Castle Shima

Alyssa: Looks like a very personal story.
Holden: I finally had something personal to say.
-- from Chasing Amy

Finally, a new entry. I haven't kept up with the blog as much as I really wanted. Then again, I really haven't had much to say.

I mean life has been hectic and it just felt as things were so out of control. It has been such a maddening pace. The end of year is alway crazy, especially with the office, but this year it was just beyond belief.

I was even accused of being a hermit. Again. But I've always been a hermit I suppose. I cause less damage that way.

Then after awhile, it dawned on me that one of the reasons I didn't write anything after all this time was the fact that I didn't have anything to say. I mean if you really want to hear the doldrums of work, I've got plenty of stories there, but it's not the same thing. It simply wasn't... meaningful...

So why now? Why bother? I'm absolutely rubbish when it comes to even attempting to be serious for a moment.

Its the end of the year. Time to look back and then look forward. To change things in your life and in the lives of others. There is always so much promise at new year's and the hope that things will be different. I guess that is the purpose of the new year's resolution.

But I don't do resolutions. I make vain attempts at being somewhat a better person. And even then, that isn't quite the right thing either.

I was once told that I'm way too nice; too kind. Perhaps that is true. It's felt like that as of late.

So that will be my vain attempt I think. To be abit more unkind and not so nice. Maybe even do anger abit more because I really can do that well. I'm really good at anger.

I have absolutely no idea if this will really make me a better person. We'll see how it goes especially since its rare for people to keep their resolutions anyway. Or in this case, their vain attempt.

Will I keep mine? Will you?

The moment is upon us. It's coming.

Are you ready?

Closer To The Edge by 30 Seconds To Mars

The soul is born old but grows young. That is the comedy of life. And the body is born young and grows old. That is life's tragedy.
-- Oscar Wilde

Time flies doesn't it? I hadn't even realized how long it had been since I've updated the blog. Hell, I barely recall what I did at the beginning of the year and its already December.

Things have gone by so fast it seems so unreal. The next thing you know I will start playing soccer and act like I'm 20 again.

Ok, that is a given. Perhaps its more to the fact that I refuse to grow up. I'm still a big kid, but with expensive toys and the wierd family. Just like John Leguizamo...



Ok, maybe my family isn't *that* wierd. Or maybe they are and I just don't see it.

When you're in the battlefield, survival is all there is. Death is the only great emotion.
-- Samuel Fuller

It's Veterans Day in the US. The day to remember those that have not only fought for us, but have served us in the past and still serve us today. Its because they all bear the scars of our history.

Samuel Fuller, a veteran of World War II and film director, knew this all too well. Here is a scene from his film, The Big Red One.



So to our vets, here is a thank you to you and yours.

As a child I was what is known as a "fussy eater." 'He's fussy! He's a fussy eater!' "Fussy eater" is a euphemism for "Big pain in the ass."
-- George Carlin

Cooking normally isn't that big of a deal for most people. After all, almost everyone I know learned from their family or have their own family to cook for. I had never really been trained in that sort of thing and never really had a reason.

For most of my life, I've been the typical male that relied on others to handle the chore of cooking. While growing up, there was the mother and grandmother parental units. In college and the following decades, there was the poor female that happened to be in my life at the time. Even if I wasn't seeing anyone, I could always rely on my three neighbors: Wendy, Ron McDonald, and the King of Burger.

And if that didn't work, there was always the microwave. Oh, and the toaster. I could make a really mean pop-tart.

Then, at some point, you just get sick of having the same thing over and over again. Its not only unhealthy, but it gets plain downright boring.

Next thing I know, I've bought a pan. Then I bought I another. Then I ended up with a spatula, a wok, a bottle of olive oil, and several pairs of tongs.

Then I started watching the Cooking Channel too much. Don't get me wrong. I used to watch Rachel Ray on the Food Network all the time, but it wasn't the same thing. Watching her was more because she's a cutie as opposed to the food.

Now my DVR is loaded with episodes of chuck's Day Off, Cook Like An Iron Chef, and Kitchen Essentials.

Michael Symon, the host of Cook Like An Iron Chef, has this saying: "If you learn a recipe, you make a great dish. If you learn technique, you can make several great dishes."

That made sense to me. It even fits with my personality. Not only do I have yet another hobby, but its got nifty toys too! I even get to play with knives!

My latest experiments involved scrambled eggs and steaks. Simple right? But then again you never realize how much you can alter your food by simply changing your technique.

Here's a hint from Gordon Ramsey, who is funny as hell:


Butter? I had never done that before. Damn!

So one night for dinner I end up with portobello caps, eggs, cherry tomatos, and steak (I'll do the bread for breakfast).


Then a week later, my science project ended up being another steak, cherry tomatos, and spinach with garlic.


At least this time, I remembered to cut the meat against the grain. And before anyone says anything, I wanted the meat to come out medium rare so it actually worked out.

I will never, ever become a chef or even some worthwhile cook. I wouldn't even declare myself a foodie. The way I figure it, if the kitchen doesn't burn down, then I am in pretty good shape.

The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have.
-- Norman Vincent Peale

Still in the live performance Linkin Park mood, here are a couple of songs performed at the Best Buy Theater in New York. This concert was part of the release for the latest cd A Thousands Suns.

Waiting For The End by Linkin Park


New Divide by Linkin Park

A live concert to me is exciting because of all the electricity that is generated in the crowd and on stage. It's my favorite part of the business, live concerts.
-- Elvis Presley

I would agree with Elvis. There is always something about a live concert and the energy the crowd brings with them.

Linkin Park should be coming out again soon since they released their latest cd. I've always enjoyed watching them live, even if it was just on dvd. So I'll have to work on seeing them again. Until then...

P5hng Me A*wy by Linkin Park


In The End by Linkin Park

If wind and tide had been against us, I should have said yes.
-- Capt. Aubrey from Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World


Once more into the fray, my friends. The annual event has come upon once again and as years past, requires documentation of the festivities. If you could call them that...

So with more apologies to Peter King, here is the Things I Think I Know About the MS Bike Ride, 2010 edition.

1. Last year, we got lucky by not having the typical downpours. This year made up for it by surprising everyone. A typical conversation went something like this: "Rain? Its not supposed to rain. The weather guy said... What the?! Son of a bitch!"

2. The latest addition for the RoadKill Cafe: Crab!

3. Team Blue set a new record this year by having a ride group earn three flat tires. The previous record was two. The single rider record remains at earning two flat tires at the same time while going over a bridge.

4. I loved how DJ iPhone played Tom Petty's Mary Jane's Last Dance then ten minutes later, the live band came back and played the same song. Matter of fact, its playing now even as I right this.

5. Definition of Ironic: over 1000 cyclists are leaving the same gate and the music begins playing Lenny Kravitz's Are You Gonna Go My Way?


6. This year, the event sponsors gave the cyclists an added bonus by shortening the route. The only thing everyone had to do was ride through the wind tunnel used to test space shuttle engines. Congratulations!

7. From now on, the mixing of high winds and bridge climbing will henceforth be termed as "Knee Distress."

8. There is something scary, yet exciting, about being in a 60 man pace line, especially when you're the one on the back end.

9. Did anyone else worry about getting bedbugs while at the hotel? Maybe it was just me. Geezus, thanks for putting that image into my head, Jo.

10. And with that many thanks must go out to the Team Blue volunteers that handled the rest stop and the team tent. We couldn't continue this fight without you.

Wheels by The Foo Fighters


Cheers, mates!

If to dance is to dream, then you make dreams come true.
-- Unknown

This started out during one of my nightly blog searches and I still havent been able to stop smirking.

I dont know much about Genki Sudo other than he used to be mixed martial artist in Japan. From what I've seen, his flashy dance routines that he did as he entered the ring lead him to his entertainment career with the musical group, World Order.

How cool is that?! Asia expects its actors and singers to be interchange frequently, but its fighters? I have no idea, but I do know that I would never, ever want watch Rocky Balboa singing or dancing.

And after watching the World Order dance videos, I just had to laugh. A lot. They are just so much fun! They remind me so much of the videos from Ok Go.

If Sudo did one of these routines before every fight, its no wonder his transition into the music industry was required.

Sudo is the one with goatee and I hope you enjoy these as much as I did.

Mind Shift by World Order


World Order by World Order


Hat Tip: The Daily What

Home is where you can say anything you please, because nobody pays any attention to you anyway.
-- Joe Moore

Tomorrow is moving day for our department at the office. I understand the need for it. It doesn't change the fact that I absolutely hate it.

Part of the reason for the move is that the department is barely using a fraction of the floor which is meant for three hundred people. But damn, I really loved my cube.

I know that sounds strange, especially for those that havent been in the corporate world. My cube faced a wall so I only had a few neighbors and I was close to the windows. Not only that, but the department's location had us right next to the cafeteria, the soccer field, and right above the gym. The location was perfect.

I'd also been in that cube for ten years. That's longer than I've been in my apartment.

As this week dragged on to the inevitable, everyone around me began grousing about the move as well. It became pretty obvious that most of us felt the same way; that we feel as if we're being evicted. We hate moving across campus to an older, not as nice building, and in a worse location.

Some of the newcomers didnt understand as they packed their belongings in a single box. Most of us had quite a bit more, despite the fact we were trying to purge as much as possible. We were finding things we hadnt touched in years. Old newletters, pictures, keyboards, manuals, and even 3.5 diskettes from companies that don't even exist any more.

Now it feels like I'm leaving a piece of me behind. That's wierd, I know, but after all this time, that little piece of real estate was mine. It was part of my identity. It was my home.

So I'll take my three boxes and be happy about it.

Ok, maybe not happy, but I will be thankful for the memories.

Thnks fr the Mmrs by Fall Out Boy

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
-- George Santayana

Somewhere along the lines, we've forgotten. We've gotten overselves too busy, too scared of what other people think, or too fearful to make the tough decisions.

Don't think so?

Try saying these words in public: "As an American, a person has the right to burn the Quaran."

Feels tough, doesnt it?

Now trying saying these words in public: "As an American, a person has the right to burn the Bible."

Not quite the same thing, is it? There is some discomfort, but typically there is no fear involved.

I'm not condoning burning of either book, but as an American, we have the right to do it. We even have the right to say it despite how distasteful it sounds.

It always happens though. We move on and forget all the bad things that happened in the past. After all, Pearl Harbor is nothing but a footnote in history to the current generation, that is, for any of those that can actually remember their history.



So here is a little reminder from David Kravette who worked for Cantor Fitzgerald:
On the morning of September 11, I was on floor 105, tower 1. I had an 8 a.m. meeting set up with a client. He was bringing by some tech people to do some due diligence on our technology company called E-Speed. I get to work usually around seven, seven-fifteen. At eight, the client called to tell me they were running late. And I said fine. But I reminded him to bring photo ID downstairs. Ever since the last terrorist attack in '93, the building requires photo ID downstairs. He's been there before, so he knew the drill. He said, "Fine. No problem."

At 8:40, I get a phone call from the security desk downstairs, asking me if I'm expecting visitors. I said yes. "Well, they're here," they said. "But one of them forgot their ID."

I'm 105 flights up. The commute to get downstairs takes about five minutes, especially around that time. So I'm annoyed, obviously, because I have to go down now to sign these people in after I just told them to bring ID. I look at this desk assistant across from me, thinking maybe she'll help out and go down, but she's on the phone. She's also about eight months pregnant. She's a few weeks from maternity leave and she's on the phone talking to a friend and she's on a website looking at bassinets and cribs. A very nice girl expecting her first child. So how lazy am I? I decide to go myself. ...

... I take these two elevator rides down. I take the elevator from 105 to 78, change, and take the express down to the ground. I got down to the lobby. Our elevator banks actually face the visitors' gallery. And I started walking over to the visitors' gallery, I'd say it's about thirty yards, and they're standing there waiting for me. And I remember yelling, "Which one of you knuckleheads forgot your ID?"

And as I say this, you hear this really loud screeching sound. I turn around and it's kind of coming from the elevators. So I run away from it, like ten steps, and look back. And the elevators are free-falling. Then, from the middle elevator bank, not the one I came down on, but from the middle one, a huge fireball explodes in the lobby. This huge fireball is coming right toward me. People got incinerated. And I remember just looking at this thing, not feeling scared, but just sad because I knew I was going to die. But as quickly as it came toward me, it actually sucked back in on itself, and it was gone. It left a lot of smoke and everything was blown out, all the glass and revolving doors leading into the shopping area. All I felt was a big wave of heat come over me, like when you put your face too close to a fireplace. My customer and my general counsel and I just ran out. The three of us ran over the overpass to where the Financial Center is. We went down to where the marina is, where the yachts are. And that's when we found out what happened, that a plane had hit the building.

I looked up and saw this big gaping hole. I said, "What's that falling out of the window?"

My general counsel looks at me like I'm nuts. And he says, "That's people jumping out." ...

Cantor Fitzgerald had four floors in the North Tower -- 101, 103, 104, and 105. Nobody got out on those floors. Everyone who was upstairs perished. There were a lot of phone calls to wives and husbands at around nine o'clock saying good-bye, as though they knew they were going to die.
-- from Never Forget: An Oral History of September 11, 2001

He's in the endzone. I'm waiting for a flag... There's no flag. There should be.
-- Neiderman from Necessary Roughness

NFL Football is upon us once more my friends. And with that comes the tradition that many of us absolutely must endure with every season: Fantasy Football.

It always seems to me that the draft is always the best part of the whole season. After all, everyone gathers together, have a few laughs, eat some food, and drink a lot of frothy things.

A few things stuck in my mind from this year's draft:

How is it we still can't pronounce this guy's name?



There is always someone not at the draft. And when they try to call in their picks, it looks just like this...



And no matter what happens, it seems that we aren't really satisified with our teams. So Tuesdays will be tough...


So we go thru all this pain and effort to build a fake team that will inevitably break your heart. I expect to be like this in a few months...


So for my league, this is what the Hong Kong Phooeys ended up with:

Quarterbacks
Aaron Rogers, Green Bay
Kevin Kolb, Philadelphia
Matt Moore, Carolina

Running Backs
Beanie Wells, Arizona
Justin Forsett, Seattle
Darren McFadden, Oakland
Mike Bell, Philadelphia

Receivers
Dwayne Bowe, Kansas
Devin Aromashodu, Chicago
Eddie Royal, Denver
Chaz Schilens, Oakland
Mike Thomas, Jacksonville

Tight Ends
Kellen Winslow, Tampa Bay
Heath Miller, Pittsburgh

Kickers
Stephen Gostkowski, New England
Rob Bironas, Tennessee

Team Defense
Dallas
Tennessee

I really wanted to get Chris Johnson, but he went really quick. Then again, if he has a bad game, it doesnt look too good for him...


Whew. At least I didnt pick Antonio Bryant...

Can't rain all the time.
-- Eric from The Crow

Ever get in one of those moods to dance? Ok, maybe its just me.

As of late, these two videos have kind of stuck with me. They are fun and get you up and dancing.

Ride To California by Paper Tongues


This one was used with the Camp Vegas commercial ads.

Animal by Neon Trees


For whatever reason both videos had a focus on their vans. I guess the accoustics were better than the bathroom.

You're not supposed to look back. You're supposed to keep going.
-- Holly from The Lovely Bones

It's that time.

Today is the viewing for A.D., then his body will be sent back to his family in India. It will be a hard day for a lot of us because it will be time to say goodbye. Then it will be time to move forward.

I've always believed that you can't have life without having death. That is the balance in things.

A.D. may be gone, but he will be in our memories.

It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday by Boys II Men


Take care, dude.

I will see you again... But not yet... Not yet...
-- Juba from Gladiator

The following entry will be semi-serious and full of grammatical as well as spelling errors.

A friend of mine died last night.

Das, or A.D. as we called him, was killed in a car accident while going to visit another friend. The news of the accident rolled like a shock wave to all those who knew A.D., especially to the many of us that saw him a few hours prior to the accident.

There we all were, having a good time. The ever present smile in the room and the vocal laugh ringing thru the crowd. Of course, there was the always present phrase of "Dude!" But with A.D.'s accent, its always been more like "Dood!"

Then today, we found ourselves gathered together reminiscing about A.D. and all the things that made us laugh about him.

Remember that snowboarding trip?!
Then he was shouting, "Dood! Are you kidding me?!
He left his credit card where?!
After he's miss the goal, he was going, "Shucks!"
A.D. did what?!
We still yell out, "Fast! Fast!" during soccer because of him...

After an impromptu memorial at the scene of the accident, we continued recalling all the adventures everyone had with A.D.



That is the life we will remember. This intelligent, fun-loving, young man affecting so many people around him. He lived his life as best as he could, savored every moment, and wanted everyone to enjoy it with him.

God speed, A.D. You will be missed, but we'll see you soon enough. And you damn well better save us some beer, dude.

Perhaps I'm old and tired, but I always think that the chances of finding out what really is going on are so absurdly remote that the only thing to do is to say hang the sense of it and just keep yourself occupied.
-- Douglas Adams

I didnt realize that a month had gone by since I've touched this thing. July is usually a busy month, but I dont recall it be being this bad as of late. I always joke about work being a pain, but this time it is down right suffocating.

On the plus side, the World Cup was a blast and the Tour de France was excellent. I'm already going thru withdrawals from both as it is.

So now that I have a moment to breathe, maybe I just needed that reminder that times, good or bad, are just moments. Perhaps they are just a test and a little motivation is in order.

I only date stewardesses. Or maybe it just seems that way. Women always seem to be showing me the exits.
-- Scott Roeben

It was tough watching Team USA getting defeated by Ghana today. The two easy goals were backbreakers for sure, but the team kept fighting, kept scrapping. It took extra time before the team was shown the door.

No shame here. The blood, sweat, and tears were left on the field so I'm still proud of them. Now its time to get back to work and get back to the dream.

Running Down A Dream by Tom Petty


I still say Ghana has been taking flopping lessons from Italy, but thats just my opinion.

For those of you who don't know, I was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease a couple of weeks ago... I hate baseball. I'd really much rather have been diagnosed with a basketball disease. Maybe Wilt Chamberlain disease. That's the one where you have sex 20,000 times and then you die.
-- Carla Zilbersmith

I never met Carla Zilbersmith, the accomplished singer, teacher, and comedianne. I have never even heard of her until I ran across an entry on another blog (hat tip: The Daily What).

Zilbersmith was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease, better known as ALS, in 2007. Despite dying slowly, she kept living life as she wanted, the best she could. Trips, singing, and plays. She wrote her own blog Carla Muses and even starred in a documentary Leave Them Laughing: A Musical Comedy About Dying.

I'm going to have to get this movie when it becomes available.

Last month, Zilbersmith slipped into a coma and passed away. Before her death, she made this video that was to be played during her funeral. I'll be damned if she didn't make people laughing a priority.



Thank you for your humour and inspiration, Carla. We didnt get to meet, but its an honour to know you.

Anyone can cook aloo gobi, but who can bend a ball like Beckham?
-- Jess from Bend It Like Beckham



Its an exciting time for soccer fans with the World Cup going on for the next four weeks. There are have been some really excellent games so far and its only third day of the tournament. Its definately been worth the hype.



England's Rob Green will be hearing about his miscue for awhile, but as any player knows, it happens to all of us. Unfortunately for Green, it just happened during one of the biggest games ever.



At least he made an attempt to stop the ball, unlike Algeria's Fawzi Chaouchi, who watched the ball sail in. Hell, I could have done that. Maybe I can play for them! Ok, maybe not.

Japan doesn't play for a couple of days so I'll be anxious to catch that one. It will be hard as hell to try not to watch the games at work. Our network doesn't have that kind of bandwidth.

Maybe I should call in sick. For the next four weeks. Yeah, that's it. *cough cough* Hehe...

Ok, that wont happen either. I'll have to do what I can to catch as many games as possible. For now, lets play the official song for the event.

Waka Waka (This Time For Africa) by Shakira


Damn. In a few weeks, I'm going to have the same problem when the Tour de France starts.

Lt. Col Strobl: If I'm not over there, what am I? Those guys, guys like Chance. They're Marines.
Charlie Fitts: And you think you're not? Want to be with your family every night? You think you have to justify that? You'd better stop right there, sir. You've brought Chance home. You're his witness now. Without a witness, they just disappear.
-- from Taking Chance

Today is the day we Americans remember those soldiers that died for us. It doesnt matter whether or not you believe in war or not. Its there and its something that must lived through.

Its the soldier that pays the price with their life. We should never forget that.



Home They Brought Her Warrior Dead by Lord Alfred Tennyson
Home they brought her warrior dead:
She nor swooned, nor uttered cry:
All her maidens, watching, said,
‘She must weep or she will die.’

Then they praised him, soft and low,
Called him worthy to be loved,
Truest friend and noblest foe;
Yet she neither spoke nor moved.

Stole a maiden from her place,
Lightly to the warrior stepped,
Took the face-cloth from the face;
Yet she neither moved nor wept.

Rose a nurse of ninety years,
Set his child upon her knee—
Like summer tempest came her tears—
‘Sweet my child, I live for thee.’

You have to have a dream so you can get up in the morning.
-- Billy Wilder

I typically have music playing whenever I'm busy, whether it be office, working out, or house work. The one advantage I have by working on office stuff at home is that I can actually sing without destroying my co-workers ears.

The other advantage is that I can do my typical video surfing at the same time, usually because thats when I stumble on the little gems.

Case in point is today's found treasure. The cover that Ling Mai's Mighty Mayo Films group does is absolutely brilliant. I loved the fun and creativity it brought out in the song.

Hope you enjoy this as much as I did.

Every Morning by Sugar Ray

Tears are the silent language of grief.
-- Voltaire

In 1992, Eric Clapton released the song Tears In Heaven about the loss of his son, Conor, who fell from a New York City apartment window. Clapton has much stopped playing the song, citing that the pain and loss are not there for him as much any more.

In some ways, that is a good thing. People have to move forward with their lives or else end up becoming hollow inside.

Fortunately for we, the audience, this beautiful song has been covered by several artists. As I was going through a search for semi-mellow music, I found these videos.

Ironically enough, these versions are sung by young men. Perhaps they could have been Conor's age by the time they sang these. Perhaps now its not so much a hurtful reminder, but rather a heart touching ballad that we shouldnt forget.

Tears In Heaven by The Choir Boys


Declan Galbraith was around 14 or 15 when he did this cover.

Tears In Heaven by Declan Galbraith


What is it with Brit music videos and cathedrals anyway?

Hey, Doc, I got a mother. All right? I mean, you got a mother. Sarge's got a mother. I mean, shit, I bet even the Captain's got a mother. Well, maybe not the Captain, but the rest of us got mothers.
-- Reiben from Saving Private Ryan

Since music a pretty typical theme, I figured I would do a slightly different look at Mother's Day music. Here are a couple items that, at first glance, don't appear as tributes to motherhood.

Billy Joel's She's Always A Woman started as a love song, but the John Lewis ad expands on the lyrics. The simple imagery of a girl growing into much more is quite effective.



Not bad for only one minute thirty.

As harsh as this next song may sound, the lyrics touch upon some of the hardest things that a mother must go through. Listen carefully and you can hear the gratitude to the one person that kept him alive.

Hate Me by Blue October


Being a parent is a tough, thankless job and its seems nowadays, children are more apt to blame their parents than thank them. Two days out of an entire year isnt enough to honour them. Appreciate them while you still have them, hm? Even if they arent in your life, keep them close by.

So to mine and all you other mums out there, thanks.

Let's work the problem people. Let's not make things worse by guessing.
-- Kranz from Apollo 13

There are people that act like they're from outer space. Then there are those that belong in outer space because of the fact that there just may be too much oxygen in their cranium.

Its up to the rest of us to figure out which is which. Case in point...

Major Tom by Shiny Toy Guns

Parents shouldn't be friends to their children and neither should teachers. As soon as that happens, the relationship is not what it's supposed to be.
-- Deborah Gust

Several families of ducks have made their home around the large lake at the office complex where I work. They wander to and fro along the lawns and trees, eating bugs, swimming along, and just being ducks in general.

As I parked the car next to a small hedgeline in the lot, an adult duck stuck her head out of the brush and watched as the vehicle came to a stop. When I opened the door, the little bugger hissed at me. I've gotten used to having the ducks around, especially on the soccer field, that we share with them, but this was the first time one actually hissed at me in such close proximity. And with no wonder.

When I actually had gotten out of the car, I could see that the ducklings were in the same hedge, all around mother duck's feet. Then came father duck from the other side of the hedge and both parents were hissing at me. The ducks will actually come after the pedestrians that come to close to the wee ones. Rumor had it that they had bitten one woman on campus.

I wasnt too worried since I could have always kicked them like a soccer ball. If I was really bad off, the baseball bats were in the trunk. But nothing else happened as I walked away.

It doesnt really matter what species though, does it? Become a threat to our little ones and parents become protective.

When I was younger, I never fancied myself much as a parent. After all, I never believed that I would be a good father especially with way I behave. Even at my age now, people are surpised by how old I am just by the way I act, not to mention my appearance.

Then every so often, the inkling does strike me about being a father. Perhaps I would be a little more relaxed than my own father. A little more strict in others. Definately just as protective, if not overly protective.

And when the time comes, perhaps I would even sing my wee ones to sleep...

Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel) by Billy Joel


Who knows? Maybe some day.

By the way, don't forget Mother's Day is coming up this weekend.

Am I wearing boxers? For future reference, I usually prefer briefs for their security and peace of mind.
-- Max from Get Smart

The mobile company Vodafone comes up with some pretty good ads. If my office mates ever did something like this, we would be out on our ear.



The text at the end? "Piu smart con Vodafone."

I dont feel smarter.

Hatch: Where do I stand for a corner kick?
Colby: At the far post, facing the ball.
Hatch: Thanks. For a while there, I thought you were keeping it a secret.
-- from Victory

And just like that, another soccer season has passed me by. The team I'm on, BC United, just seems to get better and better every year. This year we took the first seed into our tournament and earned the right for a first week bye. That was definately a new feeling.

The hardest part is that the tournament spans across days and not everyone can make the same day. That goes for all the teams, not just us. So everyone feels the difference to some extent.


For United, we placed fourth, our highest ranking ever.

I guess in the long run, it really doesnt matter. Everyone comes out and plays hard. Everyone has a good time regardless of the outcome. And in the end, we all enjoy being out as a team, as a group, as friends.

That makes the whole season worth it.


So to United and to everyone in the league, I thank you. Its always an honour to take the field with you.

It's true that every time you hear a bell, an angel gets its wings. But what they don't tell you is that every time you hear a mouse trap snap, an angel gets set on fire.
-- Jack Handy

I've been playing a lot of mellow music again as of late. I guess it goes with my mood. You know: tired, beaten, whipped. That sort of thing.

Its just that there are those times that we all need a little time to unplug. Some people read. Others meditate. I play loud, harmonious music that sounds like we should be in church.

That's when I came upon this UK group that meets the bill as well as satifies the soul. Not to mention the eyes.

Nothing Compares 2 U by All Angels


Perhaps this is just another excuse to look at attractive women without feeling like a total deviant. Heh.

Sound Of Silence by All Angels

You guys look like an 80s rock band!
-- Ben from The Fantastic Four

I was doing my nightly scan through all the silly sites and landed on this one. Its definately too funny to pass up.

So here are the Axis of Awesome doing their 4 Chord Routine. Turn off the notes if you don't want the spoilers.



Come on, Barbie, lets go party...

On matters of style, swim with the current. On matters of principle, stand like a rock.
-- Thomas Jefferson

I was wading through You-Tube again and found this by accident. The video is from the alternative version of the original song, but group's melody is so impressive that I felt compelled to show it.

With or Without You by Stanford Mixed Company

Don't be absurd. Such activities are totally beyond my mother. My father only got anywhere with her because he told her it was a cure for diarrhoea.
-- Edmund from The Black Adder

There is always a danger when playing Magic The Gathering without sleeves. Granted, what male likes to put a sheath of plastic over their stuff?

Then again, you wouldnt have to worry about stuff like this.



Ok, I found myself semi-aroused by that. I would be more than willing to let her work on my deck...

I hate watching Passion of The Christ with my mom at church. She always says "Miho, why don't you want to watch it?" and I tell her "Come on, mom. I've read the book and seen the movie. I know how it ends."
-- Carlos Mencia

On Friday night, a buddy of mine from the office, who is also a Magic The Gathering player, invited me over to his place. Alara and his wife were having a Good Friday sort of party, where they had invited people from their work as well as other family friends. They were both up front about what was going on: good food, good people, and a good movie, which just happened to be Passion of The Christ.

Ben, another fellow company worker and avid Magic player, wasnt sure if his wife would be able to handle the movie considering the content is pretty vivid, especially the bloody parts.

I had never seen it with a church or religious group per se. I saw the film at the theater when it first came out and even then, I noticed that people were having trouble with the whippings, blood, and crucifiction. Watching this as a small group setting would be a new experience.

The young teens who had not seen the film before were horrified. Some of the older folks who had seen it before were still having trouble with the graphic violence, but understood the reason for it, even appreciated it.

Mel Gibson may be a prat, but he does make a good film.

At one point we had to pause the film for bio breaks, food, etc. While the mood was still somber, I tried to lighten things up by cracking my wise arse comments.

Since the movie is spoken in Aramaic and Latin with subtitles, I spurt out "You know, if someone was high and tried to watch this without the subtitles, they would probably go 'Dude, I'm so messed up! I can't understand a word they are saying!'"

Yes, that was pretty bad, but it got a laugh. I even paraphrased a few comments from the man, Sam Kinison. Here is the NSFW version.



Happy Easter to everyone! I hope its a quiet, safe, and enjoyable one.

A violinist had a violin, a painter his palette. All I had was myself. I was the instrument that I must care for.
-- Josephine Baker

Ever get in the mood for orchestral music? Maybe not even orchestral per se, but something more mello to match whatever mood you happen to be in.

Ok, maybe its a shite excuse of mine in order to play something abit different than usual. Considering everything going on around me, a chance to breathe wouldnt be such a bad thing. I dont mind being busy, even frenetic, but using the snorkel every day can wear you down.

On the plus side, crazy days like today end up giving way to more creative culinary ideas because there arent too many healthy options late at night. A can of chili and beans, simmered with a combination of ground beef, onions, scallions, and cheese. Pour on top of tortilla chips and off you go.

I'm not sure if there is really a point to this note. I dont think there really was one other than perhaps its times like these where we miss simplicity. Simple, quiet times without the hustle and bustle of every day life.

Or maybe I'm just burned out and I'm whining like a little bitch. In that case, just rub your fingers together to play the world's smallest violin for me.

Return To Innocence by Enigma

Are you upset little friend? Have you been lying awake worrying? Well, don't worry. I'm here. The flood waters will recede, the famine will end, the sun will shine tomorrow, and I will always be here to take care of you.
-- Charlie Brown

Some song covers arent so bad. Some are really different that they can't truly be called covers. They are more like re-imagining of the song.

Case in point; one of Crowded House's most popular songs has been covered by alot of people including Sixpence None The Richer. I personally prefer the original version.

Don't Dream Its Over by Crowded House



The irish group Dove did a hip-hop version of the song which isn't bad, but definately different.

Don't Dream Its Over by Dove


Ah, variety. The spice of life indeed.

We will put no impediment in your way and we will be at dockside bidding you a farewell as you set off into the sunset.
-- Charles M. Lichenstein

Here is a mix of alternative rock with a twist of classic opera. Katherine Jenkins does bloody brilliant cover of Evanescence although I do miss some of the anger that raged in Paul McCoy's voice.

Bring Me To Life by Katherine Jenkins

Little League baseball is a very good thing because it keeps the parents off the streets.
-- Yogi Berra

Hopefully, Coach Pill and Mermaid get a kick out of this one.

Back in the 80s, one of the first concerts I ever got to attend had these two little bands that hardly anyone had ever heard of: Men At Work and their opening act, The Outfield. Both have been favourites of mine since.

Back in the day, it wasnt uncommon for me sing their music all thoughout the night. As matter of fact, I still do sing their songs at night and to be honest, I do it just as badly now as I did back then.

So when I saw the news that The Outfield has the original trio back together and are releasing a new cd, I was totally estatic! This is one group I definately would see again. I will even buy the cd so I can have a physical copy of their work instead of just downloading the songs from Amazon.

Here is the promotional video with drummer Alan Jackman, that had left the band and has now returned.



Since most people are used to hearing Your Love, I opted for a different track.

All The Love In The World by The Outfield


There isnt really a video for this song, but it was another favourite song off of their first album, Play Deep. I have to thank the You Tube user for posting it.

I Don't Need Her by The Outfield


I think I actually have what's left of the original cassette somewhere in the house. I'd be amazed if it still works considering I pretty much wore it out by playing it constantly in the car. Then again I practically wore out the cd playing it on the bedroom stereo, the car stereo, the portable cd player, the boombox, the computer...

Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza.
-- Dave Berry

The guys from OK Go are at it again and this was too good to pass up. There is always something about being able to play at your job.

This Too Shall Pass by OK Go


FYI, RGM means Rube Goldberg Machine. If you've never seen one before, just watch an old Tom and Jerry cartoon.

Hat tip to Gizmodo for this tidbit.

We're ghosts, baby! We're timeless!
-- Uncle Wayne from Ghosts of Girlfriends Past

I've been playing alot of 80s music lately, especially while working. And considering all the work as of late, I've been playing several of Men At Work songs.

Ok, nevermind. That sounded abit more ironic when I first thought of it...

The video was fan created so not much there, but the song is still spot on.

Underground by Men At Work


Of course, the Man @ Work must be included.

Overkill by Colin Hay

A Mission Statement is a dense slab of words that a large organization produces when it needs to establish that its workers are not just sitting around downloading Internet porn.
-- Dave Berry

Sure this is a play on words. That's because back when this song first came out, god forbid we would ever hear cursing in our music. Then again, I come from the Age of The Mullet, so what the hell do I know? Heh...

Work has picked up quite a bit and there are just somethings that can't be sung (or even said) at the office. Suffice to say, its probably a little safer at home.

Then again, it depends on who you live with. I would imagine your spouse may take offense to this...

Get The Funk Out by Extreme

Somehow "Oh Fiddlesticks!" doesn't have the same ring to it when playing this game.
-- from a recent conversation

Word of caution: this will be a longer than a normal entry and pretty boring for 98% of the audience. Its a long winded story and I'm doing this so I dont forget.

You have been warned. Heh.

This past weekend, I competed in a Magic The Gathering Standard Constructed tournament. The last time I did something like this was over thirteen years ago. The primary reason for even attending this time was not only in my renewed interest in the game, but because some new friends really wanted to have a strong showing of our group.

The whole experience reminded me of why I loved going to these sort of things in the first place. There is always that nervousness of competing, even if you know everyone there. For such a simple thing, there is always alot of intensity involved.

So here comes the semi-technical stuff.

I've described the game in the past, but for those who arent familiar with Magic The Gathering (or actually have a life), its simply a fancy card game. Combine a variety of 60 cards in order to make a deck. In a tournment setting, you also have to pick another 15 cards to put to the side for special situations.

Think of it like a cooking competition. You have 60 ingredients to combine to make a certain flavour, then another 15 ingredients are set to the side and used for a specific audience.

There are 2 ways to win the game:
Option 1) damage your opponent to force them down from 20 life points to 0
Option 2) force your opponent to use up all their cards until they can not draw any more cards.

A tournament is set up very similiar to how tennis matches are set up. There are several 50 minute rounds with players matched up at random in order to compete in the best 2 out of 3 games. The players that win the most rounds go on to the finals.

Since it had been such a long time for me to have competed in such a serious environment, the card flavour I had chose was the first option. My hope was to beat my foe(s) with as much offense as possible, as fast as possible, and with no defense. I figured if I even won a single match I would be happy. If I made the semi-finals, then my night would be complete.

My first opponent of the night, JD, played a deck where his flavour was the second option. He had all defense, no offense, and things that would add life. Lots of it.

His job was to take as many cards out of my deck as possible and put them in my discard pile. Now that doesnt sound like much, but when he could force me to put anywhere between 13 to 20 cards in my discard pile in a single move, it wouldnt be long before I was dead.

Of course, I didnt realize that until JD forced me to discard over 36 cards in two turns and I lost the first game.

My hands were already shaking at the intensity of the hard fought game, but now, in-between games, players are allowed to swap ingredients out with the other 15 side ingredients. Now I had to sit there and think what the hell I could use to fight such a deck. Not only that, but now the strategy had to change because JD had similiar thoughts. Instead of going for a fast, speedy kill, I figured I would have to be as sneaky as possible.

The biggest idea that dawned on me was that I actually had weapons that I was allowed to use from the discard pile. When JD was forcing me to put cards into my discard pile, I had more toys than I normally would have in my hand.

The second game was more in my favour because I was able to do alot of damage early while my foe's defense took too long to set up. He wasnt able to counter the last 10 points of damage that finished him off.

It didnt matter that this game went as expected. My right leg was bouncing up and down furiously at the sheer excitement.

The third game took longer. Much longer.

Everyone else had finished their match and we only had 20 minutes to finish our match. So there are twenty two other players crowded around to watch this madness that has gone from a cooking contest to a Magic based boxing match.

Punch, counterpunch. Attack, defend.

I hit him for 6 points of damage. He counters and gains 8 points of life.

He forces me to discard 3 cards, I shoot him for 3 points of damage.

I hit him with 10 points of damage, he attempts to prevent the damage. I counter his attempt and force him to take it. Then I add another 5 points for his trouble.

He forces me to discard 13 cards, I fire at him for 4 points of damage.

I hit again for 6 points, he counters it. I sneak in a quick jab for 3 points.

JD fires a haymaker and forces me to discard 20 cards. I shoot for 2 points to get him down to his remaining 7 life points.

The crowd senses the end of the fight because now its a race to the end. Whispers go around like "He's out of cards the next turn" and "He's going to blast him. I know it!"

I am forced to draw the last seven cards in the entire deck so either win now or its over. Ironically enough, the final card is the same counter punch I used earlier to force JD to take damage.

Using weapons from the discard pile and one from my hand, I shoot at him for 8 points of damage. He attempts to prevent it and again, I counter his attempt, praying that he didnt have another counterpunch.

JD stares at his cards for a moment, then extends his hand across the table, and says "Excellent game!" I shake his hand and respond "Damn good game, sir! Thank you so much for an excellent match!"

Small cheers rise up for the both of us as well as for a well played and hard fought game. Then shoulder clapping and more hand shaking.

The entire match was mentally fatiguing, but even before either one of us could get up, the tournament judge said it was time to get on with the next round. We had finished the last game with only a minute to spare. So before I could even catch another breath, it was off to the next opponent.

After that first match, I didnt care what happened for the rest of the night. I did eventually make it to the semi-finals, but that didnt matter as much any more. Its matches like the first one that night which ignited my passion for the whole Magic thing.

People using various ingredients to present different ideas, using them to the best of their ability and fighting to the bitter end. Put everything on the table and do your best, regardless of the outcome.

After all, isnt that how we are supposed to live our lives?

Your purpose is to make your audience see what you saw, hear what you heard, feel what you felt. Relevant detail, couched in concrete, colorful language, is the best way to recreate the incident as it happened and to picture it for the audience.
-- Dale Carnegie

Part of being human is learning something every day. It may be something small, it may be silly, but we learn. Lord knows that I have way too many useless things rolling around in me head as it is.

Something I never knew before was that the song Cum On Freel The Noize that made Quiet Riot so popular in the 80s was actually a cover from the original artists, Slade.

That floored me since Slade had been around the 70s and I discovered them the same time I found Quiet Riot. I dont know if they ever planned it that way, but if anything, it proves that I'm pretty fraking old. Ha!

No, what it really proves is that even the smallest things we discover can have an impact on us. Decades later we can remember the people that came into our lives, no matter how remote.

Cum On Feel The Noize by Quiet Riot


Heavy metal may not be for everyone although I wouldnt qualify this as true metal considering where it originally came from. So as a balance, here is one is abit lighter and alot more fun.

Run Runaway by Slade

From the heart comes a warning, filled with bloody good cheer. Remember what happened as the 14th draws near!
-- Hanniger from My Bloody Valentine (1981)

Hopefully everyone had a good Valentine's Day. Be sure not to eat too much chocolate and candy, but if you do, be sure to brush your teeth. Or at least save some of that candy for the rest of us, you greedy sods. Ha!

Here is a little something for those romantic types.



Ok, so I may not be the most romantic lad around, but I do have my moments. Or so I've been told. Well, in this case, just sing along with me...

Hole Hearted by Extreme

If you ever start feeling like you have the goofiest, craziest, most dysfunctional family in the world, all you have to do is go to a state fair. Because after five minutes at the fair, you'll be going, "You know, we're alright. We are dang near royalty."
-- Jeff Foxworthy

I'm not too fond of state fairs, but I've cycled with some pretty strange characters. I could probably even include myself in the mix. So as this weekend is the official start of training season, here is a little something to get the mind (and wheels) rolling.

Kings And Queens by 30 Seconds To Mars

Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.
-- Michael Corleone from The Godfather: Part III

As if I dont have enough time in the day, somehow, some way, I've been pulled back into the thrall of Magic The Gathering. If you've never heard of the game, its basically a card game that is a mix of chess, poker, and Dungeons & Dragons. Which explains how I got trapped into this. Again.

Last week, during a user testing session, I found out a couple of the customers we were working with had gone to high-school with my brother and that he had taught them how to play Magic. I found it ironic since I had taught him how to play. There was even a time that we were competing in the national amateur ranks.

Not only I do feel really old now, I found myself actually missing the game. It has always been fun and imaginative. To make matters worse, the guys are talking about how they got back into it last year. Next thing I know, I am being talked into joining them the next day during lunch for a few quick games.

Thats when Magic The Addiction resurfaced. I spent that night going thru the boxes of cards of all the old cards I had, modifying the older game decks a little bit, reviewing what was allowed nowadays, and even realizing I had a few boxes of cards still unopened. Then there was the enjoyment of the new artwork and all the little toys that the cards had become. The possibilities were endless. Again.


Now the one major downside to this game, other than the time factor, is the cost. A booster pack of 15 cards run an average of $4 per pack. During the height of playing days, it wasnt uncommon to buy an entire box of 36 packs. And since the cards are released as sets, it wasnt uncommon to buy a box (or more) per set. Then there were the single cards that cost as much as baseball cards. Oh and of course, there were the tournaments and conventions. Its a seriously expensive habit which is why the game garnered the nickname Paper Crack.

When the weekend rolled around, I knew I was going to go shopping for some of the updated versions of the cards. I swore that I wouldnt do what I had done in the past. I swore that I wouldnt go and buy a box of each set. I swore I would be good and I was.

I only bought mix of the last few sets. Granted, I ended up getting 25 packs, but nevermind that. It was still much less than what I used to get.

So yes, now I can say that I've got your mana load right here.


Nevermind. That joke still sounds lame, even a decade later

You like a close shave, don't you?
-- Pussy Galore from Goldfinger

How about a little accoustic action to start the week? This is an older song, but just as fun. If this ever made to Rock Band, I would definately have to play it.

Golden Touch by Razorlight

Imagination is the voice of daring.
-- Henry Miller

Damn you Sirius XM. Now I've got this stuck in my brain. Not like there was much there to begin with.

Rnw@Y by Linkin Park