I enjoy haikus
I enjoy computers, too
Check out this website
8.8.07
6.8.07
Personally, I don't like fast food. It was great when I was a kid and each meal came with a toy, but back then I either had playtime or gym class every day at school, so working off the excess calories and fat wasn't really an issue and my parents only bought me fast food when we were out shopping all day or for a special occasion. Nowadays, however, there's simply too much at stake when it comes to eating fast food (think increased portion size, fat, sodium, sugar, etc) and I think that too many people rely on fast food to feed their families when they don't feel like cooking. Pretty sad, eh?
Have you seen the documentary Supersize Me? This is the one where the filmmaker, Morgan Spurlock, subjects himself to 30 days of nothing but McDonalds for 3 meals per day. It's sick what happens to his health. For a little insight, as if you didn't know the food was already bad for you, here are the nutritional stats for the big 3 chains in the USA: McDonalds, Burger King and Wendy's. Now you can see exactly how bad the food really is for you.
Then there's the book, Fast Food Nation, by Eric Schlosser. This book (which was also made into a movie of the same name - rent it and you will really think twice before you buy fast food again, especially after watching the last scene) delves into the history of fast food (and what a noble history it is - seriously) and the ill-effects it has had on our society as a whole from the farmers to the slaughterhouse workers to the employees at the restaurants to you, me and everyone in between. It's an excellent book and you will never look at fast food the same way again.
I don't mean that you'll stop eating it altogether - I haven't - but you'll think more about each purchase before you make it. Fast food is a fascinating industry.
However - isn't there always a "however" when you read something like this - I think I could be persuaded to try more fast food items if we had any like these from around the globe. Here is a link to McDonald's Strange Menu Around the World. This sort of makes you wonder how some of the other chains have adapted to other cultures.
Have you seen the documentary Supersize Me? This is the one where the filmmaker, Morgan Spurlock, subjects himself to 30 days of nothing but McDonalds for 3 meals per day. It's sick what happens to his health. For a little insight, as if you didn't know the food was already bad for you, here are the nutritional stats for the big 3 chains in the USA: McDonalds, Burger King and Wendy's. Now you can see exactly how bad the food really is for you.
Then there's the book, Fast Food Nation, by Eric Schlosser. This book (which was also made into a movie of the same name - rent it and you will really think twice before you buy fast food again, especially after watching the last scene) delves into the history of fast food (and what a noble history it is - seriously) and the ill-effects it has had on our society as a whole from the farmers to the slaughterhouse workers to the employees at the restaurants to you, me and everyone in between. It's an excellent book and you will never look at fast food the same way again.
I don't mean that you'll stop eating it altogether - I haven't - but you'll think more about each purchase before you make it. Fast food is a fascinating industry.
However - isn't there always a "however" when you read something like this - I think I could be persuaded to try more fast food items if we had any like these from around the globe. Here is a link to McDonald's Strange Menu Around the World. This sort of makes you wonder how some of the other chains have adapted to other cultures.
1.8.07
This is funny. This site is called Icon War. I dig the sound effects so make sure the sound is turned up on your speakers. It's nothing earth-shattering, but it's fun to watch. I think that the sound effects and the fact that most of the icons are written in Japanese make it that much funnier. Enjoy.
30.7.07
Dig this site: It's a flash animation called The People's Mario that imagines Super Mario as a Russian worker. It's really a brilliant work. And I also dig the mock Super Mario Brothers music that plays during the end credits. Enjoy!
25.7.07
Here's a cool article I found tonight. I think the chick who wrote this article deserves a Pulitzer. It's called Why Geeks and Nerds Are Worth It...
Now, I don't consider myself a Nerd, per se, because I'm not a computer programmer and I am also not very good at math and physics. I enjoy reading about math and physics, and I have tutored math in the past, but by no means are they my strong points. As a matter of fact, I scored lower on the math portion of the SAT's than I did on the English portion of the test. I took the test twice and my math score only improved by 10 points, which equates to 1 more correct answer.
I identify more readily with the Geek aspect of this article. I love comic books, video games, Dungeons and Dragons, and Science Fiction.
I grew up playing D&D - with my church youth group, of all people - and what child of the 80's didn't grow up playing hours upon hours of Nintendo? My mother thought I was insane buying comic books by the score. I argued that they were an investment in the future; the books would appreciate and I was on the ground floor to amassing future wealth (I should have put that money into mutual funds). Even though I feel slightly taken advantage of by the comic book press, I really really enjoyed reading those stories, analyzing the artwork, trading books and discussing the story lines with friends. Like I said, Total Geek. And Proud Of It.
Does this mean I'd make a better boyfriend than that "flashy guy" referenced in the beginning of the article? You'll have to ask my girlfriend. Just kidding. I'm still married.
...sigh...
:oP
Now, I don't consider myself a Nerd, per se, because I'm not a computer programmer and I am also not very good at math and physics. I enjoy reading about math and physics, and I have tutored math in the past, but by no means are they my strong points. As a matter of fact, I scored lower on the math portion of the SAT's than I did on the English portion of the test. I took the test twice and my math score only improved by 10 points, which equates to 1 more correct answer.
I identify more readily with the Geek aspect of this article. I love comic books, video games, Dungeons and Dragons, and Science Fiction.
I grew up playing D&D - with my church youth group, of all people - and what child of the 80's didn't grow up playing hours upon hours of Nintendo? My mother thought I was insane buying comic books by the score. I argued that they were an investment in the future; the books would appreciate and I was on the ground floor to amassing future wealth (I should have put that money into mutual funds). Even though I feel slightly taken advantage of by the comic book press, I really really enjoyed reading those stories, analyzing the artwork, trading books and discussing the story lines with friends. Like I said, Total Geek. And Proud Of It.
Does this mean I'd make a better boyfriend than that "flashy guy" referenced in the beginning of the article? You'll have to ask my girlfriend. Just kidding. I'm still married.
...sigh...
:oP
24.7.07
I love this page. I have always liked - but never really understood - the science behind the phenomenon of Black Holes. I still don't, but this website breaks it down to more manageable levels for us layfolk.
As a kid, one of my favorite movies was Disney's The Black Hole starring Anthony Perkins and Ernest Borgnine. The evil robot really creeped me out. The last time I saw part of The Black Hole was a few years ago at the Moorestown Pub (r.i.p.). I couldn't hear anything because the jukebox was playing, but it was good to at least see it being aired on tv. I need to get that movie on DVD.
Anyway, check out this page. It's really cool. Personally, I'd subscribe to theory 3, but I think that theory 2 is more likely (you'll have to go through the animation to find out the various theories). Anyway, enjoy!
As a kid, one of my favorite movies was Disney's The Black Hole starring Anthony Perkins and Ernest Borgnine. The evil robot really creeped me out. The last time I saw part of The Black Hole was a few years ago at the Moorestown Pub (r.i.p.). I couldn't hear anything because the jukebox was playing, but it was good to at least see it being aired on tv. I need to get that movie on DVD.
Anyway, check out this page. It's really cool. Personally, I'd subscribe to theory 3, but I think that theory 2 is more likely (you'll have to go through the animation to find out the various theories). Anyway, enjoy!
21.7.07
When I started college way back in the fall of 1993, not only was I pursuing a minor in Music (and, as such, required to be in the marching band), I was an English major. I always liked English; it was one of my strongest subjects in high school. I enjoyed grammar, especially. I ended up finishing school with a major in Radio/TV/Film, but I still, to this day, find myself correcting people's grammar. Bad grammar irritates me.
That's why I find this site particularly enjoyable. For example, on this site you will find that there are no such words as "boughten" or "reoccuring" and it's "jury-rigged" not "jerry-rigged." Come on, folks! Let's get with the good grammar!
That's why I find this site particularly enjoyable. For example, on this site you will find that there are no such words as "boughten" or "reoccuring" and it's "jury-rigged" not "jerry-rigged." Come on, folks! Let's get with the good grammar!
21.6.07
18.6.07
Here's one of my favorite websites. I posted the link to it somewhere quite a while ago, but I think it definitely bears re-posting. Check it out. It's pretty damn funny. It's called The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny.
Then, after you watch it, check out this site. which is a little funnier having watched the Ultimate Showdown. Enjoy!
Then, after you watch it, check out this site. which is a little funnier having watched the Ultimate Showdown. Enjoy!
Here is a really cool game. It's a weird take on the age-old crossword puzzle. You click on a space and then a letter. The puzzle fills in all the spaces that contain that particular letter. It's pretty easy when you get the hang of it, so check it out. The Expert level is kind of frustrating, but you'll finish it. Have fun!
11.6.07
I want the Apple iPhone. I'm not going to get the Apple iPhone, though, because I don't want to pay $599 for the 8 Gb version. I'll probably wait about a year or so till it starts to come down in price. But have you seen the TV ads? Check them out if you haven't already. This phone looks sweet!!! There's no doubt in my mind that it's probably worth $599, but I'll let all the trendy yuppie suckers buy it first at full price which will help drive down the price in about a year when my Razr is on the way out. Seriously, though, dig those tv spots!
10.6.07
I spent some time today updating the look of the page. It's more streamlined with a couple cool new features that I've either already placed on the pages or am still working on. It's a work in progress so keep checking back. You're bound to find something cool. If not, just pretend you found something cool.
9.6.07
Top 5 Books I was Forced to Read in High School
1) The Grapes of Wrath - the only book I actually read all the way through. I even read it on my own after high school.
2) The Catcher in the Rye - great story, plus it was fun to hear Mrs. Hogan say all the bad words.
3) Animal Farm - "All Bloggers are created equal, though some more equal than others."
4) Of Mice and Men - I hope Lennie got to tend his rabbits in heaven.
5) Brave New World - actually, I hated this book. I thought it was rather annoying. But I am grateful that the book was written because without it, we wouldn't have Demolition Man, starring Sylvester Stallone.
1) The Grapes of Wrath - the only book I actually read all the way through. I even read it on my own after high school.
2) The Catcher in the Rye - great story, plus it was fun to hear Mrs. Hogan say all the bad words.
3) Animal Farm - "All Bloggers are created equal, though some more equal than others."
4) Of Mice and Men - I hope Lennie got to tend his rabbits in heaven.
5) Brave New World - actually, I hated this book. I thought it was rather annoying. But I am grateful that the book was written because without it, we wouldn't have Demolition Man, starring Sylvester Stallone.
4.6.07
So let's see if I can get back on the bandwagon. It's been a long time since I've posted anything here. I'd practically given up on it. But I'm back with renewed interest. I'm trying to put my very own website together, but that's slow-going at best. Honestly, who has the time? But I promise that when I get it up and running, I will definitely post it on this site so you'll be the first to know!
Anyway, it's good to be back. I have a lot of photos to post of lil k, who's not so lil anymore. I'll post more later. Hope you're all ok!!!
Anyway, it's good to be back. I have a lot of photos to post of lil k, who's not so lil anymore. I'll post more later. Hope you're all ok!!!
2.4.05
So it's 3 am. Kenzie is sleeping on the couch. I have been trying to clean the apartment for the past 5 hours, but can't seem to motivate myself. Tiff is at our friend's house. The two of them have been cleaning the house we're buying since 8am Saturday. God bless them both. I'd have quit and gone to a buffet a long time ago.
26.3.05
Quote of the Day for 3-26-2005
"Herbivores ate well cause their food didn't never run" - Phish (Reba, from the album Lawnboy)
"Herbivores ate well cause their food didn't never run" - Phish (Reba, from the album Lawnboy)
Tiff and I are in the process of buying a house. And, though I spent many years helping other folks buy the house of their drrreams, this is the first time I've ever been looking for a mortgage. As you may know, I spent the better part of six years processing mortgages for three different companies. The job was great for the first two years. The last four, however, downright sucked. Processing mortgages is a job that a trained monkey can do (no offense to my friends still processing, or to my current processor).
I know, there are loans more complicated than the ones that I had processed, and each loan has its own nuances, but once you start doing it, at any level, or any loan type, you hit a point where you know exactly what the mortgage company needs and what the investor is looking for. Once you progress beyond this point there is no reason that you can't fully process a mortgage in under ten minutes (twelve, if you have to review tax returns).
Anyway, my point is not to get down on the job of processing a loan, my point is that, in my prime, I could process a mortgage in less time than it takes most people to brush their teeth. It was easy. I could "decision a loan" without thinking twice.
But now the tables have turned. I'm on the other end of the phone. I don't have access to the programs and the physical file. I'm not privy to the notes typed into the computer. It's tough not knowing. I think I'm beginning to understand why some of my customers acted the way that they did and said the things they did. Now, I'm not nearly as jumpy as some of the folks to whom I am referring, and I don't think I ever will be.
I do, however, think that I have gained a new appreciation for the job of the processor, and, were I to go back to the world of processing mortgages, I think I would be a more empathetic processor; one who takes more time to explain the process; one who doesn't get offended by being asked the same stupid question five times by the same stupid customer; one whose outlook views processing less as a job and more as a career; one who isn't so darn sarcastic to his customers; one who...oh, who am I kidding?
I'd do everything the same. I'd still be rotten to my customers; I'd still neglect files of customers I don't like; I'd still keep customers on hold just to see how long the light would flash before going dead. Man, I hated processing.
I know, there are loans more complicated than the ones that I had processed, and each loan has its own nuances, but once you start doing it, at any level, or any loan type, you hit a point where you know exactly what the mortgage company needs and what the investor is looking for. Once you progress beyond this point there is no reason that you can't fully process a mortgage in under ten minutes (twelve, if you have to review tax returns).
Anyway, my point is not to get down on the job of processing a loan, my point is that, in my prime, I could process a mortgage in less time than it takes most people to brush their teeth. It was easy. I could "decision a loan" without thinking twice.
But now the tables have turned. I'm on the other end of the phone. I don't have access to the programs and the physical file. I'm not privy to the notes typed into the computer. It's tough not knowing. I think I'm beginning to understand why some of my customers acted the way that they did and said the things they did. Now, I'm not nearly as jumpy as some of the folks to whom I am referring, and I don't think I ever will be.
I do, however, think that I have gained a new appreciation for the job of the processor, and, were I to go back to the world of processing mortgages, I think I would be a more empathetic processor; one who takes more time to explain the process; one who doesn't get offended by being asked the same stupid question five times by the same stupid customer; one whose outlook views processing less as a job and more as a career; one who isn't so darn sarcastic to his customers; one who...oh, who am I kidding?
I'd do everything the same. I'd still be rotten to my customers; I'd still neglect files of customers I don't like; I'd still keep customers on hold just to see how long the light would flash before going dead. Man, I hated processing.
28.5.04
Greetings from AndyLand!
I logged on today for the first time in months, as you can plainly tell, and found out that Blogger now offers image hosting! I can now post pictures on the site, which is what I have been wanting to do for a long time now. I have a lot of pictures to share, mostly of my daughter, Kenzie. Keep looking back at the various pages on my site for updates! Talk to you soon!
-andy
I logged on today for the first time in months, as you can plainly tell, and found out that Blogger now offers image hosting! I can now post pictures on the site, which is what I have been wanting to do for a long time now. I have a lot of pictures to share, mostly of my daughter, Kenzie. Keep looking back at the various pages on my site for updates! Talk to you soon!
-andy
10.10.03
Top 5 Favorite Personalities on Food TV
1) Alton Brown (Good Eats)
2) Emeril Lagasse (Emeril Live and The Essence of Emeril)
3) Mario Batali (Molto Mario and Ciao America, with Mario Batali)
4) Tyler Florence (Food 911 and Tyler's Ultimate)
5) Ming Tsai (East Meets West, with Ming Tsai)
I must mention, however, that Ming Tsai's show is no longer airing on Food TV. Ming has a new show on PBS called Simply Ming. Personally, I like this show much better than East Meets West and I've only seen Simply Ming once!
Also, I want to present some honorable mentions regarding Food TV personalities:
1) Marc Summers (Unwrapped). Most people, especially those my age, will remember him as the host of Double Dare and Family Double Dare on Nickelodeon, the greatest kids channel in the world. I would take Nickelodeon over Disney any day, hands down. Anyway, after Double Dare's run ended, I forgot Marc Summers existed. It's great to see him on tv regularly again. Double Dare was one of my favorite shows when I was a kid, and I still watch reruns of it on the Nickelodeon station, GAS (Games And Sports), whenever I happen to catch it.
2) Al Roker (Roker on the Road). I grew up watching Al on NBC out of New York City. He was the jolly weatherman who always had something witty to say. Most of the time his antics got annoying, and he is really a lot more famous than he deserves to be. It was hard for me to take him seriously back then. Oh yeah, Al was also very heavy-set. Now he's had that gastric bypass surgery and has lost a heck of a lot of weight and it's hard for me to believe that that is really him. It may sound weird, but I think that I was able to take him more seriously when he was fat.
3) The Iron Chef. This is absolutely one of my favorite shows, right next to Good Eats. I mean, watching two chefs try to make as many original dishes from the same main ingredient, each having one hour to complete the task - it's just a lot of fun to watch. But the reason I didn't list it in the Top 5 was because there are four main personalities (five, really, I suppose) in the show: "Chariman" Takeshi Kaga (a very good biography, by the way, so be sure to click the link for him), Iron Chef Chinese: Chen Kenichi, Iron Chef Japanese: Masaharu Morimoto, and Iron Chef French: Hiroyuki Sakai. I should also put in Iron Chef Italian: Masahiko Kobe. I'm not too big a fan of his, so he wouldn't have made it into my top list anyway, but I'm putting him here now just to round out the list of characters. I just didn't want to use up the entire list with all of the Iron Chef guys; that wouldn't have been fair to Ming.
1) Alton Brown (Good Eats)
2) Emeril Lagasse (Emeril Live and The Essence of Emeril)
3) Mario Batali (Molto Mario and Ciao America, with Mario Batali)
4) Tyler Florence (Food 911 and Tyler's Ultimate)
5) Ming Tsai (East Meets West, with Ming Tsai)
I must mention, however, that Ming Tsai's show is no longer airing on Food TV. Ming has a new show on PBS called Simply Ming. Personally, I like this show much better than East Meets West and I've only seen Simply Ming once!
Also, I want to present some honorable mentions regarding Food TV personalities:
1) Marc Summers (Unwrapped). Most people, especially those my age, will remember him as the host of Double Dare and Family Double Dare on Nickelodeon, the greatest kids channel in the world. I would take Nickelodeon over Disney any day, hands down. Anyway, after Double Dare's run ended, I forgot Marc Summers existed. It's great to see him on tv regularly again. Double Dare was one of my favorite shows when I was a kid, and I still watch reruns of it on the Nickelodeon station, GAS (Games And Sports), whenever I happen to catch it.
2) Al Roker (Roker on the Road). I grew up watching Al on NBC out of New York City. He was the jolly weatherman who always had something witty to say. Most of the time his antics got annoying, and he is really a lot more famous than he deserves to be. It was hard for me to take him seriously back then. Oh yeah, Al was also very heavy-set. Now he's had that gastric bypass surgery and has lost a heck of a lot of weight and it's hard for me to believe that that is really him. It may sound weird, but I think that I was able to take him more seriously when he was fat.
3) The Iron Chef. This is absolutely one of my favorite shows, right next to Good Eats. I mean, watching two chefs try to make as many original dishes from the same main ingredient, each having one hour to complete the task - it's just a lot of fun to watch. But the reason I didn't list it in the Top 5 was because there are four main personalities (five, really, I suppose) in the show: "Chariman" Takeshi Kaga (a very good biography, by the way, so be sure to click the link for him), Iron Chef Chinese: Chen Kenichi, Iron Chef Japanese: Masaharu Morimoto, and Iron Chef French: Hiroyuki Sakai. I should also put in Iron Chef Italian: Masahiko Kobe. I'm not too big a fan of his, so he wouldn't have made it into my top list anyway, but I'm putting him here now just to round out the list of characters. I just didn't want to use up the entire list with all of the Iron Chef guys; that wouldn't have been fair to Ming.
9.10.03
Howdy folks! It has been over 4 months since i've posted anything and even longer since i've posted anything good. Heck, some may say that I've never posted anything good. Well I say phooey! All my ramblings are good!
Tiff and I finally bought our own computer. Right now we are using a dial-up connection to AOL, which sucks, but we are waiting ever so patiently to be set up with a DSL line through Verizon, who certianly seems to be taking their sweet-ass time about it! Oh well. We'll be hooked up to a broadband line soon enough. I can't wait for that to happen.
Anyway, there have been a few changes since the last time I posted anything serious. A lot has happened to keep me busy, first and foremost my lack of a computer at home. But chief among the things that have changed is (in no particular order):
1) I started a new job. The job is fantastic. I still hate it because it's in the mortgage industry, but it's much better than both Cendant and Toll Brothers. The pay is nice, but the way that they pay us is what kind of sucks. Anyway, moving on,
2) Tiff and I moved into a small one bedroom apartment in the same town, Maple Shade, NJ. It's roomy enough for now, but I can't wait to buy a house. Our friends are supposed to be selling us their house when they move out. They are targeting a year from this coming March, I think, so we have plenty of time to save up for it.
3) We had our baby. Kenzie Paige Kovacs was born at 7:55 am on Friday, February 21, 2003. She weighed in at 8 pounds, 6 ounces and was 20.25 inches long. For more details, please see the Adventures of a First-Time Dad page.
Other than those few items, not much has been happening. I am looking into upgrading this site so that I can add pictures of our happy little three-person-one-bedroom-apartment-sharing family. We have had Kenzie's picture taken each month on (or about) her birthday, so if (when) I get that site up and running, you will be able to see her progression as she ages. I may be in a few of those pictures, and if so, you will also be able to see the progression of my hair as it turns from a lovely, deep black color to and ashen white. It's really quite neat.
I'd better get off this now. I want to post a little something on the Adventures page. I'll post more stuff on a more regular basis now that I have this lovely little computer. Take care, everyone!!!
-andy
Tiff and I finally bought our own computer. Right now we are using a dial-up connection to AOL, which sucks, but we are waiting ever so patiently to be set up with a DSL line through Verizon, who certianly seems to be taking their sweet-ass time about it! Oh well. We'll be hooked up to a broadband line soon enough. I can't wait for that to happen.
Anyway, there have been a few changes since the last time I posted anything serious. A lot has happened to keep me busy, first and foremost my lack of a computer at home. But chief among the things that have changed is (in no particular order):
1) I started a new job. The job is fantastic. I still hate it because it's in the mortgage industry, but it's much better than both Cendant and Toll Brothers. The pay is nice, but the way that they pay us is what kind of sucks. Anyway, moving on,
2) Tiff and I moved into a small one bedroom apartment in the same town, Maple Shade, NJ. It's roomy enough for now, but I can't wait to buy a house. Our friends are supposed to be selling us their house when they move out. They are targeting a year from this coming March, I think, so we have plenty of time to save up for it.
3) We had our baby. Kenzie Paige Kovacs was born at 7:55 am on Friday, February 21, 2003. She weighed in at 8 pounds, 6 ounces and was 20.25 inches long. For more details, please see the Adventures of a First-Time Dad page.
Other than those few items, not much has been happening. I am looking into upgrading this site so that I can add pictures of our happy little three-person-one-bedroom-apartment-sharing family. We have had Kenzie's picture taken each month on (or about) her birthday, so if (when) I get that site up and running, you will be able to see her progression as she ages. I may be in a few of those pictures, and if so, you will also be able to see the progression of my hair as it turns from a lovely, deep black color to and ashen white. It's really quite neat.
I'd better get off this now. I want to post a little something on the Adventures page. I'll post more stuff on a more regular basis now that I have this lovely little computer. Take care, everyone!!!
-andy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
