Top 5 Video Games of the 2000's

Wrapping up my Top lists for the 2000's is video games. While this decade had many great games, these are the Top 5 that held my time over the last 10 years. In some cases they are a franchise of games, like Madden, but otherwise I got the most mileage out of these games.

#5 City Of Heroes - I finally had to cancel my subscription because I had played this game for almost 4 straight years.






#4 Dragon Age Origins - This was a tough call for me because this game came out in November of 2009, but this game is awesome. I have played through at least 5 times now. Cannot wait for more DLC on this one.






#3 Madden - This series is solid year in and year out, and you always have a new Madden to look forward to every Aug just in time for Football season. Happy Maddenoliday!






#2 Rainbow Six Las Vegas 2 - While the first RS games were fun, Vegas took it to a new level. And the sequel Vegas 2 just refined everything the game needed to be one of the most fun shooters on the Xbox 360 game console. My roommates would make fun of me wearing my headset and shooting enemies online, and I did not care.




#1 Mass Effect - From the same people that put out Dragon Age Origins, BioWare, this game rocked. The sequel comes out in just a few short weeks and I cannot wait. I played this game a lot in 2007 and then again this year when DLC came out for it. I am very excited for ME2 and cannot wait to see where they take this RPG Shooter next.

Top 5 Movies of the 2000's

Yay movies! The 2000's were really good to us at the movie theaters. Especially if your into fantasy novels, boy wizards, comic book superheroes, and charming geek movies. In no particular order here are my Top 5 Movies of the 2000's.

#5 Old School - While there are many other movies in this category of man-child comedies, I think Old School does it best for me. Plus I could only choose one, and still make room for my other favorites. Movies like Wedding Crashers, Step Brothers, Knocked Up, Superbad, The Hangover and 40 Year Old Virgin. In fact you are really falling into one camp or another when picking because you have the Will Ferrell/Vince Vaughn/John C Reilly/Wilson Bros camp and then the Judd Apatow and crew camp. All great movies. But for me Old School had everything I needed to laugh, cringe, cry, and ultimately laugh again. There is still talk of them making a sequel, but really I don't need one. Plus this movie introduced us to The Dan Band.

#4 The Incredibles - Unlike the big screen version of the Fantastic Four which ultimately disappointed, Pixar brought us yet another charming, funny, endearing, and action packed animated adventure when introducing us to Bob Incredible and his family. The thing that Pixar does well, is never sacrificing character. Because of that The Incredibles gave you everything you needed in a satisfying adventure. This is one movie that Pixar should definitely franchise into another picture.

#3 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - I choose this third Harry movie because I feel like this was one of the best in series if not the best. It creates an amazing movie while not sacrificing much from the source material. It was also a darker Potter movie then the two that came before it. Between books and movies, the Harry Potter franchise has dominated the last 10 years. To think in 2000 I laughed at my girlfriends roommate for waiting in line to buy this book. 10 years later I have read them all, own them all, and cannot wait for the last 2 movies to come out.

#2 Spider Man 2 - I never would have thought 10 years ago that so many Marvel characters would make it to the big screen, and in some of the best movies of the decade. The X-Men were good, Fantastic Four was okay, The Hulk struck twice, Daredevil, Iron Man, and even little Peter Parker, Spider Man. While the first movie was awesome, the sequel is even better. To some it is one of the best movies of all time, not just a comic book movie. And ultimately I chose SP2 over The Dark Knight or Batman Begins, because emotionally I connected more with SP2. The scene on the subway when he saves the train and the New Yorkers lift him up was inspiring. Plus Doc Ock was done well. Really well.

#1 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings - Hey another movie franchise adapted from a book or comic. Go figure. LOTR smashed it's way into America this last decade with three EPIC movies. Seriously try watching all three extended DVD's in a day. You can't. It's like 16 hours of movie. And I chose the first movie of the trilogy because it was the one that most blew me away. While Two Towers and Return of the King are awesome as well, the first one really took it for me. Plus it reminded me of some of my fun D&D sessions as a kid. Playing dice and paper adventures with my friends. It was like seeing my adventures on the big screen.

Top 5 Albums of the Aughts

Here is my list for Top 5 Albums of the Aughts. These albums affected me in that they are basically the albums that had the most songs I liked. Simple as that.

#5 Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head 2002
Politik
Clocks
In My Place
The Scientist



#4 Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory 2000
Papercut
One Step Closer
With You
Points of Authority
Crawling
Runaway
In the End (most played song of 2001)
Cure for the Itch
Pushing Me Away


#3 Augustana - All the Stars and Boulevards
Bullets
Boston
Feel Fine
Wasteland
Stars and Boulevards



#2 Black Eyed Peas - Elephunk
Hands Up
Where is the Love
Smells like Funk
Let's Get It Started




#1 Kanye West - Late Registration
Heard Em Say
Touch the Sky
Gold Digger
Drive Slow
Diamonds from Sierra Leone
Gone

Top 5 TV Shows of the 2000's

Kicking off my Top 5 lists for the Aughts or the 2000's. Funny that it took all the way until the end of 2009 for this decade to even have some sort of a name. And yet this decade is not really marked for any significance. Although technologically we have made leaps in all facets of our life, I think this decade did more to rehash everything good and bad we did in every other decade of the 20th Century. In other words the first decade of the 21st Century was definitely one of transition. With that in mind I tell you that you could easily argue with any and all of my picks for Top 5 TV, Video Games, Movies, and Albums, but I would also tell you to leave a comment and share or start your own blog. This is my list for the Top 5 television shows of the 2000's. These are the shows that I watch with a passion. I cannot wait to see the latest episode of these series and this is why they are my Top 5. And these are not ordered per se, they are just numbered so you know I have 5.

#5 Justice League Unlimited - for the first time on television I not only got to enjoy my favorite DC characters, but they were done in the Dinistyle, with lots of action, great characterization and an over arching story that tied the entire series together. Once you saw the entire plot laid out it was fun to go back and rewatch episodes to see the clues that were laid out along the way. The show was a continuation of the Batman, Superman, Batman Beyond, and Justice League shows that had helped define and shape the modern DC universe since the early 90's. Also the show had to expand in this expanded direction because of corporate concerns over Batman, Teen Titans, Aquaman, and other characters being used in other Warner Bros properties at the time. I'm just glad I got to see Superman and Shazam throw down.

#4 CSI Las Vegas - The originator of the CSI shows. Obviously procedural crime drama had been done before with shows like Law & Order but this one was done by movie producer Jerry Bruckheimer. The show revolved around crime solvers that use the evidence alone to solve the crimes. From the camera inserting into the body to empathize the action, to the low cut tops and hot chicks, this show helped rewrite the standard for crime dramas that you can still see spoofed to this day. The show also takes place in Las Vegas and the city itself becomes a character in this long running show. I cannot believe I have been watching this show for almost 10 years now.

#3 The Office - whether you are a fan of the British original for this show or not, The Office and the employees of Dunder Mifflin have become staples in my life for the last 6 years. From Jim's pranks on Dwight, Micheal's vapid insistence to be liked, Creed's constant stealing, and Dwight's over the top antics this show has never ceased to make me laugh and sometimes squirm. To think the first season of The Office I just could not find funny. Everyone told me it was funny, but it really took me awhile to warm up to this show.

#2 LOST - Another show that I was slow to warm up to. My buddy Haze used to call me on Wednesday nights and tell me how much I reminded him of this character Hurley. An overweight character on LOST. I resented that highly. And I had missed the first few weeks of episodes. But before Season 2 came out my roommate Tyler and I sat down and watched Season 1 on DVD for an entire week in September. I have been hooked ever since, and Hurley has become one of my favorite characters on television. Also no other show has brought me such amazing hours of television with episodes like Through the Looking Glass, or the fake commercials during the broadcast that hid secret messages and an out of television game that you could play by following clues on websites. Really cool.

#1 The Venture Bros - Wow did I ever come late to this show. Originally airing in 2004 on Adult Swim, I just discovered this awesome show in 2009 and now own the first three seasons. And with 5 years of life the show is just now half way through it's 4th season. This show spoofs 60's culture and mocks everything from Johnny Quest, Scooby Doo, 70's rock bands, Star Wars, Firefly, Superman and Batman, and everything in between. Characters like The Monarch, Sgt. Hatred, Brock Sampson, Dr. Venture, Dr. Mrs The Monarch, Twenty One, Twenty Four and more are really not even the two title characters. In which we have Dean and Hank Venture, children of former boy adventurer Dr. Venture. Venture is really an allegory for shows like Johnny Quest with action, adventure, super spies, and intrigue. And yet the best shows of the series are those featuring heavy dialogue and comedy zingers then the one's with adventure. Almost like a Kevin Smith movie, just with more interesting characters. And I love Smith. Go figure.

25 Days of Christmas Music

Okay so I will not be near a computer for most of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (HOW WILL I SURVIVE!) and some people have mentioned they enjoyed my 25 Days of Christmas music but missed some days. So here is the complete list of songs that I picked out of my collection for the 25 Days of Christmas. This is not a countdown, the number corresponds to the day I posted it.

25 The Ronettes - Sleigh Ride
24 Otis Redding - White Christmas
23 Death Cab for Cutie - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
22 The Raveonettes - The Christmas Song
21 Alyssa Jacey - My Only Wish This Christmas
20 Mariah Carey - All I Want for Christmas is You
19 Dean Martin - Let it Snow! Let it Snow!
18 Burl Ives - Have a Holly Jolly Christmas
17 Bobby Helm - Jingle Bell Rock
16 Brenda Lee - Rockin Around the Christmas Tree
15 Nat King Cole - The Christmas Song
14 Wham - Last Christmas
13 Donny Hathaway - This Christmas
12 Stacie Orrico - Christmas Wish
11 Andy Williams - Happy Holidays
10 U2 - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
09 Charles Brown - Merry Christmas Baby
08 Madonna - Santa Baby
07 John Lennon - Happy XMas (War is Over)
06 Dean Martin - Silver Bells
05 Royal Crown Revue - Baby It's Cold Outside
04 Cartman (South Park) - O Holy Night
03 Bing Crosby - Mele Kalikimaka
02 Frank Sinatra - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
01 Blink 182 - I Won't Be Home for Christmas

Top 5 Christmas Movies

Okay so this should be interesting. Doing a Top 5 Christmas movies. These are my favorite movies, and I don't necessarily watch them only at Christmas. These are for the most part movies that take place at Christmas or are about Christmas itself. Since I love comedies, they dominate my Top 5. But let's explore some movies that did not make it and may surprise you that they are about Christmas. Did you know that the first Rambo movie took place during Christmas? Die Hard and Lethal Weapon both do as well, in fact both Die Hard and Die Hard 2 take place at Christmas. And did you remember that Gremlins takes place at Christmas? Or that almost every Harry Potter movie features the kids on holiday at Christmas? And you won't find The Christmas Story, Miracle on 34th Street, or It's a Wonderful Life on my list either.

#5 Scrooged - I love Bill Murray movies, and love love love the modern take on A Christmas Carol. A Dickens classic indeed.

#4 Elf - What can I say, this movie has GROWN on me. First time I saw, I thought it was funny and cute, but not much else. But I dare you to walk around the Christmas season and not quote this movie. "SANTA!...I know him."

#3 Just Friends - A modern classic featuring Ryan Reynolds and a hilarious Anna Faris. The scene when Anna Faris's character storms the house and destroys all the Christmas decorations? Melts my heart.

#2 Home Alone - call me sentimental but I love this movie from 1990. My mom and I waited in line for over an hour to see this classic. I was 12 at the time. And I love me a great John Hughes film. Speaking of which.

#1 National Lampoons Christmas Vacation - I am not the biggest NL fan, and some of the Griswold films are awful. I used to love European Vacation, what happened? Between the classic Chevy Chase comedy and the telling of a Father who wants everything to be perfect, to the poor yuppy neighbors who get picked on the whole film, all the way down to the music and atmosphere of a Chicago Christmas, this is my movie. Forget Christmas Story and little Ralphie. Put this movie on repeat and I may not change the channel for days.

It's not so bad

The blog a day experiment is OVER! So why am I blogging so again so quickly? Because I love it. The last couple of years have been really trying and learning about who I want to be and basically learning how to enjoy life without money. But this year, even with a horrible economy and at least 20 people I know, including me, out of work, I find that the Holiday season is really enjoyable. I have not worked since July. And while that is frustrating, I have a great Severance package and Unemployment taking care of me and I really cannot complain about money. Plus all the side business I have been doing under the table that Uncle Sam will never know about. So Christmas this year I am not worried about how I am going to pay my bills, which really relieves a ton of stress. I don't have money to burn, but at least I know that I can buy gifts for a select few people, reach out by cards to those I can't, and still enjoy this Holiday season seeing friends and family. Plus I know that the SD Fair is FAST approaching again, and while I do not take my work there for granted, it's nice to know that if I don't find a job between now and January, I will still be able to work again and pay my bills. And I only have two more people to find gifts for on my Christmas list! That is awesome!

It's finished! Or is it?

Day 30 of the Blog a Day. Really? The last day? I almost made it the entire month dropping a blog every day. I missed this Saturday, and had plenty of time to get it in, just forgot. What a month November was. It just breezed by. Now I know why we tend to slow down at the end of the year. It's like everyone wants to just savor the time we have just a little bit longer. When I was a kid the Holidays meant time off from school and seeing family. Nowadays it pretty much means the same thing. Which is funny because for 8 years in radio I considered the Holidays, at least some part of it, as a time that I would have to work. In fact as a weekend DJ on Channel 933 it meant that was one of my few chances to really shine. Always sucked at some point though because late December I would get sick and have to do radio shows for 4 hours with a barely functioning voice. There was some days in my radio days that I would only talk for the 4 hours I was on the radio and then not talk again for almost 24 hours to conserve my pipes. Ah those were the days. To think I am still shocked that I was voted "Most Talkative" in high school.

And I think I may keep this blog a day going, see how far I can make it into December.

I'm a winner, NOT!

Day 29 of the Blog a Day. So this is my second blog today, since I missed yesterday. Well that was not all I missed yesterday. I also thought an assignment was due today in my E-Commerce class and it was due yesterday. Epic Fail for me. Chargers won, USC beat UCLA, and celebrated the roommates birthday with some cool people tonight around a bonfire. So the weekend has win written all over it.

Almost made it

Day 28 of the blog a day comes a day late. I almost made it the entire month blogging something every day. Between homework and goofing off on Saturday I completely forgot. So Day 28 comes on Day 29. Dammit. On that note, everyone should watch a documentary called Who Killed The Electric Car? Just watched it again on Planet Green. You need to know what money from Big Oil companies has caused in our Country.

Christmas Shopping

Day 27 of the blog a day. Wow, it's really almost been a full month straight of a blog every single day. Not only that, it's almost been a full month since Halloween, and a full year since New Years. Yeah Christmas is only 30 something days away. And I know that I was lamenting Black Friday and all the shopping that goes with it, but I actually got some shopping for Christmas done today. It was online, because for half the day I felt like crap, but I still got my mom a gift that I know she will love. Only got about 6 more people I need to get something for, and then everything else is just filler. Not that everything else does not matter to me, but it's like stocking stuffer type stuff that is really easy. I have an idea for my Step-Dad, and I already know what I am getting my roommate Cindy. In fact I am shopping on Amazon after I post this. BTW, shopping on Amazon is free shipping because I purchased an Amazon Prime membership earlier this year. Saves me on all of my shipping costs, items arrive within 2-3 days instead of 4-5, and it completely paid for itself 3 purchases after. It's better then going to the mall. No traffic, no spending money on gas and food, no looking for parking, no waiting in lines. Of course, no atmosphere, Christmas lights, and other festivities either, but you take what you get.

What are you Thankful for?

Day 26 of the Blog a Day. What are you thankful for? I mean that's the whole point of Thanksgiving right? We give thanks. I am thankful to all the friends and family I am lucky enough to have. I really do have some of the best people anyone could ask for in their lives. I regret that my entire family cannot be together all the time, but I am transient in nature and truly believe that family is what you make of it. Whomever you are with, make them family. Or, love the one's your with. Happy Thanksgiving.

Black Friday, Wednesday, Monday, Weekend?

Day 25 of the Blog a Day. When did a major shopping day turn into a major shopping week? Black Friday is no longer known as the day after Thanksgiving or the busiest shopping day of the year. The economy is bad, people are out of work and the recession has been strong. There is hope on the horizon, they say the recession is over. That means that according to experts people will not be holding onto their money as much this year because they expect to be keeping their jobs or finding new ones soon. But greed is setting in. Stores know that people are looking for deals and even though Black Friday is popular, it's also a mad house. People have died outside of Walmarts waiting for the doors to open or by being trampled when they do. And with E-Commerce being more popular then ever, why go to the brick and mortar stores, when you can roll out of bed and check your email to make a purchase. So now you see deals for Late Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, early Friday morning, early Saturday, and even Cyber Monday for all of you internet shoppers. Of course if your like me you have been broke for the last couple of years and Black Friday don't mean shit when your trying to make rent a week later.

Good people, just disillusioned

Day 24 of the Blog a Day. You know this next video shows that with a little popularity, some fear mongering, and the backing of people living in fear (with no reason I might add) just about anyone could run for President in this Country. I nominate Paris Hilton. That would be hot. And Paris has just about the same credentials as Sarah Palin. Seriously. Not one of these people could name a policy that Sarah has (she has none BTW) and they all just spout off GOP talking points of rhetoric and fear mongering. Your good people dammit! Have an opinion of your own. Believe in God, but not everything your crazy Church tells you to.

Reason's Why I am Single

Day 23 of the Blog a Day brings me to a recurring joke I have with Facebook and Twitter statuses. It started earlier this year as me feeling a little like crap about being single. It morphed into an ongoing joke/satire/commentary on relationships and those that are not in one. So when people see me make a post that reads "....Reason #blank Why I am Single" I am either making a comment on something I have actually said, something that goes on in relationships all the time, or something I heard on a television show somewhere. So I shed the tear of a clown, but also smile and enjoy some of the witty things I come up with. And the numbering? That comes from the movie Wedding Crashers. Anytime the guys needed to prove a point they would quote rules from Wedding Crashing. I stole that idea and applied it to my reasons for being single. So the numbers are really made up, but I try not to use the same numbers twice. Even the numbering goes into the comedy of it. Enjoy.

T-Day Success!

Day 22 of the Blog a Day, and I can report that the Thanksgiving before Thanksgiving party was a success. It was really an odd mix of friends this year. Not in a bad way. My roommates Matt and Cindy had their friends, who I have come to know over the years. And my roommate Christin had her friends who I have come to know the last few months. Only a few of my actual friends showed up, but everyone had something going on. The turkey turned out phenomenal. Everyone brought something to share, and everyone WAY over ate. We even ended up watching Star Trek at the end of the evening. All in all a great success and a lot of fun. Can't wait for next year, mark your calendars. Oh and of course the ACTUAL Thanksgiving is this Thursday. Sweet.

Thanksgiving before Thanksgiving

Day 21 of the Blog a Day leads me to party ideas. By no means do I claim this to be an original idea, I must have heard of it somewhere, but a few years ago my desire for more great T-Day food and the need to throw a good party converged into The Annual Thanksgiving Before Thanksgiving party. Let me give you some backstory.

When I was kid growing up, my Mom was a single parent and all of our family lived in Los Angeles and San Bernadino. So every year at the Holidays my Mom and I would drive through Southern California. She later married my step dad and we introduced his family tradition of driving to his Dad's house in La Jolla for Thanksgiving. But by the time my Mom and Dad decided to stop driving for Thanksgiving I was old enough to decide for myself that I wanted to drive to my Cousin's or my Aunt's house in LA. But growing up I never spent time at home with my friends. Thus the Thanksgiving Before Thanksgiving party was born. It allowed me to have a party with friends the Sunday before Thanksgiving Thursday. Something local in town, where everyone young and old could come and eat great food and maybe get drunk. Plus I had a Turkey Deep Fryer I wanted to try out, and you can't cook a big Turkey for 3 people. Well it's been two years since the last party, which was a 3 year tradition before that. The party is back, and this year I am baking a Turkey for the first time. Tonight I am creating my own recipe for Cranberry Relish that I hope turns out. Tomorrow morning the roommates and I are getting breakfast together and then the bird goes in the oven. Chargers vs. Broncos at 1:15pm and people start arriving around 4. Should be fun. Cheers to traditions!

Movies suck, or do they?

Day 20 of the Blog a day brings me to movies. As I type this thousands of females are lined up for Twilight New Moon, the sequel to Twilight. I could care less. I'm fully on board with the Harry Potter books and movies, and have even started reading Percy and the Olympians, but I refuse to read Twilight or see the movies....although the wolves in the new one look badass...NO! I won't. On top of that 2012 is a terrible looking movie. Sandra Bullock is in another movie, this one about Football, but The Blindside is actually based on a true story and the real life guy just got drafted in the NFL this year. So you know that it's a "happy" ending. And look at the movies coming down the pipe the next few weeks. Brothers (no), Fantastic Mr. Fox (pass), Ninja Assassin (uh, maybe), Armored (lol), Old Dogs (uh uh), The Princess and the Frog (what am i, 9?), or even Up in the Air (maybe). Where are all the fun movies? Where are the end of the year Harry Potters or Lord of the Rings? And where are all the buzz trailers for movies to get me interested for next year? Where is the new Iron Man trailer? Am I going to have to wait for the Super Bowl to start getting excited for movies again? I hope not.

And now the news...with YOU!

Day 19 of the Blog a Day. Today brings me to an interesting trend, where normal people (that's you and I) are becoming more reliable sources of news, then the actual news. Or that we are becoming the news itself. Have you watched CNN lately? Or some shows on ESPN? They actively follow their Twitter accounts and Twitter followers for up to the minute opinions about the latest news stories. Or what about the rise of websites like Perez Hilton? Normal people with an opinion and free time on their hands, surfing the web, packaging information for you and then delivering it. Kind of like "The News" does. Except have you watched the commercials for the news? I especially hate seeing Carlos Ceccheto or Barbara Lee-Edwards pop up in commercials during my shows like CSI Las Vegas and The Mentalist. Nothing against them personally, its just that the local CBS commercial is the last commercial in each set before returning to the program and the news they promote is always "scary" or intimidating. Local news sucks. And it's even worse seeing commercials on Fox or NBC promoting the You Local bullshit they are trying to pass off. As if me uploading videos to their website of crash scenes or victims or anything like that is healthy behavior. The whole thing sickens me, while at the same time I don't even watch these shows. Ugh. The future of news is us, and we have a lot of responsibility to live up to. "This just in, I blew my nose while watching Modern Family!"

NovemBeard

Day 18 of the Blog a Day leads me back to my discussions on facial hair. It's my current obsession. I cannot for the life of me grow long hair, the longer my hair gets the more it drives me nuts. I seem to be in the same place with growing a beard. Facial hair on men is not a social disgrace, in fact it can look quite distinguished. So why do I feel like shaving my beard every single morning instead of letting it continue to grow out? Because it itches. It's in this weird place between beard and half beard. Not the best blog topic I know, but I'm obsessing people, deal with it.

Out of Work? Network!

Day 17 of the Blog a Day brings me to job hunting. I have talked about job hunting on this blog before, and typically my outlook is grim. I have been "looking" for that next step in my career for the last 2 1/2 years and along the way I have been expanding my network of contacts in the San Diego market as well as elsewhere. While I have not found that next plateau in my career, I know for sure I am still taking each step of the stairs one and sometimes two at a time and moving forward.

Now in job searching these days, many job search newsletters and advice columns will have you believe that the key to a new job is to network. Now while I believe that to be 50% true, I will also say that it depends on your network. You see I work mostly in the entertainment and event planning fields. Well over the last year I could name off roughly 20-30 people who have not only been laid off, but who are also STILL looking for work like I am. So what do you do if your network is either out of work, or fearing that this Holiday season they will see more layoffs? I think you expand your network even further. Make phone calls to people that you don't normally, reach out to old friends, and reconnect with others. I don't think that networking is the only answer because I think there has to be jobs out there, but the more people that you reach out to, the more people who are helping YOU find a job. If not actively, then at least they may call you when they hear of something. Try it. It's like a great social experiment. And if you hear the phone ringing or have a new email, it might just be from me. ;)

Allergies Suck

Day 16 of the Blog a Day and what had shaped up to be a productive day has drifted into a miserable evening dealing with allergies. I was going to write something more substantive today but I have spent the last three hours miserably sneezing while doing homework. So I'm over it. Willing to try anything to stop this itchy runny nose. I took allergy meds, a spoonful of local honey with a touch of hot sauce, and even sticking tissue up my nose. If you have something that will stop this, I'm listening.

Living with Image

Day 15 of the Blog a Day. Every felt like you had to live up to an expectation you didn't even know that people have? First off I would just like to say, that I have some truly great friends, and seeing and hanging out with people you have not seen in a long time really reminds you how cool you really are. See I ALWAYS think my friends are cool, and wish I could spend more time with them. So when I spend time with them and the love overflows back? Makes me feel special.

On to the topic at hand though. Went to two parties last night and ran into two instances of battling my personal identity. Since High School I have always been that guy that has some nickname or another, and for the most part I sometimes don't hear my own name (Jeff) when someone calls it from across the room. For the last 9 years I have been known as Farley. It was weird to get used to at first, but you start hearing it enough it sticks with you. To the point where you don't even flinch when you tell someone's parents that your name is Farley. The great part about a nickname though is that you can almost be someone else while being yourself. Sure Farley and Jeff are the same person, but Farley was more of who I was in the moment for many years, while Jeff was the guy I thought did not have much to offer the world. It's almost like when someone wears a mask or drinks to be social. I would literally become this gregarious, over the top, drinking, being lewd, loud, obnoxious, and fun "character" who would do ANYTHING. Like working a night club the night before Christmas and just tearing the place down with antics and fun, and then on Christmas being the youngest in the family and only boy. Like Superman and Clark Kent.

Well with me having less and less exposure in Radio the last few years I have been struggling with my personal identity. When I would work at a new job and meet someone new, was I Jeff or was I Farley? There the same person in my mind, but how professional is it to be called Farley? You know what I mean? So the first party I was at last night was for my good friend Tiffany and there was a bunch of young kids there that I have never met. I went to introduce myself as Jeff to one cute girl and someone else walks up and says "Jeff? Your fucking Farley!" She replied "Oh my God. Your Farley? I've heard about you. (coyly) Hi." While that reaction is awesome, my reaction is "What the fuck have you heard?!" What do I have to live up to or live down? The second instance was at Noel's birthday at Dave & Busters. I was meeting a girls boyfriend that I have never met, and went to introduce myself as Jeff. If at first you don't succeed....Well the gal says "Jeff? Your Farley." To which my new best friend the boyfriend replies, "Oh shit?! Your the guy who was in that menage a three or whatever! Your a legend!" Menage a trois not with standing, I have to wonder if this guy was messing with me or is there really a story out there about me in a threesome. I mean there is a story out there like that, but not with this particular group of friends. Basically my point is that as I am transitioning my life from Radio into whatever it is I may be doing next in my life, I find myself constantly battling the perceptions of who I am and who I want to be. As to the menage a trois story? What happens in Vegas when I am close to blacked out drunk, stays in Vegas.

A Working High

Day 14 of the Blog a Day. First off I just want to say that today has been a sad day in the Arnold Ave House. Matt and Cindy had to put there cat Tea Pot to sleep because she was really old and her kidneys were failing her. I give them both a tremendous amount of credit because they are taking it really well. The good news is that they found out Miss Pot Pot was probably 15 years old and not the 8 or 9 they thought she was. They found her as a alley cat almost 7 years ago. So she lived a good life.

On to the title of the blog. Many people have been fighting to legalize marijuana the last few years, and fighting an uphill battle with 60 years of drug reform in the US rife with lies and half truths. Friday saw the opening of first US Marijuana Cafe. I know what your thinking, don't they have dispensaries in a lot of states now, including California were they are popping up everywhere? Yes, but those are not Cafes. Cafes allow MJ users to smoke or consume their medicine on the premises of the shop. Where as dispensaries do not. Pot Cafes are very popular in Amsterdam and this is the first one to open in the US. The cafe is called The Cannabis Cafe and it is now open for business in Portland. It's a big deal because they are testing the Obama Administrations will to prosecute federally cannabis cafes in America. Seems like more steam is brewing to make pot legal then it is for gays to marry. Sounds like fun, and road trip sounds a lot better then cross Atlantic flight. :p

Facts about Friday the 13th

Day 13 of the Blog a Day, and it falls on Friday the 13th! Chchchch Chachacha. Shout out to my buddy Jason's old band with that title and the Friday the 13th movies theme song. It's Friday the 13th, and I feel like no one noticed. It seems like a spooky day right after Halloween is just not remembered. Everyone is over the spookiness of the season and on to the Holidays. But here are some facts about this good and bad luck day you may not even know.

In the Gregorian calendar, this day occurs at least once, but at most three times a year. Any month's 13th day will fall on a Friday if the month starts on a Sunday. In 2009 this applies to the months of February, March, and November. The next year to have three Friday the 13th dates will be 2012. The fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskevidekatriaphobia, a word derived from the concatenation of the Greek words Paraskeví (Παρασκευή) (meaning Friday), and dekatreís (meaning thirteen), attached to phobía (meaning fear). The term triskaidekaphobia derives from the Greek words "tris", meaning 'three', "kai", meaning 'and', and "deka", meaning 'ten'. the whole word means three and ten. According to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina, an estimated 17 to 21 million people in the United States are affected by a fear of this day. Some people are so paralyzed by fear that they avoid their normal routines in doing business, taking flights or even getting out of bed. -Wikipedia

Inappropriate King Live

Day 12 of the Blog a Day. Whomever is giving Carrie Prejean career advice, please stop. You are destroying this tragically naive and fragile person. But you really are doing a great service to the American people in trotting out this train wreck for interview after interview. I really wish some of these "so called" Liberal Media types would hammer this girl with some hard questions since she is using this "book tour" to toss fast balls at everyone in the Liberal Media that she does not like. I mean it is so transparent that she has become a talking head for the extreme right wing of the Republican party. Sticking up for Michelle Bachmann and Sarah Palin. Really? Have you heard some of the hate and vitriol that comes out of their mouths? This women that you give examples of say some truly hateful and spiteful things. And now this abortion of an interview on Larry King Live. You did not stand up for your political or religious beliefs in this or any other interview, because you have yet to state what those are. On a simple question she completely shuts down. Sad, pathetic, and HIGHLY entertaining.

Happy Veterans Day

Day 11 of the Blog a Day. Today we celebrate and honor those that have chosen to serve our great Country and to those that gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives so that the rest of us can enjoy our freedoms. Thank you. I give thanks to my childhood friend Justin O'Donahoe and his family. Justin lost his life serving in the Army in Afghanistan, and his brother Kyle serves in the Navy as a pilot. I give thanks to my dad who passed away a few years ago, he spent many years working in the Navy on submarines. And those sub guys will tell you, it's no picnic. And thank you to everyone serving in the armed services.

On another note, today is the three year wedding anniversary of my friends and former roommates Jen and Noel Jordan. These two crazy kids asked if I would marry them, and sure enough when faced with the monumental responsibility of the occasion and the pure love these two shared for each other, I could not help but start crying towards the end of the ceremony that I was conducting. You know all those public speaking nightmares you have ever had? You know the one where you appear naked in front of everyone and cannot remember the words you need to say? I got you beat, son!

And today is also my Grandfathers birthday. He would have been 98 today. Or at least that's what I remember my mom telling me this morning. And I always thought my Grandfather fought in WWII. Turns out he did not. My mom tells me that he ended up being stationed here at home during the war. Consider my bubble popped.

Sci-Fi Reality Control

Day 10 of the Blog a Day. This is a fantasy or something I have thought of. Stop me if you have heard of this. In the future, not to far off, we will have nanobites. Little computer controlled machines that can injected into our bloodstreams to search out genetic defects, cure illness, fix bones, etc. Little machines that can do so much to help us. But what if this technology falls into nefarious hands. What if we start injecting people with nano machines to control how they act. Pedophiles in jail, give them an injection and control their thoughts and urges for life. But why stop with criminals? What if you could inject EVERYONE without them knowing it? You could then control anything you wanted. Now imagine there was a deadly virus out there that is sweeping the nation and you need to be inoculated from the disease. Like say the Swine flu. What if someone created a disease like H1N1 to unleash on the population only to supply the "cure". But in this cure is nanobites. And all of a sudden we have not only handed over control of our bodies to a Government agency, but we begged them for it. It's Sci-Fi for now, but I never thought a movie like "Enemy of the State" until the Bush Administration and the abuse of the Patriot Act. It's paranoia I know, but it's something to think about. Heck you may even see the movie in a year or so in Hollywood.

Kicking Myself

Day 9 Blog a Day. I had real plans for today. I wanted to go see my mom and her new puppy, run to the bank, get some errands done, and get some homework done. Well I was up late last night, see Day 8 blog, and woke up late today with the WORST headache and it has only gotten worse as the day has gone on. I got my homework done, posting some dvd's on Amazon, and otherwise feel like I did not really get much done. But I did. So I am kicking myself, but should just relax and consider this a "sick day."

Late Day Eight

Day 8 of the Blog a Day and I am already missing one day. Well technically it is still Sunday night, but I spent so much freaking time playing Dragon Age Origins today that completely forgot to blog. That means on Monday I will have to drop a blog in the morning just so I remember. But the game is a lot of fun. Sports update from the weekend, the Trojans and the Chargers won so I am happy. :)

Almost Forgot!?

Day 7 of the Blog a Day and I almost forgot to blog at all! I have been wrapped up in playing Dragon Age Origins for the Xbox 360 all day, and when I was done with that I was watching Matt play or doing homework. The game is a lot of fun, but the graphics look like a game from 10 years ago, only it was taken out back shoved in a burlap sack and beaten with grass reeds for 10 hours. I finally got stuck in the Circle of Mages Tower and it was time to let Matt give it a whirl. There's always tomorrow, but tomorrow it football Sunday and Monday I have things to get done. Whatever shall I do?!

Flying Solo

Carrie Prejean sex tape forced ex-Miss California's lawsuit settlement. You remember Carrie Prejean right? Miss California who when asked by openly gay judge Perez Hilton how she felt about same sex marriage, her answer ignited controversy and had Republican politicians flocking to her aid and championing her story. Thus giving her a platform to share her views on marriage and pass judgment on others, simply because she did not know to keep her mouth shut. She is young and quite frankly just not used to this type of scrutiny on the national scale. Well in the news today is that while in court over a million dollar lawsuit with Miss Universe Pageant, Pageant lawyers produced a video tape of Ms. Prejean committing a solo sex act. Oh the scandal. Again those in glass houses should not throw stones. There is nothing wrong with her having a very intimate affair with herself, but why video tape it? And how did the lawyers get a hold of it? And who was doing the video taping? And it's not like you have not been seen in nude photos as well. I just wish that it was January 1st, 2009 and Carrie Prejean is sitting in Vista, CA deciding her future and she would make the conscious decision not to care about what happens in other people's bedrooms. (ie Gay Marriage) Because then I would not have to know your name Prejean. At least until you married/dated an NFL/NBA superstar and made a sex tape for the internet.

It's the end of the world...not really.

Day 6 of the Blog a Day. Have you seen the trailers for the new disaster movie 2012? This movie looks terrible. And this coming from the guy who saw Mortal Kombat and ID4 in theaters multiple times and loved it! John Cusack stars in this movie which is really just a sick vision the director keeps having with destroying the world. This movie is from the same guy that brought The Day After Tomorrow and other great(ahem lame) end of the world movies. And does anyone really believe that the Mayans predicted the end of the world? They could not even predict the Spanish Conquistadors and Spanish churches subjugating their lands during the colonial period. What makes anyone think the world is really going to end in 2012? Oh wait, this might be a hint.

I'm a Freedom Loving American too

Day 5 of the Blog a Day leads me to another political commentary. For months now there has been a Health Care Debate all over the political sphere and in the news. It's not new though, we have been fighting over Public Health Insurance for over 40 years in this Country. In August things got really crazy with the Tea Party Movement (read extreme right wing political wing nuts with an agenda) staging what amounted to riots in many town hall meetings of Senators across the US. Here we are months later and mouthpiece for irrational hate and garbage spewers everywhere Michelle Bachmann (R-Minn) has now staged in your face protests in Washington today to force Senators to face their constituents and here from their mouth that they do not want a public option. Bachmann believes that to want a Public Option it is un-American and one step closer to Socialism. Newsflash Mrs. Bachmann, 77% of Americans WANT the public option (The Minnesota Independent Aug/09 Article). Not that you will hear me or listen to me. You live in Minnesota and I live in California. But you say that you are calling on Freedom loving Americans to stand up for what they believe in. Well I'm a Freedom loving American and I think you are a crazy nut job. I'm not even sure decent Republicans can claim you as one of their own anymore, because you are so OUT THERE.

Let it go H8ters

Day 4 of the blog a day leads me to commenting on the blow to Gay Marriage rights struck again last night in Maine. Those in favor of marriage between a man and woman won again, and further showed the inequality that exists here in America. It's time people. It's time to get over the "ick" factor you may have with gay people getting married. First of all this Country was established based on religious freedoms. So whatever your crazy book (written by man by the way) tells you about marriage, does not hold sway over all Americans. And what do YOU care about who marries who? You can marry whomever you want. And by the way your book also says that you marry for life, but we allow you to get divorced as many times as you want too. Bottom line is, it's NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS who marries who. So there should not be a vote where you get to decide the fate of others freedoms. Our Country was built to be stronger then that. Get over your "ick" factor.

Before you go off spouting rhetoric about Gay teachers teaching your kids about same sex relationships in school, look up your facts. The parents had all signed consent of that lesson. And if your a Christian or a Catholic why are you listening to nut job parents in Utah who are of different religion to you?

But Church Organizations could lose their Tax Exemptions!? Oh no. You mean this is really all about money then? You mean the church is not really trying to protect anything in the bible, just their own special interests in how they pay taxes and thus create revenue?

As usual in a Country the nation is divided with passionate folks on either side. Their will be harsh things side across the aisle, but hopefully in 20 years we can look back on this time and as the time it was darkest before the light.

Blockbuster Tuesday

Day 3 of the daily blog for the month of November. Not much to add today, I have been stranded without my car. Poor thing. I really am done with it, but without a full time job and steady paycheck, a new car is just not in the cards. After getting my car fixed last month, my starter went out on me. So I could drive somewhere, but once there I had to sit around for up to an hour for my engine to cool off and the cellunoid in the starter to "something" and it would let me drive again. You can see how that could be annoying. Cindy had to come pick me up from paying the rent yesterday because the car would not start. Frustrating. Car is fixed again but today I have been without a car and Cinderella is in school all day.

What this has allowed me to do is see just how much cool stuff came out today. G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra on DVD, G.I. Joe Resolute on DVD, and Dragon Age Origins for the XBOX 360. Wish I had the money to buy all those things. Wait. I am selling a ton of DVD's and games on Amazon.com. So maybe I will get that money. Ah capitalism.

Oh and V starts on ABC tonight. Can't wait to see how it turns out.

All About Baking

Day 2 of the Blog A Day experiment is on and I could not think of a better reason to be doing this then to highlight a friends new Venture. My good friend Molly is starting a food blog with recipes and stories, all from the point of view of someone with multiple food allergies. So if you like your cookies Gluten Free, or are just a foodie like me, please check out her Blog "The Particular Kitchen" @ http://www.theparticularkitchen.com. Really proud of you Molly, and cannot wait to buy the cookbook someday!

It's a start

Okay so today starts a blog a day for the Month of November. And seeing how this goes I may go all the way through New Years. I had stuff to say this morning, but I am a long ways away from the morning shower (IE the place that most of my thinking gets done) and I don't really have anything fun to blog about. Really disappointed in USC's performance yesterday and hoping the Chargers will pull out the win against the Chokland Faders right now.

Blog a Day is coming

Been kicking around this idea for a couple of weeks now. Coming November 1st I will be doing a blog a day. Some will be long commentary on things on my mind, most will be just short thoughts kicking around my head or me sharing something I liked that day. So get ready, ITS COMING!

Why do I know who Levi Johnston is?

Have you seen this commercial? The one where Levi Johnston, you know they kid that knocked up Sarah Palin's daughter and was dragged around on the Vice Presidential nominee's tour last Fall before the elections; is walking towards the camera with a bodyguard wearing an Alaska t-shirt and eating pistachios. Why is that some kid in Alaska can not wear protection and accidentally knock up his girlfriend and then become the national commercial face for nuts? Because politics has become a joke for both sides of the aisle Democrats and Republicans, but the Republicans have been seen as having more nuts, crazies, and kooks lately. Can a serious Republican stand up for Sarah Palin and her policies? Or is she just another part of the political side show, and this commercial is further proof of that?

Entourage Season Finale

Wow it has been a whole month since I blogged last. Kind of one of those cases that I had SO much time on my hands, I did not want to put stuff down on "paper". Still jobless, kind of a fact of life for the last 2.5 years. Even when I am working I feel like I am one step away from being out of work. Scary time to live in in America. But I still have "Hope".

Anyways, the Entourage Season Finale. It was AWESOME. Extremely satisfying, and again I cannot wait until next year for another season. Bittersweet as well because it makes you think there may not be a next season at some point, and these characters will go on living their lives without us someday. Sorry, I have been in a very reflective mood the last few days. Got really high out of my mind the other night on some pain medication and still trying to shake off the melancholy. Jeremy Piven, whose character in PCU helped shape my personality in my late teens continues to shine as Ari Gold. His speech to his therapist and wife about revenge was amazing. Give that guy the Emmy next year. And as for guest stars this episode had a manic Matt Damon as a bully/fund-raiser, Lebron James, and even Bono. BONO! Of the four main leads Johnny Chase is usually my least favorite character, but he had a great career moment in this episode and it was really nice to see. As for the four main leads, this season has shown our boys growing up and apart a little, but still remaining loyal as friends. When it came time for the season to end as it usually does with Vince starting a new movie shoot, I 100% expected the boys to all be separate and it not be a big deal. It felt like the writers made a conscious effort to show the boys drifting apart and Vince being on his own, if only to have Drama and Turtle eventually join him. E getting engaged to Sloan felt forced, but it was nice. I was really hoping that E and his hot red head assistant would end up together, maybe even next year. But I would HATE to see him mess it up with Sloan this time around. Although I would like to see more of Kate Mara. Can't win them all. As I find myself with a lot of time to reflect upon lately, the last few days have made me realize that many of the things that I have loved for years, and even up to a few months ago, I know longer care about. The reason? I'm getting older. My tastes are changing and just like me, this show has shown tremendous growth this year. I hear many of the fans did like this season, but I loved it.

Jobless on Labor Day

Like nearly 15 million other Americans I am without a job come Labor Day. This is first time in three years that I can make that claim. The last 2+ years have been tough and yet rewarding for me. I made a decision to get out of a bad situation that eventually I would have been laid off or worse fired from. In making that decision I empowered myself to take control of my career, my finances, and ultimately my life. And yet, I am unemployed once again. The Unemployment rate has reached nearly 10% and that is really a misnomer. In reality there are probably around 12-15% of Americans Unemployed. That means that anywhere between 1 - 1.5 in 10 people are out of work. Just thinking about it I can count off at least 5 people I know that are highly qualified and yet out of work just like I am.

What questions does this raise? When you have been out of work for 2+ months, and see less and less jobs popping up anywhere, and more and more people out of work you start to wonder where the next job will be and who will I be competing with for that job? Also when you don't get return phone calls or emails on resumes for weeks on end and it seems like interviews are few and far between you start to wonder what is wrong? The frustration is that while there are some things that you can do to refine your process, there is really nothing wrong with you. I have equated job searching with dating lately. The more desperate you are, the less appealing you become. The more needy you are, the less likely you are to land an interview. And yet people around you are still getting married and love is found all the time. And a few people you know have landed great jobs of late. That means that there is hope. That there is a silver lining, and that remaining positive and having some sort of faith will carry you through. I don't mean faith in a higher power like God. I don't personally follow organized religion and do not have a relationship with any God. But I do have Faith that something better is out there. It has to be. With my car being out of commission, being under penalty with Unemployment for a misunderstanding, and seeing calculated risks blowing up in my face I have to believe that somehow the work will pay off and things will work out. I have to.

So my fellow job seekers I give you this advice. You are good enough, you are smart enough, you are good looking enough, and dog gonnit you WILL find that job you are looking for. I believe in you, I ask you to believe in me. Let's have faith for each other.

Parents Angry at Obama?

You know I really don't get it. I don't understand why people would NOT want the President of the United States talking to students. In this article on Yahoo! http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/20090903/pl_ynews/ynews_pl888_1 it is discussed how the President of the US will be holding a press conference on the internet for students k-12 on September 8th, 2009. Republicans from the state of Florida (read Texas East) have decried this as potential brain washing and poor form of the bully pulpit. They have rallied support from parent groups (read intolerable whack jobs) to force (or Bully) school districts into not taking part in this.

Not speaking R or D or even Independent for a minute here, I really don't get it. Ronald Reagan and George H Bush BOTH talked to me on television when I was a kid. And they told me that Marijuana was bad. Of course now I am a grown up and know that that particular argument is a fallacy. But I digress. President Obama wants to talk to kids about staying in school and furthering their education. Things that this Country NEEDS if we want to survive into the future. I don't even care Democrat of Republican on this issue. When George W. Bush was in office, even though I KNEW that the election had been rigged, I still supported the guy because he won the election. It seems to me that with health care, claims of socialism and now this, that Republicans are dealing from the bottom of the deck and pulling cards from up their sleeves (as usual) in not respecting the Democratic process. The President is not going to brain wash your kids. Trust me, 90% of the kids will barely even watch the video, and another 50% will not even care. What are these ignorant people SO afraid of? That education will make their kids less Right Wing Christian? Not to lump in an extra argument there, but these are the people that give Republicans, Parent Groups, and Christians a bad name. Your ignorant whack jobs. And scarily some of you are friends and family. *shudder*

Yo Jill! or How Gi Joe taught me that girls kick ass too

So I recently picked up GI Joe Season 1 Part 1 from SHOUT. Now I had the last DVD release for this a few years ago from RHINO, but I needed money and sold it to DVD store years ago. Sorry, sometimes you make hard choices and have to live with them. Anyways, I watched the first 3 GI Joe "movies" on the DVD and thought to myself how much the females in the GI Joe Universe kick some tremendous ass. I then watched the new GI Joe Rise of Cobra movie and had the same impression. And unlike a Jim Butcher Harry Dresden novel where the females kick ass and then show moments of uncharacteristic weakness by crying, the women of GI Joe cartoons kick butt while exuding feminine instincts. I guess maybe GI Joe had more of a positive affect on my childhood then just being something cool. I came to respect girls a little more out of as well. Even if it was subconscious. Take Scarlett for instance. In the first GI Joe cartoons she is shown as a tough as nails fighter, while at the same time able to trade barbs and one up the boys. Baroness is a skilled fighter and master of disguise who uses those abilities to constantly one up the Joes and find cracks in their armor. Lady Jaye is also a master of disguise, but also able to take on multiple opponents at once, flies a jet, and still manages to be feminine and attract the attention of Flint while laughing with the boys. There are other characters that are female and tough and feminine in the GI Joe Universe, but on that first DVD those three ladies each shown through at a different time. And never once do they come across as helpless when being up against the enemy. And I know that it is a TV show for kids from the 80's, but at least no gets raped to show how ruthless and evil one of the bad guys really were.

Keith Olbermann, great job sir

A calling to the carpet of Republican and Democrat congressmen and women who are working for the Health Insurance companies and railroading the Health Care reforms on the house floor.

Anticipation

I don't have anything new to add to the blog today, but I felt like getting some things down just to get them off my chest. Can't go into a lot of details either, so just bare with me. Had another interview yesterday and I think it went okay. I mean I hope it went great, but whose to say. I was so excited for the interview that I was literally bouncing around the house all weekend in anticipation. That was the worst thing that could have happened. Because unless I was handed a job right on the spot, which would have seemed super surreal the let down factor was huge. I literally came home after the interview and moped for about 3 hours because I had built so much energy into the pre, that the post was like coming off a high. So thinking positive thoughts today and seeing what I can do to still land this job, and if not, looking for the next interview. I WILL be successful in this City, in my dreams, and in my aspirations and on my terms. I just need reality to catch up.

San Diego Comic Con 2009

Had a blast at Comic Con this year. Went with the roommates Matt and Cindy and took my 16 year old cousin Matt for his first comic con ever. We had a ton of fun. Took a lot of pictures. Our day started at Perry's Cafe in Old Town for breakfast. We then hopped on the trolley and felt like tourists in our own city. Very novel. Toured the show floor for about two hours and then headed upstairs for hours and hours of panels. Great way to save money, kill time, sit, enjoy A/C, and see a lot of cool stuff. We walked in on the Spartacus panel which is a new show on Starz starting in January. Lucy Lawless was there. Very cool. Stayed for the Marvel Cup O Joe Panel. Very cool to see Marvel's EIC and some of the writers and operators and have them answer questions about why comic book prices have risen. No real announcements from that panel. Only negative thing is that 3 times I saw Joe Q and yelled out praise or hello or encouragement from like 3 feet away and not once did he acknowledge my presence. Ouch. Thanks Joe.

We left that hall but came back in for the Eureka panel, which had some really great actors having a good time hamming it up at comic con. And we saw the announcement that they are being picked up for 22 more episodes and a 4th season and the genuine reaction of the actors. That was cool. Stayed for the Marvel Animation Panel and saw the new animation for The Black Panther, Wolverine Anime, Iron Man Anime, Planet Hulk, Iron Man Adventures, Wolverine and the X-Men, Thor Tales of Asgard and more. That panel was just jam packed with announcements and great writers and people. Even Warren Ellis and Madhouse animation studios made an appearance. Last was the DC Animation Panel, and while I was geeked out for Green Lantern First Flight, Superman/Batman, Bruce Timm, Andrea Romano, Clancy Brown, Kevin Conroy, and Juliet Landau, I was underwhelmed by the announcements compared to the Marvel panel. Just one of those years I guess. Then we went home. Long, fun day.

You can see photos at the bottom of the page. Enjoy.

Comic Con and Thank You!

Tomorrow kicks off Comic-Con in San Diego. I cannot wait. I think I am going on Friday. Which should be fun. Friday and Saturday are always monster days as far as panels go, and I just heard there is an Adult Swim party at 4th and B Friday night. I may just go if only to meet the creators of the Venture Bros.

Back on the job front I got GREAT news this morning. An old friend of mine called me out of nowhere to tell me about a job opening that she thinks I would be great for. I was so thrilled I could shot milk out of my nose. Of course I have not had milk in over two weeks so that would be impossible. But the sheer thought of someone else thinking of me just made me feel like a good person. So I sent my resume over and am following up with a phone call as soon as I get the job's phone number. There is already a good word put in, and sometimes that is all you need in business and in life. So even if nothing comes of this, the fact that someone thought of me, called me, and said nice things about me for a great job has got me giddy and sitting on Cloud 9 of positivity today. Smiles. OH! And I am hosting Musicpalooza Singers (winners) at Anthology tonight. Should be a great show. :)

Idle Hands

So I am on the job hunt still, and things seem to be going okay. I actually am a whole lot more confident in myself then I have been the last 10 years. Working with people who support you and make you feel good about yourself will do that for you. Had another great job interview today and it appears the job is mine for the taking. The question is "Is this something I want to be doing?" and "Will I do well at it?" In fact my interviewer asked those exact questions, and honestly I don't really have a handle on the answers. The good news is that I have some other leads lined up and am taking some advice from my friend Brittany about how to submit for a job. Got some things lined up for tomorrow, a checklist if you will and having a list of things to do always helps me accomplish those things better.

Hosting the Musicpalooza Singers tomorrow night at Anthology SD, the winners from my big SD Fair contest will be performing. Can't wait. It's a chance to see these guys outside of being the contest coordinator and I can actually enjoy myself like a fan. Plus have a few beers and celebrate a satisfactory culmination of 7+ months hard work. Got a lead on some Comic-Con tickets for later this week, so I at least will be going one of the four days. And my roommate gave me a card for a Doctor that prescribes Medical Marijuana. Not sure if I am more thinking about it to get marijuana because I want it, or because I want to have something cool. I'm weird.

Ugh...Seriously

Today I finally am getting my act together and cleaning my room. I thought I had kept my room pretty clean up until a few months ago when I got busy with work and school, but it turns out I was mistaken. Not sadly mistaken, just mistaken. I found a shirt in my pile of laundry, clean and dirty, that I thought I had worn semi-recently but it turns out that I have not worn it since October 10 of last year. The reason I know this is that there was a ticket stub for America's Best Dance Crew at the Sports Arena in the shirt pocket. Oi.

So I find myself this morning, now afternoon, cleaning my room and watching Venture Bros Season 3 on DVD and listening to the directors/writers commentaries. Love this show. But a weekday cleaning my room and watching DVD's is completely counter productive to looking for a job and keeping my life afloat. But who wants to be productive? Oh and I am writing this to avoid doing homework now. Hey and Harry Potter is in theaters at midnight. I COULD stay up late and see it, or I could just sneak out to the first showing on Wednesday morning. :p

Total Let Down

So a week ago Tim Pyles and I crowned the winners in the Musicpalooza contest at the San Diego County Fair. We had so little time to announce the winners that literally we were announcing 3rd, 2nd, 1st and then pushing everyone off the stage for the next announcement. We gave away $64,000 in just under 5 minutes. When I had the results in my hands, and had to walk them on stage I almost vomited right then and there. All the work, blood, sweat and tears of 7 months came down to one announcement. That's heavy stuff man. A week later I am completely out of a job for the first time in 10 years. Anything I do today is a total let down in comparison to last Friday. Unless by some miracle I have a job interview later. That would rule.

Been awhile

Okay so it has been more then a little while. Last time I blogged on here was May 22. That was well over a month ago. Here we are July 8th, and I am back. Spent the last month straight working at the San Diego County Fair and wrapping up another semester of school. You now find me about to start school again and looking for work. Such is life the last two years. I never seem to be in one place for more then 6 months at a time. That being said, I have decided that the Top 5 Blog is going to be changing a little bit. No big surprise there. The name is going to stay the same, but if I feel like blogging, but don't have a Top 5 in mind, this will be my home for that as well. Enjoy.

Top 5 Terminators

So Terminator Salvation comes out this week and I took the opportunity to sneak away from work and see a Thursday afternoon showing. I had read the reviews and my own mirrors what a lot of people are saying. It's fun and flashy without a lot of substance. But the keyword is that it was fun. So on that note since this movie actually takes place in the story of Terminator AFTER Judgment Day there are a lot of Terminator machines that Skynet uses. And that got me thinking what are my Top 5 Terminators? So my list is based on Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Terminator: Salvation, and Terminator The Sarah Conner Chronicles.

#5 T-800: Played by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the original 1984 classic movie. He reprised his role in the sequel but that time playing a good guy, made a third appearance in ROTM, and even makes a computer generated appearance and debut in Salvation.

#4 T-X: Played by Kristanna Loken in ROTM this was the first appearance anywhere of a Terminator as a female. And she was hot. Some featured upgrades included an arm cannon, she can analyze dna by tasting and can even jump really far. The T-X was bad ass.

#3 Cameron: Played by Summer Glau on the TV show The Sarah Conner Chronicles. I really like my female bad asses and Summer is awesome. She is approximately an upgrade to T-800 but not as advanced as a T-1000.

#2 Harvester: Played by a computer near you! This giant CGI bad ass is seen in Terminator: Salvation collecting humans for Skynet to do research from. First of all it is HUGE. Like Transformers huge. Secondly it has some kick ass weapons. It features a particle cannon that is shoulder mounted, a lot like the Predator franchise. And it also has motorcycle Terminator drones that it can launch from it's legs to chase down runners. How cool is that?!

#1 T-1000: Played by Robert Patrick. This bad ass made his debut in T2. An upgrade to the T-800 he is sent back in time to kill John Connor. He is made up of liquid metal, is strong and fast, can create swords from his arms, regenerate from almost all damage, and even morph into different idenities.

Top 5 Cover Songs

Someone recently reminded me that opinions are like assholes, everyone has one. With that in mind I put forth my Top 5 Cover Songs knowing that I am leaving a lot of great songs off my list and even personal favorites. This list is not based on album sales, popularity or even coolness. This is simply my favorite cover songs. But what makes a song a cover? If it was originally song and released by another artist and someone knew sings it, it's a cover. What makes a good cover song? Anything that not only captures the essence of the original but also adds to it and makes it something that can stand on it's own. Left off my list are some of my notable favorites such as The Beatles - Twist and Shout, The Beachboys - Sloop John B, Guns and Roses - Knockin on Heavens Door, UB40 - Red Red Wine, Greg Laswell - Girls Just Want To Have Fun, and Social Distortions - Ring of Fire.

#5 The Fugees - Killing Me Softly. What a great song. You have Lauren Hill singing vocals better then Roberta Flack's original and Wyclef and Pras backing up with the Hip Hop flair. The video is a classic as well. One time...

#4 Van Halen - You Really Got Me. Eddie Van Halen bringing screaming rifts on his guitar with David Lee Roth on vocals do justice to this Kinks song and really bring it to a new and younger audience.

#3 Ray Charles - America the Beautiful. You only have to watch the 4th of July scene in the movie the Sandlot to fall in love with this cover and the imagery it invokes. My favorite part is when Ray brings his own flair and claims "Now waitaminute"

#2 Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah. Such a haunting and spiritual cover of Leonard Cohen's classic song. The sadness comes in the story of Jeff Buckley and his tragically cut short career and life. Oddly both the #2 and #1 songs were covered by Jason Castro on American Idol last year.

#1 Iz - Somewhere Over the Rainbow. I guess #1 and #2 have something else in common as well. They both feature singers whose lives were cut short. Iz, a hawaiian singer known for his folksy island sound gives this song a modern sound while keeping the charm and innoncence of the original.

Top 5 Reasons the New Star Trek kicks ass

I don't know that I am what you would classify as a "Trekkie", but I have to admit that up until the last Star Trek movie I have seen every Star Trek movie in theaters since around 1994 or so. I personally just love Sci-Fi, especially Sci-Fi that has a built in history that I can dive into. That being said, I have been eagerly awaiting this new Star Trek movie and franchise reboot for the last 6 months. I was able to catch the first showing on Saturday morning, and even that was sold out. The movie uses Time Travel and a really nasty villain to completely reboot this storied franchise. Fans of the The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager and even the original show might be up in arms about completely changing history but I have a theory for that. Ultimately people want to be entertained, and if you keep making good quality movies like this one they will buy it. Also the movie acknowledges that this is now an alternate reality and that things will only change from here. I like that. Respect what came before, but don't be tied down by it. So with that here is my Top 5 reasons why this movie kicked ass.

#5 Zoe Saldana playing as Uhuru - She was great in this movie and it was nice seeing this fine actress in something more then a Drumline type movie.

#4 John Cho as Sulu - I'm a big Cho fan, so he could have just been a face in this movie and I would have been excited, but then Cho had to make Sulu a bad ass with a sword. Bravo.

#3 The Sci-Fi and the Special Effects - From the Mining Ship and the use of a planetary drill, to the costumes, the design of the Enterprise Bridge, the space fights, the bowels of the ship and all the pipes, to the red matter bubble. This movie did a great job of using special effects in great ways and capturing the Science Fiction of it being a space movie.

#2 Chris Pine as Jim Kirk - That's right Jim Kirk as he likes to be called, not James T. Kirk. I'll tell you what, the best part of this movie is that it captures the arrogance of Kirk really well and Pine shows it in his eyes and his in smirks that no matter what you throw at him he will come back for more. You only beat him if you kill him, and he refuses to die. But Kirk gets beat up A LOT.

#1 Bad Robot - From Director J.J. Abrams to the writers and production team they did a great job of capturing the essence and fun of the Star Trek series while making it younger, revamping it, and not being a slave to it's ginormous history.

Top 5 San Diego Chargers 2009 Mock Draft

Okay, so I know next to nothing about the draft this year. As opposed to other years when I at least cared to follow the players, I think this year is kind of a bum year. What that means is that all the sizzle will be at the top, but the meat will be later in the draft. Being the Charger fan that I am I am going to make wild picks and see what happens tomorrow. Maybe I will be the next draft guru and get paid cash next year by ESPN.....yeah right. Here is my Chargers mock draft based on needs: (oh and this is in reverse order because this will be by pick)

#1 - First Round Pick 16 - Ziggy Hood DT. I think the Chargers need some push on the D-Line this year with a returning Shawne Merriman to help get our pass rush back in line. And this kids name is cool.

#2 - Third Round Pick 13 - LeSean McCoy RB. Okay so not picking in the second round is really going to hurt, and there is a good chance the Chargers will trade some of their later picks in the 4th for a spot in the second. But as we have seen with LT getting older, the Chargers need depth at Running Back. If this kid is still around, I could see him in the Blue and Gold.

#3 - Fourth Round Pick 13 - Ryan Durand Guard. Well we could always use more lineman. In fact if I ran a team my off season needs would always begin and end with my line. The trenches are where first downs are won and lost in the NFL.

#4 - Fourth Round Pick 33 - Xavier Fulton O-Tackle. Same thing as above, and yet this young man is actually ranked higher in draft status. But this is my draft.

#5 - Fourth round Pick 34 - Jeremy Childs Wide Receiver. Ah heck, its late in the draft already, take a flier on a wide receiver. Plus this kid is from Boise State where they throw a lot.