Every day for the last 10 days we’re hauled boxes or did some form of work on the new place. Tonight won’t be any different but this weekend will be. We’re about a week ahead of schedule so that means we’re packing up as much as possible to meet our 8/15 deadline of officially being done with our current residence. I know that once the dust has settled and boxes have been trashed we’ll be able to relax for a day. August is an insane month for me.
1) Finish moving
2) thesis due for my multimedia class
3) Podcamp Pittsburgh
4) campaigning to win a Podcast Award
5) starting a new class at school
6) planning the schedule for live shows we’re going to record
7) finish redesigning 2 sites I have, possibly 3.
September is already starting to book up with NHL training camp, brew fests and recording shows so request an appointment now!
The last 3 shows I’ve followed have shown a serious issue that I’ve brought up in the past.
- Hell’s Kitchen
- The Next Food Network Star
- Big Brother 8
It’s too the point where these are almost unwatchable and I’ll tell you why.
1) Hell’s Kitchen – Besides this show being an absolute joke and insult to anyone in the culinary profession, Chef Ramsay is someone who yells because he’s an aggressive jerk who feeds off of fear. That’s what sells this show though, not his cooking skills. I don’t care what his reputation is, he has never showed his skills.
The Crying Factor – Aaron spent every episode he was on crying because of the pressure. Because no one was there to give him a hug or say it would be alright. Bonnie’s feelings are hurt every show because, well she flat out sucks at cooking for more than 2 people and can’t take criticism. You want to run a restaurant from this show you shouldn’t still be “learning”.
2) The Next Food Network Star – My buddy Phil has a great rant about this (and Hell’s Kitchen) in his latest Episode of My Life as a Foodie. Food Network has jumped the shark. Now I can’t pinpoint when exactly but this show is a perfect example of “Know when to say when”. I will give credit to Alton Brown and Bobby Flay for visibly showing their irritation at every screwup and not being afraid to call people out.
The Crying Factor – Each week someone was brought to tears. Even the manly men of Michael and hot tempered JAG had a cry fest while the Amy had a complete breakdown and said she was quitting multiple times. Finally quitting she decided to stay 15 seconds after quitting and ends up winning because JAG lied about his background. Ah the power of the internet. If Rory would have won I’d have to ask my cable company to block it from my box.
3) Big Brother 8 - 11 people picked to live in a house for the summer… yada yada yada. If someone doesn’t get rid of Jen I don’t think I’ll be able to handle another week of this show. She is by far the dumbest human being ever to be on television and is a prime example of why we should worry as a society because I know plenty of others just like her. Watch one episode and you’ll see why the JENsa member needs to be put out to pasture. While we’re at it, take like, oh mah gawd! Jessica with you. This house is a good collection/representation of the social issues people have today.
The Crying Factor – I’m afraid to see how Amber handles her children. She cries over EVERYTHING. She was nominated… she cried because Kail should have that bond of being a mother with her. She cries because someone else is upset. She cries because the sky is blue. She cries because of SLOP. She cries because she can’t do anything else. There can be a whole hour long show to her crying! There’s that much material and I’m sure more on the cutting room floor. Danielle, you’re attractive I guess but after the last few shows your boyfriend will either leave you (or has left) or will stay (because you’re still eye candy) and not care what Nick guy does. I can see why she’s an emotional wreck from bringing this on herself.
I’ve been negligent from updating on here because of a hella busy schedule. Friday night was my company’s outing at PNC Park. I organized the event which sold over 100 tickets. The weather was perfect, the game was decent and the fireworks… eh, I’ve seen better. It seemed like everyone had a good time and I haven’t received any hate mail yet.
Saturday my good bud from back home, Mario, and his family came to town for the weekend. We met up at the Pittsburgh Zoo and brought our cousin Bella (pictured above sleeping) with us. 5 hours with 4 kids in the sun is tiring. Stop right there for anyone thinking “welcome to my world”. We don’t have kids so I can say it 
The highlight for me was the Penguins. I could sit there for hours watching those guys. The new Polar Bear exhibit was pretty cool and the glass lined tunnel so they can swim over you (just like the commercial) was impressive. While by the shark tank a scuba diver came down and unrolled a message. Someone named Elizabeth was getting engaged right before us. Nice move buddy! She said yes. We ended the day at Primanti’s in Harmar before heading home. It’s always good to have friends visit!
Sunday was a working day at the new place. I spent several hours fighting with contact paper while Heather washed down the walls. Yeah I know they cleaned before we could come in but we needed to do a few touch ups. We can start moving in boxes shortly and man I can’t wait to get this over with!
I think that’s a good look for me! Go to simpsonizeme.com and upload your picture. I’ve had a blast with it so far this morning and yeah, that looks like me I may have to make some avatars for the podcasts with this!
Yesterday, after all that went on in the morning with my brother-in-law, my brother and I drive up to Erie for a quick 8 hour trip. Dad’s stone (above) came in so we drove up to help mom plant some small shrubs by it. We’re really impressed with the final product and how the stone stands out when you see it from the road. Still hard for me to believe that it’s been 7 months already.
Afterwards the 3 of us went to Rum Runners on Lake Erie for dinner. The last time I was at this place was 10 years ago and I remember that myself and some friends were all about to hook up with this group of girls when we were asked to leave because one of the other idiots started with a bouncer so I just never went back. ( *ok, there maybe more to that story but that’s all you need to know *) It’s alright for a bar by the lake. The food was good but the service was bad. I’m pretty patient when I see a our server busy but the girl we had would just disappear. Yeah you’re hot but that doesn’t make up for the fact I’m thirst/hungry. Other tables (with different servers) were having the same issue.
The saving grace was the view of the sunset that you can see here. Besides a few friends and family, this is what I miss most about the place. When I lived in Erie I wasn’t interested in the beauty of the lake but just being 21 and drinking. The 3 of us kicked back and sucked the atmosphere in. I’ll admit, I was homesick until some drunk locals next to us started being jerks and I remembered why I only visit.
The bro and I headed back and after dropping me off at work to get my car I pulled into home about 1am. My ass is draggin today since I’m moving to a new office. It’s fun to be able to take trips like this but goddamn I’m tired.
That’s my brother in law, Sunshine. He is driving from PA to Texas right now and just outside of Pittsburgh the back tire on the trailer carrying his boat blew out. This happened before work today so I drove out to get him and drive to Cranberry to find a new tire (which we did pretty quick actually). We then drove back to put it on and come back to get the other tire changed. Why am I posting this? Because he didn’t think I would when I was taking pictures and laughing at the situation with him. Good luck getting to TX buddy!
To top things off, my brother and I are driving to Erie this afternoon and then right back tonight. Details on that tomorrow when I’m dragging my ass into work.
cheers!
http://americancomedynetwork.com/animation.html?bit_id=24754
One of my biggest pet peeves is the bluetooth headsets and this cartoon represents the anger I have. Do those of you who wear one ALL the time realize how stupid you look? You don’t seem important, you seem arrogant and look like a jagoff. Take the thing off once in awhile and give your ear and the rest of us a break. You have the right to look like an idiot, I have the right to knock that thing off your head.
Make a quick note of acceptability use:
DO USE: in the car, at work
DO NOT USE: everywhere else
One of the pains of moving that we forgot was the great “security deposit” that utility companies make you pay. Right now we’re pushing $500 we need to put down since the area we’re moving to isn’t supported by our current companies. What I don’t get is how are these used besides a means of holding my money? I called the gas company once thinking that it would be used to cover any expenses and the lady said she didn’t know what it’s used for. You’d think that a letter from my current utility company saying “he has always paid on time” would be sufficient but it’s not. Everyone dicks you for money and there’s nothing we can do about it.
http://www.wpxi.com/news/13635478/detail.html
http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB118358476840657463.html
One thing people today love to do is blame others. It’s never YOUR fault so it has to be someone else. You didn’t burn yourself with hot coffee, it was McDonalds fault for not telling you. You wouldn’t have been driving drunk if that bartender and your friends didn’t make you drink so much. You say you have a gland problem because you can’t stop eating Krispy Kreme wrapped in bacon. You can’t get a job because the man is bringing you down.
Thanks to Don Chance, a professor at Louisiana State University, we can now all join into one sole reason for why YOU have issues… Mr. Rogers. Yeah, the sweater wearing guy that taught us how crayons are made. Famine, poverty, the Pirates losing 15 seasons in a row, crime, my wife dropping a dish, rising gas prices, your kid flunking out of school and hiding in a dark corner crying him/herself to sleep… all Fred’s fault.
The problem here isn’t Mr. Rogers. The issue is of the coddling parents do to kids. You have to know where to draw the line people. Kids shouldn’t receive awards and trophies just for participating make them work for it and appreciate it. That defeats the purpose of working for a goal. If your child is emotionally inept to handle news of what’s going on in the world today and you need to shelter the kid, you’re setting them up for life long therapy. They need to learn that crying and begging or heck, threating with a lawsuit is not how you get ahead in this world. Stop now! Enough about if you’re hurting their feelings, worry about their lack of confidence and thoughts of entitlement to everything.
Don, Fred didn’t screw up your kids, it was your inability to be a decent parent that did it. Why did you have to pick on a dead guy. Not cool man… not cool. You get no trophy.
Every Sunday morning from 12:30am-4am (EST) VH1 Classic has the best programming on TV. Classic videos from the Metal and hair band era from WASP and DIO to Poison and GnR. Ladies and gentlemen… Metal Mania.
Griff and I started watching this last year when we’d get back from a night at the bowling league. We were both on chat while having a couple of beverages when we found this gem. This is what Headbanger’s Ball was in the late 80′s/early 90′s. Riki Rachtman music, not that Adam Curry crap. Here are some things you can expect with every show.
1) Slaughter’s “Fly To The Angels” will be on.
2) If there is a band that has a special preceding Metal Mania, they will have the first video.
3) Metallica will be played twice.
4) Only Motley Crue vids are from Theater of Pain and earlier. On the rare occasion it’s from Girls, Girls, Girls.
5) 1/3 of the videos involve the desert and/or fire.
6) The only video Danzig apparently ever made was Mother.
That’s pretty much all you need to know when watching the Mania. Oh, and have plenty of beverage on hand!
My wife and I are sucked into Big Brother every summer. She enjoys the soap opera aspect of it while I love the fan interaction and use of the web to get you involved. Last night kicked off the 8th season along with 2 new twists. You have America’s Player who will do whatever the fans vote him to do and 3 people were kept hidden to start the show. These 3 are adversaries of 3 other house mates. Now for the first impressions…
The Dustin and Joe Drama Hour – These 2 will go down as the most flamboyant and annoying (ex) couple ever. It’s like watching 2 catty women fight. These 2 are going to get old REAL quick. I’d like the ability to vote both off right now.
Daniele is the ghost of Anna Nichole Smith (before she died, not the size of a house). I’ll admit that she’s pretty smokin but from the first show she doesn’t seem like a very quick person. She has some characteristics of people I used to know which drives me nuts. The whole clueless stoner thing. She could prove me wrong though. She’s one of the 3 in the twist, her father whom she broke ties with 2 years ago is in the house. It’s Dick, the poor man’s Tommy Lee.
Carol vs Jessica – I havent seen enough of Carol yet but Jessica annoys the shit out of me. She is the typical cheerleader stereotype. Arrogant and squeaky voice wrapped up in a valley girl.
Jen – kinda hot if i was REALLY drunk but friggin stupid.
Amber, Jameka and Kail round out the women. They didn’t say much so the verdict is still out on them. For the guys you have Eric, Mike, Nick and Zach. As of now they are all in awe that they’re on TV so we haven’t really seen anyone step up. Eric seems like he was the class clown and life of a party. That’s probably why he’s America’s Player.
Still too early to see how the summer will go but if some of these people don’t go soon I’ll have to shoot my TV. Before we move of course
