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

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

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

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.

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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

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

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.

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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...

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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

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...

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