Random Thoughts #76 - the "2010 draft" edition

Hello there and welcome to another round of Random Thoughts from yours truly.  The busy schedule I'm on right now is leaving me tired for the most part, but I'm up for this right now.  With that in mind, let's get to business.  Enjoy.

-  With work, my sinuses acting up, and other stuff, I have been rather drained over the past few weeks.  My energy level is not as high as I've wanted it to be...it's been a couple of years since I've had this much activity going on and I'm not used to it just yet.  If you don't hear from me or I don't answer or respond to you right away, do not fret for it may be I'm just not able to get to you right then and there.  I am hoping to be squared away soon so I can be quickly responsive again.

 -  The name and main subject of this edition of RT is the "2010 draft."  There were not one but TWO drafts that occurred in the past few days.  The first and bigger one was the NFL Draft.  I will say that I am satisfied with the picks the Browns made, but nothing will really be known until we see any of them on the field.  With all the signals the Browns seemed to be sending out, I was expecting an active first round from the team.  It looks like they were simply smokescreens as they stuck to where they were at in the #7 position, drafting defensive back Joe Haden of Florida.  I was hoping for more activity but, alas, I was left disappointed.  I watched the first three rounds at Jimmy V's in Westerville.  The first round night had a decent crowd of Browns Backers show up, though many had to leave after the Browns pick because they had to work the next day.  The second and third round night wasn't too bad either, though it was more of a dinner crowd than anything.  Both nights were packed, though.  As far as this new three night format goes, I didn't have a problem with it though it might work better starting on Friday instead of Thursday.  Despite the high ratings the first round brought in, it would be more convenient for fans if the draft started on a weekend night as opposed to a weekday evening.

 -  The second draft, if you can really call it a draft, was the WWE Draft.  A few weeks after WrestleMania, WWE holds a "draft" where talent is exchanged between the Raw and Smackdown brands.  This year's main and supplemental drafts did change the look of both brands and has resulted in what I believe to be the most naturally fitting rosters for each brand for the first time in years.  I hope this shakes things up more and better than the previous drafts have...and hopefully lead to the end of the "informercial"-type programming I've seen from WWE as of late.

 -  Staying on the pro wresting motif for a bit, I caught both the TNA Lockdown and WWE Extreme Rules PPVs the past couple of weeks.  I thought both shows were really good and some matches were off-the-charts good.  TNA has been consistent in that aspect for the past few PPVs, but this is the first WWE one that measured up.  I would venture to say that Extreme Rules was better than WrestleMania this year.  I would also venture to say that they should have used the card they used for Extreme Rules for WrestleMania instead...add that awesome HBK/Undertaker match to that card and that would have made for one of the best WrestleManias of all time, hands down.  My humble opinion at work here.

 -  A quote I heard from a supervisor at work:  "If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, babble them with bulls**t."  That makes sense to me for some reason...hmmmm...

 -  Last Friday was the first Westerville 4th Friday for 2010, which I missed due to this year's NFL Draft.  For those of you who don't know what Westerville 4th Friday is, on every fourth Friday of the month from April to September the city of Westerville holds a community festival from 6-9 PM.  Some local businesses stay open late (most close around 5 PM) so they can showcase their wares or services.  It also has bands, demonstrations, dancers, booths where they sell knick-knacks, and other stuff.  At a minimum it's something to do on a Friday night at the end of the month during the spring and summer.  There's stuff for everybody but especially for those of you with kids because there's a lot for them to check out at these events.  If anyone's interested, I can point you to where you can find out more info on the 4th Fridays.

 -  If you look in the right column you will now find a list of links to some of the hangouts and groups I'm associated with (and proud to be).  So far I have links to Crossroads World Christian Center, the Westerville Browns Backers, Martini Park, and Club Polaris.  I got sick and tired of putting each one in each blog entry, so for the sake of convenience I put the links related to each group in their own sections to the right.  That should cut down on typing a bit, especially since I've been more tired as of late.

 -  Song on repeat:  "Can You Feel It" by the Jacksons.  A song featured here before, it's being used again because it is now the current answer tone that you'll listen to while you wait for me to pick up your calls instead of that generic ring most calls have.

 -  SLP to the following:  Katie (happy birthday, sis), Donielle (happy b-day), Xavier, Damian, George, Ernest, Daryl, Dave, Shayne (happy b-day), April (happy b-day), Jay, Steve, and the Westerville Browns Backers.

I'm tired now and need to get some more rest before continuing with the grind again tomorrow.  I will say that unless something big happens, my next blog will talk about something I've wondered about and have faced at different times throughout my life.  If that don't whet your appetite for my next set of Random Thoughts, I don't know what will.  Until next time, folks.  Take care and God Bless.

DJ

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Random Thoughts #75 - the "38th birthday" edition

Hello and welcome to another round of Random Thoughts from yours truly.  I've got a lot to get to this time out so, again, with that in mind...enjoy.

 -  Before I start, I want to walk back something I said in the last blog.  I was expecting to be writing more frequently with all the stuff happening for me this month, but it looks like I'll just be posting as I have been.  The big reason for this is that the increased activity, especially my new job, is leaving me too mentally drained to even considering upping the output, even temporarily.  I'll just continue doing them as I have been.

 -  Last weekend I had my 38th birthday.  It's hard to believe that I'm actually 38, but I am.  I have to admit, the entire year while I was 37, from beginning to end it was one of the most stressful and roughest times in my life even when things were decent.  I'm just glad things are starting to improve, if only a little bit.  My birthday itself was not as eventful as I thought it to be or wanted it to be.  A big factor in that was I was just so tired from starting the new job and trying to readjust my sleep schedule.  At least I got to spend it with friends at Martini Park...I enjoyed that.

 -  My church home:  Crossroads World Christian Center ministered by Pastor Cory Pariseau.

 -  Some sad news along with something I am asking of anybody reading the blog today:  the son of my friend Walt passed away last weekend.  I don't want to talk about it too much here but he and his family are taking the passing hard.  My prayers and condolences are already with them but if you could also all please say a prayer for Walt and his family, I think they'd appreciate the support in this difficult time.

 -  Many cities in the U.S. have had budget shortfalls and shortages and that is especially prevalent in Ohio.  As a result, many things have been cut from those budgets including long-standing events and festivals.  Last week, due to budget constraints, the city of Akron had to cancel it's annual Fourth of July fireworks display for this year.  Unless funding comes from private sources, it looks like there will be no big fireworks display on July 4th in Akron for the first time in Lord knows how long.  I've been spoiled a bit from being in Columbus and having Red, White, and Boom, but when I lived in NE Ohio the July 4th fireworks show was a big event and one of the few things I actually looked forward to while I lived there.  If they don't have the big display this year it'll be a big shame.

 -  "Joe vs. the Volcano"...on the Weather Channel?!?!?  What is this world coming to?  I mean Joe vs. the Volcano is one of my favorite movies, but why the heck is the Weather Channel doing airing movies in the first place?  I just don't get it.  I do have to say, it's eerie timing since just after the movie aired last weekend that volcano in Iceland erupted and is currently causing airline chaos throughout the world, especially throughout Europe and western Asia.  Freaky.

 -  It looks like WWE Smackdown is once again changing network homes starting soon after the current season of NXT.  Smackdown is moving off of free network TV and moving to cable, more specifically the SyFy channel.  The show has bounced around a bit in the past few years, first being on UPN, then the CW and more recently MyNetwork TV.  Smackdown joins Raw not just on cable but more specifically within NBC Universal, making WWE more firmly a part of the NBC family.  I'm not surprised this route was taken given that many shows once on major broadcasting networks are migrating to cable and pay TV channels.  Given WWE's stability within NBCU, this pretty much assures Smackdown's future not just as a television show but as it's own brand separate from Raw.  I wonder if this might help increase ratings for the show.

 -  This upcoming Thursday the first round of the NFL Draft will take place.  The Westerville Browns Backers will be hosting a draft party Thursday evening starting at 6:30 PM at Jimmy V's in uptown Westerville.  If you want more specific information about the party, you can visit our Facebook event page to get more details.  If you're not on Facebook, you can go to the Westerville Browns Backers website's front page for the details.  I have to admit, I wasn't initially a fan of putting the 1st round of the draft on a separate night and spreading it out over Thursday (1st round), Friday (2nd & 3rd rounds), and Saturday (Rounds 4 through 7).  As time has worn on, I found myself warming up to and embracing this concept, especially in how it might make for more draft parties.  This year promises to be exciting for Browns fans, especially with recent reports that they are considering making moves for either multiple picks in the first round or even moving up to the number one spot this year.  I'd recommend those planning to come up to Jimmy V's this Thursday evening to get there early because you might miss something big.  I missed the banquet this year but I am NOT missing the draft party, so I hope to see some of you up there.

 -  Song on repeat:  "I Like Them Girls" by Tyrese Gibson.  The title of the song says it all for me.

 -  SLP to the following:  Walt, Al (happy b-day), Holly, Katie, Aunt Susie, Aunt Sandy, George, Carlos, Jay, Marcia, Andrea, Cheryl, Renee, Rhonda, Chad, Lynn, Jack, Joe M., Dave, Ernest, Rahn, Fudge, Xavier, Jenny K (happy b-day), and Pastor Cory.

I've got another busy week coming up with work and all that.  My sinuses are acting up a bit to the point I couldn't go out last night due to the headache caused by said sinuses.  I need to get some more rest before all the stuff coming up, so with that I'll end this edition of Random Thoughts.  Join me next time as I once again talk about all the exploits, experiences, and observations of this crazy person you all know as...or should know as...DJ.  Until next time, folks.  Take care and God Bless.

DJ

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Random Thoughts #74 - the "best laid plans" edition

Hello and welcome to another set of Random Thoughts from yours truly.  I've got some stuff to get out there and some other things on my mind, so with that in mind, let's get to it.  Enjoy.

 -  This year the month of April looks to be an eventful one for me and around me.  As a result, there will likely be a higher frequency of Random Thoughts blogs in the foreseeable future.  I don't want anybody to blink and miss one by mistake (like it's all that vital to anyone, but I digress), so I wanted to note it beforehand.

 -  I named this blog the "best-laid plans" edition because of some things related to my birthday plans.  There is a saying from literature that goes "the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry" (the actual quote says "schemes" but I'm using "plans" here for my own purposes).  A couple of things have come up that have put the screws to many of the ideas I had for my birthday, one of 'em good and the other not so much.  The good thing is that I am starting a new short-term full-time job later this week.  It's good that I'm finally working again and it's a small yet important step in this "new beginning" I've been working on, but that also means that for a significant chunk of the day on Friday I'll be at work so I won't be able to do as much as I wanted to on my actual birthday.  The second, not-so-good thing is the weather predicted for this Friday...it's supposed to be miserable with showers and temperatures in the 40's.  I was hoping for sun and 70's like we've had, but it doesn't look like that's in the cards.  Even with these two things, I'm not gonna let this stuff stop my birthday celebration which I'll describe in this next blurb.

 -  Because of the changes, I'm spreading my birthday celebration thoughout this upcoming weekend.  Like I said earlier I do have to work on my birthday.  However, the one thing I am definitely planning on for my actual birthday is that I will be going to Martini Park at Easton later that night.  I don't care if it's going to be crowded or not, I'm going there on Friday night.  I hope that many of you who want to celebrate with me will come up there that night...if the place isn't busy we may be able to do more of what we want to on the dance floor.  My friend Tommy D is the deejay there (Chris Davis from WNCI will helping him out), the band playing there early is X-Ray Roger Jimmy (I've never heard them, but I've heard good things), there is no cover charge AFAIK, and it is "Ladies Night" so there will be drink specials for the ladies.  A note for anybody else wanting to come up there...no sneakers or tennis shoes allowed on the weekends.  The other thing I've definitely planned is dinner at Pizza Hut, a personal birthday tradition for me...it used to be Gionino's in NE Ohio but since there isn't one here in Columbus I switched it to the Hut.  I don't know if I'll actually be doing it on my birthday or if it will happen on Saturday or Sunday...all I know is that it will happen sometime this weekend.  I was thinking that since there is supposedly going to be improvement in the weather the two days after my b-day and I'll be off, I thought about doing stuff those days instead.  I thought about checking out the new Ohio Union at Ohio State (my alma mater) or going out again on Saturday night, but I am open to other ideas.  Nothing is set in stone for Saturday or Sunday specifically so if anybody has ideas let me know so that I can plan accordingly.  I'm not expecting anything big or major for my 38th b-day, but I do want to celebrate another year being alive on God's green earth.

 -  While I was typing the last blurb up my keyboard stopped responding, so I went to change the batteries (it's a wireless).  I open it up and one of the batteries was turned backwards.  I must not have been paying attention when I put it in last, but I'm surprised my keyboard worked as long as it did with a battery put in wrong.  I fixed it and it's working right again.  It amazes me how sometimes something so small can have such an impact, even on insignificant matters.

 -  My church home:  Crossroads World Christian Center ministered by Pastor Cory Pariseau.  On a related tip, I hope everybody had a happy Easter holiday.

-  I got to watch both Destination X (TNA) and WrestleMania (WWE) this year.  This year's Destination X may not have been a favorite of the Internet dirt sheets and wrestling newsies, but I really enjoyed it.  It was a fast-paced and exciting show to watch.  This year's Wrestlemania, however, was the complete opposite of that.  It was essentially a one-match show.  The HBK/Undertaker bout would have blown the roof off the place if it weren't already open...this was a match worthy of Wrestlemania.  The rest of the card...I hate to say it but it seems like it was mailed in three months ago and everybody just went through the motions.  It was rather predictable, plodding at times (justified in a couple of cases), the entrances were really pedestrian for a WrestleMania and I was actually underwhelmed by the MITB match.  There were some WTF moments in the show but nothing really all that memorable.  This is supposed to be Wrestlemania...larger than life, the grandest stage of them all, the most spectacular wrestling show of the year...but it seemed like everybody except Taker, HBK, and Justin Roberts (the announcer) didn't get that memo.  Except for the one match I don't think this show holds up or will hold up all that well comparatively to the other WMs.  WrestleMania was also disserviced by the buildup to the big show.  Outside of a couple of excellent Batista promos, both Raw and Smackdown turned into two-hour infomercials full of promotional videos and devoid of action.  With that in mind, I can see why TNA thinks they have a shot with Impact on Monday nights against Raw, especially if WWE keeps up with the informercial-like motif for its programming.

 -  I have caught some of the NCAA tournament this year.  I don't think I watched any of the regular season this year, but I did watch some conference tourneys.  Some things I noted from the NCAA tourney itself:  The Kansas State/Xavier game was probably one of the best matchups I've seen in years...too bad Xavier lost that one, but they put up a great effort.  Even with the vaunted and award-winning Evan Turner, Ohio State just didn't have the depth to get past the Sweet 16...they needed more players in the rotation and they just didn't have them, so I knew they probably wouldn't go far this year.  I think all of the West Coast teams were eliminated after the Sweet 16, making this mostly an Eastern U.S. tournament.  It was also a mid-major tournament, with several "mid-major" teams upsetting major schools like Kansas and Syracuse and one, Butler, in the title game this evening against Duke.  It's probably the most interesting tournament in years.  I actually hope they don't expand it, because it would dilute the exclusivity of the tourney itself and the NIT would be eliminated if there was an expansion.  Having 96 teams in it just seems way too much.

 -  I now have a new phone and it's a beauty.  I got a Samsung Solstice, which is a touchscreen akin to the iPhone and the Droid.  I am now able to send and receive text messages and do internet stuff on my cell like check Facebook and my e-mail.  It is also a 2-megapixel camera, so on top of a phone I also got a decent digital camera that takes good pics to boot.  I really upgraded this time out.

 -  On a somewhat down note for some (not me especially), GameWorks at Easton has shut down.  Apparently, Sega, the company that owned the franchise, shut several of them around the country and the one at Easton was one of those.  I used to go there when the Westerville Browns Backers went there for the 2008 season (WBB's now-permanent home is Jimmy V's in uptown Westerville).  It was a pretty busy place but I guess Sega didn't see it as part of it's future, so I guess it's RIP GameWorks at Easton.  I think an ideal use of the space now would be to keep sports bar upstairs, turn the rest of the upper floor area into a restaurant, and turn the downstairs into a nightclub/bar...is anybody with me on that?

 -  I went up to Martini Park last Friday night and had a decent time there.  I don't usually go out on Friday nights but I made an exception to check MP out ahead of my birthday.  It wasn't as busy as it had been on Saturday nights but I attest that to the Easter weekend.  There were some good looking women up there early on and I actually danced with one (she said she was 45 but she looked no older than 35..good genes on her part).  I and several friends hung out and talked for a long time after the bar closed.  That was something I haven't done in ages, so I really appreciated the time I had with my friends.  It didn't hurt that it was a warm and comfortable night, probably the best one since last summer.

 -  This is something that doesn't necessarily benefit me but it might for those of you who live in other states or plan to travel or looking for something to do.  As part of National Park Week, the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees to the parks where it usually charges people to get into starting April 17th and running for about a week, until April 25th.  In other words, places like Yosemite National Park in California, Valley Forge State Park in Pennsylvania, and the Fort Sumter National Monument in South Carolina as well as other national parks and monuments that normally charge fees for entering will be free from April 17-25.  For more information, you can go to the National Park Service Fee Entrance Days website for more details on this and other deals related to that week.

 -  Song on repeat:  "I Don't Want To Be" by Gavin DeGraw.  The theme song from the TV series "One Tree Hill," it's words are sometimes eerily descriptive of what and how I feel sometimes, especially those who have wanted me to be someone other than me.  It's one of those songs that hints at exactly where I'm coming from sometimes...freaky.

 -  SLP to the following:  Dave, Ernest, Daryl, Holly, Diane, Derrick (happy b-day), Bob, Lynn, Pastor Cory, Dani (happy b-day), Xavier, Chad, James (happy b-day), and Aunt Susie.

When I get more specific information about what's going on with my birthday aside from what I've already talked about in the blog today, I'll post it on Facebook or contact you directly for those of you not on FB.  If anybody wants to join me in the birthday activities or has ideas for the weekend itself, give me a heads up.  I am reachable by text messaging now as well as internet and phone, so let me know what's up.  Until next time, folks.  Take care and God Bless.

DJ

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