Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Oh the Humanity...
I was trouncing around on the facebook today and I saw...
"Scrabulous is disabled for US and Canadian users until further notice. If you would like to stay informed about developments in this matter, please click here. "
Monday, July 28, 2008
I almost forgot
Congratulations to Shia LaBouf on his first DUI car wreck. I wonder how much time he will get. Its a misdemeanor but he should spend at least a day or two. I don't know how lenient the rules are in Los Angeles or California but I know they gave me 30 days for my DUI and I didn't crash into anything. Enjoy your spork Shia.
Unfortunately I transformed from a geek to a nerd
I haven't blogged since I haven't touched a computer pretty much all weekend. I ended up getting out my big box of magic stuff and I got lost in it for days. I don't know what the motivation was but I was fumbling with cards and such all weekend.
I found a trick I bought almost ten years ago that a friend of mine created. I was trying to find him years ago but I forgot his last name. On the instruction sheet that came with the effect Half Secret from Tannen's, it had the name Magick Balay. I googled him and found him on MySpace. I have plans on stopping by the store where he works when I visit New York.
I ts been so many years since I did the magic thing in New York. Back in the day me and this other guy Greg??? Used to hang out at the Magic Max store in Times Square. I don't know why we used to hang out there, maybe because it was local. We didn't shop there, it was mega-expensive and crappy.
I ended up buying some magic supplies this weekend from Penguin and I didn't have regret after I did it. I think I am going to have to the magic thing again for a while. Its really nerdy but a bunch of people love when I do something that amaze them.
I went to buy some local items yesterday and I ended up having to park in one of the public parking structures. I the stuff I wanted to buy didn't exist in the store I was in so I decided to waste some time before yanking my car out of the lot. I saw Magicopolis was open and had a help wanted sign. I went inside to ask about it and found out is was for a restaurant manager. Although I didn't fit the job description, I was given a tour from Steve Spill. I never have been inside Magicopolis and I was surprised of the size of the theater. I bullshitted with Steve and we talked about Penn and Teller. He used to work with them, we also talked about magic in general. I told him the item I was looking for and he told me to check REI. I did and sure enough, I found the piece I needed to complete my illusion.
Last night was the premier of Season 3 of the Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job. It was funny but they showed a lot of it at the Tim and Eric live show at the Echoplex. I didn't get to see the latest Fat Guy Stuck In Internet.
I haven't made too many plans for the week. I am thinking about a hair cut tomorrow with a stop at Hollywood Magic, even though I hear nightmare stories about the service. Wednesday I plan on hitting up the hacker drink-up in Santa Monica. Thursday, there is a friends show at the Westside Eclectic. Friday I am hoping Keith will get me Magic Castle access. Saturday, Jimmy and I will be at Magicopolis for some late night bar magic. Finally, Next Wednesday I will be in New York City!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
My favorite cougar has died
I miss you Estelle Getty
I was just discussing "The Golden Girls" with Chad Carter last week. It's hard to believe this foxy woman of age has died, even though she and I were not to be.
Getty, who suffered from advanced dementia, died Tuesday at her Hollywood Boulevard home. She was 84.
After her success in "The Golden Girls," other roles came her way. She played Cher's mother in "Mask," Sylvester Stallone's in "Stop or My Mom Will Shoot" and Barry Manilow's in the TV film "Copacabana." She also played the feisty department store owner in "Mannequin" and voiced the character Grandma Estelle in "Stuart Little" on the big screen.
She will always be remembered as Sophia Petrillo to me.
Hide your laptop
A NOTORIOUS spammer escaped from a US prison camp in Colorado this week and is still on the lam.
Edward "Eddie" Davidson was convicted in April, sentenced to 21 months of free room and board in the federal slammer and ordered to pay $714,139 in restitution.
He walked away from the minimum-security facility in Florence, Colorado on Sunday. The US Attorney's office announced Davidson's escape on Tuesday, saying he was last seen in Lakewood, a suburb of Denver, which is about 90 miles north of Florence.
The US Marshalls, FBI and IRS are all looking for him. If and when they find him, he'll likely be charged with escape, which might tack another year or more onto his prison sentence.
http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/07/23/spammer-escapes-prison
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Crazy Day
I planned to have a very productive day but the lords of misfortune didn't appreciate my plans. When I was on my way to work, I had a blow out. My front left tire when flat and thank god I didn't crash. I pulled into a parking structure and awaited for roadside assistance.
The guy who came to help me out was cool and he didn't think it was that bad of a flat. He ended up inspected my tire and thought it was patchable and ended up only charging me 20 bucks.
I got to work late and then it was just an average day. I had some Del Taco and that was a plus.
Tonight is the weekly Hacker Drink Up and I am happy about that. Tonight is also some great TV. I know that there is a new Project Runway tonight as well as Americas Got Talent. I don't have anything else to chat about.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
If an Asian in an awkward position doesn't clue you in, maybe this will
The iPhone 3G in Japan has a special feature unique to that country: the camera always makes a conspicuous 'shutter' sound when a picture is taken, even when the phone is set to 'silent' mode.
The loud shutter sound is supposed to deter voyeurs from taking sneaky pictures up women's skirts - or down their tops.
In Japan, upskirt and downblouse shots have become increasingly popular with the advent of high-resolution camera phones.
As a result, all cell phones sold in Japan make a conspicuous shutter sound, or say the word “cheese” when a snap is taken, according to Nobuyuki Hayashi, a tech reporter based in Tokyo. On almost all new cell phones, the camera shutter sound can not be muted, Hayashi says.
“Some manufacturers have even put louder shutter sound,” he reports.
The shutter on the first iPhone sold in Japan could be muted in silent mode; an anomaly that many wondered whether Apple would correct in the iPhone 3G, Hayashi says.
Apple did: The shutter sound cannot be turned off, even in silent mode, Hayashi says.
Is it not a little scary that so-called 'upskirts' are such a phenomenon in Japan (and elsewhere, no doubt) that local phone technology has to find ways to protect women from such abuse?
Monday, July 21, 2008
Post Weekend Damage Report
Wow. I have to say it was a great weekend. I had so much fun I could drive 560 miles. Oh, I did that. Let me tell you about the fun.
On Thursday night I found out Pinguino was heading to Las Vegas with her boyfriend Dave for someones birthday. Not having any plans I decided to check out my player club account to see if I had any options for a free stay. I ended up getting a free weekend at the Excalibur in the new Wide Screen Rooms.
Friday I headed out after work. I actually stayed at work till about 8:30PM to avoid the traffic in LA. I got out on the road and surprisingly there was no traffic. I got into Vegas at 12:30AM and that was with two stops on the way. Really good time for the drive on a Friday night.
I arrived at the Excalibur valet to find that it was full and then had to park in the covered parking in the back. It isn't as close to the casino I would like. I checked in and the room did have a wide screen TV but it didn't have any HD content.
I got a text from Pinguino saying they were thinking about hitting the New York New York Casino. I decided to wait for them to get down by me and got some drinks at the bar.
I then got a text that Dave and Pinguino were going to Luxor. I went to the Players Bar and continued my drinking there and waited for myy friends. I texted Evil Matt but he was in Phoenix. I played some video poker and I was doing ok. Pinguino and Dave showed up and we talked for a while. We walked to Excalibur and played a slot every once in a while. They were tired so I had to go on the rest of the night solo.
I started with some craps at the Excalibur and I think I left some carpet wear where my feet were. I started playing around 2:30AM and I was there until around 9:00AM, maybe later. The table treated me nice. I even got free cigarettes when I asked. I was having fun. I did loose a bunch of money. How much? Well lets say I could have put an Xbox in more than several rooms.
After craps I ended up going to the McDonald's and got me some breakfast burritos. I fell asleep to some Law and Order and prayed to the hangover gods to be light with their punishment. When I
woke I found that I enjoyed the new rooms in Excalibur and they were a great change from the old rooms. There was an electronic thermostat that actually worked. New wallpaper and carpet. The big TV was better than a tube. New alarm clock and the bathroom looked as if they replaced the shower.
I heard from Pinguino and Dave about 3:30 in the afternoon and they said they would meet me at the bar inside my hotel. I got down there and they were waiting. I got a beer and caught up with my pals. We planned on heading over to the Hilton to see the Star Trek Experience.
The Star Trek Experience is closing down on September 1st 2008. We wanted to at least see it once more before it closed. I took my beer with me, I totally needed it, and we headed to MGM to catch the monorail.
When we got to the Hilton, we decided to go to Quarks. Dave has never been to the Star Trek bar so he wanted to get the fishbowl sized drink with the dry ice. I think it's called a Core Breech. I got another beer because I care about the color of my tongue. I had to visit the bathroom
because my previous night's adventure. I ended up taking a seat on the bowl. What happened next, was scary. Everyone cleared out of the bathroom and then there was this square furry footed being outside my stall. Just hanging out. Then it moved into the stall next to me. I say it because I have no idea what this was. I didn't want to die on the bowl. I snapped a picture on my cell phone and finished up as quickly I could. I got back to the table and Pinguino and Dave saw how scared I looked. I showed them the picture and they laughed and agreed it was weird.
We got in line for the Star Trek Experience and we saw the ultimate older fan in front of us. He bought the Ultimate package at $159.00. We decided not to go that route and buy the minimal experience at $40. This included the Klingon Encounter and the Borg Invasion. This was my second time doing the Klingon Encounter and it was still worth it. The Borg Invasion was creative but I enjoyed the adventure better than sitting in a 4D movie.
Outside the ride we saw the memorial wall where people were leaving notes about the Star Trek Experience. Most of the notes were depressing with the exception of a picture of someone who got the tattoo of the Star Trek Experience right below his Lord of the Rings tattoo. Boy, I would like to meet that character.
We decided to grab some dinner at New York, NY. We looked at Gallagher's for a nice steak dinner but didn't enjoy the prices so we went to grab a bite at America's. The steak was ok and the drinks were good. Dave and Pinguino planned to go to Jet with someone their friends for the birthday plans they had. I needed a little rest because of the night before. I ended up falling asleep in my room watching Pretty Woman. I woke at 4am and went to the casino to grab a drink and play bit. Hookers were everywhere but I was uninterested and just wanted to relax.
The next day I woke before 11am and got packed up. I remembered I had a wierd dream about work and they wouldn't give me a password. I asked for it and they asked me if I knew Morse Code. I said yes, but I didn't and I was embarrassed when he whispered Morse code to me.
I electronically checked out and loaded the car with my dirties and my laptop. I walked around some of the shops and then checked out the
Stratosphere hotel. They renovated the casino since I last stayed there. They had this neat looking bar in the center of the casino called the C Bar. It looks like a real possibility for Birthdaycon if I do it in Vegas this year. I have been wondering if I want to do Phil Shane this year.
I went up to the shops in the Stratosphere and I ended up making a purchase in the magic shop. I bought a trick I used to do 10 or more years ago. It is a trick called NFW and it's pretty cool when it's done right.
In the early afternoon I met up with Pinguino and Dave and we did the downtown thing. We visited dirt casinos and enjoyed the area. We got some food at Main Street Station and met up with Falcon.
We visited casinos with free slot pulls We went to the arcade at Jillians and it was depressing. I played some Craps at Fitzgerald's and it was real fun because there was a lot of ups and downs. David was getting drunk because he was drinking out a football glass, it was pretty funny. Falcon and I didn't enjoy the Dean Martin slot machine. It is a super rip off, it's impossible to win in the short term with only $20.
We all split from the Downtown area about 8:30pm. It took me just over four hours and 30 minutes. I got home and I went to bed after watching the Last Real World, which was entertaining with fights and puking. Then I watched the Fat Guy Stuck In Internet.
All in all, it brought the love for Vegas back for me. We will see when my next trip is.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Not going to be a relaxing weekend.
So I decided last night after hearing that Jackalope was going to Vegas, I wouldn't be having a quiet weekend. I called in to the casino hosts and got me a free room. I am going to be driving out in a bit and then I will text the gang.
Last night I finally watched the premier of Project Runway and I only have a few words right now. I Hate Suede, I hate Blayne, I like Kenley, and I am quietly rooting for the underdog Stella.
The Gong Show with Dave Attell didn't tickle me Barris. It looked like it was trying to hard to be something it wasn't. The gong also sounded like crap. Couldn't they get a bettergong, hell Dave Navarro was on the show and he's a musician.
Reality Bites Back with Michael Ian Black was great. It was creative and it had faces on the show that made you say "I have seen that person before". It was funny and Michael Ian Black was great in this role.
From a source who was over at the Pier 41 building in Red Hook earlier today, where the latest Real World cast is
rumored to be moving, word of "progress" on the cast's living space comes in: "They're building them a cabana, and a sand pit right now." They also tell us that "somebody also did a short film shoot the other day down the block from the Pier 41 building, permitted/blocked off streets, possibly for MTV." Developing!
Gas prices are lower so it's great timing for Vegas and I can't wait to get myself a Pina Colada.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Is it going to be a relaxing weekend?
I haven't planned anything as of yet so I think it will be a quiet weekend afterall. I really want to get my ass back to doing some projects but I do not know if I have the motivation. It would be funny, since it looks like I won't be at The Last Hope this year, to create a disturbance from 3000 miles away.
I am sorry that I will be missing Bobcat, BillyGoto, Alaina, Max, Akira, B9 and others but maybe Eli and Jeff will catch up with them a spread my love.
I was with the Santa Monica hackers and friends last night. We ended up at this bar Sonny Mclains or something. It was crowded when we got there but then there was Karaoke and it cleared the place out. We had a couple of drinks but then we cleared out too. The place was too annoying.
I walked home from the bar, about 30 LA blocks. My legs were tired but it was kinda rewarding.
Tonight I think I am going to start planning on writing my next exploit. I have been talking about a couple and I think its time to put pen to paper.
Tonight there is some TV thing. The one thing that I plan on watching is The New Gong Show with Dave Attell. Last night I didn't get to watch Project Runaway but I did catch the beginning of Jimmy Kimmel because I was seeing what he would say about Andy Dick. He didn't mention the arrest at all. I think Jimmy respects the man too much.
Right now I am watching Zeitgeist, The Movie. It is making me laugh because my mother would kill me if I ever sent her the movie. She would kill me for trying to break her faith. I would then not have a parking spot when I move back to NYC.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Free Dick
Comedian Andy Dick has been arrested in Riverside County for investigation of drug use and sexual battery.
The Sheriff's Department says Dick, 42, was arrested shortly before 2 a.m. Wednesday in the parking lot near the Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar in Murrieta. Details were not released.
The former co-star of the TV sitcom "NewsRadio" is being held on $5,000 bail.
From what I have heard, he groped a 17 year old girl and he was also urinating in public. Sounds like the last time I was out too. Maybe I am Quantum Leaping.
Monday Night I dressed like a ninja to entertain the troops, the troops of gathered people at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. We performed the Ninja Harold and there was some real funny moments such as Elizabeth climbing up on Matt and humping him in a department store. It was some good fun and I am happy that so many of my friends showed up. We went to Birds and had a drink. Later we split and Chris and I headed to Kings Head to have another drink down there. I tied one on.
Yesterday I woke with a hangover and made it to work. The basket of grease I ordered from IHOP helped me feel better.
I saw promos for Night Rider the series. It is starting September 24th. Do we need promos now? The show sucked and I don't know why you would advertise something that will get low ratings, months in advance. Oh wait, I know...
C'mon NBC
Monday, July 14, 2008
Oh no, I will be hiding in the darkness
Yes, it it here. The final show of the Ninjas. I am a little excited to say the least. I know a bunch of friends are showing up as well.
The lazy weekend worked. I feel a lot less stressed. I didn't leave the house for anything. I even ordered groceries for yummy.com.
It should be a fun show tonight and drinks at Birds. Tomorrow I should be hiiting up TNT and Wednesday I might hit up Cage Match.
This Thursday at 10pm on Comedy Central is the premier of the New Gong Show with Dave Attell.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
I am boycotting the Olympics
I am not boycotting because of China but I am because of NBC. I have just reached my limit of their Olympic advertisements. They take up more than 25% of the screen. It's actually 30-40% of the screen.
The advertisement is animated and very distracting. It actually is making my television so unlikable that I have started watching more Hulu instead on being bombarded with Beijing ads. Look it even gets more annoying as it goes on.
Speaking of annoying, I didn't get a flight in time for The Last Hope. I don't know if I am going to make it. There is a possibilty that I need to be out in New York this week or next for work but I can't be sure if I will be out for the Emanuel circus.
If I don't make it out to New York this week then I could be in town for Max and Alaina's birthdays. I would like to catch up with Bobcat and Billygoto also. I haven't seen everybody since September 8th or so.
The Ninjas come out for some Improv tomorrow
The Ninja
Dangerous improv from the East and brought to the West...A long time ago, as far east as the Hudson, a new Harold was created and forged from ancient ways. From the prophecy told by the elders and the words handed down from generation to generations, a new beginning was given to sixteen disciplined students.
The students trained with the watchful eye of their sensei; gaining new wisdom with each new lesson. The warrior spirit has been awoken in these precocious students and they are ready for the new journey. A journey of the Ninja Harold. An adventure into dangerous improv.
The Ninja
July 14th 7 PM
$5, FREE for UCB students.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
It's decided, I am doing a lazy Saturday
I just got back from our improv rehearsal of the ninja and I was thinking it's time I take time for myself. I thought of taking a lazy Saturday when I woke up today and felt stress free and at bay.
I am currently watching TV and waiting for a poker tournament to start on my computer. It's a $2.5K guaranteed pot so it looks like it's currently $750 to the winner after the $5.50 buy in. That would be sweet if I got it but I doubt it.
Speaking of doubt, I doubt I will be hooking up with Christina from Hell's Kitchen after all. Not only haven't I seen her in person yet but I found out yesterday on Mike and Julia on Fox, she is currently in a relationship with another chef Corey. I would think the relationship wasn't firm since she never had her boyfriend come in for the semi finals of Hells Kitchen. Instead it was her folks. Either way, I am not going to chase her, she will have to chase me. Do you hear that Christina?
I have also been disappointed in Asus support. They ended up calling me two days later instead of the hour I was told on the phone. They left a message and it was:
Hello tom is this is Robert with. A serious I understand you're having a problem with your. E-e-p-c machine. If the you're still experiencing problems you can reaches uh 812-282-2787 and we're open till midnight eastern. Thinking you have a nice day ah.So I guess it's not personal call from them, nor a retry. I put in an email request but they take up to 48 hours on a business day. All of this for a laptop I bought two months ago and it's a hardware failure.
There is some good stuff going on too, it's not all bad. I have been waiting for a while to get Smokey and the Bandit on my computer and now I am happy. The main reason I wanted it was because of a young Sally Field and I haven't seen the movie in a while. I am squashing it into an MP4 to have on a USB memory stick for my next flight into New York. It would be better if my SD Card slot was working on my laptop but I do not think I have time to get the laptop repaired. Maybe Asus will just replace my computer, that would be good.
Last night I got to see Billy Merrit perform in Soundtrack at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. A bunch of my improv pals decided to go. I got there first and held my spot very well. Robert was second and I was chatting up a storm with me. Jessica showed up and then inside we saw Jack and Nick. We hooked up with Sean outside after the show and four of us ended up going to Birds and it was crowded. It got crazy with some bare chested female and some bare chested guys. I had a girl catch my eye but you know how bars aren't the place to hook up, especially in front of friends.
The drive home was shakey, I was pretty nervous but I got home and I was thankful I didn't get pulled over and go through some test,. I miss New York.
Friday, July 11, 2008
From the "Are you fucking kidding me?" news department
Its Friday, is there any better day?
I am so happy the week is over, even though the weekend is probably going to be busy as well. I have been just having a stressful work week. I had a lot on my plate and I need to get a good sleep.
I ended up going into work a little later in the day today because there was a shooting on the Miracle Mile. Some jackasses tried robbing the Lawry's steakhouse on La Cienega and ended getting caught minutes later. The problem was when the cops shot them it spawned an investigation that shut down most of the streets in the Miracle Mile area.
I went downtown to complete another task but the tasks are piling up. I can't wait to get a day of rest. I don't know if I will get one till Saturday night because tonight I am planning on going to Soundtrack at Upright Citizens Brigade Theater and tomorrow I have my last improv practice with the gang before our last show. I didn't plan anything for this weekend yet, so I might just spend Saturday night at home.
I do have something to complain about besides my lack of rest. What the heck was the audience thinking when it came to God's Poetry getting the lowest number of votes? Even the comedians backstage said they did a better job than the Korean girl. I am glad they got rid of her but I think Iliza should have gone too. God's Poetry is awesome at their act.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Congrats to Christina
I don't know why I have been too busy to see the finale of Hell's Kitchen but I avoided entertainment news pretty well. I didn't hear anything about the winner till I watched the show this morning. I am happy that Christina won, she looked so happy. I hope she won't be lose that happiness when we finally have to break up in the future.
Today I am feeling ok surprisingly. I went out to the Hacker DrinkUp last night and it was great. This one had about 13 people. Too many to list but there was food, drink and shots. We all met at Ye Old Kings Head which is shorter than walking distance from my place. I went on several rants about stealing video from the Roku Netflix Player and the new Apple iPhone.
Today I think I fixed the situation with my SD Card slot on my laptop. I was playing with it inside Windows XP and it ran videos with mplayer just fine. It was just slow copying to the drive.
I decided to copy my home directory and root directory to my USB key and reformat for a reinstall of Fedora 9. It seems to be working. I did a short cache test with hdparm but the real test will be watching movies on it again. I am trying to update things on it right now but it's being real slow, it might be the network.
Tonight I think I need to sleep in and I need to start eating Subway again. I think I gained some weight. I am going to buy a scale this weekend and get the weight down. It doesn't really matter that much but I want to stay in nice clothes and not sweatpants and a bib.
There is a new Last Comic Standing and there is a new Penn and Teller's Bullshit. There is also a benefit for the bar workers at iO at 8pm. To perform are Breakfast Plan, The Dollhouse, TAB, Roberto Alomar and hosted by Sean Green. The Cost is $10 with $5 going to benefit iO West bar staff. All Beer & Water sales will also be donated to the iO West bar staff also.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Casting Notice
Major TV production company is seeking candidates to host a new science show. Ideal candidates are energetic, articulate and have an infectious love for all things science. Must be extroverted and ready to get your hands dirty! Looking for adventurous scientists with big personalities MALE OR FEMALE aged 25-45.
Must have a REAL background in science or math, either a degree or professional employment. Host should be prepared to travel for the show. To apply, please send a photo and a brief description of yourself (including your area of concentration) to
castingfortvnyc@gmail.com
Ug, Asus support is dookie
The last couple of days I have been in a funk. Maybe because I live in a sty or maybe because I haven't gotten high in a while. I have been leaving the house and having fun but I guess I am not feeling the yin and yang of work and play.
I did try calling Eeepc makers Asus today. My Eeepc has been experiencing an issue with the SD card reader. I have tried different cards multiple times and I just get i/o errors. When I called Asus, I did get an operator that took my call. They said that all agents were busy and I was asked to leave my name and number. Wondering what number to leave, I asked how long until they called me. Asus stated they would call in about an hour... LIARS. I guess I have someone to rant to tomorrow.
The Eeepc prices are the same but there seems to be a $100 rebate too. According to this
Amazon page the laptop is still $549 but with the rebate it is olny $449. Awesome. Get them while you can. Screw that MSI and Dell that still have yet to overcome the US market. Save the money for the craps table.
My Vegas trip was ok. I did end up visiting the Excalibur and I do have to say that it brought back memories of me, Jefe and Sqweak. I remember Sqweak falling asleep on the bar. I remember me and Jefe hooking up in the place. Lots of bad stories. It felt good to remember them.
I didn't end up seeing Jamiegrrrl and Bink. I thought they would have gotten a hold of me but they didn't. I didn't hear back from Evil Matt either but I know he has a girlfriend. No worries, I had less of a hangover because of it.
Last night was great for hangover recipes. It was the 10th anniversary of T.N.T. I got to see Last Day of School and Bruckheimer. Owen and Chad were histerical and had me on the floor. Awesome discoveries and moments. It was a good night, I got to see Josh, Monica, Aaron, Nick, Sean and Jack. There was a keg and a buch of great improvisers.
Tonight I am going to hang with the hackers and we will hatch a plan for drinks and merriement.
Monday, July 07, 2008
I know I am a Cannonballer but I hate crazy drivers
Yesterday I left Vegas early. I was out of town by 7:30 which was great for driving on the holiday weekend. Even though it was early and I was going 80, people were still passing like crazy. There was even cops on the road but they didn't seem to care. I stayed my pace, knowing I would still make it home in less than four hours. Then I saw the Amber Alert signs saying that there was a major wreck at Arlington on the 10. I saw this all down the 10. When I got two miles from the overpass for Arlington, traffic was stopped. Then when I got up closer, I saw it. It looked like the car must have been doing some speed. I found out later that a 2007 Lexus ES350 sedan was traveling westbound around 8:15 a.m. when it left the freeway and crashed into a support pillar of the Arlington Avenue overpass and burst into flames. Witnesses tried to rescue the victims after the crash but the fire was just too intense. The bodies were so badly burned that authorities could not immediately say how many victims there were, but the coroner's office eventually said two men and two women died in the crash.
When I finally got home, I crashed out. I was tired from getting up so early. I didn't even want to leave the house. I ordered a pie from Joe's and went to pick it up. That was the extent of my exercise.
I have been having a little trouble with my SD Card slot on my
EeePC. It seems to be giving a little trouble with bad blocks. I can't be certain it is the slot yet but two cards gave me i/o errors and I don't know if it's just an issue with the Linux. I don't want to see issues with it because I have been keeping my movies that I have been ripping with Handbrake on it. I need the movies for my next trip to New York. Otherwise I will be a little upset having the perfect laptop for flights. I guess I could put the movies on a
USB stick but I like keeping the real estate small.
Tomorrow is the one year anniversary of T.N.T. and it should be awesome. The lineup is Puppet Party and then Sean Conroy &
Dinnah Feinglass, at 9:00pm
Bruckheimer and Last Day of School. At 10pm, Soaring Spirit and Convoy. Should be a fantastic JAM after that too. Show up.
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Vegas baby
I arrived in Vegas about just after noon yesterday. I didn't leave exactly when planned. I did my laundry then a I went a sleep. I have been here gambing but doing well for a change.
Last night was a trip. I ended up playing craps with a deaf guy. It was strange for while but the guy was fun and it we were on the same ride that raised our stacks to unbelievable heights. I needed a pack of smokes but didn't want to leave the table. I asked the pit boss if he could get the cigarette girl. I gave her $15 thinking I had to pay for the smokes. The dealer said with my level of play, they were comped. I guess the cigarette girl got a $15. She didn't seem too surprised. Anyway I was thankful because the last time I wanted to get comped cigarettes it was at Ballys and when Harrahs bought them they stopped witht the comping of cigarettes. I was dropping close to $5000 a night too. That is why I won't play there nor will I stay in that crap hotel. The Paris is ok, but for that kind of money, stay at Mandalay or New York, NY.
The night, er the morning, ended well but bumpy. I remember being in the restaurant America trying to get a Chicken Parm at 9:00am. I ended up finding out I doubled my money and it was good since I was almost empty before the uphill swing. It was fun.
Today I am slacking and I saw Juila Stiles in 10 Things I Hate About You. I think I have yammered about her before but ouch, she has my heart.
Conrgrats to Joey Chestnut for winning for the second time. Sorrow for Jesse Helms.
Man I think I am hungover.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
The nap was good but I think I need a little more
I read some news when I got up and I saw some tid bits that made me ponder:
A mummified body was found in an abandoned Beverly Hills home recently and Police are asking the community to help them ID the corpse. So, if anyone knows of a homeless man they haven't seen in a year, call the Police. Really, is anyone missing a homeless person that they haven't seen in a year? Doens't that happen a bunch? Maybe they just moved to a better neightborhood.
Sad news for childhood memories. "Larry Harmon, who turned the character Bozo the Clown into a show business staple that delighted children for more than a half-century, died Thursday of congestive heart failure. He was 83," reports the Associated Press.All I can think is George Costanza is flipping out again. He would be yelling "See! Bozo the Clown! You still don't know Bozo? Eric the Clown, what kind of name is that for a clown?"
Speaking about TV July 17th is the premier of Dave Attell as the host of the new Gong Show on Comedy Central. I am a huge fan of the original show and of Chuck Barris but I do not know how the show will work for today's audience. It worked in the 70's because the simpler time projected on other shows and the very beginning of disposable talent. With all of that said, I will still have my Tivo tuned into the channel. I think my pal Canada AnnEE is is supposed to be on it or something.
I saw a tidbit that stated the polished and engraved
cornerstone of the Freedom Tower that was dedicated on July 4, 2004 was later removed and currently sits in a work lot of a Long Island stone company. I talked to a pal of mine about the Trade Center the other day and recently saw 911: In Plane Site. I can't help of always thinking of one mans greed and conspiracy when I think of the Trade Center debacle. Then again, I think it was the doorman I discussed it with last night when I stolled in drunk. I have to stop doing that.
The Tournament of Nerds started today where 32 nerds descended upon famed comic book store Meltdown for the preliminary rounds. 32 will be whittled down to 8 and then will be at UCB, on July 11th, to battle it out until one is left standing. I think some of my improv pals have entered this but yet I am not that kind of geek or nerd. I will just watch from the outside of this cobic book ring.
There is a new item in the works by Jimmy Pardo. On July 26th at UCB will premier Running Your Trap: The Game Show. Seeing Jimmy on stage so many times, I am very interested in going to this.
I had a discussion with one of my friends from work about the difference between the Cajon Pass and Mountain Pass. I was explaining Mountain Pass was near Baker and the Cajon Pass was what he was thinking of. I was doing a search and I found a remedy for lack of sleep. It is a video of the construction to make a third lane to Vegas. Intersting but in a wierd boring way.
Lastly on Last Comic Standing, the decision picked TV friendly bunch of comics. They however didn't pick the comic twins nor the legend to be Eddie Pepitone. Bunch of crap but I will still watch. NBC what have you put in my food?
I feel stupid today and my head is in pain
Yes it probably has to do with the drinking me and my pals did. We had our Santa Monica hacker meeting at JP's Sports Bar. It was a fun time with shots and beers.
Tuesday was just beers. I went to TNT at the Sierra Stage. I got to see Monica, Josh, Jack and Marty as well as Nick.
Its the start of the holiday weekend and the traffic has start already in my hood. I think I will drive out to Vegas in the middle of the night. I do want to because I will end up tiring myself out before I check in but what am I going to do during the day on Friday in Vegas. Vegas is all about night.
Before I go I only have to do some laundry. I already caught up on TV. I got to see part one of Hells Kitchen Finale and I don't know if my future ex-girlfriend Christina will win. Don't worry I am crossing my fingers. I also watched America's Got Talent and it was just ok. They are trying to hard, the show is able to stand on its legs, don't try too hard.
I think last Comic Standing is on tonight but I can wait. I just want to relax this weekend.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Tonight's Goodies
Two for Tuesday and then some. I saw in the TV Listing for tonight there is some watchable content. On Fox we have, what I believe to be, part one of the finale of Hells Kitchen. We already know its Petrosa and Christina in the final but will my mid-west belle win or what? Opposite of Hell's Kitchen we have America's Got Talent. I don't know what the show will have on it but I assume that they are still visiting cities, trying to gather more talent. Its hard to top the first show anyway. Lastly on the tube, something caught my eye, I saw that I Survived A Japanese Game Show is on ABC. I doubt this will be anything watchable and probably isn't worth tuning in to.
Outside the boob tube there is improv over at the Sierra Stage in Hollywood. That is where I will be, catching some improv teams at T.N.T. I saw Josh Simpson and Monica Hoge are performing on one team (24) and Jack Allison is performing in another (CRUD). It should be fun and we can't forget the $2 beers. I invited Jessica Kaplan but I didn't get a response nor do I know she will be here or not.
Speaking of people from my Ninja group, Marty just showed up and it is rude to blog in front others.
The Ninjas are vanished until after US Holiday
We sure had fun at the Ninja show last night. There were 13 ninjas performing for the audience last night. I think the audience was close to 60 people. Before the show I saw Horatio Sanz and Jeffery Ross milling around the theater but I am not sure if they caught the act.
I do not want to spoil the show by telling you what happened. Some of the highlights were spiders climbing up a water spout, S & M chairs at the Olive Garden, and Wonder Bread's roommate masturbating. I know I ended up making a real bold choice by making a reference to the Holocaust in one of my scenes but some laughed, I think it went ok. If you missed this show, we have one more on July 14th at 7pm.
Phillip is not going to Vegas with me so I have an empty seat and extra bed. I have a great hotel and my comps got it for $59 for the fourth of July. I am pretty psyched to see fireworks on the strip and catch a show and then get drunk beyond belief.
