just be boys sometimes. (although mom left a detailed two-page instruction manual to ensure I didn't screw up).
Other updates:
* Still don't have an air conditioner. I think they are pissed at me after the column in the paper (or else they read this blog).
* The boys are being amazing with mom gone. They are cleaning up after themselves and even got ready for school two days in a row without me having to wake them up! (And I even got into work early both days!)
* My Relay For Life team is coming together. Next year I'm just going to be a team member, though. It's a lot of work.
* Rented Fun with Dick and Jane the other night. Wow, was that just bad. I love Tea Leoni. Hard to believe they made this dreck, though.
Bye.
Friday, April 28, 2006
Update
OK, so here's where we are with the air conditioner (because I know all of you are eagerly waiting to hear)...
So, Tracy called them ... somehow got it to $650. Remember, this is for a thing that (I'm convinced) THEY CAUSED!
Since I was still pissed, she told me to talk to the owner.
I have to admit I'm not much for confrontation normally, but I was pissed, so I yelled at the guy for a half-hour as he told me that I was a complete idiot for accusing his tech of causing the problem (he didn't say "idiot" but it was inferred).
In the end, I vented ... that was about it.
We still have to pay them $650.
If you ever want to know the name of a good HVAC company, I can tell you who to skip!
So, Tracy called them ... somehow got it to $650. Remember, this is for a thing that (I'm convinced) THEY CAUSED!
Since I was still pissed, she told me to talk to the owner.
I have to admit I'm not much for confrontation normally, but I was pissed, so I yelled at the guy for a half-hour as he told me that I was a complete idiot for accusing his tech of causing the problem (he didn't say "idiot" but it was inferred).
In the end, I vented ... that was about it.
We still have to pay them $650.
If you ever want to know the name of a good HVAC company, I can tell you who to skip!
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Coincidence
I know this will sound like me being one of those "When I was growing up" whines, but ...
When I was growing up, it sure seemed like service and integrity were more abundant qualities than we see today. After battling the local Honda dealership's service department for more than a month last year, I was frustrated.
But now I'm just pissed.
First, I have to explain that I am warm blooded by nature. I sweat when it's 60 degrees out. So, one of the first purchases for our home in Greeley was an air conditioner. We use it pretty regularly and we pay the installation company a service fee to keep it up and running well. We had already cranked it up a few times as the temps rose (while California was swimming! HA!). It worked fine.
Then, last week, the service guy came for his twice-a-year checkup of the air conditioner and furnace. He did a bunch of stuff that I don't understand and then he left. The next day we turned on the AC and nothing happened. We called the service people and he came out again and noticed the circuit breaker was popped. He pushed it back and told Tracy the cooling unit would turn on in about an hour.
Two days later and we still had nothing (meanwhile my house is sauna!). So we called the service people again. A different guy comes out and opens the AC unit and says it basically exploded and shows Tracy the melted components inside. He also says we need to buy a new one for $800 to $1,200 (depending if it was still under warranty).
Tracy said it seemed awfully suspicious that this could have happened right after the other service guy told her we had a "clean bill of health".
He said that was just a coincidence.
HA! Yes, I said HA! Give me a break! He later came back and told us the part was still under warranty but that it would still cost us $700! HA! HA! Tracy then showed him a coupon for 30 percent off and he said he figured that in already. HA! HA! HA!
In case you can't tell, I'm a little miffed. Tracy is supposed to call the owner of the company today. It'll be interesting to see if service and integrity are actually dead or not!
When I was growing up, it sure seemed like service and integrity were more abundant qualities than we see today. After battling the local Honda dealership's service department for more than a month last year, I was frustrated.
But now I'm just pissed.
First, I have to explain that I am warm blooded by nature. I sweat when it's 60 degrees out. So, one of the first purchases for our home in Greeley was an air conditioner. We use it pretty regularly and we pay the installation company a service fee to keep it up and running well. We had already cranked it up a few times as the temps rose (while California was swimming! HA!). It worked fine.
Then, last week, the service guy came for his twice-a-year checkup of the air conditioner and furnace. He did a bunch of stuff that I don't understand and then he left. The next day we turned on the AC and nothing happened. We called the service people and he came out again and noticed the circuit breaker was popped. He pushed it back and told Tracy the cooling unit would turn on in about an hour.
Two days later and we still had nothing (meanwhile my house is sauna!). So we called the service people again. A different guy comes out and opens the AC unit and says it basically exploded and shows Tracy the melted components inside. He also says we need to buy a new one for $800 to $1,200 (depending if it was still under warranty).
Tracy said it seemed awfully suspicious that this could have happened right after the other service guy told her we had a "clean bill of health".
He said that was just a coincidence.
HA! Yes, I said HA! Give me a break! He later came back and told us the part was still under warranty but that it would still cost us $700! HA! HA! Tracy then showed him a coupon for 30 percent off and he said he figured that in already. HA! HA! HA!
In case you can't tell, I'm a little miffed. Tracy is supposed to call the owner of the company today. It'll be interesting to see if service and integrity are actually dead or not!
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Been awhile
My sister (the only one who reads this...) complained I'm not updating enuf.
Truth be told, I wrote a really funny entry the other day and the computer ate it when I tried to post, and I was too lazy to go back.
Here's where things stand:
* My sis is now out in Seattle and her family will be joining her at the end of the school year. Bizarre to think of her anywhere but California.
* I FINALLY beat my racquetball teacher after nine years of classes! Yes, he was hurting. But a win is a win!
* Alex's soccer team (which I coach) seems to be slowly improving, but the rest of the league appears to be made up of teams who have been playing together since they were in the womb and it's pretty tough!
* Andy is growing! (Not a news flash, but really, he's starting to get taller (still hasn't lost a tooth, but it's a start!)
* I'm using WAY too many exclamation points!
* Softball starts soon.
* I bowled a 200 game for the first time ever a few weeks ago (can't remember if I wrote that before ... but I like to mention it).
* Got new golf clubs from my mom (well, they're new for me). Kinda fun to play with clubs made in the last 100 years!
* I haven't been writing very much because the time change is still kicking my butt.
Truth be told, I wrote a really funny entry the other day and the computer ate it when I tried to post, and I was too lazy to go back.
Here's where things stand:
* My sis is now out in Seattle and her family will be joining her at the end of the school year. Bizarre to think of her anywhere but California.
* I FINALLY beat my racquetball teacher after nine years of classes! Yes, he was hurting. But a win is a win!
* Alex's soccer team (which I coach) seems to be slowly improving, but the rest of the league appears to be made up of teams who have been playing together since they were in the womb and it's pretty tough!
* Andy is growing! (Not a news flash, but really, he's starting to get taller (still hasn't lost a tooth, but it's a start!)
* I'm using WAY too many exclamation points!
* Softball starts soon.
* I bowled a 200 game for the first time ever a few weeks ago (can't remember if I wrote that before ... but I like to mention it).
* Got new golf clubs from my mom (well, they're new for me). Kinda fun to play with clubs made in the last 100 years!
* I haven't been writing very much because the time change is still kicking my butt.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Long time, no blog
My sister, who is apparently the only one who reads this darn thing, complained that I haven't updated my blog much lately. Too true.
Well, not much to report, except:
* Yesterday, for the first time in nine years, I beat my racquetball teacher ... in racquetball. Sure, he was hobbling from an injury ... but I WON! (I don't get to brag much about racquetball, so I like to do it when I can.)
* Survived taking the kids to Chuck E Cheese on Sunday. I hate that place.
* My soccer team (and Alex's) lost our second game of the season Saturday. But the kids played great. It's a fun year so far.
* The Rockies are 5-2, in first place, have won five games in a row on the road (counting from last year) and are playing great. I'd like to take credit for it for helping cheer them on at Opening Day, but I've been doing that for eight years and they have stunk the other ones up.
* Had a cold on Monday. Felt like crap.
* I can't believe my sister leaves for Seattle on Sunday! That sound you hear is thousands of Jamba Juice chains going out of business.
* It's getting hot here. I don't like it. Meanwhile, in California, my parents are soaked. (And they think they have the best golf! HA!)
* Been playing more golf lately. Must be genetic. I'm getting hooked. I actually watched an instructional thing on TV the other day. You know when you think you won't grow up to be your parents? You're wrong!
That's about it. Happy now, twerp?
Well, not much to report, except:
* Yesterday, for the first time in nine years, I beat my racquetball teacher ... in racquetball. Sure, he was hobbling from an injury ... but I WON! (I don't get to brag much about racquetball, so I like to do it when I can.)
* Survived taking the kids to Chuck E Cheese on Sunday. I hate that place.
* My soccer team (and Alex's) lost our second game of the season Saturday. But the kids played great. It's a fun year so far.
* The Rockies are 5-2, in first place, have won five games in a row on the road (counting from last year) and are playing great. I'd like to take credit for it for helping cheer them on at Opening Day, but I've been doing that for eight years and they have stunk the other ones up.
* Had a cold on Monday. Felt like crap.
* I can't believe my sister leaves for Seattle on Sunday! That sound you hear is thousands of Jamba Juice chains going out of business.
* It's getting hot here. I don't like it. Meanwhile, in California, my parents are soaked. (And they think they have the best golf! HA!)
* Been playing more golf lately. Must be genetic. I'm getting hooked. I actually watched an instructional thing on TV the other day. You know when you think you won't grow up to be your parents? You're wrong!
That's about it. Happy now, twerp?
Friday, March 24, 2006
De-Tex-afying
Well, I'm back from four days in Austin, Texas. Trying to get the ya'lls and howdys out of my system. Had a great time (even if it was work related). The big place to go in Austin (apparently) is Sixth Street. Of course, the one night I was able to get out was a Monday. Not a whole lot going on in the area on Mondays. But a Monday in Austin is pretty much like Mardi Gras in Greeley, so I still had a good time.
Had lunch with my good friend Eric who is writing up a storm these days and attending baseball games in Arizona when he makes excuses to get down there (much better than Austin on a Monday night). He has been able to write all over the place on his laptop, and he was nice enough to give me the excuse of having younger kids (his are teens) to explain why I haven't been writing much lately. But that's crap. I know it. I keep letting everything else be a priority. And the problem is everything is a priority ... kids, family, job, money, soccer, baseball, community service, volunteering, being a husband, being a dad, being a columnist, being a teacher (yeah, I'm doing that, too) ...
So, if those are all priorities, where does "WRITE" come in? I feel guilty bumping almost anything else off that list (yeah, I could do baseball, but I really like baseball) ...
Of course, if I had a laptop, would I actually use it to write? That's the question. Would I, like Eric, drop my kids off at a practice and go to the library to write? I would love to say yes to that. And I would have every expectation to do that. But would I?
Not sure where I'm going with this rant. Just brain dumping. I'm writing ... at least.
Had lunch with my good friend Eric who is writing up a storm these days and attending baseball games in Arizona when he makes excuses to get down there (much better than Austin on a Monday night). He has been able to write all over the place on his laptop, and he was nice enough to give me the excuse of having younger kids (his are teens) to explain why I haven't been writing much lately. But that's crap. I know it. I keep letting everything else be a priority. And the problem is everything is a priority ... kids, family, job, money, soccer, baseball, community service, volunteering, being a husband, being a dad, being a columnist, being a teacher (yeah, I'm doing that, too) ...
So, if those are all priorities, where does "WRITE" come in? I feel guilty bumping almost anything else off that list (yeah, I could do baseball, but I really like baseball) ...
Of course, if I had a laptop, would I actually use it to write? That's the question. Would I, like Eric, drop my kids off at a practice and go to the library to write? I would love to say yes to that. And I would have every expectation to do that. But would I?
Not sure where I'm going with this rant. Just brain dumping. I'm writing ... at least.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Loving it
For the first time since 1991, I am happy about the Best Picture winner at the Oscars!
Ever since I saw Crash, every other movie this year has paled in comparison. I am just tickled it won.
In case you are wondering what 1991 was, well it was "Silence of the Lambs." I remember sitting in my little house in New Mexico yelling at the top of my lungs when it swept. I probably wasn't as invested in Crash as that, but I still whooped it up pretty good.
The other thing I loved was Larry McMurtry's acceptance speech about the culture of the book and how we can't lose it. I couldn't agree more and I plan on seeing my novels on the big screen someday, too!
Now, I just have to finish the latest one.
Ever since I saw Crash, every other movie this year has paled in comparison. I am just tickled it won.
In case you are wondering what 1991 was, well it was "Silence of the Lambs." I remember sitting in my little house in New Mexico yelling at the top of my lungs when it swept. I probably wasn't as invested in Crash as that, but I still whooped it up pretty good.
The other thing I loved was Larry McMurtry's acceptance speech about the culture of the book and how we can't lose it. I couldn't agree more and I plan on seeing my novels on the big screen someday, too!
Now, I just have to finish the latest one.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Say no to 'Flightplan'
This is a public service announcement:
Under NO circumstances should anyone be put through the 1.5 hours of hell known as Flightplan. We got it on NetFlix this weekend and watched it last night. I've been eagerly waiting for it because I love Jodie Foster and, despite the reviews, I thought it looked creepy. NOT!
Just stupid! Want a movie with plot holes you could fly a big-ass plane through? This is it!
And as long as I'm helping out... also avoid "Elizabethtown." Hard to believe Cameron Crowe did this one. Believe all the critics. It is that bad!
Don't say I didn't warn you.
If you are looking for something good, here are a couple recommendations:
Junebug (Amy Adams is awesome!)
Murderball (best documentary ... even though I loved those darn penguins, too!)
The Island (great stunts!)
Saw II (not as good as the first one, but I liked the stuff with the bad guy)
Lords of Dogtown (Heath Ledger shows his pre-Brokeback acting chops!)
3 Iron (an Asian film that is bizarre but also really fascinating)
Band of Brothers (my friends lent me his copy and I was blown away!)
Under NO circumstances should anyone be put through the 1.5 hours of hell known as Flightplan. We got it on NetFlix this weekend and watched it last night. I've been eagerly waiting for it because I love Jodie Foster and, despite the reviews, I thought it looked creepy. NOT!
Just stupid! Want a movie with plot holes you could fly a big-ass plane through? This is it!
And as long as I'm helping out... also avoid "Elizabethtown." Hard to believe Cameron Crowe did this one. Believe all the critics. It is that bad!
Don't say I didn't warn you.
If you are looking for something good, here are a couple recommendations:
Junebug (Amy Adams is awesome!)
Murderball (best documentary ... even though I loved those darn penguins, too!)
The Island (great stunts!)
Saw II (not as good as the first one, but I liked the stuff with the bad guy)
Lords of Dogtown (Heath Ledger shows his pre-Brokeback acting chops!)
3 Iron (an Asian film that is bizarre but also really fascinating)
Band of Brothers (my friends lent me his copy and I was blown away!)
Refreshing
So, I was having a pretty crappy Sunday because I had to go into work for much of it.
After work, I stopped by Wal-Mart for a few items we needed. The place was crazy. Packed. People bumping into people. Getting pissy.
And then I went to check out. Unlike many of the times I go, most of the checkout lines were open. I picked a small line to stand in and I noticed the checkout clerk. She was laughing and smiling and joking with the customers. She was just great. When it came my turn to tally my stuff, she was so happy and chipper, it just made the rest of the crap I was carrying go away. If a Wal-Mart person can be this happy, why can't I? Really turned me around.
Anyway, my new happy persona is continuing to work on my book. Yeah! I have been doing a rough edit of the pages I already wrote (as I read it because I forgot much of what I've done already!). So, I'm guessing I'll be done with that tomorrow and Wednesday will be the push into the uncharted (literally because I have no idea where the story is going!) waters of "Black Sheep."
After work, I stopped by Wal-Mart for a few items we needed. The place was crazy. Packed. People bumping into people. Getting pissy.
And then I went to check out. Unlike many of the times I go, most of the checkout lines were open. I picked a small line to stand in and I noticed the checkout clerk. She was laughing and smiling and joking with the customers. She was just great. When it came my turn to tally my stuff, she was so happy and chipper, it just made the rest of the crap I was carrying go away. If a Wal-Mart person can be this happy, why can't I? Really turned me around.
Anyway, my new happy persona is continuing to work on my book. Yeah! I have been doing a rough edit of the pages I already wrote (as I read it because I forgot much of what I've done already!). So, I'm guessing I'll be done with that tomorrow and Wednesday will be the push into the uncharted (literally because I have no idea where the story is going!) waters of "Black Sheep."
Monday, February 13, 2006
It's a start
Well, first day of my renewed plan for writing ...
Goal: 30 minutes
Did: 45 minutes
It's not much but it's a heck of a lot more than I've done in the last few months!
Goal: 30 minutes
Did: 45 minutes
It's not much but it's a heck of a lot more than I've done in the last few months!
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Vow
So after enviously reading the blog of my friend Eric Anderson who I mentioned earlier, we had lunch together yesterday. We mutually griped and groaned. We even talked how it was almost a year ago that we attended the Pikes Peak Writers Conference to begin our "official" writing careers (yeah, right!). The different now is that Eric has been writing recently and I haven't. I kept telling him how jealous I was that he was actually getting writing done.
Of course this is stupid. I know I could be doing the same thing. He said so, too.
Duh!
Eric has made a commitment to himself to write. So, I decided to do the same. Beginning Monday (I need time to get my body back in shape to wake up so early), I am going to write for 30 minutes a day -- 3.5 hours a week. That seems a reasonable non-Nano goal for me.
So, that's my vow. 30 minutes. One less sitcom. One-forty-eighth of the time it takes Jack Bauer to save the world.
That's it.
Of course this is stupid. I know I could be doing the same thing. He said so, too.
Duh!
Eric has made a commitment to himself to write. So, I decided to do the same. Beginning Monday (I need time to get my body back in shape to wake up so early), I am going to write for 30 minutes a day -- 3.5 hours a week. That seems a reasonable non-Nano goal for me.
So, that's my vow. 30 minutes. One less sitcom. One-forty-eighth of the time it takes Jack Bauer to save the world.
That's it.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Missing the groove
My buddy Eric Anderson is in it. Heck, it seems that a lot of people are in it.
Not me.
I'm missing my groove right now.
After November, I felt pretty darn good about where I was with my writing. Work since then: NADA! Oh, sure, I could use the defense that I have a new job, I have two active kiddos and we have been helping my wife's dad in California (plus the fact that another friend lent me the 10-disc set of "Band of Brothers" and I'm burning up the postal usage with NetFlix).
But they all sound like the same excuses some of my friends use when they say they can't do NaNoWriMo every year.
Eric has the right idea. It's time for me to stop wishing I was a writer and do something about it. Heck he even uses some sage advice from George Brett and turned it to his writing and it seems to be working for him.
So, I guess I'll take the advice of the Pine Tar king and do it.
Hopefully, I'll be grooving again soon.
Not me.
I'm missing my groove right now.
After November, I felt pretty darn good about where I was with my writing. Work since then: NADA! Oh, sure, I could use the defense that I have a new job, I have two active kiddos and we have been helping my wife's dad in California (plus the fact that another friend lent me the 10-disc set of "Band of Brothers" and I'm burning up the postal usage with NetFlix).
But they all sound like the same excuses some of my friends use when they say they can't do NaNoWriMo every year.
Eric has the right idea. It's time for me to stop wishing I was a writer and do something about it. Heck he even uses some sage advice from George Brett and turned it to his writing and it seems to be working for him.
So, I guess I'll take the advice of the Pine Tar king and do it.
Hopefully, I'll be grooving again soon.
Friday, January 27, 2006
Draggin'
So yesterday was my first day back from California. Crazy time. My wife's father was in the hospital and we wanted to see him and help her half-sister with a HUGE storage unit he had filled there. Lots of work. A little sad.
But because I'm determined to be more positive this year, here are the good things about the trip:
* We were able to get away one day to take the kids to Disneyland for the first time. Disneyland is like Mecca for my family and I was so excited to share it with my sons that I barely slept the night before. January is a great time to go because it's not nearly so crowded (although there were still a lot of people and it made me actually fear going there when it was busy). We were there when the park opened and stayed until it closed. 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. HOLY COW! Lots of fun. Andy proved himself to be the crazy one. He went on every ride (he even stretched himself to meet the 46-inch requirement to go on Indiana Jones). He loved it. He ended each ride with a scream, "THAT WAS AWESOME!!!" Alex was not such a big fan. It was really my mistake. The second ride we went on was the newly redone Space Mountain and it scared him silly. The next one was the Matterhorn and he actually really liked it except at the very end as we we getting ready to get out, he was resting his chin near the front bar and our bobsled bopped into the one ahead and he hit his nose on the bar. But the place is still magical. I loved it.
* We got a new van. We are buying it from my father-in-law. Which meant, of course, that I had to drive it back from L.A. which meant ...
* I got to go to Vegas. Of course, I had no money and no energy which limited my craziness, but it was refreshing just to be on the Strip for one night and to play a little Blackjack.
So, I'm back and work. Sore, tired and brain-dead. TGIF!!!
But because I'm determined to be more positive this year, here are the good things about the trip:
* We were able to get away one day to take the kids to Disneyland for the first time. Disneyland is like Mecca for my family and I was so excited to share it with my sons that I barely slept the night before. January is a great time to go because it's not nearly so crowded (although there were still a lot of people and it made me actually fear going there when it was busy). We were there when the park opened and stayed until it closed. 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. HOLY COW! Lots of fun. Andy proved himself to be the crazy one. He went on every ride (he even stretched himself to meet the 46-inch requirement to go on Indiana Jones). He loved it. He ended each ride with a scream, "THAT WAS AWESOME!!!" Alex was not such a big fan. It was really my mistake. The second ride we went on was the newly redone Space Mountain and it scared him silly. The next one was the Matterhorn and he actually really liked it except at the very end as we we getting ready to get out, he was resting his chin near the front bar and our bobsled bopped into the one ahead and he hit his nose on the bar. But the place is still magical. I loved it.
* We got a new van. We are buying it from my father-in-law. Which meant, of course, that I had to drive it back from L.A. which meant ...
* I got to go to Vegas. Of course, I had no money and no energy which limited my craziness, but it was refreshing just to be on the Strip for one night and to play a little Blackjack.
So, I'm back and work. Sore, tired and brain-dead. TGIF!!!
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Goosed
I love lists and other fun things people get to argue about. And I love baseball.
So, I love the annual Baseball Hall of Fame announcements.
I have three favorite all-time baseball players ... none of whom are in the Hall of Fame ... yet.
First, Pete Rose ... I don't care what he did after he played ... the baseball hall of fame is not a place for political statements, it's a place for baseball greats and Pete should be there.
Second, Rickey Henderson ... I'm sure he'll be in once he decides to actually retire. I love the guy's drive to succeed and be the best ... even now. I remember as a kid when I watched Rickey break Lou Brock's career record. I blew off several soccer practices just to see it happen on my little black and white TV in my room. He's just outstanding!
Now, you may be thinking that two of my favorite players are ... well ... ummm ... ok, I'll just say it ... JERKS. I suppose that's true. Neither Pete or Rickey are nice guys. But there's nobody I would rather watch play the game than those two guys in their prime.
My third pick is a nice guy ... although he wasn't on the baseball field.
Goose Gossage was scary. I mean really scary. He had the greatest stare down from the mound ever (although Dave Stewart later came close). He was a set-up man and a closer combined. He was ruthless and efficient. He was perfection.
For years, Goose has been overlooked for the Hall. I am truly hopeful that he finally makes it today when the HOF class is announced. I know everyone says Bruce Sutter is the only one who might make it, but Goose is far more deserving in my book. Sutter invented the splitter. Goose invented the closer position (coupled with the set-up guy). Which one had more of an impact on the game?
Anyway, hopefully, at noon today, I can finally say that one of my top three is a HOFer.
So, I love the annual Baseball Hall of Fame announcements.
I have three favorite all-time baseball players ... none of whom are in the Hall of Fame ... yet.
First, Pete Rose ... I don't care what he did after he played ... the baseball hall of fame is not a place for political statements, it's a place for baseball greats and Pete should be there.
Second, Rickey Henderson ... I'm sure he'll be in once he decides to actually retire. I love the guy's drive to succeed and be the best ... even now. I remember as a kid when I watched Rickey break Lou Brock's career record. I blew off several soccer practices just to see it happen on my little black and white TV in my room. He's just outstanding!
Now, you may be thinking that two of my favorite players are ... well ... ummm ... ok, I'll just say it ... JERKS. I suppose that's true. Neither Pete or Rickey are nice guys. But there's nobody I would rather watch play the game than those two guys in their prime.
My third pick is a nice guy ... although he wasn't on the baseball field.
Goose Gossage was scary. I mean really scary. He had the greatest stare down from the mound ever (although Dave Stewart later came close). He was a set-up man and a closer combined. He was ruthless and efficient. He was perfection.
For years, Goose has been overlooked for the Hall. I am truly hopeful that he finally makes it today when the HOF class is announced. I know everyone says Bruce Sutter is the only one who might make it, but Goose is far more deserving in my book. Sutter invented the splitter. Goose invented the closer position (coupled with the set-up guy). Which one had more of an impact on the game?
Anyway, hopefully, at noon today, I can finally say that one of my top three is a HOFer.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Off break
OK, so I'm back... It was a heck of a good break ... lots of time with the boys.
Here's a basic rundown...
* Had a great poker night with my friends Ross and Juli from California. We played until 5 a.m. and I lost about $10. Not bad. Had a great time, though.
* Found out my buddy Donovan is moving back to Greeley! Yeah!
* Rode the Poudre Trail with the boys (gorgeous!)
* Got to spend two hours of uninterupted time in Borders to spend my Christmas gift certificate (hanging out in a book store is one of my greatest pleasures (having more money to spend there would be high on the list as well))
* Signed up on an online poker site because my friend, Dan, is so into it. I was doing OK until Donovan lost a bundle of my play money after I went to sleep. But it is fun.
* Had a wonderful Christmas dinner at Ruth's!
* Ate WAY too much.
* Saw King Kong (very good!), Took the boys to Narnia (surprisingly excellent), Saw Family Stone with Tracy after a wonderful meal at Outback (our first date night by ourselves in months!), Saw Munich with Dono and Ross (pretty good ... very long ... but good).
* Watched the boys at their soccer clinic downtown.
* Watched DVDs-o-plenty ... the highlights: Star Wars Ep 3 extras were just awesome (Lucas' back info is like going to a film school), Airplane (classic Tracy gave me), The Island (just really fun ... brainless but fun))
* Didn't write anything, but I did think about it a lot. I have some cool ideas for where the rest of this book is going to end up and now I just have to get it back in my schedule.
* Took down all the Christmas decorations (two day job, but it feels good to have it done).
* Let the boys stay up for New Years for the first time and they loved it. (and they actually slept in the next day!)
Guess that's about it. Hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday.
Here's a basic rundown...
* Had a great poker night with my friends Ross and Juli from California. We played until 5 a.m. and I lost about $10. Not bad. Had a great time, though.
* Found out my buddy Donovan is moving back to Greeley! Yeah!
* Rode the Poudre Trail with the boys (gorgeous!)
* Got to spend two hours of uninterupted time in Borders to spend my Christmas gift certificate (hanging out in a book store is one of my greatest pleasures (having more money to spend there would be high on the list as well))
* Signed up on an online poker site because my friend, Dan, is so into it. I was doing OK until Donovan lost a bundle of my play money after I went to sleep. But it is fun.
* Had a wonderful Christmas dinner at Ruth's!
* Ate WAY too much.
* Saw King Kong (very good!), Took the boys to Narnia (surprisingly excellent), Saw Family Stone with Tracy after a wonderful meal at Outback (our first date night by ourselves in months!), Saw Munich with Dono and Ross (pretty good ... very long ... but good).
* Watched the boys at their soccer clinic downtown.
* Watched DVDs-o-plenty ... the highlights: Star Wars Ep 3 extras were just awesome (Lucas' back info is like going to a film school), Airplane (classic Tracy gave me), The Island (just really fun ... brainless but fun))
* Didn't write anything, but I did think about it a lot. I have some cool ideas for where the rest of this book is going to end up and now I just have to get it back in my schedule.
* Took down all the Christmas decorations (two day job, but it feels good to have it done).
* Let the boys stay up for New Years for the first time and they loved it. (and they actually slept in the next day!)
Guess that's about it. Hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Happy, merry, jolly ... whatever
I got a note from a friend telling people to send a "Merry Christmas" e-mail to the ACLU ... just to drive them crazy.
Got another one complaining about Bush and the holidays.
It's amazing how people are all sides can turn the holidays into a political statement.
I would like to call for a politics-free holiday season.
I don't care about your stand on the war, on the hurricane, on Saddam's trial, on Hillary, on George, on steroids, on Pete Rose (well, I care about that, but not right now), on anything except family and the holidays.
So, given that, have a great one ...
Got another one complaining about Bush and the holidays.
It's amazing how people are all sides can turn the holidays into a political statement.
I would like to call for a politics-free holiday season.
I don't care about your stand on the war, on the hurricane, on Saddam's trial, on Hillary, on George, on steroids, on Pete Rose (well, I care about that, but not right now), on anything except family and the holidays.
So, given that, have a great one ...
Friday, December 16, 2005
Closer
OK, so I've been writig the family Christmas card. I've been writing my column for the newspapers. I've been writing a lot of e-mails, reports and other assorted crud at work.
I'm still not doing the writing for my book. The ideas keep circulating around in my skull. I think I know where I'm going with it. Just not doing it yet.
I'm hoping that the holiday break will allow me some time to get back into it. I want to get to a regular writing schedule. Not as hectic as NaNo. Something manageable. Like a diet -- I need one I can live with (although anyone whose seen me lately knows I'm not having success finding the diet any more than I am a writing schedule).
Oh, well, I will stick with it. It's not going away.
I'm still not doing the writing for my book. The ideas keep circulating around in my skull. I think I know where I'm going with it. Just not doing it yet.
I'm hoping that the holiday break will allow me some time to get back into it. I want to get to a regular writing schedule. Not as hectic as NaNo. Something manageable. Like a diet -- I need one I can live with (although anyone whose seen me lately knows I'm not having success finding the diet any more than I am a writing schedule).
Oh, well, I will stick with it. It's not going away.
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