Been a while

Posted on July 26, 2013 by AverageAndy

Sorry I haven’t written in a while.   Been busy, but there’s really no excuse for not being able to find a few minutes here and there to give you some of my thought / opinions and observations

Want to first thank my Aunt / Uncle / Cousin for having us over last night for a fabulous diner.  It was great to see them and I should put more of an effort to see them (and other family members) more often.   We all should take a few minutes now and then to reach out to friends and family and enjoy their company

As I mentioned, its been awhile, so here are a few thoughts / opinions / observations that have been floating around in my head

“Under the Dome” on CBS is awful.   Really disappointed in this as I was really looking forward to see how they handled the excellent book by Stephen King.   What they basically did was to take the premise and then make up their own story.  Its so off from the book, that they should have called it something else, and then add a tag line of “Stupid Story very lightly based on a great book by Stephen King).  It would be like me pitching a TV show called “The adventures of Harry Potter” where there is this wizard, who travels around with his sister and her friends, using magic to play tricks on unsuspecting people.   He lives in a castle that his parents own, and loves to play jokes on the staff”.   Just awful

On the other hand, “Big Brother”, also on CBS never fails to entertain.  I think its funny how after 15 years, they had to put up a disclaimer at the beginning that there may be some inappropriate content.   Why are people so uptight these days.    The shows been on for years and every season there are some contestants who are very opinionated and like to rub others the wrong way.  Thats part of what makes the show work so well.  You feel like these are real people, living there lives like they would at home.

Lot of stuff going on regarding Major League Baseball.   First, Bud Selig has got to go. Not because of the PED and BioGenesis stuff (I thong Baseball is doing OK with regards to cleaning up the game).  No he has to go because he is old and out of touch with the times (Not saying being old is bad, but at some point you need to realize the world is moving a at such a fast pace, that you need to let the younger generation take over; To boast about never sending an e-mail just makes you look like a fool to most everybody).   He has no real feel for how to promote and marked the best game in the world.   I will be we will see a resurgence in Baseball in a few years once he retires).

Note – For the 1st time in years, Average Andy is actually having a good year in Fantasy Baseball (It the playoff discussion in all my leagues).

I have pre-ordered the new Fish album and am looking forward to receiving it some time in August / September.   It set me back a few pounds but his albums never disappoint.   Fish is the ex lead singer of the still fantastic band Marillion) who is from Scotland.   Also waiting for info on the new Boston album.

Note – Here are the few artist the AverageAndy will still put out some cash for a new album;  Marillion / Fish, Boston, U2, and Iron Maiden.

I have been trying to listen to newer stuff (both soft rock / coffee house style and current pop).   Will listen to the Spectrum (when alone) and Sirius Hits 1 (when with my daughter) on SiriusXM radio

Speaking of SiriusXM – Have really been enjoying Even Cohen and Steve Phillips in the morning on my way to work.   Once the dopey NBA Season ended, they have been very entertaining talking about the world of sports.   Through in the very funny Mike Babchick and its a great listen

Had a great time camping and canoeing down the Delaware River last weekend with some great friends.  This was the 4th annual trip, and I hope there are many more. Want to thank one friend who went out of his way and rented a car just to make the trip.

Few more

Just got a call for my 25th College reunion next May.  Where has the time gone. Seems like just yesterday I made the trek back to Old South Mountain for my 20th reunion.    Looking forward to reunion and the 150th Lehigh / Lafayette game being played next year at Yankee Stadium.  Good year to be a Mountain Hawk / Engineer / Brown and White (Lookup Lehigh mascots on wikipedia)

Will be heading to my 1st ever Survivor Open Casting Call this weekend.   As you know, I have been a fan of Survivor since it premiered, and have submitted audition videos over the years.   Looking forward to actually seeing my competition for the upcoming seasons.   To anybody who actually reads this – wish me luck

Well thats it for now.  There is plenty more I would like to write, but work is a calling

Hope everybody is having a great summer, and looking forward to writing again soon

AA

We are all just sugar mice in the rain

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Have a Happy July 4th

Posted on July 3, 2013 by AverageAndy

Just want to wish everybody out there a safe and happy July 4th holiday.  Take some time off and spend it with family and friends

Finding the CBS mini-series Under the Dome interesting, but having a tough time with some of it since I have read the book.   Kind of the same feeling I got with all of the Harry Potter Movies.    Shows how hard it is to make a movie or TV show based on a book.  There  are times when I’m thinking “why did he or she do that, thats not what they did in the book”.   Also, when reading a book, I form an opinion of a character and how I belive they look and act.  Then in the adaptation, when they do things different, it kind of messes with your head.

Big Brother (also on CBS) is entertaining as usual.   Don’t know why I enjoy it so much.  Just find it fascinating year after year

A bid shout out to C.J. McCollum becoming the 1st Backetball player from Lehigh to be taken in the NBA Draft last week.  Not a big NBA fan (actaully dont enjoy it at all).  But I like the college game, and wish him the best with the Trail Blazers.   Anything that can put Lehigh on the map is good

Mets are playing some better ball.  Still a strange team, and not sure if the future is good or bad.  Will be interesting to see how things play out the rest of the year and this off-season

Will be hitting the links this weekend for the 1st time (the down side of no longer working for a company that sponsors a golf league).  Hopefully I don’t butcher things to bad

Thats all for now

Will write again soon

AA

 

 

 

 

 

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Thoughts for early June

Posted on June 14, 2013 by AverageAndy

Hard to believe we are already 1/2 way through June.   The weather here in the North East has been so up and down, it still doesn’t feel like summer.  Hopefully things straighten out and we get a good stretch of nice warm weather.

Nothing new and earth shattering going on.    Finally time to give up on the Mets.  I held on as long as I could, but they are just awful.  I said it before and will continue to say it – Terry Collins need to go (now that he was named a coach at the All-Star Game, I guess we are stuck with him for a while longer).   He has shown nothing over the last few years that makes me feel he will ever lead this team to any sort of winning record.  I know people keep giving excuses (and that what it is; excuse after excuse) that he doesn’t have the players or the talent to win.  That is just bullshit, and a quitters attitude.   People make it seem that every other team is full of All-Starts, and the poor Mets just don’t have the talent to compete.  But just wait until next year.  Terry needs to go (and I would trade David Write in a heartbeat – 7+ years and he has never made 1 player better, in face they all have gotten worse)

Been a lot of crazy baseball games (including both the Mets and Yankees playing 18 innings plus)   Baseball is still the best sport out there.

Quick Thoughts

Thinking of hitting an Open Casting Call for Survivor in July.
Going to pre-order the new Fish album on his website.
Finally broke down and bought a new lawnmower.
Enjoyed to 1st 2 episodes of Falling Skys
Excited about the new Bad News Bears Trading cards include in Paninis new set
Looking forward to Big Brother
Almost finished with 11/22/1963  (have a stack of books I need to get to next)

 

Take care

AA

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Its summer time

Posted on May 31, 2013 by AverageAndy

As the temperatures reach the 90s, it is actually beginning to feel like summer.   Hopefully we have a string of nice days for everybody here in the NYC area

Big confidence booster for the NY Met’s (Sweeping away the Yankees in the Sub Way Series).  Hopefully this will carry over for the next 3 games against an awful Miami Team.  If the Met’s really want to get back into the mix, they need to take all 3 games (In the past, these are the games that John Franco or Armando Benitez would blow in the 9th;  Lets see what Bobby Parnell is made of).

If you think about it, Ike Davis’s 2 run single on Sunday against the Braves (after Dan Ugglas’ 2 run blast had put the Braves up by a run), night end up being the biggest his of his  career.    If the Mets loose that game for a 3 game sweep, I have no doubt they weekly limp into the Subway Series and probably get wept themselves.   Ike (and the equally if not more awful Ruben Tejada) are probably sent to Las Vegas and Terry Collins is sent packing as well.

Will be an interesting next few days to see which direction the team goes, but for 4 days the Met fans had a great ride and one that will be remembered for a long time

Got a chance to see the new Star Trek movie a few weeks back.  I actually enjoyed it.  There were some issues (J. J Abrams likes to much to put his stamp on things) but all  and all I had a good time.    Will probably get together with friend to see the new Superman movie when it comes out.

Hope everybody had a good Memorial Day weekend and have some fun and exciting plans for the summer.   Will be taking some vacation my self  (heading down to Oak Island in August), as well as some day trips to the shore (both NJ an DE).

Thanks for listening (technically its reading)

AA

PS – Be sure to check out Marrillion’s new DVD “Clocks Already Ticking” – Set a new world record breaking for fastest time from show to DVD.  Its available for purchase at the bands web site (www.marillion.com)

PSS – Looking forward to both “Under the Dome” and the new season of Big Brother on CBS

 

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Just Checking in

Posted on May 17, 2013 by AverageAndy

Not much to write this week.  Been busy at work an haven’t had much free time

Got a BIG weekend planned.   Heading out tonight to see the new Star Trek movie.  Looking forward to see it (have avoided the reviews and trailers so I can go in fresh)

Tomorrow will be volunteering at the Bourbon Street Blues

Festivalhttp://www.bourbonstreetbluesfest.com/

Been volunteering the last few years and its a great day to help out and see some friends while listening to some live music.  Should be a fun day

Then on Sunday have a family dinner.

One more week until Memorial Day and the unofficial start of the summer.

Hope all is well

Andy

PS – For the 1st time in a long time, I ma doing half way decent in my Fantasy Baseball Leagues.  Looks like I will have to pay extra attention as the season goes on

 

 

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Congratulations

Posted on May 13, 2013 by AverageAndy

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

Posted on May 10, 2013 by AverageAndy

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

Posted on May 3, 2013 by AverageAndy

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

Posted on April 25, 2013 by AverageAndy

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/

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As promised

Posted on April 18, 2013 by AverageAndy

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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