Start the slow clap...

This month's issue of GQ features a great article titled, In Praise of the Male Chick Flick. It's based on that certain kind of movie that sets out to push men's emotional buttons. Here's there top 5.

5. Brian's Song, 1971
I haven't seen this one, but from what I hear there is no reason it shouldn't be in the top 5.

4. Good Will Hunting, 1997
Great flick that took Affleck and Damon from nobodies to somebodies. Best Quote: "You know what the best part of my day is? For about ten seconds, from when I pull up to the curb to when I get to your door - cause I think maybe... I'll knock on the door and you won't be there."

3. Hoosiers, 1986
This would make #1 on my list. I remember our team watching the movie at Pat Martin's, my senior year, before a big game. We were so inspired, the Indians avenged a early season loss and knocked off the top conference team. Best Quote: "You are in the Army. You're in my Army. Everyday between three and five." or "Five players on the floor functioning as one single unit: team, team, team - no one more important than the other."

2. The Shawshank Redemption, 1994
This one never gets old. I must have watched it 10 times and each time it feels like I don't know he is going to break out. Best Quote: "Get busy living, or get busy dying."

1. Field of Dreams, 1989
Come on. This is #1? I never connected with the movie. I might put it in the top 20 but certainly not #1. Here's what should have replaced it in the top 5:

Rudy, 1993
I can't ever hold back the tears when watching it. The soundtrack is also spectacular. I even heard a distant relative of Vince Lombardi uses the soundtrack to pump up audiences during pep talks. Best Quote: "No one, and I mean no one, comes into our house and pushes us around."

Lightning strikes twice.

I just finished reading the most recent issue of Sports Illustrated. It contained a blog worthy story.

Shaun Dean caught two of the biggest home run balls in Astros history. While wearing a glove and sitting in his company's seats he snared Berkman's eight inning grand slam run. About three hours later he grabbed Burke's walk off NLDS winning shot.

Unbelievable.

VoIP on the rocks

The next BIG thing. First there was sliced bread (started in NW Missouri), then the internet, next TiVo and just around the corner VoIP! What last year was bleeding edge (painful) is now cutting edge. I'm starting to see more of it all the time. Last week eBay bought Skype, a leading provider of residential VoIP service.

Voice over Internet Protocol brings home users, small and medium sized businesses the features and service that were once only available through the purchase of expensive phone switches. Those that have tried it, love it. Think of every feature possible, it's yours at little, to no additional cost. All customizable for each individual user. Caller ID, 3-way calling, conference calling, voicemail to your email box, and call waiting; all included. It can call your office, next your cell, then your home. Music on hold, sure! Directory assistance, absolutely.

The biggest issue for those of us looking to provide VoIP solutions to businesses? A recent Harris Poll found that only 13 percent of the public knows what it is. 10 percent thought it was the name of a vodka.

Drinks on me, sign here.

Mind Games

It's not what you think. This time, it's MY mind playing games with me. The guy (I'm a guy, my brain must be a guy, right?) is having a great time with the games. It's driving me crazy and he (my brain) knows it. The game may never end. Let me give you 3 specific recent examples. I hope you find it as amusing as he does.

#1) Monday, on a plane flight back from Houston I needed something to past the time. I read AmericanWay nearly cover to cover on the way down and was pretty much out of other choices. Making a big mistake, I resorted to the crossword puzzle. One really should be able to spell at a 5th grade level before attempting such a task. So I scroll through the 70 or so clues, confidently answering 4. This is sad. I was pleased with my results. Let's give it a second look. I come to 54 Across, Dodge City, Sheriff. Here we go... I smile thinking, I've seen Tombstone at least 5 times. The sheriff was ___???? My brain starts laughing. HAAAAAA HAAAAA. COME ON!!! The sheriff had his brothers there with him. Please! what was his name? more laughter. HA HA HA. This goes on for another 2 or 3 minutes before I finally give up and put down the puzzle. Today, 2 days later, I dined at a Tex-Mex restaurant not far from the office. As I glance at a picture of cowboys on the wall and my brain shouts, WYATT EARP! HAAAAA HAAAAA.

#2) Yesterday, as I was about the leave to the house. He sends me that ever so frequent signal, you're forgetting something. What is it? Ok, I can do this. I don't need "his" help.

Watch - Check
Ring - Check
Wallet - Check
Laptop - Check
mmmmh?

I take two quick laps around the house. Just hoping I might see what was missing. Nothing. One more time.

Watch - Check
Ring - Check
Wallet - Check
Laptop - Check
Oh well, if I can't think of it, how important can it be?

So I drive in to work assured that I have everything I need. Park the car, take the elevator up to the office, plug in the laptop, take out my notebook and reach for my favorite pen. HAAAAA. It's not there. I know this isn't a big deal to most people, but I carry the same pen with me everywhere I go. Once I had the same pen for just under 6 years. It fits nicely in my pocket and writes so well. I was stuck with a bic for the day and things just seemed a bit out of sorts.

#3) I saved the best for last. Now "they" say that we all have dreams, even it you don't remember them. I'll have to take "their" word for it because I rarely remember having them. That is until this morning which made me remember that I had another dream the night prior. You've heard of the recurring dream, right? How about an absolutely ridiculous two part dream. It was like the sitcom that doesn't finish in 30 minutes. My brain had a great time with this. Keep in mind I didn't remember Part I until he granted me Part II. Part I. I have somehow obtained a large amount of money. I don't know how much or from where but I have it. Shortly after "getting" the money, I learn that Def Leppard will perform at a location of your choice for a mere $25,000. That pretty much sums up Part I. Part II. Def Leppard shows up at my house letting me know I have paid for them to play a "gig" in my garage. (i'm still dreaming, but already thinking I can't believe he is doing this) I'm all fired up. I start calling friends and neighbors. "Def Leppard is playing at the house tonight, come on over." The general response was "Why?". It didn't dampen my spirits. I went upstairs and for some stupid reason took my stereo down to the garage for the band to use. (Just like we used to in High School, ehh Darin?) We had about 30 people show up and they opened with POUR SOME SUGAR ON ME.

I can hardly wait to see what the brain has planned for me tomorrow.

a lesson lost

This evening Savanna threw a fit for the ages when we attempted to leave the neighbor's yard. SCREAMING... HOLLERING.... ARMS FLAILING... and LEGS KICKING, I struggled to carry her the 300 yards home. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade making test runs down our block couldn't have drawn the crowds that we did. I just kept smiling and nodding. "Yes, this is my kid." "No, there is not a thing I can do to quite her down."

What could cause such an award winning display of frustration you ask? Rocks. (ridiculous rocks)

Savanna had gathered up about a bucket full of landscaping rocks in her shirt, short pockets and hands. She insisted on taking them home. The minute I told her no, that the rocks were not hers she lost it. Once home, she settled down and now an hour later I tried to have a conversation with her about it. I told her she couldn't take things that weren't hers. She wasn't buying it. "But, Dad I wanted the Rocks." So, I picked up one of her "Dollies." "Savanna, what if I want this." Savanna started to look a little concerned. As I began to walk off with the dolly, "I want this so I'm going to take it." Panic sets in "Dad, NO!" "Why not?" I ask. "Dad, it's mine" she says defiantly.

I'm beginning to think I've got her. "So who owns the rocks?" "Mrs. Potter" she answers.
I'm almost home. "why can't we take the rocks?" "Because they aren't ours."
She's learned a lesson. I'm one proud Dad. I hand her back the Dolly and she places it on the top shelf of her bookcase. "Dad, I'm putting it up here so you can't take it."

As the air goes out of me, "Savanna, I think you missed the point." She replies (over and over) "DAD! that's my POINT.".... "DAD! that's my POINT!"