Hard to believe how fast the Summer is going

Posted on August 8, 2014 by AverageAndy

Cant believe we are already in August. Looked up and the summer is almost over. I
have been busy and haven’t had as much free time to enjoy the summer as I would have liked, but should have made time to do more

I have seen a few movies (Planet of the Apes was the worst movie I have seen, but in a strange way I actually liked it). Also saw LUCY which I really enjoyed. Stranger then I though it would be, and the ending was a little silly, but the 1st half was very interesting and entertaining

I did have a great weekend with my sister and her family who visited from Virginia. We spent one day taking a tour and walking around Lehigh University (We are both graduates, and have kids nearing college – Where has the time gone). We then headed into New York City where we took a double-decker bus tour of lower Manhattan. Got to see the Naked Cowboy in times Square, the Freedom Tower (and the World Trade Center Memorial), take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry (great views of the Statue of Liberty, and the Financial Distract). We tried to climb the giant stairs in Times Square (Where The Amazing Race started this upcoming season), but there was some sore of photo shoot going on, and it was mobbed. Finally we tried to take the kids to dinner at the hard Rock Cafe, but was over an hour wait. My brother-in-law saved the day by suggesting we head to Maplewood, NJ (Where Average Andy and his sister grew up) and take a short tour and then head to town and grab some pizza at the Roman Gourmet (still there and still some of the best pizza in the state).

As for other things, still enjoying Big Brother. every season the show hooks me in. Just the right mix of fun / stupidity / reality TV.

I just got caught up with “The Leftovers” on HBO. I am actually really enjoying the show (even though not much is happening). They have created a weird and interesting show about people and how they would react.

Find myself strangely liking “The Last Ship” on TNT. Though about this, and it is basically Star Trek on a boat in 2014. Really like the captain, the 1st officer, and the doctor, (Kirk / Spock / McCoy) but not sure if the rest of the cast is interesting enough (like Sulu / Uhura / Chekov). Will continue to watch for now as it has kept me interested enough

Will write a review of the latest book I am reading (Promise of a Pencil). Very interesting and a good read. Head about it when listening to the The James Altucher Show podcast. Great listen (both daily and weekly). James has a really interesting perspective on the world. Highly recommend you take a listen

I have updated my favorites tab with links to this an other Pod Casts / Sites / Videos that I and listening / watching and hope you check some of them out

Finally, been brainstorming the past week or so on ideas for my audition videos for both “Survivor” and “The Amazing Race” and hope to get them done and submitted. May need to wait for some upcoming events like the nest Non-Sport Update Card show to capture some video of my doing things I enjoy to really show case myself.

That’s if for now. Hope everybody is happy and healthy and will talk soon

Andy

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Give credit where credit is due

Posted on July 15, 2014 by AverageAndy

Just a quick post to give the NY Mets some credit by sweeping the Miami Marlins over the weekend.   Things were set up for them to loos the 3 games like that have the past  few years to start a spiral downward after the All-Star break.   But they showed some heart and soul (- including a Huey Lewis and the News concert) and maybe they will make me at least have to watch some games in August / September.

Also – 29 Years ago, my Dad was able so score some tickets to the Baseball All-Star Game at the old Metrodome in Minnesota.   We flew out for the game and it is still one of my fondest memories.  Thanks Dad

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Friday in July

Posted on July 11, 2014 by AverageAndy

Hope everybody is enjoying the summer.

Not much on my mind today.   Getting ready to head down to Delaware for a few days.  Will be good to get a way and refresh my batteries.

Will give you a quick 1 liner for some things

TV – Big Brother – Still enjoy watching every summer

Sports – NY Mets – Continue to tease – Watch them loose 2 of 3 to the Marlins this weekend and the spiral again after the All-Star Break

Movies – Enjoyed “Edge of Tomorrow”,  will be going to see “Dawn Of The Planet of the Apes” – Hope its OK (didn’t really like the last one)

Books – Almost done with “Poseidon’s Arrow” – Another great Dirk Pitt adventure

Music – Enjoyed seeing Boston a few weeks  back.  Always put on a great show – Felt sad for Cheap Trick, seemed a bit  demeaning to be an opening band

Going to try and start taking some more pictures.    Might have to but a full subscription to Drop Box, or come up with someway else to save all the pictures on my i-phone.   Getting tired of having to delete pictures / videos / music every few days since I am low on space

Have watched some of the World Cup matches – not the biggest soccer fan, but do enjoy the games and find them entertaining.    Hope to catch some of the final game on Sunday if I get home in time.

See that there will be open auditions for “Survivor” and “The Amazing Race” in Atlantic City in a few weeks.    Have plans so cant make it for Survivor  (plans can always change).   May need to make the trip for the Amazing Race.   Will let you know how things work out.  See there are some preview videos for the upcoming season.   As I have mentioned previously, I try to avoid all the on-line chatter as I want to be surprised as I watch the show.   This goes for movies and books as well.    I know this is the world we live in, but sometimes it get really annoying.   Everybody wants to be 1st to tell you something and don’t really  care if   they ruin your enjoyment.

One last thing – Wouldn’t it be great if some of these NBA owners grew some balls and said to LaBron and Carmello and others – “Here is our offer – Take it now of take a hike”  and then mean it.    Would be refreshing for a team to get a bunch of players who want to play for a team because they enjoy the city / area and not just who ever gives them the most money.   Never going to happen, partially because sports teams (and most fans) have to much of a entertainment 1st, winning doesn’t really matter attitude.   Get the big stars, get on ESPN, get on talk radio, get on AvergeAndy.com and nothing else matters.   Will be real interesting to see how this generation remembers these players 20 years from now?   Will it be “He was one of the greatest (never won anything, but who cares)”, or will it be “What a waste of talent (and time and money)”

Enjoy life, and keep on smiling

Andy

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Quick Update – More to come

Posted on July 8, 2014 by AverageAndy

Just a quick Hello and to let everybody know that Average Andy is alive and well.  Been a busy few weeks; having  a fun summer and enjoying the weather here in New Jersey.

Plan on writing a update on Thursday or Friday when I have some free time

Hope everybody is doing well

Leave you with something that made me laugh, just because its funny.

Dumb and Dumber to

Dumb and Dumber to

Andy

 

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Friday Afternoon

Posted on June 6, 2014 by AverageAndy

Writing at the end of another week.   Weather has been awesome, and suppose to be nice throughout the weekend.   Hopefully will be able to get some house work / lawn work done.  Also will be watching the Belmont Stakes on Saturday and rooting for California Chrome to win the race and the Triple Crown

Still kicking myself for not making it to Times Square in NYC last week for the live start of “The Amazing Race”.   Phil Keoghan set the teams off on the race at 3:00 AM EST.   Would have been a long night, but should have sucked it up and went.  Did follow along with the twitter feed (https://twitter.com/hashtag/TAR25).   People posted some cool pictures and videos.    Next time they do something like this I promise to be there.

Don’t know why I care so much, but am really pissed at the Met’s loosing 3 games in row to the Cubs.  The Met’s continue to tease everybody into thinking they are a contending team.  I am now longer fooled.   I say  (and have said before) that they should trade David Wright.   He does nothing to make the team better.   Trading him will give the team an new feel and new direction that is sorely needed.   And if you have no intention of keeping Terry Collins next year, let him go now.   I have read that it does nobody any good to keep somebody in a position if you really don’t want them.

Still working on my next Survivor audition video.   Going to try something a little different this time.  Feeling good this time – Everybody wish me luck.   I try to avoid all social media relating to both “Survivor” and “The Amazing Race” as far as spoilers and behind the scenes stuff.   In the past when I have seen stuff as far as who gets voted off, or who is in the final 3, it really ruins the whole viewing experience.  So makes things hard as I want to feel connected to the shows, and keep up with the world of social media, but don’t want the experience and surprise ruined.

Completed “Let the Devil Sleep” by John Verdon (http://www.johnverdon.net/pages/index.php) and really enjoyed it.   Looking forward to the next book in the Dave Gurney series – “Peter Pan must Die” which will be released in July.

My next book is the latest Dirk Pitt Adventure “Possidon’s Arrow”   Have read all of Clive Cussler’s Dirk Pitt novels, and enjoyed them all.   Each new book feels like reconnecting with old friends.   Still have a few other books I want to read.  Hopefully will be able to find some time this summer to simply sit back, relax and read.

Hoping to see the new Tom Cruise movie “Edge of Tomorrow” in the next week – Hopefully in IMAX 3D.   Will give you a review as soon as I can.   In other movie news, I am in the same boat with the new Star Wars movie as mentioned above with regards to social media.  Want to keep up on all that’s going on with the making of the 1st new Star Wars movie in years (I am a huge fan of the original trilogy, as are most mid age men) and want to keep up with the making of the new movie.  But I want to be surprised when it is release next year and not already know every thing about the story.   I do like J.J. Abrams work (was a big fan of Alias;  not such a big fan of the Star Trek Movies).  I will give him the benefit of the doubt and hope that he understands the feel of the original Star Wars trilogy, and doesn’t try to put a crazy new spin on things).  Sometimes old is better and there is now real reason to change an already great group of characters / story.

Finally,  had to purchase a limited addition 25th anniversary set of  “Major League” trading cards from TOPPS (http://www.topps.com/major-league-25th-anniversary-wax-pack.html). Still one of the all time best Baseball movies.  TOPPS has also released autograph cards for these, but the price range is out of my league for now.   Between this and the autograph Bad News Bears Cards that Panini put out last year, there are some nice cards that I would like to own one day (Will defiantly be mine once I win the title of sole survivor and the million dollar prize)

Well – that’s it for today.   Will write soon

Enjoy life and family and friends

Average Andy

 

 

 

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Have a great Memorial Day Holiday

Posted on May 23, 2014 by AverageAndy

Hard to believe its memorial day and the ‘official’ start of summer.   Still doesn’t feel that way after the crazy winter we had hear in the north east.   Hopefully the weather finally stays warm for weeks on end.

Was very happy with Dave and Conner winning “The Amazing Race” this season.  While I’m not the biggest fan of All-Star seasons, this one was quite enjoyable.    Always fun to see where team go, and get a different perspective of places and countries than what you normally see in the news.   Already looking forward to next season (CBS has moved “The Amazing Race” to Fridays.   I guess its good since it will no longer be delayed by Football.   Still It was a very enjoyable way to end the week.  I have my DVR set, so maybe I will  just wait until Sunday to watch it anyway.

Don’t want to spent much time on the whole Donald Sterling issue other to say that I really respect Mark Cuban and his opinions.  I have followed him for a long time, and actually had him as a person I would like to be stranded on a deserted island with on one of my Survivor applications (back when when you had to fill out a actual form and sent it in with a CD of your video).

Went back to my 25th College Reunion (Lehigh) last weekend and had a good time hanging out with friends I haven’t seen in a while.    While not everybody attended or enjoyed the college experience, if you did, I would recommend you go back to a reunion if you have the chance.

Also met some fellow co-workers for dinner last night.  Again it was great to see some old friends and catch up on each others lives.

Will try to take some pictures this holiday weekend and will post them next week.  Also hoping to finish the latest book I am reading an will post a review next week as well.

Until then,  enjoy life, reach out to old friends, and be well

Andy

 

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Another great season of Survivor

Posted on May 22, 2014 by AverageAndy

Congratulations to Tony Vlachos for winning this season of Survivor  (And props for him being from the great state of New Jersey)

http://www.people.com/article/survivor-cagayan-finale-winner-2014

I really enjoyed this season.  Was the 1st season in a while where most of the contestants were average people with a passion for the game.  They really wanted to be there and to win the 1 Million Dollars (In the past there have been a bunch of contestants who seem more interested in being on TV, or trying to advance a career).   Was very refreshing to see somebody like Sara actually break down and cry when she was voted off.    And loved how Spencer basically said it was a disappointment not getting to the finals.

Not sure how I would feel getting voted off before the final, (or similarly not making it to the final leg of the Amazing Race).   Would I be happy for the opportunity,  or bitter for not completing my dream.   Hopefully I will have the opportunity one day to see.  Working on my next audition video and will submit it soon for consideration.

I actually enjoyed the way CBS  handled the live finally this time, with Jeff Probst giving some live behind the scene shots during the 2 hour finally.   As for the show, like the final 2 instead of the final 3.  Gives the players some extra strategy decisions.

I am hoping they bring back the walk of remembrance in future episodes.   Like the reflection the finalist give to past players.  Also gives me a chance to remember some of the players a little better then simply seeing them at the reunion

All and all, another fine job by CBS, Jeff Probst, Mark Burnett, and all involve in making Survivor the king of all reality shows

Now to the NY Mets.  What a tough team to read.  They get good starting pitching, and look good for a few days, but in reality they are not a good team.  They are one of the worst hitting teams of all time.   An it seems that when ever somebody does hit, dopey Terry Collins sits him to get players like Bobby Abreau or Wilmur Flores some at bats.  Stop already.   Put your best players out there and let them play.  As far as the outfield, I know they paid Chris Young a bunch, and promised him at bats, but he is the odd man out and needs to be treated that way.  Play Eric Young Jr, Jaun Lagares and Curtis Granderson every day and see what happens.

Will write more tomorrow as we get ready for Memorial Day and the start of summer

Andy

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Back from Vacation

Posted on May 2, 2014 by AverageAndy

Had a great week in Hilton Head Island.  It was nice to just get a way for a bit.  Weather was good so was able to run a 5K, bike along the beach, and swim in the pools.  Also took a day trip to South Beach and climbed the lighthouse.

Harbor Town Lighthouse

Harbor Town Lighthouse

While in South Beach, saw these parrots who have been there for as long as I can remember.

South Beach Parrots

South Beach Parrots

Also saw these Stan Smith Sneakers (A favorite of Average Andy) that were actually autographed by Stan Smith

Autograph Stan Smiths

Autograph Stan Smiths

But now I’m back in NJ and back at work

I tried reading “The GoldFinch” but could not get into it (one of the few books where it just did not make any sense).  Gave up after the 1st few chapters, and switched to “The The Devil Sleep”, the 3rd Dave Gurney book by John Verdon.  Really enjoyed the 1st 2 and this one is just a s good.  Hope to finish it soon

The Met’s are playing some good ball to start the season.   Hopefully they can stick around for a while as not team (other than the Milwaukee Brewers) are trying to run away and hide.   Terry Collins still drives me crazy with his wishy washy comments – Wish he would just make up his mind and stick with it.

Still loving both Survivor and The Amazing Race.   Looks like the next few episodes of Survivor will be crazy (love the new super power idol – could really be a game changer).  I think I am rooting for Tony to win.   I also enjoy watching the Ponderosa Videos each week after somebody gets voted off.   Gives another perspective of the game that I find interesting

Heading to the Philly Card Show this weekend in Allentown.   Always a great time to see fellow collectors and what cards are out there.   Hopefully I can pick up a few things I need.  Did see that Topps will be releasing a Start Wars themes Wacky Package set in the fall.  This looks interesting so may need buy a few packs and check it out

Speaking of Star Wars – Happy to see that the original cast will be reuniting for the new Star Wars Movie that comes out next year.    Very interested to see what J.J. Abrams does with this.   I really likes Alias, but was not a fan of the new Star Trek movies.  Hopefully he takes the feel of the Original Trilogy (Episodes IV, V, VI) and not the childish and over CGI’d feel of the new Trilogy (I, II, III).  I am sure there will be tons of rumors, information, plots, etc. thrown out over the next year.  Will do my best to avoid any major news or spoilers.

More to come next week

AA

 

 

 

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Been a while

Posted on April 9, 2014 by AverageAndy

Sorry I haven’t written anything lately.  Been busy with work and life in general

Baseball season has started and the Mets are doing about what I expected.    They are not good, but also not bad.  Just an average team.   If I was in charge,  I would seriously think about getting rid of Terry Collins, only because I don’t think he is the long time solution.  He is also to wishy washy, and making a mess out of the Ike Davis / Lucas Duda platoon.  Choose one and stay for the next 50 games.   Crazy

Saw some dopey baseball executive was tossing around the idea of changing the game to 7 innings because the game is too long.   How does anybody with thing idea even become an executive.   My guess is its some really rich owner who could care less about baseball and only cares about how to make more money.  Figures he can reduce salaries by having to pay the players less.  But will still collect all the TV money, and Fan revenue (Tickets, Jerseys).    Its one of the big problems I see in all sports.   Their are owners who only care about making as much money as they can before they sell the team.   Have no long term ties to the team or the history.  Sad that sports is slowing (and recently fastly) becoming way to much of a business.

Both Survivor and The Amazing Race are having great seasons as usual.  Not the biggest fan of All Star Seasons, but have been pleasantly surprised.  As for Survivor,  that lady Kass probably made the right move last week, but in the process killed any chance she had to win.   And as for playing an idol, when I find on, I would play it right a way.   Saves me for a week, and gets it out of the way (and they usually add a new one anyway)

Started a new book (The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt).   Don’t know much about it but was recommended by my mom, and see it listed on the NY Times Bestsellers.  Will let you know once I’m done  (May take a while as I am a slow reader)

Looking forward to the next Philly Non-Sport Card Show in May in Allentown, PA.   They are having a special diner, and the usual Card Talk gathering which should both be a lot of fun.  I will post some images of some cards after the show

Also heading down to Hilton Head Island for vacation.   Will try to post some pictures from that as well

Back work, but will write soon

Average Andy

 

 

 

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Another week gone by

Posted on February 28, 2014 by AverageAndy

Just a quick update this time

Caught the 1st inning of the broadcast of the NY Mets on WOR 710 after being on WFAN 660 for ever.   Very strange during the commercial break not hearing the familiar WFAN jingle.   I know things are always about the money, but I think the Mets made a big mistake of leaving WFAN.   Reminds me of when Mets were on Sports Channel in the 80s.  Most people didn’t get it or had to pay extra so they became Yankee Fans.   The idea is to get your product to as large an audience as possible.  Now there will be lots of old time Mets fans up and down the east coast that who will turn on WFAN, and wonder where the Mets are.   The will  most likely not get WOR, so they will  simply stop listening.

Watched the season premier of Survivor and enjoyed it a usual.   Still fascinating seeing how all the contestants go about playing the game.   Will be watching http://www.cbs.com for the next round of casting and Open Auditions and will apply again when I can.  Hopefully, some day Average Andy will be on Survivor and do his best to outwit, outlast and outplay everybody and become the Sole Survivor

Didn’t get to watch the Amazing Race premier (its been a busy week) but have it DVR’d and will get to it this weekend.  Might still end up a week behind with the Academy Awards this Sunday.   Always like to watch the Academy Awards, although I don’t get to the movies as much as I would like.

Talking about, movies, sad news with Harold Ramis passing this week.  He was responsible for many movies that represented my child hood, an many other mid 40 year olds.   He will be missed

Lots of stuff coming up in the next few months so will write soon

AA

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