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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Quick Follow Up

My old 27 in tube TV finally died (and caused quite a stir as we though the house was on fire, and had to call my firefighter neighbor).   I am in the market for a new TV (thinking plasma).  Any suggestions, or donations would be appreciated

Also, waiting for the new Marillion album “Sounds that Cant be Made) to arrive here is the US.  Ordered the deluxe edition and it has been sent.   Will post a review (and video) once I receive it and give it a listen

Cool beans

AA

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We are all a bunch of suckers

I have come to realize that the majority of people are just a bunch of suckers,  believing that the more somebody is paid, or the more expensive something is, the better it must be.   The corporations and people who have figured this out must go to be laughing as they take your (and to be fair my) money.

How else to explain why people will continue to by overpriced products and services like a bunch of drowns.   Add to this that most people are also hypocritical and you can see why we have become such a bunch of complainers

Thought about this with regard to the NFL replacement referees, the new American Idol Judges, and a bottle of wine

Sports fans cant wait to complain how bad the replacement referees have been.  Have they made some bad calls, of course, but nothing worse then the regular referees have made in the past.  But the replacement referees make less then the real referees, so they must be worse.  Bring back the real referees they cry, and pay them what they deserve.  But once they settle (and they will with the real referees making lots more money) the first time a real referee makes a bad call, people will scream that they suck, and anybody could be a referee.  But who really looses here.  The fans of course because it will not be the owners who pick up the additional cost.  It will be added to the price of tickets and merchandise.  So we all pay more for the same product.

American Idol just gave Nikki Manaj a 15 million dollar contract.  That along with Mirah Cares 17 million, Keith Urbans millions and now we are all supposed to flock to our TVs to watch.   The show has been on for 12 years, (and I have watched most of it).  Not because of how much they paid the Judges, but because the show was entertaining on its own.  They could get 3 low level musicians / music producers as judges and it would be the same.  Again, who is the loser here.  The fans again.  Those high salary’s will need to be paid, (and not by the Corporation). That means lots more commercials, and more product pushing (which people will complain about).

A good bottle of wine can cost anywhere from $10.00 to a few hundred dollars.   Again, you can get a good bottle of wine for around $10.00.  But for most people, $10.00 represents cheap, and cannot be as good as a $100.00 bottle.   The smarts ones buy the bottle of wine they like (regardless of price).  The suckers by the more expensive bottle of wine (even if they don’t like it) because it makes them feel better.   The corporations know this, so they slap higher prices on a few of their wines to make a some quick money.

Just some random thought today.

With the Mets failing off the side of a cliff (I think Terry Collins needs to go), its time to move to Football.   In the pros, the Giants got a good win on Sunday against the Bucs, and in college, Lehigh looks to improve to 4 – 0 this Saturday night against Liberty

Sorry I haven’t written more lately.   With Survivor starting again tomorrow and the Amazing Race in a few weeks, be sure to check back to see what Average Andy has to say

I have really enjoyed Big Brother this season, although I wish Mike Boogie would have made it farther (Still one of the best players from all Real Reality shows)

Stay Gold Pony Boy

AA

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Summer almost over

As we move towards the end of the summer, I hope everybody out there is doing well and enjoyed their summer.

Finally time to give up on the Mets (I held out as long as possible, but they are just too bad). After yet another 2nd half collapse it’s time to look in the mirror and really look at what they have. Might be time to realize the current group of players (including David Wright) are just not winners and need to go. Harsh reality

Really been enjoying Big Brother this summer. Was upset that Mike Boogie got voted of, but he is still one of the best players of all time. Would love to spend some time with him and ask how he always seems to be enjoying life and the people around him

Looking forward to both Survivor and The Amazing Race starting in September. Still the best of all the reality shows out there

With football season (both college – Let’s go Lehigh and pros – NY Giants) may need to finally need to get rid of the old 27 inch tube TV. If anybody out there wants to help (pay pal donations would be appreciated) feel free to send me an email at andyrupprecht@gmail.com

More to come

Think your happy’s

Average Andy

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Some random thoughts from the mind of Average Andy

NBC and the Olympics – I enjoy watching the Olympics but wish NBC would cover it more as a sporting event than a entertainment story.   These are real athletes competing at the top of their sport.   NBC seems to trivialize this, and also tries to shape the competition in a way to benefit themselves.  The true beauty of sports is its randomness and that cant be changed.   A lot of NBC’s coverage has been anti climatic since most people already now who won.  There was no reason not to show the Men’s 100m race live at 4:55 PM EST and instead wait until 11:15 PM EST to show it taped.  There was not excitement or drama as I had watched it live on-line.   Also is is just me, or does it seem that NBC’s announcers see to be broadcasting from afar.  It seems they already know the outcome of the gymnastics and swimming events.  Feels like they watched the event, then sat down and wrote out what they want to say.

Its sad because I really enjoy the Olympics, but feel NBC has taken away the charm and excitement for the mighty dollar.

Saw that NASA successfully landed a space rover on Mars.   Congratulations to them for constantly pushing the envelope toward space exportation.  We need more groups and people looking to expand and explore things rather than just thinking about how much money they can make (See NBC above)

Been watching both “The Glass House” and “Big Brother” over the summer.   Big Brother is still an entertaining way to spend a few hours a week.   It has nothing to worry about with the The Glass House which looks like another one and done show.  CBS still rules with Survivor, The Amazing Race, and Big Brother.

Be busy the past few weekends with trips to the Delaware shore, Boating and swimming in the Poconos, and an another fantastic canoe trip down the Delaware River.   Was great to have a free weekend and get some things done around the house (finally mowed my lawn, and got up on a ladder to clean my gutters)

Looking forward to seeing Boston this weekend at Musikfest in Bethlehem, PA, one of the countries largest free music festivals.   Should be a lot of fun

Looks like my Met’s are  going to fall a bit short this season.   After a nice 1st half, they came out flat after the All-Star break and were never able to recover.   Starting to look like a pattern for this team.  Will give them 1 more year (maybe they can be like the Pirates of last year, who collapsed in the 2nd half, but have held on strong this season and might make the play-0ffs)

Times up for now.  Will write more soon

Keep smiling and think your happies

AA

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I’m still here

I’m still alive and well. Been busy with work (and play) over the past few months.

Will be posting my thoughts on Reality TV, Movies, Sports and what ever else is on my mind over the next few days so be sure to check back soon

Hope all is well

AA

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Marillion in the USA

Marillion will be touring the USA this month for the first time in nearly 7 years.  They will be playing 2 shows at Irving Plaza in NYC and AverageAndy will be there both nights.   Tickets are still available so head on over to livenatoin.com and grab one yourself. You willl not be disappointed

Also, for all you out there on facebook, a group has been created to try and get Marillion on the Jimmy Fallon show when they are in LA.  Sign up and like the group to help them get kn the show.  Would bd great exposure for the band and let people of the USA see that Marilion are still going strong and making great music almost 30 years after having a hit with Kayleigh

Lots of other intresting topics to discuss in the news these days.  Check back soon to read my opinoins.  Should have sime free time in the next couple of days to post

Stay Gold

AA

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The good and the bad

The Good – Looking forward to seeing Marillion in NYC on June 12th and 13th at Irving Plaza.   This is the 1st time the band has toured the US in around 7 years.    They always put on a great show.    Also excited that they will be playing a few songs off their new album due out this fall  (Pre-Ordered it and will give you my review when is released)

The Bad – I saw the movie Battleship last night.    Was one of the worst movies I have seen in a while .   I like big budget adventure movies, but you still need a story, and people who can act.    Thanks to the Monster Squad for letting me join and hope to be able to see some better movies going forward.

The Good – Enjoyed the last seasons of Survivor and Amazing Race.

The Bad – Didn’t really like many of the teams on the Amazing Race, and thought most of the people on Survivor were to content to simply be on the show.   Only a few (Troyzan, and Kat) seemed upset about getting voted off and not making it to the finals.   When AverageAndy gets on the show, I guarantee I will not go down without a fight.

Hopefully I can find some time to write more.   If there are any topics you would like me to discuss, or simply want to know my opinion about,  leave a comment or send me an e-mail and I will give you my 2 cents.

Everybody enjoy the Holiday weekend

Cool Beans

AA

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Enjoying Vacation

Coming to the end of a great week long vacation on Hilton Head Island. Enjoying the beach, the pools, and going bike riding. A much needed break from the “real world”. Had some fabulous meals including fresh shrimp from Hudsons and a pulled pork sandwitch at One Hot Momma’s (Even got to meet the chief and get pictures taken with her)

Sorry I’ve be out of the posting loop for a while. Be sure to check back soon with AA’s thoughts on Survivor and the Amazing Race, as well as my thoughts on the young MLB season (Good start for the Mets although they needed to take 2 of 3 from the Nationals to really fell good)

Keep on smiling

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