Tag Archives: 3B

The Umbrella Academy or: Cheesysteak

07 Thursday Mar 2019

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Salutations™!!

A reminder for you to listen to the latest episode of The Less Desirables to hear about my big announcement. Thanks in advance!

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©Netflix

So, 3B and I have been watching this Netflix show, The Umbrella Academy. We love things with superheroes, James Bondish and scenarios like it.

I won’t say it’s great, and it has gone through some slow periods but we’re getting ready to start episode #8 (out of 10), the next time we watch something and things are starting to ramp up.

I used to own a comic book store and I don’t remember anything about The Umbrella Academy. I think it came about just as I was getting out of that business.

The premise is there are 43 children born “Immaculate Conception” style and this rich dude, Sir Reginald Hargreeves that “buys” seven of them and trains them into superheroes or superhumans, at least. Well, all but one, Vanya “Number Seven” (played by Ellen Page) who seemingly is powerless.

There is “Number One” known as Luther Hargreeves, who is super strong and built like an ape. “Number Two” is Diego Hargreeves who is known as The Kraken has enhanced breath-holding abilities and the ability to curve the trajectory of anything he throws, usually knives.

“Number Three” is Allison Hargreeves or The Rumor, a celebrity with the ability to manipulate reality by lying with the phrase “I heard a rumor…”

Klaus Hargreeves is “Number Four” or The Séance, a flamboyant drug addict with the ability to communicate with the dead. Speaking of the dead he frequently talks with “Number Six” his brother Ben or The Horror who died somehow – we’ve not gotten to how, yet – and who sometimes helps Klaus in situations.

“Number Five” is just that, Number Five and he has this time traveling thing. He traveled through time to get away from the Sir to find out that the world ends. He ends up working with ‘The Commission” who monitors the time/space continuum and sends agents to make sure everything stays the way they should. He does a lot of killing and stuff. He breaks rank and goes AWOL. Therein, The Commission sends Hazel and Cha-Cha (Mary J. Blige) to find and kill Five.

There’s a lot more to it than this, but Five is back to try and get the Umbrella Academy back together to stop the apocalypse from happening. Do they save the world? I don’t know. I’m not there yet. But, will know soon. I’m not going to tell you, anyway, that would be a spoiler and I don’t like spoilers and I don’t like being one. So there.

I just wanted to tell you what 3B and I have been doing. We also made a delicious cheesesteak-style sloppy joe, tonight. That was really, really good.

Anywhat! I’m done for today.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“A disbanded group of superheroes reunites after their adoptive father, who trained them to save the world, dies.” – IMDb

Is It Over, Yet? or: Snoozer Bowl LVIII

04 Monday Feb 2019

Posted by in Life as We Know It, Rant

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Salutations™!!

Again, I know this was promised to be the “Haul” post from Sunday but that will happen tomorrow, bar any other breaking bore-fests.

So, the “big game,” “NFL Championship” Super Bowl, whatever you want to call it, supposedly happened last night. Well, it did happen, but really, unless you’re a Suckriots fan, do you really care? Don’t get me wrong, the fact that Tom Terrific and company won should have had this Steelers fan seething since they now have six trophies like the Steelers do. Truth is, I don’t even care.

Young man can`t wake up

Everyone watching the Snoozer Bowl at our house.

The BCPF said, “you’re kind of subdued.” And she was right. When the game started and the Rams were dismantling that team from Boston-ish, I got excited at every turn. But, then the tables were turned and the Rams had the ball, they couldn’t produce any offense at all. The Rams, to my recollection, never got to the Red Zone (that area from the 20-yard line to the goal line). On the other hand, Tom’s Team only made it there once. And, they scored on that opportunity.

If you’re a defensive-minded fan, as I generally am, then this should have been a fantastic game. The defenses ruled everything about this game. Both of them. But, when the “highest-powered offense” in the league can’t do anything but 3-and-outs then no matter how great your defense is, they can’t keep that pace up all game long. And, that’s what happened. The same thing the Chiefs ran into in the AFC Championship game. If you can’t rest your D then you’re going to eventually fall to Tom and Bill.

I think it is funny, looking back, that everyone was predicting a 3x-2x game but it scored only 16 points, total. The lowest scoring Super Bowl in history beating out the 14-7 Dolphins-Redskins “classic” we call Super Bowl VII.

Tom looked normal for the whole game, for once. Goff, on the other hand, looked completely out of his element as the white jerseys gave him a hard time the whole game. I think the Rams need to address their O-line in the offseason because they certainly let him down. He had moments, of course, but overall, he showed his age and inexperience.

I am glad that TB didn’t get the MVP because he certainly wasn’t deserving of it. Yes, he fed Jules the ball for Jules to win the MVP, but if it wasn’t for Edelman, Tom wouldn’t have had what stats he did. Yeah, there was a couple of Tide Pods catches but, meh.

But, really, do we have to watch that team in the Super Bowl again? It’s really not even fun watching the same crap over and over.

Again, I didn’t care that they won. I figured they would anyway and the game was such a downer that I just wanted it to be over. The game sucked, the ads sucked, the halftime slop sucked. Why don’t they just give up on that stupid halftime show? We will always be disappointed that it doesn’t meet the “Prince” standard.

The only thing I enjoyed was the food and the beer. The food I got to share with my son, wife, and nephew. The beer, I had like 10 bottles and never even buzzed. I enjoyed it, though. Wings (from Publix of all places), guacamole (I made), tater tot cheeseburgers (3B and I made) and little pigs in the blanket (3B and I). It was a good night for that.

Anywhat! Tomorrow will be the haul and congrats to the New England team for winning the Snoozer Bowl. Whatever…

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“This is hard to watch.” – Tony Romo

Days Getting Longer or: A Little More Bass

27 Thursday Dec 2018

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Salutations™!!

I am writing this at 10:55p tonight. It feels like it’s 2:55a. I have been up since just after 7am this morning. Met up with 3B at my brother-in-law’s shop to have his speakers put in for this new stereo. Turns out something is wrong with either the installation of the stereo or wiring for the back seat speakers. We can’t figure out what the problem is. I’m going to check with the place of installation to see what say may be the problem.

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“Pick 3” whiting, clam strips and shrimp

We then ran home and I went to have a business meeting and took 3B along with me. We were there for a bit and came back to town to have some seafood at Forsyth Seafood (for the first time) and we came home to watch something we’ve not seen in a while, The Last Kingdom that just returned for its third season. 3B fell asleep over and over within the first 20 minutes. He went to bed. He was in bed at 6:27p.

So, now, it’s 11:20p (I’m watching Wentworth) and it still seems like it’s 3:55a. I’m awake for a while still. Yeah, I’m not at all sleeeeeeeeeeee……..zzzzzzzzz

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“A ruffled mind makes a restless pillow.” – Charlotte Bronte

For the First Time or: To 2019 and Beyond

26 Wednesday Dec 2018

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Salutations™!!

Today I did something that I’ve never done before. I had my son, 3B on The Less Desirables. For almost nine years I’ve been doing this show and he’s never been on it. He has been on The Beer Dads for a couple of shows, but never TLD. It was a “year-end/post-Christmas” show and relatively short, but it was still cool. We talked about Christmas, his culinary aspirations, cooking, food, his musical tastes and more. It was just cool having him there for it and talking.  You can hear that episode HERE.20181226_150340.jpg

I also wanted to take a minute to thank all the TLD Network sponsors for a great 2018. Special, very special thanks to Underdog Records, Bull’s Tavern, Finnigan’s Wake, King’s Crab Shack & Oyster Bar, Willow’s Bistro, X1 Communications, Machine Gun Graphics, SOS Investor LLC, Washington Perk & Provision Company, Industry Hill, Dilisio’s Italian Restaurant, The Humblebee Shoppe, Hoot’s Roller Bar & Beer Company, Satornino Group, Old Winston Social Club, and hopefully a few more coming soon. 2018 was awesome. 2019 is going to be even more kick-arse!

Thank you all for listening, too. And, for reading this blog.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I built a program that crawled job boards to determine which skills employers value, which helped Johnson & Wales explore ways to improve its curriculum.” – Hilary Mason

The Kindest of Words or: One’s Place in the World

20 Thursday Dec 2018

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Salutations™!!

As the city starts blowing away the smoke created by the negative befuzzlement of the last week, tonight the annual “Christmas for the City” happened at the Benton Convention Center. 3B volunteered both for experience and because it is extra credit for his Culinary Arts class in school. download (1)

I went with him because Thursdays are our nights together and if he went, I’d be home by myself, which is never a bad thing, but I wanted to tag along. Plus, he doesn’t have is “after 9’s” yet, so he can’t drive after 9pm. Plus (again), the weather is horrid and he’s never driven downtown after dark, especially in the rain, he didn’t really know what he was doing and to my knowledge, he’s never driven or parked in a parking deck before. So, I know he needs experience in all of those things, but that night wasn’t tonight.

I noticed there was a lot going on and I knew very few people there and the crowd was around 3000-4000. In the words of Eug… “I hate this…”

So, I got to thinking… hmmm, I’m at the convention center. It’s on Fifth and Cherry. What else is at Fifth and Cherry? Yes!!! Small Batch. I hadn’t been there in a while and I figured now was a great time for it. So, I started meandering down that way, getting a little people watching in along the way. Then, I happened on a figure I knew. I won’t mention any names but he is one of my father’s best friends and a former mayor of a local “village.”

He asked how I was and then he said, “you know, I started to say something on Facebook, but I decided not to, but it is amazing how ‘engrained’ you are in this community.”

I started saying something else, but then realized the capacity of that statement.

I told him that I love my city and I feel that I need to educate the public that lives in this city about how awesome the city really is; the people, the places, the organizations, the being. And I mean the awe-some not just some 80s “rad statement.” He repeated again that it was amazing. I thanked him, wholeheartedly for that. He too is pretty big in the city’s scene and he’s known me since I was about 17 or 18, so he’s seen me grow up. That’s 30 years. He remarked about how if there are things going on, I’m somehow always involved. Somehow.

After that, I saw Allan Younger, who has been on TLD at least three times and he introduced me to an associate of his (I can’t remember his name but he should be emailing me soon) and Allan told him about what I do and how involved with stuff I am.

I think I sometimes take my position for granted. I don’t want to do that and I also don’t want to come across as braggadocious because as outward, self-deprecating and conceited I like to come off, a lot of that is a gag. It’s for “show.” On the other hand, don’t allow me to take myself too seriously. At least I try. And, I really, really hope that this comes across to the public. I really do care about this city and I love being part of most everything that I am able to be. I just see myself as “doing my job” and sometimes don’t recognize the magnitude at which I do what I do. I think it’s good that I keep grounded but I have to also realize that I have a responsibility that is bigger than just myself.

To hear words from Mr. Former Mayor and Allan Younger, knowing who and what those two gentlemen are to the city, It brings you to Earth a little bit. Thank you to both of you for those words and your support.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Self-praise is for losers. Be a winner. Stand for something. Always have class, and be humble.” – John Madden

Gobble Gobble or: Happy Thanksgiving

22 Thursday Nov 2018

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Salutations™!!

I’m taking today off as is most of the country, except the Wal-Mart and Target employees who will have to work this evening. So, happy Thanksgiving from The BCPF, 3B, TLD, The Beer Dads, Apartment 5B, Ray (with TMWATT), and Fan Interference.

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Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.” – Henry David Thoreau

Behind or: A Piggyback

15 Thursday Nov 2018

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Salutations™!!

I forgot to say — because I was writing other things on Monday — that we did The Man Who Ate the Town and The Beer Dads this week (and The Less Desirables). But, on The Beer Dads this episode, we talked about teaching the kid about budgeting. Cl1JVyyWYAAbovF

I found it funny that 3B came home today during his “travel period” between Career Center and high school and needed gas. After a long discussion about his First Quarter grades not being “too hot” as he called it, he had to get back to school. I took money by school for him a little bit later.

First of all, yes, he has a large SUV that sucks the gas like fish suck water. And, he has started living here at his grandmother’s house (Ma Mère’s) during the week because his mother for whatever reason decided to buy a house in a small town 45 minutes away. So, it is a little better now as he only has to fill up weekly, not $50 worth every three days. But, he hasn’t even gotten his “after 9s” yet. Wait until he starts going places and doing things. Yeah, I’m waiting. I won’t be able to help all that much.

Some think its better that he concentrate on school and not get a job while others think he should get a job. I see both sides and have overall mixed feelings about it. He’s finally found something that really interests him and I want him to concentrate on that. However, he’s not doing “jack” in the rest of his classes that don’t contain the words “weight” and “lifting.” Money is tight and he’s going to want to do things. So, I don’t know what to do about it.

Anywhat, I digress.

Follow the link if you want to hear the episode for:

The Man Who Ate the Town
The Beer Dads
The Less Desirables

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Dad, I need gas…” – 3B

 

A Change of Mind or: 3 Tickets to…

01 Thursday Nov 2018

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Salutations™!!

If you listened to The Less Desirables a few weeks back and heard me say that I wasn’t going to get tix to the End of the Road Tour from KISS, well, I changed my mind. kissendoftheroadlogotour

I had said that I figured it would be in the “sheds” or amphitheaters and I hate shows at sheds. I especially hate it for bands that are clearly “arena” bands. KISS is an arena band. The bombs, the lights, all that is great for those up front but the people back on the lawn sucks for people having to watch it on the screens because they’re sitting a half mile away. That’s not worth spending my time driving, parking or even being there. I can sit in my own house, drink cheaper beers, use my bathroom, etc. But, arena shows are different. Even stadium shows are better than the sheds.

This show is at PNC Arena in Raleigh. I hate Raleigh, too and I’m pretty sure that they will at least add Charlotte soon, if not Greensboro, as well, but I didn’t want to take the chance.

Another issue I had was even though they’re encroaching upon 70 years old, they’ve talked “farewell tours” before. I fell for that in 2000. And, Paul’s voice has gotten less-than-stellar from all the years of abusing it. But, the more I thought about it the more I realized that I would be so disappointed with myself if they didn’t come anywhere around here again and I wasted my chance to see them one last time.

But, there were two more factors for my decision. The BCPF and 3B. I wasn’t allowed to see concerts until I was almost 20 years old. I finally told Ma Mère that I was going and she couldn’t stop me. Not the same here. 3B hasn’t had any interest in going to any concerts, at least that I know of, and he isn’t really a fan of rock music. I know, I failed him. But, he has grown up hearing me play KISS and has seen a few videos but seeing videos are not the same. Even at nearly-70, they still put on the show to trump all shows.

The BCPF knew this was coming before I mentioned wanting to go. She and I have gone to see a lot of concerts by artists and bands that she likes and I did get The Fixx for our anniversary but this truly my pick. She has also seen a few videos but I really think they both need to see the real thing.

This was not a cheap purchase. In order to get the tix when I did, I had to pay for a KISS Army membership and the seats are in the front row of the lower-balcony overlooking Gene’s side of the stage. I sat in this area in Greensboro once and it was a great view. Ticketmaster called the seats “premium.”

So, I went from not giving a hoot to excited. The bad part is I have to wait five months for this to happen. It’s a Saturday night so I may see if we can get a hotel and spend the night. That way we can Uber and not drive in and out of that stuff. I hate that traffic. Perhaps I’ll see you there.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“You wanted the best and you got the best. The hottest band in the world…” – KISS

Falling In or: What Kind of Name is That?

04 Thursday Oct 2018

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Salutations™!!

So, 3B got me to watch a movie that I wasn’t wanting to ever watch. He got me to watch the first Hunger Games movie. I made fun of it because Jennifer Lawrence’s character is named Katniss and others in the movie also have silly names.

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©Lionsgate

We watched and I have to admit, I found it interesting. I guess we’ll have to watch the others in the next few weeks, but we will have to do it earlier or pause in the middle because our dinner was late! I mean we didn’t eat until almost 10pm. That’s way too late. It’s not good for you and you feel nasty, at least I do. Luckily, it was light.

Yeah, I fell in. I didn’t want to. I wanted to hate it. I didn’t. It’s actually pretty interesting, even if there are holes in the whole premise. Perhaps if I read the books I’d get it more. I can hear you laughing, Dear Reader, because I’m laughing at myself with you. I don’t read, so that isn’t going to happen. Oh well.

Dinner was good, even though it was late. We had to make our own harissa sauce because Publix didn’t have any. It was good. I dug it. We had a “rose harissa salmon.” Being as we made our own it wasn’t “rose” harissa at all. But, my boy did well with it, just way too late. I gotta go wash dishes, now.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“May the odds be ever in your favor.” – Katniss Everdeen (and just about everyone else in the film)

A First Like None Other or: Back to School

27 Monday Aug 2018

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Salutations™!!

I know you’re probably tired of all the “back to school” pictures and posts. Well, I hate to disappoint you, Dear Reader, but this one of those. But this one is different. At least this year and next.

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3B

This is the first first day of school that I’ve not had to drive my boy, 3B to school. For the first time in 12 years (Kindergarten – 10th grade – yes that’s 11 but this is the 12th year), I didn’t have to get him out the door, drive through the crazy car line, park or whatever. I did have to get up early and I had to get him up early, actually earlier than the last few years because he’s doing something new, get him in the shower and out the door for him to drive his own self to school. But, it wasn’t regular school. He started his first day of what we called “trade school” in WV but here, we call it “Career Center.” He’s in the culinary arts program and is going to (at least for now) pursue his culinary ambitions. I’m proud of him.

He did good on his trip up there and back to school. I didn’t doubt he would because he has to drive from Pinnacle to WSNC or vice versa several times a week anyway. I think he’ll do well. He just has to keep at it. That will be his downfall, if anything is. Here’s to a good junior year, my son.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food.” – W. C. Fields