Random

The frequency (or lack thereof) with which I blog is pretty pathetic. So here are just some random thoughts so I can at least post something and try to get back into some sort of blogging schedule.

* I saw Kick-Ass and it was almost mind-blowingly entertaining. I'm trying to think of a movie I've seen over the last decade with a more rewarding third act and I'm coming up empty.

* The Red Sox are back to .500, thanks to stellar starting pitching the last two games: Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz combined to go 15 innings, allowing just eight hits and one run while striking out 15. I still feel good about the composition of this team, especially once we get healthy. The starting pitching is strong and deep, and the defense can't help but play better than they have. If we need another stick or a power bullpen arm, then we'll go get it at the deadline.

* The Celtics looked pretty strong in the first round demolition of the Miami Heat. Drawing the Cavaliers in the second round is a nightmare, but I at least think the Celts will make it interesting. The C's were actually stronger on the road than at home this year, so if they can steal game one in Cleveland then the series could be epic.

* I love The Office and I still watch it every week, but if next year is the final season of Steve Carell's deal then that is the perfect time to shut it down and say goodbye. The last two seasons just haven't been as funny as what came before it, and right now the show is consistently running fourth out of NBC's Thursday night comedy block for me. They had a great run, but I'd hate to see them hang around too long.

Random annoyances of the week

Three things that are bugging me more than they deserve

1. The wanton references to any chosen fan base as "(blank) Nation." Sure, I'm a little possessive about this one, because obviously Red Sox Nation is the most well known, and it also happens to be appropriate. Travel anywhere and you'll find Red Sox fans. I was at a castle in the French countryside in '86 and ran into a kid my age wearing a Sox hat, and I ended up talking to him for ten minutes, getting a full report on Roger Clemens' brilliant performance in the All-Star game just days before, which I had missed because I was in Europe. That is a "nation" of fans. Throwing "Steeler Nation" around just because they won the most recent Super Bowl is stupid and annoying, and it really needs to stop.

2. Cell phone one-ear headsets. I know that people like these, and if I talked on my phone a lot I probably would too. But these people just remind me of Lobot from The Empire Strikes Back.

3. Americans that call soccer "football." Just stop it. Or move to a country that cares about soccer. Or better yet, just stop watching soccer.

Self fulfilling irony

Today I took A.J. to The Wonder Place, a great establishment that has all sorts of cool stuff for kids to play with--slides, toys, a stage, an art room, you name it. It wasn't too crowded, with only a handful of other kids and parents there. One poor little guy about A.J.'s age had a band-aid on his forehead, clearly from some prior fall. As he was playing on a small set of steps in the slide area, the kid took a ridiculous flying backwards header, cracking the back of his skull pretty hard on the floor. He was scared more than anything, and luckily he seemed just fine after a couple of minutes. His mom was completely unfazed, as if she has seen that same move dozens of times before. She had a custom diaper bag with the little tot's name stitched on the side.

The boy's name? Tripp. I'm not even kidding.

Random Christmas Stuff

Best new holiday treat recipe I have discovered: Alton Brown's White Trash. Three different kinds of cereal, pretzels, mixed nuts, and M&Ms all drenched in white chocolate. I've never tried crack, but I doubt it is this addictive and evil.

My three favorite entries for Christmas music: Trans Siberian Orchesta, The Muppets with John Denver, and the Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack. Although I did pick up an 80s rock Christmas CD recently and it is pretty cheesetastic too.

Most underrated reindeer: Blitzen.

Random wrapping observation: I can wrap the heck out of anything relatively flat, like a DVD or a book. But if it gets wide, forget about it. Pretty soon I'll just start blaming those terrible wrapping jobs on A.J.

I think I like multicolored lights more now than I used to.

If I'm putting booze in egg nog, it's either bourbon or spiced rum.

When I was a kid, I could not possibly imagine how my dad, or anyone else, would not want to get up at the crack of dawn on Christmas day. I get it now. It's been a fun transition so far, and it will only get even cooler every year as A.J. gets older.

Random photo of the day

So not too long ago I was making dinner and opted for some Uncle Ben's microwaveable rice. It's actually really good, it's a nice change of pace from what I usually make, and it is ready in 90 seconds. Or, apparently, a little bit less. Here's what happened about 80 seconds in.

Now, I know that microwaves have different strengths, and sometimes things take different amounts of time to cook. But I had already made this EXACT rice in this microwave before without incident. So yeah...it's about as funny as things get when making your basic dinner side dish. It sounded like a frickin' gun went off in the kitchen, by the way. I think I might write a letter to Mr. Ben and attach the photo. Do you think he might give me some free rice?

Crash

On my way to the post office today I saw a car in front of me drive entirely up on the curb in the right lane, then over-correct and cross the line when rebounding back the other way. Unsure if the driver was drunk or just an idiot, I sped up to pass the car before we hit the next red light, where I could potentially be stuck next to it. As I passed, the situation became clear: 60ish woman yapping away on a cell phone. Nice.

Then on the way back, I really narrowly averted disaster. Just as I was heading toward a red light with a three-way stop, a car from the perpendicular street slammed head-on into a car in front of them, sending that car spinning out into the street, where it bumped into a third car...not far from me. Yikes. When did people forget how to drive?

Random weird video of the day

This is pretty cool.