added in on 7th October:

new page again people! i keep starting pages and not completing them. but blah. go view and comment!

Your Blogging Type is Cutting Edge and Amusing

You're an amazing storyteller, and you amuse many with your anecdotes. In fact, you can turn the dullest part of your day into a colorful event. You're also up on what's new and cool - from fashions, to links, to gadgets. You're the perfect combo: down to earth, funny, and a little mischievous.

quick update before i leave to study.
behold people! the hot guy school mate that i made. girls don't get too excited!

*picture removed 3 minutes after being published, he threathened not to talk to me again :x

sexaaaaaaaaayyyyyy. howie lee jun how the 'hot' one. but before i continue. i need to say, he looks much better than this now. like skinner and more presentable hair. i'm sorry howie. but for the sake of reviving my dropping views due to the lack of updates, i have to do this. he refuses send me a recent picture of himself, so i cannot make a comparison.

i secretly think that girl guiders are like magicians, they give you the face that will persuade you to buy their cookies. and stupidly and unknowingly....

i bought not one, but two!

shoot me now people. i paid 2 dollars more for a piece of sticker that comes with the red box. girl guiders are like monsters. lurking out in the dark, preying on innocent people to buy their cookies which are apparently, not very economical. no offence though.

and mum's first reaction when she saw this: "is this from china?!" rofl rofl.

and i must say the cookies taste quite decent, like tim tam but a tad sweeter.
--

3 more papers to go y'all! before i can go visit enya and watch all the un-watched movies. i think i screwed up my chinese. blah whatever. i'm done posting. now comment!

byebye(:

Howie Day - Collide ( en francais collision)

1. It does look like Howie. 2. Why would anyone want to look like Howie?

For fuck's sake, if I have to see another damn advertisement for "Two And a Half Men," I swear I'm gonna go on a violent stabbing spree that will not end until the blood of at least thirty innocent citizens washes through the streets of midtown Tucson. And it doesn't stop with 2AAHM (as they refer to it on the blogs.) There's 'The Mentalist." Man, I really like to see how a twice-embarrased Eagles' defense will hold up against the balanced offensive attack of the Steelers, so therefore I must surely be ecstatic about series premier of "The Mentalist." Oh my gosh, the Dolphins are actually beating the Patriots, in New England no less, and Oh My Gosh, the "NICS" team is breaking up! Please, continue to show me an ad explaining how devestating it is that the folks of NICS are breaking up everytime you cut to a commercial (witch is apparently at every stoppage of play, you bastards.)

And the barrage of CBS programming ads isn't even the end of it. What's even worse are the numerous attempts at in-game advertising, where the commentators are forced to plug their chanel's dramatic and comic offerings during the freakin' games. I know good and well that Jim Nantz has a million poetic nuggets about football that he would rather be spouting instead of telling us that "CSI: Miami" is America's favorite thing to zone out to in the evening, but tell us he must and groan I will. Oh man, there's an in-game plug for "The Mentalist," and then they cut to a shot of the Patriots' head coach. Brilliant! And commentators, please for the love of God, don't tell me your personal opinions about whatever shit show your broadcasting parter was forced to plug. Dan Dierdorf, your a good ex-football player and a crappy analyst, I don't care that you think that "How I Met Your Mother" is "well written." Let's keep it about football, shall we?

Ugh, it's like they are trying to make it as hard and as painful as it can possibly be to just veg out, nurse a hangover and enjoy a game of compettitive, American football. And don't think that just because I'm picking on CBS that they are the only ones to blame. Fox, you suck too.

But with all my bitching, there is definitely something to like about watching football on network TV for 10 straight hours. I'm refering of course to Howard Long:

Howie

Yes, it is true that his musings on football are asinine, his playful joking with his pregame show co-host seems awkward and forced, and his demenor reeks of unabashed conservatism; but damn if that man can't sell the shit out of Big Ass Trucks. The commercials where he is all up in his Big Ass Ford Truck and goads other dudes in slightly smaller trucks to do bold and manly things are absolutely hilarious. God bless you, Howie. Keep on goading those dudes on and I'll keep on watching.

Hahahahahahah!!!! I am watching the NFL Pre-Game show on FOX, which is just hilarious, and seeing how Michael Strahan performs in his new job. You can see he is trying to fit in and be knowledgable yet funny. So Strahan goes on this rant how the Giants proved the Patriots were beatable just by pressuring the QB. It showed that any team is beatable if you can pressure the quarterback. Right after that, Terry Bradshaw turns to Strahan and asks him in a serious voice, "Does England have a fourth of July?" Strahan takes a split second and seriously replies, "No." Then Howie Long turns to him and says, "Well, England has a July 2nd, and a July 3rd, and a July 5th, so...." Hehehe, you see Strahan's face light up in embarassment knowing he's been had. Bradshaw cracks up and yells "Welcome to the show! Welcome to the family!" Hahha, you see Strahan laughing but in total embarassment. Gotta love it!!!

Proving that Strahan still has a bit ways to go in his new career, he just used the word "sucks" in one of his analysis. No reactions from the other four.

Yup!!!

The boys have started working on their next album according to sources. Well, "Unbreakable" was extremely good and got more recognition than "Never Gone", so we can just hope that their next album does much much more than Unbreakable, and breaks all the records.

AJ Mclean has announced that his solo album will be releasing this year and even Howie Dorough's solo will release.

BSB member Nick Carter said that inspite of being busy with their solo albums, the members are concentrating harder on their group album.

Sources have said that the band might work with pop producer Max Martin, who was the producer of BSB's hits like “I Want It That Way” and “Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely.”

The band has still got the space open for Kevin Richardson and would only be happy to have him back in the band.

First, the classics.
We've Got it Goin On - Their first music video and they're dancing like weirdos. I really have no words about this song. Its not that great.
Anywhere For You, Get Down (You're the One for Me) - They're okay.
I'll Never Break Your Heart - This song sounds really cheezy love song (well duh, its the 90s) but it's actually really good. I would rate this song to be the second best from the album.
Quit Playing Game (With My Heart) - This should have been their first single because it's so good. By far the best song on the album. Max Martin is a genius. This is a stupid question, but have you seen the film clip to this song? The boys are all wearing white polo shirts, its pouring rain, and they're soaking up and acting sexy. Sell outs or one of their best music videos ever? I say the second one!
Boys Will Be Boys - Very early 90s beats made from keyboard. David Silver, did you create this track?
I Wanna By With You - Another Max Martin track and it sounds a whole lot like We've Got It Going On!
Everytime Time I Close My Eyes - Never heard it.
Darlin' - This is the first time I've heard of this song but I feel like it really brings me back! This is how love songs use to sound . . . and it's very pleasant. This is song is so romantic.
Let's Have a Party - This only features Nick Carter. He sounds a lot like Aaron Carter, only better. This is purely innocent and fun. You might want to play this song at a party among people that enjoy the sounds of the 90s, and if you want a good party, you should.
Roll With It - Worse song on the album.
Nobody Like You - I can see D.J. Tanner rock out to this song. Is she a big fan on the show?

Backstreet Boys International was released in 1996. Over ten years later and they're still going. Good for them. It means so much for a boy band to stick together. Brian (use to be called B-Rock), Nick, A.J., Howie, and Kevin have grown up into hansome looking men! Kevin has left the band to focus on his family life but he can come back and to the band whenever he wants, because he will always be a BSB. Hopefully you will come back soon, Kevin. I miss your deep soothing voice!

Kevin is missing, Max Martin has not written any hits for the boys, but guess what, their new album Unbreakable is still terrific. I should know, I bought it, and I don't regret it. My favourite songs are Helpless When She Smiles, One In A Million, Everything But Mine, Treat Me Right, and Unsuspecting Sunday Aftertoon which ties in with INTRO. JC Chasez, N*Sync band member, co-writes the song Treat Me Right and it's soooooooo good. I'm glad to see that there are no hard feelings between the two. At least for JC. I can't say the same thing about Justin Timberlake. What a joke he turned out to be. He thinks he's so hot.

Nick Carter has grown mature and has left his wannabe gangster days behind. Thank god. He's going to stop being what he's not (hip hop artist - take some advice Justin!) and be the best at what he's good at, a pop artist. I'm so happy for him. Long live pop music.

Please purchase their new album, Unbreakable. I am a loyal 90s fan. If you are a loyal 90s fan, or just a loyal Backstreet Boys fan, you wouldn't be downloading this album, you will be buying the CD! Why wouldn't you? It's a great album. The released songs on this album aren't as good as their old cd, but when you add all the quality of the songs together and compare it to the old one, this album is actually way better.

Keep visiting: www.lifechums.com/ more Celebrities featuring Shortly .............

That first one-third or so of it, before the southern border of the Yukon, is British Columbia's Highway 37. No cars anywhere for huge stretches of time on this road. This is a sort of typical shot:

High drama. Also, bears--seven of them in one day:

Basically, they like to rummage in the vegetation. "Rummage in the vegetation" could be the name of a vegan punk band's album, arguably. Generally too small to get in a person's face, but just the right size to rip out your stomach if so inclined, black bears are where vicious carnivore and adorable wish-it-was-my-pet converge.

We also saw two glaciers. Here's the better one:

That's basically the story. There are a lot more good pictures, but they'd get repetitive. It's ice, bears, me, racemanhowie, the volvo, and the empty road all the way to Anchorage, with a quick stop in Denali Nat'l Park, to see the base of Mt. McKinley, and its more fully visible neighbors:

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/06/hillary-ghost-h.html

After trying so hard to get Hillary out of the race before all the states had voted, probably because they were worried that she would get more votes than Barry Soetoro, now they need her to help them out. Praises abound from Howie, Nancy and Harry.  The comments section tells them what they can do with their praise... with a couple of snarky comments by Obamabots.  It's getting more and more obvious that Obama isn't going to win this election.... wanna bet he asks Hillary to be on the ticket to help him out?  Maybe not... I truly doubt that she would want to join his failed endeavor.

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=171706&in_page_id=34

Keep visiting: www.lifechums.com/ more Celebrities featuring Shortly .............

BBC2 recently aired the Yorkshire edition of Comedy Map of Britain which included an interview with the impressionist Jon Culshaw, who although originally from Lancashire, I was intrigued to learn cut his teeth on our very own Hallam FM back in 1991.

The TV show took Culshaw to the studios on Herries Road for a visit his old stomping ground. This reminded me of being 14 and with too much time on my hands, pointlessly getting the 33 bus from town to visit the Hallam FM studios with my friends to try to catch a glimpse of Howard 'Howie' Pressman in reception (under the pretence of picking up a window sticker and programme schedule).

I don't recall Culshaw's show, but I do remember tuning in to Hallam for Roger Kirk's late-night phone-in programme, probably in 1992. Listening to his Night Owls show was like putting on an old pair of slippers and curling up by the fire. Although regular contributors and FTCs (first time callers) did discuss issues of the day - in between extensive and slightly dull analysis of listeners' dreams - generally it was gentle radio for dropping off to.

I usually did fall asleep quite quickly, rarely making it through to the 'First of the day' item at half past midnight where, like clockwork, Rog would play Hallam FM's first song of the day. On a Sunday night a guy called Roger Phillips would host the show, which caused no end of confusion for non-regular listeners.

In February 1994, seemingly unexpectedly, all this was to change as the jolly Rogers left the good ship Hallam without warning, only to be replaced by James H. Reeve, whose presenting style was a complete contrast to what had gone before. Out went the cosiness, tranquillity and dream talk, to be replaced by sarcasm, whit and a no-nonsense approach to ignorant callers.

For the listening thousands, this came as a big shock and it wasn't easy to adjust. I'm a bit embarrassed to recall that I co-ordinated a Bring Roger Back campaign, a ground breaking political movement forward-looking and far-reaching enough to enlist the support of all 30 members of my form at school! I sent the petition to the Hallam FM management and received a short reply (see picture below), but they were to stick with their decision: Roger wasn't coming back and James H. Reeve was here to stay.

In time, I would realise that James H. Reeve's show was actually much more entertaining than any other late-night radio phone-in I had ever heard. Reeve was a very talented broadcaster and a funny man, and combined with his regular callers, it was radio gold. Anyone remember Didier? Was he for real?

James H.Reeve would only last a year at The New Hallan FM. He departed as abruptly as he had arrived, and filling his shoes was 'shock jock' Scottie McClue. The new DJ's presenting style was yet again vastly different to his predecessors; a slightly forced crazy and controversial mix of unfunny mild offensiveness and tedious catchphrases ("Dinky doo" and "Tell 10 to tell 10").

You can probably guess that I never enjoyed McClue's show as much and during his tenure I left Sheffield to go to university so stopped listening. He was eventually replaced by fomer Hallam newsreader Mark Meadowroft, who had deputised on the phone-in show numerous times before. Kirk passed away in August 2001.

I have since heard James H. Reeve on other radio stations where he has never been far from controversy, and Scotty McClue went on to present several similar shows in Scotland. I think I'm right in thinking that Mark Meadowcroft left Hallam to join the BBC.

Presently there is a late-night phone in on Hallam called The Confessional that I intend to give a listen. Could it possibly be as addictive as those late night phone-ins in the 1990s?

Domain Registration and Mapping

I have been thinking about this a lot and I think part of the issue for me is that I think some how by writing down my thoughts about my friend requires me to have to deal with all of the loss that I feel.  I don't even know where to begin.

I struggle because I don't think people know how important this friend has been in my life.  He has been more than just a friend, more than a boss, more than a mentor.  He has been someone who has been able to see past all of the bullshit, all of the crap that goes on in this world, and see Christ.  See God in people and was willing to lay everything on the line to speak truth to people so that they could see Christ.  He has been my safety line as I have been trying to figure out life.

Now, he is gone, now he has passed on the torch to those that he came into contact with including me and I just don't know if I am ready.  I feel frustrated, I'm upset that he is gone, I can't seem to get out of the fog that I have been in, all I keep thinking about was we were suppose to be doing ministry together again, and now all that is gone and I feel like a wreck.

All I know for sure is that Howie's legacy will live on, the life that he lived will not have been lived in vain because his impact, his relationship with Christ lives on in so many of us that have had the privilege to know him.  I still have a long ways to go in my processing, I'm sure this won't be the last time that I write about this, but I realize that I need to start writing it down.

Had a great time a few weekends ago at Hobber's bachelor party. It was great to see a lot of guys (including the groom) that I hadn't seen in quite a while... too long, actually. The festivities included me improving to 2-0 on the year for Brewers games.

Matt Palmer's bday (the early edition) was celebrated with a trip to Samba. I had heard from a few people that the "Brazilian Steakhouse" was an incredible experience for the true meateater and it lived up to expectations. Course after course of delicious meat. They actually do have an excellent salad (etc) bar as well but... I would advice any vegetarians to steer clear.

The next weekend was Woelfel's bachelor party. Good to catch up with the Milwaukee crew. If my current career doesn't pan out, I may have found my true calling.

Our condo is on the market - has been for a bit more than a month at this point. We had some interest right off the bat but couldn't quite agree on the details. Word on the street is that we may have another nibble on the line but we'll see how things go. We're having an open house this weekend so stop by and give us some numbers!

Howie (our ~2 year old golden retriever) seems to have epilepsy. It's obviously a scary thing but his seizures have been pretty mild and we have him on some meds now that we're hoping will prevent them. He hasn't had any episodes since we started the meds but his first 2 episodes were more than a month apart so it's hard to tell if the drug is working or if we just are in a normal interim period. Hopefully it's the former. Here he is with his sister:

JNo and I went and saw The New Pornographers w/ Okkervill River. I could have sworn that I posted about that show but I just looked and... apparently I had "saved" it but not "published". So, to remedy the situation I just boarded my time machine and traveled to the past where I posted it back on 4/22. A little lost? ... me too.

Nate was just in town and got to see Henry.

Coming up this week:

We're meeting up with some friends we haven't seen in a while (Liz & Chris) to compare babies (their daughter Gabby is one already!). We're going to the Josh Ritter show on Wednesday. The Almaers are in town on Wednesday through the weekend, so we'll get to meet up with them (and see their son Sam!). We'll be headed up to King, WI for a Halberg gathering next Sunday - Henry will (likely) get to meet some relatives that he hasn't met yet and he'll get to see his GG Halberg again.

And next week: Claire, Sheila, and Mike are in town! It's been WAY too long since we saw them and we're really looking forward to catching up a bit. The Woelfel wedding (at the HeidelHouse) is next weekend as well and last but not least: Brat Fest Part I.

Henry rolled over today unassisted! First time! It's really amazing how quickly he progresses from milestone to milestone.

Philippine skin will be seen in the west on NBC's Deal or no Deal show! So exciting...except I don't watch it, because it is so boring...until now! watch for this bald guy Howie Mandel drop his jaw and thump on the ground... come on down!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=A9iSYpT_kh0

my problem Kris is so over the top, but she manages to represent the ladies... not on that red dress though... she could've dressed like the ladies ...

That's us.

Zoals vriendin Valérie het al zo mooi verteld heeft in haar blog... Gewapend met pink fluffy boa's, een glitterkroontje en feeënstokjes veroveren wij zondag de backstage area van dé Backstreet Boys. Desnoods met geweld. Of met onze welgevormde boezems.

U bent gewaarschuwd.