Stars and Stripes For a Little While June 14, 2007
Posted by Andy in andy roth, Flag Day, rants, soapbox.6 comments
Happy Flag Day!
This holiday is elegant in its simplicity. The mail still comes, nothing is closed, you don’t have to buy gifts, prepare elaborate meals, host fancy parties, sing any particular songs, or even send anyone a card. All that is expected of you is to display the flag as a sign of your patriotism and love for the US of A.
Sadly, this small gesture seems to be beyond most everyone. Looking around my neighborhood, the stars and stripes are few and far between. This is even worse when you consider that Francis Scott Key himself is buried less than 10 minutes from here. Our minor league baseball team is the Frederick Keys and the “good” mall is the Francis Scott Key Mall.
What makes me even madder are all those people that had flags coming out of every orifice six years ago. Where are your flags now, people. I guess it is no longer cool and trendy. Fair weather patriots. It is a sad commentary that someone has to blow something up to make us care about being Americans.
Oh, say, does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave? Sorry Francis, it does not.
Sopranos Goes June 11, 2007
Posted by Andy in andy roth, soapbox, Sopranos.1 comment so far
One of the most highly acclaimed shows in recent history had its strongly anticipated conclusion last night. Like many others, I’ve enjoyed watching the exploits of Tony and his Sunshine Band through the years, and was very curious as to how it would end.
So, what was the big payoff, and what did I think about it? I can answer both those question with one word:
Hard Habit To Break. April 6, 2007
Posted by Andy in andy roth, soapbox, UPS.add a comment
Back in Middle School we would slow dance to the cheesey Chicago hit “Hard Habit To Break”. Little did I know then, that a line from that song would resonate so well with me today:
Don’t know what you’ve got until its gone, and I find out a little too late.
I like to take pictures, or to put that pretentiously, I am an aspiring photographer. A few days ago I found out that a glitch my camera has been experiencing for a while is an acknowledged defect, and would be fixed for free. On Tuesday, I visited the Brown Santa store to send the camera to authorized service center.
From the moment it left my possession, I have been jonesing to take some shots. Suddenly everything I see I want to capture, but I frustratingly cannot. Around every corner are colorful flowers, cute kittens playing with balls of string, sunsets, creatures frolicking, balloons, dancing girls, you name it. I have to believe that if I had my camera, I’d see none of these things. At least I would not notice them.
It is the same feeling I get when the power goes out and I keep flipping light switches in dark rooms thinking it will make a difference. Sometimes life is like that. I suppose I should learn to live with it. But I don’t want to.
Beware the Asides Of March March 16, 2007
Posted by Andy in andy roth, soapbox.2 comments
I like writing in asides, which are side-roads off the main topic. Speaking of side roads, one of my favorite local side roads in Cap Stine Road, which we sometimes take on the way to my son’s school. Talk of school and Stine reminds me of a teacher I had in middle school named Mr. Stine. We all called him Bird-Beak behind his back, which I guess was pretty mean. And speaking of pretty and birds, I saw my first robin a few days ago, which is a sure sign of spring. I find it odd that we sprang forward when it is still winter. Not that I am complaining because I like that extra hour of daylight, though it is a bit darker in the morning when I take my son to school. To be safe, I’ve been staying on the highways and avoiding the side roads.
I also enjoy writing parenthetically. (Parenthetically means inside parenthesis. I don’t say that to be condescending. It is a big word and I just want to be sure that you know what I mean. (Condescending is when you talk down to someone))
Ode To Brown Santa November 27, 2006
Posted by Andy in andy roth, Christmas, cyber monday, soapbox, UPS.3 comments
Twas the month before Christmas and all down the street
Folks were clicking online to find gifts that were neat.
To Amazon and Buy for gadgets that glean
And for clothes and home fashions I’ll try LL Bean.
To e-bay to snipe an auction or two.
Because the kids can’t tell that this stuff is not new.
For Alex some PJ’s, pink doll stuff for Ella.
For Shelley, well, I’m not going to tell ya.
I stay warm in my house while the weather is nipping.
Get some stuff for myself? Sure, why not? Save on shipping.
No buyers remorse as the days go pass
Got some good deals and did not pay for gas
Check gmail one day when I wake from my slumbers
Could it be, yes it is, hoo-ahh, tracking numbers!
And now the fun adventure begins
As I see where my boxes have their origins.
I watch as they go across this great nation.
And arrive and depart from each destination.
Then one morning, what joy could this be?
My package is out for delivery!
Later as I’m heating my mid-day meal,
Do I hear a low rumble and also a squeal?
Right as I’m turning off the oven
Brown Santa delivers some cardboard wrapped lovin.
Brown Santa Brown Santa, what joy what luck
I feel whenever I see your brown truck.
You bring me my stuff, put it right by the door.
I don’t even have to go to the store.
Back to the truck, and off down the road
To deliver more goodness that online was sold.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.”
TGI Pie Day November 17, 2006
Posted by Andy in andy roth, pie, soapbox, Thanksgiving.1 comment so far
Thanksgiving is descending upon us like a giant Underdog float down 34th street, and this year, as in years past, I am thankful for pie. Don’t get me wrong, I like a cookie or a cake as much as the next guy, and if ice cream were never invented I’d probably weigh 20 pounds less than I do. But nothing fills that 15 minutes between the last bite of turkey and falling asleep on the couch better than a hearty slice of pie.
Other holidays have have their own associated goodies. Christmas has sugar plums and fruit cakes. Easter, Halloween and Valentines day have their respective candys. Father’s Day has its tie shaped Carvel ice cream cake (made from the same mold as Fudgie the Whale). Those are all good, and I will certainly eat my share, plus the shares of my kids if they don’t finish them or are not paying attention. But for me, the king of holiday desserts has to be pie.
So, what type of pie is my favorite? I’m glad you asked. Certainly not Shoefly pie, which I think is made from tar and dust. No way. My three favorite pies are
3. Boston Cream – how could you not like chocolate frosted pie filled with pudding?
2. Apple – call my a patriot, but give a slice of hot apple pie (the kind with a criss-cross top) and a side scoop of ice cream, and I will be your friend for life.
1. Pumpkin. Especially at Thanksgiving, its gotta be pumpkin. Hot or cold with whip cream on top, this pie takes the cake.
Me Review reviewMe November 10, 2006
Posted by Andy in reviewMe, soapbox.add a comment
Andy’s SoapBox is selling out to the man. Sort of.
Yesterday reviewMe went live. reviewMe provides an interesting new twist on the age-old service of connecting people who have money (in this case advertisers) with people who would like some money (bloggers). After a blogger signs up, E can get paid for writing reviews of specific products and services. What sets reviewMe appart from other similar sites are two things:
- Bloggers must disclose that a paid review is, well, a paid review
- Bloggers are not required to give the product a good review. As Colbert might say, we are free to open “a can of truth”.
So, how well does this work? It’s hard for me to say right now, since I just signed up and no one has asked me to write anything yet. I can tell you that the sign-up went smoothly, for what that’s worth. I also think it is an interesting idea, especially if there are no repercussions for negative reviews.
We’ll see if the SoapBox is courted and my opinions can be translated into a vast fortune, which I can parley into world dominance. Actually, I’d be happy for some good topics and enough money to buy some candy or something.
Me, Myself, and iPod October 27, 2006
Posted by Andy in andy roth, Gadgets, iPod, soapbox, Technology and Gadgets.1 comment so far
I tend to avoid things that are trendy. Not to the extent of being Gothic or anything, but if something is too popular, I am less likely to be interested in it. I’m not interested in Camarys, American Idol, Starbucks, or South Beach.
The exception to this is the iPod. Last year I bought myself a black 4 GB Nano. I even got it inscribed: “None more black”
(lest you think me racist, this is part of a quote from Spinal Tap’s Nigel Tufnel when talking about their new album This Is Spinal Tap
So today, I saw a post entitled Top 10 reasons/places not to use an iPod and it got me thinking about what are good reasons/places to use an iPod. So, here is my top 4 list:
1. To provide your own, personal, soundtrack. You only need to watch any movie since Jazz Singer to recognize how the right music can describe and communicate the right mood . Got a long flight of steps to climb – play the Rocky music. In a hurry, play the Benny Hill song.
2. To block out elevator music, country music, or any other music you’d rather not hear.
3. To provide Foley sound effects to everyday situations. Instead of walking across the floor, you can stomp like King Kong. Instead of mildly making a left, you can rev your engine and squeal your tires like your are in the General Lee.
4. Overdub people with whom you disagree. Watch Bush, but hear Barak.
Sorry there are only four, but I think the earbuds have melted my brain.
Just Say No October 18, 2006
Posted by Andy in andy roth, rants, soapbox.4 comments
Things I Won’t Do:
- Park right in front of the store, even if I’m just going to be a minute.
- Write a blog post about blogging
- Mix beer and wine, ever.
- Knowingly eat guacamole
- Watch a Bette Middler movie
- Wear a tie when I don’t really have to
- Drink shots
Write a blog post when I’m supposed to be working
- Accept that sushi is more than just raw fish
- Wear sweat pants out of the house to a non exercise-based event
- Value fashion over comfort
- Wash that gray right out of my hair
- Get any more cats
- Have shrubbery in my yard that is shaped like anything other than shrubbery
Missing The Trick October 16, 2006
Posted by Andy in andy roth, dummies, Growing Up, Halloween, soapbox, Trick or Treat.2 comments
Two weeks from tomorrow night, swarms of people too young to vote will visit my house. They will be attired in garb ranging from the elaborate “my parents need more children” to the mundane “as little effort as possible”. These porch-standing hooligans will have a common demmand of me: “Trick or Treat!” And that is where it starts to go wrong.
First of all, this demand should be presented to me as a choice: “Trick or Treat?”. Like “soup or salad?” (which I used to think was “Super Salad?” as in “Would I like the Super Salad?” “No thanks, I’m not a big fan of salad, but I wonder if I can get some soup?” Yes, I’m a dum-dum, but I’m getting off topic”)
Back to “Trick or Treat?” As the man with the candy, it should be my choice whether to distribute it to any particular princess, pirate, or super hero or instead face the consequences. Often, when I’m unimpressed with the supplicants costume, I feel like they don’t deserve my candy, and so I answer them “Trick, please” Instead of a trick, what they always give me, to a person, is a blank stare. The kids just don’t understand this. They have nothing prepared. No eggs, no toilet paper, not even a water gun. They just want the candy.
The blank stares often turn to looks of annoyance. I can see it in their eyes that they are thinking “Strange man, give me my Hershey bar now! I’ve got eighteen more cul-de-sacs to cover tonight.” Where’s the holiday spirit (pun intended)?
