Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Monday, January 7, 2013
Oh, the pain... the pain
Frankly though, I could do without another Redskins quarterback suffering a leg injury. The painful knee twist that phenom Robert Griffin III suffered was a flashback-inducing reminder of Joe Theisman's famous leg break.
Despite the injuries and the abysmal field conditions, this was a great game featuring 3 of the NFL's marquee rookie players; RG3, Russell Wilson, and Alfred Morris all played with talent that explains why fans on both coasts have been ecstatic all season long. For me, it was a game of loyalties. Since before I can remember, the Redskins have been my team. My Christmas tree still has a Billy Kilmer ornament. At the same time, I've been a Seahawks fan since my 7th grade football team by the same name won the championship.
Sure would have been nice to see these teams in the conference championship instead of the first round.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Old Friends
Today I learned that a friend from childhood died over the weekend from a heart attack. He was 52.
52 is not a ripe old age. To complicate his life toward the end, he was also battling cancer.
Looking back, the signs were there. Though always tall, he seemed from my young eyes to carry a little more than was normal around the waist. I attributed this in my youth and ignorance to lack of an active lifestyle. Toward his end, that little extra vanished in Facebook photos. Again, in my ignorance, I attributed the weight loss to aging and as the result of good health habits; exercise, improved diet.
As it turns out, ignorance is not wasted on the young.
The sudden (to me) loss of my friend is hitting me hard, and harder than I ever would have predicted. We were on-again, off-again friends as kids, and Facebook helped us to reconnect. He often posted about his latest car acquisition or ski trip. Funny enough, one of the strongest memories I have of him is the ski trip we took back in the 70s to Bryce Mountain. I can still see him in my mind's eye.
And now, with him gone, what remains are memories. Tinged with the regret that I could have, should have, been more appreciative of the gentleness he brought to this world, is the observation that others are coming forward, via Facebook, to express their fond memories of him.
I've always said that one of the greatest pleasures of Facebook is that it allows me to bring the best people in the different phases of my life together in one place.
It looks like the best phases of my life just got a little more empty.
52 is not a ripe old age. To complicate his life toward the end, he was also battling cancer.
Looking back, the signs were there. Though always tall, he seemed from my young eyes to carry a little more than was normal around the waist. I attributed this in my youth and ignorance to lack of an active lifestyle. Toward his end, that little extra vanished in Facebook photos. Again, in my ignorance, I attributed the weight loss to aging and as the result of good health habits; exercise, improved diet.
As it turns out, ignorance is not wasted on the young.
The sudden (to me) loss of my friend is hitting me hard, and harder than I ever would have predicted. We were on-again, off-again friends as kids, and Facebook helped us to reconnect. He often posted about his latest car acquisition or ski trip. Funny enough, one of the strongest memories I have of him is the ski trip we took back in the 70s to Bryce Mountain. I can still see him in my mind's eye.
And now, with him gone, what remains are memories. Tinged with the regret that I could have, should have, been more appreciative of the gentleness he brought to this world, is the observation that others are coming forward, via Facebook, to express their fond memories of him.
I've always said that one of the greatest pleasures of Facebook is that it allows me to bring the best people in the different phases of my life together in one place.
It looks like the best phases of my life just got a little more empty.
Another Craigslist Attempt
See the posting here.
FREE CHUNKS O' CONCRETE PIECES SMASHED BY HULK!
BAH! Former owner of house build big concrete pad in back yard, and Hulk no like concrete pad. So Hulk get rid of pad by SMASH! SMASH! SMASH! Now concrete pad many, many pieces because no rebar. NO REBAR! NO REBAR!
Now Hulk no like many, many pieces either. So Hulk say,"Who want concrete pieces?" But nobody answer Hulk. This make Hulk sad, so Hulk post this listing on Craigslist and think somebody want concrete. That somebody you? Well come get it before Hulk start throwing pieces at Ironman. He make Hulk confused with all that talking and funny beard.
You tell Hulk if you want concrete. Take as much or as little as you like. Hulk no care. Pieces were 18'x28' pad, 4-6" deep. Hulk think about 9 cubic yards.
Now Hulk no like many, many pieces either. So Hulk say,"Who want concrete pieces?" But nobody answer Hulk. This make Hulk sad, so Hulk post this listing on Craigslist and think somebody want concrete. That somebody you? Well come get it before Hulk start throwing pieces at Ironman. He make Hulk confused with all that talking and funny beard.
You tell Hulk if you want concrete. Take as much or as little as you like. Hulk no care. Pieces were 18'x28' pad, 4-6" deep. Hulk think about 9 cubic yards.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Love for Sale
So I'm on a Craigslist kick these days. I first sold a trailer hitch and just today I sold a poker table and two matching chairs. Here's the write-up for the table and chairs:
The Walking Dead Poker Table
That's right, the very same model as seen in this season's The Walking Dead on AMC. You've watched the Governor plot and plan, manipulating Andrea for his own nefarious needs. All that planning and plotting is happening around a table just as you see pictured here. The only difference is that this table doesn't have zombie guts stained on the surface.
In all seriousness, this is a beautiful reversible game table. We bought it in Texas when we had a poker room. Now we are in Washington and barely have room for a deck of cards.
When displaying the gaming side, you are treated to cushioned bumpers and a rich black felt playing surface. Flip it over and you have a beautiful wood tabletop.
The table is $250, and we're throwing in two chairs for free. That's right, I said free.
Don't delay, or we'll be using the table to block the windows and doors from the hordes of undead.
I had 3 potential buyers in 12 hours. I need to do this more.
The Walking Dead Poker Table
That's right, the very same model as seen in this season's The Walking Dead on AMC. You've watched the Governor plot and plan, manipulating Andrea for his own nefarious needs. All that planning and plotting is happening around a table just as you see pictured here. The only difference is that this table doesn't have zombie guts stained on the surface.
In all seriousness, this is a beautiful reversible game table. We bought it in Texas when we had a poker room. Now we are in Washington and barely have room for a deck of cards.
When displaying the gaming side, you are treated to cushioned bumpers and a rich black felt playing surface. Flip it over and you have a beautiful wood tabletop.
The table is $250, and we're throwing in two chairs for free. That's right, I said free.
Don't delay, or we'll be using the table to block the windows and doors from the hordes of undead.
I had 3 potential buyers in 12 hours. I need to do this more.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Give Thanks
So, I'm seeing a lot of conversations around Walmart being open on Thanksgiving. There's only one motivation driving this decision: to drive revenue. But before folks completely condemn the decision, first consider the fact that in some small towns where Walmart has set up shop and killed off small business and downtowns that the Big Box of Greed is the only choice in town for any kind of retail, including grocery stores. What are residents of those communities supposed to do for a gallon of milk--go without?
I also notice that when I was working in TV news, that I worked plenty of Thanksgivings and was paid a salary not too far off from the poverty line. My Thanksgiving dinners were sometimes at the same food shelters where I was shooting a story--the organizers would load me up with a plate as thanks for drawing attention to their charities--and as I looked around there were a lot of other non-millionaires working on Thanksgiving; police officers, firemen, clergy, etc.
All I'm saying is that if you don't like Walmart, don't shop there. But they have every right to operate their business the way they see fit.
And instead of condemning a business for a business decision, why not focus on giving thanks for what you have? Isn't that the whole purpose for the holiday?
I also notice that when I was working in TV news, that I worked plenty of Thanksgivings and was paid a salary not too far off from the poverty line. My Thanksgiving dinners were sometimes at the same food shelters where I was shooting a story--the organizers would load me up with a plate as thanks for drawing attention to their charities--and as I looked around there were a lot of other non-millionaires working on Thanksgiving; police officers, firemen, clergy, etc.
All I'm saying is that if you don't like Walmart, don't shop there. But they have every right to operate their business the way they see fit.
And instead of condemning a business for a business decision, why not focus on giving thanks for what you have? Isn't that the whole purpose for the holiday?
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Disney's Latest Triumph
The $4-billion purchase of Lucasfilm is being greeted with some trepidation by hard-core Star Wars fans, with the major question being: What will the Mouse do to the beloved Star Wars franchise?
My prediction: nothing worse than what George Lucas has done over the past few years. In fact, Disney is one of the very few companies out there today I would trust with the Lucasfilm assets. Disney has a rich history of entertainment and customer experience successes. You never hear a lot of stories from unhappy visitors to Disney parks. Can George Lucas say the same thing about Episodes I, II, and II?
I applaud the acquisition and wish Disney all the best of success!
My prediction: nothing worse than what George Lucas has done over the past few years. In fact, Disney is one of the very few companies out there today I would trust with the Lucasfilm assets. Disney has a rich history of entertainment and customer experience successes. You never hear a lot of stories from unhappy visitors to Disney parks. Can George Lucas say the same thing about Episodes I, II, and II?
I applaud the acquisition and wish Disney all the best of success!
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