I’m still here

Sorry to all who have been waiting for some new updates.   Things have been busy lately,  making it tough for me to post some updates

I’m looking forward to the summer.   Have a bunch of different trips planed, all of which should be a lot of fun.

I will try to post some pictures along the way

Some brief thought

Glad to see that The Amazing Race has been renewed for another 2 seasons.    I never heard back from the producers regarding my application for Season 19.    Will work on getting a video sent in for Season 20.   Got keep the faith

Also noticed they changed the application process for Survivor.    It looks like all applications  / videos will now be submitted on-line.    Will let you know when they open things up for the nest seasons

As for the NY Mets.    They are a fun and exciting team to watch this year.   Even after last nights heartbreaking loss on a walk of balk (after K-Rod again blew a save when it mattered;  He is great (lile the last string of Mets closer’s) until that one game that could really get the Mets on a roll.  (Usually its a Friday night home game with a big crowd).   But this team has shown the ability to bounce back from tough losses all season, so hopefully they can put together a good home stand against the AL West    (Angles, As).

Saw “Super 8” and really enjoyed it.    Reminded me of the summer movies I saw when I was younger, before all the tie ins and marketing have made the summer blockbusters more of giant advertisements for franchises and future sequels.  If you get the chance, give it a try.

More to come….

 

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Another week gone by

Its Friday again.   Sorry it took a while for this post

Had a great time last weekend (Sunday) at the Chiller Theater convention in Parsippany, NJ.    It was fun to go and see some actors / actress / celebrities from the past.

Saw Robert Romanus (Damone) from Fast Times at Rigemont High, and both Andrew Cassese (Wormser) and Larry B. Scott (Lamar) from “Revenge of the Nerds”, as well as both Mike Lookinland (Bobby) and Susan Olsen (Cindy) of  “Brady Bunch” Fame

The biggest line was for Ernest Borgnine.    He looked like he was having a fun time meeting and greeting with the attendees

The highlight for me was the 40th Anniversary reunion of  the kids from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.   I even got a picture of myself with Charlie Bucket himself Peter Ostum.   As a life long fan of the movie, it was a thrill to actually get to meet him.

Here are a few pictures.   Will try to get some more up tonight.

Charlie Bucket

"I got a golden ticket"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fast Times at Rigemont High

Mike Damone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In other news, still trying to get my Satellite radio to work.  Replaced the car adapter but still having issues.   Bought a new antenna from Amazon and will see if that is the issue

And finally some reality TV updates

the season finale of Amazing Race is this Sunday.   Its been a fun season with old teams coming back, but I am looking forward to new team for Amazing Race 19.   unfortunately AverageAndy and his sister were not chosen for Season 19 despite a stellar video  (Will get it posted at some point).     We will be hard at work making a new video for Season 20.  If anybody reads this who knows somebody, or has an in with the Amazing Race producers or casting directors, feel free to send me e-mail or post a reply.

Also only 2 episodes of Survivor: redemption Island are left.    Really enjoying this season.   Also watching Jeff Prost’s Video Blogs after each episode.   Gives a great but different perspective on the show and the game.   And I like watching the videos of Ponderosa on http://www.cbs.com  (the contestants kicked off, but on the jury)

I sent in my application video back in January, and have not heard anything regarding the upcoming seasons.   Will continue to send them in until I get the call.   Again if anybody has any insights / contacts regarding Survivor, forward them my way

Need to finish some things up and get ready for the weekend

Wishing all mothers out there a very happy Mothers Day on Sunday.    Enjoy your day.

 

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Some random thoughts for the week

My Sirius Radio (an old S50) stopped working on Thursday.  The radio works by itself, but cannot receive satellite signals.  After some troubleshooting looks like it may be the car dock that is bad.   Since the S50 was discontinued years ago, had to buy a new car dock off of E-Bay.   Hopefully this is the issue

Also, since the S50 is so old,  the software needed to update the firmware is not supported past Windows XP.   Was happy to see that for Windows 7, Microsoft offers a XP Virtual Desktop for free (with USB support).    Set this up, and was able to install and access the software.

Will be attending the Chiller convention this weekend.   http://www.chillertheatre.com/main.htm Never been, but decided to see what an event like this is all about.  Also am a huge fan of the original “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”, and the chance to see all the kids 40 years later simply intrigues me.

Survivor Redemption Island is getting to the end (Finale is May 15th).   Another great season.   I am also really enjoying Jeff Probts’ Video Blogs posted on his site http://www.jeffprobst.com/ Take a look if you are a fan of the show.   Also be sure to check our the videos for Ponderosa.

I know it’s still early, but the Mets losing to the Washington Nationals last night made me mad.  I know they aren’t going to run off 20 wins in a row, but the Nationals are no good, and they could have arrived in Philadelphia an a really good roll.   They need to take 2 out of 3 before returning to CITI Field next week.

Hope everybody has some fun and exciting things lined up for the Summer.  Be sure to take some time off and enjoy it with friends and family.

More to come

 

 

 

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This is for the jerk on Rt 78

As I was driving home along Rt 78, I saw some jerk roll down his window and through an empty pack of cigarettes out his window.  He then rolled up the windows and smoked away.

I have no problem if you want to seal yourself  inside your car and smoke, but at least wait until you get home and through the empty pack in the garbage.  You can destroy yourself, but don’t destroy our planet

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Looking forward…

Spring is in the air.   Have a lot of things planned the next few weekends (Roto Baseball Draft, hanging with friends).  Hopefully will also find some time to get started on some yard work. 

Was happy to see Nate Appleman win Food Networks Chopped All Star Challenge.   Chopped is becoming one of my favorite Food Network shows.

Still havent heard back from CBS on my recent Survivor and Amazing Race Applications.    But not giving up hope as you never can tell.   One of these time they will look at my application, and realize I am a perfect match for the show.

CBS is doing the tweet thing all this week with host tweeting live about the shows.    I have read Jeff Probs tweets about Survivor on Facebook (after watching the show) and find them a solid addition with some really good observations and information.    Will be interesting to see what Phil Keoghan does this week on the Amazing Race

Looking forward to the Masters this week as well.   Got a feeling somebody who has been around a while might pull out the victory.   Average Andy always roots for Craig Stadler  (This marks the 29th year of his 1982 win and getting the Green Jacket) 

As always, will try and write more when I get the chance.    If anybody has any topics they want my take or opinion on, leave a comment and let me know.

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Another Friday

So I have calmed down from last week.  Still think its crazy that people read way to much into things.   Kids need to be able to make their own decisions and not have their parents determine what is good / bad for them.    Parents can help by providing  guidance, and spend more time explaining things.   But by restricting things they will probably cause more harm in the long run

Want to state again how much I am enjoying this season of Survivor.    Love Redemption Island, and hope it’s here to stay.   Really gives the show a new feel

Still waiting to hear from both Survivor and the Amazing Race regarding my applications.    Hopefully they haven’t completed casting yet and I still have a chance.    Anybody out in cyberspace who has any connections with casting (Lynne Spillman are you listening),  I’m ready unleash Average Andy to the world.

Have lots planned the next few weeks.   Will be taking in Dennis DeYoung doing the music of Styx this Saturday.  Also have my Rotisarie Baseball Draft coming up  (Can’t wait for Baseball Season to start next Thursday).   Also getting ready for the Masters in a few weeks, as this when I finally feel its spring time.

That’s it for now, but check back soon for more.   Also let me know of any topics of interest you want me to cover and I will do my best

On last thing

Check out www.crankycritic.com for a different spin on movie reviews.

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Friday morning rant

First, it’s not the same watching the NCAA tournament without the Lehigh Mountain Hawks or Seton Hall Pirates.

Second, Survivor is great this season as usual.   I am actually really enjoying  Redemption Island and hope they bring it back for future seasons.    I really have no interest in following Jeff Probts as he tweets each episode, but each his own, and hope he does well with it

So here is my Friday morning Rant.

This may become a weekly post if things continue to annoy me like below

So driving to work today, they were talking on the radio (99.9 The Hawk out of PA) about how parents are no longer allowing their young children to watch fairy tales (Mostly old Disney movies).  The parent state that when you strip them down, they are very violent, and also usually portray situations that are not that happy.    A caller mentioned  Snow White and how the witch tries to killer her with a poison apple.  This can scare little kids.   The cited some other examples as well

What king of kids did our parents raise that come up with these thoughts.    Why do people have to take everything so literal.   I watched Snow White (and read the story) when I was little.   It might have been a little scary at a young age (don’t really remember), but not to the fact that I wished my parent would have banned me from watching.   We are going down a bad road and will have a generation of kids who will be so sheltered that they will not be able to handle reality

I am still mad over this, and will write some more later

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A few thoughts

Big wins for Lehigh yesterday and Seton Hall tonight

As for what’s on my mind, driving home I saw a few places with lights out on their signs. Really bugs me. I feel that if they don’t care enough to replace a bulb or get the sign fixed, then I don’t care enough to shop their.

That’s all

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Lehigh Hoops

Lehigh takes on Navy this Wednesday in the 1st round of the 2011 Patriot League tournament.    Hopefully they can put together a run and repeat as league champions.

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Movies, TV, Sports, and random thoughts

Saw a few good movies over the weekend.   Actually went to the theater and saw “I Am Number Four”.    Had seen a few trailers, and somebody at work had read the book,  but I tried to stay away from reviews so that I could judge it for myself (And reviewer these days give away too much).     I really enjoyed the movie.  Highly recommended for anybody looking for a good time.

At home a watched “I Love You Man” with Paul Rudd and Jason Segal (Marshal from HIMYM).    Really enjoyed this as well.  Was well done, and really portrayed people as real life individuals.   Also highly recommended

Watched American Idol Hollywood week with the family on Saturday night (Gotta love the DVR).   Have to say, it was really entertaining.  Have to give credit to the producers for going with Steven Tyler and J-Lo.  Both have been much better than I expected.    Looking forward to who makes the final 24.   Lots of good (and interesting) talent

Both Survivor ( I did apply again this year) and the Amazing Race started off with strong episodes.   Its is kind of surreal watching Survivor with my daughter (she was born during the 1st season).    She is now into it and we look forward to each Wednesday night.

The Amazing Race started off going to Australia, and it looked beautiful.   If I don’t get there as a contestant (I did apply this year with my sister, still waiting for the call back), I will defiantly take a vacation there in the future

On a sad note, want to mention the terrible earthquake that hit Christchurch New Zealand  on 02/22/11   Wishing the best to all those effected and my prayers go out to them all.   Makes my appreciate life and am thankful for my good health and well-being

Getting ready for some Baseball (Spring training games start this weekend).   Think the Mets may surprise some this year.   While I didn’t really dislike Jerry Manual, I think it was time for a change.  Hopefully Terry Collins can bring a more upbeat attitude to the team.  They have some solid players.  Just need them to gel better and play as a team.

Looking forward to a trip out to PNC Park to see the Pirates in Pittsburgh this summer.   If you get a chance check it out. A great place to watch a ball game.  And if the Pirates were ever to be good, it would be rocking

A Few more things

On my way to work this morning, was behind a 18 wheeler with snow flying off the top.  Couldn’t see more than 5 feet ahead.    Then saw a police car zip by that was covered with snow and ice as well (chunks flying off).   Didn’t stop the truck, but pulled over somebody up ahead (not sure why)    If the Police can’t obey the rules for removing snow and ice from their own cars, and aren’t going to stop trucks covered with snow blowing off them making it impossible to see, then why bother.

And finally,  saw a story of a man who lost his wallet 40 years ago in NYC (was stolen from his jacket pocket)  Somebody  found it the other day behind a wall and returned it to him.   Just a great feel good story

Well, that’s it for now.  Will try to write more soon

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