September 2006 - Posts
September 28th, 2006
Still waiting on that little infant child to escape the womb. Today is the due date, and those are never wrong. Never ever. OK, so I'm still waiting. I thought a blog would get my mind off the nervous anticipation.
A while back I did a blog entitled "Underrated". Things I thought don't get their due recognition for being as good as they are. Well, here now is another category.
WORTH THE HYPE- Things that are All That, and do live up to their billing.
- Candy Corn- No wonder they sell so much of that stuff at Halloween. It's amazing.
- I-PODS- I have an old one that holds a charge for about 20 minutes, but those 20 minutes are pure bliss.
- Crosswalks- I love when cars have to wait for me.
-Ghosts- Still to this day, paranormal activity has neither been proven nor disspelled. What a fun mystery.
-Deal or No Deal- I thought the novelty would have worn off by now. It's totally captivating. Still! And you can turn it on at any point, and quickly figure out what's going on.
-The New York Yankees- Again, the team to beat.
-Breathing. A vital element to our existence.
-Sean Penn- Never has he been anything less than brilliant.
-Elmo- I never thought I'd get sucked into the hysteria, but the little red guy is dazzling. His creator and puppeteer Kevin Clash is a true genius of our generation.
OK, that distracted me for a good 10 minutes. Back to being obsessed over baby watch.
perkout
September 25, 2006
I'm like a Springer Spaniel. Stone still. Tail pointed high. Ready to pouce. That's how you have to be when you're in GO-Mode.
My wife and I are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our second child. I am so excited, knowing that we are days, posssibly hours away from a miracle. It's a pretty awesome feeling.
And if you think about it, a totally cool way to live. What if we lived life, each day, always expecting a miracle? Just a thought.
perkout
September 23, 2006
Should be a rockin' Dome tomorrow. Personally, I think the Chicago Bears will win the Super Bowl this year. Yeah, they're that good. They may lose just 2 games all year long, if that. That defense is frightening as has been for a while.
But this year, the offense is finally starting to blossom. I honestly don't think you need a superstar quarterback to win it all. Guys like Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson in recent years are proof, that you need not be flashy.
You don't necessarily need marquee receivers either. The New England Patriots are evidence of that. What you need is a competent offense and a spectacular defense. The Bears have it.
A good home field advantage is also crucial, and they certainly enjoy that as well. The other crucial ingredient in a championship team is belief in the system the Head Coach has put in place. Things are lovey-dovey there too.
I believe the Vikes will put up a pretty good fight. This is a black and blue division game, and should be hard fought and close. But my money is on the Bears. I'm not a Bears guy either. I truly will be pulling for Purple, but mark my words and revisit this blog in 4 months.
perkout
September 20, 2006
Sorry I've been a slacker on the blogs this week. I'm Everglades swamped at work.
The bulk of the business has come from an Extra I'm working on for the 10pm news.
I'm working with Gary Knox, a ridiculously talented photographer on a behind the scenes look at the Prep Sports Extra. The high school football show has been running under Randy Shaver's guidance for 23 years now!
Gary got access to our High Definition camera to shoot the piece. We got 3 weeks to shoot the goings-on and what it takes to put the show together. It was interesting interviewing Randy, Pat Sidoti, Bea Chang, and other co-workers for the story. I'm so close to the material, it was a bit of a challenge stepping back long and far enough to give an unbiased account as to what goes into the production of the half hour prep show.
There is over 6 hours of footage that we've combed through in putting together 4 minutes of on-air material.
Gary caught it all, the hilights, the photographers, the editing, the tension, the deadline scramble, the phones ringing off the hook with scores being called in, etc.
Friday Nights are pretty amazing. It'll be neat to show folks just what kind of madness goes on behind the curtain. The piece is slated to air on October 3rd. That's the same night NBC's new prime time show Friday Night Lights debuts on KARE-11. Hope you get a chance to see the feature. It's Randy at his finest. See you on TV.
perkout
September 14, 2006
OK, so I'm a sports guy. And I love movies. So, what are my favorite sports movies of all time? Here's a top 5:
5- The Natural
I full on bought into the whole Roy Hobbs mystique. Redford was lights out and the Fireworks Home Run was pure movie magic. Kim Basinger was so downright dastardly and the Team's Owner was delightfully creepy. Classic.
4- Dogtown and Z-Boys
One of the best documentaries I've ever watched. I was tempted to include "When We Were Kings", the Muhammad Ali documentary on here, or even "Hoop Dreams". Both were awesome, but Dogtown was even better. Don't get this confused with the theatrical release starring Heath Ledger. This is the raw footage documentary. Any skateboard enthusiast should be required to see this. It is about how the sport began and how it evolved, and chronicles the pioneers of the sport from dirty Dogtown, as narrated by Sean Penn.
3- Rocky
Remember boxing my friend next to me, as I walked out of the theater back in 1976. So uplifting, I even think I owned the soundtrack by Bill Conti just to get me juiced. Sly was born for the role, and I even heard he's coming out with a Rocky 6, even though he's 60 years old.
2- Caddyshack
The comedy for which all other comedies are measured. Let's face it, they just can't make them like this anymore. At the time I first saw it, I thought Rodney Dangerfield was the funniest. Chevy Chase was the hippest. Bill Murray was the kookiest. And Ted Knight was the glue. Nowadays, I think Dangerfield is the kookiest. Bill Murray is the hippest. Chevy Chase is the glue. And Ted Knight is the funniest.
1- Karate Kid
Look, I never said you had to agree with me. Ralph Macchio rules. Perhaps the reason I appreciate this movie so much was because it was filmed in many of my stomping grounds in Los Angeles. I recognize so many of the spots they shot in, and how can you deny a Wise Old Man who catches flies with chopsticks? Sweep the Knee!
perkout
September 12, 2006
Missed the Vikings game last night! Twins game also. Spent the time instead in an unmarked Ford Explorer with photojournalist Bob Crippa.
We drove to Collegeville, Minnesota, home of St. John's Prep School. They just won their first high school football game since 2002. They're like the little train that could. 29 players on the team, but making it happen on the field. Finally.
We did a feature story for this week's Prep Sports Extra. The Head Coach didn't have his whistle though, so he just yelled "Tweet!" when he wanted his players to stop. It was actually pretty comical.
From there we drove to Cottage Grove. Home of Sven Sundgaard! There we met up with a trainer who uses Kettlebells to get fit.
Now I don't know if you've ever studied Minnesota geography, but Collegeville and Cottage Grove ain't exactly close.
We listened to the entire Vikings pre-game show on the radio, all of the first half, and finally got back to the station in the late 4th Quarter. Classic.
Meanwhile Randy Shaver and Bea Chang were rubbing elbows in D.C. with Tom Cruise who was on the sidelines near the end of the Monday Night Football game. I'll take my rag tag prep team and my kettlebell though over a movie star any day of the week. Katie Holmes though? That's another story. That would be a tougher call. I love Dawson's Creek. Joey Potter ruled.
perkout
September 10, 2006
When it comes to a Sale, I usually look at what Banana Republic has to offer.
When it comes to a Sail, I immediately think of Lake Minnetonka.
I got invited recently to help emcee the Wealth Enhancement Group's Sailing Regatta. The benefit of doing so was two-fold. First, it was to help out the Wayzata Sailing Foundation. This is a group which helps youths trying to get involved in the sport, including those in the inner city who don't normally get the chance to sail. The other perk, (forgive me for the shameless pun) was the opportunity to race in a regatta.
I was teamed with 2 of the best racers in the area. John Noller and Lars Hansen were the perfect partners.
After about a half hour warm-up and lesson, they put me to work in an actual 5 lap race. I can't even tell you how exciting it was. Especially since we were one of the lead boats.
Watching these guys take calculated gambles as they studied the wind puffs on the water, speaking to each other in a sailing jargon I had to try to decipher as the race went on, and then responding instantly to their commands of "Tack!" and "Jibe!", was really a gas.
I'm not sure how much I really contributed. I kind of felt like Bob Wiley in the movie "What About Bob?" when he went sailing.
In the end, we didn't win, we got edged in the home stretch, but we did take 3rd place, and I got a trophy out of it, which now sits proudly on my desk. Now when's that sale at Banana Republic?
perkout
September 6, 2006
When I heard the news of Steve Irwin's death the other night, I was stopped in my tracks. How could something like that happen? I was downright sick to my stomach.
This guy was such an amazing performer and the TV landscape is weaker without him. The loud Aussie was so over the top and such a caricature of himself, that it was just hard to turn the channel whenever he was on. Whether you thought he was an idiot, courageous, hilarious or completely compelling and informative, the bottom line is that his on screen personality jumped off the screen and took hold like a giant croc bite.
From what I've read since his death, Irwin truly wasn't in it for TV sake. Sure he was a marketing genius, but this guy was so passionate about the animals he was working with, and truly a great conservationist. It's a shame. And whether his death was a fluke or not, is totally irrelevant. The incident and result is tragic.
I'll be completely honest with you. When you're shooting a TV segment, there's a certain sense of focus that becomes so strong that it can engulf and overwhelm your common sense.
I remember several times where I've thrown caution to the wayside just for a better on camera bit.
The one that jumps out is when I let an 1800 pound bull charge at me with no protection whatsoever. When you slip into character and into the moment, you suspend reality for just long enough to become incredibly vulnerable.
I'm not comparing myself to the Croc Hunter by any means, but I am going to take his death as an eye opener, and possibly be more thoughtful next time when I stand face to face with danger.
perkout
September 3rd, 2006
I have no idea what to blog about tonite. So I'll just fire off some randomness.
It's already September?
I like Tangerines.
Cussing bores me.
Exposed brick is cool at Pizza places.
Moths are annoying.
How do skunks stink as badly as they do?
NASCAR's Tony Stewart is obnoxious but totally cool.
I love the Vikings' Purple Pants. Prince's too for that matter.
Dairy Queen should've never changed the name of their Mister Misty.
Freddie Mercury had an amazing voice.
I'm really good at Waste Paper Basketball.
Why is the Jolly Green Giant so jolly?
Hot Tamales Rule.
perkout
September 1, 2006
Went to the State Fair again. This time with no work involved. Just unadulterated play. Following is a list of the 5 Best Values and the 5 Biggest Disappointments:
5 Best:
1- Butterfly House - This was $3 to get in. I stayed in there with my daughter for at least a half an hour. There were butterflies everywhere! Flying, Fluttering, and landing on people's hats, legs, and even noses. Hilarious. Just don't touch their wings, and be sure to do the mirror check when you leave.
2- 1919 Root Beer- $1.50 for a large. Are you kidding me? Best Root Beer I've ever had. By the way, what's the difference between Root Beer and Sarsparilla?
3- Giant Slide - Never gets old. The burlap sacks are kinda nasty, and the stairs are comically long, but the ride never disappoints. Especially with a two-year-old in your lap.
4- Information Booths - I hate maps and directories. They just confuse me further. I like friendly ladies at information booths, who just happen to know where everything is.
5- Photo Booth - The arcades are loaded with them. The single column strip of four photos is perfect fair fodder. Go to the older modeled machines. They take longer to develop but are totally higher quality.
5 Biggest Disappointments:
1- Lemonade Stand - Fresh Squeezed Lemonade is always good. But for five dollars!??? I can get stuffed at Taco Bell for that much.
2- Smokers - People still do that?
3- Grumpy Trolley Drivers - I'm walking across Dan Patch Avenue with my child and pregnant wife, and you gun it to get through before we can cross? Are you serious?
4- Too Much Green Bay Packers gear - This is the Minnesota State Fair! Oh calm down Favre Faithful, you know I'm kidding. I love the Pack. The Brat Pack maybe. FYI- Have you seen Anthony Michael Hall lately? That guy rules.
5- That the Outing had to end.
perkout