So I’m at the gym this morning running the elliptical like the hamster that I am, and one of the TV screens was showing videos.  I’m sure it wasn’t MTV cause you know… they don’t play videos, but I started watching.  I’ve long been one of those people that bitches about how MTV no longer plays videos and that they should get back to it.  Yeah… I’m gonna change my tune there.  No one should be showing videos anymore.  They’re crap.

I’ll preface this by saying that I wasn’t actually LISTENING to these videos.  I was just watching them on the screen while listening to my iPod.  Now that I’ve actually listened to them they’re a LITTLE better… but not much.  I’ll also say that I’m super out of touch with what’s popular music these days that I may be way off base here.  Essentially the only time I hear “new” music is when the wife makes me watch the Grammy’s.  So yeah… I know who Adele is and I know that Nicki Minaj is a train wreck.

The All American Rejects – Beekeeper’s Daughter – So I’m watching this and I literally can’t tell if it’s a high school musical ripoff or some sort of acid trip gone wrong.  We’ve got Sharks vs. Jets, we’ve got Glee inspired dance routines and the dude wearing pants (pink pants by the way… what the hell?) so tight that I can see his pulse.  Speaking of that dude.  Is it me or is he wearing a watch around his bicep?  And just when I thought this couldn’t get any weirder… boom.  Wayne Newton.  What?  Wayne FUCKING  Newton???  He was awesome in Vegas Vacation and that James Bond flick License To Kill but honestly, I thought he was dead.

Toby Keith – Red Solo Cup - Next up was this gem.  Holy shit.  There’s a dude signing about the greatest drinking cup alive?  This I can get behind.  Granted, I don’t need to see a video about it but it was kind of cool to see a video that was essentially a 406 Northlane party.  And if the All American Rejects called in a few favors to get a “celebrity” in their video, then Toby Keith absolutely kicked their ass.  Larry Legend, Roger Clemens (really?), Ted Nugent & The Red Rocker himself Sammy Hagar (just to name a few).  Well done Toby Keith… you’re the man!!!  And then I listened to it.  Shit.  It’s a mix between Charlie Daniels and a retarded guy playing a banjo.  Really?  A banjo?  Pretty sure I’m 5 IQ points dumber just for listening to this song.

Jessie J – Domino – I’m not really sure what to think about this one.  I’ve never done acid but I’m guessing this is what life is like when tripping.  She’s wearing a unitard that blends into the background which happens to be constantly morphing.  Then she’s wearing striped (yeah… striped) lipstick and looks like she’s right out of a Debbie Gibson video.  Incidentally… have you seen Debbie  (now going by Deborah) Gibson lately?  Smoking hot.  After listening to this one I really can’t tell if it’s Jessie J or Katy Perry singing.  From a video perspective I much prefer a girl shooting fireworks out of her boobs to this.

Lady Gaga – Born This Way - Last up in my mind altering elliptical ride was this one.  I have to admit that I’m familiar with Gaga and this song.  That said, seeing this video wasn’t really all that shocking.  She’s weird and I don’t think I’m telling anyone anything that they don’t know.  However, in doing a bit of research for this post, I ran across this 7 minute version of the video complete with a “birth” scene intro straight out of the Matrix.  This was a decent song, but I have to say that I liked it more 20 years ago when Madonna sang it and called it Express Yourself.

In an unrelated note, I’m coming out with a new line of clothing where I take shit from around the house and wear it on my head and call it fashion.  My kids are gonna be pissed when they find their Legos and puzzles missing, but when they see Super Dad walking the red carpet wearing their toys I’m guessing they’ll be proud.

We’re lucky enough to have both sides of our family close, and luckier still that everyone gets along   Just as we did last year, everyone is getting together at my folks house and in addition to all the fixins, we’ll be doing 2 turkeys this year!  Last year was our first family fried turkey (though I’ve been doing them for years at Homecomings).

While it wasn’t the smoothest bird-cooking in history (raining outside, too little oil, then too much oil, etc.) I can tell you that the end product was simply mouth watering.  To that end, we’ll be at it again on Thursday with my bro taking the lead and me trying to keep my kids from deep frying one another.

I ran across this video which all potential turkey fryers should check out.  (By the way, if you don’t see the brilliance in Shatner here, there’s something wrong with you! )

As the department stores have been reminding us for about 2 months now, the holiday season is here.  Hell, me and the boys even went outside last night and started doing our exterior Christmas lighting.  With that, I guess there’s only one things left to say…

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 

These days with the boys I don’t do a whole lot of toy collecting.  The vast majority of my collection (Joes, Star Wars, Transformers, etc.) went to the garbage heap long ago without me knowing about it (thanks Dad).  There are just too damn many Star Wars figures for me to get into that line, but a few years back I ran across some new G.I. Joe figures in the stores.  I bought my first one (I believe the first one I got was Duke) and  I was hooked.

Fast forward a couple of years and this line (now known as The Pursuit of Cobra) has now come to an end.  There are 36 figures in the line put together in 6 “waves” that were released.  In addition, there are 2 figures that were Toys ‘R’ Us exclusive figures.  I was sad to find out today that with the advent of the 30th Anniversary line of Joe figures the Pursuit of Cobra line is over and done with.  This bums me out more than I can tell you, but it does mean that I’ve got the complete line.

Above is a quick walk through of the 18 G.I. Joe figures from this line.

Followed by a quick review of the 18 Cobra figures. 

And finally a discussion of just how many accessories are included.

So now the question becomes… what’s next?  As I said previously I just can’t get behind the money grubbing machine that Star Wars has become and I’m not a huge fan of the other Joe lines out there.  Thinking I’ll either pick this style up with the 30th Anniversary line or go back to my put on hold original Joe collection.

Please don’t take this to mean that life at IU was all about partying.  There was certainly (more than) a fair share of that, but what this really evokes from my memory is the FUN that we had.  I met some of my best friends there… friends that I’ve got and cherish to this day.  Not only that, but I grew up there (kind of).  IU and Bloomington hold a special place in my heart and these videos have captured a little piece of  it…

Where the hell did they dig up all the 406 footage for this video???

If I wasn’t pumped for my trip back to my second home on Friday (which I was) you can damn well be sure that I’m bursting with excitement at this point.  Am I remembering and romanticizing a time from when I was a lot younger, in a lot better shape and could drink a lot more beer?  You’re damn right!

Good God it’s going to be great to be back in the Hoosier state!

Get ready… Chewie’s coming home!

After the Indians made the announcement that he had been signed and that he’d be in the starting lineup on Friday evening they sold 8,500 additional tickets for the game.  In my mind that just goes to show how much Jim Thome means to the city of Cleveland.  I’ve heard many people talk bad about Thome for leaving Cleveland the way he did back in 2002 and even though he’s my all time fav I can’t fault a guy for taking an EXTRA 27 million dollars to do his job.  I also recently heard from someone that would know that he was pressured by the union to take the deal and that he really didn’t want to leave Cleveland.  But I digress…  

I hadn’t planned on going to the game, but as the opening pitch grew nearer I just couldn’t stand that thought of not seeing him come back. I called the wife and we decided last minute to go to the game.  We got about the worst seats in the park (section 507, two rows from the top) but we were THERE!

Huge props to the Indians for pulling all this together in 12 hours! Signs, audio, video packages, etc. Well done guys!

My favorite fans cheering for my favorite player!

A Beautiful Night In Cleveland

Even though Jimmy didn’t get a hit on his first night back (0-4) it was absolutely awesome for this Thome fan to have Jim back “home”.  Not sure how the Tribe is going to do for the rest of the season but I’m super happy to say that they’re going to make the stretch run with future hall of famer Thome in the lineup!  Welcome home Jimmy!

“Cheers (Drink To That)” – Rihanna

Cheers to the freakin weekend
I drink to that, yeah yeah
Oh let the Jameson sink in
I drink to that, yeah yeah
Don’t let the bastards get ya down
Turn it around with another round
There’s a party at the bar everybody putcha glasses up and I drink to that
I drink to thaaaaaaaat.

Life’s too short to be sittin’ round miserable
People gon’ talk whether you doing bad or good, yeah
Got a drink on my mind and my mind on my money, yeah
Looking so bomb, gonna find me a honeyyy
Got my Ray-Bans on and I’m feelin’ hella cool tonight, yeah
Everybody’s vibin’ so don’t nobody start a fight, yeah-ah-ah-ah

Cheers to the freakin weekend
I drink to that, yeah yeah
Oh, let the Jameson sink in
I drink to that, yeah yeah
Don’t let the bastards get ya down
Turn it around with another round
There’s a party at the bar everybody putcha glasses up and I drink to thaaaaat
I drink to thaaaaaaaat.

Bout to hop on the bar, put it all on my card tonight, yeah

Might be mad in the morning but you know we goin hard tonight
It’s getting coyote ugly up in here, no Tyra
It’s only up from here, no downward spiral
Got my Ray-Bans on and I’m feelin’ hella cool tonight, yeah
Everybody’s vibin’ so don’t nobody start a fight, yeaaaahhh

Cheers to the freakin weekend
I drink to that, yeah yeah
Oh let the Jameson sink in
I drink to that, yeah yeah
Don’t let the bastards get ya down
Turn it around with another round
There’s a party at the bar everybody putcha glasses up and I drink to that
I drink to thaaaaaaaaat.

Cheers to the freakin weekend
I drink to that, yeah yeah
Oh let the Jameson sink in
I drink to that, yeah yeah
Don’t let the bastards get ya down
Turn it around with another round
There’s a party at the bar everybody putcha glasses up and I drink to that
I drink to thaaaaaaaat.
And I drink to thaaaat.
I drink to thaaaaaaat.
And I drink to that.

I’m heading to Indy later this month to hang out with Pip and though we don’t really NEED an anthem for our twice a year debauchery, this just seems like it was written with us in mind   Rihanna’s rocking some sort of rasta/Jamaican accent here which makes her that much hotter (if that’s possible).  Enjoy!

Beautiful Bobby, Me & Little Kato

I recently attended an Akron Aeros ballgame on a beautiful August evening in downtown Akron.  And while it was fun to watch the game at a great ballpark (Akron lost… I think) the “main event” for the evening was a different sport altogether.  Two words… midget…. wrestling.

Now before you get your panties in a bunch about me using the term “midget” let me remind you that the event was promoted by the Aeros as “Midget Wrestling Night” and the performers were wearing shirts that said, “Got Midgets?”  I figured if they were comfortable with the term then who the hell am I to say otherwise?

I went to the team shop to get my “Got Midgets?” t-shirt but they were sold out.  In retrospect, this is probably a good thing cause let’s face it… a midget wrestling t-shirt just isn’t a good impulse buy.  However, that trip wasn’t lost as I walked by the ring and got to meet the guys.  Beautiful Bobby and Little Kato were both really nice guys and were more than willing to pose for this picture.  After doing some research I’ve found out that they’re brothers and are the offspring of famous WWF midget wrestler Lord Littlebrook who competed at WrestleMania III.  They’re also on a show on Spike called Half Pint Brawlers… very cool.

So after the game ended and the not so cool people went home, it was time for the main event.  I took a couple of videos so I’ll stop typing now cause I really can’t do it justice.  Without further fanfare, I give you… midget wrestling.

It’s almost time…

Crowd getting restless…

In come the midgets…

Up to the top rope!

A new WORLD champion!!!!

Firework – Katy Perry

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag
Drifting through the wind
Wanting to start again

Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin
Like a house of cards
One blow from caving in

Do you ever feel already buried deep
Six feet under scream
But no one seems to hear a thing

Do you know that there’s still a chance for you
Cause there’s a spark in you

You just gotta ignite the light
And let it shine
Just own the night
Like the Fourth of July

Cause baby you’re a firework
Come on show ‘em what you’re worth
Make ‘em go “Oh, oh, oh!”
As you shoot across the sky-y-y

Baby you’re a firework
Come on let your colors burst
Make ‘em go “Oh, oh, oh!”
You’re gunna leave ‘em fallin’ down-own-own

You don’t have to feel like a waste of space
You’re original, cannot be replaced
If you only knew what the future holds
After a hurricane comes a rainbow

Maybe you’re reason why all the doors are closed
So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road

Like a lightning bolt, your heart will blow
And when it’s time, you’ll know

You just gotta ignite the light
And let it shine
Just own the night
Like the Fourth of July

Cause baby you’re a firework
Come on show ‘em what you’re worth
Make ‘em go “Oh, oh, oh!”
As you shoot across the sky-y-y

Baby you’re a firework
Come on let your colors burst
Make ‘em go “Oh, oh, oh!”
You’re gonna leave ‘em all in awe-awe-awe”

Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
It’s always been inside of you, you, you
And now it’s time to let it through

Cause baby you’re a firework
Come on show ‘em what your worth
Make ‘em go “Oh, oh, oh!”
As you shoot across the sky-y-y

Baby you’re a firework
Come on let your colors burst
Make ‘em go “Oh, oh, oh!”
You’re gonna leave ‘em all in awe-awe-awe

Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon

I haven’t watched an actual music video in about a decade, but after I figured out what was being said I looked it up.  Also very moving.

Saturday was “get away day” as we traveled up to Put In Bay for the afternoon.  We had some travel snafus as we’re prone to do, but the boys absolutely LOVED taking Miller’s Ferry over to the island, speeding around on the golf cart, going to Perry’s Cave and having ice cream at Dairy Queen.  On the way home (after a luxurious dinner at Taco Bell), we got to see quite a few fireworks displays from the highway which was way cool.

Sunday was a crazy busy day which started at the pool.  G went off the diving board for the first time!  On the way out, we hopped a ride on the local Rocket Car which was a big hit!

After  stop at home for a nap and a shower, we were back up to the club for a cookout and fireworks with Grandma, Gagi, Uncle Mark and Aunt Meagan.  WHAT FUN!

Monday the weather was absolutely beautiful and we took full advantage.  We had a leisurely breakfast at home on the patio and the boys were in the sandbox and we set up the sprinklers to let them run through.  In the evening, we headed up to take in the Solon fireworks with Grandma, Pop & Gramps.  Other than the fact that it took forever and a day to get out of there we had a blast!  (Note to Solon’s finest… please don’t park your cruiser in the right lane when you’ve got 4,000 people trying to file out of the Community Park.  You’re causing more harm than good.)

Watching The Fireworks

And finally… here’s the finale of the fireworks from Solon – a great way to end a great weekend!

Naturally nothing in life is easy so we weren’t thrilled to find out that both boys are playing at the same time on different fields every Tuesday evening.  This means that either both of us need to go to the games every week or we need some grandparent/uncle/aunt help along the way.  For opening week I made sure to leave work early to make sure I was there on time.  Not only did I manage to get a great snapshot of the boys standing together, I also got a couple of videos of them in action:

The first game of the year for the C-man

G takes his first swings of the year

Finally I’ll leave you with this.  If you think kids playing t-ball is cute just wait until after the game.  The “high five line” is about the most precious thing you’ll ever see.  Most of the kids actually enjoy this just as much (or more) as the game!