Take this Blog and shove it

Sunday, June 18, 2006

And now, the end is near

Okay, first of all, maybe I should recap the last trivia night for those interested.

We kicked so much booty it was unreal. We had a perfect game going until the final two questions. We had answered every question correctly. And then the host threw out a question that was impossible. By how many times the Earth's size is Jupiter bigger than Earth? You had to get it within 12. The answer was 352. Now who was going to get that right? When I turned in our last (and correct) answer, I told the host, "you ruined our perfect game!" and he said, "I know, I did that on purpose!". For some reason he didn't like the idea of us having a perfect game. Though it all became a moot point as we did miss the final jeopardy, geography question. Not that it mattered, we still got our 40 bucks of house cash.

A few thoughts:

1. Deceivious should be a word.

2. Dvdguy doesn't think it's a sound strategy to blab our answers out loud.

3. I think it would be deceivious of us if we turned in our right answer and then blabbed out a bunch of wrong answers and how sure we are of it. Yes, I know the word "devious" exists..

4. For some reason, dotcom shouting out "Lakers!" is still funny.

5. The first movie JBH attended in the theatre? "The Wizard of Oz". That's right people, the movie that debuted in 1939. And he was 26 when he saw it. Okay, just kidding. It was a re-release of the film. I think dotcom's was darby o'gill and the little people or something. She also remembers seeing Star Wars and a little kid wandering in 10 minutes late blabbing that this was his first movie ever. That kid? Lil' dvdguy.

6. We might take a week off, we might not. Though dvdguy said he wants no part of a week off and would come by himself. He was informed he could not taint the "Mind Bullets" trademarked name if it was just him and not truly the "Mind Bullets". He said maybe he would be "Son of Mind Bullets".

7. There were balloons added to the Kareoke area and thus, it attracted people this week and there was some truly awful singing going on.


Now, onto the Goodbyes. And I'll do what I've done so little of, actually be truthful and not any pretend silliness. I'd like to thank a few people...


Dvdguy: When I saved this dude's life in the war, little did I know he'd follow me around like a little lost puppy everywhere I went. But he's so darn cute I kept feeding him like a fool. Okay...here I said this would all be real stuff and I've already blown that. Alright, no more jokes. Dvdguy is one of the few friends from back in high school that we managed to stay friends and not say adios sucker. We both "get" our humor so much and are so in tune with each other we almost don't even have to say anything to the other if we are someplace and we both are thinking the same amusing thought. At work, I can go into his area, and even if the TV is on mute, just start riffing on anything that comes on the screen... the words on CNN or Fox news, or if there are people, provide the voices for them...and god bless dvdguy he will laugh everytime. And I certainly think I appreciate his humor as much as anybody as well. And if either of us ever needs anything, the other is always reliably and dependably there.


Gatorham2000/Haji: He never came around too much so I probably shouldn't spend too much time on him, but Dvdguy is right. I do love this guy. He's another person who really enjoys my sense of humor and gets it and he's funny as hell too. We always have a fun time whenever we are around each other and I love his easy going attitude. And while he calls me names and I call him things, we both know we are just guys joking around and never take it seriously.



Lesliedotcom: She's been doing the blog thing longer than anybody I know. Though I'm actually not sure which came first, the dotcom or the jsb. Though Dvdguy has had a film review site for a long time and then it became a blog. Anyway, everyone knows she's intelligent, but my favorite thing about her is that she has an uncanny ability to make me laugh whenever she pleases. And while she can be a tad ornery at times, when she is in a good mood she is tremendously likable. I may have teased her geekiness (which she proudly proclaims), but in all honesty she is a lot cooler than me. The best I can do is fake it. And while she may think of herself as a dork, she really is a badass. And while I'd like to be a badass, I'm much more of a dork than she could ever be, knitting and all.


JBH: A class act. And man does this guy have some knowledge in that noggin. At trivia, if he has an idea on something, I'm almost always inclined to go with whatever he thinks. Very intelligent, very friendly and very amusing. Dvdguy and I have laughed our ass off at some of the things he's done. Most notably the flying menu..."whoops!". And some of the comments he has made are hilarious. He's also a great writer. He seems to write very poetically when he feels so inclined. But above it all, just a classy guy that I admire.


JSB: This guy can be so different in the workplace and online than he is out in the real world. And he's a good guy with a good heart and I respect him greatly. And it's obvious how much he cares about all the countries of the world and the issues we all face. I think me and him share a little bit of social anxiety or shyness at times. And he's also a tad mysterious, but I imagine that's just the way he likes it.



Nueva: Another good thing about JBH, he has great taste in women. This is a gentle, beautiful and kind soul who is just lovely. And also gets rather humorous with a few drinks in her. I loved it when at a bar listening to live music, "Kung fu fighting" was playing and she was doing mock karate chops at the back of dvdguy with him unaware of it.



Pickles: Hadn't been around much lately, busy with work and school. But she's always been supportive of me no matter what and I appreciate it. She's also the most photogenic person I've ever met. It's impossible to take a bad picture of her.


Twerp/Bubblejet: She's like one of my best friends and she never bothered to comment or even read much I don't think. Eh, not her thing and she's shy anyway. But you'd all love her.


Anna/Gunther/Anonymous/Melanie and the rest: Thanks for stopping by and reading and contributing to the silliness.

So that's it, I'll be retiring the "denirogator" name with the blog as well. I've already got a new one.
And as Red Skelton would say, Good night and God bless.

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Hodgepodge

My favorite trivia category.

Or no, maybe I'm a tad better at miscellaneous.

Though I'm pretty darn adept at potpourri as well...


"Treasure Hunters" starts this Sunday:

"Mix equal parts The Da Vinci Code and The Amazing Race, then sprinkle in Nicolas Cage's National Treasure, and you'd get NBC's Treasure Hunters. The new reality-TV competition (premiering this Sunday at 8 pm/ET, before settling into its Mondays-at-9 time slot) sends 10 three-person teams boating, jetting and helicoptering across America on a treasure hunt of (buzzword alert!) "epic scale" — seeking out "mystical artifacts," "cracking codes" and uncovering "clues" in the pursuit of a "hidden key" that will lead them to, and unlock, the grand prize.

Acknowledging that one of the producers on Treasure Hunters is none other than Imagine Television's Brian Grazer — aka the very man who gave us Tom Hanks as Da Vinci code-breaker Robert Langdon — executive producer Jane Lipsitz (Project Runway, Last Comic Standing) says, "The things that are successful about The Da Vinci Code are taking these incredibly familiar icons and [revealing] secrets and mysteries around them, and we applied that to Treasure Hunters. But this is about secrets of American history, so in that sense, it's a 'more secular' version."


The way that Treasure Hunters sets itself apart from reality kin Amazing Race is twofold. "There's a big play-at-home factor for the audience," says Lipsitz, "and there's a connective tissue that runs throughout all our episodes, as you have to figure out how all these artifacts connect to bring you to the final treasure."

Who's on the hunt? The teams are handily categorized as follows: Geniuses (who boast 10 academic degrees among the three of them); Grad Students (including the reality-TV requisite set of hottie twins); Young Professionals; Southie Boys (Boston buds who brag of, no joke, their "street smahts"); the Wild Hanlons (a cinch to win if mullets come into play); Ex-CIA; Air Force; Miss USA (pageant also-rans who debate early on whether or not to "use" the menfolk yet); and two families, the Fogals (who have God on their side, seeing as papa doth preach) and the Browns (almost embarrassingly, African-American brothers)."





I watched a new show this week, "How to get the Guy". It features two love experts trying to help 4 women meet guys. It really seems like it should be "How to get the girl" because most of the time, it doesn't seem like women have to do much to get guys attention. Guys are like wolves.
But anyway, on the show they talked to the women about "dropping the hanky". They said in old times, a woman could drop her hanky to let a guy know, if you'd like to talk to me that would be alright with me.
They said that you have to do other things to convey the same idea today. They said, eye contact, smiling, proximity....
They then went out with hidden cameras and a woman in a bookstore would try to start conversations but it was kind of tough. She would ask the time, and the guy would give her the time. And that would be that.
Well I mean, that's probably what I would do too, I wouldn't necessarily know what else to say. I mean I would feel kinda stupid if I started talking to her and she's like, "dude, I just wanted the time, leave me alone".


I taped the Rock, Paper, Scissors championship as well. Funny how these people consider themselves to be athletes and act as if there is great skill involved.


Is it me or do we always get reports on how chocolate, wine and coffee are actually beneficial to good health?
I'm just waiting for the report where they declare broccoli, carrots and green beans to be deadly disease causers.


Are people from Charlotte known as "charlatan's" or is there too much negative connotation to that?
Wouldn't that be a good name for their basketball team? The Charlotte Charlatans?
Actually apparently the word comes from an Italian word that was from a city in Italy famous for "quacks".



Here are some lyrics from a song sung by Woodrow the homeless guy (Tracy Morgan) and Kate Hudson on SNL:

Toasters and birds...
Little pigeon turds...
Radio in my hair...
It's really not fair
Cause I, love, youuuu

Boogers and poop...
Dictionary soup...
Run for the Hills...
We have to eat pills
And I, love, youuuu

Mr. Rubberface...
I'm from outerspace!
Kibbles and bits
Tiny mouse tits
Yes I, love you...
I, Loveeeeeee, youuuuuuu



Quote of the day:

"You won't have Nixon to kick around anymore, because, gentlemen, this is my last press conference." --1962

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Yes, it's that time again for "DeNirogator on the Aisle". Where I give short mini-reviews to all the latest flicks I've seen so that you, the reader can make an informed decision on what's out there.

Here we go:


The Da Vininci Code: What the?

The New World: Come on!

Munich: Grrrrrr

Cheaper by the Dozen 2: Sir!

Firewall: Please!

Zathura: I'm gonna..

Date Movie: #!$#!!

When a Stranger Calls: That's it..

The Producers: Pretty good as long as you pretend you are at the Broadway play and not watching a movie.

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Tuesday's Gone

Always wanting to change things up, I'll babble a bit about some things that actually happened in my life today.

I went to the dentist. My credit card was turned down. And the night before I came home to a letter from my car insurance company saying their monthly direct deduction from my card was turned down as well.

So I give my credit card company a call. They tell me that my card became compromised on may 30th or something of that nature. They ask me..."..did you spend $9.16 at a Walgreens?"
"Sounds right", I replied.
"Did you spend $8.64 at Circuit City?"
"...yeah, probably."
"Okay, sir, we'll remove the flag from your account".
"Well can you tell me why my account became 'compromised'?"
"There were just a lot of charges".

Well, no, not really. Looking at my account just the normal amount of charges I always have. But I'm glad to see they were all over this suspicious 9 and 8 dollar Walgreens and Circuit City shenanigans.

Now if it had been a Walgreens or Circuit City in PARIS or NAMIBIA, sure...

I'll have to call my car insurance company tomorrow and ask them to retry the charge now that the threat has been discovered as little ol' me.

I then decide to get the original scrambler from Krystal's because I never get to have that normally.
But alas, I was needing some milk and flouride from the grocery store as well, but my breakfast might get cold...
But this tropical storm may come on and be pouring rain later to where I wont want to go...
Ah...I'll just run into the grocery store, it'll be quick. I grab a few other items as well while I'm there. Come to the checkout areas and see there are 3 to choose from and all seem to have one person with just a few items. I choose the one that has one person with one watermelon, that should be quick! The lady then speaks up...
"Do you have this certain kind of battery? I didn't see it, it's for blabbity blab and I didn't see it...it's for my blabbity blab and it's special, not like a normal battery, a blabbity blab one"
"Oh sure, we'll have someone go find this special battery...."

Hmmm, wouldn't it be nice if you asked your questions about where things are BEFORE you get in line and are checking out?
Well, I just gather up my five items, put them back in the basket, and move to the next checkout station where there is one lady. She finishes her items and pays. Then...
"I'd also like to buy some bottled water and floobidity jooble! Let me just go grab some more floobidy jooble!"
Ah...so it's off to get the extra items. Now back, she starts paying again. I see that to the side of me the watermelon and battery lady is now writing a check out. To the other side of me is now an empty checkout area. But I don't want to once again gather up my items and put them back in my basket and move again, because it would probably make it looks like I'm really disgusted and angry.
Now it's my turn and a dude employee walks up and wants to change out something on the cash register. A female manager who had been standing watching the whole time stepped up and said, "John, wait until he's gone through, he's been waiting and had to change lanes already..."
So that was nice of her. Actually I think she's the one that went off to fetch the special batteries.

Later I decide to see the DaVinci Code. It's been awhile since it's been out. I know it's Summer, but this is an adult movie and it's a weekday afternoon, everyone is at work! It'll probably just be me and a couple old ladies. Plus the whole threat of this tropical storm stuff, who is gonna rush out to see this flick that's been out for ages?
I walk into the theatre and it's packed...
Opening night packed.
What the hell?
Luckily I find an open seat at the very top.

By the way, Ian Mckellen early on asks Tom Hanks three questions before he'll allow him access to his house and open his gate. I answered the questions correctly! Silently of course. It would be amusing I guess if I was doing it out loud like an unruly patron at a horror flick shouting at the people on the screen to watch out.

But anyway, it just goes to show you that Mind Bullets could crack the Da Vinci code if we felt like it. We could solve so many of the world's mysteries and problems and suffering. But we choose to focus on 40 bucks of house cash instead. That's how we roll.

Monday, June 12, 2006

I will now sing to cheer dvdguy up...

"You stand in the line just to hit a new low
You're faking a smile with the coffee you go
You tell me your life's been way off line
You're falling to pieces every time
And I don't need no carryin' on

Because you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day
You had a bad day"

Sunday, June 11, 2006

Have you ever noticed that you never have your Trident available when you truly need it?
Maybe I should market "pocket tridents"?





Just in from the LongMeadow Lambada LaQuinta Inn....well no wait, I live here and I'm still here. But what a wild and crazy time. Maybe I should just let the pictures tell the story...


What a beautiful day, let's have a party!


Hooray! Pickles!


Good Times


Oh no, things took a turn for the worst. Bye Pickles.


It's okay, an alternate Denirogator has shown up!


And twerp is here too!


Look who's at the door! Dvdguy!


Let's go get some food!


Dvdguy tells a joke


Good one dvdguy!!


We got some grub!!


My trainer's here! Go away! We're eating and being lazy!


Someone's at the door...


It's this krewe! They head straight for the kitchen, find nothing they like and promptly leave.


We can still have fun!


Oh, alternate Denirogator is leaving...now come on!


This just won't do!


Pickles is back!


I'll just sit here in Denirogator's chair, cause that's how I roll, yo.


Wait a minute, where is Denirogator?


Here I am, let's get this party started right!!!!!!!


The booze helps us ponder life


Another freakin' Denirogator arrives!


My data says this is highly unorthodox!


It's okay, I'll just leave. All I need is my booze...and that's all I need....I need this...


This is getting wacky!


Yes indeed it is dvdguy!


Good times


Come here often?


Wow, that line has never worked so well before until now!


Hey, it's getting later, time to change into evening wear!


How's this? You like this? No? I got more...


That's fine twerp...


Good, now let's boogie!


Oh, it was only a matter of time until this happened...


Or this...


Goodnight!

Friday, June 09, 2006



Actual movie. When these two legendary figures of history meet, it's magical.

We went to a new place for trivia this week and dominated. We were so far in the lead, when the final question came around, we didn't have to bet any points if we didn't want to. The closest team was 18 points away and you can only bet up to 16 points on the final question. We knew the final answer, but only bet 1 point so as not to rub it in. Then, the host mocked us (good naturedly) for only betting one point, so go figure. Everyone seemed much happier with our host and surroundings.

Anyway, something on dvdguy's blog sparked a topic idea. What are some of your favorite obscure songs from famous musicians?

Off the top of my head, I'll throw out a few of mine.

1. The Beatles--- I want you (she's so heavy), Happiness is a warm gun, Rocky Racoon

2. The Who--- 905 , Pure and easy

3. CCR-- Someday never comes

4. Elton John-- Where to now St. Peter?, Amoreena

6. Billy Joel-- Miami 2017, Honesty

7. The Clash-- Career Opportunities

8. Lynyrd Skynrd-- Comin Home

9. Elvis--American Trilogy

10. Ozzy Osbourne-- Goodbye to Romance

The Beatles I could go on and on with stuff like "For no one", "She came in through the bathroom window", I don't know if "Blackbird" would be considered obscure or not...

Thursday, June 08, 2006




Watched the Sarah Silverman, "Jesus is Magic" DVD. If you like edgy humor, check it out. If you are easily offended, stay far far away!!

Silverman has created a unique act for herself where she portrays a persona that is totally inappropriate and about as un-PC as you get. She doesn't actually believe any of the stuff she says on stage. She just says one offensive thing after the other.
In this special alone she skewers Martin Luther King, the Holocaust, AIDS, 9/11, the "n" word, Mexicans, midgets, Puerto Ricans, Jews and a certain word used to describe people from China in a derogatory fashion.
She has this sweet look to her and acts as if she's unaware of how inappropriate and offensive what she is saying is.
Her act is really a performance. It's the deadpan delivery...she's really like an actor on stage. The only time you see the "real" Sarah Silverman is the last 2 seconds of the movie before the credits hit.

Here is an actual quote from the film:

"Oh please lord, please let there be semen in my dead grandmother's vagina.."

While all of it is funny and outrageous, I have to say I enjoyed the Martin Luther King bit the most. She's got balls to mess with ANYBODY, no matter how revered they are. And yet it's all a joke, if anyone actually thought this stuff it would be absurd.

Silverman is up there with Lenny Bruce, Sam Kinison and David Cross as one of the most subversive comedians of all time.

But I have no idea why she is dating Jimmy Kimmel. (whom you see in the making of featurette)

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

The Review



Okay, so I tried the mashed potato bowl 2 days ago. It was actually pretty good. I like all the seperate foods and it turns out they work fine together.

But here's something the commercials don't tell you: You can choose either a mashed potato bowl or a rice bowl. I like rice too and I knew my loyal readers would want to know the skinny on that as well and would accept nothing less so last night I had the rice bowl.

Here's the verdict: Unless you hate mashed potatoes, I'd stick with the mashed potato bowl. I found that I was left with too much dry rice at the end and I need something to go with my rice...gravy or something.

This bowl also should amply fill you up and is very portable and clean. You could eat it at work and not feel like a slob chowing down on a 2 peice meal getting your fingers messy.

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

PALM BEACH, Fla., June 5 (UPI) -- A 6-year-old Florida boy accidentally left behind at his birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese's is being held in protective custody, a report says.

The Department of Children and Families picked up Michael James Emanuel Jr. Saturday night, after his family unwittingly left him behind. Relatives didn't notice he was missing until the next morning, the Palm Beach Post reported.