I know that it's been a long time since I made a post, but it's kind of strange that I work less hours at this job than I did at my previous one, but I seem to have less free time than I used to. Kooky.
It's now been approximately eight months with the new company, and I still love my job. It changes around quite a bit, but that's really the challenge, isn't it? No two days are the same, and it keeps me on my toes. I even get to travel a bit, and I always enjoy that.
Last week, my wife and I celebrated two years of marriage, and six years of commitment. Kind of strange when you realize that we've been together half of my goddaughter's life. I know this sounds cliche, but I do enjoy her company as much now, if not more, than I did when we first met.
I'll try to be a bit more consistent this time, and will add more when I have more to say.
Oh yeah, and I have come to the conclusion thatRicky Gervais is the king of uncomfortable.
Monday, October 17, 2005
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
My Next Thirty Years
I heard this song this morning while sitting at my desk, and it made me think about how fast the first 32 have really gone.
I'm not going to go on a tangent about how it goes slow when you're a kid and faster when you grow up, but I have figured out why:
When you're a kid, a day is just a day. You get up, eat breakfast, meet your friends at school, come home, do your homework, eat dinner, talk to your friends for a while, and go to bed. As an adult, if it isn't Saturday or Sunday, it's a day closer to the next ones. So we end up spending our weeks looking forward to the next weekend instead of focusing on the day at hand. Sure, work tends to be different than school, but hey, no making your parents sign stuff.
It also made me realize that my 15-year high school reunion is next year. Next year is also going to be a reunion of all of the people that were involved in my high school band from 1990 through 1999. I guess you don't realize how much things change as time goes by. To me, I am the same guy that I was back then (a bit heavier, and less hair... but the same guy). To everyone that was at my 10-year that I hadn't seen, it was a different story.
Now, when I was in high school, I wasn't the most popular guy, but I had a lot of friends. As my sister Julie puts it, "You were universal". I had friends in just about every group (I never thought we really had cliques in my class... we were all pretty tight), so I knew people. Still, though, a lot (and I mean A LOT) of people were actually walking up to my wife instead of me. It got to a point where she had to say, "Unless you went to high school in HOUSTON, TEXAS, you want to talk to him." It was actually a bit embarrassing, to be perfectly honest.
Part of me is a bit sad that I lost touch with so many people over the years, but it's cool. A lot of our class is scattered about the country, but the 10-year was great to reconnect. We had a good chunk of our class there. This band thing is also really neat, because we have a message board to keep everyone in the loop, and I am seeing names and events that I haven't thought about in ages.
I guess it's true: the older I get, the better I was.
Until next time...
BB
I'm not going to go on a tangent about how it goes slow when you're a kid and faster when you grow up, but I have figured out why:
When you're a kid, a day is just a day. You get up, eat breakfast, meet your friends at school, come home, do your homework, eat dinner, talk to your friends for a while, and go to bed. As an adult, if it isn't Saturday or Sunday, it's a day closer to the next ones. So we end up spending our weeks looking forward to the next weekend instead of focusing on the day at hand. Sure, work tends to be different than school, but hey, no making your parents sign stuff.
It also made me realize that my 15-year high school reunion is next year. Next year is also going to be a reunion of all of the people that were involved in my high school band from 1990 through 1999. I guess you don't realize how much things change as time goes by. To me, I am the same guy that I was back then (a bit heavier, and less hair... but the same guy). To everyone that was at my 10-year that I hadn't seen, it was a different story.
Now, when I was in high school, I wasn't the most popular guy, but I had a lot of friends. As my sister Julie puts it, "You were universal". I had friends in just about every group (I never thought we really had cliques in my class... we were all pretty tight), so I knew people. Still, though, a lot (and I mean A LOT) of people were actually walking up to my wife instead of me. It got to a point where she had to say, "Unless you went to high school in HOUSTON, TEXAS, you want to talk to him." It was actually a bit embarrassing, to be perfectly honest.
Part of me is a bit sad that I lost touch with so many people over the years, but it's cool. A lot of our class is scattered about the country, but the 10-year was great to reconnect. We had a good chunk of our class there. This band thing is also really neat, because we have a message board to keep everyone in the loop, and I am seeing names and events that I haven't thought about in ages.
I guess it's true: the older I get, the better I was.
Until next time...
BB
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
A Story And A Review
When I was a kid, I was a bit ahead of the learning curve. By kindegarten, I was reading on a third grade level. Oddly enough, I never tested high enough to be considered "gifted," so I was stuck being a fairly smart kid in a class with the "regular" kids.
Needless to say, I was a bit mischevous as a result.
One of the few things that kept me from too much trouble was reading. At the age of eight, before cable was affordable to the masses and VCRs were the size of a Buick, my third grade teacher Mrs. Griffin (and one of the most incredible women I have ever met) introduced me to a book that she read a chapter of each day to us called "Charlie & The Chocolate Factory". It was one of the few books I have ever read more than once, and when I was in the fifth grade (decent sized fish in a small pond), I was even asked to read the book to the third graders that she taught. I even read the sequel, "Charlie & The Great Glass Elevator" more than once. It was a book that played quite a role in my childhood, and Roald Dahl became one of my favorite authors. For all of the darkness and under-the-surface teaching that it did, I still feel a smile on my face when I think of it.
In the '80s, I was introduced to the first film version, Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. Making it a musical kind of made sense to me, with all of the Oompa Loompa songs that were in it, and I thought Gene Wilder did a fairly accurate portrayal of the eccentric candy factory owner. I was quite surprised to find out later that the author absolutely aborred the film, and vowed that he would never let anyone else do it again. Hey, I own the DVD. Again, the film holds a very special place to me.
A few years ago, when I found out that Dahl's widow had given her blessing to Tim Burton to direct a remake (after seeing his vision of her husband's Jake & The Giant Peach), I was a bit skeptical as to another version of what I felt to be a wonderful film. I was really concerned when I heard that Marilyn Manson was cast ast Willy, but then a bit at ease when the final decision was made to give the role to Johnny Depp. As my buddy Chad's wife's birthday approached, and she had said that this movie is what she wanted to see for the celebration of another complete orbit of the sun, I decided to go with her and the family to see what Burton would do.
So, did I like it?
Well, it's now been about two and a half weeks, and I'm still not sure where I sit.
On one hand, Burton's vision was wonderful. The advances in visual effects are incredibly evident here. Depp's Wonka was dead-on, and is able to give a performance that never made me even want to compare him to Wilder. And the kids were INCREDIBLE. Great casting and performances all around.
On the other hand, I felt Burton took a few liberties he shouldn't have (i.e.- the whole father angle, and changing the whole ending), which kind of left a bit of bad taste in my mouth.
So, I guess I am giving an apples-and-oranges argument here, but I'll still give Charlie & The Chocolate Factory a rating of "7". See it if you can, but don't trip over yourself getting there.
I'll have more later.
BB
Needless to say, I was a bit mischevous as a result.
One of the few things that kept me from too much trouble was reading. At the age of eight, before cable was affordable to the masses and VCRs were the size of a Buick, my third grade teacher Mrs. Griffin (and one of the most incredible women I have ever met) introduced me to a book that she read a chapter of each day to us called "Charlie & The Chocolate Factory". It was one of the few books I have ever read more than once, and when I was in the fifth grade (decent sized fish in a small pond), I was even asked to read the book to the third graders that she taught. I even read the sequel, "Charlie & The Great Glass Elevator" more than once. It was a book that played quite a role in my childhood, and Roald Dahl became one of my favorite authors. For all of the darkness and under-the-surface teaching that it did, I still feel a smile on my face when I think of it.
In the '80s, I was introduced to the first film version, Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. Making it a musical kind of made sense to me, with all of the Oompa Loompa songs that were in it, and I thought Gene Wilder did a fairly accurate portrayal of the eccentric candy factory owner. I was quite surprised to find out later that the author absolutely aborred the film, and vowed that he would never let anyone else do it again. Hey, I own the DVD. Again, the film holds a very special place to me.
A few years ago, when I found out that Dahl's widow had given her blessing to Tim Burton to direct a remake (after seeing his vision of her husband's Jake & The Giant Peach), I was a bit skeptical as to another version of what I felt to be a wonderful film. I was really concerned when I heard that Marilyn Manson was cast ast Willy, but then a bit at ease when the final decision was made to give the role to Johnny Depp. As my buddy Chad's wife's birthday approached, and she had said that this movie is what she wanted to see for the celebration of another complete orbit of the sun, I decided to go with her and the family to see what Burton would do.
So, did I like it?
Well, it's now been about two and a half weeks, and I'm still not sure where I sit.
On one hand, Burton's vision was wonderful. The advances in visual effects are incredibly evident here. Depp's Wonka was dead-on, and is able to give a performance that never made me even want to compare him to Wilder. And the kids were INCREDIBLE. Great casting and performances all around.
On the other hand, I felt Burton took a few liberties he shouldn't have (i.e.- the whole father angle, and changing the whole ending), which kind of left a bit of bad taste in my mouth.
So, I guess I am giving an apples-and-oranges argument here, but I'll still give Charlie & The Chocolate Factory a rating of "7". See it if you can, but don't trip over yourself getting there.
I'll have more later.
BB
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Quick Hits
Be careful what you wish for, 'cuz you just might get it. (*coughmariocough*)
Batman Begins: It was good. You should see it. I've seen it twice. Best Batman movie EVER. And better than Episode III. I fear no fanboy.
Land Of The Dead: Sucked. S-U-C-K-E-D. Not sure what Leguizamo was thinking.
War Of The Worlds: Creepy and good. Speilberg has redeemed himself.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith: Surprisingly good. Check your brain at the door.
Quck observation: I have been participating in McDonald's latest promotion, where you get a code off of a Big Mac to try to win a PSP. I haven't won yet, but each time I enter, I get an offer for five bucks off of a PSP game. Hello, dumbass, why would I need a coupon to buy a game for a system I'm trying to win? And don't give me "Maybe you already have one," 'cuz that don't fly.
Later...
BB
Batman Begins: It was good. You should see it. I've seen it twice. Best Batman movie EVER. And better than Episode III. I fear no fanboy.
Land Of The Dead: Sucked. S-U-C-K-E-D. Not sure what Leguizamo was thinking.
War Of The Worlds: Creepy and good. Speilberg has redeemed himself.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith: Surprisingly good. Check your brain at the door.
Quck observation: I have been participating in McDonald's latest promotion, where you get a code off of a Big Mac to try to win a PSP. I haven't won yet, but each time I enter, I get an offer for five bucks off of a PSP game. Hello, dumbass, why would I need a coupon to buy a game for a system I'm trying to win? And don't give me "Maybe you already have one," 'cuz that don't fly.
Later...
BB
Friday, June 10, 2005
Movies
I know it's been a while (again), but I swear, I have a good excuse. This whole week, I have been stuck down at City Hall configuring a bunch of laptops for a project that launches next week, so I have been stuck in a conference room, UNDERGROUND, with no internet per say. Plus, with the frustration I have been dealing with on this thing, I didn't really want to deal with a computer when I got home. I ended up using my PC anyway, as I finally finished loading all of my CD's into my new mp3 player (it took over two weeks), but there was little to no internet action during that time.
Now that we've cleared THAT up...
Last night was the premiere of the 2005 MTV Movie Awards. For those of you that are unaware, this show is NOT live (it was taped last week), and it had some great highlights, and some lowlights. Here is a list of a bit of both:
HIGHLIGHTS:
-Probably the best set that this show has ever seen. Lots going on, and the fact that nothing inside the letters was a video screen was cool.
-Jimmy Fallon... not that bad as a host. Some of his standup in the beginning was a bit flat, but he knew when to stick on something and when to move on. Good stuff.
-The Breakfast Club reunion was absolute GREATNESS. I can't believe that Nelson and Estevez shined the thing (great line about their whereabouts from Hall), but it was cool to see those kids together again. And DAMN, that silver bucket was HUGE.
-That Rachel McAdams has grown up, in the most positive of ways... iiiiiif you know what I mean.
-Lacey Chebert working the J. Lo booty! Wow.
-Lindsay Lohan is starting to look a little healthier. The wife and I were talking about that, and she just needs to have a little thickness to her. It adds to her hotness.
-Anybody else notice that as the Lohan left the stage with her award, that the next presenter was spare-ass-second-rate-Lohan wannabe Hilary Duff? Heh.
-Nicole Kidman: class act.
-Foo Fighters: always great. Anybody else notice that Grohl just rocks anything he touches, but Novicelic can't seem to get anything going?
-Mariah Carey: great performance. Good to see her finally getting things back on track. The thickness works for her, too.
-Did Suchin Pak get the girls done?
-Much love to Ben Stiller for parodying the whole "Serious Talk During My Speech" thing.
-Dustin Hoffman. 'Nuff said.
LOWLIGHTS:
-Did we need the "Fantastic Four" speech about who's who and what they do? I am now nervous about this film again.
-Nicole Richie? Really? Was Kennedy unavailable?
-Yellowcard absolutely DESTROYED "Don't You (Forget About Me)". Period.
-Eminem: Eh. Points for the shirt, but that's aboot it.
-Memo to Paul Walker: her English ain't that great. Fight through it.
-Some of the bits (Ep. III, Crashing 101, Fighting With The Announcer) went on WAY too long.
-This Tom Cruise/Katie Holmes thing is just unstable.
That's all I've really got for now.
BB
Now that we've cleared THAT up...
Last night was the premiere of the 2005 MTV Movie Awards. For those of you that are unaware, this show is NOT live (it was taped last week), and it had some great highlights, and some lowlights. Here is a list of a bit of both:
HIGHLIGHTS:
-Probably the best set that this show has ever seen. Lots going on, and the fact that nothing inside the letters was a video screen was cool.
-Jimmy Fallon... not that bad as a host. Some of his standup in the beginning was a bit flat, but he knew when to stick on something and when to move on. Good stuff.
-The Breakfast Club reunion was absolute GREATNESS. I can't believe that Nelson and Estevez shined the thing (great line about their whereabouts from Hall), but it was cool to see those kids together again. And DAMN, that silver bucket was HUGE.
-That Rachel McAdams has grown up, in the most positive of ways... iiiiiif you know what I mean.
-Lacey Chebert working the J. Lo booty! Wow.
-Lindsay Lohan is starting to look a little healthier. The wife and I were talking about that, and she just needs to have a little thickness to her. It adds to her hotness.
-Anybody else notice that as the Lohan left the stage with her award, that the next presenter was spare-ass-second-rate-Lohan wannabe Hilary Duff? Heh.
-Nicole Kidman: class act.
-Foo Fighters: always great. Anybody else notice that Grohl just rocks anything he touches, but Novicelic can't seem to get anything going?
-Mariah Carey: great performance. Good to see her finally getting things back on track. The thickness works for her, too.
-Did Suchin Pak get the girls done?
-Much love to Ben Stiller for parodying the whole "Serious Talk During My Speech" thing.
-Dustin Hoffman. 'Nuff said.
LOWLIGHTS:
-Did we need the "Fantastic Four" speech about who's who and what they do? I am now nervous about this film again.
-Nicole Richie? Really? Was Kennedy unavailable?
-Yellowcard absolutely DESTROYED "Don't You (Forget About Me)". Period.
-Eminem: Eh. Points for the shirt, but that's aboot it.
-Memo to Paul Walker: her English ain't that great. Fight through it.
-Some of the bits (Ep. III, Crashing 101, Fighting With The Announcer) went on WAY too long.
-This Tom Cruise/Katie Holmes thing is just unstable.
That's all I've really got for now.
BB
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Techno-Boogie
I got a new toy last night.
I've been wanting an MP3 player for a little while now, as it makes sense: my musical tastes can change so quickly, and carrying over 1,000 CD's with me everywhere I go just doesn't make a lot of sense. I was really hoping to get a 60 GB player, but I don't want to shell out almost $500, so I figured a 30 GB would work for now.
I found one I want at my local Best Buy for a decent price (under $200), but they were out. So I went to the Ultimate Electronics down the street, since they're closing, and the biggest one they had was a 20 GB, which I CAN'T go to. The next stop was Circuit City, which is right down the street from our house. They had a 40 GB for right at $200, as it was an Open Box item, so we got it. Open Box doesn't bother me, and the girl at the store said it should be okay and complete.
After another trip to Best Buy to get an FM transmitter, it was back to the house to start loading music. Or so I thought.
The only thing in the bag was the home charger. So, after a bit of cursing and fuming I ran back to Circuit City (it was 8:30 by this time) to find the rest of my purchase. Luckily, the brother of a good friend of mine works there, so he could try to expidite the process. It took about 45 minutes for everything to be resolved, and all I got out of the deal was the USB cable to plug it into the computer. That's better than nothing, but I kinda wanted to get the travel case that is supposed to come with it. The software I was able to get off of the website (God BLESS the internet), and I didn't really want the earbuds anyway. I've got better headphones at the house.
I've gotten a few CD's loaded into it (had to delete a bunch of classical music that was on there from the previous owner), and it works like a charm. So, a medium-sized shout out goes out to the Mesquite Best Buy.
BB
I've been wanting an MP3 player for a little while now, as it makes sense: my musical tastes can change so quickly, and carrying over 1,000 CD's with me everywhere I go just doesn't make a lot of sense. I was really hoping to get a 60 GB player, but I don't want to shell out almost $500, so I figured a 30 GB would work for now.
I found one I want at my local Best Buy for a decent price (under $200), but they were out. So I went to the Ultimate Electronics down the street, since they're closing, and the biggest one they had was a 20 GB, which I CAN'T go to. The next stop was Circuit City, which is right down the street from our house. They had a 40 GB for right at $200, as it was an Open Box item, so we got it. Open Box doesn't bother me, and the girl at the store said it should be okay and complete.
After another trip to Best Buy to get an FM transmitter, it was back to the house to start loading music. Or so I thought.
The only thing in the bag was the home charger. So, after a bit of cursing and fuming I ran back to Circuit City (it was 8:30 by this time) to find the rest of my purchase. Luckily, the brother of a good friend of mine works there, so he could try to expidite the process. It took about 45 minutes for everything to be resolved, and all I got out of the deal was the USB cable to plug it into the computer. That's better than nothing, but I kinda wanted to get the travel case that is supposed to come with it. The software I was able to get off of the website (God BLESS the internet), and I didn't really want the earbuds anyway. I've got better headphones at the house.
I've gotten a few CD's loaded into it (had to delete a bunch of classical music that was on there from the previous owner), and it works like a charm. So, a medium-sized shout out goes out to the Mesquite Best Buy.
BB
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Back In Time
Today, I was looking through an MSN group that features and upcoming reunion of my high school band program (I'm a geek, and damn proud of it) next year, and reading some of the posts in it and seeing some of the names there got my head spinning.
Then I realized that I've been away from that institution for almost a decade and a half.
It's bad enough when I realize that kids that are old enough to drink now were born when I was in the sixth grade, but I've been out of high school for almost fifteen years? Wow.
I don't think I know of anyone's high school class that has scattered more than mine (I would venture to say that less than five percent of my graduating class still lives within spitting distance to the old stomping grounds), but with the wonderment that is the internet, we can all stay in touch as often as we can. Most of the guys and girls that I was close to are just a few keystrokes away (it even got two of my closest friends from school to be in my wedding), but I do miss having them be a five-minute drive from my house.
I know that a lot of people refer to their childhood and adolescence this way, but I really do believe that growing up for me was a much simpler time. Being 1,500 miles away from the town that I call home still gets to me every once in a while (I've been in Dallas just over ten years now), but I'm lucky enough to be in a position that I can visit every couple of years.
It's also kinda cool to have a wife that likes to go with me. The first time I took her with me home (for my ten-year reunion... that was strange because I didn't think I'd changed THAT much, but most people that I hadn't seen thought SHE was in the class), she was like a kid on Christmas morning. I had her film our vacation, as I thought that she would film more things that people wanted to see. I had grown up around the area, so I was sure that there were a lot of things that I take for granted. She was amazed by all of the palm trees and Publixes (Publix is a chain of grocery stores in the Southeast, so you can imagine my confusion). She's been back with me once since, and we had an even better time.
The second trip was for the wedding of my best friend, Ricardo Rincon, this past August. We stay with another of my closest friends, James, who has a wonderful girlfriend as well, and were incredibly gracious in opening their home to us. I don't know if I could live in South Florida again (the cost of living alone will kill you), but it's nice to go back home periodically to recharge the batteries and remember what it was like.
On to other matters...
We had a great weekend, with friends coming into town to visit. These visitors (along with the above mentioned website) were the inspiration for this posting. Having Mikey come in from Arkansas State University was absolutely a pleasure (but not in the biblical sense), and having Mario visit so we could all be together for Episode III made the night even more special than it already was.
Dropping Mario off at the airport on Sunday morning, I'll freely admit that I got a bit misty. Much like I did when he moved away last year, I felt like a part of me was gone. Having someone else from the East Coast to bond with made me miss home a little less. We seem to be just a bit of a different breed of cat, and we've shared some memories that will last a lifetime.
As somebody that I KNOW reads this thing from time to time, I just want to say that your friendship is one that I truly treasure, and you're the best. Hold it down for me up there, old friend. We'll get up there to see you someday.
BB
Then I realized that I've been away from that institution for almost a decade and a half.
It's bad enough when I realize that kids that are old enough to drink now were born when I was in the sixth grade, but I've been out of high school for almost fifteen years? Wow.
I don't think I know of anyone's high school class that has scattered more than mine (I would venture to say that less than five percent of my graduating class still lives within spitting distance to the old stomping grounds), but with the wonderment that is the internet, we can all stay in touch as often as we can. Most of the guys and girls that I was close to are just a few keystrokes away (it even got two of my closest friends from school to be in my wedding), but I do miss having them be a five-minute drive from my house.
I know that a lot of people refer to their childhood and adolescence this way, but I really do believe that growing up for me was a much simpler time. Being 1,500 miles away from the town that I call home still gets to me every once in a while (I've been in Dallas just over ten years now), but I'm lucky enough to be in a position that I can visit every couple of years.
It's also kinda cool to have a wife that likes to go with me. The first time I took her with me home (for my ten-year reunion... that was strange because I didn't think I'd changed THAT much, but most people that I hadn't seen thought SHE was in the class), she was like a kid on Christmas morning. I had her film our vacation, as I thought that she would film more things that people wanted to see. I had grown up around the area, so I was sure that there were a lot of things that I take for granted. She was amazed by all of the palm trees and Publixes (Publix is a chain of grocery stores in the Southeast, so you can imagine my confusion). She's been back with me once since, and we had an even better time.
The second trip was for the wedding of my best friend, Ricardo Rincon, this past August. We stay with another of my closest friends, James, who has a wonderful girlfriend as well, and were incredibly gracious in opening their home to us. I don't know if I could live in South Florida again (the cost of living alone will kill you), but it's nice to go back home periodically to recharge the batteries and remember what it was like.
On to other matters...
We had a great weekend, with friends coming into town to visit. These visitors (along with the above mentioned website) were the inspiration for this posting. Having Mikey come in from Arkansas State University was absolutely a pleasure (but not in the biblical sense), and having Mario visit so we could all be together for Episode III made the night even more special than it already was.
Dropping Mario off at the airport on Sunday morning, I'll freely admit that I got a bit misty. Much like I did when he moved away last year, I felt like a part of me was gone. Having someone else from the East Coast to bond with made me miss home a little less. We seem to be just a bit of a different breed of cat, and we've shared some memories that will last a lifetime.
As somebody that I KNOW reads this thing from time to time, I just want to say that your friendship is one that I truly treasure, and you're the best. Hold it down for me up there, old friend. We'll get up there to see you someday.
BB
Friday, May 20, 2005
Revenge Of The Sith
OK, I've caught up on a bit of sleep, so here we go...
Anakin Skywalker becomes Darth Vader. Almost everybody dies. Luke & Leia are born. That's all I'm telling you.
As the worldwide frenzy that is Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith hits theaters, all I can tell you about this film is that it was completely and totally worth the wait. George Lucas ties up the entire story with a nice little bow so that the prequel trilogy now blends in nicely to the original trilogy, which is now almost thirty years old. A local reviewer here has stated to not be surprised if this one gets a Best Picture nod from the Oscar committee. I'm not ready to go out on that limb yet, but this film is the fastest two and a half hours you will ever spend. I did not look at my watch once, nor did I truly care (aside from the "Damn, I'm screwed tomorrow" thoughts), and now I cannot wait for the DVD set (tentatively set for November 7th), so the true marathon can begin.
The rating is a "10". You expected something else? I enjoyed Ep. I.
The only thing that I can say on the flipside of the coin is that I cannot WAIT for the media hype to die down. I am so sick of the press getting a hold of the people that perpetuate the stereotype of the Star Wars fan. When I have to sit through a TRL Star Wars special where you KNOW that the "hosts" wouldn't know a true SW reference if it reached up and bit them on the ass (LaLa, I'm talking to you... at least take the time to commit the basics to memory, so it's not OBVIOUS that you are reading the cue cards), it's gotten out of hand.
And to the sports media, I have this to say: no matter how you justify it, you are just as bad as the SW community. You dress up in outfits that are indicitive of your specific passion, you will wait for hours to get tickets to the "show," and you have no effect on how the event plays out. In most cases, there are up to 80 times you can see your desired team play. So get the hell off of that horse whose back seems to be taller than the radio tower that spews your crap to the world (yes, Gregg "The Hammer" Williams, this means you... I am an avid fan of your show and your station, and I think it's freakish the way you "score" a baseball game... I'd rather get the stats from the paper or on-line... also, there is no way in HELL that you'll just walk up to a box office tomorrow and get a ticket right before showtime and get whatever seat you want; the movie did almost as much in ONE SHOWING at midnight across the country than some box office champs do in a whole weekend). It's these same "freaks" that probably work very hard to make sure that you look and sound good over the airwaves, so watch who you call what.
Wow. That felt kinda good.
BB
Anakin Skywalker becomes Darth Vader. Almost everybody dies. Luke & Leia are born. That's all I'm telling you.
As the worldwide frenzy that is Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith hits theaters, all I can tell you about this film is that it was completely and totally worth the wait. George Lucas ties up the entire story with a nice little bow so that the prequel trilogy now blends in nicely to the original trilogy, which is now almost thirty years old. A local reviewer here has stated to not be surprised if this one gets a Best Picture nod from the Oscar committee. I'm not ready to go out on that limb yet, but this film is the fastest two and a half hours you will ever spend. I did not look at my watch once, nor did I truly care (aside from the "Damn, I'm screwed tomorrow" thoughts), and now I cannot wait for the DVD set (tentatively set for November 7th), so the true marathon can begin.
The rating is a "10". You expected something else? I enjoyed Ep. I.
The only thing that I can say on the flipside of the coin is that I cannot WAIT for the media hype to die down. I am so sick of the press getting a hold of the people that perpetuate the stereotype of the Star Wars fan. When I have to sit through a TRL Star Wars special where you KNOW that the "hosts" wouldn't know a true SW reference if it reached up and bit them on the ass (LaLa, I'm talking to you... at least take the time to commit the basics to memory, so it's not OBVIOUS that you are reading the cue cards), it's gotten out of hand.
And to the sports media, I have this to say: no matter how you justify it, you are just as bad as the SW community. You dress up in outfits that are indicitive of your specific passion, you will wait for hours to get tickets to the "show," and you have no effect on how the event plays out. In most cases, there are up to 80 times you can see your desired team play. So get the hell off of that horse whose back seems to be taller than the radio tower that spews your crap to the world (yes, Gregg "The Hammer" Williams, this means you... I am an avid fan of your show and your station, and I think it's freakish the way you "score" a baseball game... I'd rather get the stats from the paper or on-line... also, there is no way in HELL that you'll just walk up to a box office tomorrow and get a ticket right before showtime and get whatever seat you want; the movie did almost as much in ONE SHOWING at midnight across the country than some box office champs do in a whole weekend). It's these same "freaks" that probably work very hard to make sure that you look and sound good over the airwaves, so watch who you call what.
Wow. That felt kinda good.
BB
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
The Calm Before The Storm
In less than eight hours, I will be feasting my senses on the experience known as Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. There have been ups and downs on the roller coaster of my life known as the last month, but it is all coming to a culmination tonight in beautiful DLP goodness.
I am prepared for the fact that I am going to be the walking dead tomorrow, but I am OK with the fact that it will all be worth it. The critics (for the most part... Rolling Stone has just become more shock value to me than anything anymore) have been gushing over it, and I am told that the first whole reel (about 25 minutes) is the opening battle scene (drool), I don't think it's possible for me to do anything but love this film. "Famous last words," I know. But I am willing to put this out there.
I'm not saying that I have the bar set real high, nor have I set it very low. I am one of the guys that actually liked The Phantom Menace (I simply see it as the first chapter in a book, Jake Lloyd's acting aside), and I really enjoyed Attack of the Clones.
And then, there's this.
Three years ago, when Attack of the Clones came out, my friend Chad and I had a conversation that has really been ringing to me lately. We came to the conclusion that, when this day came, we would be excited for it and sad for it at the same time. On one hand, this is the final piece to the puzzle of the story of the rise and fall and rise again of Anakin Skywalker. On the other hand, this is it. A phenomenon that occupied almost our entire lives is coming to a close (Episodes VII, VIII, and IX aside... I'm not counting on this happening, but it would be cool), from watching the movies over and over ad nauseum, dragging parents, friends, and kids to conventions, relaxing to the musical score, suffering through the Holiday Speical, having action figures before anybody else at school, buying almost every version of the films ever put out, seeing the movies over and over again when they were re-released, rumors of the prequels, casting, "Celebration" conventions, and forming bonds with people that we might not have bonds with otherwise (including each other, to an extent), Lucas' vision of a story from a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away will linger for generations to come.
My name is Rob, and I'm a geek. A damn proud one.
BB
I am prepared for the fact that I am going to be the walking dead tomorrow, but I am OK with the fact that it will all be worth it. The critics (for the most part... Rolling Stone has just become more shock value to me than anything anymore) have been gushing over it, and I am told that the first whole reel (about 25 minutes) is the opening battle scene (drool), I don't think it's possible for me to do anything but love this film. "Famous last words," I know. But I am willing to put this out there.
I'm not saying that I have the bar set real high, nor have I set it very low. I am one of the guys that actually liked The Phantom Menace (I simply see it as the first chapter in a book, Jake Lloyd's acting aside), and I really enjoyed Attack of the Clones.
And then, there's this.
Three years ago, when Attack of the Clones came out, my friend Chad and I had a conversation that has really been ringing to me lately. We came to the conclusion that, when this day came, we would be excited for it and sad for it at the same time. On one hand, this is the final piece to the puzzle of the story of the rise and fall and rise again of Anakin Skywalker. On the other hand, this is it. A phenomenon that occupied almost our entire lives is coming to a close (Episodes VII, VIII, and IX aside... I'm not counting on this happening, but it would be cool), from watching the movies over and over ad nauseum, dragging parents, friends, and kids to conventions, relaxing to the musical score, suffering through the Holiday Speical, having action figures before anybody else at school, buying almost every version of the films ever put out, seeing the movies over and over again when they were re-released, rumors of the prequels, casting, "Celebration" conventions, and forming bonds with people that we might not have bonds with otherwise (including each other, to an extent), Lucas' vision of a story from a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away will linger for generations to come.
My name is Rob, and I'm a geek. A damn proud one.
BB
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
The Longest Yard
Last night, I got to attend a screening of this remake of the 1974 Burt Reynolds classic, hosted by the great Michael Irvin. Big props to Bart Wright for scoring me the tickets for myself and the wife. Mike's entire family was there, as well as Deion Sanders, local big-time preacher T.D. Jakes, a slew of family and friends, and as Mike put it "some of the best fans in the world".
Mike and his wife did not stay for the movie, as he committed to have his first viewing of the film with the cast in L.A. (I respect that), but did have a Q&A session afterwards. I wanted to stay to hear the Q&A, but due to the fact that it was almost 10:00 PM by the time the movie was over, plus the drive home, plus the fact that this is going to be a LONG week, we skipped out.
Now that we have the scene set, let's get to the review...
Former Pittsburgh quarterback Paul Crewe (Adam Sandler), kicked out of the NFL for allegedly shaving points in a big game, gets himself thrown in a Texas prison for basically ruining a LOT of policemen's evening. Once there he learns that the warden (James Cromwell) hosts a football team comprised of the guards, and wants Crewe to help get the team into shape to win the state championship. Crewe suggests that they have a warm-up game to get ready for the season, and in return is given the task of forming a team of inmates to take on the guards in what should be a blow-out.
If you are expecting the dark, serious tone of the 1974 version, you're only halfway there. Sandler has shown he can work serious, but this is not Punch-Drunk Love here (thankfully). He works the exact balance of drama and comedy, with a couple of nods to some of his previous films.
As for the rest 0f the cast, I was very impressed with the work of some of the non-actors (Michael Irvin, Nelly, Bill Goldberg, Bob Sapp, Kevin Nash, Steve Austin, Brian Bozworth). Director Peter Berg does a great job of keeping the story moving, and makes great use of the camera during the football sequences. I found myself laughing out loud more than once, and cringing at all of the right times.
So, on a scale from 1-10, I will give The Longest Yard an 8, which means "probably not going to get a Best Picture nod, but I'd pay to see it again at night".
Until next time...
BB
Mike and his wife did not stay for the movie, as he committed to have his first viewing of the film with the cast in L.A. (I respect that), but did have a Q&A session afterwards. I wanted to stay to hear the Q&A, but due to the fact that it was almost 10:00 PM by the time the movie was over, plus the drive home, plus the fact that this is going to be a LONG week, we skipped out.
Now that we have the scene set, let's get to the review...
Former Pittsburgh quarterback Paul Crewe (Adam Sandler), kicked out of the NFL for allegedly shaving points in a big game, gets himself thrown in a Texas prison for basically ruining a LOT of policemen's evening. Once there he learns that the warden (James Cromwell) hosts a football team comprised of the guards, and wants Crewe to help get the team into shape to win the state championship. Crewe suggests that they have a warm-up game to get ready for the season, and in return is given the task of forming a team of inmates to take on the guards in what should be a blow-out.
If you are expecting the dark, serious tone of the 1974 version, you're only halfway there. Sandler has shown he can work serious, but this is not Punch-Drunk Love here (thankfully). He works the exact balance of drama and comedy, with a couple of nods to some of his previous films.
As for the rest 0f the cast, I was very impressed with the work of some of the non-actors (Michael Irvin, Nelly, Bill Goldberg, Bob Sapp, Kevin Nash, Steve Austin, Brian Bozworth). Director Peter Berg does a great job of keeping the story moving, and makes great use of the camera during the football sequences. I found myself laughing out loud more than once, and cringing at all of the right times.
So, on a scale from 1-10, I will give The Longest Yard an 8, which means "probably not going to get a Best Picture nod, but I'd pay to see it again at night".
Until next time...
BB
Monday, May 16, 2005
Eight Days A Week
Long weekend leading into a long week.
Got to spend some time at the charity lineup this past weekend. Good to see the group before Wednesday, and I got to hear some stories about what's been happening in the overnights, which brings me to a rant.
You know, I don't really care if you believe in and/or agree with someone's belief system of likes and dislikes. Do everyone a favor for me and don't infringe upon their personal space, much less safety. There was a guy out at the lineup camping out who was awakened the other day to the sound of huge firecrackers being set off. That was bad enough, but they were ATTACHED TO HIS TENT. To the point that they were right next to him.
I can go to the wall with some things, but this is ridiculous. If it makes you feel better to belittle somebody else, fine. You might want to run a self-diagnostic, but whatever. But when it gets to the point where you possibly cause someone physical harm, it's just wrong. This guy could have, on the outside, lost some hearing. At the most I don't even want to consider. I mean, these things blew a hole in the side of his tent. Air horns, yelling things out your window, revving up your engine, snickering, shaking your head... sure, they're hurtful and wrong, but this is SUPER WRONG. I hope someone finds these guys and shoves a firecracker straight up their tookus.
I would also like to display my distaste for a local radio station who ran a contest over the weekend that does not sit well with me. Mix 102.9, which is an adult contemporary station, was giving away family 4 packs to a showing of Episode III at 7 PM on Wednesday. Go back and read that last sentance carefully. If you do your math correctly, you will realize that this screening is five hours before the show that D/FW FanForce has been lining up for. At the same theater.
If you want to do this screening, that's cool. Just don't do it at the theater where fans have been raising money for charity by lining up to get into the midnight showing for two weeks. The theater management came out and apologized to the group, saying that this thing was dropped in their lap. Granted, this is a ClearChannel station, so take that for what it is worth. I'm close to the point of taking them off of my presets.
Ending this on an upbeat, I get to attend a screening tonight of The Longest Yard, sponsored by our local ESPN radio station, and it will be attended by one of the film's stars, Cowboy great Michael Irvin. Exciting times, and I'll try to have a review up tomorrow.
And Mario, since this is the last entry you'll see before you get on the road, have a safe trip down, and we all can't wait to see you.
BB
Got to spend some time at the charity lineup this past weekend. Good to see the group before Wednesday, and I got to hear some stories about what's been happening in the overnights, which brings me to a rant.
You know, I don't really care if you believe in and/or agree with someone's belief system of likes and dislikes. Do everyone a favor for me and don't infringe upon their personal space, much less safety. There was a guy out at the lineup camping out who was awakened the other day to the sound of huge firecrackers being set off. That was bad enough, but they were ATTACHED TO HIS TENT. To the point that they were right next to him.
I can go to the wall with some things, but this is ridiculous. If it makes you feel better to belittle somebody else, fine. You might want to run a self-diagnostic, but whatever. But when it gets to the point where you possibly cause someone physical harm, it's just wrong. This guy could have, on the outside, lost some hearing. At the most I don't even want to consider. I mean, these things blew a hole in the side of his tent. Air horns, yelling things out your window, revving up your engine, snickering, shaking your head... sure, they're hurtful and wrong, but this is SUPER WRONG. I hope someone finds these guys and shoves a firecracker straight up their tookus.
I would also like to display my distaste for a local radio station who ran a contest over the weekend that does not sit well with me. Mix 102.9, which is an adult contemporary station, was giving away family 4 packs to a showing of Episode III at 7 PM on Wednesday. Go back and read that last sentance carefully. If you do your math correctly, you will realize that this screening is five hours before the show that D/FW FanForce has been lining up for. At the same theater.
If you want to do this screening, that's cool. Just don't do it at the theater where fans have been raising money for charity by lining up to get into the midnight showing for two weeks. The theater management came out and apologized to the group, saying that this thing was dropped in their lap. Granted, this is a ClearChannel station, so take that for what it is worth. I'm close to the point of taking them off of my presets.
Ending this on an upbeat, I get to attend a screening tonight of The Longest Yard, sponsored by our local ESPN radio station, and it will be attended by one of the film's stars, Cowboy great Michael Irvin. Exciting times, and I'll try to have a review up tomorrow.
And Mario, since this is the last entry you'll see before you get on the road, have a safe trip down, and we all can't wait to see you.
BB
Thursday, May 12, 2005
One Week
I was thinking today that in seven days, I will have been through the experience that will forever be known as Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, and I thought I would go back and try to remember my early memories of the film series that changed my life and officially made me a geek.
I was just about to turn four when A New Hope was released. My mom and I were still living in Iowa (we would move to Florida a little over a year later), and we saw the movie in the local, one-screen, balcony having, reel projector theater, and it was an experience I will never forget. I remember looking all over the lobby of the theater and seeing the production stills all over the walls and thinking "Man, this looks COOL!" I was not disappointed. I've seen the films more times than I will venture to count, but you never forget the first. George Lucas changed the way that movies are both made and seen, and we thank him for it.
Now, as we prepare for the final week before the final film (at least for now), I still hold firm to the thoughts that my friend Chad and I had after Attack Of The Clones. I'm excited about Ep. III, but I'll be sad at the same time.
More thoughts as we get closer.
BB
I was just about to turn four when A New Hope was released. My mom and I were still living in Iowa (we would move to Florida a little over a year later), and we saw the movie in the local, one-screen, balcony having, reel projector theater, and it was an experience I will never forget. I remember looking all over the lobby of the theater and seeing the production stills all over the walls and thinking "Man, this looks COOL!" I was not disappointed. I've seen the films more times than I will venture to count, but you never forget the first. George Lucas changed the way that movies are both made and seen, and we thank him for it.
Now, as we prepare for the final week before the final film (at least for now), I still hold firm to the thoughts that my friend Chad and I had after Attack Of The Clones. I'm excited about Ep. III, but I'll be sad at the same time.
More thoughts as we get closer.
BB
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Idol Chatter
Let me start by giving my opinion of what has happened with this Corey Clark/Paula Abdul debacle. The kid's a liar and trying to shamelessly promote an album that won't be worth a damn besides a coaster when it is released. He now says he has "incriminating evidence" but he doesn't want to have to use it. Dude, it's pop music, not the World Poker Tour. Show your hand or admit you have nothing. Plus, how did your Idol journey work out for you? Obviously, any advice Paula allegedly gave you didn't help you win, did it, Hoss? Just making sure. Having said that...
Yes, I'm not afraid to admit that I watch American Idol.
I understand the fact that I am nowhere NEAR their target demographic, but it is interesting to me to see what America thinks is good and what is not. I am, however, pretty good at picking the goods. I have successfully picked the winner twice from the first sight (sidebar- Kelly Clarkson I picked the first time I watched the show, but I didn't see it until the top 5... I am still taking credit for it), and the other two came in at runner-up. I still think Diana DeGarmo is a bazillion times more talented than the chick named after a Disney movie. She kinda whips my ass.
That being said (and my wife can atest to this), I have picked Carrie Underwood to win the whole damn thing from the announcement of the top 12. She's incredibly talented, and hot to boot. I have also said that it will come down to her and Bo Bice, and that's the way it's shaping up. My question, though, is this...
Once you get down to four, does it REALLY matter?
It appears to me that once you get rid of the spare talent (Celena Ray aside, whom I met once before this season premiered, and is a nice girl and has a heck of a voice... I think bad song choices is what befell her) and are left with the upper-middle and top tier talent at about the final six, it's simply a pecking order from that point on. Bo has only been in the bottom of the pack once, which I feel may not have really been the case, since even Ruben Studdard was in the bottom three once in his season. Basically, if you aren't the one to go, who is to say that you are in the bottom three or not? I think both of these guys in that situation were nothing more than shock value.
Once you get down to the nitty gritty, it's just a matter of talent versus super talent. Personally, it only takes me about five minutes to get through the results show on TiVo (the greatest invention EVER). I skip the "group song," as well as the "here's what the judges said about each of you last night" segment. Dude, WE GET IT. WE WATCHED IT LAST NIGHT. Plus, it doesn't really matter what the judges say anyway; they don't have say once we get to the top twelve. I will admit that it's funny to watch what Cowell says (the guy's right a lot more often than when he's wrong, and all of you know it), but they are just time filler more than anything at this point.
Anyway, Carrie wins and that's that. Bo gets a record deal anyway (no runner-up hasn't... some have just been able to do more with it), and Vonzell will fall in with somebody. Anthony has the "Clay Version 2.0" thing working, which may work against him, but I expect him to be gone tonight anyway. Kid's a great story, but if Stephanie can't win Survivor: Palau, this kid can't win American Idol. Let that one sink in for a minute.
Talk about the reason God made Oklahoma...
BB
Yes, I'm not afraid to admit that I watch American Idol.
I understand the fact that I am nowhere NEAR their target demographic, but it is interesting to me to see what America thinks is good and what is not. I am, however, pretty good at picking the goods. I have successfully picked the winner twice from the first sight (sidebar- Kelly Clarkson I picked the first time I watched the show, but I didn't see it until the top 5... I am still taking credit for it), and the other two came in at runner-up. I still think Diana DeGarmo is a bazillion times more talented than the chick named after a Disney movie. She kinda whips my ass.
That being said (and my wife can atest to this), I have picked Carrie Underwood to win the whole damn thing from the announcement of the top 12. She's incredibly talented, and hot to boot. I have also said that it will come down to her and Bo Bice, and that's the way it's shaping up. My question, though, is this...
Once you get down to four, does it REALLY matter?
It appears to me that once you get rid of the spare talent (Celena Ray aside, whom I met once before this season premiered, and is a nice girl and has a heck of a voice... I think bad song choices is what befell her) and are left with the upper-middle and top tier talent at about the final six, it's simply a pecking order from that point on. Bo has only been in the bottom of the pack once, which I feel may not have really been the case, since even Ruben Studdard was in the bottom three once in his season. Basically, if you aren't the one to go, who is to say that you are in the bottom three or not? I think both of these guys in that situation were nothing more than shock value.
Once you get down to the nitty gritty, it's just a matter of talent versus super talent. Personally, it only takes me about five minutes to get through the results show on TiVo (the greatest invention EVER). I skip the "group song," as well as the "here's what the judges said about each of you last night" segment. Dude, WE GET IT. WE WATCHED IT LAST NIGHT. Plus, it doesn't really matter what the judges say anyway; they don't have say once we get to the top twelve. I will admit that it's funny to watch what Cowell says (the guy's right a lot more often than when he's wrong, and all of you know it), but they are just time filler more than anything at this point.
Anyway, Carrie wins and that's that. Bo gets a record deal anyway (no runner-up hasn't... some have just been able to do more with it), and Vonzell will fall in with somebody. Anthony has the "Clay Version 2.0" thing working, which may work against him, but I expect him to be gone tonight anyway. Kid's a great story, but if Stephanie can't win Survivor: Palau, this kid can't win American Idol. Let that one sink in for a minute.
Talk about the reason God made Oklahoma...
BB
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
No Rest For The Wicked
I don't think I've had a down day in about three weeks, but at least I'm getting a decent workout in without going to the gym.
Basically, I've been doing very little more than lifting boxes and moving them for a while now. At work, we are preparing a room formerly full of paperwork into a training facility, so I have been taking boxes and equipment all over town. Granted, I'm not complaining because a- I get a workout out of the deal and b- I don't have to be in the office all day. You see, I like to drive my car (even on Central, which is a road from hell in Dallas) because it gives me some Rob Time.
I learned long ago that everybody has to have Self Time. Even if it is ten minutes in the bathroom with a good book or magazine, everybody has to have it. It helps you "get your head right with ball," as they say. Plus, it's good for your sanity. Or what's left of it.
Driving does that for me. I just turn on the radio and let my mind drift while simultaneously making sure that I am not hurting myself or anyone else on the road. Where I grew up (in South Florida), the only place that I could really drive like that was along A1A (which IS a real road that runs along the east coast beaches of Florida... and please don't follow that up with "Beachfront Avenue"). Here in Dallas, you aren't going anywhere if you aren't driving at least fifteen minutes (this city is HUGE), so driving is a bit more of a dominating force. Hell, these days, an hour drive doesn't bother me in the least, wherehas before, that was a road trip.
Anyway, my friend Chad has also been moving for about the last four days, and I have been helping him with that chore as well. Nothing works up a sweat better than moving, lemme tell ya. We're almost done (at least with my part... I'll move stuff all day, but I don't pack and I don't clean), so maybe there's some reprieve in store next week.
Once Chad's move is done, I will resume spending time at the Cinemark Legacy in Plano, as D/FW FanForce has been raising money for charity as we lineup to get the good seats for Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. As I like to say, sure we're fanboys, but we're fanboys with a charity! The movie is actually late night, one week from tomorrow, so that is the light at the end of the tunnel for now.
In other news...
-My good friend Mario is coming to town a week from tonight to join us for the movie next week. He moved to the Northeast a little over a year ago, and this is his first visit back. I miss him a lot, and it will be good to spend a few days with him. Maybe he'll decide to move back. Here's to hoping!
-I got a new toy last week, in the form of a 65" Mitsubishi Diamond big screen. The Tweeter in my neighborhood is closing, so we took advantage of a GREAT price break. I had to buy a bunch of new wire to go with it, and eventually I will get my HD TiVo, but for now, I'm happy. Damn, that screen is huge.
-Monday Night Raw SUCKED last night. That's all I have to say about that.
-My Heat are playing well, but I have to keep reminding myself that the real challenge will come if they get past the Wizards to face either the Pacers or defending champion Pistons. Stay healthy and we're OK.
-On the other hand, the Mavericks win game seven against Houston by 40, but lose to Phoenix by 25. Some like to blame it on the lack of rest, but you play a schedule like that in the regular season, so what's the difference. Plus, gave seven was at home, so it wasn't like they had to stay on the road. Let's hope they can find their focus. Sure, a Dallas/Miami final would stress me out (the Heat have seniority, so of course that's who I'd root for), but it would be fun to watch.
Stay well, dear reader, and we'll do this all again soon.
BB
Basically, I've been doing very little more than lifting boxes and moving them for a while now. At work, we are preparing a room formerly full of paperwork into a training facility, so I have been taking boxes and equipment all over town. Granted, I'm not complaining because a- I get a workout out of the deal and b- I don't have to be in the office all day. You see, I like to drive my car (even on Central, which is a road from hell in Dallas) because it gives me some Rob Time.
I learned long ago that everybody has to have Self Time. Even if it is ten minutes in the bathroom with a good book or magazine, everybody has to have it. It helps you "get your head right with ball," as they say. Plus, it's good for your sanity. Or what's left of it.
Driving does that for me. I just turn on the radio and let my mind drift while simultaneously making sure that I am not hurting myself or anyone else on the road. Where I grew up (in South Florida), the only place that I could really drive like that was along A1A (which IS a real road that runs along the east coast beaches of Florida... and please don't follow that up with "Beachfront Avenue"). Here in Dallas, you aren't going anywhere if you aren't driving at least fifteen minutes (this city is HUGE), so driving is a bit more of a dominating force. Hell, these days, an hour drive doesn't bother me in the least, wherehas before, that was a road trip.
Anyway, my friend Chad has also been moving for about the last four days, and I have been helping him with that chore as well. Nothing works up a sweat better than moving, lemme tell ya. We're almost done (at least with my part... I'll move stuff all day, but I don't pack and I don't clean), so maybe there's some reprieve in store next week.
Once Chad's move is done, I will resume spending time at the Cinemark Legacy in Plano, as D/FW FanForce has been raising money for charity as we lineup to get the good seats for Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. As I like to say, sure we're fanboys, but we're fanboys with a charity! The movie is actually late night, one week from tomorrow, so that is the light at the end of the tunnel for now.
In other news...
-My good friend Mario is coming to town a week from tonight to join us for the movie next week. He moved to the Northeast a little over a year ago, and this is his first visit back. I miss him a lot, and it will be good to spend a few days with him. Maybe he'll decide to move back. Here's to hoping!
-I got a new toy last week, in the form of a 65" Mitsubishi Diamond big screen. The Tweeter in my neighborhood is closing, so we took advantage of a GREAT price break. I had to buy a bunch of new wire to go with it, and eventually I will get my HD TiVo, but for now, I'm happy. Damn, that screen is huge.
-Monday Night Raw SUCKED last night. That's all I have to say about that.
-My Heat are playing well, but I have to keep reminding myself that the real challenge will come if they get past the Wizards to face either the Pacers or defending champion Pistons. Stay healthy and we're OK.
-On the other hand, the Mavericks win game seven against Houston by 40, but lose to Phoenix by 25. Some like to blame it on the lack of rest, but you play a schedule like that in the regular season, so what's the difference. Plus, gave seven was at home, so it wasn't like they had to stay on the road. Let's hope they can find their focus. Sure, a Dallas/Miami final would stress me out (the Heat have seniority, so of course that's who I'd root for), but it would be fun to watch.
Stay well, dear reader, and we'll do this all again soon.
BB
Friday, May 06, 2005
Busy Man
Got some random thoughts this week, so here we go...
- I got a new toy this week, as the Tweeter in my neighborhood is closing. Let's just say that I got a great TV at a great price, and leave it at that. The major piece of my home theater is complete.
- If you get the chance, and you're up in Plano, stop by and say hello (in a nice way) to the kids from DFW FanForce (which I am a member of) whom are not only waiting on line for the release of Revenge Of The Sith, but are also raising money for charity in doing so. You can make a donation, which is tax deductible, and you can get raffle tickets for your donation for great prizes like: a place in the front of the line, autographed merchandise, and more. The charity is named Rainbow days, and they are focused on helping educate kids about being drug-free. For those of you that are counting, we are less than TWO WEEKS from the movie. I'll be out there periodically, so if you see me, don't act like you've never met me. It makes me sad.
- The Mavericks don't get the job done last night to close out the Houston Rockets. Has anyone else noticed that they tend to panic when they get down by more than five points? They start taking these stupid, circus, am-I-gonna-get-on-SportsCenter shots that rarely make it, and end up burying themselves deeper. I mean, you're up by ten, and then end up losing by almost twenty? I'm not real optimistic about tomorrow night.
- On the other hand, my Heat are getting some much needed rest before they take on either the Wizards or the Bulls. It's good to see them playing well, even with Shaq not at 100%. Good times.
- Memo to the ladies: if you HAVE to put on your makeup while behind the wheel, please do not do it on the freeway. Makes me nervous.
- Memo to both genders: if you HAVE to talk on your phone in the car (which I do as well), PLEASE buy a headset. You need to have both hands available to, oh I don't know, DRIVE THE CAR. You'll be surprised how much better your shoulders and neck feel, too.
- There are only 57 shopping days left until my birthday. Get used to the countdown; every time I make an entry until then, it will be here.
- Happy late Cinco de Mayo to all of my Mexican friends. To the rest of you: hope the hangover isn't too bad.
- Finally, Happy Mother's Day to all of you ladies out there that can claim to offspring. Make sure you at least call your mom on Sunday. I'll try, but mine doesn't have an answering machine (kinda strange... she's been a computer person my whole life, but she won't have an answering machine, and she refuses to use a cell phone for any reason).
Until next time, when who knows what I'm going to throw out there...
BB
- I got a new toy this week, as the Tweeter in my neighborhood is closing. Let's just say that I got a great TV at a great price, and leave it at that. The major piece of my home theater is complete.
- If you get the chance, and you're up in Plano, stop by and say hello (in a nice way) to the kids from DFW FanForce (which I am a member of) whom are not only waiting on line for the release of Revenge Of The Sith, but are also raising money for charity in doing so. You can make a donation, which is tax deductible, and you can get raffle tickets for your donation for great prizes like: a place in the front of the line, autographed merchandise, and more. The charity is named Rainbow days, and they are focused on helping educate kids about being drug-free. For those of you that are counting, we are less than TWO WEEKS from the movie. I'll be out there periodically, so if you see me, don't act like you've never met me. It makes me sad.
- The Mavericks don't get the job done last night to close out the Houston Rockets. Has anyone else noticed that they tend to panic when they get down by more than five points? They start taking these stupid, circus, am-I-gonna-get-on-SportsCenter shots that rarely make it, and end up burying themselves deeper. I mean, you're up by ten, and then end up losing by almost twenty? I'm not real optimistic about tomorrow night.
- On the other hand, my Heat are getting some much needed rest before they take on either the Wizards or the Bulls. It's good to see them playing well, even with Shaq not at 100%. Good times.
- Memo to the ladies: if you HAVE to put on your makeup while behind the wheel, please do not do it on the freeway. Makes me nervous.
- Memo to both genders: if you HAVE to talk on your phone in the car (which I do as well), PLEASE buy a headset. You need to have both hands available to, oh I don't know, DRIVE THE CAR. You'll be surprised how much better your shoulders and neck feel, too.
- There are only 57 shopping days left until my birthday. Get used to the countdown; every time I make an entry until then, it will be here.
- Happy late Cinco de Mayo to all of my Mexican friends. To the rest of you: hope the hangover isn't too bad.
- Finally, Happy Mother's Day to all of you ladies out there that can claim to offspring. Make sure you at least call your mom on Sunday. I'll try, but mine doesn't have an answering machine (kinda strange... she's been a computer person my whole life, but she won't have an answering machine, and she refuses to use a cell phone for any reason).
Until next time, when who knows what I'm going to throw out there...
BB
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
It's Been Awhile Since I Could Say...
Sorry about the title. It's wordy, but I wanted a musical reference.
I know we haven't spent time together lately, but it's because my work has buried me in a sea of computers and training, so for the next little while, these will be sporatic at best.
I did want to take a minute to tell the story of what happened to me at the end of last week. As you may or may not know, I have been fairly well traveled in my three decades on this planet (more than some, less than some), and had the opportunity to take a work trip to San Francisco last week to attend a conference. So I took it and embarked on the four-hour flight to the west coast of this great country to see the Golden Gate City.
For 21 hours.
I flew in Thursday night, and was back in Dallas Friday night. From what I saw of it, San Fran is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been in. Quick shout out to our West Coast readers (yeah, right, like we have THOSE... I don't think we have any West TEXAS readers). I also enjoyed my first few solo experiences with taking a taxi (one of my drivers even picked me up in his off time... a bit unstable for me to do, but it makes for a great story), and I saw the Bay Bridge, as well as Monster Park AND SBC Park. The Golden Gate Bridge was on the other side of town, and I was on a time schedule. The conference itself took all of thirty minutes, but it was well worth it. I would like to take a few extra days out there the next time I get the chance to see the town, but I was really impressed with the things I saw. Hey, I even saw a golf course on an island that was FULLY LIGHTED. Mmmm... golf.
I will tell more of the story as the days go on, but I will start with a quick note for those of you that book flights: if my name ever comes across your desk to book me a flight, DO NOT give me the window seat. I am not a small man by any stretch, and the window is not real comfortable for me, unless it's behind the bulkhead (which is the row I prefer anyway). Help a brotha out and hook me up on the aisle.
Lastly for today, a quick plug for a site that I have read for years, and re-introduced myself to the greatness of recently. The address is http://www.tomatonation.com, run by the great Sarah Bunting. If you enjoy any of my rants, you will see how bush league I really am by reading her stuff. Pure unadulterated greatness.
Until next time, when I review a few movies on their way to DVD (watched 'em on the flights)...
BB
I know we haven't spent time together lately, but it's because my work has buried me in a sea of computers and training, so for the next little while, these will be sporatic at best.
I did want to take a minute to tell the story of what happened to me at the end of last week. As you may or may not know, I have been fairly well traveled in my three decades on this planet (more than some, less than some), and had the opportunity to take a work trip to San Francisco last week to attend a conference. So I took it and embarked on the four-hour flight to the west coast of this great country to see the Golden Gate City.
For 21 hours.
I flew in Thursday night, and was back in Dallas Friday night. From what I saw of it, San Fran is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been in. Quick shout out to our West Coast readers (yeah, right, like we have THOSE... I don't think we have any West TEXAS readers). I also enjoyed my first few solo experiences with taking a taxi (one of my drivers even picked me up in his off time... a bit unstable for me to do, but it makes for a great story), and I saw the Bay Bridge, as well as Monster Park AND SBC Park. The Golden Gate Bridge was on the other side of town, and I was on a time schedule. The conference itself took all of thirty minutes, but it was well worth it. I would like to take a few extra days out there the next time I get the chance to see the town, but I was really impressed with the things I saw. Hey, I even saw a golf course on an island that was FULLY LIGHTED. Mmmm... golf.
I will tell more of the story as the days go on, but I will start with a quick note for those of you that book flights: if my name ever comes across your desk to book me a flight, DO NOT give me the window seat. I am not a small man by any stretch, and the window is not real comfortable for me, unless it's behind the bulkhead (which is the row I prefer anyway). Help a brotha out and hook me up on the aisle.
Lastly for today, a quick plug for a site that I have read for years, and re-introduced myself to the greatness of recently. The address is http://www.tomatonation.com, run by the great Sarah Bunting. If you enjoy any of my rants, you will see how bush league I really am by reading her stuff. Pure unadulterated greatness.
Until next time, when I review a few movies on their way to DVD (watched 'em on the flights)...
BB
Thursday, April 07, 2005
The Upside Of Anger
Three entries in one week? That's GOTTA be a record.
This week's second movie review is the afforementioned "The Upside Of Anger". Terry Wolfmeyer (Joan Allen, The Contender) is having a rough go at it. Her husband left her with his secretary, so now she has to raise their four daughters on her own. Emily (Keri Russell, Felicity) wants to be a ballerina, Andy (Erika Christiansen, Traffic) is pondering skipping college for the workforce, Hadley (Alicia Witt, Vanilla Sky) is trying to graduate college, and Popeye (Evan Rachel Wood, Once And Again) is discovering boys. If that isn't enough, her neighbor/former baseball player/radio host Denny Davies (Kevin Costner, like I need to tell you what he's been in) just wants to spend more time with her. Let's just say that's the tip of the iceberg.
My wife wanted to see this film, and since it was her turn to pick the movie (with this new job, I promised her a "dinner & movie" once a week, and we'd take turns picking), I had no choice. Granted, I had a bit of interest, since the film was written and directed by Mike Binder (The Hollywood Knights), a great standup comic from back in the day. Chick flick or not? The mind boggles.
On one hand, you had all of the "female bonding" gig. On the other hand, you have some good comedy that even I chuckled at. Would I have seen this without the spouse? Probably not. So I guess this qualifies this as a "date movie".
As far as the film itself, Joan Allen is ALWAYS great. Bet the farm on that. As Terry, she shows both the external and internal struggles of her character as if it were second nature, and the chemistry she has with the entire cast is phenomenal. Even Kevin "bad accent" Costner made an effort to act, so it couldn't be that bad off. And Erika Christiansen is pretty good lookin'.
After much thought (and scattershooting), I will give "The Upside Of Anger" a 6.5, which translates to "see it if you're on a date and feeling whatever about the flick selection".
Until next time, when you never know what I might pull out of my sleeve.
BB
This week's second movie review is the afforementioned "The Upside Of Anger". Terry Wolfmeyer (Joan Allen, The Contender) is having a rough go at it. Her husband left her with his secretary, so now she has to raise their four daughters on her own. Emily (Keri Russell, Felicity) wants to be a ballerina, Andy (Erika Christiansen, Traffic) is pondering skipping college for the workforce, Hadley (Alicia Witt, Vanilla Sky) is trying to graduate college, and Popeye (Evan Rachel Wood, Once And Again) is discovering boys. If that isn't enough, her neighbor/former baseball player/radio host Denny Davies (Kevin Costner, like I need to tell you what he's been in) just wants to spend more time with her. Let's just say that's the tip of the iceberg.
My wife wanted to see this film, and since it was her turn to pick the movie (with this new job, I promised her a "dinner & movie" once a week, and we'd take turns picking), I had no choice. Granted, I had a bit of interest, since the film was written and directed by Mike Binder (The Hollywood Knights), a great standup comic from back in the day. Chick flick or not? The mind boggles.
On one hand, you had all of the "female bonding" gig. On the other hand, you have some good comedy that even I chuckled at. Would I have seen this without the spouse? Probably not. So I guess this qualifies this as a "date movie".
As far as the film itself, Joan Allen is ALWAYS great. Bet the farm on that. As Terry, she shows both the external and internal struggles of her character as if it were second nature, and the chemistry she has with the entire cast is phenomenal. Even Kevin "bad accent" Costner made an effort to act, so it couldn't be that bad off. And Erika Christiansen is pretty good lookin'.
After much thought (and scattershooting), I will give "The Upside Of Anger" a 6.5, which translates to "see it if you're on a date and feeling whatever about the flick selection".
Until next time, when you never know what I might pull out of my sleeve.
BB
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Black And White
It's movie review time again, and I actually was able to see a movie or two this past weekend, which helps. So, let's get started...
"SIN CITY"
In Basin City, anything can happen, and normally does. As it's citizens' lives intertwine, innocence is lost like a set of car keys.
Based on the series of graphic novels by the great Frank Miller, known mostly to the general public as the guy who wrote The Dark Knight Returns, where an aged Bruce Wayne loses it and starts killing criminals, Sin City was thought by many to be virtually impossible to bring to the big screen, much less in a two-hour format with an "R" rating. With the amount of violence, sex, and gore, it just couldn't be done.
Then, Miller himself signed on to direct. Robert Rodriguez (Spy Kids, The El Mariachi Trilogy) also signed on, and even got his friend Quentin Terrantino to help out. Then, enough actors to fill an A-List train (Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba, Benecio Del Toro, Brittany Murphy, Mickey Rourke, Josh Hartnett, Clive Owen, Rosario Dawson, Jamie King). All of this, and this thing could either fail miserably or succeed with authority.
Thankfully, the latter is the case. With a visual style that makes you think that the graphic novel has come to life, performances that are about as real as art can get (Rourke has the performance of his CAREER), and storylines that keep you guessing, this film has the perfect mix of laughs and all-out darkness that keeps you interested for the solid couple of hours that this movie takes. All in all, I would see this again and pay full price, so on a scale of 1 to 10, I will give Sin City an 8.
Until next time, when we go all chick flick...
BB
"SIN CITY"
In Basin City, anything can happen, and normally does. As it's citizens' lives intertwine, innocence is lost like a set of car keys.
Based on the series of graphic novels by the great Frank Miller, known mostly to the general public as the guy who wrote The Dark Knight Returns, where an aged Bruce Wayne loses it and starts killing criminals, Sin City was thought by many to be virtually impossible to bring to the big screen, much less in a two-hour format with an "R" rating. With the amount of violence, sex, and gore, it just couldn't be done.
Then, Miller himself signed on to direct. Robert Rodriguez (Spy Kids, The El Mariachi Trilogy) also signed on, and even got his friend Quentin Terrantino to help out. Then, enough actors to fill an A-List train (Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba, Benecio Del Toro, Brittany Murphy, Mickey Rourke, Josh Hartnett, Clive Owen, Rosario Dawson, Jamie King). All of this, and this thing could either fail miserably or succeed with authority.
Thankfully, the latter is the case. With a visual style that makes you think that the graphic novel has come to life, performances that are about as real as art can get (Rourke has the performance of his CAREER), and storylines that keep you guessing, this film has the perfect mix of laughs and all-out darkness that keeps you interested for the solid couple of hours that this movie takes. All in all, I would see this again and pay full price, so on a scale of 1 to 10, I will give Sin City an 8.
Until next time, when we go all chick flick...
BB
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
The Showcase Of The Immortals
So, if you don't know this about me, I enjoy the pagentry that is professional wrestling. I have been watching since I was a kid, and for awhile, I actually wrote a column online expressing my thoughts and opinions on the sport. Part of the purpose of this blog was to resharpen my skills to perhaps enter that arena again, so we'll see.
Less than 48 hours ago, the WWE presented WrestleMania 21, the biggest pay-per-view event they put on each year. There was a time when there were only five each year: The Royal Rumble (January), WrestleMania (March), King Of The Ring (June), Summerslam (August), and Survivor Series (November). But alas, the almighty dollar convinced president Vince McMahon that one each month was what the people wanted, and thus now we have more than twice that many each calendar year.
Anyway, myself, the wife, and a few others gathered at the home of some friends to witness this year's spectacle this past Sunday night in the hopes that the wild and the wooly would be out to treat the Staples Center in Los Angeles to an experience it would not soon forget.
It came up short of the mark.
Sure, there were some memorable moments (Hogan, both titles changing, and that's about it), but overall, this year's big dog came up still in the house. For a normal PPV event, it wasn't bad, but THIS IS WRESTLEMANIA. This is where storylines begin and end. This is where surprise guests show up and shake things. This is where evil goes good and vice versa. For the most part, that did not happen.
And Sting still hasn't shown up.
Coming later this week, two (count 'em... TWO) movie reviews. We'll see if I can still do that too.
BB
Less than 48 hours ago, the WWE presented WrestleMania 21, the biggest pay-per-view event they put on each year. There was a time when there were only five each year: The Royal Rumble (January), WrestleMania (March), King Of The Ring (June), Summerslam (August), and Survivor Series (November). But alas, the almighty dollar convinced president Vince McMahon that one each month was what the people wanted, and thus now we have more than twice that many each calendar year.
Anyway, myself, the wife, and a few others gathered at the home of some friends to witness this year's spectacle this past Sunday night in the hopes that the wild and the wooly would be out to treat the Staples Center in Los Angeles to an experience it would not soon forget.
It came up short of the mark.
Sure, there were some memorable moments (Hogan, both titles changing, and that's about it), but overall, this year's big dog came up still in the house. For a normal PPV event, it wasn't bad, but THIS IS WRESTLEMANIA. This is where storylines begin and end. This is where surprise guests show up and shake things. This is where evil goes good and vice versa. For the most part, that did not happen.
And Sting still hasn't shown up.
Coming later this week, two (count 'em... TWO) movie reviews. We'll see if I can still do that too.
BB
Monday, March 28, 2005
Shameless Plug
Now that I have weekends to myself for the most part (while I'm in training with the new job, I do a few hours here and there), I have been trying to catch up on a lot of things that I have missed out on over the last few years. This past weekend, I was able to do one of those things by seeing a friend of mine's band play in Deep Ellum.
They are called The Gobos ( http://www.thegobos.com ), and they are absolute greatness. For the most part, they do speed rock covers of songs we all know and love, and sprinkle in original songs here and there. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll hug complete strangers.
I will tell you that this is not the family show, as they do work a bit blue. But when you hear a song about a guy that wants to buy his girl a boob job, and only ends up having enough money for one, your life will never be the same.
Visit the website for samples of the music, buy a CD (there are two: It's Naked Time, and Worst. Album. Ever.), and watch for upcoming shows. I will do everything in my power not to miss another one myself.
BB
They are called The Gobos ( http://www.thegobos.com ), and they are absolute greatness. For the most part, they do speed rock covers of songs we all know and love, and sprinkle in original songs here and there. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll hug complete strangers.
I will tell you that this is not the family show, as they do work a bit blue. But when you hear a song about a guy that wants to buy his girl a boob job, and only ends up having enough money for one, your life will never be the same.
Visit the website for samples of the music, buy a CD (there are two: It's Naked Time, and Worst. Album. Ever.), and watch for upcoming shows. I will do everything in my power not to miss another one myself.
BB
Friday, March 18, 2005
I Want A New Drug
I wasn't sure if I wanted to weigh in on the whole steroid issue mainly because I was so beaten down by the whole thing that I didn't want to pass down that beating to both of the people that read this thing. I really didn't have plans to listen to the House committee investigation (after all, it was the first day of the NCAA tournament), but I wound up listening anyway. And I'm glad I did.
There are those out there who have the opinion that this whole deal was just a grandstanding event by Congress to get things out there, but I think that it was a bit more than that. For those of you that don't know, Mark McGuire, Frank Thomas (whom I do not think was there live), Jose Canseco, Curt Schilling, Rafael Palmeiro, commissioner Bud Selig, and player association chairman Donald Fehr sat before the House of Representatives yesterday to address the issue of steroids in baseball. The players were first in the mid-afternoon, and the executives were in the hot seat after dinner. My first impression was that this was going to be a number of hours of softball questions, and Canseco pimping out his poor excuse for a book (from a poor excuse for a man). At first, it was, because each individual person got to make their own opening statement.
For added pressure, the parents of a few students whom have died from steroid-involved complications were sitting right behind them. By the end of the opening statements, I was still debating whether or not to stick with this. Needeless to say, I'm glad I did.
Once the questtioning began, it got ugly. To the credit of Congress, they asked the tough questions about steroid use and abuse and what the players thought it would take to fix the problem. For the most part, the players were on board with stricter testing, tougher punishment, and even a completely independent company conducting the test. Curt Schilling and Frank Thomas have both volunteered to head up a players' campaign to educate and prevent steroid abuse.
Then, there was Mark McGuire. I can honestly tell you that I have never been a big fan of Big Mac (although I'll take him over Barry Bonds any day of the week), but any shred of respect I had for him disappeared last night. When asked about anything that MIGHT incriminate him, he would respond with, "I'm not here to talk about the past". Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize that we were here to be a convention of clairvoyants and predict who and who not will be taking drugs down the line. Last time I checked, we were all convened to talk about the problem that has gotten out of control UP UNTIL NOW and how to fix it.
McGuire also said that he was going to refocus his foundation to address this issue. Now, his foundation benefits kids whom are homeless and abused. I'm not sure I would refocus the whole thing; I might redirect SOME funds, but not the whole shooting match. The guy came out looking like an idiot.
Sammy Sosa came out a little on the fence for me. The language barrier will probably affect some people, but you could tell he understood what was being said, and was responding to the best of his ability. The corked bat incident probably won't help his image in this arena, but we shall see.
Frank Thomas really didn't have much to bring to the table to me, but I appreciate him answering the call.
Jose Canseco? Not even going to dignify this moron. The only thing good about him is that he and his twin brother have my birthday.
Rafael Palmiero came across very well. He took the hard line under oath for stiff consequences and spoke both strongly and elequently as a professional to denounce steroid abuse.
The big winner, to me, was Curt Schilling. I have always respected Mr. Schilling as both a player and a person. By speaking as strongly as he did, with a great amount of conviction, I gained even more respect for The Schill and hope that his commitment to help get the message out reaches well beyond these hearings.
As far as Selig and Fehr go... morons. Complete morons.
If you get the chance to see a replay of any of the investigation, please do. It won't necessarily educate you, but it will give you an insight as to how far Major League Baseball has to go to get a handle on this issue.
The other major sports? Another post for another time.
There are those out there who have the opinion that this whole deal was just a grandstanding event by Congress to get things out there, but I think that it was a bit more than that. For those of you that don't know, Mark McGuire, Frank Thomas (whom I do not think was there live), Jose Canseco, Curt Schilling, Rafael Palmeiro, commissioner Bud Selig, and player association chairman Donald Fehr sat before the House of Representatives yesterday to address the issue of steroids in baseball. The players were first in the mid-afternoon, and the executives were in the hot seat after dinner. My first impression was that this was going to be a number of hours of softball questions, and Canseco pimping out his poor excuse for a book (from a poor excuse for a man). At first, it was, because each individual person got to make their own opening statement.
For added pressure, the parents of a few students whom have died from steroid-involved complications were sitting right behind them. By the end of the opening statements, I was still debating whether or not to stick with this. Needeless to say, I'm glad I did.
Once the questtioning began, it got ugly. To the credit of Congress, they asked the tough questions about steroid use and abuse and what the players thought it would take to fix the problem. For the most part, the players were on board with stricter testing, tougher punishment, and even a completely independent company conducting the test. Curt Schilling and Frank Thomas have both volunteered to head up a players' campaign to educate and prevent steroid abuse.
Then, there was Mark McGuire. I can honestly tell you that I have never been a big fan of Big Mac (although I'll take him over Barry Bonds any day of the week), but any shred of respect I had for him disappeared last night. When asked about anything that MIGHT incriminate him, he would respond with, "I'm not here to talk about the past". Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize that we were here to be a convention of clairvoyants and predict who and who not will be taking drugs down the line. Last time I checked, we were all convened to talk about the problem that has gotten out of control UP UNTIL NOW and how to fix it.
McGuire also said that he was going to refocus his foundation to address this issue. Now, his foundation benefits kids whom are homeless and abused. I'm not sure I would refocus the whole thing; I might redirect SOME funds, but not the whole shooting match. The guy came out looking like an idiot.
Sammy Sosa came out a little on the fence for me. The language barrier will probably affect some people, but you could tell he understood what was being said, and was responding to the best of his ability. The corked bat incident probably won't help his image in this arena, but we shall see.
Frank Thomas really didn't have much to bring to the table to me, but I appreciate him answering the call.
Jose Canseco? Not even going to dignify this moron. The only thing good about him is that he and his twin brother have my birthday.
Rafael Palmiero came across very well. He took the hard line under oath for stiff consequences and spoke both strongly and elequently as a professional to denounce steroid abuse.
The big winner, to me, was Curt Schilling. I have always respected Mr. Schilling as both a player and a person. By speaking as strongly as he did, with a great amount of conviction, I gained even more respect for The Schill and hope that his commitment to help get the message out reaches well beyond these hearings.
As far as Selig and Fehr go... morons. Complete morons.
If you get the chance to see a replay of any of the investigation, please do. It won't necessarily educate you, but it will give you an insight as to how far Major League Baseball has to go to get a handle on this issue.
The other major sports? Another post for another time.
Friday, March 11, 2005
Don't Call It A Comeback
So, it's been almost a month? Well, there's a reason.
You may notice that this post is on a Friday night, which begs the question, "What the heck is Uncle B doing near a computer with internet access on a Friday night?" The answer is simple:
I am no longer in the DJ business.
A couple of weeks ago, I was having a conversation with a guy that I have known for years, and the comment was made that I was looking for something new, and within a few moments, I was offered a job to train to become an I.T. Network Administrator. More money, better benefits, less hours, and normal hours (eventually; whilst I am in training, I'm working 11:30 AM to 8:30 PM, which is still better than 5 PM to 2 AM). How could I pass that up? The concept of a career vs. a job was too good to pass up.
So now here I am, taking a step closer to what appears to be my density. You see, I've been around computers my whole life since my mother is a software corporate trainer for HP, so these things seem to come natural.
And don't even begin to imagine how much this excites Aunt J. The fact that I get to see my wife awake more than twice a week is simply amazing. Unfortunately the first week I am working this full-time she is experiencing a lot of tooth pain, but at least we have the time now.
My final show as a DJ & karaoke host was a week ago tomorrow, and it was simply amazing. A lot of people that have not been out to the show in a long time came out, and it was a night to remember. I got a few cards and gifts from the regulars, and many well-wishes. Sure, it was ironic that my last week singing for a living I all but lost my voice, but we got through it.
It didn't really hit me until Tuesday night (the first karaoke show at the City without my hosting), when I was on my couch and realized that it was Tuesday night and I was on my couch. It was a little bittersweet, but it was very satisfying as well. Plus, working the shift I'm on right now gives me the chance to transition my way back to normal 8 AM to 5 PM hours, instead of going cold turkey.
Tonight, I am going to enjoy some time at a local watering hole that I have heard about for years, and tomorrow is morning shift training, a FanForce meeting in the afternoon, and then a BBQ gathering with The Hawk tomorrow night, where some real good times are on deck.
I'm still a little nervous, as there is a lot to learn at this new job, but I'm confident at the same time that I will get this thing rolling in the way that only I can.
Plus, I have more time to add to this blog. Assuming anybody's reading.
Holla,
BB
You may notice that this post is on a Friday night, which begs the question, "What the heck is Uncle B doing near a computer with internet access on a Friday night?" The answer is simple:
I am no longer in the DJ business.
A couple of weeks ago, I was having a conversation with a guy that I have known for years, and the comment was made that I was looking for something new, and within a few moments, I was offered a job to train to become an I.T. Network Administrator. More money, better benefits, less hours, and normal hours (eventually; whilst I am in training, I'm working 11:30 AM to 8:30 PM, which is still better than 5 PM to 2 AM). How could I pass that up? The concept of a career vs. a job was too good to pass up.
So now here I am, taking a step closer to what appears to be my density. You see, I've been around computers my whole life since my mother is a software corporate trainer for HP, so these things seem to come natural.
And don't even begin to imagine how much this excites Aunt J. The fact that I get to see my wife awake more than twice a week is simply amazing. Unfortunately the first week I am working this full-time she is experiencing a lot of tooth pain, but at least we have the time now.
My final show as a DJ & karaoke host was a week ago tomorrow, and it was simply amazing. A lot of people that have not been out to the show in a long time came out, and it was a night to remember. I got a few cards and gifts from the regulars, and many well-wishes. Sure, it was ironic that my last week singing for a living I all but lost my voice, but we got through it.
It didn't really hit me until Tuesday night (the first karaoke show at the City without my hosting), when I was on my couch and realized that it was Tuesday night and I was on my couch. It was a little bittersweet, but it was very satisfying as well. Plus, working the shift I'm on right now gives me the chance to transition my way back to normal 8 AM to 5 PM hours, instead of going cold turkey.
Tonight, I am going to enjoy some time at a local watering hole that I have heard about for years, and tomorrow is morning shift training, a FanForce meeting in the afternoon, and then a BBQ gathering with The Hawk tomorrow night, where some real good times are on deck.
I'm still a little nervous, as there is a lot to learn at this new job, but I'm confident at the same time that I will get this thing rolling in the way that only I can.
Plus, I have more time to add to this blog. Assuming anybody's reading.
Holla,
BB
Monday, February 14, 2005
Lost In Translation?
I know this is sooner than most of my entries have been, but I saw something the other day that I HAD to rant about.
In a couple of weeks, ESPN will be rolling out their third and latest version of it's reality show, "Dream Job". The concept is that any normal person can have the chance of a lifetime (or dream job, if you will) to become an ESPN anchor for a year. You are put through a grueling process on live television in front of the world, and then you are scrutenized by the panel of celebrity judges to eventually be the chosen one. Personally, I love this concept. I actually wanted to audition for the second season, but found out the day AFTER the auditions happened. Story of my life.
So, I kept my ear to the ground for what surely would be the opportunity to audition for what could be the blockbuster third season of a show that gets bumped to the midnight eastern shift during the baseball playoffs, but it's cool. Then I find out...
... this season, "Dream Job" will only be five contestants, and they are all former NBA players getting the shot of NBA analyst for ESPN.
WHAT??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
These guys have AGENTS, and could get an audition over lunch. So now, instead of trying to get the rags-to-riches deal, we get "dudes that haven't had steady work in a LONG time" working.
You wanna do this right? Move them over to CBS, and make THAT the new "Survivor". Get off the island, get a check, and then you STILL don't have to work. BOO-YAA!
You KNOW Tom Tolbert's somewhere going, "WTF, man? I had to go through auditions and TWO freakin' networks!"
Oh yeah, and happy Valentine's Day kids. Protect yourselves.
In a couple of weeks, ESPN will be rolling out their third and latest version of it's reality show, "Dream Job". The concept is that any normal person can have the chance of a lifetime (or dream job, if you will) to become an ESPN anchor for a year. You are put through a grueling process on live television in front of the world, and then you are scrutenized by the panel of celebrity judges to eventually be the chosen one. Personally, I love this concept. I actually wanted to audition for the second season, but found out the day AFTER the auditions happened. Story of my life.
So, I kept my ear to the ground for what surely would be the opportunity to audition for what could be the blockbuster third season of a show that gets bumped to the midnight eastern shift during the baseball playoffs, but it's cool. Then I find out...
... this season, "Dream Job" will only be five contestants, and they are all former NBA players getting the shot of NBA analyst for ESPN.
WHAT??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
These guys have AGENTS, and could get an audition over lunch. So now, instead of trying to get the rags-to-riches deal, we get "dudes that haven't had steady work in a LONG time" working.
You wanna do this right? Move them over to CBS, and make THAT the new "Survivor". Get off the island, get a check, and then you STILL don't have to work. BOO-YAA!
You KNOW Tom Tolbert's somewhere going, "WTF, man? I had to go through auditions and TWO freakin' networks!"
Oh yeah, and happy Valentine's Day kids. Protect yourselves.
Thursday, February 10, 2005
The Week That Was
So, I tried to make an entry earlier this week that was actually pretty good, and as I saved it, my computer locked up. I ended up losing the whole thing because I'm not smart enough to save as I go, so I'll try to put some pieces together in a "random thoughts" style:
1- THE SUPER BOWL
-My prognostication skills are improving. Got the spread wrong, but I was right with the under. I'm still not confident enough to gamble, and probably never will be.
-Here's my favorite stat: NEW ENGLAND's Rodney Harrison caught more passes from PHILADELPHIA's Donovan McNabb than PHILADELPHIA's Freddie Mitchell. This is why you don't run your mouth.
-As far as the halftime show goes, my wife enjoyed it (she's a HUGE Beatles fan), but I thought it was just kinda plain. I did like the video ramps, but not even any choreography? COME ON. This post-Nipplegate era is getting a bit out of control.
-Lay off of the godaddy.com people. It was HUMOR. You didn't see anything. And refund the fee they paid for the second spot that was pulled. That's a lot of cash.
-As much as I don't like the guy, I applaud T.O. for the performance that he put out there. That is something I like to call "Fighting Through It". Hell, I even doubted the decision to let him play.
-Memo to the University Of Southern California: THAT is a back-to-back champion. YOU are not.
2- MARDI GRAS
-For those of you that are not aware of how this works, basically it's a big party to get all of your dubachery out before Lent begins, with the culmination on Fat Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday, when Lent begins). Here, it's a fairly big deal, and my bar has a big to-do every year. This year was no exception, with lots of people giving and getting beads, drinking their fill, and dancing the night away with karaoke. I was a bit nervous about this day (I always am, along with St. Patrick's Day), but the night went by without any major problems, so I was happy about that.
-Ash Wednesday kind of creeps me out. As I was watching "Around The Horn" on ESPN yesterday, I saw Tony "Stat Boy" Reali with the traditional ash mark on his forehead (this is mainly done in the Catholic church, but others do it as well), and it's ALL I COULD SEE. I'm not here to knock anyone's traditions or beliefs, but that particular one's not for me.
3- THE PRO BOWL
- It's the NFL All-Star Game. They get a free trip to Hawaii and get to do a lot of cool stuff. The game means nothing. Moving on...
4- THE GRAMMYS
- I'll be watching this Sunday night. I am a big fan of the major award shows (sans the Billboard Awards; total whip), and this is one. I would do my predictions, but there's like a bazillion categories, so just watch and think that I picked EVERY ONE correctly.
Enjoy your weekend, and we'll do this again soon.
BB
1- THE SUPER BOWL
-My prognostication skills are improving. Got the spread wrong, but I was right with the under. I'm still not confident enough to gamble, and probably never will be.
-Here's my favorite stat: NEW ENGLAND's Rodney Harrison caught more passes from PHILADELPHIA's Donovan McNabb than PHILADELPHIA's Freddie Mitchell. This is why you don't run your mouth.
-As far as the halftime show goes, my wife enjoyed it (she's a HUGE Beatles fan), but I thought it was just kinda plain. I did like the video ramps, but not even any choreography? COME ON. This post-Nipplegate era is getting a bit out of control.
-Lay off of the godaddy.com people. It was HUMOR. You didn't see anything. And refund the fee they paid for the second spot that was pulled. That's a lot of cash.
-As much as I don't like the guy, I applaud T.O. for the performance that he put out there. That is something I like to call "Fighting Through It". Hell, I even doubted the decision to let him play.
-Memo to the University Of Southern California: THAT is a back-to-back champion. YOU are not.
2- MARDI GRAS
-For those of you that are not aware of how this works, basically it's a big party to get all of your dubachery out before Lent begins, with the culmination on Fat Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday, when Lent begins). Here, it's a fairly big deal, and my bar has a big to-do every year. This year was no exception, with lots of people giving and getting beads, drinking their fill, and dancing the night away with karaoke. I was a bit nervous about this day (I always am, along with St. Patrick's Day), but the night went by without any major problems, so I was happy about that.
-Ash Wednesday kind of creeps me out. As I was watching "Around The Horn" on ESPN yesterday, I saw Tony "Stat Boy" Reali with the traditional ash mark on his forehead (this is mainly done in the Catholic church, but others do it as well), and it's ALL I COULD SEE. I'm not here to knock anyone's traditions or beliefs, but that particular one's not for me.
3- THE PRO BOWL
- It's the NFL All-Star Game. They get a free trip to Hawaii and get to do a lot of cool stuff. The game means nothing. Moving on...
4- THE GRAMMYS
- I'll be watching this Sunday night. I am a big fan of the major award shows (sans the Billboard Awards; total whip), and this is one. I would do my predictions, but there's like a bazillion categories, so just watch and think that I picked EVERY ONE correctly.
Enjoy your weekend, and we'll do this again soon.
BB
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Who We Be
For my latest post (I'd hate to use "this week's," but it's what this thing seems to be turning into), I'm taking the cheap way out and posting an essay I wrote a few years ago about the industry that has become the last decade of my life.
For those of you that don't know me as well as you'd like, I have been a DJ since the age of 16, but have been involved in karaoke since 1994. So, for your approval:
"WASTIN' AWAY AGAIN IN KARAOKEVILLE:
Band-less performance from a different perspective"
by Rob Ervin
It is an epidemic that spreads far and wide. You may know somebody that has done it, and may even still do it in a frequency that rivals an airport's flight schedule. It is even possible that you yourself have done it as well, although you may use the excuse of being too drunk to remember it. You may have done it by yourself, with another person, or even in a group of people while a virtual sea of others looked on.
"It" is the phenomenon known as karaoke, and it seems like everywhere you turn, it's right there. Anywhere from sports bars to stores in your favorite shopping mall are known to subscribe to this "Star Search meets Animal House," in a near feeding frenzy of addicts who just can't seem to get enough, in the way a junkie just have to have more of whatever drug they seem to jones for. There have been reports on the news about it, and even channels like MTV or VH-1 have done daily and weekly shows based on it, but very few that are in the thick of this musical invasion have given their side of the story.
Until now.
When you have been doing a certain task for what amounts to over a decade, I guess you could pretty much say that it is your profession, which in my logic, gives me the right to say that I can be somewhat of an authority. It is my job (at least part of it) to make sure that this one-ring circus operates properly, being sure that order is kept and that these hopeful Mariah Careys and Luther Vandross's sound as good as they possibly can. I am what is known as a "KJ," "Karaoke Guy," and even "Engineer With Attitude" that keeps the convoy rolling on the highway of entertainment.
Simply put, I am a "karaoke host".
Hosting a karaoke show is a lot like being a breeder in a livestock show. It is up to you to get the singers to where they need to be, keep them there for their allotted time slot, allow them to get their adulation, and move them on in a timely fashion. At times, it is more so, as the more intoxicated the individual gets, the more like livestock they behave: loud slurring noises, refusal to move when told, etc.
More details? Well, in order to get there, let's go back to the beginning.
For those of you that have always wondered where the heck this all began, you have to travel to the wonderment that is Japan. Karaoke began there in the early eighties, and became such a frenzy that some of the major players in electronics at the time (namely Pioneer) wanted to try it overseas. The word "karaoke," is actually a Japanese word; "kara," meaning "empty" (if you remember your "Karate Kid" dialogue, Mr. Miagi says that "karate" means "empty hand"), and "oke," meaning "orchestra," because you are essentially filling in the most essential part of the music... the vocals.
The difference between karaoke and an instrumental of a song is two-fold: 1- Normally on an instrumental track, there is no backing vocals; on karaoke, all harmonies are there, and 2- In most karaoke formats, the lyrics to the song can be displayed on a video monitor with special players. It's kind of like the old "follow the bouncing ball" routine from old sing-a-long shows, but the words actually change color, so you can even almost figure out how long to hold certain notes without knowing how to read music.
Most karaoke performances take place in a bar of some sort, because usually, people need a little help to get on stage and sing from Jose Cuervo or some such "relative". I have seen places that are strictly devoted to karaoke, but those places are usually oriented in the sale of karaoke hardware and software. Most of these places also will have a "studio," where a customer can record themselves singing along in place of their favorite artist or group. It is actually in one of these "studios" where R & B singer Mary J. Blige got her start, by recording herself on a cassette tape, and taking that tape to a record label down the street.
Normally, the procedure is to sit at a table with a book of that establishment's karaoke selections, a piece of paper, and a pencil. When you feel that you are ready, you find a song in the book that you would like to belt out, fill out the form with the pencil with the combination of letters and numbers that correspond with your selection in the book and your name, and then give the slip of paper to the person that is hosting that karaoke show. When your name is called, it is your time to shine as you take the microphone and become the star you've always wanted to be.
In my case, I do run my show in a sports bar/club in the mecca of Mesquite, Texas. My show, as most shows, runs into the night (from 10PM to 2AM), since that is the time frame that most people do their socializing and major drinking. And, as is the normal, my show can run the gambit from Metallica to Mel Tillis, sometimes even back to back. It's all about the audience that is there, and the vibe that they create. It's pretty much my job to have the order in which the singers will perform, make sure that their selections are ready to go when they get on the stage, and ensure that they can not only be heard, but also heard to the best of their ability. (Believe me, I had to word the last part of that VERY carefully.)
So, what is it like on my side of the fence, you ask? It's simple...
Order through chaos.
To start my show, I usually will sing the first song, to not only solve the eternal problem of "I don't wanna go first," but also because I do three karaoke shows a week (the rest of my working nights are spent as my first love, being a DJ), so I need to make sure that the equipment is all working as well as it can (meaning, from a technological standpoint, I have a rep to protect). One of my fears (and that of many hosts, I think) is to get someone up on stage, and have nothing happen when you press the "play" button. Imagine having all eyes in an establishment on you, and pure silence. That tends to get scary after about ten seconds, much less knowing that you have to SING in front of what can pretty much be a room of complete and total strangers.
Once I have completed what I call my "guinea pig song," it is time for the people that are giving my bar their hard earned money the shot they've been waiting for all evening long. The way that I run a show is by taking the first hour's singers in the order in which they give me their requests, thus filling the first "round". In my opinion, one hour is enough to make a decent rotation. Once that round is done, I take the following requests and place them in between repeat singers from the first round, thus keeping it as even and fair as possible. I also will play music in between each singer, so as not to talk over dead air. Playing music between singers tends to keep the attention span of the audience, but a host has to be careful not to play any songs or artists that he has in the line-up of singers, as it just makes the singers uneasy. Sometimes, I myself will sing a song to start each round as kind of a "heads up" to the crowd to let them know where we are, but if the list of singers is just incredibly long, I will just announce the beginning of another round.
Now that I've explained what my role is, let's move on with what I have come up with to being the "rules of etiquette" that are involved in karaoke. These are not set in stone, as different hosts will have different rules, but I like to think that they are fairly universal:
1. NO KARAOKE HOST IS OUT TO MAKE YOU LOOK BAD.
-If something happens during your performance that isn't supposed to, relax and make the best of it. Unless the host is asleep behind the booth, he is doing everything that he can to get your song back on track. Often times, the host will even start your song over so that you can get the chance to get it all in one piece.
2. NO KARAOKE HOST IS GOING TO PASS YOU OVER ON PURPOSE.
-Often times, there is quite an abundance of singers in a particular line-up, so please be patient with them. I have to be honest when I say that there are some hosts out there that can tend to move a singer to the stage faster when presented with a bit of money, but hopefully, you will be at a show where that is not the case. It always amazes me what people are willing to offer me to try to get FIVE MINUTES of stage time in a bar. Believe me, you don't want to know some of the amounts that I've been offered. It's just sad.
3. THERE IS NOT, IN MOST CASES, A RECORD PRODUCER IN THE AUDIENCE.
-I am so often amazed when I have a singer on stage that thinks that they are playing Radio City Music Hall, and if they don't do well, they will never sing again. My friends, karaoke was created so that people can have FUN with it. Treat it that way. Even the above-mentioned Mary J. Blige had to take her tape TO a record company; not the other way around.
4. BOOING IS NOT AN OPTION.
-It is very important to be supportive to each and every singer that gets the nerve to get up there and make a go of it. As I say in the intro to my show, "It's all about the love, and if you ain't about the love, ya gotta go." Even if the person up there is someone that you've known since conception, the other people in the room aren't, and it makes THEM nervous as they wonder if you're going to do that to them.
5. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT YOUR HOST MAY NOT HAVE EVERY SONG THAT HAS EVER BEEN WRITTEN.
-One of the big issues with a lot of karaoke shows is selection of songs. If you have been to a show, you may have wondered why you have not seen a particular song in the book. It is usually one of three reasons:
1- If the song is something that is fairly recent, it takes time for the companies that make the software to get the title available. Basically, the software company has to PAY for the rights to the song, re-record it themselves, make the graphics for you to follow along on, mass produce the discs, and then distribute them to the stores for the hosts to buy them from.
2- The other half of the above stated problem can be from the songwriter/artist themselves. In some cases, the person responsible for the song does not want to release the rights to the software companies. For instance, The Eagles used to have their songs available to the companies to make karaoke versions for. ("Hotel California" is one of the most performed songs that I have come across.) The legend has it that Glen Frey and another member of the band walked into a karaoke bar, and encountered someone doing a sub-par rendition of one of their songs, and had the rights revoked the next day. I have also heard that Alanis Morisette has done something similar. So, if you see a disc with these artists on it, you might want to pick it up, because you won't be able to order it after it's gone.
3- It is also possible that your host just hasn't purchased it, either because they didn't feel that there was a need for it, or because they prioritized another song above it. Karaoke discs can cost anywhere from twenty to eighty dollars and more, depending on the format and number of songs on a particular disc. If you would like to sing a particular song, my suggestion is to ask your host where you can purchase it, and go do so for your own private collection. (Personally, I recommend Trax City in Irving- www.traxcityusa.com) I prefer that if I have a singer do that, they make sure that it is a song that has a video accompany it (not just an instrumental on a regular CD). To me, the point of karaoke is that it is an INTERACTIVE experience; if the audience can follow along with what you're doing, it makes for more of a fun atmosphere, and you can even get a better reaction from them.
6. IF YOU ARE ENJOYING YOURSELF, TAKE A SECOND AND LET YOUR HOST KNOW.
-Once your host has gotten the singer that is on stage going comfortably, simply walk up to him and let him know that you are enjoying yourself. That is the biggest compliment that they can receive, as that is the host's goal. Believe me.
7. DON'T BLAME THE HOST IF YOU DON'T SOUND LIKE MADONNA OR BRIAN McKNIGHT.
-Once again, the whole point is to have fun. If you feel that the effects on your microphone are too high, let the host know politely during a musical break, and he will adjust it. If you don't like having any effects at all, or you need the key of the song adjusted, it's even better if you note that on your request sheet.
If you have not tried it yet, call around to some of the bars in your area to find out where you can go to at least see it in action. There are a lot of people out there that go to karaoke shows just to watch the others get up and try their hardest to entertain, so don't feel like you HAVE to sing. Go, have a few adult beverages, and who knows? Before too long, you too may be an addict. As long as you're having fun.
Rob Ervin has been a karaoke host for over ten years, and has been a DJ for over fifteen. He is currently the house DJ, karaoke host, DJ Manager, & Entertainment Coordinator for Sports City Cafe in Mesquite, Texas.
BB
For those of you that don't know me as well as you'd like, I have been a DJ since the age of 16, but have been involved in karaoke since 1994. So, for your approval:
"WASTIN' AWAY AGAIN IN KARAOKEVILLE:
Band-less performance from a different perspective"
by Rob Ervin
It is an epidemic that spreads far and wide. You may know somebody that has done it, and may even still do it in a frequency that rivals an airport's flight schedule. It is even possible that you yourself have done it as well, although you may use the excuse of being too drunk to remember it. You may have done it by yourself, with another person, or even in a group of people while a virtual sea of others looked on.
"It" is the phenomenon known as karaoke, and it seems like everywhere you turn, it's right there. Anywhere from sports bars to stores in your favorite shopping mall are known to subscribe to this "Star Search meets Animal House," in a near feeding frenzy of addicts who just can't seem to get enough, in the way a junkie just have to have more of whatever drug they seem to jones for. There have been reports on the news about it, and even channels like MTV or VH-1 have done daily and weekly shows based on it, but very few that are in the thick of this musical invasion have given their side of the story.
Until now.
When you have been doing a certain task for what amounts to over a decade, I guess you could pretty much say that it is your profession, which in my logic, gives me the right to say that I can be somewhat of an authority. It is my job (at least part of it) to make sure that this one-ring circus operates properly, being sure that order is kept and that these hopeful Mariah Careys and Luther Vandross's sound as good as they possibly can. I am what is known as a "KJ," "Karaoke Guy," and even "Engineer With Attitude" that keeps the convoy rolling on the highway of entertainment.
Simply put, I am a "karaoke host".
Hosting a karaoke show is a lot like being a breeder in a livestock show. It is up to you to get the singers to where they need to be, keep them there for their allotted time slot, allow them to get their adulation, and move them on in a timely fashion. At times, it is more so, as the more intoxicated the individual gets, the more like livestock they behave: loud slurring noises, refusal to move when told, etc.
More details? Well, in order to get there, let's go back to the beginning.
For those of you that have always wondered where the heck this all began, you have to travel to the wonderment that is Japan. Karaoke began there in the early eighties, and became such a frenzy that some of the major players in electronics at the time (namely Pioneer) wanted to try it overseas. The word "karaoke," is actually a Japanese word; "kara," meaning "empty" (if you remember your "Karate Kid" dialogue, Mr. Miagi says that "karate" means "empty hand"), and "oke," meaning "orchestra," because you are essentially filling in the most essential part of the music... the vocals.
The difference between karaoke and an instrumental of a song is two-fold: 1- Normally on an instrumental track, there is no backing vocals; on karaoke, all harmonies are there, and 2- In most karaoke formats, the lyrics to the song can be displayed on a video monitor with special players. It's kind of like the old "follow the bouncing ball" routine from old sing-a-long shows, but the words actually change color, so you can even almost figure out how long to hold certain notes without knowing how to read music.
Most karaoke performances take place in a bar of some sort, because usually, people need a little help to get on stage and sing from Jose Cuervo or some such "relative". I have seen places that are strictly devoted to karaoke, but those places are usually oriented in the sale of karaoke hardware and software. Most of these places also will have a "studio," where a customer can record themselves singing along in place of their favorite artist or group. It is actually in one of these "studios" where R & B singer Mary J. Blige got her start, by recording herself on a cassette tape, and taking that tape to a record label down the street.
Normally, the procedure is to sit at a table with a book of that establishment's karaoke selections, a piece of paper, and a pencil. When you feel that you are ready, you find a song in the book that you would like to belt out, fill out the form with the pencil with the combination of letters and numbers that correspond with your selection in the book and your name, and then give the slip of paper to the person that is hosting that karaoke show. When your name is called, it is your time to shine as you take the microphone and become the star you've always wanted to be.
In my case, I do run my show in a sports bar/club in the mecca of Mesquite, Texas. My show, as most shows, runs into the night (from 10PM to 2AM), since that is the time frame that most people do their socializing and major drinking. And, as is the normal, my show can run the gambit from Metallica to Mel Tillis, sometimes even back to back. It's all about the audience that is there, and the vibe that they create. It's pretty much my job to have the order in which the singers will perform, make sure that their selections are ready to go when they get on the stage, and ensure that they can not only be heard, but also heard to the best of their ability. (Believe me, I had to word the last part of that VERY carefully.)
So, what is it like on my side of the fence, you ask? It's simple...
Order through chaos.
To start my show, I usually will sing the first song, to not only solve the eternal problem of "I don't wanna go first," but also because I do three karaoke shows a week (the rest of my working nights are spent as my first love, being a DJ), so I need to make sure that the equipment is all working as well as it can (meaning, from a technological standpoint, I have a rep to protect). One of my fears (and that of many hosts, I think) is to get someone up on stage, and have nothing happen when you press the "play" button. Imagine having all eyes in an establishment on you, and pure silence. That tends to get scary after about ten seconds, much less knowing that you have to SING in front of what can pretty much be a room of complete and total strangers.
Once I have completed what I call my "guinea pig song," it is time for the people that are giving my bar their hard earned money the shot they've been waiting for all evening long. The way that I run a show is by taking the first hour's singers in the order in which they give me their requests, thus filling the first "round". In my opinion, one hour is enough to make a decent rotation. Once that round is done, I take the following requests and place them in between repeat singers from the first round, thus keeping it as even and fair as possible. I also will play music in between each singer, so as not to talk over dead air. Playing music between singers tends to keep the attention span of the audience, but a host has to be careful not to play any songs or artists that he has in the line-up of singers, as it just makes the singers uneasy. Sometimes, I myself will sing a song to start each round as kind of a "heads up" to the crowd to let them know where we are, but if the list of singers is just incredibly long, I will just announce the beginning of another round.
Now that I've explained what my role is, let's move on with what I have come up with to being the "rules of etiquette" that are involved in karaoke. These are not set in stone, as different hosts will have different rules, but I like to think that they are fairly universal:
1. NO KARAOKE HOST IS OUT TO MAKE YOU LOOK BAD.
-If something happens during your performance that isn't supposed to, relax and make the best of it. Unless the host is asleep behind the booth, he is doing everything that he can to get your song back on track. Often times, the host will even start your song over so that you can get the chance to get it all in one piece.
2. NO KARAOKE HOST IS GOING TO PASS YOU OVER ON PURPOSE.
-Often times, there is quite an abundance of singers in a particular line-up, so please be patient with them. I have to be honest when I say that there are some hosts out there that can tend to move a singer to the stage faster when presented with a bit of money, but hopefully, you will be at a show where that is not the case. It always amazes me what people are willing to offer me to try to get FIVE MINUTES of stage time in a bar. Believe me, you don't want to know some of the amounts that I've been offered. It's just sad.
3. THERE IS NOT, IN MOST CASES, A RECORD PRODUCER IN THE AUDIENCE.
-I am so often amazed when I have a singer on stage that thinks that they are playing Radio City Music Hall, and if they don't do well, they will never sing again. My friends, karaoke was created so that people can have FUN with it. Treat it that way. Even the above-mentioned Mary J. Blige had to take her tape TO a record company; not the other way around.
4. BOOING IS NOT AN OPTION.
-It is very important to be supportive to each and every singer that gets the nerve to get up there and make a go of it. As I say in the intro to my show, "It's all about the love, and if you ain't about the love, ya gotta go." Even if the person up there is someone that you've known since conception, the other people in the room aren't, and it makes THEM nervous as they wonder if you're going to do that to them.
5. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT YOUR HOST MAY NOT HAVE EVERY SONG THAT HAS EVER BEEN WRITTEN.
-One of the big issues with a lot of karaoke shows is selection of songs. If you have been to a show, you may have wondered why you have not seen a particular song in the book. It is usually one of three reasons:
1- If the song is something that is fairly recent, it takes time for the companies that make the software to get the title available. Basically, the software company has to PAY for the rights to the song, re-record it themselves, make the graphics for you to follow along on, mass produce the discs, and then distribute them to the stores for the hosts to buy them from.
2- The other half of the above stated problem can be from the songwriter/artist themselves. In some cases, the person responsible for the song does not want to release the rights to the software companies. For instance, The Eagles used to have their songs available to the companies to make karaoke versions for. ("Hotel California" is one of the most performed songs that I have come across.) The legend has it that Glen Frey and another member of the band walked into a karaoke bar, and encountered someone doing a sub-par rendition of one of their songs, and had the rights revoked the next day. I have also heard that Alanis Morisette has done something similar. So, if you see a disc with these artists on it, you might want to pick it up, because you won't be able to order it after it's gone.
3- It is also possible that your host just hasn't purchased it, either because they didn't feel that there was a need for it, or because they prioritized another song above it. Karaoke discs can cost anywhere from twenty to eighty dollars and more, depending on the format and number of songs on a particular disc. If you would like to sing a particular song, my suggestion is to ask your host where you can purchase it, and go do so for your own private collection. (Personally, I recommend Trax City in Irving- www.traxcityusa.com) I prefer that if I have a singer do that, they make sure that it is a song that has a video accompany it (not just an instrumental on a regular CD). To me, the point of karaoke is that it is an INTERACTIVE experience; if the audience can follow along with what you're doing, it makes for more of a fun atmosphere, and you can even get a better reaction from them.
6. IF YOU ARE ENJOYING YOURSELF, TAKE A SECOND AND LET YOUR HOST KNOW.
-Once your host has gotten the singer that is on stage going comfortably, simply walk up to him and let him know that you are enjoying yourself. That is the biggest compliment that they can receive, as that is the host's goal. Believe me.
7. DON'T BLAME THE HOST IF YOU DON'T SOUND LIKE MADONNA OR BRIAN McKNIGHT.
-Once again, the whole point is to have fun. If you feel that the effects on your microphone are too high, let the host know politely during a musical break, and he will adjust it. If you don't like having any effects at all, or you need the key of the song adjusted, it's even better if you note that on your request sheet.
If you have not tried it yet, call around to some of the bars in your area to find out where you can go to at least see it in action. There are a lot of people out there that go to karaoke shows just to watch the others get up and try their hardest to entertain, so don't feel like you HAVE to sing. Go, have a few adult beverages, and who knows? Before too long, you too may be an addict. As long as you're having fun.
Rob Ervin has been a karaoke host for over ten years, and has been a DJ for over fifteen. He is currently the house DJ, karaoke host, DJ Manager, & Entertainment Coordinator for Sports City Cafe in Mesquite, Texas.
BB
Thursday, January 27, 2005
A Star Is Born? Maybe. A Baby Is Born? Definitely.
Let's first address the second part of this title. Monday night, my friends (and surrogate family) Rick & Trin welcomed their third child into the world. A beautiful baby girl, she checked in at 8 pounds, 3 ounces, and at press time, has not to my knowledge been given a name. I will keep you posted as details warrant. So, until then, welcome to the party, She Whose Name Has Not Been Disclosed.
Now, on to the other part of the title of this entry. As I am sure those of you that are stateside are aware, the phenomenon known as American Idol has thrust itself upon us yet again for it's fourth season. Yes, I am sucked in again, but no, I cannot get through the "auditions" without cringing and praying for an end.
It has been well documented that the producers of the show have upped the age limit this year to 28, which in my opinion is a good thing, because with age comes experience and maturity, espeically in voice. (Side note: Diana DeGarmo was obviously an exception to this rule, and should have won the damn thing last year.) But you have to ask the question: Has the talent pool gotten THAT shallow?
Simply, yes.
I mean, it's rough enough that they had to add the "celebrity judge" already, but to see what these people had to put up with is simply unbearable. We are four nights in, and we have less than fifty finalists in Hollywood? Wow.
It has also been published that the men and the women in the competition will be separated out until the finalists for the live big show are announced, as the women had the clear cut edge last year. You know what? If that's where the talent is, deal. I personally had no issue with that last year. Oh yeah, except for the "person who won" part.
So, as a service that I like to provide, I will offer the following advice to those of you that are planning on facing the judges behind the table:
1- Get the opinions of people that you are NOT related to or NOT obligated to kiss your butt. This way, you can make an informed opinion of whether to "grace our televisions with your presence".
2- Should you decide to go forward with your quest to be the next pop superstar, dress respectably. The concept of "good publicity is worse than none" doesn't work if they don't put your name on TV. Otherwise, Chuckles, they ARE laughing at you.
3- Finally, should you get to the point where you have to face Randy, Paula, Simon, and Judge X, SHUT YOUR PIE HOLE. They are the judges, and they have the final say. At NO point has arguing with them changed their minds, and you are not real likely to be the first to do so. Simply say "thank you for your time" and move on. Looking like a groveling jackass doesn't do anyone any good. Except Fox. They LOVE that stuff. Do the words "Who Wants To Marry A Millionaire" mean anything?
That's really about it for now. Once more, welcome to the world to my latest niece. Man, too many more of these and Christmas is REALLY going to start sucking.
BB
Now, on to the other part of the title of this entry. As I am sure those of you that are stateside are aware, the phenomenon known as American Idol has thrust itself upon us yet again for it's fourth season. Yes, I am sucked in again, but no, I cannot get through the "auditions" without cringing and praying for an end.
It has been well documented that the producers of the show have upped the age limit this year to 28, which in my opinion is a good thing, because with age comes experience and maturity, espeically in voice. (Side note: Diana DeGarmo was obviously an exception to this rule, and should have won the damn thing last year.) But you have to ask the question: Has the talent pool gotten THAT shallow?
Simply, yes.
I mean, it's rough enough that they had to add the "celebrity judge" already, but to see what these people had to put up with is simply unbearable. We are four nights in, and we have less than fifty finalists in Hollywood? Wow.
It has also been published that the men and the women in the competition will be separated out until the finalists for the live big show are announced, as the women had the clear cut edge last year. You know what? If that's where the talent is, deal. I personally had no issue with that last year. Oh yeah, except for the "person who won" part.
So, as a service that I like to provide, I will offer the following advice to those of you that are planning on facing the judges behind the table:
1- Get the opinions of people that you are NOT related to or NOT obligated to kiss your butt. This way, you can make an informed opinion of whether to "grace our televisions with your presence".
2- Should you decide to go forward with your quest to be the next pop superstar, dress respectably. The concept of "good publicity is worse than none" doesn't work if they don't put your name on TV. Otherwise, Chuckles, they ARE laughing at you.
3- Finally, should you get to the point where you have to face Randy, Paula, Simon, and Judge X, SHUT YOUR PIE HOLE. They are the judges, and they have the final say. At NO point has arguing with them changed their minds, and you are not real likely to be the first to do so. Simply say "thank you for your time" and move on. Looking like a groveling jackass doesn't do anyone any good. Except Fox. They LOVE that stuff. Do the words "Who Wants To Marry A Millionaire" mean anything?
That's really about it for now. Once more, welcome to the world to my latest niece. Man, too many more of these and Christmas is REALLY going to start sucking.
BB
Monday, January 24, 2005
A New Chapter
Well, I've decided to try my hand at this blog phenomenon. I used to do my rants via e-mail, but I figured this would be easier to do, and probably a bit more fun.
I originally did this so that I could post messages on the blog of my friend Kenley (http://krw3iniraq.blogspot.com), and wound up with one of my own, so I figured, "What the heck?".
That being said, we will see where this thing goes.
I originally did this so that I could post messages on the blog of my friend Kenley (http://krw3iniraq.blogspot.com), and wound up with one of my own, so I figured, "What the heck?".
That being said, we will see where this thing goes.
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