The Harmonica

This instrument has gotten a bad rap over the years due to convicts and rednecks. But when played properly, the harmonica can add an undeniable emotion to a variety of music. I love me some harmonica every once and 

awhile.

This week @ work

I have to admit that I have a cool job. It's relaxed and fun most of the time. This week at work I was able to name an energy drink. At first, I just thought, "No big deal. It's my job to do these things." But after talking about it with a couple of people, I realized that it is actually pretty damned cool. Hopefully it will be a huge success.

Smart Phones for Dummies

I've always thought it was funny when I new people who needed a smart phone, but didn't have a job that required them to be in constant contact with clients and bosses, etc. Then the iPhone came out turned the smart phone into a play phone, where you could really experience the web through different apps. This opened the door for the average consumer to feel the need for smart phones.

Despite the joy of looking up a street map on your phone when your lost or checking out movie times, I've become just important enough at work that I now want a smart phone. Of course, I'm still in the infancy stages of my clout, so I don't know how badly I really need one. But nonetheless, I could walk around with one in my pocket and know I have a functional purpose for it.

Is there a point to this whole ramble. No, not really. 

March Madness!

This year's NCAA tournament group is scary up and down. I can legitimately see half the field make it to the Final Four, and at the same time, I wouldn't be surprised if all of the #1s reigned supreme. The parody in college hoops is exciting, but it also makes the office pool a crap shoot. 

The more you research these teams, the more you can make a case for upsets and Cinderella stories. I would probably be better off not looking at the brackets until Wednesday night and flipping a coin for each pick. Instead, I will toil over every region, change my mind 10 times a day, and finally pick a horribly losing bracket that has Duke winning it all. 

You see, March Madness is the time of year for the office geeks to torture the sports lovers by randomly kicking their assess one pick after another - all without watching or caring about a single game. Luckily, I've come to realize this fact and will take my whoopings with dignity. 

But seriously, if Duke's guards get hot, they'll be hard to stop. If they don't, they may not win a game. Damn, I love being a fan.

"Somebody's got a case of the Mondays."

I'm Twitterpated!

I signed up for Twitter today so I can be 'in the know' on what's being said about our clients. I have to say that I'm largely against this. Why do most people think that some one else cares what they're doing every hour of every day? Blogs I get because you mostly try to write about relevant topics, but Twitter... not so much. Maybe I just don't have enough friends. I guess I'll have to wait and see if it grabs hold of me.

I’m a man. What’s it to ya?

I recently read an article claiming that no self-respecting man would be caught dead buying or drinking Michelob Ultra, at least no self-respecting non-metrosexual. I found this interesting. Why? Because I drink Michelob Ultra. I also own a chainsaw, a 4x4 truck, power tools, and guns. I watch football, go to the gym, and camp. I grew up in Montana, was a wild-land firefighter for 3 years, and worked at a damn. Basically, I’m not much of a metrosexual. In fact, I would consider myself a very self-respecting man. 

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy microbrews too. But I also think that you don’t have to don a beer gut to be considered a man. You can enjoy a light, crisp beer without getting full and still look at yourself in the mirror every day. Hell, I also enjoy a bottle wine half the time. So to all of those who think you can’t be a man and drink an Ultra, come on over to my house. I will whoop your ass and follow it up with an Ultra. 

On that same note, there are a couple of things I don’t feel manly when I do. The first is using Chapstick. Doing manly things usually puts you in harsh environmental conditions that chap your lips, but there’s something about puckering up that just doesn’t feel right. The second is using the elliptical at the gym. Sure, it’s supposed to be gentle on your joints, but I feel a little ‘off’ gliding back and forth. 

Not Cool, NBC.

NBC is the only major network to charge for its OnDemand shows. Sure $.99 won't break the bank, but when it's broadcast for free and viewable on their website free, it doesn't make sense to charge here. They don't even have the best program selection.

So while CBS and ABC slut it up for nothing, NBC has to go all prostitute on us. No one likes paying for what they can get for free, NBC. I don't even look at your OnDemand section anymore. You've let yourself go, so I'm gonna get it somewhere else. 

Really?

Comedy Central is Roasting Larry the Cable Guy this month. Isn't it a little early to be saying that this guy is worthy of a roast? In fact, after his string of crappy movies, I don't think he should ever be honored as a comedic genius. I'm not saying that I would turn down a truck load of cash to make horrible movies, but I wouldn't expect to be rewarded with a roast after I'd taken the money and run. 

I know Comedy Central is creating their own roasts in the vein of the Friar's Club, but really, Bob Saget and even Pamela Anderson I get. Larry, not so much.

Pass the Popcorn

Gus Van Sant gave us 'Good Will Hunting,' 'Psycho,' and this year's Oscar nominated 'Milk,' but for as much as he's earned a spot as towards the top of the director's totem pole, he sure can make a pile of crap too. 

I watched 'Paranoid Park' this weekend because it was filmed in Portland... and I had nothing else to do. As much as I would love to rant on about this flick, the bottom line is that it sucked. The source material was interesting, but the acting and pacing(thus directing) were bottom tier. I don't think I believed a single word that came out of any one of those kid's mouths. 

If you're looking for an indie flick to pass the time, look past 'Paranoid Park.'

If it's yellow, let it mellow.

If It's brown, flush it down.

And if it's clear, you've drank too much beer.

Escape a Bear Market Attack?

Growing up, I was always told to play dead if a grizzly bear attacks you and to fight back if a black bear attacks you. So what should I do during this current bear stock market attack? 

Breaking it down, it looks like the attack seems pretty big at this point. Large stocks are plummeting and the media seems to be screaming bloody murder. It's safe to say that this is a grizzly bear market attack, but should I play dead? 

According to numerous blogs and articles, if you're over 10 years from retiring, the answer is yes. Play dead, don't move, and the market will finally turn around and go the other direction. It sounds scary, but if it works against an 800-pound carnivore, then maybe you've got a chance.

Of course, for those that are close to hanging up their work boots, this can be considered a predatory attack, which means the rules change. Fight back. That's what they say. During any predatory attack, this may be your only hope. Try to salvage your money and fight tooth and nail. Hopefully you'll come out of it without being mortally wounded. 

I don't know if I can believe everything I read. For my money, I would only trust someone that has actually survived a bear attack of this magnitude, and we won't know who those people are until this turns around. I guess you can avoid a lot of the peril by not hiking in the woods at all. But what's the fun in that?

At The Theater

We went to see 'Wicked' at the Keller Auditorium yesterday. It was a lot of fun. For my money, musicals have a little too much music in them, but overall, it was a great time. Look ma, I'm cultured.

Yeah, I'm that guy.

Pending Home Sales Increase

According to OregonLive.com, there has been an increase in the median home price and pending home sales in 19 counties in Washington over the last month. Sure, it's a baby step, but it's also the first time we've heard the word 'increase' used in a good way for awhile now. As a homeowner, I can't help but cross my fingers and hope that home prices Portland will quit falling. My family is growing, which means the Mrs. and I will need to upgrade in the near future - something that won't be possible if we can't sell our current house.

Luckily, the sub $250k market wasn't hit nearly as hard as the higher-priced homes, but we're still in a hole. Of course when it's all said and done, we just count our blessing that we have a roof over our heads and steady jobs to pay our bills. 

Rain, Rain, Go Away.

I'm sick of the rain. This is the time of year where the gray skies start to really start to bring me down. Don't bring me down, man. 

Saucony Courageous

I haven't bought a pair of Sauconys since the early 90s. I like their push towards being relevant beyond hardcore runner with these new colorways. And for $70 a pair, they may give the ACGs a run for the money.

Malinda got a new camera. Now everything is taken in black and white. Hmmm.

Octamom!

Is the media seriously giving this lady a comic book name. Octamom has the power of unatural reproduction. Her powers stem from the complete inability to naturally reproduce, thus forcing her to undergo a risky procedure that has left her mutated and alone. Octamom! Will she use her powers for good or evil. Stay tuned to find out.

Pass the Popcorn

This weekend two very interesting things happened at the movies. The Jonas Brothers 3D Experience didn’t claim the top spot, and Tyler Perry’s new Madea’s (fill in random subplot here) did. I have two natural reactions to this.

1: Who the hell keeps going to Tyler Perry movies? How many reincarnations of the same lame character can he make and still fill the theaters? Seriously, is there nothing else out right now that can pull the masses away from Tyler Perry? Really? He's a dude dressed up like an old lady. That's good for one movie. Just ask Robbin Williams. He knew to hang up the gray wig.

2: I hate the Jonas Brothers. I tried to at least be indifferent and let them make their millions. I get it, there will always be some young pop group for the 12-year-olds to swoon over. But after the last two times I’ve seen them perform on TV, I simply can’t stand them. They run all over the stage over performing for teens that don’t even know who McJagger is. When I think about their duet with Stevie Wonder, I start involuntarily swinging at people in rage. They are complete douche bags - albeit rich douche bags.