THE PRICE IS RIGHT

Because I work full time like most people in the real world, I don't get much time to watch my all-time favorite game show- The Price is Right. There's no greater joy than catching an hour-long episode of TPIR. Although I miss the legend that is Bob Barker, and may Rod Roddy rest in peace, I do still enjoy Drew Carey. It took me a while to get used to him, but I do like him. I have noticed he's not as open to big large woman groping him and kissing him as Bob Barker was, but hey, what can you do? At least he doesn't have to wear as much make up as Bob. Pros and Cons to both guys....

When I was a kid some of my best memories growing up were watching the TPIR at 10 a.m.- that is, when I was sick and couldn't make it to school. I used to get so happy when Plinko was played. Now, you can win like 50 grand from that game (no one ever does), but when I was a little whipper-snapper the most you could win was 25 grand (no one ever did). I also liked that game where the yodeling music was played in the background while that mountain climber climbed up the mountain. If he didn't fall off the mountain you won! If he fell, then you got the losing chime as you walked off stage.

A few things that annoyed me.... It always pissed me off when people would bid a dollar and it would annoy me when old people couldn't spin the wheel all the way around. I also wasn't a fan when someone was so damn excited when the prize was introduced... "A brand new car!...." And the chubby college kid was going nuts and I was always thinking, hey moron, you haven't won anything yet. Rod Roddy didn't say "you won a brand new car!" He said you 'could' win "a brand new car!" So calm down genius, you have to play- and win- the game first. And usually when a car was the prize the game was pretty tough.

All in all TPIR is a classic, and everyone should watch it.

Random note- when I lived in California for a year in 98, my friend Mike O"Rourke and I got free tickets to the show and we never went. I have very few regrets in my life but that is one of them....

Intervention

I really like that show Intervention. It's on A&E, and it's about people who cope with addiction. It can be anything from heroin, meth, alcohol, food, anorexia etc. Last night, for example, there was a woman on there who was an alcoholic with an eating disorder. She also was found to be bi-polar and she cut herself. On top of all this she had a kid. Pretty sad. She was a complete and utter mess.

If there's ever a time you are feeling depressed or upset or unsure of yourself then please turn on Intervention. Every time I watch that show I think to myself "my life isn't that bad" or "my problems aren't that great". I'm not trying to be callous but that's what I take from the show when I watch it. It's difficult to watch someone else's life crumble, but it's also good to watch what addiction can lead to if you're not careful.

My advice- don't do drugs.

Why Blog?

My step mom asking me why I started a blog. I'm not really sure why. I like to write and I think writing is a good way to relieve stress so that could be a reason. Another reason, honestly, is that I get bored and its something to do. Sometimes I think in my own head I have some good ideas, opinions and philosophies so I might just share those. Sometimes, life can be funny and I like sharing that. I have some good stories. Sometimes I might just share them.

Oh Molly

My dog Molly- actually my wife's dog- has had a really rough 48 hours. So I'm dedicating this blog to her.

Well, it's tough to feel sorry for our dogs (especially Molly) because my wife spoils them. I mean for goodness sakes Molly and Murdy had cooler stuff in their Christmas stockings than I did. And Molly gets to sleep in our queen sized bed. Not on the edge of the bed either. She likes sprawling out her 75 pound body on top of daddy's legs so when I wake up I can't feel anything below my waste. Then I get to hobble my way to the back door so princess Molly can eat and go the bathroom. She takes her time, and I rarely can fall back asleep. Its wonderful.

Dogs in general have it pretty good. No job. No bills. No real responsibilities other than eating and pooping. And well, this is where it's been a rough spell for our little Molly as she has been struggling with that lately. She had brown mud butt real bad yesterday and we had to give her two baths and we also had to evacuate our house because it smelled like Idaho. It was awful. So today I gave her some medication to turn her brown paint into a more solid, easier to pick up, matter. I think it did the trick but tonight while my wife and I were watching Intervention (I'll blog about this incredible TV show tomorrow) my wife noticed a smell. Poopy! It was coming from Molly. She had a little dingle berry hanging from her bum. My wife immediately kicked her butt outside. Deservedly. I thought it was funny, and was relaxing while I heard a yelp from Molly outside. A few minutes later Molly and Erin came back in and I asked what happened. Erin hosed Molly's bottom off and the cold water went right on up. I guess that deserved a yelp- ice cold water right up the 'ol rectum. Poor Molly. Rough night.

Tomorrow, I'll blog about Intervention.

Fantasy Football

Yesterday was a sad day for me because my fantasy football season came to an end. I was the two-time defending champ and I lost in the second round of the playoffs to my friend Mike. Mike is one of my best friends so it was a hard pill to swallow. Beating him would have made me feel happiness like when I felt when Zack and Kelly tied the knot on Saved by the Bell.

The irony of it all is that my team this year was my best team ever in fantasy football but I still lost. My team's that won the championships the last 2 years weren't nearly as good as this year's team, but as fate would have it, it wasn't our year. The Mighty Shawnacies (my team) struck out.

What is the big craze about fantasy football? I have no idea, but I LOVE it. I don't play any other fantasy games but when it comes to fantasy football I'm all business. It's the best. I've been playing FF for 15 years now, and it truly is the best. I didn't play football growing up but it is by far my favorite sport and part of that is because of FF. Do I sound pathetic? Yes, but for those of you who participate in FF leagues, you understand me.

Let me give you an example,,,My brother Justin isn't a sports fanatic but his girlfriend is, and she got him into a fantasy football league this year. And my brother, who until 4 months ago, didn't watch football and could care less about it, was calling me and asking me if he should start Steve Slaton or Fred Jackson. He really got into it, and to witness my brother researching pass defenses in the NFL, was something that made me laugh. It was a wonderful thing, the power of FF.... Thank you Fantasy Football....

The competitiveness, the smack talking, the importance of each game, the money involved, the entertainment, the draft in August, etc. are all the things that make FF such an exciting hobby. If I was drinking beer I would make a toast to the guy who invented FF. Thank you for that guy.

Avatar, my take....

After hearing from 12 different people I finally went and saw the movie Avatar. I saw it in 3D. It cost me 13.75 for the ticket so I wasn't too excited about that. Oh well, on with the show.... Avatar was a very solid movie. It was good. But not my type of movie. Computer graphics and digital stuff is impressive but will never be the stuff that impresses me most. The movie's story line was very good and it did remind me of the movie "Dances with Wolves" as a couple of my friends had mentioned it would.

I'm a drama guy. My wife says I like boring movies but I disagree. I have a very low suspension of disbelief, so if a movie is far-fetched or couldn't actually happen then its usually a movie I can wait to rent from Redbox. I like movies with characters I can relate to, which is why I didn't like the Matrix or Lord of the Rings. I like true stories about real people. Reality is more impressive than fiction- again, my opinion. Avatar is a really good movie, I did enjoy it, but I will not be seeing it again, buying the DVD, or dressing up as an Avatar for halloween. James Cameron's greatest achievement is Terminator 2. That's one of my exceptions for the suspension of disbelief, things that can actually happen, rule.

Oh, and my dog, Molly, had doggy diarrhea last night. Other than your house being robbed, your wife sleeping with your neighbor, or your house being on fire, that might be the worst thing to walk in on when coming back to your house. I don't wish that odor on my own worst enemy.

Oh and in case you're wondering, and for your your consideration, check these movies out (they are all better than Avatar)-

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Cool Hand Luke
The Shawshank Redemption
Stand By Me
A Beautiful Mind
The Princess Bride
Brave Heart
Jaws
Cindarella Man
Deliverance
The Hurricane
A River Runs Through It
The Departed
Gladiator
Crash
Dances With Wolves
Field of Dreams

As far as comedies are concerned- Fletch, Uncle Buck, Dumb and Dumber, Old School, etc.


I will post another blog when I feel like it.....

Morning

My friend Mike's reaction to my blog was that I need a beer.  Well, that's probably an accurate reaction because I haven't had a beer in 28 days.  I'm not quitting, just taking a break.  I really enjoy beer, and wine, and a jaeger bomb now and then, or a vodka tonic, but sometimes I like taking a break and drinking a few O'douls.  It is what it is.  

I thought this was funny.... My wife and I were on the way to the sports book to place bets for her dad.  Quick note on that- My father-in-law lives in Texas.  He has it made though.  He has a personal sports bookie.  All he has to do is text us and like mice we run to the bank, get his cheese, and place his bets.  The life!

Anyway, we were on the way to the book and we see a 45,000 dollar car next to us and inside the car the Pittsburgh Steelers team shop blew up inside. Everywhere.  Any possible way to make this car look more tacky this couple had it covered.  The woman was wearing Steeler Football player earrings that were a good 6 inches long.  They both had on hats I wouldn't give away.  They had stickers, of course, and Steelers dice hangin from the rear-view mirror.  Madness.  I love the NFL, I love the Buffalo Bills, and I love sports in general.  But they are what they are.  No sports team or game is ever going to change my life.  The Bills Organization has never paid my mortgage, or ever called me on the phone, has never picked up my bar tab, and not one representative was at my wedding.  So, with that, I try to keep that in perspective when watching sports.  

I'll be back....

Hello

Well, this will be my first post.  It's 30 minutes after 7 on December 26th, 2009.  I'm not exactly sure why I decided to start a blog but here might be some reasons:

it could be therapeutic; ill let you know

its free

i don't have a myspace or facebook account so I thought I'd try this

there are times that I'm bored and this could eliminate my boredom

no one would expect me to do this

Til Next Time...