Hello, true believers! Let's get to it...
We start with iMpact! Yes, iMpact. My DVR actually got it this week, due to a rerun by CSI:.
So, I guess the Main Event Mafia is done. Unless.... but I'm gettting ahead of myself.
I'm not real on board with the new graphic thing they're doing with the wrestlers. You guys have been on the air long enough; you don't need to tell us things about their finishers and stuff. Hell, even ROH isn't doing that anymore.
I will say this about the diva formerly known as Krystal and now known as Mrs. Bobby Lashley, she looks GREAT. I just hope there's not a her-turning-on-her-husband-for-Steiner-thing. I'm not sure if Steiner is stable enough to handle that kind of thing. Dude's a bit off-center, IF you know what I mean.
MORE PROMOS FROM THE MOTOR CITY MACHINE GUNS! 'Nuff said. These guys are GOLD.
"Meanest Girls"? REALLY? Lame. And this was my first look at Lacey Von Erich. It's called "promo school". Look into it. You're a VON ERICH, for God's sake.
Believe me when I say this: a Dudley Boyz (they'll always be that to me... sue me) heel turn is on the way, and it ain't far off.
Good to see Nigel... I mean Desmond Wolf make his debut. I just don't think he'll be feuding with Angle for very long. Until....
Lastly (for now... Until....), I wanna know how you can get disqualified in a Six Sides Of Steel Match. It's in a CAGE. What a puss way to get out of that one.
Now, let me say that with SmackDown!, I watched it AFTER I saw "Bragging Rights," so the change of Team SmackDown! wasn't that big of a deal to me. Cryme Tyme didn't make that much sense there anyway. Not that Matt does, but whatever. Having watched it after the PPV also could not have made me care less about the opening segment of the show, but I do it for you people. Again, not a recap column, but you never know what nuggets of greatness could come through. Oh wait, this show isn't live... damn.
The only other thing of note is simple: Escobar, PICK AN ACCENT. What were you: Italian, Hispanic, or what? What the crap was THAT?
No Sign Of The Week. Step up your game, people.
Ring Of Honor, Ring Of Honor, Ring Of Honor. The things I do for you people.
So, this week we get the news from the broadcast that Jim Cornette has joined the ranks as an "Executive Producer," which happened for the real world A MONTH AGO. My GOD, how far behind are these tapings? Makes WCW Saturday Night look current when it aired.
And I'm kind of torn on the Necrobutcher. I mean, I know the dude was in "The Wrestler," and he's got that Mick Foley crazy to him (I still think Abyss tries too hard), but I also wonder if he had been somebody a decade ago. It just seems like his bit isn't as effective as it could have been before. But, the dude gets a pop in Ring Of Honor, so god speed, sir.
RAW seemed to be another snore-fest this week. But, here we go anyway...
Oh yeah, before I forget, if you are in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, come by Sports City Cafe in Mesquite Monday night for our first in a series of Raw Watching Parties, which will lead up to our first WWE Pay-Per-View in over a DECADE as we carry "Tables, Ladders, & Chairs" on December 13th LIVE. We really want this to be a huge success, so BE THERE!
Now that I'm done schilling... Wait a sec, this is MY column. If I wanna schill, I'm gonna schill. Deal with it.
So, was Busch supposed to be a heel manager and Logano was a face manager? Didn't really pull that off now, did we?
"The Baby Oil Boys Club"? Now, THAT'S comedy, my friends.
So Kofi now hails from a third home town of Boston (did you catch that on the PPV?). I'll tell you what: this version of Kofi I am TOTALLY on board with. Let this dude loose. Seriously. GREAT stuff there.
And I TOTALLY don't get this Triple Threat match. I've talked about this before, Triple H and HBK have reached that point in their careers where they have transcended even the belt, so they don't really need it. I know that Randy has now been shut out of the title picture for a while, but I'd be on board with Cena battling the other two guys in Legacy for a bit. Would make things more interesting with the eventual turn by one of them, like Randy had to do when he won the belt while with Evolution.
Now, ECW.
Byron Sexton? I know the dude's been working in FCW for a while, but maybe it wasn't time to bring him up to The Show just yet. Wow, this guy is bad. Why can't Striker do double duty? It's not like they do both shows in the same place on the same night or anything...
It amazes me that Shelton Benjamin has been with the WWE for 8 years now. Talk about time flying. And somewhere in America, Charlie Haas is going, "Isn't there somebody else I haven't parodied yet? What about me? What about Haas?" Oh wait, he's married to Jackie Gayda. Carry on...
Been wondering where all of the "Until..."s came from in the iMpact segment? Well, wonder no more. Not wondering? Read anyway.
Well, my planned Topic Of The Week this week has to be put off again due to the announcement 48 hours ago that Hulk Hogan has signed with TNA, and is bringing Eric Bischoff with him. There are conflicting reports of what Hogan's role will be. Immense radio douche Bubba The Love Sponge seems to be telling anyone who will listen that Hogan and Bischoff will be running things, but sources inside the organization say that the booking team will still be the booking team. There is no doubt that Hogan will still have creative control (the dude's had it for almost two decades after all), but what can TNA do with him?
My first thought is that they turn him heel, and he emerges as the new Godfather of the Main Event Mafia. After all, you've already got Nash and Steiner from the old nWo days. I'm not sure if rehashing Hogan/Sting could get the heat that it did twelve years ago, but you never know. You've also got the Jarrett dynamic that you can throw out there.
My issue is that I don't know if he can keep up with some of the younger guys. AJ and Joe can run circles around him at this point, and I just don't know if the chemistry would be there for anybody else.
I haven't decided yet if Hogan is Favre-ing his legacy at this point, but the dude's getting bled dry by his vampiric ex-wife, so work is work, I guess.
As far as Bischoff, I have NO idea where to go with this. From what I have read, he is going to stay behind the scenes with Jason Hervey on a producer's standpoint, but I'm not sure he can. The dude loves to be on camera, and I think it will get to him at some point. I would love to see the Dudleyz do a shoot on him, then take him on as their manager. How bizarre would that be?
Plus, I can't wait for Hogan's first encounter with Jay Lethal. New Mega Powers, anyone?
That's it for this week, my friends and neighbors. Make sure you come see us on Monday night. I'll be there, taking notes for next week's column. Annnnnd... out.
BB
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Bamm-Bamm's Corner, 10/22/2009
Alright, let's get this done before the day gets away from us...
Right off the bat, let me be one of the millions to send my prayers to Jim Ross, who had a 3rd attack of Bells Palsy a few days ago. This guy is an absolute legend (I have said on more than one occasion that he and Gordon Solie are the two absolute best to ever put on the headset), and I hope that he is well soon. I want many more years to hear his voice on WWE programming.
Now, on to what we normally do...
I actually got to see Superstars this week. Not much to say but AT LEAST THEY DO A REPLAY. God bless WGN for more than one reason (three words: Bob & Tom), but there is something brewing on the horizon that we will save for another time. Topic Of The Week material.
Now, on to SmackDown! (That wasn't for excitement, it's just the way they list the show.)
OK, so I know that now, we had Maria back ringside, but are we not even going to address any aftermath of the "I don't see you in my future" thing? Is this going to push her heel, or is this going to turn into a Santino Vs. The Divas thing?
Oh GOD, don't make Matt job to Escobar... damn.
I do want to give props to the ring announcer for placing the emphasis on the first word of "THE Miz". Actually made me laugh a bit. It was also good to see Morrison show some aggression a bit, instead of the zen master bit he tends to work. This match may be worth a bit on Sunday.
OK, sure, C.M. Punk has a tattoo of the Pepsi logo on his arm (which I don't get, but he's also got the COBRA logo on the other one... which is cooler), but to call him "The choice of a new generation"? Really? I guess the copyright is up over the slogan, but damn...
I do wonder how Cryme Tyme works in as part of the "heel" SmackDown! team. Granted, you've got Swagger on the Raw team, but this seems just odd. I just fear that all of these matches on Sunday are going to be WAY too short, since you are committing at least an hour to one match in the main event (gotta allot time for a tie... please don't let that happen and taint the greatness of Shawn/Bret), but we shall see.
And is it just me, or does the Undertaker not seem to be into this AT ALL anymore? I am of the opinion that he wants to get to 20-0 at WrestleMania, but right now, that seems to be an ETERNITY away.
Moving on...
This week's Sign Of The Week comes from ECW, which read "Ralphus > The Big Show". Anytime you use a Ralphus reference, that is a WIN in my book.
We go to Ring Of Honor.
The only thing I wonder is about all of this pomp and circumstance with the departure of Brian Danielson, there has been NOTHING mentioned about Nigel McGuinness. We did find out this week that he did not sign with WWE, and is now part of the TNA roster, due to not passing Vince's physical screening. It still does not mean they couldn't give a proper send off to a guy that was their champ for a time. Best of luck to a guy whom I feel was in the best of the best of ROH's roster.
Now, Raw.
For a "family-friendly" show (we'll get to the host in a bit), the DiBiase/Orton thing was a bit much for me. Sure, he FINALLY shoved back, but it was way too late, and he still got punked. Perhaps a follow-up segment or something. And put the IC belt on that kid. He could be the future of this company.
Now, for Snoop. Three words here: walk the line.... hey kids, if you wanna roll the doobies, just tell your folks you're lighting candles! Narf.
Look at Shawn. Look at Janetty. Look at Shawn. Look at Janetty. Look at SHAWN. Look at JANETTY. LIGHT YEARS of difference there. Wow.
Why does the back of Miz's trunks say "Be Miz"? I get "Be Jealous," but why would he want anybody else to be him? Wouldn't that lessen his awesomeness?
Note to Melina: it's OK for you to trip going up the ring steps, just don't mess up the split again. That was WAY more embarrassing.
Lastly, I just wannna say that I want a Santino/Hornswaggle tag team. That would be good times.
Topic Of The Week this week had to be changed when it came down last Friday that Shane McMahon officially gave his notice to the company he has literally spent his entire life with. For those of you that don't know, as of January 1st, 2010, he will no longer work with World Wrestling Entertainment. The rumor that I have heard is that he is going to assist his mother, Linda, with her Senate run in Connecticut. This to me sounds like a good idea, as Shane can now do something outside of "the business" where he can really take charge of something that is not seen as being a puppet of his dad. Sure, he's now working with his mom, but I think he can be given more of a chance to shine on his own merits.
Since this is new territory for both of them, they can make this their own. Add to that the fact that Vince seems to be taking a "hands off" approach to this (which is a VERY good thing... XFL might have gone a bit longer if he did the same thing there), and this can be a great experience for them.
Do I think she can win? The mud is already flying, with videos on her opponent's websites and public statements. It's going to be an uphill battle, but only time can tell what will happen. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on it come the new year.
That's it for this week, my friends and/or neighbors. Take care of yourselves, and we'll do it all again next week.
BB
Right off the bat, let me be one of the millions to send my prayers to Jim Ross, who had a 3rd attack of Bells Palsy a few days ago. This guy is an absolute legend (I have said on more than one occasion that he and Gordon Solie are the two absolute best to ever put on the headset), and I hope that he is well soon. I want many more years to hear his voice on WWE programming.
Now, on to what we normally do...
I actually got to see Superstars this week. Not much to say but AT LEAST THEY DO A REPLAY. God bless WGN for more than one reason (three words: Bob & Tom), but there is something brewing on the horizon that we will save for another time. Topic Of The Week material.
Now, on to SmackDown! (That wasn't for excitement, it's just the way they list the show.)
OK, so I know that now, we had Maria back ringside, but are we not even going to address any aftermath of the "I don't see you in my future" thing? Is this going to push her heel, or is this going to turn into a Santino Vs. The Divas thing?
Oh GOD, don't make Matt job to Escobar... damn.
I do want to give props to the ring announcer for placing the emphasis on the first word of "THE Miz". Actually made me laugh a bit. It was also good to see Morrison show some aggression a bit, instead of the zen master bit he tends to work. This match may be worth a bit on Sunday.
OK, sure, C.M. Punk has a tattoo of the Pepsi logo on his arm (which I don't get, but he's also got the COBRA logo on the other one... which is cooler), but to call him "The choice of a new generation"? Really? I guess the copyright is up over the slogan, but damn...
I do wonder how Cryme Tyme works in as part of the "heel" SmackDown! team. Granted, you've got Swagger on the Raw team, but this seems just odd. I just fear that all of these matches on Sunday are going to be WAY too short, since you are committing at least an hour to one match in the main event (gotta allot time for a tie... please don't let that happen and taint the greatness of Shawn/Bret), but we shall see.
And is it just me, or does the Undertaker not seem to be into this AT ALL anymore? I am of the opinion that he wants to get to 20-0 at WrestleMania, but right now, that seems to be an ETERNITY away.
Moving on...
This week's Sign Of The Week comes from ECW, which read "Ralphus > The Big Show". Anytime you use a Ralphus reference, that is a WIN in my book.
We go to Ring Of Honor.
The only thing I wonder is about all of this pomp and circumstance with the departure of Brian Danielson, there has been NOTHING mentioned about Nigel McGuinness. We did find out this week that he did not sign with WWE, and is now part of the TNA roster, due to not passing Vince's physical screening. It still does not mean they couldn't give a proper send off to a guy that was their champ for a time. Best of luck to a guy whom I feel was in the best of the best of ROH's roster.
Now, Raw.
For a "family-friendly" show (we'll get to the host in a bit), the DiBiase/Orton thing was a bit much for me. Sure, he FINALLY shoved back, but it was way too late, and he still got punked. Perhaps a follow-up segment or something. And put the IC belt on that kid. He could be the future of this company.
Now, for Snoop. Three words here: walk the line.... hey kids, if you wanna roll the doobies, just tell your folks you're lighting candles! Narf.
Look at Shawn. Look at Janetty. Look at Shawn. Look at Janetty. Look at SHAWN. Look at JANETTY. LIGHT YEARS of difference there. Wow.
Why does the back of Miz's trunks say "Be Miz"? I get "Be Jealous," but why would he want anybody else to be him? Wouldn't that lessen his awesomeness?
Note to Melina: it's OK for you to trip going up the ring steps, just don't mess up the split again. That was WAY more embarrassing.
Lastly, I just wannna say that I want a Santino/Hornswaggle tag team. That would be good times.
Topic Of The Week this week had to be changed when it came down last Friday that Shane McMahon officially gave his notice to the company he has literally spent his entire life with. For those of you that don't know, as of January 1st, 2010, he will no longer work with World Wrestling Entertainment. The rumor that I have heard is that he is going to assist his mother, Linda, with her Senate run in Connecticut. This to me sounds like a good idea, as Shane can now do something outside of "the business" where he can really take charge of something that is not seen as being a puppet of his dad. Sure, he's now working with his mom, but I think he can be given more of a chance to shine on his own merits.
Since this is new territory for both of them, they can make this their own. Add to that the fact that Vince seems to be taking a "hands off" approach to this (which is a VERY good thing... XFL might have gone a bit longer if he did the same thing there), and this can be a great experience for them.
Do I think she can win? The mud is already flying, with videos on her opponent's websites and public statements. It's going to be an uphill battle, but only time can tell what will happen. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on it come the new year.
That's it for this week, my friends and/or neighbors. Take care of yourselves, and we'll do it all again next week.
BB
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Bamm-Bamm's Corner: 10/14/2009
OK, let's see if I can remember how to do this...
For those of you that are new to the fold, I am resurrecting a column that I used to write many years ago dealing (for the most part) with the state of professional wrestling. There will be times that I go off the page (more than I used to), but this is the focus of this thing. Now, you may be asking yourself, "What prompted you to do this again?" Well, my good friend (and one of the handful of original readers of this thing) Chad, and I were talking last week, and I did a search on my favorite columnist, Hyatte, whom has landed here at Blogspot. In reading his column that I had not seen in YEARS, it inspired me to get my brain working again and do this thing. Plus, I have a nice little circle of fans who have become friends over the last few years, so hopefully there will be reading here. That being said..
We'll start on a bit of a down note. The great Captain Lou Albano passed away today. This was a guy who was one of the key components in making wrestling fun for the mainstream (his work with Cyndi Lauper both in his arena and hers was HUGE... it was even mentioned on PTI today on ESPN), and he knew how to cut a promo. Some of the guys today can learn something by going back and watching his stuff (and Rock's promo from SD two weeks ago, which is posted on my Facebook... for those of you that aren't on my friends list, the user name is DJBammBamm). He will be sorely missed. Vaya con dios, sir.
We start with SmackDown from last week (I know the new one was taped last night, but I'm not reading spoilers here... at least on this). It's good to see CM Punk actually acting like a heel now, thinking he can bully Teddy Long into giving the remach with the Undertaker to be like it was before, a submission match. My wife (who does not watch much) thought it was odd that they turned him heel by basically saying a positive message (don't drink to excess, don't take drugs, don't abuse prescriptions), and I felt the same way. Just be a heel, dude. Granted, you'll never be a WWE top dog (and don't give me "He was champ in Ring Of Honor".... it's RING OF FREAKING HONOR, which we'll get to in a bit.), but you're giving us SOMETHING to watch from a heel standpoint. I don't even think Edge will be heel when he comes back.
Here's a question, and I've always said this: How can Rey Mysterio be a contender for the HEAVYWEIGHT championship of the world? The belt ways more than he does. Just sayin'.
Memo to the people who record theme music: give Michelle McCool her own theme music. She's got to be sick by now with using Candice Michelle's OLD (like three versions ago), music. And help with mic skills might be a good thing, too.
Anybody else shocked by the fact that this is only the Undertaker's 7th run with the belt? I think it's good, personally. I think some of the title runs as of late is cheapening the fact that Flair's done it 16 times. To this generation, it may come to the point where it's not that big of a deal. (As far as HHH, we'll deal with that in an upcoming column.)
As far as this next point, I only have three words: Why Vickie Why? Narf.
Hey, kids, it's Maria! Where the crap has she been for the last month and a half when it comes to the spare known as Dolph Ziggler? I thought the job of a valet was to actually BE THERE when your man has a match. I do wonder if she turns heel or Melina does. Could go either way.
Lastly on this part of the column, I would just like to plead with stopping with the live intro for R-Truth. Or a character overhaul. Or just putting him with somebody else he can play the lackey role to. This bit plain SUCKS.
OK, one down, three to go....
We now turn our attention to that which is known as Ring Of Honor. If you do not have HDNet, you don't see this one-hour "show," but I'm not a recapper, so if you wanna know what actually happened, you'll have to go elsewhere.
I once had a discussion about professional wrestling in general with a dude who worked at a local video game store (my GOD, could that statement have propetuated the stereotype any more?), and he SWORE to me up and down about the greateness that is ROH. At the time, Samoa Joe was their champ, and CM Punk had just left. So, when HDNet announced that they would be carring one hour of their programming each week (which now airs on Monday nights, right before Raw... hey, they ain't STUPID enough to go head-to-head), I was intrigued. Sometimes, you find a bit of gold in a coal mine, so I'd give it a chance. Granted, I'm still watching, but it's from the standpoint of "this HAS to get better". Then, I find out that one of the guys that I feel is in the upper echelon of the promotion, Nigel McGuinness, has been signed by the WWE and is making the jump soon. (Brian Daniels is also going, who is GREAT technically, but I'm not sure about the personality there.) The presentation is real amateur, the commentary team is HORRIBLE (I'll take this week's SD team of Cole & Grisham over these two). Some MAJOR upgrades are needed for this thing to be even viable anywhere but in the northeast. And don't get it twisted, this isn't even on the street that gets to the interstate that gets to the exit that gets to the frontage road that gets to the remote parking lot that gets to the ballpark of even the original ECW, so don't even try that comparison.
And Bison Smith? I thought the Nasty Boys retired YEARS ago. And that's what I have to say about that.
Sign Of The Week goes to the one made for Chad for his 40th birthday last week by our friend, Tonya. So there, public.
Ah, now to the mainstay of this column: Monday Night Raw. (Put it to you this way: at the height of the Corner, I was still evaluating Nitro.)
To all of the d-X haters: even YOU have to admit that they have been the best thing about this show for MONTHS. Shawn's answering machine ALONE was more entertaining than anything else on that show (except Santino, he ALWAYS can bring the funny). We've been seeing this Legacy split coming from a country mile away, and even Cena seems bored with this. Maybe he can have more fun on SmackDown.
By the way, how can the book be "unauthorized" if THEY WROTE IT?
It's good to see the Divas division coming more to the forefront again, but it has to be understood that there is a SEVERE difference in skill levels between ladies like Mickie James and Jillian on a Grand Canyon-esque level. That was just SLOPPY. I understand you needed to put it on a heel for a nanosecond to get it on Melina, but damn. That was BAD. At least go with Beth Phoenix. Then, the trade might have carried some more weight. And to say Jillian had the shortest reign doesn't carry much weight to a belt that is less than a year old.
And as much as I am all for Snoop hosting, I thought this was supposed to be a "family-friendly" shizzow. This can't be to pimp an album. Then again, Ozzy and Ice-T (both of whom I am a fan of) are hosting before the end of the year, too. So go figure.
As far as ECW goes, yeah, I watched. But this show is ABYSMAL. When Christian finally is done paying his penance to Vince and gets moved off of this show, there may be NO reason to watch, except to comment to you, faithful reader. But that's another topic for another time.
Speaking of topics...
We always wrap up the column with the Topic Of The Week. This week, I answer the question that is: "Hey dude, what about TNA? What about iMpact?"
It's simple. I can't watch it right now.
I have been an avid fan of TNA for almost two years now, ever since I saw them do a house show here at the House of Blues (they've only done one here since... don't get THAT). I really enjoy their product, and sincerely believe that they are at a crossroads where they could either just "stay the course" or step up and could give Vince the competition that he so desperately needs to get the creative juices flowing for rock-solid product.
Enter the banana peel under Dixie Carter's feet.
You see, iMpact! comes on at 8 PM Central Time on Thursdays. Problem there is that I have two other shows on my DVR at that point (The Office and CSI: Vegas), and my DVR can only do two shows at a time (even U-Verse can only do two HD programs at the same time, so THERE), and both of those shows are higher priorities, so iMpact! didn't get recorded then during normal viewing season.
This didn't used to be an issue, as they replayed the show on Saturday mornings, and I would get it then. Again, I REALLY like their product and enjoy watching it. However, two weeks ago, TNA decided to cancel the replay to try to up their ratings on Thursdays. This is not a good idea, kids.
Again, you are on opposite THE OFFICE AND CSI: THE MOTHERSHIP. These two have been ratings juggernauts for YEARS, and you aren't going to beat them. Keeping the Saturday replay is actually better for your ratings, as that is when people of my ilk record it. Bring it back, and you have me back before rerun season.
Or make a move to at least Tuesday nights. You can definitely take on ECW.
And there is the same problem with "WWE Superstars," but come on. It's SUPERSTARS.
That's what I've got for this week. Thanks for reading, and we'll keep this thing up on a weekly basis as much as I can.
BB
For those of you that are new to the fold, I am resurrecting a column that I used to write many years ago dealing (for the most part) with the state of professional wrestling. There will be times that I go off the page (more than I used to), but this is the focus of this thing. Now, you may be asking yourself, "What prompted you to do this again?" Well, my good friend (and one of the handful of original readers of this thing) Chad, and I were talking last week, and I did a search on my favorite columnist, Hyatte, whom has landed here at Blogspot. In reading his column that I had not seen in YEARS, it inspired me to get my brain working again and do this thing. Plus, I have a nice little circle of fans who have become friends over the last few years, so hopefully there will be reading here. That being said..
We'll start on a bit of a down note. The great Captain Lou Albano passed away today. This was a guy who was one of the key components in making wrestling fun for the mainstream (his work with Cyndi Lauper both in his arena and hers was HUGE... it was even mentioned on PTI today on ESPN), and he knew how to cut a promo. Some of the guys today can learn something by going back and watching his stuff (and Rock's promo from SD two weeks ago, which is posted on my Facebook... for those of you that aren't on my friends list, the user name is DJBammBamm). He will be sorely missed. Vaya con dios, sir.
We start with SmackDown from last week (I know the new one was taped last night, but I'm not reading spoilers here... at least on this). It's good to see CM Punk actually acting like a heel now, thinking he can bully Teddy Long into giving the remach with the Undertaker to be like it was before, a submission match. My wife (who does not watch much) thought it was odd that they turned him heel by basically saying a positive message (don't drink to excess, don't take drugs, don't abuse prescriptions), and I felt the same way. Just be a heel, dude. Granted, you'll never be a WWE top dog (and don't give me "He was champ in Ring Of Honor".... it's RING OF FREAKING HONOR, which we'll get to in a bit.), but you're giving us SOMETHING to watch from a heel standpoint. I don't even think Edge will be heel when he comes back.
Here's a question, and I've always said this: How can Rey Mysterio be a contender for the HEAVYWEIGHT championship of the world? The belt ways more than he does. Just sayin'.
Memo to the people who record theme music: give Michelle McCool her own theme music. She's got to be sick by now with using Candice Michelle's OLD (like three versions ago), music. And help with mic skills might be a good thing, too.
Anybody else shocked by the fact that this is only the Undertaker's 7th run with the belt? I think it's good, personally. I think some of the title runs as of late is cheapening the fact that Flair's done it 16 times. To this generation, it may come to the point where it's not that big of a deal. (As far as HHH, we'll deal with that in an upcoming column.)
As far as this next point, I only have three words: Why Vickie Why? Narf.
Hey, kids, it's Maria! Where the crap has she been for the last month and a half when it comes to the spare known as Dolph Ziggler? I thought the job of a valet was to actually BE THERE when your man has a match. I do wonder if she turns heel or Melina does. Could go either way.
Lastly on this part of the column, I would just like to plead with stopping with the live intro for R-Truth. Or a character overhaul. Or just putting him with somebody else he can play the lackey role to. This bit plain SUCKS.
OK, one down, three to go....
We now turn our attention to that which is known as Ring Of Honor. If you do not have HDNet, you don't see this one-hour "show," but I'm not a recapper, so if you wanna know what actually happened, you'll have to go elsewhere.
I once had a discussion about professional wrestling in general with a dude who worked at a local video game store (my GOD, could that statement have propetuated the stereotype any more?), and he SWORE to me up and down about the greateness that is ROH. At the time, Samoa Joe was their champ, and CM Punk had just left. So, when HDNet announced that they would be carring one hour of their programming each week (which now airs on Monday nights, right before Raw... hey, they ain't STUPID enough to go head-to-head), I was intrigued. Sometimes, you find a bit of gold in a coal mine, so I'd give it a chance. Granted, I'm still watching, but it's from the standpoint of "this HAS to get better". Then, I find out that one of the guys that I feel is in the upper echelon of the promotion, Nigel McGuinness, has been signed by the WWE and is making the jump soon. (Brian Daniels is also going, who is GREAT technically, but I'm not sure about the personality there.) The presentation is real amateur, the commentary team is HORRIBLE (I'll take this week's SD team of Cole & Grisham over these two). Some MAJOR upgrades are needed for this thing to be even viable anywhere but in the northeast. And don't get it twisted, this isn't even on the street that gets to the interstate that gets to the exit that gets to the frontage road that gets to the remote parking lot that gets to the ballpark of even the original ECW, so don't even try that comparison.
And Bison Smith? I thought the Nasty Boys retired YEARS ago. And that's what I have to say about that.
Sign Of The Week goes to the one made for Chad for his 40th birthday last week by our friend, Tonya. So there, public.
Ah, now to the mainstay of this column: Monday Night Raw. (Put it to you this way: at the height of the Corner, I was still evaluating Nitro.)
To all of the d-X haters: even YOU have to admit that they have been the best thing about this show for MONTHS. Shawn's answering machine ALONE was more entertaining than anything else on that show (except Santino, he ALWAYS can bring the funny). We've been seeing this Legacy split coming from a country mile away, and even Cena seems bored with this. Maybe he can have more fun on SmackDown.
By the way, how can the book be "unauthorized" if THEY WROTE IT?
It's good to see the Divas division coming more to the forefront again, but it has to be understood that there is a SEVERE difference in skill levels between ladies like Mickie James and Jillian on a Grand Canyon-esque level. That was just SLOPPY. I understand you needed to put it on a heel for a nanosecond to get it on Melina, but damn. That was BAD. At least go with Beth Phoenix. Then, the trade might have carried some more weight. And to say Jillian had the shortest reign doesn't carry much weight to a belt that is less than a year old.
And as much as I am all for Snoop hosting, I thought this was supposed to be a "family-friendly" shizzow. This can't be to pimp an album. Then again, Ozzy and Ice-T (both of whom I am a fan of) are hosting before the end of the year, too. So go figure.
As far as ECW goes, yeah, I watched. But this show is ABYSMAL. When Christian finally is done paying his penance to Vince and gets moved off of this show, there may be NO reason to watch, except to comment to you, faithful reader. But that's another topic for another time.
Speaking of topics...
We always wrap up the column with the Topic Of The Week. This week, I answer the question that is: "Hey dude, what about TNA? What about iMpact?"
It's simple. I can't watch it right now.
I have been an avid fan of TNA for almost two years now, ever since I saw them do a house show here at the House of Blues (they've only done one here since... don't get THAT). I really enjoy their product, and sincerely believe that they are at a crossroads where they could either just "stay the course" or step up and could give Vince the competition that he so desperately needs to get the creative juices flowing for rock-solid product.
Enter the banana peel under Dixie Carter's feet.
You see, iMpact! comes on at 8 PM Central Time on Thursdays. Problem there is that I have two other shows on my DVR at that point (The Office and CSI: Vegas), and my DVR can only do two shows at a time (even U-Verse can only do two HD programs at the same time, so THERE), and both of those shows are higher priorities, so iMpact! didn't get recorded then during normal viewing season.
This didn't used to be an issue, as they replayed the show on Saturday mornings, and I would get it then. Again, I REALLY like their product and enjoy watching it. However, two weeks ago, TNA decided to cancel the replay to try to up their ratings on Thursdays. This is not a good idea, kids.
Again, you are on opposite THE OFFICE AND CSI: THE MOTHERSHIP. These two have been ratings juggernauts for YEARS, and you aren't going to beat them. Keeping the Saturday replay is actually better for your ratings, as that is when people of my ilk record it. Bring it back, and you have me back before rerun season.
Or make a move to at least Tuesday nights. You can definitely take on ECW.
And there is the same problem with "WWE Superstars," but come on. It's SUPERSTARS.
That's what I've got for this week. Thanks for reading, and we'll keep this thing up on a weekly basis as much as I can.
BB
Friday, October 09, 2009
New Blog Smell. Same Old Stuff.
What has happened over the last four years? Move to MySpace, move to Facebook, but given what the blog is to become, I am moving part of it back to where it started.
Given the fact that I get to watch some of my shows in more of a timely manner, I have decided to bring back "Bamm-Bamm's Corner," the highly touted wrestling column of the late '90s (and incredibly sporatic early '00s), giving you humor, opinions, great signs, and the always thoughtful "Topic Of The Week".
Due to the fact that it's Friday, I will wait until next week to begin. The differences this time around:
Given the fact that I get to watch some of my shows in more of a timely manner, I have decided to bring back "Bamm-Bamm's Corner," the highly touted wrestling column of the late '90s (and incredibly sporatic early '00s), giving you humor, opinions, great signs, and the always thoughtful "Topic Of The Week".
Due to the fact that it's Friday, I will wait until next week to begin. The differences this time around:
- There is no Nitro.
- There may be notes on iMpact (the reasoning for "may be" will come next week).
- There will be notes on Ring Of Honor.
- There may be notes on ECW (depends on when I write it).
- There will be notes on SmackDown!.
- I'm older now, so that probably means I'm a bit surlier as well.
- I will be bound to go off of the page.
Will it be any good? Will it be on time? Will it last more than a month? Only Uuatu knows...
BB
Friday, August 04, 2006
Back In The Day
So, last weekend, I got to do something that I don't get to do often enough.
I got to take a trip home. Now, by home, I don't mean the place where I store my stuff. I mean... "home". For those of you that don't know, I grew up in South Florida, and to me, that is where my heart is. Don't get me wrong; I love living in Dallas, and I value all of the friends that I have here, but my history is down there. My wife and I try to get down there about every other summer for vacation, but this year was different for a couple of reasons:
1 - It was only for three days, due to me saving my vacation time for the end of the year
and
2 - There was a reunion of the people that I was in high school band with last Saturday.
Add to that the factors that it was the weekend of my best friends birthday, and it was announced that there would be an appearance by our high school band director (whom none of us have seen since I graduated fifteen years ago... he left that summer to move to Michigan with his new wife), and there was no way in hell that I was missing this opportunity to recharge my batteries on the East Coast.
Nothing can truly explain how many levels this trip had. Whenever my plane lands at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport, I always get this great feeling of calm that I can't get anywhere else. It's kind of like knowing that you are getting back to a simpler time in your life, even if for just a short while. Also getting a chance to reconnect not only with people that I went to high school with, but also with some people that I went to church with growing up (I went Sunday morning, and Hurricane Wilma did a lot of interior damage to our sanctuary... about crushed my soul... at least the stained glass windows were OK), which in turn got me in contact with even more people that I went to high school with.
You see, after the class of 1991 graduated from Coconut Creek High School (don't laugh... that was really the name of the school and the city that it is in), a lot of us scattered across the country. We had a really good turnout at our 10-year reunion, and the 15-year was planned to late for me to make any travel changes. For the most part, though, we were a pretty tight group of people whom, even though thousands of miles separate most of us, still try to keep up with each other. This reunion of a bunch of different classes was even better, because I not only got to see my classmates, but others that I spent time with as well.
Then, there was the fact that Mr. Ayres flew down to see all of us. He was the teacher that really not only heavily influenced me more than any other teacher I've ever had (except my 2nd and 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Griffin), but the same could be said by HUNDREDS of other people that he has taught. Save a few grey hairs, he looked exactly the same, and having him there was more than any of us could have even dreamed of. To have him look at all of us and say, "It's great to see that all of you have done so well for yourselves" was like having the approval of a loving father to all of his kids. And that's what we were all.
We're looking to do it again next year in Orlando, and I'm hoping that they can plan it in the fall, when my wife and I are trying to get to Disney World.
Do yourself a favor: if the opportunity comes your way to reconnect with people you've lost over the years, DON'T LET IT PASS YOU BY. The feeling is unequaled.
Until I have anything else to write...
BB
I got to take a trip home. Now, by home, I don't mean the place where I store my stuff. I mean... "home". For those of you that don't know, I grew up in South Florida, and to me, that is where my heart is. Don't get me wrong; I love living in Dallas, and I value all of the friends that I have here, but my history is down there. My wife and I try to get down there about every other summer for vacation, but this year was different for a couple of reasons:
1 - It was only for three days, due to me saving my vacation time for the end of the year
and
2 - There was a reunion of the people that I was in high school band with last Saturday.
Add to that the factors that it was the weekend of my best friends birthday, and it was announced that there would be an appearance by our high school band director (whom none of us have seen since I graduated fifteen years ago... he left that summer to move to Michigan with his new wife), and there was no way in hell that I was missing this opportunity to recharge my batteries on the East Coast.
Nothing can truly explain how many levels this trip had. Whenever my plane lands at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport, I always get this great feeling of calm that I can't get anywhere else. It's kind of like knowing that you are getting back to a simpler time in your life, even if for just a short while. Also getting a chance to reconnect not only with people that I went to high school with, but also with some people that I went to church with growing up (I went Sunday morning, and Hurricane Wilma did a lot of interior damage to our sanctuary... about crushed my soul... at least the stained glass windows were OK), which in turn got me in contact with even more people that I went to high school with.
You see, after the class of 1991 graduated from Coconut Creek High School (don't laugh... that was really the name of the school and the city that it is in), a lot of us scattered across the country. We had a really good turnout at our 10-year reunion, and the 15-year was planned to late for me to make any travel changes. For the most part, though, we were a pretty tight group of people whom, even though thousands of miles separate most of us, still try to keep up with each other. This reunion of a bunch of different classes was even better, because I not only got to see my classmates, but others that I spent time with as well.
Then, there was the fact that Mr. Ayres flew down to see all of us. He was the teacher that really not only heavily influenced me more than any other teacher I've ever had (except my 2nd and 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Griffin), but the same could be said by HUNDREDS of other people that he has taught. Save a few grey hairs, he looked exactly the same, and having him there was more than any of us could have even dreamed of. To have him look at all of us and say, "It's great to see that all of you have done so well for yourselves" was like having the approval of a loving father to all of his kids. And that's what we were all.
We're looking to do it again next year in Orlando, and I'm hoping that they can plan it in the fall, when my wife and I are trying to get to Disney World.
Do yourself a favor: if the opportunity comes your way to reconnect with people you've lost over the years, DON'T LET IT PASS YOU BY. The feeling is unequaled.
Until I have anything else to write...
BB
Friday, June 30, 2006
SummerBamm XXXIII Weekend
Well, it's that time of year when we celebrate the anniversary of my hatching. It was 33 years ago this coming Sunday, in the small town of Greenfield, Iowa, that I was introduced to this world. It's kinda hard to believe that I am a third of the way to 100, but my thirties have been the time of my life so far. There will be the big party at the house tomorrow, and I am anticipating this one being bigger than last year. The pool is actually clear and running (for the most part... there are some small problems that we can get through the party with), the grill will be doing its thing, and good times being had by all.
My mom usually calls me on my b-day just to say "I'm glad it's not years ago today!" It's a bit of schtick that's been going on for a while now, and I also try to get a hold of her first to beat her to the punch. She got me some Bluetooth wireless headphones for my mp3 player, which will help out a lot at the gym.
I've really been trying to recommit my self to the gym in the last month or so. I try to go every day that something doesn't get in my way. I don't think I've lost more than a couple of pounds so far, but I have more energy and I feel better, so that's a start. Plus, I'm doing some resistance training, so some of the fat I am sure is turning to muscle. God, I hope so.
That's really about it, so raise your glass on Sunday to say Happy Birthday to ME!
BB
My mom usually calls me on my b-day just to say "I'm glad it's not
I've really been trying to recommit my self to the gym in the last month or so. I try to go every day that something doesn't get in my way. I don't think I've lost more than a couple of pounds so far, but I have more energy and I feel better, so that's a start. Plus, I'm doing some resistance training, so some of the fat I am sure is turning to muscle. God, I hope so.
That's really about it, so raise your glass on Sunday to say Happy Birthday to ME!
BB
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
To All Of The Haters
For the last couple of weeks, I have taken my share of ribbings for the NBA Finals.
Now, for those of you that are not aware, I was raised in the Fort Lauderdale area, so naturally, I am a supporter of the teams I spent my youth watching. Naturally, this includes the Miami Heat, who just wrapped up a series with the Dallas Mavericks by winning, 4 games to 2.
I live in Dallas.
Now, I am not the kind of guy that talks a lot of smack, as I don't like to put any bad karma on my team. I have taken a lot of flack from the Dallas fans (not all of them, but a good cross section), but I have said that I would be happy either way, as I enjoy the Mavericks as well.
This all being said, I would like to send the following statement to the Maverick fans:
Stop whining.
The Mavericks lost this series, especially in Game 6. There were blown calls on both sides of the ball, but don't blame the loss on that. Look at the numbers, and you'll see that the Mavs couldn't hit the side of a barn in that game if they were standing in front of it. At the end of the game, when Jason Terry shot the 3 to tie and go into overtime, I thought it was going in. He had a clean look, and from that angle, Terry is automatic. I couldn't even believe it when that ball bounced out of the rim.
Also, does Dirk Nowitzki not realize that he is seven feet tall? DRIVE TO THE HOLE. If you challenge somebody, you will draw the foul, and unlike Shaq, you can make free throws. You are supposed to lead this team; you need to do so.
The other thing that I don't think that the Mavs fans realize is that they will be back to the Finals sooner than I feel that the Heat will be. They are young, and they've now got the first Final jitters out of the way. You have to look at the positive and learn from the negative. Stop drinking the Kool Aid that the Mavs can do no wrong, and move forward.
I enjoyed this series, but I'm glad it's over. My blood pressure couldn't handle a Game 7.
Until next time...
BB
Now, for those of you that are not aware, I was raised in the Fort Lauderdale area, so naturally, I am a supporter of the teams I spent my youth watching. Naturally, this includes the Miami Heat, who just wrapped up a series with the Dallas Mavericks by winning, 4 games to 2.
I live in Dallas.
Now, I am not the kind of guy that talks a lot of smack, as I don't like to put any bad karma on my team. I have taken a lot of flack from the Dallas fans (not all of them, but a good cross section), but I have said that I would be happy either way, as I enjoy the Mavericks as well.
This all being said, I would like to send the following statement to the Maverick fans:
Stop whining.
The Mavericks lost this series, especially in Game 6. There were blown calls on both sides of the ball, but don't blame the loss on that. Look at the numbers, and you'll see that the Mavs couldn't hit the side of a barn in that game if they were standing in front of it. At the end of the game, when Jason Terry shot the 3 to tie and go into overtime, I thought it was going in. He had a clean look, and from that angle, Terry is automatic. I couldn't even believe it when that ball bounced out of the rim.
Also, does Dirk Nowitzki not realize that he is seven feet tall? DRIVE TO THE HOLE. If you challenge somebody, you will draw the foul, and unlike Shaq, you can make free throws. You are supposed to lead this team; you need to do so.
The other thing that I don't think that the Mavs fans realize is that they will be back to the Finals sooner than I feel that the Heat will be. They are young, and they've now got the first Final jitters out of the way. You have to look at the positive and learn from the negative. Stop drinking the Kool Aid that the Mavs can do no wrong, and move forward.
I enjoyed this series, but I'm glad it's over. My blood pressure couldn't handle a Game 7.
Until next time...
BB
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Funeral For A Friend... "Dammit, Boy...."
I've kinda had to wait all week to post this, and I still don't know what to say.
As I was on my way up to Wichita, Kansas this past Monday, I got the call that a good friend of mine, James Lynn Wolf, lost his battle with cancer. He was in his 50s, which is still way to young to me, and he had so much going on. Well-wishers have been making their sentiments known in droves, and tomorrow is his memorial service.
This is the first time since I was a teenager that I have had to bury someone that I know (a couple of years ago, a friend from high school took his own life, but I was unable to fly to Florida for it... I still think of him often and wish I could have been there...). My friend Tamy said to me last week, "We're too young to start burying our friends," and I completely agree. Lynn was the oldest member of our Sports City "family," and he was definitely the patriarch. One of the nicest men that you will ever meet, he was always the first to laugh at my jokes, the first to help out when his assistance was needed, and always there if you needed him. Just kind of goes to show you what a cruel bitch cancer can be.
Most of my emotions have been spent in private (gotta be the strong one, you know), but I feel as if that will not be the case in 25 hours. I don't even know if I'll be able to put anything into words at his memorial service, because how can you put into words a man's life that is so far above mere words?
To paraphrase Michael W. Smith, I guess God just missed Lynn's company. He'll definitely be missed down here by all who knew him, even as an acquaintance. If you met him, your life was better because of it.
Here's to ya, Big Dog. Football season will never be the same.
BB
As I was on my way up to Wichita, Kansas this past Monday, I got the call that a good friend of mine, James Lynn Wolf, lost his battle with cancer. He was in his 50s, which is still way to young to me, and he had so much going on. Well-wishers have been making their sentiments known in droves, and tomorrow is his memorial service.
This is the first time since I was a teenager that I have had to bury someone that I know (a couple of years ago, a friend from high school took his own life, but I was unable to fly to Florida for it... I still think of him often and wish I could have been there...). My friend Tamy said to me last week, "We're too young to start burying our friends," and I completely agree. Lynn was the oldest member of our Sports City "family," and he was definitely the patriarch. One of the nicest men that you will ever meet, he was always the first to laugh at my jokes, the first to help out when his assistance was needed, and always there if you needed him. Just kind of goes to show you what a cruel bitch cancer can be.
Most of my emotions have been spent in private (gotta be the strong one, you know), but I feel as if that will not be the case in 25 hours. I don't even know if I'll be able to put anything into words at his memorial service, because how can you put into words a man's life that is so far above mere words?
To paraphrase Michael W. Smith, I guess God just missed Lynn's company. He'll definitely be missed down here by all who knew him, even as an acquaintance. If you met him, your life was better because of it.
Here's to ya, Big Dog. Football season will never be the same.
BB
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Special My Tookus
I've been thinking about this a lot lately, and figured I'd take a few minutes to rant on it. I'm not guaranteeing any greatness, but here goes...
How can you release a "Special Edition" of a movie on DVD if there is no other edition available. I mean, for something to be special, it has to be compared to something else. If there is nothing else to compare it to, it's just normal. I understand that there are marketing people out there that think that it will sell more DVDs, but to me it's just stupid.
Now, do I think that the studios should release a "bare-bones" version of their films along with the "Special Edition" to make it more special? Wouldn't hurt. Plus, there are a lot of people out there that are not as geeky as me that would be more apt to purchase a "bare-bones" film at a bit of a lower price. Hell, they still make full-screen movies, and if you are apt to buy a full-screen DVD over a widescreen one, then you should just take the DVD player back to the Wal-Mart that you bought it from and stick with your VCR. I can understand that for most TV shows you have to have full-screen, but not movies. "Pan and scan" just sucks. No other way to put it.
And give me a widescreen version of "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" before I take hostages.
Later.
BB
How can you release a "Special Edition" of a movie on DVD if there is no other edition available. I mean, for something to be special, it has to be compared to something else. If there is nothing else to compare it to, it's just normal. I understand that there are marketing people out there that think that it will sell more DVDs, but to me it's just stupid.
Now, do I think that the studios should release a "bare-bones" version of their films along with the "Special Edition" to make it more special? Wouldn't hurt. Plus, there are a lot of people out there that are not as geeky as me that would be more apt to purchase a "bare-bones" film at a bit of a lower price. Hell, they still make full-screen movies, and if you are apt to buy a full-screen DVD over a widescreen one, then you should just take the DVD player back to the Wal-Mart that you bought it from and stick with your VCR. I can understand that for most TV shows you have to have full-screen, but not movies. "Pan and scan" just sucks. No other way to put it.
And give me a widescreen version of "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" before I take hostages.
Later.
BB
Thursday, March 30, 2006
The Office
I've been actually wanting to rant about this for awhile, but for some reason, I picked today to be a bit surly.
There are certain things that I have seen around the office building that I am in (BTW, I hit my one-year anniversary about a month ago.. hooray ME!!) that I have to vent, because it drives me crazy.
For instance: unless you have some sort of physical limit that prevents you from doing so (and I know that there are those of you out there that do), only use the elevator for trips of two floors or more. In my building, the people on the second floor have their own dedicated staircase that goes from the lobby to the second floor. Yet, these people still feel the need to take the elevator between the two. Now, I have worked in two different office buildings with multiple floors (once on the 11th, now on the 6th). I would like to be able to get to my office with some efficiency, and not have to stop on every floor because somebody carrying a single folder seems to feel that the extra 5 ounces prevents them from taking stairs that would take less time than waiting for the elevator. One flight ain't gonna kill ya. USE IT.
Also, I have to give a shout out to those of you that do not smoke, like myself. Through the research that I have done over roughly the last decade or so, I have come to the conclusion that those who smoke take an average of an extra hour of breaks a day to support the charring of their respiratory systems. Therefore, I propose the "non-smoker break". I've been doing this for a while, and nobody seems to have an issue as of yet. (Now, let me say that if you have a job that chains you to your phone, and requires you to do a "not ready" button to take a break, you're kinda screwed.) I just simply take a walk or look outside the window for a few minutes. Kinda gets you a fresh brain, and nobody can bitch if they don't handle up on the smokers. Kind of my way of levelling the playing field a bit.
Lastly (for now), when you are leaving your building after work, leave some room in traffic for those behind you. Don't block an exit just because you have temporarily escaped the clutches of The Man; feel for those of your bretheren that are trying to do the same. Especially if your building is on the frontage road to the freeway, like mine. I have to take the back way out just to avoid the headaches.
Off to Houston this weekend with the wife to witness the union of two of our friends, as well as to meet up with the great DanElHombre from the News Askew Boards for some drinks, so good times are to be had.
Until I get not lazy again...
BB
There are certain things that I have seen around the office building that I am in (BTW, I hit my one-year anniversary about a month ago.. hooray ME!!) that I have to vent, because it drives me crazy.
For instance: unless you have some sort of physical limit that prevents you from doing so (and I know that there are those of you out there that do), only use the elevator for trips of two floors or more. In my building, the people on the second floor have their own dedicated staircase that goes from the lobby to the second floor. Yet, these people still feel the need to take the elevator between the two. Now, I have worked in two different office buildings with multiple floors (once on the 11th, now on the 6th). I would like to be able to get to my office with some efficiency, and not have to stop on every floor because somebody carrying a single folder seems to feel that the extra 5 ounces prevents them from taking stairs that would take less time than waiting for the elevator. One flight ain't gonna kill ya. USE IT.
Also, I have to give a shout out to those of you that do not smoke, like myself. Through the research that I have done over roughly the last decade or so, I have come to the conclusion that those who smoke take an average of an extra hour of breaks a day to support the charring of their respiratory systems. Therefore, I propose the "non-smoker break". I've been doing this for a while, and nobody seems to have an issue as of yet. (Now, let me say that if you have a job that chains you to your phone, and requires you to do a "not ready" button to take a break, you're kinda screwed.) I just simply take a walk or look outside the window for a few minutes. Kinda gets you a fresh brain, and nobody can bitch if they don't handle up on the smokers. Kind of my way of levelling the playing field a bit.
Lastly (for now), when you are leaving your building after work, leave some room in traffic for those behind you. Don't block an exit just because you have temporarily escaped the clutches of The Man; feel for those of your bretheren that are trying to do the same. Especially if your building is on the frontage road to the freeway, like mine. I have to take the back way out just to avoid the headaches.
Off to Houston this weekend with the wife to witness the union of two of our friends, as well as to meet up with the great DanElHombre from the News Askew Boards for some drinks, so good times are to be had.
Until I get not lazy again...
BB
Monday, March 27, 2006
Show Me The "HUH?"
Yeah, yeah. I know it's been awhile. Bite me.
I kinda had to post about this, because I'm a little confused. For those of you that know me, you know that I have been a bit unsettled in the last few years when it comes to the films that are pouring out of Hollywood like cheap wine at a teenage kegger. It seems like the concept of "the original idea" has all but left us as a society, as there are more remakes and revivals of things than an Elvis impersonators' convention in Vegas.
So now, there is a new film that is being released in April that has so much buzz about it, that the cast and crew had to get back together for five days of reshoots, so as to make this "phenomenon" live up to the standards that our society seemingly has put it up to.
It's called Snakes On A Plane. It's about a flight full of witnesseses to a crime or something (guarded by Samuel L. Jackson... brotha, you're KILLING ME taking projects like this) that goes awry when a bunch of SNAKES get loose and terrorize the passengers on THE PLANE.
Snakes. On A Plane.
First of all, is there anything in this CGI-induced age that we have been thrust into look more CGI looking than snakes? I mean, at least Spielberg used SOME real ones. One would think that after the anti-profit that was not only one but TWO Anaconda movies that we would leave the snake flicks alone, but NOOOOOOO. We now get this potential piece of dreck starring one of my favorite actors of this generation. Sure, he did "The Caveman's Valentine" and "The Long Kiss Goodnight," but he's still SAMUEL L. FREAKING JACKSON. George Lucas called HIM to be in the Star Wars prequels. He is this generation's Shaft. He's Jules, for God's sake. And he takes THIS? It's not even like I've heard any stories about him filming this a decade ago, and it's just now seeing the light of day.
Snakes. On A Plane. That's what we're going with.
Hell, at least Florida's in the Final Four.
BB
I kinda had to post about this, because I'm a little confused. For those of you that know me, you know that I have been a bit unsettled in the last few years when it comes to the films that are pouring out of Hollywood like cheap wine at a teenage kegger. It seems like the concept of "the original idea" has all but left us as a society, as there are more remakes and revivals of things than an Elvis impersonators' convention in Vegas.
So now, there is a new film that is being released in April that has so much buzz about it, that the cast and crew had to get back together for five days of reshoots, so as to make this "phenomenon" live up to the standards that our society seemingly has put it up to.
It's called Snakes On A Plane. It's about a flight full of witnesseses to a crime or something (guarded by Samuel L. Jackson... brotha, you're KILLING ME taking projects like this) that goes awry when a bunch of SNAKES get loose and terrorize the passengers on THE PLANE.
Snakes. On A Plane.
First of all, is there anything in this CGI-induced age that we have been thrust into look more CGI looking than snakes? I mean, at least Spielberg used SOME real ones. One would think that after the anti-profit that was not only one but TWO Anaconda movies that we would leave the snake flicks alone, but NOOOOOOO. We now get this potential piece of dreck starring one of my favorite actors of this generation. Sure, he did "The Caveman's Valentine" and "The Long Kiss Goodnight," but he's still SAMUEL L. FREAKING JACKSON. George Lucas called HIM to be in the Star Wars prequels. He is this generation's Shaft. He's Jules, for God's sake. And he takes THIS? It's not even like I've heard any stories about him filming this a decade ago, and it's just now seeing the light of day.
Snakes. On A Plane. That's what we're going with.
Hell, at least Florida's in the Final Four.
BB
Thursday, February 02, 2006
I Want My HDTV
So, about eight months ago, I buy a big screen. It's one of those things that I have always wanted, and I wanted to make sure that I got one before my wife and I have kids. I'm not stupid: I know if I waited until after the offspring arrive, there would be no way that I would have been able to. I also bought an HD antenna, so I could at least watch my local channels in high definition.
It kinda works.
Due to the fact that I have this big church next door to the house (and since the antenna is kinda small), I don't get all of the local channels that I want. It's cool though; hopefully, the price of the HD Tivo will be low enough for me to get one, and when DirecTV gets HD local, I'll be fine.
Here's the problem, though:
I tuned in our local CBS affiliate tonight, as Survivor: Exile Island premiered tonight, AND IT WASN'T IN HD. So, I let the TiVo in our bedroom get it, so I can watch it later.
How is it possible that one of the highest rated show on television (and the highest in reality television HISTORY), can't be enjoyed in HD goodness? If for no other reason, the tropical locations would look incredible. Ask the people who air Discovery Channel in HD, for Alanis' sake.
Sorry, just wanted to rant. Later.
BB
It kinda works.
Due to the fact that I have this big church next door to the house (and since the antenna is kinda small), I don't get all of the local channels that I want. It's cool though; hopefully, the price of the HD Tivo will be low enough for me to get one, and when DirecTV gets HD local, I'll be fine.
Here's the problem, though:
I tuned in our local CBS affiliate tonight, as Survivor: Exile Island premiered tonight, AND IT WASN'T IN HD. So, I let the TiVo in our bedroom get it, so I can watch it later.
How is it possible that one of the highest rated show on television (and the highest in reality television HISTORY), can't be enjoyed in HD goodness? If for no other reason, the tropical locations would look incredible. Ask the people who air Discovery Channel in HD, for Alanis' sake.
Sorry, just wanted to rant. Later.
BB
Monday, January 30, 2006
That's Beautiful! Is That Velvet?
Sorry. Couldn't think of a more creative title. The phrase is just stuck in my head.
Not really much going on, but I thought I'd check in anyway. Been doing a lot of travelling for my job, so that we can get more business. Did two trade shows on either side of Thanksgiving: Austin (which was good times, but I've done that town before), and Las Vegas (never been there, but I can understand why one wouldn't want to live there... that town is simply out of control). I may share some stories down the line, but not just yet. I've got to give both of my readers something to look forward to.
As far as the Royal Rumble last night, I'd have to say it was above average for a "major," but good for any other PPV. I'm a little bit confused as far as Rey Mysterio winning the Rumble itself, but I'll see how it plays out until WM 22.
I think that we all knew that Cena was going to get the title back, setting up a title match with HHH at WM22 (even I'll have to admit that it's time to put the belt back on the boss' son-in-law, only to probably drop it again a few months later to spend time with his new child). I also think we all knew that Angle would retain (Mark Henry carrying the company? I don't think so), but I don't think anyone called the ending. Funny thing was that those of us that were all sitting together at the greatness of Pugsley's Library were literally just saying, "Where the hell is the Undertaker?", and there he was. At that point, making the Cena/Edge match first and putting the Rumble in the middle of the card made sense.
And you've gotta LOVE that Cena entrance.
That's really about it for now. Will check in when I check in. I can't make promises to you people anymore and not keep them.
Holla, holla, holla!
BB
Not really much going on, but I thought I'd check in anyway. Been doing a lot of travelling for my job, so that we can get more business. Did two trade shows on either side of Thanksgiving: Austin (which was good times, but I've done that town before), and Las Vegas (never been there, but I can understand why one wouldn't want to live there... that town is simply out of control). I may share some stories down the line, but not just yet. I've got to give both of my readers something to look forward to.
As far as the Royal Rumble last night, I'd have to say it was above average for a "major," but good for any other PPV. I'm a little bit confused as far as Rey Mysterio winning the Rumble itself, but I'll see how it plays out until WM 22.
I think that we all knew that Cena was going to get the title back, setting up a title match with HHH at WM22 (even I'll have to admit that it's time to put the belt back on the boss' son-in-law, only to probably drop it again a few months later to spend time with his new child). I also think we all knew that Angle would retain (Mark Henry carrying the company? I don't think so), but I don't think anyone called the ending. Funny thing was that those of us that were all sitting together at the greatness of Pugsley's Library were literally just saying, "Where the hell is the Undertaker?", and there he was. At that point, making the Cena/Edge match first and putting the Rumble in the middle of the card made sense.
And you've gotta LOVE that Cena entrance.
That's really about it for now. Will check in when I check in. I can't make promises to you people anymore and not keep them.
Holla, holla, holla!
BB
Monday, October 17, 2005
Funny How Time Flies
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.
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.
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
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