Parking Wars - Writer's Strike!

I know that it's hard to imagine, but television is actually getting worse--thanks, in part, to the Writer's Strike. If you didn't know, the Writer's Guild of America is the trade union made up of the people that write movies, television shows, plays, etc. They've been on strike since the end of October 2007.

The bottom line of the strike (from what I've been able to gather) is that the studios and television stations are making money on online content that gives no royalties to the writers. For example, let's say you write for the television show The Office. You make an agreed upon royalty every time that program is broadcast on the air--whether it be a first run event or a syndicated event, depending on the terms of your contract. However, if that same show is presented on the Internet via sites like iTunes where users pay a fee to download the show to their computer or other device, the writer makes nothing...nada...zero...zilch...bubkiss. Even if the show is played (or "streamed") for free on the television station's web site where advertising is sold, the writer still gets nothing.

By now, you've probably figured out that I'm a bit sympathetic to the writers. This explains why certain shows are not currently airing new episodes (like The Office!!!!). The Late Show With David Letterman struck up a special deal with their writers to get back on the air about a month ago. However, other shows have come back on sans writers. Just watch an episode of Late Night With Conan O'Brien to see what I mean. One night he spent five minutes making his ring spin on his desk to see how long he could keep it going--quality television.

So, that brings me to the REAL reason for this post. Yesterday, Miss Sniz and I saw a half-hour program called Parking Wars. It's a real-life look at the jobs and lives of the Philadelphia Parking Authority. What? Can't contain yourselves? Can't wait to catch an episode on A&E? Well, the waiting is over, you can watch FULL EPISODES right now on your computer. Just CLICK HERE to be taken to A&E's Video page. Click on the gray "REAL LIFE" tab on the left side of the screen and start watching.

As is the case with other shows that are broadcast online there are no royalities paid to writers when you watch Parking Wars on the Internet. But that's because shows like this don't require writers. When crap like this starts hitting the tube, it tells me that the studios and television stations must be feeling the pinch put on by the writers. Imagine, spending an entire half-hour watching a meter maid handing out tickets. Or, why experience your own real-life adventure picking up your car that's been impounded when you can watch somebody else go through it on the tv? That's entertainment!

If you thought reality TV was bad enough already, just wait. It's going to get much, much worse.

Bringing Back the Old

Lately, my wife has been participating in a Saturday blog dealio where she reposts old blog entries. The truth is, we both have some old posts that we were pretty proud of when they were written but at the time we each had one reader (i.e. she read my blog and I read hers!).

So, I'm not sure how comfortable I am with re-posting those oldies but goodies, but I suppose there are a few that I'd like to have some of you see for, perhaps, the first time. Here they are in no particular order...

1. News in HD--Yes!
I did some nice Photoshop work to make this one and I like the way it turned out.

B. How the Big League Ball Players Pitch
More Photoshop work. I'm not sure why I thought of this--possibly a vitamin deficiency or something that goes back to the 13 times I was dropped on my head as a baby.

III. What Happens at Costco, Stays at Costco (unless I share it here)
One of a handful of embarrassing stories about the stupid things I do.

So, if you're reading these for the first time, enjoy. I'll try to come up with something original tomorrow.

Coney Dog vs. Chili Dog

This weekend I've decided to open up one of the time-honored great debates of mankind: Coney Dogs vs. Chili Dogs. Actually, it's not so much of a debate. I have an opinion, but I'm more curious about yours. So, here's the question:

"Is there any difference between a coney dog and a chili dog? And, please give a reason for your answer."

This is important stuff. I need to know.

Pray

WARNING: THERE ARE SPIRITUAL OVERTONES IN THIS POST, BUT THERE'S ALSO SOMETHING FUNNY (OR PATHETIC). GO AHEAD, READ ON.

This has been a recurring theme with me lately. In church the other day we were reminded of Psalm 46:10 - "Be still, and know that I am God." It's a simple passage (even in the context of the entire Psalm) about trusting in God. He created everything in the first place and He is still in control. Praying is communication with God, but it's also trusting in the fact that He will do things in His time. It came up again when we decided to start through a book and DVD series by Philip Yancey on the subject of prayer (he's one of my favorite authors, by the way). And then, this morning I pulled up behind gold SUV with the simple message painted in big bold letters on the back of his vehicle...

Pray

How cool is that? Was God reminding little old me that I should trust in Him even when I don't understand everything that goes on in this world? I think so. Then, the "Pray" truck--which was some sort of official truck for the Indiana National Day of Prayer--took off like a bat out of hell on the interstate. He haphazardly plowed across six lanes to get in the "speed lane" and was off to the races--right on the bumper of the car ahead of him. Suddenly, the interpretation of the "Pray" message took on multiple meanings or, perhaps, a more specific meaning. "Pray" for anyone that encounters this gold SUV on the road. "Pray" that he doesn't cut you off the road into the median or a ditch. "Pray" that he doesn't drive right through your rear window.

You should always drive safe, but imagine the message you send when your car is plastered with the word, "Pray" and the web address for the Indiana National Day of Prayer.

What's wrong with yogurt today?

Is anyone else disturbed at the number of yogurt brands being introduced today that are marketed toward your bowel movements? Dannon's Activia® brand goes so far as to create the trademarked term "BIFIDUS REGULARIS." Give me a break.

I'm just not sure how "regular" it is, however, to poop out your belly button as the Dannon image seems to suggest.

Music Reviews for January 22, 2008

I thought I'd expand things a little around here by adding some CD reviews. I'm sure you all care what I think about music, so I've decided to review three CD's that I've been listening to lately.

Well, I'm not really reviewing CDs. In fact these are not real albums at all. They were created using something that I saw on my pal, Tappity's blog the other day.

You create your own band name and album with album cover (or CD--whatever). This is not a "meme" or a "tag" or whatever you folks call it, but I'd love to see what some of you come up with.

Here's how you do it.

1. The first article title on this page is the name of your band.

2. The last four words of the very last quotation on this page is the title of your album. (NOTE: If you do this more than once, you will need to refresh this page to get a new quote.)

3. The third picture on this page, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4. Use your graphics program of choice to throw them together, and post the result. I'm a Photoshop guy, but even your most basic photo editing or graphics program (even the "Paint" program that comes with Windows) can do this. It takes a little work, but it's worth it.

Here are my three CDs...

1. Auchlyne - Supposed To Do Anyway















This band is probably a lot like REM where the lead singer has the nerve to make up the lyrics to the songs after the band has already created the music and then he refuses to print them in the CD covers.

2. Skipper Bowles - ...will never be transcended
















It's the truth. Skipper Bowles will never be transcended. He was just too awesome and if you even try to transcend Skipper Bowles your bones will turn to molten lava and you will die.

3. Tokaidaigaku-mae Station - Find Yourself Up There















This one just came together perfectly. I think I'd buy this CD without knowing anything about the band based purely on the cover. Plus, if that picture is the actual band, they have to be awesome. Look at how many of them there are. I'm guessing that there are at least two people wo do nothing but play the triangle or tambourine.

Sausages!

If you haven't figured it out by now, the wife and I tend to blog-team about things--but not usually on purpose. Since we share lives, it makes sense that our blogs often follow similar paths. Honestly, she and I have both noted that since we've started blogging, we've gotten closer. Isn't that odd?

Anyway, she was having fun pointing out how easily amused I am with a new Bud Light commercial that features a talking dog who mostly says, "Sausages" or just "Sausage!" It just cracks me up and that's all there is too it, folks. I managed to find a copy of the commercial online that was NOT online as of yesterday. So, I'm not the only one who loves this spot.

Here's the link:

http://www.adchops.com/mediaHolder.php?id=2631

Follow at your own risk.

Squeeze Her Little Queen Head - Video

The other day my wife posted briefly about an episode of Don't Forget the Lyrics that we watched recently with the family. The second half of the show featured a contestant named Susan Woods who was clearly the most bizarre (and yet highly fascinating and entertaining) game show contestant I've ever seen. Since we still had the episode on the DVR, I decided to share it with the world since I've yet to see someone else post it to YouTube. Enjoy...