tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5296853332180643342024-03-14T00:17:25.127-04:00Confessions of a StormtrooperTD-2243http://www.blogger.com/profile/05835379899619168863noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529685333218064334.post-36913577534147722602010-06-27T00:43:00.002-04:002010-06-30T02:55:30.771-04:00New York seems like a million years ago.I've been living in New Mexico three weeks now and New York already feels like a lifetime ago. It's hard to regret the move in any way with the likable things about NYC being replaced by such a better standard of living. Shopping at Sam's Club is surreal and buying a giant bottle of Bailey's for $22 seemed like the stuff of dreams only a few weeks ago. I've been eating real pork tamales nonstop and there's nothing like rainbow trout straight out of the river. New York can't supply either of these. There was no culture shock upon my arrival as many expected, more of a return to normalcy after more than a decade of unrest. Life is quieter and I can get to my destination without waiting for a train or bus. It's also nice to have the option to paint my condo without the repercussion of losing a deposit somewhere down the line.<br />
<br />
This pace isn't for everyone as some people might find a town of 72,000 excessively boring. After living amongst eight million people (that's seven million people PLUS another million) for such a long time, I welcome the boredom. The air is clean, the beauty is unending and the sky is different every night. Here are some various pics of the adventure so far. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">My entering the state from the viewpoint of one 14-foot Uhaul. </div><div style="text-align: center;">My girlfriend is driving my eBay purchased Toyota mini-SUV ahead of me.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/td2243/Confessions/IMG_0292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/td2243/Confessions/IMG_0292.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/td2243/Confessions/DSCN1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/td2243/Confessions/DSCN1024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/td2243/Confessions/2ofus-00395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/td2243/Confessions/2ofus-00395.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/td2243/Confessions/2ofus-00221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/td2243/Confessions/2ofus-00221.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/td2243/Confessions/2ofus-00221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/td2243/Confessions/2ofus-00353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/td2243/Confessions/2ofus-00353.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/td2243/Confessions/2ofus-00245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/td2243/Confessions/2ofus-00245.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/td2243/Confessions/2ofus-00305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/td2243/Confessions/2ofus-00305.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I managed to get my girlfriend into my armor. She looks wonderful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/td2243/Confessions/DSCN1054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/td2243/Confessions/DSCN1054.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>TD-2243http://www.blogger.com/profile/05835379899619168863noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529685333218064334.post-76990587361786172412010-06-24T14:57:00.003-04:002010-06-24T15:39:43.389-04:00What I loved and hated about NYC in one short article.If you haven't heard of Improv Everywhere, allow me to shortly describe whose these people are. Basically, a group of artists get together and pull various harmless pranks on the city. Just about every event they organize is brilliant. For instance, they'll get a bunch of fat guys to walk inside Abercrombie and Fitch and remove their shirts, obviously poking fun at the shirtless idiots Abercrombie constantly has walking around its store. Another stunt involved fifty or so people at once heading into Best Buy wearing blue shirts and khaki pants. <br />
<br />
More recently, Improv Everywhere spray painted this graphic onto a Fifth Avenue sidewalk, garnering much attention. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/td2243/Confessions/sidewalk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/td2243/Confessions/sidewalk.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I love this. I think it is clever and most people found it quite amusing. No harm done, except for maybe a little vandalism. No biggie. However, upon reading about the prank in the New York Daily News, I read this quote, "Real New Yorkers don't notice crap like this," said Rolando Gilbride, 33, of Brooklyn. "We don't look down when we walk. We look forward."<br />
<br />
What a total prick job. I generally try to stay away from name calling, but this guy deserves it. Get over yourself.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/20/2010-05-20_lane_just_for_tourists_spices_up_fifth_ave.html">http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/20/2010-05-20_lane_just_for_tourists_spices_up_fifth_ave.html</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span>TD-2243http://www.blogger.com/profile/05835379899619168863noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529685333218064334.post-32390331043383335562010-06-24T14:40:00.000-04:002010-06-24T14:40:31.094-04:00Perfect timingI couldn't have picked a better time to move out of New York and I think my always changing landscape was as big as of an incentive as any. Here was my wonderful view in my last apartment in NYC.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/td2243/Confessions/view1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/td2243/Confessions/view1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Here is a picture from the same viewpoint upon my last day before leaving.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/td2243/Confessions/view2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/td2243/Confessions/view2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>TD-2243http://www.blogger.com/profile/05835379899619168863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529685333218064334.post-59222139013897850482010-05-05T23:40:00.001-04:002010-05-05T23:41:19.892-04:00Cinco de Mine-OAfter a month of filling out this and faxing that, I closed on my condo today. Hallelujah, but what a month. I totally understand why people say buying a place is one of the most stressful things. I lost about twelve pounds in the process and what already looked like alien arms now look even skinnier. Soon, I'll be throwing down tamales like jelly beans, so I should fatten back up in no time. <br />
<br />
It was a scary week giving the down payment and seeing my saving account dwindle by two-thirds in a day. Literally, a year of saving gone in an instant. I hope it is worth it. Now I'm officially in the car market, so that search begins tomorrow. Oh yeah, and a job would be nice. Prayers are greatly appreciated. <br />
<br />
I love NYC, but a Sandtrooper belongs in the desert. That's just the way it is.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/td2243/Confessions/cincodemineo.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>TD-2243http://www.blogger.com/profile/05835379899619168863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529685333218064334.post-62459123517760149812010-04-24T19:41:00.001-04:002010-04-24T19:42:59.224-04:002nd loan in progressJust a quick update. I was able to secure a second loan through a credit union. Pretty much every bank we tried didn't go for the rent/owned situation of the condo. Anyway, I did get another loan, but it is at a full point higher. No fun, but at least things are progressing. I should be closing on the place next week, although after the first major roadbump, I'm not holding my breath until I have the keys.<br />
<br />
---------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Once again, I don't have any related pictures, so here's a video of my new E11 blaster with the Blastercore chip. It's pretty impressive what the nerds can build these days. What you don't get from the video is how unbelievably loud this is in person.<br />
<br />
<br />
<embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/td2243/e11.flv">TD-2243http://www.blogger.com/profile/05835379899619168863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529685333218064334.post-90031987610265277832010-04-08T18:21:00.001-04:002010-04-08T18:22:23.779-04:00Life is a crapcake and we're all taking a bite.Unfortunately, some of us have larger slices of the crapcake than others. I found out today I no longer have a home loan. The bank got cold feet because only 40% of the units in the complex are owned and 60% are rented They require at least 50% owned. The sucky part is that we know for a fact that the owner is selling all the units one at a time, but the bank wouldn't go for it. The bank would have to pull out after I paid for the inspection and gave the earnest money. <br />
<br />
There's still time to find a loan from another bank. The drag is that interest rates went up this week and if I can't find a decent loan from another bank, I'm going to lose a minimum of $2K from all this. On top of that, I would <i>still</i> have to find a place to live in 7 weeks because our lease is up May 31st. <br />
<br />
<img src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/td2243/Confessions/birdshit.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">TD-2243http://www.blogger.com/profile/05835379899619168863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529685333218064334.post-13717444329703874222010-04-05T12:11:00.000-04:002010-04-05T12:11:26.408-04:00Dig Up Her BonesTwo of the coolest people I know are Phil Moy and girlfriend Tiffany Mamone. Both are extremely talented artists that have incredible imaginations. Last summer Phil shot a series of photographs called Buckets Off, putting a face to the costumes you might see walking around at various cons. The series was a great success and has now been published in a book by the same title. I have a picture in the book with a blurb of my own. <br />
<br />
<img src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/td2243/Confessions/shocktrooper.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br />
<br />
Unfortunately, I was not able to NYC showing, but here are some pictures his blog.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://philipmoyphotography.blogspot.com/2010/03/mentors-buckets-off-new-york-city.html">http://philipmoyphotography.blogspot.com/2010/03/mentors-buckets-off-new-york-city.html</a><br />
<br />
The same day we photographed my Shock Trooper armor, we took some pictures for another project of various portraits. With Phil's amazing Photoshop, he made the previously scary photo look even creepier. <br />
<br />
First Version<br />
<img src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/td2243/Confessions/bones1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"><br />
<br />
Second Version<br />
<img src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/td2243/Confessions/bones2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">TD-2243http://www.blogger.com/profile/05835379899619168863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529685333218064334.post-72246351017859111832010-03-24T22:28:00.004-04:002010-03-24T22:32:26.060-04:00Yikes, I'm an adult!!! - Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white;">There's something about paying roughly $1000 a month in rent for eleven years straight that makes me queasy. I love NYC, but I could have bought a house with the money I have flushed down the toilet. Sometimes renting is the only option, but regardless, it is a win/lose situation since one is basically paying off someone else's mortgage. Somehow I've always been on the wrong side of that transaction. I aimed to change that.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white;">As many of you know, I visited New Mexico in April of 2009 after a twenty year absence. I visited a few towns and stayed mostly at the family cabin in Tres Ritos (all documented in previous blog entries). Instantly, I felt at home in that state, as if my life had been waiting to take a week long exhale. From that point on, the notion of living in Santa Fe had filled my head. I watched the housing market online almost daily, seeing what money can buy. For those of you not familiar with Santa Fe, it is probably the priciest town in the southwest, and for good reason. With a population of a mere seventy thousand, Santa Fe attracts those who seek something truly different. The climate is wonderful, the scenery is breathtaking, and the food is worth a trip alone.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white;">This last weekend, I flew out to Santa Fe to check out some condos. Houses were simply out of my reach. My realtor and my father (who is also a realtor) were waiting and we hit the ground running. Within an hour of getting into town, we were looking at places. The first few were discouraging, because they were pretty shabby and hardly seemed worth the money. We then saw two other places, both of which I loved, but were rather small. Seeing how I have lived in tiny rooms for the most of eleven years, the size didn't bother me a bit. We then visited the condo that was first on my list. The price was reasonable and it was clearly a nicer place than any of the others. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white;">After crunching numbers over a few tamales, I made an offer on the place. We decided to low ball it and see if the seller would take it. Thirty-six long hours went by before we heard a response. The realtor contacted me with the seller's counteroffer and seeing how my flight was leaving within a few hours, the seller made a counteroffer and I took it. My departure from NYC will come right at the end of May after Pearl Jam plays at the Garden. I sort of view that as swan song for New York and I get sort of teary-eyed thinking about it. I'll be packing the U-Haul and moving into my own place within days. I never thought I would own a place, especially one with such cool floors, but now I do.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white;">The furniture in these pictures is "display" furniture to help sell the place. It worked. I don't actually own any furniture at this point, so I'll be starting from scratch. Thankfully, Obama likes to give away free money, so my $8,000 tax credit can help me swank this place up with a giant TV and maybe a couch. However, I do own a life-sized Han Solo in Carbonite, which I will thrilled to display after more than a decade in storage. </span></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4460781885_f8b985bf78.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" nt="true" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4460781885_f8b985bf78.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2682/4461558522_3587fb5144_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" nt="true" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2682/4461558522_3587fb5144_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4461558716_158dd1d84e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" nt="true" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4461558716_158dd1d84e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2706/4460781003_79c1b0f637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" nt="true" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2706/4460781003_79c1b0f637.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4460780849_fac50cdb17_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" nt="true" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4460780849_fac50cdb17_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4460781085_cd882de13c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" nt="true" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4460781085_cd882de13c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2771/4460781043_740e440d3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" nt="true" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2771/4460781043_740e440d3a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2742/4460781313_994d16eb02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" nt="true" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2742/4460781313_994d16eb02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2782/4460781173_f15c77f39f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" nt="true" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2782/4460781173_f15c77f39f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4460781241_d2f24617bf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" nt="true" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4460781241_d2f24617bf.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4461559178_5046227972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" nt="true" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4461559178_5046227972.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4460781469_f56d5f5d0f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nt="true" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4460781469_f56d5f5d0f.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4461559108_dd301de04e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nt="true" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4461559108_dd301de04e.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2726/4460781535_1903ec2d84.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nt="true" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2726/4460781535_1903ec2d84.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2754/4460781265_210d74d97b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nt="true" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2754/4460781265_210d74d97b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4460781423_904169e011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" nt="true" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4460781423_904169e011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4460781813_94776fc5c5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" nt="true" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4460781813_94776fc5c5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2791/4460781693_0707fb83e0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" nt="true" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2791/4460781693_0707fb83e0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>TD-2243http://www.blogger.com/profile/05835379899619168863noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529685333218064334.post-64702668618387292322010-03-24T20:45:00.002-04:002010-03-24T22:59:55.538-04:00Why couldn't I have known this while he was alive?So, my father and uncle told me this remarkable story about my grandfather. This story that is so badass that I wish I had known about this before he died. I would have talked to him at length about this and probably recorded it somehow. Back when he was maybe twenty or so, he was hitchhiking from Mississippi to New Mexico for a job, probably on a farm or something of that nature. A man pulls up in a car with his wife behind him in another car. He asked if my grandfather would drive that car so he could ride with his wife in the other car. That sounded reasonable, so they both drove off down the road for a short time, maybe a few hours or so. <br />
<br />
Eventually, they got to the place where the husband and wife needed to go north. My grandfather got out of the car, the couple each took a car again and drove off. My grandfather didn't think anything of it. After a few days passes by, he sees the car he drove and the couple on the front of the local newspaper.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/S6qw7dGvZ7I/AAAAAAAAAU8/V2SR4I74gl4/s1600/B%26C50thProductShot.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/S6qw7dGvZ7I/AAAAAAAAAU8/V2SR4I74gl4/s640/B%26C50thProductShot.png" width="404" /></a></div>TD-2243http://www.blogger.com/profile/05835379899619168863noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529685333218064334.post-45799230530571663912010-01-24T20:56:00.002-05:002010-02-13T20:22:03.028-05:00Fruits of my labor.Around the middle of last year, I made the decision to write reviews for all of the films I see. I started a page over at <a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/user/716483/reviews">http://www.rottentomatoes.com/user/716483/reviews</a>/ and have now written twenty-six reviews. Granted, that is a very small amount, but it's a solid start. Rotten Tomatoes is an amazingly resourceful site, but if you aren't an established critic, a little guy can get lost in the mix.<br />
<br />
I have now joined the team of writers over at <a href="http://www.dvdverdict.com/%20">DVD Verdict</a> and more specifically <a href="http://www.cinemaverdict.com/">Cinema Verdict</a>. My focus will remain on theatrical reviews, but occasionally I'll check out a DVD as well just to keep the reviews coming. Soon I'll have a bio page set up where others can easily keep track of my reviews. (I'll be sure to post that page here when it is available). Hey, it's something.<br />
<br />
----------------------------------------<br />
<br />
I don't really have a picture to post related to this blog entry, so I'll post this picture which I found this week. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/S1z88VZYVvI/AAAAAAAAAU0/4mRKqA3OJfg/s1600-h/sharky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/S1z88VZYVvI/AAAAAAAAAU0/4mRKqA3OJfg/s320/sharky.jpg" /></a></div>TD-2243http://www.blogger.com/profile/05835379899619168863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529685333218064334.post-86389846071717369092009-12-11T09:06:00.003-05:002010-01-01T22:24:01.697-05:00The only thing missing is the bodySince I believe most people find me really weird, I figure I might as well reinforce that belief. This may be why I have a Psycho themed bathroom. Writing about this will inevitably take away from the shock factor you might have had if you had walked in cold, but I figured Phoebe might want to see it. It usually gets a chuckle, but some people are legitimately creeped out which is all the better.<br />
<br />
The most important thing is the Psycho shower curtain. I've been using this shower curtain for about thirteen years, simply because I haven't been able to find another. It has undergone numerous repairs and the holes have been fixed several times. I've seen other curtains in this same vein, but no others were licensed by Universal and usually look cheesy. This is the only one I've found that says Psycho and has the trademarked image of Mother holding the knife.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SyJQqFbQt4I/AAAAAAAAAUc/kcLWljmS1tM/s1600-h/psycho1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SyJQqFbQt4I/AAAAAAAAAUc/kcLWljmS1tM/s640/psycho1.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><br />
Next is the skull and wig that I keep on the back of the toilet. I thought about keeping a bloody knife next to it, but I elected against it for safety reasons. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SyJQrn4z6pI/AAAAAAAAAUs/ZNT0Kcr09iQ/s1600-h/psycho3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SyJQrn4z6pI/AAAAAAAAAUs/ZNT0Kcr09iQ/s640/psycho3.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><br />
On the wall I have a lithograph of Janet Leigh screaming her face off.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SyJQqyVjVVI/AAAAAAAAAUk/o5Mxybgyeo4/s1600-h/psycho2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SyJQqyVjVVI/AAAAAAAAAUk/o5Mxybgyeo4/s640/psycho2.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><br />
The only colors in the bathroom are red, black and white. The floor is black and white checked which looks great against the red floor mat and towels. I find this a nice alternative to other parts where I live which have been Empire Strikes Back themed for about thirty years.TD-2243http://www.blogger.com/profile/05835379899619168863noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529685333218064334.post-38535980196321717392009-12-01T10:50:00.005-05:002009-12-01T22:07:58.993-05:00If I did use the F-word......I'm not one to use the F-word, but if I were, it would probably be used in conjunction with my disdain for The Chipmunks. If you do hear me slip, don't feel the need to point out the inconsistencies between my faith and mouth. I am fully aware of these things and can admit my shortcomings, mostly because of my understanding that I'm internally flawed to begin with. At least that's my excuse. I digress.<br />
<br />
My parents will gladly point out that I did like The Chipmunks at a much younger point in my life and how I probably laughed at their cute little voices to no end. I think the more recent disdain has taken an influx because of the tendency of Hollywood to put a modern tilt on an already irritating idea. Specifically, The Chipmunks have gone hip hop and as you can see on the poster for <i>The Chipmunks</i> movie, they are "keeping it real" as opposed to just singing Christmas songs. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SxUsZc6yHOI/AAAAAAAAAUA/MGUd6wBCkDE/s1600/MPW-28598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SxUsZc6yHOI/AAAAAAAAAUA/MGUd6wBCkDE/s320/MPW-28598.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is both an insult to the hip hop industry as well as chipmunks as a rodent. I suppose this is an insult to Entourage as well (referring to the slogan), but I've never actually seen that show to make a comparison. I don't find Jeremy Piven's voice nearly as shrill as Theodore's if that counts for anything. I used to love looking at chipmunks in New Mexico, but now my mind is plagued by high voices when I see one scurrying around. Anyway, this poster is just flat out dumb and unfortunately the poster for <i>The Chipmunks 2, The Squeakqual</i> carries on the flame of retardedness. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SxUvUKBQBbI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/303ruLS3H9c/s1600/AlvinChipmunks2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SxUvUKBQBbI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/303ruLS3H9c/s320/AlvinChipmunks2.jpg" /> </a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This time Alvin has his hat turned sideways to show his rebellious streak. Instead of Theodore giving the peace sign with his fingers, it is now Simon. Also, Simon is back to wearing his thick, nerdy glasses, which makes me wonder if his sunglasses in the first poster were prescription lenses. Doubtful, but I do wonder. That being said, I can't imagine ruining Christmas day by sitting through this film. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now the movie business taking an idea from bad to worse isn't new. Here are just a few examples:<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1) a digital Garfield<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2) George Lucas went from a digital Jabba the Hutt to Jar Jar Binks in a few short years<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3) Toy Story 2 and 3 (also all digital)<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While all of those are awful in their own right, I find this particular character transformation (which looks to be hand drawn) taking my disgust to a new level.<br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SxUsp38ftII/AAAAAAAAAUI/ZgD9rpKvT8Q/s1600/2003_11_colsand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SxUsp38ftII/AAAAAAAAAUI/ZgD9rpKvT8Q/s320/2003_11_colsand.jpg" /> </a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lord, help us all.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>TD-2243http://www.blogger.com/profile/05835379899619168863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529685333218064334.post-68927367521869918032009-11-13T10:09:00.002-05:002009-12-09T10:56:12.454-05:00Are we so enlightened?There are things I love about NYC and things I hate. Among the things I love are the vast amount of great concerts I get to see here as everyone plays in New York. I also like the energy of the city at times as it is vibrant and full of life. Among the things I dislike include the weather and the absolute disdain that the locals have for their own city. They litter relentlessly on their own streets and then make fun of the tourists, who undoubtedly take better care of this city than they do.<br />
<br />
The thing I hate most about New York (specifically New Yorkers) is the notion that they are better than everyone else. At some point they were given the impression that they are more enlightened to the world and that people in other parts of the country are simply not as good as we are. <br />
<br />
I would like to take this post to declare or, dare I say it, prove that New Yorkers really aren't so enlightened. Seeing as how today is Friday the 13th, I thought it the perfect day to present my case. As part of my experiment, I carried my camera with me for a week and photographed the elevator panels in every building I entered with more than thirteen floors. Out of the nine buildings I went into, surprisingly only one had a thirteenth floor *. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sv10bnub1qI/AAAAAAAAASo/yHks_rfQAJQ/s1600-h/13th1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sv10bnub1qI/AAAAAAAAASo/yHks_rfQAJQ/s400/13th1.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sv10dL56RPI/AAAAAAAAASw/8fKswCHc91k/s1600-h/13th2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sv10dL56RPI/AAAAAAAAASw/8fKswCHc91k/s400/13th2.jpg" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sv10e4fu9qI/AAAAAAAAAS4/_YkfIMLrWOE/s1600-h/13th3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sv10e4fu9qI/AAAAAAAAAS4/_YkfIMLrWOE/s400/13th3.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sv10gRqNODI/AAAAAAAAATA/hu8zplYbGOU/s1600-h/13th4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sv10gRqNODI/AAAAAAAAATA/hu8zplYbGOU/s400/13th4.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sv10h-vptYI/AAAAAAAAATI/heLn83krcDI/s1600-h/13th5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sv10h-vptYI/AAAAAAAAATI/heLn83krcDI/s400/13th5.jpg" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sv10joFn7_I/AAAAAAAAATQ/ajVGhgr6BUc/s1600-h/13th6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sv10joFn7_I/AAAAAAAAATQ/ajVGhgr6BUc/s400/13th6.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sv10ljLoMQI/AAAAAAAAATY/OIAutWcnGPg/s1600-h/13th7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sv10ljLoMQI/AAAAAAAAATY/OIAutWcnGPg/s400/13th7.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sv10nQMhQdI/AAAAAAAAATg/AYnF8siX40g/s1600-h/13th8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sv10nQMhQdI/AAAAAAAAATg/AYnF8siX40g/s400/13th8.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sv10pAw4RHI/AAAAAAAAATo/lvyvNxUOfmk/s1600-h/13th9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sv10pAw4RHI/AAAAAAAAATo/lvyvNxUOfmk/s400/13th9.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><br />
<br />
How could this be? Is the enlightened New Yorker so naive to believe that if they live on a thirteenth floor that something bad will happen to them? It is important to note that a few of these buildings are less than ten years old, meaning that this superstition is still fully alive today in New York City. The naivety extends to beyond that of just a missing floor. Is the thirteenth floor not thirteen floors off the ground regardless of what it is named? Meaning, someone living on a fourteenth floor is really living on the thirteen floor of the building. The name is arbitrary if you think about it. Superstitious tenants should be wary of such smoke and mirrors so as not to be fooled into living on such an unlucky floor.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>If this ratio of one of our nine elevators is representative of the entire city, then a staggering 89% of New York City buildings do not have a 13th floor. I find this rather astonishing for a city that claims to know it all. I am interested if this phenomenon is present in other cities, thereby making other places as unenlightened as we are. Please enlighten me as to the elevators in your area. I, for one, would gladly live on a thirteenth floor, especially if it would come with a reduction in rent.<br />
<br />
*Interesting that most elevators put a star on the first floor. I'm not sure what superstition that is referring to or how that came about.TD-2243http://www.blogger.com/profile/05835379899619168863noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529685333218064334.post-90431691574865266982009-10-26T11:18:00.002-04:002009-11-03T14:48:10.399-05:00For The Love of the GameBaseball is the "great American pastime", but it doesn't appeal to me at all. Some live for it and find it highly exciting to watch. I find it wrist-slittingly boring and there aren't even any cheerleaders for heaven's sake. I like watching little kids play baseball in little league, but that's the extent. Six and seven-year-old's kind of suck at everything and I find it funny watching children fall down. One of my few joys in life.<br />
<br />
Part of my distaste for baseball could stem from the fact that my parents forced me to play baseball as a kid and I was unquestionably the worst player on the team year after year. (This applied to soccer as well.) The coaches would always hand out awards at the end of the season and I always got the Participatory Award, which would have been more aptly named the You Suck Award. At some point I knew I would just mess up, so I sort of just stopped trying. I would just stand on the field like a dipshit* and drag everyone else down. Funny how this notion never went away. <br />
<br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ekTVL9R2-h0&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ekTVL9R2-h0&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oe2GtSphkNo&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oe2GtSphkNo&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
<br />
I teach alot of kids how to play guitar here in NYC. Frequently, I am asked whether I like the Yankees or the Mets. My stock answer was always that I don't watch baseball, but I guess I would choose the Yankees. I have since altered my answer to the Mets ...and that I still don't watch baseball. The Yankees might lose a few games here and there or maybe even lose the pennant by a game, but their history is still full of successes. For the Mets, it's quite the opposite. The Mets are losers, but they keep getting out there and playing game after game, as futile as their efforts might be. I find the effort inspiring, although most would deem it pathetic. The Yankees will always come out winners and the the Mets will always be losers. That's just the way it is. "For the love of the game", as they say. <br />
<br />
Incidentally, I don't watch basketball either, but my favorite team is the Washington Generals. I have searched high and low for a Washington Generals jersey to wear, but no one sells them, nor have I ever seen any Generals merchandise on Ebay. At one point, I thought about going to a game with a hundred dollar bill and trying to buy a jersey off a player. That never really panned out and I stopped thinking about it until today. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Generals">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Generals</a><br />
<br />
Thanks to Cliff for the inspiration to have a baseball related blog. You can read his blog over at: <a href="http://titusonetwo.blogspot.com/">http://titusonetwo.blogspot.com/</a><br />
<br />
<i>*I hope no one is offended by the use of the word dipshit, but it sums up my athletic abilities better than any other word.<br />
</i>TD-2243http://www.blogger.com/profile/05835379899619168863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529685333218064334.post-91550998056144078282009-10-06T21:29:00.000-04:002009-10-06T23:39:50.276-04:00A good day to be a nerd.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Ssvwa3r8ZGI/AAAAAAAAASE/aRUL5GEMWMc/s1600-h/lucas5.JPG"></a><div><div><div><div><div><div>So, I'm at work today and Star Wars artist Kevin Liell calls me on my cell. You may remember him from NY Comic Con where he held the Star Wars Trivia Contest. A great guy and spectacular artist. He had an extra ticket to the World Business Forum being held in Radio City Music Hall, where George Lucas was speaking from 5-6pm. I managed to get off work because I couldn't pass this up. Being a nerd, I got there early and had some things for him to sign 'just in case'. I showed up and he had just walked in less than five minutes before. One guy was there and had about ten things signed by George. I was bummed. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389666699510833426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SsvxTroYYRI/AAAAAAAAASM/eVgI8WenNSk/s400/lucas3.JPG" border="0" /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Anyway, I guess George talked for about an hour about his career and then it was over. Well, the Lord almighty smiled on me today. After the talk, Kevin and I went to the stage door and hung out for a little while. Eventually George came out and I got two things signed. My 1975 third draft script and a photo which was already signed by Gary Kurtz. I could have had more signed but there were a bunch of professional autograph hunters which mobbed him. It was successful, even if I didn't get to talk or anything. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389666715159778050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SsvxUl7YUwI/AAAAAAAAASc/mzs9IhesaTg/s400/lucas5.JPG" border="0" /></div><div></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389666706409627330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SsvxUFVLnsI/AAAAAAAAASU/GfCIRgyU3aU/s400/lucas4.JPG" border="0" /></div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>TD-2243http://www.blogger.com/profile/05835379899619168863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529685333218064334.post-31616925095117654122009-10-05T14:08:00.000-04:002009-10-05T14:36:04.382-04:00The Coffee Cake ConundrumThere are many things in life I just don't understand, which range anywhere from the popularity of Jack White to the willingness of Mac users dish out $3000+ for a computer in the 21st century. But whatever. Coffee Cake falls into the category of things I don't understand. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://static.ifood.tv/files/Jewish%20Coffee%20Cake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 504px; height: 394px;" src="http://static.ifood.tv/files/Jewish%20Coffee%20Cake.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Let me explain. I don't drink coffee. It just isn't my thing. I like the smell, but that's about as far as it goes. I don't like coffee-flavored anything. That includes the following: coffee, ice cream, cake, gum, or you name it. Some people live for coffee but not me.<br /><br />For the majority of my life, I lived without coffee cake because I don't like the taste of coffee. At one point in the last few years, I remember having a similar conversation to this with somebody.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Unnamed individual</span>: "Daniel, would you like some coffee cake?"<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me</span>: "No, thank you. I don't like the taste of coffee."<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Unnamed individual</span>: "Coffee cake doesn't taste like coffee. It's called that because you eat it with coffee."<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me</span>: "That's about the dumbest thing I've ever heard in my life."<br /><br />I don't know what genius named coffee cake, but he/she is officially on my black list. I don't call french fries "Cheeseburger Sticks". I don't call ketchup "Hot Dog Juice". What jackass came up with the reasoning behind the name for Coffee Cake? Since when do we name food for what it might go well with? Sometimes I wonder why I get up in the morning with morons like this running the world. All this time I could have been eating coffee cake had one of my hundreds of "friends" let me in on this secret.TD-2243http://www.blogger.com/profile/05835379899619168863noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529685333218064334.post-19950848667059403172009-09-11T12:00:00.000-04:002009-09-11T12:18:48.869-04:00Labor Day Weekend 2009 - The Food :)The Shed - Santa Fe, NM: Green chile stew followed by blue corn chicken enchiladas.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sqp2GfmXCAI/AAAAAAAAARU/dv_vzj0la1c/s1600-h/food5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sqp2GfmXCAI/AAAAAAAAARU/dv_vzj0la1c/s400/food5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380242558781163522" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sqp3ZXE82oI/AAAAAAAAARc/3iKfkS7ZGK4/s1600-h/food6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sqp3ZXE82oI/AAAAAAAAARc/3iKfkS7ZGK4/s400/food6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380243982422694530" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Orlando's - Taos, NM: Chile rellenos<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sqp2F27HP4I/AAAAAAAAARM/ZR6pU26Fo0A/s1600-h/food4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sqp2F27HP4I/AAAAAAAAARM/ZR6pU26Fo0A/s400/food4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380242547862355842" border="0" /></a><br />El Paragua - Espanola, NM: Chips, salsa and salad followed by two chile rellenos. This salsa was super hot. New Yorkers would have been crying.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sqp2EqvariI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/5Ywhgw6onDc/s1600-h/food1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sqp2EqvariI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/5Ywhgw6onDc/s400/food1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380242527412203042" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sqp2FDpPr8I/AAAAAAAAAQ8/74mWRM5L1Ss/s1600-h/food2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sqp2FDpPr8I/AAAAAAAAAQ8/74mWRM5L1Ss/s400/food2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380242534097203138" border="0" /></a><br />The Cowgirl Cafe - Santa Fe, NM: Chile rellenos<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sqp3ZrN-DfI/AAAAAAAAARk/mVSqViqAn4o/s1600-h/food7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sqp3ZrN-DfI/AAAAAAAAARk/mVSqViqAn4o/s400/food7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380243987829231090" border="0" /></a><br />Besides the food at the Cowgirl Cafe, the servers are all really cute and dreamy. My adorable server had "serenity" tattooed on her hands. This should give me enough ammo to dream about for a year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sqp3aHNi35I/AAAAAAAAARs/NhvRjufLWwQ/s1600-h/food8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sqp3aHNi35I/AAAAAAAAARs/NhvRjufLWwQ/s400/food8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380243995343642514" border="0" /></a><br />Just a sample of the rainbow trout I caught during my short trip. Much larger fish than back in April.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sqp2FsbXJXI/AAAAAAAAARE/dIT1ywUUNiw/s1600-h/food3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sqp2FsbXJXI/AAAAAAAAARE/dIT1ywUUNiw/s400/food3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380242545044825458" border="0" /></a>TD-2243http://www.blogger.com/profile/05835379899619168863noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529685333218064334.post-71729857230421500862009-09-11T10:46:00.001-04:002010-01-01T22:35:22.376-05:00Labor Day Weekend 2009 - New MexicoI spent more time in New Mexico over the long weekend. It is a home away from home and such a nice place to escape to.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SqpzhRZ22qI/AAAAAAAAAQs/FoUCdnNtmko/s1600-h/IMG_7262.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380239720292211362" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SqpzhRZ22qI/AAAAAAAAAQs/FoUCdnNtmko/s400/IMG_7262.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SqpxAWG8-zI/AAAAAAAAAQM/bXosIRAhtJQ/s1600-h/IMG_7333.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380236955596159794" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SqpxAWG8-zI/AAAAAAAAAQM/bXosIRAhtJQ/s400/IMG_7333.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SqpxA10SEvI/AAAAAAAAAQU/XZOzOgcwnNQ/s1600-h/IMG_7340.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380236964107784946" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SqpxA10SEvI/AAAAAAAAAQU/XZOzOgcwnNQ/s400/IMG_7340.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SqpxALYFp-I/AAAAAAAAAQE/JLQz3cUJmT0/s1600-h/IMG_7331.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380236952715241442" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SqpxALYFp-I/AAAAAAAAAQE/JLQz3cUJmT0/s400/IMG_7331.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SqpzhER9iJI/AAAAAAAAAQk/fwq3bbfbbZ0/s1600-h/IMG_7345.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380239716769433746" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SqpzhER9iJI/AAAAAAAAAQk/fwq3bbfbbZ0/s400/IMG_7345.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SqpoEPIxpII/AAAAAAAAAPs/xKNIIZX_Pyw/s1600-h/IMG_7315.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380227126839583874" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SqpoEPIxpII/AAAAAAAAAPs/xKNIIZX_Pyw/s400/IMG_7315.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SqpoDnCTfkI/AAAAAAAAAPk/7H6mNUfn-bY/s1600-h/IMG_7308.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380227116075023938" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SqpoDnCTfkI/AAAAAAAAAPk/7H6mNUfn-bY/s400/IMG_7308.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SqpoDPmLhDI/AAAAAAAAAPc/j-DrADfhmPI/s1600-h/IMG_7304.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380227109783045170" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SqpoDPmLhDI/AAAAAAAAAPc/j-DrADfhmPI/s400/IMG_7304.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sqpw_t4cnpI/AAAAAAAAAP8/UrolKCQ-P_I/s1600-h/IMG_7376.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380236944797900434" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sqpw_t4cnpI/AAAAAAAAAP8/UrolKCQ-P_I/s400/IMG_7376.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>TD-2243http://www.blogger.com/profile/05835379899619168863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529685333218064334.post-40500089353357197232009-08-31T09:12:00.000-04:002009-08-31T09:26:27.713-04:00The Ring 2 - part 2; The Ring 3 - part 1This is starting to sound like a bunch of horror movies, but it is just more of me banging on quarters. I realized I never posted pictures of the second ring.<br /><br />Long story short, the second ring was just way too small. It looks pretty good though. I have since these pictures smoothed out the edges a little bit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SpvNn6PSkhI/AAAAAAAAAOU/6PmHBYBadUw/s1600-h/ring+8-3-09+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SpvNn6PSkhI/AAAAAAAAAOU/6PmHBYBadUw/s400/ring+8-3-09+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376116665728799250" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SpvNopneDbI/AAAAAAAAAOk/qbELrY2kXDM/s1600-h/ring+8-3-09+3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SpvNopneDbI/AAAAAAAAAOk/qbELrY2kXDM/s400/ring+8-3-09+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376116678446681522" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SpvNoJP83LI/AAAAAAAAAOc/-DWANLejer8/s1600-h/ring+8-3-09+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 194px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SpvNoJP83LI/AAAAAAAAAOc/-DWANLejer8/s400/ring+8-3-09+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376116669758102706" border="0" /></a><br />Seeing as my personality won't let me live with something I don't like, I looked on Ebay and found another 1938 ring.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SpvOjv-92-I/AAAAAAAAAOs/tiwqeUHI6ss/s1600-h/8-29-09+raw.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 398px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SpvOjv-92-I/AAAAAAAAAOs/tiwqeUHI6ss/s400/8-29-09+raw.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376117693768129506" border="0" /></a><br />That arrived at my place on 8-29-09. In four hours on Saturday, I pounded, drilled and shaped it into this. FOUR hours start to finish. Pretty dang good.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SpvOkr8w6sI/AAAAAAAAAPE/8HeiYvPpH6U/s1600-h/ring8-29-09+3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SpvOkr8w6sI/AAAAAAAAAPE/8HeiYvPpH6U/s400/ring8-29-09+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376117709865020098" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SpvOkaQJK_I/AAAAAAAAAO8/JcdHhIXcbK4/s1600-h/ring8-29-09+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SpvOkaQJK_I/AAAAAAAAAO8/JcdHhIXcbK4/s400/ring8-29-09+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376117705114463218" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SpvOkF-4OQI/AAAAAAAAAO0/gSrdIwrD77A/s1600-h/ring8-29-09+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 244px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SpvOkF-4OQI/AAAAAAAAAO0/gSrdIwrD77A/s400/ring8-29-09+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376117699673340162" border="0" /></a><br />Here are the three rings I have made thus far. The first ring (on the left) was a little too big, the second (on the right) was too small and the third fits just right and has the most words visible. I only have a little left to do on it, but it will probably have to wait until I get back from vacation. On that vacation I will see my parents and see if they want the first two rings. I'll keep the third.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SpvOlGKjwRI/AAAAAAAAAPM/2MXIXHx7IpM/s1600-h/ring8-29-09+4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 178px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SpvOlGKjwRI/AAAAAAAAAPM/2MXIXHx7IpM/s400/ring8-29-09+4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376117716902199570" border="0" /></a>TD-2243http://www.blogger.com/profile/05835379899619168863noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529685333218064334.post-6475581338353952322009-08-19T10:42:00.001-04:002009-08-19T11:17:57.111-04:00We aren't as tough as we would like to think.<div style="text-align: left;">There's something very peaceful to me about watching a violent storm from a high rise. It makes me smile seeing the proud run for cover. <br /><br /><br />"Can you send forth lightning that they may go and say to you, 'Here we are'?" -- Job 36:32<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">8-18-09</span><br />(Click on images for full size)<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SowTyi969cI/AAAAAAAAAN0/eBY0elu_y3c/s1600-h/81809_11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SowTyi969cI/AAAAAAAAAN0/eBY0elu_y3c/s400/81809_11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371690214647068098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SowSmmml5VI/AAAAAAAAANs/mQRZc4bLe5c/s1600-h/81809_10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SowSmmml5VI/AAAAAAAAANs/mQRZc4bLe5c/s400/81809_10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371688909952902482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SowSmJcQswI/AAAAAAAAANk/Fuh_9yyokwo/s1600-h/81809_09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SowSmJcQswI/AAAAAAAAANk/Fuh_9yyokwo/s400/81809_09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371688902124942082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SowTzLipmFI/AAAAAAAAAN8/pJfhVmtd73M/s1600-h/81809_12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SowTzLipmFI/AAAAAAAAAN8/pJfhVmtd73M/s400/81809_12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371690225538537554" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SowSlS3W0VI/AAAAAAAAANU/jmN_Q1Z0nB4/s1600-h/81809_07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SowSlS3W0VI/AAAAAAAAANU/jmN_Q1Z0nB4/s400/81809_07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371688887474639186" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">All seems quiet....<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SowRNaTLRSI/AAAAAAAAAM8/BRg-HJ4aUK8/s1600-h/81809_04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SowRNaTLRSI/AAAAAAAAAM8/BRg-HJ4aUK8/s400/81809_04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371687377641882914" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">but there is a lurking terror.....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SowRN6ruATI/AAAAAAAAANE/Sp9rW1xX6cg/s1600-h/81809_05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SowRN6ruATI/AAAAAAAAANE/Sp9rW1xX6cg/s400/81809_05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371687386334757170" border="0" /></a><br />ready to strike.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SowSk9rfxpI/AAAAAAAAANM/qt4evM2MuBw/s1600-h/81809_06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SowSk9rfxpI/AAAAAAAAANM/qt4evM2MuBw/s400/81809_06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371688881787750034" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Ready......<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SowRMAbZCoI/AAAAAAAAAMk/Mzp1rT7fgTA/s1600-h/81809_01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SowRMAbZCoI/AAAAAAAAAMk/Mzp1rT7fgTA/s400/81809_01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371687353517148802" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">aim.....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SowRMgyJJ5I/AAAAAAAAAMs/yagTXH5ijUs/s1600-h/81809_02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SowRMgyJJ5I/AAAAAAAAAMs/yagTXH5ijUs/s400/81809_02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371687362202511250" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">FIRE!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SowRNG7LHQI/AAAAAAAAAM0/DDrbIColPSk/s1600-h/81809_03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SowRNG7LHQI/AAAAAAAAAM0/DDrbIColPSk/s400/81809_03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371687372440935682" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SowTzft6mgI/AAAAAAAAAOE/XYwFg7BApkU/s1600-h/81809_13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SowTzft6mgI/AAAAAAAAAOE/XYwFg7BApkU/s400/81809_13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371690230954498562" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SowTz_K0P0I/AAAAAAAAAOM/67MLiqigzGE/s1600-h/81809_14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SowTz_K0P0I/AAAAAAAAAOM/67MLiqigzGE/s400/81809_14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371690239397216066" border="0" /></a>TD-2243http://www.blogger.com/profile/05835379899619168863noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529685333218064334.post-76196954502898904792009-07-27T10:02:00.003-04:002009-07-28T09:18:13.320-04:00Drama from the 28th FloorLiving on the 28th floor of a high rise has its advantages. Here is a collection of various lightning shots from the last two years. Enjoy.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">(click on pictures for much larger images)<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >June 2008</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sm3COdOI-iI/AAAAAAAAALk/-VylJ62cfz4/s1600-h/2569471720_01a1ecebcd_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sm3COdOI-iI/AAAAAAAAALk/-VylJ62cfz4/s400/2569471720_01a1ecebcd_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363156284886022690" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sm3CN8jw-sI/AAAAAAAAALc/JSsunUsqjgE/s1600-h/2568649397_1dd6131882_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sm3CN8jw-sI/AAAAAAAAALc/JSsunUsqjgE/s400/2568649397_1dd6131882_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363156276118354626" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sm3Bub66p9I/AAAAAAAAALM/_d4K8URZvIw/s1600-h/2562660791_484b3a263b_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sm3Bub66p9I/AAAAAAAAALM/_d4K8URZvIw/s400/2562660791_484b3a263b_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363155734781142994" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sm3COvbhGUI/AAAAAAAAALs/ilduuUQU7KQ/s1600-h/2569473210_111f137385_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sm3COvbhGUI/AAAAAAAAALs/ilduuUQU7KQ/s400/2569473210_111f137385_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363156289773967682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">This was only about a mile from my place. Unbelievably loud.</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3054/2569471720_0d1d44eb23_b.jpg"><br /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sm3BuqsAP5I/AAAAAAAAALU/KITXcdJaSEE/s1600-h/2563484654_1cf8de06b1_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sm3BuqsAP5I/AAAAAAAAALU/KITXcdJaSEE/s400/2563484654_1cf8de06b1_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363155738745126802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >Not very clear, but still effective.</span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >August 2007 - Jersey takes a beating</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sm3BtsRDm7I/AAAAAAAAAK8/ZQEcxPbdvik/s1600-h/1005102102_e63ea454cf_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sm3BtsRDm7I/AAAAAAAAAK8/ZQEcxPbdvik/s400/1005102102_e63ea454cf_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363155721989102514" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sm748n1jr8I/AAAAAAAAAL8/aPIjvd-yCDw/s1600-h/IMG_0603.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sm748n1jr8I/AAAAAAAAAL8/aPIjvd-yCDw/s400/IMG_0603.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363497926614298562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sm3BtIBywwI/AAAAAAAAAK0/Rwnqk-cMKVs/s1600-h/1004247499_21a16511a2_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sm3BtIBywwI/AAAAAAAAAK0/Rwnqk-cMKVs/s400/1004247499_21a16511a2_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363155712261407490" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sm749Sb0KkI/AAAAAAAAAMU/av3q5-VTSZs/s1600-h/IMG_0761.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sm749Sb0KkI/AAAAAAAAAMU/av3q5-VTSZs/s400/IMG_0761.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363497938049051202" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sm748243zdI/AAAAAAAAAME/OKbJZ3bqreE/s1600-h/IMG_0720.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sm748243zdI/AAAAAAAAAME/OKbJZ3bqreE/s400/IMG_0720.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363497930654731730" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sm749HhK9wI/AAAAAAAAAMM/G8Z7cEAZnRA/s1600-h/IMG_0757.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sm749HhK9wI/AAAAAAAAAMM/G8Z7cEAZnRA/s400/IMG_0757.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363497935118726914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">August 2007 - NYC </span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sm74-Ahf8VI/AAAAAAAAAMc/FLW1U08frss/s1600-h/IMG_1042.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sm74-Ahf8VI/AAAAAAAAAMc/FLW1U08frss/s400/IMG_1042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363497950420922706" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sm3Bty5lluI/AAAAAAAAALE/5L-V7Q6PhFs/s1600-h/1005105980_373885c755_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sm3Bty5lluI/AAAAAAAAALE/5L-V7Q6PhFs/s400/1005105980_373885c755_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363155723769714402" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >July 26, 2009 - 9:35 pm</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sm3CoMveNNI/AAAAAAAAAL0/dUuK8si3Q90/s1600-h/they%27re+here.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sm3CoMveNNI/AAAAAAAAAL0/dUuK8si3Q90/s400/they%27re+here.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363156727139022034" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1372/1005105980_035b2a223d_b.jpg"><br /></a>TD-2243http://www.blogger.com/profile/05835379899619168863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529685333218064334.post-1489449874356516512009-07-16T15:05:00.000-04:002009-07-16T15:08:40.696-04:00Reviews 101So, I've started writing some movie reviews online at Rotten Tomatoes in the hopes of getting a critic job in the near future. The destination is New Mexico. So after I get a few more under my belt, I'm going to write the newspapers in NM and see what they think. Please read them and give me critiques on here. <br /><br />Also, put the little thumbs up for all my reviews, even if you don't agree with them, just to get some responses going. Thanks<br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/user/cinematic-overdrive"><br />http://www.rottentomatoes.com/user/cinematic-overdrive</a>TD-2243http://www.blogger.com/profile/05835379899619168863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529685333218064334.post-10951760201687960332009-07-15T08:55:00.001-04:002009-07-15T09:19:45.045-04:00The Ring 2 - part 1I don't know whether the silver in a 1938 quarter is softer than in a 1960 quarter or I'm just bangin' harder. During lunch yesterday, I managed to get this quarter wider than my current ring in ONE hour. I did more in one hour than I did in two weeks of hitting with the first quarter. I worked in the basement of the offices where I work because I can make a ton of noise and no one cares. The floors in the basement are this solid concrete/marble looking rock. I placed the quarter on the floor, used a heavy spoon and bashed like crazy for an hour.<br /><br />This was just the shaping part of the bashing. All the uneven surfaces that you see when compared with Ring #1 will disappear with the lighter spoon tapping. I'm intentionally making this one smaller than the previous because my ring actually fell off my finger yesterday. I may have to migrate it to my big toe.<br /><br />Anyway, the guy that took a year on his ring is a complete dummyhead.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Ring 2 as of 7-14-09</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sl3Wis-veGI/AAAAAAAAAJs/IW5Sn7akYh0/s1600-h/IMG_5057.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sl3Wis-veGI/AAAAAAAAAJs/IW5Sn7akYh0/s400/IMG_5057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358675023318972514" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sl3WiVK6PZI/AAAAAAAAAJk/3eK5oA9dFgo/s1600-h/IMG_5056.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sl3WiVK6PZI/AAAAAAAAAJk/3eK5oA9dFgo/s400/IMG_5056.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358675016927559058" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sl3WiKYgCBI/AAAAAAAAAJc/NoCYec9t14Y/s1600-h/IMG_5054.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 281px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sl3WiKYgCBI/AAAAAAAAAJc/NoCYec9t14Y/s400/IMG_5054.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358675014031771666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br />Ring #2 next to Ring #1</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sl3WjN8PytI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/YWhtxd9Gt-Y/s1600-h/IMG_5058.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 176px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sl3WjN8PytI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/YWhtxd9Gt-Y/s400/IMG_5058.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358675032166877906" border="0" /></a><a href="http://s331.photobucket.com/albums/l443/td2243/one%20nerd/?action=view&current=IMG_5054.jpg" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>TD-2243http://www.blogger.com/profile/05835379899619168863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529685333218064334.post-4864653132347563382009-07-13T09:08:00.000-04:002009-07-13T09:41:48.402-04:00My nerd tendencies...I'm pretty good about not blowing money on Star Wars collectibles and such like I used to. (I do have a few sets of armor, but that serves a different purpose altogether.) In fact, I haven't bought a figure in over ten years. I no longer feel the need to clutter up my life with needless things. The reasoning could be a combination of 1) the prequels just weren't that good if we're honest with ourselves, and 2) I have a storage space FULL of old Star Wars toys just costing me $600 a year just to store. No, thank you. Incidentally, I plan to start selling in the next year or when the economy improves. With that money, I will buy a house and a Golden Retriever named Randy.<br /><br />Every so often, I will see something I kind of need to have to make my life complete for the time being. My most recent purchase is my R2-Q5 Soy Sauce Bottle for about $25 (not counting the Kikkoman). The Japanese have a knack for making odd Star Wars creations. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sls0pHOpqfI/AAAAAAAAAJU/eKpv_i8wefg/s1600-h/IMG_5053.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sls0pHOpqfI/AAAAAAAAAJU/eKpv_i8wefg/s400/IMG_5053.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357934062607116786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">R2-Q5 Soy Sauce Bottle</span><br /></div><br /><br />I also have a fondness for my C3PO tape dispenser. It is hand painted ceramic and was manufactured by Sigma in the 80s. I personally like the way the tape comes out of his crotch. Most people appreciate that as well as these are rather difficult to find. I think this is from Japan as well and I paid $80 for it. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sls0o6Ti1fI/AAAAAAAAAJM/kW46xcnJ28I/s1600-h/c3potape.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 339px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sls0o6Ti1fI/AAAAAAAAAJM/kW46xcnJ28I/s400/c3potape.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357934059137979890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">C3Po Tape Dispenser from the 80s</span><br /></div><br />Probably my favorite item I have is my life sized Han Solo in Carbonite. This thing is a beast and someday I hope to have it displayed in a house. Fiberglass, 6 feet tall and about 70 pounds and supposedly made from the original mold. This is #903/2500. Made by Illusive Concepts in the early 90s it is important to note that they went out of business before all 2500 were made. I suspect there were only about 1500 made and they show up on ebay from time to time. I bought mine right when Illusive Concepts went out of business in 1998 for $900 <span style="font-weight: bold;">shipped</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">to my door</span>. I suspect it cost $300 or more to ship a human encased in Carbonite. UPS won't even ship boxes this big. Since then, I've watched them fetch anywhere from $2500-5500 on ebay, without shipping.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sls0oLZpTNI/AAAAAAAAAJE/oftz6c9UQh8/s1600-h/225755616_d4737ca938_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/Sls0oLZpTNI/AAAAAAAAAJE/oftz6c9UQh8/s400/225755616_d4737ca938_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357934046547102930" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Han Solo in Carbonite</span><br /></div>TD-2243http://www.blogger.com/profile/05835379899619168863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529685333218064334.post-87930941070614821702009-07-13T08:53:00.000-04:002009-07-13T09:07:54.455-04:00The Ring - Done....sort of.I haven't posted in awhile because I'm only partially happy with the results, although I've been wearing it for two weeks now anyway. In the last post I had started filing out the center and as it turns out, I started doing that too early. As I kept filing, I realized it would probably end up too big, and it sort of is. I tried to change gears and go back to banging the outside, but it just started warping the circle because there wasn't enough inside to keep it strong. <br /><br />It isn't as snug on my first finger as it probably should be, but it works. I was hoping to dremel out more of the center to make it completely smooth inside, but it will fall off my finger if I shave off any more. It looks great from the outside, in fact people have a hard time believing I made it. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 130%;">The Ring as of </span><span style="font-size: 130%;">7/13/09</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SlswU-S-iuI/AAAAAAAAAIM/HWKGrZHz5Wc/s1600-h/IMG_5051.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SlswU-S-iuI/AAAAAAAAAIM/HWKGrZHz5Wc/s400/IMG_5051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357929318565448418" border="0" /></a><br /><br />There is a semblance of the word "LIBERTY" that can be seen on the inside. The negative photo makes it easier to see.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SlswVEClZAI/AAAAAAAAAIU/zqVZ2MEdVWM/s1600-h/ring7-12-1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SlswVEClZAI/AAAAAAAAAIU/zqVZ2MEdVWM/s400/ring7-12-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357929320107303938" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SlswVwEf-WI/AAAAAAAAAIk/mej3VuyGyAU/s1600-h/ringNEG.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SlswVwEf-WI/AAAAAAAAAIk/mej3VuyGyAU/s400/ringNEG.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357929331926497634" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Seeing as how I am only mildly impressed with my results, I went and bought another quarter. This time from 1938, the year my father was born.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SlswUWarCVI/AAAAAAAAAIE/s41gxUY3thE/s1600-h/IMG_5052.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_J-mSCHxHVxE/SlswUWarCVI/AAAAAAAAAIE/s41gxUY3thE/s400/IMG_5052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357929307860306258" border="0" /></a>TD-2243http://www.blogger.com/profile/05835379899619168863noreply@blogger.com0