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A Bit Of My Geek Collection

Chewie — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 14:28:48 +0000

In a previous post I talked about how I’d recently gone through some boxes in the basement and pulled out some old toys, specifically my Devastator from back in the day. That lead to a discussion on one of my favorite podcast’s Facebook page about our collections, etc. I took this quick video to show a couple of my items and thought I’d share it here as well.

It focuses on figures from the first 4 waves of the current G.I. Joe line called Pursuit of Cobra and also includes Voltron, Star Wars and Transformers toys. What’s in your collection?

The Overuse Of LOL

Chewie — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 21:08:45 +0000

I apologize in advance to those that this will offend. The language contained within will not be nice nor will it be “suitable for work” or for a child’s ears (not that you’re reading this blog to your child – boy would that be cool). With that being said… STFU.

We live in world today where the vast majority of our interaction is digital. 140 character tweets, text message, status updates, etc. It only stands to reason that some of that digital communication will be done in short hand so that we don’t have to go through the laborious task of actually TYPING what we think (perish the thought). With the digital world that I’ve molded for myself (between Twitter, Facebook, online communities that I belong to, etc.) I’ve come to accept and downright rely on many of these. A few of my “favorites” are below:

AFAIC – as far as I’m concerned
AFK – away from keyboard
ASAP – as soon as possible (this one really isn’t specific to the online world, but I thought I’d include it)
ASL? – age, sex, location (typically found in an online chat forum)
AYBABTU – all your base are belong to us (don’t ask)
FAQ – frequently asked questions
IIRC – if I recall correctly
IMHO – in my humble opinion
LMAO – laughing my ass off

Those are pretty straight forward… and then we get to these (NSFW – not suitable for work for the non-initiated) gems:

FFS – for fuck sake
FOAD – fuck off and die (a personal favorite of mine, though I can honestly say I’ve never used it)
FML – fuck my life
LMFAO – laughing my fucking ass off
PITA – pain in the ass

And the one that is the crux of this post: LOL – laughing out loud.

Folks… it’s one thing to use this on occasion. You know… when you’re actually laughing out loud. But when you put it in your Facebook status update more than once in the same update you’ve gone too far. Stuff like this (see below) REALLY pisses me off:

“Just got home from the store and the dog ate through the couch cushion LOL. Guess no dinner for him and I’m going to have to find a new couch LOL!“

First off… your dog eating through your couch cushion is not:

something I care to hear about
something that is funny
something that you should be laughing out loud about

Furthermore, if you ARE in fact “laughing out loud” at your dog eating your couch, you’ve already told me once. There is absolutely NO reason to tell me about it again at the end of the message. Are you honestly telling me that you started laughing out loud at the beginning of the message, stopped laughing out loud and then started laughing out loud again after you determined that you needed a new couch???

Don’t get me wrong… I’m not suggesting that the use of LOL be banned or even that you NEED to be physically laughing out loud every single time you use it. I’m just as guilty of this as the next guy. These days LOL has really come to be a way of saying, “Hey, that’s funny/clever” to one of your online buddies. My issue is when it’s used alot… like a TON. Like, a REALLY REALLY REALLY lot. LOL.

OIC, u r just being a POS PITA right? LOL. I’m ROFLMAO at you. TTYL cuz this is the SSDD that I always hear from U. FML. L8R. LOL. FOAD (there… now I’ve used it )

Better Later Than Never – The Beeramid 2010

Chewie — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 01:44:57 +0000

Well Pip beat me to it on Facebook, but I simply MUST post the 2010 Beeramid photos here on 406. As per tradition, we had our WrestleMania 26 Drinking Game that was helping us along the way in our quest. This year however, we decided not to just take a “before” and “after” picture, but also decided to do a little pictorial. So here, without further adieu… is Beeramid 2010!

The Calm Before The Storm

Row #1 - We're On Our Way

Row #2 - In For A Long Haul

At this point, we knew we were in for a fight. Regardless of what we’d like to think, we can’t “git r done” the same way we used to.

Row #3 - Hitting Our Stride

Row #4 - We... Can... Do... It

Row #5 - Gonnna Make It

Row #6 - The Champs Are HERE!!!

Look at that… no matter how many times we complete the beautiful structure it feels good to have won. This year, WrestleMania was out west so the show started a little bit earlier in the afternoon. That being said, even though we were done with our building, we had a long time until the show was done. It was at that point that we made a decision… one… more… row. Me being the jackass that I am, figured I’d get things started by shotgunning one. Bad idea.

Shotgunning... Always A Good Idea

A Tired Champion

Row #7 - A Beeramid Record!!!

WrestleMania XXVII (that’s 27 folks) will be held in Atlanta, Georgia on April 3, 2011. We’ve got it on our calendar… until next time!

Completely Random Ad From Facebook

Chewie — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:34:33 +0000

I’ve been pondering lately why Facebook does some of the stuff that it does with it’s suggestions. I typically ignore most of the page suggestions but this one caught my eye. I’ve said time and time again that this is not a political blog nor will it ever be. But I would like to ask one question:

What in the hell does Sarah Palin have to do with Chick-fil-A? And why in the hell would people who like Chick-fil-A like her?

OK fine… that was two questions. Apparently there’s some link there that I’m not aware of. I better go get some coffee…

Who Is This Guy???

Chewie — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:04:46 +0000

The short answer is, I have no idea who this dude is. And therein lies the problem. This is one of the “suggestions” that Facebook gave me this AM as someone that I should be friends with. Now I’m not here to judge this guy at all – in fact he seems like a swell dude. I’m just not sure how we’re connected, or why he was suggested to me.

OK, so we’re both male. If that’s the only criteria FB is looking at, their algorithm needs a lot of work.
He’s nearly 20 years older than me.
He’s single, I’m married.
He’s from Yuma, Arizona which as far as I know I’ve never even visited.
We do have roughly the same political and religious views, but I don’t share that stuff on Facebook so that can’t be a commonality.
He’s worked in industries that I never have.
He’s got military service (thank you sir) that I don’t have.
He’s got a Star Trek quotation listed as his favorite and even Facebook should know that I fucking hate Star Trek… Star Wars all the way folks.
He went to college halfway across the county from where I did and got degrees is Fine and Media Arts – nothing remotely close to my degrees.
We don’t share any of the same likes/interests in music, books, movies or television.
In addition to ALL of that, we don’t share any friends. Not one.

I suppose there’s a slim possibility that I’m supposed to know this gentlemen. Perhaps from some organization that I belong to or via a long lost 3rd cousin that I’ve yet to meet. That possibility aside, I’m left scratching my head. * shrug *

Two Friends Is All It Takes

Chewie — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 05:26:09 +0000

For those of you that are facebook users you’re probably familiar with the “friend suggestions” that they give you on a regular basis. This is a great way to reconnect with people that you know based on your current friend list. I’ve often wondered what kind of algorithm is used to create these suggestions.

Looking over my suggestions this evening I came to the conclusion that the algorithm is pretty simple… if you’ve got 2 friends in common you’re going to get a suggestion. So this means that if you’re friend with say one of your buddies and his wife, eventually you’re going to get most of their friends as “suggestions”. I’m not sure why I’m so let down by this… suppose I was just looking for some super smart formula. Ho hum.

EDIT: Actually… after doing some more digging it’s not even TWO friends. After rolling through some additional suggestions I’m seeing people that not only do I not know, but we don’t even have ANY friends in common. Now I’m completely confused.

Damn Was That Fun

Chewie — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:06:47 +0000

Warning: This is going to be one sappy post.

One of the really crappy things about growing up is that people have a tendency to move away from one another and friendships are tested. It becomes hard work sometimes to maintain a friendship (though Facebook has made it easier to keep in touch). I’m happy to say that Pip and I have never had that problem.

A couple of weeks back I headed out for my (nearly) yearly trip to Indy to spend the weekend with Pip (and now the lovely Lauren). I got in town on Friday evening just in time for dinner. The three of us then proceeded to sit around the dinner table until about 2:00 AM bullshitting and drinking… lots. Pip and I polished off 20 beers between us, Lauren was a champ with her wine and we even did a couple of shots. I tell you what… as I get older I tend to enjoy those quiet evenings with friends much more than a night out. Not to mention the fact that those nights out are becoming increasingly difficult to bounce back from. In retrospect Pip and I probably should have manned up and drank two more beers a piece to finish a case but we were pretty tore up. We now officially have our first goal for next year’s Beeramid: 1 case = 1 night.

Saturday was full of geeky goodness including a wrestling DVD, plenty of Rockband and a trip to BW3 with Buford and Corey to watch the Hoosiers battle Buckeyes. We didn’t get the win but DAMN was it fun. Sunday came way too quickly and it was back home to C-Town to see my family. It’s always sad when the Pip/Chewie weekend comes to an end but it’s super exciting to know that the next one is already on the calendar. WrestleMania 26 is scheduled for March 28th, 2010. See you then bro!

And yes… for those keeping track. Pip is wearing the WWF World Championship belt circa WrestleMania III and I’m wearing the WCW World Title also known as “The Big Gold Belt”.

If I Had A Hammer

Chewie — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:51:01 +0000

A jackhammer is a wonderful tool when you need to break up concrete. It allows you to do a job that otherwise would be incredibly tedious or nearly impossible. They also are incredibly LOUD.

For the last 4 (and counting) days now I’ve had the pleasure of listening to a jackhammer from when I got to work until the time I left in the evening. There’s a restaurant going in downstairs and apparently they need to destroy the basement in order to accommodate them. I can’t tell you how irritating it is. Actually, if you follow me on Twitter or we’re friends on Facebook I have been telling you about it.

The Twitter/Facebook Hammertime Saga

Jackhammer outside the office… just what I’d hoped for on Monday morning.
8:35 AM Aug 31st from TweetDeck

Jackhammer still going… headache kicking it up a notch…
3:33 PM Aug 31st from TweetDeck

Jackhammer stopped… Googleheads shuffled on the iPod. Now I’ll have THAT in my head all afternoon.
4:48 PM Aug 31st from TweetDeck

Day #2 of constant jackhammering downstairs… time to turn the iPod LOUD!
8:37 AM Sep 1st from TweetDeck

Back from Charlie’s – time for an afternoon of jackhammering!
1:37 PM Sep 1st from TweetDeck

By god… I think the hammering has stopped…
3:44 PM Sep 1st from TweetDeck

Day #3 – FML. In the words of Frank Cross: “Would you please hold the goddamn hammering, now.”
8:49 AM Sep 2nd from TweetDeck

Fast forward to 2:40 for an insight into my life… http://bit.ly/UzYKg
9:01 AM Sep 2nd from TweetDeck

There’s a possibility that the hammering has stopped… waiting patiently with tiny optimism.
10:15 AM Sep 2nd from TweetDeck

Apparently I have spoken too soon and upset the jackhammering gods…
10:47 AM Sep 2nd from TweetDeck

Now along with the hammering, the jet flyovers have started… air show in Cleveland this weekend. Great… more noise.
2:57 PM Sep 2nd from TweetDeck

The hammering has stopped for the day. Just found out that it will last at least another week. Oh joy. Thank God for the Lizard tonight #fb
4:12 PM Sep 2nd from TwitterBerry

The hammering hasn’t started… yet. Leftover wings for breakfast… yummy.
8:33 AM Sep 3rd from TweetDeck

And just like that… the silence has been broken. The jackhammer returns.
about 21 hours ago from TweetDeck

Jackhammering has stopped for the afternoon – luckily the fire alarm has been going off for 2 hours now… there is no God.
about 18 hours ago from TweetDeck

The calm before the hammering storm…
about 2 hours ago from TweetDeck

Stop… hammertime.
about 2 hours ago from TweetDeck

At this point, one week later, I’m always used to to it. I’m not sure if I can deal with another week but there’s not much I can do about it if that’s what ahead of me. Thank God I’ve got a three day weekend ahead of me that will be (hopefully) sans hammer. Unfortunately I’m guessing the hammer-ers won’t be working this weekend either.

Combos, Fireworks and Canoes – The Bachelor In Brookville

Chewie — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:53:22 +0000

“What happens in Brookville stays in Brookville.” Headed into the weekend that was our battle cry. Our mission was simple – to give my little brother one last weekend of bachelorhood. In the words of Peter Venkman: “We came, we saw, we kicked it’s ass!!!”

Friday afternoon, 2 groups (Devin, Mark & I from Cleveland and Phil & Chris from Chicago) set out to converge on Brookville, Indiana where the festivities were to take place. The Cleveland group started out the trip with the musical brilliance of Randy “Macho Man” Savage. Yep… the wrestler. If you’ve never hear Randy on the mic you really owe it to yourself to check this out. You won’t be disappointed. If you don’t have time to watch the clip then these lyrics will give you just a little taste of what’s up:

“People wanna know if Macho’s still in the ring
People wanna know if Randy’s doin’ his thing
Everybody’s talkin’ wanna know this and that
So I’m a tell ya right now Randy Savage is back”

Yeah that’s right… Randy’s doing his thing. If that’s not enough for you, make sure to check out “Be A Man” where Randy rips into Hulk Hogan. Classic. Little did we know that as we were making our way down south the Chicago boys were having issues of their own. The figured it would be a good idea to pick up a bottle of Knob Creek to get the party started. Someone neglected to actually take the bottle off the top of the car when they drove away and they were subjected to watching a brand new bottle slide across the sunroof and off the back of the car. Chris did have the good sense to ask, “Do you think it broke?” Needless to say, the clerk at the liquor store was intrigued to see them walk back in about 8 minutes after they walked out.

Once we got there it was time to build the fire, set up camp and crack a couple of cold ones. I think we had originally planned to just take it easy that night but before we knew it about half that bottle was gone and we were having a grand old time. The campsite that we were staying at had “quiet” time starting at midnight. Other than us, everyone in the campsite followed this rule. We, on the other hand decided it would be a good idea to break out the fireworks… at 2:30 AM. Writers note: It’s amazing what happens when you throw a full party pack of fireworks into a campfire. It’s also amazing that we didn’t get tossed out of camp for this

Once the fireworks died down it was time to wind down for the evening. Not sure why but I just wasn’t tired so I decided to take a stroll. I also (apparently) decided to fire up my Twitter account:

Twitter/Facebook Update
3 and wandering around. Woot.
2:57 AM Jun 27th from TwitterBerry

Dude. Jason Voorhees would be creeped out by this place.
3:00 AM Jun 27th from TwitterBerry

And on that note, I called it a night…

Saturday morning I woke (surprisingly) early and decided to start the fire and the grill. We were in for a long day and had to get properly fueled.

Twitter/Facebook Update
I feel like the old guy on Survivor who’s up before the rest of the young whipersnappers. Gotta get the fire going. Tough immunity today#fb.
8:48 AM Jun 27th from TwitterBerry

After breakfast (sausage, eggs, hash browns) it was off to the river. Per the guy running things the river was running fast – a 4.8 to be exact. Though none of us were sure what the hell that means. Adam took an afternoon off from his fatherly duties and joined us for our trek down the river as well. We bungied our three canoes together and created the mighty party barge and pushed off.

My bro and I were in a canoe together and before I knew it we were headed straight toward a downed tree in the river. Not sure exactly how this happened but next thing I know I’m under the water with my wife and kids flashing before my eyes – that’s right folks, we’d managed to capsize. I still don’t know what a 4.8 for the river is, but I can tell you that I don’t think I could handle a 4.9. The canoe was pinned up against the downed tree, with me under it. Not sure where Mark was at this point cause I was doing my best just to get air. Luckily I came up inside the canoe which had a nice air pocket in it. Thank goodness the rest of our crew was so helpful… they took this opportunity to go about 25 yards down the river, get out, point and laugh. Fuckers. On top of that they referred to me for the rest of the trip as if I had died during that episode (IE: “Too bad Chewie isn’t here, he would have enjoyed this,” a la Ghost). Again… fuckers.

In any event, we did eventually get the canoe turned back around and we proceeded to shotgun a couple of beers to get the BAL back to where it should be. The rest of the trip down the river went off without event and by the time we made it down river we were very much looking forward to some time out of the sun. As luck would have it, at the entrance to our campsite sat a Pizza King. In retrospect it should have been called Taco King but I do have to say that the air conditioning was second to none.

The plan going into the weekend was to spend Saturday night at “a bar” uptown Brookville. While this certainly goes against the concept of “camping” it’s perfect from a bachelor party perspective. After our Pizza King excursion we all went back to camp and had a little siesta (which was just what the doctor ordered). I don’t know about you but after a long day of drinking and a nap it’s BRUTAL to get up and get going again. As we were making our way uptown Devin and I decided that the first beer of the night was going to be rough. I’m proud to say that we went and brought it home like champs. The bar in question here is called Who Cares. If you’ve never been there I’d strongly suggest you check it out. It’s all kinds of awesome. Devin was THE MAN when it came to the “One Dart Challenge” and Mark reigned supreme when it came to the on site bowling ($0.25 per game by the way). Our bartendress Regina took very good care of us and really did give us quite a bit of leeway.

After bowling, shots and darts we started in on the pool table and commandeered the juke box. Looking back at my Twitter updates I see that we went completely old school. All I remember is we had a damn good time.

Twitter/Facebook Update
Rocking the juke box with Ugly Kid Joe.
11:02 PM Jun 27th from TwitterBerry

Thunderstruck!!!
11:37 PM Jun 27th from TwitterBerry

I had to do it… Freebird!
12:42 AM Jun 28th from TwitterBerry

And those are just the ones that I remembered to tweet about (man I’m a dork). I’m getting a little long winded here so I’ll just leave you with one last photo and a couple of “keywords” that will forever be linked in my mind with this great weekend.

Regina: The best bartendress in Brookville
Who Cares: all kinds of awesomeness
Combos: drunk food for the ages
Pizza King: better tacos than pizza
Marko: hung in there like a champ
Jim Beam: the shot of champions
Canoe Fest: where are they all going?
Donuts: incoming!
Fire Dance: Devin – watch where you’re going brudda
The Tree: Phil – it’s definitely more than 3 swings
Shower: Chris was the only one that took advantage
Beer: can’t really beat Icehouse, Busch & Natural Light can you?

There were a whole lot of “you had to be there” moments during this trip. As an older brother I’m damn glad that I was there. All I can say at this point… I’m REALLY looking forward to the reception

Random Thoughts On A Friday Morning

Chewie — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:32:06 +0000

It’s been a while since I’ve done of of these posts. I’ve got a couple of things bubbling around in the ol noggin so I figured I’d sit down and write for a while… comments always welcomed.

Tonight’s poker night for the Cleveland Poker League – that makes me happy. I hope I play better than I did last game but even if I don’t it’ll still be a good night.
Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. These things are here to stay people. I tried for a long time to stay “off the grid”. At this point I’m so on the grid that I’ve got grid marks on my ass. Standard case of “it is what it is”. Get used to it.
Amanda’s going to be gone pretty much all day on Saturday so I’ve got Daddy Duty again!!! I’m guessing it’s won’t be nearly as interesting as last weekend but you never can tell.
I hope I get to a point in my career one day where I can simply cancel a meeting if I’m late for it. That would be cool.
I’ve been thinking for years about getting a tattoo – I’ve always said that when the Indians win the World Series I’d get Chief Wahoo. Doesn’t look like that’s going to be happening any time soon cause, “they’re shitty again”. That said I think I’ve come up with a design that just might change my mind.
SPAM is funny. Just about every morning I’ve got between 20 and 100 spam comments on this blog. When will they learn?