I've been playing these games intensely for the past week or two (at lunch only, of course). They are very rudimentary and simple to play, but quite addictive at least for me.
Mini Putt - my low score is a 20 (16 holes in one). Supposedly 18 is possible, but I find that VERY hard to believe (holes 8 and 17 are the ones I can't sink in one shot).
Mini Putt 2 - I just started into this one, but this sequel is much more intense than its predecessor. The original is a par 48; this version is a par 70, with some very unforgiving holes. Currently, my best score is 26 (attained on May 5, 2006).
Good luck, and sorry if I affect your productivity.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Friday, April 21, 2006
Amish kid at the Wright City rest stop
I was traveling to St. Louis two weekends ago to see the family and take in a Blues game, among other things, when I stopped in Wright City, Missouri (about 40 miles outside of STL) to relieve myself. (I'd been hitting the Rooster Booster pretty hard, and had had about 72 ounces over the course of the trip.)
I was approaching the restroom when I saw a kid proceed inside. He was probably ten and he was wearing what you might call very traditional garb. (Later, I saw that he met up who I assumed to be his mother and sister. They wore bonnets and long dresses. I was guessing the family was Amish or Quaker.)
So I head inside and do my thing. He's also at a urinal, and he's occasionally staring over at me (which I don't mind; as long as it isn't constant staring, I'll give kids a free pass). He finishes a bit before me and heads over to the sinks. He stops and seems befuddled.
It's one of those sinks where you stick your hands under and it lathers, rinses, and dries all at once. At this point, I'm just assuming he comes from a farm somewhere that doesn't have the newest microwave or high-speed internet access. But that's besides the point. If I hadn't seen this type of sink at the KSU Student Union before, and I was only ten, I'd be just as confused.
So I made my way to the sink and proceeded to use it like I finally learned how to (it took me a couple times). I'm not the type to call things "cute," but let's say as he proceeded to imitate me, it was an amusing situation. He watched my every move; I pretended I didn't see him, though I did. From soap to dry, he followed my lead. I left before he did, as he was still finishing up drying. I caught sight of the family as I left the rest stop to get back on the highway.
Every once in a while, a little incident like that brightens your day and give you a good story to tell.
I was approaching the restroom when I saw a kid proceed inside. He was probably ten and he was wearing what you might call very traditional garb. (Later, I saw that he met up who I assumed to be his mother and sister. They wore bonnets and long dresses. I was guessing the family was Amish or Quaker.)
So I head inside and do my thing. He's also at a urinal, and he's occasionally staring over at me (which I don't mind; as long as it isn't constant staring, I'll give kids a free pass). He finishes a bit before me and heads over to the sinks. He stops and seems befuddled.
It's one of those sinks where you stick your hands under and it lathers, rinses, and dries all at once. At this point, I'm just assuming he comes from a farm somewhere that doesn't have the newest microwave or high-speed internet access. But that's besides the point. If I hadn't seen this type of sink at the KSU Student Union before, and I was only ten, I'd be just as confused.
So I made my way to the sink and proceeded to use it like I finally learned how to (it took me a couple times). I'm not the type to call things "cute," but let's say as he proceeded to imitate me, it was an amusing situation. He watched my every move; I pretended I didn't see him, though I did. From soap to dry, he followed my lead. I left before he did, as he was still finishing up drying. I caught sight of the family as I left the rest stop to get back on the highway.
Every once in a while, a little incident like that brightens your day and give you a good story to tell.
LEAP
I consider myself conservative in general. There a few issues where I lean to the left.
One of those issues is illegal drugs. I'm not a druggie by any means. Who's to say if I've ever even tried any drugs? (It shan't be dissimenated in as public a forum as this.) While I can understand why drugs are outlawed, the simple fact is this because they are outlawed, it is created a black market worth billions and billions of dollars.
The past few weeks, a group has been appearing in the news, making public speaking appearances, and so on. Their name is LEAP, or Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. Their site does a good job of explaining what they're about.
Their viewpoint and ideas are absolutely mind-blowing and seemingly ridiculous. Basically, they feel because prohibition of illegal drugs has failed so horribly (and it seems it has, at least from what I've read or observed), a drastic change should occur. ALL illegal drugs should be legalized. Then, they should be regulated and treatment instead of incarceration is what money would be spent on. At least, I think that's the gist of it.
I know one thing would happen. Legalization would destroy the black market; prices would plummet. The entire drug distribution chain would be drastically affected. That, in and of itself, seems like a positive outcome. Cheap drugs for all, though, especially the deranged and addicted, poses a whole different set of issues.
I don't see this group ever getting very far, but perhaps people said the same thing about alcohol when it was prohibited for a time. In the end, perhaps it's just an interesting read. But, it sort of makes you think, "Hmm, what if?"
One of those issues is illegal drugs. I'm not a druggie by any means. Who's to say if I've ever even tried any drugs? (It shan't be dissimenated in as public a forum as this.) While I can understand why drugs are outlawed, the simple fact is this because they are outlawed, it is created a black market worth billions and billions of dollars.
The past few weeks, a group has been appearing in the news, making public speaking appearances, and so on. Their name is LEAP, or Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. Their site does a good job of explaining what they're about.
Their viewpoint and ideas are absolutely mind-blowing and seemingly ridiculous. Basically, they feel because prohibition of illegal drugs has failed so horribly (and it seems it has, at least from what I've read or observed), a drastic change should occur. ALL illegal drugs should be legalized. Then, they should be regulated and treatment instead of incarceration is what money would be spent on. At least, I think that's the gist of it.
I know one thing would happen. Legalization would destroy the black market; prices would plummet. The entire drug distribution chain would be drastically affected. That, in and of itself, seems like a positive outcome. Cheap drugs for all, though, especially the deranged and addicted, poses a whole different set of issues.
I don't see this group ever getting very far, but perhaps people said the same thing about alcohol when it was prohibited for a time. In the end, perhaps it's just an interesting read. But, it sort of makes you think, "Hmm, what if?"
loathing dogs
I don't mean to offend dog lovers, but I've come to the recent conclusion that I loathe dogs. And, you know, I'm sure yours is the perfect dog, but I'll tell you the ones that stick in my mind.
It's the ones that live on every side of our new house that bark constantly the second they see you or someone walking down the street. It's the ones that jump up on you ten times, even though their owner tells them each time to get down or sit or whatever. It's the ones you hear about on the news that are ripping at the throats of 3-year-olds and 80-year-olds (usually it's pit bulls).
I know that I'm generalizing. And I shouldn't. I've met some find and upstanding dogs in my day. But it's not just dogs that can't behave. It's what dogs have done to the human race. Or perhaps we've done it to ourselves.
We dress these asshole dogs up in clothing. They don't need clothing. There are doggy ice cream treats on the market. And on and on.
And while I first heard it from Jerry Seinfeld in his stand-up act a while back, he makes an excellent point. If visitors from another planet came to observe Earth, they would see dogs leading humans around and the humans are picking up their shit. He posed the question: who would the aliens think were the dominant species?
Some people border on being slaves to their dogs and it amazes me. I know that you have to give time to your dog, or it will be one of those misbehaving psycho dogs, but it seems like a delicate balance could be found. But what do I know?
I'm a hamster and fish guy myself. (Ah, one of the neighbor dogs is going on one of his barking binges. Perfect time to end my post.)
It's the ones that live on every side of our new house that bark constantly the second they see you or someone walking down the street. It's the ones that jump up on you ten times, even though their owner tells them each time to get down or sit or whatever. It's the ones you hear about on the news that are ripping at the throats of 3-year-olds and 80-year-olds (usually it's pit bulls).
I know that I'm generalizing. And I shouldn't. I've met some find and upstanding dogs in my day. But it's not just dogs that can't behave. It's what dogs have done to the human race. Or perhaps we've done it to ourselves.
We dress these asshole dogs up in clothing. They don't need clothing. There are doggy ice cream treats on the market. And on and on.
And while I first heard it from Jerry Seinfeld in his stand-up act a while back, he makes an excellent point. If visitors from another planet came to observe Earth, they would see dogs leading humans around and the humans are picking up their shit. He posed the question: who would the aliens think were the dominant species?
Some people border on being slaves to their dogs and it amazes me. I know that you have to give time to your dog, or it will be one of those misbehaving psycho dogs, but it seems like a delicate balance could be found. But what do I know?
I'm a hamster and fish guy myself. (Ah, one of the neighbor dogs is going on one of his barking binges. Perfect time to end my post.)
Hit on
I was driving to St. Louis with Gretchen three weekends ago when we stopped in Columbia, Missouri for some gas at Quiktrip (a fine establishment). I got out and began to pump my gas. All of a sudden, this dude on the other side of the pump, filling his car, says to me, "Nice car." It took me a second to realize he was speaking to me, mainly because I was driving Gretchen's 2003 Honda Civic. No offense to Gretchen and other Civic owners, but a Civic just isn't the type of car that one gets complimented on. My pump stopped and I got back in the car.
I didn't pick up on anything until Gretchen piped up and said, "Was that guy talking to you?" I said yes and he told me I had a nice car. "I think he was hitting on you," she said. I thought a moment and then all the pieces fell into place. Yes, he WAS hitting on me. The guy was scrawny, with glasses, and you could consider him slightly effeminate. Our squeegees awkwardly met at the water bin hanging on the column. He complimented me on "my" Honda Civic. I was hit on by a gay man.
This is not a problem at all. I think it's happened a couple times before. And trust me, I'm flattered. I'm either good-looking enough or gay-looking enough to be hit on. I'll assume good-looking. (When I think back, when I said, "Actually, it's my fiancee's..." that probably sent the no-go signal to the guy. Who knows where it would have ended up at that point? Sharing a taquito, perhaps, Lady and the Tramp-style?)
I didn't pick up on anything until Gretchen piped up and said, "Was that guy talking to you?" I said yes and he told me I had a nice car. "I think he was hitting on you," she said. I thought a moment and then all the pieces fell into place. Yes, he WAS hitting on me. The guy was scrawny, with glasses, and you could consider him slightly effeminate. Our squeegees awkwardly met at the water bin hanging on the column. He complimented me on "my" Honda Civic. I was hit on by a gay man.
This is not a problem at all. I think it's happened a couple times before. And trust me, I'm flattered. I'm either good-looking enough or gay-looking enough to be hit on. I'll assume good-looking. (When I think back, when I said, "Actually, it's my fiancee's..." that probably sent the no-go signal to the guy. Who knows where it would have ended up at that point? Sharing a taquito, perhaps, Lady and the Tramp-style?)
Friday, April 07, 2006
top 5 lists
Tagged by Jackie:
In the kitchen:
1. fry cooker (Gretchen makes good fries, in lard mind you, not oil or some weak stuff like that)
2. Sasha Poell(American Family Insurance agent) letter opener - I much prefer the clean slice of a letter opener as opposed to just using a finger; it's just so messy
3. pen and pad of paper - I'm a list-maker, and that's what's needed to, you know, make lists
4. self-propelled electric can opener - I put the can in, start it, WALK AWAY, go do something else for five or ten seconds, I get back, and BOOM, the can is open for me
5. pictures on the fridge (including me and Gretchen, me and my niece, Olivia, and my freakishly large football-playing younger brother)
In the closet (various closets, I should say):
1. CDs that aren't in my car (most of them are good; some I regret ever buying, but that'll happen)
2. old print issues of The Onion
3. a box fan (I prefer to sleep with a fan or something else that makes a calming noise)
4. solid-colored t-shirts (green, black, and brown, among others)
5. tennis shoes (i have a old pair for lawn mowing, etc., a kind of new pair for casual wear, and a new pair for b-ball and v-ball)
In my bag (or briefcase really):
1. my planner (I can't stress that enough)
2. current issue of The Onion
3. current book I'm reading (in this case, Under and Alone by William Queen, this badass who went undercover in a motorcycle gang and then busted a bunch of them -- it ain't deep reading, but I'm fascinating by crim e books and things like that)
4. my fancy leather portfolio (trust me, it impresses people -- only mine was only $9.99, yet still impressive)
5. my business card (currently saying Mike Postiglione, Estimating, someday to say ESTIMATOR)
At the office:
1. my computer speakers (on which I listen to the Wildcat 91.9 online most of the time)
2. my ScrabbleGram and Onion daily desk calendars (as an aside, here's an interview with John D. Williams, Jr., Executive Director of the National Scrabble Association)
3. every color of highlighter (used during drawing take-offs)
4. daily to-do list (created in Word and printed out at the end of the day)
5. digitizer board (where take-off is done; it's actually kind of fun, believe it or not)
At home:
1. a bottle or can of thrifty beer (say, Milwaukee's Best Light or Natural Light)
2. my computer (a lot of entertainment from one box, that's what I always say)
3. my leather recliner (recently acquired from Gretchen's cousin's grandparents, and it is comfy)
4. my bed
5. foosball table (working on becoming a master, but I have a ways to go)
I tag Chris R. and Eric W. if no one has yet, anyway.
In the kitchen:
1. fry cooker (Gretchen makes good fries, in lard mind you, not oil or some weak stuff like that)
2. Sasha Poell(American Family Insurance agent) letter opener - I much prefer the clean slice of a letter opener as opposed to just using a finger; it's just so messy
3. pen and pad of paper - I'm a list-maker, and that's what's needed to, you know, make lists
4. self-propelled electric can opener - I put the can in, start it, WALK AWAY, go do something else for five or ten seconds, I get back, and BOOM, the can is open for me
5. pictures on the fridge (including me and Gretchen, me and my niece, Olivia, and my freakishly large football-playing younger brother)
In the closet (various closets, I should say):
1. CDs that aren't in my car (most of them are good; some I regret ever buying, but that'll happen)
2. old print issues of The Onion
3. a box fan (I prefer to sleep with a fan or something else that makes a calming noise)
4. solid-colored t-shirts (green, black, and brown, among others)
5. tennis shoes (i have a old pair for lawn mowing, etc., a kind of new pair for casual wear, and a new pair for b-ball and v-ball)
In my bag (or briefcase really):
1. my planner (I can't stress that enough)
2. current issue of The Onion
3. current book I'm reading (in this case, Under and Alone by William Queen, this badass who went undercover in a motorcycle gang and then busted a bunch of them -- it ain't deep reading, but I'm fascinating by crim e books and things like that)
4. my fancy leather portfolio (trust me, it impresses people -- only mine was only $9.99, yet still impressive)
5. my business card (currently saying Mike Postiglione, Estimating, someday to say ESTIMATOR)
At the office:
1. my computer speakers (on which I listen to the Wildcat 91.9 online most of the time)
2. my ScrabbleGram and Onion daily desk calendars (as an aside, here's an interview with John D. Williams, Jr., Executive Director of the National Scrabble Association)
3. every color of highlighter (used during drawing take-offs)
4. daily to-do list (created in Word and printed out at the end of the day)
5. digitizer board (where take-off is done; it's actually kind of fun, believe it or not)
At home:
1. a bottle or can of thrifty beer (say, Milwaukee's Best Light or Natural Light)
2. my computer (a lot of entertainment from one box, that's what I always say)
3. my leather recliner (recently acquired from Gretchen's cousin's grandparents, and it is comfy)
4. my bed
5. foosball table (working on becoming a master, but I have a ways to go)
I tag Chris R. and Eric W. if no one has yet, anyway.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
musicians I wish I'd seen and BOB HUGGINS
The following is a list of musicians I wish I had had the chance to see (and the past tense I use in the case of a few of the still active bands or musicians refers to them in their prime, b/c i just have a feeling that some of them just ain't the same today as they were 30 years ago):
Blind Melon
Jimi Hendrix
Bob Dylan
The Who
The Beatles
The Band
Pantera (I've seen them twice, but not until '99 and '01 -- just an electric show)
There are others, but they don't come to mind at this point.
I must admit that I am thoroughly excited about Bob Huggins becoming the new coach of Kansas State basketball. He has an amazing win percentage over 25 years of coaching (I think about .750). He's going to bring awesome recruits to the school, and K-State is going to become really good at basketball, which I think a lot of people had just come to accept wouldn't happen for a long time.
Others bring up his questionable past. He was asked to leave and his contract was bought out at the University of Cincinnati. This probably stemmed from several incidences involving his players and a DUI he has a few years ago. Seeing a timeline of his career might make one a bit skeptical of his character.
Yet, I trust him to do the best job he can do at coaching. I won't worry about his past, as checkered as it is, if he makes K-State basketball a success, which everyone is saying he will. It will be interesting to see how he pans out. Will it be more of the same? Will thug life transcend on Manhattan? Will there be another drunk driver on the road (just what Manhattan needs)? Only time will tell.
The Kansas City Star has a lot of related articles to this legitimately huge story. See the right side of the page for those.
Blind Melon
Jimi Hendrix
Bob Dylan
The Who
The Beatles
The Band
Pantera (I've seen them twice, but not until '99 and '01 -- just an electric show)
There are others, but they don't come to mind at this point.
I must admit that I am thoroughly excited about Bob Huggins becoming the new coach of Kansas State basketball. He has an amazing win percentage over 25 years of coaching (I think about .750). He's going to bring awesome recruits to the school, and K-State is going to become really good at basketball, which I think a lot of people had just come to accept wouldn't happen for a long time.
Others bring up his questionable past. He was asked to leave and his contract was bought out at the University of Cincinnati. This probably stemmed from several incidences involving his players and a DUI he has a few years ago. Seeing a timeline of his career might make one a bit skeptical of his character.
Yet, I trust him to do the best job he can do at coaching. I won't worry about his past, as checkered as it is, if he makes K-State basketball a success, which everyone is saying he will. It will be interesting to see how he pans out. Will it be more of the same? Will thug life transcend on Manhattan? Will there be another drunk driver on the road (just what Manhattan needs)? Only time will tell.
The Kansas City Star has a lot of related articles to this legitimately huge story. See the right side of the page for those.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Chef - NCAA tournament - house
Isaac Hayes, who played Chef on South Park, quit the show a couple days ago. He stated that he was tired of the show’s "inappropriate ridicule" of religion. Matt Stone, one of the creators of the show, countered beautifully. He pointed out that Hayes never had a problem when the show made fun of almost every other religion out there, along with gays, pedophiles, and other easy-to-ridicule groups. They recently did an episode lampooning Scientology (which if you ever read up on, you realize it is a really weird religion or group or whatever you might call it). Isaac Hayes is a Scientologist.
No matter how you slice it, this looks bad on Hayes part. It seems that he’s either bowing to pressure from the higher-ups in the church of Scientology, or he is one of the biggest hypocrites in recent memory. The term “double standard” doesn’t do the whole situation justice. “Oh yeah, mock those stupid Mormons, Christians, Jews, and whoever else you’d like. I’ll go along; I’ll collect my (probably) millions. Oh, wait. You’re going to make fun of Scientology? My religion? I have a problem with this.”
Talk about burning a bridge. While I’ll always respect him for the Shaft theme song (and Chef was a pretty funny character too), this is really a black mark on his reputation. And it might not have been, but Matt Stone went ahead and called him out on it.
I think I might get more excited about the NCAA tournament more than any other sporting event during the year. There’s just something about it. I think it’s the single-elimination aspect combined with the ever-present possibility of a big upset. Even the selection show, where you see which teams slip in and which teams get the big stiffy, is an interesting part of the process.
My favorite two days of the basketball year are tomorrow and Friday, when it’s just wall-to-wall basketball on CBS, with several games going on at once. Unfortunately, now that I have a job, it will be hard to catch the 11 AM to 5 PM shift. Back in the good ol’ days of college and high school, I could either skip class or watch it on TVs in the classrooms (if it were study hall or an especially lax teacher). And, I really don’t pay that much attention to college basketball during the year, save for K-State or what I see on Sportcenter, but when it comes to basketball in March, it just has this allure, even if I don’t really have a predilection towards one team or another.
Gretchen and I closed on a house yesterday. We are officially homeowners. This, of course, is exciting and frightening at the same time. It’s good, though, that we’ll finally be investing in something instead of just blowing money on rent. Yet, now I’m responsible for fixing stuff, mowing the lawn, and all that other business. Nothing I can’t handle, but more to handle nonetheless. Here’s a few pics.
No matter how you slice it, this looks bad on Hayes part. It seems that he’s either bowing to pressure from the higher-ups in the church of Scientology, or he is one of the biggest hypocrites in recent memory. The term “double standard” doesn’t do the whole situation justice. “Oh yeah, mock those stupid Mormons, Christians, Jews, and whoever else you’d like. I’ll go along; I’ll collect my (probably) millions. Oh, wait. You’re going to make fun of Scientology? My religion? I have a problem with this.”
Talk about burning a bridge. While I’ll always respect him for the Shaft theme song (and Chef was a pretty funny character too), this is really a black mark on his reputation. And it might not have been, but Matt Stone went ahead and called him out on it.
I think I might get more excited about the NCAA tournament more than any other sporting event during the year. There’s just something about it. I think it’s the single-elimination aspect combined with the ever-present possibility of a big upset. Even the selection show, where you see which teams slip in and which teams get the big stiffy, is an interesting part of the process.
My favorite two days of the basketball year are tomorrow and Friday, when it’s just wall-to-wall basketball on CBS, with several games going on at once. Unfortunately, now that I have a job, it will be hard to catch the 11 AM to 5 PM shift. Back in the good ol’ days of college and high school, I could either skip class or watch it on TVs in the classrooms (if it were study hall or an especially lax teacher). And, I really don’t pay that much attention to college basketball during the year, save for K-State or what I see on Sportcenter, but when it comes to basketball in March, it just has this allure, even if I don’t really have a predilection towards one team or another.
Gretchen and I closed on a house yesterday. We are officially homeowners. This, of course, is exciting and frightening at the same time. It’s good, though, that we’ll finally be investing in something instead of just blowing money on rent. Yet, now I’m responsible for fixing stuff, mowing the lawn, and all that other business. Nothing I can’t handle, but more to handle nonetheless. Here’s a few pics.
Friday, March 03, 2006
follow up to the boob-grab story
This just article just came out about 30 minutes ago.
If you recall, at the Golden Globes, some gay fashion designers grabbed Scarlett Johansson's boob after she arrived at the show. She's finally spoken out about it.
Red carpet groping no fun, star says
I guess the headline is a double entendre in itself, now that I look at it. Though she isn't a redhead. Anyway, I digress.
If you recall, at the Golden Globes, some gay fashion designers grabbed Scarlett Johansson's boob after she arrived at the show. She's finally spoken out about it.
Red carpet groping no fun, star says
I guess the headline is a double entendre in itself, now that I look at it. Though she isn't a redhead. Anyway, I digress.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
my office
Some of the women in my office light candles in their areas because they enjoy the smell.
I also have a couple of (free) candles that I brought into the office. There are two reasons I did so.
One, there are times, usually in the early morning, when my body tends to emanate some rather off-putting odors. So, the scent of the candle masks this smell, to some extent.
Secondly, I place the candles on a shelf that is clearly visible down the hallway that leads to my office. This way, it serves as a beacon or warning light to those approaching. "Proceed at your own risk," it subtly reveals.
Slowly, people are realizing what the candles are there for. No, it's not because I'm a "fruit," to quote one of my co-workers. Funnily enough, the few who haven't caught on yet include the ladies in the office who are regular candle users. They visit me every time they spot the candle lit, to either compliment how well my candle goes with theirs, or to check what scent it is today. If they only knew the rest of the story...
I also have a couple of (free) candles that I brought into the office. There are two reasons I did so.
One, there are times, usually in the early morning, when my body tends to emanate some rather off-putting odors. So, the scent of the candle masks this smell, to some extent.
Secondly, I place the candles on a shelf that is clearly visible down the hallway that leads to my office. This way, it serves as a beacon or warning light to those approaching. "Proceed at your own risk," it subtly reveals.
Slowly, people are realizing what the candles are there for. No, it's not because I'm a "fruit," to quote one of my co-workers. Funnily enough, the few who haven't caught on yet include the ladies in the office who are regular candle users. They visit me every time they spot the candle lit, to either compliment how well my candle goes with theirs, or to check what scent it is today. If they only knew the rest of the story...
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