Steve Fischer's Random Blog

Author: fish1964

  • Danielle learns to swim

    Our vacation started and ended poorly at Kennedy airport, but Jamaica was great. The beginning was the problem that I feared, the storm. We boarded the plane and thought we were in good shape, only to get an announcement that the weather was too bad to take off and that we had to wait on the plane at the gate. So we did. For two hours. Then they had us deplane, but asked us to stay close in case they got an open window to take off.

    I had enough time to leave security, hit McDonald’s, come back in and feed Danielle before we boarded again. Add another hour on the plane waiting to be de-iced, and we finally took off, about 6 hours late. But at least we made it.

    The place was great and the weather was as well. We frankly didn’t do much (nothing wrong with that). The pool and the beach were our primary destinations. I was hoping that this would be the time that Danielle would finally learn to swim (with a life vest) on her own. She loves the water, but has always been very clingy if she’s in water over her head, even with a vest. So I was hoping that six days would do it.

    It finally happened on day four. She met a new friend, Griffin, who was 3 1/2. He could swim with a vest so she finally gave it a shot. First just going a few feet. But by the next day, she was all over the pool. Here is the formerly clingy girl (in the center of the picture – that’s me way to the left):

    She pretty much did nothing but swim after that. Of course, all that swimming is tiring work, so this is what she typically looked like around mid-afternoon:

    And of course there was other fun. She learned to catch a Frisbee (ok, one out of about 20 times):

    And of course there was dancing…

    The resort was great, though it got a bit crowded towards the end. So many kids are on vacation for President’s day week that the place was totally jammed. But overall it was an excellent pool, beach, and relaxing vacation. There was plenty of jerk chicken and Red Stripe beer (the local beer – frankly just average, but you want a lighter beer when it’s that hot).

    The trip ended poorly at Kennedy airport as one of our bags didn’t make the trip with us. They are still looking for it at this point. That was no fun, waiting around the airport late at night with a very sleepy four year old.

    But overall a very successful and relaxing vacation.

  • Restaurant Signs

    There’s a guy in Pennsylvania who owns a restaurant with a big sign out front. Instead of advertising the daily specials, he decided to post his political opinions (kind of a low-tech blog). While I agree with few of the sentiments, this one cracked me up:

    2 Presidential Candidates

    Each will blow over 125 Mil

    For a job that pays 400000 yr

    Must have great dental plan

    He’s pretty anti-immigrant, which I am not. But this sign is pretty funny:

    This is America

    Why must we press 1

    To proceed in English

    It’s kind of like red-neck Haiku.

    If you want to see more (bad language warning)

  • Final Super Bowl Update

    My last bet was the who would get more, Payton Manning rushing attempts or Dixie Chick Grammys. I lost that in a big way (who knew they’d get five?). So when in doubt, do not follow my wagering advice (except perhaps my advice not to wager).

    So for the record I was 5-6 in Super Bowl bets. That’s actually pretty good for me, but it won’t make me rich…

  • Vacation, Vacation, Vacation

    OK, I’m a little excited. Historically we have tried to do a warm vacation each winter, but last year it just didn’t happen. Our last beach vacation was two years ago at a Beaches in Turks and Caicos. That was very nice, but it’s been too long.

    And our timing is great It’s been really cold (OK Chicago folks, I know it’s been much colder there) so I’m dying for some warm weather. Though our timing is scary in one sense. There’s a big storm coming the night before we leave. I’m hoping we don’t get stuck in the airport waiting for our plane to take off.

    We didn’t get to plan much, so we just went on some friends recommendations. We’ll be at the Ritz in Jamaica. My wife has never wanted to go to Jamaica. And I can understand this feeling. Back in my previous life I worked on cruise ships and we often stopped in Ocho Rios. There were two things I liked to do in Ocho Rios. Either I’d see if I could get on the snorkeling excursion (cruise ship staff could go on the official excursions for free if there was an open spot) or I’d go to the Jerk Center for some really good Jerk Chicken (if you have no idea what that is, imagine chicken smoked over an open flame with really spicy seasoning – very nice).

    But there were two things that typically happened within about 100 yards of the ship. Especially if I was walking alone. First, I would get offered drugs. Second, I would get offered a blowjob. It was pretty consistent (not sure why it was always drugs first, but it always was). You’d actually get offered drugs about five times and sex about two or three times. The whole place is a strange combination of Caribbean beauty and sordidness.

    So I can understand someone having a bad feeling about Jamaica. Though it is a very beautiful island. So in this case my wife finally agreed. We’re going to an all-inclusive, kid friendly Ritz in Jamaica. We may never leave the resort.

    I really don’t care. I want warm weather, a beach, a pool, some kid friendly stuff to do, some kid friendly food, good service, and some fun tropical drinks (actually I’ll probably mainly drink beer, but you get the idea). As an added plus, my phone doesn’t work in Jamaica. I can’t get email. I’m literally forced to disconnect for a week. I can’t wait.

    I’ll probably come back, but no promises…

  • Wayne Craig’s Daughter is Famous

    Must be a proud papa…

  • Super Bowl follow-up II: The Ads

    Normally no Super Bowl discussion would be complete without talking about the ads. This year they seemed pretty uneventful. Many of the commercials were just ordinary commercials. Nothing wrong with that I suppose, you just expect a little something extra in a Super Bowl commercial.

    It also seemed like one long promo for upcoming CBS shows. At times I was begging for a regular commercial.

    My comments on the ones I can remember:

    Budweiser: You can always count on Bud for some good ones. I would consider this a down year for Bud, but I still enjoyed most of them. The rock, scissors, paper one was good (rock really should beat everything). The auctioneer at the wedding wasn’t bad. Some people liked the dog one, but I wasn’t in love with it. The fist bump/slap one I thought was dumb. The gorilla trying to steal the Bud Light was ok. The Bud Light hitchhiker with the ax I liked. The king crab one I thought was dumb. Jay-Z and Don Shula didn’t work. Where were the Clydesdales?

    Careerbuilder.com: I thought the whole “do more than survive the workweek” campaign was weak. Definitely sub-par for them.

    Doritos: They were one for two. I didn’t think the car crash one was good, but I liked the check out lady one.

    E-Trade: Also one for two. The bank robbery one was bad, but the “one finger is very powerful” one was good.

    Sierra Mist: Didn’t like the comb-over one. The others were ok. Overall I thought this was kind of weak.

    Snickers: Some people thought this was hilarious, but the guy-kiss, then rip your chest hair out just wasn’t that funny to me.

    Heart Association: These were just dark and spooky. A bunch of thugs beat up your heart in a dark alley. Nice. I was glad my four year old wasn’t watching. Didn’t like them at all.

    Garmin: They paid money for this one? Could have possibly been more lame? Well, maybe if it had been more lame then it could have reached the “so stupid, it’s funny” stage, but this was just stupid.

    Coke: These were all interesting and creative but not particularly memorable. I can’t really remember any of them the next day.

    T-Mobile: This was one of my favorites just because of Charles Barkley. Simple commercial, but perfect use of a celebrity. Maybe it’s just because I like Barkley.

    Emerald Nuts: Silly, but I liked it. Robert Goulet wreaking havoc in a sleeping office made me chuckle.

    Nationwide: I had heard about this one in advance so I knew what was coming. But it was still good. “Federline! Fries!”. Funny, and about all he’s good for…

    I know there were others, but nothing sticks out. Maybe I missed some good ones. Overall a weak Super Bowl commercial crop.

    ———————-

    Update:

    I was reading another review of the ads (I like to see if other people had different opinions) and two things leaped out at me. First of all, this guy thought the Garmin ad was the best of the night (I guess it takes all kinds). But he had a great line on a commercial I didn’t see. Apparently Frito-Lay had an ad celebrating the fact that there were two African-American coaches. “Who’s winning?”, “We all are”. The reviewers comments:

    The ad is low-key and likable. And wholly fitting, given the vital role Tostitos played in the civil rights movement.

    lol.

  • Super Bowl Follow-up

    First of all, I’d like to give Billy Joel credit for proving me wrong and not milking the national anthem. I lost the over/under on length of the song (1 min, 44 seconds) with the Piano Man going slightly under (with a nice rendition).

    I won the coin toss bet with heads.

    I took the Bears with 7 points and I took the over on total points (48 1/1). I was close on the over/under but I lost both of those. I was rooting for the Colts all the way (Packers fan – hate da Bears).

    My pick for longest touchdown play was Bears on a kick return. I won that, but I was thinking more along the lines of a punt, not the first play of the game…

    I took the over on total yards for the Colts (374). OK, who didn’t? They covered that after three quarters.

    I took the over for Rex Grossman touchdowns plus interceptions (2 1/2). I thought that was a good bet whether he has a great game or a lousy one. I would say lousy, and I won that (1 TD, 2 INT)

    I also took the over on total sacks (3 1/2). I lost that with only 2 (though I think when Grossman just fell down that didn’t count as a sack).

    I picked Jason Kidd to have more assists than Brian Urlacher would have solo tackles. Kidd had 11, about what I’d expect from mister double-double. Urlacher had 7 so I won that one.

    I picked Lebron James to have more points than the Colts. Lebron only had 21 so he let me down a bit. That’s a loss.

    And for the one pick that I won’t know for a week, I picked Payton Manning to have more rushing attempts than the Dixie Chicks would win Grammys. Payton had 1.

    So I’m 5-5 with one bet pending. Like I said, I’m not a gambler…

  • Super Bowl Bets

    OK, I’ll lay it all on the line. Here is every predication I can think of to make. Of course, I’m not a gambler so I won’t be putting any actual money where my mouth is.

    On the game, I’ll take the Bears getting 7 points. I think the Colts will win a close one (I always root for a close game, even though it seldom happens).

    Over/Under (48 1/2): I’ll take the over. I’m thinking 27-24 or something like that. Vinatieri comes through in the clutch again.

    Random bets:

    Over/Under on length of time for Billy Joel to sing the national anthem (1 minute, 44 seconds): Definitely go with the over. Performers always over-milk the national anthem. It cracks me up that this is an actual bet.

    Coin Toss: I’m going heads

    Team to have longest touchdown play: Bears on a kick return

    Over/Under on total punts (8 1/2): Under

    Over/Under on Total Net Yards by the Colts (374): Over

    Over/Under on Total Sacks by both teams (3 1/2): Over

    Over/Under on Total TDs plus Interceptions by Rex Grossman (2 1/2): I like this one because Rex is usually either good or horrible so I think you have to go with the over either way.

    Who will have more on February 4th? Lebron James total points or Colts total points?: Lebron

    Who will have more on February 4th? Brian Urlacher solo tackles or Jason Kidd assists?: Kidd

    Dixie Chicks total Grammy wins or Payton Manning rushing attempts?: Manning

  • Aqua Teen Hunger Force

    OK, first of all I need to admit that as an old guy I had no idea what this was. I was aware of Adult Swim (though I’ve never watched it) but I’d never heard of ATHF (I love how one day we’ve never heard of it and the next day it’s an acronym).

    I was home with bronchitis when all hell broke loose in Boston. When I’m sick I typically leave CNN on the TV, so I saw the story unfold. It is somewhat amazing how out of control this was for a bunch of lite-brite figures.

    I have mixed feelings about the whole thing. Knowing how paranoid NYC has been about terrorism, I can understand the over-reaction somewhat. But damn those things look harmless. And it’s not like they had just been put up. This blogger posted an entry about them two weeks ago. And somehow they managed to not panic any other city (including New York).

    I love the YouTube video showing them putting these things up. I actually think they look more harmless at night when they are lit up. And the actual item is going for over a grand on eBay.

    The press conference was pretty comical. Instead of saying “no comment” as most people would (their lawyer told them to say nothing), they decided to mess with the reporters by saying they only wanted to discuss hair styles of the 70s. It might possibly be the funniest response ever to a reporters question:

    I’m sorry, that’s not a hair question

    Hey, guess what reporters, there’s no rule that says people can’t mess with you. Get over yourselves.

    Some of the comments from the Boston authorities are just over the top. From the Boston DA:

    It’s clear the intent was to get attention by causing fear and unrest that there was a bomb in that location

    No, the exact opposite is clear.

    Some people are viewing the artists as heroes in all of this. That’s not the case either. I think you can make a case that what they did was vandalism. The “public nuisance” charge could certainly stick. They played a prank that was designed to as a marketing ploy. This sort of thing has become common in marketing, especially for things that appeal to the college age crowd. It had a bad reaction that certainly wasn’t intended. And they are playing up the overreaction by being silly in a press conference.

    Not heroes, but hardly criminals.

    One final thought. These things had been up for weeks. Perhaps they hadn’t had enough effect. Is it possible that someone phoned in the warnings to the Boston police to increase the buzz? If that were to be proven, then you have a real crime. There’s a conspiracy theory that probably will never be proven…

  • What we don’t know

    An amusing and informative link from Wired magazine.