Friday, June 30

Top 5 Fridays Returns

It’s time for another edition of Top 5 Fridays. Once again, I’ll be showcasing my personal highlights of the week gone (or going) by, and as you can see, it’s been a relatively uneventful week in the world of McGone (what with the work, and the work, and the job and the working).

5. “It’s Always Sunny” Returns



3 idiots + 1 hot girl x situations cruder than Seinfeld ever tackled = The Funny. Between IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA and RESCUE ME, I’m pretty much FX’s Summer Bitch.

4. My Girlfriend’s Reaction To Her Birthday Present

It was a real "Awwww" moment. That is all I will say. Move along...

3. Superman Returns



I haven’t seen it yet (what with the work, and the work, and the job and the working), but I just feel better knowing it’s out there and getting pretty good reviews (currently at 76% on the Tomatometer), including a positive review by The Man, Peter Travers, and a hilarious review by Dave Campbell at Dave's Long Box.


2. The Funniest Picture I Have Seen In Awhile




Here’s BPDP and classmates Aydin and Kaleb. This picture tells you all you need to know about Brian.

My God, he looks like Doug Kinney #4.

“Hi, Steve!”

1. Kate Beckinsale and Her Legs Pimp “Click”



Will I see “Click” in theaters? No, no I definitely won’t. Will I rent it? Probably not. Watch it on HBO? Maybe... how much have I had to drink when it’s on? Do I enjoy the fact that Kate puts on some short shorts and high heels to promote the movie on the talk shows? Why, yes. Yes I do. So much so that her legs were nearly entries one and two on the Top 5 list, but I couldn’t decide which leg I like more (probably the left one, but I don’t play favorites).

FRIDAY FOTO
** Going to also add this category for Fridays. Kind of a photo of the week/day/hour, whichever.

After a hard week of tracking down rebels, these Clonetroopers find time to share some quiet time in the neighborhood.

Wednesday, June 28

Wednesday Wander

Had to commute downtown again today, which I actually do not mind doing. Took the train with Mama Slinger, and then I walk about 6-8 blocks to the building. Started to sprinkle when I was about 2 blocks away, then as soon as I sat down at my desk it started thundering, so I got here JUST in time!

Was listening to Stereophonics - Language. Sex. Violence. Other? on the train and as I was walking. I downloaded this album really just for the track Devil, which I first heard on an episode of RESCUE ME, but this whole album is great. My favorite tracks are Superman, Dakota, Devil and Lolita. These are just the ones that stand out; overall all the tracks are good.

Since it had rained downtown sometime this morning, there are the usual puddles by the curbs, so I made sure I was very aware of the traffic if I was walking close to the curb. The last thing I needed was a nice puddle shower by a passing bus or truck.

I love downtown Chicago, it seems like I notice something different every time I walk to/from the train. I try to take a different route to/from the train station everyday to see if I see something cool. I also make sure I have my camera with me in case a photo op turns up.

You know one thing that bothers me….I stopped into CVS to get something to drink and some batteries for my camera. I paid and walked out and opened by Lipton Ice Tea and it was WARM, even though I got it out of the cooler! The bottle felt cool at least. I was so mad, because I hate drinking warm beverages, especially tea and soda. Anyway, that is my gripe for the day, well morning. I may have more gripes by this afternoon.

It's going to get a lot harder out here for a pimp...
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Republican Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa is hoping to stamp out the sex trade by taxing pimps and prostitutes, then jailing them when they don't pay. The Senate Finance Committee is expected to vote Wednesday morning on the pimp tax. The bill also calls for more jail time for sex workers.

If passed, the provision will authorize at least $2 million toward the establishment of an office in the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation unit to prosecute unlawful sex workers for violations of tax laws.

"Recent headlines have focused on sex trafficking in connection with the World Cup in Germany," Grassley said. "This vile crime is under our noses in the United States, and it's a no-brainer to have the IRS go after sex traffickers. Prosecuting these tax code violations can get these guys off the street and yank from their grasp the girls and women they exploit."

Tuesday, June 27

Sweet Fancy Moses!



There are no words to describe the coolness of what you are about to watch, but if I had to choose, I'd go with "Great Googaly Moogaly!"

Click here for web-slinging goodness!

"Hididilly-ho!"

Wow, if they ever make a real-life movie about The Simpsons, this guy can play the part of Ned Flanders!



****UPDATE BY McGONE****


I'll tell you why that guy won't be the choice for Flanders... it's because my eye doctor was born to play-diddly-ay Flanders, Neighborino!

Breaking News!!


Good evening. I'm Ron Burgundy and here's what happening in your world tonight. .... The Atlanta Braves are sucking it up, BIGTIME!

For a team that has won 14 consecutive division titles, they are currently playing like a grade school team. They are 16 games out of first place. Granted, it is not even the All-Star break yet, and the Mets are playing some incredible ball, but they need to get their game faces on!
The Braves are 4-20 in the month of June so far, wow, that is something I would expect to see from the Royals or the Devil Rays! This inter-league play is killing the Braves, as well as other National League teams. Just goes to show that the American League is stronger, in my opinion.

The only thing that makes this easier to take, is BPDP's beloved Cardinals are also in a funk. The Cardinals are 7-15 in the month of June so far and are in the middle of a 7 game losing streak, thanks to the AL. Cards were swept by the White Sox and the Tigers! OUCH! I bet that hurts, huh BPDP??

Flickr!


Surface on flames
Originally uploaded by Ahmed Zahid.
This photo is from one of my contacts in Flickr...this guy lives in the Maldives islands and his photos are incredible. The colors are the subjects are amazing.

Go check out his photos if you have time.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ahmedzahid/

Monday, June 26

Wonderings....

So I was at one of our other office buildings this morning and had to use the restroom (not what you are thinking, Shawn), and as I was using the urinal, I happened to notice there was a fragrance bar, or as us guys call them, a urinal cake, in the bottom. Now, I have to wonder....do these things REALLY do what they are supposed to??? I mean, seriously how can that thing make it smell any nicer in there when it is being hit with a continuous stream of urine?? AND...this one was pink, so as you hit it, it was splattering pink all over the urinal. After seeing this all I was thinking about was, "Oh shit, what if I have pink splattered on my pants?" (BTW... I did not have any color on me.) Do they really need to make them colored? The whole urinal cake seems like a waste to me, but I guess with one being pink or blue, it makes what is normally disgusting, look somewhat 'pretty'.


***** UPDATED - FOR INQUIRYING FEMALE MINDS *****
Mama Slinger said...
My question is - why do you aim at something that is splattering PINK or BLUE for that matter all over the urinal? Wouldn't you make sure you aim on the back or sides of the urinal to make a continuous flow and not SPLATTER!?? GROSS!
10:36 AM
Slinger said...
Ah yes..the female inquiry...as the stream is weakening, it hits lower and lower, thus getting closer to the "cake". The only way to miss it is to either A.) back up and drip on the floor, or B) lean so far into the urinal that your clothes touch the sides! I don't do either!

Friday, June 23

TOP FIVE FRIDAYS

Time for a potential new feature here on Ramble On. We’ll see if it catches on. The theme may change from week to week, but to pop the cherry, let’s get basic and showcase the Top Five Highlights of the Week.

5. Stanley Cup Fever... Catch It!
Congratulations to the Carolina Hurricanes. You did it! You won your first Stanley Cup! Granted, only about 7 people nationwide saw it, but you did it! Maybe next year more people will hear that hockey is back. I think 95% of America still believes they are in a lockout. But hey, putting “Thank You Fans” on the ice was a nice start. If I can offer some advice, maybe you should have made a broadcast deal with a channel people actually watch, and one that isn’t buried on the cable box. It’s 75 on my service... kind of hard to flip through channels, looking for something to watch and stumble onto hockey.

4. Slinger and BPDP Get Older
Eric always makes me feel like his grandpa, but for one and a half glorious months, he and I are the same age. And for one and a half months out of the year, BPDP looks like the AARP member.

3. McGone Gets Published
A book I worked on way back at the end of 2004 is finally out. I almost forgot about the damn thing. As for the final product? I like about 60% of it.



2. Land Rover Unveils The Freelander 2... At Least That's What They Tell Me
Apparently, there's a car in these pictures.



1. White Sox Tell The Cardinals To Suck It
And suck it they did, like a hungry piglet at the teet of it’s mama. This series had it all... inter-league play; many, many, many runs for the Good Guys (I mean many, many, many, MANY); a last game script-flip that turned into a low scoring pitching duel; and Ozzie Guillen proving once and for all that he has no filter whatsoever between his brain and his mouth. Mariotti’s a tool, so I’m OK with that. (Best sign last night: “Mariotti Is A British Cigarette”) But for now, enjoy sensitivity training, Ozzie. We’ll wait for you.


Thursday, June 22

Funny sign

Here at my office building, they always have little craft shows, jewelry sidewalk sales, and some themed things. Well on my way in to the office today I saw a sign for this Ethic food luncheon. Well the sign said this: A Taste of Feces. June 23rd I am not even joking, I had to stop and read it 3 times! I had no idea what it was supposed to say either.

Well I just saw the same sign after lunch, and actually saw a guy putting them up, so I read it and it was now fixed and says A Taste of Faces. June 23rd Talk about a bad typo. I am guessing they would not have many people show up!

Pizza Guy


ShawnPizza075
Originally uploaded by eslinger24.
Here is Shawn going out for a delivery....ah to be that slim again. This job was pretty much a cake walk, drive around delivering food and listening to music!

Old Days


Gang
Originally uploaded by eslinger24.
As I promised before...I am starting to scan in some stuff from the old days....

Here is a drawing that Shawn did, people are L-R: Slinger, Jake, Dag and McGone.

A nice combination of our behaviors.

Wednesday, June 21

Birthday Followup: Massacre at the Cell

Yesterday, as mentioned, was BPDP's birthday. And after many margaritas, his big birthday plans were to sit back and watch his boys (The Cardinals) have their way with my boys (The Mighty White Sox).

Oh, Brian, someone up there doesn't like you very much.

For the love of Pete, don't they have a 10-run rule like we did in Little League?

***** UPDATE *****
Sox defeat the Cardinals 13-5. Two day run total for the Sox - 33. Total for the Cards...8. Wow, sorry BPD...your team kind of sucks. - posted by slinger

Happy Birthday, Champ! (Part 2 of 2)



Look who's a big boy today! It's Slinger himself, clocking in today at the big Double 3! Sorry I wasn't able to make you a cake, but here's the picture I drew of you for your 30th birthday - when you get to be older like we are, you realize how important recycling is. So Happy Birthday, Champ... and no matter how old you get, you'll always be a boy wonder to us!

Tuesday, June 20

Shocking New Evidence

I'm surprised by Slinger's earlier photo post poking fun at Scientology, considering the Shocking New Evidence™ I have uncovered. This photo has a note scribbled on the back: "Thanks for all your help with 'The Miracle Baby!' Love TomKat"



** UPDATED - slinger **
As you can tell, I was obviously under some trance when they dragged me to this event. That, my friends, is a drug-induced smirk. I honestly do not have any recollection of even meeting TomKat, but I guess in this day of technology, these pictures do not lie, and must be taken as authentic.
Also, I am shocked that it took this long for this photo to leak on the web, but am more shocked at WHO leaked it! DAMN YOU McGONE!

Tuesday Ramblings

First of all.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIAN!
In celebration of this glorious day, Sirius radio is playing you're theme song.... "Seventeen" by Winger.

Ok, now on to important stuff....

In case anyone cares... The Carolina Hurricanes beat Edmonton last night to win Lord Stanley's Cup. Did anyone watch this year’s playoffs and finals, seriously?? I know I didn't.
I have been working downtown Chicago this week and have to say, I love it! The weather has been great, and it is a nice change from the stuffy office in Hoffman (which I will sadly return to tomorrow). I took some pictures today down here, but really need to use my 35mm SLR to do what I really want to. The small Canon SD450 Digital just doesn’t have the ability to bring out the beauty of the city.

A few things I have noticed taking the train these past 2 days, and walking a few blocks to work...

1. People stink, I mean really badly too. And they are proud of the fact that everyone walking/sitting behind them can smell their sweat from 3 days ago.

2. EVERYBODY has an iPod, or some kind of mp3 player. But I would say 8 out of 10 people are sporting the white Apple ear buds that accompany the iPod.

3. Homeless people, or the street performers, are very bold and not afraid to confront people. Saw this man begging for money and actually following a guy on a phone saying "come on man, one dollar! Hang up and save $1 and give it to me!" He must have followed him almost 2 blocks.

4. All women wear sneakers. Makes sense, better than walking 8 blocks in heels. But sometimes looks funny when a woman has on this really nice business suit, has a diamond the size of a golf ball on her hand, and you look down and see a pair of LIME GREEN Adidas running shoes on. Classy all around, but comfortable before fashion, I know.

Happy Birthday, Champ! (Part 1 of 2)

Special birthday wishes from Team Ramble On go out to our buddy Brian, a.k.a. BPDP. He turns 34 today. For you ladies out there, BPDP is single, and his interests include skiing, flying and MacGyver. Chicago Cub fans need not apply, as he bleeds Cardinal Red.

Take it away, Ponch...

Monday, June 19

Career Guidance

Celebrities just love them some bio-pics, those often times sappy (Patch Adams), not entirely true (The Hurricane, Man On The Moon), award-gathering (Capote, Ray, Walk The Line) biographical movies where some celebrity/average person overcomes some disease/affliction/prison sentence to achieve greatness/make terminally ill children laugh while wearing a clown nose and bedpan.

Playing a real person, particularly one prominent in the public eye, is practically guaranteeing the actor will have his tuxedo handy come award season. Well, that and the inevitable Jay Leno interview where he asks typically groundbreaking questions such as "Did you ever meet [real person] when you were doing this movie?"

When I found this picture the other day, all I could think was "This has to be Steven Seagal's next movie."




He's a priest. Who knows karate. And considering this is an album cover, it's quite possible he sings. If Seagal doesn't lock down the rights to MIKE CRAIN, KARATIST PREACHER, then there is no justice in the world.

Wednesday, June 14

Need we say more?

WELCOME McGONE!

McGone! You made it! Nice post by the way, ZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Kidding. I look forward to some late night drunken posts in the future from you.

For all the ladies, this is THE guy. BPD may think he is THE guy, but he aint.

But for anyone that does not know us, we used to be quite the partying duo! Slinger and McGone. Used to run with Dag and Jake (no need to explain why we don't anymore) Known to leave friends doing bucket shots at BUM'S, only to find them sitting outside in the cold, 20 minutes later, learning they puked all the way to the toilet and fell in it while we were gone. One of us has also been known to leave a path of destruction in his wake, similar to an F2 tornado. Somewhat skilled at hockey, when we actually have time to play. Been known to make others bleed during said hockey.
Whether it be partying in Coal City and yelling at people, smashing pumpkins in Joliet, swimming in the lagoon at NIU (this was Slinger), puking on a charter bus in Chicago, puking on a school bus during a NIU party, (BOTH puking stories are McGone) or watching Dag fall down the stairs during a Turtle Wax party, right before he almost puked on Sinclair's car....we always brought our A game. Now that we are old though...all we have are those nice stories. I may try to scan in some pics of those years, they are quite hilarious.

Anyway, in case you do not know us...he we are, in our glory days: I am on the right!

Tuesday, June 13

Confessions of a Blogging Virgin

Hi, my name is McGone, and I’m a blogging virgin. Oh, I’m familiar with the entire phenomenon of blogging, and I even have several bookmarked blogs I read on a daily basis (no, never at work. That would be... unheard of). But since the inception of this blog, I’ve been content to let Eric do all the work, posting odd news stories and photos or whatever amusing memory falls out of his kid-clogged mind, and I would pipe in with my little comments (usually two kinds: amusing, and not so much). That would make me the “peanut gallery,” if you’re so inclined to use antiquated dialect (or if you are an audience member of the Howdy Doody Show). Now Coach Slinger has called me out of the dugout and is actually putting me in the game, thinking that someday I may accidentally have something funny or useful to say. And someday I may. But for now, here are some Frequently Asked Questions:

Who are you?
My name is Shawn McGuan, and I am a graphic designer for a newspaper and a freelance illustrator, as well as a raconteur, gadfly and occasional layabout.

I’ve known Eric for 16+ years and was the best man in his wedding, as well as godfather to Slinger Rugrats Ryan and Brett. I thought having so much responsibility was an honor, but it’s really just a ploy Mama Slinger Amy uses when they need to move or paint the kitchen. Unfortunately I’m busy those days. And I’ve checked the godfather handbook. No where in there does it say anything about having to help clean out the garage.

Did you know your names rhyme?
Yes, thank you, I am well aware of that. At least that means you are pronouncing it correctly.

Why? How would I mispronounce it?
“McGwin,” “McGowan,” “McGwayne,” and my favorite mispronunciation to date, “McGogwin.” A close second is “McGwami.”

What were your parents thinking when they named you?
Apparently they weren’t, as I just recently asked my mom why she gave me a rhyming name. She was unaware of it to that point, something my girlfriend found highly amusing.

Holy crap, dude! I just googled you - why didn’t you say you have a PhD. and you are the President/CEO of a biomechanic research company?
Wrong Shawn P. McGuan. But I plan on using his credentials at my next class reunion.

So, why “McGone?”
The closest thing I have to a nickname, McGone is my alter ego. He shows up after too many rounds at the bar. Myself and several co-workers have names that tend to lend themselves to drunk euphemisms, oddly enough.

Are you drunk right now?
Unfortunately, I am not.

Why are you here?
Slinger asked me to contribute. Actually, he didn’t ask. He just said I could.

Is Celebrex right for me?
Ask your doctor. Side effects that may occur while taking this medicine include diarrhea, dizziness, indigestion, stomach pain, gas, nausea, or headache. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. Fluid retention has been reported.

**** UPDATE TO CELEBREX INFO ****
May not be right for you:
Rare side effects may include: Allergic reactions, anxiety, belching, blisters in mouth and eyes, blood disorders, blood infections, blurred vision, bone disorders, breast pain, breast problems, bronchitis, cataracts, chest pain, colitis, conjunctivitis (pinkeye), constipation, coughing, cysts, dark-tarry stools, deafness, depression, dermatitis, diabetes, difficult urination, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, drowsiness, dry mouth, dry skin, earache, ear infection, ear ringing, esophageal perforation, eye infection, eye pain, fainting, fatigue, fever, flu symptoms, fungal infection, gallstones, gangrene, general swelling, glaucoma (pressure in the eye), hair loss, heart failure, heart irregularities, hemorrhoids, hepatitis, hernia of the stomach, herpes infection, hives, hot flashes, increased appetite, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, increased muscle tone, increased urination, infection, inflammation of the digestive tract, inflammation of the bladder, inflammation of the blood vessels, intestinal bleeding, intestinal obstruction or perforation, itching, jaundice, joint pain or inflammation, kidney problems, laryngitis, leg cramps, liver problems, loss of appetite, loss of balance, low blood sugar, menstrual disorders, migraine headache, mouth ulcers, muscle ache, nail disorders, neck stiffness, nerve pain, nervousness, nosebleeds, pain, painful urination, pancreatitis, phlebitis, pneumonia, poor coordination, prostate problems, severe diarrhea, severe skin rash and peeling, skin reaction due to sunlight, skin sensitivity, skin tingling, stroke, suicide, sweating, swollen face and throat, taste disturbances, tendonitis, tiredness, tooth disorders, urinary incontinence, urinary tract infections, vaginal problems, vomiting, weakness, weight gain

Pretty much ANYTHING uncomfortable is possible. GOOD LUCK!! -updated by SLINGER

Tuesday Ramble...

And now, a Public Service Announcement:
Use this...

or you will end up with this....

This is not meant to say this is an ugly or unhappy family...I just love the old-ness of this Olan Mills photo I found online, cracks me up.

The Headington Shark
a sculpture situated at 2 New High Street, Headington, Oxford, England, depicting a shark embedded head-first in the roof of the house. The shark first appeared on August 9, 1986. Bill Heine, a local radio presenter who still owns the house, has said "The shark was to express someone feeling totally impotent and ripping a hole in their roof out of a sense of impotence and anger and desperation…
The sculpture, weighing 200 kilogrammes, 25 feet long and made of painted fibreglass, was erected on the 41st anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb on Nagasaki. (wikipedia)

Eslinger baby

Well today Amy had her 32 week check-up. Everything looked good and the baby is moving around alot and heartbeat is good. Now she starts going every 2 weeks, and in 7 weeks, our little Isabel will be here, and our house will be overcome by the colors PINK and PURPLE.

I keep telling her that we need to ask the doctor to do another ultrasound to MAKE SURE it is a girl. I know those things are not 100% accurate, but I would be totally shocked if a boy came out, especially after we were given about 8 bags of girl's baby clothes. I am very excited for my little girl...she will have two older brothers to keep an eye on her. Good for me, bad for her when she gets into high school!

Monday, June 12

Weekend

Well, another Monday.....and how did I start off my Monday when I got to work? I knocked over my half-full cup of water that was left from Friday....Nice. Lucky for me, I am not busy and just happened to clean off my desk on Friday, so nothing got wet.
Had a rough weekend....my youngest son was sick with a high fever and since Amy is 7 months pregnant, I am the one who gets to wake up and hold him all night. Don't get me wrong, I love having him cuddle up to me, but when he cries every hour and there is nothing you can do for him, it gets testing. We think he had Roseola - high fever then a rash, caused by a virus. He ahs the slight rash now, so we will see how it looks tomorrow.
I did manage to get away on Saturday and I took my 2 1/2 yr old to see CARS. It was really good, except he fell asleep with about 20 minutes left in the movie. But he liked it up till then.
One thing about being up all hours of the night, sitting in a rocking chair...you get to watch TV. Well, I watched a few DVD's, actually slept through most of them, 40yr old Virgin, Kill Bill Vol2, when he was sleeping. Last night I was up until about 1 with him, he is feeling better but for some reason last night he would not let me put him down. Anyway.... I got to watch about 3 hours worth of programming on The Discovery channel. I used to love Discovery channel when they showed more educational shows and not reality-type shows. Well last night i watched all about the 2004 Tsunami in Thailand. it was pretty amazing, they were showing a lot of amateur video that was taken of the waves. It's amazing anyone survived that, although something like 270,000 people died, with thousands still listed as missing.
So even though I was up late, I was learning how Tsunami's form and at what force they hit land, due to the shallowing coastline and the techtonic plates rising. After that, they had some show on Krakatoa, fell asleep when it started then put Brett to bed, so I have no info on that.

BLOG POSTINGS...
Well this week I will be starting a new job within AT&T. It is a good move for me, and may require me to work downtown Chicago a few days a month, but that is ok. But as the new job begins, the postings on this blog may be limited for the first few weeks. I will have to wait and see how things go.

Friday, June 9

So in my office building we have this pretty big cafeteria, food's not bad, but pricey. We also have a hair salon and a fitness center. You can also have your dry cleaning done, if need be. As you can tell, pretty big complex. Anyway, all this week in the cafe, the people from the fitness center have had a table up trying to get people to join. And you can enter a drawing to win some nice sports apparel prizes and even an iPod shuffle. Next to their table is this guy promoting organic foods. He has a store near by and is trying to get people to buy organic foods....

Ok, this may not be the best place to promote organic foods, seeing as how the majority of the people in the cafe are getting either a 1/2 lb cheeseburger and fries, or a deep fried calzone! Plus, on the NEXT table, the cafe is giving away complimentary Krispy Kreme donuts! Oh, and they are handing out free candy bars with every purchase at the cashier.

So you have to wonder if they are trying to get people to realize, either....
A) "Wow, I eat like shit, I should be eating organic foods and working out, SIGN ME UP!" or
B) "On top of this fat filled lunch, which by the way will cost you at least $7, I think I will add a light tasty Krispy Kreme delight as my dessert. What's that? A free Reese's peanut butter fudge bar also!? SWEET! "
It's no wonder there are so many big people in the building.

By the way, I sort of followed option B. However I got a fresh deli samich, Turkey breast and Cheddar on a soft sub roll, with vegetable pasta salad. nice and light right? Well I also got said Reese's bar and KK donut! Let's be honest...who am I to pass up free sweets?

Thursday, June 8

Black vs. Seagal - Fight of the Century

Jack Black is so impressed with his own wrestling prowess after training for new movie Nacho Libre he's keen to try out his fighting skills on martial arts action man Steven Seagal. The movie funnyman trained with a real-life Mexican wrestler to play the Spandex-clad hero of the new film - and how he fancies his chances against Seagal. Black tells American magazine Sports Illustrated, "I should take down someone who is strong, so Steven Seagal (would be perfect) - with his ridiculous Indian gear, ponytail and swagger. He's the best fighter in the world in his own mind, so I'll take him down two notches with my Anaconda Squeeze and Face Melter." Black also quips he has developed his own unsavory wrestling move: "The Wind of A Lion is basically a submission hold. You get the guy down, you sit on his face and then you release the lion's wind. That usually spells complete defeat."

Wednesday, June 7

Chatter

So today is Wednesday...only a few more days left till the weekend. Blogger is finally working right, they had issues all day Monday and Tuesday so I have not been able to post anything, and I had some good info too....

6-6-06
Ok, so yesterday was June 6, 2006, whippie. The only weird thing that i saw yesterday was in Major League Baseball. Either this was a total coincidence, or some clever scheduling by the MLB..... yesterday the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (dumbest. name. ever.) played the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. That's right... the Angels vs. the Devil (rays). Clever, I know.

Celebrity junk
I really do not know why the media is making such a HUGE deal about Pitt and Jolie's baby. I guess People magazine paid like $4.1M for the photos, and then later that day they were leaked onto the internet.
From CNN: "Just as People magazine announced it had landed exclusive North American rights to the first pictures of the baby, an image of the newborn Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt and her parents popped up on at least two Web sites as the cover shot for Hello!"
Wow, money well spent by People mag.

Pee-Wee: From ABCNEWS.com - After being shuttered for more than 15 years, the doors to "Pee-wee's Playhouse" are being reopened. The Emmy Award-winning show will get new life on the Cartoon Network's Adult Swim lineup, which will air all 45 original episodes beginning July 10, company officials announced Monday.

Photo of the day
It's a rough world out there, and we all have to work for a living. This just shows that even though you are an evil clone, you still need time to do your grocery shopping like every other working American.

Monday, June 5

Monday

Well it's Monday...again. I had no desire to come to work today, but then again, I never really look forward to coming to work. Anyway, since today is Monday, I am declaring this a Foo Fighter music day. Foo is my favorite band and I figured they could help lift my attitude a little today. I will be shuffling all 5 Foo Albums. (6 if you count the double CD) I also have numerous B-sides and some acoustic stuff, totalling 99 Foo tracks on my iPod, so this should last me most of the day.

Friday, June 2

Friday's Music

Well, it is Friday, and even though this week was a 4 day week, it still seems like it was a LOOOOONG week. Anyway, I had updated my iPod again last night with some more music, thanks to McGone giving me some ideas, and watching The Office.
Songs I added last night:

Dandy Warhols - "Bohemian Like You" - diggin the tune McGone gave me "We Used to Be Friends"
Travis - "Side" - was on Jim's iPod on The Office episode "The Client".
Remy Zero - "Save Me" - had this song a while ago, but lost it. For some reason I thought this was a song by Travis, but after some searching, realized I was wrong.
Stereophonics - "Devil" - after some searching online, found out this was the song in Rescue Me the other night, awesome song.

These songs fall into a category of...well I am not sure really. The bands are kind of like Top 40 hit makers, that normally I would not really pay much attention to. But every once in awhile you hear a song (usually pops up in a TV show) from one of these Top 40 bands and it is really good. But at the same time, the rest of the music is so-so. Almost a One-hit Wonder type of thing. But what do I know, I am not a music specialist, just my opinion.

This morning I was listening to Alice in Chains mix I made, taken from The Music Bank box-set. I wonder how AIC would have done if Layne Staley had not overdosed? - On April 20, 2002, Staley was found dead in his home two weeks post mortem after injecting a mixture of heroin and cocaine known as a "speedball". - Either way, I still love AIC and for some reason this morning, I just had an itchin to hear songs about death! Kidding...but I was in the mood for AIC.

FRIDAY WORK
Man, Friday's suck around here. There are usually a few people gone, which makes it quiet, and the work is slow. This morning however, I was busy. Not to bore anyone with what I do, I will make it short...I create orders in the mainframe for customer equipment, mainly Cisco routers...
Well this morning I had to produce this quote using a Cisco Webtool, which was VERY slooooooow this morning, and kept timing out on me, very annoying. Anyway, this was a huge order, total was like $1.5 Million dollars, big customer. I got it done, then was told by the person who sent it to me "Oh, by the way, you need to split that up, the webtool will not transfer it correctly when it is that big" DAMMIT!! This thing took me over an hour to do, and now I have to start all over. CRIPES!
This is how my group works, they show you how to do something, then after you know how to do it, they change the process, but don't bother telling anyone. So I find out that what I had been doing for a month, is now different, and what I did was wrong...all the while they act as if I am some idiot who should have known about the changes. How am I supposed to know about it if no one communicates? Am I supposed to use osmosis? Anyway, What should have taken me an hour to do, ended up taking over 3 hours. So I just had to vent.

STUPID PEOPLE
Ok, I have to comment on this, it has happened to all of us....stupid comments by stupid people...

- You come inside from lunch, shirt is spotted wet...genius walking by asks "Is it raining out?" - "No actually, I have this condition where my pores sweat individually at different times, and it produces what looks like rain drops on my shirt"
- When someone says "Have you been outside yet?" You say "no headed out now, or soon", Reply from Idiot "you shouldn't go, it's so nice outside you're not going to want to come back." Of course you dont want to come back to work, but why do people have to say this?
RELATED to the above:
- On my way back in to work after lunch, beautiful day out, annoying guy says, "Aren't you headed the wrong way?" My reply "Well I guess so, if I weren't working, but my lunch is over, and since I need money to survive, I have to go this way"
- "This is horrible. Here, try this" Why would I taste something that you said tastes like an ass sandwich?

Have any others? Post a comment and I will add them.

FRIDAY FOTO

Looks like he needs a courtesy wipe!

This is on a building in Germany, somewhere.

Thursday, June 1

Ramblings

June 1, 2006

Today I am listening to Foo Fighters, at least this morning I am... Best of You has got to be one of the best songs ever. There is so much emotion in this song, it blows my mind everytime I listen to it. Even my 2 1/2 yr old likes it, everytime it is on he says "I like this song!"so that is good. Make him a Foo fan early.

Speaking of my oldest son...that little stinker would not go to bed last night. He finally went to bed at 10:45pm, almost 2 hours past his bedtime. He had every excuse to not go to sleep:
- I want mommy
- I want daddy
- I have to go potty
- I want to rock
- I want to lay down
- I want to lay on the couch
I finally had to tell him he was going to bed even if he didn't want to, and I sat at the foot of his bed until he was out. Was a long night.

iPod issues

Yesterday, I hooked up my iPod and I kept getting this "iTunes Photo database corrupt"...first thought...DAMN! Well iTunes kept trying to copy photos to my iPod and when it was done, there were no photos on the iPod. Was an easy fix though, just had to run the latest iPod updater and restart, everything was good! bad thing was that it erased everything off my iPod, and I had some good playlists going. but I can easily create more. So I just transfered all my music on there for today, I will mess with it tonight. I currently have 1984 tracks on my iPod. A lot of those I probably don't listen to all too often, so I will need to clean it up.

Broken Bottle

On Tuesday night I stopped at the grocery store on the way home from work. When I got home, I was carrying the bags in and had to set down the milk in the garage, we have a refrigerator in the garage to hold some of the 3-4 gallons of milk we drink (thanks to the 2 boys under 3yrs of age). When I opened the fridge to put the milk in, the inside shelp of the door fell out, along with it the huge bottle of red wine that was sitting in said shelf. My hands were full so I was unable to even attempt to catch it. The bottle bounced twice (which produced a really weird sound actually) then it shattered. Bottle. Glass. Wine. EVERYWHERE.
Now keep in mind, that half of our garage is used for storage right now.... so as the dark red liquid was flowing along the floor, all I thought of was the mattress that was sitting about 10 feet away. It was about to become a sponge. I threw down 2 towels that happened to be out there, and I saved the mattress. Also a box of baby clothes soaked up a majority of the spill, luckily it did not soak entirely through to the clothes.
I got it all cleaned up finally, the only bad thing is now our garage smells like a bar after a college drinking contest.

Afternoon Music

This afternoon I am listeing to Big Head Todd & The Monsters. Their music is the perfect "warm weather" music. For anyone that is not familiar with them, I would classify them as similar to Dave Matthews Band, but with more rock and blues to it. Very good and highly recommended.
I saw them in concert at Summerfest in Milwaukee in 1999..was with Lance, Lorene and Lorene's ex-boyfriend. They sound great live, especailly since they were on a small stage and we were pretty close.