Southeast Warriors Fundraiser - Clippers Vs Suns

Hey there. I support the local kid's basketball team, The Southeast Warriors, and they are currently raising funds for equipment and tourney fees. As a means to entice some support, they are currently offering NBA basketball tickets for the game between the Los Angeles Clippers vs. The Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010.

So if you're in the LA area and are interested in checking out The Staples Center to catch Amare Stoudemire, Steve Nash, and crew go against Kris Kaman, Baron Davis and the rest of the Clippers, shoot me an Email to show some support. Tix are available on a first come first serve basis and they only have a limited amount so I'd jump on it since $15 is not bad at all. As far as seating goes, I'm being told that they have seats in the "300 section" but I'm sure that that will exclude the midcourt view. Here's the seating chart for The Staples Center so that you'll get an idea on where the 300s are located at. Many thanks, friends. Later!

Email: Metallman555@gmail.com

I Have an Issue with Spam Comments

Hey there.  One goal of writers everywhere is get feedback on their work.  Whether it be constructive criticism or a pat on the back.  As a blogger, I love to see comments.  It tells me that someone out there actually took the time to read the stuff I put up and was more than willing to throw their two cents in.  My problem?  Spam comments...  I HATE receiving Emails letting me know that I have received a comment but when I read it, it's completely unrelated to the post.  Case and point...  I started Funny Fridays here this past Friday.  I posted a video that I thought was pretty hilarious of people being punched (SNL skit).  Here's the gem of a comment that I received on that post:

"I was in college this was asked of my class, I said I would be "Legolas" from Lord of the Rings, another girl answered that she would be "Aweryn" from Lord of the Rings."

WTF?!?!?!  Someone please explain to me what people getting punched has to do with Lord of the Rings?  And that's not the only comment I received... If you browse through the comments of posts, you'll see some pretty long comments on unrelated crap.

The bad part is that Firefox will not allow me to delete the comments (for unknown reasons), but Internet Explorer will.  I refuse to use Internet Explorer...  I just can't go back to that atrocity of a web browser...  So my question to you, friends, is how can I eliminate, or at least minimize my spam comments?  Is there a widget?  Some kind of script that I should add?  Do I need to alter my blog template? I would rather get feedback from fellow bloggers to get a better understanding of how you guys get rid of or eliminate spam comments.  Suggestions?  Thanks.  Later!

Motivational Sunday - Caps Lock

Hey there.  If you're reading this, them I'm certain you are familiar with the online etiquette of using caps when typing.  If you see caps, then you assume the person is yelling.  As in, DON'T LOOK, or YOU MUST READ THIS but lets face it, sometimes people use them at the most inappropriate places or worse yet, disregard the rule all together.  Well, for those of you that disregard the rule, here's a visual so you can better understand.  You're welcome.  lol  Later.

Introducing Funny Fridays!

Hey there friends.  I've been meaning to do this for quite some time since I've seen many of my blogging friends do it.  I am dedicating Friday to the funny stuff.  That's right, this is the first Funny Friday post!  I've seen many other sites dedicate days to certain activities, such as Music Mondays and Follow Fridays and what not.   I don't think I've seen one with Funny Fridays so I'm starting that here.  I'm leaning towards posting jokes, pictures, Emails, videos, and anything else that is quite simply hilarious.  So, for the first ever Funny Friday at Metallman's Reverie, hope you guys enjoy... People Getting Punched! lol Later.

Tiger, Is That the Best You Can Do?

Hey there.  So today is the infamous "Apology Friday", known so because today is the day that Tiger Woods publicly apologized for his infidelity.  My first problem with this is why did it have to take 3 months to issue an apology?  If you screwed up, then fess up to it, admit your faults and do what you can to rectify the issue.  You speak from the heart and wear your emotions your sleeve.  This "apology" that Tiger spewed out this morning was nothing of that sort.

My first impression was that this "apology" was a definitely scripted and nothing more than a well rehearsed speech.  If you are there to apologize, you don't walk out with a stack full of papers in your hand.  Maybe an index card or two to remind you of names, time, dates or whatever, but this 15 min speech was all written on paper and Tiger didn't so much speak as he did read.  And slowly too.....  He spoke in a monotone voice, displaying very little emotions, and to be honest, could be compared to a robot.  Who wants to believe a robot that is apologizing?  You're more inclined to believe that the words were programmed to be spoken and I definitely got that vibe from Tiger.  He played the part of the robot, while his PR crew played the part of the programmer.

I'm very disappointed by this so called apology.  The man changed the game of golf, he brought it mainstream, there are video games with him on them and even some kids have started watching the game because of Tiger.  I believe that his family, his friends, his fans, and even to an extent, his mistresses, deserved a more heart felt apology than the craptastic speech that was on display this morning.  His family, for the hell that he's putting his wife and kids through.  His friends for his display of recklessness and lack of self control.  His fans for the damage that he has made to the millions of fans that admired and adored him.  His mistresses... even though they new what they were doing is wrong, I'm certain that Tiger may have strung a few along promising the world.

I'm disappointed in you, Tiger.  As I watched you speak, I was waiting for the moment where you would not look down and read your papers.  I looked for the moment where what you spoke of was genuine and true.  I looked for that emotion that would tell me that you are truly, deeply sorry.  That moment never came.  Even when you got up to hug your mother, I felt it was an awkward moment.  It didn't feel real.  I'm sorry Tiger, but I just don't believe that this "apology" of yours.  And to be honest, if you can't look at me, the fan, in the eye and speak the from the heart, how I can follow and support you?  How can I look at you and believe what is coming out of your mouth?  I just don't think I can.  Later.

For those of you that didn't get a chance to see it, you can view it here.  Courtesy of ESPN.com

The Fire is Gone

Hey there.  Not that long ago, I had a performance review at work.  Most people look forward to them since they get to see where they stand in their boss' eye.  Many of us got excited last month when after over a year, the paycut that was thrust upon us has been returned to us.  Following the increase, reviews were given out.  I'm pretty sure that no raises will be given since we just got the percentage back from over a year ago.

Anyways, I was fairly pleased with my review.  I seemed to have marked higher than the majority of my peers and performance wise, it was excellent, but the thorn on my saddle has to be the comment that my boss said to me.  He stated that when I first started, I got on things quickly and got them done quickly too, now, "the fire is gone".  Now, I don't see this a knock on my performance, I see this more as a wear and tear type comment.  I understand that when someone starts off a new anything, you're enthusiastic, you're energetic, you want to make a good impression, but after so many years on the job, it's tough to maintain that high level.  No wonder some people refer to working as going through their daily grind.

Now, I'm not saying that it's not possible to keep that level.  There are people out there that simply love what they're doing and can maintain that level throughout their careers.  Just take the great late Steve Irwin.  The man genuinely seemed happy each and every time he was out and about with the wild life of Earth.  The majority of us, however, are not as fortunate to land a gig where that fire burns and stays strong throughout our careers, the way Steve's did.

So what's my problem?  I don't want to be complacent.  I don't want my job to be a daily chore.  I don't want, several years down, to look back and say, damn... I'v been doing the same damn thing for X number of years.  How do I avoid that?  How do I get that fire burning bright again?  I'm happy with my job.  I'm a geek when it comes to numbers and that's all I stare at all day here.  I don't mind, I enjoy it.  Balance sheets, income statements, profit & losses, 10Ks, 10Qs, the occasional conference call, credit conferences...  This is my work life and I'm cool with it.  What I'm not cool with is that this fire is missing...  I need to get this fire burning brighter friends.  Until then, later.