Congratulations

A big congratulations to Cochran for winning this seasons Survivor.  He played a brilliant game and deserved to win

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013/05/12/survivor-superfan-nerd-cochran-wins-1m-prize/

Really enjoyed this season and thought it was one of the best in a while.

Also enjoyed watching the Ponderosa Web Videos.  Gives you a nice insight of the jury players once they are voted off.

Had a great night watching the finale and reunion show with my wife and daughter.   My daughter (shes 12) is becoming a super fan like me (I still remember watching one of the last episodes of Season 1 in the Hospital when she was born).  I have never missed an episode, and don’t plan on missing one going forward (except when I am actually on the island).

Will be submitting my next audition video soon (along with one for the Amazing Race)

Time to get back to work, but will write some more soon

Andy

PS – Glad to see that Boston will be playing at the Boston Strong Concert in MA on May 30th.  Looks like a nice lineup and hopefully they can raise a bunch of money.

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Another week gone by

Its Friday again and I’m looking forward to a fun and relaxing weekend.  Weather looks good so should be able to get some lawn work done, and hopefully go for a nice long walk

Not a good week for the MLB and its Umpires.   1st was a blown call on a home run.  While I don’t want to hear excuses about the monitors being to small, or not true HD, this looks really bad for MLB in general.  With all the technology today – hell they have big screen TVs at Fast Food Restaurants and places like Quick Check, for MLB to have old small 19″ TV’s from Sharp (who was the official TV provider for MLB when replay was introduced in 2007) in use for relay is a disgrace .

http://deadspin.com/mlbs-crappy-replay-tech-its-a-miracle-umps-ever-get-499041275

I find it hard to believe that when these new stadiums have been built the last few years that they installed this type of system.   If the Yankees when they built their new stadium with all the new technology, (including players having ipods in each locker),  actually installed a 5 year old crappy sharp Aquos TV in a hallway for the replay officials because of some directive from MLB to keep sharp happy, then the people who run baseball are a bunch of idiots.      Now I know that Progressive Field  (where the Indians Play) was built in 1992 – 1994.  Maybe they still have an old Sharp Aquos TV.   Maybe the signal was bad, and the hallway lighting was bad.  Still it wasn’t to hard to see the ball hit above the wall for a HR.

The 2nd mistake might have been a bit worse.   With two on, two outs and the Angels trailing, 5-3, in the top of the seventh, Astros manager Bo Porter subbed right-hander Paul Clemens with lefty Wesley Wright, with left-handed hitter J.B. Shuck due to bat.  After Wright threw his warm-up pitches and Porter saw the right-handed-hitting Luis Jimenez on deck to pinch-hit, Porter made another pitching change, going to righty Ambriz before Wright faced a hitter, which isn’t allowed unless there’s an injury. At that point, a furious Scioscia informed the umpires that the Angels would play the rest of the game under protest.  “I think the rule’s pretty clear,” Scioscia said.  Porter had a different understanding.  “Technically, Wesley came in to pitch the batter that was scheduled to hit, but he pinch-hit for the batter that was scheduled to hit — which, from my understanding of the rule, you can bring in another pitcher to face the pinch-hitter,” said Porter.

How is Bo Porter a major league manager if he doesn’t understand one of the most basic and simplest  rules.

Enough of my ranting and on to some good stuff

The Mets had there second walk of win of the week.   I really have no idea about this team.  Are the good (no) but are they bad (n0).   Hopefully they stick close enough to make the games have some meaning for the summer.  And I have to give David Write some credit after ripping on him last week.   He hit a huge HR against the Braves and has played some great ball the past week.   Good for him

This Sunday is the season finally of Survivor.  I always love the 2 hours finally and 1 hour reunion show.   3 great hours of TV .    I’m rooting for Cochran to take the title of Sole Survivor.

As far as Brenda, let this be a lesson for those reality show players with a choice of either taking something for yourself or giving something to everybody else.   Always play for yourself first.   You may feel bad, but players seem to respect it more.   To many times players have given up rewards or advantages thinking that it will make them look better.  In fact it makes them look weak, and they usually pay the price.  The best ever was Mike Boogie from Big Brother.  He took whatever he was given (Money, Trips, Food) and never looked back.   A few people were mad at him for a few minutes but  then were right back playing the game

Will be back next week with some thoughts on Movies, Books, and Music and what ever else I think of on my way to work.  Hope everybody has a great week

AA

 

 

 

 

 

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A little late

Its Friday here on the East Coast and here are some thought and ideas for the upcoming weekend

Another addition of The Amazing Race comes to to an end this Sunday on CBS.   Its been a very enjoyable season.   Still love seeing all the different places the team get to experience on their trip around the world.   Did make me feel a bit old at times when team had trouble remembering things that happened “as far back as JFK and Ronald Regan” while in Germany.  I guess I’m rooting for the 2 hockey guys to win

Another great episode of Survivor.   Half the fun is texting with my buddy after the show as to how stupid the contestants are to not realize things.   When I’m a contestant and have an idol, I’m playing it the following tribal counsel no matter what.   Don’t know if I could every live down having an idol and not using it.  Play the game day to day as you never know what can happen.    Routing for John Cochran to take home the prize.

Will be heading out to Allentown, PA this Sunday for the spring Philly Non-Sport Card show ( http://phillynon-sportscardshow.com/).  Always look forward to attending the Philly Show to see some friends and pick up the free promos given out.  Hopefully will also find a box of something to take home.  Should be a lot of fun

Stayed up way to late the other night watching the Mets lose a heart breaker in Miami.  They are not a good team this year, but am getting annoyed at there effort.   Gotta at least try.  Might be time for Terry Collins to go.  The team is not getting his message.  And truthfully, what has he done the 2 plus years here.  He has talked a good game, but the team continue to under achieve (I hate excuses, and feel he accepts way to many).    And it may be time to realize that David Write (while a good player  does not make those around him better and is really not a championship player to build a team around.   Don’t know if I would go so far as trade him, but he needs to feel a little pressure on him instead of all the praise he gets for a few kind of good years

Have some feeler out to a friend about All-Star Game Tickets at Citi Field this summer.   Went to the All-Star Game in Minnesota in the 80’s with my dad and its still one of my favorite memories.  Back then it was just the game (no home run contest or 5 day Fan Fest event).

Movie season kicks off with Iron Man 3  (Set my DVR for Iron Man as I haven’t seen any of them).  For whatever reason, never got into all the Super Hero Movies.

Loved seeing  Ralph Macchio and William Zabka on last weeks HOMYM.

Only 2 more episodes of 90210 left.   Was a fan of the original  and really enjoyed the new one on the CW.  A very  underrated show and I wish all involved the best going forward.  Much better than a bunch of the junk out there

Also only 2 episodes of Touch  remain (don’t think its coming back next season, so will have to see how things wrap up).  Tim Kring makes some interesting shows (He also did Heros).   Can get a little of track at times, but gives you some great episodes that make it worth the watch.

Hopefully will get back on track next week

AA

PS – Pro Basket Ball is the dumbest sport out there.  How anybody can watch it and actually enjoy it is beyond me.  But hey, to each his own

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Short but Sweet

As promised, I will write at least every Thursday.

Good week of episodes of Survivor and The Amazing Race (although, like my dad, I am not a big fan of the Non-Elimination weeks).    Someday Average Andy will be on one of these shows instead of writing about them (and will probably love the Non-Elimination week)

Good win for the Mets last night with a Walk of Grand Slam (although the the score was tied, so s single would have been as good as a HR).   Debated with a buddy as to if Collins should have left Harvey in the game (let  him bat with 1st and 3rd in the bottom of the 6th).  I say let him hit, more just to keep him pitching in the game.   Not like they were getting blown out at the time (down by only 2 in the 6th).  I think showing some confidence in Harvey would be worth more than worrying about what the book says for a mediocre team this early in the season.

Saw “The Place Behind the Pines” last weekend and really enjoyed it.  Kind of interesting how I seem to enjoy the story based movies much more than the big Action Blockbusters.  I will be going to see Star Trek, and probably a few other of the summers big movies, but will keep my eye open for the smaller independent types as well

Hope to write more

Cool Beans

PS – Saw that the new Boston and new Fish albums will be coming out soon.  Looking forward to both and will have some reviews once they are released

http://www.bandboston.com/flashsite7_6_12.html

http://fish-thecompany.com/

Posted in Amazing Race, Boston, Everyday, Fish, Music, NY Mets, Reality Shows, Sports, Survivor | Leave a comment

As promised

Its Thursday, and as I mentioned last week, I will try to write on my blog at least every Thursday.

It was a crazy (and scary week).   As for the bombings at the Boston Marathon, all I have to say is I wonder what goes through somebody’s head as they are planning something like this.   When they wake up in the morning, are they thinking that today I will do something that the whole world will remember me for, or do they have no thoughts at all.

On a sadder note, just saw there was an explosion at a fertilizer plant in Texas with at least 5 dead and 180 injured.   I say sadder not only because of the loss of life and injuries, but that this will be a 5 minute story compared to the endless days about the Boston Marathon.  I wonder if the president will have a press conference and give his condolences to the people who have suffered.   This town in Texas will suffer just as much as Boston, (if not more, and we shouldn’t forget that).   Just because it wasn’t some sort of attack doesn’t diminish the horror and pain the families must be going through.

To lighten things up a bit, it was another stellar episode of   Survivor last night.   The tribal councils have really been crazy this season.    Was debating with a friend if Malcom should have gambled and not played his idol (and through Eddie under the bus).   Would you rather be down 2 – 7 but with and idol, or 3 – 6 but without one.   Its a great debate.  I guess w will have to watch to see how things play out

Crazy week for the Mets.    Playing in the rain and snow if both Minnesota and Colorado.   I ma still pissed they blew the 2nd game of the DH against the Rockies.   I know the Mets are not supposed to be a great team this year, but you still cant loose that game.   I hate when they make excuses such as “well, what did you expect, were told you we were not going to be good”, or “It was hard to grip the ball in this weather”.    Just shut up and play.  And if you can’t handle the adversity, then you shouldn’t be on the team making millions of dollars.

“The Following” and “Revolution” are both awful shows that I somehow got suckered into watching.   Why oh why cant somebody take some of these very interesting stories and put together a intelligent show around them instead of making everybody (good guys, police, ..) all act like the dumbest people on the planet.  Is is supposed to make the viewer think better about themselves since everybody on these shows is so stupid.

Time to make the donuts (or in my case get back to work)

Andy

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April Showers bring May Flowers

Getting some much needed rain (and not snow) here on the east coast.   Its finally starting to feel like spring.

Things are good

The Mets are off to a decent start.   They are playing .500 ball which is all you can ask for this early in the season.   Need to take some time to get a feel of  this years team.   They have some decent young pitching to go along with an offence that should be able to score some runs (As long as Ike Davis snaps out of another awful start)

All and All, just glad Baseball is back

The last few weeks of Survivor have been as good as it gets.   A great blind side of Corrine, and then a crazy vote to get ring of Michael, while flushing out 1 idol.    Should get real interesting as there is no really solid group of 3 who can just wait it out to the end.

Been busy at the new job, but hopefully will be able to find some time to write more.    Maybe I should set up some sort of schedule where I write to you for 15 minutes every Thursday morning  (They say its very therapeutic to write a blog)

Going to enjoy the Masters this weekend (Would love for an old timer to somehow make a run – Does Craig Stadler have a miracle somewhere in his bag.

Keep smiling

AA

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Alive and Well

Hello to all

Average Andy is still alive and doing well.  Much has changed over the past few months, but now its time to start writing again

First up, I have a new job.  I am now employed as a Data Protection Engineer (Symantec NetBackup) for NBCUniversal.  Been here for a little over a month and really enjoying it.  Its different from my last position in that there is more freedom to get things done.  Also lots of opportunity to learn new and exciting things.

Now for a little run down of things on my mind;

Wednesday is Survivor night (Yes, still enjoy watching every week).   This season has been OK. (Not a big fan of bringing back previous players so soon, and I really never need to see a another Hantz on Survivor or any other show).  Now that the tribes have merged it should get more interesting to see how all the alliances play out.   Also been watching the Amazing Race.  Still one of the best shows on, with the added bonus of seeing and learning about places around the world.  Makes you realize just how small the US is.

I am getting annoyed (or simply tired) of shows such as “The Following” where they make you bend belief so far that I becomes impossible to watch.   When the police and FBI are portrayed as the dumbest people on the planet, it just kind  of ruins things.  Add to that that every person they introduce is bad, and you get yourself non watchable TV

Turning to the world of sports.   Lehigh Basketball had a great season considering we lost our star player to injury for the last 1/2 season.  Were not able to make it back to the NCAAs but the team should hold their heads up high.

Looking forward to Baseball starting this weekend.  Lets see if the Mets can get off to a nice start this hear to give me a few months of believing.   You never know which team is going to surprise everybody, so why not the Mets.

Will be back soon with thoughts on some of the Summer Movies, as well as other random thoughts.

Until then,

Stay Gold 

 

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First post of 2013

Hope everybody’s new year is off to a good start.    Mine is a little slow as Average Andy is still unemployed and looking for work.  There are opportunities out there, and hopefully I’ll land something soon.

One thing that has been keeping me optimistic is the following blog (http://www.entresting.com/blog/).   The author Jia Jiang is doing rejection therapy and documenting himself along the way.   It is really motivating to watch him see out rejections.   What I find most amazing is that most people are willing to help him instead of reject him.  Check out his journey if you get a chance.

With the NY Football Giants missing out on the NFL play-offs this year, I find myself not caring who wins or looses.  Sure I watch some, but not as much as when its the Giants, or seeing who will be playing the following week.  On the positive side, with the 2014 Super Bowl being played at Met Life Stadium, it was unrealistic to think the Giants would win back to back to back Super Bowls.  So they took this year off and will be back next year to become the 1st team to play a Superbowl in their home stadium.

Only a few more weeks until Pitches and Catchers start reporting for spring training.   Don’t know what to expect from the Mets this year.   Hopefully they can get off to a decent start since the 2013 All -Star Game is being played at Citi Field.   Would be nice to have the team still relevent at the time of the game.

Lehigh Basketball took a major blow when our star player C. J. McCollum broke his foot against VCU right before the Patriot League season started.   He will be out 8 weeks or so.  Hopefully the team can stay in the hunt for the League Title (It was going to be a 2 team race between Lehigh and Bucknell).  Would be a shame if Lehigh were unable to return to the NCAA Tournament after last years victory over Duke.

Survivor returns in February with another Fans vs. Favorites season.  Dont like to follow too much before the season airs, but I did see the list of Favorites who will be returning.   Dont want to spoil things here, so all I will say is there are a few I think deserve to return, but some I don’t even remember, and some would not make my list.  As a life long fan who still dreams of making it onto the show one day, it does get a little frustrating that so many players are now getting 2nd and 3rd chances, while fans like me are wondering what it takes just to get past the video submission.

Kind of like looking for a job.  In this day and age, everything seems to resolve around networking (who you know, and how well you interact with people, and how well you can sell your self).   These are not my greatest skills, so I am working on them to make my self better.   (Writing this blog helps, as well as watching things like the blog I mentioned above).

Time to make a few calls, and respond to a few e-mails

Warm Beans

Average Andy

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

The last few months have been tough for Average Andy.   I was let go from my job of 12+ years due to a reorganization / restructuring.   I enjoyed working there and wish all my friends still there the best of luck.   But we all must move on, so now its now on to bigger and better things.   As an IT professional there are many opportunities out there, and eventually AverageAndy will land back on his feet.

In the meantime, I still managed to watch both the Amazing Race and Survivor and really enjoyed both shows this season.  Was extremely happy that the Goat Farmers won the Amazing Race.   Was rooting for them as well as James and Jaymes, so it was a satisfying ending.   As for Survivor, I wasn’t a big Denise fan.  Would have preferred to see Lisa (I am old enough to remember her on Facts of Life) or Skupin (Still remember when he fell in the fire in Survivor Australia) win.    Have to admit I was a little sad when the vote was revealed.

Submitted my video again for Survivor a few weeks back.  I will continue to submit them with the hope of eventually getting a call.   I see that the next season will be another Fan vs. Favorites.  While I enjoy seeing returning players, it still makes me a little upset that there a people who get to play Survivor 2, 3, or 4 times while there are people like me who would give anything for the chance to play just once.  But I will continue to keep watching and applying.

Along a different, but related line, I have seen a few episodes of the Jeff Probst show and have to admit I really enjoy Jeff as a host.  He comes across as a very genuine and caring person, and I wish him and the show well.

I really enjoyed the show when Mark Cuban was a guest.   I think Mark is an extremely smart and interesting guy and would love a few minutes to simply pick his brain on thought about things from Sports to business to the world in general.    I also enjoyed the recent episode with Jia Jiang.  He started a blog to try and get 100 rejections from all types of people; (http://www.entresting.com/blog/).  Everybody who ever had a fear of rejection, or want to see that most people are willing to say yes and help instead of saying no should check it out.   It has been a shot in the arm for me as I look for my next job

In the world of sports, the NY Giants are again making things difficult.  Don’t know which team will show up each week.  Hopefully the good Giants show up this week against Baltimore so week 17 will mean something.   Lehigh Basketball is off to another good start.  It’s going to come down to Lehigh or Bucknell again for the Patriot League automatic berth.

As far as music, I am really enjoying the annual Marillion Christmas CD (Big thanks to the band for showing their appreciation to the fans every year).  I also listened to some Dave Brubeck last week.  I was never a big fan of Jazz, but have to admit it makes some nice background music while cooking dinner or relaxing by the fire.

In closing, if anybody out there is looking for a  knowledgeable and motivated IT professional with a passion for sports and music, I’m right here (NJ NY area).  I also recently talked to somebody who said they were going to work at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.  Sounded great and would love that opportunity if anybody is working or knows of any possible openings.

Want to wish everybody wonderful Holiday and a safe and healthy New Year and I promise to write more in 2013

Stay Gold

Warm Beans

Average Andy

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AverageAndy gets the new Marillion CD

AverageAndy finaly receives the new Marillion CD “Sounds that Can’t Be Made” Deluxe addition – 2012

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