tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67288772024-03-05T09:17:49.499-06:00On the Fritz<i>Inside the mind of Paul "PFritz21" Fritz. It gets kinda crazy in here, so considered yourself warned.</i>PFritz21http://www.blogger.com/profile/02734393222323341953noreply@blogger.comBlogger383125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728877.post-86409560358332204462016-09-17T22:06:00.000-05:002017-03-17T10:29:26.528-05:00My Pokémon Go Links<a href="http://www.pref.com/a/sesp/pokemon-go-must-know-tips?utm_campaign=ss_221&utm_source=530&utm_medium=cpc&__ssuid=58628">34 Essential Tips For Pokemon Go That Many People Don't Know Yet</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.pref.com/a/jaw/guy-reveals-3-key-things-that-many-pokemon-go-players-still-dont-know-amazing?utm_content=inf_10_3400_2&tse_id=INF_b5f81f704ab211e6b0f893264c132f23">3 Key Things That Many Pokemon Go Players Still Don’t Know</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://m.goliath.com/gaming/pokemon-go-7-reasons-why-you-need-to-focus-on-hatching-eggs/">7 Reasons Why You Need To Focus On Hatching Eggs</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://pogotoolkit.com/">PoGoToolkit.com - Evolution CP Calculator for Pokémon Go</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://handbooks.bulbagarden.net/pokemongo">The Bulba Handbook - Pokémon GO Edition</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://thesilphroad.com/research" target="_blank">Pokemon GO Tools | The Silph Road</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.pokemongodb.net/2016/05/pokemon-go-pokedex.html">http://www.pokemongodb.net/2016/05/pokemon-go-pokedex.html</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://pokemongohub.net/generation-2/pokemon-go-generation-ii-best-movesets/">Gen 2 Movesets</a><br />
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<a href="https://thesilphroad.com/egg-distances">Egg distances</a><br />
Attack chart<br />
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<br />PFritz21http://www.blogger.com/profile/02734393222323341953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728877.post-84287891733730752362013-04-29T14:10:00.001-05:002021-10-11T23:12:16.354-05:00Do the right thing.Vikings fans,<br /><br />If you want Minnesota to get rid of Chris Kluwe because he is a sub-standard football player, fine. I think he's a good punter and he did a great job as a holder for rookie kicker Blair Walsh this season. The Vikes went 10-6 and made the playoffs because every single guy on that team did his job well.<br /><br />If you want Minnesota to get rid of Chris Kluwe because he is overpaid, fine. He only made $1.3 million last year, while <a href="http://www.steelersdepot.com/2011/07/2011-2014-nfl-minimum-base-salaries/" target="_blank">the minimum NFL salary is $405K for a rookie and $840K for someone with Kluwe's 9 years of experience</a>, and <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000154634/article/remaining-salarycap-space-for-each-nfl-team" target="_blank">the Vikes have more than five million in cap space for 2013</a>. I think they can afford him for one more season.<br /><br />If you want Minnesota to get rid of Chris Kluwe because <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-kluwe/when-they-come-for-you_b_3177689.html" target="_blank">he has the balls to speak his mind and fight for the LGBTQ to have all the same rights as he does, especially the right to marry</a>, go to hell. The guy is not some sort of basket case, like Randy Moss was, and the Vikings brought HIM back. Kluwe's only crime here is that the guy is a decent human being.<div><br />
And if you're one of those bigots crying foul over <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9223657/jason-collins-first-openly-gay-active-player" target="_blank">NBA center Jason Collins, who just came out of the closet</a>, making him the first openly gay man in the four major North American professional sports, I really hope your god shows you the same love and mercy that you should be showing for all people on this earth.<br />
<br />
Zygi Wilf, Rick Spielman, Leslie Frazer, whatever you do, it better be for the right reasons. Because if you do not do the right thing, you'll lose me as a potential fan.<br />
<br />
--Paul</div>PFritz21http://www.blogger.com/profile/02734393222323341953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728877.post-60397457816220459422013-03-29T17:02:00.000-05:002013-03-29T17:02:08.784-05:00Just keep it to yourselfOK, yeah, the #2 seeded University of Minnesota Golden Gophers Men's Hockey team got beat by #15 Yale today in the NCAA playoffs. But for you North Dakota fans, here are a few things to keep in mind while you're celebrating...<br />
<br />
First of all, being my friend is not a right. IT'S A PRIVILEGE. If you want to brag about Minnesota's shortcomings, keep it on your Facebook wall and off mine. I would not do the same if the situation was reversed. Sure, I'd brag on my page, but it's MY page. I can do that. If you can't respect this, then you can't be my friend anymore.<br />
<br />
Second, do you know how bad this makes you? Trolling for hate by poking at the bear like that? Contrary to popular belief, Facebook IS NOT a public forum, especially the little tiny corner of it that is mine. But if you think it should be, then you better follow Wheaton's law: DON'T BE A DICK. Well said, Mr. Crusher.<br />
<br />
Now, I know at this point, some of you might be saying, "Geez, Paul, lighten up. It's only a game/sport." Hypocrite. If it was only a game, why are YOU getting so excited about it. Sports, along with pretty much every other media outlet, be it television, movies, music, books... They exist in part to allow us to escape from the real world, even if it's only temporarily. I'm sure every person on this earth who is fortunate enough to live in a society like ours has bitched at least ONCE about some plot twist, some re-imaging, some THING that disrupts their idyllic fantasy world in a way that is most unpleasent. You know you have, and denying it just makes you look even more guilty of it.<br />
<br />
But hey, if you want to pat yourselves on the back, even though UND hasn't WON anything (yet), by all means, go ahead and stroke it. Just don't be coming all over me, you sick perverts.PFritz21http://www.blogger.com/profile/02734393222323341953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728877.post-75775848513515972332013-03-24T09:49:00.001-05:002013-03-24T09:51:34.660-05:00What in the World (of Warcraft)...?Yes, the rumors were true, I had been playing World of Warcraft again.<br />
<br />
HAD.<br />
<br />
I pulled the trigger on a 10-day free trial, and you know what I found out? Blizzard put the game on easy mode.<br />
<br />
It was not tough to do quests, because they show you where to go on the map and who to kill to complete them. Dungeons required no effort, because they show where each boss is, and you can constantly pull enemies into combat. It cut the time of a crawl down from 120 minutes to 20 minutes. Leveing up is cake too, because now you get experience from picking herbs and mining for ore.<br />
<br />
It's disgusting. When I first played WoW, it required a lot of effort to get tuned up to go to the Molten Core. Now? I bet my four-year-old nephew could get up to level 90 in a matter of hours.<br />
<br />
I think, with no proof once so ever, Blizz caved into the whiners (Lerrilin) who wanted to access ALL the game content that came with their $15 monthly subscription. Goddamn millenials and their sense of entitlement...<br />
<br />
Sorry, Clint, Chris, and Cynthia, but I'm not coming back on a permanent basis. I just don't think it's worth it. Besides, I've got more important stuff to do. My girlfriend is moving in with me, I'm applying to the MBA program at the University of Minnesota, and I've got some team to cheer for.<br />
<br />
I love you guys, and I want to come back to play with you again, because I feel I've got some unfinished business to take care of in Azeroth. But right now? I've got some real-life quests to complete...PFritz21http://www.blogger.com/profile/02734393222323341953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728877.post-43082073008886568132012-09-07T15:09:00.000-05:002012-09-07T15:09:36.700-05:00That was ALLLLLLLLLLLL me...President Obama, I am better off than I was four years ago, but not because of you.<br />
<br />
I <b>earned</b> my promotion at John Deere two years ago. I put in the time and effort to get noticed by the bigwigs, and they rewarded me for my hard work.<br />
<br />
And if you think I'm earning more because of your policies, your laws, your presidency, prove it to me. Show me what you did that help me out here. The burden of proof is on you here buddy.<br />
<br />
I am better of than I was four years ago. But corelation does not mean causation.PFritz21http://www.blogger.com/profile/02734393222323341953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728877.post-7029523788154082532012-04-24T16:39:00.001-05:002012-04-26T22:32:36.711-05:00If you build it, they will comeWhy haven't CBS and Viacom created a <a href="http://www.startrek.com/">Star Trek</a> television channel? I mean, if the <a href="http://www.wwe.com/">WWE</a> can create <a href="http://www.wwe.com/inside/wwe-network-announced">their own channel</a> with all their original programming... Each major sports leage now has their own network... FUCK, even MTV is still on the air, and that DETRACTS from American society.<br />
<br />
It wouldn't be that hard to fill up a schedule using just the five TV series and 11 feature films. Take a look:<br />
<ul><li>11 feature films (3 hours per movie, 33 hours of programming)</li>
<li>79 episodes of <a href="http://www.startrek.com/page/star-trek-the-original-series">the original series</a></li>
<li>178 of <a href="http://www.startrek.com/page/star-trek-the-next-generation">Next Generation</a></li>
<li>176 of <a href="6http://www.startrek.com/page/star-trek-deep-space-nine">Deep Space Nine</a></li>
<li>172 of <a href="http://www.startrek.com/page/star-trek-voyager">Voyager</a></li>
<li>98 of <a href="http://www.startrek.com/page/star-trek-enterprise">Enterprise</a> (if you must include that horse manure)</li>
</ul>That's 736 hours of Star Trek (including commericals), enough to last you more than 30 days of 24-hour coverage. Throw in some specials, like <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0970511/">Beyond the Final Frontier</a>.<br />
<br />
And you don't have to air everything in chronological or production order. Think of how many marathons you can do, tying episodes together. <a href="http://www.startrek.com/database_article/q">Q</a> episodes, <a href="http://www.startrek.com/database_article/worf">Worf</a> episodes, <a href="http://www.startrek.com/database_article/borg">Borg</a> episodes, time travel episodes. 30-40 major cast members amongst the five series, air a block of epsiodes featuring each character they play on their birthdays.<br />
<br />
Hey, the jocks have their TV networks. So do musicians, history buffs, kids. You name it, there's at least one channel targetted towards a very specific demographic. And nobody is currently airing DS9 or Voyager, and I barely see TNG on cable these days (a couple episodes on SyFy and BBC America per week). If you build it, they will come. From every quadrant of the Milky Way galaxy, we'll tune in, and we will enjoy it.PFritz21http://www.blogger.com/profile/02734393222323341953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728877.post-13109255080449014922011-11-20T09:21:00.001-06:002012-04-26T22:32:48.114-05:00Is it over yet?Good lord, how many more of these Twilight movies are they going to make? I'd be way more interested in them if Ashley Greene was the star, and she was running around dressed like this:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/swimsuit/modelfeatured/ashley_greene/2010/model/7/19/index.htm"><img height="25%" src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/sivault/swimsuit/image/2010/10_ashley-greene_07.jpg" width="25%" /></a><br />
<i>Source: Sports Illustrated 2010 Swimsuit issue</i><br />
<br />
But seriously, there was <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119594/">one good Twilight movie</a>. You can never go wrong with a Reese Witherspoon topless scene.PFritz21http://www.blogger.com/profile/02734393222323341953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728877.post-55795160158973538642011-11-07T20:29:00.003-06:002012-07-02T08:48:07.761-05:00What's a guy to do?!?!I know I'm going to regret asking this, but has been boggling my mind for the last couple of months...<br />
<br />
Ladies, do you know of any woman who agreed to have sex with a guy after he asked her to? (No details necessary, just a simple yes/no answer will suffice.)<br />
<br />
It seems to go against everything I believe to be true about the male-female relationship model. I'm used to working for it. Be a nice guy, do some sweet talking, treat a women right, buy her a few things, and wait for her to be ready.<br />
<br />
What's worse, it seems like it's a double-edged sword. If I ask a woman to sleep with me, she may get upset for thinking she's easy. But if I don't, I'd be accused of thinking that woman doesn't enjoy sex.<br />
<br />
Can someone explain to me how this actually works? I mean, I know the best way is to find out for myself and do it. And I got nothing to lose. But just can't make up my mind.PFritz21http://www.blogger.com/profile/02734393222323341953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728877.post-49140459662826665762011-09-24T11:21:00.001-05:002011-09-24T11:25:28.274-05:00Where's my iPhone?So, I have a classic 80 GB iPod (6th Gen), a Windows Mobile 6 Samsung SCH-i760 smartphone, and an original 16 GB iPad.<br />
<br />
I'm starting hate Apple these days. Mostly becuase I'm responsible for managing them at John Deere, and they keep neglecting the business market in favor of personal consumers. But they'll screwing me over on that side as well.<br />
<br />
My cell phone is nearly three years old and up for replacement. But I'm still waiting for Apple to release an iPhone with sufficient hardware capabilities. I want an iPhone that replaces both my cell phone AND my iPod. That means at least 128 GB of storage.<br />
<br />
"Dude, just use the cloud." No. Besides the security concerns I have with opening up my data to the outside world, I don't want to PAY to store and access my own data.<br />
<br />
"DUDE, YOU BOUGHT AN iPAD!!" That's besides the point. I bought a refurbished, bottom-of-the-line, previous version of Apple's famed tablet device TO REPLACE MY LAPTOP, after the AC adapter port broke on it. The $349 was cheaper than $600-900 for a new laptop, especially when all I'm using it for is Facebook/Twitter/web surfing from my couch or on the road.<br />
<br />
So, back to the iPhone thing: I have over 7400 songs on my iPod, taking up 52 GB of disk space. Apple would charge me $100 a year to put all that music (up to 55 GB) in their iCloud. Amazon offers 100 GB at the same yearly rate. Not to mention what a service plan from a cell provider would charge me for streaming all that data (I listen to my iPod about 6-8 hours a day).<br />
<br />
I am grandfathered in with Verizon's unlimited data plan, but I'd STILL have to get a newer phone, because the software to use either cloud on my 4+ year old dinosaur WM6 phone doesn't exist.<br />
<br />
So, until Steve Jobs and Tim Cook release the type of iPhone I want, I'm not upgrading. I'll use the money I'd save from the cloud for a higher-end, larger capacity, and probably more expensive cell phone/MP3 player, only paying for the single upgrade and the ability to carry one fewer device with me when I leave the house. #WorthItPFritz21http://www.blogger.com/profile/02734393222323341953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728877.post-6479158911844955442011-03-21T19:32:00.001-05:002011-03-22T19:07:04.829-05:00What's my age again?I think I'm 30 going on 20. Consider this:<br />
<ul><li>I dress in a T-shirt (long or short sleeve, sometimes both), jeans, and sneakers everyday.</li>
<li>I enjoy wearing hats. Baseball caps, winter beanies, Santa hats. I usually throw one on before leaving the house.</li>
<li>I think I'm invincible and that I'm going to live forever.</li>
<li>I'm trying to grow my hair out long, because I've never done it before.</li>
<li>I listen to my iPod at work and in public (unless I'm hanging out with someone).</li>
<li>I've been doing more social drinking lately (going to bars or people's houses for a few drinks).</li>
<li>I like going to and shopping at music and record stores.</li>
<li>I'm teaching myself to play bass guitar.</li>
<li>I'm constantly flirting with anything in a skirt (figuratively, not literally).</li>
</ul>But you know what? Life is short. Why shouldn't I try to make the most of it by enjoying every single moment?<br />
<br />
I like this new me. He's much better than the old me.PFritz21http://www.blogger.com/profile/02734393222323341953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728877.post-7739606372720059152011-02-13T09:47:00.004-06:002011-09-25T22:15:51.127-05:00Don't hate the player, hate the game<em>"Some of their rules can be bent, Others can be broken."</em> - Morpheus, <strong><u><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0133093/">The Matrix</a></u></strong><br />
<br />
Saw <a href="http://twitter.com/ericamayer/status/36802409682444288">this post</a> on Twitter this morning and it got me thinking...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/ericamayer">@ericamayer</a>: "----> RT @REALChaseAdams: Don't forget that unlike your regular Klout score, familyKlout starts back at 0 everyday. It can't be gamed."<br />
<br />
It took me back to something my friend Greg once told me when we were getting a drink. He was trying to tell me not to game the system. I don't remember WHAT system I was trying to game, but I think he was just trying to give me general advice.<br />
<br />
That just doesn't work for me. I've been programmed to try to find a way around the system. A part of it is the human nature of trying to get the most out of something at the least possible cost. But I think video games may have been the biggest influence on me on this matter. You know how it is, learn the patterns, learn the rules, and exploit them. It's been ingrained into my brain. I'm constantly trying to figure out how to solve problems, with a combination of tackling and sidestepping them.<br />
<br />
I applied myself in college the same way. After a year, I discovered that I didn't need to be at class every day (not that I had to, since I was going to a state school). Do the homework, show up to the lecutres a couple days before the test, learn what would be on the test, then study to the last minute, and I'd be fine. I wasn't looking for a 4.0 anyways, I was happy staying over the 3.0 mark.<br />
<br />
I think some of my friends go annoyed by this. My freshman/fourth year roommate had his nose closer to the grindstone than I. Putting in more time hitting the books, while I was trying to coast. Yeah, he got better grades than I (he deserved it), but still.<br />
<br />
And his girlfriend, she was CONSTANTLY studying to work on a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharm.D.">Pharm.D.</a> Pages and pages of study notes, lots of tests, lots of work. During my last year at NDSU, I'd stop by to visit with her and the rest of my friends in her quad, and she'd always be in the living room, pouring herself over all of it. I'm sure there were a few times she (and her roommates) would want me to leave to they could prepare in peace.<br />
<br />
Someday, I'll be able to unplug myself from the Matrix and relax. Until then, I keep an ever vigil watch on the reality around me, so I can find the next exploit and game the system.PFritz21http://www.blogger.com/profile/02734393222323341953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728877.post-23053909741282989022011-02-05T10:10:00.000-06:002011-02-05T10:10:03.231-06:00Anybody wanna start a band?Over the last couple of weeks, me and a friend in Phoenix, AZ are talking about starting a band and moving to Southern California (not necessarily in that order. She plays guitar, and I've been learning bass for the past six weeks. We're looking forward to playing with each other, but I'm itching to find some other musicians at my level to jam with until then (and who knows when that would be, our discussions have been VERY preliminary).<br />
<br />
I've speculated on how we could put this together. I know we'll be looking for a drummer, a rhythm guitarist, and a multi-instrumentalist (keyboards, bass, rhythm guitar) who can be the wild card. Yeah, I know, what do we need with another bassist? Until I learn my chops, I'd feel better having an experienced bass player around to help me out. Plus, I'm also picturing myself as lead singer (I'm good at memorizing lyrics), so I may put the bass down for a couple of songs while we perform.<br />
<br />
As for how big we'll make it, I'd be happy just being in a bar band. Playing to patrons on Friday and Saturday nights. Food, drinks, and some money to invest in my new hobby is all I'd ask for. Maybe getting to be good enough to be a permanent house band at an establishment (and if we can't do that, I'll BUILD a bar where we can be the house band).<br />
<br />
Well, while we wait to see how this plays out, please let me know if you're interested in playing with me. Because for those about to rock, I salute you.PFritz21http://www.blogger.com/profile/02734393222323341953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728877.post-24907873506658274602011-01-29T08:55:00.000-06:002011-01-29T08:55:54.059-06:00It's onSo, I've renamed my blog "On the Fritz". You have to admit, it's a lot catchier than the old name, and a little more appropriate (given how I can be such a Fritz).<br />
<br />
There's one problem though. <a href="http://blog.fritzliess.com/">Someone else</a> is already using that for his blog name. But he hasn't posted anything in over a year!!<br />
<br />
Since he isn't actively blogging, I'm taking the name "On the Fritz". I'm gonna fight my way up the Google search rankings and overtake him. If he wants to stay on top, he better get postin'.<br />
<br />
And if you're reading this Frederick: it's on. You best bring your A-game, 'cuz I'm coming out swinging.PFritz21http://www.blogger.com/profile/02734393222323341953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728877.post-35251169504385063842011-01-10T23:27:00.001-06:002011-01-13T23:18:09.391-06:00You're all a bunch of Nazi, conformist cheerleaders...I don't know how all you people can watch college football AND criticize the BCS system. Pick one or the other.<br /><br />You hypocrites sicken me...PFritz21http://www.blogger.com/profile/02734393222323341953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728877.post-84704242301408195992010-12-08T17:44:00.004-06:002011-09-25T22:17:43.127-05:00Steppin' up to the plate like Jim ThomeIt has been a stressful time for those of us in the IT department at <a href="http://www.phoeintl.com/">Phoenix International</a>. John Deere going through a massive reorganzation. We'll all reporting to new bosses, have new responsibilities, determining who will take over those roles. Lots of fun. But there's one man that hasn't been fazed by all this chaos.<br />
<br />
Me.<br />
<br />
I'm just as affected by this transition as anyone else. Especially since I've been promoted to an Infrastructure Anaylst, which is Tier 3 support. Determining hardware and software standards across the ENTIRE Deere enterprise. But I'm not getting all bent out of shape over this.<br />
<br />
Maybe it's the happy pills. Maybe it's because I just don't care. Maybe it's because I'm just taking things one day at a time. As my new boss continues to stress, my first responsibility is to the unit. I have to keep the day-to-day operations going and provide Tier 2 desktop support to the end-users. And until I get my replacement trained in (and they find a replacement for him), that's my primary role at Deere.<br />
<br />
I talked with my current boss late this afternoon, before we left for the day. She's overwhelmed, trying to do her new job and working with my fellow techs' new supervisors to move them into their new roles. There's just not enough time in her day to get through everything.<br />
<br />
I, however, am looking pretty free and clear right now. My ticket load is down to the high teens, when it has usually been in the high 20's to low 40's. There are brief moments where I'm looking for something to keep me occupied, then I realize, I should just keep my nose on the grindstone. Continue to work on those old tickets still in my queue. Hack away at my projects. But I don't feel like it's enough. I want to do more.<br />
<br />
That's where I want to go into <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/thomeji01.shtml">Jim Thome</a> mode. When <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/morneju01.shtml">Justin Morneau</a> was out with a concussion (which kept off the field for the entire second half of the 2010 MLB season), the <a href="http://twins.mlb.com">Minnesota Twins</a> found a way to make it work. Michael Cuddyer came in from right field to play first, Jason Kubel moved out of the DH role and replaced Cuddy, and Jim Thome became the full-time designated hitter.<br />
<br />
I told my current boss that I wanted to step up and help out in any way that I could. I have the availability, put me to use. She told me that this shouldn't have to all fall on me, it's supposed to be a team effort.<br />
<br />
But isn't this what people <strong>DO</strong> when they're on a team? Step up to the plate, take a bigger role, carry them to victory? I don't expect to do it all either, I just want a chance.<br />
<br />
A chance to come through like Thome. Yeah, I've got a back problem, and I'll probably strike out a few times. But I know I'm going <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=11087783">to connect on one of them and just drive it out of the park</a>. And everyone will celebrate. Then we'll get ready for tomorrow's game. It's a long season, and every win we can pick up is gonna help us.<br />
<br />
So, put me in coach, I'm ready to play. Today. Look at me, I can be... <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04KQydlJ-qc">Center Field</a>.PFritz21http://www.blogger.com/profile/02734393222323341953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728877.post-73727542643391950032010-11-25T15:39:00.009-06:002010-12-28T23:51:39.804-06:00Top 10 Bassists<b>Disclaimer:</b> <i>Similiar to <a href="http://pfritz21.blogspot.com/2010/02/top-10-drummers.html">my list of top ten drummers</a>, this not a list of the best bassists of all-time, or the best bassists around right now, or anything like that. I am not qualified enough to judge the abilities of every bassist in the history of the world against each other and determine the best. Nor is this a list of the bassists from my favorite bands (though there is a noticeable overlap; half of them are/were a member of one of my top five favorite bands). This is a list of the people I'd pay just to watch them play bass (without the rest of their respective bands) and get some pointers. They are presented in no particular order.</i><br /><br />Kelly Ogden, <a href="http://www.dollyrots.com/">The Dollyrots</a> - One of my more recent favorites, I love her upbeat personality, and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2pgbjPzF2k">the way she has fun with it</a>.<br />Maya Ford, <a href="http://www.thedonnas.com/">The Donnas</a> - She's also a pretty good artist, as seen by <a href="http://purplefeatherrecords.com/shoppe.asp#19900010">this Donnas T-shirt</a>.<br />Mike Dirnt, <a href="http://www.greenday.com/">Green Day</a> - My favorite on this list. Author of one of my favorite Green Day songs, <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Green+Day/_/J.A.R.+%28Jason+Andrew+Relva%29">J.A.R. (Jason Andrew Relva)</a>.<br />Scott Shriner, <a href="http://www.weezer.com/">Weezer</a> - A great pick up after Mikey Welsh left Weezer in 2001.<br />Flea, <a href="http://www.redhotchilipeppers.com/">Red Hot Chili Peppers</a> - Slap-style technique, very cool.<br />Gene Simmons, <a href="http://www.kissonline.com/">Kiss</a> - A tip of the cap to Gene for admitting why he markets the hell out of Kiss. He didn't want his kids to grow up poor like he did. His reality show is pretty good, I enjoy watching it.<br />Mark Hoppus, <a href="http://www.blink182.com/">blink-182</a> - I prefer his singing to that of guitarist Tom DeLonge.<br />Greg K, <a href="http://www.offspring.com/">The Offspring</a> - Dexter and Noodles get all the love, but don't underestimate what Greg brings to the table for this band.<br />Matt Sharp, <a href="http://www.weezer.com/">Weezer</a> - Did a fantastic job when he was in Weezer.<br />Emma Anzai, <a href="http://www.sickpuppies.net/">Sick Puppies</a> - The most hardcore (IMO) on this list. Just look at the way she rocks it in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liW-kWFiXtQ">their video for "You're Going Down"</a>.PFritz21http://www.blogger.com/profile/02734393222323341953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728877.post-83962506524001162502010-11-18T18:40:00.007-06:002011-04-19T20:44:17.622-05:00If only I had more time...I don't suppose anyone has a <a href="http://www.bttfmovie.com/">DeLorean</a> I could borrow for a little while, would they?<br />
<br />
No? Dang. Well, I had to ask...<br />
<br />
Ever <a href="http://pfritz21.blogspot.com/2009/09/this-is-even-worse-than-i-thought.html">since I became a Donnaholic</a>, I've wondered how much it'd cost to hire <a href="http://www.thedonnas.com/">The Donnas</a> to play a private show for me (and anyone else I'd want to invite).<br />
<br />
I no longer have to wonder about that. I called their booking agents last night. For the low, low price of $15,000 + travel expenses, they could fly up to Fargo and melt my face off.<br />
<br />
I'm surprised I was able to get a figure that easily. I had this elaborate pseudo-lie all planned out to snow the guy over and make it seem like I was completely serious about it. I'd be hiring them for my birthday (which is at the end of December), I had the money (which I do, just not easily accessible), I had a venue picked out (that was a COMPLETE lie). But Ron just told me. Quick and easy. I beat around the bush a little more, telling him I'd have to crunch the numbers. He told me to shoot him an e-mail if I could make it work.<br />
<br />
And I think I <strong>CAN</strong> make it work. I'm assuming a minimum of $10,000 for travel expenses (flights, hotel rooms, meals) and venue rental. I think it'd be just enough to eke it out.<br />
<br />
Onto the event itself...<br />
<br />
Simple. They'd play at my birthday party. Help me celebrate my ascent (or descent) into 30. Then I started to think bigger. December 29th is only a couple days before New Year's. Let's combine the two!! It's been done before. It'd make the party even bigger. Perhaps sell some tickets and open it up to the general public (and recoup expenses).<br />
<br />
But who am I to hog The Donnas to myself in such a small town?! If we're gonna do it right, we need a REAL location. The Twin Cities. This would also allow all my friends to come, which is all I've really wanted for my birthday. Spending it with the people I love. And I can't leave out the Donnaholics. I'd be willing to pay to fly a few of them in, like my friend Jennifer from Phoenix. Of course, with it being New Year's, I'm sure The Donnas and their crew would want to spend it with their loved ones. I'd allow all of them to bring one additional guest each (if they have an S.O.).<br />
<br />
Additional airfare... Nice hotel for The Donnas to stay at... A metro-area venue for New Year's... We're looking at $40,000 now.<br />
<br />
I just added up the numbers. If I mortgage my future and rob from every bank and savings account I have, I've got over $44,000 to my name. We're in business now...<br />
<br />
Sadly, six weeks is not going to be enough time to pull this off. I should have started planning this in, like, August. And maybe saving the money up since... I dunno, 2008?<br />
<br />
There IS always next year... :DPFritz21http://www.blogger.com/profile/02734393222323341953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728877.post-15498944828861665022010-10-29T11:14:00.006-05:002011-02-05T10:13:37.285-06:00They're on to me!!The Phoenix metropolitan area is onto me and my nefarious plot.<br />
<br />
Flew into Phoenix from Fargo yesterday evening. Landed at 8, got to my hotel at 9 (local time). Jennifer, a fellow Donnaholic with whom I'm going to the Arizona State Fair with tomorrow to see Godsmack and Five Finger Death Punch, picks me up at 10:30, after she's done with class. We drive around looking for a place to eat before we find a Denny's. We sit, talk Donnas, tell stories, and have a good time. She brings me back to my room after we're done, at about 12:30 AM. It takes me a half hour to wind down, then I went to bed at 1.<br />
<br />
Half hour later, my room phone rings. I wasn't asleep yet, but I'm thinking "Who knows where I'm at? Who could be that crazy enough to track me down and call me?" It's the front desk. Guy tells me he received a report from other guest that I was being a disturbance. I think, "Noise? Yeah, it's late and I was watching some TV before I tried to go to sleep."<br />
<br />
Nope. The guy was concerned because the other guests at the hotel thought I was trying to use Facebook on my cell phone <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminator_(franchise)">to build SkyNet and usher in the end of humanity</a>. I assured him this was not my intention, and he insisted that I stop using Facebook forever.<br />
<br />
I love this place. I may even have to move here... XDPFritz21http://www.blogger.com/profile/02734393222323341953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728877.post-52633109692507596522010-09-20T21:31:00.002-05:002010-09-20T21:41:43.914-05:00We landed on the moon!!America went to the moon in the late 60's and early 70's. No one's been back since. And if you believe the conspiracy theorists, we weren't there to begin with.<br /><br />They say it was all filmed on a sound stage, because you don't see <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Aldrin_with_experiment.jpg">any stars in the background in those moon photos</a>.<br /><br />OK, fine. Answer me this then. You ever seen the stars in the sky on Earth <strong>IN THE DAYTIME</strong>?!?!<br /><br />Done.PFritz21http://www.blogger.com/profile/02734393222323341953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728877.post-30906016384781916762010-09-15T20:10:00.004-05:002010-09-15T21:49:41.992-05:00Uh, how full is my glass...?Anybody who knows me knows I'm a pessimist. I'd like to think I'm more argumentative, or maybe more realistic when they're trying to drown me with optimism. I agree that I go looking for clouds amongst the silver linings. But I realized something about my outlook on life the other day.<br /><br />I may look at life as "glass half-empty", but I never actually USE that term. I always describe the liquid is in a container by how full it is.<br /><br />So, what would that make me? I just don't know...PFritz21http://www.blogger.com/profile/02734393222323341953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728877.post-23537507747344212642010-09-08T19:55:00.001-05:002010-09-29T20:47:31.945-05:00American Idiot musical soundtrack reviewGreen Day has been a commercial juggernaut within the last 18 months. They followed up their most successful album to date, American Idiot, with 21st Century Breakdown, a very solid album in its own right, and worldwide tour to support it. EA released a Green Day Rock Band title. And most impressively, Billie Joe Armstrong worked with Broadway director Michael Mayer to turn American Idiot into a Tony award-winning musical.<br /><br />If, in 1995, you tried to tell Green Day or any of their fans that they'd pull of something like this, he/she probably would have punched you in the face. But the soundtrack to the American Idiot musical shows how far Green Day has come in their 20 years together. This album shows both the band's maturity, as they all approach 40, yet how they've remained young at heart with their devotion to all things rock and their punk attitude.<br /><br />I cannot stress how great this musical soundtrack is. In fact, I'd even say it's an improvement over the original American Idiot and 21st Century Breakdown albums. Everyone involved just took this thing to another level. The cast of the musical has incredible vocal range, hitting and sustaining notes in a way that Billie Joe never could. They made such a production of the music by adding string sections and choruses (I love that kind of stuff; the more, the better, IMO). But Green Day didn't just sit on the bench during the recording of these tracks. They did what they do best on this album: they recorded most of the music themselves. Yes, that's Mr. Armstrong on guitar, Mike Dirnt on bass, and Tre Cool on drums. Finally, the album is uncensored. Honestly, you think Green Day would allow that? Hell no. No parental advisory label on the album either (not sure how they pulled that off, as the F-bombs are clearly audible throughout the album).<br /><br />This is the first album I've ever listened to that IMMEDIATELY gave me goosebumps. And this was on a warm, sunny Sunday afternoon, during the summer, in a hot car, after picking it up at my local Best Buy. It instantly got to me, and I fell in love with it (and Green Day).<br /><br />The album starts off with the title track, and you notice the first of the subtle changes with the music itself. The intro is a little bit different than that from the original version of the song. The goosebumps kick in when the cast sings round during the bridge from the guitar solo to the final chorus. So good...<br /><br />The goosebumps continue into track 2, Jesus of Suburbia. Especially when "Heather" (Mary Faber), one of the female lead character, comes in for part 4 of this song, Dearly Beloved, and again for part 5, Tales of Another Broken Home. It's haunting, sending chills down my arms.<br /><br />The next track, Holiday, starts off with an awesome bass intro. Mike Dirnt did a great job with it, trumping Billie Joe's original guitar intro. The "ooh, ooh, OOOOOH" during the guitar solo, the "THREE FOUR!!", the deep-toned piano into and during the bridge. Amazing. They melded into the rest of the song very well.<br /><br />Boulevard of Broken Dreams starts out with an acoustic guitar intro that nicely mellows down the raw energy from the first three tracks. This relaxed tone is calmed down even more by the string section and lead character "Johnny" (John Gallagher, Jr.), but it kicks back into gear during the second chorus and bridge into the guitar solo. The outro really drives it home and brings the goosebumps back in full force.<br /><br />Track 5 is Favorite Son. At first, I thought this was a new song written for the musical, but after some digging around on the Internet, I found out it was an unreleased B-side from the original American Idiot album, and it was eventually used in the protest compilation "Rock Against Bush, Vol. 2". I won't get into the politics this song MAY convey, but it's a damn good song. A real hidden gem. I love the female backup vocals chanting "Oh no, it's a drag" during the chorus that are anything but. The song stops briefly before the third verse goes off with a very appropriate "Now where's your fucking champion?" and a series of "Doot doo doo"s from those ladies singing backup. Chants of "It's your favorite son" and a drum outro segue nicely into Are We the Waiting. The entire cast continues delivering goosebumps with the choruses of "Are we, we are/Are we, we are the waiting". Tre Cool finishes out this song with a very nice drum solo. The outros for these two songs are some of the best drum work on the entire album. Tre one of the best in the business these days BY FAR.<br /><br />St. Jimmy has a very quick pace to it, full of all kinds of energy, bringing you back up from the last track. I didn't like this song at first, thinking it was too busy, too noisy, too all over the place, but after listening it to it a couple more times, it grew on me. I can listen to it without pressing the skip button on my media player, but it'll never be my favorite track of this album, unlike...<br /><br />Give Me Novacaine. This is my favorite song from the original American Idiot album. You can keep all those other songs that got released as singles, but this one? It's all mine. It starts out with the same drum beat as the album cut, but then the drums stop and an acoustic guitar starts, with Michael Esper ("Will") singing a couple seconds later, then a stringed portion during the first chorus. It turns the goosebumps up to 11. It gets me EVERY time. Then after the second chorus, the drums come in hard and fast, the cast belts out a "Aaah, novacaine", and a small snippet from a stringed instrument, BOOM, right into the guitar solo. Turns the goosebumps up to 12!! After the final chorus, the tempo comes back down, but not for long.<br /><br />Track 9 is a medley of Last of the American Girls from 21st Century Breakdown and She's a Rebel from American Idiot. The cast goes back and forth between the two songs, not just lyrically, but musically. Last of the American Girls is backed solely by a stringed section, with She's a Rebel with the full rock, like the original. This medley is greater than the sum of their parts. Each original was good, but the two together is unbelievable. Everyone involved in this arraignment is a genius.<br /><br />This album turns somber again with the stringed intro for Last Night on Earth. Another haunting song with "St. Jimmy" (Tony Vincent), "Heather", and "Whatshername" (Rebecca Naomi Jones) on vocals. It's chilling. Finishing off the roller ride of down, up, down, and back up again from these last four songs on Disc 1 is Too Much Too Soon. Another Green Day B-side, this time from the American Idiot single. It's got that classic, "I don't give a fuck" Green Day attitude. You just want to sink your teeth into it. Strong guitar riff, constant drum beat, driving bass line. Real good modern punk rock sound. The big "FUCK YOU!!" drives that point home so well.<br /><br />Disc 2 kicks off with the first half of Before the Lobotomy. The organ intro sets up the four-man round of cast members Stark Sands ("Tunny"), Chase Peacock, Joshua Henry, and Ben Thompson. Each one finishes their respective verses, then repeats their parts as the next man joins in. I can picture a dark stage, with a spotlight coming down on each one they enter. It gets a little busy at the end, but you can still make out most of the words. Very well done. Extraordinary Girl, sandwiched between the two parts of Before the Lobotomy, has a very Middle Eastern tone with the opening beats and backing vocals. The reprise of the former song lights the fire after these two very relaxed songs. Again, goosebumps start as soon as this track opens up and will stay with you the rest of the way.<br /><br />When It's Time is a song from WAY back in the Green Day. According to Wikipedia, Billie Joe Armstrong wrote during the Kerplunk! days for his wife Adrienne. It's a very sad song, with "Johnny" alone on vocals and guitar. It really touches you. You won't feel down for long, as Know Your Enemy will pick you back up again. It moves you to get up and do something about all the crap you've experienced in you rlife. It ends abruptly after a couple of minutes, which is a little disappointing. The original version clocked in a little over three minutes. They certainly could have done more with it, especially when you crash right into...<br /><br />...21 Guns. This is probably the best track on the whole album. Six of the seven main characters sing this together, but it's the women ("Whatshername", "Extraordinary Girl", and "Heather") who really knock it out of the park. Haunting, chilling, driving, all filling you up with more goosebumps. It's got all the emotions we've heard across the album rolled up into this song. It's easy to see why a version of it with Green Day and the entire cast all together (with Billie Joe Armstrong handling most of lead male vocals himself) was released as a single. It finishes up with a couple lines from Nobody Likes You, part 3 of Homecoming. "Heather" sings "Nobody likes you, everyone left you/They're all out without you, havin' fun". Those words will stick with you FOREVER. I just can't get them out of my head.<br /><br />Letterbomb brings the bar back up again (it's just one roller coaster ride after another). "Whatshername" carries the torch on this one solo with her voice. I expect Rebecca Naomi Jones to have a long, successful career after all is said and done. She's definitely one of the stars on this album. She belts out, "It's not over 'til you're underground," and just have to nod my head in agreement. The great guitar work and drums also carry this song to that higher level. It comes down again with Wake Me Up When September Ends. Another one of the vast improvements over the original version by Green Day. Again, conveying great sadness, more appropriate to its original intent (a story about Billie Joe's father passing away while he was a teenager). It really makes you reflect on those low members in your life, when you just wanted the calendar to turn the page to something better.<br /><br />Homecoming starts bringing the show to a close, but it's doing so at full speed. The energy rides high through all five parts of this song, closing out with the entire cast singing the same last lines as 21 Guns. Whatshername is the final track from the musical itself, with a sobering piano intro and "Johnny" reflecting back on everything that's happened throughout the story line. Those aspects and the stringed portion after the first verse make you think, "Geez, it's just never gonna be the same, and that sucks..." But all hope is not lost. In the final sequence of goosebumpery, the "Aaaaaah..."s and guitar solo carry you into the cast repeating the chorus of "Remember, whatever/It seems like forever ago", you get the hope back. Yes, things have changed, but you can't go back and "fix" them. You have to continue down the road you're on.<br /><br />The album closes out with Green Day's own version of When It's Time. It reminds me a lot of Good Riddance (Time of Your Life), but this one has the weight of the full band behind it. It's also one of the rare exceptions on this album (and perhaps the ONLY one) where they did a better job than the musical cast did. The Green Day version just doesn't seem like the emotional drag that the musical version is, and I think that's why I prefer it.<br /><br />Start to finish, you go up and down with Green Day and the cast. It's a journey full of all kinds of emotion. This album is so good, it makes me want to fly to New York so I could see this show on Broadway. And I HATE New York with every bone in my body. It's just that good. All musical theater should be like this. I'd love to see other bands try to pull this off. Maybe Weezer can resurrect Songs from the Black Hole (the follow-up to their debut album, but ended up becoming Pinkerton). Or The Donnas can go on tour to support their upcoming Meatballs musical.<br /><br />Green Day is one of the greatest bands in the last twenty years. With work like this, I expect them to stay on top for another twenty years. Keep it up, guys.PFritz21http://www.blogger.com/profile/02734393222323341953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728877.post-13219035682966185932010-09-04T09:45:00.002-05:002010-09-04T10:16:14.337-05:00Thanks for nothingI really hate the words "Thank you." It just never feels like it's ever enough.<br /><br />When I'm at work, busting my ass to fix a computer problem for a customer, they'll thank me for helping them out. But it feels empty to me. I know I'm just doing my job, and I'm being paid nicely for it, but I wish they'd do little more to show their appreciation. Maybe a little kickback or bribe. A small snack, an offer of an alcoholic beverage after hours, a few extra bucks out of their own pocket. If you really were thankful for helping you out, you'd SHOW me. Or tell my boss.<br /><br />On the reverse side, "thank you" doesn't properly show my gratefulness for someone helping ME out. I could say it until I was blue in the face, and I'd still fall short. Doesn't matter who: family members, friends, customer service. I usually want to offer someone something in return. "Hey, I'll buy you beer". "You want me to come over and give you a hand with that?". Seriously, is there anything I can do to repay you? I'd like to give what I get; I don't want to feel like I owe anybody anything.<br /><br /><hr>When I was in college, my roommate Paul talked about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Five-Love-Languages-Heartfelt-Commitment/dp/1881273156">this book he read</a> about the five languages of love. Words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. I speak those last four languages pretty well. I want to spend time with the people I care for. I love gifts, usually receiving, but I'll put a lot of thought into giving something from the heart. I always want to lend a hand or borrow someone else's. Then there's the handshakes, pats on the back, man-hugs.<br /><br />That first language? I understand most of it, but when you say "thanks", you might as well be talking French or Japanese, Arabic or Portugese. I'll show my appreciation for that on my face for about two seconds, then turn away in disappointment with a blank stare (I don't actually stare blankly, but that's how I feel on the inside).<br /><br />Need help showing your love for me? I'd take <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrIiLvg58SY">advice from Gary Cherone and Nuno Bettencourt</a> on that one.PFritz21http://www.blogger.com/profile/02734393222323341953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728877.post-47261631693917466202010-08-29T12:42:00.000-05:002010-08-29T12:42:34.410-05:00Having a Blast (or five)I've been on a huge Green Day high the last couple of months. No, not Mary Jane, but <a href="http://www.greenday.com">the band</a>. Partly because <a href="http://pfritz21.blogspot.com/2010/06/welcome-to-mountain-top.html">their recent commercial success permanently solidified them as my #3 band</a>, but I'd also like to think it's because my <a href="http://twins.mlb.com">Minnesota Twins</a> have battled back from being 3.5 GB of Chicago to leapfrog them and Detroit for the AL Central lead. It'd had me thinking about one of my many fantasies: becoming the first player in MLB history to hit 5 (yes, FIVE) home runs in a game.<br /><br />I know I stated that if I were a closer in the majors, <a href="http://pfritz21.blogspot.com/2009/03/out-here-in-field.html">I'd come onto the field</a> to <a href="http://www.thewho.com">The Who</a>'s "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baba_O'Riley">Baba O'Riley</a>". As a position player, however, I'd go with Green Day hits for my plate appearances. I'd rotate through a list of ten or twenty, including (but not limited to) "American Idiot", "Who Wrote Holden Caufield?", "Basket Case". The intros for each song would be played as I make my way from the on deck circle to home plate. If I were to hit a home run, the guitar solo would come over the sound system as I'm rounding the bases, greeting my teammates at home plate, and going back into the dugout. For my place in history, I'd go with these five, in order of game progression (first song for first plate appearance, etc.).<br /><br />Picture a warm, early September afternoon at <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/min/ballpark/index.jsp">Target Field</a> (or maybe <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/stl/ballpark/index.jsp">Busch Stadium</a>)...<br /><br />** <strong><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr2T-Rcgq1c">Geek Stink Breath</a></strong> - A power packed song to get the day started. Something to get the crowd going with a lot of energy (and they're going to need it). I'd start off with a solo home run in the 1st to give my team the early lead.<br />** <strong><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9_9VDgcWys">Holiday</a></strong> - More energy for more power. And it'd work. A two-run shot in the third breaks the tie and puts us on top once again. Score at this point would be 3-1.<br />** <strong><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8dh9gDzmz8">When I Come Around</a></strong> - Take the tempo down a little bit. Try to play it cool from having a good day at the dish. This fifth inning, three-run homer would increase our team's lead to 6-2. After this third round-tripper, the fans would be giving me a standing ovation, and I'd come out of the dugout non-chalantly for a curtain call. I don't know why they'd be so into it. The game's far from over (as they'll soon find out), and plenty of people hit three home runs in a game all the time. Big deal...<br />** <strong><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x30jgxnfBzM">J.A.R. (Jason Andrew Relva)</a></strong> - Here's where things get interesting. Our opponent has battled back and taken an 8-7 lead on us. I'm coming up in the seventh, with a man on second and a shot at the record books. Only <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Major_League_Baseball_hitters_with_four_home_runs_in_one_game">15 men have accomplished this feat in MLB</a>. With one swing, I become #16 and put us back in front 9-8. I get another standing ovation from the crowd and acknowledge it, showing a little more emotion about it compared to the last one.<br />** <strong><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6jtGjiDwIQ">Hitchin' a Ride</a></strong> - That lead became short lived. Our opponent is up 11-9 heading into the bottom of the ninth. I come up with two outs, bases loaded. After a first-pitch ball, their closer fools me once with a nasty slider I swing at (shame on him), then catches me looking at a sweeping curve (shame on me). One more pitch to decide the whole thing. I swing and connect with his next offering, a fastball on the outside part of the plate. I start a VERY slow trot down the line, while I and everyone else in the stadium (including those of us on the field) watch the flight of the ball to left center field, the stringed portion at the end of the bridge comes on the speakers. As the ball clears the fence and lands, Billie Joe screams "SHIT!" and the solo kicks in. Everyone is going crazy. I jump for joy once on my way to first, then shake my right fist as I head to second. I give <a href="http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/6025/110714331c70780288dhq5.jpg">a big Kirby Puckett-esque fist pump</a> on my way to third, then make the turn home where my teammates are awaiting. They've got a nice three-foot radius cleared out for me. After I touch home plate and raise both my arms in the air in celebration of our 13-11 win, we do a World Series-caliber jumping group hug/mob (like <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=7142453">Joe Carter and the 1993 Toronto Blue Jays</a>).<br /><br />I stay on the field for a few minutes to take it all in, maybe give an interview (where I don't want to talk about my accomplishment, but how we won an important game to put us in prime position in our run into the playoffs). We ride the high of that game into the division lead, League Divison and Championship Series, and finally a World Series victory.<br /><br />Certaintly a VERY far-fetched dream. But hey, it's for the love of the game, so it's OK.PFritz21http://www.blogger.com/profile/02734393222323341953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728877.post-11847527986269778242010-08-22T12:51:00.002-05:002010-08-22T12:59:17.215-05:00Best idea ever!!First <a href="http://blogmaverick.com/">Mark Cuban</a> tried to buy the <a href="http://cubs.mlb.com">Cubs</a>.<br /><br />Then <a href="http://blogmaverick.com/2010/08/05/chasing-the-rangers/">he tried to buy</a> the <a href="http://rangers.mlb.com">Rangers</a>.<br /><br />I think Cuban should go after the <a href="http://dodgers.mlb.com">Dodgers</a> next. Try to save them from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_McCourt_(executive)#Divorce_Proceedings">the divorce of Frank and Jamie McCourt</a>, like the bankruptcy of Chicago and Texas. One of the biggest media markets in America? Flashy Los Angeles? A team with a very rich history? It'd be perfect!! Exactly what the Dodgers need to get to and stay on baseball's top tier in the current age.PFritz21http://www.blogger.com/profile/02734393222323341953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728877.post-24249867526380035862010-07-23T21:39:00.003-05:002010-08-05T20:05:15.442-05:00Weezer at 2010 Basilica Block Party - Concert ReviewOn Friday, July 9th, I crossed off one of the top priority items from my bucket list by attending the 2010 Basilica Block Party in the Twin Cities and seeing <a href="http://www.weezer.com">Weezer</a> perform on stage.<br /><br />The set kicked off with "Hash Pipe", a great choice for it's catchy guitar hook. Dun-dun-DUH-naa, dun-dun-DUH-naa... You knew you in for a hell of a show with that opening riff. After that, Weezer's true colors revealed themselves with the next song, "Troublemaker". Rivers Cuomo was singing lead WITHOUT a guitar, so he started started climbing the stage set onto speakers.<br /><br />I felt a little ashamed watching his antics. I've always considered Weezer to be "geek rock", for the way my fellow geeks have embraced these guys as one of our own. The look, the attire, the meticulous attention to detail, their music evolution throughout their seven-album catalog. But that night, Rivers seemed more like a dork (heck, they all did with guitarist Brian Bell in a polo shirt, Rivers in his red jacket over the top of a polo shirt, bassist Scott Shriner in a brown kilt, and drummer/guitarist Patrick Wilson in a faded gray T-shirt and plaid green and blue shorts) with how he was flailing his arms around while "dancing" and belting out the lyrics. As the song came to an end, he tried to take one of the production crews' cameras and hoist it up on his shoulder, with mic still in hand and singing the last few lines. Someone should have given that kid a guitar...<br /><br />The rest of the night continued in mostly the same manner as they played a nice variety of songs from the Blue Album to Raditude. After being troublemakers, Weezer charged through Undone (The Sweater Song) and Surf Wax America, to a "medley" of Trippin' Down the Freeway and Keep Fishin'. I use quotes there because they only did a few lines from Keep Fishin'. I wish they would have played more of that song. It's one of my top five favorite Weezer songs (if you want to know why, check out <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOIsYA1QDuk">the music video</a>).<br /><br />After that medley, they played Perfect Situation, and then Dope Nose, with Scott taking on the lead vocals for Rivers. Over the last several years, from about Make Believe onward, Weezer has shifted away from being a Rivers-ocracy towards involving the rest of the band more in the performance and authoring process. That's a good thing. Scott, Brian, Patrick and are all very talented musicians in their own rights, and they bring a nice contrast to both Rivers' musical and lyrical style. I would have liked to seen more of this, maybe next time.<br /><br />Next on the setlist was one of Weezer's crown jewels: Say It Ain't So. For most of the night, and ESPECIALLY during this song, I sang along at the top of my voice. This was also one of the first songs where Rivers was playing guitar while he sang (a VERY NICE white Gibson SG). After they finished this song, the rest of the band took a bit of a break while Rivers switched to an acoustic guitar and started out with a solo performance of Island in the Sun. This was a cool and collected performance, but as soon as Rivers completed the second chorus and went into the bridge, the rest of the band joined back in and turned it back up to 11. An excellent job kicking the show back into high gear, almost like a second wind.<br /><br />After some Can't Stop Partying action, there was some more intra-band collaboration when Brian and Rivers shared the duties of lead vocals on El Scorcho. They played My Name Is Jonas, then made the turn at third and started bring it home by going to their bread and butter of their more recent hits, Beverly Hills and Pork and Beans, the lead singles off Make Believe and the Red Album, respectively.<br /><br />They finished their set with a two-song medley. I didn't recognize the first half, so I made a note of the lyric "control yourself, take only what you need" to look it up online later. I found out it was MGMT's Kids. I'd never heard of it before, but after listening to their original version, I think Weezer did a better job with it than they did. The second part of that medley stabbed me in the back. Lady Gaga's Pokerface. Ugh, now I was REALLY embarrassed. I don't care for most pop stars from the last ten years, and even less of those who dress in ridiculous costumes like she does. But again, Weezer made an improvement over her version of that song.<br /><br />The show was over after this final song. Or was it? No, of course not. Weezer came back on stage a couple minutes later to perform (If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To, the lead single off their most recent album, Raditude. Finally, THE Weezer song, Buddy Holly. And that was it, more than an hour and a half later. A very solid, balanced setlist from their 18 years together.<br /><br />A few things to nitpick on after it was over. They only played one song from Pinkerton. I would have loved another one from that album, like Falling for You or maybe Why Bother?. As I mentioned before, they should have also played Keep Fishin' in its entirety. A little more Patrick Wilson; he seemed a little too quiet for the goofball he can be (check out <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q4K8BOURQg">the Photograph music video</a>; there's a guy who really enjoys life). And I can never get enough Weezer. I wish they could have played a few more songs, at least enough to fill up another 20-30 minutes.<br /><br />Overall, I give the concert a 9.5 out of 10. There was very little filler between songs, and they touched upon many of the top-tier tunes. I had been worried that I would have never seen my favorite band perform live after the bus accident last winter that almost took Rivers from us. I don't have to worry anymore; I'm as good as he and the rest of was on stage that evening.PFritz21http://www.blogger.com/profile/02734393222323341953noreply@blogger.com0