Julius Caesar. That's why you haven't heard more from me lately.
www.towncentertheatre.com
We'll get something going after April 5, promise.
All for now.
Reading > cleaning
22 hours ago
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
This is a Scare Tactic, Right?
I mean, there's no way that the Astros are this bad... at least I hope not.
Wait, do I? I love baseball, and will probably watch a butt of games this season anyway, but as long as losing 100 games doesn't result in Oswalt, Berkman, and Pence being sold off for spare parts, would that really hurt so much this year?
From an economic standpoint, probably. Houston is one of those towns that refuses to sponsor you unless you're the biggest and the best always. Still, it would be nice to have dibs on one one of the top three draft picks in 2010.
Wait, do I? I love baseball, and will probably watch a butt of games this season anyway, but as long as losing 100 games doesn't result in Oswalt, Berkman, and Pence being sold off for spare parts, would that really hurt so much this year?
From an economic standpoint, probably. Houston is one of those towns that refuses to sponsor you unless you're the biggest and the best always. Still, it would be nice to have dibs on one one of the top three draft picks in 2010.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Then Something Went Wrong with Faye Wray and King Kong
It's time to discuss an issue in my geekery:
The Order of the Stick is this fantastic little webcomic that I love to read, but I'm consternated by the slowed output of it's creator, Rich Burlew. On the one hand, I feel I have no right to complain about something that is free and otherwise wonderful, but at the same time, it's very difficult when a story is at a critical juncture for strips to stop appearing three times per week and start appearing once every 7 - 10 days. And this isn't something recent, either. It's been months, man.
I know whatever is causing this - writers block? distractions caused by the release of his next book? - is not my business, but at the same time, I feel some sort of explanation would assuage my frustrations. And it's minor, I know it's such a minor thing in life, but lately I feel like the defining trademark of being a fan is setting yourself up for disappointment - whether it's Steven Page leaving BNL or 30 Rock ingnoring the secondary characters that made it so appealing in the first place - and I don't want that. And more than anything, I don't want another Firefly - a situation where I get so completely enthralled with something only to have it yanked out from under me.
So, Rich - in the extraordinarily unlikely event that you read this, let your fans know what's up. Or, if it's simply because you've become wildly successful, and therefore lazy, well then, get your ass back to work.
All for now.
The Order of the Stick is this fantastic little webcomic that I love to read, but I'm consternated by the slowed output of it's creator, Rich Burlew. On the one hand, I feel I have no right to complain about something that is free and otherwise wonderful, but at the same time, it's very difficult when a story is at a critical juncture for strips to stop appearing three times per week and start appearing once every 7 - 10 days. And this isn't something recent, either. It's been months, man.
I know whatever is causing this - writers block? distractions caused by the release of his next book? - is not my business, but at the same time, I feel some sort of explanation would assuage my frustrations. And it's minor, I know it's such a minor thing in life, but lately I feel like the defining trademark of being a fan is setting yourself up for disappointment - whether it's Steven Page leaving BNL or 30 Rock ingnoring the secondary characters that made it so appealing in the first place - and I don't want that. And more than anything, I don't want another Firefly - a situation where I get so completely enthralled with something only to have it yanked out from under me.
So, Rich - in the extraordinarily unlikely event that you read this, let your fans know what's up. Or, if it's simply because you've become wildly successful, and therefore lazy, well then, get your ass back to work.
All for now.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Scheduled Spring Training Television Broadcasts
Obviously, you'll need FOX Sports Houston in order to view these games.
Thursday, February 26, 12:05 p.m., @ ATL (ESPN)
Friday, March 20, 12:05 p.m. vs. CIN
Monday, March 23, 12:05 p.m. vs. FLA
Tuesday, March 24, 12:05 p.m. vs. NYM
Wednesday, March 25, 12:05 p.m. @ STL
Tuesday, March 31, 6:05 p.m. vs. ATL
Saturday, April 4, 1:05 p.m. vs. CLE (at Minute Maid Park)
Otherwise, you can catch games on the radio, usually on 790 AM. Most games are day games - 12:05 p.m., but it's all subject to change. For a complete schedule, go here: http://houston.astros.mlb.com/schedule/index.jsp?c_id=hou&m=2&y=2009
If you're listening on your computer, you can get the entire MLB radio package for $15 / year, which is a tremendous bargain.
Let 2009 begin!
12:05 p.m. Central on AM 790 (Houston)
End of Winter
by: Eve Merriam
Bare-handed reach
to catch
April's
incoming curve.
Leap higher
than you thought you could and
Hold:
Spring,
Solid,
Here.
by: Eve Merriam
Bare-handed reach
to catch
April's
incoming curve.
Leap higher
than you thought you could and
Hold:
Spring,
Solid,
Here.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
A Deleted Scene from "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown"
PSYCHIATRIC HELP, 5 CENTS
(Outdoors. From Peanuts, the “Psychiatric Help, 5 cents” booth. LUCY is singing to CHARLIE BROWN.)
LUCY: Yes! It’s amazingly true! For whatever it’s worth, Charlie Brown – you’re you!
CHARLIE: Gosh, Lucy! I feel so much better. You’re a true friend. A true friend.
LUCY: That’ll be 5 cents, please.
(Musical button. Playoff as CHARLIE BROWN crosses the stage to another booth, this one also advertising pyschiatric help for a nickel. Behind this booth sits CHRISTOPHER WALKEN.)
WALKEN: Hello, Chuck. Why so glum?
CHARLIE BROWN: Well, Christopher Walken, Lucy’s advice always seems like a good idea at first, but afterwards, I realize it’s all just a big joke at my expense. I don’t know what to do.
WALKEN: You know, I once had a problem much like the one you are describing.
CHARLIE BROWN: Really?
WALKEN: Yes. You see, one time, I was hosting Saturday Night Live, and Cheri Oteri got the idea up her pants to play a trick on me. She replaced my cue cards with nude images of Savion Glover. All in all, it was very distracting.
CHARLIE BROWN: What?
WALKEN: It made me feel very insecure, inside. I liken the sensation to being on a Japanese game show where they force you to eat your own dog... or, you know, having someone “thump” you on the forehead. I hate that.
CHARLIE BROWN: That’s terrible! It’s just like how Lucy always tries to get me to kick the football! I know she’s going to take it away before I can kick it, but somehow, I always fall for it.
WALKEN: I don’t think that’s the same at all. Now, listen to my story, because it’s very important. You see, Cheri thought she was making a big joke for people to laugh at, and perhaps she was, but what she didn’t know was that I was waiting for her in her car after the show was over.
CHARLIE BROWN: I don’t think I like where this story is going.
WALKEN: I took her back to the home I keep in upstate New Hampshire. There, under the watchful eye of the wheat fields, I cut out her tounge and taught her the joys and pain of a lifetime of yard work. Until the day she dies from exposure to the sun’s weathering elements, she will trim my hedge maze, grooming it until it becomes a mighty fortress.
CHARLIE BROWN: Oh my God.
WALKEN: You know, people tell me now that they never really liked Cheri Oteri when she was on Saturday Night Live. Still, no one has ever sent me a “Thank You” note. It’s very rude.
CHARLIE BROWN: Listen, here’s 5 cents. I think I’d better be going... Snoopy’s gonna be hungry, and...
WALKEN: Charlie Brown... is such a funny name. I watch a lot of “Murphy Brown.” Have you ever seen it?
CHARLIE BROWN: No...
WALKEN: It comes on Nick at Nite. Promise me you’ll never appear on “Murphy Brown,” Chuck. Because that would just be, (laughs) too weird!
CHARLIE BROWN: You got it.
WALKEN: That’ll be 5 cents, please.
CHARLIE BROWN: But I just gave you –
WALKEN: That’ll be 5 cents, Chuck. Don’t make me argue.
CHARLIE BROWN: No! No arguments here. Well, I’ve got to be going...
(HE bolts.)
WALKEN: What a strange child.
The End.
(Outdoors. From Peanuts, the “Psychiatric Help, 5 cents” booth. LUCY is singing to CHARLIE BROWN.)
LUCY: Yes! It’s amazingly true! For whatever it’s worth, Charlie Brown – you’re you!
CHARLIE: Gosh, Lucy! I feel so much better. You’re a true friend. A true friend.
LUCY: That’ll be 5 cents, please.
(Musical button. Playoff as CHARLIE BROWN crosses the stage to another booth, this one also advertising pyschiatric help for a nickel. Behind this booth sits CHRISTOPHER WALKEN.)
WALKEN: Hello, Chuck. Why so glum?
CHARLIE BROWN: Well, Christopher Walken, Lucy’s advice always seems like a good idea at first, but afterwards, I realize it’s all just a big joke at my expense. I don’t know what to do.
WALKEN: You know, I once had a problem much like the one you are describing.
CHARLIE BROWN: Really?
WALKEN: Yes. You see, one time, I was hosting Saturday Night Live, and Cheri Oteri got the idea up her pants to play a trick on me. She replaced my cue cards with nude images of Savion Glover. All in all, it was very distracting.
CHARLIE BROWN: What?
WALKEN: It made me feel very insecure, inside. I liken the sensation to being on a Japanese game show where they force you to eat your own dog... or, you know, having someone “thump” you on the forehead. I hate that.
CHARLIE BROWN: That’s terrible! It’s just like how Lucy always tries to get me to kick the football! I know she’s going to take it away before I can kick it, but somehow, I always fall for it.
WALKEN: I don’t think that’s the same at all. Now, listen to my story, because it’s very important. You see, Cheri thought she was making a big joke for people to laugh at, and perhaps she was, but what she didn’t know was that I was waiting for her in her car after the show was over.
CHARLIE BROWN: I don’t think I like where this story is going.
WALKEN: I took her back to the home I keep in upstate New Hampshire. There, under the watchful eye of the wheat fields, I cut out her tounge and taught her the joys and pain of a lifetime of yard work. Until the day she dies from exposure to the sun’s weathering elements, she will trim my hedge maze, grooming it until it becomes a mighty fortress.
CHARLIE BROWN: Oh my God.
WALKEN: You know, people tell me now that they never really liked Cheri Oteri when she was on Saturday Night Live. Still, no one has ever sent me a “Thank You” note. It’s very rude.
CHARLIE BROWN: Listen, here’s 5 cents. I think I’d better be going... Snoopy’s gonna be hungry, and...
WALKEN: Charlie Brown... is such a funny name. I watch a lot of “Murphy Brown.” Have you ever seen it?
CHARLIE BROWN: No...
WALKEN: It comes on Nick at Nite. Promise me you’ll never appear on “Murphy Brown,” Chuck. Because that would just be, (laughs) too weird!
CHARLIE BROWN: You got it.
WALKEN: That’ll be 5 cents, please.
CHARLIE BROWN: But I just gave you –
WALKEN: That’ll be 5 cents, Chuck. Don’t make me argue.
CHARLIE BROWN: No! No arguments here. Well, I’ve got to be going...
(HE bolts.)
WALKEN: What a strange child.
The End.
I'm Blinding You With Science
FYI - Tomorrow's poem won't be by me, it's something I re-post at the beginning of every baseball season when Spring Training games start. Today is me, though.
Adaptation
Lichen attaches to all sorts of surfaces,
and moss grows on trees
wherever it’s damp.
When it’s warm enough
sure there are ferns to be found,
and conifers are in need
of huge spaces to camp.
Then angiosperms
(those plants that have flowers)
grow in few places and may
bloom only one time
when the weather is right,
and the soil isn’t over-packed,
and the bedrock beneath
must be shale, or it’s lime.
Their pistils burst forth
with one type of pollen
for one type of insect –
it’s taking a chance,
when your needs are so tailored to the world
around you, you’d die otherwise,
and that’s called an advance.
Adaptation
Lichen attaches to all sorts of surfaces,
and moss grows on trees
wherever it’s damp.
When it’s warm enough
sure there are ferns to be found,
and conifers are in need
of huge spaces to camp.
Then angiosperms
(those plants that have flowers)
grow in few places and may
bloom only one time
when the weather is right,
and the soil isn’t over-packed,
and the bedrock beneath
must be shale, or it’s lime.
Their pistils burst forth
with one type of pollen
for one type of insect –
it’s taking a chance,
when your needs are so tailored to the world
around you, you’d die otherwise,
and that’s called an advance.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Ashes to Northern Ash, Dust to Rosin
This Wednesday is
1. Ash Wednesday, one of the more obviously ritualistic days on the Catholic calendar, and
2. the day of the first Spring Training game for our local nine (or in this case, initial squad of about fifty)!
I'm bringing this up because I will consider giving up a great many things for Lent, but if someone were to suggest I go without baseball for forty days, starting on the very day that it returns to our lives, especially after this past off-season, I would laugh until you gave up the idea, and if you still persisted, I would beat you with a bat and then give you up for Lent.
Ladies and gentlemen, our long national nightmare is nearly at a close. Rejoice, and be glad!
All for now.
1. Ash Wednesday, one of the more obviously ritualistic days on the Catholic calendar, and
2. the day of the first Spring Training game for our local nine (or in this case, initial squad of about fifty)!
I'm bringing this up because I will consider giving up a great many things for Lent, but if someone were to suggest I go without baseball for forty days, starting on the very day that it returns to our lives, especially after this past off-season, I would laugh until you gave up the idea, and if you still persisted, I would beat you with a bat and then give you up for Lent.
Ladies and gentlemen, our long national nightmare is nearly at a close. Rejoice, and be glad!
All for now.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Stopping By Robert Frost's Car on a Sunny Afternoon
Here's an oldie, but a goodie. One day at UST, a gentleman came to lecture on Robert Frost, and he brought a car that Frost rode in. He parked that car in the middle of the sidewalk on our academic mall. So I wrote this and put it on the car's winshield. It lasted all of five minutes.
Who's car this is I think I know,
he's slowly decomposing, though.
He will not mind me stopping here
to admire the automobile he drove.
My friend, he thinks it strange, you see -
the actions of the university.
The sidewalk is no place for cars
of the Poet Laureate of Kennedy.
He gives my striped shirt-sleeve a shake
to tell me it is getting late.
I hate to quit this old antique,
but see no cause to procrastinate.
The maroon hue is lovely, dark, and deep,
but I wish that it had been a jeep
with mileage that was not so steep,
with mileage that was not so steep.
All for now.
Who's car this is I think I know,
he's slowly decomposing, though.
He will not mind me stopping here
to admire the automobile he drove.
My friend, he thinks it strange, you see -
the actions of the university.
The sidewalk is no place for cars
of the Poet Laureate of Kennedy.
He gives my striped shirt-sleeve a shake
to tell me it is getting late.
I hate to quit this old antique,
but see no cause to procrastinate.
The maroon hue is lovely, dark, and deep,
but I wish that it had been a jeep
with mileage that was not so steep,
with mileage that was not so steep.
All for now.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
You Should Try Not to End Sentences with a Preposition at.
Taking a cue from The Blogess... I think this pretty much sums up what we've been about so far, wouldn't you say?
I would like to see someone like Lover of Strife or French Roast try this, as they have written roughly one billion words more than I have.
All for now.
I would like to see someone like Lover of Strife or French Roast try this, as they have written roughly one billion words more than I have.
All for now.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Yes, This Blog is Also About Baseball. No, You Cannot Have Another Puppy.
I'm going through withdrawls.
Had lunch with a friend today, talked about baseball. Got back to the office, can't stop thinking about baseball. Even the idea of Roger Clemens rubbing liniment on his testicles can't deter my need to watch grown men throw balls and swing bats.
All for now.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
These Are the Thoughts That Keep Me Awake at Night
Were you aware that in 1956 a pair of commercial jets were involved in a mid-air collision over the Grand Canyon? Thanks to Wikipedia (the - online encyclopedia *wait for it* ANYONE can edit), I do, now.
I know, I know it happened over fifty years ago. One of my parents wasn't even alive then, and it's silly to be terrified about it, but when I read the article, my knees wouldn't work for an hour afterward. I'm still really freaked out about it and I read this article the day of the U.S. Airways incident (the Hudson River one where even those who ordered chicken got fish), which was two weeks ago, nearly.
At the risk of sounding non-specific, some things are just not your thing, man. And flying in an aerro-plane - well, that is simply not my scene.
All for now.
I know, I know it happened over fifty years ago. One of my parents wasn't even alive then, and it's silly to be terrified about it, but when I read the article, my knees wouldn't work for an hour afterward. I'm still really freaked out about it and I read this article the day of the U.S. Airways incident (the Hudson River one where even those who ordered chicken got fish), which was two weeks ago, nearly.
At the risk of sounding non-specific, some things are just not your thing, man. And flying in an aerro-plane - well, that is simply not my scene.
All for now.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Blah-g.
This blog is not a winner in 2009.
Anyway, I added some links in the "also good" section, and if you hadn't may I recommend Franz's "A Great Big Ugly..."? It's one of the blogs I follow, and it operates at a fantastic level of genius. Like me, he does not post frequently, but when he does, it's light-years ahead of anything I put up here.
All for now.
Anyway, I added some links in the "also good" section, and if you hadn't may I recommend Franz's "A Great Big Ugly..."? It's one of the blogs I follow, and it operates at a fantastic level of genius. Like me, he does not post frequently, but when he does, it's light-years ahead of anything I put up here.
All for now.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
I'm Bill McNeal! On Crack! I like Boys!
I think part of the reason my brain has been so quiet recently is because of the darkness in my soul that is a lack of BASEBALL. We're a little over halfway through the offseason, and I'm really starting to feel it. I want to talk about it, I want to see it, and I really want to hear it. Even the gentle hum of a spring training exhibition in the background would be an all-healing salve for me about now.
I had a fever the last couple of days, and I thought it was attributed to bacteria or a virus, or something, but it is not. It is baseball fever. Now put our your cereal so I can sneeze in it, because it's the most delicious fever of all to have.
All for now.
I had a fever the last couple of days, and I thought it was attributed to bacteria or a virus, or something, but it is not. It is baseball fever. Now put our your cereal so I can sneeze in it, because it's the most delicious fever of all to have.
All for now.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Never Brought to Mind
Sorry, folks. I'm in a dry spell, and I don't want to keep posting the crappy type of blogs I've been putting up lately.
Quality over quantity. I promise the next time I write, it'll be because it's good.
Thanks for understanding.
All for now.
Quality over quantity. I promise the next time I write, it'll be because it's good.
Thanks for understanding.
All for now.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Underwhelmed
A couple of things:
W. Mark Felt, "Deep Throat," died today. History will remember him as the man who disappointed more conspiracy theorists at once than any other single person in history.
"Mark Felt - really? Couldn't it have been Kissinger, or Gene Rayburn, or someone else?"
Second - Aaron Boone? Seriously? I really don't like the message our free agent signings are sending. I've heard the whole spiel, of course, the economy and Drayton and what-not, but Aaron Boone is a white flag with a third baseman's mitt. I'd rather bring in Chris Johnson a little early and let him mature at the big-league level.
That said, if we concentrate on developing a couple of middle infielders, we could be kind of awesome in 2011.
All for now.
W. Mark Felt, "Deep Throat," died today. History will remember him as the man who disappointed more conspiracy theorists at once than any other single person in history.
"Mark Felt - really? Couldn't it have been Kissinger, or Gene Rayburn, or someone else?"
Second - Aaron Boone? Seriously? I really don't like the message our free agent signings are sending. I've heard the whole spiel, of course, the economy and Drayton and what-not, but Aaron Boone is a white flag with a third baseman's mitt. I'd rather bring in Chris Johnson a little early and let him mature at the big-league level.
That said, if we concentrate on developing a couple of middle infielders, we could be kind of awesome in 2011.
All for now.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
The Last Three Outs
Rest in peace, Dave Smith.
Dave was the Astros' closer when I was a kid, and closed games for our famous 1986 squad. He died today of a heart attack at age 53. I'm pretty sure he was non-steroidy, so that's an awfully early age to die. Still, pitchers aren't exactly models of fitness, even if we do classify them as athletes.
Dave still holds the Astros record for career saves - more than Billy Wagner. To put it in perspective of Valverde's record-setting single season of fourty-four, he'd have to have 4 1/2 seasons straight like that to tie Smith.
All for now.
Dave was the Astros' closer when I was a kid, and closed games for our famous 1986 squad. He died today of a heart attack at age 53. I'm pretty sure he was non-steroidy, so that's an awfully early age to die. Still, pitchers aren't exactly models of fitness, even if we do classify them as athletes.
Dave still holds the Astros record for career saves - more than Billy Wagner. To put it in perspective of Valverde's record-setting single season of fourty-four, he'd have to have 4 1/2 seasons straight like that to tie Smith.
All for now.
I'm Up Early
...because it's surgery day for Pete.
I don't want to get all Bob Barker on you, but if you have cats or dogs and no plans for progeny, please spay or neuter them. It removes animal shelters from the equation when it comes to euthanization of a population of strays that spirals beyond their budget / control. What's more, it frees your pet from urges you can't give them the freedom to act upon.
Anyway, reserve your best wishes / prayers / etc. for Pete today, and especially for the doctors who will handle his procedure, and for the vet techs / nurses who care for him before and after. He can be quite a handful, and I've already pissed of SNAP once.
All for now.
I don't want to get all Bob Barker on you, but if you have cats or dogs and no plans for progeny, please spay or neuter them. It removes animal shelters from the equation when it comes to euthanization of a population of strays that spirals beyond their budget / control. What's more, it frees your pet from urges you can't give them the freedom to act upon.
Anyway, reserve your best wishes / prayers / etc. for Pete today, and especially for the doctors who will handle his procedure, and for the vet techs / nurses who care for him before and after. He can be quite a handful, and I've already pissed of SNAP once.
All for now.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Now I Lay Me Down Not To Sleep
Waking up in the middle of the night for reasons unknown finds me mourning Robert Prosky, one of those "that guy" actors who you would know on sight, but rarely ever think about. I love those guys, and Prosky was one of the best.
Their stage resumes are always ridiculously impressive, and you find yourself saying, "They were in that?!" Prosky was the original Sheldon Levene (the Jack Lemmon role) in Glengarry Glen Ross, among many others.
All for now.
Their stage resumes are always ridiculously impressive, and you find yourself saying, "They were in that?!" Prosky was the original Sheldon Levene (the Jack Lemmon role) in Glengarry Glen Ross, among many others.
All for now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
