ErnieAyres.com

Open letter of frustration to Comcast

2011-11-03T15:40:00.000-05:00

After, again, being slighted by yet another Comcast call-center rep I decided to tweet the issue. Read the tweet HERE.

@ComcastBill replied immediately. Great! I can't get help from calling in but I can get it from Twitter. I don't care, as long as I get help! He then asked that I email him the specifics of the issue.

Here's my email to we_can_help@comcast.com:

On Thu, Nov 3, 2011 at 3:04 PM, Ernie Ayres wrote:

Bill?

I'm sending this email as per the request from @ComcastBill on Twitter.

ACCOUNT INFO REMOVED

I called on 10/21 to start my address change for our move on 10/28. Since the previous occupants didn't have cable a "sight survey" would need to be done which takes up to 10 business days. 10 BUSINESS DAYS!!! It takes that long to drive to a house, look at the neighbors around us that have cable and say, "Gee, I guess we CAN put cable here."?? I was told that it probably wouldn't take that long and he would call me back as soon as it was completed.

After not hearing anything I called back on 10/31 and explained my story. The operator had me verify all the information again and I was told it hasn't been done yet and, again, I'd get a call once completed.

Since we've been moved in for almost a week now and still don't have cable (which we're still paying for by the way) I called a few minutes ago to see if there is any update. The operator tells me that I initiated the call on 10/31 and it's 5 to 10 business days from that start date. Huh? I called on the 21st. She wouldn't acknowledge that and just kept reading the same line from her script. "It takes 5 to 10 business days to have the site survey done." Due to my blood pressure issues I figured it was just better to hang up rather than listen to the broken record routine.

If I don't have cable to my house by tomorrow (again, my neighbors around me have cable so it really shouldn't be that big of a deal!) I'm canceling my service with Comcast and switching to AT&T.

Another issue we've had constantly is that the DVR is ridiculously unreliable. While watching live TV, sometimes, pressing the pause button on the remote shows the progress bar on the screen but it doesn't pause. That really cute thing comes on that my wife wants me to see (because I'm apparently attracted to cute things) so she tries to rewind live TV and nope. Nothing. Every time we call in...guess what? "I need you to unplug the DVR for one minute please. You'll lose all programming guides for approximately fifteen minutes." Not mention the fact that we might be recording something on another channel because that's what DVR's are for, right? Recording!?

We're just tired of being yanked around. You didn't enter my order? Fine. Acknowledge that when I call to check (on the 31st would have been great) and try to make it right. Customer calls for the umpteenth time with a DVR complaint? Send that customer a new (not reused refurbished DVR...a NEW one because we are now on our third USED DVR and it still doesn't work reliably) and, again, try to make it right. And for the love of Pete, STOP READING FROM A SCRIPT! Your reading the same line the fifth time doesn't help me to feel like you care or that you want my business.

The customer.

Please feel free to call me a the number below.

--
Thank you,

Ernie Ayres
http://www.ernieayres.com
(XXX) XXX-XXXX

We'll see what happens from here. I'll post any updates. The big question is "What is it going to take for companies to start caring up front instead of playing clean up?"

Maybe Gary Vaynerchuck's The Thank You Economy should be required reading at Comcast.

Hey Comcast, if you do decide to buy everyone in your company a copy, please use my affiliate link! Pay me back for some of the frustration.

Slow plus sure equals fast

2011-09-29T11:30:00.002-05:00

I had a manager several years ago that freely gave me much needed advice. He told me stories about people he knew, family members, even fellow co-workers. Each story had a purpose. It was to teach a lesson or share a bit of knowledge.

Now that I'm in a management position, I find myself constantly going back to certain nuggets he would impart. One such gem is "Slow plus sure equals fast." Simple, precise, easy to remember. I find myself saying that phrase to myself at least once a week, if not several times a week.

One such time was during a server restore. Sometime during the day a critical database server crashed. I was rushing around trying to hurry up and fix the server. People were calling me and out of nowhere, the company VP walked into the server room to see if he could "lend a hand." I knew that meant it needed to be fixed soon and that time is now!

As soon as he left I found myself panicking. I'm not a DBA (Database Administrator) nor do I have any clue as to the procedure of restoring this server to working condition. Then it hit me. Slow + sure = fast. I may not have it back up in five minutes, but by slowing down and paying attention to what I was doing, I could be more accurate. I then remembered that we had paid DBAs on-site so I got them in there to help.

I also use this mantra all the time in dealing with ADHD. I've come to realize that if I focus on one thing, I may be moving slower but at least I'm getting something done. If I had a nickel for every time my mind started to wander and I spent the afternoon trying to do five or six things at once and actually got nothing done! By keeping a stack of index cards with me at all times, I can write down random thoughts that pop into my head and address them later. Oddly enough, just writing the erroneous thought down lets my mind forget about it. ADHD 0 - Ernie 1.

Here's a great article from Success.com that roughly relates to this. It's short so take a minute and read it.
http://bit.ly/oKMHat

Let me know what you think about Slow plus sure equals fast. I'd love to hear from you with examples of accomplishments by using this, or ways to make yourself slow down.

The Four Hour Body and how I rock it

2011-05-13T13:49:00.000-05:00

I've been on the 4 Hour Body plan for about 2 months. So far I've lost 24 pounds and several inches. People ask me, "How'd you do it?" or "What's involved with that diet?" a lot. Several times I've had the same person come back to me asking me to explain it again!

Here's how I rock the 4 Hour Body program.

Breakfast:

I start with 4 brazil nuts and a handful of almonds washing them down with a cold glass of water. Next I move on to 3 huge forkfuls of sauerkraut. I usually eat the sauerkraut while I'm preparing my omelette. My omelette is 1 1/2 cups spinach leaves, 1/2 to 1 cup black beans, 4 eggs with 3 yolks, and 1 medium sized chicken strip or 1/3 of a can of chicken (consistency is tuna-like). Before I eat the omelette I drink a small glass of water with 3 Tbsp lemon juice and I do 30 wall-presses and 15 air-squats,referred to as GLUT-4 exercises in the 4HB book. I also have a cup of coffee with a little less than one tsp Saigon cinnamon while eating breakfast. *I do the wall-press/air-squat routine before and 1 1/2 hours after every meal.

Tim talks about using AGG/pAGG also throughout the day. I don't use it and I think I'm doing very well. However, several have told me I would be doing even better if I did incorporate the AGG/pAGG stack so I'm still considering it. More of his recommendations are Cissus Quadrangularis and probiotics via Sedona Labs iFlora.

After breakfast I take a shower and end it with the water hitting my shoulders turned as cold as it will go for 5 to 10 minutes. If I'm in a huge hurry I will only run the cold for two minutes. This is something I never do without. I started seeing huge weight loss by doing this one thing so I'm sticking with it.

Once I'm out the shower, dressed and ready for work I'll have a tall glass of water with one heaping Tbsp of Vibrant Health Green Vibrance. Tim Ferriss recommends Athletic Greens but I find AG to be too pricey and VHGV to be very similar in composition and ingredients.

As soon as I get to work I'll fill up my 24 oz water bottle and get started on that. Usually, I also bring a 16 oz coffee cup (with Saigon cinnamon) from home as well. By the end of the workday I try to have filled and emptied the water bottle 3 times.

Lunch:

Lunch is usually 1 1/2 cups spinach leaves, 1/2 cup black beans, and either 3 chicken strips or a can of tuna in water. Boring, I know...but effective and easy, easy, easy to remember. Again, lemon juice before and wall-press/air-squat routine before and 1 1/2 hours after every meal.

Snack:

None. That was easy. Rarely am I even vaguely hungry so I don't usually need or want a snack. However, by 5 or 5:30pm, I'm ready to eat a small calf...or large pig.

Supper:

Supper looks almost exactly like lunch with one change. I've been eating a Tbsp of almond butter before eating anything else. I'd prefer it after supper just because it's a little sweet but before hand is OK too. Lemon, GLUT-4s, yeah yeah.

One thing I really like about the Four Hour Body plan is that I can have up to two glasses of red wine per day. I usually have one but two does happen occasionally with no weight gain yet. I've even had a pour of Bourbon (to review on WhiskeyNose.com) on a Wednesday night one week and a bottle of beer another week with no ill side effects (read "weight gain"). If I do go off the reservation it's only one drink and only one night per week other than my Binge Day (see below).

Binge day!:

The main thing that I love about the Four Hour Body is that one day per week you have what's called a Binge Day, or some refer to it as a Cheat Day. Most of us save this for Saturday. I've got a friend that does his on Friday because people bring a lot of food into work on Fridays and he's not saying no to goodies on Friday! Why should he? Changing the day is fine as long as it's consistent. I've moved mine a couple of times from Saturday to Sunday but that's as far as I'm moving mine.

Binge day starts as any other 4HB day would. Large breakfast with 30 grams of protein, lots of black beans, coffee with Saigon cinnamon, lemon juice, GLUT-4s, etc. However, around one hour after eating breakfast...let the fun begin!!

My next post will talk about my binge days and how I've been able to track what I'm doing to minimize the weight gain per Tim Ferriss's recommendations.

Questions? Comments? Post a comment!

Justin Bieber's show last nite

2010-08-12T15:09:00.002-05:00

Yes, I did it. I took my 14 year old daughter to see Justin Bieber on the My World Tour because, of my wife and me, I pulled the short straw. Plus my wife took her to see Aly and AJ a few years back so it was my turn. Since my daughter was so excited beforehand, I was getting excited for her.

I'll get right to it. All of the acts were talented with the singing and the dancing. Sean Kingston had most of the recognizable songs (to me) and was quite good for a mainly studio/video performer. The scariest part of the night was when one of the opening acts told everyone to stand up and jump on the count of three until I realized the average weight of everyone there had to be roughly 68lbs, except me of course, but I wasn't jumping anyway.

By the time Justin Bieber came out you could cut the tension/excitement with a knife. They did it right by putting a timer up after Sean Kingston to let everyone know that, in 15 minutes, "the Bieb" would be taking the stage. By the time it got down to one minute I wasn't sure if people were going to start passing out or screaming or jumping off the balcony. Unfortunately, they all started screaming. And guess who forgot to bring earplugs?

By the time it was all said and done, I was impressed with Justin's (can I call him Justin, or should I say Mr. Bieber? I'm sticking with Justin) overall talent. He dances ok, he sings quite well when he's not singing over a sing along track, he plays guitar well, he plays the drums ok (I'm a drummer so I'm trying to not be too critical here). All-in-all, I was impressed with the overall quality of the show.

Would I recommend this show to my friends? Uh...no. When I was 14 or so, probably not then either. It's just not my type of music. I have sat through several JB songs on the computer while my daughter was listening but I can't see myself searching out his music. He did have one song called "Never say never" that I thought I might like to download. After listening to it online this morning, I changed my mind...just couldn't do it.

If this review was for the Sean Kingston part alone, yes, I'd recommend it. And Sean's drummer was pretty close to the best live drummer I've ever seen. And I've seen quite a few.

Oh yeah, who's this "shawty" that everyone keeps singing about?

Preplogic just lost me as a customer

2010-07-30T13:39:00.003-05:00

There's almost nothing that I hate more than false advertising, whatever the form. Making a deal with someone for X, then only providing Y... or charging X instead of Y...etc...

I received an email from PrepLogic as I do most every day about the new fantastic deal they have. **If you're not familiar with PrepLogic (Preplogic.com), they provide video training for the IT industry from Microsoft to Cisco to CompTIA** Since I LOVE video training I thought I'd at least check out the ad. This is the email I received:

Unlimited IT Training, Just $99 Today

ENDING SOON

What's keeping you from getting your certifications? Is it the right timing, the right price? PrepLogic's Unlimited Access program gives you the chance to get started today for just $99. Ultimately, this is your best price and last chance to overcome the one, final hurdle- Procrastination!

Unlimited Access is PrepLogic's "Netflix-style" training program that comes with everything you could possibly need to get certified, including unlimited video training, practice exams, and study guides! With more than 75 certification titles to choose from, Unlimited Access meets your every training need and is flexible with your personal life too. Go at your own pace, explore different types of certifications hands on and become an expert in the specialty you've been talking about pursuing.

Unlimited Access: Get it today for only $99 - Ending soon!

http://links.preplogic.com/et/us.asp?LC=1&E=yourmom@gmail.com&LID=245815

We created the Unlimited Access program so you can get our complete line of training without putting out a lot on your part. $99 is nothing compared to the high cost and time commitment of classroom courses, boot camps, professional trainers and any other training you've considered. Short of a magic wand, this is your best shot at putting your certification goals into action!

We can give you the tools at a great price, but you must still make the decision. Don't put off getting certified another day. This special price is available right now through our 128-bit secure online shopping cart. It's time to think about the direction your career is moving, and take it to the next level!

Sincerely,

PrepLogic

Smarter Training

US/Canada: 1-800-418-6789 Opt 1

UK: (0) 20 8816 8036

South Africa:(0) 11 083 9973

Australia:(02) 8003 3878

Int'l: +1 813-769-0920

Several times I'm told that for $99 I receive 2 years of UNLIMITED video training for every certification training they offer. Since I manage a small IT department, and I like video training, I thought this is a great deal!

I clicked on the link in the email to get started. I entered all my credit card info, address, etc. Right I was about to hit send I noticed small print under the"Get it Now!" button. Take a look:

I've circled the hard to read print for you, because you may, as I almost did, miss it! $99 today, $2,9896 due in 31 days. **I have not altered this photo other than adding the red circle around the fine print!**

WHAT?!?!? That's right! It's starts with $99, but it's actually almost $3K.

I thought that maybe I was missing something, or overlooked this price *at least* being referred to in the email or on the website so I double checked both. Nope. Then I called them to speak to an agent. After asking him if he realized this was misleading information, he tried to tout the benefits of video training and that Preplogic will work out a deal because the final $3000 price is negotiable. Hmmm.... After explaining that I already know the benefits and I'm calling because I feel misled, the rep got short and a flat, almost demeaning tone. I asked him to send it up the flagpole that because of the misleading advertisement that I would never purchase anything from Preplogic. He assured me that my message would be passed on.

Here's the thing. Again, I'm a manager for a small IT shop. I value video training that's decent. If this was priced at $2000, I would seriously consider it. At $2500, I'd have to kick it around quite a bit. $3000...I'll pass for now, and I may come back later. But to be lied to...what's that worth? I'll never do business with Preplogic, that's what it's worth. And it's unfortunate for both of us.

McNuggetini, yuck

2009-04-30T17:00:00.003-05:00

I'm into experimentation as much as the next guy, but this is gross.

Read the full thing here. http://thisrecording.com/2008/04/08/in-which-georgia-gives-you-the-mcnuggetini/

Found the source

2009-04-28T11:32:00.003-05:00

Dan Miller is DEAD!?!?!?

2009-04-09T10:00:00.001-05:00

What a sad day for Nashville! Dan Miller died yesterday.

See the full story here:
http://www.wsmv.com/news/19135962/detail.html

iTunes price increase

2009-04-09T08:47:00.003-05:00

So is this, finally, the end of the world? iTunes is increasing the cost per song for the newer stuff. Read all about it here: http://www.insidetech.com/news/articles/4498-itunes-variable-pricing-goes-live?utm_source=nlet&utm_content=it_r3_20090409_7int

What's next? Good new stuff to download? Probably not.

In line with the above, Woot has a good deal on iPod's today.

New scam for the recession Myxer.com and Ringaza.com

2009-04-08T08:50:00.004-05:00

Late at night, usually around 11:30PM or so I receive a text message on my cell phone about the Hip-Hop scene. This only makes sense, because I am such a HUGE Hip-Hop fan. Wait, that's not me. I pretty much hate that crap. So why am I receiving messages daily from the numbers 757-14 and 372-15? Hmmmm.....

That's right! It's a scam. Somehow, they are getting numbers and automatically adding these to the subscribers list. And I almost forgot the best part! They ONLY charge $9.99 per month for this service. That's a steal!!

Apparently, I was forced into this by using the site Myxer.com. This site has free cellphone wallpapers, ringtones, etc. Somewhere hidden in the fine print, I bet it has some form of agreement that you are pushed into for only $9.99 per month.

Awesome.

Here are more complaints and a way to get off the list. http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/ringaza-c40282.html

Even the Hoff would be angry with this!

This makes sense

2009-04-06T16:26:00.002-05:00

http://www.switched.com/2009/03/06/fox-removing-special-features-from-rental-dvd-and-blu-ray-movies/

And they wonder why their profits are going down the tubes.

Changing responsibilities

2009-02-24T19:03:00.003-06:00

Maybe this should be over at my Work blog, but it's more of an attitude thing.

Since transitioning to a new company owner, I've come across many frustrations. Since the new owner is a huge company (92,000+), there are the big brother issues. Every time I open Internet Explorer, I have to log in. If I want to access the company Intranet site, I have to log in...to each site. They seriously need to allow single sign on.

Also, it's an Indian company. The list for this one is way too long to go into, but here are a few items. Language. I swear, they make up words and phrases and then propagate those around the company. They say things like, "do the needful", "today morning", "today itself", "many happy returns of the day", and my personal favorite is "revert". Revert is used in this manner: "Do the needful and revert with the same."

When we were in the early stages of integration I was constantly asking someone to slow down, speak clearly, and what the heck does that mean?. Now that we've been doing this for seven or so months, I'm getting good. Heck, I'm even translating from American into Indian and vice-versa on a regular basis.

The last thing I'll list on this is my change of responsibilities. In the beginning of this I was the IT Manager. My role was managing the three or four IT employees, network specialist, subject matter expert for our product and how it relates to clients networks, and other various fun and exciting roles. My favorite was the networking. Firewalls, routing, and switching. Now, all of that is handled off-shore. I do some VLAN port assigning from time-to-time, but that's about it. Now it's pretending to know who I report to, who reports to me, and crying about the speed (or lack thereof) of the WAN link. Oh, and I was de-moted to Assistant Manager, even though there is no Manager on-site.

Long story short, I was doing a lot of complaining. I mean A LOT. This morning, a co-worker and I were discussing how much easier everything is going now that we've both decided to go with the flow. We have both stopped looking at issues that come up as the end of the world. Now, we just work with it. So our end-users don't get what they want as quickly as they did when we were a small company. That was like a thousand pounds lifting off my shoulders.

Now I just need to get in this groove and get back on the certification track.

पुन्हा भेटू ( pU-nhA bhe-tU ) This is "Goodbye" in Marathi, one of the languages spoken in India.

New posting at Switchrack

2009-02-16T15:26:00.002-06:00

Just a pointer to my Tech blog, http://switchrack.blogspot.com/. I'll be focusing on Networking, Servers, and other BORING topics.

No Hasselhoff over there... :(

Finally did some woodworking in 2009

2009-01-18T09:00:00.006-06:00

It's been a while since I've had the time to do some woodworking. So yesterday, I broke from my normal routine, stayed home, and did some woodworking. With my Blackberry and cellphone left at my desk upstairs, I headed to the shop in the basement to make some sawdust.

Several months ago I built cabinets for my shop. They've been sitting on the ground with no face frame with the benchtop just sitting on top. The benchtop is from an old door Tori got from a previous job.

It's not a huge job but was definitely a huge improvement to the shop. Here are a couple pics:

This is a closeup of one cabinet with the face frame installed and hung on the wall with a french cleat.

Here's a pic of the two cabinets hung together (both are level, believe it or not) with the benchtop secured in place.

All-in-all, a good day in the shop. :) Now I just need to figure out if I'm going to put drawers (or "draws" if you're a New Yankee Workshop fan) or doors on these guys.

Lagavulin (Lah-gah-voo-lin)

2008-12-25T10:36:00.007-06:00

Jason called me yesterday and said he was stopping by to drop something off. I thought it would be eggs since we're always asking for them. Nope. .75 Liters of pure, mahogany colored, sweet, peaty goodness known of as Lagavulin 16 yr. old. Wow. No, what I mean is WOW!

This scotch, to date is the absolute best I've had. I've had the Lagavulin 10 and it was good. This...much better. I would love to describe it in a way that would leave others saying, "Man, that guy is sophisticated and knows his scotch whiskey!". However, all I can get out about this scotch is Woo-doggie! (Yes, like Jed Clampit)

It is peaty yet sweet, smooth but stings the nose, rich yet maintains a light fruity overtone. Like I said... Woo-doggie!

Here are some pics of said bottle.

If you've got friends like mine, politely ask for a bottle of this Scotch nectar. Or, I guess you could go buy a bottle yourself. But where's the fun in that?

Oh, and I am so taken aback that I can't even fit in a Hasselhoff reference for this one.

Booze blogs...love 'em or drink 'em

2008-12-06T07:54:00.004-06:00

Here are a few blogs that I check on one of my favorite topics...Booze.

The Scotch Blog
Liquor Snob. This one is great because it has links to other blogs like Tool Snob and others that are in the Blogpire Sites group.
Jeffrey Morgenthaler. This guy has some pretty cool facts that he posts from time to time, and a good recipes links.

Here's a great video about Scotch. The guy at the end has my reaction to drinking a good Scotch.

That's it for now.

Oh, and this:

http://www.hasselhoff.com/. Oh yeah, I'm a member!

Smoker's banned from Fostering children

2008-11-10T11:40:00.006-06:00

I agree with this one. It gets under my skin when I see a family in the car, all the windows rolled up and Dad or Mom or both are smoking.

http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE4A47RB20081105?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews&rpc=69

Spew

2008-11-05T12:05:00.003-06:00

Carrie Underwood....who woulda thunk?

2008-11-04T15:15:00.004-06:00

Previously, I couldn't stand Carrie Underwood. I don't really know why. I don't really care why. I just didn't. However, now I do. Apparently, she doesn't like when celebrities endorse political candidates. Wow. Me either.

Even when I was politically minded, I couldn't stand celebrities backing politicians. Just ask Tori. I've stopped watching movies because this moron promoted some politician (Susan Sarandon/Alec Baldwin/Ben Affleck/etc.). I stopped listening to certain bands because they promoted that politician or political view (Dixie Chicks/Seal/etc.).

The only celebrities that I have any respect for are the ones that quit whining and actually get involved (Arnold Schwarzenegger/Al Franken/etc.). That's why I don't complain about politics. I don't get involved. Political neutrality has it's price but I believe it to be a fair price.

Besides, I know that no government leader can provide long-term solutions. I'd be surprised if one could provide short-term solutions.

Finally! Drunken email no more!

2008-10-22T16:50:00.002-05:00

I wish I would had this back in the AOL days. Then again, I wish I wouldn't have had AOL back in the AOL days. Then what days would they have been? Uhh...

http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2008/10/new-in-labs-stop-sending-mail-you-later.html

And where the HECK was I for this one??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3qGRP37DaA

Poor poor Nancy

2008-10-15T16:01:00.001-05:00

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/15/nancy.reagan.injury/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

Where's Hoff when you need him?

Eveil just got Rick Rolled!

2008-10-14T08:56:00.003-05:00

Thanks to Chris Yommer for this one.

Makes my financial worries look not so bad

2008-10-06T22:13:00.000-05:00

What a sad, crazy world we live in.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/10/06/california.murder.suicide/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

Gulf Shores vacation day 1.5

2008-09-20T18:01:00.006-05:00

It's day 1.5 because we got here after 2pm yesterday and it was raining. That's only a 1/2 day if I've ever heard it.

So we hit the beach today. Well, Alicia hit the beach. Tori and Catherine smacked it pretty hard and I gave it a love tap. I only spent a couple of hours outside. Look...I didn't get this pasty complexion by sitting on the beach rubbing on sun-tan oil and sipping margaritas. Ok, so maybe the margarita thing is true, but still...

We were making fun of Alicia on the way up because she ordered a foot long Subway when we stopped for lunch and earlier had ordered apple pie at Mickey D's. We started calling her "Apple Pie". Later, Tori and I thought maybe we should give her a break...I mean, heck...she's on vacation too! So Catherine took the mantle of "Apple Pie" and laid it square on my shoulders.

When Catherine and Alicia got back from the beach, Catherine said "Daddy, you need to look a the hole I dug." So, I did. Here's what I saw:

Here's a pic of the hot spot for making out at the condo:

Apparently, Tori and Alicia saw a couple there when they wen to the hot tub last night. Haven't those people been to the District Convention? Hot tubs and alcohol NEVER work. That's what I hear anyway.

Alright, off to get some food. And rum punch. And beer. And rum punch.

And we're supposed to see Craig, Sarah, and family tomorrow.

Craig will get it

2008-09-08T17:05:00.004-05:00

Sarah might also, but she won't like it. I miss you guys.

Soap dispenser craziness

2008-09-06T16:07:00.004-05:00

Ok, even as much as I love the Hoff... this is too much!

http://www.oddee.com/item_96468.aspx

Go getcha one!

X-Men Origins: Wolverine trailer leaked

2008-08-12T14:30:00.001-05:00

You. Must. See. This.!

http://teaser-trailer.com/2008/07/wolverine-movie-trailer-leaked.html

I've been waiting for this since I was 13.

I...ain't got nobodiiieeeeeee.....'cept Jack, that is

2008-08-12T08:27:00.001-05:00

So there I was, in the liquor store. As I was looking for new scotches, wine (right), and other tasty treats I saw one of my all-time heroes. Jack Daniels! He was just sitting on a bench, minding his own business. Of course, this is the perfect time for me to snuggle up to the hero of heroes and ask him what his secrets are.

Man, this guy is a jerk! I kept prodding him for his whiskey goodness secrets, but nooooo.... he wouldn't budge. He just sat there like statue the whole time. Who does he think he is?... Paris Hilton? Doesn't he know who put him in the fancy bronze suit he's wearing? Doesn't he know who's been paying his bills for the last 100+ years? It's the FANS!

Then Tori told me he IS a statue and wouldn't be talking back. Oops. Sorry Jack. Still love your whiskey. Even if you are a jerk.

New Project...maybe

2008-08-06T16:32:00.000-05:00

Alright everybody, get ready. I've been motivated. Some guy built the Batmobile. It doesn't say (at least that I could find) what the base auto is. I'm hoping it's a 2000 Hyundai Elantra, 'cause that's all I got to work with.

Read the article here:
http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/08/06/man-builds-batmans-tumbler-in-his-garage/

The cost, apparently, was in the $50K to $70K range. Uh-oh. I better not tell Tori.

Tori "What's that noise?"
Me "Uh..nothing dear. Aren't we out of dog food. I'll go get it..."

I've been inspired in the past by dorks that have built the homemade versions of KITT, and the Time Machine from Back to the Future, but this...this, Truly inspires me. All of a sudden I'm 13 again asking my neighbor across the street to help me make knives that shoot out of a device strapped to my hand. Yes, like Wolverine. What can I say? I'm a dork. Just an unsuccessful dork when it comes to seeing projects to completion. The neighbor and I gave up after about 30 minutes. Typical.

Maybe I'll stick with making an Iron Man suit. Nah. I'll be in the basement making a cabinet or jewelry chest. Sigh. Back to work.

Knight Rider, finally...wait...uh...again...huh?

2008-07-26T19:29:00.000-05:00

Alright, I'm officially confused. I was quite excited about the new Knight Rider series when it first aired. That was, what, last year? One episode, the "pilot - movie" came on. Then....what?? Nothing. Not a series air-date, not a hint of when it might come on....nothing. For months all NBC had on the Knight Rider site (http://www.nbc.com/Knight_Rider/) was info about the movie, pilot, thing.

Apparently, yesterday at ComiCon (don't pretend you don't know what that is!) the new "Turbo-Boost Super Pursuit" KITT was premiered. Wow. Where do I go with this one? Well, it kind of looks like a low-rider. I picture some young, uh... latino kids driving this bad boy. The spoiler on the back is a definite giveaway of it's ethnicity.

Then if that wasn't enough they had to have a shot of KITT transforming **that's right, I said transforming** into a Ford F-150 FX4 pickup. Ug. Double ug. Ug ug. But... wait... there's more!!

They (being NBC) changed the Kinght Rider logo. First of, before I get into this, let me give you some background. In late 1967, Carrol Shelby (the creator of the Shelby Mustang among many, many other beautiful and glorious vehicles) found out that Chevrolet was about to adopt the moniker "King of the road" for the Corvette. Mr. Shelby, being the sly devil he is, made a late night phone call to his attorney. So, in the middle of the night, Mr. Shelby took the name for his car, the Shelby. By tacking on KR to the end of the already famous GT-500, he made (1) History again by releasing such a sweet, sweet car and (2) Ticked off somebody at Chevy.

Here's the bit I was setting up with that history lesson: the new Knight Rider logo.

KR - Knight Rider, KR - King of the road. Wait, I get it! Sheesh, do I get it. Even for me, the Starbucks drinking, Microsoft loving, Wal-Mart shopping corporate whore lover that I am...this is even too much for me. I guess all that's left is for the new KITT to have Gull-wing doors. Oh wait, it does. How do I scream on a blog? Tears don't transfewr over the internet, otherwise you'd be soaking wet right now. How could they do this? Money sucks!

Speaking of which, check out my new blog. http://savingmoneyrocks.blogspot.com. It's all about saving money.

And still...David Hasselhoff does not have a regular spot on the show?? WHY?!?!? WHY?!?!?!? KKKKHHHHHAAANNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!1!!!!!

Batman, The Dark Knight

2008-07-22T09:57:00.000-05:00

Batman: The Dark Knight

Tori, being the great wife she is, took me to see Batman on opening night. It was a very small screen, but the sound was good. The fact it was a small screen doesn't really matter anyway because I plan to see it on iMax as soon as possible. Me being me, I have to criticize and critique this one.

Simple breakdown: Heath Ledger, unbelievably fantastic. Christian Bale, not bad. Maggie Gyllenhaal, acting was fine, quite unattractive in most shots. Michael Cain, c'mon, it's Michael Cain. Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, and Aaron Eckhart were all very, very good.

If Heath Ledger doesn't get an Oscar for this one, I think huge slander and negapraise is due to the academy. Previously, I told everyone that Iron Man was the best comic movie I've ever seen. Even with RDj, who I normally can not stand, it was a fantastic movie. The Dark Knight blows it out of the water. Completely. Mostly, in my opinion, to Heath Ledger's Joker.

Never during this movie did I think it was a cheesy comic book movie. I thought it was very well done purely as an action movie where the main character just happened to be dressed as a big Bat. The Joker was definitely done in the Killing Joke fashion. That was always my favorite Batman story line as a kid, so that was a huge bonus for me. I loved Jack Nicholson's Joker. Heath Ledger's is just A LOT more believable as a psycopathic madman.

Also, I didn't notice a lot of unbelievable action sequences. Once, Batman falls about 40 feet hitting a building frame the whole way down. He then has a short conversation with Gordon, runs to his Batbike then drives away. That one was a little hard to fall for, but hey...it's a comic book movie, remember??

That's all I have time for now. I'll do more of a story breakdown later. Go see this one. No...NOW!

Too bad David Hasselhoff wasn't in it. :(

Red Carrots

2008-07-03T09:02:00.000-05:00

So I haven't posted in a while. Shoot me.

Last nite, Tori was making dinner and using a newly acquired food in the salad. Red Carrots. I've never heard of red carrots much less eaten them. Here a pic:

Tori and a friend share a membership in a produce co-op in Leiper's Fork. They split a basket full of produce every week and usually, the basket is filled with lettuce and greens and those type of goodies. Every once in a while she'll get a small load of potatoes (or is that a load of small potatoes?) but the carrots this time was a bonus. I can't remember ever eating fresh carrots. The orange carrots tasted almost like a candy version of Kroger or Publix carrots. The red carrots are very sweet at first but then have a bitter aftertaste.

Anyway, I've spent a lot of time on carrots today...wait...it's snack time!

Tom Cruise

2008-03-14T10:47:00.000-05:00

New Knight Rider

2008-02-18T10:13:00.001-06:00

Ok, so it finally happened last nite. Knight Rider's series start. All-in-all, it was pretty good. I could break down the specifics that I either liked or disliked, but why do that? There are enough people out there already doing that I'm sure. As I said, all-in-all, it was pretty good. I do wish the theme song would have been a little cloder to the original, talking about one man saving the world, or whatever. And here's the shameless Hoff pic:

Now, if only they'd remake Airwolf and Automan!

New Woodworking project

2008-01-02T14:49:00.000-06:00

So Tori says to me..."How hard could this be to make?" while holding up a Pottery Barn for kids catalog. Oh vey! Here's the link to the real version. Essentially, I made the bookcase part a little wider, and didn't use a drawer on the bottom, but stuck mainly to the original plan. Here's a pic of my version of one of the bookcase sections unfinished...

And here is a close up of the front edge which I cut into a curve.

Tori's plan is to put baskets in the bottom section instead of having drawers that Catherine could just shut to hide the mess. I've already built the desk but it will have to be cut down to size. The woodworking for the other book case is about 1/2 completed. I'll post more pics as I get there.

IP Phone - MagicJack

2007-12-13T09:37:00.000-06:00

A few months ago I heard about this new start up IP Phone company, MagicJack. Although I was a little skeptical, I got the approval from the boss to order one. It was actually for her since she was consulting at the time. Because of a technical issue and subsequent resolution snaffus, they sent us two to replace the one. Finally! I had one!

I set it up pretty easily and now I can call anywhere in the US for a total cost of $0. The cost of the unit itself is $40. That's it. No monthly subscription fees. There is a yearly licensing fee of $20 that we have to pay next year, and again, NO MONTHLY FEES!

Here's a complete write-up: MagicJack promises dirt-cheap phone calls.

Junk mail, "Rider", and a little craziness

2007-12-11T16:31:00.000-06:00

Every day I go to the mailbox and find at least one piece of junk mail. Usually, it's some huge conglomerate trying to get me to get a Credit Card, a new mortgage..., something like this. Below is a picture of TWO DAYS worth of Credit Card applications.

Typically, for all credit card apps, I shred my info then take the return envelope (prepaid postage) and put one of these babies in there to send back. I know, I know. It seems childish,and I don't care! I'm getting sick of it. I've gotten to the point of just writing "RETURN TO SENDER" on the envelopes and sending those back. I know I'm taking a greater risk by sending my info back through the mail but I also know that most halfway intelligent teenagers can get personal info off the web.

Quick quiz. What has three of my most favorite things? That's right!!! KNIGHT RIDER 2008!
1. David Hasselhoff. 2. Shelby GT500KR. 3. KNIGHT RIDER. Woo-Hoo! When I found out that the new KITT is going to be a Shelby GT500KR, well, it wasn't pretty. Here's a few pics that are oh-so-saweet!!

Crazy. What's crazy? How about my company promoting me to IT Dept. Manager? That seems pretty crazy to me. Funny thing is that I never knew that my manager actually did anything. He made it look very simple. I'm killing myself trying to keep my head above the water and he spent a good bit of time at his desk writing a book for the last couple of months.

Now I'm responsible for 3, soon to be 4 people. By the way, if you know anyone looking for a Systems Administration position, send them my way!

Disillusioned by TV yet again

2007-11-29T08:45:00.000-06:00

I'm finally sick of the ads that tv shows run. Cases in point:

First- On Tuesday, Law and Order:SVU aired. The ads that had been running all week clearly showed Olivia and Elliot's wife in a car accident. The way the camera angles were used on the ad made it look as if they were in independent cars and had run into each other. Finally, when the show aired it was revealed that they were actually in the same car and someone had hit them. While that had a good storyline, I was disappointed that it had been misrepresented by the commercials.

Second- Last night, The Bionic Woman. A major part of the story line is the fact that Jamie hides her secret life from her sister. She lies constantly because it's for her sister, and isn't lying ok when it's for a co-dependent reason? Anyway, the commercials showed her telling Becca about the work she does. When it came down to the episode, she told her about "a guy she didn't know that well" at work having died a week back.

It seems trivial, but I already think that I waste too much time watching TV. That just ads to my frustration because I'm not getting the story that the ads are portraying. I was so done with it that I didn't even watch "Life" last night. I just went to bed...probably as I should be doing instead of watching TV anyway. Maybe the writer's strike will finally do Hollywood in and TV will become a thing of the past. right.

And you knew it was coming... The Knight Rider story continues! The show will be called "Rider" and you can read more here: Rueters.

In the spirit of that, here's a David Hasselhoff video!!

Helpful tip and Take THAT MAC!!!

2007-11-02T09:35:00.000-05:00

My manager just forwarded this around the office via email. I usually just read and delete these, however, this one seems to be a good idea. You be the judge.

*********************************************************************************
Put your car keys beside your bed at night If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies. This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation.

Test it.

It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break in your house, odds are the burglar or rapist won't stick around.. . after a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that. And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way
there.....

Would also be useful for any emergency, such as a heart attack, where you can't reach a phone. My Mom has suggested to my Dad that he carry his car keys with him in case he falls outside and she doesn't hear him. He can activate the car alarm and then she'll know there's a problem.
*********************************************************************************

I'll be posting more about my job search, Cisco certification, and much more. Life has suddenly gotten to be very interesting.

And Mac has FINALLY been hit by a trojan. Now that dumb commercial has been made irrelevant...I shall take over the world!!! HHMMMMWWWWAAAAAAHHHHHHAAAAAAHHHHHHAAAAAHHHH!!!!!!!!!

Up, up, and AWAY!

2007-10-30T11:00:00.000-05:00

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/mall-disasters/how-to-fall-up-an-escalator-316299.php?autoplay=true

Unbelievably bad (PROFESSIONAL!!) advice

2007-10-29T12:12:00.000-05:00

I was over at My Money Blog and read this article "10 reasons to never pay off your mortgage". The original article is here, by a "Professional" named Ric Edelman. After reading his article, he seems more like the "professional" valet in Ferris Beuller's Day Off that "parked" Cameron's dad's Ferrari.

What a load of crock! Just read some of the comments after the article to get my overall feeling of being swindled by a guy that makes his money somehow from mortgages. Either he's HEAVILY invested in GMAC or FreedieMac OR they pay him on the side to hand out dim-witted, sketchy-at-best, non-sensacle advice. Wow.

Eddie's getting old. Too old to play? I don't know. Maybe it's the hip replacement. Maybe it's Valerie's absence. Here's a video of Van Halen tearing it up. If only Sam S. and Aaron R. could see it. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x39skd_van-halen-jump-live-greensboro-2007

Here's a cute pic of Rendid and Tater. Tater is a friend's little sweetie in our Hall.

Money blogs

2007-10-23T12:57:00.000-05:00

I've been reading a few money-oriented blogs almost on a daily basis. This keeps me focused on my goals, one of which is to spend an insane amount of money (after the bills are paid, emergency fund fully funded, Catherine's college paid for, Tori's closet full of nice clothes, etc.) on a Roush Mustang. I don't know why, but I really, really like this car. I have other goals, it's just that one particular goal that eats at me.

Anyway, here are a few blogs that I read:

My Money Blog (by far the most visited by me).
Punny.org

Maybe I need to invent more:
CAR TOILET

Finally, can I afford it? Look below for your roadmap to success:

Poor girl...poor, poor, beautiful girl...

2007-10-16T08:59:00.000-05:00

Miss Teen South Carolina has displayed immense wisdom and concern for places like the Iraq and like such as. Just watch it for yourself if you haven't already seen it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww

I've taken a while to jump on this bandwagon, but it's about time anyway. Here's a map for all you that would like to follow.

I'm so confused...kind of like A.C. Slater.

I have a friend that has a friend that knows her. Apparanently, this is her at the top of her game. Wow.

Love for $ale

2007-10-09T14:19:00.000-05:00

READ THIS.

Too bad everyone can't be as intelligent. As the guy replying, of course.

Lastly, you better check your backyard for the latest recalled toy before the kids get hurt!

Hubba Hubba!

2007-10-08T16:29:00.001-05:00

I agree. Hot is Hawt!!

This is Tori wearing her dress for the Ming Wang Eye Ball last Friday night. She was absolutely stunning. I wore a Tux and pretended to be James Bond but no one was buying it. Anyway, I got the better end of this deal. Tori had to look at me, but I got to look at her.

Flower box installed

2007-09-17T08:43:00.001-05:00

Here's a picture of the flower box I've been working on. I was told I'd get better pictures soon so I'll post that if and when I do get better shots.

I heard a humbling quote earlier today. "While I considered myself president of my own international corporation, I was actually unemployed and living in my Mother's basement."

Makes me want to puke...

2007-09-14T16:50:00.001-05:00

http://www.samugliestdog.com/

More project updates

2007-08-27T10:53:00.000-05:00

Here are a few pictures of a couple projects I'm working on in the shop. The first is a Flowerbox for the Pennington's. The second is a bookshelf that I started for me but Tori quickly took ownership.

The flowerbox is Cypress that has been bent and primed at this point.

Above is a pretty good view of this piece. The front is curved and the three supports are curved as well.

This is a straight on view. You can't really see the curve in the picture.

Here's a view from above. Once it is dry, I'll drill the drain holes and put a second primer coat on.

Another front angled view. Pretty good, huh?

This is the inside of Tori's bookshelf. The sub is MDF wrapped in leftover plywood. Mahogany plywood. I cut a rabbet in the top corners to inly a piece of solid Mahogany to hide the plywood joints. I didn't have enough plywood to wrap the insides too so I got painted red. It sort of looks like blood wood so I'm pretty happy over all. I just have to dust it down, put the Maple edging on and give it a couple coats of wipe-on poly.

Here's Tori playing with her camera.

I'm a sucka for that big dog smiling!

Good advice

2007-08-20T08:49:00.000-05:00

Every week I get an email from Brian Tracy, a well-known self-help guru. He usually concentrates his efforts on business and sales but he does have a good set on Self-confidence and changing your "Luck". Today's email is one of those that I have to share. I used to let "malevolence" rule me. Any way, read on.

Using Stumbling Blocks as Stepping Stones
By: Brian Tracy

Everyone makes mistakes and the busier you are, the more mistakes you will make. The only question is "How well and how effectively do you deal with the inevitable ups and downs of life?"

In this newsletter, you learn the difference between a positive and negative worldview. You learn how to benefit from your mistakes and how to remain positive in the face of adversity.

Let the Light Shine In
This is achieved through the simple exercise of self-disclosure. For you to truly understand yourself, or to stop being troubled by things that may have happened in your past, you must be able to disclose yourself to at least one person. You have to be able to get those things off your chest. You must rid yourself of those thoughts and feelings by revealing them to someone who won't make you feel guilty or ashamed for what has happened.

Using Stumbling Blocks as Stepping Stones
There are two ways to look at the world: the benevolent way or the malevolent way. People with a malevolent or negative world-view take a victim stance, seeing life as a continuous succession of problems and a process of unfairness and oppression. They don't expect a lot and they don't get much. When things go wrong, they shrug their shoulders and passively accept that this is the way life is and there isn't anything they can do to make it better.

On the other hand, people with a benevolent or positive world-view see the world around them as filled with opportunities and possibilities. They believe that everything happens as part of a great process designed to make them successful and happy. They approach their lives, their work, and their relationships with optimism, cheerfulness, and a general attitude of positive expectations. They expect a lot and they are seldom disappointed.

Flex Your Mental Muscles
When you develop the skill of learning from your mistakes, you become the kind of person who welcomes obstacles and setbacks as opportunities to flex your mental muscles and move ahead. You look at problems as rungs on the ladder of success that you grab onto as you pull your way higher.

Two of the most common ways to deal with mistakes are invariably fatal to high achievement. The first common but misguided way to handle a mistake is the failure to accept it when it occurs. According to statistics, 70 percent of all decisions we make will be wrong. That's an average. This means that some people will fail more than 70 percent of the time, and some people will fail less. It is hard to believe that most of the decisions we make could turn out to be wrong in some way. In fact, if this is the case, how can our society continue to function at all?

Cut Your Losses
The fact is that our society, our families, our companies, and our relationships continue to survive and thrive because intelligent people tend to cut their losses and minimize their mistakes. It is only when people refuse to accept that they have made a bad choice or decision-and prolong the consequences by sticking to that bad choice or decision-that mistakes become extremely expensive and hurtful.

Learn From Your Mistakes
The second common approach that people take with regard to their mistakes, one that hurts innumerable lives and careers, is the failure to use your mistakes to better yourself and to improve the quality of your mind and your thinking.

Learning from your mistakes is an essential skill that enables you to develop the resilience to be a master of change rather than a victim of change. The person who recognizes that he has made a mistake and changes direction the fastest is the one who will win in an age of increasing information, technology and competition.

By remaining fast on your feet, you will be able to out-play and out-position your competition. You will become a creator of circumstances rather than a creature of circumstances.

Action Exercises
Now, here are three steps you can take immediately to put these ideas into action.

First, imagine that your biggest problem or challenge in life has been sent to you at this moment to help you, to teach you something valuable. What could it be?

Second, be willing to cut your losses and walk away if you have made a mistake or a bad choice. Accept that you are not perfect, you can't be right all the time, and then get on with your life.

Third, learn from every mistake you make. Write down every lesson it contains. Use your mistakes in the present as stepping stones to great success in the future.
=====================================================================

Also, I've been Simpsonized. Tori and I did this last night and it's downright freaky close.

Chris Farley is back!

2007-07-11T13:24:00.000-05:00

Reicarnation at it's finest!

Bark it like Beckham

2007-06-27T08:06:00.000-05:00

I've got a lot to cover in a short time, so let's get to it.

Tori, can I have this? PLEASE???

David Beckham (uber-rich Soccer player and AKA Mr. Posh Spice) played Real Football with the New Orleans Saints. The only thing I could find was the picture below. Too bad it's not a regular gig.

Now on to the Dog on the Bench. I think this is her home. The bench is the homeless lady's home, I mean. Does that mean she's no longer homeless? Or does one need four walls to be considered as living somewhere? Too much too early for me.

This morning I pulled over and found her not at home. Maybe she was in the bench-to-bench ministry that we've all done from time to time. Maybe she was freshening up. Who knows? She wasn't there and just make sure her stuff wasn't stolen she left her trusty K9 to watch the perimeter. Except the dog is stuffed. Maybe, just maybe, had she been home I could have told her so and she'd snap out out of this state. Her eyes would lose the glaze we all know is there. She would maintain focus, clarity, persistence like none that we've seen before. That, OR, she would take out her .45 and shoot me and comment on me trying to steal her "best friend".

Here's the picture I got this morning:

Finally, I stumbled upon this great story. Not only are Priests pretend followers of God, now they have people pretending to be priests. Is that one of those things where two lefts equals a right...or is it three lefts... nevermind.

Step 1. We admitted we were powerless over "insert problem/addiction here" and our lives had become unmanageable.

More on the bench sitting dog in a costume guy, thing

2007-06-26T16:37:00.001-05:00

I happened to be in the same area (on Music Row) this morning, so I checked out the bench that had the dog and homeless lady sitting on it. The lady and the Dog Costumed person were either there again, or still there. It's been, what, 5 days since I last saw them? There's NO WAY someone could sit in that costume all day for 5 days. Where would he/she/it use the bathroom? There were lots of trees, but, c'mon! So I decided to take a closer look.

Ok, here's the skinny. The dog is actually a huge, and I mean HUGE stuffed animal. The homeless lady is real. I pulled in right in from of them, and trying to not be suspicious, tried to take a picture. As soon as I pulled in she was staring at me. She was freakin me out so I pulled away. I clicked to camera at a side glance. From the picture below you should be able to see how big this animal is.

I've decided that if they are there tomorrow, I'm going to stop and talk to her. MAybe she knows when the end will come. Hey, you never know...

Big scare this morning

2007-06-21T08:07:00.000-05:00

Usually, when I get up in the morning I get right in the shower. Indy follows me in the bathroom and goes back to sleep on the shower rug. This morning he didn't move so I thought he was tired or had decided to quit being so codependent. Right. When I got out of the bathroom I opened the bedroom door to let the dogs out. Lily got up trying to push me out of the way, as is typical. Indy just lay in bed. I called him. Nothing. I smooched at him. Nothing. Without realizing, I said "Oh, no" and was kneeling by his bed. I started petting him and he was moving very little. I really thought this was it.

After a minute or so of petting him I coaxed him up. He stood up, stretched and then wagged his tail. Turns out he's ok. In that minute and a half or so, I was imagining having to dig a hole in the back yard at 5:30am to bury him. Poor guy. I think he's losing his hearing too. He'll be 9 in December this year so I guess I better get use to the idea of him being sick or dying.

On a different note, I saw the strangest thing this morning. About three times a week my morning schedule takes me through the Music Row Round-a-bout. This morning as I passed a bus bench on my way out, there was a person dressed in a Hound Dog costume. Just sitting there. Next to him/her was a homeless lady (ok, maybe I'm a little judgemental. It could have been a very not clean lady with an extravagant home.) just looking straight ahead. No notice of McGruff sitting next to hear. I actually turned around in my seat to make sure I had seen what I thought I had. Yep. A person was dressed in a dog outfit at 6:35am. Weird.

Acceptance

2007-06-01T11:25:00.000-05:00

"Life sucks..BUT..Then you die!"

The above quote is from Steve Chandler's "Reinventing yourself". He makes a good point in there that I can't say something like, "I hate this job and what's worse is I might get fired!" I can't have it both ways. Either it is better to have the job or to be rid of it. Instead of focusing on the problem, focus on the solution. That's a revelation I've come to recently that helps at times. He added the "BUT" to show that life may suck, but at least you get to die.

Acceptance is a wonderful thing. I've spent a lot of my life trying to control outcomes, people, situations, even God. I've finally come to the conclusion that it just does not work. By giving the outcome up and accepting both the outcome and the process, life just goes a lot more smoothly.

People are still going to not use their blinkers. They will still tailgate me when I'm doing 5 to 10mph over the speed limit. And I just don't need to dwell on that. Letting go is actually an option. Amazing. This can all be found in the AA Big Book Online in the chapter "Acceptance Was the Answer".

I will be starting a new project this weekend. I'm building a planter box for a friend. Actually, for the same friend I built the cabinet. Hopefully, pictures will be posted soon.

Workin on a Saturday...

2007-05-14T08:50:00.000-05:00

I had to work this last Saturday for about 4 hours. We had a switch fail a few months ago and I finally got around to replacing it with the permanent replacement. It's an 80 port and we've had a 48 port until now. That's kind of cramped. Plus, we had cables running everywhere trying to get it connected.

Here are some before pics:

And here's the after effect of Ernie coming in early one Saturday morning and kicking some Networking butt:

I still have some finishing touches, but I'd say it's about 90-95% complete.

Somehow during the weekend I've contracted a cold. Not sure if it's sinuses or an actual cold. Head feelin fuzzy....everything seems cloudy....

Global warming is REAL!!!

2007-04-30T13:36:00.000-05:00

Ok, maybe I've been wrong. Maybe "Global Warming" is real.

Evidence:

Chicargo is...my kind of town Chicargo is...

2007-04-11T09:58:00.000-05:00

I'm leaving for Chicago (for work) in a couple hours. Not really looking forward to it ~~but~~ AND I'm hoping to get a few good pictures while I'm there. Of what I'm not sure...just something.

Here's a look at New Hampshire flavored spring:

Maybe I need to rethink this 'moving to Maine' idea...

Oh yeah, and my arm is hella worse. Looks like I've been hit by a freight train on my right arm. Thanks a lot Tim and John.

To the tune of Coolio's "Gangtsa Paradise"

2007-04-09T08:25:00.000-05:00

Friday we went to a party at the McNeil's. It was a non-themed party, yet almost everyone showed up in 80's fashion. I always dress that way, so I just showed up as me. Somehow, I had a beer too many. I stopped drinking last year and have since resumed drinking in moderate proportions. Looks like I may have accidentally tipped the scale on this one.

I also found out that a friend I've recently made at our bookstudy group was born in the same hosipital as me but a year and a half earlier. His wife also knows some of the same names I remember from childhood.

A few of the guys were sitting around kinda getting tired of the 80's music. So we decided the best thing for us to do at that time was to swap licks. I haven't done that since JEW and I did that back in the late 90's. JEW hit me so hard that I had a bruise on the inside of my arm. I didn't get it that bad this time, but just look at the pics and you'll see how much it hurts.

"I'm Thurty Three now but will I liv ta see Thurty Fo tha way things's going I dunno"

These pictures were taken in New Hampshire. Dennis and I both agreed that Catherine's monky "Miko" is evil. We executed it southern style.

Here's a pic of Maggie. Debbie had her put down last week. She was pitiful while we were there and has lived a full life...

Mardi Gras '84!! Woooooooooo!!!!!!!

Uncle Louis

2007-03-27T14:54:00.000-05:00

My Uncle Louis (pronounced 'Louie') has died at the age of 82. Although I never really knew him (beyond the typical extended family at arms length) I am saddened. He was my Grandmother's (Nanny) brother. He, my Uncle John and my Aunt Mae (John's Wife, And Louis' sister) came up here during Hurrican Katrina and stayed with my sister and her husband. Uncle Louis had a lot of difficulties during the whole ordeal and even had to be hospitalized while they were here.

When I was a kid, he called me Chee-wee. I'm not really sure where that came from, but I always thought it was a funny nick-name. I can't say that I ever remember him moving around. He was mostly just sitting in his arm chair whenever I'd see him. We brought Catherine down there a few years ago so she at least got to see him even if she doesn't really remember him.

From NOLA.com:
Louis C. Ives - Age 82. A native of Pascagoula, MS and a resident of Abita Springs, LA for 27 years. Beloved brother and brother-in-law of Mae and John Ayres. Devoted Uncle of Nieces and Nephews. A brief Religious Service was performed by Jehovah's Witnesses at the Tomb Site March 15, 2007 where his cremains were interred. Many heart felt thanks to friends and relatives and to Journey Hospice for their support during his illness. Published in The Times-Picayune on 3/18/2007.

Snowboarding pt.1

2007-03-22T15:08:00.001-05:00

Snowboard+Ernie+Hill=E.R.

2007-03-14T18:03:00.000-05:00

So we take a week off to go to New Hampshire, right? We make a list...we keep making sure we have everything, etc. Except a helmet (an Ernie sized helmet).

Tori and I took a 1 1/2 hour snowboard lesson from this guy (maybe 20 or so) that kept saying, "Aww, snap!" Catherine says that all the time so I was feeling really old. So we were working on the toe turns and the heel cut whatevers. I was feeling pretty confident. He even gave me an AWW SNAP when I managed a reverse 360 switchstanch (yeah, like I knew what the heck I was doing...).

At the end of our lesson he shows us how to get up the hill on the ski lift and how to get off the lift at the top of said hill. That was pretty easy. Fun actually. Before he takes off down the hill jumping and spinning he says, "Just go from one side of the hill to the other and stop. Fall down if you have to." So I said...whatever snap-man. Tori takes off and is looking pretty good. She goes a little and falls down. I said, "Not me!"

I pointed my board straight down, leaned forward and HOLY CRAP was I going fast. I think I was doing about 30 MPH and I realized Snap-Man never taught us to stop. My only thought was to do a toe turn and try to slow down enough to fall without breaking something. When I did I must have put too much toe in or got too much snow. My feet (and board) flew out from under me and I stopped immediately...by using the back of my head.

Tori and Dennis convinced me to go to the First Aid station. They then convinced me to go to the ER. The ambulance came and picked my cracker butt up and took me and a 9 year old girl that broke her leg skiing to the ER. I had an MRI and all kinds of lights flashed in my eyes. Prognosis: Ernie has a concussion. Ugggh.. Items 7 and 14 are now scratched off my to-do list for life.

Tori had to wake me up every two hours just to make sure I didn't go into a coma last night. I was fine. Actually, I just woke myself up with Tori's alarm and she asked me if I was ok and then went back to sleep.

Long story short...I'm done snowboarding. I'm going to stick to very fast moving blades in my workshop for my extreme sports from now on.
=================================

Oh yeah, I just got this email....I'm gonna be rich!!!!!

LONDON LUGGAGE COMPANY.455 Oxford Street, London ,W1C 2PU,UK http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/directory/1208/8451.php+44 703-191-2797

I am Mr.Frank Peter, the managing director of the above mentioned company.

My company has been undergoing some problems receiving our checks from our reputable customers from overseas and We have decided to appoint you as our debt collector from our overseas creditors. The creditors always send us checks for our payment but foreign checks take longer time to clear and sometimes some of them got lost in transit and it becomes problem to us getting our money. We have now agreed that any debt you collected on our behalf, 10% is allowed for you as your share while the remaining will be remitted to us through wire transfer or the bank account information we shall give for that purpose or via western union money transfer to any of our offshore payment centre.To commence on this deal, you are to send the following in your reply:1. Your Full Name and it will appear on the check2. Your current telephone and fax numbers3. Home address, State And Zip Code not postal address4. Your company's name if any or occupation.5. AgeNote that your duty is ONLY to collect money on our behalf from our debtors overseas.

If you are interested, please do reply to frankpeter1@homail.com,but ignore if not interested.Yours sincerely,Mr.Frank PeterLondon Luggage Company+44 703-191-2797

I can't believable

2007-03-07T12:51:00.000-06:00

What is this world coming to? Oh yeah. Nevermind.

Unwanted

GTD, the hPDA and the Tickler

2007-03-01T16:03:00.000-06:00

As I've mentioned before, I started a new system of doing things. It's called "Getting Things Done" or GTD for those **in the know**.

The idea of this system is fairly straightforward.
1. Write down what you want to do. (Project)
2. Redefine steps if they take more than two minutes to complete as a sub-project.
3. Break down Projects and Sub-Projects into individual Next Actions.
"Well, duh" you say? Not so fast. For most of us, we look at a project and re-analyze it every time we complete one step and want to move on to the next. For example: I want to put a water pump in my truck. Take old water pump out, put new water pump in, right? NOPE. Here's a little closer to how it actually breaks down:
1. Look at manual and decide parts needed.
2. Rethink project.
3. Go to store and procure said parts.
4. Rethink project.
5. Decide how long this will take according to the manual.
6. Rethink project... get it?

Using the GTD method, I do a review weekly in which I look at all my open projects and at that time I break each one down into Sub-Projects or Next Actions. Once the Next Actions are written down all I have to do is...you guessed it...the next action. I don't have to rethink the project every step of the way. I trust that I've thought it out thoroughly enough while doing my weekly review. And I actually end up doing a shorter review during the week as time permits. That way I can make sure I haven't overlooked anything.

There is A LOT more to it than what I've listed so far but it's a start.

The tools I use to do GTD are quite simple. I use MS Outlook (currently 2003), an hPDA, a thPDA, a Blackberry, and files...lots of files.

hPDA is an acronym for "Hipster Parietal Disgorgement Aid". It's basically a tricked out notebook that fits you best. You hack and tweak it per your own ideas (or stolen ideas!). Here's mine.

I list each Next Action on tabbed pages for that topic. For instance, "Pick up milk" will be under the @Store tab.

The tabs are just removable tabs stuck on the current page I'm using. Once that page is full I move it to the next free page and cross out the finished page.

Here's a hack I found on some website. Just an Index card printed out with a routine list. I'm constantly forgetting to take my daily meds and all my other everyday things. I've printed them out and I check off each as I do it. It helps a lot with my Daily Text and Weekly Bible Reading assignment.

In the back I stuck some flags and a few Post-its. These come in very handy as I use them all the time to mark books and magazines.

Here's another hack I came up with. Since this journal had a band that wraps around it to keep it shut, I put a stack of cheap paper in there. That way I can write down an idea, toss in the inbox (or my pocket) and get it out of my head. I process these papers during my weekly review or during the shorter review (time permitting) during the week.

Here's my ultimate GTD tool. My Blackberry. I get email on the fly now since I just set it up to get both my Gmail and my work email. I also use Outlook to keep my master projects list, so this syncs up and I have them with me at all times. If I have some time to kill I'll scroll through the list and see if I can do anything more productive at that time.

Here's what was my hPDA. Now it's my travel hPDA. I bring this with me if I'm going to lunch and know I don't have any Next Actions that can be done right now. It's handy but I'm trying decide if I want this any longer.

This is the thPDA showing the inside cover. That's the GTD quick reference flow chart glued to the front cover. I think I got that from DIY Planner. IF not there it was 43 Folders.

Which brings us to the last item. I use a folder system called a "tickler". Basically, it's a way to remember stuff on paper that needs to be remembered a certain day. I previously stapled or paper-clipped stuff into my Franklin Covey day planner. It got so packed that I never wanted to carry it. I kept losing stuff. Now I just throw it in my tickler file, make a note on my calendar for that day and I'm done with that scrap of paper. The only thing is that this has to be kept up with daily. If I forget it even once I'll never trust it...so I won't use it. And YES, "Empty Tickler" is on my routines list.

I had a hard time finding a file holder that I liked so I made my own. This one is made out of Poplar and stained with Cherry with one coat of varnish. I'll put a couple more coats on later, I was in a hurry to get this thing to work. I'm quite impatient at times!!!!1! I have a plan to make a better one from mahogany for my home office.

So that was a lot more than I was going to type today but I'm glad I got it out. Now I can move onto more funner stuffs.

Never look a blind man in the eye

2007-02-27T13:41:00.000-06:00

MIT bound

2007-02-26T14:03:00.000-06:00

I'm taking a course at MIT. I still can't believe it. Well, let me clarify... MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) offers free online versions of several of their courses. In some cases all that has to be bought is a text book. I found a book online for $45 for the course I want to take. What a deal. FREE COURSEWARE FROM MIT!!!!!1!!! Now maybe I can get that raise I've been after.

Along with that, I've been trying to figure out my learning problem. I can't seem to concentrate for any length of time. And more recently I've been having memory problems. I'll forget something that someone says or a point I really wanted to learn. I think it's because I never really learned HOW to learn. I just kind of picked up things as I went. A lot of my thought are 'jumbled' together and difficult to talk through or explain.

That's where GTD comes in. Getting Things Done, a book by David Allen has completely changed my thinking and doing process. I'm not ready to break it down into individual steps here just yet, but trust me... it works. I've even got Catherine in on it. She's got her own Hipster PDA, and I've gone back to my Blackberry. When I get to that section of my @NextActions, I'll write about it.

Tori, Catherine and I are going to New Hampshire next month to see uncle Dennis and Aunt Debbie. While we're there Tori is getting Dennis' old Kayak. We're also going snowboarding. I can't wait!

Stupid Falcons.

Shop time, finally!

2007-02-19T09:04:00.000-06:00

SO I got off my butt yesterday and spent a little time in the shop. Mmmmmm......sawwwddduuuuusssssttttttt!!!!!!!!!1!!!!

I even had a little company. Well, she said she wanted to spend time with me which actually meant watching 'Alice in Wonderland' as loud as the TV would go. Whenever I'd turn the dust collector and tool off it was like I had Disney in my head.

The whole idea was to just get some useable wood from this Osage Orange that my friend gave me. He gave me the stumps... I had to mill the wood from stump to board. I enjoy taking wood from an unusable stump down to finely milled lumber. The smell, the texture, the smoke alarms. Ahhhh.... memories. I'm not really sure what I'm building just yet. I'd like to make some sort of a writing box or keepsake box. Also, I haven't made anything for me (other than household necesseties) so I'm thinking about making something for me. Maybe the watch case I designed but never built several years ago. Who knows. On to the pictures!

Below is a picture of the rough milled lumber before I got started today. It's been drying for right at a year as it looks here.

Here's the bandsaw after I did the first cut to get a somewhat smooth edge to start the jointing. The dust is actually yellow.

After a few passes on the jointer, the grain starts to really pop out.

To contrast, I've placed a piece of rough milled wood above a completed piece. The one on the bottom is fully dried, milled, and ready to become something.

Finally, here's a little extra. The dark strip of wood in the middle is Ebony. I'm going to use that for an inlay on whatever it is I finally decide to do.

Lip-sync, recovery, and GTD

2007-02-16T10:27:00.000-06:00

It's official. Hollywood is officially out of ideas!

Recovery. It's all about looking forward. I heard a quote that really stuck with me and I'll share it here. "You can't think your way into better actions, but you can act your way into better thinking." Basically, do just the opposite of what makes sense. As I'm finding out, the opposite is what I've been doing all along, only it's the opposite of healthy. That's actually how I got the job I currently hold. I came in here like, "pffff....whatever. Offer me the job and I might show up..." **That's actually a Dogbert quote**

Memorial season is upon us. It's a great time to re-evaluate goals and how to get there. I've been holding back my latest obsession because I wanted to make sure it stuck before I did. And it did. I read David Allen's "Getting Things Done" a few months ago. I bought the book and the Audio CD's for my fakePod. Then, I expanded the system to include a Hipster PDA. You can Google "GTD" or "hipster PDA" for A LOT more info.

I'll go into more detail about how I impliment this, but for now I just wanted to get it out of my system. It's Friday, so "pffff....whatever."

Avoidence

2007-02-01T14:44:00.000-06:00

Ok. I've been avoiding this thing for a while. Why? This is why. Enough said.

On another note, my hero - David Hasselhoff- has again, yes again gone to an all-time high. He's now in the shortened version of the Producers on Broadway.

I'm going to cry myself to sleep now. After I learn a little more PHP that is!!

Go Colts!

WHO DAT!?!

2006-12-28T08:27:00.000-06:00

Ok, so I've been wrong before, and I'm sure I'll be wrong again. I posted awhile back that I thought Drew Brees would be a bad thing for the Saints. I also told a few friends that I wasn't that excited about Reggie Bush going to the Saints. And lastly, I've previously commented about Coach Haslett being fired and then hiring another rookie coach, Sean Payton. Clearly, this was my year to sit back and shut up!

Not only have they made it to the playoffs, but the Saints have clenched the NFC South. Usually, if we DO get to the playoffs it's via the wild-card game (thanks to the NFL for that one). But this time, it was because we actually won enough game to do it ourselves.

I've been saying it for as long as I can remember - but this year I can say it and mean it... "WE'RE GOING ALL THE WAY THIS YEAR!!" Watch out Miami, when Superbowl XLI comes to town... The N.O. SAINTS will be there too!

Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. Win the NFC Championship first. I'm betting it'll be the Saints v. Bears. Da Bearz. Stupid Ditka.

Ernie's Pagan vacation

2006-12-27T13:42:00.000-06:00

So last week I had the whole week off in conjunction with a certain pagan ritual most companies love to celebrate. I started Monday off by breaking (I think it's broken anyway) my toe. Here's a pic:

**Note**Word of caution... If you go to Home Depot to get a full sheet of plywood, get some help getting it off the rack above your head. My toe is a lot better now but it does still hurt if I forget about it and jump or run.

PROJECT 1:
I was getting the plywood for shelves I built in the basement. We have too much stuff strewn about the garage and basement so I thought I'd use my time wisely by getting something done. Here's what I was starting with. Framed walls, no drywall inside this small room. It was going to be a bathroom at one point.

This is nasty. The black specs are remnants of a septic tank overflow about a year ago. I found this under a stack of stuff.

Here's the base for the bottom shelf. Since it's right on the slab I'm using pressure treated lumber.

This is my stack of 2X4 lumber I'm using for the shelves. I got this stack about 2 years ago and keep moving it from one side of the garage to the other.

After the plywood wacked my foot, I took it home and got even. Here's one sheet cut in half. I made the shelves 24" deep so I could just slice a full sheet in half. I is smart, no?

This is the frame assembled and the first shelf in place. Another note: Start with the bottom shelf first. It was hard to get to the bottom shelf to screw it in place once this one was installed.

Here's the aforementioned plumbing. I cut around it using the most simple method I could think of. I'm sure there's an easier way, but hey, it worked!

Ahhh....success!! Here it is getting stocked. Over a week later and I still haven't finished loading it up yet. There's more space there than I thought.

I am eventually going to put more shelves here where these toolboxes are. I'll need more plywood first so maybe I should give my toe about 4 more weeks to heal.

PROJECT 2:

My water pump has been leaking for the last couple of months. I replaced the water pump in Tori's car so I thought to myself, "Self, how hard could it be to replace it in a Dodge Dakota?" It turned out to not be that difficult...after buying almost $100 in specialty tools. First, I had to have a spanning wrench. I wish I would have taken a picture, but alas, I didn't. I did get a picture of me holding the 36mm combination wrench I had to purchase.

Yes, I know, it is awful having to buy tools. I just hate it. RRRIIIGGGGHHHHTTTTT!!!!!!!1!!!!

Here's the old, bad water pump.

Once I got all the correct tools and parts, I started teraing it apart.

Here's the new, good water pump. It looks so clean!

Catherine insisted on taking my picture, so here I am holding the new pump.

Once the belts were removed, the water pump came off fairly easy.

Here are the two pumps side by side. The one on the left is the old pump. Notice that there's hardly any gasket stuck to it. That means most is on the engine block. JOY! Scraping engines is fun!!

Finally, after about two hours, I got all of the gasket off. I need a break.

After the gasket was off, it was a snap to put back together. New gasket with a little sealant on there and voila! She's all together again and running fine.

The best thing about this whole thing is that the truck is paid off now. It's like I'm paying myself to do the car work.

PROJECT 3:

I decided I would take down a couple of trees in the back yard that have been needing to come down for a couple of years now. We also had a few trees that were cut down that have been needing to somehow wander into the burn pile. I only took a few pics after cutting one tree down. It actually looks a lot better now.

This little tree in the middle of these two stumps on the ground is a weed. It grew in just 2 years to about 15 feet high. She's a goner now!

Whew! I was glad to get back to work so I could get some rest. As a bonus, here's a pic of my buddy sleeping away.

The Winter Fence

2006-12-14T15:08:00.000-06:00

I've spent many of my years on the fence. Those of you that know me know this. Never really a 'zealous' participant, yet still there. I've recently made changes in my life to better reflect my beliefs. I feel a lot closer to where I've always wanted to be. Make no mistake, I'm not there yet but I'm at least (finally!) on the journey.

So, enough vague blather. On with the Calvin and Hobbes winter 'toons!

Busy

2006-12-13T08:12:00.000-06:00

So, it's been a while since I've posted. I've been busy. As a matter of fact, take a look:

Woo-hoo! The car is paid off! I'd like to thank Dave Ramsey, but it was because Tori received a sweet bonus this year. We're also paying off the Truck in a week. Finally!! Some breathing room.

A conscience matter?

2006-11-06T09:08:00.000-06:00

Blood substitute.

Pictures of the fam up soon. Too much going on right now to keep this thing going.

Dyson Washer

2006-09-28T14:36:00.000-05:00

I just had to post this.

It's going to be around $2500 for this bad boy. We just got the vacuum and it's the same color so why not?

Graves interview and a James Bond fantasy

2006-09-21T09:12:00.000-05:00

Last night was the Michale Graves interview. I'm getting all my notes and recordings ready to have this up by Monday. I've got to say though, what a nice guy. I expected him to be egotistical and self-centered. He was the exact opposite of that, coming off as being just an average guy making his way in the world and helping out others in the process. All in all, it was an awesome experience to be able to speak with him.

For me, remembering the anniversary of my marriage to my beautiful bride has never been difficult. It's January 6. Maybe because it's also the beginning of a new year, I don't know. Anyway, for you blockheads that can't remember, a new invention is here to help. It's a ring that warms up the closer it get's to the grand rememberence day. It gets up to a toasty 120 degrees F, which **supposedly** is enough to heat up your finger without causing harm. I'm leaving that one right there. Read more about the ring HERE.

Have you always been like me... secretly wishing you could infiltrate the inner reaches of the ultra-bad guy's lair in search of the secret plans for the GoldenEye laser? Well, you can now pretend to be James Bond by strapping this watch on your wrist! I'm all over this one. I'll write this off somehow!!!

New found knowledge

2006-09-20T11:08:00.000-05:00

"Adults announce. Children explain."

Amazing. Simply amazing.

New pics of the dogs

2006-09-14T15:48:00.000-05:00

Sticking to the theme fom yesterday (old things re-released as new) I would like to direct your attention to the keychain. The keychain Atari game system, that is. It comes in either a joystick or paddle configuration. The only thing I don't like is that Yars Revenge and Asteroids don't come on the same one. Suckas know I'll have to buy both of those.

That was really all I had today. Oh, and these two pics of the kids:

Jonesy staring you down with his good eye closed, errr...out.

Lily trying to play *not* codependent. Look at that look on her face! The truth is she is the most codependent dog I"ve ever known. Figures.

Movie remakes are really starting to suck!

2006-09-13T17:17:00.000-05:00

It's been a couple weeks. Wow! A lot happening. I've been busy at work and at home. The Michale Graves interview is coming up, and I'm not really looking forward to it. Maybe because I've never really interviewed anyone before.

Ambien apparently helps those in a long term coma state to wake up. I take AmbienCR every-so-often. Maybe THAT's my problem. It's not the Lexapro after all! Dang!! Chris...you were right!

When I read this, I was blown away! Get it, you're so-o-o-o-o-o skinny.... oy vey, nevermind. Just read about skinny models being banned from runways.

First images of Megatron from the new Transformers movie have been released:

How do you say "THIS SUCKS" in Cybertronian? AAAAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!two-minus-one!!!!!!!11!!!!!!!!! I need to call my sponsor.

Here's what the ACTUAL Megatron looked like:

Sorry. They rubbed a dull blade on a nerver there.

More SUCK news! David Hasselhoff will not be reprising his role as Michael Knight in the upcoming Knight Rider movie remake. More AAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!1!!! Well, at least I can throw some Hoff around here!

Booyeah!

Ite-den. I gotsta head on up to da hizzouse. Layta yawl!

Untitled

2006-08-28T16:48:00.000-05:00

Grandma sent Catherine some stuff the other day. A box filled with stuff to be more precise. Here's a pic of her with her favorite...

Jet Blue is apparently a very good company. Except they don't let their customers express themselves. Read the story HERE. Then again, I don't know that I would be comfortable getting on a plane with that guy wearing that shirt. Then again, I am a self-preclaimed redneck...so there ya go.

Some guy's kid was traumatized by his parent's reaction to a sign. Pfff..... What is this place coming to? Read about Barney's PP.

After 10 years of a successful run, Stagate SG-1 ends. Atlantis will continue, well.. READ HERE. I'm going to go in my room, stare at my MacGuyver poster and cry now. Oh wait, he's not in the show anymore... As long as they don't take Battlestar Galactica off the air, I'm good. What am I talking about? I don't even have cable anymore!

Holla!

Stock tips with a side of retinal scan, please

2006-08-21T14:41:00.000-05:00

Every morning when I check my email, I find that someone has been talking about me. Someone is disclosing to a guy in Dehli that I need Viagra. Apparently, I also need a boob-job and a great stock tip. About ten to fifteen minutes every day is spent weeding through and deleting spam that my de-spammer doesn't catch. What to do?

Well, if you're bored, you could follow some of the ideas on 419eater.com. You can find out more about the 419 itself by cliking HERE. **KEEP IN MIND** When you click on a link that takes you elswhere, I have no control over what may be on that page. You're on your own.
That's some pretty cool stuff to throw around. I like the one where the guy gets the spammer/scammer moron to carve things. Funny thing is, if the scammer would spend more time on his art work, it looks like he'd have a career! He must be making money though.

Has anyone else heard about the biometric cows? Optibrand makes biometric devices for keeping up with the cows. Instead of branding, you scan thier eyes. Can you imagine if Hitler would have had this? Less tatoos fo' sho'.

Finally, to Tori:
If I could have just one wish,
I would wish to wake up everyday
to the sound of your breath on my neck,
the warmth of your lips on my cheek,
the touch of your fingers on my skin,
and the feel of your heart beating with mine...
Knowing that I could never find that feeling
with anyone other than you.

by Courtney Kuchta

Anakin Starfighter, Skyfighter, Starwalker, Skywalker

2006-08-18T15:13:00.000-05:00

TRANFORMERS.COM
TRANSFORMERSMOVIE.COM
HASBRO.COM/TRANSFORMERS

So I'm getting pretty hyped up for the Transformers Movie due out next year. July 4, 2007 to be precise. Talk about Ernie geeking out... A friend forwarded the trailer to me because I keep forgetting to check it out. Take a look, but don't expect to see anything. I was a little perturbed at the marketing though. Here's a toy I found that I could order:

Talk about makin a brutha mad. Not mad, really. I guess 'disturbed' would be a better description. Mixing two of my favorite things about my childhood, one would think, would make me happy. A Transformer that is really a Jedi?? Nope. Not at all. Disturbed. That's it.

I'm still pretty hyped about interviewing Michale Graves next month. Another friend and I were talking about it and he likes my idea of dressing in a pink bunny suit. Just get to the interview and be like, "What? You seeing things?" The key, I've been told, is to pretend there is nothing wrong. Act like I'm wearing a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. That, or just slowly undress after every question. Wait for him to say something about it...nahhhhh. Not me.

I found a picture of my next woodworking project. It's a coffee table that looks like a mini-workbench. A MUST HAVE for every woodworkers living room. Maybe this will be my reward for reaching a couple goals I've set. I would do the entire thing out of Mahagony. Do you have any idea what that would cost? Anyway, here's the pic:

Party on, Wayne.
Party on, Garth.

Cognitive

2006-08-16T16:43:00.000-05:00

Little Guns and the Misfits

2006-08-15T16:05:00.000-05:00

Wow! It's been a month since my last post. A lot has been going on, most of which I choose to not talk about. So here's the current issue.

I found this site "http://www.swissminigun.com/home.html" on Gizmodo.com. They have a lot of really cool electronic gadget thingies on there. Dawg gawn innernet majig. I like guns, most of my friends know that. I don't like to get political about it so I won't.

Next topic:
Has anyone ever heard of the Misfits? Their first album came out back when we still actually bought "albums". 1977 or some-such. Glen Danzig left in the mid 80's so they pretty much broke up. In 1993 or 94 they got back together. Since they were sans lead singer, they hired Michale Graves. Not a bad replacement really. Maybe a few purists out there would disagree, but I definitely think he was a better replacement than Sammy Hagar... oh wait... wrong band. **Side Note** Did anyone else hear that Sammy is back in Van Halen? I know! **End Side Note**

What's the pernt? Well, my editor at NashvilleRock.Net has just asked me if I'd like to interview Michale Graves when he's in town next month. He'll be performing at the Gibson Showcase in Opry Mills Mall. How frellin' cool is that?? Sully told me I need to call him Glen a few times. I don't think so.

My gimmick for this thing is to get a few questions from "fans". That way I don't have to rely on my immense vocabulary and wit to keep it rollin'. Anyone that actually reads this is welcome to submit questions. Just post a question as a comment on this posting. I'm also going to wear a Tu-tu to the interview as a gimmick. That's me; one big gimmick.

There you go.

No Skateboarding!

2006-07-12T08:10:00.000-05:00

I don't really feel like posting today so this will be short. I'll be out of touch for the next few days and I wanted to get this out first.

I like my job. I like my job a lot. They've been very good to me, even asking me to stay once when I tried to quit. They give me anything I need to get my job done and usually more. Anytime I want a certification, they are happy to get me materials to study or even a test server to practice on. However, they did something this week that grated my nerves. They put up the following sign:

I asked about it and the response was "If somebody gets hurt, we don't want them suing us." What a load of crap. I always hated seeing this sign when I was younger and was actively skating. I was no Tony Hawk mind you but I still hated knowing that I was yet again denied.

My daughter recently decided she wanted to start skating. She can only skate right in front of our house right now on the street. We watch for cars and we both get out of the way of the rushing rednecks when we see them. It would be nice to know that she could go somewhere like a parking lot to skate if she wanted. It's just the idea I guess. Years ago I had a bumper sticker that read "SKATEBOARDING IS NOT A CRIME!" I really thought we were beyond that. Even the YMCA has a skate park now.

That's it. I'm bringing my daughter to my office to skate next weekend. That'll show them! By the way...I might need a job if they find out. Anybody know of a company looking for a Systems Administrator?

Opening up

2006-07-05T15:22:00.000-05:00

Now, anyone that knows me knows that I pretty much don't get fashion. I usually have a polo type shirt or T shirt on with jeans, green Puma shoes and a chain on my wallet. I'm no Colin Farell; I'll be the first to admit to it. However, every once in a while I see a fashion item and just have to ask myself, "What are they thinking?" Man-Purse. Speedo's (Hey Marcel). Toupe's. And BIG SUNGLASSES. What the heck? Especially little skinny kids wearing them. They look like flies, or some other bug. I just don't get it. But, like I said, I usually don't.

I don't know this person, I just looked for an image on Google. This is pretty typical of what I mean though. Get it?

Duece McAllister got on the cover of Sport's Weekly for being one heck of a guy. Here's the full article on NewOrleansSaints.com.

Lastly. Do you have a friend? I mean a GOOD friend? Somebody that knows your in's and out's? Somebody that knows everything...and I mean EVERYTHING about you? Things you've done, things you think, things done to you? Everybody needs that. I have just recently been able to open up to a couple of people about the "real Ernie". It's cool to be entirely honest and open. To get it all out. I went to a "self-improvement" workshop where we learned all about getting through the things from the past. It was great to feel like I was actually making headway. Chipping away at it. Ok, you're right...enough preaching from Ernie.

Tune in next time.

And I have a new review up at NashvilleRock.net. Follow the link below.

Clown tattoo?

2006-06-28T10:07:00.000-05:00

Dear Internet friend:

I went to a physical therapist last week and got a few rotator cuff excercises. It's amazing how lifting only 2lbs can wear a brotha out. By the tenth rep I was shaking like a freezing little scared girl. I've been keeping up with the excercises pretty well so hopefully I'll be stronger soon. Strong enough to work out again anyway.

We went to the Journey's Backyard BBQ thing a couple weeks ago. Our camera broke - again - so I can't post any pics. They had a few Motorcoss guys there doing tricks 30 feet in the air. It was pretty rad. Yes, I said rad! There were also a few bands playing...but nothing I really knew or liked that much.

After we left the BBQ we went to a skateboard shop and loooked at skateboards for Rendid. We ended up getting her a cheap board from Target. If she keeps up with it I'll put more into a good board. Alien Workshop, Element, etc. Those were around $100 whereas the Target board was $10. Again, we'll just have to see.

I've discussed a few of my imperfections on this blog, so let's get this one out too. I have a condition known as 'Coulrophobia'. <--BE WARNED - THIS LINK HAS A CLOWN PIC ON IT - SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF ME--> I'm afraid of Clowns. I know...seems ridiculous, right? Not so much. It's better at times, but it never totally goes away. I had to walk around Sam's Club once, all the way around to get past this clown standing at the door handing out death balloons. They were probably filled with his evil breath... Anyway, here's a cool site that discusses it and you can even buy some cool 'Anti-Clown' gear. http://www.coulrophobia.com/

Lastly, I'm thinking about getting another tattoo. I'd like to keep it either on the same leg where my other tattoo is or on my forearm. I'm a little hesitant to get chinese lettering like I really want because everybody's doing that nowadays. I thought about getting a barcode, but that seems a little comicbookish (might fit me). I'll probably not get anything...like I said, I'm just thinking about it. I'd appreciate feedback. Just comment below. What I need to do is get JEW to design me something. Maybe the Trans-Am logo all JEW'd out.

Here's the current tattoo:

Again, thanks for listening. Oh yeah, I almost forgot...I'll be out after lunch today until Sunday afternoon sometime. I won't be checking email or voicemail. If you need to reach me, call Tori and she can reach me.

Peach out. Yes, I said Peach.

First RealityTV experience and Shoulder update

2006-06-22T14:42:00.000-05:00

Let's start today's show by talking about last night's premier of "America's Got Talent." I had yet to watch any Reality TV program. I've seen a few minutes here or there of some-such or whos-that, but actually plan on it and follow through, nope. The result of all this build-up?? I loved it! Several times I had to wipe tears from my eyes because I was laughing so hard. The little 8 year old comedianne killed me. Even though her jokes were clearly made up by a kid they were still hilarious! I'm not real big on the singing stuff. I could also do without the animal tricks. The donkey/pirate love triangle skit was quite...what's the word?...dumb. The juggler that kept dropping the stuff he was juggling was so funny. I kept saying, "He dropped the basketballs.." and Tori would look over like -"Get over it!" David Hasselhoff is truly my hero.

I went to the first physical therapy appointment today for my shoulder. Before I get involved with this, let me say that Insurance SUCKS! In order for BlueCross BlueShield TN to pay for anything to do with this, I have to pay a $500 deductible. This is the third or fourth deductible I've had to meet this year. Forget that! I told the PT lady this is my only visit. She said that was ok as long as I did the prescribed exercises and call her if I have any problems that was fine.

She had me hold out my arms to the front, sides and back while she pushed down. I did a lot of other hoop-jumping that I won't get into here. Basically, it's NOT scapular winging as I was originally told. It is just a rotator cuff injury, or weakness really. She also said that explains why I got to a certain weight on bench-presses and couldn't gain. The major muscles to do those exercises were also having to make up for the RC. I was told that it wouldn't be strange for my bench-press to go up by 20lbs or so once I strengthened my RC. Cool. That was worth $100 right there. I can't play drums for a while to let this heal and to strengthen a little...who knows, it might even help my drumming. Nah, probably not.

To hell and back I tell ya. Hell and back.

Reality TV can't Hassel the HOFF!!

2006-06-21T11:29:00.000-05:00

Alright everybody...get your Tivo ready. Tonight is the premier of NBC's new hit show... dum dum dum dummmmm..... "AMERICA'S GOT TALENT!"

Any who know me know that I run from all reality TV shows. I've refused to watch American Idol, Survivor, The Orielly Factor, Lost... you get the picture. Wait, Lost isn't reality TV? CRAP! I could've been watching a really popular and cool show. Anyway...

Since I've decided to watch it, it must have one of my 3 reasons for watching a TV show.

1. Cartoon. (NOPE)
2. Science Fiction. (No, again)
3. David Hasselhoff. (DING DING DING)

That's right... Mr Hasselhoff himself will be one of the esteemed judges. During one of the promo commercials I saw the other night, he puts his wristwatch to his mouth and says (you guessed it!!) "KIT, get me outta here! Woo-Hoo!!!!!!

Oops, running short on time. I've got to go get the Betamax ready for a bit o' recording! "KIT, channel 4 please!"

From the Basement

2006-06-16T15:23:00.000-05:00

I think I've mentioned before that I'm writing for a local website reviewing CD's. I'm too lazy to go back through my posts to see if I have, so if I haven't... there you go. I finally got set up on their website. Here's my banner:

Also, you can email me there at eayres@nashvillerock.net. Me, be critical...of music...?? Not me!!

As for my 'medical condition', I'm still working through it. We're supposed to be at the convention this weekend. I just couldn't stand the thought of sitting there for 3 days in a low-back chair. I'm going to get some physical therapy for a while and hopefully that will help. If I take pain killers while at the convention, I'm sure to take no notes. MUST...TAKE...NOTES... I hate to wait that long but we're going to the August convention in Duluth instead.

I do have a few new pics of my messed up shoulder:

You can't really see it too well by these pics, but my left shoulder blade pokes out. It's not as bad as some pics I've seen of others with this but that doesn't make it suck any less. I tried playing drums yesterday and guess what. Not going to happen. At least not soon. At least I can still do rudiments on my practice pad for now. Got to have something.

And last for today. We're getting rid of our land line at home. If you know our home number, erase it, delete it...whatever you need to do to get rid of it. If you don't have our cell numbers, just email me and I'll give you our cell numbers.

Holla.

Ouch, that's gonna hurt!

2006-06-14T12:47:00.000-05:00

On Monday, I worked out as I usually do on Mondays. All was normal through my warmups, then through a couple leg exercices. Then I went to do some bench presses. I couldn't. I couldn't even get the measly weight that I normally do up in the air. So, I moved the weight down by about 40%. I was struggling, and I don't mean a little, just to get the bar and a couple of plates up in the air. Then I noticed my left shoulder was lifting off the mat whenever I pushed up. Did I stop...of course not. What, me worry? I moved on to my other exercises, at this point still perplexed as to what was going on. I was able to do everything as normal except bench presses and shoulder presses.

After I got home, I had Tori and Rendid look at my back as I lifted my hands in the air. I can't remember exactly what Rendid said, but it was something like, "Oh my word". My left shoulder blade was sticking way out...again, I don't mean a little. She tried standing on it to "pop" it back in place. No workie. Rendid then suggested that I put an ace bandage around it. She's only 9 right...what could she know? I didn't.

The next day (yesterday), I went to my Dr. to see what the heck was going on. She said it was a dislocated shoulder. Everything I've seen (Mel Gibson, Bruce Willis, Wesley Snipes, etc) in movies leads me to believe it wasn't dislocated. My understanding was that if it were, I would be hurting badly. The wierd thing is that I had NO pain. None at all. She said some nerves were pinched and that's why I didn't feel pain.

Then I was referred to a specialist. I was to go to the Centennial Hospital Emergency Room and ask for a specific Dr. by name. I did and they looked at me like I was crazy. They had me fill out the ER paper work, get blood pressured, heart rate, etc... and wait. Just in case, I called my primary care Dr. again just to make sure I was in the right place. One of the lady's in her office assured me I was. She was even going to call the Dr. and have him come meet me. About ten minutes later I was escorted into an ER exam room. I sat for another 15 mins. or so. When that Dr./nurse person came in I let him know I was supposed to see Dr. Shoulder-guy. He said something like "He's not in today, I'm filling in for him". What?? Didn't my Dr's office just call here? Whatever. I'm frustrated, extremely hungry, and just ready to go.

He gives me a once over and says, "Nope, it isn't dislocated. Have a nice day." He left kind of quickly. I was standing there with no shirt on, mouth open to ask a question, and he was GGGGGOOOOOONNNNNEEEEEEE. A minute later another guy came in with my check out papers. When I got to the window I told the lady what was going on. She said, "Oh, here's Dr. Shoulder-guy's number. That will be $100 please. Oh, and we're not in your insurance provider's network so you'll probably have to pay more. I'd fight it though. They usually give in."

?? Did I miss something? I went there to meet Dr. Shoulder-guy. He wasn't in that area...that building even. So basically, I'm paying AT LEAST $100 for his bleeping phone number? Ain't happening.

I called Dr. Shoulder-guy's number, got directions to his office, then started my journey there. I waited in his office, again, about an hour. Once he saw me he told me that it isn't dislocated (knew that). It's actually a "Scapular Winging". What's the best thing I could have done yesterday? Put an Ace bandage on it. (Thank you Rendid, even though I didn't listen) I need to go through about 30 days of physical therapy and then come back. If that didn't help at all, I've got to take an "Extremely Painful" nerve test. I quoted that because that's what he said. Great, thanks Doc. Don't hold back, huh? So now, I'm waiting to hear from my PC Doctor if they're going to cover the co-pay from my misguided ER visit (hold your breath) and to see when I can start this physical therapy.

Like I told the nurse yesterday, "why not?" I've got all this other crap I'm dealing with right now...Why not one more thing? My sleep medicine runs out in two days and I can't seem to get insurance approval for more like my Dr. would like. So, I'm going to have to foot the $70 or so bill just to get some sleep. And, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday I'm going to have o fight the crowds at the District Convention. Stick a fork in me. Somebody. Anybody.

I'm going to try to remember to get a picture of my back so's I can post it here.

Amen.

Cookie Monster rock!

2006-06-12T11:46:00.001-05:00

I logged in to read Craig's blog and I ended up thinking about something Rendid said this morning. We were listening to Bullet for My Valentine on the way to Nana's. The first song is this very slow, almost stagnant drumless, vocalless song.

She immediately said (which she has said countless times before) "I don't like songs without singing". God-forbid an Aly and AJ free world! Anyway, that songs ends, then the next begins. The lead, uh, screamer starts in with AAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's when she said, "He sounds like Cookie Monster!" I was laughing so hard that I almost had to pull over.

It's amazing how much you can love a child. Simply amazing. She's the funniest, silliest, and yet sweetest and brightest person I know. If only I could get her to clean her room.

Music reviews, Sully and really poor Spanish

2006-06-09T15:04:00.001-05:00

Whew! What a freakin' 9 days since my last post. Too many things to list, but I'll just highlight a few things.

First of all, Holiday Inn lost my reservation for the Convention next week. I had to call around until I found a room 25 or so minutes away. Originally I was in the Holiday Inn right next to the convention site. Walking distance. Not any more! At least I have a room and it's not in the Flea Bag Motel.

Next, I just have to say what a friend Sully is. He really pulled through for me, making me forget my troubles for a while. His band The Firing Order rocks. I was able to see them two weekends ago and was blown away. They were so loud...

It's just amazing what can happen over a few days. I guess much less a year. Much less a lifetime for that matter.

I started writing for a local website reviewing music. Of course, I don't get paid but what's new there? If you need to get paid to do something you really don't love it, right? I'm looking forward to telling people ow bad their music is...or good, of course. The site is http://www.nashvillerock.net. **REMEMBER** I have NOTHING to do with ANY of the pages or links on that site. Go there at your own risk!

My site for the archived reviews is http://www.myspace.com/nashvillebasement. Sully and I talked about the name and how appropriate it is. Again, too many reasons to write about.

On that note, here's a video for the oldest known holocaust survivor. Jewish? Nope.
http://cbs2.com/video/?id=19057@kcbs.dayport.com

And lastly, I just have to say how much I appreciated the bible reading this week. Psalm 37:8-9 and 34 were very helpful to me. There I go, getting all preachy.

Vive la estande!

When is a Golden Retriever not a Golden Retriever?

2006-05-23T08:27:00.000-05:00

When they look like this:

We took Lily to the groomer to get her summer shave last weekend. Talk about the difference! Lily was panting all the time, just sleeping, almost moping really. Since we've had her shaved she's acting like she feels a lot better. She looks to have lost about 50lbs just in fur.

Update on Mulva's family:
They're gone. I can't tell if the cat got to them or if Mulva decided she was tired of parenting and just pushed them out. The nest is empty and I couldn't find any baby bird traces. I really thought it was too early to send them packing, but sheesh, look how long it took me to finally move out on my own!

And for all you nerds out there, look at this site: http://www.hutchisoneffectonline.com/

Also, look at my Lyrics page. I have a quick blurb about Angels and Airwaves debut album out today. Holy Crap! Go get it. I like it as much as Taking Back Sunday and as much as if not more than the new Tool CD. That's saying a lot.

And an update on my Poison Ivy rash. It's not Poison Ivy after all. It turns out that these necklaces I bought for Tori, Catherine and myself are the culprits. They're leather with a two small medalions on the end. I got them from Aldo. Tori and Catherine are fine with them...I just can't wear them. Anyway, the rash is back because I was trying to prove that it was the necklace doing it, not poison ivy. I won. The rash is back.

Friday's Hoff

2006-05-19T14:19:00.000-05:00

I wanted to post something earlier but I forgot what it was. So, my pennance will be to post a Hoff picture.

Go see the Da Vinci code. Be controversial.

The Return of Mulva

2006-05-16T09:05:00.000-05:00

Tori and I secured tickets to the Def Leppard / Journey show on July 16th. I can't wait!! I've waited 16 years to see them. Any of my friends that have known me for any length of time would probably be surprised that I haven't seen the Leps ever live. I know!

We have a bird that nests in our front porch and has a batch of babies every year. We're not sure if it's the same bird or not, but we've named her anyway. We affectionately call her "Mulva". She's named after the Seinfeld charachter Delores. If you don't know what I'm talking about, I'm NOT explaining it. Anyway, more for Mom's benefit than anything, I've taken some pictures of Mulva's new kids. The pics didn't come out that great but you can kind of see them:

Mulva needs to get a maid or something. WAY too much poop in that place!

Next I'm posting pictures of my new drumset. This is the actual configuration in which I play it. I've removed the 12 inch tom and only play with the 13 and 16. I intend on getting an 18 inch floor tom, but that will have to wait a while.

Finally, I was sent this image by someone from work. I don't endorse the beliefs posted on said image. I just thought it was interesting to see how far we have come in the last 50 years. Some Middle Eastern countries haven't even made it as far as the image below. Enjoy!

Tori graduated!

2006-05-09T13:45:00.000-05:00

So when it gets to the point that your Mom is complaining that your Blog isn't kept up to date enough...what does that mean? Either Mom is too technically advanced these days or maybe I don't update this enough. Hi Mom!

Tori graduated from college last night. It was a short yet extremely long ceremony. Unfortunately there were way too many uneducated people in the stands (quoting Tori on that). People were chattering through the whole ceremony. Then when certain names were called- airhorns, woo-woo's and screams followed. I'm all for showing how proud you are of someone completing such a big obstacle, but sheesh...have some respect. Right after some screaming and hollaring, the next name called gets no response. Poor kid.

As I've said before, I am very proud of Tori for graduating. Here are a few pics from right after the ceremony:

Anybody see Robin around?

2006-05-04T08:46:00.000-05:00

First of all, I've been quite busy at work and at home, so my apologies for not updating this more. I know so many of you look forward to this and I'm sorry for having deprived you. Second, I'm thinking of taking an extended hiatus from this thing. I'll probably not do so, but consider this fair warning.

After thinking about the draft last weekend, I think I actually like the Saints lineup this year. With the addition of Reggie Bush, the Saints now have no less than three, yes three solid backs. Bennett, McAllister and Bush can dominate the field play by play. A friend and I discussed the pssibility of Bush taking the snap with McAllister to his left and Bennett to his right. That would keep the defense guessing. But then what would they do with Brees? Put him in as a wide receiver. That would throw even the Ray Lewises of defense off. I'm not sure how I feel about Roman Harper yet. We'll have to wait and see.

Here's a gross yet pertinent website I found: http://www.workpoop.com. No explanations needed I think.

I have a short video of Catherine playing my drums here.

Tori graduates next week. Monday night to be precise. I can't even begin to explain or convey how absolutely proud I am of her. Maybe now she can start throwing her degree around at her work place for some more cash! Good job Tori!!!!1!!!

So, until next time... off to the Bat-cave Robin! Uh... Robin?

Do you wanna get ROCKED!?!?!? ... and a rash

2006-04-25T16:44:00.000-05:00

Ok. So I'm at home, getting ready for work when I hear pure elation come over the radio waves...
Def Leppard and Journey are coming to Nashville in July. OR as we're calling it... The "ERNIE AND TORI TOUR!" This couldn't get any better, unless Skid Row was opening up. We're hoping jewlover2 and her esteemed hubby will accompany us.

On to other things. So my drums came in. I started setting them up then noticed that the cymbals didn't come in. AARRRGGGHHHHH!!!!!!! Another something slowing me down. I called the major music warehouse from which the drums were purchased and they so kindly sent me a box that actually had cymbals. They just came in today, so I haven't had time to set them up. Here's a few pics of the drums without the new cymbals. These are my older, much better cymbals that will only be used for any shows I might play.

Also, I got a pretty bad Poison Ivy rash last weekend. So bad, in fact, that we had to leave the assembly on Saturday. I went to the CVS Minute Clinic and got a dose of Prednazone and some new creams and such. I feel much better now. We're planning on making up the assembly, but this weekend is the special talk so I guess we'll go in two weeks...I dunno. Anyway, here's a pic of the rash before it got real bad...

And while I'm making such a big update, I'll throw a couple more pics up that I've been contemplating posting.

Here's a picture I painted about 10 years ago, right after Tori and I got married.

Don't ask me what any of it means. I remember that at the time it had a lot of deep, meanigful symbolism things going on, but now it's just dried paint on a board. What I lack in artistic talent I make up in strange ideas.

And finally, here's a picture of Lily being...well...Lily:

Alright, that's it. Keep moving. Nothing to see here.

Sugar is timed well

2006-04-14T14:14:00.000-05:00

While I was working out today I noticed that if I run at 6.0 MPH, Fall Out Boy's "Sugar" is perfectly synced to my stride. Nothing major - I just thought it was cool. By the time the song ended I forgot that I was running and breathing so hard everybody was staring at me. My face was bright red, my side was cramped like a turkey baster suckin juice out of the pan but hey- I was getting a good workout!

Speaking of which, I also got a little frustrated. I went back through my workout log (something I never do) all the way back to right under a year ago. I've gone up a little in all my weights, but only a little. I'm talking 15lbs for bench press, 10 pounds for shoulder press. My squat weight has gone up a lot, so I guess there's that -but still. My leg extension has also gone up quite a bit. Since I currently am ravaged by the disease known as "noassatol", moving up in leg weights is ok. I just wish I could get my bench weight up more. Everybody keeps telling me to eat more chicken and beef but if I eat anymore, I'd have to move to a farm. Kroger loves to see me coming in!

Something else that probably hurts more than helps is the fact that I've been doing a circuit training program for several months. This means you do a full body workout but move from exercise to exercise with only 30 seconds of rest in between. By the end, I feel like I'm gonna pass out, but again, it's a real good workout. I've lost about 25lbs since about 4 1/2 months ago. Plus I've also toned up quite a bit.

I really didn't mean to take up all this time talking about my workout, but there you have it. Sharpen the saw.

Ludwigs and a receipt

2006-04-13T16:15:00.000-05:00

There comes a time in life when you really need to analyze yourself. What do I like to do? Who do I like to be around? Do I like Coke or Pepsi better?

What I'm getting to is that I sold my drums about 2 years ago. I got a decent price for them...about $50 more than I paid if I remember correctly (and I do). The problem is that I sold them for a bandsaw. Don't get me wrong, I love woodworking. It's comforting, soothing, yet very annoying and painful at times. The point is that I sold my drums - the only thing I've ever really LOVED to do - for the wrong reasons.

That brings me to today. I bought a drumset. It's a Ludwig Accent CS Elite - Power edition. Here's a stock photo:

I have to say that Tori really hooked me up on this one. She was and is very supportive of my drumming. I can't recall her ever asking me not to play or to play less. Thank you, Tori, for understanding. Ok, enough mushy talk. Here's the specs:

Bass Drum	18"X22"
Snare Drum	6.5"X14"
Toms	10"X12", 11"X13"
Floor Tom(s)	16"X16"

I also went ahead and got some cymbal stands, cymbals, accessories, etc. More money than I wanted to spend but I really think it will help me relieve some tension. Lots of tension.

So, I guess next I'll be looking for people to come out to my house to play some muzak. As long as Kenny G isn't involved, I'm good. I'd love to play something like Fall Out Boy, Blink or if I can get a double bass pedal... some Bullet for My Valentine would be cool. Otherwise, I'll stick to the Rush songs that I know with the headphones on as loud as they can go ruining my hearing.

Now I just need to balance drums and woodworking in the 30 minutes per week that I get to myself! At least it's a start.