Wow. It has been a long long time since I've updated this page. I've gotten fat and lazy in recent months. In a way, that trip to MO knocked me out and I've been exhausted off and on ever since. But I have a ton of new content just waiting to be posted so keep checking back as I'll post new stuff off and on soon. Till then, I'm going to sleep now because I'm beat.

Well, it is now just...

Well, it is now just after 10 a.m. on Friday July 4th. We just crossed over the Illinois state line and we are at a rest stop. I think we are making good time. We are about 150ish miles away from St. Louis so we are closing in on our destination. It's been a long journey so far but pretty soon. That's about it for right now. See you later. listen

Powered by Jott

Well, it is 7:30 AM...

Well, it is 7:30 AM and we are in about 600 miles in 2 hours thousand miles journey. Which is a breakfast and I think where making pretty decent time and it's raining. listen

Powered by Jott

We just entered Indi...

We just entered Indiana. listen

Powered by Jott

It's 1:30 in the morning...

It's 1:30 in the morning eastern time. We have been driving for about four-and-a-half hours. We are at the last left station on Pennsylvania Turn-bike. We still have about 12-and-a-half to 14 hours left to go. Wishes luck. listen

Powered by Jott

We just got back from the movie and aside from the fire alarm going off half way through, the near race-riot and my daughter's "date" falling asleep, it was a good experience and it was a good movie. I recommend you go see it.

Hey folks. We're at...

Hey folks. We're at the movie theater getting ready to go see Wall-E. I'll let you know how it was later. listen

Powered by Jott

I know I'm a little late with this post because it came out one week ago today, but is anyone else excited that Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition has finally been released?!

I've been looking forward to this for quite a while. I first heard of the pending release in February. Right before co-creator Gary Gygax passed away. I used to play D&D every weekend before I got married. I was running an adventure for four of my friends. It was very cool. We had a lot of fun. I'd like to start playing again, but finding time to play would be tough now that I'm married and have a kid. Still, I'm curious as to what changes have been made and would love to read the books. I'm sure that some day I'll purchase them and maybe someday I'll even start playing again.

By the way, if you're wondering what you could get me for a belated Father's Day gift, click here.

Hey Folks, here's a link to an article that I think is very important. It's about prevention and since you are my friends and family, I want you all to be safe because, well, I love you. There. I said it. I care deeply about your well-being so please read this article.

Save the Date!!!

Well, folks, here it is:

On 11/23/2008 I will be taking part - running - in the Philadelphia Marathon.

Boy, oh boy, I'd like to know what you're thinking right now. Maybe it's something along these lines:

But you're not a runner, Andy!

You're right. By nature I am not a runner. I ran cross-country in middle school for one lousy year and I hated it. I have tried not to run as much as possible since then because I hated running so much.

Aren't you a smoker, Andy?

Technically, yes. Well, I was a smoker at one point in my life. Thankfully, I am no longer a smoker. Man, that stuff will kill you!

If you have to run, why not choose a more reasonable distance, Andy?

I've always been in awe of people who run marathons. Even though I hate running I still respect folks who do run them. True, I could set a goal of running a half-marathon or a 10k. But I want to push myself. I want to test myself. I want to see what I am capable of. I'm curious to see the end result. Will this be the best thing I've ever done or will this kill me in the process? Let's find out. My money is on the former.

What brought all of this on, Andy?

On April 7, 2008, my dad had what my older sister, Anna, referred to as "a minor cardiac event."

Here's the story: My dad had just dropped off my little brother, Joey, at a friend's house. On the way, Joey noticed that my dad was having trouble breathing. So as soon as he got out of the car, Joey called my mom to tell her to watch for him when he pulls into the driveway. When my dad got home, she noticed that he didn't get out of his car right away so she went outside and saw that he was indeed having trouble breathing and she called 911.

My dad was a runner. He ran the 1982 and 1984 New York City Marathons. I always thought that was cool. I once had aspired to be a runner, but ended up not liking it as much as I thought I would. Actually, at one of the races my dad ran when I was little, Bill Rodgers, four-time winner of the Boston Marathon in the 1970's, made a guest appearance and signed my dad's bib number. Mr. Rodgers signed it to me saying, "See you on the road some day." Yeah, right, Bill. You've got the wrong kid.

Now don't get the wrong idea. I'm not running this race to have something in common with my dad. I'm not running it in an attempt to make him proud of me and I'm also not running it to honor his memory (hopefully not his memory) or his past acheivements.

I'm running this for me.

I'm running this for my daughter.

I'm running this to prove to myself that I can accomplish what I previously thought was an impossibility for me.

I don't want to die young. I've had a lot of bad habits that have grown with me over the years. Like smoking. And drinking. And eating anything I wanted. This is hard for me to admit, but at my worst - now, keep in mind that this is when I started to track this information, so this number could have been higher at one point - I weighed 237 pounds. I was fat. That was August '06.

My 38 waistline jeans were tight.

Add to that the ill-effects of smoking and drinking moderately and you have the picture perfect template for a heart-attack victim.

I want to do many things in life that I haven't done yet. I also want to see my daughter grow up and have kids of her own. I want to see my parents pass (not until far in the future, of course) so I know that they won't have to see me pass.

So I decided to first change my diet. I went on what me and my friend, Donnie, lovingly called the Rabbit Food Diet. It consisted mostly of fruits, legumes and vegetables. There were lean sources of protein and some healthy fats, but absolutely no processed foods. It's amazing the difference that last item can make when you're changing your eating style.

I lost about 25-30 pounds in the year and a half since then but I've lost about another 10-15 since I started running in April.

As of this writing I have 27 full weeks in which to prepare for the race. I have been running for 5 weeks so far and am up to a five mile long run. I have plenty of time till 11/23/08 as long as I can stay consistent.

And that's one of my motivations for putting this all out there on my blog: I'm hoping that this will create accountability for me not just to myself, but to all of you. I am already motivated to run this race for the reasons already stated, but I think an even more motivating factor is the need to stay true to you, my friends and family. The gauntlet has been thrown, the promise made. If I back down and don't complete this journey, then I have failed myself and all of you miserably. I'll do my best not to let that happen.

When I graduated from high school in 1993 I weighed 175 pounds. When I graduated from college in 1998 I weighed 165 pounds. I'm not saying I'm going to get back down to either of those weights, but whatever I get down to it'll be a far cry from my record of 237.

I'll keep updating this blog with my progress throughout the year. You are now my training partners. Just keep the date in mind.

11/23/08.

I'll see you at the finish line.

11/23/08

Save the date, friends!

If you can figure out the significance of this date and how it pertains to me, I will mail you one dollar...on second thought, I don't actually have a dollar to mail to you, nor do I keep stamps readily available, so I guess you'll have to settle for a hearty pat on the back via email or something.

But heck, I'm in a generous mood so here's a clue: the date and its significance are very much public domain (it's a public event). Comment me back with your guesses.

Get googling, folks!

Mom and Dad Didn't Waste Their Money!!!

This past weekend was the Philadelphia 48 Hour Film Project. It's a competition between film making teams that spans the time period from Friday at 7:30 pm thru Sunday at 7:30 pm and culminates in a small film festival during the ensuing week to showcase all the films produced during the weekend.

Each team has 48 hours to write, film, edit, and score a 4-7 minute short film. Each film has the same four elements: Character, Occupation, Prop, and Line of Dialog. What differs is the genre of each team's film. For instance, this year the character's name was either Ira or Irene Livingston whose occupation was dishwasher. The prop needed to be a wrench and the line of dialog was, "You'd better double check." So every single film had those elements in common. Our genre was Holiday film. The holiday could be anything, even a made-up holiday. We chose April Fool's Day.

Our team leader was Chris Kerney, a friend from my mortgage days and an old roommate. His brother, Eric, was our director. I wanted to either work the camera or hold the boom microphone and maybe do a little editing. I would have been happy being in charge of script-continuity. But no, I didn't get any of those responsibilities. I got to do something much more horrific, especially for someone as quiet and shy as I usually am: I was cast as the lead, Ira Livingston.

Let me tell you that there is nothing more unsettling than seeing yourself on screen. Remember when you were a kid and you heard your voice on an audio tape and you sounded nothing like what you thought you sounded like and that made you uncomfortable and self-conscious, especially if you were listening to said tape in the presence of friends? Yeah, well add seeing yourself on screen and thinking that you look nothing like what you see in the mirror every day and, God, the camera really does add ten pounds, while you're speaking in a voice you don't recognize. It's weird.

I got to edit the film together which was cool. I got to do the voice-overs and the music tracks and the credits. It was an amazing experience. Unfortunately we ran out of time and couldn't add in all the aspects of the film that we wanted to. The film makes sense how it is, but we had some really funny things planned that we didn't get to include and we wanted to tighten up some of the editing.

The film screened last night at the International House in Philadelphia at 37th and Chestnut. There was a good turnout there and the audience seemed to enjoy our film a lot. I had a patron come up to me as we were exiting the building and tell me how much she liked my performance, and the film in general (hearing that was a nice little boost to the ego). But the film as presented last night was still a work in progress. We want to change up the ending and add in the things that we just couldn't get to during the initial 48 hours.

The film should be online on their website within the next few weeks. I'll post the link to it when it's available. Of course, that will be the unfinished version. Once we actually finish the film, I guess you could call it the Director's Cut, I will post the link to that as well. That version will be on YouTube so you can either go there to find it or I will just embed the video on this blog. Either way, you'll soon be able to see both versions of the film.

New York is having a 48 Hour Film Project in June. What sucks is that it's during the weekend of all of my siblings' birthdays, but I've got to do it. I'm addicted now. I already told Tiff about it and she gave me her blessing and I told Chris that I'd be available that weekend. I'm really looking forward to it. I can't wait. Anyway, I hope to have some links for you soon so you can see our film. Just don't tell me how bad I look. And don't tell me I look good, either, because I'll just assume you're trying to make me feel good.

I don't know if any of you folks out there believe in extra-terrestrials, ET's, aliens, or whatever you want to call them. Personally, I believe that there's life elsewhere in this galaxy, if for no other reason than because it's fun to imagine. And you have to admit, there have been some really cool movies made about space aliens, like Close Encounters of the Third Kind, ET: The Extra-Terrestrial, Howard the Duck, V, and Clueless.

Well, if you're a conspiracy theorist, then this site is for you: it's called Serpo.org. The website is dedicated to the "gradual release of confidential documents pertaining to a top secret exchange program of twelve US military personnel to Serpo, a planet of Zeta Reticuli, between the years 1965-78."

I've been reading some of the earliest releases numbered 1-21, which are available for download in .pdf format here, and I've got to say, it's pretty fascinating stuff.

So far I've read about the United States' first encounter with aliens at Roswell (did you know there were two crashes at Roswell?), the decision to send twelve astronauts to Serpo, and an in-depth review of the Serpan homeworld and some of its culture. I've skimmed some of the later releases (22-27a, which are found by using the blue squares at the top and bottom of the page) and there is information in there about the Russians being paid a visit by the aliens as well as President Reagan having something to do with the aliens. I need to continue reading.

Even if it does turn out to be only well-written science fiction instead of fact, it's still a pretty stimulating read and I do recommend this site to anyone even remotely interested in not only the existence of extra-terrestirals, but also the notion that we have been visited by them on numerous occasions as well.

I suppose we may never find out the truth until we are ruthlessly and violently invaded, which hopefully will never happen. Until then, live long and prosper, friends.

The Soprano State

I have always said that in the future entire political science courses would be taught regarding corruption in politics and that special attention would be paid to New Jersey and its corrupt political system. Well here is the first book that centers solely on corruption in New Jersey politics. It's called The Soprano State: New Jersey's Culture of Corruption.

Buy it, borrow it from the library, steal it, whatever you have to do to get hold of it, especially if you live in New Jersey. If you don't live in New Jersey, you will be amazed at a lot of the stuff contained in this book. Corruption in New Jersey has gotten so crazy that you can't make this stuff up! You have to read it to believe it. Personally, I can't wait to read it.

By the way, if you're wondering what you could get me as a belated birthday present, click here.

Make A Wish


In case you haven't heard, the Make A Wish Foundation is going bankrupt because of ONE. LOUSY. KID!!!

...or is it?

Child Bankrupts Make-A-Wish Foundation With Wish For Unlimited Wishes

Crazier than Joe Who's What?!?

Yesterday I was "sick as a dog." I felt "beaten like a stepchild." I called out sick, but I think my manager thought I was feeding her "a cock and bull story." I guess my lying skills aren't "up to scratch." But I don't care. I wouldn't care for "all the tea in China. "

No, I'm not going crazy, I've just been hanging out at the net's newest cool-kids hangout! Forget MySpace, Facebook or any one of a million XXX-rated websites, this one's got it where it counts: I'm not too sure exactly where it's got it, but I'm sure some folks out there will find this website enjoyable. Dig it here!

RIP Jim

This is an article from my hometown newspaper, The Daily Record. The article is about one of the kids from my graduating class in high school who died two days ago in Colorado, the victim of a snowboarding accident. Now, Jim and I weren't best friends, we weren't even very good friends. But Jim was a good kid. He was an athlete and an academic. I was about as far away from those two social circles as Rosie O'Donnell would be from a weight loss clinic, but we still knew each other and he always treated me with respect. Heck, this kid treated everyone with respect. I haven't thought of him since we graduated but having read the article, I miss the kid a lot. He was a good guy. Makes you think: Life is Short, my friends. Make the most of it and enjoy the hell out of it. Tell everyone you love that you love them because they may not be here tomorrow. Here's the article (by the way, there are quotes from Shane Force, a kid my mom used to babysit when we were little kids):

Jefferson grad dies in accident at Colo. resort

Family and friends mourn death of James McLean, 33

BY MATT MANOCHIO
DAILY RECORD
Tuesday, January 22, 2008

A 1993 Jefferson High School graduate who helped lead the Falcons wrestling team to victory and who went on to become a doctor was killed in a snowboarding accident over the weekend in Colorado.

Dr. James P. McLean, 33, of Leawood, Kan., was killed Sunday at the Breckenridge Ski Resort after a snowboarding jump went awry, according to published reports. McLean, who died of a neck fracture, was employed by the University of Kansas Hospital, where he was working as a physiatrist, a doctor specializing in sports medicine and rehabilitation. Funeral arrangements are pending.

"He was a great kid, a fine, upstanding young man," John Cinotti, Jefferson High School's vice principal, said Monday afternoon. "He always did the right thing."

Cinotti learned of McLean's death Monday morning and said he was not only an outstanding wrestler, but played linebacker for the school's football team.

"He was an excellent wrestler -- either third or fourth in the state back in 1993," said Cinotti, who was the school's football coach at the time. "He was very intelligent. He had a great head on his shoulders. He helped people. There wasn't a bad bone in his body. He was just very kind to individuals."

McLean's brother, Justin McLean, 32, of Bedminster, described his older brother as "just a very energetic, happy, positive person who just had the most positive approach to life," during a Monday phone interview. "And I think he tried to get the most out of it that he could."

McLean said his brother was always busy.

"He worked incredibly hard in academics and athletics, but he loved it," McLean said, adding that he believed his brother was only five years old when he set his sights on practicing medicine.

"The first time he wanted to be a doctor was when he had pneumonia when he was a very young kid and he was hospitalized for that," McLean said. "I know there was a doctor who made an impression on him even at that young age. Since then I remember ... he always wanted to be a doctor."

Dennis McCulloch, a spokesman for the University of Kansas Hospital, where McLean was an attending physician for the organization's rehabilitative medicine program, said McLean had been at the hospital for only eight months, but in that short time had gained the attention of the staff.

"He was going to head up an expansion of our spine program at the hospital," McCulloch said. "He had only been there since June, but the expansion of the spine program was a high-priority project for the campus. So it's quite a prominent position.

"He was very thought out, and we had high hopes for this initiative because of his leadership," McCulloch said.

McLean completed a fellowship at the Rehabilitation Institute in Chicago, McCulloch said. Both his medical schooling and residency were at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark. He was single.

Details of the accident were not available Monday, as spokesmen for law enforcement agencies and the ski resort were not available. The Kansas City Star reported that McLean was wearing a helmet, had become airborne and landed on his head. The Denver Post reported that he was provided with life support by the ski patrol and taken to Breckenridge Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. The coroner ruled the death as accidental, the Post reported.

McLean is survived by his parents, Jim and Jackie McLean, who reside in Richardson Texas. His brother, Justin McLean, was a Falcon wrestler from 1991 to 1994 and a member of two state championship teams, as well.

Justin McLean said his brother went on to compete at Rutgers University and was the captain of the wrestling team there, as well.

"He was just a great human being and a great asset to society," Cinotti said. "It's such a shame that we lose a person like that at such a young age who had so much to contribute."

Shane Force, 34, of Montville, graduated a year ahead of McLean at Jefferson and was on the wrestling team with him. He said McLean finished fourth in the state in both his junior and senior years, and was one of the leaders of the 1993 Jefferson Falcon team that ranked first in the state and country.

"He was just a really hard worker," Force said. "I think football encouraged him to lift weights a lot. He didn't have a lot of God-given talent, but he was in the weight room lifting every day. He worked very hard."

Force said another aspect of McLean's character was his giving side. McLean in the last year finished his schooling and residency and likely had a lot of student loans, Force said. That didn't prevent McLean from regularly contributing money to the Jefferson Wrestling Alumni Association to help the current wrestlers.

"Every time we had a fundraiser he was one of 20 or 25 who would donate," Force said. "That said a huge amount about him."

Force described McLean as a soft-spoken teammate who excelled using a particular wrestling hold.

"He was king of the front headlock," Force said. "He'd do it eight to 10 times a match and nobody could stop him. He was amazing at how he could catch anyone with that."

Tim Hennessey, 39, of Charlotte, N.C., was an assistant coach in Jefferson when McLean wrestled there, and agreed with Force's assessment of their friend.

"I would say Jimmy was probably ... not the most talented kid in the room, but through incredible work ethic and kind of a can-do attitude ... be brought an unparalleled work ethic into the room every day," Hennessey said Monday.

Hennessey said McLean's headlock was so masterful, he'd use it to win matches by taking down an opponent with it, letting him back up on his feet, and then taking him down again with the same fast move, thereby piling up the points and victories.

"He just got so good with this front headlock," he said. "He was in unbelievable condition. It was literally unstoppable."

Hennessey also said McLean was one of the top students in the class of 1993, and an intense listener.

"Whether it was just listening to you telling a story, or something unrelated to wrestling, he was just so focused and listened so, so well," Hennessey said.

Did Anyone See the Ninja Parade?

If you've never visited The Onion, you should go there now. If you'd rather, here's a quick description of it on Wikipedia.

Anyway, I was there the other night checking out the videos - most of which are pretty funny, by the way - but this one really had me rolling. Check it out and check out the other videos as well. Enjoy!


Ninja Parade Slips Through Town Unnoticed Once Again

Some people ought to put a little more thought into ad placement. Take this link, for example: 15 Unfortunately Placed Ads. You have to look all over the page being shown to see exactly why the ads are "unfortunately placed," but it's worth it because some of them are darn funny. Enjoy!

Man, I suck at Trivia. Check out this site. You simply try to attain the highest score possible. Just register with an email address and you're in. It's a tough game, though, because for each correct answer you receive anywhere between one and twenty-five points (most questions I got correct had point values below ten). But for every question you get incorrect, you get ten points deducted from your score. Three incorrect responses in a row ends your game. So far my scores have been -38 and -5. I hope that you fare better than I have. Good luck!