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Monday, November 30, 2009

November – that’s a wrap!

And in Canada, it was a November sans precipitation – lacking rain or snow (mainly snow, being Canada and all…). Only one day of wet, but it was enough to cause 544 accidents from start to finish of the sudden snowfall.

Mrs. That Dan Guy and I happened to be out that day, and a trip that would normally take half an hour took two and a half hours. I’ve still got parts of the steering wheel embedded in my palms. My braking leg is paralyzed into a stance not unlike a dog at a fire hydrant.

In unrelated news, yesterday we had our Big National Football Championship, and what a nail-biter it was, being decided by a field goal in the last two seconds. Well, there was much more drama than that, and enormous heartache for the losing team, who had already begun to celebrate their championship win before a penalty strangled their dreams, and rolled it down an embankment into a gully of despair. For my money, the right team won. What a thriller!

Gotta go, we’re getting the house ready to greet December – who seems to be bringing along an appropriate level of Canadian chill, for this time of year. Otherwise known as frostbite.

Chow for now!!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Hey, my review of Calgary's Stage West Theatre production of "British Invasion" ran in yesterday's Calgary Herald! I added a hot link to yesterday's blog, if you scroll back you can view it from there...

And don't forget to scroll back a bit further, to hit the links to interviews with the stars of the show - if you haven't already! We're a full meal deal, here at "Such Is Life"!

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Does anyone else out there wonder what it might be like to bag leftover coffee grounds, and try soaking them in water like a tea bag? I'd probably cut open some unused tea bags, if that didn't seem like a bit of a waste of money. But I really need to know if I can double the use of the average coffee grind.

Science projects in action....

Chow for now!!

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Standout singers capture essence of British Invasion

Standout singers capture essence of British Invasion

Chicken Scratch

By Charlie Chicken – guest key-pecker

Hello humans…

Do ya like my body – do ya think I’m sexy, come on peoples tell me now..

BUK-AAAAWK!!!

It dawned on me the other day – what with all the coverage that Alaska lady is getting’ with her book release, that maybe I was missin’ the boat to riches and glory.

I got ta thinkin’ that if her former sorta son-in-law Acid Wash, or Stone Scrub could pose for Playgirl magazine, then why was I missin’ the celebrity cruise ship? I mean, come on – check out this come hither look I captured lass night!

BUK-AAAAWK!!!!

I know, I know – sorta cruel to dazzle yer eyeballs so early in the mornin’, releasin’ the genie of passion before ya mighta even had breakfast, but this ole chicken needs some dough-ray-fer-mi, so I hadda drop the knuckle covers, and put together a portfolio fer the publishers of that publikation. Hot stuff!!

BUK-AAAAWK!!!!

Poor Cornelius wasn’t so happy though, taking my glam shots. It’s not like the curly-haired meathead ain’t ever seen bare pinfeathers before!!

BUK-AAAAWK!!!!

Well, I gotta go shave my back. Today is patootie shots!

Cluck fer now!!

Friday, November 27, 2009

NOTE:

Today’s blog posting will be late. Delayed. Somewhat put off.

I may not even get to it by the time the last rooster has crowed. The sun could be high in the sky, like a big pizza pie by the time I get around to posting this morning.

Afternoon soap operas could be starting before I even begin to tap a single key on my word processor. Hell, the evening news could be mid-broadcast before I even come up with something to talk about, let alone post.

My 5 o’clock shadow could be edging towards a ZZ Top beard, before I post this morning. Oprah could be retired, before I get to this blasted post today.

Just sayin’…don't go looking for data input in this space anytime soon today.

Chow for now!

Thursday, November 26, 2009


Last night Mrs. That Dan Guy and I took a break from the network programs we usually watch Wednesday evenings, to catch a bit of the Phoenix Coyotes/Calgary Flames game last night. In the third period, Phoenix’s #11 (Martin Hanzal) was in the face-off circle. Not too long after that, Calgary got somor sort of penalty called, which allowed the Coyotes to score (do I need to explain here that the Coyotes are an NHL hockey team, and not actual coyotes??).
What we didn’t realize at the time was that Phoenix had had a bit of an ongoing scoring drought. They rolled some graphics that showed it had been 111 minutes and 10 seconds since the last Coyotes goal. 111.10. Oh yeah – that made the score at the time 1-1…

Egads…
Hey, if you happen to watch Paul McCartney’s “Good Evening New York City” concert special tonight, look for a couple of giddy Canadians in the audience. We attended the third night of the series of shows he put on in CITI Field – and perhaps the cameraman happened to catch us cheering on the legendary former Beatle.
With my luck I had probably fainted when the camera panned the audience…
Chow for now!!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Once again, Morning has broken. There are pieces of it all over our kitchen floor.

Maybe if Morning didn’t arrive every flipping day with all that fanfare (sunrise, and other stuff I can’t think of right now), it wouldn’t be so prone to breaking every day.

Now, we’re mourning for morning - until it can do a Humpty Dumpty, pick up all its pieces, and put itself together again.

Until then, we will console ourselves with caffeine, and The Game Show network…

Chow for now!!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

I don’t know why. Sometimes I just can’t get to sleep at night. I flip, I flop…sometimes I even fly. There must be some sort of scientific explanation for it – insomnia, hyper brain activity, worry and anguish over Oprah calling it quits…I suppose I should try and get to the bottom of it.

At the very least, I may have to try cutting back on my three nightly cups of espresso.

Last night, my tossin’ and turnin’ awoke Mrs. That Dan Guy, who usually wakes up whilst I am already watching TV, having been up for a few moments already. I’ll get some sort of “get your ass back to bed right now” speech from Crazy-Haired Hall Monitor lady, then she goes back to sleep and I can continue watching infomercials (Sham-Wow? Sham Wowie!!).

However, much to my surprise, she joined me in my nocturnal couch-perching in the wee hours of this morning – part of which is the reason today’s post is running so late. If you’ve stayed home from work today waiting to read this, I offer my sincere apologies…

Chow for now!!

Monday, November 23, 2009

And then suddenly, it was the Grey Cup final that no one cared about (unless they were from Saskatchewan or Quebec – great – the two goofiest-sounding provinces…).

Despite having resided in THREE different provinces ourselves, Mrs. That Dan Guy and I are whistling now, with respect to the upcoming match-up. Winnipeg, B.C, and now Alberta – all eliminated.

We will admit, heartbreaking as this is, it just doesn’t measures up to Oprah announcing the end of her show, or the latest entry in the “Twilight” franchise arriving in movie theatres everywhere.

It certainly doesn’t come close to Jon, Kate and their eight going off the air. Forever.

But it still stings…Chow for now!

Sunday, November 22, 2009

So this is what 4 AM looks like…

Sheesh – I should still be sound asleep, but for reasons I’m entirely unaware of – I’m wide awake.

Well, as long as I’m up:

Caved in to peer pressure today, and turned on our outdoor Christmas lights. I had planned on waiting until December 1st, but every night when we were coming home from an outing, more and more homes in our neighbourhood had launched their own elaborate displays. I tried to be strong, but when every home around you has packs of illuminated moose and deer bobbing their heads, you start to feel guilty that you aren’t even showing a wee twinkle of your own yet. Let alone decking your halls!

So, we are officially open for business, as far as Santa is concerned. Can’t believe how easily I caved in – but there’s some solace in knowing that a neighbour across the street saw me up on the ladder, and hastily erected his own display.

Some days you’re a rebel, some days you’re a lemming…

Chow for now!!

Saturday, November 21, 2009


Chicken Scratch

(posted every Saturday (or so) by guest blogger Charlie Chicken)

It has come to my attention recently, that certain fast-food restaurants actually serve…give me strength…FRIED CHICKEN!!!

BUK-AAAAWK!!!!

I say, I say, boy…

BUK-AAAAWK!!!!

Who the cluck sanctioned this sort of wholesale cannibalism? And what sort of heinous black-hearted consumer would actually walk through the doors of such establishments, knowingly purchasing parts of cousin Wally, or dear Aunt Edna?

BUK-AAAAWK!!!!

Would these same heartless cluckers line up for Kentucky-fried kittens, or slow-roasted toddlers?

I THINK NOT!!!!!!

BUK-AAAAWK!!!!

Not only are there fried chickens shacks all across the nation(s), I even read online yesterday about something they called…GASP…SLOW-PULLED CHICKEN SANDWICHES!!

AAAAWKKKK!!!!

Unless thas a massage parlour for poultry - I got me a mental image of some of us chickens as Stretch Armstrong, an IT AIN’T PRETTY!!!

For cluck’s sake – quit supportin’ wholesale murder – I can tell ya, us chickens ain’t thinkin’ up sweet n sour recipes for YOU people…

Cluck for now, bless ma shiverin’ pinfeathers…!

Friday, November 20, 2009

I’ve got to admit – seeing grass this late in November is a heartwarming thing, living in Canada.

To clarify, I mean grass as in LAWN, NOT grass like “Cheech asked Chong if he had any more grass left for the bong”.

Yes sir – in Canada, never mind Alberta which sits in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, when you see visible lawn – you just about want to put the parka and earmuffs back in the closet, and dance on the aforementioned lawn in a tutu and Speedo.

Maybe that’s just me…

Of course, we did get snow back in late August I think, and temperatures plunged below levels penguins struggle with in Antarctica, but right now, as the Chinooks or weather gods are merciful - -all is well in our world.

Chow for now!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Part Three in the "British Invasion" interview series, now somewhere up online in the cyber-ether for downloading. Once again, as I have absolutely no clue how this thing works, but you can either change this page to an RSS (Really Swell Signal?) feed, and hit the link there for my chat with Canadian Idol winner Melissa O'Neil, or tap that (the link below):

http://thatdanguy.libsyn.com/

Either way, magical elves inside your computer will conjure up the files somehow - much like how math works.

Oh yeah, and scroll back down to read the show's review - the Calgary Herald review is still pending...

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Hey, last night Mrs. That Dan Guy and I were walking along in the mall, when we passed a display of computers. The sales rep cheerfully asked if I wanted to enter a draw to win a free computer.

He had me at free - until I realized it was a Windows (PC) computer.

NOT A CHANCE, WINDOWS!!!!

Chow for now!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Convert today's post to an RSS feed (the little orange symbol somewhere on the page, or click on:

http://thatdanguy.libsyn.com/

to listen to Part Two of three in my "British Invasion" series. Musician and actor Terry Hatty talks about his lengthy career, and his latest album.

Don't forget, if you're stopping here for the very first time, you can scroll down (Nov 14th, I think) to read a review of the show as well. Watch out for rubber chickens along the way...

Coming soon - Part Three - a chat with Candian Idol winner Melissa O'Neil.

Gotta run - I'm marinating my Frosted Flakes in skim milk, and I think I saw signs of flaccidity...

Chow for now!!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Posting Comments:

This new look for “Such Is Life” comes with a few challenges. If you haven’t been able to find the appropriate link on this page to post a comment, dig out your magnifying glass, and put your finger on the computer screen, and follow down to the end of each column (post, piece, ramble).

Down there, you will find minute lettering indicating that you can click and post your comments.

I’m hoping that certain individuals will be able to post this time around, so that I can keep this freshened view.

Tomorrow – what does Canadian rocker/actor Terry Hatty have in common with Argy’s Collectibles in Winnipeg (now on Facebook, collectibles fans…)?

Well, I guess you’ll just to stop by this space for a visit, to find out.

Chow for now!!

Monday, November 16, 2009



Still not sure how all this online sorcery works, but I believe that if you convert today’s post to an RSS feed, a link I’ve embedded will magically appear, and you will be able to either listen to, or download Part One of a three-part podcast series.

Today’s link will be my chat with musician and actor Gerrad Everard, one of the talented cast members kicking musical butt in Stage West’s production of “British Invasion”.

However, if sorcery affinity is not something you can readily claim proficiency in, just click this link below:

http://thatdanguy.libsyn.com/

These will all be available on iTunes as well (still the closest I am coming to working in an Apple environment – sigh…) – free for you to download, my friends!

Oh yeah, and scroll back down to the November 14 post for a review of that show.

Chow for now!!

Sunday, November 15, 2009


Chicken Scratch

COMING THIS DECEMBER!!

It’s the brand-new album from “Crew-Cut Chuck & The Gristly Chicklets”!

Following up on their ill-advised cover album of Celine Dion hits, this time Crew-Cut takes on the beloved songbook of legendary pop star Neil Diamond. Offering their own wacky take on well known hits, the gang will pluck at your music bones with:

Sweet Caroline Corn Pellets

I Am, I Pecked
Beak Turned Blue
Cacklin’ Rosie
Your ears will tingle with delight as Chuck and his Chicklets put their own clawprints on”
Forever In PinFeathers
You Don’t Bring Me Gravy Anymore
Holly Holy Pluck
Love On The Rocks, Seeds On The Gravel

Relive the dazzle of re-interpreted Diamond with:
Solitary Chicken
Yesterday’s Songs (Don’t Crow Very Long)”
Red Red Wine (My Cluckin’ Head…)”
Coming This Decemeber:

Crew-Cut Chuck & The Gristly Chicklets: “The Diamond Sessions
Clear a place in your roost for this treasure!
Cluck for now!!

Saturday, November 14, 2009



Stage West Calgary - "British Invasion"

The Saturday Morning “Nobody-Asked-Me-To, But-Here-I-Go-Anyway” Review: Stage West Calgary’s “British Invasion”.

I suppose I’m going to have to start rethinking that title – I HAVE been asked to do this review, and will even be writing one officially for The Calgary Herald again (link to be posted here when that runs). I will also have interviews with the three stars of the show (pictured above from left Gerrad Everard, Melissa O’Neil, some old guy, and Terry Hatty) – available for free downloading over the next few days. What a great group!

OK, so…

Paul McCartney, Herman’s Hermits, Tom Jones, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Graham Nash, Rod Stewart, The BeeGees, Elton John – all British icons of pop music over the last few decades – all artists I’ve seen perform live. Although technically, I believe The BeeGees are Australian, but I will admit they do sound British…

The above are just a few of the artists who rode the waves of the original British Invasion back in the mid-60’s, and whose songs are included in this terrific retrospective, arcing over the past 40 years.

Buoyed by exceptional performances overall, with loads of laughs injected throughout, this production will appeal to both theatre-goers, AND fans of this swath of musical history – music that really changed the North American landscape. I might be closer to the actual demographic that lived through that generation than most of the cast members last night, but the effort put into recreating the era was ultimately entirely convincing.

Top-billed stars Terry Hatty (originally an East Coast music scene staple whom has even spent several years fronting The Guess Who), Melissa O’Neil (Season Three Canadian Idol winner), and Gerrad Everard (billed as a “local favourite”, but like Hatty has seen the world as a musician) were indeed standouts. Hatty killed on several solo performances, notably covering Clapton, Eric Burdon of The Animals, Robert Plant, and Freddie Mercury. This gentleman makes first-time listeners instant fans.

Charismatic Melissa O’Neil hit several home runs of her own, notably a trio of Dusty Springfield nuggets – “old soul” has become a cliché describing younger singers that interpret material with such compelling insight, but lacking any newer or better clichés, I’ll stick with that one.

And as for Mr. Everard – what a hoot! Adding comic dimensions to his ample vocal range for his roles, the man was a stand-out alone in his Mick Jagger sequence.

None of this is to suggest that the rest of the cast had any trouble keeping up with their top-billed colleagues. Sure, there were a few less-convincing covers of some songs, but there were far too many knock-outs to quibble. Some were rubbing shoulders with the headliners.

If you enjoy music and entertainment with your dining, and especially hearing some of the biggest hits and artists from 1964 forward, you will absolutely want to catch this production, running here in Calgary until January 24, 2010…

And check back here in the coming week, for that link to the Calgary Herald review, plus the interviews that will be available for your listening pleasure.

Chow for now!!

Friday, November 13, 2009

Egads!

We are rapidly heading to not only Christmas, but a new year as well!!

I ain’t ready!! I need more 2009, and I need more November for that matter!

I probably need to end at least one sentence in this post without an exclamation mark!!

OK, just because you use TWO exclamation marks, that DOESN’T mean you’ve broken the pattern!! You’ve actually made it worse!!!

Oh no!!!! THREE exclamation marks???? I’m losing all control!!!!!!!!

AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chow for now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, November 12, 2009


See, now this is what I'm talking about, people!

Last night, we were watching the newest episode of "Big Bang Theory", on 11 11.

Turned out to utilize what Chuck Lorre refers to as Card #111 - oddly enough a card about not having anything to write, something I've done myself in this space many, many times (more often than not, some might say...).

EGADS!!!!

Back off, #11 - back off I say...

Chow for now!!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

11 11…whooo-ooooo……
Which reminds me, we were seating in Row 11 for three of our four flights to and from Atlantic City – does anyone else out there find certain numbers following them around? Constantly?

Hey, it’s always great to be traveling out of the country, and hear your fellow countrymen on the radio, or blaring out of different venues. This trip was no exception – we heard Nickelback along the famed Boardwalk, Michael Buble while we were window-shopping, and Simple Plan in a casino – those are just the ones I picked up on.

Viva la musique, Canada!!

Don’t forget to wear your poppy today (the flower, not your grandpa)!

Chow for now!!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Whew!

Great to get into that familiar bed here at home last night, after our “adventure” returning from Atlantic City. As this is a new, experimental flight for Westjet, the airline is only running a few flights back from the city, but they are evening, flights, with no connections until the next morning.

However, the connecting flight doesn’t leave you enough time to leave the airport and get a room, so we had to wander the Toronto airport overnight/morning for about 7 hours, before we boarded a plane packed with bright-eyed, bushy-tailed business executives. With no sleep, we were unshaven zombies, shuffling amongst the Blackberries and business suits. We fit in rather well, actually…

Back home now, and life, such as that may be here, returns to normal. Lots of TV to catch up on, and Cheezies with our names on them.

Chow for now!!

(PS - special thanks to our niece, who loaded a browser onto my phone that allowed me to actually post from the airport - too cheap to pay for wi-fi...)

Monday, November 09, 2009

65 bottles of beer on the wall,
65 bottles of beer,
Ya take one down,
Ya pass it around,
There's still a lotta bottles of beer on the wall....
Chow. For now...

Sunday, November 08, 2009

OMG!
In Toronto, our connecting flight back to Calgary doesn't leave until 7:15 AM!!
I see three Mrs. That Dan Guy's - and we still have to kill almost 5 hours before we can check in.
This will not be pretty...
Chow, for now!

The Sunday Morning “Nobody-Asked-Me-To, But-Here-I-Go-Anyway” Concert Review: Bob Newhart.

Well, here’s the entire, single solitary reason we made the trip to Atlantic City. A chance to see the legendary Bob Newhart, live and in his element – performing stand-up to an adoring audience. If the Music Box Theater in the Borgata Hotel wasn’t entirely sold out, it was darn close. An all-ages affair, even attracting the stand-ups that perform in there throughout the week.

Let’s just preface this by saying that I used to listen to Mr. Newhart on the radio, back when the only things worth listening to were Hockey Night In Canada broadcasts, and the odd track from one of his iconic “Button Down Mind” albums. His routine about the U.S.S. Codfish, and Sir Walter Raleigh introducing tobacco to the Americas just slayed me, even as a pimply youngster. Over the years, I loved his two hit TV series, and innumerable guest spots on everything from Dean Martin’s show, to Carson’s Tonight Show. Huge fan- as is Mrs. That Dan Guy, just maybe not going back quite as far as myself, being the young whippersnapper that she is, compared to me.

The show exceeded expectations. Performing his trademark observational humour interspersed with snippets of some classic bits (the one-eyed bullfighter, flying “happy” airlines), Newhart lampooned televangelists, football fans, country music fans (we winced a few times there…), and even modern wedding songs (cross LL Cool J’s song about big butts off your list of possible options…).

The picture I loaded late last night (in error – it was actually almost 2 AM when I wrote this post – damned cursed Windows computers…) was from an updated version of his driving instructor bit – totally hilarious to see live.

Mr. Newhart even added in some video clips from his lengthy career, before he left the stage, to return for a short encore.

Making the whole night mesh was opening act Gene Ferrari – an old-time powerhouse vocalist with just a hint of Humperdinck in his styling – Humperdinck on steroids. As you might suspect from his name, he was tres Italiano – hey, that’s not a bad stage name – Tres Italiano!!

An awesome night of entertainment – well worth the trek to get out here…

Chow for now!!

Saturday, November 07, 2009


Whoops! This is for tomorrow's post!!

Chicken Scratch
Lonely..

I’m Mr. Lonely…”

BUK-AAAAWK!!!!

WAHOOOO!!! Free at last, free at last!
The humans are away, an us chickens is gonna PLAY!!!

Well, maybe just a bit – we still gotta worry about this swined flu thing, so I ain’t invitin’ any strange chicks over. A bird’s gotta stay alive, ya know…

BUK-AAAAWK!!!!

Hey, maybe I should rifle through a few drawers and cupboards here. Ole Banjo Boy might have sumthin’ embarassin’ stashed unner his socks and boxers! I could export him, for big bucks, to keep it (anythin’ embarassin’) outta this space!

BUK-AAAAWK!!!!

Well, if we wanna party here, we better get ta plannin’ – I can always send Corny out ta pick up the booze and snax – keepin’ my own system germ –free!

Yeah, I know – brilliant…
Cluck for now!!

Friday, November 06, 2009

A trip that we booked some time ago has finally arrived, and this post today reaches you from the lovely seaside hamburg of…Atlantic City, New Jersey! We’re here to see a show, and then it’s back to Reality-Burg, Canada.

Quite the trip – we left our home around 7:30 AM, and eventually arrived here in AC around 9 PM – I think it may be shorter to walk to Thailand than it is to fly to New Jersey from Canada. Go figure…

Some fun – we were worried about traveling in this current climate of H1N1 virus hysteria, and managed to have some young gentleman sit behind us in the departure lounge that had a healthy, robust, wet and messy cough, which he felt entirely unnecessary to cover whilst projecting said bacterium into the open air. Mrs. That Dan Guy was fit to be tied (which is not exactly something she hasn’t tried, but that’s a story for another day…).

We couldn’t wait to get on the airplane, and away from Virus Man, but wouldn’t you know our luck – he sat BEHIND US, on the airplane, hacking all the way along.

We sprinted off the plane as soon as it landed, hoping to gasp some fresh, viral-free air. I’m not sure about the general commerce observations of the local cab drivers’ organizations here in Atlantic City, but there were none to be seen, at a major U.S. airport, after a load of passengers had arrived, eager to spend money on over-charged fares to the Boardwalk.

We were directed t0 a mini-van that offered shuttle services, and thought with much relief that we wouldn’t have to hop a city bus to get to our hotel.

However, that relief soon gave away to sheer, stunning regret, as the mini-van continued to fill with people, all set to be shuttled along with us. Including…you got it…Hacky Magoo. In a closed, contained van – essentially a petri dish with wheels.

And Hacky had help in his quest to inoculate us with disease and pestilence – two ladies behind us were sneezing, wheezing, and sniffling. We pretty much wanted to jump out of the flipping window.

Oh well, we’re here now, and ingesting profuse amounts of COLD-FX. Hopefully the housekeeping staff we hearing coughing outside our room right now are brief when they make up our room later…

Chow, for now!!

Thursday, November 05, 2009

You know, there is some logic with respect to installing a giant gong in our living room.

1) I could use it to awaken Mrs. That Dan Guy in the mornings, as the low-level din of a gong crash would probably penetrate those heavy slumberland snores of hers.

2) Meals could be more effectively announced throughout the day, just like they used to do in the old west, with a little triangle, or cowbell. Just (as Tim Taylor used to be fond of saying): “More Power”!

3) Announcements of some such random daily accomplishment could be brought to MTDG’s attention – like when I install a fresh roll of toilet paper, or kill a spider. Although, so as not to be confused with meal gongs, I might have to use a couple of whacks on the instrument.

4) On occasion, I could just use it to recreate parts of songs, such as many of those by famed Canadian rockers Rush.

5) When ever I need a fresh beer…three gongs…

I’m sure there’s WAAAY more uses, and perhaps you all can let me know a few – but those would certainly be reason enough to me for justification of a purchase.

Chow for now!

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Once upon a time, there was a blogger, a blogger who sat before his keyboard one morning, and found his mind completely blank.

Now, you may say that just by sitting in front of a keyboard might indicate that a person’s mind couldn’t really be TOTALLY blank, but this fellow’s mind was indeed quite blank – as blank as a snowflake in a can of ecru paint.

The more he sat in front of his keyboard, the less his mind was able to formulate even the simplest thoughts. And this was a man quite capable of simple thoughts…

He thought, and he thought, and he thought – all to no avail. His mind was a barren wasteland, devoid even of tumbleweed. Devoid of spider webs, devoid of cotton batten.

Surrendering, he left his keyboard, put on his James Blunt cds, and lived happily ever after.

Until tomorrow morning…

Chow for now!

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

I could’ve been Astro Boy, the cartoon hero now back in movie theatres everywhere.

No, no jokes – just a statement of fact.

Although, just because my feet are on fire after half an hour of walking in my sandals, that probably isn’t quite the same as his jet propulsion feature.

Chow for now!

Monday, November 02, 2009


You’ll probably have to click on the photo above to see the faint grey type below the headline – but this random web page I clicked on the other day happened to highlight my ongoing affair with wacky numbers (1:11). This was a weekend full of 11:11’s, 12:34’s, etc. I was seeing them on clocks all weekend.

We were watching something on TV, and there was a comment about Curb Your Enthusiasm, which is having a Seinfeld “reunion” this season throughout the show – 11 years after that show came off the year.

11 – I’m watching you, and your other buddy 11 as well. I don’t know why you twits are stalking me, but keep it up, and there WILL be repercussions. I don’t know, maybe a dead calculator or something – I’ll put more thought into that.

At any rate, I’m on heightened alert – you should be too…

Chow for now!!

Sunday, November 01, 2009

To avoid giving out candy last night, Mrs. That Dan Guy and I went shopping, had dinner out, and caught “Law-Abiding Citizen” – the new action/drama movie starring Gerard Butler, and Jamie Foxx. Hey, if Jamie had appeared onscreen dressed AS a fox, there would have been some Halloween tie-in there!

He did not…

However – GREAT FLICK! OK, a tad on the violent side, but overall – a great potboiler, even though you know the whole way through that Butler as the vigilante is responsible for all the onscreen mayhem – it’s in the curves and twists that the storyline takes that makes it all so dang enjoyable. Foxx plays a convincing role as the high-flying D.A. Butler is trying to affect by his actions – the D.A. whom by the way we should be rooting for as the audience, but we were both cheering for the vigilante.

Hey, the movie is set in Philadelphia, which we got to spend some time in a few years back – and the Phillies just happen to be taking on the New York Yankees for the World Series Cup, or whatever it is they give away for baseball champs. Coincidence? I think not…

Anyhow, can’t say much about the movie itself without giving away the farm, but if you like Charles Bronson-styled vigilante movies (Charles Bronson was a big movie star back in the 1970’s…sheesh…), you’ll love this inventive take on the genre.

Chow for now!!