Good news in the neighbor hood.

I am happy. My neighbors moved away yesterday, and without a nod goodbye! Normally that sort of thing might make one a bit sad, but not this time! My neighbors were not bad people, just bad neighbors. As some of you might know, I like to have things looking a certain way, and I also believe that when you join a neighborhood, you have a duty to fit into that neighborhood and make it a better place. Well, these neighbors were literal hermits in our neighborhood for the last 12 years. They did no maintenence to their home, mowed their yard only when a hay bayler was required, never participated in the Halloween night giveaways, (or any activities for that matter) and they let their dogs crap all over the place and never cleaned it up. Literally to the point that the smell was ever-present, and they left junk all over the place in their yard. The thing is, they lived in a fairly decent place and the neighborhood we live in is not a trailer park. But they sure lived like it! All they were missing was the mobile home! I hated looking over at their yard. Now that they have moved and the house is for sale, (which I am thinking of finding a way to buy) the yard has never looked so good! They were told by the real estate agent to clean it up. There is still stuff laying around that they left, but I am sure that late night gnomes will clean that up at some point!

I hardly ever talked to them and do not miss them. I am glad they are gone. If I can't buy this place and fix it myself and guarantee the quality of my neighbors myself, I hope that whoever does buy it is better than they were. The couldn't be much worse!

If you are reading this, and are part of a neighborhood, do me a favor. Look around your place. Does it need a bit of sprucing up? If so, take a weekend and do it. I guarantee that you will like the looks of it better and so will your neighborhood.

My neighbors are gone, and I am happy!

Later!

Sing Non Nobis...

Tomorrow is St. Crispin's Day. Very few know who St. Crispin and his brother Crispinian are. Saints Crispin and Crispinian are the Christian patron saints of cobblers, tanners, and leather workers. Born to a noble Roman family in the 3rd century AD, Saints Crispin and Crispinian, twin brothers, fled persecution for their faith, winding up in Soissons, where they preached Christianity to the Gauls and made shoes by night. Their success attracted the ire of Rictus Varus, the governor of Belgic Gaul, who had them tortured and beheaded c. 286. Probably the best known reference to St. Crispin is the speech given by Henry V in Shakespeare's play of the same name.

This play was made into a movie by Ken Branagh, who both acted and directed it, and gave what is in my opinion the best rendition of this speech. And also in this same movie is the a great scene of "celebrating" the victory at the battle of Agincourt in 1415.

I present to you these speeches to you for your entertainment. First is the speech and the second is the singing of the chant, "Non Nobis."

I think I might even add future blogs with inspiring speeches. who knows...

Later!

Return to Las Vegas

My wife and I have returned to Las Vegas so that she can attend a Web Conference at the Mirage. This is our second time in Vegas and rather than rehash our time here, as we will probably repeat a bunch of what we did about two years ago, I will give you an little insight into what we have learned on our repeat.
Here Goes:
The Mirage Hotel is nice, but is nothing compared to Caesar's Palace. Compared to it, the Mirage is a Days Inn. The rooms look like the Trading Spaces crew remodeled it.
The more you pay for a hotel room, the fewer amenities you will receive. Go cheap and get more! Go pricey and you will pay for more.
The Bellagio still has the best place to get great desserts and such. Jean Phillipe's Patisserie. Damn is it good.
No matter where you go, McDonald's still cost the same... thank goodness.
The Palazzo must be the most attractively decorated and designed hotel on the strip. Too bad the air freshening system smells like an old woman's talcum powder.
When in Las Vegas, you must do two things... go to the Gun Store and shoot machine guns, and go to the Pinball Museum and play pinball games from the 30's to the 90's. Two fun things that if you average the cost laid out for both, is actually pretty cheap! (and they are pretty much right next to each other!)
Each part of the strip, depending on what hotel is along it, has it's own soundtrack playing at all hours. The best are Caesar's, Bellagio, and Planet Hollywood hotel.
Watching the dancing fountains at the Bellagio never gets old. (Even if it is set to a Celine Dion song)
You can go to Las Vegas and not spend a single cent on gambling, and still have a good time. The shows are great here. Make sure to do at least one show while in town.
I think that Nine Fine Irishmen is probably one of the few "real" bars or pubs on the strip. It actually has regulars that frequent the pub. Smack in the middle of New York, New York Casino and Hotel, this pub feels like it could be in any small town in America.
Never forget where you are from while here. It is very easy to think that you are not up to snuff here in this town. But remember that back home you are just fine!

Fear of Girls....

While looking through old emails and looking for a way to relieve a bit of stress from work related activities, I found this fun little video! If you know a gamer, especially a D&D gamer, show them this. Enjoy!


Later!

More Music that I think is cool...

From Henry V... one of the coolest religious chants from one of the coolest movies ever. Non Nobis Domine (Now if I could just get my archer buddies to sing like this!!)

From Last of the Mohicans: The opening titles and score If this site doesn't work, try this - Promentory

From Gladiator: Now We Are Free

A real for what it is worth...

I was recently listening to some soundtrack music by Basil Poledouris and thought, you know what? More people should know about this guy. So here is my primer to the composer Basil Poledouris. Even though Basil Poledouris has been gone for over 2 years, I think that he is still the best movie soundtrack composer ever. I present here, a few examples of his work.

From Starship Troopers

From The Hunt for Red October

From Lonesome Dove

and of course, from one of my favorite movies, Conan the Barbarian

He has been part of some of the coolest movies ever made, and each time, his soundtracks have added so much to those movies that the scores become as much a part of the movie as the actors themselves.

Anyway, for what it's worth. Thanks Basil!