Saturday, July 31, 2010

Bloodbuzz Ohio

We're in Columbus for the weekend. I wish we could say it was for fun - and we were smiling and laughing - but we are here for other reasons that may or may not be expounded at a later date.

But we cut our work day short a bit and headed to Morty's for the weekend and we are here now. Becca was here by the time we arrived.

Last night we just hung out, got pizza and each of us played on our respective iPhones.

I showed the group PhotoSwap, which I yakked about here years ago, and we had a back and forth going with two girls sort of showing me their boobs, so I did the same. I wasn't showing my areola to you all (again). There was another one where I was pushing my titties together like the girl(s) were doing, but we didn't save that photo - thankfully.

The other three also downloaded PhotoSwap and we tried experiments that if we all hit send at the same time, one of us - if not more - should/might get back one of our own pics. It only happened once. The rest of us got butt shots, boob shots, beer bottles and lots of blurry pics back our way.

As we were doing it all, Becky says to us, she says......"what did we do before iPhones", Morty and myself jinxed each other (no Cokes) by saying: "talk".

Becky keeps harping on me that I'm too skinny and that it is disturbing to look at me. I'm sure she meant I'm too "ugly", because everyone knows you can't be too thin (or rich) - I mean, unless your Karen Carpenter, because that didn't turn out too well for, ya know?

For the record, I'm three pounds thinner than last time I saw her.

btw...here is Becky holding Skeeter. He's more relaxed than you think.

So we're off today to do some stuff together and then head to campus to look around and see what's new and possibly where I may have "played" with "Dale". Nahhhhh.....knowing my pattern, I pretty much know where that would have happened.


Song by: the National

Friday, July 30, 2010

Record of the Month

I figured I'd do a monthly 'what I'm listening to' kind of thing. This could be viewed as a lame placeholder kind of post. And probably it is. But it's my blog! So there!

I am a sucker for Sarah McLachlan. I have no good reason to back this up or substantiate this view. She had one great disk out with Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, and has a number of good songs, but spotty albums available - and a lot of repetition. And apparently I'm still paying for this.

She has a new one: Laws of Illusion, released just in time for her faltering Lilith Fair tour.

Let's start with the repetition, shall we? McLachlan and/or her record company has always been big on recycling her songs - mostly to fill out short-changed albums and it is no different here. Two new songs that appeared on her 2008's great hits collection make a reappearance here - the really good "U Want Me 2" (no Prince did not write it) and the so-so "Don't Give Up on Us". That she didn't put her song for the 2010 Winter Olympics, "One Moment", on here is somewhat quizzical considering the track record - and ironically enough, that song is better than most of the choices that made the cut.

Even with those repeat tunes, you're looking at an album of about 45 minutes, which really kind of sucks for someone who puts out one album every seven years.

While it is not a great album, for her normal style, like it or not, she does mix it up on a few songs - even if they're not great. I'm always ok with an artist breaking out of their rut, if only to a degree. "Awakenings" is a good example of this - while no one would consider it a "rock" song, it has a little more life to it than most of her stuff since Fumbling.

And while her first release, "Loving You is Easy", takes a risk with being different, it doesn't work, but hey, it's at least an attempt. But the song could be as easily about her kids, a lover or the dog she hasn't seen in two weeks. You half expect to hear the opening lines on an organic pet food ad in three years.

But for each of her slight up-change, there is twice as much same ole/same ole stuff. You've heard "Rivers of Love", "Changes", "Out of Tune" and "Forgiveness" before - just with different titles. The latter song being one of the better of the bunch. She's even done stuff like "Bring on the Wonder", but the layers of her vocals (you can barely call them harmonies) are interesting, but makes better background music than anything.

I'm not denying her voice is good, the playing is strong and the production is clean, but all elements are extremely similar to her last outings. Maybe it's time for her to break out of collaborating with her producer of 20 odd year, Pierre Marchand, and try working with other talent.

I took the bullet for you people on this one. Unless you are the hardest of hardcore fans and you absolutely have to have it, knock yourself out. Other than that, save your cash for another release for another day.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Carry That Weight

Oh, that brettcajun thinks he is sooooo funny. The jury is still out on that one. And clearly he's rolling in the dough if he can waste spend $0.99 for the Fat Booth app for his iPhone 4G.

Yes he was quite proud of himself, as he made some reference to me eating at Taco Bell. He don't know me that well, because I don't make that one of my solid threes like he does. Hell, I can count on one finger - maybe tw0 - on how many times I eat there a year.....maybe two.

But I am not that fat. Not yet. But it wasn't a pleasant way to picture myself - you know, like if my cookie eating went out of control thyroid went haywire.

For fun, I posted the pic on Facebook and may have gotten more comments than I have ever received. Fat Blobby RULES!

A long-time friend, Stuart, sent me who he thought I resembled. Prick.

Yayyyy....I'm a big fat Anglican porker who porked his way through six wives - and fucked over the Catholic church too.

But I know this cannot be the true representation of HRH from the house of Tudor. I saw The Tudors, and this is possibly the fattest that Henry ever got during the series.

I could totally see being this chubby. ...and then the last laugh would be on Mr. Cajun. ...and I use the term "Mister" quite loosely.


Song by: the Beatles

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Cruisin' Love


Facebook is a funny thing. You get invites from friends of friends whom you have never met. Clearly I'm not accepting them just to build my numbers. I'm ok having the lowest number of "friends" within my closest circle.

The other day I got a message (not an invite) from someone who said: It looks like we have some friends in common. I used to live in columbus 83-96 and you look very familiar!

Never a really good sign, is it? Normally it is a recipe for pseudo-disaster. I saw his name - nothing registered. I saw his picture - ditto. I looked at our mutual friends and nothing seemed out of place. Two from Columbus and one from Cleveburgh. Stupidly, or not, I confirmed I had lived in Columbus roughly the same time as he. I was a social being (i.e. drunk most of the time) so it is possible he saw me out.........a lot!

But it gets a little worse: i think we used to "play" on campus. LOL!

This was quite a possibility - back in the day.

Then something clicked in for me: his first name and one of our mutual friends: Morty.

"Dale" was his name. "Dale" was the name of one of Mort's roommates back before we knew each other. I asked Dale if that is how he and Mort knew each other. It was confirmed. At the same time Dale asked if I used to live in a certain place off-campus years later.

Ugh - another hook-up years later. I'm pathetic.

So I have known Morty for about 23 years. Morty has known Dale a little less (I think). I have "known" Dale longer - though I don't know who the fuck he is or remember him from Adam, at least via one FB pic.

Just because I'm me, I did say something to Dale, via email, that I'm not sure how or if we should tell Morty any of this. I hit 'send' and then immediately called Morty - and set the story up WAY better than I did here. He had no idea where I was going with it, and why should he? 15 minutes before, I didn't even have a story.

We were laughing so hard, I was crying.

I sent Morty an email message after the call that was vague enough as a follow-up, but I sent to the wrong person. A good friend, but still the wrong person. Ooops.

The second I realized it was sent, I emailed Mort telling him what I had done - all very funny btw. Enough so that I got an email back from Mort that said, "Oh now I'M crying!!!" .....and then my phone rings - from said accidental email friend.

"Are you talking about Dale XYZ?"

WTF? Does everyone know Dale?? "Oh, Dale's ex boyfriend used to cut so and so's hair".
Screw Kevin Bacon - it can now be Six Degrees of Blobby. Or more accurately, Six Degrees of Dale.

Oh the tangled webs we weave. And by "we", I am only talking about myself.

I can't take all credit/blame for some stuff that goes on within FB. Get this - and this one kills me:

I have two friends, in two different states (not even cities!), who have never met. I get an email from one, saying, "so what's the deal with your friend "Jim"?"

Yes, it turns out one had seen the other in my FB friend listing and contacted the other - basically on-line cruising via the largest social networking site in history. And apparently, I'm their unwilling and unwitting pimp.

I haven't figured out who made the first contact or what the intro was - but don't think for a second I'm not gonna find out. I don't have discreet bone in my body when it comes to this shit. If they are going to use me (well, ok, not really) that way, I at least get the goods on the 'how, when and why' stuff. I want all the dirt.

When I joined Facebook, Morty's partner, George, who might have been my first message when he said "welcome to the vortex". I had no idea how bad it was or how deep it goes.

I'm not even sure if I took the red pill or the blue one.


Song by: Rachel Sweet

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Bethlehem


This post is brought to you by the letter 'F'. You can figure out the verbs, nouns and adjectives that may have crossed my lips yesterday that started with your sponsored letter.

I guess technically I was between Allentown and Bethlehem, but fuck (see? the letter 'f') if you're going to get me to use a Billy Joel title here. What little class and taste I still have, I am holding onto dearly.

I am also using (sans permission) a photograph from my cousin, David. I did the altering. He may or may not approve, but I'm 90% he won't be surprised.

Yes, Flying suxs. Somedays it really isn't so bad, but twice in a day, my flights were massively delayed. Inbound and outbound flights. UScare just can't get it together. I don't like taking them anyway and this just solidifies some of the many reasons. It doesn't help that you often fly into the crappy crappy F terminal (see? the letter 'F').

This was about the only laugh I had of the day - and it was just in my head, where they usually are. You see, the F terminal isn't attached to the rest of the airport, so you have to take a shuttle to the B-C-D-E terminals. A is for international flights only.

But here is the laugh..............

Doesn't this look like the final scene from Defending Your Life? You know, where Albert Brooks is going back to be reincarnated and he jumps ship bus to catch up with his after-life love, Meryl Streep?

While my meetings in Allentown/Bethlehem were great, the GPS was screwed up and it panicked me when it said I'd arrive at PHL about 4 minutes before my flight was scheduled to take off. I still had to return the rental car and fill it with gas - oh and then get to and through security and take the shuttle over to F. Yeah.......like that was gonna happen.

But it did happen, mostly because, like I said: the GPS was screwed up and it gave the wrong time, which made sense, since the estimated arrival time never changed even though I went 80 mph the entire way. So I did get there about 45 minutes before scheduled take off.........but of course, take off was delayed by about 90 minutes. ...so even if the GPS was right, I still would have made it.

I'm blaming the full (see? the letter 'F') moon on this.

I know it ain't me!


Song by: Paula Cole

Monday, July 26, 2010

Prepare for the Fight

Not unlike my vlog from yesterday, I still have nothing to say or report - at least of any importance.

So I give you a video post, but not of my own. Just a YouTuber that I saw via Lisa Schamess.

It's not bad and maybe it could be funnier, but I'm not really a Jane Austen fan, so it is possible I'm not the target demographic.




Song by: the Lovemakers

Sunday, July 25, 2010

When the Body Speaks

I'm alone this weekend. I was bored. On a whim, I did a video blog post. I adjusted nothing for lighting - and it shows, but it saves you from seeing an unshowered me.

Hey! I said I was alone this weekend. I told you a few weeks ago, I revert to single Blobby in a nanosecond.




Song by: Depeche Mode

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Listen

Very bummed.

If Mike Wallace were to drop over tomorrow, I wouldn't care a lick. If Andy Rooney were succumb to the big dirt nap, I might even cheer and hold a party with a banner that said "Good Riddance!"

But Daniel Schorr??

What little heart I have, is crushed.

A voice of reason and intelligence that prevailed, even if only for radio. A man who spoke what wasn't even his truth, but just the plain one.

With Schorr's passing, we get one step closer to the Bill O'Reillys, Sanjay Guptas and Nancy Graces of the world being considered "news people". It is totally frightening.

Yes, time marches on, but it is taking the wrong folks with it.


Song by: Tears for Fears

Friday, July 23, 2010

Troublesome Waters

Troublesome indeed, Ms. DeMent. Troublesome indeed.

Maybe it's just me, but $30,164.36 is a lot to pay for water and sewage for a three month period. Call me crazy!!!!!

What's a bill that is 156 times the normal amount? A pittance, I say.

Forget the fact that there are only two of us in the house. Forget the fact that I travel 50% of my life. Forget the fact that when I am home, four days per week I shower at the gym - and even if I bathe at home, I don't do it in a 15,000 gallon infinity pool that I drain and refill daily.

Yes, we have two cats with two water bowls - and yes, I do fill those once daily. It still seems like a high jump for me.

Granted, only some of that bill is for water. The other is for poop removal and such. I might cop to needing half that amount, but not $15,322. Not for flushing.

Since it is a utility, getting through to them would not be an easy task, so the first order of business was to turn off the automatic electronic bill pay. Where if they withdrew the funds and then acknowledged an error, we knew getting said funds back would take months if not longer. I can't go for that - no can do.

The big D finally got through to the H20 company and they asked for the account number. Before he had a chance to state the issue, the customer service rep, did the quick inhale and exclaimed "OH MY G-D!".

Clearly when she brought up the account, she brought up the balance too.

According to Denton, she was great and made sure no payment would be taken from us (as if!) and then arranged to have someone come out to read our meter - which is a little odd since the bill said it was an actual reading, though neither of us let anyone in the house to get one.

I wondered - out loud - what kind of corporation would actually have a water/sewage bill for this amount? I'm guessing one with 2,000 or more associates on site. Totally not us.

I also wondered that even if we had a water leak somewhere, a broken main, our house should have collapsed upon itself in the biggest sinkhole in Ohio history. But that hasn't happened either - and our dead lawn will tell you we haven't let the sprinklers run rampant, or at all.

I really wonder why when bill of a certain amount size is generated - say $10,000 or more - that it doesn't get a frickin' automatic review.

So hopefully it will all be resolved in a week or so - oh, and they won't turn off our water in the process.


Song by: Iris DeMent

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Record of the Month - Classic

Another installment of a disk I have enjoyed over the years. I'm trying to keep the Record of the Month posts to be fairly new releases. Classics are going to be ones that are at least 5 years old.

I'm sticking with '80s music for my Classic pic. Of course, I could go on forever with '80s stuff, couldn't I? The music wasn't nearly as vapid as people like to believe it was. The 90s was much worse overall.

New Order
's Technique gets the nod this month.

Much could be argued about best New Order song - and they have many, but I think Technique wins out for best overall album.

Consisting of only nine tracks, there really isn't a bad one that exists. It's disco without the disco; pop with out too much pop. It's a perfect blend of the two and a bit more upbeat than say Low Life or Power, Corruption & Lies.

Mind you, "upbeat" is all relative from a band that formed from Joy Division.

Originally released in 1989 (a newer, expanded 2 disk version was released a year or so ago), I'm sure they played some of this stuff in the Columbus gay bars, but it's the U.S., so there weren't really any big hits - certainly not radio ones. "Fine Time" and "Round & Round" hit the dance charts, if I remember.

Bernard Sumner has his trademark vocals.....well his later in career trademark vocals. Earlier on, he wasn't as melodic, nor did he need to be - it was the early 80s, no one cared.

Yes, there really isn't a bad song on the disk, but of course I have my favourites: "Vanishing Point", "Dream Attack", "Guilty Partner" are the highlights. But I rotate the disk on all my iPods frequently - and 21 years later it hasn't gotten old.

New Order has had some stellar stuff before Technique and some really great below the radar stuff afterwards too - but as a whole, this is the one to get.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Love is the Ride


You gotta love the ride.

Well, I suppose you don't, but it helps. It's hard to do a 34 mile ride just to do it. You kind of gotta want it on some level - whatever your motivation.

Once again, last Sunday, we hit the Cuyahoga Valley National Park to take long bike ride. Last time it was from near downtown Cleveland to Peninsula. This time, went from Peninsula to Akron.

Akron. Or Norka, as Morty would call it.

ἄκρον in Greek. Or "summit". Akron sits in Summit County. Akron is allegedly the highest point in Ohio. I suppose with background to its name, that would make sense.

Of course, that also means the closer you get to Akron, the more you are traveling uphill. Those damned mules towing those barges had it hard. Especially that last mile into town where it is a 5% grade - yes, uphill. The first 16 miles just was the warm-up for that last mile.

You'd think going back towards Peninsula would be easier as it is mostly down hill. It is easier, but now you're pushing towards 34 miles and your scrotum starts to burn a bit at this point - and you have to pass that sewage treatment plant.....again. I almost vomited the first time we passed it.

Columbus/Grovetucky had a treatment facility too, but I knew when and for how long to breathe through my mouth. This did not work here. The smell was too pervasive this time. The 95 degree weather and beating sun on processed poop did not help.

We did stop to fill our water bottles at one point and I stuck my head under an outdoor spigot to cool down. Unfortunately, my sweat and the sunscreen I slathered all over ran into my eyes. So, then there was more and more rinsing. However, at the rest room, there was this great sign between the Men's and Women's room (click to enlarge) that made me laugh.

Toilets and methane. No Smoking and the siren. Perfecto!!!!!

But the ride is nice. Great shade on this portion of trail. It is not as congested and when we got to downtown Akron, we just did a leisurely ride-around. The trail pretty much ends up at the Akron Aeros ballpark. While they are one of the Indians' minor league teams, they have about as many folks attend and a Tribe game. {sigh}

The trail alternates between cinder, new asphalt, older/broken asphalt, wood planks and when you get to Akron.....rubber. You know, Goodyear and Firestone and such. Akron is also Rubber City. ...no, not rubbers city. I think that's Cherry Hill, NJ. if the boxes are to be believed.

Yes, it was a good ride - maybe not a great one. 10 degrees cooler would have made it so much more pleasurable and I might have avoided the heat rash on my legs. No pictures of that - no one needs to see that (other than my dermatologist).....and it's gone now anyway. All better.

I envy Morty on his century rides. I haven't done one yet, but I'm looking forward to trying. Maybe later this year, or maybe early next.



Song by: Lucy Kaplansky

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Plan to Marry


I suppose it is ok to break the news to you all, though you might have picked it up here and there via other blogs:

Denton and I have decided to make it legal (well, kind of) and get married. We know it won't be legal or recognized in Ohio, but we're going ahead with it anyways. You know me - it's all about getting the cake.

Of all the few places we can do this, we have opted on Washington DC. We have a certain draw to the city and I think one day it is where we'd like to end up in our aging years. But the city holds an appeal to us that Iowa just cannot bring to the table - no matter how much we like corn.

Massachusetts was the only other real potential - and that is just because Rebecca and Andrew reside there.

There will be nothing fancy in this wedding. We'd like just some close friends there, some laughs, drink and food.

No chance of me becoming Broomzilla. No out of control guest lists; there will be no registry; no colour of flowers to bicker over; no DJ or live band to debate about; no worries that either of us will be wearing white - I mean c'mon, it will be after Labor Day.

Our biggest issues are: the actual date (we know it will be mid to late September - we're just trying to throw off the papa paparazzi paparazzi), who will officiate and the most important thing - location location location.

We have the option to get married in the courthouse, but take a look at the title image and another shot here: Ahhhh....where romance comes to die!!!

...except for this couple of 31 and 74. These crazy kids are totally gonna make it.......after her green-card is approved!

While the chairs in the DC Marriage Bureau have lasted decades longer than most of the marriages of people who have filed through there, this is not the place for me for tying the knot - on my shoes or in marriage.

At first I thought one got married under the arbor, but I found out, as I sat there, that you go through that foil-wrapping paper covered door to an equally unglamorous room to say "I Might!".

No, I will pay the District a $50 fee to desecrate the sanctity of marriage out in the showiness of nature. Where? I'm not sure. I was hoping to do it on Segways, but I don't know that this will fly with the other half.

I should probably mention that when I was in DC almost two weeks ago, I applied for our marriage license, so let's back up for a photo essay of the process, shall we?

Outside the courthouse at 500 Indiana NW - down in Judiciary Square. Right off the Red Line. Well a few hundred feet off of it, which felt like a few thousand feet in the blazing, sweat-inducing heat. On the plus side, I probably lost two pounds.

After a quick metal detection search and the dodging of a few hundred jurors on their way back from lunch, I headed up to the 4th floor (though this is only the 3rd), where I snapped a pic of the inside looking out. To the right is one of our favourite buildings - the National Building Museum. One of the few red-bricked buildings in this city. It's a contender for location.

First was sign-in. I couldn't help but notice and love the big bottle of Germ-X - the off brand of Purell. Because if marriage says anything, it's: Cooties!!!!!

After sitting for about 15 minutes after sign-in, I got called to.....

Did I mention this is where romance goes to die??
The Intake Station. Choo-choo!!!! Alllllll aboard!

Is it just me, or do these look suspiciously like two of the nine rings? Of course, the one I wear should be the one to rule them all - but let's face facts, I have no power here! And yellow gold??? So not me!

Our completed, if not blurred for your our protection, application of marriage. Along with our passports for ID.

My intake guy, whom went completely Casper on me here, was extremely nice. I had all the paper work filled out except who will officiate. He provided me a list of folks who do - and even circled the ones who perform same-sex unions.

I should mention, there were three other same sex couples there while I waited, who were doing the same hoop-jumping that I was. I gave them knowing smiles, but since I look so entirely straight, they must think I was just being gay-supportive.

I forgot to capture images of me going to the cashier to hand over $45 (in exact change, thank you!) to pay for this license. Well, license-to-be. There is a three day wait to pick up the license and you must have the name of the officiant to get the physical document. I will get it on my next trip to the city.

So I'm sure I'll have more details as we go along. It's not like there will be tons of planning or showers to catch you up on. But I'm kind of a fame whore, so I'm sure I'll be shameless in some of my posts.



Song by: Lucinda Williams

Monday, July 19, 2010

Paint a Rumour


What does one do in Cleveland when it's 95 degrees out on a Saturday?? Well, yes, we did go to Inception, but before that we filled time at the Cleveland Museum of Art.

It is a world-renowned establishment with some of the best works in the world within its walls. Currently undergoing a multi-year renovation, much of the place is still open (somewhat) and all for free. We love going there, it is practically in our backyard and never do it enough. Saturday was great.

We skipped the paladins and sarcophagi this time and headed to see mostly paintings. I love some of these works of art. And since they are always changing up the collections, you always see new stuff.....or rediscover great pieces.

While photography is strictly forbidden in the museum, I kind of did the 'it's better to ask forgiveness than permission' kind of thing. It is not like I used a flash to damage any of the artwork and I only took it of a few pieces I really liked. But if you really think about it - if someone tells me not to do something.....well......c'mon........

So I will share with you some of the better pieces I saw. Feel free to click on images to enlarge.


Possibly my current favourite piece - Panoramic View of the Alps, Les Dents du Midi by Gustave Courbet. It would look great in our house. This one I didn't take a picture of - too many guards around. So I stole it from the internets. You can see in the lower right corner, Courbet did not finish the painting completely.

My second favourite - Grey and Gold by Indiana artist John Rogers Cox. While you can enlarge it - you really have to see it in person. It is supposed to reflect the crossroads America was at the beginning of WWII.

One of my favourite pieces - Lot's Wife by German artist, Aston Kiefer.

The piece, in response to the Holocaust, has footprints and tire tracks on it - along with plaster and ash. The top portion is covered with salt, which turned the canvas white. It had me standing in front of it for about 10 minutes - and in the translation from art time to real time - is about two weeks.

Picasso in his blue period.

Van Gogh in his two-ear period.


We went to the Auguste Rodin gallery. While the museum has a large, damaged, version of The Thinker outside the front entrance, there is a smaller version which is just captivating. So much so, I photographed it from multiple angles. His sculpture work is really incredible and it seems so much more intricate in his smaller pieces.

We made a pseudo-pledge to make it down and tour the museum more often. I highly recommend when you're in Cleveland you should make the effort to stop by.


Song by: the Eurythmics

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Is There Any Way Out of this Dream?


I think it is safe to say that one viewing of Inception is not enough to capture the essence, let alone the complete storyline, of the movie.

Visually stunning and seemingly (at first) non-linear story telling, it took a while to get into the rhythm of the film. Notice I didn't say it was "well-acted".

It is not poorly acted by any means, but it's not hard to believe that the story and visuals put the craft of acting in third place. I've never been a huge DiCaprio fan in the first place, but I will give him this - in one of his last scenes, he actually pulls off.....emotion. And Ellen Page can pull off more than Juno. The guy from 3rd Rock from the Sun wasn't bad, but you could see his role might as well be played by anyone. Ditto with Tom Berenger's role - whom I didn't even know it was him until two-thirds of the movie was over. I guess that's what 80 extra pounds and grey hair will get ya......oh and 18 years between movies.

I really liked Ken Wantanabe and Tom Hardy though.

The story is pretty complex and very detailed - hence the possibility for multiple viewings. From the word 'go' you seem a little lost until you kind of end up assuming everyone in the theater is in the same boat. I found the same thing with the Matrix and you will see where the similarities do not end there. But I wouldn't call it a copy cat movie by any means. You also start to catch on, but it's a lot of work.

We didn't see it in IMAX, but I could see where it would totally be worth the extra money to see it in that format. I don't think that IMAX for regular movies is the same that are made especially for the IMAX medium, but you have to believe they could do some cool stuff with the visuals to keep you more than engaged.

Speaking of - evacuate your bowels before you go in. Seriously. This is not a movie you can take a bio-break and expect not to miss something that is integral to the storyline. I held off as long as I could and sprinted to and from the urinal. You can't expect your movie buddy to catch you up when you come back - it's too complex to do it easily without missing something else.....oh and the music is kind of loud.

....but the music is really good in the film. Co-written (with Hans Zimmer - I'm assuming he's Scottish!) and guitar played by Johnny Marr (of the Smiths, Electronic, Modest Mouse, etc fame), it really helps make the movie.

So we're at movie #4 for the year. Still behind in 'the goal', but I'm seeing a bunch of stuff out there that might catch us up. We'll see.

Anyway, it was a great way to spend a 95 degree day in a/c.....which we do not have at home.


Song by: Crystal Gayle & Tom Waits

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Isn't It Midnight

It's past 07:00 and I'm just getting going - I mean, if you factor out the 03:30 peeing thing. That was a one-off. When you gotta go, you gotta go.

What? Too much, too early?

David and his lovely wife kept me up until - get this - midnight!!!! I haven't seen that side of tomorrow (or today) for a long long while. I'm not complaining.

It was a great time of keeping me up. Denton and I met them for dinner and we just sat for four hours talking, the way we do. I think Denton and Cynthia would have liked more linear conversations, but they must be used to the way David and I think/act/talk - even more so when we are together.

But like Cinderella, after midnight, the wheels just come off the pumpkin. My body is not equipped to do a lap around a day anymore. Only for a few folks would I try and at least these were the right two.

Still, going to bed was late, getting up was late and I'm going to miss spin class. I mean, I could make it - I'm opting not to. Andy will have to learn to instruct without me today. I'll go lift or something, but the idea of spinning and dance-like music is too much for me right now. Cardio in general, now that I think of it.

I'm sure I'll take the real bike out later today. I do not have a name of my bike like David does. He has named his, "Beyonce". The bike is gold/tan/brown with a large seat. That just made me laugh and laugh and laugh.

There is no reason to name my bike, because I could never best that one. Point. Set. Match.


Song by: Fleetwood Mac

Friday, July 16, 2010

Site of the Month

It's that time of month - for me to bring you the Site of the Month.

Less salacious than GuysWithiPhones, Tap That Guy leaves more to the imagination. But it's about time you guys got your brains working anyway - with possibilities.

Sure, Tap That Guy is a bit more stalky than taking a picture of your half-nekkid self in a mirror, but that kind of makes it more interesting. ....and yeah, I've totally taken pictures of guys here and there - hell, you've even seen them on this here blog.

Helllloooo? Don't you remember the guy from the Albany airport?

Really it started with my first digital camera when we went up to Niagara Falls - the American side. Some hot guy was out sunning himself. Shirtless. Somewhere on our data server, that picture still exists - but I can't really access it now. You'll just have to trust me.

Anyway - that's it. That's all I got.

Happy hunting.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Precious


It's here. My precious!

I pre-ordered the damn thing on day #2 and there was a frickin' four week wait to get it. What's that about?

But two days ago, my Apple iPhone 4G arrived. Hot and black - just like my men.

Of course, after I ordered it, I immediately regretted not getting white. You always want what you don't have - to paraphrase Sinéad O'Connor. The grass is always greener, yada yada yada.

As it turns out, before I opened the box, I swung by Apple to view a white one. They didn't even have any for display. One of the guys said they haven't manufactured them yet and they didn't think they'd get them until mid-August. Bullshit on that. I was keeping the black. They say you never go back. We'll see. We'll see.

I haven't tried the phone so I don't know if there are reception problems yet. I do like the size, weight and distribution of the actual device - and it is purdy!!!! And fast too. Just like its owner (I thought I'd say it before you all did.)

I would have set it up that night, but I had way to much going on to bother with it. I also had some backing up of the old phone and data to worry about before I transferred everything.

The change-over couldn't be easier. The synching went off without a hitch. All music, photos and apps moved over in a good clip. I was surprised how quickly stuff moved and restored.

Of course, I had to try out the video application. Without a tutorial or anything, it took me seconds to video something and upload it to YouTube. Ok, seconds to film and a minute or so to upload. And much longer to write this post.



Yeah, the video was nothing. A throwaway for sure, but I wasn't prepared to do my new vlog via my iPhone. Some day, sure, but not today.

So I'm curious to try FaceTime. The Compass can wait a bit, I suppose.

Anyhoo, I'm up and running. So far so good.


Song by: Annie Lennox

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Shopping with Blobby

Yet another installment in the drudgery that is everyday shopping. The camera-phone makes it a bit more fun - though I get looks whenever I take pics of products. Like I care what people think!

I'm a guy who is just fine with Tabasco when it comes to hot sauces. Ok, maybe some Red Hot, but we've all see the specialty hot sauces that exist. They have stores dedicated to this stuff - and this is a small display at Cleveland's West Side Market.

These two made me laugh.


Tuesday, July 13, 2010

12 of 12

So I'm doing my fifth 12 of 12. 12 pictures taken on the 12th of the month. Since I only post once per day, you get my images the following day.

Created by Chad Darnell (thanks Chad!) and picked up from, what I can tell, a number of random bloggers who then link back to him and vice versa. He intends 2010 to be his final year of doing this, but hopefully someone will pick it up from there. Time will tell.

06:00. No gym day yesterday, but any day that doesn't involve hotel stays, I use one of these doo-hickeys to scrub my skin and exfoliate myself. Just like I did yesterday.

06:20. What to wear? What to wear? This is my dress shirt and casual dress pants closet and about half my ties. My suits are in another closest.

06:55. My Oral B toothbrush and Sensodyne Gel toothpaste. Hey, sometimes I have sensitive teeth. And dental hygiene is important.

07:10. C'mon rain, c'mon!!! We needed the rain. It came, but not much and not for long.

The structure you see is just one of the Cleveland Clinic parking decks....and I'm not getting it all in the shot. Buildings at the Clinic are by letter or double letter (i.e. The A bldg or the AA bldg). The rationale is sound for people who work there, but when building this garage they planned on calling it the SS Garage. I actually complained to facilities about it - as did many others. It is now called the JJ Garage.

07:20. Parking garage at my current work. This caught my attention. Doesn't this guy/gal not know about the pine trees that hang from the rear view mirror? Or is his/her body odor that bad??


10:30. I should probably clean up all my wires, huh?

12:05. Shadow fences. Simple as that.

12:30. Euclid Arcade. It runs between Euclid and Superior Avenues. No one around at this time. Only two crappy places to eat and they are underneath and behind where I am standing. A few shoppes left in here. The upper levels are a Hyatt hotel.

14:30. I should probably do my expense report. But I didn't.

18:55. Fed-Ex stopped by, but I wasn't home. I guess I will not get my iPhone 4G until tomorrow. Blast!

19:10. If you look hard, or not so, you can see Tovah's reflection in her upstairs water bowl. Yes, she has an upstairs and downstairs water bowl.

19:30. Sophie. So intelligent she has two laptops.


20:45. My Baker's Dozen.
Late dinner. Leftover Chinese. A spring roll, some crab rangoon and shrimp lo-mien.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Sunday Morning

Yesterday we had another busy day. Whomever said weekends were for rest were insane. Always on the go it seems.

There was lots of running around, but oddly enough I didn't make it to the gym - the day was way too busy. I felt ok about it though with our 20mi bike ride the day before. No weights, but the cardio was taken care of.

Like yesterday, today will be a post of images. I'm that lazy.


My sister and her family were out of town, so once again I "got to" pick up Petey and Boomer from the kennel. They love being freed - and I'm the hero.

Funny story - we went to the house first to pick up their collars for the invisible fence. We put them on after we're back in the drive, but on the way out of the house, just the way Denton was carrying them gave him not one, but two shocks (he had both collars) as he passed through where the dogs are not allowed to pass. It was not a pleasant zap.

After we went to a brunch at Chef Bob's and Nurse Matt's house - one that was a fund-raiser for the LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland. This was their back yard before other people arrived. You had to snag a seat in the shade or get stuck in the blazing hot sun. I was not so lucky.

Matt and Bob doing some food prep. This was the strawberries, cherries and blueberries with balsamic vinegar drizzled over them. They also had poached eggs on muffins with pulled pork on them (very good and not a thing I would have considered), salad, some great roasted chicken, coffee cake, creme brulee french toast and other assorted goodies. The coffee cake had ground nuts in it, so I wasn't wild about that - but everything else was good.

This is Bob and Matt's doggie, Sophie. Not to be confused with our cat Sophie, or Birdie's dog, also named Sophie. Sophie found a ball and we played and played and played. It was a gross slobbery thing, but I can't say 'no' to such a cute pup.

Unfortunately, Dad Matt could - and he took the ball away from us, saying we weren't allowed to play. Awwwwwwwww. We were both heart-broken.


Here is the party in full swing. We knew most of the guests, but not all. It was a nice time. We didn't overstay our welcome and we ended up leaving so we could go home, cut the lawn, do some edging and try to rid ourselves of this horribly encroaching grape vine that is literally wrapping itself around our trees and plants and strangling them to death. Very pervasive.

Then we went to my parent's house for dinner, as we do most Sunday afternoons. My dad isn't feeling very well (he's almost 90) and my oldest niece brought her first boyfriend over for dinner. He's staying with my sister's family all week. He seems nice and I didn't grill him on anything - it had to be intimidating being with us. Poor guy.

I'm worn out. Not enough to want to go back to work, but that's the way it has got to be!



Song by: Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs