Cyber Monday

I never thought this was a big deal. There's hardly any good sales and it's an obvious ploy to get more money out of you when you've already spent it (online) through their Black Fridays. But if you're in to finding a deal on a power cable or some other crap, good luck!

Like every year that's come before it...I think I'll pass.

Welcome to Black Friday

Welcome to my least favorite (can we call it a holiday?) time of the year.

While a bunch of bozo's are out there beating each other to death (guess the main carnage happened last night though) I stayed up late and bought all my stuff through Amazon.

What a bunch of suckers!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY!

I don't know about you, but I'm ready to show that turkey and stuffing who's boss!!

Have a WONDERFUL day!!!

Day 15 of Thanksgiving

So easily the thing I'm most thankful for I had to ave for last. My family.

My Mom and Dad are the most supportive and loving people I know. I'm thankful for all the life lessons and caring they've provided for me over the years.

My brothers will always be considered my best friends and even little sister I'm proud to call her all the same.

One of the biggest and best things about this holiday is the chance to spend an entire day together, either around the table or TV, it's always a fun time and usually the best of my entire year.

I hope you've enjoyed these posts. I know I have. There's so much to be thankful for in each in every day so tomorrow, celebrate this holiday by truly giving thanks for everything in your life as well.

Thanksgiving Eve is upon us....and I'm super excited!!

Day 14 of Thanksgiving

One of the things I'm most thankful for is all the friends that I have. Friends of every interest you could imagine. For sports, comics, movies, board games and a thousand other topics and I'm glad to have them all in my life.

I'm an outgoing person and it kills me to spend the evening alone with nothing to do other than watch a movie or TV home alone. I love having company over, I love visiting with any of my friends no matter what the occasion.

Friends shape a part of our everyday lives and without mine, life would be dull indeed. Hopefully I'll have many more occasions to spend with them in the years to come!

Day 13 of Thanksgiving

I've had the opportunity to travel plenty of places this year. On my own and with the company. This year alone, I had my first visit to New York, Columbus, OH and Indianapolis, IN. I got to visit Phoenix, Dallas, Knoxville and all across the south.

I even will be traveling to see the Grand Canyon and California again later next month. I feel so blessed to have gotten the chance to see them all too. My drive to GenCon and back took me through some amazing places.

I've loved each one of my trips when traveling and for all that I've gotten to see this year, I'm thankful.

Day 12 of Thanksgiving

I'm thankful for my health. God's protected me from any serious sickness or disease and I'm VERY thankful about that. But I've also been working out more this year and am in the best health I've been in for a while.

Every day I hear of others who aren't as fortunate. That's why my health is something I will NEVER take for granted and will always be thankful to God for it. I'm getting older, I know it. But my body and mind feel as strong as ever and I plan to keep it that way.

Lord, thank you for the blessing of good health You have bestowed upon me.

Day 11 of Thanksgiving

I love my job. I love the company I work for and I'm thankful for the people I work with. I've been at Chase longer than any other company I've worked for and I can't imagine going anywhere else. Nothing makes me feel better than coming in to work every morning and there's something to be said for that I think.

My job has been an incredible blessing. How many other people can say they love what they do more than me? I can't imagine there would be that many. And for that, I'm thankful. 

Day 10 of Thanksgiving

This may sound a little weird to you but I'm thankful for the safety God has given me this year. Either while traveling on the road, out walking to my car at 4am in downtown Indianapolis by myself, or in my everyday life.

Some times we take for granted the near misses in our life that keep up from danger. I know I do, but in this month of giving thanks I have look back on all the times this year where the Lord has kept me safe and I thank Him so much for all He's done for me.

That's something we can all be thankful for.

Day 9 of Thanksgiving

To date, I have over 1000 subscribers and I can't believe that many people care to hear about what I have to say. It's been overwhelming to witness the enormous amount of support I've been given through this media outlet.

As my subscriber base keeps growing I'm more thankful everyday for this amazing blessing upon my social life. I love doing the videos and hope to do several more over the next coming years. 

Day 8 of Thanksgiving

This time last year if you had told me I would be working on a book with Timothy Zahn and other Star Wars writers I would've fallen out. But here it is, coming out next year.

Though my name's not on the cover, my article will be featured at the very end with my name all over it. I'm shocked. I'm excited and it will feel incredible once I see it in my hands.

I can't begin to tell the Editor's how happy and honored I am to be a part of his book. Rich has been a great friend this year and getting to know a few other authors out of this deal has really been a treat. Even though it won't come out until next year, I consider this my biggest accomplishment of the year.

I'm SO thankful to be given this opportunity!!

Day 7 of Thanksgiving

The discontinuation of the Star Wars Expanded Universe really opened up the door to another old love of mine; board games.

I loved them as a kid and since then I never knew how much they've evolved until this year. Sure I've been playing Zombies!!! for years now but never did I think how many other games out there were just as fun!

With the Star Wars EU gone, I've had a chance to further indulge myself into this new hobby and am very thankful I did. I've found wonderful games to share with friends and family to enjoy with me. My passion for board games has only grown this year and for that, I'm thankful.

Day 6 of Thanksgiving

Yeah baby! I'm thankful for the Star Wars Expanded Universe! Something that's kept me thoroughly entertained for the past 25 years! It made me the Star Wars fan I am today and even though it's been put on hiatus at the moment, I'm thankful for all the memories its provided over the years.

I'm not a fan of Disney Star Wars and won't be seeing or reading any of the new content. I don't have to. That's the beauty of the EU. It has such a wonderful story to tell that I don't need anything else. And that, I'm thankful for.

Happy Veteran's Day

To those that serve our country now and those who served in the past. We salute you!

Day 5 of Thanksgiving

The fact that I have not one, but two podcast on iTunes right now, shocks me. I never would have believed you January 1st of this year if you'd have told me that. Both Princes of the Universe and Saturday Morning Samoflange have been a pure joy to make.

I look forward to recording every episode and even though the editing and rendering process can takes hours per show, I'm extremely happy with the finished product. I'm so thankful for it too. 

Day 4 of Thanksgiving

This year I've written 3 dinner theatre shows. Got to direct the 1st one, thanks to the late great Steve Munz. I got to star in the 2nd show and both shows were complete sell outs.

Now I'm getting ready for my 3rd show in January and I can't believe how blessed I was to be given the opportunity to write them. This has been a fantastic year of opportunities in a field I thought I wouldn't be to good at. And for that, I'm thankful.

Top 10 Worst Mets Moments

Losing to the Royal hurt hard this year. I won't deny it. But after giving it a few days I started to wonder where this terrible collapse ranks amoung worst Met Moments for me. (and there are plenty to choose from)

But starting from when I started watching (1985) here are the Top Ten WORST Moments and Mets history:

10) 2001 Mets

Coming off a disappointing World Series loss, I had high hopes my Mets would win it all the next year. We came close, Piazza played his best season on record, but it wasn't enough to topple the Braves and Mets fans around the world knew we were in for another disappointing decade all over again.

9) 1987 Mets

This was supposed to be our season. I felt it in my bones that the Mets were going to win back and back. And why wouldn't we? Most of our players were back, our rookies were strong and had ZERO weak spots in our ball club.

But I didn't account for injuries and cocaine, which took out all of our best players for most of the season. Dwight Gooden and Daryl Strawberry should have been Coopertown's names but the pissed their careers away on the stuff and were never the same.

I ached every time I heard news of another injury. It was the only reason we weren't able to compete that year.

I missed chance indeed.

8) 2008 Mets

9 games out from the end of the season the Mets were all but guaranteed a spot in the playoffs. Then we went 3 for 9 and on the last day (THE LAST DAY) all we had to do was win to be in...and we lost.

What made this one hurt even more was that it was our last game at Shea Stadium and the Mets went out just as they came in to Shea, losers.

7) 2015 Mets

We did something that had never been done in sports history, according to ESPN. We dominated a team that dominated us in the regular season, beating the Cubs 4 straight. No one saw that coming. (not even me) But we did it.

We proved we were a team to be reckoned with. A team everyone had underestimated and when we finally marched into our first World Series in 15 years...we played like a minor league team.

Embarrassing.

6) 1988 Mets

So here we go, counting off what losses hurt worse than this past World Series? I'd have to say first it would be the ose to the Dodgers in '88.

I hated the Dodgers back then (and I hate them now) but nothing would have made me happier than to beat those bums back in 88! I remember watching the series with Dad as a kid and seeing one of the Dodgers pitchers thrown out of the game for cheating. I was pissed.

I walked around my neighborhood telling every kid how dirty the Dodgers were and how they should be thrown out of baseball, much less the playoffs. (yep, that's how mad I was)

When we eventually ended up losing to them it was a gut punch that was hard to get over.

5) 1998 Mets

I still black out a little when I talk about this. But all the Mets had to do was win ONE GAME and we clinch the division. ONE GAME.

It looked easy enough, we were playing the last place Expos. This should be a slam dunk.

The Expos swept us and we were out the playoffs and headed to the off season before I realized what had happened.

Besides mass suicides, all the Met fans could do was cry.

4) 2007 Mets

I gave this away when I showed you the newspaper headline for 2008. Yep, we choked this year and we chocked bad. In fact, it's on record as the biggest collapse in MLB history. (leave it to the Mets to break all the wrong records)

I sat thru the final month of this season in horror as I watched (what seemed like) a different team take the mound for the last 3 weeks of the season. We couldn't do anything right. And on the last game of the season (where we incredibly STILL had a chance to clinch) Tom Glavine has the worst outing of his career and we lose by double digits.

Misery loves company and it's favorite visitor is the Mets.

3) 2006 Mets

This is where things start to get ugly.

Mets are losing to the Cardinals 3 games to 1. I walk into a Cardinals fan's office and make a $100 bet that the Mets are going to come back and win this thing.

I just had that gut feeling that I KNEW we wouldn't give up.

The Card fan didn't want to take me up on the offer because he thought it'd be taking my money. He was almost right.

The Mets fought back hard the last 3 games. So hard that we were on the cusp of winning with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th and Carlos Beltran (the best hitter in baseball at the time) at the plate.

There was no doubt in my mind we were going to win it either. We were destined for the World Series.

Then Beltran looked at 3 strikes go by and the game was over. LOOKED AT 3 STRIKES. Like he was unable to move or something.

I felt like a fan at Mudville, witnessing Casey at the bat. I was stunned, shocked. I sat there in my half cheering position on the couch  just knowing we were going to win.

And it didn't happen.

Like someone changed the ending to Titanic and the boat didn't sink. I couldn't believe what I just saw. It's still one of the most shocking things in baseball I've ever seen.

But this next one takes the cake....

 2) F***** Kenny Rogers and the 1999 Mets

I hate Kenny Rogers. With the bases loaded and 1 out the Mets were in a tough spot against the Braves in the NLCS. We needed to get out of the inning and back at the bats. We had our top of the order up in the next inning so we had a chance to do some damage.

This was also the year we had the MLB record for least errors by a team. We were a defensive power machine, which meant a groundball would definitely end the inning. All F****** Kenny Rogers had to do was throw a strike.

 He threw 4 straight balls and the Braves won the series with a walk.

I hate Kenny Rogers.

1) 2000 Mets

But the absolute darkest day for me as a Met fan was the 2000 World Series. We were the best team in baseball. Yet the Yankees, a team I hate more than Kenny Rogers....swept us in 4.

It was a complete embarrassment. After pissing away a win in Game 1 it didn't get any better and we continued to slide into despair.

Losing the World Series is one thing. It happened this year and it hurt. But nothing hurts worse, when it's the Yankees who win.

I go to a therapists weekly in hopes he can block this day from my mind forever.

I hate the Yankees.

Day 3 of Thanksgiving

Ok, this is a stock photo but my car looks just like this. I love this car the moment I saw it on the lot. It's roomy, gets great gas mileage and has been excellent in all the long trips I've taken on the road this year.

It's a great car with little maintenance needed. It's never broken down in over the 30,000 miles I've put on it since getting it last year. And for that, I'm thankful.  

2016 Mets Forecast

So where will my Mets be next year and what will they look like? Let's make a few predictions shall we?

Cespedes

Gone. We're not keeping him. I wish they would make him an offer but I have a feeling he'll be asking for more than we can afford. I loved having him this season and I'll miss him in 2016.

Murphy

The Mets upper management breathed a sigh of relief when the NLCS MVP turned into the goat at the World Series. Leaving New York with a bitter taste in their mouth and the Mets for an excuse not to resign him.

Nope, sorry. It won't happen. I like the guy but I know the Mets never had a desire to keep him around, even when he was doing astounding in the playoffs.

Colon
I like this guy too and he wants to continue playing as well, but at 43 I doubt the Mets will make any serious gestures to keeping him in the bull pen. He's a fun guy with great ball control and a hilariously good attitude. But the Mets literally have pitchers half his age who can deliver just as many stunning results.

So good bye Colon, thanks for the memories and I hope whatever small market team wishes to snatch you up, benefits from the deal.

Clippard
I hate this idiot. He needs to go. Doubtful if the Mets will put him up on the trading block but the faster we can get him off the team, the better. Moron continually blew games for us the entire post season. I have no idea how he got a picture of Terry Collins wearing a dress but I hope it doesn't save him in the roster for next year. (the picture is the only reason I can think of why Collins kept putting this moron in the game, I have no evidence of it but that)

Wheeler

Finally, hello 2016! Where our pitching lineup will look like the 90's Braves. With Wheeler coming back next year off Tommy John I don't think there's a single person in baseball who knows what this means for the team.

But we need bats if we want to win and hopefully the Mets GM will be able to get that for us in the post season.

We just have to wait and see...

Day 2 of Thanksgiving

Located on the bottom left corner, I'm so happy I have a great home in a wonderful neighborhood. I love the neighbor's I've met. It's been growing and with the new housing development going up, I've even incurred equity in my home as the price has risen.

There haven't been any major repairs needed in the years I've owned it and it's been a great place to host company. It's a beautiful home and I couldn't ask for more. It's a part of my life and a part of me every time I come in to the driveway.

I love it. And for that, I'm thankful. 

Miserable Mets

Ok, the time have come to address this issue.

My Mets not only lost the World Series, they were embarrassed in front of the entire world! But let's take a step back and look at their season as a whole.

The Mets were picked by everyone to come in last in the NL East. Let that sink in a bit... we were predicted to be worse than the Phillies.

I even boldly stated on my Blog earlier this year that the Mets would claim the #3 spot in the division. Yes, I was saying that with high hopes and dreams.

But they did surpass everyone's expectations for the season. When we got off to an amazing winning streak to begin the season, myself and every other Mets fan waited for the other shoe to drop. I figured the meltdown would come after the All-Star break.

It didn't.

We won the division and were the underdogs against the Dodgers and the Cubs. We beat the best aces in the game! But couldn't close the deal when it came to the Royals.

3 of our losses came when we had the lead with 4 (or less) outs to go. One by one we coughed up runs to their offense, made horrible errors and outright gave up in the end.

But I'll try my best not to forget what we were before then. A team with amazing talent and confidence to get the job done. 

I just hope we can do better next year.

Day 1 of Thanksgiving

I'm thankful for my church. Traveling so much this year with my company taught me how blessed I am to have such a great church family. I visited some awful churches this year and every time I got home it become more and more clear how fortunate I am.

I can't think of a single person I wouldn't have over to my home, help, or visit with. I love them all. And for that, I'm grateful.

A month of giving thanks

In honor of my favorite holiday coming up this month (Thanksgiving) I've decided to make my posts leading up to it, to be reflections of things I'm thankful for in my life.

We have a lot to be thankful for, so this should be easy. I hope you do the same this month as the holiday arises.

See you soon!

Fanboy Expo pics (3)

Time for the rest of the pics from our Knoxville trip!

 After the Con we stopped for some all-you-can-eat BBQ ribs! (though the bake beans I had were nasty!)

 Next up was a flea market where...well... they had toy guns. Real good looking ones too! I'd have gone nuts as a kid seeing these. They looked good too!

 Then we went to Cooter's for some Dukes of Hazzard merchandise.

 They had this model of old toys under glass at the entrance. Megan bought tons of stuff here.

The area was pretty nice. May have to stay longer next time we visit!