...this will be a short post...
This is a rather frightening time for me... it's been approximately 17 days since my last post and I have gone through three seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. That's 66 episodes of Joss Whedon goodness. Counting the first season, I've viewed 78 episodes in a month's time. Actually, that's down right disturbing!
I can't help but be addicted to some of the most creative and humorous writing on television today... and I missed it when it originally broadcast. My friend Ryan and his wife have been extremely generous in lending out all of the DVD sets they have (which includes all but the 7th).
This weekend I'll be in Chattanooga visiting with family. It will give me a chance to slow down and stop the Buffy consumption for a couple of days. Here's hoping I won't be going through too many withdrawals come Sunday night!
Adios!
Thursday, December 2, 2004
Monday, November 15, 2004
We all need mirrors to remind ourselves who we are. I'm no different.
What wonderful momentous occasion(s) have taken place over the course of the past few days that would inspire me to write about it... where to start, where to start.
I just resigned my subscription to Match.com just moments ago. Why? Because I think that the whole on line matching / meeting / dating scene is a hoax. This is the second time I've tried and the general response I usually tend to attract are from fat chicks. Now please don't label me as a shallow individual. I know I don't necessarily have the physique of a all-star athlete either. However, in my defense, I'm a big guy... not particularly a fat guy. I guess that I've discovered that most on line personal sites tilt heavily in this direction (no pun intended).
I don't want you to presume that I'm not willing to date those that are weight-challenged in any way. After all, if I don't feel some sort of connection, I'm not going to waste their time, let alone mine. My conclusion is this: unless you have the patience of a saint and the pocket book of a wealthy business man, I wouldn't put much stock into on line personals. I was burnt once before (eHarmony.com), and therefore I've made the mistake a second time. With just the money that I've spent on these sites, (not to mention the hours upon hours wasted creating the perfect profile) I could have invested in several DVD purchases that would have probably made my life more complete than the false attempt at finding my soul mate.
There's my rant... and I feel much better getting that off my chest. Now on to more hopefully productive things!
I spent this last Saturday revisiting my past. I didn't go back more than six or seven years, but I believe (at least for my benefit), it was far enough back to spark interests that have been sitting on the back burner for quite some time. As I lifted the lid to the simmering pot (in my mind), I discovered that what had been sitting there had not spoiled. It may have gone bland over the years, but it wasn't worth throwing out.
After the second (and final) attempt to get a floppy drive properly functioning, I was able to install a software program called Final Draft. For those of you who have no idea what Final Draft is, it's a screen writing software program that automatically formats your script to industry standards. This program was purchased sometime between 1996 and 1997 when I had made a decision to become a filmmaker. It was an unfortunate failed attempt, but of course I didn't know this at the time. I was still in college (something else that was an unfortunate failed attempt) and high on the possibility of creating my own short film. This dream involved getting my hands dirty from the beginning stages of writing to the final execution of shooting, cutting and submitting a film in a festival.
The only other person who really shared this dream with me, at that time, was Max. Now I don't want to say that shortly after I would drag my cousin, Willis, into the admiration of this craft, but it started with Max and it started at school. (Willis storyboarded my first short video project before I met Max, so you could say that they both shared a part of this dream with me at different stages.)
My first impression of Max was that this guy was cocky as hell. Upon further examination, I discovered that he was just as passionate about the possibilities of career in film making as myself. His banter, first witnessed in a sort of round table at our first class together, ended up being just a fairly naguy who had more hands-on experience that me. After getting past my first inaccurate conclusion of the man, we hit it off really well and decided that we wanted to do all of our work together.
We ended up taking a few classes together over the course of the next year and putting a few small (and I mean small) projects together. These projects, which spurred from mediocre ideas, bad writing and even worse acting ended up producing two video shorts. And unless I was bound, gagged and with a gun to my head, I wouldn't subject anyone to that kind of torture. I think I ended up enjoying the process more than the actual final project. It also became increasingly difficult to find anyone, outside of Max and myself, to put forth the time and dedication to creating quality work.
As the months progressed, we started taking less classes, focused more on generating income and paying bills. We still had the deep-seeded desire to write, produce and direct our own shorts, but not much came of it. We flexed our writing muscles more with an actual writing class as well as putting together a short script with the desire to one day shoot it. This, of course, never happened.
FAST FORWARD [five years and 2200 miles later]
After the successful installation of Final Draft 4.1.6c (a version that no longer exists and BC Software no longer supports), I found several pieces of work that had been rather dormant on several floppies and a couple of zip disks. It's truly amazing when you come across work that you haven't seen in years and realizing that you yourself actually wrote it. Some of the material that I recovered from the ancient wreckage of my now forgotten zip disk made me realize that, at some point in my recent past, I could write. Now I'm not necessarily patting myself on the back in order to just make me feel good. I discovered that I knew (or at least partially) the craft of screen writing.
This rediscovery of old material inspired me to do two things. First, I called up Max, who I had not seen since this past January when I flew out to California for Ryan's wedding. When he called me back (obviously intrigued by the blast from the past message concerning our film endeavors) we talked for over an hour. This conversation just increased the hunger that was already starting to take over most of my waking moments again. Secondly, I pulled out my old screen writing text book Lew Hunter's Screenwriting 434 and began to read.
With that, I end this fairly long journal post. In the midst of the never ending hectic holiday season, I plan to discipline myself in the screen writing craft and attempt to, once again, flex my creative muscles and do something productive with my life: write.
Wish me luck!
Final thought of the day: I can't believe that I'm this desperate to watch the next season of BtVS that I renewed my membership with Netflix (although I was willing to wait for it to broadcast on FX, but their schedule is so damn screwy that I can't rely on it). Thank goodness for small miracles: TNT and a consistant broadcasting schedule (no more power outages, please!). I must feed the habit. It grows inside of me every day. Sooner or later, it's bound to take over... it's just a matter of time.
I just resigned my subscription to Match.com just moments ago. Why? Because I think that the whole on line matching / meeting / dating scene is a hoax. This is the second time I've tried and the general response I usually tend to attract are from fat chicks. Now please don't label me as a shallow individual. I know I don't necessarily have the physique of a all-star athlete either. However, in my defense, I'm a big guy... not particularly a fat guy. I guess that I've discovered that most on line personal sites tilt heavily in this direction (no pun intended).
I don't want you to presume that I'm not willing to date those that are weight-challenged in any way. After all, if I don't feel some sort of connection, I'm not going to waste their time, let alone mine. My conclusion is this: unless you have the patience of a saint and the pocket book of a wealthy business man, I wouldn't put much stock into on line personals. I was burnt once before (eHarmony.com), and therefore I've made the mistake a second time. With just the money that I've spent on these sites, (not to mention the hours upon hours wasted creating the perfect profile) I could have invested in several DVD purchases that would have probably made my life more complete than the false attempt at finding my soul mate.
There's my rant... and I feel much better getting that off my chest. Now on to more hopefully productive things!
I spent this last Saturday revisiting my past. I didn't go back more than six or seven years, but I believe (at least for my benefit), it was far enough back to spark interests that have been sitting on the back burner for quite some time. As I lifted the lid to the simmering pot (in my mind), I discovered that what had been sitting there had not spoiled. It may have gone bland over the years, but it wasn't worth throwing out.
After the second (and final) attempt to get a floppy drive properly functioning, I was able to install a software program called Final Draft. For those of you who have no idea what Final Draft is, it's a screen writing software program that automatically formats your script to industry standards. This program was purchased sometime between 1996 and 1997 when I had made a decision to become a filmmaker. It was an unfortunate failed attempt, but of course I didn't know this at the time. I was still in college (something else that was an unfortunate failed attempt) and high on the possibility of creating my own short film. This dream involved getting my hands dirty from the beginning stages of writing to the final execution of shooting, cutting and submitting a film in a festival.
The only other person who really shared this dream with me, at that time, was Max. Now I don't want to say that shortly after I would drag my cousin, Willis, into the admiration of this craft, but it started with Max and it started at school. (Willis storyboarded my first short video project before I met Max, so you could say that they both shared a part of this dream with me at different stages.)
My first impression of Max was that this guy was cocky as hell. Upon further examination, I discovered that he was just as passionate about the possibilities of career in film making as myself. His banter, first witnessed in a sort of round table at our first class together, ended up being just a fairly naguy who had more hands-on experience that me. After getting past my first inaccurate conclusion of the man, we hit it off really well and decided that we wanted to do all of our work together.
We ended up taking a few classes together over the course of the next year and putting a few small (and I mean small) projects together. These projects, which spurred from mediocre ideas, bad writing and even worse acting ended up producing two video shorts. And unless I was bound, gagged and with a gun to my head, I wouldn't subject anyone to that kind of torture. I think I ended up enjoying the process more than the actual final project. It also became increasingly difficult to find anyone, outside of Max and myself, to put forth the time and dedication to creating quality work.
As the months progressed, we started taking less classes, focused more on generating income and paying bills. We still had the deep-seeded desire to write, produce and direct our own shorts, but not much came of it. We flexed our writing muscles more with an actual writing class as well as putting together a short script with the desire to one day shoot it. This, of course, never happened.
FAST FORWARD [five years and 2200 miles later]
After the successful installation of Final Draft 4.1.6c (a version that no longer exists and BC Software no longer supports), I found several pieces of work that had been rather dormant on several floppies and a couple of zip disks. It's truly amazing when you come across work that you haven't seen in years and realizing that you yourself actually wrote it. Some of the material that I recovered from the ancient wreckage of my now forgotten zip disk made me realize that, at some point in my recent past, I could write. Now I'm not necessarily patting myself on the back in order to just make me feel good. I discovered that I knew (or at least partially) the craft of screen writing.
This rediscovery of old material inspired me to do two things. First, I called up Max, who I had not seen since this past January when I flew out to California for Ryan's wedding. When he called me back (obviously intrigued by the blast from the past message concerning our film endeavors) we talked for over an hour. This conversation just increased the hunger that was already starting to take over most of my waking moments again. Secondly, I pulled out my old screen writing text book Lew Hunter's Screenwriting 434 and began to read.
With that, I end this fairly long journal post. In the midst of the never ending hectic holiday season, I plan to discipline myself in the screen writing craft and attempt to, once again, flex my creative muscles and do something productive with my life: write.
Wish me luck!
Final thought of the day: I can't believe that I'm this desperate to watch the next season of BtVS that I renewed my membership with Netflix (although I was willing to wait for it to broadcast on FX, but their schedule is so damn screwy that I can't rely on it). Thank goodness for small miracles: TNT and a consistant broadcasting schedule (no more power outages, please!). I must feed the habit. It grows inside of me every day. Sooner or later, it's bound to take over... it's just a matter of time.
Sunday, November 7, 2004
Opinions are like a**holes, everybody has one.
I love what a democracy is all about. Earlier this week I came into work and saw Justin, one of my employees, wearing a jacket with a cloth sign safety-pinned on the back stating:
"George W. Bush Will Never Be My President."
And you know what my reaction was...? I laughed. I laughed for a good thirty seconds. And do you know why? Because I respect my fellow co-workers and friends and their right to express their opinions. I know for a fact that there are several people that I work with on a daily basis where we don't see eye-to-eye politically. But it doesn't really effect me. We always agree to disagree. That's what makes this country so great.
Last month, when the political campaigning was going full steam ahead, Justin and I went to lunch together. At the end of our meal, we cracked open our fortune cookies, and mine gave a fairly generic fortune. The other side said "Learn Chinese" and then printed out a word, which I can't quite recall. However, the pronunciation of the word seemed very similar to "dub-ya." As I showed it to Justin, he made the comment that it did say "dub-ya", scribbled a "b" in there and gave it back to me. He found it rather amusing that I receive a fortune that had something similar to the pronunciation "dub-ya" since I supported President Bush. Now I know that Justin didn't support or respect Bush, but he respected me and my opinion and found the humor in it. That's why I love this country.
Ignore the extreme from either side as much as you can and make up your own mind is all I ask. Respect other peoples opinions, even if they alter from yours. Why? 'Cause it's their right and it's what makes our democracy so wonderful.
Remember... Variety is the Spice of Life.
"George W. Bush Will Never Be My President."
And you know what my reaction was...? I laughed. I laughed for a good thirty seconds. And do you know why? Because I respect my fellow co-workers and friends and their right to express their opinions. I know for a fact that there are several people that I work with on a daily basis where we don't see eye-to-eye politically. But it doesn't really effect me. We always agree to disagree. That's what makes this country so great.
Last month, when the political campaigning was going full steam ahead, Justin and I went to lunch together. At the end of our meal, we cracked open our fortune cookies, and mine gave a fairly generic fortune. The other side said "Learn Chinese" and then printed out a word, which I can't quite recall. However, the pronunciation of the word seemed very similar to "dub-ya." As I showed it to Justin, he made the comment that it did say "dub-ya", scribbled a "b" in there and gave it back to me. He found it rather amusing that I receive a fortune that had something similar to the pronunciation "dub-ya" since I supported President Bush. Now I know that Justin didn't support or respect Bush, but he respected me and my opinion and found the humor in it. That's why I love this country.
Ignore the extreme from either side as much as you can and make up your own mind is all I ask. Respect other peoples opinions, even if they alter from yours. Why? 'Cause it's their right and it's what makes our democracy so wonderful.
Remember... Variety is the Spice of Life.
Wednesday, November 3, 2004
Peace isn't merely the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice.
Nothing brings more joy to my heart than hearing these words spoken just a few hours earlier today:
"Democratic Senator John Kerry conceded the White House race to President Bush in a phone call on Wednesday, ending the drama of ballot counting in Ohio and cementing Bush's re-election to a second four-year term."
Now those who know where I stand politically, I didn't deny nor did I brag about which party or candidate I stood behind. I've been given the opportunity to vote in three Presidential Elections and I've taken advantage of that opportunity twice.
----
Four years ago I missed the opportunity to vote by merely not realizing how popular it would be as well as being spoiled by the ease of voting back home in California. Large populations allow more voting polls to access. I was able to vote at a community center located just outside my neighborhood within walking distance from where I lived.
When I moved to Tennessee, I registered to vote soon after 2000 to make sure that I didn't miss an opportunity. But when that day came, I under-estimated the turnout crowds and thought that I could get my vote in before going in to work.
Yeah, right!
The poll was at an elementary school about mile and a half away from my apartment complex. When I drove my truck around the corner, slowly approaching the school, I started to pass an extremely long line of people standing and waiting. I thought to myself "You've got to be kidding me! There's no way that this is the line for voting." Well, I was wrong, and the estimated time it was going to take to punch a card went from less than 10 minutes back home to an average of two and a half hours. I was schedule to work in less than an hour. I was extremely disappointed so I drove back to my apartment and got ready for work.
This year I took advantage of early voting in Tennessee and I was able to cast my ballot two weeks before November 2nd. Now I don't care whether or not you like early voting, but for me it was like a sign from above. I went down to the Election Commission Office in downtown Murfreesboro and took care of things in less than 10 minutes.
----
Anyways, back to the Presidential Election...
After all of the hatred towards President Bush as well as several inside and outside forces trying to unseat the man (including the recent terrorist tapes, the hoards of Hollywood actors and music artists chanting "follow me to the polls" and the "Fat Slob" also known as Michael Moore and his propaganda filmmaking), the President prevailed with gaining the majority by more than 3.5 million votes. He wins the electoral college as well as the majority. Four more years. The Republicans now control the White House, Senate, Congress and possibly the Supreme Court. Alright, that's me gloating. Enough said.
I'll leave this post with the wise words of Penn Jillette quoted in Maxim about the engagement of voters:
"I think the real heroes in this country, the true patriots, are the ones who aren't voting. Clinton had, what, 23 percent of the population voting for him? If you can go in there and actually pull a lever for either of those two scumbags, what kind of piss-poor human being are you? I haven't met one person who says, 'I f**king love Bush. He's the best person in the country to be president.' That guy, please vote. The person that says, 'Kerry's the best. I agree with everything he's done. I like him shooting Cong in the back.' Vote for him, then, please. The whole 'anyone but Bush' thing is the biggest horror. It's the most cynical point of view possible. Your saying, 'I don't even need a president who means anything to me.'"
"Democratic Senator John Kerry conceded the White House race to President Bush in a phone call on Wednesday, ending the drama of ballot counting in Ohio and cementing Bush's re-election to a second four-year term."
Now those who know where I stand politically, I didn't deny nor did I brag about which party or candidate I stood behind. I've been given the opportunity to vote in three Presidential Elections and I've taken advantage of that opportunity twice.
----
Four years ago I missed the opportunity to vote by merely not realizing how popular it would be as well as being spoiled by the ease of voting back home in California. Large populations allow more voting polls to access. I was able to vote at a community center located just outside my neighborhood within walking distance from where I lived.
When I moved to Tennessee, I registered to vote soon after 2000 to make sure that I didn't miss an opportunity. But when that day came, I under-estimated the turnout crowds and thought that I could get my vote in before going in to work.
Yeah, right!
The poll was at an elementary school about mile and a half away from my apartment complex. When I drove my truck around the corner, slowly approaching the school, I started to pass an extremely long line of people standing and waiting. I thought to myself "You've got to be kidding me! There's no way that this is the line for voting." Well, I was wrong, and the estimated time it was going to take to punch a card went from less than 10 minutes back home to an average of two and a half hours. I was schedule to work in less than an hour. I was extremely disappointed so I drove back to my apartment and got ready for work.
This year I took advantage of early voting in Tennessee and I was able to cast my ballot two weeks before November 2nd. Now I don't care whether or not you like early voting, but for me it was like a sign from above. I went down to the Election Commission Office in downtown Murfreesboro and took care of things in less than 10 minutes.
----
Anyways, back to the Presidential Election...
After all of the hatred towards President Bush as well as several inside and outside forces trying to unseat the man (including the recent terrorist tapes, the hoards of Hollywood actors and music artists chanting "follow me to the polls" and the "Fat Slob" also known as Michael Moore and his propaganda filmmaking), the President prevailed with gaining the majority by more than 3.5 million votes. He wins the electoral college as well as the majority. Four more years. The Republicans now control the White House, Senate, Congress and possibly the Supreme Court. Alright, that's me gloating. Enough said.
I'll leave this post with the wise words of Penn Jillette quoted in Maxim about the engagement of voters:
"I think the real heroes in this country, the true patriots, are the ones who aren't voting. Clinton had, what, 23 percent of the population voting for him? If you can go in there and actually pull a lever for either of those two scumbags, what kind of piss-poor human being are you? I haven't met one person who says, 'I f**king love Bush. He's the best person in the country to be president.' That guy, please vote. The person that says, 'Kerry's the best. I agree with everything he's done. I like him shooting Cong in the back.' Vote for him, then, please. The whole 'anyone but Bush' thing is the biggest horror. It's the most cynical point of view possible. Your saying, 'I don't even need a president who means anything to me.'"
Saturday, October 30, 2004
Wakey wakey, eggs and bakey!
Well, don't quote me on it, but I don't think that I've truly learned the knack of posting on an even semi-regular basis. In fact, I think that I've found more joy in reading the random (and sometimes not-so-random) thoughts of my closest family and friends. Aw, hell...!! They're all family (even if only one is truly blood-related).
The last time I posted I sat and bitched about the ventilation of my house. Now, going on almost four months later, one day from Halloween and the trick-or-treaters meandering down the neighborhood streets, and it's still warm. It's been weeks since I've mowed the lawn, but the current weather hasn't helped much in that department. For a better part of a 10 days it's seemed to rain almost non-stop. Wet grass is a ever present bitch to cut, so I guess I'll have to wait until Wednesday.
Today was my first day off in five and even though the weather was nice enough to get out and cut the grass, I decided to vegetate in front of the tv for the better part of the day. I finally took the opportunity to watch Kill Bill in it's entirety from beginning to end and for the most part was I pleasantly surprised. I would have to admit, though, that Willis' overall review of the film is, for the most part, fairly accurate.
Tarantino's story-telling abilities have definitely matured over the past few years. (When I say "story-telling" I mean how he tells a story, not the story itself. The story of Kill Bill was rather simple. In fact, he could have delved much deeper into the relationship between the Bride and Bill much more than he did.) However, the overall formatting and theming of the film shifted it from a level that could have been brilliant to that which was just enjoyable. Willis' quote: "Don't get me wrong, the film... the story was great. The art direction just either needed fewer people involved or a more cohesive and unified direction." Besides, even with the brilliant action sequences, the first time I viewed the Volume 1 I felt the need to check my watch with a 35 minute non-stop hack-fest in a Japanese restaurant.
But my deep-seeded desire is just that much more evident now than it ever was before seeing both films together. Just imagine the kind of work that Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez could do together again but this time with a Western? One day my dream will come true.
Things that have been on my mind lately:
Who will win the extremely heated 2004 Presidential race...
I now hold a special place in my heart for the Boston Red Sox. As I told my friends earlier this month: The only way that Boston is going to get to the World Series is to go through the bowels of hell... or in other words, the Bronx. To do what they did, let alone to the Yankees of all ball clubs, is down right amazing. People might have thought that it would have stung too much when they swept Anaheim in three, but it didn't. I still have my 2002 WS to revisit whenever I want and I got to see it in my lifetime and share it with my dad. Boston has released their worse inner demon in 86 years: themselves. They've opened the door for Chicago. Now all they have to do is pass through it themselves. Good Luck!
The holiday season seems to come earlier and earlier every year. BB has been up my ass this entire month making sure that I'm already currently ready and prepared for the holiday season. Promotions start earlier every damn year and before you know it, well be celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas at the end of August by the year 2007.
I've have discovered two new bands that have dominated the CD player in my car over the past month:
Keane "Hopes and Fears"
Muse "Absolution"
Will I ever find that special someone again...
Will I ever learn from my past and stop repeating my mistakes...
I can't believe that I'm watching a show about a vampire with a soul and actually enjoying it. Damn you, Mel!
----
Anyways, it's rather late, and even though we gain an hour tonight, I need as much sleep as I possibly can get. I've got a long day of processing and researching paperwork as well as preparing my store for holiday traffic. People crap entirely too much in public restrooms, if I don't say so myself. They're damn slobs, too... who picks apart and tears toilet paper to pass the time while sitting on the crapper??? Apparently my customers.
G'nite!
The last time I posted I sat and bitched about the ventilation of my house. Now, going on almost four months later, one day from Halloween and the trick-or-treaters meandering down the neighborhood streets, and it's still warm. It's been weeks since I've mowed the lawn, but the current weather hasn't helped much in that department. For a better part of a 10 days it's seemed to rain almost non-stop. Wet grass is a ever present bitch to cut, so I guess I'll have to wait until Wednesday.
Today was my first day off in five and even though the weather was nice enough to get out and cut the grass, I decided to vegetate in front of the tv for the better part of the day. I finally took the opportunity to watch Kill Bill in it's entirety from beginning to end and for the most part was I pleasantly surprised. I would have to admit, though, that Willis' overall review of the film is, for the most part, fairly accurate.
Tarantino's story-telling abilities have definitely matured over the past few years. (When I say "story-telling" I mean how he tells a story, not the story itself. The story of Kill Bill was rather simple. In fact, he could have delved much deeper into the relationship between the Bride and Bill much more than he did.) However, the overall formatting and theming of the film shifted it from a level that could have been brilliant to that which was just enjoyable. Willis' quote: "Don't get me wrong, the film... the story was great. The art direction just either needed fewer people involved or a more cohesive and unified direction." Besides, even with the brilliant action sequences, the first time I viewed the Volume 1 I felt the need to check my watch with a 35 minute non-stop hack-fest in a Japanese restaurant.
But my deep-seeded desire is just that much more evident now than it ever was before seeing both films together. Just imagine the kind of work that Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez could do together again but this time with a Western? One day my dream will come true.
Things that have been on my mind lately:
Who will win the extremely heated 2004 Presidential race...
I now hold a special place in my heart for the Boston Red Sox. As I told my friends earlier this month: The only way that Boston is going to get to the World Series is to go through the bowels of hell... or in other words, the Bronx. To do what they did, let alone to the Yankees of all ball clubs, is down right amazing. People might have thought that it would have stung too much when they swept Anaheim in three, but it didn't. I still have my 2002 WS to revisit whenever I want and I got to see it in my lifetime and share it with my dad. Boston has released their worse inner demon in 86 years: themselves. They've opened the door for Chicago. Now all they have to do is pass through it themselves. Good Luck!
The holiday season seems to come earlier and earlier every year. BB has been up my ass this entire month making sure that I'm already currently ready and prepared for the holiday season. Promotions start earlier every damn year and before you know it, well be celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas at the end of August by the year 2007.
I've have discovered two new bands that have dominated the CD player in my car over the past month:
Keane "Hopes and Fears"
Muse "Absolution"
Will I ever find that special someone again...
Will I ever learn from my past and stop repeating my mistakes...
I can't believe that I'm watching a show about a vampire with a soul and actually enjoying it. Damn you, Mel!
----
Anyways, it's rather late, and even though we gain an hour tonight, I need as much sleep as I possibly can get. I've got a long day of processing and researching paperwork as well as preparing my store for holiday traffic. People crap entirely too much in public restrooms, if I don't say so myself. They're damn slobs, too... who picks apart and tears toilet paper to pass the time while sitting on the crapper??? Apparently my customers.
G'nite!
Friday, June 18, 2004
Piss on you, I'm working for Mel Brooks!
I'm sorry that it's been forever since I posted last. I guess I haven't had much to say. It doesn't really help when you go from working all day in a warehouse that's poorly ventilated with cool air from the rest of the store to a house where the A/C is on the fritz. The fairly large adjustment in temperature of the past several weeks has really made me realize how much I take our modern technology for granted. I can't imagine living in the south with out any sort of climate control. And worst of all, I'm wishing it were winter already. My room has the least amount of air circulation and I either have the coldest or warmest room in the house. I also need to invest in a better oscillating fan. I finally get mine back after it was used by a former roommate almost the entire time he lived in the house and I've come to realize that it's sucks. There is a trip to Lowe's in my near future.
I wasn't exactly sure what I would discuss in my lastest and hopefully not so sparse journal posting. But after serious thought and consideration over the past couple of days, I decided to list the five greatest injusticies of the Academy Awards. These are a personal opinion of mine, and with some serious debates from other parties, I've come to realize that as much as I have respected the Oscars so much in the past, I really haven't been that impressed with a majority of their decisions for several years. Specifically, the longer I've lived away from Southern California, the worse they've gradually gotten.
Since I don't want to delve too far in to Oscar's past, I'm going to keep this list within the past 7 years.
On a related note: I sincerely hate sympathy votes and popularity votes with the Academy. I really despise how a trivial event can change the course of who an award goes to. They should receive the award based solely on their performance or work, not by the color of their skin, ethnicity, star quality, public display of a bad temper, etc. Nor do I feel it necessary to give awards to those who should have won during a previous year. And now on with the list.
5. BEST ACTOR (2000), Gladiator - Russell Crowe
I am more than willing to acknowledge Russell Crowe's performance in Gladiator. It was an Oscar nominating performance. However, I find it a bit more respectable for an actor like Tom Hanks who's character finds companionship with a blood-stained volleyball in Cast Away.
4. BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY (2001), LOTR: The Fellowship of the Ring - Andrew Lesnie
Again, I'm not denying the beautiful images that were portrayed in this film, but I felt it was a sympathy vote since they weren't going to give it a Best Picture win (only technical awards for Peter Jackson and crew until the final chapter of his trilogy two years later). The golden statue should have gone to Roger Deakins for his work on The Man Who Wasn't There. Black & White cinematography has become a lost art form over the past 30-40 years. The only other film worthy of the award was 8 years ago when it went to Janusz Kaminski for his work on Schindler's List. Hardly anyone does Black & White anymore unless it's an independent film looking to cut costs in their budget. Nowadays, black & white suddenly screams "art house" and usually keeps a majority of audiences away. Schindler's List was the first black & white film to win Best Picture in over 30 years. And what was that film? The Apartment (1960). The most important fact about this entire debate: The Man Who Wasn't There was filmed in color, then printed in black & white by special processing.
3. BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY (2001), Gosford Park - Julian Fellowes
There are only a few films that leave me speechless after the first viewing. This was not one of them. I admire the film for it's accomplishments: Robert Altman is a generally original craftsman who makes such seamless films with a very large ensemble cast. However, in regards to the most original screenplay that was written and released that year I'd have to take my hat off to Christopher Nolan for Memento. Anyone who frequents The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) enough and has a deep love and desire for good films, usually understands and (most of the time) agrees with it's Top 250 Films. Granted there are some that shoot up very high on the list at first, but give it several months and if it truly is a great film, it will find it's way on to that list and usually stay there. The ratings change from day to day since they take votes on a regular basis. So a movie that might normally be planted at #15 at one point may be sitting at #21 two to three months later. The films shift, but not enough to create an upset. Gosford Park sits at a 7.3 average user rating. Memento, on the other hand, sits at an 8.7 average user rating and is currently listed as #19 on the Top 250 Films. I rest my case.
2. BEST PICTURE (1997), Titanic
Now I'm willing to admit that I was seduced by James Cameron's wizardry of filmmaking back in 1997 and I still think that his two greatest achievements are The Abyss and Aliens. The Abyss (as noted by my fellow resident film critic, Willis) has the least amount of "clunkly neo-technical dialog" of all of his films which, of course, makes it extremely palatable and quite enjoyable. Aliens is just an incredible kick-ass "sci-fi-action-horror-thriller" where he practically reinvented the genre on Science Fiction and made one the best film sequels in movie history. (We can discuss the other great film sequels at another time.) Titanic, on the other hand, was an overdone fictional love story (with clunky dialog, I might add) that took place during the ill-fated maiden voyage of that "unsinkable" ship. What other worthy film(s) were up for Best Picture that year that didn't win? L.A. Confidential, which is currently listed as #49 on the IMDb. Need I say more??
1. BEST PICTURE (1998), Shakespeare In Love
This was the first time I really started to doubt the Academy Awards. It was the first time that I really wanted to know the exact vote count for each film nominated that year for Best Picture. I knew that it was never going to happen, but how does this register with you: Saving Private Ryan wins Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing but doesn't win Best Picture. This groundbreaking film changed the way I looked at our nation's veterans and how much more I respected my grandfathers for the sacrifice they gave by serving their country and fighting for freedom in WWII.
The Academy's foundation started to crumble beneath me after that and it's never been the same again. They made up for it with American Beauty and LOTR: Return of the King, but they will always be tarnished in my eyes for that great travesty. Oh, and Saving Private Ryan is currently listed as #58 while Shakespeare in Love is nowhere to be found.
Now before I end this long and tedious rant, I would also like to again say that I don't deny the merit that these other films have achieved. I have watched all of them and admire them for what they have accomplished. But when we look back 20 years from now, will we we believe that these were the tried and true examples of what the best motion picture was at that time. Probably not, but that's just my opinion. You can take it for what it's worth. The Academy Awards will continue to slide down the slippery path of current popularity and cheap self gratification for years to come. There is no stopping it. And if you disagree with me, I suggest you do your research and discover how different the Academy looked and how it voted before 1975.
I wasn't exactly sure what I would discuss in my lastest and hopefully not so sparse journal posting. But after serious thought and consideration over the past couple of days, I decided to list the five greatest injusticies of the Academy Awards. These are a personal opinion of mine, and with some serious debates from other parties, I've come to realize that as much as I have respected the Oscars so much in the past, I really haven't been that impressed with a majority of their decisions for several years. Specifically, the longer I've lived away from Southern California, the worse they've gradually gotten.
Since I don't want to delve too far in to Oscar's past, I'm going to keep this list within the past 7 years.
On a related note: I sincerely hate sympathy votes and popularity votes with the Academy. I really despise how a trivial event can change the course of who an award goes to. They should receive the award based solely on their performance or work, not by the color of their skin, ethnicity, star quality, public display of a bad temper, etc. Nor do I feel it necessary to give awards to those who should have won during a previous year. And now on with the list.
5. BEST ACTOR (2000), Gladiator - Russell Crowe
I am more than willing to acknowledge Russell Crowe's performance in Gladiator. It was an Oscar nominating performance. However, I find it a bit more respectable for an actor like Tom Hanks who's character finds companionship with a blood-stained volleyball in Cast Away.
4. BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY (2001), LOTR: The Fellowship of the Ring - Andrew Lesnie
Again, I'm not denying the beautiful images that were portrayed in this film, but I felt it was a sympathy vote since they weren't going to give it a Best Picture win (only technical awards for Peter Jackson and crew until the final chapter of his trilogy two years later). The golden statue should have gone to Roger Deakins for his work on The Man Who Wasn't There. Black & White cinematography has become a lost art form over the past 30-40 years. The only other film worthy of the award was 8 years ago when it went to Janusz Kaminski for his work on Schindler's List. Hardly anyone does Black & White anymore unless it's an independent film looking to cut costs in their budget. Nowadays, black & white suddenly screams "art house" and usually keeps a majority of audiences away. Schindler's List was the first black & white film to win Best Picture in over 30 years. And what was that film? The Apartment (1960). The most important fact about this entire debate: The Man Who Wasn't There was filmed in color, then printed in black & white by special processing.
3. BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY (2001), Gosford Park - Julian Fellowes
There are only a few films that leave me speechless after the first viewing. This was not one of them. I admire the film for it's accomplishments: Robert Altman is a generally original craftsman who makes such seamless films with a very large ensemble cast. However, in regards to the most original screenplay that was written and released that year I'd have to take my hat off to Christopher Nolan for Memento. Anyone who frequents The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) enough and has a deep love and desire for good films, usually understands and (most of the time) agrees with it's Top 250 Films. Granted there are some that shoot up very high on the list at first, but give it several months and if it truly is a great film, it will find it's way on to that list and usually stay there. The ratings change from day to day since they take votes on a regular basis. So a movie that might normally be planted at #15 at one point may be sitting at #21 two to three months later. The films shift, but not enough to create an upset. Gosford Park sits at a 7.3 average user rating. Memento, on the other hand, sits at an 8.7 average user rating and is currently listed as #19 on the Top 250 Films. I rest my case.
2. BEST PICTURE (1997), Titanic
Now I'm willing to admit that I was seduced by James Cameron's wizardry of filmmaking back in 1997 and I still think that his two greatest achievements are The Abyss and Aliens. The Abyss (as noted by my fellow resident film critic, Willis) has the least amount of "clunkly neo-technical dialog" of all of his films which, of course, makes it extremely palatable and quite enjoyable. Aliens is just an incredible kick-ass "sci-fi-action-horror-thriller" where he practically reinvented the genre on Science Fiction and made one the best film sequels in movie history. (We can discuss the other great film sequels at another time.) Titanic, on the other hand, was an overdone fictional love story (with clunky dialog, I might add) that took place during the ill-fated maiden voyage of that "unsinkable" ship. What other worthy film(s) were up for Best Picture that year that didn't win? L.A. Confidential, which is currently listed as #49 on the IMDb. Need I say more??
1. BEST PICTURE (1998), Shakespeare In Love
This was the first time I really started to doubt the Academy Awards. It was the first time that I really wanted to know the exact vote count for each film nominated that year for Best Picture. I knew that it was never going to happen, but how does this register with you: Saving Private Ryan wins Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing but doesn't win Best Picture. This groundbreaking film changed the way I looked at our nation's veterans and how much more I respected my grandfathers for the sacrifice they gave by serving their country and fighting for freedom in WWII.
The Academy's foundation started to crumble beneath me after that and it's never been the same again. They made up for it with American Beauty and LOTR: Return of the King, but they will always be tarnished in my eyes for that great travesty. Oh, and Saving Private Ryan is currently listed as #58 while Shakespeare in Love is nowhere to be found.
Now before I end this long and tedious rant, I would also like to again say that I don't deny the merit that these other films have achieved. I have watched all of them and admire them for what they have accomplished. But when we look back 20 years from now, will we we believe that these were the tried and true examples of what the best motion picture was at that time. Probably not, but that's just my opinion. You can take it for what it's worth. The Academy Awards will continue to slide down the slippery path of current popularity and cheap self gratification for years to come. There is no stopping it. And if you disagree with me, I suggest you do your research and discover how different the Academy looked and how it voted before 1975.
Sunday, June 13, 2004
Oh, great. You get the girl, I get the coroner.
"CHiPs" Drinking Game
(Carefully Selected, Refined and Revised for any episode; Revisions are marked with an asterisk)
General Patrolling with Ponch & Jon:
1 drink every time they apprehend a suspect while not patrolling the highway system
1 drink every time they're shocked to see anyone they've pulled over or arrested is female
1 drink for every VW Bug
1 drink for every dramatic zoom-in
1 drink for time continuity issues (day-for-night, sun setting/high noon during chase sequence, etc.)
1 drink for every instance of reused footage
1 drink for every time a vehicle is reused in the same scene
1 drink for every time they attempt to direct traffic *
2 drinks if theyre directing traffic that doesnt need directing *
2 drinks every time they actually cuff someone
2 drinks if Sergeant Getraer arrives at a scene on his motorcycle *
Finish your glass/bottle if all major cast members arrive at a scene: Ponch, Jon, Getraer, Grossman, Barry Baricza & either Sindy or Bonnie (after 1st Season) *
3 drinks for every accident shown in slow motion *
Ponch & Jon (Specific):
1 drink for "The Ting" Ponch shows his pearly whites and purposely smiles during any situation
2 drinks if during an accident
1 drink every time Ponch's uniform gets messy
2 drinks if it happens more than once in a single episode
Finish your glass/bottle if you see Ponchs nipples *
3 drinks for every time they show a crotch shot of either Ponch or Jon during a rescue attempt *
Finish your glass/bottle if both Ponchs and Jons crotch are shown together *
1 drink for every time Ponch/Jon refer to each other as "Old Buddy", "Partner", etc.
1 drink for every time Ponch/Jon tells a citizen to "Cool It", "Take It Easy", etc.
1 drink for every time Ponch flirts with someone they've pulled over
3 drinks if Ponch flirts on Jon's behalf
Finish your glass/bottle if Jon flirts with someone they've pulled over
2 drinks if that gets them a date
1 drink for every time Ponch/Jon lets someone off with just a warning
1 drink for every time we see Ponch and Jon have lunch
2 drinks if they're interrupted
1 drink (at every freeze frame) if the ending credits are at Ponchs expense
Finish your glass/bottle if Ponch shakes his fist during the ending credits
Finish your glass/bottle if Jon shrugs his shoulders at Ponch's expense
Other Locations & Miscellaneous:
1 drink for every sergeant voice-over montage
2 drinks for every time Ponch is called Francis
3 drinks if they use his middle name Llewellyn
1 drink for every time someone mispronounces Ponch's last name (Poncherello)
2 drinks every time someone Ponch/Jon saves sends them a gift or visits them
2 drinks for every time Ponch has a Hostess Ding-Dong
2 drinks every time you see Ponch's trailer
3 drinks when we see Jon's apartment
2 drinks for every time the whole squad has a laugh at Ponch's expense
(Carefully Selected, Refined and Revised for any episode; Revisions are marked with an asterisk)
General Patrolling with Ponch & Jon:
1 drink every time they apprehend a suspect while not patrolling the highway system
1 drink every time they're shocked to see anyone they've pulled over or arrested is female
1 drink for every VW Bug
1 drink for every dramatic zoom-in
1 drink for time continuity issues (day-for-night, sun setting/high noon during chase sequence, etc.)
1 drink for every instance of reused footage
1 drink for every time a vehicle is reused in the same scene
1 drink for every time they attempt to direct traffic *
2 drinks if theyre directing traffic that doesnt need directing *
2 drinks every time they actually cuff someone
2 drinks if Sergeant Getraer arrives at a scene on his motorcycle *
Finish your glass/bottle if all major cast members arrive at a scene: Ponch, Jon, Getraer, Grossman, Barry Baricza & either Sindy or Bonnie (after 1st Season) *
3 drinks for every accident shown in slow motion *
Ponch & Jon (Specific):
1 drink for "The Ting" Ponch shows his pearly whites and purposely smiles during any situation
2 drinks if during an accident
1 drink every time Ponch's uniform gets messy
2 drinks if it happens more than once in a single episode
Finish your glass/bottle if you see Ponchs nipples *
3 drinks for every time they show a crotch shot of either Ponch or Jon during a rescue attempt *
Finish your glass/bottle if both Ponchs and Jons crotch are shown together *
1 drink for every time Ponch/Jon refer to each other as "Old Buddy", "Partner", etc.
1 drink for every time Ponch/Jon tells a citizen to "Cool It", "Take It Easy", etc.
1 drink for every time Ponch flirts with someone they've pulled over
3 drinks if Ponch flirts on Jon's behalf
Finish your glass/bottle if Jon flirts with someone they've pulled over
2 drinks if that gets them a date
1 drink for every time Ponch/Jon lets someone off with just a warning
1 drink for every time we see Ponch and Jon have lunch
2 drinks if they're interrupted
1 drink (at every freeze frame) if the ending credits are at Ponchs expense
Finish your glass/bottle if Ponch shakes his fist during the ending credits
Finish your glass/bottle if Jon shrugs his shoulders at Ponch's expense
Other Locations & Miscellaneous:
1 drink for every sergeant voice-over montage
2 drinks for every time Ponch is called Francis
3 drinks if they use his middle name Llewellyn
1 drink for every time someone mispronounces Ponch's last name (Poncherello)
2 drinks every time someone Ponch/Jon saves sends them a gift or visits them
2 drinks for every time Ponch has a Hostess Ding-Dong
2 drinks every time you see Ponch's trailer
3 drinks when we see Jon's apartment
2 drinks for every time the whole squad has a laugh at Ponch's expense
Monday, May 31, 2004
Seinfeld... four?!
From time to time you'll begin to notice that I will start posting a common thread of interest. It will usually involve DVDs or movies. That's where my alot of my interests lie. Good television shows and good movies.
A recent philisophical debate began years ago with Quentin Tarantino who brought on the age old question of either you were a Beatles fan or an Elvis Presley fan (this coming from one of the deleted scenes from Pulp Fiction). The answer defined your persona and even more so, your musical tastes. I personally lean towards the Beatles, but I don't own one of their albums. That doesn't mean that I dislike Elvis, either. Both are pretty much before my time and have both made monumental achievements in the entertainment industry.
On a more recent note, one of my co-workers asked me the same direct question, just varying from subject matter related to the pop culture that was the '90s: You're either a Friends fan or a Seinfeld fan. Well, to tell you the truth, I watched both shows for several years but there was only one show I that I chose to stop watching: Friends.
Outside of the obvious fashion statements that can be held true for both series when decades pass, only one show holds up as a classic tv sitcom in my eyes: Seinfeld. Now I'm sure there are thousands of people who would disagree with me (and yes, I shamefully watched the series finale of Friends earlier this month) but this is my own personal opinion and nothing else.
Well, I came across a survey for participating in the packaging and marketing of the upcoming release of Seinfeld on DVD.
The survey asks you to choose between four cover art samples and also asks about 8 different potential gifts to be included in the Seasons 1 & 2/Season 3 Gift Set (most being moderately retarded):
* Salt and pepper shaker in the shape of a Ketchup ("Red Sun of Krypton") and Mustard ("Yellow Sun of Earth") bottle on opposite sides of a napkin dispenser.
* Picture frame with Monk's Cafwhere the gang ate their meals, around the edges.
* Playing cards in a tin container that have the different characters on each card.
* Set of bobble heads of each of the four Seinfeld characters.
* Set of four "Party of Four" Chinese soup bowls.
* Limited Edition Seinfeld script which includes original handwritten notes from head writer and co-creator Larry David.
* Coffee cup set of four which has images of each cast member on the bottom of the cup with images from the show on the saucer.
* Tin intercom that plays memorable sound bites from Seinfeld.
Thanks to the post at TV Shows On DVD for the heads up. There you can see their lastest post and see everything if you have no desire to take part in the survey. These guys don't necessarily give the greatest reviews for DVDs (most of 'em are fairly harsh on extra features), but they do seem to have the latest news on every TV Show coming to DVD.
A recent philisophical debate began years ago with Quentin Tarantino who brought on the age old question of either you were a Beatles fan or an Elvis Presley fan (this coming from one of the deleted scenes from Pulp Fiction). The answer defined your persona and even more so, your musical tastes. I personally lean towards the Beatles, but I don't own one of their albums. That doesn't mean that I dislike Elvis, either. Both are pretty much before my time and have both made monumental achievements in the entertainment industry.
On a more recent note, one of my co-workers asked me the same direct question, just varying from subject matter related to the pop culture that was the '90s: You're either a Friends fan or a Seinfeld fan. Well, to tell you the truth, I watched both shows for several years but there was only one show I that I chose to stop watching: Friends.
Outside of the obvious fashion statements that can be held true for both series when decades pass, only one show holds up as a classic tv sitcom in my eyes: Seinfeld. Now I'm sure there are thousands of people who would disagree with me (and yes, I shamefully watched the series finale of Friends earlier this month) but this is my own personal opinion and nothing else.
Well, I came across a survey for participating in the packaging and marketing of the upcoming release of Seinfeld on DVD.
The survey asks you to choose between four cover art samples and also asks about 8 different potential gifts to be included in the Seasons 1 & 2/Season 3 Gift Set (most being moderately retarded):
* Salt and pepper shaker in the shape of a Ketchup ("Red Sun of Krypton") and Mustard ("Yellow Sun of Earth") bottle on opposite sides of a napkin dispenser.
* Picture frame with Monk's Cafwhere the gang ate their meals, around the edges.
* Playing cards in a tin container that have the different characters on each card.
* Set of bobble heads of each of the four Seinfeld characters.
* Set of four "Party of Four" Chinese soup bowls.
* Limited Edition Seinfeld script which includes original handwritten notes from head writer and co-creator Larry David.
* Coffee cup set of four which has images of each cast member on the bottom of the cup with images from the show on the saucer.
* Tin intercom that plays memorable sound bites from Seinfeld.
Thanks to the post at TV Shows On DVD for the heads up. There you can see their lastest post and see everything if you have no desire to take part in the survey. These guys don't necessarily give the greatest reviews for DVDs (most of 'em are fairly harsh on extra features), but they do seem to have the latest news on every TV Show coming to DVD.
Saturday, May 29, 2004
And it's always there, in the lower right hand corner, just waiting to suck.
Well, my friends (and when I say my friends, I currently mean the only two that read this right now) the "CHiPs" Booze-a-thon took place last evening and I rather had a good time. But I will warn all those out there who find it necessary to try such foolish things:
#1. Make sure that you choose a beverage that you will enjoy.
Now people might realize that it shouldn't matter after a few bottles what you're drinking, but that's not entirely true. I happen to enjoy drinking beer. Not always on a regular basis, but I've grown to become somewhat of a connoisseur. I tried to stay away from the cheap domestics ever since I gained my independence. Not to say that I have consumed the likes of bottled piss, but I'd prefer not to spend my money on it. There are a few that I try to indulge on a regular basis: Bohannon's Vanilla Creme (brewed locally here in Nashville), Samuel Adam's Cherry Wheat and Rolling Rock, to name a few.
The plan was simple: purchase a six pack of Rolling Rock (last resort since my previous two choices were difficult to find) and if I got past those six green bottles, then finish off the rest of the Miller High Life (don't ask). Well, after eating a fairly large dinner, the festivities began. I chose to drink some of my beer with dinner (bad mistake), but after everyone was finished, Will decided that we should start with a clean slate. That meant finishing off almost my entire bottle. By the time I had completed my second bottle about 30 minutes into "Aweigh We Go," the taste of beer had suddenly turned my gag reflexes into a hair-trigger. I needed to find something else to drink or I'd be cleaning up a very large mess directly in front of the couch.
I've always been a huge soda drinker; as far back as I can remember. When I first started drinking, beer was a very difficult thing to choke down, especially when it was Sam Adams. Hey, the advertisements wooed me, but the flavor had yet to kick in. My only alternatives at the time was either hard liquor (not a chance while living with my parents), wine (no interest), wine coolers (I decided I wasn't gay enough) or something called "Zima". I took a chance and the rest was history. Drinking this was like drinking soda with an obvious advantage. Same alcohol content as beer but I was able to finish a bottle without revisiting last night's pasta primavera.
Fast-forward several years, and now there's a slew of malt beverages taking up half the cooler space that was originally intended for beer. To make a long story short, I am eternally grateful for "Smirnoff Twisted V Green Apple." The name's fairly retarded, but who cares! Mmmm... Flavored beer. So choose wisely, my friends.
#2. Don't eat too much.
This is just as simple as it states. You eat too much and you run into the problem of where to put your beverage. God created a "full gauge" in you for a reason and choosing to ignore that gauge could end in disaster. Get food in your stomach so you don't make yourself sick. Eat too much food and you run into the same general problem.
Needless to say, this was rather a test run for myself. I had never participated in a drinking game related to a show or movie before. I had read several games posted out there, but never included myself in the mess until last night. Drinking games can be fun, but you have to follow the rules.
My advice: Make up your own if you can't find one you like. Don't have too many rules or it gets out of hand. Don't be too specific or it can give you a headache. Too few rules and what's the point!
Scorecard:
3 complete episodes
"Aweigh We Go" - weak espisode for a drinking game. Ponch spends too much time pouting over a boat he wants to purchase. 12 fl. oz. avg. consumption
"One Two Many" - this episode conveys how much you drink by the end credits. 30 fl. oz. avg. consumption
"Surf's Up" - this episode made us realize we needed to revise the rules (the exposure of Ponch's nipples - finish your bottle/glass). 24 fl. oz. avg. consumption
Total beverages consumed:
1 Miller High Life, 2 Rolling Rock, 3 Smirnoff Twisted V Green Apple, 5 Mike's Hard Cranberry Lemonade; 6 Hooch's Hard Orange
Side Note: All episodes were from the first season and watched in the order of original broadcast. I will be revising my CHiPs drinking game within the next few days as well 'cause you know what they say: "Practice does make perfect, especially when it involves alcohol." Lastly, if you believe the amount of alcohol comsumed was weak, it's cause we're not alcoholics. 72 fl. oz. is a lot to drink over the course of 2.5 hours.
Hope everyone out there has a great Memorial Day Weekend. I'll be spending it at Big Blue. Please keep the men and women in your thoughts and prayers out there right now risking their lives every day so we live in freedom.
#1. Make sure that you choose a beverage that you will enjoy.
Now people might realize that it shouldn't matter after a few bottles what you're drinking, but that's not entirely true. I happen to enjoy drinking beer. Not always on a regular basis, but I've grown to become somewhat of a connoisseur. I tried to stay away from the cheap domestics ever since I gained my independence. Not to say that I have consumed the likes of bottled piss, but I'd prefer not to spend my money on it. There are a few that I try to indulge on a regular basis: Bohannon's Vanilla Creme (brewed locally here in Nashville), Samuel Adam's Cherry Wheat and Rolling Rock, to name a few.
The plan was simple: purchase a six pack of Rolling Rock (last resort since my previous two choices were difficult to find) and if I got past those six green bottles, then finish off the rest of the Miller High Life (don't ask). Well, after eating a fairly large dinner, the festivities began. I chose to drink some of my beer with dinner (bad mistake), but after everyone was finished, Will decided that we should start with a clean slate. That meant finishing off almost my entire bottle. By the time I had completed my second bottle about 30 minutes into "Aweigh We Go," the taste of beer had suddenly turned my gag reflexes into a hair-trigger. I needed to find something else to drink or I'd be cleaning up a very large mess directly in front of the couch.
I've always been a huge soda drinker; as far back as I can remember. When I first started drinking, beer was a very difficult thing to choke down, especially when it was Sam Adams. Hey, the advertisements wooed me, but the flavor had yet to kick in. My only alternatives at the time was either hard liquor (not a chance while living with my parents), wine (no interest), wine coolers (I decided I wasn't gay enough) or something called "Zima". I took a chance and the rest was history. Drinking this was like drinking soda with an obvious advantage. Same alcohol content as beer but I was able to finish a bottle without revisiting last night's pasta primavera.
Fast-forward several years, and now there's a slew of malt beverages taking up half the cooler space that was originally intended for beer. To make a long story short, I am eternally grateful for "Smirnoff Twisted V Green Apple." The name's fairly retarded, but who cares! Mmmm... Flavored beer. So choose wisely, my friends.
#2. Don't eat too much.
This is just as simple as it states. You eat too much and you run into the problem of where to put your beverage. God created a "full gauge" in you for a reason and choosing to ignore that gauge could end in disaster. Get food in your stomach so you don't make yourself sick. Eat too much food and you run into the same general problem.
Needless to say, this was rather a test run for myself. I had never participated in a drinking game related to a show or movie before. I had read several games posted out there, but never included myself in the mess until last night. Drinking games can be fun, but you have to follow the rules.
My advice: Make up your own if you can't find one you like. Don't have too many rules or it gets out of hand. Don't be too specific or it can give you a headache. Too few rules and what's the point!
Scorecard:
3 complete episodes
"Aweigh We Go" - weak espisode for a drinking game. Ponch spends too much time pouting over a boat he wants to purchase. 12 fl. oz. avg. consumption
"One Two Many" - this episode conveys how much you drink by the end credits. 30 fl. oz. avg. consumption
"Surf's Up" - this episode made us realize we needed to revise the rules (the exposure of Ponch's nipples - finish your bottle/glass). 24 fl. oz. avg. consumption
Total beverages consumed:
1 Miller High Life, 2 Rolling Rock, 3 Smirnoff Twisted V Green Apple, 5 Mike's Hard Cranberry Lemonade; 6 Hooch's Hard Orange
Side Note: All episodes were from the first season and watched in the order of original broadcast. I will be revising my CHiPs drinking game within the next few days as well 'cause you know what they say: "Practice does make perfect, especially when it involves alcohol." Lastly, if you believe the amount of alcohol comsumed was weak, it's cause we're not alcoholics. 72 fl. oz. is a lot to drink over the course of 2.5 hours.
Hope everyone out there has a great Memorial Day Weekend. I'll be spending it at Big Blue. Please keep the men and women in your thoughts and prayers out there right now risking their lives every day so we live in freedom.
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
I clean therefore I am...
Quote of the Day:
"If you love someone, set them free; if they come home, set them on fire."
I feel rather accomplished, considering my mood meter readout. I finally decided to clean parts of the house today. It's truly amazing the amount of cat hair that can build up over the course of several months. Especially when the cat's hair is black on top of tan carpet. It develops an existence ever so slowly and much more predominate in areas of less traffic. Ick! However, there's nothing like the Zen-like feeling of accomplishing something on your day off from work. Now my only luck is that it won't rain tonight or tomorrow so I can mow the atrocious looking lawn.
The smiling sun tells me that tomorrow is to be only "party cloudy" with a high of 85 So I'll only sweat part of my ass off with the humidity.
Enough of this boring bather... I don't want to sound like someone else (and we all know who that is). This may be a journal, but it doesn't have to involve most of my regular duties as an uneventful bachelor.
On a final note, I received an email from my sister yesterday that I found rather amusing. Now most forwarded emails I usually almost immediately dispense into the trashcan before I can read the subject line. Why? Because 99.8% of them are meaningless poppycock. I have no actual verification that it's George Carlin, but it does sound like him. Take it however you want:
I Am Your Worst Nightmare. I am a BAD American. I am George Carlin.
I believe the money I make belongs to me and my family, not some mid-level governmental functionary be it Democratic or Republican!
I think owning a gun doesn't make you a killer, it makes you a smart American.
I think being a minority does not make you noble or victimized, and does not entitle you to anything.
I believe that if you are selling me a Big Mac, try to do it in English.
I think fireworks should be legal on the 4th of July.
I think that being a student doesn't give you any more enlightenment than working at Blockbuster. In fact, if your parents are footing the bill to put your pansy ass through 4 years plus of college, you haven't begun to be enlightened.
I believe everyone has a right to pray to his or her God when and where they want to.
My heroes are John Wayne, Babe Ruth, Roy Rogers, and whoever canceled the Jerry Springer Show.
I don't hate the rich. I don't pity the poor.
I know wrestling is fake and I don't waste my time arguing about it.
I've never owned a slave, or was a slave. I didn't wander forty years in the desert after getting chased out of Egypt. I haven't burned any witches or been persecuted by the Turks and neither have you! So, shut-the-Hell-up already.
I want to know which church is it exactly where the Reverend Jesse Jackson practices, where he gets his money, and why he is always part of the problem and not the solution. Can I get an AMEN on that one?
I think the cops have every right to shoot your sorry ass if you're running from them.
I also think they have the right to pull your ass over if you're breaking the law, regardless of what color you are.
I think if you are too stupid to know how a ballot works, I don't want you deciding who should be running the most powerful nation in the world for the next four years.
I believe that it doesn't take a village to raise a child, it takes two parents.
If this makes me a BAD American, then yes, I'm a BAD American.
If you found that rather entertaining and more truthful that you'd like to admit, then you'll easily find amusement in this: George Carlin's Rules to Live By.
Adios Muchachos!
"If you love someone, set them free; if they come home, set them on fire."
I feel rather accomplished, considering my mood meter readout. I finally decided to clean parts of the house today. It's truly amazing the amount of cat hair that can build up over the course of several months. Especially when the cat's hair is black on top of tan carpet. It develops an existence ever so slowly and much more predominate in areas of less traffic. Ick! However, there's nothing like the Zen-like feeling of accomplishing something on your day off from work. Now my only luck is that it won't rain tonight or tomorrow so I can mow the atrocious looking lawn.
The smiling sun tells me that tomorrow is to be only "party cloudy" with a high of 85 So I'll only sweat part of my ass off with the humidity.
Enough of this boring bather... I don't want to sound like someone else (and we all know who that is). This may be a journal, but it doesn't have to involve most of my regular duties as an uneventful bachelor.
On a final note, I received an email from my sister yesterday that I found rather amusing. Now most forwarded emails I usually almost immediately dispense into the trashcan before I can read the subject line. Why? Because 99.8% of them are meaningless poppycock. I have no actual verification that it's George Carlin, but it does sound like him. Take it however you want:
I Am Your Worst Nightmare. I am a BAD American. I am George Carlin.
I believe the money I make belongs to me and my family, not some mid-level governmental functionary be it Democratic or Republican!
I think owning a gun doesn't make you a killer, it makes you a smart American.
I think being a minority does not make you noble or victimized, and does not entitle you to anything.
I believe that if you are selling me a Big Mac, try to do it in English.
I think fireworks should be legal on the 4th of July.
I think that being a student doesn't give you any more enlightenment than working at Blockbuster. In fact, if your parents are footing the bill to put your pansy ass through 4 years plus of college, you haven't begun to be enlightened.
I believe everyone has a right to pray to his or her God when and where they want to.
My heroes are John Wayne, Babe Ruth, Roy Rogers, and whoever canceled the Jerry Springer Show.
I don't hate the rich. I don't pity the poor.
I know wrestling is fake and I don't waste my time arguing about it.
I've never owned a slave, or was a slave. I didn't wander forty years in the desert after getting chased out of Egypt. I haven't burned any witches or been persecuted by the Turks and neither have you! So, shut-the-Hell-up already.
I want to know which church is it exactly where the Reverend Jesse Jackson practices, where he gets his money, and why he is always part of the problem and not the solution. Can I get an AMEN on that one?
I think the cops have every right to shoot your sorry ass if you're running from them.
I also think they have the right to pull your ass over if you're breaking the law, regardless of what color you are.
I think if you are too stupid to know how a ballot works, I don't want you deciding who should be running the most powerful nation in the world for the next four years.
I believe that it doesn't take a village to raise a child, it takes two parents.
If this makes me a BAD American, then yes, I'm a BAD American.
If you found that rather entertaining and more truthful that you'd like to admit, then you'll easily find amusement in this: George Carlin's Rules to Live By.
Adios Muchachos!
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
Some co-workers are irreplaceable...
What a long and tumultuous two days at work. The latter term may be a bit over-exaggerated, but I'd like you to try to explain to several customers that the reason they didn't get their product on Saturday was because our delivery driver called out sick. It's too late to call in a temporary driver on such short notice and unless another sister store has the means and capability of delivering your products (which hardly ever works), you're then left with the task of calling every single customer at the butt crack of dawn to let them know that they won't be receiving their 61" digital projection television today.
By the time I awoke from my Saturday morning slumber at around 11:30 am (insomnia hit, 'cause I hate sleeping in that late), I discovered that I had missed 5 calls starting at around 6 am. Two from the opening manager and three from my supervisor, all completely baffled on how to resolve a situation that would eventually end in ruin for 75% of the sales that were suppose to be delivered that day.
Two of our employees had to throw a 55" wide screen television in the back of his pick-up in order to save the sale. Two other refrigerators had to be delivered by a sister store the next day. But the greatest of all of these things is that I had an employee go beyond the call of duty and come in on Monday, while currently on his vacation, and deliver 3 of the other stops that were not delivered on Saturday.
Now that's dedication. This man has always done whatever I've always asked him to do and this time he took it three steps farther than he had in the past. Thank you, Matt, for coming in and saving the day and keeping me from having to call in temporary replacement drivers for the next three days. These are the bright moments when I still realize that I do love my job when everything else can fall into place with the help and assistance of one guy who understands the importance of coming to our aid at the exact time of need. Thanks to Ryan as well who came in on his day off and helped with the deliveries setting himself up for a 6 day work week (I know how he likes the over-time).
On another note, I think I'm really looking forward to the possibility of participating in the "CHiPs" Drinking Game this Friday night.
Lastly, congratulations to my good friend James who after getting the shaft from his former employer of almost 6 years, he turns it around in just over a week and gets hired on with another company as an assistant manager. Well done!
Well, now that I'm tired again, I think it's time to hit the hay. There's nothing worse than coming home and taking a nap for four hours (by mistake) and waking up wondering what time/day it was and if I was suddenly late for work.
Adios Muchachos!
By the time I awoke from my Saturday morning slumber at around 11:30 am (insomnia hit, 'cause I hate sleeping in that late), I discovered that I had missed 5 calls starting at around 6 am. Two from the opening manager and three from my supervisor, all completely baffled on how to resolve a situation that would eventually end in ruin for 75% of the sales that were suppose to be delivered that day.
Two of our employees had to throw a 55" wide screen television in the back of his pick-up in order to save the sale. Two other refrigerators had to be delivered by a sister store the next day. But the greatest of all of these things is that I had an employee go beyond the call of duty and come in on Monday, while currently on his vacation, and deliver 3 of the other stops that were not delivered on Saturday.
Now that's dedication. This man has always done whatever I've always asked him to do and this time he took it three steps farther than he had in the past. Thank you, Matt, for coming in and saving the day and keeping me from having to call in temporary replacement drivers for the next three days. These are the bright moments when I still realize that I do love my job when everything else can fall into place with the help and assistance of one guy who understands the importance of coming to our aid at the exact time of need. Thanks to Ryan as well who came in on his day off and helped with the deliveries setting himself up for a 6 day work week (I know how he likes the over-time).
On another note, I think I'm really looking forward to the possibility of participating in the "CHiPs" Drinking Game this Friday night.
Lastly, congratulations to my good friend James who after getting the shaft from his former employer of almost 6 years, he turns it around in just over a week and gets hired on with another company as an assistant manager. Well done!
Well, now that I'm tired again, I think it's time to hit the hay. There's nothing worse than coming home and taking a nap for four hours (by mistake) and waking up wondering what time/day it was and if I was suddenly late for work.
Adios Muchachos!
Saturday, May 22, 2004
Welcome to the ... Weekend Training!
My first post for my journal entry and it's a complaint about the company that I've been happily employed with for over five years. Well, here's my frustration:
Today's Rant:
I work for a multi-billion dollar corporation that still can't complete training material on a regular basis without at least one obvious typo or grammatical error.
And I quote: "...by understanding what the departments goeals." If I transcribed the entire bullet point, it would be that much more confusing than it already appears to be when it's presented out of context. Big Blue earns millions upon millions of dollars in profit each year but the moron who wrote this decided to cut corners by not pressing F7. And on another note, why should I be so ecstatic about this training: "Welcome to the ... Weekend Training!" Yes, I'm so damn excited to be here 2 1/2 hours before my normal allotted shift --let alone I'm working on the weekend! Why don't you rub it in my face that there are more important people out there that have the important job of NOT PRESSING F7 during the week who are probably out riding their Seadoo in the cool morning breeze or sleeping off a hangover!
OK I'm done.
Movies I've seen over the past four days:
Time and Again - 1979; Director Nicholas Meyer (Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan) **
S.W.A.T. - 2003; Director Clark Johnson (Homicide, The Shield) **1/2
Once Upon a Time in the West - 1969; Director Sergio Leone (Fistful of Dollars) *****
The Last Samurai - 2003; Director Edward Zwick (Legends of the Fall) ****
Big Fish - 2003; Director Tim Burton (Sleepy Hollow) ****
I've been a busy little camper with my movies. Purchased the new super-duper version of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Beautiful transfer and the sound in rather good in 5.1 considering its release date was 1966. The additional scenes were a bit of an eye-opener. Not 100% certain if I really enjoyed them since I've seen the US release of the version so many times that it almost seems to take me away from the story.
However, they were placed back in since it was Leone's original intention until they cut the film for the States. By the time they re-recorded the dialogue for an obvious Italian language film, the scenes were already cut so they had to re-record new dialogue for the restored and added scenes. Clint Eastwood and Eli Wallach have done nothing but age significantly over the past 40 years, so it's obvious. What's also obvious is Angel Eye's dialogue. Since Lee Van Cleef passed away some time ago, they used a different actor.
Anyhow, I'd love to write some more but I have to get up early to set and Ad and help lead a training with grammatically incorrect material. Joy!
Adios!
Today's Rant:
I work for a multi-billion dollar corporation that still can't complete training material on a regular basis without at least one obvious typo or grammatical error.
And I quote: "...by understanding what the departments goeals." If I transcribed the entire bullet point, it would be that much more confusing than it already appears to be when it's presented out of context. Big Blue earns millions upon millions of dollars in profit each year but the moron who wrote this decided to cut corners by not pressing F7. And on another note, why should I be so ecstatic about this training: "Welcome to the ... Weekend Training!" Yes, I'm so damn excited to be here 2 1/2 hours before my normal allotted shift --let alone I'm working on the weekend! Why don't you rub it in my face that there are more important people out there that have the important job of NOT PRESSING F7 during the week who are probably out riding their Seadoo in the cool morning breeze or sleeping off a hangover!
OK I'm done.
Movies I've seen over the past four days:
Time and Again - 1979; Director Nicholas Meyer (Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan) **
S.W.A.T. - 2003; Director Clark Johnson (Homicide, The Shield) **1/2
Once Upon a Time in the West - 1969; Director Sergio Leone (Fistful of Dollars) *****
The Last Samurai - 2003; Director Edward Zwick (Legends of the Fall) ****
Big Fish - 2003; Director Tim Burton (Sleepy Hollow) ****
I've been a busy little camper with my movies. Purchased the new super-duper version of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Beautiful transfer and the sound in rather good in 5.1 considering its release date was 1966. The additional scenes were a bit of an eye-opener. Not 100% certain if I really enjoyed them since I've seen the US release of the version so many times that it almost seems to take me away from the story.
However, they were placed back in since it was Leone's original intention until they cut the film for the States. By the time they re-recorded the dialogue for an obvious Italian language film, the scenes were already cut so they had to re-record new dialogue for the restored and added scenes. Clint Eastwood and Eli Wallach have done nothing but age significantly over the past 40 years, so it's obvious. What's also obvious is Angel Eye's dialogue. Since Lee Van Cleef passed away some time ago, they used a different actor.
Anyhow, I'd love to write some more but I have to get up early to set and Ad and help lead a training with grammatically incorrect material. Joy!
Adios!
"CHiPs" Drinking Game
"CHiPs" Drinking Game
(Carefully Selected and Refined for any episode)
General Patrolling with Ponch & Jon:
1 drink every time they apprehend a suspect while not patrolling the highway system
1 drink every time they're shocked to see anyone they've pulled over or arrested is female
1 drink for every VW Bug
1 drink for every dramatic zoom-in
1 drink for time continuity issues (day-for-night, sun setting/high noon during chase sequence, etc.)
1 drink for every instance of reused footage
1 drink for every time a vehicle is reused in the same scene
2 drinks every time they actually cuff someone
1 drink if Officer Barry Baricza arrives after a pursuit, accident, etc.
2 drinks if Officer Barry Baricza joins in the pursuit with Ponch & Jon
Ponch & Jon (Specific):
1 drink for The Ting Ponch shows his pearly whites and purposely smiles during any situation
2 drinks if during an accident
1 drink every time Ponch's uniform gets messy
2 drinks if it happens more than once in a single episode
Finish the glass/bottle if hes seen coming from the shower
1 drink for every time Ponch/Jon refer to each other as "Old Buddy", "Partner", etc.
1 drink for every time Ponch/Jon tells a citizen to "Cool It", "Take It Easy", etc.
1 drink for every time Ponch flirts with someone they've pulled over
3 drinks if Ponch flirts on Jon's behalf
Finish your glass/bottle if Jon flirts with someone they've pulled over
2 drinks if that gets them a date
1 drink for every time Ponch/Jon lets someone off with just a warning
1 drink for every time we see Ponch and Jon have lunch
2 drinks if they're interrupted
1 drink (at every freeze frame) if the ending credits are at Ponchs expense
Finish your glass/bottle if Ponch shakes his fist during the ending credits
Finish your glass/bottle if Jon shrugs his shoulders at Ponch's expense
Other Locations & Miscellaneous:
1 drink for every sergeant voice-over montage
2 drinks for every time Ponch is called Francis
3 drinks if they use his middle name Llewellyn
1 drink for every time someone mispronounces Ponch's last name (Poncherello)
2 drinks every time someone Ponch/Jon saves sends them a gift or visits them
2 drinks for every time Ponch has a Hostess Ding-Dong
2 drinks every time you see Ponch's trailer
3 drinks when we see Jon's apartment
2 drinks for every time the whole squad has a laugh at Ponch's expense
This might be moderately pathetic since this is my first official post, but I really don't care. Just enough time and dedication went into this list. I've spent the last two weeks regressing into my childhood and I've discovered one very important lesson: If you're caught watching "CHiPs" at the age of 28 without a beer in your hand, then you have serious issues that need to be dealt with immediately. I'm not joking, either. Go, run to the nearest bridge and jump or see a psychiatrist at least for Christ's sake!
Adios Muchachos!
(Carefully Selected and Refined for any episode)
General Patrolling with Ponch & Jon:
1 drink every time they apprehend a suspect while not patrolling the highway system
1 drink every time they're shocked to see anyone they've pulled over or arrested is female
1 drink for every VW Bug
1 drink for every dramatic zoom-in
1 drink for time continuity issues (day-for-night, sun setting/high noon during chase sequence, etc.)
1 drink for every instance of reused footage
1 drink for every time a vehicle is reused in the same scene
2 drinks every time they actually cuff someone
1 drink if Officer Barry Baricza arrives after a pursuit, accident, etc.
2 drinks if Officer Barry Baricza joins in the pursuit with Ponch & Jon
Ponch & Jon (Specific):
1 drink for The Ting Ponch shows his pearly whites and purposely smiles during any situation
2 drinks if during an accident
1 drink every time Ponch's uniform gets messy
2 drinks if it happens more than once in a single episode
Finish the glass/bottle if hes seen coming from the shower
1 drink for every time Ponch/Jon refer to each other as "Old Buddy", "Partner", etc.
1 drink for every time Ponch/Jon tells a citizen to "Cool It", "Take It Easy", etc.
1 drink for every time Ponch flirts with someone they've pulled over
3 drinks if Ponch flirts on Jon's behalf
Finish your glass/bottle if Jon flirts with someone they've pulled over
2 drinks if that gets them a date
1 drink for every time Ponch/Jon lets someone off with just a warning
1 drink for every time we see Ponch and Jon have lunch
2 drinks if they're interrupted
1 drink (at every freeze frame) if the ending credits are at Ponchs expense
Finish your glass/bottle if Ponch shakes his fist during the ending credits
Finish your glass/bottle if Jon shrugs his shoulders at Ponch's expense
Other Locations & Miscellaneous:
1 drink for every sergeant voice-over montage
2 drinks for every time Ponch is called Francis
3 drinks if they use his middle name Llewellyn
1 drink for every time someone mispronounces Ponch's last name (Poncherello)
2 drinks every time someone Ponch/Jon saves sends them a gift or visits them
2 drinks for every time Ponch has a Hostess Ding-Dong
2 drinks every time you see Ponch's trailer
3 drinks when we see Jon's apartment
2 drinks for every time the whole squad has a laugh at Ponch's expense
This might be moderately pathetic since this is my first official post, but I really don't care. Just enough time and dedication went into this list. I've spent the last two weeks regressing into my childhood and I've discovered one very important lesson: If you're caught watching "CHiPs" at the age of 28 without a beer in your hand, then you have serious issues that need to be dealt with immediately. I'm not joking, either. Go, run to the nearest bridge and jump or see a psychiatrist at least for Christ's sake!
Adios Muchachos!
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