Sunday, March 29, 2009

Great, wonderful, tremendous, fantastic...


Door to door salesmen are guys (or girls) that I love messing around with. I don't avoid answering the door, and I don't pretend that I'm not home. I enjoy talking to them and hearing their rundown of Brand X product. I usually don't buy anything.

Sometime in the fall, a couple guys were strolling our cul-de-sac selling AT&T U-verse. My wife and I despised our Comcast service, equipment, etc. So we were willing to give it all up for U-verse, that came highly recommended from a few of our friends. There was something I forgot to check into.

I'm an idiot. I mean, it was October after all. Baseball is a pretty big deal at that time, especially with the Sox in the playoffs. My mind must have been elsewhere. Looking for a new job, school, Nebraska football. Who knows.

It was supposed to be so awesome. HD DVR in our front room and every other room with the ability to watch recorded shows on the other two boxes we had in the office/man cave and our bedroom. More HD channels, and we'd be able to record more and watch TV at the same time. But despite the apparent awesomeness...

Come to find out that U-verse is about the only cable provider that doesn't carry the MLB Extra Innings package I get every single year. What the hell am I supposed to do when I come home at 12:30am from work? I want to watch the Padres and the Marlins, or the Mariners versus the Rangers.

I can always get MLB TV, which would be handy because I am on the go so much with my laptop, I know I'd be able to watch it quite a bit. But there is something awesome about opening up our big windows in our living room, pulling up some couch, and watching a game or two on a Sunday afternoon or a cool late spring night.

I'm going to miss that this season. AT&T better get their shit together.

Friday, March 27, 2009

You will see this movie, you will...


A long time ago, somewhere in the early 80's, my Grandfather who's face I don't recall but who's face I wear gave me this book. Teachers, family members and clergy always used to tell me I was a creative child. I had an "artist's vision." Well, maybe.

Never the less, I think this is one of the first books I really remember as a kid. It is one of those books that unlocks your imagination when you are young. Now as I approach 30, have a wife and a mortgage...

...the film adaptation could not have come at a better time.



Friday, March 20, 2009

Welcome to my childhood...

Today, products sold to children are advertised on television with slick and polished ads. It's hard to imagine that back in 1987 the following would entice anyone to shell out hundreds of dollars on electronic equipment from Japan. Little did our parents know that this would come to dominate our lives (in some cases, like me, still) and turn into a multi-billion dollar a year industry.

I've been enjoying watching the following...

First Nintendo commercial in the U.S.









Sometimes I'm amazed that I wound up with a social life or girlfriends growing up. Watching these videos only reinforces the fact that I am quite the salesman.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Predicting the future

I just finished watching Jon Stewart's interview with Mad Money's Jim Kramer. And while both men don't really run what could be called true journalistic or hard news programs on cable television, they both have rabid audiences that sometimes do take their words at face value. Despite the lack of seriousness either show does or does not provide, I found the happening, as I'll call it, compelling.

Here is a snippet from the interview. If you would like to see the full interview click here to go to Comedy Central.com.



Despite Stewart not being considered a true journalist in the traditional sense, you can see in some points of the interview he is about to pop and come apart at the seams. In my humble opinion, it's only a matter of time before this happens, and I can't wait...

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Giving the devil his due

Political allegiances are not formed until you have real responsibility in your life. It seems to me it would be hard to pick up any particular banner if you live with your parents and don't pay rent. No, living in a dorm room on campus probably does not count either.

Life is a series of challenges and problems presenting themselves at inopportune moments. You either make the best of them or succumb to them. Either way you end up being an example for the rest of society to learn from. Having your thoughts, life and money on the line is the true test of where your politics lie. All broad topics aside, let's move back to one singular issue.

You probably noticed we are in the middle of an economic crunch right now. Some people have told me they are tired of hearing about it, however ignoring a problem never made it go away. Believe me, I've tried on countless occasions. Maybe it will go down the rabbit hole temporarily, but in the long run it will catch you.

Over the past week and a half, the waning torch for the Republican Party has been most recently passed from Bobby Jindal, who reminds me of Kenneth the Page from 30 Rock, after his blunder on national television following a nationally televised speech by President Obama, to one Rush Limbaugh.

Rush as evil conservative overlord to many Democrats is nothing new. I have been familiar with his work since his syndicated television show in the nineties while President Bill Clinton was in office. I was a strange kid. Even in my own home, Limbaugh was a lightning rod.

Recently, Limbaugh has stated since present President Barack Obama has taken his oath, he hopes to see the president fail. Let me give you some more context here. Rush stated in his radio program since he is opposed to liberal policy and liberal goals in our country and society, he would like to see those who uphold these principles fail. Fair enough, everyone is entitled to their opinion for their own self-aggrandizing purposes.

When the hearts and minds of people that are tuned in cannot separate fact from fiction, entertainment from reality, or making sense from making money, what Limbaugh uses as material on his radio program are unsettling ideas in the hands of the ignorant. Don't get me wrong, the left have their overt ring masters of political agenda as well, with the likes of Keith Olbermann now leading the charge. The aim of either of these gentlemen don't lend much credibility to any sort of personal bona fides.

President Obama and top aides have listed Rush as Republican numero uno over the last two weeks, giving his cause more credence. I always felt more comfortable with Rush rallying the troops from the sidelines, rather than being even whispered about in the pantheon of national public office. Now, with this attention, CNN recently felt it necessary to give 90 minutes of uninterrupted camera time (as in no commericals) to Rush as he addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington.

This is the amount of time generally reserved for presidents, senators and other distinguished men and women who at least pose as people who are do gooders within the public trust, no matter which alter ego they slip into while off Capital Hill. Not steaming hate tanks who rally people under a message of hate and disdain for the opposition. There is a pile of money, over 400 million dollars to be exact, to be made over limp balls of clay from coast to coast.

What is unsettling is a major media outlet felt compelled to raise awareness and the importance of a man who has been on an agenda train of victory through heavy handed rhetoric since his rise to national prominence. Through the campaign Rush, and other conservative commentators, held the President up as an empty suit. An inexperienced politician from a crooked state with no political governance who could do no right. Somewhere in the master plan I'd like to see, socially, where Limbaugh falls into the equation. What has he contributed? What has he given to the masses on a regular basis other than rhetoric, words, and a lack of understanding and working together?

The battle cry of opposing a liberal media is nothing new in Rush's repertoire. Using it as an instrument to push the end game of Rush having control over this conservative movement are means to justify the ends. I'm not talking about the unwavering influence among his own, because he has it. Not even the money, because the checks are signed and he is set for life. The man in front of the golden microphone has an ego stretching beyond the world of entertainment, and attention from presidents will only serve to do the opposite of quelling it's behemoth-like appetite.

Many revere him as a great American hero who has the interests of the common man in mind, others wake up in a cold sweat seeing him froth at the mouth and jowls as he sets his sights on loftier goals. For those who put him on a pedestal, he is the ultimate example of the man with his and on the string tied to the carrot. Common people don't amass piles of money, live on prescription painkillers for years and fly to foreign countries to have illicit relations with women in brothels. Each time you buy into his idea of how America should be, all you are doing is buying him another Monte Cristo. From Cuba. A socialist country.

For those who fear suffering under his wrath, get over yourselves. He recognized a market and exploited it all the way to the failing banks. For the purposes of entertainment, the man is a Rhodes Scholar, as long as you can see him for what he is. However, this is the quandary in the question.

What is one to do with the message? How seriously is the message taken and how far does it go? Apparently, straight to the White House. And in the middle of heightened unemployment and an economy wrapped in a Faberge egg, beware of men who seek failure to quench their thirst for attention.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Music I (and you!) can enjoy

I've spent my entire spring break battling a fever and bronchitis. I needed something to come along and cheer me up. Luckily, through my steady diet of Halls and prescription drugs, along came a nice little surprise I nearly forgot about.

One of my favorite artists of the past several (or more) years released a new album fairly recently. I'm not sure on the exact date, lately I just download music when I get around to it and not necessarily when it comes out. So to my knowledge, the new Neko Case album has only been out for about eight hours now.

For those of you not familiar with Case, she was a part of the Canadian super group The New Pornographers. If you don't know who they are, then I really can't help you. Just kidding. I'm not going to be a music snob, though my wife will chuckle when she reads that line.

Middle Cyclone builds on what Case reached in her last release Fox Confessor Brings the Flood. The only contrast being Confessor having some more haunting elements laced within it. I guess if you had to put her in a genre, Alt Country would be appropriate. I've always hated that term, and as Case revealed in a new Rolling Stone interview, so does she. I think we are soul mates. Okay, I don't really believe that.

This isn't a review though. I would encourage you to download some of her songs and get acquainted. Case has a rich, broad voice and is powerful like Patsy Cline. If you find that you are saying to yourself "I need to find something new to listen to," this would be a good place to start.

Monday, March 9, 2009

It was a cold afternoon...

I'll admit it, it has been awhile since I have been to church on a regular basis. I believe I went three times, maybe four, yes, four times last year. Easter, my sister's wedding (which wasn't mass I recall), Christmas, and once about a year ago when Stephanie and I didn't think we would be able to close on our house. For the record, we did.

This morning, I attended Catholic mass with my wife. Rather than giving up something for Lent, she is deciding to go to church. I figured some spiritual currency could do me well. I have a sore throat. Anyway, the church by our house, Holy Spirit, is a classy, open, large, yet simplistic example of modern design in holy architecture.

I'm not here to wax layouts and floor plans for the house of the Almighty, what I'm here to do is report the status of kids in the Catholic church to all you heathens out there. Children today have it so easy. Catechism and mass Sunday mornings, back to back, no excuses. That was then. Now we have a separate story time for kids. I should have followed my sister's professional choice. She'll have waves of head cases for the rest of her life.

Just as I was rolling over the thoughts in my head, the first reading came to the congregation. Let me back up. For those of you not down with St. Peter and the Papal dynasty, Catholic mass is structured. And when I say structured I mean institutional. The first reading is placed somewhere between the opening blessing and the seventh time I check my watch.

Today, of all days when I decide to show up for church, is the story where Abraham is asked to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, to God. "No wonder they sent the kids out of the room," I say to my wife. This is my issue with some things in the Bible. You are tested by God and could possibly be asked to sacrifice a kid you tried to have for like 60 years of your life, then finally had success after your child bearing years were over.

The priest tried to rationalize the motives, or possible misinterpretations on Abraham's part. "Maybe he didn't understand God, child sacrifice, unfortunately, was part of the norm back then." Yes, a giant bearded sky god who told you to kill your kid. Hard to lose the message right? Here is an idea, maybe it didn't really happen?

I know it is not an answer most people of faith like to hear. But accepting the Bible as 100 percent literal is something I completely disagree with. So, maybe ushering the children out was a good thing, or maybe it wasn't. Listening as a young tot to scripture and homily after scripture and homily I soon discovered this book was full of holes.

I wanted to know how Noah was able to get the animals from different regions of the world on to his boat. Was he able to get the poisonous dart frog from South American jungles onto his boat? Did polar bears swim down (or up) from the polar caps (or shifting ice masses)? What about dinosaurs? Why no direct mention of them in the Bible/mass/Sunday school? All questions I started asking around the age of eight. You know what? No one really had a good answer for me.

I can't say I'm surprised. People who follow organized religion closely seem to have a knack for relying mostly on faith in an operation ran by some of the most intelligent people in the world. You think I'm kidding? You should see the academic resumes of some of the highest powers within the Vatican. They are running and gunning a multi-billion dollar a year industry. Even in this economic crisis.

This isn't to say the Catholic church isn't without their new, er old, ways of making money. The once forgotten practice of selling indulgences, a practice causing Martin Luther to leave the Roman Catholic church and start the Protestant movement, is back en vogue with Pope Benedict the XVI. Pope Ben will forgive your sins and allow you to pass Go (Purgatory) and go directly to the Community Chest (Heaven I guess) for the right price. What's old is new again. I wonder if blood letting will be brought back to the medical practice soon?

You might have guessed, this post really has no solid point to it. My musings rarely often do. It's just a guy who is being asked to father some children while coming to some grips with faith and raising said hypothetical kids within it. Got it? I'm of the mind that it is alright to believe in God/Jesus or whoever without having to show up for church each week and do the same thing over and over and over and over and...well, you get it.

I started thinking about this in church one Sunday while I was in high school, soon before I stopped going on a regular basis. A church gets a tax exempt status from the government, but if it catches fire, who do they call? Do tax paying Atheists have a say in where their money goes? Or does it fall under the category of public safety? I'm not saying I agree or disagree with the question. I just like asking it.

I think I might be changing my thoughts regarding the new U2 album as well.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Irish Eyes are Crying?

It's 1:55 a.m., it's Friday night for me, and I'm three and a half songs into the new U2 album and I don't like it. At all.

We'll just let that sink in for the few people that will read this. I had to stop my iPod because I couldn't take it anymore. I'm not sure if it's because musically I'm in a different place the past few weeks, or if it's because I'm so tired. I want to go to bed, but I need to write and play my guitar I'm dusting off. These Replacements songs are harder than I remember from a few years ago.

Back to Bono, The Edge and the gang. The gang meaning those other two guys most of you don't know the names of. Sometimes anonymity can be a good thing though. I think I'll start over from the beginning tomorrow. I did enjoy the past two albums from U2, even though "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" felt like sides three and four to "All That You Can't Leave Behind." At least they waited a few years to put part two of their "White Album" out. I guess that's unfair, that would mean "The Beatles" would sound the same track to track.

I'm sure this could be seen as blasphemous among my contemporaries. Maybe even treasonous. Maybe it's just not me anymore. It wasn't like, "hey this is sort of boring I'm going to listen to something else. Or nothing." It was more like "make it stop" and that could be telling me something. Who knows what for sure.

I like U2. Quite a bit. More so than most people who like the same music or have similar tastes as me. I thought they were done on their ABC special when they had a Spinal Tap moment, becoming stuck in a giant lemon in Latin America. You remember, it was their "Pop" Euro queer/Pink Floyd phase from the late nineties. Disclaimer: I don't have any beef with gay people. Just an expression to paint a picture.

Like I said, I'll give it a whirl tomorrow and we'll see. Look for a possible follow up. Also, a new computer can't come fast enough to our humble abode.