Might start paying attention to the election
Mrmike's Journal
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01/10/2008 14:48 #42819
Go Bloomy GoCategory: politics
Got to love the entertainment value if Bloomberg gets in...
Might start paying attention to the election
Might start paying attention to the election
01/07/2008 10:19 #42777
Mental McNuggetsCategory: potpourri
Some mental leftovers from an uneventful weekend.
Watched the Canadian broadcast (well parts of it) on Sunday of the Winter Classic. I was curious to see what the shenanigans looked like on tv. The broadcasters didn't say "Shitty" although I've heard worse on Canadian TV. They were actually saying "Shinny". It's an old hockey term, essentially meaning no set plays, no fancy business, just when we get the puck everybody go that way. Essentially, what happens when you just choose up sides and hope for the best.
I discovered one of the downsides of getting older. My allergies have tranmogrified to when the weather changes, sinus headaches of ass-kicking potential get you and get you good. Hence, a late Sunday afternoon of watching the pretty colors of a five day old sporting event while making sure my couch didn't spontaneously levitate. Messed me up bad enough that I went to bed for good at 9:30. Hadn't done that in eons, but I'm a better person for it.
Never too old to sponge off the rents though. My Dad has always had a weakness for the Spaghetti Parm at Chef's. I was out at the folks for a time on Saturday when they confessed to heading down sometime this week to satisfy his pasta jonesing. I offered to save him from any wayward Chicken Parm that might get in his way. I wouldn't go out of my way for Chefs, but if somebody else is picking up the tab, all the better. And if they didn't want me to put in an appearance, they wouldn't have said anything right? That's what I thought.
Number one son got invited to test for his black belt in Tae Kwon Do, so don't mess me now. I can sick old Hands of Stone "Son of MrMike" on ya. I was intrigued by his teacher is suffering from the same disease as many Elmwood landlords, put a surcharge on everything. Hell, I didn't need that tax refund anywhoo. Was only going to go on vacation. Got to admit it was pretty cool watching him smash boards on saturday.
Actually saw a promo for the return of American Gladiators last night. Reminded me of one of the few comical stories from working the Bills games. Hulk Hogan hosts the new show. There was a guy in one of my sections who came to the bulk of the Bills games outfitted as the mid 80's Hulkster, hulkamania t-shirt, feather boa, whole thing, phony fu-manchu mustache, the whole deal. During the sunday night Patriots game, this otherwise amiable gent needed my middle-aged self to rescue him from a verbal assault, from you guessed it, another Hulk Hogan wannabe. The second Hulk was in costume for Hulk during a match and was drunkenly assaulting the first for idea stealing.
How can I not want to be a part of that again?
And how was your weekend
Watched the Canadian broadcast (well parts of it) on Sunday of the Winter Classic. I was curious to see what the shenanigans looked like on tv. The broadcasters didn't say "Shitty" although I've heard worse on Canadian TV. They were actually saying "Shinny". It's an old hockey term, essentially meaning no set plays, no fancy business, just when we get the puck everybody go that way. Essentially, what happens when you just choose up sides and hope for the best.
I discovered one of the downsides of getting older. My allergies have tranmogrified to when the weather changes, sinus headaches of ass-kicking potential get you and get you good. Hence, a late Sunday afternoon of watching the pretty colors of a five day old sporting event while making sure my couch didn't spontaneously levitate. Messed me up bad enough that I went to bed for good at 9:30. Hadn't done that in eons, but I'm a better person for it.
Never too old to sponge off the rents though. My Dad has always had a weakness for the Spaghetti Parm at Chef's. I was out at the folks for a time on Saturday when they confessed to heading down sometime this week to satisfy his pasta jonesing. I offered to save him from any wayward Chicken Parm that might get in his way. I wouldn't go out of my way for Chefs, but if somebody else is picking up the tab, all the better. And if they didn't want me to put in an appearance, they wouldn't have said anything right? That's what I thought.
Number one son got invited to test for his black belt in Tae Kwon Do, so don't mess me now. I can sick old Hands of Stone "Son of MrMike" on ya. I was intrigued by his teacher is suffering from the same disease as many Elmwood landlords, put a surcharge on everything. Hell, I didn't need that tax refund anywhoo. Was only going to go on vacation. Got to admit it was pretty cool watching him smash boards on saturday.
Actually saw a promo for the return of American Gladiators last night. Reminded me of one of the few comical stories from working the Bills games. Hulk Hogan hosts the new show. There was a guy in one of my sections who came to the bulk of the Bills games outfitted as the mid 80's Hulkster, hulkamania t-shirt, feather boa, whole thing, phony fu-manchu mustache, the whole deal. During the sunday night Patriots game, this otherwise amiable gent needed my middle-aged self to rescue him from a verbal assault, from you guessed it, another Hulk Hogan wannabe. The second Hulk was in costume for Hulk during a match and was drunkenly assaulting the first for idea stealing.
How can I not want to be a part of that again?
And how was your weekend
metalpeter - 01/07/08 16:39
First of all this happened like a while ago i'm sure it isn't live. He is the host along with Muhamed Ali's daughter he interviews the guys and she talks to the girls. The funny thing is that they all call him Hulk or some form of it instead of by his real name. The Gladiators are really the star of the show they just want some famed athletes or personas to try and get people to watch the show, it is pretty good.
First of all this happened like a while ago i'm sure it isn't live. He is the host along with Muhamed Ali's daughter he interviews the guys and she talks to the girls. The funny thing is that they all call him Hulk or some form of it instead of by his real name. The Gladiators are really the star of the show they just want some famed athletes or personas to try and get people to watch the show, it is pretty good.
01/01/2008 20:18 #42718
The Ice Bowl, New Year's and moreCategory: holiday/work
Hey folks, slowly thawing out from the hockey Game. Driving back, I couldn't help but laugh a little. What kind of idiot would leave a nice gathering at the 24 chock full of good convo, surprise guest appearance of (e:Ladycroft), (e:Jenks) and (e:theecarey) redefining yowza. Sorry ladies, you were all stunning.
Well, a little respect please as I am MrMike, lord of the idiots. I breakfasted at Spot and headed out into the cold. It was pretty surreal to be a part of it. The hockey game was the centerpiece to a carnival like atmostphere. I suppose the thing other than the money that attracted me to working on this stuff was that it is just good for your soul to be a part and even backstage at something bigger than you. Despite my forgetting to set my DVR for the shenanigans, I was glad to go and do my thing one LAST time. I want my Sundays back, and my late saturdays for sure. I couldn't snap all the pictures, but I got a few good looks.
The parking lot was overrun by inflatable jerseys
I thought of (e:chico) was this one as they were raising NHL team flags, this was the Islanders colors going up (trust me)
Here's were NBC's announcers had to set
This was at the bottom of my Isle, where they kept Bob Costas. I got a handshake, but I'm pretty sure I can get him into the movies at a discount (Not a tall guy)
The Canadian equivalent
What it looked like from the ground level
I smelled like Co2 all day
More big inflatable crap
A little more ice level
Opening Faceoff
Parking lot yahoos on stills
The calm before the snow storm
The players come out preceeded by bagpipers, hokey but cool
The seats of the affluent
The wealthy children got to play
Vile critters, get out
Thanks for coming, tip your usher
Missed the shot of the four blackhawk helicopters coming over during the anthem, but it was nice to say seeya to reclaim some of my own time again. Got the job thing fixed thanks to the Zoo, time to work on the other stuff.
Well, a little respect please as I am MrMike, lord of the idiots. I breakfasted at Spot and headed out into the cold. It was pretty surreal to be a part of it. The hockey game was the centerpiece to a carnival like atmostphere. I suppose the thing other than the money that attracted me to working on this stuff was that it is just good for your soul to be a part and even backstage at something bigger than you. Despite my forgetting to set my DVR for the shenanigans, I was glad to go and do my thing one LAST time. I want my Sundays back, and my late saturdays for sure. I couldn't snap all the pictures, but I got a few good looks.
The parking lot was overrun by inflatable jerseys
I thought of (e:chico) was this one as they were raising NHL team flags, this was the Islanders colors going up (trust me)
Here's were NBC's announcers had to set
This was at the bottom of my Isle, where they kept Bob Costas. I got a handshake, but I'm pretty sure I can get him into the movies at a discount (Not a tall guy)
The Canadian equivalent
What it looked like from the ground level
I smelled like Co2 all day
More big inflatable crap
A little more ice level
Opening Faceoff
Parking lot yahoos on stills
The calm before the snow storm
The players come out preceeded by bagpipers, hokey but cool
The seats of the affluent
The wealthy children got to play
Vile critters, get out
Thanks for coming, tip your usher
Missed the shot of the four blackhawk helicopters coming over during the anthem, but it was nice to say seeya to reclaim some of my own time again. Got the job thing fixed thanks to the Zoo, time to work on the other stuff.
mrmike - 01/05/08 14:44
Guys, I think the announcer might have meant "Shinny" which is old school canadianese for pickup style outdoor hockey
Guys, I think the announcer might have meant "Shinny" which is old school canadianese for pickup style outdoor hockey
jenks - 01/02/08 18:13
yeah... it's a good thing I ended up NOT having tickets, as I woke up at 1pm.
Woulda been cool to be there- but nursing a hangover in the snow probably would've been miserable. Glad you had fun.
Oh, and thanks for the yowza. Shucks.
yeah... it's a good thing I ended up NOT having tickets, as I woke up at 1pm.
Woulda been cool to be there- but nursing a hangover in the snow probably would've been miserable. Glad you had fun.
Oh, and thanks for the yowza. Shucks.
metalpeter - 01/02/08 17:47
The standards are different in Canada. This is very true with radio also and you can here swearing (not sure how much) on the radio. Some of it has to do with time. There is a station called City TV that is on public air waves and that you can see nudity on after I think 10pm. On CBC you used to be able to watch a show that came on saturday nights after the news called the sex files. Granted it was an educational sex show and it was on late so sometimes it was a bit graphic. I don't know what the standards are but maybe (e:leetee) or (e:vincent) might be know more about that then I.
The standards are different in Canada. This is very true with radio also and you can here swearing (not sure how much) on the radio. Some of it has to do with time. There is a station called City TV that is on public air waves and that you can see nudity on after I think 10pm. On CBC you used to be able to watch a show that came on saturday nights after the news called the sex files. Granted it was an educational sex show and it was on late so sometimes it was a bit graphic. I don't know what the standards are but maybe (e:leetee) or (e:vincent) might be know more about that then I.
mrdeadlier - 01/01/08 23:44
Cool pics... Thanks! I wish I could have gone.
I have to say my two favorite parts were when the players were coming out of the tunnel at the beginning and just watching the game itself with the giant snowflakes coming down.
Overall, it was pretty surreal. I can only imagine what it must have been like to be there!
Cool pics... Thanks! I wish I could have gone.
I have to say my two favorite parts were when the players were coming out of the tunnel at the beginning and just watching the game itself with the giant snowflakes coming down.
Overall, it was pretty surreal. I can only imagine what it must have been like to be there!
james - 01/01/08 21:15
I didn't see you run off last night. But it was a pleasure as always. Glad you didn't freeze to death out there today.
I didn't see you run off last night. But it was a pleasure as always. Glad you didn't freeze to death out there today.
jbeatty - 01/01/08 20:33
It was a great game on TV too. Nice that you got to see it happen in person. A funny thing was said on the CBC broadcast. I swear I heard the color commentator say during one of the many zamboni victory laps "they were having a shitty game". Doesn't Canada have a government agency as militant as our FCC?
It was a great game on TV too. Nice that you got to see it happen in person. A funny thing was said on the CBC broadcast. I swear I heard the color commentator say during one of the many zamboni victory laps "they were having a shitty game". Doesn't Canada have a government agency as militant as our FCC?
metalpeter - 01/01/08 20:31
Nice Pictures thanks for sharing. The teams coming out to the bag pipers looked pretty cool on TV. I thought those kids who played where kids from the Buffalo Public schools from that Program Hasek started. But to be honest on TV it wasn't clear really. Those Helicopters did look pretty sweet they seem to go by very quickly.
Nice Pictures thanks for sharing. The teams coming out to the bag pipers looked pretty cool on TV. I thought those kids who played where kids from the Buffalo Public schools from that Program Hasek started. But to be honest on TV it wasn't clear really. Those Helicopters did look pretty sweet they seem to go by very quickly.
12/31/2007 14:08 #42694
Blank Slate for the New YearCategory: holiday
Where were you when 2007 began?
At PMT's
Who were you with?
The divine populace that is (e:strip)
Where will you be when 2007 ends?
A little unclear
Whom will you be with when 2007 ends?
Your guess is as good as mine
Was 2007 a good year for you?
Somewhat, got professionally righted, the other stuff is a work in progress.
What was your favorite moment of the year?
Taking my eldest down St. Marks Place -
What was your least favorite moment of the year?
Schlepping to Roswell for the wrong reason altogether
Did you keep your New Year resolutions of 2007?
Didn't make any
Do you have any New Year resolutions for 2008?
Not going there
Did you fall in love in 2007?
Hell, a second date would have been cool
Did you breakup with anyone in 2007?
I didn't have anyone to break up with
Did you make any new friends in 2007?
yes
What was your favorite month of 2007?
Nah, they all looked alike
Did you travel outside of the US in 2007?
Only to Toronto to get them to adopt Buffalo (the Springsteen concert was just a ruse)
How many different states did you travel to in 2007?
Two - Pennsylvania and Jersey (Can I pick hotspots or what)
Did you lose anybody close to you in 2007?
Yeah
Did you miss anybody in the past year?
Fewer to miss, but that makes it harder
What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2007?
No favorites really, but I enjoyed Superbad, Simpsons, Juno, Walk Hard
What was your favorite song in 2007?
Not sure, liked "Windows in the Skies" by U2 a lot
What was your favorite album in 2007?
Nothing really grabbed me and monopolized my cd player -- spent a lot of time with "Orphans" by Tom Waits.
How many concerts did you see in 2007?
Not many, 7, I think
Did you have a favorite concert in 2007?
Neil Young at Shea's
Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2007?
uh huh (hic) (burp)
Did you do drugs in 2007?
Only Advil
Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?
Nah, I spent much of the year under the proverbial radar
What was the worst lie someone told you in 2007?
"We're friends, right?"
Did you treat somebody badly in 2007?
Not intentionally
Did somebody treat you badly in 2007?
Yeah
What was your proudest moment of 2007?
Quitting my job and getting the former employer to sponsor the new one
What was your most embarrassing moment of 2007?
Too many mortifications to list
If you could go back in time to any moment of 2007 and change something, what would it be?
No going back only forward
What are your plans for 2008?
Making it up as I go
See some of you at the party tonight
happy new year (e:strip)!
At PMT's
Who were you with?
The divine populace that is (e:strip)
Where will you be when 2007 ends?
A little unclear
Whom will you be with when 2007 ends?
Your guess is as good as mine
Was 2007 a good year for you?
Somewhat, got professionally righted, the other stuff is a work in progress.
What was your favorite moment of the year?
Taking my eldest down St. Marks Place -
What was your least favorite moment of the year?
Schlepping to Roswell for the wrong reason altogether
Did you keep your New Year resolutions of 2007?
Didn't make any
Do you have any New Year resolutions for 2008?
Not going there
Did you fall in love in 2007?
Hell, a second date would have been cool
Did you breakup with anyone in 2007?
I didn't have anyone to break up with
Did you make any new friends in 2007?
yes
What was your favorite month of 2007?
Nah, they all looked alike
Did you travel outside of the US in 2007?
Only to Toronto to get them to adopt Buffalo (the Springsteen concert was just a ruse)
How many different states did you travel to in 2007?
Two - Pennsylvania and Jersey (Can I pick hotspots or what)
Did you lose anybody close to you in 2007?
Yeah
Did you miss anybody in the past year?
Fewer to miss, but that makes it harder
What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2007?
No favorites really, but I enjoyed Superbad, Simpsons, Juno, Walk Hard
What was your favorite song in 2007?
Not sure, liked "Windows in the Skies" by U2 a lot
What was your favorite album in 2007?
Nothing really grabbed me and monopolized my cd player -- spent a lot of time with "Orphans" by Tom Waits.
How many concerts did you see in 2007?
Not many, 7, I think
Did you have a favorite concert in 2007?
Neil Young at Shea's
Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2007?
uh huh (hic) (burp)
Did you do drugs in 2007?
Only Advil
Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?
Nah, I spent much of the year under the proverbial radar
What was the worst lie someone told you in 2007?
"We're friends, right?"
Did you treat somebody badly in 2007?
Not intentionally
Did somebody treat you badly in 2007?
Yeah
What was your proudest moment of 2007?
Quitting my job and getting the former employer to sponsor the new one
What was your most embarrassing moment of 2007?
Too many mortifications to list
If you could go back in time to any moment of 2007 and change something, what would it be?
No going back only forward
What are your plans for 2008?
Making it up as I go
See some of you at the party tonight
happy new year (e:strip)!
12/27/2007 19:25 #42664
Christmas WrappingCategory: random
Talk about your critical reentries.
My poor ex was trying to enjoy a quiet cup of tea yesterday when the old folks drove their explorer into the river. 10 feet away, I'm appreciating that she had her minivan wrapped around her. Watching that and being the link to the coast guard left her a little shaky. I didn't find about it till later, but spent the night with the kids, eating pizza, assembling more christmas booty. Gave her a chance to collect herself without everybody going "mom, mom!"
She told me that she didn't sleep last night much. Me neither. Both together and separately we've taken the kids down there plenty of times. I'm thinking the old man driving hit the gas instead of the brake and then shit happened.
Shit, indeed.
The holiday was nice till then. Had a good time with my folks and sister on Christmas eve, the ex and the kids on Tuesday for brunch and back to the folks for dinner. Despite economic travails, the kids made out pretty good. Didn't get much, didn't want much other than three happy kids. Got that.
The news from the San Francisco Zoo made a quiet week get a little more interesting. I had to become an expert in tiger holding dimensions in a hurry for the benefit of the socratic wisdom that is Buffalo media. Stuff like that puts you on your toes, almost too on edge. A little paper called wanting a schedule of events for January and February, not caring about the other news. My neck was tightening expecting a question in the vein of "Can it happen here?" When he said thanks and hung up, I almost felt kind of gyped. Had the speech already.
Got my quote in the Times though, so I guess I'm a star.
I have my parking pass and assignment for the Ice Bowl and I'm looking forward to it, despite it cutting into my new year's. I am left with the question "Is a hockey game that won't be played for another 5 days so important it overshadows the Bhutto assasination?" That is some deeply warped priorities in terms of News coverage. Another section of the world imploding or the pregame entertainment to a hockey game? Decisions, decisions, must suck to be a news director.
I will be taking a camera along for my duty at the hockey game, but the hype is a little excessive, but I guess that is why they call it hype.
Got away with telling my boss she is full of shit today. She told me November is a quiet month for Zoo activity, we all know what happened there. Last Friday, she joked that my phone would need dusting off from lack of use. If only.
You know, it's been kind of cool to be seen deftly swatting away the calamity. Not bad for a one man band this week
My poor ex was trying to enjoy a quiet cup of tea yesterday when the old folks drove their explorer into the river. 10 feet away, I'm appreciating that she had her minivan wrapped around her. Watching that and being the link to the coast guard left her a little shaky. I didn't find about it till later, but spent the night with the kids, eating pizza, assembling more christmas booty. Gave her a chance to collect herself without everybody going "mom, mom!"
She told me that she didn't sleep last night much. Me neither. Both together and separately we've taken the kids down there plenty of times. I'm thinking the old man driving hit the gas instead of the brake and then shit happened.
Shit, indeed.
The holiday was nice till then. Had a good time with my folks and sister on Christmas eve, the ex and the kids on Tuesday for brunch and back to the folks for dinner. Despite economic travails, the kids made out pretty good. Didn't get much, didn't want much other than three happy kids. Got that.
The news from the San Francisco Zoo made a quiet week get a little more interesting. I had to become an expert in tiger holding dimensions in a hurry for the benefit of the socratic wisdom that is Buffalo media. Stuff like that puts you on your toes, almost too on edge. A little paper called wanting a schedule of events for January and February, not caring about the other news. My neck was tightening expecting a question in the vein of "Can it happen here?" When he said thanks and hung up, I almost felt kind of gyped. Had the speech already.
Got my quote in the Times though, so I guess I'm a star.
I have my parking pass and assignment for the Ice Bowl and I'm looking forward to it, despite it cutting into my new year's. I am left with the question "Is a hockey game that won't be played for another 5 days so important it overshadows the Bhutto assasination?" That is some deeply warped priorities in terms of News coverage. Another section of the world imploding or the pregame entertainment to a hockey game? Decisions, decisions, must suck to be a news director.
I will be taking a camera along for my duty at the hockey game, but the hype is a little excessive, but I guess that is why they call it hype.
Got away with telling my boss she is full of shit today. She told me November is a quiet month for Zoo activity, we all know what happened there. Last Friday, she joked that my phone would need dusting off from lack of use. If only.
You know, it's been kind of cool to be seen deftly swatting away the calamity. Not bad for a one man band this week
If he runs he is going to make it very interesting for sure. All that data crunching from those Bloomberg Terminals give him something to go on, I may fly to Vegas and put something on him to win.
His appeal is that he's a not a religious wacko and he's ultra business. It's sad but people trust business more than government. So someone that basically built the data analysis system for Wall Street has the admiration of most Americans. That gives him an edge over any Democrat that is still left in the race, since they're pretty much just government resume only holders that never made it in "the private sector."
Yeah, the whole Unity Party thing seems to just be fake grass roots cover for him to run.
I wouldn't be too sure about his ability to draw off support from Republicans. I interact with right leaners of differing commitment very frequently. I have heard not one peep from them about Bloomberg. He is off the radar. And why wouldn't he be? Everyone knows he is a Democratic, and why he ran with an (R) next to his name.
I don't know where he gets support.
Oh I agree, his candidacy won't change the nature of what's already underway. I
don't believe he'd win in this current climate. My innner-rubber necker likes
watching what his presence would inspire on all sides, given that both he and
his billions are too large to ignore.
It'd be fun to watch, not that it would solve anything, but it would be
entertaining.
This election doesn't feature a huge group who is disenchanted with the Democratic party. He'll draw off support mostly from the Republicans, but like James says not from many of them. The Democrats are really fired up for this election and getting on with a life post-Bush. Bloomberg needs an electorate disenchanted with the status quo on both sides.
The problem with a new centrist 3rd party or candidate is that they still must schizophrenically deal with all the same issues that drove the Left and the Right apart to begin with. How does this Unity party handle abortion, war, economic and health policy?
Any good workable ideas will be sucked up by one of the main parties leaving the 3rd party with just the unresolvable ones.
I don't understand why a New York City Independent/Really-a-Democrat-but-technically-I-was-a-Republican would think he has anything to contribute to the race. I like Bloomy, I really do. But he is not fiscally or socially conservative at all. He has no real centrist appeal. If he runs it is because his ego is getting to big for NYC.