Sunday, June 24, 2007

Family Guy

This post is many years over-due

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Jump to: navigation, search
From left: Brian, Lois, Peter, Stewie, Chris, and Meg
Genre AnimationComedy
No. of episodes 98 (List of episodes)
Running time 20–25 mins
January 31, 1999February 14, 2002May 1, 2005 – present

Links
Official website IMDb profile TV.com summary
Family Guy is an Emmy award winning American animated television series about a nuclear family in the fictional town of Quahog , Rhode Island. It was created by Seth MacFarlane for FOX in 1999.
The show uses frequent "cutaway gags" — jokes in the form of tangential vignettes that do not advance the story.
Family Guy was cancelled once in 2000 and again in 2002, but strong DVD sales and the large viewership of reruns on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim convinced FOX to resume the show in 2005. It is the first cancelled show to be resurrected based on DVD sales.

The show revolves around the adventures of Peter Griffin, a bumbling but well-intentioned blue-collar worker. Peter is an Irish-American Catholic with a thick Rhode Island / Eastern Massachusetts accent. During the course of the series, he discovers he is part African-American and has been known to have Spanish, Mexican, Scottish, "Huttish" (fictional species from Star Wars), and German ancestors. He is known for his trademark laugh. His wife Lois, who has a similar accent, is a stay-at-home mom/piano teacher, and is a member of the Pewterschmidt family of wealthy Protestant socialites. Peter and Lois have three children: teenage daughter Meg Griffin who is frequently the butt of jokes for her ugliness; goofy and unintelligent teenage son Chris Griffin, in some respects a younger version of his father; and diabolically evil infant son Stewie Griffin, bent on world domination and the death of his mother. Stewie speaks fluently and eloquently, with an Upper Class English accent and stereotypical arch-villain phrases.

(Sick, twisted, politically incorrect and freakin' sweet, the animated series features the adventures of the Griffin family. Peter and Lois have three kids - the youngest is a brilliant, sadistic baby bent on killing his mother and destroying the world. Their talking dog Brian keeps baby Stewie in check while sipping martinis and sorting through his own life issues.)

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Sex and the Movie

A film version of the show was originally slated for production near the end of the broadcast series run in 2004. However, the deal for the movie fell through at that time. Multiple press reports at the time indicated a personal dispute between Parker and Cattrall, as well as Cattrall's refusal to sign a contract for the film at a pay scale considerably less than Parker's. [6]
News articles began to surface in November 2006 and suggested that the issues had been resolved and that a movie would go into production. Negotiations with executive producer Michael Patrick King and the cast are underway.[7] The movie appears to be in pre-production stages.[8] A script for the movie is being finalized, and filming could begin later this year in New York City.[9][10] Michael Patrick King has been chosen as the director of the Sex and the City film. Production is tentatively scheduled to begin sometime in the fall of 2007.[11] After years of rumor and speculation, Sarah Jessica Parker has finally confirmed that a Sex and the City movie is in the works.[12][13] Though everything is far from certain, Cynthia Nixon is praying to be in the new Sex and the City feature film.[14]

Sex and the movie 21st February 2007. 09:30 (BANG) - Kim Cattrall has hinted she will star in a film version of hit series 'Sex and the City'. The actress, who played maneater Samantha in the hit TV show about four female New Yorkers and their sexual exploits, has suggested the long-rumoured big screen adaptation is in the pipeline.

Friday, June 22, 2007

Aspie Heros

Fictional Characters With Asperger Syndrome

Jar Jar Binks is a Gungan, outcast for clumsiness, who facilitated the contact between the Jedi knights and the Gungans. Jar Jar of STAR WARS has an entire category of Jar Jar sites.

Symptoms: His speech is mangled. This is one of the most memorable aspects of Jar Jar, with a web site that converts web pages into his way of saying things and both fans and enemies of Jar Jar speak like him at times. He dresses unusually, with a homophobic anti-Jar Jar web site claiming Jar Jar is gay because he wears a sleeveless vest. He is clumsy, and sometimes ignores social norms.



Dilbert (TV series version) is an engineer working for Path-e- Tech Corporation.

Symptoms: He has actually been diagnosed as having "the knack", after pulling apart some household appliances and building a radio. When his mother asked whether he would lead a normal life, she was informed that he would not, but that Dilbert would become an engineer. He applies technological solutions where it is not appropriate and often speaks out about situations where more "sensible" people would keep quiet.


Charles Shultz was an Aspie, and created Charlie Brown to represent himself. I used to identify with this character

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Cool Award

Today, after being at my desk at work for one hour of work with very few calls, I had a 15 minute paid strawberry yogurt break. It is the fist day in memory I did not have a banana to bring. Then I had a paid one hour meeting with my team of seven. Most of time was devoted to absorbing a presentation of Charter Communications new public relations campaign. We were all given a ceramic mug, and visual materials. Most of my mugs are from my employers. I can now add this to my Circuit City, Gateway, and MHT/Chemical Bank mugs.

Right after that, I was one of 29 Agents from the Charter account invited to a paid Quarterly Convergys awards ceremony for one hour. I received the metal plaque, left, and award certificate, above. In addition, I was given a fine boxed pen, various cut fresh fruits, cake, punch, and was photographed. The fruit made up for my missing banana.


Convergys in Lake Mary, consists of a large campus with large buildings. In my building there are five major accounts. They are Charter, Cingular/at&t, Citibank, Palm, Jarden (Sunbeam...), and MediaCom. There are 307 Agents on my Charter account alone. Only around 25 Agents from each account were invited, and or in attendance. Today marks exactly 7 months + one year for me at CVG.


Afterwards, I clocked out for my one hour lunch. With very little time and work to do, and another 15 paid grapes break, I drove home to my 85 degree home. My favorite machine, and #1 reason for living in Florida, did something very not-cool yesterday. My central air conditioning system stopped cooling yesterday, on the last day before summer! Please click on the pictures above to see a larger, and enlargeable view.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Asperger Syndrome

Is It Asperger Syndrome?
From Lisa Jo Rudy,
Your Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Diagnosis: Asperger SyndromeDo you find yourself confused in social situations? Are you passionately interested in a single topic? Is it tough for you to make and maintain eye contact? Then you, like many talented and intelligent adults, may be diagnosable with Asperger’s Syndrome.

What does it mean to have Asperger’s Syndrome? Clearly, since so many successful people seem to have the diagnosis (Dan Ackroyd, for one, announced his diagnosis on the air -- and rumor has it that Bill Gates may also have Asperger’s) it is not a disability in the classic sense. In fact, some historians suggest that Einstein, Mozart, and Alan Turing (the inventor of the first electronic computer) may all have been diagnosable with Asperger’s.
Many “aspies” (a term that teens and adults with Asperger’s Syndrome sometimes use to refer to themselves) have been bullied or teased as children. They may be awkward with the opposite sex. And they may have a tough time maneuvering through complex social cues at school, at work, or elsewhere.

I find social situations confusing. YES
I find it hard to make small talk. YES
I did not enjoy imaginative story-writing at school.
I am good at picking up details and facts. YES
I find it hard to work out what other people are thinking and feeling. YES
I can focus on certain things for very long periods. YES
People often say I was rude even when this was not intended. YES
I have unusually strong, narrow interests. YES
I do certain things in an inflexible, repetitive way. YES
I have always had difficulty making friends. YES YES YES

If you do answer “yes” to many of these questions relative to yourself or a loved one, you may have uncovered an undiagnosed case of Asperger’s Syndrome. For some teens and adults, this is a tremendous relief: it puts a name on a set of issues that has troubled them throughout their lives. And it also opens the door to support, treatment, and community.

But there is no obligation to do anything at all about Asperger’s Syndrome. In fact, many adults feel that being an “aspie” is a point of pride. They are unique, often successful individuals who are simply … themselves!

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Bumper Stickers

Today, I created my first professional bumper stickers with my computer system. Previously I did business cards and T-shirts. I plan to do window decals. I made a sheet with 4 stickers, laminated them, & put them on my car.

Publix Shuttle
I used the logotype above, and added Shuttle with the same color and font. It is now on top of my front bumper. Going to Publix, is what I use my car for the most.

The next sticker is of Hillary, seen above. This was put on middle of my rear windshield, on the bottom black strip, between the brake light and satellite antenna. The last one is "&rew" in brown on a tan background. I used Arial Rounded Bold, which is my favorite font. This was put in the middle, on top of the rear bumper. It looks excellent on my rounded beige car. I decided not to put band-aid stickers on my cars scrapes and dents. I finally pealed off the WBAB Long Island Rock radio sticker from my lower left back bumper.

I purchased the materials to make the cards, stickers, decals, and T-shirts years ago with Laurie. Now, for the first time, while I am relaxed and settled down for the first time in my life, I can finally do these hobby-type things. I just found today, the T-shirt transfer paper that I did purchase with Laurie years ago. I am sad that I now purchased a third package, and did not need to do so.

Instead of using my last 8-hour PTO this week, that will be lost instead, I took a VGH after 2 hours at work. I otherwise only had yesterday off. But, I will be off on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I also talked with my brother & friends on the telephone, biked, and went swimming! I am happy with my decisions and use of my day.

Thursday, June 14, 2007

New Look

Edith Lerner, who painted this picture, was born on this day, June 14, 1918

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Quotes

Previously, George W. Bush said: I'm The Decider". On 6/11/07 he referred to the U.S.A. as "My government". It says that in the constitution: "W, the people..." If the next President is a Mormon, it will only be one more "m" than the president we have now.

It is said that if you quit smoking, exercise, or eat more fruits & vegetables, you can add hours, days, or even years to your life. How would you ever know? My favorite beverage is called "Liquid Ice". Some say that I have an @titude. Others say I am a character, followed by three letters.

Updates that are unread, have words changed to the red color. If it is in red, it was not read.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Gave Away

Essential New York - John Tauranac 1939-Photographs by Dave SagarinHolt, Rinehart and Winston New York. Copyright 1979

New York Map of Midtown Manhattanin detailed axonometric projection. Anderson Isometric MapsDecember 1980 - January 1981

These above two items were given to Albert Tashian on 6/12/2007.

Please click on the links below "LINKS" in the left column for instructions, and other pages.

Monday, June 11, 2007

Bush more Evil

Guess who President Bush wants to be the next U.S. Surgeon General?

Hint: His past writings indicate that he believes homosexuality is a "lifestyle" choice that should be "cured," and he has compared reproductive organs to plumbing parts.
His name is Dr. James Holsinger. And he's the man America might be depending on for sound medical advice.

Holsinger's record seems to demonstrate that he is uninterested in the best scientific information available; instead, he allows his anti-gay bias to inform his medical judgments. That means that instead of hearing the usual warnings against smoking and drinking, America might be subjected to a new one that says, "homosexuality is unnatural and unhealthy!"

I'm outraged - and I knew you would be, too. But we can do something to stop Holsinger from becoming our nation's top doctor. I wrote my Senators, telling them to vote NO on his nomination. Will you join me? The Senate needs to hear from as many of us as possible - so that they have no choice but to listen. Take action today by clicking here.
This was an email Powered by Convio, Inc. http://www.convio.com



lame duck n.
1. a. An elected officeholder or group continuing in office during the period between failure to win an election and the inauguration of a successor.
b. An officeholder who has chosen not to run for reelection or is ineligible for reelection.
2. An ineffective person; a weakling.


Example: George W. Bush.

Thank you for visiting and reading. Click on "comments" to the left of the tiny envelope-with-arrow icon below, to reply or read replies to my postings.

Sunday, June 10, 2007

&rew Lerner Clothing Co.™

Ask me to customize your shirts





&rew Lerner Clothing Co.™
CafePress: My designs

Friday, June 08, 2007

Launch from 321...214-9855

Watching my first launch ever* of a rocket propelled vehicle, was exciting. At 7:38 pm, the Space Shuttle Atlantis was launched from my planet earth, into space. It took off on land, surrounded by the Atlantic ocean, at the Kennedy Space Center, near Cocoa Beach Florida. I went outside, in front of my house, to watch it soar through our atmosphere, about 40 miles east by south-east of me. *This is the first time I saw such a launch, and from this place, with only air between me, and the spaceship! I am between the center of Central Florida and the east coast of the U.S.A. This area has the area code of 321, in recognition of the location of the Kennedy Space Center, and the count-down of rocket launches and space-craft launches. My telephone number is therefore 321...214-9855. E.T. phone home.

Thursday, June 07, 2007

Gas Rental

I performed my bi-monthly filling of my car gas tank. It was $2.979 per gallon, and the most I have ever paid. Florida has been one of the least expensive states for gas. It took a long time until it was $3/gallon here, and only for a brief time.

My Jones-Gen. tenant will probably be here through July 2007. This will be 1.5 years. Another one of many friends at work will be loosing his lease at a nearby apartment community, that is becoming condominiums. He too, has seen, and may be interested in moving in. The ideal time would be August. However, that depends primarily on if my present tenant stays into September. I support his needs. A previous colleague could not move in, due to my present tenant's decision to stay.

Use the upper left search box to search all postings for certain topics.

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Jones Generation President

Sen. Barack Obama - Democrat (Born August 4, 1961) Attorney, lecturer.Barack is of my Jones Generation (1954-1965). He is second place in terms of matching my views on my important issues. He lacks experience.
Rep. Dennis Kucinich - Democrat (Born October 8, 1946) Consultant, business president, professor, communications entrepreneur, software and public relations, sportswriter. Dennis is my favorite presidential candidate based on views. He lacks leadership.
Sen. Hillary Clinton - Democrat (Born October 26, 1947) Attorney, professor, is my choice and prediction for the next President of the United States. Hillary is tied for third place with Christopher Dodd matching my views.


Meet the Jones Generation. They decided the US election for George Bush, suggests that the election will be decided by people born between 1954 and 1965. Too young to be baby boomers, too old to know how to download a ringtone, they are Generation Jones " the name comes from American slang, jonesing, meaning yearning. Now aged between 42 and 54, they were brought up to believe they could have it all, but found that they couldn't.

The term was invented by Jonathan Pontell, a US social commentator who explains that, 'as children in the Sixties, Jonesers thought they had a bright future not just in terms of material progress but of personal fulfilment " as we grew older the economy soured and we were left with an unrequited, 'jonesing' quality'.


They have two defining features: they tend to have more money, being at the peak of their career earnings; and they are 'persuadable', because they are not as fixed in their preferences as older people. That combination is a magic formula for the marketing industry.

In last year's presidential election, the polling company Mason- Dixon reported that Generation Jones was pivotal in deciding between Mr Bush and John Kerry. It was the only age group " Joneser women especially " that switched back and forth between the candidates during the campaign before plumping for Mr Bush. What makes Jonesers attractive to the marketing industry also makes them important to political campaigns: they are more likely to turn out than younger age groups, and are less fixed in their political preferences than their elders.

The concept was imported here last year by the media agency Carat with the launch of 'Project Britain', a research programme to map the nation's attitudes and habits. Last month, it was extended to include an analysis of the political characteristics of different age groups.

Andrew Hawkins, chief executive of CommunicateResearch, which carried out the study, said that what marked out Generation Jones was 'the potentially explosive combination of strong likelihood to vote with the propensity to change their mind between now and election day'.

The research finds that 55 per cent of this age group say they are 'absolutely certain to vote', compared with 66 per cent of the war generation, 54 per cent of baby boomers " and only 39 and 15 per cent of Generations X and Y. What is more, Jonesers are more likely than older groups to say that they 'may well change' their minds about how they will vote before election day. One in three Jonesers may change or describe themselves as a 'floating voter'. While higher proportions of younger people are changeable, they are also less likely to vote.


John Coll, Carat's strategy director, warns politicians that Generation Jones is 'capable of springing a surprise. From what we know of their behaviour as consumers, the parties cannot rely on tradition or brand loyalty with this group " they're open to new ideas.' He cites the massive take-up of iPods among over-40s as an example of this " 'they picked up on marketing that was not aimed at them'.

The Carat survey also reveals the political priorities of Generation Jones that mark it out. As with all other age groups except the youngest, Jonesers are most likely to name the NHS when asked which three issues are 'most important in determining which way you'll vote in the forthcoming election'. After health, taxation is more of an issue for them than for any other group. This is the age group under most financial pressure, having to provide for children and worry about their own retirement. And because they mostly have children, they tend to attach as much importance to education as younger generations. The findings suggest that the issues the Conservatives have made their own " immigration and crime " do not have much resonance with the age group that counts in the
election.

jonesing: To have a strong need, desire, or craving for something. ... The want of something .. comes from 'keeping up with the joneses'. If you are jonsesing for some waffels you want to have waffles badly ... Of or pertaining to Indiana Jones type of behavior. i.e. A strong need or desire to do something adventurous.



Saturday, June 02, 2007

Marilyn Manson

Marilyn Manson is a rock band based in Los Angeles, California. They usually advocate nonconformity which is one of their notions that founded the accusation that they are a "shock rock" band. They show influences from industrial to glam rock. As a whole, Marilyn Manson is highly difficult to categorize as each album has a distinct and individual image and sound. The band was formed in 1989 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida as "Marilyn Manson and the Spooky Kids". The band's uniquely theatrical performances gathered a local cult following that subsequently developed into a worldwide fanbase.
Marilyn Manson's reputation has likewise grown, with the band now considered one of modern music's most widely-known and most controversial; this has been due, in large part, to eponymous lead singer
Marilyn Manson — born Brian Warner — and his frequent clashes with religious and political figures. The name of each band member was originally created by combining the first name of an iconic female sex symbol and the last name of an iconic mass murderer or serial killer. In recent years, new members of the band have strayed away from this formula and used their own names. The members of the band dress in outlandish makeup and costumes, and have engaged in intentionally shocking behavior both onstage and off. Their lyrics often receive criticism for their anti-religious sentiment and their references to sex, drugs, and violence. Marilyn Manson's music and performances have frequently been called offensive and obscene, and, more than a few times, protests and petitions have led to the group being banned from performing.