So, last night we had our weekly little family movie night. We stretch out a big old blanket on the living room floor, and camp out on the floor with our blankets and pillows. Last nights feature was 'Kung Fu Panda', actually a fairly cute movie. Jack Black wasn't nearly as annoying as I thought he'd be, although during the first twenty minutes I was considering closing my eyes and trying to sleep just to avoid hearing his voice. I must admit, I did come around, it had a nice little story to it, and I liked it.
About an hour into KFP, my father in law called to see if I was interested in seeing the new Bond film. C was OK with it, after I helped her get the boys ready for bed, she caught up on all the shows we had on the DVR.
I kinda wish I had sat down with the Casino Royale DVD just to refresh myself with some of the supporting characters, as this film picked up pretty much when and where the last left off. I do think that this was a much better Bond film than the last. Yes, it came with modern style action sequences, but it also snuck in the tradional elements I've come to expect in a 007 movie, exotic locales, sharp, witty dialogue, excellent cinematography, a shaken martini, and just enough camp without being corny.
Grab them Cakes!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Friday, November 07, 2008
Please explain to me...
how a mediocre re-mix of two good rock songs can be a hit on country radio? Werewolves in London, Sweet Home Alabama, two great songs that just don't need anything to do with Kid Rock.
I mean, it's not even as creative as when Run DMC did their version of Mary Mary... I still would like to know why she is buggin'.
What's next Mr. Modern Van Winkle? Stairway to Heaven mixed with I'm Too Sexy? I've got it, how about Rock and Roll All Night sampled with The Freaks Come Out at Night... that'll really sell (out).... what has the music industry come to?
goobers
I mean, it's not even as creative as when Run DMC did their version of Mary Mary... I still would like to know why she is buggin'.
What's next Mr. Modern Van Winkle? Stairway to Heaven mixed with I'm Too Sexy? I've got it, how about Rock and Roll All Night sampled with The Freaks Come Out at Night... that'll really sell (out).... what has the music industry come to?
goobers
Thursday, November 06, 2008
I don't get it...
This is odd... my bag of Sun Chips says that there are approx. eleven servings in this bag... I counted only two...
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Random Rants
I like my DVR - I hate football.
Let me 'splain... actually, you've probably already figured it out. I'm two episodes behind on The Unit. We have the DVR set to record the show, because the boys aren't old enough to watch it, but when they're asleep, we catch up on all of our grown-up TV... that is unless a game runs long, and pushes the entire evening's line up back. Actually, I think I'm more aggrevated with the network, honestly has there ever been a game, above the high school level, that was completed in the alotted 3 hours? Schedule a half-hour cushion for extended play. And if for some reason the game finishes at the 3hour and 2minute mark, well you've got a whole 28 minutes left for post-game analysis, where you can thrill me with your thoughts on life.
Could the news readers on the networks please just do that... read the news... I don't need, nor do I want your opinion... You want ratings? Or, at least me to watch with any interest? Give me in depth analysis, not editorial, I'll make my mind up myself, Thank you.
Who am I kidding, after working in news, I know that there will always be an agenda, in every report, on every subject.
Consider the source... read up on the subject... cite multiple sources...
I think I just went from ranting, to assigning myself homework.
ah... Let a hint to wise be sufficient.
Let me 'splain... actually, you've probably already figured it out. I'm two episodes behind on The Unit. We have the DVR set to record the show, because the boys aren't old enough to watch it, but when they're asleep, we catch up on all of our grown-up TV... that is unless a game runs long, and pushes the entire evening's line up back. Actually, I think I'm more aggrevated with the network, honestly has there ever been a game, above the high school level, that was completed in the alotted 3 hours? Schedule a half-hour cushion for extended play. And if for some reason the game finishes at the 3hour and 2minute mark, well you've got a whole 28 minutes left for post-game analysis, where you can thrill me with your thoughts on life.
Could the news readers on the networks please just do that... read the news... I don't need, nor do I want your opinion... You want ratings? Or, at least me to watch with any interest? Give me in depth analysis, not editorial, I'll make my mind up myself, Thank you.
Who am I kidding, after working in news, I know that there will always be an agenda, in every report, on every subject.
Consider the source... read up on the subject... cite multiple sources...
I think I just went from ranting, to assigning myself homework.
ah... Let a hint to wise be sufficient.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Chapter 3 - Getting to Know You
So, we've purchased the car, transfered the tags and called the insurance company to add it to our policy. Now, its time to figure out where to put the essentials: sunglasses, sunscreen, first-aid kit, anti-bacterial hand sanitizer, etc.
On to the tunes. Time to set the FM pre-sets, AM pre-sets, and load in the CDs... this is a little bitter sweet, this is the first car I've had that came with a CD player, 6-disc in dash actually, no need for a Discman and an adapter, which is way cool right... I've gotten a chance to rifle through my discs and pick some that I haven't listened to in quite some time...
But, now I don't have any way of enjoying my old cassettes. Sure I have a home stereo with a cassette deck, but honestly, it hasn't been played in over a year... and I have a ghetto blaster on a shelf at work, but to turn around and swap cassettes while working, that just doesn't happen. Not to mention the sound quality... the crystal clear digital sound on CD is far superior to that of analog... which has always been a nice theory, except that it has always been too crystal clear, too stunningly perfect... to the point where it sounds too artificial.
I kinda like tape hiss, its like an old blanket on an old couch, it may not be perfect, pretty or clean, but its cozy, warm, and comfortable and I like having it around.
But, on the plus side... this car came with the stereo and AC controls on the steering wheel... I never thought that I would like that feature, but I really do... to the point where I have trouble finding the matching controls on the dash.
stay tuned...
On to the tunes. Time to set the FM pre-sets, AM pre-sets, and load in the CDs... this is a little bitter sweet, this is the first car I've had that came with a CD player, 6-disc in dash actually, no need for a Discman and an adapter, which is way cool right... I've gotten a chance to rifle through my discs and pick some that I haven't listened to in quite some time...
But, now I don't have any way of enjoying my old cassettes. Sure I have a home stereo with a cassette deck, but honestly, it hasn't been played in over a year... and I have a ghetto blaster on a shelf at work, but to turn around and swap cassettes while working, that just doesn't happen. Not to mention the sound quality... the crystal clear digital sound on CD is far superior to that of analog... which has always been a nice theory, except that it has always been too crystal clear, too stunningly perfect... to the point where it sounds too artificial.
I kinda like tape hiss, its like an old blanket on an old couch, it may not be perfect, pretty or clean, but its cozy, warm, and comfortable and I like having it around.
But, on the plus side... this car came with the stereo and AC controls on the steering wheel... I never thought that I would like that feature, but I really do... to the point where I have trouble finding the matching controls on the dash.
stay tuned...
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Chapter 2 - Car shopping
So, after a week without a car... two weeks with a rental... a week or so test driving a different car just about every day... my adventure continues...
The first car that I test drove was a 2007 Mercury Montego Premier, think fancy Taurus, a rather nice car indeed. A bit more than we are comfortable spending right now... and speaking of comfortable... this car scared me a little, in the sense that it was just a little too plush for my commute. This car felt like my favorite recliner... at 65mph on the highway, way too comfy.
On we go to a 2008 Fusion SE, with a 24v V6... New car, same engine as was in my Taurus. Not bad idea, same power, smaller and lighter car. Aside from that though, nothing to write home about... no other options really, and I'm not really crazy about cloth seating, they are just not as comfortable to me, and they are harder to clean (and honestly, they looked a little cheap).... and it is Arrest Me Red in color, no thanks.
Next is a 2006 Taurus... decent car, clean, relatively low mileage for the year... but again cloth interior... and the base V6, which really is rather pedestrian for the weight of the car. Too similar to what I had, yet not similar enough. I am sure that had we purchased it, I would have critiqued that car against the qualities of the previous taurus. I just know that I would never have been satisfied with it.
So we're still searching online for a better match. C had suggested the car that had topped the original wish list, the one that got away as it were. A 2007 Mercury Milan Premier, fully optioned with leather, but with a 4 cylinder engine. With gas hovering at $4 a gallon, an improvement in fuel economy might be a nice thing right now, especially now that we will be taking on an unexpected car payment. I had previously owned a Mustang that came with the base 4cylinder, no race horse by any stretch, or fancy for that matter, but solid and reliable. I had it for eight years and put over 100k miles on it without issue, so I can live with a 4 cylinder.
Well, there were no used Fusions on the lot, no used Milans either. I don't fit into a Focus (and thankfully neither do two car seats), and gas is too expensive to even think about a truck, SUV, crossover, or Crown Vic. So I'm really beginning to pull my hair out at this point.
Oh, most of you already know that the reason that I'm so Ford minded is that by nature, I don't really trust car dealers, salesmen, etc. with the only exception being my uncle. So, if he can't service it, I don't want it. Even the chevy I had, I bought from him... but when it needed parts... well, that just made me come back to Ford.
So, it is at this point that I go to the main site of the group that my uncle's dealership is now a part of, ribbit ribbit. Well, if they still have it in stock (see Chapter #1's complaint about their webmaster), there is a Fusion at the autoplex... I make an inquiry, my cousin checks on its availablity, and has it brought down for me to have a look the next day.
So, I pick up the Fusion, it is clean, has leather, and rides suprisingly well for a 4cylinder. It is actually the first Ford that I've driven that doesn't really feel all that Ford-like, which is I guess sort of a compliment albeit back-handed. I kind of assumed that a Fusion would feel like a modern Tempo, Fairmont, of Maverick, just a few less than stellar examples of wasted steel and plastic. I must admit that I was wrong, it actually reminded me more of an old friends 84 Honda Accord, but a 21st century take on it.
And the seats... black leather with contrasting white stitching... looks, feels and smells just like my old baseball mitt.
The first car that I test drove was a 2007 Mercury Montego Premier, think fancy Taurus, a rather nice car indeed. A bit more than we are comfortable spending right now... and speaking of comfortable... this car scared me a little, in the sense that it was just a little too plush for my commute. This car felt like my favorite recliner... at 65mph on the highway, way too comfy.
On we go to a 2008 Fusion SE, with a 24v V6... New car, same engine as was in my Taurus. Not bad idea, same power, smaller and lighter car. Aside from that though, nothing to write home about... no other options really, and I'm not really crazy about cloth seating, they are just not as comfortable to me, and they are harder to clean (and honestly, they looked a little cheap).... and it is Arrest Me Red in color, no thanks.
Next is a 2006 Taurus... decent car, clean, relatively low mileage for the year... but again cloth interior... and the base V6, which really is rather pedestrian for the weight of the car. Too similar to what I had, yet not similar enough. I am sure that had we purchased it, I would have critiqued that car against the qualities of the previous taurus. I just know that I would never have been satisfied with it.
So we're still searching online for a better match. C had suggested the car that had topped the original wish list, the one that got away as it were. A 2007 Mercury Milan Premier, fully optioned with leather, but with a 4 cylinder engine. With gas hovering at $4 a gallon, an improvement in fuel economy might be a nice thing right now, especially now that we will be taking on an unexpected car payment. I had previously owned a Mustang that came with the base 4cylinder, no race horse by any stretch, or fancy for that matter, but solid and reliable. I had it for eight years and put over 100k miles on it without issue, so I can live with a 4 cylinder.
Well, there were no used Fusions on the lot, no used Milans either. I don't fit into a Focus (and thankfully neither do two car seats), and gas is too expensive to even think about a truck, SUV, crossover, or Crown Vic. So I'm really beginning to pull my hair out at this point.
Oh, most of you already know that the reason that I'm so Ford minded is that by nature, I don't really trust car dealers, salesmen, etc. with the only exception being my uncle. So, if he can't service it, I don't want it. Even the chevy I had, I bought from him... but when it needed parts... well, that just made me come back to Ford.
So, it is at this point that I go to the main site of the group that my uncle's dealership is now a part of, ribbit ribbit. Well, if they still have it in stock (see Chapter #1's complaint about their webmaster), there is a Fusion at the autoplex... I make an inquiry, my cousin checks on its availablity, and has it brought down for me to have a look the next day.
So, I pick up the Fusion, it is clean, has leather, and rides suprisingly well for a 4cylinder. It is actually the first Ford that I've driven that doesn't really feel all that Ford-like, which is I guess sort of a compliment albeit back-handed. I kind of assumed that a Fusion would feel like a modern Tempo, Fairmont, of Maverick, just a few less than stellar examples of wasted steel and plastic. I must admit that I was wrong, it actually reminded me more of an old friends 84 Honda Accord, but a 21st century take on it.
And the seats... black leather with contrasting white stitching... looks, feels and smells just like my old baseball mitt.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Thursday, July 31, 2008
The Adventures of Ford Fusion... chapter one
No, this is not a scoop about a long awaited sequel to one of my all time favorite stupid movies... no, the Diceman does not cometh...
No, actually, this is my account of my search for my newly purchased automobile. Newly purchased, not purchased new... I'm nothing if not down-right miserly when it comes to big ticket purchases, and I refuse to take the big hit of depreciation that comes with a brand spankin new car, if I can help it. I wasn't even in the market for a car, perfectly comfortable driving my eight year old Taurus, (and with routine maintainence, it probably could have gone at least another 100,000 miles), that is of course until it was wrecked by a lady who could neither see it, nor the big Yield sign that she had... but that is another story.
Buzz- "Have you discovered crystallic fusion... or are your people still using fossil fuels?"
Woody- "We've got AAs."
really that has nothing to do with this post, except for the word fusion, but as most of you know... well, that is how my brain works... random free association.
Anywho...
So, I need transportation. I hop online and search the inventory of my trusted dealer. We're in luck, there are a half dozen or so clean nearly new cars that might work. Big enough to comfortably fit my six foot frame, as well as the rest of the family, yet small enough to get respectable gas mileage.
So we head on down to the dealership and talk. Well, it turns out the car at the top of my list had just been sold. OK, on to the next, and the next... it turns out, this is a terrible market to shop for a car... you want a truck? Dozens of them available in all shapes and sizes.... SUV more your style? More than enough to choose from... Crossover? We've got them too! ...but a car, a regular old car, a little more difficult to find. It makes sense, I understand it, gas has been hovering at $4 per gallon long enough to change the market. It doesn't mean that I'm any less frustrated, because even though I'm a bit of a tight wad, I'm still pretty picky about what I'll spend my money on. Especially when it comes down to the obvious, I plan on driving my choice for at least eight to ten years, and that is a long time to tolerate even the tiniest of annoyances.
So, after discovering that the webmaster is great about adding newly arrived cars to the site in a timely fashion... he's just not as diligent about removing vehicles when they've been sold. On the plus side, I guess I've got decent taste, because there are at least five other people that like the same cars that caught my interest.
Well, now I'm starting to think I may end up looking at a new vehicle, and the trade-offs that come with them. Higher cost, immediate depreciation, and the annoyance of the first time some lazy, inconsiderate idiot bumps it with a grocery cart and leaves a nick that I'll notice every day for the next eight years...
But I keep searching, I link over to one of the sister dealerships within the group... Aha, there is a car that might be worth looking into... if it is, in fact, still in stock... one year old, low miles, and similar equipment to the first car that was on my list... I make a call, they check on its availability, and bring it in, give it the full once over and let me drive it for a couple of days...
No, actually, this is my account of my search for my newly purchased automobile. Newly purchased, not purchased new... I'm nothing if not down-right miserly when it comes to big ticket purchases, and I refuse to take the big hit of depreciation that comes with a brand spankin new car, if I can help it. I wasn't even in the market for a car, perfectly comfortable driving my eight year old Taurus, (and with routine maintainence, it probably could have gone at least another 100,000 miles), that is of course until it was wrecked by a lady who could neither see it, nor the big Yield sign that she had... but that is another story.
Buzz- "Have you discovered crystallic fusion... or are your people still using fossil fuels?"
Woody- "We've got AAs."
really that has nothing to do with this post, except for the word fusion, but as most of you know... well, that is how my brain works... random free association.
Anywho...
So, I need transportation. I hop online and search the inventory of my trusted dealer. We're in luck, there are a half dozen or so clean nearly new cars that might work. Big enough to comfortably fit my six foot frame, as well as the rest of the family, yet small enough to get respectable gas mileage.
So we head on down to the dealership and talk. Well, it turns out the car at the top of my list had just been sold. OK, on to the next, and the next... it turns out, this is a terrible market to shop for a car... you want a truck? Dozens of them available in all shapes and sizes.... SUV more your style? More than enough to choose from... Crossover? We've got them too! ...but a car, a regular old car, a little more difficult to find. It makes sense, I understand it, gas has been hovering at $4 per gallon long enough to change the market. It doesn't mean that I'm any less frustrated, because even though I'm a bit of a tight wad, I'm still pretty picky about what I'll spend my money on. Especially when it comes down to the obvious, I plan on driving my choice for at least eight to ten years, and that is a long time to tolerate even the tiniest of annoyances.
So, after discovering that the webmaster is great about adding newly arrived cars to the site in a timely fashion... he's just not as diligent about removing vehicles when they've been sold. On the plus side, I guess I've got decent taste, because there are at least five other people that like the same cars that caught my interest.
Well, now I'm starting to think I may end up looking at a new vehicle, and the trade-offs that come with them. Higher cost, immediate depreciation, and the annoyance of the first time some lazy, inconsiderate idiot bumps it with a grocery cart and leaves a nick that I'll notice every day for the next eight years...
But I keep searching, I link over to one of the sister dealerships within the group... Aha, there is a car that might be worth looking into... if it is, in fact, still in stock... one year old, low miles, and similar equipment to the first car that was on my list... I make a call, they check on its availability, and bring it in, give it the full once over and let me drive it for a couple of days...
Sunday, July 13, 2008
So, I'm sitting in the credit union...
getting a pre-approval for an auto loan. Well, I'm waiting patiently for the clerk to finish processing all the forms and figures.... It's a nice office, the muzak is tuned to a classic rock station which is great... but, as most of you know, I am a bit of a daydreamer, and anything that could possibly relate to an old TV show or movie usually triggers the scene in my brain...
meanwhile.... back at the credit union.... well, everything is going great, the clerk is going over some of the figures with me... and I notice the muzak is now playing... 'Everybody's working for the Weekend'.... great song, what's the problem, you say?... well, at some point I notice that I'm just ever so slightly bobbing my head to the music... and then the tempo of the song and my head nodding ring in the thought... where have I seen something with this great song in it?
And then it hits me... while this real nice professional and friendly lady is confirming my interest rate, and I should be paying closer attention... at this point I am just hearing her voice, not so much the words... blankly staring at the pre-approval letter.... and my biggest hope is that she doesn't peace together the song... the bobbing of my head... my blank stare at the page and my pained attempt to hold in hysterical laughter....
have you figured it out?
need a hint?
two words
Chris Farley
I felt like I could be in a scene of The Office... professional setting, serious business... and I'm some flake who can't concentrate because a nearly twenty year old scene from Saturday Night Live is making me fight down, with every fiber of my being, an uncontrolable giggling fit.
and this is the story of my life... a thirty something goof-ball... in stunning technicolor...
Good Day... I said, Good Day!
meanwhile.... back at the credit union.... well, everything is going great, the clerk is going over some of the figures with me... and I notice the muzak is now playing... 'Everybody's working for the Weekend'.... great song, what's the problem, you say?... well, at some point I notice that I'm just ever so slightly bobbing my head to the music... and then the tempo of the song and my head nodding ring in the thought... where have I seen something with this great song in it?
And then it hits me... while this real nice professional and friendly lady is confirming my interest rate, and I should be paying closer attention... at this point I am just hearing her voice, not so much the words... blankly staring at the pre-approval letter.... and my biggest hope is that she doesn't peace together the song... the bobbing of my head... my blank stare at the page and my pained attempt to hold in hysterical laughter....
have you figured it out?
need a hint?
two words
Chris Farley
I felt like I could be in a scene of The Office... professional setting, serious business... and I'm some flake who can't concentrate because a nearly twenty year old scene from Saturday Night Live is making me fight down, with every fiber of my being, an uncontrolable giggling fit.
and this is the story of my life... a thirty something goof-ball... in stunning technicolor...
Good Day... I said, Good Day!
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
More Tunes to batter the brain...
This is a game we play at work. We either trade annoying song titles, with the hope that we will no longer suffer alone with them playing in just our own brain... or so that we can shake one turd tune loose with a slightly less agrivating one offered up in it's place...
Yesterday, my boss had a Leif Garrett song stuck in his brain (he had been helping his wife load her mp3 player, and she had this particular gem)... I thank God that it didn't bore its way into my head, I honestly can't even think of the title, I fought it off with Don't worry, Be happy... and a side of Party all the Time...
Question... is everyone still talkin' bout MC Brains?
Yesterday, my boss had a Leif Garrett song stuck in his brain (he had been helping his wife load her mp3 player, and she had this particular gem)... I thank God that it didn't bore its way into my head, I honestly can't even think of the title, I fought it off with Don't worry, Be happy... and a side of Party all the Time...
Question... is everyone still talkin' bout MC Brains?
Thursday, July 03, 2008
The Latest Tune that is Stuck in my Brain...
Jerry Reed...
When You're Hot, You're Hot... When You're Not, You're Not!
Try to shake that one loose from your cortex... as always, you're welcome!
When You're Hot, You're Hot... When You're Not, You're Not!
Try to shake that one loose from your cortex... as always, you're welcome!
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Joy, and Pain...
Rob Bass and DJ EZRock? Anywho, that's the tune that has been stuck in my brain for the past two days.... and know it just might be in your brain right now..... you're welcome.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
I'm a Liar...
let me explain...
So this morning I made waffles for the boys and myself, whole grain with bits of real strawberries in each one. They were wonderful, but I had to lie to the boys and tell them that they had little candy bits in each one, that was the only way that they would even taste them. I hate to even think it for fear of sounding like my dad, but when I was their age, real fruit in or on any meal was enough to get me interested.
Why is it that my kids always seem to have room for candy, but are full and can't eat another bite when it something halfway healthy on the table? I guess maybe its because we don't eat that much candy in our house, they are kind of like seagulls when their is anything heavy with sugar on the counter.
oh, btw.... totally off topic.......... GO CAPS!!!
So this morning I made waffles for the boys and myself, whole grain with bits of real strawberries in each one. They were wonderful, but I had to lie to the boys and tell them that they had little candy bits in each one, that was the only way that they would even taste them. I hate to even think it for fear of sounding like my dad, but when I was their age, real fruit in or on any meal was enough to get me interested.
Why is it that my kids always seem to have room for candy, but are full and can't eat another bite when it something halfway healthy on the table? I guess maybe its because we don't eat that much candy in our house, they are kind of like seagulls when their is anything heavy with sugar on the counter.
oh, btw.... totally off topic.......... GO CAPS!!!
Monday, February 11, 2008
Birthday one-liner
Normally, celebrity birthdays don't really capture my attention, but today... for some reason I heard them on the morning news as I was getting out of bed... so Happy Birthday Bandit, er, I mean Mr. Reynolds.... and Tina, the movie star Ginger, Louise...
But moving right along, so several minutes later... I'm in the car on the way to work, listening to the radio... patiently waiting for the 80's at eight... and this is where I caught the celebrity birthdays yet again... I was about to flip the station, but wait:
female DJ: "Celbrating birthdays today, Burt Reynolds is 72, Tina Louise, who played Ginger on Gilligan's Island, is 74 today, Leslie Nielson of the Naked Gun movies...
male DJ: "Leslie Nielson! Leslie Nielson! ... he's like the Ric Flair of acting!"
It was a this point that I not only laughed out loud, but probably made the folks in the car next to me eerily uncomfortable, what with my Rain Man like outburst... and all I could think of was is this DJ somehow related to our dear old friend Pooh.
"...You are the man, Leslie Nielson! You are It!"
But moving right along, so several minutes later... I'm in the car on the way to work, listening to the radio... patiently waiting for the 80's at eight... and this is where I caught the celebrity birthdays yet again... I was about to flip the station, but wait:
female DJ: "Celbrating birthdays today, Burt Reynolds is 72, Tina Louise, who played Ginger on Gilligan's Island, is 74 today, Leslie Nielson of the Naked Gun movies...
male DJ: "Leslie Nielson! Leslie Nielson! ... he's like the Ric Flair of acting!"
It was a this point that I not only laughed out loud, but probably made the folks in the car next to me eerily uncomfortable, what with my Rain Man like outburst... and all I could think of was is this DJ somehow related to our dear old friend Pooh.
"...You are the man, Leslie Nielson! You are It!"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
