Sum Proposition

Best of Corporate/Arena Rock

2008-10-02T12:14:00.001-07:00

i am taking an informal poll. Which of these beloved Rock groups are your favorite. They had to conform to a certain criteria to join the list. they had to have been immensly popular...that more than 2 albums at the top of charts...so no one hit wonders here.

The Bands:

Journey
Boston
Styx
Kansas
Cheap Trick

Songs that Make You Cry

2008-10-02T12:10:00.001-07:00

Everyone has a song that makes the cry. i have a couple. But the one that really was a throat clencher goes back to when i was a wee little kid. "The Littlest Worm." a quick search on the internet reveals there are many versions of this Girl Scout sing-a-long. But i vividly remember feeling really bad for the worm.

it went something like this: The littlest worm you ever saw got stuck inside my soda straw. He said to me don't take a sip for if you do i'll slip. i took a sip and down he went right through the
pipes...he must have drowned ...yadda yadda...

anyone have a favorite tear jerker...let me know.

Google

2008-10-02T12:00:00.000-07:00

"Did You Mean..."

Today i searched for an author by the name of: Helga Melga Burgamurgalander. Now, when typed this in the Google search engine it gave me the lovable "Did you mean (...get this...)
Helga Helga Burgamurgalander." I thought the "suggestion" was prompted by at least more popular varieties of searches under that title...or the actual correct spelling...as in a spell check.

well, when i clicked an emphatic, "Yes!" It took me to the "No pages found" dead end. I was duped. i was hoodwinked. I was bamboozled. i jumped off the Brooklyn bridge because my friend said to. Oh if only i had listened to my mother. gurgle gurgle gurgle.

New Olympic Sport: Complaining

2008-08-22T14:11:00.000-07:00

I propose a new Olympic Sport. Complaining. That's right. USA would be the undisputed leader for years to come...we could hold international summer camps on the subject. I love, don't get me wrong. And, i like to complain from time to time too. But, i know the time and place for my complaints. I hear and am entirely exhausted by the non-stop complaining i hear from people all day and night long...give it a rest. Get over yourself.
If you are a cashier at your local department store and don't like working the 6-9:30 shift...take a different job..or suffer through it in silence. I don't need feel sympathy for you while i'm buying my $30 T-Shirt. And, what's more, i've hear so much of it that i don't feel sympathy anymore, instead anger. Also, i don't want to hear "I don't get paid enough to do this!" Yes you do. You are exemplifying exactly why you are worth $6.50/hr. a professional representative of your store, would never want the customer feeling angry or sympathetic...those are not "buying" moods. When you were hired i am positive they told you how much you would make...that was the time to complain...i can not give you a raise!
If you buy your lunch from the same vendor each day...and most days you are dissatisfied with the meal...guess what...time to stop buying from them. The examples are endless...and i've had quite enough.

So the next time you see someone go "Falling Down" ala Michael Douglas...minus the kidnapping and murder...you'll know why.

Hindsight is 20/20

2008-08-07T11:21:00.000-07:00

Did you ever find it odd when people say "Hindsight is 20/20?" Because, they are attempting to say hindsight is perfect...while 20/20 eyesight is merely average.

I think a cool revolution is in order....let us all start saying "Hindsight is 20/10." or "Hindsight is perfect."

Movie of the Week (An American Werewolf in London)

2008-08-04T12:04:00.000-07:00

1981 a year for when for great, classic movies. An American Werewolf in London, Superman II, and Clash of the Titans. All of these movies hold long lingering memories of childhood sleep over parties. They are all filled with great, quotable lines than anyone can toss in to any conversation. For example, If you want to warn someone of impending danger you could say, "Beware the Moors, keep to the road." or if you some says "Oh God" in front of you, you could say, "No...Zod" If two people are arguing in front of you...you could say "A titan versus a titan."
There is a particularly funny line in American Werewolf where David is trying to get arrested in Trafalgar Square while everyone is ignoring him. "Queen Elizabeth's a man...Shakespeare was French..." i find that a particularly funny insult.

Recipe of the Day

2008-07-22T12:15:00.000-07:00

Amzi's Favorite Pizza

Ingredients:

Sundried Tomatoe Fajita Wrapper (any size you wish)
Spaghetti sauce
Mozzerella (shredded)
Parmesian (grated)
Pepperoni (your choice)
Seasonings: Oregano

Take the Fajita wrapper and toss on some Mozzarella...not alot yet..think of this as glue
Then ladel on Spaghetti sauce and swirl the sauce around the wrapper in a spiral
Next Toss on some Oregano (this makes spaghetti sauce taste like Pizza sauce)
Next Toss on copious amounts of Mozzarella
Add Pepperoni slices (they actually sell small, precut slices now)
Next Toss on a small amount of Parmesan cheese (too much and it will over power the mild
Mozzarella.
put the pizza in the toaster oven (if large enough to hold entire pie) and cook til crispy
take out cut immediately and devour.

(careful don't burn the roof of your mouth unless you like to)

Song of the Day

2008-07-21T12:40:00.000-07:00

The Zoo,
by The Scorpions
1980 Animal Magnitism

Great, underrated song with a killer chorus

"We eat the night
We drink the time
Make our dreams come true
Hungry eyes are passing by
On streets we call the Zoo."

Top 15 Comedy Movies of all Time

2008-07-21T12:28:00.000-07:00

Spaceballs
History of the World Part I
Weird Science
Airplane
MP Search For the Holy Grial
Spinal Tap
A Mighty Wind
Road Trip
School of Rock
A Fish Called Wanda
Ghostbusters
Stripes
Fast Times at Ridgemount High
Biloxi Blues
Austin Powers II the spy that shagged me.

Daily Rant: Olive Oil

2008-07-10T06:59:00.000-07:00

I have a question. There are 11 basic olive types including the... Arbequinas,Beldi,Bitetto,Cerignola,Gaeta,Halkidiki,Kalamata,Manzanilla, Niçoise,Nyon,Picholine and Sevillano...so, why is it when i go to buy Olive Oil, there are only differences in how many times it has been pressed? They all just say Olive Oil. if i go to buy cheese...they don't all just say CHEESE!

Daily Test Taking Tip 2

2008-07-08T11:28:00.000-07:00

Study in 30 minute segments.

It is a fairly well known concept that things that form the beginning and of things are most easily remembered. For example. Grab a friend or family member and first, right down a list of 10 words...make them small words four letters each. Something like farm, door, card, game, rake, body, shop, more, less, time...then read them aloud to your friend and ask him/her which was the 7th word. then ask him/her which was the first and last words of the list. 9 time out of ten...they will get the first and last correct every time...and the 7th...once in a while...now with my list i paired words that are in actuality more easy to remember than words that are completely unrelated....if you want to do that...give a list of 10 numbers and try it again.

Point is...the more beginnings and ends to your studying...the more stuff you'll remember. the real key...you can't cram using this style...doesn't work that way...give yourself 1 week...to study for an exam...and you will do much better than before you tried this method.

see you next time.

Music Movies

2008-07-07T12:28:00.000-07:00

My 6 favorite music movies of all time

1. Ray
2. Walk the line
3. Eddie and the Cruisers
4. Backbeat
5. Meatloaf: To Hell and Back
6. A Mighty Wind/Spinal Tap
7. School of Rock (unsure this fits...that's why my count is off)

i can watch these each time they come on from any point in the movie

what are your favorites.

Corporal Cynical

2008-07-07T12:22:00.000-07:00

Corporal Cynical is the superhero name i've given to people who are reflexively cynical. i mean, if i say here's a soft pretzel i picked for you...you'd say, "did you wash your hands?" if i said yes...you'd say, "well the guy you bought from probably had a rummage sale in his pants before he bagged it for you...and now you want to give it to me."

the point...not everything in this world is, to coin a new word, Cynaworthy...that is worthy of cynicism. So, for all of you corporals out there...have a cinnabun on me...and enjoy something sweet and remember its okay...just listen to Rainbow Connection today...in fact, right now..on Google...and then you'll have ridded yourself of you overly cynical outlook...because who can listen to a green frog sing A Capella and not be happy.

talk to you soon

Sex Sells Coffee

2008-07-07T12:13:00.000-07:00

I watched a news clip this afternoon presenting two young ladies in Seattle who decided to start selling coffee in their bikinis. What's wrong with that you might ask? i say nothing on its face. If, for example there's a coffee bar a the public pool or a coffee hut on the beach, then it's outta sight. if it's on the corner of 5th and Market...well, then...that is a problem for me.
Just because sex sells, doesn't mean it should sell everything. For example, i would not want the world's first sexual cereal....i would not want a naked lady selling me produce...and, i don't think it's appropriate to sell coffee in bikinis away from a pool of water where a bathing is appropriate.
One of the gals says, "I used to make $30 dollars a morning at the other place. But now i make 4 or 5 times that" in my bikini." Well, by extension then, you should try selling it naked...that should rake you in 10 times the amount...but then, that might be solicitation...or at least...bait and switch...

later

Song of the Day

2008-07-05T07:19:00.000-07:00

Don't Worry Baby, by the Beach Boys

This is definitely my favorite Beach Boys song and one of my favorites of all time. It has an outstanding melody and the typically amazing harmonies. What's more...it doesn't have a Chuck Berry ripped intro...and unlike alot of other Beach Boys songs...the lyrics don't get goofy/uncomfortably dated. check it out on Google or utube or whatever or buy it.

Poem-Why Not Try

2008-07-04T20:10:00.000-07:00

Why Not Try

To those who know and know me best
i appear as an affable guest
To those who despise and revile my test
i assure you i come in jest
To those who claim to love and then love me less
rest assured it is i who am truly blest
To those who suffer and endure depressed
i accompany you on your quest
To those who offer friendship dispossessed
you will still feel the things you fear, congest
Why not try innocence of thought and projection
Why not try sincerity of will and intention
Why not try mirth
Why not try charity
Why not try.

Test Taking Tips

2008-07-03T12:19:00.000-07:00

Today's Test Taking Tip

If possible, study in the room in which you will be taking the test.

As you are studying your mind will subconsciously make connection between your test material and the things you see in the room. Maybe there's an advertising poster asking you to become an Alaskan Fisherman or 3 months in the summer, or a map of Europe circa 1500, or even a random spot of graffiti on a desk top...So, on test day when the answer to a question is on the tip of your tongue or just behind your left eye...look at some of the objects in the room and you'll almost magically be able to recall what you were studying when you saw that item during your studying session.

You may have heard of people tying a string around their finger to remember something? i never understood that...i always said I'd forget why i tied the string as well...but the truth is...the act of tying the string coupled with the object to be memorized connects the two in your mind...so that when you see the string later...you'll remember the reference as well...same concept here!

Tune in again for another tip.

Music Legends in Concert

2008-07-03T03:28:00.000-07:00

My wife and i, for the past couple years, have gone on a quest to see as many legendary music acts as we can before they stop touring and/or die. It came about during a discussion of bands we regret having not seen....Stevie Ray Vaughan and The Clash are two of the biggies...so in the past few years we have seen Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Steely Dan, The Police, Tony Bennett, and Stevie Wonder. All of these were among the best concerts I've ever seen. (with the exception of a few "sitters" at the Police show).

What are some bands you regret not seeing...and who would you recommend seeing before they're gone?

Printed T-shirts

2008-07-02T05:49:00.000-07:00

I've always had a desire to design and wear printed T-shirts. i have no idea how to go about actually making one, but i have lots of ideas. For example, I play guitar and am an avid fan of those who are masters of the instrument. My idea is to have the faces of four of my all time favorite guitar players on the front...i envision sepia tones on black as the color scheme. Another one less complicated, i suppose is merely a list of all the musicians i listen to...kind of an advance answer to the most frequent conversation ice breaker, "What music do you listen to?"

Can anyone help me with this?

Comic Book Super Heroes

2008-07-01T12:59:00.000-07:00

When i was in 1st grade in 1977 at Rolling Hills Elementary School in Holland, PA, i had subscriptions to two comic books. Amazing Spiderman/Spectacular Spiderman and Captain America. i loved the whole Marvel Universe. i had stickers, lunch boxes, halloween costumes, Spiderman Helicopters, webshooters, and zip cord cars. I was asked once by my teacher what i wanted to be when i grew up. Mostly everyone else said things like, Teacher, Fireman, Doctor, etc...I said i wanted to be Spiderman. I didn't know it at the time, but the teachers felt that was somewhat disturbing. My mom didn't care, she said, They probably said same thing to Stan Lee and he ignored them too. Now, 30 years later...i'm not Spiderman (surprised?) but i have great childhood memories of to boost my spirits on a down day.

Somewhere along the lines the comic book industry changed. Pajama wearing heroes went out of fashion...enter realism....moody, aggressive, angry heroes...Punisher...Deathlok...Blade...Hellboy...these are not innocent characters...they are more complex..and a young reader wouldn't get alot of it...or want to be them for halloween, let alone want to be them when they grew up...i think something became lost when this happened. i understand people's maturing tastes wanting more than punches and webs...but i'm going to sit here and pine for the good ol' days...

my cousin, sitting next to me has to remind that they still make Spiderman and Hulk comics...To that i say...not the point at all...they made them back then too...the addition of evil heroes is new and that is what this rant is against. For now.

Theme Park Bilk

2008-07-01T12:11:00.000-07:00

I have a 42 month old daughter (why do we stop using months to denote age after 2 years?). She doesn't watch Sesame Street anymore that stopped around age 2. She is more interested in Dora, Little Einsteins, and Little Bill. That being said, the gravitational pull of Sesame Place has lassoed itself around my little girl. My first questions are: Why, she doesn't watch it anymore? followed by How much?

The answer to the first question is, well there are no other theme parks remotely close by and this is something every kid should experience once. The answer to the second question is...get ready....wait for it...$47.95...that's right 50 bucks. Now, that does give you a second day free...but, it's $50 bucks for that first day. Even so...you might think your kid is worth $50. fine. i think my girl is worth $50. However...if you are a parent, who, by the way, can't participate in any of the rides or want to participate in most of the games...guess how much your discounted price is? get ready...wait for it...$47.95...that's right...50 bucks. so now it just cost you, if you're a single mom or dad or grandparent or custodial engineer...(scratch that one) $100 for a fun filled day with a smelly Big Bird Costumed clown. Let's say you're a two parent family..well now, let me do the math...that's $150 dollars...the average American family has 3.14 people....so on average it'll cost your family $157...mind you, that doesn't include pictures with Elmo or a lunch with Big Bird, which by the way is a hot dog buffet worth $55...now you're up to $212. again not including a picture with Elmo.

i like this feature too...as you walk in someone, usually a cute girl, takes your picture entering the theme park full of smiles on the kids faces and pulled pocket liners on the adults pants. That's nice you get a family picture for your $150 bucks...uh did i say that too soon...nope...nope nope...Tada...the taking of the picture is free....clicking the exposure button is free....the developed picture...not free. you have to pay for that in order to take it home.
I'm straying from my original beef...taking the American consumer for a ride is not unique to Sesame Place...but couldn't they discount the ticket price for Chaperones? i mean parents should not have to pay $50 for a kid's theme park...they are they to keep the kids safe...not to ride Oscar's can...although at the end you may want to kick it...

Video Games for Education

2008-06-30T13:23:00.000-07:00

What a concept. Video games that teach. New. Exciting. Groundbreaking! not quite. Video games have been used in education since the personal computer hit the ground running. We used a game called The Oregon Trail in school to learn what it was like to be a pioneer in the late 1800s. Now, new and emergent technologies make this type of educational tool even better...the concept is anything but new.
However, the research and pursuance (word?) of this genre of video game has been sorely neglected. i would applaud a reordering of priorities in gaming companies to come up with many exciting titles...that comply with this format.