Bad scene, everyone's fault

Postdictions

2009-01-04T21:27:00.007-05:00

I've been informed that I must "go blog" because my comments about Superstars of Dance are no longer welcome. (Carrie informed me that I shouldn't have written that.) So, now I must think of a topic. Hmm. How about I write some things I should've predicted for 2008?

After a 25 year drought, Philadelphians finally realize that all they need to do to win a championship is to elevate a Billy Penn statue to the top of the Comcast Center
After 7 years of Bush raping the economy, devastating the Middle East, committing numerous crimes against humanity, and destroying the environment, the people of America will finally be so desperate for change that even race can't get in the way of a Democratic victory
At a loss for new ideas, the networks decide to film anyone they can dancing and call it reality TV
Apple will develop products that capture the attention of the American public. Interest will be divided between fanboys and haters
Numerous celebrities will die, including one up-and-coming star from a drug overdose
Everyone but Gary Bettman and the NHL's marketing firm will realize that Sidney Crosby is not the savior of the NHL
The housing market will flatline -- right around the time we put our place on the market
Many great things will happen to Philly sports teams but the media elects to only cover the Eagles in depth
I will run out of free time to do anything while simultaneously feeling like I do nothing, which will ultimately culminate in a midlife crisis and an unprecedented desire to own a Lexus ES 350
A variety of has-been musical acts will reunite in an attempt to make a quick buck and relive youth. Interest will wax and wane but mostly wane.

So this is the new year

2009-01-01T10:08:00.004-05:00

...And I have no resolutions.

I have plans. Here they are:

To say no to freelance (unless it pays incredibly well)
To move
To cook a minimum of six days a week
To start my MA/MBA program
To get back into the habit of reading
To learn Ruby and Java
To exercise at least three times per week
To take Lily out more often and get her involved in play groups
To start writing again
To develop an application for a popular medium (ie. Facebook or the iPhone)
To be more patient and stop complaining as much

OK, I guess some of those are resolutions.

Updates

2008-12-19T11:02:00.005-05:00

Health

The past month and a half has been pretty draining. I've had surgery, two endoscopies, a colonoscopy, and a virus. I've been out of work almost all week with this bug and spent yesterday in the ER. They hydrated me, gave me something for nausea, and told me to go on the BRAT diet. Before last night, I hadn't slept more than two hours a night all week. I was overly tired and I think the dehydration didn't help.

Today, I'm still sick but I'm hydrated and I actually slept a full eight hours last night. I would've liked to get to work today. Getting out of the house would've been nice but I'm not so sure I'm ready to do that yet and I certainly don't want to get any of my coworkers sick right before the holidays.

My Awesome Wife's Day off

Here is how Carrie's day went yesterday. It's a typical example of how her rare days off go. She got home from work around 8:00 a.m., bathed Lily and drover her to my dad's. Then, she rushed home to meet the roofer who was supposed to come first thing in the morning. She stayed up and waited. He didn't come an didn't call. After finally giving up on them, she rushed over to the ER to take care of me. After I was settled at home, she rushed to Jersey to pick up Lily, but only after stopping at Pasta Pomodoro to pick me up chicken soup and Acme to pick up bread. When she came home, she took care of Lily and put her to bed. Then, she cleaned up the house, took care of the bills, and let me talk to her about the things that were stressing me out.

This is my selfless wife and this is only a small example of what she does on a daily basis.

Miscellaneous

I learned yesterday that it is not a wise idea to make tea in a fancy pants coffee maker, especially if you've never made coffee before and have no idea how to use the machine.

Game over

2008-11-30T14:03:00.003-05:00

After a few years of hard work and finally getting my site around where I want it to be, I think I am hanging up my, umm, laptop. After I am finished working on two current projects, I am going to stop doing freelance. It's just gotten to a point where it's not worth my time and effort.

It's nice to make some extra cash but I always end up agreeing to big discounts and working tons of unpaid extra hours and I don't have the free time to dedicate to endless changes and people changing their mind or wanting something different at the last minute. That probably sounds bitter but it's not. It's natural for people to change their minds and want the most for their money. They should be happy with the product they get and I respect that fact. I'm just not capable of doing it anymore. I'm too burnt out and there are too many other things going on in my life that need my attention... unless, of course, the money is too hard to turn away. You can never say never.

I am incredibly thankful for the clients I've had and for the wonderful people who have recommended them to me. In the last 3 years, I've done over 20 freelance projects. I've learned a ton from them and each one was really unique and really exciting in its own ways. It's strange. Every project becomes your child and you become attached to it. This is why it is easy to work many extra hours.

Now, I only wish that Lily was tired so I could celebrate this decision with a nap.

Giving thanks in 2008

2008-11-28T20:09:00.012-05:00

No need for much of an intro. This entry should be pretty self-explanatory.

Carrie and Liliana
Our families
My job and coworkers
Jeff Carter, Simon Gagne, Luca Sbisa
Christian, Bob, Nicky
Yos, Anne, Christine, Scott, and the rest of my iFriends
World. Fucking. Champions.
My new baby, an '08 Altima 3.5 SL
Bill Meltzer and Tim Panaccio
Septoplasty and prescription percocet
Facebook and how it's reconnected me with friends and family
NHL 09
Moore Brothers and collecting wine
30 Rock
Dexter
PHP.net, David Walsh and Antonio Lupetti
The Mars Rovers
Banana Republic
Outlet Stores
Dr. Anil Rustgi
Hangover Hockey League
iPhone 3G and bluetooth connectivity
The Baders, Deislers, and other friends with kids
The Schulz, Richards, Baders and other families who have hooked us up a ton with baby stuff
Sarah Palin and the economic crisis for ensuring an Obama victory
Twitter
Aaron Byles and all the wonderful work he's put into trying to sell our place

NHL All-Star voting

2008-11-23T19:20:00.004-05:00

Vote for the NHL All Stars Here are my votes:

Things I can be happy about

2008-11-17T12:01:00.003-05:00

Blake Schwarzenbach has a new band
Lily is sitting up, standing while leaning, and I'm pretty sure she's crawling every time I turn away
The Flyers have actually gotten their season on track (3-0-1 in their last 4 games, 7-3-3 in their last 13)
I'm nearing the end of a tedious freelance project, have another project waiting in the wings, and the prospect of two more not far off
We went to the Marabella's reunion and had an absolute blast
We went to the cemetery this weekend. It's been way too long but it was incredibly nice to get to spend some time there and just think about my mom
I'm nearing the end of an incredibly long project at work. It'll be nice to start the next project
It may be the middle of November but the Phillies are still World. Fucking. Champions.
I just got a free cupcake
Lily has started sleeping until about 7:45
Carrie has a light schedule this week and I'll actually get to hang out with her
Finally, I think my Xbox will be back from repair

From the arms of babes

2008-11-13T13:21:00.002-05:00

Saddest Tweets of the Day

2008-11-10T16:22:00.001-05:00

From @MarsPhoenix
[From Phoenix mission ops: Phoenix is no longer communicating with Earth. We'll continue to listen, but it's likely its mission has ended.]

...
[Phoenix mission ops: We bid our good friend a fond farewell. Phoenix did us proud: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/video/index.cfm ]

How embarrassing

2008-11-06T10:05:00.000-05:00

Why McCain may lose

2008-11-04T10:06:00.002-05:00

There was a point in time when I was worried that the people of this country would suddenly forget about the last eight years and McCain would steal this election. Homeland Security has been a pressing issue throughout most of this decade and the Republican party is amazing at capitalizing fear mongering. It's a volatile combination that unfortunately results in people overlooking the wrongdoings and poor choices of our elected officials.

McCain has a military background and that supersedes intellect, ability, age, and even the piss-poor choice of Sarah Palin as a running mate to some people. Even in the face of what appears to me as one of the most crystal clear choice in the history of presidential elections, McCain still stands a shot.

One monumental hurdle stands between McCain and the presidency, though: the current financial crisis. As far as I can tell, the bailout may end up being the turning point of this election. The bailout turned a giant mirror on our nation and exposed all of its flaws. As difficult as it was to see our money stolen from us and given to companies who spent it on golden parachutes, bonuses, lavish retreats, etc., it may have been a necessary vehicle for change.

Suddenly, people began realizing just how bad a shape our country really is in and that we need to get ourselves on steady ground rather than waste time being fearful of the imaginary monsters under the bed. (Eh, it's a bad metaphor but you get the point.)

So, who knows how this election will end? I think and hope it will be Obama but I think it will come down to fear and finances.

World. Fucking. Champions.

2008-11-01T14:58:00.001-04:00

Kalas calls it

2008-10-30T11:53:00.003-04:00

Tell me this didn't send shivers down your spine.

Faces and images of McCain/Palin supporters pt. 1

2008-10-25T00:15:00.003-04:00

This is Ashley Todd, a McCain volunteer who falsely claimed that she was assaulted by a black male who saw her McCain bumper sticker and that he claimed carved a B (for Barack Obama) on her face. The B was backwards. Brilliant.

This is a proud Republican supporter from Pennsylvania who attended a Palin rally with "Little Hussein," a Curious George doll with an Obama sticker fashioned into a crown around his head. Rather than be disgusted, the other attendees of the rally laughed and cheered him on.

Mike Lunsford hung this Barack Obama effigy on his front lawn because, well, Obama is black.

This sign that popped up in West Plains, MO speaks for itself in its implications.

Another sad display of the bigotry that exists in Pennsylvania.

Finally, a post like this would not be complete without a reference to Fox News. Here is a video of someone at Fox mistaking Obama for Osama and suggesting we kill them both.

Oh, and, people have actually been arrested already for plotting to kill Obama.

Reason 821,920,345 that Mayor Nutter is awesome

2008-10-16T08:51:00.004-04:00

He was out at Chickie's all night last night, watching and celebrating the Phillies game.

Palin booed at Flyers game, bitch jinxes team

2008-10-12T08:19:00.000-04:00

Why this week has been awesome

2008-10-09T23:10:00.010-04:00

First, let me start off by saying that Lily and Carrie both got sick this week and I'm coming down with a cold too. So, that all sucked. I think the good outweighed the bad, though. Here's why the past seven days have been so good:

The Phillies won the NLDS.
I got to play hockey for the first time in about a year.
It's Danny's birthday!
Someone from Style.com (the same people who make Vogue Magazine) contacted me because they might feature The Brown Bag Club on their site.
We had three new showings on our house and came up with a good plan for all of our possible housing scenarios.
The house we love just dropped $10k in price, which puts it more comfortably in our budget... as long as someone actually buys our house.
I had a day off and got good rest.
I had my final dentist appointment and I no longer have a giant cavity in my molar. Also my teeth and gums are both really healthy for the first time in forever.
Luca Sbisa has impressed the hell out of everyone and may make the Flyers' roster.
I don't have to go into work this weekend anymore.
Lily slept until 8:00 a.m. the other day (albeit because she was sick -- but she's better now.)
I've made good progress on my concurrent freelance projects and am really happy with the way the designs are turning out.
I got ROTD at Yelp, even though I haven't been active on there in a few months.
I've been cooking all week and, in turn, eating and feeling better.
I got an awesome bottle of Polish vodka from Matt's trip to Poland
I got my allergy prescriptions refilled. So, maybe I can start breathing a little better again.
Even though I'm unable to attend the short story sharing thing -- Is there an official name yet? -- I have a story idea that I'm really excited about and can't wait to use next month.
I submitted feature requests for two apps I use (Coda and Doomi) and the developers liked my suggestions.
The NHL season started.
The Phillies beat the Dodgers in game 1 of the NLCS!
The reporter on Fox keeps calling all the highlights from the Phillies' game a "money shot."

Believe it or not, this is just the short list. Yay, good week! Now, please, someone just buy our place!

Why it's do or die for the Phillies

2008-10-03T22:03:00.002-04:00

Opportunity is knocking for the Philadelphia Phillies and I'm screaming from the couch, "Open the door! Open the door!"

When this season ends, the Phillies will not go through any drastic changes. The team will not disband and we here in Philly will be left with a shallow reflection of what could have been. Rather, the team may only lose a few people. It's not of huge concern that they lose anyone. THe concern is that we won't replace them.

1. Pat Burrell
Fat Burrell, Pat the Bat, whatever you want to call him, will likely pack his bags and head to the American League where he can rest on his laurels until his turn to bat arrives. We here in Philly have been wishing he'd leave for years. Personally, I'm OK with him no longer being a part of this ball club. This leaves a hole in left field, though, which won't get properly filled. While I'd love to see the Phillies be aggressive and make a move for Matt Holliday or even sign Manny Ramirez, they won't. They'll move Greg Dobbs into left field and, if they're lucky, convert Tad Iguchi to an outfielder and platoon them. OK, Iguchi probably won't play out there. Matt Stairs probably will, though.

Why is that a problem? The best pinch hitter in baseball will become a semi-regular outfielder. He may be an improvement over Burrell defensively, even though Dobbs has his defensive gaffes too, but the team's bench will suffer. It'll lose late inning depth that, no matter how hard they pretend to try, they won't be able to replenish.

2. Pat Gillick
We love him. We hate him. He makes awful moves. He makes awfully brilliant moves. From Wes Helms, Adam Eaton, and Rod Barajas to Greg Dobbs, Jayson Werth, and Jamie Moyer, Gillick's tenure has run the gamut. In some ways, we'll be happy to see him move on but we'll also miss him a ton. Philly hasn't had much luck with GMs and Gillick is the first to bring this team to the post season in 14 years -- and back-to-back since most of us were wearing diapers.

Gillick will probably be replaced by someone within the organization like Amaro Jr. or Arbuckle. Neither will be fully qualified and neither will do a good job. Either will have sizable tasks ahead of them, such as re-signing Howard and Hamels, and improving the pitching rotation.

3. Tadahito Iguchi
We didn't see much of him this year but he helped this ball club in immeasurable ways in 2007. I consider it to be imperative for the club to convince him to play a few spots off the bench. Chances are, he won't, though.

4. Brett Myers
Myers is signed through next season but he already admitted he wants to be a rock star closer, which won't happen in Philly. He's been mostly good since he's returned to the rotation after his stint in the minors, but I'm thoroughly convinced that the organization told him that, if he was to improve, buckle down, and hit certain goals they set for him as a starter, that they'd trade him to a team that needed a closer after the season's end. Unless he's wearing a World Series ring this October, I think he'll be traded.

I'd like to believe that the Phillies will go out and land a Brad Penny, I'm not going to hold my breath. If Myers go, the team may just consider the rotation to be: Hamels, Moyer, Blanton, Carrasco, Kendrick. Let's hope it doesn't come to that. Worse yet, they may not re-sign Blanton and consider Eaton the fifth starter. He's still under contract for one more year. Yikes.

5. Ryan Howard
What will be Howard's situation next year? Will he be here? How much will he be getting paid? If he's here, will we see the Howard from September that killed the ball and was defensively surprising, or will we see the Howard from the beginning of the year who was no better than if Charlie Manuel was playing first himself.

6. Jayson Werth
His contract ends this year. He needs to be re-sign but will probably command a buttload of money, considering the year he's had. I believe they will re-sign him but, if/when they do, will they trim the fat from somewhere else?

7. Cole Hamels, Shane Victorino, Greg Dobbs, Carlos Ruiz, Chad Durbin, Ryan Madson, Joe Blanton, Scott Eyre, Eric Bruntlett, Clay Condrey, Chris Coste, Rudy Saenez
I believe all of these players have contracts that expire this year. To retain them all, or even the top tier of these players, this stingy team's payroll will have to increase significantly. Who goes? Who stays? What does it mean for the team? Without Gillick, the scrap heap virtuoso that he is, at the helm, will the next GM be able to find adequate replacements for these players? Even if the next one could, I doubt it would happen quickly enough to ensure a third straight trip to the playoffs, especially with an angry and determined Mets team ready to finally prove that they are good. The Mets, unlike the Phillies, will open up their pockets and spend big money if they can land someone like Sabathia.

Despite the optimistic outlook any of us may have for the Phillies this postseason -- especially with the Cubs nearly eliminated! -- next year may leave a lot to be desired.

Is this the year?

2008-10-01T10:02:00.001-04:00

Obama Runs Constructive Criticism Ad Against McCain

2008-09-29T20:02:00.001-04:00

Obama Runs Constructive Criticism Ad Against McCain

Cafferty on Palin

2008-09-26T23:36:00.000-04:00

Wow. That's all I have to say.

When the fall comes

2008-09-26T10:03:00.002-04:00

When the fall comes, I can't sleep.
When I fall asleep, I can't wake up.
When I wake up, I can't get out of bed.
When I get out of bed, I can't get out of the house.
When I get out of the house, I can't get motivated.
When I get motivated, the day is nearly over
And I am too restless to sleep.

My brain hurts

2008-09-25T20:09:00.003-04:00

What scares me more than anything is that my uncle considers the trophy vice to be a qualified potential president. That worries me on so many levels.

Watch CBS Videos Online

Watch CBS Videos Online

Let's play Wall Street Bailout

2008-09-25T14:14:00.002-04:00

Via Hubs

Beak on Vs.

2008-09-24T16:14:00.001-04:00

Braydon Coburn stars in a new NHL commercial on Versus.