Thoughts and Conditions

I couldn't stand it any longer...

2011-05-16T22:20:00.001-05:00

I couldn't stand not to be listed on The Life And Times left hand column. So, here goes at getting back to blogging. Buckle up.

Good cover

2010-09-23T19:19:00.001-05:00

Here's a pretty good Sum 41 cover of For Whom the Bell Tolls.

Blinkerton

2010-09-19T21:16:00.003-05:00

This is a refreshing juxtaposition, or however you spell that, to the current failure that is Hurley. I just pray that this tour gets enough steam behind it and that kids and Weezer alike wake up, see that the first two albums are the Weezer that people appreciate far more than the current band. Whatever you do, support this tour and let Weezer know to get back to its roots!

Hurley Review

2010-09-14T23:26:00.002-05:00

Besides the fact that the cover is dumb, I currently type with headphones on during my first listen of Weezer's new album "Hurley." My review will be forthcoming, but here's a good one from Alternative Press.

The fact that I can get up off the couch and break my blog fast during the listen should tell you a little something about the quality of this much too recent release after Raditude and the Red Album.

I'll complain off the top about a lack of liner notes, lyrics, or really any additional artwork. A blind 6th grade art student could have designed the visual aspect of this album.

This is more like it

2010-08-21T16:55:00.004-05:00

Let's hope that the market does have enough interest to make this happen, and that the ICT makes it to the tour.

MTV Shows

Off the Deep End

2010-08-09T20:37:00.004-05:00

It's possible that Weezer has gone completely off the deep end. The new album out September 14 is titled "Hurley," and this is the cover art. Read about it on Spinner.com here.
No this isn't a joke to make fun of fans of Lost, this is the actual cover art of the album. Sigh. Just when the Red Album was about to bring Weezer back in a rock and roll way, out comes Raditude and now Hurley. Three albums in three years feels pretty forced to me, and the quality is slipping. I understand being a professional musician and riding the wave of commercial success, but it just isn't Weezer as it should be. I've heard artists and bands before express their disdain for fans who expect them to always sound like their first album and that artists music style changes and progresses and I get that. But hip hop collaborations, bouncy bubblegum songs, and now a characterized actor on the front of your album? C'mon Weezer please come back to me. An indie record released on Epitaph records waxes more of art, and hippie feel, and a more abstract type idea, not a close up of an actor that will forever be remembered as the fat guy on Lost. Granted if I were Jorge Garcia I'd want to stay as popular as possible now, because I'm faced with a drowning career.

Now the music.....just isn't something I can see myself listening to and going "wow Weezer is really putting out some good new material." Here's the first single "Memories" off of the album "Hurley" out September 14. I'm resisting the Hurl and Hurley play on words.

What Sucks, and What to Check Out II

2010-07-26T22:13:00.003-05:00

What Sucks: There's a lot of this spoken word, synth, hip-hop white rapping type dance music out there. Where is the content and how long will it last? Non-existent and not long respectively. 3OH!3 is annoying enough that they have an exclamation point in their name, but the music is a lot of rhymes people have heard before and a lot of "ooooooo" to fill up the space. Even when they do a song with Ke$ha, another symbol in name annoyer, they have to mention whiskey, which should cue anyone in to Ke$ha's song noting brushing her teeth with a bottle of jack. The originality is about as relevant as denim. The video also tries way to hard to make the song sound high energy with the neon colors and the quick camera shots. Gag.

What to Check Out: Band of Horses is a band with some good grooves and an older sounding sound. Think America plugged in, and new and relevant. The guys play instruments and are pretty laid back. Plus they have the ability to play a song live on TV a la Letterman and have it sound flawless, and also play it without drums and have it sound just as good. That's right, two videos. Also, The Funeral is a good but older song.

What Sucks, and What to Check Out

2010-07-17T17:06:00.003-05:00

Since a lot of current, especially mainstream, music sucks now, I think it's important to be able to balance recognizing that crap needs to be called out, and that it needs to be left on a positive note. Though a general cynic, I'd typically just tell you why something isn't any good. But I'll balance that with providing a good example of good music that you should add to your iPod soon. So if you have the first, ditch it and don't come back. If you have the first, congrats, you're my friend already. If you don't, go and get it, add it to your play lists, and we might be friends.

What Sucks: Anything by Justin Bieber. This is pretty much held by anyone that's male or female over the age of...ahem....14 or so. This is popular music's example of trying to mash what was cool in the early 90s (high top sneakers), hair styles that are three years old (swoopy dude hair), lyrics that the artist can't possibly relate to, and calling people artists that are really just singers. I even made that mistake in the last sentence. I mean "how many either ors?!" Gag.

What to Check Out: Diane Birch. This is a refreshing artist who has talent playing an instrument, writes songs, and has a great voice. I particularly like the groove on the chorus of "Nothing But A Miracle" as it has a Todd Rundgren-esque smoothness to it. The song is a good story about a conflicted person trying to figure out why she's let her life become stale staying with another person even though they're not putting anything into the relationship. A common story for songs, but lyrically this is a better way to convey it. You can also find this song performed with Daryl Hall on his webcast.

Back by Unpopular Demand

2010-06-27T21:30:00.003-05:00

My favorite part of this post might that the title has probably been used a million times across the world, yet at first I really thought I was clever for "coming up with it."

I completely broke my 21 day blogging goal when I got back in to posting on here and have since taken a lot of time away from it. But don't let that distract you from a smoking baby...

My favorite part might be that he "started smoking at 18 months." So he just drove himself down to the 7eleven and got some smokes? When the reporter says the boy's dad introduced him to cigarettes, I wonder how you do that to a 18 month old toddler, or why you do it in the first place.

Here's a little something to clear the palette; a great song from a great album and a pretty good live performance.

As I blog, I listen to Jimmy Eat World's "Bleed American."

Never Practical

2010-05-09T21:25:00.004-05:00

Eyeglasses screwdrivers are helpful, but never as practical as the optometrist might have you think. Once the screw that holds the earpiece in starts to slip out, the process tends to follow these steps:

1. Procrastination - What are the chances the glasses will actually fall apart? Probably not that high, so I'll work on it some other time when I can find the screwdriver.

2. Finding the screwdriver - Junk drawer, nightstand...the search continues. You use this thing like once a year so it's never handy. Once you find it, you realize it's not phillips head, it's a flathead, and the search continues for the other eyeglasses screwdriver.

3. Frustration - Your fingers are too big, the screw is too small, the screwdriver isn't long enough, the key chain thing keeps getting in the way, the light isn't good enough, and the whole time you have to wear glasses to work on the pair you're trying to fix.

4. Success - This is more rare than you might think. A lot of people give up at step three, and can you blame them? However, the sweet sweet taste of victory here only lasts until you realize the screw is in crooked, and you have to start the process over.

As I blog, I listen to Deftones' "Minus Blindfold."

Rummy

2010-04-27T19:32:00.003-05:00

There should be more reading of musical lyrics on tv. Just sit down some people that are serious actors, poets, authors, politicians, etc. and have them read off the crap lyrics that make up a lot of pop music today.

As I blog I listen to Black Label Society's cover of Neil Young's "Heart of Gold."

The Darkness File

2010-04-26T21:41:00.005-05:00

There are some legit bands that can put together some good tight music, but just gimmick themselves out of being taken seriously as musicians or having staying power. I used to call this "The Darkness File" back in the days of Xanga...may Xanga rest in peace. The Darkness is an example of a band that really can rock, and actually has a good album I'll listen through maybe once or twice in a year when the weather is good for windows down driving. Coincidentally, when The Darkness File began, I was driving a Saturn without air conditioning, so there was no choice but to have the windows down...

Here's an example of The Darkness's rock ability, yet gimmickiness that has ushered them out of popular culture, at least in the US.

Culprits to the file - leotards, nipples, receding hairline long hair guys, bandannas

Parental warning.

As I blog, I listen to The Darkness's "Givin' Up."

Who is the real hero?

2010-04-19T21:40:00.003-05:00

When I was In 4th grade I had received a good grade on a test. That wasn't out of the ordinary, but that's not why you called. At my elementary school if you received a good grade or some type of accolade from your teacher, you could go to the principal's office for good behavior where you'd get a sticker and a stamp. This was a big deal to the students at the time and at the beginning of the year our teachers would have sticker books for us to bulk up during the year. Also, you could always tell when one of the boys had been to the office for good behavior because they would be covered on their arms by a roller stamp. We thought it was so cool to have a roller stamp rolled all up your arm. So this one particular time me and a couple other students were making our good test score pilgrimage to the office to see Mrs. Miller. There was a TV in her office and I distinctly remember her sitting back and watching coverage of the Oklahoma City bombing. It was the live coverage, and we stood in her office and watched it for a little while. That's the first of only two big news story I really remember from when I was a kid.

The other was when the Challenger exploded, but with this one I have a little less faith in my own memory. This happened in January of 1986, and I'd have been just over a year old at the time. However, for some reason I remember sitting on the floor while my mom was watching tv and ironing, when the news coverage started. Who knows if I actually remember it or if I've convinced myself I remember it.

As I blog, I listen to Mitch Hedberg's "Do You Believe in Gosh?"

Wha Happen?

2010-04-16T19:02:00.005-05:00

So as it turns out I didn't make it to that 21 day habit forming habit of blogging. Is it a good enough excuse to say I've been busy? Probably not, but that seems to be everyone's favorite these days.

There was a Tea Party and Coffee Party protest yesterday downtown. I was on my way home from work, weaving through downtown to avoid backed up traffic on Kellogg when I came across a blocked Central Avenue. Later on the news I saw this story on the news.

I love how when protesters get riled up and try to make a point, they completely gaff when a camera shows up. In this story, Nancy Snyder, out protesting on behalf of the Coffee Party, decides to state that some protesters, the Tea Party in particular, "shouldn't have such a strong voice." This is great stuff because (a) her group looks smaller, and (b) for someone that's protesting she sure does like to decide to whom the 1st amendment should and shouldn't apply. I love it.

As I blog, I listen to One Way Ticket's "Swept Away."

Eight teens couldn't blog as well as one Mark

2010-04-05T22:08:00.003-05:00

Things I learned on a spontaneous trip to KC this past long weekend:

1. According to billboards along the way, Emporia is the "front porch to the flint hills." I don't know who came up with that, but more than likely a guy that lived in Emporia his whole life and was probably sitting on his front porch when he thunk it.

2. iPhones are awesome. Everyone already knows this, but the maps app is great for getting around town. Works wonders when you're in Overland Park and want to find somewhere that's open late to eat dinner.

3. The Power and Light District is great and Wichita will not get to that point any time soon, sadly. Even on week nights they have places open late, you need your ID and there's a, albeit loose, dress code. It's nice. My only criticism is that the parking is expensive, but I bet just about every town trying to revitalize their downtown has expensive parking.

4. Priceline.com is a great tool to get a sweet hotel on the cheap. However, if you end up at the Doubletree, you better ask for your cookies because they are stingy with them these days.

As I blog, I listen to "Southtown" by P.O.D.

Seventeen prime posts

2010-03-31T21:25:00.005-05:00

Another way to fix America is to build upon smart humor. Now don't get me wrong there are some great comedians out there new that have smart humor that isn't in the vein of the "ha ha f*** you, my penis, blah blah blah" but the real good stuff. Granted some of the less inclined comedy right now might be the most culturally relevant, but that's exactly the problem. People can laugh at someone all they want because the person did something humorous, but if they didn't put any thought behind it and it was just stupid words to get a laugh or a paycheck, then who cares? Of course, I'm not one to speak...all my smart humor goes unnoticed I guess.

Why is it important to build upon smart humor? Because sooner or later there won't be any good humor available, and America will forget what it took to make good jokes, that are clean, relevant, and just plain funny. This is in stand up, comic strips, books, radio interviews, whatever. You name it, the comedy can be better there. Examples of what I'm talking about are Mitch Hedberg (smart mostly one liners), Gary Larson, and Conan. Here's a few examples of The Far Side that are original and funny and smart:

Of course, some just plain old stupid humor is in order too. Enter, Greg Hahn.

As I blog, I listen to Jack's Mannequin's "Into the Airwaves."

Sweet sixteenth post

2010-03-30T21:24:00.003-05:00

Another way to fix America is to have some type of courtesy curriculum starting in elementary school that goes through to high school. People don't seem to care at all what their actions might mean to someone else or what their words might mean or how they could be construed. Now I'm all for individuality and expressing one's self, so the courtesy I'm talking about is more the social norm type things that assist the world in running smoothly.

Since you asked, here are a few examples. First, when someone is coming onto the highway on an on ramp, change lanes and let them merge easily. More often than not it is possible, and saying that there was traffic to your left that prevented you from moving over generally isn't the case. Secondly, hold the door for people. It isn't hard, and doesn't take barely any time at all, but really makes entering somewhere or exiting somewhere nice for someone. Folks, teach your kids to do this. People will think it's adorable and your kids will understand how it's easy to so something so small that can mean a lot to other people. Third, if you're at the grocery store and you have a cart full of a month and a half's worth of groceries and someone arrives at the checkout lane at the same time as you with a bar of soap and a Tonka truck, let them check out in front of you. Fourth, while at the store, don't pay by check. It's horribly inconsiderate of other people's time, and let's be real.... no one writes checks at the store any more, so get with the program. Five, develop a strong appreciation for well placed sarcasm and wordplay.

As I blog I listen to Tool's "Vicarious."

Quarter after blog o'clock

2010-03-29T19:18:00.004-05:00

Another way to fix America is to focus on incentives for educated and informed voters. I actually started this post by stating that the US should reinstate a type of poll tax or literacy tax, but focused on the issues that the vote at hand should resolve. For instance, if you're voting on judges, city council, school board, and the like, shouldn't you know what you're doing when you go to vote? If you don't, then you can't vote. The subject of this isn't even vote, it's that people should be informed before they do vote, and if you're not informed, stay home. Not that it isn't the right of an uninformed or misinformed person to vote; I can't supersede the constitution on that one. But as a matter of should and shouldn't, if you're not informed, don't vote. People that are educated voters don't need nor deserve the masses coming out in droves to vote for the guy they saw on a bulletin board or the woman who you received 5 phone call recordings from when they don't have a clue what the issues are, or how the vote they cast will affect their community and their kids.

So what do we do? The poll tax is out of the question, and a quiz to see if you're educated before you vote, although a great idea, won't work either as a matter of determining who can or can't cast a vote. In the age of social welfare programs and prizes for perfect attendance at work or school, which everyone knows is your job anyway and you shouldn't receive a prize for meeting an expectation, the solution is to incentivize people to be educated and informed before they vote. This idea is simple, and could be implemented a few different ways:

1. Tax credit - don't have a quiz that says you can or can't vote, but pass out a quiz to every person as they wait in line to vote. If you turn in the quiz and complete it with a 95% or better, you receive a certificate or something from the IRS before Jan 31 the following year that allows you to claim a tax credit on your income taxes that year. I mean, we do it just for the fact that someone popped out a kid or bought enough prescription drugs, or went to college on loans, so why not for your civic duty?

2. Voting priority - if you can prove that you're educated you can jump the line at the polling station. There could be the same quiz, handed out to those in line and a poll worker collecting them. If you're right on your quiz, you can jump the line. If you're wrong, then don't fill it out and stay in line. If you cheat, you're back to the back of the line and you have to wear a Surge soda t-shirt. You could also have one of the candidates for public office standing in line. If a voter recognizes that candidate, they too can jump the line. Half these jokers that call themselves voters not only don't have a clue what's going on, they couldn't put a name with a face if Al Gore kicked them in the stomach.

3. Cash and food - people love prizes and food, so community groups could organize to provide free meals, doughnuts, pizza, beer, whatever to incentivize people to vote, of course if you've been reading this would only apply to those educated voters. Same quiz as noted above could be used, or whatever and of course the community groups could get a tax break for providing the service.

What's the moral of the story? Be educated before you go to the polls. If you're not educated, let the people who actually care make the decisions that will run your life. Any yay-hoo in their sweatpants and Tweedy Bird shirt can push a couple buttons on a voting machine, but not everyone will watch the news, read the paper, and form actual....here we go.... opinions about social issues. If you don't at least have the capacity to do that and won't take the time to do it, then stay home. If you do, I see a doughnut, a tax credit, or a shorter waiting time in your future.

As I blog, I listen to Fountains of Wayne's "Hey Julie."

Fortnight of blogs

2010-03-25T21:45:00.002-05:00

One way to fix America is to get away from short commands from parents to kids. Much of what's wrong with America is the straight crappy parents that there are, and the fact that they just don't seem to care that they're crappy parents. All they do is perpetuate a septic, mediocrity of our country's youth because there's no reason or conversation about misbehavior. This has application to sports, to academics, to church, to social norms, to commerce, to music, to fashion, and to just about every part of the media. Crappy parents perpetuate the issues represent. One thing that has been seeming to pick up steam is people's inability to be articulate, grammatically correct, and express themselves in relatively articulate and diplomatic ways. People, especially gen Yers, a lot of the time don't put a lot of thought into what they're saying, and it just comes across as ignorant. Does it come across that way, or is it actual ignorance? Could be a combo, but the short commands that parents have been parenting with are certainly contributing to the issue. I can't tell you the number of times staff at work have shown up to pick up their checks, ask a question, or whatever with their ill behaved kids. The resolve more than often is to shout at them to "quit" or "quit it!" or "sit down!" or "you need to stop" and the like. Now there are times that a terse and relevant command needs to be given to kids. But you never see parents telling their kids why it's important for them to obey instead of just shouting to fix the issue, which of course isn't fixed at all because in another three minutes the parent is telling the kid once again to "come here!" or "get!" or whatever. You know for sure it's not happening at home or in private or else the kids wouldn't be acting like little terrors in public and the parents wouldn't resort to drill sargent or ignorant parenting of short commands. Part of fixing America needs to be focused on getting conversation back into the raising of children and away from short imperative phrases and down to the basics of why it is important to obey, and that it is not ok not to disobey.

As I blog, I listen to Jimmy Eat World's "A Praise Chorus."

Lucky blog thirteen

2010-03-24T21:10:00.004-05:00

I used to work with someone named Ashley, and my assistant's daughter's name is Madison. Coincidentally this morning on my way to work I heard a radio commercial for a company that specializes in online facilitation of married people that network to have affairs, ashleymadison.com. Apparently I'm behind on this, because the website has been around for a while, but I actually don't have a problem pruding it up here and letting America know that I didn't know this site existed. But c'mon folks, really?

In the video below, I don' t know how old it is, the CEO of this company sits there like a stoic bump on a log while being faced with some real criticism. But I guess he probably makes pretty good money and if part of the job description means taking some criticism in the face and enduring it, but still getting paid and paid and paid, then maybe he could care less. Shrewd business man? Maybe. Moronic deprivation of American society? Definitely. If Biden can curse on tv and people care, that's one thing. Cursing in and of itself isn't a black and white issue; there's no absolute because, as noted yesterday, unwholesome talk is relative. Before you call my pastor or my parents, read yesterday's post. There is, however, a black and white issue called adultery that is not ok. In the video at minute marker 3:20 the guy tries to speaks to my point of yesterday that interracial dating would have been so taboo 40 years ago, but today it's just fine, so why isn't his website, but he falls short. Interracial dating isn't a right and wrong issue in absolute terms. Granted in some cultures it might be "wrong" in the way that a vegetarian views eating meat as "wrong," but there's no way around adultery being straight wrong. Has our country really gotten to the point of facilitating affairs that people are exploiting it to make money? Maybe I shouldn't be so surprised. See my forthcoming posts "ways to fix America" and you'll see what I mean.

As I blog, I listen to Sum 41's "Fat Lip."

Blogger's dozen

2010-03-23T19:29:00.002-05:00

When you see something like this on facebook, there's no way you can ignore it. I don't know necessarily the word that comes between "big" and "deal" but if it's muddy enough and fun enough to decide that Biden curses, then he probably did.

Which brings me to my next question, well the first in this the twelfth glorious recent post; why should I care if Biden cursed? Does it make any difference to me? Should it make any different to my kids Timmy and Sally? Where is the line between letting no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth and an actual realization that society dictates what is and what isn't unwholesome at any given time? I mean if at some point rock and roll wasn't "wholesome" and today it is, or that a certain level of violence or sex on tv was once unwholesome and now is the general rule, has what is wholesome and acceptable changed or has our country become desensitized to what is and isn't actually ok? It's a combo, and it's relative. Music, language, what to wear, what to pierce, who to read books by, what websites to go to, what a church service should mean and all those various areas have different ideas today of what each of those represent in an acceptable way that differs from the past.

That said, Biden needs to watch his tongue on national television. I don' t know if he just though the mic would be off for a second or if he forgot this is a big deal for his party, but this will have steam for another day or so, and everyone will forget about it.

As I blog, I listen to Grammatrain's "Jonah."

Garriott's Eleven (like Ocean's Eleven, but with Garriott)

2010-03-22T19:45:00.003-05:00

Welcome to socialism. Siiiighhhhhh. I think the most frustrating part of this whole health care issue is that there are so many people that are just so mad about it, and there are an equal number of folks that are just so positive about it. I don't know how many times since last night I've heard about how five presidents (the first Roosevelt, Wilson, Eisenhower, Nixon, and Clinton) all tried to get universal health care up and running and failed. Call me crazy, but I doubt it was all in the same vein. I do think it's hilarious though, and a bit sad, that everyone on facebook that was so excited for Obama to be elected that they couldn't contain their little facebook status posting fingers long enough to not pledge eternal love to the left are not the same people that are educated and have constructive things to say about the "history" that was made yesterday. This speaks in a simple and technologically sound way that people voted for Obama based on popularity, not issues, change, not logic, and the idea that participating was more important than being informed, and then participating. It's almost not worth even talking about the health care situation because if you put it out there on a social networking site, you're more than likely ostracized by your friends that talk to one another about how wrong, or annoying, or how too straightforward someone is with their facebook statuses. Heaven forbid someone post something other than "Steve Anderson farted just now" or "Steve Anderson loves a good milkshake" or "Steve Anderson wishes some people would mind their own business and leave a certain someone on alone, I mean, who is she to be all up in his face when she's the one nobody even wants to see" type statuses and stir a little controversy. At times it seems people are only friends and civil until an issue of real substance comes to light. Just be informed people and be ready to talk about it. I don't necessarily think it's wrong of me or pious to expect people to be able to discuss current events like adults in constructive ways is it? Don't people have more depth to them than we give ourselves credit for?

As I blog I listen to Relient K's "For the Moments I Feel Faint."

Ten is one more than nine

2010-03-21T17:46:00.007-05:00

When it comes to houses you wish you lived in, I doubt this one comes onto the list. I mean, it's a nice idea and all, but at some point where tree hugging gets in the way of paying for a house you live in, it might be time to cut the cord on building a house out of tires. The best part might be that no other houses in Colorado made of tires have sold lately. Shocking.

As I blog, I watch the video below.

Niner blogger niner

2010-03-18T20:38:00.002-05:00

Who thought it was cool to put lava rock all over a garden? As it turns out, there was a big fad or something in the 90s when people just thought that lava rock was the greatest yard decorator thing of all time. Now you can do about 5 colors of mulch, or just plants, grass clippings or whatever, but lava rock is out. As such, getting that stuff out of your yard isn't the easiest thing you can do either. Over the years it gets mashed into the ground, and you can't pick it all up, dig it all up, or rake it all up. What a drag.

As I blog, I listen to P.O.D.'s "Seeking the Wise."

Pieces of eight

2010-03-17T22:35:00.003-05:00

When you decide to go get some dinner and some green beer for St. Patrick's day, it's hard to find somewhere that isn't crowded right? I mean, it's like everyone and their Irish dog comes out of the woodwork on a weekeday and crowds up the whole town. Even on a night when the NIT-bound WSU Shockers are playing in town, O'Brian's is standing room only (great pizza) and Old Chicago has a 45 minute wait (fantastic Chicago seven calzone without olives) and Pizza Hut has no wait. Then Louie's has green beer, but runs out before the night is over. Turns out you can still unwind with some good music and waste a little time online when you get home, decide what shirt you can wear tomorrow that doesn't need to be ironed, and look forward to the back side of the week hill. That was a bad analogy of the week being a hill, and being past Wednesday, we're now on the downward slope toward the weekend. Also, Merril Teller is saying it will be almost thirty degrees colder on Saturday than it will be Friday. Sheesh. Where's o'spring when you're ready for it lassie?

As I blog, I listen to Death Cab for Cutie's "Someday You Will be Loved."

Seven: the blog post of perfection

2010-03-16T18:33:00.003-05:00

When you're in middle school and high school, one small pleasure of life is being able to bring a drink or snack to class. Soda is a fact of life for a lot of people where you just get to have it, and it's awesome. However, Pepsi is deciding to parent children in schools, starting in 2012. According to today's news, Pepsi will be pulling full calorie drinks from a lot of schools, and that says to me that they want to help children make decisions, but they don't want to make as much money. Maybe I'm wrong though. If in my middle school the vending machine options were full of vitamin waters and Splenda sweetened drinks, would I be just as likely to purchase one as opposed to a Pepsi or a sweet sweet Mountain Dew? I doubt it. Instead, if Pepsi wants kids to make smarter choices of drink options, much like Philip Morris has done for cigarettes, the solution is to educate but still leave your product out there. If people don't pay attention to your education, screw 'em. It's their decision.

At the point where parents have given the job of raising their children to society at large, you'd think Pepsi and others would focus on the educating of the parent and the consumer to make the best healthy choices possible. Pepsi is a business, and businesses are in business to make money. As much as people like to tell themselves that they're in it for other reasons, the purpose of business, for profits at least and a lot of non profits, is to make money. So if Pepsi wants to get in to the parenting business that's great! But if I'm a middle schooler or high schooler in 2012 and I don't know what Mountain Dew is, it will be a sad sad day.

As I blog, I listen to Boston's "Amanda."

Six posts none the richer

2010-03-15T19:23:00.003-05:00

Bel Aire needs to get on the ball with this "we'll pay you to recycle" program. We do have a recycling program, but in Wichita you get some type of kick back from the weight of recycling you do each month, which gets you discounts at local businesses. Good program I guess. I don't know if it entices people to recycle, or just reaffirms the goal to recycle for those that are already participating. But I do know one thing, the area where you store your trash cart gets crowded. We have two at our house, one each for trash and recycle. They pick up the trash every week, and the recycle one they empty every other week. However, more often than not I forget whether or not it is an "on" week for recycling, so you're more than likely to see two carts out by the curb every Monday night.

As I blog, I listen to Fat Joe with Ashanti's "What's Luv?"

Five is alive

2010-03-12T18:59:00.004-06:00

Why aren't more people using direct deposit? We ran payroll yesterday and on a staff of 200, we still have 80 hold outs on direct deposit. I'm not sure why people would trade convenience and ease for frustration and paper money (an archaic concept) but do you? I get the idea that some people take a sense of satisfaction in the cashing and depositing of a check, but there's something to be said for....TECHNOLOGY PEOPLE! Direct deposit your check, pay all your bills online, and the only thing you need to keep a checkbook for is to write a check to a church you attend which hasn't embraced the digital gift giving.

Speaking of which, if I receive one more gift or farm update thing on facebook I'm going to crack. Hey everyone that's my friend on facebook, I don't give two craps that you grew some cabbage or rescued a cartoon whale.

As I blog, I listen to Taking Back Sunday's "One-Eighty by Summer."

Take two every four hours

2010-03-11T22:35:00.001-06:00

Today, migraine trumps blog. However, back on that 21 days kick...I had to at least pull myself out of bed before midnight to prove to myself that I can, and will, blog. So there.

Each album cover correlates to the last sentence of each post telling you folks out there, or at least my one loyal reader, know what's in my juke box as I type.

As I blog, I listen to Freaking Migraine's "My Head Goes Throb Throb."

Three's a crowd

2010-03-10T22:34:00.002-06:00

Just when you think you can finally go a day without seeing a post on my blog, I surprise once again. They say that it takes 21 days to break a habit, and 21 days to form a new habit. I'm not sure if that is accurate, but I'm 1/7 there so far, so weeeeeeeeeeee. That's what you do when you're having fun; you refer to yourself and some other people. Mitch Hedberg.

Speaking of which, I've been frustrated for the past few months that one oh seven three The Brew has dropped Bob and Tom extra. It used to be that I'd head to the garage, get in my car and turn on Bob and Tom each morning, listen to them on my way to work, get to my office and turn the radio on, and finish up the 8am hour with Bob and Tom as I get my day started. Then, they would plan an hour of the previous day's show from 9am to 10am, and by then I'm halfway to lunch, laughing at good interviews with good comedians all the while. Well The Brew, formerly The Road, formerly KKRD, dropped the extra hour of Bob and Tom when they changed to The Brew. Thanks corporate radio. You're awful. I miss Fly92.

As I blog, I listen to MGMT's "Kids."

Day two

2010-03-09T19:44:00.005-06:00

As it turns out I motivated myself enough to get back to the computer two days in a row. I did not, however, motivate myself to get my wallet out of my desk on the way out of my office. Few things are more embarrassing than ordering at Panera, reaching for your wallet and finding an empty pocket. Ok there's actually an infinite number of things more embarrassing than that, like reaching for your wallet and finding a waffle instead, or ordering your meal at Panera, reaching for your wallet and realizing you're not wearing any pants, or accidentally putting the yawn move on the girl sitting next to you at the theater, only to realize the person you're at the movie with is sitting on your other side, and the girl you just put your arm around is a bald single gay guy that already has his arm around you.

That said, the Bacon Turkey Bravo is fantastic at Panera. The cheese is great, and I'm almost 100% sure there's no human breast milk in it. Think that tangent came out of left field? Nope. This guy and his wife definitely need to...umm....."pump" the breaks on this human breast milk cheese. Does anyone want to order that? I can't barely see serving this anywhere really, let alone in what is apparently a nice restaurant. Ok I can actually see someone serving breast milk cheese and crackers at book club night at the strip club, but that's about as far as it goes. Sheesh.

As I blog, I listen to Phil Collins and Philip Bailey's "Easy Lover."

Is it just me?

2010-03-08T20:58:00.004-06:00

I was recently asked...nay...implored to return to blogging. I thought I may as well oblige since I have the two ingredients it takes to make a great blog. With that in mind, I'm left to wonder why this round of blogging will be any different than the others. Each time despite my best intentions I always fizzle out after three or four postings at the most. Even Weezer usually gets me back in the old captain's chair, but hasn't been enough to keep me going. As the three lonely people read this post in fact, they'll more than likely just think I'm rambling on about stuff no one cares about and will do nothing to encourage the blogging to be had. Good point I guess. At this point I'm really the Stephen Baldwin of celebrity rehab of blogs, only the addiction here is not blogging when I say I will. I only prove myself right, like a new year's resolution to go to the gym, read a book every month, or the dreaded "I'll read all the way through the Bible this year!" Please. Everyone knows that as soon as you get to the dimensions of the ark and a good rerun of Dr. Phil is on, you'll put down the Bible and leave your Y membership to rot. How many of you are reading this right now, only March 8, and thinking to yourself "yup that there is how I does it this past new years time" knowing that you're no better than the rest of us? Well here's to trying to keep a goal for myself, knowing that up to 4 people want to hear what I have to say, and maintaining an outlet for stuff I can't discuss with people at work, stuff not most people will care about, and stuff Jessica would be more than happy to be released out into cyberspace than filling her ears with stuff she doesn't care about, now about, or care to know about.

I have more to say than anyone cares to hear about, and I have the ability to type.

As I blog, I listen to He is Legend's "I am Hollywood."

Raditude

2009-11-03T19:58:00.003-06:00

As usual, Weezer has encouraged me to break my blog fast. Is it a sign of things to come or yet another half effort to get back into blogging? Only time will tell. How many people read this anyway? I doubt it's even 4.

Weezer has now put out two albums in the last two years. The Red Album wasn't horrible, but it we definitely rushed to production after Make Believe got people back on the Weezer bandwagon a bit. I've just been through both disks of the deluxe edition of Raditude, and here's what you need to know about it, track by track:

1. (If you're wondering if I want you to) I want you to: this one is certainly catchy and gets Pat Wilson on the acoustic instead of behind the Remos. It's quite a departure from the heavy hitting Blue album or really anything else Weezer has done. It's poppy for sure but it's not bad.

2. I'm your daddy: Well, it's no masterpiece. I like the effect on the guitar at the intro, but the lyrics are lacking, but it feels like the Rivers tried to make a song out of a saying that people just don't even say anymore. Maybe that's what he's going for, but I'm not thrilled with it.

3. The girl got hot: First off, if you have a song in 6/8 I automatically take notice. This song is clever and...once again...catchy in a poppy way. If you adjust your equalizer enough you can make it rock. Not a bad concept for a song.

4. Can't stop partying: No. I can't say enough about how disappointed I was in this song. I don't know what the point is even. Trying to redefine Weezer totally? No, because then this would be the single. Trying to work in as much synth and electronic drums as possible and collaborating with Jermaine Dupri? Gag me.

5. Put me back together: As far as styles go, night and day from the above track to this one. It's kind of sing songy, but the chorus is ok. This is the self defeating Rivers we all know, with a spark of optimism.

6. Trippin' down the freeway: Sounds a lot like Keep Fishin' which is a good song, but I've already heard it.

7. Love is the answer: Where's George Harrison when you need him? It feels like a song that would be fun to play on the drums and sing in a circle on a lawn somewhere. But do I want to hear it in concert? Not at all.

8. Let it all hang out: As far as rock music goes, this one rocks the most on the album, but it's not saying much. It's a nice little riff and if you can work "homie" in more than one Weezer song, that's quite a treat.

9. In the mall: Again another nice riff, but a song about being at the mall? Are we just running out of ideas and putting together a lot of words that rhyme? This same song with a different subject matter and lyrics would be better. Kick the ball? Bathroom stall? Just suggestions.

10. I don't want to let you go: Underoath has "Some will seek forgiveness, others escape," Red Jumpsuit Apparatus has "Your guardian angel" and lots of other bands have that song that starts off slow and just builds and builds until it really rocks at the end. I kept holding out hope that this track would be one of those. A little electronic metronome at the begining, some fast lyrics crammed into a tempo that just about fits, drums enter, vocals rising with each phrase..... and then no rock. I really wanted this song to kick in with some heavy stum on all 4 beats guitars like "In the garage" and finish it out strong.

Deluxe disc

1. Get me some: Not bad. I don't know why this didn't make it on the actual album, but it might be the best offering. Those of you that know that I love triplets know that I love the second half of the chorus. It's good.

2. Run over by a truck: Siiiiiiiiiiiiiigh.

3. The prettiest girl in the whole wide world: Is it just me, or if you heard the intro to this song you'd expect it to be The Darkness, not Weezer. Another "eh" song overall. This song feels about 50 years out of place.

4. The underdogs: Nope. Don't care for it.

All in all, even the Red Album is better. I'm not sure how "Miss Sweeney" didn't make it on to the Red Album's actual tracks, it's great. Take that song, put "Get me some" on the first 10 songs, and kick Jermaine Dupri in the crotch, and sprinkle in some guitar solos like the first 5 albums have and you have half a good album. And how hard are we trying with the gimmicky promotion when you can order and have of your very own a blue "wuggy"....that's right a blue snuggie with "weezer" on it. Even the entire band on the Late Show was wearing them on Friday night on Letterman. As nice and it was to see Weezer on Letterman two nights in a row, I was glad not to see the snuggies on Thursday, and disappointed to see the whole band wearing them while belting out "I'm your daddy" on Friday. But all is not lost. Weezer's covers of "Should I stay or should I go?" and "Kids" are both good. Check them out.

New Weezer Single

2009-08-18T20:29:00.000-05:00

Eh.

Weezer Covers

2009-07-16T18:34:00.001-05:00

Not too shabby.

Snuggies

2009-05-27T18:36:00.001-05:00

Did you hear about the guy that robbed a bank in a Snuggie? Well as much as I love to support Weezer in their every endeavor, this is just ridiculous.

Greg Hahn....Comedian...Drummer

2009-04-23T19:29:00.002-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JD0WROU9D7Q

I had it embedded, but it was too big. Follow this link.

Four Corners

2009-04-20T19:38:00.003-05:00

I've been to the Four Corners monument probably 15 times or so. Each time we go out to the Navajo reservation we always get a group picture right at the point. It's interesting to learn that today the location is actually about 2 and a half miles off. Very interesting. I bet it was someone pulling a prank. Nice.

Give me a break.

2009-04-09T21:38:00.000-05:00

Snow Day

2009-03-28T20:10:00.002-05:00

Ideas for a snow day:

1. Sleep in. There's no reason to wake up early on a day where you won't be going anywhere and you don't have anything horribly pressing to accomplish. Sleep in.

2. Eat breakfast. Once you are out of bed, make some chocolate milk and some scrambled eggs. Don't be mad that your wife didn't clean out the skillet before you used it, that's just the way she is and it isn't a big deal. Enjoy eggs, talk, and occasionally see if your crazy neighbor is scraping his windows off.

3. Go check the mail. You have to bundle up, but getting out of the house one time during the day is beneficial.

4. Eat some soup for lunch. Be sure to mix in some cayenne pepper for a little kick.

5. Clean out the fireplace and prep for tonight's fire. Be sure and not dump the ashes too fast or you'll create an ash cloud that gets on everything. Slow is the tempo.

6. Read your friend's updated Facebooks and baby websites to see what all is up while drinking an ice cold Cherry Coke.

7. Pay for your internet and listen to some killer tunes.

7. Cook up some steaks for dinner and watch the entire third season of The Office in one day.

Sign the end of the world is nigh?

2009-03-23T19:51:00.001-05:00

You be the judge.

Awesome

2009-02-19T17:08:00.001-06:00

This sounds like something out of a Chris Tucker movie. Check it out.

Commentary Combo

2009-02-17T21:37:00.003-06:00

1. If you have a chimp as a pet, don't forget that it used to be a wild animal. If you do, you might have to stab your own pet while he Kung Fu grips your neighbor's face.

2. If you become powerful enough to be dictator of your own country, go ahead and get a law passed that lets you be president as long as you want. It worked for Hugo Chavez, it can work for you.

3. If you are the governor of a state, don't play games with your state legislature to try and make a point. It can end in your employees not getting paid, and...what's worse...falling out of favor with the Democratic party. Yikes!

4. Conan is off to the bigger time. He smashed up his set and prepared for the transition. Little did I know that Jay Leno is moving to the 9pm central slot to have "The Jay Leno Show." It essentially looks to be a variety show. Way to go NBC on not taking a chance on a good sitcom or something; way to play it safe. I hope Jimmy Fallon realizes that having his own show isn't the same as Weekend Update. We'll see if he's funny or not.

Wow Joaquin...

2009-02-11T23:18:00.003-06:00

I had been seeing on tv Joaquin Phoenix's decision to stop acting and was interested to see what he might have had to say about it tonight on Letterman. Boy was I disappointed to see what I saw. Don't get me wrong Dave was hilarious, but the actor was completely disrespectful and didn't seem to care that he was there in the first place. My favorite lines are "That's high praise coming from you" and "next time I'll come to your house and chew gum." He totally deserved to be raked over the Letterman coals. Joaquin's a jerk.

Weezing with your thumbs

2008-12-18T17:44:00.002-06:00

Weezer played at the Video Game Awards Show on Sipke the other night. I actually was watching so I could catch this Weezer performance, but was soooooooo bored with the show's content that I turned it off and figured I'd find the Weezer performance later. Here it is. Not the greatest quality, and not the best song in the world, but it's good nonetheless (is that one word?). Rivers seems to be playing up the fact that people aready think he's weird, but it's just the way he is. Also, who's the bald guy?

Merry Weezin Christmas

2008-12-16T18:55:00.002-06:00

Weezer has a song called "Christmas Song" that never made it onto an album. The band has partly redeemed itself with the new EP of six Christmas tracks. This is in conjunction with an iPhone game application and isn't in stores, but it's worth downloading, especially if you need (and you do) all the Weezer you can get a hold of.

Band Names

2008-12-06T18:46:00.002-06:00

Moving in half a fiancé is a lot of work, let me tell ya. What it involves is a lot of heavy lifting, a lot of dusting with a microfiber cloth, and a lot of going through stuff and really, genuinely deciding if you still need to keep it. As we speak, with the exception of this post, I am in the process of cleaning out my old desk, which we've decided to keep (perhaps against our better judgment, there just isn't a ton of room over here anymore). As a kid I really liked Bugs Bunny and at one point the United States Postal Service issued a group of Looney Tunes stamps that I still have (the entire set mind you...I'm not a nerd). You'll find those in my box of stuff when I die and think "why does he have this crap?" Under that was a handwritten list on a piece of Wichita Clinic stationary for the office of Eddie Picking, Office Manager at Midtown Orthopedics. On that page are band names that Jeremy and I came up with in maybe 7th grade or so. Buckle up everyone:

Headrush
Boiling Asphalt
Even Eights
Wailing Mass
Dependency
Ingrown
Sunken Vessel
Migrant Traders
Glowing Instance
Litterbox
The World Renown Man Band
Outnumbered Cubicle
Minute
Two Bucks for Ham
Coaster

It's a shame the profoundness of our youth never materialized in an awesome commercially successful band. Oh well. It was fun while it lasted.

21-24

2008-11-30T20:03:00.003-06:00

21. When the going gets hard, realize it could be harder.

22. Try though they might, cashiers will never be as friendly as they could be. Generally the shopper will wait for the person checking them out to greet them; it's their job after all right? Then after the "oh I'm fine. Yes I do have a plus card" there's the either not so awkward silence, or the super awkward small talk. "Mmmm bananas I see. Someone's watching their potassium intake!" Yikes. The conversations always centers on something being purchased, something not being purchased, or a different co-worker and how so and so's shift just started and they hadn't been in for a while and they need a roll of nickels.

23. Changing your own oil costs less if you do it yourself in dollars, but about the same in labor as if you'd taken it to get changed. Then thing is that you can really take ownership of your vehicle if you have a little bit of time invested in making sure she runs right. It's not hard people, and it builds character.

24. I've learned more than 24 things in my life but this little series took over a month and a half and I am ready to move on to bigger and better things. Well, general things that are about of the same quality as you're reading. And since my blog is read by between 4 and 6 people a week, I certainly don't want to disappoint anyone. I'm a man of the people I guess, what can I say?

17-20

2008-11-14T17:24:00.004-06:00

17. Generally if it's sunny outside and suddenly hear hail falling on the roof of your car, a flock of geese is probably passing overhead.

18. People are over medicated all over the place. Depressed? Take this. Have anxiety? Take this. Advertising of prescription drugs has just completely blown my mind. We pay doctors to do enough don't we? You make your appointment, wait for 20 minutes, and are then seen by the doctor for maybe 10 minutes, and you're out of there. What probably took you an hour or longer to make, you're paying to the doctor in the form of a copay in half that time. Doctors are paid to make us healthy and it doesn't make sense for patients to come prepared with a list of questions about a drug to ask the doctor. "Hey doc is _____ right for me?" "Well Tina, if it is right for you I'll be sure and prescribe it, after all, I am a doctor. I went to school for a long time to be able to take care of you correctly and you're telling me you sat on your butt eating Fritos and now want to ask me if a drug is right for you?" Where's John Stossel when you need him?

19. I heard a radio ad this morning for a museum here in town that focuses on African American history. There is a sense in America by many people that it is okay to label entities, groups, and places as "historically black" or "African American" and the like. It's not. Understandably, minorities in America demonstrate great pride in accomplishments and steps toward social acceptance and integration. However, attaching a racial label to it and touting it around as seemingly better than others is completely backward. Historically White America doesn't have museums or colleges labeled as such. Some will make the argument that America as a whole is historically white and the classification is therefore implied. But is it? I heard at work recently that something implied should be put in...excuse the pun...black and white to clarify any ambiguity of language for the future. Interesting contrast to the idea the in America labeling something as "White" is bigotry and labeling something "Black," "Asian," or the like is cultural pride. Can't we just be America? Many groups regardless of demographic history of current status would affirm that everyone in America is equal. Interesting to note that this idea may be accurate in theory, but in practice minorities are "better" than others and it is acceptable to affirm yourself or your group as such.

20. America is wide and vast and there is a lot of open space to fill with caskets. I've heard before that people are concerned as to when we will run out of space for cometary use because we need to preserve a certain amount of land for farming and the like. I agree that prudent use of land is necessary, but to the point of subjugating one's final wishes to one certain end? I don't think we're quite that close to running out of land folks. Relax.

13-16

2008-10-31T18:01:00.003-05:00

13. People will pretend to be experts on stuff and completely make up info to back them up. I have a friend that one time tried his hardest to convince me that Puff Daddy had written "Every Breath You Take" and would not listen to the facts. In fact he had, I believe, thoroughly convinced himself that he was right and that I, who was really right, was wrong. Wow. People will do this with information about sports teams or athletes, movie trivia, and the like. Try this out on your fiends; when you're talking about something in a group conversation and you say "oh hey you know that song _______?" and your friend, who in the past has made up stuff says "yeah I do," instead of just continuing the conversation right there, say "how's it go again?" or "hum a few bars." You'll hear one of three responses. Option one is "it goes la dee dee da da dum" and your friend will be right, this time. Option two is that your friend will be completely wrong. But I'd wager that your friend will be most likely to say "oh crap I can't remember how it goes! I know it, but I can't think of it!" Classic fake fact maker doesn't really know stuff cover up. I dub thee, Busted.

14. Why is it that hot dog buns come in packs of eight and hot dogs come in packs of ten?

15. Checks should be banned from retail outlets. Why you ask? Well I'm glad you asked and the reasons are threefold. First, they take too long. I was at Dillons the other day and I had too man items to check out myself, and too few items to be in the long lines. The line I was in was moving so slowly because the woman up front in the line was writing a check to pay. She didn't even have it started, despite a cart full of groceries time worth of getting ready. and then she wrote it, and couldn't tear it out straight. It just takes too long. Second, it's out of date. Welcome to the year 2008 people. Use a debit card. "Oh but I don't want to hastle with getting one of those new fangled plastic cards." Listen Aunt Bea, anyone can open a checking account with a debit card and chances are the checking account you've been using since Truman was running this joint has been revised to have debit applicaton. Just do it already and bust out of the dark ages. Thirdly, checks are good for paying bills, and giving to charities and other people. That's it. WAKE UP PEOPLE.

16. Sham-wow is a sham. You following me camera guy?

9-12

2008-10-26T20:36:00.004-05:00

9. Shopping in thrift stores is great. You can find your typical 80s t-shirts, vests, and the like as well as ties to wear to work under a sweater. Basically, you can find the original good looks that much of today's 70s and 80s influenced clothing is modeled and designed after, only you get to hunt them down yourself. Now don't create your entire wardrobe from a thrift store, but you get the idea. Also if you like music, this is where you need to be for records. I can't tell you how many times I've come across some real gems around town and added to the old collection. More on that in a minute. Top five thrift stores in town are: The Value Center (Douglass and St. Francis), 2nd Blessing Thrift Shop (21st and Grove, just be sure to lock your doors), New Beginnings Thrift Store (Douglas and West), The DAV at Central and Edgemoor, and the Goodwill at Kellogg and Andover Rd. Let me know what you find.

10. Invest early and invest often. I can't tell you how many people I've known that think it prudent to not put money into a 401(k) or KPERS or save any money at all. Further, I can't tell you how bad an idea it is to look upon that money as existing at all. It'll be there for retirement and you can do with it what you will, and save it having been taxed as heavily. Don't succumb to the temptation to take the money out early. I once knew an over thirty year old man that took his 100% vested 401(k) and pulled it out to aid in moving expenses, into a home where he had a child with his non-wife while quitting a career because he felt he deserved a raise. How unbelievably backward.

11. Spank your kids. I'm not sure how many upstanding people there are out there that were spanked as children, but I'd be guessing most of them.

12. Listening to records is one of the most relaxing things you can do. Hearing the music with the pops and the airy dead space is so nostalgic that it makes the inconvenience of lifting a needle and replacing it so worth it. And people, don't go all digital on your music. Keep buying CDs and just rip them onto your computer. There will come a day when CDs are looked upon as records are today, a nostalgic piece of music history with printed art and booklets and written credits for songs so when you wonder if Joe Walsh ever played as a studio musician with REO, you can flip to the song credits in 5 seconds and find out rather than Google it for 20 minutes.

5-8

2008-10-22T21:50:00.002-05:00

5. Everyone else is a bad driver to everyone else. Rarely am I driving down Kellogg or I-35 thinking to myself "wow that person is such a courteous driver!" In fact I don't know that that's ever been the case. Everyone will always be able to complain about the other drivers around no matter what.

6. When it comes to lunch at work, take it with you.

7. Bigfoot does not exist. People will spend their entire lives trying to prove the existence of these half-man beasts, but when it comes down to it, there's not enough to back it up. Did you hear about those guys who supposedly hunted down a bigfoot cub this summer? They had a picture of it on the internet somewhere. They just shot the cub and stuck it in a Styrofoam fishing cooler that you get at the Kwik Shop for $1.99? That just doesn't jive. Science should be all over this.

8. Dane Cook isn't nearly as funny as he thinks he is. Attention America, there are much better comedians out there. Comedy based so deeply in smut and cursing doesn't show any skill or creativity in one's presentation, it simply feeds to the crowd to make a quick buck. Now don't get me wrong, I'm sure Dane has bills to pay just like the rest of us, but I've heard two people recently tell me that he's the greatest commedian ever! I stuggle to think that I work with or associate with people who have such a skewed and depraved view of what comedy is, and it's sad. Harland Williams is the funniest part of Employee of the Month.

24 years, 24 thoughts

2008-10-16T17:36:00.002-05:00

As I stepped into my early mid twenties last week it occurred to me that the world could certainly use some Mark-knowledge dropped upon its complacent little ears. The following are observations, statements, good questions, and point black, they're all accurate. Don't agree? Who cares? It's not your birthday.

1. People weight halves. I know it sounds odd and is actually a verbiage paradox, but it's true. When people desire to look upon something in either a favorable or unfavorable fashion, they'll be sure to exalt and embellish the half they feel is more important. Say for instance Bill is driving his 1996 Escort through an intersection. He enters the intersection when the traffic light is yellow, and it changes to red at the moment he reaches halfway. If he gets pulled over...reasons aside... wouldn't he reason that the light was yellow when he entered the intersection? What about the case of food? If a certain food could be broken down to exact nutritional halves, proponents from each side would say "it's not good for you" or "it's a healthy snack." People, at times despite their intentions, will weights halves, right democrats?

2. Schools will never have enough money. I've often...pronounced off-in...heard people say "well I like my job; it doesn't pay what I'd like, but hey it pays the bills" or words to that effect. Breaking it down I don't think anyone makes as much money as they'd like. On the front of our applications at work there's a box to fill in that says "Wage/salary desired" which cracks me up. I dream of the day someone puts down an honest and forthcoming answer of "all the money in the world" or "200,000 per year" on an application for Social Worker or Administrative Assistant. Unless you're a super content person (commendable) chances are if you had the chance to do the same job but make a little more money, or a lot more for that matter, you'd jump at the opportunity. However, you boss doesn't just randomly give you raises because you think you should have more right? Right. Same goes for the school system, especially in Sedgwick county. Teachers and everyone else in the district have a job to do. Now it would be nice to have some more money and do some things with it, but hold on, didn't I just get a raise? I did! In fact the lovely people that live in my school district are still working to pay me the raise I got, that ended up not even paying for what it was supposed to! I wanted a boat, and I got a raise to get the boat, but instead of buying a boat, I gorged myself on Il Vicino all year instead of making sandwiches at home, and now I want a new raise...and this time I promise I'll buy the boat. What a bunch of crap.

3. Cereal isn't the best breakfast food, but it's the easiest. What could be easier than pouring twice? Nothing. The best part is that you can get dressed while eating cereal in your bedroom with the bowl on the ironing board. Of course I don't do that.....

4. Stereotypes are for the most part true. I'm not saying they're a good thing, but how else do stereotypes form other than by lots of examples following the same pattern?

There's your first four. Buckle up for more.

Good question

2008-10-15T18:28:00.002-05:00

Who would you hire from "The Office?" I got this article at work and it's kind of fun to check out.

Wow.

2008-10-07T21:47:00.002-05:00

I watched this live Monday morning and I could not believe what I heard. Wow. You really have to go home feeling like a complete journalistic failure when you remind Robert Kennedy Jr of his father's murder.

Ryan got me thinking

2008-10-03T23:33:00.000-05:00

Ryan has made a good point...old people generally die sooner. My point from the previous smashing good blog post is that the American public should not cave to the propensity to distrust Palin or root for potential shortcomings because McCain is over 70. Though articulately lacking, the intent of my statement was for Leftys to simply be aware of Obama's mortality. It is in fact possible that should Obama be elected...and God help us if he is... Biden would assume the Obama throne as Commander in Chief. (I’m going to start the following sentence with "the liberal media" even though it's cliché because I am tired and I want to sleep (That Thing You Do)). The liberal media simply asserts age as another arrow in the quiver of irrelevancies it slings at the GOP in an effort to discredit current work being done in Washington, and future work yet to be accomplished and undertaken (meaning not yet taken on, not the morbid sense). Age, mortality rates, gubernatorial or senate experience, mother of many or tragedy-stricken father, Palin and Biden are both "a heartbeat away from the presidency." Democrats, however, only make this acknowledgment in one case.

For my loyal reader (readers?)

2008-10-02T22:18:00.004-05:00

Edit: Sorry everyone. I really don't know how the Webdings happened, honestly. If anything, I've only inadvertently shot myself in the foot, but the loyal will be loyal, right you two? Three?

As no surprise to anyone the debate was a good one. Naturally the more experienced Joe Biden had a more polished prowess on the national stage, but Sarah Palin held her own. She did look stiffer overall, but that was, of course, to be expected as she is a relative newcomer to the national spotlight. I find it interesting that the uninformed American public is concerned with whether or not Palin can "run the country" as she is potentially "a heartbeat away" from being the president. Are people that ignorant of how the leadership of this country operates? It isn't that one single person runs the entire show is it? An emphatic "no" is the proper answer to this question.

Two points to follow: Point number one is that there are a lot of old people in the country. Come to think of it there are a lot of people in the country that are, at the present time, healthy and could at any second drop dead. That goes for all of us. Just because John McCain is old doesn't necessarily mean that Sara Palin is any closer to the presidency than Joe Biden. Point number two is that America is organized as a Democratic Republic, not any variation of a dictatorship. To be concerned with whether or not she is apt to be the president implies that if she isn't...if, friends... then the entire country would be in dire hurt. There are advisors, there are secretaries, and there are a team of people working together under the umbrella of justice and freedom to secure the best interests of this country. George Bush happens to be at the wheel, but he doesn't make every decision or affect every action. The same would be the case should America be denied the further living of one hero John McCain. She's a working mother who happens to be in the public eye, much like Sara Jessica Parker, Angelina Jolie, or Celine Dion. People need to back off a little.

One other point to make: Joe Biden talks out of both sides of his mouth. On one side he will criticize the Bush administration's efforts on the war on terror. Biden cited the over 700 year history between the Sunnis and the Shiites as the basis that they will not get along and that a cohesive country government is not a realistic goal. However he takes credit for the resolve of the 1990s situation between Bosniaks, Serbs, and Croats, where, as everyone knows, there is no history right? Just an observation.

It doesn't get old...

2008-09-28T22:58:00.001-05:00

It just doesn't.

PETA is nuts

2008-09-24T17:30:00.003-05:00

So it turns out PETA is urging Ben and Jerry's to use human breast milk in their ice cream. They're throwing a fit, as PETA does, about the treatment of cows. So basically this is a horribly idiotic idea and it certainly won't work. The story suggests women are paid for their milk, but that's just crazy. Who ever heard of a factory floor full of people getting pupped for food? That'd be the only way to regulate what was in the milk. B&J's would have to be awful strict about who's milk they let in, so no contaminates would end up in my Cherry Garcia.

Bob and Tom cast and listeners this morning were coming up with ice cream flavor names like Cherry Garcia; catchy name of flavor that sounds like a celeb. When the breast milk conversation started there was no way around Mamjalina Jolie, Breast Middler, and the like.

From a mile away

2008-09-16T22:22:00.002-05:00

I wanted to blog this last night. I couldn't believe how badly this chick murdered the national anthem. It was just horrible. So much so that when the guys showed up to watch the game, I explained how bad it was, and we looked all over the internet for it. I just want to smack this little girl. She turns the Star Spangled Banner into an off key ego pumping experience with her facial expressions, hand gestures, and horrible upon horrible melismatic phrasing. My favorite part is that the crowd booed afterward. She totally deserved it. Kat Deluna is a horrible performer.

Ok...but what about this?

2008-09-16T17:20:00.001-05:00

Space disc... totally cancelled

2008-09-14T16:32:00.004-05:00

SNL has been having a hard couple of years. Last night thought wasn't too bad. I've mentioned this before but Andy Samburg is a refreshing addition to the cast. His humor is just stupid funny stuff that is clean for the most part and just makes you go "what?!" Space Olympics, digital short from last night, was another hilarious bit of current SNL repitoure. I couldn't find it on youtube or google video...as it turns out I think NBC keeps pretty good tabs on their stuff that gets out from SNL and makes sure it isn't out there. However NBC does let you embed the clips. Enjoy.

Letterman

2008-09-11T18:16:00.002-05:00

David Letterman is the funniest guy in late night television, at the 10:35 slot that is. Basically he's funnier than Jay Leno so I've always watched him unless a person I absolutely have to see (generally musical guests or all around hotties) were on. Obama was on last night and I have to say Letterman seems to be leaning. It's easier to joke about Palin or McCain. Even my dad has gotten in on the action and likened them to the Skipper and Mary Ann.

Anyway Obama has changed his rhetoric from "blah blah blah four more years of Bush" to "blah blah blah four more years of the same policies." Interesting that he's no longer basing his statements on unpopularity of Bush, but now has to focus efforts on McCain's policies. Why the shift? Becuase the marvelous GOP has gained ground. McCain is realizing that efforts in both Iraq and Afghanistanhave to be brought to the midset of voters and that energy issues aren't the only ones that exist. Obama spends a lot of time saying "well we wouldn't be in this boat if we'd focused on saving money on engergy sources so that we're not as tied up in foreigh oil." Wrong. Most of our imported foreign oil isn't from the Middle East, it's from South America. Why be a Monday morning quarterback regarding why we're in a situation instead of concentrating on how to best handle the issues of the day? It doesn't make a candidate look good to mainly bash what needs "changed" in Washing ton. What Obama needs to do is just look at where we are and say how he plans to move forward, not cry about and blame the past on Republicans.

Be a Better Boss

2008-09-09T23:14:00.002-05:00

Constructive information on how to be a better boss can be found here. Definately worth checking out.

Muslim?

2008-09-07T23:07:00.003-05:00

No matter how much time you spend in the spotlight or how important your position in the public eye may become, you have to be more careful than this. Does it mean he's a Muslim? No. But does it mean he doesn't carefully enough monitor and filter the words that come out of his mouth to avoid possible...nay probable...backlash from the awesome right wing? Yes!

Not that the good old GOP should call Obama something he isn't, but it certainly is interesting to know that a person wanting to be the President of the United States can't be more conscious of the potential consequences or embarrassment his verbiage may cause.

But if you're constantly in the media and doing interviews you're bound to slip at some point and just say something incorrect or stupid. Then thing is, Obama slipped about the wrong thing. I'm anxious to see what's next.

Weezer Weights

2008-09-05T17:31:00.002-05:00

I don't know why the US doesn't get this good stuff. This is Weezer playing The Band classic "The Weight" which is apparently a bonus track on the Red Album in the UK. Sweet.

Labor Day 2008

2008-09-01T22:45:00.003-05:00

Sleep in.
Wake up.
Get ready.
Go to Mom and Dad's.
Wash car.
Take grill and headlight housings off car.
Eat lunch.
Paint grill and housings.
Change oil.
Re-coat grill and housings.
Armor All every bit of black plastic on car.
Re-mount grill and housings.
Head home.
Take out the trash.
Watch John and Kate Plus 8.
Iron clothes for work.
Chop off all hair.
Blog.
Sleep (potentially).

Pizza Hut

2008-08-27T21:39:00.000-05:00

Remember the Pizza Hut ALF hand puppets?

Von Bondies

2008-08-13T22:00:00.001-05:00

The Von Bondies spent little time in my CD player in the Saturn, but they've recently made a comeback. Here's an example of why.

Coming to rock near you?

2008-08-07T18:08:00.001-05:00

The following are the dates for Weezer’s North American tour:

Sep 23 Boston, MA - Tsongas Arena
Sep 24 New York, NY - Madison Square Garden
Sep 26 Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata Casino
Sep 27 Philadelphia, PA - Susquehanna Center
Sep 29 Detroit, MI - The Palace of Auburn Hills
Sep 30 Toronto, ON - Air Canada Center
Oct 2 Chicago, IL - All State Arena
Oct 3 St. Paul, MN - Xcel Arena
Oct 5 Denver, CO - Broomfield
Oct 7 Salt Lake City, UT - E Center
Oct 9 Portland OR - Memorial Coliseum
Oct 10 Vancouver, BC - GM Place
Oct 11 Seattle, WA - Key Arena
Oct 13 San Jose, CA - Events Center
Oct 14 Los Angeles, CA - The Forum
Oct 17 San Diego, CA - Cox Arena
Oct 18 Phoenix, AZ - Arizona State Fair
Oct 20 Austin, TX - Frank Erwin Center
Oct 21 Dallas, TX - Nokia Theater
Oct 23 Houston, TX - Reliant Arena
Oct 25 Atlanta, GA - Gwinnett Arena

Obesity delays death

2008-08-06T19:44:00.002-05:00

In this case, that's actually true. I find it interesting that the condemed man Newton wanted the death penalty for killing another inmate, interesting. Whatever happened to the firing squad or hanging? I bet it'd go a lot smoother and be more effecient, maybe cheaper too.

I'll be paying you less per hour.

2008-07-24T18:04:00.002-05:00

Now isn't this an interesting motivational idea?

Gee...

2008-07-14T21:45:00.002-05:00

....I wonder why this couch is free.

Isn't it about time?

2008-07-09T17:53:00.003-05:00

Isn't it about time Jesse Jackson gives it up? No one wants to hear from him and he can't control his mouth. Now I'm not voting for Obama, but when Jackson presents an opportunity to point out that he is just an overrated ball of gas, well we can't just let that one slip away.

He even stumbles all over his own "apology" and uses the opportunity to push his tax fed agenda.

Sound byte? Just an innocent comment? Really? Why apologize then?

Scott City

2008-07-06T15:44:00.001-05:00

I tried to explain this clip on the way home from Scott City today and didn't get anywhere. The thing is, when someone used incorrect grammar or says a weird sentence, "that's how he says that" always pops into my head. You're welcome.

Scrubs is a funny show....

2008-07-01T21:34:00.000-05:00

....and here's an example of why.

Read it and Believe it.

2008-06-25T22:28:00.002-05:00

Good article from Cal Thomas in Tuesday's Wichita Eagle. Read it here.

Sheep jokes I made up.

2008-06-18T20:51:00.001-05:00

What does a sheep pirate wear on it's head?

A baaaaaandana.

Why do sheep love bluegrass?

Because they love the sound of a baaaaaaanjo.

Who is a sheep's favorite Bible character?

Baaaaaathsheeba.

Thank you.

Tales from the Blackjack

2008-06-15T18:03:00.003-05:00

Yup. That's a pic I snagged on my phone while driving. In case you just can't believe it, it is in fact two guys with short shorts on a scooter.

The Red Album.....Reactions

2008-06-03T18:00:00.002-05:00

Well, I've listened all the way through and am pleased for the most part. It's a little different to have both Brian Bell and Scott Shriner singing lead vocals on a couple songs, but for now I think it works. However, Rivers personifies Weezer, so if the lead singing lineup keeps changing, Weezer might lose it's brand. Here's the breakdown of the Red Album by track:

Troublemaker - This tune is a little too poppy, but is smart for sure. For the most part this song seems to highlight either Rivers's life, or at least his career with Weezer.

The Greatest Man that Ever Lived - This tune might take a little getting used to, but for the most part it's good. The song gets progressively better, so keep listening; the best part of the song is the march style acapella (sp?) portion with drums. Who is the song about? Rivers? It'd be a little overstated and cocky if so, but it's nice to hear that The Greatest Man that Ever Lived will "be on the stage till the curtain comes down." Hopefully that means Weezer isn't going on any silly hiatuses or dissolving.

Pork and Beans - This is the best song on the album. It's so reminiscent of the Blue Album, it just kicks. Hands down best song on the CD.

Heart Songs - This is a good counter to the hip-hop culture that claims things at "my song" etc. I can't tell you how many times at Finish Line a song would come on and I hear "Awwwww yeah boooooooy! Dat's my SONG!" This song is a more lyrical way to express the songs Rivers likes. Besides, mentioning that many different artists in one song must have taken some time to do.

Everybody Get Dangerous - This song would be good in a movie where a summertime car chase was taking place. The song gets better as it goes on and the traditionally simple drumming of Pat Wilson is mixed up a little.

Dreamin' - This one is ok, and it's a nice lick. That's all I have to say about that.

Though I Knew - Good title and subject for a song. Overall not bad, but certainly isn't "Pork and Beans."

Cold Dark World - This song is ok, but is the weakest song on the album. At least at first listen, it just didn't hook me. Honestly, a bit of a sleeper.

Automatic - Not a lot to say on this one. A little blah.

The Angel and the One - At first I thought I didn't like this one, but it's pretty good. It needs a few more listens, and a few less random instrument things at the end of the song.

The album is pointedly divided in half. The first five songs are good, the second five are ok with moments of good. Overall verdict is guilty.....guilty of Weezer.

Liberal Kansas

2008-06-02T22:31:00.002-05:00

Did you hear that today in Liberal the temperature high was 108 degrees? Wow.

New Video

2008-05-27T23:01:00.001-05:00

You know that this video is smart if you recognize where all the parodies are from. Further, you'll realize you might be an internet junkie for the same reason. =w=

Tales from the Blackjack

2008-05-27T18:54:00.005-05:00

Here are a few snapshots from my phone. Tales from the Blackjack.

It takes a lot to get me to cook a solid meal, mainly because I don't want to end up eating it for three days in a row. If you know me, you know I don' t like Asian food, but I tried my hand at being a KOBE chef and here's the result. Two fried eggs, all chopped up, cooked rice, frozen veggie mix, grilled chicken, and soy sauce. It was pretty good, but there is still some in my fridge...so it's old.

This is downtown KC traffic. 435 was real backed up because a truck drove off the highway. It doesn't look too bad and actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would have been. But if you look far down the road, you'll see that it got worse.

This is a tree from Botanica. It's actually called Botanica, the Wichita Gardens or something like that. Anyway i thought it looked nice. By the way the sky is blue, not white.

Just when you thought the River Festival didn't have crazy mullet haircuts, you were wrong. This gem was downtown flaunting it all over.

Another new single

2008-05-20T23:35:00.001-05:00

As it turns out....

2008-05-14T18:01:00.003-05:00

...I graduated college over a year ago and I'm now a full fledged adult with a grown up job. Naturally the compensation for said job could always be more exciting, but the glass is definitely half full.

...Kellogg is now closed in the far left lane instead of the far right lane after you drive under Woodlawn. It will throw you off if you don't read carefully.

...The River Festival requires a button...that's right a button...even for the food court! When Jessica wants a pronto pup, that means you have to join the club. Yikes. What happened to getting your face painted and put in a giant kid sized bubble?

...Tie bars are cool.

...Scrubs is a super funny show. Everybody needs to watch it. If you do in fact enjoy this show, you'll certainly enjoy this snippet below:

Wanna get hooked?

2008-05-09T17:27:00.003-05:00

If you do, play Typer Shark on Yahoo! games. It's fun.

I don't even know if Curtis reads this blog.

2008-04-30T19:41:00.001-05:00

Sorta Funny

2008-04-30T19:21:00.001-05:00

Observations

2008-04-24T21:21:00.002-05:00

*Wichita isn't that big of a city. I mean, when you grow up here you think "oh yeah I'm from the city. I'm a city boy!" This mindset is true to an extent, especially when you're driving in Wichita. Some people just don't know how to drive in this town and if you look closely enough generally one of three things is true: (1) The tag on the person's car has a county noted other than SG. (2) It's some whippersnappin kid texting while "driving." or (3) That person just uses their brakes too much.

*Sometimes when you think you're getting an awesome deal on a sweater, you'll get home to find out that the most likely reason the sweater seemed like such a killer deal, is because the collar and sleeves were sewed on inside out.

*Neighbors, no matter how cordial in the parking lot, can still scream at their girlfriends in the middle of the night and wake you up.

*Pseudo celebrities are getting their own shows on TV and it's making me sick. The dude from The Bachelor is on the Date My House, Tila Who-gives-a-crap has Shot at Love, the reject Italian guy has his own show, and Kate Walsh flopped on Private Practice. I mean seriously, can't I just watch some Newhart?

Cover of #6

2008-04-22T23:01:00.004-05:00

Here's the cover of the new CD. Counting down the days till June 24! Buckle up.

Weezer in red

2008-04-18T17:33:00.002-05:00

Ok folks it won't get old. Here's where you go for the entire song straight from Weezer. And here is where you can read the lyrics.

Get ready.....

Coming in June

2008-04-16T22:25:00.002-05:00

The first new single from Weezer's forthcoming sixth CD was premiered on satellite radio today. Lucky for you and for me, some people have gotten it out there all over the internet already. The album, according to weezer.com, will again be self titled like the Blue Album and the Green Album...only this one will be red. This is good stuff. Welcome back to another great chapter in the book that is Weezer.

Done

2008-04-15T17:11:00.002-05:00

*The pope is not God. It seems that people have an odd understanding of this simple fact. Billy Graham isn't God either, and neither is Joel Olsteen; but the Pope gets a fancy name, like Madonna, a mobile, a special plane ride, presidents greeting him on the tarmac...it'd odd and I'm done with it. I haven't researched it but I think I've heard that either Islam or Hinduism is the most prevalent religion in the world, but I guarantee that if there was a "pope" of Islam or something, he or she certainly wouldn't be greeted as warmly, nor placed on the pedestal that the Pope is.

*I'm not buying facial tissues...that's right, Kleenex is a brand not a product... without lotion anymore. Once you touch your nose with a lotiony tissue, you don't go back.

*Oscar Meyer Deli lunch meat. I thought it'd last longer since it's pre-sliced and in a plastic thing, but I was wrong. Getting some sliced right off the turkey at the counter is just as good, costs about the same, and provides you more options, like peppered turkey, mesquite turkey, brown sugar ham, roast beef, etc., and lasts just as long as the preservatived stuff. Yep, it's a word now.

Indulge me

2008-04-10T17:39:00.003-05:00

I know you won't watch the videos, but at least read my rant/observation. It could just be me, or it could just be me that cares that there is a similarity between Leona Lewis' song "Keep Bleeding" and Alkaline Trio's "Time to Waste." Every time I hear the Lewis song I think of the drums in the musical interlude in "Time to Waste" and I can't stop myself from seeing how the two songs would mesh, at least drum-wise. Actually, the Lewis song is only performed by Lewis. Like so much pop crap these days Lewis is a singer of a hit song, not a writer. The song was written by Jesse McCartney and Ryan Tedder (pretty boy and artist, respectively). Interesting to know that these guys were making money off the song without having even met the person getting famous for their work. Odd. Intersting also and more important to note that Alkaline Trio wrote their song. Rock is so great.

Lewis: the embed option has been deleted "by request" on the internet for the official music video, but not for this performance. The beat is the same (probably canned music with a live drummer for show).

Alkaline Trio:

100% done

2008-04-07T17:36:00.002-05:00

The following is a bullet list of things I no longer care about:

*I am totally over this crock about the "pregnant man." Really? Some man got pregnant? How'd that happen? OH wait! Maybe the person who claims to be a man is actually a woman who has had too much surgery! Men don't have babies. Women, no matter how much they want to hide behind mastectomies and hormone treatments are still women, and can get pregnant. Enough already!

*Warren Jeffs. I've had enough. This is finally going to get what's coming to him. Marrying off 15 year old girls to registered sex offenders? Bad idea. It's going to be nearly impossible to get any information from the kids regarding any abuse that may have happened because they're so detached from society. What a sad position for these kids, and an even worse situation for the mothers. But do we have to keep hearing about it? Ok news is news, but I get it.

*Gas prices are going up. I'm not as much done with that, though I wish I could be, but I'm tired of people ignorant of how inflation works getting airtime on local news stories. "When I was younger gas was 17 cents a gallon and now it's a whole lot more!" Really? It is? Yes OPEC could help us out a little and tree-hugging libs could relax about drilling for oil in parks. But prices for everything go up over time as the dollar loses value! Inflation isn't going to go away either, so get used to it. Proportionately 5 cents to see a movie in the 30s is the same as 9 bucks to see one now...or close to it at least. Businesses have to have enough to cover their expenses and pay their people that make your popcorn and answer your call button, so quit whining about gas.

*Viagra commercials with folk singers. "Hey fellas listen to this!" A little banjo here, some fiddle there, and we're singing the "viva Viagra" song sporadicly. Really? Is that what guys with ED do? Sit around and pick along to a song about a happy pill? I doubt it. I know marketing has to be creative, but this is just stupid. Side note; if I was a doctor and someone accidentally asked if "Viagra was right for us?" instead of "me," I'd hockey punch him. Below is a good commercial that's out now. Enjoy.

Observations

2008-03-31T18:27:00.002-05:00

*Half of ham is water. I mean, have you ever cut into one of those things?

*No matter how hard it may seem to do, flossing can save you money, and teeth.

*State Farm is a great insurance company. I'll be using those Christmas address labels till June.