The Rants Of A Dave

2008 JOEFL Rules

2009-07-06T20:16:00.000-07:00

Rules as they stand now-

SECTION 1: FIGURES:

ALLOWED FIGURES:
Figures from Tudor Games (from 1967-1989, no earlier), Miggle Toys, SIW (Buzzball), and Football Figures (Reginald Rutledge products) are authorized for use in the league, proved they meet the height and weight requirements.

PLAYER HEIGHT:
All EF Figures shall be no more than 1.75 inches tall including base and extended arms.

PLAYER WEIGHT:
All EF Figures shall weigh no more than 3.5 grams total weight including base.

ADDING WEIGHT TO PLAYERS:
Lead and/or double-sided stick tape is authorized. Magnets are only authorized on kickers, punters, kick returners, and punt returners. Lessen weight on players by adjusting the plate the player is on, but still must be able to be clipped to the base using the base clips. Hollowing out the player is also allowed, as long as the hole is covered.

ALLOWED POSES:
Coaches may modify the appearance of a player to gain a competitive advantage. Figures cannot be molded or modified to have attributes not found in standard football players. No more than five (5) of a particular pose of player (per side) may be on the field for one play. No more than five (5) players (per side) may be on the field with either or both hands above their head. Questions about the legitimacy of a player will be brought to the league commissioner.

SECTION 2: BASES:

ALLOWED BASES:
Bases from all above mentioned retailers and vendors are authorized as well as ITZ dials. Standard tweaking practices are also allowed. “Boat” bases are allowed. The boiling of bases is not authorized.

FINAL AUTHORITY:
The game referee and league commissioner reserve the right to find any player or base as unauthorized for league play.

SECTION 3: GAMES:

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT:
A JOEFL game must have the following equipment available at a minimum:

(1) Two teams in compliance with JOEFL player and base regulations.
(2) An approved Electric Football board with a field made of metal or wood.
(3) A Triple-Threat Quarterback (TTQB) with the kicking leg in order to pass and kick.
(4) First down chain and markers for Line of Scrimmage and Rear Limit.
(5) A goalpost in order to attempt field goals.
(6) A 60-second timer
(7) A copy of the current JOEFL rules in hard copy or electronic format.

TEAM INSPECTION:
Coaches are allowed to inspect an opponent’s team before the start of a game. A scale will also be made available by coaches to weigh questionable players. Players who do not pass inspection will not be permitted during the game. Third party officials will be available to answer questions either in person or by telephone. Coaches are encouraged to limit pre-game inspections to thirty (30) minutes.

BOARD VIBRATION AND SPEED:
Coaches are encouraged to test their players on the board to be played on before the start of a game. Both coaches will come to an agreement on the speed setting of the board to be played on.

COIN TOSS:
A coin toss is made just prior to starting the game. The "visiting" coach calls "heads" or "tails" while the coin is tossed in the air. The winner of the coin toss gets first choice of one of the following:

(1) Receive the kick-off
(2) Kick-off
(3) Defend the goal of choice
(4) Defer first choice in exchange for first choice at the start of the second half.

GAME TIMING:
The game is divided into (4) four quarters consisting of 10 plays apiece. Extra points and two-point conversions do not count as a play. Touchbacks from kickoffs and punts will count as a play. Each coach has three time-outs per half. A time out does not add an additional play to the end of the half.

IN THE EVENT OF A TIE:
If the score is tied upon completion of (4) four quarters of regulation play, (1) one period of overtime will be played. A coin toss will be performed to determine who gets starting possession. The overtime period will be in a “sudden death” format, with the first team to score during overtime being the winner, and the game ends immediately. If neither team scores after ten total elapsed plays, the game is considered a tie.

GAME TERMS:

ADJUST: An adjust is the process of picking up a player and turning the dial on its TTC base (or brushing the prongs on a rookie base) and then placing the player back on the field in the same exact spot and orientation.

ANGLE: An angle is the process of turning a base to face in a different direction. When angling a base, it must maintain the original distance between itself and the object it is being angled toward, and be turned on an imaginary axis. Being out of bounds does not disqualify an eligible player from being angled.

ENGAGED: A player is considered engaged when any part of its base is in contact with any part of an opposing team player's base. An engaged player is never allowed to be angled or adjusted.

FORWARD PROGRESS: At any time when the ball carrier runs backwards (or loses forward progress) the coach on offense may elect to turn off the game and call the play down at that point. The furthest point of advance by the ball carrier’s base determines forward progress.

OUT OF BOUNDS. If any portion of the ball carrier's base touches the out of bounds line, the play is stopped. The ball is marked at the point where the ball carrier's base first touched the out of bounds line.

TACKLE: The ball carrier is tackled when any part of its base comes into contact with any part of an opposing player's base. The ball is downed at the forward point of the ball carrier's base.

KICK-OFFS:
Kick-off plays will be the first play of each half, the first play of overtime, and after a touchdown or field goal is scored.

KICKING TEAM FORMATION:
The kicking team lines up all players at its own 30-yard line. The kicker is in the center of the formation, and will kick the ball using the TTQB (or a mutually approved substitute) from his own 30-yard line.

RECEIVING TEAM FORMATION:
The receiving team must have at least five players on the fifty yard line. One player, the kick returner, must be set centered at its own 2-yard line. The kick returner should be a stationary player so that it does not move when the board is turned on. The remaining five players may be set anywhere between the 50 yard line and the receiving team's goal line.

Kick-Off Play Procedure. When both teams are set, play proceeds in the following manner:

(1) The TTQB (or some other approved kicking method) is used to kick the ball.

(2) The board is turned on for four seconds (to simulate the ball being kicked in the air while the kicking team runs downfield to cover) and then turned off.

(3) If the ball does not land on the field, the kick returner shall return the kickoff from his pre-designated spot at his own 2 yard line. If the ball lands and rests on the board in the field of play, it is from that point the kick returner shall be placed and the decision to return will be made. The return team may also opt not to return the kickoff, and begin their series where they downed the ball. Kickoffs which land and rest in the end zone can be returned or considered a touchback, giving the receiving team the ball at their own 20-yard line.

(4) If the receiving team decides to return the kick, the stationary player in the kick returner position is replaced by the actual kick returner. The kick returner's base may be angled.

(5) The kicking team may adjust/angle any of its non-engaged players.

(6) The receiving team can adjust/angle any unengaged players as blockers for the kickoff returner.

(7) The board is turned back on and play continues until the kick returner is tackled, runs out of bounds, scores, or has his forward progress stopped.
On-Sides Kick Procedure: A team may attempt an on-sides kick only if it is losing. The procedure for an on-sides kick is as follows:

(1) After the kicking team and receiving team are both set, the kicking team announces its intention to attempt an on-sides kick.

(2) The kicking team then removes one of its players and replaces it with the triple-threat quarterback at the spot the kicker occupied.

(3) The ball is then kicked. A magnetic marker will be placed at the precise spot the ball lands and rests.

(4) The kicking team will have a chance to recover the ball if, as a result of the kick, the ball travels a minimum of ten yards, remains inbounds, and does not strike any player on the field. If this occurs, both teams are then allowed to adjust and angle any of its players including the kicker toward the football. The receiving team may make adjustments after the kicking team.

(5) The board is turned on for (3) three seconds. The first player to make contact with the ball gains possession for its team at the spot of the ball. The play is over at that point. The player recovering the ball may not advance it. If players from opposing teams make contact with the ball simultaneously, possession is awarded to the receiving team. If no player recovers the ball upon completion of the (3) three-second runoff, the receiving team gains possession at the spot of the ball.

(6) The receiving team will gain automatic possession if as a result of the kick the ball travels less than ten yards, or hits any player on the field, or goes out of bounds. If the ball travels less than ten yards, the play is over and the receiving team takes possession at the spot of the ball. If the ball hits one of the players on the field, the play is over and the receiving team takes possession of the ball at the spot of that player. If the ball goes out of bounds as a result of the kick or if it bounces out of bounds during the three second count, the receiving team may elect to take possession of the ball at either the spot where the ball went out of bounds or at the receiving team's 40-yard line.

PLAYS FROM SCRIMMAGE: This section describes the rules and procedures that the offensive and defensive teams must follow on running and passing plays from scrimmage. The game referee has the final authority on play by play matters.

PLAYERS ON THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE: Offensive and defensive players shall not have any part of their body or base extending over the line of scrimmage.

Offensive Formations. The offense must set its players in the following manner:

Interior Offensive Linemen- The interior offensive linemen (center, guards, and tackles) are set on the line of scrimmage with a space between them measuring one “rookie” base width. These linemen should be set perpendicular to the line (straight, not slanted) if the base is moving forward. If the base is moving backward, then it may be set straight or slanted. NO MAGNETS!

Tight Ends- Any tight end or receiver on the line of scrimmage must be at least one base width outside of the tackle. The tight ends may be set straight or slanted. A tight end not set on the line of scrimmage must also be outside the tackle and exactly five yards behind the line of scrimmage. Tight ends may not be within 5 yards base to base in a columnar line, aka “stacking”.

Receivers- Any receiver on the line of scrimmage must be at least two bases width outside of the tackle, or one base width from a tight end. Receivers may be set straight or slanted. A receiver not set on the line of scrimmage must also be outside the tackle and set exactly five yards behind the line of scrimmage. Receivers may not be within 5 yards base to base in a columnar line, aka “stacking”.

Quarterback- The offense must always have a player designated as the quarterback. The quarterback must be set such that its entire base is inside the “hash marks” and no more than 15 yards behind the line of scrimmage. No other player may be set in the path between the quarterback and center. The quarterback may be slanted to face any direction. The quarterback may line up directly behind center if he is on a stationary base. All other times require a 5-yard gap between the quarterback and center.

Running backs- A maximum of three players may be set as running backs. A running back must be set such that its base at a minimum makes visible contact with the “hash marks” and at least (5) five but no more than (15) fifteen yards behind the line of scrimmage. Running backs can be set up directly behind each other in the backfield, provided there is a 5 yards base to base space between them.

Defensive Formations: Stacking (players in a line with less than 5 yards between bases) is not allowed on defense. One (1) linebacker or defensive back must play 5 yards off a receiver or tight end on the line of scrimmage. A minimum of (2) two defensive linemen must be on the line of scrimmage for any play. The defense sets its players in the following manner:

Defensive Linemen- A defensive lineman can be set on the line of scrimmage directly opposite an offensive lineman, or offset so that no more than 33% of the defensive linemen’s base is offset on either side of an offensive lineman.

Linebackers- Linebackers may be set on or behind the line of scrimmage. Linebackers must be outside of the offensive tackles if set on the line of scrimmage. If they are set five or more yards behind the line of scrimmage, then they may be in the gaps between defensive linemen. If they are set five or more yards behind the line of scrimmage, then they may be angled in response to the offense.

Defensive Backs- Defensive backs may be set on or behind the line of scrimmage. If set on the line of scrimmage, they must be outside of the offensive tackles. If they are set five or more yards behind the line of scrimmage, then they may be in the gaps between offensive linemen. If they are set five or more yards behind the line of scrimmage, then they may be angled in response to the offense. Defensive backs shall not begin a play laying down on the field.

GAME TERMS:

ADJUST: An adjust is the process of picking up a player and turning the dial on its TTC base (or brushing the prongs on a rookie base) and then placing the player back on the field in the same exact spot and orientation.

ANGLE: An angle is the process of turning a base to face in a different direction. When angling a base, it must maintain the original distance between itself and the object it is being angled toward, and be turned on an imaginary axis. Being out of bounds does not disqualify an eligible player from being angled.

MOTION: A player can be set in motion by physically lifting the player from the board and setting the player down at another location on the board at any desired angle. A coach may adjust a player’s base while in motion. Offensive and defensive linemen are the only players who cannot be put in motion.

INTERCEPTION. A pass hitting a defensive player on the fly is an interception. A player cannot intercept a pass if engaged with an offensive linemen. The pass is considered incomplete.

PASSES: The first player struck by the ball has “caught” the pass.

PLAY PROCEDURE: Plays are run as follows-

(1) The offense and defense simultaneously begin to set their players in the desired formations. A 60-second timer will be used to mark the time. When time expires, the offense must end setup and remove hands from players. The defense will then have 10 additional seconds, then must remove hands from players. Offense must call a “time out” within the allotted 60 seconds to eliminate the 60-second setup clock for that play only.

NOTE: When it is the first play from scrimmage following a possession change, no setup timer is used.

(2) The offense says "set" when its formation is complete. At this point, the offense may no longer make any changes to its formation.

(3) Upon seeing the offense's final set formation, the defense makes its final adjustments and says "set." The defense must set up all players upright.

(4) The offense may now angle (but not adjust) a maximum of two players in the offensive backfield between the “hash marks” (i.e. running backs and quarterback). Instead of angling two players, the offense may “motion” one player. The quarterback may be “motioned”

(5) In response to Step 4 above, the defense may angle as many players as the offense did, plus angling one additional defensive player. The defenders being angled are at least five yards behind the line of scrimmage. The defense is allowed one “motion” in lieu of performing two audibles. Any defensive player can be “motioned” and set back down on the field at any angle. The defense can then still angle one additional linebacker or defensive back. No defensive players can have a magnetic base.

If the offense: Then the defense:
Make no adjustments Can audible 1 (one) LB or DB
Makes 1 (one) audible Can audible 2 (two) LB or DB
or
Can motion 1 (one) defensive player
Makes 1 (one) motion Can audible 3 (three) LB or DB
or
Can motion 1 (one) defensive player
PLUS audible 1 (one) LB or DB
Makes 2 (two) audibles Can audible 3 (three) LB or DB
or
Can motion 1 (one) defensive player
PLUS audible 1 (one) LB or DB

(6) The offense announces the number of the ball carrier and turns on the game board. The ball carrier is allowed one chance to turn off the board and do one of two things:

(A): Attempt a pass with the TTQB. Go to Step 7.

(B): Turn off the board and re-angle the ball carrier (This cannot be done in the red zone). If a running back never crosses the line of scrimmage and is never tackled, the switch can be turned off for no gain. Unengaged defenders can also be adjusted. Defense turns on the switch and turns it off as soon as the play is over.

(7) The offense may attempt a pass if all of the following conditions are met:

(A) The quarterback has not been tackled (sacked).

(B) The quarterback has never had its entire base drop back more than 15 yards behind the line of scrimmage, otherwise known as the “Rear Limit”.

(C) An eligible receiver is open to receive a pass. A receiver is eligible to receive a pass if the base is completely inbounds and not engaged base to base with a defensive player. A receiver that had previously been out of bounds may still be eligible to receive a pass provided that the entire base is inbounds at the time of the pass attempt. A receiver will be considered engaged if they are 5 or more yards behind the quarterback.

(D) The quarterback has never had any part of its base on or past the line of scrimmage. If the quarterback’s base goes past the line of scrimmage, play continues with the quarterback as the ball carrier. If the offense turns the board off, the offense can change the quarterback’s direction and base and the defense can turn any unengaged defenders.

(E) The quarterback has not run out of bounds. If the qb does, this is considered a loss of yards. The quarterback may change its base and run if he is still behind the line of scrimmage and all possible receivers are out of bounds or otherwise engaged. The quarterback can be angled and adjusted. Defenders may turn as many non-engaged players as possible to stop the quarterback run.

NOTE: Quarterback may “keep the ball” once per half, if there are open receivers.

(8) If the intended receiver is within five yards of the quarterback, and has an unobstructed line of sight, no TTQB is necessary as the pass is considered a “shovel”, and is automatically complete.

(9) The pass is attempted with the triple threat quarterback. When attempting the pass, the quarterback may be tilted as long as some part of its base remains in contact with the board inside the footprint of where the base was at when the switch was turned off. The offense has only one attempt in which to complete the pass. The first player struck by the ball is the recipient of the pass.

NOTE: If any eligible receiver catches the pass, it is a completed pass.

If the pass is complete (see definition of completion), proceed to Step 10.

The offense may elect to take an automatic incompletion ("throw it away"). If the offense misses the pass or opts to "throw it away," then go to Step 11.

If the offense throws an interception (see definition of interception), then the defensive player becomes the ball carrier. If the defensive player is engaged, then the ball is down at that point. If the defensive player is not engaged, then he may be angled and adjusted. Play continues with Step 10, but with the defender as the ball carrier and with the offense becoming "the defense."

(10) The receiver or a single blocker, upon catching the pass, may be angled by the offense. The blocker will be an alternate unengaged offensive player to block for the ball carrier. The defense may angle and adjust any of its players who are not engaged. After making all adjustments, the defense controls the switch and the play continues with the new ball carrier. The defense then turns off the switch upon completion of the play.

(11) The line of scrimmage is marked for the next play.

=====================================================

OPTIONS FOR PASSING:

Halfback Pass: A pass may be attempted with the halfback. If the halfback is more than 5 yards away from the QB, the TTQB will be used to throw him the ball. If the pass is incomplete, the play ends. The halfback must also be behind the line of scrimmage.

If the pass is complete, the defense can adjust players based on the new ballcarrier. The offense can then re-position (and change the base) on the QB to make him eligible (if desired), and then the defense turns on the switch for (2) two seconds to allow the play to continue. If the ballcarrier is tackled, he is down at that point. If the ballcarrier runs out of bounds, play is dead for no gain.
Upon completion of the 2 seconds, the halfback MUST throw the ball to an eligible receiver past the line of scrimmage or throw the ball away. The halfback can not “tuck and run”. Upon the completed pass, the defense can adjust again, and play resumes.

Center Eligible/Center Sneak: Each coach may attempt this play once per game.

As a running play, the center is identified as the ball carrier and the defense gets the switch as a running play.

As a passing play, the offense can declare center eligible at any time when the TTQB is looking for eligible receivers. The center is no longer eligible once he has completely gone further than (10) ten yards past the line of scrimmage or is engaged. If the pass is successful, treat the center as a standard ball carrier.

Quick Kick: A “Quick Kick” may be attempted once per game per coach, as long as the kick attempt is made from within the opponent’s 50-yard line, and the QB is not more than 15 yards behind the line of scrimmage. The quarterback will be replaced on the field with the TTQB at his current position.
The offense announces its intent to “Quick Kick”. The QB must me made stationary, as the defense will be allowed to re-angle any unengaged defenders, and will get a 1-second rush. If the QB is tackled, the play ends. The TTQB attempts the kick, if it is good, the offense gets 3 points. If it is no good, the ball is dead and possession goes to the defense at the spot of the attempted kick.
Remember, the Quick Kick is considered a Field Goal Attempt.

PUNTS:

Formations: The rules for offensive and defensive formations as described in also apply to punts. The player at the quarterback position is the punter. The punter must be a player on a stationary base. In addition, the defense may elect to place a kick returner on a stationary base exactly 50 yards from the line of scrimmage or on its own goal line (whichever is closer to the line of scrimmage).

Play Procedure. Plays are run as follows:

(1) The offense announces its intention to punt.

(2) The board is turned on for two seconds to allow the defense an opportunity to block the punt. (The punt is blocked if the kicker gets tackled or if its base is moved more than 15 yards behind the line of scrimmage during the two second count). If the punt is blocked, then the defense takes possession at the spot of the punter. The defense may not advance the ball on a blocked punt. The play is over. If after the two second count the punt is not blocked, proceed to Step 3.

(3) The quarterback substitution is made by removing the stationary player and putting the triple threat quarterback in its place.

(4) The punt is made with the triple threat quarterback. When making the punt, the quarterback may be tilted as long as some part of its base remains in contact with the board on the spot where the base was at the time when the switch was turned off.

(5) As a result of the punt, one of the following situations will occur:

(A)The punt flies out of bounds without first touching the field of play or another player.

(B) The punt hits the field of play and stays inbounds.

(C) The punt hits a player on the fly or after bouncing on the field of play.

(D) The punt hits the field of play and then goes out of bounds.

If situations (a) or (b) occur, the punt is returnable.

In the event of situation (a), the punt returner stays in its original position.

In the event of situation (b), the punt returner is moved to the spot of the ball. Proceed to Step 6.

If situation (c) occurs and the first player hit is a member of the return team, then that player becomes the punt returner. That player's position is marked. Proceed to Step 6.

If situation (c) occurs and the first player hit is a member of the punting team, then the ball is down at the spot of that player with the return team having possession.

If situation (d) occurs, the play is over and return team has possession at the point where the ball went out of bounds.

NOTE: The punting team may instead "fake" the punt and pass to an eligible receiver. In this case, play would resume.

(6) The punting team may angle all five of its eligible receivers (even if they are engaged) to cover the punt. The return team makes no adjustments.

(7) The board is turned on for four seconds (to simulate the ball being punted in the air while the kicking team runs downfield to cover the punt) and then turned off.

(8) By the end of the four-second count, if any player from the punting team is able to hit the punt returner's base or pass the spot of the punt returner while remaining inbounds, then the result is an automatic "fair catch." The play is over and the ball is marked at the spot of the punt returner. (If the punt returner was in the endzone, then the result is a touchback). If no player from the punting team is able to force the "fair catch," then the punt is returnable. Proceed to Step 8.

(9) The stationary player in the punt returner position is removed and the actual punt returner is put in its place at the exact same spot.

(10) The punt returner may be angled. No other player on the return team may be angled.

(11) The punting team may then adjust and angle any of its players not engaged with a player from the return team.

(12) The board is turned on and play continues until the punt returner is tackled, runs out of bounds, scores, or has its forward progress stopped.

FIELD GOALS AND PATs. A field goal may only be attempted when the offense is on beyond the opponent's 45-yard line.

PAT’s will be attempted unobstructed from the opponent’s 15 yard line.

Formations. The rules for offensive and defensive formations previously described apply to field goal and PAT attempts. The player at the quarterback position is the kicker. The kicker must be a player on a stationary base.

Play Procedure. Plays are run as follows:

(1) The offense announces its intention to attempt a kick.

(2) The board is turned on for two seconds to allow the defense an opportunity to block the kick. (The kick is blocked if the kicker gets tackled or if its base is moved more than 15 yards behind the line of scrimmage). If the kick is blocked, then the defense takes possession at the spot of the kicker. The defense may not advance the ball on a blocked kick. The play is over. If after the two second count the kick is not blocked, proceed to Step 3.

(3) The quarterback substitution is made by removing the stationary player and putting the triple threat quarterback in its place.

(4) The kick is attempted. When making the kick, the quarterback may be tilted as long as some part of its base remains in contact with the board on the spot where the base was at the time when the switch was turned off.

NOTE: The offense may instead "fake" the field goal and pass to an eligible receiver. In this case, play would resume as a passing play.

DEFINITIONS

ADJUST: An adjust is the process of picking up a player and turning the dial on its TTC base (or brushing the prongs on a rookie base) and then placing the player back on the field in the same exact spot and orientation.

ANGLE: An angle is the process of turning a base to face in a different direction. When angling a base, it must maintain the original distance between itself and the object it is being angled toward, and be turned on an imaginary axis. Being out of bounds does not disqualify an eligible player from being angled.

COMPLETION: A pass is complete if it hits any part of an eligible receiver's base or figure on the fly. Passes may not be thrown to receivers who are covered (see definition of covered receiver). A pass is complete to the first player it strikes. A receiver does not have to be declared beforehand.

COVERED RECEIVER: When any part of an eligible receiver's base is in contact with any part of a defender's base, that receiver is considered "covered." Any pass hitting that receiver is incomplete.

FALLEN PLAYERS: Figures may fall during the course of a play. If the fallen figure is a ball carrier, then the play is immediately dead and marked by the forward most portion of the base (not the figure). If fallen player is an eligible receiver, he can be thrown to while remaining fallen. Upon making the catch, a fallen player is marked down at the spot of the base. If the fallen player is on defense, he may be stood up and re-positioned, provided he is not engaged.

FORWARD PROGRESS: At any time when the ball carrier runs backwards (or loses forward progress) the coach on offense may elect to turn off the game and call the play down at that point. Forward progress is the furthest point of forward advance by the ball carrier’s base.

GAP: The gap is the space between players on the offensive line. The offensive linemen (center, guards, tackles and tight ends) must be spaced exactly one “rookie” base width apart when setting up a play from scrimmage.

INTERCEPTION: A pass hitting a defensive player on the fly is an interception. The "covered receiver" rule does not apply to defenders. A pass hitting a defensive player is an interception even if its base is in contact with an offensive player's base. If the player which intercepted the pass is not engaged, it may be angled and adjusted for an interception return.

MOTION: A player can be set in motion by physically lifting the player from the board and setting the player down at another location on the board at any desired angle. A coach may adjust a player’s base while in motion. Offensive linemen are the only players who cannot be put in motion.

OUT OF BOUNDS: If any portion of the ball carrier's base touches the out of bounds line, the play is stopped. The ball is marked at the point where the ball carrier's base first touched the out of bounds line.

RED ZONE: The area of the field from the opposing team’s 20 yard line to the opponent’s goal line. Running backs cannot be re-positioned in this area of the field.

STACKING: Stacking is defined as lining up one player directly behind another with little or no space between the players' bases (like a train) in order to get extra pushing power. A linebacker, for example, may not be stacked directly behind a defensive lineman. Any player that is set in the straight line path behind another defensive player must be at least five yards (end to end) farther behind the line of scrimmage than the player in front of it. On offense, stacking behind offensive linemen or receivers is also illegal. One exception, however, is that some modified stacking is allowed in the offensive backfield, as long as there is a minimum of 5 yards between them and are lined up in an “offset” formation.

STATIONARY PLAYER: A stationary player is a player on a base with the prongs cut out so that it does not move when the board is turned on. These players can only be used to mark the spot of a quarterback, kicker, punter, kick returner or punt returner.

Another technology goes the way of the VCR...

2009-06-12T06:10:00.000-07:00

The last day of analog television. No more rabbit ears. No more snowy screens. No more "I only get one channel".

I was thinking of doing a sci-fi series for Youtube. I'm thinking about using a kitschy-style, older sci-fi model, to hearken back to the great sci-fi shows which peppered the analog TV landscape.

Yep, I think my idea has sprouted wings.

Thanks Melinda, for completely re-booting "Privateers". A brave move done with a single post. The idea wheel is turning.

No National Holiday for 9-11

2009-06-03T08:07:00.000-07:00

Think about this. Thousands died on the tragic day that was 9-11. An attack on American soil by a small group of terrorists with no allegiance to any nation determined to undermine the leadership of the United States, impact its financial stability, and create widespread panic.

And we're going to declare a "national holiday"? For what? People to go to the beach? Give some people a day off work? There's no "Pearl Harbor Day". There's no "Oklahoma City Bombing Day". There's no "Columbine Day".

I belive if we do this, then the terrorists win in illustrating the United States is a nation of sentimental, short-attention-span weaklings who go in a corner and cry when a bully punches them in the nose.

I say if you want to memorialize those who lost their lives that day, do things which are productive for America. Play patriotic music on the radio. Play the National Anthem on the time the first plane struck. Pray for those who have lost loved ones, and for guidance for our nation. If you don't pray, don't obstruct those who do. Get out and work. Go to school. If you're not working, volunteer your time to help console families of victims, or just volunteer in your community. Declare 9-11 a "Night Against Crime".

Also during prime time, show clips of Gitmo detainees answering questions about how they want to kill Americans and destroy our way of life.

Then execute one of the Taliban detainees on national television.

Don't make 9-11 a holiday. Make it a celebration of American strength.

Mobicon 2010 could have its own Cannonball Run!

2009-05-28T06:04:00.000-07:00

I'll span CR I and II:

We have Captain Chaos and the Sheik.

Team still available (at best)-

JJ McClure (Burt Reynolds's role) with either a pair of nuns or a Beauty

The doctor- Goes around offering "shots"

Two guys dressed as priests who roll in a Ferrari

The Lamborghini girls

The high-tech team

The limo with the monkey driver in the front with Mel Tillis and Tony Danza

The super spy guy (The Roger Moore part)

The "race" would be held on Saturday. I would like some help suggesting a time.

I would like to do it in the early afternoon to have the post-race party spill into the costume contest and slave auction.

But it would be great to have a slave people could slap around and have him say, "A thousand thanks".

Also, get ready for the Sheik's tribute page.

Our House...Is a very, very, very fine house....

2009-05-22T14:24:00.000-07:00

This weekend makes 10 years in the house.

If you have passed through my front door and contributed to the great overall vibe of the place, thank you.

If you have yet to visit, then come on over!

About Mobicon-

2009-05-19T10:58:00.000-07:00

Had fun!

Friday night garnered some strange looks as a small intrepid group of gamers and I played Heroclix using Mega Blocks for buildings, allowing for a near 3-d experience, along with plastic army guys and policemen. Special guest stars were Godzilla and Kong.

The event was a smashing (on many levels) success. Kudos to me for also bringing a stocked cooler into the game room.

Saturday was a shopping trip through the vendor stores, bought Ninja Burger, as well as a few t-shirts and a moonstone pendant for my dawlin'. Saturday night was the slave auction and I did something I have never done before...got my fortune told.

Sunday was packin' up and heading home, which segued into a stop in Baton Rouge to whoop Cowpokes in electric football.

Heckuva weekend.

For Mobicon- Heroclix out the Wazzoo!

2009-05-05T06:50:00.000-07:00

I'll be checkin out Mobicon in a few weeks and bringing the baddest collection of Heroclix to put up the Heroclix tournament.

The story will be told in three parts, and feature DC and Marvel favorites.

One of the storylines is the search for Dyno-Man. Eh heh eh heh eh heh. Yeahhhhhhh.

The finale will involve an attack on Apokolips.

Giggity!

Misplaced wealth envy = HYPOCRISY

2009-03-31T07:59:00.000-07:00

I'm reading the news stories about people wanting to name names and burn AIG executives at the proverbial stake who accepted bonuses from bailout money.

But we smile and laugh at some schlep who bought Paris Hilton a $10,000 dog.

We also have Mariah buying a $125M mansion, and athletes still haggling over millions to play professional sports.

Where's the people on their doorstep? Who's calling for their 90% tax hike? We know who these people are!

So that's it. Maybe the AIG employees should go on "American Idol". Then it'd be all right.

Right??

Almost as good as PB & J--

2009-03-22T18:44:00.000-07:00

I got inspired from the first meeting of food and sports in parody in the Breakfast Cereal Bracket. Now, it's time to take it to the next level- Fantasy Fast Food-

Merges the style of play of Fantasy Football with our favorite items from major fast food establishments.

You draft for each position, then games are deiced by letting people vote for your item against your opponent's item. Such as, The Whopper vs. Big Mac.

The establishments with products in the draft pool:

McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, Sonic, Popeyes, Church's, Rally's, Taco Bell, Arby's, Hardee's, Subway, Quizno's, KFC, and Krystal.

The positions to draft for:

Red Meat: Burgers, Roast Beef, Steak on a sandwich, salad, or a tortilla. Hot Dogs also fall into this category.

White Meat: Chicken (grilled, baked, or fried; pieces, nuggets, or strips; on sandwich, salad, or tortilla or not), Turkey,

French Fries: Any size

Alternate Side: Baked Potatoes, non-meat Salads, Jalapeno Poppers, Frito Pies, Mashed Potatoes, Onion Rings, or anything not French Fries

Drinks/Shakes: Any beverage served at a fast-food establishment. Iced and Hot Coffee fall here as well as floats, shakes and freezes.

Desserts: Ice Cream Cones, Pies, Parfaits, Sundaes, Cookies, and Flurries.

Breakfast Item:Any item on a breakfast menu from a sausage biscuit to a cinnamon roll, or from a croissan'wich to a breakfast platter.

Special Notes:

Items which contain no meat, i.e. a bean burrito, may be substituted for any Red Meat or White Meat position.

Each specific food item may be drafted only once. No two owners can own Big Mac. No two owners can have Popeyes French Fries. Two owners may have BK Chicken Tenders if they use different sauces. Once you commit to a sauce, it's your for the entire season. Two owners may have Popeyes Chicken, if one selects Spicy and the other is Mild.

Multiple Owners can have Wendy's hamburgers if you use the Single, Double, Triple, and Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger.

You may add/drop a maximum of two menu items throughout the course of the 6-week season.

All items must be on the current menus for 2009.

Scoring:

A typical match would play out like so:

1. Both owners post their line-ups:

Player A:
A1. McD Quarter Pounder
A2. Popeyes' Spicy Chicken
A3. BK French Fries
A4. Arby's Loaded Potato Bites
A5. Coca-Cola
A6. Subway's White Choc Macadamia Nut Cookies
A7. McD Sausage McMuffin With Egg

Player B:
B1: Quizno's Steakhouse Dip
B2: Wendy's Spicy Chicken Sandwich
B3: McD French Fries
B4: Popeyes Onion Rings
B5: Taco Bell's Strawberry Fruitista Freeze
B6: McD Caramel Sundae
B7: BK French Toast Sticks

2. All league members vote on their favorites by the numbers. An example vote would be: A1 (over B1), A2 (over B2), B3 (over A3), B4 (over A4), A5 (over B5), B6 (over A6), A7 (over B7). The A's had four and the B's had three. So this voter is giving a point to Owner A.

3. At the end of a designated time period, the points are tallied. The Owner with the most points wins the matchup for the week.

4. The two best owners from the 6-week season will play a championship to determine who has the hottest menu in Fantasy Fast Food.

**NOTE: Not responsible for increasing waistlines!

NOW--Who would participate? Come on, take me on!

I laughed out loud at this today--

2009-03-18T10:51:00.000-07:00

Colin Cowherd has this up, it's the Breakfast Cereal Bracket.

If you're not a March Madness fan, here's how it works-

Basically 64 breakfast cereals were thrown into brackets to compete against each other with people voting their favorites out of the 2. You have matchups like Capn' Crunch vs. Alpha-Bits and Honey Nut Cheerios vs. Special K.

But what really cracked me up was Colin talking about the cereal brackets like college basketball teams, with sayings like Honey Nut Cheerios- best bench anywhere. You have Cheerios-then you have the honey. Tough combination to beat."

It's now down to the "Edible 8"! Check it out.

New Year, New Diet Challenge-

2009-01-06T19:09:00.001-08:00

My dawlin' and I decided to compete against each other on losing a few pounds. Our goals are similar, and it will be based on percentage of weight lost per week.

Our first weigh-in is next Monday. We'll go at it for 90 days. Winner to receive a prize TBD.

Wish us luck!

New Year, New TV? I'm picking up trouble...

2009-01-05T11:22:00.000-08:00

So by mid-February, analog TV will be a thing of the past, replaced by all broadcasts in rich digital picture and sound. This conversion requires a converter box, or say hello to snow if you are not already one of the millions of customers who pay an arm and a leg to watch a thumbnail's worth of television.

First off, I think it could still be a terrific opportunity for organizations to purchase the analog equipment. Public access, community networks, the options are interesting. Local news which is truly local. Stations which show high school athletics, or stations to fit other popular local interest. A Louisiana History Channel, for example.

Here's where I say it's going to be bad. First off, nothing mandated by gummint ever works better because of gummint.

1. If we have a beef with the cable provider, who can we switch to? Especially in a rural area? It's either get screwed or snow..

2. What will stop these networks from saying, "Hey, we're on the same platform as cable, so why can't we start showing vulgar language, (I'm sure Fox is jonesing to start dropping f-bombs) extreme violence, nudity, and sexual content, like a HBO?

2a. Who's to say the FCC won't stop any objectionable content?

3. Watch our cable bills jump in order to cover the costs of these "subsidized" converter boxes. It happened when the phone company was forced to deregulate. We're still paying for it, and telecom deregulation occurred in the '80's. Again, I have to pay for someone to watch TV who spent his/her money on meth.

4. When did watching TV become a basic human need? But we still turn away on killing babies.

Gotta love people's priorities.

Ten Stinker Christmas Albums

2008-12-24T07:46:00.000-08:00

As we make our way through the season of cheer, and XM is crankin' some great versions of timeless Christmas Favorites, well, there has to be the clunkers. The dregs. The "Oh no, not that!"

(Best Casey Kasem impression)- Now on to the countdown!

10.

Boogie with Santa, Boogie on down, now do the ho-ho-hustle!

9.

8.

7.

6.

5.

4.

3.

2.

1.

Now I did get this from another blogger in ATL whose list was much more diverse.

So we made it...

2008-12-22T07:49:00.000-08:00

With a win! My faith is a bit restored. Now. let's get to some other random musings-

How does a Navy SEAL know what is a "Perfect Pushup"?

Can anyone imagine Christmas at the Billy Mays' house? I think I'd have to whack that dude over the head with a shovel, or tell him to go put Christmas lights on the roof and move the ladder while he's up there to a neighbor's house before he's done. Billy Mays is the infernal household product pimp selling everything from scratch removers to sliders presses. Can you imagine his garage? "Billy, can you come move these 100 "Nacho-Makers? I gotta shovel the walk!"

Does anybody really watch half of the stations I get on Direct TV?

Does anyone give a flying flip about HD Radio? What's so wrong with FM Radio? It's supposed to be 'digital' right? Oh wait! Some people are dumb enough to buy anything with "HD" on it. Well here ya go pal, I'm selling HD Mayonnaise.

Who out there sees nothing wrong with a cartoon fox telling me how to make millions selling merchandise over the Internet I don't have to store or even pay for? Last I checked, that meant someone stole it. At least the two sorta-babes pushing the same thing were a little easier to watch.

Chicago style deep dish pizza looks good. I can't say I've ever had it.

The new stories on "Story Crafter" are utterly horrible.

And finally, if you're in Hell, and someone makes you mad, where do you tell them to go?

Whaddaya mean no one likes classical music??

2008-12-20T09:06:00.000-08:00

In an earlier post, I mentioned never buying classical music as a Dirty Santa gift. I mean Beethoven, Chopin, and the like.

Danielle charged me with purchasing the Dirty Santa gifts. So, I went and got some stuff. Here's the exchange-

Me: Yeah, for our Dirty Santas, I got us a glass chess set from Kirkland's, and a set of classical music CD's.

Her: Why did you get classical music CD's?!?!

Me: Come on, it's pretty music.

Her: No one listens to that!

Me: I'm sure somebody does.

Her: Uhh, I'm thinking "No".

So I got a wall sconce from Kirkland's as well.

Does anyone else like classical music?

I found something lefty-friendly!

2008-12-20T08:59:00.000-08:00

For those of you who were not born sinister (latin for left-handed), there are things we encounter which cause us some consternation. Spiral-bound notebooks leave an indentation in our writing hand. Table settings. Driving a car.

And don't get me started on scissors.

But addressing an envelope. Your return address goes in the top left corner, and the recipient goes in the lower center of the envelope. No smudges from the writing hand. It's actually ingenious in its simplicity.

Now I come to you!!

2008-12-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

I have to make eleven posts before the end of the year to break my 2006 record of 80 postings!

In order to do this, I need subject matter. So again, send me your best post ideas. Anything goes....

Sunday Dread..

2008-12-16T06:43:00.000-08:00

The 7-7 eliminated from the playoffs Saints versus the 0-14 Lions.

Coach Payton said losing the Chicago game was "a kick to the head".

Let's see the Saints' track record against winless teams this late in a season-

1977: Bucs first win EVER comes against the Saints in the Dome, losing 26 games prior.

1999: 0-7 Expansion Browns beat Ditka-coached Saints in the Dome.

Man, I do not want to watch this game.

My turn for a TMI post--

2008-12-16T06:39:00.000-08:00

I've been doing a colon cleansing (I hear the browsers moving on now) program. The 7-day one from GNC, called the Complete Body Cleansing Program. It's a 7-day formula.

Besides the fact you're going to the john to take the Browns to the Super Bowl a few times a day, by Day 3, you're feelin' like a million bucks.

Huh huh huh...Browns to the Super Bowl.

Oh and yes, I do recommend it. Good as an annual preventative.

This "Whopper Virgin" schtick:

2008-12-10T05:46:00.000-08:00

Burger King launched a new ad campaign to go to area in Romania and Thailand to find people who have never eaten a Whopper or Big mac, and ask them to taste test.

I wonder if those burgers were prepared with the same loving care that a whopper I get would be. I tell you what, the whoppers on the commercial look nothing like the whoppers I get in Hammond, LA. Lettuce looks green and fresh, and the thing doesn't have mayo oozing out from every angle. I'll also bet it wasn't warmed in a microwave, just broiled on the spot to order. I'm sure it was served by someone who understands the first thing about hygiene, and not some don't-give-a-crap-rather-be-smoking-doobie kid.

Can I be a whopper virgin?

Look what Santa dropped out of his sleigh!

2008-12-05T17:28:00.000-08:00

YEAHHHHHH!!!!

Need a new camera..

2008-12-04T18:43:00.000-08:00

I think my Canon PowerShot has finally just shot. The screen has lines in it, and the pics come out dark and grainy. Who's got some suggestions for a new camera, one that can take really detailed small scale shots? I don't need professional grade, but a very nice casual use camera.

From HFF- "Tell Me About Your Weirdest Military Experience and Why"?

2008-12-01T09:23:00.000-08:00

Second would have to be the Presidential visit. Here's NUMBER ONE-

So there I was, a Private on Kitchen Duty in Giebelstadt, Germany around July 1991, running a barbeque grill full of burgers for the 8/43rd ADA BN Welcome Home Ceremony. From the Gulf War. Yes, I also deployed. But for my "welcome home", I was stuck on the grill.

I was doing good, hearkened back to my Wendy's days, when I bent down to grab something from under the grill. Probably my water bottle. Either way, I heard a gentle voice say, "Good morning, young soldier".

I stood up, and all I was saw a row of four silver stars on a hat. My gaze went down a bit to a friendly looking man with a big grin. He continued with a "How are you today?"

I snapped to attention and saluted, replying with "Excellent, sir!"

He smiled, we shook hands, and that's when I saw the name tape. It said "Powell".

He moseyed on after that. But that's how I got to met Colin Powell. Not one of my more charmed moments.

From HFF- "Tell Me About Your Childhood Best Friend"

2008-12-01T09:12:00.000-08:00

His name is John, we met in Kindergarten at St. Christopher. We stayed friends until about midway through high school, he went to Rummel while I went to Brother Martin. When I started working 30-35 hours a week at 16 with high school, I kind of lost touch with just about everyone.

He shared a lot of my common interests, including just clowning around. He got me started on role-playing games, we would play D&D for entire weekends. We also did a lot of the typical stuff, rode bikes, played sports, those things.

What set him apart was, and still is, he's his own person comfortable in his own skin. As a kid I suppose I admired that, and still do today. He taught me a lot of great lessons in that area.

My holiday weekend of unbridled sacrilege..

2008-11-30T15:18:00.000-08:00

First we violated one of our family's Prime Directives by going out of town for Thanksgiving Day. Next, we skipped out on Fry Day. Then I caught a cold, possibly due to displeasing the Fry Day spirits. I'm fine today.

But let's see, what did I learn-

1. Cracker Barrel Thanksgiving is nowhere as good as homemade. Fry Day spirits compounded my misery by granting me some wicked heartburn from the cornbread dressing.

2. Do not buy classical music CD's as Dirty Santa gifts. Ever.

3. We stayed at the Holiday Inn in Mobile near a Hooter's. What's important about this is finding a faster way to the "candy store". If you were there, you know the significance of this.

4. Tanger Outlet Mall has some killer Black Friday specials before 10am. We got 95% of our shopping squared away.

5. Be careful when ordering the Amazon Kindle. It won't ship until February. The accessories, however, have already arrived.

6. Windows Vista requires a lot of updates.

7. I'm back on Storycrafter.

8. Room Service is overrated and pricey.

9. Zaxby's is NO Raising Cane's.

10. Despite my best desires, I did not get CJ a New York Jets or Mets cap. This would have been done strictly to annoy Rob. Better judgment prevailed.

Best of all, I learned my wife and I can still travel and enjoy time with each other.

Weird Al on Rock Band?

2008-11-25T11:50:00.000-08:00

Sondra had to whap me upside the head about a week ago. I was singing "Gump" while she was singing "Lump" during the last Rock Band session. It prompted us to discuss which parodied songs are in Rock Band.

There are 3:

"Lump"- which became "Gump"
"My Sharona"- which became "My Bologna"
"Pretty Fly for a White Guy"- which became "Pretty Fly for a Rabbi".

Enjoy "Gump" here-

My Saint-ly adventure

2008-11-25T11:43:00.000-08:00

For those of you who do or don't know I was at last night's Saints game. Got to hang with my buddy Shane from Biloxi, who calls me a few weeks ago with tickets.

Stubhub.com is awesome. We scored two tickets, lower level, 22 rows from the field for about half price.

So we were there amongst a group of fans who were our age and mentality, namely, spirited (in a good way) and LOUD. Whenever the Saints did something good (which happened often), there were high fives all around.

Shane proved his point- The minisuites are nice, but there's nothing like being with the people. I gotta give him that. Holy cow did we raise the roof.

From HFF- "Do you like cats?"

2008-11-11T05:39:00.000-08:00

Another great question! Actually I do like cats. It just doesn't seem like they really like me. With the exception of a rare few, who actually seem to ease up on me and sit or lay in my lap. That's the key. And I really like kittens. I'd play with them for hours.

The cat we had growing up was a goofball but she was real cool. She was named "Lizzie". I could pet her and she didn't get all testy and stuff. Now of course there was probably a mutual respect, because I was the one who had to get the ladder to get her off the roof when she would climb up and forget how to get down.

I like cats. I just have never been able to understand cats.

From Silverfox-"Sex"

2008-11-10T17:21:00.000-08:00

There are many places I can go with this post. But suffice it to say, it 's all in the past. So I'm going to simply put my dawlin' rocks my world. Many times. Many places. That's why she's my dawlin'.

From Silverfox - "Drugs"

2008-11-10T17:09:00.000-08:00

I haven't had much with drugs. I was exposed to pot a few times, attempted to puff it once. Got a bad headache, that was all. Tylenol PM is my idea of the hard stuff. I don't drink nearly as much as I used to. But when you're on active duty Army in some parts of the world, that's all there is to do.

I've drank ouzo (opium wine) once. Half the bottle once. Started seeing walls breathe and got the constant ferris wheel sensation. Was kind of crazy, and had the single-worst hangover ever from that. Worse then even my bachelor party.

From Silverfox- "Rock and Roll"

2008-11-10T16:49:00.000-08:00

I can regale you with my short-lived career as a drummer for a band in high school named "Floor's Open". I made it through one practice. They were rehearsing a song by The Cure called "10:15 Saturday Night". I had never heard it, so they played it for me...once. Needless to say, the performance was the result of my preparation, bad. I kept a general beat, but couldn't do much else. I was told thanks, but no thanks. To their credit, they put this song on another level. They added more bass, and had a guitar player who blew this thing up.

Here's the song-

Helping those during NaBloPoMo

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

I helped some friends who asked for subject matter to get them through NaBloPoMo. This posting is for anyone who would like to challenge me, even though I am not participating in NaBloPoMo, I still like some friendly competition.

So in the remarks, send me three ideas for blog posts (CK can send me ten). The deal is, if you send me three, I can send you three. If I use the ones you submit, then you use the ones I submit. You can write as much or as little as you feel like on each topic. Be creative with your topics.

Let the war of words begin!

Girls Rule on Rock Band

2008-11-04T17:28:00.000-08:00

Getting y'all up on some new tunes I've acquired-

"Kiss Them For Me"- Siouxsie and the Banshees

"Crushcrushcrush" - Paramore

"You're No Rock And Roll Fun" - Sleater-Kinney

When's the next jam session??

Our Rock Essences come together for a cause..

2008-10-27T08:19:00.000-07:00

We proved we could rock the house at Rock Band Hallo's Eve. Thanks to Rob and Cheri for a bangin' good time! Heck, we haven't seen Keith Moon that happy since "Quadrophenia".

Now, it's time with the holidays coming that we lend our voices to help those who aren't as fortunate during the holiday season.

I propose we SING "Do They Know It's Christmas" and video our performance for YouTube. The more, the merrier. We can send a donation to Toys for Tots, a Food Bank, or something like that.

Music- Got it.

Lyrics- Can get it.

Place- You name it.

Here's the original video from "Band Aid" from '84:

What cha say!

MTV News-- Your Hear It.... First!

2008-10-19T08:24:00.000-07:00

Hi, I'm like Julie Brown, you knoooww, the Caucasian non-bitchy one! HA HA! Ohmagawd, I have like, the NEWS!

Like Devo, will totally not play Rock Band Hallo Fest this year, due to like, quote, "potential wardrobe malfunctions".

Yah, guys, like, so see ya latoorrr!

Anyway, like this concert has gotten like, BIG, you know! There are people like in tents and camping out like, ya know?? 'Cause like tickets go on sale tomorrow morning and all.

Doesn't that look like so cool! And this is Julie Brown signing off, and OH MY GAWD! Like Will Smith is here like so looking at my bah-reasts! Step off you perv!!

MTV News-You Hear It .... First!

2008-10-16T14:53:00.000-07:00

Hi, I'm Mark Goodman of MTV News. After hours of contract negotiation, including dibs on the candy, PRINCE will now perform at the Rock Band Hallo's Fest 2008. When asked to comment on his previous statements about The Love Guns, he put a hand in front of his face.

Rock Band Hallo's Fest will take place at Cerio Hall in less than ten days. "It's taking a lot to get ready", said a roadie named Tom, "I'm losing my voice just doing mike checks".

And even though tickets do not go on sale until Monday, the tents are already popping up. However, we couldn't get the guy to come out. Reports are circulating the guy with the tent is "Weird Al" Yankovic.

Headlining acts include: Prince, AC/DC, Nirvana, and ZZ Top.

Yet to confirm: Devo, Madonna (possible), among others.

Stay tuned to MTV News as more information unfolds...

MTV News.. You Hear It---First!

2008-10-15T18:42:00.000-07:00

Hi, I'm Martha Quinn with MTV News. PRINCE is threatening to boycott the Halloween All-Star Rock Band 2 jam Session due to not being shown as the headlining act on the party invitations. The honor went to a little known band from Louisiana who call themselves The Love Guns. They are a Kiss tribute band, who are comprised entirely of midgets, and are never shot without makeup. Here is a pic of their co-front man, John Charles Simons-

Simons was quoted as saying, "It's a thrill to be the featured band. If the purple weirdo wants to make something of it, I'll see him...ON STAGE!!!"

Also shown are front man CJ Stanley-

And their drummer Pete Crissio, with his bodyguard Hugo-

Prince could not be reached for comment. Replacement acts being considered are Oates of "Hall and Oates", Jeff Lynne of ELO, Phil Collins, Kenny Loggins, ZZ Top, and Barry Gibb.

Join me...It is your destiny- or The heart of Saints' darkness

2008-10-13T13:37:00.001-07:00

I began collecting Electric Football figures again in 2000. I've had a rule against EVER painting or having the Atlanta Falcons. Now, I'm about to break that rule, and plunge into the heart of Saints' fans darkest fears. I'm re-painting the 1980 squad, the one that shellacked us on National TV, 41-10. I feel dirty. I feel I'm committing a great evil.

But man, will seeing that team get some guys fired up. Hence my reason, that, and giving our league something we haven't had in a while- a villain.

Here's a pic of them to show the color scheme.

What are your feelings toward the Saints-Falcons rivalry?

Who should I be for the Rockin' Hallo Fest?

2008-10-07T11:10:00.000-07:00

I'm down to 4 options. Either:

Jimi Hendrix (with accent)

George Harrison (with Liverpudlian accent)

Prince (you have to see it to believe it)

OR..

Old Greg (he's got the funk!)

Your thoughts?? The nominee with the most comments on this post is the winner.

Gummint Gimmes vs. Supply and Demand-LONG

2008-09-30T21:40:00.000-07:00

Supply= I have a thing to distribute, and it is worth "x" amount based on relative market research, and my operating budget.

Demand= You want my thing, and you will pay my price either out of want, or absolute need.

Gummint= People are too dumb to figure out Supply and Demand, and we're missing a crapload of votes. Let's look at the history.

Here we go- during the Great Depression, unemployment in America was at 25%, and the volume of the NYSE tumbled around 3%. The half-full analysis means 3 out of 4 Americans still had jobs. Which means some areas were hit harder than others. Urban areas, and cities anchored by financial institutions. Newsreels showed the most pitiful people waiting in lines for free meals.

It is still shown now. Are we still in a "Depression"? Boy, we got taken on that one.

The American Industrial Revolution was also cresting, and massive exposure of substandard working conditions was in its infancy. Before Mike Wallace and Ed Bradley et al. were out snooping with camera crews, we had Upton Sinclair and Samuel Gompers.

There was no direct gummint bailout of financial institutions from the Depression. Gummint in this instance acted on its fundamental Constitutional power to regulate commerce between the states by establishing such entities as the FDIC.

Then things went loopy. Social Security was born. Minimum Wage was established. Labor unions emerged.

Social Security began as "social insurance" for those persons over 65. Taxpayer funded. Bear in mind, Income Tax was only around 30 years old. Yep, from 1775-1893, Americans didn't pay a penny for income tax. Think, in a generations' time from 1894-1935, we went from no payroll deductions to two. BIG ONES. Oh, and union dues. They now have to grease political wheels.

Supply and Demand was not allowed to run its course. Innovation would have set in to say, "Oh, why don't we sell out customers some sort of retirement accounts?" Legislation wouldn't build this bridge until the 1960's, no doubt when people started waking up to realize the Frankenstein they had created with Social Security.

Without Gummint, who's to say this legislation would not have been done in the 1930's or 40's?

Minimum wage- ain't. Not everyone makes it. And think about it, was it really that difficult to leave a job because you weren't making enough? It was a reaction to the Depression, thinking, "I'd better keep this crappy job, it's better than not having one at all", when the company next door was thinking, "Hey, if I pay people better, I'd probably get better people to make a better product, which more people would buy. But I can't hire good people because nobody's out there".

Without Gummint, the private sector would have woke the hell up PDQ. Strikes alone would have done the deal.

Here's the short of it- we're being duped again, because our gummint wants POWER. No more religion, no more guns, no more freedoms, no more capitalism. We're magnifying these financial institution failures and "greedy" companies, which were all precipitated through gummint incompetence, to show how capitalism doesn't work and how gummint should control ALL.

VOTE in this election. Vote with a clear head, and not any other part of your anatomy. Too bad pickin's are slim. But that's another post.

The Financial Crisis- WOOOO!

2008-09-30T21:23:00.000-07:00

I've been reading and listening to "experts" discussing this bail-out of these financial institutions and this "credit crunch" and I have to say--"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAHHHH!"

BUT NOT WITH MY F###ING TAX DOLLARS YOU DON'T!

THAT'S WHAT YOU BOOGER-EATING FINANCIAL MORONS GET FOR LENDING MONEY TO PEOPLE YOU KNOW HAVE NO INTENTION OF PAYING IT BACK!

Now my tax dollars are going to bail out these companies who took excuses instead of payments.

Who were OK with customers watching "American Idol" while lighting a doobie instead of balancing their checkbook.

Who are saying collectively "Go ahead. Don't pay your bills. Someday, the gummint will come along and pay your bills for you."

Oh, but let ME miss a house note and wait for the phone calls. The stuff would fly like yesterday's lunch from a taco truck.

I figure I'm not pathetic enough. Advantage-me.

If government buy-outs of private institutions works so darn well, why are countries like Cuba and the former (but now returning) Soviet Union always broke? And their currency damn near worthless?

Because none of those geniuses figured out you can print the hell out of paper money, and that's all it's worth if you don't back it with anything. And bailing out failing businesses is NOT what I call a good credit risk.

So now Recession, Depression, whatever you call it, the same reasons the one in the 30's hit is the same reason we're having a faint echo of one now- Companies wanted to extend credit to individuals who would not have normally fit their client base. So with the double whammy of the bubble bursting on these low-interest home loans (because the market must correct itself), and the high default rate on these loans by the aforementioned "not my fault" clients, well, these financial institutions got left like Wile E Coyote chasing the Road Runner over a smoky chasm.

Beep Beep.

I miss me a Taco Truck

2008-09-30T19:24:00.000-07:00

Picture is there for those who aren't sure what I'm referring to. I was eating Taco Bell this evening and thinking about how I used to have some of the best tacos from the trucks that populated the N'Awlins landscape after Katrina, then were quickly misdemeanored and ordinanced out of business. Few have adapted, most have moved on.

The big rub has either been they were an eyesore (some were), a health hazard (probably), but the biggest reason was competing with brick and mortar establishments. Trust me, the Applebee's and KFC's of the world are not going anywhere.

But holy cow, that was some good food. Reminded me of eating in strange places overseas where you couldn't quite figure out the menu and knew even less about what was in it. But I was adventurous, and really didn't mind.

Once again, my freedom to enjoy a staph-laden steak taco with real peppers has been denied because someone else who doesn't care a thing about me thought this was a good thing.

What is next?

Fantasy Football gets you closer?

2008-09-29T06:54:00.000-07:00

I didn't think it was possible. I joined my friend Shane's fantasy football league this year. It was a $100 buy-in, but first place is around $1300. There's 20 of us in the league, divided into 2 divisions of 10. On a lark, Danielle jumped in with us to complete the circle.

Now we're working together setting up rosters, mining free agents, firing bum players, chatting about who's doing what, and watching the games on Sunday. The Saints/49er game had significance for us, since Brees is my QB and O'Sullivan was Danielle's. Not her first choice, her starter (Peyton Manning) had a bye this last week. It has been a good thing to get us to sit down together and relax.

So ladies, the next time your hubby comes home with a draft magazine and the "A couple of guys at the office were talking about this", encourage him. Better yet, get a team of your own and kick his butt.

Book Meme

2008-09-29T06:49:00.000-07:00

Grab the nearest book.
* Open the book to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post the text of the next two to five sentences in your journal along with these instructions.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the cool book, or the intellectual one: pick the CLOSEST.
* Tag five other people to do the same.

(Actually the nearest book I have "Going Long" has a BLANK page 56. So the next is:
"Ursa Major The Great Bear (Big Dipper): The familiar Dipper is only part of the Great Bear." from "Stars: A Golden Guide" by Herbert Zim and Robert Baker.

I tag:

Danielle
ROB (Get back on it, man!)
Cheri
Angie
Ringo

To the makers of "Rock Band"- 10 Bands to put in the game ASAP:

2008-09-23T10:24:00.000-07:00

You are missing some rock gold here! The heck with those obscure whatsit bands! How about-

10. Def Leppard: "Pour some sugar on MAYYY"
9. Bad Company: "Feel Like Makin' Love"
8. .38 Special: "Rockin' Into The Night"
7. Ten Years After: "I'd Love to Change the World"
6. Jefferson Airplane: "Somebody to Love"
5. Edgar Winter Group: "Free Ride"
4. ZZ Top: "Sharp Dressed Man"
3. Eric Clapton: "I Shot The Sheriff"
2. The Beatles: "Helter Skelter"
1. Led Zeppelin: "Rock And Roll". Hell, make this a 6-pack-
"Rock and Roll", "You Shook Me", "Dazed and Confused", "Communication Breakdown", "All Of My Love", and of course, "Stairway to Hweaven".

And can we get some dang Van Halen on the game now?

My contribution to the "Pirate Week" thing--

2008-09-22T14:28:00.000-07:00

It's "The Pirate Movie"! Holla!!

What blogs are for, I guess..

2008-08-21T05:32:00.000-07:00

So, I met President Bush yesterday during his tour of Jackson Barracks. I actually gave him a tour of my site. What you don't see of to the right of the photo are the throng of media which followed him.

And this was the only photo I could find of me. I tell you I never photo well.

Coming back to a blog near you..

2008-08-12T16:09:00.001-07:00

So now the questions are-

Does K'Rob marry his muSHa? (love) Does she become part of the group?

Will Ciarek return?

Is Danzar in someone's brig again, or has he found peace?

Can T-Rex sell the farm and get back into space?

Has anyone seen Dr. Sonis?

Who's new in the crew?

Join us for the new adventures of The Privateers!

Myspace has done it again, or "Echo fron the Past"

2008-08-10T17:03:00.000-07:00

My sister found a close cousin of ours we had lost any real contact with when I left for Active Duty. I have not seen her in over 10 years, last time was at Lakeside Mall, in passing.

Holy Myspace, this is too cool! Stay tuned for the details on the reunion!

And for the bride and groom dance..

2008-08-05T10:16:00.001-07:00

Starting poop for the reception-

2008-08-04T18:23:00.000-07:00

Oh No! Not a Bachelor Party!

2008-08-03T16:47:00.000-07:00

We had a great time at CK's bachelor party last weekend. However, there are some misconceptions about what exactly goes on, and more importantly, what a bachelor party is for.

A bachelor party is a man's last great chance to go out and enjoy time with the guys, to carouse and party before settling down to devote his life and love to his wife and family. Yes, there is some good-natured ribbing about making sure the man made the right choice with his intended, and other factors of the relationship, and possibly targeting the intended herself. But, it is all done in fun. There is no, I repeat no, grounds to the tradition of trying to prevent or absolutely discourage the bachelor from tying the knot. I mean think about it, if one night of purported debauchery can completely override the faith, trust, and love you build in a relationship, then what is your relationship built on?

People invited to the party are honored guests the bachelor enjoys spending time with, after all, if you were not good company, would you be invited at all? The married invitees should maintain their level of decorum as married men, but still allow themselves this occasional chance to relax and enjoy the company of good friends.

Remember: Strippers have a job, they are to provide guys with a "fantasy" about a certain woman. It's ADULT ENTERTAINMENT. So return the favor and entertain the strippers! They meet enough regular joes, so spice things up! Never tell them your real name, and make up stuff about yourself. You'll never see them again, so mess with their heads while you slip them ones (dollar bills)! I had a stripper believing I was a sheep herder once. Oh, and an astronaut another time.

How we roll: Our group has some traditions, mostly involving a night of drinking and visits to establishments which sell libations and girls turning tricks for money. Yes, we play the mind games with them. No really passionate exchanges take place, and if you've seen the lot of strippers lately, it's more tragedy and comedy than, "Wow, she's hot, take me home!"(like that ever happens). There are two named operatives besides the bachelor at a bachelor party, the business man and the money man.

The business man is usually the groom's best man, who organizes and coordinates the party, handles the invitations, and schedules the night's events. The business man handles "The Card" which is a card or t-shirt which any and all ladies encounter can sign as a souvenir to be given to the bachelor at the end of the night. The business man maintains the card, and can have fellow partiers go forth and seek ladies to sign it. Card must be humorous of nature, and somewhat eye-catching.

The money man is the one who keeps whatever the budget is for the bachelor, handling "incidentals". The money comes from contributions from well-wishing supporters and fellow partiers. The money man is also the guy who keeps the bachelor out of hock. Specifically, the thousand-dollar-an hour champagne rooms.

A designated drunk and a designated driver can also be nominated. The designated driver is there for obvious reasons. The designated drunk is the person who is closest in size and tolerance to the bachelor, and is the "pace car" for alcohol consumption. The designated drunk must drink as much as the bachelor. This is a very important job.

The main objective of a bachelor party is for the bachelor to appreciate the love of the intended, and make him realize everyone else is ordinary in his eyes. If this has been accomplished, then the bachelor party was a success.

Anything added to this premise is taking the bachelor party out of its intended context. The best man is ultimately responsible to all parties for the success and failure of the bachelor party.

So, when the bachelor party invitations come out, man, people need to relax!

My part in the CK/SNE nuptials-

2008-07-29T10:53:00.000-07:00

Since I was to be the reverend in this blessed event, I will follow their request to drive on with the ceremony.

Unfortunately, if I legally marry them, I could end the three of us up in a bigger brouhahhah than we're already in.

So, I went looking and found the answer- A Commitment Ceremony: It's a "wedding" ceremony without the legal binder of a marriage. It is a ceremony that celebrates the couple's intent to spend the rest of their lives together in love. The format is as similar to a wedding as you like, or can be totally out of the box.

So, in all the darkness, there is a little light. Silverfox, you could wear shorts and flip-flops for all I care. Heck, I think CK is.

Items of the past..or something else?

2008-07-27T17:26:00.000-07:00

In your place do you have:

1. A cassette player? (Bonus for a Sony Walkman)
2. The game "Sorry!" or "Boggle"?
3. Vinyl Records?
4. A "green screen" Nintendo Game Boy?
5. Any of the books your had to read for high school English?
6. A copy of "Mad" magazine?
7. A copy of the "Rocky Horror Picture Show"? (any format)
8. Comic books older than 1988?
9. An article of clothing you can still wear that is over 10 years old?
10. A VCR?

How good did you do? I got a 3 I(1,5, and 8)

On the other stuff that matters...

2008-07-27T17:02:00.000-07:00

So here's some stuff floating around my gray matter:

The next Spider Man movie isn't slated until 2011?

There isn't a Fantastic Four movie on the horizon? Or X-Men? I mean, we're due.

Of course, we do get a Flash and a Green Lantern movie in 2009.

Rumor mill wants to re-hash General Zod for the next Superman? In the words of General Dru-Zod, "These humans are beginning to bore me". Man, bring on Brainiac.

Star Trek has been trying to develop a MMORPG? I went looking into this, and the concept is to be any known allegiance, and complete missions. How big and inordinately complex is this game going to be? If it ever comes out, put me down for a Klingon. Sho ta neY!(I wanted prisoners!)

How the hell old is Charo, anyway? She's like, Spam.

Night Ranger made a new album (Hole In The Sun)? Who, uh, cares? Of course, Wal-Mart is all over it, and there's probably three dudes in the Valley who are high-fiving. Oh, and Jeff Blades' mom.

Yeah, on that note, signing off...

The Savage-American-Rude-Awakening-Red-White-and-Me-Professor-Of-Conservatism Show

2008-07-24T04:10:00.000-07:00

I recently read on the mirror site some people were glad the chemically-imbalanced ravings of a particular nationally syndicated entertainer got him pulled from a radio station dedicated to that hot-button media that is talk radio.

Remember my description- entertainer. Just because they have all these fancy titles, or degrees, or slick media assaults, they are at the end of the day dancing on a stage for a buck to bring home at night.

They are no different than other performers in the industry, except there no catchy groove behind them, and the deal with topics that hit people close to him wrapped in the gossamer paper of current events.

Add fuel to the fire by offering humble listeners the opportunity to call in and have an OPINION be heard by a national audience, why, we may change the world! You know, The President of the United States may change his entire agenda because Jane in Piscataway, NJ, called in and said the mortgage crisis is affecting her income because she has been in real estate for 14 years and can no longer afford to send her children to private school because the public school system doesn't allow prayer, unless you're Muslim.

So as we continue to burn the effigies of these hosts who go over the edge, and "ban" them from talk radio, what are we going to be left with? And would it really be worth anything to listen? I imagine it would sound like this-

Intro: "Looooovve, Loooovvvve, Loooooovvve" And now for the McGummint show, with your nice-guy host with the catchy name, McGummint!(tepid applause)

Host: (in a warm voice) Hello, I am McGummint. What's in the news today? Oh, there's a war in Iraq we're fighting in. War is bad because people sort of die. Hmm.. It seems gas prices are still around $3.90 per gallon for a national average. That's....kind of expensive. Yeah... Oh, and women are having abortions. It's sort of bad, but it's kind of their choice, and I don't really have an opinion, OK?

I need to pause for a like, commercial, and when I come back I'm going to take this 44 Magnum and put a bullet in my brain. BANG!

"Loooovve, Looooove, Looove", We'll be right back!

Who are we decide their opinion is too radical to be heard? I submit another suggestion (that would be an opinion based on my perspective of life)?

Fine the dude or dudette a nominal fee and get on with it. Donate the fine to the offended's charity of choice. If you're really in a wad, then GET OFF YOUR LAZY A$$ AND CHANGE THE STATION!

We'll be right back!

Just ig-nint on the "N word"

2008-07-18T13:10:00.000-07:00

Apparently Whoopi and Liz got into it on The View. Not that I watched. But there is something about the tone of Whoopi during the exchange that encapsulates why the racial barriers will continue to divide us.

How can you use the "n-word" as a "term of endearment"? Whoopi griped about how her mother was unable to vote in elections. I guess she gripes about any of her ancestors who were slaves.

Until certain people in the country stop preaching past mistakes on both sides of the aisle, we will be unable to cross the racial divide in this country. Liz, I wouldn't cry for the use of the N-word. Cry for the people of this world who still have a desire to perpetuate ignorance.

I guess that's entertainment.

So why Heroes Season 2?

2008-07-17T17:21:00.000-07:00

Well, I got some great ideas for another "Heroes" campaign from watching the movie "Hellboy 2". These ideas beat the heck out of the sci-fi thing I was considering.

The sci-fi campaign was originally going to be a Buck Rogers-esque thing, but got way too sterilized. Then it became a post-apocalyptic thing on Earth. The the story lost my interest, so it's been shelved.

So, there's some new folks, and four characters find their way here from the former Champions campaign, one is introduced in the new Heroes blog.

I'll introduce a new Jose pic, Jose's dad, Vanessa's mother, Milan's grandmother, and finally a pic for Sergeant Moffett. Wait until you see who it is.

Oh, and there's a theme song for the series- "Typical" by the band Mute Math.

See you next game night!

Semantics and the Magic 8 Ball-

2008-07-05T14:31:00.000-07:00

Posted below are the 20 answers given by a Magic 8 Ball. I have ranked them by what I believe to be order of success with 1 being the least, and 20 being the most.

Y'know, as you look at the list, this could almost be a song list for an album.

By mechanics, the low 5 are negation, 6-10 are conditionals, and 11-20 are positives.

1 My Reply Is No
2 My Sources Say No
3 Don’t Count On It
4 Outlook Not So Good
5 Very Doubtful
6 Cannot Predict Now
7 Better Not Tell You Now
8 Concentrate and Ask Again
9 Ask Again Later
10 Reply Hazy, Try Again
11 Most Likely
12 Outlook Good
13 You may rely on it
14 It is decidedly so
15 Signs Point To Yes
16 Without A Doubt
17 As I See It, Yes
18 It Is Certain
19 Yes
20 Yes, Definitely

From Kryptonite Kollectibles

Are any out of place? Why?

Bills' Electric Football Field

2008-06-21T07:29:00.001-07:00

The American Medical Association can say this???

2008-06-19T08:31:00.000-07:00

In a story from the AMA, it appears while they are cracking down on "flavored cigarettes", it appears menthol will be spared the wrath. Why? Because "mature" African Americans prefer this brand.

When does it end??

You go girl--but wait!

2008-06-18T07:20:00.001-07:00

As earlier posted, my Senator was against the pay raise. But when it passed, well, she still took it. She was not on the list of those who rejected the pay raise. My reprensentative was right there at the pig trough with everyone else.

So now our legislators make as a base salary $37,500.00. It also increases their expense accounts from an annual allowance of $6000 per year to $12,000. No doubt to cover rising fuel costs.

Oh, and it's effective around July 15th this year!

Let me further add a legislator's job is PART TIME. Let me further add the senator who sponsored the bill (Ann Duplessis of New Orleans) is also a real estate agent.

Those who did reject the pay raise:

Senate- Amedee, Cassidy, Cravins, Crowe, Donahue, Martiny and Riser

House- Connick, Hazel, Leger, Ligi, Lorusso, Pearson, Richard, Richardson, St. Germain, Schroder, Talbot, Templet and Trahan.

And now we have the State Speaker of the House saying there would be "roadblocks" in current and future legislation proposed by Gov if this does not pass. The Gov was supposed to be our hope for the will of the people. BTW, I didn't vote for him, because of shenanigans like this.

Jindal had some campaign propaganda before he took office stating he would block this exact type of measure for this term.

This is followed up by the New Orleans city council rejecting a pay raise for firefighters. This pay raise scuffle is going to have deep repercussions.

To Ms. Keys- Luv your music, but shut up!

2008-06-16T11:49:00.001-07:00

In a recent article in Blender magazine, Alicia Keys states gangsta rap was invented by the government to stop "great black leaders from existing".

Girl, you got me. Yes, I invented gangsta rap in my garage during my teenage years. Me and my homies had nothing better to listen to since Barry Manilow hadn't released anything new for a while.

So now my cover's blown.

Gotta give props to my Senator!

2008-06-16T09:05:00.000-07:00

I bash on her from time to time, but now I gotta give her props!

For those who are unaware, the Louisiana gummint house and senate are trying to vote themselves a 200% pay raise. This is after Gov snatched their sweet meal tickets with all the ethics reform legislation.

Senator Julie Quinn voted against the pay raise. You go girl!

It is back in session, now requesting a 100% pay raise. Gov is afraid to veto because he is concerned this may affect legislation he wishes to pass.

My one issue is with all the other issues plaguing us, this pay raise is taking up so much of their time? Where are your hearts and minds?

HUH!!??? Gov, veto this thing, let the voters take care of the rest of the morons.

Book Meme

2008-06-08T16:59:00.000-07:00

Total number of books I’ve owned:

I would say in the hundreds. Many of them have not all been together at one point in my life, but I'd say in the hundreds.

Last book I bought:

Star Trek DS9: Serpents in the Ruins- reading now.

Last book I read:

Going Long- The Story of the American Football League.

Book I’m reading right now:

See above

Five books that mean something to me:

The War Of The Worlds- HG Wells: I read this for the first time at ten. The two lessons I learned is that man must control the technology it creates, and the most formidable of adversaries are sometimes the smallest.

No One Here Gets Out Alive: Bio of Jim Morrison of The Doors. Helluva read.

The Catcher In The Rye- JD Salinger: Disgruntled private school kid who was coming to terms with growing up. I read it at the right time in my life.

False Memory- Dean Koontz: If you like novels with characters who get screwed with, read this one.

Night Shift- Stephen King: Read this on a late night in my apartment when I lived by myself. Every little noise made me jump.

Five books I think everyone should read at least once:(Besides the Bible, which is quite the given)

Hiroshima- John Hersey: Book told from three different perspectives of Japanese civilians in the span of 7 days before, during and after the dropping of the atomic bomb in 1945.

1984- George Orwell: You know, we're going that way right?

Alive- Piers Paul Read: Story of the Uruguayan soccer team that crashed in the Andes. Read this, and your problems will seem awfully trivial by comparison. Read this and wonder how close man is to animal.

21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership- John Maxwell: Truly Personnel Management 101. Read and apply some or all of this book, and I tell you, you'll be a better leader of people. Of the 21, you may only disagree with one or two.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes- Sr Arthur Conan Doyle: It's CSI: Victorian England. He used the details to solve the crimes. Bob Kane noted him specifically as an influence in the development of Batman.

Five people that should answer these questions:

Danielle, Gwen, Drew, Jason, and the Princess of Monaco.

Oh, and I've lost 6 pounds on Annual Training.

The Not-So-Celebrity (but just as fit) "Fit Club"

2008-05-25T05:33:00.000-07:00

I read a post from a good friend of mine who is looking to drop a few pounds. You can read his post here.

I do not seem to remember another time where this gentleman has been actively interested in shedding a few pounds. Being a good friend, I believe I should support him in this endeavor to my best possible ability. Besides, as we all know, one cannot shed some good poundage alone. It is a team effort.

So, in the spirit of friendship and to our mutual good health, I propose the following:

1. We all get like the "Louisiana 2 Step" to eat less and move more.

2. Post how much weight (in pounds) you'd like to lose in the response of this post. You do not have to put what you weigh now.

3. Time frame: Today is May 25, 2008. The "finish line" as it is will be November 15th.

4. The man who has lost the most weight (as a percentage of his total body weight) and the woman who has lost the most weight (as a percentage of her total body weight) win..something.

5. On the day of the end of the contest, the contestants will announce what their starting body weight was, as of today, and then announce what their weight is on November 15th, or somewhen therabouts. We'll do some quick math, and determine the winner.

A couple of personal pointers from me-

1. Exercise is a MUST. When you start your exercise regimen, don't go out the door tomorrow expecting to run the Boston marathon. If your body is anything like mine, that's the fastest way to end up out of commission for a few days. It also is especially hard on your back and knees, which are very susceptible if you're carrying extra baggage. Take it slow, build your body back up to the response level to know you're exercising it. Set some personal goals to get to, such as running a mile, walking 5 miles, swimming 10 laps, whatever. When you reach a milestone, treat yourself. Then set the next milestone.

2. Your diet is going well when you get to mealtimes and you're HUNGRY. Snack during the day, but keep it to simple sugar, high fiber things like fruits and veggies, as well as whole wheat stuff. Keep it easy on the sugar and salt. Don't fry when you can grill or bake.

3. Drink a lots of water. The 8 glasses or 64 oz. per day is good advice. Limit your beverage of choice to mealtimes.

4. Make it a diet you can stick with. No fads. No diet pills. Use your superior intellect and knowledge of your body. I find it best to have a day when you can throw the diet out the window and eat/drink whatever you want. Eat after you work out.

5. Alternate days for upper body and aerobic exercise. You can work your abs daily. Be creative and varied with your exercise routine.

BIG NOTE: Don't forget to stretch!

I find the basic exercises are the best, push-ups, sit-ups, jogging, walking, dancing, aerobics, or bike. Weights are good, and be creative with ordinary objects. I use bricks and cinder blocks as free weights. Start with bricks. Work up to cinder blocks. BTW, cinder blocks are perfect to hold feet while doing sit-ups. Exercise should take you between 20 minutes to an hour a day. No more, and no less.

If you'd like to be in, respond to this blog posting.

My name is Brouhahhah, and I need to lose 30 pounds. That's 15% of my current body weight.

Nine years at the house!

2008-05-25T05:30:00.000-07:00

Yep, on Memorial Day Weekend 1999, we moved into the humble abode that all of us have come to appreciate.

We have seen us all collectively become more prosperous in our time together.

Now if I can determine what's leaking from the air conditioner. Don't you guys love home ownership?

GET THE VIDEO--wrrt!!

2008-05-22T12:26:00.000-07:00

[object id="BLOG_video-FAILED" class="BLOG_video_class" width="320" height="266" contentid="FAILED"][/object]

Yeah, that's what I got for trying to post a video blog entry on this thing.

It was in the right format and everything. I like Quick Time.

See, I try to be high tech in a world not ready for this. I did try, I can't fudge that kind of goofy code.

Blogger, you'd best come and look at this.

Gaming integrity

2008-05-21T08:32:00.000-07:00

People may have heard word of a conflict between myself and another which did result in me dropping a slew of f-bombs.

So what happened? If you play with me, there are some standards of decorum I expect fellow gamers to follow (some are obvious)-

1. Don't change stuff on your sheet or hide/switch stuff on the board when you "think" no one is looking.

Violation of this rule will have me pack up and leave. Right there. And I WILL EMBARRASS THE HELL OUT OF YOU!

2. Be consistent in the interpretation of rules with every player. DO NOT waste anyone's time looking for loop holes. If a rule is there that has been overlooked, then overlook it for everyone.

3. When playing strategy board games that involve small units, declare all units involved in the action at the time your declare performing the action. Don't make someone ask, "OK, what are you using to do this"? Make it absolutely clear. If you're in the defense, make it clear what the defense is, if applicable. Simple communication is all.

This is the violated rule that sent me into a snit.

4. IF IT'S A BOARD GAME, READ THE FRICKIN' RULES TO THE GAME FOR YOURSELF BEFORE YOU SIT DOWN TO PLAY! If I have to teach you the game, you're going to distract/lose everyone else's interest, and the game takes 3 times as long to finish.

This is an often-violated rule that makes me absolutely irascible.

5. Treat every player as you would like to be treated.

That is all.

Things I've learned this past weekend--

2008-05-21T08:11:00.000-07:00

As you all may know, we attended Mobicon. Came home to no cable TV---again.

Here's some things I've learned-

1. Spending any more than $100 on a slave is great for the BAFB, but wacky for the individual.

2. Having your own room with your dearest dawlin' is a good thing.

3. I can only stand to play board games with certain people maybe once a year, tops. And if I RPG with them, stand clear, I'm trying to kill them every chance I get.

4. I didn't get to RPG at all at Mobicon AGAIN! That will change! I will design adventures with Mobicon in mind!

5. Catastrophe Boy may possibly be relegated to a slave. He is getting to be more explanations than humorous, and I'm just not feeling it anymore. That and I'd like to wear a costume with a real chance at entering the costume contest.

6. Frack the room parties. Once again, all hype and no sizzle. Sorry, that's not my style. Find me in the game room.

7. Mobicon is not a kid function. I don't care how you spruce it up. How can you let a 9-year old in for the evening events?

8. I'd like to incorporate some gaming into the pizza party. Any game.

9. I'd love to do a 12 to 18-hour RPG marathon adventure. If you're gonna do it, get it all out of your system.

10. House rules for our games need to be clearly posted.

My food service pet peeves

2008-04-13T06:48:00.001-07:00

Since, it's the write-up of the moment, let me go through mine-

But before I go through this, let me first make the point, in my humble opinion, there are more people who just want a paycheck than give a crap about customer service. Hammond's service industry abounds with these types.

1. Accessories with food items: Forks or spoons and napkins with salads, chili, baked potatoes are nice. Think about this.
2. Places who can't get everyone's entrees to the table at just about the same time.
3. Barbeque places who are cheap with the sauce
4. Servers who don't write anything down.
5. Servers who repeat your entire order back to you. Fast food I understand, but a "sit down" local eatery?
6. Anything supposed to be served hot that isn't.
7. Servers and staff with an obvious ignorance of any sort of public health laws.
8. AYCE Chinese places with food on the buffet from days ago. You can tell.
9. When the host seats you, and the waiter forgets you. Then comes around like nothing is wrong.
10. This is a strange one, but it's a litmus test I use on waitstaff to check their ambition level. A server who brings me the check without asking if I would like or even try to suggestively sell coffee or dessert. Think about this. Maybe it's a matter of sit down, eat, then get your a$$ out. Sure, you're probably going to get a no 90% of the time, but hey, it's your tip.

Catching up- 10 things:

2008-04-13T06:30:00.001-07:00

1. Is it bad to like the Alltel commercials with the goofy wizard?
2. My take on global warming? I quote Carlin: "The planet is fine! The people are f**cked!"
3. The new Motorola DVR cable box is going to get me in the doghouse with the Ms., though I've done nothing wrong.
4. I'm thinking about creating a hip-hop song with the sax riff and bass line from "Baker Street"
5. Why is the gummint telling me what kind of light bulb to put in my house?
6. I hate recall notices.
7. My window for military retirement opens on September 1, 2009.
8. Is anyone else pumped about the "Iron Man" movie?
9. I set up a Facebook account. It has some interesting things, but the myth that whoever you know that is not on Myspace is on Facebook is not true. Did that make any sense?
10. I spent yesterday evening with Nala at the veterinary ER getting 4 staples in her head for a fight she lost with Buffy.

Oh, and I have the Boston six pack for RB!

More Tunes for Rock Band

2008-03-19T14:48:00.000-07:00

As the phenomenon grows, I got some new songs-

"Juke Box Hero"- Foreigner
"Interstate Love Song"- STP
"Truckin'"- Grateful Dead
"War Pigs" and "N.I.B."- Black Sabbath

Let's rock!

The Beatles losing their Beat in the Digital Age?

2008-03-11T19:01:00.000-07:00

I watched tonight's "American Idol" and read an article today about how the Beatles Collective refuses to release the music for electronic downloadable media. EMI continues to produce Beatles' music on CD only.

Which leads me to an interesting question- What price legacy?

As I was watching "Idol" tonight, the songs being sung were re-takes on the re-makes, and the song selection was generic.

This hits a note with me because the Beatles' music was a tremendous influence on me growing up. It concerns me now that all that great music could be lost for the ages, or worse, lost in re-make hell.

Kickin' It Old School

2008-03-08T16:11:00.000-08:00

There are 5 pieces of technology from the halcyon days I'd love back- Here goes:

Yes, that means these are things that I actually owned:

5. The 7up soda dispenser: It required 12 oz. bottled soft drinks. You popped the top, then put it into the nozzle. Close the top, put your cup under the spigot and voila.

4.
A Merlin- 6 games in one.

3.
my ADAM computer with the whopping 64MB Hard Drive.

2.
My View Master. I had Batman, Star Wars, Star Trek, Disney, Peanuts, you name it.

1.
My Atari 2600 with all my games. My setup was similiar to this, and I had over 50 games.

Musical ABC's- 26 + songs I'd like to get-

2008-03-08T14:56:00.000-08:00

Aerosmith: "Do You Remember (Walking In The Sand)" and "Mama Kin"
Beatles: "Dear Prudence", or heck, the whole White Album. And Sergeant Pepper.
Charlie Daniels Band: "Long Haired Country Boy" and "The South's Gonna Do It Again"
Dinosaur Jr.: "Christine Sixteen" (The remake of the Kiss song)
Eurythmics: "Missionary Man"
Follow For Now: "Temptation"
Guadalcanal Diary: "Life Goes On"
Healey, Jeff (RIP): "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" (his remake, live, teamed up with Clapton who played with George Harrison on the original)
INXS: "Devil Inside"
Janice Joplin: "Ball and Chain"
Kiss: "Black Diamond"
Lynyrd Skynrd: "What's Your Name"
Miami Sound Machine: "Movies"
NFL Films: The music that accompanies the highlights to Super Bowl XV. And only Super Bowl XV.
Onyx: "Slam" (Ha! A hip-hop entry)
Producers: "She Sheila"
Queen: "Flash"
Roachford: "Feel For Me"
Siouxsie and the Banshees: "Peek A Boo"
Tin Machine: "Under the God" (an edgy band with David Bowie as the front man)
UB40: "Here I Am (Come And Take Me)", their remake of the Al Green hit.
Van Halen: "1984/Jump" (1984 was one of the first albums I'd owned)
White Stripes: "Elephant" or anything.
XTC: "Dear God"
Yardbirds: "For Your Love"
Zebra: "No Tellin' Lies" (Ya gotta be a good Metry boy ta know Zebra, brah. They used to play in my elementary school gym)

Quick, unscripted funny

2008-03-04T16:48:00.000-08:00

An exchange between the Zork Tumblr and me-

Subject: Downloadable content for Guitar Hero 3 for the Wii

BH: "So what you're trying to say is you can't use a Mii on the Wii to get things for Guitar Hero 3?"

Zork: "Si"

I nearly spewed water all over my keyboard.

Something wonderful

2008-02-28T18:24:00.000-08:00

The packet from the American Fellowship Church came in. I'm a card-carrying Reverend. There are a few terms and conditions-

1. Read, sign, and return a form verifying you have read the code of ethics.
2. Communicate with the church at least once a year.
3. Review the laws and regulations for the ceremonies you wish to perform.

And that's about it.

Catching up..

2008-02-19T16:45:00.000-08:00

Staying busy with work. Is it just me, or is traffic back in force in New Orleans?

I read DOA's post on the smartest TV shows. I liked a few of the selections, and that's it for me. TV has a long way to go before I consider any of the programming truly smart.

Blowing off steam playing the drums on Rock Band. I lose the rhythm after a long solo, so I'm hammering away on that. I read an article about a couple in NY who practice on the game about 20 hours a week, then go perform at bars. Apparently GH and RB are replacing karaoke as the music of choice. If they do something like that here, I'm there. If not for anything else, to get pointers.

Going back on my diet and exercise program. Gotta re-hydrate and get the gunk out. Good thing the weather's getting better.

I have to expand my repertoire and learn Army Logistics so I can be official as a support company commander. The good news is if I do it before the end of the year, I get a $20k bonus.

Enjoy the Heroes blog. I'm getting it organized.

I have seen the future of television - and fell asleep

2008-02-18T03:39:00.000-08:00

Did anybody catch the series premiere of the new "Knight Rider"? Was it just me, or was it an hour-long commercial for Ford? I mean, they pan to different shots of the car, showing the front, showing the cobra insignia, showing the back, showing the little blue oval with the white script, and then cut to commercials for..you guessed it..Ford!

The only thing I can figure is the writer's strike didn't affect the ad agencies, and Knight Rider got on the air with some of the commercial writers doing the pilot. This does not a good precedent set.

Maybe I'm no better with the "Fanta" jokes from last Friday...

This spot brought to you by Fancy Fried Chicken- They give you the bird!

Heroes-New Orleans

2008-02-12T04:02:00.000-08:00

The link above will take you to the blog for additional information on "Heroes-New Orleans".

Episode 1 - "The First Conspiracy" Recap:

A mortician (Milan Silverfox) is visited by two elderly gentlemen, who use her as a conduit to transmit information to her friends on the fate of the world.

A paranormal investigator (Robert Kahunah) is called in on a murder case with strange writing on a wall in blood- and no body. He is then asked to come to the library to investigate some scrolls with the exhibit, and show the spellbook he was asked to investigate from the crime scene.

The writing (from French) translates to- The first casualty is ours. Assemble your warriors in the mystic arts. A war is coming which will decide the fate of your world.

A librarian (Vanessa Beringer) gets more than she bargained for when a Native American exhibit comes to her facility.

A private investigator (Jimmy Leblanc) gets a call from a frantic woman whose son has only been missing for 24 hours, but fears the worst. The private investigator begins hearing the thoughts of the missing man's girlfriend, and comes to discover she had some sort of plan for him. But can she lead him to the missing man?

The mortician will fend off an attack in her own office. She is saved by the librarian who appears from thin air to assist her. The attack is caught on her security camera.

A cab driver (Jose Casas) will acquire a sword at a yard sale, and bring it to Vanessa to investigate. The sword attempts to communicate with Jose.

A bartender (Jimmy Monto) will be accused of murder and later released.

An amnesia patient in River Oaks will make several attempts to contact the mortician to free him. The elderly men can not see who this man is, and know nothing about him. He claims to be a soldier.

The mortician and the librarian become aware of a man known as a Watcher, who tails NOPD Sergeant Moffett, believing he is also one of the heroes. The Watcher is not aware of the mortician and the librarian.

Characters still needed- Newspaper Reporter, Mechanic, Physician's Assistant, Computer Programmer, and Policeman.

Episode 2 - "Each One, Save One" This Friday.

Next- The door reads "Prove yourself worthy of Merrshaulk so you may cross the gateway"
"Good afternoon. I believe there may have been a mix-up involving some scrolls."
"Angela Silas is alive?
"Gabriel! NOOO!"

--Fade to black.

Is Dyno-man ready for MySpace??

2008-01-21T04:53:00.001-08:00

Or is MySpace ready for Dyno-Man.

It'll be the future home for his comics and all his new friends.

Good bad or uh-oh??

I'm on Myspace--

2008-01-16T17:15:00.000-08:00

Holy Crap! I just set up a "myspace" page.

Holy Crap! Look at all the people I went to high school with on here!

Holy Crap! My site looks plain.

Yeah, the tune is jamming, thank you.

Now, can anyone tell me how to pimp out my home page???

Thanks!

Mutant League Electric Football

2008-01-07T19:47:00.000-08:00

Just thought of a great game to debut at Mobicon. Mutant League Electric Football. The trick is I have to get a reliable way to have the little plastic players possibly break apart upon impact. Oh, and make it a game that will still keep football fans, but have the most anti-football people give it a second glance. I have some ideas about this, more to come. This blog will be used to post the rules, and pics of the teams. By great coincidence, I probably have three teams that could hit the field pretty quick. I have a team of dragons, a team of robots, and a convict team like "The Mean Machine". The goblin team is next in the chute. I just have to make them somewhat "breakable".

I hate when these bits of inspiration wake me up, I'm supposed to be asleep.

On an unrelated note, I'll probably set up a blog for the new "Heroes" campaign I'm running. It will give character information and additional info on the campaign and future adventures.

On another unrelated note, I'll bet the "Simply Limeade" juice could get whipped up into some killer margaritas.

What'cha think?

Bills or Breakers..or other?

2008-01-03T16:30:00.000-08:00

I have a conundrum..

I'm trying to decide who I will take for the next electric football season. Sorry, the Saints are taken.

So my choices are between the two team I used last season. Usually, I would determine this through a head to head game. This year, let the fans decide.

First up are the Bills, built from the 1964 championship team, went 2-7 last season. Had the 5th ranked offense (out of 8) and couldn't stop a soul. Offense caught fire late in the season , but laid an egg in the playoffs.

Next are the USFL New Orleans Breakers, a team that went defunct in 1985. They went 4-4-1 and were 1st in defense, and 6th in offense. Again, out of 8. This is a team people still ask me about, and a team that got a lot of hype for being "spoiler specials". Two teams scored more than 14 points against them. One was a playoff team. They made their money winning ugly games.

If you need pictures, here we go:

Bills:

Breakers-

Or do I take another team? Your verdict, please!

The faces of me

2008-01-01T18:44:00.000-08:00

I am a man who has spent most of his life in some sort of a uniform, adhering to some sets of standards and rules. I held down a full time job, attended Louisiana Officer Candidate School and finished my college degree. All in the name of accomplishing goals. I have been in areas of the world and seen things I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. I've experienced things I wish I could share with everyone.

I'm the aspiring musician/hip-hop artist/comic book designer/author/renaissance man, karaoke-recovering ham hock who the first to go and make an ass of himself. The good part is I can still laugh at myself too.

I'm the square-ass who sometimes treats his friends like shit and may put what I want ahead of anything else.

I am the strange bird on the block who keeps a plethora of my old toys. I still despise most video games except for sports titles and the new ones with dancing and musical instrument playing.

I am someone who still believes from time to time the only person I can depend on is myself. Sorry, product of growing up in a household which put the "func" in "dysfunctional."

Someday, I will take the uniforms off. Someday, it will be just me. Someday I will be free to live my life by my rules. This scares the hell out of me.

The Picture Meme

2007-12-30T10:14:00.000-08:00

Because this looked like a lot of fun, and I have no stomach to watch the Saints game. Here goes:

1. Age I'll be on my next birthday:

2. Place I'd like to travel:

Low earth orbit, for those not sure what they're seeing.

3. Favorite place:

There were too many to name, so I compromised.

All right, if you must pry, then-

Yep. I love the woods. Surprised?

4. Favorite food:

Hungry yet?

5. Favorite animal:

Was there a doubt in your mind?

6. Favorite color:

That would be blue.

7. Town I was born in:

The sleepy town of Pineville, LA. Home to a paper mill and Camp Beauregard. I was born at Rapides General Hospital, which is gargantuan now.

8. Name of past pet:

My favorite dog growing up. This is what Lancelot looked like.

9. Name of past love:

Erin. Dated off and on from 1990-1993. Tried to stay friends, didn't work out.

10. My first name:

This is David L. Haydel, owner of Haydel's Bakery.

11. Bad habit I have:

No, not watching the original "Battlestar Galactica". Cigar smoking. Not done within 50' of the Ms.

12. My first job:

The Egg Roll House in Metairie. I took orders and worked the register.

13. Grandmother's name:

Elaine Adams-Estopinal

14. College Major:
Initially I was:

Elementary Education
But got my degree in:

Information Systems

The 2007 meme- pulled from others

2007-12-29T07:19:00.000-08:00

Here's my very diverse selections of opening posts for 2007.

January: Ashley is a young girl with some very serious medical conditions, which have forced her family to make some very serious decision on her behalf.

February: It seems this blog has all the ratings appeal of "I Married Dora" or "Pee-Wee Herman and Marv Albert go to 'Debbie Does Dallas' House and Get Cussed Out" .

March: That's right! If a California congressman gets his way, any infant born after 2008 in California is ENTITLED to $500.

April: It is a season of renewal, of what was thought perished, now revived.

May: I don't have the room for the jokes, so here's some punch lines. Know the jokes? Share!

June: 1. Trying new foods- In some cases, the weirder, the better.
 
July: My only post- Found this while checking out others.. Enjoy!

August:I was awake and going to work this morning at 2am.

September: Sent from an architect I'm working with. Thought it was awesome and wanted to share! 

October: Rock Band video

November: Since my last post!

December: Wife and I are watching "Tin Man" on scIFi Channel.

Trying to bring other things into the 2008 entries. Resolution- Be more personal. Beat my 2006 record of 80 posts.

80 posts for 2006, 61 for 2007. April and September were my most prolific months with 8 posts each. July was my single-worst with one.

Turning an afterthought into a positive

2007-12-27T16:17:00.000-08:00

I just read HFF's entry about getting McD's $5 gift cards. I also was the recipient of one, and decided it deserved a better fate than ending up as a Big Mac Value Meal. So, on Christmas Eve, I went to my local McD's and did the following:

1. Had some extra cash in my wallet, so I asked the man at the register to add an additional $25 to the card. He did so, indicating to me this guy had some brain cells rolling around, and make him a great candidate for what I wanted to do.

2. I then told him to keep the card. Yes, you read that right. I told him to keep the card and give it to the NEEDIEST person he encounters. Or if it's the end of his shift, buy as much stuff for him and the rest of the crew.

I can't tell you the ending, but I hope a family got something unexpected this holiday, and made their day a little brighter. Or the crew had an a "thanks" from an unknown customer, for working on a day where I'm sure they all had better things they wanted to do.

My take on Rock Band

2007-12-27T11:07:00.000-08:00

All right. The post I'm sure you've been waiting for. My review of Rock Band.

First off, the box is about a foot tall, three feet long, and two feet wide. It comes with:

A microphone (The XBox 360 supplied headset also works.)

A guitar controller similiar to the GH games, but this one is a Fender Strat style. Very clean.

A 4-plug USB multitap. Careful- all instruments are wired, and come with about 6' of cord. The microphone is a tricky beast to initialize into the game.

A 5-piece drum kit consisting of 4 colored drum pads and a pedal to simulate a bass drum. Oh, and sticks.

Assembly of all items took about 15-20 minutes, no tools required.

So we started the game with me on guitar and the Ms. on drums. A few things noticed while playing-

The tutorials for all instruments are very good. There's a "freeform" feature on the game which allows you to go wild with certain instruments at points during songs. Extra points are awarded. Drums get this often.

A bandmate can deploy star power to assist a struggling fellow bandmate.

Singers can hum along with the tune if they forget the words. Similiar to "Karaoke Revolution". I did this for "Dead or Alive".

Guitar players get extra points for great guitar solos.

You can play the drums sitting or standing ("Sheila E style").

We've only scratched the surface on songs. We've only unlocked about 12 of them. Apparently, there's about 70 in the game. The Ms. does Easy on the drums, and I do Medium on the guitar.

Best songs so far (scorewise)- "Mississippi Queen", "Say It Ain't So", and "Creep". We got 5-star ratings and over 100k in points.

Worst- "Ya Ya Ya", I believe is the name of it. I've never heard the song. "Gimme Shelter" by the Stones ain't no picnic either.

If the crowd's digging your performance, they're start singing along with you.

The biggest problem with the game is there's so much moving around, it's easy to get distracted. Between all the lines moving around, the characters on screen are jamming, and the song is playing. Oh, and the person playing the drummer is tapping away. The key is just a like real band, you tune out all the distractions and concentrate on your part of the song.

We played it yesterday until our eyes bugged out.

Is a penny saved a penny earned anymore?

2007-12-27T10:58:00.000-08:00

Saw this as a news story on Fox News. It basically says it costs more to make a penny (1.3 cents) than a penny is worth.

Now, not to sound Andy Rooney-esque here, but do we really need pennies? I mean, do people leave the house with a pocketful of pennies anymore? Ladies, I'm sure you have them in your purses. When was the last time you "seriously" bought anything with pennies?

I guess I'm conditioned by the military exchange services, which prices all items ending in a 5 or a zero. How about we configure cash registers to do the same, and tell these rotten city and parish councils who want to keep jacking around with a sales tax to leave us alone for a while?

Or dump the whole thing and roll to the Fair Tax . But that's a story for another day.

Oh! I have the "Rock Band" game.

Log entry- 17 December 2107There once was a civilization..

2007-12-17T18:28:00.000-08:00

Who stopped having births because reproducing of the species contributed to a phenomenon called "global warming" or climate change". I am the last person on the planet, and I don't buy into any of the nonsense.

Back to our reality. I can now say it. This global warming stupidity has gone to new heights. The truly sad part is I don't see an end to this insanity in the near future. People are getting dumber by the day.

Damn!

Re-imagining the O.Z. - What's next?

2007-12-04T17:02:00.000-08:00

Wife and I are watching "Tin Man" on scIFi Channel. It's being promoted as a "re-imagining" of the classic story, with a sci-fi twist. They've done everything from "Frankenstein" to "Lost in Space" and "Battlestar Galactica". "Star Trek" is on deck. Now, my question is, what's next to be "re-imagined"? This also gives life to my concept of writing the "World of Krypton" series.

Other ideas:

The Martian Chronicles - How great of a series would this be?

Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Brave New World

Catcher in the Rye

Next??

Because you asked for it!

2007-11-25T14:57:00.001-08:00

The profile has been updated.

After Action Review of Thanksgiving 2007

2007-11-25T08:02:00.000-08:00

First off, Happy Belated Thanksgiving. Wow, what a holiday. We actually ended up having no one come over for Thanksgiving, so the Ms. and I went to Annadele's Plantation in Covington, LA for Thanksgiving grubbage. I ate some crab cakes and filet mignon, while she had the crawfish and grilled redfish. All very good. It was nice to go in, sit down, eat, pay, get up, leave. No cooking, no dishes, no drama. Had time to go home and prep for Fry Day. We spent about the same amount we would have to host Thanksgiving here.

First, thanks to the Spiehlers for hosting Fry Day. Now for the uninitiated to Fry Day, it is held in Brandon, MS, and involves the remaining peanut oil from when the hosts had fried their Thanksgiving bird. Bring over anything you'd like to deep fry, and enjoy the good food and good friends. Oh, and it also become our annual Beerball event as well.

The not-so-good from Fry Day-
1. Having many guests realize Fry Day is a lot of WORK. Come as prepared as possible.
2. Having certain individuals want to attempt to change the course of events to do what they want NOW!
3. I'm still not a fun buzzed and/or drunk. Matter of fact, I do get surly.

The good from Fry Day-
1. The whopping 20+ in attendance. The last few times we've only had about 5. The Ms. got to finally meet Ace.
2. Our team won the Beerball game, 7-2. I wish we could have made the field wider...
3. The fried pumpkin and pecan pies, and the fried pizza rolls.
4. Guitar Hero 3 on the Wii.
5. The variety of food, and we still didn't get to it all.

Doesn't my dawlin' look good with the new haircut?

It am ugly Bizarro figure!

2007-11-24T21:27:00.000-08:00

It looks so much better up close. Look for it in upcoming comics!

MOSTLY OFFICIAL BEERBALL RULES--

2007-11-16T14:35:00.000-08:00

1.Concept: Two teams of 4-6 players each playing a version of American "touch" football while holding beverages containing some form of liquid in one hand. Team to score the most touchdowns wins.

Now, from an earlier post, here's the rules:

1. What you need:

A basic knowledge of football. If you need help, minimize this and got to www.football.com
A ball, preferably a football
Beer (in paper or plastic cups, Safety First!)
Some friends (at least two ladies, to be quarterbacks)
Something to mark off end zones, be it cones, tape, or a couple of drunks.

2. Getting started:

Selecting a referee:

The referee can be two types: the person who calls a fair game and makes sure no one gets hurt (boring) OR becomes the chaos factor for the game. The referee has the final say, and their word is LAW, even if it means breaking a rule. If you catch the ball after it bounces on the ground three times, and the ref says the pass was complete, then it's a catch!

Now, a good referee can be comedy relief, but know when enough is enough. If you're calling crazy penalties on every play or doing goofy things, it gets old. However, like a good showman, if you save your best calls for critical points of the game, you my friend make it more than a game. You make memories.

Next pick teams, get your full beer cups and have one team "kickoff" to the other.

3. Playing the Game

In order to "kickoff", the ball MUST be tossed end over end by throwing the ball from an end instead of from the middle.

If the ball goes out of bounds, take it 5 steps from your opponent's goal line

Downs are followed just like standard American football. If you make two catches and advance the ball down field on both catches, you are awarded a first down.

A touchdown is worth seven points, field goals are worth three. No extra points. To attempt a field goal, two defenders do their best impression of goal posts at the goal line, and the "tosser/kicker" tosses the ball from the end, trying to throw it between the improvised goalposts.

Ladies must play quarterback. As an absolute last resort, men can quarterback if the following conditions are met: must throw with his opposite hand, and play on his knees.

On defense, one player remains at the line of scrimmage to "rush" the quarterback after a clearly audible 5-second count. If no defender rushes the quarterback, the quarterback can run AT ANY TIME. The quarterback must wait until the rusher has completed its 5 second count before she opts to run, or do something else.

Play continues until a predetermined score is reached, or teams are worn out.

Must have beer in cup at all times. Spilled beers are penalties, and re-fill timeouts are authorized and encouraged.

Remember, the key is to have fun and enjoy the camaraderie. If a situation arises not addressed in these rules, MAKE IT UP, REF!

My all beerball team:

Quarterback:Housewifeinflipflops
Thrown more touchdowns than any other QB.

Receivers: Javafoofoo Made an amazing leaping TD catch and held on to her beer!
Crack Monkey: Blazing speed makes him dangerous

Center/Receiver: DOA Makes more plays than anyone I know

Now get out there and remember the 5 D's: Duck ,Dodge, Dip, Dive, and...Dodge! Whoops, wrong sport! Go play!

Argo City's most famous resident!

2007-11-15T19:38:00.001-08:00

Check it! Supergirl!

It's been 3 weeks!

2007-11-11T19:34:00.001-08:00

Since my last post!

Well, for those who I haven't had the chance to tell, it's Captain Dave, as of last Friday. I'll actually be "pinned" in December, but I can unofficially wear it now. The pay starts rolling in on the 15th of this month.

So as my responsibility increases, my thirst for things nostalgic continues to burn. Today, I thought of a few action figures I would love to have had growing up. So now, I'm making them. DC Universe only please.

The short list-

Supergirl (in production)
Sinestro

So now, who else should be there? Shazam!, Black Manta, Bizarro, Metallo, Cheetah, or....

You decide-

Now for something unusual- Happy Harl-o-ween!

2007-10-31T17:45:00.000-07:00