September 22, 2008

Au Revoir and Thanks for Reading

It is with great gratitude we leave our ever faithful friends and family readers, and thank you for all your support. Mystery Dinner Guest and Claude have had quite an enjoyable run at this blog but we collectively think the time has come for us to bid tout le monde au revoir and move on to brighter, bigger and better things. Next stop the great wide open. Thanks for reading.

Peace.
Mystery Dinner Guest and Claude
9/22/2008

August 20, 2008

Introducing the Intuos Tablet...


"Martha's Vineyard Red Night" by MDG

Ok
, it is a rare and dangerous day when we actually praise a product on this blog. But, we think we have just stumbled upon what might just be our next favorite gadget of all things technological. At least for the next New York Minute...

Introducing the Intuos 3 Tablet, by Wacom, which by it's branding advertises it's "for the serious photographer, designer, and artist". MDG was looking for a gadget to buy over the recent MA tax holiday weekend. Sadly, they were out of the Wii and the big flat screen seemed a bit overzealous we reached for the next best thing, we think. Check it, check it, check it out. Holy Batman, we like it.

It comes with a tablet, wireless pen and mouse you connect to your laptop/desktop. Installation is easy, guided step by step through their tutorial wizard. All connects well and you're off. Several graphic editing programs support the Intuos functionality with some of it's tools. For example, Photoshop brushes work with the pen and you can control width during the drawing line with the pen on the tablet. There's some pretty neat sh()t we've been discovering and we've just opened the cover. Double guns thumbs up from us!

Peace Out,
Mystery Dinner Guest & Claude

August 16, 2008

Good Luck configuring your Belkin Wireless Router

This post will fall into the "rant" category, which last we polled our fabulous audience was the number one area you wanted more.

So backin it up a few days, Mystery Dinner Guest was busy like a bee painting away when the ladder rungs caught in the modem and wireless router wires and kaboom! Toppling off the bookshelf and crashing onto the wood floor below went the lil devices. Now, the Comcast modem faired just fine, still working, in shape and ready to rock. The Belkin wireless router device not so much. Maybe something to do with its delicate little antennae. We don't really know or care other than to determine it no longer connected us to the internet. Seemed simple enough to fix.

Purchasing a new Belkin wireless router, we thought setting it back up would be a walk on the beach. Five days later, and several clumps of hair missing, we are back online with the router. Though no thanks to the phone conversation we had last night with Belkin technical support.

Dang we wish we had the transcript to share. We shall try our best to recreate the conversation which started after ten minutes on hold, with a helpful message about having your Product ID number ready or to hang up and call back with it... playing at the eleventh hour of hold time. Mad scramble to run downstairs, write down the id and run back to the computer still not connecting to the internet.

Ray: Hi my name is Ray. Is this an existing case or a new one?
MDG: Hi, yes this is a new issue.
Ray: Can I have your phone number?
MDG: Um, can I give you my cell number? I'm calling from a LAN line I really don't use.
Ray: Fine mam, I just need a number to call you at in case this call gets disconnected.
MDG: Ok, great. It's xxx.xxx.xxxx.
Ray: Can I have your email address?
MDG: Do you need it to take this call? I'd prefer not to give it out.
Ray: Ok, we'll revisit that at the end of the call. Alright and can I get your name?
MDG: MDG
Ray: Ok, and what's your product ID?
MDG: It's F5D9230-4
Ray: And what's the model number?
MDG: Is that on the bottom of the router?
Ray: Yes.
MDG: Ok, hang on I have to run downstairs to get it for you.
*** runs downstairs to get model id, wonders why this wasn't part of the sweet message in the eleventh hour on hold ***
MDG: Ok, it's 3001.
Ray:
What operating system are you on?
MDG: Well, there are two computers. One is running on Windows XP and one is running on Vista.
Ray: There are two computers?
MDG: Yes. That isn't a problem, is it?
*** long pause ***
Ray: No. Who is your internet provider?
MDG: Comcast.
Ray: So what's the problem you're having?
MDG: Well, I'm trying to install the Belkin wireless router. I have one of the computers seeing the wireless network fine and surfing the internet. The other computer will see the wireless network, but will not surf out to the internet.
Ray: So where are the two computers?
MDG: One is upstairs and is connecting wirelessly, and the second is also upstairs and is the one having the problem.
Ray: Wait, you're trying to connect to them both wirelessly?
MDG: Yes, that's why I got the router.
*** wtf? ***
Ray: You don't have one of the computers hardwired to the router?
MDG: Nooo... I have both of them in a different room than the router and am trying to connect from there.
*** seriously dude, the concept of having a wireless router at your home is not to hardwire your computer to the router ***
Ray:
Ok mam, the problem is not with the Belkin wireless router in this case.
MDG: Well, what is the problem then?
Ray: The problem is with your computer. You need to call the manufacturer of your computer and ask them for support with fixing your computer.
MDG: But why can't you help me when it's having a problem connecting to your device?
Ray: Mam I cannot help you any further at this point. You need to contact the manufacturer and they are going to tell you you need to call Belkin support and what you really need to do is figure out the problem with your computer.
*** did I just get bitch slapped by this guy or what? ***
MDG: Ok, well seriously, I think you need to have a conversation with your Manager and tell them that they should be providing you with some kind of additional resources to give people like me when they call with this kind of a problem. You can't tell me that I'm the first person to call in with this kind of a problem?
Ray: No.
MDG: And so you're giving me no information on how to resolve this?
Ray: The problem is not the wireless router. The router is working fine. You just told me that one computer is surfing the internet with it. You need to fix your computer. The router is working.
MDG: Ok, well I still think that you should tell your Manager that I'm an unsatisfied customer with your technical support and they should consider providing some more resources. You didn't help me at all. You didn't give me any information I didn't have before this call, and now you're telling me it's my problem. How are you offering technical support? *** huge exhale *** MDG: I hope you have a good night.
*** disconnects the line and heads downstairs for the Vodka ***

Now all I'm left to wonder is what would Claude have done? Would he have handled it differently? Would he have been able to sweet talk Ray Ray into giving it up, telling him the precious piece of information to connect to the internet?

August 5, 2008

Peace Y'All + Our 50th Post!

Join Us at ForPeaceNow.com

First off, DazzlinDonna over at SEO Scoop developed a brilliant web site, ForPeaceNow.com where you can get and place these awesome kick ass badges to display on your blog/web site/whatever. Donna wrote a really interesting post here about getting back to Peace, and the web site is a spin off from there (at least I think that's the correct sequence of events). We thank you Donna for such an inspirational idea, and we support the effort!

Note from Claude: So my only problem is that while supporting Peace overall, I still have a really foul mouth and like to call some sh*t out from time to time. Ok, so maybe sometimes more frequent than that metric, but still. So I hope this is not an inherent conflict, becuz we like to rant sometimes and hope that that part is still cool-n-the gang?

Side Note from Claude: So my other complaint I'd like to lodge here is with current Facebook makers of Scrabble game. Yo! What the F is going on with your SH*T?!?!? Could you PLEASE for the love of the big "G" spend some time going through all of your user feedback forums, throw a sh*tload of $$ at this application ASAP and make it happen?! I heard it through the grapevine, that you're app is WHACK right now. Get your reputation management PANTS ON!

Ok, so back to our regularly scheduled programming...

Right and so the one last thing we wanted to mention is we just celebrated our 5oth Mystery Dinner Guest blog post! A huge thank you to our parents, our siblings, and our loyal rock star fans out there for all your eyes and time. We hope you keep on rockin' the next 50 posts with us.

Peace Out,
Mystery Dinner Guest & Claude

August 1, 2008

Reasons for Cuil's Less than Stellar Launch Include Strawberries and Muffins, Oh My!

This just in, we now have some factual information to back up what may have triggered the series of most unfortunate events with the recent launch of wanna be Google killer "Cuil". According to a few online sources, Cuil whittled away their $33 million dollar VC backing on strawberries and muffins, free lunches every day, uber-flexible work schedules, and extravagent first class plane tickets.

According to UK based The Register, more recent issues with the new search engine include exposing people to excessive amounts of unsolicited porn, a result they say which was caused by some "serious file corruption". Things are not rolling along smoothly for launch week.

But, they have one ace up their sleeve... online super hero Danny Sullivan of Search Engine Land and now Editor-at-Large for Sphinn, turns out to be friends of one of the people involved in launching Cuil. Is it coincidence then his reviews of the product are mainly positive, upbeat, and he seems to be spear heading up the Cuil reputation management defense?

It's amazing what little $33 million can buy you some days.

Peace Out,
Mystery Dinner Guest & Claude

Bye Bye Manny and Good Luck!

Well maybe that explains Manny's jog the other night. And possibly the overall less than stellar team performance. We just heard the news last night a little past 5pm that Manny is leaving the Red Sox! At first, it felt like shock and awe. We're really going to miss:
  • the tremendous amount of tar he managed to fit on his helmet
  • the patented toss of the helmet, passing 2nd or 3rd base on a home run hit
  • manny being manny
  • manny's hair
  • manny's smile
  • manny's sense of humor
Good luck to you Manny in your new digs. And we hope that your real reason for you leaving us isn't the US Dollar, cuz that would just be, like, tremendously sad and incredibly vacuous.

Game back on! Let's go Red Sox, Let's Go!!!

Peace out,
Claude + MDG

July 31, 2008

Scrabble, Get your Game On!

So in case you have not got a Facebook account, and had the recent displeasure of attempting to make the switch to the Scrabble Beta application, let us assure you that it is not a pretty picture you are missing out on. But don't take our word for it, no, let us present you with the screenshot to the right. Taken from the Discussion Board for the Scrabble Beta application. We'll refer to this as "Exhibit A".

So, if you read the post titles shown in blue from Exhibit A, you will see that Scrabble Beta is not getting very favorable user feedback at this point. Not so much!

While we would like to add a more personal twist to this product review, we are sadly unable to join a game we've been invited to attend. :: super sad, super sad ::

Our recommendation is we hope you throw some serious developer and hardware super powers at that sh*t STAT Hasbro! First impressions count. 

Peace out yo,
Mystery Dinner Guest & Claude


Personal note from Claude:
So I just want to add that I am also pissed off right now about the recent Red Sox games. I mean, Manny's jog to first base the other night was just bullcr*p! Manny, you better get your game on too mister! We're watching you.

July 29, 2008

Not Cuil Enough for School

Ex-Googlers launched the new search engine cuil on Monday, what was touted to possibly be the "next google killer". C'mon now, really?

How many search engines have we seen try and enter the market to chip away at Google? And out of those, how many have actually been able to put a dent into Google's market share? Ok, just wanted to recap on that. 

cuil, pronounced "cool", is sadly another example of a product launch before it's time. From this launch, I have the following three cents:

  • PLEASE, for the love of GOD, STOP USING WEB 2. 0 NAMING CONVENTIONS WHEN INTRODUCING NEW PRODUCTS. I can't STAND IT. IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE and it makes me THINK YOU'RE A TWENTY-SOMETHING SHOULD BE ATTENDING COLLEGE BUT TURNED YOUR DORM INTO A WEB SERVING MORASS.
  • Can people please put more emphasis on stress testing and application QA before these gigantic go-lives? It only spells disaster when you don't, and reinforces that you come across looking like a 20-something skipping your calc and algebra classes. 
  • Could you please just accept that Google is here to stay? You can't compete with it, Microsoft can't compete with it, and Yahoo! certainly can't compete with it, so just call it a day and spend the money you are sinking down the toilet on some nice Gucci sunglasses, a villa in Tuscany, and bring all your friends along for the biggest and baddest bash you can throw. It'll still be cheaper than trying to fight this fight.
[MDG side note: Ok, so the third point I kinda disagree with, in theory, but still like to daydream about a fabulous party in Tuscany with all my entourage]

And, for those of you who think I'm being too harsh on the new cuil, here's a random sampling of AP headlines on their launch:

What do you think?

July 23, 2008

Firefox for your Computer's Health

In case you didn't get the memo, Firefox web browser by Mozilla is the best computer protection you can use when surfing the internet. Period.

Recent AP reports are saying that malware is undeniably on the rise; the sheer volume of computers being compromised by viruses, spam, botnets and malware is going through the roof.

But what can you, the innocent and unsuspecting web surfer do? You can start by ditching Internet Explorer as your web browser and using Firefox by Mozilla instead. Firefox is a free web browser, easy to install, and a gazillion times less likely to expose your computer to the crap that IE is all about.

So what are you waiting for? For heaven's sake, run *don't walk* to this URL address and download free Firefox today:



Peace Out,
Mystery Dinner Guest & Claude

p.s. For those of you who recently signed onto your Facebook account and found Claude missing from your Friends and Entourage, you can read about what went down in our last post. Now Claude Rolls with 1.

July 10, 2008

RIP Claude 7-10-2008


It's a very sad day in Claude's life. Today he got kicked out of Facebook. Yes, we're sorry to report this news but it is in fact the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So help us G*d. Upon trying to login to Facebook this morning, instead of his Facebook profile, he got the not so nice message "Your account has been disabled by an administrator. If you have any questions or concerns, you can visit our FAQ page here."

Well, zoinks!!! We are just flabbergasted, in shock and awe, more disturbed by this than the Reverend Jesse Jackson comment about wanting to cut Barack Obama's nuts off. Or however he phrased it.

So kids, when you login to your Facebook accounts and are scratching your head wondering why your Friends count is minus one, this is why.

RIP Claude's Facebook Account ~ Wiped clean from the virtual world on 7-10-2008.


July 4, 2008

Top 10 Reasons Converse Rocks The House, Y'All


As a little sidebar intro, so we admit that at first we were a little bit sweatin' it, wondering if we were gonna catch any heat from Verizon... you know, from our postings on their lack of environmental concern. However, thank our lucky stars, we came across this recent article available on Andy Beal's Marketing Pilgrim blog "New Survey: 55% of Companies Not Prepared for Online Reputation Crisis". Big sigh of relief. Moving on, we feel much better about posting rants, raves, or anything in between. Oh, and perhaps the occasional restaurant review for Cape Cod.

So without further ado, here are our Top 10 Reasons Why Converse Rocks The House, Y'all...

  1. check the sweet logo design
  2. they're an American company
  3. they bring back vintage in mad style
  4. they're in vogue every decade
  5. converse chucks
  6. their attention to detail
  7. their cool factor is off the charts
  8. they keep their advertising clean (***cough, Facebook, cough***)
  9. their sneakers look good with everything
  10. Target sells them

All this being said, we must admit that upon visiting the Converse web site, we might suggest a few minor tweaks for a better user experience: more obvious navigation, faster loading pages (suggestion: nix the song launching by default), and a more obvious way to turn volume down or off on "My Drive Thru". While the song is catchy and all, it's early here yet and I'm trying not to wake the neighbors. THANKS!

Happy 4th of July everyone!!!

Peace out,
Claude & Mystery Dinner Guest

July 3, 2008

What's That, Verizon? We Can't Hear You Now.

Status check for our faithful blog followers, as of today, July 3rd, no response has been communicated by Verizon regarding our "Open Letter" dated back on June 26th. We guess that maybe like the government, Verizon takes the month of July off and didn't have time to prepare an AP Press Release statement before break. Yah, that's gotta be it.

We just want you to take a more leadership role in putting our environment first. Actions speak louder than words, and we really look forward to hearing about your new eco-friendly missions.

Peace Out.
Claude & Mystery Dinner Guest

July 2, 2008

Citizen Cope - this song is dope!

So we got another great beat for your consideration. If you haven't heard them before, we are totally grovin' to Citizen Cope these days. Check out "Let The Drummer Kick"



Good beats y'all.
Peace Out.
Claude & MDG

David Cook's version of MJ's Billie Jean

In case you didn't watch American Idol, and, yes I am aware that there are people out there who downright refuse to, take a listen to this version of Michael Jackson's Billie Jean, performed by the amazingly talented 2008 winner David Cook...





We heart you David Cook, you really rock the house and we're psyched you won!

Peace Out,
Mystery Dinner Guest & Claude

June 26, 2008

Open Letter to Verizon




Hey Verizon!
We're glad you're reading this, as you likely have (one would hope) in place mechanisms to scan for stories with the name "Verizon", to monitor your online reputation? Yes? Good.

Moving on, we wanted to bring to your attention the fact that we, Mystery Dinner Guest and Claude, are rather surprised... a little bit of 'shock and awe' feeling actually with your seemingly lack of environmental concerns. We put forth for exhibit A, your recent advertising mailing for "$19.99 per month unlimited calling for 12 months". Now, we are no English Professor or expert, but were just wondering. Doesn't the second part of that sentence negate the "unlimited" part? But, I guess that's mincing words. Anyway, we found it beyond peculiar you chose to use a a very large and heavy weight "Priority Delivery" envelope to mail your single piece of paper in. *** Are you serious??? ***

Here are our questions on this campaign, in no particular order:

Why the big ass, unwarranted envelope?

Why not think about being green?

Why not think about the freakin' environment?

Why not start using recyclable materials for your advertisement mailings?

We'd like a response, you can post it to our blog here. Thanks.
Mystery Dinner Guest and Claude

June 23, 2008

What to do for Scrabulous Addiction?

MDG is strangely afflicted with a new found addiction in Facebook, Scrabulous, which we heard rumors of getting slapped with a big-ass lawsuit by Hasbro for infringing upon their trademarked game. Those poor brothers Jayant and Rajat Agarwalla, these gonna need to hire some big guns to fight this battle. But... on the other hand, we haven't really heard much on this news since recently. Is it just caught up in the legal system, or are we gonna get our games pulled from our facebooks?

It is a tad bit addicting to play Scrabble online, though being an off-line avid Scrabbler, maybe this should come as no surprise?

And what makes Scrabulous so fantastic? Well, for starters if you like to entertain the idea of cheating it couldn't be any easier to do so. Built right into the game is a "Look it up" search field where you can instantly check whether a word is legit or not. Yah, they have that in the real game, right? Second, there's this news flash concept of tabbed browser windows, which make it real easy to surf and query sources like Google when in doubt on two letter Scrabble words.

I'm not quite certain whether Scrabulous is going by the Scrabble dictionary, or using some random third party online dictionary. If I had to guess, I'd go with the latter.

And just to poll everyone who's reading this... everyone who is sick of hearing about twenty something billionaires raise your right hand.

Thought so.
Peace out.
MDG & Claude

June 21, 2008

Facebook : Thems Some Pretty Racy Ads...:

In keeping with the Facebook theme we seem to have goin' on, Claude decided to review and share some findings on advertisements displayed prominently in Facebook. Yes, that same Facebook application Mark Zuckerberg founded at Harvard and which Microsoft purchased for $246 million. Riiiggght. Just so we are on the same page here.

Advertising, hmmm yes. It is an interesting and amazing industry, that advertising, that. And it looks like the online medium isn't all that different from print or late night television advertising. Just wondering though, is it really appropriate advertising like this for teens and tweens hooked on Facebook like a bunch of crack monkeys? Ok, maybe crack isn't the best analogy to be using here, but you get the picture. Anyways, Claude's findings are that advertising on Facebook is surprisingly racy, and even makes Claude blush.

Some examples for your consideration...


I don't know, maybe we are just downright dumb with our concept of what appropriate online advertising is. Plus, as you can read in the Preppy Ass ad, this ad is Ok'd to run by Google, so it must be OK for the tweens. I mean, afterall, isn't the driving force of Google to do no evil?

Things that make you go hmmmm.
Peace Out,
Claude

June 15, 2008

Happy Father's Day!!!


Too all you father's out there, just want to wish you a very HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!! Hope you have a wonderful and enjoyable day!
XOXO
MDG & Claude

June 11, 2008

Joe's Beach Road Bar & Grille Rocks the House

If you haven't been there recently, the updates at Joe's Beach Road Bar & Grille in Orleans are worth the trip! Some very happy changes indeed... Christian (formerly of Christian's in Chatham) is cooking there now and the menu has some fantastic updates. The haddock with lobster served with jasmine rice and asparagus is out of this world delicious. The tuna sashimi appetizer is yummy and great for sharing.

They extended the bar wrap around style, opening up some nice new seating configurations. The drinks are still rock solid, with a nice wine selection. We dig it. Rated "One of the ten best restaurants on Cape Cod" by Yankee Traveler. If you're on Cape Cod, check it out!!!

MGD & Claude

June 6, 2008

Know of any good gardening websites?

Mystery Dinner Guest is:
a) hoping for a sunny & warm weekend here on the Cape
b) hoping to get some gardening in
c) trying to get some tips for the gardening
d) feeling like lazy way out of blogging right now and this seems to fit the bill... oh, wait. was that part out loud?

I'll be the first to admit, I'm not the greenest thumb out there I know. While I like to pride myself on my multifarious other ways of being green, I have been known to kill a plant or two. So, we were hoping that someone might be kind enough to share their knowledge on any good online gardening web sites. Preferably ones that give you good ideas, with a good balance of pictures and instructions. Actually, lots of good pictures would be preferable. Nothing overly scientific, I get lost and confused in the academia angle. 

So, yah. that's pretty much my lame ass post for the day here... looking for ideas on gardening sites? Anyone? Buueeelller?!

Peace Out, 
MDG

June 4, 2008

If Facebook were real life...

So Claude's been testing the Facebook waters, and he reports back from the trenches that it might not be all it's cracked up to be. In fact, he recently came across the following YouTube video which pretty much captures what being on Facebook can feel like at times. It's kind of mashup between part email, part Snapfish, part reconnecting with people you'd otherwise never see or hear from again, part selling your personal information to the devil... But otherwise, it is very fun to chat with good friends on, and play fabulous games like Scrabulous! So, Facebook's got that going for it, which is good. And that's Nice!

Let us know what you think about Facebook. Is it good or evil?

Enjoy! MDG + Claude

FaceBook In Reality - idiotsofants dot com


May 26, 2008

Claude, Your Job Called...


They want to know which day next week works for an exit interview?


Seriously, we here at the blog are feeling just a little overwhelmed by your lack of work lately. And check your calendar on that exit interview, you're pre-booked for back to back interviews at the P-Town film festival. You know your boy Quentin's going to be there, so you best be hauling your ass back up from Florida in a hurry now, and don't forget to think about what you're wearing for that interview. Seriously Claude, get on it!

Oh, and someone named Holly called too, boy is she pissed. She said you'll know what she's talking about.

Peace out.
MDG

May 25, 2008

Britney - Discuss

It seems like every other tabloid has our little Brit Brit on the cover still. Interestingly though, they can't seem to agree on much to do with the shape of her body. The same week one runs the headline "Britney's got her body back!" another runs with "Is Britney Pregnant?" Now, really, number 1) which is it? number 2) why are the tabloids still obsessing over Brit Brit? and number 3) which media outlet is a more reliable source to cite, People magazine or Fox News?

Please discuss...

Stone Cold BUSTED!




Wese thinkin' we were being on the d-l and nobody would notice, but just found out wese been stone cold busted slackin off on the job here. In case anyone had the decency to wonder, "Now what in the heck do you supposed happened to our little friend Claude? I could've sworn he was just right here and then poof, he's just off again. And how am I supposed to sleep at night not knowing what ever happened to Tomato Man?"

Well, first of all, it is rather easy to move around at lightning speed without being noticed so much. Being two and a half inches tall does have its advantages. Second of all, I was desperately in need of some r&r. Thirdly, mole hunting. Sometimes chasing moles just calls to me. It's like, you can't even begin to imagine how much fun mole hunting is. I mean, maybe you would have a glimmer of an idea if you've played Buck Hunter, but most likely you just don't get point three. Fourthly, I'm just way too busy sometimes to execute on all my multifarious skilz. You think my man Perez Hilton's calendar is mad busy, you ain't seen mine. Enough said. I'm back again. At least for now... I mean summer is calling on the Cape and I'm getting ready to get really comfy in my beach chair.

[Mystery Dinner Guest note: He f-ing bailed to Florida without giving any notice. Then was kind enough to send pictures of taking in spring training games and sunning by the pool. Thank god he managed to get his SPF by airport security, I mean, you should see Claude with a sunburn. Now that's funny.]

April 6, 2008

The Salmon Dance - Chemical Brothers



Shout out to little spring chicken, the Salmon Dance by Chemical Brothers is hilarious! We like. Video here for your enjoyment... it should be working, we tested here on Firefox, Internet Explorer and had a problem on Safari but know you aren't using a Mac so don't really care about that then. Let MDG know what the haps on your end?
Peace out. MDG & Claude

April 5, 2008

The Hottest Hit from 1977 - Fantasy



Fantasy by Earth, Wind and Fire



MDG has to give a huge shout out to the spring chicken who told us about this one!!! Fo sure it's the baddest and bestest hit of 1977, check this shit out! Keep the tips comin along. So, jack the volume, press play and here's the song lyrics so you can belt it out with Maurice White. You might want to see what you can fashion as a shiny sweatband or glitter pants if you really want to get your groove on. Peace out. MDG & Claude

Every man has a place
In his heart there's a space
And the world can't erase his fantasies
Take a ride in the sky
On our ship fantasy
All your dreams will come true right away

And we will live together
Until the twelfth of never
Our voices will ring forever as one

Every thought is a dream
Rushing by in a stream
Bringing life to your kingdom of doing
Take a ride in the sky
On our ship fantasy
All your dreams will come true miles away

Our voices will ring together
Until the twelfth of never
We all will love together as one

Come to see victory
In a land called fantasy
Loving life a new degree
Bring your mind to everlasting liberty

As one

Come to see victory
In a land called fantasy
Loving life for you and me
To behold to your soul is ecstasy
You will find other kind
That has been in search of you
Many lives have brought you to
Recognise it's your life now in review

As you stay for the play
Fantasy has in store for you
A glowing light will see you through
It's your day shining day
All your dreams come true

As you glide in your stride
With the wind as you fly away
Give a smile from your lips and say
Are you free yes I'm free
And I'm on my way

March 29, 2008

MLB.com - How Greedy Can You Get?

MLB.COM IS GREEDY

Are me and Claude the only peeps who think the MLB.com is about as greedy as a crack monkey who runs out of crack at one in the morning? Well, perhaps that depiction of greedy may not be the best one we can enact, but you get the picture. We're just sayin that MLB.com is mother f*ing uber greedy!

Driving into work the other morning, we picked up some of the Red Sox game being aired from Japan exhibition games. Good stuff. NPR gets a little dry over time and it was a nice change of pace. Listening, listening, enjoying it...

Get to work, shut off radio, head into our office. A lightbulb went off, "hey, let's see if we can't listen to the game streaming it from our computer". Brilliant and it's only Monday at 8:30am.

Quick Googling results find us navigating around the MLB.com web site. Hold up, let us get this straight. We need to PAY the MLB.com greed monster organization to LISTEN to same Red Sox game playing on the radio? Are you serious?

Ah yes, this is the same organization going after Cape league baseball teams for infringing on usage of seven or so pro-league baseball names. They'll have the Cape teams coughing up some serious dough soon enough. We're not condoning ripping of trademarks, intellectual property, or the likes but aren't these Cape league teams fodder for the pro-league?

We'll have to look into getting ourselves a fancy radio to tune into the Red Sox games, as there's no way in hell we would pay the MLB.com a red hot cent for the opportunity to listen to something we can get for free elsewhere.

Rant out.
MDG & Claude

February 29, 2008

PacMan!

MDG had a migraine all day today. So in an effort to keep bringing you real and fresh content, Claude is happy to bring you PacMan, thanks to the sweet Google Gadget by SHULTZ:DK - The imperfect geek. Thanks Shultz:DK!






Peace Out,
Claude + MDG

February 26, 2008

Comcast On Demand - Menu Design Madness

For the umpteenth time, Claude would like to reiterate for the record that Comcast On Demand menu design SUCKS the big one!!!

Who are they using to test this sh*t out on? Monkeys from the deepest jungles of Africa? Wild boars from parts of middle America that shall go unnamed? Almost ex-heroin users trying to get a fix? Perhaps, hmmm... perhaps they do not have user groups for the On Demand menu feature... or for the freakish design of their remote control for that matter.

How many times can we get lost in On Demand menus? Or find a movie we want to watch which seems to drop off the face of the earth when going back to select it? Would it kill Comcast to make a universal "Back" option that exits you out of every screen? Could they consider the needs of the simple minded human being when designing these services? Considering the fees we pay to use them, it seems like the least they could do. Ouch, our heads hurt from thinking about it.

Anyone else out there know what we're talking about? That's all for now...

Peace out,
Claude & mdg (mystery dinner guest)

February 20, 2008

Tomato Man is Back!

For the love of Christ, Tomato Man is already back in action! It seems early, it being all of 31 degrees and feels like 23. Snowflakes could bust a move any minute now, yet there he sits. Outside, on his stool, all patient like with his dog. Watching his very early, lone tomato.

Tomato, singular, which is usually plural, but it appears he is starting slow outta the gates this year. Or maybe that's how it went last year, if only we'd pay more attention to the peeps. One lonely plant stands where several will soon join, all bundled up in cellophane or plastic or whatever material he's got on protecting the singular plant at this peculiar time of year to be planting.

Tomato by way of guessing, as I never do actually see the plants in the flesh. It's a quick drive-by, sometimes a sideways glance while passing by bike on the trail parallel to his house. I see the cellophane, wrapping its way around circular stakes, which I can only assume to be tomato. It could be corn. Or peas. Or pot for all I know, but that would be pretty brazen as he's sitting on a state road.

And who is to say he's early? By my count, it being the official beginning of spring training in Florida and Arizona maybe he is the smart one and I the learning by the seat of my pants one. Enough snowfall is projected this week to require plowing and digging out of driveways, but that cellophane is probably pretty rad shit. Maybe as warm as moon boots, puffy North Face jackets, or even warmer.

Me, I'm just washing my hands from planting my seeds indoors. Tomato Man, he's got it going ON while I am looking at weeks of tedious watering and moving around and draining and prodding. But what do I know?

Claude & MDG thinks we got us a 'ject in the works here. A little late night sneaky pants action to find out what hides beneath the cellophane perhaps? It'll have to be stealth though and Claude will have to do the leg work as MDG is not at all interested in adding trespassing or B&E to my rap sheet. Not that B&E was even mentioned, but you know how one thing leads to another in these type pursuits.

One thing is for certain though, wese peeps are back in the action on our blog. You can count on it.

Peace Out,
Claude & MDG