tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32920492024-02-28T10:15:08.374-06:00A Place To Call My OwnWhere I still can't figure out how to silk a shocker.Ryan W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16478392620223445053noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292049.post-911733612003-03-22T03:49:00.000-06:002003-03-22T03:49:29.123-06:00<b>There's absolutly no better TV I have ever seen than this war.</b> You want reality TV? They've got your reality TV right here. The difference is, this stuff is actually real. Allowing journalists to embed with troops is absolutely spendid. The US definitely did not have to allow this, but I think we're all thankful they did.
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<br />Of course, this is giving me access to the most horrible of events. People die because of what we're watching. But whether I read it in tomorrow's paper or I see it live on TV, it still happens.
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<br />CNN has been the absolute kings of the videophone. Yesterday evening, I was introducted to this when reporter Walter Roberts rolled with the 3-7th Cavalry. Some dull moments while choppers and tanks refueled, but when those tanks got rolling, unopposed, splendid TV. Not to mention Aaron Brown's commentary. It welcomed us to the war. The show had started.
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<br />This evening, Walter Roberts was back with his videophone, further into Iraq. But tonight's "episode" had more tense moments, as they were minorly fired upon by a pocket of Iraqi resistance.
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<br />And now, late night on CNN, Martin Savidge has been absolutely amazing, taking me on a splendid trip. Marines blowing up abandoned Iraqi tanks (I think) were fired upon by Iraqis. Marines secured the area while others tried to finish the demolition job. Exploding tanks, a mysterious fuel-powered grenade, and an imminent scent of danger. They soon abandoned, and that's where the story is right now. It's been an epic tale, and there are many other such epic tales that CNN isn't covering currently in favor of this one.
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<br />Say what you will about there being too much media coverage, and how I shouldn't be enjoying such a horrible event, but it is entertaining. I'm so sick of Friends and I'm A Celebrity and Joe Millionaire. This is real. The choppy video does seem SOOOOO '90s, but this is stuff that's never been done before. This is amazing. I've probably been watching this war way too much, as anytime I'm not sleeping, I'm watching or listening to this war, but I watch it for things like this. Absolutely splendid.Ryan W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16478392620223445053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292049.post-891792932003-02-16T02:13:00.000-06:002003-02-16T02:13:32.110-06:00<b> So <a href="http://www.google.com">Google</a> <a href="http://weblog.siliconvalley.com/column/dangillmor/archives/000802.shtml#000802">bought</a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com"> Blogger</a>.</b> Who would have guessed it?
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<br />Surely, this will bring on changes. I'm very optimistic that it'll be good changes, because I've always looked upon Google as a good company (say what you will about cookies or whatnot; I don't care if they know what I'm looking at, because I'd volunteer the information to them if they asked for it anyway). I have a feeling Pyrads are involved somehow. Google is probably looking to improve their paid ads on the sides of web searches. I'm also envisioning a Blogger tab at Google.com with some kind of blog search, which would be very cool. This, to me, can only mean good things. I'm very excited.
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<br />And to tell you the truth, I'm only blogging about this because all the other bloggers will. But why not?Ryan W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16478392620223445053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292049.post-890195072003-02-13T00:43:00.000-06:002003-02-13T00:43:02.263-06:00<b>When a story about a murdered convience store clerk in Northeast Minneapolis appears below the virtual fold at the <a href="http://www.startribune.com">Strib</a>, that's a sign of the times.</b>
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<br />Yeah, the Strib is the only thing that keeps me coming back here. I'm bad, but I'll try to get better, I promise.Ryan W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16478392620223445053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292049.post-885154842003-02-03T23:22:00.000-06:002003-02-03T23:22:34.650-06:00<b>I've been critical of the order of importance of the stories on the <a href="http://www.startribune.com"> Strib</a>'s front page.</b> Hell, I've been critical of the stories themselves. But I must thank them for leaving the shuttle coverage, now heading into it's fourth day, to just a small box, no bigger than any of the other stories sections. And, unusually for a Tuesday, they have a ton of really interesting feature stories. The kind they save for Sundays. I'm glad they're being bold and stepping away from the shuttle story; yes, it's a national tragedy, and yes, it's more important than anything else right now (yes, even Iraq and North Korea). But it's just damned depressing. And when NASA is him-hawing between what caused it, it's not that interesting anyway. Naturally, by the end of the week, we'll all be sick and tired of the word "tile."
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<br />So while it is still basically the only thing going on right now, I'm glad the Strib realizes that while this is an event that shocks the world, it does not stop the world. The Wolves continue to play; buildings continue to get built; movies no one would hear of otherwise still premiere (and frankly, I've never seen a movie at the U Film Society, but I think I'm going to try and make my way to this one). The reason why I wasn't as tramatized by the imagry of debris and whatnot is probably because I spent the weekend getting my mind off of it; the events we had planned and the tragedy happened to coincide with each other, but either way, it was getting my mind off of it. September 11th was on a whole different level, of course, and it was so shocking that we did want to cuddle up with the news and reflect on our brave new world, with such people in it. But maybe I would have ultimately been better off had I figured out a way to do something else (a bit tougher of a feat then, because the whole world essentially did stop). Maybe I would have missed a new angle on the disaster; apparently, there's one of the astronaut's arm patch that is one of the more powerful images to come out of this, but I haven't seen it yet. I'm regretting not seeing it yet, but that says something about our nature during these events.
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<br />May the seven killed abord Columbia forever live with God.Ryan W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16478392620223445053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292049.post-877698602003-01-21T00:03:00.000-06:002003-01-21T00:03:22.603-06:00<b>So, my lowly website has turned one year old.</b> It's already outlasted any of my other website ventures, so why not keep it going, eh?
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<br />For one week and one week only, I return to the original site design. Because I'm an over-celebratory geek and because I can, that's why. Yeah, I hate it too, and I still think it looks too MTV-ish, but what are ya gonna do?Ryan W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16478392620223445053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292049.post-873831012003-01-13T19:31:00.000-06:002003-01-13T19:31:41.713-06:00<b>Anyone else noticing all the technology errors on the American Music Awards?</b> I thought the Osbournes were swearing and they were cutting the audio, but clearly that's not the case. They made Matchbox Twenty sound horrible, and it seems like their tech room is a mess. Don't they practice these things enough so that these things aren't likely to happen? Go figure.Ryan W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16478392620223445053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292049.post-872489812003-01-10T21:45:00.000-06:002003-01-10T21:45:16.470-06:00<b>I hate the local news.</b> KMSP thinks they've come across a Big Major Exclusive Story™. You see, there's these commercials that are in efforts to stop smoking. One of them has a woman, apparently on a home video to her son in the future, singing to her son. She has cancer from smoking, you see. At the end, it says she died, and tells people to stop smoking.
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<br />Along comes KMSP, and they find out that, lo and behold, she's an actress! Oh-ho! Oh dear! God forbid there's ever actresses in commercials! Jesus Christ, what is this country coming to?! When will the terrorists strike again!?
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<br />I knew someone who thought they stumbled upon something big when it was revealed that the Apple "Switch" commercials had actors and actresses. As if these "personal" commercials should be set on different guidelines as the others. Well, of course it's an actress, and if you're just figuring this out now, you're a bit slow. If you think this is a Big Major Exclusive Story™, maybe you should save your minute or two and give it to the police shooting that happened today.
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<br />Remember folks, you heard it at this Minneapolis blog FIRST!Ryan W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16478392620223445053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292049.post-870962722003-01-07T22:36:00.000-06:002003-01-07T22:36:34.583-06:00<b>Last night I had a dream that we got my math grades, and they were so phenominal, so through-the-roof that they suggested raising me to the highest math level.</b> Clearly, writing is my forte long before math ever will be, so when I reminded myself of this dream this morning, I thought to myself, jokingly, "in your dreams."
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<br />Later on, my mom tells me to check my e-mail because she forwarded my latest math grades to me (snail mail ... what was I thinking?!). I look, and they're absolutly horrible.
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<br />In my dreams indeed.Ryan W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16478392620223445053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292049.post-867373712002-12-31T01:37:00.000-06:002002-12-31T01:38:36.000-06:00<b>Quite often people ask me what my favorite song is.</b> Being a true music enthusist, I can never quite give an answer. So I decided I should rank my top 100 songs over this Winter Break.
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<br />Nominee Round One had few rules. All I did was select any song I figured might make the top 100. No limit to the number of songs I pick. I wound up with 227 songs total.
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<br />Nominee Round Two was where I took away 127 of those 227, giving me 100 songs left. This round was very tough and took a lot of thinking.
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<br />I then spent four days listening to the 100 songs that made the cut. Then yesterday I ranked the 100, and now today, New Years Eve, I'm releasing the list. So, without further adieu, here are my top 100 songs of all time:
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<br />100. Chemical Brothers | The Test
<br />99. Calla | Fear Of Fireflies
<br />98. The Beatles | Rocky Racoon
<br />97. John Denver | Take Me Home Country Roads
<br />96. Guns 'N' Roses | Patience
<br />95. Course Of Nature | Caught In The Sun
<br />94. Me First and the Gimme Gimmes | Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard
<br />93. Red Hot Chili Peppers | Give It Away
<br />92. Weezer | Say It Ain't So
<br />91. Simon and Garfunkel | The Boxer
<br />90. Coldplay | Shiver
<br />89. Kara's Flowers | Everyday Goodbyes
<br />88. Cake | Love You Madly
<br />87. J. J. Jackson | But It's Alright
<br />86. Nirvana | In Bloom
<br />85. Bush | Comedown (Acoustic)
<br />84. Collective Soul | The World I Know
<br />83. Dave Matthews Band | When The World Ends
<br />82. The Beatles | Back In The USSR
<br />81. Santana | Put Your Lights On (with Everlast)
<br />80. Creedence Clearwater Revival | Up Around The Bend
<br />79. Stereophonics | Step On My Old Size Nines
<br />78. Green Day | Basket Case
<br />77. Marvin Gaye | What's Goin' On
<br />76. Counting Crows | Colorblind
<br />75. Neil Young | Keep On Rocking In The Free World
<br />74. Eric Clapton | While My Guitar Gently Weeps (with George Harrison)
<br />73. Bob Marley | Redemtion Song
<br />72. The Beatles | Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da
<br />71. Bob Dylan | Shelter From The Storm
<br />70. Radiohead | Creep
<br />69. George Michael | Freedom '90
<br />68. Blues Traveler | But Anyways
<br />67. Eric Clapton | Wonderful Tonight
<br />66. Bob Dylan | Tangled Up In Blue
<br />65. Pearl Jam | I Am A Patriot
<br />64. Paul Simon | Kodachrome
<br />63. The Beatles | I Feel Fine
<br />62. The Rolling Stones | Brown Sugar
<br />61. Bob Dylan | Subterranean Homesick Blues
<br />60. Foo Fighters | There Goes My Hero
<br />59. Coldplay | Yellow
<br />58. The Beatles | Drive My Car
<br />57. Dave Matthews Band | Grace Is Gone
<br />56. John Lennon | Imagine
<br />55. Simon and Garfunkel | Mrs. Robinson
<br />54. The Beatles | Michelle
<br />53. Chuck Berry | Brown-Eyed Handsome Man
<br />52. The Beatles | Ticket To Ride
<br />51. Van Morrison | Brown Eyed Girl
<br />50. George Harrison | I've Got My Mind Set On You
<br />49. Simon and Garfunkel | Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard
<br />48. The Beatles | Revolution
<br />47. Creedence Clearwater Revival | Fortunate Son
<br />46. Lifehouse | Quasimodo
<br />45. The Beatles | In My Life
<br />44. Tom Petty | Mary Jane's Last Dance
<br />43. The Offspring | Pay The Man/Pretty Fly For A White Guy (Spanish)
<br />42. The Beatles | Good Day Sunshine
<br />41. U2 | Stay (Far Away, So Close) (Remix)
<br />40. Beastie Boys | (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)
<br />39. The Beatles | Hello Goodbye
<br />38. Radiohead | Paranoid Android
<br />37. Bruce Springsteen | Born To Run
<br />36. Billy Joel | Piano Man
<br />35. Led Zeppelin | Stairway To Heaven
<br />34. Van Morrison | I'll Be Your Lover Too
<br />33. The Beatles | Yesterday
<br />32. The Rolling Stones | You Can't Always Get What You Want
<br />31. Bob Dylan | The Times They Are A-Changin'
<br />30. American Hi-Fi | Another Perfect Day
<br />29. Barry McGuire | Eve Of Destruction
<br />28. Beach Boys | Good Vibrations
<br />27. Elton John | Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
<br />26. Aerosmith | Mama Kin
<br />25. James Taylor | Fire And Rain
<br />24. Paul McCartney | Maybe I'm Amazed
<br />23. The Beatles | Lady Madonna
<br />22. The Who | My Generation
<br />21. The Beatles | Blackbird
<br />20. Counting Crows | Mr. Jones
<br />19. Jimi Hendrix | Little Wing
<br />18. Paul McCartney | Band On The Run (with Wings)
<br />17. Elton John | Your Song
<br />16. Jimi Hendrix | Wait Until Tomorrow
<br />15. Aerosmith | Dream On
<br />14. Pink Floyd | Wish You Were Here
<br />13. The Rolling Stones | (Can't Get No) Satisfaction
<br />12. The Beatles | Daytripper
<br />11. AC/DC | Shook Me All Night Long
<br />10. The Beatles | Here Comes The Sun
<br />9. Led Zeppelin | Ramble On
<br />8. Prince | Purple Rain
<br />7. Otis Redding | Sitting By The Dock Of The Bay
<br />6. The Beatles | Let It Be
<br />5. The Beatles | Hey Jude
<br />4. U2 | One (Accoustic)
<br />3. Queen | Bohemian Rhapsidy
<br />2. The Who | Won't Get Fooled Again
<br />1. Don McLean | American Pie
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<br /><b>So there you have it.</b> Don McLean's "American Pie" just barely beats out The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again," and this one was close. In fact, I placed "American Pie" second, but then changed my mind. All 100 are great songs, and I recommend you get any and all of them, either legally or otherwise.Ryan W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16478392620223445053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292049.post-863032022002-12-19T22:23:00.000-06:002002-12-19T22:24:09.000-06:00<b>Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!</b> Or not. It's been hard to get into the Christmas spirit without any snow around here. I'm in Minnesota! I expect a white Christmas! No, I expect six feet of white Christmas! Granted, it did snow today, but the roads were too warm to hold it, so it's only on the grass. Barely a dusting. I need more.
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<br />Fell in love with a girl. And it's about damn time. Of course, I've been analyzing the situation between me and her for about four months now, but now I'm absolutly sure. No, we're not dating yet; if you read this site, you should have gathered that I'm far too shy for that yet. But it seems like she might make the first move, which would be great. Indeed, things are looking up.
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<br />So long until the Twins season opens up. I look at the calender and see that it's just about two months away until the first day of Spring Training, but then I total up the days, and I can't stand it. So. Very. Long.
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<br />Of course, it'll come quicker than I think, and soon I'll have visions of championship rings dancing in my head instead of these god damn sugarplums.Ryan W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16478392620223445053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292049.post-856212382002-12-06T20:37:00.000-06:002002-12-06T20:43:26.000-06:00<b>Since leaving Marcy, and consequently Jay, the Wunder-Social Studies Teacher, I just haven't cared much for current events.</b> I follow them, I know what they're about, but I just don't care much. Maybe it's because Jay was just so damned fun to listen to on these issues, unlike the news. Meh.
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<br />Not much going on in my life. A lot of homework, a lot of nothing. I've felt a little empty since the end of the Twins season. I go to the Twins site every day, hoping just to get some new stories to feed my hunger. But it's only about 130 days until Spring Training begins!
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<br />... So very long.Ryan W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16478392620223445053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292049.post-848384502002-11-20T17:08:00.000-06:002002-11-20T17:12:06.000-06:00<b>Sunday, Monday and Tuesday of last week all were bad days.</b> Wednesday, as noted here, was a good day. Then Thursday was good. Then Friday was good as well. Which left Saturday the deciding day in if that week was to be good or bad. Saturday was good. So, for the first time in my life's history, Good has battled back from being down 3-0 to win the week. Huzzah.
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<br />Lots and lots of tests this week. And last week. And the week before. But at least I'm doing good on them.
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<br />Hump day, hump day, I hate hump day. Long boring Wednesday. But it's the end of the week now, and that's always nice.
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<br />Can you tell I have nothing to say? Good. Gives me an excuse for a lame ending.Ryan W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16478392620223445053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292049.post-844937652002-11-13T16:54:00.000-06:002002-11-13T16:57:24.000-06:00<b>A good day, for a change of pace.</b> Despite a rocky start this morning with waking up late and rushing, once I got on the bus, I had this odd feeling that today would be a good day. Maybe it was when the bus driver greeted everyone that got on the bus with a cheery greeting, maybe it was that he had gotten all the windows closed so that it'd actually be warm in the bus. I just knew it would be a good day. Which I really needed, because I haven't had a good day since before my grandpa died.
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<br />Math was simple, which put me in good spirits either. Civics was still slow and boring, but not overwhelmingly bad or boring. French was good because the most I ever had to do was watch other kids do a presentation. And the school chicken sandwich was actually cooked how I like it, instead of horribly undercooked or not crispy enough for my liking! Huzzah!
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<br />The best part of the day came in English class, even though through most of it, we were taking grammar notes. But at the end, we had a "Longest Sentence" competition, and if you've been reading this site for a while, I'm sure you know that my ears perked up at the sound of that. Yes, I can write some long sentences, and without them being run-on sentences either. For those of you who just yelled out "Commas and semi-colons!," commas yes (as I love to use them), semi-colons no (as I just didn't feel like putting any in, nor did I really have a place to). So my sentence was 73 words long, well over the next highest, 39. I could have easily gotten over 100, but class was ending and I knew that the current best was 39, so I just wrapped it up, knowing I had the prize won. My prize? A plastic/rubber/glue/God knows what's in this thing Halloween "Scream" tie. I wore it, giving me the so-often-used "insanity" look that so many wear at my high school. Very cool. And don't ask me to write the sentence here; the teacher has it, and I'll be damned if I can remember it. It started out with "Initially,".
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<br />The rest of the day was easy easy easy too. So, even though there's still a few hours left in this day, CNN is projecting Good the winner of this day in a landslide victory over Bad.
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<br />Or something.Ryan W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16478392620223445053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292049.post-844039912002-11-12T00:05:00.000-06:002002-11-12T00:06:08.000-06:00<b>Yesterday was Veteran's Day.</b> It came and went with little fanfare. I wouldn't have known if it weren't for my Simpsons 365-Day Calender alerting me of it. Considering I just had a veteran grandfather die, I thought I would do something, but I never could figure out something to do. But from what I can tell, Veteran's Day is for the veterans still alive, and Memorial Day is for those who have died. So then, Memorial Day I'll do something.
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<br />Rough Monday. Bout with sickness, the typical for November. Cough, runny nose. It's time to get the ol' humidifier up and running again. I have no beef with Winter; you have to learn to love it to stay sane around here. Minneapolis has a very cool parade every holiday season, and neighboring St. Paul has a great Winter Carnival that helps us all stay in good spirits. I'll be sick of it by February, of course. Sick of the constant white, the cold nipping at my nose. I've lived too many years here not to know that. But right now, it's not too bad. I'm just sick. The first snowfall will be fun. It always is. No matter how many snowfalls I've lived through, it's still a new feel every Winter when the first flakes actually stick to the ground and accumulate. It becomes old hat within the week, but still.
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<br />School, home, school, home, and so on for four more days. I'm already sick of this week. I was really cheated this weekend. But all I can do is go onward. Towards the weekend. Always keep your mind on the weekend. Bed now. Onward to Tuesday!
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<br />Oy.Ryan W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16478392620223445053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292049.post-839955382002-11-04T02:49:00.000-06:002002-11-04T02:51:53.000-06:00<b>Not dead, not dead!</b> My lengthy absense isn't without excuse this time. This time, I've been in Montana for my grandfather's funeral. A touching service, that was. They had a color guard and firing squad, as he was a war veteran, both World War II and the Korean War. I had never been too proud of my grandfather, because he drank and smoked way too much, and he had a large collection of porn, which we had known for a while, but didn't learn the expanse of it until we cleaned out his trailer. But during the service, I gained a lot of respect for him. He may have had his faults (which ultimately ended his life quicker), but all in all he was a good guy, as I learned from those who spoke of him there. I was very sad throughout the whole service, but the line that got the waterworks flowing was when the war veteran leading the color guard took the flag, handed it to my dad and said "On the behalf of the United States Government, we present you with the colors of our nation, which your father proudly served." Those words will always stick with me, those words will be what I remember most. The way the veteran said it, the way he handed it, the look on my father's face. It said everything, and can still bring me to tears now. It was a very simple service, and my grandpa would have liked it that way. Rest in peace, Papa Dean.
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<br /><b>I'm thinking of adding a little more umph! to the site</b>, maybe beginning with a new witty (I hope) tagline every week. My commitment to that will at least keep me coming here. Also, I'll probably add a weekly top twenty-five songs list thing, just so that it's known what I'm jiving on. Or something. The main thing is that I need to keep posting. Because I really do want this place to thrive, even though this site's purpose is just to give me writing practice. It's fun to have an audience. What's the point of writing if you're not writing to anyone?Ryan W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16478392620223445053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292049.post-831061212002-10-17T01:57:00.000-05:002002-10-17T01:57:06.233-05:00<b>Just read my entire archives.</b> Man, was some of my stuff bad. Oh well. Shows improvement, and that's a good thing.
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<br />And so, the disclaimer: Feel free to browse the archives, but don't hold me against anything I've said back there. I disagree with parts of it.
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<br />I also noticed a few different apperances of the Anaheim Angels, such as way back in Spring Training, when I noted that they were the only team in the AL better than the Twins in Spring Training. Weird wild wacky stuff.
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<br /><b>Saw "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" on Saturday.</b> Brilliant movie. Funniest movie I've ever seen. So many gags, so many jokes. You're laughing every minute, and it's appropriate for all ages (though the younger lads probably would get bored with it), including the senior citizens of America, who can be offended easily: My grandparents recommended it. I didn't even know they went to movies anymore. And those who are scared of it because N'Sync's Joey Fatone is in it: He has about three lines, and stays out of the way for the rest. It doesn't ruin the movie. He's used more as a prop than a character. Now excuse me while I try some Windex on this rash.
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<br />Oh, what else? There's a sniper on the loose; news-worthy. But what am I going to say about it? I think it's bad. So does everyone else.
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<br />Vikings are as good as dead. Timberwolves seem to be doing alright in the pre-season, but it's the pre-season. Just wait until round one of the NBA Playoffs. The Wild were undefeated in pre-season, but, once again, pre-season. I think the NHL regular season has started. I think I'll find my way to a Wild game this season; I'd really love to see the Xcel Energy Center, and an actual NHL game. I don't care much for hockey, but I'm Minnesotan, so I have to go to at least one game in my childhood. Or else I'm evil, or something. Now can I wear my Wild t-shirt, or should I bring a sweater? Yeah, I'm new to this.
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<br />Tired, tired, but four day weekend, so no bed for a while. Plus, my sister conviently fell asleep in my bed. Oy. That means I get to face her wrath waking her up. She doesn't wake easy.
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<br />AND CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME IF BOB BARKER DIED OR NOT?!
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<br />It's been a long day. Long, confusing day.Ryan W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16478392620223445053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292049.post-829515772002-10-14T00:31:00.000-05:002002-10-14T00:32:54.000-05:00<b>There once was a land named Whosville.</b> The Whos in Whosville were hard-working, fun-loving people, who loved to earn their money and then spend it on the various attractions around Whosville. Except one. The Whosville Whos, the local baseball team. The Whosville Whos, you see, were not playing very good baseball, and the Whos of Whosville didn't feel like seeing the Whosville Whos lose all the time. But in a Whodollar dominated game, with no Whos attending the games, that meant the Whosville Whos couldn't get good players to help the team improve. But the Whosville Whos developed a strong farm system, and with a lot of hard work, they had developed a good, home-grown baseball team. One season, the Whosville Whos started to win. Some of the Whos in Whosville caught on, and attended games. Things were looking promising for the Whosville Whos, but they just missed the playoffs.
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<br />Just after the World Series, two evil Grinches, one the commissioner of baseball, and the other the Whosville Whos owner, decided they'd ruin the hopes and dreams of the Whosville Whos of ever becoming, once again, a Championship baseball team. Aghast at the news, all the Whos in Whosville started to protest the idea. There were rallies and protests. There were web sites made by Whos in Whosville pleading with the Grinches. And, most importantly, some of the Whos in Whosville took the matter to the Whosville courts, and won. The Whosville Whos would last at least one more season. The Whosville Whos all rejoiced at the news, as they liked playing in Whosville and knew they could go much further this season.
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<br />And thus began the long road. It started far south of Whosville, in another town, in a whole 'nother state, a whole 'nother land, with a very different climate. There, the Whosville Whos could prepare without battling the cold weather of Whosville. April 1st came, and the Whosville Whos played their first of 162 (or more!) games that they could not have been playing if the Grinches plans wouldn't have been blocked. And they won. And through the months they went, going to many different towns to face many different other teams, and they continued to pile on wins, and stay ahead of the other teams. After many moons, the Whosville Whos clinched a playoff spot, and not only did the Whosville Whos rejoice, but so did all the Whos in Whosville.
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<br />The Whosville Whos entered the playoffs facing a team that seemed much bigger and much stronger and ultimately much better than them. But the small Whosville Whos managed to beat such an ominous team and move onward in the playoffs.
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<br />Their next opponents, however, were built much like them. Almost as if they were ... Twins or some kind of self-reflective guardian Angels. The Whosville Whos thought they were very unique from all the other teams in the playoffs, but this was not so. This other team had been built nearly identically, and they even had to face a "Goliath" of an opponent previous to this round. The Whosville Whos were quite good at defying odds against bigger competition, but how would they fare when they were even with a team?
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<br />Unfortunately for the Whos in Whosville, they didn't fare well at all, and were ultimately defeated. And somewhere, the Grinches smirked. But they will not smirk for long, because while their cold hearts of evil may freeze especially cold on this day, in just a few months, the same team of Whosville Whos will be at it again, and perhaps this time, the Grinches will be defeated by the Whosville Whos and the people they represent.
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<br /><b>A very big thanks and congratulations to the Minnesota Twins, reigning a love for baseball, and especially Twins baseball, into Minnesota.</b> Especially since the Vikings suck this season. Five games in 2001, six games in 2002, so I'll be shooting for seven in 2003. Hopefully I'll get to see a few in Kansas City or Chicago or even Boston or New York (all have been mentioned by my parents for next season). But the Grinches have taught me a lesson, and I don't see how, win or lose, I can ever lose my interest in the Twins ever again. Baseball will always be my first love. Here's to a restful off-season and an excellent, hopefully less worrisome 2003 Season!Ryan W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16478392620223445053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292049.post-818032412002-09-18T21:59:00.000-05:002002-09-18T22:11:02.000-05:00<b>I laughed when I typed in my username and password and then checked the "Remember Me" button.</b> Yeah, I'm back. Didn't go anywhere, really, and that was the problem. I was stuck at home all summer, leaving me with nothing of any interest to write. Nevermind that I've been in school for two weeks now. I knocked down the walls with my own laziness, and now it's time for me to build them back up.
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<br />That's not to say I haven't thought about this place. All summer I've thought of things to post here. But I didn't, and I'm really not sure why. I thought about coming back on September 11th, but decided ultimately against it, for no real concrete reason. But then I decided to post today, for just the same reason: no reason. Because, really, what Blogger has a reason for doing this? We don't make much, if anything, from it. We aren't exactly getting a whole lot of fame from it either. It won't land me a cameo on Friends or an interview on Entertainment Tonight. We do this because we want to.
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<br />I'm back now. I have the want again. I just hope the fans (hah!) still want me.Ryan W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16478392620223445053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292049.post-791432642002-07-19T04:29:00.000-05:002002-07-19T04:29:23.190-05:00<b>I creep down the stairs to go to the bathroom, unable to hold it in any longer.</b> I must be quieter than I've ever been; quieter than all those times my paranoid brain thought there was an intruder in the house. Just as quiet as all those moments of silence I've participated in (quite a few, really. Most of them at baseball games.) The 4:00 hour is weird. If it were 3:00, my parents would know I was up on the computer, and figure it's summer and not care much. If it were 5:00, they'd think I was sleeping in my bed and woke up and had to go, which would be perfectly acceptable. 4:00 is the inbetween hour, the Korean de-militarized zone of the witching hours (what the hell did I just say?). If I were caught now, my parents would know I was up on the computer and would yell because it was far too late.
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<br />I made it down and in safe and sound. Did my business (a term saved for the dog), took a whiff and figured I'd take my chances and flush. Safe. Washed hands. Looked up at the mirror. And that's when the thought donned on me.
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<br />Now, I've never considered myself "sexy", nor do I think anyone else has. I have a good personality, intelligence on a multitude of levels, a premium blend when it comes to what's on the inside. But it doesn't come in a good package. Oh well.
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<br />That said, I looked up at the mirror, looked at my face and thought "Damn, do I look sexy tonight."
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<br />Not sexy enough to be a movie star or male model or something, just generally good looking. Better than normal.
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<br />Must be a night time thing. Carpe diem (Jesus, I hope that was the right Latin phrase).Ryan W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16478392620223445053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292049.post-791422962002-07-19T03:37:00.000-05:002002-07-19T03:38:01.000-05:00<b>New template.</b> Not because I was tired of the old one, though. Because the old one encountered an error I didn't know how to fix. So new template. Just as well, I suppose.
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<br />News sites have been the bulk of my web surfing lately (if my parents knew this, they wouldn't regard my web surfing so pointless, but whatever), but I'm just as clueless as the next person about it all. Whatever. I know the stock market is unstable and that kids all over the US are going missing and we're about to go into Iraq again and all that. Okay then. I'll continue to live in a little state of bliss. Save your news for the fall and the return of Social Studies. Summer is a time of relatives and home improvements and wasting my time on my ass. And enjoying every bit of it.
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<br />See what kind of stuff I can work out late at night? I mean, that sounded GOOD. It sounded intelligent despite being utter crap. That's why I think I'd make a good columnist (though Lileks is god).
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<br />The truth of the matter is every clock around me says 3:33, I just replaced my boring Windows shell with one from <a href="http://www.litestep.com">LiteStep</a>, and Hootie and the Blowfish is playing on the built-in Winamp player. And I just put up a new template that accidentally covers up the BlogSpot ads. All hail late night.Ryan W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16478392620223445053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292049.post-789564252002-07-14T22:01:00.000-05:002002-07-14T22:02:53.000-05:00<b>Random thoughts.</b> The All-Star Game ended in a tie. Normally, I'd be pissed off as all hell at this. And I am. But it's not so bad, because it made Bud Selig be booed in his own home town, which made me smile. Good times.
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<br />If anyone should be glad the game ended in a tie, it's recording artist (questionable) Anastsia, who sang the National Anthem before the game. She botched two lines, and would have made the highlight reel and been the talk of water coolers across the US if the game hadn't ended in a tie. "And the rockets gave glare!" Come on.
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<br />Saw Men In Black Two. It wasn't bad, but it certainly isn't memorable. If you're out of movies to see, see it. If you liked the first, see it. Otherwise, avoid it. It went by way too quick, and really wasn't entertaining. Certainly not as good as the first, as it loses all the charm of the first. But it wasn't bad.Ryan W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16478392620223445053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292049.post-785619082002-07-04T16:01:00.000-05:002002-07-04T16:01:12.366-05:00<b>Horrible disturbing feeling.</b> True, I said I'd ignore the story until tomorrow. But that doesn't mean the TV won't be left on. I just had a horrible feeling. Earlier the TV said one dead. I looked at the computer, looked up later. Two dead. And I just looked up at the TV again, and it said three dead. It's a horrible feeling.Ryan W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16478392620223445053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292049.post-785613382002-07-04T15:43:00.000-05:002002-07-04T15:43:31.450-05:00[Music| Artists For Life - What's Going On]
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<br /><b>I just finished my America playlist.</b> I open up a new Internet Explorer window, and see a headline saying someone was shot at the Los Angeles Airport. Well.
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<br />I turn on CNN and click the link, but then mute the TV and leave the page. I'd rather enjoy America than wallow in sadness on this Fourth. And I'll ignore the story until I read it in tomorrow's paper.Ryan W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16478392620223445053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292049.post-785245342002-07-03T16:51:00.000-05:002002-07-03T16:51:15.313-05:00[Music| Weezer - Island In The Sun]
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<br /><b>I haven't had a thing to say for a while now, and then all of a sudden I get a lot to say.</b>
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<br />There's some times when nothing on TV is better than PBS. Last night (late last night, of course. Like four AM.) was one of those moments. I flipped past PBS, and they had American Scientific Explorers or whatever it's called on. I stopped and watched. I actually like that show the few times I catch it. If nothing else, I can laugh at Alan Alda. They had a thing about memory, and then a thing about an astronaut who was on Mir, and then a thing about mountain climbing sickness. It wasn't all that entertaining, but it was better than my choice of two Richard Simmons infomercials.
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<br />After that, PBS got better. British comedies. I've flipped past many of these, and even stopped to watch for a bit, but I always turn away within a couple minutes, even though I knew British comedy was supposed to be very good. So I watched an entire one this time. It was called "Waiting For God", about, basically, a nursing home. Didn't sound great, didn't sound bad.
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<br />They had a lady, Diana, who made fun of everyone. One of the best characters I've ever seen on a TV show. She was hilarious. That said, the whole show was hilarious. Certainly worth looking into.
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<br />Prior to "Waiting For God", they showed a commercial for "The Boss", another British comedy. The commercial really made me want to see it, but, alas, the commercial said it aired at 10:00 PM. Damn. But after "Waiting For God", they showed "The Boss". I was happy.
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<br />I was even more happy after I saw the show. T'was brilliant, with excellent characters. And for me, new to the show, they make the show quite easy to hop into. I plan on watching tonight at 10:00. Yes, both shows had jokes that would be far funnier to Brits, but they do just fine in America. I don't see any reason for me to watch an American comedy ever again. Really.
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<br />9:30 AM. Up and at 'em. Grandma, visiting from Florida in her motorhome, wanted me to direct her to Fort Snelling National Cemetary. I know how to get to nearly anything in the Minneapolis area, and if I don't know exactly how, I can make one hell of a guess. No problem getting her there. We went to the cemetary, payed our respects, and then Grandma noted that she wanted to go buy flowers. I'm not all that familiar with the Bloomington area, so I didn't know where to go. So we drove. Eventually, we found shopping mecca: The Mall of America. "Let's try there" said Grandma. Alright. Of course, we go inside and didn't find any flowers anywhere. Though when she's only willing to go down one side of the mall, you can't expect to find anything.
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<br />What surprised me was how many new stores there were in there. It had only been about three months since I was there last. We go quite a bit, seeing how it's close. But in just one side of the building, two of the four levels, there were about seven new stores. When my uncle gets to town in a couple weeks we'll go to the Mall of America, and a further examination will be done. But how there could be that many new stores in just three months was astounding.
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<br />Unfortunately, a cosistant stop at the Mall, The Drug Store, is gone. Replaced by Ocean Store. The Drug Store had 69 cent cans of pop! And now it's gone!
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<br />Then again, Met Stadium was demolished for the Mall of America. Ch-ch-ch-changes.
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<br />We took side roads home, and it was less stressful than taking the highway. Which made me realize that highways suck. When I get my license, I won't do much highway driving. The side roads are for me.
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<br />We stopped at The Diner for lunch, and had a greasy Philly Melt. I love Philly Melts. I didn't love that one. Horrible thing.
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<br />Found our way home via Downtown. Downtown Minneapolis has to be my favorite place in the whole world. I've yet to see a skyline more beautiful than the grand yet modest skyline of Minneapolis. And on the ground it's nice too. In the winter, you don't have to take a single step outside, and in the summer there's benches and tables and all sorts of places you can just sit and enjoy summer. Nicollet Mall is the best idea this city has ever had. And Downtown is the home of the Minnesota Twins, and there's nothing like a drive with the windows down through the vibrant Saturday Minneapolis streets, right down Hennipen, after a Twins win. Nothing like it. I am truly blessed to live in such a wonderful city, such a wonderful state, such a wonderful country.
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<br />Happy Fourth. Love your city, state and country as much as I do mine, because you could have it a lot worse.
<br />Ryan W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16478392620223445053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292049.post-782364842002-06-26T14:58:00.000-05:002002-06-26T14:58:36.540-05:00<b>Reverend Jerry Falwell is an idiot.</b> I'm watching CNN's Talk Back Live (which I probably should have watch more often) as I heard that "under God" was removed from the Pledge Of Alligence, which excited me. Regardless of my religious views (frankly, I'm in the middle), to uphold the Constitution, God shouldn't be mentioned at all in the Pledge Of Alligence. And when Falwell and others say that it shouldn't be removed because it's unpatriotic to do so, what about the patriotism that comes in upholding the Constitution, which grants us all freedom of speech and freedom of religion? Frankly, I find the Constitution far more patroitic than the Pledge Of Alligence.
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<br />I have never, ever said the Pledge Of Alligence. Not because I've chosen not to; we haven't done it. It's simply not done in Minneapolis Public Schools. If we were to do it, I don't think I would. I would choose to sit it out, perferably outside of the room. When it came to choosing high schools, one of the lesser pros I had towards the public high school I'll be going to over the private high school my parents wanted me to go to is that they say the Pledge there. When I toured the private high school, I was quite uncomfortable when they all said it. The point people are bringing up is that people can just sit it out if they want; it's not that easy. When your peers and most teachers are up there saying it, and you're one of the few, if not the only, sitting it out, it's not a good feeling. I felt it when I toured the private school, and if it was excruciating once, imagine the kids who go through that every day.
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<br />And really, with grades faltering across the nation, shouldn't making kids feel comfortable at school be the number one goal?Ryan W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16478392620223445053noreply@blogger.com