Check Out the Big Brain on Brad

Where are they now?

2006-04-06T16:11:00.000-04:00

This picture speaks volumes, and after looking at it, what more is there to say?

RIP Kirby Puckett

2006-03-07T08:54:00.000-05:00

This morning when I arrived at work for my usual pre-work bullshit ritual, I was greeted by some very sad news on the MSN homepage. Former Major League baseball player, Kirby Puckett passed away at the young age of 45.

For some reason, this really saddened me.

I instantly remembered the 1980's, growing up, and watching baseball on TV. Kirby Puckett was on the Minnesota Twins, and always had a smile on his face. Whenever the camera would zoom in on him, be it waiting to catch a ball, running into an outfield fence, or hitting a homerun, he always played the game with a smile on his face.

When glaucoma forced Puckett to retire at the age of 37, the baseball world was saddended by his departure. Now, a few short years later, we are saddened once again by his death.

The good news is that Puckett opened the door for many kids out there to take up the game he loved so much. He also will be remembered for being a gamer's gamer, and a true baseball legend. Now in the Hall of Fame, Puckett will live on in the hearts and minds of baseball fans everywhere.

RIP Kirby. I hope wherever you are, you have a baseball in your hand and a smile on your face.

Being a gentleman has gone out of style

2006-02-27T19:16:00.000-05:00

I work in a large office building in the middle of the Flatiron District. The building has many workers, and few working elevators. Most of the time, if you are trying to exit the building during 'peak' hours, you can expect a bit of a wait, or you could choose to take the stairs. Since I work on the 7th floor, and I have asthma, I usually choose to wait.

This afternoon, I got on a rather crowded elevator that was filled with four women, three guys, and myself. Because it was rather full, I ended up standing close to the door.

When the elevator reached the ground floor, the door opened, and I did what I always do in an elevator. I stepped aside, reached my arm out, and prompted the ladies to exit. One of the guys obviously did not learn this was normal behavior for a man, to do, and took the invitation to plow past the women, and me and exit the elevator first.

The first girl out, our turned to me, shook her head, and said 'I guess chivalry is dead'. One of the other ladies in the elevator then finished her sentence by saying rather loudly - 'not for some people'. I then allowed the ladies to shuffle past me, as they said thank you, and I felt neither vindicated nor proud...just a little sad, for how little clues some men have.

You see, the little things in life go a long way. Holding doors for women, waiting to eat until your cook sits down at the table, saying 'please' and 'thank you' and allowing women out of elevators first. All things I was taught when I was very young...all things that ave seemingly been forgotten.

Guys - being a gentleman has NOT gone out of style. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Try to be a little more polite, more of a gentleman, and you will see the result.

Pay it forward, take a stand...be a nice guy. It's worth it. Trust me.

I Love UglyDolls

2006-02-22T13:45:00.000-05:00

The other day, Wifey and I were walking by one of the best stores ever, Forbidden Planet, when we encountered a window full of UglyDolls. There were giant ones, medium sized ones and little tiny ones all looking so happy, hanging out in the window.

I could see Wifey really wanted one, so I popped into the store and bought her and UglyDog. The UglyDog is the cutest thing ever. He's this little tiny doll with one eye and a little tail. Wifey seems to love her UglyDog a lot.

I absolutely love all of the UglyDolls and am in need of getting each and every one of them. Even the cats love cuddling with them!

Rolling Around In His Grave

2006-02-20T19:56:00.000-05:00

Let me preface this blog by stating the fact that I am a HUGE fan of the late, great Johnny Cash. I have been a fan of his since I was a kid. Ever since the man in black's death a couple of years ago, it seems his fan base has drastically increased. In fact, it has probably grown to it's largest number ever, with the release of the terrific movie, 'Walk the Line", this past year.

Needless to say, you knew it was only going to be a matter of time, till somebody used Mr. Cash's name in vain. Unfortunately, that time has come. This past Friday evening, Wifey got me tickets to see the Broadway musical based on the music of Johnny Cash called 'Ring of Fire'. We went along with our friends Jenn and Althea with an eager eye and baited breath, hoping the musical would be as good as the film.

However, upon first unbelievably aweful note from the song 'Hurt', it was obvious how bad this musical was. Led by an overweight, shoulder-padded, William Shatner lookalike, this musical rapidly went from bad to horrific. With each laughable performance, you could sense Johnny Cash rolling over in his grave.

The play reached it's worse near the end of the second act, when 'The Man Comes Around' was literally destroyed. I mean come on, it is a song about the Apocalypse and utter death. To have a laughable, William Shatner doing 'Mr. Tambourine Man'-esque version was just plain abomination. As a ginormous Cash fan, I was utterly embarassed. By the end of the show I was completely flabbergasted.

Needless to say - the show is currently in previews. DO NOT waste your money. Simply. keep your fingers crossed that it closes quietly, with little fanfase, and anything else to cloud the memory of a true musical legend.

If you're in the need for hearing any of Johnny Cash's music, simply go out and buy yourself a cd, or a copy of 'Walk the Line'...and skip this ridiculous piece of Broadway drivel.

Just Like A Pill...

2006-02-16T09:17:00.000-05:00

On my way to work this morning, my ipod was being really nice. He was playing lots of stuff I hadn't heard in a long time. He even snuck in Marty Casey's version of 'Wish You Were Here' from Rockstar INXS. That made me smile.

I got REALLY happy when directly after, the song 'Just Like A Pill' by Pink came on. Instantly, I began bopping down the street. I don't know...there's something incredibly fun about Pink's music that I really like.

I can't help it. Call me cheesy, I don't care. The song put me in a good mood for the rest of the day. Well done Mr. Ipod, and well done Ms. Pink Hart.

Is Goofy a Dog?

2006-02-15T12:58:00.000-05:00

Last night, over Valentine's Day dinner at Artisanal, wifey and I had a rather vigorous discussion over a long debated question - is Goofy a dog?

I raised several key points that I had picked up through the years, all relating to the fact that Goofy simply can not be a dog. Wifey refuted every single point, and then went as far as to call her brother and mom to validate her theory that he was in fact a dog.

Today, I did some research on the internet. Being a person who always admits when he is wrong, I wanted to post a public apology to my wife. All sources point to the fact that Goofy is in fact a dog.

Check out this piece, borrowed from http://disneyshorts.toonzone.net/characters/goofy.html

To answer the question that gets asked the most; Goofy is a dog.

Or rather, a dawg. he originally made his debut in "Mickey's Revue" as Dippy Dawg. However, in Disney's world there was always a curious mix of the anthropomorphic characters (such as Mickey, Donald and Goofy) and the non-anthropomorphic animals (such as Pluto, Butch or Figaro.) The latter had to stay within the confines of their animal characteristics. That both Pluto and Goofy remained dogs, yet each had their own drastically differing personalities, demonstrates the dichotomy of this situation.

If anything served to define Goofy in the beginning, it was his laugh, provided by former circus clown Pinto Colvig. Although his character evolved nicely as he developed into the Goof, he was in danger of fading away as the 1940's arrived and Donald Duck's star rose into ascendancy. Luckily, the perfect role was found for him as the affable everyman in a series of "how-to" shorts. Most of these revolved around sports themes, which was capitalized in the 1980's as the "Sport Goofy" concept. In the fifties, he even enjoyed a brief stint as a family man, a role that was revived for the more current "Goof Troop" series.

Goofy's voice was provided by Pinto Colvig in the classic shorts, by Hal Smith in "Mickey's Christmas Carol", and Tony Pope in "Sport Goofy in Soccermania." His current voice is provided by Bill Farmer.

So there you go, one of the age long mysteries is solved. Goofy is in fact a dog. I now admit it. Who ever said I wouldn't eat my words.

Top 8

2006-02-15T09:09:00.000-05:00

thank heavens blogger doesn't have the ridiculous 'top 8' feature that myspace has. over the last few weeks, i've discovered how truly ridiculous this 'top 8' thing has become. apparently people are basing friendships and their quality on how high you might be in people's 'Top 8's.

To me, I know who my friends are, whether I'm in their 'Top 8' or not. Furthermore, I have several friends who don't even know what a 'Top 8' is.

Needless to say, one of the reasons I moved my blog over to this site was so that I didn't have to worry about people monitoring me, and my 'Top 8' and also so I could speak freely and openly about all the random thoughts in my head.

That said loyal readers, know that you're all in my Top 8, and that if I'm not in yours, I can really care less.

Everybody's connected...

2006-02-14T13:48:00.000-05:00

I was listening to the official 'LOST' podcast, produced by ABC on my way to work this morning. On it, the producers, Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse were discussing what was to be upcoming in the remaining episodes of the show this season. One thing I found particularly important was the fact that they said the whole nature of the connections between the people on the show will be explained and explored. Basically, explaining why so many of the characters seem to have links in their past to each other, and how those links could help explain their future.

Since I began watching the show last year, I've noticed these connections and have always thought about them...and upon further introspection, can see parallels in various parts of my life.

For instance, way before I met my wife, a couple of friends and I were regular attendees of Keith Caputo concerts. If you are not familiar with Keith Caputo, he is the lead singer for the metal quartet, LIFE OF AGONY. In nay event, when Keith would play his solo shows, he would have a different band play with him...and little did I know two of these members were Rob Mastrianni and James Criscitello - two good friends of my wife's.

Years later, Rob and James played another concert - at our wedding. Looking back at that whole scenerio, it really is very LOST-ian in it's nature...showing that the producers might be onto something. Perhaps we are all connected through six degrees of seperation. Perhaps everybody on this planet is part of one giant quilt, and we all have ties to one another somehow. Or perhaps, it's all just good television drama.

Either way, the show rocks...just a point to ponder.

That Sean John really suits me...

2006-02-12T17:09:00.000-05:00

Since I started my new job, I've been on a bit of a suit buying kick. I have to dress up for my new job, and as a manager, I kind of need to look the part. So over the last few weeks, I've bought a total of 3 new suits, and I have my eye on a fourth.

In trying on many different designer's suits, I have come to discover that believe it or not, it is Sean 'P. Diddy', 'Diddy' Combs' suits who fit me the best. I find this kind of weird and odd, since I never had even thought to look at his clothing, let alone buy any. Now I am eating my words, and completely sold.

He makes his high menswear with a precision and detail you don't hardly ever find in men's suits. The uniqueness of the fabric is second to none, and the cut fits me perfect. He makes his suits with a slightly more athletic cut then many other designers, which really looks great on me, if I don't say so myself.

Anyway, as I said, I have my eye on another suit of his. It is a grey, three button suit with light pink pinstripes running through it, that are really cool.

I don't know what it is about dressing up in nice clothes. They make me feel like I can do my job better, that i have more power and that I am more professional. I really enjoy and like that feeling.

I realize now, that dressing up is one of the things I truly missed in my last job, and am glad I have that minor detail back now.

Free Coffee is a Big Perk....

2006-02-10T18:30:00.000-05:00

I got a new job recently. This was very scary to me at first, now after ten working days there, I feel right at home. One of the first things I did when I got there was set up my desk. I put two pictures of my wife and I. I put up a Jawa. I put up a picture of the Misfits. I put up my little good luck cat. I felt at home.

It's funny how putting a few familiar things in your environment can really make a difference. Now two weeks later, my desk truely feels lived in. I've made myself a few new friends, and I've definitely endulged on all the free office coffee. This was a novelty to me like no other. Free coffee, tea and hot cocoa - whenever i wanted it. My first couple of days were filled with daylong caffeine overdoses. Now I have calmed down, and limited my intake of the free swag. It really is a nice perk though.

Yes, two weeks into the new job, I really feel good. I feel like I made the right decision. I feel like I have bettered myself. I feel vindicated.

Welcome!

2006-02-10T16:22:00.000-05:00

Welcome everyone to the new home of my blog. I decided to move my blog from MySpace for many reasons….however the most predominant one was that I wanted more readers. You see MySpace was good while it lasted. The problem with it is that most people who write blogs on MySpace are writing them for the benefit of others. What I aim to do with this blog, is simply voice my opinions, speak my overall craziness, and just plain old, be silly.

You will be able to look to my blog for all sorts of whacky information, and esoteric propaganda.

This will not be an online diary, more like a listening post for anybody who cares…and a place to come to for your daily bit of lighthearted, useless trivia.

Fasten your seatbelts, fair readers…it’s going to be a long, fun, bumpy ride.