Not Usually a Fan

I am not usually a fan of baseball.  It is just too slow of a game to keep my attention...especially on TV.  I am sure it has its nuances and fine/subtle aspects that I am not picking up - I'm not arguing that.  I'm sure people that love baseball can see all these things in it that I don't, I'm just saying that it is usually not a sport for me.  Games are better live than on TV.  When I go to a game, I do try to follow the game but I don't go often enough to really get into the sport of the individual members of the team.  So I cheer for the home team but don't get too invested into the whole thing.

Every once in a while, when I do get to take in an Iowa Cubs game, I always enjoy it.  However, baseball is only a minor part of the experience for me.  I like getting out with friends, enjoying a nice day or evening, watching people fight over blasted t-shirts or hot dogs and eating an awesomely grilled hot dog and some peanuts.  While this is happening, baseball is being played in the background.

Silky O'Sullivans on Beale Street

I hadn't had an opportunity to take in a I-Cubs game this summer.  So last week when I was in Memphis and the I-Cubs happened to be playing the Memphis Redbirds a couple blocks from my hotel, I decided to head down and check it out.  I had already walked around downtown Memphis quite a bit and my feet were getting tired and I just wasn't in the mood to hang out watching blues bands all night.

Photo courtesy of Hillary Stein @ flickr

However, it seemed like a waste to be in Memphis and just get a ballpark dog, so I headed to Silky O'Sullivan's where I had early been tempted by the Silky Dog sign.  I wasn't sure what a Silky Dog was, but figured that at least I would be trying something culturally new.  The menu described it as "scored and char-grilled with Silky's Special Slaw on the side."  I wasn't sure what that all meant but baseball puts me in the mood for a good dog, so I was willing to give it a shot.  It ended up being a hot dog that was slit halfway through every quarter inch or so...it was like an accordion almost...then grilled so that it had some slight char.  I like char so wish it had been grilled a little longer but it was pretty darn tasty.  I might experiment with this technique at home as it did offer an interesting texture and I think if you threw in some spices it might be excellent.  It will probably deep fry really good too...mmm, things to try.  I am excited for all the HD possibilities. The slaw was slaw.  I didn't see much special about it - it was good, maybe a touch vinegary but good.

After my Silky Dog and some piano at Silky's I headed over to the stadium.  I was late.  It was the bottom of the first inning.  I was shocked that there was still a line of about 10 people waiting to buy tickets.  It was HOT out  112 degree heat index.  I didn't really expect a big crowd.  Oh wait, there is only one person working the ticket booth (and that person didn't seem too competent).  So I look around and find some guy scalping tickets.  I don't usually buy from scalpers (in fact this is only the second time) because I believe in the money going to the people that put on the show, but I was looking at standing in line for another 20 minutes to get to the front of the ticket booth.  So I hit up cracky across the street.

"How about you give me $10 for this ticket right here...that's a good price"
"$10? That's face value - it says so right there...I can walk across the street and get the seat next to this for $10.  I'll give you $5."
"I don't think I can do $5...How about $8 but that's robbing food from my family."
"I need to eat too...and there is no one else buying tickets...I"ll give you $7."
"Deal."

I head into the park and was right...there is a tiny crowd.  They announce paid attendance at 4,800 but there probably wasn't more than 400 people there.  It was sparse.  The park was really nice but had a completely different feel than the hometown stadium.  The Redbirds' stadium, AutoZone Park is about 3000 seats larger than the I-Cubs' Principal Park, but the Principal Park feels much more airy and open.  The Memphis stadium is surrounded by office buildings...it just doesn't have the blue sky openness that Principal Park has.

I grabbed an ice cream and headed to my seat.  I was pleasantly surprised to see the I-Cubs were winning 1-0.  I know it is probably not a fair representation since I maybe go to one or two games a year, but when I do the I-Cubs always lose are have really low scores (except for that one time and the Rally-Yak.  I'm still not sure what that was all about but I like the Rally Yak).  The I-Cubs continued to score and play well - shutting down the Redbirds like it was easy.  The fans were turning a little ugly...instead of cheering their team, they were booing the I-Cubs.  With the exception of a home run in the 2nd, the Redbirds were not able to score while Iowa scored at least once each inning...until the sixth.

Top of the 6th and the score is 7-1, I-Cubs are dominating every part of the game and are just coming off a nice homer in the 5th.  I figured that the I-Cubs would come in fired up, but they were not able to handle the replacement Redbird pitcher.  The I-Cubs get a single and three pop flys outs.  It is the first inning that they didn't score.  Memphis comes back with a homer.  The seventh inning is scoreless for both but the Redbirds rule the eighth inning with 2 runs.

The I-Cubs got into the ninth with a score 7-3, and they start out strong with a double.  The runner advances to third on a ground out but is tagged out at home on the next play.  With a runner on both first and second, the Cubs end a scoreless on a strikeout.  Still they are up by 4 runs...and the most runs that Memphis has been able to get in an inning is two.  Many of the fans have left at this time, it should be no problem for Iowa to finish off the Redbirds right?  Not quite.  Memphis singles, then Iowa walks the batter.  With runners on first and second, Iowa gains a strikeout and then a pop out.  Two runners, two outs...and we walk another batter.  Bases are now loaded....and Memphis hits a Grand Slam Home Run to win the game.  Really?  A grand slam to win it?  It was the most exciting baseball game that I had ever seen.  The Memphis fans loved it of course.  Good game Memphis, way to hang in there.  If baseball was more interesting like this more often, I would probably be a bigger fan.

Thanks Delta - It's a Start

Last week, I was in Memphis, TN on business.  I hadn't had a chance to fly for a about a year so I was pretty happy to get to travel a little (I love to fly, and it shows).  However, upon arrive at my gate I was disappointed to see all the HUGE carry-on bags that most travelers were toting.  I try to travel light and only had one small duffel bag and my kindle.

Your bag should fit here...and not
look like an overstuffed
sausage.

Some travelers had bags that were the pretty darn close to the text fixture...but were just over by an inch because of the handle or the wheels or whatever.  These people don't bother me.  The people that annoy me are the ones who's bag may have fit in the check fixture at one time, but with the 3 various expansion zippers unfurled and packed to near bursting levels - this bag is now twice as wide as it is supposed to be and there is no way that it will fit in the regulations.  Come on, your bag looks like a fat lady in spandex...it shouldn't bulge like that and I think any second that zipper could blow.   But at least their bag started at the right size...or nearly.  There were also several people who are packing a near full-size suitcase and trying to insist it is a carry-on.  I am not sure how some of these bags made it through security because it had to be a tight squeeze to  fit through the x-ray scanner.  Many were also toting more than one of these monstrous bags.  Which seemed like a lot more trouble that what it cost to check a bag.

I know that the fee for checking bags sucks, but I am sick of not having storage room for my small bag because your big ass bags are taking up way more space that they are supposed to.  Most airlines have nearly identical rules:

• One carry-on bag that measures 22"x14"x9" or smaller and 
• One smaller personal item like a laptop or a purse.  

Easy right? I am following the rules, so why should I always have to fight for space?  Yes, my bag is probably small enough that I could probably fit it under the seat in front of me, but why should I have to sacrifice my legroom for your bags?  My ticket cost the same as yours.  Pay the $25 and check your suitcase.

I applaud the Delta Airlines employees who were automatically making the customer gate-check the grossly over-sized bags and the double bags that people were carrying.  It was a very good start to help the situation and a change that is much welcomed by me.  I had the easiest time finding overhead storage that I have had in years.  Good job Delta.  I think you should go further (Baby steps, Bob) and make everyone use the check fixture and if it doesn't fit, it gets checked because these people just slow everyone down wasting 10 minutes trying to stuff their bag into a space that wasn't designed to take it.  Just like the OJ trial - if it doesn't fit, you must check it.  Thank you Delta, it was a small change made the flying experience so much better better (which I haven't been able to say in quite a while).

Karaoke as Promotion

I may not sing karaoke often (or well) but I listen a lot.

I've heard great karaoke, funny karaoke, horrible karaoke...and everything in between.  The great thing about karaoke is the variety of songs.  Sure, you hear a lot of the same stuff - Don MacLean's American Pie, Toby Keith's I Love This Bar, Gloria Gaynor's I Will Survive, and Picture by Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow (or worse yet the parody).  You suffer through...distract yourself with your drink or food.  But almost every time - there is at least one song that makes me think "Oh, what's this?" or ""Man, I forgot about this song."  Karaoke has inspired me to buy a lot of music and investigate a lot of artists and bands that I hadn't heard of before.

I think karaoke is great for introducing people to new music and reminding them of old songs.  My problem is that the place rarely has the song I want to sing - sure they will have thousands and thousands of songs but they always seem to be missing the exact song I want.  They'll have Harvey Danger - Flag Pole Sitta but not Little Round Mirrors, they will have Megadeth Trust, but not Symphony of Destruction.

Even worse (and I can't blame the venues since they have to buy the songs, but still it's disappointing), they don't have the obscure and small time bands that I think are awesome and would love to introduce to people.  I always wish that more small time and beginning bands would release karaoke versions of their songs for the fans to download and take to their local karaoke establishment.  I would love to have sing some Speed McQueen, Jupiter Sunrise, or 2 Skinnee Js.  There is tons of music that I would love to sing that most people haven't heard...and I am sure many others have some obscure song that they would like to share with the world.  I wouldn't worry about the quality, I've heard really awful renditions and later looked them up to see what it should sound like.  Any publicity is good publicity right?

Just and idea that I have had stewing in my brain for years...now get on it indie bands.

The End of a Era

Saturday marked a sad day in sports history - a titan has fallen, a dynasty has crumbled, and an era had ended.  Upon the announcement of the news, world economies plummeted and fans everywhere were left with the dark depression of having nothing more to live for.  It is with a heavy heart that I bring you the news that CT and I were unable to win to keep the vaunted SLAEROWYCOT - Soar Like An Eagle Rock Out With Your Cock Out Trophy.  The loss of the trophy has left a gaping hole in my soul.

How could this happen?  It was a conspiracy.  Not even kidding.  Just check out these rules...posted mere handful of days before the tournament.  I was disappointed in these rules.

Yes, that is right...I was singled-out and specifically had rules created against me.  I must admit, this is the first time that I have ever been considered a threat in any sport.  I guess that makes me feel better about it...to be perceived as a great enough danger to warrant severe handicaps.  This for the person who was nearly always the last picked in gym class.  Actually, these rules make me sad...I understand that it is supposed to be a mixed partner tournament and that by having two male teammates that we might have an advantage...but if anything, that advantage was very slight.  It makes me sad that the females are considered to be so much less as competitors.  I contend that many of the females in the tournament were taller, more athletic, and more competitive than me (I am a poor specimen of manliness).  I don't see gender as being that big of a difference.  It seems extreme making both members of a same-sex team play non-dominant hand.  To me that shows that the view on women is that not only are they incompetent themselves, but also a hindrance to their partner.  I just don't believe that a woman on the team is that much of a handicap.

Yes, it is taken seriously.

Hosts: The Albers - ready for action

However, I do believe that my non-drinking did play factor in last year's tournament.  I can see making that a handicap.  Last year was so hot, that most people drank A LOT of alcohol...not just normal party amounts of alcohol.  Huge amounts.  The tournament also lasted a long time.  This lead to much drunkness on most teams.  I am not saying that it is the reason we won the tournament, because CT and I had a strategy and adapted match to match...we were just good, but being non-drunk did offer some advantage in later rounds.  However, once again this handicap applied to both players...even though one was drinking.

The handicaps this year - since they affected both members of our team were just too much to overcome.  If one of us had to play left-handed, we might have had some kind of chance.  Even if we had to flip a coin to determine which of us would play left-handed.  Both of us lefties, gave us no chance at all.  We were a little bitter at first.  Play was very strange...left hand was weaker, constantly felt awkward, and threw off every part of our game from balance to hand-eye coordination. I must apologize to CT for my play.  CT actually played decent left-handed.  He said that it actually makes sense because batting in baseball and a golf swing both use the left hand for power with the right being more for guidance.  Oh, that explains it...I don't have those athletic skills to fall back on.  I played awful...especially my serve.  You wouldn't think it would be that difficult but for me it was.  I probably cost our team every match because of my serving.

Grade A Douchebags

Although we lost each match pretty handily, we did put up a valiant effort...never getting left in the dust, but never being able to string together enough of a point streak to overcome.  We did win one match in a best of 3 series...but that was the highlight of our playing, the rest we lowlights - really low.

One consolation (if I am thinking of the right people) was that the winners were a couple that just moved into a new home a short time ago and now are facing being flooded if one of the levees in Western Iowa doesn't hold up.  They probably needed some happiness...and an Eagle trophy is great for that.  So congrats on that...hope you don't lose everything.

CT and I did, however, look fabulous.  We decided to be classy this year and went with Wimbledon White.  I was looking sexy in a white dress.  Yes, it is a little weird asking your girlfriend if she will go dress shopping with you...for you.  Luckily, Angie is cool like that.  It wasn't the dress that I would have liked, but it was the one that fit best - and offered the best movement for badminton.  I got lots of compliments, and a lot of "hey, I have that dress."  CT opted to go for Douchebag adding a backwards and upside down visor and douchey sunglasses to his outfit.  We are awesome.

Other than the actual badminton part of it...we had a great time.  Good food, great people, arguments with neighbors, lots of 'cock jokes, and shotskis.  Thanks again Alberses, Albers' (what is the plural of Albers?)  Thanks again for the great time...looking forward to seeing you again next summer - keep rocking out.

Shotski!

Looking awesome!

Wrestling shoes!

Shocking Pictures Revealed

After a year long moratorium, broken vows of secrecy, several Freedom of Information Act requests, and lawsuits going up to the highest court in the land...the shocking pictures of the 2010 Shuttlecock Classic have been released to the public.  Scandal is sure ensure and the participants will be publicly shamed.  Ironically, it is just in time for this year's Shuttlecock Classic which will be reviewed shortly.  I am not sure if this is coincidence or conspiracy.




Thought to be a joke by most other contestants, this unlikely pair - a virtual giant of a man and his strapping young partner in dress overcame many obstacles to become the underdog darlings of the tournament.  Loved by the crowds, hated, and feared by the other teams.


















Once on the court, it was no joke.  Competitor after competitor fell to this team.  The dress intimidated opponents
while their uncanny badminton skills beat down all adversaries.  The mighty and the meek alike were slayed by the amazing racquet skills displayed.










After many hours of intense rivalry.  The heroes came out victorious.  Heads held high, they claimed the famed, and  much sought after SLAEROWYCOT (Soar Like An Eagle - Rock Out With Your Cock Out Trophy), a bottle of booze, and gleaming gold shuttlecock medals...and earned a place in the history books and in the hearts of all people.

Here a close up view of the SLAEROWYCOT in the arms of tournament champions.

Will our heroes overcome the long odds and ravenous hordes of competitors of the 2011 tournament to once again hoist the Eagle and being justice to the little man?

Stay tuned for the recap.

Joining the Upper Crust

A couple weeks ago, Angie and I attended the Bon Jovi concert at Wells Fargo Arena.  However,  it wasn't a normal concert for me.  It was the first time that I enjoyed an event from a suite location.  My employer decided to get a suite and offer the tickets to employees.  It was a pretty generous offer, if they could sell all 40ish tickets to employees, the cost would only be $100 each...and the employer would pay for food and drinks.  I figured that was a heck of a deal since the first and second tiers were in the $80 range of tickets (fees pushed it to just under a hundred), so a suite and free food is just bonus.

I was excited.  I am not the hugest Bon Jovi fan in the world, but I have always enjoyed him/them.  OK, not always...around the time of Slippery When Wet, I was very frustrated with BJ getting over-played especially at a time when I was getting into Iron Maiden and punk music.  Bon Jovi seemed the antithesis of everything else I was getting into at the time.  I still liked the songs - especially Wanted Dead of Alive, but I would not have admitted to being a Bon Jovi fan.  I was too cool for that...and maybe (just maybe) had a little bit of superiority complex where I wouldn't admit to liking much of anything that was considered popular.  This makes me angry at my younger self now, because I remember specifically passing on going to the Bon Jovi concert around this time because and therefore missed A) a probably great Bon Jovi show, and B) Skid Row opening - right before they exploded.  It wasn't the only time my "Too Cool" attitude made me miss something that I probably would have enjoyed, and it makes me sad to see all the young goth type kids avoiding everything because they are too good for it...I'm sure they will have some regrets later.

It took me several years to actually become a fan and listen to Bon Jovi again.  Actually, I can tell you exactly when I changed my mind and came out as a Bon Jovi fan.  It was the night of the 1989 MTV Music Awards when Jon and Richie played an acoustic version of Wanted Dead or Alive.  The grinding noise of punk had grown boring to me and I remember thinking...that is bad ass and wished more people would play awesome acoustic versions. I was obviously not the only person to think this as supposedly this performance inspired the MTV Unplugged series.  It is still one of my favorite performances.




All these years later, I never thought I would see Bon Jovi live...not because I didn't like him, but $80+ tickets are hard for me to justify.  I'd even looked at floor tickets for this concert before they wen't on sale, but with fees they were like $170 each...nope, couldn't do it.  But $100 for a suite, with free food and drink?  I could justify that just to be able to experience a suite one time.

Suites come with lots of perks...for example, there is a VIP entrance on the North side of the arena.  Angie and I chose not to use it was just as easy to head up through the skywalk.  We were also early enough that we didn't have to fight any crowds or stand in line, so I can't say that we really missed out on anything.  However, I can see it would be a nice feature if you arriving about 30 minutes later and there were huge lines of people waiting to get in at the regular entrances.

The suites have their own elevated walkway.  It is on the same level as the restaurant, above the 200 level seats.  The suite walkway is open and has very little foot traffic, so it feels really spacious and airy.  You also get to look down on the walkway/concession area of the main concourse and laugh at the crowded and miserably conditions of the poor masses.  From this vantage point, we were also able to really check out the Bottoms Up Beer dispenser that the arena made a big deal about a few months ago.  Since we were above, we could compare the Bottoms Up stand and the regular beer stand next to it.  From what I could tell A) yes, the beer fills much faster, B) there is little foam on the beer, and C) the people taking the money still sucked and so the line wasn't much faster than the normal beer line.  The walkway also offered its own full service bar and its own restrooms.  I used the restrooms twice throughout the night and there wasn't a single other person in the bathroom...and they were very clean.  The walkway also had nice portraits of many of the major events that had taken place at the arena in the past 5 years.  It was actually pretty neat walking past this gallery and seeing all the big name events that have taken place there since there was a question on whether the arena would actually be used much when it was being built.  I was a cool way to remember "Hey, I was there."  Most of the photos in the gallery were really good, but every once in a while there would be one that I would think "Really? That is the best shot you could get?"  It was also weird which shows they picked to showcase - Kidz Bop but no Nine Inch Nails?  The walkway also has a pretty spectacular view of the Des Moines river and the capitol building.

The suites were nice - and by walking past each on looked a little different.  Different themes and colors.  But all were similar with comfy cloth and leather chairs and tables to gather around when not watching the event, to barstools along a drink rail and upgraded stadium seating (leather style chairs with extra padding) with small tables to hold your drinks.  The suite also contained a mini-fridge, microwave, TVs and DVD player.  Unfortunately, our suite did not contain a shuffleboard table like one of the other suites that I noticed.

I don't know what food packages were available, but I saw most suites had very similar food, but a few had very different and much fancier food (i.e. full steak & prime rib meals).  Our food selection consisted of snacks and finger food...and lots of it.  We started with potato chips and several kinds of dip, fresh vegetables and ranch dressing, an assortment of breads, spreads, crackers and cheeses.  The more substantial appetizers consisted of chicken strips, hot wings, barbecue meatballs, egg rolls, and make your own nachos that included options of ground beef, barbecue beef, grilled chicken, several kinds of cheese and cheese sauce, sour cream, guacamole, olives, diced onions and tomatoes, jalapeños, and much more.  It was a lot of food, and even though there was a good amount of people in the suite, there was plenty of food to go around (and leftovers). Beverages included several kinds of soda, bottled water, and several kinds of beer and wine.  It wasn't all super fancy, but I am not sure that I would have wanted anything fancier for a rock concert.  It was all pretty good.

I was a little bit upset when I first realized exactly where our suite was located...as it was the furthest possible from the stage.  The location grew on me after a couple songs.  We were perfectly aligned with the stage and there was no one blocking our view.  Plus no sweaty people rubbing against me, no one spilling beer on me (although that was still a possibility I suppose).  It would have been nice to be closer, but with all the screens that large arena acts have now, it really wasn't necessary.  It was actually kind of nice to sit back and just watch the show.  All in all it was a good show.  It had been several years since I have gone to large arena concert.    It was nice to take in all the lighting, staging, and more background part of the show that I don't get to see as much when I am closer and fighting with the crowd.  The screens were amazing alternating between live feeds of the band and preprogrammed videos and graphics...which of itself is nothing new, but the screen kept moving, splitting, turning, recombining, making new patterns, and even becoming a floating staircase for Jon at one point.  Musically, I thought they sounded decent.  Richie was missing, I think caused the whole thing to not be quite as high energy and as loose as it might have been.  Overall good, however, several people who have seen Bon Jovi before have told me that it wasn't as good as his previous shows...not horrible, just not as good.  I was surprised at how many newer songs, I had heard and actually knew pretty well (and by newer, I mean anything after 1992 and the Keep The Faith album).  Work for the Working man was completely new to me, however, and I thought it was decent...but the staging and graphics that went along with it worked really well and made it powerful.  There is a video this song live in concert here....but it doesn't pull back enough to get the feeling of the song.

I wished they would have played Wanted Dead or Alive all acoustic, but I was sure there was slim to no chance of that with Richie in rehab.  I also would have liked to see Blaze of Glory even though I know that was a solo Jon song.  Those are minor things though.  I'd recommend seeing Bon Jovi, and recommend a suite any time you can get it at a decent price.

Pinball in Central Iowa

I've always loved pinball...from the early 80s when I would play every once in a while in the bowling alley while my parents bowled drank to the mid 90s working in an arcade, to 2000s and owning my own machine.  I like video games too, but they don't hold the same draw for me as pinball.  Pinball takes skill instead of just learning a pattern like on most video games...and you can get better with practice but still randomness and luck still play a huge part.  Even though I am a decent pinball player, I still have balls that drain right away.  Easy to learn, impossible to master.

Unfortunately, pinball has been disappearing from public places over the past 20 years.  It used to be in every bowling alley and arcade, and most bars...now all you get is Big Buck Hunter (which is fine, but it is not pinball).  Pinball is hard to find.  I am always looking for different games and new new places to play...so I am making a page to list all the games that I know about in the area.  You can see it on the right called "Pinball in Central Iowa."

I envision this as an interactive site where people can contact me to add new games and locations to the list...as a community we can make a comprehensive and up-to-date list of places and games to play.  In the future, I would also like to start a pinball club, where pin geeks can all get together and hang out one night a week and have some friendly and tournament play.

So please, stop by, contact me if you know of any additions, changes, or interest in getting together to play some pin.  Frequent these places and let them know that you appreciate them still supporting pinball in Iowa.


Update - as I was typing Derek from Des Moines Alive contacted me to let me know that they have a tag for pinball locations....so I am going to include a link for them at the bottom of the page.  Since I don't have a list of exact games at some locations, I am not putting them all in my list yet.  But am going to be working my way down the list to find out.  Thanks Derek.

Don't Screw Me Disney

I may have mentioned my love for Muppets once or twice...(or more).  But I am not sure what to think about the new movie:  The Muppets

The Muppets comes out on Nov 23rd, 2011 and is the first Muppet movie by Disney.  Disney purchased the Muppets in 2004.  I am not sure what to think.  My initial thought is that Disney is pretty responsible with its characters and will treat the Muppets right...keeping them from going the route of CGI.  But then I remember all the god awful straight to video animated sequels that Disney has forced upon the world in the past 20 years (think Aladdin The Return of Jafar, or Cinderella II and III).  OK, I've not actually seen most of the sequels because Return of Jafar was enough to make me very wary of Disney straight to video.

The poster really doesn't do that much for me.  I like it's simplicity, but find their legs creepy...and too fake looking...and I wish there were other characters instead of the big 5.  Where's Dr Dunsen Honeydew and Beaker, they are infinitely more interesting to me than bitchy Miss Piggy or chicken fetish Gonzo.  We've been there and done that.   I try to be hopeful, but it is hard.  I was hopeful for the 3 movies in the 1990s - Muppets Christmas Carol, Muppets Treasure Island,  and Muppets From Space - but once they actually came out in the theater I was not able to bring myself to watch them.  I think I was still a little disillusioned from Jim Henson's death and was afraid that the Muppets were going to be exploited in a way I didn't agree with.

I still haven't seen these three movies, but have since watched the OK Muppets Wizard of Oz, and am a big fan of the Muppets Studio youtube productions.  Both of these give me lots of hope for the new movie. I think a Muppet movie with actual puppets will be a really nice change from all the 3D CGI animated movies out there.  I am eagerly awaiting a trailer...and maybe, just maybe I will see a Muppet movie in the theater for the first time since The Muppets Take Manhattan in 1984.  It has to be better than the Smurfs right (not even NPH's awesomeness can save that)?

My Precious....

I hate these

I really hate posts about no blogging but here goes anyways:

I am in the middle of training for several new job responsibilities, arriving early, leaving late...if you didn't know me you would almost think that I was career driven or a company man or something.

I assure you this is not the case and regular blogging will commence shortly when things start to relax a little.


I feel dirty inside and full of self-loathing now (but soon these pipes will be cleansed with new content).