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Pineapple Express
March 28, 2008Enjoy.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 1:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Kick and Slap a friend
How many people remember the M.C. Hammer of old?
I loved this era of rap. Of course I grew up with Hammer, so I'm also a fan of New Kids on the Block, Kris Kross and Vanilla Ice.
I kind of know what two fifths of the New Kids on the Block are up to. And we all know that Vanilla is back in the rock circuit as a reality show celebrity.
But what happened to Kris Kross? Kris Kross made you wanna "jump, jump," but not much else. Mac Daddy and Daddy Mac were two of a kind.
I do remember both of those knuckle heads starring with Doctor Dre and Ed Lover in "Who's the Man?" But that's about it. I think they flamed out in about '92 with a second album.
Thank God for memories.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Permission Denied
I would hate to be this guy. Look at his face when he walks off the court. I don't know whether to laugh or cry.
The thing that did make me chuckle was T-Mac's reaction as the guy was being escorted off the court by the Houston Rockets' mascot. I did like the condolences given by the Houston Rocket cheerleader.
I hope this guy ditched the girl after the game. And I know she rode with him. Maybe he made her walk home.
I feel your pain bro.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 10:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Opening Day
March 25, 2008The Sox beat the Athletics today 6-5. Not a lot of people probably watched the game, or were able to do so. It started at 5 a.m. Tuesday.
Another reason is because the sacred day in baseball, opening day, was played overseas in Japan.
Do I have a problem with internationalizing the game? Nope, I would just like to see the start of the MLB season start and end in the states.
It was the Red Sox, not the White Sox, for crying out loud. If you want to have a game in Japan throw them the Florida Marlins. People who live in Florida don't go to watch the Marlins.
In the NFL you don't see the Cowboys or the Packers playing in Mexico City -- no, you saw the Arizona Cardinals playing the San Francisco 49ers.
Granted the now NFL champion NY Giants played the Dolphins in England, but who thought that game would have mattered, honestly, when it was played?
And neither of those games opened the season.
The Red Sox should have been able to open their year up at Fenway. They earned it.
I understand there is marketing appeal because of Dice-K, but why play the game so early in the season if they must. I guess the shock will wear off as well as the jet lag.
I wonder how much complaining would come out of a MLB club if they had to play a three-game series overseas in the middle of an already too long 162 game season.
Regardless all major league sports are becoming more and more international. It's for the good of the game when it comes down to it, but if you want to send a team to Japan to play how about another go around for the the Bad News Bears.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 10:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Jackie Chan's greatness
March 24, 2008I stumbled across this video the other day on some obscure website and knew I had to pass it along to others.
I'll open this up by saying Jackie Chan is crazy -- as you can see after watching the video. I knew he did a lot of movies and did all of his own stunts, but not to the extreme as below. He was a younger, more able bodied actor when he did his earlier movies.
I remember when Jackie had his first big American film big break -- "Rumble In The Bronx." And it was still dubbed at parts.
I watched that movie all the time and then "Rush Hour" hit Hollywood. Chris Tucker peaked after "Friday" and then the first of now three installments of "Rush Hour," but Jackie kept going.
Jackie's stunts started to decline in extremes, but he still had good fighting sequences.
Anyways, on to the clip. If you can find any more stunts, ones that would live up to Jackie's, then pass them along.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 2:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Virginia Tech vs. The Bronx Bombers
March 19, 2008Yesterday the Virginia Tech Hokies took on the New York Yankees and lost 11-0. The score doesn't matter, but who really knew that the game was played?
I sure didn't and I would have liked to have watched. I found out when I watched ESPN News late yesterday. It was a nice, emotional story about a charity baseball game. It was a little short considering the seriousness of the murders that occurred last year.
Here's a link to the story on our website - http://timesrecordnews.com/news/2008/mar/19/emotional-day-virginia-tech-and-yankees/
The Yankees are connected to the Virginia Tech school after George Steinbrenner donated $1 million to the campus to use for grief counseling after the tragedy .
A-Rod and Jeter were humble during their interviews and their words were heart felt.
I especially liked what Jeter had to say. A-Rod appears to be a PR robot, so I don't really know how to judge his words.
Above is some footage taken by one of the people in the stands. The video kind of says it all.
Visit the Yankees website and ESPN.com to view more video.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Scattered, Smothered and Covered
March 18, 2008
How would you like to have your hash browns served by this guy?
I don't know what's better -- the lack of the undershirt or the fedora and matching track suit.
Kid Rock did a little side dishing at the Waffle House where he was involved in a brawl in 2007. Don't you just love Kid Rock?
It's not exactly Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, serving ice cream at Dairy Queen View image.
It's better. I guess he felt he had to repair what relationship he had with the workers at Waffle House in Duluth, Georgia.
And while we're on the subject, why doesn't Wichita Falls have a Waffle House. Who doesn't like waffles anyway you can get them at crack of dawn?
We had something of a Waffle House in the form of the Pumpjack Diner, but that didn't last. They wore the funny hats and had the retro feel.
Waffle House has basically the same thing. Bring on the Waffle House.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 1:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Sweet 16 picks
My bracket is going to bust. I don't know why I can just feel the holes at the bottom of the boat.
I have a thing for the underdog. Most of the time, whatever game I'm watching I'll root for the losing team. Can't blame a guy for wanting to see a close game, can you?
Anyways, I'm filling out my bracket and as far as I've committed myself to pick is the sweet 16 round of the NCAA tournament.
Out of the East I have: North Carolina, Notre Dame, Louisville and surprise upset Butler. Don't really know why I don't like Tennessee, but I like Butler better.
Out of the Midwest I have: Kansas, Clemson (although I might change my mind and go with Villanova), University of Southern California and Georgetown. I have a feeling Hibbert won't step up in the second round and get beat by Davidson, but Georgetown is who I'm choosing.
Out of the South: Memphis, Pittsburgh, Stanford and Texas. Out of all the divisions, I like my predictions in the South the best.
Out of the West: University of California-Los Angeles, Drake, Xavier and Duke. West Virginia might get hot and run over Duke, but I like the ability of Paulus to handle the rock in a pinch.
I'm not going to send Memphis to the Final Four. Their free throw percentage is atrocious. Either Pitt., Stanford or Texas is going to get them.
I really like the odds of UCLA winning the whole thing. My heart says go with either Kansas and Texas, but my heart gets me in trouble when picking teams.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 10:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Ghosts I-IV
March 14, 2008Trent Reznor went for the big time and won big.
The Nine Inch Nails' frontman decided to release his band's news creative offering online, and boy has it been successful.
Since the album was released March 2 about 750,000 downloads have been tallied.
I read original story on an off-spin of a Ticketmaster.com website. To me those totals are amazing. Radiohead did the same thing and I think bands must branch out by putting stuff up for free on their website.
A lot of kids don't want to spend $15 to test a band out. Sure they might like one or two songs, but that's not why they're buying it.
I praise Reznor for his decision to market his album online. He had different options -- for free (9 tracks), $5 for everything, $10 for download and CD, $75 for the secret series and $300 for the super-secret series.
On March 10, a week after the album went on sale, all of the 2,500 editions of the $300 version were sold out.
No matter what you charge the idea will work. The band still stands to make profits. Even if you don't rake it in initially, money is there to be made.
After Radiohead released their album nationally on CD they stormed to the top of the Billboard 100 charts for sales. How did they do it?
Well, Radiohead is a heck of a band with a religious-like following. They did it for free or for pay and they still rocked out with their downloads out.
So here's to Reznor. Hopefully more and more bands will follow.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 10:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Hot, new artist: Santogold
March 13, 2008I really liked this video, and I hope you do too.
Santogold was featured by Rolling Stone magazine late last year as one of their "artists to watch."
She has more stuff on her myspace page. I believe she's from Brooklyn, but not 100 percent sure. I also don't believe she has an major label record out yet, but it should be out soon.
Her sound is interesting considering what's floating around nowadays.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 1:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Army of TWO
The newest new game on the block for any gaming device is PS3's Army of TWO. The co-op game features everything a growing boy loves. Blood, terrorists, explosions and corruption.
Army of TWO is about two semi-straight shooters that want to flush out corruption for the privatized military organization they belong to.
Not exactly something you'll see in Blackwater, but a game is a game for a reason.
The first mission involves going to the Middle East and taking out some guy with a name that includes too many vowels.
The main characters -- ex-Army Rangers Rios and Salem -- globe trot to weed out the scum with pimped out super handguns and .50 caliber sniper rifles.
Everything about the experience I've had beating the game with my brother has been great. Co-op is fantastic. He has a humongous TV so playing split screen wasn't as bad as it should have been.
He doesn't have internet hooked up to his PS3, so who know what magic is around that corner.
If I have one major problem with the game is that you can't run as one of the usable characters. When I'm getting shot at I'd like to think that I can hotfoot it out of there. But you can't and you usually die.
Overall, a game of the year for PS3. I think its out on XBOX and I'd imagine its about the same.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 9:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Fantasy Baseball is in the air.
March 12, 2008ERA, WHIP, OPS -- to some those little acronyms mean nothing. To others, they mean everything in the world for the next six months.
Fantasy Baseball is getting bigger every year. The leisure fan jumps in and becomes a nut and then the cycle continues. Leisure fan is the key.
Once they become crazed they try to convert others like a senseless religion pastor trying to get people to drink the kool-aid.
You can probably learn a lot about a guy, or possibly girl, if you ask them if they play fantasy baseball and their eyes light up.
And with about three weeks until the season kicks off, draft day - the most important day on earth - is at the drop of the hat of every second of every minute of every day until opening day.
Don't believe me? Go to ESPN.com and see for your self in the "draft lobby." Talking on the message board to some of those people can be close to brain surgery if you don't know what's up from down.
Try this out for size "you think A-Rod will clinch AL MVP hitting 30HR, bagging 30 bases with a .325BA?".
Some will know others won't.
But there is fun in it all.
Just because, and because I wanted to have together time, I asked my wife if she wanted to join along and, yes, now the wife and me have a fantasy team.
The draft was later at night, so she was only able to stay up the first six or so selections before she hit the hay. I believe I did round out a good roster though. (http://games.espn.go.com/flb/clubhouse?leagueId=79421&teamId=10)
She like names, hence Papelbon's pick, and went with her gut. I tried to steer her with my mythical/empty knowledge of the subject, so we have long names and amazing results.
Wonder if we should name the team www.wichitafallhelpwanted.com?
Posted by Clayton Hein at 1:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Daylight Blah
March 10, 2008Who invented daylight savings? I hate Ben Franklin. Yes he did a bunch of wonderful things a long, long time ago -- but I just lost an hour of my life that I wanted this Monday morning.
Maybe I just have a "case of the Mondays." Who knows, but hear me out.
It's an easy concept, but it's something that I'm getting tired of. Spring forward, Fall back. What a catchy phrase.
Why do it? Of the estimated 300 million people in American, I'm assuming less than 1 percent of those farm.
Yes we still have a large population in Texas that get up at the breakneck of dawn to do stuff -- what I don't know -- but do they really need that hour when the time comes?
Why can't they just read their farmer's almanac and work in the dark as the rest of the world rests.
It drags the body down. I woke up late, I arrived to work late and I'm sure I'll have to try to go to bed early to adjust the system.
I do have to apologize to my church for skipping out Sunday. The hour got me. Here I thought I was good and ready to show up early to schmooze with the rest of the congregation, when I learned of the change.
To top it all off, I just learned that Daylight Savings might be bad for the environment. http://www.thestar.com/News/article/326611
Posted by Clayton Hein at 9:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Burk Lost 3A Championship game
March 8, 2008Burkburnett lost 61-59 on a final shot by Kennedale with seconds left in OT. They played in Austin at 10 a.m. Saturday. I listened to the radio for a sporting event and I haven't been this glum in a while.
But I don't see why Burk can't return to the state championship next year. Holding out hope -- like Cubs fans always seem to find a way to do --- as a write this. Have a good weekend.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 12:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
America's Best Dance Crew
March 7, 2008Has anyone else been as amazed with MTV's America's Best Dance Crew as I have been.
I wasn't really enthused by the idea of another American-Idol styled show on MTV that involved dancing.
And I really didn't want to put up with Mario Lopez for more than 30 min. a week. I put up with that guy throughout my childhood, and I knew a couple weeks ago that I didn't want to handle any more A.C. Slater.
But I watched. And I watched again. The kids on that show are talented. They aren't all true breakers, but I love the choreography. Wonder if the dance crews (L.A. Lakergirls) could do something like that. Doubt it.
My interest in this show comes from years back. I tried to fit in with the break-dancing culture. I couldn't do it, but I loved to watch.
Granted I hopped down on the cardboard a time or two, but there was no way I could do what my buddies, Georgie, Jason and Roderick were doing.
And for those interested, I know for a fact one of Wichita Falls' Finest used to do a little break dancing. (Call me sometime and I'll let you know his name)
Back to the show,
Kabba Modern, BreakSk8, Jabba Wockeez -- they're all good. And for about one month they've been the front runners in a $100,000 competition.
Randy Jackson is one to something here. I expect it will become a old, tired product in a couple of years if they try to continue to do it, as MTV does with everything successful, but I imagine I'll continue to watch.
Just as long as the talent stays the same.
Here's something that might pique your interest --
Posted by Clayton Hein at 8:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Experience
March 6, 2008Stephen Colbert's Word for the day is brought to you by experience.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 4:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Gnarls Barkley second single
March 4, 2008This is unofficial, and who knows when it will be removed by whoever has the bigger budget. But this is ?uestlove, drummer from the Roots, having a little fun with Gnarls Barkley's second single (?) "Who's Gonna Save My Soul).
Enjoy.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 1:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Gone Baby Gone
The movie was pretty good in my opinion. I really liked the plot line. First the girl goes missing, then she's dead, then another boy goes missing and then the story turns on its ear.
A round of applause is deserved by the Affleck boys. Both Ben and Casey did their jobs well enough to make what could have been a lame-duck movie a treat to experience.
The cast came together really well. I didn't like the choice of Michelle Monaghan or Ed Harris. But the roles they played grew on me.
In the end it was Casey who really carried the movie. He was the, as Tony Soprano would put it, Gary Cooper - "strong, silent type."
I liked Casey in "Good Will Hunting," which I don't believe he got enough credit for, but I really like Casey in "Gone Baby Gone."
I still try to pull the "I wish I had a double burger" sing-song line that Casey did from "Hunting" all of the time. Its my own inside joke. No one ever really gets it, mainly because no one is as big as a movie/pop-culture freak as I consider myself to be.
Yes big Ben and Matt Damon -- the dual love interests of Jimmy Kimmel and Sarah Silverman -- came out of nowhere to put their stars on the map, but I continue to give props to little Casey.
I've heard he does a dynamite job in the Brad Pitt/"Jesse James" flick, and it doesn't surprise me that much.
I wanted to see the movie, yes its been a while, the other night when I went to Hollywood Video and much to my dismay, they didn't have the damn thing.
How do you not have a Oscar recognized film for people to borrow at their leisure. Did they forget to order it? Who knows.
Anyways, go see "Gone Baby Gone" and eat some Bugles with caramel coating. It'll make a great night.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 1:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Jack for Hillary
This isn't an endorsement. It's funny. Smile:)
Posted by Clayton Hein at 12:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Skates and Short, Short shorts
Is that the Golden State Warrior Baron Davis? Indeed it is. Don't you love it?
Posted by Clayton Hein at 9:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Clinton
March 3, 2008Bill Clinton came to town. Yes, the former President came to town and Wichita Falls, and its sad to say but even He couldn't fill the MPEC.
We came close, but not enough people decided to show up to see someone so unimportant talk about issues that probably don't affect them.
Heck Jerry Seinfeld couldn't sell out the Memorial Auditorium, what would make me think that Clinton and his 40 min. speech could fill half of an exhibit hall?
People paid good money to have someone make them laugh, Clinton got a few chuckles out of people too, and his appearance was almost free.
You didn't have to vote for his wife, but thinking about it was all that was expected. Well, I don't even know if thinking about it was necessary to get inside.
When I showed up about one hour before the 6 p.m. planned arrival I was actually shocked that so many people wanted to see history in Wichita Falls.
I'm glad I was there.
Random Thoughts:
1.) Clinton's people sure didn't select a rousing collection of music. Yes there was the Boss, but Smash Mouth? I think I heard Al Green, but outside of that, nothing. Might not have been old enough to remember the names. I did recognize a couple of tunes but nothing I could connect to.
2.) Will people complain about anything. Granted they had to wait two hours, but the chairs situation was ridiculous. As soon as I saw people rush in I could see them mouth "NO CHAIRS !*_#($*#&@!" I was told that was a Hillary staff thing, not a MPEC thing, so please don't point any fingers.
3.) Hillary's staff was borderline vicious. They came to the Wichita and the Falls armed like robots with Blackberrys. They were a little wrapped up in their little worlds of internship and long hours. I asked a passerby staff for a bottle of water and you thought I'd asked her to spare a square.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 9:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
