Office chatter

Tonight's episode of "The Office": "The Convict"

Michael tries to be supportive after learning that a new employee is an ex-convict, then the staff compares the office to a prison.

Discuss.

NBC execs must read my blog

From a Dec. 12, 2005 post:

"I think it's a smart idea on NBC's part moving this and 'My Name Is Earl' to Thursdays. If only they'd also air 'Scrubs' on that night, then they could definitely regain their Must See TV throne (at least to me)."

Yes, tonight's new Thursday line-up ("My Name Is Earl", "The Office", "Scrubs", and "30 Rock") is indeed awesome. Most call it the return of Must See TV. I call it Micah Night 2.0*.

*Micah Night 1.0 was Wednesdays on ABC during 1999-2000 (only when "Whose Line" would sub in the 8:30/9:30 slots).

Micah World Top 25

Here they are, the top 25 songs burning up my iPod (as of 11.29.06):

1. "Funny Little Frog" - Belle & Sebastian
2. "More Than a Feeling" - Boston
3. "Ain't No Other Man" - Christina Aguilera
4. "Just Like Heaven" - Katie Melua
5. "Rainbows in the Dark" - Tilly and the Wall
6. "Someday" - Anya Marina
7. "Bank Job" - Barenaked Ladies
8. "If You Find Yourself Caught in Love" - Belle & Sebastian
9. "Lua" - Bright Eyes
10. "A View To a Kill" - Duran Duran
11. "Oliver's Army" - Elvis Costello
12. "Still" - Elvis Costello
13. "God's Cop" - Happy Mondays
14. "Do You Remember" - Jack Johnson
15. "You Are What You Love" - Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins
16. "Knock Yourself Out" - Jon Brion
17. "The Closest Thing to Crazy" - Katie Melua
18. "Nine Million Bicycles" - Katie Melua
19. "Piece by Piece" - Katie Melua
20. "Tribulations" - LCD Soundsystem
21. "Absolutely Cuckoo" - The Magnetic Fields
22. "For the Actor" - Mates of State
23. "Great Escape" - Moby
24. "Lump" - The Presidents of the United States of America
25. "P Control" - Prince

Some changes from the last chart. Guess I like Katie Melua. Long live Duran Duran.

It's that time of year again.

Just as charming, but not a socialist.

I've made my decision. As I have nothing really better to do, I'm going to grow out my beard again*.

*It'll come off as soon as I have a job interview or date. So, yeah, I'll have it for quite a while.

Beverage of the day

Harpoon Winter Warmer. Holy shit. This stuff is awesome. If only it wasn't so damned expensive.

There goes my plan to get an HR job using the name "Drew Carey"

Andy Griffith has sued a Wisconsin man who changed his name to Andrew Jackson Griffith for an unsuccessful sheriff campaign.

Sure, he may seem all grandfatherly, but Matlock is a ruthless man who'll take you, your family, and anyone you know down. In fact, when asked what he thought was best in life, his response was "to crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women."

Whoa-a-thon

Ah, Thanksgiving...and its accompanying days off. Perfect for some marathon viewing. At first, I thought I'd take in the Lord of the Rings epic, which I had planned on doing last year. But, man, that's one heck of a time commitment. So, I'm going to load up my Ultimate Matrix Collection this afternoon. I've got a case of Coke Zero, warmed up leftovers (homemade mac & cheese, fried oysters, stuffing), and a comfy couch. I vow to only take bathroom breaks in between movies. I'll keep you posted.

1:07 Commencing The Matrix. Whoa.
1:24 Computer programmers wear suits to work?
1:35 Cowboy Curtis!
1:49 I want those red leather chairs with the lion heads on the arm rests.
2:55 The trash had to go out, so I paused the movie. Now that The Rule has been broken, I guess that gives me carte blanche to use the loo whenever I want.
4:11 After a short break, I started The Matrix Reloaded.
4:23 Man, it's been a while since I've seen this movie, but those CGI shots of Neo flying through the air still look fake. But then, why wouldn't they? There is no spoon.
4:38 Can you smell the fromage? It's the Zion rave.
5:16 Mmmmm...Monica Bellucci.
6:23 Finished the second movie. I'm going to take a break. A much longer, multiple hour break.
10:55 Watched Inside Man and had some pizza on my hiatus; just now started The Matrix Revolutions.
11:14 Mmmm...Monica Bellucci.
12:55 My complaint with the third movie still stands: not enough time spent in the Matrix. Green tinting can polish even the stinkiest turd.

Neo...One...Oh, I get it now.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mmmmmm...muppet.

42-39

Not the hottest cheerleader on the Buckeyes squad, but definitely the cutest.

This afternoon is HUGE

Of course, I'm talking about the Tom Cruise/Katie Holmes wedding (Hail Xenu!).



Seriously, this game* is huge and it should be a fun afternoon. And one quote can summarize my plans for today:

"If everything was fried, there would be no war." - Bill Dauterive

Luckily, I've got a whole bottle of Tums.

*Not to mention the other big game: The Oldest Rivalry in the South

Office chatter

Any excuse for another Jenna Fischer pic.

Tonight's episode of "The Office" (supersized!): "The Merger"

The Scranton and Stamford branches merge and bring Jim and Pam together, again.

Discuss.

Subquestion: Team Pam or Team Karen?

Beverage of the Day

Jack's Pumpkin Spice Ale. Good, but I thought it'd be a bit more pumpkiny. Mmmmm...girly beer.

MW Fall Friend Drive 2006

I'm wealthy in superficial, social-networking-site friends...but not rich enough. Of course, I'd love to have loyal MW readers as MySpace friends (hit me up). But I'd really love to have more last.fm friends. Currently, I have three: my cousin, a blog buddy (Kate), and some chick I've never met before*. last.fm is quite the haven for music geeks like myself, in that it tabulates what you listen to.

For instance, here is what I am currently listening to:



My top artists this week and top tracks and artists overall:



Isn't that cool? Check my profile for full stats. While you're there, drop me a friend request and I'll add you, no questions asked.

*Hey, she sought me out.

Burning down the house...deliciously

It took going to four different Wal-Marts, but I finally got my turkey fryer. Just in time for the Ohio State-Team From Up North game. Aw, yeah.

Requiem for Curly (and his twin brother)

R.I.P. Jack Palance, 1919-2006.



On Thursday a co-worker and I were discussing whether or not Palance was dead. Spooky. Believe it...*inhale*...*exhale*...or not.

This Christmas will be the funkiest one ever

Solely because of this.

Office chatter

Tonight's episode of "The Office": "Branch Closing"

With the Scranton Branch closing, Michael struggles to keep spirits up.

Discuss.

Take luck.

"Where was you?"

Last week I took my nephews to see Brian Regan. Hilarious. The main part of the show consisted of all new material (to me, at least; nothing was from his CD, DVD or Comedy Central special). His encore was made up of bits requested by the audience. He was just as good as the first time I saw him - about 6 years ago at the Washington DC Improv. It's amazing how his act is so damn clean, yet so funny.

A note to BR fans*: your reciting a bit word for word while Regan goes through it may be cool for you and your friends, but it lessens the experience for everyone else.

*Specifically, the four dudes (especially the 10 ft. tall guy) seated in front of me.

"We must move forward, not backward, upward, but forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"

The elections...a disappointment. But the GOP got what it deserved. I shed no tears for them. Hopefully, this'll be a blessing and the party will return to its limited government roots (which they have strayed away from...greatly).

And Sen. Allen, the election was yours to lose. I don't know how you could do it, but you blew it.

Let the gridlock* commence!

Once again, Stephen Colbert turns last night into comic lemonade:

"The people have spoken and apparently they're tired of freedom. Don't get me wrong, I'm not angry. I'm just disappointed. I thought this country would last longer than 230 years. That's it, folks. America's over.

Don't think you're off the hook, voters. You're the ones who made this bed. Now you're the ones who are gonna have to move over so a gay couple can sleep in it. Tomorrow you're all gonna to wake up in a brave new world, a world where the Constitution gets trampled by an army of terrorist clones created in a stem-cell research lab run by homosexual doctors who sterilize their instruments over burning American flags, where tax-and-spend Democrats take all your hard earned money and use it to buy electric cars for National Public Radio and teach evolution to illegal immigrants. Oh and everybody's high!"

Hilarious.

*Which is actually the best thing for this country right now. Just hope Bush can stand strong.

I think I voted for Pat Buchanan

Here's some Election Day fun: when you go into the voting booth, peer over the curtain and say, "okay, who used up all of the conditioner?"*

If my experience at 7:45 am is any indication, voter turnout is going to be pretty big.

*I can't take credit for that. It's a classic bit from the old Letterman show on NBC (when he was funny).

Hey, Ohio voters

Vote "no" on Issue 5. And if you feel absolutely compelled to curb individual liberties, vote for the less restrictive smoking ban* (Issue 4).

That is all.

*Honestly, folks. People don't go to bars to be freakin' healthy.

My newest toy

At the risk of not having another date for at least five years, I present to you my latest toy:


"How's that for a slice of fried gold?"

Yes, I am completely retarded for all things Shaun of the Dead. I don't normally get these types of figures*, but I had to have it (on sale and with a co-worker's Tower Records employee discount, to boot). I can't wait until the Ed figure comes out.

In other news, the SotD brain trust has released a couple of teaser trailers for their next film - Hot Fuzz (their take on cop movies). Shame it won't be released until March.

*Pretty much all I've got is Zoidberg, Brodie from Mallrats, and bunch of "Simpsons" characters.

Beverage of the day

Pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks. Like crack. Warm, yummy, liquidy crack.

I still refuse to play their lnguistic game, though. Heaven forbid I use the words small, medium, and large when ordering. It is a bit funny to watch the clerk, er barista, become a bit disoriented when I don't go along with ther subtle subversion of America.

Many thanks to Trinity for the free beverage coupon.

Office chatter

Tonight's episode of "The Office": "Diwali"

Michael urges the staff to support Kelly and attend a local celebration of the Hindu Festival of Lights.

Discuss

Crush of the Week: Kari Byron

This week's Crush is MythBusters co-host Kari Byron. Honestly, I don't watch her show that often, but I dig it when I do. And I saw it last night, so she's been on my mind.



As The Todd would say, I'd like to bust her myth (cute, red-headed geek five).

Ready to have a stupid song stuck in your head?

I present to you banana phone.

Credit due: Distorted View