Whew…

Have to run to take Mrs. That Dan Guy in for a doctor’s appointment, but Day One of having family in visiting has been pretty madcap. Our caps are downright batty!

Within hours of their arrival, we had shared a quick snack – our secret family recipe for toast. Dee-licious! That was just to fire up the engines, as we departed for The Calgary Zoo, due to delightful weather (no blizzards). The monkey population was expanded briefly as we made our way through what was pretty much an empty facility – don’t people take time off work to visit the local zoo anymore? Oh well, the lack of crowds allowed us to walk in a single file horizontally, like the astronauts in that “The Right Stuff” movie – loads of swagger.

After returning home for a delightful supper (including more bread, but not specifically toasted), we made chit chat until the lure of the local casinos finally got the better of us – we were off, like flies to moldy tomatoes!

What happens in Calgary (from there), stays in Calgary.

Gotta run!

Chow for now!!

Fall TV Season, so far…

Well, we’ve had a week or two to peruse some of the new offerings for this fall TV season, and despite reading of optimism from the networks on the new shows – here’s my thoughts:

“Community” – primarily starring Chevy Chase – crappy.

“Accidentally On Purpose” – primarily starring Jenna Elfman – crappy.

“Eastwick” – primarily starring Canuck Paul Gross and some aging ex-models – boring, with scattered flurries of crappy.

“Modern Family” – an ensemble cast of “Hey, isn’t that the lady from…” – some potential. But the pre-launch commercials were funnier than the actual show.

“The Good Wife” – primarily starring Julianne Margulies – been there, done that – as far back as 1974. Oh yeah, also liberal doses of crappy.

“Flashforward” – INTERESTING!! There may be one show we pursue past debut week…

(The preceding opinions are those of someone that posts as a rubber chicken on the weekend, and may not necessarily reflect the tastes of actual TV viewers.)

Hey, we have company arriving from out of town this morning – so there might actually be some interesting things to read about here over the next few days!

One can only hope…

Chow for now!

Hola!

Eez freezin’ cold here these morning, Senor et Senoritas!!

Well, maybe not FREEZING cold, but pretty chilly nonetheless. We’ve got our fireplace roaring away, trying to get the circulation to return to our extremities. In the meantime, we’re being careful not to bump into any furniture, lest one of those frozen extremities were to fall off.

Clearly, my days of lounging over breakfast in my man-kini are done for this year. This will sadden Mrs. That Dan Guy greatly, but there will always be the pictures to remind her.

I hope you’ve already had breakfast yourself…

Chow for now!!

Oy.

Had to download a new version of Windows Office – the 60 day trial feature on this netbook was close to expiring.

Now that my stress levels are thru the roof, perhaps I can get to this post, and finally enjoy some breakfast – I think I was far more suited to lounging on beaches that I am to fighting with technology…

Actually, I think I’m far better suited to staying in bed than I am to fighting with technology.

Sadly, I had big plans for today’s posting, but after navigating the web that is Microsoft, even just online, I am now ready for a cold beer and a couple of Tylenols.

Breakfast of champions.

Chow for now!

Chicken Scratch

Brrrr….

What the cluck! When did the mercury decide to frost over??

BUK-AAAAWK!!!!

I can’t quite put my chicken knuckles on it, but it seems like summer has suddenly vamoosed, and there are signs that colder weather is enroot. A fella could use some pants on his pinfeathers around here!

BUK-AAAAWK!!!!

If I didn’t know better, I’d say there were subtle clues that I musta missed – it was like 30° degrees here just the uther day! Now the birdbath outside looks like a NHL rink. The neighbourhood squirrels have gone into panic mode, rustlin’ up nuts. They better take a good look at a big bald one that lives here!

BUK-AAAAWK!!!!

Holy guacamole! I need ta put some gloves on my knuckles – winner time must be just around the corner – from the Arctic!! Woe is cluckin’ me!!!

BUK-AAAAWK!!!!

Ah, WTF – I’m gonna go for a siesta in the hammock right now anyway. I may be a chicken pop if I stay out too long, but I’m made outta hardy stock – and I don’t mean bouillabaisse!!

Cluck for now!!

7:11 AM!

I don’t know if I should post a blog, or have a Slurpee…

I think I’ll opt for having a Slurpee.

Kidding! Sorry, didn’t want to get your hopes up and then dash them so cruelly, but I will make a new post.

POST

Chow for now!

Yesterday, I added a hotlink to a review of mine that ran in the Wednesday Calgary Herald. Scroll back down there to check it out.

Also, I’ve got a full interview with actress Joyce DeWitt available in iTunes – just type “thatdanguy’s podcast” in the iTunes Store search engine. It’s a free download!

Well, Calgary enjoyed some uncommon seasonal warmth yesterday. We were hotter than many holiday destinations around the world, prompting planeloads of Hawaiians, Mexicans, Fijians, Bahamians, and Beelzebub to stop by and visit our province. I don’t want to be around when it snows later today on these poor saps…

Chow for now!!

Stage West keeps marriage alive

Stage West keeps marriage alive

Shared via AddThis

Yikes!

Read in the paper yesterday that New York City’s famous “Tavern On The Green” restaurant is going into bankruptcy. We spotted the picturesque venue on our whirlwind walking tour of Central Park. If we hadn’t been trying to squeeze a month’s worth of travel into a handful of days, we may have allowed time to actually stop in for a bite.

Alas, now it will never be…

Now, just to forewarn my dear reader(s) this morning, Mrs. That Dan Guy is gleefully rubbing her paws together, in hearty anticipation of making some sort of cockamamie claim. Know just that things aren’t always as they seem, especially if someone posts something haphazardly in the comments section here…

Chow for now!!

09 22 09…technically, 11 11…

Schizo days, here in the Such Is Life household. Yesterday morning, it was 3° when we awoke. It eventually went up to 20°. Today, we’re supposed to hit 28° (all temperatures in Celsius), an abnormal high for this time of year. It almost feels like Hawaii out there…

Although, looking out at the brown, dry grass (which I almost accidentally set on fire whilst smoking a cigar yesterday afternoon) – the comparisons end. Plus there’s no ocean, no palm trees, no swaying hula girls, no bracing sea breeze…

Who was I kidding?? Hawaii?? More like the dark side of the moon…

I’m so depressed…

Chow for now!!

Ah, the morning chill of impending fall.

Say, there’s dew on my basketball!

Maybe later I’ll go to the mall.

You know, I don’t have a cousin Saul.

I’m glad I registered for “Do Not Call”…

If I were a gangster, Mrs. That Dan Guy would be my moll.

No Emmy for Tina Fey? What gall!!

For this morning folks…b-d-b-d-b-d – That’s all!

Chow for now!!

A Closer Walk With Nature…

Lately, Mrs. That Dan Guy and I have taken to leisurely strolls along a nature trail, close by in our neighborhood. Not only is it a bit of exercise, we’ve managed to view the occasional bits of wildlife along the way. Deer, coyotes, hawks, grasshoppers, wasps – a real potpourri of nature.

Friday night we happened to be out just as dusk was falling – happily at a reasonable rate of descent. We were coming up towards a deep gully, where a woman and her dog were peering downwards, into said gully. They were focusing their attention on a moose, and her calf – a calf about twice my size (just to put things into perspective).

We’ve never seen a moose that close before. What a majestic beast! Then, out of the corner of that frame, we noticed a reasonably-well-sized coyote reluctantly slinking away from the mother and her young – clearly frustrated at not being able to rustle up some dinner out of that scenario. Even a coyote knows enough to stay away from a protective animal the size of a Land Rover…

The pair of antler bearers started to move along, so we did the same thing – in the same direction. The path follows the ravine.

Suddenly, the pair began to head UP. Uphill, towards us. This is why zoos play such a vital role in providing safe environments to view nature, and a wide-open stretch of hillside brush provides so little protection from raging rugs with muscles. I’d have much preferred at that particular moment to be viewing that magnificent creature on the wall of a Montana’s Family Restaurant.

In some small degree of panic, we tried to find a gate in the fences along the trail, which we could utilize if we were charged. At this point in my life, I’ve quite come to enjoy my intestines INSIDE my body.

Happily, the moose on the loose vamoosed – without deciding to try either of us on as antler warmers.

We are now walking at what we hope are safer times of the day…

Chow for now!

Chicken Scratch

Greeeeeat…….

What have I gone dun and dun to myself now??

Is this supposed ta be pheasant unner glass?

Or am I the first chicken in space???????

BUK-AAAAWK!!!!

Well, there’s air in here – so at least I’ll still be around next week at this time. Prezoomin’ I’ve managed ta peck my way outta here…

BUK-AAAAWK!!!!

This musta been a gag those little cluckers are playin’ on me – like when I fell asleep a while back, and they shaved the floppy red comb offa my crown. A chicken loozes his dignity when he’s bald as a pancake!!

BUK-AAAAWK!!!!

HEY!! I CAN’T LITE MY CIGARETTE!!!

HHHHEEEEELLLPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By the hammer of Thor, SOMEBODY’S GONNA GET HURT WHEN I GET OUTTA HERE!!!!

BUK-AAAAWK!!!

I gotta get ta peckin’. Amuse yerselfs this mornin’.

Cluck for now!!

It would appear that my link to this new-fangled podcast thingy might not be all that easy to view. Even though I’m still setting up the actual site, here’s a direct link:

http://thatdanguy.libsyn.com/

Click on the logo that says "Pod".

You might still have to set your browser to read RSS feeds, but at least you should see the link to hear the podcast, even if the page doesn’t display properly.

Unlike putting together an IKEA bookshelf, I may actually need to follow instructions when it comes to making this podcasting thing work.

I only wish that my god-given, natural Crazy Eights skills were of any help here…

Chow for now!!

Alright – after banging my head against the wall heartily the past few days, I accidentally discovered that I WAS able to post a podcast here. Of course, it didn’t seem to work on Vista and Internet Explorer, but if you go back to yesterday’s “extra” post, and view it as an RSS feed, you should be able to open my inaugural stab at podcasting – about a half hour show.

You’ll likely have much more luck if you’re using Safari or Firefox, but if you’re using Internet Explorer in Windows XP, that worked for Mrs. That Dan Guy, which is how I was able to discover that the blasted feature had loaded.

Anyhow, scroll down a bit, to where I say “Test”, “Test”, change the view to RSS Feed, and the invisible podcast will appear for downloading.Or playing. Or maybe this is all just a bad dream...

Chow for now!!

Test...

Test...

A link, but not the actual podcast yet...AAAAARGHHH!!!!

Help!

Help Help!

Anyone out there familiar with reliable podcast hosting sites? I’m getting ready to launch a new feature, but in the run up to that I’ve spent several days rooting out providers – my head is swimming like a goldfish in a bowl of chicken noodle soup.

So much technology, so little brain cells to absorb it with…

Chow for now!

Insomnia Diary – (Where’s The Hot Buttered Rum When You Need It?)

12:34 AM – After tossing and turning non-stop since we retired for the evening, I crawled out of bed and headed downstairs to get some cold water from the fridge. Couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the time on the microwave. Made mental note to pick up a book on Numerology…

12:54 AM – After watching all the good TV programs on the early feeds we record, I am left to surf through a vast wasteland of paid programming, and drivel I wouldn’t force a rhesus monkey to watch. Decide to try going back to bed….

1:04 AM – How many Celine Dion albums do we own? Five? Eight? I have to know…

1:18 AM – Must…sleep….

1:34 AM – How is America EVER going to narrow down the choices for the winner of this year’s run on “America’s Got Talent”? I’m rooting for the opera lady, but several of the male vocalists gave stellar performances as well…

2:01 AM – After agonizing about too many critical concerns, I decided to get back up again, and check for e-mails. None – what did I expect, it’s 2:00 in the freakin’ morning???

2:03 AM – Mrs. That Dan Guy has discovered that I’m not in bed, and she’s not happy about it. I’d better get real sleepy, real fast. Gotta go…

Chow for now!!

Big week – I believe the fall TV season officially launches tonight. Just might have to clean my entire slate to be ready – wouldn’t want to be caught without enough Cheese Doodles and strawberry licorice…

The new TV season is ALSO great news for ole Mrs. That Dan Guy, who will get a reprieve from getting her behind whupped nightly at the Crazy Eights card table. Despite playing yesterday with one eyed closed, and dealing myself 12 cards at a time, I still managed to steamroll a swath of destruction across her chances of eking out even a couple of wins.

C’est la vie – when ya got it,ya got it…

Chow for now!!

Can someone please send some Google search results on “How To Win At Crazy Eights”? I’ll forward them on to Mrs. That Dan Guy, who has gotten soundly thumped the last few days playing against me. I don’t know why, but I’m some sort of Crazy Eights juggernaut – an unstoppable force of card-winning wizardry. I’m the freakin’ Harry Potter of the eights…

She takes it all in stride though, hiding her crushing disappointment well. Most opponents wouldn’t even be able to walk away from the game table, after the welts on their ego had grown to such epic proportion. To her credit, she is almost able to carry on, as if nothing had happened. What a trouper!

This afternoon, or evening, maybe I’ll go easy on her, and let her win a few games. Dignity thrives in even small successes…

Chow for now!!