The Protection of Saint Dogbert
23 October 2009
Two weeks away...
Two weeks from today I will be waking up in San Diego, with ears will ringing from the previous night's festivities. What are the previous night's festivities? Dropkick Murphys live in concert! While there are multiple traditions that go along with this event, the favorite that I have seen thus far is the one in the video above...the crowd coming on stage for the final song, Skinhead on the MBTA! This video is from their St. Patrick's Day show in 2002.
Of course, when I wake up in two weeks, with ears ringing, I'll be looking forward to the rest of the weekend in beautiful San Diego. This trip is going to be awesome!
21 October 2009
College Football - Week 8
So, I've missed doing my picks for the past two weeks, but I did have a very good Week 5, going 4-0.
Now, back on track for this week's games: (By the way, ranking numbers are now shifting from the AP Poll to the BCS Rankings)
UCLA at #22 Arizona
Arizona is coming off an exciting win over a talented Stanford team. The Arizona offense is running on all cylinders, it's just up to the defense to really begin to step up. UCLA is on the rise, but is not at the same level as Arizona.
The Wildcats stop the Bruins in Arizona Stadium
Boston College at Notre Dame
Notre Dame is coming off another loss to USC. It's been a long time since the Irish have beaten the Trojans...but I digress. Boston College is the only other Catholic University that plays D-I football...I mean, plays FCS Football. This is a major rivalry, and typically produces a very exciting game. Boston College continues to climb their way up the ACC's pecking order, having made multiple appearances in the ACC Championship Game in their brief tenure in that conference.
The Irish look to get the sour taste out of their mouth, and takes it out on BC.
#13 Penn State at Michigan
Penn State wants to climb back into the Top 10 and into the Rose Bowl picture. While this will take Iowa being knocked off a few times, Penn State will need to win out. Michigan is a decent team, but they are not at the same level as Penn State. The Wolverines' advantage will be the location, as this game is being played in the Big House.
The Nittany Lions tame the Wolverines in the Big House.
#8 TCU at #16 BYU
In the revolving door of potential BCS busters, TCU is the ugly stepchild. They're always right there in the mix, until they face either BYU or Utah. The downside to TCU's stellar season...Boise State is also undefeated. If there's going to be a BCS buster this year, it won't be TCU. But, BYU won't be the team to keep them out of the BCS hunt.
TCU wins on the road and stays in the Top 10.
Week 5: 4-0 Season: 15-5
Now, back on track for this week's games: (By the way, ranking numbers are now shifting from the AP Poll to the BCS Rankings)
UCLA at #22 Arizona
Arizona is coming off an exciting win over a talented Stanford team. The Arizona offense is running on all cylinders, it's just up to the defense to really begin to step up. UCLA is on the rise, but is not at the same level as Arizona.
The Wildcats stop the Bruins in Arizona Stadium
Boston College at Notre Dame
Notre Dame is coming off another loss to USC. It's been a long time since the Irish have beaten the Trojans...but I digress. Boston College is the only other Catholic University that plays D-I football...I mean, plays FCS Football. This is a major rivalry, and typically produces a very exciting game. Boston College continues to climb their way up the ACC's pecking order, having made multiple appearances in the ACC Championship Game in their brief tenure in that conference.
The Irish look to get the sour taste out of their mouth, and takes it out on BC.
#13 Penn State at Michigan
Penn State wants to climb back into the Top 10 and into the Rose Bowl picture. While this will take Iowa being knocked off a few times, Penn State will need to win out. Michigan is a decent team, but they are not at the same level as Penn State. The Wolverines' advantage will be the location, as this game is being played in the Big House.
The Nittany Lions tame the Wolverines in the Big House.
#8 TCU at #16 BYU
In the revolving door of potential BCS busters, TCU is the ugly stepchild. They're always right there in the mix, until they face either BYU or Utah. The downside to TCU's stellar season...Boise State is also undefeated. If there's going to be a BCS buster this year, it won't be TCU. But, BYU won't be the team to keep them out of the BCS hunt.
TCU wins on the road and stays in the Top 10.
Week 5: 4-0 Season: 15-5
20 October 2009
Late Night Musings
From time to time, I can't sleep. Sometime there's a reason, sometimes there's not. It's on these nights that I do enjoy just laying in my bed and writing. Tonight is one of those nights. I try and not distinguish between the nights where sleep escapes me for a reason or not, and I'll continue that practice tonight. I think that it wouldn't be fair to the handful of people who actually read what I write (yes, all three or four of you), as it would give away too much of what's going on in my mind. And where's the fun in that?
I like to listen to music as I write. Tonight the music is coming via YouTube. It's interesting to see record label's stations. Who would have guessed that Miley Cyrus and Breaking Benjamin were on the same label?
My boss commented on my music collection recently. If one were to review a list of my iTunes purchases over the last six months, they may wonder about my sanity. In my defense, some of the songs I bought were for specific purposes. I mean, to buy Danny Boy being sung by the Man in Black (and if you have to ask who that is, that that's just sad) would have to have a purpose (a colleague's 50th birthday). But, let's take a look at what's there:
Hockey Song - Vile Richard
It's a bunch of Canadians singing about hockey. I went to a hockey game last weekend, and that was a big deal for me, as it was my first NHL game.
I Wanna Drive the Zamboni - Martin Zellar
A song about the Zamboni. It's played at every hockey venue in the english speaking world. Plus, it got me excited for the hockey game.
Simple Gifts - Alison Krause and Yo-Yo Ma
I'd be hard pressed to find a more soothing voice than Alison Krause's. My job is such that, for the time being, I am facilitating on-job-training for people that I've facilitated formal training sessions for since June. They're wearing on my nerves, to put it mildly. Having something that can calm the mind for a few minutes is a good thing.
I'm Alright - Kenny Loggins
This is the Theme Song to the movie Caddyshack. It was a celebratory song played after the first successful payroll run of our new system.
Don't Think Twice - Mike Ness
Mike is the lead singer of Social Distortion, a So-Cal punk band that's been around for almost 20 years. But, even in Social D's songs, you can detect some country influences. On Mike's solo albums, you definitely hear the country influences. And, as can be found with many country songs, there's a story being told with the lyrics.
If I Should Fall from Grace with God and A Pair of Brown Eyes - The Pogues
The Pogues are a listed inspiration for most modern Irish Punk bands. They were the group that made Irish music cool to a younger generation. Kids from the 80's couldn't sit an listen to The Dubliners by themselves. But, have them listen to something by the Pogues first, then they would listen to see where it came from. The Pogues and The Dubliners even collaborated on a version of The Irish Rover.
Up, Something Beautiful, and Fortune's Favour - Great Big Sea
These albums by this Canadian band provided both upbeat songs about fishing, sailing, pirating, and drinking while also providing plenty of ballads to calm the frayed nerves, but can also put on in a reflective mood. It's a double-edged sword.
I Heard a Voice (Live) - AFI
I'm a sucker for live music. I could bypass most band's studio albums if I could just get one or two good live albums out of them. I'm not a diehard AFI fan, but it was a good live album with some songs I recognized and liked.
The General's Boombox - Street Dogs
"You lit the fire in us, and we play on in your trust." Motivation is an interesting subject. Why do we do what we do? Is it for us? For someone else? Will that someone else know why we acted the way we did? Do we expect our actions to have some sort of affect on other people? There's a reason behind everything.
Daylight - Matt & Kim
This was the song in the Bacardi commercial that takes a guy from one era to another while he's just trying to get a mojito. It's a catchy little tune, and it just sounds cool. No other real reason for this one.
Indian Summer - Carbon Leaf
I really only wanted one song, but figured I'd give the album a try (and I liked what I heard). My favorite song is What About Everything? Life is full of thoughts and questions, and this song points a number of them out. But, we will finally reach a point where we'll just look at those thoughts and questions and just say to ourselves "Forget it!" We'll become so fed up with worrying about things so much that we'll let the worries go and finally live life.
The Red Sox Album - The Boston Pops
No one that knows me should questions this one at all. Go Sox!
Fatty - Street Dogs
I made a few Street Dogs purchases, but a few months apart. I've never been a small kid. Now, I really put on weight after my dis-enrollment from ROTC my junior year at UA, but even in high school I was a big kid. I was tall and played football on the O-Line. The only reason that I wasn't openly picked on was because I was an athlete, but my self-perception has not been good for many years, and it's catching up with me now. I can relate to the kid in this song. "Do you remember, back in High School, that kid we all picked on? No one backed him, ever liked him. He carries that with him today."
Mekong - Refreshments
Some days, you just wish you were at a bar, getting hammered to the point of oblivion, talking about all of your cares and worries with some stranger that is also getting smashed. The best part is that they won't know if you're telling the truth or not "Flip a coin, what shall we talk about. Heads, I tell the truth and Tails, I lie." But the overarching message of the song can be summed up in the chorus "And is it true it's always Happy Hour here? And if it is, I'd like to say a while. And as cliche as it may sound, I'd like to raise another round, and if your bottle's empty, help yourself to mine. Thank you for your time, and Here's to Life!"
Making the most of life is something that I've tried to focus on recently. Being one's own harshest critic doesn't allow for much allowance of mistakes and miscues. So, when you spend four years on something that doesn't end up working out, it's easy to get down on yourself and not let yourself get back up off the mat. I had to make a conscious effort to let myself get back up, to put myself out there a little bit, to chance rejection for the opportunity of acceptance. To make new friends and become closer to people that you've known for a long time. The hardest part is allowing yourself to think that you may actually find love while trying not to force that issue. It's a balancing act that you're trying to perform right after you've lost your ability to balance. It's tough, but the farther I get from the previous setback, the easier it gets to move on with my life. I'm now to the point where I feel like the world is telling me "So close your eyes and embrace your memories. Leave your troubles and your worries far behind. Stop contemplating. Start celebrating. You gotta live before you die." (from Social D's song Live Before you Die)
Thus Sayeth Your Haus
I like to listen to music as I write. Tonight the music is coming via YouTube. It's interesting to see record label's stations. Who would have guessed that Miley Cyrus and Breaking Benjamin were on the same label?
My boss commented on my music collection recently. If one were to review a list of my iTunes purchases over the last six months, they may wonder about my sanity. In my defense, some of the songs I bought were for specific purposes. I mean, to buy Danny Boy being sung by the Man in Black (and if you have to ask who that is, that that's just sad) would have to have a purpose (a colleague's 50th birthday). But, let's take a look at what's there:
Hockey Song - Vile Richard
It's a bunch of Canadians singing about hockey. I went to a hockey game last weekend, and that was a big deal for me, as it was my first NHL game.
I Wanna Drive the Zamboni - Martin Zellar
A song about the Zamboni. It's played at every hockey venue in the english speaking world. Plus, it got me excited for the hockey game.
Simple Gifts - Alison Krause and Yo-Yo Ma
I'd be hard pressed to find a more soothing voice than Alison Krause's. My job is such that, for the time being, I am facilitating on-job-training for people that I've facilitated formal training sessions for since June. They're wearing on my nerves, to put it mildly. Having something that can calm the mind for a few minutes is a good thing.
I'm Alright - Kenny Loggins
This is the Theme Song to the movie Caddyshack. It was a celebratory song played after the first successful payroll run of our new system.
Don't Think Twice - Mike Ness
Mike is the lead singer of Social Distortion, a So-Cal punk band that's been around for almost 20 years. But, even in Social D's songs, you can detect some country influences. On Mike's solo albums, you definitely hear the country influences. And, as can be found with many country songs, there's a story being told with the lyrics.
If I Should Fall from Grace with God and A Pair of Brown Eyes - The Pogues
The Pogues are a listed inspiration for most modern Irish Punk bands. They were the group that made Irish music cool to a younger generation. Kids from the 80's couldn't sit an listen to The Dubliners by themselves. But, have them listen to something by the Pogues first, then they would listen to see where it came from. The Pogues and The Dubliners even collaborated on a version of The Irish Rover.
Up, Something Beautiful, and Fortune's Favour - Great Big Sea
These albums by this Canadian band provided both upbeat songs about fishing, sailing, pirating, and drinking while also providing plenty of ballads to calm the frayed nerves, but can also put on in a reflective mood. It's a double-edged sword.
I Heard a Voice (Live) - AFI
I'm a sucker for live music. I could bypass most band's studio albums if I could just get one or two good live albums out of them. I'm not a diehard AFI fan, but it was a good live album with some songs I recognized and liked.
The General's Boombox - Street Dogs
"You lit the fire in us, and we play on in your trust." Motivation is an interesting subject. Why do we do what we do? Is it for us? For someone else? Will that someone else know why we acted the way we did? Do we expect our actions to have some sort of affect on other people? There's a reason behind everything.
Daylight - Matt & Kim
This was the song in the Bacardi commercial that takes a guy from one era to another while he's just trying to get a mojito. It's a catchy little tune, and it just sounds cool. No other real reason for this one.
Indian Summer - Carbon Leaf
I really only wanted one song, but figured I'd give the album a try (and I liked what I heard). My favorite song is What About Everything? Life is full of thoughts and questions, and this song points a number of them out. But, we will finally reach a point where we'll just look at those thoughts and questions and just say to ourselves "Forget it!" We'll become so fed up with worrying about things so much that we'll let the worries go and finally live life.
The Red Sox Album - The Boston Pops
No one that knows me should questions this one at all. Go Sox!
Fatty - Street Dogs
I made a few Street Dogs purchases, but a few months apart. I've never been a small kid. Now, I really put on weight after my dis-enrollment from ROTC my junior year at UA, but even in high school I was a big kid. I was tall and played football on the O-Line. The only reason that I wasn't openly picked on was because I was an athlete, but my self-perception has not been good for many years, and it's catching up with me now. I can relate to the kid in this song. "Do you remember, back in High School, that kid we all picked on? No one backed him, ever liked him. He carries that with him today."
Mekong - Refreshments
Some days, you just wish you were at a bar, getting hammered to the point of oblivion, talking about all of your cares and worries with some stranger that is also getting smashed. The best part is that they won't know if you're telling the truth or not "Flip a coin, what shall we talk about. Heads, I tell the truth and Tails, I lie." But the overarching message of the song can be summed up in the chorus "And is it true it's always Happy Hour here? And if it is, I'd like to say a while. And as cliche as it may sound, I'd like to raise another round, and if your bottle's empty, help yourself to mine. Thank you for your time, and Here's to Life!"
Making the most of life is something that I've tried to focus on recently. Being one's own harshest critic doesn't allow for much allowance of mistakes and miscues. So, when you spend four years on something that doesn't end up working out, it's easy to get down on yourself and not let yourself get back up off the mat. I had to make a conscious effort to let myself get back up, to put myself out there a little bit, to chance rejection for the opportunity of acceptance. To make new friends and become closer to people that you've known for a long time. The hardest part is allowing yourself to think that you may actually find love while trying not to force that issue. It's a balancing act that you're trying to perform right after you've lost your ability to balance. It's tough, but the farther I get from the previous setback, the easier it gets to move on with my life. I'm now to the point where I feel like the world is telling me "So close your eyes and embrace your memories. Leave your troubles and your worries far behind. Stop contemplating. Start celebrating. You gotta live before you die." (from Social D's song Live Before you Die)
Thus Sayeth Your Haus
Talk about the 12th Man
This was just too good to pass up. I saw this on the 'Shutdown Corner' blog on Yahoo! Sports, and the video was on YouTube, and now it's here. How can you not like a pigeon playing football? Enjoy!
16 October 2009
Bruins Tomorrow!
This was just too good not to share. I mean, really, who doesn't love a dancing bear? Go Bruins!
15 October 2009
...it's Time to Go!
So, a few weeks ago, I posted the release trailer for NHL 10. A nice little song plays behind the video. It's called The Hockey Song. Today, in honor of the Bruins' impending visit to the valley of the sun, I'm posting a video of Dropkick Murphys' 'Time to Go'. It's a song about going to see the Bruins, which I will do on Saturday evening. This will be my first NHL game, and I'm very excited. I will also be seeing Dropkick Murphys in San Diego in three weeks out in San Diego. It will be my first Dropkick Murphys concert, and I am very excited about that as well! So, enjoy! Go Bruins!
12 October 2009
Computer Security
Since becoming a Management Analyst back in February, I have found myself becoming more and more like an IT worker. I'm becoming more appreciative of technological security functions while maintaining the jaded view of a functional user of technology.
Now, I do not feel that my blog is as secure as it should be. This blog is susceptible to the evil demons of stupidity. As such, I had decided to employ the best security measure against the evil demons of stupidity...Saint Dogbert!
There...this blog is now secure!
Now, I do not feel that my blog is as secure as it should be. This blog is susceptible to the evil demons of stupidity. As such, I had decided to employ the best security measure against the evil demons of stupidity...Saint Dogbert!
There...this blog is now secure!
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