Friday, September 30, 2011

Not so Classic Film Friday - The Troll Hunter

I'm a sucker for a good scary flick, and while this movie isn't exactly a fright festival... it has just enough to make you wonder... Do trolls really exist? Well, if you are wondering, see this movie and perhaps it will change your mind. This film is a lot like Blair Witch or Cloverfield. At least that is how it is filmed. So if you like those movies, this one won't disappoint. Although, it is in Norwegian, so you have to read subtitles. Not very classic, at least not yet, but still...

Thursday, September 29, 2011

SOS

As if the whole new job thing wasn't enough drama, I am forced to deal with teen aged drama, which in my opinion is the absolute worst kind of drama there is. Because wherever that drama lies, more drama is bound to follow. This time (most times come to think of it) it is my wife's turn. Not that it is my wife's fault, because I hold her 100% harmless in this whole thing but she was the focus of my teenager's angst.


Why? Because she can get away with it more so than if she were to give it to me, because I will hurt her. It hasn't gotten to that point in years, and why is that? Because it does not feel very good. It hurts her physically. It hurts me psychologically. It hurts everyone. I don't want to do it, hell I try to avoid it at all costs... But I love my wife and I won't let stupid shit come between me and her.

Sometimes kids are just wrong. And when they are wrong, we as parents need to be there, show them how they are wrong, what they need to do to be right, and positively reinforce them to help so they don't screw-up again. Well most kids would do fine with that... but not all. Not mine. She suffers from SOS (stuck on stupid) and continues to make the same mistakes over and over and over. There is something pathological about it. And I don't have the cure. I don't think anyone does... Just wait, sit and wait.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Crooked Toe Anyone?

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

It Is Always Hard to Say Goodbye

Saying goodbye is never easy. How I wish it was. I'm just saying... as I write this when I have already left one place, the place I have known for 7 years, compared to that of the new place, that I don't know and all the trepidation involved with the unknown. It is rough. I can't really understand why, but it is. I hope that all this worrying is for naught and that I will grow into the new place as I did the old place. I can hope anyway. I want to do a good job just like anyone, and I put so much pressure to do well on myself... that it is likely completely unnecessary. But it is what it is.

My new job is not quite like my old one... eventually maybe it will be, but for now it is something completely new. So new I'm sort of the pilot program and if I do well, then it will be taken across the country. Yeah no pressure there right?

Monday, September 26, 2011

Musical Monday - AWOLNATION: Sail

This is my  first post I'm making from a different position at my job. It has absolutely no bearing on my work whatsoever. But it is worth noting. I might very well be sitting in traffic right next to you... if you happen to be going on the island. Anyway that has nothing to do with this song, but it is what it is. Come "sail" away with me...


Friday, September 23, 2011

Classic Film Friday - The Incredible Shrinking Man

 This 1957 classic asks, "what would you do if a nuclear radiation cloud were to make you smaller and smaller by the day?" or at least shows you how one man deals with it. We were in the middle of the Cold War, and we really didn't know what radiation could (or couldn't) do. Watch as a 6 foot man struggles with becoming a 3 foot munchkin and then beyond that when something like a cat or a spider become a struggle for life. It is a nuclear scare movie but it is a pretty good for its time.


Thursday, September 22, 2011

New Me, Same as The Old Me

Well it is hard to believe, but my job is going to end, sort of. Basically I'm moving on to greener pastures, but I'm staying in the same house and keeping the same employer. Actually if I want my old job back, I could probably have it, but it is supposed to be all about moving up, not just staying static. So that is what I'm doing. Movement. But it is scary, any time someone has to move and start off somewhere new... it's scary.

I'm hoping that I will win the news people over and the new place will be just as nice as the old. But you just never know... until it is too late. But that is why we do what we do. So it is time, time to put on a happy face, smile a whole lot, be helpful and in general be nice. That is pretty much how I always am, so it shouldn't be all that hard. But I am entering a difficult situation. Just keep on smiling and helping, and eventually it will all be worth it.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

I Wonder...

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Line Up Adjustment

So much has happened in the last year. Like for one everybody got a year older. For the littlest of my clan, she went from being 1 to 2, basically she will have doubled her time in the business. Not bad if you ask me. I have been fiddling with my blog somewhat. I’m thinking about moving my as of yet unnamed music day to Monday, for obvious reasons. So Daily Affirmations will be on Wednesday, Classic Film Friday will remain, and Soccer Saturday will all stay where they are and Music Monday will round out the week. That leaves me with three days to talk about whatever.

That seems pretty good. I have given up on the BlogJam. Well I won’t say given up, but its status is comatose so unless someone wakes it up, I guess it will stay that way. I really wanted for the BlogJam to work, but heck who has time to go a make a blog and then keep it updated with regular content? On the list, I’d say no more than 4-5 people (at most) really it is more like 2-3. It is what it is. I will hold out in hopes that more people (with the BT going away, or at least looking like they are going away) perhaps creating an outlet.

Your comments are always welcome here. Honestly I only delete SPAM that I can remember anyway. But that is the cool thing about having your own blog you can let everyone comment or nobody comment or something in-between. You can be as right or left as you want and you can also be as correct or incorrect… because it is yours. I like that. Now I will say that if you want to be taken seriously, you have to at least base something on fact, you can’t claim crazy things… or you could, if you want to be laughed at.

No doubt, I am the source of someone’s entertainment, maybe many people. That is ok, I try to be funny (sometimes). Because in the end if you can’t laugh at yourself and the silly things you’ve done… what can you do?

Monday, September 19, 2011

The Adventures Of Rain Dance Maggie

This is the Red Hot Chili Peppers latest offering. The song is pretty good, but even more interesting is Anthony Kiedis's mustache. I haven't seen a hairier upper lip since Lionel Richie's 1983's 'All Night Long'. Just saying, people will compare... I can feel it.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Soccer Saturday (part 2) on Sunday

Well my teenager had a game on Monday, it wasn't pretty, and she still lost, but it wasn't as bad as the first game, so for that I am happy. There was a complete lack of passing or pretty much anything else. It was really just a bunch of girls kicking the ball, and it just happened to go in our goal once, so the other team won. Yeah, not so good, but we learned from it. Or at least I think we did.

Practice was the next day and the coach drove home the fact that nobody passed the ball. Ball control, it is all about ball control. Which takes me over to the 5-year-old. She had a practice, and she was on defense the rest of the team was on offense at 2 at a time drill (they were supposed to pass the ball and get around the one defensive player). Songbird wouldn't let anyone by her, she was again a superstar.

Now I don't mean to brag, and really I'm not. Songbird doesn't do anything but the instructions given to her. So many kids get it in their head to do whatever they want and not what parents/coaches are telling them to do. She hears the command and carries out the orders given and that is pretty much that.

I was planning on giving the scores of the games... but I got snared by a stomach bug. The teenager and my wife also git the bug, it was not so good. My wife did go with Songbird and she scored twice, and won the game handily.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

A Gift

I got a present, just because... Basically I woke up (last, because... just because) and I got ready, be-bop down stairs and see this along with a note... "I love you XO Mrs. Mad-Hatter"

What did she get me? Old School Hip Hop. A mix tape of sorts. All kinds of memories flashed before my eyes. The break-dancing thing where my older brother got together with friends, gathered some cardboard boxes and tried to become a star.... Nobody made it, thank God. Lots of sexual innuendos, some more apparent than others. Some songs that are just funny, because some goofy white guy would imitate them.







Anyway, for $5 my wife bought me an incredible gift. That is why I love her so much. Yes I know this was on the clearance rack, I know the songs are pushing 20-30 years old, but in my mind, it is the perfect gift.  something I might buy for myself, but she found it on sale. And it is funny, which I'm all about. Who wouldn't spend 5 bux to laugh a little? Thanks must go out to my wife, she knows me better than I know myself.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Classic Film Friday - Yellowbeard

I know with all the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, you might think they invented a pirate movie, but you would be wrong if you thought that. This 1983 flick is of course a comedy, but it has so many famous actors in it... well it must be seen. Captain Yellowbeard (Graham Chapman) has a treasure that after 20 years of his imprisonment everyone wants. So who will get it? Hmmmm....

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Quiet Hounds

I heard these guys on the internet, I thought it was some kind of spam, but it looks like they are looking for a foot hold. So I'll feature them, they have a nice sound to them and apparently it is free, I like me some free and I thought you might as well...


Wednesday, September 14, 2011

If Only...

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Augustus...

This picture embodies everything about our littlest one. She looks a little mischievous, but sweet, you see her hair, she doesn't care about that. She can make your heart melt and piss you off the next minute, then make you laugh again. This one is going to be trouble.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Soccer Saturdays

Well over the weekend, we had two soccer games... and they were different in just about every way. The game my teenager was in was a cluster... They weren't a team, they were just a gaggle of girl flopping around on the field. It was a learning experience... well I hope so anyway. There was a few bright moments, few and far in-between, but at least there was something. Their coach said it best, now they know what they need to do to turn those weaknesses into strengths. I hope so. Score: 7 - 0.

Now I go to later in the day, and the Songbird in the morning was sick, and was really too sick to play, luckily with the power of medicine and a later game, she felt good enough... Now I asked her and my wife asked her, and we made it abundantly clear that if she didn't feel up to it, we would not go. But she was determined, we had to go. And she was a star. Score: 4 - 2. So opening day was a mixed bag, but I think we all win when we think about what happened. It is just a game after all...

Sunday, September 11, 2011

10 Years Gone

I don't really know anyone that died in the 9/11 attacks, so I guess I have the luxury of looking at the event from a more objective viewpoint. But that doesn't mean I am not horrified by the event. I remember when it happened. I was working, in the upstate. I turned on the TV because, it was what everyone was doing. I watched as the second airplane hit. I knew then that this was no accident, that this was a game changing event, and that things would never be the same again.

I mourned for folks I had never met. I hugged my daughter extra tight that day after work. I thought of all of my Army buddies, that would no doubt go to war "somewhere". I watched the TV constantly, just trying to get some kind of idea... of the madness that was going on in New York and DC. We lost whatever we had that day, we had to adjust our way of thinking because we couldn't afford to stick out our hand in friendship openly anymore. We had homeland security and whatever else, to guard against a unspeakable act. But do we really? The fact is, nobody has tried that act since, not really, I know there has been a few failed attempts, but nothing substantial. So we let the terror sink in, and we succumbed. And I know something had to happen, I just don't know if it really effects what it is that we are trying to stop.

I'm sorry all those people died, it was a sad, sad day, but here 10 years later, does everything we are doing make sense? Is getting frisked by airport security worth it? That remains to be seen. But I think one of the most important things to say is... nothing at all. At least not from me. We live in this world, we always have and always will. When terrible things happen, armchair quarterbacking helps nobody. Whatever could be said has already been said. It was a sad day and it will remain a sad day.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Randoms

My kids are doing the things that kids do... grow up. In no child is that more apparent than the baby. Which really, she'll be 2 in October, but she has the benefit of being the youngest, so she'll always be my baby. Anyhow, she has a seat in the dining room, (no more highchairs) it is like a booster seat at a restaurant, except it it is secure in that it straps to the chair, she can't flip out of it. But what she can do is a "Dukes of Hazzard" climb out the side. It is funny. She can't push the chair once she is seated, so when she decides she is done, and nobody is paying attention, this is the way she bails.

The Songbird is growing her mind more than anything these days... she can sort of read... not really, but she knows some words. So each night we read 2 or 3 books and it is amazing how much she has progressed.

The teenager is struggling, maybe not so much struggling as she is coming to grips with the real world of high school work, honors/AP work at that. And this year both the teenager and Songbird have soccer practice. That means my Saturdays are a wash, and two week days are long. That's ok, but man I miss having nothing to do.

Back to the little one, we went to Jekyll Island, and paid a visit to Summer Waves water park. She saw all the chase lounges around, and the women laying out getting a tan. Which all seems fine. Then our baby says to me, "Go night-night" and "awwwwww." Basically she was wishing them a good sleep, as they were laying with eyes closed, so she thought they were going to sleep.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Classic Film Friday: Harold & Maude

This is one of those movies that I just love, it is funny, it breaks from the norm, and really it is an outstanding film. Harold (Bud Cort) is a young man, who doesn't really know what to do with himself. He likes death, maybe a little too much... He stages many deaths in front of his mother (Vivian Pickles). Maude (Ruth Gordon) is a 79-year-old embodiment of a free spirit. She does what she wants, how she wants... and doesn't care about much else.

Harold and Maude meet up at a funeral. As it is something they both take pleasure in. And from there, it becomes sort of weird... She steals the priest's car. They meet more and become intimate. Harold decides to marry Maude, even though his family, his psychologist, and priest tell him not to. But Harold's life is in for a bit more of a shock as 80 is the perfect time to die, according to Maude. This movie has so many allegories. Young/old, life/death, war/peace... and course it has a bit of dark humor. Watch it for yourself...

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Zee Avi - Ghostbird

I don't know much about this woman, but I like the way she sings. Very simple yet her velvety voice soothes your ears. It bears resemblance to her Brushfire Records boss, Jack Johnson. Not that they are alike, but the relaxing melodies do make you want to sit back and listen to more.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

She Aint Sharing...



The above movie was taken in my backyard. The grasshopper was completely unharmed. The stupid dog likes to hold it, but doesn't ever like to share... and doesn't like to kill... it makes me kind of mad.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

A/C is Down... Again, Sorta'

So it seems lately that everything is breaking or broken. I know, because I fix things for a living, that we are having some bad luck lately. I say that, because nobody really thinks there stuff is breaking just to spite them. At least I don't.

But anyway you see we have a central A/C unit and it has two zones. One for downstairs and one for upstairs. Well our upstairs unit is acting up. Since the downstairs unit is working fine, and they pretty much share a bunch of the same stuff, I can eliminate much of the outside unit, and the inside unit. In my mind, it could either be a control problem (big bucks) or a damper (much cheaper and fixable) Our unit has two dampers, so that if one zone is hot and the other is cold, the damper will close to the one that is cold and just work on the one that is hot. It does this instead of using two whole units. It is cheaper, and it makes troubleshooting a breeze.

Now too the uninformed something big and expensive like an A/C unit may seem a little daunting. And it may be for me too as I have no refrigeration license. But for less than $75, it may be just the ticket (the damper that is). So I ordered the damper, and while I am waiting, there was/is a whole bunch of people who say... let a professional do it...or worse yet, have the thing on a contract. Well if only I had that kind of money just laying around. It just aint in the cards for me... so wish me luck as a move forward with this. Some people because of age or work or whatever can afford to have their A/C looked at by someone else. I just can't. I can dream, but that is about it. Meanwhile I ordered the part and will try to fix it myself... if I am right I don't expect a parade in my honor, but a small party wouldn't hurt, or at least the big piece of chicken.

NSFW, but really funny, Chris Rock talks about Daddy and the big piece of chicken.



I'll have to let everyone know how it goes...

Monday, September 5, 2011

Darker Days Ahead for the Newspaper Industry

Well I'm afraid old news, isn't very good news. The problem with "news" is it is a fragile thing. And reading old news is sort of stupid, because odds are, you already know about it. This goes for the BT and the Bluffton Packet. And if I don't feel compelled to read it, and I just throw it away... Like the Sun, that comes out monthly, then advertizing is pretty much useless. Because that is what makes the whole thing possible right?

So tell me again why I should read your useless news and useless advertizing if there is nothing of value in its contents? Basically, the paper goes right from curb to garbage can, maybe I'll see if there is any coupons, but otherwise... why bother?

Maybe I'm jumping on them to quickly. But somehow they have to find a reason for me to read what they are putting out, and it can't be news, at least not the kind that we have been getting, because its limited self life won't permit that.

I could think of some things they might do... but I'm not the editor and it really is not my job. But think for a minute, what is hyper-local, who can we count on the paper to cover? And I really don't mean press releases. I'm talking about one on one interviews with the police chief, council members, high school football coach, school principals. I know that that inherently means it will contain some fluff. But it doesn't have to be all fluff.

Something has to happen BT and Bluffton Packet, otherwise, I will continue (as will others, if not most) to drop it off at the trash can and thus your advertizing will suffer, and more people will be let go. Think about it. I wonder if I could get them to stop completely... because I'm basically picking up litter deposited on my front yard every Wednesday.

Oh... Happy Labor Day, I hope you have lots of BBQ and Beer or some other variant on this day.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Interim Report Time

It must be school time again, because already I hear to fights about grades. Whether it is a person making "F's" and their parents being happy with "C's" or even "D's" to Someone making "C's" and their parents want them to make "A-B's" it seems the struggle is never-ending. It really doesn't matter (from the parents point of view) it is whatever the child is doing, it likely isn't enough. Meanwhile for the kid, he/she likely feels a little overwhelmed plus there is that whole understanding that is rarely fully understood that your grade point average is easily pulled down, not so easily pulled back up. (At least that is how it is at my house)

So my teenager says... "what do you want me to do? Make "A's" every-time?" Well... yeah, that would be a good start. Even better would be a true understanding by the teenager that I was not put on this earth for the sole purpose of making her life a living hell. I mean, I guess I could try, since I am already half way there (or better). My daughter is on the track that will lead to college, something I didn't really have (I could have, but it was much easier to join the Army, see the world... blah,blah,blah) and her mother's side of the family... let's just say they don't hold doing well in school as high as I do. But it really is not a problem, or that isn't THE problem.

Let me put it this way... I want my daughter to have the best life that she possibly can. With that comes sacrifices, a bit of work, of quite a bit of arguing (apparently). I'm doing all I can, though really, by the time they're a teenager, what can be done? Anyway, I think part of the problem is now that she is in high school, she is going to classes that have some sophomores, juniors, and seniors in them (she is a sophomore) and she wants to be around some senior/juniors and do what they do. All fine and good, but she is on a different track. So how do I get my kid to understand that while yes, it may be cool to hang with upper class-men, They are finishing up their high school and she is just beginning.

And tell me again why I care? I mean it really doesn't affect me. So all of this fighting and whatnot is for what? To make sure that she doesn't make a mistake that she will regret later in life. But it is her life, not mine. Always walking the tightrope.





Saturday, September 3, 2011

Robot Overlords

You know our time on this planet is finite. Like the dinosaurs, eventually we will be replaced and/or the earth will be enveloped by the sun. Here we see the exchange of two robots talking to each other. I'll be dead before the robots take over, but it is coming perhaps.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Classic Film Friday -The Grass is Greener

Well this movie starts out rather slow, but what it lacks in excitement it makes up for in plotting. Basically Cary Grant as Victor, Earl of Rhyall and his wife Hilary (Deborah Kerr) are out of money. So they open the castle up to tourists. Grow mushrooms, live a life a bit more humbling. That is until Charles Delacro (Robert Mitchum) shows his way into a portion of the house marked private. Charles and Hilary start an affair even though they know they shouldn't.

Victor knows his wife is cheating, but he is very British about it (maybe? I don't know) but he starts thinking of a way to get his wife back. And so he invites Charles over and they go fishing together. Many mishaps happen and we are left feeling that poor Victor is going to be left with Hattie Durant (Jean Simmons). Then the plan is hatched and they Charles and Victor will have a duel. Settling things for good.

And they do, but how does it end? Hmmm, you'll have to see this 1960 classic film yourself to find out, but I'm sure you could guess. Seen on the Netflix instant viewer.


Thursday, September 1, 2011

LMFAO - Party Rock Anthem

I was turned on to the song by my teenager. Because everyday she is shuffling. Also notice the guy dressed as Jesus. Unbelievably funny. So get your shuffle on, and go party!